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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #9: Help Others (Part 1)

May 27, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #9: Help Others (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Courage #Help #Serving #Peopleinyourlife #Love #LoveyourNeighbor #Jesus #Encouragement #Giving #Culture #Evil #Humble #Surrender #Self-Denial #GoodSamaritan #Need #Selfishness #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #9: Help Others (Part 1) | May 27, 2026
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
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  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:16.573 --> 00:00:17.073
  • When danger strikes, the first instinct most people have
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  • Is self-preservation.
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  • It's only natural to focus on your own safety when everything
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  • Around you feels threatening.
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  • But the most courageous people aren't the ones who look out for
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  • Themselves, they're the ones who stop to help others.
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  • Today, we'll discover that selflessness is a crucial part
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  • For our own survival.
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  • My message is titled "survival tip #9: help others" on today's
  • 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:47.937
  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:47.937 --> 00:00:52.041
  • Announcer: each day, millions of lost people are searching for
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  • Hope and truth.
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  • Through "pathway to victory," god's word is reaching into
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  • Homes across america and around the world.
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  • But there are still so many who haven't heard the saving message
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  • Of jesus christ.
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  • 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.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: you may remember steven spielberg's academy award
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  • Winning movie "schindler's list."
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  • It's the true story of a businessman, oscar schindler,
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  • Who used his fortune to save thousands of jews from the nazi
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  • Gas chambers.
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  • And in the climactic scene of the movie at the end, schindler,
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  • Played by liam neeson, is fleeing to russia.
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  • And he's talking to his friend, isaac stern, and they are
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  • Surrounded by more than a thousand of the jews that
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  • Schindler saved.
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  • And isaac stern gives oscar schindler a gold ring, and he
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  • Says to him, "whoever saves one life, saves the world entire."
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  • I thought of that phrase this week when i came across one of
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  • The multitude of stories that came out of the disaster in our
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  • Country on 9/11.
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  • You've heard a lot of those stories.
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  • Perhaps you haven't heard this true account.
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  • It's a story of brian clark and stanley primnath.
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  • Both men worked in the south tower of the world trade center.
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  • Brian was the vice president at euro brokers on the 84th floor,
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  • And stanley was an executive of the fuji bank on the 81st floor.
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  • Brian was also a volunteer fire marshal, so he sprang into
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  • Action when he saw the explosion in the neighboring north tower.
  • 00:03:04.173 --> 00:03:09.345
  • He grabbed his reflector vest, flashlight, and whistle and
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  • Began to gather those on the floor for evacuation.
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  • Everyone's attention was focused on what was happening in the
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  • North tower until a sudden explosion in the south tower
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  • Caused the building to sway.
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  • Brian didn't know exactly what was happening, but he knew one
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  • Thing for sure, they needed to get out of the
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  • Building immediately.
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  • With eight others, brian descended stairway c.
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  • When they made it down to the 81st floor,
  • 00:03:37.373 --> 00:03:39.942
  • They encountered debris and a woman making her way up
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  • The stairwell of the south tower.
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  • She said that the stairway was obstructed and that flames were
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  • Below the 81st floor.
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  • "the only way of escape," she insisted, "was the roof."
  • 00:03:52.655 --> 00:03:55.958
  • She was confident that helicopters would rescue
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  • Them there.
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  • As she continued up the stairs, the group brian was leading down
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  • Began debating what to do.
  • 00:04:04.133 --> 00:04:06.803
  • Just then, brian heard someone crying for help.
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  • It was stanley.
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  • Earlier, stanley had evacuated his office when the plane struck
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  • The north tower.
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  • But when a security guard told him that the south tower was
  • 00:04:18.614 --> 00:04:21.417
  • Safe, he returned back to his office on the 81st floor.
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  • A friend from chicago, who was watching the unfolding events on
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  • Television, called stanley, begging him to leave.
  • 00:04:29.125 --> 00:04:32.995
  • While he was on the phone, stanley looked out his office
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  • Window and saw united flight 175 coming directly at him.
  • 00:04:36.632 --> 00:04:42.939
  • Realizing that the plane was going to hit the building,
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  • Stanley said a quick prayer and dove under his desk just seconds
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  • Before the plane struck.
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  • The left wing sliced through his office and became lodged in the
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  • Doorway 20 feet from his desk.
  • 00:04:55.885 --> 00:04:58.921
  • The 82nd floor above him collapsed, but stanley's desk
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  • Miraculously held up, and he was able to dig out from under it.
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  • However, he couldn't find a way of escape from the burning
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  • Floor, so he prayed, "lord, send somebody, send anybody to
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  • Help me."
  • 00:05:15.571 --> 00:05:16.906
  • And then he began crying out for help.
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  • That's when brian heard stanley's plea, "i'm buried.
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  • I can't breathe.
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  • Is there anyone out there?"
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  • Brian left his group and followed the sound of stanley's
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  • Voice, but a wall separated the two men.
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  • Brian yelled for stanley to bang on the wall so he could locate
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  • Stanley's exact whereabouts.
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  • Once he figured out where stanley was, brian noticed a gap
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  • At the top of the wall.
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  • If stanley could climb it, brian could pull him over.
  • 00:05:45.234 --> 00:05:49.338
  • After a few unsuccessful attempts and after injuring his
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  • Hand on a nail, stanley made it to the gap.
