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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Finding Your "One Thing" In Life (Part 1)

January 1, 2026 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - Finding Your "One Thing" In Life (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Calling #Purpose #ChurchPlanting #God'sWill #SeekGod #TrustGod #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Finding Your "One Thing" In Life (Part 1) | January 1, 2026
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory
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  • With dr. robert jeffress."
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • What's the one thing that matters most in your life?
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  • If you could pour your energy into a single purpose, what
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  • Would it be?
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  • The bible teaches that god created every one of us with
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  • A special gift and a specific role to fulfill in his kingdom,
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  • And when we discover that purpose, everything else in
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  • Life falls into place.
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  • My message is titled "finding your one thing in life," on
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  • Today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: each day, millions of lost people are
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  • Searching for hope and truth.
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  • Through "pathway to victory," god's word is reaching into
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  • Homes across america and around the world, but there are still
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  • So many who haven't heard the saving message of jesus christ.
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  • You can help change that by becoming a pathway partner.
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  • You'll join a dedicated team of broadcast missionaries who are
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  • Sharing the gospel through television and radio.
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  • Your monthly support will help reach people worldwide with the
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  • Life-changing power of the cross.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: whenever i hear the term "old movies," i think about
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  • Movies from the 1930's, the 1940's.
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  • When my two daughters think of old movies, they think of
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  • Anything before the year 2000.
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  • I can't tell you how many times they complain, "oh, dad, do we
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  • Have to watch one of those old movies?"
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  • You know, something from the 1990's.
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  • Well, the other night, amy and i were watching an old movie
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  • From 1991.
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  • It was the comedy "city slickers," do you all remember
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  • "city slickers" with billy crystal?
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  • If you're not familiar with it, it's the story of these three
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  • Guys from new york who are each going through a midlife crisis,
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  • And so they go to a cattle ranch in new mexico and they
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  • Participate in driving the herd from new mexico to colorado, and
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  • Along the way, they learned some important lessons about life.
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  • And perhaps the iconic scene of the movie is when billy crystal,
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  • One of the three men, is riding his horse next to that old
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  • Leathery cowboy played by jack palance.
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  • And remember the dialogue jack palance says?
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  • Well, actually he growls, he said, "you city folks are all
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  • The same.
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  • You come out here with the same problems at the same age, you
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  • Spend 50 weeks a year getting knots in your rope, and you
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  • Think that a couple of weeks out here will change all of that.
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  • You know what the real secret to life is?"
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  • Billy crystal says, "no, what is it?"
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  • Palance says, "this."
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  • "your index finger?"
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  • Billy crystal says.
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  • "no, one thing, stick to that one thing, and the rest of life
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  • Doesn't mean expletive."
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  • It's sunday morning, so i have to clean it up.
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  • It doesn't mean expletive.
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  • Then billy crystal asked a question, "well, what is that
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  • One thing?"
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  • Palance says, "oh, that's for you to find out."
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  • Kingman brewster was the president of yale university.
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  • He said there is a tremendous satisfaction in losing your own
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  • Identity in something that is much more important than
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  • You are.
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  • Kingman brewster, jack palance were both talking about the same
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  • Thing, the one thing in life is your purpose, finding
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  • Your purpose.
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  • Whenever you find the special reason for which god created
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  • Your life, the rest of things in this world aren't worth whatever
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  • You wanna say there.
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  • The one thing in life.
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  • What do you mean, pastor, your purpose in life?
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  • Well, we know all christians were created by god and were
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  • Saved by god.
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  • God's purpose is that everybody come to know jesus christ as
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  • Savior and be conformed into the image of christ, romans 8:28-30,
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  • That's a general purpose for everyone.
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  • But god also has a specific purpose for your life.
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  • Remember in our series on elijah, i said that god had a
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  • Story he's telling the universe of his love and redemption
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  • Through jesus christ?
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  • But god also has a story he's writing in your life, a specific
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  • Story to tell his story, and that's what i'm talking about
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  • When i talk about discovering your unique purpose in life.
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  • You know, finding that unique purpose is the key to your own
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  • Fulfillment in life, but it's also key to this church, first
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  • Baptist dallas, reaching its potential.
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  • You see, of all the images in the bible to describe the
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  • Church, the most frequently used image is that of the human body.
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  • Christ is the head, we are the parts of the body.
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  • First corinthians 12:27 says, "for you are christ's body and
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  • Individually members of it."
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  • Turn over to ephesians 4, verses 14 to 16,
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  • And let me show you something.
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  • Paul says, "for we are no longer to be children, tossed here and
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  • There by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine,
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  • By the trickery of men, by craftiness and deceitful
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  • Scheming, but speaking the truth and love, we are to grow up in
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  • All aspects into him who is the head."
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  • There it is, "the head, even christ from whom the whole body,
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  • Being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies,
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  • According to the proper working of each individual part, causes
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  • The growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
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  • Do you see the image there?
