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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - The Person God Uses

April 28, 2025 | S25:E202

Robert Jeffress - The Person God Uses
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Faith #Wisdom #Religion #Education #Truth #WordofGod #PoweroftheHolySpirit #Weakness #inActive #Dr.RobertJeffress #RobertJeffress #Shame #Foolishness #1Corinthians1:26

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - The Person God Uses | April 28, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Society tends to highlight the achievements
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  • Of the wealthy, the powerful, and the wildly successful,
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  • So much so that we start to wonder
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  • Whether the average person
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  • Can really make a difference in this world.
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  • Why not leave the hard work up to these elite performers?
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  • Today, we're going to see that the people god chooses
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  • To carry out his divine plans
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  • Fall under a much more modest profile.
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  • My message is titled,
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  • "the person god uses" on today's edition
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  • Of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] think about a child in your life
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  • Who needs to put their faith in jesus.
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  • How do you explain the gospel to them
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  • In a way they can understand?
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  • In "the gift: the gospel for children,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress presents the gospel message
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  • In a way that's clear and engaging.
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  • The book also includes a salvation prayer for you
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  • To pray with your child or grandchild,
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  • Give your child the most important gift
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  • They'll ever receive, the opportunity
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  • To begin a relationship with jesus christ.
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  • Request your copy of the gift at ptv.org.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • A 6-year-old girl found a frog in her backyard.
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  • She scooped up the frog into her hand,
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  • And as she looked at the frog,
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  • She was astonished to hear the frog begin to speak to her.
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  • The frog said, "little girl, if you will kiss me,
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  • I will turn into a handsome prince."
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  • The girl thought for a moment and she said,
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  • "sorry, but at my age,
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  • A talking frog is much more impressive."
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  • (congregation laughs)
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  • You know, the fact is all of us tend to be impressed
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  • By different things, don't we?
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  • Some people are impressed by money, great wealth.
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  • Other people are impressed by education.
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  • Some people are impressed by power.
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  • But god is impressed with none of these things.
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  • In fact, the truth is wealth and wisdom and power
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  • Can be barriers,
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  • Barriers not only to our being saved by god,
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  • But also barriers to our being used by god.
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  • And that's the truth we're going to see
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  • In our passage tonight.
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  • If you have your bibles, turn to 1 corinthians 1,
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  • As we look at the kind of person god uses.
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  • Remember, corinth was a growing church,
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  • An influential church,
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  • But it was a church that was in danger
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  • Of having its witness for christ extinguished
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  • Because of what was happening inside the church.
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  • The church was plagued
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  • With division and immorality and false teaching.
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  • First of all, notice beginning in verse 26 that paul says,
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  • And reminds us that "god saves the humble, not the proud."
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  • You know, in a historic church like ours,
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  • First baptist church dallas that has been around
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  • For 140-plus years,
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  • Is in the middle of a great metropolitan city,
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  • It is only natural
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  • That we have some wealthy people in our church.
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  • We have some powerful people in government in our church.
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  • We have some highly-educated people in our church,
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  • But that is not the norm.
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  • Most of our members are not wealthy,
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  • Most of our members don't have phds,
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  • Most of our members don't have places of influence
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  • In the government.
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  • And by the way, it was that way
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  • In the corinthian church as well.
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  • It was an influential church.
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  • But paul said, if you don't believe
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  • God saves ordinary humble people,
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  • Just do a survey of a membership role
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  • At the first church in corinth.
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  • Look at verse 26, he says,
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  • "for consider your calling, brethren,
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  • That there were not many whys according to the flesh,
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  • Not many mighty, not many noble."
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  • There are not many people in the corinthian church
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  • Who were phds, who were wealthy,
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  • Who had great places of influence,
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  • And it's always been that way, ladies and gentlemen,
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  • Throughout the history of christianity.
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  • Christianity typically has never attracted wealthy people
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  • To its message, wise people, at least by human standards,
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  • To its message, or mighty or powerful people.
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  • William barclay quotes
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  • The first century philosopher, celsius,
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  • Who wrote these very sarcastic words
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  • About christians in 178 ad.
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  • Think of that 178 ad, listen to what celsius said,
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  • You can hear the sarcasm dripping as he speaks,
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  • "let no cultured person draw near,
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  • None wise, none sensible,
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  • For all that kind of thing we count as evil.
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  • But if any person is ignorant,
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  • If any person is wanting in sense and culture,
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  • If anybody is a fool,
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  • Let him boldly to become a christian.
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  • We see them in their own houses.
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  • Wool dresses, cobblers, the worst, the vulgar,
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  • The most uneducated persons,
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  • They are like a swarm of bats or ants
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  • Creeping out of their nest,
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  • Or frogs holding a symposium around a swamp,
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  • Or worms convening in the mud."
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  • That's how people were thought of as christians back then,
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  • And the same thing is true today.
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  • And sometimes that bothers us
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  • That christianity doesn't tend to attract wealthy people,
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  • Powerful people, educated people, it bothers us.
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  • We wonder why that is.
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  • For example, why is it most people
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  • In the world of academia reject god?
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  • Have you ever wondered why that is?
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  • The answer is people's wealth, their education,
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  • Their power, are stumbling blocks to the gospel.
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  • It keeps them from being saved.
