Childlike Faith

Notes: Childlike Faith

Matthew 18

Pastor Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

God Came Near

Sunday, March 22, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Would you just grow up! Some people grow up before their time.

Childhood is short enough, just enjoy it while you can.

Kids are a good judge of character and Jesus Christ was loved by kids.

Matthew 19:14 NKJV

[14] But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus Christ always had time for children.

Matthew 18:1-6 NKJV

[1] At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" [2] Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, [3] and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. [6] "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Contextually, Jesus Christ was just talking about how He would be going to the cross and these guys were asking who would be the greatest after Him, very insensitive time.

Children are a truly great example of how we should be towards Christ, their excitement is lived outwardly.

New believers are like this many times, that is why they are the life blood of a church.

Becoming like a child does not mean to be childish, it means to be childlike.

Ephesians 4:14 NKJV

[14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

To be like a child is to grow into your faith and to keep up your childlike enthusiasm.

Hebrews 5:12 NKJV

[12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

When you come to church you need to grow and to be able to feed yourself and then help feed others.

What does Jesus Christ mean when he says we should become like little children? Answer: Humility 

Little ones know that they need help.

We sometimes think we have it all together and don't need God, but we will always find that we need God.

Matthew 21:44 NKJV

[44] And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."

Matthew 18:6 NKJV

[6] "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

[12] Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 NKJV

[9] not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

You are an example to a younger believer? Are you a good one or a bad one?

Matthew 18:10 NKJV

[10] "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:8 NKJV

[8] Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Matthew 7:8 NKJV

[8] For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Some liberties of older believers can stumble younger believers, so therefore you should not do it.

Alcohol has this stumbling effect on many new believers.

Romans 14:21 NKJV

[21] It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Don't do something that may cause another to stumble. Are you a stepping stone or a stumbling block?

Matthew 18:11-14 NKJV

[11] For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. [12] "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? [13] And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. [14] Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

This parable is still talking about little ones. Maybe new believers or not believers yet.

1. God cares about his little ones.

Isaiah 40:10-11 NKJV

[10] Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. [11] He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

1 Peter 2:25 NKJV

[25] For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

2. Like sheep we also have a tendency to stray.

Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

We engage in group thought, marching blindly to culture.

3. Despite our wandering, God never gives up on His little ones.

Matthew 18:13 NKJV

[13] And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Failure is not an option for the shepherd.

Just as a shepherd seeks a sheep, God seeks us.

Isaiah 46:4 NKJV

[4] Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

God will always carry us.

5. God gets excited every time a sinner repents and comes back to Him. 

Just one person coming to Christ gets all of Heaven excited.

Luke 15:7 NKJV

[7] I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Lost sinners matter to God.

When's the last time you engaged someone in a conversation about your faith?

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

[2] looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We should all aim for childlike faith.

What Angers and Saddens God

Notes: What Angers and Saddens God

Luke 19:28–48

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, March 19, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

What makes you mad? What just ticks you off? For Greg it can be hunger. Other things are cell phone ringers at the highest volume. Blue tooth in the ear all the time.

The angrier we get the more stupid we become.

In general it is not a good thing to get angry.

Ephesians 4:26-27 NKJV

[26] "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, [27] nor give place to the devil.

But there is times that call for anger, even Jesus Christ got angry.

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

[15] 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.

Luke 19:11 NKJV

[11] Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.

Most of the Jewish people thought that Jesus Christ was going to establish His kingdom right then and there.

John 1:11 NKJV

[11] He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

[14] if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

God doesn't call out the government, He calls out His people.

George Washington had a flag that read "Appeal to Heaven" on his boats.

The only way we can all be saved is through an appeal to Heaven.

Hosanna means "save now"

Jesus Christ was coming to fulfill the purpose for which he came, and that purpose was the death on the cross for our sins.

The journey to the cross began in fan fare.