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  • Christ is the head, but you and i are parts of the body
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  • Of christ.
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  • First corinthians 12 says some of us are hands, some of us are
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  • Feet, some of us are arms, some of us are livers,
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  • Some of us are stomachs.
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  • We all have a part to play in the body of christ.
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  • In fact, paul says it's sometimes the hidden parts of
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  • The body that are the most important parts of the
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  • Human body.
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  • Many people, including my own father, died from
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  • Pancreatic cancer.
  • 00:06:59.475 --> 00:07:00.877
  • What makes that disease so deadly is the pancreas is hidden
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  • From human view, and it's hard to discover that there's
  • 00:07:04.313 --> 00:07:07.183
  • Something wrong until it's too late.
  • 00:07:07.183 --> 00:07:09.852
  • And the pancreas, although not a prominent part of the body, is
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  • An important part of the body.
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  • It's the same way in the body of christ.
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  • It's not just the members who are seen, but sometimes those
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  • Behind the scenes that are the most important to the proper
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  • Functioning of the body.
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  • But before our church can ever reach its potential, every
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  • Member has to be functioning.
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  • Everybody has to be living out his individual purpose, because
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  • Isn't that what the text says?
  • 00:07:37.780 --> 00:07:39.248
  • It takes the proper working of each individual part for the
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  • Growth of the body to occur.
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  • So, today i wanna share with you four important insights about
  • 00:07:46.856 --> 00:07:51.894
  • Discovering your unique purpose, a purpose that's key to your
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  • Fulfillment, but also to the fulfillment of this
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  • Church's purpose.
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  • For some of you this is gonna be brand new material.
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  • For others of you it's going to be a review, but i want us to
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  • All take these four points down and consider them seriously.
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  • Truth number one, god created you for a great purpose.
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  • God created you for a great purpose.
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  • Now, we say that all the time and we assume everybody
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  • Believes that.
  • 00:08:20.890 --> 00:08:22.258
  • News alert, not everybody believes that.
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  • Many non-christians don't believe they're here for any
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  • Purpose specifically.
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  • Many non-christians believe that their existence is due to a
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  • Biological fluke that occurred.
  • 00:08:32.935 --> 00:08:35.805
  • In fact, the late paleontologist steven gould wrote about
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  • Purpose this.
  • 00:08:39.475 --> 00:08:40.810
  • He said, "we exist because one odd group of fish had a peculiar
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  • Fin anatomy that could transform into legs for
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  • Terrestrial creatures.
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  • We exist because the earth never froze entirely during an
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  • Ice age.
  • 00:08:55.858 --> 00:08:57.193
  • Because of a small tenuous species arising in africa a
  • 00:08:57.193 --> 00:09:01.197
  • Quarter of a million years ago has managed so far to survive by
  • 00:09:01.197 --> 00:09:05.568
  • Hook and by crook.
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  • We may long for a higher purpose, but none exists."
  • 00:09:07.169 --> 00:09:14.176
  • Do you believe that?
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  • Do you believe your existence here is by accident?
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  • That you're simply the product of some primordial chemical
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  • Broth that oozed over the earth millions of years ago?
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  • You know, even nonbelievers sense that there's something
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  • More to life than what we see.
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  • There was a survey a few years ago of 8,000 college students in
  • 00:09:33.763 --> 00:09:37.400
  • 48 different colleges by john hopkins university.
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  • And in the survey, they asked the question of what was most
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  • Important to them in life.
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  • Sixteen percent said making a lot of money.
  • 00:09:47.043 --> 00:09:51.414
  • Seventy-five percent said the most important thing in life was
  • 00:09:51.414 --> 00:09:55.618
  • Finding a purpose and meaning to my life.
  • 00:09:55.618 --> 00:09:59.388
  • We all long for that higher purpose, and there is a
  • 00:09:59.388 --> 00:10:02.525
  • Higher purpose.
  • 00:10:02.525 --> 00:10:03.926
  • In jeremiah 1 verse 5 god said to the prophet, "before i formed
  • 00:10:03.926 --> 00:10:09.432
  • You in the womb, i knew you.
  • 00:10:09.432 --> 00:10:12.535
  • And before you were born, i consecrated you.
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  • I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."
  • 00:10:16.072 --> 00:10:20.242
  • Notice several things, these words, "before i formed you in
  • 00:10:20.242 --> 00:10:23.512
  • The womb."
  • 00:10:23.512 --> 00:10:25.047
  • Life does not begin at birth, life begins at conception, and
  • 00:10:25.047 --> 00:10:29.952
  • That's when god starts weaving us together in our
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  • Mother's womb.
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  • That's what he says here, i formed you in the womb.
  • 00:10:34.557 --> 00:10:38.060
  • He said but even before then, i knew you.
  • 00:10:38.060 --> 00:10:42.398
  • That word "know," k-n-o-w in hebrew refers to that intimate
  • 00:10:42.398 --> 00:10:47.837
  • Relationship between a husband and a wife.
