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Sunday, March 9, 2014

Dead Man Walking

Luke 5
Pastor Greg
March 9, 2014

Read:
Luke 5:12-16 (NKJV)
And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." [13] Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him. [14] And He charged him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded." [15] However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. [16] So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

1. Leprosy had an insignificant beginning.
(Hansens Disease - shuts down your ability to feel anything. So you could burn yourself, or loose limbs and not feel it.)

Leprosy is a lot like sign, very little sins, just like very little changes in a leper.

"Sin is pleasurable for a time, then fills with a lifetime of regret."

A few moments of passion can lead to a lifetime of regret.

2. Leprosy worked almost imperceptibly. (Don't really notice it at first)

3. Leprosy spread quickly.

4. Leprosy was infectious.
That is why there are leper colonies.
This is why the bible says not to be unequally yolked with other believers or nonbelievers.
It's a lot easier for a nonbeliever to pull a believer down, then to pull a nonbeliever up.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)
Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

5. Leprosy was a state of living death.

1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)
speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

In an advanced state of sin, you don't even notice it anymore

6. Leprosy was incurable.

1. This leper had an honest awareness of his condition.
(v.12)
"Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

Our place is to ask; His place is to answer as He chooses.

Seeing ourselves for who we are is the first step to becoming who we need to be, a new creation in Christ!

2. Jesus will touch those who come to Him reverently and in desperation.
(v.12) And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face

3. The third factor in receiving Jesus’ touch is having active faith.
(v.12) and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying

Sin controls people through two opposing lies:
1. We are not sinners.
2. We are sinners, but we are so bad we are beyond help.

“Then He put out His hand and touched him.”
(v. 13)Luke 5:13 (NKJV)
Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him.

Read:
Luke 5:17-26 (NKJV)
Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. [18] Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. [19] And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. [20] When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." [21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" [22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"-He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." [25] Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. [26] And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!"

These guys did what it took to get their friend to Jesus. You will always find opposition in bringing your friends to Jesus. (v19) "And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 (NKJV)
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. [10] For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. [12] Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

It’s not always easy to bring people to Jesus.

Mark 9:20 (NKJV)
Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

Luke 5:19 (NKJV)
And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

Luke 5:20 (NKJV)
When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

Jesus' word does not go out and return void.

Luke 5:21 (NKJV)
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Having your sins forgiven is the most important thing!














Thursday, March 6, 2014

Getting Through the Storms of Life

Notes: Getting Through the Storms of Life
Pastor Greg 
Harvest OC
4/6/2014

Matthew 8:23-27

Pastor Greg is talking about how actual storms come out of no where, like in Hawaii. Then he speaks of storms that come into our lives, at work, our health and family.

There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who are going through a crisis and those who are going to go through a crisis.

Matthew 7:25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Pastor Greg talks about the movie the Perfect Storm. How it was really three storms that came together and created the huge storm. 

Read: Matthew 8:23-27 23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Greg points out that this storm that they got into was because the men obeyed Jesus and followed him onto the boat. So this was during an act of obedience.

1. Storms come into our lives.

We are asked if we ever think that maybe God is asleep when we are going through personal storms. But the Bible says:

“Indeed, He who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps.”
(Psalm 121:4 Behold, He who keeps Israel, Shall neither slumber nor sleep.)

Greg tells us about this story about the person falling asleep while Paul spoke: Acts 20 9-12 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

Jesus was fully God and fully man, he was a man like us, He felt hungry, weary and tired.

Greg talks about how Billy Graham told him about how it feels like the power is just being pulled out of him when he is up on stage giving the message.

It’s fine to feel tired in the Lord’s work, but never tired of it.

Greg talks about meeting Chuck Swindoll, and Chuck saying “I love what I do” and how it was with joy and passion and it inspired Greg.

How do you sleep in a storm? You need a clear conscience to get a good night sleep. Many don’t want to be alone with their thoughts. Have a clear conscience and you can sleep well.

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Matthew 8:24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.

Jesus was asleep because He rested confidently in the will of His Father.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. He that stirred up the storm is the hiding place in it.

Sometime we have the pressures of life, but when you entrust it in God, you can get some sleep. 

2. We need to cry out to Jesus in the midst of our storms.
(Matthew 8:25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!)

Though the shrieking of the storm did not wake him, the cry of his people did. Like when a parent hears the cry of their children even when we are sleeping.

Many wait till the end to pray to God, when we should be starting with prayer. C.S. Lewis reminds us even atheist have their moments of doubt. When many hit rock bottom is finally when they call on Jesus.

Psalm 91:14-15 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

Matthew 8:26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Jesus could of said it was their problem, but He didn’t He got up and took care of it.

Matthew 11:3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

Psalm 10:1 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble

3. God has His purposes in the storms of life.

Where there are not trials in life there are no triumphs. There are things we learn in storms that we learn no where else. Think about that we learn more from Paul in the prison house then his visits to heaven. 

