The Nonbeliever's Favorite Verse: Restore, Don't Destroy

Everybody you're listening to a new beginning, which is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. If this program is impacted you, I love to hear from you. So just send an email to me at greg@harvest.org again it's greg@harvest.org you can learn more about becoming harvest partner by going to harvest.org.

Surprisingly, not everyone wants to hear the good news Pastor Greg Laurie says be ready for some to act with outward hostility. Jesus says don't give what is holy first Corinthians 118 says the message of the subject in his insanity to the law. So what you do someone lives in your faith. You just walk away like don't cast your pearls before swine and no give that which is only to the dog walk in all and in the top 10 are in the medical field. Anesthesiologists live their knowledge comes at a premium could save your life.

Would believers know is worth even more spiritually save a life for eternity but some resist hearing lifesaving today on the new beginning. Greg Laurie help us be ready time when the hearers don't have ears here you chapters 7 Matthew chapter 7 the war in our salt and light series. The title of the message is the nonbelievers favorite verse, and the birds that you will often hear from a nonbeliever is judged not lest you be judged.

Right.

And when this happened. This happens usually when were talking to them about their need for Jesus Christ and telling them that maybe they need to turn from their sin and they get really indignant and they say quote doesn't the Bible say judge not lest you be judged. In other words, we you please go away now it's their burgers that they quote to make you stop talking to them in the second favorite verse of nonbelievers is let him that is without sin cast the first stone. Now the problem is they totally misinterpreted what those verses mean. So let's read the words of Jesus from the sermon on the Mount Matthew seven verse one judge not lest you be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not consider the plank in your own eye. How can you say to your brother.

Hey let me remove the speck from your eye to look up plank is in your own eye hypocrite, first remove the plank from your own eye, then you'll see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give that which is holy to the dogs or cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you in pieces alright so here's some take away truths from these verses.

Point number one if you're taking notes as Christians, we should be discerning, but not condemning them repeat that as Christians we should be discerning not condemning again verse one Judge not lest you be judged. Now the better way to translate the statement of Christ in Matthew seven verse one is not Judge not lest you be judged but rather condemn not, lest you be conduct is a big difference. I only make judgments. I am to make evaluations. I only use my discernment but having said that, I am not to condemn a person. I judge for identification, not for condemnation. Point number two are desire should always be to restore, not condemn a person and sent let me say that again are desire should always be to restore, not condemn a person in sin. We want to restore that. Here's what Paul says in Galatians 61 about someone who's fallen spiritually, brother.

If someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should kick them while they are down and tell as many people as possible.

There were a diverse know you have because is out of the Bible.

I just made it up but by the actions of some you would think it is in the Bible, someone stumbles hey kick them when they're down and tell everybody about their fault know the Bible says love covers a multitude of sins. I want to Hope you see that's what you do when someone is small and your objective is to restore them again number three. I cannot see a speck of my friends.

I if I have a telephone pole in mind. Matthew seven verse three when you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not consider the plank in your own eye. How can you say to your brother, let me remove the speck from your eye and look up plank is in your own and so he's making a point that were so quick to go after minutia, and one Christian's life when we are guilty of a lot worse in our own life and so the idea here is not that I should not try to help somebody who was use some solace in their iris in their life. But before I can do it. I have to get it out of my own life pieces, first remove the plank first, confess your sin, you know, forgiven people should be forgiving people. And if you're so quick to judge others. Here's my question for you.

Are you prepared to be judged with the same type of judgment you give to others because that's exactly what Jesus says, verse two, with the judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Be careful. Point number four. Some people just don't want our help. Some people just don't want our help verse six.

Don't give what is holy to dogs nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you in pieces, casting approval for us. Swine is giving something valuable to someone who does not care pigs like to live in slop and still that's all pigs role. The reason they live in the slop is that's actually how they cool themselves off and said that further comfortable so you go to your pig, and a number of years ago.

