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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Squabbling Over the Sabbath

December 27, 2024 | S24:E5206

Robert Jeffress - Squabbling Over the Sabbath
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 - Squabbling Over the Sabbath | December 27, 2024
  • ...
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: thank you so much for joining us
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • Before we begin today's program, i wanted to say a word about
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  • The recent election.
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  • In 1 timothy 2, paul said we should pray that government
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  • Would basically protect us and then leave us alone to practice
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  • Our faith.
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  • And i think the election has ensured that's going to happen
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  • For the next four years.
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  • I've known president trump for almost ten years, and i know
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  • Religious freedom is a very real priority with him.
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  • But we need to remember that it is not government's
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  • Responsibility to share the gospel of jesus christ.
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  • That's our responsibility and one we need to take advantage of
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  • While there's still time.
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  • The only way we're going to change america is by changing
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  • The hearts of americans.
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  • And that's only possible through the power of jesus christ.
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  • So thank you for supporting "pathway to victory" generously
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  • In this important time, but limited time, of religious
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  • Liberty, so together we can pierce the darkness with
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  • The light of god's word.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress.
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  • Welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • For thousands of years, the sabbath has been considered
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  • A holy day.
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  • There are even some laws that prohibit the buying and selling
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  • Of certain items on sundays.
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  • But does god really expect us to keep the sabbath in our
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  • Modern day?
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  • Or is honoring the sabbath just another way of being legalistic?
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  • Today, i wanna challenge you to look beyond the letter of
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  • The law to see the principle behind it.
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  • My message is titled "squabbling over the sabbath" on today's
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  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:59.031 --> 00:02:02.701
  • Announcer: the celebration of jesus's birth each christmas
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  • Marks the moment when god's radiant hope entered our world,
  • 00:02:09.441 --> 00:02:13.245
  • And jesus calls us to share this light with others.
  • 00:02:13.245 --> 00:02:15.814
  • You can help pierce the darkness with the light of god's word
  • 00:02:15.814 --> 00:02:19.051
  • Through the pathway to victory light the darkness
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  • Matching challenge.
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  • Since 1996, "pathway to victory"
  • 00:02:22.654 --> 00:02:24.656
  • Has been boldly sharing
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  • The gospel of jesus christ,
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  • And your gift,
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  • Doubled in impact,
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  • Will be used to proclaim
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  • God's truth here in america
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  • And around the world.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: how would you react to the following situations?
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  • Situation number one: a friend or family member tells you that
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  • He's received a promotion that will result in a much-needed
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  • Increase in salary.
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  • The only catch is his new position will require him to
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  • Work every sunday and miss church on sunday.
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  • But the good news is your church has saturday night
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  • Worship services.
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  • So his question to you is, "is saturday night worship the same
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  • As sunday morning worship?
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  • Should i take this new position or not?"
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  • Situation number two: you've had a hectic week.
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  • You didn't have time to go by the hardware store to get a new
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  • Blade for your lawn mower.
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  • And so, sunday, while you're munching on a donut at sunday
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  • School, you just mentioned to a friend that as soon as church is
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  • Over, you're going by the hardware store to pick up
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  • A blade for your lawn mower.
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  • Your friend is horrified.
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  • "you're gonna shop on sunday?
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  • Don't you realize that by shopping on sunday, you're
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  • Encouraging a store to stay open?
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  • And that means employees will be missing church."
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  • How do you respond to that objection situation?
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  • Number three: your child has been offered a spot on a very
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  • Select sports team that travels out of town three or four
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  • Weekends every month.
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  • Being on the sports team will give your child a very good
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  • Advantage in securing a college scholarship.
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  • The only problem is he or she will be missing church almost
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  • Every sunday for a year.
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  • You're concerned, but the coach tries to allay your fears by
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  • Saying, "don't worry, we'll have a devotional thought on
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  • The field right before the game every sunday."
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  • Do you allow your child to participate or not?
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  • All of these situations have in common, the fact that they deal
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  • With the issues of the commandment: "remember
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  • The sabbath and keep it holy."
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  • Does that commandment apply to us today who live under grace
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  • And not the law?
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  • Are there principles that transfer to us even under
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  • The age of grace?
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  • You know, i would say outside of the issue of baptism or
  • 00:04:58.677 --> 00:05:01.680
  • Eschatology, no issue causes more controversy in the church
  • 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:06.585
  • Than the issue of the sabbath.
  • 00:05:06.585 --> 00:05:09.488
  • That shouldn't surprise us.
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  • The fact is jesus had his own share of squabbles about
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  • The sabbath.
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  • We're going to look at two of them today and learn some
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  • Invaluable principles that apply to us, 2,000 years later, of
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  • What we ought to do on that day of worship.
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  • Turn in your bibles to luke, chapter 6. as we've seen, jesus
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  • Was constantly doing battle against the pharisees, that sect
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  • Of judaism that was seeking to destroy him.
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  • We saw last time how they criticized jesus for hanging out
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  • With sinners.
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  • Well, who else does a savior hang out with except a sinner?
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  • That's why he came, not for the righteous, but for
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  • The unrighteous.
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  • And now we're going to see today, they also criticized
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  • Jesus for the way he kept, or didn't keep, the holy day of
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  • Worship called the sabbath.
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  • Now, before we get into luke 6, i wanna say just a word about
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  • The sabbath in general.
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  • First of all, it's meaning the word 'sabbath,' contrary to
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  • Popular opinion does not mean 'seventh.'
