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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Heart Surgery (Part 1)

August 6, 2025 | S25 E375 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - Heart Surgery (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#inActive #KingdomofGod #Obedience #Disobedience #Heaven #Hell #Choices #Faith #TrustGod #Peace #Freedom #IdentityinChrist #Jesus #Transformation #Change #Heart #Heart'sDesire

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Heart Surgery (Part 1) | August 6, 2025
  • ♪♪
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  • Announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
  • 00:00:08.898 --> 00:00:11.067
  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
  • 00:00:14.137 --> 00:00:15.805
  • Again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:15.805 --> 00:00:18.308
  • Have you ever thought about what makes christianity different
  • 00:00:18.308 --> 00:00:21.177
  • From every other religion?
  • 00:00:21.177 --> 00:00:23.313
  • It's not about trying harder or following a set of rules.
  • 00:00:23.313 --> 00:00:27.350
  • It's about transformation from the inside out.
  • 00:00:27.350 --> 00:00:30.954
  • Today we're going to explore how god changes us at the deepest
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  • Level of our being, our hearts.
  • 00:00:34.891 --> 00:00:37.727
  • This internal transformation is essential to experience the
  • 00:00:37.727 --> 00:00:41.865
  • Kingdom benefits god intends for you.
  • 00:00:41.865 --> 00:00:45.068
  • My message is titled, "heart surgery 101," on today's edition
  • 00:00:45.068 --> 00:00:50.840
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:52.842
  • ♪♪
  • 00:00:52.842 --> 00:01:00.350
  • Announcer: give your heart the encouragement it needs.
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  • Start and end each day meditating on god's word with
  • 00:01:02.986 --> 00:01:06.222
  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple."
  • 00:01:06.222 --> 00:01:08.658
  • This brand new beautiful full-color, padded, hardcover
  • 00:01:08.658 --> 00:01:11.594
  • Book by dr. robert jeffress features 80 breathtaking images
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  • Of creation paired with scripture, prayers, and insights
  • 00:01:15.298 --> 00:01:18.668
  • You can read in under two minutes.
  • 00:01:18.668 --> 00:01:20.670
  • Perfect for your coffee table or as a thoughtful gift for a
  • 00:01:20.670 --> 00:01:23.540
  • Loved one.
  • 00:01:23.540 --> 00:01:24.908
  • 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
  • 00:01:49.632 --> 00:01:53.369
  • Outside the kingdom of god.
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  • We know what jesus said outside the kingdom of god is.
  • 00:01:55.471 --> 00:01:58.474
  • 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?"
  • 00:02:03.279 --> 00:02:07.450
  • And yet many people are making that choice right now to live
  • 00:02:07.450 --> 00:02:11.154
  • Outside the kingdom of god.
  • 00:02:11.154 --> 00:02:13.489
  • You see, the kingdom of god is not a synonym for heaven.
  • 00:02:13.489 --> 00:02:18.695
  • 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.
  • 00:02:25.568 --> 00:02:27.370
  • Likewise, hell is the ultimate expression and destination of
  • 00:02:27.370 --> 00:02:31.641
  • Those who refuse to respect, revere, and submit to
  • 00:02:31.641 --> 00:02:35.211
  • God's will.
  • 00:02:35.211 --> 00:02:37.146
  • But that delineation between the kingdom of god and outside the
  • 00:02:37.146 --> 00:02:41.951
  • 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
  • 00:02:47.624 --> 00:02:53.396
  • 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.
  • 00:03:06.542 --> 00:03:09.846
  • They are part of her kingdom.
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  • Do you and i obey the queen of england?
  • 00:03:12.081 --> 00:03:14.117
  • No, we are not a part of her kingdom.
  • 00:03:14.117 --> 00:03:16.286
  • 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
  • 00:03:21.057 --> 00:03:24.794
  • 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.
  • 00:03:30.166 --> 00:03:34.203
  • 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.
  • 00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:43.212
  • Heaven and hell are simply the continual eternity of the
  • 00:03:43.212 --> 00:03:51.521
  • Present choices people make right now.
  • 00:03:51.521 --> 00:03:56.659
  • 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
  • 00:04:00.963 --> 00:04:04.067
  • God is you're thinking about those eternal benefits that
  • 00:04:04.067 --> 00:04:06.836
  • Await everybody who is gonna be a part of the kingdom of god.
  • 00:04:06.836 --> 00:04:11.974
  • We know what those eternal benefits are.
  • 00:04:11.974 --> 00:04:13.843
  • We spent a whole sermon series talking about them when we
  • 00:04:13.843 --> 00:04:16.045
  • Talked about heaven.
  • 00:04:16.045 --> 00:04:17.447
  • 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
  • 00:04:20.683 --> 00:04:24.921
  • The eternal benefits of living in the kingdom of god.
  • 00:04:24.921 --> 00:04:28.157
  • 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.
  • 00:04:32.161 --> 00:04:33.796
  • Right now, right now, you can experience the benefits of
  • 00:04:33.796 --> 00:04:38.368
  • Living under god's rule.
