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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
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- Further away from its christian foundation, those of us who are
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- Believers are going to increasingly find ourselves in
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- 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,
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- 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.
- 00:11:29.467 --> 00:11:34.239
- 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
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- 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
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- Because it involves religion.
- 00:12:43.408 --> 00:12:45.844
- Let me give you a couple of illustrations of that.
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- For example, our government says if our church wants to
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- 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.
- 00:13:00.358 --> 00:13:03.127
- I can be somebody's campaign finance chairman if i want to.
- 00:13:03.127 --> 00:13:05.964
- 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.
- 00:13:07.832 --> 00:13:09.901
- I could stand up here and tell you who i'm voting for
- 00:13:09.901 --> 00:13:11.836
- 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
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- To say whatever i want to say.
- 00:13:23.381 --> 00:13:25.350
- 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?
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- That's not persecution.
- 00:13:35.994 --> 00:13:38.496
- 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
- 00:13:46.304 --> 00:13:50.909
- Sexual immorality.
- 00:13:50.909 --> 00:13:52.243
- I just don't like that. so i'm gonna withhold my money.
- 00:13:52.243 --> 00:13:54.279
- 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
- 00:14:01.386 --> 00:14:03.488
- Your taxes.
- 00:14:03.488 --> 00:14:04.822
- So if somebody doesn't pay their taxes and go to jail, they're
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- Not going for righteousness's sake, they're going for their
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- Own dishonesty in not paying their taxes.
- 00:14:09.627 --> 00:14:12.297
- You know, people who are involved in protests,
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- 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.
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- Not every government law that has religious overtones
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- Necessarily needs to be disobeyed.
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- We need to make sure that the law we're disobeying is a
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- Contradiction to a clear biblical mandate.
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- Number two, if you engage in civil disobedience, demonstrate
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- 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.
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- They were taken to babylon, and daniel as a young teenager was
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- Selected among other teenage boys to be a part of
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- Nebuchadnezzar's elite group.
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- And he was chosen because of his intelligence, his wisdom, his
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- 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
- 00:24:14.965 --> 00:24:18.168
- 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
- 00:25:29.373 --> 00:25:32.576
- Ministry gift to "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:32.576 --> 00:25:35.312
- You'll also receive the "in god we trust" dvd video and mp3
- 00:25:35.312 --> 00:25:39.483
- Format audio disc set featuring two powerful messages from
- 00:25:39.483 --> 00:25:43.921
- 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
- 00:25:50.194 --> 00:25:54.431
- You the complete "america and the bible" teaching series on
- 00:25:54.431 --> 00:25:58.168
- Dvd video and mp3 format audio disc.
- 00:25:58.168 --> 00:26:01.972
- Your gift today will be doubled in impact through the in god we
- 00:26:01.972 --> 00:26:05.843
- 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