A New Beginning

Greg Laurie: If you were to be summed up in one word, what would we call you? Mr. Critical, Miss Cranky. Are you always known for being the negative person? Instead, we want to be Mr. or Miss Encouragement. Our moods are contagious.

Coming up today, Pastor Greg Laurie urges us to pass on an encouraging frame of mind to those around us. An encourager sees the potential in others and cheers them on.

Music: This is the day when the lost are found. This is the day for a new beginning. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Can you hear the angels singing? This is the day. This is the day when life begins.

Greg Laurie: Someone can brighten our day with just a smile or a kind word. Others seem to steal the sunshine and rain on our parade. Isn't it interesting that other people have that kind of influence on us? Today, on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out we should take that to heart and learn to have a positive influence on others. It's not that hard to do, and the rewards are wonderful.

You've joined us for a study in the book of Acts that Pastor Greg has called The Upside-Down Life.

Music: This is the day. This is the day when life begins.

Greg Laurie: Turn in your Bibles to Acts chapter 11. Acts chapter 11, and the title of the message is, "How to Be An Encourager."

Encouragement really matters. And that's something that we all need in life. In fact, I read an interesting thing about two doctors who wrote an article called, "The Most Dangerous Word in the World." They wrote, "If you were to put yourself in an MRI scanner and take a video of your brain and flash the word, 'no,' for less than one second, there would be a sudden release of dozens of stress-releasing hormones and neurotransmitters."

The doctors continued to say, "These chemicals immediately interrupt the normal function of your brain, impairing logic, reason, and communication." Just flashing the word, "no." But then they went on to say, "But positive words, like 'peace' and 'love,' alter the expression of genes, strengthening areas in our frontal lobes, promoting the brain's cognitive functioning." So it reminds us that words really matter. What you say to people really matters. What you hear from people really matters.

Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States, needed encouragement. He was really attacked in the media of his day. And after he was tragically assassinated in the Ford Theater, they found his personal belongings. And among his items that he carried with him, a little pocket watch and some other things, they found a little folded-up newspaper article from some paper some time ago, and it simply had these words written on it that, "President Abraham Lincoln is one of the greatest statesmen of our time."

And when Lincoln would get discouraged, he'd take out that little piece of paper and read it again for a little word of encouragement. Proverbs 25:11 says, "The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver." So I want to encourage you. And we need to encourage one another as Christians. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Encourage each other and build each other up." It does not say, "discourage each other and tear each other down."

And that's what some people do. No, encourage each other. Then in Hebrews 10:24, we're told, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as the habit of some is, but rather encouraging one another, and so much more as we see the day of the Lord approaching." We can all use some encouragement. So let me say this to you. I don't know what you're going through right now in your life. But I want to say, whatever you're going through, you're going to get through it.

You say, "Well, Greg, how do you know? You're not in my shoes." No, I'm not. But I know what the Bible says. I think of the story of when Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go to the other side," speaking of the Sea of Galilee. So they boarded their little boat and predictably, a storm came, and it was a big storm, so bad that even the seasoned sailors despaired of life. But what did Jesus say? He said, "Let's go to the other side." He did not say, "Let's go to the middle of the Sea of Galilee and drown together, shall we?"

If He said that, I'd say, "I'd rather not board that boat, if you don't mind." He said, "Let's get over to the other side." He did not promise them calm seas, but He promised a safe arrival. He says that to every one of us. You say, "Well, what do you mean?" I mean, ultimately, we're all going to get to the other side, and of course, the other side is heaven. And you're going to get through whatever you're going through right now.

Let me share some verses that may address what you're facing in the moment. You might say, "I'm a failure. I'll never change. I'll always be the way that I am." The Bible says, "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you." Believe what the Bible says, not what your emotions say. That's Philippians 4:13. You might say, "Well, I'm afraid of the future." But God says in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or live in dread of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

You might say, "Well, I can't go another day. I can't handle what I'm going through, this hardship, this illness, whatever it is you're facing." And I'm reminded of the words of the Lord to the Apostle Paul, as he talked about his affliction that he described as a thorn in the flesh. The Lord said, "My grace is all you need." He'll get you through what you're going through. You say, "But I have no future. I've given up on living. I have no hope." Psalm 38:15 says, "You, O Lord, are my hope. You will hear my prayer." Psalm 135 says, "I'm counting on you, Lord. I'm counting on you. I put my hope in your word."

Don't put your hope in your circumstances. Don't put your hope in your money. Don't put your hope in people. Put your hope in Christ and trust the Word of God.

