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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - We Can Work It Out

February 24, 2025 | S25:E47

Greg Laurie - We Can Work It Out
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#GregLaurie #Salvation #Faith #GiftsoftheHolySpirit #Marriage #Forgiveness #Religion #Choices #WordofGod #inActive #Worship #EternalLife #HarvestwithPastorGregLaurie #1Thessalonians5:23

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - We Can Work It Out | February 24, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: by the way, "paul did not say work for your
  • 00:00:05.271 --> 00:00:08.074
  • Own salvation."
  • 00:00:08.174 --> 00:00:09.743
  • He said, "work out your own salvation."
  • 00:00:09.843 --> 00:00:13.279
  • You can't work for your salvation.
  • 00:00:13.413 --> 00:00:14.047
  • Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, is a gift to
  • 00:00:16.316 --> 00:00:21.888
  • You from god.
  • 00:00:21.888 --> 00:00:26.493
  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg: okay, quick poll, how many of you love to exercise?
  • 00:00:43.043 --> 00:00:47.647
  • You love to work out, raise your hand up, okay.
  • 00:00:47.647 --> 00:00:50.483
  • I notice it's people kind of doing like this,
  • 00:00:50.483 --> 00:00:52.852
  • "yeah, it's me."
  • 00:00:52.852 --> 00:00:54.554
  • How many of you hate exercise and you hate to work out, raise
  • 00:00:54.554 --> 00:00:58.525
  • Your hand up.
  • 00:00:58.525 --> 00:00:59.859
  • Oh, interesting, it's about even.
  • 00:00:59.859 --> 00:01:01.594
  • I go to a gym twice a week and it's a good gym, you know, and
  • 00:01:01.594 --> 00:01:06.266
  • I've been to gyms over the years, and there's certain kinds
  • 00:01:06.266 --> 00:01:09.936
  • Of people in gyms.
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  • First of all, there's the guy who always puts too much weight
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  • On the barbell or whatever it is, too much weight.
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  • He does three or four reps.
  • 00:01:18.912 --> 00:01:20.647
  • He makes too much noise, but the guy that drives me crazy, and
  • 00:01:20.647 --> 00:01:25.118
  • There's always one of these guys in every gym, he's the guy who
  • 00:01:25.118 --> 00:01:28.421
  • Sweats too much, right?
  • 00:01:28.421 --> 00:01:30.557
  • And then they leave the sweat on the bench, you know.
  • 00:01:30.557 --> 00:01:33.560
  • And you go over and you're looking at a pool of sweat o--i
  • 00:01:33.560 --> 00:01:38.531
  • Knew a guy that used to get on a treadmill, and he perspired so
  • 00:01:38.531 --> 00:01:43.203
  • Much, literally, i'm not exaggerating, there would be
  • 00:01:43.203 --> 00:01:45.805
  • Puddles around it afterwards.
  • 00:01:45.805 --> 00:01:47.740
  • People wouldn't get in the treadmill on his right or his
  • 00:01:47.740 --> 00:01:50.677
  • Left, you know.
  • 00:01:50.677 --> 00:01:52.045
  • So there's always these strange people that hang up, but, you
  • 00:01:52.045 --> 00:01:55.415
  • Know maybe you decide, you know, i wanna try to get in shape and
  • 00:01:55.415 --> 00:01:58.918
  • Exercise a little bit more.
  • 00:01:58.918 --> 00:02:00.854
  • I'm up to 100 crunches a day, by the way, very good, yeah,
  • 00:02:00.854 --> 00:02:05.058
  • Nestle's crunch is very good.
  • 00:02:05.058 --> 00:02:09.229
  • How many of you have heard that joke?
  • 00:02:09.229 --> 00:02:10.563
  • Raise your hand, okay.
  • 00:02:10.563 --> 00:02:11.931
  • Most of you didn't, awesome, okay, yes.
  • 00:02:11.931 --> 00:02:15.101
  • But then, you know, sometimes if you haven't worked out for a
  • 00:02:15.101 --> 00:02:17.470
  • Long time, you go to a gym and you maybe overdo it, and then
  • 00:02:17.470 --> 00:02:21.908
  • You're so sore the next day, you never wanna go back to the
  • 00:02:21.908 --> 00:02:25.245
  • Gym again.
  • 00:02:25.245 --> 00:02:27.013
  • Well, look, we need to stay in the best shape we can stay in
  • 00:02:27.013 --> 00:02:31.651
  • Because the bible says our body is the temple of god, right?
  • 00:02:31.651 --> 00:02:37.524
  • 1 thessalonians 5 says, "may god himself, the god who makes
  • 00:02:37.524 --> 00:02:42.028
  • Everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, spirit,
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  • Soul, and body."
  • 00:02:45.231 --> 00:02:46.699
  • I'm not a disembodied spirit.
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  • God has placed my soul in a body, so i wanna take the best
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  • Care that i can of this body.
  • 00:02:53.239 --> 00:02:55.441
  • The bible says, of course, "bodily exercise profits little,
  • 00:02:55.441 --> 00:03:00.847
  • But godliness is profitable for all things."
  • 00:03:00.847 --> 00:03:03.850
  • I will quote that as a rationalization to never work
  • 00:03:03.850 --> 00:03:07.353
  • Out, but the bible actually says, it profits a little, you
  • 00:03:07.353 --> 00:03:10.823
  • Know, so it profits some.
  • 00:03:10.823 --> 00:03:12.625
  • Now if you work out, and you're more focused on your body than
  • 00:03:12.625 --> 00:03:16.062
  • You are in your spirit, you have your priorities out of whack.
  • 00:03:16.062 --> 00:03:19.699
  • But if you only think about your spiritual life and you never do
  • 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:22.835
  • Anything to maintain your physical health, that also is
  • 00:03:22.835 --> 00:03:26.005
  • An imbalance.
  • 00:03:26.005 --> 00:03:27.373
  • So you wanna find that right balance, that sweet spot
  • 00:03:27.373 --> 00:03:29.842
  • In there.
  • 00:03:29.842 --> 00:03:31.211
  • And i bring that up because that is true spiritually as well.
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  • We need to work out what god has worked in.
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  • So let's look at our text.
