God's Plan for the Family

Notes: God's Plan for the Family

Ephesians 6

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

Home Sweet Home

Sunday, May 8, 2016 — 12:00 p.m.

When it's all said and done its the mother that is more important than any statesman or soldier.

Proverbs 31:28-30 NLT

[28] Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: [29] "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" [30] Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT

[1] Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. [2] "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: [3] If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."

It's a good reminder of how we need a father and mother. We aren't to be our kids Best Friend, we are to be their Parents.

The most important role of a parent is to lead them to Christ.

Psalm 127:3-5 NLT

[3] Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. [4] Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. [5] How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

Our pop culture undermines the family. 

Ephesians 6:1-2 NLT

[1] Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. [2] "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise:

For many, Mothers Day is a tough time. It could be because of a loss or the relationship. 

Many moms are left standing in the gap because the father is not doing their role.

Ephesians 6:4 NLT

[4] Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

In many ways, the view your children will have about God is based on how fathers treat their children.

Fathers are a visual representation of God the Father to children.

You need to do your job as a father or as the mother... Do your job.

1. Don't provoke your children to wrath.

A. One way we provoke our children is to show favoritism.

Joseph was favored by his father, Jacob. His brothers sold him to slavery.

B. Another way to provoke your children is by never complimenting them.

C. You can go too far, over praising and spoiling your children

Helicopter parenting.

2. Bring them up in the training and admiration of the Lord.

Proverbs 29:15 NLT

[15] To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

We need to bring them up because their sinful nature is bringing them down.

Nothing can happen through us until it happens to us.

Proverbs 4:4 NLT

[4] My father taught me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.

Proverbs 4:5 NLT

[5] Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NLT

[4] "Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. [5] And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. [6] And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. [7] Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

Talk to your children about the Lord.

Instead of isolating your child, prepare them for the real world.

Watch tv WITH your child.

Create a thirst in your child to want to find the Lord.

The way he should go means, "according to their bent."

Let parents be the parents, grandparents get to spoil the grandkids.

To have your kids go astray does not mean you are a failure. God has many that have gone astray.

The prodigal son is a perfect example of what many children will do regardless of how they were raised. They may return as they grow up.

3. You don't compromise and never give up. 

The children may leave the home, but they can never escape your prayers.

We must keep the door open to our children regardless if they go prodigal.

Your children need to know that you love them.

If you have made mistakes in the past, you can still positively change your present and future.... Start by apologizing.

We all need Jesus Christ.  

Can We Have Revival in Our Time?

Notes: Can We Have Revival in Our Time?

2 Chronicles 7:14

SPEAKER:

Pastor Greg Laurie shares a special message for the National Day of Prayer.

Thursday, May 5, 2016 — 7:00 p.m.

The first step of Gods great movements have been prayer. It's time to beg God for an awakening.

Prayer can change things.

Can we have another revival in our life time or are the best days of America behind us?

In the last days in the Bible there is an absence of America. Why isn't America there? Super powers of the past have all started and ended. 

America may not be in scripture because a major revival may take place. If the rapture occurs we could all disappear.

Today is the national day of prayer. 

We have had four great awakenings in American history. In the 1700s there was an awakening. In the 1800s there was the tent awakenings. In the late 1800s in New York was an awakening. Then in the 1970s there was the Jesus Movement in Southern California. 

The late 60s was a bleak time compared to the 50s. In the 50s America was very optimistic. The radical 60s seemed to start when Kennedy was assassinated, then the Vietnam War was going on, MLK Jr was assassinated, Bobby Kennedy was killed, Watergate was about to happen.

The younger generation didn't see a lot of hope. The drug movement was starting up. 

Then the Jesus Movement started. The people it touched were changed for ever.

Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee were working together during that time. In that time Greg came to his faith.

During the Jesus Movement when you went to church certain things were in place:

1. There was a sense of expectancy in the services.

You could sense God's presence.

2. The Word of God was always taught.

3. People participated in the worship.

4. People brought nonbelievers to church and invitations were extended.

5. There was a belief in and teaching of the soon return of Jesus.

Jesus' coming has never been closer.

Psalm 85:6 NLT

[6] Won't you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?

Habakkuk 3:2 NLT

[2] I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.

Let's pray God does another revival.

Sometimes calamity is the best back drop for a revival. When people get desperate they will start to look up.

We can start with prayer right now, just pray...right here right now...take a minute and pray.

Revival is waking from sleep.

Revival may only be temporary, but so is a bath and it does you a lot of good.

Revival starts with the church and then affects the world.

Revival is just being a New Testament Christian.

Today most of us are settling for a watered down version of the Christian life. 