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  • That's why not many wise, not many powerful,
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  • Not many wealthy are saved,
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  • It's because wisdom, power, and wealth
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  • Are hindrances to the gospel of jesus christ.
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  • Think about this for a moment.
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  • To the wise person, his wisdom is a stumbling block.
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  • When he hears that man is basically sinful, not good,
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  • And that man has to have a savior,
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  • That goes against the wisdom of this age.
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  • So the man's wisdom has become a stumbling block to him.
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  • Or think about the person who has money.
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  • When he hears that a person's wealth
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  • Is worthless in the sight of god,
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  • And that wealth actually can keep you
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  • From entering the kingdom of god,
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  • That person's wealth becomes a hindrance
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  • To his coming to know jesus christ.
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  • Or to the mighty person,
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  • The person who's pulled himself up by the bootstraps
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  • And obtained a position of power.
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  • For him to hear that his efforts
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  • Are absolutely worthless in securing salvation,
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  • That person's might, his power,
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  • Has become a stumbling block to accepting the gospel.
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  • Look at verse 27,
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  • "but god has chosen the foolish things of the world,"
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  • Underline 'foolish', "to shame the wise."
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  • "god has chosen the weak," underline that,
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  • "things of the world to shame the things which are strong."
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  • Verse 28, "and the base," underline that,
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  • "things of the world and the despised,"
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  • Underline that, "has god chosen the things that are not,
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  • So that he might nullify the things that are."
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  • All of the things i had you underline the words
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  • Actually describe different kinds of people.
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  • God has chosen, the foolish, the weak,
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  • The base, the despised,
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  • And in the climax, he says he has chosen the things
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  • That are not so that he might nullify the things that are.
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  • You know what paul's referring to
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  • When he says the things that are not?
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  • He's talking about slaves.
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  • In paul's day, about 2/3 of the world were slaves.
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  • Probably 1/2 to 2/3 of the corinthian church were slaves.
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  • In man's eyes, these people,
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  • These slaves were worthless.
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  • They were like non-entities,
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  • They are the things that are not.
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  • And yet god says,
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  • "i've chosen those things that you despise.
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  • I've chosen the slaves of this world
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  • To transform into the servants of god."
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  • That is the mystery of the gospel.
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  • God has chosen these people
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  • To turn the world's wisdom upside down,
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  • And just think about how god has done that.
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  • He has chosen the foolish things,
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  • The despised people, the uneducated people,
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  • To absolutely turn man's wisdom upside down.
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  • Think about this for a moment.
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  • A person who has a phd,
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  • He can give you all kind of facts
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  • About science and mathematics and the world of medicine.
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  • But in spite of all of his knowledge,
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  • He cannot tell you with any certainty
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  • What happens to you one second after you die.
  • 00:09:06.068 --> 00:09:09.505
  • And yet an uneducated christian,
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  • A christian who is only graduated from high school,
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  • He knows what his life is going to be
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  • On the other side of the grave for all eternity.
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  • So let me ask you, who's the intelligent person?
  • 00:09:20.816 --> 00:09:23.586
  • Or think about the person
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  • Who has obtained a position of influence in this world.
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  • He's worked and worked and worked
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  • To become the ceo of a corporation,
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  • The governor of the state,
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  • The president of the united states.
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  • He's worked and worked and worked
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  • For this position of influence, and yet one day,
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  • He's either going to retire from that position,
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  • Give it up, or he's going to die in that position,
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  • But he is going to leave that position.
  • 00:09:45.141 --> 00:09:48.044
  • But think again about the poor disciple
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  • Of the lord jesus christ,
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  • The person no one has ever heard of.
  • 00:09:51.614 --> 00:09:53.582
  • And yet the bible says in 2 timothy 2:12,
  • 00:09:53.582 --> 00:09:56.318
  • "if we endure with him one day,
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  • We will reign with him."
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  • That person nobody has ever heard of here on earth,
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  • But has followed jesus christ,
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  • One day he's going to be a co-ruler
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  • With jesus christ over this entire universe.
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  • Let me ask you, who's the mighty person?
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  • Who is the powerful person?
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  • The one who reigns here for 70 or 80 years
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  • And gives it all up,
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  • Or the one who is going to reign for eternity?
  • 00:10:19.308 --> 00:10:22.111
  • Or think about wealthy person.
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  • A wealthy person works and works and works
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  • To achieve his pile of cash, okay?
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  • They have it in the bank, have it in mutual funds,
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  • All this money he's worked and worked
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  • And scrimped and saved to accumulate,
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  • How much is he going to leave behind?
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  • Every last penny of it.
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  • "riches profit not a man in the day of judgment,"
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  • The proverbs say.
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  • But here's another person
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  • Who's never accumulated much in this world,
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  • But one day if he's faithful to jesus christ,
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  • He will inherit true riches
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  • That will last him for all eternity.
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  • Now, who is the wealthy person?
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  • That's what i'm saying to you,
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  • And that's what paul is saying to you.
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  • God has turned the wisdom of this world upside down.
  • 00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:07.723
  • God is not impressed by man's wisdom,
  • 00:11:07.723 --> 00:11:10.359
  • He's not impressed by power,
  • 00:11:10.359 --> 00:11:12.194
  • He is not impressed by wealth.
