Robert Jeffress - Refusing To Second Guess Your Right Decisions

May 20, 2025 | S25:E240

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Refusing To Second Guess Your Right Decisions | May 20, 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 and welcome again
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  • To "pathway to victory."
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  • After making a sinful decision, it's natural to feel regret.
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  • But sometimes we're regretful after making a good decision.
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  • Abraham, the great man of faith,
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  • Had this experience when he second-guessed his decision
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  • To obey god.
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  • And if you've ever suffered from believer's remorse,
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  • I want you to hear my message today called
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  • "refusing to second-guess your right decisions"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • (music)
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  • ♪ the fear of the lord ♪
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  • ♪ is the beginning of wisdom ♪
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  • ♪ life, hope ♪
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  • ♪ meaning and joy ♪
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  • ♪ the fear of the lord ♪
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  • ♪ is the beginning of wisdom ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship ♪
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  • ♪ let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ let us fear our god ♪
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  • ♪ to him belongs ♪
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  • ♪ eternal praise ♪
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  • ♪ glorious and righteous ♪
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  • ♪ are his works, his ways ♪
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  • ♪ to him belongs ♪
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  • ♪ all reverent praise ♪
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  • ♪ faithful and just ♪
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  • ♪ are his works, his ways ♪
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  • ♪ in the congregation ♪
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  • ♪ with your people ♪
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  • ♪ we remember your works ♪
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  • ♪ your works ♪
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  • ♪ to him belongs ♪
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  • ♪ eternal praise ♪
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  • ♪ faithful and just ♪
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  • ♪ are his works, his ways ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship ♪
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  • ♪ let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship ♪
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  • ♪ let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship ♪
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  • ♪ let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship ♪
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  • ♪ let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship ♪
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  • ♪ let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship ♪
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  • ♪ let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ let us fear our god ♪
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  • ♪ our god ♪
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  • (congregation applauds)
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  • [announcer] the bible is filled with stories about heroes.
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  • (music)
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  • But abraham rises above the rest
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  • As a true champion of faith.
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  • In his brand new book "walking by faith,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress shares how to step forward in faith
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  • Even when the future appears uncertain.
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  • Your faith can thrive in a dark and hurting world.
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  • Request your copy of "walking by faith"
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  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • (music)
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  • Buyer's remorse.
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  • You know the concept, don't you?
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  • It's that feeling you have after making a large purchase
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  • And you begin second-guessing your decision.
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  • If only i had bought a bigger size or a different color.
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  • If only i had waited for a sale.
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  • You know, the only thing more painful
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  • Than second-guessing your decisions with regret
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  • Is second-guessing those decisions with fear,
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  • Doing what you think is the right thing
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  • And then starting to fear the consequences.
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  • A student decides
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  • That they're not going to cheat on the exam,
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  • But then they begin to worry,
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  • "what if i failed the course?"
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  • An employee refuses to follow her boss' edict to cheat,
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  • To cut corners,
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  • And then she begins to fear, "what if i lose my job?"
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  • A christian begins to obey god through tithing
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  • But then begins to wonder,
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  • "what if i don't have enough money?"
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  • We had a viewer of "pathway to victory"
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  • In virginia recently who wrote to us
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  • And said that she had listened to a message on marriage
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  • And made the commitment to obey god
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  • And stay in her marriage,
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  • But then she began to fear,
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  • "what if that means i'm condemned to a life
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  • Of loneliness and unhappiness?"
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  • You know, we sing the song, or we used to,
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  • You'll remember it,
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  • "trust and obey,
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  • For there's no other way than to be happy in jesus
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  • Than to trust and obey."
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  • It's a nice song but it's somewhat misleading.
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  • If you interpret it to mean if you trust and obey god,
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  • Everything's going to turn out all right.
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  • Well, eventually that's true,
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  • But it doesn't happen immediately.
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  • Sometimes we regret not just wrong decisions
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  • But right decisions.
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  • As we're going to discover today
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  • In our study in the life of abraham,
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  • There's only one remedy
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  • To regrets over the right decisions we make,
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  • And that remedy is faith.
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  • If you have your bibles, turn to genesis 14, genesis 14,
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  • As we discover some help in refusing to second-guess
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  • Our right decisions.
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  • The kings of the jordan valley
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  • That included the cities of sodom and gomorrah,
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  • They had lived for years under the reign
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  • Of a coalition of eastern kings led by chedorlaomer.
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  • And so they had paid taxes to chedorlaomer
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  • Every year for 12 years.
