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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Triumph Over Troubles

September 3, 2025 | S E | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - Triumph Over Troubles
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#inActive #Overcoming #Challenges #Trials-HardTimes #WalkwithGod #Journey #Joy #Testing #Endurance #God'sWill #Prayer #Faith #Doubt #Believe

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Triumph Over Troubles | September 3, 2025
  • ♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
  • 00:00:06.563 --> 00:00:08.865
  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
  • 00:00:08.865 --> 00:00:12.068
  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
  • 00:00:14.571 --> 00:00:16.473
  • Again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:16.473 --> 00:00:18.508
  • When life throws you a curveball, how do you respond?
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  • Do you shake your fist at god or do you draw closer to him?
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  • The truth is trials are inevitable part of life even for
  • 00:00:26.850 --> 00:00:30.386
  • Christians, but how we respond to those trials reveals
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  • Something profound about our faith.
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  • Today we're continuing a brand new study from the book of james
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  • Called "how to know if you're really saved."
  • 00:00:40.630 --> 00:00:44.100
  • James gives us several tests to examine whether our faith is
  • 00:00:44.100 --> 00:00:47.303
  • Genuine, and the first one might surprise you.
  • 00:00:47.303 --> 00:00:51.040
  • My message is titled "triumph over troubles" on today's
  • 00:00:51.040 --> 00:00:55.145
  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:55.145 --> 00:01:02.952
  • ♪ there is a day coming. ♪
  • 00:01:03.553 --> 00:01:10.093
  • ♪ when the old will pass away. ♪
  • 00:01:10.093 --> 00:01:15.865
  • ♪ and every wrong would be made right. ♪
  • 00:01:16.733 --> 00:01:20.103
  • ♪ no darkness, no night. ♪
  • 00:01:20.103 --> 00:01:23.573
  • ♪ the son will light the way. ♪
  • 00:01:23.573 --> 00:01:29.212
  • ♪ there is a king coming. ♪
  • 00:01:29.846 --> 00:01:36.252
  • ♪ the one who conquered death and grave. ♪
  • 00:01:36.252 --> 00:01:43.092
  • ♪ no more pain and no more sorrow. ♪
  • 00:01:43.092 --> 00:01:46.229
  • ♪ this hope for tomorrow is our hope for today. ♪
  • 00:01:46.229 --> 00:01:56.706
  • ♪ he who was. ♪
  • 00:01:57.106 --> 00:02:00.243
  • ♪ he who is. ♪
  • 00:02:00.243 --> 00:02:03.680
  • ♪ he who was. ♪
  • 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:06.849
  • ♪ he who is. ♪
  • 00:02:06.849 --> 00:02:09.953
  • ♪ he who is to come is christ the son of man. ♪
  • 00:02:09.953 --> 00:02:18.094
  • ♪ he's riding on the clouds ♪
  • 00:02:18.094 --> 00:02:21.164
  • ♪ with a crown upon his head, ♪
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  • ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
  • 00:02:24.634 --> 00:02:27.470
  • ♪ with the nail scars in his hands. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah. ♪
  • 00:02:31.441 --> 00:02:33.409
  • ♪ we sing hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ he who is to come is christ the son of man. ♪
  • 00:02:36.145 --> 00:02:44.153
  • ♪ he's riding on the clouds ♪
  • 00:02:44.153 --> 00:02:47.323
  • ♪ with a crown upon his head, ♪
  • 00:02:47.323 --> 00:02:50.960
  • ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
  • 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:53.863
  • ♪ with the nail scars in his hands. ♪
  • 00:02:53.863 --> 00:02:56.733
  • ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ sing hallelujah. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelujah. ♪
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  • [congregation cheering]
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  • Male announcer: where there's genuine faith, there will always
  • 00:03:26.362 --> 00:03:28.665
  • Be visible fruit.
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  • In his brand new book "how to know if you're really saved,"
  • 00:03:30.533 --> 00:03:34.037
  • Dr. robert jeffress helps you take stock of the evidence of
  • 00:03:34.037 --> 00:03:37.240
  • Your faith, the spiritual fruit in your daily life.
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  • This outstanding verse by verse walk through the book of james
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  • Will help you cultivate the spiritual fruit that reflects
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  • Genuine faith.
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  • Request "how to know if you're really saved" when you give a
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  • Generous gift to support the ministry of pathway to victory.
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  • ♪♪
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  • Jeffress: jocko willink is a former navy seal who's written
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  • A lot of books about leadership.
  • 00:04:11.607 --> 00:04:14.177
  • Recently, i stumbled across a youtube video jocko did
  • 00:04:14.177 --> 00:04:18.848
  • Describing his attitude toward life when life doesn't go
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  • His way.
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  • Have you ever had that happen?
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  • Things don't quite go like you want them to.
  • 00:04:25.855 --> 00:04:28.758
  • His philosophy could be summarized in one word: good.
