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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Exit Stage Left

May 16, 2025 | S25:E117

Greg Laurie - Exit Stage Left
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Faith #Purpose #WalkwithGod #Honor #RelationshipwithGod #Religion #Trials-HardTimes #SpiritualGrowth #Testing #inActive #Calling #GlorifyGod #Gifting/Talent #Prophet/Prophets #Tithing #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie #Potential

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Exit Stage Left | May 16, 2025
  • Greg laurie: you have no idea what god may call you to do.
  • 00:00:03.880 --> 00:00:05.849
  • You say, "well, i'm kind of a behind-the-scenes person."
  • 00:00:05.982 --> 00:00:08.685
  • The lord might say, "yeah, well, i'm gonna put you in front
  • 00:00:08.785 --> 00:00:11.021
  • Of everybody.
  • 00:00:11.154 --> 00:00:11.388
  • That's the new kind of person you're gonna be."
  • 00:00:12.355 --> 00:00:13.890
  • And you might say, "i like to be in front of people.
  • 00:00:13.890 --> 00:00:16.226
  • I like to have big crowds watch me."
  • 00:00:16.226 --> 00:00:18.094
  • The lord might say, "i'm gonna put you behind the scenes now."
  • 00:00:18.094 --> 00:00:22.065
  • And another person, he might say, "i'm gonna give you this
  • 00:00:22.065 --> 00:00:24.367
  • Gift that you never had before," it's a supernatural gift
  • 00:00:24.367 --> 00:00:28.171
  • To someone else who will do a different thing.
  • 00:00:28.171 --> 00:00:30.774
  • But god loves to take what we have and multiply it.
  • 00:00:30.774 --> 00:00:34.344
  • Greg: welcome to "harvest with greg laurie."
  • 00:00:36.880 --> 00:00:39.549
  • This tv show is all about helping you get to know god
  • 00:00:39.549 --> 00:00:43.453
  • Better, because god loves you and god has a plan for you.
  • 00:00:43.453 --> 00:00:47.390
  • And god wants to transform your life, and he's told us
  • 00:00:47.390 --> 00:00:50.827
  • Everything you need to know about him and life in general in
  • 00:00:50.827 --> 00:00:54.064
  • This book, the bible, the user's manual of life.
  • 00:00:54.064 --> 00:00:58.635
  • So, we're gonna be talking about what the bible says and what god
  • 00:00:58.635 --> 00:01:02.138
  • Wants to do in you life.
  • 00:01:02.138 --> 00:01:04.007
  • Again, welcome and god bless you.
  • 00:01:04.007 --> 00:01:06.376
  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪
  • 00:01:06.376 --> 00:01:14.284
  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪♪
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  • Greg: let me start with a question.
  • 00:01:24.661 --> 00:01:26.529
  • Have you ever faced a time in your life
  • 00:01:26.529 --> 00:01:29.899
  • Where you were isolated and alone?
  • 00:01:29.899 --> 00:01:33.303
  • Maybe your friends and family even abandoned you.
  • 00:01:33.303 --> 00:01:37.740
  • Maybe your husband or your wife walked out on you.
  • 00:01:37.740 --> 00:01:41.010
  • Maybe even your dog left you.
  • 00:01:41.010 --> 00:01:44.280
  • Cats always leave you, they've never been your friend,
  • 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:46.583
  • Just deal with that.
  • 00:01:46.583 --> 00:01:48.618
  • Or maybe, right now as i'm giving this message,
  • 00:01:48.618 --> 00:01:51.087
  • You're in a time of difficulty or trial, similar to a desert,
  • 00:01:51.087 --> 00:01:56.993
  • Because there once was a time in your life where you were active,
  • 00:01:56.993 --> 00:02:00.130
  • But now you're inactive.
  • 00:02:00.130 --> 00:02:02.532
  • Once you were mobile, now you're immobilized.
  • 00:02:02.532 --> 00:02:05.802
  • If any of these things resonate with you, then i think this
  • 00:02:05.802 --> 00:02:08.471
  • Message i'm about to share with you will help,
  • 00:02:08.471 --> 00:02:11.341
  • Because this is the story of the prophet elijah,
  • 00:02:11.341 --> 00:02:14.511
  • Storming into the court of the wicked king ahab
  • 00:02:14.511 --> 00:02:18.248
  • And his even more wicked wife, jezebel, and throwing
  • 00:02:18.248 --> 00:02:21.918
  • The gauntlet down at the nerve center of israel,
  • 00:02:21.918 --> 00:02:25.088
  • And telling these idol-worshiping people
  • 00:02:25.088 --> 00:02:27.724
  • That it wasn't gonna rain.
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  • God was gonna withhold the water because of their worship
  • 00:02:29.893 --> 00:02:34.764
  • Of false gods.
  • 00:02:34.764 --> 00:02:36.833
  • And here's where elijah got his boldness, his courage,
  • 00:02:36.833 --> 00:02:41.237
  • His hutzpah if you will.
  • 00:02:41.237 --> 00:02:43.506
  • 1 kings 17:1, "and elijah the tishbite
  • 00:02:43.506 --> 00:02:46.209
  • Of the inhabitants of gilead said to ahab,
  • 00:02:46.209 --> 00:02:49.379
  • 'as the lord god of israel lives, before whom i stand,
  • 00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:53.850
  • There will not be dew nor rain these years except at my word.'"
  • 00:02:53.850 --> 00:02:58.121
  • What were the secrets of this miracle-working prophet?
  • 00:02:58.121 --> 00:03:01.291
  • By the way, he was a human just like you are.
  • 00:03:01.291 --> 00:03:03.626
  • Just like me.
  • 00:03:03.626 --> 00:03:04.994
  • He had his shortcomings and his flaws, we'll see that later.
  • 00:03:04.994 --> 00:03:08.531
  • He says it in his opening statement,
  • 00:03:08.531 --> 00:03:10.366
  • "as the lord god of israel lives, before whom i stand."
  • 00:03:10.366 --> 00:03:15.138
  • Elijah served a living god.
  • 00:03:15.138 --> 00:03:17.840
  • He knew god was alive and powerful,
  • 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:20.243
  • And he constantly stood in the presence of god.
  • 00:03:20.243 --> 00:03:24.547
  • He understood that wherever he went, the lord went with him,
  • 00:03:24.547 --> 00:03:27.951
  • And so that gave him the courage.
  • 00:03:27.951 --> 00:03:29.719
  • And that's something that will give you courage as well.
  • 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:33.122
  • So, when he first walked in, i think that probably ahab
  • 00:03:33.122 --> 00:03:36.192
  • And jezebel thought he was a joke.
