Robert Jeffress - Luke - Reigniting Your Passion For Christ

December 1, 2024 | S24:E49

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

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Luke - Reigniting Your Passion For Christ | December 1, 2024
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [narrator] from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is pathway to victory with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Jeffress: hi, i am robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to pathway to victory.
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  • You've chosen an exciting day to join with us today
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  • Because today we're beginning a study of the gospel
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  • Of luke titled: "reigniting your passion for christ."
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  • At some point just about every christian starts
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  • To feel a bit stagnant in their walk with god,
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  • And i believe the best way to jumpstart your christian life
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  • Is to study the words, actions and attitudes
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  • Of jesus himself.
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  • Are you ready to dive in?
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  • My message is titled, reigniting your passion for christ
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  • On today's edition of pathway to victory.
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  • ♪ who can satisfy my soul like you ♪
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  • ♪ who on earth could comfort me ♪
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  • ♪ and love me like you do ♪
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  • ♪ who could ever be more faithful to ♪
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  • ♪ i will trust in you ♪
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  • ♪ yes, i will trust in you my god ♪
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  • ♪ who can satisfy my soul like you ♪
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  • ♪ and who on earth could comfort me ♪
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  • ♪ oh and love me like you do ♪
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  • ♪ who could ever be more faithful to ♪
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  • ♪ i will trust in you ♪
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  • ♪ oh i will trust in you my god ♪
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  • ♪ there is a fountain ♪
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  • ♪ who is a king ♪
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  • ♪ victorious warrior ♪
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  • ♪ and lord of everything ♪
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  • -♪ my rock ♪ -♪ my rock, my shelter ♪
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  • ♪ my very own ♪
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  • -♪ blessed redeemer ♪ -♪ blessed redeemer ♪
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  • ♪ who reigns upon the throne ♪
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  • ♪ there is a fountain ♪
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  • -♪ there is a king ♪ -♪ who is a king ♪
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  • -♪ victorious ♪ -♪ victorious warrior ♪
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  • -♪ and lord of everything ♪ -♪ and lord of everything ♪
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  • ♪ my rock, my shelter ♪
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  • ♪ oh, my very own ♪
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  • -♪ blessed redeemer ♪ -♪ blessed redeemer ♪
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  • ♪ who reigns upon the throne ♪
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  • ♪ he reigns, he reigns ♪
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  • (congregation clapping)
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  • [narrator] the celebration of jesus birth
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  • Each christmas marks the moment when god's radiant hope
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  • Entered our world, and jesus calls us
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  • To share this light with others.
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  • You can help pierce the darkness with the light
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  • Of god's word through the pathway to victory
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  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
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  • Since 1996, pathway to victory has been boldly sharing
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  • The gospel of jesus christ and your gift doubled in impact
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  • Will be used to proclaim god's truth here in america
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  • And around the world.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • One writer describes the impact of the life
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  • Of jesus christ on the world this way.
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  • Along with two thieves, jesus was executed
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  • By the authorities about 2000 years ago.
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  • Yet today from countless paintings, statues and buildings,
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  • From literature and history,
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  • From personality and institution, from profanity,
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  • Popular songs and entertainment media,
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  • From confession and controversy,
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  • From legend and ritual, jesus stands quietly at the center
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  • Of the contemporary world as he himself predicted.
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  • He so graced the ugly instrument on which he died,
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  • That the cross has become the most widely exhibited
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  • And recognized symbol on earth.
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  • You know, it's easy for our christian faith to go stale.
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  • It's easy to say the right words,
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  • Go through the right motions
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  • While still having a cold heart toward god.
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  • One thing that causes our christian faith to become stagnant
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  • Is we forget that christianity is not about a set of ideas.
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  • It's about a real person, the most important person,
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  • All of human history, the person of jesus christ
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  • Who came from heaven to earth,
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  • Not only to provide a way for us
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  • To escape hell after we died,
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  • He came to show us a better way of living before we die.
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  • Yet we often forget that.
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  • You know, i have found that there is nothing
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  • That rejuvenates our christian life anymore
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  • Than getting back in touch with the person of jesus christ.
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  • By carefully observing his examples of how to live,
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  • By studying his words, by mimicking his actions,
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  • Attitudes and affections, and that is our goal
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  • In this new series we're beginning today.
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  • Today we are launching a verse by verse study
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  • Of the most detailed account of the life
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  • And ministry of jesus christ.
