Feeling a bit disconnected in your walk with Christ?
Well, Pastor Greg Laurie has a great new book called What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know that'll help. Let's say you're feeling lethargic and tired. You know, if you have a diet of social media and you don't take time for the Word of God, this is going to have a damaging effect.
So this is just one of the things we talk about in this new book called What Every Growing Christian Needs to Know. Available at harvest.org. You are not all that in a bag of chips. And some people think they are. They just think they're the cat's meow.
We all know people who are a little self-important. full of themselves.
Well, today on a new beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie says it would be better if they were full of the Spirit. They may be gifted. but they are arrogant. And if you wanna see God work in your life, you cannot be an arrogant person. You need to see yourself as you really are.
Day when the lost are found. This is the day for a new beginning. Amazing graves now sweetest town. But can you hear all the ancients are singing? This is the day the day when lives begin.
Whether you're a woodworker, a steel worker, or in another form of construction, You know that the tougher the job, the more the need for power tools. Hard to build a skyscraper with just a tape measure and a good idea.
Well, spiritually speaking, with some of our assignments, the Lord gives us power tools. And today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie points out the importance of putting them to work. It's part of a series in the book of Acts, a series called The Upside Down Life. This is the day, the day when life begins. All right, so let's grab our Bibles and turn to Acts.
chapter 2 and Romans chapter 12. Acts chapter 2. and Romans chapter 12. And the title of my message is The Gifts They keep on giving. Question: How many of you have ever received a gift for Christmas or any other time you did not like?
Raise your hand up. Not everyone's raising their hand.
So some of you have always liked the gift you've received.
So you get that gift. Let's start with the fruitcake. What is the deal with the fruitcake? Does anyone here like fruitcake to eat? You think it's good?
Get out. No. No don't. He's leaving. No, don't.
Maybe as a weapon. Maybe as a doorstop. Or something to step up on, but really to eat, they're awful. And my theory is there's one fruitcake on the face of the earth. And we just keep recirculating it decade after decade.
Well, question: Have you ever seen two fruit cakes next to each other? No, you have not. All right.
So fruitcakes, I don't get that as a gift at all unless you don't like the person. But then there's a person that gives you clothes. Can I give you a word of advice? Don't give clothes to people unless they specifically said, I want that dress or I want that shirt. Because you probably have bad taste, all right?
And then you receive the gift. And you open it and you have to lie. Oh, wow. Oh, thank you. And you're immediately looking to serve a seat on this so I can return it.
When I give a gift to someone, I say, look. I didn't know what to get you. I thought you might like this. If you don't like it, please take it back. The receipts in the box.
Get what you want. Maybe let me know what you got. I'm fine with that because I want people to be happy with the gift I gave them. And now there's a person. First, they give you the ugly shirt.
That's the first insult. Then a week later, When are you gonna wear that shirt I gave you? In your mind you're thinking, never. Oh, sometime soon, you know, and you never get around to wearing it, just those gifts.
So then you think, maybe I'll re-gift it. How many of you have ever re-gifted? Re-gifted means you take a gift given to you and you give it to someone else. How many of you have done that? Here's the key.
Remember who gave it to you. Don't regift a gift to the person who gave it to you in the first place. Awkward moment, yeah.
So gifts. We give them, we receive them. Did you know God loves to give gifts? He loves to give gifts, and he has specific gifts. Just for you.
We call them the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And in the book of Acts, we're looking at the work. Of the Holy Spirit through the lives of very ordinary people. As I mentioned earlier, Sometimes this book is titled The Acts of the Apostles. By the way, the Bible doesn't call it that.
That was added later. I think we could more accurately describe it as the acts of the Holy Spirit. Because we see the Holy Spirit at work in this book, moving through the lives of people. And I want to take just a moment to think about what this means. We started out by pointing out these men and these women were filled with the Holy Spirit.
And every Christian needs to be filled, refilled, and filled again after that with the Holy Spirit all the time. When you get up in the morning, you should start your day by saying, Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit. If you're young, you need to pray this prayer. If you're old, you need to pray this prayer. If you're a man or a woman, you need to pray this prayer.
Dads need to pray this prayer. Mothers need to pray this prayer. Everybody needs to pray this prayer, Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit. And then, having done that, God has certain gifts He wants to put in your life. And listen to this: the gifts of this Spirit are here for us, and God wants to distribute them among us.
In fact, He tells us that this is something we should desire. 1 Corinthians 14, 1 says, earnestly desire the spiritual gifts.