  • 00:04:38.368 --> 00:04:40.636
  • When you submit, respect, revere the will of god in your life
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  • Right now, there are some immediate benefits.
  • 00:04:45.308 --> 00:04:48.578
  • 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
  • 00:04:59.722 --> 00:05:03.359
  • Wronged you.
  • 00:05:03.359 --> 00:05:04.694
  • You don't have to wait until you die to experience that.
  • 00:05:04.694 --> 00:05:06.829
  • Right now, those kingdom benefits belong to you.
  • 00:05:06.829 --> 00:05:11.601
  • Now, this is where a lot of christians get mixed up and
  • 00:05:11.601 --> 00:05:14.704
  • A lot of non-christians get mixed up.
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  • They may say, "well, you know, that sounds good.
  • 00:05:17.106 --> 00:05:22.178
  • So how am i gonna start experiencing those kingdom
  • 00:05:22.178 --> 00:05:25.415
  • Benefits right now?
  • 00:05:25.415 --> 00:05:27.016
  • How do i become a part of the kingdom of god?"
  • 00:05:27.016 --> 00:05:29.519
  • Let's go back to our great britain illustration for just
  • 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:31.888
  • A moment.
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  • You know, amy and i have been watching "the crown" on netflix.
  • 00:05:33.222 --> 00:05:37.126
  • And let's just suppose one evening we're watching that and
  • 00:05:37.126 --> 00:05:40.129
  • We say, "you know what, that queen elizabeth, she's a pretty
  • 00:05:40.129 --> 00:05:43.366
  • Cool chick and you know, we'd like to be a part of
  • 00:05:43.366 --> 00:05:46.602
  • Her kingdom.
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  • We would like to live under her reign."
  • 00:05:47.937 --> 00:05:50.840
  • And so what do we do?
  • 00:05:50.840 --> 00:05:52.208
  • 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?
  • 00:06:08.524 --> 00:06:12.395
  • 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
  • 00:06:17.366 --> 00:06:20.503
  • Citizens of great britain.
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  • It is the same way with becoming a part of god's kingdom.
  • 00:06:23.072 --> 00:06:26.809
  • Telling people to quit getting angry or to start forgiving or
  • 00:06:26.809 --> 00:06:31.147
  • Be pure in your relationships, that is useless because people
  • 00:06:31.147 --> 00:06:36.385
  • Can't do that naturally.
  • 00:06:36.385 --> 00:06:37.954
  • 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.
  • 00:06:41.991 --> 00:06:46.496
  • We're in a series right now called "seven marks of
  • 00:06:46.496 --> 00:06:49.632
  • A disciple."
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  • And we've said that the essence of being a disciple is a changed
  • 00:06:51.133 --> 00:06:56.272
  • Life that comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:06:56.272 --> 00:06:59.876
  • If you haven't written that down yet, write it down across your
  • 00:06:59.876 --> 00:07:02.945
  • Outline, because that's what it means to be a disciple.
  • 00:07:02.945 --> 00:07:05.915
  • A disciple is somebody who experiences a changed life that
  • 00:07:05.915 --> 00:07:10.486
  • Comes from a transformed heart and today we're looking at that
  • 00:07:10.486 --> 00:07:15.525
  • First mark of a disciple, which is a transformed heart.
  • 00:07:15.525 --> 00:07:20.863
  • You will never become a citizen of god's kingdom, you will never
  • 00:07:20.863 --> 00:07:25.568
  • Enjoy the benefits of living as a citizen of god's kingdom,
  • 00:07:25.568 --> 00:07:29.372
  • Until you have that transformation of your heart,
  • 00:07:29.372 --> 00:07:32.341
  • And that's what we're going to talk about today.
  • 00:07:32.341 --> 00:07:35.144
  • Today, i'm gonna answer three questions about
  • 00:07:35.144 --> 00:07:38.281
  • Spiritual transformation.
  • 00:07:38.281 --> 00:07:39.749
  • Number one, why is it necessary?
  • 00:07:39.749 --> 00:07:42.518
  • Number two, who's responsible for it?
  • 00:07:42.518 --> 00:07:45.254
  • And number three, what is the process by which it happens in
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  • Our life?
  • 00:07:49.158 --> 00:07:50.526
  • 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.
  • 00:07:56.832 --> 00:08:00.069
  • We're gonna take about a 3-minute
  • 00:08:00.069 --> 00:08:01.404
  • Course on anatomy, according to the bible.
  • 00:08:01.404 --> 00:08:06.208
  • Because if you don't understand this, you'll never understand
  • 00:08:06.208 --> 00:08:08.377
  • What we're talking about needs to be transformed until you
  • 00:08:08.377 --> 00:08:11.547
  • Understand what the bible teaches about the heart.
  • 00:08:11.547 --> 00:08:15.585
  • You know, in our culture we have been influenced by
  • 00:08:15.585 --> 00:08:18.454
  • Greek philosophy.
  • 00:08:18.454 --> 00:08:19.822
  • Greek philosophy separates the mind from the heart.
  • 00:08:19.822 --> 00:08:23.459
  • The mind is the real us.
