In this episode of "Pathway to Victory," Dr. Robert Jeffress emphasizes the importance of companionship and relationships in a believer's life. Using biblical teachings and personal anecdotes, he stresses the benefits of having friends, family, and fellow believers to provide support, warmth, protection, and accountability. Through engaging stories and practical advice, Dr. Jeffress highlights the significance of finding companionship in marriage, friendships, and within the church community. Ultimately, he reminds listeners that God has designed His children for connection and that true fulfillment is found in nurturing relationships with both God and others.
#Relationships
#Loneliness
#Peopleinyourlife
#Accountability
#SpiritualFoundation
#SpiritualGrowth
#Church
#BodyofChrist
#RobertJeffress
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Choosing Companionship Over Loneliness (Part 2) | January 30, 2026
- ♪♪♪
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- Male announcer: from the pulpit
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- Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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- This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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- Dr. robert jeffress: 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, he can attack
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- Our heart and soul with destructive ideas,
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- Including self doubt and insecurity.
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- Well, today i wanna show you how god has designed his children
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- To flourish through relationships.
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- My message is titled "choosing companionship over loneliness"
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- ♪♪♪
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- ♪ there is a day coming ♪
- 00:00:52.074 --> 00:00:58.747
- ♪ when the old will pass away ♪
- 00:00:58.747 --> 00:01:05.387
- ♪ and every wrong would be made right. ♪
- 00:01:05.387 --> 00:01:08.557
- ♪ no darkness, no night. ♪
- 00:01:08.557 --> 00:01:12.161
- ♪ the son will light the way. ♪
- 00:01:12.161 --> 00:01:18.467
- ♪ there is a king coming, ♪
- 00:01:18.467 --> 00:01:25.007
- ♪ the one who conquered death and grave. ♪
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- ♪ no more pain and no more sorrow. ♪
- 00:01:31.547 --> 00:01:34.750
- ♪ this hope for tomorrow ♪
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- ♪ is our hope for today. ♪
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- ♪ he who was. ♪
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- ♪ he who is. ♪
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- ♪ he who was. ♪
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- ♪ he who is. ♪
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- ♪ he who is to come ♪
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- ♪ is christ the son of man. ♪
- 00:02:03.111 --> 00:02:06.448
- ♪ he's riding on the clouds ♪
- 00:02:06.448 --> 00:02:09.251
- ♪ 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 hands. ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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- ♪ he who is to come ♪
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- ♪ is christ the son of man. ♪
- 00:02:29.371 --> 00:02:32.507
- ♪ he's riding on the clouds ♪
- 00:02:32.507 --> 00:02:35.577
- ♪ 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 hands. ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah. ♪♪
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- Announcer: we all want to live a life of meaning and
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- Significance, but we often dream too small.
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- Jeffress: my friends david green, founder and ceo of hobby
- 00:03:22.624 --> 00:03:25.894
- Lobby, and bill high, ceo of legacy stone, have written a
- 00:03:25.894 --> 00:03:30.599
- Brand new book called "the legacy life."
- 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:33.502
- Jeffress: you've said it in this book several times.
- 00:03:33.502 --> 00:03:36.772
- Legacy is not what you leave behind, it's what you set in
- 00:03:36.772 --> 00:03:40.309
- Motion for the future.
- 00:03:40.309 --> 00:03:42.044
- Jeffress: this book will challenge you to point your life
- 00:03:42.044 --> 00:03:44.479
- Heavenward and set in motion a legacy of eternal significance.
- 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:49.751
- David green: bill, i've found that it's much easier to run a
- 00:03:49.751 --> 00:03:52.154
- Business, but having a family, a wife, children that serve the
- 00:03:52.154 --> 00:03:55.590
- Lord is much, much more difficult.
- 00:03:55.590 --> 00:03:57.626
- And that's who we are. we're not about hobby lobby.
- 00:03:57.626 --> 00:03:59.928
- We're about mission, vision, and values, and it's all based on
- 00:03:59.928 --> 00:04:03.031
- God's word, and that's what we're excited about.
- 00:04:03.031 --> 00:04:05.267
- Bill high: no matter what stage of life you're in, "the legacy
- 00:04:05.267 --> 00:04:07.969
- Life" will help you understand how to apply god's word and set
- 00:04:07.969 --> 00:04:12.507
- In motion a great legacy.
- 00:04:12.507 --> 00:04:15.444
- Announcer: request "the legacy life" when you give a generous
- 00:04:15.444 --> 00:04:18.046
- Gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become a pathway
- 00:04:18.046 --> 00:04:20.749
- Partner.
