Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Staying Cool When Things Get Hot

July 6, 2026 | 27:29

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

#WordofGod #Worship #Jealousy #Prayer #FalseGods #Idolatry #Idols #Marriage #GregLaurie

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Staying Cool When Things Get Hot | July 6, 2026

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Greg laurie: jesus is walking with you through your fire, and
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I would rather be in a fiery furnace with jesus than anywhere
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Else without him.
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The disciples were out on the storm-tossed sea of galilee, and
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They began to panic, and suddenly they saw jesus coming
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Toward them, and he said, "don't be afraid, it's me."
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I'd rather be in a storm with jesus than anywhere else
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Without him.
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Maybe you're in a storm, maybe you're in a fire, you are
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Not alone.
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Jesus said, "lo, i am with you even to the end of the age."
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♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪♪
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Greg: so, when i was a little boy, i lived for a time with my
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Grandparents, and i used to have those little green army men.
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You may remember them.
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They came in a bag, a whole bunch of them.
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And i loved to set them on fire.
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Am i the only one?
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And so i would put--we had this sort of floor furnace there in
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My grandparents' house, and i would put the little green army
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Guys on the grate of the furnace, and they would melt,
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And then the plastic would drip down there.
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My grandparents did not appreciate this at all.
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Interestingly, there was a portrait of jesus over the
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Furnace, and if a portrait could roll its eyes, i could see jesus
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Going, "seriously?
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Like, what are you doing," right?
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So--but i want to talk to you about another furnace, a big
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Furnace, a furnace that three men were thrown into and their
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Names were shadrach, meshach, and abednego, and jesus did not
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Look away.
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And in fact, jesus showed up and walked with them through this
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Fiery trial they found themselves in.
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Now we're in a series called, "jesus and you," part two.
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And we're looking at "old testament appearances
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Of christ."
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We call these christophanies, where jesus shows up in the old
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Testament like he did when abraham, in obedience to god,
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Was offering his son isaac as a sacrifice.
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A last minute reprieve was given.
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The angel of the lord shows up who actually was christ himself
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Telling him not to go through with it.
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Then we looked at the story of jacob wrestling with the angel,
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Or he thought it was an angel, but in fact he was wrestling
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With christ himself, and he said, "i'm going to call the
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Name of this place peniel," which means the face of god
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Because he had seen god face to face.
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Then we looked also at how jesus appeared to both gideon and
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Joshua before they went into battle, and now we come to
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Probably the best known christophany in all of the bible
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When jesus walked with these three hebrew teenagers,
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Shadrach, meshach, and abednego in this fiery furnace.
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Maybe i'm talking to somebody that's in a fiery trial
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Right now.
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Don't despair.
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You're not alone in what you're facing.
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I love the words of 1 peter 4 that says: "dear friends, don't
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Be surprised at the fiery trials you're going through, as if
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Something strange were happening to you.
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Be happy if you are insulted for being a christian, for then the
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Glorious spirit of god will come upon you."
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So you might be thinking, "man, i'm walking with the lord.
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I'm doing all the things that christians ought to do.
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Why is god allowing this trial?"
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Don't be surprised by this trial.
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All of us go through times of trial, and i want to explain why
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That happens in a few moments, but consider this contrast.
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God allows difficulty in the life of the christian, and god
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Even allows temptation in the life of the christian, but the
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Devil tempts you in order to destroy you, but god tests us to
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Develop your faith.
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So let me say that again.
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The devil tempts you to destroy your faith.
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God tests you to develop your faith.
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Sometimes i'll hear people say, "well, i lost my faith.
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And that was so hard what i went through, i don't have faith in
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God anymore."
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Listen to this.
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The faith that cannot be tested is the faith that cannot
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Be trusted.
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Maybe you never had real faith to begin with.
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You didn't lose your faith.
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You never had faith.
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But real faith in christ will get stronger through times of
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Testing and trial, not weaker, and this is clearly shown in the
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Story of these three hebrew holy boys, these young men: shadrach,
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Meshach, and abednego.
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They stood up for what was true, and we're all going to
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Have to make that stand in life.
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You know, the best time when you're building a house to
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Really give attention to detail is when you're, well, drawing up
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The plans and then laying the foundation.