  • 00:04:28.758 --> 00:04:33.796
  • Jocko said: "when things are going bad, there's going to be
  • 00:04:33.796 --> 00:04:37.033
  • Some good that's going to come from it.
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  • Didn't get promoted? good.
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  • More time to get better.
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  • Got beat? good.
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  • You learned.
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  • Unexpected problems? good.
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  • You have the opportunity to figure out a solution.
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  • When things are going bad, don't get all bummed out, don't get
  • 00:04:52.715 --> 00:04:56.419
  • Startled and don't get frustrated.
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  • Get up, dust off, reload, recalibrate, re-engage, and go
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  • Out on the attack."
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  • Do you know if james, the half brother of jesus, who wrote the
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  • Letter we're studying, if he had stumbled across jocko on
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  • Youtube, he would have said, "good, that's right, i agree
  • 00:05:12.769 --> 00:05:18.508
  • Completely," and that's the theme of the first section of
  • 00:05:18.508 --> 00:05:21.844
  • James we're going to look at today in our series "how to know
  • 00:05:21.844 --> 00:05:25.448
  • If you're really saved."
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  • If you have your bibles, turn to james chapter 1, as we
  • 00:05:26.816 --> 00:05:30.853
  • Discover today, "triumphing over troubles," how to triumph over
  • 00:05:30.853 --> 00:05:36.492
  • Your troubles.
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  • James addresses how we respond to trials beginning in verse 2.
  • 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:42.932
  • He begins by sharing two truths about trials.
  • 00:05:42.932 --> 00:05:46.536
  • Look at verse 2 of chapter 1: "consider it all joy, my
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  • Brethren, when you encounter various trials."
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  • Will you write this down and remember it forever?
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  • Trials are certain.
  • 00:06:00.249 --> 00:06:03.920
  • James doesn't say, consider it joy if you should experience a
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  • Trial in life.
  • 00:06:08.357 --> 00:06:09.892
  • Or should you experience a trial in life, but when, they are an
  • 00:06:09.892 --> 00:06:14.363
  • Absolute certainty.
  • 00:06:14.363 --> 00:06:16.833
  • You know, one of the greatest myths about christianity is when
  • 00:06:16.833 --> 00:06:20.436
  • You become a christian, you get an automatic exemption
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  • From problems.
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  • Nothing could be further from the truth.
  • 00:06:26.309 --> 00:06:29.445
  • Being a christian is not a get out of problems free card.
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  • In fact, being a christian guarantees that you're gonna
  • 00:06:33.015 --> 00:06:36.919
  • Face problems in life.
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  • Secondly, trials are diverse.
  • 00:06:38.988 --> 00:06:42.792
  • And then we'll look again at verse 2: "consider it all joy,
  • 00:06:42.792 --> 00:06:45.728
  • My brethren, when you encounter various trials."
  • 00:06:45.728 --> 00:06:50.299
  • That word "encounter" is an interesting word.
  • 00:06:50.299 --> 00:06:54.403
  • It's only used one other time in the greek new
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  • Testament, peripipto.
  • 00:06:56.572 --> 00:06:58.875
  • It was used in the story of the good samaritan.
  • 00:06:58.875 --> 00:07:01.277
  • Remember the man was walking from jerusalem to jericho, and
  • 00:07:01.277 --> 00:07:05.114
  • He was ambushed by a group of thieves.
  • 00:07:05.114 --> 00:07:09.585
  • You know, one thing about trials is they are very impolite.
  • 00:07:09.585 --> 00:07:13.756
  • They don't wait their turn to come into your life.
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  • They don't allow you to deal with one problem before they
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  • Come and attack you with another problem.
  • 00:07:19.395 --> 00:07:21.831
  • Have you noticed how problems seem to come in multiples all at
  • 00:07:21.831 --> 00:07:26.135
  • The same time?
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  • Job experienced that as we'll see in just a moment.
  • 00:07:27.770 --> 00:07:31.641
  • "count it all joy when you encounter various trials."
  • 00:07:31.641 --> 00:07:36.245
  • And that leads to the value of trials.
  • 00:07:36.245 --> 00:07:40.049
  • How can we consider it all joy?
  • 00:07:40.049 --> 00:07:43.119
  • Now let me be clear what james is not saying he's not saying
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  • When you're on the dallas north tollway and a tire blows out to
  • 00:07:47.456 --> 00:07:50.593
  • Say, isn't this wonderful?
  • 00:07:50.593 --> 00:07:55.131
  • Or he's not telling you when the diagnosis comes back as terminal
  • 00:07:55.131 --> 00:07:59.802
  • From the doctor: "oh, i'm so excited about this.
  • 00:07:59.802 --> 00:08:02.738
  • I can't wait to see what god's going to do."
  • 00:08:02.738 --> 00:08:06.075
  • James isn't a masochist.
  • 00:08:06.075 --> 00:08:08.578
  • He's not a stoic, but that word "consider" it's an
  • 00:08:08.578 --> 00:08:12.348
  • Interesting word.
