Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Tricked or Treated?

May 2, 2025 | 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 - Tricked or Treated? | May 2, 2025

♪ music ♪
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[presenter] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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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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Christians often wonder,
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Isn't it unfair when a sinful reprobate
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Who accepted christ at the very end of his life
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Is welcomed into heaven, just in the nick of time?
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Well, rest assured, heaven will not be the same
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For every believer.
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Obedience over a long period of time
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Will be rewarded in heaven.
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My message is titled tricked or treated
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On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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[narrator] think about a child in your life
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Who needs to put their faith in jesus.
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How do you explain the gospel to them
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In a way they can understand?
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In "the gift: the gospel for children,"
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Dr. robert jeffress presents the gospel message
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In a way that's clear and engaging.
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The book also includes a salvation prayer
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For you to pray with your child or grandchild.
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Give your child the most important gift
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They'll ever receive,
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The opportunity to begin a relationship with jesus christ.
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Request your copy of the gift at ptv.org.
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♪ music ♪
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Five seconds after you die
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You will know exactly what you should have believed in
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And how you should have lived.
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You'll discover if you were tricked
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By the deceptions of satan
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Or you'll discover if you're going to be treated
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By god for all eternity.
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Of course, five seconds after you've died,
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It will be too late.
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Your future will be fixed for all eternity.
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Even if you happen to be that small percentage of humanity
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Who will actually be in heaven one day,
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You need to understand that heaven will not be the same
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For every christian.
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There are going to be degrees of heaven.
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Our rewards in heaven in the next life
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Will be determined by our faithfulness to christ
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In this life,
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And it's that truth that paul is going to expound upon
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In the passage we're going to look at briefly tonight.
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If you have your bibles turn to 1 corinthians chapter 3,
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1 corinthians chapter 3.
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Tonight we're going to look at the certainty
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Of rewards in heaven, the basis for our rewards in heaven,
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And the consequences of rewards in heaven.
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Now, one truth you find throughout scripture is this,
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No one will be exempt from god's judgment in the end times.
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Every person, christian and non-christian,
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Will face the judgment of god.
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Hebrews 9:27 says, "it is appointed unto every man
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Once to die and then the judgment."
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It's not just non-christians who face god's judgment.
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Christians will face god's judgment as well.
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Now, there are two very different judgments
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In the end times.
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There is a judgment for non-christians.
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We looked at it in revelation chapter 20.
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That judgment is called the great white throne judgment.
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The subject for that judgment will be unbelievers.
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The time of the judgment will be the end of the millennium.
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The basis for that judgment will be
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Whether the person's name is found written
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In the lamb's book of life,
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And the consequence of that judgment
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Will be an eternity of separation from god.
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The bible says, "and if any man's name was not found written
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In the book, he was cast into the lake of fire
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And tormented there day and night for ever and ever."
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That is the judgment for non-christians,
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The great white throne judgment,
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But there is another judgment that awaits you and me
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And all who are christians,
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And that is the judgment we are looking at tonight.
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We call it the judgment seat of christ.
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We find it described in many places in scripture.
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One place is 2 corinthians 5:10,
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Where paul says, "for we must all appear
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Before the judgment seat of christ,
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That each man may be recompensed,
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Rewarded for his deeds in the body,
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According to what he has done,
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Whether it be good or bad."
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Now, this is a judgment for believers.
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When paul talked about the judgment seat,
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The corinthians understood exactly
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What he was talking about.
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You see, in paul's day, there was what was called the bema,
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The judgment seat.
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It is a place where the governor or a judge would sit
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To oversee the greek games,
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And at the end of the games, the winner of the game
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Was brought before that judgment seat
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And he was given the stefanoi, the laurel wreath,
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The victor's crown that was symbolic of winning the games.
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And of course, that crown, that victor's crown was symbolic
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Of some very tangible benefits that would accrue
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To the person who won the game.
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He would experience an exemption from taxation.
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There would be a parade in his honor.
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A statue would be erected to him.
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He was the winner, pronounced the winner
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At the judgment seat.
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Now, paul says, christians will face a similar judgment,
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Not for condemnation but for commendation.
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The subjects of this judgment will be every believer
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Who has ever lived.
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The time of the judgment will be sometime
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Between the rapture and the second coming seven years later.
