Robert Jeffress - Growing Up By Growing Strong

May 1, 2025 | S25:E208

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 - Growing Up By Growing Strong | May 1, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i am robert jeffress
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • The bible teaches that the moment we're saved,
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  • We begin a lifelong process
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  • Of growing more and more like jesus christ.
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  • The holy spirit replaces old selfish desires
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  • With a new passion to please god.
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  • But unfortunately, many christians stay tethered
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  • To their old sinful way of living.
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  • Today, we're going to look at the fate
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  • Of what paul calls, the carnal christian.
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  • My message is titled
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  • Growing up by growing strong
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] think about a child in your life
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  • Who needs to put their faith in jesus.
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  • How do you explain the gospel to them
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  • In a way they can understand?
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  • In "the gift: the gospel for children,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress presents the gospel message
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  • In a way that's clear and engaging.
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  • The book also includes a salvation prayer for you to pray
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  • With your child or grandchild.
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  • Give your child the most important gift
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  • They'll ever receive,
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  • The opportunity to begin a relationship with jesus christ.
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  • Request your copy of "the gift" at ptv.org.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Christians have more struggles in this life
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  • Than non-christians.
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  • Is that true or is that false?
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  • Interestingly, that statement is true.
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  • Christians do have more struggles in this life
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  • Than non-christians.
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  • You see, the bible says a non-christian
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  • Only has one set of desires, his old nature.
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  • His only desire is to please himself.
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  • Even the good things, the charitable things he does
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  • Is funneled through that lens of self-satisfaction.
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  • "i do this in order to feel good about myself,
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  • In order to be fulfilled."
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  • But when we become a christian,
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  • God puts in each of us a new set of desires,
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  • A desire to please god.
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  • And that desire to please god
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  • As well as that old desire to please ourself
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  • Is constantly at war with one another,
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  • Our new nature and our old nature.
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  • When we follow after our new nature,
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  • The desire to please god,
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  • The result is peace and joy and contentment.
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  • But what happens when a christian chooses to regularly
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  • And habitually follow his old set of desires?
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  • Well, that's what we're going to discover tonight,
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  • The fate of the carnal, the fleshly christian.
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  • If you have your bibles,
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  • Turn to 1 corinthians 3
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  • As we discover how we grow up by growing strong.
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  • Now i want you to notice
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  • How their carnality manifested itself
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  • And how a carnal christian's carnality is manifested today.
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  • Look at verse 3 of 1 corinthians 3.
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  • He said, "for you are still fleshly.
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  • For since there is jealousy and strife among you,
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  • Are you not fleshly, are you not walking like mere men?"
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  • I want you to notice tonight on your outline
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  • The three characteristics of a carnal fleshly christian.
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  • First of all, he is a slave to his old nature.
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  • He is a slave to his old nature.
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  • And as i said,
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  • I know a non-christian
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  • Only has one set of desires to please himself,
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  • But when you become a christian,
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  • What does god do to that old nature of yours
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  • That desire to please yourself?
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  • Interestingly enough, god doesn't try to rehabilitate
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  • Or reform your old nature.
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  • Your old nature is too far gone to be healed,
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  • To be reversed.
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  • Instead, what god does
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  • Is he puts a new set of desires within you.
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  • But let's talk about that old set of desires
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  • That remains in you even after you become a christian.
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  • What happens to a christian's old nature?
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  • Notice two things have happened to your old nature
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  • Once you trust in christ, your savior.
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  • First of all, its power is broken.
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  • The power of your old nature is broken.
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  • But secondly, its influence remains.
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  • Hold your place here and turn to galatians 5:16-17.
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  • I want you to see here the war that goes on
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  • Inside every believer between his old nature
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  • And his new nature.
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  • Paul says in verse 16 of galatians 5,
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  • "but i say, walk by the spirit,
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  • And you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
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  • For the flesh,"
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  • Remember, that's your old nature,
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  • "sets its desires against the spirit,
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  • And the spirit against the flesh;
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  • For these are in opposition to one another,
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  • So that you may not do the things that you please."
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  • There is a tug of war going on
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  • In the heart of every genuine christian
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  • Between that old nature,
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  • That old set of desires set on pleasing self,
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  • And that brand new set of desires set on pleasing god.
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  • What are the characteristics of a carnal christian?
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  • First of all, he is a slave to his old nature.
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  • Secondly, he is self-centered.
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  • Remember, paul says,
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  • "the carnal christian is a babe in christ."
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  • It's not only reflective,
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  • The word babe or phrase babe in christ,
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  • Of his immaturity.
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  • It's reflective of his worldview.
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  • You see, the carnal christian is like a baby
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  • Who can only think of one thing, himself.
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  • There's no one or nothing more self-centered than a baby.
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  • All the baby cares about is getting its needs met.
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  • And it's the same way with the carnal christian.
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  • Look at, again, verse 3,
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  • "for since there is jealousy and strife among you,
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  • Are you not fleshly, are you not walking like mere men?"
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  • You see, the corinthian church was about to split.
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  • You know why?
