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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Faith and Politics

November 13, 2025 | 27:40

Greg Laurie - Faith and Politics
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#Faith #Politics #AmericanHistory #Voting #Elections #Prayer #Authority #Government #GregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Faith and Politics | November 13, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: god doesn't point his finger at the white house.
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  • He points the finger at his house, "if my people."
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  • We can stand all day and say, "hollywood does this, washington
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  • Does that."
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  • God says, "yeah, interesting.
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  • My people."
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  • Now, let's personalize it: if you, if you, if i will turn from
  • 00:00:20.486 --> 00:00:26.525
  • My sins, and pray, and seek his face, god will hear from heaven,
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  • "forgive me my sin and heal the land.”
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg: now we shift gears.
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  • I said we'll talk about politics.
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  • Let's do that together.
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  • Now, i know the knee jerk reaction is, "no, we shouldn't
  • 00:01:01.960 --> 00:01:04.863
  • Talk about politics in church, and you, as a pastor, should not
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  • Talk about this subject."
  • 00:01:09.168 --> 00:01:10.536
  • Well, why--why not?
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  • My job, as a pastor, is to give you the whole council of god,
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  • And certainly, the bible has a lot to say about a lot of the
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  • Issues we're gonna be voting on.
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  • Now, i'm not gonna tell you who to vote for.
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  • I'm just gonna tell you what i'll be thinking about when i
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  • Get ready to vote.
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  • Now, someone might say, "well, what about the separation
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  • Of church and state?"
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  • Did you know that that particular phrase is not in any
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  • Of our founding documents?
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  • It's not in the declaration of independence.
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  • It's not in the bill of rights.
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  • It's not in our constitution.
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  • But often people invoke, "separation of church
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  • And state!"
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  • Where did that phrase even come from?
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  • It was pinned by thomas jefferson.
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  • He was a prolific writer.
  • 00:01:52.578 --> 00:01:54.546
  • Jefferson wrote up to 19,000 letters.
  • 00:01:54.546 --> 00:01:58.817
  • He was a letter-writing machine, a brilliant intellect, and of
  • 00:01:58.817 --> 00:02:03.922
  • Course, one of our founding fathers and signers of the
  • 00:02:03.922 --> 00:02:06.959
  • Declaration of independence, but--and our third precedent
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  • As well.
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  • So, in response to an inquiry, jefferson coined this phrase.
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  • It was a letter he wrote to a group asking about the role of
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  • Religion in our culture, and so he wrote it in a
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  • Personal letter.
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  • It was not in executive order.
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  • And in this letter, he wrote of a wall of separation between
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  • Church and state.
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  • The idea was not that the church should have no influence on
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  • The state.
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  • It was that the state should not have the influence over
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  • The church.
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  • Okay, so, the church must have influence on the state.
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  • The church must have influence on its culture.
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  • This is part of what we're called to do as christians,
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  • To shine our light and be salt in the earth.
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  • So we have an ax--absolute commend to do that.
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  • And by the way, our country--don't let some
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  • Revisionist historian tell you otherwise.
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  • Our country was built on judeo-christian principles,
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  • It was.
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  • Going back to thomas jefferson, he said, quote, "it was god who
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  • Gave us liberty.
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  • And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we
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  • Have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds
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  • Of the people that these liberties are a gift from god?"
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  • And then he concluded, again, to quote him,
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  • "i tremble for my country when i reflect that god
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  • Is just and his justice cannot sleep forever."
  • 00:03:43.088 --> 00:03:47.059
  • Our first president, george washington, in his farewell
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  • Address, given in 1776, said, quote, "reason and experience
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  • Both forbid us that national morality can prevail in the
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  • Exclusion of religious principle."
  • 00:04:01.373 --> 00:04:04.243
  • In other words, this morality, we should have, our sense of
  • 00:04:04.243 --> 00:04:08.280
  • Right and wrong comes from religious principle, again, back
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  • To our foundation.
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  • Patrick henry, a ratifier of the us constitution said this, and i
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  • Quote, "it cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that
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  • This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by
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  • Christians," very clear.
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  • Harvard university and yale university, which are quite
  • 00:04:32.237 --> 00:04:37.276
  • Liberal today, were founded on christian principles.
  • 00:04:37.276 --> 00:04:41.446
  • Harvard college's first presidents and tutors insisted
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  • That there could be, quote, "no true knowledge or wisdom without
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  • Jesus christ," end quote.
  • 00:04:49.021 --> 00:04:51.390
  • In harvard's rules and precepts, it was written, quote, "everyone
  • 00:04:51.390 --> 00:04:55.027
  • Shall consider that the main end of his life and studies is to
  • 00:04:55.027 --> 00:04:59.097
  • Know god and jesus christ, which is eternal life."
