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LIVE Interactive Webcast
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HARVEST 2000 - EDISON FIELD
ANAHEIM, CA
Friday, 18 August 2000
This is a text only page, designed to be quickly reloaded
as the crusade evening progresses.
The Crowd gathers
6:20PM Welcome to the final night of Harvest 2000 at Edison Field, Anaheim, CA! The stadium opened early tonight,
as we beginning extra early this evening - 6:30PM.
Sing Praises to the Lord!
6:40PM - Jars of Clay take their places on the platform to begin the first ever "Pre-Crusade Concer!" They begin with
"Unforgetful You." They follow with "Famous Last Words." Next they perform "Collide." Lead singer asks the audience to
stand and clap their hands as they sing "I'm Alright."
7:00PM - Jars of Clay take a break for a few minutes. Pastor Ricky Ryan announces that Harvest products are avaliable at
resource tables outside of the stadium. A few shirts are shot into the crowd with a giant sling-shot.
7:10PM - The Harvest Crusade Band approaches the platform and takes their places on stage.
7:15PM - The Harvest Crusade Band begins to worship with "Let Everything That Has Breath." The follow with "My Redeemer
Lives." Next is "In That Day." Pastor Greg joins the worship team on the platform and plays guitar while the band and
singers perform "Every Move I Make."
7:35PM - Pastor Chuck Smith welcomes the crowd by saying "God is Good" and then has the audience respond "All of the
time!" Then Pastor Chuck says "All of the time," amd the audience responds "God is good!" Pastor Greg prays for God's
special blessing on tonight's entire evening.
Pastor Chuck introduces guitarist and singer Paul Overstreet. He openes with "Lost and Found." He follows with "Forever
and Ever." Paul introduces his banjo player and friend Rick Mullins. Rick does a banjo solo that everyone in audience
loves! They close with "My Rock." The Crusade Band does a fantastic job backing Paul and Rick up! The entire crowd is
standking and clapping along!"
7:50PM - Ricky Ryan prays for tonight's offering and introduces Crystal Lewis, who sings "One Man" while offering is
taken. Following that, she sings "Lord I Believe."
8:05PM - Jars of Clay return to the stage and perform "Flood." Next they perform "Love Song." The audience sings along
with the chorus of this song. Lead singer shares the importance of the cross in introducing their next song..."Worlds
Apart."
8:20PM - Pastor chuck introduces Dennis Agajanian. He begins with "Via Dola Rosa." Dennis Follows with "Nothin' But
The Blood."
The Gospel is Preached
8:35PM - Pastor Greg comes to podium for tonight's message. He shares what an awesome night of music this has been!
What a variety! Greg shares how 11 years ago, it was Pastor Chuck Smith who had the idea to bring the 1st Harvest
Crusade to Southern California. It is amazing what the Lord has done through these events!
Pastor Greg prays for God's blessing on this evening's crusade. The title of the message tonight is "Why Jesus Came."
He shares how here we are in the beginning of the 21st Century and Jesus Christ is front and center. And the Christian
faith continues to thrive and flourish. This, of course comes as a great surprise to the pundits and critics out
there who assured us of the demise of Christianity. But it is alive and well, becaulse HE is alive and well and living
in us! By the say, these dire predictions of the disappearance of the Christian faith are not new to our times. As far
back as the times of the Apostles there were those who thought they would personally eradicate Christianity.
Pastor Greg says that there is something about Jesus Christ that sets Him apart from every other figure in Human history.
Unlike all other leaders of the past, Jesus remains as much, if not more of a focus of interest and influence in our
soociety as contemporary leaders. Why?
Here are some of the reasons Jesus came to this earth.
1. Jesus came to bring us the meaning and purpose of life. The Bible says that God has placed eternity in our hearts.
That is why mere earthly pursuits, achievements and pleasures will never quite fill that void that is within us.
2. Jesus came to heal the broken hearted. He can heal your broken heart tonight.
3. But the main reason, He came to this earth to die on the Cross for the sin of the world. We are held captive by our
sin, and the ransom was far more than we could ever afford. So Jesus came to pay that ransom. Jesus died for the sin of
humanity. Because there was no othe way that gap between sinful humanity and a Holy God could be bridged. We have all
broken all God's commandments time and time again. We fall miserably short of His standards. So, God loved me so much
that He sent His Son Jesus to "Pay the ransom for my sin." Jesus knew He would die on the Cross and spoke of it often to
His disciples.
Pastor Greg shares that the reliegious leaders who were jealous of the popular and powerful ministry of Jesus wanted
himmm put to death, but because of the Roman Occupation, they no longer had the power to do that. So they wanted the
Roman Ruler to do their "Dirty-work" for them. The man in charge was Pontious Pilate. Pilate was immediately between
a rock and a hard place. He didn't really want to deal with Jesus. He looked for a way out. Hoping to appease the
bloodthirsty crowds he has Jesus whipped. Then, turning to the crowds he says "Behold, the man!" Still the people
cry "Crucify Him!" Pilate washed his hands of the matter not realizing that you can't wash your hands of Jesus. We
must make a decision concerning Him. We want to admire Him and His great accomplishesments, saying He was a "Great Man"
and even the "Greatest of all men" or a "Great Moral Teacher." But Jesus did not say "Admire Me," He "Think well of Me."
But Jesus was totured and went through a barbaric crucifiction. Yet He still asked the Lord while on the cross, "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do." He went to the cross willingly. It is significant that his first thoughts
on the cross were certainly not for Himself. They were for YOU!!!
Pastor Greg shares from the Gospel of John 3:16 which says "For God So Loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son
that whoever believes in Him, will have eternal life." Jesus died on the cross for YOU and me to receive eternal life.
You must accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. Pastor Greg shares that until you have accepted the gift of eternal
life, you have essentially rejected it.
Pastor Greg encourages the crowd here tonight to accept this gift that Christ has offered. He shares that to receive this
gift you must first (1) Admit you are a sinner. (2) Repent from your sins. (3) Accept His gift of salvation. (4) Do it
publicly.
Pastor Greg prays for crowd and asks them to come down to the outfield here to make a profession of their faith, and for
those who would like to recommit their lives to Him, to also come down to the field.
The work of the Holy Spirit
Hundreds, probably a few thousand have poured onto the outfield here at Edison Field to make a profession of faith.
What a beautiful sight. Crystal sang "Come Just as You Are," followed by Hanz Ives and the Harvest Crusade Band singing
"Today is the Day."
Pastor Greg prays with the many new believers on the field here tonight. He tells them that there will be counselors
near them to share with them, pray with them and give them a "New Believer's New Testament." If you have prayed while
watching or reading this broadcast, and would like to receive these materials being handed out tonight, please let us
know and we will be happy to send these materials to you!
Good night and God Bless You!!
If you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, click
HERE.
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