  • 00:03:36.192 --> 00:03:38.061
  • How did this guy get past security?
  • 00:03:38.061 --> 00:03:40.263
  • Remember, he's kind of wild looking, he's all hairy,
  • 00:03:40.263 --> 00:03:42.999
  • Dressed strangely, and they're in their beautiful, royal robes,
  • 00:03:42.999 --> 00:03:46.469
  • And he makes this bold statement.
  • 00:03:46.469 --> 00:03:48.805
  • They probably thought, "that's such a joke,"
  • 00:03:48.805 --> 00:03:50.940
  • And then it stopped raining, and it wasn't a joke anymore.
  • 00:03:50.940 --> 00:03:55.278
  • And suddenly, elijah became public enemy number one.
  • 00:03:55.278 --> 00:03:59.415
  • Basically, the queen and the king put a contract out on him.
  • 00:03:59.415 --> 00:04:03.419
  • We gotta get this guy whacked fast,
  • 00:04:03.419 --> 00:04:05.822
  • Because he is a threat to our nation.
  • 00:04:05.822 --> 00:04:08.524
  • So, what was elijah to do?
  • 00:04:08.524 --> 00:04:10.126
  • It's exit stage left.
  • 00:04:10.126 --> 00:04:12.762
  • The lord said you've gotta get off the grid.
  • 00:04:12.762 --> 00:04:15.365
  • No instagram posts.
  • 00:04:15.365 --> 00:04:17.900
  • No tweets.
  • 00:04:17.900 --> 00:04:19.435
  • No anything, nobody needs to know where you are,
  • 00:04:19.435 --> 00:04:22.372
  • Because the lord said to him in verse 2,
  • 00:04:22.372 --> 00:04:24.274
  • "you've got to hide yourself."
  • 00:04:24.274 --> 00:04:26.776
  • By the way, i just read an interesting little article
  • 00:04:26.776 --> 00:04:28.978
  • That said one week off of social media can ease your depression
  • 00:04:28.978 --> 00:04:33.283
  • And anxiety, one week.
  • 00:04:33.283 --> 00:04:35.685
  • And then he said you also gain nine hours of free time
  • 00:04:35.685 --> 00:04:38.588
  • That you did not have.
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  • Think about that.
  • 00:04:39.989 --> 00:04:41.324
  • I'm gonna go off social for one week.
  • 00:04:41.324 --> 00:04:42.725
  • Well, elijah was off the grid and nobody knew exactly
  • 00:04:42.725 --> 00:04:45.828
  • Where he was.
  • 00:04:45.828 --> 00:04:47.163
  • Why was he hiding?
  • 00:04:47.163 --> 00:04:48.498
  • Because the king and queen wanted him dead,
  • 00:04:48.498 --> 00:04:50.933
  • But also because god was getting him into shape
  • 00:04:50.933 --> 00:04:54.937
  • For what was ahead.
  • 00:04:54.937 --> 00:04:56.639
  • So, elijah went from the palace to the barren wilderness.
  • 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:59.409
  • He went from the throne of power to the desert of obscurity.
  • 00:04:59.409 --> 00:05:03.446
  • He's in oblivion, and here's what happened.
  • 00:05:03.446 --> 00:05:06.082
  • 1 kings 17 verse 2, "and the lord said to elijah,
  • 00:05:06.082 --> 00:05:09.218
  • 'go to the east and hide by the cherith brook,
  • 00:05:09.218 --> 00:05:13.189
  • Near where it enters the jordan river.
  • 00:05:13.189 --> 00:05:15.258
  • Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you,
  • 00:05:15.258 --> 00:05:18.861
  • For i have commanded them to bring you food.'
  • 00:05:18.861 --> 00:05:21.064
  • So, elijah did as the lord told him and camped
  • 00:05:21.064 --> 00:05:23.266
  • Beside cherith brook east of the jordan.
  • 00:05:23.266 --> 00:05:26.269
  • The ravens brought him bread and meat.
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  • Each morning and evening, he drank from the brook,
  • 00:05:27.837 --> 00:05:31.007
  • And after a while, the brook dried up and there was
  • 00:05:31.007 --> 00:05:33.710
  • No rainfall anywhere in the land."
  • 00:05:33.710 --> 00:05:36.646
  • We'll stop there.
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  • Okay, if you're taking notes, here's point number one.
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  • We learn things in deserts that we don't learn anywhere else.
  • 00:05:39.916 --> 00:05:45.021
  • We learn things in deserts we don't learn anywhere else.
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  • And when i say desert, i'm using it as a metaphor
  • 00:05:47.990 --> 00:05:51.861
  • For a difficulty, a trial, a hardship,
  • 00:05:51.861 --> 00:05:55.331
  • Whatever it is you might be going through similar to that,
  • 00:05:55.331 --> 00:05:58.134
  • But you will learn things in that place.
  • 00:05:58.134 --> 00:06:01.704
  • Now, when we think of the brook cherith, we think
  • 00:06:01.704 --> 00:06:03.573
  • A little babbling brook, you know, sort of like snow white
  • 00:06:03.573 --> 00:06:06.776
  • In the forest, and the animals are gathered around smiling.
  • 00:06:06.776 --> 00:06:10.313
  • No, it wasn't that way at all.
  • 00:06:10.313 --> 00:06:12.014
  • Actually, the word "cherith" means the cutting place.
  • 00:06:12.014 --> 00:06:16.219
  • The cutting place.
  • 00:06:16.219 --> 00:06:18.287
  • God was getting elijah ready for his showdown
  • 00:06:18.287 --> 00:06:21.290
  • With the prophets of baal.
  • 00:06:21.290 --> 00:06:23.459
  • It was gonna be the shootout at the carmel corral.
  • 00:06:23.459 --> 00:06:27.897
  • This was gonna be big, and he was gonna have to be
  • 00:06:27.897 --> 00:06:30.366
  • Almost a different person when that event came
  • 00:06:30.366 --> 00:06:32.802
  • With incredible faith.
  • 00:06:32.802 --> 00:06:34.637
  • This was sort of like elijah's bootcamp experience.
  • 00:06:34.637 --> 00:06:38.508
  • You know, at the beginning of the chapter,
  • 00:06:38.508 --> 00:06:40.243
  • He's introduced to us as elijah from the town of tishbite.
  • 00:06:40.243 --> 00:06:44.514
  • At the end of the chapter, he is introduced as elijah
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  • The man of god.
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  • Something happened in that cutting place.
