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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Finding Your "One Thing" In Life (Part 2) | June 30, 2025
- ♪ music ♪
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- [narrator] 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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- Hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome again
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- To "pathway to victory."
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- Of all the images that the bible uses
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- To describe the church,
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- The most frequently used image is that of the human body.
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- Christ is the head and we're the parts of his body.
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- But very few christians truly understand
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- Where they fit into this intricate system.
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- Well today, i'm going to show you
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- Why finding your unique purpose in life
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- Is not only key to your own fulfillment,
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- But it's also key to the local church
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- Reaching its potential.
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- My message is titled "finding your 'one thing' in life,"
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- ♪ there is a day coming ♪
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- ♪ when the old will pass away ♪
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- ♪ and every wrong will be made right ♪
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- ♪ no darkness no night ♪
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- ♪ the son will light the way ♪
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- ♪ there is a king coming ♪
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- ♪ the one who conquered death and grave ♪
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- ♪ no more pain and no more sorrow ♪
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- ♪ this hope for tomorrow is our hope for today ♪
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- (people clapping)
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- ♪ he who was, he who is ♪
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- ♪ he who was, he who is ♪
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- ♪ he who is to come ♪
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- ♪ is christ the son of man ♪
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- ♪ is riding on the clouds ♪
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- ♪ with a crown upon his head ♪
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- ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
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- ♪ with the nail scars in his hand ♪
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- ♪ will sing hallelujah ♪
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- ♪ he who is to come ♪
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- ♪ is christ the son of man ♪
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- ♪ is riding on the clouds ♪
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- ♪ with a crown upon his head ♪
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- ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
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- ♪ with the nail scars in his hand ♪
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- ♪ sing hallelujah ♪
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- ♪ just hallelujah ♪
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- ♪ is coming back again ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah ♪
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- ♪ yeah hallelujah ♪
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- (congregation applauding)
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- -jesus declared,
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- "you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world."
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- -(dramatic music) -with so much darkness creeping
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- Into our schools and communities,
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- Now is the time to answer that calling.
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- Become the salt and light the world desperately needs
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- Through the "pathway to victory"
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- Salt & light matching challenge.
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- Your gift today, doubled in ministry impact,
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- Will empower "pathway to victory" to proclaim the gospel
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- And stand for biblical truth.
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- Push back and hold strong against moral decline
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- By joining the salt & light matching challenge.
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- ♪ music ♪
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- ♪ music ♪
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- God has always chosen mercifully to allow us
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- To be partners with him in work.
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- Do you do those read through the bible programs?
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- I started mine again this week, and of course,
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- Landed back in genesis,
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- Just waiting to get to the begats.
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- But i was back in genesis.
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- Remember reading about creation.
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- Remember, god created the garden of eden absolutely perfect.
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- He needed no help from adam and eve to do that.
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- But after he created the perfect garden,
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- Remember what he said to adam and eve?
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- He said, "i've created it,
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- But your job is to cultivate it and to keep it.
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- I've done my part.
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- Here's your part."
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- Or remember god said to noah, he said,
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- "noah, i'm going to send a flood and destroy the world.
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- I'm going to save you and a select few.
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- That's what i'm going to do,
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- But it's your responsibility to build the ark."
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- God said to nehemiah,
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- "nehemiah, i'm going to miraculously change the king's heart
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- And allow your people to go back to israel.
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- That's what i'm doing, but i want you to build a wall
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- Around the city."
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- And god has said to you and to me,
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- "i have sent my son, jesus christ,
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- To offer the greatest gift of all-time,
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- The gift of salvation.
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- That's what i'm doing, but i've commissioned you
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- To go and share that gospel
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- With as many people as possible."
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- And in case anybody misses what that mission is
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- That we need to connect to,
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- Listen to jesus' final words to his disciples
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- Before he ascended into heaven.
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- Matthew 28: 19 and 20,
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- "go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
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- Baptizing them in the name of the father, the son,
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- And the holy spirit,
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- Teaching them to observe all that i commanded you;
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- And lo, i am with you always,
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- Even to the end of the age."
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- You know, you read through the new testament,
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- And you'll find one of the metaphors used extensively
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- Throughout the new testament
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- Is that of christians being a soldier,
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- Being a soldier.
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- For example, 2 timothy 2:4 says,
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- "no soldier in active service entangles himself
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- In the affairs of everyday life,
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- So that he may please the one who enlisted him
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- As a soldier."
