Robert Jeffress - Finding Your "One Thing" in Life (Part 2)

January 2, 2025 | S25:E3

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Finding Your "One Thing" in Life (Part 2) | January 2, 2025
  • ...
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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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  • Of all the images the bible uses to describe the church, the
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  • Most frequently used image is that of the human body.
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  • Christ is the head and we are the parts of his body, but very
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  • Few christians truly understand where they fit into this
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  • Intricate system.
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  • Today, i'm going to show you why finding your unique purpose in
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  • Life is not only key to your own fulfillment, but it's also key
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  • To the local church reaching her potential.
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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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  • ♪ 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 sun 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. ♪
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  • ♪ is our hope for the day. ♪
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  • ♪ he who was, he who is. ♪
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  • ♪ he who is to come. ♪
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  • ♪ it's christ the son of man. ♪
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  • ♪ is riding on the clouds with a crown upon his head. ♪
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  • ♪ every eye will see him. ♪
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  • ♪ with the nail scars in his hands. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah, hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ he who is to come. ♪
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  • ♪ it's christ. ♪
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  • ♪ it's christ the son of man. ♪
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  • ♪ is riding on the cloud 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 hands. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah, hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • [congregation applauding]
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  • Announcer: it's okay to have questions about your faith,
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  • But you need answers you can trust.
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  • In his book "how can i know?"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress addresses seven of life's
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  • Most important questions.
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  • If you've ever wondered how you can know the bible is true or
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  • How you can know if you're going to heaven,
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  • This book makes a compelling case for answers you
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  • Can embrace with confidence.
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  • Request your copy of "how can i know?"
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  • When you give a generous gift to support the ministry
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  • Of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: god has always chosen, mercifully, to allow us to be
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  • 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 landed back in
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  • Genesis, just waiting to get to the begats, but i was back
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  • 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, but after he
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  • Created the perfect garden, remember what he said to adam
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  • And eve?
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  • He said i've created it, but your job is to cultivate it and
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  • To keep it.
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  • I've done my part, here's your part.
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  • Remember, god said to noah, he said, noah, i'm gonna send a
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  • Flood and destroy the world.
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  • I'm gonna save you and a select few, that's what i'm gonna do,
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  • But it's your responsibility to build the ark.
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  • God said to nehemiah, nehemiah, i'm gonna miraculously change
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  • The king's heart 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 around
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  • The city.
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  • And god has said to you and to me, i have sent my son jesus
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  • Christ to offer the greatest gift of all time, the gift of
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  • Salvation, that's what i'm doing, but i've commissioned you
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  • To go and share that gospel with as many people as possible.
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  • And in case anybody misses what that mission is that we need to
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  • Connect to, listen to jesus's final words to his disciples
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  • Before he ascended into heaven.
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  • Matthew 28:19-20, "go therefore and make disciples of all
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  • Nations, baptizing them in the name of the
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  • Father, the son, 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, even to the end of the age."
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  • You know, you read through the new testament and you'll find
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  • One of the metaphors used extensively throughout the new
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  • Testament is that of christians being a soldier, being
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  • A soldier.
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  • For example, 2 timothy 2:4 says,
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  • "no soldier in active service
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  • Entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may
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  • Please the one who enlisted him as a soldier."
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  • How many people in the military, since we're reaching a military
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  • Audience now, how many people in the military do you know who
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  • Wake up in the morning and say, gee, i wonder what i ought to
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  • Do today?
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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 gonna survive in the military with that kind
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  • Of attitude.
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  • The military, people in the military, have one job and that
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  • Is to obey their commanding officer, to make his commanding
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  • Officer's agenda, his agenda, and it's the same way with us.
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  • You know, in paul's day, a roman soldier had one goal, and that
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  • Was to fulfill the emperor's command, and that is to go and
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  • Expand the territory of the kingdom, to expand the roman
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  • Empire, 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, that
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  • Is the job for which we have been called.
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  • God didn't leave us here in this world to accumulate a lot
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  • 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 to god's kingdom
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  • Purpose, and that leads to a third truth.
