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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - How To Deal With Trials And Temptation

July 6, 2025 | S25 E160 | 29:0

Greg Laurie - How To Deal With Trials And Temptation
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#inActive #WordofGod #Temple #Gospel #Prophecy #Rejoice #Patience #Character #Wisdom #Prayer #TrustGod

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To Deal With Trials And Temptation | July 6, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: okay, question: where does temptation come from?
  • 00:00:05.217 --> 00:00:09.755
  • Our default answer would probably be, "well, the devil."
  • 00:00:09.855 --> 00:00:12.458
  • There's truth to that, but it's not all of it.
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  • It comes from us, too.
  • 00:00:15.794 --> 00:00:16.161
  • We play a key role in our own temptation.
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg: maybe i'm talking to somebody going through a fiery
  • 00:00:42.254 --> 00:00:44.723
  • Trial right now.
  • 00:00:44.723 --> 00:00:46.625
  • And you're facing problem after problem, and you don't know why
  • 00:00:46.692 --> 00:00:50.496
  • This is happening to you.
  • 00:00:50.496 --> 00:00:52.464
  • You're saying, "what's wrong with me?
  • 00:00:52.531 --> 00:00:54.766
  • What have i done to deserve this?"
  • 00:00:54.833 --> 00:00:56.668
  • Let me have you look at it a little differently.
  • 00:00:56.668 --> 00:00:59.671
  • Instead of asking, "what's wrong with me," maybe you should ask,
  • 00:00:59.671 --> 00:01:03.208
  • "what's right with me?"
  • 00:01:03.208 --> 00:01:05.144
  • Because the reason you're being attacked is because you are a
  • 00:01:05.210 --> 00:01:10.015
  • Threat to satan and his kingdom, and the devil wants to stop you.
  • 00:01:10.015 --> 00:01:15.521
  • So god's allowing these trials in your life for a purpose.
  • 00:01:15.521 --> 00:01:19.024
  • It's been said, christians are a lot like teabags; you don't know
  • 00:01:19.024 --> 00:01:22.561
  • What they're made of until you put them in hot water.
  • 00:01:22.561 --> 00:01:25.264
  • Maybe you're in the hot water of temptation right now.
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  • Are you going through a big trial?
  • 00:01:29.968 --> 00:01:31.570
  • 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
  • 00:01:35.741 --> 00:01:38.710
  • Was tempted."
  • 00:01:38.710 --> 00:01:40.078
  • Oh, you just admitted you're basically worthless.
  • 00:01:40.078 --> 00:01:42.648
  • Ever hear the expression, 'you don't need to kick a
  • 00:01:43.949 --> 00:01:46.318
  • Dead horse?'
  • 00:01:46.318 --> 00:01:47.686
  • See, the devil doesn't need to waste his time with an
  • 00:01:47.686 --> 00:01:50.822
  • Immobilized, compromised christian.
  • 00:01:50.822 --> 00:01:53.725
  • Instead, he's gonna focus his energies and his attacks on
  • 00:01:53.792 --> 00:01:57.629
  • Those who are a threat to the kingdom.
  • 00:01:57.629 --> 00:01:59.665
  • But here's the good news.
  • 00:01:59.665 --> 00:02:00.999
  • Jesus said, the gates of hell will not prevail against us.
  • 00:02:00.999 --> 00:02:05.604
  • Have you ever wondered what that means?
  • 00:02:05.671 --> 00:02:07.773
  • See, think of it this way.
  • 00:02:07.839 --> 00:02:09.208
  • Have you ever seen one of those movies where an army is storming
  • 00:02:09.208 --> 00:02:12.578
  • A castle, and they close the gate, and, as the army gets
  • 00:02:12.578 --> 00:02:15.747
  • Closer, they pour boiling oil over the side, right?
  • 00:02:15.747 --> 00:02:19.484
  • But then, what does the army do?
  • 00:02:19.551 --> 00:02:21.119
  • They pull out their battering ram, and they push it through
  • 00:02:21.119 --> 00:02:24.389
  • The gate, and finally the gate breaks, and they go inside.
  • 00:02:24.389 --> 00:02:27.993
  • So, when jesus says, "the gates of hell will not prevail against
  • 00:02:27.993 --> 00:02:31.096
  • You," we're the invading army.
  • 00:02:31.096 --> 00:02:33.298
  • We've got the battering ram of the gospel, and we're breaking
  • 00:02:33.365 --> 00:02:37.102
  • Through the gates, and we're going to break through those
  • 00:02:37.102 --> 00:02:39.605
  • Gates, and those gates will not prevail against us because we're
  • 00:02:39.605 --> 00:02:43.442
  • On the winning side with the message of jesus christ.
  • 00:02:43.442 --> 00:02:46.345
  • That's what that means.
  • 00:02:46.345 --> 00:02:50.616
  • But, if you choose to live that way, you will be opposed.
  • 00:02:50.616 --> 00:02:55.520
  • But that's good news; that's confirmation you're on the
  • 00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:58.490
  • Right track.
  • 00:02:58.490 --> 00:02:59.825
  • All right, so back to the book of james.
  • 00:02:59.825 --> 00:03:01.159
  • This was written to the jewish people who had been scattered;
  • 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:05.297
  • The 12 tribes of israel were flung far and wide.
  • 00:03:05.364 --> 00:03:09.101
  • 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
  • 00:03:15.207 --> 00:03:19.511
  • Caesar, and it's a hard time for them, and they're suffering.
  • 00:03:19.511 --> 00:03:23.749
  • And maybe i'm talking to someone that's suffering right now.
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  • If so, this book is for you.
  • 00:03:26.685 --> 00:03:28.920
  • The book of james was written by the half-brother of
  • 00:03:28.920 --> 00:03:32.624
  • Jesus, james.
  • 00:03:32.624 --> 00:03:33.992
  • Now let me explain half-brother.
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  • The mother of james was mary; the father of james was joseph,
  • 00:03:36.728 --> 00:03:42.234
  • But his half-brother, if you will, was jesus because the
  • 00:03:42.234 --> 00:03:45.537
  • Mother of jesus was mary, but the father of jesus was god the
  • 00:03:45.537 --> 00:03:49.908
  • Father, and he, his son was supernaturally conceived in the
  • 00:03:49.908 --> 00:03:53.879
  • Womb of mary.
  • 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:55.514
  • Mary was not sinless.
