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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Cross and The Crown | April 11, 2026
- Alaska is unlike any other place on earth,
- 00:00:00.657 --> 00:00:03.927
- And this is your chance to witness god's masterpiece
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- And america's priceless treasure, june 13 through 20, 2026.
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- You know, i can hardly wait to show you alaska.
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- I've been there before and every time
- 00:00:15.038 --> 00:00:17.440
- I witness those massive glaciers and towering mountains,
- 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:21.044
- I'm reminded of how incredibly creative our god is.
- 00:00:21.044 --> 00:00:25.014
- Picture this,
- 00:00:25.014 --> 00:00:26.382
- Waking up to snow-capped peaks outside your window,
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- Then heading to your refreshing breakfast
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- Knowing that all your meals are prepared for you.
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- The world-class service means that you can truly relax.
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- We'll explore charming villages together.
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- We'll stroll alongside the still waters
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- Of the mountain stream.
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- And yes, we'll see god's artistry at every turn.
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- Reserve your spot on the 2026
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- "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska
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- By calling 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org.
- 00:00:53.276 --> 00:01:00.350
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:01:00.683 --> 00:01:05.955
- From the pulpit of the first baptist church
- 00:01:06.856 --> 00:01:09.025
- Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
- 00:01:09.025 --> 00:01:11.995
- With dr. robert jeffress.
- 00:01:11.995 --> 00:01:14.030
- Hi, i'm robert jeffress and happy easter.
- 00:01:14.898 --> 00:01:17.934
- Thank you for joining us on this special edition
- 00:01:17.934 --> 00:01:20.737
- Of "pathway to victory."
- 00:01:20.737 --> 00:01:22.539
- If i ask you which is more important,
- 00:01:22.539 --> 00:01:24.807
- The death of jesus christ on the cross
- 00:01:24.807 --> 00:01:27.310
- Or the resurrection of jesus christ from the grave,
- 00:01:27.310 --> 00:01:30.213
- What would you say?
- 00:01:30.213 --> 00:01:31.681
- Well, many of us want to race past the cross
- 00:01:31.681 --> 00:01:34.617
- And get to the good part of the story.
- 00:01:34.617 --> 00:01:36.953
- But in doing so, we miss out on essential truths
- 00:01:36.953 --> 00:01:39.822
- About what christ's death accomplished for us.
- 00:01:39.822 --> 00:01:43.059
- Today, i want to show you why both the crucifixion
- 00:01:43.059 --> 00:01:46.362
- And the resurrection are foundational to our faith.
- 00:01:46.362 --> 00:01:49.899
- My message is titled "the cross and the crown,"
- 00:01:49.899 --> 00:01:53.603
- On today's special edition of "pathway to victory."
- 00:01:53.603 --> 00:01:57.874
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:01:57.874 --> 00:02:01.211
- ♪ oh, the things of earth ♪
- 00:02:01.211 --> 00:02:06.282
- ♪ they will dim and lose their value ♪
- 00:02:06.282 --> 00:02:14.691
- ♪ but if we recall ♪
- 00:02:15.191 --> 00:02:18.828
- ♪ they're just borrowed for a while ♪
- 00:02:18.828 --> 00:02:27.337
- ♪ and the things of earth ♪
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- ♪ that cause my heart to tremble ♪
- 00:02:33.042 --> 00:02:41.017
- ♪ remembered there ♪
- 00:02:41.017 --> 00:02:46.089
- ♪ will only bring a smile ♪
- 00:02:46.089 --> 00:02:53.997
- ♪ in the sweet by and by ♪
- 00:02:54.597 --> 00:03:02.205
- ♪ we shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪
- 00:03:02.205 --> 00:03:10.380
- ♪ but until then ♪
- 00:03:10.847 --> 00:03:17.053
- ♪ but until then ♪
- 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:22.592
- ♪ my heart is going to go on singing ♪
- 00:03:22.592 --> 00:03:28.431
- -♪ will go on singing ♪ -♪ yes, it will ♪
- 00:03:28.431 --> 00:03:31.768
- ♪ oh, until then ♪
- 00:03:31.768 --> 00:03:36.072
- ♪ with real joy ♪
- 00:03:36.072 --> 00:03:38.441
- ♪ i'm going to carry on ♪
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- ♪ until the day ♪
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- -♪ until the day ♪ -♪ my eyes behold the city ♪
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- ♪ until the day ♪
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- ♪ god calls me home ♪
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- (applause)
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- Whether you know it or not, you're in a battle.
- 00:04:44.741 --> 00:04:46.509
- Satan has a strategy to attack your faith,
- 00:04:46.509 --> 00:04:48.945
- Disrupt your family, and derail your future.
- 00:04:48.945 --> 00:04:51.647
- But god has given you everything you need
- 00:04:51.647 --> 00:04:53.916
- To fight back and win.
- 00:04:53.916 --> 00:04:55.818
- In "the divine defense," dr. robert jeffress reveals
- 00:04:55.818 --> 00:04:59.155
- Six practical strategies from ephesians 6
- 00:04:59.155 --> 00:05:02.325
- To defeat satan's destructive plan.
- 00:05:02.325 --> 00:05:04.827
- When you put on the full armor of god,
- 00:05:04.827 --> 00:05:06.729
- Satan doesn't have a prayer.
- 00:05:06.729 --> 00:05:08.698
- Request "the divine defense"
- 00:05:08.698 --> 00:05:10.299
- When you give a generous ministry gift
- 00:05:10.299 --> 00:05:12.201
- To "pathway to victory."
