Pastor Greg earlier today I was mentioning you today. I was sharing the word the gospel and asking the wife of my client who's husband is a Veteran. I am a caregiver and always looking to share the truth of God with those I work with and put in my path. Today this message was what I was going over with her. I learned she was a believer at CCCM but had trouble in her walk with the Lord. Today she had a bad day, she realized she could share her feelings with me as I listened to her. When at end of my shift said to her God loved her and asked her to recommit her life to the Lord. I told her not to put it off because we aren't guaranteed tomorrow but that today is the day of salvation. I so excited she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior! Praise God! 🎈🙏☝ She is quite the miracle because she is older mid 60's. I said to her the Lord celebrates over 1 sinner when they commit themselves to the Lord. What is more amazing was this was around 5-6 pm and I had not heard this message you gave of the biblical view on self defense since it Published today June 1st from Airing Memorial Day. How could I have known this but this was orchestrated by the Lord as it confirmed what we spoke on with her. All when I got home. How awesome is that! The Lord is so amazing!!! Thank you Pastor Greg praise God for you! I will show her this message from my phone Lord willing tomorrow Wednesday afternoon. God bless!
Pastor as an infant I lost my legs. And I have concured life you know up until here recently and I'm having a lot of health problems and like Mobility is being taken away again. First by loosing legs and now my arms...I'm just really struggling. I don't understand I've been through so much through life.. over a hundred surgeries. And now it's like everything I bought so hard to be able to do physically is being slowly ripped away from a failing body. And I'm just I'm really struggling with this and all my chronic pain that I have on top everything. If I could reach out to you somehow maybe an email would you talk to me? Help me figure all this out? Nobody's been able to do that yet. And my heart is breaking. I feel secluded and alone. I know I have Jesus always. But no one here. So i bottle everything up inside.
Our church has armed security. While we aid the weak, help the elderly, and watch over children, we also watch over the flock for wolves who would show up. Read Nehemiah.
I’m on our Church security team and when it first began, we received scriptures from Nehemiah to get us in the mindset that God has called us to defend our flock. During the days of the revolutionary war, many of the preachers would preach their sermons, then lead their men into combat .
@Anon Anon self-defense is not wrath. A slap on the cheek is in reference to insult not grave injury. You will survive a slap on the face(or mockery) and having to carry a Roman's knapsack or pack and you are encouraged to go the extra mile to be kind to people even those who despise you. Yet as Christ died for the church men are expected to protect their wives to give their lives for them. What possible situations would come up that a man would have to lay his life down for his woman and child? Anything that would threaten their further existence be it animal or human....just a thought.
@Anon Anon yes that is good scripture. I however do not see where it says that if some wants to take your life, also give your family's lives. The Bible says the meek shall inherit the earth. Meek does not mean weak. It means those that own a sword, know how to use a sword and know when not to use the sword. I do not believe God ask us to to be so easy to give our lives up to death. We also have guns to defend our freedom of worshipping God and our faith. No one can take those from us. God bless you fellow child of God.
@Anon Anon I appreciate your view point also. God has gifted me with training and the ability to be proficient with a firearm. As someone who carries all the time, I am willing to give my life in protecting others. I pray everyday that I never have to use it. We who carry, dont do so for the life we might take. It's for the lives we can save.
I believe he made that statement so his followers could defend themselves. If Christians just stand there and allow their families, themselves, or innocents to be killed the the world will run out of Christians quickly. The govt , police and military, cannot always be there when you need them so you need to be able to protect yourself.
@@dennishein2812 that was said to fulfill the prophecy regarding the company the Messiah would be found amongst. I'm all for defending oneself and others but to arm for an uprising this was not spoken. We need to read deeper.
everyone has the right to life. we're not just weeds to be mowed down so evil can easily prevail. i don't live by the sword, but will use one to defend my life.
It may be more practical to have the sword in a sheif on your side, so you can use both hand for your work, until you need the sword, and have it where you can draw it quickly. ... Or, depending on the tools your using, it could double as a self-defence weapon.
It’s awesome to see a pastor preaching against sin, that’s rare these days. I’m as well happy to see a proper interpretation of these verses. I think I’ve found a brother to listen to :) Praise our King, may we all place many crowns at His feet soon! Maranatha!
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. This is my favorite passage. To me , it's the definition of love. The ultimate sacrifice for some one you care about. There is no greater love. Like when Jesus died for us. Also hits different to me personally. I live in a small town and 3 of my very best friends are serving in the military. They would sacrifice their life to defend you, me; as well as our freedom.
I really appreciate ur Preaching direct and forward no sugarcoating! Be blessed and be Field with Gods wisdom May the Holy Spirit guide you’re every word to touch the hearts that are broken and weak in spirit!
Israel had lots of battles and were never supposed to just let themselves be captured. Thanks for showing what this sermon really means, it's very precious and thanks for giving this message. The holy spirit in me approves.
Problem is they will NOT be there when you need them, only after your dead or raped or suffering in pain. A gun saved my life 2 times already, so YES be ready to fight the evil ones.
This is a great messager. Speaking as a Previous law enforcement Officer and a Christian this subject has been on my heart for a long time. I was involved in critical incidents where suspects lost their lives. Great Job
Dear pastor I've been a Spirit filled Christian since 1968..in the Pentecostal churches..I've never in my life heard a .message this well done on the sermon on the mount..you really did a great job breaking it down for every one could truely unstand the true meaning of Jesus message..thank you dear brother
Thank you for clarifying this. I am a patriot. I served in our nations military. I often find it hard to balance my service to my country and my service to Christ.
@Gus Trucker You are manipulating the scriptures to serve your evil ways. Jesus was talking about laying down your life for the word of God/Gospel like he did on the cross. Like the Apostles did by giving their life. Not by taking up arms and killing/murdering people.
