Greg Laurie delves into the unseen world of angels and demons, highlighting their roles in protecting and influencing believers. Through biblical stories and teachings, viewers learn how angels deliver from difficult situations and guide believers while demons attempt to hinder God's work. The message emphasizes the importance of recognizing and overcoming the strategies of the devil, who operates through accusation and temptation. Ultimately, viewers are encouraged to invite Jesus into their lives and find strength in the power of the blood of the Lamb to overcome spiritual battles.
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Show Timecode
Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Angels and Demons | May 14, 2025
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- Greg laurie: welcome to "harvest with greg laurie."
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- This tv show is all about helping you get to know god
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- Better because god loves you and god has a plan for you
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- And god wants to transform your life.
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- And he's told us everything you need to know about him
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- And life in general in this book, the bible,
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- The user's manual of life.
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- So we're gonna be talking about what the bible says
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- And what god wants to do in your life.
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- Again, welcome, and god bless you.
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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: so i heard a story about god up in heaven and he
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- Knew things were bad on earth but he decided to
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- Dispatch an angel to see just how bad things were.
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- It was a top angel.
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- So the angel spent some time on
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- Planet earth, checking things out.
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- He returned to heaven.
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- He said, "lord, things are really bad down there.
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- Basically, mankind is 95% bad and only 5% of them are good."
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- So the lord wanted a second opinion.
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- He sent another angel down.
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- That angel returned after a time.
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- It said, "lord, it's as the other angel said, 95% of the
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- People are bad and only 5% are good."
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- So the lord thought, "well, i want to
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- Encourage the 5% that are good.
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- You know, at least let them know
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- That i appreciate what they're doing.
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- So to the 5% that were good, he sent them all a text.
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- You want to know what the text said?
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- Oh, you didn't get one either?
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- Now that's a silly joke, but actually, angels
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- Are real and they're actively involved in
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- The life of the follower of jesus christ.
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- We live in the natural world but co-existing
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- Is the supernatural world.
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- You and i live in the visible world,
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- But then there is the invisible world.
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- And this world is just as real as the
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- World you and i are living in right now.
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- The story is told in the book of 2 kings about
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- The prophet elisha and his servant, gehazi.
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- So one night, they were surrounded by enemy armies, and
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- Elisha was trying to get a little shuteye.
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- But gehazi was freaking out and he woke up the sleeping prophet
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- And he said, "master, master, we're surrounded by our enemies.
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- What are we gonna do?"
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- And elisha, probably a little irritated that his nap was
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- Interrupted, said, "lord, just open his eyes up,
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- And help him to see that those that are with us
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- Are more than those that are with them."
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- And the eyes of this servant, gehazi, were opened to the
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- Supernatural world, and the bible tells us in 2 kings 6,
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- "behold the mountain was full of horses
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- And chariots of fire, all around elisha."
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- See, he saw into that other dimension, the next dimension,
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- The dimension of angelic creatures.
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- Now, i pray that the lord will open our eyes as we take a
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- Biblical look at what is going on behind the scenes.
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- We're not only gonna look at angels,
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- We're gonna look at demons.
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- We'll look at the work that angels want to do and do in the
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- Life of the christian, and we'll look at the work of demons and
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- What they attempt to do in the life of the christian.
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- So if you're taking notes, here's point number one, angels
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- Sometimes deliver us from difficult situations.
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- Going back to the book of acts, in acts chapter 5, you remember
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- The story of when the angels busted the apostles
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- Out of jail, and the angel said, "go and tell
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- All the people about this new life."
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- We recently looked at the story of peter who
- 00:04:05.980 --> 00:04:09.183
- Was in prison in acts chapter 12.
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- And we read, "constant prayer was offered
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- To god for him by the church."
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- And so the lord heard that prayer and answered their prayer
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- By dispatching an angel to walk into the cell.
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- The light filled the dark place.
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- So angels definitely emanate light.
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- And then the little chains--they weren't little, probably big
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- Chains--around the ankles and the arms of peter, came off.
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- And then the door opened automatically,
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- And the angel accompanied peter out of the jail,
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- And then when he was outside, the angel just left.
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- "suddenly left," that's what the bible says.
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- I find that interesting. the angel did his job.
- 00:04:49.723 --> 00:04:52.326
- "okay, i got to get you out of prison.
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- That's my assignment. you're on your own now, buddy."
- 00:04:54.028 --> 00:04:56.897
- And then peter went over to that prayer meeting and tried to
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- Convince everyone that god had actually delivered him.
- 00:04:59.867 --> 00:05:03.437
- So that was an angel that was actively involved.
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- Here's point number two, sometimes angels stop
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- Us and other times they prompt us.
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- Sometimes angels stop us and other times they prompt us.
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- In acts chapter 8 we read that an
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- Angel prompted philip to go to the desert.
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- It's interesting, the angel didn't give him any details.
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- He didn't tell him what he was supposed to do when he got to
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- The desert, which actually was to ultimately share
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- The gospel with a visiting dignitary from
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- Ethiopia and lead the man to the lord.
