1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. harvest pastor greg laurie
  4. Episodes
  5. Greg Laurie - Jesus and You
Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Jesus and You

February 3, 2025 | S25:E29

Greg Laurie - Jesus and You
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Faith #Blessing #Relationships #Marriage #Lord #Religion #Culture #WordofGod #inActive #Worship #Movies/Film #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie #SexOutsideofMarriage

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Jesus and You | February 3, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.343
  • Greg laurie: listen, everybody worships something.
  • 00:00:04.014 --> 00:00:07.450
  • Some people worship things, some people worship relationships,
  • 00:00:07.550 --> 00:00:12.288
  • Some people worship a career, and some people worship god.
  • 00:00:12.422 --> 00:00:16.526
  • And i wonder, who is your god tonight?
  • 00:00:16.659 --> 00:00:18.528
  • You have a god.
  • 00:00:18.628 --> 00:00:18.895
  • And there might be something that's keeping you away from
  • 00:00:20.230 --> 00:00:23.433
  • Jesus, and i'm telling you right now whatever you give up to
  • 00:00:23.433 --> 00:00:27.070
  • Follow jesus will be more than made up to you.
  • 00:00:27.070 --> 00:00:30.473
  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪
  • 00:00:34.377 --> 00:00:41.184
  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪♪
  • 00:00:41.184 --> 00:00:48.691
  • Greg: the title of my message is "jesus and you."
  • 00:00:52.662 --> 00:00:58.001
  • You know, we have a big crowd here tonight, but when god
  • 00:00:58.001 --> 00:01:01.004
  • Looks at a crowd he sees an individual.
  • 00:01:01.004 --> 00:01:04.941
  • Jesus sees you.
  • 00:01:04.941 --> 00:01:07.177
  • Jesus cares about you.
  • 00:01:07.177 --> 00:01:10.180
  • You know, it's a funny thing people are so enamored
  • 00:01:10.180 --> 00:01:12.582
  • With superheroes.
  • 00:01:12.582 --> 00:01:13.917
  • Did you know over $3 billion of our hard-earned money has been
  • 00:01:13.917 --> 00:01:19.089
  • Spent on superhero movies from all the studios out there?
  • 00:01:19.089 --> 00:01:24.928
  • And here's the thing.
  • 00:01:24.928 --> 00:01:26.296
  • I hate to break this to you.
  • 00:01:26.296 --> 00:01:28.131
  • These superheroes, they're not real.
  • 00:01:28.131 --> 00:01:33.002
  • That was kind of a joe biden moment there.
  • 00:01:33.002 --> 00:01:35.138
  • They're not real.
  • 00:01:35.138 --> 00:01:38.208
  • I know aquaman can breathe under water, and wonder woman has
  • 00:01:38.208 --> 00:01:42.378
  • Superhuman strength, and the wolverine can heal rapidly from
  • 00:01:42.378 --> 00:01:46.282
  • Injury though he's a manicurist's worst nightmare.
  • 00:01:46.282 --> 00:01:49.986
  • Imagine giving a mani and a pedi to wolverine.
  • 00:01:49.986 --> 00:01:53.656
  • The hulk, he has superhuman power.
  • 00:01:53.656 --> 00:01:55.925
  • You just have to get him mad and super green.
  • 00:01:55.925 --> 00:01:59.162
  • But they're fictional.
  • 00:01:59.162 --> 00:02:00.497
  • They're not real.
  • 00:02:00.497 --> 00:02:01.865
  • But there was a man who walked on our planet who had
  • 00:02:01.865 --> 00:02:06.936
  • Unlimited power.
  • 00:02:06.936 --> 00:02:08.538
  • He didn't breathe under water, he walked on the water.
  • 00:02:08.538 --> 00:02:17.380
  • And his name was jesus christ, and he is the king of kings and
  • 00:02:17.380 --> 00:02:22.252
  • He's the lord of lords and he's in this place right now.
  • 00:02:22.252 --> 00:02:26.556
  • He's here with us.
  • 00:02:26.556 --> 00:02:30.126
  • You know, god can seem so unapproachable, he's so
  • 00:02:30.126 --> 00:02:35.431
  • Powerful, he's so mysterious, but jesus was god walking
  • 00:02:35.431 --> 00:02:42.605
  • Among us.
  • 00:02:42.605 --> 00:02:43.973
  • I heard a story about a little boy who was scared one night and
  • 00:02:43.973 --> 00:02:46.509
  • He called up from his bedroom to his father, "daddy, daddy,
  • 00:02:46.509 --> 00:02:50.180
  • I'm scared."
  • 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:51.714
  • The father said, "son, you're okay.
  • 00:02:51.714 --> 00:02:53.550
  • God is with you."
  • 00:02:53.550 --> 00:02:55.118
  • And then the little boy said, "but, daddy, right now i need
  • 00:02:55.118 --> 00:02:57.921
  • Someone with skin on."
  • 00:02:57.921 --> 00:03:00.857
  • Jesus was god with skin on.
  • 00:03:00.857 --> 00:03:04.427
  • Jesus was not just a good man, jesus was the god man.
  • 00:03:04.427 --> 00:03:09.432
  • Jesus was god spelling himself out in a language
  • 00:03:09.432 --> 00:03:13.336
  • We could understand.
  • 00:03:13.336 --> 00:03:14.871
  • God had come near.
  • 00:03:14.871 --> 00:03:16.639
  • God had a face.
  • 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:18.675
  • You know, we like to celebrate certain people.
  • 00:03:18.675 --> 00:03:21.644
  • If you're a powerful person on social media, you'll have
  • 00:03:21.644 --> 00:03:25.148
  • Millions of followers.
  • 00:03:25.148 --> 00:03:27.016
  • The guest of honor at a celebration, that's called the
  • 00:03:27.016 --> 00:03:29.352
  • Man or woman of the year.
  • 00:03:29.352 --> 00:03:31.221
  • Time magazine every year picks a person of the year, and every
  • 00:03:31.221 --> 00:03:34.857
  • 10 years they pick the person of the decade.
  • 00:03:34.857 --> 00:03:37.927
  • But there's only one person that literally divides human history
  • 00:03:37.927 --> 00:03:42.565
  • In half, and that's jesus christ.
  • 00:03:42.565 --> 00:03:48.705
  • There's never been anyone like him, and we're fascinated
  • 00:03:48.705 --> 00:03:51.941
  • By him.
  • 00:03:51.941 --> 00:03:53.309
  • Seventy-seven percent of american teenagers, according to
  • 00:03:53.309 --> 00:03:56.946
  • One survey, said want to know more about jesus.