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  • God said i had a relationship with you before i even began
  • 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:54.376
  • Forming you, and not only have i formed you and known you, i have
  • 00:10:54.376 --> 00:10:59.248
  • Consecrated you.
  • 00:10:59.248 --> 00:11:00.583
  • That means i have set you apart for a great purpose.
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  • What is true of jeremiah is true for every one of you here
  • 00:11:05.020 --> 00:11:07.923
  • This morning.
  • 00:11:07.923 --> 00:11:09.291
  • God has not only made you, he has set you apart for a great
  • 00:11:09.291 --> 00:11:13.629
  • Eternal purpose.
  • 00:11:13.629 --> 00:11:16.165
  • Now, the question is what is that purpose?
  • 00:11:16.165 --> 00:11:20.069
  • And that leads to truth number two, your purpose is connected
  • 00:11:20.069 --> 00:11:25.174
  • To god's purpose.
  • 00:11:25.174 --> 00:11:28.177
  • You know, so many times i see christians kind of wandering
  • 00:11:28.177 --> 00:11:31.080
  • Around in a fog.
  • 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:32.414
  • "oh, what is my purpose in life?
  • 00:11:32.414 --> 00:11:34.750
  • Why am i here?
  • 00:11:34.750 --> 00:11:36.118
  • Why do i exist?"
  • 00:11:36.118 --> 00:11:38.954
  • You know, if you will grasp this one simple truth, it will help
  • 00:11:38.954 --> 00:11:43.058
  • Cut through the fog of a lot of perhaps your questions about
  • 00:11:43.058 --> 00:11:46.495
  • Your own life.
  • 00:11:46.495 --> 00:11:47.863
  • Here's the simple truth.
  • 00:11:47.863 --> 00:11:49.231
  • You were created by god, saved by god, selected by god, and
  • 00:11:49.231 --> 00:11:56.071
  • Gifted by god to fulfill his agenda and not yours.
  • 00:11:56.071 --> 00:12:03.546
  • Let me say it again.
  • 00:12:03.546 --> 00:12:04.914
  • You were created by god, saved by god, selected by god, gifted
  • 00:12:04.914 --> 00:12:10.419
  • By god to fulfill his agenda and not yours.
  • 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:16.692
  • I came across a quote from writer erwin mcmanus that i've
  • 00:12:16.692 --> 00:12:20.296
  • Never forgotten, it says it all well.
  • 00:12:20.296 --> 00:12:22.965
  • He said, "the question is not, god, what is your will for
  • 00:12:22.965 --> 00:12:28.003
  • My life?"
  • 00:12:28.003 --> 00:12:30.306
  • No christian ought to ever asked that question, god, what is your
  • 00:12:30.306 --> 00:12:33.876
  • Will for my life?
  • 00:12:33.876 --> 00:12:35.211
  • Instead, the question should be, god, what is your will and how
  • 00:12:35.211 --> 00:12:40.416
  • Can i give my life to it?
  • 00:12:40.416 --> 00:12:43.219
  • See the difference?
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  • God, what is your will and how can i give my life to it?
  • 00:12:44.987 --> 00:12:49.058
  • Well, how do you know what god's will is?
  • 00:12:49.058 --> 00:12:52.194
  • Well, let me give you some scriptural clues to discovering
  • 00:12:52.194 --> 00:12:54.964
  • What god's will is that we need to connect to.
  • 00:12:54.964 --> 00:12:57.366
  • First timothy 2 verses 3 to 4, "for this is good and acceptable
  • 00:12:57.366 --> 00:13:02.171
  • In the sight of god our savior, who desires for all men to be
  • 00:13:02.171 --> 00:13:06.709
  • Saved and come to a knowledge of the truth."
  • 00:13:06.709 --> 00:13:09.945
  • You know what god's will is?
  • 00:13:09.945 --> 00:13:11.280
  • It's for everyone to come to know jesus christ as savior.
  • 00:13:11.280 --> 00:13:15.150
  • Now, that doesn't mean everybody is going to be saved, but that
  • 00:13:15.150 --> 00:13:18.387
  • Is certainly god's will.
  • 00:13:18.387 --> 00:13:19.822
  • God is trying to save as many, not as few, as possible.
  • 00:13:19.822 --> 00:13:24.059
  • That is god's will.
  • 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.694
  • In colossians 1 verses 13 to 14, god wants to deliver people out
  • 00:13:25.694 --> 00:13:30.599
  • Of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom, the presence, of
  • 00:13:30.599 --> 00:13:34.436
  • His son.
  • 00:13:34.436 --> 00:13:35.771
  • God is on a search and rescue mission, that is his purpose.
  • 00:13:35.771 --> 00:13:40.542
  • Paul david tripp has written, this is so good, he says, "your
  • 00:13:40.542 --> 00:13:44.947
  • Life is much bigger than a good job, an understanding spouse,
  • 00:13:44.947 --> 00:13:50.252
  • And non-delinquent kids.
