Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy: God's Appointments

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God. If you would like to know how you can become a harvest partner, just go to harvest.org that's harvest.org versions we are indestructible. God is done with future freeing thought of a mortgage number in your days whatever's threatening our survival.

Greg Laurie shows us and the Lord God sent his angel to deliver you and your indestructible God is done with. Freaking out about the direction of your life.

Just say, to do what I can time God gives me that he's to take care of till he calls me and physical condition who died suddenly in the prime of life and on the other side. Many of us know folks who taken horrible care of them so and are in their 90s and going strong. It's a good idea to look after but ultimately God decides when our time is today on a new beginning.

Pastor Greg Laurie shows us God not only appoints our days tasks you want to do well with you and it was Chapter 11 is the hero's Hall of Fame.

It's a record of all the people that God used all but many of them from the Old Testament ordinary people like you and I who did extraordinary things they phase incredibly adverse circumstances like you and I do, but they rose above those circumstances and they change their world could we change our world is not even possible. Still no assent of the church of the first century. Those that have turned the world upside out of come here as well. By the way, that was not meant as a compliment was met as a criticism, but that's because the first century believers made an impact affected was G. Campbell Morgan, the great British preacher who said organized religion that fails to make a disturbance as dad. My concern is one of making a disturbance anymore.

In fact, it seems in some ways the world is changing the church more than the church is changing the world. We need to get back to the job God has called us to do because I believe we can change the world. Bob to the plate and start using our faith is all great. Come on, I'm no saint.

Actually, I beg to differ. You are a saint member say that is just another word for Christian or believer. So you are a saint to the point. By the way, the folks in God used in the hero's Hall of Fame. Hebrews 11 were not perfect people impact. They were far from it. They failed often they're not in the hero's Hall of Fame because they were great people there in the hero's Hall of Fame because they had faith in a great God. They had two things in common with us number one, there were really flawed and number two they had faith and they used it while we all meet the criteria of the first point were all really flawed. We in agreement on that you and then secondly they had faith in the use there faith and they did something with it.

But think of who these guys and girls were when the Lord called them. Gideon was a frightened farmer when the angel told him he was going to be a man of courage. Moses was a fugitive from justice when the Lord spoke to him but yet the Lord called them.

Here's an interesting thing. As we look at them in the hero Saul of faith, not one mention is made of any of their sin. When Sampson is mentioned, we don't read about his fall with Delilah when David is mentioned, we don't read about his sin with Bathsheba and we don't read about the problems with Abraham who lied about his wife twice and his son repeated his behavior. We don't read that Sarah laughed at the promise of God, or that Moses lost his temper and killed a man etc. we just read of the great exploits of faith, reminding us that God doesn't see us for what we are he sees is also for what we can become so these world changers did not always collect metals. Sometimes they collected scars and that's what God wants to do in our life.

He wants to use us if will take our faith and apply it.

So here are some things we've learned together in this series that all share with you in review about what we dig into our text in this message are point number one faith does faith outthink so pure taking notes is write that down. Faith does things.

Faith is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes, the less you use it the weaker it becomes. If you fail to use it.

It will atrophy. I met a guy who is a bodybuilder and formally a Mr. something I don't know but you know there Mr. whatever contest they wanted this guy was incredibly Bob 20. He was just perfectly sculpted body, except for his legs. I don't know what happened but get this massive upper torso and like little, almost chicken legs, unlike what would happen here because I don't want to do the leg machine okay but you're not completely balanced. Are you and that's all some of us can be real were strong in some areas are weak in others, but faith does will be looking Hebrews 11. It's worth noting how many times it mentions what they did with their faith says Abel offered a sacrifice. Noah prepared and are Abraham obeyed and later offered up Isaac.

Listen to this update. With no words is the faith that does not work, let me say that again update with no works, is a faith that does not work so faith does things. Point number two. Faith grows stronger through testing. Faith grows stronger through testing so the next time you pray Lord give me more faith. Don't be surprise of a trial or a test comes your way is a way, Lord, I didn't pray for a test.

I prefer more faith. Yes, precisely. That's all your faith grows for James one says when all kinds of trials and temptations proud of your lives. My brothers don't treat them as intruders but his friends realize they come to test your faith and producing new quality of endurance. Yes, God will test our faith is your feet been tested company of your going through a time of testing or trial right now, raise your hand up a cable, your faith is going to grow as a result of that know that point number three.

Faith comes by hearing and obeying God's work. So if you want to get more faith in comes by hearing and obeying God's word. Romans 1017 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Now it's really hearing the young to be attention. Seems like our whole country is collectively on their cell phones these days, you know, have you noticed that when people stand in line like Ike I get coffee in the morning and I centerline the be people there and no one will talk to each other. Everyone just ends her sisters of their funds to the phone flipping flipping flipping on the phone and you know when you're talking with someone and they get a text you the although you're saying that this is really important when it just out the link to stop a guy would tear duct because I know you're not listening when you're reading that text because some people move their lips when they read the text you're distracted towing tear done with that check from whoever it is, and then we can return to our conversation.

