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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - A Real Christmas | December 10, 2024
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- Greg laurie: i think it's fascinating that luke's gospel
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- Starts with a genealogy, because it shows us
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- The family tree of christ.
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- And listen, the family tree of our lord
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- Was gnarled and crooked.
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- There were some pretty unsavory characters in the family tree of
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- Jesus, starting with tamar who was abandoned,
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- Rahab who was a harlot, david who was an adulterer,
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- Solomon who was a philanderer,
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- Yet they all made it into the most exclusive genealogy
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- In all of human history, reminding us
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- You're not the only one with a messed-up family.
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- ♪ this is the day, the day where life begins ♪
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- ♪ this is the day, the day where life begins ♪♪
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- Greg: so, today, i want to talk a little bit about when jesus
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- Came, where jesus came, and then most importantly why jesus came.
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- Let's start with the first point, number one,
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- When did jesus come?
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- Answer: he came at the appointed time.
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- He came at the perfect time.
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- Galatians 4:4 says, "when the time was just right, god sent
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- Forth his son, born of a woman, made under the law to redeem
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- Those that are under the law.
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- Understand, things are very dark in israel
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- At this particular time.
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- They were living under the bondage of the roman empire,
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- Who bludgeoned everyone into submission through
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- Their pax romana forced peace.
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- You did what rome said, or you paid the price.
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- Things weren't this bad since the days of egypt
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- Under the pharaoh.
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- And the people of israel were crying out, "when is our messiah
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- Going to come to us?"
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- And then add to this there had been 400 years of an icy silence
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- From heaven, no prophet speaking for god, no angels bringing
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- Messages from god, no miracles being performed,
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- Nothing was happening, 400 years of silence.
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- And then there was just chaos, and violence, and misery.
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- And it's interesting, because speaking of this time,
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- Isaiah 9:6 says, "the people who are living in darkness,
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- But they've seen a great light, and those living in the land
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- Of the shadow of death, a light has dawned."
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- And that phrase there, "for darkness"
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- Speaks of evil and ignorance.
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- The people are living in a time filled with evil
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- And untold suffering, violence, and oppression, and injustice,
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- And families ripped apart.
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- Sounds a lot like today.
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- And they were waiting for something to happen,
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- And something happened at the right moment.
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- This was the time that god was gonna send his son,
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- But first he sent gabriel.
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- Now listen, there's all kinds of angels in the bible,
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- And all of them are powerful, but there's only three
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- That are named for us.
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- One is michael the archangel,
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- Who we presume is angel numero uno.
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- Then there's lucifer, who was once an angel that worshiped
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- God, but then turned against god and became the devil.
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- And finally, there's gabriel.
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- Gabriel's mentioned in the old testament, so he is a heavy-duty
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- Angel, and gabriel shows up and appears to the godly zacharias
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- And elizabeth and tell them that they're gonna have the privilege
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- Of giving birth to the greatest prophet who has ever lived,
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- John the baptist,
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- Who will be the direct forerunner of messiah.
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- So, messiah was coming, and the christmas story really starts
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- With the tree--not a christmas tree, but a family tree.
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- It's interesting to note that both matthew and luke start
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- Their gospels with a genealogy.
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- By the way, for those that say those genealogies don't match,
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- It's not hard to explain.
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- One is a genealogy of mary, the other is a genealogy of joseph,
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- And both were descendants of king david.
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- But this tree was important.
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- For the jews, a genealogy was sort of like a resume.
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- You wanted to have an impressive genealogy.
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- So, it mattered a lot to them, but i think it's fascinating
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- That luke's gospel starts with a genealogy,
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- Because it shows us the family tree of christ.
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- So, listen, the family tree of our lord
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- Was gnarled and crooked.
- 00:04:32.949 --> 00:04:35.451
- There were some pretty unsavory characters in the family tree of
- 00:04:35.451 --> 00:04:39.222
- Jesus, starting with tamar, who was abandoned,
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- Rahab who was a harlot, david who was an adulterer,
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- Solomon who was a philanderer,
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- Yet they all made it into the most exclusive genealogy
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- In all of human history, reminding us you're not
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- The only one with a messed-up family.
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- This is the tree christ came from, and it's to remind us
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- That messiah was not born because of his ancestors,
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- But in spite of his ancestors.
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- This was his lineage.
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- This was his genealogy that he came from, but the fact that
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- It starts with a genealogy just shows us that this is a real
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- Story that happened in a real place at a real time.
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- Well, gabriel has already informed zacharias and elizabeth
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- That they're gonna have a forerunner as their son.
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- Now gabriel shows up in nazareth, but here living in
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- This godless place was a godly girl who was a direct descendant
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- Of king david.
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- Royal blood flowed in her veins.
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- And the angel gabriel makes this announcement to mary
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- In luke 1:28.
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- Gabriel appeared to her.
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- And said, "'greetings, favored woman, the lord is with you.'
