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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - So What

July 29, 2025 | 27:40

Greg Laurie - So What
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#Jesus #ReturnofChrist #SecondComing #Preparation #Focus #LightoftheWorld #Signs&Wonders #WaitingonGod #Salvation #Savior #Redemption

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - So What | July 29, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: god is able to do abundantly above and beyond that
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  • Which you could ask or think.
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  • Sometimes i say, "lord, i need you to do this for me
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  • Right now."
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  • The lord may say, "yes, i'll do that."
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  • And other times he may say, "no, i'm gonna wait a little longer
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  • And it's gonna get a little more difficult and it might even seem
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  • A little darker, but i'm gonna come through for you.
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  • And when i come through for you, it will be in such a way you'll
  • 00:00:25.001 --> 00:00:28.371
  • Know it's me," right?
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  • ♪ this is the day. ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day. ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg: so i heard about a sunday school teacher that was talking
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  • To her class of young people about the return of
  • 00:00:54.064 --> 00:00:58.468
  • Jesus christ.
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  • And she asked her class a question, which was, "what would
  • 00:00:59.836 --> 00:01:03.106
  • You do if jesus came back tomorrow?"
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  • And one little boy said, "i'd clean my room."
  • 00:01:07.277 --> 00:01:11.147
  • And the teacher asked, "why do you say that?"
  • 00:01:11.147 --> 00:01:14.084
  • The little guy says, "because my mom says my room looks like
  • 00:01:14.084 --> 00:01:17.754
  • A tornado hit it and i don't want jesus to think he came back
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  • To a disaster zone."
  • 00:01:21.091 --> 00:01:22.892
  • Well, and really that little kid got it right.
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  • There was cause and effect.
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  • In other words, in his mind, he realized that if jesus were to
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  • Come back, he needs to take some kind of action.
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  • In his case, it's clean his room.
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  • Does your life look like a disaster zone right now?
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  • Do you need to clean your room, so to speak?
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  • See, the whole point of talking about the imminent return of
  • 00:01:45.615 --> 00:01:49.486
  • Jesus is it should affect us in the way that we live.
  • 00:01:49.486 --> 00:01:53.089
  • John writes: "he that has this hope purifies himself even as he
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  • Is pure."
  • 00:01:58.128 --> 00:01:59.662
  • So it all comes down to this: what i believe in the--about
  • 00:01:59.662 --> 00:02:03.600
  • The end times should affect me in the way that i live in
  • 00:02:03.600 --> 00:02:07.470
  • These times.
  • 00:02:07.470 --> 00:02:09.339
  • And that's why i've entitled this message, "so, what?"
  • 00:02:09.339 --> 00:02:12.675
  • Not as in, "so what," but more like, "so, what?"
  • 00:02:12.675 --> 00:02:17.213
  • So, what do i do in light of the fact that christ could come
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  • Back again?
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  • We should live every day as though it were our last day
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  • Because one day it will be.
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  • Someone once asked the great evangelist d.l. moody,
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  • "if you knew the lord would return tonight, how would you
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  • Spend the rest of your day?"
  • 00:02:34.998 --> 00:02:37.066
  • And without hesitation, moody replied, "i wouldn't do anything
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  • Different than i do every day."
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  • That brings us to luke chapter 12, starting in verse 36.
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  • Jesus says: "be dressed for service and keep your lamps
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  • Burning, as though you were waiting for your master to
  • 00:02:54.817 --> 00:02:57.854
  • Return from the wedding feast.
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  • Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the
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  • Moment he arrives and knocks.
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  • The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will
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  • Be rewarded.
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  • I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, and put on an
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  • Apron, and serve them as they sit and eat.
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  • He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.
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  • But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who
  • 00:03:20.109 --> 00:03:23.746
  • Are ready.
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  • Understand this," jesus says, "if a homeowner knew exactly
  • 00:03:25.081 --> 00:03:28.718
  • When a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be
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  • Broken into.
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  • You must be ready all the time, for the son of man will come
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  • When least expected."
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  • So we'll stop there.
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  • So the analogy that jesus is using is very familiar with his
  • 00:03:40.863 --> 00:03:45.335
  • Jewish listeners.
  • 00:03:45.335 --> 00:03:47.036
  • He's talking about a wedding, a classic first century
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  • Jewish wedding.
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  • Now, weddings are very different today from these days, to those
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  • Days, i should say.
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  • I think i spent $100 on our wedding.
  • 00:03:58.681 --> 00:04:01.651
  • It was a classic hippie wedding.
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  • Cathe looked beautiful in her bridal gown.
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  • Now, just look at this picture.
  • 00:04:07.290 --> 00:04:09.826
  • Look at cathe, perfect bridal gown.
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  • Look at pastor chuck, nice black suit.
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  • Look at me.
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  • What is that?
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  • I look like a pimp. what is this?
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  • Ugliest tux ever made. look at the next picture.
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  • You get an even better shot of--well, that's cathe
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  • With her father.
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  • Now, look at that suit, come on.
  • 00:04:31.648 --> 00:04:33.283
  • What was i thinking?
  • 00:04:33.283 --> 00:04:34.617
  • I'll forever regret.
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  • I thought it was cool.
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  • We didn't spend a lot on our wedding, but we focused on our
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  • Marriage and 50 years later, we're going strong.
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  • So we're thankful to god.