  • 00:04:59.097 --> 00:05:03.735
  • So, it's so important for us to speak up about these things and
  • 00:05:03.735 --> 00:05:08.774
  • Pray that we could get back to those spiritual roots that we
  • 00:05:08.774 --> 00:05:12.311
  • Have strayed from.
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  • And the bible has a lot to say about issues that we're facing
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  • Right now, including marriage, family, biological sex, parental
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  • Authority, our relationship with the nation, israel, and even
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  • National borders, and i think we should talk about these things.
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  • The bible says that "we should submit to governing authorities.
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  • For all authority comes from god, and those in positions of
  • 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:38.603
  • Authority have been placed there by god."
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  • So with this election coming up, we should all vote, and having
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  • Said that, i will publicly pray for whoever is elected to be the
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  • Next president of the united states if i voted for them or
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  • Not, 'cause that's my responsibility.
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  • Pray for those who are in authority.
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  • So i've had the privilege to meet a few us presidents over
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  • The years.
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  • I met jimmy carter on three separate occasions, one was in
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  • Georgia when billy graham was doing a crusade and he
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  • Introduced me to president carter, who was with him on
  • 00:06:16.208 --> 00:06:19.578
  • That occasion.
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  • And then i met president carter on a plane once.
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  • I don't remember where i was flying to, but he was on the
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  • Plane, and he walked down the aisle and shook the hand of
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  • Every passenger on the plane.
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  • I thought that was amazing and very impressive.
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  • So people could say i shook the hand of a president.
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  • And then the third time was when we were at the billy graham
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  • Library, and we were dedicating it, and president george h. w.
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  • Bush was there, and his wife barbara and president carter.
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  • Here's a photo of that occasion.
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  • So, left to right, that's jane graham, franklin graham, me,
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  • President bush, first lady barbara bush, cathe and
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  • Jimmy carter.
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  • Now i want to go for a tighter shot on jimmy carter and
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  • My wife.
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  • Look at president carter's hand.
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  • It's around my wife's waist!
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  • I didn't put my hand around barbara bush's waist.
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  • And afterwards, he said to cathe, "i enjoyed that
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  • Very much."
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  • That's a true story.
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  • But those were just brief encounters.
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  • I said hello, shook their hand, took the picture.
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  • But i've been invited on multiple occasions by president
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  • Trump to come to the white house.
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  • And let me say this.
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  • Some would say, "that's partisan!"
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  • I would go to the white house if any president invited me.
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  • If president biden contacted me and said, "would you come to the
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  • White house?
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  • I want to talk to you.
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  • I'd like to receive prayer," i would go.
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  • No invitation has come so far, but i would gladly go.
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  • I'd do it in a heartbeat, no question about it, and i mean
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  • That with all sincerity.
  • 00:08:07.252 --> 00:08:08.687
  • But i have been invited by president trump there, along
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  • With other pastors, and it's been our honor to go into the
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  • Oval office a couple of times, and that is a very impressive
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  • Place to walk into.
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  • First of all, it is oval.
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  • It's--that's a very unusual shape for a room, an oval room.
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  • And the president sits behind the old resolute desk, and--and
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  • You stand there and realize all the history that's happened in
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  • That room.
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  • We weren't allowed to take our phones in, so i was just sort of
  • 00:08:35.146 --> 00:08:37.082
  • Taking mental photographs of everything i was looking at.
  • 00:08:37.082 --> 00:08:40.285
  • And we were able to speak with the president, and at the end,
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  • Someone said, "can we pray for you, mr. president?"
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  • He welcomed that prayer.
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  • We prayed for him.
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  • I went on another occasion with a smaller group, and we were
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  • Able to share things with the president, which i appreciated
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  • And to pray for him again.
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  • And in person, he's not the way you usually see him on tv.
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  • He's more relaxed.
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  • He's very personable.
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  • He's actually quite witty, and--and he's a good listener.
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  • And i've enjoyed all those times we've had.
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  • But as i said already, i just think it's so important right
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  • Now that we vote.
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  • Did you know there is 90 million evangelicals who are eligible to
  • 00:09:21.293 --> 00:09:24.763
  • Vote in this country?
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  • An evangelical would be a christian, 90 million of us.
  • 00:09:26.531 --> 00:09:30.769
  • Forty million of them--of us do not vote, and fifteen million
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  • Of--of them are not even registered.
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  • This is not good. it's a privilege to vote.
  • 00:09:39.210 --> 00:09:43.214
  • It's a responsibility to vote, and every christian should
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  • Vote, okay?
  • 00:09:47.452 --> 00:09:54.526
  • Some would say, "vote your conscience."
  • 00:09:54.526 --> 00:09:56.795
  • Eh, i don't know, depends on your conscience.
