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 .
You've helped me come to a conclusion on a subject that has perplexed me for so long. Even when I was a soldier this question haunted me and did the so until today. I have one more question left: What if the government we're supposed to obey makes us criminals? I personally believe when the government does that it no longer has God's endorsement. What do you think the answer is?God bless
In that situation yes. It was meant for him to be captured. Not against self defense. Explaining "Have I not chosen to drink from my Fathers Cup?" See what happens in Revelation 19:15
We have to acknowledge that Peter did Have a sword on him, he should’ve been scolded by Jesus if it was wrong and never carry one. Jesus himself said that if the time was not yet fulfilled, legions of angels would have come down and destroy those that put a hand on him. And I believe those angels wouldn’t have put them to sleep with a pillow under their head but slay them where they stood.
@Scott Cannon By doing so, the wrath of the Father was poured upon him. He paid the sin debt to the Gather we could not. He now owns the title to everyone's sin. He now holds the power of judgement.
I really don’t understand what Cain murdering Abel has to do with self defense. So you’re saying that Abel would have been wrong to defend himself against Cain? This seems to contradict Exodus 22:2 where it says that if a thief breaks into a home at night then the resident is not guilty of bloodshed if he kills the thief. Please try to change my mind here.
1st Peter 2 21:25 for God called you to do good even if it means suffering just as Christ suffered for you he is your example and you must follow in his steps he never sin nor should we nor ever deceived anyone nor should we he did not retaliate when he was insulted nor should we nor threatened Revenge when he suffered he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly he personally carried our sins in his own body on the cross so that we could be dead to sin and live for what is right by his wounds you are healed once you were like sheep who wandered away but now right now you have turn to your Shepherd the guardian of your souls.
@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.
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.
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.
@@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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
When Government is a reprobate evil doer and instead of punishing the wicked but instead, punishes the just and excuses the wicked (Proverbs 17:15), are we compelled to still comply ??? I DO NOT THINK SO FOR GOD GIVES THE GOVERNMENT NO AUTHORITY TO DO THIS !!! (SEE PROVERBS 25:26)
contentment includes the knoelege that he sets your time and place. when our government overexteds the job of governers toexcercise power or tyranical forms we aught to vote our faith. and regain the truth that he does not make mistakes. he said we will be under his gaurd. there are other times that may be far more uncumfortable il pray that the holy sppirit will be our helper to live rightiously for his glory.
Christ's followers were never called to be pacifists, as liberals would have you believe, for throughout world history many of God's children served in militaries, among security forces, and in courtrooms. Some were judges, others were governors, princes, and kings, and many took part in the total annihilation of their enemies at God's direction and with His blessing. Jesus said, "...he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." Luke 22:36 Now the sword was the infantryman's main battle weapon of that day, with today being a full-auto rifle like the M16, AK47, Steyr AUG, etc.
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.
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.
i feel a overwelming compel..ling need to point out that jesus said .if you are angry WITH OUT A COUSE ... too me that says if your reasons for hateing them are just then its ok to be angry
We all get angry with reason at times that 's human but even with reasons we should forgive the person and let go of the anger because anger can become hate. Jesus said forgive others as your Heavenly Father forgives you
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most folks are never taught what “turning the other cheek” really meant, in Jesus’ time. Right hand = clean; back of hand is dirtier than the palm. Hitting someone with the right hand was acceptable, but, if using the back of the right hand, could only hit the left cheek, for instance, would be bad. When Jesus said, “turn the other cheek” (like, towards the Roman guards), it was a HUGE political statement, that everyone back then, understood……turning to expose the left cheek, was unacceptable to be hit. Because, that would force that guard, to use his left hand (bad), or, use the back (wrong) of the right hand. Because the acceptable way to hit someone, was the palm of the right hand slapping the target’s right cheek. Doing otherwise would have jeopardized the guard’s job, & risked awful punishment.
@@scotland1380 Sorry…mis-spoke… Right hand is “clean”; left hand is “dirty”. The back of the right hand could only easily hit the left cheek, so, it’s the dirty back of otherwise “clean” hand. Therefore an insult that would get the guard possibly reprimanded. The worst insult & not condoned (that is, the guard who did it could be punished or fired, etc., would be if the Roman Guard used their back-of-left-hand to strike a prisoner/suspect. The intricacies of long-term survival in a desert; rationing water for any reason, one must implement infection control practices. They might not have known why, but they figured out what is, essentially, “sterile technique” taught to healthcare practitioners everywhere, by designating one hand as clean, the other for dirty tasks, they cut infection risk.
