Pathway to Victory provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, Biblical teaching.
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Good Grace Churches | April 20, 2026
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- From the pulpit of the first baptist church of dallas,
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- Texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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- With dr. robert jeffress.
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- Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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- More and more christians are turning away from the church
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- As a trusted place for cultivating their faith,
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- But the reality is attending a local church
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- Is absolutely critical to our spiritual growth.
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- We need the church, and the church needs us.
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- Today i'm going to outline four benefits
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- To becoming a member of a local church.
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- My message is titled,
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- "good grace churches" on today's edition
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- Of "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- Some christians use grace as a spiritual
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- "get out of jail free" card.
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- Others pile on so many rules, they have no grace
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- For themselves or others.
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- In "grace gone wild,"
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- Dr. robert jeffress shows you what biblical grace
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- Actually looks like,
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- And how practicing it leads to true freedom and lasting joy.
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- Discover how grace can transform your marriage,
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- Your relationships, and your walk with god.
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- Request "grace gone wild"
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- When you give a generous ministry gift
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- To "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- A few years ago, one of our staff members
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- Asked me if i would go by
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- And visit a woman, a member of our church,
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- Who had asked to visit with me about her funeral service.
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- Janice was a middle-aged woman.
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- She had been in perfect health, until 10 months earlier,
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- She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer,
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- And now she was facing just several more weeks of life,
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- And she wanted to talk about her memorial service.
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- And so the next day i went to the home,
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- Knocked on the front door,
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- Her husband jack answered the door
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- And ushered me into the living room
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- Where janice was in her hospital bed surrounded
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- By a few family members and friends.
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- She was very adamant.
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- She got quickly down to business
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- And said that she wanted her funeral service
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- To be a celebration of her faith in jesus christ.
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- She pointed to her burgundy bible
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- And she said, "pastor,
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- Tell the people i believe every word in that book."
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- We planned the hymns that she wanted sung,
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- The scripture passages she wanted read.
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- Together, we recited john 14,
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- And we all stood around that hospital bed
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- And sang "amazing grace,"
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- A song that we would sing a few days later
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- At her memorial service.
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- As i was leaving, her husband jack walked out with me
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- And we stood on the front porch
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- And he said, "pastor, our church has been
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- So wonderful through all of this.
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- Our sunday school class brought meals every day.
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- Somebody offered to mow the lawn for us.
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- We've had numerous calls, of support and encouragement."
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- And then he said,
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- "pastor, i don't know how people
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- Make it through something like this without a church."
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- Maybe you've had that experience as well.
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- We all have moments of gratitude
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- For the church god has given us,
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- And yet, in spite of these warm feelings
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- Many christians have toward
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- The church, many christians are treating the church
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- With increasing disdain and indifference.
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- Polls tell us for an increasing number
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- Of christians they view membership in the church
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- Is optional, their attendance is sporadic,
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- Their giving is minimal,
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- And they view any kind of service as burdensome.
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- How do you explain that?
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- How do you explain the growing
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- Indifference people have toward the church today,
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- Especially when the founder of the church,
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- Jesus christ, is said to have loved the church
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- And given himself for her?
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- Why is it so many christians don't have
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- That same sacrificial attitude toward the church?
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- Two words answer that question: bad grace.
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- Many christians have taken the gift
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- Of god, grace, and perverted it as an excuse
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- To be indifferent toward the church
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- That jesus christ gave himself for.
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- In our series "grace gone wild,"
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- We're talking about the proper use as well
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- As the abuse of the doctrine of grace,
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- And how a understanding of grace ought
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- To impact every area of our life.
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- Today, we're going to talk
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- About how grace should impact our attitude toward
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- The church.
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- And this sunday
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- And next time, we're going to look at four specific areas
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- Of the church in which grace should affect our thinking.
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- First of all, regarding membership in the church,
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- How does a proper understanding
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- Of grace affect our attitude about membership in the church?
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- Bad grace says i don't need to join a church.
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- Good grace says,
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- God has provided a church for me to join.
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- You know, one thing we've noticed over these last few years
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- Is, we have a growing number of visitors who come
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- To our church, and when we contact them
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- And we talk to them about the joining our church,
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- The staff finds that they say,
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- "oh, we love first baptist dallas.
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- We love coming there.
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- We love everything about the church,
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- But we're just not joiners.
