Robert Jeffress - America Is A Christian Nation

July 12, 2025 | S25 E332 | 29:0

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 - America Is A Christian Nation | July 12, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [narrator] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i am robert jeffress
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • In recent decades,
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  • Our government has taken drastic measures
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  • To ensure that church and state remain completely separate.
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  • And while many have applauded these efforts
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  • For upholding american values,
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  • Our modern day interpretation
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  • Of the separation of church and state
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  • Actually goes against the vision cast
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  • By our founding fathers.
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  • I'll explain why america is
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  • And always has been a christian nation
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  • On today's special edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ mine eyes have seen the glory ♪
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  • ♪ of the coming of the lord ♪
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  • ♪ he is trampling out the vintage ♪
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  • ♪ where the grapes of wrath are stored ♪
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  • ♪ he hath loosed the fateful lightning ♪
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  • ♪ of his terrible swift sword ♪
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  • ♪ his truth is marching on ♪
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  • ♪ glory oh ♪
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  • ♪ glory, glory, hallelujah ♪
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  • ♪ his truth is marching on ♪
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ in the beauty of the lilies ♪
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  • ♪ christ was born across the sea ♪
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  • ♪ with a glory in his bosom ♪
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  • ♪ that transfigures you and me ♪
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  • ♪ as he died to make men holy ♪
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  • ♪ let us die to make men free ♪
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  • ♪ while god is marching on ♪
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  • ♪ glory, glory, hallelujah ♪
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  • ♪ his truth is marching on ♪
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  • ♪ amen ♪
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • (audience applauds)
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  • [narrator] jesus declared you are the salt of the earth
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  • And the light of the world.
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  • With so much darkness creeping into our schools
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  • And communities,
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  • Now is the time to answer that calling.
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  • Become the salt and light the world desperately needs
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  • Through the "pathway to victory"
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  • Salt and light matching challenge.
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  • Your gift today doubled in ministry impact
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  • Will empower "pathway to victory"
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  • To proclaim the gospel and stand for biblical truth.
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  • Push back and hold strong against moral decline
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  • By joining the salt and light matching challenge.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Listen long enough to the arguments
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  • Of the american civil liberties union
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  • Or the freedom from religion foundation
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  • Or other left wing groups
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  • And you'll come to believe that america was founded
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  • By a wide diversity of people from many different faiths,
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  • Some deists, some atheists,
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  • And yes, a few christians,
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  • But the founders had one goal
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  • And that was to build a completely secular nation
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  • That was devoid of any religious,
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  • Especially christian influence whatsoever.
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  • You'll be told that our founders wanted to erect
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  • This unscalable wall around our country
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  • That would keep any spiritual influence
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  • From seeping into public life.
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  • That version of american history
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  • Belongs in the same category
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  • As the story of george washington and the cherry tree.
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  • It is an absolute myth.
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  • As we're going to discover today,
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  • The truth is america was founded primarily,
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  • Not exclusively,
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  • But primarily by orthodox christians,
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  • And they founded this country upon the unchanging foundation
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  • Of god's eternal truth.
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  • And furthermore,
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  • Our founders believed that our success
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  • As a nation depended upon our faithfulness
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  • To god's eternal word.
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  • And though it is completely politically incorrect to say,
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  • The truth is this,
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  • America was founded as a christian nation
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  • And our success as a nation
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  • Depends upon our fidelity to god's worth.
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  • Now today we are going to look at the historical evidence
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  • By which we can say that america was truly founded
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  • As a christian nation.
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  • First of all,
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  • Let's look at the spiritual beliefs of our founders.
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  • Were they neutral toward christianity?
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  • Hardly.
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  • 52 of the 55 men
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  • Who attended the constitutional convention
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  • Were orthodox conservative christians.
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  • Benjamin franklin believed that the continental congress
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  • Should begin the session
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  • Seeking the favor of god through prayer.
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  • Franklin said, quote,
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  • "i have lived, sir, a long time
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  • And the longer i live,
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  • The more convincing proofs i see of this truth
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  • That god governs the affairs of men.
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  • And if a sparrow cannot fall
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  • To the ground without his notice,
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  • Is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?
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  • We have been assured, sir,
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  • In the sacred writings that except the lord build
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  • They labor in vain that build it."
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  • That was benjamin franklin.
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  • Consider also the state constitutions.
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  • Every state had their own constitution
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  • And almost all of the 13 colonies
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  • Prior to the constitutional convention
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  • Had a state-sponsored religion.
