Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #9: Help Others (Part 2)

May 28, 2026 | 27:29

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #9: Help Others (Part 2) | May 28, 2026
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  • Male announcer: ephesus, thessaloniki, the greek islands,
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  • The apostle paul didn't just write about these places,
  • 00:00:04.093 --> 00:00:07.029
  • He lived in them.
  • 00:00:07.162 --> 00:00:07.463
  • And this may, so can you, on the "pathway to victory" journeys
  • 00:00:08.664 --> 00:00:11.900
  • Of paul cruise.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: i've read the book of acts my entire life,
  • 00:00:13.268 --> 00:00:15.504
  • But there's nothing like standing in ephesus, walking
  • 00:00:15.504 --> 00:00:19.074
  • Where paul walked and feeling the weight of what
  • 00:00:19.074 --> 00:00:21.710
  • Happened there.
  • 00:00:21.710 --> 00:00:23.045
  • Announcer: nine unforgettable nights aboard "celebrity
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  • Infinity," sailing round trip from athens with stops in
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  • Mykonos, rhodes, santorini and more.
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  • And there's an optional pre-cruise extension in athens.
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  • Jeffress: every port carries the fingerprints of god's
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  • Redemptive plan.
  • 00:00:37.426 --> 00:00:38.760
  • Every ancient stone tells a story.
  • 00:00:38.760 --> 00:00:41.396
  • This is truly the trip of a lifetime, and i promise you, you
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  • Will never read the bible the same way again.
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  • Announcer: reserve your cabin today for the 2027 "pathway to
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  • Victory" journeys of paul cruise.
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  • Call ...
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  • Or visit ptv.org.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
  • 00:01:09.758 --> 00:01:12.928
  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome again to
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  • "pathway to victory."
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  • When you're in a dangerous situation, every instinct tells
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  • You to focus on yourself, but time and again we find that the
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  • People who stopped to help others are the ones who make
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  • It out.
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  • Today i want to show you why selfless living, even in the
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  • Midst of a crisis, is one of the most powerful things you can do
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  • For your own survival.
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  • My message is titled "survival tip #9, help others," on
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  • Today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ there was a holy hush all over ♪
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  • ♪ as i walked into the room ♪
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  • ♪ and i stood before him face to face. ♪
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  • ♪ i was gloriously made new. ♪
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  • ♪ there was a great and awesome presence ♪
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  • ♪ and a light as bright as day. ♪
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  • ♪ and when i bowed to kneel with the angel, ♪
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  • ♪ i heard the spirit say. ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise ♪
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  • ♪ to stand before the throne ♪
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  • ♪ in the presence of the holy one. ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise. ♪
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  • ♪ holy, holy ♪
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  • ♪ lord god almighty ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise, ♪
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  • ♪ our song shall rise to thee. ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise, ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise, ♪
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  • ♪ to stand before his glory ♪
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  • ♪ in the presence of the holy one. ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise ♪
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  • ♪ as we worship the messiah. ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise, ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise, ♪
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  • ♪ all rise. ♪
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  • ♪ all rise, all rise, ♪
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  • ♪ all rise. ♪♪
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  • [congregation applauding]
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  • 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, you can help change that by becoming
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  • Announcer: stay tuned for a very special ask dr. jeffress segment
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  • After today's message.
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  • Jeffress: when people saw barnabas, they yelled out,
  • 00:04:52.447 --> 00:04:54.583
  • "there comes that son of encouragement."
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  • That's a better nickname to have, soe, son of encouragement.
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  • That was barnabas.
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  • In fact, you look at that word encouragement, it's the greek
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  • Word "paraclete."
  • 00:05:10.265 --> 00:05:12.934
  • It means to come alongside and encourage somebody.
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  • It's the same word that is used to describe the holy spirit.
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  • The holy spirit is the paraclete, the one who comes
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  • Alongside of us to encourage us.
  • 00:05:24.112 --> 00:05:26.348
  • Well, that was barnabas, he was the one who came alongside and
  • 00:05:26.348 --> 00:05:29.751
  • Encouraged people.
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  • I want you to notice in the book of acts three ways he encouraged
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  • People, through his money, through his mentoring, and
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  • Through his own ministry.
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  • We see barnabas the philanthropist beginning in
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  • Verses 32 of acts 4.
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  • Look at this, "and the congregation of
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  • Those who believed were of one heart and one soul."
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  • I mean, we're talking about within weeks of pentecost, the
  • 00:05:49.070 --> 00:05:52.140
  • Beginning of the church.
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  • "and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him
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  • Was his own, but all things were common property to them.
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  • And with great power the apostles were giving witness to
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  • The resurrection of the lord jesus, and abundant grace was
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  • Upon them all.
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  • For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were
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  • Owners of land and houses would sell them and bring the proceeds
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  • Of the sales and laid them at the apostles' feet, and they
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  • Would be distributed to each if any had need.
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  • And joseph, a levite of cyprian birth, who was also called
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  • Barnabas by the apostles (which means son of encouragement), who
  • 00:06:28.677 --> 00:06:32.814
  • Owned a tract of land, he sold it and he brought the money and
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  • He laid it at the apostles' feet."
