The Secret to Being a World Changer: Practical Steps of Faith

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God check out virtue our website for Christian women go to harvest.org/virtue today on a new beginning Road warrior chooses to rush off to keep running our race for Jesus Christ.

So there was no exhausted don't really know moral place on your winter show. He's the one we run this race for we do it so we can stand before Jesus one day hear him say well done good will service the joy of your description of the Christian life is long obedience in the same direction can be rewarding at times daunting and reminded how weak we are so where we are weak he is strong like your lawn today is Pastor Greg brings the finale of this inspiring series world relearning how we can today rub our Bibles were going to turn Hebrews chapter 12 the title of my message is the secret to being a world changer. This is my last message in this series that I've enjoyed exploring going to the great heroes of faith Hebrews chapter 11 and I would chapter 12 a lot of the loose ends are pulled together in here before us is the secret of the world changer. So let's read together. Hebrews 1230 verse one. Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking on the Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. For the joy that was set before him toward the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul. There so what is the secret to being a world changer.

What is the motive that will keep us going even when we are at times discouraged in the race of life. Here's the answer. It's Jesus we do it for Jesus. We keep running for again because one day we will stand before them will see him face to face. Let me take you back again to verse what it says. Therefore or another way of putting it in light of what we have just learned from these heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Because of this example. Therefore, let us run with endurance.

I want to share with you six principles about being a world changer number one world changers are in good company world changers are in good company. Verse one says you're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses we look back in Hebrews 11 are all these great people of faith, they ran the race of life so well. They were perfect. They messed up their flaws. We pointed this out but yet they change the world. The world changers in Hebrews 11 oppose the Pharaoh and they counseled Nebuchadnezzar they pass through the Red Sea, they shouted down the walls of Jericho. They shut the mouths of lions.

They both called down and walk through fire. Now the author of Hebrews is a lesson run like they did. They set the pace. They have provided an example that we should follow. Therefore, since were surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us run.

Point number two world changers are in a race for their life world changers are in a race for their life. Verse one. Let us run one of the reasons I think Paul may be the author of Hebrews is because Paul often use the analogy of running and other writings like Philippians in first Corinthians in Galatians and first Corinthians 924. Paul said, remember, run a race everyone runs, but only one person gets a prize so run in such a way that you will win and were in the race of life. This is very important. You are not my opponent I'm not competing with you, you're not competing with me lesson my competition. If you will. My opponents are the world the flesh and the devil.

I'm running with fellow Christians were running together. Point number three world changers run light world changers run like verse one, let us lay aside every weight in the sin which so easily ensnares us and run within Torrance the race of this up before ask yourself this question in the race of life and I'm speaking of the Christian life is there someone or something that is slowing you down to my running a race and some is hanging on to me and I dragging them present a productive relationship or winning a race, no if I'm trying to have an appetite for the things of God in somebody's feeding me something that all of my appetite is that a good thing doing so periodically I have to take stock of my life and ask myself of certain relationships. Is this a good relationship for me.

You need to run the race with godly people that spur you on. Not with ungodly people that slow you down to look for godly friend. And even more the ungodly friend lay aside the weight and the sin that so easily be said to ask yourself the question this thing is it's speeding me up or is it slowing me down this thing that I'm doing is building me up. Present tearing me down.

World changers run light. Point number four world changers run hard. They run a harbor to let us run with endurance the race that is set before the word that is used. Therefore, endurance is the Greek word Grupo Moni I'm told that's how it's pronounced.

I don't speak Greek but it's a word that means perseverance, endurance, steadfastness or steam power. Another translator reported as heroic endurance. This is a steady determination to keep going because sometimes in the race of life.

