1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Dr. Robert Jeffress
  4. Episodes
  5. Robert Jeffress - The Heart Of Discipleship
Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - The Heart Of Discipleship

July 7, 2025 | 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.
#WordofGod #Discipleship #Savior #Truth #TrustGod #Belief #Loss #Miracles #Faithfulness

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Heart Of Discipleship | July 7, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.356
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:00.824 --> 00:00:06.729
  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
  • 00:00:06.830 --> 00:00:09.065
  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with dr.
  • 00:00:09.165 --> 00:00:12.268
  • Robert jeffress.
  • 00:00:12.368 --> 00:00:12.635
  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
  • 00:00:14.737 --> 00:00:16.573
  • Again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:16.573 --> 00:00:18.775
  • The word disciple is one that gets thrown around a lot
  • 00:00:18.775 --> 00:00:21.845
  • In church.
  • 00:00:21.845 --> 00:00:23.213
  • We all know we're supposed to be disciples of christ, but what
  • 00:00:23.213 --> 00:00:26.783
  • Does it mean to become a disciple?
  • 00:00:26.783 --> 00:00:29.953
  • A hundred different people would probably give you a hundred
  • 00:00:29.953 --> 00:00:32.755
  • Different answers.
  • 00:00:32.755 --> 00:00:34.257
  • So today and throughout the course of this new series i'm
  • 00:00:34.257 --> 00:00:37.527
  • Going to show you what it truly means to be a disciple of
  • 00:00:37.527 --> 00:00:41.164
  • Jesus christ.
  • 00:00:41.164 --> 00:00:42.699
  • My message is titled "the heart of discipleship" on today's
  • 00:00:42.699 --> 00:00:47.303
  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:47.303 --> 00:00:49.739
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:49.739 --> 00:00:56.045
  • Announcer: give your heart the encouragement it needs.
  • 00:00:57.514 --> 00:01:00.183
  • Start and end each day meditating on god's word with
  • 00:01:00.183 --> 00:01:03.419
  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple."
  • 00:01:03.419 --> 00:01:05.855
  • This brand new beautiful full-color, padded, hardcover
  • 00:01:05.855 --> 00:01:08.791
  • Book by dr. robert jeffress features 80 breathtaking images
  • 00:01:08.791 --> 00:01:12.495
  • Of creation paired with scripture, prayers, and insights
  • 00:01:12.495 --> 00:01:15.865
  • You can read in under two minutes.
  • 00:01:15.865 --> 00:01:17.867
  • Perfect for your coffee table or as a thoughtful gift for a
  • 00:01:17.867 --> 00:01:20.737
  • Loved one.
  • 00:01:20.737 --> 00:01:22.105
  • Request "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" when you
  • 00:01:22.105 --> 00:01:24.541
  • Give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:24.541 --> 00:01:27.510
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:29.012 --> 00:01:37.287
  • Jeffress: nobody is going to escape death.
  • 00:01:37.287 --> 00:01:40.390
  • Hebrews 9:27 says, "it is appointed unto men once to die,
  • 00:01:40.390 --> 00:01:46.329
  • And after this the judgment."
  • 00:01:46.329 --> 00:01:49.766
  • If it's not terrifying enough to you to think of the end of your
  • 00:01:49.766 --> 00:01:53.369
  • Life, notice what the writer says death is followed by.
  • 00:01:53.369 --> 00:01:57.373
  • Immediately after death comes a judgment we will all face
  • 00:01:57.373 --> 00:02:02.145
  • Before god.
  • 00:02:02.145 --> 00:02:03.913
  • As you read through the whole of the new testament, can you
  • 00:02:03.913 --> 00:02:07.450
  • Really say that all god really wants for me is to receive that
  • 00:02:07.450 --> 00:02:11.654
  • Free get out of hell card, and that's all that really matters?
  • 00:02:11.654 --> 00:02:16.059
  • Does he care about anything else?
  • 00:02:16.059 --> 00:02:19.362
  • Again, the stakes are too high to get this wrong.
  • 00:02:19.362 --> 00:02:23.199
  • What does god want from my life?
  • 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:26.536
  • Let me affirm at the outset of this message that i believe that
  • 00:02:26.536 --> 00:02:31.040
  • Salvation is by grace alone.
  • 00:02:31.040 --> 00:02:35.211
  • That is the foundational, bedrock belief of christianity.
  • 00:02:35.211 --> 00:02:40.250
  • There's nothing we can do to earn god's salvation.
  • 00:02:40.250 --> 00:02:44.320
  • In ephesians 2, 8 and 9, the apostle paul writes, "for by
  • 00:02:44.320 --> 00:02:47.924
  • Grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
  • 00:02:47.924 --> 00:02:51.327
  • Yourselves, it is a gift of god; not as a result of works, that
  • 00:02:51.327 --> 00:02:56.633
  • No one should boast."
  • 00:02:56.633 --> 00:02:58.868
  • God doesn't allow us to work even a little bit for a right
  • 00:02:58.868 --> 00:03:03.406
  • Relationship with him.
  • 00:03:03.406 --> 00:03:05.608
  • Why is that?
  • 00:03:05.608 --> 00:03:07.076
  • And paul explained it in detail in romans chapter 4.
  • 00:03:07.076 --> 00:03:10.613
  • He said, even if god says, "my salvation is 99%, my grace and
  • 00:03:10.613 --> 00:03:16.653
  • 1% of your work, i'm gonna let you work just a little bit for
  • 00:03:16.653 --> 00:03:20.456
  • Your salvation so you have some skin in the game."
  • 00:03:20.456 --> 00:03:23.326
  • You know why god doesn't do that?