  • 00:06:36.485 --> 00:06:39.754
  • And again, some people read this passage, and they try to read
  • 00:06:39.754 --> 00:06:43.358
  • Something into it that isn't there.
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  • I've actually heard people use this passage to say, well, you
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  • See, god really wants us to be socialist.
  • 00:06:47.963 --> 00:06:52.133
  • He wants us to be communist because that's what the early
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  • Church was.
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  • They were socialists.
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  • They were communists.
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  • Nobody owned anything.
  • 00:06:58.673 --> 00:07:00.008
  • Everybody put it in a common fund.
  • 00:07:00.008 --> 00:07:01.343
  • They didn't have any personal ownership of property.
  • 00:07:01.343 --> 00:07:03.044
  • They sold everything, put it in a fund, and people just took as
  • 00:07:03.044 --> 00:07:05.814
  • They needed.
  • 00:07:05.814 --> 00:07:07.148
  • No, the bible does not advocate socialism.
  • 00:07:07.148 --> 00:07:10.452
  • You know, winston churchill defined socialism as the equal
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  • Sharing of miseries.
  • 00:07:14.155 --> 00:07:18.093
  • Somebody else said, very well, socialism works until you run
  • 00:07:18.093 --> 00:07:21.329
  • Out of other people's money.
  • 00:07:21.329 --> 00:07:23.865
  • I mean, the fact is you can only sell everything you have,
  • 00:07:23.865 --> 00:07:27.235
  • Liquidate it, one time, and then you're out of funds.
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  • Socialism, communism is based on government confiscating what
  • 00:07:31.373 --> 00:07:35.644
  • Belongs to us.
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  • The bible never advocates that.
  • 00:07:37.145 --> 00:07:39.481
  • These people in the early church voluntarily released a portion
  • 00:07:39.481 --> 00:07:43.885
  • Of what they owned in order to meet the needs of other people.
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  • There's a big difference.
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  • And at the head of the list of people who did that
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  • Was barnabas.
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  • Apparently, because luke notes it, he must have been a man
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  • Of means.
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  • He sold a large tract of land and he gave it to the church to
  • 00:07:59.968 --> 00:08:04.406
  • Meet the needs of other people.
  • 00:08:04.406 --> 00:08:06.541
  • The inference is other people followed barnabas's example.
  • 00:08:06.541 --> 00:08:10.979
  • And they were encouraged by barnabas's encouragement.
  • 00:08:10.979 --> 00:08:15.383
  • As the momentum picked up, people said, "we wanna be a part
  • 00:08:15.383 --> 00:08:18.219
  • Of that.
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  • We can do that too."
  • 00:08:19.554 --> 00:08:20.922
  • It all started with people who wanted to be an encouragement
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  • To others.
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  • That was barnabas.
  • 00:08:24.993 --> 00:08:26.328
  • He not only, though, encouraged people through his money by
  • 00:08:26.328 --> 00:08:28.663
  • Being a philanthropist, he encouraged people by his
  • 00:08:28.663 --> 00:08:32.834
  • Mentoring of other people, coming alongside individuals and
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  • Encouraging them.
  • 00:08:37.472 --> 00:08:38.940
  • You know, the church was only a few weeks old when
  • 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:41.376
  • Persecution began.
  • 00:08:41.376 --> 00:08:42.744
  • First, the imprisonment of peter and john, and then the stoning
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  • Of stephen, and then a guy named saul from tarsus beginning
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  • Breathing threats against the church, arresting christians,
  • 00:08:50.952 --> 00:08:55.423
  • Having them tortured, throwing them into prison.
  • 00:08:55.423 --> 00:08:59.494
  • And you remember saul of tarsus was on the way to damascus to
  • 00:08:59.494 --> 00:09:03.798
  • Arrest more christians when he encountered jesus christ.
  • 00:09:03.798 --> 00:09:08.103
  • And paul the persecutor became paul, the greatest evangelist
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  • The world has ever known.
  • 00:09:11.640 --> 00:09:13.775
  • But after that encounter, he was blind.
  • 00:09:13.775 --> 00:09:15.777
  • And for three days, during his blindness, he prayed and fasted.
  • 00:09:15.777 --> 00:09:19.914
  • And remember, god told ananias to go and minister to paul,
  • 00:09:19.914 --> 00:09:24.085
  • Which he did.
  • 00:09:24.085 --> 00:09:25.954
  • Ananias showed great courage in his willingness to do that.
  • 00:09:25.954 --> 00:09:29.758
  • He didn't know for sure what had happened to saul, but he wanted
  • 00:09:29.758 --> 00:09:33.194
  • To obey the lord.
  • 00:09:33.194 --> 00:09:34.596
  • And then came time for saul to meet the apostles in jerusalem.
  • 00:09:34.596 --> 00:09:39.834
  • Now, here was a guy who was known for killing christians.
  • 00:09:39.834 --> 00:09:43.438
  • How did they know this wasn't a ruse, that this wasn't some
  • 00:09:43.438 --> 00:09:46.675
  • Attempt to trick them?
