Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Jesus Our Friend

April 10, 2025 | S25:E172

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

#Relationships #Children #RelationshipwithGod #Revelation #LoveofGod #Religion #Jesus #inActive #Dr.RobertJeffress #RobertJeffress #EndTimes #ReturnofChrist #LastDays #Rapture #Fellowship #SecondComing

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Jesus Our Friend | April 10, 2025

♪ music ♪
00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:05.829
[announcer] from the pulpit
00:00:06.429 --> 00:00:07.697
Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
00:00:07.697 --> 00:00:09.532
This is pathway to victory with dr. robert jeffress.
00:00:09.532 --> 00:00:13.903
Hi, i am robert jeffress.
00:00:14.471 --> 00:00:15.738
Welcome again to pathway to victory.
00:00:15.738 --> 00:00:18.341
Have you ever longed for a best friend,
00:00:18.341 --> 00:00:20.643
Someone who truly understands you
00:00:20.643 --> 00:00:22.645
And supports you through life's ups and downs?
00:00:22.645 --> 00:00:26.049
The bible reveals that we have access
00:00:26.049 --> 00:00:28.384
To the most faithful friend imaginable,
00:00:28.384 --> 00:00:31.354
Jesus christ himself,
00:00:31.354 --> 00:00:33.389
And today we'll discover how jesus demonstrated friendship
00:00:33.389 --> 00:00:37.260
During his ministry
00:00:37.260 --> 00:00:38.728
And why he wants an intimate relationship with you
00:00:38.728 --> 00:00:42.165
That will last for all eternity.
00:00:42.165 --> 00:00:44.801
My message is titled "jesus, our friend,"
00:00:44.801 --> 00:00:48.538
On today's edition of pathway to victory.
00:00:48.538 --> 00:00:52.041
♪ music ♪
00:00:52.041 --> 00:00:58.414
[narrator] jesus is the most talked about person
00:00:59.349 --> 00:01:01.618
In human history, but we can't fully grasp who jesus is
00:01:01.618 --> 00:01:05.255
Until we understand both his first and his second coming.
00:01:05.255 --> 00:01:09.058
In his powerful new book, "jesus revealed in the end times,"
00:01:09.058 --> 00:01:12.862
Dr. robert jeffress unveils the glorious return
00:01:12.862 --> 00:01:15.598
Of our savior.
00:01:15.598 --> 00:01:17.100
Learn what his triumphant return means for your life today.
00:01:17.100 --> 00:01:20.803
Request your copy of "jesus revealed in the end times,"
00:01:20.803 --> 00:01:24.307
When you give a generous gift
00:01:24.307 --> 00:01:25.775
To support the ministry of pathway to victory.
00:01:25.775 --> 00:01:29.746
♪ music ♪
00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:36.519
Two boys, lew wilcox and bobby rohrbach
00:01:37.353 --> 00:01:42.225
Met while riding their bikes in 1962.
00:01:42.225 --> 00:01:46.596
Both boys grew up in working class church-going homes.
00:01:46.596 --> 00:01:50.533
They spent their saturday mornings
00:01:50.533 --> 00:01:52.468
Watching cartoons together.
00:01:52.468 --> 00:01:55.004
They leaned on one another during those awkward teen years.
00:01:55.004 --> 00:01:59.442
Neither of them liked school that much,
00:01:59.442 --> 00:02:01.711
So they spent their time cruising local root beer stands
00:02:01.711 --> 00:02:05.715
And went to drive in movies.
00:02:05.715 --> 00:02:08.218
After high school, they had planned to travel
00:02:08.218 --> 00:02:10.753
Around the country by car,
00:02:10.753 --> 00:02:12.822
But bobby was drafted and lew got married.
00:02:12.822 --> 00:02:16.159
While bobby was stationed in germany,
00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:18.361
The two men sent reel to reel tapes, remember those?
00:02:18.361 --> 00:02:22.265
To one another jabbering away about
00:02:22.265 --> 00:02:24.867
What was happening in their lives.
00:02:24.867 --> 00:02:27.270
In time, both men ended up becoming police officers.
00:02:27.270 --> 00:02:30.907
They talked about their cases together
00:02:30.907 --> 00:02:33.142
In order to release the tension of their jobs.
00:02:33.142 --> 00:02:36.879
At one point, they both had open heart surgery
00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:39.482
And boasted about their matching scars.
00:02:39.482 --> 00:02:43.686
Now they're in their 70s and they still remain best friends.
00:02:43.686 --> 00:02:49.092
The wall street journal recently profiled these men
00:02:50.126 --> 00:02:51.995
Because of nothing spectacular they had accomplished.
00:02:51.995 --> 00:02:55.798
They were profiled because they are a rarity.
00:02:55.798 --> 00:03:00.203
People who remain friends throughout the decades.
00:03:00.203 --> 00:03:05.074
Do you realize that four out of 10 americans say
00:03:05.074 --> 00:03:08.878
They do not have a best friend?
00:03:08.878 --> 00:03:12.482
In fact, the reason is probably obvious.
00:03:12.482 --> 00:03:15.618
Sociologists tell us, it takes spending at least 300 hours
00:03:15.618 --> 00:03:19.622
With a person to develop a close relationship with them.
