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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Straight Talk About Your Prayer Life (Part 2)

October 16, 2025 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - Straight Talk About Your Prayer Life (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Prayer #Faith #TrustGod #HandofGod #Provision #Need #Peace #Forgiveness #Sin

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Straight Talk About Your Prayer Life (Part 2) | October 16, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [narrator] from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is pathway to victory with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i am robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to pathway to victory.
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  • What does your daily prayer routine look like?
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  • Maybe you pray when you wake up or when you go to bed,
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  • Maybe your family prays before each meal,
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  • Or perhaps like so many christians,
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  • You struggle with making prayer a regular habit at home.
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  • Well, today i want to show you a radical new way to think
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  • About prayer based on the teachings of jesus.
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  • My message is titled "straight talk about your prayer life"
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  • On today's edition of pathway to victory.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ hear the heart of heaven beating ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves, jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ and the hush of mercy breathing ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves, jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ hear the host of angels sing ♪
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  • ♪ glory to the newborn king ♪
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  • ♪ and the sounding joy repeating ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ he will live, our sorrow sharing ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves, jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ he will die our burden bearing ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves, jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ "it is done!", will shout the cross ♪
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  • ♪ christ has paid redemption's cost ♪
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  • ♪ while the empty tomb's declaring ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ freedom's calling, chains are falling ♪
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  • ♪ hope is dawning, bright and true ♪
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  • ♪ day is breaking, night is quaking ♪
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  • ♪ god is making all things new ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ oh, to grace, how great a debtor ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves, jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ are the saints who shout together ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves, jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ rising up so vast and strong ♪
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  • ♪ lifting up salvation's song ♪
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  • ♪ the redeemed will sing forever ♪
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  • -♪ jesus saves ♪ -♪ jesus saves ♪
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  • ♪ jesus saves ♪
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  • (applause)
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  • Jesus, the master teacher delivered very short sermons.
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  • Did you realize his renowned sermon on the mount
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  • Was only 18 minutes long?
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  • Yes, his sermons were short, but they were revolutionary.
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  • "in 18 minutes with jesus," dr. robert jeffress breaks down
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  • The radical teachings that jesus packed
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  • Into just 18 minutes about happiness, faith,
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  • Relationships, prayer, money, eternity and more.
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  • "request 18 minutes with jesus"
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  • Plus the corresponding study guide
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  • When you give a generous gift to pathway to victory.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • I want you to think about this for a moment.
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  • If throughout all eternity you and i
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  • Are going to be obeying god,
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  • Don't you think we ought to get used to doing that now?
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  • Why would christians want to spend eternity with god
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  • If we're going to obey god continually if they find it
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  • So difficult to obey god now?
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  • I was thinking about that old joke about the tourist
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  • In new york city who was lost.
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  • He was looking at a map,
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  • He couldn't make sense of uptown from downtown,
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  • And he asked a stranger on the sidewalk, he said, sir,
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  • Can you tell me how to get to carnegie hall?
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  • And the stranger said, sure, practice, practice, practice.
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  • How do you get to be an effective servant of god,
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  • A resident of the kingdom?
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  • By practicing obedience now.
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  • When god says yes, you say yes.
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  • When god says no, you say no.
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  • We need to start practicing obeying god now
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  • Because that's going to be what we spend eternity doing.
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  • Kent hughes talked about that implication when he said,
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  • "when we pray your will be done, when we pray this prayer,
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  • We're asking god to do what is necessary
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  • To make his will prevail in our lives."
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  • And then comes with gracious kind violence
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  • To root out all the impediments to our obedience.
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  • To pray this prayer may terrify us,
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  • But it will also deliver us from ourselves.
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  • That's what we're praying.
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  • "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth"
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  • And in my life as it's being done in heaven.
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  • Then thirdly, we're to pray for god to take care
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  • Of our daily needs.
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  • We turn it from god's interest to our interest.
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  • Lord, give us this day our daily bread.
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  • Now that seems a little bit quaint.
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  • You know, in the bible, the term daily bread is a reference
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  • To all of our needs physically, food, water,
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  • Clothing, shelter.
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  • And remember in this culture,
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  • People receive their wages every day,
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  • You got just enough to meet your daily obligations.
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  • Now, let's be honest, for us to sit around our kitchen table
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  • And pray, oh, you know, give us our daily bread
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  • When we have a pantry full of food,
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  • It seems a little bit disingenuous.
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  • And we know if we ran out of food, we can, you know,
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  • Get something from amazon prime delivered in a few hours
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  • On our doorstep.
