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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - The Most Important Verse In The Bible

May 1, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - The Most Important Verse In The Bible
Pathway to Victory provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, Biblical teaching.
#WordofGod #Bible #Salvation #Faith #Righteousness #Work #Grace #Believe #TrustGod #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Most Important Verse In The Bible | May 1, 2026
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • From the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:18.041
  • The most important question a person can ask in life
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  • Is this one.
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  • How can i have a right relationship with god?
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  • It's literally a matter of life and death,
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  • And the best bible verse to answer that question,
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  • In my opinion,
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  • Is the one we're going to look at today, romans 4:5.
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  • My message is titled "the most important verse in the bible"
  • 00:00:39.028 --> 00:00:42.398
  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:42.398 --> 00:00:50.773
  • Some christians use grace
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  • As a spiritual get-out-of-jail-free card.
  • 00:00:52.942 --> 00:00:55.845
  • Others pile on so many rules,
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  • They have no grace for themselves or others.
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  • In "grace gone wild,"
  • 00:01:00.617 --> 00:01:02.452
  • Dr. robert jeffress shows you
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  • What biblical grace actually looks like
  • 00:01:04.020 --> 00:01:06.489
  • And how practicing it leads to true freedom and lasting joy.
  • 00:01:06.489 --> 00:01:10.260
  • Discover how grace can transform your marriage,
  • 00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:12.629
  • Your relationships and your walk with god.
  • 00:01:12.629 --> 00:01:15.265
  • Request "grace gone wild"
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  • When you give a generous ministry gift
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  • To "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:19.235 --> 00:01:21.604
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • The most important verse in the bible.
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  • Now, people have been guessing for weeks or months
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  • What that verse is.
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  • I've heard a rumor that some sunday school classes
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  • Actually have betting pools,
  • 00:01:40.690 --> 00:01:43.159
  • (congregation laughs)
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  • Surely not for money, not here,
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  • But they are trying to guess what the verse is.
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  • Now, admittedly, a pastor's setting himself up for trouble
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  • When he announces
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  • He's going to talk about the most important verse in the bible
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  • Because everybody has a different idea
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  • Of what that verse should be.
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  • Maybe for you,
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  • The most important verse in the bible
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  • Is one you memorized as a child.
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  • Maybe it's one that your mom or dad taught to you.
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  • For others of you, it may be a verse that helped you
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  • Through a particularly difficult time in your life.
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  • But i think you would agree with me
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  • That if you had to select
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  • The single most important verse in the bible,
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  • It ought to be one that answers
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  • The most important question in life.
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  • And that is,
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  • How can a person have a right relationship with god?
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  • That's the question, by the way,
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  • Job asked thousands of years ago in job 9:2.
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  • "how can a man be right with god?"
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  • The answer to that question not only affects your life now,
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  • But if there really is a god,
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  • The answer to that question affects your eternity.
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  • So, where do we go to find the answer to that question?
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  • How can a person have a right relationship with god?
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  • How can he know for sure his sins are forgiven
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  • And that he will be welcomed
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  • Rather than turned away from heaven?
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  • Today we're going to look at the verse of scripture,
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  • It's actually one sentence,
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  • That i think most clearly answers that question,
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  • And it's found in the book of romans,
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  • Chapter 4, verse 5.
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  • Turn there, if you would,
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  • As we discover the most important verse in the bible.
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  • Now, for those of you who may not know
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  • About the letter to the romans,
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  • The apostle paul wrote it
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  • To a group of jewish and gentile believers,
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  • And the theme of the book of romans is
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  • That the righteousness of god,
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  • That word righteousness simply means
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  • A right standing with god,
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  • Is available to anyone who trusts in christ
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  • For his salvation.
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  • In fact, the theme verses are chapter 1, verses 16-17,
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  • Paul says, "for i am not ashamed of the gospel,
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  • For it is the power of god unto salvation
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  • To everyone who believes,
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  • The jew first and also the greek.
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  • For in it, the gospel,
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  • The righteousness of god is revealed from faith to faith,
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  • For as it says, 'the just shall live by faith.'"
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  • In the first three chapters of the book of romans,
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  • Paul explains how nobody
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  • Is in a right standing with god.
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  • There's not one righteous person among us.
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  • No, not even one.
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  • You say, well, now, wait a minute.
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  • I'm not sure i believe that.
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  • I mean, what about the pagan
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  • Who has never heard the name of jesus christ?
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  • Surely he gets a pass and is allowed into heaven.
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  • No, paul says, not the pagan.
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  • He is condemned by god.
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  • Well, then, surely the moralist,
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  • The person who lives by a good moral code,
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  • Lives by the golden rule.
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  • He's exempt from hell, he gets into heaven, doesn't he?
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  • He says, no, the moralist is condemned.
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  • Well, what about the sincere follower of religion?
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  • What about a religious person?
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  • He's allowed into heaven, isn't he?
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  • Paul says, no, not the religious person.
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  • There is none righteous among us.
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  • In romans 3:23,
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  • "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god."
