Robert Jeffress - Going Without Knowing (Part 2)

January 21, 2025 | S25:E36

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 - Going Without Knowing (Part 2) | January 21, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory," 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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  • When facing a major life decision with high stakes,
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  • Wouldn't it be nice if god would simply come forward
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  • And point you in the right direction?
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  • Well, god rarely gives us a clear-cut answer,
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  • But he does give us some principles
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  • To help us make those decisions.
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  • And today we're going to look at
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  • Two well-known figures in scripture
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  • Who illustrate how faith enables us
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  • To submit to god's will for our lives.
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  • My message is titled, "going without knowing,"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ when peace like a river attendeth my way ♪
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  • ♪ when sorrows like sea billows roll ♪
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  • ♪ whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say ♪
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  • ♪ it is well, it is well with my soul ♪
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  • -♪ it is well ♪ -♪ it is well ♪
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  • -♪ with my soul ♪ -♪ with my soul ♪
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  • ♪ it is well, it is well with my soul ♪
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  • ♪ o lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight ♪
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  • ♪ the clouds be rolled back as a scroll ♪
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  • ♪ the trump shall resound and the lord shall descend ♪
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  • ♪ even so, it is well with my soul ♪
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  • -♪ it is well ♪ -♪ it is well ♪
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  • -♪ with my soul ♪ -♪ with my soul ♪
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  • ♪ it is well ♪
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  • ♪ it is well ♪
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  • ♪ with my soul ♪
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  • ♪ amen ♪
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  • (audience applauding)
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  • [announcer] in a world filled with noise and clutter,
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  • God invites us to look past the distractions,
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  • And connect with him on a deeply personal level.
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  • Take a moment to anchor yourself
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  • In the calming truth of god's word, with the brand new
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  • 2025 "pathway to victory daily devotional."
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  • And now with larger print, the 260 practical insights
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  • From dr. robert jeffress are easier to read.
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  • Request the brand new
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  • 2025 "pathway to victory daily devotional,"
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  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Just think, they left ur of the chaldees.
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  • They were leaving their family.
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  • They were leaving their religious traditions.
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  • They were leaving their friends, everything familiar to them
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  • To go to a place that was unidentified
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  • At this point to them,
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  • All because god said to go.
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  • Perhaps you felt that kind of loneliness too,
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  • The loneliness of moving to a new city,
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  • Moving to a new church, moving to a new job.
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  • Even though you're surrounded by people, you feel all alone.
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  • That's what it took for abraham.
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  • Why did he do it?
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  • Let me tell you why he didn't do it.
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  • It's not because he calculated
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  • That the new land was better than ur of the chaldees.
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  • He didn't study the housing market,
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  • Or the job (laughing) market,
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  • Or the climate or anything else and say,
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  • "i think i'd like to move there."
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  • No, he went there by faith.
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  • Look at verse 9, this gives us great insight
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  • Of what happened even after he got there.
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  • "by faith," hebrews 11:9, "by faith,
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  • Abraham lived as an alien in the land of promise,
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  • As in a foreign land, dwelling in tents
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  • With isaac and jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise."
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  • This is interesting,
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  • Even when he finally got to the promised land,
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  • The bible said, "he lived, he sojourned."
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  • That word means to live as an alien, not a citizen.
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  • In the old testament times,
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  • An alien was one step above a slave, had very few rights,
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  • Was not really tied to the country that he went to,
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  • And that was abraham.
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  • The whole time that he and sarah would live in canaan,
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  • Did you know they never built a house?
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  • They were wealthy, but they never built a house,
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  • They lived in tents.
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  • They never bought a piece of property,
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  • Except to be buried on.
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  • Why would they do that?
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  • Why would they live such detached lives?
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  • Verse 10 says, "for he, abraham, was looking for the city
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  • Which has foundations whose architect and builder is god."
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  • Abraham was looking for a better city, a more lasting city.
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  • He was looking for that new jerusalem.
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  • He knew that's where his reward would be.
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  • Let me just say this as simply as possible,
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  • You know what it means to walk by faith?
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  • Walk by faith means taking that next step,
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  • Even when you can't see the outcome.
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  • Taking the next step you know god wants you to take.
