Robert Jeffress - Moving From Materialism to Contentment

July 17, 2025 | 29:0

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 - Moving From Materialism to Contentment | July 17, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome again
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  • To "pathway to victory."
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  • Materialism is characterized by the continual pursuit
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  • Of more with no end in sight.
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  • Although, this craving is part of our dna,
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  • It's another mountain, an obstacle that blocks us
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  • From the blessed life god wants us to experience.
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  • Today as we continue our series "invincible"
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  • I'm going to show you how to overcome the insatiable desire
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  • For earthly treasures.
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  • My message is titled
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  • "moving from materialism to contentment"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [narrator] sometimes our emotions are like mountains
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  • That stand in our way, obstacles like doubt, bitterness
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  • Or fear keep us from enjoying a peaceful life of courage.
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  • In his book "invincible: conquering the mountains"
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  • "that separate you from the blessed life,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress helps you overcome barriers
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  • Like guilt, loneliness, lust, grief, anxiety and more.
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  • Discover how to conquer the mountains that hold you back,
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  • Request your hardcover copy of "invincible"
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  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • The "royal charter" was one of the fastest ships
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  • Ever built in the united kingdom.
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  • In october of 1859 she was returning from australia
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  • With her cargo hold filled with boxes of gold.
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  • But that wasn't the only gold on board,
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  • Over 377 passengers many carried gold coins in their luggage
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  • Or had sewn gold coins into their clothing.
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  • Captain thomas taylor was determined to get his passengers
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  • And crew back to liverpool, england,
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  • Despite the threatening seas.
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  • As the "royal charter" came inside of holyhead,
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  • The skies grew ominous,
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  • The ship struggled around the island,
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  • Then the hurricane struck and drove the ship backward.
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  • All efforts to steer proved hopeless.
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  • Captain taylor ordered the anchors to be dropped
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  • To stop their drift as the "royal charter"
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  • Was battered by gale force winds.
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  • Distress signals were sent, to no avail.
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  • No rescue ship could be safely launched.
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  • Only 40 of the 377 passengers and crew
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  • Made it to shore alive.
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  • Why?
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  • Many people drowned because they refused
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  • To remove their gold-laden clothing.
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  • As one writer said "humans have a particularly strong"
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  • "and at times irrational obsession with their possessions."
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  • "every year car owners are killed or seriously injured"
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  • "in their attempts to stop the theft of their vehicles,"
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  • "a choice that few would make in the cold light of the day."
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  • "it's as if there is a demon in our minds that compels us"
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  • "to fret over the stuff we own"
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  • "and make risky lifestyle choices"
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  • "in the pursuit of material wealth."
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  • "i think we are possessed."
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  • I think the author is right.
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  • Many of us are possessed by our possessions
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  • And the result can be disaster.
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  • Because these passengers on the "royal charter"
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  • Were unwilling to separate themselves from their possessions
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  • They ended up perishing.
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  • But those people ultimately who refuse
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  • To separate themselves, see themselves apart
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  • From what they own, face spiritual death as well.
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  • In our series "invincible" we're talking about conquering
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  • The 10 challenges, the 10 mountains that separate us
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  • From the life god wants us to experience.
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  • And today, we're going to talk about conquering
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  • The mountain of materialism.
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  • A challenge that robs us not only of the abundant life
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  • God wants us to experience now,
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  • But the abundant life he wants us to experience
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  • For all eternity.
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  • First of all, i think we need to define what materialism is.
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  • When you think of somebody who is a materialist,
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  • What comes to mind?
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  • Maybe you think of billionaires
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  • Vacationing on the french riviera
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  • Or driving around in their lamborghinis
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  • Or lounging around in their penthouses in new york city.
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  • We tend to think of a materialist
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  • As somebody who doesn't have any interest
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  • In spiritual things.
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  • In fact, i looked up the dictionary definition
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  • Of materialism and found this, quote,
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  • "the tendency to consider material possessions"
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  • "and physical comfort as more important"
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  • "then spiritual values."
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  • But did you know that's not really true?
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  • A materialistic person is not an unspiritual person,
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  • We all have a spiritual side to us,
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  • We all have a spiritual longing for fulfillment,
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  • For peace,
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  • For security.
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  • The materialist doesn't give up his spiritual pursuits,
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  • He just finds them, satisfies them in a different way.
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  • Instead of looking to the god of the bible to satisfy
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  • That spiritual hunger, he looks to the god of money,
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  • Of materialism to satisfy those hungers
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  • And that's why, really a materialist is a spiritual person,
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  • But he's looking to idols, rather than the real god
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  • To satisfy those needs.