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- How many people in the military,
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- Since we're reaching a military audience now,
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- How many people in the military do you know
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- Who wake up in the morning and say,
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- "gee, i wonder what i ought to do today?"
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- (congregation laughing)
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- "i wonder how i can fill my hours today.
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- I wonder what i would like to do."
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- Nobody's going to survive in the military
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- With that kind of attitude.
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- The military, people in the military have one job,
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- And that is to obey their commanding officer,
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- To make his commanding officer's agenda his agenda.
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- And it's the same way with us.
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- You know, in paul's day,
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- A roman soldier had one goal, and that was
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- To fulfill the emperor's command.
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- And that is to go and expand the territory of the kingdom,
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- To expand the roman empire.
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- And it's the same way with you and me.
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- We've been enlisted by god to expand the king's empire.
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- That is the job for which we've been called.
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- God didn't leave us here in this world
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- To accumulate a lot of money.
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- He didn't leave us here to have a successful career.
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- He didn't even leave us here to have a happy family life.
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- God left us here to expand the kingdom.
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- Now, what have we seen?
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- First of all, god has created you for a unique purpose.
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- Secondly, your purpose should be connected
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- To god's kingdom purpose.
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- And that leads to a third truth.
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- Now, hang onto your pews here,
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- 'cause it's going to get a little bumpy for a moment,
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- But i want you to hear me out.
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- Your purpose is to be centered within the local church.
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- Now, that statement is made with two assumptions.
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- Assumption number one: every christian is
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- To be involved in ministry.
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- Every christian is to be involved in ministry.
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- Do you know, most christians don't understand that?
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- They think, "well, my job is what i do 60 hours a week,
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- But then i come to church to kind of relax
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- And soak in some spiritual truth."
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- No.
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- Listen to ephesians 4:11-12.
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- "and christ gave some to the church as apostles,
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- And some as prophets, and some as evangelists,
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- And some as pastor teachers,
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- For the equipping of the saints for the work of service,
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- To the building up of the body of christ."
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- You know what my job is as pastor teacher here?
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- It's not just to do the work of the ministry.
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- It is to equip you to do the work of ministry.
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- That's what that word equip means.
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- (speaking in a foreign language), it literally refers
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- To the loading up of a ship with supplies
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- Before it sets out on a long journey.
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- Now, a lot of people think,
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- You know, the goal of our church service
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- Is to see how many people can be saved.
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- That's not the goal of the church service.
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- You know why i say that?
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- Lost people very rarely come to church to begin with.
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- -(congregation laughing) -you may have a few sprinkled
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- Out there, but lost people, by definition,
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- Don't come to church.
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- I always present the gospel in a service,
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- 'cause i know there's some unbelievers who stumble in
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- For one reason or another.
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- But the purpose of the church service is to equip you,
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- To give you the tools that are needed to go out
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- And reach the people at your work,
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- The people in your community with the gospel
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- Of jesus christ.
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- "equipping the saints for the work of service."
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- You see, god's plan was never
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- For just a few paid professionals
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- To do the work of ministry.
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- We're to be equipping you to do the work of ministry.
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- You know, (laughing) i think about the late bud wilkinson,
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- Professional football player who, after he left the nfl,
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- Became the chairman of the president's council
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- On physical fitness under lyndon johnson.
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- And at a press conference one time,
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- A reporter asked wilkinson,
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- "mr. wilkinson, what contribution
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- Has professional football made to the health
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- Of the american people?"
- 00:10:15.571 --> 00:10:17.473
- (laughing) wilkinson said, "absolutely none."
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- He said, "think about it.
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- In football, you have 22 men on the field
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- Desperately in need of rest
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- Being cheered on by 80,000 spectators in the stands
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- Desperately in need for exercise."
- 00:10:33.022 --> 00:10:36.092
- (congregation laughing)
- 00:10:36.092 --> 00:10:37.526
- And you know that's the picture of the average church.
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- You've got a few people out there on the playing field,
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- The pastor, the staff, a few deacons.
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- But the members are in the stands.
- 00:10:46.902 --> 00:10:49.205
- Now, if the church is doing well,
- 00:10:49.205 --> 00:10:51.607
- (laughing) they cheer them on, "go, pastor.
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- Go, staff.
- 00:10:54.276 --> 00:10:55.611
- Go, deacons."
- 00:10:55.611 --> 00:10:58.013
- But if the church starts to go south,
- 00:10:58.013 --> 00:11:00.516
- No longer cheers, but jeers, boos, hisses,
- 00:11:00.516 --> 00:11:03.886
- "call in the second string."
