Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - How To Have A Happy Holiday Season

December 5, 2025 | 27:40

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

#Harvest #Joy #Season #Pastors #Christianity #Encouragement #GregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - How To Have A Happy Holiday Season | December 5, 2025

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Greg laurie: christmas cannot make you happy.
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Only christ can.
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What you're really looking for is not presents under a tree,
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But his presence in your life.
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♪ this is the day, ♪
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♪ the day when life begins. ♪
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♪ this is the day, ♪
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♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
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Greg: i was standing in the line outside of a restaurant the
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Other day and it was actually two weeks ago,
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Some guy drives by with his stereo blasting
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A christmas song.
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I actually yelled out, "no, it's too soon."
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Well, you can't escape it now, it's everywhere.
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The holidays can be a joyful time, a wonderful time.
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They can also be a difficult and sad time for some people.
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Holidays are filled with sadness and loneliness and anxiety for
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Some people, and according to the national institute of
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Health, christmas is the time of year where more people
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Experience a high incidence of depression.
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In fact, one north american survey revealed that 45% of the
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American public dread christmas because of all of the problems
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It can bring.
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So, i wanna talk to you about how to have a happy holiday
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Season, how to get a jump on the whole thing,
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How you can enjoy this time of the year with happiness and joy.
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And by the way, god wants you to be happy.
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There's nothing wrong with wanting personal happiness.
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That's something the lord wants for you as well.
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Here's something that might surprise someone: there are 2700
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Passages in the bible containing words such as "joy,"
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"happiness," "pleasure," "laughter," "gladness,"
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"feasting," and "celebration."
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And check this out: god is a happy god.
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Did you know that?
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And understand this, jesus himself was a happy person.
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How do i know that?
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Because jesus said in john 15, "i've told you this to make you
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Completely happy as i am happy."
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Now, i find that fascinating because when i look at religious
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Art and depictions of jesus, he doesn't look very happy.
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He looks depressed half the time.
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And he also looks like he needs a sandwich.
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A bit on the emaciated side.
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This is sort of the image we have of christ,
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Very sullen, very unhappy.
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And actually maybe that's based in part on the statement of
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Scripture where it says that the messiah,
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When he would come, would be someone who would bear our
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Sorrows, and that's true.
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But i don't think jesus walked around all the time in that way.
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Certainly as he approached the cross of calvary,
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There was that attitude that he would have a man of sorrows
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Carrying our pain.
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But i think the rest of the time,
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He was a pretty cheerful guy.
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I think he had a smile on his face.
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I think he had a twinkle in his eye.
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Otherwise, why would children be drawn to him, right?
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Kids are a pretty good judge of character,
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And they're drawn to people when they see that warmth,
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And the children were drawn to jesus.
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And god wants us to have happiness in our life.
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In fact, paul writes of the glorious good news entrusted to
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Him by the happy god.
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But people sometimes think god is disinterested or god is
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Perpetually angry, but that's not true.
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In fact, when you walk into the room,
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In effect, the face of god lights up.
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You know, like when you see your children come in,
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Maybe your face lights up, depending on what your
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Relationship with your child is.
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Maybe it lights up when they walk out.
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I don't know.
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That's a whole 'nother subject.
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But i can say this: if you have grandchildren,
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For sure your face lights up, right?
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How many of you are grandparents?
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Raise your hand.
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Yeah, so, you know, grandparenting,
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That's the reward for all that our children put us through.
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And it's their punishment, now they've gotta
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Face it themselves.
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But we can enjoy the presence of these little ones and our
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Face lights up.
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That's how god feels when he sees you.
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In numbers chapter 6, the priests were told to bring a
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Blessing on the people, and they were to say,
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"may the lord bless you and protect you.
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May he smile upon you and be gracious unto you."
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So, how can you have a happy holiday season?
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If you're taking notes, here's point number one:
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Remember the reason for the season.
