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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Dealing with Depression

May 15, 2026 | 27:29

Greg Laurie - Dealing with Depression
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#Depression #Kindness #Love #Healing #Sin #Death #Emotion #Victory #Trials-HardTimes #Loneliness #GregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Dealing with Depression | May 15, 2026
  • Greg laurie: our job is to pray,
  • 00:00:04.105 --> 00:00:05.740
  • God's job is to answer.
  • 00:00:05.840 --> 00:00:07.608
  • So what are you facing right now?
  • 00:00:07.742 --> 00:00:09.677
  • Do you have a problem?
  • 00:00:09.810 --> 00:00:10.177
  • Do you have a conflict?
  • 00:00:11.012 --> 00:00:12.713
  • Do you have a need?
  • 00:00:12.713 --> 00:00:14.215
  • Do you need god's provision?
  • 00:00:14.215 --> 00:00:16.050
  • Do you need god's healing?
  • 00:00:16.050 --> 00:00:18.052
  • Are you looking for a mate
  • 00:00:18.052 --> 00:00:19.553
  • To spend the rest of your life with?
  • 00:00:19.553 --> 00:00:21.722
  • Have you--are you looking for employment?
  • 00:00:21.722 --> 00:00:23.958
  • Are you looking for something else?
  • 00:00:23.958 --> 00:00:25.726
  • Have you prayed about it?
  • 00:00:25.726 --> 00:00:28.295
  • ♪ this is the day ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day ♪
  • 00:00:39.273 --> 00:00:41.876
  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪♪
  • 00:00:41.876 --> 00:00:47.148
  • Greg: we're now looking at the last message
  • 00:00:50.251 --> 00:00:52.720
  • In this elijah series and, in a sense,
  • 00:00:52.720 --> 00:00:56.023
  • This is where elijah falls but he gets up again.
  • 00:00:56.023 --> 00:01:01.028
  • We're gonna look at his fall and his recovery.
  • 00:01:01.028 --> 00:01:04.031
  • And then, of course, this big event on mount carmel
  • 00:01:04.031 --> 00:01:07.435
  • With fire coming down from heaven.
  • 00:01:07.435 --> 00:01:10.204
  • But before the fire felled, something else had to happen.
  • 00:01:10.204 --> 00:01:14.775
  • Bringing me to point number one if you're taking notes:
  • 00:01:14.775 --> 00:01:17.478
  • If you wanna see god work, we must do our part.
  • 00:01:17.478 --> 00:01:22.550
  • Again, if we want to see god work,
  • 00:01:22.550 --> 00:01:24.952
  • We must do our part.
  • 00:01:24.952 --> 00:01:26.520
  • 1 kings 18:30: "then elijah said to all the people,
  • 00:01:26.520 --> 00:01:29.990
  • 'come here to me.'
  • 00:01:29.990 --> 00:01:31.392
  • They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the lord,
  • 00:01:31.392 --> 00:01:34.361
  • Which had been torn down."
  • 00:01:34.361 --> 00:01:35.896
  • So we all immediately go right to the story of the fire coming
  • 00:01:35.896 --> 00:01:39.767
  • From heaven but don't miss this point.
  • 00:01:39.767 --> 00:01:42.603
  • Before the fire fell, the altar had to be repaired.
  • 00:01:42.603 --> 00:01:48.509
  • And i ask you this question: does the altar of your life
  • 00:01:48.509 --> 00:01:51.846
  • Need to be repaired?
  • 00:01:51.846 --> 00:01:53.948
  • What do i mean by that?
  • 00:01:53.948 --> 00:01:55.282
  • I mean, is there a hole in your foundation?
  • 00:01:55.282 --> 00:01:58.953
  • Is there a problem in your spiritual life?
  • 00:01:58.953 --> 00:02:02.423
  • You no longer read the scriptures every day as you once
  • 00:02:02.423 --> 00:02:06.494
  • Did, prayer is no longer a part of your life as it once was,
  • 00:02:06.494 --> 00:02:11.132
  • Your church attendance is erratic at best.
  • 00:02:11.132 --> 00:02:15.369
  • Maybe your altar needs repair.
  • 00:02:15.369 --> 00:02:18.372
  • We'll say things like, "i want the fire of god to fall on me
  • 00:02:18.372 --> 00:02:21.642
  • Again," but maybe you need to first repair your altar.
  • 00:02:21.642 --> 00:02:26.680
  • To the church of ephesus who jesus commended and then
  • 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:30.951
  • Critiqued, he said, "you know, you guys,
  • 00:02:30.951 --> 00:02:33.554
  • You're discerning, you're hardworking,
  • 00:02:33.554 --> 00:02:36.524
  • That's great, but i have this against you:
  • 00:02:36.524 --> 00:02:39.293
  • You have left your first love."
  • 00:02:39.293 --> 00:02:41.795
  • Then he says, "remember then from where you have fallen
  • 00:02:41.795 --> 00:02:44.732
  • And repent and do the first works quickly."
  • 00:02:44.732 --> 00:02:47.134
  • I call it the three "r's" of getting right with god:
  • 00:02:47.134 --> 00:02:50.538
  • Remember, repent, repeat.
  • 00:02:50.538 --> 00:02:53.340
  • First, remember.
  • 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:54.909
  • Was there a time in your life spiritually when you were closer
  • 00:02:54.909 --> 00:02:57.845
  • To god than you are right now?
  • 00:02:57.845 --> 00:03:00.080
  • Was there a time where you were more passionate in your faith?
  • 00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:02.950
  • So you start by remembering.
  • 00:03:02.950 --> 00:03:04.818
  • Then you repent, means change your behavior.
  • 00:03:04.818 --> 00:03:07.888
  • You know, it's interesting 'cause jesus says,
  • 00:03:07.888 --> 00:03:10.191
  • "remember from where you have fallen."
  • 00:03:10.191 --> 00:03:12.860
  • We don't think of leaving one's first love as a form of falling,
  • 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:17.031
  • But according to jesus, it is.
  • 00:03:17.031 --> 00:03:19.433
  • "remember from where you have fallen,
  • 00:03:19.433 --> 00:03:21.969
  • And do the first works quickly," or repeat,
  • 00:03:21.969 --> 00:03:24.838
  • Get back and do those things again.
  • 00:03:24.838 --> 00:03:26.574
  • So, back to our story.
  • 00:03:26.574 --> 00:03:28.209
  • They rebuilt the altar.
  • 00:03:28.209 --> 00:03:29.610
  • Now the big contest is ready to happen: the shoot-out at
  • 00:03:29.610 --> 00:03:33.614
  • The carmel corral, the battle of the gods.
  • 00:03:33.614 --> 00:03:37.685
  • Elijah's come out of hiding.