@Gus Trucker That was all in the Old Testament (not Christianity but Judaism). God specifically told the Israelites to fight according to the bible. They would have been disobeying God had they not gone to battle. There are not any such commandments in the New Testament. The New Testament actually states the opposite. The wars in the Middle East have very little to nothing to do with freedom. War is about power and money. Besides, many people consider the United States evil, so why are you right and they wrong? Again, you are quoting things from the Old Testament. God couldn't care less about Israel as a geographical location. The only thing God cares about is that people are obedient to the words that Jesus preached and lived by. Stop manipulating the word of God. Jesus was not talking about a physical war or battle. He was discussing living by the word of God versus not living by the word of God. It was a change from the old guard of the Pharisees who didn't really believe to the life through Christ the stumbling block to many.
A somber day, as we vets remember the past and present, those who sacrificed for our country, even today our flag is burnt, stepped on, kneeled on. God is what people have forgotten what our country is built on. I pray for our nation to overcome our true enemies. Pray for our advisories.. the hardest, we all can change, look towards God.
The country is not built on God. It’s built on exterminating the indigenous people, enslaving Africans, greed, and allegedly free market capitalism. God is only a pretext to make the US appear wholesome.
@@rolandhunter7847 Here's a fun fact: the vast majority of african slaves were not enslaved by europeans/americans, but by rival african tribes who then greedily sold them off to the european traders, so evidently the africans didn't have huge moral issues with it themselves. Does that mean they were terrible people? No, it means that taking/having/selling slaves was a completely normal and legitimate practice for the vast majority of human existence. Here's another fun fact: Slavery was forbidden in medieval Europe for religious reasons, while the slave business was booming in the Islamic empire at the same point in time. It also seems that it was influence from the muslims which inspired some europeans to adopt slavery again, particularly in Spain/Portugal after the muslim conquest of Spain that lasted for a few hundred years and really left a cultural mark, for instance the slavery practice which they then brought with them to the new world. So what's the point? I don't like slavery, but it's ridiculous to judge the past with our current standards. Instead you should look at the context of whatever time it is your looking at, and slavery was and has always been a very common practice amongst all peoples. Therefore it makes no sense to judge anyone in particular for that practice, as everyone did it, basically. The same essentially goes for your other points. They are the story of human history, but that should be fairly self-evident. Except free market capitalism, that is a slightly more unique concept I suppose.
The best translation for Matthew 5:22 is "But I say to you that anyone who provokes to anger his brother without cause, is condemned to judgment." This would be supported in the following verse where we are told to leave our offering if we remember our brother is angry with us and not that we are angry with them
I’m going to have to rewatch this video over and over again. I’m going to take notes and examine my life, journal my failures and how I’m going to stop those behaviors. This is going to take work and commitment. Pray for me my brothers and sisters that I have the conviction and strength to carry forth.
Thanks Pastor Greg. I'm blessed because my daughter and new son- in-law along with my two young grandchildren just started attending Harvest Riverside a month ago.
Jesus said if no man has a sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one. Jesus also made a whip of chords and drove the people out of the temple and turned over the money changers tables and poured out the money. ....
Jesus also said that buying the sword was needed to fulfill the scripture that said He would be numbered with transgressors or criminals. Does that not mean those who carried swords were transgressors?
@@alicemeyers7639 Well I guess Peter was one than. I never heard Jesus rebuke Peter for carrying one, only for trying to defend Jesus when they came to arrest him. Jesus new that traveling from place to place on foot without a means to protect yourself, was just asking for trouble. Our father in Heaven even had Israel arm & protect themselves through the ages etc etc.
If you want the truth and to be set free by the truth then you will find the truth of all things through the true Gospel of Jesus Christ from The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints The Book of Mormon is for our time it is the Fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank God for this video. I have been asking the Lord for a decisive answer about this very subject for some time now. He never leaves me hanging. Thank you, Lord. Thank you Greg Laurie for addressing a topic I’m sure many more people needed the answer to.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you. Live peaceably with all men. But, read all of Romans 12. Don’t repay evil with evil. This topic has examples in scripture for both sides of the argument. So we tread carefully. Very good sermon by brother Greg by the way….. I enjoy listening to his sermons. I had to come back and listen to this sermon again it’s so good. And an answer to my prayer of how do I glorify God. Thank you Jesus.
Greetings, Bella from Australia 🇦🇺 Great Sermon Pst Greg. So glad you weren’t afraid to speak the truth about the way a woman should dress referring to those who under dress. I wish more preachers would preach on this. Thank you.
@@beatlesrgear Thank you so much! Likewise, we love you guys & your country too… Thank you for your blessings. May the good Lord richly bless you & the United States of America 🇺🇸 🙏🏼
I will pray for the soul of the person who thought me or my family was an easy target for violence as they are leaving by ambulance or coroner. But a prayer with higher priority is that I am never put in a situation where I have to make that choice.
To stand today on that spot on that mount and have our Messianic Rabbi speak in a whisper to the congregants down the slope 200 yards away and see them respond to his whispered commands sends a chill to realize that Yeshua (Jesus) needed to speak in no more than a conversational tone to his audience of thousands. His life, his blood sacrifice, his resurrection are a living miracle even today.
Don't get it twisted though. Love your enemy and pray for him but don't be naive. He sends us out gentle as a dove but wise as serpents. People will flat out give rest to their eyes till they have made someone to fall.
