Robert Jeffress - Heart Surgery 101 (Part 1)

July 9, 2025 | S25 E326 | 29:0

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Heart Surgery 101 (Part 1) | July 9, 2025
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
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  • Dr. 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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  • Have you ever thought about what makes christianity different
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  • From every other religion?
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  • It's not about trying harder or following a set of rules.
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  • It's about transformation from the inside out.
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  • Today we're going to explore how god changes us at the deepest
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  • Level of our being, our hearts.
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  • This internal transformation is essential to experience the
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  • Kingdom benefits god intends for you.
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  • My message is titled, "heart surgery 101," on today's edition
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  • 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: how many of you desire to live in the kingdom of god?
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  • You say, "pastor, that is a dumb question.
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  • I mean, especially when you consider the alternative: living
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  • Outside the kingdom of god.
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  • We know what jesus said outside the kingdom of god is.
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  • It's a place where there's darkness, weeping, the gnashing
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  • Of teeth.
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  • Who would ever choose to live outside the kingdom of god?"
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  • And yet many people are making that choice right now to live
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  • Outside the kingdom of god.
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  • You see, the kingdom of god is not a synonym for heaven.
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  • Now, heaven is the ultimate expression of the kingdom
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  • Of god.
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  • It's where everybody will revere, respect, and obey
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  • God's will.
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  • Likewise, hell is the ultimate expression and destination of
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  • Those who refuse to respect, revere, and submit to
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  • God's will.
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  • But that delineation between the kingdom of god and outside the
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  • Kingdom of god is a delineation we see right now, here on earth.
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  • You remember a monarch's kingdom is that area where everyone
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  • Respects and reveres the king's will.
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  • For example, queen elizabeth is the monarch over great britain.
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  • People who live within a territory owned by great
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  • Britain, they submit to the queen's will.
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  • They are part of her kingdom.
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  • Do you and i obey the queen of england?
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  • No, we are not a part of her kingdom.
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  • We are outside the kingdom of great britain.
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  • It's the same way with the kingdom of heaven and those who
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  • Are outside the kingdom.
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  • Those who are living within god's kingdom right now are
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  • Those who respect, revere, and obey the will of god.
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  • Those who are outside the kingdom of god are those who are
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  • Right now rejecting and refusing to obey god's will.
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  • Heaven and hell are simply the continual eternity of the
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  • Present choices people make right now.
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  • Now, think about living in the kingdom of god.
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  • Probably one reason you said you want to live in the kingdom of
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  • God is you're thinking about those eternal benefits that
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  • Await everybody who is gonna be a part of the kingdom of god.
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  • We know what those eternal benefits are.
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  • We spent a whole sermon series talking about them when we
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  • Talked about heaven.
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  • You know, bodies that never grow sick again, a reunion with our
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  • Loved ones in heaven, freedom from sin, those are all part of
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  • The eternal benefits of living in the kingdom of god.
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  • But guess what?
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  • You don't have to wait until you die to experience the benefits
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  • Of god's kingdom.
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  • Right now, right now, you can experience the benefits of
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  • Living under god's rule.
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  • When you submit, respect, revere the will of god in your life
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  • Right now, there are some immediate benefits.
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  • What are those benefits?
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  • Think about freedom from worry.
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  • Peace, no matter what is happening around you;
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  • Contentment with your financial situation; harmony in all of
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  • Your relationships; a freedom from bitterness toward those who
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  • Wronged you.
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  • You don't have to wait until you die to experience that.
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  • Right now, those kingdom benefits belong to you.
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  • Now, this is where a lot of christians get mixed up and
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  • A lot of non-christians get mixed up.
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  • They may say, "well, you know, that sounds good.
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  • So how am i gonna start experiencing those kingdom
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  • Benefits right now?
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  • How do i become a part of the kingdom of god?"
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  • Let's go back to our great britain illustration for just
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  • A moment.
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  • You know, amy and i have been watching "the crown" on netflix.
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  • And let's just suppose one evening we're watching that and
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  • We say, "you know what, that queen elizabeth, she's a pretty
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  • Cool chick and you know, we'd like to be a part of
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  • Her kingdom.
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  • We would like to live under her reign."
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  • And so what do we do?
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  • Well, amy and i decide to start sipping tea every day at
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  • 3 o'clock.
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  • We have high tea.
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  • Not only that, we work on developing our british accent,
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  • And not only that we memorize the words to the british
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  • National anthem and we sing it every morning at breakfast.
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  • Does that make us a part of the queen's kingdom?
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  • Does that automatically make us citizens of great britain?
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  • Of course not.
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  • In order to be under the king's reign, we have to become
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  • Citizens of great britain.
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  • It is the same way with becoming a part of god's kingdom.
