How Effectively Resist Temptation

Notes: How EffectivelyResist Temptation

Pastor Greg

Luke 4

Jan 12, 2014

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NIV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are---yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus faced temptation as a man not as God, so he can sympathize.

Christ has authority over Satan, so this temptation was done for us.

Oscar Wilde said, "I can resist anything but temptation."

When you become a Christian the devil will tempt you, it always happens and it "comes in attractive packages."

James 1:12 (NIV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Aspects of temptation:

1. Where does temptation come from?

Where there is no desire on our part then there is no temptation. It takes you And the devil

5 steps:

1. Opportunity - Temptation

2. Under its powers - Desire - take it for a test drive

3. Almost hooked-

4. Still a way out

5. In sin comes death - guilt and separation from God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)

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.

We play a role and our heart is wicked.

2. When does temptation generally come?

Usually after a great triumph.

After a mountain top experience, comes the trial.

New Christians usually know this and older Christians usually fall to Pride and sin.

3. Who does temptation come to?

Those brand new and those that are a real threat to the kingdom of darkness.

"If you have not been through the devils sifter, then you probably are not worth sifting."

4. How does temptation come?

Usually enters right through the mind.

2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

5. Where is the best place to be when temptation comes?

In the will of God.

We bring it upon ourselves when we are outside of the will of God.

In the wrong place, with the wrong people and you......do the wrong thing!:

In a bar, hanging with old drinking buddies....you gets drunk.

Luke 4:3 (NKJV)

And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."

He was in the desert and hadn't eaten for 40 days, he was with the devil. Did he sin....no: How did Jesus deal with the devil: he referenced scripture. He put spiritual over physical.

Jesus did not dispute the statement of the devil. Satan has been given charge of this world.

Jesus understood you would serve what you worship.

Luke 4:9-11 (NKJV)

9[Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.] [ ] 10For it is written: [ ] ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,[ ] To keep you,’[ ] [ ] 11and, [ ] ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up,[ ] Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

Bible illiteracy makes us more susceptible to sin.

Psalm 91:11-12 (NKJV)

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. [12] In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

The devil misquoted scripture to Jesus.

Christ said you should not test your God:

Luke 4:12 (NKJV)

And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'"

Trust The Lord but do not test him.

6. What do we use to protect ourselves? The Word of God is the offensive weapon.

Psalm 119:9,11 (NKJV)

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. [11] Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

When the devil attacks, you use Scripture to defend. "It is written..."

Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

We are blessed when we endure it. The devil will attack from the front and slip through the back door. You fought him off and then you are Prideful for that, he still got you.

You have to be aware of that tactic and protect yourselves.

Is Jesus Christ living inside you?

12 Men who shook the world!

Notes: 12 Men who shook the world!

Pastor Greg

Harvest OC

January 9, 2014

What is a Saint? They are people that the light shines through.

Saint is another word for believer.

God can use anyone

1 Corinthians 1:26 (MSG)

Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have---right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start---comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God."

2 Corinthians 4:7-13 (NKJV)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. [8] We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- [10] always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. [11] For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. [12] So then death is working in us, but life in you. [13] And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,

1. Simon Peter - the most talked about. The most questions asked and the most known. Spoke his mind and some times too often.

He trusted and doubted Jesus throughout the Bible.

God doesn't see who you are he sees who you can be.

Crucified on an upside down cross

2. Andrew was always introducing people to Jesus.

Andrew was hung to an X shaped cross.

John 1:41-42 (KJV)

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. [42] And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

3. James and John - the suns of thunder. They we're know as the Sons of Thunder.

Them and Peter spent the most time with Jesus.

Mark 10:33-34 (NKJV)

"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; [34] and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."

Mark 10:35-37 (NKJV)

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask." [36] And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" [37] They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."

Herod beheaded James.

John was known as the apostle of love, he was banished to the island of Patmos.

4. Phillip - he was called by Jesus himself.

John 1:43 (NKJV)

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."

John 6:5-7 (NKJV)

Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" [6] But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. [7] Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little."

5. Bartholomew

6. Thomas - known for his doubt.

Doubt is not always a sign a man is wrong, it can be a sign that he is thinking.

7. Matthew - tax collector. Author of the Gospel.

Jesus said the two words - "Follow me"

8. Judas Iscariot - life ended in suicide.

John 12:5-6 (NKJV)

"Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" [6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

The Bible says that Satan entered his heart.

Judas could of repented. Jesus loved him.

God can do a lot with a little.

How Eternity brings focus to what really matters

Notes: How Eternity bringsfocus to what really matters. 

Pastor Greg Laurie

Rev 4/ Col 3

Dec 5, 2013

Heaven is a real place of activity, building, eating, worshipping and much more.

John 6:38 (NKJV)

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

Our belief in heaven should truly affect the way we live on earth.

Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

THINK HEAVEN! Feet on earth, mind on heaven.

Many speak of killing time, yet time slowly kills us all.

What matters is not what you bought; it is what you built.

Everybody lives for something.

Revelation 4:1-11 (NKJV)

] 8The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: [ ] “ Holy, holy, holy, [ ] Lord God Almighty,[ ] Who was and is and is to come!” [ ] 9[Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,] [ ] 10the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:[ ] [ ] [ ] 11“ You are worthy, O Lord, [ ] To receive glory and honor and power;[ ] For You created all things,[ ] And by Your will they exist and were created.”

I'm here on this earth to bring glory to God.

God created us for his own glory.

Isaiah 43:7 (NKJV)

Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."

Ephesians 1:11-12 (NKJV)

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, [12] that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

Worship is prayer set to song

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? [20] For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

If you can't "how would be thy name" on what I am doing then don't do it!

Colossians 3:5-10 (NKJV)

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, [7] in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. [8] But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. [9] Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, [10] and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

1. Sexual sin keeps us earthbound. v5

2. Idolatry keeps us earthbound.

(Covet, means to want more)

3. Anger, meanness, and slander keep us earthbound.

(Gossip fits in this)

T.H.I.N.K. Before you speak:

Truthful

Helpful

Inspiring

Necessary

Kind

Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in.

Harvest: Start Basics Week 3

Start Basics week 3

Hebrews 13:15-16 (NLT)

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. [16] And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Ephesians 5:19 (NLT)

singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

Psalm 105:1-2 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. [2] Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.

Colossians 3:16 (NLT)

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. [2] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NLT)

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source

of them all. [5] There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. [6] God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. [7] A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT)

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. [10] Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Psalm 55:17 (NLT)

Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice.

1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus.

Psalm 100:3-4 (NLT)

Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

1 John 1:9 (NLT)

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Psalm 120:1 (NLT)

I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

James 1:5 (NLT)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

1 John 5:14 (NLT)

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

Matthew 26:39 (NLT)

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."