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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - What Every Christian Should Know About Christlikeness (Part 1) | February 24, 2026
- Experience a journey that will refresh your spirit
- 00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:02.358
- And renew your faith
- 00:00:02.358 --> 00:00:03.760
- On the pathway to victory cruise to alaska,
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- June 13 through 20, 2026.
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- Sale aboard holland america's luxurious koningsdam
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- Through british columbia's beautiful inside passage.
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- From the pristine waters of glacier bay
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- To the charming frontier towns of juneau,
- 00:00:18.842 --> 00:00:21.444
- Ketchikan, and skagway,
- 00:00:21.444 --> 00:00:23.613
- You'll witness god's handiwork on full display.
- 00:00:23.613 --> 00:00:27.250
- Imagine standing on deck surrounded by towering glaciers
- 00:00:27.250 --> 00:00:30.553
- And snow-capped mountains
- 00:00:30.553 --> 00:00:32.222
- While enjoying powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
- 00:00:32.222 --> 00:00:35.391
- Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien,
- 00:00:35.391 --> 00:00:39.295
- And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg,
- 00:00:39.295 --> 00:00:41.898
- America's minister of encouragement.
- 00:00:41.898 --> 00:00:44.100
- This is more than just a vacation,
- 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:46.269
- It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
- 00:00:46.269 --> 00:00:49.706
- To reserve your cabin
- 00:00:49.706 --> 00:00:51.141
- On the 2026 pathway to victory cruise to alaska,
- 00:00:51.141 --> 00:00:53.910
- Call 888-280-6747
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- Or visit ptv.org.
- 00:00:57.213 --> 00:00:59.716
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:00:59.716 --> 00:01:05.155
- From the pulpit of the first baptist church
- 00:01:06.055 --> 00:01:08.191
- Of dallas, texas,
- 00:01:08.191 --> 00:01:09.692
- This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
- 00:01:09.692 --> 00:01:13.663
- Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
- 00:01:14.164 --> 00:01:15.465
- And welcome again to "pathway to victory".
- 00:01:15.465 --> 00:01:18.001
- Every christian wants to live a godly life that honors god,
- 00:01:18.001 --> 00:01:21.938
- But becoming like jesus requires more
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- Than just positive thinking or trying to be a better person,
- 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:27.744
- It takes spiritual effort
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- And cooperation with the holy spirit to make real progress.
- 00:01:29.345 --> 00:01:33.917
- Today i'm going to explain what it means
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- To become more like christ in your attitudes, your actions,
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- And your affections.
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- We're answering the question,
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- What every christian should know about christlikeness,
- 00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:46.529
- On today's edition of "pathway to victory".
- 00:01:46.529 --> 00:01:50.733
- ♪ music ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus in the beginning ♪
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- ♪ all creation knows his touch ♪
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- ♪ one with god and holy spirit ♪
- 00:02:06.716 --> 00:02:12.488
- ♪ word of heaven glorious ♪
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- ♪ and before the world's foundation ♪
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- ♪ stands the lamb already slain ♪
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- ♪ there is no one who is like him ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus, praise his name ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus laid in a manger ♪
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- ♪ infant savior, god with us ♪
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- ♪ sought by shepherds, sung by angels ♪
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- ♪ word incarnate, holy son ♪
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- ♪ oh, behold the promise given ♪
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- ♪ he has come to make a way ♪
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- ♪ wrapped in wonder, he is worshiped ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus born to save ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus healer and teacher ♪
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- ♪ reaching out to those in need ♪
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- ♪ hope and mercy to the broken ♪
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- ♪ love and comfort to the weak ♪
- 00:04:01.864 --> 00:04:07.470
- ♪ there is truth and there is power ♪
- 00:04:08.304 --> 00:04:14.043
- ♪ in his words, the way of life ♪
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- ♪ hear the whisper that is rising ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus, he is christ ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus, savior, redeemer ♪
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- ♪ perfect offering on a cross ♪
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- ♪ all our sins are placed upon him ♪
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- ♪ oh, the greatness of his love ♪
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- ♪ willingly he bares our sorrows ♪
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- ♪ calvary's lamb will bleed and die ♪
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- ♪ for the desperate lost without him ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus crucified ♪
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- ♪ music ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus, risen in victory ♪
- 00:05:41.164 --> 00:05:46.736
- ♪ night has ended, dawn has come ♪
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- ♪ shout the news of resurrection ♪
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- ♪ death is conquered, life has won ♪
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- ♪ and one day, the song of heaven ♪
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- ♪ will be led by the redeemed ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus, king of kings ♪
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- ♪ king of kings ♪
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- ♪ king of kings ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus ♪
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- (crowd applauding)
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- Do you ever feel uncertain about what you believe
- 00:06:59.208 --> 00:07:02.011
- Or struggle to put your faith into words?
- 00:07:02.011 --> 00:07:04.413
- In a world where truth shifts with every cultural trend,
- 00:07:04.413 --> 00:07:08.150
- Christians need solid ground to stand on.
