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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - The Bible Tells Me So? (Part 1)

September 10, 2025 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - The Bible Tells Me So? (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Bible #WordofGod #Wisdom #Choices #Revelation #Faith #TrustGod #VoiceofGod #WalkwithGod #Doubt #HandofGod #Control #Conviction #Sin

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Bible Tells Me So? (Part 1) | September 10, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
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  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • The average american has more than three bibles in their home.
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  • At first, that sounds like an encouraging statistic, but
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  • Tragically too many bibles remain on the bookshelf
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  • Collecting dust.
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  • Well, when we failed to reach for our bible, we're definitely
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  • Missing out.
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  • Today i'm going to describe how to make informed life-changing
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  • Decisions by consulting the ultimate guidebook for life.
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  • My message is titled, "the bible tells me so?" on today's edition
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  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:49.639 --> 00:00:54.677
  • Announcer: how do you know which path god wants you to take?
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  • In "how to make wise decisions," trusted author and bible teacher
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  • Dr. robert jeffress cuts through the confusion with time-tested
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  • Biblical wisdom.
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  • Whether you're facing career changes, relationship questions,
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  • Or ministry decisions, this practical guide reveals how god
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  • Speaks to his children today.
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  • Don't let uncertainty paralyze you.
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  • Request your copy of how to make wise decisions when you give a
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  • Generous gift to support the ministry of "pathway
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  • To victory."
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  • Jeffress: one of my favorite stories is about the atheist who
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  • Decided to go mountain climbing.
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  • He had almost reached the summit when his foot slipped and he
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  • Began to slide down the slope of his mountain toward his death.
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  • He grabbed hold, fortunately, of a tree branch that was sticking
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  • Out of the side of the mountain.
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  • He grabbed hold of it, but realizing how flimsy it was and
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  • It was incapable of holding him for long, in an act of final
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  • Desperation, he looked up into heaven and he said, "is there
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  • Anybody up there who can help me?"
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  • And to his surprise, a voice boomed from heaven.
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  • "yes, i can help you, but first, you must let go of the branch."
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  • The atheist thought for a moment.
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  • He looked up and he said, "is there anybody else up there who
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  • Can help me?"
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  • You know there are a lot of christians today who are just
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  • Like that atheist.
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  • They wanna hear a word from god about a particular dilemma they
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  • May be confronting, but even though god has already answered
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  • Their question in his word, they're not satisfied with that.
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  • They wanna hear a fresh word from god.
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  • The fact is, although everything we need to know about god's will
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  • Isn't found in the bible, much of it has already been revealed
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  • To us.
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  • And today, as we continue our series on "discovering the will
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  • Of god for our lives," we're going to discuss the
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  • Relationship between the bible and knowing god's will for
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  • Your life.
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  • I hope you'll take your outlines and keep your bible handy
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  • With you.
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  • Today we're going to talk about what god's
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  • Word can and cannot do when it
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  • Comes to discovering god's purpose for your life.
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  • Now, before we do that, i think it's very important that we
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  • Understand, first of all, what the bible is.
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  • What is the bible?
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  • And i've made three statements on your outline there about
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  • The bible.
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  • First of all, the bible is god's perfect revelation.
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  • It is god's perfect revelation.
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  • That simply means every word in the bible can be trusted.
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  • Think for example of 2 timothy 3, verse 16.
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  • You've heard that verse expounded for years, for decades
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  • From this pulpit, and it says:
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  • "for all scripture is inspired
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  • By god and is profitable for teaching, for correction,
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  • For training in righteousness."
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  • 2 timothy 3:16.
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  • Now, that word "inspired," all scripture is inspired by god.
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  • You've heard that word "inspired."
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  • It comes from the two greek words "theos," "pneustos."
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  • Literally, all scripture is god-breathed.
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  • And guess what?
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  • God doesn't suffer from bad breath, all right?
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  • Every breath of god is good, it's true.
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  • "all scripture is god-breathed."
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  • Or consider what peter said about the truthfulness of god's
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  • Word in 2 peter 1:21.
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  • "for know this, that no prophecy was ever made by an act of the
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  • Human will, but men moved by the holy spirit spoke from god."
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  • Now, what is peter trying to tell us?
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  • He's simply saying this.
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  • Paul wasn't in his jail cell one day when he said, "you know, in
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  • Order to pass the time, i think i'll write some scripture."
  • 00:05:06.262 --> 00:05:09.265
  • He didn't take out his pen and tablet and say, "okay,
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  • Philippians 1 verse 1, 'paul--'" that's not how it happened.
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  • Or moses didn't sit down and write the first five books of
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  • The old testament in order to leave a family tree for his
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  • Descendants so they could know
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  • From whence they came.
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  • No, all scripture was initiated by god, not men.
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  • That god used men.
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  • He used men, their individual personalities, but he used them
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  • To communicate his message without error.
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  • God is the one who initiated scripture and he moved, and that
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  • Word means he carried along people to communicate
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  • His passage.
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  • The bible is god's perfect revelation.
