Jesus and the Lonely Man | Trying the Christian Ideal

A New Beginning presents a new book from Pastor Greg Laurie. We are offering a brand new resource called The House of David Devotional and it's based on the great Psalms of David as well as the life of David. So I'm going to put this brand new devotional in your hand so you can learn from this man of God. Or your gift of any size at harvest.org.

It's the official companion resource for the new Amazon TV series also called The House of David. Every day you've got to walk spiritually and sometimes people say well I tried Christianity and it didn't work for me. I suggest you didn't do your part. Did you start reading your Bible? Did you develop a prayer life? Did you become a part of church?

People talk about how it doesn't work but don't walk in a way that it does. Today Pastor Greg Laurie helps us chart a path to success. So there's God's part. He'll save you. He'll heal you.

Now you've got to walk. This is the day when the lost are found. This is the day for a new beginning. Amazing grace how sweet the sound. Again you hear all the angels are singing. It makes no sense to complain the car won't start if it's out of gas. It makes no sense to complain about sitting in the dark if we haven't turned on the light switch. Well when it comes to Christianity author G.K. Chesterton said the Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting.

It's been found difficult and left untried. Today on A New Beginning Pastor Greg Laurie helps us try a real walk with God. It offers joy and contentment and dispels loneliness and discouragement. So there was this lady she was very lonely and she needed some companionship and someone told her that there was a talking parrot down at the pet store and so she went down and said I heard you have a talking parrot and I need someone to talk to and someone to talk to me. Is this parrot really talk? Oh yes ma'am this parrot talks. And so she bought the parrot and she took it home and it didn't say anything to her for a week and a half.

So she went back to the pet store and said sir this parrot does not talk. The pet store owner said ma'am did you buy him a swing? Every parrot needs a swing. If you get him a swing he'll talk all day long. She bought a swing to get home.

She came back another week and a half later. I got the parrot a swing. He still isn't talking. Ma'am did you get the parrot a ladder? Every parrot needs a ladder. He has a ladder to go up and down. He'll talk constantly. She bought a ladder to get home.

A week and a half later she returns. She says that parrot still isn't talking. Oh did you get him a mirror? He has a mirror to look at himself in.

Then he'll talk for sure. She bought the mirror and came back a week later and said that parrot you sold me he died. The pet store owner said did he ever talk?

As a matter of fact he did. The pet store owner said what did the parrot say? She said the parrot said to me don't they have any food down at that pet store?

Just a bad joke people. Okay so I don't know if you feel lonely. I don't think a talking parrot is going to help you. There's a lot of people feel lonely in our world today. One in three Americans feel lonely at least once a week. There's acute loneliness among young adults with 30 percent of people ages 18 to 34 experiencing loneliness several times a week or more.

Loneliness has become a public health epidemic according to the surgeon general and loneliness and isolation create health risks including anxiety depression and illnesses like heart disease and dementia. But wait we have social media. We can communicate with each other.

That's only thrown more fuel in the fire and we find ourselves more isolated. Bottom line people need people. We were not meant to do life alone. We need living breathing friends not talking parrots. Not bots. Not just communicating with people online while we're playing a video game.

We need to be with people and that's why being active in church matters so much. You know during COVID we did our services online. We called it Harvest at Home and it's still on and people watch it and I run into people everywhere that still enjoy Harvest at Home. But many watched it during COVID.

But when church was open again they didn't return back to church. I remember on one particular Sunday it was palm Sunday President Trump tweeted that he was going to watch the Harvest at Home service and put it out to all of his social media followers. So we had one million people watching us that particular Sunday.

And wasn't that isn't that great. And so we gave a gospel presentation. We gave an opportunity for people to come to Christ and on that Sunday alone 11,000 people made a profession of faith and registered that with us. Isn't that amazing.

One young man wrote me and said I saw the president tweet he was going to watch your church service so I watched it too and I was suicidal. And now he has given my life to Christ. So that is great.

But you know what. Church is open. It is time to come back home again.

Right. Come back to church. I am talking to you folks watching online.

I am glad you are watching. I know some of you couldn't get here even if you wanted to. I know some of you aren't able to leave your home for some reason. But I know some of you are still in your pajamas. Okay. And you are not even really paying attention. You are flipping through your phone right now buying stuff on Instagram. Get out of your pajamas and come back to church. Right. Come on now. I have noticed it has become very popular for people to wear their pajamas everywhere now. I go to the airport.