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Remember the reason for the season.
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Christmas is a celebration of the happiest message
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Of all time.
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The son of god left the glory of heaven,
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And he came to our planet on a rescue mission to be born in a
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Little manger in bethlehem surrounded by animals,
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And to live our life and to breathe our air,
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And then to die our death, and then to rise again
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From the dead.
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It's a happy message, that's why the angels said to the shepherds
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Keeping watch over their flocks by night,
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"glory to god in the highest," and "i have good news for you
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That will bring joy to all people."
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So, it's a happy message.
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Now, for some people, it isn't happy.
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And maybe it's because they expect christmas
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To make them happy.
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Christmas cannot make you happy. only christ can.
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What you're really looking for is not presents under a tree,
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But his presence in your life.
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I love the statement by c.s. lewis
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Who said, and i quote, "god cannot give us a happiness
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And peace apart from himself because it is not there.
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There is no such thing," end quote.
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But we get so hung up on all the activities of christmas,
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It's very easy for god's only begotten son to become god's
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Only forgotten son.
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I mean, even mary and joseph lost jesus on one occasion.
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Can you imagine losing jesus?
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Didn't he, like, glow in the dark or something?
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No, he didn't.
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But they went to jerusalem, remember,
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For passover, and they got back home.
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Mary thought jesus was with joseph,
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Joseph thought jesus was with mary,
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And they get home, there's no jesus.
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So, they go back searching for him,
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But we can lose jesus in the christmas season.
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So, let's keep our focus as it's said,
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Keep christ in christmas.
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Keep him at the forefront of your life in this season,
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And remember it's a great time to share his love with other
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People who are sad, who are lonely,
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And it's also a great time to invite people to church.
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Say, "why don't you come to church with me?
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You're gonna love it."
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Number two: if you want a happy holiday season,
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Spend time with loved ones.
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Spend time with loved ones.
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Don't isolate. don't try to do life alone.
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"usa today" did an interesting article on what happiness is and
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How to get it.
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They determined that other things can bring happiness,
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And among those things they said quote,
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"marriage makes people happier; a close family inoculates many
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Kids against despair," according to long term research.
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Their conclusion is families and friends provide the best
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Antidote to unhappiness.
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You say, "well, greg, i don't really have a
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Family to gather with."
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Well, that's where your spiritual family comes in.
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That's what the church is.
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The church is a spiritual family.
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The fact of the matter is you can be closer to fellow brothers
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And sisters in the faith than you can even be to blood
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Relatives at time.
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You know what i'm talkin' about?
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In fact, are we not blood relatives?
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We are.
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We're bought by the blood of jesus christ,
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Made a part of the family of god,
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So we're connected as blood relatives in that broad sense.
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So, being with fellow believers is so important.
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Greg: well, christmas is upon us,
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And you hear the songs in the malls.
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How about this one: "it's the most wonderful
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Time of the year."
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Then it goes on to say, "it's the hap-happiest
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Time of the year."
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Well, that all depends.
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It can be for some the most miserable time of the year.
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There's that pressure put upon us to buy all these things that
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Maybe we can't afford.
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But then there's this isolation because some people are
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Separated from families.
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Some people have no friends.
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Some people are lonely, and maybe they're thinking that
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Something about the holiday will give them happiness.
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Listen, if you wanna have a joyful and fulfilling christmas,
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It's not about presents under a tree.
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It's about his presence in your life.
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What is the essential message of christmas?
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You will call his name emmanuel, which means god is with us.
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Here's what it is: god sent his son to be born in a manger to
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Die on a cross, to rise again from the dead and then to come
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Into your life.
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So, you don't have to be alone in life.
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God will be with you.
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And that's what you need more than anything else.
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You need christ living inside of you.
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So, with all the busyness and all the pressure and all the
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Other things that go with this season,
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Let's remember jesus christ is there with you.
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And if you're not a believer, he wants to come and live
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Inside of you.