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It is the basis of that judgment seat
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And the consequences that we are going to look at tonight.
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Now, let's look, first of all, at the description
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Of the judgment that awaits every christian
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And paul expounds upon it beginning in verses 10 to 11.
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Paul, first of all,
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Is speaking about the building of a church.
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Go back to verses 6 and 7, for a moment,
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Of 1 corinthians 3.
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We saw this last time, paul was talking about
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The growth of the corinthian church.
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He said, quit getting hung up on different pastors.
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He said, "i planted the church."
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Remember, paul was the founding pastor at corinth.
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"apollos," the current pastor, "he watered,
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But god was causing the growth.
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So neither the one who plants
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Or the one who waters is anything,
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But god is the one who causes the growth."
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Now, paul is using an agricultural example
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To describe the growth of the church.
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One, plants, the other, waters, but god causes the growth.
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Now, he's going to move to an architectural analogy
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To talk about the growing of the church.
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Look at verse 10, "according to the grace of god,
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Which was given to me, like a wise master builder
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I laid a foundation, and another is building on it,
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But each man must be careful how he builds upon it."
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Paul said, when i founded this church,
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I laid the foundation,
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And the foundation was jesus christ and his word.
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We'll see that in verse 11.
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And now apollo has come,
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And he is building on that foundation
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And there'll be one that comes after him,
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And he needs to be careful that he builds upon
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The same foundation as jesus christ and his word.
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The only lasting foundation for a church
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Is a commitment to jesus christ and his word.
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Unfortunately, many churches today
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Don't have that foundation.
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You look at what is the foundation for their church,
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The foundation for their church is tradition
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Or allegiance to a particular denomination
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Or the prejudices of a few members in the church.
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All of those things are an unstable foundation
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For any church to be built upon.
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Now, paul is going to extrapolate
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Between the building of a church
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To the building of an individual life
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Beginning in verse 11,
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Just as the corinthians were building a church,
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Each of us is also building a life.
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We're in a building program
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In every one of our individual lives.
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Look at verse 11, "for no man can lay a foundation
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Other than the one which is laid, which is in christ jesus."
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Notice how paul's going to change from talking about the church
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To every man, each man.
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He's talking about our individual life.
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He says, nobody can lay another foundation
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Other than that which is laid in christ jesus.
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You see, every christian has the same foundation
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If he's a true christian.
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The foundation of his life is jesus christ.
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He is depending upon jesus christ for salvation.
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He has committed himself
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To following the commands of jesus christ.
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That is the foundation of every believer.
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We share a common foundation.
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However, each one of us as christians,
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Having laid that foundation,
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Decides what kind of life we're going to build
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On that foundation.
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God gives every one of us
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A certain amount of time on this planet.
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He gives us certain financial resources.
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He gives us certain gifts and abilities.
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He gives us certain opportunities,
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And he says, "now, here's the assignment.
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With that money, with those gifts, with those opportunities,
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You have one assignment while you're here on earth,
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Go and make disciples."
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See how many people you can introduce
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To a saving faith in christ
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And help them grow in their faith
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To become faithful followers of mine.
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That is the assignment.
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We're all given a certain amount of time and money
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And resources to build not a physical home,
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But to build god's kingdom,
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And there is going to be a judgment
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Based on our faithfulness to carry out the assignment
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That god has given to each one of us.
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What we build for god
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Determines the kind of rewards we will receive.
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Have we spent our lives pursuing god's agenda or our agenda,
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And that leads us secondly to the basis for our judgment.
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How will we be judged at the judgment seat of christ?
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First of all, the durability of our life.
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Look at verse 12, the durability of our life.
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"now, if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver,
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Precious stones, wood, hay, and straw."
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Paul says, there are two kind of building materials.
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There's gold and silver and precious stones,
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That represents a life that is durable,
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Something that is valuable,
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And then the second kind of building material,
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There's wood, hay, and straw,
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That represents that which is cheap
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And that which is temporal.
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Now, look at verse 13.
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Paul says, "at the judgment seat of christ,
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Each man's work will become evident;
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For the day will show it,
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Because it is to be revealed with fire,
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And the fire itself will test the quality
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Of each man's work."
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At the judgment seat of christ,
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God is going to review your life
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To see how durable it was.
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Was your life invested in the eternal or the temporal?