People walk around with pajamas and a pillow. It is like what is going on here. I bring this up because before us in John 5 is a story of a lonely man. In fact the title of my message is Jesus and the lonely man. Let's read about him. I am reading John chapter 5 verses 1 to 18 and I am reading by the way from the New Living Translation.

Read along with me. Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem on one of the Jewish holy days and inside the city near the sheep gate was the pool of Bethesda with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people blind, lame, or paralyzed lay on the porches. One of the men laying there had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time he asked him would you like to get well? I can't sir the sick man said for I have no one to put me in the pool.

When the water bubbles up someone else always gets there ahead of me. Jesus said stand up, pick up your mat, and walk. Instantly the man was healed. He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking. But this miracle happened on the Sabbath so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured you can't work on the Sabbath.

The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat. But the man replied the man who healed me told me pick up your mat and walk. Who said such a thing as that they demanded. The man didn't know for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. But afterward Jesus found him sitting in the temple and told him now you are well so stop sinning or something even worse may happen to you. Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders it was Jesus who had healed him. So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. But Jesus replied my father is always working and so am I.

We will stop there. Now we read that he was waiting for the waters to be stirred. There was a legend that an angel would sometimes appear move the waters around and if you were close to the water when this happened you would get healed. There is no indication this is a true story. It could have been true.

Maybe it happened once. But that is what this man was hoping for. He had been waiting a long time.

38 years. I love what Jesus says. First of all he asks the impossible. Secondly he removes all possibility for a relapse. Thirdly he expects continued success. First he asks the impossible.

Pick up your sleeping mat and walk. And in this guy's defense he goes for it. He goes I can't.

He says all right. And all of a sudden strength is restored to his feet and his legs and he stands up. What an amazing thing.

So he did the impossible. But then Jesus removes any possibility for a relapse. Take it with you. You are not coming back here again.

We are done with the pool. And we are done with this whole life. It is a new life.

Put your old life behind you. Here is a problem that some people have when they say they are going to become Christians is they don't make a break with the old life. Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. We love to hear stories of how lives have been changed through the teaching of God's word.

Like this one. Pastor Greg I grew up in Southern California with a tough, abusive father but an amazing mother. During that time I attended Harvest in Riverside but then eventually moved back east where I began to fall away from God.

I started abusing alcohol and losing friends in the process. But last fall while reading some of your teachings I declared to myself that I would dedicate my life back to Jesus, read the Bible, and live a life of sobriety. I want to thank you, Greg, for helping me begin this healing process. We are so grateful to hear of the changed lives through Harvest Ministries. And if you have a story to tell of how these studies have touched your life, I hope you will contact us today. Tell us your story by calling 866-871-1144.

That's 866-871-1144. Well we're glad you're along for Pastor Greg's message today. It's an encouraging study called Jesus and the Lonely Man. Here's an interesting story in the Old Testament. It's the prophet Elijah. He's coming toward the end of his ministry and he chooses his successor. His name is Elisha. Very similar names. Sometimes they're confused.

Two guys. Elijah, Elisha. So Elijah sees Elisha plowing out in the field and he throws his garment on him symbolically saying, you're carrying on for me. And then Elisha says, hey let me go back and say goodbye to my family. Elijah said, hey what does that to me?

In other words, dude this is a privilege. What are you doing? You're going to do this?

Come on let's go. Or don't. And you know he knew if that guy went back and said goodbye to his family he'd never return. You ever try to leave a family reunion?

Takes really a long time. Especially if you haven't seen him for a while. It's that big reunion once every five years. So you're saying, well I gotta go have one more piece of pie. Let me tell you one more story.

Hugs and hugs and on it goes. I'm really good at leaving places. I don't know if this is a skill or a bad trait but when I'm ready to go I'll say to my wife, I'm leaving. And I'll go to the host or hostess. Thank you so much for inviting me. I'm sorry I have to go.

Okinoba. I'm gone. I wonder where's my wife? She's still there. A week later she's there still. You need the jaws of life to extract Kathy out of the social gathering.

