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 - Christians in the Crosshairs | May 31, 2026
- Join us on the "pathway to victory"
- 00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:01.724
- Journeys of paul cruz, may 14 through 23, 2027.
- 00:00:01.724 --> 00:00:06.396
- You know what i love most about these journeys?
- 00:00:06.396 --> 00:00:08.665
- It's not just the destinations,
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- It's about the people you experience the destinations with.
- 00:00:10.867 --> 00:00:14.771
- There's something powerful that happens
- 00:00:14.771 --> 00:00:16.673
- When like-minded believers gather together, open god's word,
- 00:00:16.673 --> 00:00:20.677
- And then explore the very world
- 00:00:20.677 --> 00:00:22.879
- Where that word was first proclaimed.
- 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:25.482
- Nine nights aboard the beautiful celebrity infinity,
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- Every meal prepared, every detail taken care of,
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- So all you have to do is be present.
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- Casual conversations over coffee,
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- Fellowship around the table,
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- And afternoons walking the same roads paul walked
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- In ephesus, kavala, and more.
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- Come be a part of our community.
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- This journey will refresh your soul
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- And renew your sense of purpose.
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- Cabins are filling, so don't miss your spot.
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- Call 888-280-6747
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- Or visit ptv.org.
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- ♪ music ♪
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- 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.
- 00:01:09.993 --> 00:01:14.030
- Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
- 00:01:14.531 --> 00:01:15.832
- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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- For over 2,000 years,
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- Christians around the world
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- Have faced religious persecution,
- 00:01:21.137 --> 00:01:23.506
- And jesus told us plainly it would only get worse
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- Before he returned to earth.
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- Is it possible that we are witnessing the signs right now?
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- Today i'm going to show you why the groundwork is being laid
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- For persecution to increase around the world
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- And especially on american soil.
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- My message is titled "christians in the crosshairs"
- 00:01:43.026 --> 00:01:46.763
- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
- 00:01:46.763 --> 00:01:51.401
- ♪ savior redeemer ♪
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- ♪ perfect all three ♪
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- ♪ born across ♪
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- ♪ all our sins are ♪
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- ♪ placed upon him ♪
- 00:02:04.647 --> 00:02:08.084
- ♪ through the greatness of his love ♪
- 00:02:08.084 --> 00:02:13.856
- ♪ will he breathe ♪
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- ♪ he bears our sorrows ♪
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- ♪ how his lamb ♪
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- ♪ will lead and guide ♪
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- ♪ through the desperate ♪
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- ♪ lost without him ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus crucified ♪
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- (gentle music)
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- (upbeat music)
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- ♪ this is jesus ♪
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- ♪ risen in victory ♪
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- ♪ what has happened ♪
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- ♪ to our souls ♪
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- ♪ shout the news of ♪
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- ♪ resurrection ♪
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- ♪ death is conquered ♪
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- ♪ life is won ♪
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- ♪ and one day the song of heaven ♪
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- ♪ will be led by the redeemed ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah ♪
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- ♪ this is jesus, king of kings ♪
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- ♪ oh hallelujah ♪
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- -♪ praise him hallelujah ♪ -♪ king of kings ♪
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- ♪ keep the peace ♪
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- ♪ jesus ♪
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- (audience applauding)
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- As our nation marks 250 years,
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- America stands at a crossroads.
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- Will we return to the god who blessed us
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- Or continue down a path that leads to ruin?
- 00:04:20.049 --> 00:04:22.652
- Through the in god we trust matching challenge,
- 00:04:22.652 --> 00:04:25.254
- Your gift today will be doubled in ministry impact.
- 00:04:25.254 --> 00:04:28.257
- For 30 years,
- 00:04:28.257 --> 00:04:29.759
- "pathway to victory" has pierced the darkness of our nation
- 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:32.328
- With the light of god's word by sharing biblical truth
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- That transforms hearts.
- 00:04:35.398 --> 00:04:37.100
- Join us in this critical hour by giving toward
- 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:39.836
- The in god we trust matching challenge today.
- 00:04:39.836 --> 00:04:43.539
- ♪ music ♪
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- You're probably familiar with the name of miriam ibrahim.
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- She's the sudanese woman,
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- A 27-year-old medical doctor who was arrested in the sudan
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- And tried and convicted for apostasy and adultery.
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- Apostasy because she converted from islam to christianity.
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- Even though she never personally embraced the muslim faith,
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- They still accused her of apostasy.
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- She was accused and found guilty of adultery
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- Because she had sex with her husband
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- Who happened to be a christian,
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- And the muslims did not recognize that marriage.
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- After her trial,
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- She was sentenced to death by hanging for apostasy
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- And for 100 lashes for adultery.
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- She stood before the sudanese prosecutor.
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- Time and time again,
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- He gave her the opportunity
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- To recant of her faith in jesus christ.
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- And each time, she uttered those words
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- That have now become famous.