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  • So why do we need to pray for our daily food
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  • When it seems we have plenty?
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  • You know, i don't think any of us really realizes
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  • How tenuous our finances, and our provisions are.
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  • I read a statement recently
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  • That has really made me stop and think.
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  • This financial expert said, "every person in america
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  • Is just one bad decision or one bad circumstance away
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  • From being homeless."
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  • That's an interesting comment.
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  • We're just one bad decision or one bad circumstance away
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  • From being homeless.
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  • But just think about the truth of that.
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  • What would a stroke, a termination from your job, a divorce,
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  • A lawsuit, a metastasizing cell in your body,
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  • Or an external event like another pandemic or a world war,
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  • Yours and my circumstances could change just like that.
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  • We're more dependent upon god than we possibly understand.
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  • Give us today what we need,
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  • Ultimately, everything we have comes from god.
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  • By the way, we don't just sit around a table
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  • And pray for it, we work for it.
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  • That's god's prescription
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  • In 2 thessalonians 3:10, he said,
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  • "if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat."
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  • Now, that doesn't mean we don't show kindness
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  • To those who can't work, but for everybody else,
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  • If you don't work, you don't eat.
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  • Deuteronomy 8:18 says,
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  • "you shall remember the lord your god for it is he
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  • Who is giving you the power to make wealth."
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  • Ultimately, it's god who gives us the health,
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  • The strength to get up every morning and go to work,
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  • And make money to provide for our family.
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  • That's god's way of doing it.
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  • Nevertheless, our ultimate dependence is upon god.
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  • Give us our daily needs.
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  • Number four, pray that god would forgive you,
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  • And would make you a forgiver.
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  • He says in verse 12,
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  • "and forgive us of our debts," our sins.
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  • Why should we as christians pray to be forgiven of our sins?
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  • Aren't our sins forgiven the moment we trust in christ
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  • As our savior?
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  • Yes, that's judicial forgiveness.
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  • That's when god pronounces us not guilty.
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  • Romans 5:1, "we have peace with god through faith
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  • In our lord jesus christ."
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  • We already have judicial forgiveness.
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  • Our position with god is secure,
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  • But we need what many people call parental forgiveness.
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  • When we sin as a christian,
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  • It's not that god moves away from us,
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  • But we move away from god
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  • And we need that daily forgiveness for our sin,
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  • So that we can be in a right parental relationship with god.
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  • There was a famous bible teacher not that many years ago
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  • Who taught and was on the radio,
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  • And wrote books about this.
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  • What he believed was a fact,
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  • And that is that christians never need
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  • To ask god for forgiveness.
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  • That was the whole basis of his ministry.
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  • Christians don't ever need to ask for god's forgiveness.
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  • If you as a christian ask god for forgiveness,
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  • That's an insult to god because you're asking him to do
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  • What his son has already accomplished for us.
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  • He didn't understand the difference
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  • Between judicial forgiveness and parental forgiveness.
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  • 1 john 1:9 says, "if we confess our sins,
  • 00:10:56.345 --> 00:10:59.515
  • He's faithful and just to for forgive us our sins
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  • And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
  • 00:11:02.351 --> 00:11:04.487
  • That verse was written to christians,
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  • We need to ask god's forgiveness.
  • 00:11:06.922 --> 00:11:09.125
  • Interestingly, this man who spent his career teaching this,
  • 00:11:09.125 --> 00:11:13.095
  • It was discovered that he was leading
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  • A secret, double immoral life.
  • 00:11:15.197 --> 00:11:19.168
  • He needed god's forgiveness
  • 00:11:19.769 --> 00:11:21.203
  • More than he knew he needed god's forgiveness.
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  • "forgive us of our sins as we have forgiven our debtors."
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  • There's an inseparable link in the bible
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  • Between receiving god's forgiveness,
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  • And granting it to others.
  • 00:11:35.684 --> 00:11:37.153
  • In fact, jesus expands on that in verses 14 and 15,
  • 00:11:37.153 --> 00:11:40.422
  • "for if you forgive others for their transgressions,
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  • Your heavenly father will forgive you.
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  • But if you do not forgive others,
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  • Then your father will not forgive you
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  • Of your transgressions."
  • 00:11:50.499 --> 00:11:53.102
  • Does that mean we lose our forgiveness
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  • If we don't forgive others?
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  • No, but what it means is this.
