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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Believing Is Seeing

March 11, 2025 | S25:E60

Greg Laurie - Believing Is Seeing
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Faith #TrustGod #Pain #Healing #Evil #Religion #Choices #Belief #Believe #Sin #inActive #Suffering #Doubt #Unbelief #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Believing Is Seeing | March 11, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: we always want everyone to be perfect
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  • And flawless and they never make a mistake.
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  • But god goes out of his way to choose really broken,
  • 00:00:09.152 --> 00:00:13.023
  • Flawed people.
  • 00:00:13.156 --> 00:00:13.390
  • So god works through a certain person, we say,
  • 00:00:14.791 --> 00:00:16.726
  • "pfft, i know that person. they could never do that.
  • 00:00:16.726 --> 00:00:19.596
  • That has to be god."
  • 00:00:19.596 --> 00:00:21.297
  • Exactly.
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  • ♪♪♪
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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: you know, eventually we all get around to asking the big
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  • Questions about life.
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  • And one of the questions that's often asked is, why does god
  • 00:00:51.761 --> 00:00:55.198
  • Allow suffering?
  • 00:00:55.198 --> 00:00:57.667
  • Why does the lord allow evil in the world?
  • 00:00:57.667 --> 00:01:01.337
  • Why do bad things happen to good people?
  • 00:01:01.337 --> 00:01:04.074
  • And we could even ask why do good things happen
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  • To bad people?
  • 00:01:06.810 --> 00:01:09.045
  • These are big questions, and we also have other questions like,
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  • Why do i only lose one sock?
  • 00:01:12.415 --> 00:01:15.085
  • And where does the other one go?
  • 00:01:15.085 --> 00:01:17.454
  • Now i, that's not really a big question.
  • 00:01:17.454 --> 00:01:19.322
  • But this is not a new question.
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  • You might think it's new because it's occurred to you,
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  • But this is a question that has been asked pretty much
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  • For all human time.
  • 00:01:28.565 --> 00:01:30.233
  • Even back in the days of jesus, this question was asked.
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  • This is a story before us of a blind man that was healed by
  • 00:01:33.670 --> 00:01:38.308
  • Jesus, and this man not only had his eyes opened physically,
  • 00:01:38.308 --> 00:01:42.979
  • He also had his eyes opened spiritually.
  • 00:01:42.979 --> 00:01:46.316
  • We have all heard it said, "seeing is believing."
  • 00:01:46.316 --> 00:01:49.419
  • But in this case, believing was seeing.
  • 00:01:49.419 --> 00:01:52.755
  • I mean, imagine for a moment if you did not have
  • 00:01:52.755 --> 00:01:54.958
  • The gift of sight.
  • 00:01:54.958 --> 00:01:56.993
  • This man was born blind.
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  • He never was able to see.
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  • To be able to see for the first time the faces of your loved
  • 00:02:00.230 --> 00:02:03.032
  • Ones, the beauty of god's creation, and best of all to see
  • 00:02:03.032 --> 00:02:07.203
  • The face of jesus himself.
  • 00:02:07.203 --> 00:02:09.439
  • How amazing that was, and this man saw what really mattered.
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  • He saw what life was all about because
  • 00:02:13.676 --> 00:02:15.678
  • Of his encounter with christ.
  • 00:02:15.678 --> 00:02:18.615
  • So let's read together john chapter 9.
  • 00:02:18.615 --> 00:02:21.651
  • I'll read verses 1 to 7.
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  • By the way, i'm reading from the new living translation.
  • 00:02:23.720 --> 00:02:26.723
  • "as jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born
  • 00:02:26.723 --> 00:02:29.726
  • Blind from birth.
  • 00:02:29.726 --> 00:02:31.895
  • 'rabbi,' his disciples asked him, 'why was this man
  • 00:02:31.895 --> 00:02:35.064
  • Born blind?
  • 00:02:35.064 --> 00:02:36.399
  • Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?'
  • 00:02:36.399 --> 00:02:38.935
  • Jesus answered, 'it was not because of the sins
  • 00:02:38.935 --> 00:02:41.871
  • Of his parents or his sins.
  • 00:02:41.871 --> 00:02:44.307
  • This happened so the power of god could be seen in him.
  • 00:02:44.307 --> 00:02:47.677
  • We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one
  • 00:02:47.677 --> 00:02:51.281
  • Who sent us.
  • 00:02:51.281 --> 00:02:52.749
  • The night is coming when no one can work.
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  • But while i'm here in the world, i am the light of the world.'
  • 00:02:55.885 --> 00:02:59.422
  • Then jesus spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and
  • 00:02:59.422 --> 00:03:03.726
  • Spread the mud over the blind man's eyes and told him, 'go
  • 00:03:03.726 --> 00:03:07.664
  • Wash yourself in the pool of siloam.'"
  • 00:03:07.664 --> 00:03:10.934
  • Siloam means sent.
  • 00:03:10.934 --> 00:03:12.468
  • "so the man went and washed and came back seeing!"
  • 00:03:12.468 --> 00:03:16.639
  • Great story, isn't it?
  • 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:18.741
  • So let's come to question number one, point number one,
  • 00:03:18.741 --> 00:03:22.312
  • Why does god allow suffering?
  • 00:03:22.312 --> 00:03:25.248
  • The disciples asked in verse 2, "why was this man born blind?
  • 00:03:25.248 --> 00:03:28.952
  • Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?"
  • 00:03:28.952 --> 00:03:33.356
  • So we ask the same question today.
  • 00:03:33.356 --> 00:03:35.225
  • Why?
  • 00:03:35.225 --> 00:03:37.293
  • Why would a little beautiful baby be born with a disability?
  • 00:03:37.293 --> 00:03:42.131
  • Why would god allow that act of terrorism?
  • 00:03:42.131 --> 00:03:45.134
  • Why would god allow this war?
  • 00:03:45.134 --> 00:03:47.804
  • Why would god allow this other thing that is happening, this
  • 00:03:47.804 --> 00:03:51.641
  • Tragedy to happen in my life?
