1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. harvest pastor greg laurie
  4. Episodes
  5. Greg Laurie - Just a Moment
Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Just a Moment

August 10, 2025 | S25 E190 | 29:0

Greg Laurie - Just a Moment
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#inActive #WordofGod #Faith #SpiritualGrowth #Gospel #Salvation #Transformation #SeekGod

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Just a Moment | August 10, 2025
  • Greg laurie: so, here's what you need to do.
  • 00:00:04.294 --> 00:00:05.862
  • You need to come to the lord say, "all right, lord, here's
  • 00:00:05.995 --> 00:00:09.232
  • The life you have given me.
  • 00:00:09.365 --> 00:00:11.067
  • Here are my plans, here are my aspirations, here are my dreams
  • 00:00:11.468 --> 00:00:16.673
  • Along with my weaknesses and shortcomings and sins.
  • 00:00:16.806 --> 00:00:17.707
  • I offer it all to you because i believe your plans
  • 00:00:20.677 --> 00:00:24.981
  • Are better than mine."
  • 00:00:24.981 --> 00:00:26.216
  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
  • 00:00:29.752 --> 00:00:32.055
  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪
  • 00:00:32.055 --> 00:00:37.127
  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
  • 00:00:37.127 --> 00:00:39.829
  • ♪ the day when life begins ♪♪
  • 00:00:39.829 --> 00:00:44.033
  • Greg: you know, one of the things that strikes me about
  • 00:00:48.037 --> 00:00:50.106
  • Life is how quickly it passes.
  • 00:00:50.106 --> 00:00:54.410
  • You know, when you're young, doesn't it seem as though life
  • 00:00:54.410 --> 00:00:57.280
  • Moves at a snail's pace?
  • 00:00:57.280 --> 00:00:59.883
  • I vividly remember being in elementary school bored
  • 00:00:59.949 --> 00:01:04.387
  • Beyond comprehension.
  • 00:01:04.387 --> 00:01:07.790
  • We're just waiting, waiting for the clock to strike the right
  • 00:01:07.790 --> 00:01:12.395
  • Number and we got up for recess or we got out of school.
  • 00:01:12.395 --> 00:01:15.298
  • It seemed like i was in elementary school
  • 00:01:15.298 --> 00:01:17.834
  • For 30 years, right.
  • 00:01:17.834 --> 00:01:19.502
  • Every day seemed to take forever.
  • 00:01:19.502 --> 00:01:21.504
  • Now, time goes by so quickly.
  • 00:01:21.504 --> 00:01:24.507
  • Weeks go by.
  • 00:01:24.507 --> 00:01:25.842
  • What? it's sunday already?
  • 00:01:25.842 --> 00:01:27.177
  • What? it's the month is over already?
  • 00:01:27.177 --> 00:01:28.878
  • What? it's a new year already?
  • 00:01:28.878 --> 00:01:31.481
  • Billy graham was once asked what the greatest surprise
  • 00:01:31.481 --> 00:01:34.684
  • Of his life was and he said, "the brevity of it."
  • 00:01:34.684 --> 00:01:38.454
  • And i think that's true.
  • 00:01:38.454 --> 00:01:39.889
  • And so as life goes by so quickly, it just seems as though
  • 00:01:39.889 --> 00:01:44.160
  • It's speeding up.
  • 00:01:44.160 --> 00:01:45.528
  • But it really isn't.
  • 00:01:45.528 --> 00:01:46.863
  • Scientists tell us the reason life seems to go faster when
  • 00:01:46.863 --> 00:01:49.599
  • You're older is because you're not having new experiences.
  • 00:01:49.599 --> 00:01:53.903
  • You know, you get into a routine and you go to the same
  • 00:01:53.903 --> 00:01:57.440
  • Restaurant and you sit in the same table and you order the
  • 00:01:57.440 --> 00:02:01.477
  • Same thing off the menu and you come to church and you sit
  • 00:02:01.477 --> 00:02:04.847
  • In the same seats and i know where you all sit, by the way.
  • 00:02:04.847 --> 00:02:08.451
  • I know when you're not here.
  • 00:02:08.451 --> 00:02:09.819
  • Oh, well, so-and-so is not here today.
  • 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:11.154
  • Where are they?
  • 00:02:11.154 --> 00:02:12.488
  • Someone is in their seat.
  • 00:02:12.488 --> 00:02:13.856
  • We like routine.
  • 00:02:13.856 --> 00:02:15.191
  • But when you're young you're more open to change
  • 00:02:15.191 --> 00:02:17.994
  • And new opportunities.
  • 00:02:17.994 --> 00:02:19.395
  • I read an article yesterday in the paper about signs
  • 00:02:19.395 --> 00:02:22.665
  • You're getting old.
  • 00:02:22.665 --> 00:02:24.033
  • Two thousand adults were polled.
  • 00:02:24.033 --> 00:02:26.135
  • One of them was, you forget people's names.
  • 00:02:26.135 --> 00:02:29.205
  • Oh, that's so true, isn't it?
  • 00:02:29.205 --> 00:02:30.573
  • That even happens when you're young, right?
  • 00:02:30.573 --> 00:02:32.842
  • You're talking to someone.
  • 00:02:32.842 --> 00:02:34.210
  • "how are you?
  • 00:02:34.210 --> 00:02:35.545
  • Hey, good to see you."
  • 00:02:35.545 --> 00:02:36.879
  • I don't remember their name and you're hoping they'll use
  • 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:39.048
  • Their name in the sentence.
  • 00:02:39.048 --> 00:02:40.416
  • You're just waiting, just waiting, just say your name in
  • 00:02:40.416 --> 00:02:43.419
  • Some way and they don't say it.
  • 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:45.221
  • "good to see you.
  • 00:02:45.221 --> 00:02:46.589
  • See you, next time."
  • 00:02:46.589 --> 00:02:47.924
  • You start forgetting things like that.
  • 00:02:47.924 --> 00:02:49.659
  • Here's another sign of getting old.
  • 00:02:49.659 --> 00:02:51.594
  • You don't know any songs in the top 10.
  • 00:02:51.594 --> 00:02:54.364
  • I have to admit, that may be true of me right now.
  • 00:02:54.430 --> 00:02:57.100
  • Another sign of getting old is,
  • 00:02:57.166 --> 00:02:59.202
  • You avoid lifting things because of back concerns.
  • 00:02:59.202 --> 00:03:03.439
  • By the way, this is a great way to get out of lifting things,
  • 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:05.775
  • Too.
  • 00:03:05.775 --> 00:03:07.110
  • "i can't, my back, you know."