- 00:04:20.749 --> 00:04:22.084
- You'll also receive the powerful book by dr. jeffress, "choose
- 00:04:22.084 --> 00:04:24.986
- Your attitudes, change your life."
- 00:04:24.986 --> 00:04:27.255
- And when your ministry gift is $100 or more, we'll also send
- 00:04:27.255 --> 00:04:30.826
- You the "choose your attitudes, change your life" personal and
- 00:04:30.826 --> 00:04:34.229
- Group study guide, plus the complete teaching series on cd
- 00:04:34.229 --> 00:04:37.966
- And dvd and a set of attitude booster cards for
- 00:04:37.966 --> 00:04:41.870
- Your encouragement.
- 00:04:41.870 --> 00:04:43.205
- Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
- 00:04:43.205 --> 00:04:45.707
- ♪♪♪
- 00:04:47.642 --> 00:04:59.755
- Jeffress: there's an old swedish proverb that says, "shared joy
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- Is a double joy, 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 to keep
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- 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 or a group
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- Of friends, if you fall into temptation, if you fall into
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- Despair or to depression, chances are the other person
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- Isn't going through that at the same time, they're able
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- 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.
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- Secondly, companionship offers support 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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- I admit that sounds a little kinky, you know,
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- Two people lying down 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, you need a companion
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- To provide warmth.
- 00:06:38.320 --> 00:06:40.689
- 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 naomi, was also a widow.
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- And after ruth's husband died, naomi said, "you need to move
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- Back in with your parents 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 or to
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- Keep me from following after you for where you go, i will go.
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- Where you lodge, i will lodge.
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- Your people shall be my people, 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, "and if one can overpower him one who is
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- Alone, two can resist him.
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- A chord 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 when he said,
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- "we were afflicted on every side: conflicts from without,
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- Fears from within."
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- Have you ever felt like you had attacks coming from
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- Every direction?
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- At work, at home, in this relationship, circumstances,
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- 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, how much better to have somebody
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- Stand with you.
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- You know, i am so grateful as i look back on the churches
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- Amy and i have served in.
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- The three churches we've had the privilege to serve as under
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- Shepherds and every one of those churches, there are always
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- People who are 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, i had friends and
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- Leaders in the church who would stand up to defend me.
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- If i was being attacked by circumstances, people who are
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- Willing to help me gain perspective, who would say,
- 00:09:20.348 --> 00:09:23.551
- "you know what, robert?
- 00:09:23.551 --> 00:09:24.886
- This isn't normal, this is something spiritual is going on.
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- We're gonna pray for you and for your protection."
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- I hate to think what it would have been like to go through
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- Those attacks without the benefit of other people
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- To offer protection.
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- You know, pastors aren't the only ones who experience
- 00:09:40.902 --> 00:09:43.872
- Those kind of attacks.
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- We all have circumstances that conspire against us.
- 00:09:45.206 --> 00:09:49.010
- We have an enemy who's out to destroy us.
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- And listen to me, one thing i've discovered as a pastor for 40
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- Years, 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, seperated from the church
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- Seperated from your family members,
- 00:10:06.861 --> 00:10:09.230
- Once he gets you alone, i mean, you're a spiritual roadkill
- 00:10:09.230 --> 00:10:13.968
- Before you know it.
- 00:10:13.968 --> 00:10:16.504
- He has a much more difficult time attacking you
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- And succeeding if there are two of you standing together.
- 00:10:20.575 --> 00:10:23.878
- And if there are three or four standing together,
- 00:10:23.878 --> 00:10:26.114
- Praying together, protecting one another, it's impossible.
- 00:10:26.114 --> 00:10:30.085
- 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.
- 00:10:43.965 --> 00:10:47.502
- I cannot tell you the number of christian leaders i have known
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- Through the years who have suddenly fallen into immorality
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- Or disbelief and left thousands of people disillusioned
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- As a result.
- 00:11:01.616 --> 00:11:03.852
- Correction, i shouldn't have said that.
- 00:11:03.852 --> 00:11:08.022
- They didn't fall suddenly into immorality or disbelief.
- 00:11:08.022 --> 00:11:13.661
- It was a long process that most people didn't see.
- 00:11:13.661 --> 00:11:19.267
- See that's how spiritual defection and sin occurs.
- 00:11:19.267 --> 00:11:22.837
- 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.
