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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To Face Overwhelming Obstacles | December 5, 2024
- Greg laurie: you see, world changers are willing to take
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- Bold steps of faith.
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- Faith is obeying god in spite of circumstances
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- Or even consequences.
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- And the more you use your faith, the stronger it gets.
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- The less you use your faith, the more it weakens.
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- World changers see opportunities.
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- Those who are changed by this world see obstacles.
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- World changers see bridges.
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- Those who are changed by the world just see walls.
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- It's all how you look at things.
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- And are you willing to do what god tells you to do?
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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: let me start with a question.
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- How many of you have ever been in a situation where the only
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- Way out was god?
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- Raise your hand up.
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- Yeah, you been in one of those situations?
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- Maybe it was a report from a doctor that gave no real hope.
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- Maybe it was a financial catastrophe where you were on
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- The brink of collapse.
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- Maybe a marriage was completely unraveling or a loved one died,
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- And you did not think you possibly could survive such a
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- Thing, or you've had a huge family conflict
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- That seemed unresolvable.
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- Well, i bring this up because that's the very scenario before
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- Us here in our story from world changers, as we see the
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- Israelites standing between, well, in a way, the devil
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- And the deep blue sea.
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- They were backed up against the wall, and they were caught
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- Between an unconquerable army and an impossible--excuse
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- Me--impassable sea.
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- They were between the impossible and the more impossible, but
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- What they were about to discover was, "with god,
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- All things are possible."
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- Have you ever looked up the phrase, "but god," in scripture?
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- Fascinating study.
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- "but god," two words.
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- Let me illustrate.
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- You remember god brought judgment upon the earth in the
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- Days of noah.
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- The flood came and noah and his family got into the ark
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- With the animals, and things were looking pretty bleak.
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- But we read in genesis, "but god."
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- Remember noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that
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- Were with them in the ark.
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- And he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
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- You see, god had made a promise to noah, that they would find
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- Land again and start over again.
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- And god always keeps his promises.
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- But god.
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- Then there was the story of joseph, who was betrayed by his
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- Own brothers, and they thought he was dead, but god spared his
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- Life, and joseph said to them, "you meant this for evil,
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- But god intended it for good."
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- Even death does not have the final word.
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- Death can seem so permanent, so hopeless, but psalm 49:6 says,
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- "but god will redeem my life from the grave.
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- He will take me for himself."
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- So my question for you today is, how big is your but?
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- Hey, where are your heads at? wow.
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- What? i spelled that with one t, not two.
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- Well, i don't know how big your but is, but i know that your
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- God is bigger than any problem you're facing right now.
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- Yes, i meant to say that. i'm just having fun.
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- That's all you're gonna remember from the message.
- 00:03:49.505 --> 00:03:51.407
- By the way, i thought of calling this message,
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- "how big is your but?"
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- But i thought it's not gonna be good.
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- So, we're looking at a world changer.
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- His name was moses. what an amazing story.
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- Because here's a boy who, well, was supposed to die, because the
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- Pharaoh, wicked man that he was, gave a decree that all the
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- Jewish baby boys should be drowned in the nile river.
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- Why?
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- Because they were jewish and probably the first act of
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- Antisemitism in the bible that pharaoh tries to eradicate the
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- Race of the hebrews.
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- What a heartless and wicked thing to do.
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- But god had a different plan for the beautiful jewish baby moses.
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- And notice god always will have the last word.
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- So moses parents put him in a little basket, and they covered
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- It in pitch, so it was waterproof.
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- And they sent it cruising down the nile river and almost on
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- Cue, really on cue the beautiful baby moses begins to cry.
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- The daughter of the pharaoh, the princess of egypt sees this
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- Gorgeous little baby boy, and her maternal instincts kick in,
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- And she decides, "i want to raise that boy as my own son.
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- And she's looking for a mother to nurse him; and, of course,
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- Moses' mother is nearby, and she volunteers for the job, and so
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- Here's moses now being raised in the palace of the pharaoh.
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- The world was his oyster.
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- He could've had anything he wanted.
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- And the jewish historian josephus feels that moses was
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- Actually on track to potentially become the
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- Next pharaoh of egypt.
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- And that brings us to our first passage, hebrews 11.
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- "he chose to suffer affliction with the people of god rather
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- Than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the
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- Reproach of christ greater riches than the treasures
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- Of egypt, for he looked to his reward."
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- Man, moses said no to all that sin.
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- Mo said no.
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- And it was awesome.
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- He could've been compromised.
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- He could've done the wrong thing.
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- "no, i don't want your passing pleasures."
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- He was on a roll until he took matters into his own hands,
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- Because one day he saw an egyptian mistreating a jew,
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- And he just lost it, and he killed the guy.
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- And the pharaoh pretty much said moses is a dead man.
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- So, he ran away, and he was exiled for 40 years, probably
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- Thinking that was the end.
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- But god still had a plan for moses.
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- So, he had to retrofit him for the task at hand.
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- And with great courage, accompanied by aaron, he went
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- Into the court of the most powerful man on the face of the
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- Earth, the pharaoh of egypt, and said, "let my people go,
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- That they may have a feast to me in the wilderness."
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- And pharaoh said, "there's no way.
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- I don't know the lord, and i'm not going to let them go."
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- So on that went, and finally the pharaoh acquiesced.