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  • But after 12 years of paying taxes to this monarch,
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  • They, kind of like our american colonists,
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  • Decided no taxation without representation.
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  • "we're not going to pay king henry anymore.
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  • We're not going to pay king chedorlaomer anymore.
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  • We're going to stop paying to this coalition of kings."
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  • They did that in the 13th year, quit paying their taxes.
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  • In the 14th year,
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  • Chedorlaomer said, "we're not going to put up
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  • With this rebellion any longer."
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  • So chedorlaomer leads a group of kings from the east
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  • And they invade the jordan valley
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  • Where these rebellious kings were,
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  • Including the kings of sodom and gomorrah.
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  • And what happens when chedorlaomer invades?
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  • Well, some of the people fled immediately
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  • To the hills of masada.
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  • Some of them fled there, leaving their possessions behind.
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  • Verse 10 tells us there were tar pits in the area,
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  • Tar that was used earlier to build the tower of babel.
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  • Some of the kings fled and got stuck in the tar pits,
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  • That was the king of sodom and gomorrah.
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  • They left behind their treasures.
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  • And those residents who stayed,
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  • Including the residents of sodom and gomorrah,
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  • They were taken captive.
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  • Now, who was living in sodom and gomorrah
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  • When this war broke out
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  • And the residents were taken captive?
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  • Guess who was there?
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  • Our old friend lot.
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  • It's interesting, the last time we saw a lot in chapter 13,
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  • He moved to the edge of sodom, this city of wickedness.
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  • He didn't move into it yet,
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  • But he was kind of attracted to it, tantalized by it,
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  • So he moved to the edge.
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  • When we get to chapter 14,
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  • He's right smack-dab in the middle of sodom
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  • And he ends up getting taken captive by chedorlaomer.
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  • May i point out an obvious but important truth?
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  • The most dangerous place in the world you can be
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  • Is outside god's will.
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  • When you're outside god's will,
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  • You're in the most dangerous place you can be.
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  • Likewise, the safest place you can be,
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  • Regardless of what's going on around you,
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  • Is in the middle of god's will.
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  • Lot had moved his family outside god's will
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  • And so they end up being taken captive
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  • Along with the other captives.
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  • Now what happens?
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  • Look at verse 13, "then a fugitive,"
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  • Somebody escaped from those who had been taken captive,
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  • "and told abram the hebrew,
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  • Now abram was living by the oaks of mamre."
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  • Now there's an interesting nuance here
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  • In the hebrew language.
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  • It says abram was living in canaan
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  • By the oaks of mamre.
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  • That hebrew word living means existing.
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  • It's the idea of a temporary dwelling place.
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  • Remember, abraham lived in a tent
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  • Even though he was a wealthy man.
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  • As the old gospel song says,
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  • "this world is not my home, i'm just a-passing through."
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  • You know, when i think about that,
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  • I think about the late british writer malcom muggeridge.
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  • He had an autobiography, "chronicles of wasted time,"
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  • And he talked about in his autobiography
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  • As feeling like a stranger in this world, he said.
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  • And one time a television journalist asked him what he meant
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  • By living as a stranger in this land,
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  • And this is what malcom muggeridge said.
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  • "in world war ii,
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  • I was in north africa when i heard a lieutenant colonel
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  • Use the phrase 'displaced person.'
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  • That phrase was very poignant to me,
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  • But it's a very good definition of a person
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  • Who's come to see that life is not about carnal things,
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  • It's not about success,
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  • But it's about eternity rather than time.
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  • I don't really belong here, i'm simply staying here."
  • 00:11:17.133 --> 00:11:22.138
  • That was abraham's philosophy.
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  • I'm not really belong in this world,
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  • I'm just staying in this world for now.
  • 00:11:27.376 --> 00:11:31.080
  • Contrast that to lot,
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  • Who thought this world was the final place for him.
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  • He drove down those stakes in the city of sodom,
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  • And isn't it interesting
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  • That the one who ended up getting uprooted was lot?
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  • He got taken captive.
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  • And so, when abraham heard the news from this fugitive
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  • That his nephew had been taken captive,
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  • What was his reaction?
  • 00:11:54.904 --> 00:11:57.006
  • Abraham wanted to rescue his nephew lot.
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  • You see, abraham understood that true love
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  • Is not giving people what they deserve,
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  • It's giving people what they need.
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  • Isn't that how god dealt with us?
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  • In titus 3:4-5, it says,
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  • "when the kindness of god our savior
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  • And his love for mankind appeared,
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  • God saved us not on the basis of deeds,
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  • Which we've done in righteousness,
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  • But according to his mercy."
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  • Aren't you glad we serve a kind god?