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- We're going to come, we're going to participate, we're going to give,
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- But we're not going to join.
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- We're not joiners."
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- By the way, that's not unique here.
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- I'm talking to pastors who say they're finding
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- That's increasingly an attitude.
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- People want to be spectators but not joiners.
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- In fact, george gallup
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- In a poll discovered that the overwhelming majority
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- Of christians believe that it is possible to be a, quote,
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- "good christian," without ever joining a local church.
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- Do i have to join the church to be a good christian?
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- I could answer that question
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- By pointing out the new testament teaching
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- That shows that the early church had membership roles.
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- They knew who was a part and wasn't a part of the church.
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- They had membership requirements.
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- Yes, they even counted numbers of the members
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- That they had; just read the book of acts.
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- But that's not the best answer to the question,
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- Because the question itself is wrong.
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- It shouldn't be, "do i have to join a church
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- To be a christian,"
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- But, "do i need to join a church to be a good christian?"
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- And the answer is yes.
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- Look at just what the new testament says about the benefits
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- That accrue to us from being a vital part,
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- A member of a local body of believers.
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- In fact, as i search the new testament, i find four benefits
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- That the local church provides.
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- Jot them down.
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- First of all, the local church provides instruction
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- For our spiritual growth,
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- Instruction for our spiritual growth.
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- In acts 2:42, we find this summary
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- Of what the early church did.
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- It says, and they gave themselves to four things:
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- To the apostles teaching, to fellowship,
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- To the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
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- Notice the first, the primary thing
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- That the early church gave themselves
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- To: the apostles teaching.
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- Now remember, in the early church,
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- There was no new testament.
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- The only scripture they had was the old testament.
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- So if they wanted to find out about grace
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- And about the new covenant,
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- They had to listen to the apostles.
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- The apostles were the one
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- Who had been given the divine revelation
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- That the church needed to hear, so they had to listen
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- To the apostles teaching
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- Or somebody designated by the apostles to teach.
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- We need people, gifted people, in the church
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- Who will teach us the truth of god's word,
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- And that's what you get in a local church that you don't get
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- Outside of the local church.
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- Again, the holy spirit is our primary teacher.
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- He is not our only teacher.
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- We need to be in a bible believing church sitting
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- Under the teaching of those whom god
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- Has appointed to teach his word.
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- Without that, you are prone to scriptural
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- And doctrinal error
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- That will lead you into the wrong kind of living.
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- Secondly, the local church provides encouragement
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- When we become discouraged.
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- Listen to me, i've been at this for more than 40 years,
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- And i can tell you, satan's favorite tactic
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- With christians is to first
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- Of all isolate them from other believers,
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- And then attack them.
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- Satan will do everything he can
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- To keep christians from either joining a church
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- Or becoming involved in a church,
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- And he'll do everything he can
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- To dislodge them from a church
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- If they're already a part of one.
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- By the way, that is why church fights
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- And disputes are so lethal and dangerous.
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- I'm so glad first baptist church
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- Isn't plagued with church fights,
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- And church dissension,
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- Because i've seen in other churches what happens.
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- When churches get embroiled in a fight,
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- In a controversy,
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- There are a lot of innocent people
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- In the church that get destroyed by it.
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- They get disillusioned, they fall away from the church,
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- And when that happens they are open game for satan's attack.
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- Satan knows if he can isolate a christian
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- From other christians,
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- Then he can bombarding with temptation,
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- With sickness, with marital discord, with family problems,
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- And ultimately destroy that christian.
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- But as somebody who said there's strength in numbers,
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- Really solomon said that in ecclesiastes 4:9-10,
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- He said two are better than one
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- Because they have a good return for their labor.
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- For either of them falls,
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- The one will lift up his companion,
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- But woe to the one who falls
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- When there's not another to lift him up.
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- Woe to the christian who goes through the hardships
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- Of life alone without anyone to lift him up,
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- And then look at the next verse, verse 12.
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- If one can overpower him who is alone,
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- Two can resist him,
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- And a cord of three strands are not quickly torn apart.
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- The more believers you have bound together,
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- The harder it is to fight and isolate those christians
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- And destroy them.
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- You see, when you're in a fellowship of believer like this,
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- They can not only pray for you
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- When you're going through a difficult time.
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- They can offer you an encouraging word.
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- They can give you spiritual perspective.
