Robert Jeffress - Choosing Companionship Over Loneliness (Part 2)

March 27, 2026 | 27:29

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

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Choosing Companionship Over Loneliness (Part 2) | March 27, 2026
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • From the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Satan loves nothing more than to get us isolated
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  • From our friends and family.
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  • When we're left to our own thoughts,
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  • He can attack our heart and soul with destructive ideas,
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  • Including self-doubt and insecurity.
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  • Well, today i want to show you
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  • How god has designed his children
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  • To flourish through relationships.
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  • My message is titled,
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  • "choosing companionship over loneliness,"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ there is a day coming ♪
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  • ♪ when the old will pass away ♪
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  • ♪ and every wrong will be made right ♪
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  • ♪ no darkness, no night ♪
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  • ♪ the sun will light the way ♪
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  • ♪ there is a king coming ♪
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  • ♪ the one who conquered death and grave ♪
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  • ♪ no more pain and no more sorrow ♪
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  • ♪ this hope for tomorrow ♪
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  • ♪ as our hope for today ♪
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  • ♪ he who was, he who is ♪
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  • ♪ he who was, he who is ♪
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  • ♪ he who is to come is christ the son of man ♪
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  • ♪ is riding on the clouds ♪
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  • ♪ with a crown upon his head ♪
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  • ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
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  • ♪ with the nail scars in his hand ♪
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  • -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ we sing hallelujah ♪
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  • -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ he who is to come ♪
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  • ♪ is christ the son of man ♪
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  • ♪ he's riding on the clouds with a crown upon his head ♪
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  • ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
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  • ♪ with the nail scars in his hand ♪
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  • -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ sing hallelujah ♪
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  • -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ yes, hallelujah ♪
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  • -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ he's coming back again ♪
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  • -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ hallelujah ♪
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  • -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ yeah, hallelujah ♪
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  • (congregation clapping)
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  • Life doesn't always go the way we plan,
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  • But here's the good news.
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  • We get to choose how we respond.
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  • In "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress shares 11 biblical attitude choices
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  • That can transform your health, your relationships,
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  • And even your eternity.
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  • You may not be able to control what happens to you,
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  • But you can learn
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  • How to make your circumstances strengthen you
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  • Rather than destroy you.
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  • Request "choose your attitudes, change your life"
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  • When you give a generous gift to pathway to victory.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • There's an old swedish proverb that says,
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  • "shared joy is a double joy.
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  • Shared sorrow is half a sorrow."
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  • And that's what solomon is saying here.
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  • Imagine two people walking along together.
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  • If one stumbles, the other one is there to lift him up,
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  • To keep him from stumbling.
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  • Rarely do two people stumble at the same time.
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  • And it's the same way with going through life.
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  • When you're going through life with a companion,
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  • Or a group of friends, if you fall into temptation,
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  • If you fall into despair or to depression,
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  • Chances are the other person
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  • Isn't going through that at the same time,
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  • They're able to lift you up.
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  • And that's why we need to go through life
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  • In the companionship of other people.
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  • Not only that, secondly, companionship offers support
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  • When we feel alone.
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  • Look at verse 11.
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  • "furthermore, if two lie down together, they keep warm.
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  • But how can one be warm alone?"
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  • Now, i admit that sounds a little *****,
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  • You know, two people lying down
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  • And huddling together to keep warm.
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  • He's not talking about body temperature here.
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  • What he's talking about is those cold times of life
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  • That you experience.
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  • All of us experience them.
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  • Maybe the move to a new city or the beginning of a new job,
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  • Or the death of a loved one.
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  • During those cold moments of life,
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  • You need a companion to provide warmth.
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  • Remember the old testament story of ruth and naomi?
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  • Ruth had suffered the loss of her husband,
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  • And her mother-in-law.
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  • Naomi was also a widow.
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  • And after ruth's husband died, naomi said,
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  • You need to move back with your parents
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  • And find yourself a husband.
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  • Ruth wouldn't hear of it.
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  • She needed naomi and she believed her mother-in-law
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  • Needed her as well.
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  • And one of the most beautiful passages of all of the bible,
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  • Ruth said to naomi, "do not entreat me to leave you,
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  • Or to keep me from following after you for where you go,
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  • I will go.
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  • Where you lodge, i will lodge.
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  • Your people shall be my people.
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  • Your god, my god."
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  • During that cold time of her life, ruth knew she needed
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  • The warmth of her mother-in-law.
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  • We all need other people for those cold times in life.