  • 00:03:51.641 --> 00:03:55.311
  • I'm talking to someone i know who feels like they were dealt a
  • 00:03:55.311 --> 00:03:58.047
  • Bad hand in the game of life, and it doesn't seem fair because
  • 00:03:58.047 --> 00:04:03.186
  • You know other people that never experienced the trauma
  • 00:04:03.186 --> 00:04:06.089
  • You've experienced.
  • 00:04:06.089 --> 00:04:07.624
  • Why did that have to happen to me, we ask.
  • 00:04:07.624 --> 00:04:10.526
  • Why did that loved one die unexpectedly?
  • 00:04:10.526 --> 00:04:13.763
  • Why do i have to have this disability?
  • 00:04:13.763 --> 00:04:16.499
  • Why this? why that?
  • 00:04:16.499 --> 00:04:18.101
  • They're valid questions.
  • 00:04:18.101 --> 00:04:19.969
  • So these are things that don't always make sense, and there's
  • 00:04:19.969 --> 00:04:22.739
  • Not an easy answer.
  • 00:04:22.739 --> 00:04:25.341
  • That brings us to point number 2: bad things happen because we
  • 00:04:25.341 --> 00:04:28.544
  • Live in a fallen world.
  • 00:04:28.544 --> 00:04:31.047
  • In a broad sense, sickness, disabilities, even death are all
  • 00:04:31.047 --> 00:04:35.852
  • The result of sin.
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  • Not personal sin, 'cause that was the question
  • 00:04:37.320 --> 00:04:39.822
  • The disciples asked.
  • 00:04:39.822 --> 00:04:41.291
  • Was it his own sin that brought this on him?
  • 00:04:41.291 --> 00:04:44.260
  • Or was it the sin of his parents?
  • 00:04:44.260 --> 00:04:46.029
  • Jesus is saying neither.
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  • Okay, so we don't need to blame it on someone.
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  • It's just sin in general cast onto us by our first parents,
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  • Adam and eve, thank you very much.
  • 00:04:56.172 --> 00:04:58.908
  • Adam and eve were given the ability to choose, and god gives
  • 00:04:58.908 --> 00:05:03.012
  • All of us this ability to choose.
  • 00:05:03.012 --> 00:05:05.281
  • Romans 5:12 says, "as sin came into the world through one man,
  • 00:05:05.281 --> 00:05:08.584
  • Death came through sin and spread to all men because all
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  • Have sinned."
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  • So, god's not responsible for our sin.
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  • We're responsible for our sin.
  • 00:05:17.794 --> 00:05:19.629
  • But we ask, well why didn't god make us so we could not sin?
  • 00:05:19.629 --> 00:05:24.267
  • Because he's given you a free will.
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  • He doesn't want a bunch of little robots preprogrammed,
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  • Doing it exactly what he wants them to do.
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  • He gives us a choice.
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  • And we can choose good, and we can choose evil.
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  • We can choose right, or we can choose wrong.
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  • And then we make our choices, and our choices make us.
  • 00:05:39.982 --> 00:05:44.253
  • There's a verse i love in scripture where god says,
  • 00:05:44.253 --> 00:05:47.190
  • "behold i set before you death and life, blessings and curses.
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  • Now choose life that you may live."
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  • It's almost like a teacher's in front of a classroom and she
  • 00:05:53.329 --> 00:05:56.499
  • Says to the class, "okay now, you need to pass this next exam.
  • 00:05:56.499 --> 00:06:01.904
  • And there's one question on the exam,
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  • And i'm gonna give you the answer.
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  • Here's the answer."
  • 00:06:06.876 --> 00:06:08.211
  • God says okay, you are gonna go through life, and i give you
  • 00:06:08.211 --> 00:06:11.681
  • Choices for life, death, blessings, curses,
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  • Then god gives us the answer: choose life.
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  • I'm telling you, choose life, but you don't have
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  • To choose life.
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  • You can choose death. you can choose sin.
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  • You can choose a lot of things, and then you face
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  • The consequences.
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  • I know it doesn't seem fair at times, but god gives us the
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  • Ability to exercise our free will.
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  • So what did we learn from this story?
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  • Number 3: though life can be bad, god is good.
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  • Though life can be bad, god is good.
  • 00:06:44.814 --> 00:06:48.050
  • Now, i wanna read verses 3 to 4 again, but there's no break
  • 00:06:48.050 --> 00:06:52.422
  • In the original chapter.
  • 00:06:52.422 --> 00:06:54.690
  • So when we read in our bibles, there'll be verse 3, there'll be
  • 00:06:54.690 --> 00:06:57.226
  • Verse 4, there'll be chapter this, chapter that.
  • 00:06:57.226 --> 00:07:02.131
  • But jesus was just speaking in a continuous statement.
  • 00:07:02.131 --> 00:07:05.101
  • So, let's read it that way.
  • 00:07:05.101 --> 00:07:06.836
  • "jesus said, 'it's not because of his sins or the sins
  • 00:07:06.836 --> 00:07:09.405
  • Of his parents.
  • 00:07:09.405 --> 00:07:10.740
  • This happened so the power of god could be seen in him.
  • 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:13.609
  • We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us
  • 00:07:13.609 --> 00:07:17.079
  • By the one who sent us.
  • 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:19.115
  • The night is coming when no man can work.'"
  • 00:07:19.115 --> 00:07:21.717
  • So, instead of dealing with how this man ended up blind,
  • 00:07:21.717 --> 00:07:25.888
  • Jesus said, "i'll glorify myself through it," how?
  • 00:07:25.888 --> 00:07:29.859
  • "by healing this man."
  • 00:07:29.859 --> 00:07:32.595
  • And by the way, god still heals people today.
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  • And it's a good thing to ask god to heal you.
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  • The bible does say if you have not, because you ask not.
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  • So if you're sick, if you have some problem, by all means, go
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  • To the lord and ask for his healing touch.
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  • Having said that, god does not heal everybody.
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  • Why? i don't know.
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  • But i'm gonna make sure that i ask him for that healing, and
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  • It's okay to keep asking him for that healing again and again.
