From the Archives: Greg Laurie on the Necessity of Personal Change

Everybody Greg Laurie here. You're listening to the Greg Laurie podcast and my objective is to deliver hopefully compelling practical insights and faith culture and current events. From a biblical perspective to find out more about our ministry. Just go to our website harvest.org so thanks for joining me for this podcast do not want to talk about change in your life. The title of my message of how to change for good part of the story of agog with desperate for some work here they were hiring. None of the local zoo. So we went down they met with the zookeeper and the man said I'm sorry sir, but we don't have any positions open but noticing that this guy was pretty good sized zookeeper did not want you to be dependable when I'm about to say to you, but our gorilla died the other day and you know we ordered a new gorilla but it's still on the way. Would you be willing.

I know this sounds crazy, but would you be willing to allow us to put you in a gorilla suit where you would pretend to be the gorilla until the real one, a lot, and will pay really well for the guy thought that's crazy but we realize how much money to be paid.

He agreed so the next day he showed up he was fitted for his gorilla sitting with what they're in the candidate felt a little foolish at first, thinking that everyone would know we the broad but boy, the crowds were pretty good and they would find that they thought he was a gorilla. The next day he's kind of enjoying the little bit more starting to be honest just to know by the third day. He's swinging on the vine see them in a great old time pretending to be a gorilla and he got a little too carried away from the little too far and landed right in the middle of the lien that now he is a dilemma. If he cries out for help everyone get to know he's a fake. But if he stays silent he's going to be lunch for the lion and the lion sees him and starts approaching them with a very hungry look at its base. The guy in the gorilla suits backed into a corner by the he can't contain himself any longer and he cries out in the lien says shut up stupid or you get a full fire so he cc not always as they appear in the same way.

There's a lot of people today that think they are Christians because they go to church but check this out. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to Krispy Kreme make you a cop you see now what way all the police officer you know I'm just kidding.

Okay no but seriously you all a lot of churches here in the cell it, you know, I've never seen so many churches reminds me of a story of a man was stranded on a desert island.

They finally came and rescued him and they noticed there were three buildings that and they said we all three buildings. What are they any simple this building is my home said what's this other building he will. That's my church that I attend really will what that other building without the church I used to go to you know so you a lot of churches and that's a wonderful thing you have a lot more churches here than we have in California a lot of people to go to church. Many of us probably go to church. But here's the question. It doesn't necessarily mean we have a relationship with God. Someone can look like they have it all together on the outside. Maybe their beautiful, handsome or wealthy or influential in a look like they have a care in the world.

But don't you believe it because here's something that is true of every person I don't care for from the south or if there from the north worked there from the West are up there from the Easter up there from America of the United Kingdom. Both are from Africa or any place in the world everybody deep down inside has a big old hole in her heart and there's nothing that's going to fill that hole that this world has to offer is talking to be filled with sex. If talking to be filled with material things, if talking to be filled with knowledge of fine education if talking to be filled even with morality and religion because you were created to know God will hear now before us and John three which I'm in a reform in a moment is a story of a man who was empty.

By the way this guy was famous. He was a leader in his country and his fate, he was dissatisfied with name was Nicodemus. And if you can relate to because you come here tonight dissatisfied you tried a lot of the things that this world has to offer. I've been asked the question was raised in the church.

I'll talk a little bit more about my own personal story tomorrow night.

I was not raised in the church.

My mom was an alcoholic. She was married and divorced seven time so I was raised in a really weird dysfunctional home, to say the least, and at an early age. I myself started looking online for answers on I got into drinking.

I got in the party and I got into drugs and other things like that and at the ripe old age of 17 I was asking what is the meaning of life and what can I happened to me after I die, and thankfully I heard someone tell me about Jesus Christ and that's what I'm here tonight to do to tell you about Jesus Christ not about a religious thing, a relationship about a relationship with God.

I want to look at the words that Jesus gave to Nicodemus, some 2000 years ago these words in our Lord came to Nicodemus above unlock the mystery of life for countless millions through the centuries and they will unlock the mystery of life for you to if you will listen with all of your heart in these verses, Jesus tells us all we can of our lives change in know for certain that we will go to heaven when we got three movements in the story herein. John chapter 3 verse we have Nicodemus and Jesus face-to-face that we have the mind of mine and finally we have them heart-to-heart.