- 00:11:34.916 --> 00:11:37.318
- Growing cynicism toward other people and the things of god.
- 00:11:37.318 --> 00:11:42.323
- Many times those things were happening apart from the eyes of
- 00:11:42.323 --> 00:11:45.560
- Anybody else, but then our final and sudden fall is spectacular.
- 00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:51.800
- It's seen by everyone.
- 00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:55.270
- That's what happened to solomon.
- 00:11:55.270 --> 00:11:58.072
- Solomon had started out.
- 00:11:58.072 --> 00:11:59.574
- Remember when he was named king, he said, "lord, i'm gonna serve
- 00:11:59.574 --> 00:12:03.011
- You with a whole heart and the only thing i want not riches
- 00:12:03.011 --> 00:12:06.447
- Not power.
- 00:12:06.447 --> 00:12:07.782
- I just want wisdom from you."
- 00:12:07.782 --> 00:12:09.150
- Remember that in solomon?
- 00:12:09.150 --> 00:12:10.485
- And god was so pleased that he gave him all those other things
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- As well.
- 00:12:12.954 --> 00:12:14.722
- That's how solomon started.
- 00:12:14.722 --> 00:12:16.257
- Unfortunately, it's not how he ended.
- 00:12:16.257 --> 00:12:19.894
- 1 kings 11:4 records his downfall.
- 00:12:19.894 --> 00:12:23.264
- "for it came about when solomon was old," when he was old.
- 00:12:23.264 --> 00:12:30.605
- Not when he was young, when he was old is
- 00:12:30.605 --> 00:12:32.440
- When he fell away from god.
- 00:12:32.440 --> 00:12:34.442
- Don't think getting old is any guarantee of godliness,
- 00:12:34.442 --> 00:12:39.147
- You know.
- 00:12:39.147 --> 00:12:40.515
- Being old doesn't make you godly automatically.
- 00:12:40.515 --> 00:12:42.684
- Being old doesn't exempt you from sin and temptation.
- 00:12:42.684 --> 00:12:46.588
- It was "when solomon was old that his wives turned his heart
- 00:12:46.588 --> 00:12:50.425
- Away from other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to
- 00:12:50.425 --> 00:12:54.128
- The lord his god, as the heart of david his father had been."
- 00:12:54.128 --> 00:12:59.400
- You know, the tragedy of solomon's life, there was nobody
- 00:12:59.400 --> 00:13:02.704
- To call his hand on those small defections that were taking
- 00:13:02.704 --> 00:13:07.141
- Place in his faith.
- 00:13:07.141 --> 00:13:08.943
- Nobody who cared enough about solomon to say, "you know what?
- 00:13:08.943 --> 00:13:13.581
- I've noticed something in your life.
- 00:13:13.581 --> 00:13:15.283
- I love you.
- 00:13:15.283 --> 00:13:16.651
- I care about you.
- 00:13:16.651 --> 00:13:17.986
- But if you keep going down this road, you're gonna end up
- 00:13:17.986 --> 00:13:19.854
- In a bad place."
- 00:13:19.854 --> 00:13:22.123
- Do you have somebody like that in your life?
- 00:13:22.123 --> 00:13:25.026
- Somebody who loves you enough is concerned about you enough
- 00:13:25.026 --> 00:13:28.796
- That they're willing to tell you the truth.
- 00:13:28.796 --> 00:13:31.466
- That's what companionship does.
- 00:13:31.466 --> 00:13:33.801
- It offers us accountability when we're prone to wander.
- 00:13:33.801 --> 00:13:37.739
- You say, "well, pastor, you've convinced me.
- 00:13:37.739 --> 00:13:39.941
- I know i need friends.
- 00:13:39.941 --> 00:13:41.309
- I need companions.
- 00:13:41.309 --> 00:13:42.644
- Where do i go to find those kind of friends who give me
- 00:13:42.644 --> 00:13:45.280
- Assistance and encouragement and provide accountability?"
- 00:13:45.280 --> 00:13:49.150
- Where do you go?
- 00:13:49.150 --> 00:13:51.019
- Well, the bible says god has created three realms to satisfy
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- Our need for companionship.
- 00:13:55.590 --> 00:13:57.792
- And in the final few minutes we have, let me just mention
- 00:13:57.792 --> 00:14:00.161
- The three realms of relationships
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- That come from god.
- 00:14:03.031 --> 00:14:04.632
- First of all, marriage, marriage.
- 00:14:04.632 --> 00:14:08.603
- God's plan is for us to find companionship in marriage.
