Greg Laurie - The Secret To Being A World Changer

September 4, 2025 | S25 E3604 | 27:40

Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - The Secret To Being A World Changer | September 4, 2025
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  • Greg laurie: you put your past behind you.
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  • When god forgives you, he forgets your sins.
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  • He says, "your sins and iniquities will
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  • I remember no more."
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  • So, put your past sins behind you.
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  • Listen to this.
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  • Put your past victories behind you.
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  • Some people are resting on their laurels.
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  • They're living in the past.
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  • There's a new day before us, a race to run.
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  • So, we press on.
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  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪♪
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  • Greg: here before us is the secret of the world changer.
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  • So, let's read together hebrews 12,
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  • Starting in verse 1.
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  • "therefore since we are surrounded by a great cloud
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  • Of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
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  • And the sin that so easily ensnares us,
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  • And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
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  • Looking unto jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
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  • Who for the joy that was set before him,
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  • Endured the cross, despising the shame,
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  • And has sat down at the right hand of the throne of god.
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  • For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners
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  • Against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged
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  • In your souls."
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  • I'll stop there.
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  • So, what is the secret to being a world changer?
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  • What is the motive that will keep us going
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  • Even when we are, at times, discouraged in the race of life.
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  • Here's the answer: it's jesus.
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  • We do it for jesus.
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  • We keep running for him, because one day we will stand before
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  • Him, and we'll see him face to face.
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  • Let me take you back again to verse 1.
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  • It says, "therefore--" i've often said,
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  • "whenever you see the word "therefore" in the bible,
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  • Find out what it's there for.
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  • It's always drawing upon what has been previously said.
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  • So, the author of hebrews is saying,
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  • "therefore--" or another way of putting it,
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  • "in light of what we have just learned from these heroes of
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  • Faith in hebrews 11, because of this example,
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  • Therefore, let us run with endurance."
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  • I'm going to share with you six principles about being
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  • A world changer.
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  • Number one, world changers are in good company.
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  • World changers are in good company.
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  • Verse 1 says, "you're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses."
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  • Well, we look back at hebrews 11.
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  • Here are all these great people of faith.
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  • They ran the race of life so well.
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  • Hey, they weren't perfect.
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  • They messed up. they had flaws.
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  • We pointed this out.
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  • But yet, they changed their world.
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  • The world changers of hebrews 11 opposed the pharaoh,
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  • And they counseled nebuchadnezzar.
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  • They passed through the red sea.
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  • They shouted down the walls of jericho.
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  • They shut the mouths of lions.
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  • They both called down and walked through fire.
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  • Now the author of hebrews is saying,
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  • "listen, run like they did.
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  • Live like they did. this can be done."
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  • And keep this in mind: the world changers of hebrews 11 did not
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  • Have as much light as we do.
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  • And by that, i mean they didn't know all that we know.
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  • For starters, they didn't have jesus christ living
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  • In their heart.
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  • That's a new covenant possibility,
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  • Not an old testament possibility.
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  • They didn't have the holy spirit empowering them.
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  • That happens for those in the new covenant because
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  • Of the death and resurrection of christ.
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  • And so they didn't know all that we know,
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  • But yet, they pressed on.
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  • Hebrews 11:13 says, "all these people died still believing what
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  • God had promised them.
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  • They did not receive what was promised,
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  • But they saw it from a distance, and they welcomed it."
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  • And listen, the same god who was their god is also our god.
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  • The god of yesterday is the god of both today and tomorrow.
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  • He has not grown weaker, he has not lost interest in us,
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  • And he is telling us to run on.
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  • Point number two, world changers are in a race for their life.
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  • World changers are in a race for their life.
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  • Verse 1, "let us run."
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  • One of the reasons i think paul may be the author of hebrews is
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  • Because paul often used the analogy of running in other
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  • Writings like philippians, and 1 corinthians, and galatians.
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  • And in 1 corinthians 9:24, paul said,
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  • "remember in a race everyone runs,
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  • But only one person gets a prize.
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  • So run in such a way that you will win."
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  • Did you hear that?
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  • See, we live in a time where we say everyone's a winner.
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  • We give participation trophies for just showing up, right?
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  • And we say to the kids, "doesn't matter what the score is.
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  • You're a winner." no, they're not.
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  • There's a winner, and there's a loser,
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  • And that's how life works, too, right?
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  • And here's something that may come as a revelation.
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  • God says, "i want you to be a winner.
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  • I don't want you to be a loser."
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  • Paul says, "run that you may win."
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  • This is very important.
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  • You are not my opponent.
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  • I'm not competing with you.
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  • You're not competing with me.
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  • As a church, we're not competing with another church in town.
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  • I say for all the churches in our community,
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  • Preaching the gospel, teaching god's word,
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  • God bless all of them, all of us.
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  • We're all the church.
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  • We're all the church.
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  • My competition isn't with another pastor.
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  • Listen, my competition, if you will,
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  • My opponents are the world, the flesh, and the devil.
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  • I'm running with fellow christians.
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  • We're running together.
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  • Point number three, world changers run light.
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  • World changers run light.