  • 00:13:50.252 --> 00:13:52.554
  • It is bigger than beautiful gardens, nice vacations, and
  • 00:13:52.554 --> 00:13:56.458
  • Fashionable clothes.
  • 00:13:56.458 --> 00:13:58.294
  • In reality, you were born and will continue after you die.
  • 00:13:58.294 --> 00:14:02.798
  • God is rescuing fallen humanity, transporting them into his
  • 00:14:02.798 --> 00:14:07.569
  • Kingdom, and progressively shaping them into his likeness,
  • 00:14:07.569 --> 00:14:12.308
  • And he wants you to be a part of it."
  • 00:14:12.308 --> 00:14:14.843
  • That's what god's doing.
  • 00:14:14.843 --> 00:14:16.245
  • He's on a rescue mission, rescuing as many people as
  • 00:14:16.245 --> 00:14:19.915
  • Possible from the kingdom of darkness to deliver them into
  • 00:14:19.915 --> 00:14:23.052
  • The presence of his son, and he's asked you and me to join
  • 00:14:23.052 --> 00:14:26.422
  • Him in that search and rescue ministry.
  • 00:14:26.422 --> 00:14:29.291
  • Does that mean god needs our assistance?
  • 00:14:29.291 --> 00:14:33.529
  • No, god doesn't need anything, he's self-sufficient, but in his
  • 00:14:33.529 --> 00:14:37.967
  • Sovereign plan, he has chosen to allow you and us to have the
  • 00:14:37.967 --> 00:14:42.037
  • Joy, the indescribable privilege, of partnering with
  • 00:14:42.037 --> 00:14:46.075
  • Him in his kingdom mission.
  • 00:14:46.075 --> 00:14:48.944
  • And by the way, it's always been that way.
  • 00:14:48.944 --> 00:14:51.180
  • God has always chosen mercifully to allow us to be partners with
  • 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:56.051
  • Him in work.
  • 00:14:56.051 --> 00:14:58.420
  • Do you do those read through the bible programs?
  • 00:14:58.420 --> 00:15:00.756
  • I started mine again this week, and of course landed back in
  • 00:15:00.756 --> 00:15:03.726
  • Genesis just waiting to get to the begats.
  • 00:15:03.726 --> 00:15:07.162
  • But i was back in genesis.
  • 00:15:07.162 --> 00:15:08.497
  • I remember reading about creation.
  • 00:15:08.497 --> 00:15:11.700
  • Remember, god created the garden of eden absolutely perfect.
  • 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:15.671
  • He needed no help from adam and eve to do that.
  • 00:15:15.671 --> 00:15:18.574
  • But after he created the perfect garden, remember what he said to
  • 00:15:18.574 --> 00:15:21.410
  • Adam and eve?
  • 00:15:21.410 --> 00:15:22.745
  • He said i've created it, but your job is to cultivate it and
  • 00:15:22.745 --> 00:15:26.482
  • To keep it.
  • 00:15:26.482 --> 00:15:27.850
  • I've done my part, here's your part.
  • 00:15:27.850 --> 00:15:30.119
  • Remember god said to noah, he said, noah, i'm gonna send a
  • 00:15:30.119 --> 00:15:32.788
  • Flood and destroy the world.
  • 00:15:32.788 --> 00:15:34.289
  • I'm gonna save you and a select few, that's what i'm gonna do,
  • 00:15:34.289 --> 00:15:37.526
  • But it's your responsibility to build the ark.
  • 00:15:37.526 --> 00:15:40.562
  • God said to nehemiah, nehemiah, i'm gonna miraculously change
  • 00:15:40.562 --> 00:15:44.633
  • The king's heart and allow your people to go back to israel.
  • 00:15:44.633 --> 00:15:48.137
  • That's what i'm doing, but i want you to build a wall around
  • 00:15:48.137 --> 00:15:51.407
  • The city.
  • 00:15:51.407 --> 00:15:52.775
  • And god has said to you and to me, i have sent my son jesus
  • 00:15:52.775 --> 00:15:56.912
  • Christ to offer the greatest gift of all time, the gift
  • 00:15:56.912 --> 00:15:59.848
  • Of salvation.
  • 00:15:59.848 --> 00:16:01.183
  • That's what i'm doing, but i've commissioned you to go and share
  • 00:16:01.183 --> 00:16:04.219
  • That gospel with as many people as possible.
  • 00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:07.623
  • And in case anybody misses what that mission is that we need to
  • 00:16:07.623 --> 00:16:11.927
  • Connect to, listen to jesus's final words to his disciples
  • 00:16:11.927 --> 00:16:15.631
  • Before he ascended into heaven.