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Let me be real specific here.
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A life that is squandered, that is spent on building
00:11:30.212 --> 00:11:33.115
A portfolio, that is built spending
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Or is spent building a career,
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A life that is spent on recreational pursuits,
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That is all wood, hay, and straw in the eyes of god.
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I'm not talking about evil things.
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I'm talking about temporal things.
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And the fire of god's judgment will reveal
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The kind of life that we have built.
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On the other hand, a life that is spent
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Loving and serving god,
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A life that is spent winning as many people
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To christ as possible, that is a life
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That will be judged to be gold, silver, and precious stones.
00:12:06.382 --> 00:12:10.653
Might point out something to you from 2 corinthians 5:10,
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When paul says, "we must all appear
00:12:14.089 --> 00:12:15.524
Before the judgment seat of christ,
00:12:15.524 --> 00:12:17.760
That each one of us may be rewarded for what we've done
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In the body, whether it be good,"
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Your translation says bad,
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But the greek word is falace.
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It's not referring to moral bad.
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The word falace means worthless.
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That's the basis of our judgment.
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At the judgment seat of christ,
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Is our life valuable and durable
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Or is it cheap and temporal?
00:12:41.317 --> 00:12:43.786
But there's a second basis for our judgment
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And that is the motives of our life,
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Not just the durability of our life,
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But the motives of our life.
00:12:50.726 --> 00:12:52.294
You see, why we do something is just as important to god
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As what we do many times.
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And you see that in 1 corinthians 4:5.
00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:00.669
Paul says, "therefore, do not go on passing judgment
00:13:00.669 --> 00:13:03.839
Before the time,
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But wait until the lord comes who will both bring to light
00:13:05.407 --> 00:13:08.544
The things hidden in the darkness
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And that he will disclose the motives of men's hearts,
00:13:10.746 --> 00:13:15.017
And then each man's praise will come to him from god."
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God is not only going to judge our actions,
00:13:21.290 --> 00:13:22.858
But he's going to judge the motives behind those actions.
00:13:22.858 --> 00:13:26.395
For example, if i preach a sermon in order to exalt christ,
00:13:26.395 --> 00:13:29.798
That's gold, but if my motive in preaching the sermon
00:13:29.798 --> 00:13:33.035
Is to exalt myself, that's wood.
00:13:33.035 --> 00:13:36.906
If i win somebody to christ out of a genuine concern
00:13:36.906 --> 00:13:40.342
For their eternal well-being, that's silver.
00:13:40.342 --> 00:13:43.612
But if i witness to somebody in order to brag
00:13:43.612 --> 00:13:45.648
At prayer meeting about what i've done,
00:13:45.648 --> 00:13:48.117
No, that's hay.
00:13:48.117 --> 00:13:50.219
If i give a gift to the lord's work
00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:52.955
In order to see the kingdom of god expanded,
00:13:52.955 --> 00:13:55.357
That's a precious stone in god's sight.
00:13:55.357 --> 00:13:59.028
But if i give in order to be applauded by other people,
00:13:59.028 --> 00:14:02.698
That's nothing but straw in god's sight.
00:14:02.698 --> 00:14:06.001
Proverbs 16:2 says that the ways of a man
00:14:06.001 --> 00:14:10.039
Are clean in his own sight,
00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.441
But the lord is the one who weighs the motives."
00:14:12.441 --> 00:14:16.145
Now, let me give you a little warning here.
00:14:16.145 --> 00:14:17.846
Sometimes people can use motives as a cop out
00:14:17.846 --> 00:14:22.718
For disobedience to god.
00:14:22.718 --> 00:14:24.553
They'll say, "well, you know, if my heart's
00:14:24.553 --> 00:14:26.488
Not really in it, why should i give my offering this week?
00:14:26.488 --> 00:14:30.659
Why should i go to church?
00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:32.027
Why should i witness, my heart's not really in it?"
00:14:32.027 --> 00:14:35.230
Could i suggest to you that one of the best
00:14:35.230 --> 00:14:37.933
And purest motivations for obedience to god
00:14:37.933 --> 00:14:42.371
Is the motivation of rewards in heaven.
00:14:42.371 --> 00:14:45.741
That's not a bad motivation.
00:14:46.342 --> 00:14:48.043
That's the best motivation there is.