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So, let's remember that for ourselves and know jesus,
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But then let's share that message with others as well.
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In advance, let me be one of the first to say to you,
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Merry christmas.
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Greg: number three, if you wanna have a happy holiday,
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Be grateful for what you have.
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Have you just taken stock lately of all of the blessings that god
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Has given to you?
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Psychologists say that gratitude has a lot to do
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With life satisfaction.
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Talking and writing about what they're grateful for
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Amplifies adults' happiness.
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There's always something to be unhappy about.
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There's always something to be troubled about.
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There's always something to be bugged by.
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Okay, that's life, right?
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But there're so many things to thank god for.
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So many blessings in your life as you sit here right now,
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Maybe with members of your family,
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With a roof over your head waiting for you when you get
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Home, with a meal that you'll have this afternoon,
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With other things that you're planning on doing.
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You've got your health, perhaps, hopefully.
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These are blessings from god
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That we should not take for granted.
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1 thessalonians 5:18 says, "in everything give thanks for this
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Is the will of god in jesus christ concerning you."
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It doesn't say in some things give thanks.
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It says in everything give thanks,
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For this is the will of god.
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Sometimes we wonder, what's god's will for my life?
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Hey, let's start with a no-brainer,
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Something that's plainly declared in scripture.
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"in everything give thanks for this is the will of god in jesus
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Christ concerning you."
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Now, that's easier said than done, isn't it?
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Sometimes it's easy to give thanks,
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Maybe at the birth of a baby.
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Other times it's very hard to give thanks when there's the
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Death of a loved one.
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But we should give thanks because the lord is good.
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This is what the bible says.
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Psalm 106 verse 1: "give thanks unto the lord for he is good,
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And his mercy endures forever."
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It doesn't say give thanks to lord when you feel good.
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♪ i feel good! doo-nu-nu. ♪♪
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Not that. no, you don't always feel good.
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There's days you feel bad. but i can still give thanks.
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Now listen, if god ceases to be good,
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You don't have to give thanks anymore.
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But since god is always going to be good,
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I should give thanks unto the lord.
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That's what the scripture says.
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Philippians 4:4, "rejoice in the lord always,
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And again i say rejoice."
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Think about poor job.
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Oh, man, you talk about things going wrong on one day.
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And job didn't know what was happening in heaven and
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Conversations between god and satan.
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He was a godly guy.
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He was doing everything he should've been doing for the
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Most part, but on one day calamity layered on calamity
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Befell god's servant.
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And the problem with job is he had never read the book of job.
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If he had read it, he would know that god would bless him in the
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End, but he didn't know.
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It was happening in real time to him,
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But when he lost everything including his livelihood,
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Including his health, and worst of all, his own children.
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We read in job chapter 1 verse 21,
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He said to god, "naked came i from my mother's womb.
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Naked shall i return there.
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The lord has given, and the lord has taken away.
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Blessed be the name of the lord."
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Yes, i should give thanks.
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I need a theology of thanksgiving.
00:13:53.833 --> 00:13:57.369
I need an attitude of gratitude. i make a choice to rejoice.
00:13:57.369 --> 00:14:02.675
I choose to rejoice. i choose to give thanks to god.
00:14:02.675 --> 00:14:06.545
And sometimes it's a sacrifice to praise god, isn't it?
00:14:06.545 --> 00:14:11.784
You know, when we come to church sometimes maybe on sunday
00:14:11.784 --> 00:14:14.019
Morning, we're not in the mood to worship.
00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:17.056
We had a little disagreement with a spouse on the way in,
00:14:17.056 --> 00:14:21.527
And now i don't wanna worship.
00:14:21.527 --> 00:14:23.162
I have a cold.
00:14:23.162 --> 00:14:24.496
I--whatever it is, something's bothering you.
00:14:24.496 --> 00:14:28.334
But what does the bible say?