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  • Paul makes that point in colossians 3:5 he writes.
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  • "therefore consider the members of your earthly body"
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  • "as dead to immortality, impurity, passion, evil desire"
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  • And notice this, the last one,
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  • "greed which amounts to idolatry."
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  • Idolatry is worshiping anything,
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  • Anyone other than the true god,
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  • Looking to them to provide your ultimate needs.
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  • And paul is saying greed is really a form of idolatry.
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  • It's looking to money rather than to god
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  • To fulfill that spiritual desire you have.
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  • Jesus made the same point in matthew 6:24, he said
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  • "no one can serve two masters;"
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  • "for either he will hate the one and love the other,"
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  • "or he will be devoted to one and despise the other."
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  • You cannot serve,
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  • You cannot worship
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  • Both god and money.
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  • Money is a god that people chase after
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  • To satisfy their needs.
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  • And it's understandable why some people
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  • Would chose to worship money.
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  • The fact is money makes many of the same promises
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  • That the true god makes.
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  • For example, money promises security.
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  • Don't we all long for security?
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  • There are many things money cannot protect you against.
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  • And there's a great illustration of that
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  • In luke, chapter 12.
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  • Turn over there for a moment.
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  • Verse 15 jesus sounded this warning, he said.
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  • "be on your guard against materialism"
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  • "literally, be on your guard against greed,"
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  • "every form of it for not even when a man has an abundance"
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  • "does his life consist of his possessions."
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  • You are more than what you own, jesus says.
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  • Don't define your life by what you own, why?
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  • Well, they told a parable.
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  • He said, "and jesus told them a parable saying"
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  • "'the land of a certain rich man was very productive'."
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  • "and the rich man began reasoning to himself saying"
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  • "'what shall i do, since i have no place to stor my crops?'"
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  • In an agricultural society the way you measure wealth
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  • Was by the crops your land would produce.
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  • And he said i've got so much excess
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  • I don't know what to do with it.
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  • And then he said to himself i know what i'll do.
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  • I'll tear down my current barns
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  • "and build larger ones and there i will store all my grain"
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  • "and all my goods."
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  • "and i will say to my soul,"
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  • "'soul, you have many goods laid up for you'"
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  • "for many years to come,'"
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  • "'take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.'"
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  • Notice the two things this farmer's money
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  • Was going to provide him, first of all security.
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  • I've got enough money stashed away
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  • To take care of me for many years,
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  • And i don't ever have to work again.
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  • And then he said, "i can enjoy a life of luxury."
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  • A luxurious life, "eat drink and be merry."
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  • That's what he was looking for, he thought money
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  • Had provided both of those things, security and luxury.
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  • But there is one contingency this rich man
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  • Had never planned for, look at verse 21.
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  • As he was having this conversation with himself,
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  • God said to him, he intervened in his life
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  • And he said "you fool, this very night"
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  • "your soul is required of you"
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  • "and now who will own what you have prepared?"
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  • That word required in greek is a banking term
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  • It means to call in a loan.
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  • God said you'd made all of your plans for the future,
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  • But you forgot your life is just on loan to you
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  • And i can call in the loan anytime i want.
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  • "you fool, tonight your soul is required of you"
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  • "and now, who will own" all that stuff you had packed
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  • Into the barns?
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  • "so is the man who stores up treasure for himself"
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  • "and is not rich toward god."
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  • Any security you think that money
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  • Or your possessions will provide you is just an illusion.
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  • Money can never protect you from having a stranger steal
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  • The affections of your mate.
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  • It can never protect you from a car crash.
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  • It can never protect you from a metastasizing cancer cell.
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  • And it certainly, can never protect you from death.
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  • Secondly, people worship money because money promises peace.
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  • People think well, when i get a certain amount of money
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  • My life will be a lot easier.
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  • It will bring peace out of chaos.
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  • The fact is wealth, money can bring many stresses
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  • Into your life, so i'd like to have some of that stress.
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  • Well think about it before you say that.
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  • In ecclesiastes 5, solomon who is the wealthiest man
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  • Of his day said, "when good increase,"
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  • "those who consume them increase."
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  • "so what advantage is it to their owners except to look on?"
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  • "the sleep of the working man is pleasant,"
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  • "whether he eats little or much."
  • 00:11:16.298 --> 00:11:18.434
  • "but the full stomach of the rich man"
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  • "does not allow him to sleep."
