Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Testimony of a King (Part 2)

November 6, 2025 | 29:0

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 - Testimony of a King (Part 2) | November 6, 2025

♪ music ♪
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From the pulpit of the first baptist church
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Of dallas, texas,
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This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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Hi, i am robert jeffress,
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And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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It's perfectly natural to take pride in your work
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Or to be proud of your child's accomplishments,
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But if we're not careful, our modest self-esteem
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Can escalate into something much more dangerous.
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Today we will turn to daniel chapter 4
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For our powerful lesson on the dangers of pride.
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It features a bizarre story
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In which a man devolves into an animal.
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My message is titled, "testimony of a king"
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On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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♪ music ♪
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In a culture that celebrates compromise
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And rejects absolute truth,
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How can you stand firm in your christian faith?
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The prophet daniel faced this same challenge millennia ago
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And his unwavering courage offers a powerful example
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For believers today.
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In the book, "daniel, courageous living in a pagan world,"
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Dr. robert jeffress shares how you can remain steadfast
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And immovable in a culture ruled by darkness.
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Request your copy today when you give a generous gift
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To support the ministry of "pathway to victory."
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♪ music ♪
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Sometimes we are called to tell a truth
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That is unpopular to tell.
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It may be in a group, it may be in a classroom,
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It may be in a one-on-one conversation with a friend.
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God has told us what needs to be said,
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A truth that needs to be shared from his word
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And it's not going to result in popularity,
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It may end the relationship, it may cause great harm to us,
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But if we are god's representative,
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We understand it's not about our popularity,
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It's about our faithfulness
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To do what god's commanded us to do.
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That was daniel.
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He understood that he had to tell the truth
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To nebuchadnezzar, and by the way, he told the truth
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Because he loved nebuchadnezzar.
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He was concerned about his spiritual wellbeing.
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Some people are so fearful about sharing their faith
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With a family member or a friend.
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What if they reject me, what if they get angry with me?
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The most hateful thing we can do
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When we're talking to a friend or family member
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Is to put our own popularity with them
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Above their own self-interest.
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If you truly love that family member, that friend,
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You will tell them the truth, no matter how unpopular it is.
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Verse 25, he says that,
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"you may be driven away from mankind
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And your dwelling place, be with the beast of the field,
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And you will be given grass to eat like cattle
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And drenched with dew in heaven, and seven periods of time,"
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That is seven years, "will pass over you
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Until you recognize that the most high
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Is ruler over the realm of mankind
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And bestows it on whomever he wishes."
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Daniel said, "nebuchadnezzar,
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You are going to be reduced to an animal
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And it's going to last until you are willing to repent
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And recognize god as the only sovereign."
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Verse 26, "and in that, it was commanded
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To leave the stump with the roots of the tree,
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Your kingdom will be assured to you
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After you recognize that it is heaven that rules."
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That band of iron around the stump,
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That was god's way of saying to nebuchadnezzar,
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"yes, judgment is coming but there is hope for the future.
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Your life is going to be saved
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So that the kingdom can be restored to you if you repent."
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And then in verse 27, daniel concludes with this word
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Of unsolicited advice to nebuchadnezzar.
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I mean, after all,
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After hearing such a devastating prophecy,
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Nebuchadnezzar was probably distraught
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And look at what daniel said.
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He said, "therefore, oh king,
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May my advice be pleasing to you.
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Break away now from your sins by doing righteousness
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And from your iniquities, by showing mercy to the poor
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In case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity."
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He said, "nebuchadnezzar, if you will repent,
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You can spare yourself of this terrible judgment
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That is coming to you."
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There are some of you here tonight,
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Some of you listening to this message
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Who have no idea how very close you are
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To experiencing the judgment of god in your life.
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God has warned you and warned you and warned you.
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His bow is bent, the arrows are about to be released,
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The arrows of judgment into your life,
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But god has given you one last chance to repent.
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That was true of nebuchadnezzar.
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Daniel said, "if you will only repent,
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You can be spared this judgment."
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And god said through ezekiel the prophet,
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"'as i live,' sayeth the lord,
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'i take no pleasure in the death of the wicked,
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But i desire that the wicked turn from his evil way,
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Turn, turn for your wickedness, for why will you perish?'"
