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 19, 2025 | S25:E119

Greg Laurie - Jesus And The Lonely Man
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Faith #Blessing #Healing #Provision #Religion #WordofGod #Miracles #Family #inActive #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie #Hopelessness #John5 #PoolofBethesda

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Jesus And The Lonely Man | May 19, 2025
  • Greg laurie: you know, deep down inside, i think we have
  • 00:00:04.147 --> 00:00:06.449
  • A loneliness for god.
  • 00:00:06.583 --> 00:00:08.818
  • And the bible speaks of a friend that sticks closer than a
  • 00:00:08.918 --> 00:00:12.222
  • Brother, and that friend is jesus christ, and jesus walks in
  • 00:00:12.322 --> 00:00:17.494
  • When others walk out.
  • 00:00:17.627 --> 00:00:19.829
  • ♪ this is the day. ♪
  • 00:00:23.366 --> 00:00:25.735
  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪
  • 00:00:25.735 --> 00:00:31.007
  • ♪ this is the day. ♪
  • 00:00:31.007 --> 00:00:33.376
  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
  • 00:00:33.376 --> 00:00:40.583
  • Greg: so there was this lady.
  • 00:00:44.254 --> 00:00:46.322
  • She was very lonely and she needed some companionship and
  • 00:00:46.322 --> 00:00:50.093
  • Someone told her that there was a talking parrot down at the pet
  • 00:00:50.093 --> 00:00:54.130
  • Store and so she went down and said, "i heard you have a
  • 00:00:54.130 --> 00:00:57.867
  • Talking parrot and i need someone to talk to, and someone
  • 00:00:57.867 --> 00:01:01.438
  • To talk to me.
  • 00:01:01.438 --> 00:01:02.772
  • Does this parrot really talk?"
  • 00:01:02.772 --> 00:01:04.140
  • "oh yes, ma'am, this parrot talks."
  • 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:05.475
  • And so she bought the parrot and she took it home and it didn't
  • 00:01:05.475 --> 00:01:08.645
  • Say anything to her for a week and a half.
  • 00:01:08.645 --> 00:01:11.214
  • So she went back to the pet store and said, "sir, this
  • 00:01:11.214 --> 00:01:13.950
  • Parrot does not talk."
  • 00:01:13.950 --> 00:01:15.752
  • The pet store owner said, "ma'am, did you buy him a swing?
  • 00:01:15.752 --> 00:01:19.055
  • Every parrot needs a swing.
  • 00:01:19.055 --> 00:01:20.824
  • If you get him a swing, he'll talk all day long."
  • 00:01:20.824 --> 00:01:22.792
  • She bought a swing, took it home.
  • 00:01:22.792 --> 00:01:24.561
  • She came back another week and a half later.
  • 00:01:24.561 --> 00:01:26.996
  • "i got the parrot a swing.
  • 00:01:26.996 --> 00:01:28.364
  • He still isn't talking."
  • 00:01:28.364 --> 00:01:29.699
  • "ma'am, did you get the parrot a ladder?
  • 00:01:29.699 --> 00:01:31.634
  • Every parrot needs a ladder.
  • 00:01:31.634 --> 00:01:33.603
  • He has a ladder to go up and down, he'll talk constantly."
  • 00:01:33.603 --> 00:01:36.573
  • She bought a ladder, took it home.
  • 00:01:36.573 --> 00:01:38.241
  • A week and a half later, she returns.
  • 00:01:38.241 --> 00:01:40.443
  • She says, "the parrot still isn't talking."
  • 00:01:40.443 --> 00:01:42.912
  • "oh, did you get him a mirror?
  • 00:01:42.912 --> 00:01:44.514
  • If he has a mirror to look at himself in, then he'll talk
  • 00:01:44.514 --> 00:01:47.584
  • For sure."
  • 00:01:47.584 --> 00:01:48.918
  • She bought the mirror.
  • 00:01:48.918 --> 00:01:50.286
  • And came back a week later and said, "that parrot you sold me,
  • 00:01:50.286 --> 00:01:55.158
  • He died."
  • 00:01:55.158 --> 00:01:56.693
  • The pet store owner said, "did he ever talk?"
  • 00:01:56.693 --> 00:01:59.462
  • "as a matter of fact, he did."
  • 00:01:59.462 --> 00:02:01.364
  • The pet store owner said, "what did the parrot say?"
  • 00:02:01.364 --> 00:02:04.033
  • She said, "the parrot said to me, 'don't they have any food
  • 00:02:04.033 --> 00:02:07.370
  • Down at that pet store?'"
  • 00:02:07.370 --> 00:02:11.207
  • Just a bad joke, people, okay.
  • 00:02:11.207 --> 00:02:14.544
  • So i don't know, if you feel lonely i don't think a talking
  • 00:02:14.544 --> 00:02:17.013
  • Parrot's gonna help you.
  • 00:02:17.013 --> 00:02:18.948
  • There's a lot of people feel lonely in our world today.
  • 00:02:18.948 --> 00:02:22.652
  • One in three americans feel lonely, at least once a week.
  • 00:02:22.652 --> 00:02:26.356
  • There's acute loneliness among young adults with 30% of people
  • 00:02:26.356 --> 00:02:30.660
  • Ages 18 to 34 experiencing loneliness several times a week
  • 00:02:30.660 --> 00:02:35.131
  • Or more.
  • 00:02:35.131 --> 00:02:36.499
  • Loneliness has become a public health epidemic according to the
  • 00:02:36.499 --> 00:02:40.069
  • Surgeon general, and loneliness and isolation create health
  • 00:02:40.069 --> 00:02:44.741
  • Risks, including anxiety, depression, and illnesses like
  • 00:02:44.741 --> 00:02:49.646
  • Heart disease and dementia.
  • 00:02:49.646 --> 00:02:52.248
  • But wait, we have social media, we can communicate with
  • 00:02:52.248 --> 00:02:55.585
  • Each other.
  • 00:02:55.585 --> 00:02:56.920
  • That's only thrown more fuel in the fire and we find ourselves
  • 00:02:56.920 --> 00:03:00.957
  • More isolated.
  • 00:03:00.957 --> 00:03:02.725
  • Bottom line, people need people.
  • 00:03:02.725 --> 00:03:06.129
  • We were not meant to do life alone.
  • 00:03:06.129 --> 00:03:08.464
  • We need living, breathing friends, not talking parrots,
  • 00:03:08.464 --> 00:03:12.936
  • Not bots, not just communicating with people online while we're
  • 00:03:12.936 --> 00:03:17.440
  • Playing a video game.
  • 00:03:17.440 --> 00:03:19.008
  • We need to be with people, and that's why being active in
  • 00:03:19.008 --> 00:03:22.812
  • Church matters so much.
