Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #2: Gain Situational Awareness (Part 2)

July 9, 2026 | 27:29

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #2: Gain Situational Awareness (Part 2) | July 9, 2026

Ephesus, thessaloniki, the greek islands.
00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:03.126
The apostle paul didn't just write about these places,
00:00:03.126 --> 00:00:05.929
He lived in them.
00:00:05.929 --> 00:00:07.097
And this may so can you,
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On the pathway to victory journeys of paul cruise.
00:00:09.099 --> 00:00:12.168
I've read the book of acts my entire life,
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But there's nothing like standing in ephesus,
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Walking where paul walked,
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And feeling the weight of what happened there.
00:00:19.342 --> 00:00:21.878
Nine unforgettable nights aboard celebrity infinity,
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Sailing round trip from athens with stops in mykonos,
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Rhodes, santorini and more.
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And there's an optional pre-cruise extension in athens.
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Every port carries the fingerprints
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Of god's redemptive plan.
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Every ancient stone tells a story.
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This is truly the trip of a lifetime.
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And i promise you,
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You will never read the bible the same way again.
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The early bird discount ends july 31st, so act now!
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Call 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org.
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(bright music)
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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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Hi, i'm robert jeffress
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And welcome again to pathway to victory.
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Our world is changing faster than ever before.
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Cultural norms are shifting,
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Moral boundaries are being erased,
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And the pace of it all can feel overwhelming.
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So how do we stay spiritually alert
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In the middle of so much uncertainty?
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Today i'm going to show you how to gain the wisdom you need
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To navigate the world around you.
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My message is titled survival tip number 2:
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Gain situational awareness
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On today's edition of pathway to victory.
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("midnight cry")
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♪ i look around me ♪
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♪ i see prophecies fulfilled ♪
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♪ oh, and signs of the times ♪
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♪ they're appearing everywhere ♪
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♪ i can almost feel the father ♪
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♪ and he says, son, go get your children ♪
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♪ at the midnight cry ♪
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♪ when jesus comes again ♪
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♪ and then those that remain ♪
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♪ shall be quickly changed ♪
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♪ at the midnight cry ♪
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♪ when jesus comes again ♪
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♪ at the midnight cry ♪
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♪ when jesus comes again ♪
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♪ comes again ♪
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(congregation applauding)
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If you've ever felt like your faith is under attack,
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Like the world is trying to wear you down,
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You're not imagining it.
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The cultural pressure and spiritual opposition is real.
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But you don't have to face it alone.
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In his powerful book, "courageous,"
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Dr. robert jeffress offers 10 practical biblical strategies
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For standing strong.
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Strategies that will give you fresh fire and real hope
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In a world hostile to your faith.
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Request your copy of "courageous"
00:04:07.303 --> 00:04:09.205
When you give a generous ministry gift
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To pathway to victory.
00:04:11.140 --> 00:04:13.509
Stay tuned for a very special ask dr. jeffress segment
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After today's message.
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(bright music)
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And god says if we're going to be effective for him
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In this world, we've got to be like the sons of issachar.
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We've got to understand our time
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So that we can know what we should do.
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Have you ever heard people, christians who say,
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"i don't tune into the news very much.
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I don't read the newspaper, i don't watch television.
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I just read my bible and pray.
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I just kind of keep my blinders on
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So i don't get distracted by what's happening in the world."
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You know, there's a word that describes people like that,
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-stupid. -(congregation laughing)
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If you're just reading your bible and praying
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And have no observance of what's happening around you,
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You are stupid, stupid, stupid.
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And god does not place a premium on stupid.
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Some people think he does.
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Some people think, oh, people who aren't aware of the world
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Around them, they're so spiritual.
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No, they're stupid
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Because they cannot know what they're supposed to do
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If they don't understand the culture in which they live.
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They need to be like the sons of issachar.
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God didn't leave us here, ladies and gentlemen,
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Just to take up space, waiting for the rapture to come.
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God left us here to make a difference in this world
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In which we live.
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And if we're going to make a difference,
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We've got to understand what's happening around us.
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God calls us to be salt and lye
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In this decaying and dark world.
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We've got to understand the situation in which we're in
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So that we can know what we should do.
