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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Is Jesus Coming Back Again?

March 31, 2026 | 27:29

Greg Laurie - Is Jesus Coming Back Again?
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#Jesus #SecondComing #ReturnofChrist #Timing #God'sWill #Plan #WaitingonGod #Prophecy #Revelation #LastDays #EndTimes #Eschatology #Patience #GregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Is Jesus Coming Back Again? | March 31, 2026
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.333
  • Greg laurie: now, sometimes we may feel
  • 00:00:04.937 --> 00:00:06.138
  • As though jesus is overdue.
  • 00:00:06.271 --> 00:00:08.707
  • "hey lord," we ask, "have you looked
  • 00:00:08.841 --> 00:00:10.876
  • Around at this crazy world?
  • 00:00:11.010 --> 00:00:11.477
  • Have you seen how wicked things have become?"
  • 00:00:12.911 --> 00:00:15.114
  • The lord is fully aware of that.
  • 00:00:15.114 --> 00:00:17.416
  • "lord, why have you not come back?"
  • 00:00:17.416 --> 00:00:18.951
  • The lord would say, "because i'm waiting.
  • 00:00:18.951 --> 00:00:21.286
  • I'm waiting for more people to believe.
  • 00:00:21.286 --> 00:00:23.889
  • I'm waiting for people to put their faith in me
  • 00:00:23.889 --> 00:00:26.492
  • Before i bring judgment upon this earth."
  • 00:00:26.492 --> 00:00:30.195
  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
  • 00:00:33.599 --> 00:00:36.001
  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪
  • 00:00:36.001 --> 00:00:41.140
  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
  • 00:00:41.140 --> 00:00:43.742
  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg: so i heard a story about an elderly couple that
  • 00:00:50.849 --> 00:00:54.453
  • Went to bed one night, and i'm not gonna say what an elderly
  • 00:00:54.453 --> 00:00:57.856
  • Couple is, right, but they're old, they're old.
  • 00:00:57.856 --> 00:01:01.293
  • And just as they were getting ready to turn out the lights,
  • 00:01:01.293 --> 00:01:04.930
  • The wife said, "honey, i wish i could have a hot fudge sundae
  • 00:01:04.930 --> 00:01:09.735
  • But we don't have any of the things we need.
  • 00:01:09.735 --> 00:01:11.837
  • Would you be a dear and go to the market and get it for me?"
  • 00:01:11.837 --> 00:01:14.506
  • He goes, "okay dear, i'll do it."
  • 00:01:14.506 --> 00:01:16.642
  • "vanilla ice cream, don't forget vanilla ice cream.
  • 00:01:16.642 --> 00:01:19.344
  • Write it down, you always forget."
  • 00:01:19.344 --> 00:01:21.246
  • He says, "i won't forget, vanilla ice cream."
  • 00:01:21.246 --> 00:01:23.215
  • "with chocolate sauce, actually hot fudge.
  • 00:01:23.215 --> 00:01:25.417
  • Don't forget it, write it down." "i got it.
  • 00:01:25.417 --> 00:01:27.386
  • Vanilla ice cream, hot fudge." "with whipped cream.
  • 00:01:27.386 --> 00:01:29.988
  • Don't forget the whipped cream." "okay, i got it.
  • 00:01:29.988 --> 00:01:32.124
  • Vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream."
  • 00:01:32.124 --> 00:01:34.226
  • "oh honey, with a cherry on top.
  • 00:01:34.226 --> 00:01:36.361
  • Don't forget, write it down, you always forget."
  • 00:01:36.361 --> 00:01:39.098
  • He says, "i won't forget.
  • 00:01:39.098 --> 00:01:40.732
  • Vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped
  • 00:01:40.732 --> 00:01:42.868
  • Cream, cherry on top, got it".
  • 00:01:42.868 --> 00:01:44.670
  • So he went to the market, came back about a half hour
  • 00:01:44.670 --> 00:01:46.905
  • Later and threw a ham sandwich on the bed.
  • 00:01:46.905 --> 00:01:50.209
  • She opened it up and said, "i told you to
  • 00:01:50.209 --> 00:01:52.177
  • Write it down, you forgot the mustard."
  • 00:01:52.177 --> 00:01:56.648
  • Get it? are you elderly?
  • 00:01:56.648 --> 00:01:59.318
  • What's happening here?
  • 00:01:59.318 --> 00:02:01.186
  • Okay, so it's fun to lose your mind
  • 00:02:01.186 --> 00:02:04.022
  • When you do it together, right?
  • 00:02:04.022 --> 00:02:06.425
  • I've often said that kathy and i--and we've been married now
  • 00:02:06.425 --> 00:02:09.561
  • 50 years, so that's a celebration for us.
  • 00:02:09.561 --> 00:02:14.967
  • And our church is celebrating 50 years of ministry,
  • 00:02:14.967 --> 00:02:17.803
  • So two milestones at the same time, but
  • 00:02:17.803 --> 00:02:20.572
  • I've often said between us, kathy and i,
  • 00:02:20.572 --> 00:02:23.342
  • We have one single functioning brain.
  • 00:02:23.342 --> 00:02:26.512
  • It's amazing how i'll remember half of
  • 00:02:26.512 --> 00:02:28.680
  • Something and she'll remember the other half.
  • 00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:31.917
  • Sometimes when i'm telling a story, she'll interrupt me and
  • 00:02:31.917 --> 00:02:35.020
  • Say, "that's not the way it happened."
  • 00:02:35.020 --> 00:02:37.022
  • I'll say, "kathy, you weren't even there.
  • 00:02:37.022 --> 00:02:39.491
  • I was there."
  • 00:02:39.491 --> 00:02:40.826
  • She says, "yeah, but the first time you told
  • 00:02:40.826 --> 00:02:42.161
  • Me the story, you told it differently."
  • 00:02:42.161 --> 00:02:44.863
  • And you know what? she's right about that.
  • 00:02:44.863 --> 00:02:46.865
  • So sometimes we forget things but god never forgets anything.
  • 00:02:46.865 --> 00:02:52.037
  • He knows the past, he remembers every detail of
  • 00:02:52.037 --> 00:02:55.174
  • The past, but he also knows the future.
  • 00:02:55.174 --> 00:02:58.377
  • Our life is a continuum to him.
  • 00:02:58.377 --> 00:03:00.679
  • Past to god is present, future is past.
  • 00:03:00.679 --> 00:03:04.283
  • Therefore, when god predicts the future, it's not as though he's
  • 00:03:04.283 --> 00:03:09.087
  • Going out on a limb, it would be like us speaking of the past but
  • 00:03:09.087 --> 00:03:13.158
  • More accurately because we do forget the past.
