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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #6: Bend, Don't Break (Part 2)

May 21, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #6: Bend, Don't Break (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Breakthrough #Persecution #Prisoner #Faith #Government #BloodofJesus #Freedom #Rejoice #Blessing #Victory #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #6: Bend, Don't Break (Part 2) | May 21, 2026
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.356
  • Male announcer: join us on the "pathway to victory" journeys of
  • 00:00:00.790 --> 00:00:03.059
  • Paul cruise, may 14 through 23, 2027.
  • 00:00:03.193 --> 00:00:07.063
  • Dr. robert jeffress: you know what i love most about
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  • These journeys?
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  • It's not just the destinations.
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  • It's about the people you experience the
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  • Destinations with.
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  • There's something powerful that happens when like-minded
  • 00:00:15.438 --> 00:00:18.408
  • Believers gather together, open god's word, and then explore the
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  • Very world where that word was first proclaimed.
  • 00:00:22.345 --> 00:00:26.149
  • Announcer: nine nights aboard the beautiful celebrity
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  • Infinity, every meal prepared, every detail taken care of,
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  • So all you have to do is be present.
  • 00:00:32.655 --> 00:00:34.924
  • Casual conversations over coffee, fellowship around the
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  • Table, and afternoons walking the same roads paul walked in
  • 00:00:38.294 --> 00:00:41.931
  • Ephesus, kavala, and more.
  • 00:00:41.931 --> 00:00:44.234
  • Jeffress: come be a part of our community.
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  • This journey will refresh your soul and renew your sense
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  • Of purpose.
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  • Announcer: cabins are filling, so don't miss your spot.
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  • Call ... or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:00:53.276 --> 00:00:59.015
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:00.984 --> 00:01:07.624
  • Announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
  • 00:01:07.624 --> 00:01:09.959
  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with dr.
  • 00:01:09.959 --> 00:01:13.129
  • Robert jeffress.
  • 00:01:13.129 --> 00:01:15.598
  • Jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome again to
  • 00:01:15.598 --> 00:01:17.700
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:19.102
  • Around the world the persecution of christians has reached an
  • 00:01:19.102 --> 00:01:22.472
  • All-time high, and the hostility isn't limited to foreign soil.
  • 00:01:22.472 --> 00:01:27.677
  • Right here at home our judeo-christian values are under
  • 00:01:27.677 --> 00:01:30.980
  • Attack and new laws are chipping away at our religious liberties.
  • 00:01:30.980 --> 00:01:35.318
  • So how do we stay strong and courageous in face of that kind
  • 00:01:35.318 --> 00:01:38.521
  • Of opposition?
  • 00:01:38.521 --> 00:01:40.056
  • My message is titled "survival tip #6: bend, don't break" on
  • 00:01:40.056 --> 00:01:46.162
  • Today's edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:46.162 --> 00:01:49.632
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:49.632 --> 00:02:14.791
  • ♪ the sun was darkened and the heavens thundered, ♪
  • 00:01:59.642 --> 00:02:21.297
  • ♪ and for a moment death had thought it had conquered. ♪
  • 00:02:21.297 --> 00:02:27.470
  • ♪ but it wasn't over till you said it's over. ♪
  • 00:02:27.470 --> 00:02:33.843
  • ♪ your word is greater still. ♪
  • 00:02:33.843 --> 00:02:40.216
  • ♪ the perfect sacrifice, your body broken, ♪
  • 00:02:40.216 --> 00:02:46.756
  • ♪ as you restored to us what sin had stolen. ♪
  • 00:02:46.756 --> 00:02:53.162
  • ♪ that's it, oh, you tore the veil wide open. ♪
  • 00:02:53.162 --> 00:02:59.369
  • ♪ your power is stronger still. ♪
  • 00:02:59.369 --> 00:03:04.807
  • ♪ all praise, all praise ♪
  • 00:03:04.807 --> 00:03:11.047
  • ♪ to the name above all names. ♪
  • 00:03:11.047 --> 00:03:17.553
  • ♪ jesus, you reign, ♪
  • 00:03:17.553 --> 00:03:23.593
  • ♪ 'cause you're the name above all names. ♪
  • 00:03:23.593 --> 00:03:30.300
  • ♪ all praise, all praise ♪
  • 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:36.673
  • ♪ to the name above all names. ♪
  • 00:03:36.673 --> 00:03:43.079
  • ♪ jesus, you reign, ♪
  • 00:03:43.079 --> 00:03:49.385
  • ♪ 'cause you're the name above all names. ♪
  • 00:03:49.385 --> 00:03:56.726
  • ♪ allelujah, ♪
  • 00:03:56.726 --> 00:04:03.800
  • ♪ every voice will proclaim ♪
  • 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:06.769
  • ♪ there is no higher name. ♪
  • 00:04:06.769 --> 00:04:09.672
  • ♪ allelujah, ♪
  • 00:04:09.672 --> 00:04:16.813
  • ♪ age to age we will sing, ♪
  • 00:04:16.813 --> 00:04:19.415
  • ♪ there is no higher name. ♪
  • 00:04:19.415 --> 00:04:23.086
  • ♪ all praise, all praise ♪
  • 00:04:23.086 --> 00:04:29.592
  • ♪ to the name above all names. ♪
  • 00:04:29.592 --> 00:04:35.798
  • ♪ jesus, you reign, ♪
  • 00:04:35.798 --> 00:04:42.105
  • ♪ 'cause you're the name above all names. ♪
  • 00:04:42.105 --> 00:04:48.644
  • ♪ you're the name above all names. ♪
  • 00:04:48.644 --> 00:04:55.284
  • ♪ you're the name above all names, ♪
  • 00:04:55.351 --> 00:05:01.791
  • ♪ jesus. ♪♪
  • 00:05:01.791 --> 00:05:10.933
  • Announcer: each day millions of lost people are searching for
  • 00:05:15.071 --> 00:05:18.141
  • Hope and truth.