Greg Laurie: I can't talk about hope without quoting Jeremiah 29:11, where the Lord says, "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Okay, so I want to talk about a guy in the Book of Acts that was known for encouraging others. Actually, his given name was Joseph, but he was given a nickname. And his nickname was Barnabas, which means "the son of encouragement." Or another way to translate it, he was known basically as "Mr. Encouragement."

"Mr. Encouragement." I love that. I mean, is there someone you know that you could literally describe as Mr. or Miss Encouragement? That's who Barnabas was. He always had a word of encouragement for someone else. Now, if you were to be summed up in one word, what will we call you? Mr. Happiness, Miss Critical, uh, Mr. Cranky, Miss Bible. I don't know. But something that'd sum you up. Well, Barnabas was Mr. Encouragement. Or are you Debbie Downer, or Bobby Buzzkill? Right? Who are you?

Are you always known for being the negative person? Always having the critical word? Or are you known for being the positive person? Always having the encouraging word? Now, let me say, you know, to balance this out, there is a place for criticism. Uh, there is a place for a reality check, right? That's why opposites are often drawn together in marriage. Uh, because you'll find someone that you're attracted to, but often they'll be your very opposite in the way you approach life. I know that's certainly true of my wife and myself, and it may be true of others I'm talking to right now. But it it isn't important if you love someone to tell them the truth, right?

Because the Bible says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Open rebuke is better than secret love." So sometimes, as a way of showing my love, I will say a critical thing, but I'll say it in the right way. I mean, if you're known for encouragement, and compliments, and affirmation, then when you bring your word of criticism, it will be received. But if you're known for negativity, hypercriticism, and meanness, when you come with another criticism, which may in a sense even be valid, it will not be received because you're Mr. or Miss Negativity. Instead, we want to be Mr. or Miss Encouragement, just like Barnabas.

Greg Laurie: Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment.

Music: Many listeners write or call us sharing their stories of pain and loss, but also of hope.

Guest (Female): Pastor Greg, I wanted to share that not long ago, my brother and 10-year-old nephew died in a tragic house fire. The months that followed were a nightmare for me and my family. Even though we received much love and support from friends and family, it was still a very difficult time. But a friend gave me a copy of your book, *As It Is in Heaven*, and it helped me so much. I've been walking closer to Jesus than I ever have before. I've also found your podcasts and now listen every day while doing computer work and while driving. Your sermons on trials and suffering have brought me so much hope, more than I can really ever explain. And now, I can't get enough of reading the Bible. And when you explain how God allows trials and suffering so that we can grow up spiritually, it really resonated with me. I'm now clinging more tightly to Jesus than ever before and have thanked God many times for you. Blessings to you, Pastor Greg.

Music: It's wonderful to know that listeners are hearing these messages, and God is using His word to touch hearts. Would you share your story with Pastor Greg? If so, send him an email. Greg@harvest.org. That's Greg@harvest.org. And for more information about Pastor Greg's book, *As It Is in Heaven*, go to harvest.org.

Greg Laurie: You're joining us for a study in Acts 11 today, called, "How to Be an Encourager." Here's Pastor Greg once again.

So Barnabas pops up in the book of Acts, and he steps in at a critical time in the life of the Apostle Paul. Before he was the Apostle Paul, when he was still Saul, the notorious Christian killer. The man who hunted down followers of Jesus Christ. The man who met Christ on the road to Damascus. The problem was, a lot of people weren't buying it. They weren't believing that Saul was actually now a Christian.

I mean, I don't even know what the modern equivalent of that would be. Maybe it would be Alice Cooper. You know, I've gotten to know him a little bit, and I've interviewed him, we've hung out some. And I've mentioned this to people, or we post these things online and people say, "He's not a Christian. He's evil." Well, he did used to be evil. He did used to be a rock star, living a rock star depraved life by his own admission, and a drug addict, and everything else. But God got a hold of him and changed him. But some Christians are just unwilling to accept that's even a possibility.

Mind if I use another friend of mine, named Michael Franzese. Now, I met him years ago. Michael was being groomed to become the godfather or the don of the Colombo crime family. He's a good fella, a made man, a mobster. And so, I had heard that this guy named Michael Franzese is a Christian and he wants to talk to you. And he used to be in the Mafia. My response was, "I'd rather not meet him."