  • 00:05:52.809 --> 00:05:56.345
  • Brian reached up and pulled stanley over the wall.
  • 00:05:56.345 --> 00:06:00.283
  • Falling backward into brian's laps, stanley said, "hallelujah,
  • 00:06:00.283 --> 00:06:04.754
  • I have been saved."
  • 00:06:04.754 --> 00:06:06.923
  • When brian got back to the stairwell, the group he had been
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  • Leading was gone.
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  • He would later learn that they had climbed to the roof.
  • 00:06:12.562 --> 00:06:16.399
  • Brian and stanley, however, decided to climb down.
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  • And though they had to scramble over debris until they passed
  • 00:06:19.969 --> 00:06:22.839
  • The 77th floor, they never encountered the fire the woman
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  • Told them about.
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  • Once on the ground, they ran from the building.
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  • When they reached trinity church, stanley and brian
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  • Stopped and looked toward the south tower.
  • 00:06:34.584 --> 00:06:37.386
  • Stanley said, "i think that building's gonna come down."
  • 00:06:37.386 --> 00:06:40.756
  • "i don't think so," brian said.
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  • "that's a steel structure and--" before he could complete the
  • 00:06:42.625 --> 00:06:46.629
  • Thought, they heard the boom, boom, boom of the upper floors
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  • Beginning to pancake down.
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  • Brian and stanley ran into an office on broadway just as the
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  • Dust cloud enveloped the building.
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  • They exchanged business cards and talked about their families.
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  • Eventually, brian found his way back home to new jersey, and
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  • Stanley went to a hospital for his injured hand.
  • 00:07:06.949 --> 00:07:09.986
  • Later that evening, stanley called brian to make sure he had
  • 00:07:09.986 --> 00:07:12.788
  • Made it home safely.
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  • Two strangers, thrown together by the events of that terrible
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  • Day, became lifelong friends or blood brothers, as they
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  • Call themselves.
  • 00:07:24.200 --> 00:07:27.036
  • You know, as i read that account.
  • 00:07:27.036 --> 00:07:29.438
  • I thought, in a real sense, brian and stanley saved each
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  • Other that day.
  • 00:07:35.411 --> 00:07:36.879
  • I mean, obviously, brian saved stanley by pulling him over the
  • 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:40.683
  • Wall to safety.
  • 00:07:40.683 --> 00:07:42.919
  • But stanley saved brian as well if stanley had not cried out for
  • 00:07:42.919 --> 00:07:47.223
  • Help, and if brian hadn't stopped to help him, he very
  • 00:07:47.223 --> 00:07:51.160
  • Well could have ended up on the top of that south tower with his
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  • Group, waiting for a helicopter that would never come.
  • 00:07:54.664 --> 00:08:00.369
  • In a very real sense, we are in a life-threatening situation
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  • As christians.
  • 00:08:04.974 --> 00:08:06.742
  • We face a culture that is hostile to the things of god.
  • 00:08:06.742 --> 00:08:10.379
  • We face an adversary, the devil, who is out to destroy us.
  • 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:14.317
  • We face the pull of our own inward sin nature, and it's very
  • 00:08:14.317 --> 00:08:19.288
  • Easy when you're facing a threatening situation to think
  • 00:08:19.288 --> 00:08:22.592
  • About your own survival, self-preservation.
  • 00:08:22.592 --> 00:08:26.495
  • But today, we're going to look at survival tip #9, and that is
  • 00:08:26.495 --> 00:08:31.300
  • To help others.
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  • When you find yourself in a difficult situation, don't just
  • 00:08:33.135 --> 00:08:36.672
  • Think about helping yourself.
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  • Think about helping others, because when you help others,
  • 00:08:38.541 --> 00:08:42.144
  • You help yourself as well.
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  • You know, jesus was certainly the model, the supreme example
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  • Of selflessness.
  • 00:08:49.518 --> 00:08:52.688
  • In matthew 20:28, jesus summarized his life purpose
  • 00:08:52.688 --> 00:08:56.993
  • This way.
  • 00:08:56.993 --> 00:08:58.327
  • He said, "just as the son of man did not come to be served, but
  • 00:08:58.327 --> 00:09:02.064
  • To serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
  • 00:09:02.064 --> 00:09:06.669
  • Jesus, before bethlehem, existed in heaven as the son of god sat
  • 00:09:06.669 --> 00:09:12.308
  • At the right hand of god the father.
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  • Colossians 1 says, "in eternity past, he created this universe."
  • 00:09:14.744 --> 00:09:18.848
  • Colossians 1 says, "everything was created by jesus and
  • 00:09:18.848 --> 00:09:22.885
  • For jesus.
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  • He's the creator."
  • 00:09:24.453 --> 00:09:26.122
  • And not only that, right now, he's seated at the right hand of
  • 00:09:26.122 --> 00:09:29.392
  • God the father, and one day, revelation 5 tells us, we are
  • 00:09:29.392 --> 00:09:32.528
  • All going to kneel before jesus and sing, "worthy is the lamb."
  • 00:09:32.528 --> 00:09:37.066
  • We're gonna worship him for all eternity.
  • 00:09:37.066 --> 00:09:40.036
  • But even though he existed as creator in the past, he will be
  • 00:09:40.036 --> 00:09:43.873
  • The son of god and king of kings, who we'll worship forever
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  • In the future.
