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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - How Should We Now Live (Part 1) | June 19, 2026
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- ♪♪♪
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- Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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- Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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- With 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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- In times like these, it's tempting to put your head
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- Down and just try to survive, but that is not what god
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- Has called his people to do.
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- The darker the world becomes, the more urgent our calling.
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- Today i'm going to show you how followers of christ should live
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- When the world around them is falling apart.
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- My message is titled, "how should we now live?"
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- Jeffress: before today's program begins, i want to invite you to
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- Join me for a special message about america's future.
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- Our nation is celebrating 250 years, but can we survive
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- 250 more?
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- Mark your calendar for june 21 and june 28 to hear this timely
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- Message, "america at the crossroads: can we survive
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- Another 250 years?"
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- On "pathway to victory."
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- Announcer: as our nation marks 250 years, america
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- Stands at a crossroads.
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- Will we return to the god who blessed us or continue down a
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- Path that leads to ruin?
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- Through the in god we trust matching challenge, your gift
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- Today will be doubled in ministry impact.
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- For 30 years, "pathway to victory" has pierced the
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- Darkness of our nation with the light of god's word by sharing
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- Biblical truth that transforms hearts.
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- Join us in this critical hour by giving toward the in god we
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- Trust matching challenge today.
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- ♪♪♪
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- Jeffress: a survey a few months ago asked a cross section of
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- Americans this question, which better describes how you feel
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- About the way things are going in the world these days?
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- The survey offered two possible responses.
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- Response number one, everything will be all right.
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- Response number two, things are going to hell in a hand basket.
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- Would you be surprised to know that 60% of americans chose
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- That second response?
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- Things are going to hell in a hand basket.
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- By way of note, it's the first time going to hell in a hand
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- Basket was ever used in a national survey before.
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- But that's how many people feel about the world condition.
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- Another group, 64% of voters said that they believe that the
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- World is spinning out of control.
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- 84% of americans in another poll said they believe isis poses
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- A real threat to american security.
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- It's not surprising then that in another poll, 70% of all
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- Americans said they are angry about the direction
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- In which the world is going.
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- People are asking the question, what is the world coming to?
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- Where are we headed?
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- Is anybody really in charge?
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- The answer to all of those questions is found in a single
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- Event toward which all history is marching.
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- That event is the apocalypse, the unveiling the revelation,
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- The return of jesus christ.
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- And today we're going to talk about the return of jesus christ
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- And how we should be living as believers in light
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- Of his return.
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- Over and over again in scripture we find the promise of jesus
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- That he will come again.
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- And the bible says two things about the return of jesus.
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- First of all, his coming is absolutely certain.
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- Remember in john 14, jesus was meeting with his disciples
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- Before he was crucified and resurrected from the dead.
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- And he made this promise in john 14:3, "and if i go and prepare a
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- Place for you, i will come again, and receive you to
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- Myself: that where i am, there you may be also."
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- Jesus promise, i will come again.
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- And you see that promise from genesis to revelation throughout
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- The bible about the lord's triumphant return.
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- Did you know in the new testament alone, there are over
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- 300 verses that talk about the return of jesus?
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- One out of every 13 verses in the new testament has something
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- To do about the lord's return.
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- And although christians have always differed on some of the
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- Minute details of his return, the constant refrain from the
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- Beginning of christianity has been this,
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- Jesus is coming again.
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- You know, you see that certainty of the lord's return found in
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- Acts chapter 1.
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- Remember jesus had been on the earth 40 days
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- After his resurrection.
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- He was in his new body and thousands of people saw him,
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- And finally he assembled with his followers
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- On the mount of olives.
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- Many of us have been there before and jesus
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- Ascended into the heavens.
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- Can you imagine what that scene was like?
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- I've often tried to imagine that standing on those mountains as
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- The disciples looked up and they saw the lord
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- Lifted up into heaven.
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- And as they were gazing into heaven, the people, two angels
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- Said to them in acts 1:11, "men of galilee, why do you stand
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- Gazing into the sky?"
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- Of course, they were gazing in the sky who wouldn't be after
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- Such a miraculous event?
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- But they said, "why do you stand gazing in the sky?
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- This jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come
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- In just the same way as you have watched him go into heaven."