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  • I'd say, as closely as possible, try to vote on the basis of the
  • 00:10:01.333 --> 00:10:06.338
  • Biblical worldview.
  • 00:10:06.338 --> 00:10:08.707
  • That's what it comes down to.
  • 00:10:08.707 --> 00:10:10.675
  • Now, we have two candidates running for the presidency,
  • 00:10:10.675 --> 00:10:16.047
  • Needless to say, kamala harris and donald trump.
  • 00:10:16.047 --> 00:10:19.417
  • Let me say something i hope you won't find shocking.
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  • These people are both sinners, just like you, just like me.
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  • They're all gonna--they're both gonna say things we don't agree
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  • With, therefore, i don't vote for personality.
  • 00:10:31.763 --> 00:10:35.200
  • I vote for policy, see, policy.
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  • I'm not trying to elect the messiah.
  • 00:10:43.441 --> 00:10:46.144
  • I already have one.
  • 00:10:46.144 --> 00:10:48.747
  • So it's about issues.
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  • This is gonna be a very close election.
  • 00:10:51.983 --> 00:10:54.386
  • There is no perfect candidate.
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  • Jesus is not on the ballot.
  • 00:10:56.254 --> 00:10:59.124
  • Some would say, "well, they're both flawed, so i won't vote
  • 00:10:59.124 --> 00:11:02.761
  • At all.
  • 00:11:02.761 --> 00:11:04.095
  • I'll write somebody in."
  • 00:11:04.095 --> 00:11:05.463
  • I don't--i don't think that's a good idea.
  • 00:11:05.463 --> 00:11:06.798
  • I think you should pick one of these two.
  • 00:11:06.798 --> 00:11:08.833
  • And historically, let me just say, god has used flawed people
  • 00:11:08.833 --> 00:11:13.872
  • To accomplish his purposes, okay?
  • 00:11:13.872 --> 00:11:19.477
  • King david comes to mind.
  • 00:11:19.477 --> 00:11:21.012
  • He was a great king, a powerful leader.
  • 00:11:21.012 --> 00:11:23.348
  • Many regard him as the greatest king in the history of israel.
  • 00:11:23.348 --> 00:11:26.785
  • He was uniquely described as a man after god's own heart, but
  • 00:11:26.785 --> 00:11:30.722
  • At the same time, david was guilty of the sin of adultery
  • 00:11:30.722 --> 00:11:34.259
  • And murder, but god did use him.
  • 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:37.028
  • We even look at leaders like king nebuchadnezzar or king
  • 00:11:37.028 --> 00:11:40.965
  • Cyrus of persia, who were moved by god to accomplish
  • 00:11:40.965 --> 00:11:45.270
  • His purposes.
  • 00:11:45.270 --> 00:11:46.905
  • In fact, the persian king artaxerxes underwrote the
  • 00:11:46.905 --> 00:11:50.875
  • Efforts of nehemiah to rebuild the walls of jerusalem, so god
  • 00:11:50.875 --> 00:11:55.847
  • Used a secular man to help the jewish people rebuild their
  • 00:11:55.847 --> 00:12:00.819
  • City again.
  • 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:02.153
  • And speaking of walls, that brings us to the topic of
  • 00:12:02.153 --> 00:12:05.724
  • Border security.
  • 00:12:05.724 --> 00:12:07.459
  • The bible supports the right and necessity of a nation to
  • 00:12:07.459 --> 00:12:12.030
  • Be secure.
  • 00:12:12.030 --> 00:12:14.032
  • Nehemiah went back to jerusalem to do what?
  • 00:12:14.032 --> 00:12:17.001
  • Rebuild the walls of the city.
  • 00:12:17.001 --> 00:12:19.971
  • So there's a place for walls to keep enemies out.
  • 00:12:19.971 --> 00:12:23.208
  • There is a right and a legal way to come into our nation.
  • 00:12:23.208 --> 00:12:27.245
  • The old testament does talk about welcoming the stranger,
  • 00:12:27.245 --> 00:12:31.316
  • But that's only half of it.
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  • The expectation is the stranger will abide by the law of the
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  • Land and assimilate.
  • 00:12:36.821 --> 00:12:38.857
  • And there are people that have come to our country from other
  • 00:12:38.857 --> 00:12:41.526
  • Nations legally, and some of them are among our greatest
  • 00:12:41.526 --> 00:12:46.164
  • Patriots, because they believed in the american dream, and they
  • 00:12:46.164 --> 00:12:50.635
  • Believed in the values.
  • 00:12:50.635 --> 00:12:52.403
  • And many times, we, born in this country, take these values
  • 00:12:52.403 --> 00:12:56.975
  • For granted.