  • 00:08:23.459 --> 00:08:25.227
  • It's our intellect, it's our will.
  • 00:08:25.227 --> 00:08:27.863
  • The heart is simply that seat of emotions that can never really
  • 00:08:27.863 --> 00:08:32.134
  • Be trusted.
  • 00:08:32.134 --> 00:08:33.502
  • But according to the bible, the heart is the center of the
  • 00:08:33.502 --> 00:08:37.373
  • Real us.
  • 00:08:37.373 --> 00:08:38.741
  • It's the center of our intellect.
  • 00:08:38.741 --> 00:08:40.409
  • It's the center of our will and it's the center of our emotion.
  • 00:08:40.409 --> 00:08:44.614
  • For example, the bible teaches the heart is the center
  • 00:08:44.614 --> 00:08:47.316
  • Of intellect.
  • 00:08:47.316 --> 00:08:48.684
  • Proverbs 23:7: "as a man thinks in his," what?
  • 00:08:48.684 --> 00:08:53.089
  • "heart, so is he."
  • 00:08:53.089 --> 00:08:55.091
  • Where do we think?
  • 00:08:55.091 --> 00:08:56.459
  • It's in our heart.
  • 00:08:56.459 --> 00:08:57.893
  • It's also the center of our will, the choices that we make.
  • 00:08:57.893 --> 00:09:01.764
  • In mark 3:5, there's a description of the pharisees who
  • 00:09:01.764 --> 00:09:06.268
  • Rejected christ.
  • 00:09:06.268 --> 00:09:07.637
  • It says: "and looking around at them with anger, grieved at the
  • 00:09:07.637 --> 00:09:13.042
  • Hardness of their heart."
  • 00:09:13.042 --> 00:09:15.211
  • It was their heart that had made the decision to reject christ.
  • 00:09:15.211 --> 00:09:19.181
  • Even many times in the bible, the heart is the center
  • 00:09:19.181 --> 00:09:22.618
  • Of emotions.
  • 00:09:22.618 --> 00:09:23.953
  • Now sometimes, in the old testament especially, the seat
  • 00:09:23.953 --> 00:09:27.423
  • Of emotions were the bowels, the intestines, of a person, but in
  • 00:09:27.423 --> 00:09:34.630
  • The new testament they decided that for valentine's day you
  • 00:09:34.630 --> 00:09:37.199
  • Don't want to put a picture of somebody's intestines, so they
  • 00:09:37.199 --> 00:09:40.169
  • Started talking about the heart as being the place of emotion
  • 00:09:40.169 --> 00:09:44.340
  • And you see that throughout the new testament.
  • 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:46.876
  • For example, luke 24, verse 32, remember there were two
  • 00:09:46.876 --> 00:09:50.780
  • Disciples of christ after the resurrection who were walking on
  • 00:09:50.780 --> 00:09:53.749
  • The road to emmaus and jesus appeared to them and started
  • 00:09:53.749 --> 00:09:57.053
  • Conversing with them, and at first they couldn't figure out
  • 00:09:57.053 --> 00:09:59.555
  • Who he was, but notice verse 32: "and they said to one another,
  • 00:09:59.555 --> 00:10:03.659
  • 'were our hearts not burning within us while he was speaking
  • 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:07.663
  • To us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures
  • 00:10:07.663 --> 00:10:11.701
  • To us?'"
  • 00:10:11.701 --> 00:10:13.035
  • The heart in the bible is the center of our thought, our will,
  • 00:10:13.035 --> 00:10:17.039
  • And emotions.
  • 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:18.474
  • Your heart is the real you.
  • 00:10:18.474 --> 00:10:20.876
  • Now, there is a visible you that everybody sees, but then there
  • 00:10:20.876 --> 00:10:24.647
  • Is the real you that god sees.
  • 00:10:24.647 --> 00:10:27.083
  • Man looks on the outward appearance, the physical, but
  • 00:10:27.083 --> 00:10:30.486
  • God looks at the heart.
  • 00:10:30.486 --> 00:10:33.723
  • Now, the bible teaches us that the visible us, that is our
  • 00:10:33.723 --> 00:10:39.028
  • Bodies, begin deteriorating the moment we draw our first breath.
  • 00:10:39.028 --> 00:10:45.201
  • Did you know that?
  • 00:10:45.201 --> 00:10:46.535
  • The moment you're born, your body starts deteriorating, and
  • 00:10:46.535 --> 00:10:50.473
  • Then when you hit age 50, it hits warp speed.
  • 00:10:50.473 --> 00:10:55.144
  • Do i hear an amen on that?
  • 00:10:55.144 --> 00:10:57.880
  • But here's the good news.
  • 00:10:57.880 --> 00:10:59.515
  • Even though we are decaying physically, we can be
  • 00:10:59.515 --> 00:11:02.685
  • Transformed spiritually.
  • 00:11:02.685 --> 00:11:04.754
  • 2 corinthians 4:16 says: "therefore we do not lose heart,
  • 00:11:04.754 --> 00:11:09.625
  • But though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is
  • 00:11:09.625 --> 00:11:14.296
  • Being renewed day by day."