I LOVE JESUS'S WORDS! IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT THE TRUTH HURTS SOMETIMES. IT IS BECAUSE HIS LOVE FOREVER LEADS US TO REPENTANCE (CHANGE/TRANSFORMATION). HE IS OUR SHEPHERD, AND HE KNOWS WHATS BEST FOR YOU. THANK YOU PASTOR GREG! THANK YOU FATHER FOR ALLOWING ME TO HEAR THIS AT 3 AM. I NEEDED THIS. (TEARS)
No act goes unnoticed. For those that do harm, bring harm amongst themselves. A aggressor does not go without punishment. How that punishment is handed out is godly.
I love you Greg. I remember when Chuck and Mike introduced you. You were young and I was suspicious. Now, I love you and need you to stay on focus. I have grown to appreciate your direct truths. Now I want to do right, before I didn't really want to.
@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg Christians can't own weapons'? Maybe you should read a little deeper into the word. How are you going to love your neighbor by watching them get raped and murdered without lifting a finger to help protect them?
@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg So your just side stepping the question? You better believe I'd help stop someone doing harm to someone else. That would be a crime if I didn't, against God and man.
Are you forgetting one of Christ final commandments to the Desciples prior to ascension, buy a sword even if you have to sell your cloak for the money to purchase it.....There comes a time we are expected to stand and fight....
@@aprilnicole6847 "Let not the spirit of fear dwell within you" My beautiful sister, there is nothing in this fallen world we should fear, nothing. Only he who made us, and can unmake us. Our meat bag bodies are not us. They may contain our soul essence, but the physical is not who or what we are. Remember that when this world falls in the end, we go home. We must endure to the end in order to be taken home. When you begin to feel this worldly manipulation of your senses and heart create fear, stop and remember who you are, who we all are and who we come from. We are made in Adonais image. The Most High has blessed his children with immortality of spirit. Flesh always dies but the true spirit of Our Father The Most High lives on eternally. I will meet you at the narrow gate my friend and hold your hand as we walk through into the heavenly realm, to reconnect with our loved ones and those of pure heart and spirit. Much love sister and to all.
@@willythe4 what a comfort that is! I long for home. Thank you for sharing that good word and reminding me! My mama passed in September and that sounds exactly like what she would have told me. You don't know what that means! Thank you friend. I will see you on the glassy shores!
If you're referring to what Christ told his disciples prior to going into the garden of Gethsemane, then yes, I remember this scripture just fine. You're taking this text completely out of context. It explicitly says that this is about fulfilling scripture. What happens when Peter uses that sword he was told to sell his cloak for? Christ condemned him for it, and left the rest of us a strong warning to go with it; " he who lives by the sword..." I'll let you finish the scripture.
Psalm 144 King James Version 144 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
Turn the other cheek, and love your enemies, pray for them and bless them. Matthew 5. That's all, now obey Jesus in all else too in order to really be a Christian, starting by forsaking all for Him. Luke 14.
I always listen to your sermons on my way to work every morning. I love the repetition story of the early days of your Christian walk. You have been a daily reminder of God in my life and the blessings he gives to me, both the seen, but especially the unseen. Its also very neat the way you speak of your interactions with Billy Graham. Him being from my home State. Blessings to you.
Love your enemies, forgive those who use and persecute you; the day of forgiveness is at hand. Forgive them all! All who take up the sword shall perish by the sword! Don't let your zeal blinds you to the truth! Heaven will not be built by murder and uprisings! The Love and Wisdom of God will fill the Earth as water fills the sea, the lion will lie down with the lamb, there will be no more killing or destroying; and the voice of weeping should be heard no more.
Sometimes the anger comes from angry parents that take out their anger on their children. Picked on by their peers. Never knowing why they did it to you. Never knowing why you deserve it. It took me falling like a star from heaven into such darkness late in my life. God called me I that darkness and said aren't you tired yet aren't you ready to come home. I remember throwing my hands up and saying what ever it takes Lord, what ever it takes. God brought me back into his light gave me a new heart. Delivered me from my demons and removed the hate. Wow!! I am now convinced that there is nothing that God can't do. He just keeps drawing me further in and I keep want more. Praise The Lord!!
Great job pastor Greg. Bring the words of wisdom to life from our mighty king Jesus Christ . Thank you and God bless you. For the message that helps me understand perfectly. In Jesus name Amen.
How fortunate are we that we have the ability to spread the Gospel and do good works for the highest authority, God! First time I have listened to you. Obviously not by chance, God’s guidance. You mirror our pastors. No Jesus plus, nothing left out, just His word. Keep up the good work! His work! Our responsibility is to love and lead each other to be devoted followers of Jesus. Thank You!
So you want pieces of the Bible but not the whole thing? We learned very young you can’t cherry pick from the word to fit your life and expect it to work in your life. Don’t allow the enemy to get that far into your heart brother that anything outside of your field of view is destained and unwanted.
Look when Jesus was about to sent his apostles and witlessness in the world the second time he commanded them to take personal items with them he also said to take a sword with them.
For the first trip I think he told the disciples to not take anything. I don't remember the second time he sent them. What verse did you read that from?
If Jesus meant to send out his disciples into the world with swords, why would he later say 2 swords is enough? I think he wanted a sword to be available because he foresaw the ear of the Pharisee's servant cut off in the garden.
There's a difference between envy and jealousy. Envy is coveting something belonging to another and the anger associated with not having what covet. Envy is sinful as coveting violates a commandment. Jealousy is anger caused by the suspicion that someone else covets something that belongs to you.
I'm angry with my brother, but for a very good reason. I keep having to forgive him and then I have flashbacks and spin-out... And then forgiving him.. rinse and repeat. This is my struggle.