  • 00:05:18.141 --> 00:05:19.475
  • Through "pathway to victory," god's word is reaching into
  • 00:05:19.475 --> 00:05:22.445
  • Homes across america and around the world, but there are still
  • 00:05:22.445 --> 00:05:26.048
  • So many who haven't heard the saving message of jesus christ.
  • 00:05:26.048 --> 00:05:29.619
  • You can help change that by becoming a pathway partner.
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  • You'll join a dedicated team of broadcast missionaries who are
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  • Sharing the gospel through television and radio.
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  • Your monthly support will help reach people worldwide with the
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  • Life-changing power of the cross.
  • 00:05:42.398 --> 00:05:44.867
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:05:45.501 --> 00:05:52.442
  • Jeffress: you know, i was reading this week the story of
  • 00:05:52.442 --> 00:05:54.076
  • Peter miller, who was a baptist minister
  • 00:05:54.076 --> 00:05:57.914
  • During the revolutionary war.
  • 00:05:57.914 --> 00:06:00.082
  • He lived in ephrata, pennsylvania, and he had a next
  • 00:06:00.082 --> 00:06:04.587
  • Door neighbor, michael wittman, who belittled him, blasphemed
  • 00:06:04.587 --> 00:06:09.559
  • His faith, did everything he could to make the
  • 00:06:09.559 --> 00:06:12.829
  • Pastor miserable.
  • 00:06:12.829 --> 00:06:14.730
  • One day peter miller heard that michael wittman had been
  • 00:06:14.730 --> 00:06:17.934
  • Arrested for treason and sentenced to death, and so peter
  • 00:06:17.934 --> 00:06:23.473
  • Miller walked 70 miles from his home to philadelphia to make an
  • 00:06:23.473 --> 00:06:28.778
  • Appeal to general washington for his neighbor's life, and he made
  • 00:06:28.778 --> 00:06:33.516
  • The appeal, and general washington said, "no, peter, i
  • 00:06:33.516 --> 00:06:37.119
  • Cannot grant a pardon to your friend."
  • 00:06:37.119 --> 00:06:41.123
  • Peter miller said, "my friend?
  • 00:06:41.123 --> 00:06:43.960
  • He's not my friend.
  • 00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:45.294
  • He's my most bitter enemy," and washington was so astounded that
  • 00:06:45.294 --> 00:06:50.199
  • He would walk 70 miles seeking the pardon for his most bitter
  • 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:54.504
  • Rival that he granted michael wittman the pardon, and peter
  • 00:06:54.504 --> 00:06:59.175
  • Miller left that day with not an enemy, but a friend.
  • 00:06:59.175 --> 00:07:04.013
  • That's what it means to do good to those who wrong you.
  • 00:07:04.013 --> 00:07:08.818
  • We bend without breaking.
  • 00:07:08.818 --> 00:07:10.853
  • You know, i think there's nobody in the bible outside of jesus
  • 00:07:10.853 --> 00:07:13.823
  • Christ himself who better illustrates that principle of
  • 00:07:13.823 --> 00:07:17.126
  • Resiliency, of bending but not breaking under persecution, than
  • 00:07:17.126 --> 00:07:22.231
  • The old testament character daniel.
  • 00:07:22.231 --> 00:07:25.468
  • Remember daniel's situation?
  • 00:07:25.468 --> 00:07:27.603
  • In 605 bc when king nebuchadnezzar, the king of
  • 00:07:27.603 --> 00:07:33.042
  • Babylon, invaded jerusalem, he took a group of jews captive
  • 00:07:33.042 --> 00:07:37.880
  • Back to babylon, and part of those captives included a 19
  • 00:07:37.880 --> 00:07:43.119
  • Year old daniel, and daniel immediately distinguished
  • 00:07:43.119 --> 00:07:47.490
  • Himself among the other hebrew youths who were taken captive,
  • 00:07:47.490 --> 00:07:52.295
  • And daniel was selected to become part of a very special
  • 00:07:52.295 --> 00:07:56.265
  • Group of jewish young men who would assist nebuchadnezzar in
  • 00:07:56.265 --> 00:07:59.802
  • Reigning over the jewish people.
  • 00:07:59.802 --> 00:08:02.305
  • Nebuchadnezzar wanted men who understood the jewish customs so
  • 00:08:02.305 --> 00:08:07.543
  • That he could effectively reign over them.
  • 00:08:07.543 --> 00:08:10.613
  • So they were going to be a part of this select group of the
  • 00:08:10.613 --> 00:08:13.316
  • King's men, but to qualify to be a part of that group, they had
  • 00:08:13.316 --> 00:08:17.286
  • To go through a three-year re-education program.
  • 00:08:17.286 --> 00:08:21.457
  • Now, this was both a privilege, but it was also a strategy.
  • 00:08:21.457 --> 00:08:25.928
  • The reason nebuchadnezzar gave them a new name and a new
  • 00:08:25.928 --> 00:08:29.599
  • Education was to erase their jewishness, to erase the
  • 00:08:29.599 --> 00:08:35.638
  • Training they had had, to make them think and act like
  • 00:08:35.638 --> 00:08:39.075
  • Babylonians, and it was the same thing with the new diet.