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  • A god who doesn't give us what we deserve,
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  • Justice, separation from god, punishment for our sins,
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  • But he gives us what we need, and that is grace.
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  • That's exactly what abraham did with lot,
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  • He dealt with him according to grace.
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  • And from this point on,
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  • Abraham, who's already a legend,
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  • Now he moves to superhero status.
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  • Everybody's talking about abraham.
  • 00:12:55.931 --> 00:12:58.300
  • And because chedorlaomer left behind all this loot
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  • As well as all these captives,
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  • A rich man, abraham, became even richer.
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  • He had all of this stuff now, all of these people,
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  • What would he do?
  • 00:13:11.447 --> 00:13:12.882
  • And so we see abraham facing a new test.
  • 00:13:12.882 --> 00:13:16.418
  • And again, it's a test of not how he handles adversity,
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  • How does he this newfound prosperity?
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  • Well, the test comes in the form of two kings that he meets.
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  • Now, first of all, he meets a king named melchizedek.
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  • Look at verse 18.
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  • "and melchizedek, the king of salem,"
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  • That was probably ancient jerusalem,
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  • "melchizedek, the king of salem,
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  • Brought out bread and wine to abraham.
  • 00:13:41.143 --> 00:13:44.079
  • Now he was a priest of the most high god."
  • 00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:46.815
  • This is the first time a priest is mentioned in the bible.
  • 00:13:46.815 --> 00:13:51.487
  • Now, what does melchizedek say when he meets abraham?
  • 00:13:51.487 --> 00:13:54.723
  • "he blessed him," verse 19, and said,
  • 00:13:54.723 --> 00:13:57.192
  • "blessed be abram of god most high,
  • 00:13:57.192 --> 00:13:59.929
  • Possessor of heaven and earth."
  • 00:13:59.929 --> 00:14:02.932
  • The word in hebrew melchizedek uses for god is el elyon.
  • 00:14:02.932 --> 00:14:08.037
  • It means the creator god, the possessor god,
  • 00:14:09.138 --> 00:14:11.473
  • The god who owns everything.
  • 00:14:11.473 --> 00:14:13.008
  • God owns everything in this universe
  • 00:14:13.008 --> 00:14:15.044
  • Because he created everything in this universe.
  • 00:14:15.044 --> 00:14:17.813
  • You know, the christian financial consultant ron blue says,
  • 00:14:17.813 --> 00:14:21.083
  • "the first principle you need to understand
  • 00:14:21.083 --> 00:14:23.886
  • To get your finances in order
  • 00:14:23.886 --> 00:14:25.688
  • Is that god owns everything."
  • 00:14:25.688 --> 00:14:29.658
  • And most of us say, "okay, that's great, ron.
  • 00:14:30.859 --> 00:14:32.695
  • What's the second principle?"
  • 00:14:32.695 --> 00:14:34.330
  • Don't skip over that.
  • 00:14:34.330 --> 00:14:36.265
  • God owns everything you have.
  • 00:14:36.265 --> 00:14:38.667
  • We own nothing, we're just managers,
  • 00:14:38.667 --> 00:14:40.669
  • Stewards of what belongs to god.
  • 00:14:40.669 --> 00:14:42.938
  • And when you understand that,
  • 00:14:42.938 --> 00:14:44.540
  • It gives you a whole different perspective on your finances.
  • 00:14:44.540 --> 00:14:47.676
  • Remember, first, god owns it all anyway,
  • 00:14:47.676 --> 00:14:50.546
  • It's just a question of how much you're going to give back
  • 00:14:50.546 --> 00:14:52.982
  • To what belongs to him.
  • 00:14:52.982 --> 00:14:55.084
  • That's what melchizedek reminded abraham.
  • 00:14:55.084 --> 00:14:58.487
  • Abraham, god owns it all.
  • 00:14:58.487 --> 00:15:00.789
  • Look at verse 20, and he goes on to say,
  • 00:15:00.789 --> 00:15:02.725
  • "and blessed be god most high,
  • 00:15:02.725 --> 00:15:05.060
  • Who has delivered your enemies into your hand."
  • 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:10.032
  • Abraham, god's the one
  • 00:15:10.032 --> 00:15:11.400
  • Who granted you victory over chedorlaomer.
  • 00:15:11.400 --> 00:15:15.637
  • And there's no pushback from abraham on this.
  • 00:15:15.637 --> 00:15:18.273
  • Abraham doesn't say, "oh, melchizedek, you don't understand.
  • 00:15:18.273 --> 00:15:21.610
  • God has no hands but my hands, he has no feet but my feet,
  • 00:15:21.610 --> 00:15:24.980
  • And blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."