  • 00:03:55.514 --> 00:03:58.050
  • Jesus was not born of what is sometimes called
  • 00:03:58.050 --> 00:04:00.585
  • Immaculate conception.
  • 00:04:00.585 --> 00:04:02.554
  • Mary was a sinner like everyone else, yet she was hand-picked by
  • 00:04:02.621 --> 00:04:07.459
  • God to have this great privilege of being the mother of
  • 00:04:07.459 --> 00:04:11.296
  • The messiah.
  • 00:04:11.296 --> 00:04:12.631
  • But joseph was a stepfather and clearly an earthly father figure
  • 00:04:12.631 --> 00:04:17.169
  • For jesus, and i think he was a great dad.
  • 00:04:17.169 --> 00:04:20.038
  • And we talk a lot about mary and her life, but we shouldn't
  • 00:04:20.105 --> 00:04:23.709
  • Forget joseph because, of all the men god could have chosen,
  • 00:04:23.709 --> 00:04:27.646
  • He said, "i want that man to be the father figure to my son."
  • 00:04:27.646 --> 00:04:32.250
  • And so jesus had siblings because sometimes we hear it
  • 00:04:32.317 --> 00:04:35.354
  • Said jesus had no brothers and sisters.
  • 00:04:35.354 --> 00:04:37.656
  • No, he had brothers and sisters, and james was one of
  • 00:04:37.656 --> 00:04:41.059
  • Those brothers.
  • 00:04:41.059 --> 00:04:42.861
  • But you would think they all believed in him.
  • 00:04:42.861 --> 00:04:44.996
  • I mean, who was a better kid than jesus?
  • 00:04:44.996 --> 00:04:48.467
  • He always did all of his chores, no rebellion, no back talk.
  • 00:04:48.533 --> 00:04:54.106
  • He was the perfect young man, the perfect teenager, the
  • 00:04:54.106 --> 00:04:58.410
  • Perfect young adult.
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  • He was the greatest example of all time.
  • 00:05:00.679 --> 00:05:02.914
  • Yet we read that his own family did not believe in him.
  • 00:05:02.914 --> 00:05:07.219
  • In fact, they came to take him home on one occasion because
  • 00:05:07.219 --> 00:05:10.355
  • They had, they thought he was crazy.
  • 00:05:10.355 --> 00:05:12.491
  • And so that brings me to my first point, if you're
  • 00:05:12.557 --> 00:05:14.726
  • Taking notes.
  • 00:05:14.726 --> 00:05:16.094
  • Even living a perfect christian life will not convince
  • 00:05:16.094 --> 00:05:18.964
  • Some people.
  • 00:05:18.964 --> 00:05:21.133
  • Even living a perfect christian life will not convince
  • 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:24.903
  • Some people.
  • 00:05:24.903 --> 00:05:26.271
  • Who lived a more perfect life than christ himself?
  • 00:05:26.271 --> 00:05:28.907
  • He never lied, he never stole, he never lost his temper.
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  • He never even sinned inwardly.
  • 00:05:33.078 --> 00:05:35.814
  • Do you think mary ever lectured the other siblings and said,
  • 00:05:35.881 --> 00:05:39.384
  • "kids, why can't you be more like your big brother jesus?
  • 00:05:39.384 --> 00:05:42.320
  • He's such a great example.
  • 00:05:43.155 --> 00:05:44.489
  • In fact, joseph was out in the shop, and he made these little
  • 00:05:44.489 --> 00:05:46.725
  • Wooden bracelets, wwjd.
  • 00:05:46.725 --> 00:05:49.594
  • Wear these.
  • 00:05:49.594 --> 00:05:51.730
  • Ask yourself the question, 'what would jesus do?'"
  • 00:05:51.730 --> 00:05:55.133
  • Well, i don't think that ever happened, but he was a
  • 00:05:55.200 --> 00:05:57.969
  • Perfect example.
  • 00:05:57.969 --> 00:05:59.938
  • But yet, they did not believe.
  • 00:05:59.938 --> 00:06:01.440
  • In fact, matthew 13 says he went to his own hometown
  • 00:06:01.440 --> 00:06:04.342
  • Of nazareth where he was raised, he performed miracles.
  • 00:06:04.342 --> 00:06:08.146
  • Their reaction was, "hey, isn't this the carpenter's son?
  • 00:06:08.146 --> 00:06:12.083
  • Isn't his mother's name mary and his brothers
  • 00:06:12.083 --> 00:06:14.386
  • James, joseph, simon, and judas?"
  • 00:06:14.386 --> 00:06:17.589
  • And they took offense at him, and christ said,
  • 00:06:17.589 --> 00:06:19.958
  • "'a prophet is not without honor except in his own country,'
  • 00:06:19.958 --> 00:06:24.262
  • And he did not do many miracles there," the bible says,
  • 00:06:24.262 --> 00:06:27.566
  • "because of their unbelief."
  • 00:06:27.566 --> 00:06:29.568
  • Listen, the hardest people to reach
  • 00:06:29.568 --> 00:06:31.503
  • Are the ones closest to you.
  • 00:06:31.503 --> 00:06:33.738
  • Hardest people to reach, kids, are your parents.
  • 00:06:33.738 --> 00:06:36.842
  • Hardest people to reach, parents, are your kids.
  • 00:06:36.842 --> 00:06:39.778
  • 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, and you'll tell
  • 00:06:43.715 --> 00:06:46.885
  • Them how christ has changed your life, and they'll be suspicious.
  • 00:06:46.885 --> 00:06:50.055
  • Don't give up on them.
  • 00:06:50.055 --> 00:06:51.823
  • Keep praying for them.
  • 00:06:51.823 --> 00:06:53.792
  • But it just shows even jesus really didn't have his own
  • 00:06:53.792 --> 00:06:57.462
  • Family believe in him until he was crucified and resurrected.
  • 00:06:57.462 --> 00:07:02.133
  • Point number two.
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  • Make a choice to rejoice when you go through times of trial.
  • 00:07:03.835 --> 00:07:10.475
  • Look at verse 2, "my brethren, count it all joy when you fall
  • 00:07:10.542 --> 00:07:14.479
  • Into various trials," or another translation puts it this way,
  • 00:07:14.479 --> 00:07:18.383
  • "count it pure, unmixed, complete, and total joy."
  • 00:07:18.383 --> 00:07:24.523
  • What kind of weird thing is that to say to a suffering person?
  • 00:07:24.523 --> 00:07:29.227
  • Here's what he isn't saying.