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  • Thirdly, companionship offers us protection
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  • When we are under siege.
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  • Look at verse 12.
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  • "and if one can overpower him,
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  • One who is alone, two can resist him.
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  • A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."
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  • You know, you take a rope, if it's just one little strand,
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  • You can break that real easily.
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  • Two strands a little harder,
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  • Three strands, almost impossible.
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  • It's the same thing with people.
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  • Have you ever felt like the apostle paul
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  • When he said we were afflicted on every side,
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  • Conflicts from without fears from within?
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  • Have you ever felt like you had attacks coming
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  • From every direction at work, at home,
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  • In this relationship, circumstances, your health, finances,
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  • You know, problems rarely come alone.
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  • They come in bunches.
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  • And when those attacks come,
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  • How much better to have somebody stand with you?
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  • You know, i'm so grateful.
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  • As i look back on the churches, amy and i have served
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  • In the three churches, we've had the privilege
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  • To serve as under shepherds,
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  • And every one of those churches, there were always people
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  • Who were ready to stand with us, to provide assistance
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  • When we felt like we were under siege.
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  • If i was being unfairly attacked,
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  • I had friends and leaders in the church
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  • Who would stand up to defend me.
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  • If i was being attacked by circumstances,
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  • People who are willing to help me gain perspective,
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  • Who would say, you know what, robert?
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  • This isn't normal.
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  • This is something spiritual is going on.
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  • We're going to pray for you and for your protection.
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  • I hate to think what it would've been like
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  • To go through those attacks without the benefit
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  • Of other people to offer protection.
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  • You know, pastors aren't the only ones
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  • Who experience those kind of attacks.
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  • We all have circumstances that conspire against us.
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  • We have an enemy who's out to destroy us and listen to me.
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  • One thing i've discovered as a pastor for 40 years,
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  • One of satan's favorite tactics in your life
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  • Is to isolate you from other people.
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  • And once he gets you alone, separated from the church,
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  • Separated from your family members, once he gets you alone,
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  • I mean you're spiritual roadkill before you know it.
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  • He has a much more difficult time attacking you
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  • And succeeding if there are two of you standing together,
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  • And if there're three or four standing together,
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  • Praying together, protecting one another, it's impossible.
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  • And that's why we need other people.
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  • They provide protection when we are under siege.
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  • Number four, companionship offers accountability
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  • When we are prone to wander from the faith.
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  • Accountability, when we are prone to wander from the faith.
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  • I cannot tell you the number of christian leaders
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  • I have known through the years who have suddenly fallen
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  • Into immorality or disbelief,
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  • And left thousands of people disillusioned as a result.
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  • Correction, i shouldn't have said that.
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  • They didn't fall suddenly into immorality or disbelief,
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  • It was a long process that most people didn't see.
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  • See, that's how spiritual defection and sin occurs.
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  • There's a gradual erosion in our life,
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  • A little compromise here and there.
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  • More and more times skipped spending with god in prayer
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  • And reading his word, growing cynicism toward other people
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  • And the things of god.
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  • Many times those things are happening apart from the eyes
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  • Of anybody else, but then our final
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  • And sudden fall is spectacular.
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  • It's seen by everyone.
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  • That's what happened to solomon.
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  • Solomon had started out, remember when he was named king,
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  • He said, "lord, i'm going to serve you with a whole heart
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  • And the only thing i want, not riches, not power,
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  • I just want wisdom from you." remember that?
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  • And solomon and god was so pleased
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  • That he gave him all those other things as well.
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  • That's how solomon started.
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  • Unfortunately, it's not how he ended.
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  • 1 kings 11:4 records his downfall.
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  • "for it came about when solomon was old,"
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  • When he was old.
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  • Not when he was young,
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  • When he was old is when he fell away from god.
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  • Don't think getting old is any guarantee of godliness.
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  • You know, being old doesn't make you godly automatically,
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  • Being old doesn't exempt you from sin and temptation.
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  • It was when solomon was old
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  • That his wives turned his heart away from other gods,
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  • And his heart was not holy devoted to the lord his god,
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  • As the heart of david his father had been.
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  • You know, the tragedy of solomon's life.
  • 00:11:59.208 --> 00:12:00.910
  • There was nobody to call his hand on those small defections
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  • That were taking place in his faith.
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  • Nobody who cared enough about solomon to say, you know what?
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  • I've noticed something in your life.
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  • I love you. i care about you.
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  • But if you keep going down this road,
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  • You're going to end up in a bad place.
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  • Do you have somebody like that in your life?