Not so much today but pigs were very popular as pets. Remember that some of you that the people we get these little potbellied pigs and it was a really great idea when their little then one day you wake up and you're like a giant hog running up and down your hallway and but if I give approval to a pig a pig is not going to appreciate a pearl by given some fresh garbage in our talk and write so that's the point. Casting your pearls before swine is offering something valuable. Who does not care. Let me say it another way, casting your pearls before swine sharing the gospel to someone who does not want to hear it when I was a brand-new Christian. I went out sharing my faith in the I was with a young guy younger than me and we walked up to this really big biker dude right all tatted up wearing the vest. No shirt underwritten okay and Ellen and thus of the little guy that was with me started sharing the gospel with the biker and the biker looked and shut up.

Put your face and then is it okay let's go now this guy says nobody Like preaching that this biker in the biker's getting really irritated and then finally the little guy says doing okay will leave but because recasting our pearls before pick something and give this as an in-house verse okay this is a verse we quote to explain something that's not the one I quote to the person I'm talking to know.

Maybe it was elevated but there's a time and place for everything and that was not the time.

Sometimes when you're sharing with people that turn on you ears ago we were in Hawaii and we were out swimming around with one of the local guys there in and so we had masks and fins on and stuff and so he said go check this out and down at the bottom there was some netting and there was a shark caught in the net and so this guy says I'm in a go free. The shark with my knife or like to get this is amazing symbolic disconnect were really close watching and this is even on a large and obstructed by you. Okay it wasn't like a 34 great white but it was big enough shark so I don't know why world is watching so interesting because it shark look like it was that Joey goes down there is cutting and that the shark is a moving cuts and all of a sudden the shark comes alive and comes on the swimming tortoise and said that we realize that the shark and workloads. What are we doing here, but we were so fascinated by watching this, we weren't thinking rationally right. Sometimes when you're trying to help someone, though turn on you and that's surprising to us is I'm trying to help you.

I'm trying to tell you how to be forgiven of years and will go away. I have a friend who's a dermatologist.

Someone is an expert in all things pertaining to your skin and topic. Whatever. And with the music and looks at me to stop looking at my skin just just look at my sleeve you know or something but he was in store and he was shopping and he saw a lady what a very large malignant melanoma on her head that he knows what a malignant melanoma looks like there's different kinds of skin cancer. There is basal cell carcinoma which is the most common_Masella little medical lesson here is, so and then there is melanoma and the first two. You can a burned offer the freedom maybe you had that done I have and tied then there's a melanoma that's very serious. You need to get that removed immediately because it can potentially metastasize and be fatal. So he sees a large malignant melanoma on the face of this woman is very careful the way he approaches her. He says ma'am, I'm a doctor, dermatologist, this is what I do for a living and I believe you have a malignant melanoma on your head and I wish you would come see me tomorrow.

My office and she got angry at him and she wanted nothing to do with them.

That's a big mistake.

But when you dare to say to someone, I see something that the problem get mad at you sometimes are like that shark though turn on you, so sometimes it happened. So what you do when you're sharing the gospel. So with someone and they don't want to hear you be surprised by my answer walk away, walk away.

You don't have to push it now.

Sometimes people say they don't want to hear it, but they really do okay so you have to pray the Lord gives you wisdom but really they are sent me with a little really don't want to hear it. There might come a moment. We just say, well look, walk away. Why Jesus says don't give what is holy God Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment, emails, letters and phone calls from listeners are so encouraging to us and they let us know the effectiveness of these studies. Greg, I want to thank you for helping me learn and understand the word of God. I also wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your sense of humor even in my darkest times when I listen to your sermons I can go from crying to laughing. Keep up the wonderful work of God, and God bless you and your family. What an encouragement to hear the pastor Greg's teachings are helping this woman, and many others like her. Let us know how these studies have impacted you send an email to Pastor Greg greg@harvest.org again, that's great@harvest.org were considering some interesting instruction from Jesus today.

Sometimes we face hostility in sharing the gospel. What does Jesus say about that.

