Greg Denham

Who is Mosab Yousef?

Aside from being a New York Times best selling author of the book entitled, Son of Hamas-- Mosab Yousef is the firstborn son of one of the leading founders of a terrorist organization committed to the total destruction of the State of Israel. But rather than choose a life of hatred, racism, and murder, Mosab Yousef chose to save both Israeli and Palestinian lives, even thwarting an assassination attempt on the future President of Israel, Shimon Peres!

Given the code name, “The Green Prince”; Green because of the color of the flag of the Palestinian people, and Prince because he was the heir apparent to his father’s role in Hamas, Israel’s security said that, “So many people owe Mosab their life and don’t even know it. The amazing thing is that none of his actions were done for money. He did things he believed in. He wanted to save lives. His grasp of intelligence matters was just as good as ours — the ideas, the insights. One insight of his was worth 1,000 hours of thought by top experts.” Forbes Magazine described Mosab as “a genuine Palestinian freedom fighter” and former CIA director James Woolsey called Mosab a “remarkable young man” who should be commended for “extraordinary heroism and courage.”

But to many in Mosab’s community in the West Bank, he is a traitor and now a marked man. It’s why an Israeli interviewer remarked, “I ask myself — if this is courage, or total craziness.” Yet how refreshing it is that in a day when peer pressure can make a puppet out of man, that a person like Mosab Yousef steps up to the plate, thinks for himself and at risk to his own life — does what is right! We need more like him. Men and women of courage. John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” I thank God for Mosab Yousef. A man who amidst great danger to his own life, saddled up anyway. He saddled up to save lives!

I hope you will join us in welcoming this young man to our city. It’s rare to have such a unique hero in our midst. Come and hear the inspiring and courageous story of “The Green Prince” — how he fought terrorism, saved lives and was changed by God’s love. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring you neighbors! September 4, 7:00 pm Calvary Chapel Auburn, Ca. Doors open at 6:30pm.

To hundreds of thousands the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, Mosab Yousef, is a mystery man. For example, while being interviewed by Israeli TV Channel 2 the interviewer remarks “I ask myself — if this is courage, or total craziness!”

The interviewer had been discussing with Mosab how he had worked to fight terror saving both Israeli and Palestinian lives(even thwarting an assassination attempt on the future President of Israel, Shimon Peres) but in the process also provided information that led to the arrest of suicide bombers and others terrorists from his home town and West Bank. In short, such activity makes Mosab a traitor to many in his own community and a marked man. It’s for this reason the interviewer remarked, “I ask myself — if this is courage, or total craziness!” Here’s Mosab’s answer, “Look, you are afraid when you do something wrong. When you believe in what you are doing, you are not afraid!”

What makes Mosab Yousef, tick? Why is he the man he is? Is he crazy or courageous?

Speaking to Christian journalists Mosab remarked, “It is hard to believe that the son of Hamas ends up working for the Israeli and saving Israeli and Palestinian lives. We know the secret. The secret is very simple. It is not difficult for us to understand the love of God. When the love of our Lord is in a man’s heart, this man acts totally different. They don’t want to admit that. If they admit that what changed my life is Jesus Christ this will open lots of questions and they don’t want to go there.”

You will discover that one of the main reasons that people do not turn to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is NOT because of an absence of evidence that He is the Son of God — that He died — that He was buried — and that He rose again –but because of the change that results in following Him. Namely, when a person experiences the love of Jesus Christ in their own life, it transforms their outlook in how they view others! They love. They forgive. They value their fellow man! They want to be a part of the solution in their generation. They want to help people physically, emotionally and spiritually! This is the story of all genuine followers of Jesus. Christians are different because of the God they worship. At the very heart of a Christian’s reality is the belief that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for His enemies, praying for their forgiveness. In addition, at the cross,  He conquered sin, death and judgement and three days later bodily rose from the dead. Jesus is alive and He’s able to change a man from the inside out. It is this, new man, that the world needs! It is this, new man, that Mosab embodies!