  • 00:08:39.075 --> 00:08:43.412
  • No longer would they follow the old testament mosaic
  • 00:08:43.412 --> 00:08:47.750
  • Requirements for a diet and food and drink.
  • 00:08:47.750 --> 00:08:52.455
  • By shunning that and eating the king's food it was a way of
  • 00:08:52.455 --> 00:08:56.659
  • Erasing their past.
  • 00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:58.728
  • Daniel accepted the new name, the new education, but when it
  • 00:08:58.728 --> 00:09:01.931
  • Came to breaking god's law he would not do it, and as you
  • 00:09:01.931 --> 00:09:07.169
  • Know, he made an appeal to ashpenaz, who was the captain of
  • 00:09:07.169 --> 00:09:11.440
  • The king's forces involved in this training program, in charge
  • 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:14.744
  • Of this training program.
  • 00:09:14.744 --> 00:09:16.245
  • He explained his dilemma, and verse 9 of daniel 1 says
  • 00:09:16.245 --> 00:09:20.950
  • Ashpenaz was sympathetic with daniel, but he said, "how could
  • 00:09:20.950 --> 00:09:24.754
  • I violate the king's orders," and daniel said, "well, i have
  • 00:09:24.754 --> 00:09:28.524
  • An idea.
  • 00:09:28.524 --> 00:09:30.159
  • You let me and my cohorts not eat from the king's table.
  • 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:34.196
  • We will eat vegetables and water for ten days, and after the ten
  • 00:09:34.196 --> 00:09:38.701
  • Days you judge our appearance and see if we're not in better
  • 00:09:38.701 --> 00:09:42.104
  • Shape than the others," and so ashpenaz looked with favor upon
  • 00:09:42.104 --> 00:09:46.676
  • That and gave daniel that opportunity, and after the ten
  • 00:09:46.676 --> 00:09:49.645
  • Days daniel's appearance was so far superior and his abilities
  • 00:09:49.645 --> 00:09:55.184
  • To anyone else that ashpenaz let them continue that regimen until
  • 00:09:55.184 --> 00:09:59.755
  • It was finally over, the training period, and
  • 00:09:59.755 --> 00:10:02.558
  • Nebuchadnezzar was amazed with the superiority of daniel and
  • 00:10:02.558 --> 00:10:06.729
  • His friends over all the other jewish young men.
  • 00:10:06.729 --> 00:10:11.400
  • Daniel learned how to bend without breaking when faced with
  • 00:10:11.400 --> 00:10:15.337
  • Opposition to his faith.
  • 00:10:15.337 --> 00:10:17.540
  • You know, i find four principles in daniel's example that show us
  • 00:10:17.540 --> 00:10:22.078
  • And illustrate for us how to bend without breaking when
  • 00:10:22.078 --> 00:10:25.915
  • Facing opposition.
  • 00:10:25.915 --> 00:10:28.084
  • First of all, when you're faced with opposition, be a winsome
  • 00:10:28.084 --> 00:10:34.990
  • Witness for christ.
  • 00:10:34.990 --> 00:10:37.493
  • Be a winsome, a happy, a pleasant witness for christ.
  • 00:10:37.493 --> 00:10:43.299
  • Somebody after the first service said, "you know, pastor, why we
  • 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:47.036
  • Need to be winsome?
  • 00:10:47.036 --> 00:10:49.105
  • So that we might win some."
  • 00:10:49.105 --> 00:10:52.808
  • There's something about being happy and joyful about your
  • 00:10:52.808 --> 00:10:56.512
  • Faith, even your stand for truth, that attracts people to
  • 00:10:56.512 --> 00:11:00.883
  • The gospel.
  • 00:11:00.883 --> 00:11:02.218
  • I mean, just think about how daniel could have
  • 00:11:02.218 --> 00:11:04.587
  • Approached ashpenaz.
  • 00:11:04.587 --> 00:11:06.088
  • He could have said, "you want me to eat what?
  • 00:11:06.088 --> 00:11:10.159
  • Eat this filthy food and become as unholy and ungodly as
  • 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:14.263
  • You are?
  • 00:11:14.263 --> 00:11:15.631
  • I don't think so."
  • 00:11:15.631 --> 00:11:16.999
  • Had he approached him that way, i doubt in verse 9 ashpenaz
  • 00:11:16.999 --> 00:11:20.703
  • Would have looked with favor upon him, but he approached him
  • 00:11:20.703 --> 00:11:24.340
  • With respect.
  • 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:26.175
  • He approached him in a winsome way.
  • 00:11:26.175 --> 00:11:29.512
  • You know, we need to remember as christians living in this
  • 00:11:29.512 --> 00:11:32.948
  • Increasingly unrighteous world that the most natural thing in
  • 00:11:32.948 --> 00:11:37.453
  • The world is for sinners to sin.
  • 00:11:37.453 --> 00:11:41.090
  • I want y'all to remember that.
  • 00:11:41.090 --> 00:11:42.658
  • We shouldn't be surprised when sinners sin.
  • 00:11:42.658 --> 00:11:46.595
  • We shouldn't get all angry and go into convulsions over so and
  • 00:11:46.595 --> 00:11:51.267
  • So's terrible immorality, and so forth and so forth.
  • 00:11:51.267 --> 00:11:54.637
  • That's what sinners do.
  • 00:11:54.637 --> 00:11:56.005
  • They sin.