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  • It has no errors in it whatsoever.
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  • Now you say, "well, pastor, sure, that's what the bible
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  • Claims for itself, but how do i know those claims can be trusted
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  • Any more than we can trust the blurbs you find on the back of a
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  • Book extolling how wonderful the book is?
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  • Is there really any external evidence to confirm that the
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  • Bible is god's truth without any error in it?"
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  • The answer to that is beyond the scope of this message, but let
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  • Me just say there is all kind of archaeological, there is all
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  • Kind of scientific and historical evidence that
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  • Confirms every word of this book.
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  • And if you've ever dealt with this whole issue of whether or
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  • Not god's word is true, i wanna suggest a book to you that you
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  • Pick up.
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  • It's the most helpful book i've ever read on the veracity
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  • Of scripture.
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  • It's called, "seven reasons you can trust the bible."
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  • It's by erwin lutzer, l-u-t-z-e-r.
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  • He's the pastor of moody church.
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  • He's preached here many times.
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  • And it talks about the historical, scientific,
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  • Archaeological evidence for the truthfulness of god's word.
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  • God's word is god's perfect revelation to us.
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  • Secondly, god's word is god's complete revelation to us.
  • 00:07:01.711 --> 00:07:07.149
  • You may say, "well, i believe this book is god's word, but is
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  • It all of god's word?"
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  • I mean, how do i know god's not continuing to give revelation
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  • About himself today?
  • 00:07:19.128 --> 00:07:20.463
  • I mean, after all, that's what the televangelists claim.
  • 00:07:20.463 --> 00:07:23.065
  • They claim god is speaking to them, god is giving them new
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  • Information about himself.
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  • How do i know that this book is all there is to know about god?
  • 00:07:28.404 --> 00:07:33.109
  • Now, let me make something very clear.
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  • I believe god can do anything he wants to.
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  • If god wants to give new information about himself, he is
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  • Perfectly capable of doing that.
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  • The question is not: can god give additional information?
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  • The question is: is god giving additional information
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  • About himself?
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  • And the answer to that is very clear in scripture.
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  • Turn over to the book of jude.
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  • Jude is the next to the last book in the new testament.
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  • It's easy to skip it in a hurry to get to revelation and so
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  • Forth, but it's easy to skip because it's just one chapter.
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  • But look at jude verse 3.
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  • Jude says, "beloved, while i was
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  • Making every effort to write you about common salvation, i felt
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  • The necessity to write to you appealing that you contend
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  • Earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to
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  • The saints."
  • 00:08:29.231 --> 00:08:30.700
  • Now, in that short verse, judas said a mouthful.
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  • He said, first of all, there is a body of truth of doctrine
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  • Called the faith.
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  • It's a finite amount of material about god.
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  • The faith, there is a body of doctrine called the faith.
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  • And notice what he says, "it has been delivered," past tense.
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  • The tense of this verb suggest in the original language an
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  • Action that is not an ongoing action.
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  • It has ceased.
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  • This body of truth of doctrine called the faith has been
  • 00:08:59.195 --> 00:09:02.898
  • Delivered and it's no longer being delivered, and it has been
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  • Delivered, thirdly, once for all.
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  • Let me tell you this morning: god is not giving new
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  • Information about himself, contrary to what mohammad
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  • Thought when he gave us the quran.
  • 00:09:17.146 --> 00:09:19.515
  • Contrary to what joseph smith thought when he gave us the book
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  • Of mormon, there is no more truth about god being
  • 00:09:22.418 --> 00:09:26.389
  • Given today.
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  • Everything you need to know about god, jesus christ, heaven,
  • 00:09:27.757 --> 00:09:31.427
  • Hell, salvation is contained in this book.
  • 00:09:31.427 --> 00:09:35.031
  • This book is god's complete revelation.
  • 00:09:35.031 --> 00:09:39.035
  • But third, this book, god's word is also god's living revelation.
  • 00:09:39.035 --> 00:09:45.307
  • And this is perhaps the point that most people overlook about
  • 00:09:45.307 --> 00:09:48.678
  • The bible.
  • 00:09:48.678 --> 00:09:50.012
  • Now, i can take webster's dictionary, and i can believe
  • 00:09:50.012 --> 00:09:54.316
  • That webster's dictionary is perfect, that there are no
  • 00:09:54.316 --> 00:09:57.319
  • Misspellings in it, that every definition is accurate.
  • 00:09:57.319 --> 00:10:01.090
  • I can believe that webster's dictionary is complete, that it
  • 00:10:01.090 --> 00:10:05.227
  • Contains every word i will ever need in life.
  • 00:10:05.227 --> 00:10:09.331
  • But even though webster's dictionary is perfect and it's
  • 00:10:09.331 --> 00:10:12.668
  • Complete, how likely am i tonight when i get home to open
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  • Up my copy of webster's dictionary and start reading,
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  • "ant, apple, aardvark, oh, doesn't that minister to me"?
  • 00:10:20.643 --> 00:10:28.951
  • Do you do that with the dictionary?
