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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - The Heart of Discipleship

August 4, 2025 | S25 E371 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - The Heart of Discipleship
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#inActive #WordofGod #Discipleship #Salvation #EternalLife #Disciples #Miracles #Demons

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Heart of Discipleship | August 4, 2025
  • ♪♪
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  • Announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with dr.
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  • Robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • The word disciple is one that gets thrown around a lot
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  • In church.
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  • We all know we're supposed to be disciples of christ, but what
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  • Does it mean to become a disciple?
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  • A hundred different people would probably give you a hundred
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  • Different answers.
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  • So today and throughout the course of this new series i'm
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  • Going to show you what it truly means to be a disciple of
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  • Jesus christ.
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  • My message is titled "the heart of discipleship" on today's
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  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪
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  • Announcer: give your heart the encouragement it needs.
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  • Start and end each day meditating on god's word with
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  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple."
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  • This brand new beautiful full-color, padded, hardcover
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  • Book by dr. robert jeffress features 80 breathtaking images
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  • Of creation paired with scripture, prayers, and insights
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  • You can read in under two minutes.
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  • Perfect for your coffee table or as a thoughtful gift for a
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  • Loved one.
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  • Request "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" when you
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  • Give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪
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  • Jeffress: nobody is going to escape death.
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  • Hebrews 9:27 says, "it is appointed unto men once to die,
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  • And after this the judgment."
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  • If it's not terrifying enough to you to think of the end of your
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  • Life, notice what the writer says death is followed by.
  • 00:01:52.936 --> 00:01:56.940
  • Immediately after death comes a judgment we will all face
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  • Before god.
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  • As you read through the whole of the new testament, can you
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  • Really say that all god really wants for me is to receive that
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  • Free get out of hell card, and that's all that really matters?
  • 00:02:11.221 --> 00:02:15.625
  • Does he care about anything else?
  • 00:02:15.625 --> 00:02:18.928
  • Again, the stakes are too high to get this wrong.
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  • What does god want from my life?
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  • Let me affirm at the outset of this message that i believe that
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  • Salvation is by grace alone.
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  • That is the foundational, bedrock belief of christianity.
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  • There's nothing we can do to earn god's salvation.
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  • In ephesians 2, 8 and 9, the apostle paul writes, "for by
  • 00:02:43.886 --> 00:02:47.490
  • Grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
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  • Yourselves, it is a gift of god; not as a result of works, that
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  • No one should boast."
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  • God doesn't allow us to work even a little bit for a right
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  • Relationship with him.
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  • Why is that?
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  • And paul explained it in detail in romans chapter 4.
  • 00:03:06.643 --> 00:03:10.179
  • He said, even if god says, "my salvation is 99%, my grace and
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  • 1% of your work, i'm gonna let you work just a little bit for
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  • Your salvation so you have some skin in the game."
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  • You know why god doesn't do that?
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  • Because if we contribute even 1% to our salvation, then our
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  • Salvation becomes a wage that god owes us.
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  • It becomes an obligation, because we worked for it, and
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  • God refuses to owe any man or woman salvation.
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  • It is a gift from god.
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  • So it's very clear, salvation is by faith alone.
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  • But is that all god wants for me?
  • 00:03:49.285 --> 00:03:51.554
  • Is there anything else he wants for me?
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  • I want you to turn to luke chapter 10 for just a moment.
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  • Luke chapter 10, verse 25, "and, behold, a certain lawyer stood
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  • Up, and put jesus to the test, saying, 'teacher, what shall i
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  • Do to inherit eternal life?'"
  • 00:04:10.306 --> 00:04:14.610
  • Now, i've pointed out before.
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  • It's very clear, luke says, that this lawyer was testing jesus.
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  • Perhaps the pharisees put him up to this to try to entrap jesus,
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  • Hoping that he could get jesus to say something that would be
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  • Considered blasphemous and worthy of death.
  • 00:04:31.094 --> 00:04:34.063
  • So, like a lawyer, he was trying to trick jesus.
  • 00:04:34.063 --> 00:04:37.867
  • What do you have to do to inherit eternal life?
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  • But i have a sneaking suspicion that wasn't the lawyer's
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  • Only motivation.
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  • Sure, maybe he agreed to do this as a favor to the pharisees, but
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  • Perhaps something in this attorney's own life made him ask
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  • The question.
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  • Maybe he had just had his 50th birthday.
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  • Maybe he began thinking about how life was passing him by
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  • Very quickly.
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  • So he sincerely maybe wanted to know.
  • 00:05:03.659 --> 00:05:06.028
  • "now, lord, what do you think i must do to have eternal life?"
  • 00:05:06.028 --> 00:05:11.200
  • And jesus said, "well, how does the law read to you?"
