Hello from the Other Side

Notes: Hello from the Other Side

Matthew 28

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Sunday, March 27, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

When someone dies, we don't expect them to be alive again.

What do you think happens after we die?  Believers go to Heaven and one day they will return to earth with Jesus to the new Jerusalem.

Where do people go when they die? Can  they say hello from Heaven? Why is it people who say they died and came back to life always claim they went to Heaven?

There was a recent survey that showed more people don't believe in God yet they do believe Heaven is real.

How can there be one without the other? The word Heaven comes from the Bible.

What is Heaven like? Heaven is not an imitation of earth, Earth is an imitation of Heaven.

Heaven is a real place doing real things.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NKJV

[2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven. [3] And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows- [4] how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

There is only one person that has been to Heaven that we can rely on, Jesus.

John 6:38 NKJV

[38] For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

God was the master of ceremonies at the Cross.

Isaiah 53:10-11 NKJV

[10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. [11] He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

Jesus died as a substitute for us and our sins.

Matthew 16:21 NKJV

[21] From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

God always keeps His promises.

Jesus appeared to many after His resurrection.

Matthew 28:9-10 NKJV

[9] And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."

Jesus comes back and says hello to the people in a cordial way.

Because of the Resurrection of Jesus:

1. You will have life after death in Heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 NKJV

[21] For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

A believer doesn't have to fear death any more than they do a nap.

The Bible often calls death for a Christian a nap...falling asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NLT

[51] But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! [52] It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. [53] For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

One day Heaven will come to Earth.

Revelation 21:4-5 NLT

[4] He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." [5] And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."

One day it will be out with the old and in with the new.

No more death, disease, drugs, abuse or sadness because of the resurrection of Jesus!

2. You can live life to its fullest on Earth!

Romans 8:11 NLT

[11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

John 10:10 NLT

[10] The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

3. There will be a final judgement.

Acts 17:31 NLT

[31] For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."

There will be a judgement for believers and nonbelievers.

Believers will be rewarded on that day.

If you live an ungodly life, you will be judged for that and sent to Hell.

It's not if you lived a good life, it's if you asked Jesus to be forgiven of your sins.

Jesus died on the cross and resurrected so that you could go to Heaven; He died and resurrected so you don't have to go to Hell.

Jesus' Words to Last Days Believers

Notes: Jesus' Words to Last Days Believers

Revelation 3

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

Book of Revelation

Thursday, March 17, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

Some people like to be sick, always wanting an excuse to see the doctor.

Other people won't go to the doctor for any reason.  

Here in Revelation 3 is a letter to a sick and dying church.

Leaving your first love is a typical step in returning to your old ways.

Revelation 3:1-6 NLT

[1] "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: "I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive-but you are dead. [2] Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. [3] Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. [4] "Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. [5] All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. [6] "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

This is a letter to a dead church. Jesus knew their works.

Jesus could see their problems while others didn't.

Revelation 3:2 NLT

[2] Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.

We are on the planet for the glorification of God, Edification of the Saints, and  Evangelism to the world.

Upward. Inward. Outward.

The power of Samson was provided by the Lord.

Judges 16:20 NLT

[20] Then she cried out, "Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!" When he woke up, he thought, "I will do as before and shake myself free." But he didn't realize the LORD had left him.

Sometimes we are the last to know about our conditions.

We can dutifully take notes on messages and know our bible quite well. But be spiritually dead or dying.

Signs of a dying church:

1. A dead church worships its past.

2. A dead church is inflexible and resistant to change.

3. A dead church has lazy leadership.

4. A dead church neglects youth.

5. A dead church lacks evangelistic passion.

What Jesus is saying to the Church is that they need the power of the Holy Spirit!

We all need to stay filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' prescription for spiritual renewal:

1. Wake up

2. Strengthen the things that remain.

3. Be watching for the return of Jesus Christ.

We need to live every day as if it is the day that Jesus is coming!

The return of Jesus is always looked at in two ways, either joy or fear:

Malachi 4:1-2 NLT

[1] The LORD of Heaven's Armies says, "The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed-roots, branches, and all. [2] "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

1 John 2:28 NLT

[28] And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

Your reaction to the return of Jesus is like a spiritual barometer.

Revelation 3:5 NLT

[5] All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

Jesus has many books...is your name in the Book of Life?

Luke 10:20 NLT

[20] But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."

The believer who walks with God should never fear for their salvation.

Jesus promises to stand up for you in Heaven. Will you stand up for Jesus on earth?

Often times, not "confessing him" is a way of denying Him.

Revelation 3:7-12 NLT

[7] "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: [8] "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. [9] Look, I will force those who belong to Satan's synagogue-those liars who say they are Jews but are not-to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. [10] "Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. [11] I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. [12] All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God-the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name."

1. Jesus has given us an unprecedented open door.

2 Corinthians 2:12 NLT

[12] When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

"Open door" is an opportunity to serve Jesus.