00:03:19.622 --> 00:03:24.427
Would you like to have a best friend,
00:03:24.427 --> 00:03:26.763
Somebody who accepts you just like you are,
00:03:26.763 --> 00:03:29.866
Somebody who answers and responds to your phone calls
00:03:29.866 --> 00:03:33.703
And your texts, somebody who's there to encourage you
00:03:33.703 --> 00:03:37.640
During the difficult times?
00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:40.243
Well, we have such a best friend though.
00:03:40.243 --> 00:03:42.612
Few of us really know it.
00:03:42.612 --> 00:03:44.547
He's a friend, proverbs 18:24 says,
00:03:44.547 --> 00:03:47.617
"who sticks closer than a brother."
00:03:47.617 --> 00:03:50.753
His name is jesus.
00:03:50.753 --> 00:03:53.489
And throughout eternity we will have the distinct pleasure
00:03:53.489 --> 00:03:57.427
Of knowing him forever and ever as our eternal friend.
00:03:57.427 --> 00:04:02.598
In fact, you see that in both the old and new testaments.
00:04:03.766 --> 00:04:06.569
Look at jesus in the old testament.
00:04:06.569 --> 00:04:08.871
You say, "in the old testament,
00:04:08.871 --> 00:04:10.406
I thought he didn't come on the scene until bethlehem."
00:04:10.406 --> 00:04:13.242
No, jesus has existed forever.
00:04:13.242 --> 00:04:16.479
And we see that in the old testament.
00:04:16.479 --> 00:04:18.648
For example, notice jesus friendship with adam and eve.
00:04:18.648 --> 00:04:23.152
Again, i bet you've never heard that before.
00:04:23.152 --> 00:04:25.455
Jesus was a friend to adam and eve. just think about it.
00:04:25.455 --> 00:04:29.459
Genesis 3:8 says, that the lord came down every day
00:04:29.459 --> 00:04:34.731
In the cool of the day to visit with adam and eve.
00:04:35.765 --> 00:04:39.836
That's how we know the garden of eden wasn't in dallas.
00:04:39.836 --> 00:04:42.772
There was actually a time, when it was cool in the day
00:04:42.772 --> 00:04:47.276
And the lord would come down and visit.
00:04:47.276 --> 00:04:49.078
Now, who is it that came down
00:04:49.078 --> 00:04:51.280
And visited with adam and eve?
00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:54.917
Was it god the father? no, god is an invisible spirit.
00:04:54.917 --> 00:04:58.521
1st timothy 1:17, nobody has seen god.
00:04:58.521 --> 00:05:02.024
No, it was jesus, god in the flesh,
00:05:02.024 --> 00:05:05.361
Who came down to visit with adam and eve.
00:05:05.361 --> 00:05:07.830
We call this a theophany, a pre-new testament appearance
00:05:07.830 --> 00:05:11.968
Of christ on earth.
00:05:11.968 --> 00:05:14.504
Think about abraham.
00:05:14.504 --> 00:05:16.372
The bible says three times, abraham was known as what?
00:05:16.372 --> 00:05:20.243
The friend of god.
00:05:20.243 --> 00:05:23.112
Think about moses.
00:05:23.112 --> 00:05:24.881
In exodus 33:11 it says,
00:05:24.881 --> 00:05:27.116
The lord used to speak to moses face to face,
00:05:27.116 --> 00:05:31.053
Just as a man speaks to his friend.
00:05:31.053 --> 00:05:33.856
When god spoke to moses, was it the booming voice
00:05:33.856 --> 00:05:38.361
On mount sinai proclaiming the 10 commandments?
00:05:39.328 --> 00:05:43.132
Was that it? no.
00:05:43.132 --> 00:05:44.400
Moses met with him face to face.
00:05:44.400 --> 00:05:47.637
That was the lord jesus christ.
00:05:47.637 --> 00:05:50.540
Jesus was also the friend of those in the new testament.
00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:53.543
You find that name, "friend," used throughout scripture.
00:05:53.543 --> 00:05:57.246
For example, think about that paralyzed man.
00:05:57.246 --> 00:05:59.582
Remember the story in luke 5.
00:05:59.582 --> 00:06:01.384
Jesus was teaching in a house
00:06:01.384 --> 00:06:03.486
That was filled to the rafters.
00:06:03.486 --> 00:06:04.954
In the middle of his sermon, there was a disruption.
00:06:04.954 --> 00:06:07.590
People looked up and they noticed
00:06:07.590 --> 00:06:09.492
The ceiling was being peeled apart
00:06:09.492 --> 00:06:11.961
And some men on top of the roof had a friend
00:06:11.961 --> 00:06:14.597
Who was paralyzed
00:06:14.597 --> 00:06:15.998
And they lowered him down to be in front of jesus.
00:06:15.998 --> 00:06:19.202
And when jesus saw him, what did he say?
00:06:19.202 --> 00:06:21.437
"friend, your sins are forgiven."
00:06:21.437 --> 00:06:24.841
Or think about his relationship
00:06:24.841 --> 00:06:26.342
With john the baptist and lazarus.
00:06:26.342 --> 00:06:29.378
John the baptist, jesus called him in john 3:29,
00:06:29.378 --> 00:06:33.149
"a friend of the bridegroom."
00:06:33.149 --> 00:06:35.718
What does that mean?
00:06:35.718 --> 00:06:37.253
Well, the picture of the church is of the bridegroom, jesus
00:06:37.253 --> 00:06:41.257
And the bride, the church coming together.