  • 00:10:28.951 --> 00:10:31.187
  • Of course not, even though it's perfect and complete, it's
  • 00:10:31.187 --> 00:10:34.023
  • Not living.
  • 00:10:34.023 --> 00:10:35.624
  • And that's what distinguishes the bible from every other book
  • 00:10:35.624 --> 00:10:38.194
  • That was written.
  • 00:10:38.194 --> 00:10:39.562
  • By the way, how many people do you know that regularly get up
  • 00:10:39.562 --> 00:10:43.432
  • Early on a weekend morning, get
  • 00:10:43.432 --> 00:10:46.836
  • Dressed, get their family dressed, get their little
  • 00:10:46.836 --> 00:10:49.605
  • Children dressed, have a knock-down, drag-out fight,
  • 00:10:49.605 --> 00:10:52.408
  • Get in the car and rush 30 minutes, perhaps
  • 00:10:52.408 --> 00:10:55.678
  • Even in the fog, in order to attend a one-hour lecture
  • 00:10:55.678 --> 00:10:59.949
  • On shakespeare?
  • 00:10:59.949 --> 00:11:01.283
  • Do you know people that do that on a regular basis?
  • 00:11:01.283 --> 00:11:04.420
  • And yet think about this: for 2000 years god's people have
  • 00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:09.492
  • Gathered together regularly, sometimes under great
  • 00:11:09.492 --> 00:11:13.462
  • Difficulty, under sometimes great danger and threat of their
  • 00:11:13.462 --> 00:11:17.800
  • Own lives.
  • 00:11:17.800 --> 00:11:19.135
  • They have come together for 2000 years, millions of them around
  • 00:11:19.135 --> 00:11:21.904
  • The world, for one reason: to listen to the word of god.
  • 00:11:21.904 --> 00:11:26.876
  • Why is that?
  • 00:11:26.876 --> 00:11:28.210
  • It's because god's word is living.
  • 00:11:28.210 --> 00:11:29.879
  • Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 says it best, "for the word of god is
  • 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:35.217
  • Living, it's active, it is sharper than any
  • 00:11:35.217 --> 00:11:39.355
  • Two-edged sword."
  • 00:11:39.355 --> 00:11:41.690
  • That word active means it is full of energy.
  • 00:11:41.690 --> 00:11:46.095
  • I like what one commentator says in his paraphrase, he says, "for
  • 00:11:46.095 --> 00:11:49.832
  • God's word is always doing something to people who listen
  • 00:11:49.832 --> 00:11:54.804
  • To it or who read it."
  • 00:11:54.804 --> 00:11:57.306
  • Jesus said in john 6, verse 63, "these words are spirit and they
  • 00:11:57.306 --> 00:12:02.778
  • Are life."
  • 00:12:02.778 --> 00:12:04.280
  • This book is god's living revelation to us.
  • 00:12:04.280 --> 00:12:08.617
  • Now, what i'm trying to communicate to you is, don't
  • 00:12:08.617 --> 00:12:12.555
  • Ever think of this book as some third-class piece of mail
  • 00:12:12.555 --> 00:12:16.859
  • Addressed to occupant.
  • 00:12:16.859 --> 00:12:18.928
  • No, this book is a first-class piece of communication from god
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  • That is directed to you and it is the primary way that we're
  • 00:12:23.265 --> 00:12:27.736
  • Going to discover god's will for our life.
  • 00:12:27.736 --> 00:12:31.207
  • But as wonderful as the bible is, there are some things it
  • 00:12:31.207 --> 00:12:35.211
  • Cannot do for us.
  • 00:12:35.211 --> 00:12:37.079
  • In fact, the bible is only helpful when we use it in the
  • 00:12:37.079 --> 00:12:40.883
  • Way that it was designed to be used.
  • 00:12:40.883 --> 00:12:43.452
  • For example, how many of you are grateful that you have
  • 00:12:43.452 --> 00:12:45.354
  • An automobile?
  • 00:12:45.354 --> 00:12:46.722
  • Would you raise your hand?
  • 00:12:46.722 --> 00:12:48.057
  • You're grateful for your car.
  • 00:12:48.057 --> 00:12:49.425
  • Wouldn't you admit that a car is a great mode of transportation?
  • 00:12:49.425 --> 00:12:52.528
  • Sure beats walking.
  • 00:12:52.528 --> 00:12:54.163
  • A car is a wonderful mode of transportation as long as you
  • 00:12:54.163 --> 00:12:57.867
  • Use it correctly.
  • 00:12:57.867 --> 00:12:59.735
  • But if you ever try to use a car to navigate across the atlantic
  • 00:12:59.735 --> 00:13:03.339
  • Ocean, or you use a car to try to fly over a mountain, you're
  • 00:13:03.339 --> 00:13:08.377
  • Gonna be sorely disappointed and ultimately destroyed.
  • 00:13:08.377 --> 00:13:11.914
  • A car is only good as long as you use it for the purpose it
  • 00:13:11.914 --> 00:13:14.850
  • Was designed to be used.