  • 00:16:15.631 --> 00:16:17.232
  • Matthew 28:19-20, "go therefore and make disciples of all
  • 00:16:17.232 --> 00:16:23.372
  • Nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, the son, and
  • 00:16:23.372 --> 00:16:27.309
  • The holy spirit, teaching them to observe all that i
  • 00:16:27.309 --> 00:16:30.646
  • Commanded you.
  • 00:16:30.646 --> 00:16:32.014
  • And lo, i am with you always, even to the end of the age."
  • 00:16:32.014 --> 00:16:37.152
  • You know, you read through the new testament and you'll find
  • 00:16:37.152 --> 00:16:40.089
  • One of the metaphors used extensively throughout the new
  • 00:16:40.089 --> 00:16:44.993
  • Testament is that of christians being a soldier, being
  • 00:16:44.993 --> 00:16:49.865
  • A soldier.
  • 00:16:49.865 --> 00:16:51.233
  • For example, 2 timothy 2:4 says, "no soldier in active service
  • 00:16:51.233 --> 00:16:56.338
  • Entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may
  • 00:16:56.338 --> 00:17:00.476
  • Please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."
  • 00:17:00.476 --> 00:17:04.379
  • How many people in the military do you know who
  • 00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:07.216
  • Wake up in the morning and say, gee, i wonder what i
  • 00:17:07.216 --> 00:17:09.885
  • Ought to do today?
  • 00:17:09.885 --> 00:17:11.220
  • I wonder how i can fill my hours today.
  • 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:14.556
  • I wonder what i would like to do.
  • 00:17:14.556 --> 00:17:17.126
  • Nobody's gonna survive in the military with that kind
  • 00:17:17.126 --> 00:17:19.661
  • Of attitude.
  • 00:17:19.661 --> 00:17:20.996
  • The military, people in the military, have one job, and that
  • 00:17:20.996 --> 00:17:23.899
  • Is to obey their commanding officer.
  • 00:17:23.899 --> 00:17:26.502
  • To make his commanding officer's agenda his agenda, and it's the
  • 00:17:26.502 --> 00:17:31.140
  • Same way with us.
  • 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:33.275
  • You know, in paul's day, a roman soldier had one goal, and that
  • 00:17:33.275 --> 00:17:37.546
  • Was to fulfill the emperor's command, and that is to go and
  • 00:17:37.546 --> 00:17:41.717
  • Expand the territory of the kingdom, to expand the
  • 00:17:41.717 --> 00:17:44.887
  • Roman empire.
  • 00:17:44.887 --> 00:17:46.255
  • And it's the same way with you and me.
  • 00:17:46.255 --> 00:17:47.723
  • We've been enlisted by god to expand the king's empire.
  • 00:17:47.723 --> 00:17:52.694
  • That is the job for which we have been called.
  • 00:17:52.694 --> 00:17:55.497
  • God didn't leave us here in this world to accumulate a lot
  • 00:17:55.497 --> 00:17:58.800
  • Of money.
  • 00:17:58.800 --> 00:18:00.169
  • He didn't leave us here to have a successful career.
  • 00:18:00.169 --> 00:18:02.504
  • He didn't even leave us here to have a happy family life.
  • 00:18:02.504 --> 00:18:05.774
  • God left us here to expand the kingdom.
  • 00:18:05.774 --> 00:18:09.878
  • Now, what have we seen?
  • 00:18:09.878 --> 00:18:11.246
  • First of all, god has created you for a unique purpose.
  • 00:18:11.246 --> 00:18:14.349
  • Secondly, your purpose should be connected to god's kingdom
  • 00:18:14.349 --> 00:18:19.021
  • Purpose, and that leads to a third truth.
  • 00:18:19.021 --> 00:18:21.690
  • Now, hang on to your pews here because it's gonna get a little
  • 00:18:21.690 --> 00:18:25.227
  • Bumpy for a moment, but i want you to hear me out.
  • 00:18:25.227 --> 00:18:28.030
  • Your purpose is to be centered within the local church.
  • 00:18:28.030 --> 00:18:36.939
  • Now, that statement is made with two assumptions.
  • 00:18:32.968 --> 00:18:41.276
  • Assumption number one, every christian is to be involved
  • 00:18:41.276 --> 00:18:46.181
  • In ministry.
  • 00:18:46.181 --> 00:18:47.516
  • Every christian is to be involved in ministry.
  • 00:18:47.516 --> 00:18:49.751
  • Do you know most christians don't understand that?
  • 00:18:49.751 --> 00:18:52.788
  • They think, well, my job is what i do 60 hours a week, but then i
  • 00:18:52.788 --> 00:18:57.759
  • Come to church to kind of relax and soak in some
  • 00:18:57.759 --> 00:19:00.896
  • Spiritual truth.
