Robert Jeffress - Will Heaven Be The Same For Everyone? (Part 1)

February 23, 2026 | S26 E98 | 27:29

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Will Heaven Be The Same For Everyone? (Part 1) | February 23, 2026
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Many christians mistakenly believe that heaven
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  • Will feel like a divine commune where everyone shares
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  • The same blissful existence, but as we're about to discover,
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  • The kind of heaven we experience in the next life
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  • Will be largely determined by how we follow god's plan
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  • In this life.
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  • It all starts with making sure that we're storing up treasure
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  • In the right place.
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  • We're answering the question,
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  • "will heaven be the same for everyone?"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • Announcer: when loss leaves you searching for hope, turn your
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  • Eyes toward heaven.
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  • In "encouragement from a place called heaven," dr. robert
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  • Jeffress offers comfort drawn from god's promises about
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  • Eternity, not the myths and misconceptions tv and movies
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  • Tell us, but what scripture truly reveals.
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  • 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."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: jim marshall was the defensive lineman
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  • For the minnesota vikings in the 1960s and '70s.
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  • Although jim marshall was a super bowl champion, marshall
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  • Is best known for the mistake he made on october 24, 1964.
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  • In a game with the san francisco 49ers,
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  • Jim marshall saw a fumble.
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  • He picked up the football, and he began running
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  • The length of the field.
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  • His for--his minnesota vikings football team
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  • Started running along with him along with him
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  • Along the sidelines yelling for him to run the other way.
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  • Marshall didn't realize he was running toward his own endzone.
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  • Although marshall ended up having a fairly good game,
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  • And even though the vikings won the game with the 49ers,
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  • Marshall will always be remembered not for his success,
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  • But for his mistake that day.
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  • In fact, from that point on, the rest of his life,
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  • He was always known as "wrong-way marshall."
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  • What a title.
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  • You know, making it to the endzone
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  • Is the goal in a football game,
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  • But making it to the right end zone is the goal of winning.
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  • It's the same way in the christian life.
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  • The fact is, if we have placed our faith in jesus christ,
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  • We are all going to make it into the spiritual endzone--
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  • Into heaven.
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  • But some will make it there only after spending some time
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  • Running in the wrong direction.
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  • Some who make it into heaven will be celebrated by god
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  • For the way they played the game.
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  • Other christians will be evaluated by god for having
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  • Done little to contribute to the success of the team.
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  • As we continue our series, "a place called heaven,"
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  • In which we're answering ten of the most common questions about
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  • Heaven, today we're going to answer the intriguing question,
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  • "will heaven be the same for every christian?"
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  • The answer to that is no.
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  • Not every christian will have the same experience in heaven,
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  • And today we're gonna begin looking at the evaluation
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  • That we are all going to face as christians.
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  • Let's first of all establish the reality
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  • Of the judgment of all christians.
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  • You know, one thing the bible is very clear about is that
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  • Everybody after death will be judged by god, hebrews 9:27
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  • Says, "it is appointed unto every person once to die
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  • And then the judgment."
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  • We're all going to be judged, not just some people--all of us.
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  • In 2 timothy 4:1, the apostle paul talked about the lord
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  • Jesus christ who will judge both the living and the dead.
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  • Everyone, both christians and non-christians,
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  • Will be judged by god.
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  • But we will not all be judged in a single judgment.
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  • There is one judgment for non-christians.
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  • That judgment is called the great white throne judgment.
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  • It's described in revelation 20 verses 11 to 15.
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  • The bible says, ladies and gentlemen, if you have not
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  • Trusted in christ as your savior, if you have not turned
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  • To him for the forgiveness of your sins, it doesn't matter
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  • How good you are, you can't be good enough.
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  • You can't be good enough.
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  • None of us can be good enough.
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  • That is the great white throne judgment.
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  • But there is another judgment for those of us
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  • Who are christians.
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  • It is a judgment called "the judgment seat of christ."
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  • It is a judgment that results not in condemnation, but in
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  • God's commendation for the lives we have lived for christ.
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  • And paul describes that judgment in 2 corinthians 5, verse 10.
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  • He says, "for we must all appear before the judgment seat of
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  • Christ, that each one of us may be recompensed--"
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  • Rewarded "--for his deeds in the body,
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  • According to what he has done, whether good or bad."
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  • He said, christians, you too have a judgment
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  • To face before god.
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  • It's a different judgment.
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  • It's the judgment seat of christ.
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  • Now, what did paul mean when he talked about
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  • The judgment seat of christ?