  • 00:03:56.946 --> 00:04:00.984
  • Three-quarters of millennials say they're searching for
  • 00:04:00.984 --> 00:04:04.854
  • A purpose in life.
  • 00:04:04.854 --> 00:04:06.189
  • Listen, you've come to the right place 'cause i want to talk to
  • 00:04:06.189 --> 00:04:09.092
  • You tonight about jesus and you, and i want to start with this.
  • 00:04:09.092 --> 00:04:13.963
  • I know you've heard it before, but i got to say it, people.
  • 00:04:13.963 --> 00:04:17.700
  • God loves you.
  • 00:04:17.700 --> 00:04:19.369
  • Jesus christ loves you.
  • 00:04:19.369 --> 00:04:21.638
  • He really does.
  • 00:04:21.638 --> 00:04:24.374
  • You say, "oh, but, greg, he doesn't know me."
  • 00:04:24.374 --> 00:04:26.376
  • Oh, actually he knows you very well.
  • 00:04:26.376 --> 00:04:28.911
  • Jesus knows you better than you know yourself.
  • 00:04:28.911 --> 00:04:32.915
  • He knows every detail about your life.
  • 00:04:32.915 --> 00:04:34.751
  • And did you know that not only does he love you but he has
  • 00:04:34.751 --> 00:04:38.121
  • A special, unique plan for your life?
  • 00:04:38.121 --> 00:04:41.524
  • God is not mad at you, god is mad about you.
  • 00:04:41.524 --> 00:04:46.296
  • Here's what god says in one of my favorite verses,
  • 00:04:46.296 --> 00:04:49.499
  • Jeremiah 29:11.
  • 00:04:49.499 --> 00:04:51.200
  • God says, "'i know the thoughts that i think towards you,' says
  • 00:04:51.200 --> 00:04:53.703
  • The lord, 'thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you
  • 00:04:53.703 --> 00:04:57.373
  • A future and a hope."'
  • 00:04:57.373 --> 00:04:59.042
  • Now, if god had simply said, "i know this singular thought i
  • 00:04:59.042 --> 00:05:01.711
  • Once had about you," for a fleeting moment, i'd be happy
  • 00:05:01.711 --> 00:05:04.881
  • With that, but he says, "i know the thoughts," plural, more than
  • 00:05:04.881 --> 00:05:08.718
  • One, "that i think towards you."
  • 00:05:08.718 --> 00:05:10.353
  • And then we think, "yeah, but what kind of thoughts are they?"
  • 00:05:10.353 --> 00:05:12.689
  • They're good thoughts.
  • 00:05:12.689 --> 00:05:14.857
  • God says thoughts of peace and not of evil.
  • 00:05:14.857 --> 00:05:17.226
  • He loves you.
  • 00:05:17.226 --> 00:05:18.594
  • He has a plan for your life.
  • 00:05:18.594 --> 00:05:19.929
  • And listen to this.
  • 00:05:19.929 --> 00:05:21.297
  • God's plan for you is better than your plan for yourself.
  • 00:05:21.297 --> 00:05:24.767
  • It really is.
  • 00:05:24.767 --> 00:05:28.338
  • I heard about a little boy and his father who went into a
  • 00:05:28.338 --> 00:05:30.740
  • Hardware store, and as they were checking out there was a big jar
  • 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:34.177
  • Full of candy, and the hardware store owner said to the little
  • 00:05:34.177 --> 00:05:37.513
  • Boy, "son, grab a handful of candy.
  • 00:05:37.513 --> 00:05:40.083
  • It's free."
  • 00:05:40.083 --> 00:05:41.417
  • The little boy didn't grab it, he just kinda looked up at
  • 00:05:41.417 --> 00:05:43.953
  • His dad.
  • 00:05:43.953 --> 00:05:45.321
  • Hardware store owner again, said,
  • 00:05:45.321 --> 00:05:46.656
  • "son get a handful of that candy.
  • 00:05:46.656 --> 00:05:48.324
  • It's free."
  • 00:05:48.324 --> 00:05:49.659
  • Still, the boy wouldn't take it, he just looked up at his dad.
  • 00:05:49.659 --> 00:05:52.428
  • Finally, his dad reached in, grabbed a handful of candy, and
  • 00:05:52.428 --> 00:05:55.698
  • He got in the car with his little boy.
  • 00:05:55.698 --> 00:05:57.266
  • And he said, "son, why didn't you grab the free candy?"
  • 00:05:57.266 --> 00:06:00.403
  • And the little boy said, "because dad, your hand is
  • 00:06:00.403 --> 00:06:03.573
  • Bigger than mine."
  • 00:06:03.573 --> 00:06:09.178
  • God's plan for you is bigger than your plan
  • 00:06:09.178 --> 00:06:11.981
  • For yourself.
  • 00:06:11.981 --> 00:06:13.916
  • It's really amazing and he loves you and has a purpose for you.
  • 00:06:13.916 --> 00:06:19.322
  • And i want to look at a story in the bible about a woman who was
  • 00:06:19.322 --> 00:06:23.760
  • Down and out, a woman who messed her life up, a woman who was
  • 00:06:23.760 --> 00:06:29.198
  • Living immorally and got caught in the act of sin, got caught in
  • 00:06:29.198 --> 00:06:33.870
  • The act of adultery.
  • 00:06:33.870 --> 00:06:35.805
  • Now, in case you don't know what adultery is, that is sex outside
  • 00:06:35.805 --> 00:06:42.645
  • Of marriage.
  • 00:06:42.645 --> 00:06:43.980
  • The only place that god will bless sex is in a marriage
  • 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:47.417
  • Relationship, you see.
  • 00:06:47.417 --> 00:06:48.785
  • So, that's sexual sin.
  • 00:06:48.785 --> 00:06:52.688
  • And i heard about a little boy that was in sunday school and
  • 00:06:52.688 --> 00:06:56.025
  • The teacher talked about adultery, and as he was driving
  • 00:06:56.025 --> 00:06:58.628
  • Home he said to his mom, "mom, the teacher said we should not
  • 00:06:58.628 --> 00:07:02.765
  • Commit adultery.
  • 00:07:02.765 --> 00:07:04.133
  • What does that even mean?"
  • 00:07:04.133 --> 00:07:05.601
  • And the mother said, "that means you should not plow another
  • 00:07:05.601 --> 00:07:08.838
  • Man's field, okay?
  • 00:07:08.838 --> 00:07:10.173
  • Just leave it at that.
  • 00:07:10.173 --> 00:07:11.541
  • That's it.
  • 00:07:11.541 --> 00:07:12.875
  • That's it."
  • 00:07:12.875 --> 00:07:14.210
  • She didn't know what to say, right?
