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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - The 7 Love Letters Of Jesus To His Church

May 9, 2025 | 27:29

Greg Laurie - The 7 Love Letters Of Jesus To His Church
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Faith #TrustGod #Church #WalkwithGod #Love #Religion #Jesus #EndTimes #Harvest #Revelation2

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - The 7 Love Letters Of Jesus To His Church | May 9, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: hi, i'm greg laurie, and i'm so glad you've
  • 00:00:01.801 --> 00:00:03.136
  • Joined us because god's word is full of promises.
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  • It's alive, it's powerful, and it can
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  • Change your life, so let's get started.
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg: what exactly is love?
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  • I think you're in trouble if you define love by what you've
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  • Learned by listening to pop and rock songs over the years.
  • 00:00:37.737 --> 00:00:43.309
  • For instance, there's a song that says,
  • 00:00:43.309 --> 00:00:45.912
  • "what the world needs now is love, sweet love."
  • 00:00:45.912 --> 00:00:50.350
  • Then foreigner sang, "i want to know what love is."
  • 00:00:50.350 --> 00:00:54.187
  • And then there's a very weird song.
  • 00:00:54.187 --> 00:00:56.056
  • Some of you might remember this, "yummy, yummy, yummy.
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  • I've got love in my tummy." but what is love?
  • 00:00:59.059 --> 00:01:03.163
  • We talk about this love, it's in our tummy, we need it.
  • 00:01:03.163 --> 00:01:07.367
  • But what is this love we're talking about?
  • 00:01:07.367 --> 00:01:09.769
  • Well, another song answers that question by saying,
  • 00:01:09.769 --> 00:01:12.505
  • "love is a many splendored thing."
  • 00:01:12.505 --> 00:01:15.308
  • Another song says, "love is the answer."
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  • Led zeppelin reminded we need a whole lot of love.
  • 00:01:17.844 --> 00:01:21.214
  • And then meatloaf sang, "i would do anything for love."
  • 00:01:21.214 --> 00:01:25.552
  • Personally, i'd do anything for meatloaf,
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  • Not the singer, but the actual food.
  • 00:01:27.520 --> 00:01:29.923
  • And then, of course, whitney houston said,
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  • "i will always love you."
  • 00:01:31.958 --> 00:01:34.094
  • But then phil collins gives us a warning saying,
  • 00:01:34.094 --> 00:01:37.764
  • "you can't hurry love," but, but why?
  • 00:01:37.764 --> 00:01:41.167
  • Well, another song gives the answer.
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  • It says, "that's the way love goes."
  • 00:01:42.936 --> 00:01:45.305
  • Okay, let's review, try to figure this all out.
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  • Love is a many splendored. it's in our tummy.
  • 00:01:47.941 --> 00:01:52.412
  • We need a whole lot of it, but we can't hurry it because that's
  • 00:01:52.412 --> 00:01:55.515
  • The way it goes, and it's what the world needs.
  • 00:01:55.515 --> 00:01:58.218
  • Well, maybe the answer is found in this song title,
  • 00:01:58.218 --> 00:02:01.354
  • "i said i love you, but i lied."
  • 00:02:01.354 --> 00:02:04.424
  • Maybe that's why the black eyed peas sang, "where is the love?"
  • 00:02:04.424 --> 00:02:08.461
  • I think i have the answer 'cause adele has a song with a
  • 00:02:08.461 --> 00:02:11.664
  • Title, "send my love to your new lover."
  • 00:02:11.664 --> 00:02:15.101
  • Okay, now we see where the problem really is.
  • 00:02:15.101 --> 00:02:18.671
  • And then lady gaga sang, "stupid love."
  • 00:02:18.671 --> 00:02:22.142
  • The beatles sang, "all you need is love."
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  • And then they broke up and sued each other.
  • 00:02:24.644 --> 00:02:27.881
  • Another song warns, "too much love will kill you."
  • 00:02:27.881 --> 00:02:30.783
  • And maybe that's why dionne warwick sang,
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  • "i'll never love this way again."
  • 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:36.055
  • And tina turner sang, "what's love got to do with it?"
  • 00:02:36.055 --> 00:02:39.425
  • Concluding with the j. geils band who sang, "love stinks."
  • 00:02:39.425 --> 00:02:43.062
  • Yeah, so if you got your definition
  • 00:02:43.062 --> 00:02:45.565
  • Of love from songs, you're in trouble.
  • 00:02:45.565 --> 00:02:48.034
  • Let me tell you what the bible says about love.
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  • The bible says god is love.
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  • Is there any better definition of love than that?
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  • God is love. and guess what?
  • 00:02:57.010 --> 00:02:58.711
  • God loves you, so god loves you, he chose you.
  • 00:02:58.711 --> 00:03:03.449
  • He wants a relationship with you, and he doesn't want
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  • Anything to break that relationship.
  • 00:03:07.020 --> 00:03:11.224
  • And sometimes in his love, he has to correct us.
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  • And that's what we see in these love letters of jesus to the
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  • Seven churches.
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  • Enter the devil.
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  • Just as surely as there is a god in heaven who loves you, there
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  • Is a devil who hates you and wants to destroy you.
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  • Satan wants to entice you and get you
  • 00:03:30.877 --> 00:03:33.379
  • To break your fellowship with god.
  • 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:35.748
  • In fact, that is the devil's goal each and every day.
  • 00:03:35.748 --> 00:03:39.319
  • He wants to get you distracted, defeated,
  • 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:41.988
  • And ultimately destroyed, listen to this.
  • 00:03:41.988 --> 00:03:44.624
  • Even if some christians don't necessarily believe it, the
  • 00:03:44.624 --> 00:03:47.694
  • Devil believes that jesus is coming back.
  • 00:03:47.694 --> 00:03:51.397
  • Now, that should motivate us to live a godly life.