And then I asked, "Did he use the word 'whacked' at any point in his conversation? Or anything about sleeping with fishes or anything related to that?" And so, I didn't believe this guy A, was really in the mob. I think he made that up. He wasn't in the mob. Nobody is in the mob and gets out and is still alive. And number two, I didn't believe he'd become a Christian if he was in the mob. Well, I was wrong on both counts.

Uh, he was arrested, sent to prison, and while in solitary confinement, also known as "the hole," he was given a Bible, which he started reading, and he committed his life to Christ. And because he never ratted out any other mobster, he eventually was released from prison. And, uh, and he used to listen to me, uh, while he was in solitary confinement on the radio. And so he wanted to meet me, and we'd become friends since then. But look, this is the same thing that Saul was dealing with. No one believed he was really a Christian.

Enter Barnabas. Enter Mr. Encouragement. Barnabas says, "Oh, you're a believer, for sure. I've talked to you. I know your conversion is real." That brings me to point number one. An encourager sees the potential in others and cheers them on. An encourager sees the potential in others and cheers them on.

So Barnabas, Mr. Encouragement, takes Saul of Tarsus under his wing and encourages him. And he even says, "Let's go on the road together. Let's go share the gospel together." So Barnabas is helping Saul. He's discipling Saul. He's teaching Saul later to become Paul. He sees the potential. Acts chapter 9, verse 26. Go back a few verses, chapters. "When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him, and they did not believe that he had truly become a believer. Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them Saul had seen the Lord on the road to Damascus, and the Lord had spoken to Saul, and he told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus."

I love that. So Barnabas takes his credibility, and he had a lot of it, he was loved by everybody. And he put it on the line for the newly converted Saul to say, "Listen, I'm vouching for this guy. He's a real Christian." And that's something that we all need in life. We need a Barnabas, or you need to be a Barnabas.

Let me say that again. We all need a Barnabas or an encourager, or we need to be a Barnabas encouraging others. Because sometimes people don't believe you're really converted. Uh, you know, after I became a Christian, I I the funny thing is I grew my hair and beard out after I was converted. Uh, prior to that, I I had longer hair, but then I became like a hippie-type looking guy.

And so I was attending Calvary Chapel, where there are a lot of people that look like me, and and I decided to go to another church one Sunday, a very conservative church. And I walked in and they were just ending their first service, they had the choir and the preacher was in a suit and tie, and everybody was all the men were in suits and ties, they were dressed really nicely and and they had the pipe organ and all that. But I heard the tail end of the first message and I thought, "That's a good message. I'm looking forward to listening to it." So I come walking in in my bell bottoms, my hippie shirt, and my long hair and my beard, and I take a seat. Everyone literally is staring at me. I mean, everyone staring at me.

"Okay, I guess they don't have any people that look like me here." Then the preacher gets up for the second service, and I notice the message is different this time. It's evangelistic. And at the end he says, "There's somebody here that needs Jesus. Someone who is lost, they're probably on drugs." And I notice he's looking right at me. And I'm thinking, "Oh man, this preacher thinks a sinner is here." Well, I am a sinner, but I'm converted now.

And I'm literally listening to him and I have my Bible and I'm sort of pushing it up like, "Look, I'm a Christian, stop." He keeps preaching. Then, "We're going to invite you to come to Christ." The choir starts singing, "Just As I Am," and he's looking at me. Everyone I'm not exaggerating. Everyone's looking at me. Finally, the preacher, I'm not making this up, gets up from behind his pulpit, walks down the stairs, walks right over to me and says, "Are you saved?" I said, "Yes, I am." He looked very disappointed.

"I wasted an entire evangelistic message on this guy." Then he said, "Are you baptized?" "Yes, I am." Then he says, "Are you coming to the church picnic?" "I I don't know." And then So the service ends, and literally, 20 people or more asked me three questions. The same three questions. "Are you saved?" "Yes, I am." "Have you been baptized?" "Yes, I have." "Are you coming to the church picnic?" "No. I don't want to be with you people any longer. You're a little weird."

I needed someone to help me in that time in between my after my conversion. Because it's really easy to fall back into your old life. And get pulled back by your old friends, right? You know what I'm talking about? And then you're doing the old things again. And I was a new Christian. I wasn't raised in the church. I didn't understand their lingo or vocabulary. And I went to this little Bible study on my high school campus, uh, after I was a Christian, and the guy they brought in that week was a little different. And and I felt very uncomfortable. I thought, "I don't know if I really want to hang around these people, but I'm not really comfortable around my old friends anymore. Maybe I'll just sort of be a solo Christian." I'm telling you, I could have fallen through the cracks so easily.

