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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - The Wasted Potential of a World Changer

January 15, 2025 | S25:E13

Greg Laurie - The Wasted Potential of a World Changer
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Faith #GiftsoftheHolySpirit #RelationshipwithGod #Religion #Change #inActive #Tragedy #Death #Failure #Intimacy #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie #Wicked #Potential #Judges16

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - The Wasted Potential of a World Changer | January 15, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:05.070
  • Greg laurie: we decide how our story will end spiritually.
  • 00:00:05.170 --> 00:00:09.708
  • You don't decide the day of your death any more than
  • 00:00:09.808 --> 00:00:12.144
  • You decided the day of your birth.
  • 00:00:12.277 --> 00:00:15.481
  • You don't decide how you will die or where you will die,
  • 00:00:15.614 --> 00:00:16.615
  • But you do decide the spiritual state you will be in
  • 00:00:18.350 --> 00:00:21.920
  • When you die.
  • 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:23.522
  • And we don't know when that day will come.
  • 00:00:23.522 --> 00:00:25.524
  • You say, no, god decides that.
  • 00:00:25.524 --> 00:00:26.859
  • No, actually, you decide that.
  • 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:29.161
  • God wants you close to him.
  • 00:00:29.161 --> 00:00:31.430
  • God wants you in friendship and fellowship and intimacy with
  • 00:00:31.430 --> 00:00:34.700
  • Him, but that's my choice to have that relationship with the
  • 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:38.604
  • Lord or not to have that relationship with the lord.
  • 00:00:38.604 --> 00:00:42.174
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:43.108 --> 00:00:46.111
  • ♪ this is the day when life begins ♪
  • 00:00:46.111 --> 00:00:53.519
  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins ♪♪
  • 00:00:53.519 --> 00:01:02.795
  • Greg laurie: you know, one thing i've found in life
  • 00:01:06.865 --> 00:01:09.401
  • Is it's just full of surprises, isn't it?
  • 00:01:09.401 --> 00:01:13.372
  • The longer you live, it's like wow.
  • 00:01:13.372 --> 00:01:15.908
  • Now that is not what i expected to happen.
  • 00:01:15.908 --> 00:01:20.012
  • There are unexpected pleasures and blessings
  • 00:01:20.012 --> 00:01:22.181
  • That come your way.
  • 00:01:22.181 --> 00:01:24.083
  • Sometimes surprises that are sad, others that are tragic.
  • 00:01:24.083 --> 00:01:28.320
  • Some that are downright inexplicable.
  • 00:01:28.320 --> 00:01:32.057
  • But you know, i've been surprised at how some people's
  • 00:01:32.057 --> 00:01:34.426
  • Lives have turned out.
  • 00:01:34.426 --> 00:01:36.995
  • There are people i knew maybe in high school that i thought,
  • 00:01:36.995 --> 00:01:39.298
  • "this person is never going to amount to anything.
  • 00:01:39.298 --> 00:01:44.169
  • This person--i don't know what's gonna happen with their life,
  • 00:01:44.169 --> 00:01:46.872
  • But they'll nev"--you know, sometimes they called them geeks
  • 00:01:46.872 --> 00:01:49.875
  • And nerds.
  • 00:01:49.875 --> 00:01:51.343
  • By the way, nowadays we call them "boss" sometimes.
  • 00:01:51.343 --> 00:01:55.180
  • But then, there are other people i knew that, man, they--they
  • 00:01:55.180 --> 00:01:58.050
  • Were--they were the one.
  • 00:01:58.050 --> 00:02:00.886
  • They had that extraordinary gift.
  • 00:02:00.886 --> 00:02:02.521
  • They had that natural charisma.
  • 00:02:02.521 --> 00:02:04.590
  • They were that born leader, and you thought,
  • 00:02:04.590 --> 00:02:06.758
  • "that person is gonna make their mark on the world!"
  • 00:02:06.758 --> 00:02:09.728
  • And then maybe they went out and crashed and burned.
  • 00:02:09.728 --> 00:02:12.397
  • Well, we're in our world changer series.
  • 00:02:12.397 --> 00:02:14.733
  • And we're gonna look at a guy who had an amazing beginning,
  • 00:02:14.733 --> 00:02:17.136
  • But not a great ending, and in fact i have to admit i'm even a
  • 00:02:17.136 --> 00:02:21.306
  • Little surprised he made it into the heroes hall of faith
  • 00:02:21.306 --> 00:02:26.111
  • Of hebrews 11.
  • 00:02:26.111 --> 00:02:28.213
  • In fact, his name is just mentioned
  • 00:02:28.213 --> 00:02:29.681
  • Among other names--samson.
  • 00:02:29.681 --> 00:02:31.550
  • He's just included.
  • 00:02:31.550 --> 00:02:32.885
  • I mean, it was surprising to me that gideon got in this group,
  • 00:02:32.885 --> 00:02:36.155
  • But samson?
  • 00:02:36.155 --> 00:02:37.789
  • After his colossal failure?
  • 00:02:37.789 --> 00:02:40.692
  • I mean, in contrast to gideon, who really knew he was really on
  • 00:02:40.692 --> 00:02:46.098
  • The lowest rung of the ladder, and basically, when he was
  • 00:02:46.098 --> 00:02:49.568
  • Called by god, he said, "lord, i'm the runt of the litter.
  • 00:02:49.568 --> 00:02:53.138
  • I'm the lowest of the low."
  • 00:02:53.138 --> 00:02:55.574
  • Samson, in contrast, thought he was all that and a bag of chips,
  • 00:02:55.574 --> 00:03:01.146
  • And he was a mighty man.
  • 00:03:01.146 --> 00:03:04.683
  • And for a time, he was a mighty man of god.
  • 00:03:04.683 --> 00:03:08.086
  • And even for a time, he was a true world changer, but also in
  • 00:03:08.086 --> 00:03:11.890
  • Time, the world began to change him as he turned
  • 00:03:11.890 --> 00:03:15.961
  • His back on god.
  • 00:03:15.961 --> 00:03:17.296
  • He had an amazing beginning and a tragic ending.
  • 00:03:17.296 --> 00:03:20.999
  • And listen, we decide how our story will end spiritually.
  • 00:03:20.999 --> 00:03:25.571
  • You don't decide the day of your death any more than you decided
  • 00:03:25.571 --> 00:03:28.840
  • The day of your birth.
  • 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:31.343
  • You don't decide how you will die or where you will die, but
  • 00:03:31.343 --> 00:03:33.912
  • You do decide the spiritual state you will be
  • 00:03:33.912 --> 00:03:37.449
  • In when you die.
  • 00:03:37.449 --> 00:03:39.318
  • And we don't know when that day will come.