I have always struggled with these questions. I wondered how do you combine the teaching of being a Christian pacifist and also support the military. Do you allow a home intruder to hurt your family or is self-defense allowed? How does God look at gun ownership for self defense? The explanation given makes some sense in terms of the institutions being given authority to pursue justice. It falls in line with the judicial code Moses laid out for Israel in punishing criminals. Jesus also said in Matthew 5:17; "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." This verse is puzzling to me if Jesus demands everyone be pacifists because the Judicial laws that Moses set would be void. Some however, have interpreted this verse as being a fulfillment of the law in sacrificial cost for spiritual debt (sin). So through the sacrifice of Jesus, he has paid the ultimate sacrifice and fulfilled the law or cost of sin. On the contrary viewpoint, I haven't seen the disciples of Jesus using weapons to defend themselves from mobs or persecution. The one instance where a disciple cut off the ear of a servant who tried to apprehend Jesus in the garden was different because Jesus stopped his disciple and healed the servant. What annoys me the most is people stating that the bible teaches to be a pacifist always but then they still rely on the military to safeguard their own country or call the police when there is trouble. That seemed like a virtue signal to me versus true commitment to faith.
Luke 22:36 [36] He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
This just makes me see how far off the straight and narrow path I am ......I'm exhausted .....isn't it the Holy Spirit's job to clean us up .....put us back on track ..keep us on track .....makes me want to say to God take me home this is too hard ......which is how I am most of the time anyway .....I feel like the world hates me now......that includes family ...friends ....going by this none of us is going to Heaven ........my only hope is Jesus died for my sins and God saying the issue of sin is taken care of .....go forth and live ....
@@timtucker9189 I'll never stop if that's the case, words can comfort but human touch has to play a big part too otherwise it's always downdog and feeling unworthy the has more substance if delivered by friend
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Pastor Greg earlier today I was mentioning you today. I was sharing the word the gospel and asking the wife of my client who's husband is a Veteran. I am a caregiver and always looking to share the truth of God with those I work with and put in my path. Today this message was what I was going over with her. I learned she was a believer at CCCM but had trouble in her walk with the Lord. Today she had a bad day, she realized she could share her feelings with me as I listened to her. When at end of my shift said to her God loved her and asked her to recommit her life to the Lord. I told her not to put it off because we aren't guaranteed tomorrow but that today is the day of salvation. I so excited she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior! Praise God! 🎈🙏☝ She is quite the miracle because she is older mid 60's. I said to her the Lord celebrates over 1 sinner when they commit themselves to the Lord. What is more amazing was this was around 5-6 pm and I had not heard this message you gave of the biblical view on self defense since it Published today June 1st from Airing Memorial Day. How could I have known this but this was orchestrated by the Lord as it confirmed what we spoke on with her. All when I got home. How awesome is that! The Lord is so amazing!!! Thank you Pastor Greg praise God for you! I will show her this message from my phone Lord willing tomorrow Wednesday afternoon. God bless!
Thank you Greg, I know I’m not supposed to listen at work but it’s about the only time I can get away from the lids...Lol
Pastor as an infant I lost my legs. And I have concured life you know up until here recently and I'm having a lot of health problems and like Mobility is being taken away again. First by loosing legs and now my arms...I'm just really struggling. I don't understand I've been through so much through life.. over a hundred surgeries. And now it's like everything I bought so hard to be able to do physically is being slowly ripped away from a failing body. And I'm just I'm really struggling with this and all my chronic pain that I have on top everything. If I could reach out to you somehow maybe an email would you talk to me? Help me figure all this out? Nobody's been able to do that yet. And my heart is breaking. I feel secluded and alone. I know I have Jesus always. But no one here. So i bottle everything up inside.
Nice
@@belindam8762 nice msge
Our church has armed security. While we aid the weak, help the elderly, and watch over children, we also watch over the flock for wolves who would show up.
Read Nehemiah.
Shame that's how times are!
@@newhorizon1355 couldnt agree more.
I’m on our Church security team and when it first began, we received scriptures from Nehemiah to get us in the mindset that God has called us to defend our flock.
During the days of the revolutionary war, many of the preachers would preach their sermons, then lead their men into combat .
@@frankmoore7130 there is still a group today called the black robe regiment. I know the founder. Also a man called the patriot pastor.
I saw the video on the church shooting in texas.
An armed society is truly a polite society.
"the righteous are the last to pick up a sword, and the first to put it down..."...
Where is that quote in the Bible?
Matthew 26:51,52
That's not what Jesus said
I think you need to read that again, that is not what it says.
@@stevenhayes2999 How? For me, the only one alive is the one how picked up, defended thyself and putted it down
Praise be to the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
Psalm 144
Amen my brother !!
@Anon Anon self-defense is not wrath. A slap on the cheek is in reference to insult not grave injury. You will survive a slap on the face(or mockery) and having to carry a Roman's knapsack or pack and you are encouraged to go the extra mile to be kind to people even those who despise you. Yet as Christ died for the church men are expected to protect their wives to give their lives for them. What possible situations would come up that a man would have to lay his life down for his woman and child? Anything that would threaten their further existence be it animal or human....just a thought.
@@LetsProblemSolve amen
@Anon Anon yes that is good scripture. I however do not see where it says that if some wants to take your life, also give your family's lives. The Bible says the meek shall inherit the earth. Meek does not mean weak. It means those that own a sword, know how to use a sword and know when not to use the sword. I do not believe God ask us to to be so easy to give our lives up to death. We also have guns to defend our freedom of worshipping God and our faith. No one can take those from us. God bless you fellow child of God.
@Anon Anon I appreciate your view point also. God has gifted me with training and the ability to be proficient with a firearm. As someone who carries all the time, I am willing to give my life in protecting others. I pray everyday that I never have to use it. We who carry, dont do so for the life we might take. It's for the lives we can save.
"And he who hath no sword, let him sell his garments and buy one"- Luke 22:36
I believe he made that statement so his followers could defend themselves. If Christians just stand there and allow their families, themselves, or innocents to be killed the the world will run out of Christians quickly. The govt , police and military, cannot always be there when you need them so you need to be able to protect yourself.