- 00:14:08.603 --> 00:14:13.241
- Genesis 2:18, remember after god finished his crowning work
- 00:14:13.241 --> 00:14:17.312
- Of creating man, god said, genesis 2:18,
- 00:14:17.312 --> 00:14:20.248
- "it is not good for the man to be alone;
- 00:14:20.248 --> 00:14:24.452
- I will make him a helper suitable for him,"
- 00:14:24.452 --> 00:14:28.589
- Opposite him to compliment him.
- 00:14:28.589 --> 00:14:32.093
- Now, i've always thought that was strange that god said
- 00:14:32.093 --> 00:14:34.162
- It's not good for adam to be alone.
- 00:14:34.162 --> 00:14:36.164
- Adam wasn't alone surrounded by all those animals.
- 00:14:36.164 --> 00:14:40.601
- More importantly, a right relationship with god.
- 00:14:40.601 --> 00:14:43.738
- I mean, he and god were having a great time together
- 00:14:43.738 --> 00:14:46.007
- In the garden.
- 00:14:46.007 --> 00:14:47.342
- No sin, anywhere, perfect fellowship.
- 00:14:47.342 --> 00:14:48.710
- But you know what god was saying?
- 00:14:48.710 --> 00:14:50.979
- Fellowship with me, adam, isn't enough.
- 00:14:50.979 --> 00:14:54.048
- You need something more.
- 00:14:54.048 --> 00:14:56.017
- And by the way, that's true of you.
- 00:14:56.017 --> 00:14:58.052
- Don't be super spiritual.
- 00:14:58.052 --> 00:14:59.420
- Don't be more spiritual than god is.
- 00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:01.990
- Say, "i don't need anybody except god."
- 00:15:01.990 --> 00:15:03.825
- Yes, you do.
- 00:15:03.825 --> 00:15:05.360
- God created you as a human being.
- 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:07.395
- You need other humans, not just animals and not just the spirit,
- 00:15:07.395 --> 00:15:12.734
- You need other people.
- 00:15:12.734 --> 00:15:15.003
- And that's why god said, "i'm gonna make a helper for adam."
- 00:15:15.003 --> 00:15:18.639
- And by the way, that wasn't unique to adam.
- 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:20.808
- At the end of genesis 2 verses 24 and 25, moses said this
- 00:15:20.808 --> 00:15:24.746
- Is god's plan for most people.
- 00:15:24.746 --> 00:15:26.481
- "for this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother,
- 00:15:26.481 --> 00:15:30.418
- And shall cleave to his wife: and they shall become one flesh.
- 00:15:30.418 --> 00:15:35.056
- And the man and his wife were both naked
- 00:15:35.056 --> 00:15:37.325
- And were not ashamed."
- 00:15:37.325 --> 00:15:39.460
- Now, i said this is god's plan for most people.
- 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:42.030
- There are some people, 1 corinthians 7,
- 00:15:42.030 --> 00:15:45.500
- Paul says, who have the gift of being single.
- 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:49.037
- Not everybody's plan--god's plan for everybody is to be married.
- 00:15:49.037 --> 00:15:52.473
- For most people, yes.
- 00:15:52.473 --> 00:15:54.409
- There are some people who have what paul calls the gift
- 00:15:54.409 --> 00:15:57.512
- Of celibacy.
- 00:15:57.512 --> 00:15:58.846
- I remember when we were teenagers growing up,
- 00:15:58.846 --> 00:16:00.348
- We'd hear people tell that.
- 00:16:00.348 --> 00:16:02.083
- We would just pray, "o god, please don't give me that gift."
- 00:16:02.083 --> 00:16:07.188
- It's a gift nobody wants.
- 00:16:07.188 --> 00:16:09.957
- Well, that's not really true.
- 00:16:09.957 --> 00:16:11.492
- There's some people who do want that gift and that's a way
- 00:16:11.492 --> 00:16:13.895
- To know.
- 00:16:13.895 --> 00:16:15.263
- If you have the gift of singleness, if you enjoy it and
- 00:16:15.263 --> 00:16:16.864
- That's what you want, that means you've got the gift.
- 00:16:16.864 --> 00:16:19.333
- But marriage is not the only place to find companionship.
- 00:16:19.333 --> 00:16:23.671
- In fact, if you're depending on your mate to provide every need
- 00:16:23.671 --> 00:16:27.809
- For companionship you have, you're placing a burden on them
- 00:16:27.809 --> 00:16:31.279
- They cannot meet and your marriage can't survive.