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  • And you see this in the qualifications
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  • That every state had to go to the constitutional convention.
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  • For example, if you were from delaware,
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  • Listen to one of the things you had to subscribe to.
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  • Article 22 of the delaware convention said, quote,
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  • "every person who shall be chosen a member of either house
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  • Or appointed to any office or place of trust
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  • Shall make and subscribe to the following declaration,
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  • I do profess faith in god the father
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  • And in jesus christ, his only son,
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  • And in the holy ghost.
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  • One god blessed forevermore,
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  • And i do acknowledge the holy scriptures
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  • To the old and new testament
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  • To be given by divine inspiration."
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  • Today we don't even require some seminary professors
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  • To believe that,
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  • But if you lived in delaware
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  • And wanted to hold public office,
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  • You had to believe that you know.
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  • A few years ago,
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  • Two professors from the university of houston,
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  • Donald lutz and charles hyneman engaged in a
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  • Research project to discover
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  • Whom our founding fathers quoted the most.
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  • And they thought if they could find out
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  • Whom the founding fathers were quoting the most,
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  • They could understand better their principles.
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  • And so after 10 years
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  • Of studying more than 15,000 documents,
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  • These professors found
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  • That the three men our founding fathers quoted most often
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  • Were british philosopher, john locke,
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  • French philosopher, baron montesquieu
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  • And english judge, sir william blackstone.
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  • However, they found our founding father cited the bible
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  • Four times more than they quoted montesquieu or blackstone
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  • And 12 times more than they quoted john locke.
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  • Just listen, for example,
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  • To george washington in his first inaugural speech,
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  • He said, "it would be improper to omit
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  • In this first official act,
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  • My fervent supplications
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  • To that almighty being.
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  • No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore
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  • The invisible hand
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  • Which conducts the affairs of men
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  • More than the people of the united states."
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  • This is what john quincy adams said, quote,
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  • "the highest the transcendent glory
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  • Of the american revolution was this
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  • That it connected in one indissoluble bond
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  • The principles of civil government
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  • And the precepts of christianity.
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  • If it has never been considered in that light,
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  • It is because its compass has not been perceived."
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  • Do you hear that?
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  • There is an indissoluble bond
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  • Between the founding of our country and christianity.
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  • That was john quincy adams.
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  • You say, "well, pastor,
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  • What about the wall of separation
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  • Between the church and the state?"
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  • Never once do you find the words,
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  • "the separation of church and state,"
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  • And yet today 69% of americans still believe
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  • That that phrase is found somewhere in the constitution.
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  • It's not in the constitution.
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  • And we'll see in just a moment where that phrase originated.
  • 00:10:59.749 --> 00:11:03.953
  • In fact, the first mention of that phrase,
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  • "the wall of separation between church and state,"
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  • Doesn't appear in a government document.
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  • It appears in a private letter
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  • From newly elected president thomas jefferson
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  • And a group of baptist in danbury, connecticut.
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  • And listen to what he said.
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  • "i contemplate with sovereign reverence
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  • That act of the whole american people
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  • Which declared that their legislature should
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  • Make no law respecting an establishment of religion
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  • Or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
  • 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:40.556
  • He's quoting the first amendment.
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  • "thus building a wall of separation
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  • Between church and state."
  • 00:11:45.828 --> 00:11:48.764
  • Now i want you to notice the context.
  • 00:11:48.764 --> 00:11:51.033
  • The context had to do with the establishing
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  • Of one christian denomination as the state religion,
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  • Which people were coerced to support financially.
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  • And it was in that context that thomas jefferson said,
  • 00:12:02.678 --> 00:12:06.081
  • "no, we are not to establish a state church
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  • That coerces people to worship.
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  • We're not to elevate one christian denomination
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  • Over another."
  • 00:12:16.859 --> 00:12:17.893
  • That is clearly the context.
  • 00:12:17.893 --> 00:12:20.095
  • Look at the early court rulings
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  • In addition to the utterances of our founding fathers.
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  • I mentioned just several of these cases
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  • That show that not only did our judiciary
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  • Affirm our christian foundation,
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  • But they also encouraged government support
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  • Of the christian fate.
  • 00:12:37.947 --> 00:12:39.748
  • First of all, the case of runkel versus winemiller in 1799.