  • 00:09:46.675 --> 00:09:48.410
  • They were naturally hesitant about embracing saul, but look
  • 00:09:48.410 --> 00:09:52.313
  • At acts 9:27 and 28, "but barnabas took hold of him and
  • 00:09:52.313 --> 00:09:58.019
  • Brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had
  • 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:01.322
  • Seen the lord on the road, and that he had talked to him, and
  • 00:10:01.322 --> 00:10:04.426
  • How at damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of jesus.
  • 00:10:04.426 --> 00:10:08.430
  • And he was with them, moving about freely in jerusalem,
  • 00:10:08.430 --> 00:10:11.866
  • Speaking out boldly in the name of the lord."
  • 00:10:11.866 --> 00:10:15.804
  • Barnabas was willing to take a chance on this new convert,
  • 00:10:15.804 --> 00:10:20.442
  • Come alongside of him and encourage him.
  • 00:10:20.442 --> 00:10:24.145
  • You know, in fact, when you look through the book of acts, when
  • 00:10:24.145 --> 00:10:26.748
  • Anybody needed encouragement, it seems like barnabas was
  • 00:10:26.748 --> 00:10:29.284
  • Always there.
  • 00:10:29.284 --> 00:10:30.752
  • Remember, barnabas and paul were gonna go on their first
  • 00:10:30.752 --> 00:10:32.954
  • Missionary journey together and they were gonna take barnabas's
  • 00:10:32.954 --> 00:10:38.626
  • Cousin with them, a guy named john mark.
  • 00:10:38.626 --> 00:10:41.663
  • We know him as the author of the gospel of mark, but he was
  • 00:10:41.663 --> 00:10:44.966
  • Barnabas's cousin, colossians tells us.
  • 00:10:44.966 --> 00:10:48.369
  • And so they went on this missionary journey and about
  • 00:10:48.369 --> 00:10:50.772
  • Halfway through, john mark got fed up with the walking and with
  • 00:10:50.772 --> 00:10:55.176
  • The sleeping out in open places and the insect bites and
  • 00:10:55.176 --> 00:10:59.180
  • Everything that went along with that.
  • 00:10:59.180 --> 00:11:00.715
  • And so in acts 13:13, the bible says he left them, he deserted
  • 00:11:00.715 --> 00:11:05.153
  • Them and returned to jerusalem.
  • 00:11:05.153 --> 00:11:08.990
  • Fast forward, it's time for the second missionary journey.
  • 00:11:08.990 --> 00:11:12.026
  • Paul and barnabas are getting ready for the journey.
  • 00:11:12.026 --> 00:11:14.229
  • Barnabas says, "now, where should i have john mark
  • 00:11:14.229 --> 00:11:16.865
  • Meet us?"
  • 00:11:16.865 --> 00:11:18.199
  • Paul said, "john mark, i'm not about to take that snotty-nosed
  • 00:11:18.199 --> 00:11:22.437
  • Kid with us again.
  • 00:11:22.437 --> 00:11:23.938
  • Look at what he did.
  • 00:11:23.938 --> 00:11:25.273
  • He deserted us!"
  • 00:11:25.273 --> 00:11:27.075
  • Barnabas said, "that's right.
  • 00:11:27.075 --> 00:11:29.244
  • But we need to show him grace, paul, just like god showed you
  • 00:11:29.244 --> 00:11:33.681
  • Grace one time."
  • 00:11:33.681 --> 00:11:35.717
  • And they had a bitter disagreement.
  • 00:11:35.717 --> 00:11:37.986
  • They ended up parting ways, and paul instead took silas up
  • 00:11:37.986 --> 00:11:42.524
  • North, and barnabas took john mark, his cousin, south.
  • 00:11:42.524 --> 00:11:47.762
  • And yet john mark, because of barnabas's encouragement, grew
  • 00:11:47.762 --> 00:11:51.232
  • In his faith, so much so that when the apostle paul was in
  • 00:11:51.232 --> 00:11:55.103
  • Prison in rome facing his execution, he sent this word
  • 00:11:55.103 --> 00:11:58.506
  • To timothy.
  • 00:11:58.506 --> 00:11:59.874
  • He said, "please pick up john mark and bring him with you, for
  • 00:11:59.874 --> 00:12:04.078
  • He is useful to me for service."
  • 00:12:04.078 --> 00:12:08.983
  • How do you see other people?
  • 00:12:08.983 --> 00:12:10.351
  • Do you define other people by their failures or by
  • 00:12:10.351 --> 00:12:13.755
  • Their potential?
  • 00:12:13.755 --> 00:12:15.557
  • Barnabas was a mentor who saw people for their potential in
  • 00:12:15.557 --> 00:12:19.828
  • God's service.
  • 00:12:19.828 --> 00:12:21.796
  • He encouraged people through his money, through his mentoring,
  • 00:12:21.796 --> 00:12:24.199
  • And finally, through his ministry.
  • 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:27.202
  • Look at acts chapter 11, verses 23 and 24.
  • 00:12:27.202 --> 00:12:30.972
  • When word came to the apostles in jerusalem that gentiles, of
  • 00:12:30.972 --> 00:12:35.109
  • All people, were being saved in antioch, they decided to send
  • 00:12:35.109 --> 00:12:39.214
  • Barnabas down to check things out.