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- They can remind you that what you're going through,
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- Though it's painful, it's not unusual
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- That other christians are going through this.
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- They can remind you that you have an enemy, satan,
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- Who is using this to try to destroy you.
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- We don't get any of that
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- If we are isolated from other believers.
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- A local church provides encouragement
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- When we're discouraged.
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- Thirdly, the church offers accountability
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- When we wander from the faith.
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- Accountability when we wander.
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- Years ago,
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- My friend bill o'reilly wrote a bestselling book called
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- "who's looking out for you?"
- 00:12:12.154 --> 00:12:15.257
- Now, the theme of bill's book was,
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- He was looking out for you
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- As he held government officials accountable
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- For their actions.
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- And there's certainly a sense in which that was true,
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- But even bill would be the first to admit, his ability
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- To look out for you and me was severely limited.
- 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:33.909
- Seated in his new york studio,
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- He had no way of knowing whether you
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- Or i were faithful to our mate,
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- Whether we were holding on to bitterness
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- Instead of forgiving, whether we were growing stale
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- In our relationship with god.
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- He had no way of knowing that way up there in new york city,
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- But fortunately,
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- God has provided somebody
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- To hold you accountable much closer
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- To home, and it's your local church.
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- One of the benefits
- 00:13:00.769 --> 00:13:02.171
- Of being in a church is they demand accountability,
- 00:13:02.171 --> 00:13:05.574
- Or at least should.
- 00:13:05.574 --> 00:13:06.976
- Hebrews 13:17 says it this way:
- 00:13:06.976 --> 00:13:10.112
- "obey your leaders
- 00:13:10.112 --> 00:13:11.614
- And submit to them,
- 00:13:11.614 --> 00:13:12.915
- For they keep watch over your souls
- 00:13:12.915 --> 00:13:16.919
- As those who will give an account."
- 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:20.422
- Ideally in a local church,
- 00:13:20.422 --> 00:13:22.191
- Godly leaders and members link arms together
- 00:13:22.191 --> 00:13:26.762
- To provide a spiritual fence around your life
- 00:13:26.762 --> 00:13:31.700
- That will keep you from wandering
- 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:33.602
- From god's field into satan's field.
- 00:13:33.602 --> 00:13:37.206
- That's something you don't get
- 00:13:37.206 --> 00:13:38.807
- When you're isolated and apart from a local church.
- 00:13:38.807 --> 00:13:42.811
- Fourthly, what are the benefits of being a part
- 00:13:42.811 --> 00:13:46.181
- Of a local fellowship of believers?
- 00:13:46.181 --> 00:13:48.651
- A church provides a more powerful witness to the world,
- 00:13:48.651 --> 00:13:53.756
- A more powerful witness to the world.
- 00:13:53.756 --> 00:13:55.991
- Now listen, there is no way i can overestimate
- 00:13:55.991 --> 00:13:59.528
- How much our interpretation
- 00:13:59.528 --> 00:14:01.463
- Of christianity has been interpreted by our western mindset.
- 00:14:01.463 --> 00:14:06.735
- We many times read the bible
- 00:14:07.336 --> 00:14:08.671
- And interpret christianity through the lens
- 00:14:08.671 --> 00:14:11.607
- Of our western civilization
- 00:14:11.607 --> 00:14:14.510
- And that's seen in this individual attitude,
- 00:14:14.510 --> 00:14:18.347
- This attitude of individualism.
- 00:14:18.347 --> 00:14:21.050
- It's the american idea.
- 00:14:21.050 --> 00:14:23.819
- It's all about me, the power of the individual.
- 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:27.990
- It's about my needs, it's about my rights,
- 00:14:27.990 --> 00:14:31.493
- It's all about me.
- 00:14:31.493 --> 00:14:34.396
- And we see that in christianity,
- 00:14:34.396 --> 00:14:36.598
- How to discover my spiritual gift,
- 00:14:36.598 --> 00:14:39.401
- How to define my purpose in life,
- 00:14:39.401 --> 00:14:42.705
- How to feel excited about my relationship with god.
- 00:14:42.705 --> 00:14:47.009
- It's all about me.
- 00:14:47.009 --> 00:14:48.610
- But christianity says it's not just about me, it's about us.
- 00:14:48.610 --> 00:14:53.816
- In 1 corinthians 12:27, the apostle paul writes,
- 00:14:54.750 --> 00:14:58.387
- "now you are christ's body,
- 00:14:58.387 --> 00:15:01.890
- And individually, members of it."