  • 00:08:12.348 --> 00:08:13.716
  • It means to lead.
  • 00:08:13.716 --> 00:08:16.686
  • He's saying your leading thought, your final thought
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  • Needs to be one of joy.
  • 00:08:21.490 --> 00:08:23.826
  • God has his eye on the clock and his hand on the thermostat.
  • 00:08:23.826 --> 00:08:28.631
  • He knows how long and how much, that's what he's talking about.
  • 00:08:28.631 --> 00:08:33.569
  • We can have joy, that subtle assurance that god is at work.
  • 00:08:33.569 --> 00:08:37.640
  • Why "knowing that the testing of your faith produces," what?
  • 00:08:37.640 --> 00:08:42.078
  • "endurance, and let endurance have its perfect results so that
  • 00:08:42.078 --> 00:08:46.315
  • You may be perfect, complete, lacking in nothing."
  • 00:08:46.315 --> 00:08:49.986
  • Testing has as its end result endurance.
  • 00:08:49.986 --> 00:08:53.489
  • Now let's look thirdly at the reason for trials.
  • 00:08:53.489 --> 00:08:56.325
  • We've talked about two truths about trials.
  • 00:08:56.325 --> 00:08:59.061
  • They are certain and diverse.
  • 00:08:59.061 --> 00:09:01.063
  • We talked about the value of trials that strengthens us,
  • 00:09:01.063 --> 00:09:04.834
  • Gives us endurance.
  • 00:09:04.834 --> 00:09:06.902
  • What about the reason for trials?
  • 00:09:06.902 --> 00:09:08.771
  • Even though intellectually we know that the trial may be
  • 00:09:08.771 --> 00:09:13.142
  • Working for some future great purpose, we still can't help but
  • 00:09:13.142 --> 00:09:17.179
  • Ask the question why?
  • 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:20.116
  • Why is this happening?
  • 00:09:20.116 --> 00:09:22.451
  • Why is this happening to me?
  • 00:09:22.451 --> 00:09:24.320
  • Why is this happening to me right now?
  • 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:27.323
  • Look at verse 5, james says, "but if any of you lacks wisdom
  • 00:09:27.323 --> 00:09:32.928
  • Let him ask of god, who gives to all generously and without
  • 00:09:32.928 --> 00:09:37.099
  • Reproach, and it will be given to him."
  • 00:09:37.099 --> 00:09:40.703
  • People say, why is he talking about wisdom here?
  • 00:09:40.703 --> 00:09:43.005
  • No, wisdom in light of the trials, it's a wisdom tied to
  • 00:09:43.005 --> 00:09:46.475
  • Your trials.
  • 00:09:46.475 --> 00:09:47.843
  • If you want wisdom, the ability to see your life from god's
  • 00:09:47.843 --> 00:09:52.214
  • Point of view, ask god to give you a wisdom.
  • 00:09:52.214 --> 00:09:55.885
  • I think he is saying that there are some general answers that we
  • 00:09:55.885 --> 00:10:00.589
  • Ought to seek when we are going through a time of suffering.
  • 00:10:00.589 --> 00:10:06.429
  • These are three questions you ought to ask yourself for god's
  • 00:10:06.429 --> 00:10:10.266
  • Wisdom on when you're going through any trial.
  • 00:10:10.266 --> 00:10:13.135
  • Number one, am i responsible in any way for this trial?
  • 00:10:13.135 --> 00:10:18.474
  • Now, i'm not saying everything you and i go through is a result
  • 00:10:18.474 --> 00:10:21.844
  • Of sin, but sometimes it is.
  • 00:10:21.844 --> 00:10:25.281
  • And we ought to at least ask god the question, is this happening
  • 00:10:25.281 --> 00:10:29.018
  • Because of anything in my life that is displeasing to you?
  • 00:10:29.018 --> 00:10:32.955
  • If so, we can claim the promise of 1 john 1:9: "if we confess
  • 00:10:32.955 --> 00:10:37.660
  • Our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins
  • 00:10:37.660 --> 00:10:42.198
  • And to cleanse us from unrighteousness."
  • 00:10:42.198 --> 00:10:45.234
  • Second question, when you're going through a trial, is there
  • 00:10:45.234 --> 00:10:49.405
  • Anyone who's experienced a similar problem that i could
  • 00:10:49.405 --> 00:10:52.908
  • Talk with?
  • 00:10:52.908 --> 00:10:54.577
  • You know, if you've been abandoned by your mate, if
  • 00:10:54.577 --> 00:10:57.613
  • You've lost a child or a grandchild, if you've
  • 00:10:57.613 --> 00:11:01.050
  • Experienced bankruptcy, you're not the first christian who's
  • 00:11:01.050 --> 00:11:03.753
  • Gone through that.
  • 00:11:03.753 --> 00:11:05.087
  • And that's one reason we are together in a church so that we
  • 00:11:05.087 --> 00:11:09.525
  • Can encourage one another and strengthen one another.