  • 00:11:12.194 --> 00:11:14.830
  • Those things are actually a hindrance
  • 00:11:14.830 --> 00:11:17.433
  • To a person being saved by god, why is it?
  • 00:11:17.433 --> 00:11:20.936
  • Why has god chosen not to save the wise,
  • 00:11:20.936 --> 00:11:24.006
  • The wealthy, the powerful, but instead,
  • 00:11:24.006 --> 00:11:26.509
  • The weak and the humble, the poor?
  • 00:11:26.509 --> 00:11:29.678
  • Look at it in verse 29,
  • 00:11:29.678 --> 00:11:32.348
  • The reason for god's choice is this,
  • 00:11:32.348 --> 00:11:35.384
  • "so that no man may boast before god."
  • 00:11:35.384 --> 00:11:40.256
  • The reason he saves people like this,
  • 00:11:40.256 --> 00:11:43.459
  • People who have nothing,
  • 00:11:43.459 --> 00:11:45.060
  • Is so that no one will have anything to boast about.
  • 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:49.131
  • Salvation is completely of grace.
  • 00:11:49.131 --> 00:11:51.500
  • Look at verse 30,
  • 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.802
  • "but by his doing, you are in christ jesus,
  • 00:11:52.802 --> 00:11:55.638
  • Who became to us wisdom from god,
  • 00:11:55.638 --> 00:11:58.107
  • And righteousness and sanctification and redemption."
  • 00:11:58.107 --> 00:12:01.677
  • Salvation, underline that phrase, is by his doing.
  • 00:12:01.677 --> 00:12:06.949
  • Paul wrote in ephesians 2:7,
  • 00:12:07.550 --> 00:12:09.952
  • "so that in the ages to come,
  • 00:12:09.952 --> 00:12:12.254
  • He might show the surpassing riches of his grace
  • 00:12:12.254 --> 00:12:15.858
  • And kindness toward us in christ jesus."
  • 00:12:15.858 --> 00:12:18.761
  • Ladies and gentlemen, the reason god saved you
  • 00:12:18.761 --> 00:12:21.997
  • Was not for your glory,
  • 00:12:21.997 --> 00:12:23.666
  • It was for the glory of god.
  • 00:12:23.666 --> 00:12:26.368
  • And the fact is god enjoys saving people
  • 00:12:26.368 --> 00:12:29.638
  • Who are weak and poor and uneducated.
  • 00:12:29.638 --> 00:12:33.542
  • He enjoys saving sinners because the more we sin,
  • 00:12:33.542 --> 00:12:38.814
  • The more god is glorified
  • 00:12:39.381 --> 00:12:41.650
  • When we come to faith in christ.
  • 00:12:41.650 --> 00:12:44.520
  • That is the glory of the gospel.
  • 00:12:44.520 --> 00:12:46.722
  • And by the way, you will never understand
  • 00:12:46.722 --> 00:12:49.024
  • The concept of grace until you understand
  • 00:12:49.024 --> 00:12:51.427
  • Your salvation has nothing to do with you,
  • 00:12:51.427 --> 00:12:54.630
  • But everything to do with god.
  • 00:12:54.630 --> 00:12:56.365
  • And that leads to a second truth.
  • 00:12:56.365 --> 00:12:58.100
  • Just as salvation could not be obtained
  • 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:00.970
  • Through wealth, through education, through power,
  • 00:13:00.970 --> 00:13:04.173
  • Salvation cannot be presented through wealth,
  • 00:13:04.173 --> 00:13:07.943
  • Education, or power either.
  • 00:13:07.943 --> 00:13:10.179
  • God uses, look at verse one of chapter two,
  • 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:12.648
  • "god uses the weak and not the strong."
  • 00:13:12.648 --> 00:13:16.151
  • He uses the weak and not the strong.
  • 00:13:16.151 --> 00:13:18.520
  • Again, that turns our expectations upside down.
  • 00:13:18.520 --> 00:13:21.757
  • You see, if you're a christian,
  • 00:13:21.757 --> 00:13:23.559
  • You naturally have the question,
  • 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:25.160
  • "okay, what kind of person does god use?
  • 00:13:25.160 --> 00:13:28.697
  • I want to be used by god in a powerful way
  • 00:13:28.697 --> 00:13:30.900
  • Now that i'm a recipient of his grace."
  • 00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:32.935
  • What kind of person does god use?
  • 00:13:32.935 --> 00:13:35.604
  • The world's wisdom says god uses
  • 00:13:35.604 --> 00:13:38.107
  • The attractive and the gifted.
  • 00:13:38.107 --> 00:13:40.442
  • God's wisdom says, "no, god uses the faithful
  • 00:13:40.442 --> 00:13:43.879
  • And the committed."
  • 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.180
  • And paul said, "if you don't believe that,
  • 00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:46.715
  • Just look at my own example."
  • 00:13:46.715 --> 00:13:49.051
  • We find paul's own weakness described
  • 00:13:49.051 --> 00:13:51.687
  • In verse one of chapter two.
  • 00:13:51.687 --> 00:13:53.122
  • Paul says, "and when i came to you, brethren,
  • 00:13:53.122 --> 00:13:55.925
  • I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom,
  • 00:13:55.925 --> 00:13:59.828
  • Proclaiming to you the testimony of god."
