Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Good Grace Spirituality (Part 2)

April 13, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress

#WordofGod #Victory #LoveofGod #PersonalStory #Change #Attitude #Slavery #Grace #Salvation

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Good Grace Spirituality (Part 2) | April 13, 2026

♪ music ♪
00:00:00.223 --> 00:00:05.261
From the pulpit of the first baptist church
00:00:06.162 --> 00:00:08.298
Of dallas, texas, this is pathway to victory
00:00:08.298 --> 00:00:11.234
With dr. robert jeffress.
00:00:11.234 --> 00:00:13.603
Hi, i am robert jeffress,
00:00:14.170 --> 00:00:15.438
And welcome again to pathway to victory.
00:00:15.438 --> 00:00:17.674
God loved us so much that he sent his only son to die
00:00:17.674 --> 00:00:21.578
For our sins so that we might have eternal life.
00:00:21.578 --> 00:00:25.281
Yet many christians abuse this expression of divine mercy,
00:00:25.281 --> 00:00:29.886
And view god's grace as a license to keep on sinning.
00:00:29.886 --> 00:00:34.424
Today we're going to see how a true understanding
00:00:34.424 --> 00:00:37.160
Of god's good grace should compel us to obey him.
00:00:37.160 --> 00:00:41.631
My message is titled, good grace spirituality
00:00:41.631 --> 00:00:45.568
On today's edition of pathway to victory.
00:00:45.568 --> 00:00:55.945
♪ all the things of earth ♪
00:00:56.579 --> 00:01:01.751
♪ they will dim and lose their value ♪
00:01:02.619 --> 00:01:09.092
♪ but if we recall they're just borrowed for a while ♪
00:01:10.226 --> 00:01:21.971
♪ and the things of earth that cause my heart to tremble ♪
00:01:23.173 --> 00:01:35.285
♪ remember there will only bring a smile ♪
00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:49.165
♪ in the sweet by and by ♪
00:01:49.766 --> 00:01:56.739
♪ we shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪
00:01:57.674 --> 00:02:05.014
♪ but until then, but until then ♪
00:02:05.815 --> 00:02:17.427
♪ my heart is going to go unseen ♪
00:02:18.194 --> 00:02:26.069
♪ oh until then ♪
00:02:26.536 --> 00:02:31.207
♪ we will (indistinct) ♪
00:02:31.207 --> 00:02:33.876
♪ (indistinct) carry on ♪
00:02:33.876 --> 00:02:39.415
-♪ until that day ♪ -♪ until that day ♪
00:02:40.350 --> 00:02:45.722
♪ my eyes behold that city ♪
00:02:46.356 --> 00:02:53.396
-♪ until that day ♪ -♪ until that day ♪
00:02:54.330 --> 00:03:00.336
-♪ oh, until that day ♪ -♪ until that day ♪
00:03:01.304 --> 00:03:06.976
♪ until that day ♪
00:03:07.443 --> 00:03:12.382
♪ god, calls me home ♪
00:03:12.382 --> 00:03:19.956
-♪ god calls me home ♪ -♪ home ♪
00:03:20.790 --> 00:03:35.338
(congregation clapping)
00:03:35.838 --> 00:03:39.942
Some christians use grace
00:03:39.942 --> 00:03:41.210
As a spiritual get out of jail free card.
00:03:41.210 --> 00:03:44.047
Others pile on so many rules,
00:03:44.047 --> 00:03:46.316
They have no grace for themselves or others.
00:03:46.316 --> 00:03:48.985
In "grace gone wild," dr. robert jeffress shows you
00:03:48.985 --> 00:03:52.488
What biblical grace actually looks like,
00:03:52.488 --> 00:03:54.957
And how practicing it leads to true freedom and lasting joy.
00:03:54.957 --> 00:03:58.728
Discover how grace can transform your marriage,
00:03:58.728 --> 00:04:00.963
Your relationships, and your walk with god.
00:04:00.963 --> 00:04:03.566
Request "grace gone wild"
00:04:03.566 --> 00:04:05.468
When you give a generous ministry gift
00:04:05.468 --> 00:04:07.537
To pathway to victory.
00:04:07.537 --> 00:04:09.972
Stay tuned for a very special ask
00:04:10.640 --> 00:04:12.675
Dr. jeffress segment after today's message.
00:04:12.675 --> 00:04:17.246
♪ music ♪
00:04:17.580 --> 00:04:23.886
One morning i was on the way to church,
00:04:24.721 --> 00:04:27.523
And i dropped off some laundry at the dry cleaner
00:04:27.523 --> 00:04:32.061
And picked up some shirts and while i was checking out,
00:04:32.061 --> 00:04:37.433
A woman standing next to me recognized me and said,
00:04:38.434 --> 00:04:42.038
Oh, i so appreciate the ministry of pathway to victory.
00:04:42.038 --> 00:04:45.708
I have learned so much from the bible through your program.