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  • Telling people to quit getting angry or to start forgiving or
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  • Be pure in your relationships, that is useless because people
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  • Can't do that naturally.
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  • There has to be a transformation of our life that gives us the
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  • Desire and the ability to submit to god's will.
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  • We're in a series right now called "seven marks of
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  • A disciple."
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  • And we've said that the essence of being a disciple is a changed
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  • Life that comes from a transformed heart.
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  • If you haven't written that down yet, write it down across your
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  • Outline, because that's what it means to be a disciple.
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  • A disciple is somebody who experiences a changed life that
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  • Comes from a transformed heart and today we're looking at that
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  • First mark of a disciple, which is a transformed heart.
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  • You will never become a citizen of god's kingdom, you will never
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  • Enjoy the benefits of living as a citizen of god's kingdom,
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  • Until you have that transformation of your heart,
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  • And that's what we're going to talk about today.
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  • Today, i'm gonna answer three questions about
  • 00:07:36.535 --> 00:07:39.671
  • Spiritual transformation.
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  • Number one, why is it necessary?
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  • Number two, who's responsible for it?
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  • And number three, what is the process by which it happens in
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  • Our life?
  • 00:07:50.549 --> 00:07:51.917
  • Let's first of all talk about spiritual transformation.
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  • What--or why is it necessary?
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  • Turn to 2 corinthians chapter 4.
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  • We're gonna take about a 3-minute
  • 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:02.794
  • Course on anatomy, according to the bible.
  • 00:08:02.794 --> 00:08:07.599
  • Because if you don't understand this, you'll never understand
  • 00:08:07.599 --> 00:08:09.768
  • What we're talking about needs to be transformed until you
  • 00:08:09.768 --> 00:08:12.938
  • Understand what the bible teaches about the heart.
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  • You know, in our culture we have been influenced by
  • 00:08:16.975 --> 00:08:19.844
  • Greek philosophy.
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  • Greek philosophy separates the mind from the heart.
  • 00:08:21.212 --> 00:08:24.849
  • The mind is the real us.
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  • It's our intellect, it's our will.
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  • The heart is simply that seat of emotions that can never really
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  • Be trusted.
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  • But according to the bible, the heart is the center of the
  • 00:08:34.893 --> 00:08:38.763
  • Real us.
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  • It's the center of our intellect.
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  • It's the center of our will and it's the center of our emotion.
  • 00:08:41.800 --> 00:08:46.004
  • For example, the bible teaches the heart is the center
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  • Of intellect.
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  • Proverbs 23:7: "as a man thinks in his," what?
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  • "heart, so is he."
  • 00:08:54.479 --> 00:08:56.481
  • Where do we think?
  • 00:08:56.481 --> 00:08:57.849
  • It's in our heart.
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  • It's also the center of our will, the choices that we make.
  • 00:08:59.284 --> 00:09:03.154
  • In mark 3:5, there's a description of the pharisees who
  • 00:09:03.154 --> 00:09:07.659
  • Rejected christ.
  • 00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:09.027
  • It says: "and looking around at them with anger, grieved at the
  • 00:09:09.027 --> 00:09:14.432
  • Hardness of their heart."
  • 00:09:14.432 --> 00:09:16.601
  • It was their heart that had made the decision to reject christ.
  • 00:09:16.601 --> 00:09:20.572
  • Even many times in the bible, the heart is the center
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  • Of emotions.
  • 00:09:24.009 --> 00:09:25.343
  • Now sometimes, in the old testament especially, the seat
  • 00:09:25.343 --> 00:09:28.813
  • Of emotions were the bowels, the intestines, of a person, but in
  • 00:09:28.813 --> 00:09:36.021
  • The new testament they decided that for valentine's day you
  • 00:09:36.021 --> 00:09:38.590
  • Don't want to put a picture of somebody's intestines, so they
  • 00:09:38.590 --> 00:09:41.559
  • Started talking about the heart as being the place of emotion
  • 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:45.730
  • And you see that throughout the new testament.
  • 00:09:45.730 --> 00:09:48.266
  • For example, luke 24, verse 32, remember there were two
  • 00:09:48.266 --> 00:09:52.170
  • Disciples of christ after the resurrection who were walking on
  • 00:09:52.170 --> 00:09:55.140
  • The road to emmaus and jesus appeared to them and started
  • 00:09:55.140 --> 00:09:58.443
  • Conversing with them, and at first they couldn't figure out
  • 00:09:58.443 --> 00:10:00.945
  • Who he was, but notice verse 32: "and they said to one another,
  • 00:10:00.945 --> 00:10:05.050
  • 'were our hearts not burning within us while he was speaking
  • 00:10:05.050 --> 00:10:09.054
  • To us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures
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  • To us?'"