So, why is it that there is an apprehension in us about this topic?
Well, probably because we've seen some abuse. We've seen some excess. We've seen some misuse of the gifts of the Spirit, and maybe you've watched some. Showing TV, and the preacher, who usually sounds like this, he just always like this, you know. And he's praying for people, receive the Holy Spirit.
Yea, I say unto thee. You go, wow, what's that all about? It's a holy Spare it.
Okay.
Now, people are falling down, they're rolling around on the ground, they're barking like dogs. You're saying, if that's a Holy Spirit, I don't want anything to do with it. That's not the Holy Spirit. That's weird people doing weird things, okay? The Holy Spirit's power in our life is a practical power.
Acts 1:8 says, You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you to become a raving lunatic. No, I don't I don't think I've read that verse It says, you shall receive power, X1.8. After the Holy Spirit has come upon you to be witnesses unto me. See? It's power that enables us to do what God has called us to do.
And with that power comes supernatural gifts or abilities we did not previously have. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not toys to play with. There are tools to build with. and they're weapons to fight with. And we want to find out what those gifts are that God has given to us so we can start using them.
And I think if we try to stay away from it, we end up throwing the baby out with the bathwater. By the way, where did that expression come from? Did someone actually throw a baby out with bath water once? I think back in the old days of the West, you know, they didn't have hot and cold running water, so they'd heat up the old tub, you know, and every family member would go in the same bathwater. And by the time the ninth member of the family was in, you'd probably get dirtier being in the bathtub and staying out of it.
And I guess the last one to go was the baby. Where's the baby, oh she or he, was sewn out with the bathwater or whatever. We don't want to miss out on this great blessing. of the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Timothy 4, 14 says, Don't neglect the gift that is in you.
Whereas another translation puts it, keep your gift dusted off and in use. I like that translation. Keep your gift dusted off and in use.
So, Paul's talking about our place in the church. and how we can use our gifts. Here's one word I would use to sum up the early church: together. They did things together. Remember, my last message was better together.
So these folks engaged together, they learned together, they loved together, they worshiped together, they took care of one another. If one believer was in need, other believers would help to meet that need. And this was a powerful testimony to lost people. And in the same way, a unified church is a powerful witness to a divided world. Let me say that again.
A unified church is a powerful witness to a divided world because our culture is so divided right now, isn't it? Oh, we're divided over politics. We're divided over pro or against vaccine. We're divided over everything. And sometimes that even finds its way into the church.
And these are secondary issues.
So together, that was the early church. A story is told of a visitor who came to visit the city of Sparta. And the king of Sparta was boasting about the walls of his famous city. Visitor looked around and said, I don't see any walls. And then the king of Sparta said, See, in Sparta, every man is a brick.
And then he pointed to his army, and the king said, These are the walls of Sparta. And the same is true in the church. Every man is a prick. As the great theologians Pink Floyd once told us. All in all, you're just another brick in the wall.
Every person matters. Every brick matters. You are the walls of the kingdom of God. And as we stand together, we can get a lot more done than when we're. Pulled apart.
Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. Oh.
Well, Pastor Greg, it's such an encouragement to us here at A New Beginning when listeners tell us how this broadcast has impacted their life. In fact, some people even call us and leave a recording of how the program has affected them. That's really the way that impacts us most because we get to hear that in their actual voice. Isn't that true? Oh, yes, I can't tell you, Dave, how many times I've met people just out and about.
Who will tell me? I may be in an airport or, you know, walking through a market or whatever. And they'll say, Are you Greg Laurie? I'll say yes. And then they'll slap me.
That happens most of the time. And I don't like that. No, they don't. But, no, generally, people are so nice and they say, I have to tell you a story. Do you have a moment?
Yes, I do. And they'll tell me of how they came to Christ hearing our radio broadcast. That's such a blessing to me. And I want other people to hear those stories.
So here's my question to you. Have you made a commitment to Jesus Christ listening to a new beginning? And maybe you came to Christ at one of our Harvest Crusades or are watching something we did online or whatever it is. But if you came to Christ through our media ministry, I'd love to hear your story. I want you to tell me what happened to you and we just might use it.
and put it on air and a lot of people will be blessed to hear what God has done in your life.
So there's a number you can call. It's a designated number to share your story. And Dave, what is that number? Yes, 866-871-1144. You can call anytime.
Again, 866-871111. 871-1144. Tell us how the Lord has used this ministry to bring you to the Lord.