It's just hard and you're just a little bit tired or maybe really tired and the people Moni the perseverance presses on. Sometimes we start off with a burst of energy that we start slowing down. Some even abandon the race altogether years ago I went out on a bike ride. My wife is really good on road bikes and that I wanted to sort of duel with her so I went and got myself a bike can I got the whole outfit because that's what I think of it as it outfit, which I didn't really like wearing you know it's just little brightly colored deal with the little clicky shoes that you click in the puddles and then it has padding on the body feel like you need your diaper change okay today I got my little bike and I'm writing along very color-coordinated looking good for him from from you so we write about 20 miles away and the I just sold full of energy had cast everybody there looking at me but would you do it. I was away in the league. This is so easy, why do people say it's hard it's easy that we reach our destination. I'm exhausted. It's so bad. One of the people had to push me back on my bike pushing me that is humiliating okay and then to make matters worse after the races all over. I get on the phone I'm telling someone I wrote 20 miles today. My wife was walking out the door is a very good because I'm going to write would be going on right we just wrote 20 miles. He says I didn't even break a sweat but sometimes we start with a great burst of energy we can finish it.

We need endurance when we get it in again like my answer when you get endurance. The answers found in James one, count it all joy brothers when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. So let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. There's that word people Moni again the testing of your faith produces this spring is sort of like going to the gym. You tear your muscle down in order to build your muscle up and sometimes someone might add more weights to your benchpress or whatever your lifting Lou go for a higher way, all I can do it now you can go higher, lower your reps if you need to, but you can go higher than anybody can do the new move up again and that said your God will put weights in our life.

Things in our life.

We said, I don't want these weights. I don't want this problem but I want to be strong. If you want to be stronger going to go through trials because when you go through trials, you get stronger member Joseph or first introduced to him.

He sort of a pampered young man with a supercool shirt. His dad gave him.

He ratted out his brothers and Joseph went through a lot of adversity, including being sold as a slave by his brothers being sent to prison after being falsely accused of rape and Genesis tells us that when he was in prison. Iron entered his soul. So right now you're going through a hardship and it makes no sense to you and you wish it would go away but God is toughening you up, he's giving you that steadfastness, you're gonna need because he's getting you ready for something that is still yet to come listen. Trials are like God's gym where he makes us stronger as we run our race for Christ. Where we focus all the difference it can ensure we make it across the finish line and Pastor Greg will explain where to focus just a moment, everybody Greg Laurie here in finding you to join me every weekend for what we call Harvest at Home.

It's a church service. It's a worship service. It's a Bible study and its wherever you wanted to be in your home in your car sitting on a beach walking down the street watching it on your phone wherever you are taking with you and be ministered to every weekend. Join us for Harvest at Home@harvest.org today. Pastor Greg is presenting six principles regarding world changers as he brings us the finale of his important series by that name, and you can order the full series online@harvest.org. Point number five world changers don't live in the past. They don't live in the past. I look to another verse of this Philippians 313 where Paul says one thing I do, forgetting the things that are behind and reaching forward of the things that are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus you put your past behind you. When God forgives you, he projectors since he says your sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Support your past sins behind you.

Listen to this. Put your past victories behind you.

Some people are resting on their laurels, their living in the past.

There's a new day before us a race to run, so we press on because we see more than one race for the person that was in the lead position lasted because at the last moment. Instead of going for that ribbon the turnover to see whether her opponent was a bone there opponent got just a little bit. I had in our former winner becomes second place so don't look back number six world changers run the race of life for Jesus. This brings us back to the secret of being a world changer looking under Jesus verse two says the author and finisher of our faith over the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul, the Paul is thinking of the Greek games the Olympic Games. That's where the Olympic started in Greece and back in those days they didn't give out gold medals in silver medals and bronze medals. Back in those days you would receive the Laurel leaf reef from the Emperor. So the ideas of figure the last lap now and you're running in your exhausted, you don't feel like you can go on another foot and now in the distance you see the Emperor standing there holding the Laurel leaves the holy place on your head is your declared the winner. And so for us as Christians of the court in this race and or tired in these attacks and obstacles and challenges in lookahead look under Jesus. This is who you're doing it for their stance. Jesus, not with Laurel leaves, but with your crown that he will give you and all who love his appearing. That is why Paul said, I fought the good fight, I kept the faith. I finished the race, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me on that day and not to me only, but to all who love his appearing.