  • 00:04:49.032 --> 00:04:54.504
  • But back in these days, the days of jewish weddings, it was very
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  • Different because a hebrew wedding would last not just
  • 00:04:57.774 --> 00:05:02.145
  • Hours, but it can actually last for days.
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  • It was an extended time of celebration and fun.
  • 00:05:05.715 --> 00:05:09.919
  • And there was one unique feature about these weddings and it is
  • 00:05:09.919 --> 00:05:13.389
  • Simply this, you did not know when the groom was coming.
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  • So he might come in the morning, he might come in the afternoon,
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  • He might come in the evening.
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  • But when he was coming, a shout would be given out, the
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  • Bridegroom is coming.
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  • And if you weren't ready, you would miss the wedding.
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  • Snooze and you lose.
  • 00:05:31.274 --> 00:05:33.943
  • So jesus uses this backdrop, this illustration, to talk about
  • 00:05:33.943 --> 00:05:38.948
  • How we should be living as we wait for our bridegroom, the
  • 00:05:38.948 --> 00:05:42.952
  • Lord jesus christ, to return, bringing me to point number one,
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  • If you're taking notes, we should be shining lights in
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  • A dark place.
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  • We should be shining lights in a dark place.
  • 00:05:51.427 --> 00:05:54.163
  • Look at verse 35: "be dressed for service and keep your
  • 00:05:54.163 --> 00:05:58.234
  • Lamps burning."
  • 00:05:58.234 --> 00:06:00.136
  • The new king james version translates it: "let your waist
  • 00:06:00.136 --> 00:06:03.539
  • Be girded and your lamps burning."
  • 00:06:03.539 --> 00:06:05.308
  • So what does it mean to have your waist girded?
  • 00:06:05.308 --> 00:06:08.444
  • That's not verbiage we use today.
  • 00:06:08.444 --> 00:06:10.446
  • Well, they wore robes back in those days, right?
  • 00:06:10.446 --> 00:06:13.116
  • So to gird your waist simply meant that you cinched up
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  • Your robe.
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  • Everyone would have a belt around a robe and you would keep
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  • Things on your belt like an oil flask, a little extra oil,
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  • Et cetera.
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  • So you would sort of cinch up your robe, giving you freedom
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  • Of movement.
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  • To have your lamps burning meant you had sufficient oil in them.
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  • So, if we were to update it for today, we would say, have fresh
  • 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:40.543
  • Batteries in your flashlight or we might say have your cell
  • 00:06:40.543 --> 00:06:44.981
  • Phone charged, right?
  • 00:06:44.981 --> 00:06:46.516
  • That's the idea.
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  • Live in a state of readiness.
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  • But to have your light shine.
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  • You know, we live in a world that seems to be getting darker
  • 00:06:53.289 --> 00:06:57.193
  • And darker, don't you think?
  • 00:06:57.193 --> 00:06:58.995
  • And so we need to be shining more brightly.
  • 00:06:58.995 --> 00:07:02.598
  • And as christians, we need to be known more for what we are for
  • 00:07:02.598 --> 00:07:06.669
  • Than what we are against.
  • 00:07:06.669 --> 00:07:08.704
  • And through our good works and our loving actions, people
  • 00:07:08.704 --> 00:07:14.444
  • Should see we're christians before we tell them.
  • 00:07:14.444 --> 00:07:17.547
  • Jesus said, "let your light so shine before men, that they may
  • 00:07:17.547 --> 00:07:21.217
  • See your good works, and give glory to your father in heaven."
  • 00:07:21.217 --> 00:07:25.354
  • So in effect, you look for ways to earn the right, so to speak,
  • 00:07:25.354 --> 00:07:29.592
  • To then share your faith.
  • 00:07:29.592 --> 00:07:31.627
  • The problem is sometimes we're talking about jesus, but we're
  • 00:07:31.627 --> 00:07:34.931
  • Not living it.
  • 00:07:34.931 --> 00:07:36.265
  • That does not help.
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  • But then there for others that live it beautifully, but they
  • 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:39.836
  • Never talk about it.
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  • We have to find the balance of doing both at the same time.
  • 00:07:41.170 --> 00:07:45.608
  • And notice that jesus says in verse 38: "he may come in the
  • 00:07:45.608 --> 00:07:49.745
  • Middle of the night or just before dawn.
  • 00:07:49.745 --> 00:07:52.882
  • But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who
  • 00:07:52.882 --> 00:07:56.552
  • Are ready."
  • 00:07:56.552 --> 00:07:58.154
  • So what jesus is saying is, hey, even if he comes later than you
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  • Were expecting be ready.
  • 00:08:03.226 --> 00:08:05.428
  • Reminds me of a story in matthew 14 when jesus told the disciples
  • 00:08:05.428 --> 00:08:10.399
  • To get in the boat and cross over galilee.
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  • And he went up to a mountaintop to pray for them.
  • 00:08:12.702 --> 00:08:15.605
  • And as we're out there in that storm, it got worse and worse.
  • 00:08:15.605 --> 00:08:19.342
  • So bad, in fact, that they were despairing of life and they're
  • 00:08:19.342 --> 00:08:22.745
  • Wondering, "where's jesus?"
  • 00:08:22.745 --> 00:08:24.614
  • Now he was praying for them.