  • 00:12:39.748 --> 00:12:44.954
  • In that case,
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  • The supreme court of maryland said in its decision, quote,
  • 00:12:46.889 --> 00:12:49.592
  • "by our form of government,
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  • The christian religion is the established religion."
  • 00:12:52.962 --> 00:12:58.300
  • Now stop there and think about that.
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  • This is seven years,
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  • Just seven years after the first amendment that says
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  • Congress will make no law
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  • Regarding the establishment of religion.
  • 00:13:07.009 --> 00:13:10.946
  • And now seven years later,
  • 00:13:10.946 --> 00:13:12.514
  • Maryland supreme court says,
  • 00:13:12.514 --> 00:13:14.650
  • "we have an established religion in this country.
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  • It is the christian religion."
  • 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:20.289
  • Were these judges ignorant of the first amendment?
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  • Of course, they weren't.
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  • They understood the first amendment better than you do,
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  • Better than i do,
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  • And certainly better than some liberal judge does today.
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  • The founders were still alive,
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  • The framers of the constitution.
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  • If there was any question,
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  • The maryland supreme court could have gone
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  • And asked the founders what they mean.
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  • No, they said,
  • 00:13:42.311 --> 00:13:43.479
  • "we have an established religion."
  • 00:13:43.479 --> 00:13:44.813
  • But look at the second phrase,
  • 00:13:44.813 --> 00:13:46.282
  • "and all sex and denominations of christians
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  • Are placed upon the same equal footing
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  • And are equally entitled to protection
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  • In their religious liberty."
  • 00:13:56.292 --> 00:13:58.160
  • What they were saying was,
  • 00:13:58.160 --> 00:13:59.995
  • "yes, we have an established faith, the christian faith,
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  • But no christian denomination
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  • Is to be elevated over another christian denomination."
  • 00:14:05.167 --> 00:14:08.671
  • That again, was the intent of the first amendment.
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  • One more i want to share with you,
  • 00:14:13.342 --> 00:14:15.477
  • Vidal versus girard's executors, 1844.
  • 00:14:15.477 --> 00:14:20.015
  • This was a very complicated case,
  • 00:14:20.015 --> 00:14:22.518
  • But the gist of it is this,
  • 00:14:22.518 --> 00:14:24.887
  • A man, very wealthy man in philadelphia died
  • 00:14:24.887 --> 00:14:28.023
  • And in his will,
  • 00:14:28.023 --> 00:14:29.358
  • He stipulated that the proceeds of his estate
  • 00:14:29.358 --> 00:14:33.128
  • Would be used to support a school for orphans.
  • 00:14:33.128 --> 00:14:37.032
  • They would call that a college back then,
  • 00:14:37.032 --> 00:14:39.101
  • But it was a school for orphans.
  • 00:14:39.101 --> 00:14:40.602
  • But he had one stipulation
  • 00:14:40.602 --> 00:14:42.738
  • And that is no christian clergyman
  • 00:14:42.738 --> 00:14:45.174
  • Could be allowed to teach in his school.
  • 00:14:45.174 --> 00:14:48.711
  • Well, the people of pennsylvania were upset by that.
  • 00:14:48.711 --> 00:14:54.016
  • They were upset that you would have a school
  • 00:14:54.917 --> 00:14:56.852
  • In which christianity couldn't be taught,
  • 00:14:56.852 --> 00:14:59.722
  • But the supreme court of the united states upheld
  • 00:14:59.722 --> 00:15:02.691
  • That man's will using this logic.
  • 00:15:02.691 --> 00:15:06.095
  • They said the fact that you don't have a christian
  • 00:15:06.095 --> 00:15:07.629
  • Minister teaching doesn't mean
  • 00:15:07.629 --> 00:15:10.032
  • The principles of christianity can't be taught
  • 00:15:10.032 --> 00:15:12.768
  • Or should be taught.
  • 00:15:12.768 --> 00:15:14.136
  • And this is what the supreme court said, quote,
  • 00:15:14.136 --> 00:15:16.638
  • "why may not the bible,
  • 00:15:16.638 --> 00:15:18.807
  • And especially the new testament,
  • 00:15:18.807 --> 00:15:20.909
  • Without note or comment,
  • 00:15:20.909 --> 00:15:22.444
  • Be read and taught as a divine revelation in the college,
  • 00:15:22.444 --> 00:15:27.383
  • Its general precepts expounded,
  • 00:15:27.383 --> 00:15:29.752
  • Its evidence is explained,
  • 00:15:29.752 --> 00:15:31.720
  • And its glorious principles of morality inculcated?"