  • 00:12:56.975 --> 00:12:58.309
  • We don't appreciate the liberty that we have.
  • 00:12:58.309 --> 00:13:00.178
  • And sometimes someone coming from a communist country will
  • 00:13:00.178 --> 00:13:03.948
  • Come and say, "man, we love the freedom we have in america."
  • 00:13:03.948 --> 00:13:08.520
  • And so, we should all have that same value.
  • 00:13:08.520 --> 00:13:11.589
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:13:11.589 --> 00:13:15.193
  • Now, i'm going to give you my opinion,
  • 00:13:15.193 --> 00:13:16.861
  • You may disagree with it,
  • 00:13:16.861 --> 00:13:18.696
  • But i am for less not more government.
  • 00:13:18.696 --> 00:13:23.201
  • That's my view.
  • 00:13:23.201 --> 00:13:27.272
  • Today i'm announcing my candidacy for...
  • 00:13:27.272 --> 00:13:34.612
  • [congregation cheering]
  • 00:13:34.612 --> 00:13:37.048
  • ...the mayor of irvine, no, not really.
  • 00:13:37.048 --> 00:13:43.087
  • I love the words of ronald reagan, who once said, quote,
  • 00:13:43.087 --> 00:13:47.025
  • "well, i've always felt the nine most terrifying words in the
  • 00:13:47.025 --> 00:13:53.231
  • English language are: i'm from the government, and i'm here to
  • 00:13:53.231 --> 00:13:57.001
  • Help," end quote.
  • 00:13:57.001 --> 00:13:58.336
  • That's true.
  • 00:13:58.336 --> 00:13:59.704
  • So, god's in favor of borders.
  • 00:13:59.704 --> 00:14:01.573
  • Acts 17:26 says, "god made every nation of men to dwell on the
  • 00:14:01.573 --> 00:14:06.044
  • Face of the earth and determine their boundaries."
  • 00:14:06.044 --> 00:14:09.080
  • So there is a place for national security and for borders.
  • 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:13.318
  • Number two, the bible supports the unborn and the right
  • 00:14:13.318 --> 00:14:17.355
  • To live.
  • 00:14:17.355 --> 00:14:25.563
  • This is not a debatable subject.
  • 00:14:25.563 --> 00:14:28.600
  • This is not one that the bible is not clear on.
  • 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:32.370
  • Life begins at conception.
  • 00:14:32.370 --> 00:14:35.673
  • And david even said that he was fearfully and wonderfully made
  • 00:14:35.673 --> 00:14:42.947
  • And knit together in his mother's womb.
  • 00:14:42.947 --> 00:14:45.016
  • Think about this for a moment.
  • 00:14:45.016 --> 00:14:46.484
  • The first person to recognize the messiah was an unborn child.
  • 00:14:46.484 --> 00:14:52.156
  • Does that make sense?
  • 00:14:52.156 --> 00:14:53.858
  • So elizabeth is pregnant with john the baptist.
  • 00:14:53.858 --> 00:14:58.062
  • Her cousin mary is pregnant with jesus.
  • 00:14:58.062 --> 00:15:01.366
  • Jesus goes to see elizabeth and what happens?
  • 00:15:01.366 --> 00:15:04.836
  • John the baptist leaps in the womb of elizabeth when mary
  • 00:15:04.836 --> 00:15:08.907
  • Walks in the room.
  • 00:15:08.907 --> 00:15:10.241
  • The first person to recognize the messiah was an unborn
  • 00:15:10.241 --> 00:15:13.478
  • Child, see.
  • 00:15:13.478 --> 00:15:20.251
  • So unfortunately, both the democratic and some in the
  • 00:15:20.251 --> 00:15:23.888
  • Republican party support abortion today.
  • 00:15:23.888 --> 00:15:27.892
  • The republican position basically now is
  • 00:15:27.892 --> 00:15:31.329
  • Abortion is allowed up to 15 weeks.
  • 00:15:31.329 --> 00:15:33.898
  • Unfortunately, 95% of all abortions happen in the first 15
  • 00:15:33.898 --> 00:15:38.636
  • Weeks, so this is not something i support.
  • 00:15:38.636 --> 00:15:42.507
  • This is something i disagree with.
  • 00:15:42.507 --> 00:15:44.309
  • But the democratic position is far more extreme in the name of
  • 00:15:44.309 --> 00:15:48.546
  • Reproductive rights.
  • 00:15:48.546 --> 00:15:49.881
  • They allow abortions up to nine months.
  • 00:15:49.881 --> 00:15:53.818
  • So, in a nutshell, and i think i'm fairly stating the
  • 00:15:53.818 --> 00:15:57.855
  • Positions, republicans believe in limited abortion, democrats
  • 00:15:57.855 --> 00:16:03.061
  • Believe in limitless abortion.