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  • It's found in the gospel of luke,
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  • And we're entitling this series,
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  • Reigniting your spiritual passion for christ.
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  • And we're going to begin looking today
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  • At verses one through four of luke chapter one.
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  • Now, this gospel is not only about a person,
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  • It is also written by a real life person.
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  • We call him luke.
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  • Now, interestingly, he's never identified as the author
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  • Of this book or the sequel to luke,
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  • Which is the book of acts.
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  • Nevertheless, church history tells us it was luke
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  • Who wrote this book.
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  • Luke was a gentile physician.
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  • He was a faithful friend and fellow worker along
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  • With the apostle paul
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  • And the bible only mentions luke three times.
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  • First of all, you see on your outline there
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  • And follow along with us in colossians 4:14, paul refers
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  • To luke as the beloved physician.
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  • Then in philemon 24, there's only one chapter,
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  • So we say philemon verse 24,
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  • Paul refers to luke as my fellow worker.
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  • We don't know exactly how they got together,
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  • But after they both were saved,
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  • They became fellow workers and missionaries together.
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  • That's the second mention of luke
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  • Is found in philemon verse 24
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  • Where he is called the fellow worker with paul.
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  • The final mention of luke in the bible
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  • Is in 2 timothy 4:9-11.
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  • Paul was in prison awaiting his execution
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  • And remember what he wrote to timothy.
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  • Chapter four verses nine to 11, "make every effort to come
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  • To me soon, for demas having loved this present world
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  • Has deserted me and gone to thessalonica,
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  • Crescens has gone to galatia, titus to dalmatia.
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  • Only luke is with me.
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  • Pick up mark and bring him with you,
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  • For he is useful to me for service."
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  • Luke was a faithful friend to the very end.
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  • That is luke the author of this gospel.
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  • Now let's look at the audience for a moment.
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  • Unlike the three other gospels, luke has written
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  • To a specific individual and we find him named
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  • In luke 1:3-4.
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  • Look at this, back at luke 1:3-4.
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  • "it seemed fitting for me as well,
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  • Having investigated everything carefully from the beginning
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  • To write it out for you in consecutive order,
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  • Most excellent theophilus, so that you might know
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  • The exact truth about the things you have been taught."
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  • This gospel was written to a man named theophilus.
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  • Now theophilus, theos means god.
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  • Philus, love, literally means a lover of god.
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  • Now, some people have supposed,
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  • Well, this was just a literary device luke used.
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  • He's writing it to anybody who loves god.
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  • It's just a literary device.
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  • No, i think this is a real person and the reason
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  • Is, notice the way he refers to theophilus
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  • As most excellent.
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  • This says this is a person of great stature.
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  • In fact, you'll see that luke also uses this phrase
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  • To describe felix, the roman governor of judea in acts 24
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  • And his successor festus in acts 26.
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  • He's talking about a real person.
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  • Again, it's speculation who theophilus was.
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  • Perhaps he had been luke's master
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  • And luke after he was converted, led his former master
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  • To faith in christ as well.
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  • Whoever he was, he was a wealthy gentile.
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  • He was a convert to christianity already,
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  • And luke wrote his gospel not to show him how to be saved,
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  • But to how to live after he was saved.
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  • Persecution was beginning to descend upon believers.
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  • Perhaps theophilus was starting to waver in his commitment
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  • To jesus christ and so luke is reminding him
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  • Of what it means to be a disciple of christ.
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  • As we're going to see in a minute,
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  • This is a pervasive theme of luke.
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  • It's not about how to be saved,
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  • It's how to live as a disciple after we are saved.
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  • That is the audience to whom this was written, theophilus.
  • 00:10:34.090 --> 00:10:37.727
  • Now that leads to a third consideration
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  • And that is what makes this gospel unique.
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  • I want to talk about two characteristics
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  • Of this gospel of luke.
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  • First of all, luke is carefully researched.
  • 00:10:48.471 --> 00:10:53.008
  • Now, unlike matthew and john, luke was not an eyewitness
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  • To the events of jesus' life,
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  • But that doesn't mean luke's account is not reliable.
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  • It is very, very reliable.
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  • It is carefully researched.
  • 00:11:06.489 --> 00:11:08.824
  • Look again at luke 1:1-4.
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  • "inas much as many have undertaken to compile in account
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  • Of the things accomplished among us."
  • 00:11:15.965 --> 00:11:17.666
  • In other words, there are other gospels out there.