- 00:07:08.150 --> 00:07:10.853
- In "what every christian should know",
- 00:07:10.853 --> 00:07:12.588
- Dr. robert jeffress equips you
- 00:07:12.588 --> 00:07:14.123
- To understand 10 core doctrines of christianity.
- 00:07:14.123 --> 00:07:17.226
- Build your faith and your families
- 00:07:17.226 --> 00:07:18.995
- On biblical truth that never changes.
- 00:07:18.995 --> 00:07:21.531
- Request "what every christian should know"
- 00:07:21.531 --> 00:07:23.432
- When you give a generous gift
- 00:07:23.432 --> 00:07:24.867
- To support the ministry of "pathway to victory".
- 00:07:24.867 --> 00:07:28.137
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:07:28.137 --> 00:07:33.976
- Is there any more daunting word
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- In the christian vocabulary than christlikeness?
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- We are to become like jesus christ.
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- I mean, just think about it.
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- What father do you know would say to their young son
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- As he goes out for his first peewee basketball game,
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- Son, when you're out on that court,
- 00:07:54.931 --> 00:07:56.832
- I want to see some michael jordan likeness in you?
- 00:07:56.832 --> 00:08:00.770
- Or imagine a tennis instructor
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- Handing a racket to a first-time tennis player
- 00:08:03.773 --> 00:08:06.776
- And saying to the girl, now, when you're out there,
- 00:08:06.776 --> 00:08:09.278
- Let others see serena williams in you.
- 00:08:09.278 --> 00:08:12.615
- And yet we tell people they are to become like jesus christ.
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- Today we're going to see such a goal as not only desirable,
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- It's possible.
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- Today, as we continue looking
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- At the 10 historic beliefs of christianity,
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- We've come to that ninth pillar of truth,
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- What every christian should know about christlikeness.
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- If you have your bibles, turn to romans 8.
- 00:08:39.575 --> 00:08:42.478
- There is a word for christlikeness in theology,
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- It's called sanctification.
- 00:08:46.482 --> 00:08:49.118
- And on your outline,
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- I've given you a definition of sanctification.
- 00:08:50.486 --> 00:08:52.421
- It's the process by which god molds our actions,
- 00:08:52.421 --> 00:08:57.259
- Attitudes, and affections to resemble jesus christ.
- 00:08:57.259 --> 00:09:02.164
- It's the process that god molds our actions, attitudes,
- 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:06.769
- And affections to resemble jesus christ.
- 00:09:06.769 --> 00:09:10.706
- You know, so many christians want to know,
- 00:09:10.706 --> 00:09:12.308
- What is god's will for my life?
- 00:09:12.308 --> 00:09:13.876
- I hear that all the time.
- 00:09:13.876 --> 00:09:15.111
- How can i know god's will for my life?
- 00:09:15.111 --> 00:09:17.613
- There's no better passage of scripture
- 00:09:17.613 --> 00:09:19.448
- That tells you god's will for your life than this one,
- 00:09:19.448 --> 00:09:22.652
- Romans 8:28-29.
- 00:09:22.652 --> 00:09:25.421
- And by the way, you can't separate the two verses,
- 00:09:25.421 --> 00:09:28.758
- The two verses are inseparable.
- 00:09:28.758 --> 00:09:31.927
- Romans 8 begins with a promise, verse 28,
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- And here's the promise.
- 00:09:35.865 --> 00:09:37.299
- "and we know that god causes all things
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- To work together for good
- 00:09:40.736 --> 00:09:42.638
- To those who love god,
- 00:09:42.638 --> 00:09:44.440
- To those who are called according to his purpose."
- 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:48.678
- This is probably the most loved,
- 00:09:48.678 --> 00:09:50.980
- But most misunderstood promise in all of the bible.
- 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:54.750
- People really don't understand what this is promising
- 00:09:54.750 --> 00:09:57.553
- And what it's not promising.
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- This promise, for example, is not claiming
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- That all things are good.
- 00:10:02.591 --> 00:10:04.894
- It's ridiculous to try to tell people all things are good.
- 00:10:06.062 --> 00:10:08.664
- Imagine how hardhearted that would be to tell parents
- 00:10:08.664 --> 00:10:12.401
- Who have had a child who has been murdered,
- 00:10:12.401 --> 00:10:15.071
- Oh, well, that's really a good thing that happened,
- 00:10:15.071 --> 00:10:18.040
- Or to tell somebody who's been abused by his or her parents,
- 00:10:18.040 --> 00:10:21.544
- Oh, that abuse, that's really a good thing.
- 00:10:21.544 --> 00:10:25.114
- Isaiah the prophet said,
- 00:10:25.114 --> 00:10:26.415
- "woe to those who call good evil and evil good.
- 00:10:26.415 --> 00:10:31.187
- Everything is not good that happens to you.
- 00:10:31.187 --> 00:10:34.223
- There are some things that happen
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- That are nothing but absolute evil.
- 00:10:35.758 --> 00:10:39.295
- All things are good is not what this passage is saying,
- 00:10:39.295 --> 00:10:43.299
- Nor this passage is saying, we can see good in all things.
- 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:47.303
- We have this little saying,
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- There's a silver lining in every cloud.