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  • Now, hang on to your pews here, because it's gonna get a little
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  • Bumpy for a moment, 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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  • So, assumption number one, every christian is to be involved
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  • 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, but then i
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  • Come to church to kind of relax and soak in some
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  • Spiritual truth.
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  • No, listen to ephesians 4:11-12.
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  • "and christ gave some to the church as apostles, and some as
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  • Prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastor
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  • Teachers for the equipping of the saints," for the work of
  • 00:08:28.698 --> 00:08:33.636
  • Service, "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, it is to equip you
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  • To do the work of ministry.
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  • That's what that word "equip" means, "katartismos."
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  • It literally refers to the loading up of a ship with
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  • Supplies before it sets out on a long journey.
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  • You know, a lot of people think, you know, the goal of our church
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  • Service is to see how many people can be saved.
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  • That's not the goal of the church service, you know why i
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  • Say that?
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  • Lost people very rarely come to church to begin with.
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  • You may have a few sprinkled out there, but lost people, by
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  • Definition, don't come to church.
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  • I always present the gospel in a service, because i know there's
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  • Some unbelievers who stumble in for one reason or another, but
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  • The purpose of this church service is to equip you, to give
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  • You the tools that are needed to go out and read the people at
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  • Your work, 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 for just a few paid
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  • Professionals 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, i think about the late bud wilkinson, professional
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  • Football player, who after he left the nfl became the chairman
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  • Of the president's council on physical fitness under
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  • Lyndon johnson.
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  • And at a press conference one time, a reporter asked
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  • Wilkinson, "mr.
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  • Wilkinson, what contribution has professional football made to
  • 00:10:10.366 --> 00:10:15.638
  • The health of the american people?"
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  • Wilkinson said, "absolutely none."
  • 00:10:18.474 --> 00:10:22.445
  • He said, "think about it.
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  • In football, you have 22 men on the field desperately in need of
  • 00:10:23.813 --> 00:10:28.918
  • Rest, being cheered on by 80,000 spectators in the stands,
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  • Desperately in need for exercise."
  • 00:10:33.723 --> 00:10:38.027
  • And you know, that's a picture of the average church.
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  • You've got a few people out there on the playing field, the
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  • Pastor, the staff, a few deacons, but the members are in
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  • The stands.
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  • Now, if the church is doing well, they cheer them on.
  • 00:10:49.872 --> 00:10:53.375
  • "go, pastor, go staff, go deacons," but the church starts
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  • To go south, no longer cheers but jeers, boos, hisses, "call
  • 00:10:59.582 --> 00:11:05.087
  • In the second string."
  • 00:11:05.087 --> 00:11:06.756
  • Now, that may make for exciting football, but that is a lousy
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  • Way to run a church.
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  • God never meant for just a few people to be on the field
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  • Playing the game.
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  • God's purpose is to equip all of us, you, the saints, for the
  • 00:11:18.601 --> 00:11:22.638
  • Work of service to the building up of the body of christ.
  • 00:11:22.638 --> 00:11:26.308
  • That's why i say every christian is to be involved in ministry.
  • 00:11:26.308 --> 00:11:30.379
  • And secondly, our ministry is to be centered in the local church.
  • 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:36.852
  • You know, people have a funny idea about the local
  • 00:11:36.852 --> 00:11:39.221
  • Church today.
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  • They kind of think of it as a second-class christian
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  • Organization, a necessary evil.
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  • Yeah, i guess we ought to support the church.
  • 00:11:44.927 --> 00:11:47.196
  • But there's this group over here that's doing such an exciting
  • 00:11:47.196 --> 00:11:49.999
  • Work for god, and this group over here that's doing this
  • 00:11:49.999 --> 00:11:52.434
  • Great--this is where the action is, but you know, i'll give
  • 00:11:52.434 --> 00:11:54.970
  • A little pittance of my time and money to the church, but this is
  • 00:11:54.970 --> 00:11:57.940
  • Where the excitement is.
  • 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:59.675
  • No, the bible says the church is the one organization that god
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  • Himself created to fulfill his great commission.
  • 00:12:05.714 --> 00:12:10.252
  • You know, there are many fine christian organizations outside
  • 00:12:10.252 --> 00:12:13.889
  • Of the church, but they all have one thing in common, they were
  • 00:12:13.889 --> 00:12:17.660
  • All created by a man or woman, and they all will end one day.