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- And the angels were saying this same jesus, the one you've been
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- With for these last three years, the one you saw go into heaven,
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- He is coming back from heaven in just the same way.
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- How did he go up into heaven?
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- Did he go figuratively into heaven?
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- No, his body ascended into heaven?
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- Jesus went up literally, personally,
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- Visibly, into heaven.
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- And the angel said he is going to return the same way.
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- I've heard these idiotic preachers before, i hear him on
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- The radio sometimes say, "oh, jesus is coming back again.
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- His second coming is when he comes into your heart."
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- That's what some people believe.
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- The second coming of jesus is when you trust in him, when he
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- Comes into your heart.
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- No, the angel said, jesus is coming back literally visibly,
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- Bodily for everyone to see.
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- That's the promise of scripture.
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- His coming is certain.
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- And secondly, the bible promises his coming is soon.
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- His coming, his second coming will be soon.
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- How can you say that pastor with such certainty?
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- Well, the fact is there are no prophecies that have
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- To be fulfilled before the rapture takes place.
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- Remember, the rapture comes--takes place seven years
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- Before the second coming.
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- The rapture is imminent.
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- It could happen before we enter into the invitation time in just
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- A few moments.
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- So in that sense, his coming is soon.
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- Think about it this way, if 2,000 years ago, the apostles
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- Were talking about the soon coming of the lord, how much
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- Closer is his coming today than it was 2,000 years ago?
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- In fact, paul alluded to that in romans chapter 13 verses 11
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- To 12, paul believed the lord was coming soon.
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- Listen to what he says.
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- "and this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for
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- You to awaken from sleep, for now salvation is nearer to us
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- Than when we believed.
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- The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand."
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- Paul had done the math in his head.
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- He had figured out that the coming of the lord is closer
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- And it's easy to see why he believed that.
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- If there is a date certain on god's calendar, when christ is
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- Coming back again, every second that passes moves us
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- Closer to that day.
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- And paul is saying to these romans, look at this,
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- "our salvation."
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- That word refers to our deliverance that will occur
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- When christ returns.
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- Our deliverance out of this sin infected world.
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- Our salvation is nearer to us today than when we believed
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- A few years ago.
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- Time is passing.
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- It is moving us toward that soon return of jesus christ.
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- Imagine if the apostle paul were writing to us today, what would
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- He say to us, the first baptist church of dallas?
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- He would have said, "wake up, remove the sleep from your eyes.
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- If i thought the lord's return were close 2,000 years ago when
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- I first wrote to the romans, how much closer is it today?
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- The lord's return is near.
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- He is coming soon.
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- That is the promise of romans 15 verse 13.
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- Well, how are we supposed to live?
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- We're to live expectantly, we're to live knowing what time it is.
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- Well, how are we to be living in light of that certain and soon
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- Coming of the lord.
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- As you look through scripture, there are three qualities that
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- Ought to characterize every believer who finds himself
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- Living in the last days.
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- First of all, the bible says, we are to be people of hope.
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- We're to be people of hope.
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- You know, it's easy to look at the world situation today and
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- Get discouraged.
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- Not long ago, the former defense secretary chuck hagel spoke at
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- The washington ideas festival.
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- He wasn't sanguine about the future of the world.
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- He said, quote, "i think we are living through one of the most
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- Historic defining times.
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- We are seeing a new world order -- post world war 2,
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- Post-soviet union implosion being built, tyranny,
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- Terrorism... [are] going to be with us.
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- It's a reality.
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- I see these things continuing."
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- In other words, get used to the world situation.
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- It's going to continue, it is only going to get worse.
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- So pastor, how can we be people of hope given what's happening
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- In the world today?
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- Ladies and gentlemen, our hope does not rest in washington dc.
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- Our hope is not found in any politician.
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- Listen to what the psalmist said.
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- Psalm 39:7, "and now lord, for what do i wait?
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- My hope is in thee."
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- Our hope is in the everlasting god.
- 00:11:12.728 --> 00:11:17.166
- And romans 15:13 contains one of the most beautiful benedictions
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- Found in all scripture.
- 00:11:20.870 --> 00:11:22.571
- Paul closes, "now may the god of hope fill you with all joy and
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- Peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope
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- By the power of the holy spirit."