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  • If you wanna get into paul's mind to understand what he
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  • Meant, you need to turn over to acts chapter 18.
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  • He spent eighteen months in the city of corinth, and you'll
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  • Remember there in corinth he had a very productive ministry.
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  • Many of the jewish people were coming to faith in christ.
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  • Remember paul was a jew.
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  • Jesus was a jew.
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  • Paul, after he came to faith in christ, won many
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  • Of the jewish people to christ there in corinth,
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  • As well as the gentiles.
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  • By the way, paul wasn't being paid to do his ministry there.
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  • He was a layman in corinth.
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  • His day job was making tents.
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  • This is what he did in his off time, in his off hours.
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  • Many were won to christ, but not everybody was happy with him.
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  • Some were so incensed by what he was doing, especially
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  • In winning jews to christ, that they arrested him
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  • And they drug him before the roman governor
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  • Of the province, a man named gallio.
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  • And look what happened.
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  • Verse 12: "but while gallio was proconsul of achaia, the jews
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  • With one accord rose up against paul and brought him before the
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  • Judgment seat--" underline that word, judgment seat.
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  • "--saying, 'this man persuades men to worship god
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  • Contrary to the law.'"
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  • The word translated judgment seat
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  • Is the word "bema" in greek.
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  • Bema.
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  • It refers to a raised platform on which the governor would sit.
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  • Sometimes he would hand out rewards.
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  • If somebody had been successful in an athletic event,
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  • He would receive a reward.
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  • Sometimes it was a place where justice was meted out.
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  • It was a raised platform.
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  • By the way, you can walk through the excavation of corinth right
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  • Now--many of us have done it before--and they have discovered
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  • This bema, this judgment seat.
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  • It's been unearthed.
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  • The same one that gallio sat upon and that the apostle paul
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  • Stood in front of.
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  • So the apostle paul is brought in in chains and he's looking at
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  • Gallio seated on that raised platform, the judgment seat.
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  • "but when paul was about to open his mouth, gallio said to
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  • The jews, 'if it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime,
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  • O jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you, but
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  • If there are questions about words and names and
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  • Your own law, look after it yourselves.
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  • I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.'
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  • And he drove them away from the judgment seat."
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  • Gallio was saying, hey, this is a jewish dispute.
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  • You all handle it.
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  • I'm not interested in getting involved.
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  • But you know, what was interesting is paul didn't know
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  • What he was going to say.
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  • Paul stood there realizing here is the man who has the power
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  • To extinguish my life.
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  • Ten years ago, i stood in that very spot where paul stood.
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  • I looked at that judgment seat, and i thought to myself,
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  • What is it that gave paul the courage to stand there undaunted
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  • By the threats against him?
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  • What made him so faithful and courageous?
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  • As paul stood there and looked at that judge, gallio, i believe
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  • He thought to himself, one day i'm going to stand in front of
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  • Another judge on the judgment seat and i'm gonna have to give
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  • An account to him for the way that i lived my life.
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  • And i would much rather be found commended to him
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  • Rather than to this human judge who has no power
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  • Other than what god gives him.
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  • Paul had that mindset--i'm gonna live my life to please
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  • The true judge, because one day we must all appear
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  • Before the judgment seat of christ.
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  • Every one of us.
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  • You know, we all have times in our life where
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  • We rededicate our lives to god.
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  • And i remember ten years ago standing in front of that,
  • 00:10:22.978 --> 00:10:27.383
  • Our group was kind of wandering around different places,
  • 00:10:27.383 --> 00:10:29.051
  • I stood there.
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  • I was in the process of coming to this church
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  • To be your pastor.
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  • Some of you were on the trip with me.
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  • As i stood there, i prayed, "lord, help me the rest of my
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  • Life to have a bema mentality, to evaluate everything i do,
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  • To give me the courage to stand for you knowing that someday
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  • I'm going to give that account to you.
  • 00:10:49.405 --> 00:10:52.274
  • I wrote down in my journal, "the bema mentality,
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  • Living with the judgment seat of christ in view."
  • 00:10:55.544 --> 00:10:59.348
  • That's exactly what paul had in mind here.
  • 00:10:59.348 --> 00:11:02.318
  • We must all appear before the judgment seat of christ,
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  • And that affected his life until the day god called him home.
  • 00:11:05.888 --> 00:11:09.191
  • Now, let me make a distinction between the christian's
  • 00:11:09.191 --> 00:11:12.328
  • Judgment and the non-christian's judgment.
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  • The judgment seat of christ is for the commendation of
  • 00:11:14.797 --> 00:11:18.667
  • Believers, while the great white throne judgment is
  • 00:11:18.667 --> 00:11:22.171
  • For the condemnation of unbelievers.
