Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Faith
#Israel
#Religion
#BibleHistory
#PromisesofGod
#WordofGod
#Future
#inActive
#Dr.RobertJeffress
#RobertJeffress
#Success
#Redemption
#Accountability
#Failure
#Exodus14:15
Closed captions
Show Timecode
Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Begin Your Second Act Now (Part 2) | January 14, 2025
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:05.328
- [narrator] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
- 00:00:06.429 --> 00:00:08.531
- Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
- 00:00:08.531 --> 00:00:11.501
- With dr. robert jeffress.
- 00:00:11.501 --> 00:00:13.636
- Hi, i am robert jeffress,
- 00:00:14.204 --> 00:00:15.572
- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
- 00:00:15.572 --> 00:00:18.875
- All of us carry some measure of regret about the past,
- 00:00:18.875 --> 00:00:23.179
- But sometimes the guilt becomes so overwhelming,
- 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:26.316
- It consumes every aspect of our lives.
- 00:00:26.316 --> 00:00:29.652
- Is it possible to let go of the past
- 00:00:29.652 --> 00:00:31.988
- And enjoy a fresh start in life?
- 00:00:31.988 --> 00:00:34.757
- The answer is yes.
- 00:00:34.757 --> 00:00:36.559
- And today, we're going to discover five important principles
- 00:00:36.559 --> 00:00:40.196
- For knowing when your second act is about to begin.
- 00:00:40.196 --> 00:00:44.234
- My message is titled begin your second act now
- 00:00:44.234 --> 00:00:48.238
- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
- 00:00:48.238 --> 00:01:17.267
- ♪ the fear of the lord ♪
- 00:01:17.800 --> 00:01:20.870
- ♪ is the beginning of wisdom ♪
- 00:01:20.870 --> 00:01:25.508
- ♪ life ♪
- 00:01:25.508 --> 00:01:27.443
- ♪ hope ♪
- 00:01:27.443 --> 00:01:29.312
- ♪ meaning and joy ♪
- 00:01:29.312 --> 00:01:33.116
- ♪ the fear of the lord ♪
- 00:01:33.116 --> 00:01:36.152
- ♪ is the beginning of wisdom ♪
- 00:01:36.152 --> 00:01:41.524
- ♪ so let us worship ♪
- 00:01:42.058 --> 00:01:45.895
- ♪ let us bow down ♪
- 00:01:45.895 --> 00:01:49.699
- ♪ let us fear our god ♪
- 00:01:49.699 --> 00:01:59.676
- ♪ to him belongs ♪
- 00:02:00.143 --> 00:02:03.947
- ♪ eternal praise ♪
- 00:02:03.947 --> 00:02:07.917
- ♪ glorious and righteous ♪
- 00:02:07.917 --> 00:02:11.254
- ♪ are his works his ways ♪
- 00:02:11.254 --> 00:02:15.558
- ♪ to him belongs ♪
- 00:02:15.558 --> 00:02:19.195
- ♪ all reverent praise ♪
- 00:02:19.195 --> 00:02:23.399
- ♪ faithful and just ♪
- 00:02:23.399 --> 00:02:26.703
- ♪ are his works his ways ♪
- 00:02:26.703 --> 00:02:31.941
- ♪ in the congregation ♪
- 00:02:32.475 --> 00:02:36.045
- ♪ with your people ♪
- 00:02:36.045 --> 00:02:39.849
- ♪ we remember your works ♪
- 00:02:39.849 --> 00:02:45.989
- ♪ your works ♪
- 00:02:46.389 --> 00:02:50.460
- ♪ to him belongs ♪
- 00:02:50.460 --> 00:02:54.330
- ♪ all reverent praise ♪
- 00:02:54.330 --> 00:02:58.401
- ♪ faithful and just ♪
- 00:02:58.401 --> 00:03:01.404
- ♪ are his works his ways ♪
- 00:03:01.404 --> 00:03:06.676
- ♪ so let us worship ♪
- 00:03:07.210 --> 00:03:10.780
- ♪ let us bow down ♪
- 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:14.384
- ♪ so let us worship ♪
- 00:03:14.384 --> 00:03:18.521
- ♪ let us bow down ♪
- 00:03:18.521 --> 00:03:22.191
- ♪ so let us worship ♪
- 00:03:22.191 --> 00:03:26.095
- ♪ let us bow down ♪
- 00:03:26.095 --> 00:03:29.832
- ♪ so let us worship ♪
- 00:03:29.832 --> 00:03:33.936
- ♪ let us bow down ♪
- 00:03:33.936 --> 00:03:37.540
- ♪ so let us worship ♪
- 00:03:37.540 --> 00:03:41.711
- ♪ let us bow down ♪
- 00:03:41.711 --> 00:03:45.348
- ♪ so let us worship ♪
- 00:03:45.348 --> 00:03:49.552
- ♪ let us bow down ♪
- 00:03:49.552 --> 00:03:58.895
- ♪ let us fear our god ♪
- 00:03:59.429 --> 00:04:04.701
- ♪ our god ♪
- 00:04:05.068 --> 00:04:30.159
- [narrator] we all make mistakes
- 00:04:30.793 --> 00:04:31.928
- Almost every hour of every day,
- 00:04:31.928 --> 00:04:33.996
- But because of god's grace,
- 00:04:33.996 --> 00:04:35.565
- Failure does not have to be fatal.
- 00:04:35.565 --> 00:04:38.034
- Dr. robert jeffress has written a book
- 00:04:38.034 --> 00:04:39.769
- Called "second chance, second act,"
- 00:04:39.769 --> 00:04:42.038
- Featuring biblical insights,
- 00:04:42.038 --> 00:04:43.539
- Trustworthy wisdom, and practical strategies
- 00:04:43.539 --> 00:04:45.808
- For turning your messes into successes.