  • 00:07:29.227 --> 00:07:31.229
  • 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
  • 00:07:37.536 --> 00:07:41.139
  • Are not; in fact, hebrews 12:11 says, "no discipline seems
  • 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:45.210
  • Pleasant at the time, but painful."
  • 00:07:45.210 --> 00:07:47.979
  • What james is saying is consider it pure joy, or, as i said, make
  • 00:07:47.979 --> 00:07:53.318
  • A choice to rejoice.
  • 00:07:53.318 --> 00:07:55.654
  • You see, it's a matter of will, not emotions.
  • 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:58.924
  • The more we rejoice in our testings, the more we realize
  • 00:07:58.924 --> 00:08:03.495
  • They're not liabilities but privileges, ultimately helpful,
  • 00:08:03.495 --> 00:08:08.300
  • Not harmful, no matter how severe they may appear.
  • 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:13.171
  • There are times in life that we go through hardship, but we make
  • 00:08:13.238 --> 00:08:16.608
  • A choice to rejoice.
  • 00:08:16.608 --> 00:08:17.943
  • Take jesus as the ultimate example.
  • 00:08:17.943 --> 00:08:20.579
  • It says in hebrews 12, "for the joy that was set before him, he
  • 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:24.282
  • Endured the cross, despising the shame, and now has set down at
  • 00:08:24.282 --> 00:08:28.386
  • The right hand of god."
  • 00:08:28.386 --> 00:08:29.754
  • Wait, what joy?
  • 00:08:29.754 --> 00:08:31.089
  • Jesus had been scourged 39 times.
  • 00:08:31.089 --> 00:08:34.526
  • Jesus had his beard ripped from his face.
  • 00:08:34.526 --> 00:08:37.395
  • He had been struck repeatedly with fists.
  • 00:08:37.395 --> 00:08:40.732
  • He had a crown of thorns pressed down on his head.
  • 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:43.902
  • He had lost a tremendous amount of blood.
  • 00:08:43.902 --> 00:08:46.338
  • And he's carrying this massive cross.
  • 00:08:46.338 --> 00:08:48.873
  • And yet the joy set before him.
  • 00:08:48.873 --> 00:08:52.277
  • What joy?
  • 00:08:52.277 --> 00:08:54.012
  • That joy was you.
  • 00:08:54.012 --> 00:08:56.081
  • That joy was me.
  • 00:08:56.715 --> 00:08:58.783
  • That joy was us because he knew what the cross would accomplish.
  • 00:08:58.783 --> 00:09:03.121
  • Jesus did not come to this earth to be a good example.
  • 00:09:03.121 --> 00:09:07.025
  • He came to be a suffering savior, to die in our place on
  • 00:09:07.092 --> 00:09:11.930
  • The cross and to bear our sins, and then to rise again from
  • 00:09:11.930 --> 00:09:16.334
  • The dead.
  • 00:09:16.334 --> 00:09:17.669
  • But the joy set before him, you see?
  • 00:09:17.669 --> 00:09:20.105
  • Point number three.
  • 00:09:20.105 --> 00:09:21.973
  • Trials happen to make us stronger in every way.
  • 00:09:21.973 --> 00:09:28.380
  • Verse 3, "knowing that the testing of your faith
  • 00:09:25.644 --> 00:09:31.416
  • Produces patience.
  • 00:09:31.416 --> 00:09:33.418
  • But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be
  • 00:09:33.418 --> 00:09:36.554
  • Perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
  • 00:09:36.554 --> 00:09:38.723
  • Okay, so, the word patience is probably not the best
  • 00:09:38.723 --> 00:09:42.193
  • Translation, and i'm using the new king james version here.
  • 00:09:42.193 --> 00:09:45.530
  • It comes from a greek word that translates out to toughness,
  • 00:09:45.597 --> 00:09:49.834
  • Fortitude, endurance, or staying power.
  • 00:09:49.834 --> 00:09:54.939
  • So it's implying something different than simple patience.
  • 00:09:55.006 --> 00:09:58.243
  • A modern translation of james, verses 3 and 4, say, "let
  • 00:09:58.243 --> 00:10:03.148
  • It grow.
  • 00:10:03.148 --> 00:10:04.482
  • Don't try to squirm out of your problems; for when your patience
  • 00:10:04.482 --> 00:10:07.552
  • Is in full blown--" in full bloom, rather--"you're ready
  • 00:10:07.552 --> 00:10:10.955
  • For anything, strong in character, full and complete."
  • 00:10:10.955 --> 00:10:14.693
  • It's like going to the gym and working out.
  • 00:10:14.693 --> 00:10:17.762
  • How many of you go to a gym or a health club, raise your hand?
  • 00:10:17.829 --> 00:10:20.865
  • Okay, a few more of you might think about it, just saying.
  • 00:10:20.865 --> 00:10:28.273
  • How many of you that go to the gym like to go to the gym?
  • 00:10:28.273 --> 00:10:31.176
  • You enjoy it; you love the release of endorphins.
  • 00:10:31.176 --> 00:10:34.012
  • Okay, you--i hope you're not on steroids, sir, i don't know.
  • 00:10:34.012 --> 00:10:39.684
  • Okay, you are; no more coffee for this man over here.
  • 00:10:39.684 --> 00:10:45.557
  • So, hey, i admire anybody that enjoys working out.
  • 00:10:45.557 --> 00:10:49.327
  • I go to the gym; i don't like it; my favorite time is when
  • 00:10:49.327 --> 00:10:53.064
  • It's done.
  • 00:10:53.064 --> 00:10:54.399
  • But here's the funny thing.
  • 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.734
  • I'll make up every excuse as to why i don't wanna go, even when
  • 00:10:55.734 --> 00:10:59.070
  • I'm there, "i don't wanna do this."
  • 00:10:59.070 --> 00:11:00.905
  • But then, once i'm done, i'm glad i did it.
  • 00:11:00.905 --> 00:11:04.142
  • Not because i enjoyed it, but it actually energizes me when i
  • 00:11:04.142 --> 00:11:10.014
  • Complete it.
  • 00:11:10.014 --> 00:11:11.850
  • You see, that's what trials are like.
  • 00:11:11.850 --> 00:11:13.218
  • A lot of people find themselves feeling tired and lethargic.
  • 00:11:13.218 --> 00:11:16.821
  • They say, "well, i'm just getting old."
  • 00:11:16.888 --> 00:11:19.057
  • That, that's maybe true; but you might be out of shape.