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- Do you see the repetition of that?
- 00:11:34.016 --> 00:11:35.818
- We serve the god of hope, and because of that we ought to
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- Abound in hope ourselves.
- 00:11:40.156 --> 00:11:42.091
- That word abound is a very interesting word.
- 00:11:42.091 --> 00:11:45.027
- It's a word that refers to a river that overflows its banks.
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- That is when people get close to us, they can't help but get
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- Splashed by the hope of god.
- 00:11:54.870 --> 00:11:57.973
- And that's because we're hopeful.
- 00:11:57.973 --> 00:12:00.342
- One of the worst witnesses we can be to unbelievers is to go
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- Around depressed and scared and fearful.
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- Oh, what's gonna happen next?
- 00:12:07.016 --> 00:12:08.350
- What's gonna--that is no witness.
- 00:12:08.350 --> 00:12:10.686
- Remember what the apostle peter said?
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- He said, be ready to give a defense to anyone
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- Who ask for the what?
- 00:12:15.424 --> 00:12:17.860
- The doom and gloom that's in you.
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- The despair that's in you.
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- The discouragement.
- 00:12:21.730 --> 00:12:23.065
- No, be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you
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- For the hope that is within you.
- 00:12:25.267 --> 00:12:28.037
- Christians ought to be the most hopeful, the most optimistic
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- People they are.
- 00:12:30.806 --> 00:12:32.208
- We ought to be overflowing with hope.
- 00:12:32.208 --> 00:12:35.077
- But not only are we to be people of hope, secondly,
- 00:12:35.077 --> 00:12:37.847
- The bible says we are to be people of insight.
- 00:12:37.847 --> 00:12:42.218
- Tucked away in the old testament is a verse that i think best
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- Describes how we ought to be living in times like these.
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- You find it in 1 chronicles chapter 12.
- 00:12:51.694 --> 00:12:54.263
- When's the last time you've been reading devotionally
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- In 1 chronicles 12?
- 00:12:56.732 --> 00:12:58.067
- Probably been a while, hasn't it?
- 00:12:58.067 --> 00:13:00.169
- When we read the list of these endless names and strange people
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- And customs and we think that has no application to us.
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- But in 1 chronicles 12, there is a story about a group of jewish
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- Men who decided to leave the service of king saul
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- And join forces with david, god's man at hebron.
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- And there is a listing of those who chose
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- To join david in battle.
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- And the writers divided them by the 12 tribes of israel.
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- Those from judah, those from levi, benjamin, and ephraim.
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- But when he gets to the tribe of issachar, the men from issachar,
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- The tribe of issachar who chose to follow david, the writer adds
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- These words, 1 chronicles 12:32, "the sons of issachar, men who
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- Understood the times, with knowledge
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- Of what israel should do."
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- Men who understood the times with a knowledge of what they
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- Israel should do.
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- People who live in the last times are people who first of
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- All understand the times.
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- They understand the times.
- 00:14:10.806 --> 00:14:12.207
- These sons of issachar, they knew what was happening
- 00:14:12.207 --> 00:14:15.144
- In their nation.
- 00:14:15.144 --> 00:14:16.712
- They knew that there was a shift in the political winds.
- 00:14:16.712 --> 00:14:20.449
- They had an understanding of the moral and spiritual climate of
- 00:14:20.449 --> 00:14:24.153
- Their nation and we need to be the same way today.
- 00:14:24.153 --> 00:14:28.190
- We need to have our finger on the pulse of what is happening
- 00:14:28.190 --> 00:14:31.627
- In this country and what is happening in this world morally,
- 00:14:31.627 --> 00:14:35.798
- Spiritually, and politically.
- 00:14:35.798 --> 00:14:38.968
- You know, there are some christians, they think they're
- 00:14:38.968 --> 00:14:41.804
- Holier than god is.
- 00:14:41.804 --> 00:14:43.505
- And they just say, "oh, i don't get involved in all these
- 00:14:43.505 --> 00:14:45.774
- Current events and so forth.
- 00:14:45.774 --> 00:14:47.609
- I don't read the newspaper.