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  • These carnal christians all wanted their own way.
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  • And whenever you have immature people in a marriage,
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  • In a friendship, or in church,
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  • Each of whom is absolutely intent on getting his way,
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  • You're going to have conflict.
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  • James 4:11 or 4:1 says,
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  • "what is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?
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  • Is it not your own pleasures that wage war in your members,
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  • That is your body?"
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  • A characteristic of the baby christian:
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  • He is focused on other people instead of god.
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  • The baby christian is intently focused on others
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  • Instead of on god.
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  • Look at verses 4 through 9.
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  • "for when one says, 'i am of paul'
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  • And another 'i am of apollos,'
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  • Are you not mere men?"
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  • Now, remember paul was the founding pastor
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  • At the church at corinth.
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  • Apollos was the pastor who was there now.
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  • Paul says, "'what then is apollos?
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  • And what is paul?'
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  • Simply servants through whom you believed,
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  • Even as the lord gave you opportunity to each one.
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  • I planted, apollos watered,
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  • But god was causing the growth."
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  • Paul said, don't get hung up on your pastors,
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  • Don't pick favorites among your pastors.
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  • The fact is we are all simply servants of god.
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  • We don't cause anything.
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  • We are here to serve our purpose.
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  • God is the one who produces a spiritual harvest.
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  • Well, pastor, when you talk about
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  • Being a slave to the old nature,
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  • When you talk about being self-centered,
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  • When you talk about focusing in on people and not god,
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  • You're describing me.
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  • I'll admit, i'm a carnal christian.
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  • I haven't grown.
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  • But so what? nobody's perfect.
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  • I know i'm going to heaven one day.
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  • Why should i be concerned about being a carnal christian?
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  • Let me share with you the three consequences in scripture
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  • Of remaining as a carnal christian.
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  • Turn over to hebrews chapter 6, hebrews chapter 6.
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  • The discussion actually begins in chapter 5 verse 12,
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  • Where the writer of hebrews says,
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  • "by this time, you ought to be teachers,
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  • But you have need of somebody
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  • To teach you the elementary things."
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  • You cannot handle meat,
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  • You are only fit for the milk of the word.
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  • And so, he gives this rousing challenge
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  • In verses 2 and 3 of chapter 6.
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  • He says, "congregation, let's move on toward maturity
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  • And this we will do if god permits."
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  • Well, what happens if we don't take that challenge
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  • And move to maturity?
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  • He discusses, beginning in verse 4,
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  • The consequences of remaining as a fleshly christian.
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  • Look at it beginning in verse 4.
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  • "for in the case of those who have once been enlightened
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  • And have tasted of the heavenly gift
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  • And have been made partakers of the holy spirit,
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  • And have tasted the good word of god
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  • And the powers of the age to come,
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  • And then have fallen away,
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  • It is impossible to renew them again to repentance
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  • Since they again crucified to themselves
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  • The son of god, and put him to open shame."
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  • The first danger of a carnal christian
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  • Is the carnal christian is in danger of being led astray.
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  • He is in danger of falling away.
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  • Now, whenever you read the book of hebrews,
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  • You have to understand,
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  • The term falling away is always used to refer
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  • To those believers,
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  • Not who lose their salvation
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  • But lose the benefits of their salvation.
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  • Back in chapter 3 of hebrews,
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  • He likens them to the children of israel
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  • Who because of unbelief,
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  • Did not enter the promised land.
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  • Did they lose their salvation?
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  • No, but they died in the wilderness
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  • Without ever experiencing the rest of god.
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  • And he says, "be careful
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  • That you too don't make those same mistake
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  • And fall away from the living god.
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  • A carnal christian who doesn't grow,
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  • Who remains stunted in his spiritual growth
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  • Will be led astray and will fall away from the faith."
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  • Specifically, he's in danger of number one,
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  • Falling into false doctrine.
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  • If you don't grow into your faith,
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  • You are going to fall, at some point, for false doctrine.
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  • Why is it that the number one source
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  • Of converts for mormonism,
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  • The number one source is southern baptist?
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  • Do you know that?
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  • Why is it?
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  • Because so many southern baptists
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  • Never grow in their faith.
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  • They hear the message about how to be saved,
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  • But they stop there.
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  • They're stunted in their spiritual growth.
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  • They never go on to the deeper things of the word.
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  • Secondly, a carnal christian is in danger
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  • Of falling into sin.
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  • They never grow and then what happens?
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  • There's some disruption in their life, some crisis,
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  • Or some disruption in the church they're attending.
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  • They become disillusioned, disenchanted,
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  • Quit reading their bible,
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  • Quit attending church,
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  • And then they fall into sin.
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  • The first consequence of being a carnal christian
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  • Is the danger of being led astray
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  • Either by false doctrine or by sin.
  • 00:11:36.085 --> 00:11:39.522
  • Secondly, the carnal christian is in danger
  • 00:11:39.522 --> 00:11:42.424
  • Of losing his rewards in heaven.
  • 00:11:42.424 --> 00:11:45.127
  • Look at verses 7 and 8 of hebrew 6.