  • 00:07:14.210 --> 00:07:15.578
  • But this woman was caught in the act, but look at what jesus did
  • 00:07:15.578 --> 00:07:18.781
  • For her.
  • 00:07:18.781 --> 00:07:20.149
  • I'm reading from john chapter 8. "as jesus was speaking, the
  • 00:07:20.149 --> 00:07:23.719
  • Teachers of religious law and the pharisees brought a woman
  • 00:07:23.719 --> 00:07:26.789
  • Who'd been caught in the act of adultery.
  • 00:07:26.789 --> 00:07:28.991
  • They put her in front of the crowd.
  • 00:07:28.991 --> 00:07:31.227
  • 'teacher,' they said to jesus, 'this woman was caught in
  • 00:07:31.227 --> 00:07:34.397
  • The act of adultery.
  • 00:07:34.397 --> 00:07:35.731
  • The law of moses says she should be stoned to death.
  • 00:07:35.731 --> 00:07:39.435
  • What do you say?'"
  • 00:07:39.435 --> 00:07:40.770
  • They were trying to trap him, saying something they could use
  • 00:07:40.770 --> 00:07:44.240
  • Against him.
  • 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:45.608
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:07:45.608 --> 00:07:46.943
  • "jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.
  • 00:07:46.943 --> 00:07:51.781
  • They were demanding an answer.
  • 00:07:51.781 --> 00:07:53.416
  • He stood up again and said, 'all right, let the one that is among
  • 00:07:53.416 --> 00:07:56.686
  • You who has never sinned cast the first stone.'
  • 00:07:56.686 --> 00:07:59.722
  • Then he stooped down again and he wrote in the dust.
  • 00:07:59.722 --> 00:08:03.926
  • And when the accusers saw this, they left from the oldest to the
  • 00:08:03.926 --> 00:08:07.396
  • Youngest and then there was left just that woman and jesus.
  • 00:08:07.396 --> 00:08:12.101
  • And jesus turns to her and says, 'woman, where are your accusers?
  • 00:08:12.101 --> 00:08:16.572
  • Didn't even one of them condemn you?'
  • 00:08:16.572 --> 00:08:18.574
  • She said, 'no one, lord.'
  • 00:08:18.574 --> 00:08:21.043
  • And jesus said, 'neither do i. go and sin no more.'"
  • 00:08:21.043 --> 00:08:25.581
  • Isn't that a great story?
  • 00:08:25.581 --> 00:08:26.983
  • Love that story.
  • 00:08:26.983 --> 00:08:28.317
  • [audience applauding]
  • 00:08:28.317 --> 00:08:32.488
  • So this woman is caught having sex.
  • 00:08:32.488 --> 00:08:34.490
  • A bunch of religious dudes known as the scribes and pharisees
  • 00:08:34.490 --> 00:08:38.160
  • Catch her in the act.
  • 00:08:38.160 --> 00:08:39.695
  • Who knows?
  • 00:08:39.695 --> 00:08:41.030
  • Maybe they even set her up, and it was really a trap for jesus.
  • 00:08:41.030 --> 00:08:44.901
  • And she's thrown on the ground in front of him, and jesus
  • 00:08:44.901 --> 00:08:47.937
  • Starts writing in the sand.
  • 00:08:47.937 --> 00:08:49.505
  • What do you think he wrote?
  • 00:08:49.505 --> 00:08:51.541
  • Tic-tac-toe.
  • 00:08:51.541 --> 00:08:52.909
  • "your move."
  • 00:08:52.909 --> 00:08:54.277
  • Maybe a little cartoon?
  • 00:08:54.277 --> 00:08:55.845
  • I don't think so.
  • 00:08:55.845 --> 00:08:57.346
  • We don't know what he wrote, but maybe he wrote, "you shall not
  • 00:08:57.346 --> 00:09:00.383
  • Commit adultery."
  • 00:09:00.383 --> 00:09:01.751
  • And then wrote someone's name next to it like caleb, then
  • 00:09:01.751 --> 00:09:04.120
  • Looked over at caleb.
  • 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:05.955
  • And then maybe he wrote another commandment and looked over at
  • 00:09:05.955 --> 00:09:08.124
  • That other guy.
  • 00:09:08.124 --> 00:09:09.458
  • "hey, josh, you broke that one, didn't you?"
  • 00:09:09.458 --> 00:09:11.360
  • And they left.
  • 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.695
  • "i got to go.
  • 00:09:12.695 --> 00:09:14.063
  • I have a roast in the oven.
  • 00:09:14.063 --> 00:09:15.398
  • You know, let's go."
  • 00:09:15.398 --> 00:09:16.766
  • They left from the oldest to the youngest and all that's left is
  • 00:09:16.766 --> 00:09:20.069
  • Just this woman and jesus.
  • 00:09:20.069 --> 00:09:23.105
  • And he looks at her and he said, "where did all of your
  • 00:09:23.105 --> 00:09:25.541
  • Accusers go?"
  • 00:09:25.541 --> 00:09:27.076
  • Now, it's interesting because we read jesus looked at her, and
  • 00:09:27.076 --> 00:09:30.346
  • The word looked means he looked right through her.
  • 00:09:30.346 --> 00:09:33.783
  • Have you ever had anyone look right through you?
  • 00:09:33.783 --> 00:09:37.019
  • Let me restate the question.
  • 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:38.454
  • Do you have a mother?
  • 00:09:38.454 --> 00:09:41.691
  • Maybe you're out past curfew.
  • 00:09:41.691 --> 00:09:43.659
  • Mom says, "where have you been?"
  • 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:45.695
  • "nowhere, mom."
  • 00:09:45.695 --> 00:09:47.063
  • "look at me. look at me."
  • 00:09:47.063 --> 00:09:49.765
  • And then you start confessing things you didn't even
  • 00:09:49.765 --> 00:09:51.901
  • Do, right?
  • 00:09:51.901 --> 00:09:54.670
  • But jesus looked through her; but it was not a look of anger,
  • 00:09:54.670 --> 00:09:58.908
  • It was a look of love.
  • 00:09:58.908 --> 00:10:00.276
  • And here's a really amazing thing.
  • 00:10:00.276 --> 00:10:02.011
  • He says, "woman, where are your accusers?"
  • 00:10:02.011 --> 00:10:05.314
  • And the word he uses for woman is a term of respect.
  • 00:10:05.314 --> 00:10:08.818
  • In fact, it's the same word he used to describe his own mother.
  • 00:10:08.818 --> 00:10:12.588
  • As he was hanging on the cross, when looking down he saw her
  • 00:10:12.588 --> 00:10:15.925
  • There he said, "woman, behold your son."