  • 00:03:23.326 --> 00:03:25.028
  • Because if we contribute even 1% to our salvation, then our
  • 00:03:25.028 --> 00:03:29.065
  • Salvation becomes a wage that god owes us.
  • 00:03:29.065 --> 00:03:33.970
  • It becomes an obligation, because we worked for it, and
  • 00:03:33.970 --> 00:03:37.507
  • God refuses to owe any man or woman salvation.
  • 00:03:37.507 --> 00:03:41.644
  • It is a gift from god.
  • 00:03:41.644 --> 00:03:44.881
  • So it's very clear, salvation is by faith alone.
  • 00:03:44.881 --> 00:03:49.719
  • But is that all god wants for me?
  • 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:51.988
  • Is there anything else he wants for me?
  • 00:03:51.988 --> 00:03:54.791
  • I want you to turn to luke chapter 10 for just a moment.
  • 00:03:54.791 --> 00:03:58.428
  • Luke chapter 10, verse 25, "and, behold, a certain lawyer stood
  • 00:03:58.428 --> 00:04:04.000
  • Up, and put jesus to the test, saying, 'teacher, what shall i
  • 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:10.740
  • Do to inherit eternal life?'"
  • 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:15.044
  • Now, i've pointed out before.
  • 00:04:15.044 --> 00:04:17.380
  • It's very clear, luke says, that this lawyer was testing jesus.
  • 00:04:17.380 --> 00:04:22.885
  • Perhaps the pharisees put him up to this to try to entrap jesus,
  • 00:04:22.885 --> 00:04:27.423
  • Hoping that he could get jesus to say something that would be
  • 00:04:27.423 --> 00:04:31.527
  • Considered blasphemous and worthy of death.
  • 00:04:31.527 --> 00:04:34.497
  • So, like a lawyer, he was trying to trick jesus.
  • 00:04:34.497 --> 00:04:38.301
  • What do you have to do to inherit eternal life?
  • 00:04:38.301 --> 00:04:42.004
  • But i have a sneaking suspicion that wasn't the lawyer's
  • 00:04:42.004 --> 00:04:45.007
  • Only motivation.
  • 00:04:45.007 --> 00:04:46.376
  • Sure, maybe he agreed to do this as a favor to the pharisees, but
  • 00:04:46.376 --> 00:04:50.847
  • Perhaps something in this attorney's own life made him ask
  • 00:04:50.847 --> 00:04:54.050
  • The question.
  • 00:04:54.050 --> 00:04:55.618
  • Maybe he had just had his 50th birthday.
  • 00:04:55.618 --> 00:04:58.554
  • Maybe he began thinking about how life was passing him by
  • 00:04:58.554 --> 00:05:02.525
  • Very quickly.
  • 00:05:02.525 --> 00:05:04.093
  • So he sincerely maybe wanted to know.
  • 00:05:04.093 --> 00:05:06.462
  • "now, lord, what do you think i must do to have eternal life?"
  • 00:05:06.462 --> 00:05:11.634
  • And jesus said, "well, how does the law read to you?"
  • 00:05:11.634 --> 00:05:14.637
  • And the lawyer said, verse 27, "well, the law says, basically,
  • 00:05:14.637 --> 00:05:19.208
  • 'you shall love the lord your god with all of your heart, and
  • 00:05:19.208 --> 00:05:21.944
  • With all of your soul, and with all of your strength, and with
  • 00:05:21.944 --> 00:05:24.580
  • All of your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'"
  • 00:05:24.580 --> 00:05:30.219
  • Jesus said, "right, do that, and you shall live."
  • 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:36.392
  • Jesus affirmed that the essence of a right relationship with god
  • 00:05:36.392 --> 00:05:40.296
  • Was loving him with all of your heart and loving other people
  • 00:05:40.296 --> 00:05:44.534
  • As yourself.
  • 00:05:44.534 --> 00:05:46.736
  • Very simple.
  • 00:05:46.736 --> 00:05:48.304
  • Not easy, but very simple.
  • 00:05:48.304 --> 00:05:51.574
  • What is the essence of what it means to be a disciple?
  • 00:05:51.574 --> 00:05:55.978
  • How do you explain not only pastors, but other christians
  • 00:05:55.978 --> 00:05:59.949
  • Who fall into that kind of rebellion against god, whose
  • 00:05:59.949 --> 00:06:03.286
  • Lifestyle is completely like that of unbelievers?
  • 00:06:03.286 --> 00:06:08.157
  • I think perhaps the late dallas willard had the answer when he
  • 00:06:08.157 --> 00:06:11.794
  • Wrote, "a carefully cultivated heart will, assisted by the
  • 00:06:11.794 --> 00:06:17.033
  • Grace of god, foresee, forestall, or transform most of
  • 00:06:17.033 --> 00:06:22.505
  • The painful situations before which others stand like helpless
  • 00:06:22.505 --> 00:06:26.943
  • Children saying, 'why did this happen?'"
  • 00:06:26.943 --> 00:06:29.979
  • But listen to this.
  • 00:06:29.979 --> 00:06:32.281
  • "the greatest need you and i have, the greatest need of
  • 00:06:32.281 --> 00:06:36.752
  • Collective humanity, is the renovation of our heart.
  • 00:06:36.752 --> 00:06:42.024
  • That spiritual place within from which outlook, choices, and
  • 00:06:42.024 --> 00:06:46.095
  • Actions come has been formed by a world away from god.
  • 00:06:46.095 --> 00:06:52.001
  • Now that heart must be transformed."
  • 00:06:52.001 --> 00:06:56.906
  • Today we're beginning a brand new series i've titled "7 marks
  • 00:06:56.906 --> 00:07:02.411
  • Of a disciple."
