Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Against All Odds

May 13, 2026 | 27:29

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

#Savior #Faith #Future #Reward #Resurrection #FearoftheLord #Obedience #Lifestyle #Endurance #Regret #WordofGod #RobertJeffress

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Against All Odds | May 13, 2026

♪ music ♪
00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:05.361
From the pulpit of the first baptist church of dallas,
00:00:06.463 --> 00:00:09.132
Texas, this is pathway to victory with dr. robert jeffress.
00:00:09.132 --> 00:00:14.037
Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
00:00:14.537 --> 00:00:15.839
And welcome again to pathway to victory.
00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:18.975
When hard times come our way,
00:00:18.975 --> 00:00:20.543
We often ask god to remove those burdens from our lives.
00:00:20.543 --> 00:00:24.747
And while sometimes he does that, other times he doesn't.
00:00:24.747 --> 00:00:28.785
Gratefully, god has given us the faith
00:00:28.785 --> 00:00:30.920
To handle either situation.
00:00:30.920 --> 00:00:33.556
In the conclusion of hebrews 11,
00:00:33.556 --> 00:00:35.825
The writer reminds us that faith both enables us
00:00:35.825 --> 00:00:38.728
To conquer problems and to endure problems.
00:00:38.728 --> 00:00:42.866
And those who persevere will be rewarded greatly.
00:00:42.866 --> 00:00:46.870
My message is titled, "against all odds,"
00:00:46.870 --> 00:00:50.673
On today's edition of pathway to victory.
00:00:50.673 --> 00:00:54.210
♪ music ♪
00:00:54.210 --> 00:00:58.648
Each day, millions of lost people are searching
00:00:59.649 --> 00:01:02.118
For hope and truth.
00:01:02.118 --> 00:01:03.720
Through pathway to victory, god's word is reaching
00:01:03.720 --> 00:01:06.422
Into homes across america and around the world.
00:01:06.422 --> 00:01:09.359
But there are still so many who haven't heard
00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:11.528
The saving message of jesus christ.
00:01:11.528 --> 00:01:13.830
You can help change that by becoming a pathway partner.
00:01:13.830 --> 00:01:17.167
You'll join a dedicated team of broadcast missionaries
00:01:17.167 --> 00:01:20.136
Who are sharing the gospel through television and radio.
00:01:20.136 --> 00:01:23.006
Your monthly support will help reach people worldwide
00:01:23.006 --> 00:01:26.276
With the life-changing power of the cross.
00:01:26.276 --> 00:01:29.646
♪ music ♪
00:01:29.979 --> 00:01:36.553
Dr. john pemberton wasn't really a doctor.
00:01:37.420 --> 00:01:42.091
But after all, who would buy a product called
00:01:42.091 --> 00:01:44.928
Mr. pemberton's liver pills?
00:01:44.928 --> 00:01:47.931
No one.
00:01:47.931 --> 00:01:49.165
And so, this local pharmacist who lived
00:01:49.999 --> 00:01:51.568
During the civil war came up with concoctions like
00:01:51.568 --> 00:01:55.972
Dr. pemberton's globe flower cough syrup and other names.
00:01:55.972 --> 00:02:01.144
But his real dream was to create a medicine
00:02:02.045 --> 00:02:03.479
That would cure headaches and hangovers.
00:02:03.479 --> 00:02:06.983
He experimented with extracts of fruits
00:02:06.983 --> 00:02:09.886
And nuts and leaves, but that was for taste.
00:02:09.886 --> 00:02:13.089
What he really needed was some kind
00:02:13.089 --> 00:02:15.124
Of stimulant like caffeine.
00:02:15.124 --> 00:02:18.027
And so, he came up with a formula that pleased him,
00:02:18.027 --> 00:02:20.763
But now he needed some financial backing.
00:02:20.763 --> 00:02:23.833
By this time, dr. pemberton had moved to atlanta.
00:02:23.833 --> 00:02:27.670
During the summer of 1886, dr. pemberton took a jug
00:02:27.670 --> 00:02:31.674
Of his reddish-brown syrup to jacobs pharmacy,
00:02:31.674 --> 00:02:36.112
Which bought a couple of jugs of the potion.
00:02:36.112 --> 00:02:38.915
Just mix with water and drink were the instructions.
00:02:38.915 --> 00:02:42.785
But sales were slow that summer.
00:02:42.785 --> 00:02:45.121
The residents of atlanta didn't suffer
00:02:45.121 --> 00:02:47.390
From too many headaches.
00:02:47.390 --> 00:02:49.459
But one day a customer stumbled
00:02:49.459 --> 00:02:51.628
Into jacobs pharmacy with a hangover.
00:02:51.628 --> 00:02:55.231
And the clerk suddenly remembered dr.
00:02:55.231 --> 00:02:57.734
Pemberton's syrup and he went back to mix some up.
00:02:57.734 --> 00:03:01.337
He was new on the job
00:03:01.337 --> 00:03:02.772
And he accidentally used carbonated water.
00:03:02.772 --> 00:03:07.010
And the results were so tasteful that the word
00:03:07.010 --> 00:03:09.612
Of this new potion began to spread.
00:03:09.612 --> 00:03:12.982
Unfortunately, dr. pemberton couldn't heal himself.
00:03:12.982 --> 00:03:17.754
He died when his little headache remedy business
00:03:17.754 --> 00:03:21.491
Could have been bought for $2,000.
