Robert Jeffress - To Obey Or Not To Obey (Part 2)

June 24, 2026 | 27:29

Pathway to Victory provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, Biblical teaching.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - To Obey Or Not To Obey (Part 2) | June 24, 2026
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with dr.
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  • Robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Make no mistake, america was founded by christian men
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  • Who wanted to establish a christian nation.
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  • Yet tragically, today's politicians have created laws
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  • That are hostile toward christian values.
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  • So, is it ever okay for christians to
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  • Disobey their government?
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  • My message is titled, "to obey or not to obey" on today's
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  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ i waited patiently, waited upon the lord and then ♪
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  • ♪ he turned to me for he heard every cry. ♪
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  • ♪ my god lifted me out of the darkened pit, and set ♪
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  • ♪ me on a rock where i have built my life. ♪
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  • ♪ blessed are the ones who trust, who trust upon the ♪
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  • ♪ lord and never turn away to any other god. ♪
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  • ♪ no other one compares to all our god has done ♪
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  • ♪ and all his plans for us. ♪
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  • ♪ his love and faithfulness i'll share with every breath. ♪
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  • ♪ i will not hide his name or righteousness within, ♪
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  • ♪ though many troubles come my feet are on his word, ♪
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  • ♪ so i will rest in him. ♪
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  • ♪ he put a new song of praise in my mouth so i lift ♪
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  • ♪ my hands as i am shouting it out. ♪
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  • ♪ you are my help and my defender, ♪
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  • ♪ you are my god and you are great. ♪
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  • ♪ i will declare the lord's salvation, ♪
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  • ♪ worthy is your name. ♪
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  • ♪ may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you, ♪
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  • ♪ may those who love your salvation ♪
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  • ♪ continuously say, great is the lord. ♪
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  • ♪ rejoice and be glad for the lord is great. ♪
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  • ♪ rejoice and be glad for the lord is great. ♪
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  • ♪ rejoice and be glad for the lord is great. ♪
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  • ♪ you are my help and my defender, you are my god ♪
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  • ♪ and you are great. ♪
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  • ♪ i will declare the lord's salvation worthy is your name. ♪
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  • ♪ you are my help and my defender, you are my god ♪
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  • ♪ and you are great. ♪
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  • ♪ i will declare the lord's salvation worthy is your name. ♪
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  • ♪ worthy is your name. ♪
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  • ♪ worthy, worthy, worthy, you are worthy, worthy, ♪
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  • ♪ worthy you are worthy, worthy is your name, your name. ♪
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  • ♪ worthy you are worthy, worthy is your name, your name. ♪♪
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  • Jeffress: before today's program begins, i want to invite you to
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  • Join me for a special message about america's future.
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  • Our nation is celebrating 250 years, but can we survive
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  • 250 more?
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  • Mark your calendar for june 21 and june 28 to hear this timely
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  • Message, "america at the crossroads: can we survive
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  • Another 250 years?"
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  • On "pathway to victory."
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  • Announcer: as our nation marks 250 years, america
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  • Stands at a crossroads.
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  • Will we return to the god who blessed us or continue down a
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  • Path that leads to ruin?
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  • Through the in god we trust matching challenge, your gift
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  • Today will be doubled in ministry impact.
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  • For 30 years, "pathway to victory" has pierced the
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  • Darkness of our nation with the light of god's word by sharing
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  • Biblical truth that transforms hearts.
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  • Join us in this critical hour by giving toward the in god we
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  • Trust matching challenge today.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: now think about this.
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  • If government is ordained by god, if it has a divine purpose
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  • In society, that it only stands reason that, as christians, we
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  • Have a responsibility to submit to the governing authorities.
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  • How do we do that?
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  • How do we act in subjection?
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  • He says we do it not only because we're afraid of the
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  • Wrath of government but for our own conscience's sake.
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  • Notice the two ways we submit to government.
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  • First of all, we submit by treating governing officials
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  • With fear and honor.
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  • Those are the words he uses in verse 7.
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  • "give fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due."
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  • What he's talking about here is a respect for the authority that
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  • God has set in place.
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  • Now, you know, these days, policemen everywhere are in the
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  • Crosshairs of criticism.
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  • Now, i realize all policemen aren't perfect all the time.
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  • After all, my brother's a policeman.
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  • I understand that better than anyone.
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  • They don't always get it right.
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  • But listen to me, most of the time they do get it right.