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  • The result of the judgment seat of christ
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  • Will be eternal rewards.
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  • The result of the great white throne judgment
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  • Will be god's eternal punishment.
  • 00:11:34.016 --> 00:11:37.052
  • Now, here is what makes the judgment seat of christ
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  • Different than the great white throne judgment.
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  • Only those who are saved will be at the judgment seat of christ.
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  • Those who have already been declared not guilty by god
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  • Are the ones who stand at the judgment seat of christ.
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  • Hear me on this: this judgment we're talking about is not
  • 00:11:54.103 --> 00:11:57.506
  • To determine whether somebody goes to heaven or hell.
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  • If you're a christian, that has already been decided
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  • By your faith in jesus.
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  • If you wait until after you die to choose whether
  • 00:12:05.247 --> 00:12:08.484
  • You're gonna go to heaven or hell, you've waited too long.
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  • That's a decision you make now by placing your faith
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  • In jesus christ.
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  • You see, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you trust in jesus
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  • As your savior, you are justified in the sight of god.
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  • Romans 5:1 says, "therefore, having been justified by faith,
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  • We have peace with god through our lord jesus christ.
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  • That word "justified" means to declare to be righteous.
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  • It doesn't matter how sinful you are, it doesn't matter
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  • What you've done in your life, doesn't matter how much you
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  • Have failed god, when you trust in jesus to be your savior,
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  • He washes it all away and god declares
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  • You not guilty before him.
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  • You are justified. think of it this way.
  • 00:12:53.896 --> 00:12:57.199
  • Imagine you use a debit card to purchase something,
  • 00:12:57.199 --> 00:13:00.669
  • And that purchase overdraws your account.
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  • Now, not only are you overdrawn,
  • 00:13:03.806 --> 00:13:06.408
  • But you have a penalty that you owe the bank.
  • 00:13:06.408 --> 00:13:08.344
  • And the only way to be right with the bank is to deposit
  • 00:13:08.344 --> 00:13:12.281
  • The amount of your overcharge
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  • And your penalty to come back to even.
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  • The only problem is, you're bankrupt.
  • 00:13:17.453 --> 00:13:20.022
  • You don't have any money to put in your account.
  • 00:13:20.022 --> 00:13:22.258
  • You're in a bad way with the bank.
  • 00:13:22.258 --> 00:13:24.793
  • The good news is, you've got a generous friend who offers
  • 00:13:24.793 --> 00:13:28.697
  • To deposit in your account the amount of money needed
  • 00:13:28.697 --> 00:13:31.800
  • To bring you back to the right level.
  • 00:13:31.800 --> 00:13:34.536
  • Now, in a way, that is the situation we all have with god.
  • 00:13:34.536 --> 00:13:38.440
  • The bible says we're all in a deficit position with god.
  • 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:42.278
  • The bible says all have sinned and fallen short
  • 00:13:42.278 --> 00:13:44.513
  • Of the glory of god.
  • 00:13:44.513 --> 00:13:46.081
  • The bible says the wages of sin is death.
  • 00:13:46.081 --> 00:13:48.584
  • Every sin we commit against god only
  • 00:13:48.584 --> 00:13:51.520
  • Adds to the debt we owe god.
  • 00:13:51.520 --> 00:13:53.455
  • Every moment we have a wrong thought, every wrong action,
  • 00:13:53.455 --> 00:13:57.359
  • Every wrong motive--it just keeps ringing up
  • 00:13:57.359 --> 00:13:59.795
  • The debt we owe god.
  • 00:13:59.795 --> 00:14:01.797
  • Now listen, if we die while we're still in that spiritual
  • 00:14:01.797 --> 00:14:05.768
  • Deficit with god, we spend eternity separated from him
  • 00:14:05.768 --> 00:14:09.772
  • Trying to pay off the debt we owe him.
  • 00:14:09.772 --> 00:14:12.608
  • But god loves us so much, he sent his son jesus.
  • 00:14:12.608 --> 00:14:16.779
  • And even though we don't have any righteousness--we're
  • 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:19.214
  • Spiritual bankrupt--jesus has ore than enough righteousness.
  • 00:14:19.214 --> 00:14:22.685
  • He's perfect.
  • 00:14:22.685 --> 00:14:24.620
  • And he says if you will trust in me to be your savior, if you
  • 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:27.556
  • Will believe that when i died on the cross, i paid your overdraft
  • 00:14:27.556 --> 00:14:31.026
  • For you, i paid the penalty for you--if you will trust in jesus,
  • 00:14:31.026 --> 00:14:36.065
  • The moment you do that, god fills up your spiritual bank
  • 00:14:36.065 --> 00:14:39.201
  • Account with the overflowing righteousness of his son.