- 00:15:01.890 --> 00:15:04.860
- Now again, we zero in on the word individual.
- 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:07.663
- Yeah, we're individuals.
- 00:15:07.663 --> 00:15:09.665
- But paul says, "we're also a part of one body."
- 00:15:09.665 --> 00:15:14.003
- We don't have time,
- 00:15:14.003 --> 00:15:14.937
- You might want to read this,
- 00:15:14.937 --> 00:15:15.971
- 1 corinthians 12:14-22.
- 00:15:15.971 --> 00:15:18.340
- Remember how paul compares the church to a physical body?
- 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:22.911
- We're not all one part, we're not all eyes,
- 00:15:22.911 --> 00:15:25.981
- We're not all legs, we're not all feet,
- 00:15:25.981 --> 00:15:28.851
- We're not all kidneys.
- 00:15:28.851 --> 00:15:31.253
- We're different parts in the body of christ.
- 00:15:31.253 --> 00:15:35.124
- The body of christ is made up of different parts.
- 00:15:35.124 --> 00:15:39.128
- But, we're still all a part of the same body.
- 00:15:39.128 --> 00:15:43.899
- An eyeball by itself is absolutely useless.
- 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:47.669
- Did you know that?
- 00:15:47.669 --> 00:15:48.804
- You can put an eyeball out there?
- 00:15:48.804 --> 00:15:49.905
- It can't see, it can't do anything.
- 00:15:49.905 --> 00:15:52.074
- A hand severed from the rest of the body has no power.
- 00:15:52.074 --> 00:15:55.411
- It has no life to it.
- 00:15:55.411 --> 00:15:57.012
- The life comes when those individual body parts
- 00:15:57.012 --> 00:16:00.082
- Are joined together,
- 00:16:00.082 --> 00:16:02.484
- And the same is true in our relationship with god.
- 00:16:02.484 --> 00:16:06.655
- Yes, we are individually related to god
- 00:16:06.655 --> 00:16:10.392
- Through faith in jesus christ,
- 00:16:10.392 --> 00:16:12.761
- But when we are joined together with other believers,
- 00:16:12.761 --> 00:16:16.598
- The synergy that comes from christians
- 00:16:16.598 --> 00:16:19.334
- Being united together is far greater
- 00:16:19.334 --> 00:16:22.504
- Than the sum of the individual parts of a church.
- 00:16:22.504 --> 00:16:25.574
- There is something about a local community
- 00:16:25.574 --> 00:16:28.477
- Of believers united together, joined together,
- 00:16:28.477 --> 00:16:32.181
- That provides a more powerful witness
- 00:16:32.181 --> 00:16:34.349
- For jesus christ than the lives
- 00:16:34.349 --> 00:16:36.552
- Of individual christians out there in any community.
- 00:16:36.552 --> 00:16:39.822
- Together, they're more powerful than they are separate.
- 00:16:39.822 --> 00:16:43.058
- Good grace says,
- 00:16:43.058 --> 00:16:44.426
- God has provided for me a church to be a part of.
- 00:16:44.426 --> 00:16:49.598
- How does grace impact our thinking about the church?
- 00:16:50.666 --> 00:16:53.102
- It should not only impact our thinking about membership,
- 00:16:53.102 --> 00:16:56.472
- It ought to impact our thinking about attendance.
- 00:16:56.472 --> 00:17:00.342
- Now, here's what bad grace says.
- 00:17:00.342 --> 00:17:01.710
- Bad grace says, because i live under grace
- 00:17:01.710 --> 00:17:03.679
- And not the law, i can miss church as often as i want to.
- 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:08.283
- Good grace, on the other hand,
- 00:17:08.283 --> 00:17:10.752
- Says, i should attend church as frequently as i can.
- 00:17:10.752 --> 00:17:16.024
- People are wrong when they say
- 00:17:16.658 --> 00:17:18.560
- That grace exempts them from any standard
- 00:17:18.560 --> 00:17:22.164
- Of behavior whatsoever.
- 00:17:22.164 --> 00:17:23.665
- I remember we had a sunday school teacher one time
- 00:17:23.665 --> 00:17:26.368
- Who was gone as often as they were here
- 00:17:26.368 --> 00:17:28.637
- And we gently approached them,
- 00:17:28.637 --> 00:17:29.972
- And said, you know, your class is dwindling.