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  • There are already gospels out there,
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  • But he goes on to say, "just as those
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  • Who from the beginning were eyewitnesses
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  • And servants of the word have handed them down to us,
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  • It seemed fitting for me as well,
  • 00:11:30.846 --> 00:11:33.215
  • Having investigated everything carefully from the beginning
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  • To write it out for you in consecutive order,
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  • Oh, most excellent theophilus."
  • 00:11:40.756 --> 00:11:42.558
  • I want you to notice the three sources of luke's information
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  • That we're going to study in this gospel.
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  • First of all, he consulted eyewitnesses.
  • 00:11:49.431 --> 00:11:52.668
  • Notice that in verse two he talked to eyewitnesses.
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  • This greek word translated eyewitnesses is the same word
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  • From which we get our english word autopsy.
  • 00:11:59.975 --> 00:12:03.646
  • You know what an autopsy means?
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  • It means to see with one's own eyes,
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  • And so luke interviewed eyewitnesses
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  • Who saw these miraculous things about the life
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  • Of jesus christ.
  • 00:12:13.889 --> 00:12:15.391
  • Not only that, he consulted servants of the word
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  • Who have handed them down to us.
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  • That is those who had already written down accounts
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  • Of the lord jesus christ life.
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  • Not only is luke carefully researched,
  • 00:12:26.368 --> 00:12:29.205
  • But secondly it is extremely detailed.
  • 00:12:29.205 --> 00:12:32.875
  • It's extremely detailed.
  • 00:12:32.875 --> 00:12:34.944
  • Now, you would expect that from a doctor, wouldn't you?
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  • To go for the minute details.
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  • Let me give you an illustration
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  • Of how detailed luke's gospel is.
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  • Take the appearance of john the baptist,
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  • When john the baptist appeared on the scene.
  • 00:12:47.323 --> 00:12:49.291
  • Now mark's gospel says it this way,
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  • "john the baptist appeared in the wilderness," period.
  • 00:12:52.328 --> 00:12:56.665
  • That's a pretty quick and to the point to count, isn't it?
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  • John the baptist appeared in the wilderness.
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  • Now look how luke describes it in luke 3:1-2.
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  • "now in the fifteenth year of the reign of tiberius caesar,
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  • When pontius pilate was governor of judea
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  • And herod was tetrarch of galilee
  • 00:13:13.282 --> 00:13:15.451
  • And his brother philip was tetrach of the region of ituraea
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  • And trachonitis and lysanias was tetrarch of abilene
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  • In the high priesthood of annas and caiaphas,
  • 00:13:22.124 --> 00:13:24.960
  • The word of god came to john,
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  • The son of zacharias in the wilderness."
  • 00:13:27.496 --> 00:13:30.933
  • Now that's detail, isn't it?
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  • You know, that kind of detail ought
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  • To give every one of us great confidence
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  • In the trustworthiness of the bible.
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  • As one writer said, "christianity is a religion
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  • That is built upon facts."
  • 00:13:45.981 --> 00:13:49.652
  • And that's why the apostle peter
  • 00:13:49.652 --> 00:13:51.954
  • In his final years wrote these words in 2 peter 1:16,
  • 00:13:51.954 --> 00:13:55.557
  • "for we did not follow cleverly devised tales
  • 00:13:55.557 --> 00:14:00.362
  • When we made known to you the power
  • 00:14:00.362 --> 00:14:02.498
  • And coming of our lord jesus christ,
  • 00:14:02.498 --> 00:14:04.900
  • But we were eyewitnesses of his majesty."
  • 00:14:04.900 --> 00:14:10.072
  • And that leads to a fourth consideration,
  • 00:14:10.973 --> 00:14:12.675
  • The purpose in the writing of luke's gospel.
  • 00:14:12.675 --> 00:14:16.178
  • Just imagine for a moment, dr. luke was going to submit
  • 00:14:16.178 --> 00:14:18.981
  • His account of jesus' life for publication.
  • 00:14:18.981 --> 00:14:22.418
  • The publisher would probably want to know when luke,
  • 00:14:22.418 --> 00:14:24.653
  • We've got matthew, we've got mark, we've got john,
  • 00:14:24.653 --> 00:14:28.257
  • Why do we need another account of the life of jesus christ?