  • 00:19:00.896 --> 00:19:02.231
  • No, listen to ephesians 4:11-12, "and christ gave some to the
  • 00:19:02.231 --> 00:19:07.703
  • Church as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as
  • 00:19:07.703 --> 00:19:11.373
  • Evangelists, and some as pastor teachers for the equipping of
  • 00:19:11.373 --> 00:19:16.345
  • The saints, for the work of service, to the building up of
  • 00:19:16.345 --> 00:19:20.549
  • The body of christ."
  • 00:19:20.549 --> 00:19:22.217
  • You know what my job is as pastor teacher here?
  • 00:19:22.217 --> 00:19:26.054
  • It's not just to do the work of the ministry, it is to equip you
  • 00:19:26.054 --> 00:19:31.627
  • To do the work of ministry.
  • 00:19:31.627 --> 00:19:34.162
  • That's what that word "equip" means, "katartismon."
  • 00:19:34.162 --> 00:19:36.698
  • It literally refers to the loading up of a ship with
  • 00:19:36.698 --> 00:19:40.402
  • Supplies before it sets out on a long journey.
  • 00:19:40.402 --> 00:19:43.972
  • You know, a lot of people think, you know, the goal of our church
  • 00:19:43.972 --> 00:19:46.842
  • Service is to see how many people can be saved.
  • 00:19:46.842 --> 00:19:50.078
  • That's not the goal of the church service.
  • 00:19:50.078 --> 00:19:52.481
  • You know why i say that?
  • 00:19:52.481 --> 00:19:54.116
  • Lost people very rarely come to church to begin with.
  • 00:19:54.116 --> 00:19:57.619
  • You may have a few sprinkled out there, but lost people by
  • 00:19:57.619 --> 00:20:00.656
  • Definition don't come to church.
  • 00:20:00.656 --> 00:20:02.190
  • I always present the gospel in a service because i know there's
  • 00:20:02.190 --> 00:20:05.460
  • Some unbelievers who stumble in for one reason or another, but
  • 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:09.564
  • The purpose of this church service is to equip you, to give
  • 00:20:09.564 --> 00:20:14.069
  • You the tools that are needed to go out and reach the people at
  • 00:20:14.069 --> 00:20:18.607
  • Your work, the people in your community, with the gospel
  • 00:20:18.607 --> 00:20:21.410
  • Of jesus christ.
  • 00:20:21.410 --> 00:20:22.744
  • Equipping the saints for the work of service.
  • 00:20:22.744 --> 00:20:25.047
  • You see, god's plan was never for just a few paid
  • 00:20:25.047 --> 00:20:28.183
  • Professionals to do the work of ministry.
  • 00:20:28.183 --> 00:20:31.853
  • We're to be equipping you to do the work of ministry.
  • 00:20:31.853 --> 00:20:35.424
  • You know, i think about the late bud wilkinson, professional
  • 00:20:35.424 --> 00:20:41.330
  • Football player, who after he left the nfl became the chairman
  • 00:20:41.330 --> 00:20:45.734
  • Of the president's council on physical fitness under
  • 00:20:45.734 --> 00:20:49.304
  • Lyndon johnson.
  • 00:20:49.304 --> 00:20:50.772
  • And at a press conference one time, a reporter asked
  • 00:20:50.772 --> 00:20:53.575
  • Wilkinson, "mr. wilkinson,
  • 00:20:53.575 --> 00:20:55.510
  • What contribution has professional football made to
  • 00:20:55.510 --> 00:21:00.215
  • The health of the american people?"
  • 00:21:00.215 --> 00:21:03.051
  • Wilkinson said, "absolutely none."
  • 00:21:03.051 --> 00:21:07.022
  • He said, "think about it.
  • 00:21:07.022 --> 00:21:08.390
  • In football, you have 22 men on the field desperately in need of
  • 00:21:08.390 --> 00:21:13.495
  • Rest being cheered on by 80,000 spectators in the stands
  • 00:21:13.495 --> 00:21:18.300
  • Desperately in need for exercise."
  • 00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:22.604
  • And you know, that's a picture of the average church.
  • 00:21:22.604 --> 00:21:25.574
  • You've got a few people out there on the playing field, the
  • 00:21:25.574 --> 00:21:28.510
  • Pastor, the staff, a few deacons, but the members are in
  • 00:21:28.510 --> 00:21:33.115
  • The stands.
  • 00:21:33.115 --> 00:21:34.449
  • Now, if the church is doing well, they cheer them on.
  • 00:21:34.449 --> 00:21:37.953
  • Go, pastor, go, staff, go, deacons, but the church starts
  • 00:21:37.953 --> 00:21:44.159
  • To go south, no longer cheers but jeers, boos, hisses, call in
  • 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:49.731
  • The second string.
  • 00:21:49.731 --> 00:21:51.333
  • Now, that may make for exciting football, but that is a lousy
  • 00:21:51.333 --> 00:21:56.438
  • Way to run a church.
  • 00:21:56.438 --> 00:21:58.140
  • God never meant for just a few people to be on the field
  • 00:21:58.140 --> 00:22:01.810
  • Playing the game.