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  • I wonder if i'm talking to somebody right now
  • 00:06:53.756 --> 00:06:55.458
  • That's in a cutting place or a spiritual desert.
  • 00:06:55.458 --> 00:06:59.228
  • You're walking through a valley, but you need to know
  • 00:06:59.228 --> 00:07:01.731
  • You're not the only one.
  • 00:07:01.731 --> 00:07:03.299
  • But we ask, "oh, man, come on.
  • 00:07:03.299 --> 00:07:05.001
  • Why do i have to go through these valleys?
  • 00:07:05.001 --> 00:07:07.003
  • Why do i have to go through these trials?
  • 00:07:07.003 --> 00:07:09.272
  • Why do i have to weather these storms?
  • 00:07:09.272 --> 00:07:11.574
  • Why can't i just go from mountaintop to mountaintop?"
  • 00:07:11.574 --> 00:07:15.611
  • Here's the answer, james 1:2, "brothers, count it all joy
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  • When you fall into various trials knowing the testing
  • 00:07:20.283 --> 00:07:23.286
  • Of your faith produces endurance,
  • 00:07:23.286 --> 00:07:26.522
  • And let endurance have its work in you
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  • That you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
  • 00:07:29.025 --> 00:07:32.595
  • Number two, god allows trials in the life of the christian
  • 00:07:32.595 --> 00:07:36.365
  • So we will grow up spiritually.
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  • Jesus will test us.
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  • Oh, you think you know this?
  • 00:07:41.471 --> 00:07:42.805
  • You say you trust me, and you say that you believe
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  • I'm in charge in your life?
  • 00:07:45.141 --> 00:07:46.476
  • Here comes a test.
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  • Not to make us miserable, not to hurt us,
  • 00:07:47.810 --> 00:07:49.979
  • To test our faith and strengthen our faith, so we'll understand
  • 00:07:49.979 --> 00:07:53.583
  • This truth is really true, you see?
  • 00:07:53.583 --> 00:07:56.986
  • So we can advance as christians.
  • 00:07:56.986 --> 00:07:59.255
  • Thirdly, god allows hardships to show us his power.
  • 00:07:59.255 --> 00:08:04.293
  • Sometimes he'll just allow a difficulty so he can deliver you
  • 00:08:04.293 --> 00:08:09.098
  • From it, or even remove the difficulty from you.
  • 00:08:09.098 --> 00:08:13.002
  • Now, honestly, there are times we have to go through it
  • 00:08:13.002 --> 00:08:16.172
  • And we're not delivered, but then there are times
  • 00:08:16.172 --> 00:08:19.075
  • He'll take us out of it altogether.
  • 00:08:19.075 --> 00:08:22.745
  • And fourth, trials and testings produce a necessary quality
  • 00:08:22.745 --> 00:08:27.116
  • In our life.
  • 00:08:27.116 --> 00:08:28.985
  • So, here now is elijah in his time of trial
  • 00:08:28.985 --> 00:08:31.621
  • By the brook cherith.
  • 00:08:31.621 --> 00:08:33.956
  • Now, he's gonna get fed every day, how?
  • 00:08:33.956 --> 00:08:35.892
  • Ravens, basically raven post mates is
  • 00:08:35.892 --> 00:08:39.962
  • The new delivery system.
  • 00:08:39.962 --> 00:08:42.798
  • Maybe the lord did it this way so elijah would have
  • 00:08:42.798 --> 00:08:45.034
  • A little companionship, you know?
  • 00:08:45.034 --> 00:08:47.003
  • He's all alone out there, nobody to talk to,
  • 00:08:47.003 --> 00:08:50.306
  • Probably named the birds.
  • 00:08:50.306 --> 00:08:51.874
  • "oh, here they come."
  • 00:08:51.874 --> 00:08:53.242
  • Maybe he even started to enjoy it.
  • 00:08:53.242 --> 00:08:55.044
  • Get up in the morning, get some water from the brook
  • 00:08:55.044 --> 00:08:57.580
  • And wait for the birds to show up and bring me lunch.
  • 00:08:57.580 --> 00:09:02.018
  • And then one day the brook dried up.
  • 00:09:02.018 --> 00:09:06.188
  • The brook just tried up, it stopped.
  • 00:09:06.188 --> 00:09:08.491
  • See, he had to face the consequences
  • 00:09:08.491 --> 00:09:10.826
  • Of the plague coming on the land, too.
  • 00:09:10.826 --> 00:09:13.663
  • There was a drought, and now he's facing the drought.
  • 00:09:13.663 --> 00:09:16.999
  • And i wonder if i'm talking to somebody right now
  • 00:09:16.999 --> 00:09:18.968
  • Who just had their book dry up.
  • 00:09:18.968 --> 00:09:23.339
  • Your bank account isn't as full as it once was.
  • 00:09:23.339 --> 00:09:26.309
  • I think that's true for most of us right now with this economy.
  • 00:09:26.309 --> 00:09:30.279
  • You had a growing career, not so much anymore.
  • 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:33.616
  • You had an amazing ministry and it's not what it used to be.
  • 00:09:33.616 --> 00:09:37.186
  • Your brook dried up.
  • 00:09:37.186 --> 00:09:38.854
  • Your career stalled.
  • 00:09:38.854 --> 00:09:40.723
  • Things aren't looking so bright as they were before.
  • 00:09:40.723 --> 00:09:43.092
  • Your kids left home, which frankly is a relief,
  • 00:09:43.092 --> 00:09:46.262
  • Because they're in their 50's, but still,
  • 00:09:46.262 --> 00:09:49.732
  • Your brook is dried up.
  • 00:09:49.732 --> 00:09:51.934
  • But don't despair, because god is not done with you yet.
  • 00:09:51.934 --> 00:09:55.471
  • God was not done with elijah, he was just done
  • 00:09:55.471 --> 00:09:57.940
  • With this chapter in the life of the prophet.
  • 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:01.177
  • Now elijah was ready for the next act.
  • 00:10:01.177 --> 00:10:04.280
  • He was ready for the next chapter in his life.
  • 00:10:04.280 --> 00:10:08.351
  • Everything was going according to plan, god's plan.
  • 00:10:08.351 --> 00:10:12.054
  • Greg: hey, everybody, greg laurie here with some thoughts
  • 00:10:16.192 --> 00:10:17.960
  • About how to pray effectively.
  • 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:20.129
  • In the sermon on the mount, jesus said this:
  • 00:10:20.129 --> 00:10:22.665
  • "ask, and it shall be given.
  • 00:10:22.665 --> 00:10:24.667
  • Seek, and ye shall find.