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Now look at verse 28.
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It's very clear that nebuchadnezzar hardened his heart
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And didn't repent, look at verse 28.
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"all this happened to nebuchadnezzar, the king."
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One sentence, everything that god prophesied came to pass.
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"all of this happened to nebuchadnezzar."
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Look at verse 29, "12 months later,"
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Will you underline that, "12 months later,"?
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It didn't happen immediately.
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God said this was going to happen,
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But it didn't happen immediately.
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If you don't remember another thing i say tonight,
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Remember this, although god's judgment is not always swift,
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It is always certain.
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Although god's judgment is not always swift,
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It's always certain.
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You see, we confuse god's mercy with god's tolerance.
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We think because judgment hasn't befallen us yet,
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That it isn't coming at all.
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And just because we get away with the same thing over
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And over and over again and nothing happens,
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Maybe god doesn't care that much.
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Maybe there are other sinners he needs to give attention to
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Who are worse than we are, maybe god doesn't even exist.
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Don't confuse god's tolerance with his mercy in your life.
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Ecclesiastes 8:11 says,
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"because the sentence against an evil deed
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Is not executed quickly, the hearts of the sons of men
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Are fully given to do that which is evil."
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That's just human nature,
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Because judgment doesn't come the moment we sin,
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We think god doesn't care,
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And so we continue to sin and sin and sin.
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It was true for nebuchadnezzar.
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God said, "i'm going to send a judgment to you."
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Notice verse 29, "12 months later,
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One day nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof
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Of the royal palace of babylon,
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And the king reflected and said to himself,
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'is this not babylon the great,
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Which i myself have built as a royal residence
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By the might of my splendor
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And power for the glory of my majesty?'"
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He was taking a stroll on the rooftop of his palace,
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Looking at the splendor of babylon,
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And it was a glorious city and nation.
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Remember before the first gulf war back in the 1990s,
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The late saddam hussein said
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That he was going to restore babylon
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To the glory of nebuchadnezzar.
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As we're going to see next time,
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This great palace has been discovered,
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The remnants of it, it was a splendid palace.
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You had the the hanging gardens, which the greek said
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Were one of the seven wonders of the world.
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On top there were two double walls around babylon
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That were as wide on the top as a six-lane highway
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And you could have chariot races on top of that wall
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And it was used for aerial troop movement.
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It was a splendid city.
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And one day, nebuchadnezzar was taking a stroll
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On the rooftop of his palace,
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And he was looking out over the kingdom,
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He said, "look what i've built, look what i've built."
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And suddenly he heard a voice from heaven that said,
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-"you didn't build that. -(congregation laughing)
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You didn't build it, nebuchadnezzar.
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I'm the one who built that."
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Look what he said in verse 29, in verse 30,
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"the king reflected and said,
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'is this not babylon the great,
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Which i myself has built as a royal residence
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Of my might and power?'"
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Verse 31, "while the word was still in the king's mouth,"
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While he was still bragging to himself
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About what he had done, "a voice came from heaven saying,
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'king nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared,
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Sovereignty has been removed from you.'
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And immediately the word
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Concerning nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled,
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And he was driven away from mankind,
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And he began eating grass like cattle,
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And his body was drenched with the dew of heaven
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Until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers
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And his nails like birds' claws."
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One commentator imagines the scene this way,
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Let me read the description to you.
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"in the twinkling of an eye,
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Nebuchadnezzar became a raving maniac.
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With wild shrieks, he rushed from the room
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And down the staircase as the crown of his gold toppled
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From his head.
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Across the tiled floor of the throne room, he raced,
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Tearing from his body his regal robes
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And scattering them as he went.
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Through the doors and down the corridors he ran,
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Bellowing like a wounded bull,
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While the palace retainers stood by in consternation.
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By the time he issued from the great door of the palace,
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He was very little encumbered with garments of any kind,
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Only his tunic and short trousers remaining,
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And these he also discarded
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As he continued his mad flight down palace way.