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  • So jesus chose to do a miracle in this man's life.
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  • The question was not who caused the misery.
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  • The question is, god speaking, "will you allow me to use it?"
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  • And how jesus touches this guy is really interesting.
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  • Jesus spits on the ground.
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  • He never did this any other time.
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  • Can you imagine coming for prayer.
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  • "pastor would you pray for me?"
  • 00:08:24.213 --> 00:08:25.581
  • "sure."
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  • "would you lay hands on me and pray god heals me?"
  • 00:08:27.083 --> 00:08:29.519
  • "i was thinking of something else."
  • 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:31.621
  • "what's that?"
  • 00:08:31.621 --> 00:08:32.955
  • [spitting]
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  • "wait, what?"
  • 00:08:34.290 --> 00:08:35.658
  • 'cause it's kinda weird, let's be honest.
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  • He spits on the ground, then wipes it in the dirt, puts it in
  • 00:08:38.160 --> 00:08:42.398
  • The guy's eye sockets.
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  • Here's mud in your eyes, buddy.
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  • "now go to the pool of siloam and be washed."
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  • Incredible.
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  • Jesus buries his methodology so we will not trust in the
  • 00:08:52.742 --> 00:08:57.246
  • Methodology but rather trust in him.
  • 00:08:57.246 --> 00:09:00.983
  • God has no limitations as to what
  • 00:09:00.983 --> 00:09:03.553
  • Or who he will use for his glory.
  • 00:09:03.553 --> 00:09:06.789
  • We always want everyone to be perfect and flawless
  • 00:09:06.789 --> 00:09:10.126
  • And they never make a mistake.
  • 00:09:10.126 --> 00:09:12.094
  • But god goes out of his way to choose really broken, flawed
  • 00:09:12.094 --> 00:09:16.198
  • People to get glory from.
  • 00:09:16.198 --> 00:09:19.835
  • And why does he do this?
  • 00:09:19.835 --> 00:09:21.737
  • The answer is found in 1 corinthians 1:27 where paul
  • 00:09:21.737 --> 00:09:24.707
  • Writes, "god chose things the world considers foolish in order
  • 00:09:24.707 --> 00:09:29.579
  • To shame those who think they are wise.
  • 00:09:29.579 --> 00:09:32.248
  • And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are
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  • Powerful.
  • 00:09:35.885 --> 00:09:37.453
  • And as a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of god.
  • 00:09:37.453 --> 00:09:41.791
  • So god works through a certain person, we say,
  • 00:09:41.791 --> 00:09:43.492
  • "pfft, i know that person. they could never do that.
  • 00:09:43.492 --> 00:09:46.996
  • That has to be god." exactly.
  • 00:09:46.996 --> 00:09:49.865
  • See, what that means is god can use you.
  • 00:09:49.865 --> 00:09:52.668
  • And god can use me.
  • 00:09:52.668 --> 00:09:54.770
  • Point number 5: there is god's part, and there is our part.
  • 00:09:54.770 --> 00:10:00.242
  • There is god's part and there is our part.
  • 00:10:00.242 --> 00:10:02.345
  • Look at verse 7 again: jesus told him, "'go wash yourself
  • 00:10:02.345 --> 00:10:05.982
  • In the pool of siloam.'
  • 00:10:05.982 --> 00:10:08.250
  • And the man went and washed and came back seeing."
  • 00:10:08.250 --> 00:10:11.988
  • That must have been a weird sight.
  • 00:10:11.988 --> 00:10:13.756
  • "isn't that that blind guy?
  • 00:10:13.756 --> 00:10:15.257
  • Why is he running down the street?
  • 00:10:15.257 --> 00:10:17.093
  • What's in his eyes? where is he going?
  • 00:10:17.093 --> 00:10:19.695
  • What's happening?"
  • 00:10:19.695 --> 00:10:21.130
  • And this guy goes and does what jesus said.
  • 00:10:21.130 --> 00:10:24.233
  • I want you to notice there was no promise attached
  • 00:10:24.233 --> 00:10:26.802
  • To this command.
  • 00:10:26.802 --> 00:10:28.537
  • Jesus did not say, "go wash in the pool of siloam, and your
  • 00:10:28.537 --> 00:10:31.807
  • Eyes will be healed."
  • 00:10:31.807 --> 00:10:33.309
  • I'd run too.
  • 00:10:33.309 --> 00:10:34.844
  • He just said, "go wash in the pool of siloam."
  • 00:10:34.844 --> 00:10:37.747
  • Didn't say what would happen next.
  • 00:10:37.747 --> 00:10:39.949
  • This guy's faith is activated, and he can't get to the pool of
  • 00:10:39.949 --> 00:10:43.886
  • Siloam quickly enough.
  • 00:10:43.886 --> 00:10:45.755
  • He's sprinting there to do what jesus said.
  • 00:10:45.755 --> 00:10:49.625
  • We need to follow his example.
  • 00:10:49.625 --> 00:10:51.994
  • Listen, when opportunity knocks, don't sit there complaining
  • 00:10:51.994 --> 00:10:55.431
  • About the noise.
  • 00:10:55.431 --> 00:10:57.600
  • When opportunity knocks, you need to open the door.
  • 00:10:57.600 --> 00:11:00.369
  • So, has the lord shown you to do something?
  • 00:11:00.369 --> 00:11:03.706
  • Sometimes it's just a little nudge from the holy spirit.
  • 00:11:03.706 --> 00:11:06.609
  • "go do this."
  • 00:11:06.609 --> 00:11:08.144
  • "go pray for that person."
  • 00:11:08.144 --> 00:11:09.912
  • "go share the gospel with this other person."
  • 00:11:09.912 --> 00:11:12.081
  • "go take this little step of faith in some other area
  • 00:11:12.081 --> 00:11:14.950
  • Of your life."
  • 00:11:14.950 --> 00:11:16.285
  • Jesus said, "you are my friends if you do
  • 00:11:16.285 --> 00:11:18.387
  • Whatsoever i command you."
  • 00:11:18.387 --> 00:11:21.424
  • Whatsoever.
