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.

Follow the Leader

Notes: Follow the Leader (1-2-3 Eyes on Me)

Pastor Jennie Lusko

Matthew 6, Psalm 123

Fresh Life Church

March 20, 2016

Have you taken the challenge to say the Lords Prayer three times a day?

Matthew 6:10-13 NKJV Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Follow the Leader is a child’s game that helps children learn to listen and pay attention to the adults voice and direction.

Ephesians 5:1 NKJV Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

God is our leader. 

Psalm 23:3 NKJV He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

1- We have a real enemy 

1 Peter 5:8 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

The evil one is a thief and he wants to take from you.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

2- We need Protection

We where helmets, we brush our teeth and wear seat belts to protect ourselves.

3- We need to follow God’s Word

Matthew 6:13 NKJV And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

4- We have the delivery.

Romans 8:31 NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Psalm 18:2 NKJV The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

As you follow your Leader:

1- Renew your decision to follow Him everyday

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

We are to seek help “this day” from the Lord.

2- When you walk with God, you can hear Him better.

Isaiah 30:21 NKJV Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Genesis 6:9 NKJV This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:22 NKJV Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

Noah did exactly as God commanded because he walked with God.

3- Wake up! Watch out! There’s a way out!

We often forget that we are in a battle. Wake up!

Matthew 26:41 NKJV Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

If we start going down the road of temptation, God provides us a way out and gives us agents of rescue. 

There is always hope because God’s grace is sufficient for us.

When we fall we will get back up.

God is not seeking perfection from us, He is seeking pursuit.

4- We must know His word

Our Savior was tempted, He turned to the word of God to battle temptation.

Matthew 4:1-11 NKJV Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you,[d] Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

We shouldn’t try to change God’s word, we should let God’s Word change us.

Psalm 119:9 NKJV How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Psalm 119:11 NKJV Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

1-2-3 Eyes on Me, keep your eyes on God. 

2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

God’s eyes are on the look out for us to look at Him. It is God’s power that we need.

Psalm 123 NKJV Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, 

Lift my eyes to see the Lord!

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!