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But the situational awareness i'm talking about
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Is not only an awareness of our culture
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And the spiritual temperature of the nation as a whole,
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God wants us to ascertain the situation we're in right now
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So that we can know individually as christians
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What we're supposed to do.
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Parents, grandparents here today,
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How's your situational awareness
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About the spiritual condition
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Of your children and your grandchildren?
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Are you aware of the temptations
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That are coming into their life?
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Are you aware of what you can do
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To help strengthen and encourage them?
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Husbands and wives here today,
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Do you have a situational awareness
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Of the condition of your marriage?
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Where are the weak spots?
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Where are the points that satan could gain a foothold
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In your marriage and destroy your home?
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Pastors who are watching or listening to this message,
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Are you aware of the spiritual condition of your church?
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Do you know where the opportunities
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As well as the temptations are
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So that you can strengthen your congregation?
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Today, we have our high school graduates here.
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You're getting ready to enter the next phase of your life.
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Do you have situational awareness of the world
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That you're getting ready to enter as a college student?
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Are you aware of your unique gifts, abilities, desires
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That god has placed in your heart
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So that you can be aware of his plan for your life?
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God wants us to be aware of the world in which we live
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So that we can know what we should do.
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Well, you say, how do i gain that situational awareness?
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One word, wisdom.
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Wisdom is necessary for situational awareness.
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Now i didn't say, graduates, knowledge.
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Many of you're going to college
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And you're going to have your brains filled with knowledge,
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But that's not wisdom.
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Knowledge is just knowing a certain amount of facts.
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Wisdom, and i'm going to give you two definitions
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Of wisdom today.
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The first definition of wisdom
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Is the ability to see life from god's point of view.
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Wisdom is looking at life, your life
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And the world from god's perspective.
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How do you gain that kind of wisdom?
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First of all, it begins by having the proper attitude.
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Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived,
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Wrote in proverbs 9:10, "the fear of the lord
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Is the beginning of wisdom
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And the knowledge of the holy one is understanding."
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It's the foundation of wisdom.
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There is no wisdom apart from a belief that god exists,
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That he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
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Hebrews 11:6.
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Secondly, actively search for wisdom.
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If you're going to gain the wisdom
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Necessary for situational awareness,
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You have to actively search for wisdom.
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Proverbs 2, verses 4 to 5.
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Again, solomon wrote, "if you seek her," that is wisdom,
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"as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures,
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Then you will discern the fear of the lord
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And discover the knowledge of god."
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You say, well, pastor, how do you actually go about
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Searching for wisdom?
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Well, first of all, you have to look for it.
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Look for wisdom.
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There's a lot of places to look for wisdom.
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Graduates, one place you look for wisdom
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Is in the people you will end up working for.
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The late businessman, fred smith, who was a leadership guru,
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And actually, many people didn't know this,
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Was a member of our church till god took him to heaven.
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He used to come in and sit on the back row
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Of the old sanctuary.
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But he was a great leadership expert.
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One time he advised, if you have a choice,
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Always work for either the best
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Or the worst boss you can find.
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From the good ones, you learn what to do,
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From the bad ones, you learn what not to do.
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You can find wisdom anywhere
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In the good as well as the bad.
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You know, when i read those words from fred,
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It reminded me of a conversation i had with dr. criswell
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Years ago when i was youth minister here.
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One time we met in the stairwell
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Of the old criswell building.
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He was going up and i was coming down,
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And i don't know why this crossed his mind,
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But he said, "robert, one day
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You're going to have your own staff as a pastor.
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And if you want to know how to run a staff,
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Just watch what i do.
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Study it carefully, take notes,
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And then do the opposite and you'll be a great success."
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That's one reason he was such a great leader.
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He knew his strengths as well as his weaknesses.
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You can learn from both strengths and weaknesses
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Of other people.
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Secondly, listen to those who are wise.
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If you want to be wise, listen,
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Surround yourself by people who are wise.
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Solomon said, "son, listen to the instructions
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Of your father and the teaching of your mother."
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If we want to be wise, we have to listen to wise people.
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You know, i think about psalm 1.
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I think in the king james it says how blessed,
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How happy are those who do not walk
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In the council of the ungodly.
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I like the way the living bible says it better.
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"oh the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice,
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Who do not hang around with sinners,
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Scoffing at the things of god."