  • 00:03:38.318 --> 00:03:39.953
  • It's philippians 2, starting in verse 12.
  • 00:03:39.953 --> 00:03:43.590
  • Paul writes and says, "therefore, my beloved, as you
  • 00:03:43.590 --> 00:03:46.960
  • Have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more
  • 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:50.163
  • In my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
  • 00:03:50.163 --> 00:03:54.000
  • Trembling, for it is god who works in you, both to will and
  • 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:57.971
  • Do of his good pleasure.
  • 00:03:57.971 --> 00:03:59.606
  • Do all things without complaining and disputing that
  • 00:03:59.606 --> 00:04:03.009
  • You may be blameless and harmless children of god without
  • 00:04:03.009 --> 00:04:06.512
  • Fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among
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  • Whom you shine as lights in the world holding fast the word of
  • 00:04:10.950 --> 00:04:15.355
  • Life so i may rejoice in the day of christ, and i have not run in
  • 00:04:15.355 --> 00:04:19.359
  • Vain or labored in vain."
  • 00:04:19.359 --> 00:04:21.928
  • We'll stop there.
  • 00:04:21.928 --> 00:04:23.463
  • So paul says, "work out your own salvation."
  • 00:04:23.463 --> 00:04:28.434
  • Notice "your own," underline those two words, your
  • 00:04:28.434 --> 00:04:31.704
  • Own salvation.
  • 00:04:31.704 --> 00:04:33.339
  • You can't hire someone to work out for you.
  • 00:04:33.339 --> 00:04:36.676
  • Wouldn't that be nice?
  • 00:04:36.676 --> 00:04:38.011
  • "i don't feel like going to the gym, go work out for me.
  • 00:04:38.011 --> 00:04:39.946
  • I'll pay you for it."
  • 00:04:39.946 --> 00:04:41.314
  • Well, that may benefit the person who's working out, but it
  • 00:04:41.314 --> 00:04:43.683
  • Won't have any effect on you.
  • 00:04:43.683 --> 00:04:46.686
  • You can't have someone get saved for you either.
  • 00:04:46.686 --> 00:04:49.722
  • It's your own salvation.
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  • It's a personal choice.
  • 00:04:51.791 --> 00:04:53.926
  • Look at verse 12 again.
  • 00:04:53.926 --> 00:04:55.361
  • Paul says, "my beloved, as you've always obeyed, not only
  • 00:04:55.361 --> 00:04:58.731
  • In my presence, but also more in my absence."
  • 00:04:58.731 --> 00:05:02.368
  • Remember paul wrote this from prison.
  • 00:05:02.368 --> 00:05:05.338
  • And he had a special bond with the christians in philippi,
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  • That's the epistle that we're looking at, it's to the
  • 00:05:09.375 --> 00:05:12.645
  • Believers there.
  • 00:05:12.645 --> 00:05:14.013
  • We call it the book of philippians, but it's a letter
  • 00:05:14.013 --> 00:05:16.416
  • To people living in philippi.
  • 00:05:16.416 --> 00:05:18.584
  • And he loved these folks, and they loved him.
  • 00:05:18.584 --> 00:05:21.754
  • And so they were in great agony when they found out paul was
  • 00:05:21.754 --> 00:05:24.924
  • In prison.
  • 00:05:24.924 --> 00:05:26.292
  • And so he's saying, "guys, it's okay, i'm okay,
  • 00:05:26.292 --> 00:05:29.796
  • And you're okay."
  • 00:05:29.796 --> 00:05:32.098
  • In fact, in verse 12 from the new living translation, it would
  • 00:05:32.098 --> 00:05:35.134
  • Go as follows, "dear friends, you were always so careful to
  • 00:05:35.134 --> 00:05:38.037
  • Follow my instructions when i was with you, but now that i'm
  • 00:05:38.037 --> 00:05:41.174
  • Away, you must be even more careful to put into action god's
  • 00:05:41.174 --> 00:05:44.777
  • Saving work in your lives, obeying god with deep reverence
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  • And fear."
  • 00:05:48.715 --> 00:05:50.049
  • Basically, paul's saying, "look, i know you guys love me, and i
  • 00:05:50.049 --> 00:05:53.286
  • Love you, and i wish i could be there with you, but i need to
  • 00:05:53.286 --> 00:05:57.557
  • Tell you something.
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  • You need to grow up spiritually.
  • 00:05:58.925 --> 00:06:01.694
  • In other words, don't start slacking because i'm not there
  • 00:06:01.694 --> 00:06:06.232
  • Because it's god that works in you."
  • 00:06:06.232 --> 00:06:08.234
  • It's not paul that works in you both to will and do of god's
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  • Good pleasure.
  • 00:06:12.605 --> 00:06:13.973
  • It's god that is working in you because there might be some
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  • There--there might have been some there, i should say, that
  • 00:06:17.577 --> 00:06:20.346
  • Thought they needed paul around to live the christian life.
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  • And how awesome it would have been to have paul as
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  • Your pastor.
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  • I mean, a living, breathing apostle or john or james or some
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  • Of the others.
  • 00:06:30.957 --> 00:06:32.291
  • But paul is saying, "look, guys, i can't be with you, so you need
  • 00:06:32.291 --> 00:06:35.061
  • To grow up spiritually."
  • 00:06:35.061 --> 00:06:37.697
  • And this can happen with us as well.
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  • We can find ourselves too dependent on people for our
  • 00:06:40.900 --> 00:06:45.872
  • Spiritual growth.
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  • And listen to this, sometimes people can become idols in
  • 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:52.211
  • Our life.
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  • This happened to the children of israel.
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  • Moses led them out of egypt and through the wilderness.
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  • He wasn't able to bring them actually into the promised land,
  • 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:03.289
  • But you remember on one occasion, he had to leave the
  • 00:07:03.289 --> 00:07:05.825
  • Israelites because god had summoned him to mount sinai to
  • 00:07:05.825 --> 00:07:10.363
  • Receive the commandments.
  • 00:07:10.363 --> 00:07:12.098
  • And in his absence, moses left aaron, his brother, as their
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  • Babysitter, which was a very bad choice because everything
  • 00:07:17.603 --> 00:07:22.008
  • Fell apart.