  • 00:03:39.318 --> 00:03:41.286
  • You say, "no, god decides that."
  • 00:03:41.286 --> 00:03:42.621
  • No, actually, you decide that.
  • 00:03:42.621 --> 00:03:44.856
  • God wants you close to him.
  • 00:03:44.856 --> 00:03:47.259
  • God wants you in friendship and fellowship and intimacy with
  • 00:03:47.259 --> 00:03:50.562
  • Him, but that's my choice to have that relationship with the
  • 00:03:50.562 --> 00:03:54.333
  • Lord or not to have that relationship with the lord.
  • 00:03:54.333 --> 00:03:58.537
  • So, let's see what we can learn from his life.
  • 00:03:58.537 --> 00:04:00.339
  • If you're taking notes, here's point number one:
  • 00:04:00.339 --> 00:04:02.841
  • Samson had a great beginning.
  • 00:04:02.841 --> 00:04:05.811
  • I mean, he had superhuman qualities.
  • 00:04:05.811 --> 00:04:08.547
  • Physically, there was none stronger.
  • 00:04:08.547 --> 00:04:11.650
  • He was faster than a speeding bullet.
  • 00:04:11.650 --> 00:04:15.053
  • He was able to leap over tall buildings in a single bou--no,
  • 00:04:15.053 --> 00:04:17.923
  • I got the wrong guy there.
  • 00:04:17.923 --> 00:04:19.258
  • Wait, wait a second. that's superman.
  • 00:04:19.258 --> 00:04:21.059
  • But he was sort of like a superhero.
  • 00:04:21.059 --> 00:04:23.729
  • I mean, think about this guy. he was a one-man army.
  • 00:04:23.729 --> 00:04:27.499
  • On one occasion, he killed 30 philistines
  • 00:04:27.499 --> 00:04:30.269
  • To settle a bet.
  • 00:04:30.269 --> 00:04:31.603
  • The philistines were the enemies of the israelites.
  • 00:04:31.603 --> 00:04:34.106
  • On another occasion, he killed 1,000 philistine warriors on
  • 00:04:34.106 --> 00:04:38.677
  • The battlefield with a bone that he picked up off the ground.
  • 00:04:38.677 --> 00:04:42.147
  • Not a sword or a spear, a bone. this guy was incredible.
  • 00:04:42.147 --> 00:04:45.350
  • He--he took a lion once and ripped it apart
  • 00:04:45.350 --> 00:04:49.521
  • With his bare hands.
  • 00:04:49.521 --> 00:04:51.356
  • And he wasn't, you know, a fictitious superhero like you
  • 00:04:51.356 --> 00:04:55.594
  • Read about in dc comics or marvel comics.
  • 00:04:55.594 --> 00:04:59.298
  • Samson was more powerful than the hulk.
  • 00:04:59.298 --> 00:05:02.200
  • He was smarter than dr. strange.
  • 00:05:02.200 --> 00:05:05.671
  • And he was the real deal, and god's spirit came upon samson
  • 00:05:05.671 --> 00:05:11.476
  • To make a stand at a very dark time in the history of israel.
  • 00:05:11.476 --> 00:05:16.014
  • Similar to gideon's time.
  • 00:05:16.014 --> 00:05:18.283
  • Everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes.
  • 00:05:18.283 --> 00:05:22.154
  • And the bible also says in judges that the word of the lord
  • 00:05:22.154 --> 00:05:25.257
  • Was scarce in those days.
  • 00:05:25.257 --> 00:05:27.826
  • So, samson was dedicated to the lord and god wanted him to take
  • 00:05:27.826 --> 00:05:32.431
  • The vow of a nazarite.
  • 00:05:32.431 --> 00:05:34.833
  • Among other things, that meant that you would never drink
  • 00:05:34.833 --> 00:05:37.969
  • Alcohol, and secondly, that you would grow your hair out.
  • 00:05:37.969 --> 00:05:42.507
  • Now, sometimes we think samson--his strength came
  • 00:05:42.507 --> 00:05:45.010
  • From his hair.
  • 00:05:45.010 --> 00:05:46.978
  • But i hope that's not true, because if strength comes from
  • 00:05:46.978 --> 00:05:48.780
  • Hair, my wife is a mighty warrior, and i am worthless.
  • 00:05:48.780 --> 00:05:57.422
  • The problem is, i have--i--my hair grows, but it grows in all
  • 00:05:57.422 --> 00:06:00.459
  • The wrong places, you know.
  • 00:06:00.459 --> 00:06:02.260
  • It doesn't grow here, but it grows--never mind, i don't wanna
  • 00:06:02.260 --> 00:06:04.796
  • Get into that.
  • 00:06:04.796 --> 00:06:06.365
  • But you know what i'm talking about.
  • 00:06:06.365 --> 00:06:08.300
  • So, he never cut his hair, and his strength did not come from
  • 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:11.837
  • His hair, it came from his commitment to god,
  • 00:06:11.837 --> 00:06:13.739
  • Symbolized by his hair.
  • 00:06:13.739 --> 00:06:17.442
  • By the way, here's an interesting little twist
  • 00:06:17.442 --> 00:06:19.344
  • On the story.
  • 00:06:19.344 --> 00:06:20.812
  • The bible never says samson was well-built or muscular.
  • 00:06:20.812 --> 00:06:24.149
  • I think when we envision him, we think of arnold schwarzenegger
  • 00:06:24.149 --> 00:06:27.619
  • As conan the barbarian, right?
  • 00:06:27.619 --> 00:06:29.221
  • You know, all pumped up.
  • 00:06:29.221 --> 00:06:31.189
  • "i am here to pump you up."
  • 00:06:31.189 --> 00:06:32.524
  • You know, long hair--that's samson, right?
  • 00:06:32.524 --> 00:06:34.793
  • Well, not necessarily.
  • 00:06:34.793 --> 00:06:36.895
  • You know, the bible tells us that joseph
  • 00:06:36.895 --> 00:06:38.597
  • Was well-built, muscular.
  • 00:06:38.597 --> 00:06:40.298
  • Bible tells us that david was very strong.
  • 00:06:40.298 --> 00:06:42.367
  • But whenever samson did one of his feats of strength,
  • 00:06:42.367 --> 00:06:47.205
  • The spirit of god would come upon him.
  • 00:06:47.205 --> 00:06:49.241
  • So what if he was like a scrawny little dude, right?
  • 00:06:49.241 --> 00:06:52.377
  • Wore glasses with tape on the bridge, you know.
  • 00:06:52.377 --> 00:06:54.613
  • I don't know. pocket protector.
  • 00:06:54.613 --> 00:06:57.315
  • "hello, i'm samson"--who knows?