  • 00:03:22.812 --> 00:03:25.248
  • I bring this up because before us in john 5 is a story of a
  • 00:03:25.248 --> 00:03:28.918
  • Lonely man.
  • 00:03:28.918 --> 00:03:30.286
  • In fact, the title of my message is "jesus and the lonely man."
  • 00:03:30.286 --> 00:03:34.324
  • Let's read about him.
  • 00:03:34.324 --> 00:03:35.892
  • I'm reading john chapter 5, verses 1 to 16, and i'm reading,
  • 00:03:35.892 --> 00:03:40.730
  • By the way, from the new living translation, 1 to 18 rather.
  • 00:03:40.730 --> 00:03:45.001
  • Read along with me.
  • 00:03:45.001 --> 00:03:46.369
  • "afterward jesus returned to jerusalem by one of the--on one
  • 00:03:46.369 --> 00:03:50.406
  • Of the jewish holy days, and inside the city, near the sheep
  • 00:03:50.406 --> 00:03:53.610
  • Gate, was the pool of bethesda, with five covered porches.
  • 00:03:53.610 --> 00:03:58.248
  • Crowds of sick people--blind, lame, or paralyzed--lay on
  • 00:03:58.248 --> 00:04:01.985
  • The porches.
  • 00:04:01.985 --> 00:04:03.319
  • One of the men laying there had been sick for
  • 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:05.755
  • Thirty-eight years.
  • 00:04:05.755 --> 00:04:07.590
  • When jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he
  • 00:04:07.590 --> 00:04:10.793
  • Asked him, 'would you like to get well?'
  • 00:04:10.793 --> 00:04:13.296
  • 'i can't, sir,' the sick man said, 'for i have no one to put
  • 00:04:13.296 --> 00:04:16.466
  • Me in the pool when the water bubbles up.
  • 00:04:16.466 --> 00:04:19.435
  • Someone else always gets there ahead of me.'
  • 00:04:19.435 --> 00:04:22.438
  • Jesus said, 'stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!'
  • 00:04:22.438 --> 00:04:27.210
  • Instantly, the man was healed!
  • 00:04:27.210 --> 00:04:29.078
  • He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!
  • 00:04:29.078 --> 00:04:31.714
  • But this miracle happened on the sabbath, so the jewish
  • 00:04:31.714 --> 00:04:35.084
  • Leaders objected.
  • 00:04:35.084 --> 00:04:36.552
  • They said to the man who was cured, 'you can't work on
  • 00:04:36.552 --> 00:04:39.155
  • The sabbath!
  • 00:04:39.155 --> 00:04:40.523
  • The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!'
  • 00:04:40.523 --> 00:04:44.127
  • But the man replied, 'the man who healed me told me, "pick up
  • 00:04:44.127 --> 00:04:47.397
  • Your mat and walk."'
  • 00:04:47.397 --> 00:04:48.965
  • 'who said such a thing as that?'
  • 00:04:48.965 --> 00:04:50.700
  • They demanded.
  • 00:04:50.700 --> 00:04:52.068
  • The man didn't know, for jesus had disappeared into the crowd.
  • 00:04:52.068 --> 00:04:56.272
  • But afterward jesus found him sitting in the temple and told
  • 00:04:56.272 --> 00:04:59.909
  • Him, 'now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse
  • 00:04:59.909 --> 00:05:04.547
  • May happen to you.'
  • 00:05:04.547 --> 00:05:05.915
  • Then the man went and told the jewish leaders it was jesus who
  • 00:05:05.915 --> 00:05:09.419
  • Had healed him.
  • 00:05:09.419 --> 00:05:10.787
  • So the jewish leaders began harassing jesus for breaking the
  • 00:05:10.787 --> 00:05:14.390
  • Sabbath rules.
  • 00:05:14.390 --> 00:05:15.725
  • But jesus replied, 'my father is always working, and so am i.'"
  • 00:05:15.725 --> 00:05:20.463
  • We'll stop there.
  • 00:05:20.463 --> 00:05:21.831
  • Isn't that a great story?
  • 00:05:21.831 --> 00:05:23.333
  • Here's my first point.
  • 00:05:23.333 --> 00:05:24.967
  • This was a turning point in the life and ministry of jesus.
  • 00:05:24.967 --> 00:05:29.839
  • Up to this point, the religious leaders have tolerated christ.
  • 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:35.244
  • Now they're going to outright turn against him because of this
  • 00:05:35.244 --> 00:05:39.482
  • Statement that jesus makes.
  • 00:05:39.482 --> 00:05:42.418
  • This statement would ultimately cost him his life.
  • 00:05:42.418 --> 00:05:46.289
  • What was that statement?
  • 00:05:46.289 --> 00:05:47.657
  • That statement was simply that he was equal with god.
  • 00:05:47.657 --> 00:05:52.495
  • Speaking of the almighty as his father, he said, "my father and
  • 00:05:52.495 --> 00:05:56.866
  • I," there in verse 17.
  • 00:05:56.866 --> 00:06:00.169
  • Don't let anyone ever tell you that jesus never claimed to be
  • 00:06:00.169 --> 00:06:03.539
  • God, for indeed he did, and this is just one of the occasions.
  • 00:06:03.539 --> 00:06:08.177
  • On another occasion, he healed a man, and then he said, "your
  • 00:06:08.177 --> 00:06:11.647
  • Sins are forgiven you," and they said, "only god can
  • 00:06:11.647 --> 00:06:15.318
  • Forgive sins."
  • 00:06:15.318 --> 00:06:16.686
  • Jesus said, "exactly."
  • 00:06:16.686 --> 00:06:18.020
  • He was claiming to be god.
  • 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:19.655
  • He was god walking among them.
  • 00:06:19.655 --> 00:06:22.091
  • And he had an agenda, he had a schedule, and god is never late
  • 00:06:22.091 --> 00:06:27.397
  • For his appointments.
  • 00:06:27.397 --> 00:06:28.931
  • He had people to meet, he had lives to change.
  • 00:06:28.931 --> 00:06:32.034
  • He had miracles to perform, so he was moving along.
  • 00:06:32.034 --> 00:06:35.838
  • It's interesting because we begin with the word "afterward,"
  • 00:06:35.838 --> 00:06:40.143
  • And then in matthew, we read the word "then" often.
  • 00:06:40.143 --> 00:06:43.546
  • Mark's gospel, "immediately."
  • 00:06:43.546 --> 00:06:45.281
  • Luke's gospel uses the phrase, "it came to pass."
  • 00:06:45.281 --> 00:06:48.551
  • So the idea is jesus was moving along at a pretty fast clip with
  • 00:06:48.551 --> 00:06:53.055
  • A purpose.
  • 00:06:53.055 --> 00:06:54.424
  • He knew exactly what he was saying when he claimed to be
  • 00:06:54.424 --> 00:06:57.960
  • Equal with the father.