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- The angel's job was to tell philip to go to the desert,
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- And that's exactly what the angel did.
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- So he was prompted by the angel.
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- I wonder if there have been times
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- When an angel has prompted me.
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- I can think of times where i've
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- Felt directly led to do something.
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- Like, right now, i need to do this thing.
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- There's no doubt about it, i need to go
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- To this person and talk to them.
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- I need to take this step of faith.
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- I need to do this other thing.
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- That may have been an angel, of course,
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- Doing the bidding of the lord.
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- The classic example of an angel stopping someone is the story of
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- Balaam and his donkey, one of the more
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- Humorous stories in the bible, i have to say.
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- So there was this guy named balaam.
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- He was sort of a prophet for hire.
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- He was kind of more of a profit, p-r-o-f-i-t,
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- Than he was a p-r-o-p-h-e-t.
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- So he was hired to curse the children of israel, and he was
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- On his way to do the very thing that god did not want him to do.
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- So god dispatched an angel.
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- The job of the angel was "stop balaam
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- From cursing the people of israel."
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- So the interesting thing is the angel goes and appears in a way
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- That the donkey saw him, but the prophet did not.
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- So the donkey's walking along with balaam
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- Riding him and suddenly the donkey sees this
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- Angel, standing in his path with a sword drawn.
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- Hey, this jackass wasn't stupid, and he looked and saw that
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- Powerful being and just stopped, and balaam
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- Became frustrated and started to beat the donkey.
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- And then the angel positioned himself in a
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- Way where the donkey could not get by.
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- They're in this little path where there's a wall there.
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- So the donkey sort of hits the wall
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- And the prophet's leg is hit.
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- Now balaam is really angry and he starts beating the donkey.
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- An amazing scene.
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- And then the bible says the lord opens the donkey's mouth.
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- And the donkey says to balaam, "why are you beating me?"
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- And the prophet, without missing a beat, says,
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- "because you're making me look like a fool.
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- If i had a sword with me, i'd kill you," balaam says.
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- To the prophet, the donkey says, "hold on.
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- Now, haven't i been a good donkey?
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- Have i ever done anything like this before?"
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- Balaam's like, "no, you have a good point there.
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- You've actually been a very good donkey."
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- Wonder what the angel's thinking.
- 00:08:12.025 --> 00:08:13.360
- "what is with this guy?
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- Does he normally talk to a donkey?
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- I mean, this isn't 'shrek' here. i mean, what is happening?"
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- And balaam is so blinded by, what, his ambition, or whatever
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- It is he was about to do, that he doesn't realize he's having
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- An in-depth conversation with a donkey.
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- And then finally, the angel of the lord appears
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- And balaam now, for the first time, sees the
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- Angel of the lord standing there.
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- And the angel says, "why did you beat your donkey three times?
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- I came to stop you because you were headed for destruction."
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- When god's trying to stop you, don't
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- Keep going in that same direction.
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- I wonder how many times we've been headed for destruction and
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- God changed our course by directing an angel
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- To stop us from where we were going.
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- Greg: angels, they're actively involved
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- In the life of the believer.
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- You could call them god's secret agents
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- Or maybe god's navy seals.
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- You know, the navy seals, they go around the world
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- And they do these amazing operations.
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- A lot of times we don't even know they
- 00:09:21.995 --> 00:09:23.397
- Were there, but they get the job done.
- 00:09:23.397 --> 00:09:25.732
- Angels are the same. they do the bidding of god.
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- The bible says that they protect us.
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- The bible says the angel of the lord
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- Encamps round about those that fear him.
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- That means if you're a believer, you
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- Have angels watching over you.
- 00:09:38.946 --> 00:09:40.781
- Now, do christians have guardian angels?
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- I don't know.
- 00:09:42.916 --> 00:09:44.251
- There is a reference in scripture where jesus spoke of
- 00:09:44.251 --> 00:09:47.187
- The children's angels, "their angels," he said.
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- So maybe kids have guardian angels.
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- Some kids need guardian angels.
- 00:09:52.459 --> 00:09:54.428
- But if we have personalized angels or not, this much we
- 00:09:54.428 --> 00:09:57.731
- Know, angels are involved in our lives,
- 00:09:57.731 --> 00:10:00.601
- Protecting us, also they're ministering to us.
- 00:10:00.601 --> 00:10:03.737
- We read that they're ministering spirits sent to minister to
- 00:10:03.737 --> 00:10:07.808
- Those who are the heirs of salvation, that's us.
- 00:10:07.808 --> 00:10:10.978
- And finally, they escort us because one day, when our life
- 00:10:10.978 --> 00:10:15.048
- On earth is done, the angels will escort us to glory.
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- So they protect us until god is done with us and
- 00:10:18.452 --> 00:10:21.822
- Then when our work is completed in this world,
- 00:10:21.822 --> 00:10:25.425
- We're escorted into god's glory by angelic beings.
- 00:10:25.425 --> 00:10:29.396
- So it's so great to know that the lord has us
- 00:10:29.396 --> 00:10:32.599
- Covered and we have angels all around us.