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  • He could see them, they could not see him, but he was
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  • Interceding for them at that moment because the lord's always
  • 00:08:29.652 --> 00:08:35.791
  • Looking after us and watching for us and he is even
  • 00:08:35.791 --> 00:08:40.196
  • Interceding for us as well.
  • 00:08:40.196 --> 00:08:42.365
  • And then matthew's gospel tells us "he came in the fourth watch
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  • Of the night."
  • 00:08:46.435 --> 00:08:47.770
  • So back in these days, the night would be divided into
  • 00:08:47.770 --> 00:08:50.840
  • Four sections.
  • 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:52.174
  • The fourth watch was the time just before dawn, meaning that
  • 00:08:52.174 --> 00:08:56.245
  • They have been--may have been struggling in that storm for
  • 00:08:56.245 --> 00:09:00.082
  • 9 hours.
  • 00:09:00.082 --> 00:09:01.417
  • And what happens next?
  • 00:09:01.417 --> 00:09:02.785
  • Here comes jesus, walking on the water, toward them and that's
  • 00:09:02.785 --> 00:09:08.090
  • How it may feel for some of us right now.
  • 00:09:08.090 --> 00:09:10.026
  • It's like, "lord, why have you not come back?
  • 00:09:10.026 --> 00:09:12.028
  • Are you paying attention to what's going on in the world?"
  • 00:09:12.028 --> 00:09:15.164
  • Oh, yes, he's paying attention.
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  • He's aware of everything that is happening.
  • 00:09:17.300 --> 00:09:20.269
  • Things are not falling apart, they're falling into place.
  • 00:09:20.269 --> 00:09:24.674
  • And that's why we--that's why we call this series, "that it is
  • 00:09:24.674 --> 00:09:28.744
  • Written--" "as it is written" because this is all sorted out
  • 00:09:28.744 --> 00:09:33.249
  • By the lord ahead of time.
  • 00:09:33.249 --> 00:09:35.184
  • Reminds me also of the story of lazarus.
  • 00:09:35.184 --> 00:09:38.087
  • Lazarus was a good friend of jesus, along with his sisters,
  • 00:09:38.087 --> 00:09:41.390
  • Mary and martha.
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  • Jesus spent time in their home.
  • 00:09:42.725 --> 00:09:44.594
  • So when he got very ill, they sent a message to christ, "lord,
  • 00:09:44.594 --> 00:09:48.998
  • The one that you love is sick."
  • 00:09:48.998 --> 00:09:50.466
  • And they thought jesus would probably drop what he was doing
  • 00:09:50.466 --> 00:09:53.069
  • And rush back to bethany and lay his hand on lazarus and heal him
  • 00:09:53.069 --> 00:09:57.139
  • Or at least speak the word so lazarus would be healed.
  • 00:09:57.139 --> 00:10:01.143
  • But instead we read in john 11:5 when jesus heard this, because
  • 00:10:01.143 --> 00:10:05.848
  • He loved mary, martha, and lazarus, he stayed where he was
  • 00:10:05.848 --> 00:10:09.852
  • For the next two days.
  • 00:10:09.852 --> 00:10:11.287
  • And then he says to his disciples, "let's go back
  • 00:10:11.287 --> 00:10:14.256
  • To judea."
  • 00:10:14.256 --> 00:10:15.658
  • So why did he wait?
  • 00:10:15.658 --> 00:10:18.694
  • And we read that before that: he waited because he loved them.
  • 00:10:18.694 --> 00:10:22.698
  • See, they wanted a healing, jesus wanted a resurrection.
  • 00:10:22.698 --> 00:10:27.103
  • And when he showed up in bethany, lazarus was dead.
  • 00:10:27.103 --> 00:10:31.340
  • So dead, in fact, that martha, his sister, said, "lord, by now,
  • 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:35.277
  • He stinketh."
  • 00:10:35.277 --> 00:10:36.612
  • That's king james for he's in the process of decomposition.
  • 00:10:36.612 --> 00:10:40.349
  • By the way, if someone doesn't smell good, you can use that
  • 00:10:40.349 --> 00:10:42.752
  • King james verbiage: "you know, you stinketh right now," okay?
  • 00:10:42.752 --> 00:10:47.223
  • "lord, not only did he die, not only did you miss your
  • 00:10:47.223 --> 00:10:51.093
  • Opportunity, but he's decomposing."
  • 00:10:51.093 --> 00:10:54.563
  • She was accusing jesus of failing and he--jesus said,
  • 00:10:54.563 --> 00:10:58.167
  • "your brother will rise again," and she says, "yes, lord,
  • 00:10:58.167 --> 00:11:01.671
  • I know, in the last day he'll rise."
  • 00:11:01.671 --> 00:11:03.572
  • He says, "no, i am the resurrection and the life.
  • 00:11:03.572 --> 00:11:07.009
  • He that believes in me though he were dead, yet shall he live and
  • 00:11:07.009 --> 00:11:10.846
  • Whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die."
  • 00:11:10.846 --> 00:11:13.549
  • Then he said these words: "lazarus, come forth."
  • 00:11:13.549 --> 00:11:17.987
  • It's a good thing he said, "lazarus, come forth."
  • 00:11:17.987 --> 00:11:20.990
  • If he just said, "come forth," everybody in every grave would
  • 00:11:20.990 --> 00:11:25.294
  • Have come out at once.
  • 00:11:25.294 --> 00:11:26.629
  • "lazarus, come forth," and lazarus comes alive, out of
  • 00:11:26.629 --> 00:11:31.400
  • The tomb.