  • 00:13:59.828 --> 00:14:02.364
  • Contrary to what most people think about paul,
  • 00:14:02.364 --> 00:14:05.401
  • He was not a gifted writer,
  • 00:14:05.401 --> 00:14:07.603
  • He was not a gifted speaker,
  • 00:14:07.603 --> 00:14:10.039
  • And he certainly was not attractive in appearance.
  • 00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:13.575
  • In fact, in 2 corinthians 10:10,
  • 00:14:13.575 --> 00:14:16.145
  • Paul repeats what other people were saying about him.
  • 00:14:16.145 --> 00:14:19.782
  • "for they say," talking about me, paul says,
  • 00:14:19.782 --> 00:14:22.618
  • "they say his letters are weighty and strong,
  • 00:14:22.618 --> 00:14:25.955
  • But his personal presence is unimpressive,
  • 00:14:25.955 --> 00:14:29.692
  • And his speech is contemptible."
  • 00:14:29.692 --> 00:14:32.494
  • That's what people were saying about the great apostle paul.
  • 00:14:32.494 --> 00:14:36.332
  • We have an apocryphal book
  • 00:14:36.332 --> 00:14:38.100
  • Called the "acts of paul and thecla."
  • 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:40.970
  • And in that apocryphal book,
  • 00:14:40.970 --> 00:14:42.371
  • Somebody records their impression
  • 00:14:42.371 --> 00:14:44.640
  • When they saw paul for the very first time,
  • 00:14:44.640 --> 00:14:46.875
  • Listen to this,
  • 00:14:46.875 --> 00:14:48.143
  • "and he saw paul coming, a man little of stature,
  • 00:14:48.143 --> 00:14:53.282
  • Thin-haired upon the head, crooked in his legs,
  • 00:14:54.249 --> 00:14:56.652
  • Of good state of body,
  • 00:14:56.652 --> 00:14:57.920
  • But with eyebrows joining together
  • 00:14:57.920 --> 00:15:00.322
  • And nose somewhat hooked."
  • 00:15:00.322 --> 00:15:02.825
  • Is that something like somebody you'd like to listen to
  • 00:15:02.825 --> 00:15:04.760
  • And look at week after week?
  • 00:15:04.760 --> 00:15:06.695
  • Don't say, "well, we do, pastor, week after..."
  • 00:15:06.695 --> 00:15:08.497
  • Don't say that, it's going to hurt my feelings.
  • 00:15:08.497 --> 00:15:10.265
  • That was the apostle of paul.
  • 00:15:10.265 --> 00:15:12.835
  • Paul came to testify,
  • 00:15:12.835 --> 00:15:14.536
  • Not in his power, but in the power of god.
  • 00:15:14.536 --> 00:15:17.740
  • He came to testify what he knew to be true.
  • 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:20.542
  • Look at verse two,
  • 00:15:20.542 --> 00:15:21.844
  • "for i determined to know nothing among you
  • 00:15:21.844 --> 00:15:25.214
  • Except jesus christ, and him crucified."
  • 00:15:25.214 --> 00:15:28.917
  • Now, what paul isn't saying is he isn't saying
  • 00:15:28.917 --> 00:15:30.953
  • That the only message he ever preached was about christ.
  • 00:15:30.953 --> 00:15:34.423
  • Paul talked about deeper things
  • 00:15:34.423 --> 00:15:36.859
  • Beside the elementary message of salvation.
  • 00:15:36.859 --> 00:15:39.595
  • What he is saying is, "when i came to you, corinthians,
  • 00:15:39.595 --> 00:15:42.698
  • I had made up my mind that
  • 00:15:42.698 --> 00:15:44.233
  • When i presented the gospel to you,
  • 00:15:44.233 --> 00:15:46.301
  • When you were unsaved,
  • 00:15:46.301 --> 00:15:47.736
  • I wasn't going to depend upon philosophical arguments,
  • 00:15:47.736 --> 00:15:50.839
  • I was going to present the simple message of the cross."
  • 00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:54.543
  • To understand what paul meant when he said,
  • 00:15:54.543 --> 00:15:57.046
  • "i came determined not to know anything
  • 00:15:57.046 --> 00:15:59.982
  • Except jesus christ, and him crucified,"
  • 00:15:59.982 --> 00:16:02.818
  • He was referring to the biggest failure of his ministry
  • 00:16:02.818 --> 00:16:08.157
  • That had just occurred before he came to corinth.
  • 00:16:09.158 --> 00:16:11.560
  • It had happened in athens, at mars hill.
  • 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:15.564
  • Now, many of us have been to mars hill before in athens.
  • 00:16:15.564 --> 00:16:18.434
  • We've climbed up on that stone where paul stood
  • 00:16:18.434 --> 00:16:21.503
  • And addressed the areopagus, the group of elders,
  • 00:16:21.503 --> 00:16:24.840
  • The philosophers of the day.
  • 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:26.442
  • And we had that sermon recorded
  • 00:16:26.442 --> 00:16:28.177
  • In acts 17, verses 22 to 31.
  • 00:16:28.177 --> 00:16:30.779
  • Remember the situation?
  • 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.381
  • There were all kind of shrines to pagan gods.
  • 00:16:32.381 --> 00:16:36.218
  • In athens, you can see the remnants
  • 00:16:36.218 --> 00:16:37.786
  • Of those shrines still today.
