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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - For Those Who Doubt

August 1, 2025 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - For Those Who Doubt
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Doubt #Confession/PowerofWords #RelationshipwithGod #Prayer #WalkwithGod #TrustGod

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - For Those Who Doubt | August 1, 2025
  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory".
  • 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:18.741
  • At some point, nearly every christian
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  • Goes through a season of doubt regarding god's existence,
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  • Or perhaps his goodness,
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  • And many are too ashamed to admit it.
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  • Well, doubt is a natural part of the christian experience.
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  • So how do we handle those inevitable moments
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  • Of uncertainty?
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  • Today, we'll look at jesus's surprising reaction
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  • To the crippling doubts of one of his most faithful disciples.
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  • My message is titled, "for those who doubt,"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:48.605 --> 00:00:52.008
  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: give your heart the encouragement it needs.
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  • Start and end each day meditating on god's word with
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  • "encouragement for the heart of a disciple."
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  • This brand-new, beautiful, full-color, padded hardcover
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  • Book by dr. robert jeffress features 80 breathtaking images
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  • Of creation paired with scripture, prayers, and insights
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  • You can read in under two minutes,
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  • Perfect for your coffee table or as a thoughtful
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  • Gift for a loved one.
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  • Request "encouragement for the heart of a disciple" when you
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  • Give a generous gift to pathway to victory.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: most of us, at some point in our christian life,
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  • Have times of great doubt.
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  • In fact, i've come to believe those who never doubt are
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  • Those who never think much about their faith.
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  • In fact, if i were to ask, today, for a show of hands,
  • 00:01:55.405 --> 00:01:58.675
  • And i'm not going to, but if i were to ask you, "how many
  • 00:01:58.675 --> 00:02:01.711
  • Of you have ever had a time in your christian life when you
  • 00:02:01.711 --> 00:02:04.380
  • Questioned your faith?"
  • 00:02:04.380 --> 00:02:06.549
  • I imagine most fans would go up, wouldn't they?
  • 00:02:06.549 --> 00:02:09.953
  • It happens to all of us at some point in life.
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  • You may be a student, you grew up in a christian home and in a
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  • Bible-believing church like this one, but you go off to college
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  • And you hear the so-called facts of evolution, and you think,
  • 00:02:22.031 --> 00:02:26.769
  • "well, if the bible is wrong about that, what else is it
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  • Wrong about?"
  • 00:02:31.541 --> 00:02:33.376
  • Or maybe a young adult picks up a secular news magazine like
  • 00:02:33.376 --> 00:02:37.280
  • "time magazine" and reads the cover story, "the history of
  • 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:41.050
  • Christianity," and the writer makes the claim that jesus never
  • 00:02:41.050 --> 00:02:45.388
  • Claimed to be the son of god.
  • 00:02:45.388 --> 00:02:47.590
  • In fact, that title was conferred upon him 300 years
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  • After his death at the council of nicaea for political power.
  • 00:02:51.527 --> 00:02:56.532
  • And that young adult reads that and thinks, "well, gee,
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  • It's in 'time magazine,' it has to be true, doesn't it?"
  • 00:02:58.935 --> 00:03:03.306
  • Or maybe you have a child or a grandchild who is rebelling
  • 00:03:03.306 --> 00:03:09.145
  • Against god, and you pray continually for that son or
  • 00:03:09.145 --> 00:03:14.050
  • Daughter or grandchild to return back to god, and yet they move
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  • Further and further away from god.
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  • And you think, "if god can't be counted on to answer a prayer
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  • Like that, what good is he?"
  • 00:03:24.227 --> 00:03:27.530
  • Or perhaps your mate, a strong follower of christ who has been
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  • Struck with a debilitating illness that has left that mate
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  • In a terrible, painful existence for months, perhaps years,
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  • And you begin to question, "if god deals with
  • 00:03:41.277 --> 00:03:43.479
  • His followers like that, why would i want to trust in him?"
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  • All of us, at some point in our life, will question either
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  • The love, the wisdom, or even the existence of god.
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  • If that's true of you, you're in good company.
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  • It may surprise you to know that some of the greatest men and
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  • Women in history who have been used by god have all had times
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  • Of great doubt.
  • 00:04:09.706 --> 00:04:11.240
  • I think about martin luther, who said at one point in his life,
  • 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:14.844
  • "christ was wholly lost.
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  • I was shaken by desperation and blasphemy against god."
  • 00:04:17.013 --> 00:04:22.719
  • The puritan preacher richard baxter, said that his faith
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  • Rested on, quote, "probabilities, instead of full,
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  • Undoubted certainties."
  • 00:04:30.026 --> 00:04:32.862
  • A fellow puritan leader named increase mather wrote
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  • In his diary things like, "i have been greatly molested
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  • With temptations to atheism."
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  • A church in chicago delayed d.l. moody's membership
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  • Because of his beliefs that seemed so uncertain.