  • 00:10:24.667 --> 00:10:26.502
  • Knock, and the door shall be opened."
  • 00:10:26.502 --> 00:10:28.270
  • That's really interesting because one of the keys to
  • 00:10:28.270 --> 00:10:31.641
  • Answered prayer is to not give up.
  • 00:10:31.641 --> 00:10:34.043
  • God answers prayer in three ways: "yes," "no," and "wait."
  • 00:10:34.043 --> 00:10:38.914
  • We hate that last one, don't we?
  • 00:10:38.914 --> 00:10:40.716
  • "wait."
  • 00:10:40.716 --> 00:10:42.051
  • But the bible says, "those that wait upon the lord
  • 00:10:42.051 --> 00:10:43.953
  • Will renew their strength.
  • 00:10:43.953 --> 00:10:45.955
  • They'll mount up with wings as eagles.
  • 00:10:45.955 --> 00:10:47.923
  • They shall run and not be weary.
  • 00:10:47.923 --> 00:10:49.525
  • They shall walk and not faint."
  • 00:10:49.525 --> 00:10:52.261
  • So it's waiting that's the hardest thing to do,
  • 00:10:52.261 --> 00:10:54.897
  • But we should not stop praying.
  • 00:10:54.897 --> 00:10:56.499
  • Keep asking.
  • 00:10:56.499 --> 00:10:57.833
  • That's how this verse would better be translated:
  • 00:10:57.833 --> 00:11:00.136
  • "keep asking. keep seeking.
  • 00:11:00.136 --> 00:11:02.772
  • Keep knocking."
  • 00:11:02.772 --> 00:11:04.140
  • You know, if you were to knock on the door and no one answered,
  • 00:11:04.140 --> 00:11:06.575
  • And you knocked again, and no one answers,
  • 00:11:06.575 --> 00:11:08.577
  • Then you knock and you knock, and you even pound on the door,
  • 00:11:08.577 --> 00:11:11.213
  • They'll probably eventually answer if they're there.
  • 00:11:11.213 --> 00:11:13.783
  • We should keep knocking.
  • 00:11:13.783 --> 00:11:15.418
  • We should keep seeking.
  • 00:11:15.418 --> 00:11:16.986
  • We should keep praying.
  • 00:11:16.986 --> 00:11:18.521
  • I know some of you that are watching this right now have
  • 00:11:18.521 --> 00:11:21.257
  • Been praying about something for a long time.
  • 00:11:21.257 --> 00:11:23.959
  • You've prayed for god to heal you.
  • 00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:26.462
  • You've prayed for a prodigal son or daughter.
  • 00:11:26.462 --> 00:11:29.398
  • You've prayed for a husband or a wife
  • 00:11:29.398 --> 00:11:31.567
  • That does not yet know the lord.
  • 00:11:31.567 --> 00:11:33.569
  • You prayed for a spiritual awakening in our nation.
  • 00:11:33.569 --> 00:11:36.872
  • We need to keep praying, folks.
  • 00:11:36.872 --> 00:11:39.642
  • Could god use covid 19 to help to bring about
  • 00:11:39.642 --> 00:11:44.447
  • A revival in america?
  • 00:11:44.447 --> 00:11:46.182
  • I wonder about that because it seems to me that a lot
  • 00:11:46.182 --> 00:11:49.285
  • Of people who had no time for god are
  • 00:11:49.285 --> 00:11:52.221
  • All of a sudden thinking about spiritual things again.
  • 00:11:52.221 --> 00:11:56.025
  • All of a sudden they're opening up the bible again.
  • 00:11:56.025 --> 00:11:58.794
  • Sales of bibles are up dramatically right now.
  • 00:11:58.794 --> 00:12:02.031
  • I think people are realizing that certain things
  • 00:12:02.031 --> 00:12:05.067
  • Really matter that they had forgotten all about.
  • 00:12:05.067 --> 00:12:08.070
  • So let's not give up.
  • 00:12:08.070 --> 00:12:09.572
  • Keep praying for your nation.
  • 00:12:09.572 --> 00:12:11.874
  • Keep praying for that non-believing person.
  • 00:12:11.874 --> 00:12:14.410
  • Keep praying for that prodigal son or daughter.
  • 00:12:14.410 --> 00:12:16.779
  • Keep praying for your own healing.
  • 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:19.281
  • God hears your prayers.
  • 00:12:19.281 --> 00:12:20.616
  • He has his timing, but we need to keep asking,
  • 00:12:20.616 --> 00:12:24.053
  • Keep seeking and keep knocking.
  • 00:12:24.053 --> 00:12:27.022
  • Greg: greg laurie here.
  • 00:12:28.624 --> 00:12:29.992
  • You know, at harvest ministries we're committing to reaching
  • 00:12:29.992 --> 00:12:32.394
  • Unexpected people in unexpected places with an
  • 00:12:32.394 --> 00:12:35.798
  • Unexpected message.
  • 00:12:35.798 --> 00:12:37.433
  • And thanks to your financial support, we've been able to
  • 00:12:37.433 --> 00:12:42.171
  • Touch people all over the world with the hope of jesus christ.
  • 00:12:42.171 --> 00:12:46.776
  • Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
  • 00:12:46.776 --> 00:12:50.279
  • Country through this television program,
  • 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:52.882
  • They also help us to bring hope to people in their biggest need.
  • 00:12:52.882 --> 00:12:57.219
  • Whether through our evangelistic events or our relief efforts,
  • 00:12:57.219 --> 00:13:00.990
  • Together we've been able to minister to so many people
  • 00:13:00.990 --> 00:13:04.160
  • Devastated by the fires in lahaina on the island of maui.
  • 00:13:04.160 --> 00:13:08.130
  • And also, your support has helped us partner to bring
  • 00:13:08.130 --> 00:13:11.634
  • Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
  • 00:13:11.634 --> 00:13:14.937
  • So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
  • 00:13:14.937 --> 00:13:18.474
  • Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill the
  • 00:13:18.474 --> 00:13:22.444
  • Great commission.
  • 00:13:22.444 --> 00:13:23.913
  • Let's do this together, and let me say in advance,
  • 00:13:23.913 --> 00:13:26.949
  • Thank you and god bless you.
  • 00:13:26.949 --> 00:13:28.317
  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪
  • 00:13:29.618 --> 00:13:36.525
  • Greg: so, now it's time for chapter three,
  • 00:13:37.493 --> 00:13:40.429
  • Or act three in the life of elijah.
  • 00:13:40.429 --> 00:13:43.098
  • The lord was going to expand elijah's life and grow
  • 00:13:43.098 --> 00:13:46.902
  • His faith.