  • 00:10:15.925 --> 00:10:19.395
  • It's like saying to a woman lady or ma'am.
  • 00:10:19.395 --> 00:10:22.932
  • It's a term of respect.
  • 00:10:22.932 --> 00:10:24.300
  • Now listen.
  • 00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:25.635
  • This girl had been called a lot of things in life, but she had
  • 00:10:25.635 --> 00:10:27.703
  • Never been addressed this way.
  • 00:10:27.703 --> 00:10:29.405
  • But this is why jesus called her that.
  • 00:10:29.405 --> 00:10:31.574
  • He didn't see her for what she was, he saw her for what she
  • 00:10:31.574 --> 00:10:34.810
  • Could become.
  • 00:10:34.810 --> 00:10:36.379
  • You see?
  • 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:38.080
  • [audience applauding]
  • 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:40.983
  • Greg: you know, you see a failure, god sees
  • 00:10:42.885 --> 00:10:45.454
  • Your potential.
  • 00:10:45.454 --> 00:10:46.856
  • You see the past, he sees the future.
  • 00:10:46.856 --> 00:10:49.959
  • And then these words: "go and sin no more.
  • 00:10:49.959 --> 00:10:54.263
  • Go and sin no more."
  • 00:10:54.263 --> 00:10:55.598
  • Now you think, "wait, when did this woman become a believer?"
  • 00:10:55.598 --> 00:10:58.701
  • I think in the moment he dismissed her accusers, she
  • 00:10:58.701 --> 00:11:02.004
  • Said, "i believe in jesus."
  • 00:11:02.004 --> 00:11:04.407
  • You know how long it takes to become a christian?
  • 00:11:04.407 --> 00:11:07.276
  • Not very long.
  • 00:11:07.276 --> 00:11:08.878
  • Sometimes people will say, "you know, i'm in the process of
  • 00:11:08.878 --> 00:11:10.846
  • Converting to christianity."
  • 00:11:10.846 --> 00:11:13.215
  • It doesn't take long.
  • 00:11:13.215 --> 00:11:14.817
  • Doesn't take a year.
  • 00:11:14.817 --> 00:11:16.552
  • It doesn't take a month.
  • 00:11:16.552 --> 00:11:18.354
  • It doesn't take a week.
  • 00:11:18.354 --> 00:11:19.722
  • It doesn't take a day.
  • 00:11:19.722 --> 00:11:22.024
  • It doesn't even take an hour.
  • 00:11:22.024 --> 00:11:23.559
  • It can happen just like that.
  • 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:25.194
  • In a flash, in a moment, you can go from non-belief to belief.
  • 00:11:25.194 --> 00:11:29.598
  • You really can.
  • 00:11:29.598 --> 00:11:35.738
  • I think it's happened for some of you already.
  • 00:11:35.738 --> 00:11:38.474
  • You're thinking, "preacher, get done with your stinking sermon
  • 00:11:38.474 --> 00:11:41.143
  • So i can become a christian," right?
  • 00:11:41.143 --> 00:11:44.146
  • Because it's a move of god's spirit on your heart, and maybe
  • 00:11:44.146 --> 00:11:47.883
  • That's already happened for you.
  • 00:11:47.883 --> 00:11:50.352
  • And jesus says, "go and sin no more."
  • 00:11:50.352 --> 00:11:53.989
  • It's implicit in this statement where he's really saying, "don't
  • 00:11:53.989 --> 00:11:57.293
  • Keep living in this lifestyle, okay?
  • 00:11:57.293 --> 00:11:59.895
  • I'm forgiving you, but don't live this way anymore."
  • 00:11:59.895 --> 00:12:03.999
  • Listen, god loves you just as you are, but he doesn't want to
  • 00:12:03.999 --> 00:12:07.903
  • Leave you this way.
  • 00:12:07.903 --> 00:12:09.438
  • He wants to change you.
  • 00:12:09.438 --> 00:12:10.773
  • He really does.
  • 00:12:10.773 --> 00:12:12.141
  • The bible says if any man be in christ, he is an altogether
  • 00:12:12.141 --> 00:12:15.478
  • Different kind of person.
  • 00:12:15.478 --> 00:12:17.012
  • Old things have passed away.
  • 00:12:17.012 --> 00:12:18.614
  • Behold, everything becomes fresh and new, right?
  • 00:12:18.614 --> 00:12:22.818
  • I love it when it rains because everyone gets a free car wash
  • 00:12:22.818 --> 00:12:28.858
  • And the birds come out and maybe you'll see a beautiful rainbow,
  • 00:12:28.858 --> 00:12:32.762
  • And that's what happens when you become a christian.
  • 00:12:32.762 --> 00:12:35.498
  • It's like you go from black and white to color, you go from
  • 00:12:35.498 --> 00:12:39.168
  • Death to life, and in your future you go from hell
  • 00:12:39.168 --> 00:12:42.905
  • To heaven.
  • 00:12:42.905 --> 00:12:44.273
  • That's what it means to be a christian.
  • 00:12:44.273 --> 00:12:50.713
  • You say, "but, greg, i'm really messed up.
  • 00:12:50.713 --> 00:12:53.115
  • I've done a lot of horrible things."
  • 00:12:53.115 --> 00:12:54.517
  • You can put your past behind you tonight and become a new person
  • 00:12:54.517 --> 00:12:59.321
  • If you'll put your faith in jesus christ because he died on
  • 00:12:59.321 --> 00:13:02.792
  • The cross for all of your sins and he rose again from the dead
  • 00:13:02.792 --> 00:13:08.097
  • And he's here right now standing at the door of your life and he
  • 00:13:08.097 --> 00:13:11.033
  • Is knocking and he is saying, you know, if you'll hear his
  • 00:13:11.033 --> 00:13:13.536
  • Voice and open the door he'll come in.
  • 00:13:13.536 --> 00:13:16.372
  • So i want to talk to you about one other guy before i close.
  • 00:13:16.372 --> 00:13:19.408
  • So we talked about this immoral woman.
  • 00:13:19.408 --> 00:13:21.977
  • Now let's talk about this religious man.
  • 00:13:21.977 --> 00:13:25.047
  • He's identified as the rich, young ruler.
  • 00:13:25.047 --> 00:13:28.017
  • We don't know a lot about him except that he climbed his
  • 00:13:28.017 --> 00:13:30.953
  • Little corporate ladder very quickly.
  • 00:13:30.953 --> 00:13:33.088
  • He was very successful, came up to jesus and said, "good
  • 00:13:33.088 --> 00:13:36.959
  • Teacher, what must i do to inherit eternal life?"
