Heart to Heart

Notes: Heart to Heart

Pastor Greg 

John 2

February 9, 2014 Sunday

There are things we should know and there are things we do know.

Should know:

John 3:16 (KJV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus speaks with the famous Nicodemus, he is a great person to represent all of us in font of God.

John 2:23-25 (NIV)

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. [24] But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. [25] He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

Paraphrase: They believed in Jesus but Jesus did not believe in them. They saw his miracles but it was not genuine faith.

1. First Nicodemus and Jesus were face to face.

Movement 1:

John 3:2-3 (NIV)

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” [3] Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”

Nicodemus was a leader of the Pharisees, the most powerful ruling group in Israel at the time.

John 3:2 (NIV)

He came to Jesus at night

Better to have a great ending with a poor beginning then a poor ending with a great beginning.

Finishing the race well is the most important part, if you fall you must get up and continue.

John 19:39 (NIV)

He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

John 3:2 (NIV)

“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

John 3:4 (NIV)

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Most people come to Christ when they are young. That has a lot to do with older people not liking change. That doesn't mean that older people are beyond hope.

Don't write anyone off regardless of their age.

Like a sword these words pierced Nicodemus' heart: John 3:3 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”

What does it mean to be born again: it means you have had your spiritual eyes open to Jesus as your savior.

There is no phrase that can "make someone born again" only God can do that.

Jesus was saying, "Nicodemus your religious beliefs are not enough."

Greg thinks that people's religion has kept more people from knowing Jesus then any other sin. Following Jesus is not being religious.

2. Nicodemus and Jesus are now coming mind to mind.

Movement 2:

John 3:4-8 (NIV)

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” [5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

3. Finally they are heart to heart.

Movement 3:

John 3:9-11 (NIV)

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. [10] “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? [11] Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

John 3:14 (NIV)

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,

Isaiah 45:21 (NIV)

Declare what is to be, present it---let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.

During this conversation is when the most famous of all scriptures is said by Jesus:

John 3:16 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Greg believes that God died for the whole world not just an elect few. God predestined some people for Heaven. The rest have only free will to chose God and go to Heaven.

God reaches us through his Son, not through ritual.

If you are part of John 3:16 then you are not part of:

Revelation 20:15 (NIV)

Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

When you are born from above you are given the gift of God:

1 John 5:13 (NIV)

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Greg was adopted by Oscar Laurie, that is where he got his last name. Oscar was the only one that Greg ever called Dad. Then Greg's mom left him, and Greg didn't see him again as a child.

Greg found Oscar when he got older. Greg shared his faith with him at the first dinner they had together. Oscar accepted Jesus as his savior.

Oscar was 75 years old when he accepted Jesus.

Are you born again?

The Family is a Microphone

Notes: The Family is a Microphone

February 6, 2014

Harvest OC

Pastor Levi Lusko

Pastor Greg is out of town celebrating his 40th wedding anniversary.

Tonight’s Text: Psalm 128

Tonight’s message in a Tweet: "The four walls of your home form a speaker that broadcast the content of your heart for the whole world to hear!”

Every movie night, every meal, every soccer game shows the contents of your heart to the world.

Psalm 128 (ESV)

Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

128 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion!
    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children's children!
    Peace be upon Israel!

It is said that the way the family and home goes so will the nation. The family is a powerful thing and your home can and should be a place of ministry and a blessing to you. But it could be the opposite, it can become a toxic environment. 

The key difference maker is the “fear of the Lord”

Happy will you be if you fear the Lord. Fearing the Lord does not to mean just to be scared of God. God described himself as a consuming fire, so there is reason to fear and be afraid of God.

However, He isn’t just massive and full of inequity but He is also loving. 

Is the fear of the Lord, because we know we should be afraid of him but we don’t have to be.

Your home that fears the Lord will be a better place. 

1. Marriage is meant to send a message.
1. It is meant to magnify the truth of the cross. 
1. Marriage is an illustration of the holy life of the church.
1. The person that will not come to church, will see how Jesus effects your marriage and that can teach someone the Gospel. 
2. Reading your interaction with your wife could bring people to the Lord.
1. We all have made many mistakes and this is always very convicting to most couples.
2. Finding a spouse that loves the Lord is very important. 
1. Nothing is more important than you finding someone who loves the Lord like crazy as you do.
2. Marrying for charm, or money or chemistry. All of those things can fade. 