00:14:48.043 --> 00:14:50.245
Because you work in order to earn rewards,
00:14:50.245 --> 00:14:53.916
What you're saying is, i believe
00:14:53.916 --> 00:14:55.584
What god has said in his word.
00:14:55.584 --> 00:14:57.519
I believe that god is one day going to reward faithfulness.
00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:01.323
Remember hebrews 11:6,
00:15:01.323 --> 00:15:03.292
"he who comes to god must believe that he is,
00:15:03.292 --> 00:15:06.328
And that he is a rewarder
00:15:06.328 --> 00:15:08.297
Of those who diligently seek after him."
00:15:08.297 --> 00:15:12.101
The motivation of rewards in heaven,
00:15:12.101 --> 00:15:13.936
Even if you don't feel like obeying god,
00:15:13.936 --> 00:15:16.438
Can be one of the greatest motivations for obedience to god.
00:15:16.438 --> 00:15:20.909
Now, we've talked about the certainty of this judgment.
00:15:20.909 --> 00:15:23.045
It really is going to happen.
00:15:23.045 --> 00:15:24.580
We've talked about the basis of this judgment.
00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:27.016
We're going to be judged by not only what we do,
00:15:27.016 --> 00:15:30.486
But why we do it.
00:15:30.486 --> 00:15:32.154
Let's look now at the consequences of rewards in heaven.
00:15:32.154 --> 00:15:36.492
First of all, let's look at the positive consequences.
00:15:36.492 --> 00:15:39.161
Verse 14, "if any man's
00:15:39.161 --> 00:15:41.196
Work which he has built on it remains,
00:15:41.196 --> 00:15:44.466
He will receive a reward."
00:15:44.466 --> 00:15:47.703
Now, the bible often refers to rewards,
00:15:47.703 --> 00:15:51.040
In the new testament, describes them as crowns.
00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:54.043
What are those rewards we're going to receive?
00:15:54.043 --> 00:15:56.078
They are going to be very tangible rewards.
00:15:56.078 --> 00:15:58.680
Let me just mention three of them
00:15:58.680 --> 00:16:00.582
That i believe we're going to receive in heaven.
00:16:00.582 --> 00:16:02.951
First of all, the bible says some christians
00:16:02.951 --> 00:16:05.120
Will receive special privileges in heaven.
00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:08.690
For example, 2 peter 1:11
00:16:08.690 --> 00:16:10.893
Talks about a special entrance into the kingdom of god.
00:16:10.893 --> 00:16:14.329
You know, every time i read that,
00:16:14.329 --> 00:16:16.198
I think about going to disney world.
00:16:16.198 --> 00:16:18.100
You know, you all pay...
00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.868
You pay a basic price to get into the magic kingdom,
00:16:19.868 --> 00:16:23.605
But there are certain levels of experience
00:16:23.605 --> 00:16:26.175
In the magic kingdom too.
00:16:26.175 --> 00:16:28.544
I mean, everybody pays one price and everybody gets in,
00:16:28.544 --> 00:16:30.879
But you know if you pay a little bit more,
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.881
There's a special entrance into the magic kingdom
00:16:32.881 --> 00:16:35.717
You get to go through.
00:16:35.717 --> 00:16:37.186
And not only that, you get to go a little bit earlier
00:16:37.186 --> 00:16:39.021
Than everybody else and beat the crowds.
00:16:39.021 --> 00:16:41.390
Now, there's some special privileges.
00:16:41.390 --> 00:16:43.025
You get to eat, you know, lunch with mickey and minnie
00:16:43.025 --> 00:16:46.395
And all of their friends, you know?
00:16:46.395 --> 00:16:48.030
There are some special privileges.
00:16:48.030 --> 00:16:49.898
Disney world is not the same for everybody.
00:16:49.898 --> 00:16:53.335
Now, the bible says,
00:16:53.335 --> 00:16:54.603
Heaven's not going to be the same for everybody.
00:16:54.603 --> 00:16:56.038
There are special privileges that are a lot better
00:16:56.038 --> 00:16:58.006
Than lunch with mickey and minnie that await us in heaven.
00:16:58.006 --> 00:17:01.343
Secondly, there's a special praise that awaits people
00:17:01.343 --> 00:17:04.580
Who do well at the judgment seat of christ.