  • 00:06:57.315 --> 00:07:00.285
  • We don't know anything about him in that way,
  • 00:07:00.285 --> 00:07:01.987
  • But what he did was from god.
  • 00:07:01.987 --> 00:07:04.222
  • He didn't do it in his own strength when god's spirit
  • 00:07:04.222 --> 00:07:06.725
  • Would come upon him.
  • 00:07:06.725 --> 00:07:08.160
  • So, he has a great beginning.
  • 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:09.694
  • He is dedicated to the lord, but no sooner does he get started
  • 00:07:09.694 --> 00:07:12.664
  • When he starts doin' the wrong things.
  • 00:07:12.664 --> 00:07:15.967
  • He blatantly disobeys god and goes and marries
  • 00:07:15.967 --> 00:07:17.769
  • A philistine woman.
  • 00:07:17.769 --> 00:07:20.539
  • They worship false gods.
  • 00:07:20.539 --> 00:07:23.074
  • And this is something god told him not to do, and this caused a
  • 00:07:23.074 --> 00:07:27.813
  • Lot of problems, and then after that, he got involved with a
  • 00:07:27.813 --> 00:07:32.217
  • Prostitute who lived down in gaza, and he would go down to
  • 00:07:32.217 --> 00:07:36.154
  • Gaza and he'd be with this prostitute.
  • 00:07:36.154 --> 00:07:38.523
  • And so, the devil threw out the bait and samson took it, hooker,
  • 00:07:38.523 --> 00:07:43.595
  • Line, and sinker, okay?
  • 00:07:43.595 --> 00:07:47.399
  • Here is samson's problem.
  • 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:49.835
  • He had power without purity.
  • 00:07:49.835 --> 00:07:52.437
  • He had strength without self-control.
  • 00:07:52.437 --> 00:07:55.807
  • And i think he also took this supernatural strength god gave
  • 00:07:55.807 --> 00:07:59.110
  • Him for granted, thinking it would always be there.
  • 00:07:59.110 --> 00:08:02.180
  • Listen, for twenty years, he experienced
  • 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:04.983
  • The thrill of victory.
  • 00:08:04.983 --> 00:08:06.651
  • Even when he was compromising, even when he sinned,
  • 00:08:06.651 --> 00:08:10.522
  • The lord still gave him the strength to do amazing things.
  • 00:08:10.522 --> 00:08:14.960
  • So he probably thought it would always be there,
  • 00:08:14.960 --> 00:08:16.628
  • But one day it wasn't.
  • 00:08:16.628 --> 00:08:19.231
  • The devil sized him up, found his achilles heel,
  • 00:08:19.231 --> 00:08:22.300
  • And came up with a hack.
  • 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:24.903
  • "oh, i know how to get this guy."
  • 00:08:24.903 --> 00:08:26.938
  • And he designed a special instrument to bring samson down,
  • 00:08:26.938 --> 00:08:31.943
  • And her name was delilah.
  • 00:08:31.943 --> 00:08:34.279
  • By the way, the word "delilah" means delicate.
  • 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:37.115
  • So, this beautiful, delicate, feminine, probably petite girl
  • 00:08:37.115 --> 00:08:41.987
  • Comes up to samson, and he's attracted to her, and this
  • 00:08:41.987 --> 00:08:46.758
  • Proved to be his undoing.
  • 00:08:46.758 --> 00:08:48.393
  • So, let's look at the story now.
  • 00:08:48.393 --> 00:08:49.728
  • Judges 16 starting in verse 4--by the way, i'm reading from
  • 00:08:49.728 --> 00:08:53.765
  • The new living translation.
  • 00:08:53.765 --> 00:08:56.668
  • "afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the valley of
  • 00:08:56.668 --> 00:08:59.004
  • Sorek, whose name was delilah.
  • 00:08:59.004 --> 00:09:01.940
  • And the lords of the philistines came up to her and said to her,
  • 00:09:01.940 --> 00:09:05.176
  • 'entice him and find out where his great strength lies and by
  • 00:09:05.176 --> 00:09:08.346
  • What means we may overpower him, so we can bind him to afflict
  • 00:09:08.346 --> 00:09:11.983
  • Him, and every one of us will give you
  • 00:09:11.983 --> 00:09:13.718
  • Eleven hundred pieces of silver.'
  • 00:09:13.718 --> 00:09:16.688
  • So delilah said to samson, 'please tell me where your
  • 00:09:16.688 --> 00:09:19.157
  • Great strength lies, and with what you may be bound to
  • 00:09:19.157 --> 00:09:22.360
  • Afflict you?'
  • 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.929
  • Samson said, 'if they bind me with seven fresh
  • 00:09:23.929 --> 00:09:25.797
  • Bowstrings not yet dried, i'll become weak like any other man.'
  • 00:09:25.797 --> 00:09:31.703
  • So the lords of the philistines brought up to her seven fresh
  • 00:09:31.703 --> 00:09:34.639
  • Bowstrings, and they're lying in wait
  • 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.943
  • And staying with her in the room,
  • 00:09:37.943 --> 00:09:40.412
  • And she said to him, 'the philistines are upon you,
  • 00:09:40.412 --> 00:09:42.714
  • Samson' and he broke the bowstrings as a strand of yarn
  • 00:09:42.714 --> 00:09:45.550
  • Breaks when it touches fire, so the secret of his strength
  • 00:09:45.550 --> 00:09:49.187
  • Was not known."
  • 00:09:49.187 --> 00:09:50.889
  • We'll stop there.
  • 00:09:50.889 --> 00:09:52.390
  • So, these philistines are determined to bring samson down.
  • 00:09:52.390 --> 00:09:56.328
  • They offer delilah the equivalent of $5,000.
  • 00:09:56.328 --> 00:09:59.931
  • "we'll pay you five grand.
  • 00:09:59.931 --> 00:10:01.700
  • Just find out the secret of his strength."
  • 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:04.436
  • Bringing me to point number two: temptation comes
  • 00:10:04.436 --> 00:10:06.738
  • In attractive packages.
  • 00:10:06.738 --> 00:10:09.608
  • Point number one, samson had a good beginning.
  • 00:10:09.608 --> 00:10:11.509
  • Point number two, temptation comes in attractive packages.
  • 00:10:11.509 --> 00:10:15.814
  • I'm sure delilah was a very attractive woman.
  • 00:10:15.814 --> 00:10:20.285
  • They're not gonna hire some homely girl.
  • 00:10:20.285 --> 00:10:24.022
  • They hire a fox, effectively.
  • 00:10:24.022 --> 00:10:25.790
  • Okay, he's--she'll catch his eye, we know that for sure.