  • 00:03:37.685 --> 00:03:40.087
  • He's hard to miss, he's a very hairy dude.
  • 00:03:40.087 --> 00:03:43.190
  • He chooses off baal.
  • 00:03:43.190 --> 00:03:46.860
  • He says to king ahab, "let's have a shoot-out,
  • 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:48.963
  • Let's have a contest.
  • 00:03:48.963 --> 00:03:50.531
  • Whoever has the right god let that god answer by fire."
  • 00:03:50.531 --> 00:03:54.902
  • Amazingly, ahab agrees to this agreement.
  • 00:03:54.902 --> 00:03:58.339
  • Why?
  • 00:03:58.339 --> 00:04:00.140
  • Because, as i pointed out, @sinmakesyoustupid
  • 00:04:00.140 --> 00:04:03.744
  • And he never should have agreed to this
  • 00:04:03.744 --> 00:04:05.946
  • 'cause he was gonna lose, for sure.
  • 00:04:05.946 --> 00:04:08.515
  • And so now, elijah has summoned all the prophets of baal,
  • 00:04:08.515 --> 00:04:13.621
  • The 450 prophets of baal and 400 prophets of ashtaroth
  • 00:04:13.621 --> 00:04:17.891
  • Who are supported by jezebel.
  • 00:04:17.891 --> 00:04:20.327
  • So there stands elijah, 850 to 1.
  • 00:04:20.327 --> 00:04:24.832
  • But we know who's gonna win this one.
  • 00:04:24.832 --> 00:04:28.035
  • Now let's see what happens.
  • 00:04:28.035 --> 00:04:29.436
  • 1 kings 18:27: "about noontime elijah began mocking them,
  • 00:04:29.436 --> 00:04:34.208
  • Saying, 'you'll have to shout louder,' he scoffed,
  • 00:04:34.208 --> 00:04:37.278
  • 'for surely he's a god!
  • 00:04:37.278 --> 00:04:38.879
  • Maybe he's daydreaming, or he's relieving himself.
  • 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:44.051
  • Or maybe he's away on a trip,
  • 00:04:44.051 --> 00:04:45.886
  • Or is asleep and needs to be wakened!'
  • 00:04:45.886 --> 00:04:48.322
  • So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom,
  • 00:04:48.322 --> 00:04:51.492
  • They cut themselves with knives and swords
  • 00:04:51.492 --> 00:04:53.560
  • Until the blood gushed out.
  • 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:56.163
  • They raved all afternoon until the time of
  • 00:04:56.163 --> 00:04:58.465
  • The evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound,
  • 00:04:58.465 --> 00:05:02.636
  • No reply, no response."
  • 00:05:02.636 --> 00:05:06.106
  • We'll stop there.
  • 00:05:06.106 --> 00:05:07.441
  • So, elijah's having a little fun at their expense.
  • 00:05:07.441 --> 00:05:10.511
  • He mocks them and that's one of the reasons i like elijah.
  • 00:05:10.511 --> 00:05:14.415
  • He was a mocking prophet and i am a mocking preacher.
  • 00:05:14.415 --> 00:05:19.620
  • And so he says, "hey, maybe your god's asleep."
  • 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:22.723
  • Isn't it great to know god doesn't fall asleep?
  • 00:05:22.723 --> 00:05:25.459
  • You ever fall asleep and then someone wakes you up
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  • And you deny you were sleeping?
  • 00:05:27.661 --> 00:05:29.863
  • Why do we deny it; "you were sleeping."
  • 00:05:29.863 --> 00:05:31.532
  • "no i--snort-- no i wasn't."
  • 00:05:31.532 --> 00:05:34.101
  • Wait, you were, just admit it.
  • 00:05:34.101 --> 00:05:37.438
  • Sometimes i get sleepy after i eat something heavy.
  • 00:05:37.438 --> 00:05:40.708
  • And i ate this really thick chicken sandwich a while ago
  • 00:05:40.708 --> 00:05:44.712
  • And i sat down at my desk and i closed my eyes
  • 00:05:44.712 --> 00:05:48.115
  • And i want into a food coma.
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  • And all of a sudden i opened my eyes about 10 minutes later
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  • And i literally didn't know where i was.
  • 00:05:52.786 --> 00:05:55.122
  • Like, "where am i? what happened?
  • 00:05:55.122 --> 00:05:57.191
  • Do i need to go into some kind of rehab for this?
  • 00:05:57.191 --> 00:05:59.827
  • I don't know."
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  • Isn't it great to know god doesn't go into food comas,
  • 00:06:01.729 --> 00:06:05.332
  • God is never asleep at the wheel.
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  • He's always paying careful attention to us and what is
  • 00:06:07.534 --> 00:06:12.639
  • Happening in our world.
  • 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:14.007
  • Psalm 121:4 says: "he that keeps israel
  • 00:06:14.007 --> 00:06:16.744
  • Neither slumbers nor sleeps."
  • 00:06:16.744 --> 00:06:20.514
  • 2 chronicles 16:9: "the eyes of the lord search the whole earth
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  • In order to strengthen those whose hearts
  • 00:06:24.118 --> 00:06:26.453
  • Are fully committed to him."
  • 00:06:26.453 --> 00:06:28.088
  • So god's not just awake; god is alert.
  • 00:06:28.088 --> 00:06:31.392
  • God is aware.
  • 00:06:31.392 --> 00:06:33.093
  • God is omniscient which means all-knowing.
  • 00:06:33.093 --> 00:06:36.063
  • God is omnipotent which means all-powerful.
  • 00:06:36.063 --> 00:06:39.366
  • God is omnipresent which means present everywhere.
  • 00:06:39.366 --> 00:06:42.836
  • That means that he's watching you and me and us
  • 00:06:42.836 --> 00:06:47.574
  • And others simultaneously.
  • 00:06:47.574 --> 00:06:49.943
  • How does he do that?
  • 00:06:49.943 --> 00:06:51.378
  • I don't know but he does.
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  • He's god.
  • 00:06:52.880 --> 00:06:54.281
  • Elijah also yells this and i have to draw attention to it:
  • 00:06:54.281 --> 00:06:56.950
  • "maybe your god is daydreaming or is relieving himself."
  • 00:06:56.950 --> 00:07:00.654
  • Yes, that's what it meant.
  • 00:07:00.654 --> 00:07:03.390
  • "hey, maybe your god's sitting on the toilet."
  • 00:07:03.390 --> 00:07:05.759
  • He was really mocking them big-time.
  • 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:10.197
  • And he says, "hey, maybe you guys should yell louder.
  • 00:07:10.197 --> 00:07:13.867
  • Just yell louder."