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Nebuchadnezzar, the proud and dignified monarch
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Of the greatest empire of ancient times,
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Was running down the street of his capital city,
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Stripped and stark naked."
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That was nebuchadnezzar.
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For seven years, the bible said he lived like an animal,
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Eating the grass of the ground.
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Of course, what he was suffering from was a mental disease
00:10:48.871 --> 00:10:54.176
That we called a day like lycanthrope, lycus,
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Meaning a wolf, anthropos, meaning man, it's lycanthrope,
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It is a man who thinks he is an animal.
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And of course, god could turn a man into an animal
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If he wanted to, but that's not what happened here.
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It's he thought he was an animal.
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He started acting like an animal.
00:11:19.602 --> 00:11:21.904
Sometimes we call it boanthropy,
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Acting like a cow specifically.
00:11:24.006 --> 00:11:26.776
There was no physiological change in him
00:11:26.776 --> 00:11:29.111
Other than the groin of his hair and his fingernails,
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But he thought he was an animal, and he acted that way.
00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:35.217
And by the way, that phenomenon
00:11:35.217 --> 00:11:37.419
Has been seen in recent days as well.
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The old testament historian,
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R.k. harrison tells about going into a mental institution
00:11:41.757 --> 00:11:45.795
In britain in 1946
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And seeing a man suffering from this disease.
00:11:47.997 --> 00:11:51.167
He describes it this way.
00:11:51.167 --> 00:11:52.468
He said, "this man's daily routine consisted
00:11:52.468 --> 00:11:55.237
Of wandering around the magnificent lawns
00:11:55.237 --> 00:11:57.773
With which the otherwise dingy hospital institution
00:11:57.773 --> 00:12:01.310
Was graced, and it was his custom to pluck up
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And eat handfuls of the grass as he went along.
00:12:04.380 --> 00:12:07.316
He never ate institutional food with the other inmates
00:12:07.316 --> 00:12:10.286
And his only drink was water.
00:12:10.286 --> 00:12:12.321
The only physical abnormality noted
00:12:12.321 --> 00:12:15.191
Consisting of a lengthening of the hair
00:12:15.191 --> 00:12:18.027
And a coarse thickening condition of the fingernails.
00:12:18.027 --> 00:12:21.163
Without institutional care,
00:12:21.163 --> 00:12:22.832
The patient would've manifested
00:12:22.832 --> 00:12:24.767
Precisely the same physical conditions
00:12:24.767 --> 00:12:28.070
As those mentioned in daniel 4:33."
00:12:28.070 --> 00:12:32.141
More than likely the king was kept within the palace grounds
00:12:32.141 --> 00:12:35.477
So that other people could not harm him.
00:12:35.477 --> 00:12:38.013
Perhaps even daniel intervened to make sure this was done
00:12:38.013 --> 00:12:40.883
Because in that culture, if a king ever showed any weakness,
00:12:40.883 --> 00:12:44.720
He was immediately executed.
00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:47.122
Daniel had great concern for nebuchadnezzar,
00:12:47.122 --> 00:12:49.725
And so he sought to have him protected.
00:12:49.725 --> 00:12:51.861
Now look at nebuchadnezzar's restoration
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Beginning in verse 34.
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"but at the end of that period,"
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That is at the end of the seven years, "nebuchadnezzar,
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I, nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven
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And my reason returned to me, and i blessed the most high,
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And i praised and i honored him who lives forever,
00:13:12.414 --> 00:13:15.351
For his dominion as an everlasting dominion,
00:13:15.351 --> 00:13:18.220
And his kingdom endures from generation to generation."
00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:22.091
I want you to notice here the three steps
00:13:22.091 --> 00:13:23.926
That led to his restoration.
00:13:23.926 --> 00:13:26.295
First of all, he acknowledged the existence of god.
00:13:26.295 --> 00:13:29.865
"i raised my eyes toward heaven."
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Instead of looking down at the earth, the ground,
00:13:32.534 --> 00:13:35.304
He raised his eyes toward heaven,
00:13:35.304 --> 00:13:37.239
And thereby recognized that there was a power
00:13:37.239 --> 00:13:40.409
That was greater than his own.
