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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Choosing Purpose Over Aimlessness (Part 2)

January 26, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - Choosing Purpose Over Aimlessness (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#WordofGod #Legacy #Purpose #Passion #Dedication/Devotion #Church #Character #ServantofGod #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Choosing Purpose Over Aimlessness (Part 2) | January 26, 2026
  • ...
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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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  • At some point in life, all of us eventually come to the question,
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  • "why am i here?"
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  • Some decide that life is all about having fun.
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  • Others make it their goal to accumulate things or to chase
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  • After fame or power.
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  • And, while there's nothing inherently wrong with these
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  • Pursuits, they're very short-sighted when compared
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  • To eternity.
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  • You and i were created for a much bigger reason.
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  • My message is titled "choosing purpose over aimlessness" on
  • 00:00:44.167 --> 00:00:48.972
  • Today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ ooh ooh ooh ♪
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  • ♪ ooh ooh ooh ♪
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  • ♪ all creatures of our god and king, ♪
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  • ♪ lift up your voice and with us sing. ♪
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  • ♪ alleluia, alleluia. ♪
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  • ♪ thou rushing winds that art so strong, ♪
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  • ♪ ye clouds that sail in heav'n along, ♪
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  • ♪ oh, praise him, alleluia. ♪
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  • ♪ thou burning sun with golden beam ♪
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  • ♪ thou silver moon with softer gleam ♪
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  • ♪ oh, praise him, alleluia. ♪
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  • ♪ thou rising morn, in praise rejoice, ♪
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  • ♪ ye lights of evening, find a voice. ♪
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  • ♪ oh, praise him, oh, praise him, ♪
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  • ♪ alleluia, alleluia, ♪
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  • ♪ alleluia. ♪
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ praise god from whom all blessings flow ♪
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  • ♪ praise him all creatures here below ♪
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  • ♪ oh, praise him, oh, praise him, ♪
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  • ♪ alleluia, alleluia, ♪
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  • ♪ alleluia ♪
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  • ♪ amen, amen, amen, ♪
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  • ♪ amen! ♪♪
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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
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  • Lobby, and bill high, ceo of legacy stone, have written a
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  • Brand new book called "the legacy life."
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  • You've said it in this book several times, legacy is not
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  • What you leave behind, it's what you set in motion for
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  • The future.
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  • This book will challenge you to point your life heavenward and
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  • Set in motion a legacy of eternal significance.
  • 00:04:18.448 --> 00:04:22.251
  • David green: bill, i've found that it's much easier to run a
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  • Business than having a family-- a wife, children that serve the
  • 00:04:24.821 --> 00:04:28.358
  • Lord-- is much, much more difficult, and that's who
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  • We are.
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  • We're not about hobby lobby; we're about mission, vision, and
  • 00:04:32.095 --> 00:04:34.263
  • Values, and it's all based on god's word, and that's what
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  • We're excited about.
  • 00:04:36.866 --> 00:04:38.201
  • Bill high: no matter what stage of life you're in, "the legacy
  • 00:04:38.201 --> 00:04:40.770
  • Life" will help you understand how to apply god's word and set
  • 00:04:40.770 --> 00:04:45.375
  • In motion a great legacy.
  • 00:04:45.375 --> 00:04:48.077
  • Announcer: request "the legacy life" when you give a generous
  • 00:04:48.077 --> 00:04:50.680
  • Gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become a
  • 00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:53.249
  • Pathway partner.
  • 00:04:53.249 --> 00:04:54.584
  • You'll also receive the powerful book by dr. jeffress, "choose
  • 00:04:54.584 --> 00:04:57.587
  • Your attitudes, change your life."
  • 00:04:57.587 --> 00:04:59.789
  • And, when your ministry gift is $100 or more, we'll also send
  • 00:04:59.789 --> 00:05:03.593
  • You the "choose your attitudes, change your life" personal and
  • 00:05:03.593 --> 00:05:06.996
  • Group study guide, plus the complete teaching series on cd
  • 00:05:06.996 --> 00:05:10.700
  • And dvd, and a set of attitude booster cards for
  • 00:05:10.700 --> 00:05:14.303
  • Your encouragement.
  • 00:05:14.303 --> 00:05:15.705
  • Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
  • 00:05:15.705 --> 00:05:18.241
  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: there's a woman whose teenage daughter was
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  • Killed by a drunk driver, and she has a passion to remove the
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  • Menace of drunk driving from our nation's streets.
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  • Or, here is a pastor who, growing up as a teenager, always
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  • Was trying to invite his unsaved friends to church, but, every
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  • Time he did so, he was embarrassed by the poor quality
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  • Of the church service and the deafness, so to speak, to
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  • Unbelievers, and, so, he has this passion, as a pastor, to
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  • Create a church in which unbelievers would be comfortable
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  • Attending and that would speak to their special needs.