  • 00:11:21.424 --> 00:11:23.192
  • He didn't say you are my friends if you do whatsoever
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  • You agree with.
  • 00:11:25.594 --> 00:11:28.130
  • Or, you are my friends if you do whatsoever you find easy.
  • 00:11:28.130 --> 00:11:31.333
  • No, "you are my friends if you do whatsoever i commanded you."
  • 00:11:31.333 --> 00:11:35.738
  • That meant acted on faith.
  • 00:11:35.738 --> 00:11:39.241
  • Now, was everybody excited that he was healed?
  • 00:11:39.241 --> 00:11:42.745
  • Some were. others weren't.
  • 00:11:42.745 --> 00:11:44.980
  • He got in trouble with the religious authorities.
  • 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:47.850
  • Go back to john 9, look at verse 10.
  • 00:11:47.850 --> 00:11:50.119
  • "they asked him, 'who healed you?
  • 00:11:50.119 --> 00:11:52.254
  • What happened?' he told them, 'the man they call jesus made
  • 00:11:52.254 --> 00:11:55.057
  • Mud, spread it over my eyes, and he told me go wash
  • 00:11:55.057 --> 00:11:58.060
  • In the pool of siloam.
  • 00:11:58.060 --> 00:12:00.029
  • Okay, i went and washed, and now i can see.'
  • 00:12:00.029 --> 00:12:03.466
  • They asked, 'where is he now?'
  • 00:12:03.466 --> 00:12:05.367
  • He says, 'i don't know.'"
  • 00:12:05.367 --> 00:12:07.036
  • This is kinda funny to me.
  • 00:12:07.036 --> 00:12:08.871
  • They're cross-examining him.
  • 00:12:08.871 --> 00:12:10.206
  • "i don't know.
  • 00:12:10.206 --> 00:12:11.774
  • I was blind and, he put mud in my eye and told me to go
  • 00:12:11.774 --> 00:12:17.580
  • Wash, and that's what i did and now i can see."
  • 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:20.449
  • Point number 6: jesus changes everything.
  • 00:12:20.449 --> 00:12:25.221
  • Jesus changes everything.
  • 00:12:25.221 --> 00:12:26.622
  • I love what the man says in verse 11:
  • 00:12:26.622 --> 00:12:28.424
  • "i met the man named jesus."
  • 00:12:28.424 --> 00:12:32.394
  • When you meet the man named jesus, everything in your life
  • 00:12:32.394 --> 00:12:36.132
  • Will change.
  • 00:12:36.132 --> 00:12:37.466
  • He could've dropped that detail, because you see, back in this
  • 00:12:37.466 --> 00:12:40.703
  • Day for the jewish person, the synagogue was the center of
  • 00:12:40.703 --> 00:12:44.974
  • Their life and these religious leaders ruled the synagogue.
  • 00:12:44.974 --> 00:12:49.178
  • If you got on their bad side, they could expel you
  • 00:12:49.178 --> 00:12:51.881
  • From the synagogue.
  • 00:12:51.881 --> 00:12:53.315
  • And the synagogue was the place where you worshipped.
  • 00:12:53.315 --> 00:12:56.118
  • It was the place where you had friends to meet with.
  • 00:12:56.118 --> 00:13:00.089
  • It was the place where you would even get business deals set up.
  • 00:13:00.089 --> 00:13:02.958
  • It was, it was the center of all activity.
  • 00:13:02.958 --> 00:13:05.995
  • So he could've just omitted the fact that jesus did it because
  • 00:13:05.995 --> 00:13:10.099
  • Jesus was already a controversial figure.
  • 00:13:10.099 --> 00:13:14.403
  • But he gave glory to god, and i think it's so important when
  • 00:13:14.403 --> 00:13:18.107
  • Someone asks us how our life has changed, that we are not
  • 00:13:18.107 --> 00:13:21.577
  • Embarrassed to say, "the man called jesus touched me."
  • 00:13:21.577 --> 00:13:27.716
  • Paul said, "i'm not ashamed of the gospel of christ, for it is
  • 00:13:27.716 --> 00:13:30.786
  • The power of god and his salvation to everyone who
  • 00:13:30.786 --> 00:13:33.889
  • Believes."
  • 00:13:33.889 --> 00:13:35.457
  • 'cause sometimes god will change a person's life.
  • 00:13:35.457 --> 00:13:37.793
  • They were strung out on drugs, they were an alcoholic, they
  • 00:13:37.793 --> 00:13:40.663
  • Were in some criminal lifestyle, they were having other issues,
  • 00:13:40.663 --> 00:13:45.134
  • They were in deep depression, then christ came into their life
  • 00:13:45.134 --> 00:13:48.304
  • And changed them.
  • 00:13:48.304 --> 00:13:49.638
  • And someone says, "man, your life is so much different!
  • 00:13:49.638 --> 00:13:52.241
  • You seem so much happier!
  • 00:13:52.241 --> 00:13:55.010
  • What happened? what did you do?"
  • 00:13:55.010 --> 00:13:57.012
  • "well, it's just clean living."
  • 00:13:57.012 --> 00:13:59.415
  • And we even use that weird voice, and no one knows why.
  • 00:13:59.415 --> 00:14:02.151
  • "clean living."
  • 00:14:02.151 --> 00:14:04.119
  • "is that really all it is?"
  • 00:14:04.119 --> 00:14:06.455
  • No, tell 'em.
  • 00:14:06.455 --> 00:14:07.790
  • "well, i'll tell you what, it's the man called jesus.
  • 00:14:07.790 --> 00:14:10.392
  • Jesus did this for me. and he can do it for you."
  • 00:14:10.392 --> 00:14:13.662
  • This guy owns it. he speaks up for his faith.
  • 00:14:13.662 --> 00:14:18.734
  • Point number 7: following jesus will cost you.
  • 00:14:18.734 --> 00:14:22.271
  • He got in trouble with these religious authorities.
  • 00:14:22.271 --> 00:14:27.376
  • When i became a christian, i realized i need a new set
  • 00:14:27.376 --> 00:14:30.179
  • Of friends.