Well, as a part of his series called The Upside Down Life, Pastor Greg is presenting a message today called The Gifts That Keep Giving. Let's listen.
So let's think now a little bit about the gifts of the Spirit, and let's go over to. Romans 12. Let's see what Paul says. Romans 12:3, Paul says, I give each of you this warning: don't think you're better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith that God has given us.
Point number one: you are not all that in a bag of chips. Yes, that's an actual sermon point. You are not all that in a bag of chips. You've heard that expression, right? And some people think they are.
They just think they're the cat's meow. Whatever that means. But uh You know, they may be gifted. But they are arrogant. And if you want to see God work in your life, you cannot be an arrogant person.
Because God gives grace to the humble, you see. and goes out of his way to use unexpected people. You know, I've had the opportunity to meet famous people and powerful people. And so many of them I think of are very down-to-earth, humble people. I think of Darrell Strawberry.
The guy's an icon, you know. I interviewed Daryl Strawberry at Angel Stadium. Daryl's walking around. He's a pretty noticeable guy. When you walk with Daryl, you feel very small.
Because Darrell's very tall. And everyone recognizes him. That's Daryl Strawberry. People are running up to him, shaking his hand. And he's such a chill person.
Oh, he takes time for people. He prays for people. He uses that fame, if you will, well. I find that interesting. Here's a really gifted, talented person who's genuinely humble.
Then I meet someone who isn't really that talented or gifted, and they're arrogant. My attitude is Dude, you're not even talented enough to be arrogant. You should be the most humble person of all. You know why? Because you're not all that in a bag of chips.
And if you want to be used by God, you need to see yourself as you really are. Know this: cemeteries are full of indispensable people. You think God's dependent on you? I know God's not dependent on me. He could replace me in a nanosecond.
So, it's a privilege when God works through me or when God works through you.
So, here's what Paul is saying: Don't think you're better than you are, don't think you're worse than you are, think realistically. If you are given a gift by God, use that gift. Point number two. Whatever gift you have is just that. A gift.
Whatever gift you have, it's been given to you by God. It's a gift, Romans 12, verse 5. We being many are one body in Christ, having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, so let us use them. Listen to this. If God has given you a gift or gifts, and more likely it's a few gifts.
Most people I know have multiple gifts of the Spirit. And I'm only going to touch on the topic in this message. But in future messages, we'll go a little more in depth on some of these other gifts. If you've been given these gifts, it's irresponsible to not use them. Let me take it a step further.
It could even be sinful to not use the gifts that God has given to you. Because we're told over in the book of James, chapter 4, verse 17: to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
So, you got to use that gift that God has given you. Number three, we all have a part to play in the church with our spiritual gifts. We all have a part to play. Romans 12, 4. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.
We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Think of the human body.
Now when you meet someone, you might notice their eyes, you might notice their hair, you might notice whatever. And you don't notice internal organs. But the reality is, what's more important, how beautiful my hair is or how well my heart is functioning? I can tell you you can function without hair. Yeah, yeah.
You miss it. You wish you had it, and any bald person that says, Oh, I like being bald, they're lying. Right? We wish we had here, but we don't, so we've just accepted it. Other people don't accept it and they wear like a little bird's nest.
Also known as a toupee. Or a hairpiece. You know, you can function without hair. To be technical, you can function without sight, you can function without the ability to hear, but you cannot function without your heart beating properly, you cannot function without certain organs functioning as they should.
So, the point of it is: I don't know what part you are in the body of Christ, but we all have a part to play. We're not all the same.
Some are more outgoing, some are more reserved.
Some are more big picture, some are more detail oriented. But everyone has a role.
So let's look at a partial list of the gifts of the Spirit. By the way, if you have a pen or you're taking notes on your phone or tablet or whatever, If you want to read more in the gifts of the Spirit, go to 1 Corinthians 12. In Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4.
So let's read a few more verses. Romans 12, verse 6. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. If God has given you the ability to prophesize, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. Prophecy.
Is that gift still for today? I believe it is. When we think of a prophet, we think of someone that predicts the future. And the gift of prophecy can include this.
However, If you claim to be a prophet, and I don't know if we really have what we would call prophets today. But if we do, and you claim to be one of these prophets, you better be accurate in your predictions. Otherwise, yes, you're a prophet with one word in front of it: false.
So I see these people making these predictions. This will happen, and it doesn't happen. False prophet. Not gonna listen to you anymore. But the word prophecy means to speak for another.