Timothy Keller, New York Times best selling author offered the following perspective that removes the mystery out of why a Christian is different, why Mosab Yousef is different.

• “The Greco-Roman world tended to despise the poor, but Christians gave generously not only to their own poor but to those of other faiths. In broader society, women had very low status, being subjected to high levels of female infanticide, forced marriages and lack of economic equality. Christianity afforded women much greater security and equality than had previously existed in the ancient classical world. During the terrible urban plagues of the first two centuries, Christians CARED for ALL the sick and dying in the city, often at the cost of their lives.”
• “Why would such an EXCLUSIVE belief system lead to behavior that was so open to others? It was because Christians had within their belief system the strongest possible resource for practicing sacrificial service, generosity, and peace-making. At the very heart of their view of reality was a man who died for his enemies, praying for their forgiveness. Reflection on this could only lead to a radically different way of dealing with those who were different from them. It meant they could not act in violence and oppression toward their opponents!”

At the end of Mosab’s book entitled, “Son Of Hamas”, Mosab writes, “Truth and forgiveness are the only solution for the Middle East. The challenge, especially between Israelis and Palestinians, is not to find the solution. The challenge is to be the first courageous enough to embrace it.”

I couldn’t agree with Mosab more! Crazy? No way! Mosab Yousef is a godly and courageous man! And I am reminded of what Jesus said recorded in John 8:31-32: “If you continue in my Word, you will be my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free!”

Over the years we have hosted some very special guests at our church but no one like, Mosab Youself! You are simply not going to want to miss Saturday September 4th at 7:00 p.m. Believe me, it’s worth staying home that Labor Day Weekend for the rare opportunity to hear Mosab’s incredible story in person.

In short, Mosab …

– Fought terror.

– Saved lives.

– And, has been changed by the power and love of Jesus Christ! His story is nothing short of extraordinary.

Working undercover for Israel, Mosab had the code name “The Green Prince”: green because of the color of the flag of the Palestinian people, and prince because he was the son of one of the founders of Hamas, the arch-enemy of Israel, and the heir apparent.

Mosab saved many Israeli AND Palestinian lives, as he provided information that helped thwart terror attacks in the Middle East.

Here is a description of him from his book, The Son of Hamas:

• “Before the age of twenty-one, Mosab Hassan Yousef saw things no one should ever see: abject poverty, abuse of power, torture, and death. He witnessed the behind-the-scenes dealings of top Middle Eastern leaders who make headlines around the world. He was trusted at the highest levels of Hamas and participated in the Intifada.He was held captive deep inside Israel’s most feared prison facility. His dangerous choices and unlikely journey through dark places made him a traitor in the eyes of people he loves–and gave him access to extraordinary secrets. . . . After a chance encounter with a British tourist, he started a six-year quest that jeopardized Hamas, endangered his family, and threatened his life.He has since embraced the teachings of Jesus and sought political asylum in America.”

Mosab writes …

• “As long as we continue to search for enemies anywhere but inside ourselves, there will always be a Middle East problem.Religion is not the solution. Religion without Jesus is just self righteousness. Freedom from oppression will not resolve things either …Manipulated by lies and driven by racism, hatred, and revenge, I was on my way to being one of those people. Then in 1999, I encountered the only True God. He is the Father whose love is beyond expression, yet shown in sacrifice of his only Son on a cross to atone for the world’s sins. He is God who, three days later, demonsrated his power and righteousness by raising Jesus from the dead. He is the God who not only commands me to love and forgive my enemies as he has loved and forgiven me but empowers me to do so. Truth and forgiveness are the only solution for the Middle East. The challenge, especially between Israelis and Palestinians, is not to find the solution. The challenge is to be the first courageous enough to embrace it.”

Get the news out! Bring your friends, family and neighbors. I will be interviewing Mosab, live at Calvary Chapel Auburn September 4th at 7:00 p.m. as we celebrate the power of Jesus Christ to change and heal lives!

Some of you have asked for the prayer that we prayed together as a congregation a few weeks ago. So I decided to post it here on the blog. Enjoy!