  • 00:03:51.397 --> 00:03:53.933
  • But knowing his time is limited, knowing his days are numbered,
  • 00:03:53.933 --> 00:03:59.138
  • Satan is trying to wreak as much havoc as he possibly can.
  • 00:03:59.138 --> 00:04:03.743
  • But don't let that scare you because the bible reminds us,
  • 00:04:03.743 --> 00:04:07.480
  • "greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world."
  • 00:04:07.480 --> 00:04:11.184
  • We need to be aware, and we need to be prepared.
  • 00:04:11.184 --> 00:04:14.988
  • So, we're looking together at the book of revelation.
  • 00:04:14.988 --> 00:04:18.324
  • Now, seven churches are what we're looking at.
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  • That's four, five, six, seven, there we go, seven.
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  • Seven churches are addressed by jesus.
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  • He sends these love letters, if you will.
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  • We already looked at two of them.
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  • We looked at the church of ephesus
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  • And the church of smyrna.
  • 00:04:32.171 --> 00:04:34.641
  • Remember, in revelation 2, the church of ephesus was a church
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  • Leaving its first love, not losing it, because they knew
  • 00:04:39.212 --> 00:04:44.350
  • Where it was so they could return to it again.
  • 00:04:44.350 --> 00:04:47.287
  • But then we come to the church of smyrna, which is a suffering
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  • Church, this time of church history when millions of
  • 00:04:51.391 --> 00:04:54.494
  • Believers gave their lives for the lord because they would not
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  • Say caesar is lord but instead said, "jesus is lord."
  • 00:04:57.997 --> 00:05:02.835
  • So, now we come to a different kind of problem in the church.
  • 00:05:02.835 --> 00:05:05.738
  • Satan realizes that he can't
  • 00:05:05.738 --> 00:05:07.507
  • Destroy the church through persecution.
  • 00:05:07.507 --> 00:05:10.543
  • Instead of weakening them, they've turned
  • 00:05:10.543 --> 00:05:13.079
  • Into this lean, mean, preaching machine.
  • 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:16.382
  • So, he changes his tactics,
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  • And he decides to infiltrate the church.
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  • You've heard of the old expression,
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  • "if you can't beat them, join them."
  • 00:05:24.457 --> 00:05:26.793
  • As we come now to our next church called the church of
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  • Pergamos, the devil effectively joins the church.
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  • Revelation chapter 2, verse 12,
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  • Read with me if you would.
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  • "and to the angel of the church in pergamos
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  • Write 'these things says he
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  • That has the sharp two-edged sword:
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  • I know your works,
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  • Where you dwell,
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  • Where satan's throne is.
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  • And you hold fast to my name,
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  • And you did not deny my faith
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  • Even in the days in which
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  • Antipas, my faithful martyr,
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  • Was killed among you,
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  • Where satan dwells.'"
  • 00:05:58.358 --> 00:06:00.460
  • You know, it's interesting that's mentioned
  • 00:06:00.460 --> 00:06:01.794
  • Twice, "where satan dwells."
  • 00:06:01.794 --> 00:06:04.197
  • Listen, the devil is not the equal of god.
  • 00:06:04.197 --> 00:06:06.799
  • God is omniscient, which means he knows everything.
  • 00:06:06.799 --> 00:06:09.669
  • The devil is limited in his knowledge.
  • 00:06:09.669 --> 00:06:12.138
  • God is omnipotent, which means all powerful.
  • 00:06:12.138 --> 00:06:15.274
  • The devil has limitations to his power.
  • 00:06:15.274 --> 00:06:18.211
  • And god is omnipresent, which means present everywhere.
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  • But the devil can only be in one place at one time.
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  • So, if the devil's in san francisco,
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  • He can't be in moscow.
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  • And if he's in moscow, he can't be in wherever.
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  • So, the point is, he seemed to have set
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  • His seat up in this city where the church was.
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  • And what's happening here with this
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  • Church is they're starting to compromise.
  • 00:06:41.667 --> 00:06:45.071
  • It starts with little things, and it ends up in big things.
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  • That's the way sin works.
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  • This is the problem with the church of pergamos is they were
  • 00:06:52.011 --> 00:06:55.615
  • Tolerant of sin, look at verse 14.
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  • "i have a few things against you, because you have
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  • Those who hold the doctrine of balaam, who taught balak to put
  • 00:07:01.687 --> 00:07:05.691
  • A stumbling block before the children of israel, to eat
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  • Things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality."
  • 00:07:08.594 --> 00:07:12.965
  • Okay, so who's balaam and who's balak?
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  • Balak was the king of the moabites, the enemies of israel.
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  • He wanted to destroy the nation israel,
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  • So he hired balaam the prophet.
  • 00:07:23.776 --> 00:07:26.979
  • Now, i don't know where he found balaam the prophet.
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  • I think you could have spelled prophet, p-r-o-f-i-t
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  • Instead of the biblical spelling.
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  • Balaam seemed to be a prophet for hire.
  • 00:07:36.689 --> 00:07:38.758
  • So balak says, "look, man, i want you to curse these
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  • Israelites, curse them in the name of god so we don't have to
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  • Deal with them on the battlefield."
  • 00:07:44.964 --> 00:07:47.266
  • Incredibly balaam the prophet agrees.
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  • "yes, i will do that."
  • 00:07:49.302 --> 00:07:50.937
  • Well, the lord comes to balaam and says, "i don't want you
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  • To do that," but balaam decides to do it anyway.
  • 00:07:53.506 --> 00:07:56.576
  • So, the next day he gets his donkey and he's riding along.
  • 00:07:56.576 --> 00:07:59.545
  • And all of a sudden, his donkey just stops in its steps.
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  • Balaam is like, "come on, let's go, let's go."
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  • And the donkey stops and then
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  • The donkey walks a little further.
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  • And they're in between two rock walls, and the donkey slams up
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  • Against the wall, hitting balaam's leg, now he's angry.