  • 00:16:37.786 --> 00:16:39.988
  • And so paul is talking
  • 00:16:39.988 --> 00:16:41.790
  • Before all of these greek philosophers,
  • 00:16:41.790 --> 00:16:44.526
  • And he said, "as i look among you
  • 00:16:44.526 --> 00:16:46.462
  • And see all of these shrines,
  • 00:16:46.462 --> 00:16:47.996
  • I perceive that you are a religious people."
  • 00:16:47.996 --> 00:16:51.500
  • And then paul mentioned a shrine he had seen,
  • 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:54.703
  • A shrine that was made to the unknown god.
  • 00:16:54.703 --> 00:16:58.407
  • In addition to all of the other greek and pagan deities,
  • 00:16:58.407 --> 00:17:01.710
  • They had a special shrine to the unknown god.
  • 00:17:01.710 --> 00:17:05.447
  • It was kind of a catchall god
  • 00:17:05.447 --> 00:17:06.782
  • In case they had missed one.
  • 00:17:06.782 --> 00:17:08.450
  • And they made this shrine to the unknown god.
  • 00:17:08.450 --> 00:17:11.854
  • And paul took that and used it
  • 00:17:11.854 --> 00:17:13.655
  • As a great sermon illustration.
  • 00:17:13.655 --> 00:17:15.457
  • He said, "today, i perceive that you're a religious people
  • 00:17:15.457 --> 00:17:18.260
  • By all of your gods,
  • 00:17:18.260 --> 00:17:19.661
  • But today i want to speak to you about this god,
  • 00:17:19.661 --> 00:17:22.931
  • The unknown god."
  • 00:17:22.931 --> 00:17:24.466
  • And he very eloquently proceeds
  • 00:17:24.466 --> 00:17:26.869
  • To tell how it's this unknown god,
  • 00:17:26.869 --> 00:17:29.338
  • The one they labeled unknown,
  • 00:17:29.338 --> 00:17:30.973
  • Who is the true creator, god.
  • 00:17:30.973 --> 00:17:33.242
  • And he talks about his power.
  • 00:17:33.242 --> 00:17:35.878
  • But it never, never, never,
  • 00:17:35.878 --> 00:17:37.880
  • In this beautiful, philosophical, eloquent speech,
  • 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:41.750
  • Never once does the apostle paul
  • 00:17:41.750 --> 00:17:44.653
  • Mention the name of jesus christ,
  • 00:17:44.653 --> 00:17:47.289
  • And never once does he talk
  • 00:17:47.289 --> 00:17:48.891
  • About the cross of jesus christ.
  • 00:17:48.891 --> 00:17:52.327
  • And when the message is over,
  • 00:17:52.327 --> 00:17:54.196
  • A couple of people show some interest.
  • 00:17:54.196 --> 00:17:56.632
  • But hardly anybody got saved that day.
  • 00:17:56.632 --> 00:17:59.668
  • And most tragically, paul left athens
  • 00:17:59.668 --> 00:18:02.871
  • Without ever having established a church there.
  • 00:18:02.871 --> 00:18:06.742
  • You know, i think it's funny today,
  • 00:18:06.742 --> 00:18:09.244
  • There are christian groups,
  • 00:18:09.244 --> 00:18:10.712
  • A parachurch organization that talk about mars hill
  • 00:18:10.712 --> 00:18:13.849
  • As a great example about how to engage the world.
  • 00:18:13.849 --> 00:18:16.552
  • There are churches around the country
  • 00:18:16.552 --> 00:18:18.053
  • That call themselves mars hill,
  • 00:18:18.053 --> 00:18:20.822
  • And this is their philosophy.
  • 00:18:20.822 --> 00:18:22.224
  • They say, "if we are going to engage this culture
  • 00:18:22.224 --> 00:18:25.194
  • In conversation about jesus christ,
  • 00:18:25.194 --> 00:18:27.129
  • We can't use simplistic, pedantic methods
  • 00:18:27.129 --> 00:18:30.132
  • Like talking about jesus and the cross.
  • 00:18:30.132 --> 00:18:32.668
  • We've got to engage these wise people on their own terms.
  • 00:18:32.668 --> 00:18:36.939
  • We need to learn their philosophy.
  • 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:39.007
  • We need to meet them at their point of wisdom.
  • 00:18:39.007 --> 00:18:41.944
  • We need to use philosophical arguments
  • 00:18:41.944 --> 00:18:44.446
  • To try to reach them."
  • 00:18:44.446 --> 00:18:45.847
  • And so they build all kinds of their ministries.
  • 00:18:45.847 --> 00:18:47.983
  • They build whole ministries
  • 00:18:47.983 --> 00:18:49.284
  • Around the mars hill philosophy.
  • 00:18:49.284 --> 00:18:53.255
  • You know, to build your ministry
  • 00:18:53.255 --> 00:18:54.756
  • Around the mars hill philosophy,
  • 00:18:54.756 --> 00:18:56.258
  • I was thinking about that this week,
  • 00:18:56.258 --> 00:18:57.626
  • That's kind of like opening up a school
  • 00:18:57.626 --> 00:19:00.329
  • To train ship captains and calling it
  • 00:19:00.329 --> 00:19:02.664
  • "the titanic school of navigation."