  • 00:16:03.061 --> 00:16:05.830
  • They had a mobile abortion clinic, if you will, from
  • 00:16:05.830 --> 00:16:10.101
  • Planned parenthood at the dnc, at the democratic
  • 00:16:10.101 --> 00:16:12.737
  • National convention.
  • 00:16:12.737 --> 00:16:14.772
  • And so, this is something that you should factor in when you go
  • 00:16:14.772 --> 00:16:19.310
  • And you vote.
  • 00:16:19.310 --> 00:16:20.645
  • Religious liberty is another huge issue.
  • 00:16:20.645 --> 00:16:23.815
  • Now, sometimes people accuse us, as christians, as being what
  • 00:16:23.815 --> 00:16:26.784
  • They call christian nationalists.
  • 00:16:26.784 --> 00:16:29.654
  • What does that even mean?
  • 00:16:29.654 --> 00:16:31.889
  • Christian nationalism is not a theological or
  • 00:16:31.889 --> 00:16:35.326
  • A sociological term.
  • 00:16:35.326 --> 00:16:36.961
  • It's a political term used to stigmatize evangelical
  • 00:16:36.961 --> 00:16:41.432
  • Engagement in the public square.
  • 00:16:41.432 --> 00:16:44.068
  • It's what i would call a straw man argument.
  • 00:16:44.068 --> 00:16:46.471
  • And they set it up and say, "you christians, you christian
  • 00:16:46.471 --> 00:16:49.941
  • Nationalists, believe in a theocracy.
  • 00:16:49.941 --> 00:16:54.045
  • In other words, you want to take control of the government and
  • 00:16:54.045 --> 00:16:57.548
  • Force your views on the rest of the nation."
  • 00:16:57.548 --> 00:17:01.219
  • That is false. i don't hold with that view.
  • 00:17:01.219 --> 00:17:04.155
  • I don't want to force my views on anyone.
  • 00:17:04.155 --> 00:17:06.357
  • Do i want to present my views?
  • 00:17:06.357 --> 00:17:08.026
  • One hundred percent.
  • 00:17:08.026 --> 00:17:09.560
  • That's really the issue.
  • 00:17:09.560 --> 00:17:10.895
  • I want the same freedom that everybody else has to state my
  • 00:17:10.895 --> 00:17:15.433
  • Views as a follower of jesus christ.
  • 00:17:15.433 --> 00:17:18.269
  • That's it.
  • 00:17:18.269 --> 00:17:23.808
  • If i fly a flag in front of my house, which i do, does that
  • 00:17:23.808 --> 00:17:27.145
  • Make me a christian nationalist?
  • 00:17:27.145 --> 00:17:29.447
  • If i believe that our country needs to turn to god, does that
  • 00:17:29.447 --> 00:17:33.451
  • Make me a christian nationalist?
  • 00:17:33.451 --> 00:17:35.420
  • I think of myself as a patriot and as a christian, but i don't
  • 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:39.757
  • Want to impose my view on anyone.
  • 00:17:39.757 --> 00:17:41.793
  • I wanna just have the same first amendment rights that every
  • 00:17:41.793 --> 00:17:45.196
  • American should have, right?
  • 00:17:45.196 --> 00:17:50.268
  • And what are those rights?
  • 00:17:50.268 --> 00:17:51.769
  • In the first amendment, "congress shall make no law
  • 00:17:51.769 --> 00:17:54.539
  • Respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
  • 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:58.976
  • Free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
  • 00:17:58.976 --> 00:18:02.814
  • Of--or the press," so we want that freedom.
  • 00:18:02.814 --> 00:18:05.783
  • We want to retain that freedom.
  • 00:18:05.783 --> 00:18:07.285
  • Also, the bible supports marriage and the family.
  • 00:18:07.285 --> 00:18:11.689
  • The family is the foundation of our nation.
  • 00:18:11.689 --> 00:18:15.660
  • The family is the foundation of any nation, as i've said before.
  • 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:19.931
  • Almost every social ill in america today is a result of the
  • 00:18:19.931 --> 00:18:25.736
  • Broken family and, specifically, of the lack of fathers.
  • 00:18:25.736 --> 00:18:30.708
  • I've cited endless stats to prove this point, that you can
  • 00:18:30.708 --> 00:18:35.680
  • Take anything going on, incarceration, young women
  • 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:39.550
  • Getting pregnant outside of wedlock, criminal behavior,
  • 00:18:39.550 --> 00:18:44.021
  • Addiction to drugs and alcohol, homelessness, you name it,
  • 00:18:44.021 --> 00:18:48.559
  • It can be traced back to a broken home and to the lack of
  • 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:51.929
  • A father.
