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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - How Can I Prepare For My Journey To Heaven? (Part 1)

February 26, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - How Can I Prepare For My Journey To Heaven? (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Journey #Preparation #Heaven #Eternity #KingdomofGod #Self-Righteousness #Rejection #Jesus #Forgiveness #Sin #Salvation #Justification #Faith #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - How Can I Prepare For My Journey To Heaven? (Part 1) | February 26, 2026
  • ...
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  • Male announcer: experience a journey that will refresh your
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  • Witness god's handiwork on full display.
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  • Announcer: imagine standing on deck surrounded by towering
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  • Glaciers and snowcapped mountains while enjoying
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  • Powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
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  • Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien
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  • And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg, america's
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  • Minister of encouragement.
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  • Jeffress: this is more than just a vacation.
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  • It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
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  • Announcer: to reserve your cabin on the 2026 pathway to victory
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  • Cruise to alaska, call ... or visit ptv.org.
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  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:01.050 --> 00:01:07.423
  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist
  • 00:01:07.423 --> 00:01:09.259
  • Church of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
  • 00:01:09.259 --> 00:01:12.896
  • Dr. robert jeffress.
  • 00:01:12.896 --> 00:01:15.431
  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome
  • 00:01:15.498 --> 00:01:17.066
  • Again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:17.066 --> 00:01:19.169
  • One day, followers of jesus christ will close their eyes for
  • 00:01:19.169 --> 00:01:23.072
  • The last time on earth and open them again in the presence
  • 00:01:23.072 --> 00:01:26.609
  • Of god.
  • 00:01:26.609 --> 00:01:27.944
  • So what steps should we be taking right now in order to be
  • 00:01:27.944 --> 00:01:31.314
  • Ready for that all-important day of our departure?
  • 00:01:31.314 --> 00:01:34.751
  • How do we learn to look forward to heaven with joyful
  • 00:01:34.751 --> 00:01:37.620
  • Anticipation instead of fear and dread?
  • 00:01:37.620 --> 00:01:41.057
  • We're answering the question "how can i prepare for my
  • 00:01:41.057 --> 00:01:44.127
  • Journey to heaven?" on today's edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:44.127 --> 00:01:49.032
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:49.032 --> 00:01:55.038
  • Announcer: when loss leaves you searching for hope, turn your
  • 00:01:55.038 --> 00:01:57.507
  • Eyes toward heaven.
  • 00:01:57.507 --> 00:01:59.075
  • In "encouragement from a place called heaven," dr. robert
  • 00:01:59.075 --> 00:02:01.945
  • Jeffress offers comfort drawn from god's promises about
  • 00:02:01.945 --> 00:02:05.181
  • Eternity, not the myths and misconceptions tv and movies
  • 00:02:05.181 --> 00:02:08.585
  • Tell us, but what scripture truly reveals.
  • 00:02:08.585 --> 00:02:11.087
  • Whether you're grieving a loved one, facing illness, or walking
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  • Alongside someone in pain, this beautiful hardcover book
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  • Provides the encouragement you need.
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  • Request "encouragement from a place called heaven" when you
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  • Give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:02:22.265 --> 00:02:25.301
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:02:25.301 --> 00:02:32.275
  • Jeffress: when i began this series on heaven, i used an
  • 00:02:32.275 --> 00:02:36.946
  • Upcoming trip we had planned to a foreign country as an analogy
  • 00:02:36.946 --> 00:02:43.353
  • Of the trip we're all going to take to a foreign land, one day,
  • 00:02:43.353 --> 00:02:47.390
  • To that place called heaven.
  • 00:02:47.390 --> 00:02:49.492
  • Well, since that time, we actually took that trip.
  • 00:02:49.492 --> 00:02:52.562
  • We went to london for a few days, and the trip was
  • 00:02:52.562 --> 00:02:56.065
  • Uneventful except for one mistake i made: i forgot to pack
  • 00:02:56.065 --> 00:03:01.104
  • Any extra socks with me.
  • 00:03:01.104 --> 00:03:04.974
  • By the fourth day of the trip, i broke down and went to the local
  • 00:03:04.974 --> 00:03:07.844
  • Department store and purchased some cheap socks.
  • 00:03:07.844 --> 00:03:11.848
  • I actually knew it was time to do so when the original pair i
  • 00:03:11.848 --> 00:03:14.917
  • Brought with me were no longer lying by the bed every night.
  • 00:03:14.917 --> 00:03:19.455
  • They were standing by the bed every night waiting to greet me
  • 00:03:19.455 --> 00:03:22.725
  • When i awakened.
  • 00:03:22.725 --> 00:03:24.527
  • Now, that was a mistake, but it had no lasting consequences.
  • 00:03:24.527 --> 00:03:29.065
  • It was a little uncomfortable for my family members who were
  • 00:03:29.065 --> 00:03:31.467
  • Standing downwind from me the first three days of the trip,
  • 00:03:31.467 --> 00:03:35.171
  • But no permanent harm.
  • 00:03:35.171 --> 00:03:37.974
  • However, failing to adequately prepare for the real trip we're
  • 00:03:37.974 --> 00:03:42.445
  • All taking, for that trip to the place called heaven, not
  • 00:03:42.445 --> 00:03:46.316
  • Preparing adequately can have devastating and
  • 00:03:46.316 --> 00:03:51.487
  • Unending consequences.
  • 00:03:51.487 --> 00:03:54.223
  • We've got to be prepared for the trip, and that's why i thought
  • 00:03:54.223 --> 00:03:58.628
  • The last subject we ought to talk about as we contemplate
  • 00:03:58.628 --> 00:04:02.832
  • Heaven is "how can i prepare for my journey to heaven?"