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  • Verse 1, "let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so
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  • Easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that is set
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  • Before us."
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  • Listen, you don't want excess baggage in the race of life.
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  • Ask yourself this question in the race of life--
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  • And i'm speaking of the christian life.
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  • Is there someone or something that is slowing you down?
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  • See, if i'm running a race, and someone is hanging on to me,
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  • And i'm dragging them, is that a productive relationship
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  • For winning a race?
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  • No, if i'm trying to have an appetite for the things of god,
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  • And someone is feeding me something
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  • That dulls my appetite, is that a good thing to eat?
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  • So, periodically, i have to take stock of my life and ask myself
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  • Of certain relationships, is this a good relationship for me?
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  • You need to run the race with godly people that spur you on,
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  • Not with ungodly people that slow you down.
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  • So, look for godly friends, and even more,
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  • Be a godly friend.
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  • You know, one of our world changers that we looked
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  • At was abraham.
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  • You remember god said to abraham,
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  • "leave your country, leave your family,
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  • And go to a land that i'll show you."
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  • And abraham obeyed, sort of.
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  • He left his country, and he left most of his family,
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  • But he took along his nephew lot,
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  • Who was sort of like spiritual dead weight,
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  • And it caused conflict with abraham,
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  • And ultimately they had to part ways.
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  • But it's interesting.
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  • As soon as abraham sort of cut off contact with lot,
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  • God spoke to him again.
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  • Sometimes we have relationships like that that are hurting us
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  • In the race of life.
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  • Lay aside the weight and the sin that so easily besets you.
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  • Ask yourself the question, "this thing,
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  • Is it speeding me up, or is it slowing me down?
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  • This thing that i'm doing, is it building me up,
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  • Or is it tearing me down?"
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  • There are certain kind of foods they say are energy foods.
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  • I'm told a banana is an energy food.
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  • A glazed donut is not an energy food, okay?
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  • So, if i eat certain things, it will affect me mentally and, to
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  • Some degree, physically--and we all have different metabolisms.
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  • This is important.
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  • Notice it says, "lay aside the weight and the sin
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  • That so easily besets you."
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  • There's a distinction.
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  • See, sin is sin.
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  • There's a lot of sins out there, breaking god's commandments,
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  • Falling short of his standards, not doing what god tells you
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  • To do, which would be the sin of omission.
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  • But then there's the weight.
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  • See, what may be a weight for one person is not necessarily
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  • A weight for another person.
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  • You might say, "well, look, that christian is doing thus and so,
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  • And they're okay.
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  • Why can't i do it?" because you're not that person.
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  • And maybe it doesn't affect them the same
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  • Way that it affects you.
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  • What is a weight to one is not necessarily
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  • A weight for another.
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  • You know, when i was younger, when i was in my 20s,
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  • And i would finish preaching, i would always go out to
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  • A restaurant called naugles.
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  • How many of you've heard of naugles?
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  • Yeah, and there was one here in riverside,
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  • And they're in orange county
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  • Someone heard me in the first service, said,
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  • "there's one in fountain valley."
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  • I'm going to do some research on that,
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  • 'cause i love naugles.
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  • I thought it was the best takeout mexican food ever,
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  • And there was something i always ordered there.
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  • So, i hate to admit this, but i'd be preaching a sermon,
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  • And toward the end of my message at night i'm speaking,
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  • And i'm literally thinking: macho combo burrito,
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  • Macho combo burrito.
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  • I'm thinking about it like this. macho combo.
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  • And so it's in 5 minutes, macho combo burrito.
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  • So, i'd finish the service.
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  • "yes, amen, god bless!"
  • 00:10:05.438 --> 00:10:06.772
  • Macho combo burrito. drive through, get it.
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  • The thing was like the size of a sleeping bag.
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  • It was huge.
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  • It was absurdly large...
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  • You know, eat this thing.
  • 00:10:15.381 --> 00:10:16.716
  • It was massive, and it had no effect on me.
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  • I didn't get heartburn. i didn't feel bad afterwards.
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  • I couldn't even think of eating something like
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  • That late at night now.
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  • See, i've gone from acid rock to acid reflux.
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  • That's part of the problem.
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  • World changers run light.
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  • Point number four, world changers run hard.
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  • They run hard.
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  • Verse 2, "let us run with endurance a race
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  • That is set before us."
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  • The word here that is used for endurance is the greek
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  • Word "hypomeno."
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  • I'm told that's how it's pronounced.
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  • I don't speak greek.
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  • But it's a word that means perseverance,
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  • Endurance, steadfastness, or staying power.
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  • Another translator put it as heroic endurance.
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  • This is a steady determination to keep going,
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  • Because sometimes in the race of life,
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  • Hey, it's just hard, and you're just a little bit tired,
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  • Or maybe really tired, and the hypomeno,
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  • The perseverance, presses on.
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  • Sometimes we start off with a burst of energy,
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  • Then we start slowing down, and some even abandon
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  • The race altogether.
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  • Years ago, i went out on a bike ride.
  • 00:11:29.522 --> 00:11:32.625
  • My wife is really good on road bikes,
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  • And i wanted to sort of do it with her.