  • 00:11:56.005 --> 00:11:57.339
  • They don't have any choice but to sin.
  • 00:11:57.339 --> 00:11:59.508
  • They are prisoners, romans 8 says, of sin and death.
  • 00:11:59.508 --> 00:12:03.612
  • What they need most is not to clean up their behavior, they
  • 00:12:03.612 --> 00:12:07.416
  • Need to go to the savior, jesus christ.
  • 00:12:07.416 --> 00:12:10.286
  • They need to have a relationship with him, and that's the goal is
  • 00:12:10.286 --> 00:12:13.656
  • To win them to christ, not to get them to clean up their act,
  • 00:12:13.656 --> 00:12:17.126
  • So to speak, and the way we lead people to christ is being a
  • 00:12:17.126 --> 00:12:20.963
  • Winsome rather than an angry witness for christ.
  • 00:12:20.963 --> 00:12:25.401
  • You know, i wish i could do that all the time.
  • 00:12:25.401 --> 00:12:27.603
  • I wished i did it all the time, and i don't.
  • 00:12:27.603 --> 00:12:30.005
  • I have my moments when i'm not as winsome as i should be, but i
  • 00:12:30.005 --> 00:12:35.311
  • Had one interesting experience about eight years ago, seven or
  • 00:12:35.311 --> 00:12:40.516
  • Eight years ago, and you all remember this, when i went out
  • 00:12:40.516 --> 00:12:43.953
  • To be on bill maher's hbo show "real time," and there's
  • 00:12:43.953 --> 00:12:48.257
  • Certainly nobody who's been more hostile to the christian faith
  • 00:12:48.257 --> 00:12:51.794
  • Than bill maher, and i had a few moments of trepidation about
  • 00:12:51.794 --> 00:12:56.966
  • That, and i remember having our prayer partners praying for me
  • 00:12:56.966 --> 00:13:00.402
  • While we were doing that, and bill and i ended up having what
  • 00:13:00.402 --> 00:13:03.839
  • Was a really a tremendous interview.
  • 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:06.342
  • I still run into people today who tell me they saw that on
  • 00:13:06.342 --> 00:13:10.246
  • Youtube, non-christians who've never gone to a church, but they
  • 00:13:10.246 --> 00:13:13.015
  • Said, "i remember what you said when you said," so and so and so
  • 00:13:13.015 --> 00:13:16.218
  • And so.
  • 00:13:16.218 --> 00:13:17.553
  • Well, after we finished the show bill invited amy and me, and our
  • 00:13:17.553 --> 00:13:22.458
  • Daughter dorothy was with us, to the aftershow party, and so i
  • 00:13:22.458 --> 00:13:27.696
  • Said, "well, you know, why not?
  • 00:13:27.696 --> 00:13:29.064
  • Friday night, we'll go to the party."
  • 00:13:29.064 --> 00:13:31.066
  • So we went to the party.
  • 00:13:31.066 --> 00:13:32.434
  • We walked in, and i'm telling you there was smoke everywhere,
  • 00:13:32.434 --> 00:13:35.204
  • And it wasn't just tobacco either.
  • 00:13:35.204 --> 00:13:37.106
  • I mean, it was everybody having a good time on a friday night in
  • 00:13:37.106 --> 00:13:40.943
  • Hollywood, people drinking up a storm and so forth.
  • 00:13:40.943 --> 00:13:44.813
  • Bill and i went over in the corner, and we talked for about
  • 00:13:44.813 --> 00:13:47.650
  • 30 minutes, and i'll never forget what he said.
  • 00:13:47.650 --> 00:13:50.352
  • He said, "you know, pastor, i don't believe one thing you
  • 00:13:50.352 --> 00:13:53.756
  • Believe, but you are a great representative for your faith.
  • 00:13:53.756 --> 00:13:59.161
  • You are a happy warrior," and i thought, you know, that's the
  • 00:13:59.161 --> 00:14:03.732
  • Best compliment i could get from a non-christian.
  • 00:14:03.732 --> 00:14:06.835
  • You know, a happy warrior.
  • 00:14:06.835 --> 00:14:08.704
  • There's no reason for us to be mad and angry and frothing at
  • 00:14:08.704 --> 00:14:13.008
  • The mouth when we talk to non-christians.
  • 00:14:13.008 --> 00:14:15.411
  • We don't have to be defensive.
  • 00:14:15.411 --> 00:14:16.779
  • We have the truth on our side, and that's why the best way to
  • 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:20.716
  • Win people to christ is being a winsome witness, even when
  • 00:14:20.716 --> 00:14:24.720
  • Facing persecution.
  • 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:26.555
  • Secondly, if you're gonna bend without breaking, pick your
  • 00:14:26.555 --> 00:14:30.993
  • Battles carefully.
  • 00:14:30.993 --> 00:14:33.529
  • I think we're gonna have to learn this more and more.
  • 00:14:33.529 --> 00:14:35.397
  • We can't make every issue a federal case.
  • 00:14:35.397 --> 00:14:38.701
  • We need to pick our battles as christians carefully.
  • 00:14:38.701 --> 00:14:41.603
  • I mean, daniel did that.
  • 00:14:41.603 --> 00:14:43.372
  • I mean, think about it.
  • 00:14:43.372 --> 00:14:44.707
  • His name was daniel.
  • 00:14:44.707 --> 00:14:46.275
  • You know what daniel means in hebrew?
  • 00:14:46.275 --> 00:14:48.344
  • Yahweh is my judge.