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- The idea is if you look
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- At a horrible circumstance long enough,
- 00:10:52.675 --> 00:10:54.810
- You can find some good in everything that happened.
- 00:10:54.810 --> 00:11:00.015
- When my brother and sister and i were growing up,
- 00:11:01.016 --> 00:11:03.285
- Our parents were both strong christians
- 00:11:03.285 --> 00:11:05.588
- And they would try to extend our horizon
- 00:11:05.588 --> 00:11:08.424
- When we were having a difficult time
- 00:11:08.424 --> 00:11:10.259
- To show us god had a good purpose,
- 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:12.695
- And they would say things like, if we lost a contest,
- 00:11:12.695 --> 00:11:15.631
- "well, god's going to use that loss
- 00:11:15.631 --> 00:11:17.566
- To help you win the next one."
- 00:11:17.566 --> 00:11:19.468
- Or if we lost a girlfriend,
- 00:11:19.468 --> 00:11:21.670
- "well, god has something better for you.
- 00:11:21.670 --> 00:11:24.273
- Just be patient and you'll see."
- 00:11:24.273 --> 00:11:26.509
- Or if we missed an airplane flight,
- 00:11:26.509 --> 00:11:28.911
- "well, you know what?
- 00:11:28.911 --> 00:11:30.479
- God may have known that plane was going to crash and burn
- 00:11:30.479 --> 00:11:32.481
- And everybody was going to be killed."
- 00:11:32.481 --> 00:11:34.717
- I always wondered, how did that work out
- 00:11:34.717 --> 00:11:36.085
- For the people who did make the flight?
- 00:11:36.085 --> 00:11:37.820
- But i understood what they were trying to do,
- 00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:40.723
- They were trying to say, don't draw a conclusion yet,
- 00:11:40.723 --> 00:11:44.493
- There may be some good later on.
- 00:11:44.493 --> 00:11:46.228
- But i found as an adult
- 00:11:46.228 --> 00:11:48.898
- There are some things you can never see any good in.
- 00:11:48.898 --> 00:11:51.233
- In fact, you may die without seeing any good.
- 00:11:51.233 --> 00:11:54.804
- Well, then what is this promise?
- 00:11:54.804 --> 00:11:57.473
- There is a promise of a purpose that's found in verse 29.
- 00:11:57.473 --> 00:12:01.277
- "all things are working together for good."
- 00:12:01.277 --> 00:12:04.013
- What is the good all things are working together for?
- 00:12:04.013 --> 00:12:06.715
- Look at verse 29.
- 00:12:06.715 --> 00:12:08.050
- "for those whom god foreknew,
- 00:12:08.050 --> 00:12:10.452
- He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son
- 00:12:10.452 --> 00:12:15.724
- So that his son would be the firstborn
- 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:18.360
- Among many brethren."
- 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:20.529
- This promise is a promise that, first of all,
- 00:12:20.529 --> 00:12:23.132
- God has a purpose for your life.
- 00:12:23.132 --> 00:12:25.935
- God is working all things together for good
- 00:12:25.935 --> 00:12:28.871
- And that good is god's purpose.
- 00:12:28.871 --> 00:12:31.807
- You can't separate the good from the purpose.
- 00:12:31.807 --> 00:12:35.010
- And what is that purpose
- 00:12:35.010 --> 00:12:36.478
- That all things you're working together for?
- 00:12:36.478 --> 00:12:38.781
- Let me give you a hint.
- 00:12:38.781 --> 00:12:40.049
- It's not a full bank account.
- 00:12:40.049 --> 00:12:42.284
- It's not a satisfying marriage.
- 00:12:42.284 --> 00:12:44.486
- It is not a healthy life.
- 00:12:44.486 --> 00:12:46.622
- It is not a successful career.
- 00:12:46.622 --> 00:12:48.490
- There is one thing god is working all things together for,
- 00:12:48.490 --> 00:12:52.394
- And that is to make you like his son, jesus christ,
- 00:12:52.394 --> 00:12:56.065
- To conform you to the image of his son,
- 00:12:56.065 --> 00:12:58.834
- That's sanctification.
- 00:12:58.834 --> 00:13:00.669
- You see, the bible says, "god had a son, his name was jesus,
- 00:13:00.669 --> 00:13:05.407
- And god absolutely delighted in his son.
- 00:13:05.407 --> 00:13:08.510
- This is my beloved son in whom i'm well pleased."
- 00:13:08.510 --> 00:13:12.348
- And god decided he loved his son jesus so much,
- 00:13:12.348 --> 00:13:15.417
- He didn't want to have just one child,
- 00:13:15.417 --> 00:13:17.987
- He wanted to have many children,
- 00:13:17.987 --> 00:13:20.489
- Many men and women who looked just like jesus,
- 00:13:20.489 --> 00:13:25.394
- Who had the same devotion to him that jesus did.
- 00:13:25.394 --> 00:13:29.398
- And that's what god is doing right now,
- 00:13:29.398 --> 00:13:31.200
- He's creating a group of people
- 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:33.569
- Who are conformed to the image of his son.