  • 00:07:02.411 --> 00:07:05.114
  • We all know we're supposed to be disciples of christ, but what
  • 00:07:05.114 --> 00:07:08.451
  • Does it mean to be a disciple?
  • 00:07:08.451 --> 00:07:10.453
  • You know that word disciple or the word discipleship, it gets
  • 00:07:10.453 --> 00:07:13.523
  • Thrown around the church, our church, a lot.
  • 00:07:13.523 --> 00:07:16.959
  • People use that term without really understanding what it
  • 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:20.229
  • Means to be a disciple.
  • 00:07:20.229 --> 00:07:21.564
  • In fact, if i were to ask you, what does it mean to be a
  • 00:07:21.564 --> 00:07:24.233
  • Disciple, i think we'd come up with all kinds of answers.
  • 00:07:24.233 --> 00:07:28.204
  • "well, to be a disciple means you get up at 5 o'clock in the
  • 00:07:28.204 --> 00:07:31.374
  • Morning and meet with a couple of other men or women for an
  • 00:07:31.374 --> 00:07:35.011
  • Accountability group."
  • 00:07:35.011 --> 00:07:36.879
  • And some people would say, "well, to be a disciple means
  • 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:38.848
  • You memorize 100 verses, and that's what it means to be
  • 00:07:38.848 --> 00:07:42.852
  • A disciple."
  • 00:07:42.852 --> 00:07:44.186
  • Other people would say, "well, being a disciple means enrolling
  • 00:07:44.186 --> 00:07:46.756
  • In this class in discipleship university.
  • 00:07:46.756 --> 00:07:49.425
  • That means you're a disciple."
  • 00:07:49.425 --> 00:07:50.793
  • Now all of those things, by the way, are good things to do, but
  • 00:07:50.793 --> 00:07:54.764
  • Those things relate to the process of discipleship.
  • 00:07:54.764 --> 00:07:58.935
  • They don't define what a disciple is.
  • 00:07:58.935 --> 00:08:02.672
  • It describes how you become a disciple, but that's not what a
  • 00:08:02.672 --> 00:08:05.474
  • Disciple is.
  • 00:08:05.474 --> 00:08:07.343
  • Other people define disciple by what a disciple does or is.
  • 00:08:07.343 --> 00:08:13.983
  • They will note that that term disciple, mathetes in greek, was
  • 00:08:13.983 --> 00:08:18.454
  • Used in jesus's day to refer to somebody who admired a rabbi and
  • 00:08:18.454 --> 00:08:23.426
  • Decided to attach himself to that rabbi to learn all of his
  • 00:08:23.426 --> 00:08:27.663
  • Teachings and to emulate his lifestyle.
  • 00:08:27.663 --> 00:08:30.800
  • So to be a disciple, they say, involves attaching yourself to
  • 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:35.004
  • Jesus and emulating his lifestyle.
  • 00:08:35.004 --> 00:08:38.507
  • Specifically, they would note that there are four things a
  • 00:08:38.507 --> 00:08:41.477
  • Disciple does or is.
  • 00:08:41.477 --> 00:08:43.512
  • You might want to jot them down on your outline.
  • 00:08:43.512 --> 00:08:45.514
  • First of all, they would say a disciple is a christian.
  • 00:08:45.514 --> 00:08:49.752
  • "well, duh, pastor.
  • 00:08:49.752 --> 00:08:51.087
  • Tell me something i don't know."
  • 00:08:51.087 --> 00:08:53.322
  • And yet a lot of people think it's actually possible to be
  • 00:08:53.322 --> 00:08:56.425
  • Like jesus christ without ever being in jesus christ.
  • 00:08:56.425 --> 00:09:01.397
  • That is, they try to follow the lifestyle of christ without ever
  • 00:09:01.397 --> 00:09:05.134
  • Having that initial experience with christ, that not only
  • 00:09:05.134 --> 00:09:09.105
  • Results in the forgiveness of our sins, but the empowering by
  • 00:09:09.105 --> 00:09:13.142
  • The holy spirit of god.
  • 00:09:13.142 --> 00:09:14.910
  • They're trying to live the christian life, being like
  • 00:09:14.910 --> 00:09:17.747
  • Christ without ever being in christ, and jesus described what
  • 00:09:17.747 --> 00:09:21.384
  • Happens to people like that.
  • 00:09:21.384 --> 00:09:23.719
  • One day they're gonna receive the surprise of a lifetime.
  • 00:09:23.719 --> 00:09:27.189
  • Matthew 7, verses 22 and 23, jesus said, "many will say to me
  • 00:09:27.189 --> 00:09:32.161
  • On that day, the judgment day, 'lord, lord, did we not prophesy
  • 00:09:32.161 --> 00:09:37.066
  • In your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your
  • 00:09:37.066 --> 00:09:40.536
  • Name perform many miracles?'"
  • 00:09:40.536 --> 00:09:43.139
  • But then jesus will say to them, "depart from me, i never knew
  • 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:47.977
  • You, you who practice lawlessness."
  • 00:09:47.977 --> 00:09:51.714
  • They did good things.
  • 00:09:51.714 --> 00:09:53.049
  • They did them in the name of christ, but they never had that
  • 00:09:53.049 --> 00:09:55.551
  • Personal relationship with christ that comes through faith.
  • 00:09:55.551 --> 00:09:59.422
  • So the beginning point of being a disciple is to become
  • 00:09:59.422 --> 00:10:02.391
  • A christian.
  • 00:10:02.391 --> 00:10:03.726
  • You know, jesus talked about the importance of that in the
  • 00:10:03.726 --> 00:10:06.729
  • Discipleship process in the passage we often call the
  • 00:10:06.729 --> 00:10:10.066
  • Great commission.