Looking to Jesus. He's the one we run this race for he is the one we sing to when we worship is only given to and are offering he is the one that we seek to honor each and every day and he is the one that we will stand before one day so we don't do this for applause. We don't do it for notoriety or fame.

We do it so we can stand before Jesus one day and hear him say well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord. So look to Jesus: the circumstance don't look to people, people disappoint. They won't have that Encouraging Word is that sometimes the love a discouraging word You took a step of faith that serve the Lord of the question your motives challenge what you're doing while they do basically nothing themselves know you press on his Corrie 10 boom one said.

Look at people and be depressed. Look outside and be distressed look at Jesus and be at rest. Accordingly, which was talking about because she had been sent to a Nazi concentration camp for hiding Jewish people in her home during world war two that she lost her father and her sister and that Called ravens Brooke yet she kept her eyes on Jesus, and that kept her going and it will keep us going as well. Now we close with the greatest world changer of the mall Jesus Christ.

Verse three consider him who endured such hostility against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls think it would. Jesus did for you think about.

We went to the cross for you now when you are worshiping him or sitting in church with your Bible open on your lap with your hands lifted and praise. He did this for you when you are shaking your fist in his face and taking his name in vain and breaking his commandments. He did all of this for you.

I mean, think about what Jesus had to face his own disciples effectively abandon him Judas Iscariot. His friend betrayed him and then he was beaten physically with fist to his face disappeared ripped from his face a crown of thorns pressed on his forehead is back ripped open with Roman webs. Then he was jeered and laughed at and spit on and then he was nailed to a cross how easily Jesus could have said you know what for.

Get no one here appreciates me.

I'm not dying for these people. They don't deserve it but it was his love for us, that kept them going and so will we read for the joy that was set before me endured the cross, just with the joy set before him was was you was me. It was C did it for us because he knew there was no other way that we could be made right with the God that we had all offended and I love this for the joy that was set before him. He endured the cross, despising the shame so look under Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. God finishes what he starts. He's going to complete the work is a great I can go on another day can get your eyes off yourself. Put a stop to your pity party, look at Jesus. What people don't appreciate okay you're not doing a free people do it for Jesus.

He's the one you will stand before he's the one that will give you the strength to do it. Think of Simon Peter on the water. He sees Jesus walking Lord. He says if it's you tell me to calm Jesus said, come on man to be set up that way. I'm just thinking he might of the Bible says Jesus said, that would've been more like what God see what happens. Peter walked on water, we can make fun of Peter for sinking, which happened after no other disciple walked on water. Besides Peter, how did he do it. He was looking to Jesus. When did he start to sink when he stopped looking at Jesus. When will you start to sink when you take your eyes off of the Lord and put them on people or you put them on the church for you put them on circumstances where you put them on other things that your eyes off of that stuff look to Jesus will never let you down and he'll keep you running on the race of life. Think of all he did for you he died for you, he paid for your sins. And now he's actually asking permission to come into your life. He says behold I stand at the door might knock it if you cure my voice and open the door, I will come in. I mean, he is God. He could just say I'm God, you're not uncommon. It would even know he's a gentleman because he doesn't want to force his way in anyone's life.

He wants to come in your life. He wants to forgive you of your sin and you can put your sin behind you see, but God cannot forgive the sin that we will not confess the Bible says that we will confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And as we closed on prayer. There might be some of you that would say I don't know Jesus. I'm not sure if my sin is forgiven.

I don't have the confidence that I will go to heaven when I die, but I wanted a he's just a prayer away become in your life. Some of you might say well I been discouraged a little disheartened and I haven't been running the race as you call it, I haven't walking with the Lord.

Maybe it's too late for me though. It's not too late for you get up and run again get back in the ranks come back to the Lord told Farhad's father, now we've heard your word and I pray for any here that do not yet know you help them to see how much you love them, help them to come to you. Help them to believe in you right Jesus name I Greg Laurie important word of prayer. And if you like to make a change today in your relationship with the Lord.