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  • Balaam pulls out a stick and he's beating
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  • His donkey, he's so angry.
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  • And the bible says the lord opened the mouth of the donkey
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  • Who said, "why are you beating me?"
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  • That's amazing, what's more amazing to
  • 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:29.141
  • Me is, without missing a beat, balaam
  • 00:08:29.141 --> 00:08:32.011
  • Says, "because you're not doing what i want you to do."
  • 00:08:32.011 --> 00:08:34.580
  • Then the donkey says, "haven't i been a good donkey?
  • 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:37.884
  • Haven't i always done what you wanted me to do?"
  • 00:08:37.884 --> 00:08:40.186
  • Balaam said, "yeah, you know, i have to agree.
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  • You've been a very good donkey."
  • 00:08:41.521 --> 00:08:42.855
  • They're having this conversation.
  • 00:08:42.855 --> 00:08:44.624
  • Well, here's what balaam didn't know.
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  • The donkey seemed to have more sense than balaam did because
  • 00:08:46.425 --> 00:08:49.962
  • The donkey saw an angel of the lord with sword drawn.
  • 00:08:49.962 --> 00:08:54.233
  • The angel's probably thinking, "oy vey, i mean,
  • 00:08:54.233 --> 00:08:56.335
  • This guy's talking to his donkey."
  • 00:08:56.335 --> 00:08:58.804
  • Finally, the angel makes himself visible,
  • 00:08:58.804 --> 00:09:01.007
  • And balaam sees what's going on.
  • 00:09:01.007 --> 00:09:03.743
  • But the angel was trying to stop him.
  • 00:09:03.743 --> 00:09:06.178
  • So, balaam didn't do exactly what balak wanted him to do,
  • 00:09:06.178 --> 00:09:10.182
  • But he came up with a little plan.
  • 00:09:10.182 --> 00:09:11.651
  • He said, "listen, balak, here's what you need to do.
  • 00:09:11.651 --> 00:09:14.554
  • Get your really foxy babes from moab to go sexually entice those
  • 00:09:14.554 --> 00:09:20.226
  • Young israeli boys to come into their tents and make them
  • 00:09:20.226 --> 00:09:24.363
  • Worship at your little altars and your--
  • 00:09:24.363 --> 00:09:26.866
  • Worship your false gods.
  • 00:09:26.866 --> 00:09:28.834
  • And they'll go for it, and god will judge them."
  • 00:09:28.834 --> 00:09:30.903
  • And that's exactly what happened.
  • 00:09:30.903 --> 00:09:32.672
  • So, what is this saying to us?
  • 00:09:32.672 --> 00:09:34.974
  • Well, balaam, the sin of balaam is compromise.
  • 00:09:34.974 --> 00:09:38.844
  • He wanted to do something, even when god told him not to do it.
  • 00:09:38.844 --> 00:09:43.282
  • And there are people like this today.
  • 00:09:43.282 --> 00:09:44.884
  • They say, "well, i'm a christian.
  • 00:09:44.884 --> 00:09:46.786
  • I want to go to heaven, but i kinda want to live like hell.
  • 00:09:46.786 --> 00:09:50.189
  • I still want to party. i still want to cheat.
  • 00:09:50.189 --> 00:09:52.391
  • I still want to lie.
  • 00:09:52.391 --> 00:09:53.926
  • I still want to do whatever i need to do
  • 00:09:53.926 --> 00:09:56.295
  • Or whatever i want to do."
  • 00:09:56.295 --> 00:09:58.598
  • And god's saying, "no, that's compromise.
  • 00:09:58.598 --> 00:10:01.934
  • That is the doctrine of balaam. don't live that way."
  • 00:10:01.934 --> 00:10:06.772
  • So, we need to follow the advice jesus gives here to pergamos.
  • 00:10:06.772 --> 00:10:11.510
  • Verse 16, "repent, or i'll come to you quickly and
  • 00:10:11.510 --> 00:10:13.779
  • Fight against those with the sword of my mouth.
  • 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:16.482
  • He that has an ear to hear,
  • 00:10:16.482 --> 00:10:17.817
  • Let him hear what the spirit is saying."
  • 00:10:17.817 --> 00:10:20.052
  • This is god's wake-up call. let me just say this.
  • 00:10:20.052 --> 00:10:23.155
  • Am i talking to somebody right now that says
  • 00:10:23.155 --> 00:10:25.591
  • They're a christian, but you're sleeping with
  • 00:10:25.591 --> 00:10:28.094
  • Your boyfriend or your girlfriend?
  • 00:10:28.094 --> 00:10:30.463
  • You say you're a christian,
  • 00:10:30.463 --> 00:10:32.231
  • But you're having an affair on your spouse.
  • 00:10:32.231 --> 00:10:35.501
  • You say you're a christian,
  • 00:10:35.501 --> 00:10:37.370
  • But you're lying on your tax returns.
  • 00:10:37.370 --> 00:10:39.672
  • You say you're a christian, and you regularly tear others down
  • 00:10:39.672 --> 00:10:44.810
  • And denigrate them and slander them.
  • 00:10:44.810 --> 00:10:47.446
  • Hold on now, you're like the people
  • 00:10:47.446 --> 00:10:49.482
  • In the church of pergamos and you're like balaam,
  • 00:10:49.482 --> 00:10:52.952
  • You're compromising and that is not what god wants.
  • 00:10:52.952 --> 00:10:56.088
  • Bringing us to our fourth church identified as thyatira.
  • 00:10:56.088 --> 00:11:00.860
  • So, they go from compromise with pergamos to full blown
  • 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:04.797
  • Acceptance of sin in the church of thyatira.
  • 00:11:04.797 --> 00:11:09.602
  • Revelation 2, verse 19, god or jesus says, "i know your
  • 00:11:09.602 --> 00:11:13.906
  • Works, your love, your service, your faith,
  • 00:11:13.906 --> 00:11:16.642
  • And your patience; and as for your works, your last
  • 00:11:16.642 --> 00:11:19.879
  • Are more than your first," so he commends them.