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- Confused and disturbed, mary tried to think
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- What the angel could mean.
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- 'don't be frightened, mary,' the angel said,
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- 'for god has decided to bless you.'"
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- Now, that's an accurate translation.
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- Sometimes we hear it said, "hail, mary, full of grace.
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- The lord is with you.
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- Blessed are you among women."
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- And that is sort of a king james translation, and it's also for
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- Some a prayer that they will offer.
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- But gabriel was not saying, "hail, mary," as in,
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- "praise you, mary," or "you're exalted, mary."
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- Hail is just another word for hi or hey,
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- If you're from the south.
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- "greetings, mary.
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- Hello, mary. hi, mary.
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- Hey, mary. how's it, mary?
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- How's it going?
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- Listen, god has chosen you."
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- It's an amazing thing.
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- Sally lloyd-jones wrote a wonderful little book called
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- "the jesus storybook bible."
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- And it's written for kids, and i've read parts of it
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- To my grandchildren, and i like the way
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- That she summed up what happened.
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- And i quote from her book, "the god who flung planets
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- Into space and kept them from whirling around and around,
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- The god who made the universe with just one word,
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- The one who could do anything at all was making himself small
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- And coming down as a baby," end quote.
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- And that's exactly what was happening.
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- So, the lord tells--or excuse me--the angel tells mary,
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- "you are a fulfillment of bible prophecy."
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- I mean, imagine that, girls.
- 00:07:20.049 --> 00:07:22.018
- To be chosen, to be the one who would fulfill isaiah 9:6.
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- "behold, a virgin will conceive and bring forth a son, and you
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- Will call his name immanuel."
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- I don't think mary, in her wildest dreams, ever thought,
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- "i know i'm gonna be that girl," but she was.
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- But here's the problem.
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- That which was going to be conceived in her
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- Would come from the holy spirit.
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- That wasn't the problem.
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- The problem was getting joseph to believe it.
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- And when she told him, he wasn't buying it.
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- He said, "mary, you got a lot of 'splainin' to do."
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- No, that was ricky ricardo to lucy.
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- Remember?
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- 'splainin' he always said.
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- "no, honey, the angel gabriel appeared to me
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- And said it was from god.
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- I have the messiah."
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- "yeah, right."
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- But then an angel of the lord appeared to joseph and confirmed
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- That she would be the mother of the messiah, and then went on
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- To say, "and you shall call his name jesus."
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- Now, there were a lot of little boys named jesus
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- Back in those days.
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- It was a popular name.
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- It just meant jehovah saves.
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- Joshua or yeshua are variations of it,
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- But this wasn't just any jesus.
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- This was jesus who would save his people from their sins.
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- And in case he wasn't getting the picture, he was told,
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- "the virgin will be with child and bear a son, and
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- You'll call his name immanuel, which means god is with us.
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- Joseph, listen, not only is your betrothed wife
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- Carrying the son of god.
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- She's carrying the messiah of israel.
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- She's fulfilling a prophecy."
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- So now fast forward.
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- Mary's 9 months pregnant.
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- And when you're 9 months pregnant,
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- You don't want to go anywhere.
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- You want to just wait and have that baby.
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- You girls know this very well.
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- And but what happens is they're all taxed, and they have to
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- Move, and that's where the very familiar christmas story begins
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- In luke chapter 2, starting in verse 1.
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- "it came to pass in those days a decree went out
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- From caesar augustus that all the world should be taxed.
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- This census first took place when quirinius
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- Was governing syria.
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- So, all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
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- Joseph also went up from galilee out of the city of nazareth
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- Into judea to the city of david, which is called bethlehem,
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- Because he was of the house and lineage of david,
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- To be registered with mary, his betrothed wife,
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- Who was with child.
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- So it was, while they were there, the days were completed
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- For her to be delivered, and she brought forth her firstborn son,
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- And wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him
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- In a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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- Greg: hey, everyone.
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- Greg laurie with some christmas thoughts.
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- You know, as you're out and about in this christmas season,
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- Going to christmas events, parties, christmas shopping,
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- Et cetera, i want you to remember why jesus came.
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- Why did he come?
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- So, we could go shopping and shop till we drop?
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- No.
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- Jesus said, "i have come that you might have life and that
- 00:10:28.337 --> 00:10:31.240
- More abundantly."
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- So, jesus was born in that manger so you could find life in
- 00:10:32.908 --> 00:10:36.312
- All of its fullness.
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- You know, people put a lot of pressure on gift giving.
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- You want to give the perfect gift.
- 00:10:41.450 --> 00:10:43.119
- Maybe there's a certain thing you want to receive.
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- Here's a thought for you.
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- Don't put your focus on the present under the tree.
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- Put your focus on god's presence in your life.
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- The message of christmas is immanuel,
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- Which means god is with us.
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- God is with you but even more, christ can live in you if you
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- Put your faith in him.
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- Merry christmas.
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- Greg: greg laurie here.
