Baptism for Calvary Chapel Rancho Santa Margarita

Notes: Mike Shulda and Holly's Baptism

Pastor John Kanno of Calvary Chapel RSM is speaking
August 23, 2014

Acts 8:29-30 NLT

[29] The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." [30] Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

Phillip is not a pastor but he was talking about God to this man.

If you are being baptized today, you don't have to have complete understanding to know God.

Like Phillip, God has called all of us. We all have asked how do I get weight with God? Many decide to go to church....many have done that and didn't think "it worked"

So many then decide to read the Bible and don't understand it. That is where the man Phillip is talking to is.

God had his eye on Phillip to teach the man how to find God. So he had Phillip seek this man out.

God can do this to all of us, send us or send someone to us, all to get is closer to God.

The eunuch told Phillip he didn't know what he was reading. Phillip the taught the eunuch.

Acts 8:34-38 NLT

[34] The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" [35] So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. [36-37] As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" [38] He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

If you believe in The Lord then you may be Baptized!

The scripture is proof that all you need to have to be baptized is believe in Jesus Christ.

Baptism is just an outward display of what Jesus has done to you inwardly.

Romans 6:7-11 NLT

[7] For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. [8] And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. [9] We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. [10] When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. [11] So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Baptism is identifying with the death of Jesus Christ.

You are now dead to your old self and now walking with The Lord.

Baptism is the public proclamation of where you are with Jesus in your life.

Essentials: You Can't Grow Unless You Know

Notes: Essentials: You Can't Grow Unless You Know 

The Power of Gods Word

Title "You Can't Grow Unless You Know"

Jonathan Laurie

August 21, 2014

This is the first Bible study Jonathan has taught. He is talking about who he is and how he grew up. His testimony is being told.

How he grew up being Pastor Greg's son, and how he tried drugs when he was seventeen. How he was quickly getting into drugs. He described as going from 0 to 60 so fast! That was all sin and it's what the devil does.

He got a marijuana ticket when he was 17 and talked about how he told His brother Christopher and that Chris had a similar experience when he was that age.

He's talking about how he just kept partying and how he would try to quit all the time and couldn't.

He's talking about when he found out his brother died. His last conversation with Christopher was his brother asking what it would take for him to give his life to Christ. He said that question popped in his head as soon as he heard the news.

He wants to share with us the practical steps he took to bring God into his life.

He started talking about how he missed a friend visiting in OC because he didn't see his text message. How we can have those relationships with friends.

He is talking about how the Bible is like a texting relationship with God.

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

[16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

He talks about how the Bible is like a Snapchat so if you don't open it everyday, that message expired for the day.

He is saying "The Bible is not boring" if you think it is "you're boring".

He asked if you think the Bible is just a guideline for you? If it is then you need to read the guide.

Obedience and discipline is a huge part of the Bible you need to follow and understand.

He says that he thinks the mantra of today is "if it feels bad then do it till it feels good.

Learning to do things the right way after doing it for so long the wrong way can be hard to change.

1. Spend 15 minutes letting God talk to you.

2. Spend 15 minutes talking to God.

3. Spend 15 minutes talking to someone about God.

The Bible is a living book that God speaks through.

Psalm 19 tells us 5 things we need to know.

Psalm 19:7 NKJV

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

You don't want to wait till a time of crisis to turn to the Bible, you want to build a foundation before that.

James 1:22-24 NKJV

[22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

If you are being convicted of sin and not changing, then what are you doing? It's up to you what you do with what you learn.

He says if you look at pictures of him 6 years ago, you can tell he was loaded.

He now recognizes the sin of his own life.

Psalm 19:8 NKJV

[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

The words of God is right, you can stand on that foundation.

You must read chapter and verse in context.

As you read you need to ask yourself if there is a sin in your life you need to address.

The word of God will make you happy. It fulfills us, it is the opposite of worldly wisdom.

Worship God, not yourself!

Empty yourself so that God may fill you up again.

The Bible says that sin is fun for a season, but then you wake up to loneliness and regret.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

He talks about the regret of his past and how that verse is something he reminds himself of everyday.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

[13] 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.

Do you want to be free of your sin?

It's All About Jesus

Notes: It's All About Jesus

Pastor Jack Graham

8-17-14

Pastor Greg introduced Jack Graham as a man of integrity, from a church in Dallas Texas.

Pastor Jack said the faith of the Harvest Church is well known.

Pastor is talking about not getting any younger. How your memory goes with time.

The book of Ephesians speaks of our wealth in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

The bible is not a book to be learned, it is a book to be lived.

Ephesians talks about the walk of the believer and then finally the warfare.

The hinge in the book of Ephesians is in Chapter 3. When Paul prays on his knees. Where his Jailhouse became a church house.

"Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the omnipotence of God."

Ephesians 3:16 NKJV

[16] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Verses 14 to 21 is the longest actual sentence in the bible.

The pastor is talking about the persecution of Christians in the world today. However, God sees his church as glorious.

He talks about how he has been going to church since before he was born.

The pastor learned that the Bible is "the story of Jesus and his ministry". He learned that the church will be there for you when no one else will be. "Jesus will walk in when everyone else walks out."

He is talking about how Christians are there doing crisis across the world when no one else is.

He says he is not preaching to go to church. He says when you start to know Jesus, you will learn that Jesus loves the church.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

[20] Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, [21] to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

None of it is about you, it is all about the glory of of God. The message of Jesus is where the focus always has to stay.

Jesus has changed our lives, He found us when we were lost, He gave us hope, He gave us meaning. Jesus says he came to seek and save the lost. That is why you always need to focus on Jesus.

