The Water Is the Problem

Notes: The Water Is the Problem
1 Kings 18
SPEAKER:
Levi Lusko
WORSHIP TEAM:
Harvest Worship Band
Thursday, August 25, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

In 1 Kings the nation of Israel is split into the Northern and Southern kingdoms. Ahab was a horrible king of the north. He married Jezabel who tried to wipe our true God out of Israel. Elijah was raised up in this time.

Elijah has been called the mightiest of the miracle working prophets.

Elijah goes to their palace and said it will not rain until he said it will.

It did not rain for three years. 

Water in the Old Testament was a symbol of Gods blessing.

Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NKJV
[13] 'And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, [14] then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.

Rain meant life and death during this time.

1 Kings 18:20-41 NKJV
[20] So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. [21] And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word. [22] Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. [23] Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. [24] Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God." So all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken." [25] Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it." [26] So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. [27] And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." [28] So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. [29] And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention. [30] Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. [31] And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Israel shall be your name." [32] Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. [33] And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, "Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood." [34] Then he said, "Do it a second time," and they did it a second time; and he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time. [35] So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. [36] And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. [37] Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again." [38] Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. [39] Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" [40] And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. [41] Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain."

In the passage, the people were merely spectators. Elijah asked the people to just add water.

John 2:7 NKJV
[7] Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim.

John 4:14 NKJV
[14] but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

Living water is all God asks us to add to many of our life's situations.

1. God can do the impossible, He often calls on us to do the impractical.

God will let the stack against us get to the impossible so we have to trust in Him.

Where did the water come from that the people had to pour out for Elijah? The people had to pour out the very thing that they needed.

2. It's giving, not keeping, that leads to receiving.

Proverbs 11:24 NKJV
[24] There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

Generosity breaks the back of greed.

Giving leads to receiving. 

3. You will never experience all God has until He has all you are.

No man can serve two masters.

Philippians 2:17 NKJV
[17] Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

God wants us to know, empty vessels can be filled up.

4. When prayer goes up, power comes down.

Satan shakes his knees when he sees the weakest Saint on their knees.

1 Kings 18:41 NKJV
[41] Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain."

In God's economy we need to hear it, before we can see it. You have to pray it and hear God answer it before you see it.

2 Chronicles 7:14-15 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. [15] Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.

The gospel is not behave and earn, it is believe and receive.

The World Changer Who Was out of This World

Notes: The World Changer Who Was out of This World

Hebrews 11

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

WorldChangers

Sunday, August 21, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

Themes of Harvest:

Worship, Learn and Love

Getting into God's word is so important to spiritual growth.

1-52-12

1 day of worship

52 weeks to learn

12 months to love

Honest to God- The Prayer Life of David will be this year's Bible theme.

As small groups we can learn to understand the Bible better.

The Olympics are going on now;

Usain Bolt is the reigning fastest man on the planet. He starts fast, stays fast and finishes fast.

Who determines how fast we run the race of life? We do!

God gives us the tools, but we set the pace.

World Changers effect their surroundings more than their surroundings effect  them.

World changers are thermostats not thermometers.

Enoch was a world changer.

1. Enoch walked with God.

Amos 3:3 NKJV

[3] Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

When we walk with God, He sets the pace, however He meets us where we are at.

"Walking with God" means to learn to pray, think, and live Biblically.

2. Enoch was well pleasing to God.

Hebrews 11:5 NKJV

[5] By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony: that he pleased God.

3. Enoch was a witness for God.

Everyone has a testimony. Is yours good or bad?

A true follower has a valid testimony no matter how extreme or uneventful it may be.

People will observe you as a Christian and approach you and ask you why you are the way you are.

Give the glory to God!

Earn the right to share the Gospel with people based on how they see the way you live your life.

Jude 1:14-15 NKJV

[14] Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, [15] to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."

Enoch proclaimed the Gospel through his life.

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

We are to be a witness, not a prosecutor or defendant.

The objective is not to win an argument but to win a soul.

You never know when the opportunity will come.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 NKJV

[24] And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, [25] in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, [26] and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

"Be kind to everyone!"

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NKJV

[19] For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; [20] and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; [21] to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; [22] to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. [23] Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Evangelism and Giving, two subjects Pastor Greg talks about that makes the room quiet. Awkward moments for most.

God promises to bless us when we do it!

Malachi 3:10 NKJV

[10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Everything you have belongs to God. Get God's money out of our house and back into His house.

Tithing is where we start. Every New Testament giving is stated to go further than the Old Testament standard.

1 Corinthians 16:2 NKJV

[2] On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NKJV

[6] But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. [7] So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

If you can't give cheerfully then ask God to change your heart.

Three conversions for a Christian: the mind, the heart and the wallet.

Let's double our efforts to do what the devil doesn't want us to do.

90% of Christians have never brought another Christian to faith.

There is great joy in bringing others to Christ.

4. Enoch went to be with God.

Genesis 5:24 NKJV

[24] And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 NKJV

[5] By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Enoch did not die.  Enoch and Elijah are the only ones who did not die, they were taken up to Heaven.

Seek to honor and please the Lord. Look for the opportunities to please God.

If you walk with the Lord on earth, you will walk with Him one day in Heaven.

Revelation 3:4 NKJV

[4] You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Could Christ come back in our generation? Absolutely. But no matter what, we should live as if it is. In the interim, walk with God.

Want a great way to live your life? Walk with God!

Sometimes we need a little help with our walk.

Galatians 6:1 NKJV

[1] 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.

Just as the two Olympians did, we are to help each other up when we fall.

This is the walk you need to finish!

Have you started your walk with Jesus?