- 00:05:12.201 --> 00:05:14.604
- ♪ music ♪
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- I really hate to do this today on easter sunday,
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- But we're going to have to take a pop quiz.
- 00:05:25.648 --> 00:05:28.718
- Now, there's only one question on it,
- 00:05:29.552 --> 00:05:31.154
- And the question is this.
- 00:05:31.154 --> 00:05:33.423
- Which is most important,
- 00:05:33.423 --> 00:05:36.626
- The death of jesus christ on the cross
- 00:05:36.626 --> 00:05:40.062
- Or the resurrection of jesus christ from the grave?
- 00:05:40.062 --> 00:05:45.635
- Your answer really depends upon the faith tradition
- 00:05:46.636 --> 00:05:50.339
- You grew up in or identify with right now.
- 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:52.875
- Those of us who are evangelical christians,
- 00:05:52.875 --> 00:05:55.511
- We want to race by the cross as quickly as we can
- 00:05:55.511 --> 00:05:58.915
- And get to the good part of the story, the resurrection.
- 00:05:58.915 --> 00:06:02.885
- But in doing so, we miss out on some important things
- 00:06:02.885 --> 00:06:06.088
- And understandings of what the death of christ
- 00:06:06.088 --> 00:06:09.392
- Accomplished for us.
- 00:06:09.392 --> 00:06:11.594
- But those who are the opposite of that,
- 00:06:11.594 --> 00:06:14.530
- Those who center on the cross,
- 00:06:14.530 --> 00:06:17.033
- Sometimes treat the resurrection as a postscript,
- 00:06:17.033 --> 00:06:21.304
- As an addendum to an already good enough story.
- 00:06:21.304 --> 00:06:26.075
- The fact is neither the crucifixion nor the resurrection
- 00:06:26.075 --> 00:06:29.979
- Means anything apart from the other component of the story.
- 00:06:29.979 --> 00:06:33.950
- Both the death and resurrection of christ
- 00:06:33.950 --> 00:06:37.220
- Are essential foundations of the christian message.
- 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:40.490
- 1 corinthians 15: 3-4.
- 00:06:40.490 --> 00:06:43.693
- Paul said, "for i delivered to you as a first importance
- 00:06:43.693 --> 00:06:46.996
- Tat which i also received,
- 00:06:46.996 --> 00:06:49.031
- That christ jesus died for our sins
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- According to the scriptures,
- 00:06:51.767 --> 00:06:53.436
- That he was buried and that he was raised up
- 00:06:53.436 --> 00:06:56.272
- On the third day according to the scriptures."
- 00:06:56.272 --> 00:07:00.042
- For the few minutes we have together this morning,
- 00:07:00.042 --> 00:07:02.211
- I want to talk about why both the death
- 00:07:02.211 --> 00:07:04.680
- And resurrection of christ
- 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:06.282
- Are essential foundations of our faith.
- 00:07:06.282 --> 00:07:09.318
- There has to be a cross, but there also needs to be a crown.
- 00:07:09.318 --> 00:07:13.589
- Let's first of all talk about the cross,
- 00:07:13.589 --> 00:07:16.158
- The death of jesus christ.
- 00:07:16.158 --> 00:07:18.394
- Jesus said in john 10:17-18,
- 00:07:18.394 --> 00:07:21.597
- "for this reason, the father loves me
- 00:07:21.597 --> 00:07:23.900
- Because i laid down my life
- 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:26.035
- So that no man may take it again.
- 00:07:26.035 --> 00:07:28.838
- No one has taken it away from me,
- 00:07:28.838 --> 00:07:31.274
- But i lay it down on my own initiative."
- 00:07:31.274 --> 00:07:35.111
- Do you remember that seven weeks after the resurrection
- 00:07:35.111 --> 00:07:38.314
- On the day of pentecost,
- 00:07:38.314 --> 00:07:39.916
- The apostle peter stood on the southern steps of the temple
- 00:07:39.916 --> 00:07:43.219
- And preached to the very people
- 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:45.621
- Who two months earlier had crucified christ.
- 00:07:45.621 --> 00:07:48.724
- And this is what peter said.
- 00:07:48.724 --> 00:07:50.459
- "this man, jesus, was delivered up
- 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:52.995
- By the predetermined plan of god
- 00:07:52.995 --> 00:07:55.464
- And the foreknowledge of god,
- 00:07:55.464 --> 00:07:57.033
- And you nailed him to the cross by the hands of evil men."
- 00:07:57.033 --> 00:08:01.137
- Why was the death of christ necessary?
- 00:08:01.137 --> 00:08:03.406
- What does it offer you and me?
- 00:08:03.406 --> 00:08:05.374
- Well, first of all, it provides an example
- 00:08:05.374 --> 00:08:08.311
- Of unjust suffering.
- 00:08:08.311 --> 00:08:10.546
- An example of unjust suffering.
- 00:08:10.546 --> 00:08:12.882
- Have you ever had people ask,
- 00:08:12.882 --> 00:08:14.250
- Maybe you've asked yourself the same question,
- 00:08:14.250 --> 00:08:16.752
- Why do bad things happen to good people?
- 00:08:16.752 --> 00:08:19.455
- Have you ever wondered about that?
- 00:08:19.455 --> 00:08:21.424
- C.s. lewis had a great answer for that.
- 00:08:21.424 --> 00:08:23.392
- He said, "why do bad things happen to good people?
- 00:08:23.392 --> 00:08:25.761
- Easy.
- 00:08:25.761 --> 00:08:26.662
- There are no good people."
- 00:08:26.662 --> 00:08:29.565
- And he's right, theologically, we've all sinned.