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  • And before you blast an email to me, hear this very carefully,
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  • Much, most, most, not all, but most of the conflicts with
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  • Police today is the result of citizens disobeying the
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  • God-ordained authority god has placed over them.
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  • That's what is going on here.
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  • You know, i don't understand.
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  • I mean, it's just incomprehensible to me,
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  • Teenagers and young adults that cry, "police abuse, police
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  • Abuse," just because they didn't stop when the police said stop.
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  • Where did these people get the idea you have the right to say
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  • No to a policeman, to an ordained authority?
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  • The fact is the bible says, look at this verse, "whoever resists
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  • Authority is resisting god himself."
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  • When these teenagers and young adults say no to police, it is
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  • As if they're saying no to god.
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  • Now again, that's not true every time.
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  • Some of you are gonna send me an email and you're gonna say,
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  • Well, what about this case in new york?
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  • And what about this case? and what about this case?
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  • Have you ever stopped to think about this?
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  • The reason gretchen and newscasters report this story is
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  • Because they are news.
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  • They are the exceptions rather than the rule to how police
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  • Conduct themselves.
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  • You don't hear stories about police who act rightly every
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  • Time because that's the norm.
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  • The exception is when police abuse their authority.
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  • And listen to what the word of god says.
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  • When you resist the police, you are resisting authority.
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  • And if you do what is right, you have no fear of authority.
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  • We submit by treating with fear and honor those whom god has
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  • Placed over us.
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  • Secondly, we submit by paying our taxes.
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  • Do i hear an amen on that one?
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  • Probably not.
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  • But that's what paul says.
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  • He said if government is going to fulfill its duty, it's going
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  • To have to be funded.
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  • Look at verse 7, "render to all what is due them, tax to whom
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  • Tax is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor
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  • To whom honor."
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  • This is what jesus said in luke 20 verse 25, "render to caesar
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  • The things that are caesar's."
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  • And paul goes on to say verse 8, "owe nothing to anyone except to
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  • Love one another."
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  • Some people have pulled that verse out of context.
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  • Oh, you know, we're never to go into debt for any reason at all.
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  • Owe no man anything.
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  • Remember the context of this is paying your taxes.
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  • What he's really saying is don't be delinquent in paying
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  • Your taxes.
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  • Don't owe government anything that is due them.
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  • In fact, he goes on to say, don't owe anybody anything that
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  • Is due them, whether it's money or love or honor, for he who
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  • Loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
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  • Now, all of these principles about the god ordained role of
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  • Government brings up the interesting question.
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  • Well, is there ever a time that christians need to say no
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  • To government?
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  • Now, if you read romans 13:1 to 8, there are no exceptions to
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  • This, but romans 13:1 through 8 are not the only passages that
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  • Speak about our responsibility to government.
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  • And we know that the way to interpret scripture is through
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  • Other scripture.
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  • So for a few moments we're gonna pull back and we're going to
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  • Look at what the bible says about when it's right to
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  • Disobey government.
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  • May i remind you that peter, paul, jesus himself, all lost
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  • Their lives because they said no to the governing authorities.
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  • So there are times that we are to resist authority, and i
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  • Believe personally that as our country moves further and
  • 00:10:29.474 --> 00:10:33.344
  • Further away from its christian foundation, those of us who are
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  • Believers are going to increasingly find ourselves in
  • 00:10:37.649 --> 00:10:40.185
  • Conflict with the governing authorities.
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  • So the real question is, what should be our response?
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  • As we're going to see in a moment, there are times that we
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  • Must say no to government.
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  • But let me share with you three principles that you need to
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  • Consider before you engage in civil disobedience.
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  • Principle number one, if you choose to say no to government,
  • 00:11:01.239 --> 00:11:04.809
  • Base your disobedience on a clear biblical mandate.
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  • Make sure you are basing your disobedience on a clear
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  • Biblical mandate.
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  • Turn over to acts chapter 5.
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  • Acts 5.
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  • You remember this story, peter and the apostles were boldly
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  • Proclaiming the message of jesus christ and the
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  • Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the jews whom the romans had
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  • Given power to handle jewish affairs in israel.
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  • The sanhedrin, the jewish officials hauled peter and the
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  • Apostles before them and said, "we want you to quit preaching
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  • The name of jesus."
  • 00:11:41.646 --> 00:11:43.248
  • Look at verse 28.
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  • They said to peter, "we gave you strict orders not to continue
  • 00:11:44.783 --> 00:11:48.720
  • Teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled
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  • Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood
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  • Upon us," talking about jesus.
