It's Time to Pray - II

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Today Pastor Greg Laurie helps us get back to the real place. We need to repent of our sin so we can move forward.

The more we grow spiritually.

The more we realize we need to grow super we all need to confess our sin because first on one line schism. We will outsource in these people and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all on righteousness.

Wipe the slate and see.

This is from God – the reason Christ died and that's why unconfessed sin is a barrier to our prayers today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie continues her series in the book of Nehemiah learning so much for me in my leadership, rebuild the walls of Jerusalem today will see the importance of prayer in our prayer led to great repentance and a great revival want to see that happen again in our time is find out how your Bible insert the Nehemiah chapter 9 in the title of my message is it's time to break.

I can think of a better way to start. Then write so let's do that now.

Father what a privilege it is that we can call you father that we can access your throne through Jesus Christ.

Not because were worthy or because we been good Boys and Girls Club this week, but because of his blood that was shed for us, giving us access through a new and living way. Now we pray that you will speak to us as we open your word and that we will learn more about how to pray with passion, so we commit this time a Bible study to you now in Jesus name we pray.

Amen.

Now of course the overall theme of this great book is about building specifically rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but it's also about building our lives. By the way walls mattered in those days, not to just keep enemies out there to greater significance.

They were there is a center of power effectively.

That's where the elders would be in the walls there. They were very important so Nehemiah arrives on the land he faces a lot of opposition a lot of obstacles, but he manages the finish the job.

Now there at the completion of the walls and it's time to bring Ezra out of mothball. See this great priesthood been there at the beginning, but he hadn't been active in recent years, so they said let's bring him back out to preach a sermon and in Ezra preferred three hour so there's a lot of pent up energy and old Ezra right he could hardly wait to speak and as he spoke and open the word of God to the people they were deeply moved and they wept over their sin and that so we are in the story. Nehemiah chapter 9 verse one. Let's read together.

By the way I'm reading from the new living translation on October 31, the people assembled again and this time they fasted and dressed in burlap and sprinkled dust on their head.

Those of Israeli dissent separated themselves from all corners, as they confess their own sins of the sins of their ancestors, they remain standing in place for three hours while the book of the law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Ever.

Three more hours. They confess their sins and worship the Lord's are there any take away point for us.

Yes, there are about four if you're taking notes. Point number one. The people prayed with fervor. The people prayed with fervor and we should to verse three says for three more hours, they confess your sin in worship the Lord and then point number two they separated themselves from ungodly influence.

They separated themselves from ungodly influences verse two they separated themselves from all corners are modern interpretation would be that just get away from bad influences ungodly people or places the pool is down spiritually. Point number three they heard God's word and they acted on it. They heard God's word and they acted on it. It's not just hearing it. It's doing what it says. The Bible must be our model for how we think and live sometimes people say even Christians will I just did what I felt God wanted me to do what is that even me to what the Bible tells you to do because your feelings can mislead you. Emotions can deceive you. So I don't know what the Bible says about the subject will then talk to someone who's been a Christian longer than you talk to a pastor and asked the question, does the Bible address this area because I'm dealing with this right now see God's word has something to say to you spend time in it every morning in the afternoon in the evening, continue in the word of God that is a secret to spiritual success, but to that brings me to my fourth and last point they confess their sin so they were hers their own history cement. We messed up so many times and we confess our sin. Verse 33 we have sinned greatly and you gave only what we deserve.

At some point are you willing to confess your sin to God. It's so easy to point the finger at someone else is not my fault taking marital problems. I I'll talk to couples and then the husband will say to me it's my wife it's totally your fault I'm a perfect husband. I'm always there for her. I shower her with love and affection against and she won't even talk to me she's the worst wife ever. That's what were getting the divorce voices know this husband.

He's the worst he mistreats me he abuses me to wait and then I talked to the boat together and I find there's more to the story, and each of them shared with me.

The point you need to accept responsibility for your actions in the same is true with us individually before the Lord. We need to say Lord I sinned against you when civil Greg. I don't know that I've actually sin that much of that. I certainly haven't sinned today.