  • 00:11:09.525 --> 00:11:12.928
  • And by the way, one reason god gives you certain problems is so
  • 00:11:12.928 --> 00:11:17.800
  • That you can experience his strength and share that strength
  • 00:11:17.800 --> 00:11:21.537
  • With other christians in the future who are going through a
  • 00:11:21.537 --> 00:11:24.740
  • Similar problem.
  • 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:26.075
  • That's what paul means when he says in 2 corinthians 1, verses
  • 00:11:26.075 --> 00:11:29.779
  • 3 and 4: "blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ,
  • 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:34.984
  • The father of mercy, and the god of all comfort, who comforts
  • 00:11:34.984 --> 00:11:39.622
  • Us," literally that word "comfort" means strengthen, "who
  • 00:11:39.622 --> 00:11:43.626
  • Strengthens us in all of our affliction so that we will be
  • 00:11:43.626 --> 00:11:47.863
  • Able to strengthen those who are in any affliction with the same
  • 00:11:47.863 --> 00:11:52.835
  • Strength with which we have been strengthened by god."
  • 00:11:52.835 --> 00:11:56.806
  • One reason god may be allowing you to go through this problem
  • 00:11:56.806 --> 00:12:00.776
  • Is so that you'll have a future ministry with those who are
  • 00:12:00.776 --> 00:12:04.079
  • Experiencing the same thing.
  • 00:12:04.079 --> 00:12:06.348
  • A third question, is there any positive benefit that might come
  • 00:12:06.348 --> 00:12:11.887
  • From this tragedy?
  • 00:12:11.887 --> 00:12:13.656
  • I think there's everything right with asking god to reveal to you
  • 00:12:13.656 --> 00:12:17.927
  • Any benefit that could come from this tragedy.
  • 00:12:17.927 --> 00:12:21.864
  • I think when we're going through a trial, we can ask the
  • 00:12:21.864 --> 00:12:25.000
  • Question, "lord, what might you be doing in my life?
  • 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:28.237
  • Can i see any positive benefit?"
  • 00:12:28.237 --> 00:12:31.507
  • Sometimes, not all the time, sometimes god gives us an
  • 00:12:31.507 --> 00:12:35.110
  • Advanced preview of what he's doing in our life as a result of
  • 00:12:35.110 --> 00:12:39.248
  • This trial.
  • 00:12:39.248 --> 00:12:40.883
  • But regardless of whether he gives us that information or
  • 00:12:40.883 --> 00:12:43.919
  • Not, we can always claim the promise of romans 8:28 god
  • 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:48.991
  • Causes "all things to work together for good to those who
  • 00:12:48.991 --> 00:12:54.196
  • Love him and are called according to his purpose."
  • 00:12:54.196 --> 00:12:58.667
  • Now in verses 6 to 8, james offers a word of warning about
  • 00:12:58.667 --> 00:13:02.938
  • When we pray for wisdom or pray for anything, when we pray, we
  • 00:13:02.938 --> 00:13:07.209
  • "must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts
  • 00:13:07.209 --> 00:13:12.014
  • Is like the wind of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
  • 00:13:12.014 --> 00:13:16.018
  • That man ought not to expect that he will have anything from
  • 00:13:16.018 --> 00:13:19.521
  • The lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all of
  • 00:13:19.521 --> 00:13:23.592
  • His ways."
  • 00:13:23.592 --> 00:13:25.261
  • Whenever we pray, we need to pray in faith.
  • 00:13:25.261 --> 00:13:28.397
  • Now faith, remember, is not the assurance that god is going to
  • 00:13:28.397 --> 00:13:32.801
  • Do what we want him to do.
  • 00:13:32.801 --> 00:13:35.170
  • We don't know if god's gonna do what we want or not.
  • 00:13:35.170 --> 00:13:38.641
  • To say you have to conjure up this positive emotion that
  • 00:13:38.641 --> 00:13:41.911
  • "god's gonna do it.
  • 00:13:41.911 --> 00:13:43.279
  • God's gonna do it," that's presumption, that's not faith.
  • 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:47.416
  • No, faith means the confidence that god is going to do what he
  • 00:13:47.416 --> 00:13:52.488
  • Has promised to do.
  • 00:13:52.488 --> 00:13:54.556
  • That's true faith.
  • 00:13:54.556 --> 00:13:56.358
  • It is boldly asking god for what is in our hearts, but quietly
  • 00:13:56.358 --> 00:14:00.863
  • Resting in god's will, "not my will but your will be done."
  • 00:14:00.863 --> 00:14:07.236
  • William barclay says every christian is a walking
  • 00:14:07.236 --> 00:14:10.272
  • Civil war.
  • 00:14:10.272 --> 00:14:11.974
  • Battling constantly, trusting god and distrusting god.
  • 00:14:11.974 --> 00:14:17.279
  • Constantly battling, resting in god's will and wrestling with
  • 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:22.318
  • God's will.