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  • There's some of you right now
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  • Who are living in a fog of confusion,
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  • Maybe about your profession, about your marriage,
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  • About your children.
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  • And this pandemic has even thickened that fog.
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  • It's harder now than ever before
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  • To see what's going to happen three months from now,
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  • Six months from now.
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  • God isn't calling you to see the future,
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  • To know what's going to happen.
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  • He's asking you to take that next step
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  • In obedience to him,
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  • Walking by faith when you can't see the future.
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  • That's what abraham illustrates.
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  • His wife sarah illustrates another aspect
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  • Of submissive faith.
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  • Sometimes submitting to god's commands
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  • Means walking with god when you can't see the future.
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  • But sometimes it means waiting on god
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  • When you can't hear his voice.
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  • I remember so well in a previous church,
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  • We were having a great ministry there,
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  • But the possibility of going to another church opened up,
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  • And amy and i were really considering
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  • Whether or not to go to this new church.
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  • And we tried to keep it quiet,
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  • But we couldn't keep it quiet.
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  • And other people in the congregation
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  • Began knowing that we were considering leaving.
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  • And so i'll never forget, a senior adult woman, very wise,
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  • She slipped me a note one day that i'll never forget.
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  • She said, "pastor, remember,
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  • Sometimes it takes more faith to stay in a place
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  • Than to go to a new place."
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  • And we ended up staying for a number of more years,
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  • And had a great ministry there.
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  • But that's really true, faith doesn't always mean going.
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  • Sometimes it means staying where you are,
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  • Staying in that job, staying in that marriage,
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  • Staying in that church, or wherever god has you.
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  • Waiting on god without hearing,
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  • Sarah's a great illustration of that.
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  • Look at verses 11 and 12, "by faith,
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  • Even sarah herself received ability to conceive,
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  • Even beyond the proper time of life,
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  • Since she considered him faithful who had promised.
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  • Therefore there was born even of one man, abraham,
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  • And him as good as dead at that,
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  • As many descendants as the stars of heaven in number,
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  • And innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore."
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  • When this promise came that abraham and sarah
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  • Were going to be the progenitors of a great nation,
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  • Abraham was 75 years old.
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  • Sarah was 65 years old.
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  • Now to be honest, their faith wavered at times,
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  • Like the time that abraham and sarah
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  • Decided to fulfill god's promise in their way,
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  • By having abraham have relations with haggai,
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  • The maid servant of sarai, and that didn't work out well.
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  • That was a complete disaster.
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  • Then there was the time the angelic visitors came,
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  • And announced that in the very next year,
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  • Sarah, when she was 90 years old, would give birth,
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  • And she laughed at god.
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  • Yeah, they had some momentary lapses in their faith,
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  • But they still believed god most of the time.
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  • By the way, aren't you glad that god doesn't judge us
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  • By one or two slip ups in our life?
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  • That he doesn't judge us because we stumble here and there?
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  • Instead, god evaluates our life
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  • By the general direction in which we're headed.
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  • Are we headed toward god, are we headed away from god?
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  • Abraham and sarah believed god,
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  • Even though they had lapses of faith.
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  • And you have to understand what a tremendous thing it was
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  • To believe god.
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  • I mean today, for a woman to have a baby when she's 60,
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  • I mean that's thought of as just outrageous, miraculous,
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  • It doesn't happen.
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  • Imagine a 90-year-old woman having a baby?
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  • I mean that would be something for the supermarket tabloid,
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  • Right below the latest sighting of elvis presley.
  • 00:11:19.124 --> 00:11:21.993
  • I mean, you just don't hear about that,
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  • 90-year-old women having babies.
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  • And think about abraham, abraham, 100 years of age.
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  • The bible says in verse 12, "he was as good as dead."
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  • (congregation laughing)
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  • Now, some of you ladies know what it means
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  • To be married to somebody who is as good as dead.
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  • (congregation laughing)
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  • You can't tell the difference, that was sarah.
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  • Doesn't god have a great sense of humor?
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  • But god said when they were 75 and 65,
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  • "you are going to be parents."
  • 00:11:54.325 --> 00:11:57.395
  • He gave the promise, and then they didn't hear another word
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  • The next year, the next year, the next year,
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  • Until the year before the birth.