  • 00:12:17.660 --> 00:12:22.932
  • Only the church of jesus christ was actually created by god.
  • 00:12:22.932 --> 00:12:28.337
  • In fact, in ephesians 3 verse 21, paul says, "to him," god,
  • 00:12:28.337 --> 00:12:32.808
  • "be the glory in the church and in christ jesus to all
  • 00:12:32.808 --> 00:12:37.279
  • Generations forever and ever."
  • 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:39.949
  • It was god who thought up the idea of the church.
  • 00:12:39.949 --> 00:12:42.418
  • 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 to go into
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  • All the world and preach the gospel.
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  • In fact, when you read the new testament, you can't find one
  • 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:53.229
  • Person in one ministry or one missionary who was not under the
  • 00:12:53.229 --> 00:12:57.132
  • Authority of a local church.
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  • God's plan to fulfill his mission is through
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  • The local church.
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  • That's why our church ought to receive the bulk of our giving,
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  • But it also ought to receive the bulk of our time in ministry.
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  • God's purpose is to be lived out in the local church.
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  • You say, well, then how do i find my ministry in the
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  • Local church?
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  • How do i know what my ministry should be?
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  • Let me share with you this simple formula that i think will
  • 00:13:26.128 --> 00:13:29.164
  • Help you find the unique place of ministry god has for you
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  • Through his church.
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  • Simple equation, my gifts, plus my passion, plus the church's
  • 00:13:35.371 --> 00:13:41.343
  • Need equals my ministry.
  • 00:13:41.343 --> 00:13:45.814
  • My gifts, plus my passion, plus the church's need equal
  • 00:13:45.814 --> 00:13:50.386
  • My ministry.
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  • Let's break that down.
  • 00:13:52.021 --> 00:13:53.355
  • First of all, your gifts, what do i mean by your gifts?
  • 00:13:53.355 --> 00:13:58.427
  • You know, when you were saved, you not only received the gift
  • 00:13:58.427 --> 00:14:02.398
  • Of forgiveness, the bible says god gave you a unique spiritual
  • 00:14:02.398 --> 00:14:07.336
  • Gift, a divine empowerment to be used to spread his message to
  • 00:14:07.336 --> 00:14:13.142
  • Other people.
  • 00:14:13.142 --> 00:14:14.510
  • In fact, in romans chapter 12 the bible lists the seven gifts,
  • 00:14:14.510 --> 00:14:19.214
  • And says that we have one of those motivational gifts that is
  • 00:14:19.214 --> 00:14:23.886
  • Our basic motivation to wanna share christ's message
  • 00:14:23.886 --> 00:14:27.256
  • With others.
  • 00:14:27.256 --> 00:14:28.624
  • In fact, look at romans 12 verses 6 to 8.
  • 00:14:28.624 --> 00:14:30.926
  • "since we have gifts that differ according to the grace
  • 00:14:30.993 --> 00:14:33.562
  • Given to us, let each exercise them accordingly.
  • 00:14:33.562 --> 00:14:37.166
  • If your gift is prophecy," that's the first one, "according
  • 00:14:37.166 --> 00:14:40.402
  • To the proportion of his faith.
  • 00:14:40.402 --> 00:14:41.937
  • If service," that's the second one, "in his serving, if in
  • 00:14:41.937 --> 00:14:45.741
  • Teaching, according to his teaching," that's number three.
  • 00:14:45.741 --> 00:14:48.911
  • "he who exhorts in his exhortation," that's
  • 00:14:48.911 --> 00:14:52.047
  • Number four.
  • 00:14:52.047 --> 00:14:53.415
  • "he who gives with liberality," that's number five.
  • 00:14:53.415 --> 00:14:56.118
  • "he who leads, leadership," that's number six, "with
  • 00:14:56.118 --> 00:14:59.455
  • Diligence, and he who shows mercy," that's the final gift,
  • 00:14:59.455 --> 00:15:02.891
  • "with cheerfulness."