  • 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:22.515
  • "you know, there's some of you doing pretty well."
  • 00:11:22.515 --> 00:11:24.750
  • "nevertheless i have a few things against you, because
  • 00:11:24.750 --> 00:11:27.520
  • You allow that woman jezebel, who calls herself
  • 00:11:27.520 --> 00:11:30.890
  • A prophetess, to teach and seduce
  • 00:11:30.890 --> 00:11:33.592
  • My servants to commit sexual immorality
  • 00:11:33.592 --> 00:11:36.662
  • And eat things sacrificed to idols.
  • 00:11:36.662 --> 00:11:38.798
  • I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality,
  • 00:11:38.798 --> 00:11:41.367
  • And she did not repent," so who's jezebel?
  • 00:11:41.367 --> 00:11:44.670
  • Jezebel was the wife of king ahab.
  • 00:11:44.670 --> 00:11:47.273
  • She was a wicked woman who was a queen of israel.
  • 00:11:47.273 --> 00:11:51.110
  • And she believed in the worship of the false god of baal.
  • 00:11:51.110 --> 00:11:55.614
  • Jezebel was the one that put the contract out on the prophet
  • 00:11:55.614 --> 00:11:58.784
  • Elijah and said, "i'm gonna put that man to death."
  • 00:11:58.784 --> 00:12:02.321
  • And she actually influenced the whole nation.
  • 00:12:02.321 --> 00:12:05.558
  • So, the church of thyatira had grown tolerant of sin.
  • 00:12:05.558 --> 00:12:11.163
  • Have you grown tolerant of sin in your life?
  • 00:12:11.163 --> 00:12:14.200
  • Are there things you know you should not be doing, but your
  • 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:16.602
  • Conscience doesn't seem to be kicking in anymore?
  • 00:12:16.602 --> 00:12:21.340
  • Maybe you have a very tender heart, a sensitive conscience.
  • 00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:26.145
  • And when you do something wrong, when you think something wrong,
  • 00:12:26.145 --> 00:12:28.914
  • You feel guilt and remorse over it.
  • 00:12:28.914 --> 00:12:31.951
  • Rejoice, that means your conscience is working.
  • 00:12:31.951 --> 00:12:35.421
  • But if you can go and sin, if you can go and do things that
  • 00:12:35.421 --> 00:12:38.924
  • The bible says are wrong before god and not feel any ping of
  • 00:12:38.924 --> 00:12:43.028
  • Guilt or any remorse, something isn't working.
  • 00:12:43.028 --> 00:12:47.566
  • Pray that god will re-sensitize your conscience.
  • 00:12:47.566 --> 00:12:51.203
  • Jesus tells them to repent.
  • 00:12:51.203 --> 00:12:53.806
  • Now we come to the church of sardis
  • 00:12:53.806 --> 00:12:56.008
  • In revelation chapter 3, verse 1.
  • 00:12:56.008 --> 00:12:59.078
  • "to the angel of the church in sardis write
  • 00:12:59.078 --> 00:13:02.214
  • 'these things says he that has the seven spirits of
  • 00:13:02.214 --> 00:13:05.050
  • God and the seven stars: 'i know your works, you have
  • 00:13:05.050 --> 00:13:08.487
  • A name that you are alive, but you are dead.
  • 00:13:08.487 --> 00:13:11.724
  • Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,
  • 00:13:11.724 --> 00:13:14.493
  • That are ready to die, for i have not found
  • 00:13:14.493 --> 00:13:16.629
  • Your works perfect before god.'"
  • 00:13:16.629 --> 00:13:19.698
  • Here with these churches we've looked on,
  • 00:13:19.698 --> 00:13:21.901
  • We see the natural regression of sin.
  • 00:13:21.901 --> 00:13:25.171
  • Sin always pulls you down, so you begin to lose your passion
  • 00:13:25.171 --> 00:13:31.310
  • Like the believers in the church of ephesus.
  • 00:13:31.310 --> 00:13:34.380
  • Instead of moving forward,
  • 00:13:34.380 --> 00:13:35.748
  • You're starting to move backwards.
  • 00:13:35.748 --> 00:13:37.716
  • Then you start compromising like the churches of pergamos and
  • 00:13:37.716 --> 00:13:41.253
  • Thyatira, and you end up dead like sardis.
  • 00:13:41.253 --> 00:13:45.157
  • As i've said before, no one generally plans on backsliding.
  • 00:13:45.157 --> 00:13:49.028
  • But one day you wake up and you say, "what happened?
  • 00:13:49.028 --> 00:13:52.097
  • What happened to my life?
  • 00:13:52.097 --> 00:13:53.833
  • What happened to my marriage, or what happened to my health?
  • 00:13:53.833 --> 00:13:57.770
  • I've made all these bad decisions, how did i get here?
  • 00:13:57.770 --> 00:14:01.574
  • I never wanted to go to this place, but here i am."
  • 00:14:01.574 --> 00:14:05.110
  • It started through little compromises
  • 00:14:05.110 --> 00:14:07.913
  • That led to this slippery slope of sin.
  • 00:14:07.913 --> 00:14:12.618
  • Greg: hey, everybody, greg laurie here with
  • 00:14:15.788 --> 00:14:17.122
  • Some thoughts about anxiety.
  • 00:14:17.122 --> 00:14:18.891
  • Well, there's a lot of things to be
  • 00:14:18.891 --> 00:14:20.559
  • Anxious about right now, aren't there?
  • 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:23.796
  • All the turmoil in our country, all the fighting, which hasn't
  • 00:14:23.796 --> 00:14:27.366
  • Gotten better, it's actually gotten worse.
  • 00:14:27.366 --> 00:14:29.902
  • Can i make a couple of recommendations?