  • 00:06:57.960 --> 00:06:59.662
  • He meant what he said, he said what he meant, bringing me to
  • 00:06:59.662 --> 00:07:03.166
  • Point number 2: as christians, we don't believe in coincidence.
  • 00:07:03.166 --> 00:07:07.570
  • We believe in providence, right?
  • 00:07:07.570 --> 00:07:10.740
  • Nor do we believe in luck.
  • 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:12.809
  • Sometimes people will say, "boy, i'm lucky.
  • 00:07:12.809 --> 00:07:14.510
  • I'm--that's my lucky number."
  • 00:07:14.510 --> 00:07:16.512
  • I don't believe in luck.
  • 00:07:16.512 --> 00:07:18.381
  • I believe in providence.
  • 00:07:18.381 --> 00:07:19.715
  • What is providence?
  • 00:07:19.715 --> 00:07:21.083
  • It means ultimately that god is in control.
  • 00:07:21.083 --> 00:07:24.320
  • Even sometimes when events don't make sense, god is still
  • 00:07:24.320 --> 00:07:28.758
  • Working, and that's exactly what jesus was doing and he had an
  • 00:07:28.758 --> 00:07:32.562
  • Appointment with this particular man.
  • 00:07:32.562 --> 00:07:36.599
  • And so he sees this lonely individual, bringing me to point
  • 00:07:36.599 --> 00:07:40.803
  • Number 3: jesus seemed to be drawn to lonely people, drawn to
  • 00:07:40.803 --> 00:07:46.676
  • The people who had the greatest need.
  • 00:07:46.676 --> 00:07:49.412
  • This man had effectively been abandoned, and he had this
  • 00:07:49.412 --> 00:07:54.383
  • Loneliness inside and no matter who you are, no matter how much
  • 00:07:54.383 --> 00:07:57.487
  • Money you make or how many followers you have on social
  • 00:07:57.487 --> 00:08:00.723
  • Media or how famous you are or how infamous you are or if
  • 00:08:00.723 --> 00:08:05.094
  • You're unknown, you're still a lonely person deep down inside.
  • 00:08:05.094 --> 00:08:09.765
  • Bringing me to point number 4, the man in our story was just
  • 00:08:09.765 --> 00:08:14.170
  • Hoping for a miracle.
  • 00:08:14.170 --> 00:08:15.938
  • Now we read that he was waiting for the waters to be stirred.
  • 00:08:15.938 --> 00:08:19.509
  • There was a legend that an angel would sometimes appear, move the
  • 00:08:19.509 --> 00:08:25.481
  • Waters around, and if you were close to the water when this
  • 00:08:25.481 --> 00:08:28.050
  • Happened, you would get healed.
  • 00:08:28.050 --> 00:08:29.385
  • There's no indication this is a true story.
  • 00:08:29.385 --> 00:08:31.921
  • It could have been true.
  • 00:08:31.921 --> 00:08:33.389
  • Maybe it happened once, but that's what this man was hoping
  • 00:08:33.389 --> 00:08:37.994
  • For, and he had been waiting a long time, 38 years, so he's an
  • 00:08:37.994 --> 00:08:42.498
  • Older guy, but he's hoping for a miracle in his own life, hoping
  • 00:08:42.498 --> 00:08:48.838
  • For something to happen to him.
  • 00:08:48.838 --> 00:08:52.074
  • You know, and it's interesting how we read that jesus saw
  • 00:08:52.074 --> 00:08:54.810
  • This man.
  • 00:08:54.810 --> 00:08:56.145
  • There were a lot of people there, a lot of hurting people
  • 00:08:56.145 --> 00:08:59.081
  • There, but jesus zeroed in on this one man, in particular,
  • 00:08:59.081 --> 00:09:04.120
  • This man that had this great need.
  • 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:07.123
  • And it's worth noting that jesus didn't preach to everyone.
  • 00:09:07.123 --> 00:09:11.227
  • He preached to certain individuals.
  • 00:09:11.227 --> 00:09:13.763
  • He didn't heal everyone, he healed certain people.
  • 00:09:13.763 --> 00:09:18.568
  • And now he goes to this man and makes what i would say is
  • 00:09:18.568 --> 00:09:21.737
  • A provocative statement in verse 14.
  • 00:09:21.737 --> 00:09:24.206
  • "now you're well," after he heals him.
  • 00:09:24.206 --> 00:09:25.908
  • "now you're well, stop sinning or something even worse may
  • 00:09:25.908 --> 00:09:29.845
  • Happen to you."
  • 00:09:29.845 --> 00:09:31.614
  • This would indicate that this man's particular condition may
  • 00:09:31.614 --> 00:09:36.185
  • Have been a result of some kind of sin.
  • 00:09:36.185 --> 00:09:39.589
  • Now when i say that i'm not implying nor does the bible
  • 00:09:39.589 --> 00:09:42.224
  • Teach that if you're sick or you have a disability it's because
  • 00:09:42.224 --> 00:09:47.530
  • You committed a sin.
  • 00:09:47.530 --> 00:09:49.599
  • The reality is all sickness, aging, and all the other
  • 00:09:49.599 --> 00:09:54.604
  • Challenges we face in life are the result of sin in general,
  • 00:09:54.604 --> 00:09:59.141
  • You know, when our first parent sinned, adam and eve, a sin
  • 00:09:59.141 --> 00:10:03.212
  • Spread to all of the world.
  • 00:10:03.212 --> 00:10:06.248
  • As i've said before, if adam and eve had not sinned, we would
  • 00:10:06.248 --> 00:10:09.919
  • Never die.
  • 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.287
  • If adam and eve had never sinned, we wouldn't get sick.
  • 00:10:11.287 --> 00:10:14.323
  • If adam and eve had never sinned, i would have a full head
  • 00:10:14.323 --> 00:10:17.059
  • Of hair.
  • 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:18.394
  • See this.
  • 00:10:18.394 --> 00:10:19.929
  • So in a broad sense, all sickness and all things that
  • 00:10:19.929 --> 00:10:23.733
  • Happen to us of that nature are a result of sin in general but
  • 00:10:23.733 --> 00:10:27.403
  • It would appear that maybe there was something in particular with
  • 00:10:27.403 --> 00:10:31.273
  • This man.
  • 00:10:31.273 --> 00:10:32.608
  • You know, paul wrote to the members of the church in corinth
  • 00:10:32.608 --> 00:10:35.277
  • And said, "some of you have become sick and even died
  • 00:10:35.277 --> 00:10:38.714
  • Because of their sin."
  • 00:10:38.714 --> 00:10:40.683
  • The psalmist wrote, "before i was afflicted i went astray, but
  • 00:10:40.683 --> 00:10:43.986
  • Now i have kept your word."