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  • If you find it as i hear so many so-called christians say,
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  • If you find in your heart that you cannot forgive,
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  • You will not forgive another person,
  • 00:12:06.549 --> 00:12:08.951
  • It's not that you lose your salvation,
  • 00:12:08.951 --> 00:12:12.054
  • Instead it's a good indication
  • 00:12:12.054 --> 00:12:13.455
  • That you never received salvation to begin with.
  • 00:12:13.455 --> 00:12:17.693
  • Because the fact is only when you understand the huge debt
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  • From which god has forgiven you,
  • 00:12:22.298 --> 00:12:24.266
  • Only when you acknowledge that are you really in a position
  • 00:12:24.266 --> 00:12:28.103
  • To forgive other people.
  • 00:12:28.103 --> 00:12:30.606
  • "forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us."
  • 00:12:30.606 --> 00:12:35.277
  • And then finally, he says, to pray for god
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  • To protect you from temptation.
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  • "lead us not into temptation," verse 13,
  • 00:12:40.749 --> 00:12:43.686
  • "but deliver us from evil."
  • 00:12:43.686 --> 00:12:45.955
  • Wait a minute, i thought god doesn't tempt people.
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  • The word tempt means to entice to do evil.
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  • He doesn't tempt us.
  • 00:12:52.595 --> 00:12:54.296
  • James 1:13-14 says, "let nobody say when he's tempted,
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  • I'm being tempted by god.
  • 00:12:58.133 --> 00:13:00.169
  • For god cannot be tempted by evil,
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  • And he himself does not tempt anyone."
  • 00:13:02.504 --> 00:13:05.374
  • The word tempt means to entice to do evil.
  • 00:13:06.275 --> 00:13:08.978
  • And the bible says clearly god doesn't tempt anybody.
  • 00:13:08.978 --> 00:13:13.249
  • Satan is the one who tempts us to destroy our faith.
  • 00:13:14.316 --> 00:13:19.121
  • God doesn't send temptation into your life,
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  • But he does send trials into your life.
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  • In james one, the same chapter verses two and three,
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  • James said, "consider it all joy
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  • When you encounter various trials,
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  • Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."
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  • Remember this, god tries us to strengthen us.
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  • Satan tempts us to destroy us.
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  • That's the difference between a temptation and a trial.
  • 00:13:45.347 --> 00:13:48.584
  • But here's where it gets interesting,
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  • Although there are two english words, trial and temptation,
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  • There's only one greek word
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  • That describes both, the word peirasmos.
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  • When james says, "count it all joy
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  • When you encounter various trials," that is pierasmos.
  • 00:14:01.864 --> 00:14:05.935
  • When james says, "let nobody say when he's tempted,
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  • I'm being tempted by god" uses the same word peirasmos.
  • 00:14:09.772 --> 00:14:13.742
  • So which is it?
  • 00:14:13.742 --> 00:14:16.979
  • The word peirasmos simply means a difficult situation.
  • 00:14:16.979 --> 00:14:21.850
  • A difficult situation like the loss of a job,
  • 00:14:22.785 --> 00:14:25.487
  • The death of a mate, financial difficulties.
  • 00:14:25.487 --> 00:14:30.826
  • Peirosmos, it's a difficult circumstance
  • 00:14:31.694 --> 00:14:33.429
  • And that can be both a temptation
  • 00:14:33.429 --> 00:14:36.298
  • And a test at the same time.
  • 00:14:36.298 --> 00:14:38.367
  • When you go through a difficult situation,
  • 00:14:38.367 --> 00:14:40.903
  • God is going to use that difficult situation
  • 00:14:40.903 --> 00:14:43.672
  • To strengthen your faith.
  • 00:14:43.672 --> 00:14:45.975
  • But satan can take the same situation,
  • 00:14:45.975 --> 00:14:48.210
  • And use it to destroy your faith.
  • 00:14:48.210 --> 00:14:50.579
  • It's the same word, a difficult situation.
  • 00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:52.948
  • So how do i know if a situation's a trial to strengthen me,
  • 00:14:52.948 --> 00:14:57.086
  • Or a temptation to destroy me?
  • 00:14:57.086 --> 00:14:59.288
  • Ultimately, it depends on your response to it.
  • 00:14:59.288 --> 00:15:02.324
  • If you say no to the difficult situation
  • 00:15:02.324 --> 00:15:05.461
  • And hold onto your faith, it will strengthen you.
  • 00:15:05.461 --> 00:15:08.430
  • If you give into it, it will destroy your faith.
  • 00:15:08.430 --> 00:15:12.901
  • Now, that's why jesus said, "lead us not into temptation."