00:06:41.257 --> 00:06:44.260
And the bible says, when christ comes back again
00:06:44.260 --> 00:06:48.097
At the very beginning of the millennium,
00:06:48.097 --> 00:06:50.066
The thousand year reign of christ,
00:06:50.066 --> 00:06:52.034
There's going to be a great party, a banquet,
00:06:52.034 --> 00:06:55.771
The wedding supper of the lamb described in revelation 19,
00:06:55.771 --> 00:07:00.376
And it will celebrate the union of the groom, of jesus
00:07:00.376 --> 00:07:05.648
And his bride, the church.
00:07:06.215 --> 00:07:07.750
And the bible says, jesus said, john is going
00:07:07.750 --> 00:07:10.286
To be the friend, the best man if you will,
00:07:10.286 --> 00:07:13.055
Of the bridegroom.
00:07:13.055 --> 00:07:14.490
I think it's john the baptist who is going to preside
00:07:14.490 --> 00:07:18.261
Over the wedding supper of the lamb.
00:07:18.261 --> 00:07:21.464
Not only that, he referred to lazarus, who was dead,
00:07:21.464 --> 00:07:25.301
As his friend.
00:07:25.301 --> 00:07:26.736
Remember in john 11:11, jesus said,
00:07:26.736 --> 00:07:29.772
"our friend lazarus has fallen asleep."
00:07:29.772 --> 00:07:33.609
When somebody dies, it's their body that falls asleep.
00:07:34.710 --> 00:07:37.580
It's not their soul.
00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:39.081
Their soul goes on forever and ever in heaven or hell.
00:07:39.081 --> 00:07:41.751
But our friend lazarus has fallen asleep.
00:07:41.751 --> 00:07:44.654
But i go that i may awaken him out of sleep.
00:07:44.654 --> 00:07:48.291
Isn't it good to know when you die you still have a friend,
00:07:48.291 --> 00:07:51.561
Somebody who promises to fulfill his promise
00:07:51.561 --> 00:07:54.630
To raise you from the dead?
00:07:54.630 --> 00:07:56.365
His disciples were known as his friends in john 15:13-14.
00:07:56.365 --> 00:08:01.003
Jesus said, "greater love has no man than this,
00:08:01.003 --> 00:08:03.873
Than he laid down his life for his friends.
00:08:03.873 --> 00:08:06.909
You are my friends, if you do what i command ."
00:08:06.909 --> 00:08:11.047
And here's something that will blow your mind.
00:08:11.047 --> 00:08:13.416
Even judas iscaroit was known as a friend of jesus.
00:08:13.416 --> 00:08:18.754
Jesus was a friend of children. i love this.
00:08:19.689 --> 00:08:23.292
In matthew 19:13-14,
00:08:23.292 --> 00:08:25.828
Then some children were brought to jesus,
00:08:25.828 --> 00:08:28.464
So that he may lay his hands on them and pray.
00:08:28.464 --> 00:08:32.234
Isn't that interesting? jesus wanted to bless the children.
00:08:32.234 --> 00:08:37.006
I don't want to chase a rabbit here,
00:08:37.773 --> 00:08:39.742
But i think this is one clue in the bible
00:08:39.742 --> 00:08:43.613
Of many of what happens to a little child who is too young
00:08:43.613 --> 00:08:48.884
To know christ as savior.
00:08:49.452 --> 00:08:51.153
Do they go to hell, as some people teach,
00:08:51.153 --> 00:08:54.190
That if they're too young to trust in christ,
00:08:54.190 --> 00:08:57.259
They just miss out on salvation?
00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:59.495
Of course not.
00:08:59.495 --> 00:09:00.997
There is room in the atonement of christ for those
00:09:00.997 --> 00:09:04.600
Who are mentally challenged
00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:07.370
Or just mentally incapable of trusting in jesus.
00:09:07.370 --> 00:09:11.607
Why would jesus bless little children
00:09:11.607 --> 00:09:14.010
If he was going to send them to hell?
00:09:14.010 --> 00:09:15.611
That makes no sense whatsoever.
00:09:15.611 --> 00:09:18.180
But jesus wanted the children to come
00:09:18.180 --> 00:09:20.149
So he could pray for them, lay hands on them and bless them.
00:09:20.149 --> 00:09:23.986
But the disciples rebuked them.
00:09:23.986 --> 00:09:26.489
"he doesn't have time for this sort of stuff,"
00:09:26.489 --> 00:09:28.691
The disciples said.
00:09:28.691 --> 00:09:30.192
But jesus rebuked them and said, "leave the children alone
00:09:30.192 --> 00:09:34.764
And do not hinder them from coming to me.
00:09:34.764 --> 00:09:37.566
For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
00:09:37.566 --> 00:09:41.570
At first baptist, dallas, we love children.
00:09:41.570 --> 00:09:45.775
The reason we love children is because jesus loves children.
00:09:45.775 --> 00:09:50.179
You see jesus in that friendship relationship
00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:53.816
After his resurrection.
00:09:53.816 --> 00:09:55.518
Remember the story in luke 24?
00:09:55.518 --> 00:09:57.753
Two of jesus' followers were walking back
00:09:58.621 --> 00:10:01.824
To their home from jerusalem to emmaus.