Luke 19:28-44 NKJV

[28] When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. [29] And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, [30] saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. [31] And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.'" [32] So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. [33] But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, "Why are you loosing the colt?" [34] And they said, "The Lord has need of him." [35] Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. [36] And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. [37] Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, [38] saying: " 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" [39] And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." [40] But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." [41] Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, [42] saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. [43] For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, [44] and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

This action of Jesus Christ was an attention getter. Yet in most actions, Jesus Christ would not seek attention.

Riding into town on a donkey in those days would have been like a conqueror after war.

Zechariah 9:9 NKJV

[9] "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.

Malachi 3:1 NKJV

[1] "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts.

Jesus Christ was a wanted man by the chief priest and Pharisees.

Luke 19:41 NKJV

[41] Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,

The crowd is rejoicing and Jesus Christ was crying, wailing, and weeping in mourning.

At the climax of His ministry He felt alone and betrayed.

Have you ever felt betrayed by the people you love?

Luke 19:43-44 NKJV

[43] For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, [44] and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."

They were going to be destroyed and Jesus Christ already knew it.

The God who places the planets will not force Himself into your life and that makes Him sad.

Winners of souls must first be weepers of souls.

Luke 19:45-48 NKJV

[45] Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, [46] saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'" [47] And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, [48] and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

Jesus didn't just do this on the fly. He was there, then left for the night and came back and was angry.

Mark 11:15 NKJV

[15] So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

Jesus Christ was not a small and weak man, He was a man that could throw these tables over. This is different then most artistic renderings of Jesus Christ.

Mark 11:29 NKJV

[29] But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:

Meekness is not weakness, but power under constraint.

Meekness will boldly defend others.

The problem that Jesus Christ was wanting to eliminate was the scammers out in front of the Temple.

Instead of praying for people they were preying on people.

They were keeping people away from God and that makes God very angry.

The church is a place for us to worship and learn about God.

The church is a place for sinners to come and meet God!

New believers are the life blood of a church. Older and new believers need each other.

What kind of witness are you? Are you helping a person come to Christ?

Are you a bridge or a barrier to Christ?

When you first come to Christ you make a good clean break, but then over time you seem to let "little sins" back in. Sins seems manageable when they are little. But they always will grow and grow out of control.

Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do right now.

1 John 1:8-9 NKJV

[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When is the last time you had a house cleaning?

The objective is not for you to clean up your life and come to Christ, it's to come to Christ and He will clean your life up.

The more you get to know Jesus Christ the more you will love Him.

You Need God's Protection

Notes: You Need God's Protection

Valor - Men's Study

March 17, 2015

Jonathan Laurie

St. Patrick's Day today.

St. Patrick was a missionary in Ireland about 1500 years ago. He preached to pagans and turned Ireland into a thriving Christian country.

Paul and St. Patrick both preached to groups that worshipped false idols.

Idols can be anything, not just a statue of some kind. It could be a car, a game, money or even your family. Anything that replaces God is an idol.

Conversion is returning to worship and loving God as God.

God created us to love Him and worship Him.

Acts 19:11-17 NKJV

[11] Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. [13] Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." [14] Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. [15] And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" [16] Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. [17] This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

1. Don't go at it alone.

Demons didn't know who these people were.

These people could talk the talk but not walk the walk.

2. Make a clean break.

Acts 19:18-20 NKJV

[18] And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. [19] Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. [20] So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

If it looks like a shrine, it may be your idol.

Forsaking all other idols and returning to God is truly what it means to repent.

3. Jesus Christ can be bad for bad business.

Acts 19:21-32 NKJV

[21] When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." [22] So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. [23] And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. [24] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. [25] He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. [26] Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. [27] So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship." [28] Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" [29] So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. [30] And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. [31] Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. [32] Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

Ephesus was the richest city in the empire. The goddess Diana was a big business for people selling the statues of her.

Jesus Christ can be bad for business if you are selling things that takes away from God.

Exodus 20:17 NKJV

[17] "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

Matthew 5:27-28 NKJV

[27] "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

God cares about what is going on in your mind.