  • 00:10:13.091 --> 00:10:14.426
  • The heart in the bible is the center of our thought, our will,
  • 00:10:14.426 --> 00:10:18.430
  • And emotions.
  • 00:10:18.430 --> 00:10:19.864
  • Your heart is the real you.
  • 00:10:19.864 --> 00:10:22.267
  • Now, there is a visible you that everybody sees, but then there
  • 00:10:22.267 --> 00:10:26.037
  • Is the real you that god sees.
  • 00:10:26.037 --> 00:10:28.473
  • Man looks on the outward appearance, the physical, but
  • 00:10:28.473 --> 00:10:31.876
  • God looks at the heart.
  • 00:10:31.876 --> 00:10:35.113
  • Now, the bible teaches us that the visible us, that is our
  • 00:10:35.113 --> 00:10:40.418
  • Bodies, begin deteriorating the moment we draw our first breath.
  • 00:10:40.418 --> 00:10:46.591
  • Did you know that?
  • 00:10:46.591 --> 00:10:47.926
  • The moment you're born, your body starts deteriorating, and
  • 00:10:47.926 --> 00:10:51.863
  • Then when you hit age 50, it hits warp speed.
  • 00:10:51.863 --> 00:10:56.534
  • Do i hear an amen on that?
  • 00:10:56.534 --> 00:10:59.270
  • But here's the good news.
  • 00:10:59.270 --> 00:11:00.905
  • Even though we are decaying physically, we can be
  • 00:11:00.905 --> 00:11:04.075
  • Transformed spiritually.
  • 00:11:04.075 --> 00:11:06.144
  • 2 corinthians 4:16 says: "therefore we do not lose heart,
  • 00:11:06.144 --> 00:11:11.015
  • But though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is
  • 00:11:11.015 --> 00:11:15.687
  • Being renewed day by day."
  • 00:11:15.687 --> 00:11:18.957
  • Now when we talk about spiritual transformation to allow us to
  • 00:11:18.957 --> 00:11:23.895
  • Live the kind of life we want to live, we're talking about the
  • 00:11:23.895 --> 00:11:27.265
  • Transformation of our heart, our mind, our will, and
  • 00:11:27.265 --> 00:11:31.803
  • Our emotions.
  • 00:11:31.803 --> 00:11:33.605
  • Why is that transformation necessary?
  • 00:11:33.605 --> 00:11:35.774
  • Well, look at what the bible tells us about the heart.
  • 00:11:35.774 --> 00:11:38.610
  • There are three insights the bible gives us about our hearts.
  • 00:11:38.610 --> 00:11:41.880
  • First of all, our hearts determine our behavior.
  • 00:11:41.880 --> 00:11:46.484
  • Our hearts determine our behavior.
  • 00:11:46.484 --> 00:11:48.720
  • Acts of sexual immorality, outbursts of anger, greed that
  • 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:53.825
  • Would cause us to steal.
  • 00:11:53.825 --> 00:11:55.160
  • These are not involuntary responses.
  • 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:58.997
  • They are all the fruit, the manifestation, of what is in
  • 00:11:58.997 --> 00:12:03.568
  • Our heart.
  • 00:12:03.568 --> 00:12:04.936
  • Jesus said in matthew 12, verse 35: "the good man out of his
  • 00:12:04.936 --> 00:12:09.307
  • Good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of
  • 00:12:09.307 --> 00:12:13.978
  • His evil treasure brings forth what is evil."
  • 00:12:13.978 --> 00:12:18.316
  • To try to change somebody's behavior without changing their
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  • Heart is absolutely futile.
  • 00:12:21.586 --> 00:12:24.789
  • You know, it used to be popular in youth groups a few years ago
  • 00:12:24.789 --> 00:12:29.027
  • To have these campaigns for sexual abstinence.
  • 00:12:29.027 --> 00:12:35.767
  • In order to encourage teenagers to say no to premarital sex,
  • 00:12:35.767 --> 00:12:41.906
  • There would be programs on abstinence and you'd actually
  • 00:12:41.906 --> 00:12:44.876
  • Have a ceremony where people would put on a ring to make
  • 00:12:44.876 --> 00:12:48.746
  • A pledge that they were gonna remain sexually pure until they
  • 00:12:48.746 --> 00:12:52.550
  • Got married: a wonderful goal, something everybody should
  • 00:12:52.550 --> 00:12:57.922
  • Desire to do.
  • 00:12:57.922 --> 00:13:00.058
  • The problem with those programs though was people went through
  • 00:13:00.058 --> 00:13:04.329
  • The ceremony and then that was sunday, then came friday night.