  • 00:05:11.200 --> 00:05:14.203
  • And the lawyer said, verse 27, "well, the law says, basically,
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  • 'you shall love the lord your god with all of your heart, and
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  • With all of your soul, and with all of your strength, and with
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  • All of your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'"
  • 00:05:24.147 --> 00:05:29.786
  • Jesus said, "right, do that, and you shall live."
  • 00:05:29.786 --> 00:05:35.958
  • Jesus affirmed that the essence of a right relationship with god
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  • Was loving him with all of your heart and loving other people
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  • As yourself.
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  • Very simple.
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  • Not easy, but very simple.
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  • What is the essence of what it means to be a disciple?
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  • How do you explain not only pastors, but other christians
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  • Who fall into that kind of rebellion against god, whose
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  • Lifestyle is completely like that of unbelievers?
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  • I think perhaps the late dallas willard had the answer when he
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  • Wrote, "a carefully cultivated heart will, assisted by the
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  • Grace of god, foresee, forestall, or transform most of
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  • The painful situations before which others stand like helpless
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  • Children saying, 'why did this happen?'"
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  • But listen to this.
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  • "the greatest need you and i have, the greatest need of
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  • Collective humanity, is the renovation of our heart.
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  • That spiritual place within from which outlook, choices, and
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  • Actions come has been formed by a world away from god.
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  • Now that heart must be transformed."
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  • Today we're beginning a brand new series i've titled "7 marks
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  • Of a disciple."
  • 00:07:01.978 --> 00:07:04.680
  • We all know we're supposed to be disciples of christ, but what
  • 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:08.017
  • Does it mean to be a disciple?
  • 00:07:08.017 --> 00:07:10.019
  • You know that word disciple or the word discipleship, it gets
  • 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:13.089
  • Thrown around the church, our church, a lot.
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  • People use that term without really understanding what it
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  • Means to be a disciple.
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  • In fact, if i were to ask you, what does it mean to be a
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  • Disciple, i think we'd come up with all kinds of answers.
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  • "well, to be a disciple means you get up at 5 o'clock in the
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  • Morning and meet with a couple of other men or women for an
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  • Accountability group."
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  • And some people would say, "well, to be a disciple means
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  • You memorize 100 verses, and that's what it means to be
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  • A disciple."
  • 00:07:42.418 --> 00:07:43.753
  • Other people would say, "well, being a disciple means enrolling
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  • In this class in discipleship university.
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  • That means you're a disciple."
  • 00:07:48.991 --> 00:07:50.359
  • Now all of those things, by the way, are good things to do, but
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  • Those things relate to the process of discipleship.
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  • They don't define what a disciple is.
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  • It describes how you become a disciple, but that's not what a
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  • Disciple is.
  • 00:08:05.041 --> 00:08:06.909
  • Other people define disciple by what a disciple does or is.
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  • They will note that that term disciple, mathetes in greek, was
  • 00:08:13.549 --> 00:08:18.020
  • Used in jesus's day to refer to somebody who admired a rabbi and
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  • Decided to attach himself to that rabbi to learn all of his
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  • Teachings and to emulate his lifestyle.
  • 00:08:27.229 --> 00:08:30.366
  • So to be a disciple, they say, involves attaching yourself to
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  • Jesus and emulating his lifestyle.
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  • Specifically, they would note that there are four things a
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  • Disciple does or is.
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  • You might want to jot them down on your outline.
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  • First of all, they would say a disciple is a christian.
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  • "well, duh, pastor.
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  • Tell me something i don't know."
  • 00:08:50.653 --> 00:08:52.888
  • And yet a lot of people think it's actually possible to be
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  • Like jesus christ without ever being in jesus christ.
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  • That is, they try to follow the lifestyle of christ without ever
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  • Having that initial experience with christ, that not only
  • 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:08.671
  • Results in the forgiveness of our sins, but the empowering by
  • 00:09:08.671 --> 00:09:12.708
  • The holy spirit of god.
  • 00:09:12.708 --> 00:09:14.477
  • They're trying to live the christian life, being like
  • 00:09:14.477 --> 00:09:17.313
  • Christ without ever being in christ, and jesus described what
  • 00:09:17.313 --> 00:09:20.950
  • Happens to people like that.
  • 00:09:20.950 --> 00:09:23.285
  • One day they're gonna receive the surprise of a lifetime.
  • 00:09:23.285 --> 00:09:26.756
  • Matthew 7, verses 22 and 23, jesus said, "many will say to me
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  • On that day, the judgment day, 'lord, lord, did we not prophesy
  • 00:09:31.727 --> 00:09:36.632
  • In your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your
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  • Name perform many miracles?'"
  • 00:09:40.102 --> 00:09:42.705
  • But then jesus will say to them, "depart from me, i never knew
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  • You, you who practice lawlessness."
  • 00:09:47.543 --> 00:09:51.280
  • They did good things.