  • 00:03:13.158 --> 00:03:16.728
  • And so we look at bible prophecy.
  • 00:03:16.728 --> 00:03:19.498
  • What is bible prophecy?
  • 00:03:19.498 --> 00:03:21.433
  • It's basically god revealing history in advance.
  • 00:03:21.433 --> 00:03:25.771
  • Did you know that the scripture oozes with the return of christ?
  • 00:03:25.771 --> 00:03:30.676
  • Twenty seven to thirty three percent
  • 00:03:30.676 --> 00:03:32.844
  • Of the bible is prophecy.
  • 00:03:32.844 --> 00:03:35.147
  • And more than 10,000 of the 31,102 verses
  • 00:03:35.147 --> 00:03:39.618
  • In the bible contain prophecy, and half
  • 00:03:39.618 --> 00:03:42.387
  • Of those have already been fulfilled.
  • 00:03:42.387 --> 00:03:45.157
  • That's not a small down payment.
  • 00:03:45.157 --> 00:03:47.059
  • So what was once the future but is now the past because these
  • 00:03:47.059 --> 00:03:50.996
  • Prophecies have been fulfilled, that's happened so now when we
  • 00:03:50.996 --> 00:03:54.600
  • Look at the other ones that have not been fulfilled,
  • 00:03:54.600 --> 00:03:57.436
  • We know we can take it to the bank and it's
  • 00:03:57.436 --> 00:04:00.172
  • Going to happen exactly as god has said.
  • 00:04:00.172 --> 00:04:03.709
  • But as we learn these things there's a reason for it and it
  • 00:04:03.709 --> 00:04:07.713
  • Should have a purifying effect on our lives spiritually.
  • 00:04:07.713 --> 00:04:11.883
  • 1 john 3:2 says, "beloved, now we're the children of god;
  • 00:04:11.883 --> 00:04:15.554
  • It has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but when he's
  • 00:04:15.554 --> 00:04:18.190
  • Revealed, we shall be like him, for we will see him as he is."
  • 00:04:18.190 --> 00:04:22.661
  • Then it goes on to say, "and he that has this
  • 00:04:22.661 --> 00:04:24.896
  • Hope purifies himself, even as he is pure."
  • 00:04:24.896 --> 00:04:29.868
  • So if i really understand bible prophecy as i ought to, it
  • 00:04:29.868 --> 00:04:34.239
  • Should cause me to want to live a more godly life.
  • 00:04:34.239 --> 00:04:37.876
  • Heard a story of a old dude who was out fishing,
  • 00:04:37.876 --> 00:04:41.380
  • And he's waiting for a bite, and he suddenly
  • 00:04:41.380 --> 00:04:42.948
  • Hears a voice say to him, "hey, you."
  • 00:04:42.948 --> 00:04:45.150
  • He looks around, "who said that?"
  • 00:04:45.150 --> 00:04:46.485
  • Didn't see anyone. must have been hearing things.
  • 00:04:46.485 --> 00:04:49.221
  • Moment passes, he hears it again.
  • 00:04:49.221 --> 00:04:51.156
  • "hey, you, pick me up and kiss me and
  • 00:04:51.156 --> 00:04:53.792
  • I'll become a beautiful princess."
  • 00:04:53.792 --> 00:04:55.627
  • "who said that?" he didn't see anybody.
  • 00:04:55.627 --> 00:04:57.996
  • Then the third time he hears the voice say, "hey, you, pick me up
  • 00:04:57.996 --> 00:05:01.633
  • And kiss me and i'll become a beautiful princess."
  • 00:05:01.633 --> 00:05:04.202
  • And he realizes it's a frog who says for the fourth time, "pick
  • 00:05:04.202 --> 00:05:08.573
  • Me up and kiss me and i'll become a beautiful princess."
  • 00:05:08.573 --> 00:05:12.244
  • The old man picked up the frog and
  • 00:05:12.244 --> 00:05:13.712
  • Gently tucked it into his pocket.
  • 00:05:13.712 --> 00:05:16.014
  • The frog said, "did you hear what i said?
  • 00:05:16.014 --> 00:05:17.916
  • I said, kiss me and i become a beautiful princess."
  • 00:05:17.916 --> 00:05:21.453
  • The old man said, "at my age, i'd rather have a talking frog."
  • 00:05:21.453 --> 00:05:27.726
  • We can be like that, miss the point, right?
  • 00:05:27.726 --> 00:05:32.364
  • Let's not miss the point of the
  • 00:05:32.364 --> 00:05:34.166
  • Study of last things of eschatology.
  • 00:05:34.166 --> 00:05:38.203
  • It should cause us to want to live a godly life.
  • 00:05:38.203 --> 00:05:41.740
  • So, let's look at james chapter 5, because we're gonna discover
  • 00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:45.811
  • Five takeaway truths on how to live as a last days believer.
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  • James 5, i'm starting at verse 7.
  • 00:05:51.783 --> 00:05:53.919
  • "dear brothers and sisters, be patient
  • 00:05:53.919 --> 00:05:56.888
  • As you wait for the lord's return.
  • 00:05:56.888 --> 00:05:58.857
  • Consider the farmers who patiently look for
  • 00:05:58.857 --> 00:06:01.193
  • The rains in the fall and in the spring.
  • 00:06:01.193 --> 00:06:03.562
  • They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to reap.
  • 00:06:03.562 --> 00:06:06.898
  • You, too, must be patient.
  • 00:06:06.898 --> 00:06:08.667
  • Take courage, for the coming of the lord is near.
  • 00:06:08.667 --> 00:06:11.603
  • Don't grumble about each other, brothers
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  • And sisters, or you will be judged.
  • 00:06:13.772 --> 00:06:15.974
  • For look--the judge is standing at the door!
  • 00:06:15.974 --> 00:06:19.578
  • For examples of patience in suffering,
  • 00:06:19.578 --> 00:06:21.680
  • Dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets
  • 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:24.683
  • Who spoke in the name of the lord.
  • 00:06:24.683 --> 00:06:26.385
  • We give honor to those who endure under suffering.
  • 00:06:26.385 --> 00:06:29.821
  • For instance, you know about job, a man of great endurance.
  • 00:06:29.821 --> 00:06:32.991
  • You can see how the lord was kind to him at the end, for the
  • 00:06:32.991 --> 00:06:35.727
  • Lord is full of tenderness and mercy."
  • 00:06:35.727 --> 00:06:39.164
  • So if you're taking notes, here's point number one,
  • 00:06:39.164 --> 00:06:42.667
  • Something you need to be doing as a
  • 00:06:42.667 --> 00:06:45.036
  • Believer waiting for the return of christ.