Pastor Greg would like to help you do that in just a moment before today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes Prof. Gregor remember some of the toys that we used to get for Christmas from her kids. I remember the and of the paddle with the ball attached with a rubber band and the rubber band was held on with a little staple that lasted about five minutes.

Sin in the paddle ball toy without a ball is just a paddle. Yes, oh no. Did you know who's hand that's going to end up in right dad has further disciplinary exactly some toy that is right. Well we have a gift recommend that you that there's no Staples and it can take a last for generations gotten yeah well I can become a staple in your library could net very go as something to read to your children and your grandchildren written by Sally Lloyd Jones, who was with us in studio right now and it's called the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection. It includes stories, songs and reflections for the Advent season. The just works out perfectly when you start out. I believe in the beginning of December. Right, Sally, and there's like a story a day and then there's like little buttons you can push and there's a song that's recorded and, in some part of the Christmas story read by Davidson Shea. What I my leaving out and then seven right and there are some wonderful facts that talk about what Advent means give you background on some of the carols. We saying I just I love it. I level the and interventions are really short and very simple. There a sentence but they make it easy for a parent to read the story and not feel like they got to sit of come up with some kind of application and its stereotype and end at that sort of encouraging the child to think about what God will do and also comforting I think is a lot of comfort in this about how God will the cost to them and loves them and will cast them and they do need to be afraid to do a little personal plan for the buckets. I can't and if I am going to give the gifts to a new mom are to. I knew grandma and one of the things I always included is one of Sally Lloyd Jones books and at Christmas time we were all looking for something to give to someone, and I wouldn't limit it just to the child that is in your home. Maybe you don't have a child in your home that you might know a mother or a grandmother or a child in someone's home. This is an amazing gift and the book and not only is it and something I would give away something I would keep for yourself.

So by two copies part or give towards two copies asked for two copies because personally I have learned how to rephrase and retell Bible stories from the way Sally has tenant, it's an incredible resource for parents to know how to speak to children and then I love having Davidson Shea reading it because it's going to give you a prompt on how to read books to kids to just putting in the proper pauses and emphasizing certain things and modulating your voice so it's it's such an incredible resource and I hope everyone listening will give that gift of any size and get their hands on a copy or to let these once again it's called the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection and will be glad to send it to you to thank you for your investment in keeping the studies coming your way. It's a program that touches lives every single day. We recently heard this from a listener. Pastor Greg your teaching is what made me come back to God.

Thank you for leading people to eternal joy and you know this study couldn't reach as many hearts as it does without listeners who invest were completely listener supported. So, please send a donation today and be sure to ask for the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection.

You can write a new beginning.

Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's a 24 hour phone number 1-800-821-3300 or just go online to harvest.org and look for the Jesus storybook Bible, a Christmas collection and will only be mentioning this resource. A short time longer, and then Pastor Greg would you like to speak to those who like to make a change today, and their relationship with the Lord. I would deny I received so many letters day from people from every walk of life from successful businessmen to those who are incarcerated to mothers struggling is trying to raise her children to young boys and writing and saying they've made a commitment or recommitment to Jesus and maybe you need to make a commitment to him right now. Let me lead you in a word of prayer. Yes, you can meet God right now and I would just ask you to pray this prayer out loud after me and this is what you are asking Christ to come in your life.

Pray with me now if you would, Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner.

I know that I've broken your commandments and I fallen short of your standards but I think you that you have loved me and you've called leave yourself. So I turn for my sin right now and I choose to believe in and follow you be my Savior be my Lord and be my God from this moment forward. Thank you for calling me and loving me and accepting me in Jesus name I pray, amen. Hey let me just say God bless you. You've made the right decision and welcome to the family of God and we want to follow up with you by sending something called our new believers growth packet to help you get started. Living as a Christian will send it without charge.

If you prayed for the first time today to receive Christ. Just ask for the new believers] when you call 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org. Click on know God. Next time, Pastor Greg points out the need for spiritual renewal in our land and how believers are called to serve jealousy of God sends us to do a job gives us the tools to get it for more next weekend and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email, devotions@harvest.org