  • 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:35.958
  • There is no reason not to teach the bible in this school
  • 00:15:35.958 --> 00:15:39.962
  • And to treat it as the word of god
  • 00:15:39.962 --> 00:15:42.297
  • And to teach its morality to students.
  • 00:15:42.297 --> 00:15:45.234
  • Likewise, the court said in the same ruling
  • 00:15:45.234 --> 00:15:47.936
  • That, "we don't have to worry about parody,
  • 00:15:47.936 --> 00:15:50.072
  • What effect such a ruling would have
  • 00:15:50.072 --> 00:15:52.007
  • On non-christian rulings."
  • 00:15:52.007 --> 00:15:53.542
  • Listen to this again, amazing.
  • 00:15:53.542 --> 00:15:55.277
  • "it is unnecessary for us, however,
  • 00:15:55.277 --> 00:15:57.880
  • To consider what the legal effect
  • 00:15:57.880 --> 00:15:59.748
  • Of a device in pennsylvania for the establishment
  • 00:15:59.748 --> 00:16:02.484
  • Of a school or college for the propagation of judaism,
  • 00:16:02.484 --> 00:16:06.655
  • Or deism, or any other form of infidelity.
  • 00:16:06.655 --> 00:16:13.262
  • Such a case is not to be presumed in a christian country."
  • 00:16:14.496 --> 00:16:21.970
  • Now that is how the early court felt
  • 00:16:22.771 --> 00:16:25.441
  • About the christian faith.
  • 00:16:25.441 --> 00:16:27.109
  • This was the spiritual foundation
  • 00:16:27.109 --> 00:16:30.145
  • On which our nation was built.
  • 00:16:30.145 --> 00:16:32.381
  • So the natural question is what happened?
  • 00:16:32.381 --> 00:16:35.751
  • What happened?
  • 00:16:36.118 --> 00:16:37.453
  • How do you explain this seismic shift
  • 00:16:37.453 --> 00:16:41.490
  • In the attitude toward faith in the public square
  • 00:16:41.490 --> 00:16:43.926
  • That we've witnessed in these last decades?
  • 00:16:43.926 --> 00:16:47.796
  • Well, first of all,
  • 00:16:47.796 --> 00:16:49.331
  • The first stone that was laid
  • 00:16:49.331 --> 00:16:52.167
  • In the erection of the wall of separation
  • 00:16:52.167 --> 00:16:55.237
  • Between church and state
  • 00:16:55.237 --> 00:16:57.072
  • Actually happened in 1947.
  • 00:16:57.072 --> 00:17:01.410
  • This was a supreme court case,
  • 00:17:01.410 --> 00:17:03.846
  • Everson versus the board of education.
  • 00:17:03.846 --> 00:17:06.582
  • This is the first time the words,
  • 00:17:06.582 --> 00:17:09.384
  • "separation of church and state,"
  • 00:17:09.384 --> 00:17:11.220
  • Were ever mentioned in a supreme court decision.
  • 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:14.523
  • This case dealt with the state of new jersey
  • 00:17:14.523 --> 00:17:17.759
  • Using tax dollars to support religious schools.
  • 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:22.231
  • Now remember back then all religious schools
  • 00:17:22.231 --> 00:17:24.967
  • Were catholic schools.
  • 00:17:24.967 --> 00:17:27.269
  • Remember that.
  • 00:17:27.269 --> 00:17:28.670
  • The chief justice of...
  • 00:17:28.670 --> 00:17:31.240
  • The justice of the supreme court
  • 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.208
  • Who delivered that decision in the everson case
  • 00:17:33.208 --> 00:17:36.044
  • Was justice hugo black
  • 00:17:36.044 --> 00:17:38.947
  • And hugo black in that decision
  • 00:17:38.947 --> 00:17:42.151
  • Talked about his desire to build
  • 00:17:42.151 --> 00:17:44.620
  • A high and impregnable wall of separation
  • 00:17:44.620 --> 00:17:47.923
  • Between the church and the state.
  • 00:17:47.923 --> 00:17:50.926
  • He wanted to keep the catholic church
  • 00:17:50.926 --> 00:17:52.794
  • From receiving any support whatsoever.
  • 00:17:52.794 --> 00:17:56.031
  • In fact, justice clarence thomas said this, quote,
  • 00:17:56.031 --> 00:17:59.368
  • "this doctrine..."