  • 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:32.081
  • These old friends are draggin' me down, 'cause you can accept
  • 00:14:32.081 --> 00:14:35.784
  • Christ and go hang out with your old friends and they're living
  • 00:14:35.784 --> 00:14:39.388
  • In a way that is not the way god wants them or you to live, and
  • 00:14:39.388 --> 00:14:42.691
  • You can get pulled down so quickly.
  • 00:14:42.691 --> 00:14:45.928
  • Sometimes you need new friends.
  • 00:14:45.928 --> 00:14:48.230
  • But it costs to follow jesus.
  • 00:14:48.230 --> 00:14:49.865
  • But lemme say this, while it's true that it costs to follow
  • 00:14:49.865 --> 00:14:53.168
  • Jesus, it costs a lot more not to follow jesus.
  • 00:14:53.168 --> 00:14:57.506
  • And it's worth it, right?
  • 00:14:57.506 --> 00:14:59.608
  • It's worth it.
  • 00:14:59.608 --> 00:15:01.076
  • You can applaud now.
  • 00:15:01.076 --> 00:15:02.411
  • Go.
  • 00:15:02.411 --> 00:15:07.283
  • I know you wanted to in your heart, i'm just helping you.
  • 00:15:07.283 --> 00:15:12.054
  • So, that brings me to point number 8:
  • 00:15:12.054 --> 00:15:15.090
  • We need to tell others about what jesus has done for us.
  • 00:15:15.090 --> 00:15:19.461
  • This guy's only seconds sold in this faith, and he's already
  • 00:15:19.461 --> 00:15:23.098
  • Talking about jesus.
  • 00:15:23.098 --> 00:15:25.334
  • And i love that.
  • 00:15:25.334 --> 00:15:26.835
  • You know, we will tend to talk about what we're passionate
  • 00:15:26.835 --> 00:15:30.306
  • About, right?
  • 00:15:30.306 --> 00:15:32.374
  • So, and that's true of tweeting and posting too.
  • 00:15:32.374 --> 00:15:36.612
  • You know, a lot of employers will, they're gonna look at your
  • 00:15:36.612 --> 00:15:39.315
  • Social media before they hire you, 'cause they wanna see
  • 00:15:39.315 --> 00:15:42.918
  • What does this person really care about?
  • 00:15:42.918 --> 00:15:45.421
  • And so, you can say, "oh, i love jesus.
  • 00:15:45.421 --> 00:15:48.390
  • Jesus is everything."
  • 00:15:48.390 --> 00:15:49.725
  • "well, okay, i'm gonna look at your instagram account now.
  • 00:15:49.725 --> 00:15:52.194
  • Will that reflect that as well?"
  • 00:15:52.194 --> 00:15:54.163
  • That doesn't mean every post has to be a bible verse, but the
  • 00:15:54.163 --> 00:15:57.232
  • Christian should be primarily passionate about jesus christ.
  • 00:15:57.232 --> 00:16:04.106
  • Greg: you know, i've heard people say,
  • 00:16:07.977 --> 00:16:09.311
  • "oh, it's so hard to be a christian.
  • 00:16:09.311 --> 00:16:10.846
  • I tried and i failed."
  • 00:16:10.846 --> 00:16:12.247
  • Lemme say something that might surprise you.
  • 00:16:12.247 --> 00:16:15.117
  • It's not hard to be a christian.
  • 00:16:15.117 --> 00:16:17.086
  • It's impossible.
  • 00:16:17.086 --> 00:16:19.321
  • Without the help of the holy spirit.
  • 00:16:19.321 --> 00:16:22.424
  • See, with god, all things are possible.
  • 00:16:22.424 --> 00:16:25.027
  • He can give me the strength and the power to live the life
  • 00:16:25.027 --> 00:16:27.997
  • He has called us to live.
  • 00:16:27.997 --> 00:16:29.732
  • Apart from him, the bible says, i can do nothing.
  • 00:16:29.732 --> 00:16:33.002
  • Jesus said that.
  • 00:16:33.002 --> 00:16:34.403
  • But then scripture also tells me, paul speaking,
  • 00:16:34.403 --> 00:16:36.872
  • "i can do all things through christ who strengthens me."
  • 00:16:36.872 --> 00:16:40.743
  • So stop trying to live the christian life
  • 00:16:40.743 --> 00:16:43.245
  • In your own power.
  • 00:16:43.245 --> 00:16:44.880
  • Stop trying to do it in your own strength, and instead say "lord,
  • 00:16:44.880 --> 00:16:48.717
  • I need your help each and every day."
  • 00:16:48.717 --> 00:16:51.887
  • Greg: point number 9: if you walk with jesus christ,
  • 00:16:55.657 --> 00:16:59.328
  • You need to find new friends.
  • 00:16:59.328 --> 00:17:02.164
  • You need to find new friends because
  • 00:17:02.164 --> 00:17:03.699
  • It comes down to this:
  • 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:05.034
  • You're either gonna have harmony with god and friction with
  • 00:17:05.034 --> 00:17:08.137
  • People, or you're gonna have harmony with
  • 00:17:08.137 --> 00:17:10.606
  • People and friction with god.
  • 00:17:10.606 --> 00:17:13.442
  • What do you want?
  • 00:17:13.442 --> 00:17:14.910
  • "well, i want everyone to like me."
  • 00:17:14.910 --> 00:17:16.745
  • Oh, really?
  • 00:17:16.745 --> 00:17:18.647
  • Jesus said beware when all men speak well of you.
  • 00:17:18.647 --> 00:17:23.152
  • No, if you're a real follower of christ, you can be the nicest,
  • 00:17:23.152 --> 00:17:27.022
  • Most considerate, loving person.
  • 00:17:27.022 --> 00:17:29.425
  • You're gonna have some enemies.
  • 00:17:29.425 --> 00:17:31.293
  • And it's not really so much about you.
  • 00:17:31.293 --> 00:17:33.996
  • It's about who you're following.