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  • Actually, you can go back further in history than that.
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  • People like moses, jeremiah, elijah, even the apostle paul,
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  • Had moments of doubt.
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  • Even the lord jesus himself, while he hung on the cross,
  • 00:05:02.191 --> 00:05:05.895
  • Said, "my god, my god, why have you forsaken me?"
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  • Today, we're going to look at the individual who jesus said
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  • Was the greatest person in all of human history, and yet, even
  • 00:05:17.306 --> 00:05:22.011
  • Though jesus said that about him, this individual had moments
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  • When his faith was shaken to its very foundation.
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  • Even though he spent his ministry proclaiming that jesus
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  • Was the messiah, the son of god, he himself began to doubt that
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  • Because of unanswered prayer and undeserved suffering
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  • In his life.
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  • Of course, we're talking about john the baptist.
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  • If you have your bibles today, i want you to turn to luke
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  • Chapter 7, because today, you're gonna find this message very
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  • Encouraging if you've ever had periods of doubt in your life
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  • Or in the life of somebody you care about deeply.
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  • Let's look and see what god's word says for those who doubt.
  • 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:08.224
  • Luke chapter 7, beginning with verse 18, "and the disciples
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  • Of john reported to him about all these things."
  • 00:06:14.030 --> 00:06:19.569
  • "and summoning two of his disciples,
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  • John sent them to the lord, saying,
  • 00:06:22.405 --> 00:06:25.174
  • 'are you the expected one, or do we look for something else?'"
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  • John, what are you saying, "are you the expected one?"
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  • Have you had a heat stroke?
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  • Don't you remember, john?
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  • You are the one who said, "behold, the lamb of god,
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  • Who takes away the sin of the world."
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  • You've said, "here is the one who is the answer
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  • To the old testament prophecies for a messiah."
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  • What's wrong, john, why are you having these doubts?
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  • I've actually read people who say, "well, john really wasn't
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  • Asking for himself, he was asking for others around him
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  • Who had those doubts."
  • 00:06:58.674 --> 00:07:00.009
  • No, he's asked a question here, in verse 20 he asked the same
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  • Question again, "lord, are you the messiah?"
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  • What would cause john to doubt that?
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  • Let me stop here for a moment and point out what i believe
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  • Are four sources of doubt in our life.
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  • If you or somebody you know doubts his or her christian
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  • Faith, it's usually for one or more of these reasons, and
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  • I want you to write this down.
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  • First of all, unlived truth, unlived truth can be a source
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  • Of doubt.
  • 00:07:33.976 --> 00:07:35.344
  • One of my seminary professors used to say to us, he said,
  • 00:07:35.344 --> 00:07:38.981
  • "remember this, preachers, nothing will cause more doubt
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  • In your life than trafficking in unlived truth."
  • 00:07:43.386 --> 00:07:48.758
  • He was saying if you stand up week after week and profess
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  • And teach things that are not true in your own life,
  • 00:07:51.961 --> 00:07:54.864
  • It's gonna cause doubt.
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  • That's not only true for pastors,
  • 00:07:56.666 --> 00:07:58.868
  • It's true for all of us.
  • 00:07:58.868 --> 00:08:00.836
  • If there is a contradiction between what you profess to be
  • 00:08:00.836 --> 00:08:04.206
  • True and how you actually live, you can't live with
  • 00:08:04.206 --> 00:08:07.310
  • That dissonance for a long period of time.
  • 00:08:07.310 --> 00:08:10.012
  • I tell christians who are living disobediently,
  • 00:08:10.012 --> 00:08:12.815
  • "one of two things is gonna happen soon,
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  • Either you're gonna change your behavior
  • 00:08:16.452 --> 00:08:19.221
  • Or you're gonna change your beliefs,
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  • But you can't continue to claim what the bible says to be true
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  • And live a disobedient lifestyle."
  • 00:08:25.962 --> 00:08:28.164
  • Unlived truth can be the source of doubt.
  • 00:08:28.230 --> 00:08:30.733
  • Secondly, an unexamined faith can be the source of doubt.
  • 00:08:30.733 --> 00:08:35.638
  • And somebody has said, "it's better to debate a question
  • 00:08:35.638 --> 00:08:38.574
  • Before settling it than to settle a question
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  • Before debating it."
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  • You know that old adage, "the bible says it,
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  • I believe it, that settles it."
  • 00:08:47.683 --> 00:08:50.086
  • That's a great motto, but it really doesn't work that well.
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  • The fact is, there needs to be a time when you closely study
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  • And examine what you believe, because there's going to come
  • 00:08:57.493 --> 00:09:00.596
  • A time of testing, there's gonna come a time of doubt.
  • 00:09:00.596 --> 00:09:03.532
  • And as 1 peter 3:15 says, you need to be ready to give
  • 00:09:03.532 --> 00:09:06.902
  • An answer to anyone who asks, including yourself, for the hope
  • 00:09:06.902 --> 00:09:11.307
  • That is within you.