A lot of us are just distracted. I have to make a decision on the net tuned into God's word. I meant to give attention with intention to what the Lord is saying in his word.

So here we are, let's listen carefully. Number four faith can make the difference between something happening and not happening. This is a big again. Faith can make the difference between something happening and not happening over the story of the woman was praying for her daughter Jesus healed her and said woman, great is your faith me and be done as you desire. Listen when Jesus walked this earth, he healed a lot of people right, but did he heal everyone.

Let me restate the question. Cody appealed everyone he didn't even have to touch up.

He didn't even have to see them together just said everyone is healed. On the count of 31230. Everyone ever yield at or about the sound healing would make probably a better sound than that green pattern over there he'll great. He could've done that but he did. He responded to people calling out to him like blind Bart Emmaus who hearing Jesus was passing by said son of David, have mercy on me summons it should.

But Jesus yeah side update. He screamed the second time Jesus.how can I help you sir, I want to be healed.

You got it. You see, he responded to people calling out to Listen, the only place that Jesus was not able to do miracles was in the hometown of Nazareth because of their unbelief. I find that really interesting.

He wanted to heal them, but he wouldn't heal them because of their unbelief. God is not limited by your circumstances is limited by your unbelief use I've got these circumstances. No problem with God. It's your unbelief that's the problem. So we have to say Lord I believe, like that one guy who said but help my unbelief in order to have super faith.

You just have to have faith. Take as much as he had and put it out there and say Lord I'm believing you for this faith can make the difference between something happening and not happening because without faith. According Hebrews 11 six. It's impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that he is and is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.

He wants to work in your life if you will take some faith and apply in a moment. Pastor Greg explains the characteristics world changer will see our longevity or lifespan is determined by God, not by our circumstances. That's next we hear from so many people find Christ through the studies, some in tough times.

Pastor Greg 32 years ago I lost a great job which included many material things I was following my own plan and not God's will and I ended up in jail after being released.

I became a trucker and if now recommitted my life to Christ through your ministry. Thank you Pastor Greg for your teachings since my recommitment I been able to leave my son and other children to Christ. I now believe that the things that happened in my earlier life and brought me closer to God's will is better than mine. I will lift my hands. I think the Lord every day for his word and for your teachings.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me were so happy. These daily studies are touching and changing lives. And if your life is been changed. Would you tell us your story: 1-866-871-1144. That's 866-871-1144.

Glad you're joining us today for Pastor Greg's message called, of whom the world was not worthy.

It's available online@harvest.org right so let's read about these world changers Hebrews 11 verse 33 by faith. These people overthrew kingdoms.

They ruled with justice ever see what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions. They quench the flames of fire. The escaped death by the edge of the sword, their weakness was turned his strength. They became strong in battle but whole armies to fly women receive their loved ones back from death. So if you're taking notes. Here's point number one world changers are indestructible until God is done with them world changers, or let me insert a different word Christian believers, saints's, you, me, we are indestructible until God is done with us. Verse 33 they shut the mouths of lions were not told in particular who this is referring to solely think back in the Old Testament. What story do we know the person who was in a den of lions Daniel Daniel in the lion's den and dive. How did this come about while Danny was a godly man. He lived in Israel.

Babylon overcame the nation of Israel took them into captivity. He along with his friend Shadrach me shack in the Bendigo were taken into the palace of the king and were advisors to the King and Daniel was so wise. The king came to really reliant him which incurred the anger of other counselors of the King who became jealous and they wanted Daniel out, but they couldn't find any skeletons in this closet. There was not even a hint of scandal in his life. So they determined it had to be about him in this faith.

In fact, we read in Daniel six for his enemies couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn him for because Danny was faithful, and always responsible, and completely trustworthy, but they knew one thing about Daniel. They knew he prayed openly three times a day. So they got the king to unwittingly sign the decree that no one could pray the any God except him and it was made in the law.

Daniel knew about it. What would you do if a law was passed in our nation tomorrow.

That said, you can no longer pray publicly distills a grace over your meal in the restaurant. Would you still pray in your home will Daniel said he opened up his window saying what out see if I pray in check it out, to pray like I always do and even the king cannot overrule this law and so Denny was said to do a den of lions. But what's interesting is that night. The Bible says the king was up. He couldn't sleep and Daniel slept like a baby probably propped his head up on one of those liens come over here Simba your belly looks like a good pillow and prop my feet up your Leo over Garrett is good. Have a nice nap, a catnap with really big cats. Meanwhile the king is stressed out and freaking out. He's concerned he really liked Daniel so he shows up the next morning.