00:03:21.491 --> 00:03:25.461
In spite of his hard work and persistence,
00:03:25.461 --> 00:03:28.298
He never lived to see what that business would become.
00:03:28.298 --> 00:03:33.236
It's a business that's known today
00:03:33.236 --> 00:03:35.104
As the coca-cola corporation.
00:03:35.104 --> 00:03:39.208
History is filled with people
00:03:39.842 --> 00:03:41.878
Who never saw the full results of their hard work.
00:03:41.878 --> 00:03:47.216
That's true, by the way, not only in the realm of business,
00:03:48.384 --> 00:03:50.386
But in the realm of faith.
00:03:50.386 --> 00:03:53.289
Although god occasionally allows us
00:03:54.057 --> 00:03:56.326
To experience just a taste of the rewards for our faith
00:03:56.326 --> 00:04:00.563
In him, most people end up dying
00:04:00.563 --> 00:04:04.233
Without ever fully seeing the results of their faith,
00:04:04.233 --> 00:04:08.237
In this life at least.
00:04:08.237 --> 00:04:10.473
But the kind of faith that pleases god is a faith
00:04:10.473 --> 00:04:14.811
That obeys god in spite of any visible results
00:04:14.811 --> 00:04:20.116
And in spite of adverse circumstances.
00:04:20.917 --> 00:04:23.152
And that's the kind of faith described
00:04:23.152 --> 00:04:25.988
In hebrews chapter 11.
00:04:25.988 --> 00:04:27.857
If you have your bibles, turn to hebrews chapter 11
00:04:27.857 --> 00:04:30.927
As we look at men and women who obeyed god
00:04:30.927 --> 00:04:35.264
Against all odds.
00:04:35.264 --> 00:04:38.234
You remember in verse 1, the writer defines what faith is.
00:04:38.234 --> 00:04:41.437
Contrary to popular thinking, faith is not a wish,
00:04:41.437 --> 00:04:44.874
It's not a hope, it's not a desire.
00:04:44.874 --> 00:04:47.844
Instead, faith is the assurance that god will do
00:04:47.844 --> 00:04:53.182
What he has promised to do and then acting accordingly.
00:04:54.283 --> 00:04:56.886
You see that on your outline?
00:04:56.886 --> 00:04:58.388
Let me say it one more time.
00:04:58.388 --> 00:04:59.789
Faith is not a hope, wish, or desire.
00:04:59.789 --> 00:05:02.325
It is the assurance,
00:05:02.325 --> 00:05:03.760
It is the conviction that god will do
00:05:03.760 --> 00:05:06.729
What he's promised to do and acting accordingly.
00:05:06.729 --> 00:05:10.733
After giving us that definition,
00:05:10.733 --> 00:05:12.702
Then we've seen in hebrews 11 the example of what faith is.
00:05:12.702 --> 00:05:17.473
And these men and women
00:05:17.473 --> 00:05:18.941
From the old testament demonstrated different aspects
00:05:18.941 --> 00:05:22.779
Of faith.
00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:24.180
And now when we come to the concluding section
00:05:25.081 --> 00:05:26.315
Of hebrews 11, beginning with verse 30,
00:05:26.315 --> 00:05:28.885
The writer's going to explain what real faith does.
00:05:28.885 --> 00:05:34.223
And really, he's going to talk about two different kinds
00:05:35.358 --> 00:05:36.859
Of believers who exercise two different kinds of faith
00:05:36.859 --> 00:05:40.029
With two very different results.
00:05:40.029 --> 00:05:42.832
Beginning in verse 30,
00:05:42.832 --> 00:05:44.066
You might come to the conclusion
00:05:44.066 --> 00:05:45.668
That this is just a hodgepodge of characters
00:05:45.668 --> 00:05:48.504
That came to the writer's minds.
00:05:48.504 --> 00:05:50.406
But as you look more closely at these verses
00:05:50.406 --> 00:05:52.675
We're going to look at, you'll discover there's a reason
00:05:52.675 --> 00:05:56.345
They are listed the way they are.
00:05:56.345 --> 00:05:58.714
Now note this on your outline, write these words in.
00:05:58.714 --> 00:06:01.651
In verse 30 to 34, we find a list of believers
00:06:01.651 --> 00:06:05.087
Who conquered problems.
00:06:05.087 --> 00:06:08.291
But in verses 35 to 40,
00:06:08.291 --> 00:06:10.092
This is a record of believers who endured problems.
00:06:10.092 --> 00:06:15.364
In verses 30 to 34,
00:06:15.832 --> 00:06:17.333
This is an illustration of faith in god's ability
00:06:17.333 --> 00:06:20.203
To deliver them out of their problems.
00:06:20.203 --> 00:06:23.206
But in verses 35 through 40,
00:06:23.206 --> 00:06:26.442
These are men and women
00:06:26.442 --> 00:06:27.743
Who demonstrate the faith in god's ability
00:06:27.743 --> 00:06:29.946
To sustain them through their problems.
00:06:29.946 --> 00:06:33.950
In verses 30 to 34,
00:06:33.950 --> 00:06:36.285
This is a demonstration of promises of god
00:06:36.285 --> 00:06:39.155
That were fulfilled.
00:06:39.155 --> 00:06:40.890
Verses 35 to 40 describe the promises of god
00:06:40.890 --> 00:06:44.427
That were delayed.
00:06:44.427 --> 00:06:46.929
Two very different categories of faith.