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  • For that brief slice of time that he was here on earth, 33
  • 00:09:47.843 --> 00:09:52.381
  • Years, he said, "this is what i wanna be remembered for.
  • 00:09:52.381 --> 00:09:56.052
  • I came not to be served, but to serve other people."
  • 00:09:56.052 --> 00:10:01.290
  • Remember what jesus said in matthew 23, verses 11-12, "but
  • 00:10:01.290 --> 00:10:05.194
  • The greatest among you shall be your servant.
  • 00:10:05.194 --> 00:10:08.397
  • And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles
  • 00:10:08.397 --> 00:10:12.735
  • Himself shall be exalted."
  • 00:10:12.735 --> 00:10:15.905
  • Well, pastor, when you talk about helping others as a
  • 00:10:15.905 --> 00:10:18.741
  • Survival tip, exactly what are you talking about?
  • 00:10:18.741 --> 00:10:21.577
  • What does it mean to help other people?
  • 00:10:21.577 --> 00:10:24.447
  • One of the best illustrations of that principle is a story jesus
  • 00:10:24.447 --> 00:10:29.185
  • Told in luke chapter 10.
  • 00:10:29.185 --> 00:10:31.954
  • Remember the setup for this story, there is a lawyer,
  • 00:10:31.954 --> 00:10:35.424
  • Naturally, who decided to test jesus, put jesus to the test.
  • 00:10:35.424 --> 00:10:41.731
  • Not gonna call out any names here, but there's a lawyer who
  • 00:10:41.731 --> 00:10:44.600
  • Put jesus to the test and said, "lord, what should i do to have
  • 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:50.372
  • Eternal life?
  • 00:10:50.372 --> 00:10:51.707
  • What do i do to have eternal life?"
  • 00:10:51.707 --> 00:10:53.409
  • That's how he thought.
  • 00:10:53.409 --> 00:10:54.744
  • It's something i do to have eternal life.
  • 00:10:54.744 --> 00:10:56.812
  • And jesus said, "well, what does the law say?"
  • 00:10:56.812 --> 00:10:59.682
  • And the lawyer said, "well, the law says you shall love god with
  • 00:10:59.682 --> 00:11:02.752
  • All your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and you shall love
  • 00:11:02.752 --> 00:11:05.421
  • Your neighbor as yourself."
  • 00:11:05.421 --> 00:11:07.990
  • And jesus said, "you got it right.
  • 00:11:07.990 --> 00:11:09.892
  • Do that and you will live."
  • 00:11:09.892 --> 00:11:13.662
  • The lawyer began to think about that for a moment, "hm, i may
  • 00:11:13.662 --> 00:11:18.968
  • Have put myself in a corner here."
  • 00:11:18.968 --> 00:11:21.570
  • Love your neighbor as yourself.
  • 00:11:21.570 --> 00:11:24.173
  • And the bible says, "seeking to justify himself," to make
  • 00:11:24.173 --> 00:11:28.010
  • Himself look better, he said, "jesus, exactly who is
  • 00:11:28.010 --> 00:11:32.047
  • My neighbor?"
  • 00:11:32.047 --> 00:11:34.116
  • You see, the lawyer, along with the religious leaders of the
  • 00:11:34.116 --> 00:11:37.186
  • Day, when they thought about neighbor, they redefined the
  • 00:11:37.186 --> 00:11:40.990
  • Word to mean somebody who's just like i am and somebody who is
  • 00:11:40.990 --> 00:11:44.894
  • Easy to like.
  • 00:11:44.894 --> 00:11:46.762
  • And they wanted to narrow that description of neighbor to such
  • 00:11:46.762 --> 00:11:50.633
  • A small group of people that it would be easy to love people.
  • 00:11:50.633 --> 00:11:54.703
  • We love people who are like us.
  • 00:11:54.703 --> 00:11:57.473
  • We love people who do things for us instead of us having to do
  • 00:11:57.473 --> 00:12:01.577
  • Things for them.
  • 00:12:01.577 --> 00:12:03.012
  • So, the lawyer said, "oh, exactly what do you mean by
  • 00:12:03.012 --> 00:12:06.816
  • Neighbor, jesus?"
  • 00:12:06.816 --> 00:12:08.584
  • And so, jesus told that famous story.
  • 00:12:08.584 --> 00:12:11.687
  • The story, we call it the story of the good samaritan.
  • 00:12:11.687 --> 00:12:15.090
  • Remember the story?
  • 00:12:15.090 --> 00:12:17.059
  • A jewish man was walking from jerusalem to jericho, and along
  • 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:20.996
  • The way he was mugged by a group of bandits, beaten and left
  • 00:12:20.996 --> 00:12:25.000
  • For dead.
  • 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.368
  • You remember the priest walked by this bleeding man in the
  • 00:12:26.368 --> 00:12:29.438
  • Street, did nothing.
  • 00:12:29.438 --> 00:12:31.140
  • A levite, one of the leaders of the priest, walked by and
  • 00:12:31.140 --> 00:12:34.844
  • Did nothing.
  • 00:12:34.844 --> 00:12:36.212
  • But it was a samaritan, the half-jew, the people the jews
  • 00:12:36.212 --> 00:12:41.016
  • Despised and who were despised by the samaritans.
