Greg Laurie - How To Deal With Trials and Temptation

January 1, 2025 | S25:E1

Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To Deal With Trials and Temptation | January 1, 2025
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Greg laurie: okay, question: where does temptation come from?
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  • Our default answer would probably be, "well, the devil."
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  • There's truth to that, but it's not all of it.
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  • It comes from us, too.
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  • We play a key role in our own temptation.
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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: maybe i'm talking to somebody going through a fiery
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  • Trial right now.
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  • Seemingly out of nowhere, the bottom just dropped out, and
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  • You're facing problem after problem, and you don't know why
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  • This is happening to you.
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  • You're saying, "what's wrong with me?
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  • What have i done to deserve this?"
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  • Let me have you look at it a little differently.
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  • Instead of asking, "what's wrong with me," maybe you should ask,
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  • "what's right with me?"
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  • Because the reason you're being attacked is because you are a
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  • Threat to satan and his kingdom, and the devil wants to stop you.
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  • So god's allowing these trials in your life for a purpose.
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  • It's been said, christians are a lot like teabags; you don't know
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  • What they're made of until you put them in hot water.
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  • Maybe you're in the hot water of temptation right now.
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  • Are you going through a big trial?
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  • But someone else would say, "well, i'm not going through
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  • Any trials.
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  • I haven't had any hardships, and i can't remember the last time i
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  • Was tempted."
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  • Oh, you just admitted you're basically worthless.
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  • Ever hear the expression, 'you don't need to kick a
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  • Dead horse?'
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  • See, the devil doesn't need to waste his time with an
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  • Immobilized, compromised christian.
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  • Instead, he's gonna focus his energies and his attacks on
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  • Those who are a threat to the kingdom.
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  • But here's the good news.
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  • Jesus said, the gates of hell will not prevail against us.
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  • Have you ever wondered what that means?
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  • See, think of it this way.
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  • Have you ever seen one of those movies where an army is storming
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  • A castle, and they close the gate, and, as the army gets
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  • Closer, they pour boiling oil over the side, right?
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  • But then, what does the army do?
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  • They pull out their battering ram, and they push it through
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  • The gate, and finally the gate breaks, and they go inside.
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  • So, when jesus says, "the gates of hell will not prevail against
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  • You," we're the invading army.
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  • We've got the battering ram of the gospel, and we're breaking
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  • Through the gates, and we're going to break through those
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  • Gates, and those gates will not prevail against us because we're
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  • On the winning side with the message of jesus christ.
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  • That's what that means.
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  • But, if you choose to live that way, you will be opposed.
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  • But that's good news; that's confirmation you're on the
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  • Right track.
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  • All right, so back to the book of james.
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  • This was written to the jewish people who had been scattered;
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  • The 12 tribes of israel were flung far and wide.
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  • They were no longer ruling their own nation as they had in the
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  • Past with kings like david and solomon.
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  • Now they're under the rule of the occupying force of rome and
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  • Caesar, and it's a hard time for them, and they're suffering.
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  • And maybe i'm talking to someone that's suffering right now.
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  • If so, this book is for you.
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  • The book of james was written by the half-brother of
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  • Jesus, james.
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  • Now let me explain half-brother.
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  • The mother of james was mary; the father of james was joseph,
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  • But his half-brother, if you will, was jesus because the
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  • Mother of jesus was mary, but the father of jesus was god the
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  • Father, and he, his son was supernaturally conceived in the
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  • Womb of mary.
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  • Mary was not sinless.
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  • Jesus was not born of what is sometimes called
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  • Immaculate conception.
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  • Mary was a sinner like everyone else, yet she was hand-picked by
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  • God to have this great privilege of being the mother of
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  • The messiah.
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  • But joseph was a stepfather and clearly an earthly father figure
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  • For jesus, and i think he was a great dad.
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  • And we talk a lot about mary and her life, but we shouldn't
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  • Forget joseph because, of all the men god could have chosen,
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  • He said, "i want that man to be the father figure to my son."
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  • And so jesus had siblings because sometimes we hear it
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  • Said jesus had no brothers and sisters.
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  • No, he had brothers and sisters, and james was one of
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  • Those brothers.
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  • But you would think they all believed in him.
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  • I mean, who was a better kid than jesus?
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  • He always did all of his chores, no rebellion, no back talk.
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  • He was the perfect young man, the perfect teenager, the
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  • Perfect young adult.
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  • He was the greatest example of all time.
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  • Yet we read that his own family did not believe in him.
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  • In fact, they came to take him home on one occasion because
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  • They had, they thought he was crazy.
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  • And so that brings me to my first point, if you're
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  • Taking notes.
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  • Even living a perfect christian life will not convince
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  • Some people.
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  • Even living a perfect christian life will not convince
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  • Some people.
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  • Who lived a more perfect life than christ himself?
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  • He never lied, he never stole, he never lost his temper.
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  • He never even sinned inwardly.
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  • Do you think mary ever lectured the other siblings and said,
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  • "kids, why can't you be more like your big brother jesus?
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  • He's such a great example.