- 00:04:45.808 --> 00:04:48.644
- Discover how god can transform your biggest mistake
- 00:04:48.644 --> 00:04:51.714
- Into a new beginning.
- 00:04:51.714 --> 00:04:53.249
- Request the bestselling book "second chance, second act"
- 00:04:53.249 --> 00:04:55.918
- When you give a generous gift
- 00:04:55.918 --> 00:04:57.320
- To support the ministry of "pathway to victory."
- 00:04:57.320 --> 00:05:00.890
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:05:01.224 --> 00:05:07.530
- Now, obviously, any plans we make in our lives
- 00:05:08.498 --> 00:05:12.201
- Are subject to the sovereignty of god.
- 00:05:12.201 --> 00:05:15.705
- God has the final word about any plans we make,
- 00:05:15.705 --> 00:05:19.108
- But that doesn't mean we should avoid making plans.
- 00:05:19.108 --> 00:05:22.912
- Perhaps i'm speaking to some of you here,
- 00:05:22.912 --> 00:05:24.714
- Some of you watching on "pathway to victory,"
- 00:05:24.714 --> 00:05:26.849
- You're in that intermission in life,
- 00:05:26.849 --> 00:05:29.585
- Maybe after a divorce
- 00:05:29.585 --> 00:05:31.621
- Or after a termination from a job
- 00:05:31.621 --> 00:05:34.257
- Or some other failure,
- 00:05:34.257 --> 00:05:36.426
- And you're wondering, "okay,
- 00:05:36.426 --> 00:05:37.693
- What should i be doing during this time?"
- 00:05:37.693 --> 00:05:39.429
- One thing you ought to be doing
- 00:05:39.429 --> 00:05:40.997
- Is developing your second-act script
- 00:05:40.997 --> 00:05:44.734
- So that when god does raise the curtain
- 00:05:44.734 --> 00:05:47.303
- And says the intermission is over,
- 00:05:47.303 --> 00:05:49.338
- You know what you're supposed to do when that happens.
- 00:05:49.338 --> 00:05:52.141
- We all need a second-act script, a plan for our future.
- 00:05:52.141 --> 00:05:57.413
- I would suggest if you're interested in developing
- 00:05:58.448 --> 00:06:01.284
- That kind of plan that the bible says we all ought to have,
- 00:06:01.284 --> 00:06:04.620
- I want to suggest that you take a couple of hours
- 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:07.790
- And write out your plan.
- 00:06:07.790 --> 00:06:09.559
- I've done this on several key occasions in my life
- 00:06:09.559 --> 00:06:14.297
- When i was at a significant crossroads.
- 00:06:14.297 --> 00:06:17.166
- Take out a legal pad and here are four important components
- 00:06:17.166 --> 00:06:20.870
- Of developing your plan or what i call a second-act script.
- 00:06:20.870 --> 00:06:25.308
- Number one, clarification of the problem.
- 00:06:25.308 --> 00:06:29.312
- Clarification of the problem.
- 00:06:29.312 --> 00:06:30.746
- Summarize in a word or a phrase
- 00:06:30.746 --> 00:06:33.382
- The problem you are trying to remedy in your life.
- 00:06:33.382 --> 00:06:35.785
- It might be divorce or financial insolvency,
- 00:06:35.785 --> 00:06:40.323
- Wrong career choice,
- 00:06:40.323 --> 00:06:42.124
- Termination from a job,
- 00:06:42.124 --> 00:06:43.826
- But write down in a word or a phrase what the problem is.
- 00:06:43.826 --> 00:06:47.897
- Secondly, visualization of the goal.
- 00:06:47.897 --> 00:06:52.368
- In a sentence, write out what your desired
- 00:06:52.368 --> 00:06:55.938
- Optimal situation would be
- 00:06:55.938 --> 00:06:58.341
- For this particular problem you're facing
- 00:06:58.341 --> 00:07:00.910
- Or dilemma that you're in.
- 00:07:00.910 --> 00:07:02.979
- Now, for the purpose of this exercise,
- 00:07:02.979 --> 00:07:04.747
- Let's say it's financial stress.
- 00:07:04.747 --> 00:07:07.917
- So maybe you would say, "i would like to have enough money
- 00:07:07.917 --> 00:07:12.755
- So i don't have to worry about finances in the future."
- 00:07:12.755 --> 00:07:16.893
- I want to have just enough money so i don't have to be
- 00:07:16.893 --> 00:07:19.962
- Overly concerned about money in the future.
- 00:07:19.962 --> 00:07:22.431
- By the way, did you know that's a biblical goal?
- 00:07:22.431 --> 00:07:24.967
- That's a biblical goal.
- 00:07:24.967 --> 00:07:26.335
- Solomon said in proverbs 30:8,
- 00:07:26.335 --> 00:07:29.205
- "god give me neither poverty nor riches.
- 00:07:29.205 --> 00:07:33.709
- Feed me with the food that is my portion."
- 00:07:33.709 --> 00:07:37.313
- And he goes on to say, "don't give me too little
- 00:07:37.313 --> 00:07:39.515
- Lest i steal or do something to dishonor your name,
- 00:07:39.515 --> 00:07:43.219
- But don't give me too much either
- 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:45.121
- In case i feel like i have no dependence upon you.
- 00:07:45.121 --> 00:07:47.957
- Give me just enough."
- 00:07:47.957 --> 00:07:50.059
- So let's say that is your goal to have just enough.
- 00:07:50.059 --> 00:07:52.929
- That leads to the third part of your second-act script,
- 00:07:52.929 --> 00:07:55.932
- Identification of the obstacles.
- 00:07:55.932 --> 00:07:58.868
- What is it that is keeping you from your optimal situation,
- 00:07:58.868 --> 00:08:02.572
- Whatever it is that you've written down?
