God, The Future, and You | Worship Is More Than You Think

You are listening to a new beginning with Greg Laurie, a podcast supported by harvest partners for more ways to deepen and challenge your spiritual walk and roll and pastor breaks free online courses sign up and harvest out a word what we were. So we have hundreds their lives more than just singing worship is not just losing your hair living near him to someone in the closing your eyes and opening your eyes to a lost world needs gospel today pastor Greg Laurie worship isn't so much that the lifestyle is allowing God to live through works of is not just singing worship and serve the misunderstood. We know it's more than a strong more than the words of praise in the prayers we really today on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie is a good appreciation for worship as God is one of the few things we can do one boat side of eternity and others as well. Today will actually get a fascinating length of the others, as seen through the eyes of our Bibles valuable done that were in Daniel chapter 7. The title of the message is God, the future and you will is now placed in what we might describe as spiritual Time Machine. It was shown what was coming to the world. He sees the history of the world from his day to the last days from Babylon. The king that he was in at this moment to the reign of the Antichrist would be the final kingdom on this planet.

So Daniel saw the future. Then Daniel saw God like a verse line. I behold the roads are cast out of the ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow when they heard a sound like pure wool. His throne was like a fiery flame, and his wheels burning fire in a fiery stream issued and came forth before them. Thousands and thousands ministered to him in 10,000×10,000 stood before them, and the judgment was said in the books were opened. Now this is an awe-inspiring glimpse in the heaven itself which you want to know what heaven is like you don't need to buy the latest book about the latest film of someone that says they died and went to heaven read about them flying around in unicorns and rainbows in whatever fanciful things they may dream up, no, you want to know what heaven is like read the Bible. Everything you need to know about heaven is in the Bible.

You don't have to go beyond the Scripture. Actually, you should not go beyond the Scripture. So here's a glimpse in the glory here is God represented as the ancient day I ancient of days emphasizes his eternal nature. God is neither beginning nor end in this physical description of God is a literal but symbolic because he doesn't wear closer of white hair, but it speaks of his holiness and purity.

The fire speaks of judgment against sin and the wheels symbolizing continuous working of God in this world in ways that we cannot understand this is a powerful, holy, righteous, God never getting a glimpse of you know for years. I think the church talked a lot about the holiness of God. The righteousness of God and told us we should have the fear of God so you want to do a church sanctuary. There was a reverent tone, a certain respect you would give but then I think there was a swing in another direction I think was a good thing that we talk more about the love of God the mercy of God, the forgiveness of God. But my question is how we in some ways gone too far the other way should we not talk about both. Should we not talk about a loving grace is forgiving father who longs for a relationship with us, but not leave out the bad that he is holy and righteous and just goes all important because those of the Lord himself say be holy as I am holy. And you know I I think there's so much worship to their love worship like the whole a whole kind of a culture of worship is developed in either the privilege of actually being around when what we call contemporary worship was born. It happened during the Jesus movement nowadays and we go to church.

We don't find ourselves surprised we see guitar amps and drum kits and lights and all the other stuff that we use, but back in the day you would never see those things in the church it see an Oregon and a piano and up there on the cutting edge and acoustic guitar right but then as the Lord intervened among a whole generation of young people were not pretty old people and I'm one of the Jesus movement you started seeing electric guitars in church and in fresh new choruses been written and now even more so you have all these wonderful worship bands and worship leaders and I think some of the best worship. The churches ever had has been written in the last 20 years may be incredible. So were thankful for that for sure but I think that when we was never loose item is when we worship we have to understand it's more than just singing worship is more than just praying.

It's more than just closing your eyes. Worship is not just lifting your hands.

It's lending your hand to someone in the worship is not just closing your eyes it's opening your eyes to a lost world that desperately needs the gospel of the problem with worship and singing. It is we sit with that. This is our worship time but worship is practical worship happens before George worship happens after church.

Listen. Worship is not just singing worship is serving in Romans chapter 12, the apostle Paul writes in the says I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, present your bodies to the Lord is a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God. Listen, which is your reasonable service or your spiritual service of worship.

