1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. harvest pastor greg laurie
  4. Episodes
  5. Greg Laurie - Jesus And The Lonely Man
Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Jesus And The Lonely Man

May 18, 2025 | S25:E118

Greg Laurie - Jesus And The Lonely Man
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Faith #TrustGod #Healing #Prayer #Provision #Faithfulness #Religion #Sickness #WordofGod #inActive #Transformation #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie #GodlyMan #John5

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Jesus And The Lonely Man | May 18, 2025
  • Greg laurie: maybe you feel like you're all alone.
  • 00:00:04.952 --> 00:00:07.888
  • Maybe your parents or maybe you've been divorced.
  • 00:00:08.022 --> 00:00:10.691
  • Or maybe you're single and you're saying,
  • 00:00:10.825 --> 00:00:14.361
  • "am i ever gonna find someone?"
  • 00:00:14.462 --> 00:00:15.896
  • But, you know, deep down inside, i think we have
  • 00:00:16.030 --> 00:00:18.966
  • A loneliness for god.
  • 00:00:19.100 --> 00:00:21.235
  • And the bible speaks of a friend that sticks closer than a
  • 00:00:21.335 --> 00:00:24.705
  • Brother, and that friend is jesus christ, and jesus walks in
  • 00:00:24.805 --> 00:00:29.844
  • When others walk out.
  • 00:00:29.977 --> 00:00:32.213
  • ♪ this is the day. ♪
  • 00:00:35.883 --> 00:00:38.152
  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪
  • 00:00:38.152 --> 00:00:43.357
  • ♪ this is the day. ♪
  • 00:00:43.357 --> 00:00:45.893
  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
  • 00:00:45.893 --> 00:00:53.033
  • Greg: so there was this lady.
  • 00:00:56.704 --> 00:00:58.672
  • She was very lonely and she needed some companionship and
  • 00:00:58.672 --> 00:01:02.543
  • Someone told her that there was a talking parrot down at the pet
  • 00:01:02.543 --> 00:01:06.614
  • Store and so she went down and said, "i heard you have a
  • 00:01:06.614 --> 00:01:10.184
  • Talking parrot and i need someone to talk to, and someone
  • 00:01:10.184 --> 00:01:13.754
  • To talk to me.
  • 00:01:13.754 --> 00:01:15.089
  • Does this parrot really talk?"
  • 00:01:15.089 --> 00:01:16.457
  • "oh yes, ma'am, this parrot talks."
  • 00:01:16.457 --> 00:01:17.791
  • And so she bought the parrot and she took it home and it didn't
  • 00:01:17.791 --> 00:01:20.961
  • Say anything to her for a week and a half.
  • 00:01:20.961 --> 00:01:23.531
  • So she went back to the pet store and said, "sir, this
  • 00:01:23.531 --> 00:01:26.267
  • Parrot does not talk."
  • 00:01:26.267 --> 00:01:28.068
  • The pet store owner said, "ma'am, did you buy him a swing?
  • 00:01:28.068 --> 00:01:31.372
  • Every parrot needs a swing.
  • 00:01:31.372 --> 00:01:33.140
  • If you get him a swing, he'll talk all day long."
  • 00:01:33.140 --> 00:01:35.109
  • She bought a swing, took it home.
  • 00:01:35.109 --> 00:01:36.877
  • She came back another week and a half later.
  • 00:01:36.877 --> 00:01:39.313
  • "i got the parrot a swing.
  • 00:01:39.313 --> 00:01:40.681
  • He still isn't talking."
  • 00:01:40.681 --> 00:01:42.016
  • "ma'am, did you get the parrot a ladder?
  • 00:01:42.016 --> 00:01:43.951
  • Every parrot needs a ladder.
  • 00:01:43.951 --> 00:01:45.920
  • He has a ladder to go up and down, he'll talk constantly."
  • 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:48.889
  • She bought a ladder, took it home.
  • 00:01:48.889 --> 00:01:50.558
  • A week and a half later, she returns.
  • 00:01:50.558 --> 00:01:52.760
  • She says, "the parrot still isn't talking."
  • 00:01:52.760 --> 00:01:55.229
  • "oh, did you get him a mirror?
  • 00:01:55.229 --> 00:01:56.830
  • If he has a mirror to look at himself in, then he'll talk
  • 00:01:56.830 --> 00:01:59.900
  • For sure."
  • 00:01:59.900 --> 00:02:01.235
  • She bought the mirror.
  • 00:02:01.235 --> 00:02:02.603
  • And came back a week later and said, "that parrot you sold me,
  • 00:02:02.603 --> 00:02:07.474
  • He died."
  • 00:02:07.474 --> 00:02:09.009
  • The pet store owner said, "did he ever talk?"
  • 00:02:09.009 --> 00:02:11.779
  • "as a matter of fact, he did."
  • 00:02:11.779 --> 00:02:13.681
  • The pet store owner said, "what did the parrot say?"
  • 00:02:13.681 --> 00:02:16.350
  • She said, "the parrot said to me, 'don't they have any food
  • 00:02:16.350 --> 00:02:19.687
  • Down at that pet store?'"
  • 00:02:19.687 --> 00:02:23.524
  • Just a bad joke, people, okay.
  • 00:02:23.524 --> 00:02:25.759
  • So i don't know, if you feel lonely i don't think a talking
  • 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:29.396
  • Parrot's gonna help you.
  • 00:02:29.396 --> 00:02:31.465
  • There's a lot of people feel lonely in our world today.
  • 00:02:31.465 --> 00:02:35.169
  • One in three americans feel lonely, at least once a week.
  • 00:02:35.169 --> 00:02:38.872
  • There's acute loneliness among young adults with 30% of people
  • 00:02:38.872 --> 00:02:43.177
  • Ages 18 to 34 experiencing loneliness several times a week
  • 00:02:43.177 --> 00:02:47.648
  • Or more.
  • 00:02:47.648 --> 00:02:49.016
  • Loneliness has become a public health epidemic according to the
  • 00:02:49.016 --> 00:02:52.586
  • Surgeon general, and loneliness and isolation create health
  • 00:02:52.586 --> 00:02:57.258
  • Risks, including anxiety, depression, and illnesses like
  • 00:02:57.258 --> 00:03:02.162
  • Heart disease and dementia.
  • 00:03:02.162 --> 00:03:04.765
  • But wait, we have social media, we can communicate with
  • 00:03:04.765 --> 00:03:08.102
  • Each other.
  • 00:03:08.102 --> 00:03:09.436
  • That's only thrown more fuel in the fire and we find ourselves
  • 00:03:09.436 --> 00:03:13.474
  • More isolated.
  • 00:03:13.474 --> 00:03:15.242
  • Bottom line, people need people.