  • 00:15:12.901 --> 00:15:17.639
  • Lead us not into a peirasmos, a difficult situation.
  • 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:22.945
  • It's like many students would be praying right now
  • 00:15:23.946 --> 00:15:25.781
  • If they could as they face final exams.
  • 00:15:25.781 --> 00:15:28.183
  • Teacher, if it's all the same to you,
  • 00:15:28.183 --> 00:15:29.752
  • I'd like to skip this final exam
  • 00:15:29.752 --> 00:15:32.721
  • Because with every final exam comes the possibility
  • 00:15:32.721 --> 00:15:35.624
  • Of success or failure.
  • 00:15:35.624 --> 00:15:37.793
  • So a lot of students would say,
  • 00:15:37.793 --> 00:15:39.395
  • Let's just skip it all together.
  • 00:15:39.395 --> 00:15:41.897
  • But if i do have to go through this exam,
  • 00:15:41.897 --> 00:15:44.366
  • Help me to pass it.
  • 00:15:44.366 --> 00:15:45.567
  • That's what jesus was saying.
  • 00:15:45.567 --> 00:15:46.769
  • "lead us not into temptation," lord,
  • 00:15:46.769 --> 00:15:49.038
  • Keep us away from difficult circumstances
  • 00:15:49.038 --> 00:15:51.507
  • Because there's a possibility i could pass or fail the test.
  • 00:15:51.507 --> 00:15:55.144
  • But if i do go through a difficulty,
  • 00:15:55.144 --> 00:15:57.579
  • If that's part of your plan,
  • 00:15:57.579 --> 00:15:59.648
  • Deliver me from making the wrong choice,
  • 00:15:59.648 --> 00:16:01.950
  • Deliver me from evil.
  • 00:16:01.950 --> 00:16:03.585
  • That's what we pray for.
  • 00:16:03.585 --> 00:16:05.954
  • You know, this is a very practical chapter i close today
  • 00:16:05.954 --> 00:16:10.459
  • With three brief words to discover the secret
  • 00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:13.695
  • For powerful praying.
  • 00:16:13.695 --> 00:16:15.264
  • Just three words i want you to remember
  • 00:16:15.264 --> 00:16:16.932
  • And then we're through.
  • 00:16:16.932 --> 00:16:18.133
  • Number one, the word consistent.
  • 00:16:18.133 --> 00:16:20.602
  • Consistent, don't fall into the trap of thinking
  • 00:16:20.602 --> 00:16:22.971
  • If you don't have an hour or 20 minutes to pray,
  • 00:16:22.971 --> 00:16:25.741
  • You can't be effective in prayer.
  • 00:16:25.741 --> 00:16:27.643
  • Remember 1 thessalonians 5:17, "pray without ceasing."
  • 00:16:27.643 --> 00:16:31.380
  • Make it a part of your daily habit like breathing.
  • 00:16:31.380 --> 00:16:35.250
  • When you get up in the morning
  • 00:16:35.250 --> 00:16:36.718
  • Before your feet touch the ground, god help me today.
  • 00:16:36.718 --> 00:16:39.555
  • Help me to honor you.
  • 00:16:39.555 --> 00:16:40.823
  • Keep me from evil i pray.
  • 00:16:40.823 --> 00:16:43.292
  • As you go throughout the day,
  • 00:16:43.292 --> 00:16:44.493
  • As you're driving on the freeway,
  • 00:16:44.493 --> 00:16:46.762
  • As you're going into an important meeting, lord, help me.
  • 00:16:46.762 --> 00:16:49.832
  • Give me the words to say.
  • 00:16:49.832 --> 00:16:51.800
  • If you're dealing with a difficulty,
  • 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:53.635
  • Lord, help me i pray.
  • 00:16:53.635 --> 00:16:55.104
  • Pray throughout the day,
  • 00:16:55.104 --> 00:16:57.072
  • And then pray before you go to sleep at night.
  • 00:16:57.072 --> 00:16:59.541
  • Let the last words you say or think be a prayer to god,
  • 00:16:59.541 --> 00:17:03.712
  • Thanking him for the good things of the day.
  • 00:17:03.712 --> 00:17:06.115
  • Confessing any mistakes you may have made. consistent.
  • 00:17:06.115 --> 00:17:10.652
  • Secondly, the word specific. specific.
  • 00:17:10.652 --> 00:17:15.023
  • That is be specific in what you're saying to god.
  • 00:17:15.023 --> 00:17:18.927
  • You know, i used to think people who wrote out their prayers
  • 00:17:18.927 --> 00:17:22.131
  • Had to be the most unspiritual people in the world.