  • 00:04:02.832 --> 00:04:08.771
  • We're going to look at six practical steps every one of us
  • 00:04:08.771 --> 00:04:12.542
  • Should take as we prepare for our journey to that place
  • 00:04:12.542 --> 00:04:16.346
  • Called heaven.
  • 00:04:16.346 --> 00:04:18.381
  • The first step is the most foundational, and that is make
  • 00:04:18.381 --> 00:04:23.019
  • Sure you have a valid passport.
  • 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:27.790
  • You know, to travel to most countries, you have to have
  • 00:04:27.790 --> 00:04:30.993
  • A passport.
  • 00:04:30.993 --> 00:04:32.462
  • No passport, no entry into that country.
  • 00:04:32.462 --> 00:04:35.965
  • I discovered the hard way the importance of having a passport
  • 00:04:35.965 --> 00:04:41.304
  • A number of years ago.
  • 00:04:41.304 --> 00:04:43.373
  • When i was youth minister here, many years ago, our youth choir,
  • 00:04:43.373 --> 00:04:47.643
  • Our chapel choir, took a trip to the soviet union.
  • 00:04:47.643 --> 00:04:52.215
  • Some of you were on that trip with us.
  • 00:04:52.215 --> 00:04:54.450
  • It was during the height of the cold war.
  • 00:04:54.450 --> 00:04:56.552
  • Tensions between the soviet union and the u.s.
  • 00:04:56.552 --> 00:04:59.422
  • Were very, very cold, and i remember that experience of
  • 00:04:59.422 --> 00:05:04.394
  • Being in the soviet union for a little over a week and how
  • 00:05:04.394 --> 00:05:08.064
  • Oppressive the atmosphere was.
  • 00:05:08.064 --> 00:05:10.299
  • And, frankly, we couldn't wait to get out of there, and,
  • 00:05:10.299 --> 00:05:13.770
  • Finally, the day arrived for our departure.
  • 00:05:13.770 --> 00:05:16.005
  • We were scheduled to leave moscow at midnight, one night,
  • 00:05:16.005 --> 00:05:19.342
  • To fly to rome, and everybody was excited about getting out
  • 00:05:19.342 --> 00:05:23.045
  • Of there.
  • 00:05:23.045 --> 00:05:24.380
  • We were at the moscow airport, so everybody went through
  • 00:05:24.380 --> 00:05:26.849
  • Passport control, all the sponsors, all the kids.
  • 00:05:26.849 --> 00:05:29.919
  • I was the last one to go through.
  • 00:05:29.919 --> 00:05:32.355
  • After all, i felt like i ought to be sure all the kids made it
  • 00:05:32.355 --> 00:05:34.924
  • On first.
  • 00:05:34.924 --> 00:05:36.359
  • And so it was my turn to go through.
  • 00:05:36.359 --> 00:05:38.060
  • Amy was already on the other side waiting for me, and i
  • 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:41.197
  • Reached in my pocket to pull out my passport, and it
  • 00:05:41.197 --> 00:05:44.867
  • Wasn't there.
  • 00:05:44.867 --> 00:05:47.136
  • I checked in my other pocket.
  • 00:05:47.136 --> 00:05:48.838
  • It wasn't there.
  • 00:05:48.838 --> 00:05:50.339
  • I checked my pants.
  • 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:51.741
  • It wasn't there.
  • 00:05:51.741 --> 00:05:53.242
  • And they started calling the flight, getting ready to leave
  • 00:05:53.242 --> 00:05:55.611
  • For rome, and so i went up to the soviet guard and explained
  • 00:05:55.611 --> 00:05:59.081
  • The predicament that i was a leader and that that was my
  • 00:05:59.081 --> 00:06:01.717
  • Group over there.
  • 00:06:01.717 --> 00:06:03.219
  • Trust me, he could not have cared less.
  • 00:06:03.219 --> 00:06:07.056
  • No passport; i wasn't leaving.
  • 00:06:07.056 --> 00:06:10.193
  • Amy and i had been married exactly one year.
  • 00:06:10.193 --> 00:06:13.229
  • She was standing on the other side, seeing what was going on.
  • 00:06:13.229 --> 00:06:16.299
  • She began to cry as she thought about her new husband being in a
  • 00:06:16.299 --> 00:06:20.102
  • Russian gulag for the next 20 years.
  • 00:06:20.102 --> 00:06:24.307
  • And, finally, after frantically searching, one of the sponsors
  • 00:06:24.307 --> 00:06:28.344
  • On the trip started to grin.
  • 00:06:28.344 --> 00:06:32.548
  • He reached in his pocket and pulled out my passport he had
  • 00:06:32.548 --> 00:06:36.686
  • Taken as a joke.
  • 00:06:36.686 --> 00:06:42.058
  • Trust me when i tell you, after 35 years, amy still doesn't
  • 00:06:42.058 --> 00:06:45.928
  • Think it's funny.
  • 00:06:45.928 --> 00:06:49.031
  • But, you know, the panic i felt that night, although it was very
  • 00:06:49.031 --> 00:06:53.569
  • Real, it pales in comparison to the panic some people are gonna
  • 00:06:53.569 --> 00:06:59.909
  • Feel, when they stand at the entrance of heaven, thinking god
  • 00:06:59.909 --> 00:07:04.847
  • Is going to welcome them into heaven, and then they hear those
  • 00:07:04.847 --> 00:07:08.384
  • Words jesus said in matthew 7:23, "depart from me, you who
  • 00:07:08.384 --> 00:07:14.624
  • Practice lawlessness, for i never knew you."
  • 00:07:14.624 --> 00:07:19.695
  • Instead of being welcomed into heaven, these people are going
  • 00:07:19.695 --> 00:07:23.566
  • To be turned away from heaven.