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- You know, in harvest ministries, we're committing to reaching
- 00:11:07.410 --> 00:11:10.112
- Unexpected people in unexpected places with an
- 00:11:10.112 --> 00:11:13.516
- Unexpected message.
- 00:11:13.516 --> 00:11:15.217
- And thanks to your financial support, we've been able to
- 00:11:15.217 --> 00:11:19.588
- Touch people all over the world with the hope of jesus christ.
- 00:11:19.588 --> 00:11:24.060
- Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
- 00:11:24.060 --> 00:11:27.797
- Country through this television program, they also help us to
- 00:11:27.797 --> 00:11:32.034
- Bring hope to people and their biggest need, whether through
- 00:11:32.034 --> 00:11:35.638
- Our evangelistic events or our relief efforts.
- 00:11:35.638 --> 00:11:38.407
- Together, we've been able to minister to so many people
- 00:11:38.407 --> 00:11:41.677
- Devastated by the fires in lahaina on the island of maui,
- 00:11:41.677 --> 00:11:45.715
- And also, your support has helped us partner to bring
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- Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
- 00:11:49.185 --> 00:11:52.455
- So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
- 00:11:52.455 --> 00:11:55.624
- Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill
- 00:11:55.624 --> 00:11:59.562
- The great commission.
- 00:11:59.562 --> 00:12:00.896
- Let's do this together, and let me say in advance, thank you
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- And god bless you.
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- Greg: i want you to notice that the author of this gospel,
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- Dr. luke, he was a physician by trade,
- 00:12:13.109 --> 00:12:16.145
- Was very meticulous in his reporting.
- 00:12:16.145 --> 00:12:19.782
- Now, luke is very poetic.
- 00:12:19.782 --> 00:12:21.784
- The way he writes is beautiful,
- 00:12:21.784 --> 00:12:24.019
- But he's also a stickler for the facts.
- 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:26.822
- You see, luke was not an eyewitness
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- Of the life and ministry of christ.
- 00:12:28.991 --> 00:12:30.926
- Luke wrote the gospel of luke and the book of acts.
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- He came along a little bit later.
- 00:12:34.230 --> 00:12:36.599
- Matthew, the author of the gospel of matthew, and john,
- 00:12:36.599 --> 00:12:39.602
- Author of the gospel by his name, both were eyewitnesses,
- 00:12:39.602 --> 00:12:43.405
- So they could speak from experience,
- 00:12:43.405 --> 00:12:45.307
- But luke didn't have that privilege.
- 00:12:45.307 --> 00:12:47.309
- So, he went and interviewed the people that were
- 00:12:47.309 --> 00:12:50.880
- The key players in this story.
- 00:12:50.880 --> 00:12:53.415
- No doubt, he sat down with mary and heard the story from her,
- 00:12:53.415 --> 00:12:57.753
- And talked to other people that were actually there, and then
- 00:12:57.753 --> 00:13:01.824
- He put it all together to record for us an accurate record
- 00:13:01.824 --> 00:13:06.529
- Of what took place, because this was a real event.
- 00:13:06.529 --> 00:13:09.265
- It happened in a real place in real time.
- 00:13:09.265 --> 00:13:12.001
- In fact, luke writes in luke 1:3,
- 00:13:12.001 --> 00:13:14.670
- "i carefully investigated everything from the beginning.
- 00:13:14.670 --> 00:13:18.073
- It seemed good to me to write an orderly account to you."
- 00:13:18.073 --> 00:13:21.911
- And to show the authenticity of luke's writing and to pinpoint
- 00:13:21.911 --> 00:13:26.115
- It in time historically, notice he mentions both caesar augustus
- 00:13:26.115 --> 00:13:31.453
- And quirinius in verses 2 and 3.
- 00:13:31.453 --> 00:13:35.157
- These were actual people.
- 00:13:35.157 --> 00:13:37.159
- Caesar augustus was the first real roman emperor.
- 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:40.930
- His actual name was gaius octavius.
- 00:13:40.930 --> 00:13:43.966
- He was the great nephew of julius caesar.
- 00:13:43.966 --> 00:13:47.603
- Julius caesar, that was his real name, but after caesar
- 00:13:47.603 --> 00:13:51.841
- Passed from the scene, they took the name of caesar
- 00:13:51.841 --> 00:13:54.476
- And turned it into a title.
- 00:13:54.476 --> 00:13:56.712
- So, gaius octavius now became the caesar of rome,
- 00:13:56.712 --> 00:14:00.783
- But he added another thing to it.
- 00:14:00.783 --> 00:14:03.152
- He started calling himself augustus caesar, and the phrase
- 00:14:03.152 --> 00:14:07.089
- Augustus means to be worshiped and to be revered.
- 00:14:07.089 --> 00:14:11.594
- So, this is when the caesars were now accepting and then
- 00:14:11.594 --> 00:14:15.097
- Later demanding worship from the people, that they would worship
- 00:14:15.097 --> 00:14:18.901
- Caesar as a god.