  • 00:17:33.996 --> 00:17:36.331
  • But those enemies can be turned into friends as you seek to
  • 00:17:36.331 --> 00:17:40.135
  • Engage them with the gospel, and that brings me
  • 00:17:40.135 --> 00:17:44.306
  • To this next movement of the story.
  • 00:17:44.306 --> 00:17:46.809
  • Let's go to john 9 verse 24: "for the second time they call
  • 00:17:46.809 --> 00:17:51.046
  • In this man who had been born blind and told him,
  • 00:17:51.046 --> 00:17:53.882
  • 'give god the glory, because we know this man
  • 00:17:53.882 --> 00:17:57.419
  • Jesus is a sinner.'
  • 00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:59.021
  • The man replies, 'look, i don't know whether or not
  • 00:17:59.021 --> 00:18:02.324
  • He's a sinner,'" but i love this verse, "'but this i know.
  • 00:18:02.324 --> 00:18:05.894
  • Once i was blind, but now i see.'"
  • 00:18:05.894 --> 00:18:08.730
  • Please underline that verse.
  • 00:18:08.730 --> 00:18:11.733
  • That's one of the greatest statements in all of the bible.
  • 00:18:11.733 --> 00:18:14.403
  • Once i was blind, but now i see.
  • 00:18:14.403 --> 00:18:18.507
  • I love the zeal of the new believer.
  • 00:18:18.507 --> 00:18:22.311
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:18:22.311 --> 00:18:23.812
  • Did you know that 80% of people that hear the gospel
  • 00:18:23.812 --> 00:18:28.083
  • Hear it from someone who has been a christian
  • 00:18:28.083 --> 00:18:30.119
  • For less than two years?
  • 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:33.388
  • Isn't that interesting?
  • 00:18:33.388 --> 00:18:35.190
  • Most people who hear the gospel hear it from someone
  • 00:18:35.190 --> 00:18:38.260
  • Who's a new christian!
  • 00:18:38.260 --> 00:18:40.896
  • Why doesn't that stat say most people who hear the gospel hear
  • 00:18:40.896 --> 00:18:44.399
  • It from someone who has been a christian for ten years?
  • 00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:47.836
  • I'll tell you the answer.
  • 00:18:47.836 --> 00:18:49.571
  • New believers are filled with zeal for the lord.
  • 00:18:49.571 --> 00:18:53.876
  • Here's another question: why is it that those
  • 00:18:53.876 --> 00:18:55.811
  • That know the most do the least?
  • 00:18:55.811 --> 00:18:59.448
  • And those that know the least do the most?
  • 00:18:59.448 --> 00:19:02.818
  • Example, i'll have someone come up and say,
  • 00:19:02.818 --> 00:19:04.953
  • "i wanna serve here at harvest.
  • 00:19:04.953 --> 00:19:06.722
  • Like, what, what can i do?
  • 00:19:06.722 --> 00:19:08.090
  • I'll do anything. i'll set up chairs.
  • 00:19:08.090 --> 00:19:09.791
  • I'll help people find parking spaces.
  • 00:19:09.791 --> 00:19:12.394
  • I'll counsel people.
  • 00:19:12.394 --> 00:19:14.029
  • I'll work in children's ministry."
  • 00:19:14.029 --> 00:19:15.464
  • "well, thank you for offering.
  • 00:19:15.464 --> 00:19:17.232
  • How long have you been coming to harvest?
  • 00:19:17.232 --> 00:19:19.902
  • One week? oh.
  • 00:19:19.902 --> 00:19:21.537
  • One week. wow.
  • 00:19:21.537 --> 00:19:22.971
  • Where did you go to church before?"
  • 00:19:22.971 --> 00:19:24.306
  • "i didn't. i got saved last week.
  • 00:19:24.306 --> 00:19:27.042
  • But i wanna serve the lord."
  • 00:19:27.042 --> 00:19:28.777
  • I love that.
  • 00:19:28.777 --> 00:19:30.245
  • But we'll say, "well, you know, we think you need to attend for
  • 00:19:30.245 --> 00:19:32.548
  • A while and get grounded in your faith before we give you
  • 00:19:32.548 --> 00:19:36.084
  • These responsibilities.
  • 00:19:36.084 --> 00:19:38.187
  • But then there are people that have been coming here ten years,
  • 00:19:38.187 --> 00:19:40.355
  • Twenty years, longer, and they've never volunteered
  • 00:19:40.355 --> 00:19:43.192
  • For anything.
  • 00:19:43.192 --> 00:19:45.494
  • The church needs new believers.
  • 00:19:45.494 --> 00:19:48.664
  • New believers are the life blood of the church.
  • 00:19:48.664 --> 00:19:52.401
  • New believers need older believers to stabilize them.
  • 00:19:52.401 --> 00:19:57.105
  • Older believers need younger believers to energize them.
  • 00:19:57.105 --> 00:20:02.611
  • You get around a younger christian with all their
  • 00:20:02.611 --> 00:20:05.113
  • Questions, and you find yourself getting fired up even talking to
  • 00:20:05.113 --> 00:20:10.819
  • Them, the zeal of the young believer.
  • 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:14.523
  • And that brings me to point number ten.
  • 00:20:14.523 --> 00:20:16.892
  • I have ten more points, i'm almost done.
  • 00:20:16.892 --> 00:20:20.295
  • No, i have twelve in total. we're close.
  • 00:20:20.295 --> 00:20:22.864
  • Number 10: your personal testimony is one of the most
  • 00:20:22.864 --> 00:20:25.500
  • Powerful tools you have.
  • 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:28.804
  • It's a great way to start a conversation.
  • 00:20:28.804 --> 00:20:31.673
  • Here's this guy's testimony.
  • 00:20:31.673 --> 00:20:33.575
  • "once i was blind, but now i see."
  • 00:20:33.575 --> 00:20:37.879
  • And we already see spiritual growth in the life of this man.
  • 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:40.949
  • Verse 32, he says to the religious leaders, "hey, ever
  • 00:20:40.949 --> 00:20:44.119
  • Since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes
  • 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:47.456
  • Of someone born blind.
  • 00:20:47.456 --> 00:20:49.091
  • If this man were not from god, he couldn't have done it."