  • 00:11:45.127 --> 00:11:48.164
  • "for ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it
  • 00:11:48.164 --> 00:11:52.001
  • And brings forth vegetation
  • 00:11:52.001 --> 00:11:54.036
  • Useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled,
  • 00:11:54.036 --> 00:11:57.740
  • Receives a blessing from god;
  • 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:59.742
  • But if the land yields thorns and thistles,
  • 00:11:59.742 --> 00:12:02.444
  • It is worthless and close to being cursed,
  • 00:12:02.444 --> 00:12:05.581
  • And it ends up being burned."
  • 00:12:05.581 --> 00:12:09.451
  • If you forfeit rewards in heaven,
  • 00:12:09.451 --> 00:12:12.555
  • You will experience real measurable loss
  • 00:12:12.555 --> 00:12:17.393
  • That will produce grief in your spirit.
  • 00:12:17.393 --> 00:12:20.229
  • As you see what could have been yours
  • 00:12:20.229 --> 00:12:23.098
  • Had you only been more faithful to christ.
  • 00:12:23.098 --> 00:12:25.668
  • The believing christian who remains fleshly carnal
  • 00:12:25.668 --> 00:12:31.006
  • Is in danger of losing his spiritual eternal rewards.
  • 00:12:32.074 --> 00:12:36.145
  • Not only that, thirdly, the carnal christian is in danger
  • 00:12:37.313 --> 00:12:40.216
  • Of facing the discipline of god.
  • 00:12:40.216 --> 00:12:42.418
  • Look at this in verse 8 of hebrews chapter 6,
  • 00:12:42.418 --> 00:12:46.288
  • "he is close to being cursed and ends up being burned."
  • 00:12:46.288 --> 00:12:51.760
  • That word burn doesn't refer to eternal damnation,
  • 00:12:52.761 --> 00:12:56.232
  • It refers to the discipline of god.
  • 00:12:56.232 --> 00:12:58.968
  • Stay with me on this.
  • 00:12:58.968 --> 00:13:00.135
  • If a farmer had a piece of land
  • 00:13:00.135 --> 00:13:02.137
  • That had been overcome with thorns and thistles,
  • 00:13:02.137 --> 00:13:04.740
  • He didn't sell the land necessarily.
  • 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.809
  • He didn't curse it.
  • 00:13:06.809 --> 00:13:08.110
  • Instead, he set it on fire.
  • 00:13:08.110 --> 00:13:11.413
  • And the reason he set the land on fire
  • 00:13:11.413 --> 00:13:14.450
  • Was to burn away the thorns and thistles
  • 00:13:14.450 --> 00:13:16.886
  • And prepare it for future fruitfulness and cultivation.
  • 00:13:16.886 --> 00:13:21.023
  • The writer's not talking to non-christians.
  • 00:13:21.023 --> 00:13:23.559
  • He's talking about christians who go on sinning
  • 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:26.729
  • After knowing the truth.
  • 00:13:26.729 --> 00:13:28.898
  • There's nothing left for them but the judgment of god.
  • 00:13:28.898 --> 00:13:31.834
  • It is a terrifying thing
  • 00:13:31.834 --> 00:13:33.903
  • To fall under the hands of living god.
  • 00:13:33.903 --> 00:13:36.605
  • I want to tell you as a pastor,
  • 00:13:36.605 --> 00:13:38.073
  • I've seen what god does with disobedient christians.
  • 00:13:38.073 --> 00:13:42.211
  • I've seen disobedient carnal christians
  • 00:13:42.211 --> 00:13:44.413
  • Go through bankruptcy, illness.
  • 00:13:44.413 --> 00:13:47.216
  • I've seen them experience the loss of a loved one.
  • 00:13:47.216 --> 00:13:50.519
  • I've seen all of those things happen to carnal christians.
  • 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:54.156
  • Not because god hates them,
  • 00:13:54.156 --> 00:13:56.258
  • But because he loves them.
  • 00:13:56.258 --> 00:13:58.160
  • And he does not want to see them live in disobedience.
  • 00:13:58.160 --> 00:14:02.064
  • Remember the words of hebrews 12:6-7,
  • 00:14:02.064 --> 00:14:05.134
  • "for those whom the lord loves, he disciplines
  • 00:14:05.134 --> 00:14:09.505
  • And he scourges every son whom he receives.
  • 00:14:09.505 --> 00:14:12.775
  • It is for discipline that you endure.
  • 00:14:12.775 --> 00:14:15.277
  • God deals with you as sons,
  • 00:14:15.277 --> 00:14:17.713
  • For what son is there whom his father does not discipline."
  • 00:14:17.713 --> 00:14:22.985
  • Maybe you would say tonight, pastor,
  • 00:14:23.786 --> 00:14:25.521
  • "i don't want to remain a carnal christian.
  • 00:14:26.422 --> 00:14:28.891
  • I don't want to fall away from god into sin,
  • 00:14:28.891 --> 00:14:31.627
  • Into to false doctrine.