She just goes and goes and talks and talks and and I've moved on. Ok. And this is the idea. There's a New Testament counterpart to the story where Jesus said to a man, follow me. He said let me go and bury my mother and father. Jesus said let the dead bury the dead.

Follow me. Now that sounds kind of heartless on the part of Christ. Let me bury my mother and father. They just died and they're lying in the street dead. Yeah let them bury themselves. Let's get out of here.

That's not what was going on. That phrase let me bury my mother and father was another way of saying let me wait till my mom and dad get old and eventually die and when they're gone then I'll follow you. And Jesus said you do that you'll never follow me. You know it's time to make a break with the past. Jesus said no man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit with the kingdom of God. So he says to this man pick up your mat and walk. Put this old life behind you and follow me.

And this is what the man did. Saying goodbye to the past. I remember we had our first crusade at Pacific Amphitheater.

We had counselors calling up people and seeing how they were doing spiritually and they called up this one man who had come to Christ the night before and he said I'm doing great. Yeah I'm just out mowing my grass. Oh mowing the lawn. No mowing my marijuana forest down. This guy was a drug dealer and he had all these pot plants in his backyard. He's like mowing them down. I like that.

That's making a break with the past. Let me say a word about the follow-up process that we engage in here at Harvest. We take it very seriously. I know people know us for evangelism and I don't apologize for that. We've seen thousands of people come to Christ through our ministry over the last 50 years but sometimes people will say things like we'll harvest they're into evangelism but we're into discipleship.

Oh nice we're into both. In fact we spend more of our time and put more of our efforts into discipleship than we even do in evangelism believe it or not because that's part of the great commission. What is the great commission? According to Matthew 28 it's going to all the world make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you even to the end of the age. So the great commission is baptizing people, it's discipling people, it's crowning people, it's teaching people the word of God. Then in Mark's version Jesus says go into all the world and preach the gospel.

So we do all of those things. I'm amazed at what I would describe as a baptism movement sweeping the country right now and there was a group in Southern California that did a big baptism down at Pirate's Cove and they were inspired by the Jesus revolution film which featured a lot of baptism scenes as you recall and of course we had baptisms there back during the Jesus movement. Then we went a couple of months later and we baptized 4,500 people in one single day.

Then we went back a then we went back a year later and baptized 2,000 more but you read about these baptisms happening around the country and college campuses. I think that's really an exciting thing but we do a lot for new believers. We have something called the New Believers Bible we usually mention at the end of our services. There's 10 million copies in print and we have sent over 600,000 copies of the New Believers Bible to churches that support our crusades over the last 30 plus years.

We have 200,000 people going through the gospel of John and our digital outreach right now and we have 15,000 more in our online discipleship community and we have a teaching series on sharing your faith called Tell Someone that's been watched by 100,000 people. So yeah we're into discipleship in a serious way. Then Jesus says to him get up and walk.

So now you're up you gotta walk. See the Christian life on more than one occasion is compared to a walk. Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. As you receive Jesus Christ as Lord the Bible says so walk in him.

So there's God's part. He'll save you. He'll heal you.

Now you've gotta walk every day. You've gotta walk spiritually and sometimes people say well I tried Christianity and it didn't work for me. Listen Jesus Christ is not like some brand of toothpaste that you try and then return. I don't know about you but I do return things kind of a lot.

Now let me explain. I'm not taking advantage of anything but there's something that's available maybe it's and I have to admit on Instagram I've fallen for a few of those things right. Just click the button your phone it's on its way right. That looks pretty cool but I always check the return policy. 30 days you can return it they say and I always want to know is there a restocking fee.

Okay there isn't and I'll try it and most of the time I don't like it but sometimes I like it and I'll keep the product but Jesus oh I tried him out but I returned it it didn't work. Jesus is not in it he's a him and he will change any person who comes to him. I suggest you didn't do your part.

He does his part. Did you take it seriously? Did you start reading your Bible? Did you develop a prayer life?

Did you become a part of church? See a lot of people don't do anything. It reminds me of people that go to gyms and and they never lose weight and never get in shape.

Well they get in the shade but it's like the shape of a pear but then you look at them they never work out. They just sit around and talk all day or eat donuts or go to the gym three days a week. Why am I not in better shape?

Because you go to the gym and don't do anything. You see there's your part and a lot of people don't do their part. Closing thought all around us are are people who are lonely who are hurting that need someone to reach out to them. See Jesus saw this guy and we need to see these people. They're everywhere.