- 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:34.782
- God wants you to have friends as well as a mate.
- 00:16:34.782 --> 00:16:38.586
- And that leads to that second realm of relationship.
- 00:16:38.586 --> 00:16:41.189
- Friendships, again, proverbs 17:17,
- 00:16:41.189 --> 00:16:44.325
- "a friend loves at all times."
- 00:16:44.325 --> 00:16:47.995
- You know, there are four different levels of friendship
- 00:16:47.995 --> 00:16:51.232
- That might help you understand god's plan for your life.
- 00:16:51.232 --> 00:16:54.969
- You know, they're what we call acquaintances.
- 00:16:54.969 --> 00:16:57.271
- These are people you meet, you know, at the grocery store
- 00:16:57.271 --> 00:17:00.041
- And the checkout line.
- 00:17:00.041 --> 00:17:01.642
- Most people make an average of 500 to 2500 new acquaintances
- 00:17:01.642 --> 00:17:07.548
- Every year.
- 00:17:07.548 --> 00:17:08.883
- Just people they meet randomly and these are people you don't
- 00:17:08.883 --> 00:17:11.552
- Know their name and probably will never have any relationship
- 00:17:11.552 --> 00:17:14.288
- With, acquaintances.
- 00:17:14.288 --> 00:17:15.623
- Secondly, these are casual friends, casual friends.
- 00:17:15.623 --> 00:17:18.826
- These are people that you know on a first name basis.
- 00:17:18.826 --> 00:17:21.963
- You may or may not socialize with, but usually
- 00:17:21.963 --> 00:17:24.765
- Your conversations are very superficial.
- 00:17:24.765 --> 00:17:27.168
- The weather, sports and so forth.
- 00:17:27.168 --> 00:17:29.804
- Those friendships may last only months or may last a lifetime.
- 00:17:29.804 --> 00:17:34.075
- Thirdly, there are close friends and these are people who have
- 00:17:34.075 --> 00:17:38.646
- A mutual agreement on things like spiritual issues,
- 00:17:38.646 --> 00:17:42.150
- Politics, so forth.
- 00:17:42.150 --> 00:17:44.418
- That number is anywhere from 5 to 25 people.
- 00:17:44.418 --> 00:17:47.421
- People who are considered to be close friends.
- 00:17:47.421 --> 00:17:50.491
- But finally, there are intimate friends.
- 00:17:50.491 --> 00:17:55.062
- Usually people only have anywhere from one,
- 00:17:55.062 --> 00:17:57.832
- No more than five intimate friends.
- 00:17:57.832 --> 00:18:00.902
- These are friendships that last a lifetime.
- 00:18:00.902 --> 00:18:04.172
- These are friendships that span geographical boundaries.
- 00:18:04.172 --> 00:18:07.341
- Even if you move away from one another and are separated for
- 00:18:07.341 --> 00:18:10.912
- A period of time, when you're with that person, it's just like
- 00:18:10.912 --> 00:18:13.781
- You pick up where you left off.
- 00:18:13.781 --> 00:18:15.816
- These are the people that you are most likely to call in times
- 00:18:15.816 --> 00:18:20.087
- Of a crisis in your life, intimate friends.
- 00:18:20.087 --> 00:18:24.125
- And god's plan is for us to have friends at all levels.
- 00:18:24.125 --> 00:18:28.162
- The trouble is when you expect, you know, a casual friend
- 00:18:28.162 --> 00:18:31.999
- To be an intimate friend and they're not.
- 00:18:31.999 --> 00:18:34.135
- But god's plan is to have all those levels of friendships
- 00:18:34.135 --> 00:18:38.072
- And that leads to a third realm of relationship and that is
- 00:18:38.072 --> 00:18:41.609
- The church, the church.
- 00:18:41.609 --> 00:18:43.411
- You know what's interesting about the church is you find
- 00:18:43.411 --> 00:18:46.080
- All four levels of friendship right there in the church.
- 00:18:46.080 --> 00:18:49.383
- Acquaintances, people you don't know, you don't even know
- 00:18:49.383 --> 00:18:51.519
- Their name.
- 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.020
- People you know on a first name basis.
- 00:18:53.020 --> 00:18:55.656
- People you feel comfortable talking to and share agreement
- 00:18:55.656 --> 00:18:58.993
- About spiritual issues and then your intimate friends as well.