  • 00:17:59.368 --> 00:18:00.969
  • Of the separation of church and state, he's talking about.
  • 00:18:00.969 --> 00:18:03.338
  • "this doctrine born in bigotry should be buried."
  • 00:18:03.338 --> 00:18:09.211
  • But there you have the first stone in 1947.
  • 00:18:10.112 --> 00:18:14.149
  • Then built upon that was the second stone in 1962,
  • 00:18:14.149 --> 00:18:18.520
  • Engel versus vitale.
  • 00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:20.322
  • In this case, this court ruled
  • 00:18:20.322 --> 00:18:22.090
  • That students in new york city could no longer recite
  • 00:18:22.090 --> 00:18:25.727
  • This simple 22 word voluntary prayer, quote,
  • 00:18:25.727 --> 00:18:30.165
  • "almighty god, we acknowledge our dependence upon thee,
  • 00:18:30.165 --> 00:18:34.369
  • And we beg thy blessings upon us,
  • 00:18:34.369 --> 00:18:36.672
  • Our parents, our teachers,
  • 00:18:36.672 --> 00:18:38.607
  • And our country."
  • 00:18:38.607 --> 00:18:40.609
  • Can you imagine saying that's unconstitutional?
  • 00:18:40.609 --> 00:18:43.679
  • But the court said even though
  • 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:45.214
  • It was a to whomever it may concern prayer,
  • 00:18:45.214 --> 00:18:47.783
  • Not addressed to any particular god,
  • 00:18:47.783 --> 00:18:50.052
  • It was still breaching the quote,
  • 00:18:50.052 --> 00:18:52.321
  • "constitutional wall of separation
  • 00:18:52.321 --> 00:18:54.890
  • Between the church and state."
  • 00:18:54.890 --> 00:18:56.825
  • The third stone was laid in 1963,
  • 00:18:56.825 --> 00:19:00.128
  • Abington school district versus schempp.
  • 00:19:00.128 --> 00:19:03.765
  • This is a case that said,
  • 00:19:03.765 --> 00:19:06.635
  • "no longer could students voluntarily read
  • 00:19:06.635 --> 00:19:09.871
  • 10 verses of the bible
  • 00:19:09.871 --> 00:19:11.607
  • At the beginning of each school day."
  • 00:19:11.607 --> 00:19:14.343
  • The prosecution brought in so-called expert testimony
  • 00:19:14.343 --> 00:19:18.247
  • That said that if portions of the new testament
  • 00:19:18.247 --> 00:19:21.750
  • Were read without exclamation,
  • 00:19:21.750 --> 00:19:23.518
  • They could be psychologically harmful to the students
  • 00:19:23.518 --> 00:19:27.389
  • And therefore you can't do it.
  • 00:19:27.389 --> 00:19:29.591
  • Despain versus dekalb county in 1967,
  • 00:19:29.591 --> 00:19:34.529
  • This is a court case
  • 00:19:34.529 --> 00:19:35.964
  • That let stand a lower court ruling in 1966
  • 00:19:35.964 --> 00:19:40.135
  • That said a kindergarten teacher could not any longer
  • 00:19:40.135 --> 00:19:44.706
  • Allow her students to recite this simple poem.
  • 00:19:44.706 --> 00:19:49.111
  • "we thank you for the flowers so sweet.
  • 00:19:49.111 --> 00:19:52.814
  • We thank you for the food we eat.
  • 00:19:52.814 --> 00:19:56.084
  • We thank you for the birds that sing.
  • 00:19:56.084 --> 00:19:59.221
  • We thank you for everything."
  • 00:19:59.221 --> 00:20:03.225
  • The court said,
  • 00:20:03.592 --> 00:20:05.627
  • "you can't say that anymore in a school."
  • 00:20:05.627 --> 00:20:08.030
  • Why?
  • 00:20:08.030 --> 00:20:09.398
  • Because even though this poem does not mention god,
  • 00:20:09.398 --> 00:20:13.268
  • It might cause the children to think about god
  • 00:20:13.268 --> 00:20:16.638
  • And that is unconstitutional.
  • 00:20:16.638 --> 00:20:19.975
  • The culminating ruling,
  • 00:20:20.475 --> 00:20:22.277
  • 1980, stone versus graham.
  • 00:20:22.277 --> 00:20:25.547
  • This is a case involving the display
  • 00:20:25.547 --> 00:20:28.884
  • Of the 10 commandments in the halls of kentucky schools.