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  • By the way, all three of those examples are real-life examples
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  • Of people who found their purpose in life by the unique
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  • Passion that they have.
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  • What passion do you have?
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  • What is it that inspires you?
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  • What is it that makes you angry?
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  • What needs do you see in the world that keep you awake
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  • Some nights?
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  • You know, in our first service, andy horner was here, and i just
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  • Thought of it.
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  • I saw him on the second row.
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  • I thought of that as i was preaching this because, you
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  • Know, andy's story is a miraculous one.
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  • When he was 60 years old, he had retired; he could have stayed
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  • Retired; he didn't need to work anymore.
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  • But, as he looked around, he saw some needs in the world that
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  • Really bothered him.
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  • One need he saw was the need to provide funds for missionaries
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  • And to support the work of missionaries.
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  • But another desire, a need he saw, was the need for women who
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  • Were staying at home with small children or single women to be
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  • Able to make a living for their families.
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  • And, so, out of that passion to generate money to support
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  • Missionaries and to meet the need of women who couldn't be in
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  • The workplace full-time, he developed premier designs, a way
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  • To fill that very real need he saw in the world.
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  • And the same is true for you and me.
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  • God puts a passion in our heart.
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  • You know, every life, somebody said, is focused either to fill
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  • A greed or to meet a need.
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  • And the passion god puts in your heart is not to fill your own
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  • Greed, but to meet a genuine need in the world.
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  • How do you identify what that passion is?
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  • Our friend bobb biehl, from master planning international,
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  • Gives five questions you can ask yourself to help you determine
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  • What your passion is.
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  • Question number 1, what needs do i see in the world that
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  • Concern me?
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  • Question number 2, if i could meet any need in the world, what
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  • Would that need be?
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  • Number 3, what are the most urgent needs in my country, my
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  • Community, my work, my school, and my church?
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  • Number 4, what age group or type of people naturally
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  • Interests me?
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  • And, number 5, what are the major needs among my neighbors,
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  • My friends, and my family?
  • 00:08:35.137 --> 00:08:38.474
  • Answering those questions will help you determine the unique
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  • Passion god has placed in your heart.
  • 00:08:41.777 --> 00:08:44.747
  • It is god who is at work within you, giving you the will to do
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  • His will.
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  • But there's a second key in that verse, and that is, he gives you
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  • Both the will and the power, that is, the ability, the
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  • Giftedness to achieve your unique purpose.
  • 00:08:58.194 --> 00:09:02.064
  • If god has called you to do something, he's not only gonna
  • 00:09:02.064 --> 00:09:05.167
  • Give you a passion for it, he's gonna give you a special gift in
  • 00:09:05.167 --> 00:09:08.938
  • Order to fulfill that passion.
  • 00:09:08.938 --> 00:09:11.007
  • And that's why the second key in discovering your purpose is
  • 00:09:11.007 --> 00:09:14.076
  • Identifying your gifts and your abilities.
  • 00:09:14.076 --> 00:09:17.146
  • Let me show you why that's so important.
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  • You know, let's just say, for example, i looked around the
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  • World, and i said, "you know what the greatest need in the
  • 00:09:21.917 --> 00:09:23.953
  • World is, i think, is to find a cure for cancer.
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  • So i think maybe i would devote my life to finding a cure
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  • For cancer."
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  • How many of you would think that was a worthy goal, okay?
  • 00:09:33.362 --> 00:09:36.165
  • I could develop quite a passion for that.
  • 00:09:36.165 --> 00:09:38.134
  • I mean, i could talk about how cancer affected my own family
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  • And took my parents prematurely.
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  • I could have a real passion for it.
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  • The only problem with me devoting my life to that is i
  • 00:09:45.207 --> 00:09:48.811
  • Have no gifts in science whatsoever.
  • 00:09:48.811 --> 00:09:52.381
  • I mean, i almost flunked out of high school biology because i
  • 00:09:52.381 --> 00:09:56.018
  • Couldn't see anything in the microscope.
  • 00:09:56.018 --> 00:09:57.687
  • Everybody else saw all these things swimming; i never saw
  • 00:09:57.687 --> 00:10:00.823
  • Anything in a microscope.
  • 00:10:00.823 --> 00:10:02.525
  • So i'm probably not the one to find a cure for cancer because,
  • 00:10:02.525 --> 00:10:07.496
  • If god is gonna gift you to do something, he's not going to
  • 00:10:07.496 --> 00:10:10.666
  • Only give you the passion, he's gonna give you the corresponding
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  • Gifts and abilities.
  • 00:10:13.769 --> 00:10:15.738
  • That's what philippians 2:13 is; it is god giving you the will
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  • And the power to achieve his purpose.
  • 00:10:20.042 --> 00:10:23.279
  • Many years ago, back in 1984, i remember sitting in the coffee
  • 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:28.417
  • Shop at the houston intercontinental airport, had my
  • 00:10:28.417 --> 00:10:31.454
  • Yellow legal tablet out.