00:13:40.409 --> 00:13:42.845
Recognizing that there is a god
00:13:42.845 --> 00:13:45.114
Is not the only step towards salvation,
00:13:45.114 --> 00:13:48.017
But it is the first step towards salvation.
00:13:48.017 --> 00:13:51.553
He acknowledged the existence of god.
00:13:51.553 --> 00:13:54.056
Secondly, he repented.
00:13:54.056 --> 00:13:56.458
He says, "my reason return to me."
00:13:56.458 --> 00:14:00.529
Anyone who lives apart from god is living, in a sense,
00:14:00.529 --> 00:14:06.635
In a state of insanity.
00:14:07.136 --> 00:14:08.871
He is out of his mind, he is not thinking correctly
00:14:08.871 --> 00:14:11.907
When he believes there is no god.
00:14:11.907 --> 00:14:14.143
Remember the story of the prodigal son
00:14:14.143 --> 00:14:16.245
In luke chapter 15, he left his father,
00:14:16.245 --> 00:14:19.114
He lived on his own,
00:14:19.114 --> 00:14:20.716
Suffered the greatest humiliations imaginable,
00:14:20.716 --> 00:14:23.319
And while he was in the pigsty,
00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:25.821
The bible says he came to himself.
00:14:25.821 --> 00:14:29.525
His senses returned to him and he said to himself,
00:14:29.525 --> 00:14:33.062
"my father's servants
00:14:33.062 --> 00:14:34.330
Are living a better existence than i am.
00:14:34.330 --> 00:14:36.532
What am i doing out here eating with the hogs?
00:14:36.532 --> 00:14:39.969
This is insanity."
00:14:39.969 --> 00:14:41.704
And then he said to himself, "this is what i will do.
00:14:41.704 --> 00:14:44.073
I will get up and i will go back to my father."
00:14:44.073 --> 00:14:48.110
He came to his senses, jesus said,
00:14:48.844 --> 00:14:52.114
And that's what happened to nebuchadnezzar.
00:14:52.114 --> 00:14:53.749
His reason returned to him.
00:14:53.749 --> 00:14:57.386
That's repentance.
00:14:57.386 --> 00:14:59.221
And for nebuchadnezzar,
00:14:59.221 --> 00:15:00.489
Repentance simply meant a silent acknowledgement
00:15:00.489 --> 00:15:03.359
Of god's sovereignty over his life.
00:15:03.359 --> 00:15:06.295
Ladies and gentlemen,
00:15:06.295 --> 00:15:07.696
Repentance is not just being sorry for your sins.
00:15:07.696 --> 00:15:10.833
That word repent, metanoia, means to turn around.
00:15:10.833 --> 00:15:15.704
Repentance means a change of thinking
00:15:15.704 --> 00:15:18.374
That leads to a change of direction.
00:15:18.374 --> 00:15:20.776
That was nebuchadnezzar, he repented,
00:15:20.776 --> 00:15:23.445
He came to his senses,
00:15:23.445 --> 00:15:24.713
And finally he expressed gratitude to god.
00:15:24.713 --> 00:15:27.349
He praised, he honored the one who lives forever and ever.
00:15:27.349 --> 00:15:32.654
Now look at what happens in verses 36 and 37.
00:15:33.555 --> 00:15:36.258
"at that time, my reason returned to me
00:15:36.258 --> 00:15:38.594
And my majesty and splendor were restored to me
00:15:38.594 --> 00:15:41.597
For the glory of my kingdom,
00:15:41.597 --> 00:15:43.532
And my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out.
00:15:43.532 --> 00:15:46.902
And so i was reestablished in my sovereignty,
00:15:46.902 --> 00:15:50.272
And surpassing greatness was added to me."
00:15:50.272 --> 00:15:53.709
But he recognized where that greatness came from
00:15:53.709 --> 00:15:55.811
Because look at verse 37.
00:15:55.811 --> 00:15:57.346
"now i, nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt
00:15:57.346 --> 00:16:00.149
And honor the king of heaven,
00:16:00.149 --> 00:16:01.617
For all his works are true and his ways are just,
00:16:01.617 --> 00:16:05.421
And he is able to humble those who walk in pride."