  • 00:14:28.257 --> 00:14:31.927
  • In fact, in luke 1:1 luke himself confesses,
  • 00:14:31.927 --> 00:14:34.430
  • There are many other accounts out there.
  • 00:14:34.430 --> 00:14:36.799
  • Well, here's what makes luke's gospel unique.
  • 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:39.201
  • The first emphasis in luke is on the humanity
  • 00:14:39.201 --> 00:14:42.504
  • Of jesus christ, the humanity of jesus.
  • 00:14:42.504 --> 00:14:45.941
  • Now again, matthew has his theme, the messiahship of jesus.
  • 00:14:45.941 --> 00:14:51.981
  • Jesus was the long awaited messiah.
  • 00:14:51.981 --> 00:14:54.049
  • Mark's emphasis is on the servanthood of jesus christ.
  • 00:14:54.049 --> 00:14:59.588
  • John's emphasis is on the deity of jesus christ,
  • 00:14:59.588 --> 00:15:04.159
  • But luke talks about the humanity of jesus christ.
  • 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:09.631
  • Let me show you how luke emphasizes the humanity of christ.
  • 00:15:09.631 --> 00:15:12.901
  • We see it in the opening account of jesus birth.
  • 00:15:12.901 --> 00:15:15.938
  • Luke gives us the most detailed account of the birth
  • 00:15:15.938 --> 00:15:19.441
  • Of jesus christ.
  • 00:15:19.441 --> 00:15:20.709
  • Wouldn't you expect that from a doctor?
  • 00:15:20.709 --> 00:15:22.411
  • He'd want to know how this baby got here.
  • 00:15:22.411 --> 00:15:24.246
  • That's why he has such a detailed account
  • 00:15:24.246 --> 00:15:26.548
  • Of the birth of jesus.
  • 00:15:26.548 --> 00:15:27.783
  • He also gives us an account of jesus,
  • 00:15:27.783 --> 00:15:29.885
  • Not just spiritual but
  • 00:15:29.885 --> 00:15:31.420
  • His personal and physical, and emotional development.
  • 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:36.558
  • In luke 2:52, we find this word,
  • 00:15:36.558 --> 00:15:38.827
  • "and jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature
  • 00:15:38.827 --> 00:15:43.532
  • And in favor with god and men."
  • 00:15:43.532 --> 00:15:47.002
  • It's also only in this gospel that we find the story
  • 00:15:47.002 --> 00:15:51.273
  • Of his dedication in the temple and his experience
  • 00:15:51.273 --> 00:15:54.043
  • As a 12-year-old when he amazed the teachers of the temple
  • 00:15:54.043 --> 00:15:57.012
  • In luke chapter two.
  • 00:15:57.012 --> 00:15:58.981
  • And it's luke, the doctor who gives us
  • 00:15:58.981 --> 00:16:01.350
  • The most detailed description
  • 00:16:01.350 --> 00:16:04.653
  • Of the physical suffering jesus experienced on the cross.
  • 00:16:04.653 --> 00:16:08.557
  • You don't find a more detailed explanation
  • 00:16:08.557 --> 00:16:10.959
  • Of the crucifixion than you find in luke 23.
  • 00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:14.563
  • As you read that, you can almost hear the clanging
  • 00:16:14.563 --> 00:16:17.699
  • Of the hammer as it drove those spikes into jesus arms
  • 00:16:17.699 --> 00:16:22.271
  • And his feet.
  • 00:16:22.271 --> 00:16:23.705
  • That's what you find in luke, the humanity of christ.
  • 00:16:23.705 --> 00:16:28.844
  • A second theme in the gospel of luke is the program of god.
  • 00:16:28.844 --> 00:16:33.282
  • As you read through jesus' life,
  • 00:16:33.282 --> 00:16:34.983
  • You realize he was a man on a mission.
  • 00:16:34.983 --> 00:16:36.985
  • Nothing happened by circumstance in his life.
  • 00:16:36.985 --> 00:16:40.622
  • It was all a part of the plan.
  • 00:16:40.622 --> 00:16:42.691
  • In luke 19:10, jesus said about himself,
  • 00:16:42.691 --> 00:16:45.060
  • "for the son of man has come to seek and to save
  • 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:49.164
  • That which was lost."
  • 00:16:49.164 --> 00:16:51.433
  • Jesus' death wasn't some horrible,
  • 00:16:51.433 --> 00:16:53.535
  • Accidental, terrible thing that happened.