00:04:45.708 --> 00:04:49.278
And i thanked her and finished paying my bill,
00:04:49.278 --> 00:04:52.782
And walked outside still kind of thinking about that woman
00:04:52.782 --> 00:04:55.985
And how perceptive she was in her comments.
00:04:55.985 --> 00:04:59.288
And i get in my car and drive away,
00:04:59.288 --> 00:05:02.191
And about a block away, a car on my left starts honking
00:05:02.191 --> 00:05:06.696
At me and waving at me and i thought,
00:05:06.696 --> 00:05:08.631
Oh, another fan of pathway to victory
00:05:08.631 --> 00:05:11.167
And went a little bit further
00:05:11.801 --> 00:05:13.202
And somebody on my right started honking and waving,
00:05:13.202 --> 00:05:14.871
I said, this is just a great day.
00:05:14.871 --> 00:05:17.340
Until i looked in the rear view mirror,
00:05:18.207 --> 00:05:20.576
And i saw my trunk lid was flapping up and down.
00:05:20.576 --> 00:05:25.014
I'd gotten so enamored
00:05:25.014 --> 00:05:26.382
With what that woman said in the dry cleaner,
00:05:26.382 --> 00:05:28.418
I'd forgotten to retrieve the laundry basket,
00:05:28.418 --> 00:05:30.920
Put it back in my trunk and shut the trunk door, lid.
00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:34.957
So here i was driving.
00:05:34.957 --> 00:05:37.393
I had to first of all admit i'd made a foolish mistake,
00:05:37.393 --> 00:05:42.732
But it wasn't enough just to admit i had made a mistake,
00:05:43.866 --> 00:05:45.835
I had to turn around, do a u-turn
00:05:45.835 --> 00:05:48.504
And go back to the dry cleaner walk in.
00:05:48.504 --> 00:05:52.608
The clerks were laughing
00:05:52.608 --> 00:05:53.943
Because they had seen the whole thing happen
00:05:53.943 --> 00:05:56.078
As i walked away.
00:05:56.078 --> 00:05:57.346
I had to humble myself, but i had to be willing
00:05:57.346 --> 00:05:59.449
To make a change of direction.
00:05:59.449 --> 00:06:01.851
That's exactly what repentance is.
00:06:01.851 --> 00:06:04.854
It's first of all acknowledging that you're wrong,
00:06:04.854 --> 00:06:08.591
That you've made a mistake.
00:06:08.591 --> 00:06:10.560
That's hard to do, but the fact is, repentance begins
00:06:11.627 --> 00:06:15.064
With an admission to god that we have made a mistake.
00:06:15.064 --> 00:06:17.767
Do you remember in the old testament, nehemiah chapter nine,
00:06:17.767 --> 00:06:22.171
Israel was repenting for the people of israel
00:06:22.171 --> 00:06:25.241
And he said to god, "god, you have acted faithfully,
00:06:25.241 --> 00:06:28.277
But we have acted wickedly."
00:06:28.277 --> 00:06:31.447
To repent, you have to admit that you have acted wickedly.
00:06:32.615 --> 00:06:37.420
You know when you repent,
00:06:37.987 --> 00:06:39.121
It begins with a change of attitude.
00:06:39.121 --> 00:06:41.457
It begins by saying, god, i'm not going to argue
00:06:41.457 --> 00:06:43.793
With you any longer.
00:06:43.793 --> 00:06:45.294
You're right and i'm wrong.
00:06:45.294 --> 00:06:47.663
But it's not enough just to have a change of attitude,
00:06:48.764 --> 00:06:51.100
There has to be an actual change of direction in your life.
00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:55.605
In nehemiah chapter 10, after ezra had confessed
00:06:55.605 --> 00:06:58.908
The sins of the people, he didn't say,
00:06:58.908 --> 00:07:00.810
Lord, we have acted wickedly,
00:07:00.810 --> 00:07:02.445
Help us to do better in jesus' name, amen.
00:07:02.445 --> 00:07:05.248
No, he actually listed,
00:07:05.248 --> 00:07:08.184
And the israelites made a new contract with god
00:07:08.184 --> 00:07:11.954
Of things they were going to do differently
00:07:11.954 --> 00:07:14.657
Because of their change of attitude.
00:07:15.458 --> 00:07:17.393
They said, from this point on,
00:07:17.393 --> 00:07:18.861
We're going to stop marrying unbelievers.
00:07:18.861 --> 00:07:23.165
We're going to start observing the sabbath.
00:07:23.165 --> 00:07:27.703
We're going to continue giving the gifts
00:07:27.703 --> 00:07:30.540
We have been giving to you.
00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:32.308
They actually had a contract with god.
00:07:32.308 --> 00:07:34.977
Now you're probably thinking, contracts with god?
00:07:34.977 --> 00:07:37.813
Well, that may work for the old testament,
00:07:37.813 --> 00:07:39.615
But i'm under grace, not under the law.
00:07:39.615 --> 00:07:42.018
I don't have any obligations to god, wrong.