Sometimes you see them in church. Maybe they're sitting alone. Hey I noticed you're alone. Is this your first time here?

Maybe it is. Do you know anybody? Would you like to go out with us? We're going to get a bite to eat after church. Why don't you join us?

Hey are you in a small group? Good to meet you and next time you see them you remember their name. You reach out to them. See that's so important to do or when you're just out and about in life you see someone they're upset. They're hurting.

Maybe they're crying. Is everything okay? Well I just found this news out.

Oh really? Well listen I'm a Christian and I believe in the power of prayer. Can I pray for you? You want to know something? Most people will not say no to your offer of prayer.

Even non-believers. Can I pray for you? Okay. Now it might be a little awkward for them but that's okay. Pray for them. See show them you care. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. And I think sometimes we're thinking about how we're going to argue people into the kingdom of God. You might be surprised to find how far a gesture of kindness will go. Hey can I help you?

Can I reach out to you? That's what Jesus did for this man. He saw him. We need to see people as God sees them. As sheep without a shepherd. As people that need a savior.

They're all around us. God sees you right now. I think a lot of times we feel unseen, unnoticed, unloved, unappreciated. Some even think if I was gone no one would even miss me.

What a lie. You're loved by far more people than you know. You're needed, you're wanted, but most of all you're loved by God. And he sees you right now. Just as Jesus saw this guy 2,000 years ago in that big crowd he saw this guy.

And walk right up to him he sees you and he's ready to enter into your life and you'll never be alone again. Jesus died on the cross for your sin. He paid the price for every wrong you've ever done. And he rose again from the dead and now he stands at the door of your life and he knocks and says if you'll hear his voice and open the door he'll come in. Have you asked Christ to come into your life yet and if not would you like to? Let me give you that opportunity as we close now in prayer.

Let's all pray. Father I pray for any person here or listening wherever they may be. If they don't know you Jesus let this be the moment they believe. They don't have to be alone in life.

They don't have to feel unloved or unwanted or unseen because you love them you want them and you see them. Help them to come to you and believe. While we're all praying together if you want Christ to come into your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want this relationship with him I've been talking about you could just pray this prayer after me. You can pray it out loud if you like or pray it quietly in your heart but just pray this with me. Pray Lord Jesus I know I'm a sinner but I know that you're the savior who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead.

I turn from my sin now and I choose to follow you. Thank you for hearing this prayer and answering this prayer. In Jesus name I pray.

Amen. An important moment for those praying that prayer. Today on A New Beginning, Pastor Greg Laurie leading many in a prayer asking Jesus to be their savior. And if you've just prayed that prayer well first of all we want to be the first to welcome you into the family of God and we also want to help you grow as a Christian. Let us send you Pastor Greg's New Believers Bible. It's full of wonderful study helps for those who are new to the faith and the scripture text is in an easy to understand translation. Ask for the New Believers Bible when you call us at 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300. Or go online to harvest.org and click Know God. And Pastor Greg we're so thankful for the work God is doing through this ministry. We're touching lives for eternity and we're really thankful for our friends who see the fruit of this ministry and invest so this work can reach even further.

Isn't that right? Absolutely. When you invest in Harvest Ministries you're investing in the souls of men and women, boys and girls. And what is the value of a soul?

Well let me personalize it. What's the value of your soul? What's the value of the soul of your husband, your wife, your son, or your daughter, or your mom, or your mom or your dad, or your best friend?

Well I would say you probably couldn't put a price tag on it. It's so valuable. Well listen God says all souls are mine.

God loves us and sent his son to die on the cross to pay the price for all of our sins so we could be forgiven and come into a relationship with him. I can't think of a better investment of my resources of my money than in the work of the kingdom of God. So we would ask you to prayerfully consider investing in Harvest Ministries as we continue on to fulfill the Great Commission. Yeah that's right and you can make your donation right now at harvest.org or write us at A New Beginning Box 4000 Riverside California 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300. That's a 24 7 phone number 1-800-821-3300. Well next time Pastor Greg takes us to a couple of miracles Jesus performed in rapid succession. It's a moving message called Jesus and the Broken Hearted. Join us here on A New Beginning with pastor and Bible teacher Greg Lord.