  • 00:16:53.535 --> 00:16:55.838
  • Jesus' death wasn't the result
  • 00:16:55.838 --> 00:16:58.540
  • Of a bunch of bad men ending jesus' life prematurely.
  • 00:16:58.540 --> 00:17:02.311
  • No, this was all part of god's plan.
  • 00:17:02.311 --> 00:17:05.481
  • Now, remember i said this was written to gentiles.
  • 00:17:05.481 --> 00:17:07.883
  • That's one reason i like luke because it's written
  • 00:17:07.883 --> 00:17:09.718
  • To people like you and me, non-jews.
  • 00:17:09.718 --> 00:17:12.187
  • Somebody said, luke is the gospel of the underdog.
  • 00:17:12.187 --> 00:17:16.692
  • That's what you find in luke's gospel, the program of god.
  • 00:17:16.692 --> 00:17:22.598
  • The third thing that you find in this gospel
  • 00:17:22.598 --> 00:17:25.234
  • Is the perseverance of christians,
  • 00:17:25.234 --> 00:17:28.036
  • The perseverance of christians.
  • 00:17:28.036 --> 00:17:29.304
  • Again, luke is not about how to be saved,
  • 00:17:29.304 --> 00:17:31.740
  • It's about how to live after we are saved.
  • 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:35.878
  • Over and over again in luke jesus said,
  • 00:17:35.878 --> 00:17:38.313
  • A true disciple is not somebody who intellectually believes
  • 00:17:38.313 --> 00:17:41.550
  • The right things about me.
  • 00:17:41.550 --> 00:17:43.452
  • It is someone who follows me, who imitates my life,
  • 00:17:43.452 --> 00:17:48.757
  • And that brings me to the last consideration today.
  • 00:17:48.757 --> 00:17:52.227
  • Why are we studying the gospel of luke?
  • 00:17:52.227 --> 00:17:54.530
  • Why luke? why now in our church?
  • 00:17:54.530 --> 00:17:58.066
  • You know, just as hopefully you go to the doctor
  • 00:17:58.066 --> 00:18:01.370
  • For a physical checkup to know how your body is doing,
  • 00:18:01.370 --> 00:18:05.307
  • Every now and then we need to take time
  • 00:18:05.307 --> 00:18:07.075
  • To do a spiritual checkup to see how our spiritual life is.
  • 00:18:07.075 --> 00:18:12.881
  • If dr. luke were to place his stethoscope
  • 00:18:13.782 --> 00:18:17.286
  • Against your heart, your spiritual life, the real you,
  • 00:18:17.286 --> 00:18:21.957
  • What would he discover about the condition
  • 00:18:22.858 --> 00:18:25.093
  • Of your relationship with god?
  • 00:18:25.093 --> 00:18:27.596
  • In fact, what standard would he use to know
  • 00:18:28.497 --> 00:18:30.566
  • Whether you're close to god or far away from god?
  • 00:18:30.566 --> 00:18:34.002
  • Well, the standard to measure your spiritual health
  • 00:18:35.070 --> 00:18:36.838
  • Is actually found in the passage we just read
  • 00:18:36.838 --> 00:18:39.641
  • A few moments ago in ephesians 4:13-15,
  • 00:18:39.641 --> 00:18:45.180
  • "until we all attain to the unity of the faith
  • 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:48.150
  • And of the knowledge of the son of god to a mature man,
  • 00:18:48.150 --> 00:18:53.589
  • To the measure of the stature
  • 00:18:53.589 --> 00:18:56.291
  • Which belongs to the fullness of christ.
  • 00:18:56.291 --> 00:19:00.128
  • But speaking the truth and love, we are to grow up
  • 00:19:00.128 --> 00:19:02.164
  • In all aspects into him, who is the head, even christ."
  • 00:19:02.164 --> 00:19:05.901
  • You know the standard by which god uses to measure
  • 00:19:05.901 --> 00:19:08.904
  • The condition of your spiritual life,
  • 00:19:08.904 --> 00:19:10.472
  • The standard is jesus christ himself.
  • 00:19:10.472 --> 00:19:14.009
  • How closely do you resemble jesus?
  • 00:19:14.009 --> 00:19:16.845
  • Someone said it this way.
  • 00:19:16.845 --> 00:19:18.847
  • Here's what it means to be a disciple.
  • 00:19:19.681 --> 00:19:21.883
  • To be a disciple means for me to live my life
  • 00:19:21.883 --> 00:19:26.888
  • As jesus would live my life if he were i.