- 00:08:30.566 --> 00:08:32.535
- We've all fallen short of the glory of god.
- 00:08:32.535 --> 00:08:34.604
- But occasionally we do suffer for specific things
- 00:08:34.604 --> 00:08:38.074
- We're not guilty of.
- 00:08:38.074 --> 00:08:40.076
- But it's more than that.
- 00:08:40.076 --> 00:08:41.544
- Jesus' death also provided a payment for our sins.
- 00:08:41.544 --> 00:08:46.282
- A payment for our sins.
- 00:08:46.282 --> 00:08:47.717
- Now, this idea is offensive to some people,
- 00:08:47.717 --> 00:08:50.920
- That jesus had to die for our sins.
- 00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:54.624
- I read an interview in an article in "christianity today"
- 00:08:54.624 --> 00:08:59.195
- Some years ago.
- 00:08:59.195 --> 00:09:00.429
- It was about a feminist conference
- 00:09:00.429 --> 00:09:02.732
- That was based upon the worship
- 00:09:02.732 --> 00:09:05.368
- Of an imaginary female goddess named sophia.
- 00:09:05.368 --> 00:09:09.705
- And one woman was asked why she left orthodox christianity
- 00:09:09.705 --> 00:09:14.010
- To worship this false goddess and this new religion.
- 00:09:14.010 --> 00:09:17.580
- And this is what she said.
- 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:19.181
- "i don't think we need a theory of atonement at all.
- 00:09:19.181 --> 00:09:23.085
- I don't think we need folks hanging on crosses
- 00:09:23.085 --> 00:09:26.389
- And blood dripping down and weird stuff like that."
- 00:09:26.389 --> 00:09:31.093
- Well, she may not think she needs an atonement
- 00:09:31.093 --> 00:09:33.329
- For her sins, but god begs to differ.
- 00:09:33.329 --> 00:09:36.198
- Finally, jesus' death is not only providing an example
- 00:09:36.198 --> 00:09:40.302
- Of suffering and a payment for our sin,
- 00:09:40.302 --> 00:09:43.172
- But it is also providing a redemption
- 00:09:43.172 --> 00:09:45.975
- From spiritual slavery.
- 00:09:45.975 --> 00:09:48.210
- Listen to me.
- 00:09:48.210 --> 00:09:49.478
- When you and i are born into this world,
- 00:09:49.478 --> 00:09:51.614
- We're not born free.
- 00:09:51.614 --> 00:09:53.115
- We think, oh, we're free to do whatever we want to do.
- 00:09:53.115 --> 00:09:55.951
- No person is free.
- 00:09:55.951 --> 00:09:57.920
- They just think they're free.
- 00:09:57.920 --> 00:09:59.588
- God could have very easily left us as slaves of satan,
- 00:09:59.588 --> 00:10:03.125
- But the bible says he has redeemed us.
- 00:10:03.125 --> 00:10:05.728
- He has purchased us out of spiritual slavery.
- 00:10:05.728 --> 00:10:09.331
- The bible says it this way in colossians 1: 13-14.
- 00:10:09.331 --> 00:10:13.669
- "for christ rescued us from the domain of darkness
- 00:10:13.669 --> 00:10:17.440
- And transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son
- 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:21.377
- In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
- 00:10:21.377 --> 00:10:25.848
- You know, dr. robert schuller, the late preacher,
- 00:10:25.848 --> 00:10:28.451
- He had abominable theology, but he had some great stories.
- 00:10:28.451 --> 00:10:33.322
- I love the stories dr. schuller used to tell.
- 00:10:33.322 --> 00:10:36.592
- And one time i heard him tell the story of a little boy
- 00:10:36.592 --> 00:10:39.228
- Who had made a miniature red sailboat.
- 00:10:39.228 --> 00:10:41.330
- He worked and worked on it.
- 00:10:41.330 --> 00:10:42.798
- And finally, the day came for him to test it out.
- 00:10:42.798 --> 00:10:45.634
- And he took it down to the local pond
- 00:10:45.634 --> 00:10:47.570
- And he put the sailboat in the pond
- 00:10:47.570 --> 00:10:49.572
- And suddenly a gust of wind caught the sails
- 00:10:49.572 --> 00:10:52.875
- And took it far away.
- 00:10:52.875 --> 00:10:54.877
- The boy thought he had lost his sailboat forever.
- 00:10:54.877 --> 00:10:57.613
- He was so despondent.
- 00:10:57.613 --> 00:10:59.582
- A couple of weeks later, he was walking down the street,
- 00:10:59.582 --> 00:11:01.851
- He was walking past the toy store.
- 00:11:01.851 --> 00:11:04.120
- And to his surprise,
- 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:06.088
- He looked into the picture window
- 00:11:06.088 --> 00:11:07.957
- And there was his red boat,
- 00:11:07.957 --> 00:11:09.492
- The one he had thought he had lost.
- 00:11:09.492 --> 00:11:12.027
- So he ran into the store, found the owner and said,
- 00:11:12.027 --> 00:11:14.363
- "mister, mister, that's my sailboat in the window.
- 00:11:14.363 --> 00:11:18.434
- Please, can i have it back?
- 00:11:18.434 --> 00:11:20.503
- I made it and it was lost."
- 00:11:20.503 --> 00:11:23.005
- And the store owner said,
- 00:11:23.005 --> 00:11:24.273
- "well, i don't know anything about that.
- 00:11:24.273 --> 00:11:25.508
- I know i bought it from somebody else.