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  • They did them in the name of christ, but they never had that
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  • Personal relationship with christ that comes through faith.
  • 00:09:55.117 --> 00:09:58.988
  • So the beginning point of being a disciple is to become
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  • A christian.
  • 00:10:01.957 --> 00:10:03.292
  • You know, jesus talked about the importance of that in the
  • 00:10:03.292 --> 00:10:06.295
  • Discipleship process in the passage we often call the
  • 00:10:06.295 --> 00:10:09.632
  • Great commission.
  • 00:10:09.632 --> 00:10:11.000
  • Remember what jesus said in matthew 28:19 and 20, "go
  • 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:14.070
  • Therefore and make disciples of all nations."
  • 00:10:14.070 --> 00:10:17.473
  • How do you do that, jesus?
  • 00:10:17.473 --> 00:10:19.508
  • How do you make disciples of people?
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  • Well, he said, first of all, "baptizing them in the name of
  • 00:10:22.311 --> 00:10:26.215
  • The father and the son and the holy spirit."
  • 00:10:26.215 --> 00:10:29.952
  • The first step is a conversion experience.
  • 00:10:29.952 --> 00:10:33.122
  • And then he said, secondly, "teaching them to observe all
  • 00:10:33.122 --> 00:10:37.426
  • Things that i commanded you, and lo, i am with you always, even
  • 00:10:37.426 --> 00:10:41.163
  • Unto the end of the age."
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  • Disciples are christians.
  • 00:10:42.498 --> 00:10:43.866
  • Secondly, a disciple has a growing relationship with god.
  • 00:10:43.866 --> 00:10:48.971
  • If we're really a disciple, we're gonna know and love jesus
  • 00:10:48.971 --> 00:10:52.141
  • Christ more today than when we were first saved.
  • 00:10:52.141 --> 00:10:55.945
  • A disciple has a growing relationship with god.
  • 00:10:55.945 --> 00:10:58.481
  • Thirdly, a disciple obeys christ in every area of his life.
  • 00:10:58.481 --> 00:11:05.921
  • Go back to that great commission.
  • 00:11:05.921 --> 00:11:07.423
  • Not only is it baptizing people, but it's teaching people to
  • 00:11:07.423 --> 00:11:11.494
  • Observe what?
  • 00:11:11.494 --> 00:11:13.129
  • "all things that i have commanded you."
  • 00:11:13.129 --> 00:11:17.433
  • Discipleship, the essence of it, is teaching people to obey god
  • 00:11:17.433 --> 00:11:22.505
  • In every area of their life, their work, their finances,
  • 00:11:22.505 --> 00:11:26.609
  • Their marriage, their parenting, their thought life.
  • 00:11:26.609 --> 00:11:29.912
  • That's what it means to be a disciple.
  • 00:11:29.912 --> 00:11:33.082
  • And then finally, a disciple is one who makes new disciples.
  • 00:11:33.082 --> 00:11:37.920
  • He makes new disciples.
  • 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:39.421
  • If you're a true follower of christ, you're gonna take
  • 00:11:39.421 --> 00:11:41.891
  • Seriously jesus's final command before he ascended into heaven,
  • 00:11:41.891 --> 00:11:46.328
  • To go into all of the world, to make it your life purpose to
  • 00:11:46.328 --> 00:11:50.266
  • Make disciples.
  • 00:11:50.266 --> 00:11:51.801
  • Now all of those things i mentioned, those four
  • 00:11:51.801 --> 00:11:54.403
  • Characteristics of the disciple, still, as true as they are,
  • 00:11:54.403 --> 00:11:59.341
  • Don't define the essence of discipleship.
  • 00:11:59.341 --> 00:12:03.345
  • So are you ready to know what discipleship is really
  • 00:12:03.345 --> 00:12:07.183
  • All about?
  • 00:12:07.183 --> 00:12:08.551
  • The essence of discipleship is a changed life that comes from a
  • 00:12:08.551 --> 00:12:16.292
  • Transformed heart.
  • 00:12:16.292 --> 00:12:18.027
  • Let me say it again, the essence of discipleship is a changed
  • 00:12:18.027 --> 00:12:23.065
  • Life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:12:23.065 --> 00:12:28.337
  • 2 corinthians 5:17, paul says, "therefore if any man is in
  • 00:12:28.337 --> 00:12:33.909
  • Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;
  • 00:12:33.909 --> 00:12:39.915
  • Behold, new things have come."
  • 00:12:39.915 --> 00:12:43.686
  • Some translations capture the tense accurately, new things
  • 00:12:43.686 --> 00:12:46.789
  • Are coming.
  • 00:12:46.789 --> 00:12:49.391
  • A disciple is somebody who resembles jesus christ in his
  • 00:12:49.391 --> 00:12:53.629
  • Actions, attitudes, and affections.