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You wanna get that electrical right, you wanna get that
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Foundation right, you wanna get that plumbing right, because
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Then when you put your walls up and you paint and wallpaper and
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Bring in furniture, that's all fine.
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But the important part is the foundation and in the same way
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In the christian life, the most important time is in the early
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Days of your faith.
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And if you're young, let me talk to you for a moment.
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These are the days to lay a good foundation, to develop good
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Disciplines in your life like reading your bible every day.
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You make a commitment: "i'm gonna read the bible every day.
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I'm gonna pray every day.
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I'm gonna--" here are some other things.
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"i'm gonna make my bed, clean up after myself."
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Why is it so quiet in here?
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Are you sloppy?
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What's going on?
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Discipline in the little things, because the evening of your life
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Is determined by the morning of your life.
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The end of your life is determined by the beginning of
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Your life.
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So shadrach, meshach, and abednego were taken captive
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Along with their friend daniel by babylon, but they were very
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Intelligent, outstanding young men.
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So the king handpicked them to be a part of his cabinet,
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If you will.
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They were in the court where they influenced the king.
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They were among his counselors, which meant that they lived in
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The literal lap of luxury.
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They lived in the palace of the most powerful man in all of the
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World, and so they would sit at the king's table and eat the
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King's food.
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And for some reason, shadrach, meshach, and abednego made
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A principled stand that they would not eat the food from the
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King's table.
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And the bible doesn't tell us why.
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I mean, were they on the carnivore diet?
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I don't know.
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Were they, you know, lactose intolerant?
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I doubt that, you know, but whatever it was, "hey, we can't
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Eat this food."
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I think it's probably because the food may have been offered
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To false gods or idols.
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So they said, "we're not gonna eat the food."
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So the guy who was in charge said, "hey, you gotta eat this
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Food or i'll get in trouble."
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They said, "don't worry, don't panic, it's organic.
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We will be okay."
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They didn't say that.
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I threw it in, but they said, "we'll be fine.
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We'll eat our own little diet and we'll be as healthy as
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Everyone else."
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And sure enough they were.
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Now i only bring that up because they made a stand in
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A relatively small area of their life which supported them when
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They had to make the bigger stand later in life.
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See, if you compromise in the little things now, you're going
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To compromise in the bigger things later.
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And boy, they were really challenged when they had to
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Decide what to do when the king commanded them to worship this
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False god.
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So they made this stance.
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So one night the king has a crazy dream.
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He calls in all of his counselors, the astrologers, and
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Others, including daniel, shadrach, meshach, and abednego,
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Says, "hey, i had this dream.
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Tell me the meaning of this dream.
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It really freaked me out."
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And the counselors said, "well, tell us what your dream is, and
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We'll make stuff up and tell you what we think it means."
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They didn't say that, but that's what they basically did.
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He says, "if you're really counselors that get this
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Supernatural wisdom, you'll know the dream and
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The interpretation."
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Well, they didn't know the dream.
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He says, "that's it.
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I'm having you all killed."
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Well, word got to the prophet daniel that this was happening.
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He says, "relax, everybody.
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Let me come in and talk to the king."
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He says, "king, i know what your dream was.
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I'm going to tell you about your dream, and i'm going to give you
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The interpretation.
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Okay, so you basically had this dream and it's of this
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Giant statue.
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Am i right?"
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"yes, that's true."
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"head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of
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Brass, and feet of iron and clay.
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Is that the dream?"
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"that's it."
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"okay," and basically daniel explains that this is a glimpse
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Into the future and babylon, symbolized by the head of gold,
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Will be overtaken by the greeks, excuse me, the medo-persians who
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Will be overtaken by the greeks, and on it went.
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So it was kind of a glimpse into the future of babylon and, for
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That matter, the world.
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Now the king was blown away and he even said to daniel, "your
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God is the god of gods and the lord of our kings and a revealer
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Of mystery."
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So that's kind of good.
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Looks like the king was very impressed, but a little bit of
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Time passes, about 16 to 20 years, and nebuchadnezzar takes
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This dream and he makes it into a giant gold statue of himself.
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And then he decides to cover it in gold, and then he says that
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Everybody should worship this statue and if you don't bow down
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And worship this statue, you will be put to death.
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And word got to shadrach, meshach, and abednego, and they
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Refused to bow.