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  • They waited 24 years, believed god
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  • Without ever hearing a word from god.
  • 00:12:10.842 --> 00:12:14.412
  • Waiting on god when he is silent,
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  • Some of you know what that's like as well.
  • 00:12:18.316 --> 00:12:22.187
  • You're waiting on god
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  • To do something miraculous in your life.
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  • You're waiting on god to turn your child
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  • Or grandchild's heart back to the lord again.
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  • You're waiting on god to change the heart
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  • Of your husband or wife toward you.
  • 00:12:38.670 --> 00:12:41.439
  • You're waiting on god to bring healing to yourself,
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  • Or somebody you care about.
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  • Faith means believing god will do
  • 00:12:49.380 --> 00:12:51.082
  • What he has promised to do, and acting accordingly.
  • 00:12:51.082 --> 00:12:55.687
  • And sometimes acting accordingly means waiting on god.
  • 00:12:55.687 --> 00:12:59.757
  • Abraham demonstrates that a submissive faith
  • 00:12:59.757 --> 00:13:02.861
  • Walks with god when you can't see the future.
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  • Sarah illustrates that submissive faith
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  • Means waiting on god when you can't hear his voice.
  • 00:13:08.800 --> 00:13:12.270
  • Why were abraham and sarah
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  • Able to exercise this kind of profound faith?
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  • Remember, they had no bible old or new testament.
  • 00:13:17.609 --> 00:13:21.546
  • They didn't have thousands of years of church history,
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  • Of men and women who had gone before them.
  • 00:13:24.415 --> 00:13:26.918
  • What is it that allowed them
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  • To exercise this invaluable quality of faith?
  • 00:13:29.187 --> 00:13:32.891
  • Remember hebrews 11:6, "without faith,
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  • It's impossible to please god."
  • 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:38.796
  • How did they do it?
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  • Let me give you three reasons
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  • They were able to exercise a submissive obedient faith.
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  • Number one, they released their grip on the present.
  • 00:13:46.271 --> 00:13:51.609
  • They released their grip on the present.
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  • Look at verses 13 and 14,
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  • "all these died in faith without receiving the promises.
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  • But having seen them,
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  • And having welcomed them from a distance,
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  • And having confessed that they were strangers
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  • And exiles on the earth.
  • 00:14:05.523 --> 00:14:07.392
  • For those who say such things make it clear
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  • That they are seeking a country of their own."
  • 00:14:09.527 --> 00:14:13.131
  • Even after they arrived in the promised land,
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  • They never got too comfortable there.
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  • They never built the house,
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  • They never owned the property, why?
  • 00:14:19.771 --> 00:14:22.273
  • They knew this world is not their home,
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  • They were just passing through.
  • 00:14:24.575 --> 00:14:27.211
  • And they realized how easily their lives could be uprooted.
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  • After all, when they were 60 and 50,
  • 00:14:30.481 --> 00:14:33.084
  • God had uprooted them from the ur of the chaldees.
  • 00:14:33.084 --> 00:14:36.020
  • How did they know god wouldn't do
  • 00:14:36.020 --> 00:14:37.722
  • The same thing to them again?
  • 00:14:37.722 --> 00:14:39.991
  • They knew the best way to go through life
  • 00:14:39.991 --> 00:14:42.527
  • Walking with god is to hold on to life loosely,
  • 00:14:42.527 --> 00:14:47.298
  • Holding onto their possessions, their plans loosely.
  • 00:14:48.333 --> 00:14:52.437
  • That's why they were able to walk with faith.
  • 00:14:52.437 --> 00:14:55.273
  • They released their grip on their present circumstances.
  • 00:14:55.273 --> 00:14:58.910
  • Paul said it this way in philippians 3:20,
  • 00:14:58.910 --> 00:15:01.746
  • "for our citizenship is in heaven,
  • 00:15:01.746 --> 00:15:05.416
  • From which we eagerly await for a savior,
  • 00:15:05.416 --> 00:15:08.519
  • The lord jesus christ."
  • 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:10.588
  • Our citizenship is up there.
  • 00:15:10.588 --> 00:15:13.157
  • Now, some christians take that to the extreme.