  • 00:10:31.454 --> 00:10:33.022
  • I had a few hours to wait for a flight, and i really asked god
  • 00:10:33.022 --> 00:10:36.759
  • To give me discernment in writing down a clear purpose
  • 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:40.863
  • Statement that would guide the rest of my life.
  • 00:10:40.863 --> 00:10:43.666
  • And i wrote this simple statement: "my purpose is to be
  • 00:10:43.666 --> 00:10:47.069
  • An effective communicator of god's word."
  • 00:10:47.069 --> 00:10:51.774
  • I remember the words of my old seminary professor, who used to
  • 00:10:51.774 --> 00:10:55.177
  • Say, "men, it is a sin to bore people with the word of god."
  • 00:10:55.177 --> 00:11:02.418
  • I hear an amen on that somewhere; don't hurt
  • 00:11:02.418 --> 00:11:05.588
  • My feelings.
  • 00:11:05.588 --> 00:11:06.956
  • But that is true, and, so, i wanted to devote my life to
  • 00:11:06.956 --> 00:11:10.359
  • Clearly communicating god's word.
  • 00:11:10.359 --> 00:11:12.428
  • Now, suppose i had that passion, but i had no communication
  • 00:11:12.428 --> 00:11:15.865
  • Skill whatsoever.
  • 00:11:15.865 --> 00:11:17.266
  • Every time i stood up, i stuttered and stammered, or,
  • 00:11:17.266 --> 00:11:20.169
  • When i sat down to try to write, i couldn't write a cohesive
  • 00:11:20.169 --> 00:11:24.540
  • Sentence that made sense.
  • 00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:26.442
  • That's probably not my calling if i don't have the gifts to go
  • 00:11:26.442 --> 00:11:31.247
  • Along with that.
  • 00:11:31.247 --> 00:11:32.581
  • And i know some of you bible students, you're
  • 00:11:32.581 --> 00:11:33.983
  • Already objecting.
  • 00:11:33.983 --> 00:11:35.317
  • You say, "oh, wait a minute, pastor.
  • 00:11:35.317 --> 00:11:37.153
  • What about moses?
  • 00:11:37.153 --> 00:11:38.721
  • He stuttered, he stammered, but god used him supernaturally."
  • 00:11:38.721 --> 00:11:43.659
  • Well, that's true, but moses's major calling was not to be a
  • 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:47.630
  • Communicator of god's word.
  • 00:11:47.630 --> 00:11:49.632
  • It was to be a leader of god's people.
  • 00:11:49.632 --> 00:11:52.434
  • And moses had tremendous leadership abilities, from the
  • 00:11:52.434 --> 00:11:55.938
  • Very beginning as a child growing up in pharaoh's palace,
  • 00:11:55.938 --> 00:11:59.108
  • That were exhibited throughout the rest of his life.
  • 00:11:59.108 --> 00:12:02.144
  • If god has called you to do something, he will give you the
  • 00:12:02.144 --> 00:12:05.247
  • Gifts to do that.
  • 00:12:05.247 --> 00:12:06.715
  • How can you identify your unique gifts and abilities?
  • 00:12:06.715 --> 00:12:10.519
  • Again, let me share with you five questions you ought to
  • 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:13.055
  • Ask yourself.
  • 00:12:13.055 --> 00:12:14.423
  • And, by the way, this is great material for you to use with
  • 00:12:14.423 --> 00:12:17.459
  • Your children, your grandchildren.
  • 00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:20.029
  • There's so many millennials today who are wandering through
  • 00:12:20.029 --> 00:12:22.865
  • Life without any clear direction because they really don't know
  • 00:12:22.865 --> 00:12:26.836
  • How to define their purpose in life.
  • 00:12:26.836 --> 00:12:28.771
  • Here are some questions to help you identify your gifts
  • 00:12:28.771 --> 00:12:31.040
  • And abilities.
  • 00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:32.374
  • Number 1, what abilities do you have that other people seem to
  • 00:12:32.374 --> 00:12:36.645
  • Notice and appreciate?
  • 00:12:36.645 --> 00:12:37.980
  • Things they compliment you about.
  • 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:40.616
  • Number 2, i love this, suppose you were asked to give a how-to
  • 00:12:40.616 --> 00:12:44.887
  • Seminar in your church or civic group on any topic you chose.
  • 00:12:44.887 --> 00:12:50.659
  • What topic would you feel the most comfortable addressing?
  • 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:55.364
  • Number 3, outside of recreational pursuits, list five
  • 00:12:55.364 --> 00:12:59.535
  • Accomplishments that have given you the most satisfaction.
  • 00:12:59.535 --> 00:13:03.606
  • What aspect of these experiences did you enjoy?