00:06:46.929 --> 00:06:50.433
First of all, some people exercise a faith
00:06:50.433 --> 00:06:53.870
That actually conquers problems.
00:06:53.870 --> 00:06:57.173
And sometimes that will be true in your life.
00:06:57.173 --> 00:06:59.942
There'll be occasions
00:06:59.942 --> 00:07:01.344
When faith absolutely allows you to conquer once
00:07:01.344 --> 00:07:05.181
And for all whatever problem you're facing.
00:07:05.181 --> 00:07:08.784
I want you to notice that in this first section,
00:07:08.784 --> 00:07:10.987
Verses 30 to 35, there were two characteristics
00:07:10.987 --> 00:07:14.991
That were common of these men and women.
00:07:14.991 --> 00:07:17.193
First of all, they obeyed god's instructions
00:07:17.193 --> 00:07:20.029
In spite of reason.
00:07:20.029 --> 00:07:22.064
A faith that conquers problems obeys god's instructions
00:07:22.064 --> 00:07:27.303
Even when they don't make sense.
00:07:27.937 --> 00:07:29.038
In spite of reason.
00:07:29.038 --> 00:07:30.273
And here's a good illustration, verse 30.
00:07:30.273 --> 00:07:32.375
By faith, the walls of jericho fell down
00:07:32.375 --> 00:07:36.746
After they had been encircled for seven days.
00:07:36.746 --> 00:07:41.217
Many times, when god promises something,
00:07:41.217 --> 00:07:44.220
He expects us to have some participation
00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:46.956
In the fulfillment of that promise.
00:07:46.956 --> 00:07:49.191
The only thing, the only promise of god
00:07:49.191 --> 00:07:51.127
We have absolutely no hand in is the gift of salvation.
00:07:51.127 --> 00:07:55.031
That is completely god's work by grace.
00:07:55.031 --> 00:07:58.167
But many other times,
00:07:58.167 --> 00:07:59.402
God tells us we're going to have a part
00:07:59.402 --> 00:08:01.270
In the fulfillment of that promise.
00:08:01.270 --> 00:08:02.605
That was true for joshua.
00:08:02.605 --> 00:08:04.407
The angel said to joshua, remember in chapter 6,
00:08:04.407 --> 00:08:07.176
This is what i want you to do.
00:08:07.176 --> 00:08:08.811
I want you to take your men and i want you to march
00:08:08.811 --> 00:08:12.982
Around the walls of jericho once a day for six days.
00:08:12.982 --> 00:08:18.254
And then on the seventh day,
00:08:18.854 --> 00:08:19.989
You and your men are to march around
00:08:19.989 --> 00:08:21.958
The city wall seven times.
00:08:21.958 --> 00:08:25.361
And on that seventh time,
00:08:25.361 --> 00:08:26.996
Which plus six the other days before,
00:08:26.996 --> 00:08:29.832
On the thirteenth time,
00:08:29.832 --> 00:08:31.901
You're to blow the trumpet and shout at the top
00:08:31.901 --> 00:08:35.204
Of your lungs and the wall will come crashing down.
00:08:35.204 --> 00:08:39.475
Now can you think how illogical
00:08:40.109 --> 00:08:42.111
That must have seemed to joshua?
00:08:42.111 --> 00:08:43.913
You want us to do what?
00:08:43.913 --> 00:08:46.248
Just march.
00:08:46.248 --> 00:08:47.917
Just march once a day for six days, last day for seven days.
00:08:49.118 --> 00:08:52.221
You know, many times, god's commands just don't seem
00:08:52.221 --> 00:08:55.157
To make sense to us.
00:08:55.157 --> 00:08:56.892
Think about noah.
00:08:56.892 --> 00:08:58.628
God told noah to build an ark in the middle
00:08:58.628 --> 00:09:01.030
Of the desert to save himself and his family
00:09:01.030 --> 00:09:04.200
From a flood when it had never rained on the earth before.
00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:07.536
But noah obeyed god.
00:09:07.536 --> 00:09:09.839
Or think about naaman.
00:09:09.839 --> 00:09:11.073
Remember the captain of the syrian army
00:09:11.073 --> 00:09:12.975
Who was suffering from leprosy?
00:09:12.975 --> 00:09:14.677
He sent word to the prophet of god,
00:09:14.677 --> 00:09:16.579
What am i supposed to do?
00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:18.247
And god told the prophet,
00:09:18.247 --> 00:09:19.548
Tell naaman to go to the muddy jordan river
00:09:19.548 --> 00:09:24.286
And dip himself seven times in that muddy river
00:09:24.286 --> 00:09:27.923
And the leprosy will fall away.
00:09:27.923 --> 00:09:30.593
It made no sense.
00:09:30.593 --> 00:09:31.861
But all three of those men, naaman, noah,
00:09:31.861 --> 00:09:35.064
And now joshua, they obeyed god in spite of reason.
00:09:35.064 --> 00:09:40.369
You see, that's the kind of faith that pleases god.
00:09:41.370 --> 00:09:42.672
A faith that conquers, obeys god's instructions
00:09:42.672 --> 00:09:45.541
When they don't make any sense.
00:09:45.541 --> 00:09:48.711
Not only that,
00:09:48.711 --> 00:09:50.146
But i want you to notice a second characteristic
00:09:50.146 --> 00:09:52.348
Of conquering faith.
00:09:52.348 --> 00:09:53.749
Each of these men and women received god's blessing
00:09:53.749 --> 00:09:57.453
In spite of themselves.