  • 00:15:02.891 --> 00:15:04.493
  • And in the past i have preached a three-part series on
  • 00:15:04.493 --> 00:15:07.496
  • Discovering your spiritual gift where i explain this in depth.
  • 00:15:07.496 --> 00:15:11.066
  • So, first of all, your place of ministry begins with your gifts.
  • 00:15:11.066 --> 00:15:14.536
  • Secondly, your passion.
  • 00:15:14.536 --> 00:15:16.505
  • My gifts plus my passion.
  • 00:15:16.505 --> 00:15:20.275
  • You know, this is one of the greatest discoveries i ever made
  • 00:15:20.275 --> 00:15:22.845
  • About finding god's will.
  • 00:15:22.845 --> 00:15:24.813
  • One of the best ways to know what god wants you to do is ask
  • 00:15:24.813 --> 00:15:28.617
  • Yourself what do i want to do?
  • 00:15:28.617 --> 00:15:32.121
  • The fact is, one of the ways god leads us is through the desires
  • 00:15:32.121 --> 00:15:35.924
  • He places in our hearts, and it's true in ministry as well.
  • 00:15:35.924 --> 00:15:41.230
  • You know, you may see that there's a need for workers in
  • 00:15:41.230 --> 00:15:44.266
  • The seventh grade, and that may be a legitimate need.
  • 00:15:44.266 --> 00:15:48.470
  • And you may say to yourself, well, you know, i'd rather have
  • 00:15:48.470 --> 00:15:50.973
  • My left arm cut off than go work for seventh graders, but if the
  • 00:15:50.973 --> 00:15:54.543
  • Church needs that, i guess that's what i'll do.
  • 00:15:54.543 --> 00:15:59.982
  • Let me encourage you, you know, be kind to yourself, be kind to
  • 00:15:59.982 --> 00:16:05.587
  • Those seventh graders, and don't go teach there, please.
  • 00:16:05.587 --> 00:16:08.690
  • If you don't want to be there, they'll be the first to know it
  • 00:16:08.690 --> 00:16:11.994
  • And you'll be the first to know it.
  • 00:16:11.994 --> 00:16:13.328
  • No, if god is calling you to do something, he's gonna give you a
  • 00:16:13.328 --> 00:16:16.832
  • Passion for it.
  • 00:16:16.832 --> 00:16:18.267
  • You know why these wonderful men and women sing in the choir and
  • 00:16:18.267 --> 00:16:21.837
  • Play in our orchestra, devote countless hours to doing it?
  • 00:16:21.837 --> 00:16:25.941
  • It's not because they feel like martyrs and they have to do it,
  • 00:16:25.941 --> 00:16:28.811
  • They love doing it.
  • 00:16:28.811 --> 00:16:31.847
  • They get fulfilled by doing it, and that's the way it ought
  • 00:16:31.847 --> 00:16:35.317
  • To be.
  • 00:16:35.317 --> 00:16:36.652
  • You know why missionaries leave here and go serve in a
  • 00:16:36.652 --> 00:16:40.255
  • Third-world country?
  • 00:16:40.255 --> 00:16:42.424
  • It's not because they're miserable doing it or they wanna
  • 00:16:42.424 --> 00:16:45.360
  • Be martyrs, it's because they love doing that.
  • 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:49.431
  • They wouldn't be happy anywhere else doing anything else.
  • 00:16:49.431 --> 00:16:53.335
  • There's nothing wrong with that.
  • 00:16:53.335 --> 00:16:54.670
  • God leads us through the desires that he places in our heart.
  • 00:16:54.670 --> 00:16:57.739
  • Pastor, where do you get that in the bible?
  • 00:16:57.739 --> 00:16:59.441
  • Philippians 2:13, paul said, "for it is god who is at work in
  • 00:16:59.441 --> 00:17:04.446
  • You, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
  • 00:17:04.446 --> 00:17:07.950
  • One paraphrase says, "for it is god who is working in you,
  • 00:17:07.950 --> 00:17:10.986
  • Giving you both the desire and the power to do his work."
  • 00:17:10.986 --> 00:17:16.291
  • Ask yourself the question, if i could do any one thing in the
  • 00:17:16.291 --> 00:17:21.196
  • Church, i would, and fill in the blank.
