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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Developing A Servant's Heart

July 22, 2025 | S25 E348 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - Developing A Servant's Heart
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#inActive #Heart #Serving #ServantofGod #SpiritualGrowth #Disciples #Discipleship #Humble #Humility #Sacrifice #KingdomofGod

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Developing A Servant's Heart | July 22, 2025
  • ...
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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."
  • 00:00:16.673 --> 00:00:18.842
  • Putting someone else's needs before our own doesn't come
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  • Naturally, does it?
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  • We have to make an intentional effort to sacrifice our own
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  • Comfort or convenience for the sake of someone else.
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  • Well, jesus is our ultimate model of servanthood and
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  • Humility, and following his example brings us one step
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  • Closer to experiencing a changed life that comes from
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  • A transformed heart.
  • 00:00:42.465 --> 00:00:43.933
  • My message is titled "developing a servant's heart" on today's
  • 00:00:43.933 --> 00:00:48.304
  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:48.304 --> 00:00:55.145
  • Announcer: give your heart the encouragement it needs.
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  • Start and end each day meditating on god's word with
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  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple."
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  • This brand-new, beautiful, full-color, padded hardcover
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  • Book by dr. robert jeffress features 80 breathtaking images
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  • Of creation paired with scripture, prayers, and insights
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  • You can read in under 2 minutes, perfect for your coffee table
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  • Or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one.
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  • Request "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" when you
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  • Give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:26.442 --> 00:01:35.785
  • Jeffress: epitaphs.
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  • Do you know the word?
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  • An epitaph is an attempt to reduce somebody's life into
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  • A sentence or two that will fit on a grave marker.
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  • I came across recently some epitaphs that may or may not be
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  • Legitimate, but they sound legitimate.
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  • Here's one.
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  • "here lies lester moore, four slugs from a forty-four.
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  • No less, no more."
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  • That's kind of fitting.
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  • For those of you who are attorneys, you'll
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  • Appreciate this.
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  • "sir john strange.
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  • Here lies an honest lawyer, and that is strange."
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  • Another one.
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  • "here lies the body of jonathan blake, stepped on the gas
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  • Instead of the brake."
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  • Or my own favorite here.
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  • "i told you i was sick."
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  • What about you?
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  • Have you ever thought if you were able to write your own
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  • Epitaph, what would it be?
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  • What accomplishment, what attribute would you want those
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  • You leave behind to remember you for?
  • 00:02:58.401 --> 00:03:00.870
  • Now, that may seem a little ghoulish on a sunday morning,
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  • To be composing your own epitaph.
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  • So let's change the focus for a moment.
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  • Instead of writing your own epitaph, what if you were going
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  • To compose an epitaph for the empty tomb of jesus christ?
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  • A sentence that you think would best describe who he was and who
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  • He is.
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  • Perhaps king of kings and lord of lords, that'd be a good one,
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  • Or the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, or for by
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  • Him, through him, and for him all things were created.
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  • Those are all epitaphs, by the way, that people actually wrote
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  • About jesus christ.
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  • They're found in the new testament to describe jesus.
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  • But the epitaph we might write for christ i think differs
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  • Greatly from what jesus would write if he were to compose his
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  • Own epitaph.
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  • If he were to reduce to one sentence what he would want
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  • People to know about him, what would it be?
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  • Do you know we actually have his epitaph in scripture?
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  • It's what he said about himself that he wanted you and me
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  • To know.
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  • In mark 10:45, he said, "for even the son of man did not come
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  • To be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
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  • For many."
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  • You know, when you think about those words, they take your
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  • Breath away, if you really think about it.
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  • Here is jesus who is equal to god.
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  • I mean, we are here to serve christ, and yet what he wants to
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  • Be remembered for is that he came to serve us.
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  • In fact, that revelation 5:12 praise we will be giving to
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  • Jesus christ will be for what he did on our behalf.
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  • Jesus said, "if there's one thing i want you to know about
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  • Me is that i didn't come to have you serve me, i came to
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  • Serve you."
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  • Is that not an incredible thought?
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  • I mean, over and over again in scripture jesus talks about the
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  • Importance, the premium he places on servanthood.
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  • The same quality that he valued in his own life is the quality
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  • He wants in everyone who would be his disciple.
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  • But what does it mean to be a servant of other people?
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  • Simply put servanthood means putting the needs of other
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  • People above your own needs.
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  • It means making--meeting the needs of other people the
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  • Priority in your life.
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  • Now, we read this passage from matthew 25 about jesus.