John three we read in verse one. One dark evening a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, a Pharisee came to speak with Jesus and say teacher, we know that God has sent you to teach us your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you. Jesus replied, I assure you, unless you are born again, you will never see the kingdom of God. What you mean explained.

Nicodemus, how can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again. That very frame born again speaks of change starting over again that something that appeals to us as Americans, we want to change you know we want to have that makeover on our home or that makeover on our wardrobe or maybe even the makeover in our era, a member a while back up couple of shows on television that would do cosmetic surgery on people remember those shows and then at the end they would have the great reveal where they were supposed to look better in quite frankly sometimes they look worse at the end than they did at the beginning and I'm not against our plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, by the way, but you can go too far.

You know, if you don't think so. A two word answer Michael Jackson just get out and go but I've seen far worse. Believe me, but you know here's the thing we all like the idea of starting over in life be born again and I ask you have you been born again. The numbers of Americans claiming to be born again of never been higher. There are some 300 million Americans. Did you know that half of them claim to be born again. That would mean that we have 150 million Christians in our country today. When Jenna Paul was taken of so-called born-again Christians in. They said that their faith is very important to them.

That's great. We had 28% of the born-again Christians also said quote while he lived on earth. Jesus committed sin.

Like other people will all, how could you believe that Jesus was sinless and then one third of those who claim to be born again believe that if a person is good enough to get her a place in heaven. But listen Penal Code enough is not going to get you into heaven, and maybe we don't understand what it means to be born again. It's obviously important. Jesus said you must be born again.

The Bible says check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians you pass the test or are you just pretending to be Christians when you really are at all. You might say will Greg, I'm a Christian.

I'm just not one of those born-again you/you cannot be a Christian without being born again you must be born again. Jesus said in all the fun with. That means in a couple of moments but let's talk a little bit about Nicodemus who was this guy.

The Bible says he was a Pharisee. What is that mean we usually think of the Pharisees and a negative lot because of course Christ saves some of the most scathing words to describe the Pharisee, among other things, he called them a whitewash to talk about how they would major on the externals but completely missed the point and not have it right on the in side but of the Pharisees were really a pretty admirable group of individuals never numbering more than 6000 each would take a solemn vow, or three witnesses that they would devote every moment of their life to obeying the 10 Commandments. Not that any of them were successful and that that's what they attempted to do. They took the law of God very seriously.

So Nicodemus was a devout man. He was a religious man and not only that, but he was a leader because Jesus said you are the teacher in Israel and you don't know these things. That means that Nicodemus might have been like a household name in Israel. But though it was well-educated to deeply religious. There was something missing in his life, and you might relate they Nicodemus you to our religious and moral and educated 90% of the people to live in the Triangle are high school graduates or higher.

50% of the people in this area have bachelor degrees or higher. That incredibly impressive so many relate to him in some way you've been successful.

You even had something you're a legend in your own mind.

I mean, thought maybe you thought if only I was famous they would be happy about upholding USA Today did recently asking young people today what they wanted more than anything else know what the answer was the number one thing that young people want will before I say what it is. Let me say what the answer to the same question was in 1967.

They have college freshmen what they wanted more than anything.

Nothing. 85% said the essential purpose of their lives was the fine a meaningful philosophy of life without fast forward to 2007 � today's young people what you want more than anything else and they said number one, rich and famous to be rich and famous. Everybody wants their 15 minutes of fame. In an article that same article Golding Cameron Johnson of Blacksburg, Virginia said, quote you open the celebrity magazine. It's all about the money and be rich and famous TV shows we watch everything from the apprentice to reading us magazine with the all the celebrities in their six dollar homes.

We see Britney and Paris. The people we relate to outside of our friends are these people will Britney and Paris in T. Is fame really the answer.

You look at people that have reached the pinnacle of success you look at so many of them with drinking problems with drug problems. Spending time in rehab facilities. Sometimes we hear of them being suicidal. Even taking their own lives and is fame really the answer when Albert Einstein was at the peak of his fame.