But thank God, some guy who was my Barnabas, came up to me, his name was Mark. And he said, "Hi, your name is Greg, isn't it?" "Yeah, yeah, it is." "I saw you accept Christ the other day, uh, at the Bible study at lunchtime." I said, "Yeah," it was kind of even defensive, "Yeah." He goes, "That's great. Okay." He goes, "Um, you want to come to church with me?" I said, "No, thank you." "No, I I I want you to come to church with me." "No, I don't want to go to church with you." "No, really, you got to come with me." "I I I don't want to come with you." Uh, he says, "Where do you live?" "No, I don't want you to come." Next thing I know, he's at my house.

He picks me up, he drives me to church. I love this guy, he was so persistent. And that was Calvary Chapel in the middle of the Jesus movement. I walked into a spiritual awakening, and I didn't even know it. And I walked into this building and it's filled with people, all this excitement, so many younger people as well, older folks too. And I was a little overwhelmed by all this love, and I actually didn't want to be there.

And I was hoping I could just leave and because there were no seats, and someone in the front row waved, "Greg, Greg!" They were from my high school. "We have a seat for you." So I walked I take a seat in the front row. And out walks Chuck Smith. And I heard the Bible presented in a way for the first time that I understood, and then they couldn't keep me away from the place because I just wanted to grow and learn more.

Listen, we're all called to be a Barnabas. Every Some people want to be the Billy Graham or they want to be the Apostle Paul. Someone's got to be the Barnabas, working behind the scenes, because that person you're discipling, that person you're encouraging, may go on to change the world. And your words matter, and your encouragement matters.

Greg Laurie: Important insight today on how we can step up and be a source of good reassurance in someone else's life. Pastor Greg Laurie with counsel from our study series in the book of Acts here on A New Beginning, a series called The Upside-Down Life.

Guest (Male): Well, Pastor Greg, as you've been speaking, maybe there's somebody listening who's really enjoyed hearing your story of your early days as a believer, and it has become apparent that they don't have a story of their own. They've never really come to the Lord and made things right with Him.

Greg Laurie: Yeah.

Guest (Male): What can they do to fix that?

Greg Laurie: What I would say is, He's only a prayer away, which means if you will call upon the name of the Lord right now through prayer, He will hear your prayer and answer your prayer. Listen, if you want Jesus Christ to come into your life, if you want Him to forgive you of your sin, if you want to know that you'll go to Heaven when you die, just pray this prayer right now after me. Just pray, "Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner, but I know that You're the Savior who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead. I turn from my sin now, and I choose to follow You from this moment forward as my Savior and Lord, as my God and my Friend. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."

Guest (Male): Amen. And listen, if you have just prayed that prayer with Pastor Greg, and you've meant those words sincerely, we want to welcome you into the family of God. And let us help you get started walking each day with the Lord. Pastor Greg wants to send you his New Believer's Bible, absolutely free, along with some other helpful resources. They'll help to answer your questions and get you started off right as you live for God each day. Just let us know you've prayed with Pastor Greg and that you want the New Believer's Bible when you call 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call anytime at 1-800-821-3300. Or go online to harvest.org and click the words, "Know God."

Guest (Male): You know, Pastor Greg, we hear from people all the time who tell us how these daily studies have impacted their lives. So many have found the Lord and been encouraged through this teaching.

Greg Laurie: That's right.

Guest (Male): And we hope our listeners might pray about making an investment so these studies can continue.

Greg Laurie: Yeah, that's really true, Dave. You know, and even a little bit helps. You know, people need to hear the gospel so badly. They need to hear the teaching of the Word of God. It changes everything because it changes us. And I'm so passionate about it, and I'm called to do it, and I'm thankful for it. But I can't do it alone. So I'm going to ask folks that are listening, if you think more people need to hear the gospel, if you believe more people need to hear the teaching of the Word of God, then prayerfully consider investing in Harvest Ministries and maybe even become a Harvest Partner, which means you're someone who stands with us every month in your faithful giving, and that opens up a lot of new opportunities for us. So, thanks for that.

Guest (Male): Yeah, that's right. And we really are thankful for your partnership. You can reach us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-821-3300. That's 1-800-821-3300. Or write A New Beginning, box 4000, Riverside, California, 92514. Or just go online to harvest.org.

Guest (Male): Well, next time, more insight from Pastor Greg's study called, "How to Be an Encourager." Join us here on A New Beginning with Pastor and Bible teacher, Greg Laurie.

Music: This is the day. This is the day when life begins.