  • 00:13:14.850 --> 00:13:16.185
  • And it's the same way with god's word.
  • 00:13:16.185 --> 00:13:18.153
  • God's word is helpful in discovering god's will as long
  • 00:13:18.153 --> 00:13:21.824
  • As you use it correctly.
  • 00:13:21.824 --> 00:13:24.793
  • Let me talk about three things that the bible cannot do in
  • 00:13:24.793 --> 00:13:28.998
  • Helping you discover god's will.
  • 00:13:28.998 --> 00:13:31.300
  • First of all, the bible cannot predict your future, okay?
  • 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:36.272
  • The bible cannot predict your future.
  • 00:13:36.272 --> 00:13:39.074
  • Haddon robinson tells a story about a well-known christian
  • 00:13:39.074 --> 00:13:42.311
  • Leader's wife who was seriously ill, near death in the icu ward
  • 00:13:42.311 --> 00:13:47.116
  • Of a hospital.
  • 00:13:47.116 --> 00:13:48.717
  • The christian leader was so discouraged.
  • 00:13:48.717 --> 00:13:50.719
  • One morning he was having breakfast by himself in his home
  • 00:13:50.719 --> 00:13:53.956
  • Before he went to the hospital.
  • 00:13:53.956 --> 00:13:55.958
  • He was so discouraged, he asked god to just speak to him, give
  • 00:13:55.958 --> 00:13:59.028
  • Him a precise word.
  • 00:13:59.028 --> 00:14:00.963
  • And he reached for one of those scripture verses in those
  • 00:14:00.963 --> 00:14:03.599
  • Promise boxes.
  • 00:14:03.599 --> 00:14:05.100
  • And he picked out the scripture verse and to his surprise, it
  • 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:08.671
  • Was john 11:25.
  • 00:14:08.671 --> 00:14:11.540
  • "jesus said, i am the resurrection and the life; he
  • 00:14:11.540 --> 00:14:15.144
  • Who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
  • 00:14:15.144 --> 00:14:19.248
  • And he was so encouraged by this that he took a second verse, and
  • 00:14:19.248 --> 00:14:21.984
  • It was psalm 118, verse 17, "i shall live and shall not die,
  • 00:14:21.984 --> 00:14:26.689
  • Declares the lord."
  • 00:14:26.689 --> 00:14:28.524
  • And this guy started thanking god for the word he had given
  • 00:14:28.524 --> 00:14:31.593
  • Him and he went to the hospital and he said to the nurses who
  • 00:14:31.593 --> 00:14:34.463
  • Were attending to his wife, he said, "god spoke to me today and
  • 00:14:34.463 --> 00:14:37.499
  • Told me my wife is not going to die."
  • 00:14:37.499 --> 00:14:41.270
  • Twenty four hours later, his wife was dead.
  • 00:14:41.270 --> 00:14:45.274
  • And those nurses were left to one of two conclusions.
  • 00:14:45.274 --> 00:14:49.845
  • Either this guy was a religious nut, or god couldn't be trusted
  • 00:14:49.845 --> 00:14:55.517
  • To keep the promise he had made to this man.
  • 00:14:55.517 --> 00:14:59.154
  • Now, the fact is neither was true.
  • 00:14:59.154 --> 00:15:02.224
  • This man had misused the bible.
  • 00:15:02.224 --> 00:15:05.327
  • God never gave us the bible to predict the outcome, to predict
  • 00:15:05.327 --> 00:15:09.398
  • Our future, so don't try using the bible as a sanctified
  • 00:15:09.398 --> 00:15:13.135
  • Horoscope to tell you what's going to happen.
  • 00:15:13.135 --> 00:15:16.038
  • It was never meant to predict our future.
  • 00:15:16.038 --> 00:15:18.574
  • Secondly, the bible cannot answer our every question.
  • 00:15:18.574 --> 00:15:23.846
  • Some people try to use the bible as a theological encyclopedia to
  • 00:15:23.846 --> 00:15:27.649
  • Answer every question we have about life in general or our
  • 00:15:27.649 --> 00:15:31.520
  • Life in particular.
  • 00:15:31.520 --> 00:15:33.956
  • As a pastor, people ask me difficult questions all the
  • 00:15:33.956 --> 00:15:36.592
  • Time, and most of them start with that three letter
  • 00:15:36.592 --> 00:15:40.896
  • Word, "why."
  • 00:15:40.896 --> 00:15:43.866
  • Pastor, why did god allow my boss to terminate me?
  • 00:15:43.866 --> 00:15:49.605
  • Why did god take my mate?
  • 00:15:49.605 --> 00:15:53.442
  • Why did god allow my child to be killed?
  • 00:15:53.442 --> 00:15:57.312
  • Why is it that ungodly people seem to do so well and godly
  • 00:15:57.312 --> 00:16:02.051
  • People seem to suffer all the time?
  • 00:16:02.051 --> 00:16:05.721
  • Perhaps you have your own list of "why" questions.