  • 00:20:28.884 --> 00:20:32.421
  • Thou shalt not steal,
  • 00:20:32.421 --> 00:20:34.056
  • Thou shalt not lie,
  • 00:20:34.056 --> 00:20:35.691
  • Thou shalt not murder.
  • 00:20:35.691 --> 00:20:37.793
  • Why did they say that was no longer constitutional?
  • 00:20:37.793 --> 00:20:40.996
  • Listen to what the supreme court said,
  • 00:20:40.996 --> 00:20:42.931
  • 1980, stone versus graham.
  • 00:20:42.931 --> 00:20:45.701
  • "if the posted copies of the 10 commandments
  • 00:20:45.701 --> 00:20:48.770
  • Are to have any effect at all,
  • 00:20:48.770 --> 00:20:50.906
  • It will induce the school children to read,
  • 00:20:50.906 --> 00:20:54.009
  • Meditate upon,
  • 00:20:54.009 --> 00:20:55.444
  • Perhaps venerate and obey the commandments.
  • 00:20:55.444 --> 00:20:58.947
  • However desirable this might be
  • 00:20:58.947 --> 00:21:00.882
  • As a matter of private devotion,
  • 00:21:00.882 --> 00:21:02.951
  • It is not permissible state objective
  • 00:21:02.951 --> 00:21:07.122
  • Under the establishment clause of the first amendment."
  • 00:21:07.122 --> 00:21:11.360
  • Why may not the new testament
  • 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:14.262
  • Be read and taught as divine revelation
  • 00:21:14.262 --> 00:21:17.099
  • And its principles of morality inculcated?
  • 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:20.402
  • How do you that with the words of john adams who said,
  • 00:21:20.402 --> 00:21:24.072
  • "our constitution is made for a moral and religious people.
  • 00:21:24.072 --> 00:21:29.511
  • It is totally inadequate to govern any other people."
  • 00:21:30.612 --> 00:21:33.215
  • And yet now the supreme court says,
  • 00:21:33.215 --> 00:21:35.050
  • "you can't even tell students they're not to lie,
  • 00:21:35.050 --> 00:21:38.019
  • Steal and kill."
  • 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:40.822
  • How do you explain this shift?
  • 00:21:41.456 --> 00:21:43.558
  • What has happened in the last 60 or 70 years?
  • 00:21:43.558 --> 00:21:47.295
  • Has the constitution changed
  • 00:21:47.295 --> 00:21:49.664
  • And somebody didn't tell us?
  • 00:21:49.664 --> 00:21:51.533
  • No.
  • 00:21:51.533 --> 00:21:52.634
  • What happened is this,
  • 00:21:52.634 --> 00:21:54.403
  • We've allowed the atheist,
  • 00:21:54.403 --> 00:21:56.605
  • The secularist,
  • 00:21:56.605 --> 00:21:57.939
  • The infidels to pervert our constitution
  • 00:21:57.939 --> 00:22:01.710
  • Into something our founders never intended.
  • 00:22:01.710 --> 00:22:05.247
  • And we cannot allow that to happen any longer.
  • 00:22:05.247 --> 00:22:08.550
  • It is time for us to stand up and say without apology,
  • 00:22:08.550 --> 00:22:12.421
  • "america was founded as a christian nation."
  • 00:22:12.421 --> 00:22:16.725
  • (audience applauds)
  • 00:22:16.725 --> 00:22:19.394
  • Consider god's warning to his own people,
  • 00:22:19.394 --> 00:22:22.130
  • The nation of israel,
  • 00:22:22.130 --> 00:22:23.932
  • A warning that is just as applicable to us today
  • 00:22:23.932 --> 00:22:27.736
  • As it was 3000 years ago.
  • 00:22:27.736 --> 00:22:30.272
  • In hosea four, verse six, god says,
  • 00:22:30.272 --> 00:22:32.874
  • "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
  • 00:22:32.874 --> 00:22:37.746
  • Because you have rejected knowledge,
  • 00:22:37.746 --> 00:22:40.148
  • I will also reject you from being my priest.
  • 00:22:40.148 --> 00:22:43.585
  • Since you have forgotten the law of your god,
  • 00:22:43.585 --> 00:22:46.354
  • I will also forget your children."
  • 00:22:46.354 --> 00:22:51.827
  • God is no respecter of people or nations.