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  • Well, if religion won't do it,
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  • If morality won't get you into heaven,
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  • If ignorance is not an excuse,
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  • Then how do we have a right relationship with god?
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  • And that brings us to romans 4:5.
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  • Paul says, "but to the one who does not work,
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  • But believes in him who justifies the ungodly,
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  • His faith is reckoned, it is counted as righteousness."
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  • And what i want you to notice in this simple sentence
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  • Are three characteristics
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  • Of the person who is in a right standing with god.
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  • And what's interesting is these three characteristics
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  • Are completely contrary to our human reasoning.
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  • They turn our expectations upside down
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  • Because they're god's wisdom and not man's wisdom.
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  • Will you notice what those three characteristics are?
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  • First of all, whom does god forgive?
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  • Who is assured of heaven?
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  • First of all,
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  • God forgives those who admit they are ungodly.
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  • Look at verse 5 again.
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  • "but to the one who does not work,
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  • But believes in him," and underline this,
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  • "who justifies the ungodly."
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  • That word justifies simply means,
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  • It's a legal term that means to declare not guilty.
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  • Imagine a judge in his robe taking that gavel
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  • And pounding it and declaring, "not guilty."
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  • The bible says the people whom god declares not guilty
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  • Are the who?
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  • The ungodly.
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  • Now, if you asked the average person on the street,
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  • Who do you think is going to be in heaven?
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  • They'd say, "well, people, you know, who go to church.
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  • People who read the bible.
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  • People who do nice things for little old women, you know?
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  • That's who gets to go to heaven, right?"
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  • No. he says it's not the godly, it is the ungodly.
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  • The king james version says the wicked.
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  • The wicked.
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  • Those are the ones god forgives.
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  • What does that mean, ungodly?
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  • You know that little prefix un-, u-n,
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  • It can mean not whatever.
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  • We say somebody is unfriendly,
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  • It means they're not friendly.
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  • We say somebody is unloving, they're not loving.
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  • We say somebody is ungodly, we mean they're not god-like.
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  • And we all don't have a problem accepting that,
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  • We know we're not like god.
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  • God is infinite, we're finite.
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  • God is all powerful, we're weak.
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  • God is all wise, we're not all wise.
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  • We understand that we are not like god.
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  • But that prefix un- also means something else.
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  • It means opposed to.
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  • When we say somebody is un-american,
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  • We don't mean they're not like an american.
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  • We mean they are opposed to the values and ideals
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  • That our country was founded on.
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  • Remember decades ago,
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  • The house had a house subcommittee on what?
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  • Un-american activities.
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  • They were trying to ferret out people in our country
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  • Who were opposed to the basic principles of our country.
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  • When paul says "the ungodly,"
  • 00:08:44.547 --> 00:08:48.017
  • He's talking about people who are opposed to god.
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  • And guess who that is?
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  • Every one of us.
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  • We are born with an inclination to oppose god.
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  • We are born with this inclination.
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  • When god says yes, our first inclination is to say no.
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  • When god says no to something,
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  • Our first inclination is to say yes.
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  • And we've all inherited that sin tendency.
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  • Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned."
  • 00:09:18.214 --> 00:09:21.984
  • Not just some have sinned,
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  • All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of god.
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  • Now, you know, we don't understand that.
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  • We like to point to people who are worse than we are
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  • To measure our morality by them.
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  • We compare ourselves to other people.
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  • But god sees no difference in humanity.
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  • We are all on the same plane.
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  • There is no difference in god's eyes
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  • Between the pastor and the prostitute,
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  • Between the governor and the gunman,
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  • Between the lawyer and the lawless,
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  • Between the sophisticated and the savage.
  • 00:09:52.348 --> 00:09:54.417
  • We are all sinners who need a savior.
  • 00:09:54.417 --> 00:09:58.254
  • And the first step to being forgiven is to recognize,
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  • To admit that we are ungodly.
  • 00:10:02.091 --> 00:10:06.328
  • "but to the one who does not work,
  • 00:10:06.328 --> 00:10:08.064
  • But who justifies the ungodly."
  • 00:10:08.064 --> 00:10:13.002
  • The second characteristic i want you to notice here
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  • Is that god forgives those who realize
  • 00:10:15.805 --> 00:10:20.142
  • They are incapable of earning salvation.
  • 00:10:20.142 --> 00:10:24.513
  • Notice in verse 5 again,
  • 00:10:24.513 --> 00:10:26.382
  • "to the one who does not work."
  • 00:10:26.382 --> 00:10:30.720
  • God forgives those who refuse to work for their salvation.
  • 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:35.725
  • Now, again, that turns our expectations topsy-turvy.
  • 00:10:35.725 --> 00:10:40.429
  • We think just the opposite.
  • 00:10:40.429 --> 00:10:42.631
  • In fact, we're taught from early in life
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  • That any good thing that comes into our life
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  • Is because of our hard work.
  • 00:10:47.670 --> 00:10:49.872
  • I mean, we're taught as children,
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  • If you study hard, you earn a good grade.
  • 00:10:51.173 --> 00:10:54.410
  • We're taught that if you work hard, you earn what?