  • 00:16:05.721 --> 00:16:09.591
  • Think about job, he certainly had his list of questions.
  • 00:16:09.591 --> 00:16:12.895
  • After losing his health and his possessions and his own
  • 00:16:12.895 --> 00:16:15.864
  • Children, he asked god why.
  • 00:16:15.864 --> 00:16:19.101
  • What's interesting is when you read the book of job, god does
  • 00:16:19.101 --> 00:16:22.938
  • Answer job, but he never answers the "why" question.
  • 00:16:22.938 --> 00:16:27.009
  • He only answers the "who" question.
  • 00:16:27.009 --> 00:16:29.878
  • He says, "job, all you need to know is i'm in control.
  • 00:16:29.878 --> 00:16:33.982
  • I have a plan i'm working out.
  • 00:16:33.982 --> 00:16:36.952
  • And even if you could understand it, i choose not to reveal it to
  • 00:16:36.952 --> 00:16:41.790
  • You right now.
  • 00:16:41.790 --> 00:16:43.125
  • The fact is you could never comprehend what i'm up to."
  • 00:16:43.125 --> 00:16:47.096
  • And god says the same thing to us.
  • 00:16:47.096 --> 00:16:48.764
  • He rarely answers our why questions, but he does remind us
  • 00:16:48.764 --> 00:16:52.367
  • That he's in control.
  • 00:16:52.367 --> 00:16:53.836
  • Don't try to use the bible to answer your every question.
  • 00:16:53.836 --> 00:16:58.073
  • And number three, the bible cannot provide specific
  • 00:16:58.073 --> 00:17:02.277
  • Direction for every decision we face.
  • 00:17:02.277 --> 00:17:05.481
  • It's not gonna provide specific direction for every decision
  • 00:17:05.481 --> 00:17:08.484
  • We face.
  • 00:17:08.484 --> 00:17:09.818
  • Paul little tells a story about the man who was so depressed and
  • 00:17:09.818 --> 00:17:12.688
  • Despondent that he finally in the last-ditch attempt reached
  • 00:17:12.688 --> 00:17:16.125
  • For his bible, took his bible, dusted it off, and wanted to
  • 00:17:16.125 --> 00:17:19.995
  • Hear some word from god about what he ought to do in
  • 00:17:19.995 --> 00:17:22.331
  • His despondency.
  • 00:17:22.331 --> 00:17:23.665
  • And he opened it up and he
  • 00:17:23.665 --> 00:17:25.000
  • Zeroed in on the verse,
  • 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.869
  • "and judas went out and hanged himself."
  • 00:17:26.869 --> 00:17:30.772
  • He thought, you know, that's certainly not what i need to do.
  • 00:17:30.772 --> 00:17:34.943
  • So he went to another verse.
  • 00:17:34.943 --> 00:17:37.746
  • "go and do as likewise."
  • 00:17:37.746 --> 00:17:41.383
  • Thought, "this isn't working.
  • 00:17:41.383 --> 00:17:42.718
  • I'll give it one last chance."
  • 00:17:42.718 --> 00:17:44.219
  • He finally found a third verse, "and whatever thou doest,
  • 00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:47.656
  • Doest quickly."
  • 00:17:47.656 --> 00:17:51.426
  • Now, if you're looking to the bible to try to tell you every
  • 00:17:51.426 --> 00:17:54.496
  • Step that you're gonna take, you're gonna be disappointed.
  • 00:17:54.496 --> 00:17:57.399
  • For example, you can search through the scripture, but if
  • 00:17:57.466 --> 00:18:01.270
  • You're looking for what vocation you ought to choose in life,
  • 00:18:01.270 --> 00:18:04.006
  • You're not gonna find that answer in the bible unless you
  • 00:18:04.006 --> 00:18:06.942
  • Have a penchant for fishing or tent-making.
  • 00:18:06.942 --> 00:18:09.378
  • It's just not gonna be there, okay?
  • 00:18:09.378 --> 00:18:11.847
  • Or you may say, "god, show me whom i'm to marry, whom i'm to
  • 00:18:11.847 --> 00:18:14.850
  • Marry," and you know what?
  • 00:18:14.850 --> 00:18:16.218
  • Unless their name is paul or peter or grace, you're not gonna
  • 00:18:16.218 --> 00:18:19.254
  • Find their name in the bible either.
  • 00:18:19.254 --> 00:18:21.857
  • No, the bible does not give us an answer for every decision
  • 00:18:21.857 --> 00:18:26.061
  • That we're facing.
  • 00:18:26.061 --> 00:18:27.763
  • "well, pastor, if the bible can't predict our future, can't
  • 00:18:27.763 --> 00:18:30.299
  • Answer our every question, it can't give us the guidance we
  • 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:32.568
  • Need for every decision, what good is the bible?"
  • 00:18:32.568 --> 00:18:36.605
  • What does the bible do for us when it comes to discovering
  • 00:18:36.605 --> 00:18:40.075
  • God's will for our life?