  • 00:12:53.629 --> 00:12:57.766
  • A disciple is someone who loves what jesus loved, thinks like
  • 00:12:57.766 --> 00:13:01.770
  • Jesus thought, behaves like jesus behaved in
  • 00:13:01.770 --> 00:13:04.139
  • Every situation.
  • 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:06.242
  • To be a disciple means to live my life as christ would live my
  • 00:13:06.242 --> 00:13:11.313
  • Life if he were i.
  • 00:13:11.313 --> 00:13:13.682
  • Those are all descriptions of a disciple, but
  • 00:13:13.682 --> 00:13:15.818
  • It all comes back to this, discipleship is about a changed
  • 00:13:15.818 --> 00:13:20.956
  • Life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:13:20.956 --> 00:13:25.461
  • Unfortunately, too many professing christians today have
  • 00:13:25.461 --> 00:13:31.200
  • This testimony.
  • 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:32.735
  • It's a testimony that says, "i came to the cross of jesus
  • 00:13:32.735 --> 00:13:35.938
  • Christ just as i am, and i left just as i was."
  • 00:13:35.938 --> 00:13:42.511
  • There's been absolutely no transformation of their life.
  • 00:13:42.511 --> 00:13:46.916
  • I mean, the statistics are well known, and they're
  • 00:13:46.916 --> 00:13:49.919
  • Very depressing.
  • 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:51.820
  • You look at any area of human behavior and there's not any
  • 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:56.692
  • Really marked difference between the behavior of professing
  • 00:13:56.692 --> 00:13:59.561
  • Christians and non-christians.
  • 00:13:59.561 --> 00:14:02.298
  • And that ought to be disturbing to all of us.
  • 00:14:02.298 --> 00:14:04.767
  • I know it's disturbing to me.
  • 00:14:04.767 --> 00:14:06.168
  • You know, i'm assuming the reason you're here this morning,
  • 00:14:06.168 --> 00:14:09.371
  • The reason you're watching this series right now, is because you
  • 00:14:09.371 --> 00:14:12.741
  • Really do want to know what it means to be a follower
  • 00:14:12.741 --> 00:14:14.977
  • Of christ.
  • 00:14:14.977 --> 00:14:16.478
  • You really believe what the scripture says, that one day
  • 00:14:16.478 --> 00:14:18.781
  • You're gonna face god, and you want to be sure that you've
  • 00:14:18.781 --> 00:14:21.517
  • Gotten it right.
  • 00:14:21.517 --> 00:14:23.552
  • You know, there's a lot of clutter in christianity today.
  • 00:14:23.552 --> 00:14:27.289
  • Some people think the essence of christianity is making sure
  • 00:14:27.289 --> 00:14:30.960
  • You're able to parse every doctrinal issue just right and
  • 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:35.464
  • Say it in the right way.
  • 00:14:35.464 --> 00:14:36.999
  • To be sure you're able to explain with great precision
  • 00:14:36.999 --> 00:14:40.402
  • The relationship between god's sovereignty and human
  • 00:14:40.402 --> 00:14:43.639
  • Responsibility, and if you can't explain that, then you're not
  • 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:46.208
  • Really a christian.
  • 00:14:46.208 --> 00:14:47.977
  • Other people, the essence of christianity is believing what
  • 00:14:47.977 --> 00:14:52.614
  • They believe about the gray issues of christianity that the
  • 00:14:52.614 --> 00:14:56.685
  • Bible really doesn't speak about, but you've got to adopt
  • 00:14:56.685 --> 00:14:59.321
  • Their beliefs about these gray areas.
  • 00:14:59.321 --> 00:15:01.557
  • For other people, the essence of christianity is making sure you
  • 00:15:01.557 --> 00:15:04.426
  • Worship in exactly the right way,
  • 00:15:04.426 --> 00:15:07.062
  • That you sing the right kind of songs, you pray the right kind
  • 00:15:07.062 --> 00:15:10.332
  • Of prayers.
  • 00:15:10.332 --> 00:15:11.700
  • That's what it means to be a really fervent disciple
  • 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:13.869
  • Of christ.
  • 00:15:13.869 --> 00:15:15.204
  • Other people believe it's all the issue about the gifts of the
  • 00:15:15.204 --> 00:15:17.606
  • Spirit, and you've got to believe just this way about the
  • 00:15:17.606 --> 00:15:20.309
  • Gifts of the holy spirit to be a real christian.
  • 00:15:20.309 --> 00:15:23.512
  • Those are all secondary, tertiary issues.
  • 00:15:23.512 --> 00:15:27.116
  • It reminds me of what jesus said to martha, down in verses 41 and
  • 00:15:27.116 --> 00:15:31.153
  • 42 of luke 10.