  • 00:11:20.236 --> 00:11:22.238
  • In other words, a wealthy person stays up at night
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  • Worrying about his money, taxes to pay,
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  • More employees to manage, government regulations
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  • To deal with.
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  • There is stress, not peace many times
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  • That comes with wealth.
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  • Finally, people worship money
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  • Because it promises fulfillment.
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  • It promises in what it buys to fill that hole
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  • That is in all of our hearts.
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  • We think if only i had a certain income
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  • Or had a certain amount of money,
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  • Finally i could build my dream house.
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  • Or i could drive my dream car,
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  • Or i could take my dream vacation.
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  • The truth is dream houses still get backed up toilets.
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  • And dream cars still get scratches and dings on them.
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  • Dream vacations now matter how exotic
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  • Finally come to an end.
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  • That's why i timothy 6:10 says,
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  • "the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil,"
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  • "and some by longing for it have wandered away"
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  • "from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a grief."
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  • Money doesn't provide fulfillment.
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  • What should be our attitude if we're christians
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  • About money and materialism?
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  • It's not exactly what you think.
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  • The bible doesn't say money is evil,
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  • The love of money is evil, but money isn't evil,
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  • We need to keep money in perspective
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  • According to god's word.
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  • Three admonitions the bible gives us about money,
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  • Number one, appreciate money without worshiping it.
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  • Appreciate it without worshiping it.
  • 00:12:58.434 --> 00:13:01.337
  • I mean the fact is on one hand it was money
  • 00:13:01.337 --> 00:13:03.572
  • That caused the rich young ruler to turn away from christ.
  • 00:13:03.572 --> 00:13:07.042
  • It caused the rich fool in luke 12 to think
  • 00:13:07.042 --> 00:13:09.445
  • All was well with his soul.
  • 00:13:09.445 --> 00:13:11.480
  • It was money that caused judas to betray jesus
  • 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:14.650
  • For 30 pieces of silver.
  • 00:13:14.650 --> 00:13:16.485
  • It was money that caused ananias and sapphira to lie
  • 00:13:16.485 --> 00:13:19.622
  • To the holy spirit and be struck dead.
  • 00:13:19.622 --> 00:13:22.658
  • But on the other hand, it was money
  • 00:13:22.658 --> 00:13:24.860
  • That allowed solomon's temple to be built
  • 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:27.229
  • And people to worship god.
  • 00:13:27.229 --> 00:13:29.231
  • It was money that paid for the last supper
  • 00:13:29.231 --> 00:13:31.600
  • In the upper room, the passover meal
  • 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:33.569
  • That jesus had with his followers.
  • 00:13:33.569 --> 00:13:35.504
  • It was money that funded paul's three missionary journeys
  • 00:13:35.504 --> 00:13:39.074
  • To take the gospel everywhere.
  • 00:13:39.074 --> 00:13:41.143
  • Don't hate money, but be aware of the dangers of it.
  • 00:13:41.143 --> 00:13:45.014
  • Secondly, the bible says when it comes to money
  • 00:13:45.014 --> 00:13:47.549
  • We ought to save money without hoarding it.
  • 00:13:47.549 --> 00:13:51.487
  • In ecclesiastes 5:13 solomon wrote,
  • 00:13:51.487 --> 00:13:54.390
  • "there is a grievous evil which i have seen under the sun;"
  • 00:13:54.390 --> 00:13:58.327
  • "riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt."
  • 00:13:58.327 --> 00:14:01.997
  • You know what hoarding is?
  • 00:14:01.997 --> 00:14:04.233
  • It's just trying to stockpile money,
  • 00:14:04.233 --> 00:14:06.535
  • Build as big of a pile of it as you can.
  • 00:14:06.535 --> 00:14:09.838
  • And you get to where you just do it
  • 00:14:09.838 --> 00:14:11.307
  • For the sake of doing it,
  • 00:14:11.307 --> 00:14:12.641
  • Thinking that's where your security is.
  • 00:14:12.641 --> 00:14:15.177
  • Don't hoard money, solomon said.
  • 00:14:15.177 --> 00:14:17.079
  • But the bible says, do save money.
  • 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:20.249
  • In the bible you see admonitions to set aside saved money
  • 00:14:20.249 --> 00:14:24.320
  • For four distinct purposes.
  • 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:26.889
  • For example, the bible says we should save money
  • 00:14:26.889 --> 00:14:29.258
  • To provide for our future needs.
