Rags to Riches

Notes: Rags to Riches

Romans 5

SPEAKER:

Jeff Lasseigne

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Becoming a Christian represents the ultimate 'Rags to Riches' story; a person moves from spiritual poverty to spiritual wealth when the receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In today's message, Pastor Jeff Lasseigne speaks on the spiritual riches that a Christian possesses because of Christ's love.

Sunday, March 13, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

A lot of people in life today miss the point.

Many got the point last week at Harvest America. It is a real rags to riches story for us.

Cinderella is the most common rags to riches story we know. That doesn't touch what we experience in the riches Christ gives us.

Romans 5:1-11 NKJV

[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

5 points from Romans 5:

1. Eternal Peace

Romans 5:1 NKJV

[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

This is the "Therefore" of justification, the peace with God

The peace of God is different, that is Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Every unsaved person is not at peace  with God; even further, the unsaved person is the enemy of God.

We are either for God or we are against God.

There is no such thing as a spiritually neutral person, it's not even an option that is given to us.

Someone has to pay for your sin. Either you do, or you take the payment that Jesus has paid for you on the cross.

Colossians 1:21 NKJV

[21] And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

James 4:4 NKJV

[4] Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

As a Christian we have been reconciled with God, He died for us even as sinners.

2. Eternal Access

Romans 5:2 NKJV

[2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We now have access to Christ. Before the tearing of the veil, that was not the case.

Your prayers will immediately take you into the presence of God.

3. Eternal Hope

Romans 5:3-5 NKJV

[3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We can rejoice because of our eternal perspective.

Romans 8:18 NKJV

[18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The hope we have will never disappoint us.

Mother Teresa stated that the spiritual poverty in the western world was much greater then the physical poverty she was helping with in the east.

At first glance the suffering and abuse of Christ is a terrible thing. Yet if it wasn't for that event, we wouldn't have the hope that we have today.

If we were never sick a day in our lives, God is good. If we were sick every day, God is good.

4. Eternal Love

Romans 5:6-10 NKJV

[6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Our sins were transferred to Jesus on the Cross. On the Cross, Jesus' righteousness was transferred onto us.

Jesus took our punishment upon himself while we were still His enemies.

5. Eternal Joy

Romans 5:11 NKJV

[11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Joy might not be the most important part of our salvation, but it is the most beautiful.

Jesus was willing to go from riches to rags for our salvation.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Are you a child of God or is your sin still separating you from God?

Jesus Style Evangelism

Notes: Evangelism, "Jesus Style"

John 4

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

Sunday, February 28, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

Every place has its own style, like Hawaiian Style.

Jesus said we should go into the whole world, but He didn't say the whole world would come to the church.

1. Who is to go into all the world and preach the Gospel? We are!

Matthew 28:19 NLT

[19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:15 NLT

[15] And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

For many, the Great Comission is really the great suggestion or really the great omission.

The sin of omission is not doing what you should be doing. The sin of commission is doing what you shouldn't be doing.

2. Where are we to preach the gospel? Everywhere!

We need to engage in FRANgelism... Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors.

3. Why are we to preach the Gospel? God's primary way to reach people is by using other people.

1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT

[21] Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never know Him through human wisdom, God has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

Romans 10:14 NKJV

[14] How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

3. When are we to share the Gospel?

We share the Gospel all the time.

Pastor Greg is telling the story of when he evangelized while in the restroom.

2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

[2] Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

5. How do we share the Gospel? That is where it falls apart for many people. The answer is from Jesus Himself. It is showed in John 4 with the woman at the well.

Everyone's favorite subject appears to be themselves. The selfie picture is a testament to that.

Our objective is to build a bridge, not burn one. A stepping stone not a stumbling block.

Christ has not called us to isolate, He calls us to infiltrate and permeate. We are not to win the argument, we are to win a soul!

John 4:3-10 NLT

[3] So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. [4] He had to go through Samaria on the way. [5] Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. [6] Jacob's well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. [7] Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Please give me a drink." [8] He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. [9] The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" [10] Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water."