He wrote a letter to a friend quote it strange to be known so universally yet be so lonely." Howard Stern you've heard of him referred to as a shock jock is made millions and millions of dollars from the new deal that the ink was serious radio. You think he's happy with all that money.

Stern said in an interview I'm never happy.

I've never been happy a day in my life. There's something you need to know.

There are two sources of unhappiness and lot one is not getting what you want and the other is getting what you want because it won't be all that it's cracked up to be a world-famous actress recently said pretty much the same thing. I remember she said one of the most upsetting times in my life without crediting success, financial stability, and I was in love.

I thought I have everything they say you should have to make you happy. And I'm not happy." Using money can buy you some things but I can't buy you the most important things money can buy you a bed By your good night sleep money can buy your books for the camp by your brains can buy you a house for the camp by you all about you medicine but it can buy you help we can buy you amusement, but it can buy you happiness." St. Paul St. John St. George and St. Ringo money can't buy you love to see Nicodemus knew that but maybe you thought I might just have these things I know I be happy if I convinced that whatever it was for my fear of a story about a couple. They were celebrating the husband's 65th birthday and their 35th wedding anniversary. Any genie appeared. This is a true story and getting first so the genie appears and says I'm in a grant to each of you one way and the husband's is one which went up one of the three wishes he genie said when you know times are hard.

We had to cut back saw give you each one west of the eye of the wife. She was so she says well I wish for a second honeymoon with my beloved husband on a beautiful island in the South see improvement there. They were surrounded by turquoise water.

She and her beloved husband of all of those years together.

Husband was sitting there and he hadn't given his wish. Yet even say what he wanted.

The genie civil what you want little brothers older wife and thought for a moment.

He said okay. I wish that I had a wife that was 30 years younger than me and prove he was 95 years old so you better be careful what you wish, you might get Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.

The Bible said they could not see right there by the way, this is mentioned more than once in Scripture. So it's worth noting. He probably came at night because he was afraid to be seen. Everyone knew Nicodemus was and he was afraid of what others would think maybe you are afraid to tell someone what you were doing tonight hey dude want to party. One of the RBC all what's going on concert. Yeah, kinda wait a second. Isn't that harvesting happening. Yeah own know you're going to that yeah don't become one of those born again. Don't worry, I won't make you a little embarrassed to admit to someone you were coming here. A lot of times were afraid of being laughed at by our friends put down robotlike sheet you know is all we like sheep gone astray. We turned everyone to his own way, and there's no mistakes, no mistake, the Bible says were like if I read an article in the paper while back that mentioned 450. She told to their own death over in Turkey, the sheep are so stupid one. She goes out the clip all the others will follow in the shepherds enemies don't want just 450. She dropped to her death. How dumb can you be one she goes boom he falls over the others get online okay boys form a single line rather than die today. Let's go. It's not that bad. Go. Come on, we hypothetical would like she always get in lockstep with what everybody else does. Someone tells us this is cool so good at school. This is the new trend about the new Dragon.

This is popular so that's popular were so afraid of what people think Lucy ought to be thinking about what God will think because friend one day you're going to stand before him and will be there with your buddies will be there with your coworkers you wanting to be there with your family will be there all by yourself. So Nicodemus came at night for the least. He came. Can you imagine how nervous he was one of he had written on his little calendar appointment with Jesus 10 PM when I can see doing Nicodemus thought. I don't know if Nicodemus really believe Jesus was the son of God yet but he had great respect for him because he says Rabbi, we know what you are doing is from God, because no one could do it you do unless you be sent from God. He respected Jesus. Maybe that's how you feel as well. You respect Christians to think you're a little weird but maybe a Christian brought you here tonight and because even a nice person. The union said all right I'll come with you to your little meeting up that'll make you happy and their yarn you're just sort of sit not there independent checking your watch link in the thought of a wrap it up pretty cinnamon to get out of here, you know when the second. Here you are in your thinking about these things and are looking about them. If you love or respect for Christians in general made you even respect Jesus as a historical figure. I mention that I wasn't raised in the church. I always believe there was a God and I believed in Jesus Christ.