  • 00:10:54.410 --> 00:10:57.546
  • A promotion or a bonus.
  • 00:10:57.546 --> 00:10:59.949
  • We're taught as athletes,
  • 00:10:59.949 --> 00:11:01.383
  • Athletes are taught if you train hard and compete hard,
  • 00:11:01.383 --> 00:11:04.887
  • You end up winning the game or you win the trophy.
  • 00:11:04.887 --> 00:11:07.890
  • You say, "well, pastor, why is it that god doesn't allow us
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  • To work, to earn his forgiveness?"
  • 00:11:11.994 --> 00:11:15.431
  • Well, paul explains that in verse 4,
  • 00:11:15.431 --> 00:11:18.000
  • The verse before verse 5.
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  • Paul says, "now to the one who works,
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  • His wage is not reckoned as a favor,
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  • But as what is due."
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  • When he uses that word wage,
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  • You understand what he's talking about.
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  • Let me ask you a question.
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  • How many of you,
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  • When you get your check on the 15th
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  • And/or 30th of every month,
  • 00:11:39.522 --> 00:11:41.323
  • How many of you go into your employer and say,
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  • "thank you so much for this.
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  • I can't believe you would do such a thing.
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  • I wasn't expecting this, thank you so much.
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  • What can i ever do to repay you?"
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  • Anybody ever do that?
  • 00:11:53.068 --> 00:11:54.470
  • Sometimes i wish the staff did come in and do that,
  • 00:11:54.470 --> 00:11:56.405
  • -but they don't. -(congregation laughs)
  • 00:11:56.405 --> 00:11:59.008
  • Why? because what they receive is not a gift.
  • 00:11:59.008 --> 00:12:03.445
  • It's not a favor.
  • 00:12:03.445 --> 00:12:05.080
  • It is an obligation.
  • 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:07.616
  • You have an obligation,
  • 00:12:07.616 --> 00:12:09.084
  • Your employer has an obligation with you.
  • 00:12:09.084 --> 00:12:10.986
  • You've made a deal with him.
  • 00:12:10.986 --> 00:12:12.254
  • You work and he pays you for what you do.
  • 00:12:12.254 --> 00:12:15.858
  • It's not a gift from him, it is a wage.
  • 00:12:15.858 --> 00:12:19.929
  • It is what you are owed.
  • 00:12:19.929 --> 00:12:22.698
  • And ladies and gentlemen, if we work for our salvation,
  • 00:12:22.698 --> 00:12:26.535
  • Then salvation is not a gift from god,
  • 00:12:26.535 --> 00:12:29.972
  • It is what god owes us.
  • 00:12:29.972 --> 00:12:32.274
  • And god refuses to owe any man or woman salvation.
  • 00:12:32.274 --> 00:12:37.213
  • Because even if salvation is 10% or 1% what we do,
  • 00:12:38.247 --> 00:12:42.785
  • It changes the whole nature of a gift
  • 00:12:42.785 --> 00:12:44.987
  • And makes it an obligation.
  • 00:12:44.987 --> 00:12:47.122
  • And that's why the bible says
  • 00:12:47.122 --> 00:12:48.657
  • God doesn't allow us to do anything to earn our salvation.
  • 00:12:48.657 --> 00:12:54.029
  • It is those who do not work who earn eternal life.
  • 00:12:55.030 --> 00:12:59.034
  • That is what the bible says,
  • 00:12:59.635 --> 00:13:00.703
  • "to the one who does not work,
  • 00:13:00.703 --> 00:13:02.805
  • But believes in him who justifies the ungodly,
  • 00:13:02.805 --> 00:13:05.774
  • His faith is counted as righteousness."
  • 00:13:05.774 --> 00:13:10.112
  • Whom does god forgive?
  • 00:13:10.112 --> 00:13:12.081
  • Who can be assured
  • 00:13:12.081 --> 00:13:13.515
  • That they're going to be welcomed into heaven one day?
  • 00:13:13.515 --> 00:13:15.551
  • First of all, those who admit that they are ungodly
  • 00:13:15.551 --> 00:13:18.487
  • And need god's forgiveness.
  • 00:13:18.487 --> 00:13:20.155
  • Secondly, those who realize they are incapable
  • 00:13:20.155 --> 00:13:22.958
  • Of earning in any way their salvation.
  • 00:13:22.958 --> 00:13:25.628
  • And then finally, and this is key,
  • 00:13:25.628 --> 00:13:28.097
  • God forgives those who trust in christ to save them.
  • 00:13:28.097 --> 00:13:32.735
  • Look again at verse 5.
  • 00:13:32.735 --> 00:13:34.336
  • "but to the one who does not work,
  • 00:13:34.336 --> 00:13:36.972
  • But believes in him," underline that,
  • 00:13:36.972 --> 00:13:40.976
  • "believes in him who justifies the ungodly,
  • 00:13:40.976 --> 00:13:44.580
  • His faith is reckoned as righteousness."