  • 00:14:29.258 --> 00:14:31.760
  • In proverbs 6:6-8 solomon said,
  • 00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:34.830
  • "go to the ant, o sluggard. observe her ways and be wise."
  • 00:14:34.830 --> 00:14:39.335
  • "which, even though it has no chief or officer or ruler"
  • 00:14:39.335 --> 00:14:43.339
  • "the ant prepares her food in the summer."
  • 00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:46.375
  • "and gathers her provision in the harvest."
  • 00:14:46.375 --> 00:14:50.446
  • The ant doesn't have a big brain.
  • 00:14:50.446 --> 00:14:53.015
  • But even an ant realizes the food that's abundant right now
  • 00:14:53.015 --> 00:14:56.618
  • May not always be available.
  • 00:14:56.618 --> 00:14:58.721
  • Set aside some of the current perhaps surplus
  • 00:14:58.721 --> 00:15:02.157
  • That's there to prepare for a future need.
  • 00:15:02.157 --> 00:15:06.295
  • If i were to sum up the bible's advice
  • 00:15:07.129 --> 00:15:09.331
  • About how to be financially independent in your life
  • 00:15:09.331 --> 00:15:14.069
  • And to handle your money it would be proverbs 21:20.
  • 00:15:14.069 --> 00:15:16.905
  • Solomon said "there is treasure and oil"
  • 00:15:16.905 --> 00:15:19.541
  • "in the dwelling of the wise."
  • 00:15:19.541 --> 00:15:21.610
  • But the fool consumes it all.
  • 00:15:21.610 --> 00:15:24.513
  • Or as the king james says, "spendith it up."
  • 00:15:24.513 --> 00:15:28.751
  • The fool is the person who spends everything he makes,
  • 00:15:28.751 --> 00:15:32.588
  • The wise person who always keeps his spending
  • 00:15:32.588 --> 00:15:35.891
  • Below his income.
  • 00:15:35.891 --> 00:15:38.527
  • Thirdly, use money without trusting it.
  • 00:15:38.527 --> 00:15:42.498
  • Use it without trusting it.
  • 00:15:42.498 --> 00:15:44.400
  • In proverbs 10:15 solomon says,
  • 00:15:44.400 --> 00:15:46.468
  • "the rich man's wealth is his fortress."
  • 00:15:46.468 --> 00:15:50.572
  • But then he added a balancing word in chapter 18:11,
  • 00:15:50.572 --> 00:15:54.610
  • "a rich man's wealth is his strong city."
  • 00:15:54.610 --> 00:15:58.180
  • "and like a high wall in his own imagination."
  • 00:15:58.180 --> 00:16:02.885
  • Yes, money can protect you against some things,
  • 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:07.656
  • But there are other things it can never protect you against.
  • 00:16:07.656 --> 00:16:11.160
  • That's the balancing.
  • 00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:12.261
  • Use money, set it aside,
  • 00:16:12.261 --> 00:16:14.863
  • But don't put your ultimate trust in it whatsoever.
  • 00:16:14.863 --> 00:16:18.934
  • How do you conquer the mountain of materialism
  • 00:16:18.934 --> 00:16:22.404
  • If you've built your life around money
  • 00:16:22.404 --> 00:16:26.041
  • And what it purchases?
  • 00:16:26.041 --> 00:16:27.276
  • How do you conquer that desire?
  • 00:16:27.276 --> 00:16:30.012
  • Philippians 4:11, "for i have learned to be content"
  • 00:16:30.012 --> 00:16:35.250
  • "in whatever circumstances i am in."
  • 00:16:36.018 --> 00:16:37.886
  • "i know how to get along with humble means,"
  • 00:16:37.886 --> 00:16:39.988
  • "i know how to live in prosperity;"
  • 00:16:39.988 --> 00:16:41.957
  • "in any and every circumstances i've learned"
  • 00:16:41.957 --> 00:16:44.226
  • "the secret of being filled and going hungry,"
  • 00:16:44.226 --> 00:16:47.162
  • "both of having abundance and suffering need."
  • 00:16:47.162 --> 00:16:49.698
  • "i can do all things through christ who strengthens me."
  • 00:16:49.698 --> 00:16:54.837
  • Paul said yes, we christians have to look inwardly,
  • 00:16:55.871 --> 00:16:58.474
  • Not to ourselves, but to our relationship with jesus christ.
  • 00:16:58.474 --> 00:17:02.277
  • That's the secret to contentment.