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You know, students, all of us here today,
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We need to be careful
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That we hang around wise people who fear god,
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Who are awestruck by the holiness of god
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Instead of people who scoff at the things of god.
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Do you know, people, even people here in the church
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Who are scoffers, everything to them is a joke.
00:11:55.971 --> 00:11:59.975
Nothing is really sacred.
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They're scoffing.
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They're finding fault with, they're making fun of
00:12:04.113 --> 00:12:06.782
Things that happen in god's house or with god's people.
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They're cynical.
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They're just cynical about everything,
00:12:12.054 --> 00:12:13.823
Always questioning other people and their motives.
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You know, i don't know about you,
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But i have a hard enough time keeping a right attitude
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Without surrounding myself with people like that.
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When you get around a scoffer, somebody who makes fun,
00:12:25.568 --> 00:12:28.771
Makes light of holy things,
00:12:28.771 --> 00:12:30.706
Run as far from that person as you possibly can.
00:12:30.706 --> 00:12:34.243
That's what psalm 1 is saying.
00:12:34.243 --> 00:12:35.511
If you want to be wise and be successful,
00:12:35.511 --> 00:12:38.314
Don't hang around with scoffers,
00:12:38.314 --> 00:12:40.082
Surround yourself with godly people.
00:12:40.082 --> 00:12:42.218
Thirdly, to search for wisdom, ask for wisdom.
00:12:42.218 --> 00:12:45.554
James 1:5 says, "if any one of you lacks wisdom,
00:12:45.554 --> 00:12:48.891
Let him ask of god who gives generously to all,
00:12:48.891 --> 00:12:52.862
And it will be given to him."
00:12:52.862 --> 00:12:55.564
If you want to gain situational awareness,
00:12:55.564 --> 00:12:57.666
You have to search for wisdom.
00:12:57.666 --> 00:12:59.168
That means looking for wisdom,
00:12:59.168 --> 00:13:00.803
Listening to those who are wise, and asking for wisdom.
00:13:00.803 --> 00:13:04.840
Third, take action.
00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:07.810
Take action.
00:13:07.810 --> 00:13:09.478
If you're going to gain situational awareness,
00:13:09.478 --> 00:13:12.748
You need to take action once you find wisdom.
00:13:12.748 --> 00:13:16.585
And remember i said there are two definitions for wisdom.
00:13:16.585 --> 00:13:19.521
One is seeing life from god's point of view.
00:13:19.521 --> 00:13:22.391
But here's the second definition of wisdom,
00:13:22.391 --> 00:13:25.261
A skill to live your life according to god's plan.
00:13:25.261 --> 00:13:30.599
Did you know that's exactly what the word wisdom,
00:13:31.634 --> 00:13:34.270
"chokmah" in the old testament means?
00:13:34.270 --> 00:13:36.438
It was a skill.
00:13:36.438 --> 00:13:38.607
In exodus 28, verse 3,
00:13:38.607 --> 00:13:40.776
It says there were a group of israelites
00:13:40.776 --> 00:13:42.845
Whom god endowed with wisdom
00:13:42.845 --> 00:13:46.415
So that they could weave the garments made for aaron,
00:13:46.415 --> 00:13:50.252
The high priest.
00:13:50.252 --> 00:13:51.654
There were very specific requirements for the garment
00:13:51.654 --> 00:13:54.556
That the high priest would wear
00:13:54.556 --> 00:13:56.191
Because it was symbolic foreshadowing
00:13:56.191 --> 00:13:58.427
Of jesus christ himself.
00:13:58.427 --> 00:14:00.863
The weaver couldn't kind of get close
00:14:00.863 --> 00:14:02.898
To following the pattern,
00:14:02.898 --> 00:14:04.300
He had to follow it precisely or be struck dead.
00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:08.170
So they were given the power of wisdom
00:14:08.170 --> 00:14:11.874
To follow god's pattern precisely.
00:14:11.874 --> 00:14:15.477
And that's really what wisdom is.
00:14:15.477 --> 00:14:17.446
It's the ability to know and follow god's plan
00:14:17.446 --> 00:14:21.951
For your marriage, for your finances, for your friendships,
00:14:21.951 --> 00:14:26.255
For every area of your life.