1. Sharing starts with caring.

Evangelism Jesus style, starts with a burden. Jesus needed to go through Samaria. 

Jews didn't go through Samaria, but Jesus still went. 

We are to go to all people, even to people we don't like very much. Just like Jonah.

There is no place for prejudice in the life of a believer. We are to share with all people.

2. We are to use tact. Skill and grace with dealing with others. You do not start telling them they are going to hell.  

Tact is the ability to make a point without making an enemy.

You must speak in a language that the nonbeliever understands.

You should engage people in a dialogue, it's not a monologue.

Many Christians don't seem to know how to use tact.

There is not a one way fits all approach to evangelism. We should all know and be able to convey the Gospel in less than three minutes.

John 4:28-29 NKJV

[28] The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, [29] "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"to 

A great example of tact...

Acts 8:29-38 NLT

[29] The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." [30] Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" [31] The man replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. [32] The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [33] He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." [34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" [35] So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. [36-37] As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" [38] He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

One of the greatest tools we have in our evangelism tool box is our own personal testimony.

1. Don't glorify or exaggerate you past.

2. Never boast of what you gave up to follow Christ, boast of what Jesus did for you.

3. When you tell your story, always take them to His story.

Nonbelievers are looking for someone to show them the way. People have stated they would go to church if someone invited them.

Billy Graham said that in looking back, he would have preached more on the cross and the blood of Jesus Christ because that is where the power is. 

Look for open doors and opportunity. 

Some people are unnecessarily offensive. That burns bridges.

Chumming is a good way to go about it. Start a conversation don't force it. Jesus asked the woman for a drink of water. It showed a vulnerability.

I'm just one beggar telling another beggar where to find some food.

We can be in secondary subjects and missing the opportunities to lead people to Christ right in front of us.

The result of Jesus' conversation was that the lady believed and she went and told others.

Greg's mother reminds him of the woman at the well. She was raised in the church but seemed to reject the Lord. Greg talked to her about the Lord one month before she passed away. Greg gets to see her in Heaven again. We never know when the opportunity will arise, but we need to listen to the nudges from God.

There is joy in leading people to Christ, but there is also a responsibility to do it. 

None of us need a little religion, we all need a lot of Jesus.

Who are you needing to talk to now?

Watch Your Word

Notes: Watch Your Word

Matthew 12:36–37

SPEAKER:

Raul Ries

WORSHIP TEAM:

Citizens & Saints

Thursday, March 3, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

We are called to be salt and light in this world. The world needs us today.

We are to be careful in what we are saying. There is only one sin that will not be forgiven, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:32-35 ESV

[32] And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. [33] "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

How many times a day do I watch what I say?

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV

[36] I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, [37] for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Most seem to skip over these verses. Do I want to feel convicted for everything that I say?

Do you start your days on your knees before God?

Ephesians 6:17-18 ESV

[17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

The power of speech is one of the most distinctive things of man over animal.

Do you seek first the Kingdom of God in your life?

Pastor Raul grew up in the house where his father cursed in front of him as a child. His father was abusive and Raul wanted to actually kill him as he got older. 

Raul forgave his father with the help of the Holy Spirit. Eventually his father came to the Lord as well.

We are to put on the whole armor of God. Satan will attack us in any little opening that we leave available to him.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God works on us every day. There is no day He is not with us.

What if God grabbed your phone and looked at your text and emails?

We are to obey the orders of God. Yet Jesus gives us orders with the grace of God. Every day we are given a choice.

We are to build up people with our words, not tear them down.

Are the things you said to your spouse a shame? 

One day we will have to give an account of our words.

Are you bringing shame to yourself? You are also bringing shame to Jesus.

A real child of God will be convicted and make a change.

We are to be salt and light. The Bible says, " Be holy, for I am holy."

God has forgiven me of my sin.

Words are powerful. We must never underestimate the power of words.

We are to build up people, do not tear them down with your words.

Let's listen to Jesus' words, how do we do that? Reading His word, spending time speaking to Him.