00:16:05.421 --> 00:16:11.660
What in the world does this strange story
00:16:12.528 --> 00:16:14.897
Have to do with us?
00:16:14.897 --> 00:16:17.766
Here's the application.
00:16:18.267 --> 00:16:20.135
There is an inseparable link between pride and anxiety
00:16:21.236 --> 00:16:28.811
And between humility and peace.
00:16:29.445 --> 00:16:33.215
There's an inseparable link between pride and anxiety,
00:16:34.316 --> 00:16:37.886
Humility and peace.
00:16:37.886 --> 00:16:40.823
First, the relationship with pride and anxiety.
00:16:40.823 --> 00:16:45.494
If you think you're responsible
00:16:46.128 --> 00:16:48.297
For every good thing in your life,
00:16:48.297 --> 00:16:51.033
Then the natural result of that is going to be fear.
00:16:51.033 --> 00:16:54.670
For example, if i think i'm responsible
00:16:54.670 --> 00:16:57.439
For my financial success,
00:16:57.439 --> 00:17:00.008
Then what happens if the economy turns bad?
00:17:00.008 --> 00:17:03.879
If i think i'm responsible alone
00:17:04.513 --> 00:17:06.782
For the success in my career,
00:17:06.782 --> 00:17:08.984
What happens if my company finds somebody who is younger,
00:17:08.984 --> 00:17:12.321
Who will work harder and cheaper than i do?
00:17:12.321 --> 00:17:15.390
If i think it is my attractiveness
00:17:16.158 --> 00:17:19.428
That is responsible for the success of my marriage,
00:17:19.428 --> 00:17:22.531
What happens when my appearance begins to fade with old age?
00:17:22.531 --> 00:17:27.870
As long as you think you are responsible
00:17:28.737 --> 00:17:30.172
For every good thing in your life,
00:17:30.172 --> 00:17:32.241
Then you naturally assume you are responsible
00:17:32.241 --> 00:17:34.943
For holding on to those good things in your life as well.
00:17:34.943 --> 00:17:38.981
You know, the essence of pride is taking credit
00:17:38.981 --> 00:17:43.185
For the good things in my life.
00:17:43.185 --> 00:17:45.787
The result of pride is anxiety, it's fear.
00:17:46.688 --> 00:17:51.727
It was true in nebuchadnezzar,
00:17:52.361 --> 00:17:53.562
It will be true in your life as well.
00:17:53.562 --> 00:17:55.631
You know, whenever you think that there is no god,
00:17:56.632 --> 00:18:00.202
Most of us would never say there's no god,
00:18:00.202 --> 00:18:02.771
We're not theological atheists,
00:18:02.771 --> 00:18:04.339
Most of us are just practical atheists.
00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:07.709
That is we make our plans, we live our lives
00:18:07.709 --> 00:18:10.312
With little or no thought at all
00:18:10.312 --> 00:18:11.880
About what god wants for us, we live as practical atheist.
00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:16.218
But when you feel like you are responsible
00:18:16.218 --> 00:18:18.487
For the direction of your life,
00:18:18.487 --> 00:18:19.922
It places a burden on your shoulders
00:18:19.922 --> 00:18:23.292
That will make anyone buckle.
00:18:23.292 --> 00:18:25.661
I believe most mental illness in the world today,
00:18:25.661 --> 00:18:30.165
I'm not talking about that which is induced chemically
00:18:30.165 --> 00:18:32.968
By chemical imbalance,
00:18:32.968 --> 00:18:34.836
But i'm talking other than chemical imbalance,
00:18:34.836 --> 00:18:37.239
I think mental illness, most all of it can be traced
00:18:37.239 --> 00:18:40.876
To a belief that i am responsible
00:18:40.876 --> 00:18:43.011
For the direction of my life.
00:18:43.011 --> 00:18:45.080
Nobody can survive under that kind of pressure.
00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:48.417
Nebuchadnezzar couldn't, he cracked.
00:18:48.417 --> 00:18:50.652
He couldn't handle the pressure
00:18:50.652 --> 00:18:52.354
Of believing he was responsible for his future.