  • 00:13:36.959 --> 00:13:40.029
  • Probably had a tricked-out bmw chariot, custom wheels lowered,
  • 00:13:40.029 --> 00:13:47.102
  • Holding a latte--a lavender latte.
  • 00:13:47.102 --> 00:13:50.806
  • What is a lavender?
  • 00:13:50.806 --> 00:13:52.141
  • Where did this lavender come from?
  • 00:13:52.141 --> 00:13:54.810
  • "good teacher, what must i do to inherit eternal life?"
  • 00:13:54.810 --> 00:14:00.082
  • Jesus said, "well, you know the commandments don't steal, don't
  • 00:14:00.082 --> 00:14:03.419
  • Kill, don't commit adultery?"
  • 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:05.054
  • "oh, yes."
  • 00:14:05.054 --> 00:14:06.388
  • The guy says, "i've done these ever since i've been
  • 00:14:06.388 --> 00:14:07.957
  • A little kid."
  • 00:14:07.957 --> 00:14:09.325
  • Jesus said, "have you?
  • 00:14:09.325 --> 00:14:10.693
  • Well, i'll tell you what, buddy.
  • 00:14:10.693 --> 00:14:12.027
  • Why don't you take all of your stuff, get rid of it, give it
  • 00:14:12.027 --> 00:14:14.563
  • Away, and come and follow me and you'll have eternal life?"
  • 00:14:14.563 --> 00:14:18.100
  • Isn't that interesting?
  • 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:19.702
  • Jesus never said that to anybody else because jesus could see
  • 00:14:19.702 --> 00:14:23.772
  • That in this guy's life his stuff was more important to him
  • 00:14:23.772 --> 00:14:27.476
  • Than god.
  • 00:14:27.476 --> 00:14:28.844
  • Listen, everybody worships something.
  • 00:14:28.844 --> 00:14:31.647
  • Some people worship things, some people worship relationships,
  • 00:14:31.647 --> 00:14:36.452
  • Some people worship a career, and some people worship god.
  • 00:14:36.452 --> 00:14:40.556
  • And i wonder, who is your god tonight?
  • 00:14:40.556 --> 00:14:42.725
  • You have a god.
  • 00:14:42.725 --> 00:14:44.393
  • And there might be something that's keeping you away from
  • 00:14:44.393 --> 00:14:47.263
  • Jesus, and i'm telling you right now whatever you give up to
  • 00:14:47.263 --> 00:14:50.900
  • Follow jesus will be more than made up to you.
  • 00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:55.037
  • To someone struggling with drugs, jesus might say, "take
  • 00:14:55.037 --> 00:14:59.842
  • Your drugs and flush them down the toilet and follow me."
  • 00:14:59.842 --> 00:15:03.879
  • "well, could i sell them?"
  • 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.214
  • No, that's called drug dealing.
  • 00:15:05.214 --> 00:15:06.582
  • No, get rid of them.
  • 00:15:06.582 --> 00:15:09.084
  • "i'm struggling with alcohol."
  • 00:15:09.084 --> 00:15:10.653
  • Yeah, pour it down the toilet too.
  • 00:15:10.653 --> 00:15:12.821
  • Put it all on the toilet.
  • 00:15:12.821 --> 00:15:14.189
  • Make sure you flush it.
  • 00:15:14.189 --> 00:15:16.759
  • Someone might be in a relationship, right, that's
  • 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.994
  • Pulling them away from god, a girl or guy.
  • 00:15:18.994 --> 00:15:22.731
  • They don't want you to follow jesus christ.
  • 00:15:22.731 --> 00:15:25.100
  • Maybe jesus would say, "you know what?
  • 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.568
  • You're going to have to break off that relationship and
  • 00:15:26.568 --> 00:15:29.171
  • Follow me."
  • 00:15:29.171 --> 00:15:30.539
  • I wonder if there's someone listening to me right now that
  • 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:32.408
  • Would say, "i would really like to follow jesus, but i wonder
  • 00:15:32.408 --> 00:15:36.178
  • What the person sitting next to me would think if i did that."
  • 00:15:36.178 --> 00:15:39.548
  • The person sitting next to you is thinking, "i would really
  • 00:15:39.548 --> 00:15:42.151
  • Like to follow jesus, but what would happen to the person next
  • 00:15:42.151 --> 00:15:45.187
  • To me if i did?"
  • 00:15:45.187 --> 00:15:46.522
  • Who cares?
  • 00:15:46.522 --> 00:15:48.524
  • Really, who cares?
  • 00:15:48.524 --> 00:15:55.531
  • One day you'll stand before god all by yourself.
  • 00:15:55.531 --> 00:15:59.234
  • And this man was wealthy.
  • 00:15:59.234 --> 00:16:01.370
  • We think wealth, it's going to solve all of our problems.
  • 00:16:01.370 --> 00:16:05.607
  • He found wealth early in life as well.
  • 00:16:05.607 --> 00:16:08.844
  • We all watched this tragic story of the titan submersible where
  • 00:16:08.844 --> 00:16:14.950
  • These people got in this tiny, little, miniature submarine to
  • 00:16:14.950 --> 00:16:21.023
  • Go 2 miles-plus down to view the wreckage of titanic, and we all
  • 00:16:21.023 --> 00:16:27.229
  • Know that on their way down they had what was described as
  • 00:16:27.229 --> 00:16:31.367
  • A catastrophic implosion.
  • 00:16:31.367 --> 00:16:34.003
  • This thing was the size of a minivan using a video
  • 00:16:34.003 --> 00:16:38.640
  • Controller--a video game controller to guide it.
  • 00:16:38.640 --> 00:16:42.211
  • And you think, "why would a person get into that thing?"
  • 00:16:42.211 --> 00:16:45.681
  • Among the people that were in there, a couple of billionaires.
  • 00:16:45.681 --> 00:16:49.284
  • One was a british billionaire age 58 who made his private
  • 00:16:49.284 --> 00:16:53.622
  • Fortune selling personal jets.
  • 00:16:53.622 --> 00:16:55.991
  • He holds three guinness world records for past extreme trips.
  • 00:16:55.991 --> 00:16:59.828
  • Why would he do this?
  • 00:16:59.828 --> 00:17:01.163
  • And a well-known psychologist whose clients includes some of
  • 00:17:01.163 --> 00:17:04.633
  • The world's wealthiest people said, "like any other drug,
  • 00:17:04.633 --> 00:17:07.870
  • Sensation-seeking creates a tolerance level in the brain.
  • 00:17:07.870 --> 00:17:12.307
  • We need to feel more.