00:07:42.018 --> 00:07:46.689
Remember every lord's supper when i'm down here,
00:07:47.690 --> 00:07:50.493
And i hold up the silver chalice
00:07:50.493 --> 00:07:53.296
And i quote the words of jesus from that upper room,
00:07:53.296 --> 00:07:56.933
The first lord's supper, he said, "this cup is the" what?
00:07:56.933 --> 00:08:01.270
"new covenant in my blood."
00:08:01.270 --> 00:08:06.008
The juice represents a new covenant.
00:08:06.776 --> 00:08:09.245
You know what a covenant is?
00:08:09.245 --> 00:08:10.313
It's a contract with god.
00:08:10.313 --> 00:08:12.515
Grace does not free us to have no contract.
00:08:13.416 --> 00:08:17.019
It frees us to a new contract.
00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:18.988
Here's the new contract god makes with us.
00:08:18.988 --> 00:08:22.391
He said, my job, my obligation under this new contract
00:08:22.391 --> 00:08:26.862
Is i will redeem your soul.
00:08:26.862 --> 00:08:29.465
I will buy you out of satan's slavery through the blood
00:08:29.465 --> 00:08:33.202
Of my son, jesus christ.
00:08:33.202 --> 00:08:35.671
It's free, all you have to do is receive it,
00:08:35.671 --> 00:08:38.274
But you have some obligations too under this new contract.
00:08:39.442 --> 00:08:42.979
Under this new contract, you are obligated
00:08:42.979 --> 00:08:45.247
To follow me more closely than you ever have
00:08:45.247 --> 00:08:48.017
Because what i've done for you.
00:08:48.017 --> 00:08:50.186
That's exactly what paul said
00:08:50.186 --> 00:08:51.654
In 1 corinthians chapter six.
00:08:51.654 --> 00:08:54.123
Remember in 1 corinthians six,
00:08:54.123 --> 00:08:56.192
He's talking about the fact that you are not your own.
00:08:56.192 --> 00:08:59.695
You have been bought with a price.
00:08:59.695 --> 00:09:01.697
Listen to his words, "for do you not know
00:09:01.697 --> 00:09:04.467
That your body is a temple of the holy spirit who is in you,
00:09:04.467 --> 00:09:08.471
Whom you have from god and that you are not your own.
00:09:08.471 --> 00:09:11.674
You have been bought with a price,
00:09:11.674 --> 00:09:13.509
Therefore glorify god in your body."
00:09:13.509 --> 00:09:17.947
The bible says if we really understand grace,
00:09:18.848 --> 00:09:22.051
It impacts our understanding of sin.
00:09:22.051 --> 00:09:24.020
It impacts our understanding of repentance.
00:09:24.020 --> 00:09:27.356
Thirdly, grace impacts our understanding of obedience.
00:09:27.356 --> 00:09:33.396
You know everybody has their favorite verse
00:09:34.296 --> 00:09:35.998
In the bible, don't they?
00:09:35.998 --> 00:09:37.533
If you were to ask a group of church of christ members,
00:09:37.533 --> 00:09:41.003
For example, what their favorite verse would be,
00:09:41.003 --> 00:09:44.240
It would no doubt be acts 2:38,
00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:46.776
"repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins."
00:09:46.776 --> 00:09:50.880
Many of them believe that baptism is a prerequisite,
00:09:50.880 --> 00:09:54.316
A condition for salvation.
00:09:54.316 --> 00:09:56.519
If you were to ask a group of presbyterians,
00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:58.587
What is your favorite verse?
00:09:58.587 --> 00:09:59.889
Many of them were to answer ephesians 1:5,
00:09:59.889 --> 00:10:02.024
"he predestined us according to the kind and tension
00:10:02.024 --> 00:10:05.661
Of his will as adoption as sons."
00:10:05.661 --> 00:10:08.864
If you were to ask a group of southern baptist pastors
00:10:08.864 --> 00:10:11.500
What their favorite verse is, hands down,
00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:14.336
Malachi 3:10, "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse."
00:10:14.336 --> 00:10:20.342
But if you were to ask a group of southern baptist layman
00:10:21.477 --> 00:10:24.580
What their favorite verse is,
00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:26.582
No doubt it would be ephesians 2:8-9,
00:10:26.582 --> 00:10:28.718
"for by grace you have been saved through faith
00:10:28.718 --> 00:10:32.488
And that not of yourselves it is a gift of god,
00:10:32.488 --> 00:10:35.391
Not of works lest any man should boast,"
00:10:35.391 --> 00:10:38.394
And we have certainly been a primary denomination
00:10:39.395 --> 00:10:41.564
To teach the truth that salvation
00:10:41.564 --> 00:10:44.166
Is through god's grace alone.
00:10:44.166 --> 00:10:46.001
It's not grace plus works, it is grace alone.
00:10:46.001 --> 00:10:50.539
But in teaching that we have also become perhaps
00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:53.943
The primary purveyors of bad grace.