  • 00:11:56.094 --> 00:11:58.229
  • "but peter and the apostles answered and said, "we must obey
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  • God rather than men."
  • 00:12:03.368 --> 00:12:06.604
  • When told they had to quit preaching in the name of jesus,
  • 00:12:06.604 --> 00:12:10.441
  • Did they hold a prayer meeting and say, "o god, please show us
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  • What to do?"
  • 00:12:13.144 --> 00:12:14.512
  • No, they didn't have to pray about this.
  • 00:12:14.512 --> 00:12:15.980
  • The mandate from christ had been clear in acts 1:8, you're to go
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  • Into all the world and preach the gospel.
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  • They didn't have to think twice about this.
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  • It was a clear violation of a biblical, a
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  • God-ordained mandate.
  • 00:12:30.361 --> 00:12:32.530
  • But sometimes government regulation, even that involves
  • 00:12:32.530 --> 00:12:38.036
  • Religion, doesn't necessarily need to be disobeyed just
  • 00:12:38.036 --> 00:12:43.408
  • Because it involves religion.
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  • Let me give you a couple of illustrations of that.
  • 00:12:45.844 --> 00:12:48.413
  • For example, our government says if our church wants to
  • 00:12:48.413 --> 00:12:52.550
  • Retain its tax exempt status, i as pastor cannot officially
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  • Endorse a political candidate from the pulpit.
  • 00:12:57.488 --> 00:13:00.358
  • Now, privately, i'm free to say and do whatever i want to.
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  • I can be somebody's campaign finance chairman if i want to.
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  • It doesn't matter. i'm not going to, believe me.
  • 00:13:05.964 --> 00:13:07.832
  • But if i could, if i wanted to.
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  • I could stand up here and tell you who i'm voting for
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  • Personally, but i cannot officially endorse a candidate
  • 00:13:11.836 --> 00:13:16.007
  • Or we lose our tax exempt status.
  • 00:13:16.007 --> 00:13:17.575
  • Now, if i say, you know what,
  • 00:13:17.575 --> 00:13:19.777
  • You know, baloney to that, i'm a preacher of the gospel and i get
  • 00:13:19.777 --> 00:13:23.381
  • To say whatever i want to say.
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  • Government says, fine, we're gonna yank your tax
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  • Exempt status.
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  • And if that happens, i'm not suffering for righteousness's
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  • Sake, i'm suffering for my own stupidity, okay?
  • 00:13:31.823 --> 00:13:35.994
  • That's not persecution.
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  • Christians who say i'm not gonna pay my taxes because i don't
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  • Agree with the way the money is being used.
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  • I don't like it going to support abortion or this thing or
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  • Sexual immorality.
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  • I just don't like that. so i'm gonna withhold my money.
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  • Jesus said, render unto caesar, the things that are caesar's.
  • 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:56.681
  • Remember he said, pay your taxes even though the roman system
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  • Would end up killing him.
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  • He still said, even though it's corrupt, you need to pay
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  • Your taxes.
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  • So if somebody doesn't pay their taxes and go to jail, they're
  • 00:14:04.822 --> 00:14:07.225
  • Not going for righteousness's sake, they're going for their
  • 00:14:07.225 --> 00:14:09.627
  • Own dishonesty in not paying their taxes.
  • 00:14:09.627 --> 00:14:12.297
  • You know, people who are involved in protests,
  • 00:14:12.297 --> 00:14:14.899
  • Christians, and they violate somebody's property rights and
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  • They're arrested, again, that is for disobeying
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  • Governing authorities.
  • 00:14:21.072 --> 00:14:23.041
  • Not every government law that has religious overtones
  • 00:14:23.041 --> 00:14:28.246
  • Necessarily needs to be disobeyed.
  • 00:14:28.246 --> 00:14:30.415
  • We need to make sure that the law we're disobeying is a
  • 00:14:30.415 --> 00:14:35.386
  • Contradiction to a clear biblical mandate.
  • 00:14:35.386 --> 00:14:38.489
  • Number two, if you engage in civil disobedience, demonstrate
  • 00:14:38.489 --> 00:14:43.094
  • Respect for authority when you disobey.
  • 00:14:43.094 --> 00:14:46.864
  • Demonstrate respect for authority when you disobey.
  • 00:14:46.864 --> 00:14:50.902
  • Remember the story of daniel in the old testament?