  • 00:20:49.091 --> 00:20:53.028
  • So already, he's evangelizing them.
  • 00:20:53.028 --> 00:20:56.098
  • He's taking them to task.
  • 00:20:56.098 --> 00:20:59.968
  • So, it's fascinating to notice the progression of his
  • 00:20:59.968 --> 00:21:03.205
  • Understanding.
  • 00:21:03.205 --> 00:21:04.906
  • First he called jesus a prophet.
  • 00:21:04.906 --> 00:21:07.409
  • Then he says he's from god.
  • 00:21:07.409 --> 00:21:10.012
  • And now he, he realizes he is the lord.
  • 00:21:10.012 --> 00:21:13.482
  • Bringing me to point number 11: your faith grown stronger when
  • 00:21:13.482 --> 00:21:16.752
  • You share it.
  • 00:21:16.752 --> 00:21:18.920
  • You say, "but greg, i don't, i don't know that much.
  • 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:21.823
  • I'm not a theologian."
  • 00:21:21.823 --> 00:21:23.292
  • You may not be a theologian, but you are the world's expert
  • 00:21:23.292 --> 00:21:26.128
  • On you.
  • 00:21:26.128 --> 00:21:27.896
  • You know your story, and a great way to start a conversation is
  • 00:21:27.896 --> 00:21:32.267
  • By beginning with your story.
  • 00:21:32.267 --> 00:21:35.370
  • Example, the apostle paul, formerly saul of tarsus,
  • 00:21:35.370 --> 00:21:38.774
  • Christian killer, persecutor of the church,
  • 00:21:38.774 --> 00:21:43.245
  • But he was a great orator.
  • 00:21:43.245 --> 00:21:44.880
  • He was a brilliant intellect.
  • 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:46.481
  • Yet on almost every occasion when paul stood before
  • 00:21:46.481 --> 00:21:49.351
  • Nonbelievers, he began with his testimony.
  • 00:21:49.351 --> 00:21:52.921
  • "guys, lemme tell you what happened to me.
  • 00:21:52.921 --> 00:21:54.523
  • I'm on the damascus road hunting down christians.
  • 00:21:54.523 --> 00:21:57.159
  • All of a sudden jesus appears to me."
  • 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:59.161
  • Always started with that.
  • 00:21:59.161 --> 00:22:00.796
  • 'cause everyone can relate to that.
  • 00:22:00.796 --> 00:22:02.831
  • People can argue with your theology.
  • 00:22:02.831 --> 00:22:04.599
  • They can't argue with your story.
  • 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:07.669
  • It's a great way to begin.
  • 00:22:07.669 --> 00:22:09.104
  • That's exactly what this guy is doing.
  • 00:22:09.104 --> 00:22:11.106
  • And there's something energizing about making
  • 00:22:11.106 --> 00:22:14.443
  • A stand for your faith.
  • 00:22:14.443 --> 00:22:17.946
  • There will be times when you're feeling down.
  • 00:22:17.946 --> 00:22:21.783
  • Maybe you're even depressed.
  • 00:22:21.783 --> 00:22:23.852
  • Maybe you're feeling sorry for yourself.
  • 00:22:23.852 --> 00:22:26.722
  • And then you encounter someone and somehow you get into a
  • 00:22:26.722 --> 00:22:29.124
  • Conversation about jesus, and as you tell them about what jesus
  • 00:22:29.124 --> 00:22:33.895
  • Has done for you, you're gettin' all excited.
  • 00:22:33.895 --> 00:22:37.232
  • Your mood changes. why?
  • 00:22:37.232 --> 00:22:39.668
  • 'cause you're remembering how faithful god has been,
  • 00:22:39.668 --> 00:22:42.771
  • And you leave that conversation refueled.
  • 00:22:42.771 --> 00:22:45.474
  • You see how it works?
  • 00:22:45.474 --> 00:22:47.042
  • This is why satan hates evangelism.
  • 00:22:47.042 --> 00:22:50.712
  • First of all, he doesn't wanna lose any more of his people to
  • 00:22:50.712 --> 00:22:54.082
  • The kingdom of light, and he doesn't want you to experience
  • 00:22:54.082 --> 00:22:57.252
  • The rejuvenating, reviving effects of sharing
  • 00:22:57.252 --> 00:23:00.455
  • Your faith with others.
  • 00:23:00.455 --> 00:23:02.758
  • So he says to you, "you're not qualified.
  • 00:23:02.758 --> 00:23:04.926
  • You won't have the answers. you're a loser.
  • 00:23:04.926 --> 00:23:07.129
  • You're a failure."
  • 00:23:07.129 --> 00:23:08.463
  • And to that, we can say, "um, go to hell."
  • 00:23:08.463 --> 00:23:17.606
  • And that's the one time you can say go to hell and it's okay.
  • 00:23:17.606 --> 00:23:22.811
  • Satan, go to hell. get outta here.
  • 00:23:22.811 --> 00:23:24.513
  • I reject this. i know god wants to use me.
  • 00:23:24.513 --> 00:23:29.084
  • Final point, number 12: if you stand up for jesus,
  • 00:23:29.084 --> 00:23:32.587
  • He will stand up for you.
  • 00:23:32.587 --> 00:23:35.390
  • If you stand up for jesus, he will stand up for you.
  • 00:23:35.390 --> 00:23:37.292
  • Look at verse 35: "jesus heard they had thrown him out, and
  • 00:23:37.292 --> 00:23:41.096
  • When he found him he said, 'do you believe in the son of man?'
  • 00:23:41.096 --> 00:23:44.766
  • The man asked, 'who is he?
  • 00:23:44.766 --> 00:23:46.101
  • Tell me and i'll believe in him.'
  • 00:23:46.101 --> 00:23:47.836
  • Jesus said, 'you have now seen him.
  • 00:23:47.836 --> 00:23:49.971
  • In fact, he is the one speaking with you.'
  • 00:23:49.971 --> 00:23:52.874
  • And the man said, 'lord, i believe.'