- 00:11:03.886 --> 00:11:06.122
- Now, that may make for exciting football,
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- But that is a lousy way to run a church.
- 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:12.995
- God never meant for just a few people to be on the field
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- Playing the game.
- 00:11:16.632 --> 00:11:18.234
- God's purpose is to equip all of us, you, the saints,
- 00:11:18.234 --> 00:11:21.771
- For the work of service to the building up
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- Of the body of christ.
- 00:11:24.573 --> 00:11:26.041
- That's why i say every christian is to be involved
- 00:11:26.041 --> 00:11:28.711
- In ministry, and secondly,
- 00:11:28.711 --> 00:11:30.713
- Our ministry is to be centered in the local church.
- 00:11:30.713 --> 00:11:35.951
- You know, people have a funny idea
- 00:11:36.719 --> 00:11:37.820
- About the local church today.
- 00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:39.488
- They kind of think of it
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- As a second-class christian organization,
- 00:11:40.723 --> 00:11:42.992
- A necessary evil.
- 00:11:42.992 --> 00:11:44.393
- "oh yeah, i guess we ought to support the church.
- 00:11:44.393 --> 00:11:46.562
- But there's this group over here
- 00:11:46.562 --> 00:11:47.930
- That's doing such an exciting work for god,
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- And this group over here that's doing this great.
- 00:11:49.999 --> 00:11:52.067
- This is where the action is, but you know,
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- I'll give a little pittance of my time and money
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- To the church, but this is where the excitement is."
- 00:11:55.905 --> 00:11:59.008
- No.
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- The bible says the church is the one organization
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- That god himself created
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- To fulfill his great commission.
- 00:12:06.982 --> 00:12:09.618
- You know, there are many fine christian organizations
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- Outside of the church,
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- But they all have one thing in common.
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- They were all created by a man or woman,
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- And they all will end one day.
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- Only the church of jesus christ was actually created by god.
- 00:12:22.331 --> 00:12:27.703
- In fact, in ephesians 3:21,
- 00:12:28.304 --> 00:12:30.439
- Paul says, "to him, god, be the glory in the church
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- And in christ jesus to all generations forever and ever."
- 00:12:34.577 --> 00:12:39.248
- It was god who thought up the idea of the church.
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- It was god who thought up the idea of a pastor and deacons.
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- It was god that gave to the church the commission
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- To go into all the world and preach the gospel.
- 00:12:47.323 --> 00:12:49.525
- In fact, when you read the new testament,
- 00:12:49.525 --> 00:12:51.460
- You can't find one person in one ministry
- 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:54.129
- Or one missionary who was not under the authority
- 00:12:54.129 --> 00:12:57.399
- Of a local church.
- 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:59.368
- God's plan to fulfill his mission
- 00:12:59.368 --> 00:13:02.271
- Is through the local church.
- 00:13:02.271 --> 00:13:05.474
- That's why our church ought to receive the bulk of our giving,
- 00:13:05.474 --> 00:13:09.111
- But it also ought to receive the bulk
- 00:13:09.111 --> 00:13:11.680
- Of our time in ministry.
- 00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:14.383
- God's purpose is to be lived out in the local church.
- 00:13:14.383 --> 00:13:19.355
- You say, "well, then, how do i find my ministry
- 00:13:19.355 --> 00:13:21.590
- In the local church?
- 00:13:21.590 --> 00:13:22.892
- How do i know what my ministry should be?"
- 00:13:22.892 --> 00:13:25.327
- Let me share with you this simple formula
- 00:13:25.327 --> 00:13:27.529
- That i think will help you find the unique place
- 00:13:27.529 --> 00:13:30.466
- Of ministry god has for you through his church.
- 00:13:30.466 --> 00:13:34.670
- Simple equation: my gifts plus my passion
- 00:13:34.670 --> 00:13:39.375
- Plus the church's need equals my ministry.
- 00:13:39.375 --> 00:13:44.613
- My gifts plus my passion
- 00:13:45.114 --> 00:13:47.483
- Plus the church's need equal my ministry.
- 00:13:47.483 --> 00:13:51.086
- Let's break that down.
- 00:13:51.086 --> 00:13:51.987
- First of all, your gifts.
- 00:13:51.987 --> 00:13:54.256
- What do i mean by your gifts?