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  • Instead, it comes from the hebrew word 'shabbat,' which
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  • Means 'to cease' or 'desist' from any kind of work.
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  • In fact, somebody has said it means to cease from even
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  • Thinking about working.
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  • And the idea of the sabbath comes from the passage we read
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  • Just a few moments ago, the fourth commandment, found in
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  • Exodus 20, verses 8 to 11: "god said,
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  • 'remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
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  • Six days you shall labor and do all of your work,
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  • But the seventh day is a sabbath
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  • Of the lord, your god.'"
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  • Verse 11: "for in six days the lord made
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  • The heavens and the earth, the sea and all that
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  • Is in them, and he rested on the seventh day;
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  • Therefore the lord blessed the sabbath day
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  • And made it holy."
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  • And god is saying, just as i created the world
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  • And finished all of my work in six days and rested on
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  • The seventh, you are to do all of your work for a week
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  • In six days, and you are to rest on the seventh day.
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  • What was the purpose of the sabbath?
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  • Listen: the sabbath was never meant to be a burden to
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  • God's people.
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  • It was to be a blessing to god's people.
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  • In mark 2:27, jesus made it clear that the sabbath was made
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  • For man and not man for the sabbath.
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  • The sabbath is god's gift to us.
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  • A number of years ago, i was riding around in a taxi cab in
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  • New york city and, trying to make conversation with the cab
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  • Driver, i asked him, "how many miles does this cab have on it?"
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  • By looking at it, it looked like it had a lot of miles on it.
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  • He said, "300,000 so far."
  • 00:07:52.050 --> 00:07:55.353
  • I said "300,000?
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  • How do you keep this thing running after 300,000 miles?"
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  • He says, "it's real simple.
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  • I change the oil every 3,000 miles, i change the air filter,
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  • And i keep it lubricated."
  • 00:08:05.397 --> 00:08:07.265
  • In other words, he was saying, "i follow the
  • 00:08:07.265 --> 00:08:10.101
  • Maintenance schedule."
  • 00:08:10.101 --> 00:08:12.037
  • Did you know god, our creator, has given us a maintenance
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  • Schedule, a program to ensure our physical, emotional,
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  • And spiritual health?
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  • And part of that maintenance program for us is observing
  • 00:08:23.748 --> 00:08:27.752
  • The sabbath.
  • 00:08:27.752 --> 00:08:29.087
  • That is, we are to do all our work in six days, and we're to
  • 00:08:29.087 --> 00:08:32.891
  • Do something different on the seventh day.
  • 00:08:32.891 --> 00:08:35.694
  • All of our work in six days, not in seven days, not in four days,
  • 00:08:35.694 --> 00:08:41.032
  • But in six days we work, and the seventh is the sabbath day.
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  • It's a gift to us.
  • 00:08:46.137 --> 00:08:48.139
  • Of course, the pharisees distorted that.
  • 00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:50.809
  • They took what was a blessing and turned it into a burden.
  • 00:08:50.809 --> 00:08:54.713
  • They came up with all of these manmade regulations about what
  • 00:08:54.713 --> 00:08:58.216
  • You could and couldn't do on the sabbath.
  • 00:08:58.216 --> 00:08:59.818
  • The early church changed its day of worship from saturday, the
  • 00:08:59.818 --> 00:09:04.522
  • Last day of the week, to sunday, the first day of the week.
  • 00:09:04.522 --> 00:09:08.093
  • Mark down acts 20, verse seven, and 1 corinthians 16:2: sunday,
  • 00:09:08.093 --> 00:09:13.365
  • The day christ was raised from the dead, became the day of
  • 00:09:13.365 --> 00:09:16.534
  • Worship for christians.
  • 00:09:16.534 --> 00:09:18.236
  • Nevertheless, there were some in the early church who weren't
  • 00:09:18.236 --> 00:09:20.872
  • Comfortable with that change.
  • 00:09:20.872 --> 00:09:22.674
  • They wanted to keep worshiping on saturday.
  • 00:09:22.674 --> 00:09:26.177
  • They wanted to keep the old testament restrictions of
  • 00:09:26.177 --> 00:09:29.247
  • The sabbath.
  • 00:09:29.247 --> 00:09:30.615
  • So what were they to do?
  • 00:09:30.615 --> 00:09:32.617
  • Do you worship on saturday or sunday?
  • 00:09:32.617 --> 00:09:34.886
  • Well, paul addressed that issue head on in
  • 00:09:34.886 --> 00:09:38.723
  • Colossians 2:16 and 17.
  • 00:09:38.723 --> 00:09:39.791
  • He said: "therefore let no one act as your
  • 00:09:39.791 --> 00:09:41.993
  • Judge in regard to food or drink or in respect
  • 00:09:41.993 --> 00:09:45.597
  • To a festival or a new moon or a sabbath day,
  • 00:09:45.597 --> 00:09:50.168
  • Things which are a mere shadow of what is to
  • 00:09:50.168 --> 00:09:53.338
  • Come; but the substance belongs to christ."
  • 00:09:53.338 --> 00:09:56.608
  • Paul was saying all these old testament laws,
  • 00:09:56.608 --> 00:09:58.543
  • They were simply a shadow pointing to jesus christ.
  • 00:09:58.543 --> 00:10:02.814
  • And now that jesus has come, there is no reason to go back
  • 00:10:02.814 --> 00:10:05.884
  • And keep all of these old testament laws.