You probably just send when you said that call pride. I'm there's different kinds of sin right there sin is of commission which is obvious breaking a commandment line stealing, slandering, gossiping, lusting, those two are obvious sins.

That's a sin of commission. But then there is sins of omission, a sin of commission is doing what you should nod to a sin of omission is not doing what you should do what I'm told, over in the book of James to him that knows to do good and does not do it to him it is sin. So maybe on the way in the church you know you saw somebody over there. They look like they could use a prayer or a hug or a word of encouragement you summon person in need, whatever you want. Rabbi Lord magical help seat services full man come on maybe the Lord prompted you when we receive the offer and I want you to give you much. My money no way that's going to happen. Maybe yesterday, the Lord led to the share the gospel with somebody sitting noted only my comfort zone to do that could then not also be a sin to him that knows to do good and does not do it to him. It is sensitive. There's lots of ways that sin can infiltrate our life. So my point is simply this. We all need to confess our sin on a regular basis. Listen to this, the more we grow spiritually. The more we realize we need to grow spiritually, let me put it another way, the more we see of Jesus, the more we see how unlike Jesus, we are and that's not a bad thing because as I see the need of my life as I look in God's mirror of his word. That's a good thing because I want to change more and more pain can be the tool that brings me to see my real need for God. Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message in just a moment were encouraged when we hear the pastor Greeks teaching and preaching is touching lives. Greg my New York on I would say that your crusading match regarding values for the floor by mom will make your day a little bit your teachings, I will. I probably saved my life. After that here?

How do church I married my wife baptized together but they didn't always stay good you know and that's your lost my daughter and your teachings on that subject.

Help me through a very dark time now I have two beautiful sunny and will picking up left off, living his life. Thank you so much for always doing a good word only speaking Lord. I appreciate your grateful to hear of the changed lives because of pastor Greeks teachings. If you have a story to tell of how these studies have touched your life for that of a family member.

I hope you email Pastor Greg's email is great@harvest.org again, that's great@harvest.org will were taking a look at the great revival recorded in the book of Nehemiah.

As Pastor Greg brings his message today called, it's time to pray. Get a copy of this teaching@harvest.org at our church over in Hawaii. I was there going to speak in Sunday and couple nights before or just ignore my legs cannot hurt the can the throb. Both legs flopped and never had that before that. Why didn't really walk that much today what's going on and then the next night. It was even worse for was actually kind of a low grade pain, so I thought what is happening here so I went to my computer and Google did this and in this never ends well when you you know when you try to figure out your own medical issue right so I put in achy legs. I didn't know what else to put a key legs. It took me straightaway to Billy Ray Cyrus achy Breaky heart right that didn't help at all. So I did the little dance he does. I'm not sure now so I'm thinking achy legs and I did.

I read about this stuff and it just alarms you even more.

I and so I went to church that Sunday and and so I'm getting ready to go speak in a gentleman comes up to me at this hi Greg, I'm a doctor I'm retired now and I just wanted to say I like to serve the Lord. Maybe in the mission field or something of a heart specialist on what's great and I told him about opportunities that he could have been an hour talking. I thought what Dr. Heath to bug you but listen I have a question. If your doctor this always happens the right, talk, listen, I've the weirdest thing my legs cannot hurt so he asked me all these questions and then he was okay, and after a while he says okay I'll tell you what you have.

You have restless leg syndrome doesn't sound good, restless leg syndrome I civil hello what is that mean in his answer was so simple he says you need to take magnesium magnesium you take magnesium now.

I don't think I've elected to ignore vitamins at all other vitamins and Krispy Kreme donuts is a magnesium take magnesium back I'll get you some know that they can all get you some. I want to get you just the right kind so I went over to South to give me a bottle of magnesium pills. He says take these right now and you'll feel better in a few hours really did because they're hurting even worse now.