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  • In fact, joseph was out in the shop, and he made these little
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  • Wooden bracelets, wwjd.
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  • Wear these.
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  • Ask yourself the question, 'what would jesus do?'"
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  • Well, i don't think that ever happened, but he was a
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  • Perfect example.
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  • But yet they did not believe.
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  • In fact, matthew 13 says he went to his own hometown of nazareth
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  • Where he was raised, he performed miracles.
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  • Their reaction was, "hey, isn't this the carpenter's son?
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  • Isn't his mother's name mary and his brothers james,
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  • Joseph, simon, and judas?"
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  • And they took offense at him, and christ said,
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  • "a prophet is not without honor except in his own country."
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  • And he did not do many miracles there,
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  • The bible says, because of their unbelief.
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  • Listen, the hardest people to reach are the ones closest to
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  • You, hardest people to reach, kids,
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  • Are your parents, hardest people to reach,
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  • Parents, are your kids.
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  • The hardest people to reach are your siblings or your friends
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  • That go all the way back to your school days,
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  • And you'll tell them how christ has changed your life,
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  • And they'll be suspicious.
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  • Don't give up on them, keep praying for them,
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  • But it just shows even jesus really didn't have his own
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  • Family believe in him until he was crucified and resurrected.
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  • But look how james starts his epistle, james chapter 1, verse
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  • 1, "james, a bondservant of god and of the lord jesus christ, to
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  • The twelve tribes that are scattered abroad: greetings, my
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  • Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
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  • Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
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  • But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
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  • Perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
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  • Okay, point number one, even living a perfect christian life
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  • Will not convince some people.
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  • Point number two.
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  • Make a choice to rejoice when you go through times of trial.
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  • Look at verse 2, "my brethren, count it all joy when you fall
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  • Into various trials," or another translation puts it this way,
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  • "count it pure, unmixed, complete, and total joy."
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  • What kind of weird thing is that to say to a suffering person?
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  • Here's what he isn't saying.
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  • He's not saying enjoy it when you suffer.
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  • I don't think any of us enjoy suffering.
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  • He's not saying that the trials themselves are joy because they
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  • Are not; in fact, hebrews 12:11 says, "no discipline seems
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  • Pleasant at the time, but painful."
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  • What james is saying is consider it pure joy, or, as i said, make
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  • A choice to rejoice.
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  • You see, it's a matter of will, not emotions.
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  • The more we rejoice in our testings, the more we realize
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  • They're not liabilities but privileges, ultimately helpful,
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  • Not harmful, no matter how severe they may appear.
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  • There are times in life that we go through hardship, but we make
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  • A choice to rejoice.
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  • Take jesus as the ultimate example.
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  • It says in hebrews 12, "for the joy that was set before him, he
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  • Endured the cross, despising the shame, and now has set down at
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  • The right hand of god."
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  • Wait, what joy?
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  • Jesus had been scourged 39 times.
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  • Jesus had his beard ripped from his face.
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  • He had been struck repeatedly with fists.
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  • He had a crown of thorns pressed down on his head.
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  • He had lost a tremendous amount of blood.
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  • And he's carrying this massive cross.
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  • And yet the joy set before him.
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  • What joy?
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  • That joy was you.
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  • That joy was me.
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  • That joy was us because he knew what the cross would accomplish.
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  • Jesus did not come to this earth to be a good example.
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  • He came to be a suffering savior, to die in our place on
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  • The cross and to bear our sins, and then to rise again from
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  • The dead.
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  • But the joy set before him, you see?
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  • Point number three.
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  • Trials happen to make us stronger in every way.
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  • Verse 3, "knowing that the testing of your faith
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  • Produces patience.
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  • But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
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  • Perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
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  • Okay, so, the word patience is probably not the best
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  • Translation, and i'm using the new king james version here.
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  • It comes from a greek word that translates out to toughness,
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  • Fortitude, endurance, or staying power.
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  • So it's implying something different than simple patience.
  • 00:10:28.832 --> 00:10:32.068
  • A modern translation of james, verses 3 and 4, say, "let
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  • It grow.
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  • Don't try to squirm out of your problems; for when your patience
  • 00:10:38.308 --> 00:10:41.378
  • Is in full blown--" in full bloom, rather--"you're ready
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  • For anything, strong in character, full and complete."
  • 00:10:44.781 --> 00:10:48.518
  • It's like going to the gym and working out.
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  • How many of you go to a gym or a health club, raise your hand?
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  • Okay, a few more of you might think about it, just saying.
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  • How many of you that go to the gym like to go to the gym?
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  • You enjoy it; you love the release of endorphins.
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  • Okay, you--i hope you're not on steroids, sir, i don't know.
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  • Okay, you are; no more coffee for this man over here.
  • 00:11:13.209 --> 00:11:19.449
  • So, hey, i admire anybody that enjoys working out.
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  • I go to the gym; i don't like it; my favorite time is when
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  • It's done.
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  • But here's the funny thing.
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  • I'll make up every excuse as to why i don't wanna go, even when
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  • I'm there, "i don't wanna do this."