  • 00:11:14.296 --> 00:11:17.566
  • Now when we talk about spiritual transformation to allow us to
  • 00:11:17.566 --> 00:11:22.505
  • Live the kind of life we want to live, we're talking about the
  • 00:11:22.505 --> 00:11:25.875
  • Transformation of our heart, our mind, our will, and
  • 00:11:25.875 --> 00:11:30.412
  • Our emotions.
  • 00:11:30.412 --> 00:11:32.214
  • Why is that transformation necessary?
  • 00:11:32.214 --> 00:11:34.383
  • Well, look at what the bible tells us about the heart.
  • 00:11:34.383 --> 00:11:37.219
  • There are three insights the bible gives us about our hearts.
  • 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:40.489
  • First of all, our hearts determine our behavior.
  • 00:11:40.489 --> 00:11:45.094
  • Our hearts determine our behavior.
  • 00:11:45.094 --> 00:11:47.329
  • Acts of sexual immorality, outbursts of anger, greed that
  • 00:11:47.329 --> 00:11:52.434
  • Would cause us to steal.
  • 00:11:52.434 --> 00:11:53.769
  • These are not involuntary responses.
  • 00:11:53.769 --> 00:11:57.606
  • They are all the fruit, the manifestation, of what is in
  • 00:11:57.606 --> 00:12:02.178
  • Our heart.
  • 00:12:02.178 --> 00:12:03.546
  • Jesus said in matthew 12, verse 35: "the good man out of his
  • 00:12:03.546 --> 00:12:07.917
  • Good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of
  • 00:12:07.917 --> 00:12:12.588
  • His evil treasure brings forth what is evil."
  • 00:12:12.588 --> 00:12:16.926
  • To try to change somebody's behavior without changing their
  • 00:12:16.926 --> 00:12:20.196
  • Heart is absolutely futile.
  • 00:12:20.196 --> 00:12:23.399
  • You know, it used to be popular in youth groups a few years ago
  • 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:27.636
  • To have these campaigns for sexual abstinence.
  • 00:12:27.636 --> 00:12:34.376
  • In order to encourage teenagers to say no to premarital sex,
  • 00:12:34.376 --> 00:12:40.516
  • There would be programs on abstinence and you'd actually
  • 00:12:40.516 --> 00:12:43.485
  • Have a ceremony where people would put on a ring to make
  • 00:12:43.485 --> 00:12:47.356
  • A pledge that they were gonna remain sexually pure until they
  • 00:12:47.356 --> 00:12:51.160
  • Got married: a wonderful goal, something everybody should
  • 00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:56.532
  • Desire to do.
  • 00:12:56.532 --> 00:12:58.667
  • The problem with those programs though was people went through
  • 00:12:58.667 --> 00:13:02.938
  • The ceremony and then that was sunday, then came friday night.
  • 00:13:02.938 --> 00:13:08.043
  • And they're in the backseat of somebody's car and the hormones
  • 00:13:08.043 --> 00:13:12.581
  • Start to rage and they give in to their desire for immorality
  • 00:13:12.581 --> 00:13:18.921
  • And they end up breaking that pledge so they come back and
  • 00:13:18.921 --> 00:13:21.390
  • They make a new vow.
  • 00:13:21.390 --> 00:13:22.892
  • "lord, this time i really mean it and i'm gonna do it."
  • 00:13:22.892 --> 00:13:25.628
  • Maybe they put on another ring, but they fail again.
  • 00:13:25.628 --> 00:13:30.032
  • Now i'm not ridiculing that desire to do that.
  • 00:13:30.032 --> 00:13:32.301
  • It is a worthy goal, but here's the problem.
  • 00:13:32.301 --> 00:13:35.671
  • After a couple of failures, the teenager comes to the
  • 00:13:35.671 --> 00:13:38.240
  • Conclusion, this just isn't working.
  • 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:41.477
  • It is impossible for me to ever have any victory over these
  • 00:13:41.477 --> 00:13:45.347
  • Desires in my life, and they give up completely.
  • 00:13:45.347 --> 00:13:49.051
  • To try to instigate, eliminate or modify your behavior without
  • 00:13:49.051 --> 00:13:53.822
  • The change of a heart is futile, and it leads to frustration and
  • 00:13:53.822 --> 00:13:58.494
  • A life of defeat.
  • 00:13:58.494 --> 00:14:00.262
  • If you're gonna teach sexual abstinence, and we do here at
  • 00:14:00.262 --> 00:14:03.399
  • First baptist dallas, we also have to go along and say, how do
  • 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:06.969
  • You change your thoughts, your will and your emotions to allow
  • 00:14:06.969 --> 00:14:10.339
  • You to say no to those things that are displeasing to god?
  • 00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:15.077
  • The bible says our heart is where all behavior
  • 00:14:15.077 --> 00:14:17.646
  • Emanates from.
  • 00:14:17.646 --> 00:14:19.281
  • Secondly, the bible teaches our hearts have been polluted.