  • 00:10:05.884 --> 00:10:08.953
  • But he also said, if you still wanna worship on the sabbath,
  • 00:10:08.953 --> 00:10:12.223
  • Fine, worship on the sabbath.
  • 00:10:12.223 --> 00:10:13.925
  • If you wanna keep these old testament dietary laws, go ahead
  • 00:10:13.925 --> 00:10:17.362
  • And keep them.
  • 00:10:17.362 --> 00:10:18.697
  • But don't judge others who choose not to keep them.
  • 00:10:18.697 --> 00:10:22.567
  • You know, the same truth applies to us today.
  • 00:10:22.567 --> 00:10:26.104
  • You know, if you don't wanna dance, fine, don't dance.
  • 00:10:26.104 --> 00:10:30.208
  • Frankly, some of you shouldn't even try to dance.
  • 00:10:30.208 --> 00:10:32.544
  • You know, it's a sin against god and man for you to try.
  • 00:10:32.544 --> 00:10:37.248
  • If you don't wanna dance, fine.
  • 00:10:37.248 --> 00:10:38.717
  • If you don't wanna go to the movies, fine.
  • 00:10:38.717 --> 00:10:40.618
  • If you don't want to smoke cigars, fine.
  • 00:10:40.618 --> 00:10:42.320
  • There are very good reasons not to do that, but don't make your
  • 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:46.324
  • Personal conviction, somebody else's obligation.
  • 00:10:46.324 --> 00:10:49.427
  • That's legalism, that's what he's saying here.
  • 00:10:49.427 --> 00:10:52.464
  • Now, even though we're not under those old testament
  • 00:10:52.464 --> 00:10:55.400
  • Restrictions, i do believe there's some very valuable
  • 00:10:55.400 --> 00:10:58.303
  • Principles for us about the sabbath we can observe today.
  • 00:10:58.303 --> 00:11:01.873
  • But before we look at those principles, let's look very
  • 00:11:01.873 --> 00:11:05.777
  • Quickly at jesus's sabbath squabbles.
  • 00:11:05.777 --> 00:11:09.013
  • There were two of them uh in which jesus was confronted
  • 00:11:09.013 --> 00:11:12.784
  • With the sabbath.
  • 00:11:12.784 --> 00:11:13.885
  • First of all, i call the case of the hungry disciples.
  • 00:11:13.885 --> 00:11:16.688
  • It's found in verses 1 to 5 of luke 6.
  • 00:11:16.688 --> 00:11:18.923
  • Look at verse 1: "now it came about that on
  • 00:11:18.923 --> 00:11:21.426
  • A certain sabbath, jesus was passing through
  • 00:11:21.426 --> 00:11:23.895
  • Some grainfields, and his disciples were
  • 00:11:23.895 --> 00:11:28.032
  • Picking and eating the heads of grain,
  • 00:11:28.032 --> 00:11:30.902
  • Rubbing them in their hands.
  • 00:11:30.902 --> 00:11:32.837
  • But some of the pharisees said, 'why do you do
  • 00:11:32.837 --> 00:11:35.173
  • What is not lawful on the sabbath?'"
  • 00:11:35.173 --> 00:11:38.743
  • But the pharisees added to god's law and they said on the
  • 00:11:38.743 --> 00:11:42.380
  • Sabbath, you couldn't reap, thresh, winnow, or prepare any
  • 00:11:42.380 --> 00:11:45.116
  • Kind of food on the sabbath day.
  • 00:11:45.116 --> 00:11:47.652
  • And therefore, the disciples were breaking the
  • 00:11:47.652 --> 00:11:51.156
  • Pharisees' rule.
  • 00:11:51.156 --> 00:11:52.490
  • How did jesus answer?
  • 00:11:52.490 --> 00:11:53.458
  • Look at verses 3 and 4: "and jesus answered
  • 00:11:53.458 --> 00:11:55.827
  • Them and said, 'have you not even read what
  • 00:11:55.827 --> 00:11:58.396
  • David did when he was hungry, he and those who
  • 00:11:58.396 --> 00:12:01.099
  • Were with him; how he entered the house of god,
  • 00:12:01.099 --> 00:12:04.269
  • And took and ate the consecrated bread,
  • 00:12:04.269 --> 00:12:06.304
  • Which is not lawful for any to eat except the
  • 00:12:06.304 --> 00:12:10.141
  • Priests alone and he gave it his companions?'"
  • 00:12:10.141 --> 00:12:13.311
  • Now, this is a reference to 1 samuel 21.
  • 00:12:13.311 --> 00:12:16.381
  • David and his men were fleeing king saul.
  • 00:12:16.381 --> 00:12:19.250
  • They were hungry, they had no place to eat.
  • 00:12:19.250 --> 00:12:21.419
  • So, they go into the tabernacle, they see those 12 loaves of
  • 00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:24.856
  • Bread, the showbread, that were dedicated to god, and they
  • 00:12:24.856 --> 00:12:28.927
  • Ate it.
  • 00:12:28.927 --> 00:12:30.261
  • Now, 1 samuel 22, chapter 22, and gives a strong inference
  • 00:12:30.261 --> 00:12:34.732
  • That the priest had inquired of god of whether this was okay
  • 00:12:34.732 --> 00:12:37.735
  • Or not.