  • 00:14:48.344 --> 00:14:51.613
  • God is my judge.
  • 00:14:51.613 --> 00:14:54.116
  • Nebuchadnezzar said, "we're not having that anymore.
  • 00:14:54.116 --> 00:14:56.719
  • We don't worship yahweh around here.
  • 00:14:56.719 --> 00:14:58.921
  • I'm changing your name to belteshazzar."
  • 00:14:58.921 --> 00:15:01.457
  • You know what that means?
  • 00:15:01.457 --> 00:15:03.292
  • Baal is great.
  • 00:15:03.292 --> 00:15:05.561
  • Baal is great.
  • 00:15:05.561 --> 00:15:07.963
  • Now, daniel could have said, "i'm not taking that name.
  • 00:15:07.963 --> 00:15:11.667
  • I don't care what you call me.
  • 00:15:11.667 --> 00:15:13.235
  • Every check i sign i'm using daniel.
  • 00:15:13.235 --> 00:15:16.605
  • I'm gonna keep my name as daniel.
  • 00:15:16.605 --> 00:15:18.407
  • I'm gonna refer to myself as daniel."
  • 00:15:18.407 --> 00:15:20.409
  • Had that happened, we wouldn't have made it past daniel chapter
  • 00:15:20.409 --> 00:15:23.379
  • 1 in your bible.
  • 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.713
  • Daniel would have had one chapter, and then daniel was
  • 00:15:24.713 --> 00:15:27.983
  • Thrown in the lion's den and eaten alive, or had his head
  • 00:15:27.983 --> 00:15:31.220
  • Chopped off, or something else, but he didn't draw the line in
  • 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:34.723
  • The sand there.
  • 00:15:34.723 --> 00:15:36.191
  • Not only that, but secondly, they gave him a
  • 00:15:36.191 --> 00:15:38.227
  • Babylonian education.
  • 00:15:38.227 --> 00:15:39.895
  • He could have said, "i'm not gonna fill my mind with that
  • 00:15:39.895 --> 00:15:42.865
  • Pagan mythology.
  • 00:15:42.865 --> 00:15:45.134
  • I wanna go to a hebrew school where i just learn from
  • 00:15:45.134 --> 00:15:48.137
  • The torah."
  • 00:15:48.137 --> 00:15:49.505
  • No, he didn't do that.
  • 00:15:49.505 --> 00:15:50.839
  • He didn't resist that.
  • 00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:52.741
  • He took that babylonian education, but when it came to
  • 00:15:52.741 --> 00:15:57.379
  • That new diet that required him to break god's law, he said,
  • 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:01.950
  • "no, i'm not gonna do that," because that was a conviction
  • 00:16:01.950 --> 00:16:05.554
  • That was rooted in the word of god, and that's why when i say
  • 00:16:05.554 --> 00:16:11.293
  • You need to pick your battles carefully, make sure that the
  • 00:16:11.293 --> 00:16:14.897
  • Battle line you're drawing is a biblical one and not just one of
  • 00:16:14.897 --> 00:16:18.567
  • Personal opinion or preference.
  • 00:16:18.567 --> 00:16:21.437
  • That's why and peter in acts chapter 5 he and the apostles
  • 00:16:21.437 --> 00:16:24.840
  • Were told, "you can no longer preach in the name of jesus."
  • 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:32.915
  • Now, they could have rationalized.
  • 00:16:32.915 --> 00:16:34.249
  • They could have said, "well, we'll just preach in the name of
  • 00:16:34.249 --> 00:16:36.585
  • Yahweh, or we'll refer to god and not refer to jesus, and that
  • 00:16:36.585 --> 00:16:40.956
  • Way we don't have to suffer at all."
  • 00:16:40.956 --> 00:16:43.192
  • No, they wouldn't bend on that.
  • 00:16:43.192 --> 00:16:44.526
  • In acts 5:29, "peter and the apostles answered," and said,
  • 00:16:44.526 --> 00:16:47.930
  • "'we must obey god rather than men.'"
  • 00:16:47.930 --> 00:16:53.068
  • When it comes to biblical truth you cannot surrender those
  • 00:16:53.068 --> 00:16:57.473
  • Convictions, but make sure the stand you're taking is
  • 00:16:57.473 --> 00:17:00.809
  • Biblically based.
  • 00:17:00.809 --> 00:17:03.011
  • Number three, demonstrate respect for authority.
  • 00:17:03.011 --> 00:17:06.348
  • Demonstrate respect for authority.
  • 00:17:06.348 --> 00:17:08.283
  • If you do disobey, do so respectfully.
  • 00:17:08.283 --> 00:17:12.087
  • Proverbs 16:7 says, "when a man's ways are pleasing to the
  • 00:17:12.087 --> 00:17:15.390
  • Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
  • 00:17:15.390 --> 00:17:19.528
  • Daniel reacted respectfully to ashpenaz and nebuchadnezzar, and
  • 00:17:19.528 --> 00:17:24.166
  • He was granted favor.
  • 00:17:24.166 --> 00:17:25.734
  • We see that, the same thing with peter.
  • 00:17:25.734 --> 00:17:27.569
  • When peter was hauled before caiaphas, the high priest, and
  • 00:17:27.569 --> 00:17:30.439
  • Told, "don't preach in the name of jesus,"
  • 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:33.642
  • How did peter react?
  • 00:17:33.642 --> 00:17:35.177
  • He could have said, "why should i listen to you?
  • 00:17:35.177 --> 00:17:37.846
  • You're the guy who sentenced jesus to die a few weeks ago.