  • 00:10:10.066 --> 00:10:11.434
  • Remember what jesus said in matthew 28:19 and 20, "go
  • 00:10:11.434 --> 00:10:14.503
  • Therefore and make disciples of all nations."
  • 00:10:14.503 --> 00:10:17.907
  • How do you do that, jesus?
  • 00:10:17.907 --> 00:10:19.942
  • How do you make disciples of people?
  • 00:10:19.942 --> 00:10:22.745
  • Well, he said, first of all, "baptizing them in the name of
  • 00:10:22.745 --> 00:10:26.649
  • The father and the son and the holy spirit."
  • 00:10:26.649 --> 00:10:30.386
  • The first step is a conversion experience.
  • 00:10:30.386 --> 00:10:33.556
  • And then he said, secondly, "teaching them to observe all
  • 00:10:33.556 --> 00:10:37.860
  • Things that i commanded you, and lo, i am with you always, even
  • 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:41.597
  • Unto the end of the age."
  • 00:10:41.597 --> 00:10:42.932
  • Disciples are christians.
  • 00:10:42.932 --> 00:10:44.300
  • Secondly, a disciple has a growing relationship with god.
  • 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:49.405
  • If we're really a disciple, we're gonna know and love jesus
  • 00:10:49.405 --> 00:10:52.575
  • Christ more today than when we were first saved.
  • 00:10:52.575 --> 00:10:56.378
  • A disciple has a growing relationship with god.
  • 00:10:56.378 --> 00:10:58.914
  • Thirdly, a disciple obeys christ in every area of his life.
  • 00:10:58.914 --> 00:11:06.355
  • Go back to that great commission.
  • 00:11:06.355 --> 00:11:07.857
  • Not only is it baptizing people, but it's teaching people to
  • 00:11:07.857 --> 00:11:11.927
  • Observe what?
  • 00:11:11.927 --> 00:11:13.562
  • "all things that i have commanded you."
  • 00:11:13.562 --> 00:11:17.867
  • Discipleship, the essence of it, is teaching people to obey god
  • 00:11:17.867 --> 00:11:22.938
  • In every area of their life, their work, their finances,
  • 00:11:22.938 --> 00:11:27.042
  • Their marriage, their parenting, their thought life.
  • 00:11:27.042 --> 00:11:30.346
  • That's what it means to be a disciple.
  • 00:11:30.346 --> 00:11:33.516
  • And then finally, a disciple is one who makes new disciples.
  • 00:11:33.516 --> 00:11:38.354
  • He makes new disciples.
  • 00:11:38.354 --> 00:11:39.855
  • If you're a true follower of christ, you're gonna take
  • 00:11:39.855 --> 00:11:42.324
  • Seriously jesus's final command before he ascended into heaven,
  • 00:11:42.324 --> 00:11:46.762
  • To go into all of the world, to make it your life purpose to
  • 00:11:46.762 --> 00:11:50.699
  • Make disciples.
  • 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:52.234
  • Now all of those things i mentioned, those four
  • 00:11:52.234 --> 00:11:54.837
  • Characteristics of the disciple, still, as true as they are,
  • 00:11:54.837 --> 00:11:59.775
  • Don't define the essence of discipleship.
  • 00:11:59.775 --> 00:12:03.779
  • So are you ready to know what discipleship is really
  • 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:07.616
  • All about?
  • 00:12:07.616 --> 00:12:08.984
  • The essence of discipleship is a changed life that comes from a
  • 00:12:08.984 --> 00:12:16.725
  • Transformed heart.
  • 00:12:16.725 --> 00:12:18.460
  • Let me say it again, the essence of discipleship is a changed
  • 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:23.499
  • Life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:12:23.499 --> 00:12:28.771
  • 2 corinthians 5:17, paul says, "therefore if any man is in
  • 00:12:28.771 --> 00:12:34.343
  • Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;
  • 00:12:34.343 --> 00:12:40.349
  • Behold, new things have come."
  • 00:12:40.349 --> 00:12:44.119
  • Some translations capture the tense accurately, new things
  • 00:12:44.119 --> 00:12:47.223
  • Are coming.
  • 00:12:47.223 --> 00:12:49.825
  • A disciple is somebody who resembles jesus christ in his
  • 00:12:49.825 --> 00:12:54.063
  • Actions, attitudes, and affections.
  • 00:12:54.063 --> 00:12:58.200
  • A disciple is someone who loves what jesus loved, thinks like
  • 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:02.204
  • Jesus thought, behaves like jesus behaved in
  • 00:13:02.204 --> 00:13:04.573
  • Every situation.
  • 00:13:04.573 --> 00:13:06.675
  • To be a disciple means to live my life as christ would live my
  • 00:13:06.675 --> 00:13:11.747
  • Life if he were i.
  • 00:13:11.747 --> 00:13:14.116
  • Those are all descriptions of a disciple, but
  • 00:13:14.116 --> 00:13:16.252
  • It all comes back to this, discipleship is about a changed
  • 00:13:16.252 --> 00:13:21.390
  • Life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:13:21.390 --> 00:13:25.895
  • Unfortunately, too many professing christians today have
  • 00:13:25.895 --> 00:13:31.634
  • This testimony.
  • 00:13:31.634 --> 00:13:33.168
  • It's a testimony that says, "i came to the cross of jesus
  • 00:13:33.168 --> 00:13:36.372
  • Christ just as i am, and i left just as i was."
  • 00:13:36.372 --> 00:13:42.945
  • There's been absolutely no transformation of their life.
  • 00:13:42.945 --> 00:13:47.349
  • I mean, the statistics are well known, and they're
  • 00:13:47.349 --> 00:13:50.352
  • Very depressing.