Doc says take them three hours later, all the pain was gone. Cited. Thank you Dr. but more importantly, thank you, Lord, right. So here's my point. Pain comes our way in life and it brings us to God, who gives us a solution to our pain title like the pain but it got me to the one who can remove the pain. So when I come to the Lord and I've sent in my life. He says here's what you need to do. You need to confess your sin because first John 19 says that we will confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all on righteousness.

What is the meaning confess your sin. It's a word that means to agree.

So let's say you and I walked out of the church and we look up in the sky in a safe letter that cloud up there. That's a beautiful cloud formation is a man. I agree that is really beautiful isn't it. We just agreed on something so here's godly says that's a sin and I don't like any line I so agree.

I don't like it either you agree with God you see it for what it is you don't make excuses for it. You don't rationalize it, you own it take personal responsibility if you will confess your sins before God, he is faithful and just to forgive you your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Think about that all unrighteousness. Wipe the slate clean. Some of say what we don't need to do that because were justified before God.

That's ridiculous. Only the second it is true. When you become a Christian, you are justified.

That means that you are positionally made right with God. That means all your sin is forgiven and the righteousness of Christ is placed in your account so that's covered you're a child of God. This is not about whether or not you're a child of God confessing your sin is not so you become a child of God that something you should do as a child of God.

We don't confess our sins as Christians to be a child of God. Rather, we confess our sins because we are child of God and we want to be enclosed fellowship with our father sure like my wife and I asked her to marry me years ago by the way she says it was a really lame proposal. She says you never really did a properly eating get down on one knee. When just sitting in some restaurant you said well I guess for getting married half okay so if you're single. Don't do that okay. However, I have been married 43 years, so there's that. Okay.

But anyway I digress.

This is because I got a great wife not because it is a great proposal. Okay so okay. She accepted my proposal were married so that let's say yesterday I wake up in the morning as it Kathy you marry me you might think all that. So sweetie, what's the marry me again just Greg Mary hello gave thanks, and the next morning Kathy, will you marry me dedicate when he said that yesterday but we have been very kind of a long time and yell marry you day number three Kathy will you marry me Greg, you have restless brain syndrome. Now the go with the legs without taking too much magnesium what's going on. I don't have to keep asking her to marry me were married so in the same way you become a Christian, Christ is in you, you don't have to keep asking Jesus into your heart again and again and again and again.

You don't need to be born again again and again and again are born again we got the cover so this is not about if you're a child of God. This is about. Are you a child of God, enclosed fellowship and communion with your father. That's why I need to confess my sin. And guess what Jesus taught us in the Lord's prayer. Give us this day our daily bread right then forgive us our sin is we forgive those who sin against us. In other words, do this all the time. Do this regularly do this continually, just as you pray for daily provision. Pray for daily forgiveness that the classic illustration is the prodigal son he ran away from home drug.

The family name to the gutter finally came to her senses and decided to return home.

He said to his father. Father, I've sinned against heaven and you are no longer worthy to be called your son.

Take me on as a hired servant and the father can is that that's true gone work with the hired hands.

You're not a son anymore, but the father didn't even listen is that all pay someone get the ring put it back on his finger compliance on ship. Let's get the fatted calf regulates a barbecue this, my son, who is dead is alive again and he was lost is down see this is a returning to his father again and fellowship, communication, and that's why we need to confess our sins because we sin each and every day, sort of.

These people do. They prayed with fervor. Number two, they separated themselves from ungodly influences.

Thirdly, they heard God's word and acted on it. Importantly, investors steps for us to follow. Pastor Greg Laurie with practical insights from our studies of Nehemiah and he'll come back before today's addition of a new beginning is finished to close in order prayer, but if you missed any of those four characteristics. Pastor Greg highlighted today.

Be sure to get a permanent copy of this message you can download an mp3@harvest.org or order a CD by calling 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300.

The title of the study is it's time to pray what Mr. Gaona read from your new book, bringing Christ in your crisis how you refer to Jesus walking on the water on the Sea of Galilee. And you're right seen Jesus walked toward them the disciples across the waves since the needle on their fear meter into the red zone, they cried out it's a ghost.