  • 00:18:51.929 --> 00:18:53.297
  • So, it's been said a family can survive without a nation, but
  • 00:18:53.297 --> 00:18:57.535
  • A nation cannot survive without the family, and i believe that,
  • 00:18:57.535 --> 00:19:02.340
  • And when i say a family, i'm going with what god defines as
  • 00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:06.444
  • A family.
  • 00:19:06.444 --> 00:19:07.778
  • Genesis 1:27: "he made men in his image, and the image of god
  • 00:19:07.778 --> 00:19:11.816
  • He created him, male and female he created them."
  • 00:19:11.816 --> 00:19:16.187
  • And so, any attempt to redefine the family is something that
  • 00:19:16.187 --> 00:19:20.224
  • Obviously i don't support.
  • 00:19:20.224 --> 00:19:22.827
  • I also oppose the state overruling the rights of
  • 00:19:22.827 --> 00:19:27.665
  • A parent in a child's life, bad idea.
  • 00:19:27.665 --> 00:19:36.707
  • So let's pull this all together.
  • 00:19:36.707 --> 00:19:38.209
  • We're children of god because we put our faith in christ.
  • 00:19:38.209 --> 00:19:41.779
  • We're citizens of another kingdom, the kingdom of god, so
  • 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:45.116
  • I have dual citizenship, right?
  • 00:19:45.116 --> 00:19:47.318
  • I'm a--i'm a christian citizen of heaven, and i'm an american
  • 00:19:47.318 --> 00:19:51.322
  • Citizen as well.
  • 00:19:51.322 --> 00:19:52.823
  • But because of my faith in christ, that affects everything
  • 00:19:52.823 --> 00:19:56.360
  • That i say and do.
  • 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.695
  • It affects my moral decisions, my financial thinking, my
  • 00:19:57.695 --> 00:20:01.566
  • Voting, and everything.
  • 00:20:01.566 --> 00:20:03.568
  • But for our nation, i believe our only hope is not gonna be
  • 00:20:03.568 --> 00:20:07.872
  • Found in who we elect as president, though
  • 00:20:07.872 --> 00:20:10.208
  • That's important.
  • 00:20:10.208 --> 00:20:11.642
  • But our primary hope should be in a spiritual awakening
  • 00:20:11.642 --> 00:20:15.947
  • Happening in america again.
  • 00:20:15.947 --> 00:20:18.583
  • We need to pray to that end.
  • 00:20:18.583 --> 00:20:25.256
  • C.h. spurgeon,
  • 00:20:25.256 --> 00:20:26.591
  • A great british preacher defined revival as
  • 00:20:26.591 --> 00:20:28.659
  • Follows, quote, "it's to live again, to receive again a life
  • 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:34.165
  • Which has almost expired, to rekindle into a flame the vital
  • 00:20:34.165 --> 00:20:38.236
  • Spark that was nearly extinguished," end quote.
  • 00:20:38.236 --> 00:20:41.772
  • Another defined revival as "a time when heaven draws closer
  • 00:20:41.772 --> 00:20:46.110
  • To earth."
  • 00:20:46.110 --> 00:20:47.478
  • Oh, i love that.
  • 00:20:47.478 --> 00:20:48.813
  • We need heaven to draw closer to earth.
  • 00:20:48.813 --> 00:20:51.616
  • Revival starts with the church, and then it spreads to
  • 00:20:51.616 --> 00:20:55.052
  • The culture.
  • 00:20:55.052 --> 00:20:56.487
  • So one way you could sum it up is the church needs a revival,
  • 00:20:56.487 --> 00:21:01.025
  • And the culture needs a spiritual awakening.
  • 00:21:01.025 --> 00:21:04.295
  • Now, we've had four great spiritual awakenings in the
  • 00:21:04.295 --> 00:21:08.065
  • United states, and we're due for another.
  • 00:21:08.065 --> 00:21:12.570
  • The last great spiritual awakening was what we called
  • 00:21:12.570 --> 00:21:15.673
  • "the jesus movement."
  • 00:21:15.673 --> 00:21:17.008
  • So we need to pray, "lord, do that again."
  • 00:21:17.008 --> 00:21:20.111
  • Habakkuk 3:2 says, "i've heard all about you, lord.
  • 00:21:20.111 --> 00:21:23.914
  • I'm filled with awe by the amazing things that you've done.
  • 00:21:23.914 --> 00:21:27.285
  • And in this time of deep need, revive your work as you did in
  • 00:21:27.285 --> 00:21:30.388
  • Years gone by.
  • 00:21:30.388 --> 00:21:31.722
  • Show us your power to save us.
  • 00:21:31.722 --> 00:21:34.058
  • And in your anger, remember your mercy."