  • 00:10:25.790 --> 00:10:29.327
  • And when the devil brings temptation,
  • 00:10:29.327 --> 00:10:31.696
  • It's always gonna be attractive.
  • 00:10:31.696 --> 00:10:33.465
  • Listen, the devil may be wicked, but he's not stupid.
  • 00:10:33.465 --> 00:10:38.837
  • He knows what he's doing.
  • 00:10:38.837 --> 00:10:40.505
  • He knows how to package his wares.
  • 00:10:40.505 --> 00:10:42.841
  • He knows how to sell his stuff, and he knows how to direct
  • 00:10:42.841 --> 00:10:46.311
  • Market to you.
  • 00:10:46.311 --> 00:10:48.446
  • Don't forget when eve and adam were tempted, the bible says,
  • 00:10:48.446 --> 00:10:51.916
  • "the fruit of the tree was pleasant to look upon."
  • 00:10:51.916 --> 00:10:56.054
  • So, the devil sized up samson and figured him out.
  • 00:10:56.054 --> 00:10:58.823
  • He was a he-man with a she-weakness.
  • 00:10:58.823 --> 00:11:03.094
  • Greg: you know, there are certain things in life that
  • 00:11:07.232 --> 00:11:08.700
  • Sometimes we think are true that actually aren't.
  • 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:11.302
  • How 'bout this one: god loves me and accepts me
  • 00:11:11.302 --> 00:11:14.639
  • The way that i am.
  • 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:16.741
  • Hmm. is that true?
  • 00:11:16.741 --> 00:11:18.543
  • Sometimes another variation of that is,
  • 00:11:18.543 --> 00:11:21.246
  • "don't judge my journey."
  • 00:11:21.246 --> 00:11:23.815
  • And that's sometimes said by people that are doing things
  • 00:11:23.815 --> 00:11:26.284
  • They shouldn't be doing, and then they say, "god loves me and
  • 00:11:26.284 --> 00:11:30.221
  • Accepts me the way that i am.
  • 00:11:30.221 --> 00:11:31.856
  • I know i shouldn't go out and party and get drunk, but hey,
  • 00:11:31.856 --> 00:11:34.959
  • God loves me and accepts me the way that i am.
  • 00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:37.762
  • I know i shouldn't dissolve my marriage to divorce, but hey,
  • 00:11:37.762 --> 00:11:41.266
  • God loves me and accepts me the way that i am."
  • 00:11:41.266 --> 00:11:44.903
  • Now, is that true?
  • 00:11:44.903 --> 00:11:46.337
  • Yes, technically it's true that god loves you and accepts you
  • 00:11:46.337 --> 00:11:49.474
  • The way that you are, and let me add something else: but he
  • 00:11:49.474 --> 00:11:52.310
  • Doesn't wanna leave you that way.
  • 00:11:52.310 --> 00:11:54.779
  • See, you don't have to clean your life up and come to christ.
  • 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:57.382
  • You come to christ, and he'll clean your life up.
  • 00:11:57.382 --> 00:12:00.085
  • You can come with your addictions, with your sins, with
  • 00:12:00.085 --> 00:12:02.620
  • Your problems, and "lord, here i am."
  • 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:04.756
  • But now, god wants to change you and transform you.
  • 00:12:04.756 --> 00:12:08.693
  • This is what it means to be a follower of jesus christ.
  • 00:12:08.693 --> 00:12:11.629
  • The best illustration i can think of is the story
  • 00:12:11.629 --> 00:12:14.299
  • Of the prodigal son.
  • 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:16.034
  • He left his father's health, spent all his money, made a mess
  • 00:12:16.034 --> 00:12:19.871
  • Of his life, came to his senses and decided to return home, and
  • 00:12:19.871 --> 00:12:23.742
  • Jesus said, while the boy was still a long ways away, the
  • 00:12:23.742 --> 00:12:26.511
  • Father saw him, ran to him, threw his arms around him,
  • 00:12:26.511 --> 00:12:30.014
  • Hugged him, kissed him, and said, "rejoice with me.
  • 00:12:30.014 --> 00:12:32.784
  • This my son that was dead is alive again.
  • 00:12:32.784 --> 00:12:35.320
  • He who was lost is found."
  • 00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:37.489
  • So in a sense, you can see the father accepted him as he was.
  • 00:12:37.489 --> 00:12:40.158
  • But then we read, the father said, "get a clean robe
  • 00:12:40.158 --> 00:12:43.661
  • On this boy."
  • 00:12:43.661 --> 00:12:45.130
  • In other words, get this boy a bath, right?
  • 00:12:45.130 --> 00:12:46.865
  • So, we come to christ, but now god wants to clean us up
  • 00:12:46.865 --> 00:12:50.101
  • And he wants to transform us.
  • 00:12:50.101 --> 00:12:51.803
  • So yes, god loves you, and accepts you the way that you
  • 00:12:51.803 --> 00:12:55.240
  • Are, but he doesn't want to leave you that way.
  • 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:58.977
  • He wants you to grow in your faith.
  • 00:12:58.977 --> 00:13:01.713
  • Greg: point number three: for temptation to succeed,
  • 00:13:05.650 --> 00:13:08.553
  • We must be a willing participant.
  • 00:13:08.553 --> 00:13:11.523
  • For temptation to succeed, we must be a willing participant.
  • 00:13:11.523 --> 00:13:16.294
  • For temptation to work its magic, if you will,
  • 00:13:16.294 --> 00:13:20.598
  • There must be desire on our part.
  • 00:13:20.598 --> 00:13:23.968
  • James 1:14 to 15 says, "everyone is tempted.
  • 00:13:23.968 --> 00:13:27.906
  • When he is drawn away by his own desires and is enticed, and when
  • 00:13:27.906 --> 00:13:32.443
  • Desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it's
  • 00:13:32.443 --> 00:13:36.714
  • Full-grown, brings forth death."
  • 00:13:36.714 --> 00:13:39.083
  • For satan to succeed, we must listen, yield,
  • 00:13:39.083 --> 00:13:43.054
  • And desire what he wants.
  • 00:13:43.054 --> 00:13:46.224
  • So, we must listen and yield to and want what he's offering.
  • 00:13:46.224 --> 00:13:50.662
  • He offers different kinds of bait, but it's not the bait that
  • 00:13:50.662 --> 00:13:54.532
  • Constitutes sin, it's the bite.
  • 00:13:54.532 --> 00:13:58.236
  • Let me say that again.
  • 00:13:58.236 --> 00:13:59.604
  • It's not the bait that constitutes sin, it's the bite.
  • 00:13:59.604 --> 00:14:02.807
  • Another way of sayin' it--it's not a sin to be tempted.