- 00:18:58.993 --> 00:19:03.731
- But what's interesting is even though you have all four levels
- 00:19:03.731 --> 00:19:06.901
- In the church, collectively those four groups form a power
- 00:19:06.901 --> 00:19:13.541
- That help keep you grounded spiritually as well
- 00:19:13.541 --> 00:19:16.277
- As emotionally.
- 00:19:16.277 --> 00:19:17.612
- There is power in being connected to a body
- 00:19:17.612 --> 00:19:21.282
- Of believers.
- 00:19:21.282 --> 00:19:24.652
- Now, last week, last week, phil robertson was here
- 00:19:24.652 --> 00:19:28.856
- And i was listening again to the interview
- 00:19:28.856 --> 00:19:30.791
- On the way to church and he said some tremendous things.
- 00:19:30.791 --> 00:19:34.929
- But there's one thing he said, i know what he meant,
- 00:19:34.929 --> 00:19:38.466
- But i'm afraid it could be misconstrued.
- 00:19:38.466 --> 00:19:41.969
- And that's the idea that somehow coming to church
- 00:19:41.969 --> 00:19:45.873
- Isn't important.
- 00:19:45.873 --> 00:19:47.241
- He didn't say that he was talking about the need for us
- 00:19:47.241 --> 00:19:50.111
- To leave the church and go out to be a witness to other people.
- 00:19:50.111 --> 00:19:54.949
- And it's true, the world isn't gonna get saved by our coming
- 00:19:54.949 --> 00:19:58.686
- To church.
- 00:19:58.686 --> 00:20:00.187
- The purpose of our coming to church is to get equipped
- 00:20:00.187 --> 00:20:03.190
- To go out to where people are.
- 00:20:03.190 --> 00:20:05.359
- But more importantly, coming together as a church
- 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:08.696
- Is absolutely vital to our own spiritual health.
- 00:20:08.696 --> 00:20:12.466
- It's not optional.
- 00:20:12.466 --> 00:20:14.135
- And that's why the writer of hebrews said in hebrews 10
- 00:20:14.135 --> 00:20:16.704
- Verses 24 and 25, "let us consider how can we stimulate,
- 00:20:16.704 --> 00:20:21.709
- Motivate one another to love and good deeds, by not forsaking
- 00:20:21.709 --> 00:20:26.580
- Our own assembling together, as is the habit of some,
- 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:31.886
- But encouraging one another: all the more as you see the day
- 00:20:31.886 --> 00:20:36.023
- Drawing near."
- 00:20:36.023 --> 00:20:38.125
- The writer of hebrews is saying the reason we're not to forsake
- 00:20:38.125 --> 00:20:41.462
- Coming to church and assembling together.
- 00:20:41.462 --> 00:20:43.497
- The reason we come to church is not to satisfy some legalistic
- 00:20:43.497 --> 00:20:47.735
- Cold, sterile requirement.
- 00:20:47.735 --> 00:20:50.137
- It's to meet the need we have to encourage one another
- 00:20:50.137 --> 00:20:54.141
- And motivate one another to faith and to good deeds.
- 00:20:54.141 --> 00:20:57.778
- Let me illustrate that for you.
- 00:20:57.778 --> 00:20:59.213
- Have you ever watched a fire burning in a fireplace and
- 00:20:59.213 --> 00:21:02.950
- Seeing the wood in there, the wood embers and how that wood
- 00:21:02.950 --> 00:21:07.488
- Grows and glows bright red when it's burning in the fire?
- 00:21:07.488 --> 00:21:12.993
- And yet if you take that piece of wood out of the fireplace
- 00:21:12.993 --> 00:21:17.365
- And set it aside, so quickly it goes from red to gray
- 00:21:17.365 --> 00:21:23.871
- To a steely black.
- 00:21:23.871 --> 00:21:27.074
- But when you take that cold piece of wood and put it back in
- 00:21:27.074 --> 00:21:31.245
- The fireplace, it ignites again and begins to glow brightly.
- 00:21:31.245 --> 00:21:37.251
- It's the same way with christians in the church.
- 00:21:37.251 --> 00:21:40.187
- When you isolate, separate a christian from other believers
- 00:21:40.187 --> 00:21:45.993
- That christian's faith can grow cold very, very quickly.
- 00:21:45.993 --> 00:21:51.132
- But it's when we're in the presence of other believers
- 00:21:51.132 --> 00:21:53.434
- Worshiping, being instructed in god's word, praying together.
- 00:21:53.434 --> 00:21:57.271
- That's what continues to stimulate us to love
- 00:21:57.271 --> 00:22:01.642
- And to good deeds.