  • 00:13:46.902 --> 00:13:48.637
  • 1 kings 17 verse 8, "then the lord said to elijah,"
  • 00:13:48.637 --> 00:13:52.808
  • This is after the brook has dried up,
  • 00:13:52.808 --> 00:13:54.610
  • "go to the village of zarephath and near the city of sidon."
  • 00:13:54.610 --> 00:13:58.814
  • Now, by the way, the city of sidon,
  • 00:13:58.814 --> 00:14:02.651
  • Sidon was the center of baal worship.
  • 00:14:02.651 --> 00:14:06.222
  • This is where jezebel the wicked queen came from.
  • 00:14:06.222 --> 00:14:10.359
  • So, the lord is effectively sending elijah to baal central,
  • 00:14:10.359 --> 00:14:16.966
  • Which is kind of ironic.
  • 00:14:16.966 --> 00:14:19.001
  • And then the lord says,
  • 00:14:19.001 --> 00:14:20.436
  • "there will be a widow there to fed you."
  • 00:14:20.436 --> 00:14:22.271
  • So, he went to zarephath, "he arrived at the gates
  • 00:14:22.271 --> 00:14:24.240
  • Of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks
  • 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:26.742
  • And he asked her, 'would you bring me
  • 00:14:26.742 --> 00:14:28.477
  • A little bit of water in a cup?'
  • 00:14:28.477 --> 00:14:30.579
  • And as she was going to get it, he called to her."
  • 00:14:30.579 --> 00:14:32.481
  • Hey, bring me a bite of bread, too.
  • 00:14:32.481 --> 00:14:35.351
  • I find this humorous.
  • 00:14:35.351 --> 00:14:37.019
  • "okay, i'll get you some water."
  • 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:38.387
  • "hey, get me a sandwich, too, would you mind?"
  • 00:14:38.387 --> 00:14:41.123
  • But this woman is so gracious, and think of how elijah looked.
  • 00:14:41.123 --> 00:14:45.728
  • He was strange looking, all hairy, and he comes up
  • 00:14:45.728 --> 00:14:50.132
  • To this lady who's basically at the brink of death,
  • 00:14:50.132 --> 00:14:54.803
  • She even protests and said,
  • 00:14:54.803 --> 00:14:56.138
  • "i don't have enough bread to share.
  • 00:14:56.138 --> 00:14:58.340
  • I'm out of flour and olive oil to make more.
  • 00:14:58.340 --> 00:15:00.376
  • This is my last meal."
  • 00:15:00.376 --> 00:15:02.111
  • He's like, "yeah, whatever, just give me something to eat,"
  • 00:15:02.111 --> 00:15:04.780
  • But it wasn't that way.
  • 00:15:04.780 --> 00:15:06.315
  • See, he was testing her, or more to the point,
  • 00:15:06.315 --> 00:15:08.250
  • The lord was testing her.
  • 00:15:08.250 --> 00:15:09.585
  • Would she trust god, and in this case, the man of god.
  • 00:15:09.585 --> 00:15:13.956
  • And she said yes, and look what happened next.
  • 00:15:13.956 --> 00:15:16.125
  • Verse 15, "she did as elijah said and she and elijah
  • 00:15:16.125 --> 00:15:19.795
  • And her family continued to eat for many days.
  • 00:15:19.795 --> 00:15:22.264
  • There was always enough flour and olive oil left
  • 00:15:22.264 --> 00:15:26.201
  • In the containers just as the lord had promised
  • 00:15:26.201 --> 00:15:29.638
  • Through elijah."
  • 00:15:29.638 --> 00:15:31.607
  • Here is something to think about.
  • 00:15:31.607 --> 00:15:33.475
  • This was humbling for elijah, why?
  • 00:15:33.475 --> 00:15:37.846
  • Well, let's be honest, men don't like to be dependent on anyone.
  • 00:15:37.846 --> 00:15:42.918
  • Men like to think that we fix things,
  • 00:15:42.918 --> 00:15:45.321
  • We're the ones with the answer to the question.
  • 00:15:45.321 --> 00:15:47.957
  • We're the ones with the solution to the problems.
  • 00:15:47.957 --> 00:15:50.659
  • Now, we aren't as often as we think we are,
  • 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:53.595
  • But to go be dependent on a woman,
  • 00:15:53.595 --> 00:15:56.765
  • And not just a woman, a widow, and not just a widow,
  • 00:15:56.765 --> 00:15:59.568
  • An impoverished widow,
  • 00:15:59.568 --> 00:16:02.204
  • And to be dependent on her each and every day.
  • 00:16:02.204 --> 00:16:05.741
  • But this is the thing i find so impressive about elijah.
  • 00:16:05.741 --> 00:16:08.911
  • It was whatever god told him to do, he just did it.
  • 00:16:08.911 --> 00:16:12.614
  • He was just obedient.
  • 00:16:12.614 --> 00:16:13.983
  • He was obedient in really little things.
  • 00:16:13.983 --> 00:16:15.784
  • That may not seem like a big thing to you
  • 00:16:15.784 --> 00:16:17.386
  • To sit by a river and let the birds bring you food.
  • 00:16:17.386 --> 00:16:20.089
  • It may not seem like a big thing for you to go
  • 00:16:20.089 --> 00:16:22.758
  • And be dependent on a widow.
  • 00:16:22.758 --> 00:16:24.827
  • It may not seem like a big thing for you to do some
  • 00:16:24.827 --> 00:16:27.229
  • Of the things he did, but it was the little things that built up
  • 00:16:27.229 --> 00:16:30.366
  • To the big things.
  • 00:16:30.366 --> 00:16:32.401
  • If you wanna be used by god, you have to be faithful
  • 00:16:32.401 --> 00:16:35.604
  • In little things because of this simple truth,
  • 00:16:35.604 --> 00:16:40.743
  • You're never too small for god to use, only too big.
  • 00:16:40.743 --> 00:16:45.714
  • Jesus said if you're faithful in little things,
  • 00:16:45.714 --> 00:16:48.050
  • You'll be faithful in large ones.
  • 00:16:48.050 --> 00:16:50.519
  • But if you're dishonest in little things,
  • 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:52.588
  • You will not be honest with greater responsibilities.
  • 00:16:52.588 --> 00:16:56.058
  • Elijah was so faithful, and he was so obedient,
  • 00:16:56.058 --> 00:17:00.429
  • And he did this for the lord, and this woman continued
  • 00:17:00.429 --> 00:17:03.932
  • To provide for him.