  • 00:14:50.902 --> 00:14:53.838
  • He and the other jews were taken captive by the babylonians.
  • 00:14:53.838 --> 00:14:57.408
  • They were taken to babylon, and daniel as a young teenager was
  • 00:14:57.408 --> 00:15:00.945
  • Selected among other teenage boys to be a part of
  • 00:15:00.945 --> 00:15:04.549
  • Nebuchadnezzar's elite group.
  • 00:15:04.549 --> 00:15:07.485
  • And he was chosen because of his intelligence, his wisdom, his
  • 00:15:07.485 --> 00:15:11.222
  • Good looks.
  • 00:15:11.222 --> 00:15:12.557
  • And immediately this group of young men were told that as a
  • 00:15:12.557 --> 00:15:14.792
  • Part of the king's special program, they needed to eat from
  • 00:15:14.792 --> 00:15:17.962
  • The king's table, eat his menu.
  • 00:15:17.962 --> 00:15:21.466
  • And immediately that was a contradiction to daniel's
  • 00:15:21.466 --> 00:15:23.835
  • Conscience because it violated the dietary laws daniel
  • 00:15:23.835 --> 00:15:27.205
  • Was under.
  • 00:15:27.205 --> 00:15:28.673
  • Now, daniel could have stormed into nebuchadnezzar's presence
  • 00:15:28.673 --> 00:15:31.542
  • And said, "you pagan king, why would i obey you
  • 00:15:31.542 --> 00:15:35.046
  • Rather than god?"
  • 00:15:35.046 --> 00:15:36.381
  • And had he done that he would have been the first hebrew
  • 00:15:36.381 --> 00:15:37.982
  • Martyr in babylon.
  • 00:15:37.982 --> 00:15:40.051
  • But he didn't act that way.
  • 00:15:40.051 --> 00:15:41.619
  • In fact, he didn't even address nebuchadnezzar directly out of
  • 00:15:41.619 --> 00:15:44.989
  • Respect to the king.
  • 00:15:44.989 --> 00:15:46.324
  • Instead, he said to nebuchadnezzar's chief of staff,
  • 00:15:46.324 --> 00:15:49.994
  • "i realize you have good intentions in asking us to do
  • 00:15:49.994 --> 00:15:52.864
  • This, but since this violates my conscience, could i offer an
  • 00:15:52.864 --> 00:15:57.735
  • Alternative suggestion?"
  • 00:15:57.735 --> 00:16:00.271
  • And he came up with an alternative idea that would help
  • 00:16:00.271 --> 00:16:03.274
  • The king meet his goals.
  • 00:16:03.274 --> 00:16:04.609
  • He said, "let me and my friends eat according to our beliefs,
  • 00:16:04.609 --> 00:16:09.313
  • And at the end of a period of time, if we're healthier, then
  • 00:16:09.313 --> 00:16:13.718
  • You can let us continue that diet."
  • 00:16:13.718 --> 00:16:15.353
  • And the king found favor with that suggestion and god honored
  • 00:16:15.353 --> 00:16:18.689
  • Him for that.
  • 00:16:18.689 --> 00:16:20.024
  • He disobeyed, but he did so in a respectful way.
  • 00:16:20.024 --> 00:16:22.627
  • You see the same thing with peter.
  • 00:16:22.627 --> 00:16:24.328
  • You know, after caiaphas, the jewish high priest, said, you
  • 00:16:24.328 --> 00:16:26.998
  • Know, "quit preaching in the name of jesus."
  • 00:16:26.998 --> 00:16:29.801
  • Did peter respond, "you, christ killer, why would i listen
  • 00:16:29.801 --> 00:16:33.638
  • To you?
  • 00:16:33.638 --> 00:16:34.972
  • You can go jump in the sea of galilee."
  • 00:16:34.972 --> 00:16:36.340
  • No, he didn't do that.
  • 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:37.775
  • Instead, he respectfully but firmly said, "we must obey god
  • 00:16:37.775 --> 00:16:42.480
  • Rather than men."
  • 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.815
  • I believe in these days, as we see our country moving further
  • 00:16:43.815 --> 00:16:48.853
  • And further away from its christian heritage, we are going
  • 00:16:48.853 --> 00:16:52.123
  • To have to say no to government, especially as they begin to
  • 00:16:52.123 --> 00:16:55.460
  • Abrogate our very real first amendment rights of free speech
  • 00:16:55.460 --> 00:17:00.231
  • And the free exercise of religion.