  • 00:19:26.888 --> 00:19:32.494
  • This idea of being a disciple is not optional.
  • 00:19:33.462 --> 00:19:38.433
  • I want to tell you, ladies and gentlemen, the greatest heresy
  • 00:19:38.433 --> 00:19:42.804
  • That has entered the church of jesus christ today,
  • 00:19:42.804 --> 00:19:45.907
  • It's the heresy that you can become a christian,
  • 00:19:45.907 --> 00:19:49.278
  • Know that you're going to go to heaven when you die,
  • 00:19:49.278 --> 00:19:51.947
  • And yet not have one single change in your life
  • 00:19:51.947 --> 00:19:55.584
  • As a result of that.
  • 00:19:55.584 --> 00:19:56.918
  • That is heresy. that is absolutely wrong.
  • 00:19:56.918 --> 00:20:01.623
  • That is what james calls a dead, non-existent faith.
  • 00:20:01.623 --> 00:20:06.561
  • No wonder the church is so weak and anemic today.
  • 00:20:06.561 --> 00:20:10.299
  • It's not in spite of what we're teaching,
  • 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:12.334
  • It's because of what we're teaching.
  • 00:20:12.334 --> 00:20:14.336
  • No wonder the rate of adultery and divorce
  • 00:20:14.336 --> 00:20:16.638
  • Is exactly the same among christians
  • 00:20:16.638 --> 00:20:19.741
  • As is among non-christians.
  • 00:20:19.741 --> 00:20:22.344
  • Why is it? we are teaching this heresy
  • 00:20:22.344 --> 00:20:25.080
  • That salvation is essential, discipleship is optional.
  • 00:20:25.080 --> 00:20:31.687
  • No, no, no, no.
  • 00:20:31.687 --> 00:20:34.956
  • Again, james says, where there is no fruit,
  • 00:20:34.956 --> 00:20:40.462
  • There is no faith.
  • 00:20:40.462 --> 00:20:42.631
  • Faith without works is a dead non-existent faith.
  • 00:20:42.631 --> 00:20:47.069
  • Or as jesus said, "why do you call me lord
  • 00:20:47.069 --> 00:20:50.639
  • If you do not do what i do?"
  • 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:53.809
  • 1 john 2:6 john describes what it means to be a christian.
  • 00:20:54.976 --> 00:21:01.216
  • He says, "whoever claims to live in god must walk
  • 00:21:01.216 --> 00:21:08.523
  • As jesus did."
  • 00:21:08.523 --> 00:21:11.593
  • Discipleship is not optional, it is essential.
  • 00:21:12.561 --> 00:21:17.332
  • Well, how do you pull that off?
  • 00:21:17.332 --> 00:21:19.735
  • How do you walk as jesus did?
  • 00:21:20.369 --> 00:21:22.838
  • How do you live every day in submission to god's will?
  • 00:21:23.939 --> 00:21:27.943
  • How do you adopt god's priorities as your priorities?
  • 00:21:29.010 --> 00:21:33.014
  • How do you keep yourself from being entangled
  • 00:21:33.915 --> 00:21:35.817
  • In material wealth and possessions?
  • 00:21:35.817 --> 00:21:39.621
  • How do you live with a peace of mind
  • 00:21:39.621 --> 00:21:41.757
  • Regardless of what is happening around you?
  • 00:21:41.757 --> 00:21:45.527
  • The best way to pull that off
  • 00:21:46.161 --> 00:21:48.764
  • Is to look and examine carefully the only person
  • 00:21:49.731 --> 00:21:51.933
  • Who has pulled that off, his name is jesus christ.
  • 00:21:51.933 --> 00:21:56.071
  • And over the weeks and months ahead, we're going to do that.
  • 00:21:56.071 --> 00:21:58.540
  • We're going to carefully examine jesus' attitudes,
  • 00:21:58.540 --> 00:22:02.577
  • His affections, his actions so that we can walk
  • 00:22:02.577 --> 00:22:06.815
  • As jesus walked.
  • 00:22:06.815 --> 00:22:09.017
  • And in doing so, i believe god
  • 00:22:09.017 --> 00:22:11.787
  • Is going to reignite your passion for christ.