00:18:52.354 --> 00:18:55.657
However, the other side of it
00:18:55.657 --> 00:18:58.126
Is there's a link between humility and peace.
00:18:58.126 --> 00:19:02.698
When we understand that god
00:19:02.698 --> 00:19:04.566
Is the one who controls the destiny of our life,
00:19:04.566 --> 00:19:07.502
That he's responsible for our wellbeing,
00:19:07.502 --> 00:19:09.905
It gives us an amazing supernatural peace.
00:19:09.905 --> 00:19:13.475
And you see that illustrated in 1 peter 5:5-7.
00:19:13.475 --> 00:19:17.279
Remember what peter said?
00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.447
He said, "you younger men,
00:19:18.447 --> 00:19:19.581
Likewise be subject to your elders.
00:19:19.581 --> 00:19:21.617
And all of you clothe yourselves
00:19:21.617 --> 00:19:23.785
With humility toward one another."
00:19:23.785 --> 00:19:25.821
Now look at this, "for god is opposed to the proud,
00:19:25.821 --> 00:19:30.325
But he gives grace to the humble.
00:19:30.325 --> 00:19:32.894
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of god,
00:19:32.894 --> 00:19:37.466
That he might exalt you at the proper time,
00:19:37.466 --> 00:19:40.035
Casting all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
00:19:40.035 --> 00:19:46.942
Life's pressures are too much to bear alone.
00:19:47.843 --> 00:19:51.213
Peter says, "humble yourselves, trust god
00:19:51.213 --> 00:19:55.884
And the result will be a peace
00:19:55.884 --> 00:19:57.653
As you cast your anxiety upon him."
00:19:57.653 --> 00:20:01.390
I believe, ladies and gentlemen, this passage teaches us
00:20:01.390 --> 00:20:05.127
That god will use any means necessary,
00:20:05.127 --> 00:20:08.397
He will go to whatever extent necessary to humble us
00:20:08.397 --> 00:20:13.035
To the point that we have to depend upon him.
00:20:13.035 --> 00:20:17.773
The reason he does that in your life
00:20:18.573 --> 00:20:20.542
Is not because he hates you.
00:20:20.542 --> 00:20:22.411
He will bring you to that point in your life
00:20:23.312 --> 00:20:26.348
Because he truly does care for you.
00:20:26.348 --> 00:20:29.618
♪ music ♪
00:20:29.618 --> 00:20:34.690
Not only does jesus care for you,
00:20:35.457 --> 00:20:37.592
But as a child of god, he's coming again to bring you home.
00:20:37.592 --> 00:20:41.897
And it's the responsibility of every believer
00:20:41.897 --> 00:20:45.133
To be prepared.
00:20:45.133 --> 00:20:46.635
For this very reason, "pathway to victory"
00:20:46.635 --> 00:20:48.704
Is committed to delivering these messages.
00:20:48.704 --> 00:20:51.707
And thanks to our team of financial supporters,
00:20:51.707 --> 00:20:54.676
We're able to broadcast this daily television program.
00:20:54.676 --> 00:20:58.413
When you invest in "pathway to victory,"
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You're playing a strategic role
00:21:00.382 --> 00:21:02.851
In telling others about god's love.
00:21:02.851 --> 00:21:05.587
And i can't think of a more urgent time than right now
00:21:05.587 --> 00:21:09.191
To boldly declare the gospel of jesus christ
00:21:09.191 --> 00:21:12.627
And to reach as many people as possible
00:21:12.627 --> 00:21:15.397
As quickly as possible before he comes.
00:21:15.397 --> 00:21:19.201
Thank you for helping us bring
00:21:19.201 --> 00:21:20.736
The life-changing hope of the gospel
00:21:20.736 --> 00:21:23.038
To a world that desperately needs it.
00:21:23.038 --> 00:21:26.241
Now stay right there, i'll be back with one last word
00:21:26.241 --> 00:21:29.111
For today's study in just a moment.
00:21:29.111 --> 00:21:32.214
Our world is spinning out of control.
00:21:33.014 --> 00:21:35.450
Speaking up for biblical truth often leads
00:21:35.450 --> 00:21:37.986
To tremendous backlash.