- 00:13:54.256 --> 00:13:57.459
- You know, when you were saved,
- 00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:59.795
- You not only received the gift of forgiveness,
- 00:13:59.795 --> 00:14:02.298
- The bible says god gave you a unique spiritual gift,
- 00:14:02.298 --> 00:14:07.636
- A divine empowerment to be used to spread his message
- 00:14:08.704 --> 00:14:12.074
- To other people.
- 00:14:12.074 --> 00:14:13.375
- In fact, in romans 12, the bible lists
- 00:14:13.375 --> 00:14:16.912
- The seven gifts and says
- 00:14:16.912 --> 00:14:18.781
- That we have one of those motivational gifts
- 00:14:18.781 --> 00:14:22.584
- That is our basic motivation
- 00:14:22.584 --> 00:14:24.286
- To want to share christ's message with others.
- 00:14:24.286 --> 00:14:27.389
- In fact, look at romans 12:6-8.
- 00:14:27.389 --> 00:14:29.725
- "since we have gifts that differ according
- 00:14:29.725 --> 00:14:32.161
- To the grace given to us,
- 00:14:32.161 --> 00:14:33.729
- Let each exercise them accordingly."
- 00:14:33.729 --> 00:14:36.231
- If your gift is prophecy, that's the first one,
- 00:14:36.231 --> 00:14:38.834
- "according to the proportion of his faith;
- 00:14:38.834 --> 00:14:41.036
- If service," that's the second one,
- 00:14:41.036 --> 00:14:43.072
- "in his serving," if in teaching,
- 00:14:43.072 --> 00:14:45.407
- According to his teaching, that's number three,
- 00:14:45.407 --> 00:14:47.910
- "he who exhorts, in his exhortation," that's number four,
- 00:14:47.910 --> 00:14:51.747
- "he who gives, with liberality," that's number five,
- 00:14:51.747 --> 00:14:55.017
- "he who leads," leadership, that's number six,
- 00:14:55.017 --> 00:14:58.187
- "with diligence; and he who shows mercy,"
- 00:14:58.187 --> 00:15:00.689
- That's the final gift, "with cheerfulness."
- 00:15:00.689 --> 00:15:03.559
- In the past, i have preached a three-part series
- 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:06.295
- On discovering your spiritual gift
- 00:15:06.295 --> 00:15:08.564
- Where i explain this in-depth.
- 00:15:08.564 --> 00:15:09.999
- So first of all, your place in ministry begins
- 00:15:09.999 --> 00:15:12.701
- With your gifts.
- 00:15:12.701 --> 00:15:13.502
- Secondly, your passion.
- 00:15:13.502 --> 00:15:15.604
- My gifts plus my passion.
- 00:15:15.604 --> 00:15:19.375
- You know, this is one of the greatest discoveries
- 00:15:19.375 --> 00:15:21.343
- I ever made about finding god's will.
- 00:15:21.343 --> 00:15:23.946
- One of the best ways to know what god wants you to do
- 00:15:23.946 --> 00:15:27.249
- Is ask yourself, "what do i want to do?"
- 00:15:27.249 --> 00:15:30.452
- The fact is, one of the ways god leads us
- 00:15:31.353 --> 00:15:33.489
- Is through the desires he places in our hearts.
- 00:15:33.489 --> 00:15:37.593
- And it's true in ministry as well.
- 00:15:37.593 --> 00:15:40.262
- You know, you may see that there's a need
- 00:15:40.262 --> 00:15:42.064
- For workers in the seventh grade,
- 00:15:42.064 --> 00:15:44.967
- And that may be a legitimate need.
- 00:15:44.967 --> 00:15:47.469
- And you may say to yourself,
- 00:15:47.469 --> 00:15:48.871
- "well, you know, i'd rather have my left arm cut off
- 00:15:48.871 --> 00:15:51.206
- Than go worth for seventh graders.
- 00:15:51.206 --> 00:15:53.142
- -(congregation laughing) -but if the church needs that,
- 00:15:53.142 --> 00:15:54.643
- I guess that's what i'll do."
- 00:15:54.643 --> 00:15:57.112
- (laughing) let me encourage you, you know,
- 00:15:57.112 --> 00:16:01.450
- (laughing) be kind to yourself.
- 00:16:01.450 --> 00:16:03.986
- Be kind to those seventh graders
- 00:16:03.986 --> 00:16:05.621
- And don't go teach there, please.
- 00:16:05.621 --> 00:16:07.856
- -(congregation laughing) -if you don't want to be there,
- 00:16:07.856 --> 00:16:09.525
- They'll be the first to know it.