  • 00:17:21.196 --> 00:17:24.299
  • As you look around here, just ask yourself, if you could do
  • 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:27.269
  • Any one thing in the church, what would you do?
  • 00:17:27.269 --> 00:17:30.572
  • Your gifts plus your passions, thirdly, plus the church's need.
  • 00:17:30.572 --> 00:17:35.611
  • Yes, you ought to look at where the needs are in the church to
  • 00:17:35.611 --> 00:17:39.114
  • See where your gifts and passion meet a need.
  • 00:17:39.114 --> 00:17:42.451
  • Now, we've seen that every christian has a purpose.
  • 00:17:42.451 --> 00:17:46.188
  • Our purpose is connected to god's purpose.
  • 00:17:46.188 --> 00:17:48.857
  • Our purpose is to be centered in the local church.
  • 00:17:48.857 --> 00:17:51.994
  • Finally, living your purpose is the key to fulfillment in life.
  • 00:17:51.994 --> 00:17:58.300
  • Living your purpose is the key to fulfillment in life.
  • 00:17:58.300 --> 00:18:01.103
  • It's the key to present enjoyment in your life.
  • 00:18:01.103 --> 00:18:05.107
  • Psychologist carl jung, in his book, "modern man in search of a
  • 00:18:05.107 --> 00:18:08.911
  • Soul," wrote, "about a third of my cases are suffering from no
  • 00:18:08.911 --> 00:18:15.083
  • Clinically definable neurosis, but from the senselessness and
  • 00:18:15.083 --> 00:18:20.122
  • Emptiness of their lives.
  • 00:18:20.122 --> 00:18:22.424
  • This can be described as the general neurosis of our time."
  • 00:18:22.424 --> 00:18:28.964
  • Even though jung wrote those words more than a hundred years
  • 00:18:28.964 --> 00:18:31.600
  • Ago, they're just as true today as they were then.
  • 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:34.970
  • That sense of purposelessness and meaninglessness.
  • 00:18:34.970 --> 00:18:39.875
  • I mean, think about it.
  • 00:18:39.875 --> 00:18:41.210
  • People are searching everywhere for meaning and purpose in life.
  • 00:18:41.210 --> 00:18:44.213
  • Some people try their jobs.
  • 00:18:44.213 --> 00:18:46.181
  • They spend 60% of their waking hours at their job and yet
  • 00:18:46.181 --> 00:18:50.485
  • They're not happy and fulfilled there.
  • 00:18:50.485 --> 00:18:52.955
  • If you don't believe that, listen to these statistics.
  • 00:18:52.955 --> 00:18:55.324
  • One-third of americans say i hate my job.
  • 00:18:55.324 --> 00:18:59.194
  • Two-thirds of workers say that they have chosen the
  • 00:18:59.194 --> 00:19:01.997
  • Wrong career.
  • 00:19:01.997 --> 00:19:03.632
  • Most suicides occur on sunday nights.
  • 00:19:03.632 --> 00:19:07.436
  • Most heart attacks occur on monday mornings.
  • 00:19:07.436 --> 00:19:11.306
  • Not finding fulfillment in their work, people think, well, i'll
  • 00:19:11.306 --> 00:19:14.209
  • Try pleasure, i'll try addictions, or maybe i'll try
  • 00:19:14.209 --> 00:19:18.347
  • Accumulating money and having a luxurious life, but that's empty
  • 00:19:18.347 --> 00:19:22.351
  • As well.
  • 00:19:22.351 --> 00:19:23.685
  • Solomon, the richest man who ever lived, tried every pleasure
  • 00:19:23.685 --> 00:19:27.623
  • Under the sun and he came away saying in ecclesiastes 2:10-11,
  • 00:19:27.623 --> 00:19:32.027
  • "all is vanity and striving after wind and there is no
  • 00:19:32.027 --> 00:19:36.465
  • Profit under the sun."
  • 00:19:36.465 --> 00:19:39.635
  • Why is it that people keep searching for some new pleasure,
  • 00:19:39.635 --> 00:19:43.872
  • Some new achievement, a new mate, but they never find
  • 00:19:43.872 --> 00:19:50.078
  • That satisfaction?