  • 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:26.515
  • No, abraham acknowledges that
  • 00:15:26.515 --> 00:15:29.084
  • And he acknowledges it by, look at what it says.
  • 00:15:29.084 --> 00:15:32.354
  • He says, "and he gave, abraham,
  • 00:15:32.354 --> 00:15:34.490
  • Gave 1/10 of all to melchizedek."
  • 00:15:34.490 --> 00:15:38.260
  • He gave a tithe of all of his possessions to melchizedek.
  • 00:15:38.260 --> 00:15:43.365
  • This is the first time tithing is mentioned in the bible.
  • 00:15:44.733 --> 00:15:47.970
  • Now, having that encounter with the priest,
  • 00:15:47.970 --> 00:15:50.506
  • Being reminded that god's the one who gave him victory,
  • 00:15:50.506 --> 00:15:53.509
  • Prepared him for the second king he met,
  • 00:15:53.509 --> 00:15:55.878
  • Bera, the king of sodom.
  • 00:15:55.878 --> 00:15:58.013
  • Verse 21, "the king of sodom said to abram,
  • 00:15:58.013 --> 00:16:01.683
  • 'give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.'"
  • 00:16:01.683 --> 00:16:05.254
  • Now, you know what i stumbled over all week
  • 00:16:05.254 --> 00:16:07.256
  • In studying this passage?
  • 00:16:07.256 --> 00:16:09.291
  • How did the king of sodom get out of the tar pit?
  • 00:16:09.291 --> 00:16:12.294
  • Last time we saw him,
  • 00:16:12.294 --> 00:16:13.662
  • He had fled and was caught up in the tar pit,
  • 00:16:13.662 --> 00:16:15.631
  • It says in chapter 14.
  • 00:16:15.631 --> 00:16:17.499
  • How did he get out of the tar pit?
  • 00:16:17.499 --> 00:16:19.134
  • Well, maybe abraham rescued him.
  • 00:16:19.134 --> 00:16:21.336
  • But when he gets out of the tar pit, he says,
  • 00:16:21.336 --> 00:16:23.672
  • "abram, you've got all of this new treasure
  • 00:16:23.672 --> 00:16:27.242
  • That belonged to my people,
  • 00:16:27.242 --> 00:16:28.744
  • And you've got all of my people, the residents of sodom,
  • 00:16:28.744 --> 00:16:32.448
  • So i want to make a deal with you.
  • 00:16:32.448 --> 00:16:34.917
  • And here's the deal, you keep the money,
  • 00:16:34.917 --> 00:16:38.454
  • I'll take the captives back,
  • 00:16:38.454 --> 00:16:40.255
  • And it's a win-win for both of us."
  • 00:16:40.255 --> 00:16:43.926
  • And what does abram say to that?
  • 00:16:43.926 --> 00:16:45.794
  • "no deal. no deal."
  • 00:16:45.794 --> 00:16:48.730
  • Why? verses 22 and 23, abram said to the king of sodom,
  • 00:16:48.730 --> 00:16:52.601
  • "i have sworn to the lord god most high,
  • 00:16:52.601 --> 00:16:55.537
  • Possessor of heaven and earth,
  • 00:16:55.537 --> 00:16:57.339
  • That i will not take a thread or a sandal thong
  • 00:16:57.339 --> 00:17:00.742
  • Or anything that is yours,
  • 00:17:00.742 --> 00:17:02.411
  • For fear you would say, 'i have made abram rich.'"
  • 00:17:02.411 --> 00:17:07.516
  • He said, "if i get into this deal with you,
  • 00:17:08.617 --> 00:17:11.687
  • I might be richer for it,
  • 00:17:11.687 --> 00:17:13.956
  • But god's glory will be diminished.
  • 00:17:13.956 --> 00:17:16.658
  • If i take this money from you
  • 00:17:16.658 --> 00:17:20.095
  • And give you the captives back,
  • 00:17:20.095 --> 00:17:22.397
  • People will say what a shrewd negotiator you were
  • 00:17:22.397 --> 00:17:25.801
  • Instead of how great god is.
  • 00:17:25.801 --> 00:17:28.036
  • So this is what i'm going to do,
  • 00:17:28.036 --> 00:17:29.338
  • I'm not going to take any of your possessions.
  • 00:17:29.338 --> 00:17:31.406
  • If my men want it, the 318, they're entitled to it.
  • 00:17:31.406 --> 00:17:35.144
  • But i'm not going to take anything from you
  • 00:17:35.144 --> 00:17:38.347
  • That would diminish the glory of god.