00:10:01.824 --> 00:10:04.093
It was the afternoon,
00:10:04.093 --> 00:10:05.361
Sunday afternoon after the resurrection,
00:10:05.361 --> 00:10:08.397
And these two followers of jesus
00:10:08.397 --> 00:10:10.166
Were talking about everything
00:10:10.166 --> 00:10:11.400
That had happened the last three days.
00:10:11.400 --> 00:10:13.536
And jesus appears to them in human form,
00:10:13.536 --> 00:10:17.273
In his resurrected body.
00:10:17.273 --> 00:10:18.974
They were prevented from recognizing him immediately.
00:10:18.974 --> 00:10:22.311
And jesus said,
00:10:22.311 --> 00:10:23.679
Now this is a loose translation of the greek,
00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:26.148
"what is the hubbub all about? what are you all talking about?
00:10:26.148 --> 00:10:31.053
What are you talking about?"
00:10:31.053 --> 00:10:32.855
And these two men looked at jesus
00:10:32.855 --> 00:10:34.957
And said, "are you the only one in jerusalem
00:10:34.957 --> 00:10:37.760
Who is unaware of what's gone on these last three days
00:10:37.760 --> 00:10:41.697
About how this jesus was thought to be the messiah
00:10:41.697 --> 00:10:44.834
Was arrested, tried and crucified, he was buried,
00:10:44.834 --> 00:10:48.637
And now they're saying he's been raised from the dead.
00:10:48.637 --> 00:10:51.107
Have you not heard about that?"
00:10:51.107 --> 00:10:53.275
The bible says at that point, jesus begins speaking to them
00:10:53.275 --> 00:10:57.680
And showing them how from moses in the old testament
00:10:57.680 --> 00:11:01.117
Through now, all the prophets showed
00:11:01.117 --> 00:11:03.786
Why these things must happen.
00:11:03.786 --> 00:11:06.355
And when they got close to emmaus,
00:11:06.355 --> 00:11:08.224
It was about a seven-mile walk from jerusalem,
00:11:08.224 --> 00:11:10.593
When they got close to there,
00:11:10.593 --> 00:11:12.161
Jesus acted like he was going to leave them.
00:11:12.161 --> 00:11:14.897
They begged him, "oh, please don't leave us.
00:11:14.897 --> 00:11:19.001
We love talking to you. come and have dinner with us."
00:11:19.001 --> 00:11:22.338
So jesus came and fellowship with them and encouraged them.
00:11:22.338 --> 00:11:27.009
Jesus maintained a relationship
00:11:27.643 --> 00:11:30.980
With his followers after the resurrection.
00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:34.049
I think that story is significant,
00:11:34.049 --> 00:11:35.751
Not only because it happened,
00:11:35.751 --> 00:11:37.586
But it also portrays the kind of friendship
00:11:37.586 --> 00:11:40.756
Jesus wants to have with us.
00:11:40.756 --> 00:11:43.626
First of all, an enduring friendship.
00:11:43.626 --> 00:11:47.596
We're going to have a relationship with jesus
00:11:47.596 --> 00:11:49.899
That can begin right now
00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:51.634
And never be interrupted throughout eternity.
00:11:51.634 --> 00:11:55.204
I want you to jot down 1st thessalonians 4:16-17.
00:11:55.204 --> 00:11:59.575
Now, these are verses we usually use
00:11:59.575 --> 00:12:01.377
To talk about the rapture.
00:12:01.377 --> 00:12:02.945
You know, where do you come up with the rapture?
00:12:02.945 --> 00:12:04.613
That's just a manmade term, people say.
00:12:04.613 --> 00:12:06.816
No, it's found in the bible,
00:12:06.816 --> 00:12:08.851
And the key verse is 1st thessalonians 4:16-17,
00:12:08.851 --> 00:12:13.556
For the lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
00:12:13.556 --> 00:12:17.326
With a voice of the archangel and the trumpet of god
00:12:17.326 --> 00:12:20.029
And the dead in christ shall rise first
00:12:20.029 --> 00:12:22.765
And then we who are alive and remain shall be raptured,
00:12:22.765 --> 00:12:25.501
Harpazo, caught up, snatched away
00:12:25.501 --> 00:12:29.171
To meet the lord in the air,
00:12:29.171 --> 00:12:31.540
And thus we shall always be with the lord.
00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:35.110
And the kind of fellowship we're going to have with god,
00:12:35.110 --> 00:12:37.580
The kind of friendship is also an intimate friendship.
00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:41.951
Paul said in philippians 3, "my one desire is
00:12:41.951 --> 00:12:45.020
That i may know christ jesus,
00:12:45.020 --> 00:12:48.390
Not just about christ jesus, but that i might know him
00:12:48.390 --> 00:12:52.428
And the power of his resurrection."
00:12:52.428 --> 00:12:54.797
In 1st corinthians 13:12, paul said,
00:12:54.797 --> 00:12:57.499
"we shall finally see face to face
00:12:57.499 --> 00:13:00.502
And know fully just as we have been fully known."
00:13:00.502 --> 00:13:04.039
Those are great verse in revelation,
00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:06.008
Actually, two verses, 22 verses three to four,
00:13:06.008 --> 00:13:09.478
There will no longer be any curse and the throne of god
00:13:09.478 --> 00:13:12.982
And of the lamb will be on it
00:13:12.982 --> 00:13:15.217
And his bond servant shall serve him
00:13:15.217 --> 00:13:17.720
And they will see his face
00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:20.356
And his name will be upon their foreheads.