  • 00:13:50.352 --> 00:13:52.254
  • You look at any area of human behavior and there's not any
  • 00:13:52.254 --> 00:13:57.126
  • Really marked difference between the behavior of professing
  • 00:13:57.126 --> 00:13:59.995
  • Christians and non-christians.
  • 00:13:59.995 --> 00:14:02.731
  • And that ought to be disturbing to all of us.
  • 00:14:02.731 --> 00:14:05.200
  • I know it's disturbing to me.
  • 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:06.602
  • You know, i'm assuming the reason you're here this morning,
  • 00:14:06.602 --> 00:14:09.805
  • The reason you're watching this series right now, is because you
  • 00:14:09.805 --> 00:14:13.175
  • Really do want to know what it means to be a follower
  • 00:14:13.175 --> 00:14:15.411
  • Of christ.
  • 00:14:15.411 --> 00:14:16.912
  • You really believe what the scripture says, that one day
  • 00:14:16.912 --> 00:14:19.214
  • You're gonna face god, and you want to be sure that you've
  • 00:14:19.214 --> 00:14:21.951
  • Gotten it right.
  • 00:14:21.951 --> 00:14:23.986
  • You know, there's a lot of clutter in christianity today.
  • 00:14:23.986 --> 00:14:27.723
  • Some people think the essence of christianity is making sure
  • 00:14:27.723 --> 00:14:31.393
  • You're able to parse every doctrinal issue just right and
  • 00:14:31.393 --> 00:14:35.898
  • Say it in the right way.
  • 00:14:35.898 --> 00:14:37.433
  • To be sure you're able to explain with great precision
  • 00:14:37.433 --> 00:14:40.836
  • The relationship between god's sovereignty and human
  • 00:14:40.836 --> 00:14:44.073
  • Responsibility, and if you can't explain that, then you're not
  • 00:14:44.073 --> 00:14:46.642
  • Really a christian.
  • 00:14:46.642 --> 00:14:48.410
  • Other people, the essence of christianity is believing what
  • 00:14:48.410 --> 00:14:53.048
  • They believe about the gray issues of christianity that the
  • 00:14:53.048 --> 00:14:57.119
  • Bible really doesn't speak about, but you've got to adopt
  • 00:14:57.119 --> 00:14:59.755
  • Their beliefs about these gray areas.
  • 00:14:59.755 --> 00:15:01.991
  • For other people, the essence of christianity is making sure you
  • 00:15:01.991 --> 00:15:04.860
  • Worship in exactly the right way,
  • 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:07.496
  • That you sing the right kind of songs, you pray the right kind
  • 00:15:07.496 --> 00:15:10.766
  • Of prayers.
  • 00:15:10.766 --> 00:15:12.134
  • That's what it means to be a really fervent disciple
  • 00:15:12.134 --> 00:15:14.303
  • Of christ.
  • 00:15:14.303 --> 00:15:15.637
  • Other people believe it's all the issue about the gifts of the
  • 00:15:15.637 --> 00:15:18.040
  • Spirit, and you've got to believe just this way about the
  • 00:15:18.040 --> 00:15:20.743
  • Gifts of the holy spirit to be a real christian.
  • 00:15:20.743 --> 00:15:23.946
  • Those are all secondary, tertiary issues.
  • 00:15:23.946 --> 00:15:27.549
  • It reminds me of what jesus said to martha, down in verses 41 and
  • 00:15:27.549 --> 00:15:31.587
  • 42 of luke 10.
  • 00:15:31.587 --> 00:15:33.288
  • "the lord said to her, 'martha, martha, you are worried and
  • 00:15:33.288 --> 00:15:39.028
  • Bothered about so many things,'" but only a few things are
  • 00:15:39.028 --> 00:15:44.133
  • Necessary, and really only one.
  • 00:15:44.133 --> 00:15:47.903
  • When it comes to the christian life and being a disciple,
  • 00:15:47.903 --> 00:15:51.206
  • There's really only one thing that matters,
  • 00:15:51.206 --> 00:15:53.242
  • Jesus said: loving god with all of our hearts and loving others
  • 00:15:53.242 --> 00:15:59.081
  • As we love ourselves.
  • 00:15:59.081 --> 00:16:01.550
  • You've heard of the old "kiss" principle?
  • 00:16:01.550 --> 00:16:04.586
  • Remember that, k-i-s-s?
  • 00:16:04.586 --> 00:16:06.822
  • Keep it simple, stupid.
  • 00:16:06.822 --> 00:16:10.459
  • You know why that's important?
  • 00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:12.027
  • Hans hofmann has written, "the ability to simplify means to
  • 00:16:12.027 --> 00:16:17.666
  • Eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."
  • 00:16:17.666 --> 00:16:23.539
  • The reason we need to get rid of all of these secondary and
  • 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:26.275
  • Tertiary issues is because if we don't, we can't focus on what
  • 00:16:26.275 --> 00:16:30.779
  • Really is important.
  • 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.681
  • You know, the business world has learned that.
  • 00:16:32.681 --> 00:16:35.384
  • John schnatter, the founder of papa john's, explained the
  • 00:16:35.384 --> 00:16:38.754
  • Secret of his company's success.
  • 00:16:38.754 --> 00:16:40.656
  • He said, "at papa john's, we have a simple formula
  • 00:16:40.656 --> 00:16:43.959
  • For success.
  • 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:45.494
  • Focus on one thing and try to do it better than anyone else."
  • 00:16:45.494 --> 00:16:52.568
  • Is it just possible that in christianity we need to learn
  • 00:16:52.568 --> 00:16:56.438
  • That secret?
  • 00:16:56.438 --> 00:16:57.806
  • That instead of focusing on so many things like martha was, we
  • 00:16:57.806 --> 00:17:01.276
  • Need to focus on the one thing god really wants from us.