  • 00:14:29.902 --> 00:14:32.204
  • Maybe don't watch the news for hours on end.
  • 00:14:32.204 --> 00:14:36.108
  • Maybe don't spend all your time on twitter and fighting with
  • 00:14:36.108 --> 00:14:40.579
  • People on social media, et cetera.
  • 00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:42.681
  • Now, i'm not saying don't be uninformed 'cause we need to be
  • 00:14:42.681 --> 00:14:44.984
  • Aware of what's going on so we know how to pray intelligently.
  • 00:14:44.984 --> 00:14:48.888
  • But take time to fill your mind with the word of god.
  • 00:14:48.888 --> 00:14:53.592
  • Take time to focus on your relationship with god.
  • 00:14:53.592 --> 00:14:58.230
  • Now, we all know this verse very well that says, "don't worry
  • 00:14:58.230 --> 00:15:01.400
  • About anything, pray about everything, and the peace of god
  • 00:15:01.400 --> 00:15:06.005
  • Will guard your heart and mind in christ jesus."
  • 00:15:06.005 --> 00:15:07.907
  • Scripture also says, "thou will keep him in perfect peace whose
  • 00:15:07.907 --> 00:15:11.644
  • Mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee."
  • 00:15:11.644 --> 00:15:15.614
  • So, if you find yourself in turmoil, in anguish,
  • 00:15:15.614 --> 00:15:18.684
  • And if you find yourself filled with anxiety,
  • 00:15:18.684 --> 00:15:21.687
  • Put your mind on the lord.
  • 00:15:21.687 --> 00:15:24.089
  • Turn your thoughts toward the lord.
  • 00:15:24.089 --> 00:15:26.558
  • Fill your life with the word of god,
  • 00:15:26.558 --> 00:15:29.161
  • With worship music, with good bible teaching.
  • 00:15:29.161 --> 00:15:32.665
  • We have a podcast, and there's a lot of great things out there,
  • 00:15:32.665 --> 00:15:35.134
  • But we have a podcast you can listen to.
  • 00:15:35.134 --> 00:15:37.169
  • But listen, look to jesus right now.
  • 00:15:37.169 --> 00:15:40.506
  • And let's keep praying for our nation,
  • 00:15:40.506 --> 00:15:42.675
  • That god's will will be done.
  • 00:15:42.675 --> 00:15:45.177
  • But let's also pray that he will give us personal peace.
  • 00:15:45.177 --> 00:15:49.248
  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
  • 00:15:50.582 --> 00:15:53.152
  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
  • 00:15:53.152 --> 00:15:57.656
  • Greg: now we come to the church of the last days.
  • 00:15:59.425 --> 00:16:02.594
  • As we will discover in the book of revelation, i believe,
  • 00:16:02.594 --> 00:16:06.031
  • Personally, we're in the last days.
  • 00:16:06.031 --> 00:16:08.033
  • I'll make a case for that.
  • 00:16:08.033 --> 00:16:09.969
  • And by that, i mean i believe jesus could come for us
  • 00:16:09.969 --> 00:16:14.139
  • In our lifetime, so we want to be ready.
  • 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:18.043
  • You don't want to be a part of the church of thyatira.
  • 00:16:18.043 --> 00:16:20.679
  • You don't want to be a part of the church of pergamos.
  • 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:23.115
  • You definitely don't want to be in the church of sardis.
  • 00:16:23.115 --> 00:16:25.551
  • But you do want to be in this church 'cause, really, you
  • 00:16:25.551 --> 00:16:28.420
  • Choose what church you're gonna go to.
  • 00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:31.490
  • You decide what church you're gonna be.
  • 00:16:31.490 --> 00:16:34.393
  • It's really up to you.
  • 00:16:34.393 --> 00:16:36.395
  • This is the church now of philadelphia that's alive.
  • 00:16:36.395 --> 00:16:40.933
  • Look at revelation 3, verse 7, "to the angel of the
  • 00:16:40.933 --> 00:16:43.936
  • Church in philadelphia write 'these things says he
  • 00:16:43.936 --> 00:16:46.805
  • That is holy and is true, he who has the key of
  • 00:16:46.805 --> 00:16:49.408
  • David, he who opens and no one shuts, and shuts
  • 00:16:49.408 --> 00:16:53.245
  • And no one opens: i know your works.
  • 00:16:53.245 --> 00:16:56.548
  • I have set before you an open door, and no man can
  • 00:16:56.548 --> 00:16:58.817
  • Shut it; for you have a little strength, and you
  • 00:16:58.817 --> 00:17:01.820
  • Have kept my word, and you have not denied my name."
  • 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:04.757
  • Here's some takeaway truths from the church of the last
  • 00:17:04.757 --> 00:17:07.860
  • Days, the church we should all be a part of.
  • 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:10.996
  • Number one, jesus has given to us an unprecedented open door.
  • 00:17:10.996 --> 00:17:17.536
  • God opens doors up.
  • 00:17:17.536 --> 00:17:18.971
  • Now, there might be an open door in your
  • 00:17:18.971 --> 00:17:20.305
  • Life right now with a neighbor.
  • 00:17:20.305 --> 00:17:22.107
  • They were closed, closed to the gospel, closed to anything
  • 00:17:22.107 --> 00:17:25.110
  • Spiritual and suddenly they're open.
  • 00:17:25.110 --> 00:17:27.579
  • Or you just met somebody, or an opportunity came up,
  • 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:30.949
  • Look for open doors, they're out there, pay attention.
  • 00:17:30.949 --> 00:17:35.287
  • Number two, god has given us enough strength to do
  • 00:17:35.287 --> 00:17:38.624
  • What he has called us to do.
  • 00:17:38.624 --> 00:17:40.559
  • We read that this church was making a comeback.
  • 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:43.362
  • In verse 8 jesus says, "you have a little strength."
  • 00:17:43.362 --> 00:17:46.799
  • By the way, that's not a negative criticism.