  • 00:22:01.810 --> 00:22:03.178
  • God's purpose is to equip all of us, you, the saints, for the
  • 00:22:03.178 --> 00:22:07.215
  • Work of service to the building up of the body of christ.
  • 00:22:07.215 --> 00:22:10.886
  • That's why i say every christian is to be involved in ministry.
  • 00:22:10.886 --> 00:22:14.956
  • And secondly, our ministry is to be centered in the local church.
  • 00:22:14.956 --> 00:22:21.430
  • You know, people have a funny idea about the local
  • 00:22:21.430 --> 00:22:23.765
  • Church today.
  • 00:22:23.765 --> 00:22:25.133
  • They kind of think of it as a second class christian
  • 00:22:25.133 --> 00:22:27.169
  • Organization, a necessary evil.
  • 00:22:27.169 --> 00:22:29.504
  • Oh, yeah, i guess we ought to support the church.
  • 00:22:29.504 --> 00:22:31.773
  • But there's this group over here that's doing such an exciting
  • 00:22:31.773 --> 00:22:34.576
  • Work for god, and this group over here that's doing this
  • 00:22:34.576 --> 00:22:37.012
  • Great, this is where the action is, but you know, i'll give a
  • 00:22:37.012 --> 00:22:39.548
  • Little pittance of my time and money to the church, but this is
  • 00:22:39.548 --> 00:22:42.517
  • Where the excitement is.
  • 00:22:42.517 --> 00:22:44.252
  • No.
  • 00:22:44.252 --> 00:22:45.954
  • Jeffress: i'm hoping and praying that today's message helps you
  • 00:22:50.158 --> 00:22:52.661
  • Identify god's unique purpose for your life.
  • 00:22:52.661 --> 00:22:56.465
  • He hasn't overlooked you.
  • 00:22:56.465 --> 00:22:57.966
  • In fact, he's preparing you to accomplish great things for him.
  • 00:22:57.966 --> 00:23:02.504
  • Well, there's nothing quite like the feeling of beginning a brand
  • 00:23:02.504 --> 00:23:05.407
  • New year as we imagine all the tremendous things that god has
  • 00:23:05.407 --> 00:23:09.411
  • In store, but i'm confident that the next 12
  • 00:23:09.411 --> 00:23:12.514
  • Months god will use "pathway to victory" to reach
  • 00:23:12.514 --> 00:23:15.884
  • More people and change more lives than ever before.
  • 00:23:15.884 --> 00:23:19.788
  • Every day through radio, television, and the internet,
  • 00:23:19.788 --> 00:23:23.492
  • God is using this ministry to push back the forces of darkness
  • 00:23:23.492 --> 00:23:27.629
  • In our world and to shine a light of hope on people who
  • 00:23:27.629 --> 00:23:31.333
  • Desperately need it.
  • 00:23:31.333 --> 00:23:33.235
  • So, thank you so much for standing with us as together we
  • 00:23:33.235 --> 00:23:36.738
  • Pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:36.738 --> 00:23:40.342
  • Now, please stay right there, i'll be back with more
  • 00:23:40.342 --> 00:23:42.711
  • "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:42.711 --> 00:23:45.247
  • Announcer: we all want to live a life of meaning and
  • 00:23:46.481 --> 00:23:48.517
  • Significance, but we often dream too small.
  • 00:23:48.517 --> 00:23:52.087
  • Jeffress: my friends david green, founder and ceo of hobby
  • 00:23:52.087 --> 00:23:55.357
  • Lobby, and bill high, ceo of legacy stone, have written a
  • 00:23:55.357 --> 00:24:00.061
  • Brand new book called "the legacy life."
  • 00:24:00.061 --> 00:24:02.964
  • Jeffress: you've said it in this book several times.
  • 00:24:02.964 --> 00:24:06.234
  • Legacy is not what you leave behind, it's what you set in
  • 00:24:06.234 --> 00:24:09.771
  • Motion for the future.
  • 00:24:09.771 --> 00:24:11.506
  • Jeffress: this book will challenge you to point your life
  • 00:24:11.506 --> 00:24:13.942
  • Heavenward and set in motion a legacy of eternal significance.
  • 00:24:13.942 --> 00:24:19.214
  • David green: bill, i've found that it's much easier to run a
  • 00:24:19.214 --> 00:24:21.616
  • Business, but having a family, a wife, children that serve the
  • 00:24:21.616 --> 00:24:25.053
  • Lord is much, much more difficult.
  • 00:24:25.053 --> 00:24:27.088
  • And that's who we are. we're not about hobby lobby.
  • 00:24:27.088 --> 00:24:29.391
  • We're about mission, vision, and values, and it's all based on
  • 00:24:29.391 --> 00:24:32.494
  • God's word, and that's what we're excited about.
