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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Heart of Discipleship | July 19, 2025
- ♪ music ♪
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- [announcer] from the pulpit
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- Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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- This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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- Hi, i am robert jeffress,
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- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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- The word disciple is one
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- That gets thrown around a lot in church.
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- We all know we're supposed to be disciples of christ,
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- But what does it mean to become a disciple?
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- A hundred different people
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- Would probably give you a hundred different answers.
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- So today and throughout the course of this new series,
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- I'm going to show you what it truly means
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- To be a disciple of jesus christ.
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- My message is titled the heart of discipleship,
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ when i survey ♪
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- ♪ the wondrous cross ♪
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- ♪ on which the prince ♪
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- ♪ of glory died ♪
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- ♪ my riches gain ♪
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- ♪ i count but loss ♪
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- ♪ and pour contempt ♪
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- ♪ on all my pride ♪
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- ♪ were the whole realm ♪
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- ♪ of nature mine ♪
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- ♪ that were an offering ♪
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- ♪ far too small ♪
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- ♪ love so amazing ♪
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- ♪ so divine ♪
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- ♪ demands my soul ♪
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- ♪ my life ♪
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- ♪ my all ♪
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- ♪ my soul, my life ♪
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- ♪ my all ♪
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- (congregation clapping)
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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
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- With "encouragement for the heart of a disciple."
- 00:03:17.676 --> 00:03:20.412
- This brand new, beautiful,
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- Full color-padded hard cover book by dr. robert jeffress
- 00:03:21.947 --> 00:03:25.150
- Features 80 breathtaking images of creation,
- 00:03:25.150 --> 00:03:28.186
- Paired with scripture, prayers and insights
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- You can read in under two minutes,
- 00:03:30.422 --> 00:03:32.357
- Perfect for your coffee table
- 00:03:32.357 --> 00:03:33.925
- Or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one.
- 00:03:33.925 --> 00:03:36.028
- Request "encouragement for the heart of a disciple"
- 00:03:36.028 --> 00:03:38.730
- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- Nobody is going to escape death.
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- Hebrews 9:27 says,
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- "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
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- To think of the end of your life,
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- Notice what the writer says, death is followed by.
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- Immediately after death comes a judgment
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- We will all face before god.
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- As you read through the whole of the new testament,
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- Can you really say that all god really wants for me
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- Is to receive that free get-out-of-hell card,
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- And that's all that really matters?
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- Does he care about anything else?
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- 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
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- That 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 2:8-9, the apostle paul writes,
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- "for by grace you have been saved through faith,
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- And that not of yourselves, it is a gift of god,
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- Not as a result of works that no one should boast."
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- God doesn't allow us to work even a little bit
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- For a right relationship with him.
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- Why is that?
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- And paul explained it in detail in romans 4.
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- He said, "even if god says my salvation is 99% my grace
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- And 1% of your work,
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- I'm going to let you work just a little bit for your salvation
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- 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 can contribute even 1% to our salvation,
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- Then our salvation becomes a wage that god owes us.
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- It becomes an obligation because we worked for it.
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- And 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.
- 00:05:58.737 --> 00:06:03.708
- But is that all god wants for me?
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- 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 10:25.
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- "and behold, a certain lawyer stood up
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- And put jesus to the test saying,
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- 'teacher, what shall i do
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- To inherit eternal life?'"
- 00:06:25.597 --> 00:06:29.000
- Now, i've pointed out before, it's very clear,
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- Luke says that this lawyer was testing jesus.
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- Perhaps the pharisees put him up to this
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- To try to entrap jesus, hoping that he could get jesus
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- To say something that would be considered blasphemous
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- And worthy of death.
- 00:06:46.785 --> 00:06:48.253
- So like a lawyer, he was trying to trick jesus.
- 00:06:48.253 --> 00:06:52.157
- What do you have to do to inherit eternal life?
- 00:06:52.157 --> 00:06:55.961
- But i have a sneaking suspicion
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- That wasn't the lawyer's only motivation.
- 00:06:57.562 --> 00:07:00.065
- Sure, maybe he agreed to do this
- 00:07:00.065 --> 00:07:02.100
- As a favor to the pharisees.
- 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:04.469
- But perhaps something in this attorney's own life
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- Made him ask the question.