  • 00:17:01.276 --> 00:17:06.448
  • And again, jesus said it all can be reduced to that simple
  • 00:17:06.448 --> 00:17:10.185
  • Principle, love god with all of your heart and love others
  • 00:17:10.185 --> 00:17:14.356
  • As yourself.
  • 00:17:14.356 --> 00:17:15.724
  • You're saying, "wait a minute, pastor, that can't be all there
  • 00:17:15.724 --> 00:17:18.694
  • Is to it.
  • 00:17:18.694 --> 00:17:20.195
  • Well, what about the issues, like forgiving other people?
  • 00:17:20.195 --> 00:17:23.665
  • What about issues of living a moral lifestyle?
  • 00:17:23.665 --> 00:17:27.636
  • What about not letting anger take hold of your life?
  • 00:17:27.636 --> 00:17:30.639
  • What about not being caught up in greed and materialism?
  • 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:33.842
  • What about all of those things?
  • 00:17:33.842 --> 00:17:35.210
  • Are you saying god doesn't care about those things?"
  • 00:17:35.210 --> 00:17:37.913
  • Well, of course he cares about those things, but all of those
  • 00:17:37.913 --> 00:17:42.451
  • Issues can be traced back to the condition of our heart.
  • 00:17:42.451 --> 00:17:47.756
  • It's all a heart issue.
  • 00:17:47.756 --> 00:17:50.592
  • A carefully cultivated and guarded heart, a heart that
  • 00:17:50.592 --> 00:17:54.029
  • Loves god and loves others, will be able to handle all of those
  • 00:17:54.029 --> 00:17:58.267
  • Other challenges.
  • 00:17:58.267 --> 00:17:59.635
  • That's what solomon said in proverbs 4:23.
  • 00:17:59.635 --> 00:18:02.204
  • He said, "watch over your heart with all diligence, for from
  • 00:18:02.204 --> 00:18:08.110
  • It," the heart, "flow the springs of life."
  • 00:18:08.110 --> 00:18:12.080
  • I want you to think about this.
  • 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:14.016
  • Every issue you're facing right now in your life ultimately
  • 00:18:14.016 --> 00:18:18.253
  • Comes back to a condition of your heart.
  • 00:18:18.253 --> 00:18:21.857
  • Whether you allow worry to consume your life will be
  • 00:18:21.857 --> 00:18:26.395
  • Determined by whether you have cultivated a fearing heart or a
  • 00:18:26.395 --> 00:18:30.432
  • Trusting heart.
  • 00:18:30.432 --> 00:18:32.367
  • Whether you allow anger and outburst to be the rule of your
  • 00:18:32.367 --> 00:18:37.206
  • Life depends upon whether you have cultivated a bitter heart
  • 00:18:37.206 --> 00:18:41.410
  • Or a forgiving heart.
  • 00:18:41.410 --> 00:18:43.478
  • Whether you allow money to consume your thoughts and
  • 00:18:43.478 --> 00:18:46.315
  • Actions depends upon whether you are cultivating a greedy heart
  • 00:18:46.315 --> 00:18:50.452
  • Or a content heart.
  • 00:18:50.452 --> 00:18:52.788
  • Whether you fall into that trap of immorality that satan is
  • 00:18:52.788 --> 00:18:56.725
  • Setting for you right now depends upon whether you have
  • 00:18:56.725 --> 00:18:59.995
  • Cultivated an adulterous heart or a pure heart.
  • 00:18:59.995 --> 00:19:04.333
  • You see, we christians get it backwards.
  • 00:19:04.333 --> 00:19:06.935
  • We get it backwards when it comes to our relationship
  • 00:19:06.935 --> 00:19:09.171
  • With god.
  • 00:19:09.171 --> 00:19:10.505
  • We try to modify our behavior without ever dealing with the
  • 00:19:10.505 --> 00:19:15.510
  • Cause of our behavior.
  • 00:19:15.510 --> 00:19:17.879
  • We get into accountability groups to try to break
  • 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:21.817
  • Our addictions.
  • 00:19:21.817 --> 00:19:23.151
  • We cut up our credit cards in order to get a handle on
  • 00:19:23.151 --> 00:19:26.488
  • Our spending.
  • 00:19:26.488 --> 00:19:27.856
  • We get medication to deal with our anxiety.
  • 00:19:27.856 --> 00:19:32.494
  • And none of those things is wrong, but they never deal with
  • 00:19:32.494 --> 00:19:35.364
  • The root problem.
  • 00:19:35.364 --> 00:19:36.698
  • So remember, the essence of discipleship is a changed life
  • 00:19:36.698 --> 00:19:41.803
  • That comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:19:41.803 --> 00:19:47.809
  • A few years ago we were getting ready at home to come down to
  • 00:19:47.809 --> 00:19:52.447
  • Our christmas eve service, and so--it was the middle of the
  • 00:19:52.447 --> 00:19:57.252
  • Afternoon and i was taking a shower, getting ready, and as i
  • 00:19:57.252 --> 00:20:00.322
  • Stood in the shower, suddenly i was overwhelmed by such an
  • 00:20:00.322 --> 00:20:05.460
  • Offensive smell i nearly suffocated in the shower stall,
  • 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:09.865
  • And i looked down and immediately saw the source of
  • 00:20:09.865 --> 00:20:12.534
  • The problem.
  • 00:20:12.534 --> 00:20:13.902
  • Gurgling up from the shower drain was stuff i can't even
  • 00:20:13.902 --> 00:20:17.339
  • Mention in the service today, but it was really gross, and it
  • 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:22.010
  • Was flowing up out of the shower drain and then it lapped over
  • 00:20:22.010 --> 00:20:25.013
  • The side onto the bathroom floor, and of course i did what
  • 00:20:25.013 --> 00:20:28.250
  • Any husband would do at that moment, i yelled help to
  • 00:20:28.250 --> 00:20:31.019
  • My wife.
