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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - A True Mountaintop Experience (Part 2)

March 26, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - A True Mountaintop Experience (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Victory #Truth #TrustGod #Pastors #Prosperity #Blessing #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - A True Mountaintop Experience (Part 2) | March 26, 2026
  • ...
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  • Male announcer: alaska is unlike any other place on earth, and
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  • This is your chance to witness god's masterpiece and america's
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  • Priceless treasure june 13 through 20, 2026.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: you know, i can hardly wait to show
  • 00:00:12.068 --> 00:00:13.903
  • You alaska.
  • 00:00:13.903 --> 00:00:15.238
  • I've been there before, and every time i witness those
  • 00:00:15.238 --> 00:00:18.575
  • Massive glaciers and towering mountains, i'm reminded of how
  • 00:00:18.575 --> 00:00:22.545
  • Incredibly creative our god is.
  • 00:00:22.545 --> 00:00:25.215
  • Announcer: picture this: waking up to snow-capped peaks outside
  • 00:00:25.215 --> 00:00:28.585
  • Your window, then heading to your refreshing breakfast,
  • 00:00:28.585 --> 00:00:31.721
  • Knowing that all your meals are prepared for you.
  • 00:00:31.721 --> 00:00:34.257
  • The world-class service means that you can truly relax.
  • 00:00:34.257 --> 00:00:37.594
  • Jeffress: we'll explore charming villages together, we'll stroll
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  • Alongside the still waters of the mountain stream, and yes,
  • 00:00:40.797 --> 00:00:44.767
  • We'll see god's artistry at every turn.
  • 00:00:44.767 --> 00:00:48.271
  • Announcer: reserve your spot on the 2026 "pathway to victory"
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  • Cruise to alaska by calling...
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  • Or visit ptv.org.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
  • 00:01:09.058 --> 00:01:12.262
  • Dr. robert jeffress.
  • 00:01:12.262 --> 00:01:14.731
  • Jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome again
  • 00:01:14.731 --> 00:01:16.766
  • To "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:16.766 --> 00:01:18.401
  • Have you ever experienced a moment when god felt so close,
  • 00:01:18.401 --> 00:01:22.405
  • So real that it left you breathless?
  • 00:01:22.405 --> 00:01:25.074
  • Perhaps it was a dramatic answer to prayer or a miraculous
  • 00:01:25.074 --> 00:01:28.545
  • Provision that came at just the right time.
  • 00:01:28.545 --> 00:01:31.614
  • These supernatural encounters with god are rare, but they
  • 00:01:31.614 --> 00:01:35.018
  • Serve an important purpose in our spiritual lives.
  • 00:01:35.018 --> 00:01:38.821
  • Today, we're going to discover why god allows us to have these
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  • Milestone moments and how they can strengthen our faith in
  • 00:01:41.658 --> 00:01:45.695
  • An invisible god.
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  • My message is titled "a true mountaintop experience" on
  • 00:01:47.363 --> 00:01:51.668
  • Today's edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:01:51.668 --> 00:01:54.704
  • ♪ behold, hanging before you is the sacrifice of god. ♪
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  • ♪ the lamb, pure and holy, creation stands ♪
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  • ♪ in awe removing all that hinders the worship of ♪
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  • ♪ our king as he cries, "it is finished." ♪
  • 00:02:35.345 --> 00:02:45.388
  • ♪ heaven sings let the veil down. ♪
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  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
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  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:02:53.863 --> 00:02:55.298
  • ♪ let the praise go up. let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:02:55.298 --> 00:02:57.934
  • ♪ we're in the presence of the lord. ♪
  • 00:02:57.934 --> 00:03:02.238
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:03:02.238 --> 00:03:04.641
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:03:04.641 --> 00:03:06.609
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:03:06.609 --> 00:03:08.344
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:03:08.344 --> 00:03:10.280
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:12.248
  • ♪ we're in the presence of the lord. ♪
  • 00:03:12.248 --> 00:03:17.887
  • ♪ holy god, we sing hosanna, hosanna in the highest. ♪
  • 00:03:17.887 --> 00:03:31.901
  • ♪ we shout hosanna, hosanna in the highest. ♪
  • 00:03:27.830 --> 00:03:41.811
  • ♪ we sing hosanna, hosanna in the highest. ♪
  • 00:03:41.811 --> 00:04:00.930
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:03:51.821 --> 00:04:02.932
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:04:02.932 --> 00:04:04.634
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:04:04.634 --> 00:04:06.069
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:04:06.069 --> 00:04:08.971
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:04:08.971 --> 00:04:19.615
  • ♪ we're in the presence of the lord. ♪
  • 00:04:12.742 --> 00:04:29.592
  • ♪ we're in the presence of the, the lord. ♪♪
  • 00:04:31.094 --> 00:04:42.305
  • [congregation applauding]
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  • Announcer: whether you know it or not, you're in a battle.