“Father, I thank you that you have loved a sinner like me!

Break my heart over what breaks your heart

Renew a hunger and passion for YOU

You are enough

May my life demonstrate mercy

May my life be that of a peacemaker

Help me manage my inner life in purity

To be filled with the Holy Spirit

Under the control of the Holy Spirit

May I decrease that you might increase

Re-salt my life, Lord

Unashamed of the Gospel

Valuing others

Seeing people the way you do

May today mark a new beginning

Of intimacy and relationship with you, Jesus.

AMEN!”

Whenever God wants to do something great in the world, He first stirs his people to pray! This was the case with the early church. It could be argued that the early church began in PRAYER 10 days prior to Pentecost when Peter first preached!

And I think of what took place during the JESUS MOVEMENT of the late 60′s and early 70′s …

Kay Smith, Pastor Chuck Smith’s wife, began praying! She prayed for hippies! Hippies she would see at the beach and around town. One of them happened to be none other than Greg Laurie. She would pray for Greg as he walked home from school.

I also think of the “Revival In Wales “ 1904 …

A young man by the name of Evan Roberts heard one of the men in his church pray, “Lord, bend us …” It resonated with him. He began praying, “Lord bend me” and the Lord did and it changed his outlook. Soon he was praying the Lord would give him 100,000 souls!

On October 31, 1904 Evan brought his four-point message to his home church. #1 “Is there any sin in your past that you have not confessed to God? On your knees at once. Your past must be put away, and yourself cleansed.” #2 Is there anything in your life that is doubtful – anything that you cannot decide whether it is good or evil? Away with it. There must NOT be a cloud between you and God. #3 Do what the Holy Spirit prompts you to do. Obey promptly, implicitly, and with unquestioning submission to God’s Spirit. #4 Publicly profess Christ as your Savior!

His cry became “Bend the church and save the world!”

As matter of public record, the culture in Wales changed! Taverns closed. Gambling went out of business. Prostitution houses shut down. Families were reunited. Friendships restored. Debts paid. Divisions in churches were healed!

Prayer is always the first stage in God’s plan to change the world.

Our series entitled INFLUENCE on Sunday mornings has been fantastic …

So far we’ve learned that Jesus categorized our influence saying, “You are SALT of the earth…” (Matt 5:13) — meaning that we are the preserving influence of the world! Last week we learned what it meant when Jesus said, “You are the LIGHT of the world a city SET on a hill …” (Matt 5:14-16) –that every Christian is strategically positioned where they are to influence by DOING works that help people see what God is doing on earth, and help connect the dots of who the Father is.

Now, Jesus continues to identify the way His followers, Influence. He calls the disciples the “few laborers” in the Harvest with more needed to help! He said that “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Acts 9:31-32)

Will you take a stand and say, “Count me in as one of the few laborers in the Harvest in this generation to your glory!”

Many are the critics. Many are the carnal. Many are the doubters. But few are the laborers! Will you be one of the few?

What is a Laborer?

A laborer is a part of the hands and feet of Jesus in our generation helping people physically, emotionally and spiritually in planting the seed of truth, and helping people come to Christ! And, every Christian is NEEDED in the Harvest field!

How can you help?

This week we’ll be learning …

#1 The laborer Influences by praying to the Lord of the Harvest for more laborers

#2 The laborer Influences by ploughing the field of their generation with good works

#3 The laborer Influences by planting the field with the seed of the Gospel, preaching and teaching

#4 The laborer Influences by pouring into the field by taking an active interest in others with the love of Jesus Christ

#5 The laborer Influences by leading others to Christ in gathering a harvest

#6 The laborer Influences by discipling the harvest that is gathered

“The evangelistic harvest is always urgent. The destiny of men and of nations is always being decided. Every generation is crucial; every generation is strategic. But we cannot be held responsible for the past generation and we cannot bear full responsibility for the next one. However we do have our generation! God will hold us responsible at the judgement seat of Christ for how well we fulfilled our responsibilities and took advantage of our opportunities.” Billy Graham

To a small band of Jews who had no financial or political leverage and who had lost hope nationally and personally Jesus said, “You are the light of the world!” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Isaiah spoke of Israel as a light. God had created Israel to influence the world with its highest expression in Messiah! But the remarks Jesus made were so, personal. “YOU are …” And so purposeful “…the light of the world!”  He was saying, “Let me tell you why you are here …” “Let me tell you how God views you …”

Today, if you follow Jesus Christ, “YOU are the light of the world …”

But what does that mean?