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  • But then, once i'm done, i'm glad i did it.
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  • Not because i enjoyed it, but it actually energizes me when i
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  • Complete it.
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  • You see, that's what trials are like.
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  • A lot of people find themselves feeling tired and lethargic.
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  • They say, "well, i'm just getting old."
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  • That, that's maybe true; but you might be out of shape.
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  • Well, you're in a shape; you're in the shape of a pear; that's
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  • Not a good shape.
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  • People even call you the lord's pear, and you don't like it.
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  • So you can't fight age, you can't stop age, but you can do
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  • The best you can with your body and stay strong and get
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  • Stronger physically.
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  • The same can be true spiritually as well.
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  • You might say, "well, i don't feel any spiritual energy.
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  • I feel tired and drained, but i'm still reading my bible.
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  • I'm praying. i'm going to church.
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  • I'm even in a harvest small group.
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  • And i feel this lethargy."
  • 00:12:34.324 --> 00:12:36.793
  • Well, here's my advice to you.
  • 00:12:36.793 --> 00:12:39.562
  • Get off your fat--lazy boy recliner.
  • 00:12:39.562 --> 00:12:43.333
  • What did you think i was gonna say?
  • 00:12:43.333 --> 00:12:46.202
  • Wow, where are your heads at today?
  • 00:12:46.202 --> 00:12:49.539
  • No, get off your lazy boy recliner and do something.
  • 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:53.910
  • You see, the spiritual life is taking in, but it's also
  • 00:12:53.910 --> 00:12:57.514
  • Giving out.
  • 00:12:57.514 --> 00:12:58.882
  • And, if i only take in, and i don't give out, i am gonna reach
  • 00:12:58.882 --> 00:13:02.118
  • A state of spiritual lethargy.
  • 00:13:02.118 --> 00:13:05.655
  • The bible says, "give and it shall be given unto you, pressed
  • 00:13:05.655 --> 00:13:08.424
  • Down, shaken together, running over.
  • 00:13:08.424 --> 00:13:10.493
  • With the same measure you give, it shall be given back to you."
  • 00:13:10.493 --> 00:13:15.098
  • So trials, trials are like god's gym, where we're broken down in
  • 00:13:15.098 --> 00:13:19.669
  • Order to be built up, where we take our faith from the realm of
  • 00:13:19.669 --> 00:13:24.174
  • Theory to reality so we can start living out our faith in
  • 00:13:24.174 --> 00:13:27.811
  • The real world.
  • 00:13:27.811 --> 00:13:29.212
  • You'll always have trials in this life.
  • 00:13:29.212 --> 00:13:32.682
  • They won't stop until you get to heaven.
  • 00:13:32.682 --> 00:13:36.319
  • But, god will be with you through every single one.
  • 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:40.156
  • Verse 2 says, "count it all joy when you go through these
  • 00:13:40.156 --> 00:13:43.526
  • Various trials," it's not 'if,' it's 'when;' you're going to go
  • 00:13:43.526 --> 00:13:48.398
  • Through them.
  • 00:13:48.398 --> 00:13:50.033
  • Greg: hey, everybody, greg laurie here with
  • 00:13:54.003 --> 00:13:55.338
  • Some thoughts about anxiety.
  • 00:13:55.338 --> 00:13:57.173
  • Well, there's a lot of things to be anxious about
  • 00:13:57.173 --> 00:13:59.909
  • Right now, aren't there?
  • 00:13:59.909 --> 00:14:01.945
  • All the turmoil in our country, all the fighting,
  • 00:14:01.945 --> 00:14:04.981
  • Which hasn't gotten better, it's actually gotten worse.
  • 00:14:04.981 --> 00:14:08.084
  • Can i make a couple of recommendations?
  • 00:14:08.084 --> 00:14:10.420
  • Maybe don't watch the news for hours on end.
  • 00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:14.357
  • Maybe don't spend all your time on twitter and fighting with
  • 00:14:14.357 --> 00:14:18.862
  • People on social media, et cetera.
  • 00:14:18.862 --> 00:14:20.763
  • And i'm not saying don't be uninformed 'cause we need to be
  • 00:14:20.763 --> 00:14:23.366
  • Aware of what's going on so we know how to pray intelligently,
  • 00:14:23.366 --> 00:14:27.070
  • But take time to fill your mind with the word of god,
  • 00:14:27.070 --> 00:14:31.641
  • Take time to focus on your relationship with god.
  • 00:14:31.641 --> 00:14:36.512
  • We all know this verse very well that says,
  • 00:14:36.512 --> 00:14:39.148
  • "don't worry about anything, pray about everything,
  • 00:14:39.148 --> 00:14:42.619
  • And the peace of god will guard your
  • 00:14:42.619 --> 00:14:44.954
  • Heart and mind in christ jesus."
  • 00:14:44.954 --> 00:14:46.289
  • Scripture also says, "thou will keep him in perfect peace who's
  • 00:14:46.289 --> 00:14:50.260
  • Mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee."