  • 00:14:39.201 --> 00:14:43.405
  • When you become a christian, god no longer sees your sin.
  • 00:14:43.405 --> 00:14:46.275
  • He sees the righteousness of his son, jesus christ.
  • 00:14:46.275 --> 00:14:49.812
  • And that's what it means to be justified,
  • 00:14:49.812 --> 00:14:52.448
  • To be in a right relationship with god.
  • 00:14:52.448 --> 00:14:55.718
  • And what does the bible say?
  • 00:14:55.718 --> 00:14:57.186
  • Romans 8:1, "there is therefore now no condemnation for those
  • 00:14:57.186 --> 00:15:02.091
  • Who are in christ jesus."
  • 00:15:02.091 --> 00:15:04.059
  • If you are a christian had been forgiven by god, you never have
  • 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:07.730
  • To worry that one day god's going to condemn you,
  • 00:15:07.730 --> 00:15:10.599
  • For there is therefore now no condemnation for those
  • 00:15:10.599 --> 00:15:14.303
  • Who are in jesus christ.
  • 00:15:14.303 --> 00:15:16.171
  • Isn't that a great truth?
  • 00:15:16.171 --> 00:15:18.707
  • Now listen, god's justification exempts us from god's
  • 00:15:18.707 --> 00:15:24.646
  • Condemnation, but it doesn't exempt us from god's evaluation
  • 00:15:24.646 --> 00:15:29.918
  • Of our life.
  • 00:15:29.918 --> 00:15:31.620
  • When you become a christian, you don't ever have to worry
  • 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:34.723
  • About god's condemnation, but you still need to be mindful
  • 00:15:34.723 --> 00:15:38.327
  • Of his evaluation of his life.
  • 00:15:38.327 --> 00:15:41.697
  • That's why 2 corinthians5:10 says, "for we christians
  • 00:15:41.697 --> 00:15:44.633
  • Must all appear before this judgment of christ."
  • 00:15:44.633 --> 00:15:48.437
  • I checked the greek on it this week, by the way.
  • 00:15:48.437 --> 00:15:50.939
  • I looked up that word "all" in the greek language.
  • 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:53.876
  • You know what the word "all" means?
  • 00:15:53.876 --> 00:15:56.345
  • All. that's what it means, all.
  • 00:15:56.345 --> 00:15:59.848
  • Every one of us is going to stand before
  • 00:15:59.848 --> 00:16:02.618
  • The judgment seat of christ, no exceptions.
  • 00:16:02.618 --> 00:16:04.953
  • And that's why paul writes in verse 9 before verse 10,
  • 00:16:04.953 --> 00:16:08.624
  • "therefore we have as our ambition, whether at home or
  • 00:16:08.624 --> 00:16:13.195
  • Absent, to be pleasing to him."
  • 00:16:13.195 --> 00:16:15.697
  • Paul said knowing that we're gonna stand before
  • 00:16:15.697 --> 00:16:18.100
  • That evaluation, we oughta have as our one aim in life
  • 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:21.770
  • To be pleasing to god.
  • 00:16:21.770 --> 00:16:24.206
  • Now, when does this judgment take place?
  • 00:16:24.206 --> 00:16:27.142
  • It doesn't happen the moment we die.
  • 00:16:27.142 --> 00:16:29.878
  • Although the bible doesn't tell us exactly the moment it
  • 00:16:29.878 --> 00:16:32.815
  • Happens, i believe it happens at the rapture of the church,
  • 00:16:32.815 --> 00:16:37.619
  • At the beginning of the tribulation on earth.
  • 00:16:37.619 --> 00:16:41.023
  • I have two reasons for saying that.
  • 00:16:41.023 --> 00:16:43.092
  • First of all, revelation 4 verse 10, the bible says before the
  • 00:16:43.092 --> 00:16:48.097
  • Tribulation begins, after the rapture, there's a picture of
  • 00:16:48.097 --> 00:16:51.366
  • The twenty-four elders in heaven wearing
  • 00:16:51.366 --> 00:16:54.403
  • Their crowns praising god.
  • 00:16:54.403 --> 00:16:56.171
  • Now, the 24 elders represent the church--that is you and i.
  • 00:16:56.171 --> 00:17:01.343
  • So, apparently the church has already been rewarded
  • 00:17:01.343 --> 00:17:03.912
  • At the beginning of the tribulation.