00:10:53.943 --> 00:10:57.813
We have taught people
00:10:57.813 --> 00:10:59.181
That good works don't matter to god at all,
00:10:59.181 --> 00:11:00.649
And that is absolutely wrong because in the very next verse,
00:11:00.649 --> 00:11:04.520
Ephesians 2:10 though paul said,
00:11:04.520 --> 00:11:06.322
We're not saved by good works, he said,
00:11:06.322 --> 00:11:08.257
"for we are his workmanship created under christ jesus
00:11:08.257 --> 00:11:11.460
For good works, which god has foreordained,
00:11:11.460 --> 00:11:15.698
That we should walk in them."
00:11:15.698 --> 00:11:18.234
We are not saved by works,
00:11:18.234 --> 00:11:20.202
But we are saved for works.
00:11:20.202 --> 00:11:22.972
You see, we get the idea, and this is what bad grace is,
00:11:22.972 --> 00:11:25.841
That grace is essential, obedience to god is optional,
00:11:25.841 --> 00:11:31.180
And yet if you look through the bible,
00:11:32.014 --> 00:11:33.549
The bible never separates grace from works,
00:11:33.549 --> 00:11:38.821
Faith from obedience.
00:11:39.321 --> 00:11:40.956
They are always tied together.
00:11:40.956 --> 00:11:43.626
For example, just consider a few of these verses
00:11:43.626 --> 00:11:46.061
That talk about the necessity of obedience,
00:11:46.061 --> 00:11:49.265
And link faith to obedience.
00:11:49.265 --> 00:11:51.200
John 3:36, "he who believes in the son,"
00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:54.804
This is jesus talking.
00:11:54.804 --> 00:11:56.138
"he who believes in the son has eternal life,
00:11:56.138 --> 00:11:59.041
But he who does not," what?
00:11:59.041 --> 00:12:01.043
"obey the son will not see life,
00:12:01.043 --> 00:12:04.880
But the wrath of god abides on him."
00:12:04.880 --> 00:12:07.783
Or acts 6:7, "the word of god kept on spreading
00:12:07.783 --> 00:12:11.487
And the number of the disciples continued
00:12:11.487 --> 00:12:13.255
To increase greatly in jerusalem
00:12:13.255 --> 00:12:15.424
And a great many of the priests were becoming," what?
00:12:15.424 --> 00:12:17.760
"obedient." obedient to the faith.
00:12:17.760 --> 00:12:21.096
Or hebrews 5:9, "having been made perfect,
00:12:21.096 --> 00:12:23.899
He that is jesus became to all those who obey him
00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:29.238
The source of eternal salvation."
00:12:30.005 --> 00:12:33.108
You can't separate faith and obedience.
00:12:33.108 --> 00:12:37.313
Well, what's the relationship between the two?
00:12:37.313 --> 00:12:40.616
Is obedience a requirement for faith?
00:12:41.417 --> 00:12:45.387
Do i have to obey god before he forgives me?
00:12:45.387 --> 00:12:48.224
What's the relationship between faith and obedience?
00:12:48.224 --> 00:12:50.860
Just imagine that this spring,
00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:53.028
And aren't we looking forward to this spring?
00:12:53.028 --> 00:12:55.331
Let's imagine this spring,
00:12:55.331 --> 00:12:56.899
I invite you to come over to our house and i say to you,
00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:59.101
You know, i'd like to show you my beautiful apple tree
00:12:59.101 --> 00:13:02.304
In the backyard.
00:13:02.304 --> 00:13:03.639
And so you walk out with me,
00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.974
And you look at my apple tree and it's brown.
00:13:04.974 --> 00:13:08.811
The limbs are broken,
00:13:08.811 --> 00:13:10.546
And there's not an apple to be seen anywhere
00:13:10.546 --> 00:13:13.616
And you're trying to be polite,
00:13:13.616 --> 00:13:15.017
But you say, you know, pastor,
00:13:15.017 --> 00:13:16.185
I'm afraid your apple tree is dead.
00:13:16.185 --> 00:13:18.821
You say, i said i'm insulted.
00:13:18.821 --> 00:13:20.623
Why would you say something like that?
00:13:20.623 --> 00:13:22.224
What do you mean it's dead, it's alive.
00:13:22.224 --> 00:13:24.693
And you say, well, there are no apples on it.
00:13:24.693 --> 00:13:27.796
I said, well wait just a moment.
00:13:27.796 --> 00:13:29.398
I get in my car, head down to albertson's, buy some apples,
00:13:29.398 --> 00:13:32.034
Come back and i tie some of those apples
00:13:32.034 --> 00:13:35.237
Onto the dead branches of the apple tree.
00:13:35.237 --> 00:13:37.172
I said, now it's alive, right?
00:13:37.172 --> 00:13:39.541
No, fruit on a tree does not produce life,
00:13:40.442 --> 00:13:45.481
It is the proof of life.
00:13:45.981 --> 00:13:49.318
Fruit doesn't produce life, it is the proof of life.
00:13:49.318 --> 00:13:55.090
Trying to say somebody is saved by their works,
00:13:56.025 --> 00:13:59.428
If they can do enough good things, they get into heaven,
00:13:59.428 --> 00:14:02.631
It's like tying apples onto a dead tree.