  • 00:17:03.932 --> 00:17:05.801
  • Point number five, god loves to take what we have
  • 00:17:05.801 --> 00:17:08.504
  • And multiply it.
  • 00:17:08.504 --> 00:17:11.340
  • God loves to take what we have and multiply it.
  • 00:17:11.340 --> 00:17:14.176
  • I had so little to offer to god after my conversion.
  • 00:17:14.176 --> 00:17:19.982
  • Well, i draw these cartoons and that's kind of it, you know?
  • 00:17:19.982 --> 00:17:24.453
  • But the lord was giving me gifts that would develop in time.
  • 00:17:24.453 --> 00:17:29.625
  • Ironically, for me to be a teacher is almost a laugh.
  • 00:17:29.625 --> 00:17:33.629
  • The student that got bad grades is now gonna be a teacher?
  • 00:17:33.629 --> 00:17:37.366
  • I think the lord had a little fun with that one.
  • 00:17:37.366 --> 00:17:39.935
  • You have no idea what god may call you to do.
  • 00:17:39.935 --> 00:17:42.371
  • You say, "well, i'm kind of a behind-the-scenes person."
  • 00:17:42.371 --> 00:17:44.640
  • The lord might say, "yeah, well, i'm gonna put you
  • 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:47.076
  • In front of everybody.
  • 00:17:47.076 --> 00:17:48.410
  • That's the new kind of person you're gonna be."
  • 00:17:48.410 --> 00:17:50.279
  • And you might say, "i like to be in front of people.
  • 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.581
  • I like to have big crowds watch me."
  • 00:17:52.581 --> 00:17:54.616
  • The lord might say, "i'm gonna put you behind the scenes now."
  • 00:17:54.616 --> 00:17:58.454
  • And another person, he might say,
  • 00:17:58.454 --> 00:17:59.888
  • "i'm gonna give you this gift that you never had before,"
  • 00:17:59.888 --> 00:18:02.891
  • It's a supernatural gift to someone else
  • 00:18:02.891 --> 00:18:05.160
  • Who will do a different thing."
  • 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:07.196
  • But god loves to take what we have and multiply it.
  • 00:18:07.196 --> 00:18:11.033
  • Like that little boy with the loaves and fishes
  • 00:18:11.033 --> 00:18:13.769
  • That he gave to the lord.
  • 00:18:13.769 --> 00:18:15.270
  • Listen, there are three things that's for.
  • 00:18:15.270 --> 00:18:17.372
  • There are three things we can give to god.
  • 00:18:17.372 --> 00:18:20.876
  • Time, talent, and treasure.
  • 00:18:20.876 --> 00:18:23.745
  • Every one of us can give our time, our talent,
  • 00:18:23.745 --> 00:18:27.349
  • And our treasure to the lord.
  • 00:18:27.349 --> 00:18:29.084
  • First there's our time.
  • 00:18:29.084 --> 00:18:30.652
  • We have a given day.
  • 00:18:30.652 --> 00:18:32.254
  • Will we dedicate any of that time to the lord?
  • 00:18:32.254 --> 00:18:35.724
  • Will we dedicate any of that time to scripture?
  • 00:18:35.724 --> 00:18:39.294
  • Will we dedicate any of that time to prayer?
  • 00:18:39.294 --> 00:18:42.498
  • Will we dedicate any of that time to worship and church?
  • 00:18:42.498 --> 00:18:46.502
  • Will we dedicate any of that time to sharing our faith
  • 00:18:46.502 --> 00:18:49.538
  • With others?
  • 00:18:49.538 --> 00:18:50.873
  • You have your time, then you have your talent,
  • 00:18:50.873 --> 00:18:53.041
  • And we all have different kinds of talents, don't we?
  • 00:18:53.041 --> 00:18:55.744
  • And then god may give you gifts on top of those talents,
  • 00:18:55.744 --> 00:18:58.113
  • So we give those to him as well.
  • 00:18:58.113 --> 00:19:00.349
  • And finally, there's your treasure,
  • 00:19:00.349 --> 00:19:02.584
  • Your resources, and i have found that god is faithful to provide
  • 00:19:02.584 --> 00:19:07.055
  • For our needs if we will honor him.
  • 00:19:07.055 --> 00:19:10.659
  • There's an amazing promise in the last book
  • 00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:13.262
  • Of the old testament, the book of malachi,
  • 00:19:13.262 --> 00:19:16.532
  • Where god says bring all of the tithes
  • 00:19:16.532 --> 00:19:18.834
  • Into my storehouse that there may be food enough
  • 00:19:18.834 --> 00:19:21.603
  • In my temple, and if you do, listen to this promise,
  • 00:19:21.603 --> 00:19:24.706
  • If you do, the lord says, i'll open up
  • 00:19:24.706 --> 00:19:26.708
  • The windows of heaven for you, pour you out
  • 00:19:26.708 --> 00:19:28.777
  • A blessing so great you won't have room enough
  • 00:19:28.777 --> 00:19:31.246
  • To take it in.
  • 00:19:31.246 --> 00:19:32.581
  • Then the lord says this, try it.
  • 00:19:32.581 --> 00:19:34.449
  • Let me prove it to you.
  • 00:19:34.449 --> 00:19:36.618
  • Don't you love that?
  • 00:19:36.618 --> 00:19:38.086
  • Here's what god is saying.
  • 00:19:38.086 --> 00:19:39.421
  • Take your income, always give a percentage of it
  • 00:19:39.421 --> 00:19:42.090
  • For the work of the kingdom of god.
  • 00:19:42.090 --> 00:19:43.859
  • That's why we have an offering, by the way.
  • 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:46.128
  • Maybe you've wondered what is this mysterious bag passing by?
  • 00:19:46.128 --> 00:19:49.464
  • What is happening?
  • 00:19:49.464 --> 00:19:50.899
  • That's for you to invest in the kingdom.
  • 00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:53.402
  • You don't have to do it, no one's pressuring you to do it.
  • 00:19:53.402 --> 00:19:57.372
  • If you don't wanna do it, don't do it,
  • 00:19:57.372 --> 00:20:00.175
  • But do you realize the blessing that can come your way
  • 00:20:00.175 --> 00:20:03.445
  • As you're faithful to give to the lord?
  • 00:20:03.445 --> 00:20:07.115
  • Elijah passed every test that god gave him,
  • 00:20:07.115 --> 00:20:10.419
  • And the widow did, too.
  • 00:20:10.419 --> 00:20:11.753
  • But now he's gonna face the biggest test so far.