  • 00:18:40.075 --> 00:18:41.977
  • I thought you'd never ask, so
  • 00:18:41.977 --> 00:18:43.378
  • Let me answer it for you.
  • 00:18:43.378 --> 00:18:45.214
  • Here are three things the bible can do for us when we're
  • 00:18:45.214 --> 00:18:48.717
  • Searching for direction in life.
  • 00:18:48.717 --> 00:18:51.420
  • First of all, the bible confirms god's sovereignty.
  • 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:56.992
  • The bible confirms god's sovereignty.
  • 00:18:56.992 --> 00:18:59.127
  • That term sovereignty simply means god's in charge.
  • 00:18:59.127 --> 00:19:03.365
  • God has a plan that he's working out.
  • 00:19:03.365 --> 00:19:06.034
  • And when i read the bible, i'm reminded that even when i don't
  • 00:19:06.034 --> 00:19:09.605
  • Understand, god has a plan that he's working out.
  • 00:19:09.605 --> 00:19:12.975
  • When i left here back in 1985 to go pastor my first church in
  • 00:19:14.610 --> 00:19:20.849
  • Eastland, texas, i've been at the church a few months when i
  • 00:19:20.849 --> 00:19:24.486
  • Was invited to come and speak at the annual associational meeting
  • 00:19:24.486 --> 00:19:28.223
  • That was gonna be at the first baptist church in breckenridge.
  • 00:19:28.223 --> 00:19:31.827
  • And i was asked to speak that afternoon and then at the
  • 00:19:31.827 --> 00:19:34.429
  • Evening session.
  • 00:19:34.429 --> 00:19:36.164
  • I had finished the afternoon session.
  • 00:19:36.164 --> 00:19:38.033
  • I was getting ready to go on the platform for the evening session
  • 00:19:38.033 --> 00:19:41.870
  • When an usher came down the aisle and he tapped me on the
  • 00:19:41.870 --> 00:19:44.273
  • Back and he said, "dr. jeffress, there's an emergency phone call
  • 00:19:44.273 --> 00:19:48.310
  • For you in the pastor's office, and i think you'll want
  • 00:19:48.310 --> 00:19:51.079
  • To take this."
  • 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:52.781
  • So i walked back and took the phone call and the voice on the
  • 00:19:52.781 --> 00:19:57.552
  • Other end of the line said that my mom, who had been in surgery
  • 00:19:57.552 --> 00:20:01.857
  • That day, exploratory surgery, she hadn't been feeling well,
  • 00:20:01.857 --> 00:20:05.460
  • That when they went in they found cancer had
  • 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:08.063
  • Spread everywhere.
  • 00:20:08.063 --> 00:20:09.631
  • And it was so hopeless that they just sewed her back up and said
  • 00:20:09.631 --> 00:20:14.102
  • She only had a few months to live.
  • 00:20:14.102 --> 00:20:16.872
  • And the person said, "we think you ought to come to the
  • 00:20:16.872 --> 00:20:19.474
  • Hospital if at all you can."
  • 00:20:19.474 --> 00:20:21.977
  • Well, i knew what my parents would want me to do in that
  • 00:20:21.977 --> 00:20:24.579
  • Situation and i stayed and i preached the message
  • 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:27.716
  • That evening.
  • 00:20:27.716 --> 00:20:29.051
  • And as soon as the invitation was over, amy and i got in the
  • 00:20:29.051 --> 00:20:31.887
  • Car and we made our way to saint paul hospital.
  • 00:20:31.887 --> 00:20:35.857
  • And i remember driving through those back roads of west texas
  • 00:20:35.857 --> 00:20:38.860
  • On the way to dallas.
  • 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:40.762
  • I remember silently just asking god some questions.
  • 00:20:40.762 --> 00:20:44.032
  • I wasn't angry, but i was wondering, god, why in the world
  • 00:20:44.032 --> 00:20:48.837
  • Would you take my mom, 54 years of age.
  • 00:20:48.837 --> 00:20:53.475
  • Effective bible teacher here in this church, a witness for
  • 00:20:53.475 --> 00:20:57.479
  • Christ in the school where she taught, countless teenagers
  • 00:20:57.479 --> 00:21:00.482
  • Wonder to the lord through her ministry.
  • 00:21:00.482 --> 00:21:02.984
  • Why would you take her like this?
  • 00:21:02.984 --> 00:21:06.254
  • As i was thinking through and asking those questions, i turned
  • 00:21:06.254 --> 00:21:10.692
  • On the radio.
  • 00:21:10.692 --> 00:21:12.561
  • And the instant i turned on the radio, i heard a familiar voice,
  • 00:21:12.561 --> 00:21:17.065
  • A pastor reading this passage of scripture, romans 11:33, "oh,
  • 00:21:17.065 --> 00:21:22.971
  • The depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge
  • 00:21:22.971 --> 00:21:27.242
  • Of god!
  • 00:21:27.242 --> 00:21:28.577
  • How unsearchable are his judgments and how
  • 00:21:28.577 --> 00:21:31.980
  • Unfathomable his ways!