  • 00:22:11.787 --> 00:22:16.725
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:22:16.725 --> 00:22:21.496
  • We're just getting started in this fascinating study
  • 00:22:21.496 --> 00:22:24.332
  • In the gospel of luke, and i hope you'll join us
  • 00:22:24.332 --> 00:22:27.169
  • For each message in this teaching series
  • 00:22:27.169 --> 00:22:30.005
  • As we rekindle our passion for christ this christmas season.
  • 00:22:30.005 --> 00:22:34.643
  • Now, just before we close today's program,
  • 00:22:34.643 --> 00:22:37.012
  • I want to remind you that we've been blessed
  • 00:22:37.012 --> 00:22:39.514
  • With a tremendous opportunity to increase the impact
  • 00:22:39.514 --> 00:22:42.651
  • Of our ministry through the pathway to victory
  • 00:22:42.651 --> 00:22:45.487
  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
  • 00:22:45.487 --> 00:22:48.256
  • From now until december 31st,
  • 00:22:48.256 --> 00:22:51.126
  • Your gift will have twice the impact
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  • Until we reach the goal of $1.5 million.
  • 00:22:54.229 --> 00:22:58.300
  • That means a gift of $100 becomes $200.
  • 00:22:58.300 --> 00:23:01.937
  • A $500 gift would become a thousand dollars.
  • 00:23:01.937 --> 00:23:05.607
  • A $5,000 gift would be matched until it became $10,000.
  • 00:23:05.607 --> 00:23:11.646
  • In matthew five, jesus said,
  • 00:23:11.646 --> 00:23:13.348
  • "you are the light of the world,"
  • 00:23:13.348 --> 00:23:15.684
  • And when you support pathway to victory,
  • 00:23:15.684 --> 00:23:17.719
  • You're letting your light shine before others,
  • 00:23:17.719 --> 00:23:20.622
  • Allowing them to see the goodness of our heavenly father.
  • 00:23:20.622 --> 00:23:24.559
  • Please don't miss out on this opportunity to double
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  • The impact of your giving.
  • 00:23:27.662 --> 00:23:29.664
  • Together we are lighting the darkness,
  • 00:23:29.664 --> 00:23:32.067
  • And sharing the radiant hope of christ
  • 00:23:32.067 --> 00:23:34.769
  • With a world desperately in need.
  • 00:23:34.769 --> 00:23:37.672
  • Stay right there. i'll be back with more pathway to victory
  • 00:23:37.672 --> 00:23:41.376
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:23:41.376 --> 00:23:43.979
  • [narrator] the one thing god wants more than anything else
  • 00:23:45.146 --> 00:23:47.649
  • In this world is time with you.
  • 00:23:47.649 --> 00:23:50.385
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time in his word
  • 00:23:50.385 --> 00:23:53.922
  • With the brand new 2025 pathway to victory daily devotional.
  • 00:23:53.922 --> 00:23:57.859
  • This year's devotional has a beautiful navy blue leather
  • 00:23:57.859 --> 00:24:00.562
  • Cover with inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
  • 00:24:00.562 --> 00:24:03.298
  • And now with larger print,
  • 00:24:03.298 --> 00:24:04.699
  • The 260 practical insights from dr. robert jeffress
  • 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:08.036
  • Are easier to read.
  • 00:24:08.036 --> 00:24:09.738
  • This stunning 532 page devotional makes an ideal christmas
  • 00:24:09.738 --> 00:24:13.308
  • Gift for loved ones who want to grow in their faith too.
  • 00:24:13.308 --> 00:24:16.311
  • Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
  • 00:24:16.311 --> 00:24:19.748
  • He chose to do it through the written word,
  • 00:24:19.748 --> 00:24:22.751
  • And that's why it's so important for you and for me
  • 00:24:22.751 --> 00:24:25.086
  • To set aside regular time to read the word of god.
  • 00:24:25.086 --> 00:24:29.724
  • [narrator] every season carries an uplifting theme.
  • 00:24:29.724 --> 00:24:32.627
  • Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
  • 00:24:32.627 --> 00:24:36.231
  • In spring and summer, grow stronger in christ
  • 00:24:37.165 --> 00:24:39.267
  • With insights from colossians.
  • 00:24:39.267 --> 00:24:41.369
  • And in the fall and winter, embrace the father who loves you
  • 00:24:41.369 --> 00:24:44.539
  • With inspirational readings based on the parable
  • 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:47.075
  • Of the prodigal son.