- 00:13:33.569 --> 00:13:37.206
- God has a purpose for your life,
- 00:13:37.206 --> 00:13:39.675
- And you'll never understand your life
- 00:13:39.675 --> 00:13:41.410
- Until you understand that purpose.
- 00:13:41.410 --> 00:13:42.811
- Secondly, god's purpose includes all things.
- 00:13:42.811 --> 00:13:46.849
- God causes all things to work together.
- 00:13:46.849 --> 00:13:49.785
- Now, it's easy to see how god uses good things
- 00:13:49.785 --> 00:13:52.321
- To produce good things,
- 00:13:52.321 --> 00:13:54.623
- But what about those unwanted divorces?
- 00:13:54.623 --> 00:13:58.260
- What about an undeserved termination?
- 00:13:58.260 --> 00:14:01.130
- What about an unexpected illness?
- 00:14:01.130 --> 00:14:04.600
- God can use bad things, terrible things,
- 00:14:05.434 --> 00:14:09.505
- To accomplish that purpose as well.
- 00:14:09.505 --> 00:14:12.541
- Randy alcorn, the popular writer,
- 00:14:12.541 --> 00:14:15.377
- Says that his mother baked cakes often,
- 00:14:15.377 --> 00:14:18.948
- And one day when he was a little boy,
- 00:14:18.948 --> 00:14:20.950
- He went into the kitchen
- 00:14:20.950 --> 00:14:22.384
- And saw all the ingredients for the cake laid out,
- 00:14:22.384 --> 00:14:25.387
- The flour, the salt, the eggs, and the sugar.
- 00:14:25.387 --> 00:14:28.557
- He said he tasted each one of those ingredients individually
- 00:14:28.557 --> 00:14:33.896
- And he said, "except for the sugar,
- 00:14:34.663 --> 00:14:35.564
- They all tasted horrible."
- 00:14:35.564 --> 00:14:37.733
- And yet, when you took those horrible-tasting ingredients
- 00:14:37.733 --> 00:14:41.870
- And mixed them together,
- 00:14:41.870 --> 00:14:43.639
- They turned into something delicious.
- 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:46.575
- That's what god is doing in your life.
- 00:14:47.409 --> 00:14:49.211
- He's using just good things,
- 00:14:49.211 --> 00:14:51.313
- But the terrible things in your life.
- 00:14:51.313 --> 00:14:54.016
- In fact, it's usually those hard things,
- 00:14:54.016 --> 00:14:57.252
- Those difficult things,
- 00:14:57.252 --> 00:14:58.654
- That do the most into shaping you
- 00:14:58.654 --> 00:15:01.090
- Into the image of jesus christ.
- 00:15:01.090 --> 00:15:03.492
- Aw tozer has said, "if god has singled you out
- 00:15:03.492 --> 00:15:06.895
- To be a special object of his grace,
- 00:15:06.895 --> 00:15:09.765
- You may expect him to honor you with stricter discipline
- 00:15:09.765 --> 00:15:13.335
- And greater suffering than less favored ones
- 00:15:13.335 --> 00:15:16.438
- Who are called upon to endure.
- 00:15:16.438 --> 00:15:18.841
- If god sets out to make an unusual christian out of you,
- 00:15:18.841 --> 00:15:23.312
- He's not as likely to be as gentle
- 00:15:23.312 --> 00:15:25.614
- As he's usually pictured to be by the popular teachers."
- 00:15:25.614 --> 00:15:29.818
- Now, get this.
- 00:15:29.818 --> 00:15:31.053
- "a sculptor does not use a manicure set
- 00:15:31.053 --> 00:15:35.591
- To reduce the rude, unshapely marble to a thing of beauty.
- 00:15:35.591 --> 00:15:40.095
- The saw, the hammer, the chisel are cruel tool,
- 00:15:40.095 --> 00:15:44.333
- But without them,
- 00:15:44.333 --> 00:15:45.601
- The rough stone must remain forever formless
- 00:15:45.601 --> 00:15:49.471
- And unbeautiful."
- 00:15:49.471 --> 00:15:51.073
- And then his favorite line,
- 00:15:51.073 --> 00:15:53.008
- "it is doubtful that god can use any person greatly
- 00:15:53.008 --> 00:15:57.746
- Until he has hurt him deeply."
- 00:15:57.746 --> 00:16:00.983
- There's some of you who are experiencing the hard blows
- 00:16:02.117 --> 00:16:05.988
- Of the hammer and the chisel in your life.
- 00:16:05.988 --> 00:16:08.991
- God is using that to shape you into the image of his son.
- 00:16:10.125 --> 00:16:13.862
- Just look at what he did with his first son, jesus.
- 00:16:13.862 --> 00:16:17.132
- Hebrews 5:8 says about jesus, "though he was a son,
- 00:16:17.132 --> 00:16:21.770
- He learned obedience by the things that he suffered."
- 00:16:21.770 --> 00:16:26.642
- Now, that's on my list of things to ask god about.
- 00:16:27.676 --> 00:16:30.079
- There are a lot of verses i don't understand,
- 00:16:30.079 --> 00:16:32.147
- And that's one of them.