2 Corinthians 4(ESV)

The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

3. There is no platform as powerful as parenthood. 
1. The responsibility to your children is so important. You can not turn off when you are in front of your kids. 
2. Kids are always soaking up what ever the parents are doing.
1. Good or bad, the kids absorb it.
3. They hear everything we are doing, see where we spend our time and our money, what we watch, who we talk to, in times of trials what we do, if we teach them the Bible or not. They are always learning from what we do. 

Psalm 127

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,    the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    are the children of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

It is a tremendous honor to be a parent. It does not matter how successful your business is or how big your bank account is, it is how you did being a parent.

4. Being single isn’t a limiter; it’s a unique enabler.
1. Being single isn’t a set back, it is a setup. 
1. You can do more according to the Bible, as a single person than as a married person.
2. You have to take care of your wife and kids once you are married.
3. When you are single you have the flexibility to give it all to Jesus.
2. Don’t settle.
5. God is not afraid of your failures, so you don’t have to be either.
1. That is what is so amazing about grace.
1.  We have all be hypocrites, we have all let our families down, we have all experienced failure.

The most important thing to speak into our microphones is to say “I’m sorry”.

In our failures God can use us. He is a healer, a redeemer, the physician. He not only can create, but he can re-create. He can heal and bring something new and great out of your failures. 

Heaven is not a place where good people go. It is a place where forgiven people. You will never be right with your mate until you are right with your maker. 

A Life Well Lived

Notes: A Life Well Lived
Pastor Pedro Garcia visiting from Calvary Chapel Miami
Harvest OC

January 30 2014 -

We are a blessed church. No other church can say that their does an outreach like Harvest does. 

God loves when we sing and praise Him.  God loves to hear it and then He likes to move in our lives. 

Pedro wants to live a well lived life. He wants to invest his life into the things that matter most. The thing that matters most is to be able to stare in the eyes of our savior and creator and hear Him say “Good job, my good and faithful stewart.”

Which is a very difficult task and a seemingly impossible task. 

There is a vast difference between living life well and life going well. When life does not go well, it is a challenge to have a life well lived. 

The Bible is filled with stories of people just like us that go through trials that live life well.

Paul the apostle is one of the people that put his whole heart into everything he did for God.

He was an amazing person for God, yet he went through very extreme challenges. 

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NIV)

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches

How did people like Paul live such amazing lives?

2 Timothy 4:9 (NIV)

9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

The Lord Is Faithful

17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Himbe glory forever and ever. Amen!

Come Before Winter

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
21 Do your utmost to come before winter.
Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Farewell

22 The Lord Jesus Christ[b] be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Four things that Paul did as a faithful servant of God:

1. Paul live connected: He was connected to the people of God.
1. He understood the importance of the team approach of doing church.
1. He always had people around him
2. Church is not a place that we just come and attend. 
1. We need church as much as the church needs us.
2. The church is a place to be planted. 
1. No person is an island.
2. We were made for relationships.
3. God said it is not good for man to be alone.
1. That is what church is all about.
1. Church is not perfect and neither are the people in the church.
1. God uses our imperfections to make us all beautiful.
2. We don’t get the full service of church by watching it just on the internet.
1. We are missing out on the best part of church if we are not in the church plugged in.
1. The church is where we can build bonds with one another.
1. It does also put us in position to experience heart break.
2. Paul lived free and to trust God
1. Some of the hardest things for us to do is live with the wounds from friends. It can make us resentful and callous.
1. He did not put vengeance in his heart.
2. He would release the people that wronged him from his heart.
1. People will offend you in the church.
1. You need to expect, and stay planted in your church and faith. 
1. Don’t let bitterness hurt you.
1. “Bitterness is like swallowing poison and hope the other person dies”
2. Forgiving others is to release you, not to release them.
1. Jesus said if they will attack him then they will certainly attack us.
3. Paul lived focused
1. He did not let the mess he was in, stop the message he was sent to give.
1. He did not let his circumstances distract him.
1. Good or bad it was to serve his calling, not to hinder it.
1. Going to prison, gave him the ability to spread the word to his captures and guards that were part of the house of caesar.
2. People don’t care how loud you sing when things are going well, they want to hear how loud you sing when things are going bad.
1. “Christians are a lot like tea bags, you don’t know what they are made of until they are placed in hot water.”
3. Lets not let what is happening to us effect what can happen through us.
4. Paul was a man that live aware
1. He lived in the awareness in the presence of God.
1. 2 Tim 4: 16
1. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Himbe glory forever and ever. Amen!
2. He knew God was always with him.
1. God is always with you, on your side and for you.
2. Some of us could be in a very tough season in life
1. It is a life that doesn’t make sense.
1. Our lives do make sense to God when we give Him our faith.
2. Jeremiah 1: 17 - 19 
3. 17 “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you.
4. Do not be dismayed before their faces,
   Lest I dismay you before them.
   18 For behold, I have made you this day
   A fortified city and an iron pillar,
   And bronze walls against the whole land—
   Against the kings of Judah,
   Against its princes,
   Against its priests,
   And against the people of the land.
   19 They will fight against you,
   But they shall not prevail against you.
   For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”
3. God will hit you the hardest to prepare you for the best moments of your life.

The Best is Yet to Come

Notes: The Best is Yet toCome

Pastor Greg

John 2

Jan 26 2014

Talking about how as you get older the excitement of age changes.

Things change, as you get older. Memory goes and things like that.

John 2:1-11 (NKJV)

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. [2] Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. [3] And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." [4] Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." [5] His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." [6] Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. [7] Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. [8] And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. [9] When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. [10] And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!" [11] This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Jesus loved to interact with people. He was friendly, had a sparkle in his eye. He engaged them and drew them in.

Some seem to act quite different then Jesus did.

Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. [6] Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

1 Corinthians 9:20-23 (NKJV)

and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; [21] to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; [22] to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. [23] Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

So many marriages suffer today because Jesus was not invited.

Statistics show that those who live together before marriage; have a 48% higher rate of divorce than those that do not.

Jesus' first miracle simply brought joy to those around him. It showed at a moments notice Jesus could supply the needs of man and cover mans deficiency.

John 2:11 (NKJV)

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Even his disciples found more belief.

1. The gospel of John was written so nonbelievers might believe.

John 20:31 (NKJV)

but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

2. The gospel of John was written so that believers might experience more of His life.

Catholics believe the best way to Jesus is through Mary. Mother gets to the Son.

John 2:3 (NKJV)

And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."

John 2:4 (NKJV)

Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."

Jesus never exalted or drew attention to Mary. Asked John at his crucifixion to look after Mary.

John 7:30 (NKJV)

Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

John 17:1 (NKJV)

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

The "hour" he spoke of was his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.

Mary's words to the church:

John 2:5 (NKJV)

His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."

We don't go through Mary to Jesus; we go through Jesus to the Father.

John 2:6-7 (NKJV)

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. [7] Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim.

He didn't tell them the water would be wine.

Jesus said to do something. He doesn't tell us what the next step is. We have to do what he says when he says to do it. He does not tell us the plan. But there is His plan.

John 2:9-10 (NKJV)

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. [10] And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"

The devil will offer his best first and the inferior for later. God saves his best for last.

Sin is so appealing at first, but then look at what always happens. The burden then always drags us down.

Without drugs Greg says his life has gotten better and better. He can't say that about everybody.

With God, the best is yet to come.

Married people need to hang in there because for them the best is yet to come!

Do what the Bible says and marriages will get better.

The best is yet to come in your growth as a follower if Christ, because you are becoming more like Jesus, day by day.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (NKJV)

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.

To those that are suffering, these words are very comforting.

Greg's kids struggled with drugs when they were younger. Jonathan changed his life the day Christopher died.

After Christopher's death, most of the Laurie's family has been even more strengthened in the promise of Christ.

For us as believers the best is yet to come. As non-believers the worst is yet to come, because this is as good as it gets!

Non-believers are facing Judgment.

Believers are facing Heaven!