  • 00:14:31.627 --> 00:14:34.697
  • I don't want to lose my eternal rewards.
  • 00:14:34.697 --> 00:14:37.967
  • I don't want the pain
  • 00:14:37.967 --> 00:14:39.268
  • Of going through god's severe discipline.
  • 00:14:39.268 --> 00:14:41.971
  • What can i do to change my spiritual status?
  • 00:14:41.971 --> 00:14:46.141
  • What can i do to grow instead of remain a baby christian?"
  • 00:14:46.141 --> 00:14:51.046
  • Interestingly, when you look at the cause
  • 00:14:51.947 --> 00:14:55.017
  • Of being a carnal christian,
  • 00:14:55.017 --> 00:14:56.485
  • You also find the cure for being a carnal christian.
  • 00:14:56.485 --> 00:15:00.689
  • What were the causes of carnality?
  • 00:15:00.689 --> 00:15:02.725
  • A wrong diet and a lack of exercise.
  • 00:15:02.725 --> 00:15:05.928
  • Don't be surprised that herein,
  • 00:15:05.928 --> 00:15:07.429
  • You find the cure for carnality as well.
  • 00:15:07.429 --> 00:15:10.399
  • If you want to no longer remain a carnal christian,
  • 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:14.670
  • First of all, it means a change of your spiritual diet.
  • 00:15:14.670 --> 00:15:18.140
  • Specifically, that means a commitment to spiritual food
  • 00:15:18.140 --> 00:15:22.478
  • So that you can grow,
  • 00:15:22.478 --> 00:15:24.046
  • A commitment to spiritual food.
  • 00:15:24.046 --> 00:15:26.181
  • Now, at the risk of telling you even more
  • 00:15:26.181 --> 00:15:28.917
  • About my digestive system,
  • 00:15:28.917 --> 00:15:31.387
  • Any of you that have been around me much at all
  • 00:15:32.388 --> 00:15:34.556
  • These last three years
  • 00:15:34.556 --> 00:15:36.058
  • Know that anytime i'm served a meal here at the church,
  • 00:15:36.058 --> 00:15:39.695
  • They always bring me a big plate of broccoli.
  • 00:15:39.695 --> 00:15:43.265
  • Dr. crystal got milk with ice in it,
  • 00:15:43.265 --> 00:15:45.467
  • I get a plate of broccoli.
  • 00:15:45.467 --> 00:15:47.369
  • And i eat it just about every meal,
  • 00:15:47.369 --> 00:15:50.572
  • Not because i like it.
  • 00:15:50.572 --> 00:15:52.074
  • Some people, "oh, you just really must like broccoli."
  • 00:15:52.074 --> 00:15:54.143
  • -i can't stand it. -(congregation laughs)
  • 00:15:54.143 --> 00:15:56.145
  • I hate it.
  • 00:15:56.145 --> 00:15:56.979
  • I hate every bite of it.
  • 00:15:56.979 --> 00:15:59.014
  • But i do it not because i like it,
  • 00:15:59.014 --> 00:16:01.216
  • I do it for my health.
  • 00:16:01.216 --> 00:16:04.153
  • And it's the same way with our spiritual health.
  • 00:16:04.153 --> 00:16:07.523
  • We need, if we're going to grow up in christ
  • 00:16:07.523 --> 00:16:10.059
  • To change our spiritual diet.
  • 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.428
  • We need to go from milk to the meat of god's word.
  • 00:16:12.428 --> 00:16:16.799
  • But here's the difference between god's word and broccoli.
  • 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:19.768
  • I've never developed a taste for broccoli in 20 years.
  • 00:16:19.768 --> 00:16:23.238
  • But god's word, if you've been off of it for a while,
  • 00:16:23.238 --> 00:16:27.042
  • May at first tend to taste like broccoli to you,
  • 00:16:27.042 --> 00:16:30.646
  • But very quickly, the taste will change.
  • 00:16:30.646 --> 00:16:34.483
  • Remember what the psalmist said in psalm 119:103-105?
  • 00:16:34.483 --> 00:16:39.455
  • "how sweet are your words to my taste?
  • 00:16:39.455 --> 00:16:43.192
  • Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
  • 00:16:43.192 --> 00:16:45.661
  • From your precepts, i get understanding,
  • 00:16:45.661 --> 00:16:48.464
  • Therefore, i hate every false way.
  • 00:16:48.464 --> 00:16:51.033
  • Your word is a lamp to my feet
  • 00:16:51.033 --> 00:16:53.702
  • And a light to my path."
  • 00:16:53.702 --> 00:16:55.938
  • I promise you this,
  • 00:16:55.938 --> 00:16:57.539
  • If you'll start reading god's word again on a regular basis,
  • 00:16:57.539 --> 00:17:01.710
  • Soon, that taste will develop for god's word,
  • 00:17:01.710 --> 00:17:05.314
  • You'll want more and more and more of it.