Revival is just getting back to the Christian life as it was meant to be lived.

As revival spreads across a nation, it will change the moral climate of a community.

Joel 2:28-29 NLT

[28] "Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. [29] In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants-men and women alike.

We need an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

[14] Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Remember that verse...as important to remember as John 3:16.

When God points His finger He does not point at the government. God looks at His church.

2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT

[5] Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

If I don't see fruit in a persons life, I have to wonder if they are Christians.

1. If we want to see revival we need to humble ourselves and pray! "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray..."

In contrast to conventional thinking, Jesus said we must deny ourselves.

Matthew 16:24-25 NLT

[24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [25] If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

The Bible tells us one of the very signs of the last days is self-love.

2 Timothy 3:1-2 NLT

[1] You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. [2] For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

2. Judge yourself habitually...asking, am I as strong of a Christian as I could be.

Philippians 3:13 NLT

[13] No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

Make every effort to move forward in every way.

Don't ever give up on your prayers for the salvation of others.

Acts 12:5 NLT

[5] But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

Our secret weapons as a Christian are prayer and preaching.

3. If we want to see revival there must be repentance from all known sin.

All the praying in the world will not help you if you are living in sin.

Isaiah 59:1-2 NLT

[1] Listen! The LORD's arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. [2] It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

To try and pray and live in known sin, is like hanging up the phone to Heaven. Service can be restored, you have to turn from your sin.

You may turn from many sins, but not doing what you know you should be doing can be sin as well.

R.A. Torrey's Prescription for Revival

1. Let a few Christians, they need not be many, get thoroughly right with God.

2. Let them commit themselves to pray for revival until God opens the windows of Heaven and comes down.

3. Let them put themselves at the disposal of God for His use as He sees fit in winning others to Christ.

That's all, it can't fail.

A revived Christian has been cleaned up by God and blessed by Him.

God wants to bless you, He loves to do it.

Psalm 84:11 NLT

[11] For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.

Start doing what is right, God wants to forgive you of all of your sins.

How to Get a New Husband

Notes: How to Get a New Husband

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

1 Peter 3

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

Home Sweet Home

Sunday, May 1, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

What's the role of women in the marriage?

Women are a mystery to men, and sometimes women are a mystery to women. Only God knows all of our ways.

"New and Improved" have been discovered as good words to get sales up on a product. Many times the only thing new and improved is the logo.

Marriages can be looked at by many as needing to be new and improved. That's not what we should be looking for, we should be maintaining a classic!

How to get a new and improved husband:

To get a new husband, maybe you need to start out as a new wife!

1 Peter 3:1-4 NLT

[1] In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over [2] by observing your pure and reverent lives. [3] Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. [4] You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

1. Be the best version of you that you can be.

Proverbs 31:1-31 NLT

[1] The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. [2] O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, [3] do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. [4] It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. [5] For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. [6] Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. [7] Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. [8] Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. [9] Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. [10] Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. [11] Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. [12] She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. [13] She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. [14] She is like a merchant's ship, bringing her food from afar. [15] She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls. [16] She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. [17] She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. [18] She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. [19] Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. [20] She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. [21] She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. [22] She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. [23] Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. [24] She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. [25] She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. [26] When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. [27] She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. [28] Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: [29] "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" [30] Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. [31] Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Magazines don't talk about you being more beautiful on the inside...most often they speak of outward beauty.

The Godly woman focuses primarily on the internal but does not forget the external.

The Bible does not forbid a woman from being attractive. The balance needs to be found.

Being sloppy and unkept is not a virtue.

Bodily exercise has some value as stated in the Bible.

2. Respect your man

Ephesians 5:33 NLT

[33] So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Wives need love and husbands need respect.

Men are emotional as well... "Jesus wept."

Do your part in the marriage "read your own mail."

Don't wait to feel loved to be loving and don't wait till you feel respected to be respectful.

3. Submit to the leadership of your husband.

1 Peter 3:1-2 NLT

[1] In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over [2] by observing your pure and reverent lives.

In today's society we don't want to submit to anybody. We are all called to submit to God.

Ephesians 5:21 NLT

[21] And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

To submit, is a military term.

Galatians 3:28 NLT

[28] There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:3 NLT

[3] But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

We are all one under Christ, yet we all have different jobs and roles.

The husband is to model the way that God loves the Church. The wife is called to model the way the Church is to love God.

Proverbs 31:11-12,26 NLT

[11] Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. [12] She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. [26] When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

It's much easier for a Godly woman to follow a Godly man.

A wife should even submit to the nonbeliever husband, however you should not submit to anything that is against the authority of the Bible.

God is the ultimate authority, you do not submit to anything that is contrary to God's word.