  • 00:10:43.986 --> 00:10:45.554
  • So sometimes, god may allow sickness in your life to get
  • 00:10:45.554 --> 00:10:49.725
  • Your attention, bringing me to my next point, sometime god
  • 00:10:49.725 --> 00:10:54.797
  • Wants to heal us.
  • 00:10:54.797 --> 00:10:57.066
  • And he's just waiting for us to ask.
  • 00:10:57.066 --> 00:10:59.769
  • I'm not implying that god heals everyone because he doesn't.
  • 00:10:59.769 --> 00:11:02.972
  • Even the great apostle paul had some kind of a physical problem
  • 00:11:02.972 --> 00:11:06.809
  • He called his thorn in the flesh.
  • 00:11:06.809 --> 00:11:09.111
  • Three times he asked the lord to take it away.
  • 00:11:09.111 --> 00:11:11.347
  • God did not remove that problem.
  • 00:11:11.347 --> 00:11:14.383
  • But rather, said to him, "my grace is sufficient for you."
  • 00:11:14.383 --> 00:11:17.620
  • But on the other hand, there are many accounts in scripture where
  • 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:20.856
  • People were healed instantaneously.
  • 00:11:20.856 --> 00:11:23.592
  • Sometimes it happens over a period of time.
  • 00:11:23.592 --> 00:11:26.095
  • There was one blind man that was healed and he could
  • 00:11:26.095 --> 00:11:29.031
  • Partially see.
  • 00:11:29.031 --> 00:11:30.366
  • He said, "i see mens like trees walking."
  • 00:11:30.366 --> 00:11:32.501
  • In other words, i'm getting my vision back, but it's not
  • 00:11:32.501 --> 00:11:35.271
  • Completely back.
  • 00:11:35.271 --> 00:11:36.605
  • So look, you may pray and say, "lord, would you heal me?"
  • 00:11:36.605 --> 00:11:39.008
  • And he may heal you just like that.
  • 00:11:39.008 --> 00:11:41.577
  • And then that healing may take place over a period of time, and
  • 00:11:41.577 --> 00:11:45.481
  • Then god can even work through a doctor or through a surgery or
  • 00:11:45.481 --> 00:11:49.085
  • Through medicine to bring about that healing.
  • 00:11:49.085 --> 00:11:51.353
  • Ultimately, i give him the glory for all of it, but i guarantee
  • 00:11:51.353 --> 00:11:55.891
  • I'm gonna ask for it.
  • 00:11:55.891 --> 00:11:58.160
  • The bible says: "you have not because you ask not."
  • 00:11:58.160 --> 00:12:01.263
  • And then jesus said, "ask and it shall be given, seek and ye
  • 00:12:01.263 --> 00:12:04.967
  • Shall find, knock and the door shall be opened."
  • 00:12:04.967 --> 00:12:08.237
  • And there's an ascending intensity in the verbs that
  • 00:12:08.237 --> 00:12:11.607
  • Christ used, implying that we should step up our game.
  • 00:12:11.607 --> 00:12:15.745
  • So first we're asking, then we're seeking, then we're
  • 00:12:15.745 --> 00:12:19.215
  • Knocking, so keep asking the lord.
  • 00:12:19.215 --> 00:12:22.818
  • Maybe it was the utter helplessness of this man that
  • 00:12:22.818 --> 00:12:25.721
  • Drew jesus to him.
  • 00:12:25.721 --> 00:12:28.524
  • Maybe he prayed a little prayer, "god, please send an angel for
  • 00:12:28.524 --> 00:12:33.896
  • Me to get me healed," and little did he know that god was gonna
  • 00:12:33.896 --> 00:12:37.466
  • Do something better than that.
  • 00:12:37.466 --> 00:12:39.668
  • He was gonna send his only begotten son to personally touch
  • 00:12:39.668 --> 00:12:43.205
  • This guy.
  • 00:12:43.205 --> 00:12:44.573
  • Did you know that god is able to do exceedingly above and beyond
  • 00:12:44.573 --> 00:12:48.277
  • That which you could ask or think?
  • 00:12:48.277 --> 00:12:50.579
  • Don't limit god with your prayers.
  • 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:53.182
  • "lord, i have this financial need.
  • 00:12:53.182 --> 00:12:54.917
  • I ask you to meet it.
  • 00:12:54.917 --> 00:12:56.552
  • I need this amount of money."
  • 00:12:56.552 --> 00:12:58.754
  • I'll say, "lord, i have this financial need.
  • 00:12:58.754 --> 00:13:00.856
  • I ask you to meet it.
  • 00:13:00.856 --> 00:13:02.224
  • Please take care of it and you want to do even more, we--i
  • 00:13:02.224 --> 00:13:04.960
  • Welcome that too," whatever god wants to do.
  • 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:07.897
  • We think god wants to withhold his blessing.
  • 00:13:07.897 --> 00:13:10.699
  • We think that god is stingy.
  • 00:13:10.699 --> 00:13:12.601
  • The very opposite is taught in scripture.
  • 00:13:12.601 --> 00:13:15.437
  • This guy wanted an angel to stir the water.
  • 00:13:15.437 --> 00:13:19.108
  • God wanted to send his only son to transform this man and stir
  • 00:13:19.108 --> 00:13:24.246
  • Up his life, in fact.
  • 00:13:24.246 --> 00:13:27.416
  • And maybe you identify with this guy, maybe you feel like you're
  • 00:13:27.416 --> 00:13:30.286
  • All alone, maybe your parents or maybe you've been divorced or
  • 00:13:30.286 --> 00:13:35.758
  • Maybe you're single and you're saying, "am i ever gonna find
  • 00:13:35.758 --> 00:13:39.829
  • Someone," but you know, deep down inside i think we have a
  • 00:13:39.829 --> 00:13:43.299
  • Loneliness for god.
  • 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:45.568
  • And the bible speaks of a friend that sticks closer than a
  • 00:13:45.568 --> 00:13:49.038
  • Brother, and that friend is jesus christ, and jesus walks in
  • 00:13:49.038 --> 00:13:54.210
  • When others walk out.
  • 00:13:54.210 --> 00:13:56.946
  • Sometimes, friends disappoint us, sometimes family disappoints
  • 00:13:56.946 --> 00:14:01.217
  • Us, but jesus will not disappoint you.
  • 00:14:01.217 --> 00:14:04.820
  • And this man was in such great need.
  • 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:06.922
  • He was helpless and hopeless.
  • 00:14:06.922 --> 00:14:10.426
  • We read that "crowds of sick people," verse 3, "were there,
  • 00:14:10.426 --> 00:14:13.963
  • Blind, lame, and paralyzed."
  • 00:14:13.963 --> 00:14:16.599
  • This word "paralyzed" could be translated without strength or
  • 00:14:16.599 --> 00:14:20.135
  • Another translation puts it, helpless and powerless.