00:09:57.453 --> 00:10:00.256
They received god's blessing in spite of themselves.
00:10:00.256 --> 00:10:02.558
Look at verse 31.
00:10:02.558 --> 00:10:04.093
"by faith, rahab the harlot did not perish
00:10:04.093 --> 00:10:07.129
With those who were disobedient
00:10:07.129 --> 00:10:10.166
After she had welcomed the spies in peace."
00:10:10.166 --> 00:10:13.335
This is a part of the joshua and jericho story,
00:10:13.335 --> 00:10:16.038
But it occurs a few chapters before joshua 6.
00:10:16.038 --> 00:10:18.974
It's back in joshua 2.
00:10:18.974 --> 00:10:21.210
While joshua was still overlooking the city of jericho,
00:10:21.210 --> 00:10:25.114
Trying to figure out what he was going to do,
00:10:25.114 --> 00:10:27.783
He sent two spies into the city itself
00:10:27.783 --> 00:10:31.353
On a reconnaissance mission to see
00:10:31.353 --> 00:10:33.055
What kind of obstacles they were going to face.
00:10:33.055 --> 00:10:35.758
These two spies were risking their lives,
00:10:35.758 --> 00:10:38.060
And there was a city prostitute
00:10:38.060 --> 00:10:40.062
Who lived between the two walls i talked about.
00:10:40.062 --> 00:10:42.565
Her name was rahab.
00:10:42.565 --> 00:10:44.533
And she risked her life to hide these spies.
00:10:44.533 --> 00:10:47.970
Why did she do such a thing?
00:10:47.970 --> 00:10:50.172
Because joshua 2 says she believed in the god of israel.
00:10:50.172 --> 00:10:53.609
I don't know how she came to know about the god of israel,
00:10:53.609 --> 00:10:56.112
But she did.
00:10:56.112 --> 00:10:57.513
She believed, and because of that she spared these spies,
00:10:58.647 --> 00:11:01.317
And they spared her life when they invaded the city.
00:11:01.317 --> 00:11:05.654
By faith, god used this spy, this harlot named rahab,
00:11:05.654 --> 00:11:10.993
To preserve the life of the spies.
00:11:11.727 --> 00:11:14.363
Now, rahab is not somebody you would normally think
00:11:14.363 --> 00:11:17.733
Of that god would use, but when you follow her genealogy,
00:11:17.733 --> 00:11:21.003
What is fascinating is this city prostitute became
00:11:21.003 --> 00:11:25.608
The mother of boaz, who married ruth in the old testament.
00:11:26.742 --> 00:11:30.412
She became the great, great grandmother
00:11:30.412 --> 00:11:33.616
Of the great king david.
00:11:33.616 --> 00:11:35.584
And when you turn to matthew chapter 1,
00:11:35.584 --> 00:11:38.187
The genealogy of jesus, you look at his family tree,
00:11:38.187 --> 00:11:41.724
It goes all the way through rahab the harlot.
00:11:41.724 --> 00:11:45.995
Rahab the harlot was an ancestor of jesus christ our lord.
00:11:45.995 --> 00:11:51.333
Don't ever think, ladies and gentlemen,
00:11:52.201 --> 00:11:54.136
That god could never use you because of some sin
00:11:55.070 --> 00:11:58.474
In your past.
00:11:58.474 --> 00:11:59.809
God used rahab the harlot.
00:11:59.809 --> 00:12:01.877
Why?
00:12:01.877 --> 00:12:03.445
Because she was a forgiven harlot.
00:12:04.213 --> 00:12:05.815
The grace, the blood of jesus christ,
00:12:05.815 --> 00:12:08.517
Is sufficient to cleanse you not just
00:12:08.517 --> 00:12:10.586
Of some unrighteousness, but of all unrighteousness.
00:12:10.586 --> 00:12:15.524
In fact, when you read through this list of people
00:12:15.524 --> 00:12:17.860
In verses 30 to 35, all of them, japheth, david, samson,
00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:23.098
They all had tremendous character flaws.
00:12:23.933 --> 00:12:26.735
They had made humongous mistakes in their life,
00:12:26.735 --> 00:12:29.939
But god used them not because of their sinlessness,
00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:34.009
But because of their faithfulness.
00:12:34.009 --> 00:12:36.445
And the same is true for you and me.
00:12:36.445 --> 00:12:39.114
It's a miracle when god conquers a problem
00:12:39.114 --> 00:12:42.051
And removes it from your life once and for all.
00:12:42.051 --> 00:12:44.653
But there is another kind of faith,
00:12:44.653 --> 00:12:46.589
And you find it in verse 35.
00:12:46.589 --> 00:12:48.257
And what you find beginning in that section
00:12:48.257 --> 00:12:50.426
All the way through verse 40 is a different kind of faith,
00:12:50.426 --> 00:12:52.595
A faith that doesn't conquer problems,
00:12:52.595 --> 00:12:55.564
But a faith that allows you to endure problems.
00:12:55.564 --> 00:12:59.401
And that's where most of us are.
00:12:59.401 --> 00:13:01.670
Most of us don't experience once-for-all conquering
00:13:01.670 --> 00:13:04.540
Of problems.
00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:05.841
So, what good is faith?
00:13:05.841 --> 00:13:07.176
Faith allows you to endure problems.
00:13:07.176 --> 00:13:09.311
That's the norm for most people.
00:13:09.311 --> 00:13:11.714
Look at verse 35.