  • 00:03:07.110 --> 00:03:08.444
  • But seriously, i think, if i take the other end of that sofa,
  • 00:03:08.444 --> 00:03:12.782
  • Am i going to pay for this later?
  • 00:03:12.782 --> 00:03:14.384
  • 'cause you throw your back out, it's a situation, right?
  • 00:03:14.384 --> 00:03:17.587
  • Another sign of getting old, you fall asleep in front
  • 00:03:17.587 --> 00:03:20.456
  • Of the tv every night.
  • 00:03:20.456 --> 00:03:24.327
  • Just last night, i was watching something.
  • 00:03:24.327 --> 00:03:26.329
  • I fell asleep.
  • 00:03:26.329 --> 00:03:27.697
  • Cathe says to me, "greg, are you sleeping?"
  • 00:03:27.697 --> 00:03:29.399
  • I'm like, "no," i was.
  • 00:03:29.399 --> 00:03:31.200
  • Why do we deny it?
  • 00:03:31.200 --> 00:03:32.535
  • It's not a sin to sleep unless you sleep all day, but,
  • 00:03:32.535 --> 00:03:38.775
  • And here's another sign of getting old, complaining
  • 00:03:38.775 --> 00:03:41.110
  • About things more, complaining.
  • 00:03:41.110 --> 00:03:43.513
  • Another sign, taking a nap every day.
  • 00:03:43.513 --> 00:03:47.617
  • I actually kinda like to do that, but that's a sign
  • 00:03:47.617 --> 00:03:49.752
  • Of getting older.
  • 00:03:49.752 --> 00:03:51.120
  • Here's one final one, you start driving very slowly.
  • 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:54.691
  • I mean, really slow.
  • 00:03:54.691 --> 00:03:56.526
  • Like way too slow.
  • 00:03:56.526 --> 00:03:58.594
  • Like just stop, hurry.
  • 00:03:58.594 --> 00:04:01.097
  • And you're always in a prius.
  • 00:04:01.097 --> 00:04:03.433
  • You know, it's true.
  • 00:04:03.433 --> 00:04:04.801
  • It's true.
  • 00:04:04.801 --> 00:04:06.135
  • I'm telling you, this is totally true.
  • 00:04:06.135 --> 00:04:08.838
  • There's something wrong with prius drivers.
  • 00:04:08.838 --> 00:04:12.141
  • How many of you drive a prius?
  • 00:04:12.141 --> 00:04:14.444
  • Jersey, get out.
  • 00:04:14.444 --> 00:04:15.778
  • No, don't.
  • 00:04:15.778 --> 00:04:17.180
  • You probably get much better mileage than the rest of us.
  • 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:19.949
  • So, congratulations on that wise car choice.
  • 00:04:19.949 --> 00:04:22.518
  • And let me just say to you in closing, drive faster.
  • 00:04:22.518 --> 00:04:24.987
  • No, don't.
  • 00:04:24.987 --> 00:04:26.356
  • No do.
  • 00:04:26.356 --> 00:04:27.690
  • Especially if you're in the fast lane.
  • 00:04:27.690 --> 00:04:29.158
  • But life passes so quickly.
  • 00:04:29.158 --> 00:04:32.362
  • Job 14:1 says, "how short is life!
  • 00:04:32.362 --> 00:04:35.965
  • How full of trouble!
  • 00:04:35.965 --> 00:04:37.400
  • We blossom like a flower and then we wither
  • 00:04:37.400 --> 00:04:41.270
  • Like a passing shadow.
  • 00:04:41.270 --> 00:04:42.672
  • We quickly disappear."
  • 00:04:42.672 --> 00:04:45.007
  • Now, i know some of you who are young and thinking,
  • 00:04:45.007 --> 00:04:47.243
  • "oh, greg, come on.
  • 00:04:47.243 --> 00:04:48.911
  • This is a message for old people.
  • 00:04:48.911 --> 00:04:50.346
  • I've got my whole life in front of me."
  • 00:04:50.346 --> 00:04:52.215
  • Yes, you probably do.
  • 00:04:52.215 --> 00:04:54.250
  • And i hope you do and i hope you live that life well,
  • 00:04:54.250 --> 00:04:57.754
  • But you never know, right.
  • 00:04:57.754 --> 00:05:00.289
  • I read a true story, a tragic story about a singer,
  • 00:05:00.289 --> 00:05:05.595
  • Richard versalle, aged 63,
  • 00:05:05.595 --> 00:05:07.730
  • Singing at the metropolitan opera.
  • 00:05:07.730 --> 00:05:10.500
  • He climbed up on a ladder for a scene and he was singing
  • 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:14.570
  • These lyrics.
  • 00:05:14.570 --> 00:05:16.305
  • "too bad you can only live so long."
  • 00:05:16.305 --> 00:05:19.442
  • Then he had a heart attack and died on the stage
  • 00:05:19.442 --> 00:05:21.878
  • In front of everybody.
  • 00:05:21.878 --> 00:05:23.546
  • How sad though.
  • 00:05:23.546 --> 00:05:24.914
  • Too bad you can live for only so long.
  • 00:05:24.914 --> 00:05:27.150
  • And that's so true.
  • 00:05:27.150 --> 00:05:28.518
  • Too bad.
  • 00:05:28.518 --> 00:05:29.852
  • But the brevity of life is what james is addressing now.
  • 00:05:29.852 --> 00:05:33.022
  • And the importance of living your life in the will of god.
  • 00:05:33.022 --> 00:05:36.392
  • James 4, let's read a few verses.
  • 00:05:36.392 --> 00:05:38.327
  • I'm reading 13 to 17 from the new living translation.
  • 00:05:38.327 --> 00:05:42.865
  • James says, "look here you who say today or tomorrow,
  • 00:05:42.865 --> 00:05:47.470
  • We're gonna go to a certain town and stay there a year.
  • 00:05:47.470 --> 00:05:50.106
  • We'll do business there and make a profit.
  • 00:05:50.106 --> 00:05:52.408
  • How do you know what your life is gonna be like tomorrow?"
  • 00:05:52.408 --> 00:05:55.912
  • Asks james.
  • 00:05:55.912 --> 00:05:57.313
  • "your life is like the morning fog.
  • 00:05:57.313 --> 00:05:59.182
  • It's here for a little while, then it's gone.
  • 00:05:59.182 --> 00:06:02.051
  • What you ought to say is, 'if the lord wants us to, we will
  • 00:06:02.051 --> 00:06:05.555
  • Live and do this or that.'
  • 00:06:05.555 --> 00:06:07.156
  • Otherwise you're boasting about your own pretentious plans
  • 00:06:07.156 --> 00:06:11.727
  • And all such boasting is evil.