  • 00:15:13.157 --> 00:15:15.727
  • They think because our citizenship is up there,
  • 00:15:15.727 --> 00:15:18.096
  • We can forsake all our responsibilities here.
  • 00:15:18.096 --> 00:15:20.565
  • No, we live on earth too.
  • 00:15:20.565 --> 00:15:22.533
  • We have responsibilities to our family,
  • 00:15:22.533 --> 00:15:24.602
  • To our work, to our government.
  • 00:15:24.602 --> 00:15:27.205
  • We have responsibilities,
  • 00:15:27.205 --> 00:15:28.973
  • But we're never to get too tied up
  • 00:15:28.973 --> 00:15:30.908
  • With those responsibilities,
  • 00:15:30.908 --> 00:15:32.844
  • To the point that we forget where our real citizenship is.
  • 00:15:32.844 --> 00:15:37.115
  • You know, every now and then we get a reminder
  • 00:15:37.115 --> 00:15:41.285
  • That helps us loosen our grip on the present.
  • 00:15:42.186 --> 00:15:45.189
  • Have you ever had a doctor say,
  • 00:15:45.823 --> 00:15:47.392
  • "there's something suspicious on that x-ray.
  • 00:15:47.392 --> 00:15:52.630
  • We need to run some more tests."
  • 00:15:53.264 --> 00:15:55.833
  • And sometimes you go for weeks or days
  • 00:15:55.833 --> 00:15:59.570
  • Wondering what the outcome is going to be.
  • 00:15:59.570 --> 00:16:02.640
  • When you're confronted with the possibility of your death,
  • 00:16:02.640 --> 00:16:05.710
  • It's interesting how those things
  • 00:16:05.710 --> 00:16:07.845
  • That seemed urgent are now unimportant.
  • 00:16:07.845 --> 00:16:11.649
  • And those things a few days earlier
  • 00:16:11.649 --> 00:16:13.384
  • That had seemed unimportant now seem urgent.
  • 00:16:13.384 --> 00:16:17.055
  • That's what the possibility of death does for you.
  • 00:16:17.055 --> 00:16:19.991
  • It makes you prioritize the things that are essential.
  • 00:16:19.991 --> 00:16:24.762
  • I think one of the benefits, frankly, of this pandemic
  • 00:16:24.762 --> 00:16:28.533
  • Has been that it's cut through the illusion
  • 00:16:28.533 --> 00:16:30.635
  • That we're in control of our life.
  • 00:16:30.635 --> 00:16:33.204
  • It was just an illusion anyway, we don't control our life.
  • 00:16:33.204 --> 00:16:37.108
  • We've been forced to confront our own mortality.
  • 00:16:37.108 --> 00:16:40.845
  • It's helped us release our grip
  • 00:16:40.845 --> 00:16:42.914
  • On our present circumstances.
  • 00:16:42.914 --> 00:16:44.515
  • That's key to walking or waiting in faith.
  • 00:16:44.515 --> 00:16:48.386
  • But not only did they release their grip on the present,
  • 00:16:48.386 --> 00:16:50.988
  • Secondly, they renounced their past.
  • 00:16:50.988 --> 00:16:54.025
  • Look at verse 15, "and indeed,
  • 00:16:54.025 --> 00:16:56.227
  • If they had been thinking of that country
  • 00:16:56.227 --> 00:16:58.096
  • From which they went out,
  • 00:16:58.096 --> 00:16:59.964
  • They could have had an opportunity to return."
  • 00:16:59.964 --> 00:17:02.900
  • You know, as they made their way to canaan,
  • 00:17:03.801 --> 00:17:05.236
  • They faced some real struggles, abraham and sarah.
  • 00:17:05.236 --> 00:17:08.506
  • And it would've been tempting to think,
  • 00:17:08.506 --> 00:17:09.974
  • "oh, for the good old days of ur of the chaldees,
  • 00:17:09.974 --> 00:17:13.978
  • How i long for being with my friends
  • 00:17:13.978 --> 00:17:16.948
  • And fellow idol worshipers.
  • 00:17:16.948 --> 00:17:19.016
  • How i wish i could go back home."
  • 00:17:19.016 --> 00:17:22.320
  • That's a common temptation for anybody
  • 00:17:22.320 --> 00:17:24.856
  • Who's trying to walk forward in faith.