  • 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:34.683
  • For who has known the mind of the lord, or who became
  • 00:21:34.683 --> 00:21:38.053
  • His counselor?"
  • 00:21:38.053 --> 00:21:40.589
  • And in that instant, god gave me exactly the word i needed.
  • 00:21:40.589 --> 00:21:45.861
  • His word grabbed hold of me and said, "robert, i have a plan i'm
  • 00:21:45.861 --> 00:21:50.365
  • Working out, even though in the darkness you can't understand
  • 00:21:50.365 --> 00:21:54.436
  • What that plan is."
  • 00:21:54.436 --> 00:21:56.772
  • That's what god's word will do for you.
  • 00:21:56.772 --> 00:21:59.141
  • It will remind you that god is in control of everything
  • 00:21:59.141 --> 00:22:03.378
  • That happens.
  • 00:22:03.378 --> 00:22:05.414
  • Secondly, god's word is valuable because it convicts us of sin.
  • 00:22:05.414 --> 00:22:12.254
  • I can't tell you the number of times after a sermon, somebody
  • 00:22:12.254 --> 00:22:16.158
  • Has come up to me and said, "who told you?"
  • 00:22:16.158 --> 00:22:22.964
  • I say, "what do you mean?"
  • 00:22:22.964 --> 00:22:24.299
  • "well, obviously somebody told you about my situation and you
  • 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:28.103
  • Tailor-made that message just for me."
  • 00:22:28.103 --> 00:22:32.808
  • Well, you know the answer to that.
  • 00:22:32.808 --> 00:22:34.743
  • I didn't know about their situation, but god knew
  • 00:22:34.743 --> 00:22:37.813
  • About it.
  • 00:22:37.813 --> 00:22:39.147
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:22:39.147 --> 00:22:43.985
  • Jeffress: this is precisely why we keep god's word the
  • 00:22:43.985 --> 00:22:46.888
  • Centerpiece of this daily program.
  • 00:22:46.888 --> 00:22:49.424
  • The bible is alive and its power can transform your life.
  • 00:22:49.424 --> 00:22:54.896
  • Well, every day i hear wonderful stories of how god is using the
  • 00:22:54.896 --> 00:22:58.400
  • Bible and "pathway to victory" to change lives.
  • 00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:01.803
  • For example, derek wrote me recently and said, "pastor
  • 00:23:01.803 --> 00:23:05.340
  • Jeffress, i'm an over-the-road truck driver, and your program
  • 00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:09.010
  • Is a huge blessing to me!"
  • 00:23:09.010 --> 00:23:11.446
  • And then deborah watches our program from ohio.
  • 00:23:11.446 --> 00:23:14.783
  • Two weeks after she retired from work, her beloved husband passed
  • 00:23:14.783 --> 00:23:18.820
  • Away just when they expected to spend more time together.
  • 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:23.058
  • She wrote, "pastor jeffress, "pathway to victory" has become
  • 00:23:23.058 --> 00:23:26.428
  • My lifeline.
  • 00:23:26.428 --> 00:23:28.129
  • Thank you!"
  • 00:23:28.129 --> 00:23:29.464
  • Well, these thank-you notes really belong to those of you
  • 00:23:29.464 --> 00:23:32.100
  • Who support "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:34.469
  • You're the ones making a tremendous impact on those
  • 00:23:34.469 --> 00:23:37.305
  • Who've come to rely on "pathway to victory" just as you have.
  • 00:23:37.305 --> 00:23:41.977
  • Now stay right there.
  • 00:23:41.977 --> 00:23:43.411
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:43.411 --> 00:23:46.982
  • Announcer: life's most important crossroads often arrive
  • 00:23:49.150 --> 00:23:51.920
  • Without warning.
  • 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.321
  • When the stakes are high and the path forward isn't clear, how
  • 00:23:53.321 --> 00:23:56.825
  • Can you be confident you're following god's will?
  • 00:23:56.825 --> 00:23:59.528
  • In "how to make wise decisions," trusted author and bible teacher
  • 00:23:59.528 --> 00:24:03.765
  • Dr. robert jeffress offers you practical advice on how you can
  • 00:24:03.765 --> 00:24:07.602
  • Know with certainty the will of god in any situation.
  • 00:24:07.602 --> 00:24:11.239
  • Jeffress: one of the most frequently asked questions i
  • 00:24:11.239 --> 00:24:14.042
  • Receive as a pastor is: how can i know god's will for my life?
  • 00:24:14.042 --> 00:24:18.813
  • Too many believers are paralyzed by fear of making the wrong
  • 00:24:18.813 --> 00:24:22.417
  • Choice, but god hasn't left us guessing.
  • 00:24:22.417 --> 00:24:25.554
  • In my book, i reveal the biblical principles for
  • 00:24:25.554 --> 00:24:28.690
  • Recognizing god's voice and discerning god's will.