  • 00:03:15.242 --> 00:03:18.646
  • We were not meant to do life alone.
  • 00:03:18.646 --> 00:03:20.981
  • We need living, breathing friends, not talking parrots,
  • 00:03:20.981 --> 00:03:25.452
  • Not bots, not just communicating with people online while we're
  • 00:03:25.452 --> 00:03:29.957
  • Playing a video game.
  • 00:03:29.957 --> 00:03:31.525
  • We need to be with people, and that's why being active in
  • 00:03:31.525 --> 00:03:35.329
  • Church matters so much.
  • 00:03:35.329 --> 00:03:37.765
  • I bring this up because before us in john 5 is a story of a
  • 00:03:37.765 --> 00:03:41.435
  • Lonely man.
  • 00:03:41.435 --> 00:03:42.803
  • In fact, the title of my message is "jesus and the lonely man."
  • 00:03:42.803 --> 00:03:46.740
  • We're in a series, "jesus and you."
  • 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:49.310
  • We've looked at "jesus and the doubter," john the baptist.
  • 00:03:49.310 --> 00:03:54.214
  • We've looked at "jesus and the moral man," nicodemus.
  • 00:03:54.214 --> 00:03:58.118
  • We've looked at "jesus and the immoral woman," the woman at
  • 00:03:58.118 --> 00:04:01.588
  • The well.
  • 00:04:01.588 --> 00:04:02.923
  • Now we come to this guy in john chapter 5.
  • 00:04:02.923 --> 00:04:06.060
  • Let's read about him.
  • 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:07.628
  • I'm reading john chapter 5, verses 1 to 16, and i'm reading,
  • 00:04:07.628 --> 00:04:13.067
  • By the way, from the new living translation, 1 to 18 rather.
  • 00:04:13.067 --> 00:04:17.338
  • Read along with me.
  • 00:04:17.338 --> 00:04:18.706
  • "afterward jesus returned to jerusalem by one of the--on one
  • 00:04:18.706 --> 00:04:22.743
  • Of the jewish holy days, and inside the city, near the sheep
  • 00:04:22.743 --> 00:04:25.946
  • Gate, was the pool of bethesda, with five covered porches.
  • 00:04:25.946 --> 00:04:30.584
  • Crowds of sick people--blind, lame, or paralyzed--lay on
  • 00:04:30.584 --> 00:04:34.321
  • The porches.
  • 00:04:34.321 --> 00:04:35.656
  • One of the men laying there had been sick for
  • 00:04:35.656 --> 00:04:38.092
  • Thirty-eight years.
  • 00:04:38.092 --> 00:04:39.927
  • When jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he
  • 00:04:39.927 --> 00:04:43.130
  • Asked him, 'would you like to get well?'
  • 00:04:43.130 --> 00:04:45.632
  • 'i can't, sir,' the sick man said, 'for i have no one to put
  • 00:04:45.632 --> 00:04:48.802
  • Me in the pool when the water bubbles up.
  • 00:04:48.802 --> 00:04:51.772
  • Someone else always gets there ahead of me.'
  • 00:04:51.772 --> 00:04:54.775
  • Jesus said, 'stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!'
  • 00:04:54.775 --> 00:04:59.546
  • Instantly, the man was healed!
  • 00:04:59.546 --> 00:05:01.415
  • He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!
  • 00:05:01.415 --> 00:05:04.051
  • But this miracle happened on the sabbath, so the jewish
  • 00:05:04.051 --> 00:05:07.421
  • Leaders objected.
  • 00:05:07.421 --> 00:05:08.889
  • They said to the man who was cured, 'you can't work on
  • 00:05:08.889 --> 00:05:11.492
  • The sabbath!
  • 00:05:11.492 --> 00:05:12.860
  • The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!'
  • 00:05:12.860 --> 00:05:16.463
  • But the man replied, 'the man who healed me told me, "pick up
  • 00:05:16.463 --> 00:05:19.733
  • Your mat and walk."'
  • 00:05:19.733 --> 00:05:21.301
  • 'who said such a thing as that?'
  • 00:05:21.301 --> 00:05:23.036
  • They demanded.
  • 00:05:23.036 --> 00:05:24.405
  • The man didn't know, for jesus had disappeared into the crowd.
  • 00:05:24.405 --> 00:05:28.609
  • But afterward jesus found him sitting in the temple and told
  • 00:05:28.609 --> 00:05:32.246
  • Him, 'now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse
  • 00:05:32.246 --> 00:05:36.884
  • May happen to you.'
  • 00:05:36.884 --> 00:05:38.252
  • Then the man went and told the jewish leaders it was jesus who
  • 00:05:38.252 --> 00:05:41.755
  • Had healed him.
  • 00:05:41.755 --> 00:05:43.123
  • So the jewish leaders began harassing jesus for breaking the
  • 00:05:43.123 --> 00:05:46.727
  • Sabbath rules.
  • 00:05:46.727 --> 00:05:48.061
  • But jesus replied, 'my father is always working, and so am i.'"
  • 00:05:48.061 --> 00:05:52.800
  • We'll stop there.
  • 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.168
  • Isn't that a great story?
  • 00:05:54.168 --> 00:05:55.669
  • Here's my first point.
  • 00:05:55.669 --> 00:05:57.304
  • This was a turning point in the life and ministry of jesus.
  • 00:05:57.304 --> 00:06:02.176
  • Up to this point, the religious leaders have tolerated christ.
  • 00:06:02.176 --> 00:06:07.581
  • Now they're going to outright turn against him because of this
  • 00:06:07.581 --> 00:06:11.819
  • Statement that jesus makes.
  • 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:14.755
  • This statement would ultimately cost him his life.
  • 00:06:14.755 --> 00:06:18.625
  • What was that statement?
  • 00:06:18.625 --> 00:06:19.993
  • That statement was simply that he was equal with god.
  • 00:06:19.993 --> 00:06:24.832
  • Speaking of the almighty as his father, he said, "my father and
  • 00:06:24.832 --> 00:06:29.203
  • I," there in verse 17.
  • 00:06:29.203 --> 00:06:32.506
  • Don't let anyone ever tell you that jesus never claimed to be
  • 00:06:32.506 --> 00:06:35.876
  • God, for indeed he did, and this is just one of the occasions.
  • 00:06:35.876 --> 00:06:40.514
  • On another occasion, he healed a man, and then he said, "your
  • 00:06:40.514 --> 00:06:43.984
  • Sins are forgiven you," and they said, "only god can
  • 00:06:43.984 --> 00:06:47.654
  • Forgive sins."
  • 00:06:47.654 --> 00:06:49.022
  • Jesus said, "exactly."
  • 00:06:49.022 --> 00:06:50.357
  • He was claiming to be god.
  • 00:06:50.357 --> 00:06:51.992
  • He was god walking among them.