  • 00:12:41.016 --> 00:12:44.320
  • It was the samaritan that stopped and rendered aid and
  • 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:49.358
  • Took him to a place of healing.
  • 00:12:49.358 --> 00:12:53.662
  • The point was obvious.
  • 00:12:53.662 --> 00:12:56.098
  • Who is my neighbor?
  • 00:12:56.098 --> 00:12:58.500
  • It is somebody who is in need.
  • 00:12:58.500 --> 00:13:01.337
  • Anybody i encounter who is in need is my neighbor.
  • 00:13:01.337 --> 00:13:06.809
  • Anybody who has a need that i have the capability of meeting,
  • 00:13:06.809 --> 00:13:11.914
  • That is my neighbor.
  • 00:13:11.914 --> 00:13:13.816
  • And i meet that need not because it's convenient.
  • 00:13:13.816 --> 00:13:16.852
  • Even if it's inconvenient, i'm willing to meet that need.
  • 00:13:16.852 --> 00:13:20.656
  • That's what it means to help others.
  • 00:13:20.656 --> 00:13:23.259
  • Help people not just like you, but who are different from you,
  • 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:26.095
  • Not just help people when it's convenient, but when
  • 00:13:26.095 --> 00:13:28.397
  • It's inconvenient.
  • 00:13:28.397 --> 00:13:30.366
  • And now, in this highly politicized world in which we
  • 00:13:30.366 --> 00:13:34.370
  • Live, it's easy for some people to view everything through the
  • 00:13:34.370 --> 00:13:38.007
  • Prism of politics and national policies, and they read this
  • 00:13:38.007 --> 00:13:42.611
  • Passage and think, well, he's talking about immigration, or
  • 00:13:42.611 --> 00:13:46.015
  • He's talking about this, or he's talking about this.
  • 00:13:46.015 --> 00:13:49.752
  • Whether jesus is or isn't, you can decide that, but let me be
  • 00:13:49.752 --> 00:13:52.988
  • Very clear about something.
  • 00:13:52.988 --> 00:13:54.323
  • When he told this story, he wasn't telling it about national
  • 00:13:54.323 --> 00:13:57.526
  • Policy and what other people ought to be doing.
  • 00:13:57.526 --> 00:13:59.929
  • This is a very personal story about what we ought to be doing
  • 00:13:59.929 --> 00:14:02.865
  • As individuals.
  • 00:14:02.865 --> 00:14:05.034
  • He's not talking about who is the united states's neighbor?
  • 00:14:05.034 --> 00:14:07.937
  • He's talking about who is your neighbor, who is my neighbor?
  • 00:14:07.937 --> 00:14:11.807
  • And the bible says, "our neighbor is anybody we come in
  • 00:14:11.807 --> 00:14:16.278
  • Contact with who has a need that we're capable of meeting."
  • 00:14:16.278 --> 00:14:22.117
  • Let me get painfully specific here.
  • 00:14:22.117 --> 00:14:25.421
  • Husbands to help others may mean for you to put your wife's need
  • 00:14:25.421 --> 00:14:32.461
  • For a conversation above your need to come home and unwind
  • 00:14:32.461 --> 00:14:36.065
  • After work.
  • 00:14:36.065 --> 00:14:38.167
  • Wives, for you to help others may mean to put your husband's
  • 00:14:38.167 --> 00:14:42.571
  • Need to be admired and respected above your need to correct him
  • 00:14:42.571 --> 00:14:47.943
  • All the time.
  • 00:14:47.943 --> 00:14:50.245
  • Parents, for you to help other people may mean to put the needs
  • 00:14:50.245 --> 00:14:54.650
  • Of your children, perhaps the need for a good education
  • 00:14:54.650 --> 00:14:58.954
  • Above your need to quit working early and have an
  • 00:14:58.954 --> 00:15:02.091
  • Early retirement.
  • 00:15:02.091 --> 00:15:03.892
  • And that's what it means to help others to meet the needs of
  • 00:15:03.892 --> 00:15:07.596
  • Those around us that we are capable of meeting.
  • 00:15:07.596 --> 00:15:11.333
  • But that doesn't come naturally.
  • 00:15:11.333 --> 00:15:13.936
  • I mean, we have a dna we inherited from our forefather
  • 00:15:13.936 --> 00:15:18.173
  • Adam that makes us think only of me, my, and mine.
  • 00:15:18.173 --> 00:15:22.177
  • That is what we are programmed to think about: me, my,
  • 00:15:22.177 --> 00:15:25.948
  • And mine.
  • 00:15:25.948 --> 00:15:27.316
  • But the bible says we need to think of others as well.
  • 00:15:27.316 --> 00:15:29.685
  • And perhaps the greatest illustration of how to do that
  • 00:15:29.685 --> 00:15:32.955
  • Is found in the passage we read a few moments ago from
  • 00:15:32.955 --> 00:15:35.491
  • Philippians chapter 2.
  • 00:15:35.491 --> 00:15:37.292
  • Turn over in your bibles to philippians chapter 2.
  • 00:15:37.292 --> 00:15:40.763
  • Remember, we said the supreme example of somebody who
  • 00:15:40.763 --> 00:15:43.832
  • Gave up his convenience and rights to help others is
  • 00:15:43.832 --> 00:15:47.369
  • Jesus christ.