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  • And honestly, very few people we run into every day have as their
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  • Greatest need a loaf of bread, a cup of water, or an article of
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  • Clothing, but nevertheless, we run into people every day in our
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  • Families, at our workplace, in our church who have legitimate
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  • Needs, and the greatest struggle we have many times is, "is
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  • Meeting their need the priority in my life or meeting my
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  • Own need?"
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  • Do you know one of the great myths people have is the older
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  • We get, the godlier we get?
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  • It doesn't work that way.
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  • Getting older doesn't mean you're going to become
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  • More godly.
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  • I know many churches right now--thank god--i mean,
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  • Literally thank god our church isn't one of them, but many
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  • Churches have become war zones because of battles between the
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  • Senior adults and the young adults.
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  • Who's going to get their way in the church?
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  • No.
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  • We have to develop this idea of servanthood.
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  • We have to develop a heart that says, "i came not to be served
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  • But to serve."
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  • How do we do that?
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  • How do we develop that servant's heart?
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  • Turn over to philippians chapter 2 for just a moment.
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  • You know the church at philippi had become its own war zone?
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  • There were factions, fighting, division.
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  • The church at philippi had become a burger king, where
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  • Everybody wanted to have it their way.
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  • And that's always the recipe for conflict in a church, where
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  • Everybody clings to his own rights.
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  • What was the answer to that kind of division in the church?
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  • In a word, it was servanthood, putting the needs of other
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  • People above their own needs.
  • 00:07:31.574 --> 00:07:34.210
  • Look at philippians 2, verses 3 and 4: "do nothing from
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  • Selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let
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  • Each one of you regard one another as more important than
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  • Himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests,
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  • But also for the interests of others."
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  • Well, gee, paul, that sounds great, but exactly how do
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  • I do that?
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  • Well, paul gives us that illustration, that example that
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  • If we will look at carefully and emulate in our own life we can
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  • Be a servant, and that illustration is jesus himself.
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  • Look at verse 5: "have this attitude in yourselves which was
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  • Also in christ jesus--" what attitude?
  • 00:08:17.386 --> 00:08:19.689
  • The attitude of putting the needs of others above your own.
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  • Do what jesus did, paul says.
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  • And, of course, what follows is one of the most beautiful
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  • Passages in human literature.
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  • We call it the kenosis, the emptying of jesus christ.
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  • The great scholar f.b. meyer
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  • Says these verses that follow are "inapproachable and
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  • Unexamined--unexampled majesty."
  • 00:08:43.512 --> 00:08:47.116
  • In fact, these words were probably the foundation for one
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  • Of the earliest hymns that were sung in the church.
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  • And yet sometimes we get so lost in the beauty of the passage we
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  • Forget the teaching of the passage.
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  • And what follows beginning in verse 6, all the way to the end
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  • Of the chapter are three essential ingredients for
  • 00:09:04.166 --> 00:09:08.304
  • Developing a servant's heart.
  • 00:09:08.304 --> 00:09:09.672
  • Remember paul was saying, "i want you to do what jesus did if
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  • You want to be a servant."
  • 00:09:12.642 --> 00:09:14.510
  • What did jesus do?
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  • What were the qualities that allowed him to become
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  • That servant?
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  • First of all, paul mentions humility.
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  • You'll never be a servant, you'll never put other people's
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  • Needs above your own without humility.
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  • Now, i'm not talking about false humility.
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  • I used to have a seminary professor who described what
  • 00:09:33.696 --> 00:09:37.266
  • Happens in many churches at 12 o'clock after the
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  • Morning service.
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  • He used to call it the glorification of the
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  • Worm ceremony.
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  • He's had in so many churches at the end of the service the
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  • Pastor stands at the back of the sanctuary and the members file
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  • By one by one to shake the pastor's hands.
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  • And the member will say, "oh, pastor, that was the greatest
  • 00:09:57.219 --> 00:10:01.424
  • Sermon i've ever heard."
  • 00:10:01.424 --> 00:10:03.492
  • And the pastor will bow his head and said, "oh, thank you, dear
  • 00:10:03.492 --> 00:10:06.929
  • Brother, dear sister, but i am nothing.
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  • I am just a lowly worm in god's eyes."
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  • The glorification of the worm, neither person believes what
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  • He's saying at the time.
  • 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:19.241
  • It's false humility.
  • 00:10:19.241 --> 00:10:21.844
  • You know, you never find jesus making any of those false
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  • Humility statements.
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  • That's not what humility is.