And then he goes on to say, don't be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may know what is a good and acceptable and perfect will of God oppose basically saying a word to visit just singing worship isn't just praying worship is giving your life to the Lord each and every day is giving your mind to the Lord your heart to the Lord your thoughts to the Lord. Listen. Worship is Bible study. This is a form of worship. Right now how my going to be transforming the renewing of my mind without the word of God. So this too is worship. Worship is giving in the offering. I don't hear any man's why what's going on what giving in the offering. I saw a bumper sticker while back that said ties.

If you love Jesus. Anybody can honk right so that we are all excited will you know it's the present legal things. Worship is been a good and godly husband and father for your family worship is being a nurturing and loving wife and mother worship is being a single person that lives up your life until the Lord brings the right person to them. Worship is working hard with honesty and integrity.

It's all of these things. These are all acts of worship and in fact if we are not worshiping from the right heart of the Lord even says I don't want to hear your music anymore over in Amos 523 the Lord says away with the noise of your songs. I will not listen to the music of your hearts.

I want justice to flow like a river God with at 1.8. Stop already. I want to hear anymore of your songs if you're not doing these other things. That's why Jesus said God is a spirit and those that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Mr. Greg Laurie love the second half of his message in just a moment. Hearing about listeners whose families are impacted because of the Ministry of harvest is so encouraging for anger. When 25 years mainlining the guy down here family planning pathway. What a great story about Pastor Greg's teachings from God's word made an impact on this family if you like to listen to Pastor Greg's podcast. You can do that through Google, Apple respond, a fine or just go to harvest.org that's harvest.org were in Daniel chapter 7 today as Pastor Greg brings us a message called God the future and you know Jesus makes an Old Testament appearance that you know Jesus is in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament, not by me but Jesus being the eternal Jesus being part of the Godhead part of the Trinity. Like the father is always been and always will be. And now he makes an Old Testament appearance right here in Daniel 713. My vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the ancient of days was led into his presence. He was given authority and glory and sovereign power all nations and people of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an ever lasting kingdom that will never be destroyed. You know it's the phrase Son of Man was used often by Jesus.

82 times in the Gospels, Jesus said, you know birds have nests, foxes have holes, but the Son of Man is nowhere to lay his head so this is Jesus, the son of man making this appearance, so Daniel saw the future.

Then he saw God and finally he saw himself. He saw himself a good verse 15 I Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me and I approached one of those standing there, there would be an angel and asked him the meaning of all this, and he told me the interpretation of those things. So here's the interpretation. The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth, but the holy people of the most high will receive and process it forever yes forever and ever. Daniel freaking out a little bit it doesn't know what this all means Joan angels is a good. Here's the bottom line here is getting up these four kingdoms are going to come but God didn't have the last word so don't worry. Don't be agitated. Everything is going to be just fine. But here's the deal. Daniel was moved by his study of Bible prophecy, and we should be to studying the end times events should not be merely an intellectual exercise or some kind of hobbyhorse if I really believe these things that are meeting it should concern me if I really believe what the Bible says about a coming world leader called the antichrist at a time, coming upon the earth, called the great tribulation.

That's alarming because I don't want anyone that I know to have to go through that if I really believe what the Bible tells me about future judgment and the reality of hell that should concern me because I don't want anyone that I know to spend eternity separated from God.

So, Daniel, was troubled by all of this and he was concerned by all of this and we should be concerned to because again studying these things remind us there's an afterlife, and not only is there an afterlife that there is coming a day when even you as a Christian will give an account of your life for God, look at Daniel 710 judgment was set in the books or open it appears there are books in heaven. Are these little books I don't know maybe but I think the bigger issue here is, there appears to be certain documentation of everything ever done by anyone on earth do we have all of our information than the cloud and can be hacked and all that will God's database cannot be hacked.

It secure, but it's all there.

So what are these books in heaven. Let me just identify a couple of will close one of those books is a record of every people deed done by God's people again one of those books is a record of every people deed done by God's people. Malachi 316 says those who fear the Lord and talk with each other. The Lord listen and how to scroll of remembrance written in his presence concerning those that fear the Lord and honored his name is interesting because the Lord is saying every time you speak my name IP attention you notice some people username.