  • 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:47.683
  • Earlier in chapter 4,
  • 00:13:48.183 --> 00:13:49.919
  • Paul has been explaining to this mainly jewish audience
  • 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:53.289
  • How salvation is god's gift.
  • 00:13:53.289 --> 00:13:55.591
  • "it's not of works, lest any man should boast."
  • 00:13:55.591 --> 00:13:58.160
  • And as exhibit a of that truth,
  • 00:13:58.160 --> 00:14:00.029
  • He uses abraham as an example.
  • 00:14:00.029 --> 00:14:03.666
  • Now, you have to understand, to a jewish audience,
  • 00:14:03.666 --> 00:14:05.968
  • Abraham was kind of like george washington is to americans.
  • 00:14:05.968 --> 00:14:09.038
  • He was the father of the country,
  • 00:14:09.038 --> 00:14:10.773
  • The father of the jewish people.
  • 00:14:10.773 --> 00:14:12.675
  • He was the most revered character
  • 00:14:12.675 --> 00:14:14.843
  • In jewish history, abraham.
  • 00:14:14.843 --> 00:14:17.146
  • And the jews thought
  • 00:14:17.146 --> 00:14:18.681
  • If any man could be in heaven because of his good works,
  • 00:14:18.681 --> 00:14:22.084
  • It was abraham.
  • 00:14:22.084 --> 00:14:23.285
  • I mean, just think about what he did.
  • 00:14:23.285 --> 00:14:24.820
  • God told him to go to a country,
  • 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:26.488
  • Leave everything familiar
  • 00:14:26.488 --> 00:14:27.790
  • To the country he would show them,
  • 00:14:27.790 --> 00:14:29.458
  • And he picked up and he went there.
  • 00:14:29.458 --> 00:14:31.327
  • When he got into the dispute with his nephew lot
  • 00:14:31.327 --> 00:14:35.264
  • Over who could have the best land,
  • 00:14:35.264 --> 00:14:36.699
  • He voluntarily gave the best land to his nephew lot.
  • 00:14:36.699 --> 00:14:40.169
  • When god asked abraham to sacrifice his son,
  • 00:14:40.169 --> 00:14:43.572
  • His beloved son isaac,
  • 00:14:43.572 --> 00:14:44.974
  • He was willing to do that.
  • 00:14:44.974 --> 00:14:47.142
  • There is one guy who certainly could inherit heaven
  • 00:14:47.142 --> 00:14:50.846
  • Based on his works, couldn't he?
  • 00:14:50.846 --> 00:14:53.048
  • Not according to what paul says, look in romans 4:3.
  • 00:14:53.048 --> 00:14:56.151
  • He says, "for what does the scripture say?
  • 00:14:56.151 --> 00:14:59.288
  • 'and abraham believed god,
  • 00:14:59.288 --> 00:15:03.359
  • And it,'" that belief, that faith,
  • 00:15:03.359 --> 00:15:06.328
  • "was reckoned to abraham as righteousness,"
  • 00:15:06.328 --> 00:15:09.732
  • A right standing with god.
  • 00:15:09.732 --> 00:15:12.167
  • The event that paul is referring to
  • 00:15:12.167 --> 00:15:14.169
  • Goes back to genesis 15:6.
  • 00:15:14.169 --> 00:15:17.840
  • Remember before abraham had done anything good,
  • 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:21.043
  • Before he had become circumcised,
  • 00:15:21.043 --> 00:15:23.212
  • Which would be like us being baptized today,
  • 00:15:23.212 --> 00:15:25.748
  • Before any good thing abraham did,
  • 00:15:25.748 --> 00:15:28.317
  • God said to abraham, "abraham,
  • 00:15:28.317 --> 00:15:30.686
  • I'm going to make you the father of a great nation."
  • 00:15:30.686 --> 00:15:34.123
  • "me?
  • 00:15:34.123 --> 00:15:35.524
  • I'm 75 years old, i can't be the father of one,
  • 00:15:35.524 --> 00:15:38.193
  • Much less a multitude."
  • 00:15:38.193 --> 00:15:39.528
  • He said, "abraham, go outside.
  • 00:15:39.528 --> 00:15:41.830
  • Look into the heavens and count the number of stars.
  • 00:15:41.830 --> 00:15:44.566
  • Can you count them?"
  • 00:15:44.566 --> 00:15:45.834
  • "no."
  • 00:15:45.834 --> 00:15:47.102
  • He said, "so shall your descendants be."
  • 00:15:47.102 --> 00:15:51.140
  • And then, genesis 15:6 says,
  • 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:55.177
  • "and abraham believed god."
  • 00:15:55.177 --> 00:15:59.214
  • And god took that belief of abraham
  • 00:16:00.015 --> 00:16:02.418
  • And in the great accounting room of heaven,
  • 00:16:02.418 --> 00:16:05.220
  • That faith of abraham was exchanged for god's righteousness.
  • 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:10.492
  • At that moment, abraham was declared not guilty.
  • 00:16:11.427 --> 00:16:14.797
  • He was in a right standing with god.