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- Finally, the pharaoh gave in, and now they're on their way.
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- They're out. they're free.
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- In fact, they have their first passover meal together.
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- But this is interesting how the lord led them, because the lord
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- Did not lead them on the direct route.
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- He led them on a much harder, longer route that, in some ways,
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- Made no sense.
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- I mean, think about this.
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- It took them 40 years to reach the promised land.
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- Why is that?
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- Is that because men were in charge, and no one would stop
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- And ask for directions?
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- Could be.
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- Well, the reason was, is because they were wandering in the
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- Wilderness, going around in circles, because they were
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- Disobeying the lord.
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- But the route from egypt to the red sea was an unusual route god
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- Took them.
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- He's taking them in a way where they're going to be put in what
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- Appears to be an impossible situation.
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- That brings me to point number one.
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- Before you can be a world changer,
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- God needs to change you.
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- Before you can be a world changer,
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- God needs to change you.
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- Let me put it another way.
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- Before you can change the world, your world needs to be changed.
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- Now look what happens here.
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- Look at exodus 13, verse 17.
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- "when pharaoh let the people go, god did not lead them along the
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- Main road that runs through philistine territory, even
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- Though that was the shortest route to the promised land.
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- God said, 'if my people are faced with the battle, they
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- Might change their minds and return to egypt.'
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- So, god led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness
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- Toward the red sea."
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- That's interesting.
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- God did not lead them on the shortest route or the easiest
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- Route, but he did lead them on the best route, which brings me
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- To point number two: god's way is the right way.
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- God's way is the right way.
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- Now, the lord gave them a really amazing gps system: a fire by
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- Night, a cloud by day.
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- Very simple. when the cloud moved, you move.
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- When the cloud stopped, you stop.
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- At nighttime, when the fire moved, you move.
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- When it stopped, you stop.
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- You say, "man, i wish i could have that."
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- 'cause a lot of times, i want to know what i should do,
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- Where i should go.
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- It'd be so easy. oh, the cloud's moving.
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- This is the way. let's go, everybody.
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- You have something better than a cloud and a fire.
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- You have christ himself living in your heart.
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- They didn't have that in the old testament.
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- Even moses, great man of god that he was, or abraham, or
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- Isaac, or jacob--fill in the blank here--any of the great old
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- Testament characters, they didn't have christ in them.
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- This is only for the believer in the new covenant, who has
- 00:09:17.833 --> 00:09:21.170
- Believed in jesus christ.
- 00:09:21.170 --> 00:09:23.406
- God takes residence in our heart.
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- And i don't need a fire in the sky.
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- I have the fire of the holy spirit in my life giving me the
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- Power to do what god has called me to do.
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- And the lord will lead you in the way that he wants you to go.
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- Now, listen to this.
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- Sometimes god's will doesn't make sense.
- 00:09:42.291 --> 00:09:45.094
- And i know this is true when you're younger.
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- As you learn these truths for the first time, you know, you'll
- 00:09:47.096 --> 00:09:49.765
- Learn what god wants you to do, what god doesn't want you to do.
- 00:09:49.765 --> 00:09:52.368
- And maybe if you're young, you know you're not supposed to have
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- Sex before marriage; and after you're married, you're supposed
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- To be faithful to your spouse.
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- You're saying that is like the lamest rule ever.
- 00:09:59.775 --> 00:10:02.945
- Why would god say that?
- 00:10:02.945 --> 00:10:04.680
- He's trying to ruin all my fun.
- 00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:06.682
- He doesn't know what he's talking about.
- 00:10:06.682 --> 00:10:08.184
- Actually, god knows exactly what he's talking about.
- 00:10:08.184 --> 00:10:10.486
- He put that law in place to protect you, because as you get
- 00:10:10.486 --> 00:10:14.991
- Older, and you see all of the havoc that comes from people who
- 00:10:14.991 --> 00:10:19.528
- Live immoral lifestyles, you start to see the logic
- 00:10:19.528 --> 00:10:22.632
- Of this law.
- 00:10:22.632 --> 00:10:24.367
- You could take so many of our social ills today, marriages
- 00:10:24.367 --> 00:10:27.637
- Falling apart, children conceived out of wedlock, raised
- 00:10:27.637 --> 00:10:31.240
- In fatherless homes, often ending up in drugs, often ending
- 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:34.710
- Up in prison or in jail, often ending up having their own
- 00:10:34.710 --> 00:10:40.182
- Children out of wedlock, repeated patterns of sin going
- 00:10:40.182 --> 00:10:43.486
- On and on, all because we can't keep this simple commandment
- 00:10:43.486 --> 00:10:48.124
- Of obeying god.
- 00:10:48.124 --> 00:10:49.525
- He's put it there for your own good.
- 00:10:49.525 --> 00:10:51.594
- And god tries to protect us and keep us from those things,
- 00:10:51.594 --> 00:10:54.263
- Because god's way is the right way.
- 00:10:54.263 --> 00:10:57.266
- And the fact is the lord was going to lead them in a way
- 00:10:57.266 --> 00:10:59.802
- Where he was going to get the glory.
- 00:10:59.802 --> 00:11:01.904
- He told the israelites to go specifically to a place called
- 00:11:01.904 --> 00:11:04.874
- Migdol by the sea.
- 00:11:04.874 --> 00:11:08.144
- And we read about it here in exodus 14, verse 3.