  • 00:19:50.078 --> 00:19:52.247
  • Here's the simple reason, eternal beings can only be
  • 00:19:52.247 --> 00:19:58.687
  • Filled with the eternal.
  • 00:19:58.687 --> 00:20:02.224
  • Eternal beings can only be satisfied by that which
  • 00:20:02.224 --> 00:20:05.994
  • Is eternal.
  • 00:20:05.994 --> 00:20:07.362
  • Think about it.
  • 00:20:07.362 --> 00:20:08.697
  • You couldn't fill the pacific ocean with a bucket of water,
  • 00:20:08.697 --> 00:20:11.366
  • Can you?
  • 00:20:11.366 --> 00:20:12.734
  • It takes more than that, and it's the same with us.
  • 00:20:12.734 --> 00:20:16.872
  • Solomon said god has placed eternity in our hearts.
  • 00:20:16.872 --> 00:20:21.243
  • Whether you're a christian or non-christian, you have a sense
  • 00:20:21.243 --> 00:20:24.046
  • Of eternal, the eternal, and only that which is eternal can
  • 00:20:24.046 --> 00:20:28.684
  • Fill that eternal void.
  • 00:20:28.684 --> 00:20:31.787
  • That means we need an eternal companion, one who transcends
  • 00:20:31.787 --> 00:20:35.957
  • This life, and secondly, we need an eternal purpose to give our
  • 00:20:35.957 --> 00:20:40.996
  • Lives to.
  • 00:20:40.996 --> 00:20:42.964
  • Living out our purpose is the key to fulfillment in this
  • 00:20:42.964 --> 00:20:47.035
  • Present life, but secondly, it's also the key to future reward.
  • 00:20:47.035 --> 00:20:52.774
  • Second corinthians 5:9-10, "therefore," paul said, "we have
  • 00:20:52.774 --> 00:20:57.112
  • As our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to
  • 00:20:57.112 --> 00:21:00.749
  • God," why?
  • 00:21:00.749 --> 00:21:02.084
  • "for we must all appear before the judgment seat of christ, so
  • 00:21:02.084 --> 00:21:06.355
  • That each one of us may be recompensed, rewarded for what
  • 00:21:06.355 --> 00:21:09.725
  • We've done in the body, according to what he has done,
  • 00:21:09.725 --> 00:21:15.197
  • Whether it is good or worthless."
  • 00:21:15.197 --> 00:21:19.201
  • We're all going to stand before that judgment seat of christ,
  • 00:21:19.201 --> 00:21:22.537
  • And we're gonna be evaluated on whether we invested our life in
  • 00:21:22.537 --> 00:21:26.608
  • Fulfilling god's purpose our own.
  • 00:21:26.608 --> 00:21:30.445
  • I love the way randy alcorn has put it.
  • 00:21:30.445 --> 00:21:33.382
  • He says, "because this life is so brief, we might easily
  • 00:21:33.382 --> 00:21:38.186
  • Conclude it's also inconsequential.
  • 00:21:38.186 --> 00:21:41.590
  • Our brief stay here may indeed seem unimportant, but nothing
  • 00:21:41.590 --> 00:21:46.561
  • Could be further from the truth.
  • 00:21:46.561 --> 00:21:48.430
  • For the bible tells us that while men may not remember or
  • 00:21:48.430 --> 00:21:52.200
  • Care what our lives have been, god remembers perfectly and
  • 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:57.239
  • Cares very much, so much that the door of eternity swings on
  • 00:21:57.239 --> 00:22:03.345
  • The hinges of our present life on earth.
  • 00:22:03.345 --> 00:22:06.815
  • Eternity will hold for us what this life has invested in it."
  • 00:22:06.815 --> 00:22:15.457
  • Let me ask you this morning, what are you investing your life
  • 00:22:15.457 --> 00:22:20.162
  • In really?
  • 00:22:20.162 --> 00:22:23.932
  • What you investing it in?
  • 00:22:23.932 --> 00:22:26.435
  • Where are you putting your money?
  • 00:22:26.435 --> 00:22:29.871
  • Where are you spending your time?