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.
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.
The swords to fulfill prophecy. Did Jesus fight back, did He literally turn the other cheek? Did He give all His stuff away and slept outside cause the world's ways aren't His higher ways? Jesus didn't like that they all cared about money or Spirit of Mammon. Jesus said we can't serve God and Mammon. If we look at Apostles they didn't defend themselves as they probably could have, they took a licking and kept on preaching and showing Jesus. The Gospel is to be told in word and power. We need to hear it and see it in casting out devils. So if you don't hear there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends and you've never read Rev 12:11. And we focus on fighting flesh and blood which the Bible says we don't, but we fight powers, principlalties, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. If you don't fight them in other people and we are to bless those who curse you, don't return evil for evil, and don't resist evil even cause flesh profits nothing, and we are to show we care about the truth more than life because the truth is life, the way is Jesus. Beginning churches prayed never ceasing for the things of God, and people got busted out of Jail.
@@dougprentice1363 you have to look at context. You also have to know God. Old Testament is full of God having the Israelites wipe people out who were against Him. New Testament Jesus speaks about forgiveness. We should always do everything in our power to not harm anyone but on the same token know it is ok to defend yourself when cornered or necessary. Look at it this way, if Christians were not allowed to do so, we would have been wiped out centuries ago.
After reading way too many comments, I notice that regardless of what happens Most people are divided and I did not Get a straight answer. God help us all. The people of Israel been fighting forever too, what I'm supposed to do?
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.
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 🇺🇸 🙏🏼
Romans 13 does say governments are God’s servants. However, that doesn’t mean that governments are Godly. The Roman government was not Godly yet Paul calls the government God’s servant. King Nebuchadnezzar was evil yet God called him his servant to carry out judgment on Israel(Jerimiah 27;6 and 43:10). We shouldn’t confuse all actions of the government to be good because they are God’s servants, especially when they conflict with the message of the gospel. Greg is right we don’t govern society with the message of the sermon of the mount. We are called to forgive, the government administers justice. We are told to love our enemies and pray for them. The government defends and kills its enemies. The gospel message in the sermon on the mount and God's purpose for government are incompatible with each other. The gospel doesn’t teach exceptions for Jesus’s commands. There is no exception for “loving my enemy'' yet we twist scripture to try to justify killing our “enemies”. Using a soldier as an illustration for spiritual warfare does not give approval of the profession of the soldier. In fact Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10;3-5 “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” He specifically clarifies “we don’t wage war as the world does” “ we don’t use weapons of the world” Jesus telling disciples to buy swords in Luke 22 was not for self-defense. This passage is always misinterpreted to justify lethal force. The passage clearly states the swords were for fulfilling scripture. Luke 22; 35-38 35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” Two swords were “enough” to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 53;12 to be numbered with the transgressors or the lawless. Jesus never says they are for self-defense. That is what so many think it implies but Jesus very clearly states the purpose of the swords. Jesus even rebukes Peter for using one of those swords a few hours later to further prove they were not for self-defense. There are no examples of any justified use of the sword anywhere in the gospels or epistles even though there were many opportunities to do so. Jesus and the apostles taught and lived out what loving our enemies meant and it never involved the use of the sword.
@@thewarriorcall srry it true even self defense is wrong it taken life God love everyone even bad guys might reform to good and God given breath of Life
Turning the other cheek is regarding INSULTS to include MINOR physical assaults. Going the extra mile is regarding unfair requests of time/labor by authorities-not criminals. Those who take your garment, give your cloak-petty theft. Borrowing-that’s obvious. Regarding self-defense against serious injury or death-let him sell his cloak and buy one (sword-modern weapons of war). I agree that christians need to be peaceful and humble when facing minor physical slights from non-authority sources and even up to death from government. But defending family and self from violent criminals is your duty-otherwise why instruct his disciples to buy swords? So the vagabonds could run them through with a clean blade? I think not.
Observed a good ex, once, on the road in town, when one recognized as some kind of psychologist reacted to an angry motorist by waving his hand, as if recognizing a friend. May be a hard one to follow at times, when confronted by another motorist in traffic, who is making seemingly undeserved accusatory face and hand gestures your way! Found that a simple waving a friendly hand, and again if nec, may make the seeming aggressor puzzled, but may help keeping both out of trouble and regrettable consequences.