  • 00:09:11.307 --> 00:09:12.842
  • Now, there's really nothing in the text that suggests that
  • 00:09:12.842 --> 00:09:15.645
  • There was any unlived truth in john's life or an unexamined
  • 00:09:15.645 --> 00:09:19.248
  • Faith, but these next two sources of doubt,
  • 00:09:19.248 --> 00:09:21.684
  • I think, apply.
  • 00:09:21.684 --> 00:09:23.052
  • The third source of doubt can be unanswered prayer.
  • 00:09:23.052 --> 00:09:26.389
  • You know, john wasn't upset about what jesus was doing,
  • 00:09:26.389 --> 00:09:30.326
  • It's what he wasn't doing.
  • 00:09:30.326 --> 00:09:33.129
  • When john the baptist said, "send a message to jesus and ask
  • 00:09:33.129 --> 00:09:39.035
  • Him if he's the expected one," what john was really saying was,
  • 00:09:39.035 --> 00:09:43.305
  • "hey jesus, remember me?
  • 00:09:43.305 --> 00:09:46.609
  • I haven't heard from you in 18 months.
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  • Have you forgotten about me?"
  • 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:52.381
  • No doubt he was requesting that jesus intervene
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  • In his situation.
  • 00:09:56.619 --> 00:09:59.055
  • Many times we do the same thing, we ask god for an intervention
  • 00:09:59.055 --> 00:10:05.161
  • In our life, to do something miraculous on our behalf
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  • Or the behalf of somebody we care about deeply.
  • 00:10:08.364 --> 00:10:10.633
  • And yet the more we plead with god, the more silent god is, the
  • 00:10:10.633 --> 00:10:15.004
  • Heavens seem as brass, and that causes doubt for many people.
  • 00:10:15.004 --> 00:10:20.309
  • The fourth cause of doubt is probably the bottom-line cause
  • 00:10:20.309 --> 00:10:24.680
  • Of doubt, and that is, undeserved suffering.
  • 00:10:24.680 --> 00:10:28.250
  • A survey recently asked a cross-section of americans,
  • 00:10:28.250 --> 00:10:33.089
  • "if you could ask god only one question,
  • 00:10:33.089 --> 00:10:36.158
  • What would you ask him?"
  • 00:10:36.158 --> 00:10:37.960
  • You know what the overwhelming response was?
  • 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:40.129
  • "god, why do you allow suffering in the world?"
  • 00:10:40.129 --> 00:10:45.101
  • Now, i have a sneaking suspicion, when people respond
  • 00:10:45.101 --> 00:10:48.204
  • That way and they wanna know about suffering, they're really
  • 00:10:48.204 --> 00:10:51.874
  • Not thinking about earthquakes, famines, starving children
  • 00:10:51.874 --> 00:10:56.112
  • In africa.
  • 00:10:56.112 --> 00:10:57.446
  • When they ask about suffering in the world, they're talking about
  • 00:10:57.446 --> 00:11:00.649
  • Suffering in their world?
  • 00:11:00.649 --> 00:11:03.853
  • "lord, why do you allow bad things to happen to me?"
  • 00:11:03.853 --> 00:11:08.257
  • Philip yancey, well-known christian author, tells about
  • 00:11:08.257 --> 00:11:12.595
  • A very popular radio bible teacher, everybody knows
  • 00:11:12.595 --> 00:11:16.365
  • This person's name.
  • 00:11:16.365 --> 00:11:17.700
  • On the radio, he preaches with great authority, but in his own
  • 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:21.470
  • Private life he suffered an illness that caused him to doubt
  • 00:11:21.470 --> 00:11:25.241
  • Greatly the things he believed about god.
  • 00:11:25.241 --> 00:11:29.111
  • And yancey says on one occasion this popular bible teacher said
  • 00:11:29.111 --> 00:11:34.450
  • To philip yancey, "i have no trouble believing god is good,
  • 00:11:34.450 --> 00:11:39.388
  • My question is more, 'what good is he?'
  • 00:11:39.388 --> 00:11:44.059
  • I heard a while back that billy graham's daughter was undergoing
  • 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:47.296
  • Marriage problems, so the grahams and the in-laws
  • 00:11:47.296 --> 00:11:50.499
  • All flew to europe to meet with them and pray for the couple.
  • 00:11:50.499 --> 00:11:53.903
  • They ended up getting divorced anyway.
  • 00:11:53.903 --> 00:11:56.505
  • If billy graham's prayers don't get answered,
  • 00:11:56.505 --> 00:11:59.875
  • What's the use of my praying?
  • 00:11:59.875 --> 00:12:02.444
  • I look at my life, the health problems, my own daughter's
  • 00:12:02.444 --> 00:12:06.215
  • Struggles, my marriage, i cry out to god for help,
  • 00:12:06.215 --> 00:12:10.519
  • And it's hard to know how he answers.