Women are more communal and interdependent than men are.

Women can win a man over to Christ without using a word, by living a Godly life.

When you do not want to make a decision on your own about  something...pray!

Put your relationship with your spouse above your relationship with your children. Keeping your marriage strong and vibrant is the best gift you can give your children.

The Bible is always right, in life and marriage. If you disagree with what the Bible says, you will ultimately find out that you are wrong.

The Bible is always right, that is why it is so important to correctly understand what it says.

Four Words That Can Change Your Marriage

Notes: Four words that can change your Marriage

Ephesians 5

Philippians 2

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

Sunday, April 24, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

A successful marriage takes effort. Storms will come in marriage, so it is important to make sure that our marriages are built on a firm foundation. In today's message, Pastor Greg shares the four words that can change a marriage for the better.

Why do smoke alarms always go off in the middle of the night to change the battery? Do we even listen to the alarms anymore?

There are many marriages that are riding on fumes today. We need to pay attention to alarms going off in our marriage.

We need to continually work on our marriages.

Marriage requires that we apply effort.

People can't believe that marriages can last for over forty years now.

The evening of the marriage is determined by the work done in the morning of it.

A strong marriage is the result of obedience to the Word of God.

Focus on the work you need to do in your marriage, not what your spouse needs to do.

God said to leave and cleave.

1. Leave all other relationships.

2. You are to cleave to your spouse.

You still have your old relationships, they just aren't as important as your marriage is.

Lay this foundation right, get it right. You may have to remodel but it is worth it!

There is a devil that wants to destroy your marriage.

God can restore your marriage.

There is hope for every hurting marriage.

H.O.P.E.

Hanging On with Patient Expectation

Victory is not won by evacuation.

Four words that will change your marriage:

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

Husbands, love your wives...

Ephesians 5:25-33 NKJV

[25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, [26] that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, [27] that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. [28] So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. [30] For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. [31] "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." [32] This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. [33] Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Four times in eight verses we are simply told to love our wives.

How are we to love our wives? As Christ loved the church.

We can not do that on our own...we need the Holy Spirit.

It all starts with loving our wives.

Agape is the Greek word the Bible uses to describe love this way.

Romans 5:5 NLT

[5] And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Forget about that loving "feeling"... Get back to that loving reality!

1. Eros: love on a physical plane.

We get the word erotic from Eros.

That's how most of us became attracted to our spouse.

Proverbs 5:15 NLT

[15] Drink water from your own well- share your love only with your wife.

2. Phileo:

A love that comes as a result of what we do towards each other.

3. Agape:

We love each other regardless of anything else.

The worlds love is always act-oriented

God loves unloveable and unattractive people.

In marriage a need will always arise that needs unconditional love.

Agape is the divine solution for marriage populated by imperfect human beings.

Philippians 2:2-4 NLT

[2] Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. [3] Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

We are to look out for the interest of others. This is the opposite of what culture has taught from the Greeks till today.

Humble yourself...put others before yourself.

A truly humble person wouldn't say that they are humble.

Jesus practiced meekness. Meekness is power under constraint.

Meekness for us is submitting our wills to God.

Do what God tells you to do.

The problem with marriages today is selfishness. The solution is selflessness.

1. Don't allow your marriage to be overcome by selfishness.

Philippians 2:2 NLT

[2] Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

2. Put your mate above yourself in marriage.

Philippians 2:3 NLT

[3] Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

We are the biggest problem in our marriage!

1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT

[5] or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Shouting matches and hitting is wrong and needs to stop.

God can give you control over your temper.

9 words to a successful marriage:

I am sorry, please forgive me. I love you.

Philippians 2:5-8 NLT

[5] You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. [6] Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. [7] Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, [8] he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.

The ultimate example is God's love for us.

Jesus was God among us. He was never a man becoming God. He was God becoming man.

Why Wait Till Tomorrow

Notes: Why Wait Till Tomorrow 

Christian Hosoi

Shine - Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

April 7, 2016

2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT

[2] For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation.

The Bible says today is the day of salvation. Accept God today because tomorrow is not promised.

Christian has been saved and sober for 16 1/2 years. Before he was a believer no one ever spoke to him about Jesus.

He was in prison for 2 weeks before he accepted Christ, he had a 5 year sentence.

He said he was in a prison cell for the beginning of his life, he was set free that day he accepted Christ.

Why do people struggle? They struggle because the struggle is real.

How hard is it to decide on Heaven or Hell? It should be easy. But whatever you feed is stronger. If you feed the flesh, it's stronger than the spirit.

Most people negotiate with Gods word. We negotiate privately with God. 