- 00:17:29.972 --> 00:17:32.307
- You're hardly ever hear it all.
- 00:17:32.307 --> 00:17:33.742
- You know his first words, legalism!
- 00:17:33.742 --> 00:17:36.311
- That's legalism.
- 00:17:36.311 --> 00:17:37.779
- You can't hold me to any kind of standard
- 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:39.848
- Because i'm under grace.
- 00:17:39.848 --> 00:17:42.518
- People who use grace as an excuse to miss church
- 00:17:42.518 --> 00:17:46.622
- As often as they're here,
- 00:17:46.622 --> 00:17:48.524
- Miss two simple principles you find
- 00:17:49.291 --> 00:17:51.593
- In the scripture about our attendance in church.
- 00:17:51.593 --> 00:17:55.764
- First of all, the truth
- 00:17:55.764 --> 00:17:57.599
- Of our responsibility toward other people.
- 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:01.637
- Instead of asking,
- 00:18:01.637 --> 00:18:03.005
- "what's in it for me,"
- 00:18:03.005 --> 00:18:04.406
- We need to think about,
- 00:18:04.406 --> 00:18:06.208
- What difference does it make to others?
- 00:18:06.208 --> 00:18:09.011
- Listen to the words of hebrews 10:23-25
- 00:18:09.011 --> 00:18:12.814
- That we read a few moments ago.
- 00:18:12.814 --> 00:18:15.250
- The writer said, "let us hold fast the confession
- 00:18:15.250 --> 00:18:18.187
- Of our hope without wavering,
- 00:18:18.187 --> 00:18:20.722
- For he who promised is faithful
- 00:18:20.722 --> 00:18:23.692
- And let us consider how
- 00:18:23.692 --> 00:18:26.428
- To stimulate one another to love and good deeds."
- 00:18:26.428 --> 00:18:31.066
- That word stimulate in greek is the word provoke.
- 00:18:31.066 --> 00:18:33.936
- It literally means to irritate.
- 00:18:33.936 --> 00:18:36.305
- Now, here is not in a negative way.
- 00:18:36.305 --> 00:18:37.806
- It says, when we think about other believers,
- 00:18:37.806 --> 00:18:40.375
- We ought to think,
- 00:18:40.375 --> 00:18:41.944
- "what can i do to encourage that other person,
- 00:18:41.944 --> 00:18:44.880
- To provoke them to pursue love and good deeds?"
- 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:49.017
- And then look at verse 25,
- 00:18:49.017 --> 00:18:50.352
- Not forsaking our own assembling together
- 00:18:50.352 --> 00:18:52.988
- As is the habit of some,
- 00:18:52.988 --> 00:18:54.756
- But encouraging one another,
- 00:18:54.756 --> 00:18:58.493
- All the more as you see the day drawing near.
- 00:18:58.493 --> 00:19:01.863
- Now, notice the two things we're
- 00:19:01.863 --> 00:19:03.365
- To do: we're to stimulate one another,
- 00:19:03.365 --> 00:19:06.902
- That is, encourage them to to do more faith and good deeds,
- 00:19:06.902 --> 00:19:12.241
- And we are to encourage one another,
- 00:19:13.041 --> 00:19:14.977
- Give them an encouraging word
- 00:19:14.977 --> 00:19:17.346
- As the evil day draws more near.
- 00:19:17.346 --> 00:19:20.115
- Now, the only way you can stimulate another christian
- 00:19:20.115 --> 00:19:23.051
- And encourage another christian is to be next
- 00:19:23.051 --> 00:19:26.154
- To another christian, to assemble together.
- 00:19:26.154 --> 00:19:30.959
- That's why we come together.
- 00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:33.061
- Our primary reason to come together is not just for us,
- 00:19:33.061 --> 00:19:38.400
- It is for what it does to other people.
- 00:19:39.268 --> 00:19:41.003
- That's why we're to be here.
- 00:19:41.003 --> 00:19:43.438
- Our attendance encourages other people.
- 00:19:43.438 --> 00:19:46.408
- We need to think about our responsibility to others.
- 00:19:46.408 --> 00:19:49.177
- We also, secondly,
- 00:19:49.177 --> 00:19:50.846
- Need to think about our responsibility toward ourselves.