00:17:04.580 --> 00:17:06.381
Matthew 25:11 says, "jesus will have special words
00:17:06.381 --> 00:17:10.119
Of commendation for those who succeed at that judgment.
00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:13.856
'well done, good and faithful servant.'"
00:17:13.856 --> 00:17:16.358
Thirdly, there'll be special positions of authority.
00:17:16.358 --> 00:17:19.294
2 timothy 2:12 says, "if we endure with him,
00:17:19.294 --> 00:17:22.631
We will also reign with him."
00:17:22.631 --> 00:17:25.634
Folks, i don't know what these rewards are.
00:17:25.634 --> 00:17:27.970
I don't begin to understand the ramifications,
00:17:27.970 --> 00:17:30.772
But what i do know is this.
00:17:30.772 --> 00:17:33.208
The new testament says, these rewards are going to be
00:17:33.208 --> 00:17:36.111
So magnificent,
00:17:36.111 --> 00:17:38.013
They are definitely worth working for and sacrificing for.
00:17:38.013 --> 00:17:42.751
Now, notice the negative consequences
00:17:42.751 --> 00:17:45.020
At the judgment seat of christ.
00:17:45.020 --> 00:17:46.355
Verse 15, "if any man's work is burned up,
00:17:46.355 --> 00:17:50.659
He will suffer loss;
00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:53.061
But he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
00:17:53.061 --> 00:17:58.400
Here's the person who's done very little
00:17:59.268 --> 00:18:00.235
To advance the kingdom of god.
00:18:00.235 --> 00:18:01.203
He's a christian, yes,
00:18:01.203 --> 00:18:02.804
But his life has been centered totally
00:18:02.804 --> 00:18:05.641
On life in this world:
00:18:05.641 --> 00:18:07.776
His family,
00:18:07.776 --> 00:18:09.111
His career,
00:18:09.111 --> 00:18:10.479
His reputation,
00:18:10.479 --> 00:18:12.347
His enjoyment of life,
00:18:12.347 --> 00:18:14.816
And he stands before the judgment seat of christ.
00:18:14.816 --> 00:18:16.818
God reviews everything that is done,
00:18:16.818 --> 00:18:19.188
And it goes up in a puff of smoke.
00:18:19.188 --> 00:18:22.925
Notice what paul says about this person.
00:18:22.925 --> 00:18:25.327
He affirms, "this person will be saved,
00:18:25.327 --> 00:18:29.598
Yet so as through fire."
00:18:29.598 --> 00:18:32.501
Here's a picture of a person who makes it into heaven
00:18:32.501 --> 00:18:36.705
Just barely.
00:18:36.705 --> 00:18:38.407
He escapes the flames of hell,
00:18:38.407 --> 00:18:41.043
But his clothes actually still stink of smoke.
00:18:41.043 --> 00:18:44.813
That's the idea here.
00:18:44.813 --> 00:18:46.481
He just barely makes it.
00:18:46.481 --> 00:18:48.050
If paul were saying it today, he would say something like,
00:18:48.050 --> 00:18:50.319
"he makes it by the skin of his teeth."
00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:54.556
Now, some people say, "well, that's enough.
00:18:54.556 --> 00:18:57.726
That's enough, just as long as i make it to heaven,
00:18:57.726 --> 00:19:00.596
It'll be okay."
00:19:00.596 --> 00:19:02.164
"maybe i don't have the rewards, but so what."
00:19:02.164 --> 00:19:04.800
"i've had the best of both worlds, so to speak.
00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:08.437
I got to live it up here on this earth.
00:19:08.437 --> 00:19:11.173
I got to do the things i wanted to do.
00:19:11.173 --> 00:19:14.009
I didn't sacrifice.
00:19:14.009 --> 00:19:15.344
I didn't deny myself.
00:19:15.344 --> 00:19:17.179
I enjoyed myself, and now i'm in heaven.
00:19:17.179 --> 00:19:19.381
Maybe it's not the best level of heaven.
00:19:19.381 --> 00:19:21.683
Maybe i'm not experiencing everything
00:19:21.683 --> 00:19:23.885
That orville rogers is experiencing in heaven up there,
00:19:23.885 --> 00:19:26.888
But you know, i had the best of both worlds.
00:19:26.888 --> 00:19:30.058
It's not that big of a deal."