  • 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:13.722
  • Really, what can we count on god for?"
  • 00:12:13.722 --> 00:12:18.394
  • That's what john was really asking.
  • 00:12:18.394 --> 00:12:20.896
  • He said, "lord, if you can't even get me out of this prison,
  • 00:12:20.896 --> 00:12:23.899
  • What good are you?"
  • 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:26.769
  • Now, i want you to notice how jesus responds.
  • 00:12:26.769 --> 00:12:30.639
  • First of all, he speaks to john directly through these
  • 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:33.542
  • Messengers, secondly, he speaks to the multitude
  • 00:12:33.542 --> 00:12:36.745
  • Who are overhearing the whole conversation, and finally,
  • 00:12:36.745 --> 00:12:39.481
  • He has a word to the pharisees.
  • 00:12:39.481 --> 00:12:40.816
  • First of all, to john himself, look at verse 22, "and jesus
  • 00:12:40.816 --> 00:12:45.087
  • Answered and said to john's messengers, 'go and report to
  • 00:12:45.087 --> 00:12:49.124
  • John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight,
  • 00:12:49.124 --> 00:12:53.562
  • The lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,
  • 00:12:53.562 --> 00:12:57.900
  • The dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached
  • 00:12:57.900 --> 00:13:01.070
  • To them.'"
  • 00:13:01.070 --> 00:13:02.404
  • Jesus knew john was in prison, he couldn't see all of this,
  • 00:13:02.404 --> 00:13:04.974
  • So he said, "go and report to john everything that i'm doing."
  • 00:13:04.974 --> 00:13:08.844
  • And then jesus said, "and by the way," verse 23,
  • 00:13:08.844 --> 00:13:11.881
  • "remind john, 'blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over me.'"
  • 00:13:11.881 --> 00:13:18.120
  • That word "stumble" means to ensnare, entrap.
  • 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:21.891
  • He was saying very gently to john,
  • 00:13:21.957 --> 00:13:24.860
  • "john, remember, you'll be a lot happier with me
  • 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:29.531
  • If you don't stumble over me because i'm not performing
  • 00:13:29.531 --> 00:13:33.235
  • Just the way you think i should."
  • 00:13:33.235 --> 00:13:36.071
  • You know, what impresses me about this
  • 00:13:36.071 --> 00:13:38.340
  • Is the way jesus deals with john.
  • 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:41.143
  • He doesn't blast him away.
  • 00:13:41.143 --> 00:13:43.012
  • "you infidel!
  • 00:13:43.012 --> 00:13:44.446
  • You unbeliever!
  • 00:13:44.446 --> 00:13:45.881
  • How in the world could you doubt me after you've seen so much?
  • 00:13:45.881 --> 00:13:48.617
  • I'm sending you to hell as quickly as i can."
  • 00:13:48.617 --> 00:13:50.920
  • He doesn't deal with him that way at all.
  • 00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:53.122
  • He deals with his doubt gently, and he does the same with you
  • 00:13:53.122 --> 00:13:57.426
  • And with me.
  • 00:13:57.426 --> 00:13:58.761
  • Then after dealing gently with john,
  • 00:13:58.761 --> 00:14:00.896
  • Notice he said a word to the multitudes.
  • 00:14:00.896 --> 00:14:03.032
  • There was a whole group around jesus.
  • 00:14:03.032 --> 00:14:04.767
  • They had heard jesus's interchange
  • 00:14:04.767 --> 00:14:06.969
  • With john's disciples, and so after jesus dismissed these men
  • 00:14:06.969 --> 00:14:11.607
  • To go back to john, look at what it says in verse 24:
  • 00:14:11.607 --> 00:14:14.576
  • "when the messengers of john had left,
  • 00:14:14.576 --> 00:14:16.845
  • Jesus began to speak to the multitudes about john."
  • 00:14:16.845 --> 00:14:20.749
  • He knew some of the crowd was gonna think less of john
  • 00:14:20.749 --> 00:14:24.987
  • After what they had just heard.
  • 00:14:24.987 --> 00:14:26.789
  • So, jesus wants to correct their thinking.
  • 00:14:26.789 --> 00:14:28.857
  • He says, "what did you go out into the wilderness to look at?
  • 00:14:28.857 --> 00:14:33.262
  • A reed shaken by the wind?
  • 00:14:33.262 --> 00:14:35.431
  • Remember just 18 months ago when you all were flocking
  • 00:14:35.431 --> 00:14:38.467
  • Around the jordan river to listen to john?
  • 00:14:38.467 --> 00:14:41.136
  • What was he?
  • 00:14:41.136 --> 00:14:42.871
  • Was he one of the little, tiny, bamboo-like shoots that springs
  • 00:14:42.871 --> 00:14:46.475
  • Up out of the lake and just blows whichever way
  • 00:14:46.475 --> 00:14:49.478
  • The wind blows?
  • 00:14:49.478 --> 00:14:50.813
  • Was that john? no!