  • 00:22:52.727 --> 00:22:56.932
  • The nation that reverences god will be blessed by god.
  • 00:22:58.033 --> 00:23:02.671
  • The nation that rejects god will be rejected by god.
  • 00:23:02.671 --> 00:23:07.676
  • The choice is ours.
  • 00:23:08.143 --> 00:23:10.846
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:15.450
  • May god be honored and may our country prosper
  • 00:23:16.351 --> 00:23:19.521
  • As we declare our allegiance to god and god alone.
  • 00:23:19.521 --> 00:23:24.226
  • Blessed is the nation whose god is the lord.
  • 00:23:24.226 --> 00:23:28.830
  • Well, in closing today i need to give you an urgent reminder
  • 00:23:30.031 --> 00:23:32.400
  • That midnight tonight is the deadline
  • 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:35.170
  • For counting your generous gift
  • 00:23:35.170 --> 00:23:37.172
  • Toward the pathway to victory
  • 00:23:37.172 --> 00:23:38.640
  • Salt and light matching challenge.
  • 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:41.076
  • Tonight, this extraordinary opportunity
  • 00:23:41.076 --> 00:23:43.478
  • To double your impact ends.
  • 00:23:43.478 --> 00:23:45.881
  • We're living in a world that grows morally
  • 00:23:45.881 --> 00:23:48.483
  • And spiritually darker by the day.
  • 00:23:48.483 --> 00:23:51.119
  • But remember what jesus declared.
  • 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:53.488
  • "you are the salt of the earth
  • 00:23:53.488 --> 00:23:55.824
  • And you are the light of the world."
  • 00:23:55.824 --> 00:23:58.393
  • Jesus didn't say you should be or that you ought to be.
  • 00:23:58.393 --> 00:24:01.930
  • He said, "you are right now."
  • 00:24:01.930 --> 00:24:04.533
  • Your generosity doubled in ministry impact
  • 00:24:04.533 --> 00:24:07.636
  • Will help us push back
  • 00:24:07.636 --> 00:24:09.337
  • Against the moral decline in our nation.
  • 00:24:09.337 --> 00:24:12.140
  • Saul preserves what is good and godly and delays the decay.
  • 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:16.478
  • Light drives out the darkness,
  • 00:24:16.478 --> 00:24:19.080
  • But only if we fulfill our purpose.
  • 00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:21.516
  • So please, before midnight tonight,
  • 00:24:21.516 --> 00:24:24.519
  • Seize this window of opportunity
  • 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.922
  • To double the impact of your gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:26.922 --> 00:24:31.126
  • Thank you so much for partnering with us
  • 00:24:31.126 --> 00:24:33.228
  • To be the salt and light
  • 00:24:33.228 --> 00:24:34.963
  • Our nation and our world urgently need now.
  • 00:24:34.963 --> 00:24:38.500
  • Stay right there.
  • 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.801
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:39.801 --> 00:24:42.003
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:24:42.003 --> 00:24:43.438
  • [narrator] the moral decline in today's world
  • 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:45.941
  • Can feel overwhelming,
  • 00:24:45.941 --> 00:24:47.442
  • But god calls us to shine his light
  • 00:24:47.442 --> 00:24:49.811
  • And make a difference for him in a world
  • 00:24:49.811 --> 00:24:51.980
  • That has lost its way.
  • 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:53.548
  • In his brand new book, "shine the light,"
  • 00:24:53.548 --> 00:24:55.750
  • Dr. robert jeffress shows you
  • 00:24:55.750 --> 00:24:57.419
  • How small faithful acts like teaching,
  • 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:59.854
  • Serving and encouraging can restore
  • 00:24:59.854 --> 00:25:02.223
  • And renew christian values in your family,
  • 00:25:02.223 --> 00:25:04.526
  • Your church and community.
  • 00:25:04.526 --> 00:25:06.294
  • The bible teaches that our primary purpose in life
  • 00:25:06.294 --> 00:25:09.497
  • Is to influence the world with the gospel.
  • 00:25:09.497 --> 00:25:12.801
  • And in my new book,
  • 00:25:12.801 --> 00:25:14.035
  • I'll show you how to live purposefully
  • 00:25:14.035 --> 00:25:16.304
  • And leave behind a legacy of faith,
  • 00:25:16.304 --> 00:25:18.974
  • Wisdom and compassion.