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- Maybe he had just had his 50th birthday.
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- Maybe he began thinking about
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- How life was passing him by very quickly.
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- So he sincerely maybe wanted to know.
- 00:07:17.949 --> 00:07:20.318
- Now, lord, what do you think i must do to have eternal life?
- 00:07:20.318 --> 00:07:25.657
- And jesus said, "well, how does the law read to you?"
- 00:07:26.725 --> 00:07:28.660
- 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
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- And with all of your soul, and with all of your strength,
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- And with all of your mind,
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- And your neighbor as yourself."
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- Jesus said, "right.
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- Do that and you shall live."
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- Jesus affirmed that the essence
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- Of a right relationship with god
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- Was loving him with all of your heart
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- And loving other people 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?
- 00:08:05.430 --> 00:08:09.801
- How do you explain not only pastors but other christians
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- Who fall into that kind of rebellion against god,
- 00:08:13.838 --> 00:08:16.841
- Whose lifestyle is completely like that of unbelievers?
- 00:08:16.841 --> 00:08:21.546
- I think perhaps the late dallas willard had the answer
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- When he wrote, "a carefully cultivated heart will,
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- Assisted by the grace of god, foresee, forestall,
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- Or transform most of the painful situations
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- Before which others stand like helpless children saying,
- 00:08:38.630 --> 00:08:42.267
- 'why did this happen?'"
- 00:08:42.267 --> 00:08:43.935
- Now listen to this.
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- "the greatest need you and i have,
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- The greatest need of collective humanity
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- Is the renovation of our heart.
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- That spiritual place within from which outlook, choices,
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- And 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
- 00:09:10.895 --> 00:09:14.099
- I've titled "seven marks of a disciple."
- 00:09:14.099 --> 00:09:18.536
- We all know we're supposed to be disciples of christ,
- 00:09:19.604 --> 00:09:22.173
- But what does it mean to be a disciple?
- 00:09:22.173 --> 00:09:24.509
- You know that word disciple or the word discipleship?
- 00:09:24.509 --> 00:09:27.178
- It gets thrown around the church, our church a lot.
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- People use that term without really understanding
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- What it means to be a disciple.
- 00:09:33.785 --> 00:09:35.387
- In fact, if i were to ask you,
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- What does it mean to be a disciple,
- 00:09:37.022 --> 00:09:39.391
- I think we'd come up with all kind of answers.
- 00:09:39.391 --> 00:09:42.093
- Well, to be a disciple means
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- You get up at five o'clock in the morning
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- And meet with a couple of other men or women
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- For an accountability group.
- 00:09:47.732 --> 00:09:50.735
- And some people would say, "to be a disciple
- 00:09:50.735 --> 00:09:52.504
- Means you memorize 100 verses.
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- And that's what it means to be a disciple."
- 00:09:55.206 --> 00:09:58.076
- Other people would say,
- 00:09:58.076 --> 00:09:59.511
- "well, being a disciple means enrolling in this class,
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- In discipleship university.
- 00:10:01.579 --> 00:10:03.348
- That means you're a disciple."
- 00:10:03.348 --> 00:10:04.883
- Now, all of those things, by the way, are good things to do.
- 00:10:04.883 --> 00:10:08.553
- But 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,
- 00:10:16.728 --> 00:10:18.596
- But that's not what a disciple is.
- 00:10:18.596 --> 00:10:21.433
- Other people define disciple
- 00:10:21.433 --> 00:10:23.902
- By what a disciple does or is.
- 00:10:23.902 --> 00:10:27.972
- They will note that term disciple, mathitis in greek,
- 00:10:27.972 --> 00:10:32.143
- Was used in jesus' day to refer to somebody
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- Who admired a rabbi
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- And decided to attach himself to that rabbi,
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- To learn all of his teachings and to emulate his lifestyle.
- 00:10:40.452 --> 00:10:44.689
- So to be a disciple they say involves attaching yourself
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- To jesus and emulating his lifestyle.
- 00:10:48.727 --> 00:10:52.297
- Specifically, they would note
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- That there are four things a disciple does or is.
- 00:10:53.898 --> 00:10:57.469
- You might want to jot them down on your outline.