- 00:14:18.901 --> 00:14:22.071
- So, caesar augustus, this is a man saying, in effect,
- 00:14:22.071 --> 00:14:26.475
- "i am god."
- 00:14:26.475 --> 00:14:28.244
- And they found--archeologists discovered, i should say--
- 00:14:28.244 --> 00:14:30.813
- An actual monument that was dedicated to caesar that said,
- 00:14:30.813 --> 00:14:35.317
- "augustus caesar, the savior of rome."
- 00:14:35.317 --> 00:14:39.321
- So, they found this statement, and now this makes sense
- 00:14:39.321 --> 00:14:43.626
- When we look at the angels' statement to the shepherds
- 00:14:43.626 --> 00:14:45.861
- Keeping watch over their flocks by night.
- 00:14:45.861 --> 00:14:47.963
- They said, "unto you is born this day into
- 00:14:47.963 --> 00:14:49.632
- The city of david a savior, who is christ the lord."
- 00:14:49.632 --> 00:14:52.935
- So, effectively, god was saying,
- 00:14:52.935 --> 00:14:54.403
- Augustus caesar is not the savior.
- 00:14:54.403 --> 00:14:56.906
- Jesus christ is the savior.
- 00:14:56.906 --> 00:14:59.074
- The savior is not wrapped in royal robes.
- 00:14:59.074 --> 00:15:01.810
- He's wrapped in strips of cloth lying on the floor of a barn.
- 00:15:01.810 --> 00:15:07.816
- So, really, when you look at the life of christ,
- 00:15:07.816 --> 00:15:10.085
- It's not a rags to riches story.
- 00:15:10.085 --> 00:15:12.688
- It's a riches to rags story.
- 00:15:12.688 --> 00:15:15.057
- He went from being a sovereign to a servant, from the glory of
- 00:15:15.057 --> 00:15:19.295
- Heaven to a stable for animals.
- 00:15:19.295 --> 00:15:21.997
- All of that he did for us.
- 00:15:21.997 --> 00:15:24.934
- It's an incredible thing to think about.
- 00:15:24.934 --> 00:15:27.703
- And so god wanted to move joseph and mary from point a to b,
- 00:15:27.703 --> 00:15:33.609
- Because a messiah was not to be born in nazareth
- 00:15:33.609 --> 00:15:37.046
- Or any other place.
- 00:15:37.046 --> 00:15:39.882
- He was to be born in bethlehem, because micah 5:2 said, "thou
- 00:15:39.882 --> 00:15:44.720
- Bethlehem, though you be little among the thousands of judah,
- 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:48.223
- Yet out of you shall come forth one whose origins
- 00:15:48.223 --> 00:15:50.759
- Have been from everlasting."
- 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:52.995
- It was prophesied.
- 00:15:52.995 --> 00:15:54.797
- When the wise men came later to king herod, saying,
- 00:15:54.797 --> 00:15:58.000
- "oh, there's one that's born called the king of the jews."
- 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:01.136
- He said to his scholars, "figure out where the messiah
- 00:16:01.136 --> 00:16:03.772
- Is gonna be born."
- 00:16:03.772 --> 00:16:05.207
- And they accurately pinpointed it's bethlehem,
- 00:16:05.207 --> 00:16:07.910
- And that's why herod went in and killed all those baby boys.
- 00:16:07.910 --> 00:16:10.846
- So, this was something that could be determined, but mary
- 00:16:10.846 --> 00:16:13.782
- And joseph had to get there, so they make that long, difficult
- 00:16:13.782 --> 00:16:16.986
- Journey, and they arrive in the city, but god was moving events
- 00:16:16.986 --> 00:16:22.157
- To get them there.
- 00:16:22.157 --> 00:16:23.559
- So, there they are now, and they come into town.
- 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:26.028
- And the story is so familiar, but there's no room in the inn.
- 00:16:26.028 --> 00:16:29.798
- Sounds like there was no room in the innkeeper's heart.
- 00:16:29.798 --> 00:16:33.602
- What was this guy's problem?
- 00:16:33.602 --> 00:16:35.938
- But this phrase, "no room in the inn," in many ways became
- 00:16:35.938 --> 00:16:39.441
- Prophetic of the reception that christ received
- 00:16:39.441 --> 00:16:42.845
- While he walked this earth.
- 00:16:42.845 --> 00:16:44.780
- Ironically, there was no room for jesus, yet jesus said,
- 00:16:44.780 --> 00:16:48.050
- "in my father's house are many mansions."
- 00:16:48.050 --> 00:16:51.420
- You know, we don't have any room for him,
- 00:16:51.420 --> 00:16:54.623
- But he has many rooms for us.
- 00:16:54.623 --> 00:16:57.559
- Ironic.
- 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:59.261
- And so here he is coming to--or mary and joseph are coming
- 00:16:59.261 --> 00:17:02.931
- To this innkeeper's place, and he's rubbing
- 00:17:02.931 --> 00:17:06.435
- The sleep out of his eyes.