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  • So, i went and got myself a bike,
  • 00:11:38.397 --> 00:11:40.566
  • And i got the whole outfit, because what i think of it as,
  • 00:11:40.566 --> 00:11:44.437
  • An outfit, which i didn't really like wearing.
  • 00:11:44.437 --> 00:11:48.107
  • You know, it's a little brightly colored deal with
  • 00:11:48.107 --> 00:11:51.310
  • The little clicky shoes that you slick into the pedals.
  • 00:11:51.310 --> 00:11:54.580
  • And then it has padding on the bottom.
  • 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:56.615
  • You feel like you need your diaper changed, okay?
  • 00:11:56.615 --> 00:11:59.185
  • See, i got on my little bike, and i'm riding along,
  • 00:11:59.185 --> 00:12:01.420
  • Very color coordinated, looking good.
  • 00:12:01.420 --> 00:12:03.389
  • Foom, foom, foom, you know. so, we ride about 20 miles away.
  • 00:12:03.389 --> 00:12:06.759
  • And, you know, i'm just so full of energy.
  • 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:08.994
  • I pass everybody.
  • 00:12:08.994 --> 00:12:10.329
  • They're looking at me like, "what are you doing?"
  • 00:12:10.329 --> 00:12:11.731
  • I'm way in the lead. this is so easy.
  • 00:12:11.731 --> 00:12:14.300
  • Why do people say it's hard? it's easy.
  • 00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:16.635
  • Then we reach our destination.
  • 00:12:16.635 --> 00:12:18.037
  • I'm exhausted.
  • 00:12:18.037 --> 00:12:19.839
  • It's so bad, one of the people had to push me back
  • 00:12:19.839 --> 00:12:22.808
  • On my bike, pushing me.
  • 00:12:22.808 --> 00:12:24.143
  • That is humiliating, okay?
  • 00:12:24.143 --> 00:12:26.412
  • And then to make matters worse, after the race was all over,
  • 00:12:26.412 --> 00:12:29.348
  • I get on the phone.
  • 00:12:29.348 --> 00:12:30.683
  • I'm telling someone, "i rode 20 miles today."
  • 00:12:30.683 --> 00:12:32.885
  • And my wife was walking out the door.
  • 00:12:32.885 --> 00:12:34.353
  • I said, "where are you going?" she goes, "i'm going on a ride."
  • 00:12:34.353 --> 00:12:36.355
  • "what do you mean you're going on a ride?
  • 00:12:36.355 --> 00:12:37.690
  • We just rode 20 miles."
  • 00:12:37.690 --> 00:12:39.191
  • Cathe says, "i didn't even break a sweat."
  • 00:12:39.191 --> 00:12:41.393
  • But sometimes we start with a great burst of energy,
  • 00:12:44.430 --> 00:12:48.801
  • But we can't finish it.
  • 00:12:48.801 --> 00:12:50.970
  • We need endurance. where do we get it?
  • 00:12:50.970 --> 00:12:53.305
  • Hmph, you're not gonna like my answer.
  • 00:12:53.305 --> 00:12:55.708
  • Where do you get endurance?
  • 00:12:55.708 --> 00:12:57.610
  • The answer is found in james 1.
  • 00:12:57.610 --> 00:12:59.845
  • "count it all joy, brothers, when you fall into various
  • 00:12:59.845 --> 00:13:02.314
  • Trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
  • 00:13:02.314 --> 00:13:05.317
  • Produces endurance.
  • 00:13:05.317 --> 00:13:07.319
  • So let endurance have its perfect work,
  • 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:09.321
  • That you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
  • 00:13:09.321 --> 00:13:12.958
  • There's that word hypomeno again.
  • 00:13:12.958 --> 00:13:15.928
  • The testing of your faith produces this strength.
  • 00:13:15.928 --> 00:13:20.499
  • It's sort of like going to the gym.
  • 00:13:20.499 --> 00:13:23.669
  • You tear your muscle down in order to build your muscle up.
  • 00:13:23.669 --> 00:13:28.841
  • And sometimes someone might add more weights to your bench press
  • 00:13:28.841 --> 00:13:33.546
  • Or whatever you're lifting.
  • 00:13:33.546 --> 00:13:35.781
  • Go for a higher weight.
  • 00:13:35.781 --> 00:13:37.283
  • "oh, i can't do it." no, you can go higher.
  • 00:13:37.283 --> 00:13:40.019
  • Lower your reps if you need to, but you can go higher,
  • 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:42.922
  • And then you finally can do it, and then you move up
  • 00:13:42.922 --> 00:13:44.623
  • Again, and that's the idea.
  • 00:13:44.623 --> 00:13:45.958
  • God will put weights in our life, things in our life.
  • 00:13:45.958 --> 00:13:48.761
  • We say, "i don't want these weights.
  • 00:13:48.761 --> 00:13:50.629
  • I don't want this problem, but i want to be strong."
  • 00:13:50.629 --> 00:13:53.699
  • If you want to be strong, you're going to go through trials,
  • 00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:56.569
  • Because when you go through trials, you get stronger.