  • 00:06:51.992 --> 00:06:54.428
  • And he had an agenda, he had a schedule, and god is never late
  • 00:06:54.428 --> 00:06:59.733
  • For his appointments.
  • 00:06:59.733 --> 00:07:01.268
  • He had people to meet, he had lives to change.
  • 00:07:01.268 --> 00:07:04.371
  • He had miracles to perform, so he was moving along.
  • 00:07:04.371 --> 00:07:08.175
  • It's interesting because we begin with the word "afterward,"
  • 00:07:08.175 --> 00:07:12.479
  • And then in matthew, we read the word "then" often.
  • 00:07:12.479 --> 00:07:15.883
  • Mark's gospel, "immediately."
  • 00:07:15.883 --> 00:07:17.618
  • Luke's gospel uses the phrase, "it came to pass."
  • 00:07:17.618 --> 00:07:20.888
  • So the idea is jesus was moving along at a pretty fast clip with
  • 00:07:20.888 --> 00:07:25.392
  • A purpose.
  • 00:07:25.392 --> 00:07:26.760
  • He knew exactly what he was saying when he claimed to be
  • 00:07:26.760 --> 00:07:30.297
  • Equal with the father.
  • 00:07:30.297 --> 00:07:31.999
  • He meant what he said, he said what he meant, bringing me to
  • 00:07:31.999 --> 00:07:35.502
  • Point number 2: as christians, we don't believe in coincidence.
  • 00:07:35.502 --> 00:07:39.907
  • We believe in providence, right?
  • 00:07:39.907 --> 00:07:43.076
  • Nor do we believe in luck.
  • 00:07:43.076 --> 00:07:45.145
  • Sometimes people will say, "boy, i'm lucky.
  • 00:07:45.145 --> 00:07:46.847
  • I'm--that's my lucky number."
  • 00:07:46.847 --> 00:07:48.849
  • I don't believe in luck.
  • 00:07:48.849 --> 00:07:50.717
  • I believe in providence.
  • 00:07:50.717 --> 00:07:52.052
  • What is providence?
  • 00:07:52.052 --> 00:07:53.420
  • It means ultimately that god is in control.
  • 00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:56.657
  • Even sometimes when events don't make sense, god is still
  • 00:07:56.657 --> 00:08:01.094
  • Working, and that's exactly what jesus was doing and he had an
  • 00:08:01.094 --> 00:08:04.898
  • Appointment with this particular man.
  • 00:08:04.898 --> 00:08:08.936
  • And so he sees this lonely individual, bringing me to point
  • 00:08:08.936 --> 00:08:13.140
  • Number 3: jesus seemed to be drawn to lonely people, drawn to
  • 00:08:13.140 --> 00:08:19.012
  • The people who had the greatest need.
  • 00:08:19.012 --> 00:08:21.748
  • This man had effectively been abandoned, and he had this
  • 00:08:21.748 --> 00:08:26.720
  • Loneliness inside and no matter who you are, no matter how much
  • 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:29.823
  • Money you make or how many followers you have on social
  • 00:08:29.823 --> 00:08:33.060
  • Media or how famous you are or how infamous you are or if
  • 00:08:33.060 --> 00:08:37.431
  • You're unknown, you're still a lonely person deep down inside.
  • 00:08:37.431 --> 00:08:41.969
  • Bringing me to point number 4, the man in our story was just
  • 00:08:41.969 --> 00:08:45.706
  • Hoping for a miracle.
  • 00:08:45.706 --> 00:08:48.175
  • Now we read that he was waiting for the waters to be stirred.
  • 00:08:48.175 --> 00:08:51.745
  • There was a legend that an angel would sometimes appear, move the
  • 00:08:51.745 --> 00:08:57.718
  • Waters around, and if you were close to the water when this
  • 00:08:57.718 --> 00:09:00.287
  • Happened, you would get healed.
  • 00:09:00.287 --> 00:09:01.622
  • There's no indication this is a true story.
  • 00:09:01.622 --> 00:09:04.157
  • It could have been true.
  • 00:09:04.157 --> 00:09:05.626
  • Maybe it happened once, but that's what this man was hoping
  • 00:09:05.626 --> 00:09:10.230
  • For, and he had been waiting a long time, 38 years, so he's an
  • 00:09:10.230 --> 00:09:14.735
  • Older guy, but he's hoping for a miracle in his own life, hoping
  • 00:09:14.735 --> 00:09:21.074
  • For something to happen to him.
  • 00:09:21.074 --> 00:09:24.311
  • You know, and it's interesting how we read that jesus saw
  • 00:09:24.311 --> 00:09:27.047
  • This man.
  • 00:09:27.047 --> 00:09:28.382
  • There were a lot of people there, a lot of hurting people
  • 00:09:28.382 --> 00:09:31.318
  • There, but jesus zeroed in on this one man, in particular,
  • 00:09:31.318 --> 00:09:36.356
  • This man that had this great need.
  • 00:09:36.356 --> 00:09:39.359
  • And it's worth noting that jesus didn't preach to everyone.
  • 00:09:39.359 --> 00:09:43.463
  • He preached to certain individuals.
  • 00:09:43.463 --> 00:09:45.999
  • He didn't heal everyone, he healed certain people.
  • 00:09:45.999 --> 00:09:50.804
  • And now he goes to this man and makes what i would say is
  • 00:09:50.804 --> 00:09:53.974
  • A provocative statement in verse 14.
  • 00:09:53.974 --> 00:09:56.443
  • "now you're well," after he heals him.
  • 00:09:56.443 --> 00:09:58.145
  • "now you're well, stop sinning or something even worse may
  • 00:09:58.145 --> 00:10:02.082
  • Happen to you."
  • 00:10:02.082 --> 00:10:03.850
  • This would indicate that this man's particular condition may
  • 00:10:03.850 --> 00:10:08.422
  • Have been a result of some kind of sin.
  • 00:10:08.422 --> 00:10:11.825
  • Now when i say that i'm not implying nor does the bible
  • 00:10:11.825 --> 00:10:14.461
  • Teach that if you're sick or you have a disability it's because
  • 00:10:14.461 --> 00:10:19.766
  • You committed a sin.
  • 00:10:19.766 --> 00:10:21.835
  • The reality is all sickness, aging, and all the other
  • 00:10:21.835 --> 00:10:26.840
  • Challenges we face in life are the result of sin in general,
  • 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:31.378
  • You know, when our first parent sinned, adam and eve, a sin
  • 00:10:31.378 --> 00:10:35.449
  • Spread to all of the world.
  • 00:10:35.449 --> 00:10:38.485
  • As i've said before, if adam and eve had not sinned, we would
  • 00:10:38.485 --> 00:10:42.155
  • Never die.