  • 00:11:19.124 --> 00:11:22.627
  • Well, you're in a shape; you're in the shape of a pear; that's
  • 00:11:22.694 --> 00:11:25.730
  • Not a good shape.
  • 00:11:25.730 --> 00:11:28.032
  • People even call you the lord's pear, and you don't like it.
  • 00:11:28.032 --> 00:11:33.805
  • So you can't fight age, you can't stop age, but you can do
  • 00:11:33.805 --> 00:11:40.545
  • The best you can with your body and stay strong and get
  • 00:11:40.545 --> 00:11:44.449
  • Stronger physically.
  • 00:11:44.449 --> 00:11:46.017
  • The same can be true spiritually as well.
  • 00:11:46.017 --> 00:11:49.220
  • You might say, "well, i don't feel any spiritual energy.
  • 00:11:49.287 --> 00:11:52.624
  • I feel tired and drained, but i'm still reading my bible.
  • 00:11:52.624 --> 00:11:57.362
  • I'm praying. i'm going to church.
  • 00:11:57.362 --> 00:11:58.696
  • I'm even in a harvest small group.
  • 00:11:58.696 --> 00:12:00.365
  • And i feel this lethargy."
  • 00:12:00.365 --> 00:12:02.834
  • Well, here's my advice to you.
  • 00:12:02.834 --> 00:12:05.603
  • Get off your fat--la-z-boy recliner.
  • 00:12:05.603 --> 00:12:09.374
  • What did you think i was gonna say?
  • 00:12:09.374 --> 00:12:12.243
  • Wow, where are your heads at today?
  • 00:12:12.243 --> 00:12:15.580
  • No, get off your lazy boy recliner and do something.
  • 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:19.951
  • You see, the spiritual life is taking in, but it's also
  • 00:12:19.951 --> 00:12:23.555
  • Giving out.
  • 00:12:23.555 --> 00:12:24.923
  • And, if i only take in, and i don't give out, i am gonna reach
  • 00:12:24.923 --> 00:12:28.159
  • A state of spiritual lethargy.
  • 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:31.629
  • The bible says, "give and it shall be given unto you, pressed
  • 00:12:31.696 --> 00:12:34.465
  • Down, shaken together, running over.
  • 00:12:34.465 --> 00:12:36.534
  • With the same measure you give, it shall be given back to you."
  • 00:12:36.534 --> 00:12:41.139
  • So trials, trials are like god's gym, where we're broken down in
  • 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:45.710
  • Order to be built up, where we take our faith from the realm of
  • 00:12:45.710 --> 00:12:50.215
  • Theory to reality so we can start living out our faith in
  • 00:12:50.215 --> 00:12:53.852
  • The real world.
  • 00:12:53.852 --> 00:12:55.253
  • You'll always have trials in this life.
  • 00:12:55.253 --> 00:12:58.656
  • They won't stop until you get to heaven.
  • 00:12:58.723 --> 00:13:02.293
  • But, god will be with you through every single one.
  • 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:06.197
  • Verse 2 says, "count it all joy when you go through these
  • 00:13:06.197 --> 00:13:09.567
  • Various trials," it's not 'if,' it's 'when;' you're going to go
  • 00:13:09.567 --> 00:13:14.439
  • Through them.
  • 00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:19.777
  • Greg: you know, the bible tells us to not give the devil
  • 00:13:23.882 --> 00:13:26.651
  • A foothold.
  • 00:13:26.651 --> 00:13:28.019
  • What does that mean?
  • 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.354
  • It's sort of the idea of, don't let something happen in your
  • 00:13:29.354 --> 00:13:32.624
  • Life that gives the devil an advantage over you.
  • 00:13:32.624 --> 00:13:36.027
  • Here's what ephesians chapter 4, verse 25 says, "stop
  • 00:13:36.027 --> 00:13:40.365
  • Telling lies.
  • 00:13:40.365 --> 00:13:41.699
  • Let us tell our neighbor the truth, for we're all parts of
  • 00:13:41.699 --> 00:13:44.002
  • The same body.
  • 00:13:44.002 --> 00:13:45.370
  • Don't sin by letting anger control you.
  • 00:13:45.370 --> 00:13:47.872
  • Don't let the sun go down while you're still angry, for anger
  • 00:13:47.872 --> 00:13:51.209
  • Gives a foothold to the devil."
  • 00:13:51.209 --> 00:13:53.945
  • Anger, bitterness, resentment; these things give a foothold to
  • 00:13:54.012 --> 00:13:59.884
  • The devil.
  • 00:13:59.884 --> 00:14:01.252
  • You say, "but, greg, someone hurt me.
  • 00:14:01.252 --> 00:14:02.587
  • I have a right to be angry."
  • 00:14:02.587 --> 00:14:03.955
  • Well, listen, if you allow anger or resentment to control you, it
  • 00:14:03.955 --> 00:14:08.293
  • Can give the enemy a foothold in your life, and then that
  • 00:14:08.293 --> 00:14:11.863
  • Separates you from the lord.
  • 00:14:11.863 --> 00:14:13.698
  • So don't give a place for the devil.
  • 00:14:13.698 --> 00:14:16.534
  • He'll knock on the door of your mind with temptations.
  • 00:14:16.534 --> 00:14:19.671
  • "oh, why don't you do this?
  • 00:14:19.671 --> 00:14:21.005
  • Why don't you do that?"
  • 00:14:21.005 --> 00:14:22.373
  • Don't listen to him.
  • 00:14:22.373 --> 00:14:23.708
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:14:23.708 --> 00:14:25.076
  • It's not the bait that constitutes sin; it's the bite.
  • 00:14:25.076 --> 00:14:29.614
  • By that i mean, it's not a sin when the devil comes with a
  • 00:14:29.614 --> 00:14:33.251
  • Temptation or something to allure you.
  • 00:14:33.251 --> 00:14:36.020
  • The problem is when you open the door and invite him in for
  • 00:14:36.020 --> 00:14:39.057
  • Tea, right?
  • 00:14:39.057 --> 00:14:40.425
  • So don't give the devil a foothold.
  • 00:14:40.425 --> 00:14:42.327
  • What does the bible say?
  • 00:14:42.327 --> 00:14:43.695
  • It says, "resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
  • 00:14:43.695 --> 00:14:47.832
  • Greg: point number four.
  • 00:14:51.369 --> 00:14:52.704
  • It is through trials that we learn great wisdom.