  • 00:16:14.797 --> 00:16:17.966
  • Paul uses that same word, believe,
  • 00:16:17.966 --> 00:16:20.369
  • To describe how we're in a right relationship with god.
  • 00:16:20.369 --> 00:16:23.972
  • The word believe doesn't just mean intellectual assent
  • 00:16:23.972 --> 00:16:28.177
  • To a set of facts.
  • 00:16:28.177 --> 00:16:29.945
  • It is a belief that means to trust in, to cling to,
  • 00:16:29.945 --> 00:16:33.115
  • To put your full hope in.
  • 00:16:33.115 --> 00:16:35.884
  • It's the kind of faith that motivates you to do something.
  • 00:16:37.052 --> 00:16:41.223
  • Abraham, yes, he believed what god said,
  • 00:16:41.223 --> 00:16:43.859
  • But he believed it so much that he uprooted his family
  • 00:16:43.859 --> 00:16:47.096
  • And left everything familiar
  • 00:16:47.096 --> 00:16:48.397
  • To that land that god would show him
  • 00:16:48.397 --> 00:16:49.998
  • Without knowing where he was going.
  • 00:16:49.998 --> 00:16:52.534
  • It was the kind of faith noah exercised
  • 00:16:52.534 --> 00:16:54.903
  • When god said to noah,
  • 00:16:54.903 --> 00:16:56.205
  • "i'm going to destroy the world with a flood.
  • 00:16:56.205 --> 00:16:58.440
  • I want you to make an ark for you and your family."
  • 00:16:59.508 --> 00:17:02.211
  • He didn't just believe intellectually
  • 00:17:02.211 --> 00:17:03.679
  • The world was going to be destroyed.
  • 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:05.180
  • He believed enough that he was willing to build an ark
  • 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:07.950
  • And be called a fool for doing so
  • 00:17:07.950 --> 00:17:09.985
  • And putting his family into that boat.
  • 00:17:09.985 --> 00:17:12.988
  • And it's the same thing with us.
  • 00:17:12.988 --> 00:17:15.357
  • To believe in jesus christ for your salvation
  • 00:17:15.357 --> 00:17:19.328
  • Doesn't mean just to believe intellectual facts about jesus.
  • 00:17:19.328 --> 00:17:24.166
  • It means to believe, to cling to,
  • 00:17:24.166 --> 00:17:26.635
  • To trust in what jesus said about himself,
  • 00:17:26.635 --> 00:17:30.372
  • That he came and died on the cross
  • 00:17:30.372 --> 00:17:32.641
  • To forgive us of our sins.
  • 00:17:32.641 --> 00:17:34.243
  • It means to trust in that and that alone for our salvation.
  • 00:17:34.243 --> 00:17:38.013
  • Perhaps this illustration will help you
  • 00:17:38.013 --> 00:17:40.048
  • Even more understand what biblical belief is.
  • 00:17:40.048 --> 00:17:43.619
  • Some of our folks have seen this before,
  • 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:45.821
  • But it so well illustrates what the bible means
  • 00:17:45.821 --> 00:17:48.257
  • When it says believe.
  • 00:17:48.257 --> 00:17:50.526
  • Believe isn't just a set of intellectual facts you agree to.
  • 00:17:51.693 --> 00:17:56.064
  • You know, i could believe that this chair is sturdy,
  • 00:17:56.064 --> 00:17:59.935
  • That it is well made,
  • 00:17:59.935 --> 00:18:01.537
  • That it is capable of supporting my weight.
  • 00:18:01.537 --> 00:18:04.840
  • I believe that intellectually.
  • 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:07.075
  • Is this chair supporting me?
  • 00:18:07.075 --> 00:18:09.678
  • No, intellectual assent is not enough.
  • 00:18:09.678 --> 00:18:13.282
  • I could say, well, i kind of believe
  • 00:18:13.282 --> 00:18:16.718
  • That this chair can hold me,
  • 00:18:16.718 --> 00:18:17.953
  • But i want to hedge my bets.
  • 00:18:17.953 --> 00:18:20.055
  • And so i sit down, but i also put some weight on my feet.
  • 00:18:20.055 --> 00:18:24.860
  • I don't want to put my whole weight on it
  • 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:26.495
  • 'cause this thing could break.
  • 00:18:26.495 --> 00:18:28.397
  • Is it really holding me?
  • 00:18:28.897 --> 00:18:30.732
  • No, it's my feet as well as the chair.
  • 00:18:30.732 --> 00:18:34.136
  • To really believe in this chair means
  • 00:18:34.136 --> 00:18:36.405
  • I put my full weight in this chair,
  • 00:18:36.405 --> 00:18:40.375
  • No weight in my feet.
  • 00:18:40.375 --> 00:18:42.311
  • I transfer the responsibility from my feet
  • 00:18:42.311 --> 00:18:46.348
  • Completely to the chair to support me.
  • 00:18:46.348 --> 00:18:49.918
  • Now, ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:18:50.485 --> 00:18:51.853
  • It is the same way with believing in jesus christ.