  • 00:07:22.008 --> 00:07:23.342
  • Because, basically, after moses had been gone for a while, the
  • 00:07:23.342 --> 00:07:25.745
  • People came to aaron, and they said, "hey, where is this man,
  • 00:07:25.745 --> 00:07:30.283
  • Moses," in exodus 32, "who brought us out of egypt?
  • 00:07:30.283 --> 00:07:34.454
  • Make us some gods who can lead us because we don't know where
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  • Moses has gone."
  • 00:07:37.757 --> 00:07:39.625
  • Now, why didn't they say, "hey, the lord is the one who's led us
  • 00:07:39.625 --> 00:07:42.628
  • Out of egypt"?
  • 00:07:42.628 --> 00:07:43.963
  • No, they said, "moses did it.
  • 00:07:43.963 --> 00:07:46.032
  • Moses led us out of egypt.
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  • And if moses is gone, we need another god to take his place."
  • 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:52.505
  • So it was aaron that had the bright idea to bring all of
  • 00:07:52.505 --> 00:07:55.408
  • Their gold and all their bling, and he was gonna melt it in the
  • 00:07:55.408 --> 00:08:00.513
  • Shape of a golden calf, which would have been one of the
  • 00:08:00.513 --> 00:08:03.449
  • Images that they would have been accustomed to in egypt, and then
  • 00:08:03.449 --> 00:08:07.587
  • They're worshiping this golden calf.
  • 00:08:07.587 --> 00:08:09.155
  • Meanwhile, up in mount sinai, moses is done receiving
  • 00:08:09.155 --> 00:08:12.592
  • The commandments.
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  • He's walking down with these tablets written with the very
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  • Finger of god, and he hears noise back in the camp.
  • 00:08:16.195 --> 00:08:20.333
  • It sounds like some kind of a war, and it turns out they're
  • 00:08:20.333 --> 00:08:24.270
  • Actually having a party.
  • 00:08:24.270 --> 00:08:26.072
  • And he comes down and finds the israelites dancing naked in
  • 00:08:26.072 --> 00:08:30.576
  • Front of a golden calf.
  • 00:08:30.576 --> 00:08:33.312
  • Not good at all.
  • 00:08:33.312 --> 00:08:35.314
  • And aaron says, "i know this looks bad.
  • 00:08:35.314 --> 00:08:39.151
  • I can explain everything.
  • 00:08:39.151 --> 00:08:42.154
  • You see, what happened was we took our gold, and we threw it
  • 00:08:42.154 --> 00:08:44.624
  • In the fire, and the golden calf came out.
  • 00:08:44.624 --> 00:08:46.893
  • So what else could we do, but strip off our clothes and
  • 00:08:46.893 --> 00:08:48.861
  • Worship it?"
  • 00:08:48.861 --> 00:08:50.930
  • That's not what happened.
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  • You were the one that made the golden calf.
  • 00:08:52.565 --> 00:08:54.500
  • You were the one that told 'em to bring the gold.
  • 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:56.802
  • But here was the problem.
  • 00:08:56.802 --> 00:08:58.504
  • Moses was their first god--excuse me, yeah, moses was
  • 00:08:58.504 --> 00:09:03.209
  • Their first god, and the golden calf was their second.
  • 00:09:03.209 --> 00:09:06.279
  • They let moses take the place of god in their life.
  • 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:09.982
  • Is that happening to you?
  • 00:09:09.982 --> 00:09:11.584
  • Is your whole christian life dependent on someone else, maybe
  • 00:09:11.584 --> 00:09:16.989
  • Your parents, maybe your husband or your wife or someone else?
  • 00:09:16.989 --> 00:09:22.695
  • And, you know, if they're not around, you just fall apart?
  • 00:09:22.695 --> 00:09:25.932
  • As long as a strong believer is in your life, you're good?
  • 00:09:25.932 --> 00:09:29.569
  • But the moment they're not there with you, you just collapse?
  • 00:09:29.569 --> 00:09:32.505
  • Listen, can i just say two words to you?
  • 00:09:32.505 --> 00:09:35.107
  • Grow up, grow up and become a man of god.
  • 00:09:35.107 --> 00:09:38.945
  • Grow up and be a woman of god and build your relationship on
  • 00:09:38.945 --> 00:09:44.317
  • God because there's one thing you can be sure of in life,
  • 00:09:44.317 --> 00:09:47.920
  • Maybe two things, many more things, but i'll just say two
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  • For now.
  • 00:09:50.656 --> 00:09:52.024
  • You can always be sure that god will be there for you.
  • 00:09:52.024 --> 00:09:54.660
  • And number two, you can always be sure that, eventually, people
  • 00:09:54.660 --> 00:09:58.064
  • Will let you down.
  • 00:09:58.064 --> 00:09:59.799
  • People will let you down.
  • 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:01.133
  • You know why?
  • 00:10:01.133 --> 00:10:02.501
  • Because they're sinful just like you are.
  • 00:10:02.501 --> 00:10:04.570
  • And we're all gonna fall short.
  • 00:10:04.570 --> 00:10:06.005
  • We're all gonna make mistakes.
  • 00:10:06.005 --> 00:10:07.406
  • We're all gonna disappoint.
  • 00:10:07.406 --> 00:10:09.442
  • You know, maybe that husband walks with the lord or, at
  • 00:10:09.442 --> 00:10:12.478
  • Least, goes to church because the wife does.
  • 00:10:12.478 --> 00:10:14.647
  • And so one day, if she stops going to church, he stops, too,
  • 00:10:14.647 --> 00:10:18.851
  • Or the children, you know, they went to church when mom and dad
  • 00:10:18.851 --> 00:10:21.654
  • Took them, but when they get older and maybe they go to
  • 00:10:21.654 --> 00:10:24.256
  • College and they're out on their own, they stop going to church.
  • 00:10:24.256 --> 00:10:28.027
  • We must not let people take the place of god in our lives.
  • 00:10:28.027 --> 00:10:33.833
  • When the lord says, "have no other gods before me," that
  • 00:10:33.833 --> 00:10:37.003
  • Would include putting people there as well.