  • 00:14:19.281 --> 00:14:23.852
  • We have all inherited a polluted heart.
  • 00:14:23.852 --> 00:14:27.690
  • Did you know that's true of how god views every person who
  • 00:14:27.690 --> 00:14:30.192
  • Is born?
  • 00:14:30.192 --> 00:14:31.560
  • The moment we are born into this world, we are born with
  • 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:34.296
  • Defective hearts, and the only thing that comes out of our
  • 00:14:34.296 --> 00:14:37.700
  • Minds are evil thoughts in god's eyes.
  • 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:41.070
  • Through jeremiah the prophet, god said in jeremiah 17:9: "the
  • 00:14:41.070 --> 00:14:45.374
  • Heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick;
  • 00:14:45.374 --> 00:14:52.047
  • Who can understand it?"
  • 00:14:52.047 --> 00:14:54.016
  • People today want to talk about the goodness of the human heart.
  • 00:14:54.016 --> 00:14:57.219
  • That's not god's point of view.
  • 00:14:57.219 --> 00:14:59.188
  • By god's absolute pure standards, every heart is
  • 00:14:59.188 --> 00:15:03.258
  • Desperately wicked.
  • 00:15:03.258 --> 00:15:05.627
  • How did that happen?
  • 00:15:05.627 --> 00:15:06.996
  • How did our hearts become wicked?
  • 00:15:06.996 --> 00:15:09.098
  • Romans 5:12 tells us this virus that infects our heart came
  • 00:15:09.098 --> 00:15:14.737
  • Through adam.
  • 00:15:14.737 --> 00:15:16.071
  • "therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and
  • 00:15:16.071 --> 00:15:19.775
  • Death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because
  • 00:15:19.775 --> 00:15:24.480
  • All sinned."
  • 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:26.949
  • From adam, we inherited this defective heart.
  • 00:15:26.949 --> 00:15:31.620
  • And paul describes exactly what the result of that heart is in
  • 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:36.792
  • Romans 5:6.
  • 00:15:36.792 --> 00:15:38.127
  • He says, "for while we were still helpless, at the right
  • 00:15:38.127 --> 00:15:41.530
  • Time christ died for the ungodly."
  • 00:15:41.530 --> 00:15:46.268
  • The phrase or the word "ungodly" describes the condition of our
  • 00:15:46.268 --> 00:15:50.839
  • Life because of our defective heart.
  • 00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:53.409
  • Do you know in the english language that prefix "un"
  • 00:15:53.409 --> 00:15:57.546
  • Means not.
  • 00:15:57.546 --> 00:16:00.582
  • For example, we think of an unattractive person as somebody
  • 00:16:00.582 --> 00:16:04.853
  • Who is not attractive.
  • 00:16:04.853 --> 00:16:07.623
  • A person who is unintelligent is a person who is not intelligent.
  • 00:16:07.623 --> 00:16:13.028
  • So we assume that when we see the word here "ungodly," that
  • 00:16:13.028 --> 00:16:17.733
  • Means somebody who is not godly.
  • 00:16:17.733 --> 00:16:21.703
  • But in the greek language that prefix "un" actually
  • 00:16:21.703 --> 00:16:24.940
  • Means against.
  • 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:27.609
  • An ungodly person is not just somebody who is unlike god,
  • 00:16:27.609 --> 00:16:31.013
  • Well, duh, we're all unlike god, but that phrase actually means
  • 00:16:31.013 --> 00:16:34.583
  • Somebody who is against god.
  • 00:16:34.583 --> 00:16:37.519
  • And the bible says christ came to die for all of us who
  • 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:41.423
  • Are ungodly.
  • 00:16:41.423 --> 00:16:42.825
  • That is our state in god's eyes.
  • 00:16:42.825 --> 00:16:44.626
  • We are against god and that's why every time god says no,
  • 00:16:44.626 --> 00:16:51.600
  • Our first inclination is to say yes.
  • 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:55.204
  • And when god says yes to something, our first inclination
  • 00:16:55.204 --> 00:16:58.540
  • Is to say no.
  • 00:16:58.540 --> 00:17:00.709
  • We are born ungodly.
  • 00:17:00.709 --> 00:17:04.646
  • Our hearts are the center of our actions.
  • 00:17:04.646 --> 00:17:07.449
  • Our hearts have been polluted.
  • 00:17:07.449 --> 00:17:08.817
  • Thirdly, our hearts can be transformed.
  • 00:17:08.817 --> 00:17:12.754
  • That's the good news.
  • 00:17:12.754 --> 00:17:14.256
  • Now, in ezekiel 11, verses 19 to 20, god points to that day when
  • 00:17:14.256 --> 00:17:19.528
  • We're going to receive a brand-new heart.
  • 00:17:19.528 --> 00:17:22.397
  • Look at verses 19 and 20: "and i shall give them one heart, and
  • 00:17:22.397 --> 00:17:26.502
  • Shall put a new spirit within them.