  • 00:17:00.231 --> 00:17:02.266
  • But when we disobey, we don't have to act like jerks in
  • 00:17:02.266 --> 00:17:06.904
  • Doing so.
  • 00:17:06.904 --> 00:17:08.239
  • The bible says we need to act with respect.
  • 00:17:08.239 --> 00:17:11.542
  • Principle number three, when you engage in civil disobedience,
  • 00:17:11.542 --> 00:17:15.012
  • And this is one that a lot of people miss, be prepared to
  • 00:17:15.012 --> 00:17:19.517
  • Suffer the consequences for your disobedience.
  • 00:17:19.517 --> 00:17:22.120
  • Be prepared to suffer the consequences.
  • 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:24.255
  • I'm really surprised that christians who boldly decide to
  • 00:17:24.255 --> 00:17:27.558
  • Stand for their faith in their workplace, and then they're
  • 00:17:27.558 --> 00:17:32.463
  • Surprised when they get fired.
  • 00:17:32.463 --> 00:17:34.465
  • Well, well, wait a minute, god, this isn't supposed to happen.
  • 00:17:34.465 --> 00:17:37.401
  • You're supposed to honor me for my obedience to you.
  • 00:17:37.401 --> 00:17:41.672
  • Some people take a stand for christ and end up in jail.
  • 00:17:41.672 --> 00:17:45.576
  • But wait a minute, that's not supposed to happen.
  • 00:17:45.576 --> 00:17:48.946
  • They think somehow that if they do the right thing, at the last
  • 00:17:48.946 --> 00:17:52.083
  • Moment, god's gonna exempt them from any kind of suffering.
  • 00:17:52.083 --> 00:17:56.220
  • It doesn't work that way.
  • 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:58.723
  • If indeed you choose to disobey government, you need to be ready
  • 00:17:58.723 --> 00:18:02.326
  • To suffer the consequences for that disobedience.
  • 00:18:02.326 --> 00:18:06.364
  • I think about the experience of dr. martin luther king, jr.
  • 00:18:06.364 --> 00:18:09.734
  • Many of us are familiar with his letter from birmingham jail.
  • 00:18:09.734 --> 00:18:13.771
  • Dr. king was incarcerated because he led protests,
  • 00:18:13.771 --> 00:18:18.576
  • Nonviolent protest against racism.
  • 00:18:18.576 --> 00:18:21.913
  • And he wrote this particular letter after he landed in
  • 00:18:21.913 --> 00:18:25.249
  • Birmingham jail.
  • 00:18:25.249 --> 00:18:26.784
  • And he wrote this letter as a response to eight white
  • 00:18:26.784 --> 00:18:31.489
  • Christian pastors who were criticizing king for
  • 00:18:31.489 --> 00:18:34.992
  • Civil disobedience.
  • 00:18:34.992 --> 00:18:36.327
  • They said, "you should not disobey the government, you
  • 00:18:36.327 --> 00:18:39.163
  • Ought to fight your battle in the courts and not in
  • 00:18:39.163 --> 00:18:41.933
  • The streets.
  • 00:18:41.933 --> 00:18:43.301
  • It's wrong to disobey government."
  • 00:18:43.301 --> 00:18:44.769
  • I want you to listen to what dr. king wrote in response.
  • 00:18:44.769 --> 00:18:48.372
  • He said, "one may well ask, how can you advocate breaking some
  • 00:18:48.372 --> 00:18:52.843
  • Laws and obeying others?"
  • 00:18:52.843 --> 00:18:55.346
  • Haven't you heard that one before?
  • 00:18:55.346 --> 00:18:57.114
  • Well, if you disobey this law, where do you stop?
  • 00:18:57.114 --> 00:19:00.418
  • How can you say i'll break this law but not this law.
  • 00:19:00.418 --> 00:19:02.887
  • But dr. king posed that question, "how can you advocate
  • 00:19:02.887 --> 00:19:05.790
  • Breaking some laws and obeying others?
  • 00:19:05.790 --> 00:19:07.992
  • The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws,
  • 00:19:07.992 --> 00:19:12.697
  • Just and unjust.
  • 00:19:12.697 --> 00:19:15.499
  • I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws.
  • 00:19:15.499 --> 00:19:19.237
  • One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey
  • 00:19:19.237 --> 00:19:23.774
  • Just laws.
  • 00:19:23.774 --> 00:19:25.142
  • Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey
  • 00:19:25.142 --> 00:19:30.314
  • Unjust laws.