  • 00:10:42.155 --> 00:10:43.523
  • If adam and eve had never sinned, we wouldn't get sick.
  • 00:10:43.523 --> 00:10:46.560
  • If adam and eve had never sinned, i would have a full head
  • 00:10:46.560 --> 00:10:49.296
  • Of hair.
  • 00:10:49.296 --> 00:10:50.630
  • See this.
  • 00:10:50.630 --> 00:10:52.165
  • So in a broad sense, all sickness and all things that
  • 00:10:52.165 --> 00:10:55.969
  • Happen to us of that nature are a result of sin in general but
  • 00:10:55.969 --> 00:10:59.639
  • It would appear that maybe there was something in particular with
  • 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:03.510
  • This man.
  • 00:11:03.510 --> 00:11:04.845
  • You know, paul wrote to the members of the church in corinth
  • 00:11:04.845 --> 00:11:07.514
  • And said, "some of you have become sick and even died
  • 00:11:07.514 --> 00:11:10.951
  • Because of their sin."
  • 00:11:10.951 --> 00:11:12.919
  • The psalmist wrote, "before i was afflicted i went astray, but
  • 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:16.223
  • Now i have kept your word."
  • 00:11:16.223 --> 00:11:17.791
  • So sometimes, god may allow sickness in your life to get
  • 00:11:17.791 --> 00:11:21.962
  • Your attention, bringing me to my next point, sometime god
  • 00:11:21.962 --> 00:11:27.033
  • Wants to heal us.
  • 00:11:27.033 --> 00:11:29.302
  • And he's just waiting for us to ask.
  • 00:11:29.302 --> 00:11:32.005
  • I'm not implying that god heals everyone because he doesn't.
  • 00:11:32.005 --> 00:11:35.208
  • Even the great apostle paul had some kind of a physical problem
  • 00:11:35.208 --> 00:11:39.045
  • He called his thorn in the flesh.
  • 00:11:39.045 --> 00:11:41.348
  • Three times he asked the lord to take it away.
  • 00:11:41.348 --> 00:11:43.583
  • God did not remove that problem.
  • 00:11:43.583 --> 00:11:46.620
  • But rather, said to him, "my grace is sufficient for you."
  • 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:49.856
  • But on the other hand, there are many accounts in scripture where
  • 00:11:49.856 --> 00:11:53.093
  • People were healed instantaneously.
  • 00:11:53.093 --> 00:11:55.829
  • Sometimes it happens over a period of time.
  • 00:11:55.829 --> 00:11:58.331
  • There was one blind man that was healed and he could
  • 00:11:58.331 --> 00:12:01.268
  • Partially see.
  • 00:12:01.268 --> 00:12:02.602
  • He said, "i see mens like trees walking."
  • 00:12:02.602 --> 00:12:04.738
  • In other words, i'm getting my vision back, but it's not
  • 00:12:04.738 --> 00:12:07.507
  • Completely back.
  • 00:12:07.507 --> 00:12:08.842
  • So look, you may pray and say, "lord, would you heal me?"
  • 00:12:08.842 --> 00:12:11.244
  • And he may heal you just like that.
  • 00:12:11.244 --> 00:12:13.814
  • And then that healing may take place over a period of time, and
  • 00:12:13.814 --> 00:12:17.717
  • Then god can even work through a doctor or through a surgery or
  • 00:12:17.717 --> 00:12:21.321
  • Through medicine to bring about that healing.
  • 00:12:21.321 --> 00:12:23.590
  • Ultimately, i give him the glory for all of it, but i guarantee
  • 00:12:23.590 --> 00:12:28.128
  • I'm gonna ask for it.
  • 00:12:28.128 --> 00:12:30.397
  • The bible says: "you have not because you ask not."
  • 00:12:30.397 --> 00:12:33.500
  • And then jesus said, "ask and it shall be given, seek and ye
  • 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:37.204
  • Shall find, knock and the door shall be opened."
  • 00:12:37.204 --> 00:12:40.473
  • And there's an ascending intensity in the verbs that
  • 00:12:40.473 --> 00:12:43.844
  • Christ used, implying that we should step up our game.
  • 00:12:43.844 --> 00:12:47.981
  • So first we're asking, then we're seeking, then we're
  • 00:12:47.981 --> 00:12:51.451
  • Knocking, so keep asking the lord.
  • 00:12:51.451 --> 00:12:55.055
  • Maybe it was the utter helplessness of this man that
  • 00:12:55.055 --> 00:12:57.958
  • Drew jesus to him.
  • 00:12:57.958 --> 00:13:00.760
  • Maybe he prayed a little prayer, "god, please send an angel for
  • 00:13:00.760 --> 00:13:06.132
  • Me to get me healed," and little did he know that god was gonna
  • 00:13:06.132 --> 00:13:09.703
  • Do something better than that.
  • 00:13:09.703 --> 00:13:11.905
  • He was gonna send his only begotten son to personally touch
  • 00:13:11.905 --> 00:13:15.442
  • This guy.
  • 00:13:15.442 --> 00:13:16.810
  • Did you know that god is able to do exceedingly above and beyond
  • 00:13:16.810 --> 00:13:20.513
  • That which you could ask or think?
  • 00:13:20.513 --> 00:13:22.816
  • Don't limit god with your prayers.
  • 00:13:22.816 --> 00:13:25.418
  • "lord, i have this financial need.
  • 00:13:25.418 --> 00:13:27.153
  • I ask you to meet it.
  • 00:13:27.153 --> 00:13:28.788
  • I need this amount of money."
  • 00:13:28.788 --> 00:13:30.991
  • I'll say, "lord, i have this financial need.
  • 00:13:30.991 --> 00:13:33.093
  • I ask you to meet it.
  • 00:13:33.093 --> 00:13:34.461
  • Please take care of it and you want to do even more, we--i
  • 00:13:34.461 --> 00:13:37.197
  • Welcome that too," whatever god wants to do.
  • 00:13:37.197 --> 00:13:40.133
  • We think god wants to withhold his blessing.
  • 00:13:40.133 --> 00:13:42.936
  • We think that god is stingy.
  • 00:13:42.936 --> 00:13:44.838
  • The very opposite is taught in scripture.
  • 00:13:44.838 --> 00:13:47.674
  • This guy wanted an angel to stir the water.
  • 00:13:47.674 --> 00:13:51.344
  • God wanted to send his only son to transform this man and stir
  • 00:13:51.344 --> 00:13:56.483
  • Up his life, in fact.
  • 00:13:56.483 --> 00:13:59.653
  • And maybe you identify with this guy, maybe you feel like you're
  • 00:13:59.653 --> 00:14:02.522
  • All alone, maybe your parents or maybe you've been divorced or
  • 00:14:02.522 --> 00:14:07.994
  • Maybe you're single and you're saying, "am i ever gonna find
  • 00:14:07.994 --> 00:14:12.065
  • Someone," but you know, deep down inside i think we have a
  • 00:14:12.065 --> 00:14:15.535
  • Loneliness for god.