  • 00:11:31.400 --> 00:11:32.768
  • They wanted a healing.
  • 00:11:32.768 --> 00:11:34.103
  • He wanted a resurrection.
  • 00:11:34.103 --> 00:11:36.038
  • God is able to do abundantly above and beyond that which you
  • 00:11:36.038 --> 00:11:39.508
  • Could ask or think.
  • 00:11:39.508 --> 00:11:41.410
  • Sometimes i say, "lord, i need you to do this for me
  • 00:11:41.410 --> 00:11:44.080
  • Right now."
  • 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:45.414
  • The lord may say, "yes, i'll do that."
  • 00:11:45.414 --> 00:11:47.483
  • And other times he may say, "no, i'm gonna wait a little longer
  • 00:11:47.483 --> 00:11:50.853
  • And it's gonna get a little more difficult and it might even seem
  • 00:11:50.853 --> 00:11:54.290
  • A little darker, but i'm gonna come through for you.
  • 00:11:54.290 --> 00:11:57.059
  • And when i come through for you, it will be in such a way you'll
  • 00:11:57.059 --> 00:12:00.463
  • Know it's me," right?
  • 00:12:00.463 --> 00:12:03.666
  • Greg: hey, everybody.
  • 00:12:07.203 --> 00:12:08.571
  • Pastor greg here with a few thoughts about spiritual growth.
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  • How can you tell when you've really begun to
  • 00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:13.409
  • Grow spiritually?
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  • Is it when your head is so full of bible knowledge that it's
  • 00:12:14.744 --> 00:12:17.680
  • Ready to explode?
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  • No, no.
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  • This will surprise you, maybe.
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  • One of the true marks of growing spiritually is when you realize
  • 00:12:21.951 --> 00:12:25.688
  • You have a lot further to go, spiritually.
  • 00:12:25.688 --> 00:12:28.424
  • After years of walking with the lord, the great apostle paul
  • 00:12:28.424 --> 00:12:31.560
  • Himself said, "hey, it's not as though i've already attained or
  • 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:35.397
  • Reached some plateau, but i'm pressing on in this race of
  • 00:12:35.397 --> 00:12:39.602
  • Life, forgetting the things that are behind and reaching to the
  • 00:12:39.602 --> 00:12:42.938
  • Things that are before."
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  • Listen, i know i have a lot of change that needs to happen
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  • In my life.
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  • I need to know the bible better.
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  • I need to pray more.
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  • I need to share my faith more.
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  • I have a long ways to go.
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  • We all do.
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  • But a true mark of spiritual growth is when you realize you
  • 00:12:56.385 --> 00:13:00.055
  • Have a long ways to go.
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  • So let's keep moving forward in the race of life.
  • 00:13:01.757 --> 00:13:03.993
  • Greg: number two, we are to be watching for him.
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  • And what does this mean?
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  • That we all should just stand outside and stare at the sun
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  • All day?
  • 00:13:14.804 --> 00:13:16.138
  • No, not at all, though the bible does say, "for those that watch
  • 00:13:16.138 --> 00:13:19.308
  • For him, he will return a second time."
  • 00:13:19.308 --> 00:13:22.278
  • What it means when the bible says to be watching for him,
  • 00:13:22.278 --> 00:13:24.814
  • It's simply saying that you should be paying attention to
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  • What's happening in your world.
  • 00:13:28.384 --> 00:13:30.619
  • You open up a newspaper, if you actually read a newspaper.
  • 00:13:30.619 --> 00:13:34.256
  • Most people don't anymore, or you go to your favorite news
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  • Site or you see the news online, you pay attention because signs
  • 00:13:37.760 --> 00:13:43.299
  • Of the times are happening around us, reminding us that
  • 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:46.969
  • Christ is coming, but i should be watching for him.
  • 00:13:46.969 --> 00:13:50.739
  • Thirdly, i need to be ready to go.
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  • I need to be ready to go.
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  • So when i take a trip, i pack my bags ahead of time.
  • 00:13:54.977 --> 00:13:59.582
  • I try to go carry on nowadays.
  • 00:13:59.582 --> 00:14:02.151
  • I rarely check suitcases because they lose suitcases, don't they?
  • 00:14:02.151 --> 00:14:07.489
  • So i schlep around an over-packed carry-on bag
  • 00:14:07.489 --> 00:14:11.360
  • On wheels.
  • 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.795
  • So heavy, in fact, i wonder if i'm gonna get it in the
  • 00:14:12.795 --> 00:14:15.931
  • Overhead, but i always do, because of my massive physique.
  • 00:14:15.931 --> 00:14:22.037
  • And so, you know, i drag it around with me but i'm ready
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  • To go.
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  • I have my bag packed ahead of time, and that's how we should
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  • Be as christians.
  • 00:14:28.878 --> 00:14:30.312
  • Have your bags packed, have your comfortable shoes on, and maybe
  • 00:14:30.312 --> 00:14:35.251
  • Ask yourself this question before you do something, before
  • 00:14:35.251 --> 00:14:39.622
  • You go somewhere.
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  • This place that i'm about to go, this thing that i'm about to do,
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  • Would i be ashamed or embarrassed to be doing such
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  • A thing if jesus were to come back?
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  • See, that's the idea.