  • 00:17:37.846 --> 00:17:41.517
  • I'm not gonna listen to you, you christ killer.
  • 00:17:41.517 --> 00:17:44.386
  • You can go take a flying leap into the sea of galilee."
  • 00:17:44.386 --> 00:17:47.055
  • He could have said that, but he didn't.
  • 00:17:47.055 --> 00:17:49.558
  • He respectfully said, "i'm sorry, but we must obey god
  • 00:17:49.558 --> 00:17:53.629
  • Rather than man."
  • 00:17:53.629 --> 00:17:55.397
  • I think we need to be prepared for increasingly having to say
  • 00:17:55.397 --> 00:17:59.268
  • No to our authority, whether it's an employer or even the
  • 00:17:59.268 --> 00:18:02.938
  • Government itself, but when we do that, we should do so
  • 00:18:02.938 --> 00:18:06.108
  • Respectfully, and finally, daniel illustrates, be prepared
  • 00:18:06.108 --> 00:18:10.746
  • To suffer for your convictions.
  • 00:18:10.746 --> 00:18:13.882
  • Be prepared to suffer for your convictions.
  • 00:18:13.882 --> 00:18:17.953
  • Yes, daniel 1 turned out great.
  • 00:18:17.953 --> 00:18:21.023
  • No suffering there.
  • 00:18:21.023 --> 00:18:22.758
  • Get to daniel chapter 6 when king darius was in charge and
  • 00:18:22.758 --> 00:18:27.329
  • Ordered daniel and others not to pray to anyone except to darius.
  • 00:18:27.329 --> 00:18:31.733
  • Daniel couldn't obey that, and he had to spend the night in the
  • 00:18:31.733 --> 00:18:34.603
  • Lion's den because of it.
  • 00:18:34.603 --> 00:18:36.972
  • I mean, the fact is god is most often not going to rescue us
  • 00:18:36.972 --> 00:18:42.411
  • From having to suffer.
  • 00:18:42.411 --> 00:18:44.413
  • It seems to be the norm for those who want to follow god's
  • 00:18:44.413 --> 00:18:47.382
  • Will, and we need to be prepared for that.
  • 00:18:47.382 --> 00:18:49.885
  • If we say no to our employer, if we say no to the government, we
  • 00:18:49.885 --> 00:18:54.022
  • Need to be prepared to suffer the consequences of that.
  • 00:18:54.022 --> 00:18:57.426
  • I think of dr. martin luther king junior, who was
  • 00:18:57.426 --> 00:19:00.329
  • Incarcerated in a birmingham jail because of the nonviolent
  • 00:19:00.329 --> 00:19:03.932
  • Protests he led in the streets, and some pastors were very
  • 00:19:03.932 --> 00:19:07.669
  • Critical of dr. king.
  • 00:19:07.669 --> 00:19:09.037
  • They said, "you shouldn't protest.
  • 00:19:09.037 --> 00:19:10.806
  • You should just try to settle the matter in the courts."
  • 00:19:10.806 --> 00:19:14.443
  • Dr. king wrote a very famous letter, the letter from the
  • 00:19:14.443 --> 00:19:17.112
  • Birmingham jail, in which he said something very relevant to
  • 00:19:17.112 --> 00:19:20.716
  • Our discussion today.
  • 00:19:20.716 --> 00:19:22.517
  • Dr. king wrote, "one may well ask: 'how can you advocate
  • 00:19:22.517 --> 00:19:26.555
  • Breaking some laws and obeying others?'
  • 00:19:26.555 --> 00:19:29.825
  • The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of
  • 00:19:29.825 --> 00:19:32.694
  • Laws: there are just laws and there are unjust laws.
  • 00:19:32.694 --> 00:19:37.899
  • I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws.
  • 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:41.670
  • One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey
  • 00:19:41.670 --> 00:19:45.674
  • Just laws.
  • 00:19:45.674 --> 00:19:47.109
  • Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey
  • 00:19:47.109 --> 00:19:51.213
  • Unjust laws.
  • 00:19:51.213 --> 00:19:53.148
  • A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law
  • 00:19:53.148 --> 00:19:59.121
  • Of god.
  • 00:19:59.121 --> 00:20:00.522
  • An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with that
  • 00:20:00.522 --> 00:20:04.393
  • Moral law."
  • 00:20:04.393 --> 00:20:06.628
  • Dr. king was willing to suffer for what he believed was an
  • 00:20:06.628 --> 00:20:11.133
  • Unjust and an ungodly law.
  • 00:20:11.133 --> 00:20:15.037
  • Remember this, most christians are not spared from suffering
  • 00:20:15.037 --> 00:20:20.108
  • Because of following god.
  • 00:20:20.108 --> 00:20:22.544
  • Look at what happened to paul.
  • 00:20:22.544 --> 00:20:25.047
  • He was beheaded because he would not obey the roman government.
  • 00:20:25.047 --> 00:20:29.685
  • We think about jesus, who was crucified because he would not
  • 00:20:29.685 --> 00:20:33.355
  • Renounce his messiahship.
  • 00:20:33.355 --> 00:20:35.957
  • Look what happened even to peter after he said, "'we must obey
  • 00:20:35.957 --> 00:20:38.894
  • God rather than men.'"
  • 00:20:38.894 --> 00:20:40.395
  • In verse 40 of acts 5, it says, "and after calling the apostles
  • 00:20:40.395 --> 00:20:44.833
  • In, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the
  • 00:20:44.833 --> 00:20:49.705
  • Name of jesus, and then released them."