  • 00:18:51.853 --> 00:18:56.325
  • To believe in jesus christ doesn't mean
  • 00:18:56.325 --> 00:18:58.694
  • To believe certain historical facts about jesus.
  • 00:18:58.694 --> 00:19:02.464
  • You can believe that jesus is the son of god,
  • 00:19:02.464 --> 00:19:06.134
  • You can believe that he died for the sins of the world,
  • 00:19:06.134 --> 00:19:09.271
  • You can believe that he rose from the dead on the third day,
  • 00:19:09.271 --> 00:19:12.374
  • And still split hell wide open when you die.
  • 00:19:12.374 --> 00:19:16.078
  • Did you know that?
  • 00:19:16.078 --> 00:19:17.779
  • How do i know that?
  • 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.147
  • Because you know the demons and satan
  • 00:19:19.147 --> 00:19:21.283
  • Believe all of those things about jesus?
  • 00:19:21.283 --> 00:19:24.086
  • They believed that he was the son of god.
  • 00:19:24.086 --> 00:19:25.921
  • When the demons confronted jesus, they said to him,
  • 00:19:25.921 --> 00:19:28.724
  • "why are you here, oh, son of god?"
  • 00:19:28.724 --> 00:19:31.393
  • They understood who jesus was.
  • 00:19:31.393 --> 00:19:33.528
  • They believed that he died for the sins of the world.
  • 00:19:33.528 --> 00:19:36.665
  • They believed that he rose again from the dead.
  • 00:19:36.665 --> 00:19:39.001
  • In fact, they believed those things more than you do.
  • 00:19:39.001 --> 00:19:43.238
  • More than i do.
  • 00:19:43.605 --> 00:19:45.374
  • Because they were there,
  • 00:19:45.374 --> 00:19:46.742
  • They were eyewitnesses to those things.
  • 00:19:46.742 --> 00:19:49.244
  • But that kind of belief is not what saves you.
  • 00:19:49.244 --> 00:19:52.080
  • It is when you are willing to appropriate that faith
  • 00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:55.150
  • In your own life,
  • 00:19:55.150 --> 00:19:56.485
  • When you come to that point of desperation,
  • 00:19:56.485 --> 00:19:58.920
  • When you believe that jesus is your only hope of heaven,
  • 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:02.324
  • When you kneel before a holy god and you say,
  • 00:20:02.324 --> 00:20:04.726
  • "god, i know i am ungodly.
  • 00:20:04.726 --> 00:20:08.530
  • I know i have sinned.
  • 00:20:08.530 --> 00:20:10.465
  • I know i deserve your eternal punishment.
  • 00:20:10.465 --> 00:20:13.802
  • But i believe that you sent your son jesus to die for me,
  • 00:20:13.802 --> 00:20:19.141
  • To take the punishment on the cross
  • 00:20:19.908 --> 00:20:20.842
  • That i deserve to take from you.
  • 00:20:20.842 --> 00:20:22.844
  • And right now i'm trusting in jesus and jesus alone,
  • 00:20:22.844 --> 00:20:26.915
  • Not my good works but in jesus and jesus alone
  • 00:20:26.915 --> 00:20:30.285
  • To save me from my sins."
  • 00:20:30.285 --> 00:20:32.954
  • And the bible says the moment,
  • 00:20:32.954 --> 00:20:34.690
  • The instant you say that to god,
  • 00:20:34.690 --> 00:20:38.060
  • Just like abraham, god takes your faith,
  • 00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:40.729
  • No matter how small it is,
  • 00:20:40.729 --> 00:20:42.964
  • And in the great accounting room of heaven
  • 00:20:42.964 --> 00:20:46.301
  • God exchanges your little bit of faith
  • 00:20:46.301 --> 00:20:49.071
  • For his everlasting forgiveness and righteousness.
  • 00:20:49.071 --> 00:20:53.742
  • "to the one who does not work,
  • 00:20:53.742 --> 00:20:56.378
  • But believes in him who justifies the ungodly,
  • 00:20:56.378 --> 00:21:00.549
  • His faith is counted as righteousness."
  • 00:21:00.549 --> 00:21:05.287
  • As a young girl,
  • 00:21:05.654 --> 00:21:07.356
  • Charlotte elliott had heard that truth all of her life.
  • 00:21:07.356 --> 00:21:12.160
  • One day, when she was nine years old,
  • 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:14.563
  • Her village pastor came by to see her.
  • 00:21:14.563 --> 00:21:17.232
  • He said, "charlotte, are you ready to come to jesus today?"
  • 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:22.104
  • She said, "pastor, i'd like to,
  • 00:21:22.104 --> 00:21:23.638
  • But i don't know how to come."
  • 00:21:23.638 --> 00:21:26.575
  • He said, "just come the way you are."
  • 00:21:26.575 --> 00:21:29.478
  • And that night,
  • 00:21:29.845 --> 00:21:31.113
  • Little charlotte elliott knelt beside her bed
  • 00:21:31.113 --> 00:21:33.382
  • And she prayed this prayer.