- 00:10:32.599 --> 00:10:36.436
- ♪ this is the day, ♪
- 00:10:38.238 --> 00:10:40.974
- ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
- 00:10:40.974 --> 00:10:45.812
- Greg: all right, the title of this message
- 00:10:45.812 --> 00:10:47.314
- Is "angels and demons."
- 00:10:47.314 --> 00:10:49.650
- So let's talk a little bit about demons.
- 00:10:49.650 --> 00:10:52.285
- In the book of acts and in our life in general there are many
- 00:10:52.285 --> 00:10:55.889
- Instances in the acts of the apostles where we see demons at
- 00:10:55.889 --> 00:11:00.360
- Work opposing the work of god, trying to stop the work of god.
- 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:06.667
- Demons are fallen angels. they're not created as demons.
- 00:11:06.667 --> 00:11:10.604
- They are angels that rebelled against god,
- 00:11:10.604 --> 00:11:14.408
- Following satan, and now they're part of his world.
- 00:11:14.408 --> 00:11:18.879
- Now, listen, when there was this angelic rebellion, two-third of
- 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:23.917
- The angels stayed on god's side, but one-third of the angels
- 00:11:23.917 --> 00:11:27.954
- Went on the devil's side or lucifer's side,
- 00:11:27.954 --> 00:11:31.758
- And don't underestimate the power of demons.
- 00:11:31.758 --> 00:11:35.595
- They have great power.
- 00:11:35.595 --> 00:11:37.764
- Here's point number four, the devil is not alone.
- 00:11:37.764 --> 00:11:42.302
- He's not alone. i've already alluded to this.
- 00:11:42.302 --> 00:11:44.438
- He has a well-organized network of
- 00:11:44.438 --> 00:11:47.874
- Demon powers doing his bidding.
- 00:11:47.874 --> 00:11:51.545
- What is their objective?
- 00:11:51.545 --> 00:11:53.480
- It would appear that the purpose of demons are twofold, to hinder
- 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:57.718
- The purposes of god and extend the power of satan.
- 00:11:57.718 --> 00:12:02.189
- Again, to hinder the purposes of god, to stop god and his people
- 00:12:02.189 --> 00:12:07.160
- From doing what the lord wants us to do, and then to extend the
- 00:12:07.160 --> 00:12:12.032
- Reign and power and influence of satan.
- 00:12:12.032 --> 00:12:15.168
- Jesus summed up satan's agenda very simply in john 10:10 when
- 00:12:15.168 --> 00:12:19.372
- He said, "the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy."
- 00:12:19.372 --> 00:12:26.446
- All right, so let's read now some verses
- 00:12:26.446 --> 00:12:28.815
- Together out of revelation chapter 12.
- 00:12:28.815 --> 00:12:32.953
- We'll look at how the enemy attacks us
- 00:12:32.953 --> 00:12:35.555
- And how we can overcome him.
- 00:12:35.555 --> 00:12:37.591
- Revelation 12, starting in verse 7, we read these words,
- 00:12:37.591 --> 00:12:41.928
- "then a war broke out in heaven: michael
- 00:12:41.928 --> 00:12:45.265
- And his angels fought with the dragon."
- 00:12:45.265 --> 00:12:46.967
- By the way, the dragon is just another word for satan.
- 00:12:46.967 --> 00:12:50.337
- "and the dragon and his angels," that would be the devil and his
- 00:12:50.337 --> 00:12:53.173
- Demons, "fought, but they did not prevail, nor was there a
- 00:12:53.173 --> 00:12:56.843
- Place found in heaven for them any longer.
- 00:12:56.843 --> 00:12:59.880
- But the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called
- 00:12:59.880 --> 00:13:04.050
- The devil and satan, who deceives the whole world; he is
- 00:13:04.050 --> 00:13:07.721
- Cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
- 00:13:07.721 --> 00:13:11.925
- Then i heard a loud voice in heaven saying, 'now salvation,
- 00:13:11.925 --> 00:13:15.262
- And strength, and the kingdom of our god, and the power
- 00:13:15.262 --> 00:13:17.798
- Of his christ has come, for the accuser of the brethren,'"
- 00:13:17.798 --> 00:13:21.434
- You might underline that phrase, i'll come back to it.
- 00:13:21.434 --> 00:13:24.237
- "'the accuser of the brethren, who accused them before our god
- 00:13:24.237 --> 00:13:28.742
- Day and night, has been cast down.
- 00:13:28.742 --> 00:13:31.344
- And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb,
- 00:13:31.344 --> 00:13:34.080
- By the word of their testimony, and they
- 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:36.283
- Did not love their lives to the death.
- 00:13:36.283 --> 00:13:38.752
- Therefore,'" verse 12 says, "'rejoice,
- 00:13:38.752 --> 00:13:40.687
- O heavens, and you that dwell in them!
- 00:13:40.687 --> 00:13:42.622
- Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the seal for the devil
- 00:13:42.622 --> 00:13:46.226
- Has come down to you, having great wrath,
- 00:13:46.226 --> 00:13:48.428
- Because he know he has a short time.'"