  • 00:06:11.727 --> 00:06:13.863
  • Remember," james says, "it is a sin to know what you ought
  • 00:06:13.863 --> 00:06:18.701
  • To do and not do it."
  • 00:06:18.701 --> 00:06:20.102
  • We'll stop there.
  • 00:06:20.102 --> 00:06:21.437
  • Point number one, if you're taking notes, life is short live
  • 00:06:21.437 --> 00:06:25.374
  • It well.
  • 00:06:25.374 --> 00:06:26.776
  • Life is short, live it well.
  • 00:06:26.776 --> 00:06:28.845
  • James asked in verse 14, "how do you know what your life will be
  • 00:06:28.845 --> 00:06:32.648
  • Like tomorrow?"
  • 00:06:32.648 --> 00:06:34.016
  • Really what james is asking is, what kind of life
  • 00:06:34.016 --> 00:06:37.119
  • Are you living?
  • 00:06:37.119 --> 00:06:38.488
  • What are you doing with this precious gift called life
  • 00:06:38.488 --> 00:06:42.425
  • Right now?
  • 00:06:42.425 --> 00:06:43.793
  • It's an important question to answer because life
  • 00:06:43.793 --> 00:06:47.230
  • Goes by so quickly.
  • 00:06:47.230 --> 00:06:49.198
  • Job 9 says, "my life passes more swiftly than a runner.
  • 00:06:49.198 --> 00:06:52.869
  • It flees away filled with tragedy.
  • 00:06:52.869 --> 00:06:55.137
  • It disappears like a swift boat."
  • 00:06:55.137 --> 00:06:58.474
  • David says the same thing in psalm 39.
  • 00:06:58.474 --> 00:07:00.643
  • He says, "my life is no longer than the width of my hand.
  • 00:07:00.643 --> 00:07:04.247
  • An entire lifetime is just a moment to you.
  • 00:07:04.247 --> 00:07:06.883
  • Human existence is but a breath, we're merely moving shadows.
  • 00:07:06.883 --> 00:07:10.653
  • We're busy and our busy rushing ends in nothing.
  • 00:07:10.653 --> 00:07:14.590
  • We heap up wealth for someone else to spend.
  • 00:07:14.590 --> 00:07:18.794
  • And so lord, where do i put my hope?
  • 00:07:18.794 --> 00:07:21.197
  • My only hope is in you."
  • 00:07:21.197 --> 00:07:22.732
  • Wow!
  • 00:07:22.732 --> 00:07:24.100
  • So now james is addressing christian business people,
  • 00:07:24.100 --> 00:07:28.437
  • People who are out there working hard to make a living.
  • 00:07:28.437 --> 00:07:32.575
  • In this particular instance, he's talking to successful
  • 00:07:32.575 --> 00:07:36.112
  • Christian business people, those who had done quite well.
  • 00:07:36.112 --> 00:07:39.949
  • He's commending them for it, but he's also reminding them to keep
  • 00:07:39.949 --> 00:07:44.053
  • God at the forefront of their lives and remember that
  • 00:07:44.053 --> 00:07:47.056
  • Everything they've accomplished has come from the lord
  • 00:07:47.056 --> 00:07:50.393
  • Because sometimes people forget about the lord.
  • 00:07:50.393 --> 00:07:53.696
  • Bringing me to point number two, we should plan for the future,
  • 00:07:53.696 --> 00:07:57.900
  • But put god's will first.
  • 00:07:57.900 --> 00:08:00.269
  • Yes, plan for the future, but put god's will first.
  • 00:08:00.269 --> 00:08:04.707
  • Sometimes people may think it's unspiritual to plan and actually
  • 00:08:04.707 --> 00:08:10.112
  • It's very spiritual to plan.
  • 00:08:10.112 --> 00:08:12.848
  • Proverbs 66 says, "take a lesson from the ants, you sluggard.
  • 00:08:12.848 --> 00:08:18.387
  • Learn from their ways and become wise.
  • 00:08:18.387 --> 00:08:20.556
  • They labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter."
  • 00:08:20.556 --> 00:08:24.126
  • And check out the ants before you step on them.
  • 00:08:24.126 --> 00:08:28.731
  • They work hard.
  • 00:08:28.731 --> 00:08:30.099
  • They're always busy.
  • 00:08:30.099 --> 00:08:31.434
  • Little ants moving big stuff around.
  • 00:08:31.434 --> 00:08:33.002
  • Ants getting ready for the future.
  • 00:08:33.002 --> 00:08:35.071
  • Take a lesson from the ants.
  • 00:08:35.071 --> 00:08:37.273
  • You know, it seems right now that in our nation there's
  • 00:08:37.273 --> 00:08:40.576
  • A trend toward laziness.
  • 00:08:40.576 --> 00:08:43.145
  • I think it was always there, but certainly covid accelerated it,
  • 00:08:43.145 --> 00:08:46.749
  • Add a bunch of government money given to people and a lot
  • 00:08:46.749 --> 00:08:50.920
  • Of people are not returning back to the workforce today.
  • 00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:53.756
  • I don't know if you've noticed, but there's a lot of employment
  • 00:08:53.756 --> 00:08:56.425
  • Opportunities out there.
  • 00:08:56.425 --> 00:08:58.160
  • It's getting hard for a lot of folks out there to find people
  • 00:08:58.160 --> 00:09:02.031
  • To come and work.
  • 00:09:02.031 --> 00:09:03.699
  • And we're losing that very principle our nation
  • 00:09:03.699 --> 00:09:07.536
  • Was built on.
  • 00:09:07.536 --> 00:09:09.238
  • Our nation was built on the importance of personal
  • 00:09:09.238 --> 00:09:11.540
  • Responsibility, innovation, and working hard.
  • 00:09:11.540 --> 00:09:16.178
  • It's called the protestant work ethic.
  • 00:09:16.178 --> 00:09:19.215
  • It's a good thing.
  • 00:09:19.215 --> 00:09:20.850
  • This is why we live in a strong and prosperous nation.
  • 00:09:20.850 --> 00:09:24.520
  • If we lose it, we have problems.
  • 00:09:24.520 --> 00:09:26.689
  • And the bible tells us in romans 12:11 "never be lazy but work
  • 00:09:26.689 --> 00:09:30.960
  • Hard and serve the lord enthusiastically.
  • 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:34.330
  • So i don't know what you do for a living, but you should be the
  • 00:09:34.330 --> 00:09:37.433
  • Best at what you do.
  • 00:09:37.433 --> 00:09:39.268
  • You should work harder than anybody else.
  • 00:09:39.268 --> 00:09:41.637
  • You should get in early, you should leave a little bit later.