I've seen all of his movies but I've never read the Bible, Jesus, to me, was a distant historical figure. He was not someone that could be known in a personal way at the time. Maybe that's how you feel. Jesus was the greatest moral teacher of all time. You reason to listen. Jesus is not looking for respect is not even looking for admiration is looking for follower. He didn't say admire me, he said, follow me CS Lewis a great Christian thinker, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia made the statement about Jesus and I quote a man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would be a lunatic on a level with the matter says he is a poached day or else he would be Lewis as the Devil of Hell. You can shut him up for a pool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. Let us not come with any of this patronizing nonsense about Jesus being a great human teacher has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." It's true.

Jesus doesn't want you to just admire him.

He makes radical claim. Wonderful promises life-changing statement that he challenges us to contemplate and think about and yes respond to something else to think about Nicodemus. He was getting on in years because Jesus says you must be born again. Nicodemus response. How can a man be born a second time when he's all to the problem is when you get older you become more set in your way to know that two young people they like change to like acted like stuff going on hold people like routine you like to go to the same restaurant and sit in the same booth and art of the same thing every single time right. This can be illustrated by the way, a young person and an older person goes to say Disney World when you're young person your Disney World use print to the most radical ride in the park when you're older. The first thing is is worth the restaurants that we are young person to get on the past) you want to know the right of the of the signs outside of the rides at Disney World and Disneyland that says if you're standing here will be on the right into years ago.

They need we need no signs of the deserted torment us or what and when you're an adult. After you've done eating essay on Missouri place to take a nap around this place. You know you get set in your ways. You don't want to change anymore, you know you're getting older certain telltale signs you know you're getting old when you actually look forward to a dull evening at home. No, you know you're getting old when you sit in a rocking chair and you can't get it started.

You know you're getting old when your mind makes commitment. Your body cannot keep you know you're getting old when everything hurts and what doesn't hurt doesn't work very, getting only new sink your teeth into a juicy steak and they say there I sunk my teeth into a juicy steak at the Angus barn last night that was very and I'm glad that my friend Danny paid for but you know that's another sign of getting old. You know you're getting old when you dimmed the lights for economic reasons, not romantic one. You know you're getting old when you "so long they come back in the file why some of us three or four times. Even you getting old when you actually sing along to the elevator music. No you elevator music video talking about Nigeria's enumeration of the Manila community level entry. You know you're getting old when you don't hold your stomach and no matter who walks in the room and you know you're getting old when you start forgetting stuff the other day I was pumping gas in my car and I drove off and done I'm driving along and I noticed this this girls looking at me, I'm thinking the girl looking at me for not only have girls look at me all that often goes looking at me, smiling and Watching Me Dr., Violet that that's where the good I noticed an older gentleman is looking at me to little child is looking where the people looking at me like this weird sound and I look to my side view mirror and I saw that I had driven off of the gas pump still in my car acting ripped it out and I was driving off, but it's not in my gas tank so humiliating to have to walk back with that high. I think I took this by accident. Boy penis didn't forget the point which is listen. Some of your getting older tonight. You think mom to get around to getting right with God.

Later on in life. I want to still have a little fun you want to do this to want to do that. Be careful because the Bible says he was often reproved hardens his heart and he will be cut off, and that without remedy that simply means that every time you share the gospel and do not respond in the affirmative. Your heart can get a little tougher, a little more callous. A little bit harder just not so much that there would come a point where God wouldn't forgive you but there could come a point where you wouldn't want his forgiveness don't go too far. God gave Nicodemus a chance he's giving you a chance as well. So he tells Nicodemus. Here's what you need to do need to be born again or literally need to be born from above know unfortunately that term born again has been emptied of its meaning. It's been pirated emptied of its meaning drag to the gutter and give it back to us. Minus its power when someone tells us the born again were not even sure what they mean today.

Jesus is telling us here is what it is Nicodemus your religious beliefs are not enough, in spite of the fact that you benefit at the top of the keep in your religion means nothing brought you any closer to heaven.

So now the conversation has gone from face-to-face. The mind of mine. Nicodemus is grappling with the following white weight born again, born from above.

How can a man be born when he's old Nicodemus is saying, Jesus, I don't get how can you change me.

Have you ever tried to change yourself. It's hard you want to be different than you are, but you're still the same old you years ago our son Christopher who is in his 30s now. I mentioned him earlier. He came home with a pet rat like a typical young teenager.