- 00:13:48.428 --> 00:13:51.598
- Wow, powerful words.
- 00:13:51.598 --> 00:13:53.667
- We learn a lot about the devil
- 00:13:53.667 --> 00:13:56.169
- And his agenda from these verses.
- 00:13:56.169 --> 00:13:59.606
- Here's some takeaway truths,
- 00:13:59.606 --> 00:14:01.274
- The devil knows his days are numbered.
- 00:14:01.274 --> 00:14:04.211
- The devil knows his days are numbered.
- 00:14:04.211 --> 00:14:07.280
- Again, we read there in verse 12, "he knows he has
- 00:14:07.280 --> 00:14:10.684
- A short time," and he's not happy about it.
- 00:14:10.684 --> 00:14:14.354
- You might be surprised to know
- 00:14:14.354 --> 00:14:15.689
- That the devil believes the bible.
- 00:14:15.689 --> 00:14:18.725
- He hates it, he opposes it, he's in rebellion against what it
- 00:14:18.725 --> 00:14:23.096
- Says, but he believes the bible is true.
- 00:14:23.096 --> 00:14:27.434
- In fact, he even quotes the bible to jesus during the
- 00:14:27.434 --> 00:14:30.136
- Temptation in the wilderness, saying, "since you are the son
- 00:14:30.136 --> 00:14:34.875
- Of god, why don't you do thus and so."
- 00:14:34.875 --> 00:14:38.745
- Not only does the devil believe the bible is true, the devil
- 00:14:38.745 --> 00:14:41.748
- Knows jesus christ is god and he's powerful.
- 00:14:41.748 --> 00:14:44.985
- He remembered that there would be demon-possessed
- 00:14:44.985 --> 00:14:47.020
- People that would say to jesus, "don't cast
- 00:14:47.020 --> 00:14:49.723
- Us into the pit before our time."
- 00:14:49.723 --> 00:14:52.425
- James reminds us the demons believe and tremble.
- 00:14:52.425 --> 00:14:56.997
- Oh, they're orthodox in their beliefs,
- 00:14:56.997 --> 00:14:59.199
- Meaning they believe the bible is true.
- 00:14:59.199 --> 00:15:01.301
- They believe jesus christ is god, and
- 00:15:01.301 --> 00:15:03.336
- They believe jesus christ is coming again.
- 00:15:03.336 --> 00:15:06.840
- So the devil knows his days are numbered.
- 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:10.343
- He knows his time is short.
- 00:15:10.343 --> 00:15:11.811
- He's, like, on a wild rampage, trying
- 00:15:11.811 --> 00:15:15.448
- To destroy as many lives as possible.
- 00:15:15.448 --> 00:15:18.652
- So let's close with just a few thoughts about how to overcome
- 00:15:18.652 --> 00:15:23.189
- The devil and the demons and these truths
- 00:15:23.189 --> 00:15:26.726
- Are found right here in revelation 12.
- 00:15:26.726 --> 00:15:30.363
- This is my sixth point in this message, the devil does not
- 00:15:30.363 --> 00:15:34.200
- Want you to know he attacks with accusation.
- 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:38.038
- One of his main strategies, accusation.
- 00:15:38.038 --> 00:15:40.674
- Going back to the story in the book of job,
- 00:15:40.674 --> 00:15:43.376
- The angels appear before god.
- 00:15:43.376 --> 00:15:44.978
- Satan is among them.
- 00:15:44.978 --> 00:15:46.780
- God asks lucifer what he's been up to.
- 00:15:46.780 --> 00:15:48.682
- He says, "walking around, looking at things going on."
- 00:15:48.682 --> 00:15:51.451
- And then the lord says, "have you considered my servant job, a
- 00:15:51.451 --> 00:15:54.821
- Perfect and upright man, one that fears god and shuns evil?"
- 00:15:54.821 --> 00:15:58.491
- The devil immediately begins to oppose and accuse,
- 00:15:58.491 --> 00:16:02.829
- "oh, you think job fears you for nothing?
- 00:16:02.829 --> 00:16:06.466
- Job fears you and follows you because you've blessed him,
- 00:16:06.466 --> 00:16:10.437
- You've given him a lot of cool stuff.
- 00:16:10.437 --> 00:16:12.272
- No wonder he follows you.
- 00:16:12.272 --> 00:16:13.773
- Let me have a little time with job.
- 00:16:13.773 --> 00:16:15.408
- I'll see what he's made of."
- 00:16:15.408 --> 00:16:17.444
- And the lord allowed the devil to bring a series of very
- 00:16:17.444 --> 00:16:22.716
- Horrible events into the life of job, and job came through all of
- 00:16:22.716 --> 00:16:27.487
- This with flying colors, never doubting god but yet, at the
- 00:16:27.487 --> 00:16:31.658
- Same time, it shows the strategy of satan, accusing,
- 00:16:31.658 --> 00:16:36.029
- Attacking, and that's what he does to us.