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  • Somebody who loves you enough, is concerned about you enough
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  • That they're willing to tell you the truth?
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  • That's what companionship does.
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  • It offers us accountability when we're prone to wander.
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  • You say, well, pastor, you've convinced me,
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  • I know i need friends.
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  • I need companions.
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  • Where do i go to find those kind of friends
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  • Who'll give me assistance and encouragement,
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  • And provide accountability?
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  • Where do you go?
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  • Well, the bible says god has created three realms
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  • To satisfy our need for companionship.
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  • And in the final few minutes we have,
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  • Let me just mention the three realms of relationships
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  • That come from god.
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  • First of all, marriage.
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  • Marriage, god's plan is for us
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  • To find companionship in marriage.
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  • Genesis 2:18.
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  • Remember after god finished his crowning work
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  • Of creating man, god said, genesis 2:18, "it is not good
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  • For the man to be alone.
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  • I will make him a helper suitable for him,"
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  • Opposite him, to compliment him.
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  • Now, i've always thought that was strange
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  • That god said it's not good for adam to be alone.
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  • Adam wasn't alone.
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  • Surrounded by all those animals.
  • 00:13:37.473 --> 00:13:40.042
  • More importantly, a right relationship with god,
  • 00:13:40.042 --> 00:13:43.012
  • I mean, he and god were having a great time together
  • 00:13:43.012 --> 00:13:45.180
  • In the garden.
  • 00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:46.315
  • No sin anywhere, perfect fellowship.
  • 00:13:46.315 --> 00:13:48.117
  • But you know what god was saying,
  • 00:13:48.117 --> 00:13:50.452
  • Fellowship with me, adam isn't enough.
  • 00:13:50.452 --> 00:13:53.522
  • You need something more.
  • 00:13:53.522 --> 00:13:55.457
  • And by the way, that's true of you.
  • 00:13:55.457 --> 00:13:57.559
  • Don't be super spiritual.
  • 00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.794
  • Don't be more spiritual than god is.
  • 00:13:58.794 --> 00:14:00.696
  • Say i don't need anybody except god.
  • 00:14:01.497 --> 00:14:03.032
  • Yes you do.
  • 00:14:03.032 --> 00:14:04.733
  • God created you as a human being.
  • 00:14:04.733 --> 00:14:06.669
  • You need other humans, not just animals
  • 00:14:06.669 --> 00:14:09.838
  • And not just the spirit.
  • 00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:12.007
  • You need other people.
  • 00:14:12.007 --> 00:14:14.310
  • And that's why god said, i'm going to make a helper for adam.
  • 00:14:14.310 --> 00:14:17.947
  • And by the way, that wasn't unique to adam.
  • 00:14:17.947 --> 00:14:20.516
  • At the end of genesis 2:24-25, moses said,
  • 00:14:20.516 --> 00:14:23.686
  • "this is god's plan for most people.
  • 00:14:23.686 --> 00:14:25.788
  • For this cause, a man shall leave his father and his mother
  • 00:14:25.788 --> 00:14:29.658
  • And shall cleave to his wife
  • 00:14:29.658 --> 00:14:32.127
  • And they shall become one flesh.
  • 00:14:32.127 --> 00:14:34.163
  • And the man and his wife were both naked,
  • 00:14:34.163 --> 00:14:36.598
  • And were not ashamed."
  • 00:14:36.598 --> 00:14:38.968
  • Now i said, this is god's plan for most people.
  • 00:14:38.968 --> 00:14:41.337
  • There are some people, 1 corinthians 7, paul says,
  • 00:14:41.337 --> 00:14:45.507
  • "who have the gift of being single."
  • 00:14:45.507 --> 00:14:47.910
  • Not everybody's plan...
  • 00:14:48.410 --> 00:14:49.912
  • God's plan for everybody is to be married.
  • 00:14:49.912 --> 00:14:51.747
  • For most people, yes, there are some people
  • 00:14:51.747 --> 00:14:54.717
  • Who have what paul calls the gift of celibacy.
  • 00:14:54.717 --> 00:14:57.686
  • I remember when we were teenagers growing up,
  • 00:14:57.686 --> 00:14:59.688
  • We'd hear people tell that and we would just pray, oh god,
  • 00:14:59.688 --> 00:15:01.957
  • Please don't give me that gift.
  • 00:15:01.957 --> 00:15:04.026
  • (congregation laughing)
  • 00:15:04.526 --> 00:15:06.562
  • A gift nobody wants.
  • 00:15:06.562 --> 00:15:08.697
  • Well, that's not really true.