He didn't Inc. about getting a cage for the rider skim over the rep I what threats they might need to Nicodemus of all things in here were talking so Nicodemus terrazzo. We got a cage form and in any was actually very fundamental right and so Christopher said you know, Nicodemus needs a little house to live in both. He went and actually felt this really cool little house is run out of balsa wood little roof on a little doorway and little windows, and he put his name over the little doorway, Nicodemus, and we put the little house inside of his cage and and so that night we went to bed thinking on Nicodemus ago to his little house I will go to bed we came back the next morning to see how Nick was gone and the house is gone.

Nicodemus eight.

The house because he's a rat to see we see people today they they wanted treat their animals are dogs even like people know I a dog is a dog that is about. Of course, a horse of the horse. Of course the course of lesser process of talking horse will that's another story. If you left it at your old by the wake of that old that's an old TV show. There are the ones that are reading the Disney World I know you are because I'm right there with you but to see we are what we are.

So how can we really change how is this possible.

Jesus is will Nicodemus was know that bursae in the wind. You can tell where it's coming from. You can tell where it's going. So is everyone that is born of the spirit, maybe at that point warm breeze blew by a Nicodemus check this out. You feel that reads that's what it's like when the spirit of God. You know you can't see it but just see the effects of it. There's some people that would save no I won't believe the less I can see that that's the most idiotic state that would be like a person safe. Don't I don't believe in our hurricane because I can see her hurricane. Can you see the effects of her hurricane rhino believe in air turbulence because I can see it. Have you ever been in a plane going through air turbulence. You can see the object I can show you God tonight. I can say here's God look at him with your life that I can show you the of the work of God. Let me ask a question quick poll here. How many of you have had your life transformed by Jesus Christ. Raise up your hand right now there is your prayer, there's the evidence all around the middle of the conversation is shifted from face-to-face to my mind the heart-to-heart Nicodemus says but how how can this be, break it down for me.

What is the process of this popular person change for good.

How can a person be born again, and Jesus didn't give him a statement.

We've all memorized back. I would love us to say it together. John 316, Jesus said for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life that's the gospel in a nutshell right there a lot of Nicodemus for God so love the world know a lot of people think God like a cosmic killjoy you got to just ruin your life and don't give your life to God because if you do will make your life miserable could be further from the truth. God says I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, listen to me.

God's plan for you are better than any plan you have ever thought up for yourself, commit your life to him discover what he has for you that I especially know young people don't be afraid to commit an unknown future to unknown God. God's plan for you is incredible. He loves you. For God so loved the world he longs for a relationship with you. God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son we can talk about love all day long. You know Hollywood gives us a version of love that nothing more than lust and what is love.

Were talking with a guy the other day and he was telling us about his wife and she said she didn't feel there was any passion in the marriage of my wife made such a great statement. She says you want to see passion look at the way that Billy and Ruth Graham loved each other. She said that passion that's real love and that's like it's lasted all those years.

That's real love for love that lasts a lifetime, but we have this Hollywood version. The love it's all about the emotion but doesn't love gives to love sacrifices. God loves us so much he sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross. It was a nail that held Jesus to the cross. 2000 years ago. It was love for you and me.

Don't you know that with one more day have any kind of cried out to the father and gotten out of that situation, but he willingly laid his life down there at the cross of Calvary, he came to pay a debt she did not know because we noted that we could not pay. God loves you know that about him tonight. He loves you so much he gave his only begotten to get now I don't know about you but when someone gives me a gift. I open it right away. By the way just to cute girls, wrapping a gift for a man is a complete waste of time. Did you know that. Here's what you need to know about men wrapping paper on a gift for men is an obstacle.

Okay so first you give him the car. Your honey I got this for you.

Maybe it's Father's Day or to the E opens it up. He's not reading it young psyches reading it is not reading. The only reason he opened it was as if there was money in it. But hell, I'd like to read it. Now this paper is going to rip it off as quickly as possible think it would syndicate you give a gift to a woman.

How different her reaction is personality actually reads the car and will even be touched, but so sweet.