  • 00:17:22.131 --> 00:17:25.334
  • And some of my previous churches would have a deacon,
  • 00:17:25.334 --> 00:17:27.836
  • Deacon so and so would be called on to pray
  • 00:17:27.836 --> 00:17:30.272
  • And he would say, now let us pray.
  • 00:17:30.272 --> 00:17:32.474
  • And when everybody had their heads bowed and eyes shut,
  • 00:17:32.474 --> 00:17:35.644
  • He'd pull out subtly a piece of paper
  • 00:17:35.644 --> 00:17:38.113
  • And he would read his prayer,
  • 00:17:38.113 --> 00:17:39.982
  • Of course i would have my eyes open.
  • 00:17:39.982 --> 00:17:41.817
  • So i think you know what an unspiritual guy this is,
  • 00:17:41.817 --> 00:17:45.888
  • He's so out of the habit of praying,
  • 00:17:45.888 --> 00:17:47.556
  • He has to write out his prayers.
  • 00:17:47.556 --> 00:17:49.424
  • But i've begun to appreciate that more.
  • 00:17:49.424 --> 00:17:51.693
  • I don't know about you, it's easy for my mind to wander.
  • 00:17:51.693 --> 00:17:54.997
  • And many times i'll sit down on my computer
  • 00:17:54.997 --> 00:17:57.332
  • And type out my prayer to god so i can be specific
  • 00:17:57.332 --> 00:18:00.769
  • About what i'm talking to the king of the universe about.
  • 00:18:00.769 --> 00:18:04.306
  • If you don't want to write 'em out, just try this.
  • 00:18:04.306 --> 00:18:07.142
  • At least vocalize your prayer.
  • 00:18:07.142 --> 00:18:09.945
  • Instead of thinking your prayer, vocalize your prayer.
  • 00:18:09.945 --> 00:18:13.215
  • It will help you be specific when you pray.
  • 00:18:13.215 --> 00:18:16.285
  • And then finally, the word,
  • 00:18:16.285 --> 00:18:18.187
  • Not only consistent and specific, but honest.
  • 00:18:18.187 --> 00:18:22.090
  • Be honest with god.
  • 00:18:22.090 --> 00:18:23.959
  • Cs lewis said, "when we pray we ought to lay before god
  • 00:18:23.959 --> 00:18:27.663
  • What is in our heart, not what ought to be in our heart."
  • 00:18:27.663 --> 00:18:32.501
  • Be honest with god.
  • 00:18:32.501 --> 00:18:34.036
  • Is there something you really want?
  • 00:18:34.036 --> 00:18:36.004
  • Tell him about it and leave it to his wisdom
  • 00:18:36.004 --> 00:18:38.974
  • To decide whether to give it to you or not.
  • 00:18:38.974 --> 00:18:41.677
  • Be honest. tell him what you want.
  • 00:18:41.677 --> 00:18:43.545
  • Are you angry with somebody?
  • 00:18:43.545 --> 00:18:45.547
  • I don't care how angry you are,
  • 00:18:46.181 --> 00:18:47.549
  • You're probably not as angry as the psalmist,
  • 00:18:47.549 --> 00:18:50.452
  • Psalm 137:9, "lord, i'm so angry,
  • 00:18:50.452 --> 00:18:54.156
  • I want you to take the babies of your enemies
  • 00:18:54.156 --> 00:18:57.259
  • And dash them against the rocks."
  • 00:18:57.259 --> 00:19:00.629
  • Hardly a pro-life prayer, but it was an honest prayer.
  • 00:19:00.629 --> 00:19:05.434
  • If you're angry, tell god about it.
  • 00:19:06.168 --> 00:19:07.102
  • Are you disappointed in god?
  • 00:19:07.102 --> 00:19:09.137
  • His shoulders are broad enough to take it.
  • 00:19:09.137 --> 00:19:10.939
  • Tell him of your disappointment.
  • 00:19:10.939 --> 00:19:13.041
  • Pray what is in your heart,
  • 00:19:13.041 --> 00:19:14.610
  • Not what you think should be in your heart.
  • 00:19:14.610 --> 00:19:17.512
  • Prayer in the end is an open, honest, specific communication
  • 00:19:18.714 --> 00:19:22.651
  • With the one who loves you.