- 00:11:25.508 --> 00:11:27.576
- You can have it if you want to pay for it."
- 00:11:27.576 --> 00:11:29.278
- "well, how much is it?"
- 00:11:29.278 --> 00:11:30.579
- "it's $14."
- 00:11:30.579 --> 00:11:32.281
- And so the little boy reached into his pocket
- 00:11:32.281 --> 00:11:34.650
- And pulled out a wad of sweaty bills
- 00:11:34.650 --> 00:11:37.052
- And counted them out 'til he had 14.
- 00:11:37.052 --> 00:11:40.089
- And once he had paid the price, he took that sailboat,
- 00:11:40.089 --> 00:11:43.392
- Clutched it closely to himself and walked down the street
- 00:11:43.392 --> 00:11:46.262
- And said, "you're mine twice now.
- 00:11:46.262 --> 00:11:50.299
- Once because i made you and now because i bought you."
- 00:11:51.400 --> 00:11:56.372
- You know, the bible says we were made by god
- 00:11:57.273 --> 00:12:01.377
- To have fellowship with him.
- 00:12:01.377 --> 00:12:03.145
- He made us for himself,
- 00:12:03.145 --> 00:12:05.881
- But sin has carried us away, far away from god.
- 00:12:05.881 --> 00:12:09.919
- God had every right to turn his back on you and me.
- 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:13.189
- He had every right to completely extinguish the human race
- 00:12:13.189 --> 00:12:17.059
- And start over again, but because god is love,
- 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:21.030
- Because of the great love with which god loved us,
- 00:12:21.030 --> 00:12:23.799
- He paid the price to redeem us
- 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:26.936
- So that he could have fellowship with us.
- 00:12:26.936 --> 00:12:29.738
- We are twice god's.
- 00:12:29.738 --> 00:12:32.341
- Once because he made us and now because he bought us.
- 00:12:32.341 --> 00:12:37.680
- Do you not know you are not your own?
- 00:12:38.514 --> 00:12:40.416
- You have been bought with a price.
- 00:12:40.416 --> 00:12:42.985
- That's what the death of christ accomplished.
- 00:12:42.985 --> 00:12:45.588
- It offers us an example for suffering,
- 00:12:45.588 --> 00:12:48.457
- A payment for our sin, a redemption for slavery,
- 00:12:48.457 --> 00:12:52.361
- But that's only half the story.
- 00:12:52.361 --> 00:12:54.763
- Three days later, there was a crown, a resurrection crown,
- 00:12:54.763 --> 00:12:58.534
- That christ experienced it.
- 00:12:58.534 --> 00:13:00.469
- In these final few moments, let me tell you four things
- 00:13:00.469 --> 00:13:03.939
- That the resurrection is described as in the bible.
- 00:13:03.939 --> 00:13:09.278
- First of all, it was prophesied by christ.
- 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:12.314
- This is so interesting to me.
- 00:13:12.314 --> 00:13:14.116
- John stott points out that every time
- 00:13:14.116 --> 00:13:16.919
- Jesus mentioned his death, his upcoming death,
- 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:20.489
- He always mentioned his resurrection.
- 00:13:20.489 --> 00:13:22.825
- Never did he talk about his death alone.
- 00:13:22.825 --> 00:13:24.760
- It was always his death and resurrection.
- 00:13:24.760 --> 00:13:26.962
- In matthew 16:21, matthew records, "from that time,
- 00:13:26.962 --> 00:13:31.000
- Jesus began to show his disciples
- 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:33.502
- That he must go to jerusalem and must suffer many things
- 00:13:33.502 --> 00:13:36.872
- From the elders and chief priests and scribes
- 00:13:36.872 --> 00:13:39.241
- And be killed and be raised up on the third day."
- 00:13:39.241 --> 00:13:43.879
- Or listen to matthew 17: 22-23
- 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:48.550
- In which jesus said the same thing.
- 00:13:48.550 --> 00:13:50.519
- "and while they were gathering together in galilee,
- 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:53.055
- Jesus said to them, 'the son of man
- 00:13:53.055 --> 00:13:55.491
- Is going to be delivered into the hands of men,
- 00:13:55.491 --> 00:13:58.160
- And they will kill him,
- 00:13:58.160 --> 00:13:59.929
- And he will be raised up on the third day.'
- 00:13:59.929 --> 00:14:03.332
- And they were deeply grieved."
- 00:14:03.332 --> 00:14:04.934
- They missed the last part of what he told them.
- 00:14:04.934 --> 00:14:07.503
- John 2:19, "jesus answered them,
- 00:14:07.503 --> 00:14:10.205
- 'destroy this temple
- 00:14:10.205 --> 00:14:11.674
- And in three days i will raise it up.'"
- 00:14:11.674 --> 00:14:14.710
- Jesus prophesied his death
- 00:14:14.710 --> 00:14:16.645
- And he prophesied his resurrection.
- 00:14:16.645 --> 00:14:19.214
- Not only was it prophesied by christ,
- 00:14:19.214 --> 00:14:21.317
- But secondly, the resurrection was proclaimed
- 00:14:21.317 --> 00:14:24.119
- By the apostles.
- 00:14:24.119 --> 00:14:25.621
- The resurrection was not just a postscript,
- 00:14:25.621 --> 00:14:28.524
- An addendum to the jesus story.
- 00:14:28.524 --> 00:14:31.260
- It was the central part of the story.
- 00:14:31.260 --> 00:14:33.963
- Go back to peter for a moment
- 00:14:33.963 --> 00:14:35.431
- On the southern steps in jerusalem,
- 00:14:35.431 --> 00:14:37.232
- Preaching his great sermon on pentecost.