  • 00:14:52.704 --> 00:14:55.907
  • So they not only make us stronger spiritually, but,
  • 00:14:55.974 --> 00:14:59.110
  • Through trials, we learn things that we would not have
  • 00:14:59.110 --> 00:15:01.679
  • Otherwise learned.
  • 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:03.047
  • Look at verse 5, "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
  • 00:15:03.047 --> 00:15:06.117
  • God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it
  • 00:15:06.117 --> 00:15:09.854
  • Will be given to him.
  • 00:15:09.854 --> 00:15:11.189
  • But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts
  • 00:15:11.189 --> 00:15:13.958
  • Is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
  • 00:15:13.958 --> 00:15:17.161
  • Let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the lord;
  • 00:15:17.161 --> 00:15:21.399
  • He's a double-minded man, unstable in all of his ways."
  • 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:25.236
  • You know, we live in a time where we can get information
  • 00:15:25.303 --> 00:15:28.740
  • On demand.
  • 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:30.074
  • All you have to do is say, "hey, siri, what's the
  • 00:15:30.074 --> 00:15:32.610
  • Temperature today?"
  • 00:15:32.610 --> 00:15:34.245
  • "hey, google, what about this?"
  • 00:15:34.245 --> 00:15:36.514
  • "hey, alexa--" you ask her a question, and you talk to this
  • 00:15:36.514 --> 00:15:40.318
  • Artificial intelligence, and, in many ways, we have knowledge
  • 00:15:40.318 --> 00:15:44.989
  • That's a mile wide, but an inch deep.
  • 00:15:44.989 --> 00:15:47.925
  • We have knowledge without wisdom.
  • 00:15:47.992 --> 00:15:50.061
  • Through knowledge, we've learned how to travel faster than sound.
  • 00:15:50.061 --> 00:15:53.931
  • But we show our lack of wisdom by going faster in the
  • 00:15:53.998 --> 00:15:57.335
  • Wrong direction.
  • 00:15:57.335 --> 00:15:58.903
  • See, what we need is wisdom.
  • 00:15:58.970 --> 00:16:00.338
  • Knowledge is good; we want knowledge.
  • 00:16:00.338 --> 00:16:01.706
  • We need biblical knowledge; we need other kinds of knowledge.
  • 00:16:01.706 --> 00:16:04.842
  • But we need wisdom.
  • 00:16:04.909 --> 00:16:06.711
  • And the bible says, "if any man lack wisdom, let him ask
  • 00:16:06.778 --> 00:16:09.847
  • Of god."
  • 00:16:09.847 --> 00:16:11.182
  • You know, give it generously, but, when you ask, don't doubt.
  • 00:16:11.182 --> 00:16:14.452
  • So this is one of those prayers that, when you pray it, you know
  • 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:18.056
  • God will answer it.
  • 00:16:18.056 --> 00:16:19.757
  • It's praying for the will of god.
  • 00:16:19.824 --> 00:16:21.526
  • A lot of times, when we sit down to have a meeting or we make
  • 00:16:21.526 --> 00:16:25.229
  • Some plans for the future, we'll pray, "lord, give us wisdom.
  • 00:16:25.229 --> 00:16:28.933
  • You've told us in your word, if any man lacks wisdom, let him
  • 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:31.936
  • Ask of you, and you'll give it generously.
  • 00:16:31.936 --> 00:16:34.005
  • Lord, we need that wisdom right now."
  • 00:16:34.005 --> 00:16:36.074
  • That's a good prayer to pray because there's so many choices
  • 00:16:36.074 --> 00:16:40.178
  • To make in life.
  • 00:16:40.178 --> 00:16:41.712
  • Starting with taco bell, what's going on over there?
  • 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:44.949
  • Now, i'm a fan of taco bell.
  • 00:16:45.016 --> 00:16:46.517
  • How many of you like taco bell?
  • 00:16:46.517 --> 00:16:47.852
  • Raise your hand.
  • 00:16:47.852 --> 00:16:49.220
  • How many of you like del taco better?
  • 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:52.423
  • Get out.
  • 00:16:52.423 --> 00:16:54.892
  • I'm serious; get out now.
  • 00:16:54.892 --> 00:16:56.260
  • No, don't, don't get out, but you're wrong.
  • 00:16:56.260 --> 00:17:00.098
  • But it's another, another message, why taco bell is better
  • 00:17:00.098 --> 00:17:05.770
  • Than del taco; that would be a very interesting message.
  • 00:17:05.770 --> 00:17:08.473
  • But i like taco bell, but i don't know what's going on with
  • 00:17:09.907 --> 00:17:12.076
  • Their menu anymore.
  • 00:17:12.076 --> 00:17:13.411
  • I pull up and say, "what is all this?
  • 00:17:13.411 --> 00:17:15.513
  • I, what are they, what are these things?"
  • 00:17:15.513 --> 00:17:17.648
  • And i found out that taco bell is bringing back the
  • 00:17:17.648 --> 00:17:20.685
  • Enchirito, okay?
  • 00:17:20.685 --> 00:17:22.887
  • You've heard me talk about it before, right?
  • 00:17:23.888 --> 00:17:26.057
  • Do you know why they brought back the enchirito?
  • 00:17:26.124 --> 00:17:28.593
  • Because taco bell follows me on instagram, and they saw what
  • 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:31.629
  • I said.
  • 00:17:31.629 --> 00:17:32.964
  • No, not really.
  • 00:17:32.964 --> 00:17:34.298
  • No, i guess they did a poll of their people out there, and they
  • 00:17:34.298 --> 00:17:40.071
  • Offered two things; there's two items that used to be popular on
  • 00:17:40.071 --> 00:17:43.007
  • The menu.
  • 00:17:43.007 --> 00:17:44.375
  • By the way, both things that i used to order.
  • 00:17:44.375 --> 00:17:46.410
  • One was called the double decker taco and then enchirito.
  • 00:17:46.410 --> 00:17:50.581
  • With a double decker, double decker taco, okay, so it was
  • 00:17:50.648 --> 00:17:54.385
  • Basic corn tortilla, normal taco ingredients, with a flour
  • 00:17:54.385 --> 00:17:57.989
  • Tortilla wrapped around it because you just can't have too
  • 00:17:57.989 --> 00:18:00.858
  • Many tortillas, right?
  • 00:18:00.858 --> 00:18:02.960
  • So that was one.