  • 00:17:03.912 --> 00:17:05.848
  • The second reason is revelation 19 verse 8.
  • 00:17:05.848 --> 00:17:08.851
  • You know, the bible says at the end of the tribulation on earth,
  • 00:17:08.851 --> 00:17:11.854
  • That the great battle of armageddon, suddenly
  • 00:17:11.854 --> 00:17:14.022
  • The skies will part, christ appears, and we are with him.
  • 00:17:14.022 --> 00:17:17.292
  • And notice what verse 8 says, "and it was given to her--"
  • 00:17:17.292 --> 00:17:20.329
  • That is the church "--to clothe herself in fine linen,
  • 00:17:20.329 --> 00:17:24.666
  • Bright and clean, for the fine linen is the righteous
  • 00:17:24.666 --> 00:17:28.871
  • Acts of the saints."
  • 00:17:28.871 --> 00:17:31.073
  • Apparently, by this time we have been judged.
  • 00:17:31.073 --> 00:17:34.276
  • We have received our rewards.
  • 00:17:34.276 --> 00:17:36.912
  • It's described as bright linen but it is tied to
  • 00:17:36.912 --> 00:17:40.115
  • Our righteous acts after we became a christian.
  • 00:17:40.115 --> 00:17:44.186
  • And that leads to an important distinction of the importance
  • 00:17:44.186 --> 00:17:48.023
  • Of good works in a christian's life.
  • 00:17:48.023 --> 00:17:51.360
  • Do our works really matter to god?
  • 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:54.263
  • Some people say yes, some people say no.
  • 00:17:54.263 --> 00:17:57.499
  • We've got to distinguish between the value of our works before
  • 00:17:57.499 --> 00:18:01.436
  • We're saved, and the value of our works after we're saved.
  • 00:18:01.436 --> 00:18:06.975
  • What are the value of our good works to god
  • 00:18:06.975 --> 00:18:09.178
  • Before we become a christian?
  • 00:18:09.178 --> 00:18:11.180
  • Zero. zilch.
  • 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:13.582
  • Nada.
  • 00:18:13.582 --> 00:18:15.817
  • Isaiah said our righteousness, the best we can do before god,
  • 00:18:15.817 --> 00:18:19.855
  • Is like a filthy rag to god.
  • 00:18:19.855 --> 00:18:22.791
  • Our works are worthless to god.
  • 00:18:22.791 --> 00:18:25.160
  • That's why ephesians 2: 8 and 9 says, "for by grace
  • 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:28.664
  • You have been saved through faith, and that
  • 00:18:28.664 --> 00:18:31.099
  • Not of yourselves. it is a gift of god, not as works,
  • 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:34.102
  • That no one should boast."
  • 00:18:34.102 --> 00:18:36.772
  • God doesn't allow us to work for our salvation.
  • 00:18:36.772 --> 00:18:40.175
  • If he allows us to work for our salvation, then salvation is
  • 00:18:40.175 --> 00:18:43.445
  • Something he owes us.
  • 00:18:43.445 --> 00:18:45.247
  • And god refuses to owe any man or woman anything.
  • 00:18:45.247 --> 00:18:48.016
  • No, salvation is simply a measure of god's grace to us.
  • 00:18:48.016 --> 00:18:53.422
  • Our value of our good works before we're saved is nothing.
  • 00:18:53.422 --> 00:18:57.392
  • We cannot earn our salvation.
  • 00:18:57.392 --> 00:18:59.161
  • However, there are--there is value to our works
  • 00:18:59.161 --> 00:19:02.331
  • After our salvation.
  • 00:19:02.331 --> 00:19:04.666
  • I want you to write down this phrase.
  • 00:19:04.666 --> 00:19:06.168
  • I have it on your outline.
  • 00:19:06.168 --> 00:19:07.970
  • "while our works are worthless in securing us
  • 00:19:07.970 --> 00:19:12.140
  • A place in heaven, they are integral in determining
  • 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:15.544
  • Our experience in heaven."
  • 00:19:15.544 --> 00:19:17.613
  • Lemme say it again, "while our works are worthless in securing
  • 00:19:17.613 --> 00:19:21.049
  • A place in heaven, they are integral in determining
  • 00:19:21.049 --> 00:19:23.785
  • Our experience in our heaven."
  • 00:19:23.785 --> 00:19:26.388
  • We're not saved by good works, but look at ephesians 2:10, "for
  • 00:19:26.388 --> 00:19:30.892
  • We are his workmanship, created in christ jesus for good works,
  • 00:19:30.892 --> 00:19:35.464
  • Which god prepared beforehand that we should work--
  • 00:19:35.464 --> 00:19:38.667
  • Walk in them."