  • 00:10:27.683 --> 00:10:29.151
  • It's not saying you're nothing, that you have nothing good about
  • 00:10:29.151 --> 00:10:32.455
  • You, that you have nothing to honor god with.
  • 00:10:32.455 --> 00:10:36.425
  • Instead paul says think soberly about yourself.
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  • God is given you certain gifts, he's given you certain
  • 00:10:39.595 --> 00:10:43.399
  • Hindrances, but you can use those for the glory of god.
  • 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:47.470
  • We're not talking about false humility when we're talking
  • 00:10:47.470 --> 00:10:50.339
  • About becoming a servant.
  • 00:10:50.339 --> 00:10:52.608
  • Think about jesus.
  • 00:10:52.608 --> 00:10:54.143
  • Again, he never said, "i am a worm."
  • 00:10:54.143 --> 00:10:56.679
  • He said, "i am god's equal.
  • 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:59.348
  • I and the father are one.
  • 00:10:59.348 --> 00:11:01.350
  • He who has seen me has seen the father."
  • 00:11:01.350 --> 00:11:04.286
  • Remember what he said the apos--to the apostle peter in
  • 00:11:04.286 --> 00:11:06.889
  • The garden of gethsemane after the soldiers came to arrest
  • 00:11:06.889 --> 00:11:10.159
  • Jesus and, you know, peter took out the sword and cut that guy's
  • 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:13.295
  • Ear off.
  • 00:11:13.295 --> 00:11:14.663
  • And jesus said, "peter, thanks for the thought, but that's
  • 00:11:14.663 --> 00:11:17.833
  • Really not necessary."
  • 00:11:17.833 --> 00:11:19.502
  • In fact, in matthew 26:53 he said, "peter, do you not think
  • 00:11:19.502 --> 00:11:23.873
  • That i cannot appeal to my father, and he will at once put
  • 00:11:23.873 --> 00:11:28.077
  • At my disposal more than 12 legions of angels?"
  • 00:11:28.077 --> 00:11:32.648
  • You know how many angels that is?
  • 00:11:32.648 --> 00:11:34.183
  • A legion was 6,000 roman soldiers.
  • 00:11:34.183 --> 00:11:37.019
  • So 12 legions would be 72,000 angels.
  • 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:42.057
  • Jesus said, "like that, i could have 72,000 angels here."
  • 00:11:42.057 --> 00:11:46.495
  • Remember it was only one angel, only--took only one angel to
  • 00:11:46.495 --> 00:11:50.299
  • Kill 186,000 assyrian soldiers.
  • 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:53.402
  • So that's a lot of angel power jesus had at his disposal.
  • 00:11:53.402 --> 00:11:58.073
  • He said, "peter, just like that, i could call all of
  • 00:11:58.073 --> 00:12:01.277
  • These angels."
  • 00:12:01.277 --> 00:12:02.645
  • Now, at first that may sound kind of braggadocious to us.
  • 00:12:02.645 --> 00:12:06.348
  • Jesus, kind of take it down a few notches here.
  • 00:12:06.348 --> 00:12:09.552
  • Sounds like the rich kid who's about to be beat up by the
  • 00:12:09.552 --> 00:12:12.721
  • School bully who says, "before you do that, you better think
  • 00:12:12.721 --> 00:12:16.058
  • Who my daddy is."
  • 00:12:16.058 --> 00:12:18.227
  • Well, that's not what's going on here.
  • 00:12:18.227 --> 00:12:20.496
  • Jesus wasn't bragging, he was simply stating a fact.
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  • He had equal authority to god the father, but humility meant
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  • He was willing to let go of that authority in order to meet the
  • 00:12:28.971 --> 00:12:34.510
  • Greatest need that you and i have.
  • 00:12:34.510 --> 00:12:37.179
  • And that's what he says in verses 5 and 6 of philippians 2.
  • 00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:40.449
  • Paul said, "have this attitude in yourselves which was also in
  • 00:12:40.449 --> 00:12:43.986
  • Christ jesus, who, although he existed in the form of god, he
  • 00:12:43.986 --> 00:12:48.524
  • Did not regard equality with god a thing to be," clung to,
  • 00:12:48.524 --> 00:12:53.295
  • "grasped," held on to.
  • 00:12:53.295 --> 00:12:56.198
  • And that leads to the second component of sermonhood.
  • 00:12:56.198 --> 00:13:01.136
  • Humility, secondly, sacrifice.
  • 00:13:01.136 --> 00:13:04.840
  • Sacrifice.
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  • Jesus had everything.