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  • Satan has a strategy to attack your faith, disrupt your family,
  • 00:04:51.147 --> 00:04:54.617
  • And derail your future, but god has given you everything you
  • 00:04:54.617 --> 00:04:58.254
  • Need to fight back and win.
  • 00:04:58.254 --> 00:05:00.390
  • In "the divine defense," dr. robert jeffress reveals
  • 00:05:00.390 --> 00:05:04.127
  • Six practical strategies from ephesians chapter 6 to defeat
  • 00:05:04.127 --> 00:05:07.697
  • Satan's destructive plan.
  • 00:05:07.697 --> 00:05:09.532
  • When you put on the full armor of god, satan doesn't have
  • 00:05:09.532 --> 00:05:12.435
  • A prayer.
  • 00:05:12.435 --> 00:05:13.803
  • Request "the divine defense" when you give a generous
  • 00:05:13.803 --> 00:05:15.972
  • Ministry gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:05:15.972 --> 00:05:21.644
  • Jeffress: you know what the mistake he made was?
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  • It's found in his words when he said, "let's make
  • 00:05:27.717 --> 00:05:30.486
  • Three tabernacles.
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  • One for you, one for you, and one for you.
  • 00:05:32.588 --> 00:05:36.659
  • We're gonna make a tabernacle for you, moses, a lawgiver; for
  • 00:05:36.659 --> 00:05:41.898
  • You, elijah, a prophet; and for you, jesus, another prophet."
  • 00:05:41.898 --> 00:05:47.970
  • Peter still didn't get it.
  • 00:05:47.970 --> 00:05:51.040
  • Jesus was not just another lawgiver.
  • 00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:53.776
  • He was not just another prophet, he was the unique son of god.
  • 00:05:53.776 --> 00:05:59.782
  • You say, "now, pastor, you're reading a lot into that.
  • 00:05:59.782 --> 00:06:02.351
  • How do you know that's the correct interpretation, that was
  • 00:06:02.351 --> 00:06:05.321
  • The mistake peter made of equating him with
  • 00:06:05.321 --> 00:06:08.558
  • Moses and elijah?"
  • 00:06:08.558 --> 00:06:09.892
  • I'll tell you how i know.
  • 00:06:09.892 --> 00:06:11.260
  • It's what happened in the next verse.
  • 00:06:11.260 --> 00:06:12.595
  • Look at verse 34.
  • 00:06:12.595 --> 00:06:14.263
  • And "while peter was saying this--while he was saying,
  • 00:06:14.263 --> 00:06:18.034
  • 'let's build a booth for each of you,' a cloud formed and began
  • 00:06:18.034 --> 00:06:22.772
  • To overshadow them, and they were afraid as they entered
  • 00:06:22.772 --> 00:06:26.742
  • The cloud."
  • 00:06:26.742 --> 00:06:28.811
  • What is this cloud that overcame them and made them frightened?
  • 00:06:28.811 --> 00:06:35.284
  • This cloud was the shekinah, the shekinah.