  • 00:10:37.003 --> 00:10:39.505
  • So, basically, paul is saying, "guys, come on, it's time to
  • 00:10:39.505 --> 00:10:44.343
  • Grow up."
  • 00:10:44.343 --> 00:10:45.711
  • And how are they to do that?
  • 00:10:45.711 --> 00:10:47.046
  • Verse 12, "work out your own salvation with fear
  • 00:10:47.046 --> 00:10:51.250
  • And trembling.
  • 00:10:51.250 --> 00:10:52.685
  • By the way, paul did not say, "work for your own salvation."
  • 00:10:52.685 --> 00:10:57.356
  • He said, "work out your own salvation."
  • 00:10:57.356 --> 00:11:00.926
  • You can't work for your salvation.
  • 00:11:00.926 --> 00:11:03.929
  • Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, is a gift to
  • 00:11:03.929 --> 00:11:09.535
  • You from god.
  • 00:11:09.535 --> 00:11:10.903
  • The bible says, "it is by faith through grace that you've been
  • 00:11:10.903 --> 00:11:15.841
  • Saved, not of yourself, it's the gift of god."
  • 00:11:15.841 --> 00:11:21.013
  • So what does this mean then when paul says, "work out your
  • 00:11:21.013 --> 00:11:23.249
  • Own salvation"?
  • 00:11:23.249 --> 00:11:24.617
  • Well, remember he's addressing these words to christians.
  • 00:11:24.617 --> 00:11:28.554
  • Remember when we started this series, we pointed out that he
  • 00:11:28.554 --> 00:11:31.323
  • Addressed them as saints.
  • 00:11:31.323 --> 00:11:33.325
  • "saint" is an interchangeable word for christians, so these
  • 00:11:33.325 --> 00:11:36.696
  • Words are written to believers.
  • 00:11:36.696 --> 00:11:38.764
  • He's saying to followers of jesus and, really in effect, to
  • 00:11:38.764 --> 00:11:42.902
  • Us as well:
  • 00:11:42.902 --> 00:11:44.270
  • "work out your own salvation."
  • 00:11:44.270 --> 00:11:48.307
  • What does this mean?
  • 00:11:48.307 --> 00:11:49.642
  • It means to live out one's faith.
  • 00:11:49.642 --> 00:11:51.977
  • Another way to--say it would be, "carry it out
  • 00:11:51.977 --> 00:11:55.715
  • Correctly," excuse me, or "work it to full completion.
  • 00:11:55.715 --> 00:12:02.321
  • Work it to full completion."
  • 00:12:02.321 --> 00:12:04.957
  • The idea is take what god has given you and work it out in
  • 00:12:04.957 --> 00:12:08.694
  • Your life.
  • 00:12:08.694 --> 00:12:10.029
  • It would be like a conductor having an incredible musical
  • 00:12:10.029 --> 00:12:12.732
  • Composition handed to him, and there's a whole orchestra, but
  • 00:12:12.732 --> 00:12:17.036
  • Notes don't jump off of paper and play themselves.
  • 00:12:17.036 --> 00:12:20.773
  • You've got to read the music, and then you've gotta play
  • 00:12:20.773 --> 00:12:24.043
  • The music.
  • 00:12:24.043 --> 00:12:25.411
  • Everybody has to work out their part and play the music.
  • 00:12:25.411 --> 00:12:28.881
  • The same is true for us.
  • 00:12:28.881 --> 00:12:30.883
  • We need to work out what god has worked in.
  • 00:12:30.883 --> 00:12:35.287
  • But then he adds this distinction, "work out your own
  • 00:12:35.287 --> 00:12:38.224
  • Salvation with fear and trembling."
  • 00:12:38.224 --> 00:12:41.861
  • By the way, paul is not suggesting you can lose
  • 00:12:41.861 --> 00:12:45.030
  • Your salvation.
  • 00:12:45.030 --> 00:12:46.499
  • I don't really think you can.
  • 00:12:46.499 --> 00:12:48.467
  • I think it's a gift given to us by god, but what he is saying
  • 00:12:48.467 --> 00:12:52.404
  • Is, as you work it out, recognize your own inability and
  • 00:12:52.404 --> 00:12:56.942
  • Innate weakness.
  • 00:12:56.942 --> 00:12:58.978
  • Let me say something that might surprise you.
  • 00:12:58.978 --> 00:13:01.113
  • The christian life is not hard to live, it's impossible.
  • 00:13:01.113 --> 00:13:07.987
  • It is impossible to live as a christian in this crazy culture
  • 00:13:07.987 --> 00:13:12.591
  • We're in today apart from the work of the holy spirit in
  • 00:13:12.591 --> 00:13:16.729
  • Your life.
  • 00:13:16.729 --> 00:13:18.097
  • So in my ability, i can't do it.
  • 00:13:18.097 --> 00:13:20.232
  • In my strength, i can't keep the commandments.
  • 00:13:20.232 --> 00:13:22.802
  • In my own skills, i can't do these things god calls me to do.
  • 00:13:22.802 --> 00:13:28.307
  • But it is god that works in me both the will and do of his
  • 00:13:28.307 --> 00:13:31.777
  • Good pleasure.
  • 00:13:31.777 --> 00:13:33.112
  • So work it out, carry it to the goal, complete it, but with
  • 00:13:33.112 --> 00:13:37.349
  • Self-distrust.
  • 00:13:37.349 --> 00:13:39.685
  • Greg: i know you've heard it before, but it's true.
  • 00:13:43.422 --> 00:13:45.724
  • God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
  • 00:13:45.724 --> 00:13:48.494
  • The bible compares us to clay on a potter's wheel.
  • 00:13:48.494 --> 00:13:52.298
  • The potter has a plan, just like the artist has a plan when he
  • 00:13:52.298 --> 00:13:55.701
  • Sits in front of a blank canvas or the musician has a plan when
  • 00:13:55.701 --> 00:13:59.371
  • He starts to play the first chords of what will be a
  • 00:13:59.371 --> 00:14:02.041
  • New song.
  • 00:14:02.041 --> 00:14:03.409
  • But listen, as clay on the potter's wheel, we can sabotage
  • 00:14:03.409 --> 00:14:07.413
  • The plan.