  • 00:09:41.637 --> 00:09:44.774
  • You should work cheerfully and you should do everything you do
  • 00:09:44.774 --> 00:09:48.144
  • For the glory of god wherever it is.
  • 00:09:48.144 --> 00:09:51.113
  • God has not called everyone into so called ministry.
  • 00:09:51.113 --> 00:09:55.217
  • He hasn't called everyone to be a preacher, but he has called us
  • 00:09:55.217 --> 00:09:58.854
  • All to minister and serve the lord and give honor to god
  • 00:09:58.854 --> 00:10:03.826
  • Whatever our profession is.
  • 00:10:03.826 --> 00:10:05.895
  • If you're a doctor, do it for the glory of god.
  • 00:10:05.895 --> 00:10:08.798
  • I'll tell you what, if i need surgery, i don't need
  • 00:10:08.798 --> 00:10:11.467
  • A preacher, i need a godly surgeon who knows
  • 00:10:11.467 --> 00:10:14.570
  • What he's doing, right?
  • 00:10:14.570 --> 00:10:16.906
  • I may need a christian attorney.
  • 00:10:16.906 --> 00:10:19.208
  • I may need someone else in another field.
  • 00:10:19.208 --> 00:10:22.211
  • In building and in music and in art and in politics.
  • 00:10:22.211 --> 00:10:26.949
  • We need strong believers out there to represent us well.
  • 00:10:26.949 --> 00:10:32.221
  • And so this is what we all are called to do, to work hard
  • 00:10:32.221 --> 00:10:36.692
  • And to honor god.
  • 00:10:36.692 --> 00:10:38.060
  • But the problem with these folks, james is addressing is,
  • 00:10:38.060 --> 00:10:41.330
  • They're believers, but they're living like practical atheists.
  • 00:10:41.330 --> 00:10:44.734
  • And by that i mean, they're not factoring god into anything,
  • 00:10:44.734 --> 00:10:47.970
  • They're just making their plans and forgetting about god.
  • 00:10:47.970 --> 00:10:51.607
  • So james is reminding them, "hey, keep god's will
  • 00:10:51.607 --> 00:10:54.877
  • At the forefront of your life."
  • 00:10:54.877 --> 00:10:57.880
  • Greg: you know, the book of jonah is
  • 00:11:01.717 --> 00:11:03.319
  • A story of a man who was called by god
  • 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:07.022
  • To do something and did not want to do it.
  • 00:11:07.022 --> 00:11:09.792
  • Of course, if we think about the whale in the story
  • 00:11:09.792 --> 00:11:12.128
  • Of the book of jonah and he has like three verses.
  • 00:11:12.128 --> 00:11:14.330
  • But the rest of the book is about a man who was called
  • 00:11:14.330 --> 00:11:17.333
  • To go to people he did not wanna go to with a message
  • 00:11:17.333 --> 00:11:20.202
  • He did not wanna bring.
  • 00:11:20.202 --> 00:11:21.904
  • Here's my question for you.
  • 00:11:21.904 --> 00:11:23.239
  • Is there someone in your life that it's really hard for you
  • 00:11:23.239 --> 00:11:26.242
  • To talk to?
  • 00:11:26.242 --> 00:11:27.576
  • It might your parents, it might be your children,
  • 00:11:27.576 --> 00:11:30.679
  • Your teenage children.
  • 00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:32.014
  • It might be your siblings, it might be your spouse
  • 00:11:32.014 --> 00:11:35.618
  • And it just tense kind of a thing.
  • 00:11:35.618 --> 00:11:37.953
  • I'm encouraging you to pray first and engage people you love
  • 00:11:37.953 --> 00:11:43.692
  • And you know in a conversation about the lord because, listen,
  • 00:11:43.692 --> 00:11:47.229
  • There is power in the gospel.
  • 00:11:47.229 --> 00:11:49.431
  • Try to engage someone in a conversation
  • 00:11:49.431 --> 00:11:52.368
  • About jesus today.
  • 00:11:52.368 --> 00:11:54.069
  • Greg: it should be the joy,
  • 00:11:57.506 --> 00:11:58.841
  • It should be the delight,
  • 00:11:58.841 --> 00:12:00.209
  • It should be the desire of every christian to do god's will.
  • 00:12:00.209 --> 00:12:04.313
  • When a person is truly converted.
  • 00:12:04.313 --> 00:12:07.216
  • And by that, i mean, when a person is truly come
  • 00:12:07.216 --> 00:12:09.718
  • Into a relationship with christ, it will be reflected in the way
  • 00:12:09.718 --> 00:12:13.823
  • That they live.
  • 00:12:13.823 --> 00:12:15.691
  • Starting with the repentance from sin, there'll be
  • 00:12:15.691 --> 00:12:18.894
  • A humility there.
  • 00:12:18.894 --> 00:12:20.296
  • A desire to pray.
  • 00:12:20.296 --> 00:12:21.664
  • You'll have a new love for others that wasn't there before
  • 00:12:21.664 --> 00:12:24.867
  • And you will want to do god's will.
  • 00:12:24.867 --> 00:12:28.671
  • And so this is the point that james is making is remember
  • 00:12:28.671 --> 00:12:32.341
  • To factor the lord in everything that you do.
  • 00:12:32.341 --> 00:12:35.611
  • By the way, when we talk about the will of god, there are
  • 00:12:35.611 --> 00:12:38.914
  • Certain things in the bible that are clearly god's will
  • 00:12:38.914 --> 00:12:41.584
  • For everyone.
  • 00:12:41.584 --> 00:12:42.952
  • This doesn't vary from person to person.
  • 00:12:42.952 --> 00:12:45.187
  • You might wanna write these verses down.
  • 00:12:45.187 --> 00:12:46.922
  • Number one, it is the will of god that you are filled
  • 00:12:46.922 --> 00:12:51.327
  • With the holy spirit each and every day.
  • 00:12:51.327 --> 00:12:54.096
  • Did you know that?
  • 00:12:54.096 --> 00:12:55.431
  • That's god's will for you.
  • 00:12:55.431 --> 00:12:56.799
  • Ephesians 5:17 says, "don't act thoughtlessly, understand what
  • 00:12:56.799 --> 00:13:00.803
  • The will of the lord is.
  • 00:13:00.803 --> 00:13:02.872
  • Don't be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life.
  • 00:13:02.872 --> 00:13:06.242
  • Instead be filled with the holy spirit."
  • 00:13:06.242 --> 00:13:10.212
  • And by the way, in the original language, that's a command.
  • 00:13:10.212 --> 00:13:13.282
  • So god is saying, "i command you to be filled with
  • 00:13:13.282 --> 00:13:16.518
  • The holy spirit."