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Now what's fascinating to note is there were some 300,000
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People present, many of them jews who had been taken captive
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By babylon, who apparently bowed before this image.
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So only three refused to bow.
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You say, "well, where was daniel?"
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We don't know.
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He's not in the narrative.
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He was somewhere, wasn't here.
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But they would not bow before the image.
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They stuck out like three sore thumbs when everybody was bowing
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Down before the image.
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Why would they not bow?
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Very simple.
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They read their bibles, and the bible says in exodus 20: "don't
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Make idols of any kind.
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Never worship them or bow down to them, for i am the lord your
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God, and i am a jealous god, and i will not share your affection
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With any."
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So they refused to bow, and this really made the king angry.
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Let's read about it.
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Daniel 3, verse 14: "nebuchadnezzar said to them,
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'is it true, shadrach, meshach, and abednego, that you refuse to
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Serve my gods or to worship the gold statue that i've set up?
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I'll give you one more chance.
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If you bow down and worship the statue i have made, when you
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Hear the sound of the musical instruments, all will be well.
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But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into
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A blazing furnace.'"
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Now look at this statement: "what god will be able to rescue
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You from my power then?"
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Verse 16: "shadrach, meshach, and abednego replied, 'o
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Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
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If we're thrown into the blazing furnace, the god whom we serve
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Is able to save us.
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He will rescue us from your power, your majesty.
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But even if he doesn't, your majesty can be sure that we will
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Never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have
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Set up.'"
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What a narrative that is.
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Nebuchadnezzar was picking a fight with god.
00:12:06.302 --> 00:12:10.973
"what god's gonna save you?"
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Oh, he's gonna find out the hard way how powerful god
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Actually was.
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You know, it's never a good idea to choose off god.
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Jacob got into a fight with god and ended up with a limp for the
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Rest of his life.
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You're never going to win in a fight with god, and he had
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Forgotten that god gave him the interpretation to his dream.
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And so now he's just filled with pride, and he wants everyone
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To worship.
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By the way, everybody worships.
00:12:41.670 --> 00:12:45.374
Everyone has some kind of a deity, something or someone that
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They give their allegiance to.
00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:53.215
Some bow before the altar of money.
00:12:53.215 --> 00:12:57.419
That's what it's all about for them.
00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:59.288
Others bow before the altar of pleasure.
00:12:59.288 --> 00:13:02.458
Others bow before the altar of fame.
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Others bow before the altar of sex.
00:13:05.294 --> 00:13:08.330
Whatever it is, they bow at an altar, but we are wired
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To worship.
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We're designed to worship, not things, not objects.
00:13:13.035 --> 00:13:16.205
We're designed to worship god.
00:13:16.205 --> 00:13:18.007
I read an interesting article that neuroscientists have found
00:13:18.007 --> 00:13:21.644
That during prayer and worship, the prefrontal cortex, that is
00:13:21.644 --> 00:13:25.681
The region responsible for focus, attention, and decision
00:13:25.681 --> 00:13:29.785
Making, becomes highly active, and this reduction in
00:13:29.785 --> 00:13:33.823
Self-related activity explains why many people decide--or
00:13:33.823 --> 00:13:38.294
Describe feeling connected to god when they worship.
00:13:38.294 --> 00:13:42.164
They said this isn't true of just singing songs in general.
00:13:42.164 --> 00:13:45.634
It's true only of worship.
00:13:45.634 --> 00:13:48.504
Scientists observing these patterns suggest the human brain
00:13:48.504 --> 00:13:52.675
May be wired for worship.
00:13:52.675 --> 00:13:54.877
Isn't that interesting?
00:13:54.877 --> 00:13:56.345
And i believe that's true, and i've experienced it,
00:13:56.345 --> 00:13:58.547
Haven't you?
00:13:58.547 --> 00:13:59.949
When you're going through whatever you're going through,
00:13:59.949 --> 00:14:01.951
Maybe it's something very troubling, very agitating.
00:14:01.951 --> 00:14:05.387
And then you just start to sing these songs of praise to god and
00:14:05.387 --> 00:14:09.391
You think about the lord, a peace comes over you because you
00:14:09.391 --> 00:14:12.695
Know what you're doing.
00:14:12.695 --> 00:14:14.063
It's not just singing, you're praying.