  • 00:17:26.502 --> 00:17:28.270
  • And i shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and
  • 00:17:28.270 --> 00:17:31.273
  • Give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and
  • 00:17:31.273 --> 00:17:35.577
  • Keep my ordinances, and do them.
  • 00:17:35.577 --> 00:17:37.679
  • Then they will be my people, and i will be their god."
  • 00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:42.017
  • Did you know one day you're gonna have a heart transplant?
  • 00:17:42.017 --> 00:17:45.721
  • God's gonna give you a brand-new heart that is free from any
  • 00:17:45.721 --> 00:17:49.358
  • Defect whatsoever, a heart that automatically wants to please
  • 00:17:49.358 --> 00:17:54.029
  • God, a heart that is never tempted with evil again.
  • 00:17:54.029 --> 00:17:57.399
  • How many of you are ready for that kind of heart?
  • 00:17:57.399 --> 00:18:00.536
  • Well, the good news is it's coming.
  • 00:18:00.536 --> 00:18:02.971
  • The bad news is you have to wait for it.
  • 00:18:02.971 --> 00:18:05.841
  • That heart transplant one day is coming.
  • 00:18:05.841 --> 00:18:09.044
  • Does that mean then i have to walk around with this defective
  • 00:18:09.044 --> 00:18:13.315
  • Heart that is opposed to god and keeps me from benefiting from
  • 00:18:13.315 --> 00:18:17.219
  • The kingdom of god?
  • 00:18:17.219 --> 00:18:18.587
  • No, even though we don't receive a new heart right now, we can
  • 00:18:18.587 --> 00:18:22.758
  • Experience a transformed heart.
  • 00:18:22.758 --> 00:18:25.727
  • Again, think about your physical heart.
  • 00:18:25.727 --> 00:18:28.397
  • Maybe what you'd really like is a brand-new heart, but you can't
  • 00:18:28.397 --> 00:18:32.634
  • Afford that right now.
  • 00:18:32.634 --> 00:18:34.603
  • So do you have to walk around with a completely
  • 00:18:34.603 --> 00:18:36.872
  • Defective heart?
  • 00:18:36.872 --> 00:18:38.240
  • No, the doctor will say there's some things we can do to
  • 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:40.776
  • Strengthen the heart that you have right now.
  • 00:18:40.776 --> 00:18:43.478
  • We can give you some tablets that will help reduce the plaque
  • 00:18:43.478 --> 00:18:46.882
  • Buildup in your arteries that restrict the blood flow to
  • 00:18:46.882 --> 00:18:49.218
  • Your heart.
  • 00:18:49.218 --> 00:18:50.586
  • Here are some exercises you can perform to strengthen your
  • 00:18:50.586 --> 00:18:53.121
  • Heart muscles.
  • 00:18:53.121 --> 00:18:54.489
  • You can have a transformed heart right now.
  • 00:18:54.489 --> 00:18:57.893
  • God says the same thing to us.
  • 00:18:57.893 --> 00:19:00.062
  • We don't have to live as citizens outside the kingdom
  • 00:19:00.062 --> 00:19:02.898
  • Of god.
  • 00:19:02.898 --> 00:19:04.233
  • We can experience the benefits of obeying god from a heart that
  • 00:19:04.233 --> 00:19:08.370
  • Wants to know him.
  • 00:19:08.370 --> 00:19:10.205
  • We can have a spiritually transformed heart.
  • 00:19:10.205 --> 00:19:13.342
  • Well then, that brings up the second question.
  • 00:19:13.342 --> 00:19:15.043
  • We understand why it's necessary to have something change in our
  • 00:19:15.043 --> 00:19:18.680
  • Heart, but who is responsible for that spiritual
  • 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:22.417
  • Transformation of our heart?
  • 00:19:22.417 --> 00:19:25.254
  • Who is responsible?
  • 00:19:25.254 --> 00:19:26.989
  • I don't know if you've ever been in a meeting like this before.
  • 00:19:26.989 --> 00:19:29.658
  • There's a group, maybe you're part of a club or a church or
  • 00:19:29.658 --> 00:19:33.061
  • Even at your company and as a team, you get all excited about
  • 00:19:33.061 --> 00:19:36.298
  • Some future goals.
  • 00:19:36.298 --> 00:19:37.666
  • "yeah, that's what we want to do in our organization.
  • 00:19:37.666 --> 00:19:39.434
  • That would be great."
  • 00:19:39.434 --> 00:19:40.769
  • Everybody gets excited, but the moderator ends the meeting
  • 00:19:40.769 --> 00:19:43.972
  • Before ever delegating the responsibilities.
  • 00:19:43.972 --> 00:19:47.342
  • Who's responsible for what?
  • 00:19:47.342 --> 00:19:50.178
  • And nothing ends up getting done because the truth is,
  • 00:19:50.178 --> 00:19:54.549
  • Everybody's business becomes nobody's business.
  • 00:19:54.549 --> 00:19:58.287
  • Unless there's a clear understanding of who is
  • 00:19:58.287 --> 00:20:00.489
  • Responsible for what assignment, nothing ever gets done.