  • 00:07:23.566 --> 00:07:27.436
  • Now, remember, the people jesus was talkin' about are
  • 00:07:27.436 --> 00:07:29.939
  • Not atheists.
  • 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:31.807
  • He's not talkin' about devil worshipers.
  • 00:07:31.807 --> 00:07:34.544
  • He's talkin' about religious people who are going to be
  • 00:07:34.544 --> 00:07:37.914
  • Turned away from heaven.
  • 00:07:37.914 --> 00:07:40.182
  • In matthew 7:22, he said, "for many will say to me on that
  • 00:07:40.182 --> 00:07:43.352
  • Day," that is, the judgment day, "'lord, lord, did we not
  • 00:07:43.352 --> 00:07:47.156
  • Prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and
  • 00:07:47.156 --> 00:07:50.960
  • In your name perform many miracles?'
  • 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:53.462
  • And then he will answer to them, 'depart from me, you who
  • 00:07:53.462 --> 00:07:57.567
  • Practice lawlessness.
  • 00:07:57.567 --> 00:07:59.035
  • I never knew you.'"
  • 00:07:59.035 --> 00:08:00.436
  • Why are these people going to be turned away from heaven?
  • 00:08:00.436 --> 00:08:03.406
  • They don't have the right spiritual passport.
  • 00:08:03.406 --> 00:08:06.042
  • No passport; no entry into heaven.
  • 00:08:06.042 --> 00:08:09.979
  • What is the spiritual passport we need to get into heaven?
  • 00:08:09.979 --> 00:08:15.017
  • It's not a heart that is stamped "catholic."
  • 00:08:15.017 --> 00:08:19.822
  • If your heart is stamped "catholic," you're not gonna
  • 00:08:19.822 --> 00:08:22.525
  • Make it into heaven.
  • 00:08:22.525 --> 00:08:25.962
  • It's not a heart that's stamped "church of christ."
  • 00:08:25.962 --> 00:08:29.632
  • If your heart is stamped "church of christ," you're not getting
  • 00:08:29.632 --> 00:08:32.134
  • Into heaven.
  • 00:08:32.134 --> 00:08:34.837
  • If your heart is stamped "baptist," you're not gonna be
  • 00:08:34.837 --> 00:08:38.674
  • Welcomed into heaven.
  • 00:08:38.674 --> 00:08:41.911
  • It's only a heart that is stamped "forgiven" that is
  • 00:08:41.911 --> 00:08:45.781
  • Welcomed into heaven.
  • 00:08:45.781 --> 00:08:48.117
  • That's all that matters, being forgiven of our sins.
  • 00:08:48.117 --> 00:08:52.488
  • No other stamp makes a difference in the presence
  • 00:08:52.488 --> 00:08:55.725
  • Of god.
  • 00:08:55.725 --> 00:08:57.460
  • The bible has a word for "forgiven."
  • 00:08:57.460 --> 00:09:00.663
  • It's the new testament word "justified."
  • 00:09:00.663 --> 00:09:04.867
  • "justified" is a legal term that refers to what god does for us
  • 00:09:04.867 --> 00:09:09.171
  • When we trust in christ as savior.
  • 00:09:09.171 --> 00:09:11.607
  • He justifies us.
  • 00:09:11.607 --> 00:09:13.042
  • He declares us "not guilty" based on what christ did for us
  • 00:09:13.042 --> 00:09:17.913
  • On the cross.
  • 00:09:17.913 --> 00:09:19.515
  • Romans 5:1, says, "therefore, having been justified by faith,
  • 00:09:19.515 --> 00:09:24.420
  • We have peace with god through our lord jesus christ."
  • 00:09:24.420 --> 00:09:28.424
  • The only way god will allow you and me into heaven is by being
  • 00:09:28.424 --> 00:09:32.528
  • Forgiven of our sins.
  • 00:09:32.528 --> 00:09:34.130
  • And contrary to many opinions, there are not many ways
  • 00:09:34.130 --> 00:09:37.166
  • To heaven.
  • 00:09:37.166 --> 00:09:38.501
  • There is only one way to heaven, and that is through faith
  • 00:09:38.501 --> 00:09:41.070
  • In christ.
  • 00:09:41.070 --> 00:09:42.538
  • I realize that's unpopular to say today.
  • 00:09:42.538 --> 00:09:45.007
  • Many people do think there are other routes to heaven.
  • 00:09:45.007 --> 00:09:48.210
  • How can you make sure that, when you stand at the entrance of
  • 00:09:48.210 --> 00:09:51.147
  • Heaven, god is gonna look at your heart and welcome you into
  • 00:09:51.147 --> 00:09:55.418
  • His presence?
  • 00:09:55.418 --> 00:09:57.019
  • 1 john was written in order that people might know for sure their
  • 00:09:57.019 --> 00:10:01.791
  • Eternal destination.
  • 00:10:01.791 --> 00:10:03.759
  • In 1 john 5, the apostle writes, verse 11, "god has given us
  • 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:08.664
  • Eternal life, and this life is in his son.
  • 00:10:08.664 --> 00:10:12.768
  • He who has the son has the life.
  • 00:10:12.768 --> 00:10:16.405
  • He who does not have the son does not have the life.
  • 00:10:16.405 --> 00:10:19.341
  • These things i have written to you who believe in the name of
  • 00:10:19.341 --> 00:10:24.013
  • The son of god, in order that you may know you have
  • 00:10:24.013 --> 00:10:27.917
  • Eternal life."
  • 00:10:27.917 --> 00:10:29.719
  • Who is it that knows they have eternal life?
  • 00:10:29.719 --> 00:10:32.788
  • Those who believe in the name of the son of god.
