Dealing with Discouragement: A Good Friday Message

The following message from Pastor Greg Laurie is made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God don't want to hear from you. Would you consider emailing me you can reach me at greg@harvest.org again that's Greg harvest.org and you can also make me one of your friends on Facebook and drop me a comment Jesus face persecution and crucifixion today. Pastor Greg Laurie helps us understand his motive.

Why did Jesus go through with it is always really good if you said you know I'm just know he endured the cross, he was looking all that he was going through. What would be accomplished was the joy set before him just with the joy set before him was it was you, so you should keep running your race for Jesus because Jesus run his race for you and show the excruciating, but many women say they forget all about the pain when they get to hold her brand-new baby. The joy justified today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie shows his pain Jesus offered on our behalf.

The Bible says, for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, given what he endured for you coming your way, what the doctor recently for my yearly checkup, which I don't look forward though I have to admit, but fortunately I did quite well everything is good to go, and I'm very thankful for that. And I made the big mistake of telling a friend of mine that I did well on my physical because he's a really fit guy. He's a guy that likes to push the boundaries you know push the limits and so he said oh you did well in your physical bullets go for a walk like that. We go for normal walk. I'll take a walk, usually for 35 to 40 minutes. That was just getting started.

You took me on what ended up being the two are walkabouts at the big deal, but it was all uphill and I mean really uphill. We were climbing and climbing and he said you going to see this really cool lake will I don't care that much about lakes but you know I'm on my way up and I'm getting really tired like after an hour and 1/2 of walking uphill. I said you know I'm kind ready to turn back and he said no.

The lake is just around the corner and then we see a lady coming down the path with her dog and he's a little bit ahead of me and he asked her the link is right up your right Jesus all know it's way up there and then I will send you this and say said by the way I did well in my hearing just I just heard that back I started back in oh come on Greg you can make it then he starts quoting Scripture to me. His name is Paul. He says Greg. Remember, the Bible says running the race that is set before you with the torrents.

Looking at the Jesus the author and finisher of your faith in lay aside the way. Then the sin that was okay okay so I know I go little bit further and a little bit further but then he takes me on the wrong path that will go in the wrong direction of court still uphill and I and I realize that and I said okay now the narrative is changed from running the race to leading people astray.

That's all, use this as a sermon illustration.

I remember something about the Donner party. It didn't work out so well for them. If you start chewing on my arm. We have trouble. I don't have time to go into why was said that but anyway so were climbing and climbing and climbing and finally we get to the elusive mystical lake with unicorns flying over the right is more like a pond. Honestly wasn't all that impressive.

So what I was all done. It was two hours all uphill, covering 6 miles and I figured a bird enough calories to eat a cheeseburger and fries and a malt.

Okay, whatever.

Well you know what life be just like this sometimes in life we feel like I can't go on another step right. I reached my limits. But what keeps us going is that we have a purpose.

If we have a goal, not some stupid lake we have something far better because in the Christian life you get started. Time thousand and we get attacked at times and we face obstacles. At times I were discouraged at times and were disappointed that other time. So what is the key to running the race of life and making it to the end.

I have no idea. God bless and good, but I have a very good idea. Trying to write in the Bible.

Hebrews 12 verse one. Therefore, there is the verse, Paul quoted to me since were surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let's lay aside the way and this 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.

Now, this verse speaks to those who are disappointed and discouraged and I wondered tonight if I'm speaking to someone like this. You're very discouraged you're very disappointed, something's happened that's really huge setback for you.

You know, Hebrews 12 verse 11. From the Phillips translation. Paul says this get a fresh grip on life and brace your trembling limbs don't wander from the path, but forward steadily onward on the right path. The limping foot recovers strength that does not collapse. I love with the author of Hebrews says don't wander from the path in our little journey to the lake. We got off the path a couple of times.

Sometimes in the Christian life. We get off the path we get a lead astray. And we get discouraged and disappointment is a very real thing. Read an article in a New York magazine called the science of disappointment in this article points out that the feeling of being let down is one of life's toughest emotional experience. There's a lot of things are. A lot of people even that let us down on life. It could be apparent can be a child can be a spouse. It can be friends become your boyfriend can be a girlfriend. It can be a best friend who lets us down and some of you even feel as though God is let you down. You feel the Lord didn't come through for me. I was telling everyone he would heal me of this or he would open this door you would provide this and it didn't happen. You feel as though God is let you down. In this article went on to say that feeling that disappointment is linked to your levels of dopamine.

Dopamine is the brain's pleasure. Chemical release during positive life experiences.