- 00:16:09.525 --> 00:16:10.993
- And you'll be the first to know it.
- 00:16:10.993 --> 00:16:12.294
- No, if god is calling you to do something,
- 00:16:12.294 --> 00:16:15.097
- He's going to give you a passion for it.
- 00:16:15.097 --> 00:16:17.299
- You know why these wonderful men and women sing in the choir
- 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:20.736
- And play in our orchestra,
- 00:16:20.736 --> 00:16:21.904
- Devote countless hours to doing it?
- 00:16:21.904 --> 00:16:24.473
- It's not because they feel like martyrs
- 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.642
- And they have to do it.
- 00:16:26.642 --> 00:16:27.876
- They love doing it.
- 00:16:27.876 --> 00:16:30.279
- They get fulfilled by doing it.
- 00:16:30.913 --> 00:16:33.382
- (laughing) and that's the way it ought to be.
- 00:16:33.382 --> 00:16:35.717
- You know why missionaries leave here
- 00:16:35.717 --> 00:16:38.220
- And go serve in a third-world country?
- 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:41.457
- It's not because they're miserable doing it
- 00:16:41.457 --> 00:16:43.792
- Or they want to be martyrs.
- 00:16:43.792 --> 00:16:45.327
- It's because they love doing that.
- 00:16:45.327 --> 00:16:48.497
- They wouldn't be happy anywhere else
- 00:16:48.497 --> 00:16:50.232
- And doing anything else.
- 00:16:50.232 --> 00:16:52.301
- There's nothing wrong with that.
- 00:16:52.301 --> 00:16:53.569
- God leads us through the desires
- 00:16:53.569 --> 00:16:55.637
- That he places in our heart.
- 00:16:55.637 --> 00:16:56.939
- "pastor, where do you get that in the bible?"
- 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:58.640
- Philippians 2:13, paul says,
- 00:16:58.640 --> 00:17:00.976
- "for it is god who is at work in you,
- 00:17:00.976 --> 00:17:04.113
- Both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
- 00:17:04.113 --> 00:17:07.049
- One paraphrase says, "for it is god who is working in you,
- 00:17:07.049 --> 00:17:09.985
- Giving you both the desire and the power to do his work."
- 00:17:09.985 --> 00:17:15.257
- Ask yourself the question,
- 00:17:15.824 --> 00:17:17.359
- "if i could do any one thing in the church,
- 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:21.230
- I would," and fill in the blank.
- 00:17:21.230 --> 00:17:23.332
- 'cause you look around here.
- 00:17:23.332 --> 00:17:24.833
- Just ask yourself, if you could do any one thing
- 00:17:24.833 --> 00:17:27.102
- In the church, what would you do?
- 00:17:27.102 --> 00:17:29.705
- Your gifts plus your passions,
- 00:17:29.705 --> 00:17:32.107
- Thirdly, plus the church's need.
- 00:17:32.107 --> 00:17:34.643
- Yes, you ought to look at where the needs are in the church
- 00:17:34.643 --> 00:17:37.913
- To see where your gifts and passion meet a need.
- 00:17:37.913 --> 00:17:41.583
- Now, we've seen that every christian has a purpose.
- 00:17:41.583 --> 00:17:45.220
- Our purpose is connected to god's purpose.
- 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:47.789
- Our purpose is to be centered in the local church.
- 00:17:47.789 --> 00:17:50.993
- Finally, living your purpose is the key
- 00:17:50.993 --> 00:17:55.063
- To fulfillment in life.
- 00:17:55.063 --> 00:17:57.432
- Living your purpose is the key to fulfillment in life.
- 00:17:57.432 --> 00:18:00.135
- It's the key to present enjoyment in your life.
- 00:18:00.135 --> 00:18:04.006
- Psychologist carl jung,
- 00:18:04.006 --> 00:18:05.841
- In his book "modern man in search of a soul" wrote,
- 00:18:05.841 --> 00:18:08.911
- "about 1/3 of my cases are suffering
- 00:18:08.911 --> 00:18:11.947
- From no clinically definable neurosis,
- 00:18:11.947 --> 00:18:15.517
- But from the senselessness and emptiness of their lives.
- 00:18:15.517 --> 00:18:20.022
- This can be described as the general neurosis of our time."
- 00:18:20.022 --> 00:18:25.460
- Even though jung wrote those words more than 100 years ago,
- 00:18:26.628 --> 00:18:30.299
- They're just as true today as they were then,
- 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:32.534
- That sense of purposelessness and meaninglessness.