- 00:14:47.609 --> 00:14:49.011
- I don't turn on the news.
- 00:14:49.011 --> 00:14:50.446
- It's just too depressing.
- 00:14:50.446 --> 00:14:51.914
- I just read my bible.
- 00:14:51.914 --> 00:14:53.382
- It's just me and god.
- 00:14:53.382 --> 00:14:54.850
- I let other people handle all that stuff."
- 00:14:54.850 --> 00:14:56.418
- That's not being a godly person that's being an ignorant person.
- 00:14:56.418 --> 00:15:00.889
- And god places no premium on ignorance, okay?
- 00:15:00.889 --> 00:15:04.360
- You don't get any brownie points in heaven for being stupid and
- 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:07.162
- Ignorant about what's happening in the world.
- 00:15:07.162 --> 00:15:09.832
- God says, if you're gonna be a godly person, you need to
- 00:15:09.832 --> 00:15:12.801
- Understand the times in which god has placed you.
- 00:15:12.801 --> 00:15:16.005
- That's what the sons of issachar did.
- 00:15:16.005 --> 00:15:17.840
- They understood the times.
- 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:20.209
- And secondly, people of insight are people who know what the
- 00:15:20.209 --> 00:15:24.480
- People of god should do.
- 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:27.416
- The reason they had this insight, the reason they wanted
- 00:15:27.416 --> 00:15:29.918
- To know what was happening in their country is so that they
- 00:15:29.918 --> 00:15:32.521
- Could know what they should do, d-o, take action.
- 00:15:32.521 --> 00:15:36.692
- And they came to the conclusion, it was time to shift allegiances
- 00:15:36.692 --> 00:15:40.062
- And to follow after god's man, david.
- 00:15:40.062 --> 00:15:43.532
- You know, it's very easy for us to get discouraged in the world
- 00:15:43.532 --> 00:15:46.301
- Today and say what terrible times we're living in.
- 00:15:46.301 --> 00:15:49.471
- I think about the catholic theologian,
- 00:15:49.471 --> 00:15:51.206
- Father john neuhaus.
- 00:15:51.206 --> 00:15:53.175
- He was at a speaking engagement in another city and the host had
- 00:15:53.175 --> 00:15:57.546
- Arrived to pick him up at the airport and they were driving to
- 00:15:57.546 --> 00:16:00.416
- The speaking event and the driver was just lamenting about
- 00:16:00.416 --> 00:16:03.719
- What terrible times we're living in what terrible times.
- 00:16:03.719 --> 00:16:07.990
- Father neuhaus finally had all he could take of it.
- 00:16:07.990 --> 00:16:10.292
- And he said "yes, these times may be terrible, but they're the
- 00:16:10.292 --> 00:16:14.229
- Only times god has given us and the sin is a despair."
- 00:16:14.229 --> 00:16:20.402
- That's what the sons of issachar say.
- 00:16:20.402 --> 00:16:23.672
- They say "yes, the times are terrible, but these are the
- 00:16:23.672 --> 00:16:26.308
- Times in which we are living and we ought to be doing something."
- 00:16:26.308 --> 00:16:31.246
- The people of insight are people who not only understand their
- 00:16:31.246 --> 00:16:35.317
- Times, but they know what they should do.
- 00:16:35.317 --> 00:16:39.054
- And that means in these last days,
- 00:16:39.054 --> 00:16:40.622
- We are to be people of action.
- 00:16:40.622 --> 00:16:44.960
- People of action.
- 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:47.096
- Not just hunkering down or sitting on our blessed
- 00:16:47.096 --> 00:16:52.201
- Assurances, if you know what i mean, and
- 00:16:52.201 --> 00:16:54.770
- Waiting for the end to come.
- 00:16:54.770 --> 00:16:57.106
- We're to be people who are doing something.
- 00:16:57.106 --> 00:17:00.776
- I was reading this week, about a well known evangelical pastor,
- 00:17:00.776 --> 00:17:05.981
- You all know him very well, probably one of the most
- 00:17:05.981 --> 00:17:08.450
- Influential evangelical pastors in the world.
- 00:17:08.450 --> 00:17:11.487
- Somebody who has roots to this church many years ago.