  • 00:24:32.494 --> 00:24:34.729
  • Bill high: no matter what stage of life you're in, "the legacy
  • 00:24:34.729 --> 00:24:37.432
  • Life" will help you understand how to apply god's word and set
  • 00:24:37.432 --> 00:24:41.970
  • In motion a great legacy.
  • 00:24:41.970 --> 00:24:44.906
  • Announcer: request "the legacy life" when you give a generous
  • 00:24:44.906 --> 00:24:47.509
  • Gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become a pathway
  • 00:24:47.509 --> 00:24:50.211
  • Partner.
  • 00:24:50.211 --> 00:24:51.546
  • You'll also receive the powerful book by dr. jeffress, "choose
  • 00:24:51.546 --> 00:24:54.449
  • Your attitudes, change your life."
  • 00:24:54.449 --> 00:24:56.718
  • And when your ministry gift is $100 or more, we'll also send
  • 00:24:56.718 --> 00:25:00.288
  • You the "choose your attitudes, change your life" personal and
  • 00:25:00.288 --> 00:25:03.692
  • Group study guide, plus the complete teaching series on cd
  • 00:25:03.692 --> 00:25:07.429
  • And dvd and a set of attitude booster cards for
  • 00:25:07.429 --> 00:25:11.333
  • Your encouragement.
  • 00:25:11.333 --> 00:25:12.667
  • Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:12.667 --> 00:25:15.170
  • Jeffress: god longs to see everyone come to know jesus
  • 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:21.710
  • As savior and be conformed into the image of christ.
  • 00:25:21.710 --> 00:25:25.680
  • But while that describes god's general purpose for everyone, he
  • 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:29.784
  • Also has a specific purpose for you.
  • 00:25:29.784 --> 00:25:32.821
  • Today, we began by looking at three truths for discovering
  • 00:25:32.821 --> 00:25:36.191
  • God's plan for your life, and next time i wanna show you why
  • 00:25:36.191 --> 00:25:40.528
  • Living your purpose is key to experiencing fulfillment
  • 00:25:40.528 --> 00:25:44.265
  • In life.
  • 00:25:44.265 --> 00:25:45.700
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
  • 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:48.203
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:48.203 --> 00:25:50.972
  • Jeffress: what are you investing your life in, really?
  • 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:56.811
  • What are you investing it in?
  • 00:25:56.811 --> 00:25:59.280
  • Where are you putting your money?
  • 00:25:59.280 --> 00:26:02.651
  • Where are you spending your time?
  • 00:26:02.651 --> 00:26:06.721
  • Where are you dreaming your dreams?
  • 00:26:06.721 --> 00:26:10.125
  • Are those things invested in that which is temporal, or that
  • 00:26:10.125 --> 00:26:15.163
  • Which is eternal?
  • 00:26:15.163 --> 00:26:16.898
  • Male announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part two
  • 00:26:16.965 --> 00:26:19.934
  • Of the message, "finding your one thing in life,"
  • 00:26:19.934 --> 00:26:23.405
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:23.405 --> 00:26:25.640
  • Announcer: experience the beauty of alaska with the
  • 00:26:29.544 --> 00:26:31.846
  • Pathway to victory family june 13-20, 2026.
  • 00:26:31.846 --> 00:26:36.818
  • Sail through the calm waters of the legendary inside passage
  • 00:26:36.818 --> 00:26:40.221
  • With dr. robert jeffress aboard holland america's
  • 00:26:40.221 --> 00:26:42.691
  • Magnificent koningsdam.
  • 00:26:42.691 --> 00:26:44.926
  • Be inspired by award-winning musician michael o'brien's
  • 00:26:44.926 --> 00:26:47.829
  • Powerful worship; share laughter with dennis swanberg,
  • 00:26:47.829 --> 00:26:51.199
  • America's minister of encouragement;
  • 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:53.501
  • All while exploring frontier towns like juneau,
  • 00:26:53.501 --> 00:26:56.404
  • Skagway, and ketchikan.
  • 00:26:56.404 --> 00:26:58.406
  • Jeffress: there's something powerful about connecting with
  • 00:26:58.406 --> 00:27:00.675
  • God and fellow believers in the majesty
  • 00:27:00.675 --> 00:27:03.678
  • Of his untamed wilderness.
  • 00:27:03.678 --> 00:27:05.847
  • From the majestic glaciers to soaring eagles,
  • 00:27:05.847 --> 00:27:08.983
  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your
  • 00:27:08.983 --> 00:27:11.586
  • Faith in powerful ways.
  • 00:27:11.586 --> 00:27:13.755
  • Announcer: join us for a spiritual journey through some
  • 00:27:13.755 --> 00:27:15.924
  • Of creation's most spectacular displays.
  • 00:27:15.924 --> 00:27:19.060
  • Don't wait, our best cabins are going fast.
  • 00:27:19.060 --> 00:27:21.563
  • Secure your alaska adventure now.
  • 00:27:21.563 --> 00:27:23.832
  • Call ... or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:23.832 --> 00:27:29.010