- 00:14:37.232 --> 00:14:39.601
- He said, "this man delivered over
- 00:14:39.601 --> 00:14:41.437
- By the predetermined and foreknowledge of god,
- 00:14:41.437 --> 00:14:43.939
- You nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men,
- 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:48.043
- And you put him to death.
- 00:14:48.043 --> 00:14:49.345
- "but, verse 24, "god raised him up again,
- 00:14:49.345 --> 00:14:54.183
- Putting an end to the agony of death
- 00:14:54.183 --> 00:14:56.218
- Since it was impossible for him to be held in its power.
- 00:14:56.218 --> 00:15:00.222
- This jesus god raised up again
- 00:15:00.222 --> 00:15:03.926
- To which we were all witnesses."
- 00:15:03.926 --> 00:15:06.595
- I almost laughed out loud one time
- 00:15:06.595 --> 00:15:08.430
- Watching this documentary.
- 00:15:08.430 --> 00:15:10.132
- I think it was on abc television about the resurrection.
- 00:15:10.132 --> 00:15:14.003
- And the interviewer, i don't think was a christian,
- 00:15:14.003 --> 00:15:17.206
- But he said to this liberal theologian, said,
- 00:15:17.206 --> 00:15:21.643
- "you don't believe in the resurrection.
- 00:15:21.643 --> 00:15:23.612
- How do you explain the sudden change in the apostles?"
- 00:15:23.612 --> 00:15:27.883
- And the theologian answered,
- 00:15:27.883 --> 00:15:29.251
- "well, they obviously saw something."
- 00:15:29.251 --> 00:15:34.289
- Saw something.
- 00:15:34.656 --> 00:15:36.058
- What they saw was the risen christ,
- 00:15:36.058 --> 00:15:39.695
- And that changed their lives forever.
- 00:15:39.695 --> 00:15:42.131
- It transformed them from cowering followers of jesus
- 00:15:42.131 --> 00:15:45.701
- To courageous defenders of the life
- 00:15:45.701 --> 00:15:48.203
- Of the christ who would end up giving their life
- 00:15:48.203 --> 00:15:51.073
- To proclaim that message freely.
- 00:15:51.073 --> 00:15:53.542
- The resurrection of jesus was prophesied by christ.
- 00:15:53.542 --> 00:15:56.845
- It was proclaimed by the apostles.
- 00:15:56.845 --> 00:15:58.614
- And thirdly, it was proved by history.
- 00:15:58.614 --> 00:16:01.250
- Now, i've talked in previous messages
- 00:16:01.250 --> 00:16:03.152
- About all the evidence for the resurrection.
- 00:16:03.152 --> 00:16:06.055
- Simon greenleaf,
- 00:16:06.055 --> 00:16:07.656
- Who is a legal professor of harvard university,
- 00:16:07.656 --> 00:16:11.026
- Believe that or not.
- 00:16:11.026 --> 00:16:12.461
- But he was at harvard university several centuries ago.
- 00:16:12.461 --> 00:16:15.964
- He was an expert in legal evidence,
- 00:16:15.964 --> 00:16:18.033
- And he said there is more evidence
- 00:16:18.033 --> 00:16:20.736
- For the resurrection of jesus christ
- 00:16:20.736 --> 00:16:22.971
- Than for any other event in human history.
- 00:16:22.971 --> 00:16:26.675
- Now, that's a legal professor, a law professor
- 00:16:26.675 --> 00:16:29.311
- At harvard law school.
- 00:16:29.311 --> 00:16:30.913
- Immediately, the resurrection became a part of the message.
- 00:16:30.913 --> 00:16:34.883
- You know, experts tell us that it takes 80 years or more
- 00:16:34.883 --> 00:16:38.954
- For a myth to corrupt a historical reality.
- 00:16:38.954 --> 00:16:42.925
- For myth and fact to become so intertwined
- 00:16:42.925 --> 00:16:45.461
- You can't tell one from another.
- 00:16:45.461 --> 00:16:47.096
- It takes at least 80 years for that to happen.
- 00:16:47.096 --> 00:16:50.666
- But it was immediate that the resurrection
- 00:16:50.666 --> 00:16:53.168
- Became and was accepted by the church as fact.
- 00:16:53.168 --> 00:16:56.638
- Let me show you why that's so important.
- 00:16:56.638 --> 00:16:59.808
- Let's just imagine a group of people
- 00:17:00.609 --> 00:17:02.177
- Started saying elvis presley is still alive.
- 00:17:02.177 --> 00:17:07.049
- Now, except for readers of supermarket tabloids,
- 00:17:07.049 --> 00:17:11.019
- Nobody believes elvis presley is alive today.
- 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:14.389
- He's been dead for almost half a century.
- 00:17:14.389 --> 00:17:16.758
- But let's just say somebody decided
- 00:17:16.758 --> 00:17:18.994
- They were so convinced that he's alive
- 00:17:18.994 --> 00:17:21.263
- That they wanted to start a new religion.
- 00:17:21.263 --> 00:17:23.799
- It's called presley-anity.
- 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:26.535
- And to be a follower of elvis presley,
- 00:17:26.535 --> 00:17:29.571
- You would meet with a group every sunday morning
- 00:17:29.571 --> 00:17:32.941
- For a period of time
- 00:17:32.941 --> 00:17:34.309
- And listen to old recordings of elvis presley.