00:14:28.334 --> 00:14:29.668
Hebrews 13:15, "let's offer the sacrifice of praise
00:14:29.668 --> 00:14:33.939
To god continually."
00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:35.674
That is the fruit of our lips giving thanks.
00:14:35.674 --> 00:14:40.112
God wants you to verbalize your praise.
00:14:40.112 --> 00:14:44.116
We can apply this to marriage.
00:14:44.116 --> 00:14:45.818
It's important to tell your spouse you love them.
00:14:45.818 --> 00:14:48.787
Well, don't they know? well, hopefully.
00:14:48.787 --> 00:14:52.758
But it doesn't hurt when you tell them, now does it?
00:14:52.758 --> 00:14:55.494
"well," the guy says, "i work and put a roof over her head."
00:14:55.494 --> 00:14:58.764
Yeah, that's nice, but it'd be amazing if you just said,
00:14:58.764 --> 00:15:01.800
"i love you," or "that was a great meal,"
00:15:01.800 --> 00:15:04.203
Or "you look beautiful."
00:15:04.203 --> 00:15:06.071
Or, you know, you might be thinking,
00:15:06.071 --> 00:15:08.107
"well, my husband knows i love him."
00:15:08.107 --> 00:15:09.642
When's the last time you told him?
00:15:09.642 --> 00:15:11.443
"honey, i appreciate you and all that you do for this family."
00:15:11.443 --> 00:15:15.180
We have to verbalize these things.
00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:16.749
It matters, and god actually says,
00:15:16.749 --> 00:15:18.751
"i want you to verbalize your praise to me.
00:15:18.751 --> 00:15:21.754
I wanna hear the fruit of your lips."
00:15:21.754 --> 00:15:25.224
So, when we worship together, sing out.
00:15:25.224 --> 00:15:28.460
You say, "well, greg, i don't have a good voice."
00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:30.596
Well, that's okay.
00:15:30.596 --> 00:15:32.398
The bible says make a joyful noise unto the lord.
00:15:32.398 --> 00:15:35.434
So, make your noise, your praise.
00:15:35.434 --> 00:15:37.903
You bring it to god.
00:15:37.903 --> 00:15:41.206
Because what we're doing is we're doin' what we were
00:15:41.206 --> 00:15:43.242
Designed to do, what we were built to do.
00:15:43.242 --> 00:15:46.145
The bible says in psalm 29, "give to the lord the glory due
00:15:46.145 --> 00:15:51.050
His name.
00:15:51.050 --> 00:15:52.885
Worship the lord in the beauty of holiness."
00:15:52.885 --> 00:15:55.087
Listen to this, the two most important moments in a person's
00:15:55.087 --> 00:15:58.991
Life is when they are born, and when they discover
00:15:58.991 --> 00:16:03.262
What they're born for.
00:16:03.262 --> 00:16:05.464
Let me say that again. it's there on the screen.
00:16:05.464 --> 00:16:07.232
The two most important moments in a person's life,
00:16:07.232 --> 00:16:09.601
When they're born and realize what they're born for.
00:16:09.601 --> 00:16:13.172
What are you born for? you say, "i'm born to be wild."
00:16:13.172 --> 00:16:18.310
♪ get your motor running. ♪♪
00:16:18.310 --> 00:16:19.645
No, no, no, you're born to glorify god.
00:16:19.645 --> 00:16:24.550
That's what you're here for.
00:16:24.550 --> 00:16:25.985
I understood that at the age of 17.
00:16:25.985 --> 00:16:28.587
It suddenly occurred to me, "i was put here on this earth
00:16:28.587 --> 00:16:32.291
To bring glory to god."
00:16:32.291 --> 00:16:34.994
And we're told in colossians 3:17,
00:16:34.994 --> 00:16:37.363
"whatever you do in word or deed,
00:16:37.363 --> 00:16:39.264
Do it all in the name of the lord jesus christ,
00:16:39.264 --> 00:16:42.401
Giving thanks to god the father through him.