  • 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:49.968
  • It's a commendation that he is giving to this church.
  • 00:17:49.968 --> 00:17:53.739
  • The picture here is of a sick person coming back to life.
  • 00:17:53.739 --> 00:17:58.077
  • As you may know, i got covid a number of months ago,
  • 00:17:58.077 --> 00:18:01.947
  • And i started with, you know, congestion
  • 00:18:01.947 --> 00:18:05.250
  • And a little bit of a fever, i had a mild case, thankfully.
  • 00:18:05.250 --> 00:18:09.555
  • But one thing that stayed with me for a while was fatigue.
  • 00:18:09.555 --> 00:18:14.526
  • It took me a while to get my energy back.
  • 00:18:14.526 --> 00:18:16.662
  • I would get up and do something, and i'd be tired
  • 00:18:16.662 --> 00:18:18.764
  • And just go sit for like an hour.
  • 00:18:18.764 --> 00:18:20.933
  • That's not me. i'm a very busy, active person.
  • 00:18:20.933 --> 00:18:24.403
  • But thankfully, my strength has come back again.
  • 00:18:24.403 --> 00:18:27.005
  • But that's a picture here of the church of philadelphia.
  • 00:18:27.005 --> 00:18:29.908
  • It's like a sick person coming back to life.
  • 00:18:29.908 --> 00:18:32.811
  • They're not at full health yet, but they're getting there.
  • 00:18:32.811 --> 00:18:35.681
  • They're out of the bed now. they're standing up again.
  • 00:18:35.681 --> 00:18:38.417
  • They're starting to move around again.
  • 00:18:38.417 --> 00:18:40.219
  • This would appear to say that the church of the end times is
  • 00:18:40.219 --> 00:18:44.323
  • Going to experience revival.
  • 00:18:44.323 --> 00:18:47.192
  • What is revival?
  • 00:18:47.192 --> 00:18:48.527
  • It's returning to original condition.
  • 00:18:48.527 --> 00:18:50.929
  • What is original condition?
  • 00:18:50.929 --> 00:18:52.598
  • It's the church of the 1st century,
  • 00:18:52.598 --> 00:18:54.867
  • The church that changed the world, the church
  • 00:18:54.867 --> 00:18:57.469
  • That turned the world upside down.
  • 00:18:57.469 --> 00:18:59.571
  • So, this last days church of philadelphia is coming back.
  • 00:18:59.571 --> 00:19:03.809
  • They're making a comeback.
  • 00:19:03.809 --> 00:19:06.078
  • Their strength is returning, a church that is going through
  • 00:19:06.078 --> 00:19:10.616
  • Open doors of opportunity.
  • 00:19:10.616 --> 00:19:13.352
  • He gives them a promise.
  • 00:19:13.352 --> 00:19:14.887
  • And this shows this is a church of the last days.
  • 00:19:14.887 --> 00:19:17.956
  • In verse 10, he promises to keep them, he promises to keep us
  • 00:19:17.956 --> 00:19:23.629
  • From the great tribulation period.
  • 00:19:23.629 --> 00:19:25.797
  • Verse 10 says, jesus speaking, "i'll keep you
  • 00:19:25.797 --> 00:19:28.267
  • From the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world
  • 00:19:28.267 --> 00:19:31.370
  • To test those that dwell on the earth."
  • 00:19:31.370 --> 00:19:34.540
  • Now, we're all gonna go through trials
  • 00:19:34.540 --> 00:19:35.974
  • And tribulation in life as followers of jesus.
  • 00:19:35.974 --> 00:19:39.545
  • Jesus even said, "in this world, you will have tribulation.
  • 00:19:39.545 --> 00:19:43.815
  • But be of good cheer, i have overcome the world."
  • 00:19:43.815 --> 00:19:45.951
  • But there's a difference between personal tribulation and what we
  • 00:19:45.951 --> 00:19:51.323
  • Call the great tribulation period.
  • 00:19:51.323 --> 00:19:55.160
  • The great tribulation period is a global event.
  • 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:58.897
  • Look at verse 10, he says,
  • 00:19:58.897 --> 00:20:00.566
  • "i'll keep you from the hour of trial that will come
  • 00:20:00.566 --> 00:20:02.568
  • Upon the whole world to test those that dwell on the earth."
  • 00:20:02.568 --> 00:20:08.941
  • This is a global event that will affect everybody.
  • 00:20:08.941 --> 00:20:12.644
  • Secondly, it's a specific period of time.
  • 00:20:12.644 --> 00:20:15.314
  • Jesus calls it an hour of trial.
  • 00:20:15.314 --> 00:20:18.517
  • It's not 60 minutes, it's seven years in total.
  • 00:20:18.517 --> 00:20:23.121
  • So, he says, "i'll keep you from that."
  • 00:20:23.121 --> 00:20:25.524
  • It is my firm belief that the lord will call us home to heaven
  • 00:20:25.524 --> 00:20:30.495
  • Before the tribulation period begins.
  • 00:20:30.495 --> 00:20:33.398
  • I believe the church will not go through the tribulation period.
  • 00:20:33.398 --> 00:20:37.536
  • I don't even think the tribulation period
  • 00:20:37.536 --> 00:20:39.738
  • Can begin until the church is removed.
  • 00:20:39.738 --> 00:20:43.742
  • Now, we come to our final church in the book of revelation,
  • 00:20:43.742 --> 00:20:47.579
  • The seven of seven churches.
  • 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:50.916
  • Remember i said in the beginning, we start with an
  • 00:20:50.916 --> 00:20:54.052
  • Apostolic church and we end up with an apostate church.
  • 00:20:54.052 --> 00:20:58.757
  • Some churches make the lord weep,
  • 00:20:58.757 --> 00:21:01.560
  • Other churches make the lord angry.
  • 00:21:01.560 --> 00:21:04.096
  • This church makes the lord sick, but he loved them anyway.