- 00:08:02.572 --> 00:08:04.840
- Again, let's talk about financial stress.
- 00:08:04.840 --> 00:08:08.177
- What's keeping you from that financial security
- 00:08:08.177 --> 00:08:10.680
- You'd like to have?
- 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:12.081
- Maybe it's the fact that you don't have enough
- 00:08:13.015 --> 00:08:15.351
- Monthly income.
- 00:08:15.351 --> 00:08:17.219
- Either your income is too little
- 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:20.489
- Or your out goes is too much,
- 00:08:20.489 --> 00:08:21.857
- But you have insufficient monthly cash flow.
- 00:08:21.857 --> 00:08:24.961
- Or maybe it's the case that you have maxed out credit cards
- 00:08:24.961 --> 00:08:28.564
- Or it's maybe the fact that you've failed
- 00:08:28.564 --> 00:08:30.900
- To make sufficient provisions for your children's education
- 00:08:30.900 --> 00:08:34.604
- Or for your retirement.
- 00:08:34.604 --> 00:08:36.405
- That leads to the fourth step of your second-act script,
- 00:08:36.405 --> 00:08:39.308
- The specification of steps of action.
- 00:08:39.308 --> 00:08:42.645
- Now you know what the barriers are
- 00:08:42.645 --> 00:08:44.480
- That are keeping you from your present to your future.
- 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:48.117
- Write down specific steps of action.
- 00:08:48.117 --> 00:08:50.453
- Again, let's just say you're facing financial problems
- 00:08:50.453 --> 00:08:53.823
- And you say, "you know, i just need more money every month."
- 00:08:53.823 --> 00:08:56.993
- Well, here's some steps of action.
- 00:08:56.993 --> 00:08:58.661
- Maybe you need to find a different job
- 00:08:58.661 --> 00:09:01.564
- Or maybe you need to have a second job.
- 00:09:01.564 --> 00:09:04.133
- Or maybe you could cut your expenses by,
- 00:09:04.133 --> 00:09:06.602
- You know, lowering the thermostat
- 00:09:06.602 --> 00:09:08.371
- Or finding a new cell phone provider who's cheaper.
- 00:09:08.371 --> 00:09:11.707
- You can come up with an endless list of steps of action
- 00:09:11.707 --> 00:09:15.711
- That become your plan, your next step of what you do
- 00:09:15.711 --> 00:09:19.382
- To move you toward your goal.
- 00:09:19.382 --> 00:09:21.617
- We all need a plan.
- 00:09:21.617 --> 00:09:23.786
- We all need a second-act script.
- 00:09:23.786 --> 00:09:27.556
- And that leads to step number four,
- 00:09:27.556 --> 00:09:30.593
- And that is we have to learn how to travel in a fog.
- 00:09:30.593 --> 00:09:35.197
- We need to learn how to travel in a fog.
- 00:09:35.197 --> 00:09:38.134
- We used to live, when i was here the first time,
- 00:09:38.134 --> 00:09:40.903
- Out by lake ray hubbard,
- 00:09:40.903 --> 00:09:42.772
- And if you all live out in that area
- 00:09:42.772 --> 00:09:44.707
- Near rockwall in the lake,
- 00:09:44.707 --> 00:09:46.008
- You know, one of the early morning phenomenon
- 00:09:46.008 --> 00:09:47.977
- Is a fog many times,
- 00:09:47.977 --> 00:09:50.212
- And it makes it very difficult to drive
- 00:09:50.212 --> 00:09:51.981
- In the early morning hours.
- 00:09:51.981 --> 00:09:53.215
- You can't see very far in front of you.
- 00:09:53.215 --> 00:09:55.384
- When we lived out there,
- 00:09:55.384 --> 00:09:56.686
- Sometimes i would have an early seminary class
- 00:09:56.686 --> 00:09:59.188
- That would start over at southwestern in fort worth
- 00:09:59.188 --> 00:10:01.657
- At seven o'clock in the morning.
- 00:10:01.657 --> 00:10:03.092
- So i'd have to leave at 5:15,
- 00:10:03.092 --> 00:10:04.894
- And you know, driving in the fog was a challenge.
- 00:10:04.894 --> 00:10:07.963
- You had to go slowly.
- 00:10:07.963 --> 00:10:09.999
- You had to watch out for any traffic
- 00:10:09.999 --> 00:10:12.702
- That might be coming up from behind and so forth.
- 00:10:12.702 --> 00:10:15.104
- And i often thought, you know, how much easier it would be
- 00:10:15.104 --> 00:10:18.607
- If there were no fog.
- 00:10:18.607 --> 00:10:19.975
- You could go fast without any worries at all.
- 00:10:19.975 --> 00:10:23.212
- You know, life is like that.
- 00:10:23.212 --> 00:10:24.814
- Wouldn't it be great if we had 100% visibility in our lives?
- 00:10:24.814 --> 00:10:28.551
- We could see clearly everything
- 00:10:28.551 --> 00:10:30.119
- Between now and heaven that was awaiting us.
- 00:10:30.119 --> 00:10:33.322
- God doesn't allow us to have that kind of vision.
- 00:10:33.322 --> 00:10:35.591
- Usually, we have to travel with some uncertainty not knowing
- 00:10:35.591 --> 00:10:39.862
- What is in front of us.
- 00:10:39.862 --> 00:10:41.864
- We have to learn how to travel, move in our life
- 00:10:41.864 --> 00:10:45.468
- With uncertainty ahead of us.
- 00:10:45.468 --> 00:10:48.104
- Now to learn to travel in the fog in order to take
- 00:10:48.104 --> 00:10:51.941
- That next step toward your second-act in life,
- 00:10:51.941 --> 00:10:54.744
- There are three requirements for traveling in life
- 00:10:54.744 --> 00:10:57.880
- With limited visibility.