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- When asked to renounce jesus christ as her savior,
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- She said, "i am a christian,
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- And i will always be a christian."
- 00:06:02.185 --> 00:06:05.888
- As a result, she was sent to prison.
- 00:06:05.888 --> 00:06:08.090
- She was placed in shackles,
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- And the prison officials refused to unchain her,
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- Even when she gave birth to her child.
- 00:06:13.996 --> 00:06:17.400
- As a result of the outcry
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- Of millions of people around the world,
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- Miriam ibraham was finally released from that sudan prison
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- And she traveled to america,
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- Where i had the chance to meet her.
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- When she was interviewed by megyn kelly on "the kelly file,"
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- Miriam ibrahim said that her heart breaks
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- For the women of sudan,
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- And then she added these words,
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- "there are many miriams in sudan and throughout the world.
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- It's just not me."
- 00:06:45.628 --> 00:06:48.331
- And today when we hear stories like that of miriam ibrahim,
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- We seem to think, "well that's for the middle east.
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- That happens in other places,
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- But that would never happen here."
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- Ladies and gentlemen,
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- There is absolutely no guarantee in scripture
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- That we who live in this country
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- Will be exempt from persecution.
- 00:07:05.882 --> 00:07:08.084
- In fact, there's every guarantee
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- That we will experience persecution,
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- Jesus said as much in matthew 5.
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- In verses 1 to 10,
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- He gives those qualities of a disciple
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- That we call the beatitudes.
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- But then he begins in verse 11 and says,
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- "if you exhibit those qualities,
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- If you're a true follower of mine,
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- Be ready for persecution."
- 00:07:28.371 --> 00:07:30.373
- Verse 11, jesus said, "blessed are you, not if,
- 00:07:30.373 --> 00:07:34.610
- But when men cast insults at you and persecute you
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- And say all kinds of evil against you falsely
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- On account of me.
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- Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great,
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- For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
- 00:07:47.790 --> 00:07:53.129
- Let's take a moment and briefly survey
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- What is happening around the world to christians.
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- First of all, let's talk about the christians in iraq.
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- On june the 10th, the islamic state of iraq and syria,
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- We call them isis,
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- Captured the city of mosul on june the 10th.
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- Now mosul may not mean much to you,
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- But mosul is the ancient city of nineveh
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- Where jonah ministered.
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- And for the last 2,000 years,
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- It has been a christian community,
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- And yet isis came in,
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- And as a result of a purge of all christians,
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- Today there are no christians remaining in mosul.
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- They've all fled.
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- Homes and churches have been turned into bomb factories
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- And torture chambers.
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- All of the christian sites have been shuttered.
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- They have had all of their assets taken away from them
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- And they have been sent into the desert.
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- In many ways,
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- These christians in iraq and the middle east
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- Are experiencing
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- What the writer of hebrews talked about in hebrews 11,
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- Beginning with verse 35.
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- "and others were tortured, not accepting their release
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- In order that they might obtain a better resurrection,
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- And others experienced mockings and scourgings.
- 00:09:10.773 --> 00:09:13.409
- Yes, also chains and imprisonment.
- 00:09:13.409 --> 00:09:16.245
- They were stoned, they were sawn in two,
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- They were tempted, they were put to death with a sword,
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- They went about in sheepskins
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- And goat skins being destitute,
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- Afflicted, ill-treated.
- 00:09:26.589 --> 00:09:28.624
- Men of whom the world was not worthy,
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- Wandering in deserts
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- And mountains and caves and holes in the ground."
- 00:09:32.628 --> 00:09:36.399
- That's the fate, that is the experience right now
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- Of our brothers and sisters in christ in the middle east.
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- You look at what is happening in china, yes,
- 00:09:43.005 --> 00:09:46.509
- The christian movement is growing exponentially in china,
- 00:09:46.509 --> 00:09:50.713
- But so is persecution against christians.
- 00:09:50.713 --> 00:09:53.716
- Bob fu, who is the founder of china aid,
- 00:09:53.716 --> 00:09:56.652
- Said that christians in china face the worst persecution
- 00:09:56.652 --> 00:10:00.122
- Since the cultural revolution.
- 00:10:00.122 --> 00:10:02.425
- He said, quote, "there have been forced demolitions,
- 00:10:02.425 --> 00:10:05.227
- The removal of crosses,
- 00:10:05.227 --> 00:10:06.829
- Over 300 churches have been attacked.
- 00:10:06.829 --> 00:10:09.031
- Pastors have been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
- 00:10:09.031 --> 00:10:12.201
- Multiple believers have been attacked and hospitalized,
- 00:10:12.201 --> 00:10:15.805
- And thousands of police were mobilized to attack a church.
- 00:10:15.805 --> 00:10:19.442
- This has not been since the time of the cultural revolution.
- 00:10:19.442 --> 00:10:22.912
- It is overwhelming."