  • 00:07:13.867 --> 00:07:15.269
  • And so they're yelling louder, they're cutting themselves,
  • 00:07:15.269 --> 00:07:18.639
  • And it's so clear that nothing is going to happen because
  • 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:22.376
  • Their gods are not real.
  • 00:07:22.376 --> 00:07:24.478
  • As that passage says that we already read,
  • 00:07:24.478 --> 00:07:27.047
  • "there was no answer," because there were
  • 00:07:27.047 --> 00:07:30.384
  • No gods to give an answer.
  • 00:07:30.384 --> 00:07:33.487
  • So here's what was happening: the lord was going to allow
  • 00:07:33.487 --> 00:07:36.490
  • Israel to see the emptiness of their so-called gods
  • 00:07:36.490 --> 00:07:40.861
  • So they would turn from those false gods and,
  • 00:07:40.861 --> 00:07:44.364
  • Instead, turn to him, the true god.
  • 00:07:44.364 --> 00:07:47.768
  • Now it's god's turn.
  • 00:07:47.768 --> 00:07:49.536
  • "okay, you guys done. man, you made a mess.
  • 00:07:49.536 --> 00:07:51.972
  • Blood everywhere. get out of here.
  • 00:07:51.972 --> 00:07:54.408
  • Let's mop this place up."
  • 00:07:54.408 --> 00:07:56.376
  • And he says, "all right, now we're gonna let the lord answer.
  • 00:07:56.376 --> 00:07:58.979
  • Let's cover the altar with water."
  • 00:07:58.979 --> 00:08:01.582
  • By the way, water was scarce.
  • 00:08:01.582 --> 00:08:03.717
  • Don't forget, there had been a drought
  • 00:08:03.717 --> 00:08:05.419
  • That lasted over 3 years.
  • 00:08:05.419 --> 00:08:06.954
  • "douse the whole altar with water.
  • 00:08:06.954 --> 00:08:08.522
  • Yeah, do it again.
  • 00:08:08.522 --> 00:08:09.890
  • Yeah, let's do it one more time."
  • 00:08:09.890 --> 00:08:11.859
  • Why?
  • 00:08:11.859 --> 00:08:13.193
  • Because he wanted everyone to realize that when this answer
  • 00:08:13.193 --> 00:08:15.362
  • Came, it was not a trick, it was the lord.
  • 00:08:15.362 --> 00:08:19.399
  • And so, everything was now set, bringing me to point number two:
  • 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:23.670
  • Our job is to pray.
  • 00:08:23.670 --> 00:08:25.639
  • God's job is to answer.
  • 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:28.175
  • Our job is to pray, god's job is to answer.
  • 00:08:28.175 --> 00:08:31.612
  • So what are you facing right now?
  • 00:08:31.612 --> 00:08:33.847
  • Do you have a problem?
  • 00:08:33.847 --> 00:08:35.749
  • Do you have a conflict?
  • 00:08:35.749 --> 00:08:37.251
  • Do you have a need?
  • 00:08:37.251 --> 00:08:38.852
  • Do you need god's provision?
  • 00:08:38.852 --> 00:08:40.354
  • Do you need god's healing?
  • 00:08:40.354 --> 00:08:42.289
  • Are you looking for a mate
  • 00:08:42.289 --> 00:08:43.824
  • To spend the rest of your life with?
  • 00:08:43.824 --> 00:08:45.959
  • Have you--are you looking for employment?
  • 00:08:45.959 --> 00:08:48.228
  • Are you looking for something else?
  • 00:08:48.228 --> 00:08:50.330
  • Have you prayed about it?
  • 00:08:50.330 --> 00:08:53.100
  • You know, the bible says: "you have not because you ask not."
  • 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:56.270
  • And then jesus said, "ask and it shall be given,
  • 00:08:56.270 --> 00:09:00.374
  • Seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened."
  • 00:09:00.374 --> 00:09:04.044
  • So there's your part and there is god's part.
  • 00:09:04.044 --> 00:09:08.015
  • Our job is to pray, god's job is to answer.
  • 00:09:08.015 --> 00:09:10.651
  • 1 kings 18:36, look at that with me.
  • 00:09:10.651 --> 00:09:15.088
  • "at the time of sacrifice, the prophet elijah stepped
  • 00:09:15.088 --> 00:09:17.691
  • Forward and prayed: 'lord, the god of abraham,
  • 00:09:17.691 --> 00:09:20.894
  • Isaac and israel, let it be known today that you are god
  • 00:09:20.894 --> 00:09:24.498
  • In israel and i am your servant and i've done
  • 00:09:24.498 --> 00:09:26.800
  • All these things at your command.
  • 00:09:26.800 --> 00:09:29.202
  • Answer me, lord, answer me, so these people will know that you,
  • 00:09:29.202 --> 00:09:33.273
  • Lord, are god, and that you
  • 00:09:33.273 --> 00:09:35.809
  • Are turning their hearts back again.'"
  • 00:09:35.809 --> 00:09:39.279
  • I love the confidence that elijah has in god.
  • 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:43.617
  • No screaming, no yelling, no cutting, no anything.
  • 00:09:43.617 --> 00:09:47.688
  • "lord, will you answer this prayer right now?"
  • 00:09:47.688 --> 00:09:51.391
  • So what happened then?
  • 00:09:51.391 --> 00:09:52.793
  • Look at 1 kings 18:36, excuse me, 38:
  • 00:09:52.793 --> 00:09:57.764
  • "then the fire of the lord fell and burned up
  • 00:09:57.764 --> 00:09:59.967
  • The sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil,
  • 00:09:59.967 --> 00:10:03.203
  • And then licked up the water in the trench.
  • 00:10:03.203 --> 00:10:05.539
  • And when all the people saw this,
  • 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.374
  • They fell prostrate and cried, 'the lord, he is god!
  • 00:10:07.374 --> 00:10:10.177
  • The lord, he is god--!'"
  • 00:10:10.177 --> 00:10:12.379
  • The people realize now that god was in control
  • 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:15.515
  • But the lord wasn't done.
  • 00:10:15.515 --> 00:10:17.284
  • He wasn't gonna just bring fire from heaven in answer
  • 00:10:17.284 --> 00:10:19.886
  • To the prayer of the prophet.
  • 00:10:19.886 --> 00:10:21.855
  • He was now gonna bring back the rain.
  • 00:10:21.855 --> 00:10:24.458
  • Again, they'd been in a drought for over 3 years.
  • 00:10:24.458 --> 00:10:28.795
  • Greg: hey everybody, greg laurie here
  • 00:10:32.633 --> 00:10:34.334
  • With some thoughts about depression.