@@dennishein2812 Well said.
@@dennishein2812 who do you think normally does the killing? Law enforcement, military and the government
@@dennishein2812 that was said to fulfill the prophecy regarding the company the Messiah would be found amongst. I'm all for defending oneself and others but to arm for an uprising this was not spoken. We need to read deeper.
@@davidr1676 who said anything about an uprising ?
Be prepared for battle but seek peace.
Amen to that!
Makes 0 sense
@@martinjugolin2087 Learn how to deescalate a situation but be ready to defend your life and your family life.
@@myballsitchsomethingfierce6319 ah, OK now it does, good take, ta ta~
@@martinjugolin2087 It's like a Bruce Lee saying "It's better to be a warrior in a garden that a gardener in a war."
Jesus knew I needed to hear this message today. Praise His mighty name.
Yeah these demons act like they want to jump on me... I needed answers
@@mindset2billions663 I know right. It seems like the more we study the more Satan attacks us but God will protect us
I needed this today too. God bless you!!
Greg is worth $25 million dollars and has zero theology training. I found it hard to take him seriously.
@@nonyabusiness6048 Jesus didn't have any Theology training.
everyone has the right to life. we're not just weeds to be mowed down so evil can easily prevail. i don't live by the sword, but will use one to defend my life.
Jesus doesn't tell people what to do, he describes what his children will do.
Even at work the “builders” held a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other.
It may be more practical to have the sword in a sheif on your side, so you can use both hand for your work, until you need the sword, and have it where you can draw it quickly.
...
Or, depending on the tools your using, it could double as a self-defence weapon.
It’s awesome to see a pastor preaching against sin, that’s rare these days. I’m as well happy to see a proper interpretation of these verses. I think I’ve found a brother to listen to :) Praise our King, may we all place many crowns at His feet soon! Maranatha!
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
This is my favorite passage. To me , it's the definition of love. The ultimate sacrifice for some one you care about.
There is no greater love. Like when Jesus died for us.
Also hits different to me personally. I live in a small town and 3 of my very best friends are serving in the military. They would sacrifice their life to defend you, me; as well as our freedom.
All Christians ought to apply modesty, male and female.
It’s always nice to see a soldier of God doing his best proclaim kingdom of Jesus on earth👍
I really appreciate ur Preaching direct and forward no sugarcoating! Be blessed and be Field with Gods wisdom May the Holy Spirit guide you’re every word to touch the hearts that are broken and weak in spirit!
Israel had lots of battles and were never supposed to just let themselves be captured.
Thanks for showing what this sermon really means, it's very precious and thanks for giving this message. The holy spirit in me approves.
Good teaching. I have met some incredibly Godly men and women who wear the uniform of either a police or a soldier.
Problem is they will NOT be there when you need them, only after your dead or raped or suffering in pain.
A gun saved my life 2 times already, so YES be ready to fight the evil ones.
Everyone here is You in a past or future life 🗝
Jesus Saves
This is a great messager. Speaking as a Previous law enforcement Officer and a Christian this subject has been on my heart for a long time. I was involved in critical incidents where suspects lost their lives. Great Job
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Dear pastor I've been a Spirit filled Christian since 1968..in the Pentecostal churches..I've never in my life heard a .message this well done on the sermon on the mount..you really did a great job breaking it down for every one could truely unstand the true meaning of Jesus message..thank you dear brother
Thank you for clarifying this. I am a patriot. I served in our nations military. I often find it hard to balance my service to my country and my service to Christ.
You are leading the commenter astray. Serving God is not the same as serving a government i.e country.
@Gus Trucker You are manipulating the scriptures to serve your evil ways. Jesus was talking about laying down your life for the word of God/Gospel like he did on the cross. Like the Apostles did by giving their life. Not by taking up arms and killing/murdering people.
@Gus Trucker That was all in the Old Testament (not Christianity but Judaism).
God specifically told the Israelites to fight according to the bible. They would have been disobeying God had they not gone to battle. There are not any such commandments in the New Testament. The New Testament actually states the opposite.
The wars in the Middle East have very little to nothing to do with freedom. War is about power and money.
Besides, many people consider the United States evil, so why are you right and they wrong? Again, you are quoting things from the Old Testament.
God couldn't care less about Israel as a geographical location. The only thing God cares about is that people are obedient to the words that Jesus preached and lived by.
Stop manipulating the word of God. Jesus was not talking about a physical war or battle. He was discussing living by the word of God versus not living by the word of God. It was a change from the old guard of the Pharisees who didn't really believe to the life through Christ the stumbling block to many.
Thank you for your service❤️👍
@@rolandhunter7847 even Israel protected their lands n city in biblical times with armies👍
A somber day, as we vets remember the past and present, those who sacrificed for our country, even today our flag is burnt, stepped on, kneeled on. God is what people have forgotten what our country is built on. I pray for our nation to overcome our true enemies. Pray for our advisories.. the hardest, we all can change, look towards God.
Amen! God loves a warrior too brother.
Thank you for your service!
The country is not built on God. It’s built on exterminating the indigenous people, enslaving Africans, greed, and allegedly free market capitalism. God is only a pretext to make the US appear wholesome.
@@rolandhunter7847 Here's a fun fact: the vast majority of african slaves were not enslaved by europeans/americans, but by rival african tribes who then greedily sold them off to the european traders, so evidently the africans didn't have huge moral issues with it themselves. Does that mean they were terrible people? No, it means that taking/having/selling slaves was a completely normal and legitimate practice for the vast majority of human existence.