Ok so what about when a government says that a certain group of people are three fifths of a human ? It isnt always right to obey a law because the government says so...
Greg, quick note. Not only has By Done allowed the Taliban billions of dollars worth of military hardware plus a well trained American trained army with Apaches, BlackHawks and Longbows, plus fighters jets and other suck as "talons" but he has created the Third largest Military in the world. We are certainly looking at a domino theory to come as well as a very capable nation to come south as one of Russia's hoards. God bless you maranatha
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
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.
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.
this is not the teachings of Jesus. Jesus was a so called "doormat", did he call upon angels to save himself? no he did not he took it all for us and we are suppose to be Christ like as christians. we are suppose to be humble peace keepers. we use the sword which is the word of god to fight the enemy not a literal sword. is killing someone with a sword what Jesus said to do or are we suppose to , Matthew 5 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. revenge or vengeance is the lords not ours.
Jesus is God’s word nailed to the cross. He’s God’s son nailed to the cross. God gave everything to say to the whole world I love you. Give your life to me. You can trust me. I love all of you. Stop hurting each other and trust that I’ll protect you. See people the way I do. See people from the cross being beaten to death and hoping for them and loving them. John told the soldiers in Luke 3:14 do violence to no man. He told soldiers do harm to no man when everyone was asking how to produce fruit worthy of repentance. That was before the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Our whole life is supposed to be for the Lord. We’re supposed to trust the Holy Spirit to work miracles in men’s hearts. He can stop a bullet from leaving a man’s heart if we will trust Him. We won’t see the power of God if we can’t stop trusting the power of the flesh.
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 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.
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!
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 like to remind people that “turn the other cheek“ was if someone slapped you across the face, not if somebody stabbed you or killed your family. In other words, don’t let the trivial things get you riled up. Also, turning the other cheek was an act of defiance, away of saying “you hit like a girl, is that all you got?”. In both senses, it meant that being struck across the face was trivial compared to a true attack. Don’t let petty things draw you into combat, save it for when it really matters. Then by all means, defend yourself, and others. Slapping someone was something done to a servant (today we call them “employees”) who was belligerently talking back, or an out of control woman (Yes, there are times when it’s OK to hit a woman, if they’re trying to bash you in the head with a heavy object, pull your hair out, bite your arm off, hold you at knifepoint ot gunpoint... I defend anyone’s right to defend themselves, so when women are violent and then try to run and stand behind that “you can’t hit women” thing... It only applies to women who are not on a violent rampage...yes, in general, don’t hit women. How about we also don’t hit men unless it’s in self-defense? No reason for them to be a punching bag, either. Anyway, a slap across the face was considered something petty, minor, relegated to employees and women for corrective action, (again, there are indeed times when it’s the right action to take), it was not how men hit men. Jesus did not say if somebody comes at you with a fist or a sword, to plant your feet and keep your hands at your side. And...
@@Outdoorsguy1212, you didn’t read it from God’s word, so it’s a lie. There’s no great revival. In fact, just the opposite. 2 Thessalonians 2 says there’s a GREAT FALLING AWAY, people departing from the truth of God, departing from the faith. You don’t read the Bible, do you? You just hear what someone says, and you never search the scriptures to see if it’s really true, like we’re told to do, right? 1 John says to test the spirits, test everything against the scriptures to make sure it’s truly of God. Satan’s greatest power is deception, but 90% of professing believers in Christ never open the Bible. Many blaspheme the word of God and call God’s word a lie, which is exactly how Satan deceived Eve, he convinced her that God’s word was not true, caused her to doubt. And hear you are saying you heard about a great revival, and the word of God, says no, it’s no revival, instead it’s a great falling away from Christ, because those who don’t read the Bible can’t help but be deceived. Jesus says only the born again believers who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit will enter the kingdom of God, John 3:3. A born again believer in Christ thirsts for God’s word. They love God’s word, to read the Bible, to hear the word of God preached, and they search the scriptures to see if what they hear is truly what God’s word says. Anyone who is not born again is none of Christ’s, Romans 8:9. You’re only a member of the body of Christ if you are born again of the Holy Spirit and baptized into Christ. But Christians today think faith is all about what they feel, their emotions, and the Bible says those things can’t be trusted because the heart is deceitfully wicked, who can know it. On all the pages of the Bible true faith is trusting in and living by the word of God, those Holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto salvation, 2 Timothy 3:15, through faith in Christ. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, and 70% of professing believers deny Jesus Christ is God, and Jesus says they will die in their sins, and it’s because they have no love for the scriptures of God’s truth. You can’t know God if you don’t know His word, because in the scriptures is where He reveals His true nature, and it’s where God reveals Satan’s tools to deceive us. Jesus says whoever makes His written word their foundation is like a wise man who built his house on the rock, and their faith is unmovable. You can’t love Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, and not also love and thirst for His written word. This is why many people are confessing belief in a false gospel and a false Christ. Hebrews 1 says God speaks to us today through His word, and we know His voice, and we will not follow a false Christ, John 10, because we know the scriptures and we know who our true Savior is, His true nature, because we obey His instructions to study the scriptures to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15.