Hallmark wrote that I love it when others little things, little stars, and things which is all that and then I love the way women unwrapped gifts will undo the ribbon to save this for later will unwrap it carefully, maybe, is when someone gives you a gift, open dog and my wife to get healthy. I got to this and in a dinner and she was okay but I want to wait till after dinner then dinners over with open when I'm in a wait till after dessert. Listen, God is giving you the most incredible gift of all time.

The gift of eternal life, which are gonna reach out and take it for yourself and open it to know about it is not enough to believe it's there is not enough to accept the premises. Not enough. Have you received the gift of God in your own life, whosoever believes in him. Jesus said will not perish but have ever let have everlasting life. What is it mean to believe other people say they believe in God, the Bible says the demons believe in Trumbull. It's not mere intellectual assent is not merely acknowledging that amending Jesus Christ walked the earth died on the cross. Even that he rose again from the dead to believe means to trust him to cling to to rely on you maybe heard the story of mending the great wand in. He was a daredevil of the late 1800s, sort of the evil Knievel or the Robbie Knievel of his day and one day the great wand then strung a tight rope across the Niagara Falls big crowd gathered, because there's always a chance in London would fall to his death.

The phenomena walk across and so the crowd was Artie said how many of you believe that either Greg Blondin can walk across a tight rope to the other side of the Niagara Falls.

He said we believe we believes only one across the love got to the other side and said how many of you believe that either Greg Blondin can go back across that tight rope, this time pushing a wheelbarrow. They said we believe we believe Blondin then says how many of you believe that I could go across that tight rope pushing a wheelbarrow with a person in a way believe they said because they really wanted to see him in the wheelbarrow and the person fall and then Blondin turned to the crowd and said several believe that I can view the said we believe they said would get together in the wheelbarrow in the crowd fell silent until we are all we believe we believe Jesus is given the wheelbarrow believe trust in me, cling to me, trusting me and me alone forgive you of your said Nancy we can't be neutral with Jesus. This is an either or proposition. Jesus didn't say hey I'm one of many ways in.

I work in your schedule and then your belief system. I'd really appreciate it if you would make me your God of choice though if Mel said earlier, Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes to the father but by me. The Bible says there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man to be say the Bible says there is one mediator between God and man fits the man Christ Jesus, why is Jesus the only way because there is never been amended ever walked the earth. That was God in human form, he was not men becoming God, that's impossible. He was God becoming man. That is why when he went to the death. The perfect man taking all the sins of the world upon himself that he is satisfied the righteous demands of a holy God that we have all the offended by our sin.

So Jesus was saying look I paid the price for you, I died for you know you must believe in me, and if you will believe in me will not perish, you might say well I just don't think I can do that. I'm not strong enough.

I'm not the Christian tight. I mentioned that I came to the Lord as a teenager and was a group of outspoken Christians on my high school campus in Newport Beach of the OC is it's called an eye long hair back and is and and and here I had hair hanging over my eyes like you have a great wave) blonde hair way. Now we just have a beach to see. But then I have this way and and I sat close enough to this group of Christians are having a Bible study in the fine from one of my high school campus close enough to hear what they were saying but not close enough to become one of them because I was like social suicide. I don't remember what was really said that they for the most part, but I remember the man he was speaking, made this statement Jesus said your forming or against me and it donned me that I could know God in a real way and I stepped forward and prayed and asked Christ to come in my life and I've never even for one moment that that decision that I make and you won't regret it. If you make that decision everlasting life. Whoever believes in me will ever love the likability. See if you don't believe in him, you will not everlasting life. Let me restate that you will have everlasting life. But it'll be separation from God for all eternity.

The Bible only promises the hope of heaven.

It also warns of the horrors of hell. Some of yours emergent to say that don't use the H word.

Listen up I don't warn you about Helen not telling the whole truth here for the last thing that God wants us for any man or woman created in his image is then eternity in this way is called help prepared for the devil and his angels.

That is why he put his judgment on Jesus was innocent so you would not have to be separated from him. If you end up in hell and that final day will have no one to blame but yourself. God's, and everything he can to keep you out of the place everything he can to make a way for you to go to heaven everything you can for you to be forgiven of your said, and her guilt removed and up that big old hole in your heart still civil. Greg will I need to do. I mean okay I want to be born again.

I want to go to heaven when I die I want to know that my sin is forgiven.