  • 00:21:33.382 --> 00:21:35.350
  • "dear god, my pastor said i don't have to wait any longer
  • 00:21:35.350 --> 00:21:38.987
  • To come to you.
  • 00:21:38.987 --> 00:21:40.655
  • If you will take me just the way i am,
  • 00:21:40.655 --> 00:21:43.759
  • I'll come to you now."
  • 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:46.261
  • Years later, as an adult,
  • 00:21:46.828 --> 00:21:49.064
  • Charlotte elliott used that experience
  • 00:21:49.064 --> 00:21:52.534
  • To pen one of the most loved hymns of all time.
  • 00:21:52.534 --> 00:21:57.005
  • "just as i am,
  • 00:21:57.372 --> 00:21:59.841
  • Without one plea,
  • 00:21:59.841 --> 00:22:02.077
  • But that thy blood was shed for me,
  • 00:22:02.077 --> 00:22:05.814
  • And that thou bidd'st me come to thee,
  • 00:22:05.814 --> 00:22:09.084
  • O lamb of god, i come."
  • 00:22:09.084 --> 00:22:13.355
  • As a little girl,
  • 00:22:13.789 --> 00:22:15.157
  • Charlotte elliott understood a truth so simple
  • 00:22:15.157 --> 00:22:20.061
  • That wise men have stumbled over it.
  • 00:22:20.862 --> 00:22:23.098
  • And that truth is this.
  • 00:22:23.098 --> 00:22:25.567
  • To the man, the woman,
  • 00:22:25.567 --> 00:22:28.069
  • The boy, the girl
  • 00:22:28.069 --> 00:22:29.604
  • Who does not work but believes in him who forgives,
  • 00:22:30.672 --> 00:22:34.643
  • Who justifies the ungodly,
  • 00:22:34.643 --> 00:22:37.279
  • God takes his faith and counts it as righteousness.
  • 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:43.018
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:22:43.351 --> 00:22:47.823
  • Are you glad to know
  • 00:22:48.290 --> 00:22:49.624
  • That jesus has paid the price for our sin?
  • 00:22:49.624 --> 00:22:52.661
  • All we need to do is place our trust in him and him alone
  • 00:22:52.661 --> 00:22:56.765
  • For our salvation.
  • 00:22:56.765 --> 00:22:58.467
  • At "pathway to victory,"
  • 00:22:58.467 --> 00:22:59.835
  • We're committed to proclaiming this life-changing truth
  • 00:22:59.835 --> 00:23:02.504
  • To as many people as possible.
  • 00:23:02.504 --> 00:23:04.706
  • And i'm so grateful for friends like you
  • 00:23:04.706 --> 00:23:07.108
  • Who partner with us to share the gospel through television,
  • 00:23:07.108 --> 00:23:10.579
  • Radio and digital streaming
  • 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.714
  • All over the world.
  • 00:23:12.714 --> 00:23:14.249
  • Whether you're a pathway partner
  • 00:23:14.249 --> 00:23:16.318
  • Or somebody who gives an occasional gift,
  • 00:23:16.318 --> 00:23:18.753
  • Your generosity is having an eternal impact.
  • 00:23:18.753 --> 00:23:22.591
  • Together we're reaching millions of people
  • 00:23:22.591 --> 00:23:24.860
  • With the hope and truth of the gospel,
  • 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:27.062
  • So thank you for partnering with us in the mission
  • 00:23:27.062 --> 00:23:30.232
  • To pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:30.232 --> 00:23:33.702
  • Now, please stay right there.
  • 00:23:33.702 --> 00:23:35.203
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:23:35.203 --> 00:23:37.506
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:23:37.506 --> 00:23:39.107
  • The bible tells us we're saved by grace,
  • 00:23:39.975 --> 00:23:43.211
  • But do you allow yourself to receive grace?
  • 00:23:43.211 --> 00:23:46.214
  • Do you practice grace?
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  • Do you abuse god's grace?
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  • In "grace gone wild,"
  • 00:23:50.018 --> 00:23:51.453
  • Dr. robert jeffress clears up the confusion
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  • And shows you how grace leads to joy, not guilt.
  • 00:23:54.155 --> 00:23:57.792
  • Christians fall into one of two traps
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  • When it comes to grace.
  • 00:23:59.895 --> 00:24:01.463
  • Some believe grace means there are no boundaries in living.
  • 00:24:01.463 --> 00:24:05.267
  • Others pile on so many rules
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  • That christianity feels like a burden instead of a blessing.
  • 00:24:07.302 --> 00:24:11.606
  • In my book "grace gone wild,"
  • 00:24:11.606 --> 00:24:13.208
  • I'll show you that true grace leads to a deeper,
  • 00:24:13.208 --> 00:24:16.978
  • More joy-filled relationship with god.
  • 00:24:16.978 --> 00:24:20.181
  • Discover how understanding grace
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  • Can transform your marriage, your relationships,
  • 00:24:22.250 --> 00:24:25.053
  • And every decision you make.