  • 00:15:09.331 --> 00:15:10.766
  • There's some people who do want that gift,
  • 00:15:10.766 --> 00:15:12.568
  • And that's the way to know
  • 00:15:12.568 --> 00:15:13.969
  • If you have the gift of singleness, if you enjoy it
  • 00:15:13.969 --> 00:15:15.938
  • And that's what you want, that means you've got the gift.
  • 00:15:15.938 --> 00:15:18.607
  • But marriage is not the only place to find companionship.
  • 00:15:18.607 --> 00:15:22.878
  • In fact, if you're depending on your mate
  • 00:15:22.878 --> 00:15:24.980
  • To provide every need for companionship you have,
  • 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:28.350
  • You're placing a burden on them they cannot meet
  • 00:15:28.350 --> 00:15:31.553
  • And your marriage can't survive.
  • 00:15:31.553 --> 00:15:34.123
  • God wants you to have friends as well as a mate.
  • 00:15:34.123 --> 00:15:37.860
  • And that leads to that second realm
  • 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.628
  • Of relationship, friendships.
  • 00:15:39.628 --> 00:15:41.630
  • Again, proverbs 17:17, "a friend loves at all times."
  • 00:15:41.630 --> 00:15:46.935
  • You know there are four different levels of friendship
  • 00:15:48.003 --> 00:15:50.539
  • That might help you understand god's plan for your life.
  • 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:54.309
  • You know, they're what we call acquaintances.
  • 00:15:54.309 --> 00:15:56.612
  • These are people you meet, you know, at the grocery store
  • 00:15:56.612 --> 00:15:59.248
  • And the checkout line.
  • 00:15:59.248 --> 00:16:01.283
  • Most people make an average of 500
  • 00:16:01.283 --> 00:16:04.119
  • To 2,500 new acquaintances every year.
  • 00:16:04.119 --> 00:16:07.556
  • Just people they meet randomly.
  • 00:16:07.556 --> 00:16:09.691
  • And these are people you don't know their name,
  • 00:16:09.691 --> 00:16:11.493
  • And probably will never have any relationship
  • 00:16:11.493 --> 00:16:13.495
  • With, acquaintances.
  • 00:16:13.495 --> 00:16:14.863
  • Secondly, these are casual friends. casual friends.
  • 00:16:14.863 --> 00:16:18.100
  • These are people that you know on a first name basis,
  • 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:21.236
  • You may or may not socialize with,
  • 00:16:21.236 --> 00:16:23.205
  • But usually your conversations are very superficial.
  • 00:16:23.205 --> 00:16:26.442
  • The weather, sports and so forth.
  • 00:16:26.442 --> 00:16:29.144
  • Those friendships may last only months
  • 00:16:29.144 --> 00:16:31.146
  • Or may last a lifetime.
  • 00:16:31.146 --> 00:16:33.248
  • Thirdly, there are close friends,
  • 00:16:33.248 --> 00:16:35.584
  • And these are people who have a mutual agreement
  • 00:16:35.584 --> 00:16:39.054
  • On things like spiritual issues, politics, so forth.
  • 00:16:39.054 --> 00:16:43.358
  • That number is anywhere from five to 25 people,
  • 00:16:43.358 --> 00:16:46.728
  • People who are considered to be close friends,
  • 00:16:46.728 --> 00:16:49.832
  • But finally there are intimate friends.
  • 00:16:49.832 --> 00:16:53.435
  • Usually people only have anywhere from one,
  • 00:16:54.336 --> 00:16:56.939
  • No more than five intimate friends.
  • 00:16:56.939 --> 00:17:00.242
  • These are friendships that last a lifetime.
  • 00:17:00.242 --> 00:17:03.445
  • These are friendships that span geographical boundaries,
  • 00:17:03.445 --> 00:17:06.915
  • Even if you move away from one another
  • 00:17:06.915 --> 00:17:09.218
  • And are separated for a period of time.
  • 00:17:09.218 --> 00:17:10.819
  • When you are with that person,
  • 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:12.387
  • It's just like you pick up where you left off.
  • 00:17:12.387 --> 00:17:15.124
  • These are the people that you are most likely to call
  • 00:17:15.124 --> 00:17:18.227
  • In times of a crisis in your life, intimate friends.
  • 00:17:18.227 --> 00:17:23.565
  • And god's plan is for us to have friends at all levels.
  • 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:27.436
  • The trouble is when you expect, you know, a casual friend
  • 00:17:27.436 --> 00:17:30.906
  • To be an intimate friend and they're not.