  • 00:19:38.667 --> 00:19:41.169
  • Listen to me this morning, before we are saved, the only
  • 00:19:41.169 --> 00:19:44.740
  • Value of our works is our works are sufficient to condemn us
  • 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:48.510
  • Before god.
  • 00:19:48.510 --> 00:19:50.545
  • But after we are saved, our good works are sufficient
  • 00:19:50.545 --> 00:19:53.181
  • To commend us to god.
  • 00:19:53.181 --> 00:19:55.784
  • You know, when i think about god's evaluation of our lives, i
  • 00:19:55.784 --> 00:19:59.921
  • Think about a very embarrassing evaluation i had some years ago
  • 00:19:59.921 --> 00:20:05.394
  • When i lived in wichita falls.
  • 00:20:05.394 --> 00:20:07.029
  • I used to come to dallas once a year for a physical at a clinic
  • 00:20:07.029 --> 00:20:10.632
  • Here in town, and part of that physical involved me
  • 00:20:10.632 --> 00:20:14.936
  • Standing in my birthday suit before the physician,
  • 00:20:14.936 --> 00:20:18.740
  • The physician's assistant.
  • 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.609
  • As i stood there, he'd take this little torture device and start
  • 00:20:20.609 --> 00:20:24.379
  • Pinching various parts of my arms and appendages to try to
  • 00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:28.350
  • Measure my body fat.
  • 00:20:28.350 --> 00:20:30.852
  • And that was humiliating.
  • 00:20:30.852 --> 00:20:32.988
  • And you know, i stood there and suddenly i was filled with
  • 00:20:32.988 --> 00:20:35.824
  • Regrets because every chocolate chip cookie
  • 00:20:35.824 --> 00:20:38.126
  • I'd ever eaten was on display.
  • 00:20:38.126 --> 00:20:40.896
  • I regretted every time i had rolled over in bed instead of
  • 00:20:40.896 --> 00:20:44.299
  • Getting on the treadmill in the morning.
  • 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:46.335
  • I regretted those midnight trips to the freezer to get
  • 00:20:46.335 --> 00:20:48.970
  • The haagen daz ice cream.
  • 00:20:48.970 --> 00:20:50.906
  • Everything i had done was on view to that doctor.
  • 00:20:50.906 --> 00:20:55.477
  • But even the worst part was putting back on my clothes and
  • 00:20:55.477 --> 00:20:58.847
  • Sitting down for the evaluation.
  • 00:20:58.847 --> 00:21:01.450
  • Happened every year.
  • 00:21:01.450 --> 00:21:03.285
  • He'd bring in this folder and it said now we're gonna
  • 00:21:03.285 --> 00:21:05.153
  • Talk about your health.
  • 00:21:05.153 --> 00:21:06.888
  • And he would always start on a positive note.
  • 00:21:06.888 --> 00:21:08.523
  • He would commend me for the good things i was doing--my exercise,
  • 00:21:08.523 --> 00:21:11.860
  • The bran flakes that i gagged on every morning.
  • 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:14.396
  • You know i--those--you know, there were some good things.
  • 00:21:14.396 --> 00:21:17.399
  • And then his smile would turn to a frown and he would talk about,
  • 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:20.702
  • You know, you need to shave off some points
  • 00:21:20.702 --> 00:21:22.471
  • Off that cholesterol.
  • 00:21:22.471 --> 00:21:24.539
  • That blood pressure isn't exactly where we would like it.
  • 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:27.075
  • He would give a critique, an evaluation of my life.
  • 00:21:27.075 --> 00:21:30.345
  • Now, that's what the judgment seat of christ is going to be.
  • 00:21:30.345 --> 00:21:32.981
  • It's gonna be an honest evaluation of everything we've
  • 00:21:32.981 --> 00:21:36.284
  • Done, whether it is good, lasting, eternal, or worthless.
  • 00:21:36.284 --> 00:21:41.823
  • Luke 8:17, jesus said: "for nothing is hidden that shall not
  • 00:21:41.823 --> 00:21:46.328
  • Become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known
  • 00:21:46.328 --> 00:21:51.066
  • And will come to light."
  • 00:21:51.066 --> 00:21:54.169
  • Of course, that raises a lot of questions.
  • 00:21:54.169 --> 00:21:57.372
  • Is god more interested in what i do, or why i do what i do?
  • 00:21:57.372 --> 00:22:02.210
  • What do these rewards actually mean for me in eternity?