- 00:16:32.147 --> 00:16:33.682
- How could jesus, the perfect son of god, learn anything?
- 00:16:33.682 --> 00:16:37.086
- Why did he need to learn obedience?
- 00:16:37.086 --> 00:16:38.754
- I don't understand that,
- 00:16:38.754 --> 00:16:40.022
- But what i do understand is god used hard things
- 00:16:40.022 --> 00:16:44.560
- In jesus' life.
- 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:46.161
- Betrayal by friends,
- 00:16:46.161 --> 00:16:48.597
- Persecution, torture,
- 00:16:49.098 --> 00:16:51.400
- Ultimately death,
- 00:16:51.400 --> 00:16:52.634
- He used all of those things
- 00:16:52.634 --> 00:16:54.403
- To accomplish his purpose in jesus' life.
- 00:16:54.403 --> 00:16:57.072
- And if god's plan for his first son included suffering,
- 00:16:57.072 --> 00:17:01.577
- Why are we surprised
- 00:17:01.577 --> 00:17:03.679
- When god's plan for our life includes suffering as well?
- 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:07.916
- God uses all things for his purpose.
- 00:17:07.916 --> 00:17:10.886
- Have you discovered it's during those difficult times
- 00:17:10.886 --> 00:17:15.190
- That you learn the most important lessons in life?
- 00:17:15.190 --> 00:17:18.193
- It's not in the easy times, it's in those difficult times.
- 00:17:18.193 --> 00:17:21.930
- God uses all things.
- 00:17:21.930 --> 00:17:23.499
- And thirdly, god is in control of all that happens to you.
- 00:17:23.499 --> 00:17:27.236
- Now, the king james version does not capture
- 00:17:27.236 --> 00:17:29.471
- What this verse is really saying.
- 00:17:29.471 --> 00:17:31.140
- There's a little difference.
- 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.674
- The king james says, "all things work together for good
- 00:17:32.674 --> 00:17:36.011
- To those who love god."
- 00:17:36.011 --> 00:17:37.412
- And it's almost like saying, well, somehow magically,
- 00:17:37.412 --> 00:17:40.182
- Everything combines together to work out for good.
- 00:17:40.182 --> 00:17:42.818
- No, the new american standard captures it best,
- 00:17:42.818 --> 00:17:46.455
- "and we know that god causes all things
- 00:17:46.455 --> 00:17:50.626
- To work together for good."
- 00:17:50.626 --> 00:17:52.161
- God is the one who is in control,
- 00:17:52.161 --> 00:17:54.530
- He is the one who has the hammer and the chisel.
- 00:17:54.530 --> 00:17:57.966
- God is in control,
- 00:17:57.966 --> 00:17:59.535
- And that means there is absolutely nothing
- 00:17:59.535 --> 00:18:03.005
- That comes into your life that is not a part of god's plan.
- 00:18:03.005 --> 00:18:07.476
- Everything is according to god's plan.
- 00:18:07.476 --> 00:18:10.279
- Isn't that what you see throughout scripture?
- 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:12.648
- Psalm 139:16 says,
- 00:18:12.648 --> 00:18:14.917
- "and in your book were written all the days
- 00:18:14.917 --> 00:18:18.587
- That were ordained for me
- 00:18:18.587 --> 00:18:20.389
- When there was not yet one of them."
- 00:18:20.389 --> 00:18:22.491
- Every day of your life was ordained by god,
- 00:18:22.491 --> 00:18:25.627
- It was written in his book.
- 00:18:25.627 --> 00:18:27.396
- There is nothing that happens to you
- 00:18:27.396 --> 00:18:29.698
- That takes god by surprise.
- 00:18:29.698 --> 00:18:31.800
- Proverbs 16:9 says, "the mind of a man plans his way,
- 00:18:31.800 --> 00:18:36.104
- But the lord directs his steps."
- 00:18:36.104 --> 00:18:38.607
- We plan what we think we're going to do,
- 00:18:38.607 --> 00:18:41.310
- But god's ultimately the one who's ordering our steps,
- 00:18:41.310 --> 00:18:44.613
- Or as somebody said, "he orders our steps, our missteps,
- 00:18:44.613 --> 00:18:48.717
- And our stumbles."
- 00:18:48.717 --> 00:18:50.652
- Now, i know that raises a lot of questions
- 00:18:50.652 --> 00:18:52.854
- About our free will and god's sovereignty.
- 00:18:52.854 --> 00:18:56.758
- And please understand,
- 00:18:56.758 --> 00:18:58.126
- I'm not saying that god creates evil in your life,
- 00:18:58.126 --> 00:19:00.696
- God is the author of evil in your life,
- 00:19:00.696 --> 00:19:03.565
- But what i am saying is nothing comes into your life
- 00:19:03.565 --> 00:19:06.902
- Without god's permission.
- 00:19:06.902 --> 00:19:08.670
- And god uses everything that comes,
- 00:19:08.670 --> 00:19:11.373
- The good, the bad, and the ugly,
- 00:19:11.373 --> 00:19:13.275
- To mold you into the image of his son.