  • 00:17:24.856 --> 00:17:27.558
  • I think about that song that our friends, the hoppers, sing,
  • 00:17:27.558 --> 00:17:31.129
  • "i've come too far to look back again.
  • 00:17:31.129 --> 00:17:34.232
  • There is nothing behind me.
  • 00:17:34.232 --> 00:17:36.634
  • All the treasures i used to love have faded from view.
  • 00:17:36.634 --> 00:17:40.138
  • There's a new day ahead of me.
  • 00:17:40.138 --> 00:17:41.906
  • All my heartache is over, for i left it at calvary,
  • 00:17:41.906 --> 00:17:45.843
  • Where my new life began."
  • 00:17:45.843 --> 00:17:48.479
  • Those who want to please god, walk with god,
  • 00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:52.483
  • Cannot afford the luxury of looking back.
  • 00:17:52.483 --> 00:17:56.587
  • For some of you, god has called you out of a certain city.
  • 00:17:57.722 --> 00:18:02.560
  • He's called you out of a certain profession.
  • 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:05.129
  • Maybe he's called you out of a certain lifestyle.
  • 00:18:05.129 --> 00:18:08.299
  • Don't look back.
  • 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.735
  • Don't long for the good old days,
  • 00:18:10.735 --> 00:18:12.770
  • Because frankly, the good old days
  • 00:18:12.770 --> 00:18:14.839
  • Aren't as good as we remember anyway.
  • 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:17.375
  • God wants us to set our hearts on the future,
  • 00:18:17.375 --> 00:18:20.344
  • And that leads to the third principle of submissive faith.
  • 00:18:20.344 --> 00:18:23.814
  • That is, abraham and sarah
  • 00:18:23.814 --> 00:18:25.716
  • Refocused their affection on the future.
  • 00:18:25.716 --> 00:18:29.554
  • Look at verse 16, "but as it is,
  • 00:18:29.554 --> 00:18:31.856
  • They desire a better country, that is a heavenly one.
  • 00:18:31.856 --> 00:18:35.693
  • Therefore, god is not ashamed to be called their god,
  • 00:18:35.693 --> 00:18:39.030
  • For he has prepared a city for them."
  • 00:18:39.030 --> 00:18:42.266
  • Their focus was not just on canaan, but it was on heaven,
  • 00:18:42.266 --> 00:18:46.470
  • The new city, the new jerusalem.
  • 00:18:46.470 --> 00:18:49.140
  • Have you ever heard the expression,
  • 00:18:49.907 --> 00:18:51.776
  • "people who are just too heavenly minded
  • 00:18:52.643 --> 00:18:55.780
  • To be of any earthly good,"
  • 00:18:55.780 --> 00:18:57.481
  • Have you ever heard that before?
  • 00:18:57.481 --> 00:18:59.383
  • People who are always thinking about heaven.
  • 00:18:59.383 --> 00:19:02.153
  • There's no such thing as a person
  • 00:19:02.887 --> 00:19:04.488
  • Who thinks too much about heaven.
  • 00:19:04.488 --> 00:19:06.991
  • In fact, c.s. lewis said,
  • 00:19:06.991 --> 00:19:08.559
  • "the problem is not that we think too much about heaven,
  • 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:11.629
  • It's that we think too little of it."
  • 00:19:11.629 --> 00:19:14.565
  • And he went on to say, "history has shown
  • 00:19:14.565 --> 00:19:16.467
  • That those who have made the greatest for god
  • 00:19:16.467 --> 00:19:19.237
  • Are those who thought most about the next life,
  • 00:19:19.237 --> 00:19:24.809
  • While doing the most in this life."
  • 00:19:25.576 --> 00:19:28.512
  • And that was the secret to abraham and sarah,
  • 00:19:29.447 --> 00:19:30.948
  • They were focusing on the future.
  • 00:19:30.948 --> 00:19:34.118
  • Ladies and gentlemen, before you will ever refocus
  • 00:19:35.152 --> 00:19:37.588
  • Your affection on the future,
  • 00:19:37.588 --> 00:19:40.491
  • There is an issue you have to get settled in your heart
  • 00:19:41.592 --> 00:19:44.061
  • Once and for all.