  • 00:14:15.535 --> 00:14:17.804
  • And the bible speaks of a friend that sticks closer than a
  • 00:14:17.804 --> 00:14:21.274
  • Brother, and that friend is jesus christ, and jesus walks in
  • 00:14:21.274 --> 00:14:26.446
  • When others walk out.
  • 00:14:26.446 --> 00:14:29.182
  • Sometimes, friends disappoint us, sometimes family disappoints
  • 00:14:29.182 --> 00:14:33.453
  • Us, but jesus will not disappoint you.
  • 00:14:33.453 --> 00:14:37.057
  • And this man was in such great need.
  • 00:14:37.057 --> 00:14:39.159
  • He was helpless and hopeless.
  • 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:42.662
  • We read that "crowds of sick people," verse 3, "were there,
  • 00:14:42.662 --> 00:14:46.199
  • Blind, lame, and paralyzed."
  • 00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:48.835
  • This word "paralyzed" could be translated without strength or
  • 00:14:48.835 --> 00:14:52.372
  • Another translation puts it, helpless and powerless.
  • 00:14:52.372 --> 00:14:56.609
  • That's how we all are before we come to christ.
  • 00:14:56.609 --> 00:14:58.845
  • We're just weak.
  • 00:14:58.845 --> 00:15:00.213
  • The bible says in romans 5: "those who are without
  • 00:15:00.213 --> 00:15:03.516
  • Strength," those are the ones that christ died for.
  • 00:15:03.516 --> 00:15:06.720
  • And sometimes people will say of christians, "you know, you
  • 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:08.888
  • Christians, you turned to christ because you needed a crutch.
  • 00:15:08.888 --> 00:15:13.026
  • Christianity is a crutch."
  • 00:15:13.026 --> 00:15:15.295
  • My response is no, it's not a crutch, it's a whole hospital.
  • 00:15:15.295 --> 00:15:20.233
  • I need more than a crutch.
  • 00:15:20.233 --> 00:15:22.535
  • I'm not embarrassed to say that.
  • 00:15:22.535 --> 00:15:24.637
  • I need god's help.
  • 00:15:24.637 --> 00:15:25.972
  • By the way, you do too.
  • 00:15:25.972 --> 00:15:27.841
  • This man understood his great need for god.
  • 00:15:27.841 --> 00:15:30.744
  • You know, sometimes it's said: "well, 'god helps those who help
  • 00:15:30.744 --> 00:15:33.947
  • Themselves,' the good book says."
  • 00:15:33.947 --> 00:15:36.349
  • Well, i don't know what good book you're reading, but the
  • 00:15:36.349 --> 00:15:39.419
  • Bible doesn't say that.
  • 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:41.554
  • Effectively, the bible says god helps those who can't help
  • 00:15:41.554 --> 00:15:46.026
  • Themselves, or even god helps the helpless.
  • 00:15:46.026 --> 00:15:49.863
  • So jesus saw this man and now asks him a poignant question:
  • 00:15:49.863 --> 00:15:56.803
  • "would you like to get well?"
  • 00:15:56.803 --> 00:16:00.540
  • What kind of thing is that to ask a man who's been sick for 38
  • 00:16:00.540 --> 00:16:03.910
  • Years and is in this sad situation?
  • 00:16:03.910 --> 00:16:06.613
  • "would you like to get well," but it's a valid question
  • 00:16:06.613 --> 00:16:10.450
  • Because not everyone wants to get well.
  • 00:16:10.450 --> 00:16:14.854
  • You know, some people like the lifestyle they've chosen.
  • 00:16:14.854 --> 00:16:18.324
  • Not every alcoholic wants to stop drinking.
  • 00:16:18.324 --> 00:16:21.628
  • Not every drug addict wants to stop using drugs.
  • 00:16:21.628 --> 00:16:25.198
  • Not every person living on the street wants to get off
  • 00:16:25.198 --> 00:16:27.667
  • The street.
  • 00:16:27.667 --> 00:16:29.002
  • You see, you can't help someone if they don't want your help.
  • 00:16:29.002 --> 00:16:32.505
  • And if they're not gonna make some effort on their part,
  • 00:16:32.505 --> 00:16:36.042
  • Whatever you do to rehabilitate them or help them get on their
  • 00:16:36.042 --> 00:16:39.879
  • Feet again, may end with failure.
  • 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:42.549
  • There has to be a willingness on their part as well.
  • 00:16:42.549 --> 00:16:45.185
  • Do you want to be healed?
  • 00:16:45.185 --> 00:16:48.054
  • Do you want to change your life?
  • 00:16:48.054 --> 00:16:50.757
  • Some people are comfortable in sin.
  • 00:16:50.757 --> 00:16:54.260
  • You know how sometimes when you're in bed, maybe you get out
  • 00:16:54.260 --> 00:16:56.763
  • Of bed and then you go back to your bed, you try to find that
  • 00:16:56.763 --> 00:16:59.466
  • Little warm spot you were in, right?
  • 00:16:59.466 --> 00:17:01.234
  • You know what i'm talking about, is it just me?
  • 00:17:01.234 --> 00:17:02.869
  • Oh, i found it, little warm spot.
  • 00:17:02.869 --> 00:17:05.505
  • That's how some people are in sin.
  • 00:17:05.505 --> 00:17:07.073
  • This is our little warm spot.
  • 00:17:07.073 --> 00:17:09.175
  • They're comfortable, they've grown used to the darkness.
  • 00:17:09.175 --> 00:17:13.012
  • The story is told from history of a prison that had a dungeon.
  • 00:17:13.012 --> 00:17:19.018
  • It was called the bastille, and they decided to destroy it
  • 00:17:19.018 --> 00:17:22.522
  • Because it had outlived its usefulness.
  • 00:17:22.522 --> 00:17:25.358
  • And there's this one prisoner who's been confined there for
  • 00:17:25.358 --> 00:17:28.561
  • Years, decades, and they said, "you're free.
  • 00:17:28.561 --> 00:17:31.998
  • You can leave the prison."
  • 00:17:31.998 --> 00:17:33.500
  • And this man came out of his dark cell into the blinding
  • 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:37.003
  • Sunlight, he put his hand over his eyes and said, "please take
  • 00:17:37.003 --> 00:17:41.007
  • Me back to my prison cell.
  • 00:17:41.007 --> 00:17:43.109
  • That's how some people are.
  • 00:17:43.109 --> 00:17:44.444
  • They don't wanna leave their prison cell of sin or addiction
  • 00:17:44.444 --> 00:17:48.481
  • Or whatever it is.
