Christmas: The Big Announcement

Notes: Christmas: The Big Announcement

December 1, 2013 

Pastor Greg Sunday service

God came near - Luke 1

1. Mary lived a Godly life in an ungodly place.

Mary was a nobody in a nothing town

Lot in Genesis 19

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us').

Luke 1:29 (NKJV)

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

2. She was honestly surprised that God selected her and not someone else.

Don't boast about what you have given up to follow Jesus.

Luke 1:47 (NKJV)

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Luke 1:31-32 (NKJV)

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

Luke 1:34 (NKJV)

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

3. Mary was completely obedient.

Luke 1:38 (NKJV)

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Present yourself to God. Then don't be conformed to this world.

Matthew 1:19 (NKJV)

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas story according to Pastor Greg.

God chose Joseph as surely as He chose Mary.

If you take away the virgin birth then you lose everything.

Even Mary had to ask to be forgiven of her sins.

Dealing With Doubt

Notes: Dealing With Doubt

Greatest Stories Ever Told

November 21, 2013

Pastor Greg Laurie

Mat 11:1

Matthew 3:7 (NKJV)

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Clear the way, prepare the way and get out of the way.

Some times we have to go through the foyer of doubt to get to the sanctuary of certainty.

The most spiritual people have moments of doubt.

John was not looking for encouragement he was looking for confirmation

Doubt is a matter of the mind. Unbelief is a matter of will.

Belief is a choice.

Job 1:21-22 (NKJV)

And he said: " Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." [22] In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Matthew 11:4-6 (NKJV)

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: [5] The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. [6] And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

Isaiah 35:5 (NKJV)

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

He was the one who pointed people to Christ. That is what made John the greatest of the Old Testament prophets.

1. Jesus refocused John's priorities.

2. Jesus brought John back to the scripture.

Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts.

3. Jesus kept right on with His purpose and asked John to not be stumbled or annoyed.

Christ Before Christmas

Notes: Christ Before Christmas

Nov 17 2013 Pastor Greg

Each Gospel is a unique view from each author.

John 20:31 (NKJV)

but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Greg says this is the first Christmas verse:

Genesis 3:15 (NKJV)

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

John 1:1 (NKJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Points (PT) 1: Jesus is God

John 17:5 (NKJV)

And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

PT 2: Jesus who was a God, became a man.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 8:56-58 (NKJV)

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." [57] Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" [58] Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

Genesis 22:8 (NKJV)

And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together.

A Christophony:

Genesis 22:11 (NKJV)

But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am."

Another Chistophony:

Genesis 32:24-30 (NKJV)

Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. [25] Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. [26] And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" [27] So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." [28] And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." [29] Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. [30] So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."

John 4:12-13 (NKJV)

Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" [13] Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,

Judges 13:2-3 (NKJV)

Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. [3] And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, "Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.

Judges 13:18-23 (NKJV)

And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?" [19] So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the LORD. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on- [20] it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar-the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground. [21] When the Angel of the LORD appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the LORD. [22] And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God!" [23] But his wife said to him, "If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have told us such things as these at this time."

Colossians 1:27 (NKJV)

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

How to Resist Temptation

Notes: How to Effectively Resist Temptation

November 14, 2013

Pastor Greg Laurie

How to effectively resist temptation

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

James 1:12 (NKJV)

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1. It can be endured.

2. There is a reward for the person who endures it.

Luke 4:4 (NKJV)

But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"

Luke 4:8 (NKJV)

And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"

Luke 4:10 (NKJV)

For it is written: ' He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,'

1. Where does temptation come from?

James 1:14-16 (NKJV)

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. [15] Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. [16] Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

1- the temptation itself

2- you are now under its power and enjoying the experience.

3- you are almost hooked.

4- the hook is set

5- the deadly effects of sin kick in.

We have three enemies: the world , the flesh and the devil

1 John 2:15-16 (NKJV)

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world.

2. When does temptation generally come?

Anytime

3. The enemy focuses his attacks

2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

5. Where is the best place to be when temptation comes? In the will of God

Luke 4:3 (NKJV)

And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."

Luke 4:10-11 (NKJV)

For it is written: ' He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,' [11] and, ' In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"

Psalm 91:11-12 (NKJV)

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. [12] In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

6. What is the primary weapon we should use to resist temptation? The word of God

Ephesians 6:17 (NKJV)

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Psalm 119:9 (NKJV)

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

John 11:25 (NKJV)

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.