  • 00:19:44.061 --> 00:19:45.863
  • Are you living your life to please yourself?
  • 00:19:46.764 --> 00:19:51.869
  • Or are you living your life to please jesus christ?
  • 00:19:52.903 --> 00:19:57.508
  • Is the focus of your life
  • 00:19:57.508 --> 00:19:59.310
  • On acquiring as many possessions, and achievements,
  • 00:19:59.310 --> 00:20:04.048
  • And pleasures as you possibly can?
  • 00:20:04.048 --> 00:20:06.651
  • Or is the focus of your life doing everything you can
  • 00:20:07.685 --> 00:20:11.555
  • To build the kingdom of god?
  • 00:20:11.555 --> 00:20:13.858
  • Your focus is one or the other, it can't be both.
  • 00:20:14.792 --> 00:20:19.530
  • You know, when i think about this idea
  • 00:20:20.364 --> 00:20:23.034
  • Of abraham and sarah focusing on the future,
  • 00:20:23.034 --> 00:20:26.237
  • Because they believe that god is a rewarder
  • 00:20:26.237 --> 00:20:29.040
  • Of those who diligently follow after him,
  • 00:20:29.040 --> 00:20:31.609
  • When i think about that,
  • 00:20:31.609 --> 00:20:32.810
  • I think about the scottish brothers,
  • 00:20:32.810 --> 00:20:34.912
  • John and david livingstone,
  • 00:20:34.912 --> 00:20:36.547
  • Who lived more than 200 years ago.
  • 00:20:36.547 --> 00:20:39.917
  • John livingstone had as his life's goal
  • 00:20:40.751 --> 00:20:44.689
  • To accumulate as much money as he possibly could.
  • 00:20:44.689 --> 00:20:49.160
  • And he did, he achieved a pile of money with his life.
  • 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:54.465
  • But if you looked up the name john livingstone
  • 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:57.034
  • In the old encyclopedia,
  • 00:20:57.034 --> 00:20:59.170
  • Remember encyclopedias, remember those?
  • 00:20:59.170 --> 00:21:03.174
  • (congregation laughing)
  • 00:21:03.174 --> 00:21:04.475
  • If you had looked up the name john livingstone
  • 00:21:04.475 --> 00:21:05.609
  • In the "encyclopedia britannica,"
  • 00:21:05.609 --> 00:21:07.611
  • It would've had one line about him,
  • 00:21:07.611 --> 00:21:09.547
  • "john livingstone, brother of david livingstone."
  • 00:21:09.547 --> 00:21:14.819
  • And who was david livingstone?
  • 00:21:15.453 --> 00:21:16.854
  • He was that scottish minister, missionary,
  • 00:21:16.854 --> 00:21:20.991
  • Medical doctor who spent his life in africa,
  • 00:21:20.991 --> 00:21:24.695
  • Died in africa, sharing the gospel of jesus christ
  • 00:21:24.695 --> 00:21:28.165
  • With as many people as possible.
  • 00:21:28.165 --> 00:21:30.368
  • Why would somebody give their life to do that?
  • 00:21:30.368 --> 00:21:33.671
  • Early in his ministry, david livingstone knelt before god
  • 00:21:33.671 --> 00:21:36.907
  • Saying, "i will place no value on anything i have
  • 00:21:36.907 --> 00:21:42.246
  • Or may possess, unless it's in relationship
  • 00:21:43.147 --> 00:21:46.317
  • To the kingdom of god."
  • 00:21:46.317 --> 00:21:48.552
  • Today, if you traveled to westminster abbey in london,
  • 00:21:49.653 --> 00:21:52.256
  • And look at the plaque above his burial spot, it says this,
  • 00:21:52.256 --> 00:21:56.727
  • "for 30 years his life was spent
  • 00:21:56.727 --> 00:22:00.531
  • In an unwearied effort to evangelize."
  • 00:22:00.531 --> 00:22:05.636
  • Why?
  • 00:22:05.836 --> 00:22:07.204
  • Because david livingstone
  • 00:22:07.204 --> 00:22:08.439
  • Was looking for that better country,
  • 00:22:08.439 --> 00:22:11.175
  • That more lasting country.