  • 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:33.155
  • So amy came in and we engaged in this mop up operation and we got
  • 00:20:33.155 --> 00:20:39.061
  • It finally all mopped up, and then i utilized all the plumbing
  • 00:20:39.061 --> 00:20:42.664
  • Skills i had developed through the years and reached under the
  • 00:20:42.664 --> 00:20:46.301
  • Cabinet there and pulled out a can of drano, and i looked at
  • 00:20:46.301 --> 00:20:51.139
  • That, read the directions, i poured the drano into the drain,
  • 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:54.343
  • Did what the direction said, turned the water back on after a
  • 00:20:54.343 --> 00:20:57.079
  • Few minutes, let it go down there.
  • 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.814
  • I thought problem solved.
  • 00:20:58.814 --> 00:21:00.182
  • Thirty seconds later the stuff came back up again.
  • 00:21:00.182 --> 00:21:03.618
  • So we had another mop up operation.
  • 00:21:03.618 --> 00:21:06.021
  • We did it about a third time.
  • 00:21:06.021 --> 00:21:07.656
  • It kept coming up and up, so finally i broke down and called
  • 00:21:07.656 --> 00:21:10.926
  • The plumber, and he was happy to come on christmas eve for three
  • 00:21:10.926 --> 00:21:15.464
  • Times the normal rate.
  • 00:21:15.464 --> 00:21:18.266
  • But he arrived, he came in and looked at our drain.
  • 00:21:18.266 --> 00:21:21.269
  • He said, "could i go into your backyard?"
  • 00:21:21.269 --> 00:21:24.573
  • We said, "well, sure."
  • 00:21:24.573 --> 00:21:26.475
  • So he went in the backyard.
  • 00:21:26.475 --> 00:21:28.176
  • Few minutes later, he came back and he said, "i found
  • 00:21:28.176 --> 00:21:30.812
  • The problem.
  • 00:21:30.812 --> 00:21:32.414
  • I looked at your sewer line and some overly aggressive roots
  • 00:21:32.414 --> 00:21:36.685
  • From a nearby tree had invaded that sewer line, causing the
  • 00:21:36.685 --> 00:21:41.623
  • Clogging and the backup of the refuse."
  • 00:21:41.623 --> 00:21:45.694
  • He said, "you'll never be able to take care of this problem
  • 00:21:45.694 --> 00:21:49.765
  • Until you deal with the root problem."
  • 00:21:49.765 --> 00:21:55.470
  • You know, every day, you and i have offensive words and
  • 00:21:55.470 --> 00:22:00.675
  • Thoughts coming out of our lives.
  • 00:22:00.675 --> 00:22:04.079
  • They're offensive to us, and just think about it.
  • 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:06.882
  • If we're offended by what we think or say or feel, imagine
  • 00:22:06.882 --> 00:22:11.620
  • How offended god is.
  • 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:15.424
  • Now, we can try to mop up our behavior, but it's really
  • 00:22:15.424 --> 00:22:19.361
  • Useless until we deal with the source of that behavior.
  • 00:22:19.361 --> 00:22:25.133
  • Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow
  • 00:22:25.133 --> 00:22:29.971
  • The issues of life.
  • 00:22:29.971 --> 00:22:33.308
  • Greed, lust, anger, bitterness, these are not the problem.
  • 00:22:33.308 --> 00:22:39.781
  • They are the symptom of the problem, and the problem is a
  • 00:22:39.781 --> 00:22:44.152
  • Heart that has not been carefully cultivated and guarded
  • 00:22:44.152 --> 00:22:47.689
  • To love god completely.
  • 00:22:47.689 --> 00:22:50.225
  • You say, "well, what can i do to change the condition of
  • 00:22:50.225 --> 00:22:53.261
  • My heart?"
  • 00:22:53.261 --> 00:22:54.996
  • More than you might think.
  • 00:22:54.996 --> 00:22:57.499
  • Over the next seven weeks, we're going to discover how you and i
  • 00:22:57.499 --> 00:23:02.437
  • Can cooperate with god to experience a transformed heart
  • 00:23:02.437 --> 00:23:08.677
  • That results in a changed life.
  • 00:23:08.677 --> 00:23:11.813
  • That's the essence of what it means to be a disciple.
  • 00:23:11.813 --> 00:23:17.586
  • Jeffress: at the end of the day, discipleship comes down to
  • 00:23:21.723 --> 00:23:24.993
  • The heart.
  • 00:23:24.993 --> 00:23:26.328
  • Once your heart is right, everything else falls into
  • 00:23:26.328 --> 00:23:29.364
  • Place, and that's exactly what we're going to be talking about
  • 00:23:29.364 --> 00:23:32.834
  • This month as we examine the seven marks of a disciple.
  • 00:23:32.834 --> 00:23:37.772
  • In closing, i want to share a heartwarming note i received
  • 00:23:37.772 --> 00:23:41.543
  • From james.
  • 00:23:41.543 --> 00:23:42.911
  • He said, god has used "pathway to victory" is one of the many
  • 00:23:42.911 --> 00:23:46.381
  • Tools to change my life.
  • 00:23:46.381 --> 00:23:48.583
  • As a police officer, i can see now why god chose this
  • 00:23:48.583 --> 00:23:52.487
  • Profession for me.
  • 00:23:52.487 --> 00:23:54.189
  • I used to be afraid to share my christian faith, but through
  • 00:23:54.189 --> 00:23:57.592
  • Your teaching, i've been equipped to do so.