  • 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.395
  • They asked the people, hey, do you want the double decker taco
  • 00:18:04.395 --> 00:18:08.032
  • Or do you want the enchirito, and the enchirito won.
  • 00:18:08.032 --> 00:18:10.801
  • So, go to taco bell and have an enchirito.
  • 00:18:10.801 --> 00:18:13.337
  • All right, so, that's all you're gonna remember from this
  • 00:18:13.337 --> 00:18:16.107
  • Message, which is sad.
  • 00:18:16.107 --> 00:18:17.575
  • No, but seriously, we need god's wisdom.
  • 00:18:19.377 --> 00:18:21.913
  • We need to know his will, especially on the biggest
  • 00:18:21.979 --> 00:18:24.982
  • Decisions of life, one being who you're gonna marry, or maybe god
  • 00:18:24.982 --> 00:18:30.054
  • Won't have you get married.
  • 00:18:30.054 --> 00:18:31.489
  • But you need wisdom to know.
  • 00:18:31.489 --> 00:18:33.558
  • You wanna make the right decision there.
  • 00:18:33.624 --> 00:18:36.127
  • What career path you may choose, what ministry opportunities you
  • 00:18:36.194 --> 00:18:41.432
  • May respond to.
  • 00:18:41.432 --> 00:18:42.767
  • You need this wisdom, and, when you pray, believe you will
  • 00:18:42.767 --> 00:18:46.137
  • Receive it.
  • 00:18:46.137 --> 00:18:47.505
  • Point number five.
  • 00:18:47.505 --> 00:18:48.839
  • God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation.
  • 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:53.177
  • God will enable us to endure and get through times of temptation.
  • 00:18:53.244 --> 00:18:59.951
  • James 1, verse 12, "blessed is he who endures temptation; for
  • 00:18:59.951 --> 00:19:04.422
  • When he has been approved, he'll receive the crown of life which
  • 00:19:04.422 --> 00:19:07.225
  • The lord has promised to those who love him.
  • 00:19:07.225 --> 00:19:09.393
  • But let no one say when he is tempted, 'i'm tempted by god;'
  • 00:19:09.393 --> 00:19:12.463
  • For god cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself
  • 00:19:12.463 --> 00:19:15.933
  • Tempt anyone."
  • 00:19:15.933 --> 00:19:17.301
  • Look at this part; don't miss these final verses.
  • 00:19:17.301 --> 00:19:19.570
  • "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
  • 00:19:19.570 --> 00:19:23.908
  • And is enticed.
  • 00:19:23.908 --> 00:19:25.243
  • And then, when desire has conceived, he gives birth to
  • 00:19:25.243 --> 00:19:27.712
  • Sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
  • 00:19:27.712 --> 00:19:32.817
  • Okay, question: where does temptation come from?
  • 00:19:32.883 --> 00:19:37.688
  • Our default answer would probably be, "well, the devil."
  • 00:19:37.755 --> 00:19:40.458
  • There's truth to that, but it's not all of it.
  • 00:19:40.458 --> 00:19:42.827
  • It comes from us, too.
  • 00:19:43.661 --> 00:19:45.029
  • We play a key role in our own temptation.
  • 00:19:45.029 --> 00:19:48.666
  • Where there's no desire on our part, there's no temptation.
  • 00:19:48.733 --> 00:19:53.204
  • In fact, in these verses, we have the five steps
  • 00:19:53.271 --> 00:19:59.377
  • To temptation.
  • 00:19:59.443 --> 00:20:00.811
  • Number one, the temptation itself; verse 14, "everyone is
  • 00:20:00.811 --> 00:20:04.749
  • Tempted when they're drawn away by their own desires," which by
  • 00:20:04.749 --> 00:20:08.653
  • The way are common to man.
  • 00:20:08.653 --> 00:20:10.755
  • So, whatever you're being tempted to do, you're not the
  • 00:20:11.956 --> 00:20:14.458
  • Only one because sometimes we may think, "oh, man, how could
  • 00:20:14.458 --> 00:20:18.562
  • That thought have come into my mind?
  • 00:20:18.562 --> 00:20:20.398
  • What is wrong with me?"
  • 00:20:20.398 --> 00:20:21.999
  • Doesn't mean anything's wrong with you.
  • 00:20:21.999 --> 00:20:23.701
  • Listen, it's not a sin to be tempted.
  • 00:20:23.701 --> 00:20:26.637
  • The sin of temptation is not the bait; it's the bite.
  • 00:20:26.704 --> 00:20:30.574
  • If you don't take the bait, you haven't sinned; you have to bite
  • 00:20:30.641 --> 00:20:35.746
  • At it.
  • 00:20:35.746 --> 00:20:37.081
  • So, just because a thought comes to your mind doesn't mean
  • 00:20:37.081 --> 00:20:40.117
  • You're evil.
  • 00:20:40.184 --> 00:20:41.552
  • It just means you're being tempted by evil.
  • 00:20:41.552 --> 00:20:45.089
  • The bible calls it, king james, "the fiery darts of the
  • 00:20:45.156 --> 00:20:48.893
  • Wicked one."
  • 00:20:48.893 --> 00:20:50.394
  • Years ago, when i was a young preacher, i think i was maybe 18
  • 00:20:50.461 --> 00:20:53.431
  • Or 19 when i gave one of my first sermons, was at a
  • 00:20:53.431 --> 00:20:56.233
  • Christian camp.
  • 00:20:56.233 --> 00:20:57.568
  • Chuck smith was there.
  • 00:20:57.568 --> 00:20:58.903
  • I wanted to impress everyone.
  • 00:20:58.903 --> 00:21:00.805
  • And so i was speaking on ephesians 6 about
  • 00:21:00.871 --> 00:21:03.641
  • Spiritual warfare.
  • 00:21:03.641 --> 00:21:05.109
  • And, instead of talking about the fiery darts of the wicked
  • 00:21:05.109 --> 00:21:08.612
  • One, i instead said the diary farts of the wicked one.
  • 00:21:08.612 --> 00:21:13.651
  • It's kind of an embarrassing moment, but, they're not diary
  • 00:21:13.651 --> 00:21:19.023
  • Farts, so it--really, a better translation would be flaming
  • 00:21:19.023 --> 00:21:22.893
  • Arrows, okay, flaming arrows.
  • 00:21:22.893 --> 00:21:25.162
  • So, you know, maybe you're worshiping the lord, and your
  • 00:21:25.162 --> 00:21:28.199
  • Thoughts are on heavenly things, and, all of a sudden--
  • 00:21:28.199 --> 00:21:30.768
  • Phth phth phth--that's the sound of an arrow.