  • 00:10:34.334 --> 00:10:36.436
  • You know, when people get depressed,
  • 00:10:36.436 --> 00:10:37.938
  • They're usually depressed about one of these three things.
  • 00:10:37.938 --> 00:10:41.341
  • Number one, they're depressed about their past,
  • 00:10:41.341 --> 00:10:44.011
  • They're depressed about their present,
  • 00:10:44.011 --> 00:10:46.413
  • And they're depressed and worried about their future.
  • 00:10:46.413 --> 00:10:49.049
  • God addresses all of that.
  • 00:10:49.049 --> 00:10:50.917
  • Interestingly, in romans chapter 8,
  • 00:10:50.917 --> 00:10:53.020
  • Let's start with your past.
  • 00:10:53.020 --> 00:10:54.521
  • You're depressed about your past.
  • 00:10:54.521 --> 00:10:56.456
  • You said or did something you wished you had not done.
  • 00:10:56.456 --> 00:10:59.793
  • Okay, here's what romans 8:1 says: "there is therefore now
  • 00:10:59.793 --> 00:11:04.231
  • No condemnation to those who are in christ jesus.
  • 00:11:04.231 --> 00:11:07.968
  • Listen, god doesn't condemn you; why do you condemn yourself?
  • 00:11:07.968 --> 00:11:11.405
  • 1 john 1:9 says if we will confess our sins,
  • 00:11:11.405 --> 00:11:14.608
  • He's faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse
  • 00:11:14.608 --> 00:11:18.111
  • Us from all unrighteousness.
  • 00:11:18.111 --> 00:11:20.147
  • God forgives you and god forgets your sin.
  • 00:11:20.147 --> 00:11:23.150
  • Why should i choose to remember what god has chosen to forget?
  • 00:11:23.150 --> 00:11:27.154
  • So that's number one, depression about my past.
  • 00:11:27.154 --> 00:11:29.322
  • Then there's depression about the future, you're worried.
  • 00:11:29.322 --> 00:11:32.259
  • "oh, what's gonna happen?
  • 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:33.627
  • What if this happens? what if that happens?"
  • 00:11:33.627 --> 00:11:36.196
  • That is addressed in romans 8 as well where paul says,
  • 00:11:36.196 --> 00:11:38.965
  • "i'm convinced that neither death nor life nor
  • 00:11:38.965 --> 00:11:41.835
  • Principalities or powers or the worries for today or tomorrow,
  • 00:11:41.835 --> 00:11:45.706
  • Will separate us from god's love."
  • 00:11:45.706 --> 00:11:47.974
  • Listen to this: god's in control of your future,
  • 00:11:47.974 --> 00:11:50.610
  • And god loves you.
  • 00:11:50.610 --> 00:11:52.412
  • And nothing will ever stop god from loving you.
  • 00:11:52.412 --> 00:11:55.749
  • God is not mad at you.
  • 00:11:55.749 --> 00:11:57.384
  • God is mad about you.
  • 00:11:57.384 --> 00:11:59.486
  • He can't keep his eyes off of you.
  • 00:11:59.486 --> 00:12:01.555
  • Then we come to our present.
  • 00:12:01.555 --> 00:12:03.457
  • You're depressed about your present,
  • 00:12:03.457 --> 00:12:05.292
  • Something you're facing, some crisis.
  • 00:12:05.292 --> 00:12:07.494
  • Remember, another verse, this is romans 8 as well,
  • 00:12:07.494 --> 00:12:10.297
  • Verse 28: "for we know that all things work together for good
  • 00:12:10.297 --> 00:12:14.634
  • To those that love god and are the called
  • 00:12:14.634 --> 00:12:16.703
  • According to his purpose."
  • 00:12:16.703 --> 00:12:18.371
  • So i hope those words encourage you a little bit
  • 00:12:18.371 --> 00:12:21.241
  • That god has got you covered.
  • 00:12:21.241 --> 00:12:23.443
  • Greg: hey, greg laurie here. maybe you've seen this.
  • 00:12:23.510 --> 00:12:25.679
  • This is called the "new believer's bible," and a number
  • 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:29.015
  • Of years ago, i wanted to do an edition of scripture with
  • 00:12:29.015 --> 00:12:33.887
  • Commentary that would make the bible more accessible to someone
  • 00:12:33.887 --> 00:12:38.759
  • Who's never read it before, like a new believer.
  • 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:41.795
  • But today we live, of course, in a digital world,
  • 00:12:41.795 --> 00:12:45.599
  • So we've taken the curriculum from the "new believer's bible"
  • 00:12:45.599 --> 00:12:48.902
  • And we created this online community of people just like
  • 00:12:48.902 --> 00:12:52.372
  • You who are studying the word of god together.
  • 00:12:52.372 --> 00:12:55.809
  • By the way, this is free of charge, you can learn at
  • 00:12:55.809 --> 00:12:58.578
  • Your own pace, but most importantly, you'll experience
  • 00:12:58.578 --> 00:13:02.282
  • The power of god's word to transform your life.
  • 00:13:02.282 --> 00:13:05.919
  • The bible says of itself it's alive and powerful and sharper
  • 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:10.757
  • Than any two-edged sword, so i hope you'll take your phone
  • 00:13:10.757 --> 00:13:14.661
  • Right now and join us online at harvest discipleship.
  • 00:13:14.661 --> 00:13:18.965
  • Let's learn and grow together.
  • 00:13:18.965 --> 00:13:21.434
  • Greg: but elijah knew it was going to rain because the lord
  • 00:13:25.438 --> 00:13:28.175
  • Revealed it to him, bringing me to point number three:
  • 00:13:28.175 --> 00:13:32.279
  • God answers prayer the way he wants and when he wants.
  • 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:37.551
  • God answers prayer the way he wants and when he wants.
  • 00:13:37.551 --> 00:13:41.121
  • 1 kings 18:43: "'go look toward the sea,'
  • 00:13:41.121 --> 00:13:44.658
  • Elijah says to his servant.
  • 00:13:44.658 --> 00:13:46.693
  • He went up and looked.
  • 00:13:46.693 --> 00:13:48.094
  • 'there's nothing there.'
  • 00:13:48.094 --> 00:13:49.429
  • 'do it again, do it again.'
  • 00:13:49.429 --> 00:13:50.764
  • Seven times his servant went,
  • 00:13:50.764 --> 00:13:52.632
  • Then the seventh time he went and he said, 'well,
  • 00:13:52.632 --> 00:13:55.602
  • There is a cloud as small as a man's hand rising from the sea.'
  • 00:13:55.602 --> 00:13:59.306
  • So elijah said, 'you go tell ahab, "hitch up
  • 00:13:59.306 --> 00:14:02.275
  • Your chariot and get down before the rain stops you."'"
