THE CHURCH: A Place to Call Home

Notes: THE CHURCH: A Place to Call Home
by Greg Laurie on Apr 28, 2019
Event:
Sunday morning
Scripture:
Romans 12
Series:
Relentless Grace: Paul

https://harvest.org/resources/webcast/church-a-place-to-call-home/

Have you ever received a gift you didn’t like?

God gives gifts to us called spiritual gifts, these are the gifts that you never want to give back.

The church is a gift to us from Jesus. The church is more than an organization, it’s a family.

A spiritual gift is given supernaturally by God.

1 Timothy 4:14 NLT
[14] Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.

1 Corinthians 12:1 NLT
[1] Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don't want you to misunderstand this.

To not desire these gifts could be wrong.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV
[19] Do not quench the Spirit.

1. You are not all that and a bag of chips.

Romans 12:3 NLT
[3] Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Cemeteries are full of indispensable people.

2. You are a sinner saved by grace, not using gifts you are given is wrong.

Romans 12:6-8 NLT
[6] In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. [7] If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. [8] If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

3. The gift of prophecy. Someone who speaks for God. Someone is giving a word from God.

4. The gift of serving.

Serving is just as important as an gift.

They see a need and they fulfill the need.

Whatever you do for a living, do it well.

5. Others are called to teach the word of God.

Romans 12:7 NLT
[7] If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.

Teachers have a great responsibility.

6. God has given some the gift of encouraging others.

Romans 12:8 NLT
[8] If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

The gift of exhortation. You encourage, exhort, motivate and sometimes correct.

Correct people like Jesus does, as He did the seven churches in the book of Revelation.

7. The spiritual gift of giving.

God gives to us. Do we give back to Him?

10% to 20% of people at church give all the giving a church receives.

Malachi 3:8-10 NLT
[8] "Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! "But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?' "You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. [9] You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. [10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

Giving is the only thing God tells you to test Him on!

God loves a cheerful giver.

8. The gift of showing kindness and mercy.

Romans 12:8 NLT
[8] If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Each gift has its place in the moment. We need the right tools for the right moment.

You need the church and the church needs you.

Best regards, 

Adam

The Death of Death

Happy Easter!
Notes: The Death of Death
by Greg Laurie on Apr 21, 2019
Event:
Sunday morning
Scripture:
John 21
Series:
Easter

Luke 24:1-8 NLT
[1] But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. [2] They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. [3] So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. [5] The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? [6] He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, [7] that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day." [8] Then they remembered that he had said this.

When Jesus died on the cross He conquered sin. When He rose three days later, He conquered death.

All of us will die, but we don’t have to fear death.

Maybe you can approve the quality, but you can not change the quantity of your life on second, only God can do that.

Death died when Christ rose.

Because Jesus died, I as a Christian will never die.

What death did to Jesus, is nothing compared to what Jesus did to death.

Some feel God Himself, has let you down.

Imagine the disappointment the disciples felt when they witnessed Jesus die.

But then three days later, they are told the tomb of Jesus is empty.

John 21:3-12 NLT
[3] Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing." "We'll come, too," they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

[4] At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn't see who he was. [5] He called out, "Fellows, have you caught any fish?" "No," they replied. [6] Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get some!" So they did, and they couldn't haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. [7] Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. [8] The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. [9] When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them-fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. [10] "Bring some of the fish you've just caught," Jesus said. [11] So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn't torn. [12] "Now come and have some breakfast!" Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

5 takeaway truths:
1. I will one day receive a new body.


1 Corinthians 15:20-21 NLT
[20] But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. [21] So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.

2. Our glorified bodies will be much like Jesus’s.

1 John 3:2 NLT
[2] Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

1. He was recognized
2. It did not have normal limitations.
3. He ate food.

We will meet the great saints of old and be reunited with our loved ones.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT
[12] Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

3. Our bodies will no longer age, get sick, or break down.

4. Disability will be gone.

5. There will be a final judgment

Acts 17:31 NLT
[31] For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."

Heaven is not for good people. Heaven is for forgiven people.

The only way any of us will get in is because of God’s grace and God’s forgiveness.

Jesus bared the sin of world, more specifically He bared my sin!

How to accept Jesus Christ into your life:
1. Realize you are a sinner.
2. Recognize that Jesus died on the cross for your sin.
3. Repent of your sin.
4. Receive Jesus Christ into your life.