  • 00:22:29.871 --> 00:22:33.875
  • Where are you dreaming your dreams?
  • 00:22:33.875 --> 00:22:37.312
  • Are those things invested in that which is temporal or that
  • 00:22:37.312 --> 00:22:42.217
  • Which is eternal?
  • 00:22:42.217 --> 00:22:44.853
  • Is your life about fulfilling your dreams or god's dreams?
  • 00:22:44.853 --> 00:22:50.792
  • Is your life self-focused or god focused?
  • 00:22:50.792 --> 00:22:56.531
  • It's one or the other, it can't be both.
  • 00:22:56.531 --> 00:23:03.138
  • On the wall of my study for many years was a little plaque, ben,
  • 00:23:03.138 --> 00:23:09.611
  • Your grandparents gave me when i went to my first church, and i
  • 00:23:09.611 --> 00:23:13.748
  • Looked at it every day.
  • 00:23:13.748 --> 00:23:16.485
  • "only one life will soon be passed.
  • 00:23:16.485 --> 00:23:20.655
  • Only what's done for christ will last."
  • 00:23:20.655 --> 00:23:25.527
  • That's the secret to fulfillment in life.
  • 00:23:25.527 --> 00:23:30.198
  • Jeffress: god doesn't want your purpose to remain a mystery, and
  • 00:23:34.436 --> 00:23:38.173
  • I truly hope today's message helps you determine god's
  • 00:23:38.173 --> 00:23:41.276
  • Calling for your life.
  • 00:23:41.276 --> 00:23:43.612
  • Jeffress: well, as we begin a new year together,
  • 00:23:43.612 --> 00:23:46.047
  • I'm inviting you to link arms with "pathway to victory" as one
  • 00:23:46.047 --> 00:23:49.651
  • Of our pathway partners.
  • 00:23:49.651 --> 00:23:51.820
  • A pathway partner is someone who commits to give a generous gift
  • 00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:55.690
  • In the amount of your choosing every month.
  • 00:23:55.690 --> 00:23:59.227
  • In addition to receiving a number of benefits,
  • 00:23:59.227 --> 00:24:01.997
  • Here's the best part.
  • 00:24:01.997 --> 00:24:03.798
  • Your monthly giving will help "pathway to victory" to grow and
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  • Expand into new opportunities this year.
  • 00:24:07.202 --> 00:24:10.605
  • As a pathway partner, you'll be part of an exclusive circle of
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  • Friends who maximize our impact through television,
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  • Radio, podcasting, digital streaming,
  • 00:24:18.113 --> 00:24:21.483
  • And many other avenues that we're using to pierce the
  • 00:24:21.483 --> 00:24:24.886
  • Darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:24:24.886 --> 00:24:28.056
  • Now stay right there.
  • 00:24:28.056 --> 00:24:29.591
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:29.591 --> 00:24:34.029
  • Announcer: if a friend or one of your children came up to you
  • 00:24:34.095 --> 00:24:36.565
  • And asked, "how do you know christianity
  • 00:24:36.565 --> 00:24:38.767
  • Is the right religion?"
  • 00:24:38.767 --> 00:24:40.335
  • Could you give a clear and credible answer?
  • 00:24:40.335 --> 00:24:43.104
  • We'd like to send you a book from dr. robert jeffress
  • 00:24:43.104 --> 00:24:45.907
  • Containing answers to life's seven most important questions.
  • 00:24:45.907 --> 00:24:49.744
  • It's titled "how can i know?"
  • 00:24:49.744 --> 00:24:51.947
  • Jeffress: if we're honest, every one of us has questions
  • 00:24:51.947 --> 00:24:54.583
  • About our faith, questions like:
  • 00:24:54.583 --> 00:24:56.484
  • How can i know the bible is true?
  • 00:24:56.484 --> 00:24:58.853
  • Or: how can i know god exists?
  • 00:24:58.853 --> 00:25:01.590
  • In my book "how can i know?"
  • 00:25:01.590 --> 00:25:03.491
  • I tackle seven important questions and provide
  • 00:25:03.491 --> 00:25:06.595
  • Biblically-based answers
  • 00:25:06.595 --> 00:25:08.597
  • You can embrace with confidence.