  • 00:14:50.260 --> 00:14:53.830
  • So if you find yourself in turmoil and anguish and if you
  • 00:14:53.830 --> 00:14:57.500
  • Find yourself filled with anxiety,
  • 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:59.269
  • Put your mind on the lord, turn your thoughts toward the lord,
  • 00:14:59.269 --> 00:15:04.674
  • Fill your life with the word of god,
  • 00:15:04.674 --> 00:15:07.343
  • With worship music, with good bible teaching.
  • 00:15:07.343 --> 00:15:10.413
  • We have a podcast, and there's a lot of great things out there,
  • 00:15:10.413 --> 00:15:13.449
  • But we have a podcast you can listen to,
  • 00:15:13.449 --> 00:15:15.451
  • But listen, look to jesus right now and let's keep praying for
  • 00:15:15.451 --> 00:15:19.856
  • Our nation that god's will, will be done,
  • 00:15:19.856 --> 00:15:23.393
  • But let's also pray that he will give us personal peace.
  • 00:15:23.393 --> 00:15:27.864
  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪♪
  • 00:15:27.931 --> 00:15:35.805
  • Greg: point number four.
  • 00:15:36.372 --> 00:15:37.707
  • It is through trials that we learn great wisdom.
  • 00:15:37.707 --> 00:15:41.110
  • So they not only make us stronger spiritually, but,
  • 00:15:41.110 --> 00:15:44.247
  • Through trials, we learn things that we would not have
  • 00:15:44.247 --> 00:15:46.816
  • Otherwise learned.
  • 00:15:46.816 --> 00:15:48.184
  • Look at verse 5, "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
  • 00:15:48.184 --> 00:15:51.254
  • God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it
  • 00:15:51.254 --> 00:15:54.991
  • Will be given to him.
  • 00:15:54.991 --> 00:15:56.326
  • But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts
  • 00:15:56.326 --> 00:15:59.095
  • Is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
  • 00:15:59.095 --> 00:16:02.298
  • Let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the lord;
  • 00:16:02.298 --> 00:16:06.536
  • He's a double-minded man, unstable in all of his ways."
  • 00:16:06.536 --> 00:16:10.440
  • You know, we live in a time where we can get information
  • 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:13.876
  • On demand.
  • 00:16:13.876 --> 00:16:15.211
  • All you have to do is say, "hey, siri, what's the
  • 00:16:15.211 --> 00:16:17.747
  • Temperature today?"
  • 00:16:17.747 --> 00:16:19.382
  • "hey, google, what about this?"
  • 00:16:19.382 --> 00:16:21.651
  • "hey, alexa--" you ask her a question, and you talk to this
  • 00:16:21.651 --> 00:16:25.455
  • Artificial intelligence, and, in many ways, we have knowledge
  • 00:16:25.455 --> 00:16:30.126
  • That's a mile wide, but an inch deep.
  • 00:16:30.126 --> 00:16:33.129
  • We have knowledge without wisdom.
  • 00:16:33.129 --> 00:16:35.198
  • Through knowledge, we've learned how to travel faster than sound.
  • 00:16:35.198 --> 00:16:39.135
  • But we show our lack of wisdom by going faster in the
  • 00:16:39.135 --> 00:16:42.472
  • Wrong direction.
  • 00:16:42.472 --> 00:16:44.107
  • See, what we need is wisdom.
  • 00:16:44.107 --> 00:16:45.475
  • Knowledge is good; we want knowledge.
  • 00:16:45.475 --> 00:16:46.843
  • We need biblical knowledge; we need other kinds of knowledge.
  • 00:16:46.843 --> 00:16:50.046
  • But we need wisdom.
  • 00:16:50.046 --> 00:16:51.914
  • And the bible says, "if any man lack wisdom, let him ask
  • 00:16:51.914 --> 00:16:54.984
  • Of god."
  • 00:16:54.984 --> 00:16:56.319
  • And he'll give it generously, but, when you ask, don't doubt.
  • 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:59.655
  • So this is one of those prayers that, when you pray it, you know
  • 00:16:59.655 --> 00:17:03.192
  • God will answer it.
  • 00:17:03.192 --> 00:17:04.961
  • It's praying for the will of god.
  • 00:17:04.961 --> 00:17:06.662
  • A lot of times, when we sit down to have a meeting or we make
  • 00:17:06.662 --> 00:17:10.366
  • Some plans for the future, we'll pray, "lord, give us wisdom.
  • 00:17:10.366 --> 00:17:14.137
  • You've told us in your word, if any man lacks wisdom, let him
  • 00:17:14.137 --> 00:17:17.073
  • Ask of you, and you'll give it generously.
  • 00:17:17.073 --> 00:17:19.142
  • Lord, we need that wisdom right now."
  • 00:17:19.142 --> 00:17:21.210
  • That's a good prayer to pray.
  • 00:17:21.210 --> 00:17:23.613
  • We need to know his will, especially on the biggest
  • 00:17:23.613 --> 00:17:26.616
  • Decisions of life, one being who you're gonna marry, or maybe god
  • 00:17:26.616 --> 00:17:31.687
  • Won't have you get married.