  • 00:06:45.036 --> 00:06:47.839
  • Be patient.
  • 00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:49.541
  • Point number one, be patient.
  • 00:06:49.541 --> 00:06:51.843
  • Look at verse 7, "dear brothers and sisters, be
  • 00:06:51.843 --> 00:06:55.147
  • Patient as you wait for the lord's return."
  • 00:06:55.147 --> 00:06:58.950
  • The word used here for patience is not speaking of a passive
  • 00:06:58.950 --> 00:07:02.988
  • Resignation but rather a patient expectant waiting on the lord.
  • 00:07:02.988 --> 00:07:09.661
  • Sort of like the way you felt when you were a
  • 00:07:09.661 --> 00:07:12.097
  • Young person and christmas day was coming,
  • 00:07:12.097 --> 00:07:15.066
  • You could hardly wait to open up your presents.
  • 00:07:15.066 --> 00:07:18.103
  • That's how we should be watching and waiting.
  • 00:07:18.103 --> 00:07:21.706
  • The problem is some believers are spiritually asleep and paul
  • 00:07:21.706 --> 00:07:25.877
  • Deals with this attitude in romans 13.
  • 00:07:25.877 --> 00:07:28.647
  • And he says, "understand this present time.
  • 00:07:28.647 --> 00:07:31.483
  • The hour has come for you to wake up from your sleep because
  • 00:07:31.483 --> 00:07:36.154
  • Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
  • 00:07:36.154 --> 00:07:39.057
  • The night is nearly over, the day is almost here."
  • 00:07:39.057 --> 00:07:43.862
  • So he's saying, "wake up, man, pay attention.
  • 00:07:43.862 --> 00:07:47.933
  • Be looking forward to the return of the lord."
  • 00:07:47.933 --> 00:07:51.169
  • And by the way, this word used for
  • 00:07:51.169 --> 00:07:52.504
  • Wait means to look expectantly.
  • 00:07:52.504 --> 00:07:55.073
  • The farmer who patiently waits.
  • 00:07:55.073 --> 00:07:58.777
  • And we have to have that patience as well.
  • 00:07:58.777 --> 00:08:00.712
  • And that's not easy in our culture today.
  • 00:08:00.712 --> 00:08:02.981
  • We don't like to wait for anything.
  • 00:08:02.981 --> 00:08:04.816
  • We don't like to deprive ourselves.
  • 00:08:04.816 --> 00:08:07.352
  • And so when we look at things like the return of
  • 00:08:07.352 --> 00:08:09.454
  • The lord, we think, well, the lord seems late but
  • 00:08:09.454 --> 00:08:12.424
  • God is never late, god is always on time.
  • 00:08:12.424 --> 00:08:16.094
  • The bible says, "when the time was just right, god sent forth
  • 00:08:16.094 --> 00:08:20.031
  • His son, born of a woman, made under the
  • 00:08:20.031 --> 00:08:22.400
  • Law to redeem those that are under the law."
  • 00:08:22.400 --> 00:08:25.737
  • So really what it's saying is, when the time is just right, god
  • 00:08:25.737 --> 00:08:28.807
  • Sent his son jesus christ to be born in the manger of bethlehem.
  • 00:08:28.807 --> 00:08:34.513
  • And when the time is just right, jesus
  • 00:08:34.513 --> 00:08:37.249
  • Christ will come back again.
  • 00:08:37.249 --> 00:08:40.185
  • Now sometimes we may feel as though jesus is overdue.
  • 00:08:40.185 --> 00:08:43.889
  • "hey lord," we ask, "have you looked
  • 00:08:43.889 --> 00:08:45.924
  • Around at this crazy world?
  • 00:08:45.924 --> 00:08:48.126
  • Have you seen how wicked things have become?"
  • 00:08:48.126 --> 00:08:50.295
  • The lord is fully aware of that.
  • 00:08:50.295 --> 00:08:52.631
  • In fact, in the book of genesis, when there was so much evil on
  • 00:08:52.631 --> 00:08:56.101
  • The earth that wickedness stunk effectively to high heaven and
  • 00:08:56.101 --> 00:09:00.205
  • God intervened, god is aware, but god's waiting for something.
  • 00:09:00.205 --> 00:09:04.843
  • Or maybe i should say he's waiting for someone.
  • 00:09:04.843 --> 00:09:07.779
  • You say, "what are you talking about?"
  • 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:09.147
  • 2 peter 3:9 says, "the lord is not late as some men count
  • 00:09:09.147 --> 00:09:13.885
  • Lateness, he is longsuffering toward us."
  • 00:09:13.885 --> 00:09:16.655
  • Listen, "not willing that any should perish,
  • 00:09:16.655 --> 00:09:19.391
  • But that all should come to repentance."
  • 00:09:19.391 --> 00:09:22.394
  • "lord, why have you not come back?"
  • 00:09:22.394 --> 00:09:24.029
  • The lord would say, "because i'm waiting.
  • 00:09:24.029 --> 00:09:26.264
  • I'm waiting for more people to believe, i'm
  • 00:09:26.264 --> 00:09:29.134
  • Waiting for people to put their faith in me
  • 00:09:29.134 --> 00:09:31.436
  • Before i bring judgment upon this earth."
  • 00:09:31.436 --> 00:09:35.540
  • So number one, be patient.
  • 00:09:35.540 --> 00:09:36.908
  • Number two, as much as possible, stand
  • 00:09:36.908 --> 00:09:40.312
  • In unity with fellow christians.
  • 00:09:40.312 --> 00:09:42.981
  • As much as possible, stand in
  • 00:09:42.981 --> 00:09:45.050
  • Unity with your fellow christians.
  • 00:09:45.050 --> 00:09:46.952
  • Look at verse 9, "don't grumble about each
  • 00:09:46.952 --> 00:09:49.387
  • Other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.
  • 00:09:49.387 --> 00:09:52.457
  • For look, the judge is standing at the door."
  • 00:09:52.457 --> 00:09:55.594
  • Don't complain about other believers,
  • 00:09:55.594 --> 00:09:57.495
  • Go to them and try to help them.
  • 00:09:57.495 --> 00:09:59.898
  • This phrase here, to grumble about each other,
  • 00:09:59.898 --> 00:10:02.400
  • Means to groan from within oneself.
  • 00:10:02.400 --> 00:10:06.004
  • It describes someone who has a bitter attitude.
  • 00:10:06.004 --> 00:10:09.307
  • These are the people that are always
  • 00:10:09.307 --> 00:10:10.875
  • Complaining and always criticizing.
  • 00:10:10.875 --> 00:10:13.912
  • They think they have the spiritual gift of criticism.