  • 00:17:30.906 --> 00:17:33.575
  • But god's plan is to have all those levels of friendships,
  • 00:17:33.575 --> 00:17:37.112
  • And that leads to a third realm of relationship.
  • 00:17:37.112 --> 00:17:39.548
  • And that is the church. the church.
  • 00:17:39.548 --> 00:17:42.618
  • You know what's interesting about the church
  • 00:17:42.618 --> 00:17:44.219
  • Is you find all four levels
  • 00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:46.288
  • Of friendship right there in the church.
  • 00:17:46.288 --> 00:17:48.724
  • Acquaintances, people you don't know,
  • 00:17:48.724 --> 00:17:50.259
  • You don't even know their name.
  • 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:52.494
  • People you know on a first name basis,
  • 00:17:52.494 --> 00:17:55.030
  • People you feel comfortable talking to,
  • 00:17:55.030 --> 00:17:56.932
  • And share agreement about spiritual issues
  • 00:17:56.932 --> 00:17:59.701
  • And then your intimate friends as well.
  • 00:17:59.701 --> 00:18:03.005
  • But what's interesting
  • 00:18:03.005 --> 00:18:04.506
  • Is even though you have all four levels in the church,
  • 00:18:04.506 --> 00:18:06.942
  • Collectively, those four groups form a power
  • 00:18:06.942 --> 00:18:12.281
  • That help keep you grounded spiritually
  • 00:18:13.115 --> 00:18:14.950
  • As well as emotionally.
  • 00:18:14.950 --> 00:18:16.685
  • There is power in being connected
  • 00:18:16.685 --> 00:18:19.421
  • To a body of believers.
  • 00:18:19.421 --> 00:18:22.858
  • Now last week, last week, phil robertson was here
  • 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:27.863
  • And i was listening again to the interview
  • 00:18:27.863 --> 00:18:29.831
  • On the way to church, and he said some tremendous things,
  • 00:18:29.831 --> 00:18:34.036
  • But there's one thing he said, i know what he meant,
  • 00:18:34.036 --> 00:18:37.673
  • But i'm afraid it could be misconstrued.
  • 00:18:37.673 --> 00:18:40.776
  • And that's the idea
  • 00:18:41.243 --> 00:18:42.544
  • That somehow coming to church isn't important.
  • 00:18:42.544 --> 00:18:46.014
  • He didn't say that.
  • 00:18:46.014 --> 00:18:47.583
  • He was talking about the need for us to leave the church,
  • 00:18:47.583 --> 00:18:50.319
  • And go out to be a witness to other people.
  • 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:53.355
  • And it's true, the world isn't going to get saved
  • 00:18:54.289 --> 00:18:57.125
  • By our coming to church.
  • 00:18:57.125 --> 00:18:59.494
  • The purpose of our coming to church is to get equipped
  • 00:18:59.494 --> 00:19:02.097
  • To go out to where people are, but more importantly,
  • 00:19:02.097 --> 00:19:05.901
  • Coming together as a church is absolutely vital
  • 00:19:05.901 --> 00:19:09.471
  • To our own spiritual health.
  • 00:19:09.471 --> 00:19:11.740
  • It's not optional,
  • 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:13.275
  • And that's why the writer of hebrews said
  • 00:19:13.275 --> 00:19:15.177
  • In hebrews 10:24-25, "let us consider how can we stimulate,
  • 00:19:15.177 --> 00:19:20.515
  • Motivate one another to love and good deeds
  • 00:19:21.416 --> 00:19:24.219
  • By not forsaking our own assembling together,
  • 00:19:24.219 --> 00:19:28.890
  • As is the habit of some,
  • 00:19:28.890 --> 00:19:30.926
  • But encouraging one another all the more
  • 00:19:30.926 --> 00:19:33.962
  • As you see the day drawing nearer."
  • 00:19:33.962 --> 00:19:36.798
  • The writer of hebrews is saying,
  • 00:19:37.432 --> 00:19:38.767
  • The reason we're not to forsake coming to church
  • 00:19:38.767 --> 00:19:41.637
  • And assembling together, the reason we come
  • 00:19:41.637 --> 00:19:43.739
  • To church is not to satisfy some legalistic,
  • 00:19:43.739 --> 00:19:46.875
  • Cold, sterile requirement,
  • 00:19:46.875 --> 00:19:49.444
  • It's to meet the need we have to encourage one another
  • 00:19:49.444 --> 00:19:53.215
  • And motivate one another to faith and to good deeds.