00:14:02.631 --> 00:14:05.234
No, the fruit is the proof of life,
00:14:05.234 --> 00:14:09.672
And that's what jesus said in matthew 3:8-10,
00:14:09.672 --> 00:14:13.809
"therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance,
00:14:13.809 --> 00:14:18.013
The axe is already laid at the root of the trees,
00:14:18.013 --> 00:14:21.317
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
00:14:21.317 --> 00:14:25.788
Is cut down and thrown into the fire."
00:14:25.788 --> 00:14:29.925
You know, again, martin luther was talking
00:14:29.925 --> 00:14:31.660
About the relationship between faith and works,
00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:35.164
And this is what he said.
00:14:35.164 --> 00:14:36.098
He said, "faith alone saves,
00:14:36.098 --> 00:14:39.868
But saving faith is never alone.
00:14:39.868 --> 00:14:43.906
Where there is genuine faith, there'll be genuine fruit.
00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:49.778
Where there is no fruit, there is no faith."
00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:55.150
Good grace understands that, good grace understands
00:14:56.185 --> 00:14:59.221
That obedience is not optional, it's essential.
00:14:59.221 --> 00:15:02.992
And finally, a proper understanding
00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:05.294
Of grace impacts our understanding of rewards.
00:15:05.294 --> 00:15:09.698
Let me ask you a true or false question.
00:15:10.566 --> 00:15:12.668
God treats all of his children the same.
00:15:12.668 --> 00:15:17.272
True or false?
00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:19.708
Do you treat all your children the same?
00:15:20.576 --> 00:15:23.112
I mean, the fact is we are all more drawn as parents
00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:28.884
To a child who loves us, who wants to spend time with us
00:15:28.884 --> 00:15:33.455
Than a child who uses every opportunity to get away from us.
00:15:33.455 --> 00:15:38.160
As parents, we give more perks and privileges to children
00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:41.830
Who are obedient or are trying to do the right thing
00:15:41.830 --> 00:15:45.200
Than to those who don't.
00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:47.603
Why do we think god is different than that?
00:15:48.504 --> 00:15:51.774
The reason we do that is we're made in his image.
00:15:51.774 --> 00:15:54.076
That's the way god is.
00:15:54.076 --> 00:15:56.812
God doesn't treat all of his children the same.
00:15:56.812 --> 00:16:00.282
God rewards his obedient children,
00:16:01.016 --> 00:16:04.053
First of all in this life.
00:16:04.053 --> 00:16:06.722
Did you know, for example, the bible teaches
00:16:07.656 --> 00:16:11.260
That the prayers that god listens to are the prayers
00:16:11.260 --> 00:16:16.131
That come from his children who act obediently.
00:16:16.131 --> 00:16:19.868
And if you're not acting obediently toward god,
00:16:19.868 --> 00:16:22.204
You shouldn't expect him to answer your prayers.
00:16:22.204 --> 00:16:24.540
1 peter 3:12, "for the eyes of the lord
00:16:24.540 --> 00:16:27.810
Are toward the righteous
00:16:27.810 --> 00:16:29.511
And his ears attend to their prayers,
00:16:29.511 --> 00:16:31.814
But the face of the lord is against those who do evil."
00:16:31.814 --> 00:16:36.085
Isn't that an interesting verse?
00:16:36.085 --> 00:16:37.586
One of the reasons god doesn't answer prayer
00:16:37.586 --> 00:16:41.023
Is his disobedient children.
00:16:41.023 --> 00:16:44.293
Not only that, but you know the bible teaches
00:16:44.293 --> 00:16:47.563
That god rewards financially those who invest
00:16:47.563 --> 00:16:52.034
In his work more than those who don't.
00:16:52.034 --> 00:16:54.603
Now, i know we have to be careful here.
00:16:54.603 --> 00:16:56.672
I'm not teaching the prosperity gospel,
00:16:56.672 --> 00:16:59.775
But sometimes we go so far in renouncing
00:16:59.775 --> 00:17:02.244
The prosperity gospel that we fail to understand
00:17:02.244 --> 00:17:05.514
Just a simple truth,
00:17:05.514 --> 00:17:06.815
And that is that if you don't give to god,
00:17:06.815 --> 00:17:10.519
Don't expect his financial blessing in your life.
00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:13.922
There is a relationship between giving to god,
00:17:13.922 --> 00:17:16.859
And being obedient and experiencing his blessing.
00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:20.562
Not all the time is it financial,
00:17:20.562 --> 00:17:22.564
But some of the times it is.
00:17:22.564 --> 00:17:24.666
Now here we've come to my favorite verse.
00:17:24.666 --> 00:17:27.236
You know i'd get it in here somewhere.
00:17:27.236 --> 00:17:29.438
Malachi three, listen to it.
00:17:29.438 --> 00:17:32.207
"you are cursed with a curse,"
00:17:32.207 --> 00:17:33.976
God said, "for you are robbing me the whole nation of you."