00:14:14.063 --> 00:14:16.999
Worship is just worship--it's just--it's prayer set to song.
00:14:16.999 --> 00:14:21.070
That's all it is, and that's a lot.
00:14:21.070 --> 00:14:23.772
So you're praying about it instead of worrying about it,
00:14:23.772 --> 00:14:27.409
And it's something we're all designed to do.
00:14:27.409 --> 00:14:29.578
But here's the thing, you're gonna end up serving whatever
00:14:29.578 --> 00:14:32.615
You worship.
00:14:32.615 --> 00:14:33.949
Remember when satan tempted jesus in the wilderness, and he
00:14:33.949 --> 00:14:38.654
Said, "i'll give you all the kingdoms of the world if you
00:14:38.654 --> 00:14:41.457
Will worship me."
00:14:41.457 --> 00:14:42.925
And jesus said, "you shall worship the lord god only, and
00:14:42.925 --> 00:14:46.495
Him only shall you serve."
00:14:46.495 --> 00:14:48.697
Fascinating.
00:14:48.697 --> 00:14:50.032
The devil didn't say anything about serving, he just asked for
00:14:50.032 --> 00:14:52.801
Momentary worship.
00:14:52.801 --> 00:14:54.570
But jesus understood that you will end up serving what
00:14:54.570 --> 00:14:58.140
You worship.
00:14:58.140 --> 00:14:59.708
And shadrach, meshach, and abednego said effectively the
00:14:59.708 --> 00:15:03.212
Same thing in verse 18: "your majesty can be sure we will
00:15:03.212 --> 00:15:06.815
Never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you've set up,"
00:15:06.815 --> 00:15:10.486
As an example.
00:15:10.486 --> 00:15:11.954
Just a moment at an altar can lead to a lifetime of regret.
00:15:11.954 --> 00:15:16.392
A moment at the altar of sexual experimentation can lead to
00:15:16.392 --> 00:15:21.697
A lifetime of regret: an unexpected pregnancy, a child
00:15:21.697 --> 00:15:27.002
Given up for adoption, worst of all, abortion, or if you try
00:15:27.002 --> 00:15:30.773
This or go into this other perversion, it can lead to
00:15:30.773 --> 00:15:35.711
A lifetime of regret.
00:15:35.711 --> 00:15:37.379
Listen, god created sex.
00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:40.115
Did you know that?
00:15:40.115 --> 00:15:41.483
It was his idea, pretty good idea too.
00:15:41.483 --> 00:15:45.020
We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for sex.
00:15:45.020 --> 00:15:48.424
But sex is beautiful and wonderful and can even be
00:15:48.424 --> 00:15:51.593
Blessed by the lord when it's in its proper place, and the proper
00:15:51.593 --> 00:15:55.898
Place for sex is in a committed marriage relationship between
00:15:55.898 --> 00:16:00.202
A man and a woman, and there are no exceptions to that
00:16:00.202 --> 00:16:03.205
Whatsoever, according to the bible.
00:16:03.205 --> 00:16:06.041
[congregation applauding]
00:16:06.041 --> 00:16:09.478
So many of the problems in our culture is because we
00:16:09.478 --> 00:16:12.348
Disregard this.
00:16:12.348 --> 00:16:13.716
Oh no, a man can marry a woman.
00:16:13.716 --> 00:16:15.050
A woman can marry--oh, a man can marry a woman, that's right.
00:16:15.050 --> 00:16:18.387
Okay, a man can marry a man.
00:16:18.387 --> 00:16:20.489
I encourage men to marry women actually.
00:16:20.489 --> 00:16:22.858
A man can marry a man.
00:16:22.858 --> 00:16:24.326
Some will say, "a woman can marry a woman, or we'll have
00:16:24.326 --> 00:16:26.862
A thropple, or we'll redefine it.
00:16:26.862 --> 00:16:30.466
I'm not even sure if i am a man.
00:16:30.466 --> 00:16:31.867
Maybe i'm a woman trapped in a man's body, or just we'll live
00:16:31.867 --> 00:16:35.804
Together outside of marriage, or we'll just get married and then
00:16:35.804 --> 00:16:39.308
We'll get divorced," and you can trace almost every social ill in
00:16:39.308 --> 00:16:43.312
Our country today to the breakdown of the family and
00:16:43.312 --> 00:16:46.615
Specifically to the absence of fathers.