00:14:26.255 --> 00:14:28.924
That means wisdom isn't something we just accumulate,
00:14:28.924 --> 00:14:31.727
It's something we act on.
00:14:31.727 --> 00:14:33.762
Daniel 11:32 says, "the people who know their god
00:14:33.762 --> 00:14:37.666
Will displace strength and will take action."
00:14:37.666 --> 00:14:41.971
If we're going to live wisely in this world,
00:14:42.905 --> 00:14:48.143
We've got to have situational awareness,
00:14:49.011 --> 00:14:50.379
And that comes from the gift of wisdom.
00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:53.649
But you know what?
00:14:53.649 --> 00:14:55.050
Wisdom isn't something we just gain once for all
00:14:55.050 --> 00:14:56.885
And then never have to worry about it.
00:14:56.885 --> 00:14:59.154
We never completely arrive
00:14:59.154 --> 00:15:01.857
In our gaining of situational awareness.
00:15:01.857 --> 00:15:04.326
We have to keep gaining awareness
00:15:04.326 --> 00:15:06.595
Because we are in a never ending struggle with the enemy.
00:15:06.595 --> 00:15:10.766
So how do we maintain every day a situational awareness
00:15:10.766 --> 00:15:14.937
Of what's happening to us and in the world around us?
00:15:14.937 --> 00:15:18.941
Paul gives us a real simple formula
00:15:18.941 --> 00:15:21.310
In 1 thessalonians chapter 5.
00:15:21.310 --> 00:15:24.079
1 thessalonians 5, here's a deep thought,
00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:26.615
Comes after 1 thessalonians 4
00:15:26.615 --> 00:15:29.051
In which paul describes the rapture of the church.
00:15:29.051 --> 00:15:32.087
But then in chapter 5,
00:15:32.087 --> 00:15:33.455
He talks about the tribulation that will come.
00:15:33.455 --> 00:15:36.892
And he said, but you already know all of this.
00:15:36.892 --> 00:15:39.962
You already know all of this he says in verses 1 through 5.
00:15:39.962 --> 00:15:43.165
But look at 1 thessalonians 5, verse 6.
00:15:43.165 --> 00:15:45.901
He says, "so then let us not sleep as others do,
00:15:45.901 --> 00:15:51.440
But let us be alert and sober."
00:15:52.074 --> 00:15:55.944
In this simple verse, we find three short commands
00:15:55.944 --> 00:15:58.981
About how to maintain situational awareness
00:15:58.981 --> 00:16:02.551
In this challenging world in which we live.
00:16:02.551 --> 00:16:04.987
First of all, he says stay awake. stay awake.
00:16:04.987 --> 00:16:09.525
Literally let us not sleep.
00:16:09.525 --> 00:16:13.162
Now, he's not saying, you know, don't ever go to bed.
00:16:13.162 --> 00:16:16.498
He's saying don't sleepwalk through life.
00:16:16.498 --> 00:16:20.436
Go through life awake, alert,
00:16:20.436 --> 00:16:24.473
Stay awake as to what is happening around you.
00:16:24.473 --> 00:16:27.776
Don't sleep, stay awake.
00:16:27.776 --> 00:16:30.679
I remember when i was in high school,
00:16:31.513 --> 00:16:34.049
My good friend david dunlap,
00:16:34.049 --> 00:16:35.818
Who's probably back there somewhere today.
00:16:35.818 --> 00:16:38.420
When we were in high school, david took me to a magic shop
00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:43.759
That used to be right across the street
00:16:44.626 --> 00:16:45.461
From the church here.
00:16:45.461 --> 00:16:46.895
Remember jeffrey's magic shop right across the street?
00:16:46.895 --> 00:16:49.898
David took me over there and introduced me
00:16:49.898 --> 00:16:52.067
To the greatest little invention.
00:16:52.067 --> 00:16:54.036
It was a little vial of perfume called stink perfume.
00:16:54.036 --> 00:16:59.374
It looked like real perfume, but you opened it up
00:17:00.375 --> 00:17:02.544
And it was the most foul smelling stuff you could imagine.
00:17:02.544 --> 00:17:06.482
And so we would go to parties
00:17:06.482 --> 00:17:08.217
And we would have our little secret thing of stink perfume
00:17:08.217 --> 00:17:11.253
And open it up and people would run for the exits.