  • 00:20:00.489 --> 00:20:04.159
  • It's the same way in the spiritual transformation of
  • 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:07.129
  • Our heart.
  • 00:20:07.129 --> 00:20:08.463
  • Who's responsible for that?
  • 00:20:08.463 --> 00:20:09.965
  • Is god responsible or am i responsible?
  • 00:20:09.965 --> 00:20:14.169
  • We better understand it if it's going to happen.
  • 00:20:14.169 --> 00:20:16.972
  • Now there are some people who would say, "oh well, that's
  • 00:20:16.972 --> 00:20:18.707
  • God's responsibility, pastor.
  • 00:20:18.707 --> 00:20:20.309
  • Surely you know that?
  • 00:20:20.309 --> 00:20:22.077
  • Just as we can't save ourselves, god alone can save us, only god
  • 00:20:22.077 --> 00:20:26.882
  • Alone is capable of transforming our hearts to become the kind of
  • 00:20:26.882 --> 00:20:31.053
  • People we want to become."
  • 00:20:31.053 --> 00:20:32.788
  • In fact, people who believe that will actually point to
  • 00:20:32.788 --> 00:20:35.157
  • Scripture: galatians 3, verse 3.
  • 00:20:35.157 --> 00:20:37.025
  • Paul said, "are you so foolish?
  • 00:20:37.025 --> 00:20:39.728
  • Having begun by the spirit, are you now being perfected by
  • 00:20:39.728 --> 00:20:43.332
  • The flesh?"
  • 00:20:43.332 --> 00:20:44.700
  • They say, "paul is very clear.
  • 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:46.968
  • If you were saved by grace, do you think you can become more
  • 00:20:46.968 --> 00:20:50.539
  • Like jesus through the flesh through human effort?"
  • 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:54.142
  • But an examination of the context here shows you that's
  • 00:20:54.142 --> 00:20:57.179
  • Not what paul is talking about.
  • 00:20:57.179 --> 00:20:59.147
  • He's not talking about how we become like jesus as christians,
  • 00:20:59.147 --> 00:21:02.584
  • He's talking about salvation.
  • 00:21:02.584 --> 00:21:04.686
  • He said if you begin by trusting in christ's grace alone for your
  • 00:21:04.686 --> 00:21:11.259
  • Salvation, why would you switch horses in the middle of the
  • 00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:14.229
  • Street, so to speak, and start depending on your flesh,
  • 00:21:14.229 --> 00:21:18.066
  • Your good works, to save you?
  • 00:21:18.066 --> 00:21:20.001
  • If you begin by trusting in the spirit of god, why not keep on
  • 00:21:20.001 --> 00:21:24.406
  • Trusting in the spirit of god for your justification?
  • 00:21:24.406 --> 00:21:28.043
  • He's not talking about how we transform our lives here.
  • 00:21:28.043 --> 00:21:32.314
  • You know, dallas willard has a great insight on this.
  • 00:21:32.314 --> 00:21:36.017
  • He says, "grace and effort are not opposites."
  • 00:21:36.017 --> 00:21:41.323
  • We get the idea in christianity, "oh, if we exert any effort,
  • 00:21:41.323 --> 00:21:45.060
  • There's something wrong.
  • 00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:46.395
  • It all has to be of god."
  • 00:21:46.395 --> 00:21:47.763
  • No, grace and effort are not opposites; grace and earning
  • 00:21:47.763 --> 00:21:53.001
  • Are opposites.
  • 00:21:53.001 --> 00:21:54.736
  • Working for your salvation is heresy.
  • 00:21:54.736 --> 00:21:57.939
  • But working out your salvation is basic bible.
  • 00:21:57.939 --> 00:22:02.744
  • Grace and effort are allies, not enemies.
  • 00:22:02.744 --> 00:22:07.315
  • Let me show you that in scripture.
  • 00:22:07.315 --> 00:22:08.750
  • Turn over to philippians chapter 2, verses 12 to 13.
  • 00:22:08.750 --> 00:22:13.889
  • Philippians chapter 2, verses 12 to 13.
  • 00:22:13.889 --> 00:22:19.828
  • Paul says, "so then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,
  • 00:22:19.828 --> 00:22:25.000
  • Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
  • 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:29.638
  • Work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
  • 00:22:29.638 --> 00:22:38.046
  • Jeffress: working out your salvation may seem heavy and
  • 00:22:39.147 --> 00:22:42.684
  • Difficult, but believe me when i say the spirit of god is your
  • 00:22:42.684 --> 00:22:46.955
  • Companion, and he will provide everything you need.
  • 00:22:46.955 --> 00:22:51.393
  • Now, in closing, i want to share a note i received from alan in
  • 00:22:51.393 --> 00:22:54.496
  • Virginia, who shared, "through 'pathway to victory's' ministry,
  • 00:22:54.496 --> 00:22:58.900
  • I have grown into a new level of maturity and conviction
  • 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:02.537
  • Of the spirit.
  • 00:23:02.537 --> 00:23:03.872
  • The materials i receive and the daily messages i hear are a
  • 00:23:03.872 --> 00:23:07.709
  • Great part of my instruction, edification, correction, and
  • 00:23:07.709 --> 00:23:12.180
  • Sanctification.