  • 00:25:18.974 --> 00:25:20.976
  • [narrator] the world may seem lost,
  • 00:25:20.976 --> 00:25:22.544
  • But god's light has not dimmed
  • 00:25:22.544 --> 00:25:24.546
  • And neither has yours.
  • 00:25:24.546 --> 00:25:26.081
  • Request your copy of "shine the light"
  • 00:25:26.081 --> 00:25:28.249
  • When you give a generous gift
  • 00:25:28.249 --> 00:25:29.851
  • To the pathway to victory salt and light matching challenge.
  • 00:25:29.851 --> 00:25:33.121
  • And when your ministry gift is $100 or more,
  • 00:25:33.121 --> 00:25:36.157
  • We'll also send you the complete
  • 00:25:36.157 --> 00:25:37.859
  • Shine the light teaching series on dvd and audio disc.
  • 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:41.563
  • Light is of little value in the light.
  • 00:25:41.563 --> 00:25:44.532
  • If we're going to be effective,
  • 00:25:44.532 --> 00:25:46.234
  • We're effective for christ
  • 00:25:46.234 --> 00:25:47.535
  • Not when we're around other light sources,
  • 00:25:47.535 --> 00:25:50.405
  • Other christians.
  • 00:25:50.405 --> 00:25:51.506
  • It is when we are in the darkness.
  • 00:25:51.506 --> 00:25:54.109
  • Light has to confront the darkness.
  • 00:25:54.109 --> 00:25:57.178
  • [narrator] remember,
  • 00:25:57.178 --> 00:25:58.480
  • Your gift today will have twice the impact
  • 00:25:58.480 --> 00:26:00.215
  • Thanks to the pathway to victory
  • 00:26:00.215 --> 00:26:01.816
  • Salt and light matching challenge.
  • 00:26:01.816 --> 00:26:03.952
  • Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory"
  • 00:26:03.952 --> 00:26:06.621
  • As we boldly proclaim the gospel
  • 00:26:06.621 --> 00:26:08.790
  • And equip believers to shine god's light
  • 00:26:08.790 --> 00:26:11.192
  • In a world that has lost its way.
  • 00:26:11.192 --> 00:26:14.829
  • Today's liberal elite have twisted
  • 00:26:15.563 --> 00:26:17.799
  • And distorted american history
  • 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:20.001
  • Attempting to disguise or even conceal
  • 00:26:20.001 --> 00:26:22.671
  • Our nation's obvious christian foundation.
  • 00:26:22.671 --> 00:26:26.207
  • But there's no mistake,
  • 00:26:26.207 --> 00:26:27.742
  • America was indeed founded as a christian nation
  • 00:26:27.742 --> 00:26:31.546
  • And that's a heritage we can be proud of.
  • 00:26:31.546 --> 00:26:34.649
  • Well, disciple and discipleship
  • 00:26:34.649 --> 00:26:37.352
  • Are words we throw around the church pretty often
  • 00:26:37.352 --> 00:26:40.121
  • Without really understanding what they mean.
  • 00:26:40.121 --> 00:26:43.091
  • So who really is a disciple
  • 00:26:43.091 --> 00:26:45.293
  • And what does a disciple look like?
  • 00:26:45.293 --> 00:26:47.829
  • Stay tuned for a preview of our next series
  • 00:26:47.829 --> 00:26:50.432
  • "7 marks of a disciple."
  • 00:26:50.432 --> 00:26:53.601
  • As you read through the whole of the new testament,
  • 00:26:54.636 --> 00:26:57.439
  • Can you really say that all god really wants for me
  • 00:26:57.439 --> 00:27:00.608
  • Is to receive that free get out of hell card
  • 00:27:00.608 --> 00:27:03.778
  • And that's all that really matters.
  • 00:27:03.778 --> 00:27:06.414
  • Does he care about anything else?
  • 00:27:06.414 --> 00:27:09.784
  • Again, the stakes are too high to get this wrong.
  • 00:27:09.784 --> 00:27:13.388
  • [narrator] set your dvr
  • 00:27:13.888 --> 00:27:15.056
  • And join us next time for the message,
  • 00:27:15.056 --> 00:27:16.991
  • The heart of discipleship,
  • 00:27:16.991 --> 00:27:18.927
  • Part of a new series,
  • 00:27:18.927 --> 00:27:19.994
  • "7 marks of a disciple"
  • 00:27:19.994 --> 00:27:22.063
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:22.063 --> 00:27:24.332
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:27:24.666 --> 00:27:24.666