A “stagnant Christian” should be an oxymoron. God's plan for His children is that they be edified, constantly moving forward in faith. But the Christian can't become spiritually mature alone...

Notes:

Focus verse - Ephesians 4

We don’t stand in our own strength, but we are built up together on the foundation of Christ.
 
Upward – glorify God
Inward – edify each other
Outward – reach people with the Gospel
 
Edification happens inside each of us when we submit ourselves to God and allow Him to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus.
 
We are built up so that He is lifted up.

1. Edification Is Jesus’ Blueprint.
Ephesians 4:11–12
 
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will never be shaken.”
 
Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles—
it’s up to you to make sure these children are prepared for spiritual battle.
 
Be proactively teaching your kids Biblical truth or they will be led astray.
 
When Jesus is the cornerstone, and when His people are equipped and built up in truth, the church stands strong.
 
Romans 14:19 (ESV)
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
 
Let us pursue.
 
2. Edification Produces Maturity.
Ephesians 4:13–14 (NKJV)
 
Edification gives us:
- discernment
- stability
- resilience
 
Longevity doesn’t equal maturity.
 
Jesus loved them enough to tell them the truth and call them to repentance.
 
True love doesn’t enable sin; it confronts it.
 
3. Edification Requires Every Member’s Contribution.
Ephesians 4:15–16 (NKJV)
 
It is essential, that we speak the truth in love.
 
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
 
Our goal is to lead people to Christ, to be a light in the world.
 
Speak the truth in love.
Use your gifts.
Pour into others.

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Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org.

This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. 

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A wave of tragedies has swept through our nation, including the recent loss of our powerful Christian leader, Charlie Kirk. In the face of such evident darkness, where can we find hope?

In this special and timely episode, Pastor Greg Laurie joins Franklin Graham to confront the recent heartbreaking events in our troubled nation. Together, they encourage us to embrace the hope found in Jesus Christ and keep the truth of Romans 8:28 stored in our hearts: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (NKJV).

Plus, hear Billy Graham’s timeless National Cathedral message after 9/11. His words ring just as powerfully now as they did 24 years ago.

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Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org.

This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every time something huge happens in the world, people start asking, “Wait… is this it? Is Armageddon about to begin?” Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie examines what the Bible actually says about the End Times, and why we don’t need to panic. God’s not caught off guard by any of this. He’s had a plan from the very start. And that plan includes you . . . your peace, your hope, and your future. It’s a reassuring reminder you don’t want to miss.

Listen on harvest.org

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Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org

A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, dry cleaners have used strong chemicals to remove tough stains from delicate fabrics. Things like perchloroethylene, DF2000 and liquid silicone. And usually, the stain goes away. But what do we do with the stain of sin . . . the stain that’s evident on every human heart. “What can wash away my sin – nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us how the Lord can wash our sins as white as snow.

Listen on harvest.org

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Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org

A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The time to buy a fire extinguisher is before a fire starts. The right time to put on your seatbelt? When you first get in – before the car accident. The time to prepare for a crisis? When things in your life seem just fine. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us strengthen our faith for those seasons when our passion has faded and our spiritual tank has run dry. It's in those moments we realize how much we need a good, strong spiritual foundation.

Listen on harvest.org

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Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org

A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we give someone a birthday gift, we don’t ask them to give it back when they disappoint us. Well, God doesn’t revoke the gift of eternal life when we do something that displeases Him. Our salvation was purchased at Calvary . . . and that purchase was final. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how we can rest in the finished work of our salvation, but then set our minds on moving forward in our walk of faith. It’s good encouragement for good times and bad.

Listen on harvest.org

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Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org

A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So many say they’re glad they came to Christ for forgiveness of sin and only wished they’d done it sooner. You don’t hear many say, “I went back to partying and drinking and waking up with hangover – I wished I’d done it sooner.” Few would choose pain and heartache over peace and freedom. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie shows us a man of great power who sowed evil, and we’ll see he reaped the fruit he deserved. Today, it’s a look at the law of sowing and reaping.

Listen on harvest.org

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Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org

A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie Kirk was a remarkable young man whose life left a lasting imprint on our nation—and on the world. 

He began TPUSA at just the age of 18 and made a difference on many college campuses. He talked with students, gave speeches, and powerfully communicated through logic, clarity, courage, and peace. He was a patriot and American who loved his country.

But first and foremost, Charlie Kirk was a Christian, devoted husband, and loving father. He was a bold voice for Jesus Christ.

As painfully shocking as his loss is, we can take comfort in knowing that Charlie is now in Heaven. The moment he took his last breath here on earth, he took his first breath in the presence of the Lord. That is the hope we hold on to as believers—eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. 

In their most unimaginable time, please join me in praying for Charlie’s wife, Erika, and their two young children who won’t understand why their dad isn’t coming home. May the God of all comfort surround them with peace and strength.

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Some do many great things, but talk very little about them. Some do few great things, but talk a lot about them. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie presents a contrast between Mordecai and another man named Haaman. They both appear in the story of Esther. One is a good man and gets little recognition – the other, an evil man who’s angling for great recognition. But today, as the story continues, the winds of change blow, and these men get their “just desserts.”

Listen on harvest.org

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Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org

A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genealogy is big business these days. And now more than 40 million people have taken DNA tests to learn more about their lineage – maybe hoping they’re related to royalty! But today on A NEW BEGINNING, as we study the life of Esther, Pastor Greg Laurie points out there’s a lineage that extends beyond the earthly. We’ll see, spiritually-speaking, we’ve been adopted into God’s family through Christ. Indeed, we are related to royalty. We’re chosen sons and daughters of the King.

Listen on harvest.org

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Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org

A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.

Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupport

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.