  • 00:14:02.807 --> 00:14:06.611
  • So, if you're tempted, "oh, i'm so twisted, i can't believe that
  • 00:14:06.611 --> 00:14:09.981
  • Temptation came"--has nothing to do with you.
  • 00:14:09.981 --> 00:14:13.585
  • The devil can throw anything at you, and it pops into your mind
  • 00:14:13.585 --> 00:14:15.820
  • Or whatever, and it's not a bad thing until you make it
  • 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:19.791
  • Your thing, you see?
  • 00:14:19.791 --> 00:14:21.492
  • If you say, "forget that, man.
  • 00:14:21.492 --> 00:14:23.561
  • I'm not thinkin' about that.
  • 00:14:23.561 --> 00:14:25.463
  • I--get behind me, satan."
  • 00:14:25.463 --> 00:14:27.365
  • That's great.
  • 00:14:27.365 --> 00:14:28.733
  • But then if you say, "ooo, that's interesting.
  • 00:14:28.733 --> 00:14:30.301
  • I think i'll take that for a test drive.
  • 00:14:30.301 --> 00:14:32.470
  • I think i'll try that free sample.
  • 00:14:32.470 --> 00:14:34.405
  • I think i'll think about that a little bit"--and that's where
  • 00:14:34.405 --> 00:14:36.808
  • The problem begins.
  • 00:14:36.808 --> 00:14:38.276
  • So, the devil observed samson, saw how he would bring him down.
  • 00:14:38.276 --> 00:14:41.779
  • He thought, "i'm not gonna bring this guy down on the
  • 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:43.882
  • Battlefield, but i can bring him down in the bedroom," but he did
  • 00:14:43.882 --> 00:14:48.353
  • Find a willing accomplice in samson because he kept walking
  • 00:14:48.353 --> 00:14:52.156
  • Into trap after trap.
  • 00:14:52.156 --> 00:14:54.826
  • You know, the tipoff for samson should have been that delilah
  • 00:14:54.826 --> 00:14:58.196
  • Worked at supercuts, right?
  • 00:14:58.196 --> 00:15:01.366
  • But come on.
  • 00:15:01.366 --> 00:15:03.701
  • And you have to give delilah credit.
  • 00:15:03.701 --> 00:15:06.571
  • She was up front with her intentions, so give her a 6.
  • 00:15:06.571 --> 00:15:10.041
  • She says, "please tell me where your great strength lies
  • 00:15:10.041 --> 00:15:14.379
  • So i may afflict you."
  • 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:17.949
  • Single people, if you go out on a date with someone and they say
  • 00:15:17.949 --> 00:15:24.022
  • Something like that, don't go out with that person again.
  • 00:15:24.022 --> 00:15:28.493
  • In fact, terminate the date immediately.
  • 00:15:28.493 --> 00:15:33.097
  • She's direct, but i--he found this amusing.
  • 00:15:33.097 --> 00:15:36.167
  • "who, you? afflict me?
  • 00:15:36.167 --> 00:15:39.604
  • I kill philistines for entertainment,
  • 00:15:39.604 --> 00:15:43.107
  • And you, this delicate little dish named delilah,
  • 00:15:43.107 --> 00:15:46.044
  • You're going to afflict me?
  • 00:15:46.044 --> 00:15:48.179
  • Oh, that's absurd."
  • 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:49.747
  • So he thought he could keep playing this game.
  • 00:15:49.747 --> 00:15:51.449
  • Point number four: moral compromise always
  • 00:15:51.449 --> 00:15:53.718
  • Makes us vulnerable.
  • 00:15:53.718 --> 00:15:55.887
  • See, if samson was not having this sinful relationship with
  • 00:15:55.887 --> 00:15:58.990
  • Delilah, he wouldn't be in this mess that he was in.
  • 00:15:58.990 --> 00:16:04.996
  • But she would not give up.
  • 00:16:04.996 --> 00:16:06.998
  • She kept tormenting him. she kept nagging him.
  • 00:16:06.998 --> 00:16:10.702
  • And now she goes in for the kill.
  • 00:16:10.702 --> 00:16:12.236
  • Go back to judges 16 verse 15.
  • 00:16:12.236 --> 00:16:16.207
  • Again, i'm reading from the new living translation.
  • 00:16:16.207 --> 00:16:19.043
  • "then delilah pouted.
  • 00:16:19.043 --> 00:16:21.412
  • 'how can you say you love me when you won't confide in me?
  • 00:16:21.412 --> 00:16:24.015
  • You've made fun of me three times now.
  • 00:16:24.015 --> 00:16:26.117
  • You still haven't told me what makes you so strong.'
  • 00:16:26.117 --> 00:16:28.386
  • So, day after day, she nagged him
  • 00:16:28.386 --> 00:16:30.755
  • Until he couldn't stand it any longer.
  • 00:16:30.755 --> 00:16:33.825
  • Finally, samson told her his secret.
  • 00:16:33.825 --> 00:16:36.094
  • 'my hair has never been cut.'
  • 00:16:36.094 --> 00:16:38.796
  • He confessed 'i was dedicated to god as a nazarite from birth.
  • 00:16:38.796 --> 00:16:42.266
  • If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me and
  • 00:16:42.266 --> 00:16:45.403
  • I would become weak as anyone else.'
  • 00:16:45.403 --> 00:16:48.373
  • Delilah realized he'd finally told her the truth, so she sent
  • 00:16:48.373 --> 00:16:51.642
  • For the philistine leaders.
  • 00:16:51.642 --> 00:16:53.211
  • 'come back one more time. he's told me everything.'
  • 00:16:53.211 --> 00:16:56.481
  • So, the philistine leaders returned
  • 00:16:56.481 --> 00:16:58.383
  • And brought the money with them, and she lulled samson to sleep
  • 00:16:58.383 --> 00:17:01.886
  • With his head in her lap, and she called to a man to shave off
  • 00:17:01.886 --> 00:17:05.456
  • His hair, making his capture certain.
  • 00:17:05.456 --> 00:17:08.292
  • And his strength left him.
  • 00:17:08.292 --> 00:17:10.194
  • Then she cried out, 'samson, the philistines have come to capture
  • 00:17:10.194 --> 00:17:12.663
  • You," and he woke up and thought, 'i'll do as i have
  • 00:17:12.663 --> 00:17:15.266
  • Before and shake myself free,' but he didn't realize
  • 00:17:15.266 --> 00:17:19.137
  • The lord had left him.
  • 00:17:19.137 --> 00:17:21.806
  • So, the philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes, and
  • 00:17:21.806 --> 00:17:24.876
  • Took him to gaza where he was bound with bronze chains
  • 00:17:24.876 --> 00:17:28.513
  • And made to grind grain in the prison."