- 00:22:01.642 --> 00:22:02.977
- We need one another.
- 00:22:02.977 --> 00:22:06.914
- I was reading this week the words
- 00:22:06.914 --> 00:22:08.716
- Of the french existentialist, jean-paul sartre.
- 00:22:08.716 --> 00:22:13.521
- Sartre said, "hell is other people."
- 00:22:13.521 --> 00:22:19.794
- How's that for cynical?
- 00:22:19.794 --> 00:22:21.929
- Hell is other people?
- 00:22:21.929 --> 00:22:24.698
- Yes, other people can be a nuisance.
- 00:22:24.698 --> 00:22:26.801
- They can be annoying, but i'm here to tell you this morning
- 00:22:26.801 --> 00:22:30.871
- What real hell is, is loneliness.
- 00:22:30.871 --> 00:22:35.810
- In fact, that's gonna be the final state of those who die
- 00:22:35.810 --> 00:22:38.279
- Without christ.
- 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.613
- They're not just gonna be separated from god,
- 00:22:39.613 --> 00:22:41.549
- They're gonna be separated from other people.
- 00:22:41.549 --> 00:22:44.318
- Yes, there will be billions of people in hell, jesus said.
- 00:22:44.318 --> 00:22:48.155
- If you go to hell, there'll be a mass of people with you there,
- 00:22:48.155 --> 00:22:51.826
- The only thing is you won't know it because it's a place of
- 00:22:51.826 --> 00:22:55.362
- Utter darkness and you'll spend eternity not just separated
- 00:22:55.362 --> 00:22:59.733
- From god, but from other people as well where there's weeping,
- 00:22:59.733 --> 00:23:04.472
- Wailing, and the gnashing of teeth.
- 00:23:04.472 --> 00:23:07.875
- Hell is loneliness, but god's cornerstone plan for most of us
- 00:23:07.875 --> 00:23:14.515
- Is companionship so that we can experience the emotional
- 00:23:14.515 --> 00:23:20.054
- And spiritual fulfillment that god desires for each one of us.
- 00:23:20.054 --> 00:23:26.160
- Jeffress: we're not meant to lead lives of lonely
- 00:23:30.231 --> 00:23:32.933
- Desperation, cut off from the ones we love.
- 00:23:32.933 --> 00:23:35.803
- God has created his children for companionship and nothing
- 00:23:35.803 --> 00:23:40.140
- Can separate us from the love of god.
- 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:42.910
- Now, in closing the day, i thought you'd be encouraged
- 00:23:42.910 --> 00:23:45.646
- By this letter i received recently.
- 00:23:45.646 --> 00:23:47.848
- One of our friends in pennsylvania wrote,
- 00:23:47.848 --> 00:23:50.518
- "all through this past summer.
- 00:23:50.518 --> 00:23:52.219
- I have listened a "pathway to victory" on my commute home
- 00:23:52.219 --> 00:23:55.222
- From work.
- 00:23:55.222 --> 00:23:56.590
- I've been physically sick with anxiety while enduring the mess
- 00:23:56.590 --> 00:24:00.361
- Of my life, but i began to trust in god.
- 00:24:00.361 --> 00:24:03.597
- Eventually in a massive crying mess on my knees i gave my life
- 00:24:03.597 --> 00:24:08.736
- To christ and i put my full faith in him.
- 00:24:08.736 --> 00:24:12.339
- Since then i have purchased a bible and i'm reading
- 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:15.276
- It frequently.
- 00:24:15.276 --> 00:24:16.610
- My wife and i have grown closer than we've been
- 00:24:16.610 --> 00:24:19.380
- In nineteen years of marriage.
- 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:21.282
- May god bless you and your entire staff for sending
- 00:24:21.282 --> 00:24:25.286
- The word out to people like me."
- 00:24:25.286 --> 00:24:27.721
- Isn't that wonderful?
- 00:24:27.721 --> 00:24:29.390
- That's what a changed life is all about.
- 00:24:29.390 --> 00:24:32.293
- And his gratitude extends beyond me and our great staff.
- 00:24:32.293 --> 00:24:36.497
- It belongs to every one of you who support
- 00:24:36.497 --> 00:24:39.800
- "pathway to victory."
- 00:24:39.800 --> 00:24:41.468
- Thank you for your partnership and piercing the darkness
- 00:24:41.468 --> 00:24:44.672
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:24:44.672 --> 00:24:46.307
- Now, stay right there.