00:16:46.615 --> 00:16:49.952
Stop messing with god's plan.
00:16:49.952 --> 00:16:52.855
Get back and do it god's way and watch how he will bless and
00:16:52.855 --> 00:16:56.759
Change everything.
00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:58.160
You can applaud for that.
00:16:58.160 --> 00:16:59.495
Go, go. [congregation applauding]
00:16:59.495 --> 00:17:06.935
So the king, you know, he kind of has a soft spot for him.
00:17:06.935 --> 00:17:09.805
He thinks, you know, these guys are gonna--they're
00:17:09.805 --> 00:17:12.541
Gonna capitulate.
00:17:12.541 --> 00:17:13.876
They're gonna go along with this, but they're not going
00:17:13.876 --> 00:17:16.345
With it.
00:17:16.345 --> 00:17:17.679
They're saying we're not going to do it.
00:17:17.679 --> 00:17:19.048
Just bottom line, let's cut to the chase, king, and they're
00:17:19.048 --> 00:17:21.383
Respectful, your majesty.
00:17:21.383 --> 00:17:23.419
No, we're not bowing.
00:17:23.419 --> 00:17:25.654
We will not bow before your golden image, and if we die,
00:17:25.654 --> 00:17:30.359
We die.
00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.727
I think they sort of saw it as win-win.
00:17:31.727 --> 00:17:33.429
You know, they figured better to burn on earth than, or excuse
00:17:33.429 --> 00:17:38.367
Me, better to burn on earth and bow in heaven than to bow on
00:17:38.367 --> 00:17:41.804
Earth and burn in hell, okay?
00:17:41.804 --> 00:17:43.505
"so look, if we die, we die.
00:17:43.505 --> 00:17:45.741
If we live, god spares us, we live, but we're not going
00:17:45.741 --> 00:17:49.344
To bow."
00:17:49.344 --> 00:17:50.712
Now, the king is really angry.
00:17:50.712 --> 00:17:52.614
Look at daniel 3, verse 19: "nebuchadnezzar was so furious
00:17:52.614 --> 00:17:57.920
With shadrach, meshach, and abednego, his face became
00:17:57.920 --> 00:18:01.156
Distorted with rage.
00:18:01.156 --> 00:18:02.724
He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter
00:18:02.724 --> 00:18:07.396
Than usual.
00:18:07.396 --> 00:18:08.730
Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to
00:18:08.730 --> 00:18:12.067
Bind shadrach, meshach, and abednego and throw them into the
00:18:12.067 --> 00:18:15.604
Blazing furnace.
00:18:15.604 --> 00:18:17.106
So when he had tied them up and threw them into the furnace
00:18:17.106 --> 00:18:19.808
Fully clothed, because of his anger, he demanded such a hot
00:18:19.808 --> 00:18:24.646
Fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the
00:18:24.646 --> 00:18:28.250
Soldiers as they threw the three men in.
00:18:28.250 --> 00:18:31.353
So shadrach, meshach, and abednego, securely tied, fell
00:18:31.353 --> 00:18:35.924
Into the roaring flames.
00:18:35.924 --> 00:18:38.393
Then suddenly, as he was watching, nebuchadnezzar jumped
00:18:38.393 --> 00:18:42.131
Up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, 'didn't we throw
00:18:42.131 --> 00:18:46.268
Three men into the furnace?'
00:18:46.268 --> 00:18:48.470
'yes,' they said, 'we did, your majesty.'
00:18:48.470 --> 00:18:51.406
'look,' nebuchadnezzar shouted, 'i see four men unbound walking
00:18:51.406 --> 00:18:56.145
Around in the fire, and they aren't even hurt by the flames.
00:18:56.145 --> 00:18:59.882
And the fourth is like the son of god.'"
00:18:59.882 --> 00:19:03.719
Jesus is walking with you through your fire, and i would
00:19:03.719 --> 00:19:07.589
Rather be in a fiery furnace with jesus than anywhere else
00:19:07.589 --> 00:19:11.894
Without him, wouldn't you? [congregation applauding]
00:19:11.894 --> 00:19:19.001
The disciples were out on the storm-tossed sea of galilee, and
00:19:19.001 --> 00:19:22.471
They began to panic, and suddenly they saw jesus coming
00:19:22.471 --> 00:19:26.041
Toward them, and he said, "don't be afraid, it's me."