  • 00:14:20.135 --> 00:14:24.373
  • That's how we all are before we come to christ.
  • 00:14:24.373 --> 00:14:26.609
  • We're just weak.
  • 00:14:26.609 --> 00:14:27.977
  • The bible says in romans 5: "those who are without
  • 00:14:27.977 --> 00:14:31.280
  • Strength," those are the ones that christ died for.
  • 00:14:31.280 --> 00:14:34.483
  • And sometimes people will say of christians, "you know, you
  • 00:14:34.483 --> 00:14:36.652
  • Christians, you turned to christ because you needed a crutch.
  • 00:14:36.652 --> 00:14:40.789
  • Christianity is a crutch."
  • 00:14:40.789 --> 00:14:43.058
  • My response is no, it's not a crutch, it's a whole hospital.
  • 00:14:43.058 --> 00:14:47.997
  • I need more than a crutch.
  • 00:14:47.997 --> 00:14:50.299
  • I'm not embarrassed to say that.
  • 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:52.401
  • I need god's help.
  • 00:14:52.401 --> 00:14:53.736
  • By the way, you do too.
  • 00:14:53.736 --> 00:14:55.604
  • This man understood his great need for god.
  • 00:14:55.604 --> 00:14:58.507
  • You know, sometimes it's said: "well, 'god helps those who help
  • 00:14:58.507 --> 00:15:01.710
  • Themselves,' the good book says."
  • 00:15:01.710 --> 00:15:04.113
  • Well, i don't know what good book you're reading, but the
  • 00:15:04.113 --> 00:15:07.182
  • Bible doesn't say that.
  • 00:15:07.182 --> 00:15:09.318
  • Effectively, the bible says god helps those who can't help
  • 00:15:09.318 --> 00:15:13.789
  • Themselves, or even god helps the helpless.
  • 00:15:13.789 --> 00:15:17.626
  • So jesus saw this man and now asks him a poignant question:
  • 00:15:17.626 --> 00:15:24.566
  • "would you like to get well?"
  • 00:15:24.566 --> 00:15:28.304
  • What kind of thing is that to ask a man who's been sick for 38
  • 00:15:28.304 --> 00:15:31.674
  • Years and is in this sad situation?
  • 00:15:31.674 --> 00:15:34.376
  • "would you like to get well," but it's a valid question
  • 00:15:34.376 --> 00:15:38.213
  • Because not everyone wants to get well.
  • 00:15:38.213 --> 00:15:42.618
  • You know, some people like the lifestyle they've chosen.
  • 00:15:42.618 --> 00:15:46.088
  • Not every alcoholic wants to stop drinking.
  • 00:15:46.088 --> 00:15:49.391
  • Not every drug addict wants to stop using drugs.
  • 00:15:49.391 --> 00:15:52.962
  • Not every person living on the street wants to get off
  • 00:15:52.962 --> 00:15:55.431
  • The street.
  • 00:15:55.431 --> 00:15:56.765
  • You see, you can't help someone if they don't want your help.
  • 00:15:56.765 --> 00:16:00.269
  • And if they're not gonna make some effort on their part,
  • 00:16:00.269 --> 00:16:03.806
  • Whatever you do to rehabilitate them or help them get on their
  • 00:16:03.806 --> 00:16:07.643
  • Feet again, may end with failure.
  • 00:16:07.643 --> 00:16:10.312
  • There has to be a willingness on their part as well.
  • 00:16:10.312 --> 00:16:12.948
  • Do you want to be healed?
  • 00:16:12.948 --> 00:16:15.818
  • Do you want to change your life?
  • 00:16:15.818 --> 00:16:18.520
  • Some people are comfortable in sin.
  • 00:16:18.520 --> 00:16:22.024
  • You know how sometimes when you're in bed, maybe you get out
  • 00:16:22.024 --> 00:16:24.526
  • Of bed and then you go back to your bed, you try to find that
  • 00:16:24.526 --> 00:16:27.229
  • Little warm spot you were in, right?
  • 00:16:27.229 --> 00:16:28.998
  • You know what i'm talking about, is it just me?
  • 00:16:28.998 --> 00:16:30.632
  • Oh, i found it, little warm spot.
  • 00:16:30.632 --> 00:16:33.268
  • That's how some people are in sin.
  • 00:16:33.268 --> 00:16:34.837
  • This is our little warm spot.
  • 00:16:34.837 --> 00:16:36.872
  • They're comfortable, they've grown used to the darkness.
  • 00:16:36.872 --> 00:16:40.809
  • The story is told from history of a prison that had a dungeon.
  • 00:16:40.809 --> 00:16:46.815
  • It was called the bastille, and they decided to destroy it
  • 00:16:46.815 --> 00:16:50.319
  • Because it had outlived its usefulness.
  • 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:53.155
  • And there's this one prisoner who's been confined there for
  • 00:16:53.155 --> 00:16:56.358
  • Years, decades, and they said, "you're free.
  • 00:16:56.358 --> 00:16:59.795
  • You can leave the prison."
  • 00:16:59.795 --> 00:17:01.296
  • And this man came out of his dark cell into the blinding
  • 00:17:01.296 --> 00:17:04.800
  • Sunlight, he put his hand over his eyes and said, "please take
  • 00:17:04.800 --> 00:17:08.804
  • Me back to my prison cell.
  • 00:17:08.804 --> 00:17:10.906
  • That's how some people are.
  • 00:17:10.906 --> 00:17:12.241
  • They don't wanna leave their prison cell of sin or addiction
  • 00:17:12.241 --> 00:17:16.178
  • Or whatever it is.
  • 00:17:16.178 --> 00:17:17.513
  • Do you want to change?
  • 00:17:17.513 --> 00:17:20.249
  • Do you want to get well?
  • 00:17:20.249 --> 00:17:21.683
  • Do you really want your marriage healed?
  • 00:17:21.683 --> 00:17:24.086
  • Do you really want to be freed from dependency on drugs
  • 00:17:24.086 --> 00:17:26.755
  • Or alcohol?
  • 00:17:26.755 --> 00:17:28.123
  • Do you really wanna be free from your sexual sin?
  • 00:17:28.123 --> 00:17:30.692
  • Do you really want to be made well?
  • 00:17:30.692 --> 00:17:32.394
  • Do you really wanna change?
  • 00:17:32.394 --> 00:17:34.596
  • There's god's part and there's your part.
  • 00:17:34.596 --> 00:17:36.565
  • He says, "i can't, sir.
  • 00:17:36.565 --> 00:17:37.933
  • I have no one to help me get to the pool."
  • 00:17:37.933 --> 00:17:41.336
  • Jesus is like, "forget the pool.
  • 00:17:41.336 --> 00:17:45.474
  • You don't understand what's happening here, buddy," and i
  • 00:17:45.474 --> 00:17:48.544
  • Love what jesus says.