- 00:17:11.487 --> 00:17:15.958
- And he was talking to a group of pastors about
- 00:17:15.958 --> 00:17:18.260
- What we ought to be doing.
- 00:17:18.260 --> 00:17:20.295
- And he said some good things.
- 00:17:20.295 --> 00:17:22.464
- He talked about christians need to live out their faith
- 00:17:22.464 --> 00:17:25.734
- In a daily way.
- 00:17:25.734 --> 00:17:27.603
- He said, you know, if we would--christians would stop
- 00:17:27.603 --> 00:17:29.838
- Watching pornography, if christians would stop
- 00:17:29.838 --> 00:17:33.375
- Gossiping and slandering.
- 00:17:33.375 --> 00:17:35.010
- If they would start living true to their faith, we could make
- 00:17:35.010 --> 00:17:36.712
- A difference in this world.
- 00:17:36.712 --> 00:17:38.347
- And i agree with that 100%.
- 00:17:38.347 --> 00:17:41.350
- And then he said something that could not have been more wrong.
- 00:17:41.350 --> 00:17:45.888
- He said, "i believe christians need to take a year off from the
- 00:17:45.888 --> 00:17:51.326
- Culture wars and just concentrate on their own
- 00:17:51.326 --> 00:17:54.997
- Relationship with god."
- 00:17:54.997 --> 00:17:58.200
- Take a year off.
- 00:17:58.200 --> 00:18:00.536
- Take a year off from fighting for the sanctity of life
- 00:18:00.536 --> 00:18:03.906
- When a million babies are being murdered every year.
- 00:18:03.906 --> 00:18:07.376
- Take a year off from that.
- 00:18:07.376 --> 00:18:09.378
- Take a year off from speaking out against immorality
- 00:18:09.378 --> 00:18:12.948
- And the sanctity of marriage that is coming under attack.
- 00:18:12.948 --> 00:18:17.019
- Take a year off from speaking out against human trafficking
- 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:20.422
- And the other atrocities that take place in the world.
- 00:18:20.422 --> 00:18:23.091
- Look, the sons of issachar don't get to take a time off.
- 00:18:23.091 --> 00:18:27.062
- They're always involved in doing god's work and make no mistake
- 00:18:27.062 --> 00:18:31.066
- About it, god has called upon us to confront an evil society.
- 00:18:31.066 --> 00:18:36.471
- He's called upon us to confront evil leaders.
- 00:18:36.471 --> 00:18:40.943
- He's called upon us to confront all immorality and say without
- 00:18:40.943 --> 00:18:45.347
- Stuttering or stammering, "thus saith the lord."
- 00:18:45.347 --> 00:18:49.751
- We are to be actively involved in battle.
- 00:18:49.751 --> 00:18:52.321
- Listen to what jesus said in matthew 5 verses 13 and 14.
- 00:18:52.321 --> 00:18:56.525
- He said, "you are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has
- 00:18:56.525 --> 00:18:59.094
- Become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?
- 00:18:59.094 --> 00:19:03.332
- It is good for nothing except to be thrown out and trampled
- 00:19:03.332 --> 00:19:06.802
- Under foot by men."
- 00:19:06.802 --> 00:19:09.037
- You've heard me say this before, but when jesus talked about
- 00:19:09.037 --> 00:19:12.140
- Being salt, he was talking about being a preservative.
- 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:15.010
- That's what salt did in jesus's day.
- 00:19:15.010 --> 00:19:17.412
- It didn't prevent the decaying of meat,
- 00:19:17.412 --> 00:19:19.681
- It delayed the decay of meat.
- 00:19:19.681 --> 00:19:22.050
- It gave the meat a longer shelf life until it eventually
- 00:19:22.050 --> 00:19:24.486
- Had to be thrown out.
- 00:19:24.486 --> 00:19:26.521
- And jesus said as my representatives in the world
- 00:19:26.521 --> 00:19:29.057
- Today, you are to be salt.
- 00:19:29.057 --> 00:19:31.360
- You're to be a preservative in this culture.
- 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:33.795
- You are to keep this world from prematurely imploding so that
- 00:19:33.795 --> 00:19:37.532
- People have longer to accept the gospel.