00:17:33.976 --> 00:17:38.213
The israelites were finding every way they could
00:17:38.213 --> 00:17:40.682
Not to give their offerings to god.
00:17:40.682 --> 00:17:43.185
So what did he say?
00:17:43.185 --> 00:17:44.653
Verse 10, "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,
00:17:44.653 --> 00:17:47.823
So that there may be food in my house and test me now
00:17:47.823 --> 00:17:51.660
In this says the lord of hosts."
00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:53.495
Did you know that's the only time in the scripture
00:17:53.495 --> 00:17:55.964
Where god invites us to test him?
00:17:55.964 --> 00:17:58.500
He said, here's one thing you can test me in.
00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:01.069
You give to me like i've commanded you,
00:18:01.069 --> 00:18:03.505
"and see if i will not open up for you the windows of heaven
00:18:03.505 --> 00:18:08.877
And pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."
00:18:09.912 --> 00:18:14.216
My point is god does reward obedience.
00:18:15.050 --> 00:18:20.722
You know, again, bad grace says,
00:18:21.356 --> 00:18:23.425
My actions have no consequences, obedience doesn't matter.
00:18:23.425 --> 00:18:28.764
But the bible says, obedience results in rewards
00:18:29.765 --> 00:18:32.201
Not only in this life, but also in the next life.
00:18:32.201 --> 00:18:36.371
Remember 2 corinthians 5:9-10, we've looked at it often.
00:18:36.371 --> 00:18:40.576
Paul said, "therefore we have as our ambition,
00:18:40.576 --> 00:18:45.047
Whether at home in the body,
00:18:45.047 --> 00:18:46.315
Or absent from the body to be pleasing to him."
00:18:46.315 --> 00:18:50.619
Now, listen to this.
00:18:51.086 --> 00:18:52.588
Paul says, if you're really a believer,
00:18:52.588 --> 00:18:54.690
Your sole focus in life ought to be to be pleasing to god.
00:18:54.690 --> 00:18:59.895
When you wake up in the morning,
00:19:00.529 --> 00:19:02.364
How can i please god today?
00:19:02.364 --> 00:19:06.802
And what's the motivation for that focus?
00:19:06.802 --> 00:19:09.972
Look at verse 10, why? "for we must all appear
00:19:09.972 --> 00:19:13.976
Before the judgment seat of christ,
00:19:13.976 --> 00:19:16.578
So that each one of us may be recompensed,
00:19:16.578 --> 00:19:19.147
Rewarded for deeds done in the body
00:19:19.147 --> 00:19:22.384
According to what we have done,
00:19:22.384 --> 00:19:24.253
Whether it be good or worthless."
00:19:24.253 --> 00:19:27.789
The motivation for wanting to please god
00:19:27.789 --> 00:19:30.058
Is not just a sense of gratitude for what he's done for us
00:19:30.058 --> 00:19:33.061
In the past or what he did for us at calvary,
00:19:33.061 --> 00:19:36.431
A primary legitimate motivation for wanting to please god
00:19:36.431 --> 00:19:41.003
Is the belief that one day he will reward you
00:19:41.003 --> 00:19:44.039
For doing that.
00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.374
He will recompense us according to what we have done,
00:19:46.441 --> 00:19:49.111
Whether it be good or worthless.
00:19:49.111 --> 00:19:52.214
In his book, "all in" pastor mark batterson writes,
00:19:52.214 --> 00:19:56.118
"i don't think anyone has ever sacrificed anything for god.
00:19:56.118 --> 00:20:01.456
If you get back more than you gave up,
00:20:02.291 --> 00:20:03.625
Have you really sacrificed anything?
00:20:03.625 --> 00:20:06.728
The eternal reward always outweighs
00:20:06.728 --> 00:20:09.998
The temporal sacrifice."
00:20:09.998 --> 00:20:12.401
At the end of the day, judgment day, your only regret
00:20:12.401 --> 00:20:17.706
Will be whatever we didn't give back to god.
00:20:18.607 --> 00:20:23.078
That's good grace.
00:20:23.512 --> 00:20:25.847
Good grace understands that obedience to god matters.
00:20:25.847 --> 00:20:30.585
Good grace understands that our actions do have consequences
00:20:30.585 --> 00:20:35.757
Both in this life and the life to come.
00:20:36.625 --> 00:20:40.062
♪ music ♪
00:20:40.395 --> 00:20:43.799
Nothing will accelerate your spiritual progress any faster
00:20:44.966 --> 00:20:48.537
Than understanding the true meaning of god's grace.
00:20:48.537 --> 00:20:52.274
Once you fully embrace god's grace,
00:20:52.274 --> 00:20:54.543
You'll learn to obey him, not out of duty alone,
00:20:54.543 --> 00:20:58.313
But from a deep desire that springs from gratitude.
00:20:58.313 --> 00:21:02.351
Now in closing today, i want to thank you
00:21:02.351 --> 00:21:04.086
For supporting the ministry of pathway to victory.
00:21:04.086 --> 00:21:07.289
We couldn't accomplish our mission
00:21:07.289 --> 00:21:09.291
Without our pathway partners and other ministry supporters.