00:16:42.401 --> 00:16:45.604
Number four, if you wanna have a happy holiday--
00:16:45.604 --> 00:16:48.941
This is a big one--
00:16:48.941 --> 00:16:50.676
Focus on giving instead of receiving this christmas.
00:16:50.676 --> 00:16:55.581
Focus on giving instead of receiving, because jesus said
00:16:55.581 --> 00:17:00.319
It is more blessed to give than it is to receive.
00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:05.391
Let me re-translate that for you.
00:17:05.391 --> 00:17:08.027
Because as i've told you so many times,
00:17:08.027 --> 00:17:09.561
The word "blessed" can be translated "happy."
00:17:09.561 --> 00:17:13.966
So, here's a new way to look at it.
00:17:13.966 --> 00:17:15.401
It's more happy-making or you will be happier by giving than
00:17:15.401 --> 00:17:20.906
You will be by receiving.
00:17:20.906 --> 00:17:22.574
Now, that's counter-intuitive, but the truth is serving and
00:17:22.574 --> 00:17:26.545
Giving brings personal happiness.
00:17:26.545 --> 00:17:30.182
Proverbs 11:25 says, "the generous will prosper,
00:17:30.182 --> 00:17:34.386
And those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed."
00:17:34.386 --> 00:17:38.590
It's true. i'm tellin' you it's true.
00:17:38.590 --> 00:17:41.226
"no, no, just make it all about me.
00:17:41.226 --> 00:17:43.495
The world revolves around me.
00:17:43.495 --> 00:17:45.431
What are you gonna give me?
00:17:45.431 --> 00:17:47.132
How are you gonna meet my needs?"
00:17:47.132 --> 00:17:48.467
That will never bring happiness, because you're living
00:17:48.467 --> 00:17:51.570
A selfish life.
00:17:51.570 --> 00:17:53.405
You want happiness, live a selfless life.
00:17:53.405 --> 00:17:56.542
Think about how can i serve them?
00:17:56.542 --> 00:17:58.544
How can i give to another?
00:17:58.544 --> 00:18:00.479
And the fringe benefit is you will receive the happiness
00:18:00.479 --> 00:18:04.149
You've wanted all along, not from seeking it but by having
00:18:04.149 --> 00:18:08.153
Your priorities right.
00:18:08.153 --> 00:18:10.255
So, clear in scripture, but tragically, we miss it.
00:18:10.255 --> 00:18:15.694
We can all bring something to god.
00:18:15.694 --> 00:18:17.729
I love the words of the psalmist in psalm 116:12,
00:18:17.729 --> 00:18:21.400
"what shall i give unto the lord for all he has given unto me?"
00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:26.138
How could i ever repay god for his faithfulness to me?
00:18:26.138 --> 00:18:29.975
Answer: you can't.
00:18:29.975 --> 00:18:31.844
But yet, the psalmist asked, "what can i give to the lord?"
00:18:31.844 --> 00:18:35.481
Listen, there are three things you can give to god:
00:18:35.481 --> 00:18:38.784
Treasure, talent, and time.
00:18:38.784 --> 00:18:41.987
We all have that.
00:18:41.987 --> 00:18:43.522
No matter how old you are or young you are,
00:18:43.522 --> 00:18:46.425
If you're a man or a woman, doesn't matter.
00:18:46.425 --> 00:18:48.760
We all have these three things we can give to god:
00:18:48.760 --> 00:18:51.563
Treasure, talent, and time.
00:18:51.563 --> 00:18:54.166
First, we bring our treasure to the lord.
00:18:54.166 --> 00:18:57.102
Jesus said, "where your treasure is,
00:18:57.102 --> 00:18:59.805
There will your heart be also."
00:18:59.805 --> 00:19:03.242
And when we give of our finances to god,
00:19:03.242 --> 00:19:06.778
There is a great blessing attached to that.
