A New Beginning

Greg Laurie: When you share your faith next to being a Christian, this is one of the most joyful, fulfilling things we can do. It's not just for the lost people folks, it's for us. It's for us too.

Guest (Male): Coming up today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out the compelling truth that when we bring others to Christ, it brings us closer to Christ.

Greg Laurie: I believe if we would just obey the great commission, we would experience personal revival.

Guest (Male): Our mission statement here at A New Beginning is knowing him and making him known. And today we'll see how those two ideas are inseparably linked. When we make him known, we know him better. When we draw other people to Christ, we're drawn to Christ.

Sounds like a great idea doesn't it? And today on the broadcast, as Pastor Greg Laurie brings us the final installment in his popular series examining the Jesus movement, we'll see how we can put that great idea into practice.

Greg Laurie: Let's grab our Bibles and turn to Matthew chapter 28 and the title of my message is The Jesus Revolution and Evangelism. One of the real traits of the Jesus movement was people were out everywhere sharing the gospel. That was the way it was back then. You say, well that's great man, I wish it was that way today. Why can't it be that way today?

Last time I checked the great commission is still in the Bible. You know what the great commission is. We'll read it in a moment but it's the words of Jesus to go into all the world and preach the gospel. I know we're maybe reluctant to share that but there's power in the message of the gospel. And the power's always been there and the power will always be there. Because Paul said I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.

The word that he uses there for power is the Greek word dunamis which means dynamic dynamite power. If ever there was a generation that needs to be engaged with the gospel, it is this generation. You want to know what God gets excited about, if I can use that verbiage of God, God gets excited, heaven gets excited when people believe in Jesus. The Bible says there is joy in heaven over one sinner that comes to repentance.

Think about that for a moment. Every time a person turns from their sin and puts their faith in Jesus Christ, there's a shout of praise in heaven. So I mentioned the great commission. Let's go to our text now Matthew 28. Let's read it. This is a very important statement that frankly we all should commit to memory. Jesus says Matthew 28 verse 18: All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I've commanded you, and lo I am with you even to the end of the age. There's one more version of the great commission if you will and that's in Mark 16:15 where Jesus simply says go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person.

To pull it all together, the great commission is to go into all the world and preach the gospel led by the Holy Spirit to bring people to Christ then to disciple them. This is where a lot of people miss a key element. It's not just to proclaim the gospel, it's to lead people to Christ and disciple them, get them up on their feet spiritually, teaching them to observe all things that I've commanded you and lo I am with you to the end of the age.

I believe if we would just obey the great commission we would experience personal revival. Why do I say that? Because when you get your eyes off of yourself for a moment and think about somebody else that's lost and separated from God and leave your comfort zone and seek to share your faith, next to being a Christian, this is one of the most joyful fulfilling things we can do. And this is why the devil doesn't want us to do it.

If there's one thing Christians and non-Christians have in common it's this: we're both uptight about the gospel. Satan's uptight with us sharing the gospel, we're uptight with sharing the gospel. So non-believers, they don't want to hear it. Don't talk to me because they think you're going to shove it down their throat, they think you're going to be judgmental and mean. We should never be that way. Listen, if you want to win some, be winsome.

Be nice about it. Share the gospel with a smile on your face. Care about the person you're talking to and build that bridge. So many times Christians burn bridges instead of build bridges. And the objective is not to win the argument, it's to win the soul. Because I've seen some Christians who are very knowledgeable and they come in with both gospel guns loaded and they unload them on the non-believer and tear down their arguments and humiliate them.

The non-believer says, what a jerk, I never want to talk to a Christian again. You could have done a lot more if you just would have showed a little compassion and love and let them share for a while and say what they think and now you can respond appropriately with the message of the gospel. But this is the great commission but sadly for many, the great commission is the great omission. Now let me say something that might surprise some but I believe it's true.

I believe to not share the gospel can actually be a sin. Now you might say, well Greg you're going too far. Well wait hold on what is a sin? There's different definitions of sin because there's different kinds of sin. One definition of sin is to cross a line. So if I'm told don't step on the black carpet and I step on the black carpet, I just crossed the line. That's called a trespass. So when I break a commandment or I do what God tells me not to do, I just crossed the line.

That's a sin. That's a sin of commission. But then there's a sin of omission. The sin of omission is not doing what I should do. The Bible says to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. So if I really believe the Bible and I really believe what the Bible says about the afterlife, that there really is a heaven and there really is a hell, if I really believe the gospel which effectively says Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.

If I really believe if a person rejects Christ they will spend eternity separated from him and I don't even try to engage a person in a conversation, that could be the sin of omission, you see. So we don't want that to happen and I think also we miss out on a great blessing. Here's how it spiritually revives you. When you get a new believer in your life, it can reinvigorate your faith. Listen to this: a new Christian needs an older believer in their life to stabilize them.