- 00:19:50.846 --> 00:19:55.550
- You know, if you grew up in a home
- 00:19:55.550 --> 00:19:58.220
- With caring parents while you lived at home,
- 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:01.323
- They probably insisted that you have a balanced meal.
- 00:20:01.323 --> 00:20:05.394
- They gave you a curfew about when you needed to go to bed.
- 00:20:05.394 --> 00:20:08.697
- If you were sick, they insisted you went to the doctor,
- 00:20:08.697 --> 00:20:11.733
- But then came that time when you moved out of the house.
- 00:20:11.733 --> 00:20:16.271
- You were free.
- 00:20:16.271 --> 00:20:17.639
- You were no longer under their thumb.
- 00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:20.976
- Hopefully, eventually, you learned
- 00:20:21.743 --> 00:20:24.913
- That those things they insisted on were not
- 00:20:24.913 --> 00:20:27.316
- For their benefit, but for yours.
- 00:20:27.316 --> 00:20:30.419
- You know, when it comes to this idea of attending church,
- 00:20:31.553 --> 00:20:34.656
- I think a lot of christians, people who are purveyors
- 00:20:34.656 --> 00:20:38.627
- Of bad grace, a lot of christians act like college freshmen.
- 00:20:38.627 --> 00:20:43.899
- I'm out of the house.
- 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:45.233
- I'm no longer under law.
- 00:20:45.233 --> 00:20:46.635
- I can do whatever i want to do.
- 00:20:46.635 --> 00:20:49.471
- But hopefully they learn the lesson.
- 00:20:50.272 --> 00:20:52.407
- The coming to church is not just for other people's benefit,
- 00:20:52.407 --> 00:20:55.944
- It's for our own benefit as well.
- 00:20:55.944 --> 00:20:58.013
- It's for our own spiritual health.
- 00:20:58.013 --> 00:21:01.049
- By the way, the apostle paul uses
- 00:21:01.049 --> 00:21:02.751
- That same analogy in galatians 4.
- 00:21:02.751 --> 00:21:06.188
- He talks about the fact that before grace,
- 00:21:06.188 --> 00:21:09.157
- We were held under the old testament law.
- 00:21:09.157 --> 00:21:13.895
- The old testament law filled
- 00:21:14.496 --> 00:21:16.198
- With its restrictions about diet, and dress,
- 00:21:16.198 --> 00:21:21.570
- And everything you couldn't do on the sabbath day.
- 00:21:22.571 --> 00:21:25.107
- And the bible says, now paul says,
- 00:21:25.107 --> 00:21:27.109
- You're no longer under the old testament teachings.
- 00:21:27.109 --> 00:21:29.911
- You've been freed from those things,
- 00:21:29.911 --> 00:21:32.714
- But not to live however you want to live.
- 00:21:32.714 --> 00:21:35.917
- Fortunately or unfortunately,
- 00:21:35.917 --> 00:21:37.886
- Many people have thrown out the baby with the bath water,
- 00:21:37.886 --> 00:21:41.690
- Especially when it comes to worship.
- 00:21:41.690 --> 00:21:45.026
- No, we're not under those old testament restrictions,
- 00:21:45.026 --> 00:21:49.231
- But there's a principle that transcends
- 00:21:49.231 --> 00:21:52.033
- Both the old and the new testament,
- 00:21:52.033 --> 00:21:54.736
- And that is we need to gather together regularly
- 00:21:54.736 --> 00:21:58.507
- For worship for our own spiritual health.
- 00:21:58.507 --> 00:22:01.777
- Yes, the day has changed from saturday to sunday,
- 00:22:01.777 --> 00:22:06.281
- And yes, the location has changed from the synagogue
- 00:22:06.281 --> 00:22:08.750
- And temple to the church, but the principle is the same.
- 00:22:08.750 --> 00:22:13.388
- We need to come together regularly, not just for the benefit
- 00:22:13.388 --> 00:22:18.293
- Of others, but for our own benefit as well.
- 00:22:18.293 --> 00:22:22.197
- That's what good grace teaches.
- 00:22:22.197 --> 00:22:25.700
- Let us consider how to stimulate one another to faith
- 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:29.671
- And good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together,
- 00:22:29.671 --> 00:22:33.909
- As is the habit of some, but encouraging one another
- 00:22:33.909 --> 00:22:37.946
- And all the more as you see the day drawing near.