- 00:19:13.275 --> 00:19:16.211
- And that ought to be a comforting thought to you and me.
- 00:19:16.211 --> 00:19:19.748
- You know, people want to argue, even christians,
- 00:19:19.748 --> 00:19:21.917
- About the sovereignty of god.
- 00:19:21.917 --> 00:19:24.353
- They want to think everything that happens to them
- 00:19:24.353 --> 00:19:26.488
- Is simply a matter of their choice.
- 00:19:26.488 --> 00:19:29.258
- Does it bring any comfort to you
- 00:19:29.258 --> 00:19:31.193
- To know that you're just a victim of random people
- 00:19:31.193 --> 00:19:34.563
- And random circumstances
- 00:19:34.563 --> 00:19:36.498
- And that if a cancer cell wants to metastasize,
- 00:19:36.498 --> 00:19:39.935
- It can on its own,
- 00:19:39.935 --> 00:19:41.737
- Or if somebody hits you, a drunk driver, that's too bad,
- 00:19:41.737 --> 00:19:45.641
- Or if somebody decides
- 00:19:45.641 --> 00:19:47.643
- They don't want you in the company any longer,
- 00:19:47.643 --> 00:19:49.544
- That's too bad?
- 00:19:49.544 --> 00:19:50.712
- That's just what happens to people.
- 00:19:50.712 --> 00:19:52.714
- Does that give you comfort
- 00:19:52.714 --> 00:19:54.216
- Or does it give you comfort
- 00:19:54.216 --> 00:19:55.717
- To know there is a god who's in control of everything?
- 00:19:55.717 --> 00:19:58.787
- There is nothing happening to you
- 00:19:58.787 --> 00:20:00.789
- That does not happen by the ordained plan of god.
- 00:20:00.789 --> 00:20:03.659
- Some of my favorite words
- 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:05.494
- About god's sovereignty in our life
- 00:20:05.494 --> 00:20:08.263
- Comes from the late pastor donald grey barnhouse.
- 00:20:08.263 --> 00:20:11.700
- He said, "there is no will or active creatures,
- 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:15.070
- Men, angels, or demons,
- 00:20:15.070 --> 00:20:16.638
- That can do anything other than work for our good.
- 00:20:16.638 --> 00:20:20.475
- No dog can bark against us,
- 00:20:20.475 --> 00:20:23.011
- No man can act or speak against us,
- 00:20:23.011 --> 00:20:25.380
- No sinister plot of evil can be against us,
- 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:28.650
- But all must be for our good.
- 00:20:28.650 --> 00:20:31.119
- There is no phenomenon of nature,
- 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:33.555
- Fire, flood, storm, earthquake,
- 00:20:33.555 --> 00:20:36.124
- That can work us ultimate ill.
- 00:20:36.124 --> 00:20:39.027
- The law of gravity cannot cause anything to fall on us
- 00:20:39.027 --> 00:20:43.532
- Unless it has first been sifted through the will of god
- 00:20:43.532 --> 00:20:47.002
- And his purpose for our good."
- 00:20:47.002 --> 00:20:48.570
- Isn't that great?
- 00:20:48.570 --> 00:20:50.105
- That's the promise.
- 00:20:50.105 --> 00:20:51.840
- God causes all things to work together for good.
- 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:56.311
- Now, we've seen the purpose of sanctification,
- 00:20:56.311 --> 00:20:59.047
- To mold us into the image of christ.
- 00:20:59.047 --> 00:21:01.450
- Let's talk about the process of sanctification.
- 00:21:01.450 --> 00:21:03.785
- How does god make us like christ?
- 00:21:03.785 --> 00:21:07.456
- You know, somebody has said,
- 00:21:07.456 --> 00:21:08.757
- "justification is the work of the moment,
- 00:21:08.757 --> 00:21:11.760
- But sanctification is the work of a lifetime."
- 00:21:11.760 --> 00:21:15.330
- Justification, remember, is what happens
- 00:21:15.330 --> 00:21:17.632
- When we trust in christ as our savior.
- 00:21:17.632 --> 00:21:20.335
- The moment we put our faith in christ,
- 00:21:20.335 --> 00:21:22.804
- God declares us not guilty,
- 00:21:22.804 --> 00:21:25.374
- Not guilty.
- 00:21:25.374 --> 00:21:27.242
- We are never more justified
- 00:21:27.242 --> 00:21:29.444
- Than we are at the moment of our salvation.
- 00:21:29.444 --> 00:21:31.680
- 50 years later, we are as justified as we've ever been.
- 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:36.084
- Justification is instantaneous,
- 00:21:36.084 --> 00:21:39.254
- But sanctification,
- 00:21:39.254 --> 00:21:40.789
- The process by which we become like christ,
- 00:21:40.789 --> 00:21:43.191
- Starts the moment of our salvation
- 00:21:43.191 --> 00:21:45.527
- And it continues until the day of our death.
- 00:21:45.527 --> 00:21:48.397
- Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this very thing,
- 00:21:48.397 --> 00:21:51.266
- That he who began the good work in you
- 00:21:51.266 --> 00:21:53.702
- Will complete it until the day of christ jesus."