- 00:10:22.912 --> 00:10:25.014
- Bob fu has been tortured for his own faith in christ.
- 00:10:25.014 --> 00:10:28.150
- He had to flee beijing in the middle of the night.
- 00:10:28.150 --> 00:10:30.920
- He knew that at some point,
- 00:10:30.920 --> 00:10:32.421
- He would have to take some prison theology behind bars.
- 00:10:32.421 --> 00:10:36.592
- He added, "that's the experience of chinese christians.
- 00:10:36.592 --> 00:10:40.496
- We were always told that if you wanted
- 00:10:40.496 --> 00:10:43.532
- To be a faithful follower of jesus,
- 00:10:43.532 --> 00:10:45.835
- You would have to take that course."
- 00:10:45.835 --> 00:10:48.904
- We're seeing persecution around the world.
- 00:10:48.904 --> 00:10:51.474
- You say, "well it's always been that way
- 00:10:51.474 --> 00:10:53.142
- Since the beginning of time."
- 00:10:53.142 --> 00:10:54.844
- Yes it has, but there is an increase in this persecution.
- 00:10:54.844 --> 00:10:58.748
- Did you know there were more martyrs in the 20th century
- 00:10:58.748 --> 00:11:03.052
- Than all the other centuries combined together?
- 00:11:03.052 --> 00:11:06.655
- Open doors usa has reported that in 2014,
- 00:11:06.655 --> 00:11:10.860
- The level of persecution against christians in the world
- 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:13.929
- Was the highest level it's been in the last 20 years.
- 00:11:13.929 --> 00:11:17.867
- Jesus said, "these things are going to be like
- 00:11:17.867 --> 00:11:20.603
- The birth pains of a woman.
- 00:11:20.603 --> 00:11:22.238
- They will increase in intensity and in frequency."
- 00:11:22.238 --> 00:11:26.742
- Persecution was part
- 00:11:26.742 --> 00:11:28.544
- Of the christian movement at the beginning.
- 00:11:28.544 --> 00:11:30.579
- We're seeing it around the world today.
- 00:11:30.579 --> 00:11:33.115
- Did you know persecution will escalate
- 00:11:33.115 --> 00:11:35.451
- And reach its zenith during a future period of time
- 00:11:35.451 --> 00:11:38.721
- We call the tribulation?
- 00:11:38.721 --> 00:11:41.023
- Christians will be slaughtered by the millions
- 00:11:41.023 --> 00:11:43.959
- For their faith in jesus christ.
- 00:11:43.959 --> 00:11:45.461
- You say, "now wait a minute.
- 00:11:45.461 --> 00:11:46.562
- During the tribulation,
- 00:11:46.562 --> 00:11:48.364
- I thought all christians were going to be raptured.
- 00:11:48.364 --> 00:11:50.633
- We were going to get out of here,
- 00:11:50.633 --> 00:11:52.067
- That there weren't going to be any christians."
- 00:11:52.067 --> 00:11:53.869
- It's true, the church will be raptured
- 00:11:53.869 --> 00:11:56.572
- Before the final seven years of earth's history,
- 00:11:56.572 --> 00:11:59.508
- But during that final seven years,
- 00:11:59.508 --> 00:12:01.210
- Many people will come to faith in christ,
- 00:12:01.210 --> 00:12:03.579
- But they will pay a terrible price to do so.
- 00:12:03.579 --> 00:12:06.649
- The bible says we know that in the beginning,
- 00:12:06.649 --> 00:12:08.517
- There was persecution against believers.
- 00:12:08.517 --> 00:12:10.719
- We've seen that persecution right now is the norm
- 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:13.622
- Around the world, the greatest level it's been in history.
- 00:12:13.622 --> 00:12:16.959
- We also know that in the future,
- 00:12:16.959 --> 00:12:19.028
- There is going to be a worldwide persecution of christians.
- 00:12:19.028 --> 00:12:22.331
- Why do we think that we are going
- 00:12:22.331 --> 00:12:25.534
- To be exempt here in the united states?
- 00:12:25.534 --> 00:12:28.237
- Listen, i believe personally in the rapture of the church,
- 00:12:28.237 --> 00:12:31.674
- But contrary to what some people say about the rapture,
- 00:12:31.674 --> 00:12:34.410
- That doesn't mean we get a pass on persecution.
- 00:12:34.410 --> 00:12:37.246
- I think things could be very, very,
- 00:12:37.246 --> 00:12:39.315
- Very terrible before the church is finally raptured.
- 00:12:39.315 --> 00:12:42.518
- There's no guarantee of exemption from persecution,
- 00:12:42.518 --> 00:12:45.721
- There is every guarantee of it,
- 00:12:45.721 --> 00:12:48.190
- And we need to be prepared for it.
- 00:12:48.190 --> 00:12:50.526
- Well what is persecution?
- 00:12:50.526 --> 00:12:52.094
- Let's talk about what persecution is.