  • 00:19:02.664 --> 00:19:05.167
  • (congregation laughs)
  • 00:19:05.167 --> 00:19:07.636
  • I mean, who would want to come to a school like that?
  • 00:19:07.636 --> 00:19:10.439
  • That wasn't exactly a great success, was it,
  • 00:19:10.439 --> 00:19:13.275
  • In the history of ship navigation?
  • 00:19:13.275 --> 00:19:16.211
  • No, mars hill, contrary to what we've been led
  • 00:19:16.211 --> 00:19:19.448
  • To think before, it was not the zenith of paul's ministry,
  • 00:19:19.448 --> 00:19:23.685
  • It was an absolute dismal failure.
  • 00:19:23.685 --> 00:19:27.823
  • Because with all of paul's oratorical
  • 00:19:27.823 --> 00:19:30.025
  • And philosophical skills,
  • 00:19:30.025 --> 00:19:32.094
  • He failed to talk about jesus christ,
  • 00:19:32.094 --> 00:19:35.397
  • The cross, and redemption.
  • 00:19:35.397 --> 00:19:37.332
  • And that helps you understand what he's saying here,
  • 00:19:37.332 --> 00:19:40.035
  • And that certainly helps you understand
  • 00:19:40.035 --> 00:19:42.070
  • What he said in verse three.
  • 00:19:42.070 --> 00:19:44.106
  • Look over at one corinthians 2:3, he says,
  • 00:19:44.106 --> 00:19:48.176
  • "for i was with you in weakness and in fear
  • 00:19:48.176 --> 00:19:52.047
  • And in much trembling.
  • 00:19:52.047 --> 00:19:53.582
  • And my message and my preaching
  • 00:19:53.582 --> 00:19:55.350
  • Were not in persuasive words and wisdom,
  • 00:19:55.350 --> 00:19:58.086
  • But in demonstration of the spirit of power."
  • 00:19:58.086 --> 00:20:01.523
  • Paul said, "after that mars hill disaster,
  • 00:20:01.523 --> 00:20:04.326
  • When i came to you with my tail between my legs,
  • 00:20:04.326 --> 00:20:07.629
  • I purposed i wasn't going to make the same mistake again.
  • 00:20:07.629 --> 00:20:11.867
  • When i came to you, i purposed,
  • 00:20:11.867 --> 00:20:13.835
  • I was simply going to talk about jesus christ,
  • 00:20:13.835 --> 00:20:16.672
  • And him crucified.
  • 00:20:16.672 --> 00:20:18.006
  • And i wasn't going to come
  • 00:20:18.006 --> 00:20:19.274
  • In the power of my own reasoning,
  • 00:20:19.274 --> 00:20:21.109
  • But the power of the gospel."
  • 00:20:21.109 --> 00:20:24.279
  • That's what paul is talking about here.
  • 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:27.149
  • God is not impressed with our philosophy.
  • 00:20:27.149 --> 00:20:29.918
  • He's not impressed with our rhetoric and skill.
  • 00:20:29.918 --> 00:20:32.521
  • He's impressed by our faithfulness
  • 00:20:32.521 --> 00:20:34.790
  • And by our being committed to him.
  • 00:20:34.790 --> 00:20:37.092
  • Why did he do this?
  • 00:20:37.092 --> 00:20:38.293
  • Why did he preach the simple gospel?
  • 00:20:38.293 --> 00:20:40.162
  • Look at verse five,
  • 00:20:40.162 --> 00:20:41.697
  • "so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men,
  • 00:20:41.697 --> 00:20:45.400
  • But on the power of god."
  • 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:48.070
  • Had paul been attractive, charismatic,
  • 00:20:48.070 --> 00:20:50.872
  • If he had been gifted in his speech,
  • 00:20:50.872 --> 00:20:53.775
  • The problem is people would've been attracted
  • 00:20:53.775 --> 00:20:55.877
  • To paul's giftedness rather than to christ's mercy.
  • 00:20:55.877 --> 00:21:00.082
  • And so paul says, "the reason god used me
  • 00:21:00.082 --> 00:21:03.919
  • To present the gospel to you
  • 00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:06.054
  • Is there would be no mistake
  • 00:21:06.054 --> 00:21:08.156
  • To whom you were coming when the invitation was issued.
  • 00:21:08.156 --> 00:21:10.659
  • You weren't coming to me,
  • 00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:11.993
  • You weren't becoming a disciple of paul,
  • 00:21:11.993 --> 00:21:14.129
  • You were becoming a disciple of jesus christ."
  • 00:21:14.129 --> 00:21:17.866
  • Does that mean god can't use wealthy people?
  • 00:21:17.866 --> 00:21:21.803
  • Does it mean god can't use people with phds?
  • 00:21:21.803 --> 00:21:24.673
  • Does it mean god can't use people in places of power?
  • 00:21:24.673 --> 00:21:28.210
  • Not at all.
  • 00:21:28.210 --> 00:21:29.911
  • God does use those people,
  • 00:21:29.911 --> 00:21:31.380
  • We see them all around us.