  • 00:14:02.275 --> 00:14:05.512
  • So this is kind of a funny twist in the story.
  • 00:14:05.512 --> 00:14:07.747
  • There's a lot of funny little things in the life of elijah.
  • 00:14:07.747 --> 00:14:10.450
  • Not just him telling the false prophets their god's sitting on
  • 00:14:10.450 --> 00:14:13.787
  • The toilet, but this too.
  • 00:14:13.787 --> 00:14:16.423
  • So, he says to ahab, "you better get back to the palace.
  • 00:14:16.423 --> 00:14:19.426
  • Hurry, get in your chariot.
  • 00:14:19.426 --> 00:14:20.760
  • Put your rain tires on.
  • 00:14:20.760 --> 00:14:22.529
  • It's gonna be big rain."
  • 00:14:22.529 --> 00:14:24.331
  • "there's no rain." "get in the chariot."
  • 00:14:24.331 --> 00:14:26.533
  • So off ahab goes.
  • 00:14:26.533 --> 00:14:27.901
  • I'm amazed that elijah even cares about king ahab.
  • 00:14:27.901 --> 00:14:31.004
  • "i want you to get home safely," and as the king is making
  • 00:14:31.004 --> 00:14:35.408
  • His way back to the palace, the scripture tells us
  • 00:14:35.408 --> 00:14:37.510
  • That elijah passes him on foot.
  • 00:14:37.510 --> 00:14:41.181
  • How fast do you have to run to beat a chariot pulled by horses?
  • 00:14:41.181 --> 00:14:46.553
  • It's like elijah has become sonic the hedgehog.
  • 00:14:46.553 --> 00:14:51.524
  • "what was that all about?"
  • 00:14:51.524 --> 00:14:53.360
  • Amazing.
  • 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.928
  • And so, when king ahab gets home,
  • 00:14:54.928 --> 00:14:58.832
  • He's gonna now give queen jezebel the news.
  • 00:14:58.832 --> 00:15:02.769
  • 1 kings 19:1: "when ahab got home he told jezebel everything
  • 00:15:02.769 --> 00:15:07.040
  • Elijah had done, including the way he killed
  • 00:15:07.040 --> 00:15:09.743
  • All the prophets of baal.
  • 00:15:09.743 --> 00:15:11.544
  • So jezebel sent this message to elijah: 'may the gods strike me
  • 00:15:11.544 --> 00:15:17.117
  • And even kill me, if by this time tomorrow i have not killed
  • 00:15:17.117 --> 00:15:21.955
  • You, just as you killed them,'" referring to the false prophets.
  • 00:15:21.955 --> 00:15:26.660
  • And now this verse: "elijah was afraid and fled for his life."
  • 00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:32.599
  • So, when jezebel heard of what happened and how the prophets of
  • 00:15:32.599 --> 00:15:37.137
  • Baal had been killed, she put a contract out on him.
  • 00:15:37.137 --> 00:15:40.874
  • "hey, whack the hairy guy.
  • 00:15:40.874 --> 00:15:43.543
  • His days are numbered.
  • 00:15:43.543 --> 00:15:45.378
  • I want you to do this in 24 hours."
  • 00:15:45.378 --> 00:15:48.248
  • Why?
  • 00:15:48.248 --> 00:15:49.849
  • Why this wickedness?
  • 00:15:49.849 --> 00:15:51.618
  • Answer: evil cannot tolerate righteousness.
  • 00:15:51.618 --> 00:15:56.523
  • Have you ever noticed that the most intolerant people
  • 00:15:56.523 --> 00:15:59.626
  • Are the people that talk the most about tolerance?
  • 00:15:59.626 --> 00:16:02.662
  • They say christians are intolerant.
  • 00:16:02.662 --> 00:16:05.565
  • I think that's not true.
  • 00:16:05.565 --> 00:16:07.534
  • I think christians are very tolerant.
  • 00:16:07.534 --> 00:16:10.003
  • You can take someone we don't agree with in any way,
  • 00:16:10.003 --> 00:16:12.272
  • We'll still show kindness to them, love to them,
  • 00:16:12.272 --> 00:16:15.342
  • Hear their point of view.
  • 00:16:15.342 --> 00:16:17.177
  • Of course, we're gonna try to persuade them to believe
  • 00:16:17.177 --> 00:16:19.980
  • What we believe from the scripture, but we're very
  • 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:22.816
  • Tolerant in that regard.
  • 00:16:22.816 --> 00:16:24.417
  • That doesn't mean we endorse these things or agree with these
  • 00:16:24.417 --> 00:16:27.187
  • Things, but we're tolerant in as far as we're willing to engage
  • 00:16:27.187 --> 00:16:30.957
  • In conversation, but other people
  • 00:16:30.957 --> 00:16:33.159
  • Are completely intolerant.
  • 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:34.894
  • Their view is not only can you not oppose my view,
  • 00:16:34.894 --> 00:16:37.964
  • You can't even hold a view.
  • 00:16:37.964 --> 00:16:40.433
  • I want to silence you.
  • 00:16:40.433 --> 00:16:41.835
  • I want to cancel you.
  • 00:16:41.835 --> 00:16:43.503
  • I don't even want you to have a voice in this conversation.
  • 00:16:43.503 --> 00:16:46.873
  • Why?
  • 00:16:46.873 --> 00:16:48.208
  • People do not come to the light
  • 00:16:48.208 --> 00:16:50.577
  • Lest their evil deeds be exposed.
  • 00:16:50.577 --> 00:16:53.480
  • You see, it's not that they can't believe that jesus was the
  • 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:57.450
  • Son of god, it's that they don't want to follow him because it
  • 00:16:57.450 --> 00:17:01.287
  • May mean or it will mean that they have to turn from their sin
  • 00:17:01.287 --> 00:17:05.592
  • And they don't want to do that.
  • 00:17:05.592 --> 00:17:08.261
  • So jezebel, so quick to threaten,
  • 00:17:08.261 --> 00:17:10.630
  • Is gonna face judgment herself.
  • 00:17:10.630 --> 00:17:13.400
  • The bible tells us that she was ultimately eaten by dogs,
  • 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:17.203
  • And elijah predicted this.
  • 00:17:17.203 --> 00:17:19.672
  • I told this bible story to a couple of my grandkids.
  • 00:17:19.672 --> 00:17:21.708
  • They were really digging it, you know,
  • 00:17:21.708 --> 00:17:23.743
  • Fire from heaven, rain, all this cool stuff,
  • 00:17:23.743 --> 00:17:25.845
  • And then dogs ate her.
  • 00:17:25.845 --> 00:17:27.680
  • "papa, no!"