  • 00:15:31.153 --> 00:15:32.855
  • "the lord said to her, 'martha, martha, you are worried and
  • 00:15:32.855 --> 00:15:38.594
  • Bothered about so many things,'" but only a few things are
  • 00:15:38.594 --> 00:15:43.699
  • Necessary, and really only one.
  • 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:47.469
  • When it comes to the christian life and being a disciple,
  • 00:15:47.469 --> 00:15:50.773
  • There's really only one thing that matters,
  • 00:15:50.773 --> 00:15:52.808
  • Jesus said: loving god with all of our hearts and loving others
  • 00:15:52.808 --> 00:15:58.647
  • As we love ourselves.
  • 00:15:58.647 --> 00:16:01.116
  • You've heard of the old "kiss" principle?
  • 00:16:01.116 --> 00:16:04.153
  • Remember that, k-i-s-s?
  • 00:16:04.153 --> 00:16:06.388
  • Keep it simple, stupid.
  • 00:16:06.388 --> 00:16:10.025
  • You know why that's important?
  • 00:16:10.025 --> 00:16:11.593
  • Hans hofmann has written, "the ability to simplify means to
  • 00:16:11.593 --> 00:16:17.232
  • Eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."
  • 00:16:17.232 --> 00:16:23.105
  • The reason we need to get rid of all of these secondary and
  • 00:16:23.105 --> 00:16:25.841
  • Tertiary issues is because if we don't, we can't focus on what
  • 00:16:25.841 --> 00:16:30.345
  • Really is important.
  • 00:16:30.345 --> 00:16:32.247
  • You know, the business world has learned that.
  • 00:16:32.247 --> 00:16:34.950
  • John schnatter, the founder of papa john's, explained the
  • 00:16:34.950 --> 00:16:38.320
  • Secret of his company's success.
  • 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:40.222
  • He said, "at papa john's, we have a simple formula
  • 00:16:40.222 --> 00:16:43.525
  • For success.
  • 00:16:43.525 --> 00:16:45.060
  • Focus on one thing and try to do it better than anyone else."
  • 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:52.134
  • Is it just possible that in christianity we need to learn
  • 00:16:52.134 --> 00:16:56.004
  • That secret?
  • 00:16:56.004 --> 00:16:57.372
  • That instead of focusing on so many things like martha was, we
  • 00:16:57.372 --> 00:17:00.843
  • Need to focus on the one thing god really wants from us.
  • 00:17:00.843 --> 00:17:06.014
  • And again, jesus said it all can be reduced to that simple
  • 00:17:06.014 --> 00:17:09.751
  • Principle, love god with all of your heart and love others
  • 00:17:09.751 --> 00:17:13.922
  • As yourself.
  • 00:17:13.922 --> 00:17:15.290
  • You're saying, "wait a minute, pastor, that can't be all there
  • 00:17:15.290 --> 00:17:18.260
  • Is to it.
  • 00:17:18.260 --> 00:17:19.761
  • Well, what about the issues, like forgiving other people?
  • 00:17:19.761 --> 00:17:23.232
  • What about issues of living a moral lifestyle?
  • 00:17:23.232 --> 00:17:27.202
  • What about not letting anger take hold of your life?
  • 00:17:27.202 --> 00:17:30.205
  • What about not being caught up in greed and materialism?
  • 00:17:30.205 --> 00:17:33.408
  • What about all of those things?
  • 00:17:33.408 --> 00:17:34.776
  • Are you saying god doesn't care about those things?"
  • 00:17:34.776 --> 00:17:37.479
  • Well, of course he cares about those things, but all of those
  • 00:17:37.479 --> 00:17:42.017
  • Issues can be traced back to the condition of our heart.
  • 00:17:42.017 --> 00:17:47.322
  • It's all a heart issue.
  • 00:17:47.322 --> 00:17:50.159
  • A carefully cultivated and guarded heart, a heart that
  • 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:53.595
  • Loves god and loves others, will be able to handle all of those
  • 00:17:53.595 --> 00:17:57.833
  • Other challenges.
  • 00:17:57.833 --> 00:17:59.201
  • That's what solomon said in proverbs 4:23.
  • 00:17:59.201 --> 00:18:01.770
  • He said, "watch over your heart with all diligence, for from
  • 00:18:01.770 --> 00:18:07.676
  • It," the heart, "flow the springs of life."
  • 00:18:07.676 --> 00:18:11.647
  • I want you to think about this.
  • 00:18:11.647 --> 00:18:13.582
  • Every issue you're facing right now in your life ultimately
  • 00:18:13.582 --> 00:18:17.819
  • Comes back to a condition of your heart.
  • 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:21.423
  • Whether you allow worry to consume your life will be
  • 00:18:21.423 --> 00:18:25.961
  • Determined by whether you have cultivated a fearing heart or a
  • 00:18:25.961 --> 00:18:29.998
  • Trusting heart.