In short it means that God has put YOU in the world so that the world can see what God is doing and that the world can begin to connect the dots to who the Heavenly Father is!

This means that we’re going to have to “DO” something …

In fact, the Father invites us to leave HIS FINGER-PRINT on EVERYTHING we touch. Is. 43:7 “I have created (you) for my MY glory … I have formed (you).” Glory? The Father has created us for His “glory?” What does that mean? Glory is what emanates from God! Glory is to God as wet is to water. Heat is to fire. Light is to the bulb. For example, although we can’t see God we can see His glory in creation and in HIS PEOPLE. And as follower of Jesus Christ we can DO works that glorify the Father. We can do works from which the glory of the Father emanates!

Jesus also said that we are a “city SET on a hill!” (not built on a hill!). This tells us that every Christian is strategically placed! God has strategically placed you in your neighborhood, workplace, family, church etc etc to “do” works that glorify the Father! This is your purpose in life. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

There is only so much glow that emanates from a new job, relationship, or recognition. You were wired to know the Father through the Son. You were wired that your life would express the glow that emanates from your Heavenly Father! So ask yourself today, “What can I “do” with the opportunities that God has given me today to glorify the Father? What can I do that would draw attention to the heavenly Father?”

Maybe at the dinner table or in a restaurant among friends but we’ve all said it,“Could you please pass the salt”. And why?

Because salt is a food enhancer. And you don’t need a lot of it to make the food taste just that much better! And sometimes we need just a little salt to do just that.

But during the time of Jesus, salt was not so much a food enhancer but a food preservative. Salt in the first century was an antibacterial! It preserved meat and vegetables and it was so valued that at times the Roman government paid their soldiers with, salt!

Can you imagine then how it impacted the followers of Jesus when He said to them, “YOU are the SALT of the earth …” He was calling them the refrigerant of the ancient world. He was categorizing them. He was branding them. And He was saying that without their influence the world would rot and decay.

The same is true today.

Every follower of Jesus is the preserving INFLUENCE of the world. Wherever you’re are. Whatever family you’re in. Wherever you work. Wherever you play. Wherever you live. Wherever you go to church. YOU are SALT! Right, now, you are the “Salt of the earth …”

You might be thinking, “Ok, I got it — Jesus categorized me as SALT but what exactly is the influence He is referring to that preserves the world from rotting and decaying?” The answer is found in the most immediate context of Jesus’ remarks in Matthew 5:13(and this Sunday we will begin a series of expository teaching on this very subject and I am really excited about it!)

In the meantime, let me give some perspective.

We may think that the realities of mercy and being a peacemaker and valuing others and forgiveness and sexual purity and worship and prayer — are intuitive. Just something that we’re wired to do. But that is not the case. These realities are not intuitive to everyone! They have been passed down to us and taught to us. They are the result of being transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. And, they are  totally necessary! Imagine a world without mercy, and peacemakers, and the valuing of all human beings, and forgiveness, and sexual purity and worship and prayer, to name a few. What is the alternative to these realities? Total decay!

“You are the salt of the earth” Jesus said. This is one of the ways that we, INFLUENCE.

Sometimes you’ll see a difference that your life makes. Other times you will not. But know this, salt always makes a difference. Living out your faith where you are will always make a difference to God’s glory.

I can’t wait to see everyone Sunday!

Wisdom …

What comes to mind when you hear the term? How attractive is the idea of wisdom to you? If you were to be offered gold or wisdom which would you choose?

There is a reason why Pr 16:16 says “How much better to get wisdom than gold….” and it’s important to understand, why.