  • 00:13:03.606 --> 00:13:08.177
  • Number 4, is there a common denominator in those five
  • 00:13:08.177 --> 00:13:12.181
  • Experiences that you could identify; what is it?
  • 00:13:12.181 --> 00:13:17.519
  • Now, i think about the five most satisfying experiences of
  • 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:21.290
  • My life.
  • 00:13:21.290 --> 00:13:22.691
  • They were different, and yet they all shared one
  • 00:13:22.691 --> 00:13:24.827
  • Common characteristic.
  • 00:13:24.827 --> 00:13:26.195
  • They all dealt with communicating, whether it's to a
  • 00:13:26.195 --> 00:13:30.065
  • Church group or to a secular audience.
  • 00:13:30.065 --> 00:13:32.601
  • There was something about communication that satisfied me.
  • 00:13:32.601 --> 00:13:35.871
  • With you, that might be working with children; it might be
  • 00:13:35.871 --> 00:13:40.643
  • Serving other people; it might be organizing events.
  • 00:13:40.643 --> 00:13:44.179
  • But what one word would describe that satisfaction?
  • 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:48.317
  • And, number 5, hopefully these questions have helped you
  • 00:13:48.317 --> 00:13:51.253
  • Identify one area in which you are both interested and gifted.
  • 00:13:51.253 --> 00:13:56.992
  • In a word, what is that area?
  • 00:13:56.992 --> 00:14:00.663
  • And, knowing what your passion is, what your giftedness is,
  • 00:14:00.663 --> 00:14:05.834
  • Will help you identify your purpose and help you fill out
  • 00:14:05.834 --> 00:14:08.671
  • That sentence: my purpose in life is to what?
  • 00:14:08.671 --> 00:14:14.176
  • Now, remember, we all have a general purpose in life.
  • 00:14:14.176 --> 00:14:16.645
  • Jesus said that in john 4:34, "jesus said, 'my food--'" that
  • 00:14:16.645 --> 00:14:21.083
  • Is, my purpose-- "'is to do the will of him who sent me and to
  • 00:14:21.083 --> 00:14:25.287
  • Accomplish his work.'"
  • 00:14:25.287 --> 00:14:27.323
  • That ought to be the purpose statement of every christian.
  • 00:14:27.323 --> 00:14:29.959
  • But jesus also understood he had a unique purpose in coming to
  • 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:33.329
  • Earth that nobody else could fulfill.
  • 00:14:33.329 --> 00:14:35.931
  • In matthew 20:28, he said, "'just as the son of man did not
  • 00:14:35.931 --> 00:14:40.402
  • Come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
  • 00:14:40.402 --> 00:14:46.208
  • For many.'"
  • 00:14:46.208 --> 00:14:48.344
  • Once we define our god-given purpose in life, it's important
  • 00:14:48.344 --> 00:14:53.816
  • To connect every part of our life to that overarching purpose
  • 00:14:53.816 --> 00:14:58.654
  • Statement, and that's where objectives come in.
  • 00:14:58.654 --> 00:15:02.558
  • A definition of an objective is, an objective is a simple
  • 00:15:02.558 --> 00:15:06.161
  • Statement expressing desires for specific areas of our life.
  • 00:15:06.161 --> 00:15:11.233
  • No matter what your purpose is, you've got to be able to connect
  • 00:15:11.233 --> 00:15:14.036
  • That to every part of your life: your spiritual life, your family
  • 00:15:14.036 --> 00:15:18.307
  • Relationships, your work, every part of your life.
  • 00:15:18.307 --> 00:15:21.577
  • And objectives are the way to do that.
  • 00:15:21.577 --> 00:15:24.380
  • Let me show you how to develop the objectives for the seven
  • 00:15:24.380 --> 00:15:27.583
  • Major areas of your life.
  • 00:15:27.583 --> 00:15:29.385
  • I've put on your outline a grid showing the seven major life
  • 00:15:29.385 --> 00:15:33.655
  • Areas: spiritual, physical, that is your health, family,
  • 00:15:33.655 --> 00:15:38.494
  • Vocational, personal growth, social, financial.
  • 00:15:38.494 --> 00:15:43.198
  • What i wanna ask you to do, perhaps not right now, but
  • 00:15:43.198 --> 00:15:46.035
  • Sometime as you work through this material, give yourself a
  • 00:15:46.035 --> 00:15:49.438
  • Grade on a scale of 1 to 10 about how you think you're doing
  • 00:15:49.438 --> 00:15:52.674
  • In each of these areas.
  • 00:15:52.674 --> 00:15:54.209
  • How are you doing in your spiritual relationship with god?
  • 00:15:54.209 --> 00:15:57.646
  • How's your health doing?
  • 00:15:57.646 --> 00:15:59.014
  • How are you doing with your finances?
  • 00:15:59.014 --> 00:16:01.016
  • How are you doing in every area of life?