  • 00:17:28.513 --> 00:17:32.683
  • Let's stop there.
  • 00:17:32.683 --> 00:17:34.685
  • Wow. what a sad story.
  • 00:17:34.685 --> 00:17:37.688
  • If samson were running a race, he would have just fallen,
  • 00:17:37.688 --> 00:17:40.525
  • And fallen hard.
  • 00:17:40.525 --> 00:17:42.427
  • And it would appear he would never get up again.
  • 00:17:42.427 --> 00:17:45.196
  • Look at what delilah says to him in verse 15;
  • 00:17:45.196 --> 00:17:47.165
  • "if you love me, you'll do this."
  • 00:17:47.165 --> 00:17:51.269
  • Listen to this--any person who would ask you to compromise
  • 00:17:51.269 --> 00:17:54.305
  • Your principles as a believer to prove your love,
  • 00:17:54.305 --> 00:17:57.909
  • Does not really love you, okay?
  • 00:17:57.909 --> 00:18:02.046
  • So, if some guy says to you girls, "if you love me,
  • 00:18:02.046 --> 00:18:03.648
  • You'll go all the way with me," uh-uh.
  • 00:18:03.648 --> 00:18:08.019
  • He doesn't love you. he's a dog.
  • 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:12.657
  • "hey, if you love me, you'll lie for me."
  • 00:18:12.657 --> 00:18:14.992
  • "if you love me, you'll cover for me."
  • 00:18:14.992 --> 00:18:16.894
  • "hey, wait a second--don't ask me to compromise my principles
  • 00:18:16.894 --> 00:18:19.697
  • To prove my love!
  • 00:18:19.697 --> 00:18:21.199
  • Fact of the matter is, if i love you, i'll tell you the truth."
  • 00:18:21.199 --> 00:18:25.636
  • Because the bible says, open rebuke is better
  • 00:18:25.636 --> 00:18:27.905
  • Than secret love.
  • 00:18:27.905 --> 00:18:29.340
  • Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an
  • 00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:31.809
  • Enemy are deceitful.
  • 00:18:31.809 --> 00:18:34.245
  • I think we completely misunderstand love sometimes,
  • 00:18:34.245 --> 00:18:36.781
  • And we confuse lust for love.
  • 00:18:36.781 --> 00:18:39.851
  • And what's amazing to me is he's comfortable enough with delilah
  • 00:18:39.851 --> 00:18:43.020
  • To fall asleep in her lap!
  • 00:18:43.020 --> 00:18:45.690
  • Talk about sleeping with the enemy!
  • 00:18:45.690 --> 00:18:47.892
  • And then this sad statement--verse 20--"he didn't
  • 00:18:47.892 --> 00:18:50.361
  • Realize the lord had left him."
  • 00:18:50.361 --> 00:18:53.798
  • See, this is what happens to people when they get caught up
  • 00:18:53.798 --> 00:18:56.467
  • In sin.
  • 00:18:56.467 --> 00:18:57.902
  • They think everyone's against them.
  • 00:18:57.902 --> 00:18:59.704
  • No one understands them.
  • 00:18:59.704 --> 00:19:01.372
  • Everyone's judging them.
  • 00:19:01.372 --> 00:19:04.542
  • "you don't get it. i'm different."
  • 00:19:04.542 --> 00:19:06.010
  • No, you're not different.
  • 00:19:06.010 --> 00:19:08.446
  • We're all the same. we're all vulnerable.
  • 00:19:08.446 --> 00:19:11.549
  • We're all capable of doing crazy stuff.
  • 00:19:11.549 --> 00:19:13.918
  • We have to know that about ourselves.
  • 00:19:13.918 --> 00:19:17.088
  • And you can come under the sway and influence and intoxicating
  • 00:19:17.088 --> 00:19:21.259
  • Effects of sin if you're not careful.
  • 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:24.495
  • And that's what is happening now to samson.
  • 00:19:24.495 --> 00:19:27.498
  • He thought he would shake himself free as he had done on
  • 00:19:27.498 --> 00:19:31.369
  • Other times.
  • 00:19:31.369 --> 00:19:32.737
  • And that reminds us of something--sin blinds you,
  • 00:19:32.737 --> 00:19:37.175
  • It finds you, and it grinds you.
  • 00:19:37.175 --> 00:19:40.444
  • See, the philistines took samson, gouged out his eyes,
  • 00:19:40.444 --> 00:19:44.282
  • Bound him with bronze chains, and he was grinding grain
  • 00:19:44.282 --> 00:19:46.784
  • In the prison.
  • 00:19:46.784 --> 00:19:48.119
  • First sin blinds you.
  • 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:50.154
  • You do irrational things.
  • 00:19:50.154 --> 00:19:52.290
  • You know, i've heard of men--of course, you have too,
  • 00:19:52.290 --> 00:19:55.126
  • I'm sure--walking away from their wives who love them,
  • 00:19:55.126 --> 00:19:57.795
  • Their children, to go have some stupid fling.
  • 00:19:57.795 --> 00:20:01.232
  • I've heard of women abandoning their families to go find
  • 00:20:01.232 --> 00:20:04.235
  • Themselves, you know?
  • 00:20:04.235 --> 00:20:06.437
  • Crazy stuff. it blinds you to the truth.
  • 00:20:06.437 --> 00:20:10.107
  • It seems so appealing at first, but then, you know,
  • 00:20:10.107 --> 00:20:14.712
  • You find yourself trapped.
  • 00:20:14.712 --> 00:20:16.180
  • Number two, sin finds you.
  • 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:18.182
  • And what does that mean?
  • 00:20:18.182 --> 00:20:19.584
  • The bible says your sin will find you out.
  • 00:20:19.584 --> 00:20:22.687
  • I know you're getting away with it right now, but it's gonna
  • 00:20:22.687 --> 00:20:25.089
  • Catch up with you sooner or later.
  • 00:20:25.089 --> 00:20:28.726
  • You know, there is that euphoric-like excitement
  • 00:20:28.726 --> 00:20:30.595
  • The first time you cross the line with that person.
  • 00:20:30.595 --> 00:20:34.665
  • Or that--after that first sexual encounter, or after you visit
  • 00:20:34.665 --> 00:20:40.104
  • That first elicit website, or after you steal that
  • 00:20:40.104 --> 00:20:44.108
  • Object--ahh, i got away with it.
  • 00:20:44.108 --> 00:20:46.844
  • That was fun!
  • 00:20:46.844 --> 00:20:49.046
  • Sin can be fun, can't it?
  • 00:20:49.046 --> 00:20:51.549
  • Right?
