Fallen but Forgiven

Notes: Fallen, but Forgiven

Matthew 26

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, September 20, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Have you ever fallen unexpectedly, the type where you don't catch yourself? Have you ever done that spiritually?

Today we are looking at how Simon Peter has fallen and recovered through Jesus. Jesus named him Peter, meaning "the Rock".

The past cannot be changed, but our response to it can be.

Matthew 26:31-35 NKJV

[31] Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' [32] But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." [33] Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." [34] Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." [35] Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.

Luke 22:31-32 NKJV

[31] And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

The devil has his minions but he is not omnipresent. However, he did come after Peter specifically.

Whenever the devil comes knocking, you should let Jesus answer the door.

When God allows you to go through a fiery trial, He has a purpose.

God will not keep you in there longer than you need to be.

Romans 8:34 NKJV

[34] Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Why did Satan target Peter? Because Peter was a threat.

The devil will try to stop you from making a difference. That means that if you are doing good, you maybe thrown into a trial.

1. Peters first step down was self-confidence.

Matthew 26:33 NKJV

[33] Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."

Never boast of your commitment to Christ, you can boast about how much Jesus loves you.

You are the disciple Jesus loves.

Peter not only boasted of his confidence, but he also contradicted what Jesus said.

Confidence always seems to happen right before you fall.

Pride goes before a fall.

2. Peter's second step down was a result of prayerlessness.

Matthew 26:41 NKJV

[41] Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Pride and prayerlessness go hand in hand.

Prayer is not just for petition, but for protection and preparation.

When you wake up in the middle of the night with worry, you pray about it and ask the Lord to worry about it.

Not praying could be a sin.

John 4:17 NKJV

[17] The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,'

3. Peter fell because he trusted in human efforts instead of Gods power.

Matthew 26:51-56 NKJV

[51] And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. [52] But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. [53] Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? [54] How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" [55] In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. [56] But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Our two secret weapons as a church: prayer and preaching.

Register and vote, be an influence for good.

We need to pray for America like never before!

The last miracle that Jesus did before the cross was covering a disciples blunder.

4. Peters fourth step down was following at a distance.

Matthew 26:58 NKJV

[58] But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

Just like a lion attacks the herd animal that follows at a distance, Satan will also attack the stragglers.

Matthew 26:69-75 NKJV

[69] Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee." [70] But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying." [71] And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth." [72] But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!" [73] And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." [74] Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

Following at a distance Peter was cold, so he found fire in the enemy's camp. Peter was now in the wrong place with the wrong people, it was just a matter of time before Peter did the wrong thing.

He swore, not like using profanity, but an oath.

Matthew 26:74 NKJV

[74] Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

Anybody can fall into sin, however, just like Peter, we can all be restored shortly after when we come to Jesus.

The Importance of God's Word in the Believer's Life

Notes: The Importance of God's Word in the Believer's Life

Psalm 19

Pastor Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know

We will have communion during the service tonight.

Thursday, September 17, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

Why is that some people seem to grow more spiritually than others?

Some people say that they tried Christianity and it didn't work for them. That just isn't true, the Creator of the universe is not something that can be tried.

You have to keep getting into God's Word just as much as you need to eat or breathe.

If you want to be a growing Christian then you need to be in the word and participating in the church.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

[22] Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Psalm 1:1-6 NKJV

[1] Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. [3] He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither;And whatever he does shall prosper. [4] The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. [5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [6] For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

1. If you want to be a growing Christian, you must read, study and love the word of God.

Psalm 119:159-160 NKJV

[159] Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. [160] The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

2. You should read the Bible like your life depends on it.

Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV

[24] "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: [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.

A young believer is going to face doubt. It's one of the devil's oldest ploys. That's why they need to know God's word.

The Bible compares the Word of God to a sword.

Take fifteen minutes everyday to let God talk to you, fifteen minutes everyday to talk to God, fifteen minutes everyday to talk about God with someone.

56% of Americans believe the Bible is inherently Gods word. Yet only 19% read it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

[16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

[12] For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God is alive!

When we are in God's word it will speak to us.

A hungry Christian is a healthy Christian.

1 Peter 2:2 NKJV

[2] as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

Psalm 19:7-11 NKJV

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; [8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. [11] Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

1. The word of God, the Bible, is perfect.

Unlike everything else in this world.

You build your life on the perfect word of God.

Everything gets old, yet God's word never changes and is always relevant.