  • 00:17:31.687 --> 00:17:33.122
  • But you need wisdom to know.
  • 00:17:33.122 --> 00:17:35.258
  • You wanna make the right decision there.
  • 00:17:35.258 --> 00:17:37.827
  • What career path you may choose, what ministry opportunities you
  • 00:17:37.827 --> 00:17:43.066
  • May respond to.
  • 00:17:43.066 --> 00:17:44.400
  • You need this wisdom, and, when you pray, believe you will
  • 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:47.770
  • Receive it.
  • 00:17:47.770 --> 00:17:49.138
  • Point number five.
  • 00:17:49.138 --> 00:17:50.473
  • God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation.
  • 00:17:50.473 --> 00:17:54.610
  • God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation.
  • 00:17:54.677 --> 00:18:01.384
  • James 1, verse 12, "blessed is he who endures temptation; for
  • 00:18:01.384 --> 00:18:05.855
  • When he has been approved, he'll receive the crown of life which
  • 00:18:05.855 --> 00:18:08.658
  • The lord has promised to those who love him.
  • 00:18:08.658 --> 00:18:10.827
  • But let no one say when he is tempted, 'i'm tempted by god;'
  • 00:18:10.827 --> 00:18:13.896
  • For god cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself
  • 00:18:13.896 --> 00:18:17.366
  • Tempt anyone."
  • 00:18:17.366 --> 00:18:18.734
  • Look at this part; don't miss these final verses.
  • 00:18:18.734 --> 00:18:21.003
  • "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
  • 00:18:21.003 --> 00:18:25.341
  • And is enticed.
  • 00:18:25.341 --> 00:18:26.676
  • And then, when desire has conceived, he gives birth to
  • 00:18:26.676 --> 00:18:29.145
  • Sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
  • 00:18:29.145 --> 00:18:34.317
  • Okay, question: where does temptation come from?
  • 00:18:34.317 --> 00:18:39.188
  • Our default answer would probably be, "well, the devil."
  • 00:18:39.188 --> 00:18:41.891
  • There's truth to that, but it's not all of it.
  • 00:18:41.891 --> 00:18:45.094
  • It comes from us, too.
  • 00:18:45.094 --> 00:18:46.462
  • We play a key role in our own temptation.
  • 00:18:46.462 --> 00:18:50.166
  • Where there's no desire on our part, there's no temptation.
  • 00:18:50.166 --> 00:18:54.704
  • In fact, in these verses, we have the five steps
  • 00:18:54.704 --> 00:19:00.877
  • To temptation.
  • 00:19:00.877 --> 00:19:02.245
  • Number one, the temptation itself; verse 14, "everyone is
  • 00:19:02.245 --> 00:19:06.182
  • Tempted when they're drawn away by their own desires," which by
  • 00:19:06.182 --> 00:19:10.086
  • The way are common to man.
  • 00:19:10.086 --> 00:19:13.389
  • So, whatever you're being tempted to do, you're not the
  • 00:19:13.389 --> 00:19:15.892
  • Only one because sometimes we may think, "oh, man, how could
  • 00:19:15.892 --> 00:19:19.996
  • That thought have come into my mind?
  • 00:19:19.996 --> 00:19:21.831
  • What is wrong with me?"
  • 00:19:21.831 --> 00:19:23.432
  • Doesn't mean anything's wrong with you.
  • 00:19:23.432 --> 00:19:25.134
  • Listen, it's not a sin to be tempted.
  • 00:19:25.134 --> 00:19:28.137
  • The sin of temptation is not the bait; it's the bite.
  • 00:19:28.137 --> 00:19:32.074
  • If you don't take the bait, you haven't sinned; you have to bite
  • 00:19:32.074 --> 00:19:37.180
  • At it.
  • 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.514
  • So, just because a thought comes to your mind doesn't mean
  • 00:19:38.514 --> 00:19:41.617
  • You're evil.
  • 00:19:41.617 --> 00:19:42.985
  • It just means you're being tempted by evil.
  • 00:19:42.985 --> 00:19:46.589
  • The bible calls it, king james, "the fiery darts of the
  • 00:19:46.589 --> 00:19:50.326
  • Wicked one."
  • 00:19:50.326 --> 00:19:51.894
  • Years ago, when i was a young preacher, i think i was maybe 18
  • 00:19:51.894 --> 00:19:54.864
  • Or 19 when i gave one of my first sermons, was at a
  • 00:19:54.864 --> 00:19:57.667
  • Christian camp.
  • 00:19:57.667 --> 00:19:59.001
  • Chuck smith was there.
  • 00:19:59.001 --> 00:20:00.336
  • I wanted to impress everyone.
  • 00:20:00.336 --> 00:20:02.305
  • And so i was speaking on ephesians 6 about
  • 00:20:02.305 --> 00:20:05.074
  • Spiritual warfare.
  • 00:20:05.074 --> 00:20:06.542
  • And, instead of talking about the fiery darts of the wicked
  • 00:20:06.542 --> 00:20:10.046
  • One, i instead said the diary farts of the wicked one.