- 00:10:57.880 --> 00:10:59.749
- First of all, you have to have a need.
- 00:10:59.749 --> 00:11:02.251
- I mean, there has to be a need in your life
- 00:11:02.251 --> 00:11:04.353
- That actually compels you
- 00:11:04.353 --> 00:11:06.655
- To start traveling even though you can't see
- 00:11:06.655 --> 00:11:08.624
- Clearly in front of you.
- 00:11:08.624 --> 00:11:10.092
- Now, for me, you know, it would've been nice to wait
- 00:11:10.092 --> 00:11:12.128
- Till 9 or 10 o'clock in the morning to leave,
- 00:11:12.128 --> 00:11:14.130
- But i had a need to get into class,
- 00:11:14.130 --> 00:11:16.732
- Or i had a need to go to work and make a living.
- 00:11:16.732 --> 00:11:19.568
- So that need compelled me to start moving forward
- 00:11:19.568 --> 00:11:23.706
- With limited visibility.
- 00:11:23.706 --> 00:11:26.142
- You know, to move forward in life with limited visibility,
- 00:11:26.142 --> 00:11:29.612
- We have to develop a case of what i call holy discontent.
- 00:11:29.612 --> 00:11:34.884
- We have to be so discontent
- 00:11:35.484 --> 00:11:37.653
- With our present situation that we say, "you know what?
- 00:11:38.754 --> 00:11:41.257
- It's time for me to start moving."
- 00:11:41.257 --> 00:11:44.226
- You all remember the cartoon character popeye?
- 00:11:45.194 --> 00:11:48.030
- Remember popeye?
- 00:11:48.030 --> 00:11:50.032
- Popeye, every episode was the same,
- 00:11:50.032 --> 00:11:52.301
- It seemed like a pop eye.
- 00:11:52.301 --> 00:11:54.236
- You know, popeye would always reach that point
- 00:11:54.236 --> 00:11:56.705
- When he was absolutely frustrated beyond description,
- 00:11:56.705 --> 00:12:00.209
- It was usually over losing his lovely girl olive oyl
- 00:12:00.209 --> 00:12:04.246
- To brutus, remember?
- 00:12:04.246 --> 00:12:06.348
- And i mean, he would become so upset,
- 00:12:06.348 --> 00:12:09.919
- He would say, remember, "that's all i can stand.
- 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:13.589
- I can't stands no more."
- 00:12:13.589 --> 00:12:15.925
- And with that, he would grab his can of spinach,
- 00:12:15.925 --> 00:12:18.227
- Rip it open, gulp it down, his biceps would start to bulge.
- 00:12:18.227 --> 00:12:21.597
- He was ready for his second-act in life.
- 00:12:21.597 --> 00:12:24.700
- Remember that, popeye.
- 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:26.535
- You know, we all have a popeye moment in life
- 00:12:27.469 --> 00:12:30.539
- When we say, "that's all i can stand
- 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:34.043
- And i can't stands no more."
- 00:12:34.043 --> 00:12:36.812
- "i can't stand being in this dead end job any longer."
- 00:12:36.812 --> 00:12:41.717
- "i can't stand living alone any longer."
- 00:12:41.717 --> 00:12:45.654
- "i can't stand having a mediocre relationship with god."
- 00:12:45.654 --> 00:12:50.159
- "that's all i can stand and i can't stand no more."
- 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:53.963
- It's that need that propels us forward
- 00:12:53.963 --> 00:12:56.599
- And that leads to the second step for traveling in the fog,
- 00:12:56.599 --> 00:12:59.768
- And that means movement.
- 00:12:59.768 --> 00:13:01.503
- I mean, once we've had our popeye moment,
- 00:13:01.503 --> 00:13:03.772
- As one writer calls it, we need to start moving.
- 00:13:03.772 --> 00:13:06.575
- We just don't sit and stew over our discontent.
- 00:13:06.575 --> 00:13:09.445
- We need to start moving.
- 00:13:09.445 --> 00:13:11.480
- And if we can't see clearly ahead of us,
- 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:13.415
- It means just taking that first step,
- 00:13:13.415 --> 00:13:15.985
- Moving slowly but moving.
- 00:13:15.985 --> 00:13:18.954
- You know, one writer observes
- 00:13:18.954 --> 00:13:20.456
- That when you look at the early church,
- 00:13:20.456 --> 00:13:21.991
- You look at the apostles,
- 00:13:21.991 --> 00:13:23.626
- Often, they didn't do everything correctly.
- 00:13:23.626 --> 00:13:26.328
- They didn't have 100% visibility,
- 00:13:26.328 --> 00:13:29.031
- But they were moved to action anyway.
- 00:13:29.031 --> 00:13:31.734
- Jesus had said, "go.
- 00:13:31.734 --> 00:13:34.069
- Go into all the world and make disciples."
- 00:13:34.069 --> 00:13:37.306
- One writer says it this way,
- 00:13:37.306 --> 00:13:39.275
- "the early church didn't get everything right.
- 00:13:39.275 --> 00:13:42.144
- The early communities were far from perfect.
- 00:13:42.144 --> 00:13:45.147
- No one, not even the apostles, had a perfect understanding.
- 00:13:45.147 --> 00:13:49.251
- Many of us want a map,
- 00:13:49.251 --> 00:13:50.953
- But instead god gives us a compass.
- 00:13:50.953 --> 00:13:55.090
- We are not given a detailed outline
- 00:13:55.090 --> 00:13:57.092
- Of how we should live each day.
- 00:13:57.092 --> 00:13:59.595
- We are given a due north,
- 00:13:59.595 --> 00:14:01.263
- A direction we should be moving toward.