  • 00:13:04.329 --> 00:13:09.434
  • And they're in the backseat of somebody's car and the hormones
  • 00:13:09.434 --> 00:13:13.972
  • Start to rage and they give in to their desire for immorality
  • 00:13:13.972 --> 00:13:20.311
  • And they end up breaking that pledge so they come back and
  • 00:13:20.311 --> 00:13:22.780
  • They make a new vow.
  • 00:13:22.780 --> 00:13:24.282
  • "lord, this time i really mean it and i'm gonna do it."
  • 00:13:24.282 --> 00:13:27.018
  • Maybe they put on another ring, but they fail again.
  • 00:13:27.018 --> 00:13:31.422
  • Now i'm not ridiculing that desire to do that.
  • 00:13:31.422 --> 00:13:33.691
  • It is a worthy goal, but here's the problem.
  • 00:13:33.691 --> 00:13:37.061
  • After a couple of failures, the teenager comes to the
  • 00:13:37.061 --> 00:13:39.631
  • Conclusion, this just isn't working.
  • 00:13:39.631 --> 00:13:42.867
  • It is impossible for me to ever have any victory over these
  • 00:13:42.867 --> 00:13:46.738
  • Desires in my life, and they give up completely.
  • 00:13:46.738 --> 00:13:50.441
  • To try to instigate, eliminate or modify your behavior without
  • 00:13:50.441 --> 00:13:55.213
  • The change of a heart is futile, and it leads to frustration and
  • 00:13:55.213 --> 00:13:59.884
  • A life of defeat.
  • 00:13:59.884 --> 00:14:01.653
  • If you're gonna teach sexual abstinence, and we do here at
  • 00:14:01.653 --> 00:14:04.789
  • First baptist dallas, we also have to go along and say, how do
  • 00:14:04.789 --> 00:14:08.359
  • You change your thoughts, your will and your emotions to allow
  • 00:14:08.359 --> 00:14:11.729
  • You to say no to those things that are displeasing to god?
  • 00:14:11.729 --> 00:14:16.467
  • The bible says our heart is where all behavior
  • 00:14:16.467 --> 00:14:19.037
  • Emanates from.
  • 00:14:19.037 --> 00:14:20.672
  • Secondly, the bible teaches our hearts have been polluted.
  • 00:14:20.672 --> 00:14:25.243
  • We have all inherited a polluted heart.
  • 00:14:25.243 --> 00:14:29.080
  • Did you know that's true of how god views every person who
  • 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:31.582
  • Is born?
  • 00:14:31.582 --> 00:14:32.951
  • The moment we are born into this world, we are born with
  • 00:14:32.951 --> 00:14:35.687
  • Defective hearts, and the only thing that comes out of our
  • 00:14:35.687 --> 00:14:39.090
  • Minds are evil thoughts in god's eyes.
  • 00:14:39.090 --> 00:14:42.460
  • Through jeremiah the prophet, god said in jeremiah 17:9: "the
  • 00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:46.764
  • Heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick;
  • 00:14:46.764 --> 00:14:53.438
  • Who can understand it?"
  • 00:14:53.438 --> 00:14:55.406
  • People today want to talk about the goodness of the human heart.
  • 00:14:55.406 --> 00:14:58.609
  • That's not god's point of view.
  • 00:14:58.609 --> 00:15:00.578
  • By god's absolute pure standards, every heart is
  • 00:15:00.578 --> 00:15:04.649
  • Desperately wicked.
  • 00:15:04.649 --> 00:15:07.018
  • How did that happen?
  • 00:15:07.018 --> 00:15:08.386
  • How did our hearts become wicked?
  • 00:15:08.386 --> 00:15:10.488
  • Romans 5:12 tells us this virus that infects our heart came
  • 00:15:10.488 --> 00:15:16.127
  • Through adam.
  • 00:15:16.127 --> 00:15:17.462
  • "therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and
  • 00:15:17.462 --> 00:15:21.165
  • Death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because
  • 00:15:21.165 --> 00:15:25.870
  • All sinned."
  • 00:15:25.870 --> 00:15:28.339
  • From adam, we inherited this defective heart.
  • 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:33.011
  • And paul describes exactly what the result of that heart is in
  • 00:15:33.011 --> 00:15:38.182
  • Romans 5:6.
  • 00:15:38.182 --> 00:15:39.517
  • He says, "for while we were still helpless, at the right
  • 00:15:39.517 --> 00:15:42.920
  • Time christ died for the ungodly."
  • 00:15:42.920 --> 00:15:47.658
  • The phrase or the word "ungodly" describes the condition of our
  • 00:15:47.658 --> 00:15:52.230
  • Life because of our defective heart.