- 00:12:52.094 --> 00:12:55.397
- One dictionary defines it this way.
- 00:12:56.165 --> 00:12:58.133
- "hostility or ill treatment,
- 00:12:58.133 --> 00:13:00.603
- Especially because of race or political
- 00:13:00.603 --> 00:13:04.373
- Or religious beliefs."
- 00:13:04.373 --> 00:13:07.142
- If you never act differently than those around you,
- 00:13:07.142 --> 00:13:10.279
- You never have to worry about persecution.
- 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:12.882
- But if you do take a stand for jesus christ, get ready,
- 00:13:12.882 --> 00:13:16.652
- You are going to suffer, it is inevitable.
- 00:13:16.652 --> 00:13:20.489
- Some of you are experiencing it already,
- 00:13:20.489 --> 00:13:22.658
- But what are we to do to prepare for it?
- 00:13:22.658 --> 00:13:25.594
- I want you to turn in your bibles to 1 peter 4.
- 00:13:25.594 --> 00:13:29.798
- Look at verses 12 and 13.
- 00:13:29.798 --> 00:13:31.567
- He says, "beloved,
- 00:13:31.567 --> 00:13:33.335
- Do not be surprised at thefiery ordeal among you
- 00:13:33.335 --> 00:13:37.573
- Which comes upon you for your testing
- 00:13:37.573 --> 00:13:40.643
- As though some strange thing were happening to you.
- 00:13:40.643 --> 00:13:45.047
- But to the degree that you share the sufferings of christ,
- 00:13:45.047 --> 00:13:48.150
- Keep on rejoicing so that also at the revelation
- 00:13:48.150 --> 00:13:51.654
- Of his glory, you may rejoice with exaltation."
- 00:13:51.654 --> 00:13:56.859
- I want you to look at that phrase,
- 00:13:57.593 --> 00:13:58.827
- "don't be surprised."
- 00:13:58.827 --> 00:14:01.196
- You know, sometimes, and i'll put myself in this category,
- 00:14:01.196 --> 00:14:03.699
- We get surprised when we suffer for christ's sake.
- 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:06.635
- We think, "wait a minute,
- 00:14:06.635 --> 00:14:08.270
- I'm supposed to get rewarded for doing right.
- 00:14:08.270 --> 00:14:11.941
- I'm not supposed to suffer for doing right."
- 00:14:11.941 --> 00:14:14.376
- And yet peter says "don't be surprised
- 00:14:14.376 --> 00:14:16.779
- When you suffer for christ"
- 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:18.180
- As though it were odd, that it were strange.
- 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:20.950
- And then he adds that word at the beginning, beloved,
- 00:14:20.950 --> 00:14:24.153
- That word means literally as those deeply loved by god.
- 00:14:24.153 --> 00:14:29.458
- When you suffer in your workplace,
- 00:14:30.192 --> 00:14:31.760
- When you suffer in a relationship,
- 00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:33.429
- When you suffer at school for following christ,
- 00:14:33.429 --> 00:14:36.565
- Remember, you're deeply loved by god.
- 00:14:36.565 --> 00:14:38.801
- Your suffering doesn't mean god has forgotten about you
- 00:14:38.801 --> 00:14:41.637
- Or that he doesn't care about you.
- 00:14:41.637 --> 00:14:43.706
- This is just part of the price for following christ.
- 00:14:43.706 --> 00:14:47.042
- Don't think of it as unusual,
- 00:14:47.042 --> 00:14:50.045
- And you know, inherent in this idea
- 00:14:50.045 --> 00:14:51.780
- Of persecution is being treated unfairly.
- 00:14:51.780 --> 00:14:55.751
- You say, "well it's not fair
- 00:14:55.751 --> 00:14:56.986
- That somebody would do that to me.
- 00:14:56.986 --> 00:14:58.921
- It's just not fair."
- 00:14:58.921 --> 00:14:59.855
- That's part of suffering.
- 00:14:59.855 --> 00:15:01.256
- Look at 1 peter 2,
- 00:15:01.256 --> 00:15:02.825
- Turn back two chapters to verses 21 and 23.
- 00:15:02.825 --> 00:15:06.762
- If we're following christ,
- 00:15:06.762 --> 00:15:08.263
- We're going to have the same experience
- 00:15:08.263 --> 00:15:09.898
- That christ experienced.
- 00:15:09.898 --> 00:15:11.633
- And what was that experience?
- 00:15:11.633 --> 00:15:12.835
- Look at verse 21.
- 00:15:12.835 --> 00:15:14.203
- For you have been called for this purpose.
- 00:15:14.203 --> 00:15:17.373
- What purpose?
- 00:15:17.373 --> 00:15:18.807
- For suffering, since christ also suffered for you,
- 00:15:18.807 --> 00:15:21.977
- Leaving you an example for you
- 00:15:21.977 --> 00:15:23.912
- To follow in his steps.