I want to be sure of this are going to church for years, but I've never known really that I go to heaven when I die or maybe it's I have never been to a church for ever. But I want to know God in a personal way. Listen, if you haven't heard anything else. I said tonight.

This was in the spinal statements I give you. In closing, if you want to get right with God. If you want to go to heaven when you die, you want your guilt removed is what you need to do. Number one, you need to realize you're a sinner.

The Bible says all of sin and fallen short of the glory of God. What does it mean to sin well. One definition of sin is to cross a lot. The Bible talks about trespass and sin. Using the sign maybe on the lawn.

No trespassing. You step over that line you just crossed the line so we all know what's right and wrong and for God's given us the 10 Commandments rented since we've ever told a lie we've ever stolen that we've ever taken the Lord's name in vain. We said so we sit in that way then another definition of sin means to miss the mark. What's the mark got it set a high standard for humanity. Absolute perfection we can reset no one we all fall short of the glory of God.

That's where Jesus comes in because I'm a sinner and I need is up so we have to admit were sinners and stop making excuses for number two recognize that Jesus Christ, the son of God died on the cross for you. You voluntarily pick their crops up, carried it outside of the walls of Jerusalem and died there for your sin.

Bible says that greater love has no man than this in the lay down his life for rent. The apostle Paul said he loved me and gave himself for me.

And Jesus loves you and he gave himself for you. Number three you need to repent of your sin of the word repent needs a change of direction.

The Bible says God has commanded people everywhere to repent is sort of like hanging a U-turn on the road of life you been going one way away from God. Now it's time to turn around and start going toward him. The Bible says repent in times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. And fourthly, you must receive Jesus Christ into your life, not just the knowledge you need existed once, but say Lord, my life. The Bible says, for as many as received him, to give them the power to become sons of God and Jesus says behold I stand at the door and knock. You will hear my voice, and open the door. I will come in right now Jesus Christ is saying let me come in your life, but the doorknob of your heart, so to speak is on the inside. Only you can open it. Jesus doesn't say at the doorknob.

You don't open it up check it down know he's a gentleman. He not. He waits for you to open the door and then you must do it publicly.

That is why in a few moments I meant to ask you that want to get right with God that want to be born again. I want to go to heaven when you die, I'm in ASCII when I was a good start. The song in a few moments to get up out of your seat and walked down the aisles stand here in this floor, and when you all get drum in the lead you in a prayer of commitment or recommitment to Christ while asking to come publicly because everyone the Jesus calls he calls publicly. Jesus says if you will acknowledge me before people, I will acknowledge you before my father and the angels in heaven, but he got it. If you deny me before. People often valuable for the father and his angels will coming forward like this is a way to acknowledge in public listen, 2000 years ago Jesus died publicly for you. So I'm in ask you to make a public stand for Christ. And lastly, you must do it now.

The Bible says today is the day of salvation. Now is the time the Holy Spirit would save you tonight now, and the devil would say later next week, next month, next year or better yet never now is a type what you waiting for several Greg and you know there's a lot of things in my life. I need to clean up. I think I'll clean my life up and come to God no, you come to God and you clean your life up, you come with your sin, Jesus cleans his face after he catches them. You see, so you just come as you are. Come with your question is able listen preacher you show me, and I believe no listen, you believe in God will show you you come and see what you'll do for you. Do it now. Don't even sell do it tomorrow night. None of us has a guarantee will be here tomorrow night or the night after now was the time this is your moment. Just like Nicodemus had an appointment with Jesus you do to. And he will fill that hole in your heart will take away that guilt you been carrying around because of the wrongs you've done. You can leave the RBC knowing that you will go to heaven when you die, I want to give you an opportunity to make the commitment to Christ right now. Let's all bow our heads, or word of prayer. Everyone prayed father I pray not you will speak to every person hearing this message open to see the words we have shared tonight are true, there gospel truth of the Lord to come to you and believe and receive your forgiveness now help the Lord to make the most important decision of their life. We ask all of this in Jesus name, amen.

Everybody Greg Laurie here.

Thanks for listening to our podcast in the learn more about harvest ministries. Please subscribe and consider supporting this show. Just go to harvest.org and by the way, if you want to find out how to come into a personal relationship with God. Go to know God.org that's key NOW GLD.org