00:21:37.986 --> 00:21:39.388
Nebuchadnezzar, first of all,
00:21:39.388 --> 00:21:40.756
Changed daniel and his three friends' names.
00:21:40.756 --> 00:21:43.725
Secondly, he changed their culture, their education,
00:21:43.725 --> 00:21:46.895
And finally he asked them to change their diet.
00:21:46.895 --> 00:21:49.698
And this is where daniel drew the line.
00:21:49.698 --> 00:21:51.700
He was not going to disobey god's law.
00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:54.403
In these dark and confusing days,
00:21:54.403 --> 00:21:56.471
Christians need the courage
00:21:56.471 --> 00:21:57.873
To stand in the gap, like daniel.
00:21:57.873 --> 00:22:00.909
In my book, "daniel, courageous living in a pagan world,"
00:22:00.909 --> 00:22:05.113
I'll help you live out your faith
00:22:05.113 --> 00:22:07.182
In an increasingly hostile culture.
00:22:07.182 --> 00:22:09.885
Daniel was a young prophet who spoke boldly for god,
00:22:09.885 --> 00:22:13.555
And i believe his story will fill you with courage,
00:22:13.555 --> 00:22:16.658
Inspire you to be steadfast
00:22:16.658 --> 00:22:18.827
And empower you to live as a light in this present darkness.
00:22:18.827 --> 00:22:24.099
Request your copy of, "daniel,
00:22:24.733 --> 00:22:25.934
Courageous living in a pagan world"
00:22:25.934 --> 00:22:27.936
When you give a generous gift to support the ministry
00:22:27.936 --> 00:22:30.472
Of "pathway to victory."
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And when your donation is $125 or more,
00:22:32.207 --> 00:22:35.510
We'll also send you "daniel,
00:22:35.510 --> 00:22:37.112
The john walford prophecy commentaries,"
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00:22:39.548 --> 00:22:42.083
For the daniel teaching series,
00:22:42.083 --> 00:22:44.119
Plus the companion application guide.
00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:47.088
Thank you for being especially generous
00:22:47.088 --> 00:22:49.257
As the lord continues to grow our broadcast ministry.
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Your continued partnership and support
00:22:52.461 --> 00:22:54.596
Give us the resources we need
00:22:54.596 --> 00:22:56.164
To proclaim the gospel in these challenging days
00:22:56.164 --> 00:22:59.234
And to pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
00:22:59.234 --> 00:23:04.906
Mark, that's a great question
00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:07.108
And it's one that is often misunderstood,
00:23:07.108 --> 00:23:10.345
The difference between a temptation and a test.
00:23:10.345 --> 00:23:14.282
You know, in james chapter 1, james says,
00:23:14.282 --> 00:23:16.618
"we can count it all joy when we go through various trials,
00:23:16.618 --> 00:23:20.288
Knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance."
00:23:20.288 --> 00:23:23.692
And then halfway through the chapter,
00:23:23.692 --> 00:23:25.760
He seems to change topics and james says,
00:23:25.760 --> 00:23:29.364
"let nobody say when he is tempted,
00:23:29.364 --> 00:23:32.100
I'm being tempted from god
00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:34.169
Because god doesn't tempt anyone."
00:23:34.169 --> 00:23:37.105
The difference in a test and a temptation is this,
00:23:37.105 --> 00:23:41.309
God tests us to strengthen our faith,
00:23:41.309 --> 00:23:44.613
Satan tempts us to destroy our faith.
00:23:44.613 --> 00:23:48.149
Now, here's where it gets interesting.
00:23:48.149 --> 00:23:50.385
In the english language, we have two words,
00:23:50.385 --> 00:23:52.821
A test and a temptation.
00:23:52.821 --> 00:23:55.090
A test comes from god for good reasons,
00:23:55.090 --> 00:23:57.459
To strengthen our faith,
00:23:57.459 --> 00:23:58.927
A temptation comes from satan to destroy our faith.