@@slidenapps, ALIENS ARE DEM0NS. Jesus Christ has no association with dem0ns, other than casting them into the lake of fire. Jesus Christ HIMSELF will retrieve His bride, His body of born again believers, from the earth. Read the Bible.
Sermon on the mount, Jesus is teaching his teachers how to teach. When he talks about plucking out your eye if it offends you, he is speaking of the body of Christ "I.E. the congregation" and if there is a person within your congregation that is against God or Jesus is contrary to the word of God and is disrupting the congregation. Then you should cast them out, however there will be many times when it's the preacher that is teaching falsely and God moves a member of the congregation to speak out against that false preacher, then it's that false teacher that should be cast out....
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.
I appreciate the soldiers who have fought for our country. But the wars that are fought by our country are not about freedom. They are about power and money.
If enemies can not be made friend's, shall I watch one be killed and another and just go on my marry way? Also how many times shall I turn to one cheek to another. If When ones word can't be heard.
"Don't imagine that I come bring peace to the Earth. I come not to bring peace, but a sword" - Jesus Christ - When the big J comes back, it won't be to coddle Christians. It will be to destroy God's enemies.....
I believe that God placed the institution of Government, but as always, we as people come along and mess it up. Just as the church is ordained by God, there are people that contaminate it with evil practices and deeds.
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.
It's good Greg was talking about self defense cause if he thought believers were going to stand until his long winded preaching ends while he sat, he was going to have to defend himself 🤣🤣
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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.
Heavenly Father, please grant me the patience to follow you to the best of my ability.
Never a bad day to hear this...
What a great video, thank you for this message.
Powerful interpretation of a powerful text.
You've helped me come to a conclusion on a subject that has perplexed me for so long. Even when I was a soldier this question haunted me and did the so until today. I have one more question left: What if the government we're supposed to obey makes us criminals? I personally believe when the government does that it no longer has God's endorsement. What do you think the answer is?God bless
True. We are to obey, until we are commanded to dissobey God.
Jesus didnt defend himself. He even put that soldiers ear back on after peter cut it off.
In that situation yes. It was meant for him to be captured. Not against self defense. Explaining "Have I not chosen to drink from my Fathers Cup?" See what happens in Revelation 19:15
We have to acknowledge that Peter did Have a sword on him, he should’ve been scolded by Jesus if it was wrong and never carry one.
Jesus himself said that if the time was not yet fulfilled, legions of angels would have come down and destroy those that put a hand on him. And I believe those angels wouldn’t have put them to sleep with a pillow under their head but slay them where they stood.
@Scott Cannon By doing so, the wrath of the Father was poured upon him. He paid the sin debt to the Gather we could not. He now owns the title to everyone's sin. He now holds the power of judgement.
I really don’t understand what Cain murdering Abel has to do with self defense. So you’re saying that Abel would have been wrong to defend himself against Cain? This seems to contradict Exodus 22:2 where it says that if a thief breaks into a home at night then the resident is not guilty of bloodshed if he kills the thief. Please try to change my mind here.
1st Peter 2 21:25 for God called you to do good even if it means suffering just as Christ suffered for you he is your example and you must follow in his steps he never sin nor should we nor ever deceived anyone nor should we he did not retaliate when he was insulted nor should we nor threatened Revenge when he suffered he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly he personally carried our sins in his own body on the cross so that we could be dead to sin and live for what is right by his wounds you are healed once you were like sheep who wandered away but now right now you have turn to your Shepherd the guardian of your souls.