  • 00:21:30.768 --> 00:21:34.004
  • That sound like an arrow?
  • 00:21:34.004 --> 00:21:35.606
  • There it is.
  • 00:21:35.606 --> 00:21:36.974
  • Okay, all of a sudden, weird, bizarre thought,
  • 00:21:36.974 --> 00:21:38.909
  • Horrible thought.
  • 00:21:38.909 --> 00:21:40.277
  • Oh, and the devil says, "how could you think that in church?"
  • 00:21:40.277 --> 00:21:43.981
  • Well, these are temptations.
  • 00:21:44.048 --> 00:21:46.016
  • You just say, "i reject that.
  • 00:21:46.016 --> 00:21:47.518
  • That is not from god."
  • 00:21:47.518 --> 00:21:48.853
  • Okay, so, the temptation itself, we're all going to be tempted.
  • 00:21:48.853 --> 00:21:52.423
  • Number two.
  • 00:21:52.423 --> 00:21:53.758
  • But maybe you're interested in it.
  • 00:21:53.758 --> 00:21:55.292
  • So everyone is drawn away by their own desire.
  • 00:21:55.292 --> 00:21:58.929
  • See, "there's, i could have been," "i won't do it, but show
  • 00:21:58.929 --> 00:22:03.334
  • Me what you're offering," you know.
  • 00:22:03.334 --> 00:22:06.337
  • It's like that test drive.
  • 00:22:06.337 --> 00:22:07.671
  • You're looking at that car.
  • 00:22:07.671 --> 00:22:09.039
  • "let's take it out for a spin."
  • 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:10.374
  • Oh, "no."
  • 00:22:10.374 --> 00:22:11.742
  • They go, "come on now."
  • 00:22:11.742 --> 00:22:13.077
  • Why are they doing that?
  • 00:22:13.077 --> 00:22:14.445
  • Because you will be locked in a car with a person that will try
  • 00:22:14.445 --> 00:22:17.381
  • To close that deal and make that sale.
  • 00:22:17.381 --> 00:22:21.085
  • Or the free sample.
  • 00:22:21.152 --> 00:22:22.987
  • You know, i was in a farmer's market yesterday walking along,
  • 00:22:23.053 --> 00:22:26.190
  • And they were offering free samples, and some guy said, "i
  • 00:22:26.190 --> 00:22:29.026
  • Have free sample," and it's soup.
  • 00:22:29.026 --> 00:22:30.528
  • I'm like, "i don't want soup."
  • 00:22:30.528 --> 00:22:32.630
  • What, who even wants to eat soup?
  • 00:22:32.696 --> 00:22:35.733
  • How can anyone make a meal from soup?
  • 00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:38.803
  • Soup to me is like salad.
  • 00:22:38.869 --> 00:22:40.504
  • It's what i eat to warm up for real food, right?
  • 00:22:40.504 --> 00:22:43.407
  • "try this."
  • 00:22:43.474 --> 00:22:44.809
  • "nah, it's okay."
  • 00:22:44.809 --> 00:22:46.177
  • "no, try it."
  • 00:22:46.177 --> 00:22:47.511
  • "okay, whatever."
  • 00:22:47.511 --> 00:22:48.879
  • I take a little sip of his tiny little cup.
  • 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:50.214
  • "i'll have it now.
  • 00:22:50.214 --> 00:22:51.582
  • How much is it?"
  • 00:22:51.582 --> 00:22:52.917
  • It was great soup.
  • 00:22:52.917 --> 00:22:54.285
  • It was really hearty with turkey in it and all kinds of things.
  • 00:22:54.285 --> 00:22:56.620
  • So i bought this bag of frozen soup.
  • 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:59.190
  • Cathe's buying vegetables.
  • 00:22:59.256 --> 00:23:01.258
  • Look what i bought.
  • 00:23:01.258 --> 00:23:02.593
  • It's like, "why?"
  • 00:23:02.593 --> 00:23:03.961
  • "i don't know.
  • 00:23:03.961 --> 00:23:05.296
  • It was good."
  • 00:23:05.296 --> 00:23:06.664
  • It started with a free sample.
  • 00:23:06.664 --> 00:23:07.998
  • So the devil says, "okay, okay, i know you would never do this
  • 00:23:07.998 --> 00:23:10.668
  • Because you're such a godly person.
  • 00:23:10.668 --> 00:23:13.270
  • But just take this thought for a spin.
  • 00:23:13.337 --> 00:23:17.308
  • Just take a little nibble; it'll be fun.
  • 00:23:17.374 --> 00:23:19.777
  • You would never act on it."
  • 00:23:19.777 --> 00:23:21.111
  • But that's the whole strategy of temptation.
  • 00:23:21.111 --> 00:23:24.014
  • It starts in the realm of your mind.
  • 00:23:24.014 --> 00:23:26.617
  • Now you're almost hooked.
  • 00:23:26.617 --> 00:23:28.352
  • Verse 14 of james 1, "you're drawn away by your own desires."
  • 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:32.256
  • There's still a way out.
  • 00:23:32.256 --> 00:23:33.891
  • But you're thinking, you're processing, you're considering,
  • 00:23:33.891 --> 00:23:37.495
  • And the hook is now set, and you bite.
  • 00:23:37.495 --> 00:23:39.697
  • Verse 15, "when desire is conceived, it gives birth
  • 00:23:39.697 --> 00:23:42.533
  • To sin."
  • 00:23:42.533 --> 00:23:43.868
  • And so you've acted on the evil thought, and there's maybe the
  • 00:23:43.868 --> 00:23:47.838
  • Momentary pleasure that can come from certain sins.
  • 00:23:47.838 --> 00:23:52.743
  • But then immediately, if your conscience is working, guilt
  • 00:23:52.810 --> 00:23:55.946
  • Kicks in, regret, remorse, that spiritual deadness.
  • 00:23:55.946 --> 00:24:02.653
  • Thank god you can say, "lord, i'm sorry, i repent," and he'll
  • 00:24:02.653 --> 00:24:06.490
  • Forgive you.
  • 00:24:06.490 --> 00:24:07.825
  • But you know the effects of sin that can happen in your life.
  • 00:24:07.825 --> 00:24:11.061
  • And then the effects of sin, number five, kick in; verse 15,
  • 00:24:11.061 --> 00:24:14.965
  • "sin, when it's full-grown, brings forth death."