  • 00:22:11.742 --> 00:22:13.911
  • And like abraham and sarah,
  • 00:22:14.512 --> 00:22:16.747
  • He believed that god is a rewarder
  • 00:22:16.747 --> 00:22:20.017
  • Of those who diligently seek after him.
  • 00:22:20.017 --> 00:22:24.021
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:22:24.021 --> 00:22:28.692
  • Yes, god rewards those who diligently seek after him,
  • 00:22:29.760 --> 00:22:33.831
  • And that truth is etched into scripture
  • 00:22:33.831 --> 00:22:35.933
  • As an irrevocable promise of god.
  • 00:22:35.933 --> 00:22:39.103
  • Well, in the time remaining today, i want to remind you
  • 00:22:39.103 --> 00:22:41.639
  • That when you invest in "pathway to victory,"
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  • By giving a generous gift,
  • 00:22:43.741 --> 00:22:45.676
  • You're making an eternal impact
  • 00:22:45.676 --> 00:22:47.978
  • In the lives of those who benefit from this ministry.
  • 00:22:47.978 --> 00:22:51.415
  • We use every single gift to shine the bright light of truth
  • 00:22:51.415 --> 00:22:55.486
  • Into the places of darkness.
  • 00:22:55.486 --> 00:22:57.688
  • In doing so, we're reaching christians across america,
  • 00:22:57.688 --> 00:23:00.891
  • And around the world, just like you,
  • 00:23:00.891 --> 00:23:03.327
  • Who want to bolster their faith,
  • 00:23:03.327 --> 00:23:05.329
  • Even when the future feels uncertain.
  • 00:23:05.329 --> 00:23:08.365
  • So thank you for partnering with us,
  • 00:23:08.365 --> 00:23:10.434
  • As together we pierce the darkness
  • 00:23:10.434 --> 00:23:13.137
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:13.137 --> 00:23:15.272
  • Now please stay right there,
  • 00:23:15.272 --> 00:23:16.807
  • I'll be back with one final word for today in just a moment.
  • 00:23:16.807 --> 00:23:20.578
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:20.578 --> 00:23:23.347
  • [announcer] when was the last time
  • 00:23:23.347 --> 00:23:24.648
  • You heard god speak to you from his word?
  • 00:23:24.648 --> 00:23:27.051
  • Dr. robert jeffress believes that growing closer to god
  • 00:23:27.051 --> 00:23:29.987
  • Begins with reading your bible,
  • 00:23:29.987 --> 00:23:31.689
  • And spending time in prayer.
  • 00:23:31.689 --> 00:23:33.891
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time in his word,
  • 00:23:33.891 --> 00:23:37.461
  • With the brand-new 2025
  • 00:23:37.461 --> 00:23:39.263
  • "pathway to victory daily devotional."
  • 00:23:39.263 --> 00:23:41.765
  • Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
  • 00:23:41.765 --> 00:23:45.236
  • He chose to do it through the written word.
  • 00:23:45.236 --> 00:23:48.239
  • And that's why it's so important for you and for me
  • 00:23:48.239 --> 00:23:50.508
  • To set aside regular time to read the word of god.
  • 00:23:50.508 --> 00:23:54.845
  • [announcer] whether you've been a christian
  • 00:23:54.845 --> 00:23:56.146
  • For a lot of years, or just a short while,
  • 00:23:56.146 --> 00:23:58.449
  • The principles found in this year's devotional
  • 00:23:58.449 --> 00:24:00.784
  • Will help breathe new life into your walk with god.
  • 00:24:00.784 --> 00:24:04.255
  • Ready to get back to the basics of your christian faith?
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  • Request your copy of the 2025
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  • "spiritual fitness" teaching series on dvd and audio disc.
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  • We'll discover one thing all of these men and women
  • 00:24:24.775 --> 00:24:27.044
  • Had in common is they believed god,
  • 00:24:27.044 --> 00:24:30.548
  • And they acted according to their belief in god.
  • 00:24:30.548 --> 00:24:33.517
  • They did something as a demonstration of their faith.
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  • [announcer] thank you for giving generously
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  • To support the ministry of "pathway to victory."