Friend said sometimes a biblical shopping to get a release of dopamine.

That's why they call it retail therapy. Right now I'm talking about you That you're almost like if I like a little bit of a high right and only get that supercool outfit to go home and some of these existence is ugly where you were in a crash right for your birthdays, the dopamine is released, you're telling all your friends and know you're waiting for a double dose of dopamine even better than a double dose of espresso you're waiting for, and no one remembers your birthday and now you crash even harder because you got so built up about it in your mind and then it didn't happen that can lead to disappointment. I think that's all the disciples felt when Jesus was nailed to a cross. He told them repeatedly that Son of Man referring to himself will be betrayed and he will be tried and he will be crucified and a rise again from the dead three days later he was very inexact about what was about to happen. They may have thought he was speaking metaphorically even really mean what he was saying these are some kinds of originals. He was saying they weren't sure but they didn't take it literally. And they should have, because that's exactly what happened and when Jesus was betrayed and when Jesus was crucified. Their hope was defeated and their dreams were destroyed and their faith was demolished. So if you feel yourself disappointed and discouraged again. Come back to Hebrews 12 or two looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and doubt this sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him underline those two words.

Consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul. The word here. Consider means compare yourself with. We do a lot of that already going switching social media you know nobody post ugly photos of themselves in the most part do that. The great photo of your perfect angle and whatever it is you know I can become more likes and I have been in that you know that other more followers and I haven't we get into comparing ourselves one with another. What were actually told here compare yourself with Jesus and what this means is looking with Jesus went through.

Look at the suffering that Christ experience. Contrast what you're going through with what Jesus went through for you, but start with pointing out that he was abandoned by his friend. Don't miss the point that the disciples were just as followers. They were his buddies. There were his friends, especially, believe it or not, Judas Iscariot know why would I say Judas was the friend of Jesus will because Jesus himself said, because in the garden of Gethsemane when Judas now ready to betray the Lord was leading the temple guard to arrest Christ Jesus actually says to him, friend, why have you come friends. Didn't he know what Judas was about to do. Of course he did.

Yorty predicted it in the upper room, but it still broke the heart of the Lord, because Judas was his friend. Zechariah over in chapter 13 verse six says one will say unto him, one of these wounds in your hand's and he will answer these are the wounds I received in the house of my friends. I think the worst kind of pain is the betrayal of a friend.

It could be a spouse, your husband, your wife you be someone you confided in someone you trusted and you don't care some random enemy says something to you or some Internet troll takes a shot at you but wanted someone you love and care about and they turn on you that hurt so there was the emotional pain and listen emotional pain is real is in. Some people take their life over emotional pain that was just the beginning for Jesus.

The emotional pain master Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message just a moment. We love hearing with Pastor Greg studies help people grow in their daily walk with Christ.

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That's 1-866-871-1144 were following the Lord, as he approached his sacrifice on Calvary pastor Greg's message title today dealing with discouragement must continue. So first he's betrayed by his friends, then appearing before Pilate pilot has some skirt we just read Pilate scourged them and sent them to be crucified. There's no detail give it. That's because if you were living in the first century.

You did need detail because you knew all about it because the Romans whipped in crucified people left and right but for us today. We don't realize how horrific and painful and torturous it was to actually scourge a person they would use a weapon embedded with bits of metal and glass and would rip into the flesh, then it would rip into the skeletal tissue, sometimes even exposing vital organs. In fact, the scourging was sometimes called the halfway crucifixion. Some people didn't even survive the scourging. So now is the emotional pain of rejection. Then there's this scourging that left Jesus just beaten and bloodied his flesh literally hanging in ribbons 39 times that whip came upon his back and then of course he had to carry his cross that heavy wooden cross up on his shoulders through the streets of Jerusalem.

Yet the crown of thorns pressed into his head as the Roman soldiers struck him in the face never been hit in the face is not like it is in the movies. By the way, as you know, a big fight moving to hit someone becomes smile know you don't smile, they hit him in the face they rip the beard out of his face and then he went. Of course, to the place of the skull is it's called Golgotha and there they nailed him to the cross in his bed is all of this was a was in the worst part. The worst part of the crucifixion wasn't the betrayal by friends. It wasn't the scourging and it wasn't even the crucifixion. The worst part of the death of Jesus was when he had to literally bear the sin of the world because this is a man who never send what you didn't even have one thought out of harmony with the father in heaven.

He was fully God, yet fully man and when all the sin of the world was placed upon him causing Jesus to say, Eli, Eli Lama suboptimally or translated by God, my God, why have you forsaken me.

That was the worst moment of all. Yet he pressed on.