  • 00:20:10.046 --> 00:20:15.084
  • It's kind of an embarrassing moment, but, they're not diary
  • 00:20:15.084 --> 00:20:20.456
  • Farts, so it--really, a better translation would be flaming
  • 00:20:20.456 --> 00:20:24.327
  • Arrows, okay, flaming arrows.
  • 00:20:24.327 --> 00:20:26.596
  • So, you know, maybe you're worshiping the lord, and your
  • 00:20:26.596 --> 00:20:29.632
  • Thoughts are on heavenly things, and, all of a sudden--
  • 00:20:29.632 --> 00:20:32.201
  • Phth phth phth--that's the sound of an arrow.
  • 00:20:32.201 --> 00:20:35.438
  • That sound like an arrow?
  • 00:20:35.438 --> 00:20:37.039
  • There it is.
  • 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.407
  • Okay, all of a sudden, weird, bizarre thought,
  • 00:20:38.407 --> 00:20:40.343
  • Horrible thought.
  • 00:20:40.343 --> 00:20:41.711
  • Oh, and the devil says, "how could you think that in church?"
  • 00:20:41.711 --> 00:20:45.481
  • Well, these are temptations.
  • 00:20:45.481 --> 00:20:47.450
  • You just say, "i reject that.
  • 00:20:47.450 --> 00:20:48.951
  • That is not from god."
  • 00:20:48.951 --> 00:20:50.286
  • Okay, so, the temptation itself, we're all going to be tempted.
  • 00:20:50.286 --> 00:20:53.856
  • Number two.
  • 00:20:53.856 --> 00:20:55.191
  • But maybe you're interested in it.
  • 00:20:55.191 --> 00:20:56.726
  • So everyone is drawn away by their own desire.
  • 00:20:56.726 --> 00:21:00.363
  • See, "there's, i could have been," "i won't do it, but show
  • 00:21:00.363 --> 00:21:04.767
  • Me what you're offering," you know.
  • 00:21:04.767 --> 00:21:07.770
  • It's like that test drive.
  • 00:21:07.770 --> 00:21:09.105
  • You're looking at that car.
  • 00:21:09.105 --> 00:21:10.473
  • "let's take it out for a spin."
  • 00:21:10.473 --> 00:21:11.807
  • Oh, "no."
  • 00:21:11.807 --> 00:21:13.175
  • They go, "come on now."
  • 00:21:13.175 --> 00:21:14.510
  • Why are they doing that?
  • 00:21:14.510 --> 00:21:15.878
  • Because you will be locked in a car with a person that will try
  • 00:21:15.878 --> 00:21:18.814
  • To close that deal and make that sale.
  • 00:21:18.814 --> 00:21:22.585
  • Or the free sample.
  • 00:21:22.585 --> 00:21:24.487
  • You know, i was in a farmer's market yesterday walking along,
  • 00:21:24.487 --> 00:21:27.623
  • And they were offering free samples, and some guy said, "i
  • 00:21:27.623 --> 00:21:30.459
  • Have free sample," and it's soup.
  • 00:21:30.459 --> 00:21:31.961
  • I'm like, "i don't want soup."
  • 00:21:31.961 --> 00:21:34.130
  • What, who even wants to eat soup?
  • 00:21:34.130 --> 00:21:37.233
  • How can anyone make a meal from soup?
  • 00:21:37.233 --> 00:21:40.303
  • Soup to me is like salad.
  • 00:21:40.303 --> 00:21:41.937
  • It's what i eat to warm up for real food, right?
  • 00:21:41.937 --> 00:21:44.907
  • "try this."
  • 00:21:44.907 --> 00:21:46.242
  • "nah, it's okay."
  • 00:21:46.242 --> 00:21:47.610
  • "no, try it."
  • 00:21:47.610 --> 00:21:48.944
  • "okay, whatever."
  • 00:21:48.944 --> 00:21:50.313
  • I take a little sip of his tiny little cup.
  • 00:21:50.313 --> 00:21:51.647
  • "i'll have it now.
  • 00:21:51.647 --> 00:21:53.015
  • How much is it?"
  • 00:21:53.015 --> 00:21:54.350
  • It was great soup.
  • 00:21:54.350 --> 00:21:55.718
  • It was really hearty with turkey in it and all kinds of things.
  • 00:21:55.718 --> 00:21:58.054
  • So i bought this bag of frozen soup.
  • 00:21:58.054 --> 00:22:00.690
  • Cathe's buying vegetables.
  • 00:22:00.690 --> 00:22:02.692
  • Look what i bought.
  • 00:22:02.692 --> 00:22:04.026
  • It's like, "why?"
  • 00:22:04.026 --> 00:22:05.394
  • "i don't know.
  • 00:22:05.394 --> 00:22:06.729
  • It was good."
  • 00:22:06.729 --> 00:22:08.097
  • It started with a free sample.
  • 00:22:08.097 --> 00:22:09.432
  • So the devil says, "okay, okay, i know you would never do this
  • 00:22:09.432 --> 00:22:12.101
  • Because you're such a godly person.