  • 00:14:07.413 --> 00:14:08.747
  • We can be resistant and say no.
  • 00:14:08.747 --> 00:14:10.416
  • And, unfortunately, we'll never find out god's ultimate plan
  • 00:14:10.416 --> 00:14:13.686
  • For us.
  • 00:14:13.686 --> 00:14:15.020
  • So here's my suggestion to you.
  • 00:14:15.020 --> 00:14:16.388
  • Be pliable clay in the potter's hand.
  • 00:14:16.388 --> 00:14:18.524
  • As the old song says, "have thine own way, lord, have thine
  • 00:14:18.524 --> 00:14:21.961
  • Own way.
  • 00:14:21.961 --> 00:14:23.295
  • Thou art the potter.
  • 00:14:23.295 --> 00:14:24.663
  • I am the clay.
  • 00:14:24.663 --> 00:14:25.998
  • Mold me and make me after thy will while i am waiting yielded
  • 00:14:25.998 --> 00:14:30.102
  • And still."
  • 00:14:30.102 --> 00:14:31.437
  • Don't sabotage god's plan, embrace it, it's good.
  • 00:14:31.437 --> 00:14:35.975
  • Greg: so this is--these are the remains of someone's home, and
  • 00:14:37.610 --> 00:14:41.046
  • We have a team of people here that are volunteers.
  • 00:14:41.046 --> 00:14:45.384
  • Many of these people are from harvest working with
  • 00:14:45.384 --> 00:14:48.420
  • Samaritan's purse.
  • 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:50.155
  • So we come here, and we do these things for these people in the
  • 00:14:50.155 --> 00:14:53.792
  • Name of jesus christ to let them know that there are people that
  • 00:14:53.792 --> 00:14:57.796
  • Care about them.
  • 00:14:57.796 --> 00:14:59.131
  • And we share the gospel with people and help people see their
  • 00:14:59.131 --> 00:15:03.168
  • Need for jesus.
  • 00:15:03.168 --> 00:15:05.104
  • You know, when you're down, when you're hurting, when tragedy has
  • 00:15:05.104 --> 00:15:08.674
  • Hit, a lot of times you're more open to hearing the gospel than
  • 00:15:08.674 --> 00:15:12.511
  • Maybe under normal circumstances when things are going well.
  • 00:15:12.511 --> 00:15:16.415
  • And i found that, sometimes in the worst of circumstances, you
  • 00:15:16.415 --> 00:15:20.619
  • Can see amazing things happen because people open their hearts
  • 00:15:20.619 --> 00:15:25.758
  • To god and see their real need.
  • 00:15:25.758 --> 00:15:34.566
  • Greg: let me just fire a few verses at you, and i'd encourage
  • 00:15:38.737 --> 00:15:41.540
  • You to write these references down.
  • 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:44.176
  • Because sometimes the devil will attack us.
  • 00:15:44.176 --> 00:15:47.413
  • And he'll say to us, "you're not a christian.
  • 00:15:47.413 --> 00:15:51.083
  • You're a hypocrite.
  • 00:15:51.083 --> 00:15:52.651
  • God didn't save you.
  • 00:15:52.651 --> 00:15:53.986
  • Christ hasn't come into your life.
  • 00:15:53.986 --> 00:15:55.754
  • You have psyched yourself into it.
  • 00:15:55.754 --> 00:15:58.157
  • This isn't true. the bible isn't true.
  • 00:15:58.157 --> 00:16:00.025
  • None of it's true."
  • 00:16:00.025 --> 00:16:01.360
  • Have any of you ever had doubts like that come to your mind?
  • 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:04.430
  • Raise your hand if you have. that's not a sin.
  • 00:16:04.430 --> 00:16:07.599
  • That means you're a human.
  • 00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:09.535
  • And just because a fiery dart or a doubtful thought comes to your
  • 00:16:09.535 --> 00:16:15.207
  • Mind doesn't mean that you're not a believer.
  • 00:16:15.207 --> 00:16:17.343
  • It just means you're being attacked.
  • 00:16:17.343 --> 00:16:19.278
  • So the best way to deflect those flaming arrows that come your
  • 00:16:19.278 --> 00:16:23.949
  • Way, be it a doubtful thought or a hopeless thought or a lustful
  • 00:16:23.949 --> 00:16:29.688
  • Thought or a hateful thought or whatever it might be, is filling
  • 00:16:29.688 --> 00:16:33.959
  • Your mind up with god's word.
  • 00:16:33.959 --> 00:16:37.496
  • So the devil attacked jesus in the wilderness, right?
  • 00:16:37.496 --> 00:16:40.966
  • And every time the devil tempted jesus, christ came back with
  • 00:16:40.966 --> 00:16:44.136
  • These words, "it is written."
  • 00:16:44.136 --> 00:16:46.438
  • "hey, why don't you turn a rock into a piece of bread?"
  • 00:16:46.438 --> 00:16:48.640
  • "hey, it is written," christ says.
  • 00:16:48.640 --> 00:16:50.542
  • "men shall live by god's word, not by bread alone."
  • 00:16:50.542 --> 00:16:53.645
  • "hey, why don't you throw yourself off the top of
  • 00:16:53.645 --> 00:16:56.815
  • The temple?"
  • 00:16:56.815 --> 00:16:58.150
  • "it is written, you shall not tempt the lord, your god."
  • 00:16:58.150 --> 00:17:00.419
  • He came back to god's word over and over.
  • 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:02.454
  • Here's a few verses that assure us that we're saved.
  • 00:17:02.454 --> 00:17:06.925
  • 1 john 5:10, "anyone who believes in the son of god has
  • 00:17:06.925 --> 00:17:10.596
  • His testimony in his heart."
  • 00:17:10.596 --> 00:17:13.198
  • Romans 8:16, "his spirit bears witness with our spirit that we
  • 00:17:13.198 --> 00:17:18.070
  • Are the children of god."
  • 00:17:18.070 --> 00:17:20.939
  • John 5:24, "i tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and
  • 00:17:20.939 --> 00:17:25.477
  • Believes in him who sent me has eternal life and will not be
  • 00:17:25.477 --> 00:17:29.415
  • Condemned, and he's crossed over from death to life."