- 00:18:32.534 --> 00:18:37.539
- I mean, think about it.
- 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.840
- People are searching everywhere for meaning
- 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:40.676
- And purpose in life.
- 00:18:40.676 --> 00:18:41.843
- Some people try their jobs.
- 00:18:41.843 --> 00:18:43.845
- They spend 60% of their waking hours at their job,
- 00:18:43.845 --> 00:18:47.182
- And yet, they're not happy and fulfilled there.
- 00:18:47.182 --> 00:18:50.586
- If you don't believe that, listen to these statistics.
- 00:18:50.586 --> 00:18:52.888
- 1/3 of americans say, "i hate my job."
- 00:18:52.888 --> 00:18:56.825
- 2/3 of workers say that they have chosen the wrong career.
- 00:18:56.825 --> 00:19:01.330
- Most suicides occur on sunday nights.
- 00:19:01.330 --> 00:19:05.167
- Most heart attacks occur on monday mornings.
- 00:19:05.167 --> 00:19:09.137
- Not finding fulfillment in their work, people think,
- 00:19:09.137 --> 00:19:11.106
- "well, i'll try pleasure.
- 00:19:11.106 --> 00:19:13.242
- I'll try addictions.
- 00:19:13.242 --> 00:19:15.177
- Or maybe i'll try accumulating money
- 00:19:15.177 --> 00:19:17.613
- And having a luxurious life," but that's empty as well.
- 00:19:17.613 --> 00:19:21.250
- Solomon, the richest man who ever lived,
- 00:19:21.250 --> 00:19:24.119
- Tried every pleasure under the sun,
- 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:26.521
- And he came away saying in ecclesiastes 2:10 and 11,
- 00:19:26.521 --> 00:19:29.658
- "all was vanity and striving after wind
- 00:19:29.658 --> 00:19:33.095
- And there is no profit under the sun."
- 00:19:33.095 --> 00:19:36.632
- Why is that people keep searching for some new pleasure,
- 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:41.536
- Some new achievement,
- 00:19:41.536 --> 00:19:44.172
- A new mate, but they never find that satisfaction?
- 00:19:44.172 --> 00:19:49.444
- Here's the simple reason.
- 00:19:50.012 --> 00:19:52.080
- Eternal beings can only be filled with the eternal.
- 00:19:53.081 --> 00:19:59.054
- Eternal beings can only be satisfied
- 00:19:59.855 --> 00:20:02.557
- By that which is eternal.
- 00:20:02.557 --> 00:20:04.893
- Think about it, you couldn't fill the pacific ocean
- 00:20:04.893 --> 00:20:07.929
- With a bucket of water, can you?
- 00:20:07.929 --> 00:20:10.165
- It takes more than that.
- 00:20:10.165 --> 00:20:12.134
- And it's the same with us.
- 00:20:12.134 --> 00:20:14.636
- Solomon said, "god has placed eternity in our hearts."
- 00:20:14.636 --> 00:20:19.007
- Whether you're a christian or non-christian,
- 00:20:19.007 --> 00:20:20.842
- You have a sense of eternal, the eternal.
- 00:20:20.842 --> 00:20:23.945
- And only that which is eternal can fill that eternal void.
- 00:20:23.945 --> 00:20:29.284
- That means we need an eternal companion,
- 00:20:30.152 --> 00:20:32.254
- One who transcends this life.
- 00:20:32.254 --> 00:20:35.057
- And secondly, we need an eternal purpose
- 00:20:35.057 --> 00:20:37.993
- To give our lives to.
- 00:20:37.993 --> 00:20:40.195
- Living out our purpose is the key to fulfillment
- 00:20:41.163 --> 00:20:44.266
- In this present life, but secondly,
- 00:20:44.266 --> 00:20:46.668
- It's also the key to future reward.
- 00:20:46.668 --> 00:20:50.405
- 2 corinthians 5:9-10, "therefore," paul said,
- 00:20:50.405 --> 00:20:54.142
- "we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent,
- 00:20:54.142 --> 00:20:57.379
- To be pleasing to god."
- 00:20:57.379 --> 00:20:58.814
- Why?
- 00:20:58.814 --> 00:21:00.382
- "for we must all appear before the judgment seat of christ,
- 00:21:00.382 --> 00:21:03.685
- So that each one of us may be recompensed,"
- 00:21:03.685 --> 00:21:06.154
- Rewarded for what we've done in the body,
- 00:21:06.154 --> 00:21:08.690
- "according to what he has done,
- 00:21:08.690 --> 00:21:12.828
- Whether it is good or worthless."