  • 00:20:51.549 --> 00:20:53.050
  • The bible speaks of the pleasures of sin for a season.
  • 00:20:53.050 --> 00:20:55.586
  • For a season, for a time.
  • 00:20:55.586 --> 00:20:57.221
  • There's a little bit of a rush, but now here comes the
  • 00:20:57.221 --> 00:21:00.458
  • Repercussions like a ton of bricks crashing down on you.
  • 00:21:00.458 --> 00:21:04.562
  • And that's what we don't think about.
  • 00:21:04.562 --> 00:21:06.097
  • "oh, well i'm having fun. they lied.
  • 00:21:06.097 --> 00:21:08.332
  • They lied to me, man. it's fun."
  • 00:21:08.332 --> 00:21:10.201
  • Hey, i'm not lying to you. it's fun, and then it kills you.
  • 00:21:10.201 --> 00:21:14.272
  • So, if you're down with that, go for it.
  • 00:21:14.272 --> 00:21:17.141
  • But i think we--we like to ignore the other part.
  • 00:21:17.141 --> 00:21:19.176
  • "well, i'll never get caught.
  • 00:21:19.176 --> 00:21:20.745
  • No one will ever know.
  • 00:21:20.745 --> 00:21:22.947
  • I'll never face the repercussions."
  • 00:21:22.947 --> 00:21:24.282
  • No, sin blinds you, then sin finds you,
  • 00:21:24.282 --> 00:21:26.884
  • And then sin grinds you.
  • 00:21:26.884 --> 00:21:28.219
  • Then there's the repercussion of sin--broken families,
  • 00:21:28.219 --> 00:21:32.323
  • Betrayed trust, damaged witness and reputation.
  • 00:21:32.323 --> 00:21:37.094
  • Devastated children with deep wounds that they may carry for
  • 00:21:37.094 --> 00:21:41.499
  • The rest of their lives.
  • 00:21:41.499 --> 00:21:43.734
  • Hey, who cares about that? what about your needs, right?
  • 00:21:43.734 --> 00:21:46.937
  • That's what we'll say.
  • 00:21:46.937 --> 00:21:48.906
  • That's what sin can do.
  • 00:21:48.906 --> 00:21:50.741
  • But yet, i told you god gave samson a second chance.
  • 00:21:50.741 --> 00:21:55.680
  • And by the way, verse 22 of judges 16 is a light verse
  • 00:21:55.680 --> 00:22:01.352
  • For all bald men.
  • 00:22:01.352 --> 00:22:04.622
  • "however, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had
  • 00:22:04.622 --> 00:22:07.925
  • Been shaven."
  • 00:22:07.925 --> 00:22:10.127
  • I often read this verse. i hold the bible to my head.
  • 00:22:10.127 --> 00:22:12.563
  • I say, "lord, let it be even now unto your bald servant greg.
  • 00:22:12.563 --> 00:22:17.335
  • Just let my hair begin to grow."
  • 00:22:17.335 --> 00:22:20.171
  • His hair began to grow again.
  • 00:22:20.171 --> 00:22:22.239
  • I love that.
  • 00:22:22.239 --> 00:22:25.042
  • See, samson was learning.
  • 00:22:25.042 --> 00:22:27.078
  • He--he was learning the hard way.
  • 00:22:27.078 --> 00:22:29.046
  • So here he's down grinding--grinding the wheat,
  • 00:22:29.046 --> 00:22:31.549
  • You know, and the mill goin' around in circles.
  • 00:22:31.549 --> 00:22:34.185
  • His eyes are gone, can't see anything.
  • 00:22:34.185 --> 00:22:36.020
  • His hair is shaved, but it's startin' to grow back.
  • 00:22:36.020 --> 00:22:38.055
  • So, one day the philistines are havin' a big drunken feast to
  • 00:22:38.055 --> 00:22:41.192
  • Worship their false god dagon.
  • 00:22:41.192 --> 00:22:43.327
  • Then some philistine had the stupidest idea in all
  • 00:22:43.327 --> 00:22:46.864
  • Of philistine history.
  • 00:22:46.864 --> 00:22:49.100
  • "let's bring up that samson guy for entertainment!
  • 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:52.336
  • You know, he doesn't have any strength left."
  • 00:22:52.336 --> 00:22:54.004
  • So they bring up samson.
  • 00:22:54.004 --> 00:22:55.673
  • Walks upstairs.
  • 00:22:55.673 --> 00:22:57.174
  • He's not lookin' around.
  • 00:22:57.174 --> 00:22:58.743
  • He can't see a thing.
  • 00:22:58.743 --> 00:23:00.378
  • There's a little boy next to him, a little servant kid, and
  • 00:23:00.378 --> 00:23:01.979
  • He says, "son, would you show me where the foundational pillars
  • 00:23:01.979 --> 00:23:05.750
  • Of this temple are?"
  • 00:23:05.750 --> 00:23:07.318
  • And the little boy says, "sure, come on."
  • 00:23:07.318 --> 00:23:09.120
  • Then he walks over, puts a hand on one pillar, he puts a hand on
  • 00:23:09.120 --> 00:23:11.188
  • The other, and he says, "lord, give me strength to do this one
  • 00:23:11.188 --> 00:23:15.593
  • Last time," and he pushes and the pillars come apart and the
  • 00:23:15.593 --> 00:23:19.730
  • Floor above collapses and thousands of philistines who are
  • 00:23:19.730 --> 00:23:23.534
  • Partying away worshipping a false god fall to their deaths,
  • 00:23:23.534 --> 00:23:27.371
  • And he ends up killing more philistines in the end than he
  • 00:23:27.371 --> 00:23:30.374
  • Had killed in his entire career, if you will.
  • 00:23:30.374 --> 00:23:35.045
  • So in a way, it was a victory, but of course the sad part is he
  • 00:23:35.045 --> 00:23:39.083
  • Died with the philistines.
  • 00:23:39.083 --> 00:23:41.552
  • Remember, god said he would begin to deliver israel.
  • 00:23:41.552 --> 00:23:45.489
  • Unfortunately, he didn't finish the job he started.
  • 00:23:45.489 --> 00:23:48.492
  • He had a great beginning, not a great ending, but god did give
  • 00:23:48.492 --> 00:23:51.228
  • Him a second chance.
  • 00:23:51.228 --> 00:23:53.230
  • So, let's learn the lesson of samson.
  • 00:23:53.230 --> 00:23:56.834
  • It's not enough to just know what is right, or even to be
  • 00:23:56.834 --> 00:24:00.604
  • Used by god for a time.
  • 00:24:00.604 --> 00:24:02.206
  • You need to finish this race.
  • 00:24:02.206 --> 00:24:04.942
  • But let me say this.