  • 00:10:32.788 --> 00:10:36.592
  • We've talked about this before.
  • 00:10:36.592 --> 00:10:38.494
  • That word, "believe," doesn't mean an intellectual assent or a
  • 00:10:38.494 --> 00:10:41.230
  • Certain set of facts about jesus.
  • 00:10:41.230 --> 00:10:43.399
  • You can believe all the things about jesus correctly, that he
  • 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:46.602
  • Was the son of god, that he died on the cross for the sins of the
  • 00:10:46.602 --> 00:10:49.271
  • World, that he rose again on the third day.
  • 00:10:49.271 --> 00:10:51.140
  • You can believe all those things and go straight to hell when
  • 00:10:51.140 --> 00:10:53.442
  • You die.
  • 00:10:53.442 --> 00:10:55.044
  • The bible says even the demons believe those things.
  • 00:10:55.044 --> 00:10:58.180
  • No, "to believe" means "to trust in," "to cling to," "to put your
  • 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:01.417
  • Whole weight upon."
  • 00:11:01.417 --> 00:11:03.753
  • To trust in jesus means to come to that place in your life when
  • 00:11:03.753 --> 00:11:06.555
  • You realize you cannot save yourself, that it is only
  • 00:11:06.555 --> 00:11:10.559
  • Through what christ did for you and dying on the cross and
  • 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:13.562
  • Receiving the punishment that god intended for each of us.
  • 00:11:13.562 --> 00:11:16.999
  • Only by clinging to, trusting and putting your whole weight
  • 00:11:16.999 --> 00:11:20.703
  • Upon jesus christ is your heart stamped "forgiven," and you are
  • 00:11:20.703 --> 00:11:24.740
  • Welcomed into the presence of god.
  • 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:27.409
  • And notice what john said.
  • 00:11:27.409 --> 00:11:28.744
  • He said, "i've written these things so that you may know that
  • 00:11:28.744 --> 00:11:31.313
  • You have eternal life."
  • 00:11:31.313 --> 00:11:33.315
  • God doesn't want us to face death uncertain about
  • 00:11:33.315 --> 00:11:35.484
  • Our future.
  • 00:11:35.484 --> 00:11:36.819
  • He wants us to know with absolute certainty that we're
  • 00:11:36.819 --> 00:11:39.755
  • Gonna be welcomed.
  • 00:11:39.755 --> 00:11:41.090
  • You don't want any surprises on the other side of the grave.
  • 00:11:41.090 --> 00:11:44.627
  • God wants you to know right now.
  • 00:11:44.627 --> 00:11:48.030
  • A few years ago, northwest airlines, before they merged
  • 00:11:48.030 --> 00:11:50.733
  • With delta, had a promotional gimmick.
  • 00:11:50.733 --> 00:11:53.602
  • They called it a "mystery fare."
  • 00:11:53.602 --> 00:11:56.472
  • For $59, you could buy a ticket for a weekend trip on
  • 00:11:56.472 --> 00:11:59.675
  • Northwest airlines.
  • 00:11:59.675 --> 00:12:01.243
  • The catch was you didn't find out where you were going till
  • 00:12:01.243 --> 00:12:03.846
  • You got to the airport.
  • 00:12:03.846 --> 00:12:06.615
  • Interestingly, thousands of people bought into
  • 00:12:06.615 --> 00:12:09.385
  • This "mystery fare" idea.
  • 00:12:09.385 --> 00:12:10.719
  • I mean, after all, they reasoned, "fifty-nine bucks?
  • 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:12.755
  • A couple of days?
  • 00:12:12.755 --> 00:12:14.089
  • No great risk in that."
  • 00:12:14.089 --> 00:12:16.392
  • Most people were happy.
  • 00:12:16.392 --> 00:12:17.726
  • A few weren't that happy about their destination, but overall,
  • 00:12:17.726 --> 00:12:20.329
  • It was a success.
  • 00:12:20.329 --> 00:12:22.932
  • Now, mystery fares can be fun.
  • 00:12:22.932 --> 00:12:26.168
  • They can be interesting, but there is one day in your life
  • 00:12:26.168 --> 00:12:31.140
  • You don't wanna be holding a "mystery fare" ticket, and
  • 00:12:31.140 --> 00:12:35.845
  • That's the day of your death.
  • 00:12:35.845 --> 00:12:39.014
  • To face eternity without knowing with absolute certainty where
  • 00:12:39.014 --> 00:12:44.053
  • You are headed is a risk no sane person would take, and that's
  • 00:12:44.053 --> 00:12:50.759
  • Why it's important that you know now that you have the spiritual
  • 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:55.164
  • Passport you need to be welcomed into heaven.
  • 00:12:55.164 --> 00:12:57.566
  • If you wait to try to get your papers in order after you die,
  • 00:12:57.566 --> 00:13:00.402
  • You've waited too long.
  • 00:13:00.402 --> 00:13:02.905
  • That's the first step to prepare for our trip to heaven, but it's
  • 00:13:02.905 --> 00:13:07.343
  • The foundational step.
  • 00:13:07.343 --> 00:13:09.311
  • There are others we need to take as well, and that leads to step
  • 00:13:09.311 --> 00:13:12.014
  • Number two, live with a destination mind-set.
  • 00:13:12.014 --> 00:13:17.553
  • Live with a destination mind-set.
  • 00:13:17.553 --> 00:13:19.688
  • The fact is, we don't know when our departure to that place
  • 00:13:19.688 --> 00:13:22.591
  • Called heaven is, do we?
  • 00:13:22.591 --> 00:13:25.127
  • We don't know when it's going to be, and so that means we face an
  • 00:13:25.127 --> 00:13:28.330
  • Unusual responsibility of preparing for our trip to the
  • 00:13:28.330 --> 00:13:32.668
  • Next world while still living in this world.