- 00:17:06.435 --> 00:17:07.903
- And you think when he opened the door,
- 00:17:07.903 --> 00:17:09.538
- There was like a spotlight on them?
- 00:17:09.538 --> 00:17:11.740
- You know.
- 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:13.075
- No, i think they looked like any other poor family, poor couple.
- 00:17:13.075 --> 00:17:16.779
- Looked at them like they don't have any money.
- 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.914
- "i don't have any room in the inn.
- 00:17:18.914 --> 00:17:21.250
- Well, you can go out in the barn.
- 00:17:21.250 --> 00:17:23.152
- Have your baby there." how heartless can a man be?
- 00:17:23.152 --> 00:17:26.021
- But what an opportunity he missed.
- 00:17:26.021 --> 00:17:28.524
- Here was god coming to him.
- 00:17:28.524 --> 00:17:30.225
- And, you know, god up and comes to us in unexpected ways.
- 00:17:30.225 --> 00:17:34.196
- Jesus said, "if you did it to the least of these,
- 00:17:34.196 --> 00:17:37.032
- You did it for me."
- 00:17:37.032 --> 00:17:38.767
- He says, "when i was hungry, you fed me.
- 00:17:38.767 --> 00:17:40.602
- When i was thirsty, you gave me drink.
- 00:17:40.602 --> 00:17:42.504
- When i was in prison, you visited me."
- 00:17:42.504 --> 00:17:44.807
- They said, "well, when did we visit you in prison?
- 00:17:44.807 --> 00:17:47.376
- When did we feed you? when did we give you water?"
- 00:17:47.376 --> 00:17:50.045
- He said, "when you did it to the least of these,
- 00:17:50.045 --> 00:17:52.214
- You did it to me."
- 00:17:52.214 --> 00:17:54.049
- So, here was god in human form in the womb of this woman,
- 00:17:54.049 --> 00:17:58.353
- Ready to be born.
- 00:17:58.353 --> 00:18:00.122
- I mean this guy could've rolled out the red carpet
- 00:18:00.122 --> 00:18:02.825
- And been the spot where christ was born,
- 00:18:02.825 --> 00:18:05.727
- But instead he heartlessly turns them away.
- 00:18:05.727 --> 00:18:09.865
- We can say, "oh, he's so bad."
- 00:18:09.865 --> 00:18:11.233
- But wait a second. do we turn him away sometimes?
- 00:18:11.233 --> 00:18:14.403
- Sometimes even in the celebration of christmas,
- 00:18:14.403 --> 00:18:17.239
- We forget all about jesus 'cause we're in such a rush
- 00:18:17.239 --> 00:18:21.710
- Going here and there.
- 00:18:21.710 --> 00:18:23.512
- And, you know, christmas does not bring the best
- 00:18:23.512 --> 00:18:25.814
- Out of people many times.
- 00:18:25.814 --> 00:18:27.216
- It brings the worst out of them.
- 00:18:27.216 --> 00:18:29.051
- If you don't believe me, go to a mall.
- 00:18:29.051 --> 00:18:31.753
- Some of you are planning on doing that today.
- 00:18:31.753 --> 00:18:34.590
- And, you know, people are very aggressive,
- 00:18:34.590 --> 00:18:37.292
- And they want that parking spot.
- 00:18:37.292 --> 00:18:39.862
- And they're grabbing this, and rushing over here, and fighting
- 00:18:39.862 --> 00:18:43.932
- Over things, and, you know, it can be a very stressful time,
- 00:18:43.932 --> 00:18:47.936
- And we can forget all about the lord
- 00:18:47.936 --> 00:18:50.205
- And not be listening to him.
- 00:18:50.205 --> 00:18:51.707
- I think a great verse to think about is what christ said in
- 00:18:51.707 --> 00:18:54.409
- Matthew 11 when he said, "come to me, all of you who
- 00:18:54.409 --> 00:18:58.080
- Are weary and heavily burdened, and i will give you rest.
- 00:18:58.080 --> 00:19:02.251
- Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for i am gentle
- 00:19:02.251 --> 00:19:05.287
- And humble in heart, and you'll find rest for your souls.
- 00:19:05.287 --> 00:19:08.390
- For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
- 00:19:08.390 --> 00:19:11.627
- These words of jesus are for any person who is stressed out.
- 00:19:11.627 --> 00:19:15.597
- Are you stressed out right now?
- 00:19:15.597 --> 00:19:18.400
- How many of you are feeling a little bit stressed?
- 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.135
- Yeah--the rest of you, liars.
- 00:19:20.135 --> 00:19:23.038
- Come on. that's all right.
- 00:19:23.038 --> 00:19:25.207
- Maybe you're not stressed out, but you're certainly hurried
- 00:19:25.207 --> 00:19:27.976
- And worried about many things.