  • 00:17:05.314 --> 00:17:08.350
  • If you're really serious about growing up in christ,
  • 00:17:08.350 --> 00:17:11.053
  • It means starting a change in your spiritual diet to say,
  • 00:17:11.053 --> 00:17:14.723
  • "i don't care whether i feel like it
  • 00:17:14.723 --> 00:17:16.191
  • Or i don't feel like it.
  • 00:17:16.191 --> 00:17:17.726
  • I'm going to make god's word a regular part of my life."
  • 00:17:17.726 --> 00:17:21.930
  • But it's not enough to stop with your diet.
  • 00:17:21.930 --> 00:17:24.099
  • Secondly, there has to be a commitment
  • 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:26.101
  • To spiritual exercise.
  • 00:17:26.101 --> 00:17:28.504
  • Remember, the natural pull of life
  • 00:17:28.504 --> 00:17:30.772
  • Pulls us toward carnality.
  • 00:17:30.772 --> 00:17:33.342
  • If we do nothing, we will be pulled toward carnality.
  • 00:17:33.342 --> 00:17:38.680
  • And that means we have to exert effort
  • 00:17:39.515 --> 00:17:41.150
  • If we're going to grow up in christ.
  • 00:17:41.150 --> 00:17:43.652
  • We said that we have to exercise
  • 00:17:43.652 --> 00:17:48.924
  • Ourselves spiritually by service, that's one way.
  • 00:17:49.858 --> 00:17:52.494
  • We participate in spiritual exercise.
  • 00:17:52.494 --> 00:17:55.797
  • We get involved in a ministry some place.
  • 00:17:55.797 --> 00:17:58.600
  • You know, exercise requires effort.
  • 00:17:58.600 --> 00:18:00.536
  • It requires us to strain a little bit, doesn't it?
  • 00:18:00.536 --> 00:18:03.805
  • It's the same way with getting involved
  • 00:18:03.805 --> 00:18:05.340
  • In a place of service.
  • 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:07.042
  • The bible says we need to exercise that spiritual gift
  • 00:18:07.042 --> 00:18:09.945
  • That god's given us.
  • 00:18:09.945 --> 00:18:11.380
  • We need to be teaching sunday school,
  • 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:13.315
  • Or working as a department director,
  • 00:18:13.315 --> 00:18:15.217
  • Or singing in the choir,
  • 00:18:15.217 --> 00:18:16.685
  • Or serving in any variety of capacities here.
  • 00:18:16.685 --> 00:18:19.922
  • Some of you might say,
  • 00:18:19.922 --> 00:18:21.423
  • "well, i'd like to do that, but i just can't do that.
  • 00:18:21.423 --> 00:18:23.292
  • I'm out out of town too much."
  • 00:18:23.292 --> 00:18:25.627
  • Well, you know what?
  • 00:18:25.627 --> 00:18:26.662
  • You're telling the truth.
  • 00:18:26.662 --> 00:18:27.930
  • If you can't serve in the church
  • 00:18:27.930 --> 00:18:29.798
  • Because you're out of town too much,
  • 00:18:29.798 --> 00:18:31.767
  • You're out of town too much.
  • 00:18:31.767 --> 00:18:34.203
  • Change your schedule.
  • 00:18:34.703 --> 00:18:36.305
  • There's nothing that says you have to be gone every weekend
  • 00:18:36.305 --> 00:18:38.507
  • Or every other weekend.
  • 00:18:38.507 --> 00:18:39.975
  • Make god's house and service to him a priority,
  • 00:18:39.975 --> 00:18:43.979
  • But stay with me here.
  • 00:18:43.979 --> 00:18:45.647
  • We exercise ourselves spiritually,
  • 00:18:45.647 --> 00:18:47.449
  • Not only by service,
  • 00:18:47.449 --> 00:18:50.352
  • But also by obedience.
  • 00:18:50.352 --> 00:18:53.989
  • Remember the problem with the hebrews?
  • 00:18:53.989 --> 00:18:56.558
  • They had not trained themselves
  • 00:18:56.558 --> 00:18:58.627
  • To practice good versus evil.
  • 00:18:58.627 --> 00:19:02.030
  • The way we train ourselves spiritually
  • 00:19:02.030 --> 00:19:04.166
  • Is to obey what we know to be true
  • 00:19:04.166 --> 00:19:07.202
  • Even if it causes us pain.
  • 00:19:07.202 --> 00:19:09.671
  • There are some of you right now,
  • 00:19:10.305 --> 00:19:11.773
  • It's no mystery to you what god wants you to do,
  • 00:19:11.773 --> 00:19:14.776
  • But you don't want to do it
  • 00:19:15.377 --> 00:19:16.511
  • Because it would hurt too much
  • 00:19:16.511 --> 00:19:18.580
  • To obey god in this area of your life.
  • 00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:21.416
  • Maybe god has told you about a relationship
  • 00:19:22.317 --> 00:19:24.286
  • That needs to be changed or abandoned.
  • 00:19:24.286 --> 00:19:28.023
  • You don't want to do it because how hard that would be.