  • 00:19:30.314 --> 00:19:32.016
  • I would agree with saint augustine that an unjust law is
  • 00:19:32.016 --> 00:19:36.354
  • No law at all.
  • 00:19:36.354 --> 00:19:37.888
  • Now, what is the difference between the two?
  • 00:19:37.888 --> 00:19:40.691
  • A just law is a manmade code that squares with the moral law
  • 00:19:40.691 --> 00:19:46.464
  • Or the law of god.
  • 00:19:46.464 --> 00:19:48.766
  • An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the
  • 00:19:48.766 --> 00:19:53.137
  • Moral law."
  • 00:19:53.137 --> 00:19:55.039
  • Dr. king believed that any law that codified racial
  • 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:59.410
  • Discrimination violated not just moral law but the law of god.
  • 00:19:59.410 --> 00:20:04.548
  • And he said no.
  • 00:20:04.548 --> 00:20:06.450
  • He wasn't surprised that he ended up in jail.
  • 00:20:06.450 --> 00:20:08.686
  • He didn't complain about his mistreatment.
  • 00:20:08.686 --> 00:20:11.188
  • He knew that was the consequence of civil disobedience.
  • 00:20:11.188 --> 00:20:15.159
  • And it's gonna be the same for any of us who say no
  • 00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:17.795
  • To government.
  • 00:20:17.795 --> 00:20:19.130
  • I want you to mark this down.
  • 00:20:19.130 --> 00:20:20.498
  • Remember, most christians are not spared the consequences of
  • 00:20:20.498 --> 00:20:24.235
  • Saying no to government.
  • 00:20:24.235 --> 00:20:25.569
  • After all, even daniel had to spend one night with the lions
  • 00:20:25.569 --> 00:20:29.206
  • For his disobedience to darius.
  • 00:20:29.206 --> 00:20:31.776
  • Or think about paul, he lost his head because he said no to the
  • 00:20:31.776 --> 00:20:35.680
  • Roman government.
  • 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:37.014
  • Or think about jesus, he was crucified because he would not
  • 00:20:37.014 --> 00:20:40.151
  • Renounce his divinity, that he was the son of god.
  • 00:20:40.151 --> 00:20:43.754
  • Go back to acts chapter 5.
  • 00:20:43.754 --> 00:20:45.456
  • What happened when peter said no to caiaphas?
  • 00:20:45.456 --> 00:20:49.160
  • What happened when peter said, "we must obey god rather
  • 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:53.664
  • Than men?"
  • 00:20:53.664 --> 00:20:54.999
  • Did caiaphas suddenly say, "oh peter, you're right and
  • 00:20:54.999 --> 00:20:57.868
  • I'm wrong.
  • 00:20:57.868 --> 00:20:59.236
  • I don't know what's wrong with me that i would have said
  • 00:20:59.236 --> 00:21:01.138
  • Such a thing.
  • 00:21:01.138 --> 00:21:02.473
  • Now, just go on your way and i'll leave you alone."
  • 00:21:02.473 --> 00:21:03.941
  • Is that what happened?
  • 00:21:03.941 --> 00:21:05.276
  • Was there a supernatural deliverance?
  • 00:21:05.276 --> 00:21:06.644
  • Look at verses 40 and 41.
  • 00:21:06.644 --> 00:21:09.013
  • "these jewish authorities flogged peter and the apostles
  • 00:21:09.013 --> 00:21:13.250
  • And ordered them to speak no more in the name of jesus, and
  • 00:21:13.250 --> 00:21:17.988
  • Then release them."
  • 00:21:17.988 --> 00:21:19.357
  • They were beaten because they said no to government.
  • 00:21:19.357 --> 00:21:21.992
  • But what was their response?
  • 00:21:21.992 --> 00:21:23.361
  • Look at verse 41.
  • 00:21:23.361 --> 00:21:24.695
  • So they went on their way from the presence of the council
  • 00:21:24.695 --> 00:21:28.733
  • Rejoicing, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to
  • 00:21:28.733 --> 00:21:36.674
  • Suffer shame for his name."
  • 00:21:36.674 --> 00:21:41.912
  • They didn't organize a pity party for themselves.
  • 00:21:41.912 --> 00:21:44.248
  • "oh, poor us we're martyrs for christ."
  • 00:21:44.248 --> 00:21:46.617
  • No, they rejoiced that they had the privilege of suffering for
  • 00:21:46.617 --> 00:21:52.656
  • The name of christ.