Are you okay did God deliver you and I love it. Daniel said he said king my God sent his angel to shut the lions. No angels are very involved in the life of the believer. The Bible says that there ministering spirits sent to minister to those where the heirs of salvation angels are super undercover like God's secret agents.

You don't even know what they're doing or when they're doing it there just doing the work God has called them to do.

Sometimes he wondered, do we have Guardian Angels. I don't know but I Jesus did say. Speaking of children.

He says don't look down on the little ones right tell you in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my father, their angels, that's interesting. So before wondered maybe kids have Guardian Angels.

I don't know but I know we all of angels around us and God sent his angels to deliver Daniel Goggin to send his angels to deliver you and your indestructible until God is done with use. Freaking out about the duration of your life or what if this happens, what if that happens I just say I want to do what I can with the time God gives me and he's going to take care of me until he calls me home number two world changers are never alone or I could just say Christians are never alone as well. Verse 34. They quench the power of fire course our mind immediately raises to the friends of Daniel.

Also in the book of Daniel, Shadrach, me shack in the Bendigo, the king Nebuchadnezzar erected a giant statue of himself covered in gold and said everyone worshiped this statute for you be thrown into a furnace of fire and then strike up the idle theme song, and everyone got out of there like three sore thumb stood out Shadrach me shack in the Bendigo wouldn't down.

I love this narrative, and Daniel three. It says there proper for the king of gives him another chance.

Okay boys, I like you but I get this to Mike Gordon still be around.

But listen, you better bow this time and they said to him, looking for thrown into the blazing furnace. The God we serve is able to save us and rescue us from your power. But even if he doesn't we want to make it clear to you, your Majesty, we will never bow before know we serve your gods that you have set up. The king was so royally ticked off. He gave the command to keep the furnace up seven times hotter, Doug. It was so hot the guys it took Shadrach me shack in the Bendigo to the brink of it died from the flames. That's pretty hot and they were thrown jinxing and that's the end of that. Then he looked and he couldn't believe his eyes as he saw three shadowy figures and then 1/4 walking about like it was a Sunday stroll in the park and the king says wait I through three end of the furnace and there's 1/4 one who looks like the son of God done fairness, I could also be translated as son of God's Nebuchadnezzar probably thought it was some mystical deity. He did know who was I believe it was Jesus Christ walking around with Shadrach me shack in the Bendigo in the furnace of fire. Maybe you're in a fiery trial right now.

Maybe you're in the hot waters of temptation know it's been said Christians are all about like teabags you don't know what they're made of into you put them in hot water for you in hot water right now the Lord was with them in the Lord with you.

God wants with us through our trials.

Jesus said low and with you, even to the end of the eight very familiar and oft quoted passage and a wonderful one is Isaiah 43 to work.

God says when you pass of the waters all be with you when you pass of the rivers will not sweep over you when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned in the flames will not set you ablaze. So when they survived the fiery furnace.

The king changed his tune. How do they do it. The key to their courage and calmness and the fire was their companion who was I companion it was the Lord was with you as well. Number three world changers apply their faith and they pray world changers apply their faith and they pray verse 35 women receive their loved ones back from the dead. This is probably a reference to Elijah and/or Elisha, both to raise the dead. God let the prophet Elijah.

The storming of the court of Ahab, the king of Israel rolling with this wicked wife Jezebel give the decree that will not be rain in the land, but according to my word, and then the Lord directed Elijah to go to a widow who was very poor that I want you to go stay with her so he shows up man, would you give me a place to stay. I can take the apartment over the garage and I would really appreciate it if you could give me some food. She's like I don't really have that much food I've just enough for me and my son didn't just go ahead and see what God doesn't every day would she prepare food there was always enough for her and her son and the prophet, and so this is a wonderful illustration of how we give to the Lord God gives back to us as well. But one day her son got sick and then he got worse and then he finally died, her life as she knew it effectively ended.

Now she is not only lost her husband.

She was a widow but she also was lost her son and she accuses Elijah why did you even come to my house. Things are better when you were here you didn't rebuke your he just took the limp body of her dead son and pray for him and raised him up again. Here's your boy back. Listen, even death doesn't stop a world changer telling a lie. Didn't say it's kind of hard to relate to a guy like that.

I mean he calls fire down from heaven. He stops the rain. He raises boys from the dead, yes, but yet were told in James Elijah was a man just like us. Yet when he prayed earnestly. No rain would fall. None fell for 3 1/2 years. He was just like you. Let me illustrate.

After Elijah faced off of the prophet. The bill up in Mount Carmel and freighted fire came from heaven green Jezebel set out to kill you for that and he ran away and he was terrified. He was so depressed he said I just wanted to die and an angel of the Lord shows up and says you need to eat a sandwich now. I mostly paraphrase, nasal Lord chose them says no I buddy you need to just eat okay just eat.