  • 00:14:22.318 --> 00:14:23.986
  • If we're going to have god answer our prayer for wisdom or
  • 00:14:23.986 --> 00:14:27.389
  • Anything in life, we have to pray in faith, quietly resting
  • 00:14:27.389 --> 00:14:32.361
  • In god's plan for our life; otherwise, we're the
  • 00:14:32.361 --> 00:14:36.065
  • "double-minded person, unstable in all our ways."
  • 00:14:36.065 --> 00:14:39.768
  • When i read that, i think about elijah whom james is gonna talk
  • 00:14:39.768 --> 00:14:43.138
  • About in chapter 5, but remember elijah on mount carmel, he said
  • 00:14:43.138 --> 00:14:47.476
  • To the jews who were
  • 00:14:47.476 --> 00:14:49.878
  • Starting to engage in baal worship, he said, "how
  • 00:14:49.878 --> 00:14:53.349
  • Long, how long are you going to hesitate between two opinions?"
  • 00:14:53.349 --> 00:15:00.089
  • That word "hesitate" between two opinions is a word picture in
  • 00:15:00.089 --> 00:15:03.592
  • Hebrew of a bird that's walking on the branch of a tree and
  • 00:15:03.592 --> 00:15:07.830
  • Comes to a fork in that branch and has to decide which way it's
  • 00:15:07.830 --> 00:15:11.266
  • Gonna go.
  • 00:15:11.266 --> 00:15:12.935
  • He said to the jews, how long are you gonna hesitate between
  • 00:15:12.935 --> 00:15:15.938
  • Two opinions?
  • 00:15:15.938 --> 00:15:17.473
  • If baal is really god, go ahead and serve him with all of
  • 00:15:17.473 --> 00:15:21.377
  • Your heart.
  • 00:15:21.377 --> 00:15:22.978
  • If yahweh is god, serve him with all of your heart, but don't try
  • 00:15:22.978 --> 00:15:27.983
  • To serve both.
  • 00:15:27.983 --> 00:15:29.351
  • Don't be double-minded.
  • 00:15:29.351 --> 00:15:32.021
  • We have to come to a conclusion in our life, ladies
  • 00:15:32.021 --> 00:15:34.390
  • And gentlemen.
  • 00:15:34.390 --> 00:15:35.758
  • Do we want god's will?
  • 00:15:35.758 --> 00:15:37.326
  • Do we really trust it?
  • 00:15:37.326 --> 00:15:38.660
  • Do we really believe god knows what's best?
  • 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:41.130
  • Do we want god's will or our will?
  • 00:15:41.130 --> 00:15:44.800
  • Quit hesitating between two opinions.
  • 00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:48.670
  • We've seen the value of trials.
  • 00:15:48.670 --> 00:15:52.841
  • We've seen james talking about the wisdom of trials.
  • 00:15:52.841 --> 00:15:56.445
  • He gives one final word for the last topic in verses 9 to 11.
  • 00:15:56.445 --> 00:16:01.583
  • And they seem out of place, these verses.
  • 00:16:01.583 --> 00:16:04.219
  • Listen to this: "but the brother of humble circumstances is the
  • 00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:08.023
  • Glory in his high position, and the rich man is the glory in his
  • 00:16:08.023 --> 00:16:12.094
  • Humiliation, because like flowering grass he will
  • 00:16:12.094 --> 00:16:15.597
  • Pass away.
  • 00:16:15.597 --> 00:16:16.932
  • For the sun rises with the scorching wind and withers the
  • 00:16:16.932 --> 00:16:20.235
  • Grass; and its flowers fall off and the beauty of its appearance
  • 00:16:20.235 --> 00:16:23.939
  • Is destroyed; so too the rich man is in the midst of his
  • 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:29.411
  • Pursuits and will fade away."
  • 00:16:29.411 --> 00:16:32.815
  • Why all this talk about the rich and the poor?
  • 00:16:32.815 --> 00:16:35.517
  • James is gonna talk about our attitude toward money later in
  • 00:16:35.517 --> 00:16:38.220
  • The letter, but here's what he's saying.
  • 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:41.156
  • Contrary to what the jews thought, being rich did not mean
  • 00:16:41.156 --> 00:16:45.294
  • You were favored by god.
  • 00:16:45.294 --> 00:16:47.329
  • Being poor didn't mean you were being judged by god, but that's
  • 00:16:47.329 --> 00:16:50.365
  • What the jews believed.
  • 00:16:50.365 --> 00:16:52.201
  • They believed if you had money, it was a sign of god's blessing.
  • 00:16:52.201 --> 00:16:55.637
  • If you didn't have money, it was a sign of god's curse.
  • 00:16:55.637 --> 00:16:58.540
  • James is saying don't fall for that.
  • 00:16:58.540 --> 00:17:02.211
  • It doesn't matter whether you're rich or poor, your financial
  • 00:17:02.211 --> 00:17:05.080
  • Status is not a sign of god's favor or disfavor because it
  • 00:17:05.080 --> 00:17:10.452
  • Could change your financial status at any moment.