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  • Is this something i would not want to be doing if christ were
  • 00:14:55.137 --> 00:14:58.340
  • Coming back again?
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  • So it should affect me in the way that i live.
  • 00:14:59.975 --> 00:15:02.444
  • And number four, i should not only be ready, but i should be
  • 00:15:02.444 --> 00:15:05.648
  • Anxiously awaiting his return.
  • 00:15:05.648 --> 00:15:08.183
  • Look at verse 36: "when he comes and knocks, they open to
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  • Him immediately."
  • 00:15:11.186 --> 00:15:13.088
  • I used to have a dog that would sleep outside of my room, and so
  • 00:15:13.088 --> 00:15:18.627
  • Much so that when he would scratch, it would sound like
  • 00:15:18.627 --> 00:15:21.163
  • Someone was knocking on the door.
  • 00:15:21.163 --> 00:15:22.965
  • Woke me up more than once.
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  • But when i would open the door of my room up, he would fall
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  • Into my room and he was so excited i was awake, and he
  • 00:15:28.270 --> 00:15:31.540
  • Starts running around in circles because i'm gonna go take him on
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  • A walk and he's gonna go do his business, right?
  • 00:15:34.944 --> 00:15:37.413
  • So he was excited and that's how we should be.
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  • We should be excited that christ is coming.
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  • It's a joyful thing to await the return of the lord.
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  • Be like having a loved one, maybe they're serving in the
  • 00:15:48.090 --> 00:15:50.526
  • Armed forces and they're gonna be on leave and they're gonna
  • 00:15:50.526 --> 00:15:53.696
  • Come home maybe tomorrow and you haven't seen them for months.
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  • You're so excited to see them again.
  • 00:15:57.800 --> 00:16:00.369
  • You can't wait to throw your arms around them and tell them
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  • You love them, and that's how we should be looking at jesus's
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  • Return, "lord, i can't wait till you come again.
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  • I pray it's soon."
  • 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.848
  • Like the apostle john who said, "come quickly, lord jesus."
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  • Number five, we should not only be anxiously waiting, but we
  • 00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:22.558
  • Should also be working.
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  • Let me say that again.
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  • We should not only be anxiously waiting, we should be working.
  • 00:16:26.028 --> 00:16:29.565
  • Look at verse 43: "blessed is that servant whom the master
  • 00:16:29.565 --> 00:16:33.569
  • Will find so doing when he comes."
  • 00:16:33.569 --> 00:16:36.939
  • Underline those two words, "so doing."
  • 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:40.309
  • The bible tells us that faith without works is dead.
  • 00:16:40.309 --> 00:16:43.846
  • If watching for the lord's return helps us prepare our own
  • 00:16:43.846 --> 00:16:47.983
  • Lives, working will assure we bring others with us.
  • 00:16:47.983 --> 00:16:53.022
  • So jesus says, "blessed is the man whom the lord finds
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  • So doing."
  • 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:59.428
  • The word "blessed" is interchangeable, as you know,
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  • With the word "happy."
  • 00:17:01.263 --> 00:17:03.298
  • Happy is the person who's busy doing the things of the lord as
  • 00:17:03.298 --> 00:17:08.871
  • They await the return of the lord.
  • 00:17:08.871 --> 00:17:12.408
  • But here's what romans 10 says: "how can they call on him to
  • 00:17:12.408 --> 00:17:17.146
  • Save them unless they believe in him?
  • 00:17:17.146 --> 00:17:19.314
  • How can they believe in him if they've not heard about him?
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  • How can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
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  • And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?
  • 00:17:26.588 --> 00:17:29.525
  • This is why the scripture says, 'how beautiful are the feet of
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  • The messengers who bring good news!'"
  • 00:17:33.095 --> 00:17:36.165
  • You know, we don't normally notice a person's feet, do we?
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  • We might notice their eyes or their hair or their lack of
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  • Hair, i don't know.
  • 00:17:51.280 --> 00:17:53.248
  • Or the really bad hairpiece, i'm not sure.
  • 00:17:53.248 --> 00:17:56.385
  • But you don't normally say, "wow, you have beautiful feet."
  • 00:17:56.385 --> 00:18:00.355
  • I mean, we usually keep our feet covered up, but the bible says
  • 00:18:00.355 --> 00:18:03.826
  • You can have beautiful feet and a better way to translate that
  • 00:18:03.826 --> 00:18:08.764
  • Would be in full bloom.
  • 00:18:08.764 --> 00:18:11.667
  • So it's sort of a picture of blooming like a flower when
  • 00:18:11.667 --> 00:18:16.405
  • You're sharing the gospel.
  • 00:18:16.405 --> 00:18:18.073
  • There's something life-giving, something wonderful, something
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  • Energizing, about sharing your faith.
  • 00:18:22.711 --> 00:18:25.180
  • Isn't it interesting?
  • 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.949
  • See, as you give out, you're replenished.
  • 00:18:26.949 --> 00:18:29.485
  • I think so often, we take in, we want to learn more.
  • 00:18:29.485 --> 00:18:33.755
  • We want to absorb more and that's very good.
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  • We should want that as christians.
  • 00:18:36.058 --> 00:18:37.693
  • But the way that god has designed all of this is--to
  • 00:18:37.693 --> 00:18:40.362
  • Work, is you take in to give out.
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  • He wants you to be a vessel.
  • 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.734
  • He doesn't want you to be a hoarder.