Is Christians going to Heaven or Paradise ?
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.
"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
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.
"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 ?
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.
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.
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 🙄🥱
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
Imagine a culture so weak it has to debate self defense
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
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.
When Government is a reprobate evil doer and instead of punishing the wicked but instead, punishes the just and excuses the wicked (Proverbs 17:15), are we compelled to still comply ??? I DO NOT THINK SO FOR GOD GIVES THE GOVERNMENT NO AUTHORITY TO DO THIS !!! (SEE PROVERBS 25:26)
Roman's we must submit
@@wlgs3763 unless it is to evil
contentment includes the knoelege that he sets your time and place. when our government overexteds the job of governers toexcercise power or tyranical forms we aught to vote our faith. and regain the truth that he does not make mistakes. he said we will be under his gaurd. there are other times that may be far more uncumfortable il pray that the holy sppirit will be our helper to live rightiously for his glory.
Christ's followers were never called to be pacifists, as liberals would have you believe, for throughout world history many of God's children served in militaries, among security forces, and in courtrooms. Some were judges, others were governors, princes, and kings, and many took part in the total annihilation of their enemies at God's direction and with His blessing.
Jesus said, "...he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." Luke 22:36
Now the sword was the infantryman's main battle weapon of that day, with today being a full-auto rifle like the M16, AK47, Steyr AUG, etc.
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.
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.
i feel a overwelming compel..ling need to point out that jesus said .if you are angry WITH OUT A COUSE ... too me that says if your reasons for hateing them are just then its ok to be angry
We all get angry with reason at times that 's human but even with reasons we should forgive the person and let go of the anger because anger can become hate. Jesus said forgive others as your Heavenly Father forgives you
Patricia Ramirez yes, unless that anger is against someone who is innocent or yourself
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.
He also told his disciples to sell their cloaks and buy swords. As to turning the other cheek; I only have two.
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 Saves
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, 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
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👍
Most folks are never taught what “turning the other cheek” really meant, in Jesus’ time.
Right hand = clean; back of hand is dirtier than the palm. Hitting someone with the right hand was acceptable, but, if using the back of the right hand, could only hit the left cheek, for instance, would be bad.
When Jesus said, “turn the other cheek” (like, towards the Roman guards), it was a HUGE political statement, that everyone back then, understood……turning to expose the left cheek, was unacceptable to be hit. Because, that would force that guard, to use his left hand (bad), or, use the back (wrong) of the right hand. Because the acceptable way to hit someone, was the palm of the right hand slapping the target’s right cheek. Doing otherwise would have jeopardized the guard’s job, & risked awful punishment.
Palm of right hand when facing someone will slap the left cheek…….
@@scotland1380 Sorry…mis-spoke…
Right hand is “clean”; left hand is “dirty”. The back of the right hand could only easily hit the left cheek, so, it’s the dirty back of otherwise “clean” hand. Therefore an insult that would get the guard possibly reprimanded.
The worst insult & not condoned (that is, the guard who did it could be punished or fired, etc., would be if the Roman Guard used their back-of-left-hand to strike a prisoner/suspect.
The intricacies of long-term survival in a desert; rationing water for any reason, one must implement infection control practices. They might not have known why, but they figured out what is, essentially, “sterile technique” taught to healthcare practitioners everywhere, by designating one hand as clean, the other for dirty tasks, they cut infection risk.
Basically the verse says, don't seek revenge
Well, “no retaliation” was how it translated over time, but that was not how it originally was.
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.
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
Jesus Saves
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.
Sell your cloaks for swords. THE END.
Put your sword away. All who use a sword will die by a sword.
Well what am I supposed to do ?!?!?
The swords to fulfill prophecy. Did Jesus fight back, did He literally turn the other cheek? Did He give all His stuff away and slept outside cause the world's ways aren't His higher ways? Jesus didn't like that they all cared about money or Spirit of Mammon. Jesus said we can't serve God and Mammon. If we look at Apostles they didn't defend themselves as they probably could have, they took a licking and kept on preaching and showing Jesus. The Gospel is to be told in word and power. We need to hear it and see it in casting out devils. So if you don't hear there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends and you've never read Rev 12:11. And we focus on fighting flesh and blood which the Bible says we don't, but we fight powers, principlalties, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. If you don't fight them in other people and we are to bless those who curse you, don't return evil for evil, and don't resist evil even cause flesh profits nothing, and we are to show we care about the truth more than life because the truth is life, the way is Jesus. Beginning churches prayed never ceasing for the things of God, and people got busted out of Jail.