- 00:16:36.029 --> 00:16:38.932
- In revelation 12:10 it says, "the accuser of the brethren,"
- 00:16:38.932 --> 00:16:43.937
- That's us, "who accuses them before our god
- 00:16:43.937 --> 00:16:46.973
- Day and night, has been cast out."
- 00:16:46.973 --> 00:16:49.476
- This is how it works in your life and mine.
- 00:16:49.476 --> 00:16:52.278
- We're just going about our business, maybe reading the
- 00:16:52.278 --> 00:16:55.348
- Bible, maybe sitting in a church service, maybe praying, when
- 00:16:55.348 --> 00:16:59.519
- Suddenly a horrible thought comes to your mind.
- 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:02.756
- Do you know what i'm talking about?
- 00:17:02.756 --> 00:17:04.090
- A horrible thought, a wicked, evil thought, and you're
- 00:17:04.090 --> 00:17:07.827
- Thinking, "where did this come from?"
- 00:17:07.827 --> 00:17:09.996
- Boom, comes to your mind.
- 00:17:09.996 --> 00:17:12.532
- And then immediately, the devil says to you, "how could you
- 00:17:12.532 --> 00:17:16.069
- Think such a thing when you're praying?
- 00:17:16.069 --> 00:17:19.172
- How could you have such a thought when you're
- 00:17:19.172 --> 00:17:22.509
- Sitting in church, supposedly worshiping?"
- 00:17:22.509 --> 00:17:26.179
- You see, he sends the thought and then condemns us
- 00:17:26.179 --> 00:17:30.683
- For having the thought knock at our door.
- 00:17:30.683 --> 00:17:32.485
- Look, it's not a sin to be tempted.
- 00:17:32.485 --> 00:17:36.056
- It's only a sin when i invite temptation in for tea, right?
- 00:17:36.056 --> 00:17:41.194
- It's been said, "you can't stop a bird from flying over your
- 00:17:41.194 --> 00:17:44.364
- Head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair."
- 00:17:44.364 --> 00:17:48.835
- And in my case, the bird better bring some extra materials
- 00:17:48.835 --> 00:17:51.905
- 'cause there's no hair to work with.
- 00:17:51.905 --> 00:17:53.706
- But the point is, you know, you can't stop the temptation from
- 00:17:53.706 --> 00:17:56.810
- Coming, but you don't have to open the door.
- 00:17:56.810 --> 00:17:59.646
- Listen to this, when temptation comes,
- 00:17:59.646 --> 00:18:02.315
- Here's something you need to remember.
- 00:18:02.315 --> 00:18:04.517
- The problem is not in the bait, it's in the bite.
- 00:18:04.517 --> 00:18:08.121
- It's not a sin if the bait is dangled in front of you.
- 00:18:08.121 --> 00:18:11.257
- It's only a sin if you bite it.
- 00:18:11.257 --> 00:18:13.293
- It's only a sin if you go for it.
- 00:18:13.293 --> 00:18:15.328
- If you reject it, well, the bible says, "blessed,"
- 00:18:15.328 --> 00:18:18.331
- Or happy, "is the man that endures temptation,
- 00:18:18.331 --> 00:18:22.335
- For he will receive the crown of life."
- 00:18:22.335 --> 00:18:24.070
- So there's a reward for that.
- 00:18:24.070 --> 00:18:25.772
- So there's nothing wrong with being tempted.
- 00:18:25.772 --> 00:18:28.007
- It's not a bad thing if some horrible thought comes to your
- 00:18:28.007 --> 00:18:30.543
- Mind if you reject that thought.
- 00:18:30.543 --> 00:18:32.779
- The problem is when you take that thought into your mind,
- 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:36.783
- Entertain it, and let it turn into something else.
- 00:18:36.783 --> 00:18:39.752
- Here's another way the devil comes.
- 00:18:39.752 --> 00:18:41.387
- He'll come to you and say,
- 00:18:41.387 --> 00:18:42.722
- "why don't you go ahead and do this sin?
- 00:18:42.722 --> 00:18:45.191
- No one will ever know.
- 00:18:45.191 --> 00:18:47.327
- I know you're gonna get away with this.
- 00:18:47.327 --> 00:18:49.295
- Listen, you can trus-s-s-st me." he's a serpent, remember?
- 00:18:49.295 --> 00:18:55.902
- So we stupidly say, "duh, okay," and we take the bite.
- 00:18:55.902 --> 00:19:00.907
- We go after that thing he offers, and then the devil comes
- 00:19:00.907 --> 00:19:04.310
- Right back and says, "you miserable hypocrite.
- 00:19:04.310 --> 00:19:06.813
- You call yourself a christian after what you just did?"
- 00:19:06.813 --> 00:19:10.116
- Now he's accusing you before god.
- 00:19:10.116 --> 00:19:13.153
- How do you overcome him? how do you respond to this?
- 00:19:13.153 --> 00:19:16.523
- Look at verse 11, revelation 12, "they overcame him by the blood
- 00:19:16.523 --> 00:19:21.427
- Of the lamb, by the word of their testimony, and they did
- 00:19:21.427 --> 00:19:24.998
- Not love their lives to the death."