  • 00:22:12.101 --> 00:22:14.770
  • But just take this thought for a spin.
  • 00:22:14.770 --> 00:22:18.808
  • Just take a little nibble; it'll be fun.
  • 00:22:18.808 --> 00:22:21.210
  • You would never act on it."
  • 00:22:21.210 --> 00:22:22.545
  • But that's the whole strategy of temptation.
  • 00:22:22.545 --> 00:22:25.448
  • It starts in the realm of your mind.
  • 00:22:25.448 --> 00:22:28.050
  • Now you're almost hooked.
  • 00:22:28.050 --> 00:22:29.852
  • Verse 14 of james 1, "you're drawn away by your own desires."
  • 00:22:29.852 --> 00:22:33.689
  • There's still a way out.
  • 00:22:33.689 --> 00:22:35.324
  • But you're thinking, you're processing, you're considering,
  • 00:22:35.324 --> 00:22:38.928
  • And the hook is now set, and you bite.
  • 00:22:38.928 --> 00:22:41.130
  • Verse 15, "when desire is conceived, it gives birth
  • 00:22:41.130 --> 00:22:43.966
  • To sin."
  • 00:22:43.966 --> 00:22:45.301
  • And so you've acted on the evil thought, and there's maybe the
  • 00:22:45.301 --> 00:22:49.271
  • Momentary pleasure that can come from certain sins.
  • 00:22:49.271 --> 00:22:54.243
  • But then immediately, if your conscience is working, guilt
  • 00:22:54.243 --> 00:22:57.380
  • Kicks in, regret, remorse, that spiritual deadness.
  • 00:22:57.380 --> 00:23:04.086
  • Thank god you can say, "lord, i'm sorry, i repent," and he'll
  • 00:23:04.086 --> 00:23:07.923
  • Forgive you.
  • 00:23:07.923 --> 00:23:09.258
  • But you know the effects of sin that can happen in your life.
  • 00:23:09.258 --> 00:23:12.495
  • And then the effects of sin, number five, kick in; verse 15,
  • 00:23:12.495 --> 00:23:16.399
  • "sin, when it's full-grown, brings forth death."
  • 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:20.035
  • The bible says, "the soul that sins shall surely die."
  • 00:23:20.035 --> 00:23:23.839
  • It also says, "the wages of sin are death."
  • 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:26.942
  • You're now separated from god.
  • 00:23:26.942 --> 00:23:28.911
  • So now i wanna blame someone.
  • 00:23:28.911 --> 00:23:30.479
  • This is not my fault.
  • 00:23:30.479 --> 00:23:32.581
  • The devil made me do it.
  • 00:23:32.581 --> 00:23:33.916
  • No, he didn't.
  • 00:23:33.916 --> 00:23:35.284
  • Devil can't make you do anything.
  • 00:23:35.284 --> 00:23:36.619
  • He can tempt you.
  • 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.987
  • You have to cooperate.
  • 00:23:37.987 --> 00:23:39.388
  • "well, this other person, they, it's their fault; they
  • 00:23:39.388 --> 00:23:42.591
  • Tempted me."
  • 00:23:42.591 --> 00:23:43.926
  • Well, maybe they did, but you're still responsible for your
  • 00:23:43.926 --> 00:23:47.029
  • Own actions.
  • 00:23:47.029 --> 00:23:48.631
  • That's what adam did; he blamed eve.
  • 00:23:48.631 --> 00:23:51.200
  • And eve played a role in it, but, ultimately, it was adam's
  • 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:54.170
  • Decision to eat of that forbidden fruit.
  • 00:23:54.170 --> 00:23:56.772
  • Okay, here's another thought.
  • 00:23:56.772 --> 00:23:58.107
  • We're almost done here.
  • 00:23:58.107 --> 00:23:59.475
  • When does temptation generally come?
  • 00:23:59.475 --> 00:24:01.510
  • This might surprise you.
  • 00:24:01.510 --> 00:24:03.245
  • When does it generally come?
  • 00:24:03.245 --> 00:24:06.048
  • After times of great blessing.
  • 00:24:06.048 --> 00:24:09.351
  • Remember jesus was baptized by his cousin john the baptist.
  • 00:24:09.351 --> 00:24:15.458
  • And then you remember that the father spoke from heaven and
  • 00:24:15.458 --> 00:24:19.061
  • Said, "this is my beloved son in whom i am well pleased."
  • 00:24:19.061 --> 00:24:22.965
  • And the spirit of god came upon jesus in the form of a dove.
  • 00:24:22.965 --> 00:24:26.836
  • What a moment, what a blessing.
  • 00:24:26.836 --> 00:24:29.638
  • And what do we read then?
  • 00:24:29.638 --> 00:24:31.006
  • Immediately after that, jesus went into the wilderness to be
  • 00:24:31.006 --> 00:24:34.176
  • Tested and tempted by the devil.