  • 00:12:39.214 --> 00:12:41.983
  • Verse 23 says, "when he," barnabas, "had come and
  • 00:12:41.983 --> 00:12:44.919
  • Witnessed the grace of god, he rejoiced and began to encourage
  • 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:49.090
  • All with resolute heart to remain true to the lord; for he
  • 00:12:49.090 --> 00:12:53.461
  • Was a good man, and full of the holy spirit and of faith.
  • 00:12:53.461 --> 00:12:56.965
  • And considerable numbers were brought to the lord."
  • 00:12:56.965 --> 00:13:00.301
  • You know, when i read that, i was thinking, you know, barnabas
  • 00:13:00.301 --> 00:13:04.105
  • Could have said, well, i know there's that need down there in
  • 00:13:04.105 --> 00:13:06.941
  • Antioch for somebody to go and preach the word and minister,
  • 00:13:06.941 --> 00:13:09.844
  • But that's just not my thing.
  • 00:13:09.844 --> 00:13:12.213
  • You know, i'm more of a one-on-one person, or i like to
  • 00:13:12.213 --> 00:13:15.183
  • Give money, but i'm not too sure about that ministry thing.
  • 00:13:15.183 --> 00:13:18.987
  • That wasn't barnabas.
  • 00:13:18.987 --> 00:13:20.488
  • He was on the front lines of ministry.
  • 00:13:20.488 --> 00:13:22.423
  • That was barnabas.
  • 00:13:22.423 --> 00:13:23.758
  • In fact, when he went to antioch, god gave him such
  • 00:13:23.758 --> 00:13:26.928
  • Success in his ministry, the church began to grow so
  • 00:13:26.928 --> 00:13:29.530
  • Furiously that he asked for help, and he asked that new
  • 00:13:29.530 --> 00:13:32.734
  • Convert saul, now paul, to come and minister with him.
  • 00:13:32.734 --> 00:13:37.372
  • And for a while, the scripture talks about barnabas and paul.
  • 00:13:37.372 --> 00:13:41.676
  • Barnabas and paul.
  • 00:13:41.676 --> 00:13:44.078
  • But pretty soon things flipped, and it was paul and barnabas.
  • 00:13:44.078 --> 00:13:50.151
  • He decreased as paul increased, but barnabas didn't care because
  • 00:13:50.151 --> 00:13:54.822
  • His job, his ministry was to help others.
  • 00:13:54.822 --> 00:13:59.260
  • You know, as i think about this principle of helping others, it
  • 00:13:59.260 --> 00:14:03.531
  • Begs a question.
  • 00:14:03.531 --> 00:14:05.833
  • Are there people who have been a help to you in your life, that
  • 00:14:05.833 --> 00:14:09.537
  • Have helped make the way a little smoother for you in
  • 00:14:09.537 --> 00:14:12.173
  • Your life?
  • 00:14:12.173 --> 00:14:13.508
  • You know, we all need a barnabas, don't we?
  • 00:14:13.508 --> 00:14:15.476
  • If we're gonna survive this hostile world.
  • 00:14:15.476 --> 00:14:18.112
  • Somebody who will come alongside of us and encourage us.
  • 00:14:18.112 --> 00:14:22.250
  • Somebody who's willing to take a chance on us.
  • 00:14:22.250 --> 00:14:25.820
  • I encourage you to thank those people who have done that for
  • 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:29.724
  • You in your business, in your christian faith, as a friend,
  • 00:14:29.724 --> 00:14:35.096
  • Who've been willing to take a chance on you when nobody
  • 00:14:35.096 --> 00:14:37.465
  • Else would.
  • 00:14:37.465 --> 00:14:39.567
  • You know, when i think about that truth, i'm grateful to so
  • 00:14:39.567 --> 00:14:43.871
  • Many people, but i'm certainly grateful to dr. criswell, who
  • 00:14:43.871 --> 00:14:48.376
  • Was for 50 years the pastor of this great church.
  • 00:14:48.376 --> 00:14:53.147
  • When i was 22 years old, he invited me to come on the staff
  • 00:14:53.147 --> 00:14:57.652
  • And to be an intern here.
  • 00:14:57.652 --> 00:15:00.288
  • And i was an intern for exactly four weeks.
  • 00:15:00.288 --> 00:15:04.759
  • And after four weeks, the youth minister here left.
  • 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:08.763
  • And so dr. criswell called me and said, "you're the youth
  • 00:15:08.763 --> 00:15:11.599
  • Minister now."
  • 00:15:11.599 --> 00:15:13.501
  • And so i was planning to do that.
  • 00:15:13.501 --> 00:15:16.871
  • A few days later, he called me back and he said, "well, robert,
  • 00:15:16.871 --> 00:15:20.575
  • We've got some trouble.
  • 00:15:20.575 --> 00:15:22.877
  • Some of those youth leaders aren't sure they want you to be
  • 00:15:22.877 --> 00:15:26.447
  • The youth minister, so this is what we're going to do."
  • 00:15:26.447 --> 00:15:30.952
  • I was just 22 years old.
  • 00:15:30.952 --> 00:15:32.353
  • He said, "this is what we're gonna do.