This Sunday we’ll be studying Proverbs 30:24-28 but I thought I’d give you a little appetizer on the subject of “Exceeding Wisdom” and why it is so important?

In short, it has so much to do with what the WILL OF GOD for our lives.

The Bible says, “See then that you walk circumspectly (Vs. 15 NLT reads, “So be careful how you live …”) not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph 5:15-17)

Being careful how you live your life has to do with being wise and experiencing God’s will! The opposite is true with a “fool” and of course it’s not God’s will to be a fool. The book of Proverbs describes a fool in the following way.

#1 A fool is a “BLOCKHEAD!” It’s the word “kaceel” in Hebrew used 49 times in Proverbs and one of which is found in Pr. 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.” It’s a person who does not listen. They are not teachable. It’s why you’ve heard that counseling is with 2% of the people and is 98% ineffective.

#2 A fool is morally and intellectually intoxicated to the extent that they say, “There is NO GOD!” The word used is “Nabal” and it’s found in Pr 17:24 which reads “A fool says in his heart that there is no God!”

#3 A fool does not have fear unless there is a FALL.Pr. 14:16 “A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self confident.” The fool is someone who experiences a lot of unnecessary PAIN and CRISIS.

Here’s the picture that starts to come into focus that distinguishes between a wise person and a foolish person ….

A wise person utilizes the faculties that God has given them: namely, to listen, to learn, to think and to make good choices based on sound judgment and Biblical principle and the moral-revealed-will-of-God! While on the other hand, a fool totally mismanages the capabilities that God has given them. They are inattentive. They are a wanderer. There is an absence of consideration in their choices. This is why an unwise person and an immature person does not make the connection between their choices and their consequences. While on the other hand the Bible says, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel …” Pr. 1:5

Proverbs 30:24-28 tells us that there is WISDOM to learn from FOUR SMALL CREATURES: the Ant, the Coney, the Locust and the Lizard!

Sound strange? Check it out!

#1 The wisdom of the ANT is to make the best and most responsible decisions TODAY that leads to the best possible situation, tomorrow.

#2 The Wisdom of the CONEY (a small feeble animal) is to know one’s weakness and therefore depend upon what is greater than oneself for safety and security.

#3 The Wisdom of the LOCUST is to get along with others and to realize there is strength in numbers.

#4 The wisdom of the LIZARD/ Spider is to have a quiet and patient perseverance thriving where you are at!

See you Sunday!

The issue of LOVE is front and center in the Bible.

Yet, what is love?

It’s one of the most sung about and written about subjects in life, and still there is MASS confusion. Even the Beatles sang, “All You Need Is Love” but then they broke up.

Recorded in John 13:34 Jesus commanded that we love one another in a very specific way saying, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”Then Jesus said, “This is how you will know my disciples by the love they have for one another.” Both of remarks came after Jesus had just washed the disciples feet in the upper room. Was Jesus saying, “You’ll know my disciples because they will wash each others feet?” I don’t believe so. But rather the washing of feet by nature provides a window into what love is.

In Middle Eastern culture foot washing was needed in every home. The streets were dusty, dirty, littered with garbage even the waste of animals. The common shoes of the day were sandals. So, you can imagine what feet would look like at the end of the day. And, generally, the host, or a servant, or even a slave would assume the role of washing feet in a home. However, when Jesus had the Passover meal with the disciples, there was no “formal host” So, who stepped up and washed feet? Jesus!

The passage reveals very important insights to the nature of God’s love. Enjoy. And today, with the help of the Holy Spirit, choose to love like the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1) Love seizes non-scheduled opportunities to extend compassion and grace (Vs. 4)

(2) It leaves one’s comfort zone and becomes vulnerable (Vs.4)

(3) It’s others oriented. It’s lives out the priorities of: Jesus, Others, You (Vs. 4)

(4) A Christian’s CORE-identity is that of a servant of God (Vs. 4; 12-17)

(5) Love is a healing power, like water that cleanses and gives life.

Love …