Sometimes I'll be in someplace with my son Jonathan is a dad, dad, I won't respond in LC. Greg Laurie also not journaling. I know my name say my name of an attorney look at you. You say the name of Jesus is going to respond. People use the name of Jesus all the time. Sadly, sometimes a profanity. Why is that why is it when I hit my thumb with a hammer. I don't think hiring Krishna bar. I stubbed my toe. Why do people say Jesus Christ because even in their twisted way the nonbeliever is acknowledging there is no power in the name of Krishna. There is no power in the name of Buddha, but there's a lot of power in the name of Jesus November the nonbeliever they Jesus Christ all. Sometimes they better be careful, he might answer you sometime will he pays attention when we speak his name so will we gather together for worship the Lord's listening when it says the Lord listened and heard it means the preclear sort of listening more carefully about what you saying about me when you initiate a conversation about Jesus the Lord is eavesdropping. He wants to know what you're saying. He loves it and only that but he will reward you for every act of youthfulness were told over and Galatians 6 line let's not get tired of doing what's good at just the right time will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity to do good to everyone, especially those of the family of faith to listen everything you've done.

God takes notice. All of you that serve your harvest thank you and God bless you. You don't get the things you deserve. Maybe you haven't done that down on the back that I had a boy with the Lord is watching the Lord is keeping a record in these general rewards you for every sacrificial lack every gift everything you did every cup of cold water that you offered in the name of Jesus. And there's another book in heaven and it's a book where God records your sorrows, some 50 6/8 as you keep track of all my sorrow you've collected all my tears in your bottle.

You've recorded each one in your book. Many people suffer in life.

We don't know the extent of their suffering and maybe they suffer with an illness.

Maybe they suffer with the disability.

Maybe they suffer because a love one of there's guide you know when you lose a loved one.

People gather around you and offer their condolences and their bring you meals and in the right you nice cards and say a lot and then after a little bit of time passes, people will bring it up anymore and I think the reason that I want to bring it up is because they don't want to make you sad by causing you to remember your loved one who has died over. They don't realize is you're always thinking about your loved one who is God right you love someone, you know what I'm talking about right now. You're always thinking about it and what you don't want to have happen is for your loved one to be forgotten.

But listen, I have good news to even the people forget God doesn't forget he doesn't forget every tear is in his bottle every day of sorrow it's written in his book, listen to me now.

One day God's going to make it up to you whatever you velocities going to give you something greater in its place and you'll understand why this happened to you, but until that day, just be reassured.

It's all in the book and it's all going to be good. One last book I want to talk with many other books I could mention that we don't have time. The book of life. That's the most important book of all. And that is a book that you want your name written in a by the way, I know the my name is written in the book of life and I just pretty arrogant of you. Greg is not really because I know what I believe in Jesus, my name was put in that book. Now I don't know what name was already there because her father knew I would believe in Jesus part of it was written the day I believed in Jesus and of the matters I just know it's there. I know when no one is ever going to block my name out of the book. I know my name is there to say, yours is so would leave you with this thought today you might be good to some hardships and trials.

Some difficulties but just remember this, your name is written in the book of life.

That's the big picture right there pointed the disciples came to Jesus are all excited. Lord we cast out demons, it's so cool I'm paraphrasing Jesus said guys get a grip still paraphrasing rejoice, because your name is written in the book of life. That's what you should rejoice over. Let me ask you. Enclosed is your name in the book. So how do you get up there by believing in Jesus by admitting you're a sinner by churning from your sin and realizing that Jesus Christ, the son of God died on the cross for your sin and paid the price for every wrong you've ever done every sin you've ever committed and he will forgive you of that sin and put your name in his book so you can know you go to heaven when you die if you will believe in him. Have you done that yet. Have you asked Christ to come into your life to be your savior and your Lord, do you know your name is in the book. If you don't know that let's get that resolved right here right now so in a moment regular prey. I'm going to extend an invitation to any of you here any of you listening wherever you are and if you do not have Christ living in you.