00:19:30.058 --> 00:19:31.493
You know what, you better think again.
00:19:31.493 --> 00:19:33.996
I listened to one commentator.
00:19:33.996 --> 00:19:36.031
In fact, he likened the judgment seat of christ
00:19:36.031 --> 00:19:37.933
To a high school graduation.
00:19:37.933 --> 00:19:39.701
This is what he said, "those who achieve the most
00:19:39.701 --> 00:19:42.604
Are rewarded with special honors,
00:19:42.604 --> 00:19:45.073
And while those who did not win the honors
00:19:45.073 --> 00:19:47.209
Might have some remorse over not having worked harder.
00:19:47.209 --> 00:19:51.046
The overwhelming emotion is one of joy for having made it
00:19:51.046 --> 00:19:54.883
And for what they did achieve."
00:19:54.883 --> 00:19:57.452
Now, that explanation really appeals to me,
00:19:58.387 --> 00:20:00.856
But i don't think it's accurate.
00:20:01.490 --> 00:20:03.825
I think the remorse we're going to feel
00:20:03.825 --> 00:20:05.560
At the judgment seat of christ
00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:07.896
Is a lot more than not being named valedictorian
00:20:07.896 --> 00:20:10.465
At our high school graduation.
00:20:10.465 --> 00:20:12.534
You see, the reason i know that
00:20:13.168 --> 00:20:14.503
Is because of what paul says here.
00:20:14.503 --> 00:20:16.238
He says, "if any man's work is burned up, that man,
00:20:16.238 --> 00:20:20.342
That woman will suffer loss."
00:20:20.342 --> 00:20:26.014
If you're a christian
00:20:26.515 --> 00:20:28.350
And you stand at that judgment seat of christ
00:20:28.350 --> 00:20:30.652
And god determines that your life
00:20:30.652 --> 00:20:32.754
Has been nothing but wood, hay, or straw,
00:20:32.754 --> 00:20:35.190
Paul says, you are going to experience real,
00:20:35.190 --> 00:20:39.261
Measurable loss.
00:20:39.261 --> 00:20:42.631
Perhaps i could illustrate it to you this way.
00:20:43.598 --> 00:20:46.401
Let's suppose your insurance agent drops by your house
00:20:47.502 --> 00:20:50.605
Or your office one day and says,
00:20:50.605 --> 00:20:51.907
"you know, i've been looking at your policy.
00:20:51.907 --> 00:20:53.809
You are woefully underinsured.
00:20:53.809 --> 00:20:56.578
In fact, you're about $100,000 underinsured.
00:20:56.578 --> 00:20:59.848
If this house were to burn down,
00:20:59.848 --> 00:21:01.350
You'd have $100,000 deficit to make up.
00:21:01.350 --> 00:21:04.052
You need to up your insurance.
00:21:04.052 --> 00:21:05.454
It's going to cost you another thousand dollars
00:21:05.454 --> 00:21:07.589
A year in premiums."
00:21:07.589 --> 00:21:09.624
You say, "well, i'll think about it.
00:21:09.624 --> 00:21:11.526
I'll think about it."
00:21:11.526 --> 00:21:12.928
You never get around to upgrading your insurance policy.
00:21:12.928 --> 00:21:17.032
One night you awaken to the smell of smoke in your house
00:21:18.166 --> 00:21:21.737
And you suddenly realize that your house is on fire.
00:21:21.737 --> 00:21:25.674
You wake up your mate,
00:21:25.674 --> 00:21:27.542
You try to gather your children together.
00:21:27.542 --> 00:21:29.778
You grope through the darkness and the smoke,
00:21:29.778 --> 00:21:31.646
Trying to find a way out.
00:21:31.646 --> 00:21:33.181
All the entrances are blocked by flames,
00:21:33.181 --> 00:21:35.684
And in a panic, you go into your bedroom
00:21:35.684 --> 00:21:37.886
And you crash through one of the bedroom windows
00:21:37.886 --> 00:21:40.655
And you crawl through the broken glass
00:21:40.655 --> 00:21:43.158
And you pull your children through and you make through,
00:21:43.158 --> 00:21:46.027
And you're standing on the front lawn
00:21:46.027 --> 00:21:47.963
Watching your house going up in flames.