00:23:58.927 --> 00:24:02.397
But interestingly, in the greek text, there's only one word,
00:24:02.397 --> 00:24:06.768
Porismos, that is sometimes translated test
00:24:06.768 --> 00:24:10.238
And other times, it is translated as temptation.
00:24:10.238 --> 00:24:14.409
A porismos is just a difficult situation.
00:24:14.409 --> 00:24:18.547
Now, here's the takeaway from that.
00:24:18.547 --> 00:24:21.082
When we go through a difficult situation,
00:24:21.082 --> 00:24:23.251
Whether it's a sickness, the termination,
00:24:23.251 --> 00:24:25.754
The death of a loved one,
00:24:25.754 --> 00:24:28.023
God uses that difficult situation to strengthen our faith,
00:24:28.023 --> 00:24:33.328
But satan can use the very same problem, difficulty in life
00:24:34.496 --> 00:24:37.832
To try and destroy our faith.
00:24:37.832 --> 00:24:40.268
So whether or not a difficult situation
00:24:40.268 --> 00:24:43.471
Is a test or a temptation
00:24:43.471 --> 00:24:46.207
Ultimately depends on your response to it.
00:24:46.207 --> 00:24:49.010
If you allow that difficult situation
00:24:49.010 --> 00:24:51.513
To draw you closer to god,
00:24:51.513 --> 00:24:53.748
That's a test that is for your benefit.
00:24:53.748 --> 00:24:56.685
But if satan is able to use that difficulty
00:24:56.685 --> 00:25:00.155
To drive you away from god, that has become a temptation.
00:25:00.155 --> 00:25:04.693
You have the final say whether it is a test or a temptation.
00:25:04.693 --> 00:25:09.497
No person is too great for god to humble.
00:25:10.365 --> 00:25:14.135
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful ruler
00:25:14.135 --> 00:25:16.638
In the ancient world, the king of babylon.
00:25:16.638 --> 00:25:19.608
And if god can bring a man like king nebuchadnezzar
00:25:19.608 --> 00:25:22.744
To his knees, he can certainly do the same for you as well.
00:25:22.744 --> 00:25:27.549
Well, there's a saying
00:25:27.549 --> 00:25:28.783
That those who don't learn from history
00:25:28.783 --> 00:25:30.485
Are condemned to repeat it.
00:25:30.485 --> 00:25:32.454
And next time we're going to see a living illustration
00:25:32.454 --> 00:25:35.624
Of that truth in the case of belshazzar
00:25:35.624 --> 00:25:38.627
And the fall of babylon.
00:25:38.627 --> 00:25:40.829
Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
00:25:40.829 --> 00:25:43.465
On "pathway to victory."
00:25:43.465 --> 00:25:46.001
What would it take for god to get your attention?
00:25:47.002 --> 00:25:52.507
The loss of a job, the breakup of an important relationship,
00:25:53.708 --> 00:25:58.780
A bad report from the doctor?
00:25:59.414 --> 00:26:01.650
You know, there's a saying
00:26:02.217 --> 00:26:03.451
That those who don't learn from history
00:26:03.451 --> 00:26:04.653
Are condemned to repeat it.
00:26:04.653 --> 00:26:06.521
We're going to see a living illustration of that truth tonight
00:26:06.521 --> 00:26:09.658
In the case of belshazzar and the fall of babylon.
00:26:09.658 --> 00:26:13.395
Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
00:26:13.395 --> 00:26:16.531
"a night to remember," here on "pathway to victory."
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Experience the beauty of alaska
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With the "pathway to victory" family,
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June 13th through 20, 2026.
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Sail through the calm waters of the legendary inside passage
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With dr. robert jeffress
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Aboard holland america's magnificent koningsdam.
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Be inspired by award-winning musician
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Michael o'brien's powerful worship.
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Share laughter with dennis swanberg,
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America's minister of encouragement,
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All while exploring frontier towns
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Like juneau, skagway, and ketchikan.
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There's something powerful about connecting
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With god and fellow believers
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In the majesty of his untamed wilderness.
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From the majestic glaciers to soaring eagles,
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These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith
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In powerful ways.
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Robert Jeffress - Testimony of a King (Part 2)

November 6, 2025 | 29:0

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