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  • He was equal with god, but he was willing to let go of those
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  • Things in order to meet the greatest need you and i have.
  • 00:13:13.349 --> 00:13:16.919
  • Look at verses 6 to 8 again of philippians 2: "who, although he
  • 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:20.489
  • Existed in the form of god, didn't regard equality with god
  • 00:13:20.489 --> 00:13:23.926
  • A thing to be grasped, but he emptied himself, taking the form
  • 00:13:23.926 --> 00:13:28.898
  • Of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
  • 00:13:28.898 --> 00:13:32.468
  • And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by
  • 00:13:32.468 --> 00:13:36.438
  • Becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on
  • 00:13:36.438 --> 00:13:41.510
  • A cross."
  • 00:13:41.510 --> 00:13:43.445
  • It's important to understand what is it that jesus emptied
  • 00:13:43.445 --> 00:13:46.849
  • Himself of?
  • 00:13:46.849 --> 00:13:48.284
  • He didn't empty himself of his godliness, his
  • 00:13:48.284 --> 00:13:51.587
  • Godlike qualities.
  • 00:13:51.587 --> 00:13:54.290
  • You know, i can't empty myself.
  • 00:13:54.290 --> 00:13:57.426
  • I can't give up being 5'8 inches tall or having brown eyes.
  • 00:13:57.426 --> 00:14:02.631
  • That's who i am.
  • 00:14:02.631 --> 00:14:03.999
  • I can't give those things up, in the same way jesus could not
  • 00:14:03.999 --> 00:14:06.835
  • Give up being the son of god, his omniscience,
  • 00:14:06.835 --> 00:14:09.471
  • His omnipotence.
  • 00:14:09.471 --> 00:14:10.873
  • What he gave up was his rights.
  • 00:14:10.873 --> 00:14:14.209
  • He gave up his divine rights and privileges as the son of god.
  • 00:14:14.209 --> 00:14:19.915
  • What does it take to be a servant?
  • 00:14:19.915 --> 00:14:21.283
  • It takes humility, honestly realizing what belongs to you
  • 00:14:21.283 --> 00:14:26.322
  • And who you are in christ, secondly, to be willing to give
  • 00:14:26.322 --> 00:14:29.959
  • Up those rights that belong to you, and thirdly, there has to
  • 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:34.229
  • Be the component of faith.
  • 00:14:34.229 --> 00:14:37.800
  • Now, listen to me.
  • 00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:39.168
  • We will never consistently put the needs of other people above
  • 00:14:39.168 --> 00:14:43.605
  • Our own until we're convinced there's a payoff somewhere down
  • 00:14:43.605 --> 00:14:48.377
  • The line for doing that.
  • 00:14:48.377 --> 00:14:51.246
  • Now, i know.
  • 00:14:51.246 --> 00:14:52.648
  • I heard it the last time i said that when we talked about having
  • 00:14:52.648 --> 00:14:55.384
  • An obedient heart.
  • 00:14:55.384 --> 00:14:56.719
  • Some of you wince at that thought that we have to be
  • 00:14:56.719 --> 00:14:59.688
  • Rewarded in order to do the right thing.
  • 00:14:59.688 --> 00:15:02.057
  • "well, pastor, shouldn't we just obey god because we're supposed
  • 00:15:02.057 --> 00:15:05.127
  • To and we want to?"
  • 00:15:05.127 --> 00:15:07.062
  • People who say that are more spiritual than god is.
  • 00:15:07.062 --> 00:15:11.333
  • 'cause the fact is god created us, he knows we need
  • 00:15:11.333 --> 00:15:15.204
  • An incentive to continually and consistently obey him.
  • 00:15:15.204 --> 00:15:19.808
  • God never ask us to separate the concept of service from reward.
  • 00:15:19.808 --> 00:15:25.514
  • He says ultimately there is a payoff for following god.
  • 00:15:25.514 --> 00:15:28.851
  • Hebrews 11:6, without faith it is impossible to please god, for
  • 00:15:28.851 --> 00:15:33.389
  • The person who comes to god, wants to have a relationship
  • 00:15:33.389 --> 00:15:36.658
  • With god must believe two things.
  • 00:15:36.658 --> 00:15:39.361
  • First of all, that god is, that is, he exist, and that god is
  • 00:15:39.361 --> 00:15:45.634
  • A rewarder of those who seek him.
  • 00:15:45.634 --> 00:15:49.371
  • That's what happened to jesus.
  • 00:15:49.371 --> 00:15:52.074
  • God eventually rewarded him for his service.