- 00:21:53.702 --> 00:21:57.873
- So, how does this process work?
- 00:21:57.873 --> 00:21:59.441
- Exactly who's responsible for making me like christ?
- 00:21:59.441 --> 00:22:02.844
- Well, first of all, we have a responsibility.
- 00:22:02.844 --> 00:22:05.981
- You know, these christians who go around and say,
- 00:22:05.981 --> 00:22:07.382
- "well, i couldn't save myself,
- 00:22:07.382 --> 00:22:09.151
- I can't sanctify myself,
- 00:22:09.151 --> 00:22:10.752
- I'm just going to let go and let god.
- 00:22:10.752 --> 00:22:12.554
- I'm not going to exert any effort whatsoever.
- 00:22:12.554 --> 00:22:15.424
- It's up to god, it's his responsibility."
- 00:22:15.424 --> 00:22:17.926
- No.
- 00:22:17.926 --> 00:22:18.960
- Galatians 5:16 says,
- 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.595
- "but i say to you, you walk by the spirit
- 00:22:20.595 --> 00:22:24.032
- And you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."
- 00:22:24.032 --> 00:22:27.235
- Ephesians 4:22, "in reference to your former manner of life,
- 00:22:27.235 --> 00:22:31.039
- You lay aside the old self."
- 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:33.675
- Or colossians 3:8, we'll look at in a moment,
- 00:22:33.675 --> 00:22:35.844
- "but now you also put them all aside,
- 00:22:35.844 --> 00:22:38.747
- Anger, wrath, malice," and so forth.
- 00:22:38.747 --> 00:22:41.249
- We have a responsibility in our sanctification,
- 00:22:41.249 --> 00:22:45.353
- But god has a responsibility as well.
- 00:22:45.353 --> 00:22:48.290
- Those who try to do this in their own strength
- 00:22:48.290 --> 00:22:50.392
- Will be unsuccessful.
- 00:22:50.392 --> 00:22:52.093
- Jesus said in john 15:5,
- 00:22:52.093 --> 00:22:54.963
- "apart from me, you can do nothing."
- 00:22:54.963 --> 00:22:58.967
- So is it my responsibility or god's responsibility?
- 00:22:58.967 --> 00:23:02.971
- It is a joint responsibility,
- 00:23:02.971 --> 00:23:05.407
- Our sanctification.
- 00:23:05.407 --> 00:23:06.942
- God alone can save us,
- 00:23:06.942 --> 00:23:09.044
- But we and god together cooperate
- 00:23:09.044 --> 00:23:11.580
- To make us more like christ.
- 00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:14.282
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:14.282 --> 00:23:18.153
- Becoming like jesus christ is a lifelong journey
- 00:23:19.154 --> 00:23:22.090
- That requires both god's supernatural power
- 00:23:22.090 --> 00:23:25.126
- And our intentional effort.
- 00:23:25.126 --> 00:23:27.662
- And i hope today's message encourages you
- 00:23:27.662 --> 00:23:29.831
- To keep pressing forward in your walk with the lord.
- 00:23:29.831 --> 00:23:33.802
- Before we wrap up,
- 00:23:33.802 --> 00:23:35.136
- I want to share a note i received from karen.
- 00:23:35.136 --> 00:23:37.572
- She wrote, "while channel-flipping through the tv,
- 00:23:37.572 --> 00:23:40.575
- There was a moment that i heard you say something
- 00:23:40.575 --> 00:23:43.211
- That made me stop and listen.
- 00:23:43.211 --> 00:23:45.447
- It stuck with me so much
- 00:23:45.447 --> 00:23:47.015
- That the next morning i watched 'pathway to victory' again,
- 00:23:47.015 --> 00:23:50.519
- And i knew beyond all doubt
- 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:52.287
- That the holy spirit was speaking to me.
- 00:23:52.287 --> 00:23:54.890
- You showed me that even though i was saved,
- 00:23:54.890 --> 00:23:57.259
- I was not walking with the god who saved me.
- 00:23:57.259 --> 00:24:00.228
- That day, i rededicated my life to jesus.
- 00:24:00.228 --> 00:24:04.065
- Immediately, i felt peace pour over me
- 00:24:04.065 --> 00:24:06.868
- And a joy that i had not felt since childhood entered me.
- 00:24:06.868 --> 00:24:10.939
- Your teachings have opened my eyes and heart
- 00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:13.542
- And given me a hunger to be closer to the lord."
- 00:24:13.542 --> 00:24:17.512
- Well, karen, thank you for sharing that powerful testimony.
- 00:24:17.512 --> 00:24:21.116
- And to everyone who supports "pathway to victory",
- 00:24:21.116 --> 00:24:23.852
- Our faithful partnership makes it possible
- 00:24:23.852 --> 00:24:26.221
- For us to reach people just like karen.
- 00:24:26.221 --> 00:24:29.090
- Together we are piercing the darkness
- 00:24:29.090 --> 00:24:32.294
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:24:32.294 --> 00:24:34.596
- Now please stay right there,
- 00:24:34.596 --> 00:24:35.864
- I'll be back with more in just a moment.