- 00:15:23.912 --> 00:15:25.981
- And who was this christ? look at verse 22.
- 00:15:25.981 --> 00:15:28.784
- Who committed no sin,
- 00:15:28.784 --> 00:15:31.754
- Nor was any deceit found in his mouth.
- 00:15:31.754 --> 00:15:34.823
- That is, he suffered for no reason.
- 00:15:34.823 --> 00:15:38.093
- He did nothing that merited his suffering, verse 23,
- 00:15:38.093 --> 00:15:42.331
- And while being reviled,
- 00:15:42.331 --> 00:15:43.766
- He did not revile in return.
- 00:15:43.766 --> 00:15:45.801
- While suffering, he uttered no threats,
- 00:15:45.801 --> 00:15:48.070
- But he kept entrusting himself to him
- 00:15:48.070 --> 00:15:50.706
- Who judges righteously.
- 00:15:50.706 --> 00:15:52.808
- Jesus was treated unfairly.
- 00:15:52.808 --> 00:15:56.345
- Look at verse 20, for what credit is there
- 00:15:56.345 --> 00:15:58.981
- If when you sin and are harshly treated,
- 00:15:58.981 --> 00:16:02.017
- You endure it with patience?
- 00:16:02.017 --> 00:16:04.053
- But if when you do what is right and suffer for it,
- 00:16:04.053 --> 00:16:06.488
- Patiently endure it, this finds favor with god.
- 00:16:06.488 --> 00:16:10.426
- If you're a christian who doesn't pay your income tax,
- 00:16:10.426 --> 00:16:13.062
- For example, and the irs comes and hauls you off to jail,
- 00:16:13.062 --> 00:16:17.066
- You say, "well i'm a christian, i'm suffering for my faith."
- 00:16:17.066 --> 00:16:19.435
- No, you're suffering for being a crook
- 00:16:19.435 --> 00:16:20.936
- And not paying the government what you owe them.
- 00:16:20.936 --> 00:16:22.971
- You're not suffering because you're a christian.
- 00:16:22.971 --> 00:16:25.441
- You're getting what you deserve. that doesn't count.
- 00:16:25.441 --> 00:16:28.210
- You don't get any credit with god for that.
- 00:16:28.210 --> 00:16:30.112
- No, peter is saying
- 00:16:30.112 --> 00:16:31.747
- What gets favor with god is when you suffer
- 00:16:31.747 --> 00:16:34.483
- For doing what is right, not for doing what is wrong.
- 00:16:34.483 --> 00:16:38.454
- Think about christ.
- 00:16:38.454 --> 00:16:39.621
- He did nothing wrong,
- 00:16:39.621 --> 00:16:41.156
- Yet he was betrayed, reviled, and ultimately crucified.
- 00:16:41.156 --> 00:16:44.960
- The call to be a christian is the call to suffer for christ.
- 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:50.299
- Paul said to timothy in 2 timothy 2 11:12.
- 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:52.701
- "for if we die with him, we shall also live with him.
- 00:16:52.701 --> 00:16:57.106
- If we endure with him, we shall reign with him."
- 00:16:57.106 --> 00:17:01.243
- In my book, "countdown to the apocalypse,"
- 00:17:01.243 --> 00:17:03.212
- I tell the true story of a man named mathew,
- 00:17:03.212 --> 00:17:06.048
- A father who lived in indonesia.
- 00:17:06.048 --> 00:17:09.284
- After jihad militiamen attacked his village in indonesia,
- 00:17:09.284 --> 00:17:13.255
- The christians in that village escaped
- 00:17:13.255 --> 00:17:15.157
- Into the surrounding jungle.
- 00:17:15.157 --> 00:17:17.226
- Mathew, the father of this family,
- 00:17:17.226 --> 00:17:19.294
- Had led his family deep into the jungle
- 00:17:19.294 --> 00:17:21.797
- To escape the jihadists.
- 00:17:21.797 --> 00:17:24.733
- After two exhausting days of running in the jungle,
- 00:17:24.733 --> 00:17:28.170
- Mathew's family stopped to rest and pray.
- 00:17:28.170 --> 00:17:31.406
- They knew real danger approached ever nearer
- 00:17:31.406 --> 00:17:34.309
- The more time they spent to rest,
- 00:17:34.309 --> 00:17:36.378
- But they were starving, the family had to eat.
- 00:17:36.378 --> 00:17:39.815
- Mathew's 8-year-old son was crying for food,
- 00:17:39.815 --> 00:17:43.152
- So mathew went to find food for his family nearby.
- 00:17:43.152 --> 00:17:46.788
- Suddenly out of nowhere, the jihadists appeared.
- 00:17:46.788 --> 00:17:49.825
- Mathew saw them capture his 10-year-old daughter
- 00:17:49.825 --> 00:17:53.095
- As she screamed out, "father help us, father help us."