Now I bring this up because I told you we can keep you going. What can keep you going get your eyes on Jesus. Compare your suffering with his suffering. You're not going to anything even close to what he went through so do it for him and run the race. Perhaps bliss can it turn the camera at a different angle. We know what keeps us going. Now let's talk about what Jesus going.

Why did Jesus go through with that's always really good if you said you know I am done with all of you.

I meanwhile disciples of betrayed me. Everyone hates me. I'm just done know he went through with it. What kept them going.

It's found during our verse Hebrews 12, who for the joy that was set before him. Verse two he endured the cross, despising the shame, and now is set down on the right hand of the throne of God. The joy set before joy joy in the daily crucifixion. What was the joy of there was some joy as he was looking past the pain he was looking past the English he was looking past all that he was going through to what would be accomplished and it was the joy set before him, and guess what, the joy set before him was it was you it was me it was us, Christ died for us. I love the way Paul framed it when he said he loved me and he gave himself for me. Listen, he was thinking of you and he carried the cross of the city.

He was thinking of you when he bore the sin of the world. Jesus told the story of a shepherd lost one sheet out of 100, because Beasley said all you know when.

If you lose a few. Whatever know he went searching 1199 it searched till he found that missing sheet and then Jesus draws the analogy he says, and I'm telling you there's more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents then 99 who need no repentance, so you should keep running your race for Jesus because Jesus ran his race or you. That's why Paul says consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul, and the Greek games the Olympics to go back many many years. They think about gold, silver and bronze like they do today. They give the Laurel leaps that the victor would wear itself you're running that race and you're coming toward the end of the race, you would see the Emperor standing there holding the laurel leaves that you would want placed on your head.

That was the reward and you know sometimes when you're working out easily what my goal is when I'm done I want to do this thing.

Reward myself with that I met when I was in track and field in high school I have to go to practice on the field and I hated it, but I tell you what if there was a pretty girl watching me. It always helped find a better motive for you than a pretty girl or an attractive guy. Jesus himself is watching you. So this is the key. Looking under Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith were not doing for applause were not doing it for fame were not doing it for any other thing we just want to hear him say to us one day. Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your work look to Jesus.

Now I know we say that a lot, just look to Jesus. What is that even mean while actual, literal definition of this phrase is turn your eyes away from other things and fix them on to something. I mean, if you really focused on something right now if you focused on this podium. For instance, you only looked at it by everything else would become somewhat blurry. It's the same with the camera. You focus on your subject, to get it dialed in the focus there blurs other things out. It's actually an effective use of photography. You blur out other elements, so the subject stands clear that's what it means to look under Jesus. I'm looking to him by looking to him.

I mean I'm putting him first time filling my mind with the word of God that can help you get there what you're going through right now I need to lay aside anything that slows me down verse one lay aside every weight in the sin that so easily set you when you come to the service tonight carrying a lot of weight and by way I don't mean physical way, but I'm talking about just burdens, hardships, difficulties, problems you tracking around track at a minnow.

You might even like to drag them around. I don't know.

I don't know about you but I always take too much stuff with me when I travel. I have a little bag with wheels right no matter what size it is all filled.

I don't even need this stuff) and I just fill it up. I walk around that band and wheels you and some of us are like that and live what is walk around wheeling around our burdens we just taken with this.

Everywhere that we put them in the over and again I have a you know when you put them up there and it barely fit in the overage shop. I'm in you yank them out again. We do that with life.

What we need to take those things and cast them aside just inside the sin of the weight that hold you back. You know some people have a certain kind of metabolism where they can eat anything they want and never gain weight. Other any of those people those high metabolism so you can eat anything get out so seriously just leave no I wish I was you I don't have the metabolism I did when I was in my 20s, but does time passed I am not able to do that any longer. But you know sometimes one thing will slow one person down there will not necessarily slow another person down the way can vary from person to person, but sin is sin.

You know it that way it is.

You know what that thing is I may dole your spiritual appetite.

You know what that issue is that kind of distract you from your faith. You know what their relationship is that pulls you down whenever you're around the person and you certainly know what that sin is that God doesn't want you to be involved in so leave those things aside and again. Verse three consider Jesus focus on Jesus.

We need to consider Jesus because he never stopped considering you. We need to look to Jesus because he's always been looking out for you. We need to live for Jesus because he died for you. It was thinking of you when he went to the cross. He loves you he is a plan for you so there's anybody here that does not have the certainty that Christ is living in them. You don't know for sure that you will go to heaven when you die, but you want to know you want this relationship with God, to give you an opportunity to come to him and believe in him. So let's bow our heads for prayer everybody praying please father I pray now that your Holy Spirit will speak to the heart of every person wherever they may be. If they don't know Jesus yet.