  • 00:24:47.075 --> 00:24:48.577
  • When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming,
  • 00:24:49.678 --> 00:24:52.147
  • Take a moment to anchor yourself
  • 00:24:52.147 --> 00:24:53.848
  • In the calming truth of god's word
  • 00:24:53.848 --> 00:24:55.717
  • With the brand new 2025 pathway to victory daily devotion.
  • 00:24:55.717 --> 00:25:00.221
  • Your gift of support not only provides you
  • 00:25:00.221 --> 00:25:02.357
  • With this life giving resource, it empowers us
  • 00:25:02.357 --> 00:25:05.193
  • To spread the hope filled message of jesus christ as well.
  • 00:25:05.193 --> 00:25:08.863
  • Thank you for supporting the ministry of pathway to victory.
  • 00:25:08.863 --> 00:25:16.071
  • As we see from these three unique themes,
  • 00:25:16.938 --> 00:25:19.908
  • The gospel of luke is truly like none other,
  • 00:25:19.908 --> 00:25:22.978
  • And i encourage you to join us for the remainder
  • 00:25:22.978 --> 00:25:25.614
  • Of this year as we study this remarkable book
  • 00:25:25.614 --> 00:25:29.317
  • Because nothing will rejuvenate your christian faith
  • 00:25:29.317 --> 00:25:32.487
  • Any more than getting back in touch with jesus christ.
  • 00:25:32.487 --> 00:25:36.758
  • Next time we're going to turn our attention
  • 00:25:36.758 --> 00:25:38.927
  • To the christmas story, beginning with the passage
  • 00:25:38.927 --> 00:25:41.963
  • Where an angel first appears to mary.
  • 00:25:41.963 --> 00:25:44.966
  • Why would god choose an average ordinary girl
  • 00:25:44.966 --> 00:25:48.570
  • To be the mother of our savior?
  • 00:25:48.570 --> 00:25:50.839
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:53.675
  • On pathway to victory.
  • 00:25:53.675 --> 00:25:55.977
  • When we come to luke's gospel, this great doctor
  • 00:25:56.945 --> 00:26:00.148
  • Who's also a historian gives us a proper balance
  • 00:26:00.148 --> 00:26:04.152
  • In understanding mary,
  • 00:26:04.152 --> 00:26:06.087
  • He neither deifies her, nor does he ignore her.
  • 00:26:06.087 --> 00:26:09.190
  • [narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:26:09.190 --> 00:26:11.426
  • For the message, mary, mary, quite extraordinary
  • 00:26:11.426 --> 00:26:14.996
  • Here on pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:14.996 --> 00:26:16.765
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:16.765 --> 00:26:19.167
  • Imagine yourself worshiping your creator
  • 00:26:19.167 --> 00:26:21.936
  • While sailing the mediterranean sea
  • 00:26:21.936 --> 00:26:24.539
  • Or walking down the streets of ephesus
  • 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:26.741
  • Just as the apostle paul once did.
  • 00:26:26.741 --> 00:26:29.577
  • I want you to experience these magnificent moments and more
  • 00:26:29.577 --> 00:26:33.581
  • On the pathway to victory journeys
  • 00:26:33.581 --> 00:26:35.517
  • Of paul mediterranean cruise.
  • 00:26:35.517 --> 00:26:38.119
  • [narrator] embark on a voyage aboard the celebrity ascent.
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  • On board, you'll enjoy lavish state rooms,
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  • Spacious balconies, and world-class dining.
  • 00:26:43.458 --> 00:26:46.127
  • And onshore, you'll experience breathtaking views,
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  • Famous beaches in sought after island destinations
  • 00:26:48.863 --> 00:26:51.833
  • Like santorini, mykonos, and crete.
  • 00:26:51.833 --> 00:26:54.335
  • The godly fellowship will be unforgettable,
  • 00:26:54.335 --> 00:26:57.172
  • And i guarantee you will never read the new testament
  • 00:26:57.172 --> 00:27:00.508
  • The same way again.
  • 00:27:00.508 --> 00:27:02.110
  • [narrator] in addition to the 11 day cruise,
  • 00:27:02.110 --> 00:27:04.179
  • You can also book an optional rome extension.
  • 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:06.815
  • To reserve your spot on the 2025 pathway to victory
  • 00:27:06.815 --> 00:27:10.351
  • Journeys of paul mediterranean cruise,
  • 00:27:10.351 --> 00:27:12.620
  • Call 888-280-6747 or go to ptv.org.
  • 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:12.620