Don't give what's holy to dogs. Pastor Greg continues now what is the deal with dogs nowadays. By the way, I mean I love dogs okay dogs are great have had a lot of dogs I want to present but people with dogs. It seems almost beginning bizarre you know everyone with the dogs everywhere and you are taking them in every place in an you know, feeding the dog off the table and and acting like the dog is one of their children in any already note pushing the dogs and the strollers. It's so weird and she read an article from a travel magazine about all these amenities they offer dogs, others hotels for dogs.

This is the latest thing and you can go and get your dog a massage therapist and I'm not making any of this up in one hotel offers a special pot, a cure for the dog and a pedicure of pottage here right there's even a dog surf package at a hotel down in San Diego yelled dear of the article I wrote about his own experience dining with his dog. He said quote I guess a dog can be a pretty good day okay whatever he says. I told the waiter when he arrived with our entrées of filet mignon for my dog and them and for me, then the bill came in I noticed the dogs meal was more expensive than mine, but at least there was enough left over in the doggy bags of both of us can eat later.

The phrase get a life comes to mind. But apart from that, you know your dog doesn't want a particular you know your dog does not want a massage therapist your dog wants to eat junk out of the gutter.

Your dog wants to drink toilet water. You know why because your dog is a dog that's what dogs do. So we take the holy things of God and we offered to someone that is no appreciation whatsoever for you might just walk away. They might even left in your face.

First Corinthians 118 says the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are headed for destruction, but for those of us who believe it's a very power of God.

Another translation of that verse says the message of the crucifixion is insanity to the lost. So what you do for someone lives in your faith. Just walk away. Why don't cast your pearls before swine and no give that which is holy to the dog.

That's why there's a time you think you were not having this conversation. Even Jesus did this to realize that even Jesus did this, Jesus had a prolonged conversation with a cruel Roman governor Pontius Pilate, but he did not say a single word to King Herod never knows that why because Jesus knew that Herod had no interest whatsoever in his life or ministry or his teachings and so literally when he appeared before Herod. He was silent. There's an interesting passage over in the gospel of John chapter 2 it says. When Jesus is in Jerusalem. People notice the signs he was doing and they notice that they pointed to God and so they entrusted their lives to him. That sounds good.

People saw miracles and they entrusted their lives to him all but read the rest of the birth, but he did not entrust his life to them what what is that I don't understand that. Let me translated another week. They believed in him.

But even believe in them what I thought God wanted to make himself known to every person. Yes, he wants to make himself known to every person who really wants to know him, but there are people that say they want to know but they don't want to know these people were drawn to Jesus because they saw his miracles, but they had no interest in his message. It's that way today in church.

Some people come because oh I like this or I like that some peripheral thing with her not really into our relationship with Christ himself. Listen, if a person really wants to know God. They will listen to the message of the gospel that gets a way to really test someone is people assail the demo I'm seeking truth. Are you yes I want to know the truth. All that's amazing, will listen. I'd like to share with you some truth from the bucket put put put please put that away. What's the Bible I believe it's a trick but I don't even don't want to hear and have your read it. No book, and I quote to you from it because you I don't hear the Bible will know what Jesus said I am the way that you know I don't want to hear about what Jesus said put that away. I don't want any and all was in the get aggravated and angry with you. Okay, I suggest you that person does not want to know the truth because if they don't believe this is the word of God. If they believe this is just a bunch of made up stories they care if you believe it, what are they care of you quote it is not true right well thought through.

Full of contradictions.

Okay, right. Could you show me what know what it is all right you can believe that if you want to, but really what you're saying is you know there's power in the message of this book. This is the same reason that people take the Lord's name in vain.

Why they punctuate a sentence with the holy name Jesus Christ. What would you do that versus I'm an atheist meant some irritates him and those he Jesus Christ you away. Why would you say Jesus Christ you believe in Jesus. Of course not. Why do you say the name Jesus Christ. Why don't you say another day. Why don't you say Hare Krishna you know what why why don't you think I want. Why not you say Jesus Christ and you say you don't believe in Jesus Christ. Yet you use his name like that, I think, again, just like with people not wanting to see the Bible in their own way there acknowledging the power of the name of Jesus Christ actually do so. If you want to know the truth. God will make himself known to you, God will reveal himself to true seekers because the Bible says God speaking, those that seek me will find me. Maybe some of you need restoration you broken your arms spiritually you fall and then you can't get up.