  • 00:10:13.912 --> 00:10:18.283
  • That's not a spiritual gift, by the way.
  • 00:10:18.283 --> 00:10:21.486
  • But always tearing others down.
  • 00:10:21.486 --> 00:10:23.188
  • Don't be that person.
  • 00:10:23.188 --> 00:10:24.990
  • I find today that people are so quick to
  • 00:10:24.990 --> 00:10:27.092
  • Talk about someone instead of talk to someone.
  • 00:10:27.092 --> 00:10:31.062
  • There's so much false information out there,
  • 00:10:31.062 --> 00:10:33.231
  • Especially on social media, especially on twitter,
  • 00:10:33.231 --> 00:10:36.601
  • Which i guess is now called x.
  • 00:10:36.601 --> 00:10:39.304
  • So, i don't know, do we no longer tweet?
  • 00:10:39.304 --> 00:10:41.272
  • Do we x? i'm not sure how that works out.
  • 00:10:41.272 --> 00:10:44.009
  • But people will just say anything on twitter,
  • 00:10:44.009 --> 00:10:47.278
  • And people will retweet it and they'll repeat it and believe it
  • 00:10:47.278 --> 00:10:50.682
  • As though it's gospel truth, and a lot
  • 00:10:50.682 --> 00:10:52.283
  • Of times these things are simply not true at all.
  • 00:10:52.283 --> 00:10:55.520
  • I'll even see christians attacking one another.
  • 00:10:55.520 --> 00:10:58.056
  • The bible actually forbids that.
  • 00:10:58.056 --> 00:11:00.258
  • Talk to each other.
  • 00:11:00.258 --> 00:11:02.193
  • Make sure that you even understand the other person's
  • 00:11:02.193 --> 00:11:04.596
  • Position before you publicly criticize them.
  • 00:11:04.596 --> 00:11:08.767
  • In matthew 18 jesus says, "if another believer sins against
  • 00:11:08.767 --> 00:11:12.070
  • You, go privately and point out the offense.
  • 00:11:12.070 --> 00:11:15.674
  • And if they listen and confess it, you won the person back."
  • 00:11:15.674 --> 00:11:19.878
  • Listen, don't be the person that tears others
  • 00:11:19.878 --> 00:11:23.081
  • Down, be the person that builds others up.
  • 00:11:23.081 --> 00:11:27.519
  • And this is what the bible is saying to us.
  • 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:29.688
  • Now, number three, be aware of the afterlife.
  • 00:11:29.688 --> 00:11:34.125
  • So as you live in this life, be aware always of the afterlife.
  • 00:11:34.125 --> 00:11:38.596
  • Look at verse 9, "or you will be judged.
  • 00:11:38.596 --> 00:11:41.700
  • For look, the judge is standing at the door."
  • 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:44.969
  • Judgment is coming to the world, judgment is coming to every
  • 00:11:44.969 --> 00:11:48.807
  • Nonbeliever because the bible says they'll all stand
  • 00:11:48.807 --> 00:11:52.777
  • Before the great white throne judgment.
  • 00:11:52.777 --> 00:11:55.447
  • But listen, you may not know this, judgment is also coming
  • 00:11:55.447 --> 00:11:58.416
  • To the believer, but it's a different kind of
  • 00:11:58.416 --> 00:12:01.753
  • Judgment than what the nonbeliever faces.
  • 00:12:01.753 --> 00:12:04.723
  • The nonbeliever, when they die, stand before the great white
  • 00:12:04.723 --> 00:12:07.959
  • Throne and if their name is not found written in the book of
  • 00:12:07.959 --> 00:12:10.395
  • Life, they're cast into the lake of fire.
  • 00:12:10.395 --> 00:12:13.465
  • But for the believer, our judgment
  • 00:12:13.465 --> 00:12:16.167
  • Is at the judgment seat of christ.
  • 00:12:16.167 --> 00:12:18.770
  • In 2 corinthians 5:10 says, "we must all appear
  • 00:12:18.770 --> 00:12:21.606
  • Before the judgment seat of christ and each one may
  • 00:12:21.606 --> 00:12:24.943
  • Receive the things done in the body according to what he
  • 00:12:24.943 --> 00:12:28.113
  • Has done, whether it be good or bad."
  • 00:12:28.113 --> 00:12:30.415
  • So this is not a judgment to determine whether or not you get
  • 00:12:30.415 --> 00:12:33.918
  • To heaven because in fact, this judgment takes place
  • 00:12:33.918 --> 00:12:37.222
  • In heaven, this is more like an awards
  • 00:12:37.222 --> 00:12:40.225
  • Ceremony where rewards are given out.
  • 00:12:40.225 --> 00:12:43.461
  • You see, when you faithfully serve the lord, god takes note.
  • 00:12:43.461 --> 00:12:47.265
  • And as the bible says, "your father who sees you
  • 00:12:47.265 --> 00:12:49.834
  • In secret will one day reward you openly."
  • 00:12:49.834 --> 00:12:53.238
  • So the key is just be faithful on what god has set before you.
  • 00:12:53.238 --> 00:12:57.041
  • God will not hold you accountable for
  • 00:12:57.041 --> 00:12:58.977
  • What he has called me to do.
  • 00:12:58.977 --> 00:13:00.745
  • He won't hold me accountable for what he has called you to do.
  • 00:13:00.745 --> 00:13:04.215
  • Each one of us will stand before god, but the good news
  • 00:13:04.215 --> 00:13:07.786
  • Is that rewards will be given out, and i think
  • 00:13:07.786 --> 00:13:10.288
  • There'll be some surprises in heaven.
  • 00:13:10.288 --> 00:13:12.423
  • There'll be people that will be rewarded,
  • 00:13:12.423 --> 00:13:14.459
  • And we'll say, "i never heard of them.
  • 00:13:14.459 --> 00:13:16.628
  • They never pastored a church, they never wrote
  • 00:13:16.628 --> 00:13:18.563
  • A book, they never ran a christian worship
  • 00:13:18.563 --> 00:13:21.232
  • Band, who is this maude ferkinbinder?"
  • 00:13:21.232 --> 00:13:24.502
  • I just made her name up, i don't think she exists, but just some
  • 00:13:24.502 --> 00:13:27.639
  • Little old lady you never heard of before who
  • 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:30.975
  • Faithfully prayed for others and did what god had
  • 00:13:30.975 --> 00:13:33.478
  • Set before her, and she will be rewarded.
  • 00:13:33.478 --> 00:13:36.748
  • So we'll stand before this judgment,
  • 00:13:36.748 --> 00:13:38.449
  • But the key is be aware that life is short.
  • 00:13:38.449 --> 00:13:41.753
  • There's an afterlife, make every day count.