  • 00:15:32.353 --> 00:15:34.355
  • You meet me wednesday night up on the second floor of the
  • 00:15:34.355 --> 00:15:37.825
  • Christian education building, and we're gonna have a meeting
  • 00:15:37.825 --> 00:15:40.461
  • With them."
  • 00:15:40.461 --> 00:15:41.996
  • So i met dr. criswell out in the alcove of that assembly room.
  • 00:15:41.996 --> 00:15:46.267
  • All the youth leaders were inside and i was standing out
  • 00:15:46.267 --> 00:15:49.270
  • There, and so he said, "you wait right here and i'm gonna go in
  • 00:15:49.270 --> 00:15:52.774
  • And talk to them."
  • 00:15:52.774 --> 00:15:54.542
  • So he goes in and talks to them.
  • 00:15:54.542 --> 00:15:56.344
  • I have my ear up against the door listening to every word
  • 00:15:56.344 --> 00:16:00.581
  • They were saying.
  • 00:16:00.581 --> 00:16:01.983
  • And they were saying--said, "we love robert, he's a
  • 00:16:01.983 --> 00:16:05.186
  • Wonderful person.
  • 00:16:05.186 --> 00:16:06.554
  • But, dr. criswell, he is so young, he's 22.
  • 00:16:06.554 --> 00:16:10.758
  • He doesn't have any experience," which was absolutely true.
  • 00:16:10.758 --> 00:16:14.595
  • And so they were giving their complaints, dr. criswell
  • 00:16:14.595 --> 00:16:16.798
  • Listening to them.
  • 00:16:16.798 --> 00:16:18.132
  • When dr. criswell goes into this diatribe, he starts describing
  • 00:16:18.132 --> 00:16:23.104
  • Me like i'm the apostle paul.
  • 00:16:23.104 --> 00:16:24.972
  • I didn't even know who he was talking about.
  • 00:16:24.972 --> 00:16:27.909
  • And so he goes through that.
  • 00:16:27.909 --> 00:16:29.410
  • They said, "yes, but he's so young and he is inexperienced."
  • 00:16:29.410 --> 00:16:34.382
  • Dr. criswell said, "that's fine.
  • 00:16:34.382 --> 00:16:37.151
  • If you don't want robert, i'm not gonna force him down your
  • 00:16:37.151 --> 00:16:40.455
  • Throat at all.
  • 00:16:40.455 --> 00:16:41.889
  • That is fine.
  • 00:16:41.889 --> 00:16:43.257
  • That is perfect.
  • 00:16:43.257 --> 00:16:44.592
  • That is wonderful.
  • 00:16:44.592 --> 00:16:45.960
  • If you don't want robert, because if you don't take him,
  • 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:49.097
  • I'm gonna hire him as my number one associate to run this
  • 00:16:49.097 --> 00:16:52.900
  • Entire church."
  • 00:16:52.900 --> 00:16:56.104
  • And all of a sudden the people start speaking up and they said,
  • 00:16:56.104 --> 00:16:58.773
  • "wait a minute, wait a minute!
  • 00:16:58.773 --> 00:17:01.142
  • If you think that much of him, yes, we want him, we want him!"
  • 00:17:01.142 --> 00:17:05.980
  • He said, "all right, it's settled."
  • 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:08.449
  • He walks out the room, i'm standing outside paralyzed.
  • 00:17:08.449 --> 00:17:12.053
  • I couldn't believe it.
  • 00:17:12.053 --> 00:17:13.621
  • He puts his hand on my shoulder, he said, "son, it's all yours,
  • 00:17:13.621 --> 00:17:18.793
  • Just don't let me down."
  • 00:17:18.793 --> 00:17:22.363
  • I am so grateful to somebody like that, who took a chance on
  • 00:17:24.365 --> 00:17:30.138
  • Me for no reason whatsoever.
  • 00:17:30.138 --> 00:17:34.642
  • I bet you've got somebody like that in your life.
  • 00:17:34.642 --> 00:17:38.079
  • Thank god for the mentors he has placed in your life.
  • 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:42.116
  • But also recognize your responsibility to be somebody
  • 00:17:42.116 --> 00:17:46.254
  • Else's mentor, to be somebody else's encourager.
  • 00:17:46.254 --> 00:17:51.025
  • Who around you needs help, needs encouragement?
  • 00:17:51.025 --> 00:17:55.863
  • You know, i get calls all the time from pastors who are
  • 00:17:55.863 --> 00:18:01.068
  • Struggling in their church and having a problem or have
  • 00:18:01.068 --> 00:18:04.872
  • A question or wanna talk about things.
  • 00:18:04.872 --> 00:18:07.108
  • And sometimes i'll be in the heat of trying to get through
  • 00:18:07.108 --> 00:18:10.011
  • The day and meet this appointment and that
  • 00:18:10.011 --> 00:18:11.679
  • Appointment, and carolyn will say, "there's a pastor on the
  • 00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:14.549
  • Phone who needs to talk to you," and for a nanosecond, i'm
  • 00:18:14.549 --> 00:18:19.921
  • Tempted to think, oh, i'm so busy, i just can't do that.