- 00:11:08.144 --> 00:11:11.781
- "and the pharaoh will think," the lord says, "the israelites
- 00:11:11.781 --> 00:11:15.751
- Are confused, and they're trapped in the wilderness.
- 00:11:15.751 --> 00:11:17.953
- And once again, i will harden pharaoh's heart,
- 00:11:17.953 --> 00:11:20.623
- And he'll chase after you.
- 00:11:20.623 --> 00:11:22.458
- I've planned this in order to display my glory through pharaoh
- 00:11:22.458 --> 00:11:26.429
- And the whole army.
- 00:11:26.429 --> 00:11:27.863
- After this, the egyptians will know i am the lord.
- 00:11:27.863 --> 00:11:31.200
- So, the israelites camped there as they were told."
- 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:34.637
- From a standpoint of military strategy, this was crazy.
- 00:11:34.637 --> 00:11:39.275
- They were completely vulnerable.
- 00:11:39.275 --> 00:11:41.377
- They were surrounded by desert with their backs
- 00:11:41.377 --> 00:11:43.312
- Against the ocean.
- 00:11:43.312 --> 00:11:45.014
- There was literally no way out.
- 00:11:45.014 --> 00:11:47.283
- But the fact is god was tricking the egyptians into thinking the
- 00:11:47.283 --> 00:11:51.187
- Israelis or israelites had no idea what they were doing, but
- 00:11:51.187 --> 00:11:55.858
- God was allowing this so he could show his power.
- 00:11:55.858 --> 00:11:59.628
- Meanwhile, back at the palace, one of the pharaoh's subjects
- 00:11:59.628 --> 00:12:03.799
- Comes and says, "those crazy hebrews,
- 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:05.901
- Guess what they've done.
- 00:12:05.901 --> 00:12:07.470
- They don't know what they're doing.
- 00:12:07.470 --> 00:12:08.804
- They don't know where they're going.
- 00:12:08.804 --> 00:12:10.239
- They're backed up against the red sea with no way out.
- 00:12:10.239 --> 00:12:12.208
- What should we do?" "what should we do?
- 00:12:12.208 --> 00:12:14.343
- Let's kill them all right now," says the pharaoh.
- 00:12:14.343 --> 00:12:16.345
- He's so angry.
- 00:12:16.345 --> 00:12:17.813
- So, he gets the army ready, and they begin the charge
- 00:12:17.813 --> 00:12:20.549
- Against the israelites.
- 00:12:20.549 --> 00:12:22.084
- He's thinking, "i'm gonna get them.
- 00:12:22.084 --> 00:12:23.652
- They're so foolish.
- 00:12:23.652 --> 00:12:25.121
- They've made this horrible mistake."
- 00:12:25.121 --> 00:12:26.822
- And here are the israelites standing back up against the
- 00:12:26.822 --> 00:12:29.925
- Red sea, and they see this approaching army.
- 00:12:29.925 --> 00:12:33.028
- So, what do they do? do they pray?
- 00:12:33.028 --> 00:12:35.464
- Do they rejoice that god's in control?
- 00:12:35.464 --> 00:12:37.399
- No, they do what you would do. they completely freak out.
- 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:42.872
- Look at exodus 14:10.
- 00:12:42.872 --> 00:12:44.740
- "as pharaoh approached, the people of israel looked up and
- 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:47.109
- Panicked when they saw the egyptians overtaking them, and
- 00:12:47.109 --> 00:12:50.513
- Said to moses, 'weren't there enough graves for us in egypt?'"
- 00:12:50.513 --> 00:12:55.050
- It's kind of funny, really.
- 00:12:55.050 --> 00:12:56.652
- "'oh, we had to come and die all the way out here.
- 00:12:56.652 --> 00:12:59.155
- We could've just died in egypt just as easily.'"
- 00:12:59.155 --> 00:13:03.092
- You know, it's a funny thing.
- 00:13:03.092 --> 00:13:04.460
- They kept wanting to go back to egypt.
- 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:06.562
- That was always the point of egypt, going back to egypt--or
- 00:13:06.562 --> 00:13:09.698
- Their point of reference rather--going back to egypt it
- 00:13:09.698 --> 00:13:13.035
- Took god one night to get israel out of egypt,
- 00:13:13.035 --> 00:13:15.938
- And it took 40 years to take egypt out of israel.
- 00:13:15.938 --> 00:13:20.843
- They're always looking back.
- 00:13:20.843 --> 00:13:22.711
- And some christians are that way.
- 00:13:22.711 --> 00:13:24.446
- They're always looking back.
- 00:13:24.446 --> 00:13:25.981
- Oh, remember the good old days, you know,
- 00:13:25.981 --> 00:13:27.449
- Before i was a christian.
- 00:13:27.449 --> 00:13:29.318
- Man, we would party, had so much fun, did this, did that.
- 00:13:29.318 --> 00:13:35.057
- Really, were they good old days?
- 00:13:35.057 --> 00:13:37.359
- Were they as good as you think they were?
- 00:13:37.359 --> 00:13:39.995
- Or is your memory a little distorted?
- 00:13:39.995 --> 00:13:42.598
- Have you forgotten the emptiness?
- 00:13:42.598 --> 00:13:44.767
- Have you forgotten the despondency?