  • 00:17:29.415 --> 00:17:32.684
  • He has it, it's yours.
  • 00:17:32.684 --> 00:17:35.254
  • God's given it to you, and god's not taking it back.
  • 00:17:35.254 --> 00:17:38.524
  • It's yours to keep.
  • 00:17:38.524 --> 00:17:40.025
  • And then, of course, my favorite assurance verse, 1 john 5:13,
  • 00:17:40.025 --> 00:17:44.329
  • "these things we write to you that believe in the name of the
  • 00:17:44.329 --> 00:17:48.000
  • Son of god that you may know that you have eternal life."
  • 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:53.572
  • Here are five litmus tests to show that you are really saved,
  • 00:17:53.572 --> 00:17:58.410
  • Five litmus tests.
  • 00:17:58.410 --> 00:17:59.912
  • And by the way, the outcome from 1 john--
  • 00:17:59.912 --> 00:18:02.681
  • Here's number one, "did you confess jesus christ as lord?"
  • 00:18:02.681 --> 00:18:07.886
  • Because 1 john 4:15 says, "if anyone confesses that jesus is
  • 00:18:07.886 --> 00:18:11.757
  • The son of god, god lives in him, and he in god."
  • 00:18:11.757 --> 00:18:15.461
  • Did you confess christ as lord?
  • 00:18:15.461 --> 00:18:17.729
  • Did you ever tell anyone you were a christian?
  • 00:18:17.729 --> 00:18:20.532
  • I'm not saying that all you have to do is confess christ as lord
  • 00:18:20.532 --> 00:18:23.869
  • Because you could do that and not be a christian, but having
  • 00:18:23.869 --> 00:18:26.705
  • Said that, i think if you are a christian, you should
  • 00:18:26.705 --> 00:18:28.974
  • Confess him.
  • 00:18:28.974 --> 00:18:30.676
  • Sometimes we have people walk forward and invitations and
  • 00:18:30.676 --> 00:18:33.879
  • You've heard me quote the verse where jesus says, "if you'll
  • 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:36.381
  • Confess me before men, i'll confess you before the father
  • 00:18:36.381 --> 00:18:40.619
  • And the angels in heaven."
  • 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.987
  • And the reason i do that is it helps people to see this is a
  • 00:18:41.987 --> 00:18:45.390
  • Serious commitment that you must make.
  • 00:18:45.390 --> 00:18:48.127
  • And i'm not saying that's the only way to confess him, but
  • 00:18:48.127 --> 00:18:50.529
  • That certainly is a way to confess.
  • 00:18:50.529 --> 00:18:53.599
  • And being a christian is not something that is hidden, but
  • 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:56.568
  • Is open.
  • 00:18:56.568 --> 00:18:57.936
  • Number two, do you obey the commands of jesus christ, or did
  • 00:18:57.936 --> 00:19:02.207
  • You obey them?
  • 00:19:02.207 --> 00:19:04.143
  • Because 1 john 5:3 says, "this is love for god to obey his
  • 00:19:04.143 --> 00:19:08.447
  • Commands, and his commands are not burdensome.
  • 00:19:08.447 --> 00:19:11.617
  • For everyone who is born of god overcomes the world."
  • 00:19:11.617 --> 00:19:15.487
  • Did you keep his commandments?
  • 00:19:15.487 --> 00:19:17.156
  • Don't tell me you're a christian and you're blatantly breaking
  • 00:19:17.156 --> 00:19:20.626
  • The commandments left and right.
  • 00:19:20.626 --> 00:19:23.428
  • If you love him, do what he says.
  • 00:19:23.428 --> 00:19:26.899
  • And if you don't do what he says, really, how much do you
  • 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:29.568
  • Love him?
  • 00:19:29.568 --> 00:19:30.903
  • You know, jesus did not say, "you are my friends if you do
  • 00:19:30.903 --> 00:19:34.806
  • Whatsoever you agree with."
  • 00:19:34.806 --> 00:19:37.543
  • He said, "you are my friends if you do whatsoever, i
  • 00:19:37.543 --> 00:19:41.046
  • Command you."
  • 00:19:41.046 --> 00:19:42.881
  • Some will say, "well, what if it's hard?"
  • 00:19:42.881 --> 00:19:44.383
  • So what, if he commands you to do it, you do it,
  • 00:19:44.383 --> 00:19:46.852
  • It's whatsoever.
  • 00:19:46.852 --> 00:19:48.820
  • You say, "well, what if you disagree with the bible?"
  • 00:19:48.820 --> 00:19:51.256
  • Change your opinion, you're wrong, and the bible's right.
  • 00:19:51.256 --> 00:19:56.295
  • It's as simple as that.
  • 00:19:56.295 --> 00:19:58.330
  • Number three, if you're a christian, or if you claim to
  • 00:19:58.330 --> 00:20:01.833
  • Have been a christian, were you unhappy or miserable when
  • 00:20:01.833 --> 00:20:05.003
  • You were sinning?
  • 00:20:05.003 --> 00:20:06.438
  • Were you unhappy or miserable when you were sinning?
  • 00:20:06.438 --> 00:20:08.774
  • 1 john 3:9 says, "everyone that has been born of god does
  • 00:20:08.774 --> 00:20:11.977
  • Not habitually sin because god's seed remains in him, and he's
  • 00:20:11.977 --> 00:20:15.948
  • Not able habitually to sin because he's been born of god."
  • 00:20:15.948 --> 00:20:21.486
  • Listen, a christian will not be sinless, but a christian will
  • 00:20:21.486 --> 00:20:26.491
  • Sin less and less and less.
  • 00:20:26.491 --> 00:20:31.096
  • I think what happens is, the more you become like christ, the
  • 00:20:31.096 --> 00:20:33.532
  • More you realize you're not like christ.
  • 00:20:33.532 --> 00:20:36.668
  • And the more godly you become, the more you realize how ungodly
  • 00:20:36.668 --> 00:20:40.505
  • You really always were.
  • 00:20:40.505 --> 00:20:42.674
  • So there's always the awareness of sin.
  • 00:20:42.674 --> 00:20:44.610
  • But at the same time, there is change in our behavior.