  • 00:21:52.656 --> 00:21:54.725
  • Now, don't make the wrong application here.
  • 00:21:54.725 --> 00:22:00.364
  • Does that mean we're not to do anything about christian
  • 00:22:00.364 --> 00:22:03.234
  • Persecution in our world?
  • 00:22:03.234 --> 00:22:05.336
  • Does it mean when we see our brothers and sisters in christ
  • 00:22:05.336 --> 00:22:08.205
  • Around the world being slaughtered, that we're supposed
  • 00:22:08.205 --> 00:22:10.474
  • To say, "oh, what a privilege it is for them to suffer in the
  • 00:22:10.474 --> 00:22:13.144
  • Name of christ"?
  • 00:22:13.144 --> 00:22:14.478
  • No, we're to stand up against evil.
  • 00:22:14.478 --> 00:22:17.214
  • We're to stand up against isis and totalitarian regimes that
  • 00:22:17.214 --> 00:22:20.951
  • Are slaughtering our brothers and sisters in christ.
  • 00:22:20.951 --> 00:22:23.687
  • We're to call on our government officials to use any and every
  • 00:22:23.687 --> 00:22:27.057
  • Means necessary to put an end to christian suffering around
  • 00:22:27.057 --> 00:22:30.795
  • The world.
  • 00:22:30.795 --> 00:22:32.163
  • This is no time for christians to be silent and use this as an
  • 00:22:32.163 --> 00:22:35.266
  • Excuse for not speaking out.
  • 00:22:35.266 --> 00:22:38.436
  • And the same thing is true in our country, as we see the
  • 00:22:38.436 --> 00:22:42.840
  • Beliefs of conservative christians increasingly
  • 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:46.410
  • Being marginalized,
  • 00:22:46.410 --> 00:22:48.145
  • As we watch our rights being taken away, our first amendment
  • 00:22:48.145 --> 00:22:51.949
  • Rights, which our forefathers gave their life's blood for us
  • 00:22:51.949 --> 00:22:55.653
  • To have.
  • 00:22:55.653 --> 00:22:56.987
  • We're not to stay silent.
  • 00:22:56.987 --> 00:22:58.522
  • You say, "well, where do you get that in scripture, pastor?"
  • 00:22:58.522 --> 00:23:01.225
  • Look at the example of paul.
  • 00:23:01.225 --> 00:23:03.160
  • Paul was the greatest missionary evangelist in the world, and yet
  • 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:07.865
  • He spent two years tied up in the roman legal system, fighting
  • 00:23:07.865 --> 00:23:13.070
  • For his rights as a roman citizen to share the message of
  • 00:23:13.070 --> 00:23:17.975
  • Jesus christ.
  • 00:23:17.975 --> 00:23:19.310
  • No, this passage is not saying remain silent when persecution
  • 00:23:19.310 --> 00:23:23.747
  • Comes, but what the passage is saying is this, if indeed you
  • 00:23:23.747 --> 00:23:29.086
  • Suffer for the name of christ, rejoice in that.
  • 00:23:29.086 --> 00:23:33.524
  • Consider it a privilege that god would allow you to suffer in the
  • 00:23:33.524 --> 00:23:38.662
  • Name of the one who came and bled and gave his life for us.
  • 00:23:38.662 --> 00:23:43.234
  • Remember the promise of paul in 2 timothy 2:12, "for if we
  • 00:23:43.234 --> 00:23:47.972
  • Endure with him, we shall one day reign with him."
  • 00:23:47.972 --> 00:23:54.111
  • Jeffress: there's no question that our country is deeply
  • 00:23:58.282 --> 00:24:00.317
  • Divided right now, and in times like these, it's more important
  • 00:24:00.317 --> 00:24:03.988
  • Than ever to stand firm on the truth of god's word.
  • 00:24:03.988 --> 00:24:07.491
  • That's exactly what pathway to victory is committed to doing,
  • 00:24:07.491 --> 00:24:11.028
  • And you're invited to join us as a partner in this mission.
  • 00:24:11.028 --> 00:24:14.965
  • Through the in god we trust matching challenge, every gift
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  • You give between now and july 5 will be matched and therefore
  • 00:24:18.168 --> 00:24:22.506
  • Doubled in its impact until we reach the goal of $1.5 million.
  • 00:24:22.506 --> 00:24:27.978
  • Your generosity will help us reach even more people across
  • 00:24:27.978 --> 00:24:31.081
  • America with the truth of god's word.