  • 00:13:32.668 --> 00:13:37.806
  • God calls us to be residents of two worlds: the next world and
  • 00:13:37.806 --> 00:13:44.079
  • This world.
  • 00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:45.547
  • Now, make no mistake about it: our true
  • 00:13:45.547 --> 00:13:47.683
  • Citizenship is in heaven.
  • 00:13:47.683 --> 00:13:49.318
  • Philippians 3:20, says, "for we are citizens of heaven, where
  • 00:13:49.318 --> 00:13:52.888
  • The lord jesus christ lives.
  • 00:13:52.888 --> 00:13:55.257
  • And we are eagerly awaiting for him to return as our savior."
  • 00:13:55.257 --> 00:13:59.728
  • Our real citizenship is in that new country we're headed toward.
  • 00:13:59.728 --> 00:14:03.866
  • Nevertheless, god has left us here as well, and he's given us
  • 00:14:03.866 --> 00:14:07.169
  • Certain real responsibilities.
  • 00:14:07.169 --> 00:14:09.772
  • We have responsibilities with the family that god's entrusted
  • 00:14:09.772 --> 00:14:12.308
  • To us.
  • 00:14:12.308 --> 00:14:13.642
  • We have responsibilities at work.
  • 00:14:13.642 --> 00:14:15.878
  • And, of course, our greatest responsibility, 2 corinthians
  • 00:14:15.878 --> 00:14:18.981
  • 5:20, is to be ambassadors, to be representatives for christ,
  • 00:14:18.981 --> 00:14:23.252
  • To be god's mouthpieces urging people to be reconciled to god
  • 00:14:23.252 --> 00:14:27.222
  • Through faith in jesus.
  • 00:14:27.222 --> 00:14:29.491
  • So we actually have two responsibilities, preparing for
  • 00:14:29.491 --> 00:14:33.062
  • The next world while living in this world.
  • 00:14:33.062 --> 00:14:37.099
  • Admittedly, it's difficult to live in more than once place at
  • 00:14:37.099 --> 00:14:41.170
  • The same time.
  • 00:14:41.170 --> 00:14:44.039
  • About 30-some-odd years ago when we finished our ministry here in
  • 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:49.244
  • Dallas as--youth ministry here, i'd always known god had wanted
  • 00:14:49.244 --> 00:14:54.583
  • Me to be a pastor, and the day came when we got called to our
  • 00:14:54.583 --> 00:14:58.153
  • First church.
  • 00:14:58.153 --> 00:14:59.755
  • Little county seat church 90 miles west of here, the first
  • 00:14:59.755 --> 00:15:03.258
  • Baptist church of eastland.
  • 00:15:03.258 --> 00:15:05.394
  • So, amy and i pack up, and one weekend we went to preach in
  • 00:15:05.394 --> 00:15:08.897
  • View of a call, when they got to meet with me and listen to me
  • 00:15:08.897 --> 00:15:12.601
  • And then vote on whether they wanted to call me as pastor.
  • 00:15:12.601 --> 00:15:15.504
  • And so, it was so exciting, that sunday night.
  • 00:15:15.504 --> 00:15:18.107
  • I preached the best sermon i could preach, and then they
  • 00:15:18.107 --> 00:15:22.411
  • Ushered us into this small room and fed us pie while everybody
  • 00:15:22.411 --> 00:15:26.548
  • In the sanctuary remained and debated and deliberated over
  • 00:15:26.548 --> 00:15:30.552
  • Whether i was qualified to come as pastor.
  • 00:15:30.552 --> 00:15:34.289
  • Now, i remember when they came back in to get us and bring us
  • 00:15:34.289 --> 00:15:36.859
  • Back into the sanctuary and told us what the vote had been, that
  • 00:15:36.859 --> 00:15:40.596
  • They were voting to call us, i mean, i cannot tell you the
  • 00:15:40.596 --> 00:15:44.133
  • Excitement i felt.
  • 00:15:44.133 --> 00:15:46.368
  • Amy and i stood there that sunday evening and stood there
  • 00:15:46.368 --> 00:15:49.772
  • For several hours, it seemed like, as we greeted all of our
  • 00:15:49.772 --> 00:15:52.574
  • New congregants.
  • 00:15:52.574 --> 00:15:54.410
  • I mean, this is what we had been looking forward to, praying for,
  • 00:15:54.410 --> 00:15:58.380
  • Training for.
  • 00:15:58.380 --> 00:15:59.882
  • We went back to the little motel room that they had for us.
  • 00:15:59.882 --> 00:16:03.285
  • We were so excited, we couldn't sleep that night thinking about
  • 00:16:03.285 --> 00:16:06.121
  • What lay before us.
  • 00:16:06.121 --> 00:16:08.223
  • But then the next morning, monday morning, reality set in.
  • 00:16:08.223 --> 00:16:11.960
  • We had to drive back here to dallas, and we had a few weeks
  • 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:15.764
  • That we had to spend here, finishing up our work here.
  • 00:16:15.764 --> 00:16:19.868
  • You know, the strange thing is though, while we were working
  • 00:16:19.868 --> 00:16:22.204
  • Here, we were thinking about there.
  • 00:16:22.204 --> 00:16:24.807
  • We were living in both worlds.
  • 00:16:24.807 --> 00:16:26.375
  • We were working here but thinking about there.
  • 00:16:26.375 --> 00:16:30.979
  • And, you know, that's really a good illustration of what god
  • 00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:32.948
  • Has called us to do.
  • 00:16:32.948 --> 00:16:34.950
  • We're to be thinking about there and preparing for there, but we
  • 00:16:34.950 --> 00:16:38.821
  • Still have work to do here.