00:13:20.356 --> 00:13:25.027
Don't we long for that?
00:13:25.027 --> 00:13:27.129
The time that we're going to see jesus face to face.
00:13:27.129 --> 00:13:30.900
By the way, you don't have to wait until you die
00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:33.402
To enjoy friendship with god.
00:13:33.402 --> 00:13:35.971
It can begin right now.
00:13:35.971 --> 00:13:37.973
While i was preparing this series of messages,
00:13:37.973 --> 00:13:40.910
I came across a report from the surgeon general
00:13:40.910 --> 00:13:43.579
Of the united states.
00:13:43.579 --> 00:13:45.147
He issued a warning
00:13:45.147 --> 00:13:46.282
That our nation is facing a,
00:13:46.282 --> 00:13:47.883
Quote, "epidemic of loneliness."
00:13:47.883 --> 00:13:51.820
Never before in history have we been more connected
00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:55.224
To one another technologically
00:13:55.224 --> 00:13:57.993
And at the same time never have we felt more isolated
00:13:57.993 --> 00:14:01.597
From one another than we do right now.
00:14:01.597 --> 00:14:03.899
You know why? we don't need any more virtual friends.
00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:08.103
We need face-to-face friends.
00:14:08.103 --> 00:14:10.506
And that's what jesus promises to be,
00:14:10.506 --> 00:14:13.275
Our face-to-face friend.
00:14:13.275 --> 00:14:15.644
Jot down these two truths about that friendship with god.
00:14:15.644 --> 00:14:19.448
First of all, we are made to be friends with god.
00:14:19.448 --> 00:14:23.986
There's a god shaped vacuum in every heart.
00:14:23.986 --> 00:14:26.755
We are made to be friends with god.
00:14:26.755 --> 00:14:29.024
Now, that doesn't mean we don't need other people.
00:14:29.024 --> 00:14:31.460
In fact, did you know a relationship with god is not enough
00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:34.697
To fulfill your deepest needs?
00:14:34.697 --> 00:14:37.499
It's not.
00:14:37.499 --> 00:14:38.734
That sounds like heresy to some of you,
00:14:39.535 --> 00:14:41.403
But i can say that with authority, because god said it.
00:14:41.403 --> 00:14:45.607
God looked down at adam,
00:14:45.607 --> 00:14:47.176
They were having a perfect relationship untainted
00:14:47.176 --> 00:14:50.279
By sin whatsoever, and what did god say?
00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:53.749
"adam, it's not good for a man to be alone."
00:14:53.749 --> 00:14:57.820
"alone? god, i have you."
00:14:58.387 --> 00:15:00.589
"that's not enough, adam.
00:15:00.589 --> 00:15:02.057
You need another human being." and so he created eve.
00:15:02.057 --> 00:15:04.760
That's why god created the family.
00:15:04.760 --> 00:15:07.396
That's why god created the church.
00:15:07.396 --> 00:15:10.065
I'm so grateful for the millions who watch on our icampus
00:15:10.065 --> 00:15:13.302
Or pathway to victory,
00:15:13.302 --> 00:15:15.104
But we're not a replacement for the local church.
00:15:15.104 --> 00:15:17.673
We're a supplement, an encouragement to the local church,
00:15:17.673 --> 00:15:20.943
But you need face-to-face fellowship with other christians.
00:15:20.943 --> 00:15:25.814
But the other truth is you will not feel fulfilled
00:15:25.814 --> 00:15:29.084
Until you have that relationship with god.
00:15:29.084 --> 00:15:32.287
In hebrews 13:5, jesus said, "i'm the kind of friend
00:15:32.287 --> 00:15:36.892
Who will never desert you,
00:15:36.892 --> 00:15:38.861
Nor will i ever forsake you."
00:15:38.861 --> 00:15:42.698
Secondly, not only are we made to be friends with god,
00:15:42.698 --> 00:15:46.335
But jesus wants to be our friend.
00:15:46.335 --> 00:15:49.104
A writer from yesteryear said it this way:
00:15:49.104 --> 00:15:51.740
"many believers adore christ as god.
00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:55.344
They feed on him in communion.
00:15:55.344 --> 00:15:57.146
They cleanse themselves in his precious blood.
00:15:57.146 --> 00:15:59.715
They look to the time that they will see him as their judge.
00:15:59.715 --> 00:16:02.651
Yet of that intimate knowledge of
00:16:02.651 --> 00:16:05.087
And companionship with christ,
00:16:05.087 --> 00:16:07.256
They have experienced little or nothing.
00:16:07.256 --> 00:16:11.260
Jesus christ, first and foremost desires our friendship,"
00:16:11.260 --> 00:16:15.264
Now get this,
00:16:15.264 --> 00:16:16.532
"now the consciousness of this friendship
00:16:16.532 --> 00:16:19.368
With jesus is the very secret of the saints."
00:16:19.368 --> 00:16:24.706
You look at great men and women in the past of faith,
00:16:25.808 --> 00:16:28.477
They all had this in common.
00:16:28.477 --> 00:16:31.113
They were conscious, aware of a friendship,
00:16:31.113 --> 00:16:34.917
A personal relationship with jesus christ.
00:16:34.917 --> 00:16:38.420
One of my heroes of the faith was the late great evangelist,
00:16:39.621 --> 00:16:44.560
Dwight lyman moody, dl moody.