- 00:10:57.469 --> 00:10:59.437
- First of all, they would say a disciple is a christian.
- 00:10:59.437 --> 00:11:03.074
- Well, duh, pastor, tell me something i don't know.
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- And yet a lot of people think it's actually possible
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- To be like jesus christ
- 00:11:09.581 --> 00:11:12.317
- Without ever being in jesus christ.
- 00:11:12.317 --> 00:11:15.320
- That is, they try to follow the lifestyle of christ
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- Without ever having that initial experience with christ
- 00:11:18.556 --> 00:11:22.060
- That not only results in the forgiveness of our sins
- 00:11:22.060 --> 00:11:25.997
- But the empowering by the holy spirit of god.
- 00:11:25.997 --> 00:11:28.967
- They're trying to live the christian life,
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- Being like christ without ever being in christ.
- 00:11:31.102 --> 00:11:34.105
- And jesus described what happens to people like that.
- 00:11:34.105 --> 00:11:37.575
- One day they're going to receive the surprise of a lifetime.
- 00:11:37.575 --> 00:11:41.045
- Matthew 7:22-23, jesus said,
- 00:11:41.045 --> 00:11:44.382
- "many will say to me on that day, the judgment day,
- 00:11:44.382 --> 00:11:48.887
- 'lord, lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
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- And in your name, cast out demons,
- 00:11:52.123 --> 00:11:54.058
- And in your name performed many miracles?'"
- 00:11:54.058 --> 00:11:56.995
- But then jesus will say to them, "depart from me.
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- I never knew you.
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- You who practice lawlessness."
- 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:05.637
- They did good things.
- 00:12:05.637 --> 00:12:06.871
- They did 'em in the name of christ,
- 00:12:06.871 --> 00:12:08.273
- But they never had that personal relationship with christ
- 00:12:08.273 --> 00:12:11.709
- That comes through faith.
- 00:12:11.709 --> 00:12:13.311
- So the beginning point of being a disciple
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- Is to become a christian.
- 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:17.615
- You know, jesus talked about the importance of that
- 00:12:17.615 --> 00:12:20.385
- In the discipleship process,
- 00:12:20.385 --> 00:12:22.554
- In the passage we often call the great commission.
- 00:12:22.554 --> 00:12:24.722
- Remember what jesus said in matthew 28:19-20?
- 00:12:24.722 --> 00:12:28.059
- "go therefore and make disciples of all nations."
- 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:31.796
- How do you do that, jesus?
- 00:12:31.796 --> 00:12:33.832
- How do you make disciples of people?
- 00:12:33.832 --> 00:12:36.634
- Well, he said, first of all, "baptizing them
- 00:12:36.634 --> 00:12:39.704
- In the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit."
- 00:12:39.704 --> 00:12:44.275
- The first step is a conversion experience.
- 00:12:44.275 --> 00:12:47.445
- And then he said secondly, "teaching them
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- To observe all things that i commanded you,
- 00:12:50.682 --> 00:12:53.284
- And lo, i'm with you always, even until the end of the age."
- 00:12:53.284 --> 00:12:56.754
- A disciples is a christians secondly,
- 00:12:56.754 --> 00:12:58.790
- A disciple has a growing relationship with god.
- 00:12:58.790 --> 00:13:03.294
- If we're really a disciple, we're going to know
- 00:13:03.294 --> 00:13:05.597
- And love jesus christ more today
- 00:13:05.597 --> 00:13:08.099
- Than when we were first saved.
- 00:13:08.099 --> 00:13:10.368
- A disciple has a growing relationship with god.
- 00:13:10.368 --> 00:13:12.837
- Thirdly, a disciple obeys christ
- 00:13:12.837 --> 00:13:16.975
- In every area of his life.
- 00:13:16.975 --> 00:13:20.345
- Go back to that great commission.
- 00:13:20.345 --> 00:13:21.746
- Not only is it baptizing people,
- 00:13:21.746 --> 00:13:24.015
- But it's teaching people to observe, what?
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- All things that i have commanded you.
- 00:13:27.452 --> 00:13:31.756
- Discipleship, the essence of it, is teaching people
- 00:13:31.756 --> 00:13:35.493
- To obey god in every area of their life:
- 00:13:35.493 --> 00:13:38.730
- Their work, their finances, their marriage,
- 00:13:38.730 --> 00:13:41.900
- Their parenting, their thought life.