00:19:06.778 --> 00:19:09.348
And some believers don't do this,
00:19:09.348 --> 00:19:11.550
And they really miss out on the blessing of giving.
00:19:11.550 --> 00:19:14.820
And this is such an important thing for all of us as
00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:17.389
2 corinthians 9:7 says, "let each one give as he purposes in
00:19:17.389 --> 00:19:23.395
His heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity,
00:19:23.395 --> 00:19:26.565
For god loves a cheerful giver.
00:19:26.565 --> 00:19:30.102
And the word here for "cheerful" could be translated
00:19:30.102 --> 00:19:33.038
A hilarious giver.
00:19:33.038 --> 00:19:35.707
Now, the bible speaks of the believers in macedonia
00:19:35.707 --> 00:19:39.978
In 2 corinthians 8.
00:19:39.978 --> 00:19:41.713
They heard about the needs of the believers in jerusalem.
00:19:41.713 --> 00:19:44.583
So, they received an offering, and paul writes of these
00:19:44.583 --> 00:19:48.053
Believers, "they begged us again and again for the gracious
00:19:48.053 --> 00:19:51.023
Privilege of sharing in the gift
00:19:51.023 --> 00:19:53.258
For the christians in jerusalem."
00:19:53.258 --> 00:19:54.826
I love that.
00:19:54.826 --> 00:19:56.161
They begged, "oh, can we do another offering?
00:19:56.161 --> 00:19:58.597
Let's do that."
00:19:58.597 --> 00:19:59.932
Begging to give?
00:19:59.932 --> 00:20:01.867
Well, that's not commonplace today.
00:20:01.867 --> 00:20:03.669
But they had discovered the joy and the happiness of giving.
00:20:03.669 --> 00:20:08.874
So, we give god our treasure. we give god our talent as well.
00:20:08.874 --> 00:20:14.546
God has given to each of us certain talents,
00:20:14.546 --> 00:20:17.082
And jesus told a parable in matthew 25 of a man who went on
00:20:17.082 --> 00:20:21.887
A journey, and he gave five talents to one;
00:20:21.887 --> 00:20:24.723
To another he gave two; to another, one;
00:20:24.723 --> 00:20:27.326
Each one according to his own ability.
00:20:27.326 --> 00:20:29.995
So, we all have these talents, so we have to figure out,
00:20:29.995 --> 00:20:32.864
"how can i use what i do for god's glory?" you see?
00:20:32.864 --> 00:20:37.603
Some are gifted speaking, some are gifted working
00:20:37.603 --> 00:20:40.639
Behind the scenes.
00:20:40.639 --> 00:20:42.207
Some are gifted with music, others are gifted with other
00:20:42.207 --> 00:20:46.445
Areas, and we all have something to bring to the table,
00:20:46.445 --> 00:20:49.615
And we need to bring our talent to god and say,
00:20:49.615 --> 00:20:52.551
"use me for your glory."
00:20:52.551 --> 00:20:54.219
And finally, we bring our time to god.
00:20:54.219 --> 00:20:58.390
So, it's treasure, talent, and time.
00:20:58.390 --> 00:21:02.227
Every morning, god deposits into your bank of time
00:21:02.227 --> 00:21:08.600
1,440 minutes.
00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:12.471
That equals 24 hours.
00:21:12.471 --> 00:21:14.206
Now you have to deduct some for sleeping, right?
00:21:14.206 --> 00:21:17.009
But the rest of that time, that is yours to use,
00:21:17.009 --> 00:21:20.679
And it's also yours to waste.
00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:23.348
Nothing is carried over to the next day.
00:21:23.348 --> 00:21:26.051
You use it or you lose it. so, you wanna spend that time.
00:21:26.051 --> 00:21:30.188
But we waste time.
00:21:30.188 --> 00:21:32.357
How many of us will admit we waste time?
00:21:32.357 --> 00:21:34.126
I know i waste time.