- 00:19:24.998 --> 00:19:26.766
- Number one, they overcame him by the blood of the lamb.
- 00:19:26.766 --> 00:19:30.236
- Satan comes to you and says,
- 00:19:30.236 --> 00:19:31.571
- "you're not worthy to approach god.
- 00:19:31.571 --> 00:19:33.540
- Don't even think about praying." my response, "so true.
- 00:19:33.540 --> 00:19:37.043
- I'm so not worthy to approach god."
- 00:19:37.043 --> 00:19:40.413
- But i'm not approaching god on
- 00:19:40.413 --> 00:19:42.048
- The basis of what i've done for god.
- 00:19:42.048 --> 00:19:44.250
- I'm approaching god on the basis of what he has done for me.
- 00:19:44.250 --> 00:19:48.354
- Listen to this. this is an important one.
- 00:19:48.354 --> 00:19:51.457
- You will never overcome the devil
- 00:19:51.457 --> 00:19:53.993
- If there's unconfessed sin in your heart.
- 00:19:53.993 --> 00:19:58.164
- You will never overcome the devil
- 00:19:58.164 --> 00:20:00.033
- If there's unconfessed sin in your heart.
- 00:20:00.033 --> 00:20:03.036
- Look, when sin remains unconfessed,
- 00:20:03.036 --> 00:20:06.206
- There is a wall between us and god.
- 00:20:06.206 --> 00:20:08.908
- Again, "if we'll confess our sin," 1 john 1:9,
- 00:20:08.908 --> 00:20:12.579
- "he's faithful and just to forgive us our sin
- 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:14.981
- And cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- 00:20:14.981 --> 00:20:16.950
- You say, "but what does it mean to confess our sin?
- 00:20:16.950 --> 00:20:19.285
- Does that mean i have to confess every sin i've ever committed?"
- 00:20:19.285 --> 00:20:22.689
- No, because you probably don't even
- 00:20:22.689 --> 00:20:24.057
- Realize how many sins you've committed.
- 00:20:24.057 --> 00:20:26.859
- But it means that you say, "i acknowledge i've sinned, lord."
- 00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:30.697
- The word "confess" means to agree with.
- 00:20:30.697 --> 00:20:33.233
- And in this case, you're agreeing with god so, like, if
- 00:20:33.233 --> 00:20:35.368
- You and i went out for a burger and we both said, "that was an
- 00:20:35.368 --> 00:20:38.037
- Awesome burger," we agree together.
- 00:20:38.037 --> 00:20:40.940
- So when i'm confessing my sin, i'm agreeing with god.
- 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:44.177
- God says, "sin is bad." "i agree, lord.
- 00:20:44.177 --> 00:20:46.779
- It's bad. i confess it," okay?
- 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:49.816
- But if i don't confess my sin,
- 00:20:49.816 --> 00:20:51.618
- The devil can get a foothold in my life.
- 00:20:51.618 --> 00:20:54.754
- In ephesians 4:27, we read these words, "don't give the devil
- 00:20:54.754 --> 00:20:59.559
- An opportunity to lead you into sin."
- 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:02.462
- Another translation puts it this way, "don't let
- 00:21:02.462 --> 00:21:05.665
- The devil get a foothold in your life."
- 00:21:05.665 --> 00:21:07.467
- Okay, how could he get a foothold in our life?
- 00:21:07.467 --> 00:21:10.303
- Listen, now, as the verse continues on, "by holding a
- 00:21:10.303 --> 00:21:13.706
- Grudge, by nurturing anger, by harboring resentment,
- 00:21:13.706 --> 00:21:19.279
- And by cultivating bitterness."
- 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:22.148
- So, if i cultivate bitterness, i can give
- 00:21:22.148 --> 00:21:25.885
- The devil a foothold on my life.
- 00:21:25.885 --> 00:21:27.453
- You say, "what does that mean 'to cultivate bitterness'?"
- 00:21:27.453 --> 00:21:29.422
- Cultivate, you know, i'm--it's like i'm planting something, i'm
- 00:21:29.422 --> 00:21:31.758
- Watering it, i'm tending to it, i'm letting it grow.
- 00:21:31.758 --> 00:21:35.662
- You know, bitter people are not happy to keep it to themselves.
- 00:21:35.662 --> 00:21:39.165
- They wanna go and talk to others.
- 00:21:39.165 --> 00:21:40.800
- "what do you think about this?
- 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:42.302
- I think it's wrong. do you think it's wrong?"
- 00:21:42.302 --> 00:21:44.304
- Don't cultivate bitterness or harbor bitterness.
- 00:21:44.304 --> 00:21:48.608
- Another way is harboring resentment.
- 00:21:48.608 --> 00:21:51.344
- "that person hurt me, and i refuse to forgive that person."
- 00:21:51.344 --> 00:21:55.648
- Now the reality is, maybe that person didn't
- 00:21:55.648 --> 00:21:57.817
- Hurt you, but you think they did.