  • 00:17:38.347 --> 00:17:40.315
  • I want people to know god is the one
  • 00:17:40.315 --> 00:17:42.985
  • Who has given the victory."
  • 00:17:42.985 --> 00:17:44.720
  • That explains abraham's whole life.
  • 00:17:45.854 --> 00:17:49.158
  • His whole focus was the glory of god,
  • 00:17:49.158 --> 00:17:52.761
  • Making god look bigger and better to an unbelieving world.
  • 00:17:52.761 --> 00:17:57.199
  • That's why abraham is the only person
  • 00:17:57.199 --> 00:18:00.068
  • Whom god called, "my friend.
  • 00:18:00.068 --> 00:18:03.505
  • My friend, abraham."
  • 00:18:03.505 --> 00:18:05.607
  • He got it.
  • 00:18:05.607 --> 00:18:07.075
  • He understood the whole reason we're here on this earth
  • 00:18:07.075 --> 00:18:09.978
  • For such a brief period of time
  • 00:18:09.978 --> 00:18:12.014
  • Is to glorify god, to point people to god.
  • 00:18:12.014 --> 00:18:15.484
  • After refusing the gifts of the king of sodom,
  • 00:18:15.484 --> 00:18:18.754
  • It was after these things
  • 00:18:18.754 --> 00:18:20.622
  • That a bad case of believer's remorse set in.
  • 00:18:20.622 --> 00:18:25.727
  • "after these things,
  • 00:18:26.361 --> 00:18:27.863
  • The word of the lord came to abram in a vision, saying,
  • 00:18:27.863 --> 00:18:30.232
  • 'do not fear, abram.'"
  • 00:18:30.232 --> 00:18:34.670
  • Why did he say, "do not fear"?
  • 00:18:35.470 --> 00:18:36.805
  • Because apparently abraham was fearing.
  • 00:18:36.805 --> 00:18:39.441
  • God looked down on his servant
  • 00:18:39.441 --> 00:18:40.943
  • And saw him having these restless nights
  • 00:18:40.943 --> 00:18:43.045
  • In which he tossed and turned.
  • 00:18:43.045 --> 00:18:44.846
  • He said, "abram, don't be afraid."
  • 00:18:44.846 --> 00:18:48.083
  • What was abraham afraid of?
  • 00:18:48.083 --> 00:18:49.685
  • He was having believer's remorse
  • 00:18:49.685 --> 00:18:51.887
  • For making the right decision.
  • 00:18:51.887 --> 00:18:54.122
  • The first phrase describes what he was fearing, what if?
  • 00:18:54.122 --> 00:18:58.560
  • What if, he began to wonder,
  • 00:18:58.560 --> 00:19:00.395
  • "what if chedorlaomer isn't defeated,
  • 00:19:00.395 --> 00:19:03.398
  • He's just simply regrouping
  • 00:19:03.398 --> 00:19:04.766
  • And he's going to come and attack me again?"
  • 00:19:04.766 --> 00:19:06.835
  • What if, what if, what if?
  • 00:19:06.835 --> 00:19:08.437
  • Do you know nothing will paralyze you with fear any more
  • 00:19:08.437 --> 00:19:11.773
  • Than that phrase, what if, what if?
  • 00:19:11.773 --> 00:19:15.310
  • Play these mind games,
  • 00:19:15.310 --> 00:19:16.645
  • What if this happens, what if this happen?
  • 00:19:16.645 --> 00:19:18.647
  • One time i read an interesting study
  • 00:19:18.647 --> 00:19:20.382
  • By dr. walter calvert that says
  • 00:19:20.382 --> 00:19:23.619
  • Only 8% of the things we worry about actually ever happen.
  • 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:28.156
  • Did you know that? 8%.
  • 00:19:28.156 --> 00:19:30.726
  • 92% of the things
  • 00:19:30.726 --> 00:19:32.394
  • That we stay awake at night worrying about never happen.
  • 00:19:32.394 --> 00:19:36.698
  • Isn't that just like satan,
  • 00:19:37.633 --> 00:19:39.735
  • To paralyze you with what if fear,
  • 00:19:39.735 --> 00:19:43.305
  • Lies that never come true?
  • 00:19:43.305 --> 00:19:45.641
  • John 8:44 says, jesus said, "satan is a liar,
  • 00:19:45.641 --> 00:19:49.378
  • And he is the father of all lies."
  • 00:19:49.378 --> 00:19:52.748
  • God says to abraham, "don't fear, i am your shield.