  • 00:12:37.735 --> 00:12:39.070
  • But nevertheless, they ate this bread, showing that god is more
  • 00:12:39.070 --> 00:12:41.906
  • Interested in the spirit of the law than the letter of the law.
  • 00:12:41.906 --> 00:12:46.344
  • And that's what jesus said.
  • 00:12:46.344 --> 00:12:47.979
  • But somebody might say, "well, jesus, if you just start
  • 00:12:47.979 --> 00:12:50.715
  • Interpreting god's law however you want to, that leads
  • 00:12:50.715 --> 00:12:53.518
  • To chaos."
  • 00:12:53.518 --> 00:12:54.886
  • Well, look at what jesus said in verse 5:
  • 00:12:54.886 --> 00:12:56.254
  • "and he said to them, 'the son of man is lord
  • 00:12:56.254 --> 00:13:00.658
  • Of the sabbath.'"
  • 00:13:00.658 --> 00:13:02.360
  • Jesus was saying, "hey, don't forget who i am,
  • 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:05.463
  • I'm god.
  • 00:13:05.463 --> 00:13:06.965
  • I'm the one who wrote this law to begin with.
  • 00:13:06.965 --> 00:13:09.601
  • I can interpret it any way i want."
  • 00:13:09.601 --> 00:13:14.005
  • And by saying such a thing, he enraged the pharisees.
  • 00:13:14.005 --> 00:13:17.876
  • We find the second sabbath squabble beginning in verse 6,
  • 00:13:17.876 --> 00:13:21.613
  • The case of the handicapped man.
  • 00:13:21.613 --> 00:13:23.514
  • Look at this in verse 6: "and it came about on
  • 00:13:23.514 --> 00:13:25.817
  • Another sabbath, that jesus entered the
  • 00:13:25.817 --> 00:13:27.886
  • Synagogue and was teaching; and there was
  • 00:13:27.886 --> 00:13:30.388
  • A man there whose right hand was withered.
  • 00:13:30.388 --> 00:13:33.191
  • And the scribes and the pharisees were
  • 00:13:33.191 --> 00:13:34.959
  • Watching him closely," literally in greek, they
  • 00:13:34.959 --> 00:13:37.762
  • Were spying on him, "to see if he healed on
  • 00:13:37.762 --> 00:13:41.432
  • The sabbath, in order that they might find
  • 00:13:41.432 --> 00:13:43.701
  • Reason to accuse him."
  • 00:13:43.701 --> 00:13:45.703
  • They were really worried that jesus was actually
  • 00:13:45.703 --> 00:13:48.573
  • Gonna do something nice
  • 00:13:48.573 --> 00:13:50.208
  • For somebody on the sabbath, and heal this man.
  • 00:13:50.208 --> 00:13:52.977
  • Look at how jesus responded, verse 8: "but
  • 00:13:52.977 --> 00:13:55.446
  • Jesus knew what they were thinking, and so
  • 00:13:55.446 --> 00:13:57.849
  • He said to the man with the withered hand,
  • 00:13:57.849 --> 00:13:59.484
  • 'rise and come forward!'
  • 00:13:59.484 --> 00:14:01.052
  • And so the man rose and came forward.
  • 00:14:01.052 --> 00:14:03.021
  • And then jesus said to them, 'i ask you, is it
  • 00:14:03.021 --> 00:14:07.825
  • Lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm,
  • 00:14:07.825 --> 00:14:12.297
  • To save a life or to destroy it?'"
  • 00:14:12.297 --> 00:14:15.066
  • You see, the old testament law said you weren't
  • 00:14:15.066 --> 00:14:19.637
  • To work on the sabbath.
  • 00:14:19.637 --> 00:14:21.506
  • However, if you had a sheep that was lost or was injured, you had
  • 00:14:21.506 --> 00:14:24.709
  • The freedom to rescue it.
  • 00:14:24.709 --> 00:14:26.577
  • Now, here's the point: if you can do that for an animal, if
  • 00:14:26.577 --> 00:14:29.847
  • You can rescue and help heal an animal, don't you think you
  • 00:14:29.847 --> 00:14:33.518
  • Ought to be able to do it for another human being?
  • 00:14:33.518 --> 00:14:36.154
  • I mean, why is it people would care more about animals than
  • 00:14:36.154 --> 00:14:39.090
  • They do human beings who are created in the eyes of god, in
  • 00:14:39.090 --> 00:14:43.728
  • The image of god?
  • 00:14:43.728 --> 00:14:45.263
  • And yet you've seen that same hypocrisy today.
  • 00:14:45.263 --> 00:14:48.533
  • Then jesus sticks the knife in even deeper.
  • 00:14:48.533 --> 00:14:51.736
  • He said, "by the way, pharisees, is it better to save a life or
  • 00:14:51.736 --> 00:14:56.274
  • Destroy it on the sabbath?
  • 00:14:56.274 --> 00:14:58.609
  • You're all concerned what i'm doing on the sabbath.
  • 00:14:58.609 --> 00:15:01.579
  • What are you doing?"
  • 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:02.947
  • And what they were doing was plotting to kill the son of god.
  • 00:15:02.947 --> 00:15:07.218
  • So what he's saying is, who's really doing good and who's
  • 00:15:07.218 --> 00:15:10.321
  • Really doing evil here as well?
  • 00:15:10.321 --> 00:15:12.757
  • Verse 10: "and after looking around at them
  • 00:15:12.757 --> 00:15:15.059
  • All, he said to him, 'stretch out your hand!'