  • 00:17:10.452 --> 00:17:14.089
  • Peter lowe is a motivational speaker, and he one time asked
  • 00:17:14.089 --> 00:17:17.326
  • His audience, he said, "if i could guarantee you that in 30
  • 00:17:17.326 --> 00:17:21.363
  • Days you would be a millionaire, how many of you would sign up
  • 00:17:21.363 --> 00:17:24.399
  • For that deal?"
  • 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:25.767
  • Everybody raised their hand.
  • 00:17:25.767 --> 00:17:27.136
  • He said, "now, suppose i told you in 30 days i can make you a
  • 00:17:27.136 --> 00:17:30.038
  • Millionaire, but you'll only be a millionaire for a day.
  • 00:17:30.038 --> 00:17:33.942
  • After that, you'll be bankrupt for the rest of your life.
  • 00:17:33.942 --> 00:17:36.745
  • How many of you would do it then?"
  • 00:17:36.745 --> 00:17:38.814
  • Nobody raised their hand.
  • 00:17:38.814 --> 00:17:41.216
  • James is simply saying here, our financial status, whether it's
  • 00:17:41.216 --> 00:17:44.753
  • Rich or poor, is temporary.
  • 00:17:44.753 --> 00:17:47.422
  • The day is coming that all that matters is what we have with god
  • 00:17:47.422 --> 00:17:51.660
  • In our relationship with him.
  • 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:55.364
  • Finally, james talks about after talking about the value of
  • 00:17:55.364 --> 00:17:59.168
  • Trials, the reason for trials, he talks about the reward
  • 00:17:59.168 --> 00:18:03.105
  • For trials.
  • 00:18:03.105 --> 00:18:04.473
  • "blessed," verse 12, "blessed is a man who perseveres under
  • 00:18:04.473 --> 00:18:10.312
  • Trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the
  • 00:18:10.312 --> 00:18:14.516
  • Crown of life which the lord has promised to those who love him."
  • 00:18:14.516 --> 00:18:19.655
  • "blessed," makarios, same word that you see in the sermon on
  • 00:18:19.655 --> 00:18:24.159
  • The mount that james's older brother jesus gave.
  • 00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:28.030
  • Happy, more accurately, joyful, is the person who perseveres
  • 00:18:28.030 --> 00:18:33.535
  • Under the trial, why?
  • 00:18:33.535 --> 00:18:35.571
  • Because "once he's been approved," there's that word
  • 00:18:35.571 --> 00:18:37.773
  • Again, dokimos, approved, tested, "he will receive the
  • 00:18:37.773 --> 00:18:41.677
  • Crown of life."
  • 00:18:41.677 --> 00:18:43.412
  • In other words, there are two reasons we can rejoice
  • 00:18:43.412 --> 00:18:46.315
  • In trials.
  • 00:18:46.315 --> 00:18:47.649
  • One is a present reason.
  • 00:18:47.649 --> 00:18:49.017
  • The benefit it is to us right now: it's making us stronger,
  • 00:18:49.017 --> 00:18:52.020
  • Able to stand in the midst of the storm, but there's a future
  • 00:18:52.020 --> 00:18:55.324
  • Reason too.
  • 00:18:55.324 --> 00:18:56.658
  • There is a reward: a crown of life.
  • 00:18:56.658 --> 00:18:59.828
  • That crown is the stephanos, the victor's crown.
  • 00:18:59.828 --> 00:19:03.232
  • It refers to one of our rewards in heaven.
  • 00:19:03.232 --> 00:19:06.868
  • Did you know there are seven different crowns mentioned in
  • 00:19:06.868 --> 00:19:10.339
  • The bible?
  • 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.940
  • Now, whether these crowns are literal crowns or they're
  • 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:15.544
  • Symbolic of some kind of reward?
  • 00:19:15.544 --> 00:19:18.547
  • I don't know for sure.
  • 00:19:18.547 --> 00:19:19.915
  • I think they're actually both.
  • 00:19:19.915 --> 00:19:21.250
  • I think they're literal crowns, but they're also symbolizing
  • 00:19:21.250 --> 00:19:25.520
  • Something that will last for all eternity, a special privilege
  • 00:19:25.520 --> 00:19:29.291
  • In heaven.
  • 00:19:29.291 --> 00:19:30.626
  • But the bible says one day we're all going to stand before the
  • 00:19:30.626 --> 00:19:33.462
  • Judgment seat of christ, that each one of us may be rewarded
  • 00:19:33.462 --> 00:19:37.466
  • For what we've done in the body in this life, whether it be good
  • 00:19:37.466 --> 00:19:41.136
  • Or worthless, and one of those rewards is for refusing to
  • 00:19:41.136 --> 00:19:46.541
  • Abandon our faith when we experience a trial, not
  • 00:19:46.541 --> 00:19:50.746
  • Just martyrdom.