  • 00:19:53.982 --> 00:19:58.754
  • I'm your shield, i'm your protector.
  • 00:19:59.955 --> 00:20:02.924
  • You don't have to worry about chedorlaomer,
  • 00:20:02.924 --> 00:20:04.960
  • I'm your protector."
  • 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.795
  • God says he's our hedge,
  • 00:20:06.795 --> 00:20:08.864
  • He's built a hedge around every believer.
  • 00:20:08.864 --> 00:20:13.869
  • You know, satan is a liar,
  • 00:20:13.869 --> 00:20:15.604
  • But that doesn't mean everything he says is a lie.
  • 00:20:15.604 --> 00:20:18.807
  • Sometimes even satan gets it right.
  • 00:20:18.807 --> 00:20:21.743
  • Remember what he said about job in job 1:10?
  • 00:20:21.743 --> 00:20:24.546
  • He said to god, "no wonder job worships you.
  • 00:20:24.546 --> 00:20:27.749
  • Haven't you placed a hedge around him and his household
  • 00:20:27.749 --> 00:20:31.520
  • And everything that is his?
  • 00:20:31.520 --> 00:20:34.022
  • You're the protector of job,
  • 00:20:34.022 --> 00:20:35.457
  • No wonder he worships you," satan says.
  • 00:20:35.457 --> 00:20:38.060
  • And it was true,
  • 00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:39.428
  • God had put a hedge around job and his family.
  • 00:20:39.428 --> 00:20:41.663
  • But then god lowered the hedge,
  • 00:20:41.663 --> 00:20:44.599
  • He gave satan temporary permission to go after job,
  • 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:48.670
  • But it was all still part of god's plan.
  • 00:20:48.670 --> 00:20:52.341
  • Listen to me, that's the reason we don't have to fear.
  • 00:20:52.341 --> 00:20:55.510
  • Proverbs 12:21 says,
  • 00:20:55.510 --> 00:20:57.946
  • "no harm befalls the righteous."
  • 00:20:57.946 --> 00:21:01.616
  • Now that's a lousy translation of the hebrew
  • 00:21:01.616 --> 00:21:04.586
  • Because we know that's not true.
  • 00:21:04.586 --> 00:21:06.588
  • No harm befalls the righteous?
  • 00:21:06.588 --> 00:21:08.390
  • Lots of harm befalls righteous people,
  • 00:21:08.390 --> 00:21:11.093
  • Terrible things happen to righteous people.
  • 00:21:11.093 --> 00:21:13.662
  • But that's not what the hebrew text says.
  • 00:21:13.662 --> 00:21:15.664
  • It literally says,
  • 00:21:15.664 --> 00:21:17.065
  • "nothing without purpose happens to the godly."
  • 00:21:17.065 --> 00:21:21.703
  • That is there is nothing that comes into your life
  • 00:21:21.703 --> 00:21:25.207
  • That has not been allowed by a good, loving, perfect god.
  • 00:21:25.207 --> 00:21:28.910
  • And if it's come through the will of god,
  • 00:21:28.910 --> 00:21:30.879
  • It comes for your good and for the glory of god.
  • 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:35.150
  • Believers, don't fear, god is our shield.
  • 00:21:35.150 --> 00:21:40.255
  • And then he goes on to say, "and i am your reward, abraham."
  • 00:21:41.623 --> 00:21:44.926
  • Why did he say that?
  • 00:21:44.926 --> 00:21:46.328
  • I think abraham not only had a case of the what ifs,
  • 00:21:46.328 --> 00:21:50.365
  • But he was also suffering from the if only regrets.
  • 00:21:50.365 --> 00:21:54.870
  • "did i really want to give up all that money,
  • 00:21:54.870 --> 00:21:57.305
  • All that treasure?
  • 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.908
  • I could have done some good things with that money.
  • 00:21:59.908 --> 00:22:03.245
  • If only i'd kept it,
  • 00:22:03.245 --> 00:22:04.780
  • I could trade in my tent for a mansion in highland park.
  • 00:22:04.780 --> 00:22:08.517
  • I could trade in this lousy chariot for a sodom sedan.
  • 00:22:09.851 --> 00:22:13.021
  • I mean, i could have more.
  • 00:22:13.021 --> 00:22:15.424
  • Maybe i made the wrong mistakes.
  • 00:22:15.424 --> 00:22:18.527
  • What if i had kept this money?
  • 00:22:18.527 --> 00:22:21.630
  • If only i'd kept it, i would be richer."
  • 00:22:21.630 --> 00:22:24.399
  • What does god say?
  • 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:25.934
  • "abraham, i'm not only your shield, i am your reward."