  • 00:15:52.230 --> 00:15:54.799
  • Do you know in the english language that prefix "un"
  • 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:58.936
  • Means not.
  • 00:15:58.936 --> 00:16:01.973
  • For example, we think of an unattractive person as somebody
  • 00:16:01.973 --> 00:16:06.244
  • Who is not attractive.
  • 00:16:06.244 --> 00:16:09.013
  • A person who is unintelligent is a person who is not intelligent.
  • 00:16:09.013 --> 00:16:14.419
  • So we assume that when we see the word here "ungodly," that
  • 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:19.123
  • Means somebody who is not godly.
  • 00:16:19.123 --> 00:16:23.094
  • But in the greek language that prefix "un" actually
  • 00:16:23.094 --> 00:16:26.330
  • Means against.
  • 00:16:26.330 --> 00:16:29.000
  • An ungodly person is not just somebody who is unlike god,
  • 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:32.403
  • Well, duh, we're all unlike god, but that phrase actually means
  • 00:16:32.403 --> 00:16:35.973
  • Somebody who is against god.
  • 00:16:35.973 --> 00:16:38.910
  • And the bible says christ came to die for all of us who
  • 00:16:38.910 --> 00:16:42.814
  • Are ungodly.
  • 00:16:42.814 --> 00:16:44.215
  • That is our state in god's eyes.
  • 00:16:44.215 --> 00:16:46.017
  • We are against god and that's why every time god says no,
  • 00:16:46.017 --> 00:16:52.990
  • Our first inclination is to say yes.
  • 00:16:52.990 --> 00:16:56.594
  • And when god says yes to something, our first inclination
  • 00:16:56.594 --> 00:16:59.931
  • Is to say no.
  • 00:16:59.931 --> 00:17:02.100
  • We are born ungodly.
  • 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:06.037
  • Our hearts are the center of our actions.
  • 00:17:06.037 --> 00:17:08.840
  • Our hearts have been polluted.
  • 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:10.208
  • Thirdly, our hearts can be transformed.
  • 00:17:10.208 --> 00:17:14.145
  • That's the good news.
  • 00:17:14.145 --> 00:17:15.646
  • Now, in ezekiel 11, verses 19 to 20, god points to that day when
  • 00:17:15.646 --> 00:17:20.918
  • We're going to receive a brand-new heart.
  • 00:17:20.918 --> 00:17:23.788
  • Look at verses 19 and 20: "and i shall give them one heart, and
  • 00:17:23.788 --> 00:17:27.892
  • Shall put a new spirit within them.
  • 00:17:27.892 --> 00:17:29.660
  • And i shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and
  • 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:32.663
  • Give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and
  • 00:17:32.663 --> 00:17:36.968
  • Keep my ordinances, and do them.
  • 00:17:36.968 --> 00:17:39.070
  • Then they will be my people, and i will be their god."
  • 00:17:39.070 --> 00:17:43.407
  • Did you know one day you're gonna have a heart transplant?
  • 00:17:43.407 --> 00:17:47.111
  • God's gonna give you a brand-new heart that is free from any
  • 00:17:47.111 --> 00:17:50.748
  • Defect whatsoever, a heart that automatically wants to please
  • 00:17:50.748 --> 00:17:55.419
  • God, a heart that is never tempted with evil again.
  • 00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:58.789
  • How many of you are ready for that kind of heart?
  • 00:17:58.789 --> 00:18:01.926
  • Well, the good news is it's coming.
  • 00:18:01.926 --> 00:18:04.362
  • The bad news is you have to wait for it.
  • 00:18:04.362 --> 00:18:07.231
  • That heart transplant one day is coming.
  • 00:18:07.231 --> 00:18:10.434
  • Does that mean then i have to walk around with this defective
  • 00:18:10.434 --> 00:18:14.705
  • Heart that is opposed to god and keeps me from benefiting from
  • 00:18:14.705 --> 00:18:18.609
  • The kingdom of god?
  • 00:18:18.609 --> 00:18:19.977
  • No, even though we don't receive a new heart right now, we can
  • 00:18:19.977 --> 00:18:24.148
  • Experience a transformed heart.
  • 00:18:24.148 --> 00:18:27.118
  • Again, think about your physical heart.
  • 00:18:27.118 --> 00:18:29.787
  • Maybe what you'd really like is a brand-new heart, but you can't
  • 00:18:29.787 --> 00:18:34.025
  • Afford that right now.
  • 00:18:34.025 --> 00:18:35.993
  • So do you have to walk around with a completely
  • 00:18:35.993 --> 00:18:38.262
  • Defective heart?
  • 00:18:38.262 --> 00:18:39.630
  • No, the doctor will say there's some things we can do to
  • 00:18:39.630 --> 00:18:42.166
  • Strengthen the heart that you have right now.