  • 00:17:02.277 --> 00:17:05.814
  • But notice he says, i leaned how to be content.
  • 00:17:05.814 --> 00:17:11.086
  • This contentment isn't a natural part of our dna.
  • 00:17:12.020 --> 00:17:15.524
  • We're not born with it.
  • 00:17:15.524 --> 00:17:17.493
  • Even as christians we have to learn how to conquer
  • 00:17:17.493 --> 00:17:20.896
  • That desire for more by being content.
  • 00:17:20.896 --> 00:17:25.000
  • What are the secrets to learning contentment?
  • 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:28.137
  • Let me mention in closing today three secrets
  • 00:17:28.137 --> 00:17:30.906
  • For contentment that come straight from this passage
  • 00:17:30.906 --> 00:17:33.809
  • In i timothy chapter 6.
  • 00:17:33.809 --> 00:17:36.345
  • First of all contentment comes when we learn to thank god
  • 00:17:36.345 --> 00:17:40.749
  • For what we already have.
  • 00:17:40.749 --> 00:17:43.085
  • Do you find yourself thanking god for that job
  • 00:17:43.085 --> 00:17:46.088
  • You have an opportunity to go to?
  • 00:17:46.088 --> 00:17:48.157
  • That in turn earns the income to provide for yourself
  • 00:17:48.157 --> 00:17:51.527
  • And your family.
  • 00:17:51.527 --> 00:17:53.095
  • Deuteronomy 8:18 moses said "you shall remember the lord"
  • 00:17:53.095 --> 00:17:57.399
  • "your god, for it is he who gives you the power"
  • 00:17:57.399 --> 00:18:00.702
  • "to make wealth," to make money.
  • 00:18:00.702 --> 00:18:03.071
  • God's the one who gives you a job,
  • 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:05.541
  • He's the one who gives you the breath of life
  • 00:18:05.541 --> 00:18:07.676
  • In order to function at that job.
  • 00:18:07.676 --> 00:18:10.445
  • Again, it is impossible for gratitude and discontent
  • 00:18:10.445 --> 00:18:14.516
  • To reside in the same heart.
  • 00:18:14.516 --> 00:18:16.051
  • Thank god for what you already have.
  • 00:18:16.051 --> 00:18:18.120
  • Secondly, contentment comes from recognizing the dangers
  • 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:22.791
  • Of materialism.
  • 00:18:22.791 --> 00:18:24.826
  • I wish i had time to talk about this, but notice the dangers
  • 00:18:24.826 --> 00:18:28.964
  • Of materialism paul mentions in i timothy 6:9 and 10.
  • 00:18:28.964 --> 00:18:32.734
  • "those who want to get rich, those who are thirsting"
  • 00:18:32.734 --> 00:18:36.371
  • "for more fall into temptation and a snare."
  • 00:18:36.371 --> 00:18:41.109
  • The first danger of desiring more is you can fall
  • 00:18:41.109 --> 00:18:45.547
  • Into a snare, the greek word here means a trap
  • 00:18:45.547 --> 00:18:48.750
  • That has been baited for an animal.
  • 00:18:48.750 --> 00:18:51.420
  • When you want to get rich you have that insatiable desire
  • 00:18:52.588 --> 00:18:56.258
  • You become easy prey for people who would take your money
  • 00:18:56.258 --> 00:18:59.394
  • From you for get rich quick schemes.
  • 00:18:59.394 --> 00:19:02.798
  • Be careful you can fall into a snare.
  • 00:19:02.798 --> 00:19:05.133
  • Not only that, you can fall into foolish
  • 00:19:05.133 --> 00:19:08.136
  • And harmful desires.
  • 00:19:08.136 --> 00:19:10.439
  • I know people who have come into a lot of money
  • 00:19:10.439 --> 00:19:12.507
  • And they've just been foolish in what they've done with it.
  • 00:19:12.507 --> 00:19:15.077
  • Joined country clubs and golf lessons and vacations
  • 00:19:15.077 --> 00:19:18.614
  • And pretty soon they were completely out
  • 00:19:18.614 --> 00:19:21.049
  • Of money once again.
  • 00:19:21.049 --> 00:19:23.118
  • Not only foolish desires, but harmful desires.
  • 00:19:23.118 --> 00:19:26.722
  • Other people have allowed money to give them
  • 00:19:26.722 --> 00:19:29.191
  • Too much independence and they've fallen
  • 00:19:29.191 --> 00:19:31.360
  • Into elicit relationships and lost their marriages
  • 00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:34.229
  • And families.