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  • He wants you to share what you have given.
  • 00:18:48.871 --> 00:18:51.540
  • And the fact of the matter is that there is something very
  • 00:18:51.540 --> 00:18:54.409
  • Life-giving and replenishing and reviving for you spiritually,
  • 00:18:54.409 --> 00:18:59.448
  • When you share your faith.
  • 00:18:59.448 --> 00:19:02.017
  • And when you don't share your faith, stagnation can set into
  • 00:19:02.017 --> 00:19:06.688
  • Your life.
  • 00:19:06.688 --> 00:19:08.023
  • We have a choice: we can evangelize or we can fossilize.
  • 00:19:08.023 --> 00:19:12.561
  • I told you this story before about my son, jonathan.
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  • He has two rats.
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  • They didn't set out to have rats as pets, but they have a snake.
  • 00:19:18.901 --> 00:19:23.305
  • And if you have a snake, it eats rats or mice.
  • 00:19:23.305 --> 00:19:27.576
  • And so they went and bought what is called a feeder rat.
  • 00:19:27.576 --> 00:19:30.546
  • That's an inexpensive rat that you buy to feed the snake.
  • 00:19:30.546 --> 00:19:34.550
  • But this particular rat had no fear of the snake.
  • 00:19:34.550 --> 00:19:38.053
  • Normally, when a rat's put into the cage of a snake, they cower
  • 00:19:38.053 --> 00:19:41.990
  • In fear and the snake sees it and they strike and constrict
  • 00:19:41.990 --> 00:19:45.727
  • The rat and eat it, right?
  • 00:19:45.727 --> 00:19:47.129
  • And so in this case, this rat walked right up to the snake,
  • 00:19:47.129 --> 00:19:50.132
  • Walking around the snake, walking on top of the snake.
  • 00:19:50.132 --> 00:19:53.435
  • And so, allie, my granddaughter, saw this was happening and she
  • 00:19:53.435 --> 00:19:57.739
  • Wanted to spare the rat's life.
  • 00:19:57.739 --> 00:20:00.209
  • And so she got the rat out of the cage and set up his own cage
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  • And gave him a name.
  • 00:20:04.112 --> 00:20:05.480
  • And jonathan knew this rat was not going to be eaten by
  • 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:08.317
  • The snake.
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  • So that little snake became their pet and they named him
  • 00:20:09.651 --> 00:20:11.687
  • Louie and he turned out to be the best pet of all time.
  • 00:20:11.687 --> 00:20:14.523
  • In fact, they ended up getting rid of the snake, but they kept
  • 00:20:14.523 --> 00:20:17.226
  • Louie the rat and they liked louie so much, he said, "let's
  • 00:20:17.226 --> 00:20:21.763
  • Get another rat."
  • 00:20:21.763 --> 00:20:23.298
  • So they went and found, i don't know what you would call it,
  • 00:20:23.298 --> 00:20:25.634
  • A designer rat?
  • 00:20:25.634 --> 00:20:27.369
  • A little fancier, cost a little bit more money.
  • 00:20:27.369 --> 00:20:30.706
  • Had his own pedigree.
  • 00:20:30.706 --> 00:20:32.174
  • They named him remy.
  • 00:20:32.174 --> 00:20:33.942
  • But the funny thing is louie was a better rat than remy.
  • 00:20:33.942 --> 00:20:38.814
  • And i almost wonder is it because louie knew that his life
  • 00:20:38.814 --> 00:20:42.517
  • Was saved from a snake and he was just happy to be alive?
  • 00:20:42.517 --> 00:20:47.322
  • Meanwhile, remy is like, "yeah, i'm cool.
  • 00:20:47.322 --> 00:20:49.691
  • I'm a designer rat.
  • 00:20:49.691 --> 00:20:51.526
  • I've got papers right over there.
  • 00:20:51.526 --> 00:20:54.730
  • You know, i don't have to be as friendly as a stupid feeder rat,
  • 00:20:54.730 --> 00:20:58.867
  • You know.
  • 00:20:58.867 --> 00:21:00.202
  • I can be more aloof."
  • 00:21:00.202 --> 00:21:01.570
  • And it reminds me of some christians when god has forgiven
  • 00:21:01.570 --> 00:21:05.440
  • You of your sin, you're so thankful, you're so grateful,
  • 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:08.777
  • And you wanna go out and tell others about what he has done
  • 00:21:08.777 --> 00:21:11.480
  • For you.
  • 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.848
  • Jesus says, "to whom much has been forgiven, that one loves
  • 00:21:12.848 --> 00:21:15.484
  • So much more."
  • 00:21:15.484 --> 00:21:16.852
  • But sometimes after we've known the lord, we become complacent,
  • 00:21:16.852 --> 00:21:21.056
  • We become apathetic.
  • 00:21:21.056 --> 00:21:23.125
  • We can't remember the last time we've engaged someone in
  • 00:21:23.125 --> 00:21:25.927
  • A conversation about the gospel.
  • 00:21:25.927 --> 00:21:28.764
  • Don't be like that designer rat.
  • 00:21:28.764 --> 00:21:31.099
  • Be like the feeder rat.
  • 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:33.101
  • I know that's a bad analogy.
  • 00:21:33.101 --> 00:21:34.569
  • But you understand what i'm trying to say, right?