00:21:47.963 --> 00:21:51.800
Now, let me ask you, what is your emotion at that moment?
00:21:51.800 --> 00:21:56.938
It's probably mixed emotions, isn't it?
00:21:57.806 --> 00:22:00.342
Certainly, there's a sense of gratitude
00:22:01.176 --> 00:22:02.811
And relief that you made it through the fire,
00:22:02.811 --> 00:22:05.814
That your light has been spared.
00:22:05.814 --> 00:22:08.717
There's no way to quince that kind of joy and gratitude,
00:22:08.717 --> 00:22:11.953
But at the very same time,
00:22:11.953 --> 00:22:14.423
Don't you think there would be some remorse that you felt?
00:22:15.590 --> 00:22:18.493
Remorse in not having made that investment
00:22:18.493 --> 00:22:21.830
That would've saved you from this catastrophe.
00:22:21.830 --> 00:22:25.333
Now, ladies and gentlemen, the bible says,
00:22:26.201 --> 00:22:28.336
We're going to experience those same mixed emotions
00:22:28.336 --> 00:22:31.740
At the judgment seat of christ.
00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:33.742
Grateful, certainly, that god has saved us
00:22:33.742 --> 00:22:36.378
From the flames of hell,
00:22:36.378 --> 00:22:38.046
That we're going to spend eternity with him,
00:22:38.046 --> 00:22:41.249
But for some, there will be sorrow.
00:22:42.017 --> 00:22:45.821
Some will experience great measurable, palpable loss
00:22:45.821 --> 00:22:51.726
As they realize what could have been theirs
00:22:52.627 --> 00:22:55.564
Had they not only made the right investment.
00:22:56.498 --> 00:22:59.100
A friend of mine said it well, "to overdo the sorrow aspect
00:23:00.268 --> 00:23:05.607
Of the judgment seat of christ is to turn heaven into hell,
00:23:06.775 --> 00:23:09.744
But to understate the sorrow aspect
00:23:10.545 --> 00:23:13.715
Of the judgment seat of christ
00:23:13.715 --> 00:23:16.151
Is to make faithfulness inconsequential,
00:23:16.151 --> 00:23:20.288
'for we must all appear before the judgment seat of christ,
00:23:21.456 --> 00:23:25.527
That each one of us may be rewarded for what we've done
00:23:25.527 --> 00:23:28.763
In the body, whether it be good or worthless.'"
00:23:28.763 --> 00:23:32.634
♪ music ♪
00:23:32.634 --> 00:23:38.540
This portion in the bible clearly teaches
00:23:38.540 --> 00:23:41.243
That judgment is coming even for christians.
00:23:41.243 --> 00:23:44.946
No one escapes god's evaluation of their life
00:23:44.946 --> 00:23:49.217
And nothing is more urgent than settling our relationship
00:23:49.217 --> 00:23:52.621
With god through faith in jesus christ in this life.
00:23:52.621 --> 00:23:56.691
Before we close, let me say thank you to every one of you
00:23:56.691 --> 00:23:59.728
Who supports "pathway to victory"
00:23:59.728 --> 00:24:01.663
Through your generous gifts,
00:24:01.663 --> 00:24:03.098
Especially those of you who are pathway partners.
00:24:03.098 --> 00:24:06.868
The remarkable growth we've experienced in recent months
00:24:06.868 --> 00:24:10.071
Can only be attributed to god's blessing
00:24:10.071 --> 00:24:13.241
Through friends like you
00:24:13.241 --> 00:24:14.676
Who share our vision and give faithfully.
00:24:14.676 --> 00:24:17.679
Your partnership enables us to expand our reach
00:24:17.679 --> 00:24:20.815
And touch more lives with biblical truth,
00:24:20.815 --> 00:24:23.885
So thank you for standing with us in this critical mission.
00:24:23.885 --> 00:24:27.722
Together, we are truly piercing the darkness
00:24:27.722 --> 00:24:31.026
With the light of god's word.
00:24:31.026 --> 00:24:32.994
Now, please stay right there.
00:24:32.994 --> 00:24:34.329
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
00:24:34.329 --> 00:24:37.165
In just a moment.
00:24:37.165 --> 00:24:38.867
The most important task a parent
00:24:39.501 --> 00:24:41.303
Or grandparent has in life is to lead their child
00:24:41.303 --> 00:24:44.739
Or grandchild to faith in jesus christ.