- 00:21:12.828 --> 00:21:16.898
- We're all going to stand
- 00:21:16.898 --> 00:21:18.133
- Before that judgment seat of christ,
- 00:21:18.133 --> 00:21:20.268
- And we're going to be evaluated on whether we invested
- 00:21:20.268 --> 00:21:23.071
- Our life in fulfilling god's purpose or our own.
- 00:21:23.071 --> 00:21:27.409
- I love the way randy alcorn has put it.
- 00:21:28.243 --> 00:21:31.079
- He says, "because this life is so brief,
- 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:34.583
- We might easily conclude it's also inconsequential.
- 00:21:34.583 --> 00:21:39.221
- Our brief stay here may, indeed, seem unimportant,
- 00:21:39.221 --> 00:21:43.592
- But nothing could be further from the truth.
- 00:21:43.592 --> 00:21:46.261
- For the bible tells us that while men may not remember
- 00:21:46.261 --> 00:21:49.598
- Or care what our lives have been,
- 00:21:49.598 --> 00:21:52.100
- God remembers perfectly and cares very much,
- 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:56.705
- So much that the door of eternity swings
- 00:21:56.705 --> 00:22:00.742
- On the hinges of our present life on earth.
- 00:22:00.742 --> 00:22:04.413
- Eternity will hold for us
- 00:22:04.413 --> 00:22:07.682
- What this life has invested in it."
- 00:22:07.682 --> 00:22:12.788
- Let me ask you this morning,
- 00:22:13.388 --> 00:22:15.323
- What are you investing your life in?
- 00:22:16.124 --> 00:22:19.728
- Really, what are you investing it in?
- 00:22:20.495 --> 00:22:23.665
- Where are you putting your money?
- 00:22:24.433 --> 00:22:27.102
- Where are you spending your time?
- 00:22:27.869 --> 00:22:30.972
- Where are you dreaming your dreams?
- 00:22:31.773 --> 00:22:34.109
- Are those things invested in that which is temporal
- 00:22:35.177 --> 00:22:39.714
- Or that which is eternal?
- 00:22:39.714 --> 00:22:41.483
- Is your life about fulfilling your dreams or god's dreams?
- 00:22:42.651 --> 00:22:47.856
- Is your life self-focused or god-focused?
- 00:22:48.723 --> 00:22:53.995
- It's one or the other.
- 00:22:54.496 --> 00:22:56.665
- It can't be both.
- 00:22:56.665 --> 00:23:00.402
- On the wall in my study,
- 00:23:00.902 --> 00:23:02.804
- -for many years, -(bright music)
- 00:23:02.804 --> 00:23:05.874
- Was a little plaque, ben, your grandparents gave me
- 00:23:05.874 --> 00:23:09.077
- When i went to my first church.
- 00:23:09.077 --> 00:23:11.179
- And i looked at it every day.
- 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:13.515
- "only one life will soon be past.
- 00:23:14.249 --> 00:23:18.520
- Only what's done for christ will last."
- 00:23:18.520 --> 00:23:22.791
- That's the secret to fulfillment in life.
- 00:23:23.658 --> 00:23:27.662
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:27.662 --> 00:23:31.933
- -god doesn't want
- 00:23:32.367 --> 00:23:33.668
- Your purpose to remain a mystery,
- 00:23:33.668 --> 00:23:36.238
- And i truly hope today's message helps you determine
- 00:23:36.238 --> 00:23:39.007
- God's calling for your life.
- 00:23:39.007 --> 00:23:41.510
- Well, the deadline is nearly upon us
- 00:23:41.510 --> 00:23:43.745
- For the salt & light matching challenge.
- 00:23:43.745 --> 00:23:46.114
- For just a short while longer,
- 00:23:46.114 --> 00:23:48.350
- Your gift will be matched and therefore doubled
- 00:23:48.350 --> 00:23:50.919
- In ministry impact.
- 00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:52.487
- But the countdown ends july 6th at midnight.
- 00:23:52.487 --> 00:23:56.591
- So please, don't delay any longer
- 00:23:56.591 --> 00:23:59.160
- In sending your gift to "pathway to victory."
- 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:02.063
- In today's world where god's design for marriage,
- 00:24:02.063 --> 00:24:05.166
- Family, and life itself is being recklessly abandoned,
- 00:24:05.166 --> 00:24:09.371
- We need to take action.