An older Christian needs a younger believer in their life to energize them. So if you've known the Lord for a long time and you just hang around with other people that have known the Lord for a long time, you go to church, you go out afterwards, maybe you argue theological minutiae, but when you have a brand new believer that's hearing this all for the first time, man it's going to change you. You might actually talk about things that would interest the new believer.

And then they'll ask you questions and you may not have the answers. Then again you may have a lot more answers than you think. You see, God does not give us this truth to hoard and to keep to ourselves, he gives us this truth to share and Jesus said give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together, running over, with the same measure you give it will be given to you. When you're a generous believer in every way, God will replenish your supply.

That includes with your finances, that includes your evangelism, that includes everything where you're a giving person. And I think when you are around a new believer and they're asking you questions, well it reminds you of things you've forgotten. Haven't you ever shared something with someone and as you're sharing it you get re-excited about it again? As you're telling them what Jesus did and what it was like when you first came to Christ and how your life was changed.

As you're sharing your story you get all fired up about it. That's why you need to do it. It's not just for the lost people folks, it's for us. It's for us too. And by the way you know more than you think you know. I already said that but you really do because you sit in church all the time and you hear all these Bible studies, it's going in your heart and it's going in your mind and when you try to help someone it'll start coming to your memory because the Holy Spirit will bring it to your memory.

Guest (Male): Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. We're so thankful to hear from listeners who share how Pastor Greg's messages are touching lives.

Guest (Female): Pastor Greg, my brother is a youth pastor. He and a small group of adults were able to bring 16 kids from his youth group to one of your Harvest Crusades. At the end of your message, 10 of the kids answered the altar call to follow Jesus. One of the girls expressed that she wanted to be baptized and even my husband who watched the livestream of the crusade felt the Holy Spirit urge him to get baptized too. Thank you so much for these opportunities to grow closer to the Lord. God is moving.

Guest (Male): We're grateful to hear of the changed lives through Harvest Ministries. And if you have a story to tell of how Pastor Greg's messages have touched your life and that of a family member, I hope you'll contact us. Email Pastor Greg, send it to greg@harvest.org. That's greg@harvest.org. Well today Pastor Greg is helping us realize the impact we can have in bringing a spiritual awakening to our culture and a revival to the church. Let's continue now.

Greg Laurie: I'm telling you in this last message in this Jesus revolution series, if you want to experience revival do revival-like things. What did we do back in those days? We told you already, we had passionate heartfelt worship, we studied the word of God, we believed that Jesus Christ could come back at any moment, and we shared our faith all of the time. I would just say to you, if you would just start doing those things, you'll experience revival.

Open every day with the word of God, study the word of God, start living believing that Christ could come back at any moment and look for opportunities to tell others about Jesus. Because as I've said we over-mystify revival too, as we do evangelism. Revival just means restoration to original condition. And revival starts with you. It starts with me. So don't be worrying about everybody else, they need revival, this church needs revival, you need revival.

I need revival. Start with you. Make sure that you're firing on all cylinders as a follower of Christ. Make sure you're doing the things that God has called you to do. Let it begin with you. And so that was our heart and that still needs to be our heart because this is not about what happened 45 years ago, this is about something that God wants us to do no matter what generation we're in. And that includes this generation.

I don't care what some people say, oh I'm uncomfortable it won't work today, nonsense. The gospel will always work, it will always change human hearts and it's always the message God wants us to give to every generation because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. So let me close by just extending an invitation to maybe somebody here who is not yet a Christian. You know, we're talking about talking to people like you but maybe I'm actually talking to you right now.

You're hearing these things for the first time. Let me just get to the bottom line. You know why you have a big old hole in your heart? It's because you were created to know God. This modern world with all of our tech and all of our cool stuff hasn't filled the emptiness inside. Drugs, sex and rock and roll didn't do it in the 60s, high tech and all the things that we have to offer today won't do it in this time and whatever we come up with in generations to come won't do it either.

As long as the Lord tarries, the answer will always be Jesus. You were created to know God. You were created to have a relationship with God. I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about knowing Jesus in a personal way. That's what appealed to me. That's what I wanted. I wanted a relationship with God because I really didn't have a relationship with anybody to speak of up to that point. I didn't even know how to have a relationship with someone.

But then along comes Jesus. And he comes into my life and I'd had so many promises given to me by adults and they broke those promises and they failed me over and over again and disappointed me. And here comes Jesus and he makes a bunch of promises too and he keeps every single promise. He's never failed me once ever. His promises are true. And he's kept them for me and that's why I stand here talking to you about this today.

Not because this is my job. This is not my job. This is my passion. This is my life. He changed my life and I want to see him change other lives. And there might be somebody here right now or somebody watching or listening that does not have this relationship with Jesus Christ. You're a sinner. You've broken God's commandments, we all have. You've crossed a line, you've fallen short of the standard.

But here's the good news: 2,000 years ago God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross in your place and he paid the price for all of your sins. Jesus Christ came to pay a debt he did not owe because you owed a debt you could not pay. And three days later he rose again from the dead. Now he stands at the door of your life and he knocks. And he says if you'll hear his voice and open the door he'll come in.