00:13:11.714 --> 00:13:13.215
Women received back their dead by resurrection,
00:13:13.215 --> 00:13:15.951
And others were tortured, not accepting their release,
00:13:15.951 --> 00:13:21.323
So that they might obtain a better resurrection.
00:13:22.291 --> 00:13:24.894
Underline that word, tortured.
00:13:24.894 --> 00:13:27.963
And others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes,
00:13:27.963 --> 00:13:31.500
Also chains and imprisonment.
00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.936
They were stoned.
00:13:33.936 --> 00:13:35.838
This is probably a reference to jeremiah
00:13:35.838 --> 00:13:38.107
And stephen and other saints.
00:13:38.107 --> 00:13:40.376
They were sawn in two.
00:13:40.376 --> 00:13:43.646
This is a reference to what happened to isaiah.
00:13:43.646 --> 00:13:47.216
When isaiah refused to quit speaking out against
00:13:47.216 --> 00:13:49.952
The idolatry of the israelites,
00:13:49.952 --> 00:13:51.754
King manasseh had him put to death
00:13:51.754 --> 00:13:54.256
By being sawn in two with a wooden saw.
00:13:54.256 --> 00:13:57.159
Can you imagine any more of a gruesome
00:13:57.159 --> 00:14:00.029
And slow death than that?
00:14:00.029 --> 00:14:02.364
One historian records the scene of isaiah's death.
00:14:02.364 --> 00:14:07.670
And while they cut into his flesh,
00:14:08.404 --> 00:14:09.772
Isaiah uttered no complaint and shed no tears,
00:14:09.772 --> 00:14:13.909
But he ceased not to commune with the holy spirit
00:14:13.909 --> 00:14:17.079
Until the saw had cut to the middle of the body.
00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:21.283
Others, the writer says,
00:14:21.784 --> 00:14:24.687
Were put into sheep skins and in goat skins.
00:14:24.687 --> 00:14:27.723
What's that about?
00:14:27.723 --> 00:14:29.391
Remember in the roman amphitheaters,
00:14:29.391 --> 00:14:33.062
They would take christians,
00:14:33.062 --> 00:14:34.763
And they would put them in the middle of the colosseum,
00:14:34.763 --> 00:14:37.599
And they would cover them in the skin of an animal,
00:14:37.599 --> 00:14:40.803
And then they would let the ferocious animals loose,
00:14:40.803 --> 00:14:44.106
And those animals would tear
00:14:44.106 --> 00:14:45.574
The christians apart limb from limb.
00:14:45.574 --> 00:14:49.311
That's a reference to that.
00:14:49.311 --> 00:14:50.713
Verse 38, men of whom the world was not worthy,
00:14:50.713 --> 00:14:54.149
They went about in goat skins, being destitute, afflicted,
00:14:54.149 --> 00:14:58.754
And ill-treated, wandering in deserts and mountains
00:14:58.754 --> 00:15:02.057
And caves and holes in the ground.
00:15:02.057 --> 00:15:04.593
Most scholars agree that this particular phrase refers
00:15:05.694 --> 00:15:09.665
To a specific time in history
00:15:09.665 --> 00:15:12.134
Of intense persecution of god's people.
00:15:12.134 --> 00:15:15.170
It occurred in 168 b.c. when antiochus epiphanes,
00:15:15.170 --> 00:15:19.975
The king of syria, ruled the world.
00:15:19.975 --> 00:15:23.212
He was a type of the antichrist that is yet to come,
00:15:23.212 --> 00:15:27.249
And anyone who dared follow the god of abraham, isaac,
00:15:27.249 --> 00:15:31.053
Jacob, and joseph suffered horrible consequences
00:15:31.053 --> 00:15:34.590
For doing so.
00:15:34.590 --> 00:15:36.125
You understand why it is that god rewarded these people,
00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:41.163
Not immediately, but ultimately, because of their faith.
00:15:41.163 --> 00:15:44.233
What allowed them to endure their faith
00:15:44.233 --> 00:15:48.470
And their problems in spite of their circumstances?
00:15:48.470 --> 00:15:51.140
I want you to notice two characteristics here.
00:15:51.140 --> 00:15:53.375
First of all, they were focused
00:15:53.375 --> 00:15:55.944
On future rewards instead of the present results.
00:15:55.944 --> 00:16:01.116
They were focused on future rewards instead
00:16:02.017 --> 00:16:05.020
Of present results.
00:16:05.020 --> 00:16:06.488
Look again at verse 35.
00:16:06.488 --> 00:16:08.690
Yes, women received back their dead by resurrection,
00:16:08.690 --> 00:16:11.326
But others were tortured, not accepting their release
00:16:11.326 --> 00:16:14.763
So that they might obtain a better resurrection.
00:16:14.763 --> 00:16:19.568
One thing all of these men and women in hebrews 11
00:16:19.568 --> 00:16:23.072
Had in common was they died without seeing
00:16:23.072 --> 00:16:26.375
The full results of their faithfulness to god.
00:16:26.375 --> 00:16:30.112
They died without seeing the results
00:16:30.112 --> 00:16:32.614
Of their faithfulness to god.
00:16:32.614 --> 00:16:34.216
That is true about every one of these men and women.
00:16:34.216 --> 00:16:37.519
And you know, that's been god's pattern throughout history.
00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:40.823
The people god has blessed most are people
00:16:40.823 --> 00:16:44.193
Who have died without seeing the full results
00:16:44.193 --> 00:16:47.129
Of their faithfulness to god.