- 00:13:44.767 --> 00:13:47.169
- Have you forgotten the repercussions of the things
- 00:13:47.169 --> 00:13:50.005
- That you did?
- 00:13:50.005 --> 00:13:52.174
- Have you forgotten that dull ache deep inside of you?
- 00:13:52.174 --> 00:13:56.178
- Have you forgotten the fact that you contemplated suicide?
- 00:13:56.178 --> 00:13:59.515
- Have you forgotten the havoc it brought upon your family?
- 00:13:59.515 --> 00:14:04.019
- Yeah, you've forgotten about that conveniently, and you
- 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:06.455
- Remember a few good times that you had.
- 00:14:06.455 --> 00:14:09.592
- And that's what they were doing.
- 00:14:09.592 --> 00:14:10.993
- They were always looking back.
- 00:14:10.993 --> 00:14:12.928
- So, before we judge them, let's just realize
- 00:14:12.928 --> 00:14:14.597
- We've done the same thing.
- 00:14:14.597 --> 00:14:16.866
- This is why jesus said, "no man, having put his hand to the plow
- 00:14:16.866 --> 00:14:20.636
- And looking back is fit for the kingdom of god."
- 00:14:20.636 --> 00:14:23.906
- Greg: greg laurie here.
- 00:14:25.774 --> 00:14:27.109
- You know, at harvest ministries we're committing to reaching
- 00:14:27.109 --> 00:14:29.612
- Unexpected people in unexpected places with an
- 00:14:29.612 --> 00:14:33.015
- Unexpected message.
- 00:14:33.015 --> 00:14:34.683
- And thanks to your financial support, we've been able to
- 00:14:34.683 --> 00:14:39.088
- Touch people all over the world with the hope of jesus christ.
- 00:14:39.088 --> 00:14:43.559
- Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
- 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:47.296
- Country through this television program, they also help us to
- 00:14:47.296 --> 00:14:51.500
- Bring hope to people in their biggest need, whether through
- 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:55.237
- Our evangelistic events or our relief efforts, together we've
- 00:14:55.237 --> 00:14:59.074
- Been able to minister to so many people devastated by the fires
- 00:14:59.074 --> 00:15:03.112
- In lahaina on the island of maui.
- 00:15:03.112 --> 00:15:05.214
- And also, your support has helped us partner to bring
- 00:15:05.214 --> 00:15:08.784
- Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
- 00:15:08.784 --> 00:15:12.121
- So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
- 00:15:12.121 --> 00:15:15.157
- Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill the
- 00:15:15.157 --> 00:15:19.495
- Great commission.
- 00:15:19.495 --> 00:15:21.063
- Let's do this together, and let me say in advance,
- 00:15:21.063 --> 00:15:23.966
- Thank you and god bless you.
- 00:15:23.966 --> 00:15:25.334
- Female announcer: jesus says that "where two or three are
- 00:15:26.702 --> 00:15:29.138
- Gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them."
- 00:15:29.138 --> 00:15:33.442
- We are all different, we have different interests, different
- 00:15:33.442 --> 00:15:36.645
- Personalities, different upbringings, and different ways
- 00:15:36.645 --> 00:15:40.416
- We do life, but here we have a deep connection.
- 00:15:40.416 --> 00:15:45.354
- And you are welcome here.
- 00:15:45.354 --> 00:15:49.625
- This is harvest.
- 00:15:49.625 --> 00:15:56.365
- Greg: that brings us to point number three.
- 00:16:00.302 --> 00:16:02.004
- When things are scary, pray.
- 00:16:02.004 --> 00:16:05.174
- When things are scary, pray.
- 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.942
- Yeah, the people freaked out, but they also prayed.
- 00:16:06.942 --> 00:16:09.178
- Verse 11, they cried out to the lord and said to moses,
- 00:16:09.178 --> 00:16:12.715
- "why did you bring us here to die in the wilderness?"
- 00:16:12.715 --> 00:16:15.384
- They cried out to god.
- 00:16:15.384 --> 00:16:16.785
- That's what we need to do when we're in trouble.
- 00:16:16.785 --> 00:16:20.322
- If your knees start shaking, kneel on them.
- 00:16:20.322 --> 00:16:24.460
- And know this: faith and worry cannot coexist.
- 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:27.730
- One chases out the other.
- 00:16:27.730 --> 00:16:30.165
- And we're told over in philippians 4,
- 00:16:30.165 --> 00:16:32.034
- "don't worry about anything.
- 00:16:32.034 --> 00:16:33.902
- Pray about everything.
- 00:16:33.902 --> 00:16:35.671
- And the peace of god will guard your heart and mind
- 00:16:35.671 --> 00:16:37.773
- In christ jesus."
- 00:16:37.773 --> 00:16:39.141
- Or as the jb phillips translation puts it, "don't
- 00:16:39.141 --> 00:16:41.944
- Worry over anything, whatever.
- 00:16:41.944 --> 00:16:44.279
- Tell god every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful
- 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:47.483
- Prayer, and the peace of god, which transcends human
- 00:16:47.483 --> 00:16:51.787
- Understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts
- 00:16:51.787 --> 00:16:55.357
- And minds as they rest in christ jesus."
- 00:16:55.357 --> 00:16:58.560
- I love that translation.
- 00:16:58.560 --> 00:17:00.295
- But they saw the army.
- 00:17:00.295 --> 00:17:01.764
- I mean, imagine, look at verse 10.