  • 00:13:56.569 --> 00:14:00.072
  • Remember joseph when we're first introduced to him?
  • 00:14:00.072 --> 00:14:03.609
  • He's sort of a pampered young man with a super cool shirt his
  • 00:14:03.609 --> 00:14:07.279
  • Dad gave him.
  • 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.848
  • He ratted out his brothers.
  • 00:14:08.848 --> 00:14:11.150
  • And joseph went through a lot of adversity,
  • 00:14:11.150 --> 00:14:13.319
  • Including being sold as a slave by his brothers and being sent
  • 00:14:13.319 --> 00:14:17.289
  • To prison after being falsely accused of rape.
  • 00:14:17.289 --> 00:14:20.793
  • And genesis tells us that when he was in prison,
  • 00:14:20.793 --> 00:14:23.495
  • Iron entered his soul.
  • 00:14:23.495 --> 00:14:26.265
  • So, right now, you're going through a hardship,
  • 00:14:26.265 --> 00:14:28.267
  • And it makes no sense to you, and you wish it would go away,
  • 00:14:28.267 --> 00:14:30.903
  • But god is toughening you up.
  • 00:14:30.903 --> 00:14:33.038
  • He's giving you that steadfastness you're going
  • 00:14:33.038 --> 00:14:35.507
  • To need, because he's getting you ready for something
  • 00:14:35.507 --> 00:14:38.711
  • That is still yet to come.
  • 00:14:38.711 --> 00:14:40.679
  • Listen, trials are like god's gym where he makes us stronger.
  • 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:50.189
  • Greg: hey, have you ever felt like you're the only person
  • 00:14:54.293 --> 00:14:56.395
  • Following jesus christ in your family,
  • 00:14:56.395 --> 00:14:59.298
  • In your workplace, in your neighborhood,
  • 00:14:59.298 --> 00:15:01.634
  • Or among your friends?
  • 00:15:01.634 --> 00:15:03.335
  • Well, if so, then you probably know how
  • 00:15:03.335 --> 00:15:05.371
  • Elijah the prophet felt.
  • 00:15:05.371 --> 00:15:07.172
  • He stood up in mount carmel, and a big contest between him
  • 00:15:07.172 --> 00:15:11.644
  • And the prophets of baal.
  • 00:15:11.644 --> 00:15:13.279
  • They had 850 false prophets on their side and just elijah
  • 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:18.350
  • On the lord's side.
  • 00:15:18.350 --> 00:15:19.685
  • But that was no problem, because one with god is a majority.
  • 00:15:19.685 --> 00:15:24.256
  • You actually are the only one doing what you're doing,
  • 00:15:24.256 --> 00:15:27.092
  • But clearly christians are a minority,
  • 00:15:27.092 --> 00:15:30.429
  • But a little bit of salt makes a difference, doesn't it?
  • 00:15:30.429 --> 00:15:33.332
  • Jesus said, "you're the salt of the earth."
  • 00:15:33.332 --> 00:15:36.835
  • And so as we go out there, and we live our lives for christ,
  • 00:15:36.835 --> 00:15:40.172
  • And we make our stand for him, and speak up for him,
  • 00:15:40.172 --> 00:15:43.642
  • It makes all the difference in the world.
  • 00:15:43.642 --> 00:15:45.644
  • Not only does a little salt make a difference,
  • 00:15:45.644 --> 00:15:47.846
  • But a little light goes a long way.
  • 00:15:47.846 --> 00:15:50.716
  • So, i encourage you to be the light in the place where you are
  • 00:15:50.716 --> 00:15:55.387
  • At, to be the salt in your world and make your stand
  • 00:15:55.387 --> 00:15:59.458
  • For jesus christ, just like elijah did.
  • 00:15:59.458 --> 00:16:03.562
  • Greg: point number five, world changers don't live
  • 00:16:07.633 --> 00:16:10.636
  • In the past.
  • 00:16:10.636 --> 00:16:12.371
  • They don't live in the past.
  • 00:16:12.371 --> 00:16:14.573
  • And i look to another verse for this,
  • 00:16:14.573 --> 00:16:16.141
  • Philippians 3:13, where paul says,
  • 00:16:16.141 --> 00:16:18.077
  • "one thing i do, forgetting the things that are behind
  • 00:16:18.077 --> 00:16:21.447
  • And reaching forward to the things that are ahead,
  • 00:16:21.447 --> 00:16:23.949
  • I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call
  • 00:16:23.949 --> 00:16:27.286
  • Of god in christ jesus."
  • 00:16:27.286 --> 00:16:29.755
  • You put your past behind you.
  • 00:16:29.755 --> 00:16:32.057
  • When god forgives you, he forgets your sins.
  • 00:16:32.057 --> 00:16:35.327
  • He says, "your sins and iniquities will i remember
  • 00:16:35.327 --> 00:16:37.896
  • No more."
  • 00:16:37.896 --> 00:16:39.231
  • So, put your past sins behind you.
  • 00:16:39.231 --> 00:16:40.566
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:16:40.566 --> 00:16:41.900
  • Put your past victories behind you.