  • 00:06:35.284 --> 00:06:40.423
  • The word shekinah is a hebrew word that's not found anywhere
  • 00:06:40.423 --> 00:06:44.093
  • In the bible.
  • 00:06:44.093 --> 00:06:45.461
  • Did you know that?
  • 00:06:45.461 --> 00:06:46.796
  • There's no reference in the bible to the shekinah glory
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  • Of god.
  • 00:06:49.232 --> 00:06:50.566
  • It's an extra biblical word used by jewish writers to describe
  • 00:06:50.566 --> 00:06:55.438
  • The presence of god, and the cloud throughout scripture was
  • 00:06:55.438 --> 00:07:01.110
  • A symbol of the presence of god.
  • 00:07:01.110 --> 00:07:04.981
  • As one writer says, this cloud right here was the same cloud
  • 00:07:04.981 --> 00:07:11.153
  • That led the israelites out of egypt.
  • 00:07:11.153 --> 00:07:14.056
  • It was the same cloud that led them miraculously through the
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  • Red sea.
  • 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:19.195
  • This was the same cloud that surrounded mount sinai when god
  • 00:07:19.195 --> 00:07:22.698
  • Gave the law to moses.
  • 00:07:22.698 --> 00:07:24.667
  • This was the cloud at the front of the tent of the meeting when
  • 00:07:24.667 --> 00:07:27.904
  • Moses and god met together.
  • 00:07:27.904 --> 00:07:30.306
  • This was the cloud that filled the tabernacle and later the
  • 00:07:30.306 --> 00:07:33.709
  • Temple on dedication day.
  • 00:07:33.709 --> 00:07:36.045
  • This was the cloud that departed the temple 400 years later
  • 00:07:36.045 --> 00:07:39.649
  • Because of israel's apostasy.
  • 00:07:39.649 --> 00:07:42.018
  • This was the cloud that surrounded the shepherds on that
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  • Hill in bethlehem when the angel announced that the messiah
  • 00:07:44.987 --> 00:07:48.257
  • Had come.
  • 00:07:48.257 --> 00:07:49.592
  • This was the cloud above the mount of olives into which jesus
  • 00:07:49.592 --> 00:07:53.162
  • Ascended when he said, "i'm coming back again."
  • 00:07:53.162 --> 00:07:56.365
  • And i believe that this cloud is the very same cloud that
  • 00:07:56.365 --> 00:08:01.837
  • A generation of christians, perhaps you and i, will ascend
  • 00:08:01.837 --> 00:08:05.441
  • Into one day when we shall be raptured to meet the lord in
  • 00:08:05.441 --> 00:08:09.045
  • The air.
  • 00:08:09.045 --> 00:08:10.379
  • This is the cloud, the presence of god.
  • 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:14.450
  • And this cloud, the presence of god enveloped the disciples and
  • 00:08:14.450 --> 00:08:18.254
  • They became fearful, and notice exactly what jesus said in
  • 00:08:18.254 --> 00:08:21.891
  • Verse 35.
  • 00:08:21.891 --> 00:08:23.659
  • "and the voice came out of the cloud," god the father, "saying,
  • 00:08:23.659 --> 00:08:27.496
  • 'this is my son, my chosen one; listen to him!'"
  • 00:08:27.496 --> 00:08:35.871
  • Can you imagine an experience like that?
  • 00:08:35.871 --> 00:08:39.375
  • God the father is saying, "this is my son.
  • 00:08:39.375 --> 00:08:44.580
  • Listen to him."
  • 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:46.682
  • The words of god the father that day actually were an echo of
  • 00:08:46.682 --> 00:08:50.386
  • What moses had written 1,400 years earlier.
  • 00:08:50.386 --> 00:08:54.657
  • In deuteronomy 18, verses 15 and 18 moses prophesized of the
  • 00:08:54.657 --> 00:08:59.028
  • Coming of christ.
  • 00:08:59.028 --> 00:09:00.396
  • He said, "the lord your god will raise up for you a prophet like
  • 00:09:00.396 --> 00:09:04.133
  • Me from among you and from your countrymen, and you shall listen
  • 00:09:04.133 --> 00:09:09.338
  • To him.