  • 00:24:31.081 --> 00:24:34.285
  • Thank you in advance for your support.
  • 00:24:34.285 --> 00:24:37.187
  • Now, please stay right there.
  • 00:24:37.187 --> 00:24:38.956
  • I'll be back with more in just a moment.
  • 00:24:38.956 --> 00:24:41.392
  • Announcer: as our nation celebrates 250 years, do we
  • 00:24:43.227 --> 00:24:47.131
  • Still remember the faith that built america?
  • 00:24:47.131 --> 00:24:50.267
  • Dr. robert jeffress has created a beautiful book to make sure
  • 00:24:50.267 --> 00:24:53.804
  • That we and our families never forget.
  • 00:24:53.804 --> 00:24:56.173
  • The brand new 250th commemorative edition
  • 00:24:56.173 --> 00:24:58.809
  • Of "america is a christian nation" is an 88 page, full
  • 00:24:58.809 --> 00:25:02.746
  • Color, large print coffee table book packed with inspiring
  • 00:25:02.746 --> 00:25:06.283
  • Stories from our nation's history, breathtaking imagery of
  • 00:25:06.283 --> 00:25:09.720
  • America, select portraits of our founding fathers, and powerful
  • 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:13.791
  • Truth from god's word.
  • 00:25:13.791 --> 00:25:15.693
  • Jeffress: america was founded on the principles of the
  • 00:25:15.693 --> 00:25:18.228
  • Judeo-christian faith as revealed in the bible, and our
  • 00:25:18.228 --> 00:25:21.732
  • Future depends on returning to that biblical foundation.
  • 00:25:21.732 --> 00:25:26.136
  • Announcer: request the 250th commemorative edition of
  • 00:25:26.136 --> 00:25:29.373
  • "america is a christian nation" when you give a generous
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  • Ministry gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • You'll also receive the "in god we trust" dvd video and mp3
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  • Format audio disc set featuring two powerful messages from
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  • Dr. jeffress and 12 patriotic performances by the
  • 00:25:43.921 --> 00:25:47.524
  • First baptist dallas choir and orchestra.
  • 00:25:47.524 --> 00:25:50.194
  • And with your ministry gift of $100 or more, we'll also send
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  • You the complete "america and the bible" teaching series on
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  • Dvd video and mp3 format audio disc.
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  • Your gift today will be doubled in impact through the in god we
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  • Trust matching challenge as together we pierce the darkness
  • 00:26:05.843 --> 00:26:09.880
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:12.149
  • Jeffress: obeying the government isn't always fun or easy.
  • 00:26:14.218 --> 00:26:17.521
  • But god appointed the government for us to obey.
  • 00:26:17.521 --> 00:26:21.025
  • And if we're going to practice civil disobedience, then it
  • 00:26:21.025 --> 00:26:24.161
  • Should be for a good, biblical reason.
  • 00:26:24.161 --> 00:26:27.665
  • Well, without question, the day of jesus's return is drawing
  • 00:26:27.665 --> 00:26:30.901
  • Near, and next time i'm going to share what you and i should be
  • 00:26:30.901 --> 00:26:34.571
  • Doing right now to prepare for the second coming of christ.
  • 00:26:34.571 --> 00:26:38.442
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:38.442 --> 00:26:40.978
  • Series, "america and the bible."
  • 00:26:40.978 --> 00:26:44.982
  • Jeffress: there are some days that are so exciting in and of
  • 00:26:45.049 --> 00:26:48.252
  • Themselves that you get up immediately.
  • 00:26:48.252 --> 00:26:51.021
  • You're able to shake off the lethargy of the night before.
  • 00:26:51.021 --> 00:26:55.559
  • Well, in the passage, we're going to look at today, paul
  • 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:58.128
  • Says there is one day coming,
  • 00:26:58.128 --> 00:27:00.764
  • In fact, it's about to dawn,
  • 00:27:00.764 --> 00:27:03.100
  • That is so exciting that it ought to cause us to awaken
  • 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:07.171
  • Immediately, to get up to get ready.
  • 00:27:07.171 --> 00:27:11.175
  • And that day is the day of christ's appearing.
  • 00:27:11.175 --> 00:27:16.580
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join
  • 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:18.115
  • Us next time for the message,
  • 00:27:18.115 --> 00:27:19.983
  • "it's later than you think,"
  • 00:27:19.983 --> 00:27:21.719
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:21.719 --> 00:27:21.719