  • 00:20:11.753 --> 00:20:16.458
  • 1 kings 17 verse 17, "after these things,"
  • 00:20:16.458 --> 00:20:19.895
  • Underline that phrase.
  • 00:20:19.895 --> 00:20:21.296
  • "after these things, the son of the woman who owned
  • 00:20:21.296 --> 00:20:24.666
  • The house became ill.
  • 00:20:24.666 --> 00:20:27.236
  • He grew worse and worse, he finally stopped breathing.
  • 00:20:27.236 --> 00:20:31.039
  • She said to elijah, 'what do you have against me, o man of god?
  • 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:35.377
  • Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?'"
  • 00:20:35.377 --> 00:20:39.414
  • Wow, pretty accusatory.
  • 00:20:39.414 --> 00:20:42.551
  • "after these things," we read.
  • 00:20:42.551 --> 00:20:44.386
  • After what things?
  • 00:20:44.386 --> 00:20:46.021
  • After elijah has trusted god with every test
  • 00:20:46.021 --> 00:20:48.657
  • That has come his way.
  • 00:20:48.657 --> 00:20:50.092
  • After he faced off with king ahab and queen jezebel.
  • 00:20:50.092 --> 00:20:53.328
  • After he's gone off the grid and waited for the birds
  • 00:20:53.328 --> 00:20:56.798
  • To feed him.
  • 00:20:56.798 --> 00:20:58.634
  • After he's been dependent upon this poor woman
  • 00:20:58.634 --> 00:21:02.337
  • And seeing god provide.
  • 00:21:02.337 --> 00:21:04.273
  • After these things, the worst-case scenario,
  • 00:21:04.273 --> 00:21:06.942
  • Her son dies.
  • 00:21:06.942 --> 00:21:08.744
  • She even accuses elijah.
  • 00:21:08.744 --> 00:21:11.747
  • And when tragedy strikes, sometimes people
  • 00:21:11.747 --> 00:21:14.816
  • Lash out at god.
  • 00:21:14.816 --> 00:21:16.918
  • Why did you do this to me, god?
  • 00:21:16.918 --> 00:21:19.755
  • Why did you let my son or my daughter die?
  • 00:21:19.755 --> 00:21:22.224
  • Why did you let my parents die?
  • 00:21:22.224 --> 00:21:24.192
  • Why did you let my sibling die?
  • 00:21:24.192 --> 00:21:26.295
  • Why did you let this tragedy befall me?
  • 00:21:26.295 --> 00:21:28.730
  • Why, and we shake a fist in the face of god.
  • 00:21:28.730 --> 00:21:32.801
  • It's understandable; we do it,
  • 00:21:32.801 --> 00:21:35.304
  • But we need to remember this simple thing.
  • 00:21:35.304 --> 00:21:38.440
  • It's not a punishment when a loved one dies.
  • 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:41.510
  • She thinks, "why are you punishing me, god?"
  • 00:21:41.510 --> 00:21:43.512
  • No, sorry to break this to you, people die.
  • 00:21:43.512 --> 00:21:47.849
  • The stats on death are pretty impressive.
  • 00:21:47.849 --> 00:21:49.785
  • One out of every one persons will die, right?
  • 00:21:49.785 --> 00:21:54.289
  • That's why we all need to be prepared for eternity.
  • 00:21:54.289 --> 00:21:57.659
  • So, it's not a punishment on you,
  • 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:59.828
  • It's life and it's death, and it happens to everyone.
  • 00:21:59.828 --> 00:22:04.032
  • The bible says there's a time to be born and a time to die.
  • 00:22:04.032 --> 00:22:07.102
  • But i can understand this woman's pain.
  • 00:22:07.102 --> 00:22:09.438
  • As i said earlier, my wife and i have been there.
  • 00:22:09.438 --> 00:22:13.208
  • But to her credit, elijah says, "give me your son."
  • 00:22:13.208 --> 00:22:17.379
  • He took the hit, by the way.
  • 00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:19.014
  • He could have said why are you yelling at me?
  • 00:22:19.014 --> 00:22:21.450
  • I've been here helping you all this time.
  • 00:22:21.450 --> 00:22:23.919
  • He just says, "i hear you, okay, give me your son."
  • 00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:28.690
  • And she says, "here."
  • 00:22:28.690 --> 00:22:30.258
  • There's something in her that knows
  • 00:22:30.258 --> 00:22:31.993
  • That god's gonna intervene still.
  • 00:22:31.993 --> 00:22:35.430
  • And i wonder if we could just take those things
  • 00:22:35.430 --> 00:22:37.933
  • And give them to the lord.
  • 00:22:37.933 --> 00:22:39.668
  • I'm having problems with my son, he's a prodigal.
  • 00:22:39.668 --> 00:22:42.270
  • Why don't you just give him to the lord right now?
  • 00:22:42.270 --> 00:22:45.407
  • I'm having problems with my daughter,
  • 00:22:45.407 --> 00:22:46.975
  • She's just so much drama.
  • 00:22:46.975 --> 00:22:49.010
  • Why don't you give her to the lord right now?
  • 00:22:49.010 --> 00:22:51.480
  • I'm having problems with my husband, he's such a loser.
  • 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:55.183
  • Maybe change your attitude, and then give him to the lord.
  • 00:22:55.183 --> 00:23:00.021
  • I'm having troubles with my wife.
  • 00:23:00.021 --> 00:23:01.890
  • Give her to the lord.
  • 00:23:01.890 --> 00:23:03.592
  • My career, give it to the lord.
  • 00:23:03.592 --> 00:23:05.160
  • My ministry, give it to the lord.
  • 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:07.262
  • My anxiety, my fears, give it all to the lord.
  • 00:23:07.262 --> 00:23:10.766
  • That's what she did.
  • 00:23:10.766 --> 00:23:12.100
  • What happened next?
  • 00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:13.535
  • 1 kings 17 verse 21, "and he stretched himself over
  • 00:23:13.535 --> 00:23:16.505
  • The child three times, and cried out to the lord,
  • 00:23:16.505 --> 00:23:19.508
  • 'o, lord my god, please let this child's life return to him.'
  • 00:23:19.508 --> 00:23:24.413
  • The lord heard elijah's prayer and the life
  • 00:23:24.413 --> 00:23:27.682
  • Of the child returned, and he revived.
  • 00:23:27.682 --> 00:23:31.019
  • Then elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him
  • 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:34.055
  • To his mother, 'look,' he said, 'your son is alive.'
  • 00:23:34.055 --> 00:23:38.693
  • Then the woman told elijah,
  • 00:23:38.693 --> 00:23:40.162
  • 'now i know for sure you're a man of god
  • 00:23:40.162 --> 00:23:42.431
  • And that the lord truly speaks through you.'"