- 00:22:37.946 --> 00:22:43.218
- That's good grace.
- 00:22:43.652 --> 00:22:45.921
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:22:46.254 --> 00:22:50.625
- It's impossible to exaggerate the importance
- 00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:54.229
- Of this topic,
- 00:22:54.229 --> 00:22:55.530
- Because our churches are desperately in need
- 00:22:55.530 --> 00:22:57.799
- Of biblical grace,
- 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:59.568
- And there's much more i need
- 00:22:59.568 --> 00:23:00.735
- To say about good grace churches.
- 00:23:00.735 --> 00:23:03.872
- For that reason, i'm encouraging you
- 00:23:03.872 --> 00:23:05.540
- To join us again next time
- 00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:07.409
- For more teaching on this important topic.
- 00:23:07.409 --> 00:23:10.178
- But right now i want to share a note i received from johnny
- 00:23:10.178 --> 00:23:13.648
- Who listens to "pathway to victory"
- 00:23:13.648 --> 00:23:15.317
- In our nation's capital.
- 00:23:15.317 --> 00:23:17.152
- Johnny wrote, "i've been living in a pretty bad way
- 00:23:17.152 --> 00:23:20.689
- And i knew i needed to change.
- 00:23:20.689 --> 00:23:22.824
- Listening to your teaching today caused me
- 00:23:22.824 --> 00:23:25.093
- To rededicate my life to christ.
- 00:23:25.093 --> 00:23:27.696
- You guys keep up the good work."
- 00:23:27.696 --> 00:23:30.298
- Well, thank you for that encouragement, johnny.
- 00:23:30.298 --> 00:23:32.567
- And to those of you who support "pathway to victory,"
- 00:23:32.567 --> 00:23:35.704
- Thank you for allowing us the privilege
- 00:23:35.704 --> 00:23:37.806
- Of reaching men like johnny and countless others like him.
- 00:23:37.806 --> 00:23:41.977
- You're helping bring god's light
- 00:23:41.977 --> 00:23:43.812
- And truth into the darkness of our world.
- 00:23:43.812 --> 00:23:47.015
- Now, please stay right there.
- 00:23:47.015 --> 00:23:48.583
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:23:48.583 --> 00:23:50.919
- In just a moment.
- 00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:52.354
- The bible tells us we're saved by grace,
- 00:23:53.221 --> 00:23:56.992
- But do you allow yourself to receive grace?
- 00:23:56.992 --> 00:23:59.861
- Do you practice grace?
- 00:23:59.861 --> 00:24:01.396
- Do you abuse god's grace?
- 00:24:01.396 --> 00:24:03.632
- In "grace gone wild,"
- 00:24:03.632 --> 00:24:05.066
- Dr. robert jeffress clears up the confusion
- 00:24:05.066 --> 00:24:07.769
- And shows you how grace leads to joy, not guilt.
- 00:24:07.769 --> 00:24:11.306
- Christians fall into one of two traps
- 00:24:11.306 --> 00:24:13.508
- When it comes to grace.
- 00:24:13.508 --> 00:24:15.176
- Some believe grace means
- 00:24:15.176 --> 00:24:16.578
- There are no boundaries in living.
- 00:24:16.578 --> 00:24:18.947
- Others pile on so many rules
- 00:24:18.947 --> 00:24:20.982
- That christianity feels like a burden instead of a blessing.
- 00:24:20.982 --> 00:24:25.320
- In my book "grace gone wild,"
- 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:26.888
- I'll show you that true grace leads to a deeper,
- 00:24:26.888 --> 00:24:30.659
- More joy-filled relationship with god.
- 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:33.862
- Discover how understanding grace
- 00:24:33.862 --> 00:24:35.964
- Can transform your marriage, your relationships,
- 00:24:35.964 --> 00:24:38.767
- And every decision you make.
- 00:24:38.767 --> 00:24:40.802
- Request your copy
- 00:24:40.802 --> 00:24:41.836
- Of "grace gone wild"
- 00:24:41.836 --> 00:24:43.271
- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
- 00:24:43.271 --> 00:24:46.608
- And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
- 00:24:46.608 --> 00:24:49.844
- We'll also send you the "grace gone wild"
- 00:24:49.844 --> 00:24:52.647
- Teaching series on both cd and dvd,
- 00:24:52.647 --> 00:24:55.817
- Along with the application guide.