- 00:14:01.263 --> 00:14:03.999
- On this journey, one thing becomes certain,
- 00:14:03.999 --> 00:14:06.936
- When you move forward on what you know,
- 00:14:06.936 --> 00:14:11.106
- Things become clearer.
- 00:14:11.607 --> 00:14:13.609
- When you refuse to act, what you don't know paralyzes you."
- 00:14:13.609 --> 00:14:19.014
- Folks, that's worth the price of the sermon right there.
- 00:14:20.149 --> 00:14:23.052
- If you'll take that first step,
- 00:14:23.052 --> 00:14:25.187
- You'll find that second step becomes easier.
- 00:14:25.187 --> 00:14:27.957
- And then the third step, and then the fourth step.
- 00:14:27.957 --> 00:14:30.726
- There's got to be movement.
- 00:14:30.726 --> 00:14:33.295
- And the third ingredient of traveling
- 00:14:33.295 --> 00:14:35.998
- With limited visibility is faith.
- 00:14:35.998 --> 00:14:39.101
- You know, even though we can't see with 100% visibility,
- 00:14:39.101 --> 00:14:42.805
- God sees everything clearly.
- 00:14:42.805 --> 00:14:45.441
- He knows what is ahead of us,
- 00:14:45.441 --> 00:14:47.543
- And that just as he leads us to take that first step,
- 00:14:47.543 --> 00:14:50.379
- He will continue to lead us to our future.
- 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:54.149
- You know, i think of a great illustration
- 00:14:54.149 --> 00:14:56.318
- Of that truth is moses and the israelites.
- 00:14:56.318 --> 00:15:00.522
- Remember the weather vane in moses' life
- 00:15:00.522 --> 00:15:03.025
- That signaled that it was finally time for him
- 00:15:03.025 --> 00:15:05.461
- To realize his dream of being the leader of the exodus
- 00:15:05.461 --> 00:15:08.597
- And taking the people out of egypt to the promised land?
- 00:15:08.597 --> 00:15:11.367
- For moses, that weather vane that changed
- 00:15:11.367 --> 00:15:14.937
- Was the attitude of pharaoh.
- 00:15:14.937 --> 00:15:17.439
- After those 10 plagues, pharaoh had had enough,
- 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:20.142
- He said, "go and get out of here as quickly as you can."
- 00:15:20.142 --> 00:15:24.179
- Moses didn't say, "well, let me pray about that
- 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:26.048
- A longer and see."
- 00:15:26.048 --> 00:15:27.583
- No, he knew that was god's way of saying
- 00:15:27.583 --> 00:15:30.552
- It is time to move forward.
- 00:15:30.552 --> 00:15:31.987
- So he told his people in a short amount of time,
- 00:15:31.987 --> 00:15:34.857
- "you know, throw your tunics in a suitcase,
- 00:15:34.857 --> 00:15:37.026
- Strap your sandals on.
- 00:15:37.026 --> 00:15:38.327
- We are headed out of here."
- 00:15:38.327 --> 00:15:40.562
- By the way, i bet you never thought of this.
- 00:15:40.562 --> 00:15:44.633
- Moving millions of people out of egypt to the promised land,
- 00:15:45.834 --> 00:15:49.238
- Moses wouldn't have been ready to do that
- 00:15:49.238 --> 00:15:51.740
- If he had not developed a second-act script,
- 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:55.277
- If he had not formulated a plan and thought about it,
- 00:15:55.277 --> 00:15:58.313
- "how am i going to move these people when the time comes?"
- 00:15:58.313 --> 00:16:01.350
- He had planned it very, very carefully.
- 00:16:01.350 --> 00:16:04.586
- And so they left egypt
- 00:16:04.586 --> 00:16:06.422
- And they were headed toward their future.
- 00:16:06.422 --> 00:16:08.490
- But there was one obstacle that stood between israel
- 00:16:08.490 --> 00:16:11.994
- And our promised future.
- 00:16:11.994 --> 00:16:13.962
- It was called the red sea.
- 00:16:13.962 --> 00:16:17.132
- Think about it.
- 00:16:17.499 --> 00:16:18.767
- Here the israelites had been told to leave.
- 00:16:18.767 --> 00:16:21.103
- They had the egyptians in hot pursuit behind them,
- 00:16:21.103 --> 00:16:23.972
- And now they face this wall of water,
- 00:16:23.972 --> 00:16:26.308
- This massive body of water, the red sea, in front of them.
- 00:16:26.308 --> 00:16:29.745
- Basically, they have two choices:
- 00:16:29.745 --> 00:16:32.181
- Be slaughtered by the egyptians from behind
- 00:16:32.181 --> 00:16:35.784
- Or to drown by the water in front of them.
- 00:16:35.784 --> 00:16:38.921
- Talk about a difficult dilemma.
- 00:16:38.921 --> 00:16:41.457
- And the people cried out to god.
- 00:16:41.457 --> 00:16:43.025
- They said, "god, why have you put us in this predicament?
- 00:16:43.025 --> 00:16:46.095
- Why would you let us die like this?"
- 00:16:46.095 --> 00:16:48.397
- Remember what god said, exodus 14:15?
- 00:16:48.397 --> 00:16:51.733
- Then the lord said to moses, "why are you crying out to me?
- 00:16:51.733 --> 00:16:57.039
- Tell the sons of israel to move forward."
- 00:16:57.906 --> 00:17:03.579
- Forward?
- 00:17:03.812 --> 00:17:05.314
- Was god directionally challenged?
- 00:17:05.314 --> 00:17:07.649
- Move forward, that meant moving into the red sea,
- 00:17:07.649 --> 00:17:10.752
- That meant certain death.
- 00:17:10.752 --> 00:17:13.589
- What was he talking about?
- 00:17:13.589 --> 00:17:15.724
- Of course, you know the rest of the story.