00:21:09.291 --> 00:21:13.462
Men and women are accessing bold, biblical teaching
00:21:13.462 --> 00:21:16.665
Through our television, radio, and digital platforms,
00:21:16.665 --> 00:21:20.035
And they're coming to pathway to victory
00:21:20.035 --> 00:21:22.070
From all points on the globe,
00:21:22.070 --> 00:21:24.339
All to say together as partners in ministry,
00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:27.676
We are piercing the darkness with the light of god's word.
00:21:27.676 --> 00:21:32.047
Now please stay right there,
00:21:32.047 --> 00:21:33.482
I'll be back with more in just a moment.
00:21:33.482 --> 00:21:36.952
Karen, your question is a great one,
00:21:36.952 --> 00:21:39.121
And it's the most frequently asked question
00:21:39.121 --> 00:21:41.523
At pathway to victory.
00:21:41.523 --> 00:21:43.158
Cremation is certainly becoming more popular
00:21:43.158 --> 00:21:46.128
With the increasing cost of funerals,
00:21:46.128 --> 00:21:49.431
With covid that changed the way people treated
00:21:49.431 --> 00:21:52.734
Their loved ones who had died.
00:21:52.734 --> 00:21:54.836
But let me cut to the chase on this.
00:21:54.836 --> 00:21:56.938
Now the fact is our bodies are temporary.
00:21:56.938 --> 00:22:01.042
God made them as temporary dwelling places,
00:22:01.042 --> 00:22:04.079
They were never meant to be our eternal home.
00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:07.549
And the bible tells us
00:22:07.549 --> 00:22:09.050
That one day we're going to leave our bodies at home.
00:22:09.050 --> 00:22:11.887
2 corinthians 5:8 says, "for a christian to be absent
00:22:11.887 --> 00:22:14.956
From the body is to be at home with the lord."
00:22:14.956 --> 00:22:17.626
And it really doesn't matter how you die.
00:22:17.626 --> 00:22:20.562
Whether you're blown up in an airplane
00:22:20.562 --> 00:22:22.731
Over the pacific ocean, you're in a car crash,
00:22:22.731 --> 00:22:25.834
Or your organs deteriorate,
00:22:25.834 --> 00:22:28.103
One day this temporary dwelling place
00:22:28.103 --> 00:22:30.939
Is going to be reduced to dust.
00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:33.275
Our bodies were formed out of the dust,
00:22:33.275 --> 00:22:35.811
They're going to return to dust.
00:22:35.811 --> 00:22:37.879
Cremation only accelerates the process.
00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:41.416
Now, it used to be in the first century
00:22:41.416 --> 00:22:43.819
When the bible, new testament was written that the romans
00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:48.757
And other pagans would stack bodies on top of one another
00:22:48.757 --> 00:22:52.294
And burn them.
00:22:52.294 --> 00:22:53.595
They weren't expecting any resurrection,
00:22:53.595 --> 00:22:55.831
But christians carefully buried their dead as a sign
00:22:55.831 --> 00:22:59.968
That they were looking to a future resurrection.
00:22:59.968 --> 00:23:03.071
Now, in truth, remember this,
00:23:03.071 --> 00:23:05.106
Our bodies are going to be made new.
00:23:05.106 --> 00:23:07.876
What we haul into heaven with us isn't going to be this body,
00:23:07.876 --> 00:23:11.580
Thankfully, it's going to be a brand new body.
00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:15.116
1 corinthians 15 describes that new body
00:23:15.116 --> 00:23:18.520
And what it's going to be like.
00:23:18.520 --> 00:23:20.055
It's going to be free from sin, from sickness,
00:23:20.055 --> 00:23:22.791
From broken relationships, and we all look forward to that.
00:23:22.791 --> 00:23:26.495
So my short answer now to your question is,
00:23:26.495 --> 00:23:29.598
There's nothing in the bible that prohibits cremation.
00:23:29.598 --> 00:23:33.368
It doesn't matter how your natural body dies.
00:23:33.368 --> 00:23:36.371
One day god's going to give you a brand new body.
00:23:36.371 --> 00:23:40.208
The bible tells us we're saved by grace,
00:23:41.076 --> 00:23:44.279
But do you allow yourself to receive grace?
00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:47.282
Do you practice grace?
00:23:47.282 --> 00:23:48.884
Do you abuse god's grace?
00:23:48.884 --> 00:23:51.119
In "grace gone wild," dr. robert jeffress clears up
00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:54.256
The confusion and shows you how grace leads to joy,
00:23:54.256 --> 00:23:57.792
Not guilt.
00:23:57.792 --> 00:23:58.960
Christians fall into one of two traps
00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.962
When it comes to grace.
00:24:00.962 --> 00:24:02.531
Some believe grace means there are no boundaries
00:24:02.531 --> 00:24:05.400
In living, others pile on so many rules
00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:08.403
That christianity feels like a burden instead of a blessing.