  • 00:15:47.369 --> 00:15:48.704
  • Philippians 2 says, "although he existed in the form of god
  • 00:15:48.704 --> 00:15:52.274
  • Himself, he did not regard his equality with god a thing to be
  • 00:15:52.274 --> 00:15:56.211
  • Grasped or held onto, but he emptied himself."
  • 00:15:56.211 --> 00:16:00.482
  • Not of his attributes.
  • 00:16:00.482 --> 00:16:01.984
  • He emptied himself as his--of his rights as the son of god, to
  • 00:16:01.984 --> 00:16:06.188
  • Come and meet our need for salvation.
  • 00:16:06.188 --> 00:16:09.124
  • And when you read philippians 2, i want you to notice these three
  • 00:16:09.124 --> 00:16:12.494
  • Tips for helping other people.
  • 00:16:12.494 --> 00:16:14.530
  • First of all, remove selfishness and conceit from your life.
  • 00:16:14.530 --> 00:16:19.001
  • If you're gonna help others, you have to remove selfishness and
  • 00:16:19.001 --> 00:16:22.371
  • Conceit from your life.
  • 00:16:22.371 --> 00:16:23.705
  • Look at verse 3, "do nothing from selfishness or
  • 00:16:23.705 --> 00:16:27.176
  • Empty conceit."
  • 00:16:27.176 --> 00:16:30.145
  • Billy graham said one time, "the smallest package i have ever,
  • 00:16:30.145 --> 00:16:34.883
  • Ever seen is a man wrapped up in himself."
  • 00:16:34.883 --> 00:16:41.423
  • He's talking about people who are conceited, who are selfish.
  • 00:16:41.423 --> 00:16:46.361
  • The bible says, "if we're gonna help other people, we've got
  • 00:16:46.361 --> 00:16:49.698
  • Empty ourselves of that."
  • 00:16:49.698 --> 00:16:51.733
  • And you know, all selfishness is really based on conceit, the
  • 00:16:51.733 --> 00:16:55.537
  • Idea i'm more important than you are, therefore my needs are more
  • 00:16:55.537 --> 00:16:59.741
  • Important than your needs.
  • 00:16:59.741 --> 00:17:01.543
  • You know, you see this scene played out, the wife is busy
  • 00:17:01.543 --> 00:17:05.514
  • Fixing dinner, her husband's, you know, in his favorite chair,
  • 00:17:05.514 --> 00:17:09.585
  • Watching tv, and she says, "honey, would you mind going up
  • 00:17:09.585 --> 00:17:12.254
  • To the grocery store?
  • 00:17:12.254 --> 00:17:13.622
  • We need some milk."
  • 00:17:13.622 --> 00:17:15.090
  • Oh, no, i can't do that.
  • 00:17:15.090 --> 00:17:17.960
  • I've been working all day.
  • 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:20.529
  • I need to relax."
  • 00:17:20.529 --> 00:17:22.131
  • And the wife's thought is, you know, "what do you think i've
  • 00:17:22.131 --> 00:17:23.999
  • Been doing all day?
  • 00:17:23.999 --> 00:17:25.367
  • You know, eating bonbons?"
  • 00:17:25.367 --> 00:17:26.702
  • But the whole thing is based on conceit.
  • 00:17:26.702 --> 00:17:29.972
  • Somehow i'm more important than you are.
  • 00:17:29.972 --> 00:17:33.375
  • It's the basis of all selfishness.
  • 00:17:33.375 --> 00:17:35.878
  • You know, i was talking to my friend mike huckabee not long
  • 00:17:35.878 --> 00:17:38.714
  • Ago, and we were talking about the church he attends.
  • 00:17:38.714 --> 00:17:41.783
  • He does his program, tapes his program on friday night, then
  • 00:17:41.783 --> 00:17:44.853
  • Goes back home, and he tries to be in church every sunday that
  • 00:17:44.853 --> 00:17:47.389
  • He can.
  • 00:17:47.389 --> 00:17:48.724
  • And i asked him what he did in his church.
  • 00:17:48.724 --> 00:17:50.092
  • Now, i just assumed, being the gifted communicator that he was,
  • 00:17:50.092 --> 00:17:53.028
  • That he probably served on the preaching team of his church or
  • 00:17:53.028 --> 00:17:56.131
  • In some leadership position.
  • 00:17:56.131 --> 00:17:58.867
  • When i asked him what he did, he said, "oh, i drive the
  • 00:17:58.867 --> 00:18:01.036
  • Golf cart."
  • 00:18:01.036 --> 00:18:03.839
  • I said, "the golf cart?"
  • 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:06.074
  • He said, "yeah," he said, "i drive the golf cart around the
  • 00:18:06.074 --> 00:18:08.710
  • Parking lot of the church to pick up senior adults who need
  • 00:18:08.710 --> 00:18:11.980
  • Help making it to the main building."
  • 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:15.217
  • He said, "i get the biggest kick out of doing that."
  • 00:18:15.217 --> 00:18:17.619
  • I thought, isn't that interesting?
  • 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:19.755
  • Here is a former presidential candidate, the governor of
  • 00:18:19.755 --> 00:18:22.724
  • Arkansas, a popular talk show host, but he's not too conceited
  • 00:18:22.724 --> 00:18:28.864
  • To be involved in a service ministry like that of picking
  • 00:18:28.864 --> 00:18:31.733
  • People up in the golf cart.