  • 00:16:38.821 --> 00:16:42.558
  • The bible talks about that "here-there" mentality.
  • 00:16:42.558 --> 00:16:47.262
  • Again, the bible emphasizes over and over again that "there" is
  • 00:16:47.262 --> 00:16:50.566
  • Our final destination.
  • 00:16:50.566 --> 00:16:52.434
  • In hebrews 11, verse 13, the writer says, "we are nothing but
  • 00:16:52.434 --> 00:16:56.105
  • Strangers and exiles on the earth."
  • 00:16:56.105 --> 00:16:59.041
  • In colossians 3:2, paul says, "set your mind on the things
  • 00:16:59.041 --> 00:17:02.578
  • Above, not on the things that are on the earth."
  • 00:17:02.578 --> 00:17:07.349
  • It means to live every day as if it were your last day before god
  • 00:17:07.349 --> 00:17:13.088
  • Calls you home, because one day it will be that day.
  • 00:17:13.088 --> 00:17:19.228
  • How do you prepare for your journey to heaven?
  • 00:17:19.228 --> 00:17:22.431
  • Number three, refuse to allow your departure to paralyze you
  • 00:17:22.431 --> 00:17:27.903
  • With fear.
  • 00:17:27.903 --> 00:17:29.238
  • There is no reason for us as christians to fear our journey
  • 00:17:29.238 --> 00:17:33.475
  • That we're all going to make to heaven.
  • 00:17:33.475 --> 00:17:36.311
  • No, and, yet, if we're honest, a lot of christians do
  • 00:17:36.311 --> 00:17:38.814
  • Fear that journey to heaven.
  • 00:17:38.814 --> 00:17:40.149
  • Maybe you're one of those.
  • 00:17:40.149 --> 00:17:42.117
  • Winston churchill, who certainly was agnostic, if not an atheist,
  • 00:17:42.117 --> 00:17:46.822
  • Said, at one point, "any man who says he's not afraid of death is
  • 00:17:46.822 --> 00:17:51.226
  • A liar."
  • 00:17:51.226 --> 00:17:52.728
  • Well, that's certainly true for non-christians, but it's even
  • 00:17:52.728 --> 00:17:56.265
  • True of some christians.
  • 00:17:56.265 --> 00:17:58.867
  • One reason they fear heaven, that journey to heaven, is they
  • 00:17:58.867 --> 00:18:02.437
  • Don't know much about it.
  • 00:18:02.437 --> 00:18:03.772
  • That's one reason i've preached these weeks on heaven, to give
  • 00:18:03.772 --> 00:18:06.975
  • You just an idea of what god has planned for you.
  • 00:18:06.975 --> 00:18:11.647
  • Some christians fear their departure to heaven, but let me
  • 00:18:11.647 --> 00:18:14.883
  • Share with you today two reasons a christian never needs to fear
  • 00:18:14.883 --> 00:18:19.087
  • His departure to heaven.
  • 00:18:19.087 --> 00:18:20.923
  • First of all, death is never premature.
  • 00:18:20.923 --> 00:18:26.461
  • If you're a christian today, you can write it down, bank on it,
  • 00:18:26.461 --> 00:18:31.767
  • You will not depart this world one second before god's
  • 00:18:31.767 --> 00:18:36.538
  • Departure time for you.
  • 00:18:36.538 --> 00:18:39.308
  • No christian leaves this world one second before god's
  • 00:18:39.308 --> 00:18:44.179
  • Appointed time.
  • 00:18:44.179 --> 00:18:46.715
  • We don't need to fear death.
  • 00:18:46.715 --> 00:18:48.050
  • First of all, death is never premature.
  • 00:18:48.050 --> 00:18:49.818
  • But there's a second reason not to fear death, and that is death
  • 00:18:49.818 --> 00:18:52.921
  • Is a necessary transition to heaven.
  • 00:18:52.921 --> 00:18:56.925
  • It's a necessary transition from this world to the next world.
  • 00:18:56.925 --> 00:19:01.296
  • Let me go back to my passport analogy for a moment.
  • 00:19:01.296 --> 00:19:04.967
  • When my so-called friend finally gave me my passport, and i
  • 00:19:04.967 --> 00:19:10.639
  • Presented it to that soviet guard, i had to go through this
  • 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:14.843
  • Little metal gate to go from one place to the next place.
  • 00:19:14.843 --> 00:19:20.415
  • As i went through that little metal gate and it opened up at
  • 00:19:20.415 --> 00:19:23.619
  • Passport control, did i dread going through that gate?
  • 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:28.590
  • No, i almost ran through that gate.
  • 00:19:28.590 --> 00:19:31.193
  • I was elated to be escaping the tyranny of the soviet union and
  • 00:19:31.193 --> 00:19:35.130
  • Head toward freedom.
  • 00:19:35.130 --> 00:19:37.566
  • Well, you know, the bible says death is like that gate.
  • 00:19:37.566 --> 00:19:41.270
  • It's a little narrow passageway we must go from to leave the
  • 00:19:41.270 --> 00:19:45.707
  • Tyranny of this world and experience the freedom god has
  • 00:19:45.707 --> 00:19:49.044
  • Planned for us.
  • 00:19:49.044 --> 00:19:50.379
  • Why would we fear going through that gate?
  • 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:52.848
  • It's what leads us to everything god has planned for us.
  • 00:19:52.848 --> 00:19:56.818
  • The apostle paul said it this way
  • 00:19:56.818 --> 00:19:58.420
  • In 1 corinthians 15:50, "now i say this, brethren, that flesh
  • 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:02.424
  • And blood cannot inherit the kingdom of god, nor does the
  • 00:20:02.424 --> 00:20:06.395
  • Perishable inherit the imperishable."