- 00:19:37.532 --> 00:19:40.535
- You know, for salt to impact meat, to preserve meat, it can't
- 00:19:40.535 --> 00:19:44.273
- Remain in the salt shaker.
- 00:19:44.273 --> 00:19:46.174
- It has to get out of the shaker.
- 00:19:46.174 --> 00:19:47.976
- It has to penetrate the meat itself to be a preservative.
- 00:19:47.976 --> 00:19:52.180
- God has not called us to take off a year from doing that.
- 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:55.851
- He's called upon us to influence this world to push back against
- 00:19:55.851 --> 00:20:00.155
- The tide of the immorality that is engulfing us.
- 00:20:00.155 --> 00:20:03.458
- We're to be salt.
- 00:20:03.458 --> 00:20:04.993
- But he also said, "you are to be the light of a world.
- 00:20:04.993 --> 00:20:08.530
- A city set on a hill that cannot be hidden."
- 00:20:08.530 --> 00:20:12.134
- We're to be at the same time that we are pushing
- 00:20:12.134 --> 00:20:14.503
- Back against evil.
- 00:20:14.503 --> 00:20:16.004
- We are being the holding forth, we're to be holding forth the
- 00:20:16.004 --> 00:20:18.707
- Word of the light of god.
- 00:20:18.707 --> 00:20:21.009
- It's not either or.
- 00:20:21.009 --> 00:20:22.711
- Jesus didn't say you're to be salt or light, he said,
- 00:20:22.711 --> 00:20:26.648
- You're to be salt and light.
- 00:20:26.648 --> 00:20:29.184
- You're to confront evil, but share jesus at the same time.
- 00:20:29.184 --> 00:20:33.388
- One of my favorite verses in all of the bible is daniel 11:32.
- 00:20:33.388 --> 00:20:38.026
- It says, "the people who know their god shall stand firm
- 00:20:38.026 --> 00:20:43.865
- And take action."
- 00:20:43.865 --> 00:20:46.201
- God has called us not just to understand the times,
- 00:20:46.201 --> 00:20:49.705
- But to do something.
- 00:20:49.705 --> 00:20:51.606
- We're to be people of hope.
- 00:20:51.606 --> 00:20:54.643
- We're to be people of insight, but thirdly,
- 00:20:54.643 --> 00:20:57.446
- We're to be people of courage.
- 00:20:57.446 --> 00:21:00.148
- To be that salt and light in today's world takes courage.
- 00:21:00.148 --> 00:21:05.887
- A.w. tozer once said, "a scared world needs a fearless church."
- 00:21:05.887 --> 00:21:12.227
- God wants us to be fearless people as we stand for him.
- 00:21:12.227 --> 00:21:17.666
- Are you ready to stand for him regardless of the cost?
- 00:21:17.666 --> 00:21:22.404
- Persecution is coming?
- 00:21:22.404 --> 00:21:24.806
- It's coming not just around the world,
- 00:21:24.806 --> 00:21:26.641
- It's coming to this country.
- 00:21:26.641 --> 00:21:28.977
- Are you ready for it?
- 00:21:28.977 --> 00:21:30.379
- Sadly, most christians aren't.
- 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:32.948
- If they just hear of the possibility of suffering or
- 00:21:32.948 --> 00:21:36.451
- Persecution, man, they run for the exits of the church.
- 00:21:36.451 --> 00:21:39.888
- They hide under the bed.
- 00:21:39.888 --> 00:21:41.757
- They're fearful of suffering.
- 00:21:41.757 --> 00:21:43.692
- Jesus said, get ready, it is coming.
- 00:21:43.692 --> 00:21:47.829
- When i think about real persecution, i think about
- 00:21:47.829 --> 00:21:51.099
- A story randy alcorn told the remarkable story of
- 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:54.970
- Graham staines and his family.
- 00:21:54.970 --> 00:21:58.373
- "on january the 23, 1999, graham staines and his two sons,
- 00:21:58.373 --> 00:22:04.413
- Philip, 11 years of age and timothy six years old,
- 00:22:04.413 --> 00:22:08.450
- Were murdered by a large mob of militant hindus.
- 00:22:08.450 --> 00:22:12.554
- They had gone to a christian camp in the jungle
- 00:22:12.554 --> 00:22:14.856
- Where graham was ministering.