If you're not sure your name is written in the book responded this invitation now it's up our heads. Father, thank you for your word to us today. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sin.

Now I pray for everyone wherever they may be. Help them to see their need for you and help them to believe in Jesus so they can have their name written in the book. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Pastor Greg Laurie and if you like to do that if you like to make a change in your relationship with the Lord and ensure your names written in the book. Pastor Greg will help you with that in just a moment.

So stay tune never tried to make available a new DVD as the film called the Jesus music we hear contemporary Christian music every day, but it developed during a revival in the late 60s and early 70s the Jesus movement, Pastor Greg, it's interesting that the first wave of Christian music was called Jesus's. That says a lot right there. It was a Jesus movement and there was Jesus music and then it became contemporary Christian music is what I love about worship.

Is this really going back to Jesus and know that revival meeting was quite a thing.

The Jesus movement may become. That's right. Speaking of Time magazine in the very late 60s, they put out a cover story this ominous question on a black background with red letters. Is God dead? Within just a few years later is as vibrant sort of psychedelic design image of Jesus with the words Jesus revolution when a difference a revival. Makes you know it was actually time magazine that dubbed that the Jesus revolution we call of the Jesus movement but they sought as a revolution and you know what they were right and was a revolution because it turned things upside down lives were changed churches were changed in music was changed. So one of the main expressions of it was in these new songs that were coming from. These young men and women who'd come to Christ and had their lives transformed.

And so they started putting bands together and next thing you know an album or two are coming out, and next thing you know it's like a wave sweeping the nation now is mentioned. Today we call it contemporary Christian music but it started out as simple songs of praise and worship and proclamation written by some gifted forerunners out there that got this ball rolling and we want to tell you this amazing story of this music that was born out of revival called Jesus music that God is the title of the resource we want to send you. It's called the Jesus music produced by the Erwin brothers from the kingdom story company you've seen. I can only imagine. I still believe they did those movies and they also did this documentary film we want to send you a copy of the Jesus music and DVD, Blu-ray, and a downloadable version for your gift of any size. So whatever you can send this year and harvest ministries a week and continued to teach the word of God and preach the gospel here and a new beginning will rush you your copy of the Jesus music. So thank you in advance for whatever you can do so.

I think you're gonna love this get your copy soon yeah that's right. When I call right now we have a 24 hour phone number 1-800-821-3300 and will thank you for your investment right now by sending you the Jesus music again dial 1-800-821-3300 or you can write us at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org Western argument you know someone can become a Christian was just a simple prayer. That's right.

Maybe somebody would like to do that right now.

Could you help them with that chair.

I love to a simple prayers right unstuck.

I would like to just pray a prayer and I would ask you to pray it after me right now. Pray these words learn Jesus. I know that I am a sinner but I also know that you are the Savior because you died on the cross for my sin and he rose again from the dead. Jesus come in the my life and forgive me of every sin I've ever committed. I choose to follow you from this moment forward. Thank you for hearing this prayer. Thank you for answering this prayer Lord, and I pray all of this in Jesus name, amen. If you just pray that prayer and meant to. I want to the know on the authority of Scripture God Almighty has heard your prayer, and he will answer this prayer. You are now a newly minted child of God. So congratulations, you've made the right decision and welcome to the family of God. I want to send you a special gift because of that prayer. You've just pray it's called the new believers growth packet and then it is a copy of the New Testament in a very understandable translation called the new living translation. It also is filled with hundreds of notes that I wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you made to follow Christ and there's some other outstanding materials in this little packet. I'll send you as well so order your copy today and let me be the first to see the you congratulations and welcome to the family of God yet to get that new believers growth packages get in touch and will be glad to send it right out. You can call us anytime at 1-800-821-3300.

Again, that's 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org and click the words know God when next I miss Pastor Greg continues with his insights from series and this days. We take a look at the antichrist and the role America plays in the events of the last days.

Join us here on a new beginning has to revival future regulatory harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God learn how to do, harvest partner, sign up for daily devotions and find resources to help you grow in your faith harvest.org