- 00:17:34.309 --> 00:17:37.112
- You would study the lyrics of his song,
- 00:17:37.112 --> 00:17:39.081
- You would seek to be like him in your everyday life,
- 00:17:39.081 --> 00:17:42.985
- And you were so convinced that elvis presley was alive,
- 00:17:42.985 --> 00:17:46.255
- That you'd be willing to give your life for it.
- 00:17:46.255 --> 00:17:48.490
- What do you think the chances are
- 00:17:48.490 --> 00:17:50.359
- Of hundreds of millions of people
- 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:52.728
- In different countries speaking different languages
- 00:17:52.728 --> 00:17:55.464
- From different cultures all becoming followers
- 00:17:55.464 --> 00:17:58.500
- Of elvis presley?
- 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.002
- It wouldn't happen.
- 00:18:00.002 --> 00:18:01.837
- It couldn't happen.
- 00:18:01.837 --> 00:18:03.305
- Because we're too close to his death
- 00:18:03.305 --> 00:18:05.774
- For a myth to be corrupting of the actual events.
- 00:18:05.774 --> 00:18:10.445
- It's the same way with jesus christ.
- 00:18:10.445 --> 00:18:13.649
- The resurrection, prophesied by jesus,
- 00:18:13.649 --> 00:18:16.185
- Proclaimed by the apostles, proved by history,
- 00:18:17.152 --> 00:18:20.956
- And finally, promised to believers.
- 00:18:20.956 --> 00:18:24.726
- This is where you and i come in.
- 00:18:24.726 --> 00:18:26.895
- You know, the former house speaker,
- 00:18:26.895 --> 00:18:28.931
- Tip o'neill, was one time asked
- 00:18:28.931 --> 00:18:31.233
- What his secret to longevity in politics is.
- 00:18:31.233 --> 00:18:34.236
- He said, "remembering at all times
- 00:18:34.236 --> 00:18:37.306
- That all politics are local."
- 00:18:37.306 --> 00:18:41.210
- In other words, all people really care about
- 00:18:41.210 --> 00:18:43.779
- Are those things that touch their lives.
- 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:46.548
- And it's true about the resurrection.
- 00:18:46.548 --> 00:18:48.784
- You may be thinking, "okay, jesus arose from the dead.
- 00:18:48.784 --> 00:18:51.386
- Big deal. why does that affect me?
- 00:18:51.386 --> 00:18:54.022
- What does it mean to me?"
- 00:18:54.022 --> 00:18:55.557
- Well, it means everything.
- 00:18:55.557 --> 00:18:57.125
- And this is why.
- 00:18:57.125 --> 00:18:58.560
- The resurrection of jesus christ
- 00:18:58.560 --> 00:19:00.862
- Answers the most important question there is.
- 00:19:00.862 --> 00:19:04.666
- It's a question job asked when he said,
- 00:19:04.666 --> 00:19:07.135
- "if a man dies, will he live again?"
- 00:19:07.135 --> 00:19:11.640
- When you think about it,
- 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.609
- That's the bottom line existence question, isn't it?
- 00:19:13.609 --> 00:19:17.446
- When i die, what happens?
- 00:19:18.013 --> 00:19:20.749
- Do i shut my eyes for the last time and go into nothingness?
- 00:19:20.749 --> 00:19:25.887
- Or is there an existence beyond the grave?
- 00:19:26.755 --> 00:19:30.993
- Jesus answers that question for us.
- 00:19:30.993 --> 00:19:34.463
- In john 11:25, he said, "i am the resurrection and the life.
- 00:19:34.463 --> 00:19:39.401
- He who believes in me though he were dead,
- 00:19:39.401 --> 00:19:41.803
- Yet shall he live again."
- 00:19:41.803 --> 00:19:43.305
- Jesus promised eternal life over and over again
- 00:19:43.305 --> 00:19:47.142
- To those who believed, trusted in,
- 00:19:47.142 --> 00:19:49.544
- Depended upon him for their salvation.
- 00:19:49.544 --> 00:19:52.547
- For example, in john 5:24, jesus said,
- 00:19:52.547 --> 00:19:55.183
- "truly, truly, i say unto you,
- 00:19:55.183 --> 00:19:57.119
- He who hears my word and believes him who sent me
- 00:19:57.119 --> 00:20:00.155
- Has eternal life and shall not come into death,
- 00:20:00.155 --> 00:20:02.991
- But is passed from death into life."
- 00:20:02.991 --> 00:20:05.127
- Or john 6:39, "for this is the will of him who sent me
- 00:20:05.127 --> 00:20:08.730
- That of all that he has given me, i lose nothing,
- 00:20:08.730 --> 00:20:11.266
- But i will raise them up on the last day."
- 00:20:11.266 --> 00:20:14.403
- Over and over and over again, jesus promised a resurrection
- 00:20:14.403 --> 00:20:18.974
- For those who believe in him.
- 00:20:18.974 --> 00:20:20.942
- Jesus said to martha and mary,
- 00:20:20.942 --> 00:20:22.878
- "i am the resurrection and the life.
- 00:20:22.878 --> 00:20:24.746
- He who believes in me, though he were dead,
- 00:20:24.746 --> 00:20:27.015
- Yet shall he live again.
- 00:20:27.015 --> 00:20:28.517
- And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."
- 00:20:28.517 --> 00:20:33.522
- Do you believe this?
- 00:20:33.989 --> 00:20:35.891
- Do you believe this?
- 00:20:36.358 --> 00:20:38.327
- Do you believe jesus christ is alive?
- 00:20:38.327 --> 00:20:42.731
- Mark buchanan in his book, "the holy wild,"
- 00:20:43.632 --> 00:20:47.302
- Describes what happened on the day
- 00:20:48.036 --> 00:20:49.805
- Of dr. martin luther king's funeral in 1968.