  • 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:33.515
  • But for those people to be used by god,
  • 00:21:33.515 --> 00:21:36.551
  • They have to let go of their wisdom,
  • 00:21:36.551 --> 00:21:40.055
  • They have to let go of their wealth,
  • 00:21:40.055 --> 00:21:42.758
  • They have to let go of their influence
  • 00:21:42.758 --> 00:21:45.127
  • And depend solely on the power of god.
  • 00:21:45.127 --> 00:21:48.897
  • What kind of person does god use?
  • 00:21:48.897 --> 00:21:51.833
  • The world says "the gifted, the attractive."
  • 00:21:51.833 --> 00:21:55.337
  • God says, "the committed and the faithful."
  • 00:21:55.337 --> 00:21:59.441
  • When i was in high school,
  • 00:22:00.008 --> 00:22:02.744
  • I remember the 10th grade,
  • 00:22:02.744 --> 00:22:04.346
  • I got one of these green "living bibles" when it came out,
  • 00:22:04.346 --> 00:22:07.916
  • Remember these?
  • 00:22:07.916 --> 00:22:09.451
  • This is my green "living bible" from high school.
  • 00:22:09.451 --> 00:22:12.421
  • It's all marked up,
  • 00:22:12.421 --> 00:22:13.889
  • I would take it with me to school every day,
  • 00:22:13.889 --> 00:22:16.057
  • Have my quiet time in the park by richardson high school
  • 00:22:16.057 --> 00:22:19.428
  • Every morning before i went to school.
  • 00:22:19.428 --> 00:22:21.830
  • And in the back of this living bible,
  • 00:22:21.830 --> 00:22:26.134
  • Somebody gave me something
  • 00:22:26.701 --> 00:22:28.036
  • That made such an impression on me,
  • 00:22:28.036 --> 00:22:29.738
  • I wrote it down in the back of my bible.
  • 00:22:29.738 --> 00:22:32.941
  • It's titled, "the man god uses."
  • 00:22:33.575 --> 00:22:36.945
  • "he has but one great purpose in life.
  • 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:41.450
  • He by god's grace,
  • 00:22:41.883 --> 00:22:43.318
  • Has removed every hindrance from his life.
  • 00:22:43.318 --> 00:22:46.922
  • He has placed himself absolutely at god's disposal.
  • 00:22:46.922 --> 00:22:51.827
  • He has learned how to prevail in prayer.
  • 00:22:51.827 --> 00:22:55.263
  • He is a student of the word.
  • 00:22:55.263 --> 00:22:58.099
  • He has a vital message for a lost world.
  • 00:22:58.099 --> 00:23:01.870
  • He is a man of faith who expects results.
  • 00:23:01.870 --> 00:23:06.107
  • He works in the anointing of the holy spirit.
  • 00:23:06.107 --> 00:23:10.345
  • That's the person god uses."
  • 00:23:10.946 --> 00:23:14.416
  • Somebody has said the world has yet to see
  • 00:23:15.317 --> 00:23:18.286
  • What god can do to a person
  • 00:23:18.286 --> 00:23:20.288
  • Who is totally committed to him.
  • 00:23:20.288 --> 00:23:24.025
  • By depending on god's power instead of your abilities,
  • 00:23:25.126 --> 00:23:30.398
  • You can be that kind of person god uses.
  • 00:23:30.398 --> 00:23:33.435
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:33.435 --> 00:23:39.074
  • Yes, you are god's instrument, his mouthpiece,
  • 00:23:39.074 --> 00:23:42.911
  • His ambassador to share the gospel.
  • 00:23:42.911 --> 00:23:46.314
  • Human wisdom elevates gifted people,
  • 00:23:46.314 --> 00:23:49.417
  • But god's wisdom elevates faithful people.
  • 00:23:49.417 --> 00:23:52.854
  • Now, before our time is up today,
  • 00:23:52.854 --> 00:23:54.523
  • Let me encourage you by sharing a note from arnold.
  • 00:23:54.523 --> 00:23:57.792
  • He wrote to us and said,
  • 00:23:57.792 --> 00:23:59.528
  • "this ministry has helped me a lot
  • 00:23:59.528 --> 00:24:01.730
  • With my spiritual growth.
  • 00:24:01.730 --> 00:24:03.598
  • Thank you for your boldness
  • 00:24:03.598 --> 00:24:05.233
  • And not apologizing for the word,
  • 00:24:05.233 --> 00:24:07.869
  • And preaching without political correctness.
  • 00:24:07.869 --> 00:24:11.273
  • Friends, and especially our pathway partners,
  • 00:24:11.273 --> 00:24:13.608
  • Thank you for your faithful support of this ministry.
  • 00:24:13.608 --> 00:24:17.612
  • God is using you to reach friends like arnold
  • 00:24:17.612 --> 00:24:20.482
  • Who want to grow in their relationship with god.
  • 00:24:20.482 --> 00:24:23.685
  • Together, we are piercing the darkness
  • 00:24:23.685 --> 00:24:26.821
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:24:26.821 --> 00:24:28.857
  • Now, please stay right there,
  • 00:24:28.857 --> 00:24:30.158
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:30.158 --> 00:24:32.694
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:24:32.694 --> 00:24:34.429
  • The most important task
  • 00:24:34.930 --> 00:24:36.531
  • A parent or grandparent has in life
  • 00:24:36.531 --> 00:24:38.934
  • Is to lead their child or grandchild to faith
  • 00:24:38.934 --> 00:24:41.503
  • In jesus christ,
  • 00:24:41.503 --> 00:24:42.938
  • Yet many don't know where to begin.