  • 00:09:09.338 --> 00:09:10.673
  • I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you,
  • 00:09:10.673 --> 00:09:14.010
  • And i will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak
  • 00:09:14.010 --> 00:09:17.079
  • Them--to them all that i command him."
  • 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:20.816
  • Now, 1,400 years god is saying, "this is the one moses
  • 00:09:20.816 --> 00:09:24.654
  • Talked about.
  • 00:09:24.654 --> 00:09:25.988
  • This is my beloved son.
  • 00:09:25.988 --> 00:09:27.790
  • Listen to everything that he says."
  • 00:09:27.790 --> 00:09:31.494
  • Verse 36, "and when the voice had spoken, jesus was
  • 00:09:31.494 --> 00:09:35.965
  • Found alone.
  • 00:09:35.965 --> 00:09:37.533
  • And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days
  • 00:09:37.533 --> 00:09:41.804
  • Any of the things which they had seen."
  • 00:09:41.804 --> 00:09:46.742
  • What was the purpose of this supernatural encounter the three
  • 00:09:46.742 --> 00:09:51.814
  • Apostles had with jesus?
  • 00:09:51.814 --> 00:09:54.216
  • Well, first of all, there was certainly for the disciples
  • 00:09:54.216 --> 00:09:57.019
  • Themselves a purpose for it.
  • 00:09:57.019 --> 00:09:59.155
  • It was a way of confirming that jesus was exactly who he said he
  • 00:09:59.155 --> 00:10:03.893
  • Was and that they should pay attention to everything that
  • 00:10:03.893 --> 00:10:06.529
  • He said.
  • 00:10:06.529 --> 00:10:08.064
  • You know, it's interesting to me that they didn't talk about this
  • 00:10:08.064 --> 00:10:11.434
  • Event for decades.
  • 00:10:11.434 --> 00:10:13.869
  • Nobody said a word about it, but they treasured it in
  • 00:10:13.869 --> 00:10:17.807
  • Their heart.
  • 00:10:17.807 --> 00:10:19.575
  • The apostle peter when he was an old man looking forward to the
  • 00:10:19.575 --> 00:10:24.413
  • Time he would be in heaven, as he wrote his last letter, he
  • 00:10:24.413 --> 00:10:29.051
  • Wrote about this experience in the words we read just a few
  • 00:10:29.051 --> 00:10:32.855
  • Moments ago.
  • 00:10:32.855 --> 00:10:34.223
  • 2 peter 1, verses 16 through 18, peter wrote, "for we want you to
  • 00:10:34.223 --> 00:10:39.495
  • Know--" this was peter's last testimony.
  • 00:10:39.495 --> 00:10:42.598
  • "we want you to know we did not follow cleverly devised tales
  • 00:10:42.598 --> 00:10:47.470
  • When we made known to you the power and the coming of our
  • 00:10:47.470 --> 00:10:50.206
  • Lord jesus christ."
  • 00:10:50.206 --> 00:10:51.941
  • That is, "we and the other apostles didn't sit up in a room
  • 00:10:51.941 --> 00:10:54.009
  • And make all this stuff up.
  • 00:10:54.009 --> 00:10:56.378
  • This isn't some myth we created."
  • 00:10:56.378 --> 00:10:59.014
  • No.
  • 00:10:59.014 --> 00:11:00.349
  • He said, "we were eyewitnesses to his majesty.
  • 00:11:00.349 --> 00:11:03.486
  • For when he received honor and glory from god the father, such
  • 00:11:03.486 --> 00:11:07.523
  • An utterance as this was made to him by the majestic glory--"
  • 00:11:07.523 --> 00:11:11.160
  • That is god the father.
  • 00:11:11.160 --> 00:11:12.828
  • He said, "this is my beloved son with whom i'm well-pleased."
  • 00:11:12.828 --> 00:11:17.967
  • Some people think he's talking about his baptism when god
  • 00:11:17.967 --> 00:11:21.704
  • Said that.