00:16:47.129 --> 00:16:48.597
I think about the great colonial pastor, cotton mather.
00:16:48.597 --> 00:16:51.934
He prayed for years and years
00:16:51.934 --> 00:16:54.336
And years for a revival in america,
00:16:54.336 --> 00:16:57.773
And yet the great awakening began the year that he died.
00:16:57.773 --> 00:17:01.710
Or i think about william wilberforce,
00:17:01.710 --> 00:17:03.979
The christian abolitionist who prayed and worked
00:17:03.979 --> 00:17:07.216
And worked and worked for 50 years
00:17:07.216 --> 00:17:09.618
To remove slavery from great britain.
00:17:09.618 --> 00:17:12.488
And again, it was only on his deathbed
00:17:12.488 --> 00:17:14.523
That the british people decided to rid their continent
00:17:14.523 --> 00:17:19.061
Of that terrible practice of human slavery.
00:17:19.061 --> 00:17:22.431
I think about hudson taylor, a missionary to china.
00:17:22.431 --> 00:17:25.200
He spent decades witnessing, sharing his faith
00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:28.270
To the chinese with only a handful of converts.
00:17:28.270 --> 00:17:31.807
And yet today, millions of chinese embrace
00:17:31.807 --> 00:17:34.943
The christian faith because of the faithful witness
00:17:34.943 --> 00:17:37.713
Of hudson taylor.
00:17:37.713 --> 00:17:39.414
That's what true faith is.
00:17:39.414 --> 00:17:41.350
You will never exercise obedience to god
00:17:41.350 --> 00:17:44.686
Until you are focused on future rewards
00:17:44.686 --> 00:17:47.723
Rather than present results.
00:17:47.723 --> 00:17:49.958
Remember hebrews 11, 6,
00:17:49.958 --> 00:17:51.593
Those who come to god must believe that god is
00:17:51.593 --> 00:17:54.997
And he is a rewarder of those
00:17:54.997 --> 00:17:57.266
Who diligently follow after him.
00:17:57.266 --> 00:17:59.835
You will never consistently obey god in your life
00:17:59.835 --> 00:18:03.138
Until you are absolutely convinced that god will reward you,
00:18:03.138 --> 00:18:07.209
Not immediately, but ultimately
00:18:07.209 --> 00:18:09.878
For your faithfulness to him.
00:18:09.878 --> 00:18:12.281
A second characteristic these christians have
00:18:12.281 --> 00:18:14.783
In verses 35 to 40 is that they were more concerned
00:18:14.783 --> 00:18:19.121
With god's approval than they were their own comfort.
00:18:19.121 --> 00:18:23.825
They were absolutely focused on god's approval,
00:18:24.793 --> 00:18:28.397
Not their own comfort.
00:18:28.397 --> 00:18:29.431
Look at verse 39.
00:18:29.431 --> 00:18:30.933
"and all of these, having gained approval through
00:18:30.933 --> 00:18:34.102
Their faith, did not receive what was promised."
00:18:34.102 --> 00:18:38.674
Remember the words i read in matthew 10, 28 last week?
00:18:38.674 --> 00:18:42.110
Jesus said, do not fear those who kill the body,
00:18:42.110 --> 00:18:45.447
But are unable to kill the soul.
00:18:45.447 --> 00:18:47.683
Instead, fear him who is able to destroy both the body
00:18:47.683 --> 00:18:51.019
And the soul in hell.
00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:54.022
Listen to me.
00:18:54.022 --> 00:18:55.224
You will never consistently obey god until you start
00:18:56.291 --> 00:19:00.229
To live your life for an audience of one,
00:19:00.229 --> 00:19:03.799
Remembering that it's really in the end only what god thinks
00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:07.903
Of you that really matters.
00:19:07.903 --> 00:19:11.340
That's the kind of faith that endures problems.
00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:15.877
When i think of somebody who lived their life
00:19:16.778 --> 00:19:19.881
And died without seeing the results of their obedience
00:19:19.881 --> 00:19:23.785
To god, i think about the story of william borden.
00:19:23.785 --> 00:19:30.025
You may remember his name from history.
00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:33.996
William borden grew up an heir
00:19:33.996 --> 00:19:36.698
To the great borden fortune in the last century.
00:19:36.698 --> 00:19:41.069
By the time he was in high school, he was a millionaire,
00:19:41.069 --> 00:19:45.374
Which in the early 1900s was a lot, a lot of money.
00:19:45.374 --> 00:19:49.845
He and his family assumed that he would become an heir
00:19:49.845 --> 00:19:52.748
And worker in the family business.
00:19:52.748 --> 00:19:55.017
He would take it over after he had graduated from college.
00:19:55.017 --> 00:19:58.520
So, after he graduated from high school,
00:19:58.520 --> 00:20:00.255
Before he was to enroll in yale university,
00:20:00.255 --> 00:20:03.058
His family sent him on an around-the-world trip
00:20:03.058 --> 00:20:06.295
As a graduation present.
00:20:06.295 --> 00:20:08.664
He went to africa.
00:20:08.664 --> 00:20:09.831
He went to the middle east.
00:20:09.831 --> 00:20:10.932
He went to china.
00:20:10.932 --> 00:20:12.467
And while he was in china,
00:20:12.467 --> 00:20:13.935
God began to speak to him and called him distinctly
00:20:13.935 --> 00:20:17.706
To spend the rest of his life sharing
00:20:17.706 --> 00:20:20.142
The gospel with muslims in china.