  • 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:17.929
  • And he did so; and his hand was restored.
  • 00:15:17.929 --> 00:15:20.965
  • But they themselves were filled with rage, and
  • 00:15:20.965 --> 00:15:23.868
  • Discussed together what they might do to jesus."
  • 00:15:23.868 --> 00:15:27.171
  • No, look, i understand, 2,000 years later,
  • 00:15:27.171 --> 00:15:30.842
  • Most of you are not wrestling whether or not you can pluck
  • 00:15:30.842 --> 00:15:33.578
  • A head of wheat from somebody's field.
  • 00:15:33.578 --> 00:15:35.813
  • You're not trying to determine whether or not you ought to heal
  • 00:15:35.813 --> 00:15:38.049
  • Somebody of a withered hand.
  • 00:15:38.049 --> 00:15:40.418
  • But i believe god's word is given to us for a reason.
  • 00:15:40.418 --> 00:15:43.221
  • I believe in this story and in god's word, we find some
  • 00:15:43.221 --> 00:15:46.524
  • Invaluable, lasting principles that ought to help us in our own
  • 00:15:46.524 --> 00:15:50.428
  • Walk with god.
  • 00:15:50.428 --> 00:15:52.130
  • And so i wanna close today briefly with three lasting
  • 00:15:52.130 --> 00:15:55.199
  • Lessons that come from this passage about our observance of
  • 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:59.370
  • The sabbath.
  • 00:15:59.370 --> 00:16:00.705
  • First of all, principle number one: recognize the difference
  • 00:16:00.705 --> 00:16:04.042
  • Between legalism and obedience.
  • 00:16:04.042 --> 00:16:08.012
  • You know, whenever i speak out against legalism, i'm hesitant
  • 00:16:08.012 --> 00:16:11.783
  • To do so because i know people will misunderstand.
  • 00:16:11.783 --> 00:16:14.552
  • People confuse legalism with obedience.
  • 00:16:14.552 --> 00:16:17.088
  • When we talk about legalism, we're not talking about god's
  • 00:16:17.088 --> 00:16:20.091
  • Laws, we're talking about manmade laws.
  • 00:16:20.091 --> 00:16:23.728
  • And we are to avoid those because we live under grace.
  • 00:16:23.728 --> 00:16:27.765
  • But a lot of times, people confuse that with obedience, and
  • 00:16:27.765 --> 00:16:31.636
  • They use god's grace--listen to this--as an excuse for
  • 00:16:31.636 --> 00:16:36.074
  • Immorality, self-indulgence, non-involvement in god's
  • 00:16:36.074 --> 00:16:40.578
  • Kingdom's work.
  • 00:16:40.578 --> 00:16:42.180
  • Don't operate according to a lower standard, we have a
  • 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:45.149
  • Higher standard.
  • 00:16:45.149 --> 00:16:46.884
  • Grace imposes a higher standard of obedience, not a
  • 00:16:46.884 --> 00:16:52.423
  • Lower standard.
  • 00:16:52.423 --> 00:16:53.791
  • Didn't jesus say that?
  • 00:16:53.791 --> 00:16:55.126
  • He said, "the old testament said, 'you shall not
  • 00:16:55.126 --> 00:16:56.994
  • Commit adultery.'
  • 00:16:56.994 --> 00:16:58.396
  • But i say to you, whoever looks on somebody with lust is guilty
  • 00:16:58.396 --> 00:17:02.433
  • Of adultery."
  • 00:17:02.433 --> 00:17:03.801
  • The new testament is a higher standard of behavior.
  • 00:17:03.801 --> 00:17:07.605
  • Listen, grace is not an excuse for disobedience to god.
  • 00:17:07.605 --> 00:17:12.343
  • Remember the principle behind the sabbath?
  • 00:17:12.343 --> 00:17:15.713
  • No, we're not under the old testament restrictions about
  • 00:17:15.713 --> 00:17:18.649
  • What to do on the seventh day, but the principle still applies.
  • 00:17:18.649 --> 00:17:23.154
  • There needs to be one day a week when we focus on our
  • 00:17:23.154 --> 00:17:27.024
  • Relationship with god.
  • 00:17:27.024 --> 00:17:28.826
  • And by the way, we don't do that by ourselves, we do it in the
  • 00:17:28.826 --> 00:17:32.096
  • Community of other believers.
  • 00:17:32.096 --> 00:17:35.433
  • In hebrews 10, verses 24 and 25, the new testament gives us the
  • 00:17:35.433 --> 00:17:39.670
  • Standard: "and let us consider how to stimulate
  • 00:17:39.670 --> 00:17:43.407
  • One another to love and good deeds, not
  • 00:17:43.407 --> 00:17:47.111
  • Forsaking our own assembling together, as is
  • 00:17:47.111 --> 00:17:50.281
  • The habit of some, but encouraging
  • 00:17:50.281 --> 00:17:52.583
  • One another; and all the more
  • 00:17:52.583 --> 00:17:54.552
  • As you see the day drawing near."
  • 00:17:54.552 --> 00:17:56.687
  • But look, this passage is not saying you can
  • 00:17:56.687 --> 00:17:58.990
  • Never ever miss a sunday.
  • 00:17:58.990 --> 00:18:00.892
  • It's not saying that.
  • 00:18:00.892 --> 00:18:02.793
  • The key word is 'habit.'
  • 00:18:02.793 --> 00:18:05.496
  • What is your habit on sunday?