  • 00:13:41.753 --> 00:13:46.157
  • Live every day as though it were your
  • 00:13:46.157 --> 00:13:47.892
  • Last day, because one day it will be.
  • 00:13:47.892 --> 00:13:51.396
  • Greg: you know, i've heard people say,
  • 00:13:54.632 --> 00:13:55.967
  • "oh, it's so hard to be a christian.
  • 00:13:55.967 --> 00:13:57.502
  • I tried and i failed."
  • 00:13:57.502 --> 00:13:58.903
  • Let me say something that might surprise you.
  • 00:13:58.903 --> 00:14:01.773
  • It's not hard to be a christian.
  • 00:14:01.773 --> 00:14:03.741
  • It's impossible.
  • 00:14:03.741 --> 00:14:05.977
  • Without the help of the holy spirit.
  • 00:14:05.977 --> 00:14:09.080
  • See, with god, all things are possible.
  • 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:11.683
  • He can give me the strength and the power to live the life
  • 00:14:11.683 --> 00:14:14.652
  • He has called us to live.
  • 00:14:14.652 --> 00:14:16.387
  • Apart from him, the bible says, i can do nothing.
  • 00:14:16.387 --> 00:14:19.657
  • Jesus said that.
  • 00:14:19.657 --> 00:14:21.059
  • But then scripture also tells me, paul speaking,
  • 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:23.528
  • "i can do all things through christ who strengthens me."
  • 00:14:23.528 --> 00:14:27.398
  • So stop trying to live the christian life
  • 00:14:27.398 --> 00:14:29.901
  • In your own power.
  • 00:14:29.901 --> 00:14:31.536
  • Stop trying to do it in your own strength, and instead say,
  • 00:14:31.536 --> 00:14:35.373
  • "lord, i need your help each and every day."
  • 00:14:35.373 --> 00:14:38.543
  • Greg: point number four, be courageous.
  • 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:45.817
  • Be courageous. look at verse 8.
  • 00:14:45.817 --> 00:14:48.019
  • "take courage for the coming of the lord is near."
  • 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:52.357
  • So as i wait for the return of jesus, it should
  • 00:14:52.357 --> 00:14:54.692
  • Cause me to be bold and courageous.
  • 00:14:54.692 --> 00:14:58.663
  • The new english bible translates this verse
  • 00:14:58.663 --> 00:15:01.866
  • As "put iron into your soul."
  • 00:15:01.866 --> 00:15:05.904
  • It's also translated to be resolute.
  • 00:15:05.904 --> 00:15:09.274
  • And by the way, that's the same word that is used
  • 00:15:09.274 --> 00:15:11.309
  • To describe christ going to the cross.
  • 00:15:11.309 --> 00:15:14.212
  • He resolutely set himself to go to jerusalem to be crucified.
  • 00:15:14.212 --> 00:15:19.717
  • We need to be resolute, we need to
  • 00:15:19.717 --> 00:15:22.186
  • Be courageous, we need to be bold.
  • 00:15:22.186 --> 00:15:25.456
  • You say, "well, i'm not bold by nature.
  • 00:15:25.456 --> 00:15:28.459
  • I'm a bit timid and i'm a bit afraid."
  • 00:15:28.459 --> 00:15:30.461
  • Well, you need to get your eyes off of yourself
  • 00:15:30.461 --> 00:15:32.997
  • And put them on the lord and on the afterlife.
  • 00:15:32.997 --> 00:15:37.268
  • And one last point, be trusting.
  • 00:15:37.268 --> 00:15:40.805
  • Be trusting and think of the example of job.
  • 00:15:40.805 --> 00:15:44.575
  • Look at verse 11.
  • 00:15:44.575 --> 00:15:45.910
  • "friends did you know about job, a man of great endurance.
  • 00:15:45.910 --> 00:15:48.579
  • You can see how the lord was kind to him in the end, for the
  • 00:15:48.579 --> 00:15:51.716
  • Lord is full of tenderness and mercy."
  • 00:15:51.716 --> 00:15:54.886
  • Job, by the way, is the oldest book of the bible.
  • 00:15:54.886 --> 00:15:58.056
  • Did you know that?
  • 00:15:58.056 --> 00:15:59.424
  • It was written before the book of genesis.
  • 00:15:59.424 --> 00:16:01.793
  • And in the story of job, we have god's servant, a godly man, so
  • 00:16:01.793 --> 00:16:07.065
  • Godly in fact, that god bragged about him.
  • 00:16:07.065 --> 00:16:10.034
  • And one day the angels of the lord were present
  • 00:16:10.034 --> 00:16:12.370
  • Before the lord and satan was among them
  • 00:16:12.370 --> 00:16:14.739
  • Because satan or lucifer is a fallen angel.
  • 00:16:14.739 --> 00:16:17.909
  • God starts bragging about job, his perfect and upright
  • 00:16:17.909 --> 00:16:21.746
  • Servant who fears god and shuns evil.
  • 00:16:21.746 --> 00:16:24.882
  • And satan pushes back and says, "you've blessed him with
  • 00:16:24.882 --> 00:16:28.519
  • Everything and you put a wall around him."
  • 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:30.722
  • Satan says, "if you stretch forth your hand
  • 00:16:30.722 --> 00:16:33.191
  • And strike him, he'll curse you."
  • 00:16:33.191 --> 00:16:35.727
  • And then a series of calamities fell upon job.
  • 00:16:35.727 --> 00:16:40.631
  • And the problem with job is he'd never read the book of job.
  • 00:16:40.631 --> 00:16:46.604
  • You know, sometimes people will say, well, look at all the
  • 00:16:46.604 --> 00:16:49.007
  • Calamity that's coming to the life of that christian, they
  • 00:16:49.007 --> 00:16:51.609
  • Must have done something horrible to deserve it.
  • 00:16:51.609 --> 00:16:53.945
  • It could be the very opposite.
  • 00:16:53.945 --> 00:16:57.115
  • It's because of the godliness, not the
  • 00:16:57.115 --> 00:16:59.150
  • Godlessness of job that the hardships came.
  • 00:16:59.150 --> 00:17:03.688
  • So when something happens to you that's inexplicable, that
  • 00:17:03.688 --> 00:17:06.657
  • Doesn't make sense, god has either done it or he's allowed
  • 00:17:06.657 --> 00:17:10.728
  • It and it's for your ultimate good and his glory.
  • 00:17:10.728 --> 00:17:15.333
  • Because he promises that "all things work
  • 00:17:15.333 --> 00:17:17.268
  • Together for good to those that love god and
  • 00:17:17.268 --> 00:17:19.537
  • Are the called according to his purpose."