- 00:17:53.095 --> 00:17:57.533
- But one of the jihad troops threw a grenade at mathew
- 00:17:57.533 --> 00:18:00.469
- And he had to turn to escape.
- 00:18:00.469 --> 00:18:02.437
- He tripped and fell down a ravine, becoming unconscious.
- 00:18:02.437 --> 00:18:06.208
- When he awoke, he went back to the place
- 00:18:06.208 --> 00:18:08.744
- Where his family had been captured.
- 00:18:08.744 --> 00:18:10.812
- His words are sufficient to sum up the scene he found.
- 00:18:10.812 --> 00:18:14.917
- "to my horror,
- 00:18:14.917 --> 00:18:16.418
- I discovered the bodies of my mother and mother-in-law.
- 00:18:16.418 --> 00:18:19.955
- A few feet away,
- 00:18:19.955 --> 00:18:21.356
- I found the body of my 8-year-old son christiano
- 00:18:21.356 --> 00:18:24.893
- Lying in a pool of blood.
- 00:18:24.893 --> 00:18:27.229
- I found their bibles, three of them near their bodies.
- 00:18:27.229 --> 00:18:30.933
- All but one had been ripped into pieces,
- 00:18:30.933 --> 00:18:34.036
- And the pages scattered over their bodies."
- 00:18:34.036 --> 00:18:37.739
- And then mathew added,
- 00:18:37.739 --> 00:18:39.408
- "i remembered the scripture verse that said
- 00:18:39.408 --> 00:18:42.344
- If we become followers of christ,
- 00:18:42.344 --> 00:18:45.080
- We not only gain salvation and joy,
- 00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:48.450
- But also the gift of suffering."
- 00:18:48.450 --> 00:18:52.020
- I think it's important for us in the west
- 00:18:52.020 --> 00:18:53.922
- To hear those stories over and over again
- 00:18:53.922 --> 00:18:56.458
- To remind us that suffering persecution is coming.
- 00:18:56.458 --> 00:19:01.830
- Dietrich bonhoeffer once remarked,
- 00:19:02.564 --> 00:19:04.032
- "when christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."
- 00:19:04.032 --> 00:19:08.537
- Admittedly, we're not suffering like christians
- 00:19:09.538 --> 00:19:12.040
- In the middle east yet,
- 00:19:12.040 --> 00:19:14.009
- But the groundwork is being laid for that
- 00:19:14.009 --> 00:19:16.311
- To happen in our own country.
- 00:19:16.311 --> 00:19:18.647
- And let me tell you exactly how it is going to happen.
- 00:19:18.647 --> 00:19:21.984
- Right now, there is a moral revolution occurring
- 00:19:21.984 --> 00:19:26.154
- In our country
- 00:19:26.154 --> 00:19:27.689
- That is proceeding at warp speed,
- 00:19:27.689 --> 00:19:31.260
- And with that moral revolution
- 00:19:31.260 --> 00:19:33.862
- Will come a cultural revulsion
- 00:19:33.862 --> 00:19:37.099
- And rejection of christians and what they believe.
- 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:40.836
- And that is what we're have happening right now.
- 00:19:40.836 --> 00:19:43.905
- We are having a moral revolution
- 00:19:43.905 --> 00:19:46.308
- That will lead to the marginalization,
- 00:19:46.308 --> 00:19:48.710
- And ultimately the criminalization of christianity.
- 00:19:48.710 --> 00:19:53.048
- My friend al mohler has a three-stage process
- 00:19:53.048 --> 00:19:56.885
- Of how a moral revolution occurs in a culture.
- 00:19:56.885 --> 00:20:00.255
- And i want you to write down these three stages.
- 00:20:00.255 --> 00:20:02.958
- Stage one, what was condemned is now celebrated.
- 00:20:02.958 --> 00:20:08.297
- What was condemned is now celebrated.
- 00:20:09.097 --> 00:20:11.033
- Stage two, what was celebrated is now condemned.
- 00:20:11.033 --> 00:20:16.338
- And stage three, those refusing to celebrate are condemned.
- 00:20:17.506 --> 00:20:22.010
- What happens is the marginalization of christians.
- 00:20:23.045 --> 00:20:26.948
- The germans did not take the jews
- 00:20:26.948 --> 00:20:29.217
- To the crematorium immediately.
- 00:20:29.217 --> 00:20:31.586
- If they had tried to do that
- 00:20:31.586 --> 00:20:32.988
- And exterminate the jews immediately,
- 00:20:32.988 --> 00:20:35.123
- The german people would have risen up and objected.
- 00:20:35.123 --> 00:20:38.226
- No, they were too smart to do that.
- 00:20:38.226 --> 00:20:39.795
- Instead, they first of all,
- 00:20:39.795 --> 00:20:41.463
- Marginalized the jews in the culture.
- 00:20:41.463 --> 00:20:44.299
- They made the jewish people objects
- 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:46.201
- Of disdain, contempt, hatred.