  • 00:16:41.900 --> 00:16:44.670
  • Some people are resting on their laurels.
  • 00:16:44.670 --> 00:16:47.306
  • They're living in the past.
  • 00:16:47.306 --> 00:16:48.640
  • There's a new day before us, a race to run,
  • 00:16:48.640 --> 00:16:52.211
  • So we press on, because we've seen more than one race
  • 00:16:52.211 --> 00:16:55.914
  • Where the person who was in the lead position lost it,
  • 00:16:55.914 --> 00:16:59.818
  • Because at the last moment, instead of going for that
  • 00:16:59.818 --> 00:17:02.354
  • Ribbon, they turned over to see where their opponent was.
  • 00:17:02.354 --> 00:17:05.424
  • And boom, their opponent got just a little bit ahead,
  • 00:17:05.424 --> 00:17:09.061
  • And our former winner becomes second place.
  • 00:17:09.061 --> 00:17:13.265
  • So, don't look back.
  • 00:17:13.265 --> 00:17:15.601
  • Number six, world changers run the race of life for jesus.
  • 00:17:15.601 --> 00:17:20.773
  • This brings us back to the secret of being a world changer.
  • 00:17:20.773 --> 00:17:24.977
  • "looking unto jesus," verse 2 says,
  • 00:17:24.977 --> 00:17:27.446
  • "the author and finisher of our faith,
  • 00:17:27.446 --> 00:17:29.715
  • Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
  • 00:17:29.715 --> 00:17:32.551
  • Despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the
  • 00:17:32.551 --> 00:17:35.721
  • Throne of god.
  • 00:17:35.721 --> 00:17:37.122
  • For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners
  • 00:17:37.122 --> 00:17:41.093
  • Against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged
  • 00:17:41.093 --> 00:17:44.530
  • In your souls."
  • 00:17:44.530 --> 00:17:46.131
  • Now, paul is thinking of the greek games, the olympic games.
  • 00:17:46.131 --> 00:17:50.235
  • That's where the olympics started, in greece.
  • 00:17:50.235 --> 00:17:53.305
  • And back in those days, they didn't give out gold medals,
  • 00:17:53.305 --> 00:17:56.642
  • And silver medals, and bronze medals.
  • 00:17:56.642 --> 00:17:59.144
  • Back in those days, you would receive the laurel leaf wreath
  • 00:17:59.144 --> 00:18:05.250
  • From the emperor.
  • 00:18:05.250 --> 00:18:06.718
  • So, the idea is, okay, you're in the last lap now,
  • 00:18:06.718 --> 00:18:09.521
  • And you're running, and you're exhausted.
  • 00:18:09.521 --> 00:18:11.490
  • You don't feel like you can go on another foot,
  • 00:18:11.490 --> 00:18:13.926
  • And now in the distance you see the emperor standing there
  • 00:18:13.926 --> 00:18:16.895
  • Holding the laurel leaves that will be placed on your head,
  • 00:18:16.895 --> 00:18:20.332
  • As you're declared the winner.
  • 00:18:20.332 --> 00:18:21.834
  • And so for us, as christians, it's like we're in this race,
  • 00:18:21.834 --> 00:18:24.603
  • And we're tired, and these attacks and obstacles
  • 00:18:24.603 --> 00:18:27.473
  • And challenges-- and look ahead.
  • 00:18:27.473 --> 00:18:30.142
  • Look unto jesus. this is who you're doing it for.
  • 00:18:30.142 --> 00:18:33.312
  • There stands jesus, not with laurel leaves,
  • 00:18:33.312 --> 00:18:36.148
  • But with your crown that he will give you and all who love
  • 00:18:36.148 --> 00:18:40.385
  • His appearing.
  • 00:18:40.385 --> 00:18:41.887
  • That is why paul said, "i fought the good fight.
  • 00:18:41.887 --> 00:18:44.790
  • I kept the faith.
  • 00:18:44.790 --> 00:18:46.125
  • I finished the race.
  • 00:18:46.125 --> 00:18:48.927
  • Henceforth there is laid for me a crown of righteousness,
  • 00:18:48.927 --> 00:18:51.964
  • Which the lord, the righteous judge,
  • 00:18:51.964 --> 00:18:53.799
  • Will give to me in that day, and not to me only,
  • 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:56.568
  • But to all who love his appearing."
  • 00:18:56.568 --> 00:18:59.538
  • Looking to jesus.
  • 00:18:59.538 --> 00:19:00.973
  • He's the one we race--excuse me.
  • 00:19:00.973 --> 00:19:03.142
  • He's the one we run this race for.
  • 00:19:03.142 --> 00:19:05.577
  • He is the one we sing to when we worship.
  • 00:19:05.577 --> 00:19:08.413
  • He is the one we give to in our offering.
  • 00:19:08.413 --> 00:19:10.983
  • He is the one that we seek to honor each and every day,
  • 00:19:10.983 --> 00:19:14.319
  • And he is the one that we will stand before one day.
  • 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:17.823
  • So, we don't do this for applause.
  • 00:19:17.823 --> 00:19:20.792
  • We don't do it for notoriety or fame.