  • 00:18:42.166 --> 00:18:44.869
  • We can give you some tablets that will help reduce the plaque
  • 00:18:44.869 --> 00:18:48.272
  • Buildup in your arteries that restrict the blood flow to
  • 00:18:48.272 --> 00:18:50.608
  • Your heart.
  • 00:18:50.608 --> 00:18:51.976
  • Here are some exercises you can perform to strengthen your
  • 00:18:51.976 --> 00:18:54.512
  • Heart muscles.
  • 00:18:54.512 --> 00:18:55.880
  • You can have a transformed heart right now.
  • 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:59.283
  • God says the same thing to us.
  • 00:18:59.283 --> 00:19:01.452
  • We don't have to live as citizens outside the kingdom
  • 00:19:01.452 --> 00:19:04.288
  • Of god.
  • 00:19:04.288 --> 00:19:05.623
  • We can experience the benefits of obeying god from a heart that
  • 00:19:05.623 --> 00:19:09.760
  • Wants to know him.
  • 00:19:09.760 --> 00:19:11.596
  • We can have a spiritually transformed heart.
  • 00:19:11.596 --> 00:19:14.732
  • Well then, that brings up the second question.
  • 00:19:14.732 --> 00:19:16.434
  • We understand why it's necessary to have something change in our
  • 00:19:16.434 --> 00:19:20.071
  • Heart, but who is responsible for that spiritual
  • 00:19:20.071 --> 00:19:23.808
  • Transformation of our heart?
  • 00:19:23.808 --> 00:19:26.644
  • Who is responsible?
  • 00:19:26.644 --> 00:19:28.379
  • I don't know if you've ever been in a meeting like this before.
  • 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:31.048
  • There's a group, maybe you're part of a club or a church or
  • 00:19:31.048 --> 00:19:34.452
  • Even at your company and as a team, you get all excited about
  • 00:19:34.452 --> 00:19:37.688
  • Some future goals.
  • 00:19:37.688 --> 00:19:39.056
  • "yeah, that's what we want to do in our organization.
  • 00:19:39.056 --> 00:19:40.825
  • That would be great."
  • 00:19:40.825 --> 00:19:42.159
  • Everybody gets excited, but the moderator ends the meeting
  • 00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:45.363
  • Before ever delegating the responsibilities.
  • 00:19:45.363 --> 00:19:48.733
  • Who's responsible for what?
  • 00:19:48.733 --> 00:19:51.569
  • And nothing ends up getting done because the truth is,
  • 00:19:51.569 --> 00:19:55.940
  • Everybody's business becomes nobody's business.
  • 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:59.677
  • Unless there's a clear understanding of who is
  • 00:19:59.677 --> 00:20:01.879
  • Responsible for what assignment, nothing ever gets done.
  • 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:05.549
  • It's the same way in the spiritual transformation of
  • 00:20:05.549 --> 00:20:08.519
  • Our heart.
  • 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.854
  • Who's responsible for that?
  • 00:20:09.854 --> 00:20:11.355
  • Is god responsible or am i responsible?
  • 00:20:11.355 --> 00:20:15.559
  • We better understand it if it's going to happen.
  • 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:18.362
  • Now there are some people who would say, "oh well, that's
  • 00:20:18.362 --> 00:20:20.097
  • God's responsibility, pastor.
  • 00:20:20.097 --> 00:20:21.699
  • Surely you know that?
  • 00:20:21.699 --> 00:20:23.467
  • Just as we can't save ourselves, god alone can save us, only god
  • 00:20:23.467 --> 00:20:28.272
  • Alone is capable of transforming our hearts to become the kind of
  • 00:20:28.272 --> 00:20:32.443
  • People we want to become."
  • 00:20:32.443 --> 00:20:34.178
  • In fact, people who believe that will actually point to
  • 00:20:34.178 --> 00:20:36.547
  • Scripture: galatians 3, verse 3.
  • 00:20:36.547 --> 00:20:38.416
  • Paul said, "are you so foolish?
  • 00:20:38.416 --> 00:20:41.118
  • Having begun by the spirit, are you now being perfected by
  • 00:20:41.118 --> 00:20:44.722
  • The flesh?"
  • 00:20:44.722 --> 00:20:46.090
  • They say, "paul is very clear.
  • 00:20:46.090 --> 00:20:48.359
  • If you were saved by grace, do you think you can become more
  • 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:51.929
  • Like jesus through the flesh through human effort?"
  • 00:20:51.929 --> 00:20:55.533
  • But an examination of the context here shows you that's
  • 00:20:55.533 --> 00:20:58.569
  • Not what paul is talking about.