  • 00:19:34.229 --> 00:19:35.697
  • And then he talks about eventually materialism
  • 00:19:35.697 --> 00:19:38.767
  • Can plunge you into ruin and destruction.
  • 00:19:38.767 --> 00:19:43.005
  • Here he's talking about apostasy, falling away from god
  • 00:19:44.072 --> 00:19:47.242
  • You see that in the next verse, verse 10.
  • 00:19:47.242 --> 00:19:49.511
  • "for the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil."
  • 00:19:49.511 --> 00:19:52.381
  • "and some by longing for it have wandered away"
  • 00:19:52.381 --> 00:19:56.251
  • "from the faith and pierced themselves with many a pang."
  • 00:19:56.251 --> 00:20:02.291
  • Finally, how do you learn contentment?
  • 00:20:03.125 --> 00:20:06.161
  • Contentment comes from remembering how temporary
  • 00:20:06.161 --> 00:20:10.666
  • Our possessions are.
  • 00:20:10.666 --> 00:20:12.968
  • Verse seven of i timothy 6 paul says,
  • 00:20:13.735 --> 00:20:15.971
  • Remember you have brought nothing into this world
  • 00:20:15.971 --> 00:20:18.674
  • And you will take nothing out of it either.
  • 00:20:18.674 --> 00:20:21.376
  • Translation you came into this world empty handed,
  • 00:20:21.376 --> 00:20:25.947
  • Not with a thing and guess what,
  • 00:20:25.947 --> 00:20:27.949
  • You're going to leave this world in the very same way.
  • 00:20:27.949 --> 00:20:31.086
  • John stott says "possessions are only the traveling luggage"
  • 00:20:31.086 --> 00:20:35.390
  • "of time."
  • 00:20:35.390 --> 00:20:36.758
  • One day you're going to set that luggage down.
  • 00:20:36.758 --> 00:20:39.928
  • I've never seen a hearse pulling a u-haul, not ever.
  • 00:20:40.996 --> 00:20:44.733
  • Doesn't happen, you leave it all behind.
  • 00:20:44.733 --> 00:20:49.204
  • You remember that story i told you about the 377 passengers
  • 00:20:49.204 --> 00:20:53.742
  • Aboard the "royal charter" ship how all of them,
  • 00:20:53.742 --> 00:20:57.579
  • Except for 40 lost their lives.
  • 00:20:57.579 --> 00:21:00.582
  • Many of them because they refused to take off their clothing
  • 00:21:00.582 --> 00:21:05.087
  • That was weighted down by gold that had been sewn into it.
  • 00:21:05.087 --> 00:21:09.024
  • You know what the ultimate irony is?
  • 00:21:09.024 --> 00:21:11.526
  • Just a few moments, after they made that decision
  • 00:21:12.527 --> 00:21:16.565
  • Not to take off their clothing, not to separate themselves
  • 00:21:17.699 --> 00:21:19.868
  • Form their riches a few moments after they made
  • 00:21:19.868 --> 00:21:22.571
  • That disastrous decision,
  • 00:21:22.571 --> 00:21:24.740
  • They perished and they were immediately
  • 00:21:25.607 --> 00:21:28.110
  • Separated from all of their possessions.
  • 00:21:28.977 --> 00:21:32.748
  • That's what death is, it is a separation from everything.
  • 00:21:32.748 --> 00:21:37.853
  • The word thanotos, death means to separate.
  • 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:42.391
  • Death is the separation of our spirit from our body,
  • 00:21:43.458 --> 00:21:45.927
  • But it's also the separation of us
  • 00:21:45.927 --> 00:21:48.263
  • From everything that we own.
  • 00:21:48.263 --> 00:21:52.067
  • And that's why the ultimate misuse of your life
  • 00:21:52.067 --> 00:21:57.339
  • Is to spend it pursuing things
  • 00:21:57.973 --> 00:22:00.108
  • That you're going to ultimately leave behind.
  • 00:22:00.108 --> 00:22:03.879
  • Or as god said to the fool, you fool,
  • 00:22:04.713 --> 00:22:08.450
  • Tonight your soul is required of you and you alone
  • 00:22:09.484 --> 00:22:13.722
  • What you have accumulated.
  • 00:22:13.722 --> 00:22:15.924
  • So is the man who is storing up riches for himself,
  • 00:22:15.924 --> 00:22:20.262
  • But is not rich toward god.