  • 00:24:04.942 --> 00:24:06.544
  • Maybe some of you said, "well, i--it's too late for me.
  • 00:24:06.544 --> 00:24:08.579
  • I've made so many mistakes and i'm in this messed up family and
  • 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:12.650
  • I know the same bad things that my mom and dad did, i'm gonna
  • 00:24:12.650 --> 00:24:15.486
  • Do, and then my kids are gonna do, and there's no way to break
  • 00:24:15.486 --> 00:24:18.622
  • This cycle of sin."
  • 00:24:18.622 --> 00:24:20.257
  • I'm telling you, jesus can change your story.
  • 00:24:20.257 --> 00:24:23.327
  • He can change your story.
  • 00:24:23.327 --> 00:24:26.831
  • Greg: maybe god has spoken to your heart, and you have seen
  • 00:24:30.968 --> 00:24:35.105
  • Your need for jesus christ.
  • 00:24:35.105 --> 00:24:37.441
  • Jesus christ is the son of god, who came from heaven
  • 00:24:37.441 --> 00:24:41.579
  • To this earth.
  • 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:43.113
  • He was born in a manger. he died on a cross.
  • 00:24:43.113 --> 00:24:46.550
  • He rose again from the dead. why?
  • 00:24:46.550 --> 00:24:48.419
  • Because he loves you.
  • 00:24:48.419 --> 00:24:49.954
  • And he wants a relationship with you.
  • 00:24:49.954 --> 00:24:52.056
  • Listen, i'm not talkin' about religion.
  • 00:24:52.056 --> 00:24:54.258
  • I don't wanna be a religious person.
  • 00:24:54.258 --> 00:24:56.060
  • I don't think you wanna be one either.
  • 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:58.229
  • I'm talkin' about relationship with god.
  • 00:24:58.229 --> 00:25:01.765
  • Jesus who died and rose again stands at the door of your life
  • 00:25:01.765 --> 00:25:06.003
  • And he knocks, and he says if you'll hear his voice and open
  • 00:25:06.003 --> 00:25:09.340
  • The door, he will come in.
  • 00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:11.075
  • Question: have you asked jesus christ to come and live inside
  • 00:25:11.075 --> 00:25:14.712
  • Of you?
  • 00:25:14.712 --> 00:25:16.080
  • You might say, "well, i--i think so.
  • 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:17.414
  • I'm not sure."
  • 00:25:17.414 --> 00:25:18.916
  • Hey, if someone moved into your house in the middle
  • 00:25:18.916 --> 00:25:20.251
  • Of the night, you think you would be aware of it?
  • 00:25:20.251 --> 00:25:22.987
  • I'm sure you would.
  • 00:25:22.987 --> 00:25:24.955
  • And then the same way, if christ has come to live inside of you,
  • 00:25:24.955 --> 00:25:27.091
  • You will know.
  • 00:25:27.091 --> 00:25:29.159
  • And if you don't know, maybe he has not come in yet.
  • 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:32.162
  • He's just a prayer away.
  • 00:25:32.162 --> 00:25:34.031
  • All you need to do is say, "jesus, i want this relationship
  • 00:25:34.031 --> 00:25:37.201
  • With you.
  • 00:25:37.201 --> 00:25:38.636
  • I want you to forgive me of my sin.
  • 00:25:38.636 --> 00:25:40.538
  • I wanna go to heaven when i die."
  • 00:25:40.538 --> 00:25:42.406
  • Would you like to do that?
  • 00:25:42.406 --> 00:25:44.375
  • Would you like christ to come into your life?
  • 00:25:44.375 --> 00:25:46.544
  • If so, why don't you just pray this simple prayer with me.
  • 00:25:46.544 --> 00:25:49.547
  • You can pray it out loud, or you can pray it in the quietness of
  • 00:25:49.547 --> 00:25:52.850
  • Your heart, but this is a prayer where you're asking jesus christ
  • 00:25:52.850 --> 00:25:56.687
  • To be your savior and lord.
  • 00:25:56.687 --> 00:25:58.689
  • Pray this with me now: lord jesus, i know that i'm a sinner,
  • 00:25:58.689 --> 00:26:03.360
  • But i know that you're the savior, who died on the cross
  • 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:06.964
  • For my sin and rose again from the dead.
  • 00:26:06.964 --> 00:26:09.733
  • Now, come into my life.
  • 00:26:09.733 --> 00:26:12.403
  • I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
  • 00:26:12.403 --> 00:26:16.373
  • Thank you for hearing this prayer
  • 00:26:16.373 --> 00:26:18.943
  • And answering this prayer.
  • 00:26:18.943 --> 00:26:20.945
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:20.945 --> 00:26:23.547
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:26:23.547 --> 00:26:25.983
  • If so, i want you to know on the authority of scripture, that
  • 00:26:25.983 --> 00:26:28.786
  • Christ himself has come to live inside of you.
  • 00:26:28.786 --> 00:26:32.189
  • And i would love to send to you at no charge
  • 00:26:32.189 --> 00:26:34.959
  • The "new believer's bible."
  • 00:26:34.959 --> 00:26:36.860
  • It's a very friendly translation of the new testament you'll find
  • 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:40.097
  • Very understandable, and it's filled with hundreds of notes
  • 00:26:40.097 --> 00:26:43.667
  • That i wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you've
  • 00:26:43.667 --> 00:26:47.271
  • Just made to follow jesus.
  • 00:26:47.271 --> 00:26:49.139
  • And let me be the first to say to you, congratulations.
  • 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:53.177
  • And welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:26:53.177 --> 00:26:54.845
  • Greg: i'm excited to announce that here at harvest
  • 00:26:58.215 --> 00:27:00.484
  • We've partnered with our friends at freewill.
  • 00:27:00.484 --> 00:27:04.021
  • Freewill is an easy to use estate planning tool
  • 00:27:04.021 --> 00:27:06.790
  • That allows you to make planned gifts to organizations
  • 00:27:06.790 --> 00:27:09.960
  • Of your choice.
  • 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.662
  • It's a creative opportunity to support the work
  • 00:27:11.662 --> 00:27:13.998
  • We're doing here at harvest ministries.
  • 00:27:13.998 --> 00:27:16.200
  • So as you make your plans, i hope you'll consider
  • 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:19.236
  • Investing in this ministry so we can continue
  • 00:27:19.236 --> 00:27:22.272
  • To preach the gospel and teach the word of god
  • 00:27:22.272 --> 00:27:24.942
  • For years to come.
  • 00:27:24.942 --> 00:27:26.610
  • You can learn more at freewill.com/harvest.
  • 00:27:26.610 --> 00:27:29.999