  • 00:17:19.537 --> 00:17:21.506
  • But what is god's end game?
  • 00:17:21.506 --> 00:17:24.075
  • It's to make us more like jesus.
  • 00:17:24.075 --> 00:17:26.611
  • Here's something people don't often notice.
  • 00:17:26.611 --> 00:17:29.247
  • After romans 8:28, there is romans 8:29.
  • 00:17:29.247 --> 00:17:33.851
  • That's a good insight, isn't it? so let's put it together.
  • 00:17:33.851 --> 00:17:37.922
  • Romans 8:28. we already know this verse.
  • 00:17:37.922 --> 00:17:40.158
  • "all things work together for good of those that love god and
  • 00:17:40.158 --> 00:17:42.727
  • Are the called according to his spirit."
  • 00:17:42.727 --> 00:17:44.929
  • Verse 29, "for those whom he foreknew, he also did
  • 00:17:44.929 --> 00:17:49.000
  • Predestined to be conformed into the image of his own dear son."
  • 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:53.037
  • Ah, that changes everything.
  • 00:17:53.037 --> 00:17:55.973
  • 'cause i interpret romans 8:28 in an isolated way.
  • 00:17:55.973 --> 00:17:59.477
  • I say well, whatever is happening,
  • 00:17:59.477 --> 00:18:01.179
  • God's gonna make it good.
  • 00:18:01.179 --> 00:18:02.613
  • Bible doesn't promise that, does it?
  • 00:18:02.613 --> 00:18:05.016
  • All things work together for good.
  • 00:18:05.016 --> 00:18:08.152
  • There are bad things that happen to us that are bad when they
  • 00:18:08.152 --> 00:18:11.622
  • Happen, and they'll always have been a bad thing,
  • 00:18:11.622 --> 00:18:15.159
  • But god can bring good despite the bad.
  • 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:18.096
  • But what is his ultimate objective?
  • 00:18:18.096 --> 00:18:20.498
  • Answer, to make us more like jesus.
  • 00:18:20.498 --> 00:18:24.102
  • "for whom god foreknew, he also predestined to be
  • 00:18:24.102 --> 00:18:26.804
  • Conformed into the image of his own dear son."
  • 00:18:26.804 --> 00:18:30.508
  • So anyway, job just gets up one
  • 00:18:30.508 --> 00:18:32.944
  • Morning and all hell breaks loose.
  • 00:18:32.944 --> 00:18:35.346
  • Everything that could go wrong goes wrong,
  • 00:18:35.346 --> 00:18:37.648
  • And then some more things go wrong.
  • 00:18:37.648 --> 00:18:39.517
  • First of all, his servants are killed, his livestock is killed.
  • 00:18:39.517 --> 00:18:43.621
  • More bad news comes, and then the worst
  • 00:18:43.621 --> 00:18:45.590
  • Of all, his children were dead.
  • 00:18:45.590 --> 00:18:48.926
  • It was so bad.
  • 00:18:48.926 --> 00:18:50.728
  • How's he gonna survive this?
  • 00:18:50.728 --> 00:18:52.697
  • My wife asked me a while ago, "greg, what is the greatest
  • 00:18:52.697 --> 00:18:55.800
  • Miracle that has happened in your life?"
  • 00:18:55.800 --> 00:18:59.003
  • Hmm, i had to think about that.
  • 00:18:59.003 --> 00:19:01.172
  • Think about that for a moment for yourself personally.
  • 00:19:01.172 --> 00:19:03.374
  • What is the greatest miracle that god has done for you?
  • 00:19:03.374 --> 00:19:07.011
  • I said, "well, i would say two things.
  • 00:19:07.011 --> 00:19:09.247
  • Number one, the first miracle is when god literally
  • 00:19:09.247 --> 00:19:13.384
  • Pulled me out of darkness into the light."
  • 00:19:13.384 --> 00:19:16.187
  • No one took the time to share the gospel with me.
  • 00:19:16.187 --> 00:19:19.490
  • No one invited me to an evangelistic event or to church.
  • 00:19:19.490 --> 00:19:23.594
  • No one said anything to me.
  • 00:19:23.594 --> 00:19:25.563
  • In fact, when i would hang around in newport beach down at
  • 00:19:25.563 --> 00:19:27.999
  • The fun zone when the christians were out
  • 00:19:27.999 --> 00:19:30.134
  • Giving booklets, they would walk around me.
  • 00:19:30.134 --> 00:19:34.238
  • But i'm walking across my high school campus and i come across
  • 00:19:34.238 --> 00:19:37.475
  • These christians singing songs about jesus,
  • 00:19:37.475 --> 00:19:40.378
  • And i'm intrigued, and i sit down.
  • 00:19:40.378 --> 00:19:42.113
  • I found out just recently that this particular group of
  • 00:19:42.113 --> 00:19:45.283
  • Christians did not normally meet on the front lawn of the school,
  • 00:19:45.283 --> 00:19:49.420
  • They normally met in the science room, but the
  • 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:52.089
  • Air conditioning was broken that day so they moved
  • 00:19:52.089 --> 00:19:54.425
  • To the front lawn for that time only.
  • 00:19:54.425 --> 00:19:58.062
  • And that was the time i'm walking across the campus.
  • 00:19:58.062 --> 00:20:00.298
  • I would've never walked into a classroom with a bunch of crazy
  • 00:20:00.298 --> 00:20:03.935
  • Christians, but i could sit far enough away where
  • 00:20:03.935 --> 00:20:07.872
  • I could eavesdrop on their conversation.
  • 00:20:07.872 --> 00:20:10.274
  • And i heard the gospel when lonnie frisbee stood up and
  • 00:20:10.274 --> 00:20:13.177
  • Proclaimed it, and i believed in jesus.
  • 00:20:13.177 --> 00:20:16.013
  • I was literally, like, as the bible says
  • 00:20:16.013 --> 00:20:18.349
  • A brand--a bland--bleh--a brand plucked out of the fire.
  • 00:20:18.349 --> 00:20:24.822
  • So that was miracle number one, miracle number two, it was when
  • 00:20:24.822 --> 00:20:29.193
  • Cathy and i were able to survive the death of our firstborn son.
  • 00:20:29.193 --> 00:20:33.764
  • "come on, greg, you're a preacher."
  • 00:20:33.764 --> 00:20:35.099
  • I know i'm a preacher, but i'm also a father and i'm also a
  • 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:38.603
  • Human being, and i was devastated.
  • 00:20:38.603 --> 00:20:41.706
  • When i heard the news that my son had died in an automobile
  • 00:20:41.706 --> 00:20:44.642
  • Accident, i did not know how i could survive it.