  • 00:22:20.862 --> 00:22:24.533
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:22:24.533 --> 00:22:28.937
  • My prayer is that today's study in philippians 4
  • 00:22:29.905 --> 00:22:32.908
  • Has helped you understand the root of your discontentment.
  • 00:22:32.908 --> 00:22:36.812
  • Accumulating wealth, growing a big savings account,
  • 00:22:36.812 --> 00:22:40.115
  • Those things may or may not have a place in life,
  • 00:22:40.115 --> 00:22:42.984
  • But in the end, money doesn't generate contentment
  • 00:22:42.984 --> 00:22:47.022
  • And you can't take money with you.
  • 00:22:47.022 --> 00:22:49.558
  • In closing, i want to say a word of thanks
  • 00:22:49.558 --> 00:22:51.993
  • To those who give much needed gifts to support the ministry
  • 00:22:51.993 --> 00:22:55.831
  • At "pathway to victory."
  • 00:22:55.831 --> 00:22:57.566
  • While i'm the face you see on this program,
  • 00:22:57.566 --> 00:23:00.235
  • You're the one who empowers the mission
  • 00:23:00.235 --> 00:23:02.904
  • Of "pathway to victory."
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  • I couldn't do this without you.
  • 00:23:04.506 --> 00:23:06.942
  • And at "pathway to victory" we're committed to teaching
  • 00:23:06.942 --> 00:23:10.078
  • The whole council of god's word,
  • 00:23:10.078 --> 00:23:12.447
  • Even the uncomfortable parts of it,
  • 00:23:12.447 --> 00:23:15.250
  • Such as dealing with bitterness and forgiveness.
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  • And it's truly making a difference in homes
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  • Across north america and around the world.
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  • 00:23:24.326 --> 00:23:28.230
  • We pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
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  • Now stay right there i'll be back
  • 00:23:32.033 --> 00:23:33.768
  • With more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:33.768 --> 00:23:37.772
  • Jesus told us that if we have faith as tiny
  • 00:23:37.772 --> 00:23:40.308
  • As a mustard seed we can move mountains.
  • 00:23:40.308 --> 00:23:43.345
  • But what does that promise really mean?
  • 00:23:43.345 --> 00:23:45.981
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:45.981 --> 00:23:47.415
  • [narrator] in his book "invincible" dr. robert jeffress
  • 00:23:47.415 --> 00:23:49.417
  • Helps you conquer the mountains that separate you
  • 00:23:49.417 --> 00:23:51.686
  • From the blessed life.
  • 00:23:51.686 --> 00:23:53.188
  • [robert] all of us are going to face mountains in life,
  • 00:23:53.188 --> 00:23:55.657
  • But those obstacles don't have to stop us in our tracks
  • 00:23:55.657 --> 00:23:59.227
  • Because with god on our side we are invincible.
  • 00:23:59.227 --> 00:24:03.098
  • [narrator] in the pages of "invincible"
  • 00:24:03.098 --> 00:24:04.633
  • You'll discover how to move from doubt to faith,
  • 00:24:04.633 --> 00:24:07.068
  • From anxiety to peace, from discouragement to hope,
  • 00:24:07.068 --> 00:24:10.138
  • From fear to courage and much more.
  • 00:24:10.138 --> 00:24:12.707
  • Life's ups and downs can be overwhelming,
  • 00:24:12.707 --> 00:24:15.277
  • But in the eyes of the mountain mover,
  • 00:24:15.277 --> 00:24:17.579
  • Every mountain you face is a mole hill
  • 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:20.582
  • And god is ready to take you to the other side of blessing.
  • 00:24:20.582 --> 00:24:24.553
  • [narrator] you're invited to request a hard cover copy
  • 00:24:24.553 --> 00:24:26.621
  • Of "invincible" when you give a generous gift
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  • To "pathway to victory."
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  • And when your gift is $75 or more, we'll also send you
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  • The complete collection of audio and video discs
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  • For the "invincible" teaching series,
  • 00:24:36.197 --> 00:24:38.233
  • Along with a personal and group study guide.
  • 00:24:38.233 --> 00:24:40.569
  • Nothing will prevent your conquering mountains
  • 00:24:40.569 --> 00:24:43.572
  • In your life anymore than doubt.
  • 00:24:43.572 --> 00:24:46.374
  • We've got this secret fear that our doubts are bigger
  • 00:24:46.374 --> 00:24:49.778
  • Than god's answers, don't worry about that.
  • 00:24:49.778 --> 00:24:52.914
  • God is big enough to handle your questions.