  • 00:16:01.016 --> 00:16:04.386
  • Now, 1 would be the least; 10 would be, you're knocking it out
  • 00:16:04.386 --> 00:16:08.323
  • Of the park.
  • 00:16:08.323 --> 00:16:09.725
  • You know, in some of those areas, you may feel like you're
  • 00:16:09.725 --> 00:16:11.760
  • Doing great.
  • 00:16:11.760 --> 00:16:13.095
  • You'd give yourself a 7, 8, 9, 10.
  • 00:16:13.095 --> 00:16:15.864
  • If that's true, in those areas, your objective would be, "i want
  • 00:16:15.864 --> 00:16:19.301
  • To keep doing whatever it is that's giving you success in
  • 00:16:19.301 --> 00:16:22.337
  • That area."
  • 00:16:22.337 --> 00:16:23.772
  • However, if it's less than a 7, it might help you formulate some
  • 00:16:23.772 --> 00:16:27.876
  • Things of what you would like to do in those areas to improve.
  • 00:16:27.876 --> 00:16:32.181
  • Remember, a purpose statement completes the sentence, "my
  • 00:16:32.181 --> 00:16:35.551
  • Reason for living is to--" but an objective statement completes
  • 00:16:35.551 --> 00:16:40.556
  • The sentence, i "want to--" or, "i want to continue doing
  • 00:16:40.556 --> 00:16:44.393
  • Whatever" for each of these areas.
  • 00:16:44.393 --> 00:16:46.495
  • Let me show you how that works.
  • 00:16:46.495 --> 00:16:47.896
  • Let's just say you happen to be that christian business person,
  • 00:16:47.896 --> 00:16:50.732
  • A man or a woman, and you really want to show other people how
  • 00:16:50.732 --> 00:16:55.804
  • The bible has principles that will help you in business.
  • 00:16:55.804 --> 00:16:59.074
  • You want to integrate your business with your
  • 00:16:59.074 --> 00:17:02.177
  • Christian faith.
  • 00:17:02.177 --> 00:17:03.712
  • So how would that affect all these areas of your life?
  • 00:17:03.712 --> 00:17:06.448
  • What about your spiritual life?
  • 00:17:06.448 --> 00:17:08.450
  • Well, wouldn't you agree with me, if you are gonna operate
  • 00:17:08.450 --> 00:17:11.286
  • Your business by biblical principles, you have to know
  • 00:17:11.286 --> 00:17:13.455
  • What those principles are.
  • 00:17:13.455 --> 00:17:14.923
  • And so maybe you say, "i wanna know the bible better."
  • 00:17:14.923 --> 00:17:18.427
  • That's a goal i have, "i want to know the bible better."
  • 00:17:18.427 --> 00:17:22.498
  • Or maybe, in your physical life, you would say, you know, "i
  • 00:17:22.498 --> 00:17:25.734
  • Wanna be a model christian business person.
  • 00:17:25.734 --> 00:17:27.603
  • I wanna spend the rest of my life doing this, but i'm in
  • 00:17:27.603 --> 00:17:29.838
  • Terrible health.
  • 00:17:29.838 --> 00:17:31.206
  • And, if i keep going like this, i'm not gonna be around that
  • 00:17:31.206 --> 00:17:33.876
  • Much longer."
  • 00:17:33.876 --> 00:17:35.244
  • Well, it's hard to be a model to other people if you're dead.
  • 00:17:35.244 --> 00:17:37.746
  • So, you might say, in your physical life, "i wanna live a
  • 00:17:37.746 --> 00:17:40.883
  • Long life," or, "i wanna get in better shape."
  • 00:17:40.883 --> 00:17:43.519
  • Or maybe, in your family area.
  • 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.487
  • You gave yourself a 3 or 4 in that area, and you would say,
  • 00:17:45.487 --> 00:17:48.757
  • "you know, if i'm gonna model the principles of business in
  • 00:17:48.757 --> 00:17:51.260
  • The scripture, i need to teach people how to balance their
  • 00:17:51.260 --> 00:17:54.163
  • Business with their family life."
  • 00:17:54.163 --> 00:17:56.298
  • Or maybe your* vocation.
  • 00:17:56.298 --> 00:17:58.000
  • You know, you may be a christian businessman, but your business
  • 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:01.470
  • Is headed toward bankruptcy, and nobody wants to model that kind
  • 00:18:01.470 --> 00:18:05.841
  • Of business.
  • 00:18:05.841 --> 00:18:07.209
  • So you might say in your vocation, "i wanna start growing
  • 00:18:07.209 --> 00:18:09.444
  • My business more."
  • 00:18:09.444 --> 00:18:10.979
  • You see, your objectives all ought to tie into the purpose
  • 00:18:10.979 --> 00:18:15.017
  • That god has given you.