- 00:13:41.900 --> 00:13:44.135
- That's what it means to be a disciple.
- 00:13:44.135 --> 00:13:47.372
- And then finally, a disciple is one who makes new disciples.
- 00:13:47.372 --> 00:13:52.243
- He makes new disciples.
- 00:13:52.243 --> 00:13:53.711
- If you are a true follower of christ,
- 00:13:53.711 --> 00:13:55.513
- You're going to take seriously jesus' final command
- 00:13:55.513 --> 00:13:58.950
- Before he ascended into heaven,
- 00:13:58.950 --> 00:14:00.652
- To go into all of the world,
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- To make it your life purpose to make disciples.
- 00:14:02.687 --> 00:14:06.124
- Now, all of those things i mentioned,
- 00:14:06.124 --> 00:14:07.926
- Those four characteristics of the disciple
- 00:14:07.926 --> 00:14:11.095
- Still, as true as they are,
- 00:14:11.095 --> 00:14:13.665
- Don't define the essence of discipleship.
- 00:14:13.665 --> 00:14:17.735
- So are you ready to know
- 00:14:17.735 --> 00:14:19.404
- What discipleship is really all about?
- 00:14:19.404 --> 00:14:22.840
- The essence of discipleship
- 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:26.344
- Is a changed life that comes from a transformed heart.
- 00:14:27.445 --> 00:14:32.183
- Let me say it again.
- 00:14:32.650 --> 00:14:34.018
- The essence of discipleship is a changed life
- 00:14:34.018 --> 00:14:38.489
- That comes from a transformed heart.
- 00:14:39.290 --> 00:14:42.093
- Some people think the essence of christianity
- 00:14:42.093 --> 00:14:44.696
- Is making sure you're able to parse every doctrinal issue
- 00:14:44.696 --> 00:14:49.400
- Just right and say it in the right way,
- 00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:51.903
- To be sure you're able to explain with great precision
- 00:14:51.903 --> 00:14:55.340
- The relationship between god's sovereignty
- 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:58.109
- And human responsibility.
- 00:14:58.109 --> 00:14:59.544
- And if you can't explain that,
- 00:14:59.544 --> 00:15:00.712
- Then you're not really a christian.
- 00:15:00.712 --> 00:15:02.914
- Other people, the essence of christianity
- 00:15:02.914 --> 00:15:05.650
- Is believing what they believe about the gray issues
- 00:15:05.650 --> 00:15:10.021
- Of christianity that the bible really doesn't speak about,
- 00:15:10.021 --> 00:15:13.358
- But you've got to adopt their beliefs about these gray areas.
- 00:15:13.358 --> 00:15:16.527
- For other people, the essence of christianity
- 00:15:16.527 --> 00:15:18.563
- Is making sure you worship in exactly the right way,
- 00:15:18.563 --> 00:15:22.333
- That you sing the right kind of songs,
- 00:15:22.333 --> 00:15:24.302
- You pray the right kind of prayers.
- 00:15:24.302 --> 00:15:25.937
- That's what it means
- 00:15:25.937 --> 00:15:27.238
- To be a really fervent disciple of christ.
- 00:15:27.238 --> 00:15:29.540
- Other people believe it's all the issue
- 00:15:29.540 --> 00:15:31.542
- About the gifts of the spirit,
- 00:15:31.542 --> 00:15:33.011
- And you've got to believe just this way
- 00:15:33.011 --> 00:15:34.946
- About the gifts of the holy spirit to be a real christian.
- 00:15:34.946 --> 00:15:38.416
- Those are all secondary, tertiary issues.
- 00:15:38.416 --> 00:15:42.020
- It reminds me of what jesus said to martha,
- 00:15:42.020 --> 00:15:44.722
- Down in verses 41 and 42 of luke 10.
- 00:15:44.722 --> 00:15:47.792
- The lord said to her, "martha, martha,
- 00:15:47.792 --> 00:15:52.196
- You are worried and bothered about so many things,
- 00:15:52.196 --> 00:15:56.868
- But only a few things are necessary.
- 00:15:56.868 --> 00:15:59.604
- And really, only one."