  • 00:24:14.965 --> 00:24:18.536
  • The bible says, "the soul that sins shall surely die."
  • 00:24:18.602 --> 00:24:22.339
  • It also says, "the wages of sin are death."
  • 00:24:22.406 --> 00:24:25.509
  • You're now separated from god.
  • 00:24:25.509 --> 00:24:27.478
  • So now i wanna blame someone.
  • 00:24:27.478 --> 00:24:29.046
  • This is not my fault.
  • 00:24:29.046 --> 00:24:30.581
  • The devil made me do it.
  • 00:24:31.148 --> 00:24:32.483
  • No, he didn't.
  • 00:24:32.483 --> 00:24:33.851
  • Devil can't make you do anything.
  • 00:24:33.851 --> 00:24:35.185
  • He can tempt you.
  • 00:24:35.185 --> 00:24:36.554
  • You have to cooperate.
  • 00:24:36.554 --> 00:24:37.955
  • "well, this other person, they, it's their fault; they
  • 00:24:37.955 --> 00:24:41.158
  • Tempted me."
  • 00:24:41.158 --> 00:24:42.493
  • Well, maybe they did, but you're still responsible for your
  • 00:24:42.493 --> 00:24:45.596
  • Own actions.
  • 00:24:45.596 --> 00:24:47.131
  • That's what adam did; he blamed eve.
  • 00:24:47.197 --> 00:24:49.700
  • And eve played a role in it, but, ultimately, it was adam's
  • 00:24:49.767 --> 00:24:52.736
  • Decision to eat of that forbidden fruit.
  • 00:24:52.736 --> 00:24:55.339
  • Okay, here's another thought.
  • 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.674
  • We're almost done here.
  • 00:24:56.674 --> 00:24:58.042
  • When does temptation generally come?
  • 00:24:58.042 --> 00:25:00.077
  • This might surprise you.
  • 00:25:00.077 --> 00:25:01.812
  • When does it generally come?
  • 00:25:01.812 --> 00:25:03.747
  • After times of great blessing.
  • 00:25:04.615 --> 00:25:07.851
  • Remember jesus was baptized by his cousin john the baptist.
  • 00:25:07.918 --> 00:25:13.958
  • And then you remember that the father spoke from heaven and
  • 00:25:14.024 --> 00:25:17.628
  • Said, "this is my beloved son in whom i am well pleased."
  • 00:25:17.628 --> 00:25:21.532
  • And the spirit of god came upon jesus in the form of a dove.
  • 00:25:21.532 --> 00:25:25.402
  • What a moment, what a blessing.
  • 00:25:25.402 --> 00:25:28.205
  • And what do we read then?
  • 00:25:28.205 --> 00:25:29.573
  • Immediately after that, jesus went into the wilderness to be
  • 00:25:29.573 --> 00:25:32.743
  • Tested and tempted by the devil.
  • 00:25:32.743 --> 00:25:35.713
  • After the dove came the devil; after the blessing came
  • 00:25:35.713 --> 00:25:40.951
  • The temptation.
  • 00:25:40.951 --> 00:25:42.419
  • So it might happen after church.
  • 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.954
  • Oh, i love that.
  • 00:25:43.954 --> 00:25:45.322
  • Great time of worship, so so sermon.
  • 00:25:45.322 --> 00:25:47.725
  • But, still, you're in your car; someone cuts you off, "you
  • 00:25:47.725 --> 00:25:52.663
  • Stinking oof!"
  • 00:25:52.663 --> 00:25:54.932
  • You start fighting with your wife in front of your kids.
  • 00:25:54.999 --> 00:25:58.068
  • Something else happens.
  • 00:25:58.068 --> 00:25:59.403
  • Wait, what's going on?
  • 00:25:59.403 --> 00:26:00.771
  • Yeah, well, attacks often come after times of blessing.
  • 00:26:00.771 --> 00:26:03.474
  • So brace yourself for that.
  • 00:26:03.474 --> 00:26:05.509
  • Be aware of that, and that's what's going to happen in life.
  • 00:26:05.509 --> 00:26:11.749
  • But god always has a way out for us, and every temptation can
  • 00:26:11.749 --> 00:26:16.053
  • Be resisted.
  • 00:26:16.053 --> 00:26:17.421
  • And listen to this; i love that verse, "blessed is the man that
  • 00:26:17.421 --> 00:26:20.691
  • Endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he'll receive
  • 00:26:20.691 --> 00:26:23.961
  • The crown of life."
  • 00:26:23.961 --> 00:26:25.429
  • Greg: hi, i'm greg laurie. i've got some good news for you.
  • 00:26:29.566 --> 00:26:32.269
  • God loves you, and god has a plan for your life.
  • 00:26:32.269 --> 00:26:36.106
  • Here's the problem: we're separated from god by our sin
  • 00:26:36.106 --> 00:26:39.576
  • Because we've all broken his commandments.
  • 00:26:39.576 --> 00:26:42.513
  • But the good news is that 2,000 years ago, god sent
  • 00:26:42.513 --> 00:26:45.983
  • His son, jesus christ, to die on the cross for your sin,
  • 00:26:45.983 --> 00:26:50.387
  • And then to rise again from the dead.
  • 00:26:50.387 --> 00:26:52.790
  • The same jesus who died and rose is alive and ready
  • 00:26:52.790 --> 00:26:56.093
  • To come into your life right now.
  • 00:26:56.093 --> 00:26:58.629
  • Would you like your sin forgiven?
  • 00:26:58.629 --> 00:27:00.698
  • Would you like to know that when you die you will go to heaven?
  • 00:27:00.698 --> 00:27:03.567
  • If so, pray this simple prayer with me right now.
  • 00:27:03.567 --> 00:27:06.870
  • Just say, "lord jesus, i know i'm a sinner, but i believe
  • 00:27:06.870 --> 00:27:10.574
  • You're the savior, who died on the cross for my sin.
  • 00:27:10.574 --> 00:27:14.044
  • I turn from my sin now, and i choose to follow you
  • 00:27:14.044 --> 00:27:17.548
  • From this moment forward."
  • 00:27:17.548 --> 00:27:19.917
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:27:19.917 --> 00:27:21.752
  • If you did, god in heaven has heard you.
  • 00:27:21.752 --> 00:27:25.122
  • Congratulations, and welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:27:25.122 --> 00:27:25.122