  • 00:23:42.431 --> 00:23:46.268
  • Wow, this took a lot of faith.
  • 00:23:46.268 --> 00:23:49.204
  • Listen to this, you think elijah was close to god?
  • 00:23:49.204 --> 00:23:52.808
  • And he was, god would speak to him,
  • 00:23:52.808 --> 00:23:55.010
  • But then the lord wouldn't speak to him for a while.
  • 00:23:55.010 --> 00:23:57.479
  • You say, "man, i wish god would speak to me like that."
  • 00:23:57.479 --> 00:24:00.715
  • Listen to this, you are closer to god as a christian
  • 00:24:00.715 --> 00:24:04.319
  • Than elijah the prophet was, and i'll tell you why.
  • 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:07.289
  • Elijah the prophet stood in the presence of god,
  • 00:24:07.289 --> 00:24:10.258
  • He was aware of the presence of god, but you have god himself
  • 00:24:10.258 --> 00:24:14.129
  • Living inside of you because of what jesus did on the cross.
  • 00:24:14.129 --> 00:24:19.968
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:24:20.035 --> 00:24:25.073
  • So, let me close this message by saying what i said earlier.
  • 00:24:25.073 --> 00:24:29.878
  • You can be closer to god than even elijah was.
  • 00:24:29.878 --> 00:24:32.414
  • "yeah, but god spoke to elijah all the time.
  • 00:24:32.414 --> 00:24:34.749
  • He never speaks to me," you say.
  • 00:24:34.749 --> 00:24:36.751
  • Ah, question, do you own one of these?
  • 00:24:36.751 --> 00:24:41.223
  • By the way, this is called the bible, yes,
  • 00:24:41.223 --> 00:24:44.159
  • Filled with the words of god, and god will speak to you
  • 00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:47.629
  • Through the bible.
  • 00:24:47.629 --> 00:24:54.970
  • Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart and you have seen
  • 00:24:59.107 --> 00:25:02.978
  • Your need for jesus christ.
  • 00:25:02.978 --> 00:25:05.914
  • Jesus christ is the son of god who came from heaven
  • 00:25:05.914 --> 00:25:09.851
  • To this earth.
  • 00:25:09.851 --> 00:25:11.186
  • He was born in a manger, he died on a cross,
  • 00:25:11.186 --> 00:25:14.823
  • He rose again from the dead, why?
  • 00:25:14.823 --> 00:25:16.725
  • Because he loves you and he wants a relationship with you.
  • 00:25:16.725 --> 00:25:20.462
  • Listen, i'm not talking about religion, i don't wanna be
  • 00:25:20.462 --> 00:25:23.331
  • A religious person, i don't think you wanna be one either.
  • 00:25:23.331 --> 00:25:26.301
  • I'm talking about relationship with god.
  • 00:25:26.301 --> 00:25:29.738
  • Jesus who died and rose again stands at the door of your life
  • 00:25:29.738 --> 00:25:34.409
  • And he knocks, and he says if you'll hear his voice
  • 00:25:34.409 --> 00:25:37.245
  • And open the door, he will come in.
  • 00:25:37.245 --> 00:25:39.414
  • Question, have you asked jesus christ to come
  • 00:25:39.414 --> 00:25:42.117
  • And live inside of you?
  • 00:25:42.117 --> 00:25:43.818
  • You might say, "well, i think so, i'm not sure."
  • 00:25:43.818 --> 00:25:45.654
  • Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle
  • 00:25:45.654 --> 00:25:48.123
  • Of the night, do you think you would be aware of it?
  • 00:25:48.123 --> 00:25:50.892
  • I'm sure you would.
  • 00:25:50.892 --> 00:25:52.327
  • And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
  • 00:25:52.327 --> 00:25:55.263
  • You will know.
  • 00:25:55.263 --> 00:25:56.598
  • And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
  • 00:25:56.598 --> 00:26:00.468
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:26:00.468 --> 00:26:02.203
  • All you need to do is say, "jesus, i want this relationship
  • 00:26:02.203 --> 00:26:05.640
  • With you.
  • 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.975
  • I want you to forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:26:06.975 --> 00:26:08.443
  • I wanna go to heaven when i die."
  • 00:26:08.443 --> 00:26:10.712
  • Would you like to do that?
  • 00:26:10.712 --> 00:26:12.080
  • Would you like christ to come into your life?
  • 00:26:12.080 --> 00:26:13.949
  • If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
  • 00:26:13.949 --> 00:26:17.652
  • You can pray it out loud or you can pray it in the quietness
  • 00:26:17.652 --> 00:26:20.822
  • Of your heart.
  • 00:26:20.822 --> 00:26:22.157
  • But this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ
  • 00:26:22.157 --> 00:26:24.659
  • To be your savior and lord.
  • 00:26:24.659 --> 00:26:26.695
  • Pray this with me now.
  • 00:26:26.695 --> 00:26:28.196
  • Lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner,
  • 00:26:28.196 --> 00:26:31.499
  • But i know that you're the savior who died on the cross
  • 00:26:31.499 --> 00:26:35.503
  • For my sin and rose again from the dead.
  • 00:26:35.503 --> 00:26:38.139
  • Now come into my life.
  • 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:40.609
  • I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
  • 00:26:40.609 --> 00:26:44.946
  • Thank you for hearing this prayer and answering
  • 00:26:44.946 --> 00:26:47.782
  • This prayer, in jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:47.782 --> 00:26:51.786
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:26:51.786 --> 00:26:54.155
  • If so, i want you to know in the authority of scripture
  • 00:26:54.155 --> 00:26:56.992
  • That christ himself has come to live inside of you,
  • 00:26:56.992 --> 00:27:00.261
  • And i would love to send to you at no charge something
  • 00:27:00.261 --> 00:27:03.798
  • Called the new believer's bible.
  • 00:27:03.798 --> 00:27:05.934
  • It's a very friendly translation of the new testament
  • 00:27:05.934 --> 00:27:08.870
  • You'll find very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds
  • 00:27:08.870 --> 00:27:12.407
  • Of notes that i wrote that will encourage you
  • 00:27:12.407 --> 00:27:15.343
  • In this commitment you've just made to follow jesus.
  • 00:27:15.343 --> 00:27:18.213
  • Let me send that to you at no charge.
  • 00:27:18.213 --> 00:27:20.815
  • And let me be the first to say to you congratulations
  • 00:27:20.815 --> 00:27:24.919
  • And welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:27.122