  • 00:23:52.874 --> 00:23:55.877
  • And he worshipped him."
  • 00:23:55.877 --> 00:23:57.479
  • I love that.
  • 00:23:57.479 --> 00:23:58.947
  • "do you believe in the name of the son of man?"
  • 00:23:58.947 --> 00:24:01.016
  • "uh, who is he? where is he?"
  • 00:24:01.016 --> 00:24:03.485
  • "you're talkin' to him, buddy."
  • 00:24:03.485 --> 00:24:04.886
  • "i believe. i believe.
  • 00:24:04.886 --> 00:24:06.822
  • You're the one that healed me. i believe."
  • 00:24:06.822 --> 00:24:09.157
  • Right there on the spot. religion turned this man away.
  • 00:24:09.157 --> 00:24:14.029
  • Jesus took him in.
  • 00:24:14.029 --> 00:24:16.364
  • The religious leader said, "get outta here.
  • 00:24:16.364 --> 00:24:19.334
  • You're trouble. we don't like you here.
  • 00:24:19.334 --> 00:24:21.903
  • You're a living miracle."
  • 00:24:21.903 --> 00:24:23.972
  • But jesus was ready.
  • 00:24:23.972 --> 00:24:26.208
  • Have you been disillusioned with religion?
  • 00:24:26.208 --> 00:24:29.911
  • You've tried to keep all the rules and regulations
  • 00:24:29.911 --> 00:24:32.314
  • And do you still come up empty?
  • 00:24:32.314 --> 00:24:35.116
  • I love how this man started out by calling jesus a prophet,
  • 00:24:35.116 --> 00:24:38.954
  • And now is worshipping him.
  • 00:24:38.954 --> 00:24:41.423
  • And i close with this question of christ.
  • 00:24:41.423 --> 00:24:44.793
  • Do you believe in the name of the son of god?
  • 00:24:44.793 --> 00:24:47.829
  • We had a crusade a number of years ago down in san diego, and
  • 00:24:47.829 --> 00:24:51.399
  • There was a 90-year-old woman in a wheelchair that attended with
  • 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:54.769
  • Her granddaughter.
  • 00:24:54.769 --> 00:24:56.705
  • The lady's name was henny.
  • 00:24:56.705 --> 00:24:59.140
  • And i happened to be speaking on what happens beyond the grave
  • 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:02.110
  • That particular night.
  • 00:25:02.110 --> 00:25:04.212
  • And when we gave the invitation for people to come to christ and
  • 00:25:04.212 --> 00:25:06.982
  • Walk forward, henny's granddaughter, at her request,
  • 00:25:06.982 --> 00:25:11.253
  • Wheeled her grandmother down to the front and henny prayed and
  • 00:25:11.253 --> 00:25:15.156
  • Asked jesus to come into her life.
  • 00:25:15.156 --> 00:25:17.893
  • And then henny turned to the counselor that greeted her and
  • 00:25:17.893 --> 00:25:22.330
  • Was so thankful what god had done for her, and i left out one
  • 00:25:22.330 --> 00:25:25.133
  • Important detail.
  • 00:25:25.133 --> 00:25:26.535
  • Henny was also blind, and she said to the counselor she was
  • 00:25:26.535 --> 00:25:30.372
  • Looking forward to being able to see forever in eternity.
  • 00:25:30.372 --> 00:25:35.977
  • Changing a life.
  • 00:25:35.977 --> 00:25:42.250
  • You might say, "all right, greg, show me and i'll believe.
  • 00:25:42.250 --> 00:25:45.687
  • Prove it."
  • 00:25:45.687 --> 00:25:47.122
  • And god effectively says believe and i'll show you.
  • 00:25:47.122 --> 00:25:51.493
  • That's why i called this message "believing is seeing."
  • 00:25:51.493 --> 00:25:56.164
  • Greg: hi, i'm greg laurie. i've got some good news for you.
  • 00:26:00.302 --> 00:26:03.071
  • God loves you, and god has a plan for your life.
  • 00:26:03.071 --> 00:26:06.775
  • Here's the problem: we're separated from god by our sin
  • 00:26:06.775 --> 00:26:10.278
  • Because we've all broken his commandments.
  • 00:26:10.278 --> 00:26:13.114
  • But the good news is, is 2,000 years ago, god sent his son,
  • 00:26:13.114 --> 00:26:17.352
  • Jesus christ, to die on the cross for your sin, and then to
  • 00:26:17.352 --> 00:26:21.056
  • Rise again from the dead.
  • 00:26:21.056 --> 00:26:23.391
  • The same jesus who died and rose is alive and ready to come into
  • 00:26:23.391 --> 00:26:27.028
  • Your life right now.
  • 00:26:27.028 --> 00:26:29.264
  • Would you like your sin forgiven?
  • 00:26:29.264 --> 00:26:30.999
  • Would you like to know that when you die you will go to heaven?
  • 00:26:30.999 --> 00:26:34.369
  • If so, pray this simple prayer with me right now.
  • 00:26:34.369 --> 00:26:37.639
  • Just say," lord jesus, i know i'm a sinner, but i believe
  • 00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:41.176
  • You're the savior who died on the cross for my sin.
  • 00:26:41.176 --> 00:26:44.546
  • I turn from my sin now, and i choose to follow you from this
  • 00:26:44.546 --> 00:26:48.216
  • Moment forward."
  • 00:26:48.216 --> 00:26:50.051
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:26:50.051 --> 00:26:52.354
  • If you did, god in heaven has heard you, and i wanna send you
  • 00:26:52.354 --> 00:26:56.291
  • A new testament to start reading.
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  • Announcer: explore the life and legacy of one
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  • Of the bible's most captivating
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  • And relatable people, king david.
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  • From shepherd to warrior king, david's journey is marked
  • 00:27:07.135 --> 00:27:10.572
  • By incredible triumphs, heartbreaking failures,
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  • And a relentless pursuit of god's heart.
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  • For a limited time, you can receive "house of david:
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  • 30 days with the man after god's own heart"
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  • With your gift of any amount to harvest ministries.
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  • And request your copy of "house of david" today.
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