  • 00:14:50.813 --> 00:14:52.281
  • He spoke with power and with authority."
  • 00:14:52.281 --> 00:14:54.383
  • Verse 25: "and what did you go out to see when you went out
  • 00:14:54.383 --> 00:14:57.720
  • To see john?
  • 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:59.088
  • A man dressed in soft clothing?"
  • 00:14:59.088 --> 00:15:01.790
  • He was a tough guy.
  • 00:15:01.790 --> 00:15:04.193
  • Verse 28: "and i say to you, among those born of women
  • 00:15:04.193 --> 00:15:08.630
  • There is no one greater than john."
  • 00:15:08.630 --> 00:15:11.867
  • He extolled the faith of john.
  • 00:15:13.135 --> 00:15:15.804
  • And then he adds this word, "yet he who is least
  • 00:15:15.804 --> 00:15:18.240
  • In the kingdom of god is greater than he."
  • 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:21.410
  • Jesus is still saying he's greatest of anyone
  • 00:15:21.410 --> 00:15:24.646
  • Who's ever been born.
  • 00:15:24.646 --> 00:15:26.949
  • Aren't you glad god doesn't judge you or me
  • 00:15:26.949 --> 00:15:31.620
  • By one episode in our life?
  • 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:35.991
  • One slip-up?
  • 00:15:35.991 --> 00:15:39.194
  • One mess-up,
  • 00:15:39.194 --> 00:15:40.796
  • God throws us out of the kingdom?
  • 00:15:40.796 --> 00:15:42.598
  • It doesn't work that way.
  • 00:15:42.598 --> 00:15:44.266
  • I mean, just look in history at the way god dealt
  • 00:15:44.266 --> 00:15:47.269
  • With those who had their own stumbles and falls.
  • 00:15:47.269 --> 00:15:50.939
  • I think about king david, a man guilty of adultery and murder,
  • 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:55.244
  • And yet god said about him, "he's a man after my own heart."
  • 00:15:55.244 --> 00:15:59.248
  • Or think about abraham.
  • 00:15:59.248 --> 00:16:00.983
  • Talk about lapses in faith, it was one screw up
  • 00:16:00.983 --> 00:16:03.585
  • After another in abraham's life.
  • 00:16:03.585 --> 00:16:05.888
  • And yet god said about abraham, "he is my friend.
  • 00:16:05.888 --> 00:16:10.826
  • Fact is, god doesn't judge us by one episode in our life.
  • 00:16:10.826 --> 00:16:14.530
  • He looks at the long view, and when he looked at john's life,
  • 00:16:14.530 --> 00:16:17.900
  • He said, "no, this momentary lapse of faith,
  • 00:16:17.900 --> 00:16:20.235
  • That's not who john is.
  • 00:16:20.235 --> 00:16:22.304
  • My impression of him remains firm.
  • 00:16:22.304 --> 00:16:25.374
  • He's the greatest in the kingdom of god."
  • 00:16:25.374 --> 00:16:28.077
  • Now, unfortunately, jesus didn't have such kind words
  • 00:16:28.077 --> 00:16:31.814
  • For the third group he addressed, the pharisees.
  • 00:16:31.814 --> 00:16:34.583
  • Look at verse 30: "but the pharisees
  • 00:16:34.583 --> 00:16:36.785
  • And the lawyers rejected god's purpose for themselves,
  • 00:16:36.785 --> 00:16:40.522
  • Not having been baptized by john."
  • 00:16:40.522 --> 00:16:43.859
  • Now, you may think, "wait a minute,
  • 00:16:43.859 --> 00:16:45.627
  • Why is jesus so hard on the pharisees?
  • 00:16:45.627 --> 00:16:47.830
  • They didn't accept him as messiah.
  • 00:16:47.830 --> 00:16:50.799
  • John questioned whether jesus was the messiah.
  • 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:54.403
  • What's the difference between the two?"
  • 00:16:54.403 --> 00:16:56.338
  • The difference is the difference between doubt and unbelief.
  • 00:16:56.338 --> 00:17:01.009
  • John had doubts.
  • 00:17:01.009 --> 00:17:02.678
  • The pharisees were plagued with unbelief.
  • 00:17:02.678 --> 00:17:05.614
  • And to understand the difference between doubt and unbelief,
  • 00:17:05.614 --> 00:17:08.684
  • Jesus tells this brief parable.
  • 00:17:08.684 --> 00:17:10.853
  • Look at verses 31 and 32: "to what then shall i compare
  • 00:17:10.853 --> 00:17:14.289
  • The men of this generation, and what are they like?
  • 00:17:14.289 --> 00:17:17.559
  • They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call
  • 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:20.829
  • To one another, and they say, 'we played the flute for you,
  • 00:17:20.829 --> 00:17:24.166
  • And you did not dance; we sang a dirge,
  • 00:17:24.166 --> 00:17:27.136
  • And you did not weep.'"