  • 00:19:28.023 --> 00:19:32.127
  • Maybe there's an addiction that has enslaved you,
  • 00:19:32.127 --> 00:19:34.696
  • But you don't want to give it up
  • 00:19:34.696 --> 00:19:36.698
  • Because it's providing some fulfillment right now,
  • 00:19:36.698 --> 00:19:38.834
  • It would be too painful to let go of that addiction.
  • 00:19:38.834 --> 00:19:42.437
  • Maybe there's a command that god is speaking to you about
  • 00:19:43.572 --> 00:19:45.707
  • That you know you need to start obeying.
  • 00:19:45.707 --> 00:19:47.576
  • Maybe it's a command like tithing
  • 00:19:47.576 --> 00:19:49.778
  • To the lord's work,
  • 00:19:49.778 --> 00:19:50.712
  • But you don't want to do it.
  • 00:19:50.712 --> 00:19:51.980
  • It would be too costly, too painful to do that.
  • 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:55.717
  • Remember the saying, "no pain, no gain."
  • 00:19:56.585 --> 00:20:00.656
  • The way we're going to grow in the christian life
  • 00:20:00.656 --> 00:20:02.991
  • Is by exerting ourselves doing those things
  • 00:20:02.991 --> 00:20:06.028
  • That are painful, not the easy things.
  • 00:20:06.028 --> 00:20:08.930
  • I promise, this is our last scripture.
  • 00:20:08.930 --> 00:20:10.532
  • Turn over to 1 timothy 4:7-8.
  • 00:20:10.532 --> 00:20:14.336
  • I memorized this passage a long time ago,
  • 00:20:14.336 --> 00:20:16.738
  • I encourage you to do this as well.
  • 00:20:16.738 --> 00:20:19.408
  • Paul said, "but have nothing to do
  • 00:20:19.408 --> 00:20:21.343
  • With worldly fables fit only for old women,
  • 00:20:21.343 --> 00:20:24.846
  • On the other hand,
  • 00:20:24.846 --> 00:20:26.214
  • Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness,
  • 00:20:26.214 --> 00:20:29.718
  • For bodily discipline is only of little profit,
  • 00:20:29.718 --> 00:20:32.754
  • But godliness is profitable for all things
  • 00:20:32.754 --> 00:20:36.325
  • Since it holds the promise both for the present life
  • 00:20:36.325 --> 00:20:39.728
  • And also for the life to come."
  • 00:20:39.728 --> 00:20:42.130
  • Underline that word discipline in your bible.
  • 00:20:42.130 --> 00:20:44.566
  • You know what the greek word is?
  • 00:20:44.566 --> 00:20:46.034
  • It's the word we get gymnasium from.
  • 00:20:46.034 --> 00:20:48.770
  • Literally, paul says, "gymnasize yourself
  • 00:20:48.770 --> 00:20:52.607
  • For the purpose of godliness."
  • 00:20:52.607 --> 00:20:54.576
  • You can just smell the sweat all over this verse.
  • 00:20:54.576 --> 00:20:58.280
  • You know what a gymnasium is.
  • 00:20:58.280 --> 00:20:59.614
  • It's the place you go and you work out.
  • 00:20:59.614 --> 00:21:01.450
  • You exert effort.
  • 00:21:01.450 --> 00:21:03.618
  • And what paul is saying is,
  • 00:21:03.618 --> 00:21:05.020
  • There's nothing wrong with physical discipline,
  • 00:21:05.020 --> 00:21:07.255
  • That's good to discipline your body.
  • 00:21:07.255 --> 00:21:09.725
  • But if you will spend the same amount of time,
  • 00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:13.362
  • And exert the same amount of effort,
  • 00:21:13.362 --> 00:21:15.564
  • Disciplining your spirit for godliness,
  • 00:21:15.564 --> 00:21:18.333
  • As you do your body,
  • 00:21:18.333 --> 00:21:19.768
  • You'll have an even greater payoff.
  • 00:21:19.768 --> 00:21:22.070
  • You know why?
  • 00:21:22.070 --> 00:21:23.205
  • You can eat the right things all you want to.
  • 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:25.841
  • You can exercise all you want to.
  • 00:21:25.841 --> 00:21:28.276
  • It doesn't matter in the end.
  • 00:21:28.276 --> 00:21:30.512
  • Because in the end, your body is going to deteriorate
  • 00:21:30.512 --> 00:21:34.216
  • And die and become worm food.
  • 00:21:34.216 --> 00:21:35.951
  • Did you know that?
  • 00:21:35.951 --> 00:21:37.486
  • There's nothing you're going to do to stop that process.
  • 00:21:37.486 --> 00:21:41.022
  • But when you take that same time and effort
  • 00:21:41.022 --> 00:21:44.159
  • And discipline your spirit, guess what?
  • 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:47.095
  • Your spirit, you're going to carry with you
  • 00:21:47.095 --> 00:21:49.331
  • Through all eternity.
  • 00:21:49.331 --> 00:21:51.800
  • And that's why paul says, "discipline yourself
  • 00:21:51.800 --> 00:21:54.703
  • For the purpose of godliness."