Why didn't the disciples recognize Jesus and you give the answer they didn't recognize him because they weren't looking for him whether some folks use fear meter is in the red zone today. You know, even Christians. Help us to know how we can see Jesus in the mist of these trying times that maybe maybe a step further. How can we share Jesus in the midst of these trying times.

Well, you know, God promises in his word that when you go through the flooded rivers.

I'll be with you when you walk to the fire.

I will be with you. We all remember the story of Shadrach me shack in the Bendigo were thrown into that fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar and much to his shock. He says I threw three people in behold, I see for, and the fourth is likened to the son of God. That's one translation. Another translation says that some of the gods.

I don't think Nebuchadnezzar thought he was seen Jesus he didn't have that kind of insight but I do believe Jesus was walking with his three young servants of the fire and I believe God is walking with you through this crisis that we called COBIT 19 or the coronavirus, but you have to be looking for him. This is Robert told over and Hebrews 12 looking on the Jesus the author and finisher of our faith be looking to the Lord. Right now, and he will help you through this and one of the ways we look for him is by reading his word again helps us get our spiritual equilibrium back and not only be looking to the Lord in this crisis but be looking for opportunities to share Christ in this crisis you know normally when we try to engage her neighbors or our friends are people we know we have. It takes time and the resistance I find that people are much more open right now than they normally are talking in general, and I also find that the more open to spiritual input so I think if you see this and when he is there any way that I could pray for you. You might find that people are more responsive than they normally would be because they're scared about their future theirs cared about their own health and their own safety and and we as Christians can bring calm in the midst of the storm so my prayer for you is that you will find Christ in this crisis that you will share Christ in this crisis got a tool to help you do that, it's called bringing Christ into your crisis.

It's a brand-new book I've written and it is chalk full of biblical truth that will help you to know how to deal with your worry your anxiety and your fear and I want to send this to you for free. No charge at all because I want you become this material and I want you to read it, but having said that, if you could support. It's at this time. Financially, we would really appreciate it because we have great opportunities before us and we want to bring Christ to people were facing this crisis around our nation and around the world. So if you pray for us and you'll support us will be able to reach more people than we've ever reached before. By the way, that is not an overstatement that is for sure got us opened up some surprising doors of opportunity in the last few months we've never seen anything like it and your support will help us impact many more lives so we do hope your contact is for Pastor Rick's new book, bringing Christ into your crisis and we are very thankful for whatever way you're able to support this work. As for when you write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org everybody Greg Laurie here only tell you about a great way to hear God's word and worship with fellow believers, not only around the nation and around the world. It's called Harvest at Home.

Millions are turning in from all over the planet and tens of thousands have made decisions for Jesus Christ. When I joined, and she just go to our website harvest.org we have our weekend services there. Of course, but we also have great industry. There every single day. Sometimes it's visiting the message from a harvest Crusade another time. It's a Q&A session were doing. Maybe it's something my wife is doing for the ladies, and we even feature Christian films researcher/boy*life story, Steve McQueen, American icon, and hope for hurting hearts with Jeremy can Nick avoid all that and a lot more harvest.org human resource for family enrichment and spiritual growth. So join us for Harvest at Home each week@harvest.org when asked my Pastor Greg launches the final message series. In the book of Nehemiah important final insights from this account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

But before we go today.

Pastor Greg comes back to close our time together. Let's pray together now.

Father, we come before you is broken people as sinful people as people in need of forgiveness and we pray that your Holy Spirit will now search our hearts if there is something Lord in our life that were doing some activities some advice, some sin some relationship or whatever it is patterned some lifestyle things we say whatever it is. Lord, would you show us now show us now that we would just see it dishonors you it displeases you, it separates our communication with you.

And Lord, we don't want. We want to be as close to you as we possibly can, Lord, show us what bad possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for Pastor great's free daily email, devotions@harvest.org