00:20:20.142 --> 00:20:23.445
In fact, he was so certain that
00:20:23.445 --> 00:20:24.946
That was god's call in his life, in the back of his bible,
00:20:24.946 --> 00:20:27.983
He wrote these words, no reserves, and he dated it.
00:20:27.983 --> 00:20:33.388
He came back and told his parents what god had said to them.
00:20:34.656 --> 00:20:39.428
They weren't very encouraging.
00:20:40.062 --> 00:20:41.697
They said, you must be mistaken.
00:20:41.697 --> 00:20:43.598
You're supposed to take over the family business.
00:20:43.598 --> 00:20:46.234
He said, no, god has spoken to me.
00:20:46.234 --> 00:20:48.236
And so, he went to yale, graduated in 1909,
00:20:48.236 --> 00:20:52.641
And once again was faced with what he was going to do.
00:20:52.641 --> 00:20:56.345
And instead of taking over the family business,
00:20:56.345 --> 00:20:59.548
He enrolled in princeton theological seminary
00:20:59.548 --> 00:21:02.217
To train as a minister of the gospel.
00:21:02.217 --> 00:21:05.854
His family threatened him and said, if you do this,
00:21:05.854 --> 00:21:09.491
We're going to disinherit you.
00:21:09.491 --> 00:21:12.060
He wasn't going to be deterred by that.
00:21:12.894 --> 00:21:15.130
And in the back of his bible, under the words, no reserves,
00:21:15.130 --> 00:21:18.667
He wrote two more words and dated them, no retreat,
00:21:18.667 --> 00:21:23.939
No retreat.
00:21:24.272 --> 00:21:25.440
He went to princeton seminary, graduated in 1913,
00:21:26.441 --> 00:21:30.746
Said goodbye to his family and friends
00:21:30.746 --> 00:21:32.681
And set sail for china.
00:21:32.681 --> 00:21:35.083
On the way to china, he stopped in egypt in order to learn
00:21:35.083 --> 00:21:39.321
The muslim language and to learn about their habits
00:21:39.321 --> 00:21:43.692
And customs so he could minister to them more effectively.
00:21:43.692 --> 00:21:48.263
And while in egypt, he contracted cerebral meningitis.
00:21:48.263 --> 00:21:53.602
They put him in the hospital, and within 30 days,
00:21:54.636 --> 00:21:56.705
He died at the age of 25 without ever making it to china.
00:21:56.705 --> 00:22:01.710
The headlines around the world captured the story.
00:22:02.744 --> 00:22:05.914
Heir to borden fortune dies at age 25.
00:22:05.914 --> 00:22:10.218
Unbelievers said, what a tragedy.
00:22:10.218 --> 00:22:12.287
Somebody gives up all of their wealth in order to go
00:22:12.287 --> 00:22:15.857
And do that?
00:22:15.857 --> 00:22:17.459
Even christians said,
00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:18.994
What a shame that somebody
00:22:18.994 --> 00:22:21.563
Who would give up so much died even before they got
00:22:21.563 --> 00:22:24.933
To the mission field in china.
00:22:24.933 --> 00:22:27.202
What a waste.
00:22:27.202 --> 00:22:31.339
What is it that was a secret of william borden's life?
00:22:32.441 --> 00:22:36.645
After he died, they found his bible.
00:22:36.645 --> 00:22:40.348
And in the back of the bible, underneath those phrases,
00:22:40.348 --> 00:22:44.553
No reserves and no retreat,
00:22:44.553 --> 00:22:49.825
They found two more words.
00:22:50.392 --> 00:22:52.527
As he lay dying in that cairo hospital,
00:22:53.361 --> 00:22:56.698
William borden had written the words, no regrets.
00:22:56.698 --> 00:23:02.037
No regrets.
00:23:02.370 --> 00:23:05.307
The kind of faith that endures problems
00:23:06.174 --> 00:23:10.111
Is a faith that is without reserve without retreat,
00:23:11.112 --> 00:23:15.917
And without regrets.
00:23:16.384 --> 00:23:18.220
♪ music ♪
00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:23.158
I hope today's message sets you on a course
00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:26.595
To live your life without regret.
00:23:26.595 --> 00:23:29.631
When we give our all to the cause of christ,
00:23:29.631 --> 00:23:32.200
He gives strength to get through any trial
00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:34.970
That may come our way.
00:23:34.970 --> 00:23:36.838
Now, before our time is up for today,
00:23:36.838 --> 00:23:39.140
Let me underscore the importance of your partnership
00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:42.444
With pathway to victory.
00:23:42.444 --> 00:23:44.246
Because of your generosity,
00:23:44.246 --> 00:23:45.881
We are postured to reach more people in the days ahead
00:23:45.881 --> 00:23:48.650
Than ever before as we expand into cities around
00:23:48.650 --> 00:23:51.820
The world that desperately need light in the darkness.
00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:55.590
Momentum is on our side because more
00:23:55.590 --> 00:23:57.893
And more friends are raising their hand and saying,
00:23:57.893 --> 00:24:00.896
Dr. jeffress, i'm willing to be counted among your team.
00:24:00.896 --> 00:24:04.766
Are you willing to jump on board as well?
00:24:04.766 --> 00:24:07.402
Give today and join the growing movement
00:24:07.402 --> 00:24:10.071
So that every city in america and around the world
00:24:10.071 --> 00:24:13.275
Will eventually have access to pathway to victory.