00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:47.763
At his funeral service in 1899,
00:16:48.397 --> 00:16:52.034
This friend gave this testimony of moody.
00:16:52.034 --> 00:16:55.003
He said, "dl moody walked with god
00:16:55.003 --> 00:16:58.774
And so did not have to turn out of his way to speak to god.
00:16:58.774 --> 00:17:02.711
I had been driving with him on some deserted road.
00:17:02.711 --> 00:17:06.048
We would be talking together,
00:17:06.048 --> 00:17:07.483
When suddenly he would pause for a moment
00:17:07.483 --> 00:17:10.652
And speak to god just as naturally
00:17:10.652 --> 00:17:13.655
As he would speak to his friend."
00:17:13.655 --> 00:17:16.058
Shouldn't that be the way it is for all of us?
00:17:16.992 --> 00:17:20.462
You may not know the name joseph scriven.
00:17:21.330 --> 00:17:24.366
He grew up in ireland, suffered a tragedy
00:17:25.234 --> 00:17:28.203
And out of that tragedy he fled to canada.
00:17:28.203 --> 00:17:32.241
He began to concentrate on his relationship with god.
00:17:33.308 --> 00:17:36.879
He demonstrated that relationship by doing good things
00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:40.382
For other people, chopping firewood for widows.
00:17:40.382 --> 00:17:44.153
While in canada, he received word
00:17:44.153 --> 00:17:46.722
That his mother was desperately ill and close to dying.
00:17:46.722 --> 00:17:50.759
He couldn't afford a ticket to go back to ireland,
00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:54.429
So he wrote her a poem.
00:17:54.429 --> 00:17:57.166
Little did he know that that poem would bring comfort
00:17:57.166 --> 00:18:00.769
To millions of christians in ages to come.
00:18:00.769 --> 00:18:04.573
Joseph scriven wrote these words,
00:18:04.573 --> 00:18:07.409
"what a friend we have in jesus,
00:18:07.409 --> 00:18:11.780
All our sins and griefs to bear.
00:18:11.780 --> 00:18:15.384
What a privilege to carry everything to god in prayer.
00:18:15.384 --> 00:18:20.622
Oh, what peace we often forfeit.
00:18:21.256 --> 00:18:24.092
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
00:18:24.092 --> 00:18:27.062
All because we do not carry
00:18:27.062 --> 00:18:29.765
Everything to god in prayer."
00:18:29.765 --> 00:18:33.368
Jesus wants to be that friend.
00:18:34.002 --> 00:18:37.573
Now, here is a simple truth,
00:18:38.173 --> 00:18:39.908
If you don't remember anything else, a simple truth
00:18:39.908 --> 00:18:42.911
For the chaotic world in which we live,
00:18:42.911 --> 00:18:47.182
Now is the time to know jesus as your friend,
00:18:48.116 --> 00:18:53.655
Not the future.
00:18:54.022 --> 00:18:55.791
The time to make jesus your friend is not in the future.
00:18:56.925 --> 00:18:59.861
It is now. why?
00:18:59.861 --> 00:19:03.365
Because the future has a way of becoming now
00:19:03.365 --> 00:19:06.335
Quicker than we ever can imagine.
00:19:06.335 --> 00:19:08.837
The time to make jesus your friend is not the future.
00:19:09.938 --> 00:19:13.408
It is now.
00:19:13.408 --> 00:19:15.177
You know, the downside sometimes of preaching a series
00:19:15.177 --> 00:19:18.847
Like i've brought to you these last six or seven weeks,
00:19:18.847 --> 00:19:22.117
"jesus revealed in the end times," the downside is
00:19:22.117 --> 00:19:25.187
We think of the end times, the rapture, the millennium,
00:19:25.187 --> 00:19:28.924
The second coming as things that are way, way away.
00:19:28.924 --> 00:19:34.196
They're the future.
00:19:34.663 --> 00:19:36.331
We put them out of our mind
00:19:36.331 --> 00:19:37.899
Because that's going to happen in the future.
00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:40.402
The truth is we don't know when those events
00:19:40.402 --> 00:19:42.504
Are going to happen.
00:19:42.504 --> 00:19:44.273
We don't know when they're going to happen.
00:19:44.273 --> 00:19:46.575
They could happen tonight
00:19:46.575 --> 00:19:47.876
Before we go to bed, the rapture of the church,
00:19:47.876 --> 00:19:50.212
Or they could happen a hundred or a thousand years from now.
00:19:50.212 --> 00:19:53.715
We don't know when these events are going to occur,
00:19:53.715 --> 00:19:56.885
But what we do know is this:
00:19:56.885 --> 00:19:59.855
Our future becomes our present very quickly.
00:19:59.855 --> 00:20:03.558
In fact, somebody once said, i love this quote,
00:20:03.558 --> 00:20:06.695
"we are traveling toward our future
00:20:06.695 --> 00:20:09.097
At the speed of 60 minutes an hour."
00:20:09.097 --> 00:20:14.436
You are headed for your future.
00:20:15.070 --> 00:20:17.105
It's going to become your present before you know it.
00:20:17.105 --> 00:20:19.941
You know, i saw that illustrated in my own life
00:20:19.941 --> 00:20:23.645
Five weeks ago.
00:20:23.645 --> 00:20:25.480
Friday night, july 19th, 2024,
00:20:26.114 --> 00:20:29.651
I was headed up to north dallas tollways 545
00:20:29.651 --> 00:20:33.722
Headed toward home and i knew, or i thought i knew,
00:20:33.722 --> 00:20:36.825
What i was going to be doing that evening.