  • 00:20:49.705 --> 00:20:53.308
  • They were beaten.
  • 00:20:53.308 --> 00:20:54.876
  • They were flogged because they would not disobey god, but what
  • 00:20:54.876 --> 00:20:59.381
  • Was their response to that suffering?
  • 00:20:59.381 --> 00:21:01.083
  • Verse 41 says, "they went on their way from the presence of
  • 00:21:01.083 --> 00:21:05.354
  • The council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to
  • 00:21:05.354 --> 00:21:11.026
  • Suffer shame for christ's name."
  • 00:21:11.026 --> 00:21:14.730
  • They didn't organize a pity party for themself, "oh, poor
  • 00:21:14.730 --> 00:21:17.466
  • Us, we're suffering."
  • 00:21:17.466 --> 00:21:18.934
  • They rejoiced that they had the privilege of suffering for the
  • 00:21:18.934 --> 00:21:23.004
  • Name of christ.
  • 00:21:23.004 --> 00:21:24.940
  • Now, does that mean we ought to welcome suffering?
  • 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:29.511
  • I actually had somebody write me this week who said, "you talk
  • 00:21:29.511 --> 00:21:32.514
  • About religious liberty all the time and, you know, how we ought
  • 00:21:32.514 --> 00:21:35.751
  • To be for religious liberty.
  • 00:21:35.751 --> 00:21:37.319
  • Well, the bible says, you know, we--it's a joy to suffer.
  • 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:40.989
  • It's a joy to suffer.
  • 00:21:40.989 --> 00:21:42.424
  • We ought to welcome persecution."
  • 00:21:42.424 --> 00:21:44.426
  • You know what i found?
  • 00:21:44.426 --> 00:21:45.794
  • The only people who say we ought to welcome persecution are those
  • 00:21:45.794 --> 00:21:48.430
  • Who've never experienced persecution.
  • 00:21:48.430 --> 00:21:52.801
  • When we see our christian brothers and sisters around the
  • 00:21:52.801 --> 00:21:55.637
  • World being imprisoned, being tortured, being burned alive for
  • 00:21:55.637 --> 00:22:01.476
  • Their faith in jesus christ, we shouldn't say, "oh, isn't that
  • 00:22:01.476 --> 00:22:05.213
  • Wonderful for those christians?
  • 00:22:05.213 --> 00:22:06.581
  • They have such a joy to be able to suffer for their faith."
  • 00:22:06.581 --> 00:22:09.484
  • We have a responsibility to do everything we can to stop that.
  • 00:22:09.484 --> 00:22:13.622
  • We ought to be encouraging our government to make religious
  • 00:22:13.622 --> 00:22:16.925
  • Liberty a priority in other countries.
  • 00:22:16.925 --> 00:22:20.362
  • We ought to be standing up for our brothers and sisters
  • 00:22:20.362 --> 00:22:23.298
  • In christ.
  • 00:22:23.298 --> 00:22:24.666
  • That is our responsibility, and when we see our own first
  • 00:22:24.666 --> 00:22:28.537
  • Amendment rights being encroached upon, we shouldn't
  • 00:22:28.537 --> 00:22:31.273
  • Say, "oh, well, you know, that's just the way the world is, and
  • 00:22:31.273 --> 00:22:34.009
  • We ought to be able to suffer for our faith."
  • 00:22:34.009 --> 00:22:36.077
  • No, our forefathers gave their life's blood for the first
  • 00:22:36.077 --> 00:22:40.849
  • Amendment of our constitution.
  • 00:22:40.849 --> 00:22:43.018
  • Don't let anybody mislead you.
  • 00:22:43.018 --> 00:22:44.553
  • The reason the founders of this country came from england was
  • 00:22:44.553 --> 00:22:48.857
  • Not to create a secular nation.
  • 00:22:48.857 --> 00:22:50.759
  • It was to create a christian nation, and the reason the
  • 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:54.129
  • Freedom of religion is in the first amendment, because it is
  • 00:22:54.129 --> 00:22:57.499
  • The first freedom of every american, and we have a
  • 00:22:57.499 --> 00:23:01.536
  • Responsibility to push back against any encroachment upon
  • 00:23:01.536 --> 00:23:05.874
  • That first amendment right.
  • 00:23:05.874 --> 00:23:07.943
  • We ought to do everything we can to make the word of god free and
  • 00:23:07.943 --> 00:23:12.881
  • Available to everyone, but even when paul was in chains, he
  • 00:23:12.881 --> 00:23:17.752
  • Said, "even though i'm in chains, the word of god is not
  • 00:23:17.752 --> 00:23:20.088
  • Chained," and when that time of persecution does come, in spite
  • 00:23:20.088 --> 00:23:24.993
  • Of our efforts to push back against it, the bible says we
  • 00:23:24.993 --> 00:23:28.763
  • Can rejoice knowing that we have the privilege to suffer for the
  • 00:23:28.763 --> 00:23:32.734
  • Name of christ.
  • 00:23:32.734 --> 00:23:35.604
  • Bending, but not breaking.
  • 00:23:35.604 --> 00:23:39.674
  • The key to bending and not breaking like the apostle paul
  • 00:23:39.674 --> 00:23:43.378
  • Did was to claim the same promise paul claimed in 2
  • 00:23:43.378 --> 00:23:47.315
  • Timothy 10--2:12 when he said, "if we endure," with christ
  • 00:23:47.315 --> 00:23:53.622
  • Through suffering, one day, "we will reign with christ."