  • 00:18:19.921 --> 00:18:23.291
  • That--it only lasts a second, till god brings back to my mind
  • 00:18:23.291 --> 00:18:28.462
  • All the people who helped me when i needed help, people who
  • 00:18:28.462 --> 00:18:32.967
  • Spent time with me.
  • 00:18:32.967 --> 00:18:34.902
  • W. a. criswell, howie hendricks, paige patterson, others who have
  • 00:18:34.902 --> 00:18:39.574
  • Come alongside during crucial times in my life.
  • 00:18:39.574 --> 00:18:43.244
  • Make sure you're an encourager to somebody else.
  • 00:18:43.244 --> 00:18:46.147
  • How do you do that?
  • 00:18:46.147 --> 00:18:47.615
  • Final thoughts here, three things.
  • 00:18:47.615 --> 00:18:49.884
  • First of all, value other people.
  • 00:18:49.884 --> 00:18:52.420
  • Truly value other people.
  • 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:54.388
  • See them as god sees them.
  • 00:18:54.388 --> 00:18:56.090
  • You know, there's a running joke among pastors, oh, ministry
  • 00:18:56.090 --> 00:18:59.493
  • Would be great if it just weren't for the people.
  • 00:18:59.493 --> 00:19:02.730
  • Well, that's what ministry is about.
  • 00:19:02.730 --> 00:19:07.435
  • It's about people, and everybody is important to god.
  • 00:19:07.435 --> 00:19:13.007
  • You know, i love the words of c.s. lewis when he said, "there
  • 00:19:13.007 --> 00:19:17.411
  • Are no ordinary people.
  • 00:19:17.411 --> 00:19:20.514
  • You have never talked to a mere mortal.
  • 00:19:20.514 --> 00:19:24.652
  • Nations, cultures, civilizations--these are mortal,
  • 00:19:24.652 --> 00:19:28.155
  • Their life is to ours like the life of a gnat.
  • 00:19:28.155 --> 00:19:31.092
  • But it is the immortals whom every day we joke with, work
  • 00:19:31.092 --> 00:19:36.297
  • With, marry, snub, exploit."
  • 00:19:36.297 --> 00:19:40.835
  • Think about that.
  • 00:19:40.835 --> 00:19:42.203
  • Everybody you encounter every day is an immortal soul who will
  • 00:19:42.203 --> 00:19:45.940
  • Last forever.
  • 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:49.243
  • That makes you look at other people differently, value
  • 00:19:49.243 --> 00:19:51.846
  • Other people.
  • 00:19:51.846 --> 00:19:53.180
  • Secondly, champion the underdog, champion the underdog.
  • 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:58.686
  • You may remember the kid on the playground at elementary school
  • 00:19:58.686 --> 00:20:01.956
  • Who was always the last to be picked for a team.
  • 00:20:01.956 --> 00:20:05.426
  • Maybe you were that kid.
  • 00:20:05.426 --> 00:20:07.862
  • Maybe you know what the pain is of loneliness or rejection.
  • 00:20:07.862 --> 00:20:13.301
  • Champion the underdog because god does.
  • 00:20:13.301 --> 00:20:16.337
  • I mean, when you think about it, god so many times would choose
  • 00:20:16.337 --> 00:20:19.573
  • The younger person, like abel or joseph or david, instead of the
  • 00:20:19.573 --> 00:20:24.045
  • Older son to bless.
  • 00:20:24.045 --> 00:20:26.080
  • God took that little, nothing, small nation of israel, chose
  • 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:30.918
  • That nation to be his chosen nation, rather than a great
  • 00:20:30.918 --> 00:20:34.188
  • Empire like assyria, babylon, or egypt.
  • 00:20:34.188 --> 00:20:37.992
  • I agree with philip yancey, who said, "as i read the birth
  • 00:20:37.992 --> 00:20:41.162
  • Stories about jesus, i cannot help but conclude that though
  • 00:20:41.162 --> 00:20:45.399
  • The world may be tilted toward the rich and the powerful, god
  • 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:50.237
  • Is tilted toward the underdog."
  • 00:20:50.237 --> 00:20:53.808
  • And finally, offer second chances to people.
  • 00:20:53.808 --> 00:20:58.245
  • People are gonna fail you, they're gonna disappoint you,
  • 00:20:58.245 --> 00:21:01.182
  • But people deserve your grace.
  • 00:21:01.182 --> 00:21:04.685
  • Because you and i are the recipients of god's grace, offer
  • 00:21:04.685 --> 00:21:09.323
  • Second chances to people when they fail.
  • 00:21:09.323 --> 00:21:13.027
  • The late christian psychiatrist karl menninger was asked one
  • 00:21:13.027 --> 00:21:16.464
  • Time a fascinating question.
  • 00:21:16.464 --> 00:21:18.799
  • "dr. menninger, if you were on the verge of a nervous
  • 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:24.138
  • Breakdown, what would you do?"
  • 00:21:24.138 --> 00:21:28.843
  • Without a pause, he said, "i would go out and find somebody
  • 00:21:28.843 --> 00:21:31.879
  • In need and help them."
  • 00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:36.150
  • That's good advice.