  • 00:15:52.074 --> 00:15:55.110
  • Look again at philippians 2:8-11.
  • 00:15:55.110 --> 00:15:57.379
  • "and being found in the appearance as a man, he humbled
  • 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:00.382
  • Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death
  • 00:16:00.382 --> 00:16:03.852
  • On a cross.
  • 00:16:03.852 --> 00:16:05.187
  • Therefore also god has highly exalted him, and bestowed upon
  • 00:16:05.187 --> 00:16:10.225
  • Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of
  • 00:16:10.225 --> 00:16:14.430
  • Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on
  • 00:16:14.430 --> 00:16:18.534
  • Earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess
  • 00:16:18.534 --> 00:16:22.504
  • That jesus christ is lord, to the glory of god the father."
  • 00:16:22.504 --> 00:16:27.843
  • Now, serving god may cause us to temporarily have to set aside
  • 00:16:27.843 --> 00:16:33.382
  • Our need for recognition and reward.
  • 00:16:33.382 --> 00:16:36.018
  • Temporarily we have to set that aside, but not eternally.
  • 00:16:36.018 --> 00:16:41.323
  • There is a reward coming for those who follow christ.
  • 00:16:41.323 --> 00:16:46.261
  • You know, eventually we have things happen in this life that
  • 00:16:46.261 --> 00:16:49.364
  • Are kind of a preview of coming attractions of the rewards that
  • 00:16:49.364 --> 00:16:52.568
  • Await us in heaven one day.
  • 00:16:52.568 --> 00:16:55.137
  • I remember hearing billy graham interviewed one time by diane
  • 00:16:55.137 --> 00:16:58.307
  • Sawyer on abc.
  • 00:16:58.307 --> 00:17:00.142
  • And she said, "dr. graham,
  • 00:17:00.142 --> 00:17:01.677
  • I'm sure you're looking to--forward to heaven because of
  • 00:17:01.677 --> 00:17:05.314
  • All of the rewards you're going to receive for your service
  • 00:17:05.314 --> 00:17:08.050
  • To christ."
  • 00:17:08.050 --> 00:17:09.818
  • He said, "i'm looking forward to heaven, but not for that reason
  • 00:17:09.818 --> 00:17:13.021
  • Because i don't think i'm going to have that many rewards
  • 00:17:13.021 --> 00:17:16.024
  • In heaven.
  • 00:17:16.024 --> 00:17:17.626
  • I've received my recognition and rewards here on earth."
  • 00:17:17.626 --> 00:17:21.897
  • I think the people who receive rewards in heaven are going to
  • 00:17:21.897 --> 00:17:25.767
  • Be those believers we've never heard about in this life,
  • 00:17:25.767 --> 00:17:29.872
  • Believers who have quietly served god without recognition
  • 00:17:29.872 --> 00:17:33.308
  • Or reward.
  • 00:17:33.308 --> 00:17:35.544
  • And that's what the word of god is saying.
  • 00:17:35.544 --> 00:17:38.347
  • Those who sacrificed, those who give up what belongs to them in
  • 00:17:38.347 --> 00:17:44.887
  • Order to serve a greater purpose are going to enjoy the unending
  • 00:17:44.887 --> 00:17:50.259
  • Applause of heaven and the eternal approval of their god.
  • 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:57.499
  • I said at the outset of this message becoming a servant and
  • 00:17:57.499 --> 00:18:01.537
  • Putting the needs of other people among yourselves is
  • 00:18:01.537 --> 00:18:04.006
  • A prerequisite for being a disciple of christ, but it
  • 00:18:04.006 --> 00:18:06.942
  • Doesn't come naturally or easily to any of us.
  • 00:18:06.942 --> 00:18:10.679
  • So as we close today i'd like to close in these final few minutes
  • 00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:15.484
  • With just three practical suggestions to help you,
  • 00:18:15.484 --> 00:18:19.488
  • As chuck swindoll once said, improve your serve.
  • 00:18:19.488 --> 00:18:22.491
  • How to become a better servant of god.
  • 00:18:22.491 --> 00:18:25.928
  • How do you do that?
  • 00:18:25.928 --> 00:18:27.996
  • Let's go back to those three components just a moment.
  • 00:18:27.996 --> 00:18:30.566
  • First of all, about humility.
  • 00:18:30.566 --> 00:18:34.069
  • About humility, how can you become humble?
  • 00:18:34.069 --> 00:18:37.072
  • Recognizing what god has given you, but giving him credit
  • 00:18:37.072 --> 00:18:40.709
  • For it.