  • 00:18:15.017 --> 00:18:17.419
  • You identify what your purpose is, discover your purpose, your
  • 00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:22.791
  • Reason for living, why god created you.
  • 00:18:22.791 --> 00:18:25.894
  • Then you develop objectives that will help you meet that overall
  • 00:18:25.894 --> 00:18:31.867
  • Purpose statement.
  • 00:18:31.867 --> 00:18:33.202
  • And that leads to the third word, goals, formulating
  • 00:18:33.202 --> 00:18:37.272
  • Specific goals.
  • 00:18:37.272 --> 00:18:39.274
  • Goals are the vehicles by which we transform our objectives
  • 00:18:39.274 --> 00:18:45.347
  • Into reality.
  • 00:18:45.347 --> 00:18:47.015
  • Now, this is where a lot of people get mixed up, and, quite
  • 00:18:47.015 --> 00:18:49.952
  • Frankly, it's the reason so many people live aimless lives.
  • 00:18:49.952 --> 00:18:53.989
  • They don't have clearly defined goals.
  • 00:18:53.989 --> 00:18:57.125
  • Let me give you a definition of a goal.
  • 00:18:57.125 --> 00:18:58.827
  • A goal is a desired accomplishment that is easily
  • 00:18:58.827 --> 00:19:03.365
  • Measured by time and performance.
  • 00:19:03.365 --> 00:19:07.269
  • It's a desired accomplishment that can be measured by time
  • 00:19:07.269 --> 00:19:10.105
  • And performance.
  • 00:19:10.105 --> 00:19:11.473
  • For example, here i say, "well, i wanna know the bible better."
  • 00:19:11.473 --> 00:19:15.611
  • Is that a goal?
  • 00:19:15.611 --> 00:19:17.446
  • No, that's an objective, but it's not a goal.
  • 00:19:17.446 --> 00:19:21.049
  • I mean, just to say, "i wanna know my bible better," well, how
  • 00:19:21.049 --> 00:19:23.352
  • Will you know when you know it better?
  • 00:19:23.352 --> 00:19:25.454
  • No, a goal would be specific.
  • 00:19:25.454 --> 00:19:28.123
  • "i want to read one chapter of the bible every day,
  • 00:19:28.123 --> 00:19:33.161
  • Beginning today."
  • 00:19:33.161 --> 00:19:35.230
  • The accomplishment is clear, a chapter of the bible every day.
  • 00:19:35.230 --> 00:19:39.167
  • And there's a time attached to it, a start time or a finish
  • 00:19:39.167 --> 00:19:42.804
  • Time, by starting today.
  • 00:19:42.804 --> 00:19:46.241
  • Or maybe you would say, you know, "i wanna be thinner."
  • 00:19:46.241 --> 00:19:51.046
  • We all have that goal, most of us.
  • 00:19:51.046 --> 00:19:53.849
  • Is that a goal?
  • 00:19:53.849 --> 00:19:55.217
  • No, that's an objective, "i want to be thinner."
  • 00:19:55.217 --> 00:19:57.653
  • A goal would be a specific accomplishment.
  • 00:19:57.653 --> 00:19:59.888
  • "i want to lose 5 pounds," that's the accomplishment.
  • 00:19:59.888 --> 00:20:03.025
  • And i want to attach a date to it, "by april the 30th."
  • 00:20:03.025 --> 00:20:07.129
  • Any time you're formulating a goal, remember, a goal answers
  • 00:20:07.129 --> 00:20:11.400
  • The question, "what do i want to happen?"
  • 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:13.902
  • That's the accomplishment.
  • 00:20:13.902 --> 00:20:15.637
  • Secondly, "how will i know it happened?"
  • 00:20:15.637 --> 00:20:17.539
  • What's the measurement?
  • 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:19.174
  • Five pounds, one chapter; maybe in your financial life, you
  • 00:20:19.174 --> 00:20:23.612
  • Know, "i wanna get in better financial shape."
  • 00:20:23.612 --> 00:20:25.380
  • That's not a goal, that's an objective.
  • 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:27.182
  • A goal would be, "i wanna save $3,000 by december 31" and when
  • 00:20:27.182 --> 00:20:32.321
  • Do i want this to happen, the starting date or the
  • 00:20:32.321 --> 00:20:35.657
  • Completion date?
  • 00:20:35.657 --> 00:20:37.259
  • And i've given you some examples of goals in your life.
  • 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:41.463
  • Reading a chapter of the bible every day.
  • 00:20:41.463 --> 00:20:43.699
  • Or, in the physical world, "i wanna exercise at least 20
  • 00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:47.235
  • Minutes a day beginning tomorrow."
  • 00:20:47.235 --> 00:20:50.238
  • Tomorrow is always a better time to start that program, but, you
  • 00:20:50.238 --> 00:20:53.475
  • See, at least you've got an objective down there.
  • 00:20:53.475 --> 00:20:55.911
  • You've got a time that you're gonna start doing this.