  • 00:20:44.610 --> 00:20:47.312
  • There is change in our actions.
  • 00:20:47.312 --> 00:20:49.248
  • There is change in the things that we say and do that's
  • 00:20:49.248 --> 00:20:53.252
  • Bringing forth fruits in keeping with repentance.
  • 00:20:53.252 --> 00:20:56.488
  • But notice that it says that if you are born of god, you will
  • 00:20:56.488 --> 00:21:01.026
  • Not habitually sin.
  • 00:21:01.026 --> 00:21:02.527
  • It doesn't say you won't sin at all.
  • 00:21:02.527 --> 00:21:05.364
  • Because some will say,
  • 00:21:05.364 --> 00:21:06.698
  • "well, i've reached sinless perfection."
  • 00:21:06.698 --> 00:21:08.033
  • No, you haven't. "no, i have."
  • 00:21:08.033 --> 00:21:09.735
  • Well, you're lying, and that's a sin, and you haven't.
  • 00:21:09.735 --> 00:21:14.439
  • Because the bible says that we say we have no sin, we deceive
  • 00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:17.509
  • Ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
  • 00:21:17.509 --> 00:21:20.379
  • So we'll never be sinless this side of heaven.
  • 00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:23.548
  • But having said that, if you can sin habitually, okay, that's
  • 00:21:23.548 --> 00:21:30.188
  • The key.
  • 00:21:30.188 --> 00:21:31.556
  • In the greek it says, if you habitually sin,
  • 00:21:31.556 --> 00:21:32.958
  • It's not, like, "oh, i sinned. god, i'm sorry, i repent."
  • 00:21:32.958 --> 00:21:36.361
  • That's one thing.
  • 00:21:36.361 --> 00:21:37.729
  • It's a person that sinned and then sins the next day and the
  • 00:21:37.729 --> 00:21:41.400
  • Next day.
  • 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.768
  • In fact, they're living in a pattern of sin.
  • 00:21:42.768 --> 00:21:44.102
  • They're living in a lifestyle of sin.
  • 00:21:44.102 --> 00:21:46.071
  • This is the choice they make over and over and over.
  • 00:21:46.071 --> 00:21:49.308
  • If you live that way, according to the scripture, you're not
  • 00:21:49.308 --> 00:21:51.576
  • Really born of god.
  • 00:21:51.576 --> 00:21:53.078
  • Now, you've all heard the story of the prodigal son, right?
  • 00:21:53.078 --> 00:21:55.947
  • How many of you have heard the story of the prodigal pig?
  • 00:21:55.947 --> 00:21:59.551
  • Yeah, that's in the bible, too, the prodigal pig.
  • 00:21:59.551 --> 00:22:03.088
  • It's in 2 peter 2, it says, "it would be better if they had
  • 00:22:03.088 --> 00:22:06.458
  • Never known the right way to live than to know it and reject
  • 00:22:06.458 --> 00:22:09.494
  • The holy commandments that were given to them.
  • 00:22:09.494 --> 00:22:11.697
  • They make this proverb come true.
  • 00:22:11.697 --> 00:22:13.632
  • 'a dog returns to its vomit' and 'a washed pig returns to
  • 00:22:13.632 --> 00:22:17.869
  • The mud.'"
  • 00:22:17.869 --> 00:22:19.504
  • I know the bible is true for many reasons, but here's one.
  • 00:22:19.504 --> 00:22:23.408
  • Not just because it predicts the future accurately, not just
  • 00:22:23.408 --> 00:22:27.379
  • Because everything that it's said, i found true in my life,
  • 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:29.815
  • But because i've seen a dog eat its own barf.
  • 00:22:29.815 --> 00:22:34.252
  • That's what it's saying.
  • 00:22:34.252 --> 00:22:35.821
  • "a dog returned to its own vomit."
  • 00:22:35.821 --> 00:22:38.156
  • Dogs are so weird that way, right?
  • 00:22:38.156 --> 00:22:40.492
  • I watched a dog throw up and eat it.
  • 00:22:40.492 --> 00:22:43.028
  • What's going on?
  • 00:22:43.028 --> 00:22:44.396
  • What's going on in the dog mind there?
  • 00:22:44.396 --> 00:22:46.598
  • Need a hot meal, there it is.
  • 00:22:46.598 --> 00:22:49.735
  • Really?
  • 00:22:49.735 --> 00:22:51.103
  • Then later they'll wash it down with some toilet water.
  • 00:22:51.103 --> 00:22:54.306
  • Then they'll lick us in the face, and people will say, "oh,
  • 00:22:54.306 --> 00:22:57.876
  • You know, a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's."
  • 00:22:57.876 --> 00:23:00.612
  • Oh, do you eat barf and drink toilet water?
  • 00:23:00.612 --> 00:23:03.882
  • Because that's what that dog just did.
  • 00:23:03.882 --> 00:23:10.155
  • So "a dog returns to its own vomit."
  • 00:23:10.155 --> 00:23:12.324
  • Why does the dog do that?
  • 00:23:12.324 --> 00:23:13.759
  • Because it's a dog, and dogs do doggy things.
  • 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:18.130
  • Here's my simple point.
  • 00:23:18.130 --> 00:23:19.464
  • They're just doing what comes by nature.
  • 00:23:19.464 --> 00:23:22.367
  • So coming back to the issue i raised earlier, a prodigal will
  • 00:23:22.367 --> 00:23:27.172
  • Always return to god, but a pig won't.
  • 00:23:27.172 --> 00:23:29.708
  • So are you a pig or a prodigal?
  • 00:23:29.708 --> 00:23:32.411
  • See, if you're a prodigal, you'll come home to your father.
  • 00:23:32.411 --> 00:23:34.946
  • If you're a pig, you'll go back to your own slop or a dog to its
  • 00:23:34.946 --> 00:23:39.451
  • Own vomit.
  • 00:23:39.451 --> 00:23:40.786
  • That is exactly the illustration before us.
  • 00:23:40.786 --> 00:23:43.388
  • So don't get mad at me for talking about barf.
  • 00:23:43.388 --> 00:23:47.058
  • It's in the bible.
  • 00:23:47.058 --> 00:23:48.727
  • Number four, did you keep yourself from the devil?