  • 00:19:22.651 --> 00:19:24.786
  • A few years ago i was in washington d.c,
  • 00:19:25.654 --> 00:19:28.890
  • And i stopped by to see the president
  • 00:19:28.890 --> 00:19:31.893
  • And i walked into the oval office
  • 00:19:31.893 --> 00:19:33.528
  • And there was a highly decorated general seated in front
  • 00:19:33.528 --> 00:19:36.965
  • Of the president's resolute desk.
  • 00:19:36.965 --> 00:19:39.067
  • He stood up, we exchanged pleasantries.
  • 00:19:39.067 --> 00:19:42.437
  • And this highly decorated general was looking
  • 00:19:42.437 --> 00:19:46.341
  • At the president.
  • 00:19:46.341 --> 00:19:47.576
  • And the president said, you know, general,
  • 00:19:47.576 --> 00:19:49.177
  • When you think about it, robert is more powerful
  • 00:19:49.177 --> 00:19:52.681
  • Than you are.
  • 00:19:52.681 --> 00:19:55.117
  • And that general got one of those,
  • 00:19:55.884 --> 00:19:57.619
  • What in the heck are you talking about looks on his face.
  • 00:19:57.619 --> 00:20:01.223
  • He said, no, general, just think about it for a moment.
  • 00:20:01.223 --> 00:20:04.159
  • Every day robert talks to the one who controls everything
  • 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:08.664
  • That happens in this universe.
  • 00:20:08.664 --> 00:20:11.233
  • And he was right.
  • 00:20:11.667 --> 00:20:13.435
  • But you know what?
  • 00:20:13.435 --> 00:20:14.736
  • That privilege isn't reserved for pastors,
  • 00:20:14.736 --> 00:20:17.205
  • For popes or priests,
  • 00:20:17.205 --> 00:20:19.408
  • It's available to every true child of god.
  • 00:20:19.408 --> 00:20:23.378
  • And when we enter into that throne room of god,
  • 00:20:24.313 --> 00:20:26.882
  • We are talking to the one who made us,
  • 00:20:26.882 --> 00:20:30.419
  • Who loves us most in this universe,
  • 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:33.088
  • And the one who is concerned about every aspect
  • 00:20:33.088 --> 00:20:36.858
  • Of our lives.
  • 00:20:36.858 --> 00:20:38.360
  • That is the power of prayer.
  • 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:41.330
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:20:41.663 --> 00:20:45.100
  • As followers of jesus christ, we are granted instant access
  • 00:20:46.301 --> 00:20:50.772
  • Into the presence of our creator.
  • 00:20:50.772 --> 00:20:53.208
  • That's the highest privilege of all, and it's a benefit
  • 00:20:53.208 --> 00:20:56.578
  • That we ought to exercise every single day.
  • 00:20:56.578 --> 00:21:00.282
  • Now, before we wrap up today's program,
  • 00:21:00.282 --> 00:21:02.818
  • I want to share a note i received from diane in mississippi
  • 00:21:02.818 --> 00:21:06.088
  • Who wrote, "pastor jeffress, pathway to victory
  • 00:21:06.088 --> 00:21:09.391
  • Has been a huge blessing in my life.
  • 00:21:09.391 --> 00:21:12.194
  • This morning especially,
  • 00:21:12.194 --> 00:21:13.829
  • I needed your message on living by faith.
  • 00:21:13.829 --> 00:21:16.698
  • I had sunk into a dark place
  • 00:21:16.698 --> 00:21:18.600
  • And lost focus for a little while.
  • 00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:20.936
  • God used that message to refocus my spiritual eyes."
  • 00:21:20.936 --> 00:21:25.574
  • Well, thank you so much, diane for sharing
  • 00:21:25.574 --> 00:21:28.009
  • That wonderful testimony.
  • 00:21:28.009 --> 00:21:30.078
  • And to everyone who supports pathway to victory,
  • 00:21:30.078 --> 00:21:32.614
  • Testimonies like diane's are possible
  • 00:21:32.614 --> 00:21:35.283
  • Because of your faithful partnership.
  • 00:21:35.283 --> 00:21:37.953
  • Through your generous giving,
  • 00:21:37.953 --> 00:21:39.588
  • We're able to reach men and women across america
  • 00:21:39.588 --> 00:21:42.190
  • And around the world with the truth of god's word.
  • 00:21:42.190 --> 00:21:46.161
  • Whether you're a pathway partner
  • 00:21:46.161 --> 00:21:48.163
  • Or you give an occasional gift,
  • 00:21:48.163 --> 00:21:49.898
  • Thank you for making it possible for us
  • 00:21:49.898 --> 00:21:52.234
  • To touch lives like diane's every single day.