- 00:20:49.805 --> 00:20:54.776
- It was a tense time in our country.
- 00:20:55.544 --> 00:20:58.113
- People wondered if the death of dr. king
- 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:01.083
- Meant the death of the civil rights movement.
- 00:21:01.083 --> 00:21:04.086
- And so on the day of his funeral,
- 00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:06.588
- Leaders from all around the world
- 00:21:06.588 --> 00:21:08.457
- Came to pay tribute to dr. king.
- 00:21:08.457 --> 00:21:11.326
- People wondered, would the civil rights movement last?
- 00:21:12.427 --> 00:21:15.630
- There were a host of eulogizers and pastors that day
- 00:21:15.630 --> 00:21:19.267
- Who were asked to speak.
- 00:21:19.267 --> 00:21:21.136
- One of those men was a man named james bevel.
- 00:21:21.136 --> 00:21:24.873
- And when his time came to speak, he mounted the podium.
- 00:21:24.873 --> 00:21:28.477
- He was a large man.
- 00:21:28.477 --> 00:21:30.345
- With a stern look, he started scanning the audience,
- 00:21:30.345 --> 00:21:34.783
- And then he began to speak,
- 00:21:34.783 --> 00:21:36.985
- His voice gaining strength like a gathering storm
- 00:21:36.985 --> 00:21:41.456
- On a sunny day.
- 00:21:41.456 --> 00:21:43.258
- This is what he said.
- 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:46.027
- "there is a rumor going around,
- 00:21:46.661 --> 00:21:49.731
- A false rumor,
- 00:21:50.098 --> 00:21:51.900
- That our leader is dead.
- 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:55.003
- Our leader is not dead.
- 00:21:55.504 --> 00:21:58.206
- Our leader is not martin luther king."
- 00:21:59.040 --> 00:22:02.744
- He stopped.
- 00:22:03.078 --> 00:22:04.312
- The murmuring started in the congregation.
- 00:22:04.312 --> 00:22:06.715
- What is he up to?
- 00:22:06.715 --> 00:22:09.017
- Why is he dividing an already fractured movement?
- 00:22:09.017 --> 00:22:13.054
- Bevel continued.
- 00:22:13.054 --> 00:22:14.790
- "our leader is the man who led moses out of egypt."
- 00:22:14.790 --> 00:22:19.327
- Somebody in the back shouted,
- 00:22:19.327 --> 00:22:20.796
- "that's the man!
- 00:22:20.796 --> 00:22:22.531
- That's the man!"
- 00:22:22.531 --> 00:22:24.733
- "our leader is the one who went with daniel
- 00:22:24.733 --> 00:22:27.869
- Into the lion's den."
- 00:22:27.869 --> 00:22:29.371
- "same man! same man!"
- 00:22:29.371 --> 00:22:32.474
- "our leader is the one who walked out of the grave
- 00:22:32.474 --> 00:22:35.177
- On easter sunday morning.
- 00:22:35.177 --> 00:22:37.179
- Our leader neither slumbers nor sleeps.
- 00:22:37.179 --> 00:22:40.282
- Our leader cannot be put in jail.
- 00:22:40.282 --> 00:22:42.751
- Our leader has never lost a war.
- 00:22:42.751 --> 00:22:45.120
- Our leader is still on the case.
- 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:47.289
- Our leader is not dead!"
- 00:22:47.289 --> 00:22:50.625
- Ladies and gentlemen, that is the message of easter.
- 00:22:50.625 --> 00:22:54.563
- (congregation applauding)
- 00:22:54.563 --> 00:22:55.397
- Our leader is not dead.
- 00:22:55.397 --> 00:22:59.134
- He lives!
- 00:22:59.134 --> 00:23:01.970
- Christ jesus lives today and conquered death forever,
- 00:23:00.535 --> 00:23:06.942
- And so will we if we trust in him.
- 00:23:07.709 --> 00:23:11.446
- "i am the resurrection and the life.
- 00:23:12.247 --> 00:23:16.551
- He who believes in me, though he were dead,
- 00:23:16.551 --> 00:23:21.056
- Yet shall he live again."
- 00:23:21.056 --> 00:23:23.124
- That's the hope.
- 00:23:23.492 --> 00:23:24.993
- That's the message of easter.
- 00:23:24.993 --> 00:23:28.497
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:28.830 --> 00:23:32.267
- The resurrection of jesus christ
- 00:23:32.901 --> 00:23:34.636
- Answers the most important question we could ever ask.
- 00:23:34.636 --> 00:23:37.939
- If i die, will i live again?
- 00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:41.109
- And because of what christ accomplished on the cross
- 00:23:41.109 --> 00:23:43.778
- And through the empty tomb, we have the answer.
- 00:23:43.778 --> 00:23:47.249
- Well, at "pathway to victory,"
- 00:23:47.249 --> 00:23:48.683
- We exist to proclaim that same message of hope
- 00:23:48.683 --> 00:23:51.920
- That has transformed lives for 2,000 years.
- 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:55.257
- Every day, people tune into this program
- 00:23:55.257 --> 00:23:57.592
- For the very first time.
- 00:23:57.592 --> 00:23:59.427
- Some who have never fully understood
- 00:23:59.427 --> 00:24:02.097
- What it means to trust in jesus for their salvation.
- 00:24:02.097 --> 00:24:05.767
- Through television, radio, and digital streaming,
- 00:24:05.767 --> 00:24:08.837
- "pathway to victory" has the privilege
- 00:24:08.837 --> 00:24:11.139
- Of presenting the gospel with clarity and boldness.