  • 00:13:16.518 --> 00:13:17.920
  • And then also in the greek, it speaks of something
  • 00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:20.589
  • That's continuous meaning, do it over and over again.
  • 00:13:20.589 --> 00:13:24.159
  • So god is saying, i command you to be filled with
  • 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:27.830
  • The holy spirit again and again and again.
  • 00:13:27.830 --> 00:13:30.199
  • So a great way to start your day, maybe when you're still
  • 00:13:30.199 --> 00:13:33.903
  • Laying in bed, you just say, "lord fill me with
  • 00:13:33.903 --> 00:13:35.838
  • The holy spirit today."
  • 00:13:35.838 --> 00:13:37.706
  • Give me all the power that i need.
  • 00:13:37.706 --> 00:13:39.708
  • Number two, god wants you to be holy and as a result,
  • 00:13:39.708 --> 00:13:43.779
  • Sexually pure.
  • 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.514
  • 1 thessalonians 4:3 says, "god's will for you is to be holy,
  • 00:13:45.514 --> 00:13:50.552
  • So stay away from all sexual sin.
  • 00:13:50.552 --> 00:13:53.589
  • Then each of you would control his own body and live
  • 00:13:53.589 --> 00:13:56.392
  • In holiness and honor, not in lustful passions
  • 00:13:56.392 --> 00:14:00.029
  • Like the nonbelievers who do not know god."
  • 00:14:00.029 --> 00:14:02.598
  • Okay, what does this mean?
  • 00:14:02.598 --> 00:14:04.800
  • Pretty clear, no premarital sex, no extramarital sex.
  • 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:10.472
  • The only sex god will bless is the union of a man and a woman
  • 00:14:10.472 --> 00:14:15.744
  • In marriage.
  • 00:14:15.744 --> 00:14:17.079
  • End of story, that's it.
  • 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:18.914
  • Not a man and a man, not a woman and a woman.
  • 00:14:18.914 --> 00:14:25.087
  • Not a man who wants to become a woman or a woman who wants
  • 00:14:25.087 --> 00:14:28.991
  • To become a man.
  • 00:14:28.991 --> 00:14:30.359
  • No, god's order is a man and a woman in marriage faithful
  • 00:14:30.359 --> 00:14:34.063
  • To each other for life.
  • 00:14:34.063 --> 00:14:36.031
  • Anything outside of that is not god's will.
  • 00:14:36.031 --> 00:14:42.071
  • Here's another one.
  • 00:14:42.071 --> 00:14:43.439
  • God calls each and every one of us to pray and give thanks.
  • 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:48.444
  • 1 thessalonians 5:17 says, "pray without ceasing.
  • 00:14:48.444 --> 00:14:52.214
  • In everything give thanks for this is the will of god
  • 00:14:52.214 --> 00:14:55.784
  • In christ jesus concerning you.
  • 00:14:55.784 --> 00:14:58.754
  • So put god's will first in your life."
  • 00:14:58.754 --> 00:15:02.424
  • Listen to this, to know god's will point number three,
  • 00:15:02.424 --> 00:15:06.261
  • You need to present yourself to god each and every day.
  • 00:15:06.261 --> 00:15:10.132
  • This is based on romans 12:1 and 2 where paul says,
  • 00:15:10.132 --> 00:15:13.969
  • "i urge you therefore brothers by the mercies of god
  • 00:15:13.969 --> 00:15:17.473
  • That you present your bodies."
  • 00:15:17.473 --> 00:15:19.475
  • And that means your total being your personality, your will,
  • 00:15:19.475 --> 00:15:23.245
  • Your future.
  • 00:15:23.245 --> 00:15:24.580
  • "present your bodies to god as a living sacrifice wholly
  • 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:28.717
  • And acceptable, which is your reasonable service," which means
  • 00:15:28.717 --> 00:15:32.221
  • It's the logical thing to do.
  • 00:15:32.221 --> 00:15:34.189
  • Then he says, "don't be conformed to this world, but be
  • 00:15:34.189 --> 00:15:37.726
  • Transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may know
  • 00:15:37.726 --> 00:15:42.564
  • What is the good and acceptable and perfect will of god."
  • 00:15:42.564 --> 00:15:47.136
  • You wanna know god's will?
  • 00:15:47.136 --> 00:15:48.604
  • Present yourself to him and don't be conformed to
  • 00:15:48.604 --> 00:15:53.542
  • This world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
  • 00:15:53.542 --> 00:15:57.413
  • How do you do that?
  • 00:15:57.413 --> 00:15:58.747
  • Fill it with scripture and then you'll know god's will.
  • 00:15:58.747 --> 00:16:02.551
  • And what does he say about god's will?
  • 00:16:02.551 --> 00:16:04.053
  • The good and acceptable will of god.
  • 00:16:04.053 --> 00:16:06.355
  • God's will is good.
  • 00:16:06.355 --> 00:16:08.524
  • God's will is perfect.
  • 00:16:08.524 --> 00:16:11.593
  • Now, sometimes the lord says no to us.
  • 00:16:11.593 --> 00:16:14.997
  • When we want to do something, he says, no.
  • 00:16:14.997 --> 00:16:18.200
  • Oh god's out to ruin my fun.
  • 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:20.269
  • No, no.
  • 00:16:20.269 --> 00:16:21.637
  • The bible says, "no good thing will he withhold from those
  • 00:16:21.637 --> 00:16:24.606
  • That walk uprightly."
  • 00:16:24.606 --> 00:16:25.941
  • So if god says no, it's for your own good.
  • 00:16:25.941 --> 00:16:29.044
  • Now you're gonna have to live a few years to figure that out
  • 00:16:29.044 --> 00:16:31.480
  • Maybe because you say, "oh no, i know better than god."
  • 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:34.383
  • Well, you'll see, don't learn the hard way.
  • 00:16:34.383 --> 00:16:37.519
  • Maybe learn from the experience of others.
  • 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:40.856
  • No plan of ours can improve on the will of god.
  • 00:16:40.856 --> 00:16:43.392
  • We only see bits and pieces.
  • 00:16:43.392 --> 00:16:45.294
  • He sees the whole, he sees the past, the present,
  • 00:16:45.294 --> 00:16:48.831
  • And the future in its total context as related to eternity.
  • 00:16:48.831 --> 00:16:54.203
  • So don't be afraid to say not my will but yours be done.
  • 00:16:54.203 --> 00:16:59.741
  • So here's what you need to do.
  • 00:16:59.741 --> 00:17:01.343
  • You need to come to the lord say, "all right, lord,
  • 00:17:01.343 --> 00:17:04.646
  • Here's the life you have given me.
  • 00:17:04.646 --> 00:17:06.915
  • Here are my plans.