- 00:15:59.604 --> 00:16:02.407
- When it comes to the christian life
- 00:16:02.407 --> 00:16:04.275
- And being the disciple,
- 00:16:04.275 --> 00:16:05.810
- There's really only one thing that matters, jesus said,
- 00:16:05.810 --> 00:16:09.113
- Loving god with all of our hearts,
- 00:16:09.113 --> 00:16:11.249
- And loving others as we love ourselves.
- 00:16:11.249 --> 00:16:16.187
- You've heard of the old kiss principle.
- 00:16:16.187 --> 00:16:19.023
- Remember that kiss?
- 00:16:19.023 --> 00:16:20.825
- Keep it simple, stupid.
- 00:16:21.325 --> 00:16:24.429
- You know why that's important?
- 00:16:25.063 --> 00:16:26.531
- Hans-hermann has written, "the ability to simplify
- 00:16:26.531 --> 00:16:31.836
- Means to eliminate the unnecessary
- 00:16:32.570 --> 00:16:34.605
- So that the necessary may speak."
- 00:16:34.605 --> 00:16:37.542
- The reason we need to get rid of all of these secondary
- 00:16:38.676 --> 00:16:40.745
- And tertiary issues is because, if we don't,
- 00:16:40.745 --> 00:16:43.748
- We can't focus on what really is important.
- 00:16:43.748 --> 00:16:47.185
- You know, the business world has learned that.
- 00:16:47.185 --> 00:16:49.720
- John schnatter, the founder of papa john's,
- 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:52.657
- Explained the secret of his company's success.
- 00:16:52.657 --> 00:16:54.859
- He said, "at papa john's,
- 00:16:54.859 --> 00:16:56.661
- We have a simple formula for success.
- 00:16:56.661 --> 00:16:59.897
- Focus on one thing
- 00:16:59.897 --> 00:17:02.834
- And try to do it better than anyone else."
- 00:17:02.834 --> 00:17:06.471
- Is it just possible that in christianity
- 00:17:07.338 --> 00:17:09.474
- We need to learn that secret?
- 00:17:09.474 --> 00:17:12.310
- That instead of focusing on so many things like martha was,
- 00:17:12.310 --> 00:17:15.646
- We need to focus on the one thing god really wants from us?
- 00:17:15.646 --> 00:17:20.985
- And again, jesus said, it all can be reduced
- 00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:23.888
- To that simple principle,
- 00:17:23.888 --> 00:17:25.623
- Love god with all of your heart and love others as yourself.
- 00:17:25.623 --> 00:17:29.727
- You're saying, "wait a minute, pastor,
- 00:17:29.727 --> 00:17:32.163
- That can't be all there is to it.
- 00:17:32.163 --> 00:17:34.899
- But what about the issues like forgiving other people?
- 00:17:34.899 --> 00:17:38.202
- What about issues of living a moral lifestyle?
- 00:17:38.202 --> 00:17:42.140
- What about not letting anger take hold of your life?
- 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:45.176
- What about not being caught up in greed and materialism?
- 00:17:45.176 --> 00:17:48.412
- What about all of those things?
- 00:17:48.412 --> 00:17:49.881
- Are you saying god doesn't care about those things?"
- 00:17:49.881 --> 00:17:52.450
- Well, of course he cares about those things.
- 00:17:52.450 --> 00:17:55.119
- But all of those issues can be traced back
- 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:59.457
- To the condition of our heart.
- 00:17:59.457 --> 00:18:01.959
- It's all a heart issue.
- 00:18:01.959 --> 00:18:04.695
- A carefully cultivated and guarded heart
- 00:18:04.695 --> 00:18:07.431
- A heart that loves god and loves others
- 00:18:07.431 --> 00:18:11.002
- Will be able to handle all of those other challenges.
- 00:18:11.002 --> 00:18:13.437
- That's what solomon said in proverbs 4:23.
- 00:18:13.437 --> 00:18:16.174
- He said, "watch over your heart with all diligence.
- 00:18:16.174 --> 00:18:21.512
- For from it, the heart flow the springs of life."
- 00:18:22.513 --> 00:18:26.384
- I want you to think about this.