- 00:24:35.864 --> 00:24:39.000
- When everything around you is shifting,
- 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:41.303
- When friends question your beliefs,
- 00:24:41.303 --> 00:24:43.538
- When you hear something that doesn't sound right,
- 00:24:43.538 --> 00:24:45.707
- But don't know what to say,
- 00:24:45.707 --> 00:24:47.475
- You need confidence in what you believe
- 00:24:47.475 --> 00:24:49.611
- And why you believe it.
- 00:24:49.611 --> 00:24:51.112
- In "what every christian should know",
- 00:24:51.112 --> 00:24:53.315
- Dr. robert jeffress gives you a biblical foundation
- 00:24:53.315 --> 00:24:56.484
- You and your family can build your faith upon.
- 00:24:56.484 --> 00:24:59.287
- You'll discover practical truth
- 00:24:59.287 --> 00:25:01.189
- That deepens your relationship with god
- 00:25:01.189 --> 00:25:03.592
- And strengthens your confidence in what you believe.
- 00:25:03.592 --> 00:25:06.461
- If you've ever struggled to put your faith into words,
- 00:25:06.461 --> 00:25:09.497
- You're not alone.
- 00:25:09.497 --> 00:25:10.799
- Many christians find it difficult to do so,
- 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:13.768
- But when we're uncertain about the basics,
- 00:25:13.768 --> 00:25:16.237
- We can become vulnerable to false teaching.
- 00:25:16.237 --> 00:25:19.174
- In my book, "what every christian should know",
- 00:25:19.174 --> 00:25:21.810
- I'll walk you through 10 essential truths of christianity,
- 00:25:21.810 --> 00:25:25.547
- Explaining not just what the bible teaches,
- 00:25:25.547 --> 00:25:28.249
- But why it matters for your life today.
- 00:25:28.249 --> 00:25:31.052
- Request your copy of "what every christian should know"
- 00:25:31.052 --> 00:25:34.022
- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory".
- 00:25:34.022 --> 00:25:37.225
- And when you give $75 or more,
- 00:25:37.225 --> 00:25:39.694
- We'll also send you the companion study guide
- 00:25:39.694 --> 00:25:42.163
- And the complete teaching series on both cd and dvd.
- 00:25:42.163 --> 00:25:45.967
- If we, the church, are to be the support, the foundation,
- 00:25:45.967 --> 00:25:49.270
- The thing that lifts up the truth of god,
- 00:25:49.270 --> 00:25:52.007
- We need to know what that truth is.
- 00:25:52.007 --> 00:25:55.143
- Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory"
- 00:25:55.143 --> 00:25:57.946
- In a constantly shifting world.
- 00:25:57.946 --> 00:25:59.981
- Your generous support helps us equip believers
- 00:25:59.981 --> 00:26:02.717
- With the confidence they need
- 00:26:02.717 --> 00:26:04.285
- To stand firm on solid ground in their faith.
- 00:26:04.285 --> 00:26:08.790
- The promise of romans 8:28 isn't that all things are good,
- 00:26:09.924 --> 00:26:13.795
- But that god is using all things
- 00:26:13.795 --> 00:26:16.264
- To accomplish his purpose in your life,
- 00:26:16.264 --> 00:26:18.900
- And that purpose is to make you more like jesus christ.
- 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:23.038
- Well, sanctification requires both god's power
- 00:26:23.038 --> 00:26:26.741
- And our effort working together.
- 00:26:26.741 --> 00:26:29.177
- So, what does that cooperation actually look like
- 00:26:29.177 --> 00:26:31.846
- In everyday life?
- 00:26:31.846 --> 00:26:33.348
- Next time, we're going to discover six key characteristics
- 00:26:33.348 --> 00:26:36.551
- That mark a truly christ-like life.
- 00:26:36.551 --> 00:26:39.587
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:26:39.587 --> 00:26:42.157
- On "pathway to victory".
- 00:26:42.157 --> 00:26:44.793
- Love, agape love,
- 00:26:45.226 --> 00:26:46.795
- Self-sacrificing love
- 00:26:46.795 --> 00:26:48.797
- That cares more about giving than receiving.
- 00:26:48.797 --> 00:26:53.234
- Christlikeness.
- 00:26:53.601 --> 00:26:55.170
- It's a daunting challenge, but just think about it.
- 00:26:56.171 --> 00:26:59.207
- Every interaction we have,
- 00:26:59.207 --> 00:27:00.775
- Every temptation we face,
- 00:27:00.775 --> 00:27:02.577
- Every decision we make is an opportunity
- 00:27:02.577 --> 00:27:05.714
- For us to reflect jesus christ.
- 00:27:05.714 --> 00:27:09.050
- Set your dvr and join us next time
- 00:27:09.050 --> 00:27:11.352
- For part two of the message,
- 00:27:11.352 --> 00:27:12.854
- What every christian should know about christlikeness,
- 00:27:12.854 --> 00:27:16.491
- Here on "pathway to victory".
- 00:27:16.491 --> 00:27:16.491