  • 00:21:54.703 --> 00:21:57.572
  • In his book "odyssey,"
  • 00:21:57.572 --> 00:21:59.174
  • John sculley, the one-time ceo of apple computers,
  • 00:21:59.174 --> 00:22:02.878
  • Tells about his life at pepsi cola before he went to apple.
  • 00:22:02.878 --> 00:22:06.982
  • And he tells specifically about the discipline,
  • 00:22:06.982 --> 00:22:09.484
  • The drive of some of those executives
  • 00:22:09.484 --> 00:22:12.053
  • At pepsi cola, for excellence.
  • 00:22:12.687 --> 00:22:15.257
  • That desire to succeed in their work even extended
  • 00:22:15.257 --> 00:22:19.294
  • To their physical exercise.
  • 00:22:19.294 --> 00:22:21.496
  • He writes, "the culture demanded
  • 00:22:21.496 --> 00:22:24.266
  • That each of us be in top condition,
  • 00:22:24.266 --> 00:22:26.868
  • Physically fit, as well as mentally alert.
  • 00:22:26.868 --> 00:22:30.038
  • At lunchtime, the glass-walled corporate fitness center
  • 00:22:30.038 --> 00:22:33.074
  • Was packed with the rising stars of the corporation.
  • 00:22:33.074 --> 00:22:37.345
  • Like me, there were all kind of people
  • 00:22:37.345 --> 00:22:40.048
  • Who would rather be in the marines than in the army.
  • 00:22:40.048 --> 00:22:43.618
  • Even our exercise regimens became a part of the competition.
  • 00:22:43.618 --> 00:22:47.856
  • Placards on bulletin boards
  • 00:22:47.856 --> 00:22:49.558
  • Charted each executive's progress
  • 00:22:49.558 --> 00:22:52.093
  • Against his colleagues."
  • 00:22:52.093 --> 00:22:54.663
  • These men were willing to pay whatever price necessary
  • 00:22:55.764 --> 00:23:00.001
  • To succeed about their jobs.
  • 00:23:00.001 --> 00:23:03.171
  • What about you?
  • 00:23:03.538 --> 00:23:04.773
  • Are you willing to pay whatever price necessary
  • 00:23:05.707 --> 00:23:09.911
  • To succeed in your relationship with god?
  • 00:23:09.911 --> 00:23:13.582
  • Are you willing to say,
  • 00:23:14.082 --> 00:23:15.517
  • "pastor, i'm willing to spend whatever time necessary,
  • 00:23:15.517 --> 00:23:19.721
  • I'm willing to exert whatever effort necessary,
  • 00:23:20.689 --> 00:23:23.191
  • I am willing to endure whatever pain necessary
  • 00:23:23.191 --> 00:23:27.696
  • To grow in my relationship with christ."
  • 00:23:28.563 --> 00:23:31.533
  • The cost of success and spiritual growth is great.
  • 00:23:32.534 --> 00:23:36.438
  • The cost of failure is even greater.
  • 00:23:37.239 --> 00:23:39.341
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:39.341 --> 00:23:45.213
  • As christians, we can't afford to fail on this issue.
  • 00:23:45.213 --> 00:23:49.017
  • Our maturity in christ is at stake.
  • 00:23:49.017 --> 00:23:51.920
  • And for many of us,
  • 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.321
  • Our relationship with god hangs in the balance.
  • 00:23:53.321 --> 00:23:56.758
  • Well, i'm continually amazed by the letters and emails
  • 00:23:56.758 --> 00:23:59.628
  • We receive from viewers whose lives
  • 00:23:59.628 --> 00:24:01.997
  • Have been transformed through "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:01.997 --> 00:24:05.333
  • Like robert from colorado, who recently shared:
  • 00:24:05.333 --> 00:24:08.670
  • I recently read your book,
  • 00:24:08.670 --> 00:24:10.272
  • "choose your attitudes, change your life",
  • 00:24:10.272 --> 00:24:13.108
  • And it has really been an eye-opening experience for me.
  • 00:24:13.108 --> 00:24:16.845
  • I am seeing a difference as i apply the principles
  • 00:24:16.845 --> 00:24:19.881
  • And teaching to my daily life.
  • 00:24:19.881 --> 00:24:22.684
  • I'm so encouraged to hear about your journey, robert.
  • 00:24:22.684 --> 00:24:25.654
  • And to everyone who supports
  • 00:24:25.654 --> 00:24:27.289
  • "pathway to victory" financially,
  • 00:24:27.289 --> 00:24:29.391
  • Your generosity is making stories like robert's
  • 00:24:29.391 --> 00:24:32.994
  • Possible all around the country and even around the world.
  • 00:24:32.994 --> 00:24:37.365
  • Thank you for helping us share biblical truth
  • 00:24:37.365 --> 00:24:39.668
  • With those who are searching for answers.
  • 00:24:39.668 --> 00:24:42.671
  • Now, stay right there,
  • 00:24:42.671 --> 00:24:43.972
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:43.972 --> 00:24:46.107
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:24:46.107 --> 00:24:48.610
  • The most important task a parent or grandparent has in life
  • 00:24:48.610 --> 00:24:52.581
  • Is to lead their child or grandchild
  • 00:24:52.581 --> 00:24:54.616
  • To faith in jesus christ.