  • 00:21:36.150 --> 00:21:38.386
  • Whenever we're going through a difficult time, we need to
  • 00:21:38.386 --> 00:21:41.789
  • Remember to help others, just like jesus.
  • 00:21:41.789 --> 00:21:46.327
  • Just like barnabas.
  • 00:21:46.327 --> 00:21:49.063
  • Just like oskar schindler, who discovered that by saving
  • 00:21:49.063 --> 00:21:52.967
  • Others, he was saving himself.
  • 00:21:52.967 --> 00:21:57.471
  • Jeffress: selflessness doesn't come naturally, we're wired to
  • 00:22:01.709 --> 00:22:05.513
  • Look out for number one.
  • 00:22:05.513 --> 00:22:07.615
  • But the characters we've studied today show us what it looks like
  • 00:22:07.615 --> 00:22:11.018
  • To put others first.
  • 00:22:11.018 --> 00:22:13.354
  • Now, before we go today, i want to say a word of thanks to our
  • 00:22:13.354 --> 00:22:16.524
  • Pathway partners and everyone who supports this ministry.
  • 00:22:16.524 --> 00:22:20.461
  • Across our nation people are hungry for the truth, they're
  • 00:22:20.461 --> 00:22:24.198
  • Searching for something real, and god is opening doors to
  • 00:22:24.198 --> 00:22:27.568
  • Reach them like never before.
  • 00:22:27.568 --> 00:22:29.937
  • Your generosity is putting god's word in front of people who need
  • 00:22:29.937 --> 00:22:33.607
  • To hear it, and i'm grateful for every one of you who partners
  • 00:22:33.607 --> 00:22:37.178
  • With us.
  • 00:22:37.178 --> 00:22:38.546
  • Now please stay right there, i'll be back with more "pathway
  • 00:22:38.546 --> 00:22:41.282
  • To victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:22:41.282 --> 00:22:44.218
  • Jeffress: christians today are living in hostile territory.
  • 00:22:44.218 --> 00:22:47.755
  • The attacks are real,
  • 00:22:47.755 --> 00:22:49.156
  • The opposition is fierce, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
  • 00:22:49.156 --> 00:22:53.394
  • That's why i wrote "courageous," to give you the biblical tools
  • 00:22:53.394 --> 00:22:57.064
  • You need not just to survive, but to stand strong and thrive.
  • 00:22:57.064 --> 00:23:01.735
  • Announcer: in "courageous," you'll find ten biblical
  • 00:23:01.735 --> 00:23:04.271
  • Survival strategies drawn straight from scripture that
  • 00:23:04.271 --> 00:23:07.274
  • Will give you fresh fire and real hope, no matter what
  • 00:23:07.274 --> 00:23:10.444
  • You're facing.
  • 00:23:10.444 --> 00:23:11.779
  • Jeffress: survivors have two things in common, a different
  • 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:14.648
  • Response to trouble and a different perspective on life.
  • 00:23:14.648 --> 00:23:18.652
  • In "courageous," i'll give you ten biblical strategies to
  • 00:23:18.652 --> 00:23:22.256
  • Develop both and come out stronger on the other side.
  • 00:23:22.256 --> 00:23:26.160
  • Announcer: request your copy of "courageous" when you give
  • 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:28.529
  • A generous ministry gift to "pathway to victory" or when you
  • 00:23:28.529 --> 00:23:31.999
  • Become a pathway partner.
  • 00:23:31.999 --> 00:23:33.634
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more, we'll send you the
  • 00:23:33.634 --> 00:23:37.972
  • Courageous leadership kit containing the "courageous"
  • 00:23:37.972 --> 00:23:40.841
  • Book, the personal and group study guide book, ten courageous
  • 00:23:40.841 --> 00:23:44.578
  • Encouragement cards, plus the complete teaching series on cd
  • 00:23:44.578 --> 00:23:48.516
  • And dvd.
  • 00:23:48.516 --> 00:23:49.850
  • Jeffress: as christians, we're living in a
  • 00:23:49.850 --> 00:23:51.785
  • Threatening environment.
  • 00:23:51.785 --> 00:23:53.687
  • We have an adversary, the devil, who is intent on destroying
  • 00:23:53.687 --> 00:23:58.025
  • Everything important to us.
  • 00:23:58.025 --> 00:23:59.527
  • Announcer: thank you for partnering with "pathway
  • 00:23:59.527 --> 00:24:01.362
  • To victory."
  • 00:24:01.362 --> 00:24:02.730
  • Your generosity funds the proclamation of god's word
  • 00:24:02.730 --> 00:24:05.466
  • Across television, radio, and online, bringing bold biblical
  • 00:24:05.466 --> 00:24:09.403
  • Hope right here at home and around the world.
  • 00:24:09.403 --> 00:24:14.909
  • Jeffress: gary, that's a great question.
  • 00:24:14.909 --> 00:24:16.844
  • Fortunately, the bible doesn't stutter in answering
  • 00:24:16.844 --> 00:24:19.446
  • That question.
  • 00:24:19.446 --> 00:24:20.814
  • In 1 corinthians 12:13, paul was writing to a group of carnal
  • 00:24:20.814 --> 00:24:25.286
  • Christians, backslidden, who were involved in immorality.