- 00:18:26.384 --> 00:18:28.152
- Every issue you're facing right now in your life
- 00:18:28.152 --> 00:18:31.189
- Ultimately comes back to a condition of your heart.
- 00:18:31.189 --> 00:18:34.659
- Remember, the essence of discipleship
- 00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:37.895
- Is a changed life that comes from a transformed heart.
- 00:18:37.895 --> 00:18:44.835
- A few years ago, we were getting ready at home
- 00:18:45.770 --> 00:18:49.674
- To come down to our christmas eve service.
- 00:18:49.674 --> 00:18:53.010
- And so it was middle of the afternoon
- 00:18:53.010 --> 00:18:55.546
- And i was taking a shower, getting ready.
- 00:18:55.546 --> 00:18:57.882
- And as i stood in the shower, suddenly i was overwhelmed
- 00:18:57.882 --> 00:19:02.420
- By such an offensive smell,
- 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:04.622
- I nearly suffocated in the shower stall.
- 00:19:04.622 --> 00:19:07.792
- And i looked down
- 00:19:07.792 --> 00:19:09.093
- And immediately saw the source of the problem.
- 00:19:09.093 --> 00:19:11.762
- Gurgling up from the shower drain
- 00:19:11.762 --> 00:19:14.198
- Was stuff i can't even mention in the service today,
- 00:19:14.198 --> 00:19:17.501
- But it was really gross.
- 00:19:17.501 --> 00:19:19.537
- And it was flowing up out of the shower drain
- 00:19:19.537 --> 00:19:22.139
- And then it lapped over the side onto the bathroom floor.
- 00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:25.243
- And of course, i did what any husband would do
- 00:19:25.243 --> 00:19:27.178
- At that moment, i yelled, help to my wife.
- 00:19:27.178 --> 00:19:29.880
- (congregation laughs)
- 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.048
- So amy came in.
- 00:19:31.048 --> 00:19:33.951
- And we engaged in this mop-up operation,
- 00:19:33.951 --> 00:19:36.454
- And we got it finally all mopped up.
- 00:19:36.454 --> 00:19:38.789
- Then i utilized all the plumbing skills
- 00:19:38.789 --> 00:19:40.891
- I had developed through the years,
- 00:19:40.891 --> 00:19:42.860
- And reached under the cabinet there
- 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:44.962
- And pulled out a can of drano.
- 00:19:44.962 --> 00:19:46.998
- And i looked at that, read the directions,
- 00:19:47.898 --> 00:19:50.334
- I poured the drano into the drain,
- 00:19:50.334 --> 00:19:52.303
- Did what the direction said,
- 00:19:52.303 --> 00:19:53.604
- Turn the water back on after a few minutes.
- 00:19:53.604 --> 00:19:55.806
- Let it go down there.
- 00:19:55.806 --> 00:19:56.741
- I thought problem solved.
- 00:19:56.741 --> 00:19:58.142
- 30 seconds later, the stuff came back up again.
- 00:19:58.142 --> 00:20:01.479
- So we had another mop-up operation.
- 00:20:01.479 --> 00:20:03.881
- We did it about a third time. it kept coming up and up.
- 00:20:03.881 --> 00:20:06.817
- And so finally i broke down and called the plumber.
- 00:20:06.817 --> 00:20:10.154
- And he was happy to come on christmas eve
- 00:20:10.154 --> 00:20:12.923
- For three times the normal rate.
- 00:20:12.923 --> 00:20:14.692
- (congregation laughs)
- 00:20:14.692 --> 00:20:16.227
- But he arrived. he came in and looked at our drain.
- 00:20:16.227 --> 00:20:19.163
- He said, "could i go into your backyard?"
- 00:20:19.163 --> 00:20:22.600
- We said, "well, sure."
- 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:24.502
- So he went in the backyard.
- 00:20:24.502 --> 00:20:26.170
- A few minutes later he came back and he said,
- 00:20:26.170 --> 00:20:28.439
- "i found the problem.
- 00:20:28.439 --> 00:20:29.974
- I looked at your sewer line
- 00:20:30.574 --> 00:20:32.076
- And some overly aggressive roots from a nearby tree
- 00:20:32.076 --> 00:20:36.013
- Had invaded that sewer line,
- 00:20:36.013 --> 00:20:38.449
- Causing the clogging and the backup of the refuse."