  • 00:22:02.210 --> 00:22:05.080
  • When you say heaven's not gonna be the same for everybody,
  • 00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:07.449
  • What's gonna be the difference?
  • 00:22:07.449 --> 00:22:09.684
  • And if i don't win rewards in heaven, am i going
  • 00:22:09.684 --> 00:22:13.321
  • To spend the rest of my life regretting the way
  • 00:22:13.321 --> 00:22:15.891
  • I invested my life here on earth?
  • 00:22:15.891 --> 00:22:18.994
  • Those are great questions, and we're gonna answer them
  • 00:22:18.994 --> 00:22:21.596
  • And more as we continue talking about our judgment before god
  • 00:22:21.596 --> 00:22:26.701
  • At the great judgment seat of christ.
  • 00:22:26.701 --> 00:22:30.338
  • Jeffress: there's much more we need to cover on today's topic.
  • 00:22:34.543 --> 00:22:37.446
  • As we're learning, heaven won't be the same for everyone.
  • 00:22:37.446 --> 00:22:40.949
  • And tragically, some will never step through
  • 00:22:40.949 --> 00:22:43.151
  • The gates of heaven at all.
  • 00:22:43.151 --> 00:22:44.953
  • Heaven is reserved for only those who trust in jesus
  • 00:22:44.953 --> 00:22:48.356
  • To be their savior.
  • 00:22:48.356 --> 00:22:50.091
  • Now, before we go today, i wanna share this powerful note i
  • 00:22:50.091 --> 00:22:53.361
  • Received from a friend in texas who wrote: "pastor jeffress,
  • 00:22:53.361 --> 00:22:57.299
  • Your teaching helped me through a very difficult time.
  • 00:22:57.299 --> 00:23:00.068
  • After 33 years of marriage, i found myself divorced--
  • 00:23:00.068 --> 00:23:03.905
  • Needing to forgive my ex-spouse for years of abuse.
  • 00:23:03.905 --> 00:23:07.876
  • Thank you for helping me find power and victory
  • 00:23:07.876 --> 00:23:10.579
  • In jesus christ."
  • 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.347
  • Isn't that great?
  • 00:23:12.347 --> 00:23:13.982
  • This thank you note also belongs to our ministry partners
  • 00:23:13.982 --> 00:23:17.118
  • Who help us provide these programs.
  • 00:23:17.118 --> 00:23:19.554
  • Together, we are piercing the darkness
  • 00:23:19.554 --> 00:23:22.657
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:22.657 --> 00:23:24.626
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:23:24.626 --> 00:23:25.961
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:25.961 --> 00:23:29.698
  • Announcer: whether you're mourning someone you love or
  • 00:23:31.433 --> 00:23:33.468
  • Facing your own difficult season, grief can feel
  • 00:23:33.468 --> 00:23:36.638
  • Overwhelming.
  • 00:23:36.638 --> 00:23:37.973
  • But the bible tells us not to be discouraged, because this life
  • 00:23:37.973 --> 00:23:41.409
  • Is not the end.
  • 00:23:41.409 --> 00:23:42.744
  • Dr. robert jeffress wants to help lift your eyes from earth's
  • 00:23:42.744 --> 00:23:46.047
  • Sorrows to heaven's certainty with "encouragement from a place
  • 00:23:46.047 --> 00:23:49.684
  • Called heaven."
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  • This beautifully-designed book combines inspiring scripture,
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  • Stunning photography, and powerful biblical truths you can
  • 00:23:54.089 --> 00:23:57.492
  • Keep close during difficult times.
  • 00:23:57.492 --> 00:24:00.128
  • Jeffress: the greatest hope we have is the promise of heaven.
  • 00:24:00.128 --> 00:24:03.665
  • In this book of encouragement, i wanna remind you what awaits us
  • 00:24:03.665 --> 00:24:06.868
  • After this life is over, not the myths and misconceptions tv and
  • 00:24:06.868 --> 00:24:11.573
  • Movies tell us about, but what god's word has promised.
  • 00:24:11.573 --> 00:24:15.810
  • Announcer: this padded hardcover book makes a thoughtful gift for
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  • Anyone navigating grief, chronic illness, or stressful
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  • Circumstances.
  • 00:24:21.750 --> 00:24:23.318
  • Request your copy of "encouragement from a place
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  • Called heaven" when you give a generous gift to "pathway to
  • 00:24:25.921 --> 00:24:28.390
  • Victory."
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  • And when your gift is $75 or more, we'll also send you dr.