Spend time alone with God and ask Him to speak to you. We need to spend time on our knees. Grab a piece of paper and the Bible and see what the Lord says to you while you are there.

The right words can build us up, we need to use Gods words.

Words go in through your ears but it ends up in your heart. Tonight you need to surrender. 

Natural Evangelism

Notes:  Natural Evangelism

SPEAKER:

J. John

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

February 25, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

J. John says we are part of a global enterprise. That we, the church, take care of people from birth to death.

We are to seek and save the lost.

A missionary is not someone that crosses the sea, a missionary is someone that sees the cross.

Acts 1:8 NLT

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

People are not Christians for two reasons, because they never met a Christian, or because they did meet a Christian.

Three things prayer helps us with:

1. Communicate our faith by praying.

When we pray, coincidences happen and when we don't they don't.

Try starting in the place of your greatest failure in evangelism, your family, friends and colleagues.

We need to cultivate the web of relationships that we already have.

Be intentional in prayers for those people you want to see come to know Christ.

J. John prays for a hour each day as he walks with his wife.

We have to pray! When we pray, things shift and change.

As a Christian where ever you are going you carry the presence of the Lord. 

2. Praying will always lead to caring.

We always have a little battle going on inside of us, if we should pray or not for others at any given time.

Our prayers don't have to be heard by others. He prayed for an atheist, "on the inside" not aloud just for him silently. He can't head butt the guy into heaven.

It seems to be easier for some to fly around the world to tell someone about Jesus then to tell their own neighbors.

Praying leads to caring, so pray for those around you. 

Sometimes evangelism starts out as an inconvenience in your current situation but ends up a blessing to you and others.

We live in a world of miracles and mystery but God is concerned about what concerns us.

People don't care about how much we know, until they know how much we care.

3. Sharing the Good News.

Our responsibility as Christians is to go into Gods orchard and check the fruit. When it is ripe, we need to go there and pick it.

Nonbelievers are every where. Just share with the people around you.

God is your friend, introduce Him to your other friends and family.

Every introduction to God is a link in the chain to bringing people to God.

We all need to help plant the seed of the Good News.

We are witnesses of our faith. We need to tell people simply what we know.

In God's eyes we never lose our value, no matter what we think.

Jesus bought us back so He could restore us and clean us.

What's God doing in your life?

Wherever you go, sow the seed.

Why are you a Christian? Because it's true.

Is Jesus in the driver's seat of your life? Are you a back seat driver? Do we need to reposition Jesus?

Is He F.I.R.S.T. in your life?

Finances

Interest

Relationships 

Schedules 

Troubles

Put God First.

Applying Big Truths to All Things

Notes: Applying Big Truths to All Things

Valor

Philippians 4

Pastor Adam Eaton

February 23, 2016

Philippians 4:1-9 NLT

[1] Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. [2] Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. [3] And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. [4] Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! [5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. [6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Big cruise ships now have stabilizers that keep them from moving as much when they are floating out at sea.

We need to have stabilizers in our lives. We live in turbulent times.

Some people love change, they are constantly making big changes in their lives.

In our walk with the Lord we need to have stability. We need to have internal stabilizers.

Paul had awesome stability. He would write from prison cells while chained to guards and say things like:

Philippians 4:6 NLT

[6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

A single phone call or text could change everything for us.

Use big truths for small situations:

1. There is a God

That is a huge truth. That means there is hope.

2. Because He is God, He is in control

Psalm 115:3 NLT

[3] Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes.

3. God is Good

Psalm 100:5 NLT

[5] For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

These big truths can be used in every situation of our lives.

Romans 8:28-29 NLT

[28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

With these truths we can weather anything and face it with joy.

Hebrews 6:19 NLT

[19] This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.

This is good in theory, but how do we do this?:

1. Rejoice always

Philippians 4:4 NLT

[4] Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!

In every circumstance I am to rejoice. Even when I stub my toe.

This requires practice and we have to choose this.

Philippians 4:2 NLT

[2] Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.