God is more than anything money can offer.

The true God doesn't need you to protect Him. You need Him to protect you.

Only Jesus!

Notes: Only Jesus!

Matthew 17

Pastor Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM: Harvest Worship Band

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday March 15, 2015

In this message from Pastor Greg Laurie, we learn how "mountain top" experiences help to prepare us for the valleys of life. It's Jesus alone that saves us and keeps us, even when we experience hardship.

Have you ever felt Jesus Christ in your life in a personal way? Like while reading the Bible, or at church or something. Imagine how it was for Peter, James and John when they got to see Jesus Christ transfigured.

We want to live on the mountaintops of life. But those are what prepare us for the valleys of life.

Matthew 17:1-8 NKJV

[1] Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; [2] and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. [3] And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. [4] Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." [5] While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" [6] And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. [7] But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." [8] When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

From there at the transfiguration, He looked backward at His birth and forward to the Cross.

This was a glimpse of Jesus Christ's glory.

Matthew 16:28 NKJV

[28] "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

The transfiguration was a fulfillment of that.

Moses and Elijah are there speaking with Him.

Why did He only take Peter, James and John? Were they His super disciples, or was it because they needed to see it? Extra attention from Jesus for them to learn.

James and John were called the Sons of Thunder. They wanted to call fire down on people in the past.

Jesus Christ took Peter, James and John along on three occasions:

1. To the home of Jairus.

2. To the Garden of Gethsemane

3. The mount of Transfiguration

This could be to prepare them.

Patmos is where John was sent to be not heard from again, yet from there he wrote the book of Revelation.

God prepares us. Everything you go through in life is preparing you for something else.

Matthew 17:2 NKJV

[2] and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Could you imagine seeing the light coming from Jesus Christ just for a second? Jesus showed what He could do if He wanted to during His transfiguration.

It is interesting Moses and Elijah were there. Moses really represents the Law and Elijah really represents the prophets very well.

How did they know it was Moses and Elijah? This teaches us we will be able to recognize each other in Heaven.

The Bible teaches there is a bodily resurrection. You will be a perfect you in Heaven.

Job 19:26 NKJV

[26] And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,

Moses had been dead for 1400 years and Elijah had been dead for about 900.

Jesus came to suffer death, for the resurrection and ascension.

Luke 9:32 NKJV

[32] But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

They were heavy with sleep. We can all remember doing something strange while we were half asleep.

Have you ever said something you wish you had not said?

Pastor Greg reminds us to respect law enforcement; God has placed them here for a reason.

God never lets people place their tabernacles in a place of glory when their world is still in flames. There will not be a peaceful area for just you when there is a storm going on in the lives of those around you.

We need to walk in faith and not in emotions.

Matthew 17:5 NKJV

[5] While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

They heard an audible voice from Heaven.

2 Peter 1:16-18 NKJV

[16] For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. [17] For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." [18] And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

Matthew 17:8 NKJV

[8] When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

The law and prophets have their place but they point to Jesus Christ alone.

It is Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ only that saves us...in all situations.

Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

[24] A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Only Jesus!

Matthew 17:14-18 NKJV

[14] And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, [15] "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. [16] So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." [17] Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." [18] And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

Mountaintop moments do not last forever and thankfully neither do valleys.

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

They came from a mountain of glory to see a possessed child.

If satan doesn't attack you, then he must not think you are a threat.

The enemy attacks those who are a threat to his domain.

When we feel we are the strongest is when we may actually be the weakest.

An unguarded strength is a double weakness.

Mel Graham said he had a "drug" problem when he was a boy. His parents drug him to church on Sunday and drug him on Wednesday.

Statistics say when both parents together bring their children to church, that the kids will have a much better chance of going to church in the future.

When you are doing what is right, you should expect that there will be the devil right there presenting opposition.

Jesus Christ listens to your conversations, and so do your kids. Pay attention to what you say.

We need to go to Jesus Christ.