00:17:11.253 --> 00:17:14.857
It was terrible. terrible.
00:17:15.424 --> 00:17:17.359
Well, one night i had come home from a date with amy
00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:22.297
And tim and i shared a bathroom.
00:17:22.297 --> 00:17:25.367
And he just annoyed the heck out of me
00:17:26.201 --> 00:17:28.770
By always leaving my door locked,
00:17:28.770 --> 00:17:30.973
Forgetting to unlock my door.
00:17:30.973 --> 00:17:32.474
So i'd have to walk around the other way and so forth.
00:17:32.474 --> 00:17:35.544
And one night, i jiggled the door, it was locked again.
00:17:35.544 --> 00:17:38.780
And i was just so ticked off, i'm going to admit it to you.
00:17:38.780 --> 00:17:41.917
I lost it.
00:17:41.917 --> 00:17:43.552
And i got my vial of stink perfume,
00:17:43.552 --> 00:17:47.022
And i crept around to his bedroom
00:17:47.022 --> 00:17:49.992
And he was sound asleep,
00:17:49.992 --> 00:17:51.426
And i opened up that jar of stink perfume
00:17:51.426 --> 00:17:54.096
And i poured it out on his pillow completely.
00:17:54.096 --> 00:17:57.499
He was asleep, but he bolted out of bed immediately.
00:17:57.499 --> 00:18:01.570
Though he was asleep, he was now awake.
00:18:01.570 --> 00:18:04.673
And he stayed awake the rest of the night,
00:18:05.574 --> 00:18:09.077
Ready for me to come back in with another vial of it.
00:18:09.077 --> 00:18:11.813
In fact, i think he stayed awake several nights after that.
00:18:11.813 --> 00:18:14.883
Well, that's kind of what paul is talking about here.
00:18:14.883 --> 00:18:16.885
Not stink perfume, but he's saying stay awake.
00:18:16.885 --> 00:18:21.056
Be on guard,
00:18:21.056 --> 00:18:22.424
Not from the attacks from your brother or sister,
00:18:22.424 --> 00:18:24.726
But from the enemy.
00:18:24.726 --> 00:18:26.094
Don't sleepwalk through life.
00:18:26.094 --> 00:18:28.697
If we're going to be effective, we've got to stay awake.
00:18:28.697 --> 00:18:30.966
Secondly, stay hopeful.
00:18:30.966 --> 00:18:33.502
If you're going to maintain situational awareness,
00:18:33.502 --> 00:18:35.571
Stay hopeful.
00:18:35.571 --> 00:18:37.406
He says it this way in verse 6, be alert.
00:18:37.406 --> 00:18:41.043
You say, well, what does that have to do with being hopeful?
00:18:41.043 --> 00:18:43.979
Be alert has to do with not only being awake,
00:18:43.979 --> 00:18:48.550
But understanding that if bad times,
00:18:48.550 --> 00:18:50.953
Difficult times are coming,
00:18:50.953 --> 00:18:54.156
Even better times are to come after that.
00:18:54.156 --> 00:18:57.659
You know, in luke chapter 21, verse 28,
00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:59.761
Jesus has just described
00:18:59.761 --> 00:19:01.663
All of the events of the tribulation
00:19:01.663 --> 00:19:03.699
That will lead up to the return of jesus christ.
00:19:03.699 --> 00:19:06.235
You remember what he said in luke 21:28?
00:19:06.235 --> 00:19:08.237
He said, "when you see these horrible things
00:19:08.237 --> 00:19:11.340
Begin to take place," panic, no.
00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:16.678
Throw a pity party for yourself. no.
00:19:17.479 --> 00:19:20.449
Bury your head in the sand. no.
00:19:20.449 --> 00:19:22.084
He said, "when you see these things begin to take place,
00:19:22.084 --> 00:19:25.320
Straighten up, lift up your heads
00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:27.956
Because your redemption is drawing near."
00:19:27.956 --> 00:19:31.660
When we're alert to what is really happening,
00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:33.729
We can be excited because we know the return of christ
00:19:33.729 --> 00:19:37.366
Is just around the corner.