Here's another fun fact: Slavery was forbidden in medieval Europe for religious reasons, while the slave business was booming in the Islamic empire at the same point in time. It also seems that it was influence from the muslims which inspired some europeans to adopt slavery again, particularly in Spain/Portugal after the muslim conquest of Spain that lasted for a few hundred years and really left a cultural mark, for instance the slavery practice which they then brought with them to the new world.
So what's the point? I don't like slavery, but it's ridiculous to judge the past with our current standards. Instead you should look at the context of whatever time it is your looking at, and slavery was and has always been a very common practice amongst all peoples. Therefore it makes no sense to judge anyone in particular for that practice, as everyone did it, basically.
The same essentially goes for your other points. They are the story of human history, but that should be fairly self-evident. Except free market capitalism, that is a slightly more unique concept I suppose.
@Scott Cannon Everything I wrote is historically accurate.
This man does such an excellent job of breaking down God's word and applying it to life in an easy way to understand.
Yeah God I pray to make me more like you That will not mind be done
If Christians never defended themselves in the past, there wouldn’t be any Christina around today.
Ah, that's not true but , thankfully we Christians have gotten the understanding to defend you self is OK with God .
That is what the Crusades was for.
I mean... There could be.
@@angrydragonslayer there would be what?
@@zr5963 says a simpleton 🙄🥱
The best translation for Matthew 5:22 is "But I say to you that anyone who provokes to anger his brother without cause, is condemned to judgment." This would be supported in the following verse where we are told to leave our offering if we remember our brother is angry with us and not that we are angry with them
Pastor Greg you are the best , funny and speaks the truth at the same time.. God bless you.
Funny?????
I remember Jesus first standup routine
@@coolhluke8089 ????
@@bellaroccisano4156 it’s probably Cool Hand Luke, a movie from 1967 starring Paul Newman....
This type of people teaching violence to Christians are bringing American brothers and sisters to destruction.
Jesus never let anyone harm him until it was time for Him to die on the cross
I’m going to have to rewatch this video over and over again. I’m going to take notes and examine my life, journal my failures and how I’m going to stop those behaviors. This is going to take work and commitment. Pray for me my brothers and sisters that I have the conviction and strength to carry forth.
May the Holy Spirit be with you.
God bless you and your family.
Hope and pray that your journey will be successful!? Keep the FAITH!!!🙏😇👍
I am so happy that I found you I listen to you daily. Thank you
Thanks Pastor Greg. I'm blessed because my daughter and new son- in-law along with my two young grandchildren just started attending Harvest Riverside a month ago.
Such a great blessing!
You are such a great blessing to me. Thank you for your teaching. May God bless you, your family, and your ministry.
This is a thing that everyone is struggling with and we should all lift our hand to and pray for forgiveness to.
I have listened to your voice for more years than I can remember. Today is the first time I have ever seen your face. Thanks for your service.
get right with God friends, time is running short and you are loved! 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, then repent of your sins and you will be saved.
Jesus said if no man has a sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one. Jesus also made a whip of chords and drove the people out of the temple and turned over the money changers tables and poured out the money. ....
Jesus also said that buying the sword was needed to fulfill the scripture that said He would be numbered with transgressors or criminals. Does that not mean those who carried swords were transgressors?
@@alicemeyers7639 Well I guess Peter was one than. I never heard Jesus rebuke Peter for carrying one, only for trying to defend Jesus when they came to arrest him. Jesus new that traveling from place to place on foot without a means to protect yourself, was just asking for trouble. Our father in Heaven even had Israel arm & protect themselves through the ages etc etc.
@@ooshta Matthew 26:51 He told Peter to put away his sword.
@@alicemeyers7639 because he was trying to stop what he came for
@@LARRYCAL exactly.
As the voice of one crying out in the wilderness “REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!”
Hallelu-YAH 🙌🏻🙌🏻
May we Walk in The Lord's footsteps, walking in His Love and His Light.
God Bless you Past Greg.
🍃Sha🕊️Lom 🍃
If you want the truth and to be set free by the truth then you will find the truth of all things through the true Gospel of Jesus Christ from The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints
The Book of Mormon is for our time it is the Fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank God for this video. I have been asking the Lord for a decisive answer about this very subject for some time now. He never leaves me hanging. Thank you, Lord. Thank you Greg Laurie for addressing a topic I’m sure many more people needed the answer to.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you. Live peaceably with all men. But, read all of Romans 12.
Don’t repay evil with evil.
This topic has examples in scripture for both sides of the argument. So we tread carefully.
Very good sermon by brother Greg by the way….. I enjoy listening to his sermons. I had to come back and listen to this sermon again it’s so good. And an answer to my prayer of how do I glorify God. Thank you Jesus.
Greetings, Bella from Australia 🇦🇺 Great Sermon Pst Greg. So glad you weren’t afraid to speak the truth about the way a woman should dress referring to those who under dress. I wish more preachers would preach on this. Thank you.
Hi, Bella, I love Australians! God Bless you and may the Lord bless Australia and bring the country to Salvation :)
@@beatlesrgear Thank you so much! Likewise, we love you guys & your country too… Thank you for your blessings. May the good Lord richly bless you & the United States of America 🇺🇸 🙏🏼
Praise and everlasting glory to our precious savior ! And eternal love and gratitude for the discernment that he continually reveals to us.
Wonderful sermon. We are going to need this sermon, and the sword soon
Amazing sermon forever I am changed
I will pray for the soul of the person who thought me or my family was an easy target for violence as they are leaving by ambulance or coroner.
But a prayer with higher priority is that I am never put in a situation where I have to make that choice.
To stand today on that spot on that mount and have our Messianic Rabbi speak in a whisper to the congregants down the slope 200 yards away and see them respond to his whispered commands sends a chill to realize that Yeshua (Jesus) needed to speak in no more than a conversational tone to his audience of thousands. His life, his blood sacrifice, his resurrection are a living miracle even today.