- 00:19:27.976 --> 00:19:30.679
- And so jesus says, "just come here and find rest from me."
- 00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:34.983
- Another translation puts it this way.
- 00:19:34.983 --> 00:19:37.286
- Christ speaking, "are you tired, worn out,
- 00:19:37.286 --> 00:19:40.255
- Burned out on religion?
- 00:19:40.255 --> 00:19:42.224
- Come to me, get away with me, and you'll recover your life.
- 00:19:42.224 --> 00:19:45.594
- I'll show you how to take a real rest."
- 00:19:45.594 --> 00:19:48.664
- I like that.
- 00:19:48.664 --> 00:19:50.432
- That's written not to lazy people, but to weary people,
- 00:19:50.432 --> 00:19:54.336
- People who are at the point of exhaustion, people that are
- 00:19:54.336 --> 00:19:58.607
- Coming loaded down with weight, and sometimes that weight is
- 00:19:58.607 --> 00:20:02.044
- Because of all those christmas cookies and candies and things
- 00:20:02.044 --> 00:20:06.315
- People give to us.
- 00:20:06.315 --> 00:20:07.883
- Oh, my goodness.
- 00:20:07.883 --> 00:20:09.718
- But maybe it's the weight of sin.
- 00:20:09.718 --> 00:20:12.254
- Maybe you're here today with just a burden of sin,
- 00:20:12.254 --> 00:20:15.490
- Something you've done.
- 00:20:15.490 --> 00:20:17.259
- Maybe it's a burden of pain.
- 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:20.629
- You know, you're having physical pain right now.
- 00:20:20.629 --> 00:20:23.065
- Maybe it's the burden of family conflict.
- 00:20:23.065 --> 00:20:25.467
- You know, christmas often brings that out,
- 00:20:25.467 --> 00:20:27.903
- Because it brings us together.
- 00:20:27.903 --> 00:20:29.972
- Jesus is saying, "come to me.
- 00:20:29.972 --> 00:20:32.307
- Come to me with your problems.
- 00:20:32.307 --> 00:20:34.142
- Come to me with your worries."
- 00:20:34.142 --> 00:20:35.944
- Have you ever noticed that your problems often hit you
- 00:20:35.944 --> 00:20:38.513
- Like at 3 o'clock in the morning?
- 00:20:38.513 --> 00:20:40.882
- Right? you wake up for a moment.
- 00:20:40.882 --> 00:20:43.385
- All of a sudden, pfft, pfft, pfft, four or five of them.
- 00:20:43.385 --> 00:20:45.454
- That's the sound effect of problems hitting.
- 00:20:45.454 --> 00:20:47.189
- I'll do it again.
- 00:20:47.189 --> 00:20:48.624
- Pfft, pfft, pfft, yeah, just like that.
- 00:20:48.624 --> 00:20:50.492
- One more, pfft, there.
- 00:20:50.492 --> 00:20:52.694
- Then that really big one, whoosh, yeah.
- 00:20:52.694 --> 00:20:55.964
- Oh, worrying about this, worrying about that.
- 00:20:55.964 --> 00:20:59.234
- What am i gonna do about all this stuff?
- 00:20:59.234 --> 00:21:00.902
- And do you know what i do?
- 00:21:00.902 --> 00:21:02.237
- I just commit each one to the lord.
- 00:21:02.237 --> 00:21:04.139
- "lord, there's nothing i can do, but you can handle it.
- 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:06.842
- And i'm gonna sleep.
- 00:21:06.842 --> 00:21:08.210
- So, you worry about it."
- 00:21:08.210 --> 00:21:12.614
- But god isn't gonna worry about it at all, is he?
- 00:21:12.614 --> 00:21:15.550
- But what does scripture tell us to do?
- 00:21:15.550 --> 00:21:17.586
- Cast all our care upon him, for he cares for us.
- 00:21:17.586 --> 00:21:21.523
- So, just put it on the lord.
- 00:21:21.523 --> 00:21:23.125
- "lord, i give this problem to you.
- 00:21:23.125 --> 00:21:24.559
- I give that conflict to you.
- 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.961
- I give this need to you.
- 00:21:25.961 --> 00:21:27.729
- I give this other issue to you.
- 00:21:27.729 --> 00:21:29.765
- I put it in your hands, and i ask you to help me with it.
- 00:21:29.765 --> 00:21:32.668
- And i'm gonna sleep, and i'll talk to you in the morning."
- 00:21:32.668 --> 00:21:35.003
- Right?
- 00:21:35.003 --> 00:21:36.338
- So, that's what jesus is saying that we should do:
- 00:21:36.338 --> 00:21:38.774
- Give those burdens over to him.
- 00:21:38.774 --> 00:21:40.942
- But we can be so busy in the celebration.
- 00:21:40.942 --> 00:21:44.313
- You know, it's a funny thing.
- 00:21:44.313 --> 00:21:46.315
- A lot of times during christmas, people don't go to church.