  • 00:17:06.915 --> 00:17:08.717
  • Here are my aspirations.
  • 00:17:08.717 --> 00:17:10.719
  • Here are my dreams along with my weaknesses
  • 00:17:10.719 --> 00:17:14.623
  • And shortcomings and sins.
  • 00:17:14.623 --> 00:17:16.425
  • I offer it all to you because i believe your plans
  • 00:17:16.425 --> 00:17:20.462
  • Are better than mine."
  • 00:17:20.462 --> 00:17:22.164
  • That's really what this is all about.
  • 00:17:22.164 --> 00:17:23.365
  • So i heard this story about a father
  • 00:17:23.365 --> 00:17:24.833
  • And a son who went to the hardware store.
  • 00:17:24.833 --> 00:17:27.302
  • The dad was finishing his purchase,
  • 00:17:27.302 --> 00:17:29.371
  • And the owner of the hardware store
  • 00:17:29.371 --> 00:17:32.007
  • Pointed to a big jar of candy right there on the counter.
  • 00:17:32.007 --> 00:17:34.710
  • And he said, "little boy--" to the little boy,
  • 00:17:34.710 --> 00:17:37.379
  • "son, take some of this candy, grab a handful, it's free.
  • 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:40.249
  • The little guy just looked up at his father.
  • 00:17:40.249 --> 00:17:43.051
  • And then the hardware store owner again said, "son, i told
  • 00:17:43.051 --> 00:17:46.054
  • You, the candy is free, grab a handful.
  • 00:17:46.054 --> 00:17:48.557
  • Take as much as you want in your hand."
  • 00:17:48.557 --> 00:17:50.559
  • Again, the little boy just looks up at his father.
  • 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.195
  • Finally, his dad grabs a handful of candy
  • 00:17:53.195 --> 00:17:55.731
  • And gives it to his son.
  • 00:17:55.731 --> 00:17:57.466
  • So, they get in the car, and they're driving home, and
  • 00:17:57.466 --> 00:17:59.635
  • The father asks the son, "why didn't you grab the free candy?"
  • 00:17:59.635 --> 00:18:02.638
  • The boy with a big smile said,
  • 00:18:02.638 --> 00:18:04.540
  • "because, dad, your hand is bigger than mine.
  • 00:18:04.540 --> 00:18:09.211
  • All right?
  • 00:18:09.211 --> 00:18:11.079
  • You think you know where i'm going with this?
  • 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:14.116
  • God's hand is bigger than ours.
  • 00:18:14.116 --> 00:18:17.052
  • "oh, i don't wanna say your will be done," why?
  • 00:18:17.052 --> 00:18:19.454
  • "well, it won't be what i want.
  • 00:18:19.454 --> 00:18:20.989
  • It'll be harder." wait.
  • 00:18:20.989 --> 00:18:22.624
  • What if it's better than anything you ever even imagined?
  • 00:18:22.624 --> 00:18:27.162
  • The bible says he is able to do abundantly above
  • 00:18:27.162 --> 00:18:30.098
  • And beyond that which you could ask or think.
  • 00:18:30.098 --> 00:18:33.735
  • Listen, never be afraid to commit an unknown future
  • 00:18:33.735 --> 00:18:37.372
  • To a known god.
  • 00:18:37.372 --> 00:18:39.575
  • He loves you. his plan for you is good.
  • 00:18:39.575 --> 00:18:42.611
  • So we need to include god in all of our plans.
  • 00:18:42.611 --> 00:18:46.582
  • Number five, we need to give god the glory for our life
  • 00:18:46.582 --> 00:18:49.384
  • And health.
  • 00:18:49.384 --> 00:18:50.752
  • So whatever you've accomplished in life or whatever you're about
  • 00:18:50.752 --> 00:18:54.556
  • To accomplish in life, just remember god gave it to you.
  • 00:18:54.556 --> 00:18:57.659
  • There are some people that have done very well.
  • 00:18:57.659 --> 00:19:00.128
  • They might say, "i've done well.
  • 00:19:00.128 --> 00:19:01.797
  • I've been shrewd, i've invested well, i've saved,
  • 00:19:01.797 --> 00:19:06.201
  • I pivoted at the right moment and done great in life."
  • 00:19:06.201 --> 00:19:09.438
  • Okay, fantastic.
  • 00:19:09.438 --> 00:19:11.506
  • But remember deuteronomy 8:18 says, "remember the lord
  • 00:19:11.506 --> 00:19:14.776
  • Your god gave you the ability to produce wealth."
  • 00:19:14.776 --> 00:19:18.680
  • Okay, so whatever you've done, that's still a gift of god.
  • 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:21.883
  • "you know, but i worked hard."
  • 00:19:21.883 --> 00:19:23.218
  • God gave you the ability to work hard.
  • 00:19:23.218 --> 00:19:24.786
  • God gave you the breath in your lungs.
  • 00:19:24.786 --> 00:19:27.623
  • God is giving you the beat of your heart.
  • 00:19:27.623 --> 00:19:31.460
  • The bible tells the story of king nebuchadnezzar ruling
  • 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:35.330
  • Babylon, which at that moment historically, was the most
  • 00:19:35.330 --> 00:19:38.634
  • Powerful kingdom on the face of the earth and it was
  • 00:19:38.634 --> 00:19:41.670
  • A magnificent kingdom for sure.
  • 00:19:41.670 --> 00:19:45.641
  • There before nebuchadnezzar was all the glory of this community
  • 00:19:45.641 --> 00:19:51.580
  • And city he had built.
  • 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:53.115
  • One day he went out to his royal balcony and he surveyed
  • 00:19:53.115 --> 00:19:56.685
  • His mighty kingdom.
  • 00:19:56.685 --> 00:19:58.053
  • Before him rose the hanging gardens of babylon.
  • 00:19:58.053 --> 00:20:00.822
  • One of the ancient world's seven wonders stretched around babylon
  • 00:20:00.822 --> 00:20:06.328
  • Where these huge walls that were 360ft high, 87ft thick
  • 00:20:06.328 --> 00:20:12.267
  • Wide enough for six chariots to ride abreast.
  • 00:20:12.267 --> 00:20:15.570
  • He's checking it all out and he says, "check out this great city
  • 00:20:15.570 --> 00:20:19.808
  • That i've built."
  • 00:20:19.808 --> 00:20:21.610
  • And the bible says before he could finish the sentence,
  • 00:20:21.610 --> 00:20:26.014
  • God brought his judgment on nebuchadnezzar.
  • 00:20:26.014 --> 00:20:28.950
  • He entered into a form of mental illness for a period of time
  • 00:20:28.950 --> 00:20:32.754
  • Where he literally thought he was an animal.