  • 00:21:34.058 --> 00:21:36.394
  • I love that, just, "lord, do it again.
  • 00:21:36.394 --> 00:21:38.362
  • You know, we've heard about it, do it again."
  • 00:21:38.362 --> 00:21:43.668
  • So, we say we want a revival.
  • 00:21:43.668 --> 00:21:46.003
  • What is a revival?
  • 00:21:46.003 --> 00:21:47.371
  • It's a return to original condition, and god has given
  • 00:21:47.371 --> 00:21:51.809
  • This promise to send revival if we will do the following:
  • 00:21:51.809 --> 00:21:56.547
  • 2 chronicles 7:14, god says, "if my people which are called by my
  • 00:21:56.547 --> 00:22:00.785
  • Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn
  • 00:22:00.785 --> 00:22:04.755
  • From their wicked ways, then," god promises, "i will hear from
  • 00:22:04.755 --> 00:22:08.259
  • Heaven, i'll forgive their sin and heal their land."
  • 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:11.829
  • That's it.
  • 00:22:11.829 --> 00:22:13.197
  • Now, we look at our nation, we look at the crime, we look at
  • 00:22:13.197 --> 00:22:20.171
  • The addiction, we look at the homelessness, we look at the
  • 00:22:20.171 --> 00:22:24.075
  • Turmoil, and we say, "god, our land needs to be healed.
  • 00:22:24.075 --> 00:22:28.379
  • We need more of this.
  • 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:29.747
  • Throw more money over here."
  • 00:22:29.747 --> 00:22:31.082
  • Do--those things may or may not help depending on where that
  • 00:22:31.082 --> 00:22:35.453
  • Is directed.
  • 00:22:35.453 --> 00:22:36.921
  • But ultimately, we need god to move, and we need our
  • 00:22:36.921 --> 00:22:39.757
  • Land healed.
  • 00:22:39.757 --> 00:22:41.125
  • But listen, when god sees a problem in a nation, notice
  • 00:22:41.125 --> 00:22:44.061
  • Where he points his finger, "if my people."
  • 00:22:44.061 --> 00:22:46.697
  • God doesn't point his finger at the white house, he points
  • 00:22:46.697 --> 00:22:49.700
  • A finger at his house, "if my people."
  • 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:53.971
  • We can stand all day and say, "hollywood does this, washington
  • 00:22:53.971 --> 00:22:57.908
  • Does that."
  • 00:22:57.908 --> 00:22:59.276
  • God says, "yeah, interesting, my people."
  • 00:22:59.276 --> 00:23:02.146
  • Now let's personalize it: if you, if you, if i will turn from
  • 00:23:02.146 --> 00:23:08.252
  • My sins, and pray, and seek his face, god will hear from heaven,
  • 00:23:08.252 --> 00:23:12.923
  • "forgive me my sin and heal the land."
  • 00:23:12.923 --> 00:23:16.660
  • Let it start with you.
  • 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:18.929
  • If you want to see a revival, do revival-like things.
  • 00:23:18.929 --> 00:23:24.034
  • We overly mystify this.
  • 00:23:24.034 --> 00:23:26.337
  • Just go back and do those things you used to do.
  • 00:23:26.337 --> 00:23:29.306
  • As saint paul says, "get back, get back, get back to where you
  • 00:23:29.306 --> 00:23:34.712
  • Once belonged."
  • 00:23:34.712 --> 00:23:36.814
  • All the old people laughed.
  • 00:23:36.814 --> 00:23:39.150
  • I quoted a beatles lyric, "get back."
  • 00:23:39.150 --> 00:23:41.986
  • Okay, so--you thought saint paul the apostle?
  • 00:23:41.986 --> 00:23:43.621
  • No, paul mccartney said that, but--but it's true.
  • 00:23:43.621 --> 00:23:48.125
  • Get back to those things you used to do.
  • 00:23:48.125 --> 00:23:50.227
  • In revelation chapter 2, jesus speaks to the church of ephesus.
  • 00:23:50.227 --> 00:23:55.299
  • He commends them for certain things, and then he says, "but i
  • 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:58.869
  • Have this against you.
  • 00:23:58.869 --> 00:24:00.738
  • You have left your first love.
  • 00:24:00.738 --> 00:24:03.107
  • Remember therefore from where you have fallen and repent and
  • 00:24:03.107 --> 00:24:06.710
  • Do the first works quickly."
  • 00:24:06.710 --> 00:24:08.646
  • So there's three things we need to do to get right with god and
  • 00:24:08.646 --> 00:24:11.749
  • Have revival, the three rs of revival, if you will: remember,
  • 00:24:11.749 --> 00:24:16.287
  • Repent, repeat.