  • 00:21:52.234 --> 00:21:56.071
  • Now stay right there,
  • 00:21:56.071 --> 00:21:57.339
  • I'll be back with more pathway to victory
  • 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:59.808
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:21:59.808 --> 00:22:01.576
  • When jesus spoke, he wasted no time in getting straight
  • 00:22:02.711 --> 00:22:06.281
  • To the heart of what matters most.
  • 00:22:06.281 --> 00:22:10.452
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:22:10.786 --> 00:22:16.091
  • Did you realize that his famous sermon on the mount
  • 00:22:17.092 --> 00:22:19.561
  • Can be read in only 18 minutes?
  • 00:22:19.561 --> 00:22:22.197
  • And now in my book called, "18 minutes with jesus,"
  • 00:22:22.197 --> 00:22:25.967
  • I'll unpack the radical teaching that jesus shared
  • 00:22:25.967 --> 00:22:29.070
  • With his followers in the famous sermon on the mount.
  • 00:22:29.070 --> 00:22:32.841
  • In his sermon on the mount,
  • 00:22:32.841 --> 00:22:34.376
  • Jesus delivers straight talk about the issues
  • 00:22:34.376 --> 00:22:37.112
  • That matter to you most, things like your happiness, faith,
  • 00:22:37.112 --> 00:22:40.949
  • Relationships, prayer, money, eternity and more.
  • 00:22:40.949 --> 00:22:45.353
  • "request 18 minutes with jesus"
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  • When you give a generous gift to pathway to victory.
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  • We'll also send you the corresponding study guide
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  • With thought provoking questions and activities for you
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  • Or your small group or sunday school class.
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  • And when your gift is $75 or more,
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  • You'll also receive the complete "18 minutes with jesus"
  • 00:23:01.837 --> 00:23:05.207
  • Teaching series on dvd video and mp3 format audio disc.
  • 00:23:05.207 --> 00:23:09.711
  • This sermon is more of a constitution for life
  • 00:23:09.711 --> 00:23:13.215
  • In the kingdom of god,
  • 00:23:13.215 --> 00:23:14.950
  • Not something that happens after you die,
  • 00:23:14.950 --> 00:23:16.818
  • It's how to live now
  • 00:23:16.818 --> 00:23:18.487
  • Your generous gift to pathway to victory empowers us
  • 00:23:18.487 --> 00:23:21.990
  • To equip christians in a dark and decaying world.
  • 00:23:21.990 --> 00:23:25.327
  • So please keep standing with us that we might reach
  • 00:23:25.327 --> 00:23:28.330
  • As many people as possible with the truth of god's word.
  • 00:23:28.330 --> 00:23:33.969
  • Mark, that's a great question
  • 00:23:34.603 --> 00:23:36.171
  • And it's one that is often misunderstood,
  • 00:23:36.171 --> 00:23:39.441
  • The difference between a temptation and a test.
  • 00:23:39.441 --> 00:23:43.345
  • You know, in james chapter one, james says,
  • 00:23:43.345 --> 00:23:45.680
  • "we can count it all joy when we go through various trials
  • 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:49.484
  • Knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance."
  • 00:23:49.484 --> 00:23:53.088
  • And then halfway through the chapter,
  • 00:23:53.088 --> 00:23:54.789
  • He seems to change topics and james says,
  • 00:23:54.789 --> 00:23:58.360
  • "let nobody say when he is tempted,
  • 00:23:58.360 --> 00:24:01.096
  • I'm being tempted from god
  • 00:24:01.096 --> 00:24:03.198
  • Because god doesn't tempt anyone."
  • 00:24:03.198 --> 00:24:06.134
  • The difference in a test and a temptation is this,
  • 00:24:06.134 --> 00:24:10.305
  • God tests us to strengthen our faith,
  • 00:24:10.305 --> 00:24:13.608
  • Satan tempts us to destroy our faith.
  • 00:24:13.608 --> 00:24:17.145
  • Now here's where it gets interesting.
  • 00:24:17.145 --> 00:24:19.281
  • In the english language, we have two words,
  • 00:24:19.281 --> 00:24:21.716
  • A test and a temptation.
  • 00:24:21.716 --> 00:24:23.985
  • A test comes from god for good reasons
  • 00:24:23.985 --> 00:24:26.521
  • To strengthen our faith.
  • 00:24:26.521 --> 00:24:27.989
  • A temptation comes from satan to destroy our faith.