- 00:20:38.449 --> 00:20:42.887
- He said, "you'll never be able to take care of this problem
- 00:20:44.055 --> 00:20:47.458
- Until you deal with the root problem."
- 00:20:47.458 --> 00:20:51.896
- You know, every day, you and i have offensive words
- 00:20:52.897 --> 00:20:57.735
- And thoughts coming out of our lives.
- 00:20:57.735 --> 00:21:01.038
- They're offensive to us.
- 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:03.074
- And just think about it, if we're offended by what we think
- 00:21:03.074 --> 00:21:06.744
- Or say or feel, imagine how offended god is.
- 00:21:06.744 --> 00:21:12.083
- Now we can try to mop-up our behavior,
- 00:21:12.917 --> 00:21:16.120
- But it's really useless until we deal with the source
- 00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:19.557
- Of that behavior.
- 00:21:19.557 --> 00:21:21.659
- Guard your heart with all diligence
- 00:21:22.393 --> 00:21:26.030
- For out of it flow the issues of life.
- 00:21:26.030 --> 00:21:30.735
- Greed, lust, anger, bitterness,
- 00:21:30.735 --> 00:21:34.438
- These are not the problem.
- 00:21:34.438 --> 00:21:37.074
- They are the symptom of the problem.
- 00:21:37.074 --> 00:21:40.311
- And the problem is a heart
- 00:21:40.311 --> 00:21:41.846
- That has not been carefully cultivated
- 00:21:41.846 --> 00:21:44.081
- And guarded to love god completely.
- 00:21:44.081 --> 00:21:47.718
- You say, "well, what can i do
- 00:21:47.718 --> 00:21:48.886
- To change the condition of my heart?"
- 00:21:48.886 --> 00:21:51.722
- More than you might think.
- 00:21:52.289 --> 00:21:54.325
- Over the next seven weeks,
- 00:21:54.892 --> 00:21:56.727
- We're going to discover how you and i can cooperate with god
- 00:21:56.727 --> 00:22:01.999
- To experience a transformed heart
- 00:22:02.733 --> 00:22:06.036
- That results in a changed life.
- 00:22:06.036 --> 00:22:09.173
- That's the essence of what it means to be a disciple.
- 00:22:09.173 --> 00:22:18.015
- At the end of the day, discipleship comes down to the heart.
- 00:22:19.250 --> 00:22:23.454
- Once your heart is right, everything else falls into place.
- 00:22:23.454 --> 00:22:27.691
- And that's exactly what we're going to be talking about
- 00:22:27.691 --> 00:22:30.227
- This month as we examine the seven marks of a disciple.
- 00:22:30.227 --> 00:22:35.499
- In closing, i want to share a heartwarming note
- 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:38.235
- I received from james.
- 00:22:38.235 --> 00:22:40.037
- He said, "god has used 'pathway to victory'
- 00:22:40.037 --> 00:22:42.807
- As one of the many tools to change my life.
- 00:22:42.807 --> 00:22:45.976
- As a police officer, i can see now
- 00:22:45.976 --> 00:22:48.512
- Why god chose this profession for me.
- 00:22:48.512 --> 00:22:51.515
- I used to be afraid to share my christian faith,
- 00:22:51.515 --> 00:22:54.552
- But through your teaching, i've been equipped to do so.
- 00:22:54.552 --> 00:22:58.289
- By following the lord's leading,
- 00:22:58.289 --> 00:23:00.057
- I've led three people to say a prayer
- 00:23:00.057 --> 00:23:02.560
- To accept jesus in the back of my patrol car
- 00:23:02.560 --> 00:23:06.297
- Before going to jail.
- 00:23:06.297 --> 00:23:08.232
- And if he can use a person like me, he can use anyone."
- 00:23:08.232 --> 00:23:12.536
- Well, james, your story is such an encouragement
- 00:23:12.536 --> 00:23:15.105
- To all of us.
- 00:23:15.105 --> 00:23:16.407
- And let me add, friends.
- 00:23:16.407 --> 00:23:17.942
- When you give generously to "pathway to victory,"
- 00:23:17.942 --> 00:23:21.212
- Your personal investment is truly making a difference.