- 00:24:46.307 --> 00:24:47.675
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory in just a moment.
- 00:24:47.675 --> 00:24:52.379
- Male announcer: each day, millions of lost people are
- 00:24:52.446 --> 00:24:54.748
- Searching for hope and truth.
- 00:24:54.748 --> 00:24:56.784
- Through "pathway to victory," god's word is reaching into
- 00:24:56.784 --> 00:24:59.653
- Homes across america and around the world, but there are still
- 00:24:59.653 --> 00:25:03.257
- So many who haven't heard the saving message of jesus christ.
- 00:25:03.257 --> 00:25:06.860
- You can help change that by becoming a pathway partner.
- 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:10.130
- You'll join a dedicated team of broadcast missionaries who are
- 00:25:10.130 --> 00:25:13.300
- Sharing the gospel through television and radio.
- 00:25:13.300 --> 00:25:16.003
- Your monthly support will help reach people worldwide with the
- 00:25:16.003 --> 00:25:19.673
- Life-changing power of the cross.
- 00:25:19.673 --> 00:25:22.209
- Jeffress: just as wooden logs burn brightly when stacked
- 00:25:24.445 --> 00:25:27.548
- Together, christians thrive when gathered in unity.
- 00:25:27.548 --> 00:25:32.019
- I hope that you belong to a community of believers that's
- 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:36.156
- Committed to keeping the flames of fellowship burning brightly.
- 00:25:36.156 --> 00:25:40.561
- Well, relationships are essential in the christian life,
- 00:25:40.561 --> 00:25:43.764
- But none is more important than the one you enjoy
- 00:25:43.764 --> 00:25:47.001
- With god himself.
- 00:25:47.001 --> 00:25:48.369
- Next time we're talking about choosing intimacy with god
- 00:25:48.369 --> 00:25:52.006
- Over isolation.
- 00:25:52.006 --> 00:25:53.674
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:25:53.674 --> 00:25:56.744
- On "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:56.744 --> 00:25:59.546
- Jeffress: you have to come to the understanding
- 00:25:59.546 --> 00:26:01.148
- That true fulfillment is really impossible apart from god.
- 00:26:01.148 --> 00:26:05.085
- You know, nothing will block intimacy more
- 00:26:05.085 --> 00:26:08.155
- Than divided affections.
- 00:26:08.155 --> 00:26:10.858
- We build our life around one thing, not many things.
- 00:26:10.858 --> 00:26:16.063
- Announcer: set your dvr and
- 00:26:16.063 --> 00:26:17.464
- Join us next time for the message,
- 00:26:17.464 --> 00:26:18.999
- "choosing intimacy with god
- 00:26:18.999 --> 00:26:21.001
- Over isolation",
- 00:26:21.001 --> 00:26:22.503
- Here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:22.503 --> 00:26:24.371
- Announcer: experience a journey that will refresh your spirit
- 00:26:27.908 --> 00:26:30.878
- And renew your faith on the pathway to victory cruise to
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- Alaska, june 13-20, 2026.
- 00:26:34.114 --> 00:26:37.718
- Jeffress: sail aboard holland america's luxurious koningsdam
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- Through british columbia's beautiful inside passage.
- 00:26:40.854 --> 00:26:44.658
- From the pristine waters of glacier bay to the charming
- 00:26:44.658 --> 00:26:48.062
- Frontier towns of juneau, ketchikan, and skagway, you'll
- 00:26:48.062 --> 00:26:52.332
- Witness god's handiwork on full display.
- 00:26:52.332 --> 00:26:55.803
- Announcer: imagine standing on deck surrounded by towering
- 00:26:55.803 --> 00:26:58.439
- Glaciers and snowcapped mountains while enjoying
- 00:26:58.439 --> 00:27:01.041
- Powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
- 00:27:01.041 --> 00:27:03.877
- Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien
- 00:27:03.877 --> 00:27:07.614
- And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg, america's
- 00:27:07.614 --> 00:27:10.818
- Minister of encouragement.
- 00:27:10.818 --> 00:27:12.586
- Jeffress: this is more than just a vacation.
- 00:27:12.586 --> 00:27:14.722
- It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
- 00:27:14.722 --> 00:27:18.225
- Announcer: to reserve your cabin on the 2026 pathway to victory
- 00:27:18.225 --> 00:27:20.994
- Cruise to alaska, call ... or visit ptv.org.
- 00:27:20.994 --> 00:27:20.994