  • 00:17:48.481 --> 00:17:49.816
  • Do you want to change?
  • 00:17:49.816 --> 00:17:52.552
  • Do you want to get well?
  • 00:17:52.552 --> 00:17:53.987
  • Do you really want your marriage healed?
  • 00:17:53.987 --> 00:17:56.389
  • Do you really want to be freed from dependency on drugs
  • 00:17:56.389 --> 00:17:59.058
  • Or alcohol?
  • 00:17:59.058 --> 00:18:00.426
  • Do you really wanna be free from your sexual sin?
  • 00:18:00.426 --> 00:18:02.996
  • Do you really want to be made well?
  • 00:18:02.996 --> 00:18:04.697
  • Do you really wanna change?
  • 00:18:04.697 --> 00:18:06.900
  • There's god's part and there's your part.
  • 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:08.868
  • He says, "i can't, sir.
  • 00:18:08.868 --> 00:18:10.236
  • I have no one to help me get to the pool."
  • 00:18:10.236 --> 00:18:13.640
  • Jesus is like, "forget the pool.
  • 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:17.777
  • You don't understand what's happening here, buddy," and i
  • 00:18:17.777 --> 00:18:20.847
  • Love what jesus says.
  • 00:18:20.847 --> 00:18:22.348
  • First of all, he asks the impossible.
  • 00:18:22.348 --> 00:18:24.551
  • Secondly, he removes all possibility for a relapse.
  • 00:18:24.551 --> 00:18:27.987
  • Thirdly, he expects continued success.
  • 00:18:27.987 --> 00:18:30.924
  • First, he asks the impossible, "pick up your sleeping mat
  • 00:18:30.924 --> 00:18:35.528
  • And walk."
  • 00:18:35.528 --> 00:18:37.530
  • And in this guy's defense, he goes for it.
  • 00:18:37.530 --> 00:18:39.899
  • He could have said, "i can't."
  • 00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:42.035
  • He says, "all right."
  • 00:18:42.035 --> 00:18:43.836
  • And all of a sudden, strength is restored to his feet and his
  • 00:18:43.836 --> 00:18:48.007
  • Legs and he stands up.
  • 00:18:48.007 --> 00:18:49.976
  • What an amazing thing.
  • 00:18:49.976 --> 00:18:51.911
  • So he did the impossible, but then jesus removes any
  • 00:18:51.911 --> 00:18:55.582
  • Possibility for a relapse: "don't--take it with you.
  • 00:18:55.582 --> 00:19:00.486
  • You're not coming back here again.
  • 00:19:00.486 --> 00:19:02.188
  • We're done with the pool.
  • 00:19:02.188 --> 00:19:04.624
  • We're done with this whole life.
  • 00:19:04.624 --> 00:19:06.659
  • It's a new life.
  • 00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:08.027
  • Put your old life behind you."
  • 00:19:08.027 --> 00:19:09.963
  • Here's a problem that some people have when they say
  • 00:19:09.963 --> 00:19:13.099
  • They're gonna become christians is they don't make a break with
  • 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:16.169
  • The old life, and they don't make a break with the
  • 00:19:16.169 --> 00:19:19.239
  • Old friends.
  • 00:19:19.239 --> 00:19:21.241
  • I can tell you when i became a christian, i had some pretty
  • 00:19:21.241 --> 00:19:24.944
  • Low-life friends.
  • 00:19:24.944 --> 00:19:27.146
  • I had friends in low places.
  • 00:19:27.146 --> 00:19:30.650
  • And i had to completely break off my relationship with them
  • 00:19:30.650 --> 00:19:35.021
  • Because they would have drug me down so fast.
  • 00:19:35.021 --> 00:19:37.790
  • In fact, they even tried to immediately after they heard i'd
  • 00:19:37.790 --> 00:19:41.427
  • Become a christian.
  • 00:19:41.427 --> 00:19:42.762
  • And i had to make new friends and every christian needs to
  • 00:19:42.762 --> 00:19:46.532
  • Do this.
  • 00:19:46.532 --> 00:19:47.867
  • Your friends matter.
  • 00:19:47.867 --> 00:19:49.202
  • You show me your friends and i'll show you your future.
  • 00:19:49.202 --> 00:19:51.938
  • Look for godly friends, and if you're a single person, look
  • 00:19:51.938 --> 00:19:54.874
  • For a godly man or a godly woman.
  • 00:19:54.874 --> 00:19:58.811
  • The bible says, "flee youthful desires, and follow
  • 00:20:02.682 --> 00:20:05.718
  • Righteousness, faith, and peace, along with those
  • 00:20:05.718 --> 00:20:08.354
  • That call on the lord out of a pure heart.
  • 00:20:08.354 --> 00:20:12.258
  • Psalm 1 says: "the happy man doesn't walk in the counsel of
  • 00:20:12.258 --> 00:20:15.995
  • The ungodly or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of
  • 00:20:15.995 --> 00:20:20.199
  • The scornful."
  • 00:20:20.199 --> 00:20:21.534
  • So, jesus is saying to this guy, "pick that thing up and walk.
  • 00:20:21.534 --> 00:20:25.738
  • You're out of here.
  • 00:20:25.738 --> 00:20:27.106
  • This is over with."
  • 00:20:27.106 --> 00:20:28.441
  • And i love that radical change that he made.
  • 00:20:28.441 --> 00:20:31.577
  • Here's an interesting story in the old testament.
  • 00:20:31.577 --> 00:20:34.347
  • It's the prophet elijah.
  • 00:20:34.347 --> 00:20:35.715
  • He's coming toward the end of his ministry, and he chooses
  • 00:20:35.715 --> 00:20:38.785
  • His successor.
  • 00:20:38.785 --> 00:20:40.453
  • His name is elisha, very similar names, sometimes they're
  • 00:20:40.453 --> 00:20:43.423
  • Confused, two guys, elijah, elisha.
  • 00:20:43.423 --> 00:20:46.459
  • So elijah sees elisha plowing, out in the field, and he throws
  • 00:20:46.459 --> 00:20:52.298
  • His garment on him, symbolically saying, "you're carrying on
  • 00:20:52.298 --> 00:20:56.669
  • For me."
  • 00:20:56.669 --> 00:20:58.004
  • And then elisha says, "hey, let me go back and say goodbye to
  • 00:20:58.004 --> 00:21:01.774
  • My family."
  • 00:21:01.774 --> 00:21:03.109
  • Elijah said, "hey, what is that to me?"
  • 00:21:03.109 --> 00:21:04.677
  • In other words, "dude, this is a privilege.
  • 00:21:04.677 --> 00:21:07.246
  • What are you doing?
  • 00:21:07.246 --> 00:21:08.614
  • You're gonna do this?