  • 00:20:32.754 --> 00:20:35.490
  • He was on all fours.
  • 00:20:35.490 --> 00:20:37.092
  • God restored his sanity and nebuchadnezzar turned to
  • 00:20:37.092 --> 00:20:40.829
  • The lord and believed in him.
  • 00:20:40.829 --> 00:20:42.230
  • Remember, give god the glory for all that you have.
  • 00:20:42.230 --> 00:20:44.800
  • One final point.
  • 00:20:44.800 --> 00:20:46.435
  • We need to do what god has called us to do.
  • 00:20:46.435 --> 00:20:52.240
  • Look at verse 17, "remember it's sin to know what you ought to do
  • 00:20:49.971 --> 00:20:57.713
  • And not do it."
  • 00:20:57.713 --> 00:21:00.349
  • This is speaking of the sin of omission.
  • 00:21:00.349 --> 00:21:03.352
  • In the bible, there is a sin of commission and omission.
  • 00:21:03.352 --> 00:21:06.855
  • Do you know the difference?
  • 00:21:06.855 --> 00:21:08.724
  • The sin of commission is what you do when you do what
  • 00:21:08.724 --> 00:21:12.794
  • You shouldn't do, when you cross the line, when you break
  • 00:21:12.794 --> 00:21:16.031
  • The commandment, when you fall short of the standard,
  • 00:21:16.031 --> 00:21:18.967
  • Which is god's glory.
  • 00:21:18.967 --> 00:21:20.702
  • The sin of omission is when you know to do right
  • 00:21:20.702 --> 00:21:23.772
  • And you don't do it.
  • 00:21:23.772 --> 00:21:26.274
  • And i think christians are more guilty of the sin of omission
  • 00:21:26.274 --> 00:21:31.113
  • Than they realize.
  • 00:21:31.113 --> 00:21:32.781
  • "to him that knows to do good," verse 17, "and yet does not do
  • 00:21:32.781 --> 00:21:37.786
  • It, to him it is sin."
  • 00:21:37.786 --> 00:21:39.721
  • Let's take the gospel as an example.
  • 00:21:39.721 --> 00:21:43.291
  • We have been commanded by jesus
  • 00:21:43.291 --> 00:21:45.260
  • To go into all the world and preach the gospel.
  • 00:21:45.260 --> 00:21:47.996
  • That's what he says.
  • 00:21:47.996 --> 00:21:49.364
  • "go into all this world, preach the gospel and make disciples
  • 00:21:49.364 --> 00:21:52.000
  • Of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father,
  • 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:55.237
  • Son and the holy spirit."
  • 00:21:55.237 --> 00:21:56.905
  • We say, "amen," great.
  • 00:21:56.905 --> 00:21:58.240
  • When's the last time you did it?
  • 00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:00.275
  • When's the last time you engage someone
  • 00:22:00.275 --> 00:22:03.245
  • In a gospel conversation?
  • 00:22:03.245 --> 00:22:05.680
  • Stats tell us that 95% of christians have never led
  • 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:09.184
  • Another person to christ.
  • 00:22:09.184 --> 00:22:13.722
  • Two percent of churchgoers invited an unchurched person
  • 00:22:13.722 --> 00:22:17.359
  • To church in the last year.
  • 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.960
  • Two percent.
  • 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.228
  • See, the problem for many of us is the great commission
  • 00:22:20.228 --> 00:22:23.398
  • Has become the great omission.
  • 00:22:23.398 --> 00:22:25.033
  • Let me say something that might sound controversial,
  • 00:22:25.033 --> 00:22:28.537
  • But i think it's biblical and true.
  • 00:22:28.537 --> 00:22:30.672
  • It can be a sin to not share your faith with someone.
  • 00:22:30.672 --> 00:22:35.777
  • "well, you're wrong greg, you know we should, we should.
  • 00:22:35.777 --> 00:22:38.013
  • But it's not a sin."
  • 00:22:38.013 --> 00:22:39.347
  • Hold on.
  • 00:22:39.347 --> 00:22:40.682
  • "to him that knows to do good and does not do it,
  • 00:22:40.682 --> 00:22:43.685
  • To him it is sin."
  • 00:22:43.685 --> 00:22:45.387
  • Let me illustrate.
  • 00:22:45.387 --> 00:22:46.721
  • Let's say you're walking on the street and there's a house
  • 00:22:46.721 --> 00:22:48.990
  • On fire and someone says, "there's a child in there."
  • 00:22:48.990 --> 00:22:52.260
  • Now, i hope at the very least you will call 911.
  • 00:22:52.260 --> 00:22:55.430
  • Maybe you'll be a hero and try to run in the burning house
  • 00:22:55.430 --> 00:22:58.600
  • And save the child.
  • 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.968
  • But if you just kept walking, oh, first you take a picture,
  • 00:22:59.968 --> 00:23:02.971
  • Gotta post that on social and you keep walking,
  • 00:23:02.971 --> 00:23:08.710
  • That's irresponsible.
  • 00:23:08.710 --> 00:23:10.145
  • That's almost criminal.
  • 00:23:10.145 --> 00:23:12.247
  • Now, we have a whole culture that needs to know god.
  • 00:23:12.247 --> 00:23:15.784
  • And let me take a quick poll.
  • 00:23:15.784 --> 00:23:17.419
  • How many of you believe the bible is true?
  • 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:19.554
  • Raise your hand up, okay.
  • 00:23:19.554 --> 00:23:21.256
  • How many of you believe what the bible teaches about
  • 00:23:21.256 --> 00:23:23.859
  • The afterlife and that there really is a heaven?
  • 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:26.394
  • Raise your hand up.
  • 00:23:26.394 --> 00:23:27.762
  • How many of you believe that in this afterlife there is also
  • 00:23:27.762 --> 00:23:30.632
  • A hell and a future judgment?
  • 00:23:30.632 --> 00:23:32.501
  • Raise your hand up.
  • 00:23:32.501 --> 00:23:33.835
  • Okay, most of you raised your hand.
  • 00:23:33.835 --> 00:23:35.337
  • Here's my question now.
  • 00:23:35.337 --> 00:23:38.373
  • Why are we not doing more people to keep them from going to hell?
  • 00:23:38.373 --> 00:23:42.777
  • Because the bible actually tells us that we should seek
  • 00:23:42.777 --> 00:23:47.582
  • To snatch people from the flames of judgment.
  • 00:23:47.582 --> 00:23:51.086
  • You say, "oh gosh, greg, you know, i don't know, i'm afraid
  • 00:23:51.086 --> 00:23:54.823
  • I'll say the wrong thing or i won't have an answer
  • 00:23:54.823 --> 00:23:58.026
  • To their question or yeah, okay."