00:19:37.366 --> 00:19:39.901
Paul is saying if we want to maintain situational awareness,
00:19:39.901 --> 00:19:44.773
Stay awake, stay hopeful, and finally he says stay serious.
00:19:44.773 --> 00:19:50.545
Verse 6, be of sober spirit.
00:19:51.146 --> 00:19:55.684
What does he mean by be of sober spirit?
00:19:55.684 --> 00:19:57.519
He doesn't mean walk around
00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.354
With an expression on your face
00:19:59.354 --> 00:20:01.089
Like you've been sucking on a dill pickle.
00:20:01.089 --> 00:20:03.125
He's not talking about that.
00:20:03.125 --> 00:20:05.260
He simply means be serious. don't be frivolous.
00:20:05.260 --> 00:20:09.498
Be serious as you understand what is happening
00:20:09.498 --> 00:20:13.035
And what is about to happen.
00:20:13.035 --> 00:20:15.771
That's how you maintain situational awareness.
00:20:15.771 --> 00:20:19.675
Know the situation around you.
00:20:19.675 --> 00:20:22.110
And because of it, stay awake, stay hopeful, stay serious.
00:20:23.278 --> 00:20:30.619
(rousing music)
00:20:30.986 --> 00:20:34.956
Christians feel the heat every day
00:20:35.691 --> 00:20:37.492
Because our culture openly defies god and his laws.
00:20:37.492 --> 00:20:41.863
But victory starts with gaining situational awareness.
00:20:41.863 --> 00:20:45.901
Now as we close today's program,
00:20:45.901 --> 00:20:48.003
Let me say a brief word of thanks
00:20:48.003 --> 00:20:49.638
To our financial supporters.
00:20:49.638 --> 00:20:51.773
When you invest in pathway to victory
00:20:51.773 --> 00:20:53.709
By becoming a pathway partner
00:20:53.709 --> 00:20:55.811
Or by giving an occasional gift,
00:20:55.811 --> 00:20:58.113
You're playing a strategic role in pushing back the enemy.
00:20:58.113 --> 00:21:02.718
And i can't think of a more urgent time than right now
00:21:02.718 --> 00:21:05.887
To boldly declare the gospel of jesus christ.
00:21:05.887 --> 00:21:09.291
So thank you for helping us
00:21:09.291 --> 00:21:10.659
Bring the life-changing hope of the gospel
00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:13.061
To a world shrouded in darkness.
00:21:13.061 --> 00:21:15.997
Now, please stay right there.
00:21:15.997 --> 00:21:17.566
I'll be back with more pathway to victory in just a moment.
00:21:17.566 --> 00:21:21.770
Christians today are living in hostile territory.
00:21:21.770 --> 00:21:25.374
The attacks are real, the opposition is fierce,
00:21:25.374 --> 00:21:28.610
And the stakes couldn't be higher.
00:21:28.610 --> 00:21:30.979
That's why i wrote "courageous",
00:21:30.979 --> 00:21:33.148
To give you the biblical tools you need
00:21:33.148 --> 00:21:35.117
Not just to survive, but to stand strong and thrive.
00:21:35.117 --> 00:21:39.421
In "courageous,"
00:21:39.421 --> 00:21:40.789
You'll find 10 biblical survival strategies
00:21:40.789 --> 00:21:43.225
Drawn straight from scripture that will give you fresh fire
00:21:43.225 --> 00:21:46.395
And real hope no matter what you're facing.
00:21:46.395 --> 00:21:49.197
Survivors have two things in common,
00:21:49.197 --> 00:21:51.600
A different response to trouble,
00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:53.635
And a different perspective on life.
00:21:53.635 --> 00:21:56.405
In "courageous", i'll give you 10 biblical strategies
00:21:56.405 --> 00:21:59.608
To develop both and come out stronger on the other side.
00:21:59.608 --> 00:22:03.745
Request your copy of "courageous"
00:22:03.745 --> 00:22:05.514
When you give a generous ministry gift
00:22:05.514 --> 00:22:07.315
To pathway to victory, or when you become a pathway partner.