- 00:23:21.212 --> 00:23:25.049
- Thanks so much for linking arms with us
- 00:23:25.049 --> 00:23:27.685
- To pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
- 00:23:27.685 --> 00:23:31.655
- Now stay right there.
- 00:23:31.655 --> 00:23:32.957
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:23:32.957 --> 00:23:35.593
- In just a moment.
- 00:23:35.593 --> 00:23:38.229
- [announcer] we all need god's strength
- 00:23:39.063 --> 00:23:40.531
- To make it through the day.
- 00:23:40.531 --> 00:23:41.999
- "encouragement for the heart of a disciple"
- 00:23:41.999 --> 00:23:44.201
- By dr. robert jeffress
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- Provides the spiritual refreshment you need,
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- In a large print format,
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- Every page bursts with breathtaking imagery
- 00:23:50.074 --> 00:23:52.877
- That draws you toward the beauty of god's creation.
- 00:23:52.877 --> 00:23:56.113
- I know how challenging it can be to stay connected
- 00:23:56.113 --> 00:23:58.949
- With god in our busy lives.
- 00:23:58.949 --> 00:24:01.051
- In my new devotional, i provide personal reflections
- 00:24:01.051 --> 00:24:04.421
- And practical insights
- 00:24:04.421 --> 00:24:06.023
- That will help you experience god's presence
- 00:24:06.023 --> 00:24:08.459
- And encouragement throughout your day.
- 00:24:08.459 --> 00:24:11.195
- [announcer] filled with stunning images of creation,
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- The "clutter-free christianity" book
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- 00:24:48.499 --> 00:24:50.134
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- Your generous partnership helps us impact you
- 00:24:57.808 --> 00:25:00.578
- And your family and a nation in deep spiritual need
- 00:25:00.578 --> 00:25:03.814
- With the transforming truth of god's word.
- 00:25:03.814 --> 00:25:08.018
- Changing the condition of your heart
- 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.654
- May sound like a daunting process,
- 00:25:10.654 --> 00:25:13.490
- But the good news is you don't have to do it alone.
- 00:25:13.490 --> 00:25:16.827
- In fact, you can't do it without god's help.
- 00:25:16.827 --> 00:25:20.497
- And so i hope you'll join us for the rest of this series
- 00:25:20.497 --> 00:25:23.701
- Because we're going to discover how to experience,
- 00:25:23.701 --> 00:25:26.470
- With god's help, a changed life
- 00:25:26.470 --> 00:25:29.239
- That comes from a transformed heart.
- 00:25:29.239 --> 00:25:31.942
- Next time we're going to dig deeper into the process
- 00:25:31.942 --> 00:25:35.179
- Of spiritual transformation
- 00:25:35.179 --> 00:25:37.448
- And learn how we can move from the natural life
- 00:25:37.448 --> 00:25:40.551
- To the supernatural life with god's help.
- 00:25:40.551 --> 00:25:43.921
- Stay tuned for a preview
- 00:25:43.921 --> 00:25:45.189
- Of what's coming up next in our series,
- 00:25:45.189 --> 00:25:47.491
- Seven marks of a disciple.
- 00:25:47.491 --> 00:25:50.828
- Have you ever noticed
- 00:25:50.828 --> 00:25:52.396
- Why phrases like spiritual transformation,
- 00:25:52.396 --> 00:25:56.300
- Conform to the image of christ,
- 00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:59.403
- Becoming a disciple, a follower of christ,
- 00:25:59.403 --> 00:26:03.307
- Why have those phrases become so boring to us?
- 00:26:03.307 --> 00:26:08.512
- I think part of the reason is we use them so often
- 00:26:09.513 --> 00:26:12.082
- Without ever considering what they mean to us.
- 00:26:12.082 --> 00:26:16.320
- [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
- 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:18.422
- For the message, discipleship is transforming,
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- From the majestic glaciers to soaring eagles.
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- These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith
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- We'll explore god's word together against the backdrop
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- Of his most impressive handiwork.
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- I promise, you'll return home with memories
- 00:27:05.235 --> 00:27:07.805
- That will last a lifetime
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- And a heart renewed by god's presence.
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- [announcer] to book your spot
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- 00:27:20.684 --> 00:27:20.684