Eternity hinges on this decision.

Jesus wants a relationship with you!

Jesus said either you are for me or against me.

http://knowgod.org

Best regards, 

Adam

Palm Sunday: The Real Story

Notes: Palm Sunday: The Real Story

by Greg Laurie on Apr 14, 2019

Event:

Sunday morning

Scripture: Luke 19: 37-48

Harvest OC

https://harvest.org/resources/webcast/palm-sunday-the-real-story-2019/

What makes you really mad? 

Maybe being hungry, cell phones or other things. 

A Harvard study showed anger can actually effect your health.

There are actually good types of anger.

Ephesians 4:26,28 NKJV

[26] "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, [28] Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Jesus Himself was angry.

Palm Sunday is a significant day. It was the count down to Calvary.

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.

People thought Jesus was going to overthrow Rome’s army, but that’s not what He was there for.

Luke 19:37-42 NKJV

[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.

His hour had come. Jesus came into town riding a donkey.

In Roman culture a war her would come in to town on a donkey.

The Jews knew what it could signify also.

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.

Luke 19:38 NKJV

[38] saying: " 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Hosanna means save now.

Luke 19:41 NKJV

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

Why was Jesus crying?

Because His ministry was almost over. He healed their sick and raised their dead, yet they were about to reject Him.

Rejection and unbelief makes God sad.

What makes God mad?

Luke 19:45-46 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.'"

God doesn’t lose his temper but He does expose His anger.

He flipped tables to show His anger with these people trying to take advantage of the people going to praise God.

God gets angry when we become a barrier to people coming to Christ.

Are you a bridge or a barrier to people coming to Christ?

Christ was criticized for being a friend to sinners.

A poll showed 25% of adults would go to church if a friend invited them to church.

Challenge: To the best of your ability invite and bring a nonbeliever to church this Easter.

When we come to Christ, our “temple is cleansed”.

Do you need a temple cleansing right now?

When you let little sins in your life, if you don’t address them you can be overcome by them.

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.

Do you need to engage in a spring cleaning of your life?

Jesus can cleanse your temple today.

We Have a New Life in Christ

Notes: We Have a New Life in Christ 

Pastor Adam Eaton

Romans 13

4/9/2019

A lot of us have a hard time submitting to authority when we are driving.

We have a new life in Christ.

Romans 13:1-2 NKJV

[1] Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

1. All authority comes from God.

When God created the world. He told Adam and Eve to subdue the earth. Then the fall happened. 

It was God who gave them the authority.

Romans 13:3-7 NKJV

[3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. [4] For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. [5] Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. [6] For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

2. All authority is given to bring good.

The state is to do good, and punish those that do evil.

By who’s definition of good are we talking about. It’s safe to assume, that Paul is referring to good as defined by God.

Honoring God would not be authority they have to take away from us.

There is an active role that we are to play in our nation. We are to call on our leaders to do good.

We have a mandate to do good to those we have authority over. It may be hard, but it’s our job, it’s what we are called to do.

Romans 13:8-10 NKJV

[8] Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [10] Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

3. The ultimate way to contribute towards the good of a society is to love.

Loving your neighbors as yourself.

If you love, you are not going to harm.

The number one way to share Christ is to show His love through you.

Romans 13:11-14 NKJV

[11] And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. [12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. [13] Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

When we are face to face with God all things will come to completion.

4. Remember who you are

Romans 13:14 NKJV

[14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

That verse answers the question how we are to do these things.

There is nothing for us in the world. All we have is Jesus Christ.

How to Know the Will of God

Notes: How to Know the Will of God

by Greg Laurie on Apr 7, 2019

Event:

Sunday morning

Scripture:

Romans 12

Series:

Relentless Grace: Paul

https://harvest.org/resources/webcast/how-to-know-the-will-of-god-040719/

People like to go to church on Easter. We need to invite them!

Does God still speak to people today?

How can I learn to know the voice of God?

Inaccurate views:

1. Finding guidance from God is hard.

2. God’s will is undesirable.

What you need to know: there is joy in the will of God.

The reason God wants to show His will for you is because He is your friend.

Psalm 25:15 NKJV

[15] My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

1 Peter 4:2 NKJV

[2] that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Psalm 40:8 NKJV

[8] I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart."

Finding God’s will is not just an option for the Christian.

God’s will is not an itinerary but an attitude.