- 00:24:09.371 --> 00:24:11.239
- Your support right now will help us
- 00:24:11.239 --> 00:24:13.608
- Boldly proclaim the gospel and defend biblical truth
- 00:24:13.608 --> 00:24:17.178
- When our nation needs it the most.
- 00:24:17.178 --> 00:24:19.614
- Thank you in advance for your generosity,
- 00:24:19.614 --> 00:24:22.350
- As together, we push back against the moral
- 00:24:22.350 --> 00:24:25.587
- And spiritual darkness of our day.
- 00:24:25.587 --> 00:24:28.156
- Now, stay right there, i'll be back
- 00:24:28.156 --> 00:24:29.658
- With more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
- 00:24:29.658 --> 00:24:33.261
- [narrator] is fear holding you back
- 00:24:33.995 --> 00:24:35.463
- From sharing your faith?
- 00:24:35.463 --> 00:24:36.865
- Millions of christians have the desire
- 00:24:36.865 --> 00:24:38.800
- But lack the courage to speak up.
- 00:24:38.800 --> 00:24:40.936
- With god's holy spirit, you can become unstoppable.
- 00:24:40.936 --> 00:24:44.506
- Our enemy hates for the church to grow,
- 00:24:44.506 --> 00:24:47.042
- Not just in numbers, but in its influence for the gospel.
- 00:24:47.042 --> 00:24:51.012
- And he will do everything he can to stop it.
- 00:24:51.012 --> 00:24:54.349
- So we must do everything we can to stop him.
- 00:24:54.349 --> 00:24:57.852
- In my faith-building book, "unstoppable power,"
- 00:24:57.852 --> 00:25:01.122
- You'll discover how to call upon the holy spirit
- 00:25:01.122 --> 00:25:03.992
- To be your confidence in any situation.
- 00:25:03.992 --> 00:25:07.462
- [narrator] in his bestselling book, "unstoppable power,"
- 00:25:07.462 --> 00:25:10.265
- Dr. robert jeffress reveals how you can boldly proclaim
- 00:25:10.265 --> 00:25:13.468
- The gospel with the same confidence the apostles had.
- 00:25:13.468 --> 00:25:16.871
- You're invited to request the book "unstoppable power"
- 00:25:16.871 --> 00:25:19.908
- When you give a generous gift to the "pathway to victory"
- 00:25:19.908 --> 00:25:22.711
- Salt & light matching challenge.
- 00:25:22.711 --> 00:25:24.813
- And when your gift is $75 or more,
- 00:25:24.813 --> 00:25:27.782
- You'll also receive the companion study guide,
- 00:25:27.782 --> 00:25:30.318
- Along with the complete "unstoppable "power" teaching series
- 00:25:30.318 --> 00:25:33.622
- On dvd video and audio disc.
- 00:25:33.622 --> 00:25:36.124
- We face the same kind of growing opposition
- 00:25:36.124 --> 00:25:40.795
- In the 21st century
- 00:25:40.795 --> 00:25:42.664
- As those first-century christians experienced.
- 00:25:42.664 --> 00:25:45.533
- That opposition was no match for the power of jesus christ.
- 00:25:45.533 --> 00:25:50.038
- [narrator] remember, your gift today
- 00:25:50.038 --> 00:25:51.406
- Will have twice the impact thanks
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- To the "pathway to victory" salt & light matching challenge.
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- Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory"
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- As we boldly proclaim the gospel in a world
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- That has lost its way.
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- ♪ music ♪
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- I first delivered today's message
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- To our congregation at first baptist church in dallas,
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- But the growth that i long to see in my own church
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- Is the same growth i want to see in yours as well.
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- And before any church can reach its full potential,
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- Every member has to be functioning at their full potential.
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- Well, in his famous sermon on the mount,
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- Jesus said, "blessed are those who hunger and thirst
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- For righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
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- What does it really mean to truly hunger for god?
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- And how can we experience the satisfaction jesus promises?
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- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
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- On "pathway to victory."
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- One reason we don't get our prayers answered sometime is
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- We're not acting righteously.
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- We may be in a right relationship with god.
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- We may be forgiven of our sins.
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- But if we don't act righteously,
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- God doesn't hear our prayers.
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- Judicial righteousness, ethical righteousness,
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- But jesus said the prerequisite for both of them,
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- Both a right standing with god
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- And a right acting before god, is to want it.
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- [narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
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- For the message "the one prayer god always answers,"
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- Here on "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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