You don't know how to get right with God. Again there was a time when you were close to Jesus and you read your Bible every day and you prayed and you want the church and everything was great and then one thing led to another and you hung around with some people that got you going the wrong direction in before you know it you're back in the pit. In fact, before you knew it. You are worse off than you were when you were a nonbeliever and you came to Christ the first time you thought.

How did I get here.

I hate this, but more to the point, how do I get out of here. How do I get out of this pit will you need help.

Some will reach down and pull you out and the Lord will put you on the might do it through a Christian friend who give you a helping hand and say here's what you need to do need to admit you send own it. Don't make excuses for it to make a break with the past and start following Christ. You can be restored no matter what you've done, but there are some of you that maybe have never asked Jesus to come in your life.

You've never asked him to forgive you of your sin and this is all kind of new to you will look she can come in your life and forgive you and transform you because 2000 years ago.

Jesus Christ, the very son of God came to this earth. He was born in the little manger in Bethlehem and then he lived a perfect life and then he died a perfect death on a cross. You voluntarily went to the cross and died for your sin and for my sin for our sin.

He paid the price for all the wrongs we've done, he absorbed the wrath of his father in heaven that should've come on you in on me and he took it on himself. He paid the price for our sin and then he rose again from the dead and now he's alive. Of course in here with us and he standing at the door of your life, and he is knocking anything. If you hear his voice and open the door will commit.

Would you like Jesus Christ to come in your life would you like to be forgiven of your sin or would you like to be restored to God. It can happen for you right now the moment were going to pray and I'm going to extend an invitation for you to ask the Lord to forgive you of your sin and opportunity for you to ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord, or an opportunity for you to get back up on your feet spiritually because you've stumbled and you fall in so respond if you need to us. We pray father, we thank you for your word to us.

We thank you for your love for us in sending Jesus to die in our place. The Lord Jesus I pray that your Holy Spirit will not work on the hearts of those that are herein those that are watching who do not yet know you help them to see their need for you, Lord, help them to come to you. Help them to believe in you. Help them to be forgiven by you. Right now we in Jesus name, amen. Pastor Greg Laurie if you'd like to do is Pastor Greg suggested and make things right in your relationship with the Lord. Pastor Greg will help you do that in just a moment for today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes we can all use some help sharing our faith right. Sometimes unbelievers ask some tough questions stopping what we have a resource that will give you new confidence in sharing Christ is called person of interest by retired cold case detective J. Warner Wallace, Jim Wallace uses what he knows as a detective, to investigate the person of Christ and who he claims to be.

It's a factual view of Christ.

While Jim is with us today. Pastor Greg, I wanted to ask you this. You know Jesus said people don't come to the light because they don't want their evil deed as opposed sometimes people put up a smokescreen.

We don't even know if they believe that things are espousing. But they throw a lot of things that you maybe hoping that you will just go away. How do you know Jim when it's a smokescreen that one should try to answer each of their objections or if it's just really a person that isn't going to respond to anything you say because they're choosing to not believe in Jesus because they don't want to change the way they let McAllister a reason why anyone rejects the truth and Reimann is rational. Yeah, they have these enough evidential reason for this second one is emotional and has some experience with other Christians either. Parents, whatever that generally motion respond in 1/3 is volitional. They just don't want to ever bend their knee. What turns out that almost all that's a great summation well you all of this. If you think about all of that with what you hear from people you are selling to rational objections of the volitional objection or that object or the deep emotional object or is going to sound say something that sounds like it's a rational objection but is actually probably emotional or volitional actually think that almost that 80% of of objections are volitional, while in a summer emotional and very small percentage repeat his money and investigated the case, one where the other external sailors. Does this is just no reason to believe in miracles. Is that really your objection or something else as we can ask a question when the questions are from my friend Terry and I always ask us if we could demonstrate evidentially Christianity is true. Would you become a Christ follower a lot of extrusion on St. gift is a just thought experiment. If we could somehow demonstrate beyond any doubt that this is true. Would you become a Christ you be surprised to people is a no NFS in case you know it's not a head issue.