What about the Person Who Has Never Heard the Gospel

Notes: What about the Person Who Has Never Heard the Gospel
Revelation 14
SPEAKER:
Greg Laurie
WORSHIP TEAM:
Harvest Worship Band
SERIES:
Book of Revelation
Thursday, August 18, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

We are living in a time of moral relativism. 

John 14:6 NKJV
[6] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:12 NKJV
[12] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

There are many roads to God, but only one road leads to Heaven.

Why is Jesus the only way? First of all, He said he was. But besides that, no one else in history has been like Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV
[11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

We are made with eternity in our hearts.

Though we have not heard the Gospel, there is still the testimony of all of creation.

Romans 1:20 NKJV
[20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Many intentionally reject creation as a testimony.

Romans 1:18-20 NKJV
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, [19] because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

We break our own standards.

Romans 2:12-16 NKJV
[12] For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law [13] (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; [14] for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, [15] who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) [16] in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

If a person is a true seeker of God, the Lord will reveal himself to them.

Proverbs 8:17 NKJV
[17] I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

Cornelius was seeking the truth and found the Lord.

The Wise Men were seeking and found God.

We are in no position to say who is in Hell, God is the only judge.

Revelation 14:6-13 NKJV
[6] Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people- [7] saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." [8] And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." [9] Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, [10] he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [11] And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." [12] Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. [13] Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

All true believers are in Heaven, after the rapture a 144,000 Jews will be seeking out others to tell them about Christ.

Matthew 24:14 NKJV
[14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Revelation 14:6 NKJV
[6] Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-

The Gospel is for EVERYONE! The Gospel is universal in scope.

The two cities most often mentioned in the Bible are Babylon and Jerusalem.

Isaiah 47:12 NKJV
[12] "Stand now with your enchantments And the multitude of your sorceries, In which you have labored from your youth- Perhaps you will be able to profit, Perhaps you will prevail.

Revelation 14:9-10 NKJV
[9] Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, [10] he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Is there a point of no return? Yes there is. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 14:13 NKJV
[13] Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

1 Corinthians 15:26 NKJV
[26] The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

Death is an enemy, but God is a friend.

Godly men morn. The depth of your sorrow, is an indication of the depth of your love.

What people are doing in Heaven:
1. They are rejoicing
Revelation 14:13 NKJV
[13] Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

2. They are resting.

We will be busy for the Lord in Heaven as well!

Revelation 22:3 NKJV
[3] And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

3. They are rewarded.

A faith without works, is a faith that is not working.

Matthew 10:42 NKJV
[42] And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

We live here to bring glory to God.

Get two thing right! 
1. Fear God.
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
[10] "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Fear should be a dread of disappointing the Lord.

2. Give Glory to God!
1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV
[19] Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

Are You a World Changer?

Notes: Are You a World Changer?

Hebrews 11

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

MUSICAL GUEST:

Phil Wickham

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

WorldChangers

Sunday, August 7, 2016 — 8:00 a.m.

Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

A thermometer is influenced by its surroundings, a thermostat affects its surroundings.

Are you changing culture or is culture changing you?

Hebrews 11 speaks to us about people that have changed the world through faith. Like Enoch, Jacob, Moses, Joseph and Sarah and others.

The olympics are going on in Rio right now. 

Heb 12:1 NKJV Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Those in The Hall of Faith, were not super heroes, they were men of great faith and super things happened around them.

Gideon was a frightened farmer and Moses was a fugitive.

Many of them did not start the race of faith well, but they all finished well.

They all fell a few times in their races. They all received scars during their race before they received medals.

Like a new believer, we have all been justified and can get up and finish our race well.

1 John 5:4 NKJV For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

The more you use your faith the stronger it becomes. Kind of like muscles, use them or lose them.

Jude 20-21 NKJV But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Faith means doing things. Praying. Staying. Keeping.

Many people are all show and no go with faith. If you want to be a World Changer you need to use faith.

Hebrews 11New King James Version (NKJV)

By Faith We Understand

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; [a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

1.Faith does things.

Faith has to be put to use.

You can’t run and stand still at the same time. 

Its easy to tell others to have faith.

2.Faith grows stronger through testing.

James 1:2-3 NKJV My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Your faith will grow through a series of test and trials.

Jeremiah 12:5 NKJV “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?

If you want to run with horses, then don’t hang out with jackasses.

3.What is faith?

Faith sees invisible things!

Knowing that an apology will lead to healing in your marriage.

Faith is the evidence of things hoped for.

4.Faith comes by hearing and obeying Gods word.

Romans 10:17 NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

You have to go to church with an open heart.

5.Faith can make the difference between something happening and not happening.

The Bible tells us Jesus did no miracles in His home town. 

Where there is faith, God will work, where there is no faith there are no works. 

With faith you will receive what you need in life.

People that take their faith and put it into action see things happen.

When we don’t reach out to God in faith, not much happens.

The first hero in the Hall of Faith is you!

Heb 11:6 KJV But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

6.Our faith must be in God.

Even the nonbeliever uses faith everyday. 

When you are on an airplane, you have faith in the pilot and the plane. When you go through a green light, you have faith that the person in the other direction will stop at the red light. 

Abel is the first mentioned by name in the Hall of Faith.

Gen 4:7 NKJV If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Sin can strike in a moment. 

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

Ephesians 4:26-27 NKJV “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. 

7.Living by faith has a price.

If you are going to be a Christian, then be a Christian. If you are going to live in this world, then live in this world face the consequences and end up in Hell. Choose what you are going to do and commit to it. Chose being a Christian and be a world changer!

Gen 4:9 NKJV Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

A Christian is a walking epistle, written by God and read by men.

When you go to a funeral of a nonbeliever it is such a sad event. When you go to the funeral of a believer there is the joy of knowing that the person is in Heaven.

We should have faith in God because He will sustain you through life.