Thank you, appreciate this sermon. Jesus tells us to love our enemies. Even though it's hard I'm going to focus on doing that.
Don't get it twisted though. Love your enemy and pray for him but don't be naive. He sends us out gentle as a dove but wise as serpents. People will flat out give rest to their eyes till they have made someone to fall.
Are u able to lovingly rebuke those who are on the wrong path and warn them of coming destruction???
@@benjaminburris7454 “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 15:12
@@ilovejesuschrist2581
“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 15:12
I LOVE JESUS'S WORDS! IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT THE TRUTH HURTS SOMETIMES. IT IS BECAUSE HIS LOVE FOREVER LEADS US TO REPENTANCE (CHANGE/TRANSFORMATION). HE IS OUR SHEPHERD, AND HE KNOWS WHATS BEST FOR YOU. THANK YOU PASTOR GREG! THANK YOU FATHER FOR ALLOWING ME TO HEAR THIS AT 3 AM. I NEEDED THIS. (TEARS)
I LOVE CAPS LOCK. I ALSO LOVE JESUS TOO.
Thank you so very much for allowing God to use you for this moment in my life. God bless your ministry
Be a warrior and pray to never have to go to war.
Thank you heavenly father for useing Greg to teach all of us,I'm set free inside and I love you Jesus
He teaches truth from the bible the book of truth , Jesus Christ teachings and his father's word our fathers love for us.
No act goes unnoticed. For those that do harm, bring harm amongst themselves. A aggressor does not go without punishment. How that punishment is handed out is godly.
Amazing how much Pastor Greg has changed since I listened to him back in the 80's back in Ca.
He went all informal, which I'm uncertain about.
This is the best biblical teaching I’ve heard on self defense!
Amen! Never a truer word. So sound. Still resonates even still today! Jesus Christ the perfect example of life’s example!
Thank you brother Greg! I always learn from your sermons!
Heavenly Father, please grant me the patience to follow you to the best of my ability.
I love you Greg. I remember when Chuck and Mike introduced you. You were young and I was suspicious. Now, I love you and need you to stay on focus. I have grown to appreciate your direct truths. Now I want to do right, before I didn't really want to.
Thank you Patriots I'm waiting for the King to come.
Satan would love nothing more than to see an unarmed army of God.
If you think that means weapons, you need to read your Bible
@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg Christians can't own weapons'? Maybe you should read a little deeper into the word. How are you going to love your neighbor by watching them get raped and murdered without lifting a finger to help protect them?
@@markallen721 your argument isn't with me, it's with Jesus. I can only show you the way, you're going to have to pray for some discernment.
@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg So your just side stepping the question? You better believe I'd help stop someone doing harm to someone else. That would be a crime if I didn't, against God and man.
@@markallen721 your anti-Christ wannabe tough-guy image doesn't bother me. I'll pray for you. Try reading a bible.
I praise God that you baptized me! Keep preaching it brother
Are you forgetting one of Christ final commandments to the Desciples prior to ascension, buy a sword even if you have to sell your cloak for the money to purchase it.....There comes a time we are expected to stand and fight....
I believe that time is at our doorstep
@@willythe4 I do too. I get scared and then I remind myself that God our father is stronger than any army or government.
@@aprilnicole6847 "Let not the spirit of fear dwell within you"
My beautiful sister, there is nothing in this fallen world we should fear, nothing. Only he who made us, and can unmake us. Our meat bag bodies are not us. They may contain our soul essence, but the physical is not who or what we are. Remember that when this world falls in the end, we go home. We must endure to the end in order to be taken home. When you begin to feel this worldly manipulation of your senses and heart create fear, stop and remember who you are, who we all are and who we come from. We are made in Adonais image. The Most High has blessed his children with immortality of spirit. Flesh always dies but the true spirit of Our Father The Most High lives on eternally.
I will meet you at the narrow gate my friend and hold your hand as we walk through into the heavenly realm, to reconnect with our loved ones and those of pure heart and spirit.
Much love sister and to all.
@@willythe4 what a comfort that is! I long for home. Thank you for sharing that good word and reminding me! My mama passed in September and that sounds exactly like what she would have told me. You don't know what that means! Thank you friend.
I will see you on the glassy shores!
If you're referring to what Christ told his disciples prior to going into the garden of Gethsemane, then yes, I remember this scripture just fine. You're taking this text completely out of context. It explicitly says that this is about fulfilling scripture. What happens when Peter uses that sword he was told to sell his cloak for? Christ condemned him for it, and left the rest of us a strong warning to go with it; " he who lives by the sword..." I'll let you finish the scripture.
Psalm 144
King James Version
144 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
The Lord knows if someone breaks into my house, they'll wish they never did. Im sure that goes for all of us. That is justified.
The thief who climbs over the wall is thrown back out to the wolves.
Turn the other cheek, and love your enemies, pray for them and bless them. Matthew 5. That's all, now obey Jesus in all else too in order to really be a Christian, starting by forsaking all for Him. Luke 14.
I always listen to your sermons on my way to work every morning. I love the repetition story of the early days of your Christian walk. You have been a daily reminder of God in my life and the blessings he gives to me, both the seen, but especially the unseen.
Its also very neat the way you speak of your interactions with Billy Graham. Him being from my home State.
Blessings to you.
Good word Pastor Greg. Well said my brother, Well said indeed!!!!
Thank you pastor for this wonderful sermon I've never heard explained this clear before.
Thank you so much GOD BLESS Y’ALL ALL. !!!!!!!
A very timely conversation. Thanks for your study with us, may we all look for God's desire for his kingdom and our actions toward those attacking.
Love your enemies, forgive those who use and persecute you; the day of forgiveness is at hand.