  • 00:17:27.136 --> 00:17:29.605
  • And jesus said, "you pharisees are just like those children.
  • 00:17:29.605 --> 00:17:33.208
  • You don't like to do anything.
  • 00:17:33.208 --> 00:17:34.910
  • You won't receive anybody.
  • 00:17:34.910 --> 00:17:36.245
  • Here john the baptist comes and says, "repent!
  • 00:17:36.245 --> 00:17:38.914
  • Repent."
  • 00:17:38.914 --> 00:17:40.249
  • You say, "aw, we don't wanna listen to that.
  • 00:17:40.249 --> 00:17:42.818
  • That's too hard of a message."
  • 00:17:42.818 --> 00:17:44.653
  • Jesus said, "then i come and i preach a message of grace."
  • 00:17:44.653 --> 00:17:47.089
  • You say, "we don't like that either.
  • 00:17:47.089 --> 00:17:48.757
  • That's too easy."
  • 00:17:48.757 --> 00:17:50.959
  • The fact is, you're looking for a reason not to believe.
  • 00:17:50.959 --> 00:17:55.631
  • And that's the difference, folks,
  • 00:17:55.631 --> 00:17:57.166
  • Between a doubter and an unbeliever.
  • 00:17:57.166 --> 00:18:00.035
  • Somebody has said a doubter is one who is honestly searching
  • 00:18:00.035 --> 00:18:03.906
  • For the truth.
  • 00:18:03.906 --> 00:18:05.440
  • An unbeliever is one who runs from the truth.
  • 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:08.544
  • A doubter looks for a reason to believe.
  • 00:18:08.544 --> 00:18:11.346
  • An unbeliever looks for any reason not to believe.
  • 00:18:11.346 --> 00:18:15.984
  • God accepts doubters, but he rejects unbelievers.
  • 00:18:15.984 --> 00:18:21.223
  • I'm speakin' to some of you today,
  • 00:18:23.325 --> 00:18:25.160
  • Some of you watching or listening to this broadcast.
  • 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:27.863
  • Perhaps you're going through a period of doubt in your life.
  • 00:18:27.863 --> 00:18:31.466
  • Or you know somebody who is.
  • 00:18:31.466 --> 00:18:34.403
  • How do you deal with that doubt?
  • 00:18:34.403 --> 00:18:36.371
  • Let me give you four principles in closing very,
  • 00:18:36.371 --> 00:18:38.407
  • Very quickly for dealing with doubt,
  • 00:18:38.407 --> 00:18:41.410
  • Either in your life or the life of somebody you care about.
  • 00:18:41.410 --> 00:18:44.746
  • Number one, discern the cause of your doubt.
  • 00:18:44.746 --> 00:18:48.684
  • Look over those four reasons i gave.
  • 00:18:48.750 --> 00:18:50.819
  • Is it because of unlived truth in your life?
  • 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:54.423
  • Is it because of an unexamined faith?
  • 00:18:54.423 --> 00:18:58.393
  • Maybe, but more than likely, the cause of your doubt is,
  • 00:18:58.393 --> 00:19:03.165
  • God is not behaving like you think he should in your life.
  • 00:19:03.165 --> 00:19:07.970
  • Andrew greeley once said, "if you wish to eliminate
  • 00:19:07.970 --> 00:19:10.339
  • Uncertainty, tension, confusion, and disorder from your life,
  • 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:15.877
  • Then there's no point in getting mixed up with god.
  • 00:19:15.877 --> 00:19:20.349
  • It's a big mistake to think of jesus like a kewpie doll
  • 00:19:20.349 --> 00:19:24.086
  • Or a genie or a divine bellhop who's there at your every beck
  • 00:19:24.086 --> 00:19:29.358
  • And call,
  • 00:19:29.358 --> 00:19:30.959
  • That he needs to operate just as you tell him to.
  • 00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:33.929
  • God's not like that.
  • 00:19:33.929 --> 00:19:35.497
  • Remember the words of isaiah 55:9 in which god said,
  • 00:19:35.497 --> 00:19:38.567
  • "my ways are higher than your ways.
  • 00:19:38.567 --> 00:19:42.170
  • My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.
  • 00:19:42.170 --> 00:19:46.208
  • " discern the cause of your doubt.
  • 00:19:46.208 --> 00:19:48.777
  • Number two, share your doubts with a mature christian.
  • 00:19:48.777 --> 00:19:53.315
  • Share your doubts with a mature christian.
  • 00:19:53.315 --> 00:19:55.651
  • Somebody has written that doubt flourishes in the dark
  • 00:19:55.651 --> 00:19:59.454
  • Like mushrooms that grow in a damp cellar.
  • 00:19:59.454 --> 00:20:03.859
  • It's in solitude when we're separated,
  • 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:06.161
  • When we feel all alone, that our doubts become larger
  • 00:20:06.161 --> 00:20:09.598
  • And more ominous.