  • 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:29.049
  • Yeah, this is what happened, okay?
  • 00:17:29.049 --> 00:17:30.984
  • Listen, sin will have its pound of flesh,
  • 00:17:30.984 --> 00:17:34.788
  • Like shylock in "the merchant of venice."
  • 00:17:34.788 --> 00:17:38.658
  • He wanted his pound of flesh.
  • 00:17:38.658 --> 00:17:41.461
  • Satan will get what he wants.
  • 00:17:41.461 --> 00:17:43.229
  • He'll give you a few good times, a few pleasures,
  • 00:17:43.229 --> 00:17:45.765
  • Then payday's coming and you're gonna pay up
  • 00:17:45.765 --> 00:17:48.601
  • If you like it or not.
  • 00:17:48.601 --> 00:17:50.303
  • The bible says: "the wages of sin is death."
  • 00:17:50.303 --> 00:17:52.372
  • Notice it's "wages."
  • 00:17:52.372 --> 00:17:54.908
  • You worked for it, now you're gonna get paid.
  • 00:17:54.908 --> 00:17:57.010
  • You don't want that payment at all.
  • 00:17:57.010 --> 00:17:58.812
  • So elijah hears this threat from jezebel.
  • 00:17:58.812 --> 00:18:01.915
  • You would think elijah, the guy who called fire from heaven,
  • 00:18:01.915 --> 00:18:05.051
  • The guy who raised a boy from the dead,
  • 00:18:05.051 --> 00:18:07.754
  • A guy who stopped the rain, you're afraid of the threat of
  • 00:18:07.754 --> 00:18:11.191
  • One woman?
  • 00:18:11.191 --> 00:18:12.559
  • Yes, he was.
  • 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:14.294
  • Why, though? why?
  • 00:18:14.294 --> 00:18:16.729
  • Simple answer, james 5:17.
  • 00:18:16.729 --> 00:18:18.765
  • Because elijah was as human as we are.
  • 00:18:18.765 --> 00:18:22.569
  • We put spiritual leaders on pedestals: bible teachers,
  • 00:18:22.569 --> 00:18:27.307
  • Preachers, others.
  • 00:18:27.307 --> 00:18:29.642
  • "oh, they're so spiritual.
  • 00:18:29.642 --> 00:18:31.511
  • They never get down, they never get depressed like i do.
  • 00:18:31.511 --> 00:18:34.647
  • Every day's great for them."
  • 00:18:34.647 --> 00:18:36.683
  • They're human just like you.
  • 00:18:36.683 --> 00:18:40.120
  • And here's a man of god who got really down.
  • 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:43.490
  • 1 kings 19:4: "he went on alone into the wilderness,
  • 00:18:43.490 --> 00:18:47.060
  • Traveling all day.
  • 00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:48.628
  • Sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed he might die.
  • 00:18:48.628 --> 00:18:53.299
  • And he said, 'lord, i've had enough.
  • 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:56.302
  • Take my life; i'm no better than my ancestors
  • 00:18:56.302 --> 00:18:58.972
  • Who have already died,'" hmm.
  • 00:18:58.972 --> 00:19:02.442
  • By the way, elijah was not the first man or woman of god
  • 00:19:02.442 --> 00:19:04.811
  • To feel this way.
  • 00:19:04.811 --> 00:19:06.412
  • Moses became so blue he asked god to take his life.
  • 00:19:06.412 --> 00:19:10.717
  • Jonah, after the great revival of nineveh,
  • 00:19:10.717 --> 00:19:13.253
  • Said the same thing.
  • 00:19:13.253 --> 00:19:15.488
  • Even the apostle paul got so down,
  • 00:19:15.488 --> 00:19:17.924
  • He said he despaired of life.
  • 00:19:17.924 --> 00:19:20.460
  • Again, elijah was human, as we are,
  • 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:22.562
  • And emotions can get the best of us.
  • 00:19:22.562 --> 00:19:25.098
  • So let me wrap this message up with some ways to deal
  • 00:19:25.098 --> 00:19:28.168
  • With depression.
  • 00:19:28.168 --> 00:19:30.036
  • And when i say this, i want you to know that i believe there is
  • 00:19:30.036 --> 00:19:34.240
  • Something called clinical depression and you can go to
  • 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:37.710
  • Your doctor and you can talk to him or her about that.
  • 00:19:37.710 --> 00:19:41.314
  • I'm not talking about clinical depression.
  • 00:19:41.314 --> 00:19:43.883
  • I'm talking about the kind of depression we all may face
  • 00:19:43.883 --> 00:19:46.920
  • From time to time when we get down in the dumps,
  • 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:51.024
  • Or down in the doldrums, or whatever it is.
  • 00:19:51.024 --> 00:19:53.326
  • So here are some things you can take into your mind as you find
  • 00:19:53.326 --> 00:19:57.463
  • Depression closing in on you.
  • 00:19:57.463 --> 00:20:00.400
  • Number one, times of depression and vulnerability often come
  • 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:05.205
  • After great victories.
  • 00:20:05.205 --> 00:20:07.807
  • Times of depression and vulnerability come
  • 00:20:07.807 --> 00:20:11.911
  • After great victories.
  • 00:20:11.911 --> 00:20:13.880
  • Don't forget, elijah has just had the greatest victory
  • 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:16.549
  • Of his life.
  • 00:20:16.549 --> 00:20:18.117
  • In fact, everything in his life had built to this moment,
  • 00:20:18.117 --> 00:20:20.920
  • You know?
  • 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:22.422
  • He's--goes into the court of ahab and says,
  • 00:20:22.422 --> 00:20:25.158
  • "as the lord god lives, before whom i stand,
  • 00:20:25.158 --> 00:20:27.760
  • There will not be rain but according to my word."
  • 00:20:27.760 --> 00:20:29.596
  • Great entrance.
  • 00:20:29.596 --> 00:20:31.231
  • The lord calls him into obscurity,
  • 00:20:31.231 --> 00:20:33.233
  • First sitting by a little brook called cherith,
  • 00:20:33.233 --> 00:20:35.868
  • Where the birds brought him food every day,
  • 00:20:35.868 --> 00:20:37.937
  • And he drank from the brook.
  • 00:20:37.937 --> 00:20:39.405
  • Then the brook dried up.
  • 00:20:39.405 --> 00:20:40.974
  • Then the lord led elijah over to some poor widow woman who cared
  • 00:20:40.974 --> 00:20:44.043
  • For him so he was off the grid.
  • 00:20:44.043 --> 00:20:47.113
  • And then the lord said, "okay, you're ready," and he goes and
  • 00:20:47.113 --> 00:20:49.682
  • Has this amazing moment on mount carmel and now this threat comes
  • 00:20:49.682 --> 00:20:54.053
  • And he goes into depression.