Have a nice meal. Have a nice little now and get up and go back and serve the Lord. Again, I love that because you know sometimes it's a practical angels protect us. Sometimes they guide us and sometimes they hook us up with lunch whatever you need. In other there for you but my wife tells me that when I'm hungry I get cranky. You're hungry how you know I'm hungry because of the way just said that why so she throws a sandwich at me. I catch up with my mouth, swallow in one gulp. Just like a dog. It's awesome that I'm glad he was a guy just like guns, God used all of them were people just like us.

Pastor Greg Laurie is showing us the characteristics of world changers good insight today your own new beginning and there's more to come. As the study continues. But if you like a permanent copy of the full message presented today here on the new beginning you can download a copy of Pastor Greg full message called, of whom the world was not worthy just go to harvest.org or call 1-800-821-3300. That's a 24 hour number 1-800-821-3300 and I think store harvest partners for their help in making today's broadcast and these additional resources available in the right now we're highlighting something called the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection written by author Sally Lloyd Jones good friend of the ministry who's here with us today along with Pastor Grace wife Kathy Pastor Greg welcome to how to speak like a brick featuring four people one of us is a true Brit. The others are Americans trying to sound like a brick. Can you identify the true Brit will start with Dave in your best British accent see something they go fast is positive. T Kathy Lori go door my friends. Finally Jones. She's been such a dear one to me actually beaten tenants many times while now it's my turn. You know I met Sally Liverpool down the street to another. We got some fish and chips. It was lovely. Okay now Sally, it's your turn. Say something. Well, I just feel very sorry for you and you would benefit the rest.

Yesterday, Sally, Liliana and I say you're very good because I didn't think you want to my American accent. I love to do you have one well is much like and I rarely share has pretty good. Well Sally is a prolific writer and she's written books that are especially appealing to little ones and if you don't have a copy of the Jesus storybook Bible in your library, you certainly ought to know, Sally. I think one of the most intimidating things that parents face even grandparents is how to tell Bible stories to the children how to read the Bible. One thing I recommend when you're doing devotions with kids is don't go too long.

I think we feel like it has to be a lecture I think you know you keep it and a link that they will stay with you.

Number two involve them in the story.

I like to ask questions, make it interactive asked for their comments or thoughts as we make our way through the story but but this is something that your especially gifted at doing and you've given us a great resource in the Jesus storybook Bible this Christmas collection which really is for the Advent season for the Christmas season to go through each day and not just your writing but the cool little feature where you push the little button & hear the voice of actor David Sue Shea Mary and Joseph have to take a trip to Bethlehem the town of King David was from when they reached the little town they found every room was full and free. That was taken. So this is the second time you work with David on a project review work with him more than that. And where would most people recognize his voice from Sally yes well I think state he's recorded about three of my books. He stung Jesus treatment Bible thoughts make your heart sing and some of the stars, which is a prime Christmas picture book and then this and people would rip recognize him probably mostly from Agatha Christie's inspector Pare when he played Pyro and he's a mosque that I can win them when you're in the presence of a Mazda you up attempted to think I was just reading that that's the trick about a mouse that they'll make it look easy and that if they make it look easy.

That doing that job and that's what he did with the reading the Jesus treatment Bible. He just did it in one day, which to me is impossible. So in this new resource, or offering right now the Jesus treatment Bible Christmas collection. What is David Touchet reading specifically he's reading clips from the M Christmas stories said that very short but they give you flava M and then that's also sound buttons that play Christmas carols so that fun to set the whole thing is sort of the interactive massive experience and everything what's really amazing and it would almost seem as if I planned it, which I didn't but someone did that are exactly the right number of stories in the Jesus treatment Bible if he stopped at the beginning to meet you up to Christmas day to read one story a day not except Sunday was something like that, but it makes for a really fun experience because what you're doing is you're setting up longing and Advent means waiting doesn't it and say what you're doing is by reading a story a day you're kind of setting up his longing for the one he's coming the promised rescue at the Prince but the thing about this on this M Christmas collection is you don't have to have the Jesus storybook Bible, you have to get the Christmas stories and then you have Scripture references and a devotional for every day so you can have the Jesus treatment Bible but it doesn't require you to have the Jesus treatment Bible were talking with Sally Lloyd Jones, author of the new resource were making available called the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection and we are eager to send this your way to say thank you for your investment in making the studies available so much generosity made today's study possible or entirely listener supported and we hope will help us keep the studies here in the station and with your donation right now would like to send you the Jesus storybook Bible Christmas collection. You can write us at a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. You can reach us any time or on the clock at 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest or what next time some good encouragement for those who face persecution for their faith. Pastor Greg continues his series called world.

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