  • 00:21:08.614 --> 00:21:09.949
  • Come on, let's go, or don't."
  • 00:21:09.949 --> 00:21:11.818
  • And you know, he knew if that guy went back and said goodbye
  • 00:21:11.818 --> 00:21:14.454
  • To his family, he'd never return.
  • 00:21:14.454 --> 00:21:16.723
  • You ever try to leave a family reunion?
  • 00:21:16.723 --> 00:21:19.459
  • Takes really a long time.
  • 00:21:19.459 --> 00:21:21.594
  • Especially, if you haven't seen 'em for a while.
  • 00:21:21.594 --> 00:21:23.296
  • It's a big reunion, once every 5 years, so you're saying,
  • 00:21:23.296 --> 00:21:27.333
  • "well, i gotta go."
  • 00:21:27.333 --> 00:21:28.701
  • "oh, have one more piece of pie."
  • 00:21:28.701 --> 00:21:30.503
  • "let me tell you one more story," hugs and hugs and on
  • 00:21:30.503 --> 00:21:34.741
  • It goes.
  • 00:21:34.741 --> 00:21:36.109
  • I'm really good at leaving places.
  • 00:21:36.109 --> 00:21:38.978
  • I don't know if this is a skill or a bad trait, but when i'm
  • 00:21:38.978 --> 00:21:43.249
  • Ready to go, i'll say to my wife, "i'm leaving."
  • 00:21:43.249 --> 00:21:48.154
  • And i'll go to the host or hostess, "thank you so much for
  • 00:21:48.154 --> 00:21:51.491
  • Inviting me.
  • 00:21:51.491 --> 00:21:52.859
  • I'm sorry i have to go."
  • 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:54.227
  • "okay, no problem."
  • 00:21:54.227 --> 00:21:55.595
  • I'm gone!
  • 00:21:55.595 --> 00:21:56.929
  • I'm driving home to get in my bed to find that
  • 00:21:56.929 --> 00:21:58.464
  • Little warm spot, right?
  • 00:21:58.464 --> 00:22:00.266
  • I wonder, "where's my wife?"
  • 00:22:00.266 --> 00:22:01.601
  • She's still there.
  • 00:22:01.601 --> 00:22:02.969
  • A week later, she's there still.
  • 00:22:02.969 --> 00:22:05.171
  • You need the jaws of life to extract cathe out of the
  • 00:22:05.171 --> 00:22:08.708
  • Social gathering.
  • 00:22:08.708 --> 00:22:10.576
  • She just goes and goes and talks and talks, and i've moved
  • 00:22:10.576 --> 00:22:14.480
  • On, okay?
  • 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:16.783
  • And this is the idea.
  • 00:22:16.783 --> 00:22:18.151
  • There's a new testament counterpart to the story where
  • 00:22:18.151 --> 00:22:21.387
  • Jesus said to a man, "follow me."
  • 00:22:21.387 --> 00:22:23.990
  • He said, "let me go and bury my mother and father."
  • 00:22:23.990 --> 00:22:27.360
  • Jesus said, "let the dead bury the dead.
  • 00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:31.297
  • Follow me."
  • 00:22:31.297 --> 00:22:32.665
  • Now that sounds kinda heartless on the part of christ.
  • 00:22:32.665 --> 00:22:34.967
  • "let me bury my mother and father.
  • 00:22:34.967 --> 00:22:36.502
  • They just died and they're lying in the street dead."
  • 00:22:36.502 --> 00:22:38.871
  • "yeah, let them bury themselves.
  • 00:22:38.871 --> 00:22:40.239
  • Let's get out of here."
  • 00:22:40.239 --> 00:22:41.974
  • That's not what was going on.
  • 00:22:41.974 --> 00:22:43.709
  • That phrase, "let me bury my mother and father," was another
  • 00:22:43.709 --> 00:22:46.846
  • Way of saying, "let me wait till my mom and dad get old and
  • 00:22:46.846 --> 00:22:50.750
  • Eventually die, and when they're gone, then i'll follow you."
  • 00:22:50.750 --> 00:22:55.655
  • And jesus said, "you do that, you'll never follow me.
  • 00:22:55.655 --> 00:22:58.958
  • You know, it's time to make a break with the past."
  • 00:22:58.958 --> 00:23:00.827
  • Jesus said, "no man, having put his hand to the plow and looking
  • 00:23:00.827 --> 00:23:04.697
  • Back, is fit for the kingdom of god."
  • 00:23:04.697 --> 00:23:07.099
  • So he says to this man, "pick up your mat and walk, put this old
  • 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:11.938
  • Life behind you and follow me."
  • 00:23:11.938 --> 00:23:15.741
  • But then jesus says to him, "get up and walk."
  • 00:23:15.741 --> 00:23:20.112
  • So now you're up, you gotta walk.
  • 00:23:20.112 --> 00:23:22.648
  • See, the christian life on more than one occasion is compared to
  • 00:23:22.648 --> 00:23:25.918
  • A walk.
  • 00:23:25.918 --> 00:23:27.320
  • Walk in the spirit, and you will not--will not fulfill the lust
  • 00:23:27.320 --> 00:23:32.024
  • Of the flesh.
  • 00:23:32.024 --> 00:23:33.359
  • "as you've received jesus christ as lord," the bible says, "so
  • 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:36.829
  • Walk in him."
  • 00:23:36.829 --> 00:23:38.364
  • So there's god's part.
  • 00:23:38.364 --> 00:23:39.699
  • He'll save you, he'll heal you.
  • 00:23:39.699 --> 00:23:41.534
  • Now you've got to walk.
  • 00:23:41.534 --> 00:23:42.902
  • Every day, you've gotta walk spiritually, and sometimes
  • 00:23:42.902 --> 00:23:46.539
  • People say, "well, i tried christianity and it didn't work
  • 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:49.842
  • For me."
  • 00:23:49.842 --> 00:23:51.177
  • Listen, i suggest you didn't do your part.
  • 00:23:51.177 --> 00:23:54.313
  • He does his part.
  • 00:23:54.313 --> 00:23:55.915
  • Did you take it seriously?
  • 00:23:55.915 --> 00:23:58.217
  • Did you start reading your bible?
  • 00:23:58.217 --> 00:24:00.453
  • Did you develop a prayer life?
  • 00:24:00.453 --> 00:24:02.455
  • Did you become a part of church?
  • 00:24:02.455 --> 00:24:05.391
  • See, a lot of people don't do anything.
  • 00:24:05.391 --> 00:24:06.826
  • It reminds of people that go to gyms and they never lose
  • 00:24:06.826 --> 00:24:10.663
  • Weight and never get in shape.