  • 00:24:34.176 --> 00:24:37.146
  • After the dove came the devil; after the blessing came
  • 00:24:37.146 --> 00:24:42.384
  • The temptation.
  • 00:24:42.384 --> 00:24:43.853
  • So it might happen after church.
  • 00:24:43.853 --> 00:24:45.387
  • Oh, i love that.
  • 00:24:45.387 --> 00:24:46.755
  • Great time of worship, so so sermon.
  • 00:24:46.755 --> 00:24:49.158
  • But, still, you're in your car; someone cuts you off, "you
  • 00:24:49.158 --> 00:24:54.096
  • Stinking oof!"
  • 00:24:54.096 --> 00:24:56.432
  • You start fighting with your wife in front of your kids.
  • 00:24:56.432 --> 00:24:59.502
  • Something else happens.
  • 00:24:59.502 --> 00:25:00.836
  • Wait, what's going on?
  • 00:25:00.836 --> 00:25:02.204
  • Yeah, well, attacks often come after times of blessing.
  • 00:25:02.204 --> 00:25:04.907
  • So brace yourself for that.
  • 00:25:04.907 --> 00:25:06.942
  • Be aware of that, and that's what's going to happen in life.
  • 00:25:06.942 --> 00:25:13.182
  • But god always has a way out for us, and every temptation can
  • 00:25:13.182 --> 00:25:17.486
  • Be resisted.
  • 00:25:17.486 --> 00:25:18.854
  • And listen to this; i love that verse, "blessed is the man that
  • 00:25:18.854 --> 00:25:22.124
  • Endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he'll receive
  • 00:25:22.124 --> 00:25:25.394
  • The crown of life."
  • 00:25:25.394 --> 00:25:31.934
  • Greg: there are so many things to be worried about right now,
  • 00:25:36.171 --> 00:25:38.574
  • Aren't there?
  • 00:25:38.574 --> 00:25:39.909
  • The worrying about terrorism, worry about your personal
  • 00:25:39.909 --> 00:25:42.611
  • Safety, violent crime, the economy, the list goes on.
  • 00:25:42.611 --> 00:25:46.515
  • Here's what the bible says, "don't worry about anything.
  • 00:25:46.515 --> 00:25:50.185
  • Pray about everything."
  • 00:25:50.185 --> 00:25:52.655
  • Turn your panic into prayer.
  • 00:25:52.721 --> 00:25:55.524
  • Jesus said, "come unto me, all of you that are laboring and are
  • 00:25:55.591 --> 00:25:58.894
  • Heavy laden.
  • 00:25:58.894 --> 00:26:00.229
  • I will give you rest."
  • 00:26:00.229 --> 00:26:01.597
  • Give your burdens, give your problems over to god, and let
  • 00:26:01.597 --> 00:26:05.935
  • Him give you his peace in your heart.
  • 00:26:05.935 --> 00:26:10.105
  • Let me send to you, at no charge, what i call a new
  • 00:26:10.172 --> 00:26:13.642
  • Believer's bible to help you grow in a relationship with god
  • 00:26:13.642 --> 00:26:19.014
  • And learn how to turn your panic into prayer and your worry
  • 00:26:19.014 --> 00:26:23.152
  • Into worship.
  • 00:26:23.152 --> 00:26:26.655
  • Greg: you know, the bible says: "a good person
  • 00:26:30.593 --> 00:26:33.596
  • Leaves an inheritance for their children's children."
  • 00:26:33.596 --> 00:26:37.533
  • God encourages all of us as christians to manage
  • 00:26:37.533 --> 00:26:41.203
  • Our money well so we can be a blessing to our families
  • 00:26:41.203 --> 00:26:45.007
  • And to others.
  • 00:26:45.007 --> 00:26:46.342
  • Harvest has a special gift for you today, an opportunity
  • 00:26:46.342 --> 00:26:50.079
  • To set up a will or a living trust completely free of charge.
  • 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:55.484
  • Here's how you can learn more.
  • 00:26:55.484 --> 00:26:57.553
  • Greg: i'm excited to announce that here at harvest
  • 00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:59.955
  • We partnered with our friends at freewill.
  • 00:26:59.955 --> 00:27:03.459
  • Freewill is an easy to use estate planning tool
  • 00:27:03.459 --> 00:27:06.261
  • That allows you to make planned gifts to organizations
  • 00:27:06.261 --> 00:27:09.465
  • Of your choice.
  • 00:27:09.465 --> 00:27:10.933
  • It's a creative opportunity to support the work we're doing
  • 00:27:10.933 --> 00:27:14.169
  • Here at harvest ministries.
  • 00:27:14.169 --> 00:27:15.871
  • So as you make your plans, i hope you'll consider
  • 00:27:15.871 --> 00:27:18.741
  • Investing in this ministry so we can continue
  • 00:27:18.741 --> 00:27:21.777
  • To preach the gospel and teach the word of god
  • 00:27:21.777 --> 00:27:24.413
  • For years to come.
  • 00:27:24.413 --> 00:27:25.748
  • You can learn more at freewill.com/harvest.
  • 00:27:25.748 --> 00:27:29.685