Sin will always take you further than you want to go. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, would you give your life tonight.

Romans 6:23 NLT

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

How much sin is too much sin to God. The answer is black and white, yes and no.

The Holy Spirit guides you into truth when you are saved.

We can either honor God or give in to sin.

We are in a battle to fight the good fight in faith.

Christian was super competitive, he wondered if you can be the best Christian. He would try to pray to be the best in a humble way.

The wages of sin is death, the contract of sin is very clear.

The real relationship with God is in our love and obedience. It's not a list of rules.

Why do I obey God? Because I love Him.

John 14:15 NLT

[15] "If you love me, obey my commandments.

To say you obey God is almost a trick question. It's really hard to do.

There is no condemnation for those that are in Christ.

Being an example of a changed life is so important. Saying something sometimes blows it. We just need to show up and be sincere.

There is a purpose to all of us, whether we think about it or not. Peoples eternal life are attached to us whether we like it or not.

John 14:15 NLT

[15] "If you love me, obey my commandments.

Why should we do this? Because God loves us first.

We should be free from legalism. It's a relationship not a job.

Life is a test of faith.

Matthew 6:33 NLT

[33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

When we seek first the kingdom, all the other things will be added.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

If you don't take a step, how can God control your steps? You can't steer a parked car.

Four things to fight the good fight:

1. Faith

Romans 10:17 NLT

[17] So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Someone who believes in Christ.

2. The local church 

That is where you hear the Word of God.

You don't hear the Word on the street.

Hebrews 11:6 NLT

[6] And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek him.

3. You must believe

Jesus Christ is God, you must believe.

John 14:6 NLT

[6] Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

There is no negotiating with that.

4. We have to diligently seek Him.

That's being in the word, in prayer, in Church.

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

[11] For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Don't ever take for granted the situation you are in. God is thinking about you. 

You can't try to love God...that's an out for failure. You just have to do it!

Why turn down a deal to an eternal lifetime?

Matthew 28:19 NLT

[19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

James 1:12-15 NLT

[12] God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. [13] And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. [14] Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. [15] These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

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.

I want to be blessed in what I do!

Heed the voice of God. Meet the conditions and reap the promise.

Matthew 24:13 NKJV

[13] But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Grace is a power word. Grace is a verb. You have overcome your (fill in the blank with your issue) because of the Grace of God.

It gets easy if you do what God tells you to do. It's in the long haul that it gets easy.

2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

[2] For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Hello from the Other Side

Notes: Hello from the Other Side

Matthew 28

SPEAKER:

Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Sunday, March 27, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

When someone dies, we don't expect them to be alive again.

What do you think happens after we die?  Believers go to Heaven and one day they will return to earth with Jesus to the new Jerusalem.

Where do people go when they die? Can  they say hello from Heaven? Why is it people who say they died and came back to life always claim they went to Heaven?

There was a recent survey that showed more people don't believe in God yet they do believe Heaven is real.

How can there be one without the other? The word Heaven comes from the Bible.

What is Heaven like? Heaven is not an imitation of earth, Earth is an imitation of Heaven.

Heaven is a real place doing real things.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NKJV

[2] 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.

There is only one person that has been to Heaven that we can rely on, Jesus.

John 6:38 NKJV

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

God was the master of ceremonies at the Cross.

Isaiah 53:10-11 NKJV

[10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. [11] He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

Jesus died as a substitute for us and our sins.

Matthew 16:21 NKJV

[21] From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

God always keeps His promises.

Jesus appeared to many after His resurrection.

Matthew 28:9-10 NKJV

[9] And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."

Jesus comes back and says hello to the people in a cordial way.

Because of the Resurrection of Jesus:

1. You will have life after death in Heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 NKJV

[21] For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

A believer doesn't have to fear death any more than they do a nap.

The Bible often calls death for a Christian a nap...falling asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NLT

[51] But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! [52] It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. [53] For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

One day Heaven will come to Earth.

Revelation 21:4-5 NLT

[4] He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." [5] And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."

One day it will be out with the old and in with the new.

No more death, disease, drugs, abuse or sadness because of the resurrection of Jesus!

2. You can live life to its fullest on Earth!

Romans 8:11 NLT

[11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

John 10:10 NLT

[10] The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

3. There will be a final judgement.

Acts 17:31 NLT

[31] For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."

There will be a judgement for believers and nonbelievers.

Believers will be rewarded on that day.

If you live an ungodly life, you will be judged for that and sent to Hell.

It's not if you lived a good life, it's if you asked Jesus to be forgiven of your sins.

Jesus died on the cross and resurrected so that you could go to Heaven; He died and resurrected so you don't have to go to Hell.