- 00:17:01.764 --> 00:17:03.332
- They saw the egyptian army in pursuit.
- 00:17:03.332 --> 00:17:06.602
- I mean, if this were happening today, it would've been tanks,
- 00:17:06.602 --> 00:17:09.204
- And hummers, and helicopters, and jets, all coming at them
- 00:17:09.204 --> 00:17:13.809
- At the same time.
- 00:17:13.809 --> 00:17:15.444
- Chariots, and horses, and shields, and swords, and spears.
- 00:17:15.444 --> 00:17:19.581
- They're thinking, we are so dead.
- 00:17:19.581 --> 00:17:22.718
- There was no mightier army on the face of the earth
- 00:17:22.718 --> 00:17:26.021
- At this time.
- 00:17:26.021 --> 00:17:27.423
- But what does god tell them to do?
- 00:17:27.423 --> 00:17:28.991
- Moses reassures them and says in exodus 14:13, "don't be afraid.
- 00:17:28.991 --> 00:17:33.128
- Just stand still and watch the lord rescue you today.
- 00:17:33.128 --> 00:17:36.632
- The egyptians that you see today will never be seen again.
- 00:17:36.632 --> 00:17:39.935
- The lord himself will fight for you.
- 00:17:39.935 --> 00:17:41.603
- Just stay calm."
- 00:17:41.603 --> 00:17:43.072
- Wow, that's kind of hard to do, isn't it?
- 00:17:43.072 --> 00:17:46.475
- And sometimes the devil comes at us with everything he's got.
- 00:17:46.475 --> 00:17:50.646
- All his temptations, all his deceptions, all of his demons
- 00:17:50.646 --> 00:17:54.450
- Coming at us.
- 00:17:54.450 --> 00:17:55.818
- We're thinking, "oh, man, i'm gonna die."
- 00:17:55.818 --> 00:17:57.319
- No, you aren't.
- 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.887
- And i'll tell you why you aren't.
- 00:17:58.887 --> 00:18:00.222
- Because greater is he that is in you than he that is
- 00:18:00.222 --> 00:18:02.024
- In the world, that's why.
- 00:18:02.024 --> 00:18:03.926
- Christ is in you. you belong to the lord.
- 00:18:03.926 --> 00:18:08.430
- Oh, the devil can tempt you.
- 00:18:08.430 --> 00:18:10.632
- The devil can hassle you, but cannot overcome you, because
- 00:18:10.632 --> 00:18:14.002
- You're under god's protection.
- 00:18:14.002 --> 00:18:16.338
- "stand still and see the salvation of the lord,"
- 00:18:16.338 --> 00:18:20.876
- Says moses.
- 00:18:20.876 --> 00:18:22.411
- And believe it or not, that's a good place to be.
- 00:18:22.411 --> 00:18:25.047
- Now, that brings me to point number four.
- 00:18:25.047 --> 00:18:27.015
- When led by the lord, make your move.
- 00:18:27.015 --> 00:18:32.020
- There's a time to wait, and there's a time to move.
- 00:18:29.651 --> 00:18:35.491
- Verse 15, the lord said to moses,
- 00:18:35.491 --> 00:18:37.126
- "why are you crying to me?
- 00:18:37.126 --> 00:18:38.827
- Tell the people to get moving.
- 00:18:38.827 --> 00:18:40.295
- Pick up your staff.
- 00:18:40.295 --> 00:18:41.730
- Raise your hand over the sea.
- 00:18:41.730 --> 00:18:43.132
- Divide the waters so the israelites can walk through,
- 00:18:43.132 --> 00:18:46.502
- Through the middle of the sea on dry ground."
- 00:18:46.502 --> 00:18:49.705
- Listen to this.
- 00:18:49.705 --> 00:18:51.039
- This may seem odd, but this is true.
- 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:53.408
- There can come a point in your life when you don't need to pray
- 00:18:53.408 --> 00:18:56.545
- About something anymore.
- 00:18:56.545 --> 00:18:58.547
- "well, greg, you should always--" now hold on.
- 00:18:58.547 --> 00:19:00.182
- Understand what i'm saying.
- 00:19:00.182 --> 00:19:01.683
- There's a time to pray, and there's a time to move.
- 00:19:01.683 --> 00:19:05.220
- See, god was saying, "stop crying to me.
- 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:07.523
- Stop praying about it.
- 00:19:07.523 --> 00:19:09.091
- Get moving.
- 00:19:09.091 --> 00:19:10.759
- The miracle is coming.
- 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:12.528
- Moses, hold up your hand, hold up that staff,
- 00:19:12.528 --> 00:19:14.863
- And the water is parted."
- 00:19:14.863 --> 00:19:16.698
- Let me illustrate.
- 00:19:16.698 --> 00:19:18.100
- Let's say you're having troubles in your marriage.
- 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:19.935
- Maybe you're praying for your husband.
- 00:19:19.935 --> 00:19:21.803
- "oh, lord, help my husband to change.
- 00:19:21.803 --> 00:19:24.706
- He's such a jerk.
- 00:19:24.706 --> 00:19:26.141
- Change him, lord.
- 00:19:26.141 --> 00:19:27.776
- Help him see how wonderful i am."
- 00:19:27.776 --> 00:19:31.547
- Maybe you should change your prayer.