  • 00:18:29.998 --> 00:18:31.934
  • Whether you allow anger and outburst to be the rule of your
  • 00:18:31.934 --> 00:18:36.772
  • Life depends upon whether you have cultivated a bitter heart
  • 00:18:36.772 --> 00:18:40.976
  • Or a forgiving heart.
  • 00:18:40.976 --> 00:18:43.045
  • Whether you allow money to consume your thoughts and
  • 00:18:43.045 --> 00:18:45.881
  • Actions depends upon whether you are cultivating a greedy heart
  • 00:18:45.881 --> 00:18:50.018
  • Or a content heart.
  • 00:18:50.018 --> 00:18:52.354
  • Whether you fall into that trap of immorality that satan is
  • 00:18:52.354 --> 00:18:56.291
  • Setting for you right now depends upon whether you have
  • 00:18:56.291 --> 00:18:59.561
  • Cultivated an adulterous heart or a pure heart.
  • 00:18:59.561 --> 00:19:03.899
  • You see, we christians get it backwards.
  • 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:06.501
  • We get it backwards when it comes to our relationship
  • 00:19:06.501 --> 00:19:08.737
  • With god.
  • 00:19:08.737 --> 00:19:10.072
  • We try to modify our behavior without ever dealing with the
  • 00:19:10.072 --> 00:19:15.077
  • Cause of our behavior.
  • 00:19:15.077 --> 00:19:17.446
  • We get into accountability groups to try to break
  • 00:19:17.446 --> 00:19:21.383
  • Our addictions.
  • 00:19:21.383 --> 00:19:22.718
  • We cut up our credit cards in order to get a handle on
  • 00:19:22.718 --> 00:19:26.054
  • Our spending.
  • 00:19:26.054 --> 00:19:27.422
  • We get medication to deal with our anxiety.
  • 00:19:27.422 --> 00:19:32.060
  • And none of those things is wrong, but they never deal with
  • 00:19:32.060 --> 00:19:34.930
  • The root problem.
  • 00:19:34.930 --> 00:19:36.265
  • So remember, the essence of discipleship is a changed life
  • 00:19:36.265 --> 00:19:41.370
  • That comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:19:41.370 --> 00:19:47.376
  • A few years ago we were getting ready at home to come down to
  • 00:19:47.376 --> 00:19:52.014
  • Our christmas eve service, and so--it was the middle of the
  • 00:19:52.014 --> 00:19:56.818
  • Afternoon and i was taking a shower, getting ready, and as i
  • 00:19:56.818 --> 00:19:59.888
  • Stood in the shower, suddenly i was overwhelmed by such an
  • 00:19:59.888 --> 00:20:05.027
  • Offensive smell i nearly suffocated in the shower stall,
  • 00:20:05.027 --> 00:20:09.431
  • And i looked down and immediately saw the source of
  • 00:20:09.431 --> 00:20:12.100
  • The problem.
  • 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:13.468
  • Gurgling up from the shower drain was stuff i can't even
  • 00:20:13.468 --> 00:20:16.905
  • Mention in the service today, but it was really gross, and it
  • 00:20:16.905 --> 00:20:21.576
  • Was flowing up out of the shower drain and then it lapped over
  • 00:20:21.576 --> 00:20:24.579
  • The side onto the bathroom floor, and of course i did what
  • 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:27.816
  • Any husband would do at that moment, i yelled help to
  • 00:20:27.816 --> 00:20:30.585
  • My wife.
  • 00:20:30.585 --> 00:20:32.721
  • So amy came in and we engaged in this mop up operation and we got
  • 00:20:32.721 --> 00:20:38.627
  • It finally all mopped up, and then i utilized all the plumbing
  • 00:20:38.627 --> 00:20:42.230
  • Skills i had developed through the years and reached under the
  • 00:20:42.230 --> 00:20:45.867
  • Cabinet there and pulled out a can of drano, and i looked at
  • 00:20:45.867 --> 00:20:50.706
  • That, read the directions, i poured the drano into the drain,
  • 00:20:50.706 --> 00:20:53.909
  • Did what the direction said, turned the water back on after a
  • 00:20:53.909 --> 00:20:56.645
  • Few minutes, let it go down there.
  • 00:20:56.645 --> 00:20:58.380
  • I thought problem solved.
  • 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.748
  • Thirty seconds later the stuff came back up again.
  • 00:20:59.748 --> 00:21:03.185
  • So we had another mop up operation.
  • 00:21:03.185 --> 00:21:05.587
  • We did it about a third time.
  • 00:21:05.587 --> 00:21:07.222
  • It kept coming up and up, so finally i broke down and called
  • 00:21:07.222 --> 00:21:10.492
  • The plumber, and he was happy to come on christmas eve for three
  • 00:21:10.492 --> 00:21:15.030
  • Times the normal rate.
  • 00:21:15.030 --> 00:21:17.833
  • But he arrived, he came in and looked at our drain.