  • 00:11:21.704 --> 00:11:23.038
  • No, the apostles weren't there at that time.
  • 00:11:23.038 --> 00:11:25.741
  • No, he's talking about the transfiguration.
  • 00:11:25.741 --> 00:11:27.777
  • Look at verse 18.
  • 00:11:27.777 --> 00:11:29.111
  • "and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when
  • 00:11:29.111 --> 00:11:33.949
  • We were with him on the holy mountain."
  • 00:11:33.949 --> 00:11:38.854
  • This was a confirming sign for the apostles that jesus was who
  • 00:11:38.854 --> 00:11:42.858
  • He said he was.
  • 00:11:42.858 --> 00:11:44.226
  • For jesus, this experience was meant as an encouragement
  • 00:11:44.226 --> 00:11:48.597
  • From god.
  • 00:11:48.597 --> 00:11:50.266
  • Again, jesus dreaded going to the cross.
  • 00:11:50.266 --> 00:11:53.302
  • Remember in the garden of gethsemane he prayed, "lord, if
  • 00:11:53.302 --> 00:11:56.105
  • There is any other way to accomplish the plan of
  • 00:11:56.105 --> 00:11:58.908
  • Redemption, please show me and show me now."
  • 00:11:58.908 --> 00:12:03.345
  • But there was no other way.
  • 00:12:03.345 --> 00:12:05.781
  • There's no other way for somebody to be saved other than
  • 00:12:05.781 --> 00:12:09.752
  • The way of calvary, the cross.
  • 00:12:09.752 --> 00:12:12.588
  • The death of jesus christ for our sins was the only way to
  • 00:12:12.588 --> 00:12:16.458
  • Make atonement for our sins.
  • 00:12:16.458 --> 00:12:19.829
  • And so jesus needed encouragement as he faced the
  • 00:12:19.829 --> 00:12:22.998
  • Cross, and god sent that encouragement.
  • 00:12:22.998 --> 00:12:25.801
  • You know, this experience jesus had reminds us that god's way is
  • 00:12:25.801 --> 00:12:30.439
  • Often difficult.
  • 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:31.807
  • It's not easy.
  • 00:12:31.807 --> 00:12:33.142
  • It's costly, not cheap.
  • 00:12:33.142 --> 00:12:34.643
  • But god's way is always best, and god sent moses and elijah to
  • 00:12:34.643 --> 00:12:40.883
  • Remind jesus of that truth.
  • 00:12:40.883 --> 00:12:43.919
  • We can easily see the purpose of this experience for the
  • 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:46.822
  • Disciples and for jesus himself.
  • 00:12:46.822 --> 00:12:49.758
  • But what about us?
  • 00:12:49.758 --> 00:12:51.393
  • Why is this included in scripture for us?
  • 00:12:51.393 --> 00:12:55.264
  • Now, i need to be real careful here because i realize sometimes
  • 00:12:55.264 --> 00:12:58.534
  • We preacher types can fall into the trap of trivializing
  • 00:12:58.534 --> 00:13:04.240
  • Important truths.
  • 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:06.141
  • We take miraculous stories from the bible like the feeding of
  • 00:13:06.141 --> 00:13:09.111
  • The 12,000 and we say, "now, this story teaches us that we
  • 00:13:09.111 --> 00:13:12.815
  • Need to be nice and share what we have with one another."
  • 00:13:12.815 --> 00:13:16.385
  • Or we take the resurrection, the raising of jesus from the dead
  • 00:13:16.385 --> 00:13:20.556
  • And say, "now, this event reminds us that we can all have
  • 00:13:20.556 --> 00:13:23.726
  • A new beginning in life if we want to."
  • 00:13:23.726 --> 00:13:26.829
  • Well, that may be true, and it is true, but that's not the
  • 00:13:26.829 --> 00:13:30.165
  • Major purpose of the resurrection.