  • 00:20:54.053 --> 00:20:56.222
  • Maybe elijah was hoping that ahab
  • 00:20:56.222 --> 00:20:58.324
  • Would come around spiritually.
  • 00:20:58.324 --> 00:21:00.460
  • Maybe he even thought that jezebel would believe.
  • 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:03.563
  • But it was the opposite.
  • 00:21:03.563 --> 00:21:05.865
  • Jezebel was angry and threatened elijah's life.
  • 00:21:05.865 --> 00:21:10.003
  • So he was down,
  • 00:21:10.003 --> 00:21:11.404
  • So maybe you took a bold step of faith for the lord, to do
  • 00:21:11.404 --> 00:21:14.907
  • Something for his glory, and it went well, but immediately
  • 00:21:14.907 --> 00:21:17.844
  • Afterwards you have this spiritual attack come.
  • 00:21:17.844 --> 00:21:21.614
  • Bringing me to my next point about
  • 00:21:21.614 --> 00:21:23.049
  • Dealing with depression.
  • 00:21:23.049 --> 00:21:24.584
  • When you are depressed, do not isolate,
  • 00:21:24.584 --> 00:21:27.553
  • But surround yourself with friends.
  • 00:21:27.553 --> 00:21:30.790
  • When you're depressed, do not isolate,
  • 00:21:30.790 --> 00:21:32.692
  • But surround yourself with friends.
  • 00:21:32.692 --> 00:21:34.560
  • 1 kings 19:4: "then he went on alone in the wilderness,
  • 00:21:34.560 --> 00:21:38.431
  • Traveling all day."
  • 00:21:38.431 --> 00:21:41.367
  • Elijah should have had a trusted friend who could encourage him.
  • 00:21:41.367 --> 00:21:45.638
  • Often when we're down, we separate from people
  • 00:21:45.638 --> 00:21:48.541
  • And we should do the opposite.
  • 00:21:48.541 --> 00:21:50.510
  • Even jesus asked peter, james, and john to sit with him
  • 00:21:50.510 --> 00:21:55.581
  • In the garden of gethsemane.
  • 00:21:55.581 --> 00:21:57.750
  • Reason being, according to the scripture,
  • 00:21:57.750 --> 00:22:00.653
  • His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.
  • 00:22:00.653 --> 00:22:05.291
  • Jesus didn't need a sermon.
  • 00:22:05.291 --> 00:22:07.894
  • You don't need to preach a sermon to jesus.
  • 00:22:07.894 --> 00:22:10.730
  • But he did need a little companionship.
  • 00:22:10.730 --> 00:22:13.299
  • And that helps you.
  • 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.867
  • People give you perspective, you know?
  • 00:22:14.867 --> 00:22:16.803
  • They tell you the truth, but elijah was all alone.
  • 00:22:16.803 --> 00:22:19.906
  • And then elijah left that place, bringing me to point number
  • 00:22:19.906 --> 00:22:23.376
  • Four, my last point: when you're feeling down,
  • 00:22:23.376 --> 00:22:25.912
  • You need perspective from god's word.
  • 00:22:25.912 --> 00:22:28.648
  • When you're feeling down, you need perspective
  • 00:22:28.648 --> 00:22:31.517
  • From god's word.
  • 00:22:31.517 --> 00:22:33.152
  • 1 kings 19:8: "he got up and ate and drank,
  • 00:22:33.152 --> 00:22:36.055
  • And the food gave him enough strength to travel 40 days and
  • 00:22:36.055 --> 00:22:39.492
  • Nights to mount sinai, the mountain of god.
  • 00:22:39.492 --> 00:22:42.962
  • There he came to a cave where he spent the night,
  • 00:22:42.962 --> 00:22:45.665
  • And the lord said to him, 'what are you doing here, elijah?'"
  • 00:22:45.665 --> 00:22:50.136
  • Maybe somebody listening to me right now finds
  • 00:22:50.136 --> 00:22:52.839
  • Themself in a cave of sorts.
  • 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:55.608
  • You know, and maybe you've put yourself in that cave.
  • 00:22:55.608 --> 00:22:59.145
  • You've made some bad decisions and now you're reaping the
  • 00:22:59.145 --> 00:23:02.615
  • Inevitable consequences of that decision and you're saying,
  • 00:23:02.615 --> 00:23:06.152
  • "why did this happen to me, lord?"
  • 00:23:06.152 --> 00:23:08.254
  • And the lord's saying, "what are you doing here?
  • 00:23:08.254 --> 00:23:11.657
  • Why did you go there?
  • 00:23:11.657 --> 00:23:14.160
  • You know what would happen--you knew what would happen,
  • 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:18.030
  • Rather, and this surprises you?
  • 00:23:18.030 --> 00:23:20.233
  • What are you doing? you should not be here."
  • 00:23:20.233 --> 00:23:22.668
  • Jesus could have asked that question of simon peter when
  • 00:23:22.668 --> 00:23:25.571
  • He's warming himself by the enemies of christ
  • 00:23:25.571 --> 00:23:28.941
  • Around a fire after he had already denied the lord
  • 00:23:28.941 --> 00:23:32.712
  • Once and was gonna do it again.
  • 00:23:32.712 --> 00:23:34.380
  • The lord could have said, "what are you doing here?"
  • 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:36.749
  • The lord could have said it to samson when he laid his head
  • 00:23:36.749 --> 00:23:40.486
  • Down on the lap of delilah who was about to give him
  • 00:23:40.486 --> 00:23:43.523
  • A permanent haircut.
  • 00:23:43.523 --> 00:23:46.793
  • "samson, what are you doing here?"
  • 00:23:46.793 --> 00:23:48.694
  • He could say it to some people right now.
  • 00:23:48.694 --> 00:23:52.265
  • "you know, i struggle with drinking.
  • 00:23:52.265 --> 00:23:53.633
  • I don't know, it's such a struggle and when i was at the
  • 00:23:53.633 --> 00:23:56.102
  • Bar the other day--" "wait, why are you at a bar?
  • 00:23:56.102 --> 00:23:58.704
  • What are you doing there?
  • 00:23:58.704 --> 00:24:00.039
  • In fact, why weren't you at church?
  • 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:02.275
  • You're over here doing the wrong thing,
  • 00:24:02.275 --> 00:24:03.976
  • Hanging around with the wrong people,
  • 00:24:03.976 --> 00:24:05.578
  • And now things are crashing down on you and you say,
  • 00:24:05.578 --> 00:24:08.147
  • 'why is this happening?' what are you doing there?
  • 00:24:08.147 --> 00:24:10.583
  • Get out of that place."