  • 00:21:17.833 --> 00:21:20.836
  • He said, "could i go into your backyard?"
  • 00:21:20.836 --> 00:21:24.139
  • We said, "well, sure."
  • 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:26.041
  • So he went in the backyard.
  • 00:21:26.041 --> 00:21:27.743
  • Few minutes later, he came back and he said, "i found
  • 00:21:27.743 --> 00:21:30.379
  • The problem.
  • 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:31.980
  • I looked at your sewer line and some overly aggressive roots
  • 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:36.251
  • From a nearby tree had invaded that sewer line, causing the
  • 00:21:36.251 --> 00:21:41.189
  • Clogging and the backup of the refuse."
  • 00:21:41.189 --> 00:21:45.260
  • He said, "you'll never be able to take care of this problem
  • 00:21:45.260 --> 00:21:49.331
  • Until you deal with the root problem."
  • 00:21:49.331 --> 00:21:55.036
  • You know, every day, you and i have offensive words and
  • 00:21:55.036 --> 00:22:00.242
  • Thoughts coming out of our lives.
  • 00:22:00.242 --> 00:22:03.645
  • They're offensive to us, and just think about it.
  • 00:22:03.645 --> 00:22:06.448
  • If we're offended by what we think or say or feel, imagine
  • 00:22:06.448 --> 00:22:11.186
  • How offended god is.
  • 00:22:11.186 --> 00:22:14.990
  • Now, we can try to mop up our behavior, but it's really
  • 00:22:14.990 --> 00:22:18.927
  • Useless until we deal with the source of that behavior.
  • 00:22:18.927 --> 00:22:24.699
  • Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow
  • 00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:29.538
  • The issues of life.
  • 00:22:29.538 --> 00:22:32.874
  • Greed, lust, anger, bitterness, these are not the problem.
  • 00:22:32.874 --> 00:22:39.347
  • They are the symptom of the problem, and the problem is a
  • 00:22:39.347 --> 00:22:43.718
  • Heart that has not been carefully cultivated and guarded
  • 00:22:43.718 --> 00:22:47.255
  • To love god completely.
  • 00:22:47.255 --> 00:22:49.791
  • You say, "well, what can i do to change the condition of
  • 00:22:49.791 --> 00:22:52.828
  • My heart?"
  • 00:22:52.828 --> 00:22:54.563
  • More than you might think.
  • 00:22:54.563 --> 00:22:57.065
  • Over the next seven weeks, we're going to discover how you and i
  • 00:22:57.065 --> 00:23:02.003
  • Can cooperate with god to experience a transformed heart
  • 00:23:02.003 --> 00:23:08.243
  • That results in a changed life.
  • 00:23:08.243 --> 00:23:11.379
  • That's the essence of what it means to be a disciple.
  • 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:20.155
  • Jeffress: at the end of the day, discipleship comes down to
  • 00:23:21.289 --> 00:23:24.559
  • The heart.
  • 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.894
  • Once your heart is right, everything else falls into
  • 00:23:25.894 --> 00:23:28.930
  • Place, and that's exactly what we're going to be talking about
  • 00:23:28.930 --> 00:23:32.400
  • This month as we examine the seven marks of a disciple.
  • 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:37.339
  • In closing, i want to share a heartwarming note i received
  • 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:41.109
  • From james.
  • 00:23:41.109 --> 00:23:42.477
  • He said, god has used "pathway to victory" is one of the many
  • 00:23:42.477 --> 00:23:45.947
  • Tools to change my life.
  • 00:23:45.947 --> 00:23:48.149
  • As a police officer, i can see now why god chose this
  • 00:23:48.149 --> 00:23:52.053
  • Profession for me.
  • 00:23:52.053 --> 00:23:53.755
  • I used to be afraid to share my christian faith, but through
  • 00:23:53.755 --> 00:23:57.158
  • Your teaching, i've been equipped to do so.
  • 00:23:57.158 --> 00:24:00.495
  • By following the lord's leading, i've led three people to say a
  • 00:24:00.495 --> 00:24:03.965
  • Prayer to accept jesus in the back of my patrol car before
  • 00:24:03.965 --> 00:24:09.070
  • Going to jail!
  • 00:24:09.070 --> 00:24:10.405
  • And if he can use a person like me, he can use anyone!
  • 00:24:10.405 --> 00:24:14.576
  • Well james, your story is such an encouragement to all of us,
  • 00:24:14.576 --> 00:24:18.547
  • And let me add friends, when you give generously to "pathway to
  • 00:24:18.547 --> 00:24:22.450
  • Victory," your personal investment is truly making
  • 00:24:22.450 --> 00:24:25.921
  • A difference.