00:22:07.315 --> 00:22:11.253
And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
00:22:11.253 --> 00:22:14.656
We'll send you the courageous leadership kit
00:22:14.656 --> 00:22:17.192
Containing the "courageous" book,
00:22:17.192 --> 00:22:18.960
The personal and group study guide book,
00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:21.329
10 courageous encouragement cards,
00:22:21.329 --> 00:22:23.432
Plus the complete teaching series on cd and dvd.
00:22:23.432 --> 00:22:27.202
As christians, we are living in a threatening environment.
00:22:27.202 --> 00:22:31.306
We have an adversary, the devil,
00:22:31.306 --> 00:22:33.108
Who is intent on destroying everything important to us.
00:22:33.108 --> 00:22:37.112
Thank you for partnering with pathway to victory.
00:22:37.112 --> 00:22:39.848
Your generosity funds the proclamation of god's word
00:22:39.848 --> 00:22:42.951
Across television, radio, and online,
00:22:42.951 --> 00:22:45.654
Bringing bold, biblical hope right here at home
00:22:45.654 --> 00:22:49.057
And around the world.
00:22:49.057 --> 00:22:53.462
Being aware of the dangers around you
00:22:54.262 --> 00:22:56.131
Is only half the battle.
00:22:56.131 --> 00:22:58.433
You also need the right resources to face them.
00:22:58.433 --> 00:23:01.803
Thankfully, god hasn't left us empty handed.
00:23:01.803 --> 00:23:04.639
He's provided every christian with exactly what we need
00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:07.843
To survive and thrive in this hostile world.
00:23:07.843 --> 00:23:11.379
Next time, we will take a spiritual inventory
00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:14.416
Of those divine resources and learn how to put them to use.
00:23:14.416 --> 00:23:18.620
Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:20.856
In our series, courageous.
00:23:20.856 --> 00:23:23.458
The bad news is you have a supernatural enemy
00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:29.331
Who will not rest until he has completely destroyed you
00:23:30.432 --> 00:23:34.169
And everything important to you.
00:23:34.169 --> 00:23:36.605
The good news is god has given you the supernatural
00:23:36.605 --> 00:23:40.842
Inventory resources you need to defeat that opponent.
00:23:40.842 --> 00:23:46.114
Set your dvr and join us next time
00:23:46.882 --> 00:23:48.350
For survival tip number 3: take inventory,
00:23:48.350 --> 00:23:51.653
Here on pathway to victory.
00:23:51.653 --> 00:23:56.091
(lively music)
00:23:56.458 --> 00:24:02.030
Hi, dr. jeffress.
00:24:02.464 --> 00:24:03.899
Today's question, it's kind of a hard one,
00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:06.134
But i know you'll be up for the challenge.
00:24:06.134 --> 00:24:08.236
Today's question is,
00:24:08.236 --> 00:24:09.804
Should christians support the death penalty?
00:24:09.804 --> 00:24:12.541
How does the death penalty align with forgiveness?
00:24:12.541 --> 00:24:15.844
Well, the death penalty
00:24:15.844 --> 00:24:17.846
Is something that's commanded in scripture.
00:24:17.846 --> 00:24:20.215
In genesis chapter 9 immediately after the flood
00:24:20.215 --> 00:24:23.852
When noah and his family were repopulating the earth
00:24:23.852 --> 00:24:27.255
And civilization was being recreated,
00:24:27.255 --> 00:24:29.958
God gave noah this principle
00:24:29.958 --> 00:24:32.594
That was to be applicable to all generations.
00:24:32.594 --> 00:24:35.897
He said, "whoever sheds man's blood by man,
00:24:35.897 --> 00:24:40.669
His blood shall be shed."
00:24:40.669 --> 00:24:42.737
If somebody kills a person,
00:24:42.737 --> 00:24:44.573
Then that person is to have his life taken.
00:24:44.573 --> 00:24:47.108
And the reason god instituted capital punishment
00:24:47.108 --> 00:24:50.378
Was to show how valuable life is.
00:24:50.378 --> 00:24:53.248
God's the one who creates life,
00:24:53.248 --> 00:24:55.383
And to kill somebody is to destroy a life god created.
00:24:55.383 --> 00:25:00.221
Now, we're not to engage personally in killing other people,
00:25:00.221 --> 00:25:03.692
That's the job of government.
00:25:03.692 --> 00:25:05.994
And in romans 13 in the new testament,
00:25:05.994 --> 00:25:08.697
The word of god reaffirms that.