  • 00:24:52.914 --> 00:24:55.784
  • [narrator] your generosity today will help us
  • 00:24:55.784 --> 00:24:57.619
  • Spread the message of victory and hope.
  • 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:59.621
  • Thank you for giving generously to help us shine
  • 00:24:59.621 --> 00:25:02.223
  • The light of christ into the dark corners
  • 00:25:02.223 --> 00:25:04.359
  • Of our country and world.
  • 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:07.762
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:25:08.096 --> 00:25:09.598
  • If you allow the world to dictate your level
  • 00:25:09.598 --> 00:25:12.334
  • Of contentment, you will suffer from a never ending appetite
  • 00:25:12.334 --> 00:25:16.638
  • For more, more and more.
  • 00:25:16.638 --> 00:25:20.041
  • Peace, tranquility and contentment will escape you
  • 00:25:20.041 --> 00:25:23.945
  • Unless you allow god to help you move the mountain
  • 00:25:23.945 --> 00:25:27.549
  • Of materialism.
  • 00:25:27.549 --> 00:25:29.417
  • Well, it's amazing to see how modern travel and technology
  • 00:25:29.417 --> 00:25:33.355
  • Have connected us to the world.
  • 00:25:33.355 --> 00:25:35.557
  • We have instant access to everyone and yet,
  • 00:25:35.557 --> 00:25:39.928
  • Feelings of isolation have never been more acute,
  • 00:25:39.928 --> 00:25:43.164
  • So next time we're going to talk
  • 00:25:43.164 --> 00:25:44.799
  • About conquering the mountain of loneliness.
  • 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:48.203
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:25:48.203 --> 00:25:51.006
  • On "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:51.006 --> 00:25:53.375
  • The great irony of loneliness especially in this age,
  • 00:25:54.442 --> 00:25:57.879
  • Is this never before in world history
  • 00:25:57.879 --> 00:26:00.515
  • Have we been more connected to one another
  • 00:26:00.515 --> 00:26:03.351
  • And at the same time disconnected from one another.
  • 00:26:03.351 --> 00:26:07.722
  • The fact is ladies and gentlemen,
  • 00:26:07.722 --> 00:26:09.057
  • You and i were created by god for companionship
  • 00:26:09.057 --> 00:26:12.661
  • And everyday we're deprived of that companionship,
  • 00:26:12.661 --> 00:26:16.264
  • It's like being deprived of oxygen.
  • 00:26:16.264 --> 00:26:18.600
  • [narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:20.669
  • For the message "moving from loneliness to companionship"
  • 00:26:20.669 --> 00:26:24.472
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:24.472 --> 00:26:26.274
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:26.274 --> 00:26:29.811
  • [announcer] step away from your daily routine
  • 00:26:30.745 --> 00:26:32.681
  • And immerse yourself in god's masterpiece
  • 00:26:32.681 --> 00:26:35.183
  • On the "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska,
  • 00:26:35.183 --> 00:26:37.752
  • June 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:37.752 --> 00:26:40.622
  • Imagine starting each day immersed in god's word
  • 00:26:40.622 --> 00:26:43.892
  • Then stepping out to witness god's grandeur
  • 00:26:43.892 --> 00:26:46.695
  • From the majestic glaciers to soaring eagles.
  • 00:26:46.695 --> 00:26:50.165
  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith
  • 00:26:50.165 --> 00:26:53.535
  • In powerful ways.
  • 00:26:53.535 --> 00:26:54.903
  • [announcer] experience five star dinning,
  • 00:26:54.903 --> 00:26:56.805
  • Luxurious staterooms and exceptional service
  • 00:26:56.805 --> 00:26:59.507
  • While visiting iconic ports like juneau, ketchikan
  • 00:26:59.507 --> 00:27:02.644
  • And skagway.
  • 00:27:02.644 --> 00:27:04.079
  • We'll explore god's word together against the backdrop
  • 00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:07.115
  • Of his most impressive handiwork.
  • 00:27:07.115 --> 00:27:09.651
  • I promise, you'll return home with memories
  • 00:27:09.651 --> 00:27:12.220
  • That will last a lifetime and a heart renewed
  • 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:15.523
  • By god's presence.
  • 00:27:15.523 --> 00:27:17.158
  • [announcer] to book your spot on the 2026
  • 00:27:17.158 --> 00:27:19.160
  • "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska call 888-280-6747.
  • 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:24.632
  • Or go to ptv.org.
  • 00:27:25.066 --> 00:27:25.066