  • 00:24:16.287 --> 00:24:18.389
  • So first, remember, it's a point of reference.
  • 00:24:18.389 --> 00:24:21.525
  • Was there a time when your christian life was filled with
  • 00:24:21.525 --> 00:24:24.795
  • More passion and zeal than right now?
  • 00:24:24.795 --> 00:24:28.666
  • If so, remember that, mark it.
  • 00:24:28.666 --> 00:24:31.235
  • Now, repent, change your direction, stop living that way.
  • 00:24:31.235 --> 00:24:34.605
  • And repeat, do the first works quickly.
  • 00:24:34.605 --> 00:24:39.376
  • Did you used to read the bible more than you read it now?
  • 00:24:39.376 --> 00:24:42.880
  • Just open it up and read it.
  • 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.815
  • You need to do that all the time.
  • 00:24:44.815 --> 00:24:47.151
  • Number two: when's the last time you prayed?
  • 00:24:47.151 --> 00:24:49.587
  • You talk about your problems, you complain about your
  • 00:24:49.587 --> 00:24:52.156
  • Problems, you're concerned about your problems.
  • 00:24:52.156 --> 00:24:55.092
  • Have you prayed about your problems?
  • 00:24:55.092 --> 00:24:57.595
  • Thirdly, we used to go out and share the gospel, telling people
  • 00:24:57.595 --> 00:25:02.299
  • About jesus.
  • 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.667
  • It wasn't unusual to see christians out in public places,
  • 00:25:03.667 --> 00:25:06.971
  • Walking around with their bibles, engaging people in
  • 00:25:06.971 --> 00:25:09.607
  • Conversations about christ.
  • 00:25:09.607 --> 00:25:11.342
  • When's the last time you did something like that?
  • 00:25:11.342 --> 00:25:13.544
  • Listen, you go back and do those things you used to do and you'll
  • 00:25:13.544 --> 00:25:17.281
  • See revival returning to your life.
  • 00:25:17.281 --> 00:25:19.650
  • You'll see spiritual life coming back again.
  • 00:25:19.650 --> 00:25:22.286
  • Just do it.
  • 00:25:22.286 --> 00:25:26.156
  • Greg: hi, my name is greg laurie.
  • 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:31.328
  • I started searching for god at a very young age, and my search
  • 00:25:31.328 --> 00:25:36.367
  • Led me into a lot of wrong directions including drug use
  • 00:25:36.367 --> 00:25:40.271
  • That i almost destroyed my life completely.
  • 00:25:40.271 --> 00:25:43.007
  • But someone told me about jesus christ and it changed
  • 00:25:43.007 --> 00:25:47.411
  • My life forever.
  • 00:25:47.411 --> 00:25:48.779
  • And i want you to know that whatever course your life is on
  • 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:51.515
  • Right now, it can change if you realize there's a god in heaven
  • 00:25:51.515 --> 00:25:55.319
  • Who loves you and he has a plan for your life.
  • 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:59.223
  • I prayed this prayer to ask jesus into my life
  • 00:25:59.223 --> 00:26:02.259
  • At the age of 17, but here i am at the age of 70,
  • 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:06.030
  • And i can tell you i made the best choice i ever could make.
  • 00:26:06.030 --> 00:26:09.500
  • You can make that same choice yourself.
  • 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:11.802
  • You could just say, "jesus, help me.
  • 00:26:11.802 --> 00:26:13.971
  • Forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:26:13.971 --> 00:26:15.673
  • I wanna go to heaven when i die.
  • 00:26:15.673 --> 00:26:17.541
  • I want a relationship with you."
  • 00:26:17.541 --> 00:26:20.277
  • If you would pray a prayer like that, god will hear you
  • 00:26:20.277 --> 00:26:22.947
  • And answer you.
  • 00:26:22.947 --> 00:26:24.548
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:24.615 --> 00:26:29.219
  • Greg: greg laurie here.
  • 00:26:30.921 --> 00:26:32.289
  • You know, in harvest ministries, we're committing to reaching
  • 00:26:32.289 --> 00:26:34.992
  • Unexpected people in unexpected places with an unexpected
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  • Message, and thanks to your financial support, we've been
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  • Able to touch people all over the world with the hope of
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  • Jesus christ.
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  • Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
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  • Country through this television program, they also help us to
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  • Bring hope to people and their biggest need, whether through
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  • Our evangelistic events or our relief efforts.
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  • Together, we've been able to minister to so many people
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  • Devastated by the fires in lahaina on the island of maui,
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  • And also, your support has helped his partner to bring
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  • Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
  • 00:27:14.064 --> 00:27:17.334
  • So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
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  • Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill the
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  • Great commission.
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  • Let's do this together, and let me say in advance,
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  • Thank you and god bless you.
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