  • 00:18:31.733 --> 00:18:33.936
  • If we're gonna help others, it means we remove selfishness and
  • 00:18:33.936 --> 00:18:37.272
  • Conceit from our life.
  • 00:18:37.272 --> 00:18:38.941
  • Secondly, regard others as more important than yourself.
  • 00:18:38.941 --> 00:18:43.345
  • Look at verse 3 again, "but with humility of mind let each of you
  • 00:18:43.345 --> 00:18:47.616
  • Regard one another as more important than himself."
  • 00:18:47.616 --> 00:18:53.088
  • Not long ago i read a story about an american airlines
  • 00:18:53.088 --> 00:18:56.692
  • Flight that was gonna fly from atlanta to chicago.
  • 00:18:56.692 --> 00:19:00.162
  • The plane was absolutely filled, and as people waited in the
  • 00:19:00.162 --> 00:19:04.166
  • Waiting area by the ticket counter to board the flight,
  • 00:19:04.166 --> 00:19:08.237
  • Everyone noticed there were nine servicemen who were getting on
  • 00:19:08.237 --> 00:19:11.740
  • Board the flight.
  • 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:13.342
  • They were returning for leave after a year of active service.
  • 00:19:13.342 --> 00:19:19.248
  • And one of the passengers in that waiting area who had a
  • 00:19:19.248 --> 00:19:21.917
  • First-class ticket went up to one of the servicemen and said,
  • 00:19:21.917 --> 00:19:26.054
  • "i wanna thank you for your service to our country, and i'd
  • 00:19:26.054 --> 00:19:28.957
  • Like you to sit in my seat in first class, and i'll sit in the
  • 00:19:28.957 --> 00:19:32.461
  • Coach seat."
  • 00:19:32.461 --> 00:19:34.229
  • Another passenger saw that man do that, and he went up and did
  • 00:19:34.229 --> 00:19:37.199
  • The same with his first class ticket.
  • 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:39.835
  • There were nine first class passengers that day who gave
  • 00:19:39.835 --> 00:19:43.272
  • Their ticket to our servicemen and servicewomen so that they
  • 00:19:43.272 --> 00:19:46.975
  • Could have a place of comfort.
  • 00:19:46.975 --> 00:19:49.311
  • A flight attendant later said about that event, she said, "you
  • 00:19:49.311 --> 00:19:52.614
  • Know, there were two groups of unselfish people in that waiting
  • 00:19:52.614 --> 00:19:56.585
  • Area: those who would put their lives on the line to protect our
  • 00:19:56.585 --> 00:20:00.555
  • Nation, and those who were not ashamed to say thank you."
  • 00:20:00.555 --> 00:20:06.495
  • That's what it means to regard others as more important than
  • 00:20:06.495 --> 00:20:10.165
  • Yourself, to treat them with more honor than you
  • 00:20:10.165 --> 00:20:13.435
  • Treat yourself.
  • 00:20:13.435 --> 00:20:14.803
  • And finally, to look out for others, relate to others by
  • 00:20:14.803 --> 00:20:18.407
  • Looking out for their interests.
  • 00:20:18.407 --> 00:20:21.643
  • Don't merely look out for your own personal interest, but also
  • 00:20:21.643 --> 00:20:25.380
  • For the interest of others.
  • 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.715
  • He's not saying don't ever look out for your own interest, but
  • 00:20:26.715 --> 00:20:29.818
  • Just make sure while you're taking care of yourself, you're
  • 00:20:29.818 --> 00:20:32.821
  • Taking care of others as well.
  • 00:20:32.821 --> 00:20:35.290
  • You know, the fact is somebody else's need to hear you say "i'm
  • 00:20:35.290 --> 00:20:40.929
  • Sorry" may be more important than your need to
  • 00:20:40.929 --> 00:20:44.933
  • Defend yourself.
  • 00:20:44.933 --> 00:20:47.502
  • Somebody else's need to interrupt your schedule and have
  • 00:20:47.502 --> 00:20:50.639
  • A conversation with you may be more important than your need to
  • 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:53.875
  • Finish your to-do list for that day.
  • 00:20:53.875 --> 00:20:56.712
  • You know, you look at jesus's life when he was here on earth,
  • 00:20:56.712 --> 00:20:59.781
  • Some of his greatest teaching, some of his greatest miracles
  • 00:20:59.781 --> 00:21:02.951
  • Were the result of an interruption.
  • 00:21:02.951 --> 00:21:05.654
  • Jesus was headed one place to do one thing.
  • 00:21:05.654 --> 00:21:07.856
  • "he was on the way," as the scripture says, when a woman
  • 00:21:07.856 --> 00:21:11.560
  • Stopped him, a man stopped him, and he gave his most
  • 00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:14.529
  • Important teaching.
  • 00:21:14.529 --> 00:21:15.864
  • Don't look out just for your own interest, but for the interest
  • 00:21:15.864 --> 00:21:19.000
  • Of others.
  • 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.502
  • You know, when i think of somebody who models that
  • 00:21:20.502 --> 00:21:22.604
  • Principle of helping others, perhaps outside of jesus christ,
  • 00:21:22.604 --> 00:21:26.942
  • There's no better example in the bible anywhere than a character
  • 00:21:26.942 --> 00:21:30.779
  • Named barnabas.