  • 00:20:55.911 --> 00:20:58.880
  • And on and on and on it goes.
  • 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:01.883
  • That's the difference between a purpose, objectives to help you
  • 00:21:01.883 --> 00:21:06.688
  • Meet that purpose, and goals that will help you meet
  • 00:21:06.688 --> 00:21:09.758
  • Your objectives.
  • 00:21:09.758 --> 00:21:11.126
  • Now, i know you all well enough to know some of you are probably
  • 00:21:11.126 --> 00:21:16.832
  • Sitting here thinking, "should we really be talking about this
  • 00:21:16.832 --> 00:21:21.169
  • In church?
  • 00:21:21.169 --> 00:21:22.571
  • I mean, aren't we supposed to be talking about evangelism
  • 00:21:22.571 --> 00:21:25.474
  • And discipleship?
  • 00:21:25.474 --> 00:21:27.709
  • Why are we talking about goals?"
  • 00:21:27.709 --> 00:21:30.312
  • Ladies and gentlemen, there is no more effective way to be a
  • 00:21:30.312 --> 00:21:35.751
  • Disciple of jesus christ than by discovering his unique purpose
  • 00:21:35.751 --> 00:21:40.689
  • For your life and living out that purpose.
  • 00:21:40.689 --> 00:21:44.326
  • That is why god left us here, to fulfill his unique purpose
  • 00:21:44.326 --> 00:21:49.097
  • For us.
  • 00:21:49.097 --> 00:21:50.632
  • I love the way ephesians 5:15-17 reads, again, in the j.b.
  • 00:21:50.632 --> 00:21:56.905
  • Phillips paraphrase-- we read it from the new american standard
  • 00:21:56.905 --> 00:21:59.741
  • Version a few moments ago.
  • 00:21:59.741 --> 00:22:01.309
  • Let me read this to you, from the phillips paraphrase; paul
  • 00:22:01.309 --> 00:22:04.746
  • Writes, "live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not
  • 00:22:04.746 --> 00:22:11.153
  • As men who don't know the meaning and purpose of life but
  • 00:22:11.153 --> 00:22:15.157
  • As those who do.
  • 00:22:15.157 --> 00:22:17.225
  • Make the best use of your time, despite all the evils of
  • 00:22:17.225 --> 00:22:21.163
  • These days.
  • 00:22:21.163 --> 00:22:22.864
  • Don't be vague but grasp firmly what you know to be the will of
  • 00:22:22.864 --> 00:22:29.304
  • The lord."
  • 00:22:29.304 --> 00:22:30.939
  • What paul is talking about is, "know your purpose."
  • 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:35.944
  • In his book, "the deeper life," daniel henderson writes, "i've
  • 00:22:35.944 --> 00:22:40.115
  • Heard it said many times, you're not really ready to live until
  • 00:22:40.115 --> 00:22:45.921
  • You know what you want written on your tombstone.
  • 00:22:45.921 --> 00:22:50.292
  • If you were to die today, would those who know you the best be
  • 00:22:50.292 --> 00:22:55.130
  • Able to say, 'this is why you lived?'"
  • 00:22:55.130 --> 00:23:00.335
  • That's a profound question.
  • 00:23:00.335 --> 00:23:02.537
  • Would those who know you the very best, at your funeral, be
  • 00:23:02.537 --> 00:23:05.974
  • Able to stand up and say, "this is the purpose for which
  • 00:23:05.974 --> 00:23:09.110
  • You lived?"
  • 00:23:09.110 --> 00:23:10.445
  • Is it clear to you why you're here?
  • 00:23:10.445 --> 00:23:13.181
  • When this life comes to an end, will you look back and conclude
  • 00:23:13.181 --> 00:23:17.419
  • That you have lived well and significantly?
  • 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:21.022
  • Now get this; the great tragedy in life is not death.
  • 00:23:21.022 --> 00:23:28.396
  • The great tragedy in life is life without purpose.
  • 00:23:28.396 --> 00:23:33.535
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:23:34.069 --> 00:23:39.574
  • Jeffress: god has gifted you with special talents and
  • 00:23:39.574 --> 00:23:42.043
  • Abilities, and all of them culminate in the simple purpose
  • 00:23:42.043 --> 00:23:46.147
  • Of accomplishing his plan.
  • 00:23:46.147 --> 00:23:48.450
  • My prayer is that today's message will help you determine
  • 00:23:48.450 --> 00:23:51.453
  • Your unique role in fulfilling god's will.
  • 00:23:51.453 --> 00:23:55.357
  • Well, i'm pleased to report that our television and radio
  • 00:23:55.357 --> 00:23:58.527
  • Programs, combined with our presence on the internet, are
  • 00:23:58.527 --> 00:24:01.897
  • Reaching more people than we ever dreamed possible, and we're
  • 00:24:01.897 --> 00:24:05.800
  • Asking god to allow us to expand for his glory in the year ahead.