He is asking these two ladies to choose the Lord, agreeing in the Lord.

In everything agree in the Lord with your fellow believers.

This joy is not blind happiness. It doesn't mean you will always be in a good mood. It is an underlying attitude in your whole life of joy.

No matter what happens...I still have Christ.

God is working and He is working to make us more like Christ.

2. Be gentle

Philippians 4:5 NLT

[5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Men have a tendency to not be gentle, that tendency doesn't tend to work well with relationships.

The way you deal with people, reflects God.

We need to be gentle.

When life gets hard that's when I tend to not be gentle.

Be a good reflection of Jesus to people.

The same people we need to be gentle with, many times will be the people we need to cry to for help.

3. Pray about everything 

Philippians 4:6 NLT

[6] Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

The number one killer of joy is anxiety.

We need to pray in everything for everything.

Missing one day of prayer should be looked at as a catastrophic event in our lives.

Pray with thanksgiving regardless of the outcome.

If I am thankful regardless of the outcome, knowing that God is in control, then I am not worried because I know God is in control.

Philippians 4:7 NLT

[7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Applying big truths to small situations.

Laws of the Harvest

Notes: Laws of the Harvest

Galatians 6:7–10

SPEAKER:

James MacDonald

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Sunday, February 21, 2016 — 8:00 a.m.

There are laws in Gods word that are as irrevocable as the laws of gravity.

Galatians 6:1-4 NKJV Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

We are to carry our burden and others burden.

Galatians 6:5-6 NKJV For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Galatians 6:7-10 NKJV Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

This is the Word of the Lord.

7 laws of the Harvest:

Do not be deceived - 

there is something about us that we think that we can escape this principle.

God is not mocked -

this is a serious message, the Lord will not be made a fool of

Fall is when the harvest is reaped.

Paul says life is like farming, you plant and cultivate and reap.

Trials and consequences happen to all of us. Trials require circumstances. 

Circumstance: an event beyond your control resulting from forces or influences you did not cause and cannot change.

You submit to a trial, you wait by faith for God to use it.

Job 23:10 NKJV But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Galatians 6:7 is not about trials, its about consequences. In consequences, you don’t endure. 

You repent of consequences and receive faith.

The clouds of heaven would burst of grace and mercy if you were to repent of the consequences.

Consequence: resulting wholly or in part from me - actions I’ve take - things I’ve said or done - places I’ve gone - priorities I’ve pursued - choices I’ve made.

1a. We harvest only what has been planted. 

2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Edward Gibbon wrote a book in 1787 called The decline and fall of the Roman Empire. He wrote that it was divorce and break down of the home. Higher taxes, mad desire for pleasure, sports getting more exciting and brutal every year. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was inside. The decay of faith and becoming impatient to worn the people. 

Gibbon wrote the book over 200 years ago about Rome!

How is it that the people of God have come to a place where they hardly even want to be warned.

Responsibility lies with the individual.

How did Sampson go from a young strong weapon of God to being sideways in the ditch? We harvest only what has been planted.

2a. We harvest the same in kind as we plant.

“What goes around comes around” 

Galatians 6:8 NKJV For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Flesh is self.

The one who sows to self, reaps corruption.

Corruption means death and decay. A hell of a life and hell after life.

This is not the life of a Christ follower.

King ME has got to go.

Instead, I am crucified in Christ. 

So often we say its outside of me, but the word of God says, we are harvesting only what has been planted.

3a. We harvest in a different season than we plant.

This is where the deception comes in, we fool ourselves to think we are doing well. 

We make decisions when we are young and spend so much time getting over those decisions. 

The younger you are the more urgent it is to recognize the message of sowing and reaping. 

There are no exceptions to this rule, God is not going to be mocked. 

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all plant in the Spring and harvest in the Spring.

It’s the time gaps that prompts the deception.

Poem:

• Invictus

William Ernest Henley, 1849 - 1903

 Out of the night that covers me,   

  Black as the Pit from pole to pole,   

I thank whatever gods may be   

  For my unconquerable soul.   