You don't and shouldn't take away or add to God's word.

Whatever anyone says needs to be scrubbed against the word of God.

2. The Word of God transforms us.

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;

God's word, will transform and revive you.

You must obey the Bible.

James 1:21-25 NKJV

[21] Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [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. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The Bible can be your warning label, because it is!

You need to remember and memorize scripture.

You commit scripture to memory by exposure to it.

3. The word of God gives us incredible wisdom.

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 need to develop a Biblical world view.

Run things through the grid of scripture.

You can't just take God and conform it to your opinion.

Romans 9:20 NKJV

[20] But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?"

4. The word of God is right.

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;

5. Keeping the word of God makes you happy

The Bible is not a cage trying to keep you in. It is the walls keeping predators out.

The Bible is true because it gave me the experience it promised.

The truths of scripture can be put to the test.

So Close, yet so Far: Surprising Story of Judas

Notes: ”So Close, yet so Far: Surprising Story of Judas Iscariot”

Matthew 26

Pastor Greg Laurie

SERIES: God Came Near

Sunday, September 13, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Judas Iscariot is one of the most misunderstood of all the people in the Bible. He was not pushed into doing what he did. Judas Iscariot did it for himself.

1.     Jesus came to give us life in its fullest measure.

 John 10:10 NKJV The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

2.     Jesus came to seek us, save us, and bring us into a right relationship with the father.

1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Matthew 18:11 NKJV For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Luke 15:1-7

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

3.     Jesus came to die for us

Hebrews 9:26 NKJV He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Matthew 20:28 NKJV just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

He removed sin by the death and His own sacrifice.

4.     Jesus came to break satan’s power in people’s lives.

1 John 3:8 NKJV He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Judas Iscariot was doing his part in bringing Christ to the cross.

Some suggest that Judas was a good guy that was trying to help Jesus. This just is not true.

The Bible tells us that Judas was a wicked man. He wanted to betray Jesus, he did it for money, and he couldn’t wait to betray his Lord.

God and Satan were both moving towards the death of Jesus at this time, different motives but same objective.

Satan wanted Jesus tortured, humiliated, murdered, and most of all, stopped. The Father wanted Jesus sacrificed, atoning, and risen.

Judas made his choice and his choice made him. Judas could have resisted that temptation.

You can also choose to resist temptation. You are not defined by your temptations.

Judas himself initiated the betrayal of Christ.

Matthew 26:14-16 NKJV Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.

Judas had been plotting and planning to betray Jesus. Judas did it out of greed, purely for money.

Jesus never sinned, so Judas could not say Jesus was a hypocrite and that is why he betrayed Jesus. No, Judas did it for his own greed.

Matthew 26:21-24 NKJV Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

The men were all sitting around the same table; they would have been sort of laying around a low table.

Jesus then gives Judas some of his food.

Matthew 26:39-50 (NKJV) 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless[a] I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” 47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.

Peter, James and John could all see that Jesus was in anguish. Jesus was sweating blood.

Gethsemane means, “olive press”

Jesus was there under such extreme pressure, being pressed.

What is your role to a friend that is under pressure? Just be there for them.

Jesus didn’t need anyone to explain what was happening, He just needed friendship. Sometimes people don't need a sermon, they just need a friend.

When we are under spiritual attack, we are to cry out to God!

You should never be afraid to commit an unknown future to a known God.

Spread out your petition before God and then add, "Thy will, not my will be done." Let the Lord chose for you.

Jesus had to deal with the fact that He was going to have to drink from the cup of the wrath of God.

Jesus could have stopped these people, but He didn’t. He just said “I Am”. He confirmed His deity and let Himself be captured.

The people had to have Jesus identified because He did not stick out.

Jesus of Nazareth was quite ordinary in appearance.

Isaiah 53:2 NKJV For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

Matthew 26:49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

To kiss someone on the cheek was a mark of affection or love. Judas was excited to betray Jesus.

Jesus still called Judas, friend.

Have you ever been betrayed by a friend or family member?

Matthew 27:2-5 NKJV And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.

The name Judas means son of waste.

Judas was not repentant, he was remorseful.

Repentance means to be sorry enough to stop, remorse is sorry that you got caught.

The easiest place to get a hard heart is in church, if that is where you don’t want to be and not gaining a need for repentance.

God will strengthen you in whatever faith you want to have, a softer or harder heart will be granted to you.

How do you want God to bless you?