- 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:14.809
- And when someone takes that step of faith,
- 00:24:14.809 --> 00:24:17.479
- When they finally understand
- 00:24:17.479 --> 00:24:19.080
- That jesus paid the price for their sins,
- 00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:21.850
- There's nothing more rewarding.
- 00:24:21.850 --> 00:24:24.119
- Your faithful support makes these moments possible,
- 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:27.188
- So thank you to our pathway partners
- 00:24:27.188 --> 00:24:29.891
- And everyone who gives generously to this ministry.
- 00:24:29.891 --> 00:24:33.428
- Together, we are piercing the darkness
- 00:24:33.428 --> 00:24:36.431
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:24:36.431 --> 00:24:38.433
- Stay right there, i'll be back with more
- 00:24:38.433 --> 00:24:40.201
- "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
- 00:24:40.201 --> 00:24:43.038
- That recurring temptation you can't shake,
- 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:46.541
- The doubts that creep in during your darkest moments,
- 00:24:46.541 --> 00:24:49.477
- The tension in your closest relationships.
- 00:24:49.477 --> 00:24:51.947
- These aren't random struggles.
- 00:24:51.947 --> 00:24:53.748
- These are part of a strategic attack
- 00:24:53.748 --> 00:24:55.650
- On your faith, your family, and your future.
- 00:24:55.650 --> 00:24:58.186
- Satan has a personalized plan
- 00:24:58.186 --> 00:25:00.889
- To discourage, deceive, and derail you.
- 00:25:00.889 --> 00:25:04.025
- But you don't have to live in defeat.
- 00:25:04.025 --> 00:25:06.394
- God has given you access to the same power
- 00:25:06.394 --> 00:25:09.030
- That raised jesus from the dead.
- 00:25:09.030 --> 00:25:11.066
- In my bestselling book, "the divine defense,"
- 00:25:11.066 --> 00:25:13.868
- I'll show you how to put on the full armor of god
- 00:25:13.868 --> 00:25:17.005
- And use six biblical strategies
- 00:25:17.005 --> 00:25:19.507
- To defeat satan's plan to destroy your life.
- 00:25:19.507 --> 00:25:23.044
- Request "the divine defense"
- 00:25:23.044 --> 00:25:24.646
- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory,"
- 00:25:24.646 --> 00:25:27.349
- Or when you become a pathway partner.
- 00:25:27.349 --> 00:25:29.484
- And when your gift is $100 or more,
- 00:25:29.484 --> 00:25:32.120
- We'll send you the complete resource set,
- 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:34.255
- Including the study guide,
- 00:25:34.255 --> 00:25:35.590
- "suit up! the armor of god for kids,"
- 00:25:35.590 --> 00:25:37.993
- And the teaching series on both cd and dvd.
- 00:25:37.993 --> 00:25:41.229
- Your mind is the devil's battlefield
- 00:25:41.229 --> 00:25:45.133
- On which he is warring against everything important to you.
- 00:25:45.133 --> 00:25:50.405
- It is a battle that seeks to destroy
- 00:25:51.206 --> 00:25:53.742
- Your faith, your family, and your future.
- 00:25:53.742 --> 00:25:56.978
- Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:56.978 --> 00:25:59.481
- Your generous ministry gift helps us
- 00:25:59.481 --> 00:26:01.483
- Broadcast biblical truth on television, radio, and online,
- 00:26:01.483 --> 00:26:05.387
- Equipping believers like you
- 00:26:05.387 --> 00:26:06.988
- To stand firm and live victoriously.
- 00:26:06.988 --> 00:26:09.824
- Together, we're piercing the darkness
- 00:26:09.824 --> 00:26:12.060
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:26:12.060 --> 00:26:14.195
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:26:14.529 --> 00:26:15.697
- Neither the cross nor the crown
- 00:26:15.697 --> 00:26:17.298
- Means anything without the other.
- 00:26:17.298 --> 00:26:20.235
- The death of christ paid the price for our sins,
- 00:26:20.235 --> 00:26:23.805
- And the resurrection of christ
- 00:26:23.805 --> 00:26:25.507
- Proves that payment was accepted.
- 00:26:25.507 --> 00:26:28.510
- Together, they form the foundation of our faith
- 00:26:28.510 --> 00:26:31.312
- And the assurance of our eternal life.
- 00:26:31.312 --> 00:26:34.416
- Well, that same victory jesus secured over death
- 00:26:34.416 --> 00:26:37.619
- Is available to us in our daily struggle against our enemy.
- 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:41.756
- And next time, we're going to look at two powerful weapons
- 00:26:41.756 --> 00:26:45.093
- God has given us for winning our spiritual battles.
- 00:26:45.093 --> 00:26:48.797
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:26:48.797 --> 00:26:51.433
- On "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:51.433 --> 00:26:53.835
- Paul says we need a helmet as we combat the evil one,
- 00:26:54.903 --> 00:26:57.772
- But the helmet we need is the helmet of salvation.
- 00:26:57.772 --> 00:27:02.644
- What does he mean, the helmet of salvation?
- 00:27:02.644 --> 00:27:05.780
- Why do we need to put that on if we're already a christian?
- 00:27:05.780 --> 00:27:09.417
- He's talking about remembering what is already true.
- 00:27:09.417 --> 00:27:13.588
- Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
- 00:27:13.588 --> 00:27:16.691
- "the helmet and the sword" here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:27:16.691 --> 00:27:16.691