  • 00:20:06.395 --> 00:20:10.565
  • Paul was explaining why death is necessary for the christian.
  • 00:20:10.565 --> 00:20:15.203
  • One reason is we need a change of clothes in order to live and
  • 00:20:15.203 --> 00:20:19.007
  • Exist in the new world.
  • 00:20:19.007 --> 00:20:21.710
  • I was reading what some futurist said a few weeks ago.
  • 00:20:21.710 --> 00:20:24.980
  • He's predicting that in not that many years, many citizens of
  • 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:29.484
  • Earth are gonna be living on mars.
  • 00:20:29.484 --> 00:20:33.455
  • How does that strike you, living on mars?
  • 00:20:33.455 --> 00:20:36.391
  • That's what they're predicting.
  • 00:20:36.391 --> 00:20:38.026
  • That's what they say is gonna happen.
  • 00:20:38.026 --> 00:20:39.361
  • I don't know if that's gonna happen or not, but what i do
  • 00:20:39.361 --> 00:20:41.096
  • Know is this: if i'm gonna live on mars, the suit i'm wearing
  • 00:20:41.096 --> 00:20:46.635
  • Right here, right now, it's fine for dallas, texas, it's fine for
  • 00:20:46.635 --> 00:20:51.139
  • Planet earth, but this suit isn't gonna work on mars.
  • 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:55.610
  • I might put on a new suit, a space suit in order to exist in
  • 00:20:55.610 --> 00:20:59.614
  • That other world.
  • 00:20:59.614 --> 00:21:01.516
  • And the same thing is true for us spiritually.
  • 00:21:01.516 --> 00:21:04.353
  • This body that we're wearing right now that we're clothed in,
  • 00:21:04.353 --> 00:21:07.889
  • It's perfectly designed for this world.
  • 00:21:07.889 --> 00:21:10.359
  • Paul says it's totally unsuitable for the next world.
  • 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:13.328
  • Randy alcorn, in his book on heaven, uses another analogy to
  • 00:21:13.328 --> 00:21:18.033
  • Explain why christians don't need to fear death.
  • 00:21:18.033 --> 00:21:21.837
  • It's not the analogy of clothes.
  • 00:21:21.837 --> 00:21:24.506
  • It's the analogy of an unexpected party.
  • 00:21:24.506 --> 00:21:28.744
  • Randy writes, "suppose a friend invites you to a party where you
  • 00:21:28.744 --> 00:21:33.882
  • Know some people, but not many.
  • 00:21:33.882 --> 00:21:36.585
  • The food is adequate but nothing extraordinary.
  • 00:21:36.585 --> 00:21:39.588
  • You enjoy meeting some new people and visiting with a few
  • 00:21:39.588 --> 00:21:42.190
  • Familiar people you know.
  • 00:21:42.190 --> 00:21:44.760
  • Suddenly your friend announces it's time to leave.
  • 00:21:44.760 --> 00:21:48.130
  • Although you're not quite ready to leave, you acquiesce because
  • 00:21:48.130 --> 00:21:51.366
  • He's your ride home.
  • 00:21:51.366 --> 00:21:53.668
  • When your friend drops you off at your house, you place your
  • 00:21:53.668 --> 00:21:56.838
  • Key in the lock, and you turn the knob.
  • 00:21:56.838 --> 00:21:59.975
  • Just as you open the door, the lights suddenly come on, and
  • 00:21:59.975 --> 00:22:03.845
  • Everyone yells, 'surprise.'
  • 00:22:03.845 --> 00:22:07.616
  • Your family and your closest friends are there.
  • 00:22:07.616 --> 00:22:10.285
  • They've brought gifts and have covered your table with your
  • 00:22:10.285 --> 00:22:12.988
  • Favorite delicacies.
  • 00:22:12.988 --> 00:22:15.223
  • The first party was simply a ruse to get you out of the house
  • 00:22:15.223 --> 00:22:19.428
  • So that the second party could be organized.
  • 00:22:19.428 --> 00:22:22.731
  • Had you stayed at the first party, you would've missed the
  • 00:22:22.731 --> 00:22:25.867
  • Real party, the one at your home.
  • 00:22:25.867 --> 00:22:28.870
  • Life on earth is like the first party, pleasant enough, but at
  • 00:22:28.870 --> 00:22:35.177
  • Death, you open the doors to your true home and discover that
  • 00:22:35.177 --> 00:22:40.148
  • The real party is taking place there."
  • 00:22:40.148 --> 00:22:44.553
  • Isn't that good?
  • 00:22:44.553 --> 00:22:47.088
  • You know, i wish i could tell you, as a pastor, that every
  • 00:22:47.088 --> 00:22:49.624
  • Christian i've talked to, who faced death, knew his or her
  • 00:22:49.624 --> 00:22:53.862
  • Death was imminent, that they faced their death with great
  • 00:22:53.862 --> 00:22:56.598
  • Courage and great anticipation and great joy?
  • 00:22:56.598 --> 00:23:00.435
  • That wouldn't be honest.
  • 00:23:00.435 --> 00:23:03.004
  • Not every christian faces death that way.
  • 00:23:03.004 --> 00:23:07.375
  • I've talked to christians who were about to die, who expressed
  • 00:23:07.375 --> 00:23:10.378
  • Regret, regret over leaving the party too early, leaving family
  • 00:23:10.378 --> 00:23:16.151
  • And friends behind.
  • 00:23:16.151 --> 00:23:19.354
  • That's an honest emotion, but you know what?
  • 00:23:19.354 --> 00:23:23.058
  • Any regret they may have felt here on earth is temporary and
  • 00:23:23.058 --> 00:23:29.264
  • Will be more than compensated when they start experiencing the
  • 00:23:29.264 --> 00:23:34.102
  • Hilarity of heaven.