  • 00:21:04.096 --> 00:21:09.401
  • Look at revelation 3, verse 14.
  • 00:21:09.401 --> 00:21:13.438
  • "and to the angel of the church of the laodiceans
  • 00:21:13.438 --> 00:21:16.141
  • Write 'these things sayeth the amen, the faithful and
  • 00:21:16.141 --> 00:21:19.211
  • True witness, the beginning of the creation of god:
  • 00:21:19.211 --> 00:21:22.214
  • I know your works, you're neither cold nor hot,
  • 00:21:22.214 --> 00:21:25.617
  • How i wish you were cold or hot.
  • 00:21:25.617 --> 00:21:28.120
  • So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold
  • 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:30.355
  • Nor hot, i will vomit you out of my mouth."
  • 00:21:30.355 --> 00:21:34.926
  • Now, if you have a king james version,
  • 00:21:34.926 --> 00:21:37.095
  • We have jesus saying, "i will spew you."
  • 00:21:37.095 --> 00:21:39.364
  • Well, that's a very nice way of putting it, i will spew you.
  • 00:21:39.364 --> 00:21:42.200
  • You know, you're feeling nauseated.
  • 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:43.535
  • [in a british accent ]"oh, excuse me, i think i have
  • 00:21:43.535 --> 00:21:45.270
  • To go spew," i don't know why you'd have a british accent.
  • 00:21:45.270 --> 00:21:48.507
  • "but i'm gonna go spew."
  • 00:21:48.507 --> 00:21:50.142
  • Well, this translation says, "i'll vomit you,"
  • 00:21:50.142 --> 00:21:52.344
  • And that's exactly the word.
  • 00:21:52.344 --> 00:21:54.046
  • I will regurgitate you. it makes me sick to my stomach.
  • 00:21:54.046 --> 00:21:59.618
  • No, don't be a lukewarm person. but listen to what jesus says.
  • 00:21:59.618 --> 00:22:02.688
  • He says, "as many as i love,"
  • 00:22:02.688 --> 00:22:04.189
  • Verse 19, "i rebuke and chasten."
  • 00:22:04.189 --> 00:22:07.159
  • That can be translated, "as many as i dearly tenderly love."
  • 00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:12.197
  • I started by talking about love, and the way that god shows us he
  • 00:22:12.197 --> 00:22:15.534
  • Loves us, among other things, is to tell us the truth.
  • 00:22:15.534 --> 00:22:19.571
  • Hebrews 12 says, "the lord disciplines those he loves, and
  • 00:22:19.571 --> 00:22:23.141
  • He chastens those he accepts as his children."
  • 00:22:23.141 --> 00:22:27.646
  • If the lord has chastened you, and by chastened, i mean he's
  • 00:22:27.646 --> 00:22:30.315
  • Convicted you of your sin, and by convicting you, i mean
  • 00:22:30.315 --> 00:22:34.519
  • There's a sense of guilt that i alluded to earlier.
  • 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:38.190
  • "oh, i shouldn't be doing this."
  • 00:22:38.190 --> 00:22:40.092
  • That's a reminder that god loves you, you see?
  • 00:22:40.092 --> 00:22:43.528
  • He chastens the one he loves.
  • 00:22:43.528 --> 00:22:45.163
  • I love how david wrote in psalm 23 of the lord,
  • 00:22:45.163 --> 00:22:48.934
  • "your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
  • 00:22:48.934 --> 00:22:52.404
  • So, what do you do if you become lukewarm?
  • 00:22:52.404 --> 00:22:54.573
  • What is the answer to come out of lukewarmness?
  • 00:22:54.573 --> 00:22:57.342
  • And i'll close with this.
  • 00:22:57.342 --> 00:22:58.710
  • You have to enter into a relationship with jesus christ.
  • 00:22:58.710 --> 00:23:03.415
  • See, you can be a religious person
  • 00:23:03.415 --> 00:23:05.350
  • And have no relationship with god.
  • 00:23:05.350 --> 00:23:07.719
  • You can go to church and not have
  • 00:23:07.719 --> 00:23:09.388
  • Christ living inside of you.
  • 00:23:09.388 --> 00:23:11.456
  • Going to a church doesn't make you a christian any more than
  • 00:23:11.456 --> 00:23:14.593
  • Going into a doughnut shop makes you a cop.
  • 00:23:14.593 --> 00:23:18.363
  • That's a joke, but you get what i'm saying.
  • 00:23:18.363 --> 00:23:20.966
  • Some people go to church, they do the things outwardly,
  • 00:23:20.966 --> 00:23:23.502
  • But christ is not living inside of them.
  • 00:23:23.502 --> 00:23:26.538
  • Now, look at the words of the lord,
  • 00:23:26.538 --> 00:23:28.140
  • A very familiar verse.
  • 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:30.442
  • Many of us have committed it to memory.
  • 00:23:30.442 --> 00:23:32.744
  • Revelation 3:20.
  • 00:23:32.744 --> 00:23:34.179
  • Jesus says to the church of laodicea,
  • 00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:37.883
  • "behold, i stand at the door and knock.
  • 00:23:37.883 --> 00:23:40.652
  • If any man hear my voice and open the door, i will come in
  • 00:23:40.652 --> 00:23:46.057
  • And dine with him, and he with me."
  • 00:23:46.057 --> 00:23:50.729
  • Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart,
  • 00:23:54.666 --> 00:23:57.702
  • And you have seen your need for jesus christ.
  • 00:23:57.702 --> 00:24:01.106
  • Jesus christ is the son of god
  • 00:24:01.106 --> 00:24:04.109
  • Who came from heaven to this earth.
  • 00:24:04.109 --> 00:24:06.511
  • He was born in a manger. he died on a cross.
  • 00:24:06.511 --> 00:24:10.248
  • He rose again from the dead, why?
  • 00:24:10.248 --> 00:24:12.250
  • Because he loves you, and he wants a relationship with you.