  • 00:20:09.598 --> 00:20:11.833
  • You know, solomon said in ecclesiastes 4:9 and 12,
  • 00:20:11.833 --> 00:20:15.771
  • "two are better than one," solomon said,
  • 00:20:15.771 --> 00:20:18.940
  • "and a cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."
  • 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:24.146
  • That's why it's so important, folks,
  • 00:20:24.146 --> 00:20:26.481
  • To become not just a spectator in a church like this,
  • 00:20:26.481 --> 00:20:29.885
  • But to become a member, where you are bound together
  • 00:20:29.885 --> 00:20:33.055
  • With other people who can help you, who can encourage you
  • 00:20:33.055 --> 00:20:36.091
  • Whenever you stumble or fall in your faith.
  • 00:20:36.091 --> 00:20:40.128
  • That's the value of bein' a part of a body of believers.
  • 00:20:40.128 --> 00:20:43.398
  • Number three, view your doubt as an opportunity to grow.
  • 00:20:43.398 --> 00:20:48.770
  • You know, james 1:3 says,
  • 00:20:48.770 --> 00:20:50.572
  • "the testing of your faith can produce endurance."
  • 00:20:50.572 --> 00:20:53.909
  • And that's true about doubt.
  • 00:20:53.909 --> 00:20:55.477
  • If you respond to it the right way,
  • 00:20:55.477 --> 00:20:57.312
  • It can actually make your faith stronger.
  • 00:20:57.312 --> 00:21:00.716
  • Mark littleton gives this little formula
  • 00:21:00.716 --> 00:21:04.753
  • About how to deal with doubt.
  • 00:21:04.753 --> 00:21:07.222
  • I put it on your outline.
  • 00:21:07.222 --> 00:21:08.623
  • Jot it down.
  • 00:21:08.623 --> 00:21:09.958
  • "turn your doubts to questions.
  • 00:21:09.958 --> 00:21:13.028
  • Turn your questions to prayers.
  • 00:21:13.028 --> 00:21:16.198
  • And turn your prayers to god."
  • 00:21:16.198 --> 00:21:18.900
  • Finally, remember that our doubts
  • 00:21:20.869 --> 00:21:24.573
  • Never diminish god's love.
  • 00:21:24.573 --> 00:21:28.110
  • Our doubts never diminish god's love.
  • 00:21:28.110 --> 00:21:30.612
  • Can i tell you somethin' about god?
  • 00:21:30.612 --> 00:21:32.280
  • He's not threatened by your questions.
  • 00:21:32.280 --> 00:21:34.916
  • He's big enough to handle your doubts.
  • 00:21:34.916 --> 00:21:38.053
  • Whenever you doubt, it doesn't change
  • 00:21:38.053 --> 00:21:40.822
  • What god thinks of you one bit.
  • 00:21:40.822 --> 00:21:44.893
  • A number of years ago, i was talking to a young christian
  • 00:21:44.893 --> 00:21:47.462
  • Girl who was going through a very hard time in her life.
  • 00:21:47.462 --> 00:21:50.465
  • She was crying and through the tears she said,
  • 00:21:50.465 --> 00:21:54.736
  • "i'm not even sure i believe in god any longer."
  • 00:21:54.736 --> 00:22:01.042
  • And i think god gave me exactly the words to say to her.
  • 00:22:01.042 --> 00:22:04.813
  • I said, "that's okay, even when you don't believe in god,
  • 00:22:04.813 --> 00:22:09.451
  • He still believes in you."
  • 00:22:09.451 --> 00:22:11.486
  • Isn't that the truth of scripture?
  • 00:22:12.821 --> 00:22:14.823
  • 2 timothy 2:13, "even when we are faithless,
  • 00:22:14.823 --> 00:22:20.162
  • He remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself."
  • 00:22:20.162 --> 00:22:25.567
  • Good words to remember for those who doubt.
  • 00:22:25.567 --> 00:22:29.738
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:22:29.738 --> 00:22:35.143
  • Jeffress: john the baptist wrestled with doubt in that dark
  • 00:22:35.143 --> 00:22:37.946
  • Prison cell, yet jesus responded with gentleness and compassion.
  • 00:22:37.946 --> 00:22:43.251
  • If you're struggling with doubt today, i pray that today's
  • 00:22:43.251 --> 00:22:46.354
  • Message gives you peace and reassurance.
  • 00:22:46.354 --> 00:22:49.925
  • Now, in closing today let me express my heartfelt gratitude
  • 00:22:49.925 --> 00:22:53.628
  • To those of you support "pathway to victory."
  • 00:22:53.628 --> 00:22:56.465
  • Your faithful partnership is making an eternal difference in
  • 00:22:56.465 --> 00:22:59.901
  • Countless lives.