00:19:26.041 --> 00:19:30.779
I'd rather be in a storm with jesus than anywhere else
00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:34.583
Without him.
00:19:34.583 --> 00:19:35.918
Maybe you're in a storm, maybe you're in a fire.
00:19:35.918 --> 00:19:38.720
You are not alone.
00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:40.088
Jesus said, "lo, i am with you even to the end of the age."
00:19:40.088 --> 00:19:44.126
In the hebrews, he gave us that beautiful statement, "i am with
00:19:44.126 --> 00:19:49.097
You till--" excuse me.
00:19:49.097 --> 00:19:51.400
I've forgotten it, apparently.
00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:53.235
No, it just came back to me.
00:19:53.235 --> 00:19:54.903
He said, "i will never leave you or forsake you.
00:19:54.903 --> 00:19:58.373
Therefore, i will not fear what man will do to me."
00:19:58.373 --> 00:20:01.476
And in the original language he was emphatic and he said, "i
00:20:01.476 --> 00:20:06.448
Will never, no, never, no, never leave you or forsake you."
00:20:06.448 --> 00:20:11.587
He walked with them through their fire, and he's walking
00:20:11.587 --> 00:20:14.223
With yours through you--with you through yours as well.
00:20:14.223 --> 00:20:18.393
You know, it's an interesting thing.
00:20:18.393 --> 00:20:20.295
Isaiah 43:2, it's a familiar passage.
00:20:20.295 --> 00:20:23.632
When i read it, you'll recognize it.
00:20:23.632 --> 00:20:25.667
But consider this fact.
00:20:25.667 --> 00:20:27.035
Isaiah was written before the book of daniel, which means
00:20:27.035 --> 00:20:30.272
Shadrach, meshach, and abednego quite possibly had memorized
00:20:30.272 --> 00:20:34.810
This passage.
00:20:34.810 --> 00:20:36.144
In fact, they might have even been quoting it to themself when
00:20:36.144 --> 00:20:39.181
They were thrown into the fiery furnace, because isaiah 43:2
00:20:39.181 --> 00:20:43.318
Says: "when you pass through the waters," god speaking, "i will
00:20:43.318 --> 00:20:47.022
Be with you.
00:20:47.022 --> 00:20:48.390
When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep
00:20:48.390 --> 00:20:50.359
Over you.
00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.693
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.
00:20:51.693 --> 00:20:54.796
The flames will not set you ablaze."
00:20:54.796 --> 00:20:59.067
Yeah, my little army men burning through the grate of my
00:20:59.067 --> 00:21:02.304
Grandparents' house, they didn't have much hope.
00:21:02.304 --> 00:21:06.541
Jesus was just hanging on a wall in a portrait, but in this case
00:21:06.541 --> 00:21:11.246
Jesus was walking with them, and that brings us to james 1
00:21:11.246 --> 00:21:15.050
Because we wonder why do i have to go through these trials?
00:21:15.050 --> 00:21:18.020
Why do i have to have these difficulties?
00:21:18.020 --> 00:21:20.055
James 1, verse 2: "when all kinds of trials and temptations
00:21:20.055 --> 00:21:23.959
Crowd into your lives, my brothers," listen, "don't treat
00:21:23.959 --> 00:21:27.362
Them as intruders, but friends!
00:21:27.362 --> 00:21:29.965
Realize they have come to test your faith and to produce in you
00:21:29.965 --> 00:21:33.635
The quality of endurance, so let the process go on until that
00:21:33.635 --> 00:21:37.939
Endurance is fully developed and you'll find you become men of
00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:41.777
Mature character, men of integrity with no weak spots."
00:21:41.777 --> 00:21:47.115
I love that translation.
00:21:47.115 --> 00:21:49.217
Staying cool when things get hot.
00:21:49.217 --> 00:21:52.020
How can we even do that?
00:21:52.020 --> 00:21:53.955
Why do we go through trials?
00:21:53.955 --> 00:21:55.457
Trials are like going to the gym.
00:21:55.457 --> 00:21:58.527
How many of you go to the gym?