  • 00:19:20.792 --> 00:19:23.896
  • We do it so we can stand before jesus one day and hear him say,
  • 00:19:23.896 --> 00:19:28.367
  • "well done, good and faithful servant.
  • 00:19:28.367 --> 00:19:31.870
  • Enter into the joy of your lord."
  • 00:19:31.870 --> 00:19:35.307
  • So, look to jesus.
  • 00:19:35.307 --> 00:19:41.747
  • Don't look to circumstances.
  • 00:19:41.747 --> 00:19:44.283
  • Don't look to people. people will disappoint.
  • 00:19:44.283 --> 00:19:47.686
  • They won't have that encouraging word.
  • 00:19:47.686 --> 00:19:49.087
  • In fact, sometimes they'll have a discouraging word.
  • 00:19:49.087 --> 00:19:52.457
  • After you took a step of faith to serve the lord,
  • 00:19:52.457 --> 00:19:55.027
  • They'll question your motives, challenge what you're doing
  • 00:19:55.027 --> 00:19:58.997
  • While they do basically nothing themselves.
  • 00:19:58.997 --> 00:20:02.935
  • No, you press on.
  • 00:20:02.935 --> 00:20:04.269
  • As corrie ten boom once said, "look at people
  • 00:20:04.269 --> 00:20:08.740
  • And be depressed.
  • 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:10.943
  • Look outside and be distressed.
  • 00:20:10.943 --> 00:20:14.079
  • Look at jesus and be at rest."
  • 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:17.716
  • And corrie knew what she was talking about,
  • 00:20:17.716 --> 00:20:19.851
  • Because she had been sent to a nazi concentration camp for
  • 00:20:19.851 --> 00:20:23.422
  • Hiding jewish people in her home during world war ii,
  • 00:20:23.422 --> 00:20:27.459
  • And she lost her father and her sister in that camp
  • 00:20:27.459 --> 00:20:30.529
  • Called ravensbrück.
  • 00:20:30.529 --> 00:20:32.130
  • But yet, she kept her eyes on jesus,
  • 00:20:32.130 --> 00:20:34.700
  • And that kept her going, and it will keep us going, as well.
  • 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:38.103
  • Now we close with the greatest world changer of them all:
  • 00:20:38.103 --> 00:20:42.140
  • Jesus christ.
  • 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.942
  • Verse 3, "consider him who endured such hostility against
  • 00:20:43.942 --> 00:20:48.280
  • Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."
  • 00:20:48.280 --> 00:20:53.018
  • Think of what jesus did for you.
  • 00:20:53.018 --> 00:20:56.455
  • Think of how he went to the cross for you,
  • 00:20:56.455 --> 00:21:00.058
  • Not when you were worshiping him or sitting in church with your
  • 00:21:00.058 --> 00:21:02.761
  • Bible open on your lap, or with your hands lifted in praise.
  • 00:21:02.761 --> 00:21:08.066
  • He did this for you when you were shaking your fist in his
  • 00:21:08.066 --> 00:21:10.969
  • Face, and taking his name in vain,
  • 00:21:10.969 --> 00:21:13.105
  • And breaking his commandments.
  • 00:21:13.105 --> 00:21:16.642
  • He did all of this for you.
  • 00:21:16.642 --> 00:21:18.477
  • I mean, think about what jesus had to face.
  • 00:21:18.477 --> 00:21:21.913
  • His own disciples effectively abandoned him.
  • 00:21:21.913 --> 00:21:25.651
  • Judas iscariot, his friend, betrayed him.
  • 00:21:25.651 --> 00:21:29.721
  • And then he was beaten physically with fists to his
  • 00:21:29.721 --> 00:21:32.824
  • Face, his beard ripped from his face,
  • 00:21:32.824 --> 00:21:35.560
  • A crown of thorns pressed on his forehead,
  • 00:21:35.560 --> 00:21:38.397
  • His back ripped open with roman whips.
  • 00:21:38.397 --> 00:21:41.800
  • Then he was jeered and laughed at and spit on,
  • 00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:45.804
  • And then he was nailed to a cross.
  • 00:21:45.804 --> 00:21:47.806
  • How easily jesus could've said, "you know what?
  • 00:21:47.806 --> 00:21:50.275
  • Forget this. no one here appreciates me.
  • 00:21:50.275 --> 00:21:54.880
  • I'm not dying for these people. they don't deserve it."
  • 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:58.083
  • But it was his love for us that kept him going.
  • 00:21:58.083 --> 00:22:00.952
  • And so when we read, "for the joy that was set before him,
  • 00:22:00.952 --> 00:22:03.588
  • He endured the cross."
  • 00:22:03.588 --> 00:22:04.923
  • Guess what the joy set before him was?
  • 00:22:04.923 --> 00:22:07.559
  • It was you.
  • 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.994
  • It was me. it was us.
  • 00:22:08.994 --> 00:22:11.563
  • He did it for us, because he knew there was no other way that
  • 00:22:11.563 --> 00:22:14.533
  • We could be made right with the god that we had all offended.