  • 00:22:25.934 --> 00:22:30.372
  • You know, the bible says in hebrews 11:6,
  • 00:22:31.573 --> 00:22:33.975
  • "those who come to god must believe two things.
  • 00:22:33.975 --> 00:22:37.612
  • That god is, and that he is a rewarder
  • 00:22:37.612 --> 00:22:41.716
  • Of those who diligently follow him."
  • 00:22:41.716 --> 00:22:44.986
  • There is a reward for obeying god.
  • 00:22:44.986 --> 00:22:47.189
  • It doesn't always come immediately,
  • 00:22:47.189 --> 00:22:49.591
  • But it always comes ultimately.
  • 00:22:49.591 --> 00:22:52.127
  • A.w. tozer in his book "the knowledge of the holy" said,
  • 00:22:53.495 --> 00:22:57.132
  • "the most important thing about us
  • 00:22:57.132 --> 00:23:00.735
  • Is what comes into our mind when we think about god."
  • 00:23:00.735 --> 00:23:05.407
  • When you think about god, what comes into your mind?
  • 00:23:06.741 --> 00:23:09.578
  • Only those who think of god as their shield, their reward,
  • 00:23:10.979 --> 00:23:15.951
  • Can avoid the regret and fears that come
  • 00:23:17.052 --> 00:23:19.988
  • For making the right decisions.
  • 00:23:19.988 --> 00:23:23.425
  • (music)
  • 00:23:23.425 --> 00:23:26.094
  • This study on the life of abraham,
  • 00:23:29.831 --> 00:23:31.700
  • Although an ancient story,
  • 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:33.235
  • Contains a wealth of practical insight
  • 00:23:33.235 --> 00:23:35.837
  • That you can apply to your life today.
  • 00:23:35.837 --> 00:23:38.573
  • And i'm urging you to stick with us
  • 00:23:38.573 --> 00:23:40.242
  • For the remainder of the month
  • 00:23:40.242 --> 00:23:41.877
  • As we study this remarkable man of faith.
  • 00:23:41.877 --> 00:23:45.213
  • Now, in the time remaining today,
  • 00:23:45.213 --> 00:23:46.915
  • I want to share a special note i received from beth.
  • 00:23:46.915 --> 00:23:50.318
  • She wrote, "last year i discovered 'pathway to victory.'
  • 00:23:50.318 --> 00:23:54.322
  • Since then, i've learned a lot
  • 00:23:54.322 --> 00:23:55.757
  • About how to walk closer with jesus,
  • 00:23:55.757 --> 00:23:58.193
  • To trust in him,
  • 00:23:58.193 --> 00:23:59.561
  • And to live the way the bible says to.
  • 00:23:59.561 --> 00:24:02.864
  • Right now, my family and i are going through a difficult
  • 00:24:02.864 --> 00:24:05.567
  • And uncertain time.
  • 00:24:05.567 --> 00:24:07.335
  • I routinely turn to 'pathway to victory'
  • 00:24:07.335 --> 00:24:10.071
  • For reminders that god knows the trials we are facing.
  • 00:24:10.071 --> 00:24:14.409
  • He is in control, and he has a purpose in it.
  • 00:24:14.409 --> 00:24:18.013
  • Thank you and 'pathway to victory' for all that you do."
  • 00:24:18.013 --> 00:24:21.983
  • Beth, i'm so glad that "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:21.983 --> 00:24:24.152
  • Is a blessing to you during this difficult time.
  • 00:24:24.152 --> 00:24:26.988
  • And remember, her thank you note belongs to every one of you
  • 00:24:26.988 --> 00:24:31.159
  • Who supports "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:33.194
  • And makes this ministry possible.
  • 00:24:33.194 --> 00:24:35.564
  • We couldn't help beth and others like her without your help.
  • 00:24:35.564 --> 00:24:40.135
  • Now stay right there,
  • 00:24:40.135 --> 00:24:41.436
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:41.436 --> 00:24:43.838
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:24:43.838 --> 00:24:45.040
  • [announcer] in the midst of our chaotic world
  • 00:24:46.141 --> 00:24:48.176
  • And the personal problems that we all face,
  • 00:24:48.176 --> 00:24:50.779
  • Is it possible to find peace and contentment?
  • 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:53.548
  • Abraham did, and so can you.
  • 00:24:53.548 --> 00:24:55.884
  • In his brand new book "walking by faith,"
  • 00:24:55.884 --> 00:24:58.286
  • Dr. robert jeffress shows you
  • 00:24:58.286 --> 00:24:59.888
  • How to make courageous decisions,
  • 00:24:59.888 --> 00:25:01.856
  • Ones that are far outside your comfort zone.