Let this be the moment they believe. Let this be the moment they give their life to you. Let this be the moment where they are forgiven of all of their sins they enter into this relationship. In Jesus name I pray, amen Greg Laurie with an important closing prayer and if you like to make a change in your relationship with the Lord. Pastor Greg will help you do that in just a moment before today's addition of a new beginning. Concludes if you missed any part of today study you can hear what you missed by going online to harvest.org just look for the message called dealing with discouragement. If you like a CD copy. Call us at 1-800-821-3300 1-800-821-3300.

Well, it's a privilege to have author Sally Lloyd Jones with us today. She's written a brand-new two books that we are happy to make available to parents and grandparents called found and love Shelley kids want to know that their love. Yes, you know, sometimes they don't feel that even in the best of homes. I can feel less than loved him it would send me that's a key objective in your new picture book set. Yes, that's absolutely right, thickness, it's such a privilege to be able to for those children who may be on grant to Hamel Arena, Anaheim. That is struggling and enough whatever reason they didn't feel left to be able to check on's love for children is the highest coding I can imagine and I am so honored to do it. However I can. So I'll doing directly through sharing Bible story books. But if I don't have to the way and to do that I can do that with a picture but that might be a batch of fish oil and might be that a dog that I know redemption and Joanne had put the heart of everything in my life so it went, it can't help but come out in the writing. Even if it's telling it sound as Emily Dickinson sent semi. I just think there are many ways to check on's love and his I'm always looking for ways to do it and if check the child nice that I left by God, then that's right will begin to snap you constant with the rules because that would just make a child to spare in a that that the rules in the house to let Bass stay, off to you now. You left. I think the child so everybody your hearing from Sally Lloyd Jones and I'm reading from her biography on the back of her book that is called love based on the Lord's prayer Sally Lloyd Jones is an award-winning New York Times best-selling writer of over 25 books for children books are written for children. I like this part, although a lot of adults we know are sneaking up with them and reading them to your room and they include the Jesus storybook Bible winner of the platinum book award and an ALA notable thoughts to make your heart sing. Winner of the Association of Christian publishers adult devotional book of the year and the Christopher medal winner and many other things. Born in Africa.

Educated in England. She now lives in New York City. She's a friend. We love and appreciate her and were offering these books that Sally has written for you that are listening for your gift of any size to help us continue to bring this radio broadcast to you each and every day so order your copy of the two-volume set found in love written by Sally Lloyd Jones yeah that's right for set comes in a protective case, and also includes a keepsake print but you can hang on your child's wall. It's really wonderful resource and will send it to thank you for your investment that helps keep these daily studies coming your way to write us at 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 then Pastor Greg just before we go. Would you mind praying with the person listening who wants to make a change today, and their relationship with the Lord.

I'd be happy to Dave you know is you been listening to this today. Maybe you've heard another voice. By that I mean, you heard me say a few things, but you heard God's voice speak to you deep in the recesses of your heart and it suddenly dawned in you. This is what I need order stated more accurately. This is who I need I need Jesus. And I want Jesus, but maybe you don't know how to make that connection. Let me help you pray this after me right now if you want Jesus Christ to come into your life. Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin and I need your forgiveness right now.

Would you come in to my heart, my life as Savior, as God is friend I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for calling me and accepting me and for giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen. I know there was a relatively short prayer. Maybe you felt something as you prayed it. Maybe you felt nothing, that doesn't really matter because God's word says these things we write to you that believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. It doesn't say so. You may think you have it or you may hope you have it of gods in a good mood. No that you can know it and I want you to know if you pray that prayer and minute Jesus Christ, the son of God has come into your life. So congratulations, you're now a Christian now continue to follow the Lord. Yet, to help you as you follow the Lord would like to send some resource materials your way. We call our new believers growth packet it will answer many of the questions you might have and get you started off right in your new relationship with the Lord. So get in touch and ask for will send it free of charge. Again, as the new believers growth packet writers had 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 is the first to bring someone to church. It does not get know the Lord is a big difference this year were going to do it all online.

Easter is coming here how your tablet to your phone wherever you want to view it just goes to harvest.org to find out more, let's work together to reach the largest group of people we have never been able to make contact with this coming Easter harvest Easter on line next time.

What Easter accomplished master grade points out, when Jesus rose again not only defeated death on that one occasion it did lead to death. Learn more next time you beginning possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email, devotions@harvest.org