  • 00:20:58.569 --> 00:21:00.538
  • He's not talking about how we become like jesus as christians,
  • 00:21:00.538 --> 00:21:03.974
  • He's talking about salvation.
  • 00:21:03.974 --> 00:21:06.077
  • He said if you begin by trusting in christ's grace alone for your
  • 00:21:06.077 --> 00:21:12.650
  • Salvation, why would you switch horses in the middle of the
  • 00:21:12.650 --> 00:21:15.619
  • Street, so to speak, and start depending on your flesh,
  • 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:19.457
  • Your good works, to save you?
  • 00:21:19.457 --> 00:21:21.392
  • If you begin by trusting in the spirit of god, why not keep on
  • 00:21:21.392 --> 00:21:25.796
  • Trusting in the spirit of god for your justification?
  • 00:21:25.796 --> 00:21:29.433
  • He's not talking about how we transform our lives here.
  • 00:21:29.433 --> 00:21:33.704
  • You know, dallas willard has a great insight on this.
  • 00:21:33.704 --> 00:21:37.408
  • He says, "grace and effort are not opposites."
  • 00:21:37.408 --> 00:21:42.713
  • We get the idea in christianity, "oh, if we exert any effort,
  • 00:21:42.713 --> 00:21:46.450
  • There's something wrong.
  • 00:21:46.450 --> 00:21:47.785
  • It all has to be of god."
  • 00:21:47.785 --> 00:21:49.153
  • No, grace and effort are not opposites; grace and earning
  • 00:21:49.153 --> 00:21:54.392
  • Are opposites.
  • 00:21:54.392 --> 00:21:56.127
  • Working for your salvation is heresy.
  • 00:21:56.127 --> 00:21:59.330
  • But working out your salvation is basic bible.
  • 00:21:59.330 --> 00:22:04.135
  • Grace and effort are allies, not enemies.
  • 00:22:04.135 --> 00:22:08.706
  • Let me show you that in scripture.
  • 00:22:08.706 --> 00:22:10.141
  • Turn over to philippians chapter 2, verses 12 to 13.
  • 00:22:10.141 --> 00:22:15.279
  • Philippians chapter 2, verses 12 to 13.
  • 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:21.218
  • Paul says, "so then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,
  • 00:22:21.218 --> 00:22:26.390
  • Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
  • 00:22:26.390 --> 00:22:31.028
  • Work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
  • 00:22:31.028 --> 00:22:36.400
  • Jeffress: working out your salvation may seem heavy and
  • 00:22:40.538 --> 00:22:44.074
  • Difficult, but believe me when i say the spirit of god is your
  • 00:22:44.074 --> 00:22:48.345
  • Companion, and he will provide everything you need.
  • 00:22:48.345 --> 00:22:52.783
  • Now, in closing, i want to share a note i received from alan in
  • 00:22:52.783 --> 00:22:55.886
  • Virginia, who shared, "through 'pathway to victory's' ministry,
  • 00:22:55.886 --> 00:23:00.291
  • I have grown into a new level of maturity and conviction
  • 00:23:00.291 --> 00:23:03.928
  • Of the spirit.
  • 00:23:03.928 --> 00:23:05.262
  • The materials i receive and the daily messages i hear are a
  • 00:23:05.262 --> 00:23:09.099
  • Great part of my instruction, edification, correction, and
  • 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:13.571
  • Sanctification.
  • 00:23:13.571 --> 00:23:15.272
  • Gratefully, my wife has also joined me in receiving god's
  • 00:23:15.272 --> 00:23:18.642
  • Word and what it truly means to be a christian."
  • 00:23:18.642 --> 00:23:22.947
  • Well, thank you, alan, for sharing this tremendous letter
  • 00:23:22.947 --> 00:23:25.816
  • Of encouragement.
  • 00:23:25.816 --> 00:23:27.384
  • And friends, thank you for helping me proclaim the truth of
  • 00:23:27.384 --> 00:23:30.354
  • God's word through your faithful support and for standing with me
  • 00:23:30.354 --> 00:23:34.658
  • To continue this bold, biblical, and practical ministry that
  • 00:23:34.658 --> 00:23:39.163
  • Transforms lives.
  • 00:23:39.163 --> 00:23:40.931
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:23:40.931 --> 00:23:42.266
  • I'll be back in a moment with more "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:42.266 --> 00:23:45.202
  • Announcer: we all need god's strength to make it through
  • 00:23:47.638 --> 00:23:49.840
  • The day.
  • 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:51.175
  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" by dr. robert
  • 00:23:51.175 --> 00:23:53.677
  • Jeffress provides the spiritual refreshment you need.
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  • In a large print format, every page bursts with breathtaking
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  • Imagery that draws you toward the beauty of god's creation.