- 00:17:15.724 --> 00:17:17.659
- They moved forward.
- 00:17:17.659 --> 00:17:18.794
- God miraculously part of the red sea.
- 00:17:18.794 --> 00:17:21.363
- The israelites went through safely,
- 00:17:21.363 --> 00:17:23.165
- And once the final israelite had made it through,
- 00:17:23.165 --> 00:17:25.534
- God closed the red sea and all the egyptians were drowned.
- 00:17:25.534 --> 00:17:29.972
- What a story, and that would make a good movie.
- 00:17:29.972 --> 00:17:33.108
- Somebody ought do that sometime.
- 00:17:33.108 --> 00:17:35.711
- You know, there's one hero in this story though,
- 00:17:36.712 --> 00:17:39.014
- Who gets absolutely no credit.
- 00:17:39.014 --> 00:17:42.117
- And it wasn't moses by the way.
- 00:17:42.117 --> 00:17:44.286
- Moses was a good guy,
- 00:17:44.286 --> 00:17:45.821
- But he was over on the side with his arms outstretched.
- 00:17:45.821 --> 00:17:48.390
- He weren't in any real danger.
- 00:17:48.390 --> 00:17:50.159
- You know the unsung hero in that story?
- 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:52.961
- It was the first israelite in line,
- 00:17:52.961 --> 00:17:56.198
- The first one in line who had to obey
- 00:17:56.965 --> 00:17:59.601
- When god said, "go forward."
- 00:17:59.601 --> 00:18:01.336
- Can you imagine the faith that took?
- 00:18:01.336 --> 00:18:03.805
- I mean, to step out onto that soggy ground
- 00:18:03.805 --> 00:18:06.942
- That had just moments earlier
- 00:18:06.942 --> 00:18:08.544
- Been the bottom of the red sea,
- 00:18:08.544 --> 00:18:11.113
- To see those massive walls of water on either side,
- 00:18:11.113 --> 00:18:14.516
- And god said, "go forward."
- 00:18:14.516 --> 00:18:16.485
- And if i had been that guy, i probably said,
- 00:18:16.485 --> 00:18:18.854
- "now, is that really god speaking to me, telling me that?"
- 00:18:18.854 --> 00:18:22.624
- Or "god, i know you want me to go forward,
- 00:18:22.624 --> 00:18:25.327
- But do you mind sending me another sign?
- 00:18:25.327 --> 00:18:27.462
- This is a good one, but i'd like another sign."
- 00:18:27.462 --> 00:18:30.399
- No, that first israelite didn't do that.
- 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:33.969
- You know why?
- 00:18:33.969 --> 00:18:35.470
- He had had his popeye moment.
- 00:18:36.104 --> 00:18:38.807
- He had been in slavery in egypt,
- 00:18:39.441 --> 00:18:41.143
- And he said, "that's all i can stand.
- 00:18:41.143 --> 00:18:43.679
- I can't stands no more.
- 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:46.148
- I'm ready to get out of here.
- 00:18:46.148 --> 00:18:47.549
- I'm ready to move toward that future god has for me.
- 00:18:47.549 --> 00:18:50.619
- And i believe that the same god who miraculously
- 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:53.922
- Has led me to this point in my life is going to take care of me
- 00:18:53.922 --> 00:18:58.727
- Until i get to the other side."
- 00:18:58.727 --> 00:19:01.063
- We have to have faith if we're going to move forward
- 00:19:02.130 --> 00:19:05.901
- Toward our second act in life.
- 00:19:05.901 --> 00:19:08.303
- That leads to the final principle
- 00:19:08.303 --> 00:19:10.339
- For knowing when it's time to begin your second act.
- 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:14.309
- Appreciate the importance of now.
- 00:19:14.309 --> 00:19:18.347
- The tv interviewer barbara walters was once asked,
- 00:19:19.348 --> 00:19:22.017
- "what is your greatest lesson you've ever learned in life?"
- 00:19:22.017 --> 00:19:25.120
- Her response, "the greatest lesson i've learned in life is,
- 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:28.890
- In life, there are no dress rehearsals."
- 00:19:28.890 --> 00:19:32.995
- This is all that there is in this life anyway.
- 00:19:33.895 --> 00:19:36.398
- There are no do-overs in life.
- 00:19:36.398 --> 00:19:39.601
- There are no dress rehearsals.
- 00:19:39.601 --> 00:19:41.169
- The time for our second act is now.
- 00:19:41.169 --> 00:19:44.306
- A scholar, bible scholar, once did a survey
- 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.843
- Of the most important words in the bible,
- 00:19:47.843 --> 00:19:51.079
- The saddest word in the bible,
- 00:19:51.713 --> 00:19:54.116
- The happiest word in the bible.
- 00:19:54.116 --> 00:19:56.652
- But one of the chapters he did was the most dangerous
- 00:19:56.652 --> 00:20:00.355
- Word in the bible.
- 00:20:00.355 --> 00:20:02.357
- Do you know what the most dangerous word in the bible is?
- 00:20:02.357 --> 00:20:05.861
- It's the word tomorrow.
- 00:20:05.861 --> 00:20:08.664
- "tomorrow," he concluded, "is a thief that robs dreamers
- 00:20:09.798 --> 00:20:13.135
- Of their dreams and the gifted of great accomplishments."
- 00:20:13.135 --> 00:20:18.407
- The great pastor charles haddon spurgeon agreed,
- 00:20:19.341 --> 00:20:21.009
- Writing, "tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.
- 00:20:21.009 --> 00:20:25.180
- Alas, tomorrow never comes.
- 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:27.582
- It is on no calendar except the almanac of fools."