  • 00:24:25.286 --> 00:24:29.390
  • They were terrible excuses and examples of christians.
  • 00:24:29.390 --> 00:24:32.593
  • And yet paul said in 1 corinthians 12:13, "for by one
  • 00:24:32.593 --> 00:24:36.964
  • Spirit we were all baptized into one body."
  • 00:24:36.964 --> 00:24:41.402
  • The baptism with the holy spirit is not just reserved for
  • 00:24:41.402 --> 00:24:45.272
  • A special group of superior christians.
  • 00:24:45.272 --> 00:24:48.676
  • The baptism with the holy spirit is a part of the basic package
  • 00:24:48.676 --> 00:24:52.913
  • That each one of us receives when we trust in christ
  • 00:24:52.913 --> 00:24:56.083
  • As savior.
  • 00:24:56.083 --> 00:24:57.451
  • The baptism with the holy spirit is that act of god by which god
  • 00:24:57.451 --> 00:25:02.323
  • Connects us to the head of the body of christ, jesus christ,
  • 00:25:02.323 --> 00:25:06.794
  • And to other members of the body, the church.
  • 00:25:06.794 --> 00:25:10.130
  • We receive that the moment we trust in god.
  • 00:25:10.130 --> 00:25:13.400
  • There's no command ever to be baptized with the spirit.
  • 00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:17.504
  • That's something god does, it's not something we do.
  • 00:25:17.504 --> 00:25:20.874
  • But what the bible does command in relationship to the
  • 00:25:20.874 --> 00:25:23.911
  • Holy spirit is to be filled with the holy spirit, ephesians 5:18.
  • 00:25:23.911 --> 00:25:29.350
  • What is the filling of the holy spirit?
  • 00:25:29.350 --> 00:25:31.085
  • It means to be controlled by the holy spirit of god.
  • 00:25:31.085 --> 00:25:35.089
  • It's a greek word "pleroo," that was used to describe the wind
  • 00:25:35.089 --> 00:25:39.727
  • Filling up the mast of a ship and driving that ship in
  • 00:25:39.727 --> 00:25:43.764
  • A particular direction.
  • 00:25:43.764 --> 00:25:45.332
  • To be filled with the spirit means to be controlled by the
  • 00:25:45.332 --> 00:25:48.902
  • Spirit of god, and that's a continual process.
  • 00:25:48.902 --> 00:25:52.606
  • Think of it this way.
  • 00:25:52.606 --> 00:25:54.108
  • The moment you're saved, you receive all the holy--of the
  • 00:25:54.108 --> 00:25:57.845
  • Holy spirit of god.
  • 00:25:57.845 --> 00:25:59.413
  • There's no more to receive.
  • 00:25:59.413 --> 00:26:01.215
  • You are baptized with the holy spirit.
  • 00:26:01.215 --> 00:26:03.917
  • So the question is no longer do we have all of the holy spirit,
  • 00:26:03.917 --> 00:26:07.988
  • The question is does the holy spirit have all of us?
  • 00:26:07.988 --> 00:26:12.626
  • And that's what being filled with the spirit talks about.
  • 00:26:12.626 --> 00:26:15.729
  • So if you're a christian today, you've been baptized with the
  • 00:26:15.729 --> 00:26:18.932
  • Holy spirit of god, and there is no greater gift.
  • 00:26:18.932 --> 00:26:23.971
  • Jeffress: helping others isn't just a noble impulse, it's
  • 00:26:24.038 --> 00:26:27.508
  • Essential to surviving in our hostile world.
  • 00:26:27.508 --> 00:26:30.844
  • And next time i'll close out this series with "survival tip
  • 00:26:30.844 --> 00:26:33.881
  • #10, do the next right thing."
  • 00:26:33.881 --> 00:26:37.718
  • You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can
  • 00:26:37.718 --> 00:26:40.888
  • Always take that next faithful step, and i'll show you why that
  • 00:26:40.888 --> 00:26:45.292
  • Commitment could make all the difference in your life.
  • 00:26:45.292 --> 00:26:48.762
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up in this final
  • 00:26:48.762 --> 00:26:51.799
  • Message of our series "courageous."
  • 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:55.202
  • Jeffress: you know, you may not be in a literal prison.
  • 00:26:55.202 --> 00:26:58.539
  • But perhaps some of you this morning listening to this
  • 00:26:58.539 --> 00:27:00.908
  • Message, you're in a prison of regret over something you've
  • 00:27:00.908 --> 00:27:05.012
  • Done from the past, or the regret of a missed opportunity.
  • 00:27:05.012 --> 00:27:09.550
  • What can you do in that kind of situation?
  • 00:27:09.550 --> 00:27:12.553
  • You may not be able to change your situation, but you can
  • 00:27:12.553 --> 00:27:15.322
  • Always do the next right thing.
  • 00:27:15.322 --> 00:27:18.892
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for "survival tip
  • 00:27:18.892 --> 00:27:22.062
  • #10, do the next right thing," here on "pathway
  • 00:27:22.062 --> 00:27:25.899
  • To victory."
  • 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:25.899