@@Kevin-pi7lq there is a time for everything. This includes a time to defend yourself or the innocent.
@@dougprentice1363 you have to look at context. You also have to know God. Old Testament is full of God having the Israelites wipe people out who were against Him. New Testament Jesus speaks about forgiveness. We should always do everything in our power to not harm anyone but on the same token know it is ok to defend yourself when cornered or necessary. Look at it this way, if Christians were not allowed to do so, we would have been wiped out centuries ago.
After reading way too many comments, I notice that regardless of what happens
Most people are divided and I did not Get a straight answer.
God help us all.
The people of Israel been fighting forever too, what I'm supposed to do?
@David Amendola God bless you too Amen.
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.
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 🇺🇸 🙏🏼
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.
Hallelu-YAH 🙌🏻🙌🏻
May we Walk in The Lord's footsteps, walking in His Love and His Light.
God Bless you Past Greg.
🍃Sha🕊️Lom 🍃
Amazing sermon forever I am changed
Romans 13 does say governments are God’s servants. However, that doesn’t mean that governments are Godly. The Roman government was not Godly yet Paul calls the government God’s servant. King Nebuchadnezzar was evil yet God called him his servant to carry out judgment on Israel(Jerimiah 27;6 and 43:10). We shouldn’t confuse all actions of the government to be good because they are God’s servants, especially when they conflict with the message of the gospel.
Greg is right we don’t govern society with the message of the sermon of the mount. We are called to forgive, the government administers justice. We are told to love our enemies and pray for them. The government defends and kills its enemies. The gospel message in the sermon on the mount and God's purpose for government are incompatible with each other. The gospel doesn’t teach exceptions for Jesus’s commands. There is no exception for “loving my enemy'' yet we twist scripture to try to justify killing our “enemies”.
Using a soldier as an illustration for spiritual warfare does not give approval of the profession of the soldier. In fact Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10;3-5 “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
He specifically clarifies “we don’t wage war as the world does” “ we don’t use weapons of the world”
Jesus telling disciples to buy swords in Luke 22 was not for self-defense. This passage is always misinterpreted to justify lethal force. The passage clearly states the swords were for fulfilling scripture. Luke 22; 35-38 35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Two swords were “enough” to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 53;12 to be numbered with the transgressors or the lawless. Jesus never says they are for self-defense. That is what so many think it implies but Jesus very clearly states the purpose of the swords. Jesus even rebukes Peter for using one of those swords a few hours later to further prove they were not for self-defense.
There are no examples of any justified use of the sword anywhere in the gospels or epistles even though there were many opportunities to do so. Jesus and the apostles taught and lived out what loving our enemies meant and it never involved the use of the sword.
Anyone who breaks into my home and tries to rob or harm my family, they will be leaving horizontally..
Therefore you have already committed murder in your heart according to Jesus.
@@robertschutt850 lol That's so stupid.
Even He give breath of life
@@thewarriorcall srry it true even self defense is wrong it taken life God love everyone even bad guys might reform to good and God given breath of Life
@@JeffWeselyan Have you read Judges? Samson? King David?
Turning the other cheek is regarding INSULTS to include MINOR physical assaults. Going the extra mile is regarding unfair requests of time/labor by authorities-not criminals. Those who take your garment, give your cloak-petty theft. Borrowing-that’s obvious. Regarding self-defense against serious injury or death-let him sell his cloak and buy one (sword-modern weapons of war). I agree that christians need to be peaceful and humble when facing minor physical slights from non-authority sources and even up to death from government. But defending family and self from violent criminals is your duty-otherwise why instruct his disciples to buy swords? So the vagabonds could run them through with a clean blade? I think not.
Thank you so very much for allowing God to use you for this moment in my life. God bless your ministry
Observed a good ex, once, on the road in town, when one recognized as some kind of psychologist reacted to an angry motorist by waving his hand, as if recognizing a friend. May be a hard one to follow at times, when confronted by another motorist in traffic, who is making seemingly undeserved accusatory face and hand gestures your way! Found that a simple waving a friendly hand, and again if nec, may make the seeming aggressor puzzled, but may help keeping both out of trouble and regrettable consequences.