  • 00:17:48.544 --> 00:17:50.045
  • First of all, he asks the impossible.
  • 00:17:50.045 --> 00:17:52.247
  • Secondly, he removes all possibility for a relapse.
  • 00:17:52.247 --> 00:17:55.684
  • Thirdly, he expects continued success.
  • 00:17:55.684 --> 00:17:58.620
  • First, he asks the impossible, "pick up your sleeping mat
  • 00:17:58.620 --> 00:18:03.225
  • And walk."
  • 00:18:03.225 --> 00:18:05.227
  • And in this guy's defense, he goes for it.
  • 00:18:05.227 --> 00:18:07.596
  • He could have said, "i can't."
  • 00:18:07.596 --> 00:18:09.731
  • He says, "all right."
  • 00:18:09.731 --> 00:18:11.533
  • And all of a sudden, strength is restored to his feet and his
  • 00:18:11.533 --> 00:18:15.704
  • Legs and he stands up.
  • 00:18:15.704 --> 00:18:17.673
  • What an amazing thing.
  • 00:18:17.673 --> 00:18:19.608
  • So he did the impossible, but then jesus removes any
  • 00:18:19.608 --> 00:18:23.278
  • Possibility for a relapse: "don't--take it with you.
  • 00:18:23.278 --> 00:18:28.183
  • You're not coming back here again.
  • 00:18:28.183 --> 00:18:29.885
  • We're done with the pool.
  • 00:18:29.885 --> 00:18:32.321
  • We're done with this whole life.
  • 00:18:32.321 --> 00:18:34.356
  • It's a new life.
  • 00:18:34.356 --> 00:18:35.724
  • Put your old life behind you."
  • 00:18:35.724 --> 00:18:37.659
  • Here's a problem that some people have when they say
  • 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:40.796
  • They're gonna become christians is they don't make a break with
  • 00:18:40.796 --> 00:18:43.866
  • The old life, and they don't make a break with the
  • 00:18:43.866 --> 00:18:46.935
  • Old friends.
  • 00:18:46.935 --> 00:18:48.937
  • I can tell you when i became a christian, i had some pretty
  • 00:18:48.937 --> 00:18:52.641
  • Low-life friends.
  • 00:18:52.641 --> 00:18:54.843
  • I had friends in low places.
  • 00:18:54.843 --> 00:18:58.347
  • And i had to completely break off my relationship with them
  • 00:18:58.347 --> 00:19:02.718
  • Because they would have drug me down so fast.
  • 00:19:02.718 --> 00:19:05.487
  • In fact, they even tried to immediately after they heard i'd
  • 00:19:05.487 --> 00:19:09.124
  • Become a christian.
  • 00:19:09.124 --> 00:19:10.459
  • And i had to make new friends and every christian needs to
  • 00:19:10.459 --> 00:19:14.396
  • Do this.
  • 00:19:14.396 --> 00:19:15.764
  • Your friends matter.
  • 00:19:15.764 --> 00:19:17.099
  • You show me your friends and i'll show you your future.
  • 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:19.835
  • Someone says: "the happy man doesn't walk in the counsel of
  • 00:19:19.835 --> 00:19:23.572
  • The ungodly or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of
  • 00:19:23.572 --> 00:19:27.776
  • The scornful."
  • 00:19:27.776 --> 00:19:29.111
  • So, jesus is saying to this guy, "pick that thing up and walk.
  • 00:19:29.111 --> 00:19:33.315
  • You're out of here.
  • 00:19:33.315 --> 00:19:34.683
  • This is over with."
  • 00:19:34.683 --> 00:19:36.018
  • And i love that radical change that he made.
  • 00:19:36.018 --> 00:19:39.154
  • Here's an interesting story in the old testament.
  • 00:19:39.154 --> 00:19:41.924
  • It's the prophet elijah.
  • 00:19:41.924 --> 00:19:43.292
  • He's coming toward the end of his ministry, and he chooses
  • 00:19:43.292 --> 00:19:46.361
  • His successor.
  • 00:19:46.361 --> 00:19:48.030
  • His name is elisha, very similar names, sometimes they're
  • 00:19:48.030 --> 00:19:50.999
  • Confused, two guys, elijah, elisha.
  • 00:19:50.999 --> 00:19:54.036
  • So elijah sees elisha plowing, out in the field, and he throws
  • 00:19:54.036 --> 00:19:59.875
  • His garment on him, symbolically saying, "you're carrying on
  • 00:19:59.875 --> 00:20:04.246
  • For me."
  • 00:20:04.246 --> 00:20:05.581
  • And then elisha says, "hey, let me go back and say goodbye to
  • 00:20:05.581 --> 00:20:09.351
  • My family."
  • 00:20:09.351 --> 00:20:10.686
  • Elijah said, "hey, what is that to me?"
  • 00:20:10.686 --> 00:20:12.254
  • In other words, "dude, this is a privilege.
  • 00:20:12.254 --> 00:20:14.823
  • What are you doing?
  • 00:20:14.823 --> 00:20:16.191
  • You're gonna do this?
  • 00:20:16.191 --> 00:20:17.526
  • Come on, let's go, or don't."
  • 00:20:17.526 --> 00:20:19.394
  • And you know, he knew if that guy went back and said goodbye
  • 00:20:19.394 --> 00:20:22.030
  • To his family, he'd never return.
  • 00:20:22.030 --> 00:20:24.299
  • You ever try to leave a family reunion?
  • 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:27.035
  • Takes really a long time.
  • 00:20:27.035 --> 00:20:29.171
  • Especially, if you haven't seen 'em for a while.
  • 00:20:29.171 --> 00:20:30.872
  • It's a big reunion, once every 5 years, so you're saying,
  • 00:20:30.872 --> 00:20:34.910
  • "well, i gotta go."
  • 00:20:34.910 --> 00:20:36.278
  • "oh, have one more piece of pie."
  • 00:20:36.278 --> 00:20:38.080
  • "let me tell you one more story," hugs and hugs and on
  • 00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:42.317
  • It goes.
  • 00:20:42.317 --> 00:20:43.685
  • I'm really good at leaving places.
  • 00:20:43.685 --> 00:20:46.555
  • I don't know if this is a skill or a bad trait, but when i'm
  • 00:20:46.555 --> 00:20:50.826
  • Ready to go, i'll say to my wife, "i'm leaving."
  • 00:20:50.826 --> 00:20:55.731
  • And i'll go to the host or hostess, "thank you so much for
  • 00:20:55.731 --> 00:20:59.067
  • Inviting me.
  • 00:20:59.067 --> 00:21:00.435
  • I'm sorry i have to go."
  • 00:21:00.435 --> 00:21:01.803
  • "okay, no problem."