  • 00:25:01.856 --> 00:25:04.392
  • In doing so, god will prove faithful.
  • 00:25:04.392 --> 00:25:06.995
  • Abraham was far from perfect.
  • 00:25:06.995 --> 00:25:08.964
  • He made mistakes, including some really big ones.
  • 00:25:08.964 --> 00:25:12.400
  • But through it all, he walked with god in faith.
  • 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:15.904
  • And you can as well.
  • 00:25:15.904 --> 00:25:17.472
  • [announcer] in this dynamic new book, "walking by faith,"
  • 00:25:17.472 --> 00:25:20.041
  • Dr. jeffress explains how to walk by faith
  • 00:25:20.041 --> 00:25:22.544
  • In a faithless world,
  • 00:25:22.544 --> 00:25:24.012
  • Squarely founded on the wisdom gained
  • 00:25:24.012 --> 00:25:26.214
  • From the story of abraham.
  • 00:25:26.214 --> 00:25:28.149
  • Request your copy of "walking by faith"
  • 00:25:28.149 --> 00:25:30.285
  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:30.285 --> 00:25:33.088
  • And when you give $75 or more,
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  • We'll also send you all 11 messages
  • 00:25:35.690 --> 00:25:38.126
  • For the new "walking by faith" series
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  • On dvd video and mp3 format audio disc,
  • 00:25:40.295 --> 00:25:43.865
  • Along with the personal and group study guide.
  • 00:25:43.865 --> 00:25:46.635
  • If the story of abraham tells us anything,
  • 00:25:46.635 --> 00:25:48.870
  • It tells us this.
  • 00:25:48.870 --> 00:25:50.372
  • It doesn't matter how old you are,
  • 00:25:50.372 --> 00:25:51.906
  • It doesn't matter how far you've drifted away from god,
  • 00:25:51.906 --> 00:25:54.709
  • You can come back.
  • 00:25:54.709 --> 00:25:56.244
  • [announcer] your gift today is important and appreciated
  • 00:25:56.244 --> 00:25:58.513
  • As we impact your home and reach a nation and world
  • 00:25:58.513 --> 00:26:01.783
  • In spiritual need.
  • 00:26:01.783 --> 00:26:03.318
  • God is clearly using "pathway to victory"
  • 00:26:03.318 --> 00:26:05.887
  • To fulfill his mandate,
  • 00:26:05.887 --> 00:26:07.389
  • To pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:26:07.389 --> 00:26:10.492
  • Thank you for investing in this important gospel work.
  • 00:26:10.492 --> 00:26:14.295
  • Making a strong moral choice is sometimes hard,
  • 00:26:18.333 --> 00:26:22.103
  • And sometimes even our best efforts can leave us wondering
  • 00:26:22.103 --> 00:26:25.407
  • Whether we made the right call.
  • 00:26:25.407 --> 00:26:27.809
  • But through abraham's story,
  • 00:26:27.809 --> 00:26:29.244
  • We see that the only remedy to believer's remorse
  • 00:26:29.244 --> 00:26:32.781
  • Is our trust and faith in god.
  • 00:26:32.781 --> 00:26:35.517
  • Well, 2,000 years ago,
  • 00:26:35.517 --> 00:26:37.519
  • Jesus christ came to die on the cross for our sins
  • 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:40.855
  • So that we could spend eternity in heaven with him.
  • 00:26:40.855 --> 00:26:44.292
  • But what about people who lived before jesus' time on earth?
  • 00:26:44.292 --> 00:26:48.096
  • Could they be saved as well?
  • 00:26:48.096 --> 00:26:50.331
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:50.331 --> 00:26:53.201
  • In our series "walking by faith."
  • 00:26:53.201 --> 00:26:56.304
  • You know, sin is a real problem we all face.
  • 00:26:57.605 --> 00:27:00.842
  • It can't be ignored, it can't be glossed over.
  • 00:27:00.842 --> 00:27:03.311
  • Somebody has to pay for our sin.
  • 00:27:03.311 --> 00:27:07.549
  • As philip yancey said,
  • 00:27:07.549 --> 00:27:09.317
  • "grace is only free because the giver of grace
  • 00:27:09.317 --> 00:27:13.388
  • Is the one who bore the cost himself."
  • 00:27:13.388 --> 00:27:17.459
  • [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:27:17.459 --> 00:27:19.761
  • For the message "the night abraham was saved"
  • 00:27:19.761 --> 00:27:23.098
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:23.098 --> 00:27:23.098