  • 00:20:44.642 --> 00:20:48.646
  • If words could kill you, i felt as though those words could have
  • 00:20:48.646 --> 00:20:52.583
  • Killed me on that day, worst thing.
  • 00:20:52.583 --> 00:20:54.685
  • And i thought my life is over, it's ruined.
  • 00:20:54.685 --> 00:20:58.856
  • And even though i've stood behind a pulpit and conducted
  • 00:20:58.856 --> 00:21:01.892
  • Services for parents who've lost their children
  • 00:21:01.892 --> 00:21:05.229
  • And have always tried to say the right thing,
  • 00:21:05.229 --> 00:21:07.698
  • When it happened to me, it was different.
  • 00:21:07.698 --> 00:21:10.067
  • You know, it's one thing when you're up here and the family is
  • 00:21:10.067 --> 00:21:12.103
  • In the front row and you're trying to console them.
  • 00:21:12.103 --> 00:21:14.272
  • It's another thing when you are a member of that family sitting
  • 00:21:14.272 --> 00:21:17.541
  • In that front row thinking about life without your child.
  • 00:21:17.541 --> 00:21:21.746
  • But god was there with us and god has been there with us, and
  • 00:21:21.746 --> 00:21:24.882
  • We just marked 15 years since christopher went to heaven, but
  • 00:21:24.882 --> 00:21:29.587
  • We got through it, and our marriage didn't get weaker, our
  • 00:21:29.587 --> 00:21:33.024
  • Marriage got stronger and our faith grew stronger and deeper.
  • 00:21:33.024 --> 00:21:38.262
  • And i can see how despite this horrible thing coming back to a
  • 00:21:38.262 --> 00:21:42.300
  • Bad thing happening, i'll never look at that event as a good
  • 00:21:42.300 --> 00:21:45.569
  • Thing, i'll always look at it as a horrible tragedy, but i will
  • 00:21:45.569 --> 00:21:49.540
  • Say without question that despite how horrible that
  • 00:21:49.540 --> 00:21:53.144
  • Tragedy was, i can see good that has come into my life, into the
  • 00:21:53.144 --> 00:21:57.214
  • Life of my wife, and the life of our son and the life of our
  • 00:21:57.214 --> 00:22:01.185
  • Family as a result of christopher being
  • 00:22:01.185 --> 00:22:03.354
  • Called home unexpectedly to heaven.
  • 00:22:03.354 --> 00:22:06.657
  • We all have our personal miracles, don't we?
  • 00:22:06.657 --> 00:22:08.826
  • Back to job.
  • 00:22:08.826 --> 00:22:10.161
  • He hears the news that his family is gone.
  • 00:22:10.161 --> 00:22:13.331
  • And what does he do?
  • 00:22:13.331 --> 00:22:14.665
  • The bible says that he fell to the ground
  • 00:22:14.665 --> 00:22:16.600
  • And he worshiped the lord.
  • 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:18.102
  • And he said, "naked came i from my
  • 00:22:18.102 --> 00:22:20.104
  • Mother's womb, naked shall i return.
  • 00:22:20.104 --> 00:22:22.740
  • The lord gives and the lord takes away.
  • 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:25.209
  • Blessed be the name of the lord."
  • 00:22:25.209 --> 00:22:27.912
  • And he gave god the glory, and then he lost
  • 00:22:27.912 --> 00:22:31.082
  • His health, and he broke out in boils.
  • 00:22:31.082 --> 00:22:34.051
  • Have you ever had a boil before?
  • 00:22:34.051 --> 00:22:36.354
  • Have you ever lanced a boil?
  • 00:22:36.354 --> 00:22:38.756
  • Ooh, he was covered head to toe in boils.
  • 00:22:38.756 --> 00:22:42.460
  • And if that wasn't bad enough, his wife said to him,
  • 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:44.962
  • "why don't you just curse god and die?"
  • 00:22:44.962 --> 00:22:47.932
  • Thanks for those encouraging words,
  • 00:22:47.932 --> 00:22:49.567
  • Miss job, very, very helpful.
  • 00:22:49.567 --> 00:22:54.138
  • Well, as it's pointed out here in james,
  • 00:22:54.138 --> 00:22:57.007
  • God restored things to job.
  • 00:22:57.007 --> 00:22:59.343
  • He got his possessions back, he got his health back.
  • 00:22:59.343 --> 00:23:03.714
  • You probably wish the lord would've taken his wife, i don't
  • 00:23:03.714 --> 00:23:05.583
  • Know, but he didn't get his children back, did he?
  • 00:23:05.583 --> 00:23:11.756
  • But he knew he would see them again because his hope was in
  • 00:23:11.756 --> 00:23:15.092
  • The return of jesus and the resurrection of the body.
  • 00:23:15.092 --> 00:23:18.629
  • Job, looking ahead to life, said prophetically in job 19, "i know
  • 00:23:18.629 --> 00:23:24.435
  • That my redeemer lives, and after my body is
  • 00:23:24.435 --> 00:23:27.204
  • Decayed, yet in my body, i will see god."
  • 00:23:27.204 --> 00:23:30.775
  • So job has given us an example on how
  • 00:23:30.775 --> 00:23:33.677
  • To trust god in times of uncertainty.
  • 00:23:33.677 --> 00:23:37.047
  • So what are we to do as we await the lord's return?
  • 00:23:37.047 --> 00:23:39.617
  • To review, here are the five points.
  • 00:23:39.617 --> 00:23:41.819
  • Number one, be patient.
  • 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.587
  • Number two, as much as possible, stand
  • 00:23:43.587 --> 00:23:46.157
  • In unity with fellow christians.
  • 00:23:46.157 --> 00:23:48.859
  • Number three, be aware of the afterlife.
  • 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:51.562
  • Keep your eyes on heaven.
  • 00:23:51.562 --> 00:23:53.030
  • Number four, be courageous.
  • 00:23:53.030 --> 00:23:55.733
  • Number five, be trusting.
  • 00:23:55.733 --> 00:23:59.303
  • Let me loop back to a point i already made.
  • 00:23:59.303 --> 00:24:02.373
  • Why is the lord waiting?
  • 00:24:02.373 --> 00:24:04.108
  • Why is christ not returned yet?
  • 00:24:04.108 --> 00:24:06.444
  • We would all love him to return.
  • 00:24:06.444 --> 00:24:08.546
  • And we'll talk about that in our messages to come because i
  • 00:24:08.546 --> 00:24:12.016
  • Believe the next event on the prophetic
  • 00:24:12.016 --> 00:24:14.118
  • Calendar is the rapture of the church.