We should pray for open doors in our lives.

Colossians 4:3-4 NLT

[3] Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. [4] Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

In our world right now is the best of times and the worst of times.

Harvest America was a best of times scenario. The division of our country shows the worst of times.

Do you have a dream that has not happened yet? Some dreams are to be shared and sometimes it's best to keep dreams to yourself. The Lord can give you those dreams as a glimpse of your future.

When God opens a door, no man can shut it.

God may open a door for you, but you have to walk through it.

2. God has given us enough strength to do what He has called us to do.

Sometimes weakness may be more of an asset than a liability...because in our weakness we become more dependent upon Him!

3. They were keeping His word and not denying his name.

Revelation 3:8 NLT

[8] "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.

We are to take in the Word of God and then to give it out and repeat the process again and again. Don't hoard the Word of God.

We need to keep being refilled with the Holy Spirit!

Laws of the Harvest

Notes: Laws of the Harvest

Galatians 6:7–10

SPEAKER:

James MacDonald

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Sunday, February 21, 2016 — 8:00 a.m.

There are laws in Gods word that are as irrevocable as the laws of gravity.

Galatians 6:1-4 NKJV Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

We are to carry our burden and others burden.

Galatians 6:5-6 NKJV For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Galatians 6:7-10 NKJV Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

This is the Word of the Lord.

7 laws of the Harvest:

Do not be deceived - 

there is something about us that we think that we can escape this principle.

God is not mocked -

this is a serious message, the Lord will not be made a fool of

Fall is when the harvest is reaped.

Paul says life is like farming, you plant and cultivate and reap.

Trials and consequences happen to all of us. Trials require circumstances. 

Circumstance: an event beyond your control resulting from forces or influences you did not cause and cannot change.

You submit to a trial, you wait by faith for God to use it.

Job 23:10 NKJV But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Galatians 6:7 is not about trials, its about consequences. In consequences, you don’t endure. 

You repent of consequences and receive faith.

The clouds of heaven would burst of grace and mercy if you were to repent of the consequences.

Consequence: resulting wholly or in part from me - actions I’ve take - things I’ve said or done - places I’ve gone - priorities I’ve pursued - choices I’ve made.

1a. We harvest only what has been planted. 

2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Edward Gibbon wrote a book in 1787 called The decline and fall of the Roman Empire. He wrote that it was divorce and break down of the home. Higher taxes, mad desire for pleasure, sports getting more exciting and brutal every year. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was inside. The decay of faith and becoming impatient to worn the people. 

Gibbon wrote the book over 200 years ago about Rome!

How is it that the people of God have come to a place where they hardly even want to be warned.

Responsibility lies with the individual.

How did Sampson go from a young strong weapon of God to being sideways in the ditch? We harvest only what has been planted.

2a. We harvest the same in kind as we plant.

“What goes around comes around” 

Galatians 6:8 NKJV For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Flesh is self.

The one who sows to self, reaps corruption.

Corruption means death and decay. A hell of a life and hell after life.

This is not the life of a Christ follower.

King ME has got to go.

Instead, I am crucified in Christ. 

So often we say its outside of me, but the word of God says, we are harvesting only what has been planted.

3a. We harvest in a different season than we plant.

This is where the deception comes in, we fool ourselves to think we are doing well. 

We make decisions when we are young and spend so much time getting over those decisions. 

The younger you are the more urgent it is to recognize the message of sowing and reaping. 

There are no exceptions to this rule, God is not going to be mocked. 

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all plant in the Spring and harvest in the Spring.

It’s the time gaps that prompts the deception.

Poem:

• Invictus

William Ernest Henley, 1849 - 1903

 Out of the night that covers me,   

  Black as the Pit from pole to pole,   

I thank whatever gods may be   

  For my unconquerable soul.   

   

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

  I have not winced nor cried aloud.   

Under the bludgeonings of chance   

  My head is bloody, but unbowed.   

   

Beyond this place of wrath and tears   

  Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years   

  Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.   

   

It matters not how strait the gate,   

  How charged with punishments the scroll,   

I am the master of my fate:

  I am the captain of my soul. -

Dorothea Day Poem:

MY CAPTAIN

Dorothea Day

(Christian)

Out of the night that dazzles me, 

Bright as the sun  om pole to pole; 

I thank the God I know to be 

For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

Since His the sway of circumstance, 

I would not wince nor cry aloud. 

Under that rule which men call chance 

My head with joy is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears 

That life with Him! And His the aid, 

Despite the menace of the years, 

Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid..

I have no fear, though strait the gate,

He cleared from punishment the scroll,

Christ is the Master of my fate, 

Christ is the Captain of my soul. -

After a message like this we should look at ourselves. 

If you submit and obey, you will be able to enjoy the fat of the land. 

Let’s sow good things, repentance and humility.