00:20:36.825 --> 00:20:38.593
I was going to be packing for our vacation
00:20:38.593 --> 00:20:40.796
That began the next day.
00:20:40.796 --> 00:20:43.065
I knew what i was going to do the next two weeks on vacation,
00:20:43.065 --> 00:20:46.335
Or so i thought i knew.
00:20:46.335 --> 00:20:48.437
But one 20-second phone call
00:20:48.437 --> 00:20:52.341
From ben lawarren changed everything.
00:20:52.341 --> 00:20:55.110
Just a brief phone call, "pastor, the church is on fire."
00:20:55.110 --> 00:21:00.182
I turned around, went there.
00:21:00.782 --> 00:21:03.218
Needless to say, i didn't spend friday evening
00:21:03.218 --> 00:21:05.554
The way i thought i would.
00:21:05.554 --> 00:21:07.089
Didn't spend the next two weeks the way i thought i would.
00:21:07.089 --> 00:21:10.726
I'm not going to spend the next two years
00:21:10.726 --> 00:21:13.328
The way i thought i was.
00:21:13.328 --> 00:21:16.031
Our future is coming at us very quickly
00:21:16.031 --> 00:21:19.334
And it can change in just a moment.
00:21:19.334 --> 00:21:22.304
Our future turns on the dime with just one event,
00:21:23.305 --> 00:21:26.341
One phone call, one doctor's report.
00:21:26.341 --> 00:21:29.745
I think about job in the old testament.
00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:33.682
He was having a great life.
00:21:33.682 --> 00:21:35.050
Everything was going well, when one day he got word
00:21:35.050 --> 00:21:39.020
That his 10 children had been killed in a frequent storm.
00:21:39.020 --> 00:21:43.024
And he was trying to recover from that devastating blow,
00:21:43.024 --> 00:21:46.395
The same day he got news
00:21:46.395 --> 00:21:48.730
That he had lost all of his possessions.
00:21:48.730 --> 00:21:50.632
He had gone bankrupt.
00:21:50.632 --> 00:21:52.567
And if that were not enough, he was struck
00:21:52.567 --> 00:21:54.669
With a debilitating illness all in a single day.
00:21:54.669 --> 00:21:59.841
I think about in the new testament,
00:22:00.575 --> 00:22:02.177
The story of the wealthy entrepreneur
00:22:02.177 --> 00:22:06.114
Who was unable to sleep because he had so many plans
00:22:06.114 --> 00:22:09.451
And dreams for the future,
00:22:09.451 --> 00:22:11.386
And he lay awake working out his business plan
00:22:11.386 --> 00:22:13.955
For the next five or 10 years,
00:22:13.955 --> 00:22:15.991
When god came to him and said, "you fool,
00:22:15.991 --> 00:22:18.660
You fool, tonight, your soul is going to be required of you
00:22:19.828 --> 00:22:24.933
And who will own what you have possessed."
00:22:25.834 --> 00:22:29.671
We don't know what the future is.
00:22:30.405 --> 00:22:32.674
James said, our life has been a vapor.
00:22:32.674 --> 00:22:34.676
It appears for a little while and then it vanishes.
00:22:34.676 --> 00:22:37.446
We don't know what the future holds for us,
00:22:37.446 --> 00:22:40.382
But we know who holds our future.
00:22:40.382 --> 00:22:42.951
Doesn't it give you comfort to know you have a friend,
00:22:44.052 --> 00:22:47.956
A friend who knows your future
00:22:47.956 --> 00:22:50.425
Because he planned your future,
00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:53.762
And he's willing to walk with you side by side
00:22:53.762 --> 00:22:57.098
Through your future until you get to the other side.
00:22:57.098 --> 00:23:00.435
Don't wait to the future to make jesus your friend.
00:23:01.436 --> 00:23:04.739
Make him your friend today. how do you do that?
00:23:04.739 --> 00:23:08.243
It's very simple.
00:23:08.243 --> 00:23:09.711
First of all, accept him as the messiah
00:23:10.545 --> 00:23:14.249
Who came and died for your sins.
00:23:14.249 --> 00:23:17.519
Believe in him as the prophet who said
00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:20.555
That he's coming one day to reward the righteous
00:23:20.555 --> 00:23:23.992
And to punish evil-doers.
00:23:23.992 --> 00:23:26.895
Be aware, revere him as the judge
00:23:26.895 --> 00:23:30.165
Who is constantly evaluating your every word,
00:23:30.165 --> 00:23:33.335
Thought, or action.
00:23:33.335 --> 00:23:35.437
Honor him as the king who has total reign,
00:23:35.437 --> 00:23:39.474
Has total say over your life.
00:23:39.474 --> 00:23:42.878
And begin today to live with that continual awareness
00:23:42.878 --> 00:23:47.482
That jesus is that friend
00:23:47.482 --> 00:23:50.418
Who will neither leave you nor forsake you.
00:23:50.418 --> 00:23:54.523
♪ music ♪
00:23:54.523 --> 00:23:58.493
Jesus wants to be more than just your savior.
00:23:59.427 --> 00:24:02.497
He longs to walk with you as a genuine friend,
00:24:02.497 --> 00:24:05.800
Not just in eternity, but beginning right now
00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:09.204
In the ordinary moments of your daily life.