  • 00:23:48.727 --> 00:23:51.530
  • See, if you're really a christian, if you've really been
  • 00:23:51.530 --> 00:23:54.099
  • Born of god, you'll keep yourself from the devil.
  • 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:56.802
  • 1 john 5:18 says, "we know whoever is born of god does not
  • 00:23:56.802 --> 00:24:01.440
  • Sin," habitually, "and he has been born of god, keeps himself
  • 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:05.644
  • From the devil, and the wicked one does not touch him."
  • 00:24:05.644 --> 00:24:09.848
  • What does it mean to keep themselves from the devil?
  • 00:24:09.848 --> 00:24:13.585
  • Well, the idea is that you stay as close to god as you
  • 00:24:13.585 --> 00:24:17.656
  • Possibly can.
  • 00:24:17.656 --> 00:24:19.224
  • See, i don't keep myself saved, but i can keep myself safe.
  • 00:24:19.224 --> 00:24:26.031
  • So the same is true in life, in general.
  • 00:24:26.031 --> 00:24:27.966
  • If i go to this party, if i hang out with this person, if i watch
  • 00:24:27.966 --> 00:24:32.804
  • This thing on tv, if i go to that website, trouble
  • 00:24:32.804 --> 00:24:37.209
  • Always follows.
  • 00:24:37.209 --> 00:24:38.543
  • Okay, news flash, don't go to that website.
  • 00:24:38.543 --> 00:24:41.213
  • Don't go to that party.
  • 00:24:41.213 --> 00:24:42.848
  • Don't hang out with that person.
  • 00:24:42.848 --> 00:24:44.182
  • The bible says that, "we should keep ourselves in the love
  • 00:24:44.182 --> 00:24:47.352
  • Of god."
  • 00:24:47.352 --> 00:24:49.020
  • So the idea of that is "stay as close as i can to the lord."
  • 00:24:49.020 --> 00:24:53.959
  • And another one, do you love other christians?
  • 00:24:53.959 --> 00:24:56.928
  • How much do you love god?
  • 00:24:56.928 --> 00:24:59.064
  • How can you say you love god, who you can't see, if you won't
  • 00:24:59.064 --> 00:25:03.034
  • Love his people who you can see?
  • 00:25:03.034 --> 00:25:05.904
  • Start there.
  • 00:25:05.904 --> 00:25:07.372
  • And so these are simple litmus tests that show that our faith
  • 00:25:07.372 --> 00:25:12.277
  • Is real.
  • 00:25:12.277 --> 00:25:13.612
  • Here's the key, look at verse 13, don't miss this.
  • 00:25:13.612 --> 00:25:15.714
  • "it is god that works in you both to will and do of his
  • 00:25:15.714 --> 00:25:19.618
  • Good pleasure."
  • 00:25:19.618 --> 00:25:20.952
  • It's god working in me.
  • 00:25:20.952 --> 00:25:22.988
  • It's not me trying to imitate jesus.
  • 00:25:22.988 --> 00:25:26.658
  • It's jesus living in me and jesus living through me.
  • 00:25:26.658 --> 00:25:31.830
  • Greg: have you ever heard the term "gospel" before?
  • 00:25:35.667 --> 00:25:37.903
  • It means good news.
  • 00:25:37.903 --> 00:25:39.271
  • But before i can fully appreciate the good news, i have
  • 00:25:39.271 --> 00:25:42.140
  • To know the bad news.
  • 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:44.676
  • You and i were sinners, which means we've broken
  • 00:25:44.676 --> 00:25:47.612
  • God's commandments.
  • 00:25:47.612 --> 00:25:48.980
  • We've fallen short of his standards.
  • 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.448
  • Good news, jesus christ died in our place.
  • 00:25:50.448 --> 00:25:53.752
  • He came to pay a debt he did not owe because we owed a debt
  • 00:25:53.752 --> 00:25:57.355
  • We could not pay.
  • 00:25:57.355 --> 00:25:58.690
  • If you will turn from your sin, and put your faith in jesus
  • 00:25:58.690 --> 00:26:02.460
  • Christ, you can be forgiven and know that you'll go to heaven
  • 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:05.797
  • When you die and find the meaning of life right here on
  • 00:26:05.797 --> 00:26:09.467
  • Planet earth.
  • 00:26:09.467 --> 00:26:10.802
  • You just call out to jesus and say, "forgive me.
  • 00:26:10.802 --> 00:26:13.705
  • I want to have a relationship with you."
  • 00:26:13.705 --> 00:26:16.274
  • I would like to send you a bible at no charge to help you get
  • 00:26:17.576 --> 00:26:21.546
  • Started in your new relationship with christ.
  • 00:26:21.546 --> 00:26:28.486
  • Greg: so this is--these are the remains of someone's home, and
  • 00:26:32.691 --> 00:26:36.127
  • We have a team of people here that are volunteers.
  • 00:26:36.127 --> 00:26:40.465
  • Many of these people are from harvest working with
  • 00:26:40.465 --> 00:26:43.501
  • Samaritan's purse.
  • 00:26:43.501 --> 00:26:45.236
  • So we come here, and we do these things for these people in the
  • 00:26:45.236 --> 00:26:48.873
  • Name of jesus christ to let them know that there are people that
  • 00:26:48.873 --> 00:26:52.877
  • Care about them.
  • 00:26:52.877 --> 00:26:54.212
  • And we share the gospel with people and help people see their
  • 00:26:54.212 --> 00:26:58.249
  • Need for jesus.
  • 00:26:58.249 --> 00:27:00.185
  • You know, when you're down, when you're hurting, when tragedy has
  • 00:27:00.185 --> 00:27:03.755
  • Hit, a lot of times, you're more open to hearing the gospel than
  • 00:27:03.755 --> 00:27:07.592
  • Maybe under normal circumstances when things are going well.
  • 00:27:07.592 --> 00:27:11.496
  • And i found that sometimes in the worst of circumstances, you
  • 00:27:11.496 --> 00:27:15.700
  • Can see amazing things happen because people open their hearts
  • 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:20.839
  • To god and see their real need.
  • 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:23.708
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:23.708 --> 00:27:23.708