  • 00:23:57.592 --> 00:24:00.929
  • By following the lord's leading, i've led three people to say a
  • 00:24:00.929 --> 00:24:04.399
  • Prayer to accept jesus in the back of my patrol car before
  • 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:09.504
  • Going to jail!
  • 00:24:09.504 --> 00:24:10.839
  • And if he can use a person like me, he can use anyone!
  • 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:15.010
  • Well james, your story is such an encouragement to all of us,
  • 00:24:15.010 --> 00:24:18.980
  • And let me add friends, when you give generously to "pathway to
  • 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:22.884
  • Victory," your personal investment is truly making
  • 00:24:22.884 --> 00:24:26.354
  • A difference.
  • 00:24:26.354 --> 00:24:27.722
  • Thanks so much for linking arms with us to pierce the darkness
  • 00:24:27.722 --> 00:24:32.093
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:24:32.093 --> 00:24:34.396
  • Now stay right there, i'll be back with more "pathway to
  • 00:24:34.396 --> 00:24:37.165
  • Victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:37.165 --> 00:24:41.703
  • Announcer: we all need god's strength to make it through
  • 00:24:41.703 --> 00:24:43.905
  • The day.
  • 00:24:43.905 --> 00:24:45.240
  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" by dr. robert
  • 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:47.742
  • Jeffress provides the spiritual refreshment you need.
  • 00:24:47.742 --> 00:24:50.946
  • In a large print format, every page bursts with breathtaking
  • 00:24:50.946 --> 00:24:54.916
  • Imagery that draws you toward the beauty of god's creation.
  • 00:24:54.916 --> 00:24:58.720
  • Jeffress: i know how challenging it can be to stay connected with
  • 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:01.823
  • God in our busy lives.
  • 00:25:01.823 --> 00:25:03.658
  • In my new devotional, i provide personal reflections and
  • 00:25:03.658 --> 00:25:07.162
  • Practical insights that will help you experience god's
  • 00:25:07.162 --> 00:25:10.565
  • Presence and encouragement throughout your day.
  • 00:25:10.565 --> 00:25:13.835
  • Announcer: filled with stunning images of creation, scripture
  • 00:25:13.835 --> 00:25:16.571
  • Verses, and prayers you can read in under two minutes, this
  • 00:25:16.571 --> 00:25:19.941
  • Padded hardcover book is the perfect daily companion to help
  • 00:25:19.941 --> 00:25:23.411
  • Refresh your spirit, morning and night.
  • 00:25:23.411 --> 00:25:26.181
  • It also makes a thoughtful gift to encourage a friend or
  • 00:25:26.181 --> 00:25:29.017
  • Loved one.
  • 00:25:29.017 --> 00:25:30.385
  • Request your copy of "encouragement for the heart of
  • 00:25:30.385 --> 00:25:32.654
  • A disciple" when you give a generous gift to support the
  • 00:25:32.654 --> 00:25:35.523
  • Ministry of "pathway to victory," or when you become a
  • 00:25:35.523 --> 00:25:38.660
  • Pathway partner.
  • 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:40.028
  • With your ministry gift of $100 or more, we'll send you the
  • 00:25:40.028 --> 00:25:43.965
  • Encouragement resource set containing the new devotional,
  • 00:25:43.965 --> 00:25:47.268
  • Six clutter-free prayer cards, the clutter-free christianity
  • 00:25:47.268 --> 00:25:50.872
  • Book and life application guide, and the "7 marks of a disciple"
  • 00:25:50.872 --> 00:25:54.876
  • Message series on both cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:54.876 --> 00:25:57.946
  • Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:57.946 --> 00:26:00.482
  • Your generous partnership helps us impact you and your family
  • 00:26:00.482 --> 00:26:03.985
  • And a nation in deep spiritual need with the transforming truth
  • 00:26:03.985 --> 00:26:08.056
  • Of god's word.
  • 00:26:08.056 --> 00:26:10.025
  • Jeffress: changing the condition of your heart may sound like a
  • 00:26:11.493 --> 00:26:14.295
  • Daunting process, but the good news is you don't have to do
  • 00:26:14.295 --> 00:26:18.333
  • It alone.
  • 00:26:18.333 --> 00:26:19.668
  • In fact, you can't do it without god's help.
  • 00:26:19.668 --> 00:26:23.104
  • And so i hope you'll join us for the rest of this series, because
  • 00:26:23.104 --> 00:26:26.675
  • We're going to discover how to experience, with god's help, a
  • 00:26:26.675 --> 00:26:30.645
  • Changed life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:26:30.645 --> 00:26:34.616
  • Next time we're going to dig deeper into the process of
  • 00:26:34.616 --> 00:26:38.186
  • Spiritual transformation and learn how we can move from the
  • 00:26:38.186 --> 00:26:41.956
  • Natural life to the supernatural life with god's help.
  • 00:26:41.956 --> 00:26:46.661
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:46.661 --> 00:26:49.297
  • Series "7 marks of a disciple."
  • 00:26:49.297 --> 00:26:53.401
  • Jeffress: have you ever noticed why phrases like spiritual
  • 00:26:53.468 --> 00:26:57.405
  • Transformation, conformed to the image of christ, becoming a
  • 00:26:57.405 --> 00:27:02.677
  • Disciple, a follower of christ, why have those phrases become so
  • 00:27:02.677 --> 00:27:08.983
  • Boring to us?
  • 00:27:08.983 --> 00:27:11.686
  • I think part of the reason is we use them so often without ever
  • 00:27:11.686 --> 00:27:15.590
  • Considering what they mean to us.
  • 00:27:15.590 --> 00:27:19.027
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message
  • 00:27:19.027 --> 00:27:21.963
  • "discipleship is transforming," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:21.963 --> 00:27:21.963