- 00:19:31.547 --> 00:19:34.950
- Maybe you should say, "lord, you know my husband is a jerk,
- 00:19:34.950 --> 00:19:38.554
- But help me to be the godly woman you want me to be.
- 00:19:38.554 --> 00:19:44.059
- Help me to do my part.
- 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:45.494
- And the husband, of course, needs to pray the same thing.
- 00:19:45.494 --> 00:19:48.430
- See, a lot of times we're saying, "lord, save my
- 00:19:48.430 --> 00:19:50.232
- Marriage," but we're not doing anything
- 00:19:50.232 --> 00:19:51.733
- To keep our marriage strong.
- 00:19:51.733 --> 00:19:54.136
- You know, the bible says, "husbands, love your wife
- 00:19:54.136 --> 00:19:56.205
- As christ loves the church.
- 00:19:56.205 --> 00:19:58.073
- Wives, respect your husband."
- 00:19:58.073 --> 00:20:00.175
- You know, but we don't do that.
- 00:20:00.175 --> 00:20:01.510
- We just, oh, lord, save my marriage.
- 00:20:01.510 --> 00:20:02.878
- Okay, good, keep praying, but do your part.
- 00:20:02.878 --> 00:20:05.647
- You see, there's a time to pray, and there's a time to move.
- 00:20:05.647 --> 00:20:08.717
- How were they able to do this?
- 00:20:08.717 --> 00:20:11.119
- How were they able to walk through the red sea?
- 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:13.055
- I mean, just imagine this.
- 00:20:13.055 --> 00:20:14.423
- It's like god saying to you, "go down to the pacific ocean and
- 00:20:14.423 --> 00:20:17.292
- Keep walking."
- 00:20:17.292 --> 00:20:19.261
- Uh, what?
- 00:20:19.261 --> 00:20:20.729
- "yeah, just walk."
- 00:20:20.729 --> 00:20:22.264
- So, you get in, you know, you're up to your ankles.
- 00:20:22.264 --> 00:20:23.732
- Now you're up to your knees.
- 00:20:23.732 --> 00:20:25.334
- Now you're up to your waist, and the waves are crashing on top of
- 00:20:25.334 --> 00:20:28.170
- Your head, and you really can't walk at all.
- 00:20:28.170 --> 00:20:30.772
- You're thinking, "this isn't working out."
- 00:20:30.772 --> 00:20:32.374
- That's what god said to do.
- 00:20:32.374 --> 00:20:33.942
- You just go and start walking.
- 00:20:33.942 --> 00:20:36.411
- How were they able to do it?
- 00:20:36.411 --> 00:20:38.180
- They did it by faith.
- 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.748
- Hebrews 11:29 says, "it was by faith the people of israel went
- 00:20:39.748 --> 00:20:43.418
- Right through the red sea as though they were on dry ground.
- 00:20:43.418 --> 00:20:47.389
- But when the egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned."
- 00:20:47.389 --> 00:20:52.728
- You see, world changers are willing to take
- 00:20:52.728 --> 00:20:56.064
- Bold steps of faith.
- 00:20:56.064 --> 00:20:58.467
- Faith is obeying god in spite of circumstances
- 00:20:58.467 --> 00:21:01.637
- Or even consequences.
- 00:21:01.637 --> 00:21:04.740
- And the more you use your faith, the stronger it gets.
- 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:08.110
- The less you use your faith, the more it weakens.
- 00:21:08.110 --> 00:21:11.913
- World changers see opportunities.
- 00:21:11.913 --> 00:21:14.583
- Those who are changed by this world see obstacles.
- 00:21:14.583 --> 00:21:18.353
- World changers see bridges.
- 00:21:18.353 --> 00:21:20.756
- Those who are changed by the world just see walls.
- 00:21:20.756 --> 00:21:23.659
- It's all how you look at things.
- 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:25.327
- And are you willing to do what god tells you to do?
- 00:21:25.327 --> 00:21:28.997
- Bringing me to point number five, our life as a christian
- 00:21:28.997 --> 00:21:31.767
- Is a walk of faith.
- 00:21:31.767 --> 00:21:34.002
- Look at verse 21.
- 00:21:34.002 --> 00:21:35.637
- Moses raised his hand over the sea.
- 00:21:35.637 --> 00:21:37.105
- The lord opened up a path through the water.
- 00:21:37.105 --> 00:21:38.907
- And with a strong east wind, the wind blew all that night,
- 00:21:38.907 --> 00:21:42.778
- Turning the sea bed into dry land, so that people walked
- 00:21:42.778 --> 00:21:45.647
- Through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water
- 00:21:45.647 --> 00:21:50.018
- On each side."
- 00:21:50.018 --> 00:21:52.220
- They had to walk right through.
- 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.722
- By the way, it took all night.
- 00:21:53.722 --> 00:21:55.324
- I'm sure it was very excited when they started.
- 00:21:55.324 --> 00:21:56.825
- Whoa.
- 00:21:56.825 --> 00:21:58.593
- Fish probably flopping around on the ground.
- 00:21:58.593 --> 00:22:00.195
- Sushi.
- 00:22:00.195 --> 00:22:01.630
- Who's got the wasabi and soy sauce?
- 00:22:01.630 --> 00:22:05.901
- And they probably saw fish like cruising by them.
- 00:22:05.901 --> 00:22:08.170
- The walls of water, look at that.