  • 00:23:58.026 --> 00:24:00.762
  • So?
  • 00:24:00.762 --> 00:24:02.364
  • I think you know more than you think you know, and i think you
  • 00:24:02.364 --> 00:24:06.535
  • Might be surprised at what will pop into your mind and out
  • 00:24:06.535 --> 00:24:09.905
  • Of your mouth when you take a step of faith and say,
  • 00:24:09.905 --> 00:24:13.208
  • "lord, use me."
  • 00:24:13.208 --> 00:24:15.443
  • In fact, you might be so good, you'll want to take notes
  • 00:24:15.443 --> 00:24:17.812
  • On yourself.
  • 00:24:17.812 --> 00:24:19.614
  • Well, where did that come from?
  • 00:24:19.614 --> 00:24:21.883
  • Well, you'd never know where it came from if you don't take
  • 00:24:21.883 --> 00:24:24.219
  • The step of faith.
  • 00:24:24.219 --> 00:24:26.054
  • And i suggest to you that there are times the lord
  • 00:24:26.054 --> 00:24:29.057
  • Has nudged you to engage that person.
  • 00:24:29.057 --> 00:24:32.627
  • You're walking along or some person sitting there on a bench,
  • 00:24:32.627 --> 00:24:36.698
  • All alone.
  • 00:24:36.698 --> 00:24:38.066
  • They look sad and dejected and maybe the lord said,
  • 00:24:38.066 --> 00:24:40.569
  • Just go over there and tell them that they're loved by god.
  • 00:24:40.569 --> 00:24:43.672
  • I wanna do that.
  • 00:24:43.672 --> 00:24:45.006
  • Why not?
  • 00:24:45.006 --> 00:24:46.374
  • Well, what if they laugh at me?
  • 00:24:46.374 --> 00:24:47.709
  • Yeah.
  • 00:24:47.709 --> 00:24:49.077
  • Well, what if they take an interest in what you're saying?
  • 00:24:49.077 --> 00:24:51.913
  • Let me take it a step further.
  • 00:24:51.913 --> 00:24:53.281
  • What if they wanna hear what you have to say?
  • 00:24:53.281 --> 00:24:55.951
  • What if they come to jesus christ?
  • 00:24:55.951 --> 00:24:58.820
  • How about that?
  • 00:24:58.820 --> 00:25:00.322
  • I'd rather take the risk and not have a go so well.
  • 00:25:00.322 --> 00:25:03.658
  • But many times it goes better than you may think it will.
  • 00:25:03.658 --> 00:25:06.261
  • And speaking of serving the lord, i believe the lord
  • 00:25:06.261 --> 00:25:09.698
  • Leads us all the time to serve him.
  • 00:25:09.698 --> 00:25:12.267
  • You know, it's interesting.
  • 00:25:12.267 --> 00:25:13.602
  • The bible uses different kinds of phrases over 58 times like
  • 00:25:13.602 --> 00:25:17.472
  • Love one another, care for one another, pray for one another,
  • 00:25:17.472 --> 00:25:21.710
  • Encourage one another, support one another, one another.
  • 00:25:21.710 --> 00:25:26.748
  • That's what it's all about.
  • 00:25:26.748 --> 00:25:28.283
  • Here's how you know you're maturing spiritually when
  • 00:25:28.283 --> 00:25:31.086
  • It stops being about you and it starts being about others.
  • 00:25:31.086 --> 00:25:36.324
  • Well, instead of coming to church, you don't say
  • 00:25:36.324 --> 00:25:38.560
  • What about my needs.
  • 00:25:38.560 --> 00:25:40.462
  • But instead you say, "i've been so blessed by god,
  • 00:25:40.462 --> 00:25:43.231
  • How can i serve the lord?"
  • 00:25:43.231 --> 00:25:45.600
  • And how do i serve god?
  • 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.935
  • I serve god by serving other people.
  • 00:25:46.935 --> 00:25:49.971
  • Serving the lord by serving them.
  • 00:25:49.971 --> 00:25:52.307
  • How can i help?
  • 00:25:52.307 --> 00:25:53.675
  • So when we get up here and say, you know, we could use some help
  • 00:25:53.675 --> 00:25:56.311
  • In sunday school or well, we could use some folks helping us
  • 00:25:56.311 --> 00:25:59.781
  • In new convert counseling or helping people find their seats
  • 00:25:59.781 --> 00:26:04.285
  • Or park their cars or but we could use some help over here
  • 00:26:04.285 --> 00:26:08.089
  • Or there.
  • 00:26:08.089 --> 00:26:09.424
  • And you say, "well, you know, here they are lord, send them."
  • 00:26:09.424 --> 00:26:13.962
  • And instead i should be saying, "here i am lord, send me."
  • 00:26:13.962 --> 00:26:22.037
  • Greg: hi, i'm greg laurie. i've got some good news for you.
  • 00:26:26.174 --> 00:26:28.877
  • God loves you, and god has a plan for your life.
  • 00:26:28.877 --> 00:26:32.714
  • Here's the problem: we're separated from god by our sin
  • 00:26:32.714 --> 00:26:36.184
  • Because we've all broken his commandments.
  • 00:26:36.184 --> 00:26:39.120
  • But the good news is that 2,000 years ago, god sent
  • 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:42.590
  • His son, jesus christ, to die on the cross for your sin,
  • 00:26:42.590 --> 00:26:46.995
  • And then to rise again from the dead.
  • 00:26:46.995 --> 00:26:49.397
  • The same jesus who died and rose is alive and ready
  • 00:26:49.397 --> 00:26:52.701
  • To come into your life right now.
  • 00:26:52.701 --> 00:26:55.236
  • Would you like your sin forgiven?
  • 00:26:55.236 --> 00:26:57.305
  • Would you like to know that when you die you will go to heaven?
  • 00:26:57.305 --> 00:27:00.175
  • If so, pray this simple prayer with me right now.
  • 00:27:00.175 --> 00:27:03.478
  • Just say, "lord jesus, i know i'm a sinner, but i believe
  • 00:27:03.478 --> 00:27:07.182
  • You're the savior, who died on the cross for my sin.
  • 00:27:07.182 --> 00:27:10.652
  • I turn from my sin now, and i choose to follow you
  • 00:27:10.652 --> 00:27:14.155
  • From this moment forward."
  • 00:27:14.155 --> 00:27:16.524
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:27:16.524 --> 00:27:18.359
  • If you did, god in heaven has heard you.
  • 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:21.096
  • And let me be the first to say to you
  • 00:27:21.096 --> 00:27:23.198
  • Congratulations, and welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:27:23.198 --> 00:27:23.198