00:24:09.204 --> 00:24:12.641
Well, before we wrap up today's program,
00:24:12.641 --> 00:24:14.809
I want to share my gratitude for our pathway partners
00:24:14.809 --> 00:24:18.179
And everyone who gives to support pathway to victory.
00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:21.883
Through your generosity, we're able to bring biblical truth
00:24:21.883 --> 00:24:25.153
To viewers across america and around the world.
00:24:25.153 --> 00:24:28.924
Each year we continue to expand our reach
00:24:28.924 --> 00:24:31.726
Through television, radio, and digital streaming platforms,
00:24:31.726 --> 00:24:36.031
Touching more lives than ever before
00:24:36.031 --> 00:24:38.533
With the message of hope found in jesus christ,
00:24:38.533 --> 00:24:42.237
And it's all made possible by your generosity.
00:24:42.237 --> 00:24:46.074
Thank you for partnering with us,
00:24:46.074 --> 00:24:47.642
As together we pierce the darkness
00:24:47.642 --> 00:24:50.211
With the light of god's word.
00:24:50.211 --> 00:24:52.047
Stay right there. i'll be back with more pathway to victory
00:24:52.047 --> 00:24:56.084
In just a moment.
00:24:56.084 --> 00:24:59.654
[narrator] most teachings about bible prophecy
00:25:00.622 --> 00:25:02.724
Focus on wars, natural disasters, and economic turmoil,
00:25:02.724 --> 00:25:08.063
But the end times shouldn't scare us.
00:25:08.897 --> 00:25:11.232
They should bring us hope.
00:25:11.232 --> 00:25:12.901
In his brand new book, "jesus revealed in the end times,"
00:25:14.069 --> 00:25:17.005
Dr. robert jeffress takes a radically different approach
00:25:17.005 --> 00:25:19.908
To prophecy, helping you see the end times
00:25:19.908 --> 00:25:22.777
Through the lens of jesus christ.
00:25:22.777 --> 00:25:24.846
In my new book, i share why the bible's prophecies
00:25:24.846 --> 00:25:27.816
About the last days should fill us with joy and peace,
00:25:27.816 --> 00:25:31.820
As we anticipate the return of our savior jesus christ.
00:25:31.820 --> 00:25:36.124
[narrator] request your copy of "jesus revealed
00:25:36.124 --> 00:25:38.493
In the end times," along with a set of encouragement cards
00:25:38.493 --> 00:25:41.496
When you give a generous gift to support pathway to victory,
00:25:41.496 --> 00:25:45.033
Or when you join our team of pathway partners.
00:25:45.033 --> 00:25:48.136
And when you give $100 or more, you'll also receive
00:25:48.136 --> 00:25:51.539
The complete "jesus revealed in the end times"
00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:54.309
Message series on dvd and audio disc,
00:25:54.309 --> 00:25:57.145
Plus the personal and group study guide.
00:25:57.145 --> 00:25:59.714
When jesus comes again, he will conquer his enemies
00:25:59.714 --> 00:26:03.952
And our enemies.
00:26:03.952 --> 00:26:05.286
He will conquer satan himself.
00:26:05.286 --> 00:26:07.756
He will conquer sin and evil forever.
00:26:07.756 --> 00:26:11.192
[narrator] thank you for supporting pathway to victory.
00:26:11.192 --> 00:26:13.928
Your partnership helps introduce hurting people
00:26:13.928 --> 00:26:16.665
To the hope of jesus christ.
00:26:16.665 --> 00:26:18.433
Through television, radio, and digital streaming,
00:26:18.433 --> 00:26:21.302
Together we're sharing the life transforming truth
00:26:21.302 --> 00:26:24.372
About our coming king
00:26:24.372 --> 00:26:25.674
With people living in spiritual darkness.
00:26:25.674 --> 00:26:30.578
Jesus wants to be our eternal friend,
00:26:31.413 --> 00:26:34.482
Walking with us through every season of life,
00:26:34.482 --> 00:26:37.852
Not just as our king and savior,
00:26:37.852 --> 00:26:40.188
But as the one who sticks closer than brother.
00:26:40.188 --> 00:26:43.725
Stay tuned for a preview
00:26:43.725 --> 00:26:45.026
Of what's coming up next on pathway to victory.
00:26:45.026 --> 00:26:49.264
Most men are willing to acknowledge that jesus lived,
00:26:49.264 --> 00:26:52.801
That he was a great teacher,
00:26:52.801 --> 00:26:54.035
That his morality is unsurpassed.
00:26:54.035 --> 00:26:56.638
But here's the problem
00:26:56.638 --> 00:26:57.972
With saying jesus was a great moral teacher.
00:26:57.972 --> 00:27:01.876
Jesus claimed to be more than that.
00:27:01.876 --> 00:27:04.879
He claimed to be much more than that.
00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:07.582
If jesus is who he said he was,
00:27:07.582 --> 00:27:11.052
That has tremendous implications for you and me today.
00:27:11.052 --> 00:27:16.291
[narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
00:27:17.225 --> 00:27:19.427
For the message: "jesus: man, myth or messiah?"
00:27:19.427 --> 00:27:23.431
Here on pathway to victory.
00:27:23.431 --> 00:27:23.431

Robert Jeffress - Jesus Our Friend

April 10, 2025 | S25:E172

Closed captions

Share