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  • Your giving empowers this broadcast ministry
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  • To proclaim the practical, applicable,
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  • 00:24:47.431 --> 00:24:51.502
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:24:51.502 --> 00:24:52.903
  • Maybe for you, faith means taking that next step
  • 00:24:52.903 --> 00:24:54.672
  • Of obedience to god.
  • 00:24:54.672 --> 00:24:56.507
  • Are you willing to step forward,
  • 00:24:56.507 --> 00:24:58.175
  • Even if you can't see the future?
  • 00:24:58.175 --> 00:25:00.644
  • Or maybe faith for you means waiting on god,
  • 00:25:00.644 --> 00:25:03.113
  • And not losing hope, even though you can't hear god's voice.
  • 00:25:03.113 --> 00:25:07.418
  • Abraham and sarah had plenty of reasons not to believe,
  • 00:25:07.418 --> 00:25:11.021
  • Yet they chose to walk with god in submissive faith.
  • 00:25:11.021 --> 00:25:15.859
  • Well, if you're a christian parent,
  • 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:17.695
  • Your most important responsibility
  • 00:25:17.695 --> 00:25:19.663
  • Is your child's spiritual development.
  • 00:25:19.663 --> 00:25:22.733
  • So how can mothers and fathers teach their children
  • 00:25:22.733 --> 00:25:25.803
  • To love and obey jesus christ?
  • 00:25:25.803 --> 00:25:28.305
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:25:28.305 --> 00:25:30.941
  • On "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:30.941 --> 00:25:33.243
  • For better or for worse, your faith, or lack of faith,
  • 00:25:34.345 --> 00:25:39.350
  • Will be multiplied and amplified
  • 00:25:39.984 --> 00:25:42.786
  • Through the generations that follow you.
  • 00:25:42.786 --> 00:25:45.623
  • Let me ask you this morning, what kind of legacy
  • 00:25:46.624 --> 00:25:50.194
  • Are you building right now that is going to be left
  • 00:25:50.194 --> 00:25:53.163
  • For your children, your grandchildren,
  • 00:25:53.163 --> 00:25:56.166
  • And the great-grandchildren that you have?
  • 00:25:56.166 --> 00:25:58.936
  • Are you teaching them by your example,
  • 00:25:59.770 --> 00:26:02.706
  • That the most important thing in life
  • 00:26:02.706 --> 00:26:04.908
  • Is to know, love, and serve jesus christ?
  • 00:26:04.908 --> 00:26:07.645
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:07.645 --> 00:26:08.946
  • [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:26:08.946 --> 00:26:10.848
  • For the message, "a legacy of faith,"
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  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:13.517 --> 00:26:19.356
  • If you could go back in time
  • 00:26:19.957 --> 00:26:21.458
  • And walk with the apostle paul on one of his journeys,
  • 00:26:21.458 --> 00:26:24.495
  • Would you do it?
  • 00:26:24.495 --> 00:26:25.763
  • This may, let's go together
  • 00:26:25.763 --> 00:26:27.297
  • On the life-changing "pathway to victory"
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  • Journeys of paul mediterranean cruise.
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  • [announcer] embark on a voyage of elegance and refinement
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  • Aboard the luxurious celebrity ascent.
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  • Enjoy lavish state rooms, spacious balconies,
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  • And world-class dining.
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  • You'll experience breathtaking views, famous beaches,
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  • And crystal clear water,
  • 00:26:46.850 --> 00:26:48.419
  • In beautiful island destinations like santorini,
  • 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:51.455
  • Mykonos, and crete.
  • 00:26:51.455 --> 00:26:53.457
  • Walk with me and other believers
  • 00:26:53.457 --> 00:26:55.192
  • In the very places where god's word was written.
  • 00:26:55.192 --> 00:26:58.662
  • Join us as we study his word together.
  • 00:26:58.662 --> 00:27:01.432
  • Surrounded by natural beauty,
  • 00:27:01.432 --> 00:27:03.333
  • We will seek our creator in his creation.
  • 00:27:03.333 --> 00:27:07.571
  • [announcer] reserve your spot on the "pathway to victory"
  • 00:27:07.571 --> 00:27:10.107
  • Journeys of paul mediterranean cruise.
  • 00:27:10.107 --> 00:27:12.743
  • Call 888-280-6747, or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:12.743 --> 00:27:12.743