  • 00:24:00.851 --> 00:24:04.655
  • Jeffress: i know how challenging it can be to stay connected with
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  • God in our busy lives.
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  • In my new devotional, i provide personal reflections and
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  • Practical insights that will help you experience god's
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  • Presence and encouragement throughout your day.
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  • Announcer: filled with stunning images of creation, scripture
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  • Verses, and prayers you can read in under two minutes, this
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  • Padded hardcover book is the perfect daily companion to help
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  • Refresh your spirit, morning and night.
  • 00:24:29.346 --> 00:24:32.116
  • It also makes a thoughtful gift to encourage a friend or
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  • Loved one.
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  • Request your copy of "encouragement for the heart of
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  • A disciple" when you give a generous gift to support the
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  • Ministry of "pathway to victory," or when you become a
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  • Pathway partner.
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  • With your ministry gift of $100 or more, we'll send you the
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  • Encouragement resource set containing the new devotional,
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  • Six clutter-free prayer cards, the clutter-free christianity
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  • Book and life application guide, and the "7 marks of a disciple"
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  • Message series on both cd and dvd.
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  • Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
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  • Your generous partnership helps us impact you and your family
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  • And a nation in deep spiritual need with the transforming truth
  • 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:13.991
  • Of god's word.
  • 00:25:13.991 --> 00:25:15.492
  • Jeffress: the heart is the center of our thought life, our
  • 00:25:17.261 --> 00:25:20.297
  • Will, and our emotions.
  • 00:25:20.297 --> 00:25:22.700
  • It is also the center for spiritual transformation, and
  • 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:26.537
  • The great news is you can have a transformed heart right now.
  • 00:25:26.537 --> 00:25:31.008
  • But that brings up another question.
  • 00:25:31.008 --> 00:25:32.943
  • We understand why it's necessary to change our hearts, but who is
  • 00:25:32.943 --> 00:25:37.147
  • Responsible for that spiritual transformation?
  • 00:25:37.147 --> 00:25:40.584
  • And what is the process by which our hearts are changed?
  • 00:25:40.584 --> 00:25:44.455
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:25:44.455 --> 00:25:46.991
  • Series, "7 marks of a disciple."
  • 00:25:46.991 --> 00:25:51.195
  • Jeffress: being the person god wants you to become takes
  • 00:25:51.195 --> 00:25:54.665
  • Hard work.
  • 00:25:54.665 --> 00:25:56.033
  • It takes holy sweat.
  • 00:25:56.033 --> 00:25:58.102
  • But the end result is well worth the effort.
  • 00:25:58.102 --> 00:26:02.139
  • Bodily discipline, yes, it has benefits, but spiritual
  • 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:06.443
  • Discipline, it benefits you not just in this life.
  • 00:26:06.443 --> 00:26:11.815
  • But it benefits you beginning right now and extending past the
  • 00:26:11.815 --> 00:26:16.320
  • Grave through all eternity.
  • 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:19.023
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part 2 of the
  • 00:26:19.023 --> 00:26:21.892
  • Message, "heart surgery 101," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:21.892 --> 00:26:26.363
  • Announcer: step away from your daily routine and immerse
  • 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:32.069
  • Yourself in god's masterpiece on the "pathway to victory" cruise
  • 00:26:32.069 --> 00:26:35.773
  • To alaska, june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:35.773 --> 00:26:39.677
  • Jeffress: imagine starting each day immersed in god's word, then
  • 00:26:39.677 --> 00:26:43.080
  • Stepping out to witness god's grandeur, from the majestic
  • 00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:46.550
  • Glaciers to soaring eagles.
  • 00:26:46.550 --> 00:26:49.286
  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith in
  • 00:26:49.286 --> 00:26:52.656
  • Powerful ways.
  • 00:26:52.656 --> 00:26:54.058
  • Announcer: experience 5-star dining, luxurious state rooms,
  • 00:26:54.058 --> 00:26:57.261
  • And exceptional service while visiting iconic ports like
  • 00:26:57.261 --> 00:27:00.130
  • Juneau, ketchikan, and skagway.
  • 00:27:00.130 --> 00:27:02.700
  • Jeffress: we'll explore god's word together against the
  • 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:05.135
  • Backdrop of his most impressive handiwork.
  • 00:27:05.135 --> 00:27:08.472
  • I promise, you'll return home with memories that will last a
  • 00:27:08.472 --> 00:27:11.842
  • Lifetime and a heart renewed by god's presence.
  • 00:27:11.842 --> 00:27:16.180
  • Announcer: to book your spot on the 2026 "pathway to victory"
  • 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:18.982
  • Cruise to alaska, call... or go to ptv.org.
  • 00:27:18.982 --> 00:27:18.982