  • 00:22:59.901 --> 00:23:01.636
  • Every day we receive letters and calls from people who are
  • 00:23:01.636 --> 00:23:04.773
  • Questioning their faith, struggling with unanswered
  • 00:23:04.773 --> 00:23:07.876
  • Prayer, or dealing with suffering, and because of your
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  • Generosity, we're able to provide them with solid biblical
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  • Teaching that strengthens their faith.
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  • 00:23:26.394 --> 00:23:28.430
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  • 00:23:28.430 --> 00:23:32.400
  • The light of god's word.
  • 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:34.269
  • Now, stay right there, i'll be back in just a moment.
  • 00:23:34.269 --> 00:23:37.172
  • Male announcer: we all need god's strength to make it
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  • Through the day.
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  • Imagery that draws you toward the beauty of god's creation.
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  • Jeffress: i know how challenging it can be to stay connected with
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  • God in our busy lives.
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  • In my new devotional, i provide personal reflections and
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  • Practical insights that will help you experience god's
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  • Presence and encouragement throughout your day.
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  • Scripture verses, and prayers you can read in under two
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  • Minutes, this padded hardcover book is the perfect daily
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  • Companion to help refresh your spirit, morning and night.
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  • 00:25:06.494 --> 00:25:08.530
  • Jeffress: doubt in and of itself is neither good nor bad.
  • 00:25:09.698 --> 00:25:13.134
  • It can either strengthen your faith or cause you to turn
  • 00:25:13.134 --> 00:25:16.471
  • Away from god.
  • 00:25:16.471 --> 00:25:18.006
  • And i hope today's message has given you a practical way to
  • 00:25:18.006 --> 00:25:21.343
  • Deal with doubt in a way that ultimately brings you closer
  • 00:25:21.343 --> 00:25:25.714
  • To god.
  • 00:25:25.714 --> 00:25:27.048
  • Well, many people assume they're going to heaven because they
  • 00:25:27.048 --> 00:25:29.751
  • Attend church, keep the ten commandments, or live by the
  • 00:25:29.751 --> 00:25:32.821
  • Golden rule, but the bible teaches that we're saved by
  • 00:25:32.821 --> 00:25:36.391
  • Grace alone through faith alone, not by our good works.
  • 00:25:36.391 --> 00:25:41.529
  • Stay tuned for a preview of my brand new study in the book of
  • 00:25:41.529 --> 00:25:44.633
  • James i've titled, "how to know if you're really saved."
  • 00:25:44.633 --> 00:25:50.472
  • Jeffress: where there is genuine faith, there will always be
  • 00:25:50.472 --> 00:25:55.910
  • Visible fruit.
  • 00:25:55.910 --> 00:25:57.912
  • If there is no fruit, if somebody lives their life and
  • 00:25:57.912 --> 00:26:02.050
  • There is no spiritual fruit, it means there is no saving faith.
  • 00:26:02.050 --> 00:26:09.090
  • That is the message we're going to unpack over these next weeks
  • 00:26:09.090 --> 00:26:13.461
  • From the letter we call james.
  • 00:26:13.461 --> 00:26:16.398
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the brand new
  • 00:26:16.398 --> 00:26:19.367
  • Series, "how to know if you're really saved, a study in the
  • 00:26:19.367 --> 00:26:23.204
  • Book of james,"
  • 00:26:23.204 --> 00:26:24.539
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:26.908
  • Announcer: step away from your daily routine and immerse
  • 00:26:29.344 --> 00:26:31.946
  • Yourself in god's masterpiece on the "pathway to victory" cruise
  • 00:26:31.946 --> 00:26:35.417
  • To alaska, june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:35.417 --> 00:26:39.320
  • Jeffress: imagine starting each day immersed in god's word, then
  • 00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:42.724
  • Stepping out to witness god's grandeur, from the majestic
  • 00:26:42.724 --> 00:26:46.194
  • Glaciers to soaring eagles.
  • 00:26:46.194 --> 00:26:48.930
  • These moments in god's creation will deepen your faith in
  • 00:26:48.930 --> 00:26:52.300
  • Powerful ways.
  • 00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:53.702
  • Announcer: experience 5-star dining, luxurious state rooms,
  • 00:26:53.702 --> 00:26:56.905
  • And exceptional service while visiting iconic ports like
  • 00:26:56.905 --> 00:26:59.774
  • Juneau, ketchikan, and skagway.
  • 00:26:59.774 --> 00:27:02.343
  • Jeffress: we'll explore god's word together against the
  • 00:27:02.343 --> 00:27:04.779
  • Backdrop of his most impressive handiwork.
  • 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:08.116
  • I promise, you'll return home with memories that will last a
  • 00:27:08.116 --> 00:27:11.486
  • Lifetime and a heart renewed by god's presence.
  • 00:27:11.486 --> 00:27:15.824
  • Announcer: to book your spot on the 2026 "pathway to victory"
  • 00:27:15.824 --> 00:27:18.626
  • Cruise to alaska, call... or go to ptv.org.
  • 00:27:18.626 --> 00:27:18.626