  • 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.882
  • Gratefully, my wife has also joined me in receiving god's
  • 00:23:13.882 --> 00:23:17.252
  • Word and what it truly means to be a christian."
  • 00:23:17.252 --> 00:23:21.556
  • Well, thank you, alan, for sharing this tremendous letter
  • 00:23:21.556 --> 00:23:24.426
  • Of encouragement.
  • 00:23:24.426 --> 00:23:25.994
  • And friends, thank you for helping me proclaim the truth of
  • 00:23:25.994 --> 00:23:28.964
  • God's word through your faithful support and for standing with me
  • 00:23:28.964 --> 00:23:33.268
  • To continue this bold, biblical, and practical ministry that
  • 00:23:33.268 --> 00:23:37.772
  • Transforms lives.
  • 00:23:37.772 --> 00:23:39.541
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:23:39.541 --> 00:23:40.876
  • I'll be back in a moment with more "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:40.876 --> 00:23:45.113
  • Announcer: we all need god's strength to make it through
  • 00:23:46.248 --> 00:23:48.450
  • The day.
  • 00:23:48.450 --> 00:23:49.784
  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" by dr. robert
  • 00:23:49.784 --> 00:23:52.287
  • 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.
  • 00:23:59.461 --> 00:24:03.265
  • 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.
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  • 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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  • 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
  • 00:25:08.530 --> 00:25:12.601
  • Of god's word.
  • 00:25:12.601 --> 00:25:14.736
  • Jeffress: the heart is the center of our thought life, our
  • 00:25:15.870 --> 00:25:18.907
  • Will, and our emotions.
  • 00:25:18.907 --> 00:25:21.309
  • It is also the center for spiritual transformation, and
  • 00:25:21.309 --> 00:25:25.146
  • The great news is you can have a transformed heart right now.
  • 00:25:25.146 --> 00:25:29.618
  • But that brings up another question.
  • 00:25:29.618 --> 00:25:31.553
  • We understand why it's necessary to change our hearts, but who is
  • 00:25:31.553 --> 00:25:35.757
  • Responsible for that spiritual transformation?
  • 00:25:35.757 --> 00:25:39.194
  • And what is the process by which our hearts are changed?
  • 00:25:39.194 --> 00:25:43.064
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:25:43.064 --> 00:25:45.600
  • Series, "7 marks of a disciple."
  • 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:49.804
  • Jeffress: being the person god wants you to become takes
  • 00:25:49.804 --> 00:25:53.274
  • Hard work.
  • 00:25:53.274 --> 00:25:54.643
  • It takes holy sweat.
  • 00:25:54.643 --> 00:25:56.711
  • But the end result is well worth the effort.
  • 00:25:56.711 --> 00:26:00.749
  • Bodily discipline, yes, it has benefits, but spiritual
  • 00:26:00.749 --> 00:26:05.053
  • Discipline, it benefits you not just in this life.
  • 00:26:05.053 --> 00:26:10.425
  • But it benefits you beginning right now and extending past the
  • 00:26:10.425 --> 00:26:14.929
  • Grave through all eternity.
  • 00:26:14.929 --> 00:26:17.632
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part 2 of the
  • 00:26:17.632 --> 00:26:20.502
  • Message, "heart surgery 101," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:20.502 --> 00:26:27.175
  • Announcer: step away from your daily routine and immerse
  • 00:26:28.309 --> 00:26:30.679
  • Yourself in god's masterpiece on the "pathway to victory" cruise
  • 00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:34.382
  • To alaska, june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:34.382 --> 00:26:38.286
  • Jeffress: imagine starting each day immersed in god's word, then
  • 00:26:38.286 --> 00:26:41.690
  • Stepping out to witness god's grandeur, from the majestic
  • 00:26:41.690 --> 00:26:45.160
  • Glaciers to soaring eagles.
  • 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:47.896
  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith in
  • 00:26:47.896 --> 00:26:51.266
  • Powerful ways.
  • 00:26:51.266 --> 00:26:52.667
  • Announcer: experience 5-star dining, luxurious state rooms,
  • 00:26:52.667 --> 00:26:55.870
  • And exceptional service while visiting iconic ports like
  • 00:26:55.870 --> 00:26:58.740
  • Juneau, ketchikan, and skagway.
  • 00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:01.309
  • Jeffress: we'll explore god's word together against the
  • 00:27:01.309 --> 00:27:03.745
  • Backdrop of his most impressive handiwork.
  • 00:27:03.745 --> 00:27:07.082
  • I promise, you'll return home with memories that will last a
  • 00:27:07.082 --> 00:27:10.452
  • Lifetime and a heart renewed by god's presence.
  • 00:27:10.452 --> 00:27:14.789
  • Announcer: to book your spot on the 2026 "pathway to victory"
  • 00:27:14.789 --> 00:27:17.592
  • Cruise to alaska, call... or go to ptv.org.
  • 00:27:17.592 --> 00:27:17.592