  • 00:18:05.496 --> 00:18:08.132
  • If you find yourself being gone from here as much as you're
  • 00:18:08.132 --> 00:18:10.868
  • Here, or you find yourself being gone more than you're here,
  • 00:18:10.868 --> 00:18:15.840
  • You're not obeying god.
  • 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:17.909
  • First of all, you're robbing yourself of the spiritual
  • 00:18:17.909 --> 00:18:21.445
  • Encouragement we all need that comes from being with god's
  • 00:18:21.445 --> 00:18:24.248
  • People, singing together, hearing god's word, praying
  • 00:18:24.248 --> 00:18:27.919
  • Together, encouraging one another.
  • 00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:29.754
  • You are robbing yourself of the spiritual resource you need that
  • 00:18:29.754 --> 00:18:33.824
  • Comes from fellowship.
  • 00:18:33.824 --> 00:18:35.793
  • But when you're not here, you're also robbing other people of
  • 00:18:35.793 --> 00:18:38.863
  • What they need.
  • 00:18:38.863 --> 00:18:40.198
  • You heard me say a few weeks ago, when you're not here on
  • 00:18:40.198 --> 00:18:42.433
  • Sunday morning, that's one less voice praising god in song.
  • 00:18:42.433 --> 00:18:46.337
  • That's one less prayer being offered during the invitation.
  • 00:18:46.337 --> 00:18:49.707
  • That's one less spiritual gift being operated and exercised in
  • 00:18:49.707 --> 00:18:53.511
  • The body of christ.
  • 00:18:53.511 --> 00:18:54.845
  • Your absence has an impact, just not on you, but on others
  • 00:18:54.845 --> 00:18:59.150
  • As well.
  • 00:18:59.150 --> 00:19:00.484
  • And that's why we need to make our presence in church an
  • 00:19:00.484 --> 00:19:04.922
  • Absolute priority.
  • 00:19:04.922 --> 00:19:07.291
  • You cannot pull your kids out of church and not have some
  • 00:19:07.291 --> 00:19:10.795
  • Serious consequences.
  • 00:19:10.795 --> 00:19:12.863
  • You know, i had somebody hand me a couple of years ago an
  • 00:19:12.863 --> 00:19:17.835
  • Editorial, an op-ed piece, not from the "baptist standard," but
  • 00:19:17.835 --> 00:19:22.740
  • From "sports illustrated."
  • 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:25.243
  • And it was about the increasing propensity of having games on
  • 00:19:25.243 --> 00:19:28.813
  • Sunday and what parents needed to do about it.
  • 00:19:28.813 --> 00:19:32.583
  • And this writer talks about what one city decided to do.
  • 00:19:32.583 --> 00:19:36.821
  • He says, "well, the religion bosses have decided that they're
  • 00:19:36.821 --> 00:19:40.691
  • Not going to take it anymore.
  • 00:19:40.691 --> 00:19:42.627
  • Spiritual leaders in this town got together recently and
  • 00:19:42.627 --> 00:19:46.297
  • Appealed for sports leagues to stop scheduling games before
  • 00:19:46.297 --> 00:19:50.534
  • Noon on sunday.
  • 00:19:50.534 --> 00:19:52.103
  • A meeting between them and area youth coaches is set for may.
  • 00:19:52.103 --> 00:19:56.173
  • We'll see who kneels first, but don't bet on the coaches doing
  • 00:19:56.173 --> 00:20:01.345
  • The right thing.
  • 00:20:01.345 --> 00:20:02.713
  • If they could, they'd have your kids running stairs on
  • 00:20:02.713 --> 00:20:06.150
  • Christmas morning.
  • 00:20:06.150 --> 00:20:08.119
  • What has to happen is parents have to start saying no, not to
  • 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:13.624
  • Their kids, but to their kids' coaches.
  • 00:20:13.624 --> 00:20:16.794
  • One man said, 'i told my boy's coach he wouldn't be playing
  • 00:20:16.794 --> 00:20:20.131
  • On sundays.'
  • 00:20:20.131 --> 00:20:21.465
  • And the coach looked shocked.
  • 00:20:21.465 --> 00:20:23.334
  • I said, 'you act like nobody's ever said that to you before.'
  • 00:20:23.334 --> 00:20:26.704
  • And the coach said, 'honestly, nobody has.'
  • 00:20:26.704 --> 00:20:30.041
  • Well, i'm with the holy men," this writer says.
  • 00:20:30.041 --> 00:20:32.710
  • "not that i'm the reverend lovejoy, but i just feel sorry
  • 00:20:32.710 --> 00:20:35.613
  • For these kids who get nothing but organized sports crammed
  • 00:20:35.613 --> 00:20:39.216
  • Down their gullets 24/7.
  • 00:20:39.216 --> 00:20:41.652
  • My lord, even god took a day off.
  • 00:20:41.652 --> 00:20:46.424
  • Kids might weep with joy just to get a day off from sports.
  • 00:20:46.424 --> 00:20:50.594
  • If they don't spend it at church, maybe they'll spend it
  • 00:20:50.594 --> 00:20:52.797
  • Getting to know their siblings' names again or swing in a
  • 00:20:52.797 --> 00:20:56.233
  • Hammock without hearing a coach screaming, 'get your hips into
  • 00:20:56.233 --> 00:21:00.404
  • It, samantha.'
  • 00:21:00.404 --> 00:21:02.173
  • Hey, you do what you want.