The same hammer that shatters glass also forges steel.

Psalm 23:1-3 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.

God comparing us to sheep is not a compliment, sheep need a shepherd.

Psalm 23:4 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.

We love the green pastures, but we don’t like these valleys.

1. Correcting Storms

Storms we bring upon ourselves, for example, Jonah’s storm. 

Many marriages are going wrong because we do not do what the Bible tells us what to do. That is bringing the storm upon ourselves. Also, like getting drunk and then getting a DUI.

Hebrews 12:5-6 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

2. Protecting Storms

The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle spoken of in all four Gospels.

John 6:15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

There are times God will not answer your prayer and that could be a protecting storm. Sometimes we ask for things that can actually harm us.

3. Perfecting Storms

The disciples were experiencing this type of this storm in Matthew 8.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Acts 14:21-22 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

This is not usually a verse that you see hanging on people’s walls. 

No one is exempt from experiencing the storms of life. God will use these experiences for His glory in time.

4. Sometimes Jesus stops the storm, but He is always with us through it.
(Matthew 8:26 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm)

Before He rebuked the storm, first he rebuked the disciples.

Mark 4 38-39 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

They were fearful because they were faithless.

Matthew 6:27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Mark 4:35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

He didn’t promise them smooth sailing, but He did promise them safe passage. Better to be with Jesus in the storm than anywhere else without Him!

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

Sometimes God will calm a storm and other times He will just walk with us through it. Either way you will have safe passage.

You should get with your Christian friends and pray during these storms. Pray for the miracles or the good fortunes, pray for the answers. God will be there every step of the way.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Matthew 8:27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you[a] from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

Philippians 1:6 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;

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God finishes what he begins.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

For some their whole life seems to be a storm, in that case, the other side may be heaven. 

Storms don’t last forever, you will get over to the other side. 

Jesus does ask us, can I come onto your boat, can I come into your life, can I come into your marriage? He won’t force His way in, but He will ask you.

He doesn’t promise smooth sailing, but He does promise you safe passage. 

Get Your But(t) Out of It

March 6 2014
Levi Lusko
Thursday Night service Harvest

Sorry Not Sorry - message title

James 3:2 (NIV)
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

How we respond to our failures is one of the most important things about us.

"I'm sorry" is one of the most powerful terms in our language and also one of the most abused.

It fits right in with back handed compliments.

There is a difference between sorry and not sorry.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

When pop culture recognizes all of the half hearted regrets in the world, then we have a problem.

Relationships can be restored when you truly apologize.

Genesis 3:6-13 (NIV)
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. [7] Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. [8] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” [10] He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” [11] And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? ” [12] The man said, “The woman you put here with me---she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” [13] Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:21 (NIV)
The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

3 elements of a proper apology.
1. Responsibility, own it.
2. Regret or repentance.
3. Remedy- how do you fix it.

All sin started with this original sin of Adam. "The Adam Bomb of Sin"

The story of our lives is God draws a line and says don't cross it. But we do anyhow!

This story is a casebook study of how not to apologize.

3 things we need to gets our buts out of:
1. The trees your hiding among.

Adam and Eve used to enjoy being in those trees and now they were hiding in them. They were happy to see God, then they became scared of him.

Unconfessed sin changes what you loved, to things that you dread.

Secret sin will make you irrationally afraid of the God that loves you. That's the devil whispering in your ear.

When you sin, the thing you must do is run to what scares you the most. Hiding never works.

Numbers 32:23 (NKJV)
But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.

You can't hide from God. Sin makes you stupid.

Genesis 3:9 (NKJV)
Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

God was giving him a chance to come clean.

Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV)
He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

2. Out of the excuses you are hiding behind.

Question:
Genesis 3:11 (NKJV)
And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"

Excuse: from Adam
Genesis 3:12 (NKJV)
Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."

From Eve:
Genesis 3:13b (NKJV)
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”]

You always lose when you try to excuse.

Once you fess up, shut up! Anything you say next is just going to cover your excuse.

Never allow the word but in your apology.

When you use the word but in apology, you only mean what comes after the but.

Don't apologize and give an excuse, that is not an apology.

3. Out of those fig leaves you are hiding under.

God can't clothe what you cover up.

Covered up your sin:
Genesis 3:7 (NKJV)
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Loved by God:
Genesis 3:21 (NKJV)
Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

The fig tree is the only tree that Jesus ever cursed.
Mark 11:14 (NKJV)
In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.

Mark 11:24 (NKJV)
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV)
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. [26] But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Jesus knows you can never be helped with a problem that you don't admit.

God clothed them and protected them before they left the garden. The lamb that died to clothe them and protect them, the Lamb of God died to protect us.

When Grace and Sin collide, Grace always wins.


There is nothing you have ever done that God can't and won't forgive if you come clean.

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