00:21:58.527 --> 00:22:00.262
Raise your hand.
00:22:00.262 --> 00:22:01.763
More of you should go especially you, sir.
00:22:01.763 --> 00:22:07.536
I know i should go more.
00:22:07.536 --> 00:22:10.272
But i don't like to go to the gym.
00:22:10.272 --> 00:22:11.840
Some do: "i had a great workout today."
00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:14.943
I've never had a great workout.
00:22:14.943 --> 00:22:16.411
The greatest part of my workout is when it's over.
00:22:16.411 --> 00:22:19.948
Having said that, i'm always glad i did it because i
00:22:19.948 --> 00:22:23.852
Understand that doing that helps me in the long term.
00:22:23.852 --> 00:22:27.489
I think the problem with the gym for some people is, you know,
00:22:27.489 --> 00:22:29.925
They get really out of shape.
00:22:29.925 --> 00:22:31.293
Well, they're in shape, they're just in the wrong shape.
00:22:31.293 --> 00:22:35.197
They're in the shape of a pear, and they didn't want to be known
00:22:35.197 --> 00:22:38.400
As the lord's pear, but that's what they become.
00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:41.470
So they go to the gym and they overdo it, you know, they try to
00:22:41.470 --> 00:22:44.539
Lift too much weight and the next day they can't even lift
00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:47.409
Their arms up, so they probably should do lower weights, higher
00:22:47.409 --> 00:22:50.779
Reps, and just stick with it.
00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.647
But here's what you need to understand.
00:22:52.647 --> 00:22:55.217
You break muscle down in order to build muscle up.
00:22:55.217 --> 00:22:59.187
And it takes time.
00:22:59.187 --> 00:23:00.555
There's not immediate results.
00:23:00.555 --> 00:23:02.124
Trials sort of break us down.
00:23:02.124 --> 00:23:03.859
Trials are like god's gym.
00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:05.794
It breaks us down in order to ultimately build us up.
00:23:05.794 --> 00:23:10.766
God has not given us his blessings and his gifts to just
00:23:10.766 --> 00:23:15.437
Admire or to put in a trophy case.
00:23:15.437 --> 00:23:18.407
He gives them to us to use.
00:23:18.407 --> 00:23:20.709
If you don't use it, you'll lose it, and your muscles will begin
00:23:20.709 --> 00:23:25.480
To atrophy and you don't want that to happen.
00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:29.151
Jesus said, "give, and it shall be given unto you.
00:23:29.151 --> 00:23:31.620
Pressed down, shaken together, running over.
00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:34.389
In the same measure you give, it will be given back to you."
00:23:34.389 --> 00:23:38.260
Trials take our faith from the realm of theory to reality, and
00:23:38.260 --> 00:23:43.532
It develops in us a spiritual toughness.
00:23:43.532 --> 00:23:47.202
Actually, in james 1:3 he says, "knowing the testing of your
00:23:47.202 --> 00:23:50.539
Faith produces patience."
00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:53.341
Interesting word, "patience."
00:23:53.341 --> 00:23:54.709
That's king james, not the best translation, frankly.
00:23:54.709 --> 00:23:57.846
It comes from a root word, "ipomoni," which
00:23:57.846 --> 00:24:00.949
Means endurance.
00:24:00.949 --> 00:24:03.919
Another translation, "heroic endurance or steadfastness" or
00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:09.357
Even another translates it "fortitude," so you get stronger
00:24:09.357 --> 00:24:15.063
As a result, so you'll have the strength to stand because you're
00:24:15.063 --> 00:24:20.869
Gonna be challenged.
00:24:20.869 --> 00:24:22.871
And you're gonna be asked to bow at some altar and the bible
00:24:22.871 --> 00:24:26.908
Tells us specifically keep yourselves from idols.
00:24:26.908 --> 00:24:31.012
A closing thought.
00:24:31.012 --> 00:24:33.014
And when a preacher says that it could be another hour, but it's
00:24:33.014 --> 00:24:36.084
Not going to be.
00:24:36.084 --> 00:24:37.886
Nebuchadnezzar saw god work.
00:24:37.886 --> 00:24:40.722
God interpreted his dream and he gave credit to god for doing so,
00:24:40.722 --> 00:24:45.760
But then he went crazy.