- 00:24:55.817 --> 00:24:58.019
- There are too many christians today
- 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.821
- Who have taken this marvelous gift of grace
- 00:24:59.821 --> 00:25:03.558
- And perverted it.
- 00:25:03.558 --> 00:25:05.226
- They are robbing themselves of the joy
- 00:25:05.226 --> 00:25:07.429
- That comes from obedience to god.
- 00:25:07.429 --> 00:25:10.432
- Thank you for your generous support
- 00:25:10.432 --> 00:25:12.534
- Of "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:12.534 --> 00:25:14.169
- Your gift helps us bring bold biblical teaching
- 00:25:14.169 --> 00:25:16.771
- Around the world.
- 00:25:16.771 --> 00:25:17.939
- Together, we are piercing the darkness
- 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:20.108
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:25:20.108 --> 00:25:24.245
- Do you treat the local church as an obligation
- 00:25:25.146 --> 00:25:28.016
- Or as a gift?
- 00:25:28.016 --> 00:25:29.618
- God designed the church not to burden you, but to bless you,
- 00:25:29.618 --> 00:25:33.722
- And faithful membership is just the beginning.
- 00:25:33.722 --> 00:25:36.791
- Next time we'll look at two more areas
- 00:25:36.791 --> 00:25:38.860
- Where good grace should shape your commitment to the church:
- 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:43.098
- Your giving and your serving.
- 00:25:43.098 --> 00:25:45.533
- You may be surprised by what scripture
- 00:25:45.533 --> 00:25:47.535
- Has to say about both.
- 00:25:47.535 --> 00:25:49.537
- Stay tuned for a preview
- 00:25:49.537 --> 00:25:51.106
- Of what's coming up next in our series "grace gone wild."
- 00:25:51.106 --> 00:25:55.510
- Nothing evokes more controversy in a church
- 00:25:56.411 --> 00:25:59.481
- Than whenever you start talking about giving.
- 00:25:59.481 --> 00:26:03.351
- In fact, today, giving as a percent
- 00:26:03.351 --> 00:26:06.521
- Of income is less than it was in 1933,
- 00:26:06.521 --> 00:26:10.091
- Which happens to be the height of the great depression.
- 00:26:10.091 --> 00:26:14.062
- What does the bible say about giving?
- 00:26:14.062 --> 00:26:18.299
- Set your dvr
- 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.668
- And join us next time for part two of the message.
- 00:26:19.668 --> 00:26:22.237
- Good grace churches, here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:22.237 --> 00:26:26.241
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:26:26.241 --> 00:26:28.176
- Alaska is unlike any other place on earth,
- 00:26:28.176 --> 00:26:31.680
- And this is your chance to witness god's masterpiece
- 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:34.749
- And america's priceless treasure,
- 00:26:34.749 --> 00:26:36.818
- June 13th through 20, 2026.
- 00:26:36.818 --> 00:26:39.621
- You know i can hardly wait to show you alaska.
- 00:26:39.621 --> 00:26:42.857
- I've been there before,
- 00:26:42.857 --> 00:26:44.159
- And every time i witness those massive glaciers
- 00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:47.262
- And towering mountains,
- 00:26:47.262 --> 00:26:48.830
- I'm reminded of how incredibly creative our god is.
- 00:26:48.830 --> 00:26:52.801
- Picture this, waking up
- 00:26:52.801 --> 00:26:54.436
- To snow-capped peaks outside your window,
- 00:26:54.436 --> 00:26:57.172
- Then heading to your refreshing breakfast
- 00:26:57.172 --> 00:26:59.307
- Knowing that all your meals are prepared for you.
- 00:26:59.307 --> 00:27:01.776
- The world-class service means that you can truly relax.
- 00:27:01.776 --> 00:27:05.146
- We'll explore charming villages together,
- 00:27:05.146 --> 00:27:07.649
- We will stroll alongside
- 00:27:07.649 --> 00:27:09.084
- The still waters of the mountain stream.
- 00:27:09.084 --> 00:27:11.619
- And yes, we'll see god's artistry at every turn.
- 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:15.857
- Reserve your spot on the 2026 pathway to victory:
- 00:27:15.857 --> 00:27:19.761
- Cruise to alaska by calling 888-280-6747,
- 00:27:19.761 --> 00:27:25.033
- Or visit ptv.org.
- 00:27:25.467 --> 00:27:25.467