   

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

  I have not winced nor cried aloud.   

Under the bludgeonings of chance   

  My head is bloody, but unbowed.   

   

Beyond this place of wrath and tears   

  Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years   

  Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.   

   

It matters not how strait the gate,   

  How charged with punishments the scroll,   

I am the master of my fate:

  I am the captain of my soul. -

Dorothea Day Poem:

MY CAPTAIN

Dorothea Day

(Christian)

Out of the night that dazzles me, 

Bright as the sun  om pole to pole; 

I thank the God I know to be 

For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

Since His the sway of circumstance, 

I would not wince nor cry aloud. 

Under that rule which men call chance 

My head with joy is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears 

That life with Him! And His the aid, 

Despite the menace of the years, 

Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid..

I have no fear, though strait the gate,

He cleared from punishment the scroll,

Christ is the Master of my fate, 

Christ is the Captain of my soul. -

After a message like this we should look at ourselves. 

If you submit and obey, you will be able to enjoy the fat of the land. 

Let’s sow good things, repentance and humility. 

Real Love

Notes: Real Love

Matthew 22

1 Corinthians 13

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

God's love is active. Those that truly love God will seek to do things that please God. In today's message, Pastor Greg teaches on what it means to love God with all of your heart, and what it means to love like Christ loves.

Sunday, February 14, 2016 — 12:00 p.m.

Today is Valentines Day.

What is love?

To love is to be vulnerable.

God has love for you.

1. God Loves You!

God loved you before there was a human race.  God chooses you.

Does God the Father love the Son?

John 17:25-26 NLT

[25] "O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. [26] I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them."

Nothing will ever change that:

Romans 8:38-39 NLT

[38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Knowing all this..

2. We should love God.

1 John 4:19 

[19] We love because He loved us first.

Matthew 22:36-40 NLT

[36] "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" [37] Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' [40] The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

Instead of trying to focus on keeping rules...focus on loving God.

If you love God, as you should, everything else will fall into place.

Matthew 22:37 NLT

[37] Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'

We are to love God with every part of our being.

The heart can be very dark.

Jeremiah 17:9 NLT

[9] "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

Matthew 15:19 NLT

[19] For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

Don't focus on our heart, focus our heart on God.

We are also to love the Lord with all of our soul.

3. Knowing that God loves me, and I love Him, I am to love others.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

[4] Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud [5] or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. [6] It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. [7] Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13 is a portrait of Christ.

Love is not a feeling, it's an action.

If you don't think others deserve to be loved, can you also ask the same question about you? We all have God's love, yet we don't deserve it.

4. Focus on doing your part in the marriage is what you need to be doing.

Ephesians 5:25 NLT

[25] For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her

Men are just as emotional as women, we just express it differently.

When's the last time you praised your wife and expressed your love to her?

If you really love your wife, don't just say it...do it!

5. If you love your wife, you will not be harsh with her.

6. If you love your wife, you will always believe the best, not the worst about her.

A good marriage is made up of two good forgivers.

7. If you really love your wife you will make it through the rough patches together.

Despite who we are, God still loves us.

If you love your spouse then you know what it's like to live with a difficult person and love them anyway because we are all difficult people.

God loves us.

I Will!

Notes: I Will

Matthew 8:1–4

SPEAKER:

Tony Clark

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Welcome To Harvest Sunday Morning! 

Sunday, February 7, 2016 — 8:00 a.m.

“I will” are some of the most precious words in our vocabulary today. When we get married, or when we ask for help, we love to hear those words.

Matthew 7:27-28 NKJV and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

Jesus spoke with authority to the people and it astonished them. People followed Jesus for all sorts of reasons. 

Why are you following Jesus?

If you are following Jesus for any other reason than He is worthy, then you are no different then the people in this crowd.

Matthew 8:1-4 NIV When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

The man had leprosy, it was a very horrible disease and very much the AIDS of the time. Their skin would fall off, they could be smelled from 100 feet away. 