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  • Jeffress's best-selling book "a place called heaven" along with
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  • The complete "a place called heaven" teaching series on both
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  • Cd and dvd.
  • 00:24:40.068 --> 00:24:41.803
  • Jeffress: it's not gonna be very long till we go to that place
  • 00:24:41.803 --> 00:24:43.638
  • Called heaven.
  • 00:24:43.638 --> 00:24:44.973
  • But knowing that our future is secure ought to be a motivation
  • 00:24:44.973 --> 00:24:49.210
  • For us to live the most effective lives for god that we
  • 00:24:49.210 --> 00:24:52.914
  • Can right now.
  • 00:24:52.914 --> 00:24:54.416
  • Announcer: your generosity empowers this ministry to pierce
  • 00:24:54.416 --> 00:24:57.252
  • The darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:24:57.252 --> 00:24:59.888
  • Jeffress: our life here on earth is an investment.
  • 00:25:03.091 --> 00:25:05.760
  • We invest our time, our resources, and our talents,
  • 00:25:05.760 --> 00:25:09.497
  • And at the end of it all, we have to answer to god.
  • 00:25:09.497 --> 00:25:12.834
  • Did we make personal investments in the right things,
  • 00:25:12.834 --> 00:25:16.204
  • Or did we squander our resources away?
  • 00:25:16.204 --> 00:25:19.474
  • Well, i realize that today's discussion may have raised more
  • 00:25:19.474 --> 00:25:23.178
  • Questions than answers about our future in heaven, so next time,
  • 00:25:23.178 --> 00:25:27.349
  • We'll go into deeper detail of the judgment seat of christ
  • 00:25:27.349 --> 00:25:31.620
  • To learn how our performance will be scrutinized.
  • 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:35.023
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:25:35.023 --> 00:25:37.559
  • In our series, "a place called heaven."
  • 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:40.662
  • Jeffress: while our works are worthless in securing us
  • 00:25:41.963 --> 00:25:45.834
  • A place in heaven, they are integral in determining
  • 00:25:45.834 --> 00:25:49.671
  • Our experience in heaven.
  • 00:25:49.671 --> 00:25:52.707
  • Good works can't earn you your place in heaven.
  • 00:25:52.707 --> 00:25:55.777
  • That's only by god's grace, by trusting christ.
  • 00:25:55.777 --> 00:25:58.480
  • But once you've done that, your good works matter in determining
  • 00:25:58.480 --> 00:26:02.851
  • The kind of experience you will have in heaven.
  • 00:26:02.851 --> 00:26:06.554
  • Male announcer: set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:26:06.621 --> 00:26:08.957
  • For the next part of the message,
  • 00:26:08.957 --> 00:26:10.892
  • "will heaven be the same for everyone?"
  • 00:26:10.892 --> 00:26:13.395
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:13.395 --> 00:26:15.797
  • Announcer: experience a journey that will refresh your spirit
  • 00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:20.669
  • And renew your faith on the pathway to victory cruise to
  • 00:26:20.669 --> 00:26:23.905
  • Alaska, june 13-20, 2026.
  • 00:26:23.905 --> 00:26:27.509
  • Jeffress: sail aboard holland america's luxurious koningsdam
  • 00:26:27.509 --> 00:26:30.645
  • Through british columbia's beautiful inside passage.
  • 00:26:30.645 --> 00:26:34.449
  • From the pristine waters of glacier bay to the charming
  • 00:26:34.449 --> 00:26:37.852
  • Frontier towns of juneau, ketchikan, and skagway, you'll
  • 00:26:37.852 --> 00:26:42.123
  • Witness god's handiwork on full display.
  • 00:26:42.123 --> 00:26:45.593
  • Announcer: imagine standing on deck surrounded by towering
  • 00:26:45.593 --> 00:26:48.229
  • Glaciers and snowcapped mountains while enjoying
  • 00:26:48.229 --> 00:26:50.832
  • Powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
  • 00:26:50.832 --> 00:26:53.668
  • Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien
  • 00:26:53.668 --> 00:26:57.405
  • And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg, america's
  • 00:26:57.405 --> 00:27:00.608
  • Minister of encouragement.
  • 00:27:00.608 --> 00:27:02.377
  • Jeffress: this is more than just a vacation.
  • 00:27:02.377 --> 00:27:04.512
  • It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
  • 00:27:04.512 --> 00:27:08.016
  • Announcer: to reserve your cabin on the 2026 pathway to victory
  • 00:27:08.016 --> 00:27:10.785
  • Cruise to alaska, call ... or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:10.785 --> 00:27:10.785