  • 00:24:42.938 --> 00:24:45.140
  • That's why i've written "the gift: the gospel for children,"
  • 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:48.877
  • A beautifully illustrated book,
  • 00:24:48.877 --> 00:24:51.012
  • Designed to help you share the gospel
  • 00:24:51.012 --> 00:24:53.014
  • With the children you love.
  • 00:24:53.014 --> 00:24:55.116
  • [announcer] the gift provides
  • 00:24:55.116 --> 00:24:56.284
  • A clear presentation of the gospel
  • 00:24:56.284 --> 00:24:58.153
  • For your child or grandchild,
  • 00:24:58.153 --> 00:24:59.854
  • And makes sharing the life-changing message of jesus simple.
  • 00:24:59.854 --> 00:25:03.425
  • Plus, you'll receive an instructional dvd message
  • 00:25:03.425 --> 00:25:06.227
  • From dr. jeffress that you can watch together
  • 00:25:06.227 --> 00:25:08.730
  • With your child.
  • 00:25:08.730 --> 00:25:09.798
  • You can give this book
  • 00:25:09.798 --> 00:25:11.366
  • To your children or grandchildren to read on their own,
  • 00:25:11.366 --> 00:25:13.868
  • Or better yet, read it together
  • 00:25:13.868 --> 00:25:16.071
  • To begin a rewarding spiritual journey
  • 00:25:16.071 --> 00:25:19.007
  • That will shape their eternity.
  • 00:25:19.007 --> 00:25:21.176
  • At the end of my book,
  • 00:25:21.176 --> 00:25:22.544
  • I've included a prayer for salvation they can pray
  • 00:25:22.544 --> 00:25:25.680
  • To trust in christ as their savior.
  • 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:28.783
  • [announcer] help your child or grandchild
  • 00:25:28.783 --> 00:25:30.251
  • Make the decision to follow jesus christ.
  • 00:25:30.251 --> 00:25:32.954
  • Request "the gift" when you give a generous gift
  • 00:25:32.954 --> 00:25:35.724
  • To support the ministry of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:35.724 --> 00:25:38.493
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:25:38.493 --> 00:25:41.730
  • We'll also send you "straight answers to tough questions,"
  • 00:25:41.730 --> 00:25:44.766
  • Chapters 1 through 9, on both pvd and audio disc.
  • 00:25:44.766 --> 00:25:48.670
  • Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:48.670 --> 00:25:51.239
  • Together, we're preaching the gospel
  • 00:25:51.239 --> 00:25:52.907
  • To as many people as possible,
  • 00:25:52.907 --> 00:25:54.809
  • And equipping parents and grandparents
  • 00:25:54.809 --> 00:25:56.711
  • To lead the children they love to faith in jesus christ.
  • 00:25:56.711 --> 00:26:02.784
  • God is not impressed by man's wisdom.
  • 00:26:03.551 --> 00:26:06.488
  • He's not impressed by power or by wealth.
  • 00:26:06.488 --> 00:26:09.724
  • Instead, god has chosen to use the weak,
  • 00:26:09.724 --> 00:26:13.028
  • The humble, and the poor,
  • 00:26:13.028 --> 00:26:14.996
  • So that no man or woman may boast before god.
  • 00:26:14.996 --> 00:26:18.833
  • Well, have you ever wondered why two children
  • 00:26:18.833 --> 00:26:21.536
  • Raised in the same christian home
  • 00:26:21.536 --> 00:26:23.571
  • Can have such drastically different responses to the gospel?
  • 00:26:23.571 --> 00:26:28.009
  • Or why that highly intelligent coworker or friend
  • 00:26:28.009 --> 00:26:31.012
  • Cannot understand the truth of the gospel,
  • 00:26:31.012 --> 00:26:34.449
  • A truth so simple that even a 7-year-old
  • 00:26:34.449 --> 00:26:37.285
  • Can understand and accept it?
  • 00:26:37.285 --> 00:26:39.554
  • Stay tuned for a preview
  • 00:26:39.554 --> 00:26:40.855
  • Of what's coming up next in our series,
  • 00:26:40.855 --> 00:26:43.124
  • "straight answers to tough questions."
  • 00:26:43.124 --> 00:26:46.995
  • God's truth can only be understood
  • 00:26:46.995 --> 00:26:50.932
  • Through the supernatural illumination
  • 00:26:50.932 --> 00:26:53.735
  • Of the holy spirit of god.
  • 00:26:53.735 --> 00:26:56.104
  • No matter how persuasive the speaker,
  • 00:26:56.104 --> 00:26:58.006
  • No matter how intelligent the listener,
  • 00:26:58.006 --> 00:27:00.675
  • The gospel, the wisdom of god cannot be understood
  • 00:27:00.675 --> 00:27:05.613
  • Apart from the supernatural working
  • 00:27:05.613 --> 00:27:08.383
  • Of the holy spirit of god.
  • 00:27:08.383 --> 00:27:10.018
  • [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:27:10.952 --> 00:27:12.721
  • For the message, "the hidden wisdom of god"
  • 00:27:12.721 --> 00:27:15.724
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:15.724 --> 00:27:15.724