  • 00:24:12.250 --> 00:24:15.854
  • Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
  • 00:24:15.854 --> 00:24:18.056
  • I don't want to be a religious person,
  • 00:24:18.056 --> 00:24:19.891
  • I don't think you want to be one either.
  • 00:24:19.891 --> 00:24:21.860
  • I'm talking about relationship with god.
  • 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:25.497
  • Jesus, who died and rose again, stands
  • 00:24:25.497 --> 00:24:28.266
  • At the door of your life and he knocks.
  • 00:24:28.266 --> 00:24:30.735
  • And he says if you'll hear his voice,
  • 00:24:30.735 --> 00:24:32.637
  • And open the door, he will come in.
  • 00:24:32.637 --> 00:24:34.840
  • Question, have you asked jesus christ
  • 00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:37.209
  • To come and live inside of you?
  • 00:24:37.209 --> 00:24:39.144
  • You might say, "well, i think so, i'm not sure."
  • 00:24:39.144 --> 00:24:41.179
  • Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle of the
  • 00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:43.448
  • Night, do you think you would be aware of it?
  • 00:24:43.448 --> 00:24:46.318
  • I'm sure you would.
  • 00:24:46.318 --> 00:24:47.686
  • And in the same way, if christ has come to live
  • 00:24:47.686 --> 00:24:49.955
  • Inside of you, you will know.
  • 00:24:49.955 --> 00:24:52.023
  • And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
  • 00:24:52.023 --> 00:24:55.794
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:24:55.794 --> 00:24:57.629
  • All you need to do is say, "jesus,
  • 00:24:57.629 --> 00:24:59.664
  • I want this relationship with you.
  • 00:24:59.664 --> 00:25:01.666
  • I want you to forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:25:01.666 --> 00:25:04.035
  • I want to go to heaven when i die."
  • 00:25:04.035 --> 00:25:06.071
  • Would you like to do that?
  • 00:25:06.071 --> 00:25:07.506
  • Would you like christ to come into your life?
  • 00:25:07.506 --> 00:25:10.075
  • If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
  • 00:25:10.075 --> 00:25:13.144
  • You can pray it out loud or you can
  • 00:25:13.144 --> 00:25:15.080
  • Pray it in the quietness of your heart.
  • 00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:17.649
  • But this is a prayer where you're asking
  • 00:25:17.649 --> 00:25:19.217
  • Jesus christ to be your savior and lord.
  • 00:25:19.217 --> 00:25:22.320
  • Pray this with me now.
  • 00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:23.655
  • "lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner, but i know that you're
  • 00:25:23.655 --> 00:25:27.893
  • The savior who died on the cross for my sin and
  • 00:25:27.893 --> 00:25:32.163
  • Rose again from the dead.
  • 00:25:32.163 --> 00:25:33.498
  • Now come into my life.
  • 00:25:33.498 --> 00:25:36.067
  • I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
  • 00:25:36.067 --> 00:25:40.605
  • Thank you for hearing this prayer
  • 00:25:40.605 --> 00:25:42.707
  • And answering this prayer, in jesus's name, amen."
  • 00:25:42.707 --> 00:25:47.379
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:49.581
  • If so, i want you to know, in the authority of scripture, that
  • 00:25:49.581 --> 00:25:52.450
  • Christ himself has come to live inside of you.
  • 00:25:52.450 --> 00:25:56.021
  • And i would love to send to you at no charge something
  • 00:25:56.021 --> 00:25:59.291
  • Called the new believer's bible.
  • 00:25:59.291 --> 00:26:01.626
  • It's a very friendly translation of the new testament you'll find
  • 00:26:01.626 --> 00:26:04.829
  • Very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds of notes
  • 00:26:04.829 --> 00:26:08.567
  • That i wrote that will encourage you in this
  • 00:26:08.567 --> 00:26:11.236
  • Commitment you've just made to follow jesus.
  • 00:26:11.236 --> 00:26:13.972
  • Let me send that to you at no charge.
  • 00:26:13.972 --> 00:26:16.575
  • And let me be the first to say to you,
  • 00:26:16.575 --> 00:26:18.710
  • Congratulations, and welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:26:18.710 --> 00:26:27.452
  • Greg: greg laurie here.
  • 00:26:30.989 --> 00:26:32.357
  • You know, at harvest ministries we're committing to reaching
  • 00:26:32.357 --> 00:26:34.759
  • Unexpected people in unexpected places with an
  • 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:38.163
  • Unexpected message.
  • 00:26:38.163 --> 00:26:39.798
  • And thanks to your financial support, we've been able to
  • 00:26:39.798 --> 00:26:44.202
  • Touch people all over the world with the hope of jesus christ.
  • 00:26:44.202 --> 00:26:48.673
  • Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
  • 00:26:48.673 --> 00:26:52.444
  • Country through this television program, they also help us to
  • 00:26:52.444 --> 00:26:56.648
  • Bring hope to people in their biggest need, whether through
  • 00:26:56.648 --> 00:27:00.218
  • Our evangelistic events or our relief efforts, together we've
  • 00:27:00.218 --> 00:27:04.155
  • Been able to minister to so many people devastated by the fires
  • 00:27:04.155 --> 00:27:08.293
  • In lahaina on the island of maui.
  • 00:27:08.293 --> 00:27:10.328
  • And also, your support has helped us partner to bring
  • 00:27:10.328 --> 00:27:13.798
  • Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
  • 00:27:13.798 --> 00:27:17.068
  • So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
  • 00:27:17.068 --> 00:27:20.205
  • Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill the
  • 00:27:20.205 --> 00:27:24.476
  • Great commission.
  • 00:27:24.476 --> 00:27:25.844
  • Let's do this together, and let me say in advance,
  • 00:27:25.844 --> 00:27:28.847
  • Thank you and god bless you.
  • 00:27:28.847 --> 00:27:28.847