- 00:21:57.817 --> 00:22:00.486
- Regardless if they did or they did not, harboring resentment
- 00:22:00.486 --> 00:22:04.557
- Can give a foothold to the devil.
- 00:22:04.557 --> 00:22:06.993
- Nurturing anger, that verse says.
- 00:22:06.993 --> 00:22:09.162
- You nurture it instead of saying, "i don't want this
- 00:22:09.162 --> 00:22:12.265
- Anger, i want to extinguish this fire," you nurture it.
- 00:22:12.265 --> 00:22:15.234
- You're putting gasoline on the fire of anger.
- 00:22:15.234 --> 00:22:18.404
- You like to keep it going, you like to be mad.
- 00:22:18.404 --> 00:22:20.907
- You know, some people are perpetually mad about something.
- 00:22:20.907 --> 00:22:24.177
- It's not the same thing.
- 00:22:24.177 --> 00:22:25.578
- They're just always angry about something.
- 00:22:25.578 --> 00:22:28.781
- By doing that, you give the devil a foothold in your life.
- 00:22:28.781 --> 00:22:31.984
- And finally, that verse says, "holding a grudge."
- 00:22:31.984 --> 00:22:34.554
- Holding a grudge. "you hurt me.
- 00:22:34.554 --> 00:22:36.122
- I'm not gonna forget. i'm not gonna forget.
- 00:22:36.122 --> 00:22:38.991
- I'm gonna remember this forever."
- 00:22:38.991 --> 00:22:40.893
- This is really problematic in marriage, you know, when you're
- 00:22:40.893 --> 00:22:43.730
- Having a disagreement with your spouse and they say, "well, i
- 00:22:43.730 --> 00:22:46.299
- Remember the time you said to me, 25 years ago."
- 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:49.836
- Wait, what? twenty-five years ago?
- 00:22:49.836 --> 00:22:53.039
- Don't harbor a grudge.
- 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:55.007
- Don't give the devil a foothold in your life.
- 00:22:55.007 --> 00:22:58.311
- These believers overcame the devil by the blood of the lamb
- 00:22:58.311 --> 00:23:02.548
- And by the word of their testimony.
- 00:23:02.548 --> 00:23:05.084
- See, when i'm walking with jesus christ,
- 00:23:05.084 --> 00:23:07.854
- I proclaim the gospel to other people.
- 00:23:07.854 --> 00:23:11.057
- Listen, in the spiritual battle the way we move forward,
- 00:23:11.057 --> 00:23:14.861
- The way we gain ground, the way we take enemy
- 00:23:14.861 --> 00:23:19.031
- Territory is by preaching the gospel.
- 00:23:19.031 --> 00:23:22.201
- The devil will not be able to stop us, see?
- 00:23:22.201 --> 00:23:25.171
- So they overcame him by the blood of the lamb,
- 00:23:25.171 --> 00:23:27.740
- By the word of their testimony.
- 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:29.208
- They were gaining ground through proclaiming the gospel.
- 00:23:29.208 --> 00:23:34.013
- And then finally, "they loved not their lives to the death."
- 00:23:34.013 --> 00:23:37.517
- What does that mean?
- 00:23:37.517 --> 00:23:38.851
- It means that these folks realized
- 00:23:38.851 --> 00:23:40.686
- That their lives belonged to god.
- 00:23:40.686 --> 00:23:43.222
- They realized that their times were in
- 00:23:43.222 --> 00:23:45.191
- His hands and that god was in control.
- 00:23:45.191 --> 00:23:48.261
- We can overcome the devil. why?
- 00:23:48.261 --> 00:23:50.229
- "because greater is he that is in us,"
- 00:23:50.229 --> 00:23:52.732
- Jesus says, "than he that is in the world."
- 00:23:52.732 --> 00:23:57.503
- Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart
- 00:24:01.407 --> 00:24:04.410
- And you have seen your need for jesus christ.
- 00:24:04.410 --> 00:24:07.947
- Jesus christ is the son of god who
- 00:24:07.947 --> 00:24:10.950
- Came from heaven to this earth.
- 00:24:10.950 --> 00:24:13.219
- He was born in a manger. he died in a cross.
- 00:24:13.219 --> 00:24:16.923
- He rose again from the dead. why?
- 00:24:16.923 --> 00:24:19.025
- Because he loves you and he wants a relationship with you.
- 00:24:19.025 --> 00:24:22.562
- Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
- 00:24:22.562 --> 00:24:24.764
- I don't wanna be a religious person.
- 00:24:24.764 --> 00:24:26.432
- I don't think you wanna be one either.
- 00:24:26.432 --> 00:24:28.534
- I'm talking about relationship with god.
- 00:24:28.534 --> 00:24:32.205
- Jesus who died and rose again stands at the door of your life
- 00:24:32.205 --> 00:24:36.576
- And he knocks and he says if you'll hear his voice
- 00:24:36.576 --> 00:24:39.479
- And open the door, he will come in.
- 00:24:39.479 --> 00:24:41.514
- Question, have you asked jesus christ to
- 00:24:41.514 --> 00:24:43.983
- Come and live inside of you?