  • 00:24:54.616 --> 00:24:56.585
  • Yet many don't know where to begin.
  • 00:24:56.585 --> 00:24:58.820
  • That's why i've written,
  • 00:24:58.820 --> 00:25:00.021
  • "the gift: the gospel for children,"
  • 00:25:00.021 --> 00:25:02.490
  • A beautifully illustrated book
  • 00:25:02.490 --> 00:25:04.593
  • Designed to help you share the gospel
  • 00:25:04.593 --> 00:25:06.595
  • With the children you love.
  • 00:25:06.595 --> 00:25:08.663
  • [announcer] "the gift" provides a clear presentation
  • 00:25:08.663 --> 00:25:11.066
  • Of the gospel for your child or grandchild,
  • 00:25:11.066 --> 00:25:13.468
  • And make sharing the life-changing message of jesus simple.
  • 00:25:13.468 --> 00:25:17.072
  • Plus, you'll receive an instructional dvd message
  • 00:25:17.072 --> 00:25:19.841
  • From dr. jeffress that you can watch together
  • 00:25:19.841 --> 00:25:22.344
  • With your child.
  • 00:25:22.344 --> 00:25:23.378
  • You can give this book
  • 00:25:23.378 --> 00:25:24.946
  • To your children or grandchildren to read on their own,
  • 00:25:24.946 --> 00:25:27.482
  • Or better yet,
  • 00:25:27.482 --> 00:25:28.683
  • Read it together
  • 00:25:28.683 --> 00:25:29.918
  • To begin a rewarding spiritual journey
  • 00:25:29.918 --> 00:25:32.587
  • That will shape their eternity.
  • 00:25:32.587 --> 00:25:34.789
  • At the end of my book, i've included a prayer for salvation.
  • 00:25:34.789 --> 00:25:38.326
  • They can pray to trust in christ as their savior.
  • 00:25:38.326 --> 00:25:42.364
  • [announcer] help your child or grandchild
  • 00:25:42.364 --> 00:25:43.865
  • Make the decision to follow jesus christ.
  • 00:25:43.865 --> 00:25:46.635
  • Request "the gift" when you give a generous gift
  • 00:25:46.635 --> 00:25:49.404
  • To support the ministry of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:49.404 --> 00:25:52.207
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:25:52.207 --> 00:25:55.377
  • We'll also send you "straight answers to tough questions,"
  • 00:25:55.377 --> 00:25:58.413
  • Chapters one through nine on both dvd and audio disc.
  • 00:25:58.413 --> 00:26:02.250
  • Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:02.250 --> 00:26:04.819
  • Together, we're preaching the gospel
  • 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:06.521
  • To as many people as possible
  • 00:26:06.521 --> 00:26:08.423
  • And equipping parents and grandparents
  • 00:26:08.423 --> 00:26:10.325
  • To lead the children they love to faith in jesus christ.
  • 00:26:10.325 --> 00:26:13.795
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:13.795 --> 00:26:17.065
  • The consequences of being a carnal christian are severe,
  • 00:26:17.065 --> 00:26:21.069
  • And that's why paul takes time in his letter
  • 00:26:21.069 --> 00:26:23.371
  • To fully address this serious issue.
  • 00:26:23.371 --> 00:26:27.208
  • Well, christians are often shocked to learn
  • 00:26:27.208 --> 00:26:29.344
  • That heaven will not be the same for everyone.
  • 00:26:29.344 --> 00:26:31.980
  • Our rewards in heaven in the next life
  • 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:34.716
  • Will be determined by our faithfulness to christ
  • 00:26:34.716 --> 00:26:37.886
  • In this one.
  • 00:26:37.886 --> 00:26:39.187
  • And next time, we'll see how paul explains
  • 00:26:39.187 --> 00:26:42.090
  • This important topic in greater detail.
  • 00:26:42.090 --> 00:26:45.093
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:45.093 --> 00:26:47.395
  • In our series: straight answers to tough questions.
  • 00:26:47.395 --> 00:26:51.933
  • Five seconds after you die,
  • 00:26:51.933 --> 00:26:56.738
  • You will know exactly what you should have believed in and how you should have lived.
  • 00:26:56.738 --> 00:27:01.076
  • And how you should have lived.
  • 00:27:01.076 --> 00:27:04.612
  • You'll discover if you were tricked
  • 00:27:04.612 --> 00:27:08.049
  • By the deceptions of satan,
  • 00:27:08.049 --> 00:27:10.685
  • Or you'll discover if you're going to be treated by god
  • 00:27:10.685 --> 00:27:14.222
  • For all eternity.
  • 00:27:14.222 --> 00:27:15.924
  • [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:27:15.924 --> 00:27:18.026
  • For the message: tricked or treated?
  • 00:27:18.026 --> 00:27:20.595
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:20.595 --> 00:27:20.595