- 00:20:46.201 --> 00:20:48.503
- "well they're different than we are.
- 00:20:48.503 --> 00:20:50.305
- They're hurting our society."
- 00:20:50.305 --> 00:20:52.074
- And only after they had marginalized the jewish people,
- 00:20:52.074 --> 00:20:55.844
- Then were they able to take away their rights,
- 00:20:55.844 --> 00:20:58.313
- Even their right to live in the final solution.
- 00:20:58.313 --> 00:21:01.149
- That is what is happening with christianity.
- 00:21:01.149 --> 00:21:03.552
- Right now, there is an effort to marginalize christians.
- 00:21:03.552 --> 00:21:06.254
- Those christians are backwards in their thinking,
- 00:21:06.254 --> 00:21:08.623
- They're bigoted, they're not good for society.
- 00:21:08.623 --> 00:21:12.361
- And once they have marginalized christians,
- 00:21:13.228 --> 00:21:14.896
- Then it leads to the criminalization of christians.
- 00:21:14.896 --> 00:21:19.101
- And you see that especially in what is happening
- 00:21:19.101 --> 00:21:22.137
- Around this debate over homosexual marriage.
- 00:21:22.137 --> 00:21:25.540
- I want you to think about that three stage process
- 00:21:25.540 --> 00:21:28.443
- I just gave you.
- 00:21:28.443 --> 00:21:29.845
- First of all,
- 00:21:29.845 --> 00:21:31.246
- It begins when what was condemned is now celebrated.
- 00:21:31.246 --> 00:21:35.450
- Do you realize that homosexual marriage has not been with us
- 00:21:35.450 --> 00:21:39.921
- For thousands of years or hundreds of years?
- 00:21:39.921 --> 00:21:43.425
- It didn't even appear on the scene
- 00:21:43.425 --> 00:21:45.861
- Until 2001 in the netherlands.
- 00:21:45.861 --> 00:21:49.598
- That was the first place it was ever heard of.
- 00:21:49.598 --> 00:21:52.033
- Until then, it was routinely condemned.
- 00:21:52.033 --> 00:21:56.104
- This is a new phenomenon.
- 00:21:56.671 --> 00:21:59.775
- Everybody,
- 00:21:59.775 --> 00:22:01.243
- Everybody understood that marriage was between a man
- 00:22:01.243 --> 00:22:03.745
- And a woman, not just evangelical christians,
- 00:22:03.745 --> 00:22:06.548
- But jews and muslims.
- 00:22:06.548 --> 00:22:09.451
- Not only conservatives, but liberals.
- 00:22:09.451 --> 00:22:12.254
- And yet suddenly overnight,
- 00:22:12.254 --> 00:22:13.655
- What was condemned is now celebrated.
- 00:22:13.655 --> 00:22:17.592
- Step number two,
- 00:22:17.592 --> 00:22:19.127
- What is being celebrated right now was once condemned.
- 00:22:19.127 --> 00:22:24.099
- What was celebrated is now condemned.
- 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:27.402
- The idea that marriage is between a man and a woman,
- 00:22:27.402 --> 00:22:31.773
- Why, that idea is being condemned routinely.
- 00:22:31.773 --> 00:22:35.944
- And you see that everywhere.
- 00:22:35.944 --> 00:22:37.679
- Anybody who stands up for the belief
- 00:22:37.679 --> 00:22:40.115
- That marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman,
- 00:22:40.115 --> 00:22:42.884
- They are marginalized as homophobes, bigots,
- 00:22:42.884 --> 00:22:46.788
- And hatemongers.
- 00:22:46.788 --> 00:22:48.490
- And this third stage,
- 00:22:48.490 --> 00:22:49.891
- Those refusing to celebrate are condemned.
- 00:22:49.891 --> 00:22:53.795
- If you don't join in the celebration
- 00:22:53.795 --> 00:22:57.599
- Of homosexual marriage, you're a marked person.
- 00:22:57.599 --> 00:23:00.936
- You're going to be condemned.
- 00:23:00.936 --> 00:23:02.471
- You're going to have your business taken away from you.
- 00:23:02.471 --> 00:23:04.973
- We saw that with the sweet cakes bakery in oregon
- 00:23:04.973 --> 00:23:08.677
- That was put out of business.
- 00:23:08.677 --> 00:23:10.045
- Did they lose their lives?
- 00:23:10.045 --> 00:23:11.313
- No, but they lost their livelihood
- 00:23:11.313 --> 00:23:13.949
- Because of their failure to celebrate a gay marriage.
- 00:23:13.949 --> 00:23:17.819
- And that is going to happen more and more and more.
- 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:21.223
- It's just beginning, and we shouldn't be surprised.
- 00:23:21.223 --> 00:23:25.527
- Remember, they crucified jesus.
- 00:23:25.527 --> 00:23:29.664
- Why should those who follow jesus expect any less?