It's a hard issue right and so will be due on juries, as I don't spend a lot of time with their some people that prosecutors do not want the jury and their people. The defense attorneys do not want on the jury exactly as ones enforce their people were too entrenched in their view there. I can change your mind and I can be fair, looking for twos and threes people who are on one side of the other, but they are open-minded enough to listen to the evidence and make the right difference.

So what we have to do. I think I'm talking to people I to figure out they are one of for me at ease to somebody who right now God is not moved them into position three in so I can spend all this time there is can they see me as a another hammer looking for a nail and this is on by what social media exposes these kinds of people quickly publishes on Facebook yet family members you try to communicate Jesus to and they will debate there is to hammer your the nail and at some point you to realize okay on the now instead of my spinning a lot of time preaching at them as sharing evidence with them on now to be in pray and model mode. I'm to be praying that God is my own parent. My own dad is in this category you pray for that person and you model Christ for that person and then at some point I I think I'll put that switch for that person you know and I think what I love about the way you present this truth. Jim is if I come it's knowledge on fire. It's against knowledge. This is filled with information that's going to help people, but if you're on fire your passionate about what you're doing in this is not just something that an academic pursuit. It is that and you have so many footnotes to back up what you said so this is clearly a well researched book but yet at the same time. I love your passion, because ultimately your goal is to just see people come to believe in Jesus Christ. While I was listening to you.

To be honest, so passion is contagious. Well if you say hey you know why is it my kids are as passions. I like him to be or my friends are what are we as passionate as what happens is passion begets passion, so is from listening to your radio show there's help me to be passionate as well will thank you very much. Passion is contagious and I think you're going to get some of that passion when you get a copy of this book by Judy Warner Wallace called person of interest you can see that Jim knows what he's talking about here and you can have it right in front of you.

Although footnotes all the facts. Even the illustrations made a very understandable so you don't have to be a great academic to understand this. This is something for everyone. As Jim described it to me. It's a kids book for adults, so we want to get you a copy of person of interest by J Warner Wallace as quickly as possible and so for your gift of any size will get it into your hands and you're gonna love this. You absolutely will. The full title is person of interest why Jesus still matters in a world that rejects the Bible and it's our way of showing appreciation for partnering with us. So these daily studies can keep coming your way. It's only through listener investments, but that's possible to get in touch today with your donation and will be glad to. Thank you. With the book person of interest.

You can 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 Pastor Greg a few moments ago you spoke of the need to get our hearts right with God. Could you help someone who wants to do that very thing right now. Yes, I'd be delighted to listen as you listen to this program today. Maybe some is been happening inside of your heart where your sensing.

I need to do this personally, but how do I do it in one or why do let me help you. It's very simple affected so simple. You may be shocked God's relationship with him is just a prayer away. The Bible says if you will call upon the name of the Lord you will be saved, so I'd like to lead you in a prayer we you do just that you call on the name of the Lord. This can be the moment when you change your eternal address literally from hell to heaven. Just pray these words Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you're the Savior who died on the cross for me, and rose again from the dead, Jesus I choose to follow you from this moment forward in your name I pray. Amen. I know it's such a simple short prayer but you just called on the name of the Lord, and you know what he heard that prayer and if you meant that prayer in your heart, he answered that prayer now let me help you to get started on the right foot in your new life in Jesus Christ.

The greatest adventure awaits you the life of walking with God. I want to send you what we call a new believers growth pack that includes the new believers Bible and a whole lot more and let me be the first to see the you congratulations and welcome to the family of God yet to get that free new believers growth pack. Just ask for it if you prayed along with pastor Greg to receive Christ will be glad to send when you're way free of any charge right is that 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 and click know God and the Bible says the rain falls on the just and the unjust trials, problems, challenges part of life. As believers, how do we cope when life is brought us to our knees and insight coming next time, new beginning for an outcast with me by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God learn how to become harvest partner sign up for daily devotions and find resources to help you grow in your faith harvest.org