David was on the roof when young kings are off to war. He wasn’t where he was supposed to be to start with.
Ok so what about when a government says that a certain group of people are three fifths of a human ? It isnt always right to obey a law because the government says so...
You're talking about the Vaxxed and unvaxxed? Right?
Thank you pastor for this wonderful sermon I've never heard explained this clear before.
At what point did he talk about self defense?
This is the best biblical teaching I’ve heard on self defense!
Greg, quick note. Not only has By Done allowed the Taliban billions of dollars worth of military hardware plus a well trained American trained army with Apaches, BlackHawks and Longbows, plus fighters jets and other suck as "talons" but he has created the Third largest Military in the world. We are certainly looking at a domino theory to come as well as a very capable nation to come south as one of Russia's hoards. God bless you maranatha
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
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.
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!!!🙏😇👍
this is not the teachings of Jesus. Jesus was a so called "doormat", did he call upon angels to save himself? no he did not he took it all for us and we are suppose to be Christ like as christians. we are suppose to be humble peace keepers. we use the sword which is the word of god to fight the enemy not a literal sword. is killing someone with a sword what Jesus said to do or are we suppose to ,
Matthew 5
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
revenge or vengeance is the lords not ours.
Jesus is God’s word nailed to the cross. He’s God’s son nailed to the cross. God gave everything to say to the whole world I love you. Give your life to me. You can trust me. I love all of you. Stop hurting each other and trust that I’ll protect you. See people the way I do. See people from the cross being beaten to death and hoping for them and loving them.
John told the soldiers in Luke 3:14 do violence to no man. He told soldiers do harm to no man when everyone was asking how to produce fruit worthy of repentance. That was before the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Our whole life is supposed to be for the Lord. We’re supposed to trust the Holy Spirit to work miracles in men’s hearts. He can stop a bullet from leaving a man’s heart if we will trust Him.
We won’t see the power of God if we can’t stop trusting the power of the flesh.
What is the difference between violence and justice
@@wlgs3763 God justifies you in front of your enemies. But violence has no real connection to Justice.
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 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.
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!
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.
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 like to remind people that “turn the other cheek“ was if someone slapped you across the face, not if somebody stabbed you or killed your family. In other words, don’t let the trivial things get you riled up. Also, turning the other cheek was an act of defiance, away of saying “you hit like a girl, is that all you got?”. In both senses, it meant that being struck across the face was trivial compared to a true attack. Don’t let petty things draw you into combat, save it for when it really matters. Then by all means, defend yourself, and others.
Slapping someone was something done to a servant (today we call them “employees”) who was belligerently talking back, or an out of control woman (Yes, there are times when it’s OK to hit a woman, if they’re trying to bash you in the head with a heavy object, pull your hair out, bite your arm off, hold you at knifepoint ot gunpoint... I defend anyone’s right to defend themselves, so when women are violent and then try to run and stand behind that “you can’t hit women” thing... It only applies to women who are not on a violent rampage...yes, in general, don’t hit women. How about we also don’t hit men unless it’s in self-defense? No reason for them to be a punching bag, either.
Anyway, a slap across the face was considered something petty, minor, relegated to employees and women for corrective action, (again, there are indeed times when it’s the right action to take), it was not how men hit men.
Jesus did not say if somebody comes at you with a fist or a sword, to plant your feet and keep your hands at your side.
And...
When the rapture takes place Jesus will be trending.
It will be portrayed as an alien abduction in the news.
@@ThePitGoJoe I’ve heard it said there will be the greatest revival of all time!!!!!
Him and aliens.