- 00:22:08.170 --> 00:22:09.771
- Look right there.
- 00:22:09.771 --> 00:22:11.206
- You know, it's like the best aquarium ever.
- 00:22:11.206 --> 00:22:13.075
- It was very exciting at first and very exciting at the end,
- 00:22:13.075 --> 00:22:16.411
- When the walls of water collapsed on the egyptian army.
- 00:22:16.411 --> 00:22:19.481
- But they had to walk and walk, and it's hours and hours, and
- 00:22:19.481 --> 00:22:22.784
- That's the christian life.
- 00:22:22.784 --> 00:22:24.753
- It's just a walk with the lord.
- 00:22:24.753 --> 00:22:26.822
- You know, sometimes there's a lot of excitement in the
- 00:22:26.822 --> 00:22:28.990
- Beginning of the christian life when you realize what god has
- 00:22:28.990 --> 00:22:32.094
- Done for you, but as time passes, you might start taking
- 00:22:32.094 --> 00:22:35.330
- Things for granted, and you might start finding yourself
- 00:22:35.330 --> 00:22:38.867
- Becoming a bit apathetic.
- 00:22:38.867 --> 00:22:40.802
- You need to just keep walking this walk.
- 00:22:40.802 --> 00:22:44.206
- One definition of being a christian is long obedience in
- 00:22:44.206 --> 00:22:47.909
- The same direction.
- 00:22:47.909 --> 00:22:50.312
- I like that.
- 00:22:50.312 --> 00:22:51.847
- Long obedience in the same direction.
- 00:22:51.847 --> 00:22:53.782
- But if you find yourself getting apathetic, you need to pull out
- 00:22:53.782 --> 00:22:56.518
- Your rpgs.
- 00:22:56.518 --> 00:22:58.920
- My rocket propelled grenade launcher?
- 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:01.356
- No, your rpgs.
- 00:23:01.356 --> 00:23:03.091
- R stands for read.
- 00:23:03.091 --> 00:23:05.660
- Every day, read the bible.
- 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:08.964
- You never outgrow it.
- 00:23:08.964 --> 00:23:10.399
- You never get beyond it.
- 00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:11.967
- It never becomes irrelevant.
- 00:23:11.967 --> 00:23:13.335
- Every day, you read.
- 00:23:13.335 --> 00:23:14.970
- P stands for prayer.
- 00:23:14.970 --> 00:23:16.405
- You need to have a prayer life.
- 00:23:16.405 --> 00:23:18.640
- Pray about things.
- 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.975
- Bring things before the lord.
- 00:23:19.975 --> 00:23:21.476
- G of rpg stands for go to church.
- 00:23:21.476 --> 00:23:25.280
- You never outgrow that.
- 00:23:25.280 --> 00:23:26.782
- You need to be a regular part of the church and s
- 00:23:26.782 --> 00:23:29.785
- In rpg stands for share.
- 00:23:29.785 --> 00:23:32.521
- Share your faith with others.
- 00:23:32.521 --> 00:23:34.389
- This is something we stopped doing.
- 00:23:34.389 --> 00:23:36.425
- We stopped reading our bibles.
- 00:23:36.425 --> 00:23:37.759
- We stopped being regular in church attendance.
- 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:40.695
- We stopped praying.
- 00:23:40.695 --> 00:23:42.264
- We stopped sharing our faith, and we wonder why apathy is
- 00:23:42.264 --> 00:23:45.333
- Seeping into our life: because you're not doing the basics.
- 00:23:45.333 --> 00:23:49.070
- Let's just say you decided, "i'm just not gonna eat anymore.
- 00:23:49.070 --> 00:23:51.973
- So over the eating thing."
- 00:23:51.973 --> 00:23:56.545
- And here's what's gonna happen.
- 00:23:56.545 --> 00:23:58.013
- You're gonna get lightheaded, you're gonna get dizzy.
- 00:23:58.013 --> 00:24:01.016
- You're gonna feel almost sick.
- 00:24:01.016 --> 00:24:03.585
- And if it goes on for a while, you're gonna basically start to
- 00:24:03.585 --> 00:24:06.688
- Die., and you can't live that way.
- 00:24:06.688 --> 00:24:09.391
- You must eat to survive.
- 00:24:09.391 --> 00:24:11.026
- And in the same way, we'll neglect these disciplines, and
- 00:24:11.026 --> 00:24:13.595
- We'll find ourself withering.
- 00:24:13.595 --> 00:24:15.530
- Or let's say you never exercise.
- 00:24:15.530 --> 00:24:17.098
- Sometimes the problem is all you do is eat.
- 00:24:17.098 --> 00:24:19.234
- You eat and eat and eat and eat.
- 00:24:19.234 --> 00:24:21.136
- You live at krispy kreme.
- 00:24:21.136 --> 00:24:22.904
- You live there.
- 00:24:22.904 --> 00:24:24.339
- Like, have a bed there.
- 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:26.041
- You just eat donuts.
- 00:24:26.041 --> 00:24:27.442
- You eat them before they're even made.
- 00:24:27.442 --> 00:24:30.312
- Okay, now you have another problem.
- 00:24:30.312 --> 00:24:33.415
- You need exercise.
- 00:24:33.415 --> 00:24:35.517
- Well, first of all, stop being a glutton, okay?