- 00:22:14.856 --> 00:22:17.092
- At midnight, the mob attack setting fire to the jeep in
- 00:22:17.092 --> 00:22:20.929
- Which graham and his sons were sleeping.
- 00:22:20.929 --> 00:22:24.099
- They were burned alive.
- 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:26.234
- When the fire finally cooled, they found the charred body of
- 00:22:26.234 --> 00:22:29.438
- Graham staines with his arms around the bodies of his sons.
- 00:22:29.438 --> 00:22:34.943
- The response of his wife, gladys and daughter esther was on the
- 00:22:34.943 --> 00:22:38.847
- Front page of every newspaper in india.
- 00:22:38.847 --> 00:22:42.417
- Gladys said, 'i have only one message for the people of india.
- 00:22:42.417 --> 00:22:47.155
- I am not bitter.
- 00:22:47.155 --> 00:22:48.990
- Neither am i angry but i have one great desire that each
- 00:22:48.990 --> 00:22:53.929
- Citizen of this country should establish a personal
- 00:22:53.929 --> 00:22:57.699
- Relationship with jesus christ who gave up his life
- 00:22:57.699 --> 00:23:02.037
- For their sins.
- 00:23:02.037 --> 00:23:04.072
- Let us burn hatred and spread the flame of christ's love.'
- 00:23:04.072 --> 00:23:10.111
- Many people were surprised when gladys staines decided
- 00:23:10.111 --> 00:23:13.181
- To remain in india.
- 00:23:13.181 --> 00:23:15.250
- She explained her decision this way.
- 00:23:15.250 --> 00:23:17.986
- 'my husband and our children have sacrificed
- 00:23:17.986 --> 00:23:20.188
- Their lives for this nation.
- 00:23:20.188 --> 00:23:22.591
- India is my home.
- 00:23:22.591 --> 00:23:24.559
- I hope to be here and continue to serve the needy.'
- 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:28.296
- When asked how she felt about the murder of her dad,
- 00:23:28.296 --> 00:23:31.199
- 13-year-old esther said, 'i praise the lord
- 00:23:31.199 --> 00:23:35.136
- That he found my father worthy to die for him.'"
- 00:23:35.136 --> 00:23:42.043
- Let me ask you again, are you ready
- 00:23:42.043 --> 00:23:44.646
- To suffer for christ?
- 00:23:44.646 --> 00:23:48.850
- People who find themselves living in the last days
- 00:23:48.850 --> 00:23:52.654
- Need to be people of hope.
- 00:23:52.654 --> 00:23:54.656
- ♪♪♪
- 00:23:54.656 --> 00:24:00.295
- Jeffress: there's much more to cover in this message,
- 00:24:00.295 --> 00:24:02.664
- "how should we now live?"
- 00:24:02.664 --> 00:24:04.966
- And we'll continue our study time on "pathway to victory
- 00:24:04.966 --> 00:24:07.836
- Next time.
- 00:24:07.836 --> 00:24:09.237
- But at its core, the answer is this: we need to live
- 00:24:09.237 --> 00:24:12.941
- With urgency.
- 00:24:12.941 --> 00:24:14.376
- As america enters its 250th year, now is the time to get
- 00:24:14.376 --> 00:24:18.747
- God's word to as many people as possible, and right now through
- 00:24:18.747 --> 00:24:22.784
- The in god we trust matching challenge,
- 00:24:22.784 --> 00:24:25.520
- Every dollar you give to "pathway to victory" between
- 00:24:25.520 --> 00:24:28.023
- Now and july 5 will be matched and therefore doubled
- 00:24:28.023 --> 00:24:31.826
- In impact up to $1.5 million.
- 00:24:31.826 --> 00:24:35.830
- The gospel is the only hope for our nation, and your gift today
- 00:24:35.830 --> 00:24:39.801
- Will help us reach more families than ever before with the
- 00:24:39.801 --> 00:24:43.305
- Transforming truth of god's word.
- 00:24:43.305 --> 00:24:46.174
- Now stay right there.
- 00:24:46.174 --> 00:24:47.509
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory in just a moment.