So, the gift of prophecy is a supernatural insight into something that didn't come from your mind, something the Lord shows you, the gift of prophecy.
So if you have this gift, Speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you're a teacher, teach well. If your gift is encouraging others, that's a gift of exhortation, be encouraging. If your gift is giving, then give generously.
If God has given you leadership ability, take that responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. I'll stop there. Certain terms bubble up here. Do it well.
generously Go idly. Take this responsibility seriously.
So the gift of service is mentioned. Right next to the gift of prophecy.
Now we might think of the person who prophesies. Or speaks for God as having the more important gift, and the one working behind the scenes has the less important gift. The Bible doesn't make that distinction, they're right next to each other. To serve behind the scenes is just as important as being up front. And who is this person?
This is a person that finds a need and meets it. That's what it means to have the gift of serving. You find a need and you meet it. I think some people honestly think they have the gift of criticism. They always find what's wrong.
I don't like this, and I disagree with this other thing, and I wouldn't do it this way. All right, what would you do? I wouldn't do anything. I remember hearing the story of some woman that criticized the great evangelist D. L.
Moody. She said, Mr. Moody, I don't like the way you do evangelism. He said, well, ma'am, I'm always open to suggestions. How do you do evangelism?
She said, Well, I don't. He said, well, I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it. The church isn't perfect. We're not going to do everything perfectly every time.
So you see a need. How about helping to meet that need? Hey, I'll step in there. What is your need? One of the best ways to find out what your spiritual gifts are is literally volunteer for everything.
You'll know quickly if you're good at something or if you aren't. You know, you might say, I want to help out in children's ministry.
So you go and help and teach a class, and they find you at the end of the class. tied up to a chair. Maybe this isn't your gift. Try to help people out on the parking lot. Cars are running into each other.
You don't seem to be that person. You think you're gifted in music? A lot of people think they're good musically who aren't, I have to tell you. They think they have a great voice and they don't.
So maybe that's not your gift. But maybe you have a gift in another area you never thought of before.
So the main thing is you volunteer for everything, it's like the process of elimination. Mark that off, mark that off, mark that off, mark that off. Oh, whoa. I'm gifted at this. Why would I be gifted at this?
This is like not what I would normally do. The supernatural gifts are different than your natural talents. You might have natural talents in certain areas, but then a gifting from God. in an area you never thought you would have a gifting. And sometimes other people will tell you what your gift is before you even know.
They might say, you know, I love it when you do this. Oh, well, you have a real ability in this one area. I think, well, I never thought of that before. Maybe that is your gift. Yeah.
Some very practical insight today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie is leading our study of Acts 2 and Romans 12 in his message called The Gifts That Keep Giving. As we talk about the gifts God makes available to us, we should mention the most important gift He gave: His Son. John 3.16 says, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
so that whosoever believes in him would not perish, but have eternal life. That's God's most important gift. a way to have our sins forgiven, a way that we can enjoy eternal life. Pastor Gag, what would you say to someone who wants to accept that gift today? What I would say is.
He is only a prayer way. 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 Saviour. 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 as my God and my friend.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Amen. And listen, if you have just prayed that prayer 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 answer your questions and get you started off right as you live for God each day. Just let us know you prayed with Pastor Gregg and that you want the New Believer's Bible when you call 1-800-821-3300. We can take your call any time at 1-800-821-3300.
Or go online to harvest.org and click the words Know God. And then let us say a word of thanks to those who support us financially. those who make it possible for us to bring you these studies each day. We're definitely a listener-supported ministry. It's the generosity of listeners that help us be here with these programs.
So if you've partnered with us, thank you. And if you have yet to partner with us, well, I hope you'll get in touch today, and let us know that you're standing with us. Even a small investment would help. It's actually an investment in changing lives. Thank you for partnering with us.
You can donate securely online at harvest.org. or write a new beginning box 4000. Riverside, California, 92514. or call us at 1-800-821-3300. Again, that's 1-800-821-3300.
Did you know that we put our services that we do on Sundays online? It's called Harvest at Home. and you can be a part of our extended congregation no matter where you are. And people watch from literally all around the world.
So if you wanna watch Harvest at Home or view it later, if you'd like, just download the Harvest Plus app and then join us for Harvest at Home.
Well, next time, more insights on how we can use the spiritual gifts God freely makes available to believers. Join us here on A New Beginning with Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie.
Okay.
This is the day, the day when life begins.