00:25:08.697 --> 00:25:10.999
Paul is talking about governing authorities.
00:25:10.999 --> 00:25:13.935
He said, "there is no authority
00:25:13.935 --> 00:25:15.737
Except that which god has ordained,
00:25:15.737 --> 00:25:17.939
And he has charged governing authorities
00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:20.909
With punishing evil doers and rewarding the righteous."
00:25:20.909 --> 00:25:24.346
And then paul says,
00:25:24.346 --> 00:25:25.780
"god has not given government the sword for nothing."
00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:30.051
In other words, god has given government the ability
00:25:30.051 --> 00:25:33.455
To take a life for those who act unjustly.
00:25:33.455 --> 00:25:36.858
And so i think, again,
00:25:36.858 --> 00:25:38.793
We need to support what the bible says
00:25:38.793 --> 00:25:41.296
In believing government has that right
00:25:41.296 --> 00:25:43.665
To take the harshest penalty possible,
00:25:43.665 --> 00:25:46.801
And that is the taking of a life.
00:25:46.801 --> 00:25:48.670
Now people wonder, well, what about forgiveness?
00:25:48.670 --> 00:25:51.706
Well, you and i are commanded to forgive other people.
00:25:51.706 --> 00:25:55.243
You know, when i forgive somebody,
00:25:55.243 --> 00:25:57.178
I let go of my desire to hurt them for hurting me.
00:25:57.178 --> 00:26:01.316
The bible calls that vengeance.
00:26:01.316 --> 00:26:03.385
The word of god says, "vengeance is mine,
00:26:03.385 --> 00:26:05.754
I will repay says the lord."
00:26:05.754 --> 00:26:08.156
We're to give up a desire for vengeance,
00:26:08.156 --> 00:26:10.525
But we can never give up our desire for justice.
00:26:10.525 --> 00:26:13.895
Justice is the punishment god or others may exact
00:26:13.895 --> 00:26:18.133
From our offender for what they do to us.
00:26:18.133 --> 00:26:20.835
I remember in one of the churches i served,
00:26:20.835 --> 00:26:22.871
There was a man whose daughter had been brutally murdered.
00:26:22.871 --> 00:26:25.607
And he dealt and struggled with forgiveness,
00:26:25.607 --> 00:26:28.109
And he felt like he had forgiven the killer.
00:26:28.109 --> 00:26:30.512
But then he was invited by the prosecution
00:26:30.512 --> 00:26:32.914
To testify on their behalf
00:26:32.914 --> 00:26:35.050
Against the one who had murdered his daughter.
00:26:35.050 --> 00:26:37.052
And he asked me, "should i do that
00:26:37.052 --> 00:26:38.853
If i've forgiven this person?"
00:26:38.853 --> 00:26:40.855
I said, "absolutely you're free to do that
00:26:40.855 --> 00:26:43.625
Because what you're after is not vengeance.
00:26:43.625 --> 00:26:46.061
You've given that up.
00:26:46.061 --> 00:26:47.495
But justice is something government does
00:26:47.495 --> 00:26:50.265
To the one who killed your daughter."
00:26:50.265 --> 00:26:52.300
So again, we should and can
00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:54.469
Give up our desire for vengeance,
00:26:54.469 --> 00:26:56.538
But we can never give up our desire for justice.
00:26:56.538 --> 00:26:59.741
Capital punishment is god's justice against murderers.
00:26:59.741 --> 00:27:05.013
Such a good distinction. it's a good reminder too.
00:27:06.047 --> 00:27:07.348
I'm like, if he can forgive, i can too.
00:27:07.348 --> 00:27:10.618
That's a really powerful example.
00:27:10.618 --> 00:27:12.887
Thank you, dr. jeffress.
00:27:12.887 --> 00:27:14.489
If you'd like to read more questions and answers
00:27:14.489 --> 00:27:16.725
From dr. jeffress, you can visit ptv.org/read.
00:27:16.725 --> 00:27:20.862
You can also submit your questions
00:27:20.862 --> 00:27:22.897
By scanning the qr code on the screen.
00:27:22.897 --> 00:27:22.897

Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #2: Gain Situational Awareness (Part 2)

July 9, 2026 | 27:29

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