  • 00:21:02.173 --> 00:21:04.875
  • But just remember, when little billy has two free throws to win
  • 00:21:04.875 --> 00:21:08.746
  • Or lose a game on some sunday morning, good luck finding
  • 00:21:08.746 --> 00:21:12.583
  • Somebody who will answer your prayers."
  • 00:21:12.583 --> 00:21:15.786
  • Now, that's from "sports illustrated."
  • 00:21:15.786 --> 00:21:18.356
  • We who are the church of god need to stand up and say no
  • 00:21:18.356 --> 00:21:21.559
  • To this.
  • 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.927
  • And let me say to you parents: your greatest responsibility,
  • 00:21:22.927 --> 00:21:27.164
  • My greatest responsibility to you as a parent, is to instill
  • 00:21:27.164 --> 00:21:31.268
  • Biblical spiritual truth into the lives of our children.
  • 00:21:31.268 --> 00:21:35.806
  • That is the reason god gave these children to us.
  • 00:21:35.806 --> 00:21:39.844
  • And for you to not have your child here, to ensure some kind
  • 00:21:39.844 --> 00:21:43.948
  • Of hope for success in the sports world is going to lead to
  • 00:21:43.948 --> 00:21:47.418
  • Destruction and lie.
  • 00:21:47.418 --> 00:21:48.753
  • The final lasting lesson i want to talk about today is: resist
  • 00:21:48.753 --> 00:21:52.156
  • The urge to impose your convictions on others.
  • 00:21:52.156 --> 00:21:56.160
  • In issues that the bible doesn't address directly, the gray area,
  • 00:21:56.160 --> 00:22:00.331
  • So to speak, resist the urge to impose your conviction
  • 00:22:00.331 --> 00:22:03.968
  • On others.
  • 00:22:03.968 --> 00:22:05.336
  • The two most famous preachers of the 19th century was the
  • 00:22:05.336 --> 00:22:08.773
  • American evangelist, d.l. moody, and the london pastor,
  • 00:22:08.773 --> 00:22:12.610
  • Charles haddon spurgeon.
  • 00:22:12.610 --> 00:22:14.445
  • One day, d.l. moody decided he would travel to london to meet
  • 00:22:14.445 --> 00:22:18.115
  • Mr. spurgeon in person.
  • 00:22:18.115 --> 00:22:20.317
  • He arrived in london, went to spurgeon's home, knocked on
  • 00:22:20.317 --> 00:22:22.953
  • The door.
  • 00:22:22.953 --> 00:22:24.288
  • When the door opened, d.l. moody was shocked to see the
  • 00:22:24.288 --> 00:22:27.224
  • Legendary charles spurgeon standing there smoking a cigar.
  • 00:22:27.224 --> 00:22:34.064
  • D.l. moody said, "how could you, a man of god, smoke that?"
  • 00:22:34.064 --> 00:22:40.838
  • Spurgeon took the stogie out of his mouth, started tapping the
  • 00:22:40.838 --> 00:22:44.508
  • Rather large stomach of d.l. moody and said, "how could you,
  • 00:22:44.508 --> 00:22:49.146
  • A man of god, be so fat?"
  • 00:22:49.146 --> 00:22:55.386
  • You know, jesus said, "before you take the speck out of your
  • 00:22:55.386 --> 00:22:59.023
  • Brother's eye, remove the plank out of your own eye."
  • 00:22:59.023 --> 00:23:03.861
  • Look, in these areas that the bible doesn't give specific
  • 00:23:03.861 --> 00:23:07.231
  • Direction on, try to learn the principles from god's word that
  • 00:23:07.231 --> 00:23:11.535
  • Are behind those regulations.
  • 00:23:11.535 --> 00:23:13.971
  • Pray for god's leadership and how you should act and behave,
  • 00:23:13.971 --> 00:23:19.310
  • But resist the urge to make your conviction, somebody
  • 00:23:19.310 --> 00:23:23.214
  • Else's obligation.
  • 00:23:23.214 --> 00:23:25.616
  • If we do that, we'll all live happily together.
  • 00:23:25.616 --> 00:23:30.187
  • Jeffress: here's the takeaway lesson from today: the family of
  • 00:23:34.391 --> 00:23:37.995
  • God will draw close together when we keep our eyes fixed on
  • 00:23:37.995 --> 00:23:41.866
  • Jesus while giving grace to those who may not share our
  • 00:23:41.866 --> 00:23:46.003
  • Personal convictions.
  • 00:23:46.003 --> 00:23:48.105
  • Well, if you've been meaning to reach out to "pathway to
  • 00:23:48.105 --> 00:23:50.474
  • Victory," it's not too late to participate in the "light the
  • 00:23:50.474 --> 00:23:54.144
  • Darkness, matching challenge," but the deadline is december
  • 00:23:54.144 --> 00:23:57.815
  • 31st at midnight, and time is running out.
  • 00:23:57.815 --> 00:24:01.151
  • For just a few more days, your generous year-end gift will be
  • 00:24:01.151 --> 00:24:05.055
  • Matched and therefore doubled in impact.
  • 00:24:05.055 --> 00:24:08.058
  • Jesus said, "you are the light of the world.
  • 00:24:08.058 --> 00:24:11.228
  • Let your light shine before men."