- 00:24:47.509 --> 00:24:50.912
- Announcer: as our nation celebrates 250 years, do we
- 00:24:52.714 --> 00:24:56.618
- Still remember the faith that built america?
- 00:24:56.618 --> 00:24:59.754
- Dr. robert jeffress has created a beautiful book to make sure
- 00:24:59.754 --> 00:25:03.291
- That we and our families never forget.
- 00:25:03.291 --> 00:25:05.660
- The brand new 250th commemorative edition
- 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:08.296
- Of "america is a christian nation" is an 88 page, full
- 00:25:08.296 --> 00:25:12.233
- Color, large print coffee table book packed with inspiring
- 00:25:12.233 --> 00:25:15.770
- Stories from our nation's history, breathtaking imagery of
- 00:25:15.770 --> 00:25:19.207
- America, select portraits of our founding fathers, and powerful
- 00:25:19.207 --> 00:25:23.278
- Truth from god's word.
- 00:25:23.278 --> 00:25:25.180
- Jeffress: america was founded on the principles of the
- 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:27.716
- Judeo-christian faith as revealed in the bible, and our
- 00:25:27.716 --> 00:25:31.219
- Future depends on returning to that biblical foundation.
- 00:25:31.219 --> 00:25:35.624
- Announcer: request the 250th commemorative edition of
- 00:25:35.624 --> 00:25:38.860
- "america is a christian nation" when you give a generous
- 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:42.063
- Ministry gift to "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:42.063 --> 00:25:44.799
- You'll also receive the "in god we trust" dvd video and mp3
- 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:48.970
- Format audio disc set featuring two powerful messages from
- 00:25:48.970 --> 00:25:53.408
- Dr. jeffress and 12 patriotic performances by the
- 00:25:53.408 --> 00:25:57.012
- First baptist dallas choir and orchestra.
- 00:25:57.012 --> 00:25:59.848
- And with your ministry gift of $100 or more, we'll also send
- 00:25:59.848 --> 00:26:03.918
- You the complete "america and the bible" teaching series on
- 00:26:03.918 --> 00:26:07.656
- Dvd video and mp3 format audio disc.
- 00:26:07.656 --> 00:26:11.459
- Your gift today will be doubled in impact through the in god we
- 00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:15.330
- Trust matching challenge as together we pierce the darkness
- 00:26:15.330 --> 00:26:19.534
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:26:19.534 --> 00:26:21.636
- Jeffress: for over 2,000 years, followers of jesus christ have
- 00:26:23.705 --> 00:26:26.775
- Held on to the unshakeable promise that jesus is coming
- 00:26:26.775 --> 00:26:30.812
- Again, and every passing day brings us closer to that moment.
- 00:26:30.812 --> 00:26:35.350
- So what does that mean for how we live right now?
- 00:26:35.350 --> 00:26:38.586
- Next time i'm going to show you how the promise of christ's
- 00:26:38.586 --> 00:26:41.256
- Return should transform the way you live every single day.
- 00:26:41.256 --> 00:26:45.560
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
- 00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:48.396
- "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:48.396 --> 00:26:51.099
- Jeffress: the only way any of us are going to be at peace with
- 00:26:51.166 --> 00:26:54.135
- God, the only way we can be assured of being welcomed
- 00:26:54.135 --> 00:26:57.672
- Into heaven is to be justified by god.
- 00:26:57.672 --> 00:27:02.444
- That word justified is a legal term.
- 00:27:02.444 --> 00:27:05.480
- It means to be declared not guilty.
- 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:09.017
- The only hope any of us has is that we will be found
- 00:27:09.017 --> 00:27:12.287
- Not guilty before god.
- 00:27:12.287 --> 00:27:14.055
- But here's the problem, we're guilty before god.
- 00:27:14.055 --> 00:27:16.324
- You don't need me to tell you that.
- 00:27:16.324 --> 00:27:18.026
- Announcer: set your dvr and join
- 00:27:18.093 --> 00:27:19.427
- Us next time for part two of the
- 00:27:19.427 --> 00:27:20.929
- Message, "how should
- 00:27:20.929 --> 00:27:22.263
- We now live"
- 00:27:22.263 --> 00:27:23.698
- Here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:27:23.698 --> 00:27:27.235