  • 00:24:27.989 --> 00:24:31.493
  • But interestingly, in the greek text,
  • 00:24:31.493 --> 00:24:34.162
  • There's only one word peirasmos
  • 00:24:34.162 --> 00:24:37.132
  • That is sometimes translated test
  • 00:24:37.132 --> 00:24:39.334
  • And other times it is translated as temptation.
  • 00:24:39.334 --> 00:24:43.505
  • A peirasmos is just a difficult situation.
  • 00:24:43.505 --> 00:24:47.609
  • Now here's the takeaway from that.
  • 00:24:47.609 --> 00:24:50.211
  • When we go through a difficult situation,
  • 00:24:50.211 --> 00:24:52.314
  • Whether it's a sickness, the termination,
  • 00:24:52.314 --> 00:24:54.783
  • The death of a loved one, god uses that difficult situation
  • 00:24:54.783 --> 00:25:00.021
  • To strengthen our faith.
  • 00:25:00.522 --> 00:25:02.357
  • But satan can use the very same problem,
  • 00:25:02.357 --> 00:25:05.660
  • Difficulty in life to try and destroy our faith.
  • 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:09.264
  • So whether or not a difficult situation is a test
  • 00:25:09.264 --> 00:25:13.735
  • Or a temptation, ultimately depends on your response to it.
  • 00:25:13.735 --> 00:25:18.006
  • If you allow that difficult situation
  • 00:25:18.006 --> 00:25:20.508
  • To draw you closer to god,
  • 00:25:20.508 --> 00:25:22.744
  • That's a test that is for your benefit.
  • 00:25:22.744 --> 00:25:25.780
  • But if satan is able to use that difficulty
  • 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:29.250
  • To drive you away from god, that has become a temptation.
  • 00:25:29.250 --> 00:25:33.755
  • You have the final say whether it is a test or a temptation.
  • 00:25:33.755 --> 00:25:39.594
  • God doesn't want your prayer life
  • 00:25:40.261 --> 00:25:41.896
  • To be a source of frustration.
  • 00:25:41.896 --> 00:25:44.232
  • He longs to have a personal meaningful connection with you.
  • 00:25:44.232 --> 00:25:48.203
  • And the lord's prayer can guide you
  • 00:25:48.203 --> 00:25:50.205
  • In crafting your conversations with your heavenly father.
  • 00:25:50.205 --> 00:25:54.342
  • Well, is it any surprise that money
  • 00:25:54.342 --> 00:25:56.878
  • Is a major source of anxiety?
  • 00:25:56.878 --> 00:25:59.581
  • Those who have money worry about losing it,
  • 00:25:59.581 --> 00:26:02.217
  • And those without money worry about not having enough of it.
  • 00:26:02.217 --> 00:26:06.021
  • Next time, we will hear what jesus said
  • 00:26:06.021 --> 00:26:08.323
  • About the inseparable link between money and worry.
  • 00:26:08.323 --> 00:26:12.260
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:12.260 --> 00:26:14.496
  • In our series, 18 minutes with jesus.
  • 00:26:14.496 --> 00:26:18.266
  • Worry and money go hand in hand with one another.
  • 00:26:19.267 --> 00:26:23.705
  • Those who have a lot of wealth are worried
  • 00:26:23.705 --> 00:26:26.808
  • That they're going to lose that wealth.
  • 00:26:26.808 --> 00:26:28.943
  • Those who don't have a lot of wealth are worried
  • 00:26:28.943 --> 00:26:31.946
  • That they won't get the money that they need.
  • 00:26:31.946 --> 00:26:34.883
  • Jesus understood that our attitude
  • 00:26:34.883 --> 00:26:38.019
  • About money reflects our attitude about god.
  • 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:41.790
  • Set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:26:41.790 --> 00:26:44.025
  • For the message: straight talk about your money
  • 00:26:44.025 --> 00:26:47.062
  • Here on pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:47.062 --> 00:26:49.264
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:49.264 --> 00:26:52.233
  • Take a journey through alaska's awe-inspiring wilderness
  • 00:26:53.334 --> 00:26:56.571
  • On the 2026 pathway to victory cruise to alaska.
  • 00:26:56.571 --> 00:27:00.375
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:27:00.709 --> 00:27:10.719
  • Make plans to set sail
  • 00:27:11.219 --> 00:27:12.687
  • For an unforgettable week of adventure.
  • 00:27:12.687 --> 00:27:14.823
  • June 13th through 20, 2026.
  • 00:27:14.823 --> 00:27:17.525
  • Call 888-280-6747, or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:17.525 --> 00:27:17.525