  • 00:24:11.228 --> 00:24:14.131
  • And every dollar we raise will be used to shine the light of
  • 00:24:14.131 --> 00:24:17.601
  • God's word through radio, television, digital streaming,
  • 00:24:17.601 --> 00:24:21.605
  • And print media, allowing us to reach even more people than
  • 00:24:21.605 --> 00:24:25.910
  • Ever before.
  • 00:24:25.910 --> 00:24:27.344
  • Please don't miss out on this opportunity to double the impact
  • 00:24:27.344 --> 00:24:31.181
  • Of your generous gift.
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  • I look forward to hearing from you today, but stay right there,
  • 00:24:33.050 --> 00:24:37.254
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:37.254 --> 00:24:41.292
  • Announcer: the one thing god wants more than
  • 00:24:42.626 --> 00:24:44.595
  • Anything else in this world is time with you.
  • 00:24:44.595 --> 00:24:47.665
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time
  • 00:24:47.665 --> 00:24:50.901
  • In his word with the brand-new 2025
  • 00:24:50.901 --> 00:24:53.337
  • "'pathway to victory' daily devotional."
  • 00:24:53.337 --> 00:24:55.639
  • This year's devotional has a beautiful navy blue leather
  • 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:58.309
  • Cover with inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
  • 00:24:58.309 --> 00:25:00.844
  • And now with larger print, the 260 practical insights
  • 00:25:00.844 --> 00:25:04.582
  • From dr. robert jeffress are easier to read.
  • 00:25:04.582 --> 00:25:06.850
  • This stunning 532 page devotional makes an ideal
  • 00:25:06.850 --> 00:25:10.421
  • Christmas gift for loved ones
  • 00:25:10.421 --> 00:25:11.889
  • Who want to grow in their faith too.
  • 00:25:11.889 --> 00:25:14.024
  • Jeffress: of all the ways god could have revealed himself
  • 00:25:14.091 --> 00:25:16.627
  • To us, he chose to do it through the written word.
  • 00:25:16.627 --> 00:25:20.230
  • And that's why it's so important for you and for me to set aside
  • 00:25:20.230 --> 00:25:23.567
  • Regular time to read the word of god.
  • 00:25:23.567 --> 00:25:27.171
  • Announcer: every season carries an uplifting theme.
  • 00:25:27.237 --> 00:25:29.873
  • Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
  • 00:25:29.873 --> 00:25:34.445
  • In spring and summer, grow stronger in christ
  • 00:25:34.445 --> 00:25:37.081
  • With insights from colossians.
  • 00:25:37.081 --> 00:25:38.949
  • And in the fall and winter, embrace the father who loves you
  • 00:25:38.949 --> 00:25:42.086
  • With inspirational readings based on the parable
  • 00:25:42.086 --> 00:25:44.722
  • Of the prodigal son.
  • 00:25:44.722 --> 00:25:46.790
  • When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming, take
  • 00:25:46.790 --> 00:25:49.960
  • A moment to anchor yourself in the calming truth of god's word
  • 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:53.163
  • With the brand new 2025 "pathway to victory" daily devotional.
  • 00:25:53.163 --> 00:25:57.501
  • Your gift of support not only provides you with this life
  • 00:25:57.501 --> 00:26:01.105
  • Giving resource, it empowers us to spread the hope filled
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  • Message of jesus christ as well.
  • 00:26:04.074 --> 00:26:06.276
  • Thank you for supporting the ministry
  • 00:26:06.276 --> 00:26:08.112
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:08.112 --> 00:26:10.781
  • Jeffress: the old testament laws may have been a shadow pointing
  • 00:26:12.783 --> 00:26:16.086
  • To jesus christ, but the principle still remains: god
  • 00:26:16.086 --> 00:26:20.224
  • Designed for us to take a day of rest to focus on our
  • 00:26:20.224 --> 00:26:23.627
  • Relationship with him and community with other believers.
  • 00:26:23.627 --> 00:26:28.699
  • And when you view the sabbath the way god intended, it becomes
  • 00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:32.670
  • A blessing, not a burden.
  • 00:26:32.670 --> 00:26:35.406
  • Well, the sermon on the mount is often regarded as the greatest
  • 00:26:35.406 --> 00:26:38.842
  • Message ever preached.
  • 00:26:38.842 --> 00:26:40.644
  • In it, jesus commanded his followers to love their enemies,
  • 00:26:40.644 --> 00:26:44.715
  • To turn the other cheek.
  • 00:26:44.715 --> 00:26:46.650
  • But are such lofty ideals really practical in today's world?
  • 00:26:46.650 --> 00:26:51.488
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
  • 00:26:51.488 --> 00:26:54.591
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:54.591 --> 00:26:56.994
  • Jeffress: jesus is talking about how we are to act as christians.
  • 00:26:57.061 --> 00:27:00.464
  • And yes, it's difficult.
  • 00:27:00.464 --> 00:27:02.866
  • If you believe this world is all that there is, these commands
  • 00:27:02.866 --> 00:27:07.071
  • Are impossible to keep, there's no motivation for keeping them.
  • 00:27:07.071 --> 00:27:10.441
  • When you know what jesus knows about the future,
  • 00:27:10.441 --> 00:27:14.011
  • You can be generous in your attitude
  • 00:27:14.011 --> 00:27:16.547
  • Toward difficult circumstances and difficult people.
  • 00:27:16.547 --> 00:27:20.984
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message
  • 00:27:21.051 --> 00:27:23.787
  • "the crux of christianity," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:23.787 --> 00:27:28.225