  • 00:18:40.709 --> 00:18:42.077
  • Let me encourage you.
  • 00:18:42.077 --> 00:18:43.412
  • Sometime this afternoon, sometime this week take a moment
  • 00:18:43.412 --> 00:18:46.248
  • And write a paragraph that describes your epitaph, what
  • 00:18:46.248 --> 00:18:51.086
  • You'd like people to remember about you, what you'd like your
  • 00:18:51.086 --> 00:18:54.122
  • Family to know about you.
  • 00:18:54.122 --> 00:18:56.291
  • It might include some accomplishments about which
  • 00:18:56.291 --> 00:18:58.527
  • You're particularly proud.
  • 00:18:58.527 --> 00:19:00.529
  • It might be some qualities that people have told you
  • 00:19:00.529 --> 00:19:04.800
  • They've appreciated in you.
  • 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:06.134
  • It might be some experiences you've had.
  • 00:19:06.134 --> 00:19:08.937
  • There's nothing wrong with identifying those things.
  • 00:19:08.937 --> 00:19:11.540
  • Write down a paragraph that describes you at your best, and
  • 00:19:11.540 --> 00:19:16.712
  • Then read the words of 1 corinthians 4, verse 7.
  • 00:19:16.712 --> 00:19:20.816
  • "and what do you have that you did not receive?
  • 00:19:20.816 --> 00:19:24.152
  • But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not
  • 00:19:24.152 --> 00:19:27.856
  • Received it?"
  • 00:19:27.856 --> 00:19:29.891
  • You know my definition of humility?
  • 00:19:29.891 --> 00:19:32.194
  • It's recognizing than any good thing in my life is the result
  • 00:19:32.194 --> 00:19:35.664
  • Of what either god or others have done for me.
  • 00:19:35.664 --> 00:19:40.068
  • When you write down those things you're proud about in your life,
  • 00:19:40.068 --> 00:19:43.272
  • Take a moment to thank god for those things.
  • 00:19:43.272 --> 00:19:46.208
  • If needed, thank those people in your life god has used to bring
  • 00:19:46.208 --> 00:19:50.212
  • Those positive things into your life.
  • 00:19:50.212 --> 00:19:53.982
  • Secondly, about sacrifice.
  • 00:19:53.982 --> 00:19:56.418
  • Again, that doesn't come necessary, but it's an important
  • 00:19:56.418 --> 00:19:59.121
  • Component of servanthood, giving up something that belongs to you
  • 00:19:59.121 --> 00:20:04.026
  • In order to meet the needs of other people.
  • 00:20:04.026 --> 00:20:07.296
  • I'd like to encourage you to make a challenge to yourself of
  • 00:20:07.296 --> 00:20:11.099
  • Once a day letting go of something that is a right of
  • 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:14.636
  • Yours in order to meet the need of somebody else.
  • 00:20:14.636 --> 00:20:17.072
  • For example, perhaps time is your most valuable commodity
  • 00:20:17.072 --> 00:20:20.676
  • Every day.
  • 00:20:20.676 --> 00:20:22.277
  • Why not take 30 minutes that you might spend doing something for
  • 00:20:22.277 --> 00:20:25.981
  • Yourself, something you enjoy, and use that time to help
  • 00:20:25.981 --> 00:20:29.251
  • Somebody else?
  • 00:20:29.251 --> 00:20:30.886
  • Maybe somebody needs an encouraging phone call from you
  • 00:20:30.886 --> 00:20:34.189
  • Or a text or an email, maybe there's somebody you can drop by
  • 00:20:34.189 --> 00:20:38.026
  • And see at the hospital or someplace else, but 30 minutes
  • 00:20:38.026 --> 00:20:42.164
  • Meeting the needs of other people other than your own.
  • 00:20:42.164 --> 00:20:46.268
  • Maybe you're one of those people who has some
  • 00:20:46.268 --> 00:20:49.271
  • Discretionary income.
  • 00:20:49.271 --> 00:20:51.573
  • Maybe using some of that discretionary income every week,
  • 00:20:51.573 --> 00:20:55.777
  • Instead of spending it on yourself, to spend it on
  • 00:20:55.777 --> 00:20:58.914
  • Somebody who has a legitimate need that you can meet.
  • 00:20:58.914 --> 00:21:03.218
  • And then thirdly, about faith.
  • 00:21:03.218 --> 00:21:06.688
  • We said without faith you can't please god.