  • 00:24:10.663 --> 00:24:11.998
  • Well, they get in a shape, but it's like the shape of a pear,
  • 00:24:11.998 --> 00:24:16.569
  • And people call them "the lord's pear," which no one wants--you
  • 00:24:16.569 --> 00:24:20.439
  • Don't want someone to call you the lord's pear.
  • 00:24:20.439 --> 00:24:24.977
  • But when you look at them, they never work out, they just sit
  • 00:24:24.977 --> 00:24:27.413
  • Around and talk all day or eat donuts.
  • 00:24:27.413 --> 00:24:30.583
  • "i go to the gym three days a week, why don't i--
  • 00:24:30.583 --> 00:24:33.719
  • You know, why am i not in better shape?"
  • 00:24:33.719 --> 00:24:35.054
  • Because you go to the gym and don't do anything.
  • 00:24:35.054 --> 00:24:37.189
  • You see, there's your part, and a lot of people
  • 00:24:37.189 --> 00:24:40.126
  • Don't do their part.
  • 00:24:40.126 --> 00:24:41.861
  • Closing thought.
  • 00:24:41.861 --> 00:24:43.529
  • All around us are people who are lonely, who are hurting, that
  • 00:24:43.529 --> 00:24:48.034
  • Need someone to reach out to them.
  • 00:24:48.034 --> 00:24:50.303
  • See, jesus saw this guy, and we need to see these people,
  • 00:24:50.303 --> 00:24:53.239
  • They're everywhere.
  • 00:24:53.239 --> 00:24:54.840
  • Sometimes you see them in church, maybe they're
  • 00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:57.109
  • Sitting alone.
  • 00:24:57.109 --> 00:24:58.444
  • "hey, i noticed you're alone, is this your first time here?"
  • 00:24:58.444 --> 00:25:01.113
  • Maybe it is.
  • 00:25:01.113 --> 00:25:02.448
  • "do you know anybody?
  • 00:25:02.448 --> 00:25:03.950
  • Would you like to go out with us?
  • 00:25:03.950 --> 00:25:05.318
  • We're gonna get a bite to eat after church.
  • 00:25:05.318 --> 00:25:07.086
  • Why don't you join us?
  • 00:25:07.086 --> 00:25:08.421
  • Hey, are you in a small group?
  • 00:25:08.421 --> 00:25:10.189
  • Good to meet you."
  • 00:25:10.189 --> 00:25:11.557
  • And next time you see them, you remember their name, you reach
  • 00:25:11.557 --> 00:25:14.060
  • Out to them.
  • 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:15.428
  • See, that's so important to do and when you're just out and
  • 00:25:15.428 --> 00:25:17.897
  • About in life, you see someone, they're upset, they're hurting,
  • 00:25:17.897 --> 00:25:21.100
  • Maybe they're crying, "is everything okay?"
  • 00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:23.903
  • "well, i'm--i just found this news out."
  • 00:25:23.903 --> 00:25:26.072
  • "oh really?
  • 00:25:26.072 --> 00:25:27.440
  • Well, listen, i'm a christian and i believe in the power
  • 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:29.609
  • Of prayer.
  • 00:25:29.609 --> 00:25:30.943
  • Can i pray for you?"
  • 00:25:30.943 --> 00:25:32.278
  • You wanna know something?
  • 00:25:32.278 --> 00:25:33.646
  • Most people will not say no to your offer of prayer.
  • 00:25:33.646 --> 00:25:37.283
  • Even non-believers, "can i pray for you?"
  • 00:25:37.283 --> 00:25:40.286
  • "okay."
  • 00:25:40.286 --> 00:25:41.988
  • Now, it might be a little awkward for them, but that's
  • 00:25:41.988 --> 00:25:44.090
  • Okay, pray for them.
  • 00:25:44.090 --> 00:25:45.691
  • See, show them you care.
  • 00:25:45.691 --> 00:25:48.094
  • People don't care how much you know until they know how much
  • 00:25:48.094 --> 00:25:50.796
  • You care.
  • 00:25:50.796 --> 00:25:52.298
  • And i think sometimes we're thinking about how we're gonna
  • 00:25:52.298 --> 00:25:54.266
  • Argue people into the kingdom of god.
  • 00:25:54.266 --> 00:25:56.535
  • You might be surprised to find how far a gesture of kindness
  • 00:25:56.535 --> 00:26:00.706
  • Will go.
  • 00:26:00.706 --> 00:26:02.108
  • "hey, can i help you?
  • 00:26:02.108 --> 00:26:03.609
  • Can i reach out to you?"
  • 00:26:03.609 --> 00:26:04.977
  • That's what jesus did for this man.
  • 00:26:04.977 --> 00:26:07.013
  • He saw him.
  • 00:26:07.013 --> 00:26:08.414
  • We need to see people as god sees them, as sheep without
  • 00:26:08.414 --> 00:26:13.319
  • A shepherd, as people that need a savior.
  • 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:17.123
  • They're all around us.
  • 00:26:17.123 --> 00:26:23.496
  • Greg: hi, i'm greg laurie. i've got some good news for you.
  • 00:26:27.633 --> 00:26:30.336
  • God loves you, and god has a plan for your life.
  • 00:26:30.336 --> 00:26:34.173
  • Here's the problem: we're separated from god by our sin
  • 00:26:34.173 --> 00:26:37.643
  • Because we've all broken his commandments.
  • 00:26:37.643 --> 00:26:40.579
  • But the good news is that 2,000 years ago, god sent
  • 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:44.050
  • His son, jesus christ, to die on the cross for your sin,
  • 00:26:44.050 --> 00:26:48.454
  • And then to rise again from the dead.
  • 00:26:48.454 --> 00:26:50.856
  • The same jesus who died and rose is alive and ready
  • 00:26:50.856 --> 00:26:54.160
  • To come into your life right now.
  • 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:56.696
  • Would you like your sin forgiven?
  • 00:26:56.696 --> 00:26:58.764
  • Would you like to know that when you die you will go to heaven?
  • 00:26:58.764 --> 00:27:01.634
  • If so, pray this simple prayer with me right now.
  • 00:27:01.634 --> 00:27:04.937
  • Just say, "lord jesus, i know i'm a sinner, but i believe
  • 00:27:04.937 --> 00:27:08.641
  • You're the savior, who died on the cross for my sin.
  • 00:27:08.641 --> 00:27:12.111
  • I turn from my sin now, and i choose to follow you
  • 00:27:12.111 --> 00:27:15.614
  • From this moment forward."
  • 00:27:15.614 --> 00:27:17.983
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:27:17.983 --> 00:27:19.819
  • If you did, god in heaven has heard you.
  • 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:22.588
  • And let me be the first to say to you,
  • 00:27:22.588 --> 00:27:24.757
  • Congratulations, and welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:27:24.757 --> 00:27:24.757