Why God Allows Suffering

Notes: Why God Allows Suffering

October 13, 13

Pastor Greg Laurie

Harvest OC

Romans 5:12 (NLT)

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

We might say, when a bad thing happens to a bad person we say that is good.

Why does it happen - "I don't know."

Being a Christian does not mean that you won't suffer.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT)

Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. [13] Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

Job 1:1-5 (NLT)

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless-a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. [2] He had seven sons and three daughters. [3] He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. [4] Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. [5] When these celebrations ended-sometimes after several days-Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice.

1. Job was a man of integrity and character.

DL Moody- "who you are in the dark."

2. Job was a wealthy man.

Mark 4:18-19 (NLT)

The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God's word, [19] but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

It's not what is in your account, it's what's in your heart.

3. Job was a family man.

4. Job was a prayerful man.

Job 1:6-12 (NLT)

One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. [7] "Where have you come from?" the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on." [8] Then the Lord asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless-a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil." [9] Satan replied to the Lord, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. [10] You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! [11] But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" [12] "All right, you may test him," the Lord said to Satan. "Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don't harm him physically." So Satan left the Lord's presence.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

The devils single ambition is to turn you and me away from God.

Common devil tactic.

Encourages us to sin. Then he accuses us of the sin.

Job 1:21 (NLT)

He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!"

Character is not made in crisis. It is revealed.

Hebrews 2:17-18 (NLT)

Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. [18] Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Revelation 12:11 (NLT)

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

Do you know Jesus?

For Such a Time as This, Part 2

Notes: For Such a Time as This, Part 2

Esther 4 to end 

Sept 22, 2013

Pastor Greg Laurie

Harvest

Esther 4:14 (NIV)

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Esther 6:13-14 (NIV)

and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him---you will surely come to ruin!” [14] While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

1. God is always present and at work whether we feel Him or not.

2. God can take impossible situations and turn them around for His glory.

3. You will reap what you sow.

Destined for Impact

Notes: Destined for Impact 

Pastor Levi Lusko 

August 22, 2013

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Peter 1:18 (NKJV)

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

Daniel 12:3 (NKJV)

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

Psalm 102:18 (NKJV)

This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

Psalm 23:1-6 (NKJV)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. [3] He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Proverbs 25:27 (NKJV)

It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory.

Acts 17:6 (NKJV)

But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Romans 1:8 (NKJV)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NKJV)

For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

2 Samuel 12:14 (NKJV)

However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."

Nehemiah 6:2 (NKJV)

that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm.

Staying Cool When Things Get Hot

Notes: Staying Cool when things Get Hot

Greg Laurie 9-19-2013

Daniel 1

Jeremiah 25:8-9 (NIV)

Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: “Because you have not listened to my words, [9] I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin.

Daniel 1:8 (NIV)

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

Romans 14:23 (NIV)

But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

We should not be seeking happiness, we should be seeking holiness.

A little with God is better than much without him.

Daniel 2:47 (NIV)

The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery. ”

Daniel 3:14-18 (NIV)

and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? [15] Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” [16] Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. [17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. [18] But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. ”

Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.