00:24:13.275 --> 00:24:17.212
Now, stay right there.
00:24:17.212 --> 00:24:18.780
I'll be back in just a moment to wrap up today's program.
00:24:18.780 --> 00:24:22.317
Dr. robert jeffress has written a book
00:24:23.151 --> 00:24:25.020
To help you rediscover the joy of time with god.
00:24:25.020 --> 00:24:28.390
It's called "spiritual essentials."
00:24:28.390 --> 00:24:30.659
In "spiritual essentials," i share three simple,
00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:34.162
Deeply personal ways you can make god's word
00:24:34.162 --> 00:24:37.165
A meaningful part of your everyday life,
00:24:37.165 --> 00:24:40.035
Including a practical plan to help you get started today.
00:24:40.035 --> 00:24:44.272
These are the same strategies i use in my own bible study.
00:24:44.272 --> 00:24:48.343
I'll also show you how to pray with purpose
00:24:48.343 --> 00:24:50.912
And confidence for your children and grandchildren.
00:24:50.912 --> 00:24:54.616
Whether you've been walking with god for decades
00:24:54.616 --> 00:24:56.685
Or you're just getting started,
00:24:56.685 --> 00:24:58.219
"spiritual essentials" will help you get back to the basics
00:24:58.219 --> 00:25:00.956
Of your faith and experience god's presence in a fresh,
00:25:00.956 --> 00:25:04.426
New way.
00:25:04.426 --> 00:25:05.760
Request your copy of "spiritual essentials"
00:25:05.760 --> 00:25:08.063
When you give a generous gift
00:25:08.063 --> 00:25:09.497
To support the ministry of pathway to victory.
00:25:09.497 --> 00:25:12.200
And when you give $50 or more,
00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:14.302
We'll also send you the complete
00:25:14.302 --> 00:25:16.071
"spiritual fitness teaching series" on both cd and dvd.
00:25:16.071 --> 00:25:20.275
When we go through fiery problems in our life,
00:25:20.275 --> 00:25:24.312
Sometimes those problems can strengthen us,
00:25:24.312 --> 00:25:28.683
But sometimes they can cause our faith to shatter.
00:25:28.683 --> 00:25:32.153
Thank you for giving generously to pathway to victory.
00:25:32.153 --> 00:25:35.557
Every day, your support makes it possible
00:25:35.557 --> 00:25:37.826
To reach people across the nation and around the world
00:25:37.826 --> 00:25:40.762
With the practical, life-changing truth of god's word,
00:25:40.762 --> 00:25:44.532
Transforming lives, strengthening families,
00:25:44.532 --> 00:25:47.836
And pointing a lost world toward hope in jesus christ.
00:25:47.836 --> 00:25:53.108
♪ music ♪
00:25:53.441 --> 00:25:54.876
God may not reward you immediately for your obedience.
00:25:54.876 --> 00:25:58.246
In fact, there's a pretty good chance he won't.
00:25:58.246 --> 00:26:00.882
But god will reward you ultimately
00:26:00.882 --> 00:26:03.351
For your faithfulness to him.
00:26:03.351 --> 00:26:05.553
That's a promise that gives us the strength
00:26:05.553 --> 00:26:08.189
To stay on track.
00:26:08.189 --> 00:26:10.058
Well, the most common metaphor in the bible
00:26:10.058 --> 00:26:12.427
For the christian life is a race.
00:26:12.427 --> 00:26:15.063
So, how do we develop the kind of endurance needed
00:26:15.063 --> 00:26:18.233
To not only finish, but to win the race?
00:26:18.233 --> 00:26:21.436
Stay tuned for a preview
00:26:21.436 --> 00:26:22.971
Of what's coming up next in our series, "spiritual fitness."
00:26:22.971 --> 00:26:27.909
You know, focus is so important for a runner.
00:26:28.843 --> 00:26:31.179
If a runner is focused on those in the stands,
00:26:31.179 --> 00:26:34.549
He's going to become distracted.
00:26:34.549 --> 00:26:36.551
If he focuses on his feet, he's going to become distracted.
00:26:36.551 --> 00:26:40.155
What he's got to do is focus on the finish line
00:26:41.089 --> 00:26:43.958
And the prize.
00:26:43.958 --> 00:26:45.093
Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
00:26:46.094 --> 00:26:48.797
"spiritual aerobics," here on pathway to victory.
00:26:48.797 --> 00:26:55.970
♪ music ♪
00:26:56.304 --> 00:26:58.106
The apostle paul sailed these waters,
00:26:58.106 --> 00:27:00.408
Walked these streets, and the church was never the same.
00:27:00.408 --> 00:27:03.912
I'm inviting you to follow in paul's footsteps
00:27:03.912 --> 00:27:06.748
On the pathway to victory journeys of paul cruise
00:27:06.748 --> 00:27:09.818
Through the stunning greek islands into ancient ephesus
00:27:09.818 --> 00:27:13.154
And many other destinations as well.
00:27:13.154 --> 00:27:15.590
This is purposeful travel at its finest.
00:27:15.590 --> 00:27:18.860
Set sail may 14, 2027.
00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:21.496
Call 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org.
00:27:21.496 --> 00:27:26.901
♪ music ♪
00:27:27.235 --> 00:27:27.235

Robert Jeffress - Against All Odds

May 13, 2026 | 27:29

Closed captions

Share