Forgive them all!
All who take up the sword shall perish by the sword!
Don't let your zeal blinds you to the truth!
Heaven will not be built by murder and uprisings!
The Love and Wisdom of God will fill the Earth as water fills the sea, the lion will lie down with the lamb, there will be no more killing or destroying; and the voice of weeping should be heard no more.
Thank you. I so much needed to hear this wonderful talk..
Fabulous word! Thank you, Pastor Greg.
Rick
A Blessing indeed!thanks to you all for sharing Pastor's message.God Bless Pastor.
Sometimes the anger comes from angry parents that take out their anger on their children. Picked on by their peers. Never knowing why they did it to you. Never knowing why you deserve it. It took me falling like a star from heaven into such darkness late in my life. God called me I that darkness and said aren't you tired yet aren't you ready to come home. I remember throwing my hands up and saying what ever it takes Lord, what ever it takes. God brought me back into his light gave me a new heart. Delivered me from my demons and removed the hate. Wow!! I am now convinced that there is nothing that God can't do. He just keeps drawing me further in and I keep want more. Praise The Lord!!
Alleluia! Such wonderful teaching. Thank you.
Thank You Jesus
David was on the roof when young kings are off to war. He wasn’t where he was supposed to be to start with.
Wow what a sermon and yes I chose to follow Jesus ty sir I have been healed of my inequities ty lord for this man
Good message I need to hear. Thank you pastor.
Great job pastor Greg. Bring the words of wisdom to life from our mighty king Jesus Christ . Thank you and God bless you. For the message that helps me understand perfectly. In Jesus name Amen.
Always a wonderful teaching. Thank you Pastor.
How fortunate are we that we have the ability to spread the Gospel and do good works for the highest authority, God!
First time I have listened to you. Obviously not by chance, God’s guidance. You mirror our pastors. No Jesus plus, nothing left out, just His word.
Keep up the good work! His work!
Our responsibility is to love and lead each other to be devoted followers of Jesus.
Thank You!
I don't have all day for him to get to the heart of the topic.
So you want pieces of the Bible but not the whole thing? We learned very young you can’t cherry pick from the word to fit your life and expect it to work in your life. Don’t allow the enemy to get that far into your heart brother that anything outside of your field of view is destained and unwanted.
Alleluia
Excellent sermon Pastor Greg! Thank God that there are preachers out there who speak the Truth so clearly and effectively.
Pastor, you are extraordinery.. Thenks for blessing me.... 😀😍🥰🇨🇦
Look when Jesus was about to sent his apostles and witlessness in the world the second time he commanded them to take personal items with them he also said to take a sword with them.
For the first trip I think he told the disciples to not take anything. I don't remember the second time he sent them. What verse did you read that from?
@@Bolgavets Luke 22: 36-38
If Jesus meant to send out his disciples into the world with swords, why would he later say 2 swords is enough? I think he wanted a sword to be available because he foresaw the ear of the Pharisee's servant cut off in the garden.
I believe he was saying use his word's and the word's of God be the sword.
Thank you for the blessing. Thank you for the message.
Thank God I've never really been a jealous person
There's a difference between envy and jealousy. Envy is coveting something belonging to another and the anger associated with not having what covet. Envy is sinful as coveting violates a commandment. Jealousy is anger caused by the suspicion that someone else covets something that belongs to you.
Good men stand against evil. Defend the weak & helpless
Amen!!
Wow ❤ This message was eye opening!
I'm angry with my brother, but for a very good reason. I keep having to forgive him and then I have flashbacks and spin-out... And then forgiving him.. rinse and repeat. This is my struggle.
I have always struggled with these questions. I wondered how do you combine the teaching of being a Christian pacifist and also support the military. Do you allow a home intruder to hurt your family or is self-defense allowed? How does God look at gun ownership for self defense?
The explanation given makes some sense in terms of the institutions being given authority to pursue justice. It falls in line with the judicial code Moses laid out for Israel in punishing criminals. Jesus also said in Matthew 5:17; "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
This verse is puzzling to me if Jesus demands everyone be pacifists because the Judicial laws that Moses set would be void.
Some however, have interpreted this verse as being a fulfillment of the law in sacrificial cost for spiritual debt (sin). So through the sacrifice of Jesus, he has paid the ultimate sacrifice and fulfilled the law or cost of sin.
On the contrary viewpoint, I haven't seen the disciples of Jesus using weapons to defend themselves from mobs or persecution. The one instance where a disciple cut off the ear of a servant who tried to apprehend Jesus in the garden was different because Jesus stopped his disciple and healed the servant.
What annoys me the most is people stating that the bible teaches to be a pacifist always but then they still rely on the military to safeguard their own country or call the police when there is trouble. That seemed like a virtue signal to me versus true commitment to faith.
Good points
We have to answer for each life taken infront of Jesus Christ, just remember that.
Luke 22:36
[36] He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
That was a profiting word! 😊
This just makes me see how far off the straight and narrow path I am ......I'm exhausted .....isn't it the Holy Spirit's job to clean us up .....put us back on track ..keep us on track .....makes me want to say to God take me home this is too hard ......which is how I am most of the time anyway .....I feel like the world hates me now......that includes family ...friends ....going by this none of us is going to Heaven ........my only hope is Jesus died for my sins and God saying the issue of sin is taken care of .....go forth and live ....
I recently read Romans Chapter 5 verse 1-11, you should read it slowly and carefully, it brought me comfort and Hope in life.
Just repent tell Father admit all your sins and Father said in heaven he will restore all that has been stolen from you!
@@timtucker9189 I'll never stop if that's the case, words can comfort but human touch has to play a big part too otherwise it's always downdog and feeling unworthy the has more substance if delivered by friend