  • 00:19:53.215 --> 00:19:57.119
  • Let me illustrate that for you.
  • 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.520
  • Have you ever watched a fire burning in a fireplace,
  • 00:19:58.520 --> 00:20:01.957
  • And seeing the wood in there, the wood embers,
  • 00:20:01.957 --> 00:20:04.760
  • And how that wood grows and glows bright red
  • 00:20:04.760 --> 00:20:10.032
  • When it's burning in the fire.
  • 00:20:10.666 --> 00:20:12.267
  • And yet, if you take that piece of wood out of the fireplace
  • 00:20:12.267 --> 00:20:16.438
  • And set it aside so quickly,
  • 00:20:16.438 --> 00:20:19.775
  • It goes from red to gray, to a steely black.
  • 00:20:19.775 --> 00:20:25.614
  • But when you take that cold piece of wood
  • 00:20:26.481 --> 00:20:29.518
  • And put it back in the fireplace,
  • 00:20:29.518 --> 00:20:31.687
  • It ignites again and begins to glow brightly.
  • 00:20:31.687 --> 00:20:36.692
  • It's the same way with christians in the church.
  • 00:20:36.692 --> 00:20:39.728
  • When you isolate separate a christian
  • 00:20:39.728 --> 00:20:43.532
  • From other believers,
  • 00:20:43.532 --> 00:20:45.500
  • That christian's faith can grow cold very, very quickly.
  • 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:50.038
  • But it's when we're in the presence
  • 00:20:50.806 --> 00:20:51.873
  • Of other believers worshiping,
  • 00:20:51.873 --> 00:20:53.475
  • Being instructed in god's word praying together,
  • 00:20:53.475 --> 00:20:56.745
  • That's what continues to stimulate us to love
  • 00:20:56.745 --> 00:21:00.582
  • And to good deeds.
  • 00:21:00.582 --> 00:21:01.983
  • We need one another.
  • 00:21:01.983 --> 00:21:05.520
  • I was reading this week the words
  • 00:21:06.254 --> 00:21:07.956
  • Of the french existentialist, john paul sartre.
  • 00:21:07.956 --> 00:21:12.861
  • Sartre said, "hell is other people."
  • 00:21:12.861 --> 00:21:18.633
  • How's that for cynical?
  • 00:21:19.134 --> 00:21:20.836
  • Hell is other people.
  • 00:21:21.336 --> 00:21:24.039
  • Yes, other people can be a nuisance.
  • 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:26.074
  • They can be annoying.
  • 00:21:26.074 --> 00:21:27.309
  • But i'm here to tell you this morning,
  • 00:21:27.309 --> 00:21:29.478
  • What real hell is, is loneliness.
  • 00:21:30.212 --> 00:21:34.282
  • In fact, that's going to be the final state
  • 00:21:35.217 --> 00:21:36.818
  • Of those who die without christ.
  • 00:21:36.818 --> 00:21:38.387
  • They're not just going to be separated from god,
  • 00:21:38.387 --> 00:21:40.655
  • They're going to be separated from other people.
  • 00:21:40.655 --> 00:21:43.759
  • Yes, there'll be billions of people in hell jesus said,
  • 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:47.262
  • If you go to hell,
  • 00:21:47.696 --> 00:21:49.364
  • There'll be a mass of people with you there.
  • 00:21:49.364 --> 00:21:51.199
  • The only thing is you won't know it,
  • 00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:53.602
  • Because it's a place of utter darkness
  • 00:21:53.602 --> 00:21:56.571
  • And you'll spend eternity not just separated from god,
  • 00:21:56.571 --> 00:21:59.574
  • But from other people as well.
  • 00:21:59.574 --> 00:22:02.110
  • Where there's weeping, wailing,
  • 00:22:02.110 --> 00:22:04.813
  • And the gnashing of teeth.
  • 00:22:04.813 --> 00:22:06.782
  • Hell is loneliness.
  • 00:22:07.249 --> 00:22:09.785
  • But god's cornerstone plan for most of us is companionship,
  • 00:22:10.952 --> 00:22:15.824
  • So that we can experience the emotional
  • 00:22:16.625 --> 00:22:19.194
  • And spiritual fulfillment that god desires
  • 00:22:19.194 --> 00:22:22.364
  • For each one of us.
  • 00:22:22.364 --> 00:22:24.266
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:29.004
  • We're not meant to lead lives
  • 00:22:29.638 --> 00:22:31.573
  • Of lonely desperation cut off from the ones we love.