  • 00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:10.839
  • None of us needs convincing that our nation is deeply divided and
  • 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:14.743
  • Confused today.
  • 00:24:14.743 --> 00:24:16.311
  • And, through our ministry together, we're shining a light
  • 00:24:16.311 --> 00:24:19.714
  • In the dark places of our country and bringing god's
  • 00:24:19.714 --> 00:24:23.318
  • Message of hope and unity to people who are craving for
  • 00:24:23.318 --> 00:24:27.556
  • The truth.
  • 00:24:27.556 --> 00:24:28.890
  • Thank you so much for your continued support of "pathway
  • 00:24:28.890 --> 00:24:31.860
  • To victory."
  • 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:33.428
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:33.428 --> 00:24:34.796
  • I'll be back with one final word about discovering god's purpose
  • 00:24:34.796 --> 00:24:38.266
  • For you in just a moment.
  • 00:24:38.266 --> 00:24:40.302
  • Announcer: each day, millions of lost people are searching for
  • 00:24:41.670 --> 00:24:44.539
  • Hope and truth.
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  • Through "pathway to victory," god's word is reaching into
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  • Homes across america and around the world, but there are still
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  • So many who haven't heard the saving message of jesus christ.
  • 00:24:52.447 --> 00:24:56.051
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  • Life-changing power of the cross.
  • 00:25:08.863 --> 00:25:11.299
  • Jeffress: discovering god's unique purpose for your life
  • 00:25:12.767 --> 00:25:15.470
  • Sounds like a daunting task, i know, but if you follow these
  • 00:25:15.470 --> 00:25:19.708
  • Three very specific and practical steps, i'm confident
  • 00:25:19.708 --> 00:25:23.712
  • They will steer you in the right direction.
  • 00:25:23.712 --> 00:25:27.248
  • Well, many christians believe that, while humility is a nice
  • 00:25:27.248 --> 00:25:30.852
  • Character quality, it's really not necessary, but, according to
  • 00:25:30.852 --> 00:25:34.456
  • Scripture, the alternative, pride, can have serious and
  • 00:25:34.456 --> 00:25:38.860
  • Long-lasting consequences.
  • 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:41.162
  • Make plans to join us again next time when i identify four
  • 00:25:41.162 --> 00:25:45.066
  • Damaging effects of pride and how to avoid them.
  • 00:25:45.066 --> 00:25:49.304
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:25:49.304 --> 00:25:51.806
  • Series, "choose your attitudes, change your life."
  • 00:25:51.806 --> 00:25:55.477
  • Jeffress: why does god emphasize the problem of pride so much?
  • 00:25:56.745 --> 00:26:02.550
  • You know, we think, humility or pride, those are kind of
  • 00:26:02.550 --> 00:26:05.787
  • Secondary issues.
  • 00:26:05.787 --> 00:26:07.222
  • They don't rank up there with the really big sins like murder
  • 00:26:07.222 --> 00:26:10.358
  • And adultery and so forth.
  • 00:26:10.358 --> 00:26:12.427
  • "isn't this kind of a secondary issue, pastor?
  • 00:26:12.427 --> 00:26:14.829
  • Why in the world do you talk so much about pride and humility?"
  • 00:26:14.829 --> 00:26:20.101
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join
  • 00:26:20.101 --> 00:26:21.436
  • Us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:21.436 --> 00:26:23.138
  • "choosing humility over pride,"
  • 00:26:23.138 --> 00:26:25.540
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
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  • Announcer: experience a journey that will refresh your spirit
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  • And renew your faith on the "pathway to victory" cruise to
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  • Alaska, june 13 through 20, 2026.
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  • The pristine waters of glacier bay to the charming frontier
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  • Towns of juneau, ketchikan, and skagway, you'll witness god's
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  • Handiwork on full display.
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  • Announcer: imagine standing on deck surrounded by towering
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  • Glaciers and snowcapped mountains while enjoying
  • 00:27:00.375 --> 00:27:03.011
  • Powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
  • 00:27:03.011 --> 00:27:05.747
  • Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien.
  • 00:27:05.747 --> 00:27:09.584
  • And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg, america's
  • 00:27:09.584 --> 00:27:12.821
  • Minister of encouragement.
  • 00:27:12.821 --> 00:27:14.422
  • Jeffress: this is more than just a vacation, it's a sacred pause
  • 00:27:14.422 --> 00:27:18.093
  • To reconnect with the lord.
  • 00:27:18.093 --> 00:27:20.028
  • Announcer: to reserve your cabin on the 2026 pathway to victory
  • 00:27:20.028 --> 00:27:22.964
  • Cruise to alaska, call ...
  • 00:27:22.964 --> 00:27:27.502
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:27.502 --> 00:27:29.010