00:21:34.126 --> 00:21:35.460
If you have a cell phone, you waste time, right?
00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:38.497
Just scrolling, for starters.
00:21:38.497 --> 00:21:40.832
I read that the average american spends more than 1,300 hours a
00:21:40.832 --> 00:21:45.437
Year on social media, and then people binge-watch
00:21:45.437 --> 00:21:49.975
All these things, and it--
00:21:49.975 --> 00:21:51.476
Just so much time can be wasted in that.
00:21:51.476 --> 00:21:53.912
And then there's the time we spend just waiting
00:21:53.912 --> 00:21:56.381
At stop lights.
00:21:56.381 --> 00:21:57.716
We can't control that, but i read that the average american,
00:21:57.716 --> 00:22:00.952
In their lifetime, will spend four months of their life
00:22:00.952 --> 00:22:04.923
Waiting at stop lights.
00:22:04.923 --> 00:22:08.293
We waste a lot of time, but we have a choice as to what to do
00:22:08.293 --> 00:22:12.230
With this precious commodity god has given us called time.
00:22:12.230 --> 00:22:16.101
In romans 13, i had you turn there in the beginning,
00:22:16.101 --> 00:22:19.237
Says this: "this is all the more urgent.
00:22:19.237 --> 00:22:22.307
You know how late it is. time is running out.
00:22:22.307 --> 00:22:25.977
Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when
00:22:25.977 --> 00:22:28.980
We first believed.
00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.382
The night is almost over.
00:22:30.382 --> 00:22:32.017
The day of salvation will soon be here,
00:22:32.017 --> 00:22:34.386
So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes and put on the
00:22:34.386 --> 00:22:38.290
Shining armor of right living."
00:22:38.290 --> 00:22:41.159
I love that. time is short.
00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:44.429
One translation of this verse is,
00:22:44.429 --> 00:22:47.466
"redeem the time because the days are evil,
00:22:47.466 --> 00:22:49.601
Or literally, make sacred and wise use of every opportunity.
00:22:49.601 --> 00:22:56.108
Because at the end, you don't get more time.
00:22:56.108 --> 00:22:59.277
And all the money in the world will not buy you more time.
00:22:59.277 --> 00:23:03.715
John rockefeller in his day was one of the wealthiest men who
00:23:03.715 --> 00:23:07.552
Ever lived.
00:23:07.552 --> 00:23:09.254
After he died, someone asked his accountant,
00:23:09.254 --> 00:23:11.957
How much did he leave?
00:23:11.957 --> 00:23:13.825
His accountant replied, "all of it."
00:23:13.825 --> 00:23:17.896
That's how much you leave. you leave everything.
00:23:17.896 --> 00:23:21.166
As i've said before, you've never seen a hearse pulling
00:23:21.166 --> 00:23:23.735
A u-haul trailer.
00:23:23.735 --> 00:23:26.905
You just see californians pulling u-haul trailers as they
00:23:26.905 --> 00:23:29.708
Leave our state.
00:23:29.708 --> 00:23:32.043
But you leave it all, so you can't take it with you,
00:23:32.043 --> 00:23:35.814
Listen to this, you can't take it with you,
00:23:35.814 --> 00:23:39.885
But you can send it on ahead.
00:23:39.885 --> 00:23:42.187
You say, "how's that?"
00:23:42.187 --> 00:23:43.588
When you lay up for yourself treasure in heaven.
00:23:43.588 --> 00:23:47.926
Job said, again, "naked came i into this world.
00:23:47.926 --> 00:23:51.263
Naked will i leave."
00:23:51.263 --> 00:23:52.964
All this stuff we worked so hard for will be left,
00:23:52.964 --> 00:23:55.100
But if we lay up treasure in heaven,
00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:58.170
We'll have a lot of stuff waiting for us on
00:23:58.170 --> 00:24:00.872
The other side.