  • 00:17:12.307 --> 00:17:14.276
  • You might start off making $1 million, but then you need $2
  • 00:17:14.276 --> 00:17:17.613
  • Million and then you take more risks," end quote.
  • 00:17:17.613 --> 00:17:20.983
  • You know, people say, "if i just get in this rocket ship and go
  • 00:17:20.983 --> 00:17:23.385
  • Into space and may cost me $500,000, i want to do that."
  • 00:17:23.385 --> 00:17:27.156
  • Or, "i'll go to the depths of the sea.
  • 00:17:27.156 --> 00:17:28.991
  • Yeah, i want to do that."
  • 00:17:28.991 --> 00:17:30.359
  • That's not where the answer is.
  • 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:32.961
  • Listen, the psalmist says, "if i climb to the sky, you're there.
  • 00:17:32.961 --> 00:17:36.632
  • If i go to the depths of the ocean, you're there.
  • 00:17:36.632 --> 00:17:39.735
  • You'll be there waiting for me."
  • 00:17:39.735 --> 00:17:41.336
  • What you're looking for is jesus christ.
  • 00:17:41.336 --> 00:17:44.807
  • He's right here.
  • 00:17:44.807 --> 00:17:49.511
  • He's right here right now.
  • 00:17:49.511 --> 00:17:51.747
  • We have never had more distractions in our world than
  • 00:17:51.747 --> 00:17:54.550
  • We have today, and most of them have one of these in our pocket,
  • 00:17:54.550 --> 00:17:59.121
  • The cell phone.
  • 00:17:59.121 --> 00:18:00.656
  • I read a headline the other day: "screens are zapping the life
  • 00:18:00.656 --> 00:18:04.660
  • Out of teens.
  • 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:06.528
  • It's the new great depression.
  • 00:18:06.528 --> 00:18:08.330
  • Since the rise of social media," one article says, "depression
  • 00:18:08.330 --> 00:18:12.267
  • And feelings of hopelessness have skyrocketed among teens.
  • 00:18:12.267 --> 00:18:16.805
  • Nearly half of tweens and teenagers say they agree with
  • 00:18:16.805 --> 00:18:20.509
  • These phrases: 'i do not enjoy life, and my life is
  • 00:18:20.509 --> 00:18:25.013
  • Not useful.'
  • 00:18:25.013 --> 00:18:26.682
  • That's nearly twice as many."
  • 00:18:26.682 --> 00:18:29.084
  • It said that same thing a decade ago.
  • 00:18:29.084 --> 00:18:31.453
  • "teen depression and suicide are on the rise.
  • 00:18:31.453 --> 00:18:34.690
  • Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death
  • 00:18:34.690 --> 00:18:37.626
  • Among young americans."
  • 00:18:37.626 --> 00:18:38.961
  • Listen, the answer is not in tech, the answer is not in
  • 00:18:38.961 --> 00:18:41.930
  • Money, the answer is not in fame or more followers on
  • 00:18:41.930 --> 00:18:45.367
  • Social media.
  • 00:18:45.367 --> 00:18:46.735
  • The answer is in a relationship with god through jesus christ.
  • 00:18:46.735 --> 00:18:50.339
  • That's what you need. [audience applauding]
  • 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:57.212
  • I'd add one other thing about this rich, young ruler.
  • 00:18:57.212 --> 00:19:00.449
  • He was religious, and religion can keep you from jesus.
  • 00:19:00.449 --> 00:19:05.154
  • Let me say something that might surprise you.
  • 00:19:05.154 --> 00:19:07.322
  • I think it's possible that when it's all said and done religion
  • 00:19:07.322 --> 00:19:10.726
  • May keep more people away from god than all of the other sins
  • 00:19:10.726 --> 00:19:15.164
  • And vices put together.
  • 00:19:15.164 --> 00:19:17.733
  • It's true because--you know, when you're doing certain things
  • 00:19:17.733 --> 00:19:23.071
  • You know maybe it's a sin, maybe you don't, but you--you're
  • 00:19:23.071 --> 00:19:27.109
  • Living a life you're not proud of.
  • 00:19:27.109 --> 00:19:29.244
  • But when you're religious, you're so, "hey, man, i don't
  • 00:19:29.244 --> 00:19:32.014
  • Need that.
  • 00:19:32.014 --> 00:19:33.348
  • I'm a religious person."
  • 00:19:33.348 --> 00:19:34.716
  • You might be saying, "but, greg, aren't you religious?"
  • 00:19:34.716 --> 00:19:36.718
  • I hope not.
  • 00:19:36.718 --> 00:19:38.420
  • I don't want to be religious because i think religious people
  • 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:41.456
  • Are just flat-out weird.
  • 00:19:41.456 --> 00:19:44.493
  • I really do.
  • 00:19:44.493 --> 00:19:47.296
  • I don't think religion made them weird.
  • 00:19:47.296 --> 00:19:49.164
  • I think they were weird to start with, then they just
  • 00:19:49.164 --> 00:19:51.567
  • Got religious.
  • 00:19:51.567 --> 00:19:52.935
  • That's all.
  • 00:19:52.935 --> 00:19:54.269
  • They're just weird people.
  • 00:19:54.269 --> 00:19:55.637
  • And the problem is weird people never know they're weird, but
  • 00:19:55.637 --> 00:19:57.873
  • They are.
  • 00:19:57.873 --> 00:20:00.108
  • I am not interested in being a religious person.
  • 00:20:00.108 --> 00:20:03.879
  • I'm not talking to you tonight about religion, i'm talking to
  • 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:06.915
  • You tonight about a relationship with jesus christ.
  • 00:20:06.915 --> 00:20:16.858
  • But, you know, a religious person, they'll say, "well, i go
  • 00:20:16.858 --> 00:20:20.829
  • To church so i'm good."
  • 00:20:20.829 --> 00:20:24.366
  • "well, do you really go to church?"
  • 00:20:24.366 --> 00:20:27.135
  • "i'm a ceo christian."
  • 00:20:27.135 --> 00:20:29.204
  • "what's a ceo christian?"
  • 00:20:29.204 --> 00:20:31.340
  • "christmas and easter only.
  • 00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:35.143
  • But i'm not so sure about christmas this year, maybe
  • 00:20:35.143 --> 00:20:38.046
  • Just easter.
  • 00:20:38.046 --> 00:20:39.381
  • We'll see."
  • 00:20:39.381 --> 00:20:40.749
  • There's people like that.
  • 00:20:40.749 --> 00:20:42.651
  • But religion can keep you from god because
  • 00:20:42.651 --> 00:20:46.421
  • You're self-righteous.
  • 00:20:46.421 --> 00:20:47.756
  • You need to realize you're a sinner that needs a savior.