  • 00:21:06.688 --> 00:21:10.859
  • Without the assurance that god is going to reward you one day
  • 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:14.596
  • For your sacrifices, you'll never do that continually.
  • 00:21:14.596 --> 00:21:19.101
  • I told you i keep a prayer journal or a list of things that
  • 00:21:19.101 --> 00:21:23.238
  • I'm asking god for and record the answers.
  • 00:21:23.238 --> 00:21:25.941
  • If you keep a prayer journal, here's a separate list you might
  • 00:21:25.941 --> 00:21:29.778
  • Want to keep.
  • 00:21:29.778 --> 00:21:31.146
  • Now, i know this is going to sound weird to you,
  • 00:21:31.146 --> 00:21:32.647
  • But stick with me.
  • 00:21:32.647 --> 00:21:34.015
  • Why not keep a running list of things you're expecting to god
  • 00:21:34.015 --> 00:21:38.053
  • To reward you for one day, things you believe god is going
  • 00:21:38.053 --> 00:21:42.991
  • To reward you for?
  • 00:21:42.991 --> 00:21:44.559
  • Maybe not in this life but in the next life, but sacrifices
  • 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:48.897
  • You are making to meet the needs of other people to be a true
  • 00:21:48.897 --> 00:21:53.602
  • Disciple of god.
  • 00:21:53.602 --> 00:21:56.405
  • You say, "that sounds kind of weird, doesn't it?"
  • 00:21:56.405 --> 00:21:58.974
  • No, not if you believe.
  • 00:21:58.974 --> 00:22:00.308
  • God says he's a rewarder of those who diligently serve him.
  • 00:22:00.308 --> 00:22:04.045
  • What sacrifices are you making that are worthy of
  • 00:22:04.045 --> 00:22:06.681
  • God rewarding?
  • 00:22:06.681 --> 00:22:08.049
  • Now, i'm not talking about your responsibilities.
  • 00:22:08.049 --> 00:22:10.118
  • Loving your mate doesn't count, okay?
  • 00:22:10.118 --> 00:22:12.187
  • That's a normal responsibility.
  • 00:22:12.187 --> 00:22:14.456
  • That's not an above-and-beyond duty.
  • 00:22:14.456 --> 00:22:16.391
  • Caring for your children, obeying god's commands, those
  • 00:22:16.391 --> 00:22:19.494
  • Are all part of what we're responsible to.
  • 00:22:19.494 --> 00:22:22.130
  • But i'm talking about those things that are above and beyond
  • 00:22:22.130 --> 00:22:24.733
  • Your call, real rights that you have that you are voluntarily
  • 00:22:24.733 --> 00:22:29.438
  • Giving up for somebody else.
  • 00:22:29.438 --> 00:22:32.741
  • You know, just as there is no reward without sacrifice, there
  • 00:22:32.741 --> 00:22:38.046
  • Will be no continual sacrifice without the assurance of reward.
  • 00:22:38.046 --> 00:22:44.252
  • Jesus christ was willing to give up his rights as god to meet our
  • 00:22:44.252 --> 00:22:49.658
  • Needs not because he was obligated to do so but because
  • 00:22:49.658 --> 00:22:56.565
  • He was a servant at heart.
  • 00:22:56.565 --> 00:23:00.635
  • Are you?
  • 00:23:00.635 --> 00:23:03.104
  • Jeffress: for even the son of man did not come to be served
  • 00:23:07.342 --> 00:23:10.879
  • But to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
  • 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:15.517
  • And in the same way, jesus calls us to put the needs of others
  • 00:23:15.517 --> 00:23:19.421
  • Before our own.
  • 00:23:19.421 --> 00:23:21.122
  • Now, before i close today, i want to thank those of you who
  • 00:23:21.122 --> 00:23:23.925
  • Partner with "pathway to victory" with your
  • 00:23:23.925 --> 00:23:26.495
  • Generous support.
  • 00:23:26.495 --> 00:23:28.063
  • You're demonstrating a servant's heart by investing in the
  • 00:23:28.063 --> 00:23:31.833
  • Spiritual needs of people you may never meet.
  • 00:23:31.833 --> 00:23:34.636
  • Because of your faithfulness, people across america and around
  • 00:23:34.636 --> 00:23:38.306
  • The world are discovering what it means to follow jesus christ.
  • 00:23:38.306 --> 00:23:43.178
  • Together we're making an eternal difference as we pierce the
  • 00:23:43.178 --> 00:23:47.115
  • Darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:47.115 --> 00:23:50.585
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:23:50.585 --> 00:23:51.920
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:57.626
  • Announcer: we all need god's strength to make it through
  • 00:23:57.626 --> 00:23:59.895
  • The day.