@@Outdoorsguy1212, you didn’t read it from God’s word, so it’s a lie. There’s no great revival. In fact, just the opposite. 2 Thessalonians 2 says there’s a GREAT FALLING AWAY, people departing from the truth of God, departing from the faith. You don’t read the Bible, do you? You just hear what someone says, and you never search the scriptures to see if it’s really true, like we’re told to do, right? 1 John says to test the spirits, test everything against the scriptures to make sure it’s truly of God. Satan’s greatest power is deception, but 90% of professing believers in Christ never open the Bible. Many blaspheme the word of God and call God’s word a lie, which is exactly how Satan deceived Eve, he convinced her that God’s word was not true, caused her to doubt. And hear you are saying you heard about a great revival, and the word of God, says no, it’s no revival, instead it’s a great falling away from Christ, because those who don’t read the Bible can’t help but be deceived. Jesus says only the born again believers who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit will enter the kingdom of God, John 3:3. A born again believer in Christ thirsts for God’s word. They love God’s word, to read the Bible, to hear the word of God preached, and they search the scriptures to see if what they hear is truly what God’s word says. Anyone who is not born again is none of Christ’s, Romans 8:9. You’re only a member of the body of Christ if you are born again of the Holy Spirit and baptized into Christ. But Christians today think faith is all about what they feel, their emotions, and the Bible says those things can’t be trusted because the heart is deceitfully wicked, who can know it. On all the pages of the Bible true faith is trusting in and living by the word of God, those Holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto salvation, 2 Timothy 3:15, through faith in Christ. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, and 70% of professing believers deny Jesus Christ is God, and Jesus says they will die in their sins, and it’s because they have no love for the scriptures of God’s truth. You can’t know God if you don’t know His word, because in the scriptures is where He reveals His true nature, and it’s where God reveals Satan’s tools to deceive us. Jesus says whoever makes His written word their foundation is like a wise man who built his house on the rock, and their faith is unmovable. You can’t love Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, and not also love and thirst for His written word. This is why many people are confessing belief in a false gospel and a false Christ. Hebrews 1 says God speaks to us today through His word, and we know His voice, and we will not follow a false Christ, John 10, because we know the scriptures and we know who our true Savior is, His true nature, because we obey His instructions to study the scriptures to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15.
@@slidenapps, ALIENS ARE DEM0NS. Jesus Christ has no association with dem0ns, other than casting them into the lake of fire. Jesus Christ HIMSELF will retrieve His bride, His body of born again believers, from the earth. Read the Bible.
Sermon on the mount, Jesus is teaching his teachers how to teach. When he talks about plucking out your eye if it offends you, he is speaking of the body of Christ "I.E. the congregation" and if there is a person within your congregation that is against God or Jesus is contrary to the word of God and is disrupting the congregation. Then you should cast them out, however there will be many times when it's the preacher that is teaching falsely and God moves a member of the congregation to speak out against that false preacher, then it's that false teacher that should be cast out....
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.
I appreciate the soldiers who have fought for our country. But the wars that are fought by our country are not about freedom. They are about power and money.
A Blessing indeed!thanks to you all for sharing Pastor's message.God Bless Pastor.
So your response to soldiers not tyrning the other cheek is, "the sermon on the mount is for believers only."
So you say soldiers are not believers.
Wonderful sermon. We are going to need this sermon, and the sword soon
If enemies can not be made friend's, shall I watch one be killed and another and just go on my marry way? Also how many times shall I turn to one cheek to another. If When ones word can't be heard.
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.
"Don't imagine that I come bring peace to the Earth. I come not to bring peace, but a sword" - Jesus Christ - When the big J comes back, it won't be to coddle Christians. It will be to destroy God's enemies.....
Governments rarely follow their own laws. It's difficult to imagine god placed these people there.
I believe that God placed the institution of Government, but as always, we as people come along and mess it up. Just as the church is ordained by God, there are people that contaminate it with evil practices and deeds.
@@mervjb809 oh. Don't I know it. Church is definitely filled with flawed humans.
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.
So what was the answer anybody.......? I cant listen to sermons they are too long I get lost
Thank you brother Greg! I always learn from your sermons!
All Christians ought to apply modesty, male and female.
This man does such an excellent job of breaking down God's word and applying it to life in an easy way to understand.
Why did Jesus tell his disciples to sell their cloak and to buy a sword?
Thank you. I so much needed to hear this wonderful talk..
Jesus never let anyone harm him until it was time for Him to die on the cross
Thank you heavenly father for useing Greg to teach all of us,I'm set free inside and I love you Jesus
If all you got is a cloak. Sell it and get a sword. Enough said
It's good Greg was talking about self defense cause if he thought believers were going to stand until his long winded preaching ends while he sat, he was going to have to defend himself 🤣🤣
A senior citizen pastor who wears skinny jeans. Ok.
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.
"If a thief breaks into your home and you smite him and he dies, you are not guilty of murder."