00:24:08.403 --> 00:24:12.707
In my book, "grace gone wild,"
00:24:12.707 --> 00:24:14.309
I'll show you that true grace leads to a deeper,
00:24:14.309 --> 00:24:18.079
More joy filled relationship with god.
00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:21.283
Discover how understanding grace can transform
00:24:21.283 --> 00:24:24.219
Your marriage, your relationships,
00:24:24.219 --> 00:24:26.187
And every decision you make.
00:24:26.187 --> 00:24:28.189
Request your copy of "grace gone wild"
00:24:28.189 --> 00:24:30.659
When you give a generous gift to pathway to victory.
00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:33.995
And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
00:24:33.995 --> 00:24:37.566
We'll also send you the "grace gone wild"
00:24:37.566 --> 00:24:40.035
Teaching series on both cd and dvd
00:24:40.035 --> 00:24:43.238
Along with the application guide.
00:24:43.238 --> 00:24:45.440
There are too many christians today
00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:47.242
Who have taken this marvelous gift of grace,
00:24:47.242 --> 00:24:51.046
And perverted it.
00:24:51.046 --> 00:24:52.714
They are robbing themselves of the joy
00:24:52.714 --> 00:24:54.916
That comes from obedience to god.
00:24:54.916 --> 00:24:58.219
Thank you for your generous support of pathway to victory.
00:24:58.219 --> 00:25:01.556
Your gift helps us bring bold, biblical teaching
00:25:01.556 --> 00:25:04.192
Around the world.
00:25:04.192 --> 00:25:05.360
Together we are piercing the darkness
00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:07.529
With the light of god's word.
00:25:07.529 --> 00:25:10.732
♪ music ♪
00:25:11.066 --> 00:25:12.233
Topics like sin, repentance,
00:25:12.233 --> 00:25:14.869
And obedience aren't popular in many of today's churches,
00:25:14.869 --> 00:25:18.840
But when we truly understand what god has done for us,
00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:22.277
We can't help but want to obey him.
00:25:22.277 --> 00:25:25.180
That's the definition of good grace spirituality.
00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:29.751
Well, we've all wrestled with how to act
00:25:29.751 --> 00:25:31.853
When it comes to the gray areas of morality.
00:25:31.853 --> 00:25:34.956
And next time, we will discover
00:25:34.956 --> 00:25:36.424
How a proper understanding of grace
00:25:36.424 --> 00:25:39.060
Should inform our decisions about issues
00:25:39.060 --> 00:25:41.463
The bible doesn't specifically address.
00:25:41.463 --> 00:25:44.466
Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
00:25:44.466 --> 00:25:46.801
In our series, "grace gone wild."
00:25:46.801 --> 00:25:50.205
Do i have the right to ignore the prejudice,
00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:53.508
And ignorance of other people
00:25:53.508 --> 00:25:54.876
When it comes to my own behavior?
00:25:54.876 --> 00:25:57.479
Does grace give me a license to thumb my nose
00:25:57.479 --> 00:26:01.282
At those who decry, drinking, dancing,
00:26:01.282 --> 00:26:05.387
And reading harry potter novels?
00:26:05.387 --> 00:26:07.789
What role does grace play in the decisions i make
00:26:08.790 --> 00:26:12.360
In my everyday life?
00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:14.396
Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
00:26:14.396 --> 00:26:17.699
Good grace decision-making here on pathway to victory.
00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:22.771
Join us on the pathway to victory cruise to alaska,
00:26:23.838 --> 00:26:27.075
June 13 through 20, 2026.
00:26:27.075 --> 00:26:29.978
Let me paint a picture for you.
00:26:29.978 --> 00:26:31.846
You're standing on the deck of a beautiful cruise ship,
00:26:31.846 --> 00:26:35.116
Coffee in hand, watching a glacier cab
00:26:35.116 --> 00:26:38.153
Into the pristine waters while bald eagles circle overhead.
00:26:38.153 --> 00:26:42.891
That's going to be us this coming june.
00:26:42.891 --> 00:26:45.593
You've got to see alaska with your own eyes to believe it.
00:26:45.593 --> 00:26:49.164
Seven days of pure luxury where every meal
00:26:49.164 --> 00:26:52.100
Is prepared for you.
00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:53.535
The world class service means you never have to think
00:26:53.535 --> 00:26:56.104
About the details, instead you can focus
00:26:56.104 --> 00:26:58.873
On casual conversations with like-minded christians,
00:26:58.873 --> 00:27:02.343
Laughing, telling stories while surrounded
00:27:02.343 --> 00:27:04.846
By god's breathtaking creation.
00:27:04.846 --> 00:27:07.182
This is purposeful travel at its finest,
00:27:07.182 --> 00:27:10.452
Refreshing your soul in god's stunning cathedral
00:27:10.452 --> 00:27:14.089
Of natural wonders.
00:27:14.089 --> 00:27:16.091
Call 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org
00:27:16.091 --> 00:27:16.091

Robert Jeffress - Good Grace Spirituality (Part 2)

April 13, 2026 | 27:29

Closed captions

Share