  • 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:32.881
  • We don't talk about barnabas much.
  • 00:21:32.881 --> 00:21:35.584
  • His actual name was joseph, but his name was actually a nickname
  • 00:21:35.584 --> 00:21:41.056
  • Given to him by the apostles.
  • 00:21:41.056 --> 00:21:43.492
  • It meant son of encouragement, barnabas.
  • 00:21:43.492 --> 00:21:47.062
  • When people saw barnabas, they yelled out, "there comes that
  • 00:21:47.062 --> 00:21:49.998
  • Son of encouragement."
  • 00:21:49.998 --> 00:21:53.568
  • That's a better nickname to have.
  • 00:21:53.568 --> 00:21:56.805
  • Soe, son of encouragement.
  • 00:21:56.805 --> 00:21:59.541
  • That was barnabas.
  • 00:21:59.541 --> 00:22:01.009
  • In fact, you look at that word "encouragement," it's the greek
  • 00:22:01.009 --> 00:22:04.980
  • Word paraclete.
  • 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:07.649
  • It means to come alongside and encourage somebody.
  • 00:22:07.649 --> 00:22:11.553
  • It's the same word that is used to describe the holy spirit.
  • 00:22:11.553 --> 00:22:15.223
  • The holy spirit is the paraclete, the one who comes
  • 00:22:15.223 --> 00:22:19.127
  • Alongside of us to encourage us.
  • 00:22:19.127 --> 00:22:21.062
  • Well, that was barnabas.
  • 00:22:21.062 --> 00:22:22.531
  • He was the one who came alongside and encouraged people.
  • 00:22:22.531 --> 00:22:25.534
  • I want you to notice in the book of acts, 3 ways he encouraged
  • 00:22:25.534 --> 00:22:28.370
  • People: through his money, through his mentoring, and
  • 00:22:28.370 --> 00:22:32.374
  • Through his own ministry.
  • 00:22:32.374 --> 00:22:34.776
  • We see barnabas, the philanthropist beginning in
  • 00:22:34.776 --> 00:22:37.179
  • Verses 32 of acts 4.
  • 00:22:37.179 --> 00:22:39.014
  • Look at this, "and the congregation of those
  • 00:22:39.014 --> 00:22:41.283
  • Who believed were of one heart and one soul."
  • 00:22:41.283 --> 00:22:43.785
  • I mean, we're talking about within weeks of pentecost, the
  • 00:22:43.785 --> 00:22:46.855
  • Beginning of the church.
  • 00:22:46.855 --> 00:22:48.223
  • "and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him
  • 00:22:48.223 --> 00:22:51.493
  • Was his own, but all things were common property to them.
  • 00:22:51.493 --> 00:22:55.697
  • And with great power the apostles were giving witness to
  • 00:22:55.697 --> 00:22:59.134
  • The resurrection of the lord jesus, and abundant grace was
  • 00:22:59.134 --> 00:23:02.804
  • Upon them all.
  • 00:23:02.804 --> 00:23:04.506
  • For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were
  • 00:23:04.506 --> 00:23:08.310
  • Owners of land and houses would sell them and bring the proceeds
  • 00:23:08.310 --> 00:23:12.714
  • Of the sales and laid them at the apostles' feet, and they
  • 00:23:12.714 --> 00:23:16.551
  • Would be distributed to each if any had need.
  • 00:23:16.551 --> 00:23:19.721
  • And joseph, a levite of cyprian birth, who was also called
  • 00:23:19.721 --> 00:23:23.425
  • Barnabas by the apostles (which means son of encouragement), who
  • 00:23:23.425 --> 00:23:27.529
  • Owned a tract of land, he sold it and he brought the money and
  • 00:23:27.529 --> 00:23:31.199
  • He laid it at the apostles' feet."
  • 00:23:31.199 --> 00:23:33.902
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:23:33.902 --> 00:23:39.007
  • Jeffress: true heroes who live courageously are focused on
  • 00:23:39.007 --> 00:23:41.977
  • Helping others, not just themselves.
  • 00:23:41.977 --> 00:23:44.946
  • And that's exactly what our pathway partners do every day.
  • 00:23:44.946 --> 00:23:48.917
  • Recently, carmen from ohio wrote, "i listen to pathway to
  • 00:23:48.917 --> 00:23:52.954
  • Victory every morning when i'm getting ready for work.
  • 00:23:52.954 --> 00:23:55.924
  • There are mornings when the sermons bring me to tears
  • 00:23:55.924 --> 00:23:58.827
  • Because it's exactly what i needed to face a problem i was
  • 00:23:58.827 --> 00:24:03.098
  • Dealing with.
  • 00:24:03.098 --> 00:24:04.466
  • I run and grab a pen and paper to write down the important
  • 00:24:04.466 --> 00:24:07.335
  • Points and keep them with me during the day."
  • 00:24:07.335 --> 00:24:10.939
  • Friends, thank you so much for giving generously the "pathway
  • 00:24:10.939 --> 00:24:13.975
  • To victory" and helping us reach people just like carmen.
  • 00:24:13.975 --> 00:24:18.446
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:18.446 --> 00:24:19.881
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:19.881 --> 00:24:24.019
  • Jeffress: christians today are living in hostile territory.