  • 00:20:47.756 --> 00:20:51.927
  • Years ago i was with my son jonathan.
  • 00:20:51.927 --> 00:20:53.862
  • He came up a little bit earlier, and he was a little guy and i
  • 00:20:53.862 --> 00:20:58.100
  • Was taking him out surfing.
  • 00:20:58.100 --> 00:21:00.168
  • And so i'm kind of keeping him above the water, helping him to
  • 00:21:00.168 --> 00:21:03.805
  • Catch waves and all of a sudden i got caught in a riptide, okay?
  • 00:21:03.805 --> 00:21:08.710
  • But here's the problem.
  • 00:21:08.710 --> 00:21:10.045
  • I'm only a few feet from the shore, but somehow i'm in
  • 00:21:10.045 --> 00:21:13.282
  • This riptide.
  • 00:21:13.282 --> 00:21:14.650
  • I'm getting pulled out and i'm holding him aloft, trying to
  • 00:21:14.650 --> 00:21:17.886
  • Keep his head above water and i'm thinking, "this
  • 00:21:17.886 --> 00:21:20.222
  • Is ridiculous.
  • 00:21:20.222 --> 00:21:21.590
  • I'm so close to the shore."
  • 00:21:21.590 --> 00:21:23.125
  • I can't call up for help, and there's a lifeguard looking
  • 00:21:23.125 --> 00:21:25.494
  • At me.
  • 00:21:25.494 --> 00:21:26.828
  • I thought--i'm holding him up, i'm starting to take in some
  • 00:21:26.828 --> 00:21:28.563
  • Water, and then she comes down from the lifeguard stand and
  • 00:21:28.563 --> 00:21:32.200
  • She's running toward me.
  • 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.535
  • I'm like, "oh, no, no.
  • 00:21:33.535 --> 00:21:34.903
  • I don't want to be saved.
  • 00:21:34.903 --> 00:21:36.238
  • I'm okay."
  • 00:21:36.238 --> 00:21:37.606
  • And she starts swimming toward me and i'm thinking, "oh, no."
  • 00:21:37.606 --> 00:21:40.342
  • And then suddenly i got my foot in.
  • 00:21:40.342 --> 00:21:42.444
  • I said, "i'm okay."
  • 00:21:42.444 --> 00:21:44.112
  • She waved.
  • 00:21:44.112 --> 00:21:45.480
  • I said, "thank you."
  • 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.815
  • But that's how we can be.
  • 00:21:46.815 --> 00:21:48.183
  • "i don't want to be saved.
  • 00:21:48.183 --> 00:21:49.518
  • I don't need to be saved."
  • 00:21:49.518 --> 00:21:50.886
  • Hey, i was caught in a stinking riptide.
  • 00:21:50.886 --> 00:21:53.588
  • Bottom line, i needed some help.
  • 00:21:53.588 --> 00:21:55.824
  • You're caught in something worse than a riptide.
  • 00:21:55.824 --> 00:21:58.627
  • You're caught in sin, and there's only one person who can
  • 00:21:58.627 --> 00:22:01.897
  • Save you and that's jesus christ.
  • 00:22:01.897 --> 00:22:05.567
  • He's the only one.
  • 00:22:05.567 --> 00:22:11.506
  • Clean living won't get you to heaven because you're not
  • 00:22:11.506 --> 00:22:13.942
  • Clean enough.
  • 00:22:13.942 --> 00:22:15.310
  • Good works won't get you to heaven because you've not
  • 00:22:15.310 --> 00:22:17.412
  • Done enough.
  • 00:22:17.412 --> 00:22:19.181
  • Only jesus christ can give you that hope and that change and
  • 00:22:19.181 --> 00:22:24.619
  • That purpose you've been looking for.
  • 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:27.055
  • So let me close.
  • 00:22:27.055 --> 00:22:29.024
  • What do you need to do to come into this relationship with god?
  • 00:22:29.024 --> 00:22:32.828
  • Number one, you have to admit you're a sinner.
  • 00:22:32.828 --> 00:22:36.698
  • The bible says, "all have sinned and fallen short of the
  • 00:22:36.698 --> 00:22:39.167
  • Glory of god."
  • 00:22:39.167 --> 00:22:40.535
  • Every one of us have broken god's commandments.
  • 00:22:40.535 --> 00:22:42.371
  • Every one of us have fallen short of god's standards.
  • 00:22:42.371 --> 00:22:46.208
  • Not one of us have kept those commandments.
  • 00:22:46.208 --> 00:22:48.777
  • The word sin in the bible means to not only cross a line, but it
  • 00:22:48.777 --> 00:22:53.014
  • Means to fall short of a goal.
  • 00:22:53.014 --> 00:22:55.751
  • We do both.
  • 00:22:55.751 --> 00:22:57.085
  • We're all sinners.
  • 00:22:57.085 --> 00:22:58.620
  • But the good news is the bible says, "while were we yet
  • 00:22:58.620 --> 00:23:01.890
  • Sinners christ died for us."
  • 00:23:01.890 --> 00:23:03.225
  • So i have to realize i'm a sinner.
  • 00:23:03.225 --> 00:23:05.060
  • Number two, i need to recognize christ died on the cross for me.
  • 00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:08.463
  • See, that was his plan from the very beginning.
  • 00:23:08.463 --> 00:23:11.633
  • Nails did not hold jesus to that cross 2,000 years ago; love did,
  • 00:23:11.633 --> 00:23:17.239
  • Love for you, love for me.
  • 00:23:17.239 --> 00:23:23.078
  • Jesus said for god so loved the world he gave his only begotten
  • 00:23:23.078 --> 00:23:27.082
  • Son and whosoever believes in him should not perish but have
  • 00:23:27.082 --> 00:23:30.752
  • Everlasting life.
  • 00:23:30.752 --> 00:23:32.287
  • As i said earlier, god loves you.
  • 00:23:32.287 --> 00:23:35.357
  • He died there for you.
  • 00:23:35.357 --> 00:23:36.725
  • If you had been the only person on planet earth, jesus would
  • 00:23:36.725 --> 00:23:40.328
  • Have gone to the cross and suffered and died for you.
  • 00:23:40.328 --> 00:23:43.732
  • And know he did suffer.
  • 00:23:43.732 --> 00:23:46.601
  • He loves you so much it hurts.
  • 00:23:46.601 --> 00:23:49.371
  • They drove spikes through his hands and his feet, they tore
  • 00:23:49.371 --> 00:23:53.675
  • His back open with a roman whip, they put a crown of thorns upon
  • 00:23:53.675 --> 00:23:57.512
  • His head, and he bled and suffered and died for the sin of
  • 00:23:57.512 --> 00:24:00.916
  • All the world, but he bled and suffered and died for your sin
  • 00:24:00.916 --> 00:24:06.421
  • Because he loves you.