00:24:00.872 --> 00:24:02.240
So, every dollar you invest in spiritual things,
00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:05.644
Every prayer you pray, everything you do in service for
00:24:05.644 --> 00:24:09.648
God is duly noted by the lord.
00:24:09.648 --> 00:24:12.384
So, let's conclude this message, but i want to recap what i've
00:24:12.384 --> 00:24:16.621
Already told you in case you missed it.
00:24:16.621 --> 00:24:18.557
If you want a happy holiday season,
00:24:18.557 --> 00:24:20.358
Number one, remember the reason for the season.
00:24:20.358 --> 00:24:24.596
It's about the birth of christ.
00:24:24.596 --> 00:24:27.432
Remind yourself of that and tell others about that.
00:24:27.432 --> 00:24:29.935
Number two, if you want a happy holiday,
00:24:29.935 --> 00:24:32.204
Spend time with loved ones.
00:24:32.204 --> 00:24:34.139
Don't isolate yourself.
00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:36.575
Remember the church is here for you.
00:24:36.575 --> 00:24:38.810
And this is why small groups are so good,
00:24:38.810 --> 00:24:41.313
Because you can develop a community,
00:24:41.313 --> 00:24:44.516
A group of new friends that you did not previously have.
00:24:44.516 --> 00:24:48.019
'cause it's very easy to come in here and worship and hear a
00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:52.324
Message and then just leave.
00:24:52.324 --> 00:24:54.826
But when you're in a small group,
00:24:54.826 --> 00:24:56.595
You have community, you have a spiritual family.
00:24:56.595 --> 00:24:59.397
So, spend time with other believers.
00:24:59.397 --> 00:25:01.600
If you want a happy holiday, be grateful for what you have.
00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:05.704
Remember to give thanks to god for even the smallest of things.
00:25:05.704 --> 00:25:10.208
Have an attitude of gratitude. make the choice to rejoice.
00:25:10.208 --> 00:25:14.279
And fourth and lastly, focus on giving
00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:17.716
More than receiving this christmas.
00:25:17.716 --> 00:25:20.986
Again, as jesus said, it's more blessed to give
00:25:20.986 --> 00:25:24.923
Than it is to receive.
00:25:24.923 --> 00:25:26.925
Greg: hi, i'm greg laurie. i've got some good news for you.
00:25:31.062 --> 00:25:33.765
God loves you, and god has a plan for your life.
00:25:33.765 --> 00:25:37.569
Here's the problem: we're separated from god by our sin
00:25:37.569 --> 00:25:41.072
Because we've all broken his commandments.
00:25:41.072 --> 00:25:43.942
But the good news is, is 2,000 years ago,
00:25:43.942 --> 00:25:46.978
God sent his son, jesus christ, to die on the cross for your
00:25:46.978 --> 00:25:51.182
Sin, and then to rise again from the dead.
00:25:51.182 --> 00:25:54.185
The same jesus who died and rose is alive and ready to come into
00:25:54.185 --> 00:25:58.323
Your life right now.
00:25:58.323 --> 00:26:00.091
Would you like your sin forgiven?
00:26:00.091 --> 00:26:02.160
Would you like to know that when you die you will go to heaven?
00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:05.130
If so, pray this simple prayer with me right now.
00:26:05.130 --> 00:26:08.400
Just say," lord jesus, i know i'm a sinner,
00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:11.303
But i believe you're the savior who died on the cross
00:26:11.303 --> 00:26:14.239
For my sin.
00:26:14.239 --> 00:26:15.640
I turn from my sin now, and i choose to follow you
00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:18.910
From this moment forward."
00:26:18.910 --> 00:26:21.379
Did you just pray that prayer with me?
00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:23.315
If you did, god in heaven has heard you,
00:26:23.315 --> 00:26:26.251
And i wanna send you a new testament to start reading.
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Greg Laurie - How To Have A Happy Holiday Season

December 5, 2025 | 27:40

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