  • 00:24:28.690 --> 00:24:32.661
  • Announcer: request your copy of "how to make wise decisions"
  • 00:24:32.661 --> 00:24:35.397
  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory" or when you
  • 00:24:35.397 --> 00:24:39.034
  • Become a pathway partner.
  • 00:24:39.034 --> 00:24:40.635
  • And with your ministry gift of $75 or more, we'll also include
  • 00:24:40.635 --> 00:24:45.040
  • The complete, "how to make wise decisions" teaching series on
  • 00:24:45.040 --> 00:24:48.476
  • Both cd and dvd.
  • 00:24:48.476 --> 00:24:50.412
  • Jeffress: when god speaks to us, he does so more than just to
  • 00:24:50.412 --> 00:24:53.048
  • Give us courage and comfort to face our present situation.
  • 00:24:53.048 --> 00:24:57.018
  • He actually promises guidance, direction to those who trust
  • 00:24:57.018 --> 00:25:01.523
  • In him.
  • 00:25:01.523 --> 00:25:02.891
  • Announcer: thank you for partnering with us to share
  • 00:25:02.891 --> 00:25:04.659
  • God's life-transforming word with a world in need.
  • 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:08.196
  • Your generosity will empower pathway to victory to speak bold
  • 00:25:08.196 --> 00:25:11.933
  • Biblical truth into your life and the lives of millions across
  • 00:25:11.933 --> 00:25:15.704
  • The country and around the world.
  • 00:25:15.704 --> 00:25:18.406
  • Jeffress: it's possible you're facing a big decision right now
  • 00:25:20.041 --> 00:25:23.979
  • And as i brought my message today, perhaps you were mulling
  • 00:25:23.979 --> 00:25:27.082
  • Over that choice, trying to pick the best option.
  • 00:25:27.082 --> 00:25:30.952
  • Let me urge you to spend time in god's word immersing yourself in
  • 00:25:30.952 --> 00:25:35.357
  • The truth and seeking god's direction.
  • 00:25:35.357 --> 00:25:38.526
  • Now, you may be wondering if god wants to speak to me through the
  • 00:25:38.526 --> 00:25:41.663
  • Bible, then how can i make sure i'm listening?
  • 00:25:41.663 --> 00:25:45.600
  • Well, next time i'm going to mention three practical ways to
  • 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:49.304
  • Make god's word a part of your daily life.
  • 00:25:49.304 --> 00:25:52.374
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:25:52.374 --> 00:25:55.043
  • Series, "how to make wise decisions."
  • 00:25:55.043 --> 00:25:58.747
  • Jeffress: remember, the whole
  • 00:25:59.414 --> 00:26:00.749
  • Purpose of reading this book is
  • 00:26:00.749 --> 00:26:03.318
  • To change your life, to hear from god, to operate your life
  • 00:26:03.318 --> 00:26:06.988
  • According to his plan, but if you don't know what commands are
  • 00:26:06.988 --> 00:26:11.559
  • Meant to you, now you're gonna be really confused if
  • 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:16.464
  • Not misled.
  • 00:26:16.464 --> 00:26:17.966
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part two of the
  • 00:26:17.966 --> 00:26:20.969
  • Message, "the bible tells me so" here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:20.969 --> 00:26:25.173
  • Announcer: experience the beauty of alaska with the "pathway to
  • 00:26:28.376 --> 00:26:31.413
  • Victory" family june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:31.413 --> 00:26:35.617
  • Sail through the calm waters of the legendary inside passage
  • 00:26:35.617 --> 00:26:38.920
  • With dr. robert jeffress aboard holland america's
  • 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:41.523
  • Magnificent koningsdam.
  • 00:26:41.523 --> 00:26:43.658
  • Be inspired by award-winning musician michael o'brien's
  • 00:26:43.658 --> 00:26:46.695
  • Powerful worship, share laughter with dennis swanberg, america's
  • 00:26:46.695 --> 00:26:50.732
  • Minister of encouragement, all while exploring frontier towns
  • 00:26:50.732 --> 00:26:54.469
  • Like juneau, skagway, and ketchikan.
  • 00:26:54.469 --> 00:26:57.138
  • Jeffress: there's something powerful about connecting with
  • 00:26:57.138 --> 00:26:59.708
  • God and fellow believers in the majesty of his untamed
  • 00:26:59.708 --> 00:27:03.411
  • Wilderness from the majestic glaciers to soaring eagles.
  • 00:27:03.411 --> 00:27:07.782
  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith
  • 00:27:07.782 --> 00:27:11.019
  • In powerful ways.
  • 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:12.687
  • Announcer: join us for a spiritual journey through some
  • 00:27:12.687 --> 00:27:14.756
  • Of creation's most spectacular displays.
  • 00:27:14.756 --> 00:27:17.759
  • Don't wait.
  • 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.127
  • Our best cabins are going fast.
  • 00:27:19.127 --> 00:27:20.462
  • Secure your alaska adventure now.
  • 00:27:20.462 --> 00:27:22.530
  • Call...
  • 00:27:22.530 --> 00:27:25.600
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:25.600