  • 00:19:50.746 --> 00:19:52.281
  • But any kind of trial in life.
  • 00:19:52.281 --> 00:19:54.650
  • When we say, "i am not going to allow this to drive me away from
  • 00:19:54.650 --> 00:19:58.854
  • God, i'm going to allow it to drive me closer to god," there
  • 00:19:58.854 --> 00:20:02.557
  • Is a future reward for those who endure.
  • 00:20:02.557 --> 00:20:07.496
  • You know, it's been well said if you will tell me ahead of time
  • 00:20:07.496 --> 00:20:13.535
  • That the road is difficult, then every bump and jolt along the
  • 00:20:13.535 --> 00:20:18.440
  • Way will remind me i'm headed in the right direction.
  • 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:24.179
  • James says the road of this life is difficult.
  • 00:20:24.179 --> 00:20:28.450
  • There are a lot of bumps and jolts, but when you go through
  • 00:20:28.450 --> 00:20:33.155
  • Those bumps and jolts, it means you're headed in the
  • 00:20:33.155 --> 00:20:36.091
  • Right direction.
  • 00:20:36.091 --> 00:20:37.959
  • But those bumps and jolts in and of themselves can be a benefit
  • 00:20:37.959 --> 00:20:41.730
  • To you right now.
  • 00:20:41.730 --> 00:20:43.665
  • It may result those trials in a strengthening of your faith for
  • 00:20:43.665 --> 00:20:48.470
  • The future.
  • 00:20:48.470 --> 00:20:50.038
  • It may be as an encouragement to other christians that's why
  • 00:20:50.038 --> 00:20:53.508
  • God's allowing you to experience this.
  • 00:20:53.508 --> 00:20:56.278
  • It may be as a witness to unbelievers, but never forget
  • 00:20:56.278 --> 00:21:01.049
  • God is working through this trial.
  • 00:21:01.049 --> 00:21:03.051
  • He's got his eye on the clock, his hand on the thermostat.
  • 00:21:03.051 --> 00:21:08.023
  • And remember this above all, that god is not some distant
  • 00:21:08.023 --> 00:21:12.361
  • Deity who has no idea of what we're experiencing, but he took
  • 00:21:12.361 --> 00:21:17.199
  • On human form in the person of jesus christ, and there is
  • 00:21:17.199 --> 00:21:20.802
  • Nothing you're experiencing right now that jesus didn't
  • 00:21:20.802 --> 00:21:24.740
  • Experience as well.
  • 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.641
  • And that's why hebrews chapter 4 says, "for we don't have a high
  • 00:21:26.641 --> 00:21:30.512
  • Priest," jesus, "who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
  • 00:21:30.512 --> 00:21:35.784
  • Instead he was tested in all points as we are, and yet
  • 00:21:35.784 --> 00:21:40.389
  • Without sin.
  • 00:21:40.389 --> 00:21:42.124
  • Let us therefore come with confidence to the throne of
  • 00:21:42.124 --> 00:21:46.128
  • Grace, that we might receive mercy and find grace to help in
  • 00:21:46.128 --> 00:21:51.666
  • Our time of need."
  • 00:21:51.666 --> 00:21:54.369
  • That's how to experience triumph over troubles.
  • 00:21:54.369 --> 00:21:58.473
  • ♪♪
  • 00:21:58.707 --> 00:22:02.277
  • Jeffress: james reminds us that trials don't come with an
  • 00:22:03.412 --> 00:22:06.214
  • Exemption card for christians.
  • 00:22:06.214 --> 00:22:08.884
  • In fact, trials are guaranteed.
  • 00:22:08.884 --> 00:22:12.154
  • But when we allow those trials to drive us toward god rather
  • 00:22:12.154 --> 00:22:16.324
  • Than away from him, we develop spiritual endurance that
  • 00:22:16.324 --> 00:22:20.395
  • Prepares us for whatever lies ahead.
  • 00:22:20.395 --> 00:22:23.031
  • For example, i received a powerful testimony from wes in
  • 00:22:23.031 --> 00:22:27.135
  • Texas who wrote: i woke up one morning to learn i was about to
  • 00:22:27.135 --> 00:22:31.173
  • Endure an unwanted divorce.
  • 00:22:31.173 --> 00:22:33.909
  • That day i stumbled on the "pathway to victory" on
  • 00:22:33.909 --> 00:22:36.711
  • The radio.
  • 00:22:36.711 --> 00:22:38.079
  • That experience was clearly part of god's perfect plan for
  • 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:41.516
  • My life.
  • 00:22:41.516 --> 00:22:42.884
  • What happened in my life over the five years that followed was
  • 00:22:42.884 --> 00:22:46.455
  • Amazing, and dr. jeffress was the vessel god used to
  • 00:22:46.455 --> 00:22:50.258
  • Orchestrate it.
  • 00:22:50.258 --> 00:22:51.660
  • When i was divorced, i felt everything in my life was taken
  • 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:55.297
  • Away in the blink of an eye, but god has restored it.