  • 00:22:31.573 --> 00:22:35.343
  • God has created his children for companionship and nothing,
  • 00:22:35.343 --> 00:22:39.281
  • And separate us from the love of god.
  • 00:22:39.281 --> 00:22:42.350
  • Now, in closing today, i thought you'd be encouraged
  • 00:22:42.350 --> 00:22:44.786
  • By this letter i received recently,
  • 00:22:44.786 --> 00:22:47.255
  • One of our friends in pennsylvania wrote:
  • 00:22:47.255 --> 00:22:49.691
  • "all through this past summer,
  • 00:22:49.691 --> 00:22:51.293
  • I have listened to pathway to victory
  • 00:22:51.293 --> 00:22:53.495
  • On my commute home from work.
  • 00:22:53.495 --> 00:22:55.597
  • I've been physically sick with anxiety
  • 00:22:55.597 --> 00:22:58.467
  • While enduring the mess of my life,
  • 00:22:58.467 --> 00:23:00.502
  • But i began to trust in god.
  • 00:23:00.502 --> 00:23:02.938
  • Eventually in a massive crying mess on my knees,
  • 00:23:02.938 --> 00:23:06.741
  • I gave my life to christ and i put my full faith in him.
  • 00:23:06.741 --> 00:23:11.613
  • Since then, i've purchased a bible
  • 00:23:11.613 --> 00:23:13.748
  • And i'm reading it frequently.
  • 00:23:13.748 --> 00:23:15.817
  • My wife and i have grown closer
  • 00:23:15.817 --> 00:23:17.586
  • Than we've been in 19 years of marriage.
  • 00:23:17.586 --> 00:23:20.522
  • May god bless you and your entire staff
  • 00:23:20.522 --> 00:23:23.758
  • For sending the word out to people like me."
  • 00:23:23.758 --> 00:23:27.128
  • Isn't that wonderful?
  • 00:23:27.128 --> 00:23:28.697
  • That's what a changed life is all about,
  • 00:23:28.697 --> 00:23:31.600
  • And his gratitude extends beyond me and our great staff.
  • 00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:35.737
  • It belongs to every one of you
  • 00:23:35.737 --> 00:23:37.939
  • Who support pathway to victory.
  • 00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:40.475
  • Thank you for your partnership
  • 00:23:40.475 --> 00:23:41.977
  • In piercing the darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:41.977 --> 00:23:45.647
  • Now stay right there.
  • 00:23:45.647 --> 00:23:47.215
  • I'll be back with more pathway to victory in just a moment.
  • 00:23:47.215 --> 00:23:51.253
  • When unexpected challenges hit,
  • 00:23:51.253 --> 00:23:53.455
  • It's easy to feel defeated and robbed of joy.
  • 00:23:53.455 --> 00:23:56.591
  • But while we can't always choose our circumstances,
  • 00:23:56.591 --> 00:23:59.394
  • We can always choose how we respond to them.
  • 00:23:59.394 --> 00:24:02.130
  • In "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
  • 00:24:02.130 --> 00:24:04.633
  • Dr. robert jeffress shares 11 proven attitude choices
  • 00:24:04.633 --> 00:24:08.036
  • That will help you experience
  • 00:24:08.036 --> 00:24:09.437
  • The abundant life god desires for you.
  • 00:24:09.437 --> 00:24:12.073
  • The bible tells us that "as a person thinks
  • 00:24:12.073 --> 00:24:14.743
  • Within himself, so is he."
  • 00:24:14.743 --> 00:24:17.245
  • Our attitudes impact everything, our health,
  • 00:24:17.245 --> 00:24:20.015
  • Our relationships, our work, and even our eternity.
  • 00:24:20.015 --> 00:24:23.852
  • In my book, "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
  • 00:24:23.852 --> 00:24:26.955
  • I walk you through 11 essential choices like purpose
  • 00:24:26.955 --> 00:24:31.226
  • Over aimlessness, perseverance over defeat,
  • 00:24:31.226 --> 00:24:34.462
  • And faith over worry.
  • 00:24:34.462 --> 00:24:36.498
  • These biblical principles have transformed countless lives
  • 00:24:36.498 --> 00:24:40.068
  • And they can transform yours as well.
  • 00:24:40.068 --> 00:24:42.604
  • Request your copy
  • 00:24:42.604 --> 00:24:43.939
  • Of "choose your attitudes, change your life"
  • 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.907
  • When you give a generous gift to support pathway to victory.
