Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Growing Up By Growing Strong

May 1, 2025 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress explores the dangers of remaining a carnal Christian, highlighting the consequences of spiritual immaturity and the importance of growing in faith. Through biblical teachings and real-life examples, listeners are challenged to change their spiritual diet and exercise their faith in order to avoid falling away from God, losing eternal rewards, and facing divine discipline.

#Struggle #Challenges #Flesh #Spirit #Religion #Trials-HardTimes #Judgement #Focus #SpiritualGrowth #Strength #Dr.RobertJeffress #RobertJeffress #Discipline #SpiritualHealth #Disobedience #Chastisement #Backslidden #CarnalMind

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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.
00:11:08.390 --> 00:11:10.693
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
00:11:30.713 --> 00:11:33.916
Is the danger of being led astray
00:11:33.916 --> 00:11:36.085
Either by false doctrine or by sin.
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Secondly, the carnal christian is in danger
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Of losing his rewards in heaven.
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Look at verses 7 and 8 of hebrew 6.
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"for ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it
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And brings forth vegetation
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Useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled,
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Receives a blessing from god;
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But if the land yields thorns and thistles,
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It is worthless and close to being cursed,
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And it ends up being burned."
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If you forfeit rewards in heaven,
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You will experience real measurable loss
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That will produce grief in your spirit.
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As you see what could have been yours
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Had you only been more faithful to christ.
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The believing christian who remains fleshly carnal
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Is in danger of losing his spiritual eternal rewards.
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Not only that, thirdly, the carnal christian is in danger
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Of facing the discipline of god.
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Look at this in verse 8 of hebrews chapter 6,
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"he is close to being cursed and ends up being burned."
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That word burn doesn't refer to eternal damnation,
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It refers to the discipline of god.
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Stay with me on this.
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If a farmer had a piece of land
00:13:00.135 --> 00:13:02.137
That had been overcome with thorns and thistles,
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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."
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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,"
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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
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Will be determined by our faithfulness to christ
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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
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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
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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

Robert Jeffress - Growing Up By Growing Strong

May 1, 2025 | 27:29

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