He can come into your life right now and fill that void that you can't fill in this modern world. This is what you've been looking for. You know my wife, she likes to put puzzles together. I have no idea why. I walk by a puzzle I'm like whatever, keep walking. Kathy will stop oh, what are you crazy? She enjoys it. And a while ago she got a puzzle and she put the whole thing together and she called me, Greg. What? I'm missing a piece of the puzzle.

The last piece is missing. We're literally on our hands and knees crawling around and we finally found it. She completed her puzzle. But that's what life is like. You know we put all the pieces in place okay if I just, you know if I get married and we have this many kids and we live here and I drive this and this happens and that happens, I'll be happy. And you get all the little pieces in place and you're all done and there's something missing.

It's not a something it's a someone. It's Jesus. God holds the missing piece. A relationship with him. But to receive it we have to reach out and say I want you Lord in my life. In a moment we're going to pray and I'm going to give you an opportunity to ask Jesus Christ to come and live in your heart as your savior and your Lord. And you can know then that you'll go to heaven when you die and you can find the meaning and purpose in life you've been searching for for all of your life.

So if you need Jesus right now, if you want this relationship with him, respond to this invitation as we all pray. Let's all bow our heads. Father thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. Lord Jesus thank you for coming and dying and rising again. And thank you that you're here right here right now knocking on the door of many hearts. I pray for folks that don't know you. I pray they'll come to you and believe. We ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Guest (Male): Pastor Greg Laurie with an important prayer. And if you want to make a change today in your relationship with the Lord, Pastor Greg will help you do that before today's edition of A New Beginning wraps up. And he'll have a final comment from our study at the end of our time together. Are you receiving Pastor Greg's daily devotions each day via email? If not, let's take care of that right now.

You can sign up today free of charge at harvest.org. And you'll receive a daily inspirational thought from God's word each day in your inbox. Again go to harvest.org. Well 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 right now?

Greg Laurie: Yes I'd be delighted to. Listen as you've listened to this program today, maybe something's been happening inside of your heart where you're sensing I need to do this personally but how do I do it and what do I do? Let me help you. It's very simple. In fact it's so simple you may be shocked. God, this relationship with him is just a prayer away. The Bible says if you will call upon the name of the Lord you'll be saved.

So I'd like to lead you in a prayer where you do just that. You call on the name of the Lord. You know sometimes when I'm talking with someone one-on-one and they want to accept Jesus Christ, I'll have them pray a prayer after me. Maybe you'd like to do that right now. Thousands have done this over the years listening to our broadcast and the Lord has changed their lives and it can happen for you right now.

This can be the moment where you change your eternal address literally from hell to heaven. I'll pray a simple prayer and I would just ask you to pray this prayer out loud if you like after me. 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 believer's growth pack.

What is that? Well first of all it's a copy of the new New Believer's Bible. And by that I mean we have redone this from ground level up. I've rewritten the notes and it's a New Living Translation with a lot of notes on how to grow spiritually woven through this unique edition of scripture. So I'll send you the New Believer's Pack that includes the New Believer's Bible and a whole lot more. And let me be the first to say to you, congratulations and welcome to the family of God.

Guest (Male): And to get that free New Believer's Bible along with the other items in our growth pack, just let us know you prayed along with Pastor Greg to receive Christ today. We'll be glad to send our new believer's growth pack your way. Call us at 1-800-821-3300. Call anytime 1-800-821-3300. Or go online to harvest.org and click Know God. And then thank you for partnering with us to help these daily studies continue.

Your investments have eternal benefit. Why not make this a part of your personal ministry, to partner in an effort that's making a real difference with the gospel of Jesus Christ? Thank you for your prayers and for prayerfully considering how God might lead you to help tangibly. Online you'll find us at harvest.org and there you'll see the way we'd like to thank you for your donation right now. That's harvest.org. Or call us at 1-800-821-3300.

We're here around the clock to take your call again at 1-800-821-3300. Well next time as Pastor Greg launches his series Jesus and You, he shows us an encounter with a giant of the faith who had his moments of doubt. What can we learn from this? We'll find out. But as we wrap up today, Pastor Greg closes in prayer.

Greg Laurie: So Lord we've heard your word. You've given us the great commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and you promised you're with us to the end of the age. We're not alone. You've given us this power, you've given us this authority and you've given us this commission. Now Lord help us to do it.

Give us a boldness like we've never had before. Give us a burden for lost people like we've never known before. And open up opportunities and doors for us to engage people in conversations about Jesus. And Lord we would be even so bold to pray that you'll give us the privilege of leading someone to you. Because you tell us in scripture, he that wins souls is wise. Lord we want to win souls. Use us in that way.

And then taking a new believer under our wing we can help them, they can help us and you'll send revival in our life. You tell us if we go out sowing our seeds in sorrow that we'll come back bringing our sheaves with us rejoicing. Lord we want to rejoice as you use us for your glory. So we commit ourselves to you and we ask you to go before us and we ask all of this in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.