  • 00:23:53.622 --> 00:23:59.394
  • That assurance is the best hope for bending without breaking.
  • 00:23:59.394 --> 00:24:04.232
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:24:04.232 --> 00:24:09.804
  • Jeffress: if you're going to stand for the truth, be prepared
  • 00:24:09.804 --> 00:24:12.541
  • To face opposition, but god has great blessings in store for
  • 00:24:12.541 --> 00:24:17.145
  • Those who endure.
  • 00:24:17.145 --> 00:24:19.281
  • Well, the hostility we're seeing toward christians today is only
  • 00:24:19.281 --> 00:24:23.218
  • A preview of what's to come.
  • 00:24:23.218 --> 00:24:25.353
  • The world is growing more hostile to our faith, and this
  • 00:24:25.353 --> 00:24:28.723
  • Is no time for timid christianity.
  • 00:24:28.723 --> 00:24:32.160
  • I'm grateful that "pathway to victory" is positioned to speak
  • 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:35.096
  • The truth on television, radio, and digital platforms worldwide,
  • 00:24:35.096 --> 00:24:39.935
  • And it's all made possible by our pathway partners and friends
  • 00:24:39.935 --> 00:24:43.939
  • Who give generously.
  • 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.907
  • Together we're helping people live with courageous faith in a
  • 00:24:45.907 --> 00:24:49.978
  • Hostile world.
  • 00:24:49.978 --> 00:24:51.546
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:51.546 --> 00:24:52.881
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:52.881 --> 00:24:55.850
  • Jeffress: christians today are living in hostile territory.
  • 00:24:57.218 --> 00:25:00.755
  • The attacks are real, the opposition is fierce, and the
  • 00:25:00.755 --> 00:25:04.225
  • Stakes couldn't be higher.
  • 00:25:04.225 --> 00:25:06.361
  • That's why i wrote "courageous," to give you the biblical tools
  • 00:25:06.361 --> 00:25:10.065
  • You need not just to survive, but to stand strong and thrive.
  • 00:25:10.065 --> 00:25:14.769
  • Announcer: in "courageous" you'll find ten biblical
  • 00:25:14.769 --> 00:25:17.238
  • Survival strategies drawn straight from scripture that
  • 00:25:17.238 --> 00:25:20.275
  • Will give you fresh fire and real hope, no matter what
  • 00:25:20.275 --> 00:25:23.445
  • You're facing.
  • 00:25:23.445 --> 00:25:24.779
  • Jeffress: survivors have two things in common, a different
  • 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:27.649
  • Response to trouble and a different perspective on life.
  • 00:25:27.649 --> 00:25:31.620
  • In "courageous" i'll give you ten biblical strategies to
  • 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:35.256
  • Develop both and come out stronger on the other side.
  • 00:25:35.256 --> 00:25:39.160
  • Announcer: request your copy of "courageous" when you give a
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  • Generous ministry gift to "pathway to victory" or when you
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  • Become a pathway partner, and when your ministry gift is $75
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  • Or more, we'll send you the courageous leadership kit,
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  • Containing the "courageous" book, the personal and group
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  • Study guide book, ten courageous encouragement cards, plus the
  • 00:25:55.644 --> 00:25:59.681
  • Complete teaching series on cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:59.681 --> 00:26:02.550
  • Jeffress: as christians we're living in a
  • 00:26:02.550 --> 00:26:04.786
  • Threatening environment.
  • 00:26:04.786 --> 00:26:06.688
  • We have an adversary, the devil, who is intent on destroying
  • 00:26:06.688 --> 00:26:11.026
  • Everything important to us.
  • 00:26:11.026 --> 00:26:12.560
  • Announcer: thank you for partnering with "pathway
  • 00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:14.362
  • To victory."
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  • Your generosity funds the proclamation of god's word
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  • Across television, radio, and online, bringing bold biblical
  • 00:26:18.466 --> 00:26:22.437
  • Hope right here at home and around the world.
  • 00:26:22.437 --> 00:26:25.573
  • Jeffress: we live in a world that's growing increasingly
  • 00:26:29.511 --> 00:26:32.180
  • Hostile to our faith, and when opposition comes, we must learn
  • 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:36.584
  • To bend without breaking, holding our convictions without
  • 00:26:36.584 --> 00:26:40.622
  • Losing our composure.
  • 00:26:40.622 --> 00:26:42.624
  • That's the resilient faith that honors god.
  • 00:26:42.624 --> 00:26:46.161
  • Well, our greatest victories can become a spiritual danger zone,
  • 00:26:46.161 --> 00:26:50.231
  • And next time i'll expose the hidden danger of celebrating
  • 00:26:50.231 --> 00:26:54.235
  • Your successes.
  • 00:26:54.235 --> 00:26:55.704
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:55.704 --> 00:26:58.206
  • Series "courageous."
  • 00:26:58.206 --> 00:27:01.042
  • Jeffress: even though i'm not into mountain climbing, i
  • 00:27:01.042 --> 00:27:03.945
  • Understand the concept of summits, attaining a goal
  • 00:27:03.945 --> 00:27:07.882
  • In life.
  • 00:27:07.882 --> 00:27:09.284
  • If we're not careful, we can allow the attainment of that
  • 00:27:09.284 --> 00:27:12.320
  • Summit, that goal in life, blind us to our relationship with god.
  • 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:18.593
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for "survival tip
  • 00:27:18.593 --> 00:27:21.629
  • #7: don't celebrate the summit," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:21.629 --> 00:27:21.629