  • 00:23:59.895 --> 00:24:01.263
  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" by dr. robert
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  • Jeffress provides the spiritual refreshment you need.
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  • In a large print format, every page bursts with breathtaking
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  • Imagery that draws you toward the beauty of god's creation.
  • 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:14.809
  • Jeffress: i know how challenging it can be to stay connected with
  • 00:24:14.809 --> 00:24:17.913
  • God in our busy lives.
  • 00:24:17.913 --> 00:24:19.748
  • In my new devotional, i provide personal reflections and
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  • Practical insights that will help you experience god's
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  • Presence and encouragement throughout your day.
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  • Announcer: filled with stunning images of creation, scripture
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  • Verses, and prayers you can read in under 2 minutes, this padded
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  • Hardcover book is the perfect daily companion to help refresh
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  • Your spirit morning and night.
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  • It also makes a thoughtful gift to encourage a friend or
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  • A loved one.
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  • Request your copy of "encouragement for the heart of
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  • A disciple" when you give a generous gift to support the
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  • Pathway partner.
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  • Book and life application guide, and the "seven marks of a
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  • Disciple" message series on both cd and dvd.
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  • And a nation in deep spiritual need with the transforming truth
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  • Of god's word.
  • 00:25:24.145 --> 00:25:26.214
  • Jeffress: becoming a servant doesn't come naturally to any of
  • 00:25:27.515 --> 00:25:30.652
  • Us, but jesus modeled a radically different way of
  • 00:25:30.652 --> 00:25:34.255
  • Living when he said, "i came not to be served but to serve."
  • 00:25:34.255 --> 00:25:39.594
  • And that same servant's heart should characterize every true
  • 00:25:39.594 --> 00:25:43.098
  • Follower of jesus christ.
  • 00:25:43.098 --> 00:25:45.667
  • Well, the two most important issues in life deal with the
  • 00:25:45.667 --> 00:25:48.503
  • Subject of forgiveness, choosing to receive god's forgiveness
  • 00:25:48.503 --> 00:25:53.108
  • From god and choosing to extend forgiveness to those who
  • 00:25:53.108 --> 00:25:57.212
  • Wrong us.
  • 00:25:57.212 --> 00:25:58.580
  • And the latter will be our focus next time as we learn to develop
  • 00:25:58.580 --> 00:26:02.517
  • A forgiving heart.
  • 00:26:02.517 --> 00:26:04.519
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:07.122
  • Series "seven marks of a disciple."
  • 00:26:07.122 --> 00:26:11.626
  • Jeffress: think about it.
  • 00:26:11.626 --> 00:26:12.994
  • Forgiveness, holding on to an offense, replaying it over and
  • 00:26:12.994 --> 00:26:17.198
  • Over again in your might--in your mind is like reliving the
  • 00:26:17.198 --> 00:26:21.503
  • Experience all again.
  • 00:26:21.503 --> 00:26:22.871
  • I mean, it's bad enough for somebody to hurt you once, but
  • 00:26:22.871 --> 00:26:26.074
  • When you recall that event, your body, your mind registers it
  • 00:26:26.074 --> 00:26:31.279
  • As if you're experiencing that hurt again.
  • 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:33.815
  • Why would anybody want to let their offender continually
  • 00:26:33.815 --> 00:26:37.952
  • Hurt them?
  • 00:26:37.952 --> 00:26:39.821
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message
  • 00:26:39.821 --> 00:26:42.824
  • "developing a forgiving heart" here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:42.824 --> 00:26:46.995
  • Announcer: witness god's glory on display in america's
  • 00:26:49.631 --> 00:26:52.467
  • Last frontier.
  • 00:26:52.467 --> 00:26:53.868
  • Jeffress: alaska's majestic wilderness showcases our
  • 00:26:53.868 --> 00:26:56.871
  • Creator's handiwork like nowhere else on earth.
  • 00:26:56.871 --> 00:27:00.575
  • And you're invited to experience it firsthand on the 2026
  • 00:27:00.575 --> 00:27:04.913
  • "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska.
  • 00:27:04.913 --> 00:27:07.482
  • Announcer: experience the unforgettable adventure june
  • 00:27:07.482 --> 00:27:10.118
  • 13th through 20, 2026.
  • 00:27:10.118 --> 00:27:12.787
  • To book your cabin, call... or go to ptv.org.
  • 00:27:12.787 --> 00:27:27.235