  • 00:21:01.803 --> 00:21:03.171
  • I'm gone!
  • 00:21:03.171 --> 00:21:04.506
  • I'm driving home to get in my bed to find that
  • 00:21:04.506 --> 00:21:06.041
  • Little warm spot, right?
  • 00:21:06.041 --> 00:21:07.843
  • I wonder, "where's my wife?"
  • 00:21:07.843 --> 00:21:09.177
  • She's still there.
  • 00:21:09.177 --> 00:21:10.545
  • A week later, she's there still.
  • 00:21:10.545 --> 00:21:12.748
  • You need the jaws of life to extract cathe out of the
  • 00:21:12.748 --> 00:21:16.285
  • Social gathering.
  • 00:21:16.285 --> 00:21:18.153
  • She just goes and goes and talks and talks, and i've moved
  • 00:21:18.153 --> 00:21:22.057
  • On, okay?
  • 00:21:22.057 --> 00:21:24.359
  • And this is the idea.
  • 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.727
  • There's a new testament counterpart to the story where
  • 00:21:25.727 --> 00:21:28.964
  • Jesus said to a man, "follow me."
  • 00:21:28.964 --> 00:21:31.566
  • He said, "let me go and bury my mother and father."
  • 00:21:31.566 --> 00:21:34.936
  • Jesus said, "let the dead bury the dead.
  • 00:21:34.936 --> 00:21:38.874
  • Follow me."
  • 00:21:38.874 --> 00:21:40.242
  • Now that sounds kinda heartless on the part of christ.
  • 00:21:40.242 --> 00:21:42.544
  • "let me bury my mother and father.
  • 00:21:42.544 --> 00:21:44.079
  • They just died and they're lying in the street dead."
  • 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:46.448
  • "yeah, let them bury themselves.
  • 00:21:46.448 --> 00:21:47.816
  • Let's get out of here."
  • 00:21:47.816 --> 00:21:49.551
  • That's not what was going on.
  • 00:21:49.551 --> 00:21:51.286
  • That phrase, "let me bury my mother and father," was another
  • 00:21:51.286 --> 00:21:54.423
  • Way of saying, "let me wait till my mom and dad get old and
  • 00:21:54.423 --> 00:21:58.327
  • Eventually die, and when they're gone, then i'll follow you."
  • 00:21:58.327 --> 00:22:03.231
  • And jesus said, "you do that, you'll never follow me.
  • 00:22:03.231 --> 00:22:06.535
  • You know, it's time to make a break with the past."
  • 00:22:06.535 --> 00:22:08.403
  • Jesus said, "no man, having put his hand to the plow and looking
  • 00:22:08.403 --> 00:22:12.274
  • Back, is fit for the kingdom of god."
  • 00:22:12.274 --> 00:22:14.676
  • So he says to this man, "pick up your mat and walk, put this old
  • 00:22:14.676 --> 00:22:19.514
  • Life behind you and follow me."
  • 00:22:19.514 --> 00:22:23.318
  • But then jesus says to him, "get up and walk."
  • 00:22:23.318 --> 00:22:27.689
  • So now you're up, you gotta walk.
  • 00:22:27.689 --> 00:22:30.225
  • See, the christian life on more than one occasion is compared to
  • 00:22:30.225 --> 00:22:33.495
  • A walk.
  • 00:22:33.495 --> 00:22:34.896
  • Walk in the spirit, and you will not--will not fulfill the lust
  • 00:22:34.896 --> 00:22:39.601
  • Of the flesh.
  • 00:22:39.601 --> 00:22:40.936
  • "as you've received jesus christ as lord," the bible says, "so
  • 00:22:40.936 --> 00:22:44.406
  • Walk in him."
  • 00:22:44.406 --> 00:22:45.941
  • So there's god's part.
  • 00:22:45.941 --> 00:22:47.275
  • He'll save you, he'll heal you.
  • 00:22:47.275 --> 00:22:49.111
  • Now you've got to walk.
  • 00:22:49.111 --> 00:22:50.479
  • Every day, you've gotta walk spiritually, and sometimes
  • 00:22:50.479 --> 00:22:54.116
  • People say, "well, i tried christianity and it didn't work
  • 00:22:54.116 --> 00:22:57.419
  • For me."
  • 00:22:57.419 --> 00:22:58.754
  • Listen, i suggest you didn't do your part.
  • 00:22:58.754 --> 00:23:01.890
  • He does his part.
  • 00:23:01.890 --> 00:23:03.492
  • Did you take it seriously?
  • 00:23:03.492 --> 00:23:05.627
  • Did you start reading your bible?
  • 00:23:05.627 --> 00:23:07.863
  • Did you develop a prayer life?
  • 00:23:07.863 --> 00:23:09.865
  • Did you become a part of church?
  • 00:23:09.865 --> 00:23:12.801
  • See, a lot of people don't do anything.
  • 00:23:12.801 --> 00:23:14.236
  • It reminds of people that go to gyms and they never lose
  • 00:23:14.236 --> 00:23:18.073
  • Weight and never get in shape.
  • 00:23:18.073 --> 00:23:19.408
  • Well, they get in a shape, but it's like the shape of a pear,
  • 00:23:19.408 --> 00:23:23.979
  • And people call them "the lord's pear," which no one wants--you
  • 00:23:23.979 --> 00:23:27.849
  • Don't want someone to call you the lord's pear.
  • 00:23:27.849 --> 00:23:32.387
  • But when you look at them, they never work out, they just sit
  • 00:23:32.387 --> 00:23:34.823
  • Around and talk all day or eat donuts.
  • 00:23:34.823 --> 00:23:37.993
  • "i go to the gym three days a week, why don't i--
  • 00:23:37.993 --> 00:23:41.129
  • You know, why am i not in better shape?"
  • 00:23:41.129 --> 00:23:42.464
  • Because you go to the gym and don't do anything.
  • 00:23:42.464 --> 00:23:44.599
  • You see, there's your part, and a lot of people
  • 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:47.536
  • Don't do their part.
  • 00:23:47.536 --> 00:23:49.271
  • Closing thought.
  • 00:23:49.271 --> 00:23:50.906
  • All around us are people who are lonely, who are hurting, that
  • 00:23:50.906 --> 00:23:55.410
  • Need someone to reach out to them.
  • 00:23:55.410 --> 00:23:57.679
  • See, jesus saw this guy, and we need to see these people,
  • 00:23:57.679 --> 00:24:00.615
  • They're everywhere.
  • 00:24:00.615 --> 00:24:02.217
  • Sometimes you see them in church, maybe they're
  • 00:24:02.217 --> 00:24:04.486
  • Sitting alone.
  • 00:24:04.486 --> 00:24:05.821
  • "hey, i noticed you're alone, is this your first time here?"
  • 00:24:05.821 --> 00:24:08.490
  • Maybe it is.