“I would not so much as buy an egg from a market on street that had a leper on it.” was a statement a Rabbi of that day made.

God compares sin to leprosy in Isaiah and Leviticus. Just like leprosy, eventually sin will destroy you.

Matthew 20:20 NKJV Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

Many come to church because they know they will need to ask God for something this week. God sees right through that. 

This leper did not approach Jesus that way. This leper did not doubt Jesus power, he was asking Jesus about his willingness.

How many of us don’t doubt God’s power, but doubt His willingness?

Many of us need to burst through the crowd and come to Jesus. 

Matthew 8:3 NKJV Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

By cleaning this man, Jesus did the unthinkable and the unlawful. This leper had not been touched in years. According to Leviticus Jesus would have become unclean, but instead Jesus made the man clean.

Would we have touched the man or would we have thrown stones? If leprosy is like sin, how many times have we thrown stones at sinners instead of reached out to them?

Maybe you feel like a leper in your sin today, Jesus wants to touch you and clean you. Jesus is willing. Not only does Jesus have the power to heal you, but he has the desire to also.

Are you desperate enough to push through the crowd to approach Jesus? 

Matthew 8:4 NKJV And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

This was the first man they would have ever seen cleaned of leprosy. Jesus is still into cleaning people of leprosy.

He can clean you of your sins today!

What You Don't Know Will Hurt You

Notes: What You Don't Know Will Hurt You

Ephesians 6:10–18

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

The Good Fight: Winning the Spiritual Battle

Sunday, January 24, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

Harvest America Special on TBN Monday at 7pm

Temptation is everywhere...it will follow you till your last breath.

Christians are a lot like tea bags, you don't know how they are until you put them in hot water.

Mike Tyson said one time, "Everyone is a fighter until they get hit."

Why does the devil do what he does? He knows his time is short.

Revelation 12:12 NKJV

[12] Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."

Knowing that Christ is coming is a good thing for Christians. For the devil it has a whole other meaning, his end will be here.

Matthew 8:29 NKJV

[29] And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"

In the past there was a time that had a social advantage to being a Christian. Those days are gone.

We need to wake up, sober up and suit up!

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 NKJV

[6] Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. [8] But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

We need to know the tactics of our enemy.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV

[11] lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

The Devils tactics are the same as they have always been. He comes as a lion, sheep, or snake, what ever the situation calls for.

The right creature can do just about anything. You give the devil an inch and he will take a mile.

Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-

Roman armor was several pieces and every piece was important.

1. We need to stand in God's strength, not our own!

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

We are not fighting for victory; we are fighting from victory.

The Devils chief aim is to separate us from God.

2. We need to put on the whole armor of God.

We don't pick and choose the pieces to put on, we put it all on.

The armor speaks of what God has done for you and what you do for God.

An unguarded strength is a double weakness.

Pride goes before a fall.

The utility belt of truth;

Ephesians 6:14 NKJV

[14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Girding your waist with truth;

Exodus 12:11 NKJV

[11] And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover.

It means you should be in a constant state of readiness.

The utility belt of truth represents a life that is pulled together and is ready to serve for the glory of God.

It also speaks of personal integrity.

If you're a hypocrite then all the other pieces of armor don't matter.

The worst thing you can do is to put on an act of being a Christian, but let your children see the real you that doesn't reflect a real Christian.

The Breastplate of Righteousness:

This is not what we have done for the Lord, but what the Lord has done for us.

The imputative righteousness of God. We are righteous because God is righteous and He gave us that.

We can approach God not because of the good I've done, but because of what God has done for me.

God has not given you a license to sin, what he has done for you should make you want to not sin.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

[22] Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

You could be keeping yourself in a self imposed prison of sin and addiction. God has given you freedom! Don't stay in the cell of addiction and misery. You can walk through the prison door. Jesus said "It is finished".

Pastor Saeed is free, Greg had a chance to speak to him the other day. Saeed told him they tortured him and they had very good tactics of trying to break him. 

Saeed stayed strong in his faith and helped bring other prisoners in Iran to faith.

God is faithful!