  • 00:24:14.118 --> 00:24:16.987
  • When the lord will come in a moment, in the twinkling of an
  • 00:24:16.987 --> 00:24:19.690
  • Eye, the dead in christ shall rise first, and
  • 00:24:19.690 --> 00:24:22.426
  • We which are alive and remaining shall be
  • 00:24:22.426 --> 00:24:24.562
  • Caught up to meet the lord in the air.
  • 00:24:24.562 --> 00:24:27.431
  • And by the way, that word caught up comes from the greek word
  • 00:24:27.431 --> 00:24:30.134
  • Harpazo, and we get our latin translation rapturos from it and
  • 00:24:30.134 --> 00:24:34.905
  • Our english word rapture from it.
  • 00:24:34.905 --> 00:24:37.675
  • So we're caught up to meet the lord in the air.
  • 00:24:37.675 --> 00:24:39.610
  • Call it what you like, the rapture, the
  • 00:24:39.610 --> 00:24:41.512
  • Rapturos, the harpazo, the great escape.
  • 00:24:41.512 --> 00:24:44.248
  • It's all good.
  • 00:24:44.248 --> 00:24:45.816
  • He's gonna come and call us to heaven.
  • 00:24:45.816 --> 00:24:48.619
  • That is the next thing i think will happen
  • 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:51.288
  • On this calendar of end times events.
  • 00:24:51.288 --> 00:24:54.658
  • But it hasn't happened yet.
  • 00:24:54.658 --> 00:24:56.694
  • Why? the lord's waiting.
  • 00:24:56.694 --> 00:24:58.929
  • What if he was waiting for one person?
  • 00:24:58.929 --> 00:25:02.032
  • What if you actually knew who that person was?
  • 00:25:02.032 --> 00:25:05.402
  • Would you be tempted to put a little pressure on them?
  • 00:25:05.402 --> 00:25:08.873
  • Dude, could you believe so we could all go to heaven already?
  • 00:25:08.873 --> 00:25:11.942
  • Come on.
  • 00:25:11.942 --> 00:25:14.245
  • Imagine if you were that person.
  • 00:25:14.245 --> 00:25:16.313
  • Lord said, "i'm just waiting for you."
  • 00:25:16.313 --> 00:25:18.582
  • And you believe and we're called up to be with the lord.
  • 00:25:18.582 --> 00:25:22.119
  • That's why you need to be ready, because
  • 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:24.288
  • The bible talks about two in a field.
  • 00:25:24.288 --> 00:25:26.290
  • Jesus actually said this.
  • 00:25:26.290 --> 00:25:27.825
  • "there'll be two in a field, one will be taken
  • 00:25:27.825 --> 00:25:29.760
  • And the other left.
  • 00:25:29.760 --> 00:25:31.095
  • Two will be grinding at a mill,
  • 00:25:31.095 --> 00:25:32.429
  • One will be taken and the other left.
  • 00:25:32.429 --> 00:25:34.765
  • Two will be lying in a bed, one
  • 00:25:34.765 --> 00:25:36.467
  • Will be taken and the other left."
  • 00:25:36.467 --> 00:25:37.968
  • And then he says, "watch therefore, for
  • 00:25:37.968 --> 00:25:39.937
  • You don't know when the lord is coming."
  • 00:25:39.937 --> 00:25:42.406
  • That shows it's a universal event.
  • 00:25:42.406 --> 00:25:44.174
  • Some are working in a field, some are laying in a bed.
  • 00:25:44.174 --> 00:25:47.912
  • So it's gonna happen globally.
  • 00:25:47.912 --> 00:25:50.147
  • But my question for you is, will you be taken to meet the lord?
  • 00:25:50.147 --> 00:25:53.884
  • You have a choice. get right or get left.
  • 00:25:53.884 --> 00:25:57.421
  • Greg: hi, i'm greg laurie, i've got some good news for you.
  • 00:25:58.956 --> 00:26:01.692
  • God loves you, and god has a plan for your life.
  • 00:26:01.692 --> 00:26:05.362
  • Here's the problem: we're separated from god by our sin
  • 00:26:05.362 --> 00:26:08.966
  • Because we've all broken his commandments.
  • 00:26:08.966 --> 00:26:11.835
  • But the good news is that 2,000 years ago, god sent
  • 00:26:11.835 --> 00:26:15.372
  • His son, jesus christ, to die on the cross for your sin,
  • 00:26:15.372 --> 00:26:19.310
  • And then to rise again from the dead.
  • 00:26:19.310 --> 00:26:22.079
  • The same jesus who died and rose is alive and ready
  • 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:25.482
  • To come into your life right now.
  • 00:26:25.482 --> 00:26:27.718
  • Would you like your sin forgiven?
  • 00:26:27.718 --> 00:26:29.787
  • Would you like to know that when you die you will go to heaven?
  • 00:26:29.787 --> 00:26:32.923
  • If so, pray this simple prayer with me right now.
  • 00:26:32.923 --> 00:26:36.260
  • Just say, "lord jesus, i know i'm a sinner, but i believe
  • 00:26:36.260 --> 00:26:39.763
  • You're the savior who died on the cross for my sin.
  • 00:26:39.763 --> 00:26:43.267
  • I turn from my sin now, and i choose to follow you
  • 00:26:43.267 --> 00:26:46.470
  • From this moment forward."
  • 00:26:46.470 --> 00:26:48.872
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:26:48.872 --> 00:26:50.975
  • If you did, god in heaven
  • 00:26:50.975 --> 00:26:52.810
  • Has heard you, and i wanna
  • 00:26:52.810 --> 00:26:54.578
  • Send you a new testament
  • 00:26:54.578 --> 00:26:56.213
  • To start reading.
  • 00:26:56.213 --> 00:26:57.615
  • Greg: greg laurie here.
  • 00:26:58.182 --> 00:26:59.516
  • You know, there is a very special group of people
  • 00:26:59.516 --> 00:27:02.519
  • I want to introduce you to.
  • 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:04.421
  • They are a group of people who are passionate about the gospel
  • 00:27:04.421 --> 00:27:08.058
  • Of jesus christ being proclaimed in this nation and beyond.
  • 00:27:08.058 --> 00:27:12.196
  • We call them harvest partners.
  • 00:27:12.196 --> 00:27:14.398
  • They are people who have chosen to give monthly to harvest to
  • 00:27:14.398 --> 00:27:17.668
  • Keep the gospel moving forward.
  • 00:27:17.668 --> 00:27:20.137
  • Will you become a harvest partner and help us fulfill the
  • 00:27:20.137 --> 00:27:24.008
  • Great commission in our lifetime?
  • 00:27:24.008 --> 00:27:26.276
  • Let's do this together.
  • 00:27:26.276 --> 00:27:26.276