- 00:24:43.983 --> 00:24:45.818
- You might say, "well, i think so, i'm not sure."
- 00:24:45.818 --> 00:24:47.887
- Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle of the
- 00:24:47.887 --> 00:24:50.356
- Night, do you think you would be aware of it?
- 00:24:50.356 --> 00:24:53.025
- I'm sure you would.
- 00:24:53.025 --> 00:24:54.494
- And in the same way, if christ has come
- 00:24:54.494 --> 00:24:56.462
- To live inside of you, you will know.
- 00:24:56.462 --> 00:24:58.798
- And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
- 00:24:58.798 --> 00:25:02.535
- He's just a prayer away.
- 00:25:02.535 --> 00:25:04.403
- All you need to do is say, "jesus,
- 00:25:04.403 --> 00:25:06.372
- I want this relationship with you.
- 00:25:06.372 --> 00:25:08.374
- I want you to forgive me of my sin.
- 00:25:08.374 --> 00:25:10.676
- I want to go to heaven when i die."
- 00:25:10.676 --> 00:25:12.778
- Would you like to do that?
- 00:25:12.778 --> 00:25:14.146
- Would you like christ to come into your life?
- 00:25:14.146 --> 00:25:16.782
- If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
- 00:25:16.782 --> 00:25:19.919
- You can pray it out loud or you can pray
- 00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:21.888
- It in the quietness of your heart.
- 00:25:21.888 --> 00:25:24.323
- But this is a prayer where you're asking
- 00:25:24.323 --> 00:25:25.925
- Jesus christ to be your savior and lord.
- 00:25:25.925 --> 00:25:29.061
- Pray this with me now, lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner,
- 00:25:29.061 --> 00:25:33.733
- But i know that you're the savior who died on the cross
- 00:25:33.733 --> 00:25:37.670
- For my sin and rose again from the dead.
- 00:25:37.670 --> 00:25:40.072
- Now come into my life.
- 00:25:40.072 --> 00:25:42.942
- I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
- 00:25:42.942 --> 00:25:47.280
- Thank you for hearing this prayer
- 00:25:47.280 --> 00:25:49.315
- And answering this prayer.
- 00:25:49.315 --> 00:25:51.217
- In jesus's name, amen.
- 00:25:51.217 --> 00:25:54.020
- Did you just pray that prayer with me?
- 00:25:54.020 --> 00:25:56.422
- If so, i want you to know on the authority of scripture that
- 00:25:56.422 --> 00:25:59.225
- Christ himself has come to live inside of you.
- 00:25:59.225 --> 00:26:02.495
- And i would love to send to you at no charge
- 00:26:02.495 --> 00:26:05.631
- Something called the new believer's bible.
- 00:26:05.631 --> 00:26:08.234
- It's a very friendly translation of the new testament
- 00:26:08.234 --> 00:26:11.137
- You'll find very understandable
- 00:26:11.137 --> 00:26:13.272
- And it's filled with hundreds of notes that i wrote
- 00:26:13.272 --> 00:26:16.509
- That will encourage you in this commitment you've just made
- 00:26:16.509 --> 00:26:19.245
- To follow jesus.
- 00:26:19.245 --> 00:26:20.713
- Let me send that to you at no charge.
- 00:26:20.713 --> 00:26:23.115
- And let me be the first to say to you,
- 00:26:23.115 --> 00:26:25.217
- Congratulations, and welcome to the family of god.
- 00:26:25.217 --> 00:26:30.022
- Greg: greg laurie here.
- 00:26:30.723 --> 00:26:32.091
- You know, at harvest ministries we're committing to reaching
- 00:26:32.091 --> 00:26:34.493
- Unexpected people in unexpected places with an
- 00:26:34.493 --> 00:26:37.897
- Unexpected message.
- 00:26:37.897 --> 00:26:39.532
- And thanks to your financial support, we've been able to
- 00:26:39.532 --> 00:26:43.936
- Touch people all over the world with the hope of jesus christ.
- 00:26:43.936 --> 00:26:48.407
- Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
- 00:26:48.407 --> 00:26:52.178
- Country through this television program, they also help us to
- 00:26:52.178 --> 00:26:56.382
- Bring hope to people in their biggest need, whether through
- 00:26:56.382 --> 00:26:59.952
- Our evangelistic events or our relief efforts, together we've
- 00:26:59.952 --> 00:27:03.889
- Been able to minister to so many people devastated by the fires
- 00:27:03.889 --> 00:27:08.027
- In lahaina on the island of maui.
- 00:27:08.027 --> 00:27:10.062
- And also, your support has helped us partner to bring
- 00:27:10.062 --> 00:27:13.532
- Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
- 00:27:13.532 --> 00:27:16.802
- So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
- 00:27:16.802 --> 00:27:19.939
- Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill the
- 00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:24.210
- Great commission.
- 00:27:24.210 --> 00:27:25.578
- Let's do this together, and let me say in advance,
- 00:27:25.578 --> 00:27:28.581
- Thank you and god bless you.
- 00:27:28.581 --> 00:27:28.581