  • 00:22:55.297 --> 00:22:59.034
  • He has blessed me so much i can't even physically receive
  • 00:22:59.034 --> 00:23:02.838
  • It all."
  • 00:23:02.838 --> 00:23:04.206
  • Wes, your story perfectly illustrates what james teaches
  • 00:23:04.206 --> 00:23:08.710
  • That god uses our trials to strengthen us and friends's
  • 00:23:08.710 --> 00:23:12.948
  • Testimonies like this are only possible because of your
  • 00:23:12.948 --> 00:23:16.651
  • Faithful support of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:16.651 --> 00:23:20.021
  • Thank you for helping us reach people in their darkest moments
  • 00:23:20.021 --> 00:23:23.492
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:23.492 --> 00:23:25.360
  • And stay right there.
  • 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.728
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:26.728 --> 00:23:31.433
  • Male announcer: every believer wants to see clear evidence of
  • 00:23:32.634 --> 00:23:35.237
  • Their spiritual growth and discover the fruit that god is
  • 00:23:35.237 --> 00:23:38.507
  • Producing in their lives.
  • 00:23:38.507 --> 00:23:40.408
  • Dr. robert jeffress shows you exactly how to recognize that
  • 00:23:40.408 --> 00:23:43.979
  • Fruit in his brand new book "how to know if you're really saved."
  • 00:23:43.979 --> 00:23:48.116
  • Jeffress: the book of james teaches us that the christian
  • 00:23:48.116 --> 00:23:50.519
  • Life is about more than just knowing god's word, it's about
  • 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:54.689
  • Living it out.
  • 00:23:54.689 --> 00:23:56.024
  • In my new book "how to know if you're really saved," i'll walk
  • 00:23:56.024 --> 00:23:58.994
  • You through what it truly means to be a doer of the word,
  • 00:23:58.994 --> 00:24:02.797
  • Showing you how to respond to trials, control your speech,
  • 00:24:02.797 --> 00:24:06.568
  • Endure hardships, resist temptation, and so much more.
  • 00:24:06.568 --> 00:24:11.573
  • Male announcer: this outstanding 232-page book will help you
  • 00:24:11.573 --> 00:24:14.576
  • Examine the evidence of your faith and see the spiritual
  • 00:24:14.576 --> 00:24:17.946
  • Fruit that should be growing in your daily life.
  • 00:24:17.946 --> 00:24:20.982
  • Request your copy of "how to know if you're really saved"
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  • To victory.
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  • Jeffress: if you are truly saved, there's gonna be evidence
  • 00:24:41.670 --> 00:24:45.073
  • Of it.
  • 00:24:45.073 --> 00:24:46.408
  • There's some tests that you need to apply to your life.
  • 00:24:46.408 --> 00:24:49.678
  • Male announcer: thank you for your generous support of pathway
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  • Jeffress: when trials ambush us unexpectedly, we have a choice.
  • 00:25:02.290 --> 00:25:06.761
  • We can become bitter or we can become better.
  • 00:25:06.761 --> 00:25:10.599
  • James reminds us that god uses every difficult situation to
  • 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:15.136
  • Strengthen our spiritual muscles and develop endurance for the
  • 00:25:15.136 --> 00:25:19.040
  • Battles ahead.
  • 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:20.742
  • Well, trials aren't the only test of genuine faith.
  • 00:25:20.742 --> 00:25:23.912
  • Next time we'll discover how our response to temptation reveals
  • 00:25:23.912 --> 00:25:28.416
  • The authenticity of our salvation.
  • 00:25:28.416 --> 00:25:31.786
  • What's the difference between a trial and a temptation?
  • 00:25:31.786 --> 00:25:35.590
  • And how can we experience victory when satan dangles his
  • 00:25:35.590 --> 00:25:39.227
  • Bait in front of us?
  • 00:25:39.227 --> 00:25:41.129
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:25:41.129 --> 00:25:43.665
  • Series, "how to know if you're really saved."
  • 00:25:43.665 --> 00:25:48.470
  • Jeffress: when we're confronted with temptation, we take
  • 00:25:48.470 --> 00:25:51.072
  • A passive attitude.
  • 00:25:51.072 --> 00:25:52.674
  • We excuse disobedience by saying, remember the old
  • 00:25:52.674 --> 00:25:55.944
  • Comedian flip wilson, "the devil made me do it."
  • 00:25:55.944 --> 00:26:00.415
  • We refuse to take responsibility for sin.
  • 00:26:00.415 --> 00:26:03.485
  • We think we're victims, but james, the half brother of
  • 00:26:03.485 --> 00:26:07.489
  • Jesus, offers a different perspective on temptation
  • 00:26:07.489 --> 00:26:11.693
  • And sin.
  • 00:26:11.693 --> 00:26:13.194
  • Male announcer: set your dvr and join us
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  • Next time for the message
  • 00:26:14.529 --> 00:26:15.997
  • "how to handle temptation"
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