  • 00:24:10.583 --> 00:24:12.285
  • "well, i need god to get me out."
  • 00:24:12.285 --> 00:24:13.619
  • Well, sometimes there's things that god will do and there's
  • 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:15.455
  • Things that we've got to do.
  • 00:24:15.455 --> 00:24:17.390
  • Like jesus said to that man, he was disabled.
  • 00:24:17.390 --> 00:24:20.626
  • He asked him, "do you wanna be made whole?"
  • 00:24:20.626 --> 00:24:23.596
  • Why would he ask that?
  • 00:24:23.596 --> 00:24:25.398
  • Do fish swim?
  • 00:24:25.398 --> 00:24:27.133
  • Not everybody wants to be whole.
  • 00:24:27.133 --> 00:24:29.535
  • Not everybody wants to be free from whatever addiction it is
  • 00:24:29.535 --> 00:24:33.206
  • That has them.
  • 00:24:33.206 --> 00:24:34.574
  • Not everybody wants to be free from the lifestyle
  • 00:24:34.574 --> 00:24:36.776
  • They've chosen.
  • 00:24:36.776 --> 00:24:38.144
  • Not everybody wants to be free from this sin that has a hold of
  • 00:24:38.144 --> 00:24:41.948
  • Them, but some do.
  • 00:24:41.948 --> 00:24:43.783
  • And if you wanna be free, if you wanna be healed,
  • 00:24:43.783 --> 00:24:46.385
  • You say, "yes, lord, heal me."
  • 00:24:46.385 --> 00:24:48.287
  • Call out to him and he'll hear your voice.
  • 00:24:48.287 --> 00:24:50.823
  • He'll hear your prayer and just like he helped johnny--just like
  • 00:24:50.823 --> 00:24:54.560
  • The lord helped elijah, he'll help you.
  • 00:24:54.560 --> 00:24:57.830
  • But you need to call out to him.
  • 00:24:57.830 --> 00:25:01.467
  • Maybe there's somebody listening to me right now, watching,
  • 00:25:01.467 --> 00:25:03.536
  • Wherever you are, you need to call out to the lord,
  • 00:25:03.536 --> 00:25:07.139
  • "i can't get out of this cave,
  • 00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:08.841
  • I can't get out of this spot i'm in."
  • 00:25:08.841 --> 00:25:10.376
  • Yes, you can.
  • 00:25:10.376 --> 00:25:11.811
  • You reach out to jesus christ and he'll save you.
  • 00:25:11.811 --> 00:25:15.014
  • Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart and you have seen
  • 00:25:19.151 --> 00:25:23.623
  • Your need for jesus christ.
  • 00:25:23.623 --> 00:25:26.092
  • Jesus christ is the son of god
  • 00:25:26.092 --> 00:25:28.394
  • Who came from heaven to this earth.
  • 00:25:28.394 --> 00:25:31.464
  • He was born in a manger.
  • 00:25:31.464 --> 00:25:32.965
  • He died on a cross.
  • 00:25:32.965 --> 00:25:35.001
  • He rose again from the dead. why?
  • 00:25:35.001 --> 00:25:36.802
  • Because he loves you, and he wants a relationship with you.
  • 00:25:36.802 --> 00:25:40.339
  • Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
  • 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:42.675
  • I don't wanna be a religious person.
  • 00:25:42.675 --> 00:25:44.210
  • I don't think you wanna be one either.
  • 00:25:44.210 --> 00:25:46.312
  • I'm talking about relationship with god.
  • 00:25:46.312 --> 00:25:50.216
  • Jesus, who died and rose again stands at the door of your life
  • 00:25:50.216 --> 00:25:54.754
  • And he knocks and he says if you'll hear his voice and open
  • 00:25:54.754 --> 00:25:58.057
  • The door, he will come in.
  • 00:25:58.057 --> 00:25:59.825
  • Question: have you asked jesus christ to come
  • 00:25:59.825 --> 00:26:02.495
  • And live inside of you?
  • 00:26:02.495 --> 00:26:03.963
  • You might say, "well, i think so.
  • 00:26:03.963 --> 00:26:05.464
  • I'm not sure."
  • 00:26:05.464 --> 00:26:06.799
  • Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle of
  • 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:08.434
  • The night, do you think you would be aware of it?
  • 00:26:08.434 --> 00:26:11.170
  • I'm sure you would.
  • 00:26:11.170 --> 00:26:12.538
  • And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
  • 00:26:12.538 --> 00:26:15.708
  • You will know.
  • 00:26:15.708 --> 00:26:17.143
  • And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
  • 00:26:17.143 --> 00:26:20.713
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:26:20.713 --> 00:26:22.214
  • All you need to do is say, "jesus,
  • 00:26:22.214 --> 00:26:24.617
  • I want this relationship with you.
  • 00:26:24.617 --> 00:26:26.686
  • I want you to forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:26:26.686 --> 00:26:28.654
  • I want to go to heaven when i die."
  • 00:26:28.654 --> 00:26:31.257
  • Would you like to do that?
  • 00:26:31.257 --> 00:26:32.592
  • Would you like christ to come into your life?
  • 00:26:32.592 --> 00:26:34.560
  • If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
  • 00:26:34.560 --> 00:26:38.097
  • You can pray it out loud or you can pray it
  • 00:26:38.097 --> 00:26:40.232
  • In the quietness of your heart.
  • 00:26:40.232 --> 00:26:42.602
  • But this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ to be
  • 00:26:42.602 --> 00:26:45.805
  • Your savior and lord.
  • 00:26:45.805 --> 00:26:47.306
  • Pray this with me now: "lord jesus,
  • 00:26:47.306 --> 00:26:49.775
  • I know that i'm a sinner but i know that you're the savior,
  • 00:26:49.775 --> 00:26:54.013
  • Who died on the cross for my sin
  • 00:26:54.013 --> 00:26:56.749
  • And rose again from the dead.
  • 00:26:56.749 --> 00:26:58.651
  • Now come into my life.
  • 00:26:58.651 --> 00:27:00.886
  • I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
  • 00:27:00.886 --> 00:27:05.057
  • Thank you for hearing this prayer
  • 00:27:05.057 --> 00:27:07.326
  • And answering this prayer.
  • 00:27:07.326 --> 00:27:09.295
  • In jesus's name, amen."
  • 00:27:09.295 --> 00:27:11.831
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:27:11.831 --> 00:27:14.367
  • If so, i want you to know on the authority of scripture that
  • 00:27:14.367 --> 00:27:17.570
  • Christ himself has come to live inside of you.
  • 00:27:17.570 --> 00:27:20.373
  • Congratulations and welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:27:20.373 --> 00:27:28.080