  • 00:21:34.569 --> 00:21:37.906
  • So here's the final movement in this text that we're reading.
  • 00:21:37.906 --> 00:21:42.244
  • Jesus gives a contrast to the believer who's watching and
  • 00:21:42.244 --> 00:21:45.614
  • Working to the unprepared servant, luke 12, verse 45: "but
  • 00:21:45.614 --> 00:21:52.321
  • If that servant says in his heart, 'my master is delaying
  • 00:21:52.321 --> 00:21:55.624
  • His coming,' and begins to beat his male and female servants,
  • 00:21:55.624 --> 00:21:59.394
  • And to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of the servant
  • 00:21:59.394 --> 00:22:02.864
  • Will come on a day when he is not looking for him."
  • 00:22:02.864 --> 00:22:06.635
  • So in contrast to the believer who's waiting, we have this one
  • 00:22:06.635 --> 00:22:10.372
  • Who's not ready at all.
  • 00:22:10.372 --> 00:22:13.308
  • Now, who is this person?
  • 00:22:13.308 --> 00:22:15.210
  • Is this a description of a christian or is it a description
  • 00:22:15.210 --> 00:22:19.514
  • Of a non-christian or rather, is it a description of someone who
  • 00:22:19.514 --> 00:22:23.218
  • Thinks they're a christian when they really aren't a christian
  • 00:22:23.218 --> 00:22:26.088
  • At all?
  • 00:22:26.088 --> 00:22:27.422
  • Paul asked this question in corinthians: "check up
  • 00:22:27.422 --> 00:22:29.891
  • On yourselves.
  • 00:22:29.891 --> 00:22:31.259
  • Are you really christians or are you just pretending to be
  • 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:34.763
  • Christians when you actually aren't at all?"
  • 00:22:34.763 --> 00:22:37.833
  • That could be this category christ is describing.
  • 00:22:37.833 --> 00:22:41.937
  • This person is not ready.
  • 00:22:41.937 --> 00:22:43.605
  • He--this person is getting drunk.
  • 00:22:43.605 --> 00:22:46.208
  • This person is seeing the lord delays his coming and this
  • 00:22:46.208 --> 00:22:50.045
  • Person has a hard heart against god and they're not ready.
  • 00:22:50.045 --> 00:22:55.650
  • And there are people like this today and i'll tell you
  • 00:22:55.650 --> 00:22:57.919
  • Something that might surprise you.
  • 00:22:57.919 --> 00:22:59.921
  • The easiest place to get a hard heart is in church.
  • 00:22:59.921 --> 00:23:04.993
  • You say, "well, no, that's not the easiest place to get
  • 00:23:04.993 --> 00:23:07.362
  • A hard heart."
  • 00:23:07.362 --> 00:23:08.730
  • Oh, 100%.
  • 00:23:08.730 --> 00:23:10.065
  • And here's how it works.
  • 00:23:10.065 --> 00:23:11.566
  • The same sun that softens the wax hardens the clay.
  • 00:23:11.566 --> 00:23:16.271
  • The same message that transforms and liberates and changes one
  • 00:23:16.271 --> 00:23:22.544
  • Person can harden another.
  • 00:23:22.544 --> 00:23:24.780
  • It's not the fault of the message.
  • 00:23:24.780 --> 00:23:26.381
  • It's the fault of the reaction of the person to the message.
  • 00:23:26.381 --> 00:23:30.185
  • You see, i decide what kind of soil my heart would be.
  • 00:23:30.185 --> 00:23:34.089
  • Jesus gave what we call the parable of the sower.
  • 00:23:34.089 --> 00:23:37.559
  • "a sower went out to sow seed," the lord said, "and he sowed
  • 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:41.062
  • Some seed and it fell on ground that," well, actually it went on
  • 00:23:41.062 --> 00:23:44.533
  • The roadside, "and the birds came and ate it."
  • 00:23:44.533 --> 00:23:46.868
  • And then he said, "and other seed fell on ground that was
  • 00:23:46.868 --> 00:23:49.504
  • Embedded with rocks.
  • 00:23:49.504 --> 00:23:50.906
  • It had shot up quickly, but it had no root and it withered.
  • 00:23:50.906 --> 00:23:54.342
  • Other seed fell on ground that was filled with weeds and the
  • 00:23:54.342 --> 00:23:57.379
  • Weeds choked out the growth of the seed.
  • 00:23:57.379 --> 00:24:00.048
  • And other seed fell on good ground.
  • 00:24:00.048 --> 00:24:03.218
  • These are they that hear the word of god and keep it and
  • 00:24:03.218 --> 00:24:05.854
  • Bring forth fruit."
  • 00:24:05.854 --> 00:24:07.189
  • So, category one, that's a person who hears the gospel,
  • 00:24:07.189 --> 00:24:09.491
  • Just kind of blows it off.
  • 00:24:09.491 --> 00:24:11.059
  • Those are the birds taking the seed off of the roadside.
  • 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:14.095
  • But the other category, someone that shoots up but withers.
  • 00:24:14.095 --> 00:24:18.900
  • These are people that make a profession of faith.
  • 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:21.536
  • They look like they've really had a conversion, but it does
  • 00:24:21.536 --> 00:24:24.506
  • Not stand the test of time.
  • 00:24:24.506 --> 00:24:26.775
  • I suggest to you, they were never converted at all.
  • 00:24:26.775 --> 00:24:30.278
  • But then that other category is interesting.