  • 00:22:14.533 --> 00:22:18.637
  • And i love this.
  • 00:22:18.637 --> 00:22:20.305
  • "for the joy that was set before him,
  • 00:22:20.305 --> 00:22:21.907
  • He endured the cross, despising the shame.
  • 00:22:21.907 --> 00:22:24.409
  • So look unto jesus, the author and finisher of your faith."
  • 00:22:24.409 --> 00:22:29.681
  • God finishes what he starts.
  • 00:22:29.681 --> 00:22:31.583
  • He's going to complete the work in you.
  • 00:22:31.583 --> 00:22:36.321
  • You say, "greg, i can't go on another day."
  • 00:22:36.321 --> 00:22:37.989
  • Yes, you can.
  • 00:22:37.989 --> 00:22:39.691
  • Get your eyes off of yourself.
  • 00:22:39.691 --> 00:22:41.893
  • Put a stop to your pity party and look at jesus.
  • 00:22:41.893 --> 00:22:45.964
  • "well, people don't appreciate it."
  • 00:22:45.964 --> 00:22:47.366
  • Okay, you're not doing it for people.
  • 00:22:47.366 --> 00:22:48.767
  • Do it for jesus.
  • 00:22:48.767 --> 00:22:50.635
  • He's the one you'll stand before.
  • 00:22:50.635 --> 00:22:52.137
  • He's the one that will give you the strength to do it.
  • 00:22:52.137 --> 00:22:54.873
  • Think of simon peter on the water.
  • 00:22:54.873 --> 00:22:58.143
  • He sees jesus walking.
  • 00:22:58.143 --> 00:23:00.145
  • "lord," he says, "if it's you, tell me to come."
  • 00:23:00.145 --> 00:23:02.414
  • Jesus says, "come on, man."
  • 00:23:02.414 --> 00:23:04.983
  • I don't know if he said it that way.
  • 00:23:04.983 --> 00:23:06.318
  • I'm just thinking he might've.
  • 00:23:06.318 --> 00:23:07.819
  • Then the bible says, "and jesus said, 'come.'"
  • 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:10.222
  • I thought it would've been more like, "pfft, why not?
  • 00:23:10.222 --> 00:23:12.891
  • Come on, come. let's see what happens."
  • 00:23:12.891 --> 00:23:15.627
  • Peter walks on water.
  • 00:23:15.627 --> 00:23:17.596
  • Now, we can make fun of peter for sinking,
  • 00:23:17.596 --> 00:23:19.898
  • Which happened after, but no other disciple walked on water
  • 00:23:19.898 --> 00:23:23.135
  • Besides peter.
  • 00:23:23.135 --> 00:23:24.736
  • How did he do it? he was looking to jesus.
  • 00:23:24.736 --> 00:23:27.939
  • When did he start to sink?
  • 00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:29.341
  • When he stopped looking at jesus.
  • 00:23:29.341 --> 00:23:32.177
  • When will you start to sink?
  • 00:23:32.177 --> 00:23:33.645
  • When you take your eyes off of the lord and put them on people,
  • 00:23:33.645 --> 00:23:37.149
  • Or you put them on the church, or you put them on
  • 00:23:37.149 --> 00:23:39.351
  • Circumstances, or you put them on other things.
  • 00:23:39.351 --> 00:23:41.887
  • Get your eyes off of that stuff and look to jesus.
  • 00:23:41.887 --> 00:23:44.856
  • He'll never fail you, he'll never let you down,
  • 00:23:44.856 --> 00:23:47.893
  • And he'll keep you running in the race of life.
  • 00:23:47.893 --> 00:23:50.862
  • He'll do it.
  • 00:23:50.862 --> 00:23:54.699
  • Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart,
  • 00:23:58.637 --> 00:24:01.773
  • And you have seen your need for jesus christ.
  • 00:24:01.773 --> 00:24:05.277
  • Jesus christ is the son of god,
  • 00:24:05.277 --> 00:24:08.246
  • Who came from heaven to this earth.
  • 00:24:08.246 --> 00:24:10.482
  • He was born in a manger.
  • 00:24:10.482 --> 00:24:12.684
  • He died on a cross.
  • 00:24:12.684 --> 00:24:14.553
  • He rose again from the dead, why?
  • 00:24:14.553 --> 00:24:16.354
  • Because he loves you, and he wants a relationship with you.
  • 00:24:16.354 --> 00:24:19.791
  • Listen, i'm not talking about religion.
  • 00:24:19.791 --> 00:24:22.194
  • I don't want to be a religious person.
  • 00:24:22.194 --> 00:24:23.962
  • I don't think you want to be one either.
  • 00:24:23.962 --> 00:24:26.064
  • I'm talking about relationship with god.
  • 00:24:26.064 --> 00:24:29.534
  • Jesus, who died and rose again, stands at the door of your life,
  • 00:24:29.534 --> 00:24:33.872
  • And he knocks, and he says if you'll hear his voice and open
  • 00:24:33.872 --> 00:24:37.342
  • The door, he will come in.
  • 00:24:37.342 --> 00:24:38.777
  • Question, have you asked jesus christ to come
  • 00:24:38.777 --> 00:24:41.880
  • And live inside of you?