00:24:45.760 --> 00:24:48.964
Well, literally he went crazy after his idol was erected.
00:24:48.964 --> 00:24:53.835
God dealt with him harshly.
00:24:53.835 --> 00:24:55.337
He lost his mind and had complete insanity overtake him.
00:24:55.337 --> 00:25:00.275
And then he came to his senses and he turned to the lord and
00:25:00.275 --> 00:25:03.879
Had one of the most dramatic conversions in all of the old
00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:06.715
Testament and told everyone in his kingdom he was a believer in
00:25:06.715 --> 00:25:10.519
The lord god of israel.
00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:12.254
So that was amazing.
00:25:12.254 --> 00:25:13.655
But you know, it took him some time.
00:25:13.655 --> 00:25:15.824
He was fighting with god.
00:25:15.824 --> 00:25:17.792
Don't fight with god.
00:25:17.792 --> 00:25:19.127
You're not going to win.
00:25:19.127 --> 00:25:20.495
And why would you fight with god anyway?
00:25:20.495 --> 00:25:22.497
His plan for you is better than your plan for yourself.
00:25:22.497 --> 00:25:26.935
♪♪♪
00:25:26.935 --> 00:25:29.771
Greg: have you watched the news lately?
00:25:29.838 --> 00:25:31.373
It seems like the world is coming apart.
00:25:31.373 --> 00:25:34.242
War in the middle east, instability all around us.
00:25:34.242 --> 00:25:38.313
And i'm telling you right now, the bible predicted these things
00:25:38.313 --> 00:25:41.683
Would happen in the last days.
00:25:41.683 --> 00:25:43.618
But here's what you need to remember.
00:25:43.618 --> 00:25:45.387
Jesus said, "when you see these things begin to happen, look up
00:25:45.387 --> 00:25:49.624
For your redemption is drawing near."
00:25:49.624 --> 00:25:51.793
He didn't say, "freak out."
00:25:51.793 --> 00:25:53.194
He said, "look up."
00:25:53.194 --> 00:25:55.530
I want you to know that i've read the last page of the bible
00:25:55.597 --> 00:25:58.600
And we win in the end.
00:25:58.600 --> 00:26:00.335
We need hope in this crazy, hopeless world, in this world of
00:26:00.335 --> 00:26:04.272
Chaos and confusion.
00:26:04.272 --> 00:26:06.074
Jesus christ has everything you're looking for in a
00:26:06.074 --> 00:26:09.778
Relationship with him.
00:26:09.778 --> 00:26:12.180
I encourage you to call out to the lord and ask him to come
00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:15.917
Into your life.
00:26:15.917 --> 00:26:17.586
Let me send you at no charge, a bible to help you get started in
00:26:17.586 --> 00:26:22.324
Your new relationship with christ.
00:26:22.324 --> 00:26:25.827
Female announcer: jesus says that "where two or three are
00:26:29.998 --> 00:26:32.667
Gathered in my name, there i am in the midst of them."
00:26:32.667 --> 00:26:36.771
We are all different.
00:26:36.771 --> 00:26:38.173
We have different interests, different personalities,
00:26:38.173 --> 00:26:41.309
Different upbringings, and different ways we do life.
00:26:41.309 --> 00:26:45.080
But here we have a deep connection and you are
00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:50.852
Welcome here.
00:26:50.852 --> 00:26:52.887
This is harvest.
00:26:52.887 --> 00:26:55.657
Greg: you know, i've heard people describe a trip to israel
00:26:59.794 --> 00:27:01.863
As seeing the bible actually come to life.
00:27:01.863 --> 00:27:04.699
And having been to israel many times,
00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:06.868
I can say that's absolutely true.
00:27:06.868 --> 00:27:09.437
Listen, when you're walking on the same stones that jesus
00:27:09.437 --> 00:27:12.540
Walked on, there's something that's enriching to your faith.
00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:16.444
It's not just a travel experience;
00:27:16.444 --> 00:27:18.380
It actually energizes your study of the bible.
00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:21.549
Think of it this way:
00:27:21.549 --> 00:27:22.884
It's a vacation with a purpose,
00:27:22.884 --> 00:27:24.653
And you can find out more at israel.harvest.org.
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Greg Laurie - Staying Cool When Things Get Hot

July 6, 2026 | 27:29

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