  • 00:24:30.278 --> 00:24:32.547
  • It's choked up by weeds.
  • 00:24:32.547 --> 00:24:34.649
  • Weeds don't burst out of the soil and grab a plant and start
  • 00:24:34.649 --> 00:24:38.753
  • Shaking it.
  • 00:24:38.753 --> 00:24:40.222
  • It's so gradual, you might not even see it happening, but
  • 00:24:40.222 --> 00:24:44.326
  • Slowly and surely, the weed restricts the growth of the
  • 00:24:44.326 --> 00:24:49.064
  • Healthy plant.
  • 00:24:49.064 --> 00:24:50.398
  • And jesus said, "these are the people that allow the cares and
  • 00:24:50.398 --> 00:24:53.735
  • Riches of this life and the love of other things choke out the
  • 00:24:53.735 --> 00:24:57.372
  • Growth in their life, spiritually."
  • 00:24:57.372 --> 00:25:00.075
  • So for some people, it's a gradual process of getting
  • 00:25:00.075 --> 00:25:03.879
  • A hardened heart against god.
  • 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:05.814
  • But the final category, these are the ones that hear the word
  • 00:25:05.814 --> 00:25:08.850
  • Of god and keep it.
  • 00:25:08.850 --> 00:25:10.185
  • So listen, when you come to church, you should come with
  • 00:25:10.185 --> 00:25:12.287
  • An open heart, a heart to learn, a willingness to listen,
  • 00:25:12.287 --> 00:25:17.826
  • A desire to worship.
  • 00:25:17.826 --> 00:25:19.828
  • And then when we leave this church, having the desire to
  • 00:25:19.828 --> 00:25:22.464
  • Share it with others, because the holiest moment of the church
  • 00:25:22.464 --> 00:25:26.234
  • Service is when we go out the back doors.
  • 00:25:26.234 --> 00:25:31.439
  • Greg: have you ever heard the term "gospel" before?
  • 00:25:35.544 --> 00:25:37.779
  • It means good news.
  • 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:39.114
  • But before i can fully appreciate the good news, i have
  • 00:25:39.114 --> 00:25:42.150
  • To know the bad news.
  • 00:25:42.150 --> 00:25:44.586
  • You and i were sinners, which means we've broken god's
  • 00:25:44.586 --> 00:25:47.822
  • Commandments, we've fallen short of his standards.
  • 00:25:47.822 --> 00:25:50.225
  • Good news: jesus christ died in our place.
  • 00:25:50.225 --> 00:25:53.662
  • He came to pay a debt he did not owe because we owed a debt we
  • 00:25:53.662 --> 00:25:57.399
  • Could not pay.
  • 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:58.767
  • If you will turn from your sin and put your faith in
  • 00:25:58.767 --> 00:26:01.970
  • Jesus christ, you can be forgiven and know that you'll go
  • 00:26:01.970 --> 00:26:05.407
  • To heaven when you die and find the meaning of life right here
  • 00:26:05.407 --> 00:26:08.910
  • On planet earth.
  • 00:26:08.910 --> 00:26:10.612
  • You just call out to jesus and say, "forgive me.
  • 00:26:10.612 --> 00:26:13.615
  • I want to have a relationship with you."
  • 00:26:13.615 --> 00:26:17.485
  • I would like to send you a bible at no charge to help you get
  • 00:26:17.485 --> 00:26:21.356
  • Started in your new relationship with christ.
  • 00:26:21.356 --> 00:26:26.461
  • Greg: greg laurie here.
  • 00:26:29.998 --> 00:26:31.366
  • You know, at harvest ministries we're committing to reaching
  • 00:26:31.366 --> 00:26:33.768
  • Unexpected people in unexpected places with an
  • 00:26:33.768 --> 00:26:37.172
  • Unexpected message.
  • 00:26:37.172 --> 00:26:38.807
  • And thanks to your financial support, we've been able to
  • 00:26:38.807 --> 00:26:43.211
  • Touch people all over the world with the hope of jesus christ.
  • 00:26:43.211 --> 00:26:47.682
  • Your gifts today not only help us reach millions across the
  • 00:26:47.682 --> 00:26:51.453
  • Country through this television program, they also help us to
  • 00:26:51.453 --> 00:26:55.657
  • Bring hope to people in their biggest need, whether through
  • 00:26:55.657 --> 00:26:59.227
  • Our evangelistic events or our relief efforts, together we've
  • 00:26:59.227 --> 00:27:03.164
  • Been able to minister to so many people devastated by the fires
  • 00:27:03.164 --> 00:27:07.302
  • In lahaina on the island of maui.
  • 00:27:07.302 --> 00:27:09.337
  • And also, your support has helped us partner to bring
  • 00:27:09.337 --> 00:27:12.807
  • Medical help in the ongoing conflict in israel.
  • 00:27:12.807 --> 00:27:16.077
  • So i'm asking you today to continue to support this
  • 00:27:16.077 --> 00:27:19.214
  • Ministry so we can do everything possible to fulfill the
  • 00:27:19.214 --> 00:27:23.485
  • Great commission.
  • 00:27:23.485 --> 00:27:24.853
  • Let's do this together, and let me say in advance,
  • 00:27:24.853 --> 00:27:27.856
  • Thank you and god bless you.
  • 00:27:27.856 --> 00:27:29.010