  • 00:24:25.053 --> 00:24:27.088
  • Request your copy of "grace gone wild"
  • 00:24:27.088 --> 00:24:29.524
  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:29.524 --> 00:24:32.894
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:24:32.894 --> 00:24:36.431
  • We'll also send you the "grace gone wild" teaching series
  • 00:24:36.431 --> 00:24:40.035
  • On both cd and dvd
  • 00:24:40.035 --> 00:24:42.137
  • Along with the application guide.
  • 00:24:42.137 --> 00:24:44.339
  • There are too many christians today
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  • Who have taken this marvelous gift of grace
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  • And perverted it.
  • 00:24:49.945 --> 00:24:51.580
  • They are robbing themselves
  • 00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:53.148
  • Of the joy that comes from obedience to god.
  • 00:24:53.148 --> 00:24:57.152
  • Thank you for your generous support
  • 00:24:57.152 --> 00:24:58.887
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:58.887 --> 00:25:00.455
  • Your gift helps us bring bold, biblical teaching
  • 00:25:00.455 --> 00:25:03.091
  • Around the world.
  • 00:25:03.091 --> 00:25:04.259
  • Together we are piercing the darkness
  • 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:06.394
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:25:06.394 --> 00:25:10.465
  • How can i have a right relationship with god?
  • 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:14.502
  • The answer to that question not only affects our life now,
  • 00:25:14.502 --> 00:25:18.073
  • But determines our eternal destiny,
  • 00:25:18.073 --> 00:25:21.076
  • And i hope today's message has given you
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  • A clear biblical answer.
  • 00:25:23.211 --> 00:25:26.114
  • While suffering in life is guaranteed
  • 00:25:26.114 --> 00:25:28.650
  • And while many christians let their problems
  • 00:25:28.650 --> 00:25:30.885
  • Destroy their relationship with god,
  • 00:25:30.885 --> 00:25:33.388
  • Others let their problems
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  • Deepen their relationship with god.
  • 00:25:34.923 --> 00:25:37.325
  • So, what's the secret to strengthening your faith
  • 00:25:37.325 --> 00:25:40.195
  • During seasons of pain and suffering?
  • 00:25:40.195 --> 00:25:42.897
  • That's the focus of my upcoming series, "spiritual fitness."
  • 00:25:42.897 --> 00:25:47.369
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:25:47.369 --> 00:25:49.938
  • On "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:49.938 --> 00:25:52.307
  • When we go through fiery problems in our life,
  • 00:25:53.241 --> 00:25:56.878
  • Sometimes those problems can strengthen us,
  • 00:25:56.878 --> 00:26:01.249
  • But sometimes they can cause our faith to shatter.
  • 00:26:01.249 --> 00:26:05.387
  • What's the difference?
  • 00:26:05.887 --> 00:26:08.056
  • What is it that determines
  • 00:26:08.056 --> 00:26:09.557
  • Whether or not problems strengthen us or destroy us?
  • 00:26:09.557 --> 00:26:15.330
  • In a word, faith.
  • 00:26:15.764 --> 00:26:17.732
  • Set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:20.669
  • For the message "the necessary ingredient"
  • 00:26:20.669 --> 00:26:23.538
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:23.538 --> 00:26:27.175
  • Join us on the "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska,
  • 00:26:28.243 --> 00:26:31.513
  • June 13th through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:31.513 --> 00:26:34.349
  • Let me paint a picture for you.
  • 00:26:34.349 --> 00:26:36.251
  • You're standing on the deck of a beautiful cruise ship,
  • 00:26:36.251 --> 00:26:39.521
  • Coffee in hand,
  • 00:26:39.521 --> 00:26:40.855
  • Watching a glacier cab into the pristine waters
  • 00:26:40.855 --> 00:26:44.392
  • While bald eagles circle overhead.
  • 00:26:44.392 --> 00:26:47.295
  • That's going to be us this coming june.
  • 00:26:47.295 --> 00:26:49.998
  • You've got to see alaska with your own eyes to believe it.
  • 00:26:49.998 --> 00:26:53.568
  • Seven days of pure luxury
  • 00:26:53.568 --> 00:26:55.537
  • Where every meal is prepared for you.
  • 00:26:55.537 --> 00:26:57.806
  • The world class service means
  • 00:26:57.806 --> 00:26:59.274
  • You never have to think about the details.
  • 00:26:59.274 --> 00:27:01.576
  • Instead, you can focus on casual conversations
  • 00:27:01.576 --> 00:27:04.846
  • With like-minded christians,
  • 00:27:04.846 --> 00:27:06.748
  • Laughing, telling stories,
  • 00:27:06.748 --> 00:27:08.450
  • While surrounded by god's breathtaking creation.
  • 00:27:08.450 --> 00:27:11.553
  • This is purposeful travel at its finest,
  • 00:27:11.553 --> 00:27:14.856
  • Refreshing your soul
  • 00:27:14.856 --> 00:27:16.424
  • In god's stunning cathedral of natural wonders.
  • 00:27:16.424 --> 00:27:20.495
  • Call 888-280-6747
  • 00:27:20.495 --> 00:27:23.898
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:23.898 --> 00:27:23.898