We learn God’s will for our lives when we start walking it.

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV

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

1. We are all called to glorify God with our lives.

Everywhere in this world and in every aspect of life we need more Christians.

Things we need to give God

a1. We need to present our minds,

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

[8] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

a2. We need to present our words.

James 3:5 NKJV

[5] Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

T.H.I.N.K. Before you speak:

True

Helpful

Inspiring

Necessary

Kind

a3. We need to present our hands and feet.

Proverbs 6:16-18 NKJV

[16] These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: [17] A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, [18] A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,

a4. We present our finances.

2 Corinthians 8:5 NKJV

[5] And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

2. Don’t be conformed to this world.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

[2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Present yourself to God.

Are you a conformer or a transformer, a thermometer or a thermostat.

Our definition of good is probably different then God’s definition of good.

b1. To understand the will of God; you need to read the Bible.

God will never contradict His word.

As you know the will of you will know what He wants for you.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

[16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The word of God is what will sustain me.

b2. God will speak to you through circumstances.

Phillip followed the will of God to the desert and ran across a man reading Isaiah 53. God lead Phillip one step at a time.

The work in your heart.

Isaiah 55:12 NKJV

[12] "For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

b3. God’s timing

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.

God’s timing:

If the request is wrong, God says no.

If the timing is wrong, God says slow.

If the request is right and the timing is right, God says go!

We can struggle with the will of God.

Job 1:21 NKJV

[21] And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Matthew 26:38-39 NKJV

[38] Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." [39] He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

Never be afraid to commit unknown future to a known God.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Let your Father choose for you!

Your Father loves to bless you!

God wants all of us to be saved!

God has everything you want. He’s just a prayer away!

Best regards, 

Adam

Mercy Me

Notes: Mercy Me

Pastor Jeff L

Harvest OC

Valor

April 2, 2019

We can’t separate doctrine and duty - they always go together.

If we seek our roots down deep into Romans 1-11 well produce much fruit in our obedience of Romans 12 - 14

“Mercy is not something God has, got something God is.” - A.W. Tozer

Romans 12:1 NKJV

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Paul is appealing to us through the mercies of God shown in Romans 1 through 11.

Response #1 to God’s mercy - A surrendered life.

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV

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

Christ died for us and shed His blood so we could be safe.

What’s does it mean to be a living sacrifice.

We present or bodies. Living sacrifices.

Since 2005, about 90,000 Christians per year have been martyred. That’s about 2 million people, or one every 6 minutes!

We are to live holy lives, set apart for a special purpose.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

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

We are to live acceptable to God. Emphasis of that sentence is “to God.”

Living a committed life to Christ, is a logical response to Christ.

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose” - Jim Elliot

Whatever passage you read, do these four things:

Read it through.

Think it clear.

Pray it in.

Live it out.

Response #2 to God’s mercy - A serving heart.

Romans 12:4-8 NKJV

[4] For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, [5] so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; [7] or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; [8] he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking about yourself less.” - C.S. Lewis

The church is very diverse, but it should work in unison like an orchestra.

We all receive a spiritual gift as believers. We don’t always start out knowing what our gift is. God decides what our gift is.

We don’t chose our gift, but it’s our responsibility to find out what it is.

Gifts our given to us to use them.

Romans 12:6 NKJV

[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

Response #3 to God’s mercy - a spiritual mind.

Romans 12:9-21 NKJV

[9] Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. [10] Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; [11] not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; [12] rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; [13] distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. [16] Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. [17] Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. [20] Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We work to think and act and have attitudes that our Godly and Spiritual.

Love is to be done without hypocrisy and with humility.

J.O.Y.

Jesus 1st

Others 2nd

Yourself last

Romans 12:12 NKJV

[12] rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Koinonia is one of the richest words in the New Testament. More than just hospitality and fellowship.

Entertaining people in your home is not the same as hospitality. Entertaining is showing off your home, hospitality is sharing your home that was a gift from your Savior.

Romans 12:15 NKJV

[15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Rejoice, don’t become envious. When one is weeping do not be uncaring.

Romans 12:16 NKJV

[16] Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Unity, humility and honesty.

Romans 12:17 NKJV

[17] Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

Our society does not agree with that. The devil says repay evil for good.

Society says repay evil for evil, good for good. God says repay good for evil.

Never stop asking God for forgiveness. His mercy is greater than our sins.

Best regards, 

Adam