Greg Laurie - How To Face Overwhelming Obstacles

December 5, 2024 | S24:E4904

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

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To 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.
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  • 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
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  • Believed in jesus christ.
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  • 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.
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  • 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
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  • Learn what god wants you to do, what god doesn't want you to do.
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  • 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.
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  • Why would god say that?
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  • He's trying to ruin all my fun.
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  • He doesn't know what he's talking about.
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  • Actually, god knows exactly what he's talking about.
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  • He put that law in place to protect you, because as you get
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  • 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
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  • Of this law.
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  • You could take so many of our social ills today, marriages
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  • Falling apart, children conceived out of wedlock, raised
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  • 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
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  • Children out of wedlock, repeated patterns of sin going
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  • On and on, all because we can't keep this simple commandment
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  • Of obeying god.
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  • He's put it there for your own good.
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  • And god tries to protect us and keep us from those things,
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  • 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
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  • Where he was going to get the glory.
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  • He told the israelites to go specifically to a place called
  • 00:11:01.904 --> 00:11:04.874
  • Migdol by the sea.
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  • 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
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  • Are confused, and they're trapped in the wilderness.
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  • And once again, i will harden pharaoh's heart,
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  • And he'll chase after you.
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  • I've planned this in order to display my glory through pharaoh
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  • And the whole army.
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  • After this, the egyptians will know i am the lord.
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  • So, the israelites camped there as they were told."
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  • From a standpoint of military strategy, this was crazy.
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  • They were completely vulnerable.
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  • They were surrounded by desert with their backs
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  • Against the ocean.
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  • There was literally no way out.
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  • But the fact is god was tricking the egyptians into thinking the
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  • 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