  • 00:24:08.490 --> 00:24:09.825
  • "do you know anybody?
  • 00:24:09.825 --> 00:24:11.326
  • Would you like to go out with us?
  • 00:24:11.326 --> 00:24:12.694
  • We're gonna get a bite to eat after church.
  • 00:24:12.694 --> 00:24:14.463
  • Why don't you join us?
  • 00:24:14.463 --> 00:24:15.797
  • Hey, are you in a small group?
  • 00:24:15.797 --> 00:24:17.566
  • Good to meet you."
  • 00:24:17.566 --> 00:24:18.934
  • And next time you see them, you remember their name, you reach
  • 00:24:18.934 --> 00:24:21.436
  • Out to them.
  • 00:24:21.436 --> 00:24:22.804
  • See, that's so important to do and when you're just out and
  • 00:24:22.804 --> 00:24:25.273
  • About in life, you see someone, they're upset, they're hurting,
  • 00:24:25.273 --> 00:24:28.477
  • Maybe they're crying, "is everything okay?"
  • 00:24:28.477 --> 00:24:31.279
  • "well, i'm--i just found this news out."
  • 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:33.448
  • "oh really?
  • 00:24:33.448 --> 00:24:34.816
  • Well, listen, i'm a christian and i believe in the power
  • 00:24:34.816 --> 00:24:36.985
  • Of prayer.
  • 00:24:36.985 --> 00:24:38.320
  • Can i pray for you?"
  • 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:39.654
  • You wanna know something?
  • 00:24:39.654 --> 00:24:41.022
  • Most people will not say no to your offer of prayer.
  • 00:24:41.022 --> 00:24:44.659
  • Even non-believers, "can i pray for you?"
  • 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:47.662
  • "okay."
  • 00:24:47.662 --> 00:24:49.364
  • Now, it might be a little awkward for them, but that's
  • 00:24:49.364 --> 00:24:51.466
  • Okay, pray for them.
  • 00:24:51.466 --> 00:24:53.068
  • See, show them you care.
  • 00:24:53.068 --> 00:24:55.470
  • People don't care how much you know until they know how much
  • 00:24:55.470 --> 00:24:58.173
  • You care.
  • 00:24:58.173 --> 00:24:59.674
  • And i think sometimes we're thinking about how we're gonna
  • 00:24:59.674 --> 00:25:01.643
  • Argue people into the kingdom of god.
  • 00:25:01.643 --> 00:25:03.912
  • You might be surprised to find how far a gesture of kindness
  • 00:25:03.912 --> 00:25:08.083
  • Will go.
  • 00:25:08.083 --> 00:25:09.484
  • "hey, can i help you?
  • 00:25:09.484 --> 00:25:10.986
  • Can i reach out to you?"
  • 00:25:10.986 --> 00:25:12.354
  • That's what jesus did for this man.
  • 00:25:12.354 --> 00:25:14.389
  • He saw him.
  • 00:25:14.389 --> 00:25:15.790
  • We need to see people as god sees them, as sheep without
  • 00:25:15.790 --> 00:25:20.695
  • A shepherd, as people that need a savior.
  • 00:25:20.695 --> 00:25:24.499
  • They're all around us.
  • 00:25:24.499 --> 00:25:27.536
  • Greg: have you watched the news lately?
  • 00:25:31.406 --> 00:25:32.941
  • It seems like the world is coming apart.
  • 00:25:32.941 --> 00:25:35.810
  • War in the middle east, instability all around us.
  • 00:25:35.810 --> 00:25:39.881
  • And i'm telling you right now, the bible predicted these things
  • 00:25:39.881 --> 00:25:43.251
  • Would happen in the last days.
  • 00:25:43.251 --> 00:25:45.186
  • But here's what you need to remember.
  • 00:25:45.186 --> 00:25:46.955
  • Jesus said, "when you see these things begin to happen, look up
  • 00:25:46.955 --> 00:25:51.192
  • For your redemption is drawing near."
  • 00:25:51.192 --> 00:25:53.361
  • He didn't say, "freak out."
  • 00:25:53.361 --> 00:25:54.763
  • He said, "look up."
  • 00:25:54.763 --> 00:25:57.098
  • I want you to know that i've read the last page of the bible
  • 00:25:57.165 --> 00:26:00.168
  • And we win in the end.
  • 00:26:00.168 --> 00:26:01.903
  • We need hope in this crazy, hopeless world, in this world of
  • 00:26:01.903 --> 00:26:05.840
  • Chaos and confusion.
  • 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:07.642
  • Jesus christ has everything you're looking for in a
  • 00:26:07.642 --> 00:26:11.346
  • Relationship with him.
  • 00:26:11.346 --> 00:26:13.748
  • I encourage you to call out to the lord and ask him to come
  • 00:26:13.748 --> 00:26:17.485
  • Into your life.
  • 00:26:17.485 --> 00:26:19.154
  • Let me send you at no charge, a bible to help you get started in
  • 00:26:19.154 --> 00:26:23.892
  • Your new relationship with christ.
  • 00:26:23.892 --> 00:26:26.328
  • Greg: greg laurie here.
  • 00:26:29.798 --> 00:26:31.166
  • You know, at harvest ministries we're committing to reaching
  • 00:26:31.166 --> 00:26:33.568
  • Unexpected people in unexpected places with an
  • 00:26:33.568 --> 00:26:36.972
  • Unexpected message.
  • 00:26:36.972 --> 00:26:38.607
  • And thanks to your financial support, we've been able to
  • 00:26:38.607 --> 00:26:43.011
  • Touch people all over the world with the hope of jesus christ.
  • 00:26:43.011 --> 00:26:47.482
  • Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
  • 00:26:47.482 --> 00:26:51.252
  • Country through this television program, they also help us to
  • 00:26:51.252 --> 00:26:55.457
  • Bring hope to people in their biggest need, whether through
  • 00:26:55.457 --> 00:26:59.027
  • Our evangelistic events or our relief efforts, together we've
  • 00:26:59.027 --> 00:27:02.964
  • Been able to minister to so many people devastated by the fires
  • 00:27:02.964 --> 00:27:07.102
  • In lahaina on the island of maui.
  • 00:27:07.102 --> 00:27:09.137
  • And also, your support has helped us partner to bring
  • 00:27:09.137 --> 00:27:12.607
  • Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
  • 00:27:12.607 --> 00:27:15.877
  • So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
  • 00:27:15.877 --> 00:27:19.014
  • Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill the
  • 00:27:19.014 --> 00:27:23.284
  • Great commission.
  • 00:27:23.284 --> 00:27:24.653
  • Let's do this together, and let me say in advance,
  • 00:27:24.653 --> 00:27:27.656
  • Thank you and god bless you.
  • 00:27:27.656 --> 00:27:27.656