  • 00:24:06.421 --> 00:24:07.856
  • I love the way the apostle paul put it when he said, "he loved
  • 00:24:07.856 --> 00:24:11.560
  • Me and he gave himself for me."
  • 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:15.464
  • Jesus loves you and gave himself for you.
  • 00:24:15.464 --> 00:24:19.034
  • Then you must repent of your sin.
  • 00:24:19.034 --> 00:24:21.369
  • The bible says god has commanded people everywhere to repent.
  • 00:24:21.369 --> 00:24:25.474
  • The word repent means to change your direction.
  • 00:24:25.474 --> 00:24:27.742
  • It's a military term.
  • 00:24:27.742 --> 00:24:29.110
  • It means, like, an about face, right?
  • 00:24:29.110 --> 00:24:31.947
  • So, instead of running away from god, you run toward god.
  • 00:24:31.947 --> 00:24:35.350
  • You turn from that sin, you're sorry for that sin, and you
  • 00:24:35.350 --> 00:24:39.855
  • Change, and then you must receive christ into your life.
  • 00:24:39.855 --> 00:24:44.793
  • Jesus must come and be your savior and your lord, and only
  • 00:24:44.793 --> 00:24:47.796
  • You can ask him to come in.
  • 00:24:47.796 --> 00:24:49.498
  • I can't do that for you.
  • 00:24:49.498 --> 00:24:51.399
  • Your parents can't do that for you.
  • 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:54.035
  • Your friends that may have brought you here tonight
  • 00:24:54.035 --> 00:24:55.937
  • Can't do that for you.
  • 00:24:55.937 --> 00:24:57.305
  • You have to say, "jesus, i need you.
  • 00:24:57.305 --> 00:24:59.908
  • Come into my life.
  • 00:24:59.908 --> 00:25:01.276
  • Be my savior.
  • 00:25:01.276 --> 00:25:02.611
  • Be my lord," and he'll do that for you.
  • 00:25:02.611 --> 00:25:05.447
  • And the last thing, you must do it now.
  • 00:25:05.447 --> 00:25:07.749
  • You must do it now because the bible says today is
  • 00:25:07.749 --> 00:25:11.620
  • The day of salvation.
  • 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:13.688
  • You say, "well, greg, i'll clean my life up and come to christ."
  • 00:25:13.688 --> 00:25:16.491
  • No, don't clean your life up, come to christ,
  • 00:25:16.491 --> 00:25:19.394
  • And he'll clean your life up.
  • 00:25:19.394 --> 00:25:20.729
  • You just come as you are tonight.
  • 00:25:20.729 --> 00:25:26.234
  • Greg: hi, i'm greg laurie.
  • 00:25:29.838 --> 00:25:31.206
  • Years ago i was in the ocean with my son and we got caught in
  • 00:25:31.206 --> 00:25:34.409
  • A riptide.
  • 00:25:34.409 --> 00:25:36.244
  • Problem is we were only a few feet from the shore.
  • 00:25:36.244 --> 00:25:39.347
  • The lifeguard comes to rescue me, i say, "i think i'm okay."
  • 00:25:39.347 --> 00:25:42.250
  • And i finally got my feet on firm ground.
  • 00:25:42.250 --> 00:25:45.620
  • But the problem was i was too proud to say i needed help.
  • 00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:48.857
  • That's like us drowning in sin, drowning in addiction, needing
  • 00:25:48.857 --> 00:25:53.728
  • The help of god.
  • 00:25:53.728 --> 00:25:55.063
  • Here's what the bible says.
  • 00:25:55.063 --> 00:25:56.431
  • "whoever will call upon the name of the lord will be saved."
  • 00:25:56.431 --> 00:25:59.634
  • Whatever you're facing right now, jesus is ready to come and
  • 00:25:59.634 --> 00:26:03.972
  • Help you, to save you.
  • 00:26:03.972 --> 00:26:05.440
  • You can just pray, "lord jesus, save me.
  • 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:07.842
  • Forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:26:07.842 --> 00:26:09.411
  • I need a relationship with you.
  • 00:26:09.411 --> 00:26:11.313
  • I need hope in my life."
  • 00:26:11.313 --> 00:26:13.248
  • Pray that prayer.
  • 00:26:13.248 --> 00:26:14.583
  • He'll hear it and he'll answer it.
  • 00:26:14.583 --> 00:26:16.985
  • I want to send you a bible at no charge to help you get started
  • 00:26:16.985 --> 00:26:21.590
  • In a relationship with jesus christ.
  • 00:26:21.590 --> 00:26:26.861
  • Greg: hey, greg laurie here.
  • 00:26:30.498 --> 00:26:31.866
  • As you probably know, we are being devastated in this state
  • 00:26:31.866 --> 00:26:35.937
  • By a series of fires that are causing incredible damage.
  • 00:26:35.937 --> 00:26:40.508
  • Power is out for thousands and thousands of people.
  • 00:26:40.508 --> 00:26:44.145
  • People have lost their home, thousands have been evacuated.
  • 00:26:44.145 --> 00:26:47.716
  • Well, this is happening right in our backyard.
  • 00:26:47.716 --> 00:26:50.185
  • Many of our people come from l.a.
  • 00:26:50.185 --> 00:26:52.520
  • We have churches we've helped to plant up in los angeles as well.
  • 00:26:52.520 --> 00:26:56.257
  • So we've established something called the harvest relief fund.
  • 00:26:56.257 --> 00:27:00.228
  • If you would like to support our outreach efforts for those that
  • 00:27:00.228 --> 00:27:04.232
  • Have been affected by these fires, just go to
  • 00:27:04.232 --> 00:27:06.401
  • Harvest.org/relief.
  • 00:27:06.401 --> 00:27:10.205
  • I'm reminded of the story of nehemiah where the walls of
  • 00:27:10.205 --> 00:27:13.274
  • Jerusalem were lying in charred rubble.
  • 00:27:13.274 --> 00:27:16.277
  • Nehemiah came up with a plan and they started to build,
  • 00:27:16.277 --> 00:27:19.881
  • And that's what's going to happen.
  • 00:27:19.881 --> 00:27:21.783
  • Homes are going to be rebuilt, but most importantly we want
  • 00:27:21.783 --> 00:27:25.053
  • To see lives rebuilt.
  • 00:27:25.053 --> 00:27:27.656
  • Thank you for anything you can do.
  • 00:27:27.656 --> 00:27:29.010