  • 00:23:34.102 --> 00:23:37.172
  • It's that hilarity of heaven that jesus had in mind, i think,
  • 00:23:37.172 --> 00:23:40.509
  • When he said in luke 6:21, "blessed," literally, "happy,"
  • 00:23:40.509 --> 00:23:45.647
  • "are those who weep now, for you shall laugh."
  • 00:23:45.647 --> 00:23:51.586
  • That's why no christian needs to fear death as he makes his way
  • 00:23:51.586 --> 00:23:56.057
  • Toward that place called heaven.
  • 00:23:56.057 --> 00:24:00.896
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:24:00.896 --> 00:24:04.132
  • Jeffress: imagine the glorious laughter we'll enjoy
  • 00:24:05.667 --> 00:24:08.036
  • Together when we reconvene in heaven as brothers and
  • 00:24:08.036 --> 00:24:11.740
  • Sisters in christ.
  • 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.608
  • I can hardly wait to see your stories as you describe how god
  • 00:24:13.608 --> 00:24:17.212
  • Faithfully brought you into your eternal home with him.
  • 00:24:17.212 --> 00:24:21.483
  • Now, i wanna take just a moment and thank you again for your
  • 00:24:21.483 --> 00:24:23.885
  • Generous support of pathway to victory.
  • 00:24:23.885 --> 00:24:27.022
  • Together, we are partnering to pierce the darkness with the
  • 00:24:27.022 --> 00:24:30.659
  • Light of god's word.
  • 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:33.261
  • Now, please, stay right there.
  • 00:24:33.261 --> 00:24:34.596
  • I'll be back in just a moment to describe what's ahead on the
  • 00:24:34.596 --> 00:24:37.198
  • Next episode of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:37.198 --> 00:24:41.503
  • Announcer: whether you're mourning someone you love or
  • 00:24:43.305 --> 00:24:45.340
  • Facing your own difficult season, grief can feel
  • 00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:48.510
  • Overwhelming.
  • 00:24:48.510 --> 00:24:49.844
  • But the bible tells us not to be discouraged, because this life
  • 00:24:49.844 --> 00:24:53.281
  • Is not the end.
  • 00:24:53.281 --> 00:24:54.616
  • Dr. robert jeffress wants to help lift your eyes from earth's
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  • Sorrows to heaven's certainty with "encouragement from a place
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  • Called heaven."
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  • Stunning photography, and powerful biblical truths you can
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  • Keep close during difficult times.
  • 00:25:09.364 --> 00:25:12.000
  • Jeffress: the greatest hope we have is the promise of heaven.
  • 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:15.537
  • In this book of encouragement, i wanna remind you what awaits us
  • 00:25:15.537 --> 00:25:18.740
  • After this life is over, not the myths and misconceptions tv and
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  • Movies tell us about, but what god's word has promised.
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  • Announcer: this padded hardcover book makes a thoughtful gift for
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  • Called heaven" when you give a generous gift to "pathway to
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  • Victory."
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  • Cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.675
  • Jeffress: it's not gonna be very long till we go to that place
  • 00:25:53.675 --> 00:25:55.510
  • Called heaven.
  • 00:25:55.510 --> 00:25:56.845
  • But knowing that our future is secure ought to be a motivation
  • 00:25:56.845 --> 00:26:01.082
  • For us to live the most effective lives for god that we
  • 00:26:01.082 --> 00:26:04.786
  • Can right now.
  • 00:26:04.786 --> 00:26:06.287
  • Announcer: your generosity empowers this ministry to pierce
  • 00:26:06.287 --> 00:26:09.124
  • The darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:26:09.124 --> 00:26:11.760
  • Jeffress: rich or poor, man or woman, all of us will face
  • 00:26:14.896 --> 00:26:17.399
  • Death someday.
  • 00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:19.134
  • There's no avoiding that, and how we lived during our brief
  • 00:26:19.134 --> 00:26:22.370
  • Years here on earth will have an irreversible impact on how we
  • 00:26:22.370 --> 00:26:26.675
  • Spend eternity.
  • 00:26:26.675 --> 00:26:28.443
  • Well, as we near the end of our series, my hope and prayer for
  • 00:26:28.443 --> 00:26:31.379
  • You is that any fear you may hold about death will instead
  • 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:35.517
  • Motivate you to prepare for that place called heaven.
  • 00:26:35.517 --> 00:26:39.287
  • And next time, we'll look at the final three steps in preparing
  • 00:26:39.287 --> 00:26:42.891
  • For our journey to heaven.
  • 00:26:42.891 --> 00:26:45.060
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
  • 00:26:45.060 --> 00:26:47.662
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:47.662 --> 00:26:51.199
  • Jeffress: most of us spend very little time doing those
  • 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:53.268
  • Things that we think are the most important.
  • 00:26:53.268 --> 00:26:56.304
  • That's why paul said, "make the most of your time."
  • 00:26:56.304 --> 00:26:58.973
  • The greek word "make the most" is a word literally that means
  • 00:26:58.973 --> 00:27:01.876
  • "buy up."
  • 00:27:01.876 --> 00:27:03.912
  • Somebody has said the difference between successful people and
  • 00:27:03.912 --> 00:27:06.848
  • Unsuccessful is their tender loving care for time.
  • 00:27:06.848 --> 00:27:13.421
  • Time is a precious commodity.
  • 00:27:13.421 --> 00:27:15.724
  • Announcer: set your dvr, and join us next time for part two
  • 00:27:15.724 --> 00:27:19.194
  • Of the message "how can i prepare for my journey to
  • 00:27:19.194 --> 00:27:22.564
  • Heaven?" here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:22.564 --> 00:27:22.564