- 00:21:46.315 --> 00:21:50.952
- I mean, that's strange to me.
- 00:21:50.952 --> 00:21:52.854
- It's like, do we have to go out and celebrate
- 00:21:52.854 --> 00:21:54.356
- The birth of christ?
- 00:21:54.356 --> 00:21:55.724
- So, let's not go to church.
- 00:21:55.724 --> 00:21:57.492
- But to me i'm thinking, "gosh, if there's one thing i want to
- 00:21:57.492 --> 00:21:59.728
- Do on christmas day, it's go and honor the one
- 00:21:59.728 --> 00:22:02.998
- Who was born with god's people.
- 00:22:02.998 --> 00:22:05.634
- Think of what he did for us.
- 00:22:05.634 --> 00:22:08.303
- Think of all that he gave up for us.
- 00:22:08.303 --> 00:22:11.506
- You know, the bible tells us that he was god.
- 00:22:11.506 --> 00:22:14.743
- He did nothing of robbery to be equal with god,
- 00:22:14.743 --> 00:22:17.012
- But he made himself a servant and emptied himself.
- 00:22:17.012 --> 00:22:21.083
- Now, he didn't empty himself of his divinity,
- 00:22:21.083 --> 00:22:24.419
- But he emptied himself of the privileges of divinity.
- 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:28.724
- He walked among us as a man.
- 00:22:28.724 --> 00:22:31.426
- He lived among us as a man, a sinless man,
- 00:22:31.426 --> 00:22:34.629
- But yet one who felt the pressure and presence of sin,
- 00:22:34.629 --> 00:22:38.600
- And he walked in our shoes.
- 00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:40.702
- And then, of course, he lived our life, and he died our death.
- 00:22:40.702 --> 00:22:45.340
- And, you know, he did come to this earth, and that's what we
- 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:48.043
- Celebrate when we come to christmas, but the bible tells
- 00:22:48.043 --> 00:22:51.079
- Us one day he will come again.
- 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:54.683
- He'll come again, and this time he's not gonna come to a manger.
- 00:22:54.683 --> 00:22:58.387
- He's gonna return in glory.
- 00:22:58.387 --> 00:23:00.756
- At his first coming, he was wrapped in swaddling clothes.
- 00:23:00.756 --> 00:23:04.126
- At his second coming, he'll be clothed royally
- 00:23:04.126 --> 00:23:07.028
- In a robe dipped in blood.
- 00:23:07.028 --> 00:23:09.464
- At his first coming, he was surrounded
- 00:23:09.464 --> 00:23:11.400
- By animals and shepherds.
- 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:13.802
- In his second coming, he'll be accompanied
- 00:23:13.802 --> 00:23:15.771
- By saints and angels.
- 00:23:15.771 --> 00:23:18.106
- In his first coming, we know that he had no place to go.
- 00:23:18.106 --> 00:23:24.780
- There was no room for him in the inn, but in his second coming,
- 00:23:24.780 --> 00:23:28.049
- The door of the heavens will be opened to him.
- 00:23:28.049 --> 00:23:31.052
- In his first coming, he was the lamb of god coming to die
- 00:23:31.052 --> 00:23:34.623
- For the sins of the world.
- 00:23:34.623 --> 00:23:36.458
- In his second coming, he'll be the ferocious lion of the tribe
- 00:23:36.458 --> 00:23:40.128
- Of judah bringing judgment.
- 00:23:40.128 --> 00:23:42.998
- And this is the day the bible speaks of when it says every
- 00:23:42.998 --> 00:23:46.735
- Knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that jesus christ
- 00:23:46.735 --> 00:23:50.839
- Is lord to the glory of god the father.
- 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:54.242
- He's coming again.
- 00:23:54.242 --> 00:23:56.111
- Greg: maybe god has spoken
- 00:23:59.614 --> 00:24:01.349
- To your heart and you have seen your need for jesus christ.
- 00:24:01.349 --> 00:24:06.254
- Jesus christ is the son of god who came from heaven
- 00:24:06.254 --> 00:24:10.091
- To this earth.
- 00:24:10.091 --> 00:24:11.593
- He was born in a manger, he died on cross,
- 00:24:11.593 --> 00:24:14.963
- He rose again from the dead; why?
- 00:24:14.963 --> 00:24:17.232
- Because he loves you and he wants a relationship with you.
- 00:24:17.232 --> 00:24:20.869
- Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
- 00:24:20.869 --> 00:24:22.938
- I don't wanna be a religious person,
- 00:24:22.938 --> 00:24:24.940
- I don't think you wanna be one either,
- 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.875
- I'm talking about relationship with god.
- 00:24:26.875 --> 00:24:30.545
- Jesus who died and rose again stands at the door of your life
- 00:24:30.545 --> 00:24:34.783
- And he knocks and he says, "if you'll hear his voice
- 00:24:34.783 --> 00:24:37.586
- And open the door, he will come in."