  • 00:24:24.085 --> 00:24:27.622
  • The attacks are real, the opposition is fierce, and the
  • 00:24:27.622 --> 00:24:31.092
  • Stakes couldn't be higher.
  • 00:24:31.092 --> 00:24:33.261
  • That's why i wrote "courageous,"
  • 00:24:33.261 --> 00:24:35.363
  • To give you the biblical tools you need not just to survive,
  • 00:24:35.363 --> 00:24:39.000
  • But to stand strong and thrive.
  • 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:41.603
  • Announcer: in "courageous," you'll find ten biblical
  • 00:24:41.603 --> 00:24:44.139
  • Survival strategies drawn straight from scripture that
  • 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:47.142
  • Will give you fresh fire and real hope, no matter what
  • 00:24:47.142 --> 00:24:50.278
  • You're facing.
  • 00:24:50.278 --> 00:24:51.646
  • Jeffress: survivors have two things in common: a different
  • 00:24:51.646 --> 00:24:54.516
  • Response to trouble and a different perspective on life.
  • 00:24:54.516 --> 00:24:58.520
  • In "courageous," i'll give you ten biblical strategies to
  • 00:24:58.520 --> 00:25:02.090
  • Develop both and come out stronger on the other side.
  • 00:25:02.090 --> 00:25:06.027
  • Announcer: request your copy of "courageous" when you give a
  • 00:25:06.027 --> 00:25:08.396
  • Generous ministry gift to "pathway to victory" or when you
  • 00:25:08.396 --> 00:25:11.866
  • Become a pathway partner.
  • 00:25:11.866 --> 00:25:13.501
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more, we'll send you the
  • 00:25:13.501 --> 00:25:17.839
  • "courageous" leadership kit containing the "courageous"
  • 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:20.709
  • Book, the personal and group study guidebook, ten
  • 00:25:20.709 --> 00:25:23.912
  • "courageous" encouragement cards, plus the complete
  • 00:25:23.912 --> 00:25:26.815
  • Teaching series on cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:26.815 --> 00:25:29.451
  • Jeffress: as christians, we're living in a
  • 00:25:29.451 --> 00:25:31.653
  • Threatening environment.
  • 00:25:31.653 --> 00:25:33.555
  • We have an adversary, the devil, who is intent on destroying
  • 00:25:33.555 --> 00:25:37.892
  • Everything important to us.
  • 00:25:37.892 --> 00:25:39.394
  • Announcer: thank you for partnering with "pathway
  • 00:25:39.394 --> 00:25:41.229
  • To victory."
  • 00:25:41.229 --> 00:25:42.597
  • Your generosity funds the proclamation of god's word
  • 00:25:42.597 --> 00:25:45.333
  • Across television, radio, and online, bringing bold biblical
  • 00:25:45.333 --> 00:25:49.270
  • Hope right here at home and around the world.
  • 00:25:49.270 --> 00:25:52.607
  • Jeffress: barnabas earned a remarkable nickname, son
  • 00:25:55.610 --> 00:25:58.980
  • Of encouragement.
  • 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:00.415
  • And today, we've seen three powerful ways he lived up to
  • 00:26:00.415 --> 00:26:03.518
  • That name, as a philanthropist, a mentor, and a minister to
  • 00:26:03.518 --> 00:26:08.623
  • Those around him.
  • 00:26:08.623 --> 00:26:10.258
  • Next time, i'll complete his story and share three practical
  • 00:26:10.258 --> 00:26:13.762
  • Thoughts on what it really means to help others in your
  • 00:26:13.762 --> 00:26:16.631
  • Everyday life.
  • 00:26:16.631 --> 00:26:18.066
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:18.066 --> 00:26:20.702
  • Series, "courageous."
  • 00:26:20.702 --> 00:26:22.070
  • Jeffress: i love the words of c.s. lewis
  • 00:26:23.371 --> 00:26:25.874
  • When he said, "there are no ordinary people.
  • 00:26:25.874 --> 00:26:29.944
  • You have never talked to a mere mortal."
  • 00:26:29.944 --> 00:26:33.748
  • Think about that.
  • 00:26:33.748 --> 00:26:35.116
  • Everybody you encounter every day is an immortal soul who will
  • 00:26:35.116 --> 00:26:38.820
  • Last forever.
  • 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:40.989
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part 2 of
  • 00:26:41.056 --> 00:26:44.059
  • "survival tip #9: help others" here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:48.496
  • Announcer: what if your next vacation changed the way you
  • 00:26:51.499 --> 00:26:53.735
  • Read your bible forever?
  • 00:26:53.735 --> 00:26:55.737
  • Jeffress: join me for nine nights sailing the mediterranean
  • 00:26:55.737 --> 00:26:58.673
  • With every detail taken care of.
  • 00:26:58.673 --> 00:27:01.342
  • When you stand where paul stood, your bible comes alive in ways
  • 00:27:01.342 --> 00:27:05.747
  • It never has before.
  • 00:27:05.747 --> 00:27:07.482
  • Announcer: sail with us on the "pathway to victory" journeys of
  • 00:27:07.482 --> 00:27:10.285
  • Paul cruise, may 2027, and ask about our optional
  • 00:27:10.285 --> 00:27:14.122
  • Athens pre-extension.
  • 00:27:14.122 --> 00:27:15.690
  • Call ... or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:15.690 --> 00:27:15.690