  • 00:24:25.921 --> 00:24:27.289
  • Thanks so much for linking arms with us to pierce the darkness
  • 00:24:27.289 --> 00:24:31.660
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:33.962
  • Now stay right there, i'll be back with more "pathway to
  • 00:24:33.962 --> 00:24:36.731
  • Victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:36.731 --> 00:24:41.269
  • Announcer: we all need god's strength to make it through
  • 00:24:41.269 --> 00:24:43.471
  • The day.
  • 00:24:43.471 --> 00:24:44.806
  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" by dr. robert
  • 00:24:44.806 --> 00:24:47.309
  • Jeffress provides the spiritual refreshment you need.
  • 00:24:47.309 --> 00:24:50.512
  • In a large print format, every page bursts with breathtaking
  • 00:24:50.512 --> 00:24:54.482
  • Imagery that draws you toward the beauty of god's creation.
  • 00:24:54.482 --> 00:24:58.286
  • Jeffress: i know how challenging it can be to stay connected with
  • 00:24:58.286 --> 00:25:01.389
  • God in our busy lives.
  • 00:25:01.389 --> 00:25:03.224
  • In my new devotional, i provide personal reflections and
  • 00:25:03.224 --> 00:25:06.728
  • Practical insights that will help you experience god's
  • 00:25:06.728 --> 00:25:10.131
  • Presence and encouragement throughout your day.
  • 00:25:10.131 --> 00:25:13.401
  • Announcer: filled with stunning images of creation, scripture
  • 00:25:13.401 --> 00:25:16.137
  • Verses, and prayers you can read in under two minutes, this
  • 00:25:16.137 --> 00:25:19.507
  • Padded hardcover book is the perfect daily companion to help
  • 00:25:19.507 --> 00:25:22.978
  • Refresh your spirit, morning and night.
  • 00:25:22.978 --> 00:25:25.747
  • It also makes a thoughtful gift to encourage a friend or
  • 00:25:25.747 --> 00:25:28.583
  • Loved one.
  • 00:25:28.583 --> 00:25:29.951
  • Request your copy of "encouragement for the heart of
  • 00:25:29.951 --> 00:25:32.220
  • A disciple" when you give a generous gift to support the
  • 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:35.090
  • Ministry of "pathway to victory," or when you become a
  • 00:25:35.090 --> 00:25:38.226
  • Pathway partner.
  • 00:25:38.226 --> 00:25:39.594
  • With your ministry gift of $100 or more, we'll send you the
  • 00:25:39.594 --> 00:25:43.531
  • Encouragement resource set containing the new devotional,
  • 00:25:43.531 --> 00:25:46.835
  • Six clutter-free prayer cards, the clutter-free christianity
  • 00:25:46.835 --> 00:25:50.438
  • Book and life application guide, and the "7 marks of a disciple"
  • 00:25:50.438 --> 00:25:54.442
  • Message series on both cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:54.442 --> 00:25:57.512
  • Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:57.512 --> 00:26:00.048
  • Your generous partnership helps us impact you and your family
  • 00:26:00.048 --> 00:26:03.551
  • And a nation in deep spiritual need with the transforming truth
  • 00:26:03.551 --> 00:26:07.622
  • Of god's word.
  • 00:26:07.622 --> 00:26:09.858
  • Jeffress: changing the condition of your heart may sound like a
  • 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:13.862
  • Daunting process, but the good news is you don't have to do
  • 00:26:13.862 --> 00:26:17.899
  • It alone.
  • 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:19.234
  • In fact, you can't do it without god's help.
  • 00:26:19.234 --> 00:26:22.671
  • And so i hope you'll join us for the rest of this series, because
  • 00:26:22.671 --> 00:26:26.241
  • We're going to discover how to experience, with god's help, a
  • 00:26:26.241 --> 00:26:30.211
  • Changed life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:26:30.211 --> 00:26:34.182
  • Next time we're going to dig deeper into the process of
  • 00:26:34.182 --> 00:26:37.752
  • Spiritual transformation and learn how we can move from the
  • 00:26:37.752 --> 00:26:41.523
  • Natural life to the supernatural life with god's help.
  • 00:26:41.523 --> 00:26:46.227
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:46.227 --> 00:26:48.863
  • Series "7 marks of a disciple."
  • 00:26:48.863 --> 00:26:53.068
  • Jeffress: have you ever noticed why phrases like spiritual
  • 00:26:53.068 --> 00:26:56.971
  • Transformation, conformed to the image of christ, becoming a
  • 00:26:56.971 --> 00:27:02.243
  • Disciple, a follower of christ, why have those phrases become so
  • 00:27:02.243 --> 00:27:08.550
  • Boring to us?
  • 00:27:08.550 --> 00:27:11.252
  • I think part of the reason is we use them so often without ever
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  • Considering what they mean to us.
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  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message
  • 00:27:18.593 --> 00:27:21.529
  • "discipleship is transforming," here on "pathway to victory."
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