- 00:24:35.517 --> 00:24:37.018
- But number two, you need exercise.
- 00:24:37.018 --> 00:24:39.855
- You need activity.
- 00:24:39.855 --> 00:24:41.356
- And so it's not enough to just come to church and listen and
- 00:24:41.356 --> 00:24:44.326
- Hear and be blessed.
- 00:24:44.326 --> 00:24:46.261
- Yes, we're thankful you're here, and we're here to help you,
- 00:24:46.261 --> 00:24:49.130
- But now we take it out.
- 00:24:49.130 --> 00:24:50.732
- The holiest moment of our church service is when god's people
- 00:24:50.732 --> 00:24:53.702
- Walk out the doors.
- 00:24:53.702 --> 00:24:56.404
- Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart, and you have seen
- 00:25:00.542 --> 00:25:05.180
- Your need for jesus christ.
- 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:07.349
- Jesus christ is the son of god, who came from heaven
- 00:25:07.349 --> 00:25:11.353
- To this earth.
- 00:25:11.353 --> 00:25:12.888
- He was born in a manger.
- 00:25:12.888 --> 00:25:14.789
- He died on a cross.
- 00:25:14.789 --> 00:25:16.324
- He rose again from the dead, why?
- 00:25:16.324 --> 00:25:19.060
- Because he loves you, and he wants a relationship with you.
- 00:25:19.060 --> 00:25:21.930
- Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
- 00:25:21.930 --> 00:25:24.266
- I don't want to be a religious person.
- 00:25:24.266 --> 00:25:25.901
- I don't think you want to be one either.
- 00:25:25.901 --> 00:25:27.869
- I'm talking about relationship with god.
- 00:25:27.869 --> 00:25:31.606
- Jesus, who died and rose again, stands at the door of your life,
- 00:25:31.606 --> 00:25:35.877
- And he knocks, and he says if you'll hear his voice and open
- 00:25:35.877 --> 00:25:39.247
- The door, he will come in.
- 00:25:39.247 --> 00:25:40.882
- Question, have you asked jesus christ to come
- 00:25:40.882 --> 00:25:43.552
- And live inside of you?
- 00:25:43.552 --> 00:25:45.120
- You might say, "well, i think so, i'm not sure."
- 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:47.722
- Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle of the
- 00:25:47.722 --> 00:25:49.758
- Night, do you think you would be aware of it?
- 00:25:49.758 --> 00:25:52.427
- I'm sure you would.
- 00:25:52.427 --> 00:25:54.162
- And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
- 00:25:54.162 --> 00:25:56.965
- You will know.
- 00:25:56.965 --> 00:25:58.300
- And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in, yet.
- 00:25:58.300 --> 00:26:02.003
- He's just a prayer away.
- 00:26:02.003 --> 00:26:03.805
- All you need to do is say, "jesus, i want this relationship
- 00:26:03.805 --> 00:26:07.075
- With you.
- 00:26:07.075 --> 00:26:08.410
- I want you to forgive me of my sin.
- 00:26:08.410 --> 00:26:10.211
- I want to go to heaven when i die."
- 00:26:10.211 --> 00:26:12.180
- Would you like to do that?
- 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.648
- Would you like christ to come into your life?
- 00:26:13.648 --> 00:26:16.217
- If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
- 00:26:16.217 --> 00:26:19.321
- You can pray it out loud, or you can pray it in the quietness
- 00:26:19.321 --> 00:26:22.691
- Of your heart.
- 00:26:22.691 --> 00:26:24.159
- But this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ to be
- 00:26:24.159 --> 00:26:27.028
- Your savior and lord.
- 00:26:27.028 --> 00:26:28.463
- Pray this with me now.
- 00:26:28.463 --> 00:26:29.798
- "lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner, but i know that you're
- 00:26:29.798 --> 00:26:34.102
- The savior, who died on the cross for my sin and rose again
- 00:26:34.102 --> 00:26:38.807
- From the dead.
- 00:26:38.807 --> 00:26:40.141
- Now come into my life.
- 00:26:40.141 --> 00:26:42.577
- I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
- 00:26:42.577 --> 00:26:46.982
- Thank you for hearing this prayer
- 00:26:46.982 --> 00:26:48.717
- And answering this prayer.
- 00:26:48.717 --> 00:26:50.752
- In jesus' name, amen."
- 00:26:50.752 --> 00:26:53.555
- Did you just pray that prayer with me?
- 00:26:53.555 --> 00:26:55.790
- If so, i want you to know, on the authority of scripture, that
- 00:26:55.790 --> 00:26:58.727
- Christ himself has come to live inside of you.
- 00:26:58.727 --> 00:27:02.030
- And i would love to send to you, at no charge,
- 00:27:02.030 --> 00:27:04.733
- The "new believer's bible."
- 00:27:04.733 --> 00:27:06.701
- It's a very friendly translation of the new testament you'll find
- 00:27:06.701 --> 00:27:09.904
- Very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds of notes
- 00:27:09.904 --> 00:27:13.541
- That i wrote that will encourage you in this commitment
- 00:27:13.541 --> 00:27:16.911
- You've just made to follow jesus.
- 00:27:16.911 --> 00:27:19.014
- And let me be the first to say to you, congratulations and
- 00:27:19.014 --> 00:27:23.218
- Welcome to the family of god.
- 00:27:23.218 --> 00:27:23.218