- 00:20:27.582 --> 00:20:32.921
- You know, i've often thought it ironic
- 00:20:33.755 --> 00:20:35.457
- That we who are human beings,
- 00:20:35.457 --> 00:20:37.025
- Who are nothing more than vapors that appear
- 00:20:37.025 --> 00:20:38.894
- In this little world,
- 00:20:38.894 --> 00:20:40.329
- In this world for a little while and then vanish,
- 00:20:40.329 --> 00:20:42.030
- We who are human beings, we treat time as if
- 00:20:42.030 --> 00:20:46.101
- It is limitless.
- 00:20:46.101 --> 00:20:48.470
- And yet the god who is from everlasting to everlasting,
- 00:20:48.470 --> 00:20:52.741
- He says, "no, time is not limitless.
- 00:20:52.741 --> 00:20:55.310
- It is valuable."
- 00:20:55.310 --> 00:20:57.479
- For us who are finite human beings,
- 00:20:57.479 --> 00:20:59.214
- You know, the opportune time to begin something is tomorrow.
- 00:20:59.214 --> 00:21:03.118
- But god says, "the opportune time
- 00:21:03.118 --> 00:21:06.021
- To begin something is today."
- 00:21:06.021 --> 00:21:08.957
- Over and over again in scripture,
- 00:21:09.725 --> 00:21:11.293
- You see the importance of today.
- 00:21:11.293 --> 00:21:14.262
- Psalm 118:24, "this is the day the lord has made,"
- 00:21:14.262 --> 00:21:19.634
- Or hebrews 3:13, "but encourage one another day after day,
- 00:21:20.769 --> 00:21:25.707
- For as long it is still called today."
- 00:21:25.707 --> 00:21:29.544
- Or hebrews 4:7, "today, if you hear god's voice."
- 00:21:29.544 --> 00:21:35.717
- Has some significant weather vane changed in your life?
- 00:21:36.818 --> 00:21:41.089
- Are the winds starting to blow another direction?
- 00:21:41.089 --> 00:21:43.091
- Is something signifying that god is ready for you
- 00:21:43.091 --> 00:21:46.161
- To begin your second act now?
- 00:21:46.161 --> 00:21:49.398
- If so, stop waiting.
- 00:21:49.398 --> 00:21:51.600
- Stop postponing.
- 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:53.301
- Stop saying, "well, once the mortgage is paid off,"
- 00:21:53.301 --> 00:21:57.105
- Or "once the kids are gone,"
- 00:21:57.105 --> 00:21:59.374
- Or "once the future is certain
- 00:21:59.374 --> 00:22:00.876
- And i have perfect visibility,
- 00:22:00.876 --> 00:22:02.711
- Then i will take that first step."
- 00:22:02.711 --> 00:22:05.781
- No.
- 00:22:05.781 --> 00:22:07.082
- God has not given us any guarantee of tomorrow,
- 00:22:07.082 --> 00:22:10.252
- Not in this life anyway.
- 00:22:10.252 --> 00:22:11.987
- The only thing he has promised is today.
- 00:22:11.987 --> 00:22:16.324
- I saw a sign one time on a businessman's office.
- 00:22:16.324 --> 00:22:19.928
- I've remembered it for years.
- 00:22:19.928 --> 00:22:21.196
- It said, "20 years from now,
- 00:22:21.196 --> 00:22:25.700
- What will you regret that you didn't do today?"
- 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:30.539
- 20 years from now, what will you regret
- 00:22:31.373 --> 00:22:33.608
- That you didn't do today?
- 00:22:33.608 --> 00:22:36.411
- You know, i imagine most of you here this morning
- 00:22:36.411 --> 00:22:39.281
- Already know the answer to that question.
- 00:22:39.281 --> 00:22:41.917
- Why 20 years from now be filled with regret?
- 00:22:42.851 --> 00:22:46.955
- Why not go ahead and take that first step you know
- 00:22:46.955 --> 00:22:50.492
- That god is leading you to take?
- 00:22:50.492 --> 00:22:53.528
- "today, if you hear my voice."
- 00:22:53.528 --> 00:22:58.467
- The lights are dimming, the orchestra is tuning up,
- 00:22:59.501 --> 00:23:03.705
- The divine director is giving you the cue.
- 00:23:03.705 --> 00:23:07.776
- The time for your second act is now.
- 00:23:07.776 --> 00:23:16.318
- Is god stirring in your heart
- 00:23:16.952 --> 00:23:18.520
- To make some changes in your life?
- 00:23:18.520 --> 00:23:20.822
- It's certainly no mistake that you're listening
- 00:23:20.822 --> 00:23:23.024
- To "pathway to victory" right now
- 00:23:23.024 --> 00:23:25.360
- Because your best life is still ahead
- 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:28.063
- When you're willing to take your first steps toward god.
- 00:23:28.063 --> 00:23:31.833
- In closing, i'd like to encourage those of you
- 00:23:31.833 --> 00:23:34.002
- Who financially support the growing ministry
- 00:23:34.002 --> 00:23:37.072
- Of "pathway to victory."
- 00:23:37.072 --> 00:23:38.840
- Because of your giving, we were able to expand
- 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:41.409
- Our ministry in recent months.
- 00:23:41.409 --> 00:23:43.578
- As a result, we reached somebody that i'll call bob.
- 00:23:43.578 --> 00:23:47.148
- Bob wrote and said he was one of 10 children
- 00:23:47.148 --> 00:23:49.818
- Given up for adoption.
- 00:23:49.818 --> 00:23:51.553
- Until the age of 18, bob spent his entire life
- 00:23:51.553 --> 00:23:55.123
- Angry with his mother.
- 00:23:55.123 --> 00:23:56.858
- That is until he heard the "pathway to victory" message
- 00:23:56.858 --> 00:24:00.262
- About the power of forgiveness,
- 00:24:00.262 --> 00:24:02.731
- That program changed bob's life,
- 00:24:02.731 --> 00:24:05.200
- And he said he's forever grateful to god for that message.