- 00:24:37.586 --> 00:24:39.788
- Question:
- 00:24:39.788 --> 00:24:41.289
- Have you asked jesus christ to come and live inside of you?
- 00:24:41.289 --> 00:24:44.025
- You might say, "well, i think so, i'm not sure."
- 00:24:44.025 --> 00:24:46.194
- Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle
- 00:24:46.194 --> 00:24:48.396
- Of the night, do you think you would be aware of it?
- 00:24:48.396 --> 00:24:51.299
- I'm sure you would.
- 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:53.034
- And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
- 00:24:53.034 --> 00:24:55.871
- You will know, and if you don't know,
- 00:24:55.871 --> 00:24:58.440
- Maybe he has not come in yet, he's just a prayer away.
- 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:02.244
- All you need to do is say, "jesus, i want this relationship
- 00:25:02.244 --> 00:25:05.814
- With you, i want you to forgive me of my sin,
- 00:25:05.814 --> 00:25:08.650
- I wanna go to heaven when i die."
- 00:25:08.650 --> 00:25:11.186
- Would you like to do that?
- 00:25:11.186 --> 00:25:12.754
- Would you like christ to come into your life?
- 00:25:12.754 --> 00:25:14.689
- If so, why don't you just pray the simple prayer with me.
- 00:25:14.689 --> 00:25:18.026
- You can pray it out loud or you can pray it in the quietness
- 00:25:18.026 --> 00:25:21.296
- Of your heart.
- 00:25:21.296 --> 00:25:22.631
- But this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ
- 00:25:22.631 --> 00:25:25.100
- To be your savior and lord, pray this with me now.
- 00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:28.637
- "lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner,
- 00:25:28.637 --> 00:25:31.907
- But i know that you're the savior.
- 00:25:31.907 --> 00:25:34.309
- Who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead.
- 00:25:34.309 --> 00:25:38.513
- Now come into my life.
- 00:25:38.513 --> 00:25:40.782
- I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
- 00:25:40.782 --> 00:25:45.120
- Thank you for hearing this prayer
- 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:47.656
- And answering this prayer.
- 00:25:47.656 --> 00:25:49.491
- In jesus's name, amen."
- 00:25:49.491 --> 00:25:52.227
- Did you just pray that prayer with me?
- 00:25:52.227 --> 00:25:54.596
- If so, i want you to know in the authority of scripture that
- 00:25:54.596 --> 00:25:57.666
- Christ himself has come to live inside of you.
- 00:25:57.666 --> 00:26:00.936
- And i would love to send to you,
- 00:26:00.936 --> 00:26:02.737
- At no charge, something called
- 00:26:02.737 --> 00:26:04.739
- "the new believer's bible."
- 00:26:04.739 --> 00:26:06.474
- It's a very friendly translation of
- 00:26:06.474 --> 00:26:08.476
- The new testament you'll find very understandable, and it's
- 00:26:08.476 --> 00:26:11.880
- Filled with hundreds of notes that i wrote that will encourage
- 00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:15.717
- You in this commitment you've just made to follow jesus.
- 00:26:15.717 --> 00:26:19.020
- Let me send that to you at no charge, and let me be
- 00:26:19.020 --> 00:26:22.223
- The first to say to you, "congratulations
- 00:26:22.223 --> 00:26:25.560
- And welcome to the family of god."
- 00:26:25.560 --> 00:26:27.762
- Greg: greg laurie here.
- 00:26:30.332 --> 00:26:31.700
- You know, in harvest ministries, we're committing to reaching
- 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:34.102
- Unexpected people in unexpected places with an
- 00:26:34.102 --> 00:26:37.505
- Unexpected message.
- 00:26:37.505 --> 00:26:39.207
- And thanks to your financial support, we've been able to
- 00:26:39.207 --> 00:26:43.578
- Touch people all over the world with the hope of jesus christ.
- 00:26:43.578 --> 00:26:48.049
- Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
- 00:26:48.049 --> 00:26:51.786
- Country through this television program, they also help us to
- 00:26:51.786 --> 00:26:56.024
- Bring hope to people and their biggest need, whether through
- 00:26:56.024 --> 00:26:59.628
- Our evangelistic events or our relief efforts.
- 00:26:59.628 --> 00:27:02.397
- Together, we've been able to minister to so many people
- 00:27:02.397 --> 00:27:05.667
- Devastated by the fires in lahaina on the island of maui,
- 00:27:05.667 --> 00:27:09.704
- And also, your support has helped us partner to bring
- 00:27:09.704 --> 00:27:13.174
- Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
- 00:27:13.174 --> 00:27:16.444
- So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
- 00:27:16.444 --> 00:27:19.614
- Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill
- 00:27:19.614 --> 00:27:23.551
- The great commission.
- 00:27:23.551 --> 00:27:24.886
- Let's do this together, and let me say in advance, thank you
- 00:27:24.886 --> 00:27:28.456
- And god bless you.
- 00:27:28.456 --> 00:27:29.010