All of the Bible is about Jesus, from Genesis to Revelation. You can see Him all through it or you are missing the point.

The pastor tells about how even the donkey knew the parade was for Jesus on that first Palm Sunday.

God is unable to fail, Gods power is the power that has saved us and is in us.

Ephesians 1:19-20 NKJV

[19] and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power [20] which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Whether we are serving Christ or going through struggles, we have that power in the Holy Spirit inside us.

The secret of the spirit filled life is Christ in you and the hope of glory.

What do you need God to do in your life to finish His works? Depending on your own strength will be failure.

When we are the weakest, God is the strongest in us. You can not out dream, pray or do God. You need to let God take over for you.

The pastor is talking about how Christians seem to be saggy in the middle like an old bed. At the headboard, we are saved and at the foot board we know we are going to Heaven, but we are not doing what we are suppose to during our life.

The Christian life is supernaturally natural and naturally supernatural.

Jesus says the gates of hell will not prevail over His church.

When the storms of life come, it will be Jesus that will always be there.

Shipwreck

Notes: Shipwreck

Acts 27:9-44 & 28:1-7

Levi Lusko - August 14, 2014

He started by thanking Greg Laurie for having 25 years of Harvest Crusades. He talks about how much the devil hates that.

He says angels desire to be the ones that get to preach the bible. They are looking at us and how we do it.

He is talking about the Titanic as the most famous shipwreck. That there were two other ships also built around that time and they two were in wrecks within 10 years. Britannic sank and the other one was just injured.

There was one woman on all three of those boats as they were wrecked, Violet Jessup.

2 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV

[25] Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and sat in prison for two years waiting for trial. They left him there. So then Paul requested to go to Rome, on the way there he was in a wreck. It fulfilled prophecy that Jesus had said to Paul.

When Jesus makes a promise, you better know He is going to keep that promise.

Levi said, God has the devils credit card, and will do what He wants with it.

Paul was on his way to Rome as a citizen of Rome on the way to the Imperial Court. Roman Centurions were taking him there. Other prisoners were on their way there too, but most likely were already guilty and would be killed by gladiators and other means for Rome's entertainment. Basically they were on their way to die and Paul was there telling them about Jesus.

Acts 27:9-10 NKJV

[9] Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, [10] saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives."

Paul was saying they need to stay in Fairhavens, but that is not what they did.

Acts 27:11-12 NKJV

[11] Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. [12] And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

Phoenix was 60 miles further than Fairhavens.

Sailors wanted to go to the bigger city for the winter. He said they wanted to go there to party. They were the loudest voices.

The loudest voice seems to be wrong most if the time. We all deal with that too!

Acts 27:13 NKJV

[13] When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.

Paul thought they might be safe. Like so many people think when they toy with sin.

Acts 27:14-15 NKJV

[14] But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. [15] So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.

Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

[12] There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Acts 27:15-17 NKJV

[15] So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. [16] And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. [17] When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.

The Syrtis Sands was nicknamed the boat graveyard. They were tying the ship together hoping to keep it from falling part.

Acts 27:18-19 NKJV

[18] And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. [19] On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.

This passage says basically that in a great storm, money does not matter. Also, you can always go faster and go farther if you are lighter!

What is holding you back and slowing you down? Shed those unnecessary things.

Complexity is a weakness not a strength.

Acts 27:20 NKJV

[20] Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

Levi says it's a bad thing when am author of the bible writes the above passage. But, it tells us even strong men I. The bible have very bad days.

Acts 27:21-22 NKJV

[21] But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. [22] And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Acts 27:23-26 NKJV

[23] For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, [24] saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' [25] Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. [26] However, we must run aground on a certain island."

It was just getting worse and worse as the story goes.

Acts 27:27-29 NKJV

[27] Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. [28] And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. [29] Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.

They were hoping they didn't hit the rocks, but the sailors didn't think they would survive.

Acts 27:30 NKJV

[30] And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,

This is now about as bad as it can get.

Acts 27:31 NKJV

[31] Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."

This is showing that salvation is ultra-specific. They all had to be saved or none would be saved.

Acts 27:32-44 NKJV

[32] Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off. [33] And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. [34] Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you." [35] And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. [36] Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. [37] And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. [38] So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. [39] When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. [40] And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. [41] But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. [42] And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. [43] But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, [44] and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

Conclusions from this story:

1. Leadership isn't a title but a lifestyle.

By the end Paul was in charge.

Crisis doesn't make a person but crisis will show what a person is made of.

Leaders lead, they don't wait till they are asked. Paul led by example. Paul didn't have a title but honored those that did.

2. God wants you to live in the now.

Acts 27:21-22 NKJV

[21] But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. [22] And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Don't be crippled by the mistakes of the past. Trust it to God.

3. You can stay up even if the ship goes down.

Acts 27:44 NKJV

[44] and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

You have to realize who you are and not hold on to the sinking boat.

Acts 27:23 NKJV

[23] For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,

If you belong to God then you don't belong to your things.

4. Your presence can bring storms to people or you can bring people through the storms.

Do you bring a blessing or a storm to where you go?

Acts 28:1-7 NKJV

[1] Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. [2] And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. [3] But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. [4] So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." [5] But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. [6] However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. [7] In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.

This passage is proof that you should not live your life by public opinion.

5. When you are bit building a fire then shake it off and build it even brighter.

Paul took the snake that bit him and caused it to be fuel for his fire!

If Jesus is in your boat you live, if Jesus is not in your boat then you will die.