  • 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:43.248
  • You might say, "well, i think so.
  • 00:24:43.248 --> 00:24:44.583
  • I'm not sure."
  • 00:24:44.583 --> 00:24:45.917
  • Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle
  • 00:24:45.917 --> 00:24:47.586
  • Of the night, do you think you would be aware of it?
  • 00:24:47.586 --> 00:24:50.322
  • I'm sure you would.
  • 00:24:50.322 --> 00:24:51.957
  • And in the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
  • 00:24:51.957 --> 00:24:54.893
  • You will know.
  • 00:24:54.893 --> 00:24:56.228
  • And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
  • 00:24:56.228 --> 00:24:59.798
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:24:59.798 --> 00:25:01.766
  • All you need to do is say,
  • 00:25:01.766 --> 00:25:03.235
  • "jesus, i want this relationship with you.
  • 00:25:03.235 --> 00:25:05.770
  • I want you to forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:25:05.770 --> 00:25:08.173
  • I want to go to heaven when i die."
  • 00:25:08.173 --> 00:25:09.975
  • Would you like to do that?
  • 00:25:09.975 --> 00:25:11.510
  • Would you like christ to come into your life?
  • 00:25:11.510 --> 00:25:14.212
  • If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me?
  • 00:25:14.212 --> 00:25:17.215
  • You can pray it out loud, or you can pray it in the quietness
  • 00:25:17.215 --> 00:25:20.519
  • Of your heart.
  • 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.853
  • But this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ
  • 00:25:21.853 --> 00:25:24.556
  • To be your savior and lord.
  • 00:25:24.556 --> 00:25:26.491
  • Pray this with me now.
  • 00:25:26.491 --> 00:25:27.826
  • "lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner,
  • 00:25:27.826 --> 00:25:31.162
  • But i know that you're the savior,
  • 00:25:31.162 --> 00:25:33.965
  • Who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead.
  • 00:25:33.965 --> 00:25:37.502
  • Now come into my life.
  • 00:25:37.502 --> 00:25:40.272
  • I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
  • 00:25:40.272 --> 00:25:44.643
  • Thank you for hearing this prayer and answering
  • 00:25:44.643 --> 00:25:47.345
  • This prayer,
  • 00:25:47.345 --> 00:25:48.680
  • In jesus's name, amen."
  • 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:50.549
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:25:51.483 --> 00:25:53.752
  • If so, i want you to know, on the authority of scripture,
  • 00:25:53.752 --> 00:25:56.354
  • That christ himself has come to live inside of you.
  • 00:25:56.354 --> 00:25:59.824
  • And i would love to send to you, at no charge,
  • 00:25:59.824 --> 00:26:02.661
  • The "new believer's bible."
  • 00:26:02.661 --> 00:26:04.663
  • It's a very friendly translation of the new testament you'll find
  • 00:26:04.663 --> 00:26:07.933
  • Very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds of notes
  • 00:26:07.933 --> 00:26:11.469
  • That i wrote that will encourage you in this commitment
  • 00:26:11.469 --> 00:26:14.806
  • You've just made to follow jesus.
  • 00:26:14.806 --> 00:26:16.975
  • And let me be the first to say to you,
  • 00:26:16.975 --> 00:26:19.044
  • Congratulations and welcome
  • 00:26:19.044 --> 00:26:21.446
  • To the family of god.
  • 00:26:21.446 --> 00:26:25.917
  • Greg: hey, greg laurie here. maybe you've seen this.
  • 00:26:30.021 --> 00:26:32.190
  • This is called the "new believer's bible," and a number
  • 00:26:32.190 --> 00:26:35.527
  • Of years ago, i wanted to do an edition of scripture with
  • 00:26:35.527 --> 00:26:40.398
  • Commentary that would make the bible more accessible to someone
  • 00:26:40.398 --> 00:26:45.270
  • Who's never read it before, like a new believer.
  • 00:26:45.270 --> 00:26:48.306
  • But today we live, of course, in a digital world,
  • 00:26:48.306 --> 00:26:52.110
  • So we've taken the curriculum from the "new believer's bible"
  • 00:26:52.110 --> 00:26:55.413
  • And we created this online community of people just like
  • 00:26:55.413 --> 00:26:58.883
  • You who are studying the word of god together.
  • 00:26:58.883 --> 00:27:02.320
  • By the way, this is free of charge, you can learn at
  • 00:27:02.320 --> 00:27:05.090
  • Your own pace, but most importantly, you'll experience
  • 00:27:05.090 --> 00:27:08.793
  • The power of god's word to transform your life.
  • 00:27:08.793 --> 00:27:12.430
  • The bible says of itself it's alive and powerful and sharper
  • 00:27:12.430 --> 00:27:17.268
  • Than any two-edged sword, so i hope you'll take your phone
  • 00:27:17.268 --> 00:27:21.172
  • Right now and join us online at harvest discipleship.
  • 00:27:21.172 --> 00:27:25.477
  • Let's learn and grow together.
  • 00:27:25.477 --> 00:27:28.113