00:24:44.739 --> 00:24:47.509
Yet many don't know where to begin.
00:24:47.509 --> 00:24:49.744
That's why i've written "the gift: the gospel for children,"
00:24:49.744 --> 00:24:53.481
A beautifully illustrated book
00:24:53.481 --> 00:24:55.584
Designed to help you share the gospel
00:24:55.584 --> 00:24:57.586
With the children you love.
00:24:57.586 --> 00:24:59.621
[narrator] "the gift" provides a clear presentation
00:24:59.621 --> 00:25:01.656
Of the gospel for your child or grandchild,
00:25:01.656 --> 00:25:04.392
And makes sharing the life-changing message of jesus simple.
00:25:04.392 --> 00:25:07.963
Plus, you'll receive an instructional dvd message
00:25:07.963 --> 00:25:10.765
From dr. jeffress that you can watch together
00:25:10.765 --> 00:25:13.268
With your child.
00:25:13.268 --> 00:25:14.536
You can give this book to your children
00:25:14.536 --> 00:25:16.171
Or grandchildren to read on their own,
00:25:16.171 --> 00:25:18.406
Or better yet, read it together
00:25:18.406 --> 00:25:20.609
To begin a rewarding spiritual journey
00:25:20.609 --> 00:25:23.511
That will shape their eternity.
00:25:23.511 --> 00:25:25.714
At the end of my book, i've included a prayer for salvation.
00:25:25.714 --> 00:25:29.217
They can pray to trust in christ as their savior.
00:25:29.217 --> 00:25:33.288
[narrator] help your child or grandchild make the decision
00:25:33.288 --> 00:25:35.724
To follow jesus christ.
00:25:35.724 --> 00:25:37.559
Request "the gift" when you give a generous gift
00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:40.328
To support the ministry of "pathway to victory,"
00:25:40.328 --> 00:25:43.098
And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
00:25:43.098 --> 00:25:46.301
We'll also send you "straight answers to tough questions,"
00:25:46.301 --> 00:25:49.337
Chapters one through nine on both pvd and audio disc.
00:25:49.337 --> 00:25:53.241
Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory."
00:25:53.241 --> 00:25:55.810
Together, we're preaching the gospel
00:25:55.810 --> 00:25:57.479
To as many people as possible,
00:25:57.479 --> 00:25:59.414
And equipping parents and grandparents
00:25:59.414 --> 00:26:01.249
To lead the children they love to faith in jesus christ.
00:26:01.249 --> 00:26:07.088
If god were to call you home at this very moment
00:26:08.023 --> 00:26:10.959
And you found yourself standing
00:26:10.959 --> 00:26:12.560
Before the judgment seat of christ,
00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:14.896
Would you be proud of the life you've lived
00:26:14.896 --> 00:26:17.799
Or would you feel a deep sense of regret?
00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:21.036
It's never too late to rededicate your life to god
00:26:21.036 --> 00:26:25.540
And begin investing your time and resources
00:26:25.540 --> 00:26:28.276
And things that are going to count for eternity,
00:26:28.276 --> 00:26:31.713
And i hope you'll make plans to join me again next time
00:26:31.713 --> 00:26:34.315
When i talk about the most effective way
00:26:34.315 --> 00:26:36.851
To leave a lasting legacy.
00:26:36.851 --> 00:26:39.421
It's through the children and grandchildren
00:26:39.421 --> 00:26:41.990
You and i leave behind.
00:26:41.990 --> 00:26:44.092
Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
00:26:44.092 --> 00:26:46.227
In our series, straight answers to tough questions.
00:26:46.227 --> 00:26:51.266
What we do in life is largely going to be forgotten.
00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:57.305
Your accomplishments will be forgotten.
00:26:57.305 --> 00:26:59.741
Your money is going to be left behind,
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But the children,
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The grandchildren,
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The children they have
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Will reverberate throughout the generations,
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Just like ripples in a pond.
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[narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
00:27:15.290 --> 00:27:17.325
For the message building a legacy that lasts
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Here on "pathway to victory."
00:27:20.395 --> 00:27:20.395

Robert Jeffress - Tricked or Treated?

May 2, 2025 | 27:29

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