  • 00:24:45.907 --> 00:24:49.277
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:24:49.277 --> 00:24:52.414
  • We'll also send you the companion study guide
  • 00:24:52.414 --> 00:24:55.050
  • Along with the complete teaching series on cd and dvd.
  • 00:24:55.050 --> 00:24:58.887
  • Our attitude determines our destiny.
  • 00:24:58.887 --> 00:25:01.790
  • Attitudes profoundly impact our life, our death,
  • 00:25:01.790 --> 00:25:06.695
  • And our eternal destiny.
  • 00:25:06.695 --> 00:25:08.663
  • Thank you for your generous support of pathway to victory.
  • 00:25:08.663 --> 00:25:11.900
  • Your partnership helps us bring practical life-changing
  • 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:15.036
  • Biblical truth into homes across the nation
  • 00:25:15.036 --> 00:25:17.939
  • And around the world.
  • 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:21.076
  • Just as wooden logs burned brightly when stacked together,
  • 00:25:22.210 --> 00:25:26.214
  • Christians thrive when gathered in unity.
  • 00:25:26.214 --> 00:25:29.684
  • I hope that you belong to a community of believers
  • 00:25:29.684 --> 00:25:33.555
  • That's committed to keeping the flames
  • 00:25:33.555 --> 00:25:35.624
  • Of fellowship burning brightly.
  • 00:25:35.624 --> 00:25:38.293
  • Well, relationships are essential in the christian life,
  • 00:25:38.293 --> 00:25:41.396
  • But none is more important than the one you enjoy
  • 00:25:41.396 --> 00:25:44.466
  • With god himself.
  • 00:25:44.466 --> 00:25:46.034
  • Next time we're talking about choosing intimacy
  • 00:25:46.034 --> 00:25:48.803
  • With god over isolation.
  • 00:25:48.803 --> 00:25:51.439
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:25:51.439 --> 00:25:54.209
  • On pathway to victory.
  • 00:25:54.209 --> 00:25:56.745
  • You have to come to the understanding that true fulfillment
  • 00:25:58.013 --> 00:25:59.881
  • Is really impossible apart from god.
  • 00:25:59.881 --> 00:26:02.784
  • You know, nothing will block intimacy
  • 00:26:02.784 --> 00:26:05.587
  • More than divided affections.
  • 00:26:05.587 --> 00:26:08.590
  • We build our life around one thing, not many things.
  • 00:26:08.590 --> 00:26:13.895
  • Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:14.896 --> 00:26:17.032
  • Choosing intimacy with god over isolation
  • 00:26:17.032 --> 00:26:20.402
  • Here on pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:20.402 --> 00:26:22.771
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:22.771 --> 00:26:27.776
  • Alaska is unlike any other place on earth,
  • 00:26:28.677 --> 00:26:32.213
  • And this is your chance to witness god's masterpiece
  • 00:26:32.213 --> 00:26:35.250
  • And america's priceless treasure,
  • 00:26:35.250 --> 00:26:37.318
  • June 13th through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:37.318 --> 00:26:40.188
  • You know i can hardly wait to show you alaska.
  • 00:26:40.188 --> 00:26:43.358
  • I've been there before,
  • 00:26:43.358 --> 00:26:44.659
  • And every time i witness those massive glaciers
  • 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:47.796
  • And towering mountains,
  • 00:26:47.796 --> 00:26:49.330
  • I'm reminded of how incredibly creative our god is.
  • 00:26:49.330 --> 00:26:53.334
  • Picture this, waking up to snow capped peaks
  • 00:26:53.334 --> 00:26:56.237
  • Outside your window.
  • 00:26:56.237 --> 00:26:57.706
  • Then heading to your refreshing breakfast,
  • 00:26:57.706 --> 00:26:59.808
  • Knowing that all your meals are prepared for you.
  • 00:26:59.808 --> 00:27:02.310
  • The world class service means that you can truly relax.
  • 00:27:02.310 --> 00:27:05.680
  • We'll explore charming villages together,
  • 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:08.183
  • We'll stroll alongside the still waters
  • 00:27:08.183 --> 00:27:10.685
  • Of the mountain stream.
  • 00:27:10.685 --> 00:27:12.153
  • And yes, we'll see god's artistry at every turn.
  • 00:27:12.153 --> 00:27:16.391
  • Reserve your spot on the 2026 pathway to victory.
  • 00:27:16.391 --> 00:27:20.261
  • Cruise to alaska by calling 888-280-6747,
  • 00:27:20.261 --> 00:27:25.533
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:25.967 --> 00:27:25.967