  • 00:13:30.165 --> 00:13:32.701
  • So when we talk about this experience of the
  • 00:13:32.701 --> 00:13:35.504
  • Transfiguration, i don't wanna fall into the trap
  • 00:13:35.504 --> 00:13:38.874
  • Of trivialization.
  • 00:13:38.874 --> 00:13:40.743
  • I do think there are some principles for us that are
  • 00:13:40.743 --> 00:13:44.213
  • Different than the central truth of this passage.
  • 00:13:44.213 --> 00:13:46.815
  • Let's talk about the principles, first of all.
  • 00:13:46.815 --> 00:13:49.451
  • You know, the disciples's encounter here was a true
  • 00:13:49.451 --> 00:13:52.988
  • Supernatural event.
  • 00:13:52.988 --> 00:13:55.024
  • It's what i call a milestone moment in their spiritual life,
  • 00:13:55.024 --> 00:14:01.297
  • And we all hopefully have milestone moments when we can
  • 00:14:01.297 --> 00:14:05.768
  • Look back and say, "this is what god did."
  • 00:14:05.768 --> 00:14:10.739
  • You know, three truths about milestone moments.
  • 00:14:10.739 --> 00:14:13.175
  • First of all, milestone moments are necessary.
  • 00:14:13.175 --> 00:14:16.512
  • They're necessary.
  • 00:14:16.512 --> 00:14:18.113
  • Let's face it.
  • 00:14:18.113 --> 00:14:19.448
  • We don't get to see these divine manifestations of god's power
  • 00:14:19.448 --> 00:14:23.953
  • Like the israelites experienced.
  • 00:14:23.953 --> 00:14:26.622
  • For moses, his milestone moment, as the choir sang about, was
  • 00:14:26.622 --> 00:14:30.359
  • That time when god parted the red sea and defeated
  • 00:14:30.359 --> 00:14:34.229
  • The egyptians.
  • 00:14:34.229 --> 00:14:35.564
  • He could always look back on that experience as his
  • 00:14:35.564 --> 00:14:37.633
  • Milestone moment.
  • 00:14:37.633 --> 00:14:40.169
  • We don't get to see those same displays as the
  • 00:14:40.169 --> 00:14:42.404
  • Israelites experienced.
  • 00:14:42.404 --> 00:14:44.673
  • And we are not like the apostles.
  • 00:14:44.673 --> 00:14:46.842
  • We're now separated by more than 2,000 years from a visible
  • 00:14:46.842 --> 00:14:51.914
  • Jesus christ on earth, and that's why i believe every now
  • 00:14:51.914 --> 00:14:55.684
  • And then god allows us to experience a milestone moment to
  • 00:14:55.684 --> 00:15:01.423
  • Confirm our faith in an invisible god.
  • 00:15:01.423 --> 00:15:06.228
  • Have you had a milestone moment?
  • 00:15:06.228 --> 00:15:08.130
  • Hopefully you had, one or two experiences you can look back on
  • 00:15:08.130 --> 00:15:12.401
  • And see the hand of god.
  • 00:15:12.401 --> 00:15:14.937
  • Maybe it was a dramatic answer to a prayer.
  • 00:15:14.937 --> 00:15:19.174
  • Maybe it was god meeting a specific need at just the right
  • 00:15:19.174 --> 00:15:23.278
  • Time and in just the right way.
  • 00:15:23.278 --> 00:15:26.348
  • Maybe it was a so-called coincidence that could not be
  • 00:15:26.348 --> 00:15:30.352
  • Explained any other way than by providence, the miraculous
  • 00:15:30.352 --> 00:15:33.689
  • Working of god.
  • 00:15:33.689 --> 00:15:36.258
  • Hopefully every one of us has one or two of those
  • 00:15:36.258 --> 00:15:38.961
  • Milestone moments.
  • 00:15:38.961 --> 00:15:40.529
  • They're necessary.
  • 00:15:40.529 --> 00:15:42.031
  • But secondly, milestone moments are extraordinary.