- 00:23:29.664 --> 00:23:34.169
- The darkness of the world provides a great opportunity
- 00:23:34.169 --> 00:23:37.939
- To share the hope of jesus christ.
- 00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:40.375
- And never forget this,
- 00:23:40.375 --> 00:23:42.477
- The night is always the very darkest
- 00:23:42.477 --> 00:23:46.948
- Just before the dawn of christ appearing.
- 00:23:46.948 --> 00:23:50.552
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:50.552 --> 00:23:54.155
- This growing persecution is one of the many reasons
- 00:23:55.156 --> 00:23:58.093
- "pathway to victory" exists,
- 00:23:58.093 --> 00:24:00.395
- Because the darker our culture becomes,
- 00:24:00.395 --> 00:24:02.864
- The brighter the light can shine.
- 00:24:02.864 --> 00:24:05.300
- And as our nation marks 250 years,
- 00:24:05.300 --> 00:24:08.270
- I believe god is calling his people to shine that light
- 00:24:08.270 --> 00:24:11.339
- More boldly than ever.
- 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:13.308
- Right now through the in god we trust matching challenge,
- 00:24:13.308 --> 00:24:16.912
- Every dollar given to "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:16.912 --> 00:24:19.147
- Between now and july 5th will be matched
- 00:24:19.147 --> 00:24:22.050
- And therefore doubled an impact, up to $1.5 million.
- 00:24:22.050 --> 00:24:26.488
- The only hope for america is the transforming power
- 00:24:27.556 --> 00:24:30.525
- Of the gospel.
- 00:24:30.525 --> 00:24:31.826
- And your gift will help us carry that message
- 00:24:31.826 --> 00:24:34.162
- To more people across this nation and around the world.
- 00:24:34.162 --> 00:24:38.233
- Now please stay right there.
- 00:24:38.233 --> 00:24:39.534
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:39.534 --> 00:24:41.970
- In just a moment.
- 00:24:41.970 --> 00:24:43.471
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:24:43.805 --> 00:24:45.006
- As our nation celebrates 250 years,
- 00:24:45.006 --> 00:24:48.310
- Do we still remember the faith that built america?
- 00:24:48.310 --> 00:24:51.880
- Dr. robert jeffress has created a beautiful book
- 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:54.749
- To make sure that we and our families never forget.
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- The brand new 250th commemorative edition
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- Of "america is a christian nation" is an 88-page
- 00:25:00.455 --> 00:25:04.125
- Full-color large-print coffee table book
- 00:25:04.125 --> 00:25:06.695
- Packed with inspiring stories from our nation's history,
- 00:25:06.695 --> 00:25:10.065
- Breathtaking imagery of america,
- 00:25:10.065 --> 00:25:12.200
- Select portraits of our founding fathers,
- 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:14.736
- And powerful truth from god's word.
- 00:25:14.736 --> 00:25:17.272
- America was founded on the principles
- 00:25:17.272 --> 00:25:19.641
- Of the judeo-christian faith as revealed in the bible.
- 00:25:19.641 --> 00:25:23.044
- And our future depends
- 00:25:23.044 --> 00:25:24.312
- On returning to that biblical foundation
- 00:25:24.312 --> 00:25:27.582
- Request the 250th commemorative edition
- 00:25:27.582 --> 00:25:30.652
- Of "america is a christian nation"
- 00:25:30.652 --> 00:25:32.954
- When you give a generous ministry gift
- 00:25:32.954 --> 00:25:35.123
- To "pathway to victory."
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- You'll also receive the in god we trust dvd video
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- And mp3 format audio disc set,
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- Featuring two powerful messages from dr. jeffress
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- And 12 patriotic performances
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- By the first baptist dallas choir and orchestra.
- 00:25:48.903 --> 00:25:52.107
- And with your ministry gift of $100 or more,
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- We'll also send you the complete america
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- And the bible teaching series on dvd video
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- Your gift today will be doubled in impact
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- Through the in god we trust matching challenge
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- As together, we pierce the darkness
- 00:26:09.224 --> 00:26:11.693
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:26:11.693 --> 00:26:13.962
- ♪ music ♪
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- The groundwork for persecution
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- Is already being laid right here in america,
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- And most people don't even see it happening.
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- Well for many years,
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- Tolerance has been america's favorite buzzword.
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- Next time, we'll examine how our definition
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- Of tolerance has changed from its historical understanding,
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- And we'll uncover the dangers of embracing moral relativism.
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- Stay tuned for a preview
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- Of what's coming up next on "pathway to victory."
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- The conviction that all beliefs are equally valid
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- Is celebrated as the highest ideal in our culture.
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- And by the way, that's not by accident.
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- There are many educators today who believe
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- That encouraging tolerance of all beliefs
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- And behaviors is the highest educational goal of educators,
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- And that's why we elevate in our culture
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- Tolerance over truth.
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- Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
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- "the most misunderstood word in america"
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- Here on "pathway to victory."
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