  • 00:25:08.597 --> 00:25:10.765
  • Announcer: seven straightforward answers
  • 00:25:10.765 --> 00:25:12.367
  • To seven pressing questions.
  • 00:25:12.367 --> 00:25:14.469
  • The book "how can i know?"
  • 00:25:14.469 --> 00:25:15.937
  • Is yours today when you give a generous gift to support the
  • 00:25:15.937 --> 00:25:19.207
  • Ministry of "pathway to victory," or when you sign up to
  • 00:25:19.207 --> 00:25:22.544
  • Become a pathway partner.
  • 00:25:22.544 --> 00:25:24.713
  • And when your gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:25:24.713 --> 00:25:27.916
  • You'll also receive the complete series on dvd and audio disk
  • 00:25:27.916 --> 00:25:32.320
  • With newly updated content for 2025.
  • 00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:35.323
  • Jeffress: it's not a sin to have doubts.
  • 00:25:35.323 --> 00:25:38.059
  • Sometimes doubt is a prerequisite to genuine faith.
  • 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:42.964
  • Announcer: thank you for investing financially
  • 00:25:42.964 --> 00:25:45.100
  • In "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:46.601
  • Your partnership will help our ministry broadcast god's truth
  • 00:25:46.601 --> 00:25:50.171
  • On television, on radio, and online,
  • 00:25:50.171 --> 00:25:53.141
  • Addressing doubts, clearly confusion,
  • 00:25:53.141 --> 00:25:55.710
  • And transforming lives through the bold,
  • 00:25:55.710 --> 00:25:58.213
  • Biblical teaching of god's word.
  • 00:25:58.213 --> 00:26:00.515
  • Jeffress: i first delivered today's message to our
  • 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:06.187
  • Congregation at first baptist church in dallas,
  • 00:26:06.187 --> 00:26:09.357
  • But the growth that i long to see in my own church is the same
  • 00:26:09.357 --> 00:26:12.961
  • Growth i hope to see in yours as well.
  • 00:26:12.961 --> 00:26:15.930
  • And before any church can ever reach its full potential,
  • 00:26:15.930 --> 00:26:19.501
  • Every member has to be functioning at their
  • 00:26:19.501 --> 00:26:22.604
  • Full potential.
  • 00:26:22.604 --> 00:26:24.572
  • Well, at some point in life, we realize that we've got more
  • 00:26:24.572 --> 00:26:27.909
  • Years behind us than in front of us.
  • 00:26:27.909 --> 00:26:30.979
  • And next time, we're going to look at some great instruction
  • 00:26:30.979 --> 00:26:33.581
  • From moses on how to make the most of our days.
  • 00:26:33.581 --> 00:26:37.786
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:37.786 --> 00:26:40.488
  • On "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:40.488 --> 00:26:43.058
  • Jeffress: time is a priceless commodity god gives to
  • 00:26:43.124 --> 00:26:46.861
  • Each of us.
  • 00:26:46.861 --> 00:26:48.329
  • What makes it priceless?
  • 00:26:48.329 --> 00:26:49.798
  • Well, first of all, it is limited.
  • 00:26:49.798 --> 00:26:52.200
  • It's things that are limited that have value,
  • 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:55.737
  • And our time is very limited.
  • 00:26:55.737 --> 00:26:57.872
  • God may allot to you 70 years.
  • 00:26:57.872 --> 00:27:00.742
  • He may give you 80 years.
  • 00:27:00.742 --> 00:27:02.177
  • He may give you a few more, a few less.
  • 00:27:02.177 --> 00:27:04.312
  • But god has a designated number of days,
  • 00:27:04.312 --> 00:27:08.883
  • Hours, minutes, and seconds that he has given to each one of you,
  • 00:27:08.883 --> 00:27:12.787
  • And they're ticking away just like that.
  • 00:27:12.787 --> 00:27:15.623
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:27:15.623 --> 00:27:18.927
  • Your most priceless gift in the new year here on
  • 00:27:18.927 --> 00:27:22.097
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:22.097 --> 00:27:24.532
  • ...
  • 00:27:27.569 --> 00:27:27.569