- 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:09.504
- That's how partnering with "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:09.504 --> 00:24:11.773
- Pierces the darkness with the light of god's word.
- 00:24:11.773 --> 00:24:15.410
- Thank you so much for your continued financial support.
- 00:24:15.410 --> 00:24:19.481
- God is using your gifts to liberate people
- 00:24:19.481 --> 00:24:22.117
- Who desperately need a second chance in life.
- 00:24:22.117 --> 00:24:25.854
- Now, stay right there.
- 00:24:25.854 --> 00:24:27.122
- I'll be back with more in just a moment.
- 00:24:27.122 --> 00:24:31.426
- [narrator] all of us carry some measure
- 00:24:32.260 --> 00:24:33.762
- Of regret about the past.
- 00:24:33.762 --> 00:24:35.497
- Thankfully, no mistake is too big for god to forgive.
- 00:24:35.497 --> 00:24:39.167
- In his bestselling book, "second chance, second act,"
- 00:24:39.167 --> 00:24:42.137
- Dr. robert jeffress shares how god
- 00:24:42.137 --> 00:24:44.139
- Can turn your biggest mess into your greatest success.
- 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:48.043
- In my book, "second chance, second act,"
- 00:24:48.043 --> 00:24:50.579
- You'll discover five biblical strategies
- 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:53.715
- For turning your messes into successes.
- 00:24:53.715 --> 00:24:56.952
- You'll learn to overcome the guilt, suffering,
- 00:24:56.952 --> 00:24:59.454
- And regret of your past mistakes,
- 00:24:59.454 --> 00:25:01.756
- And you'll read stories from scripture that prove
- 00:25:01.756 --> 00:25:04.492
- Beyond a shadow of a doubt that god is in the business
- 00:25:04.492 --> 00:25:08.196
- Of second chances.
- 00:25:08.196 --> 00:25:10.131
- [narrator] a copy of the book,
- 00:25:10.131 --> 00:25:11.433
- "second chance, second act" is yours today
- 00:25:11.433 --> 00:25:13.168
- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:13.168 --> 00:25:16.304
- And when your gift is $75 or more,
- 00:25:16.304 --> 00:25:19.207
- You'll also receive all eight of the original
- 00:25:19.207 --> 00:25:21.676
- Unabridged messages from the "second chance, second act"
- 00:25:21.676 --> 00:25:24.779
- Teaching series on dvd and mp3 format audio disc.
- 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:28.750
- Ladies and gentlemen, i don't care what failure
- 00:25:28.750 --> 00:25:31.853
- You have experienced.
- 00:25:31.853 --> 00:25:33.822
- Your failure, your sin doesn't have to be
- 00:25:33.822 --> 00:25:36.324
- The final word about your life story.
- 00:25:36.324 --> 00:25:39.094
- That's what redemption is all about.
- 00:25:39.094 --> 00:25:42.263
- [narrator] together through the ministry
- 00:25:42.263 --> 00:25:43.598
- Of "pathway to victory,"
- 00:25:43.598 --> 00:25:45.233
- We are sharing the timeless wisdom
- 00:25:45.233 --> 00:25:46.935
- And truth of god's word with the world in need,
- 00:25:46.935 --> 00:25:50.105
- And your support makes it possible.
- 00:25:50.105 --> 00:25:52.240
- Thank you for partnering with us to share the gospel
- 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:55.043
- And change lives through the bold proclamation of scripture.
- 00:25:55.043 --> 00:26:00.982
- Perhaps today, you find yourself languishing
- 00:26:01.883 --> 00:26:04.552
- Through an intermission in life
- 00:26:04.552 --> 00:26:06.721
- And you're waiting for your second act to begin.
- 00:26:06.721 --> 00:26:10.058
- I can't tell you exactly when that time will come,
- 00:26:10.058 --> 00:26:12.994
- But i hope you'll use this waiting period
- 00:26:12.994 --> 00:26:15.697
- To write your second-act script
- 00:26:15.697 --> 00:26:18.066
- And learn to travel in the fog.
- 00:26:18.066 --> 00:26:20.535
- And if god is telling you that your second act
- 00:26:20.535 --> 00:26:23.371
- Is ready to begin, the best time to start is right now.
- 00:26:23.371 --> 00:26:28.710
- Well, god gives most people 70 or 80 years
- 00:26:29.611 --> 00:26:31.613
- On the theatrical stage of life,
- 00:26:31.613 --> 00:26:34.149
- But our story extends much farther than that.
- 00:26:34.149 --> 00:26:37.519
- And next time, i want to help you understand
- 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:40.055
- How your life fits into the larger drama
- 00:26:40.055 --> 00:26:43.124
- That has been going on since the beginning of time.
- 00:26:43.124 --> 00:26:46.227
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:26:46.227 --> 00:26:49.264
- On "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:49.264 --> 00:26:51.933
- We are all in a theater.
- 00:26:52.434 --> 00:26:54.069
- We are on life's stage.
- 00:26:54.069 --> 00:26:56.805
- What i'm saying to you is, ladies and gentlemen,
- 00:26:56.805 --> 00:26:58.640
- You'll never be able to understand the whole of your life,
- 00:26:58.640 --> 00:27:02.644
- Including your failures,
- 00:27:02.644 --> 00:27:04.813
- Until you understand that your life story
- 00:27:04.813 --> 00:27:07.916
- Is part of a larger epic drama
- 00:27:07.916 --> 00:27:11.486
- That has been going on since the beginning of time.
- 00:27:11.486 --> 00:27:14.422
- [narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
- 00:27:14.422 --> 00:27:16.658
- For the message prepare for the grand finale
- 00:27:16.658 --> 00:27:19.661
- Here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:27:19.661 --> 00:27:19.661