  • 00:15:42.031 --> 00:15:46.535
  • They're extraordinary.
  • 00:15:46.535 --> 00:15:47.903
  • They are extra ordinary.
  • 00:15:47.903 --> 00:15:49.471
  • They are beyond the ordinary.
  • 00:15:49.471 --> 00:15:52.007
  • The word supernatural--"super" means above that which
  • 00:15:52.007 --> 00:15:55.711
  • Is natural.
  • 00:15:55.711 --> 00:15:57.312
  • By their very definition, milestone moments don't happen
  • 00:15:57.312 --> 00:16:00.282
  • That often.
  • 00:16:00.282 --> 00:16:01.884
  • That's why we call them miracles and not usuals.
  • 00:16:01.884 --> 00:16:05.921
  • They are the exception, not the rule of life.
  • 00:16:05.921 --> 00:16:10.159
  • You know, i don't know if you know people like this who are
  • 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:12.294
  • Always talking about miracles.
  • 00:16:12.294 --> 00:16:13.796
  • It seems like god is giving them a miracle every day, and you
  • 00:16:13.796 --> 00:16:17.733
  • Wonder why don't you experience the same miracles they do.
  • 00:16:17.733 --> 00:16:20.636
  • Of course, everything that happens in life they term
  • 00:16:20.636 --> 00:16:22.371
  • A miracle.
  • 00:16:22.371 --> 00:16:23.705
  • It's raining outside and a parking place miraculously opens
  • 00:16:23.705 --> 00:16:26.575
  • Up in front of the mall.
  • 00:16:26.575 --> 00:16:27.910
  • "oh, god gave me a miracle for today."
  • 00:16:27.910 --> 00:16:31.180
  • Be careful of people like that.
  • 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:33.916
  • They are trivializing true miracles.
  • 00:16:33.916 --> 00:16:37.686
  • They occur rarely.
  • 00:16:37.686 --> 00:16:39.021
  • And by the way, notice what the apostles did.
  • 00:16:39.021 --> 00:16:41.356
  • They didn't go around telling everybody about their miracles.
  • 00:16:41.356 --> 00:16:43.892
  • They kept it to themselves for a long, long period of time.
  • 00:16:43.892 --> 00:16:48.263
  • Miracles are extraordinary milestone moments.
  • 00:16:48.263 --> 00:16:51.400
  • Thirdly, milestone moments are secondary to god's word.
  • 00:16:51.400 --> 00:16:57.372
  • Listen, milestone events, they can be very meaningful, but
  • 00:16:57.372 --> 00:17:03.412
  • Their meaning is fleeting.
  • 00:17:03.412 --> 00:17:06.048
  • They dissipate very, very quickly.
  • 00:17:06.048 --> 00:17:09.151
  • That was true for peter.
  • 00:17:09.151 --> 00:17:10.519
  • I mean, look at all that he experienced.
  • 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:12.721
  • He had just had this milestone moment on the mount
  • 00:17:12.721 --> 00:17:16.091
  • Of transfiguration.
  • 00:17:16.091 --> 00:17:17.426
  • It wouldn't be long afterwards that he was in the courtyard of
  • 00:17:17.426 --> 00:17:20.229
  • Caiaphas the high priest denying jesus christ not once, twice,
  • 00:17:20.229 --> 00:17:24.600
  • But three different times.
  • 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:27.402
  • Milestone moments, their effectiveness wears off after
  • 00:17:27.402 --> 00:17:30.439
  • A period of time.
  • 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:31.807
  • And that's why our faith cannot be centered on experience, our
  • 00:17:31.807 --> 00:17:36.145
  • Faith is centered on the unchanging truth of god's word.
  • 00:17:36.145 --> 00:17:40.916
  • Remember the story jesus told about the rich man who died and
  • 00:17:40.916 --> 00:17:43.952
  • Was in hades?
  • 00:17:43.952 --> 00:17:45.420
  • Being in flames and in agony, he cried out, "father abraham, give
  • 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:49.057
  • Me relief for i am in agony in these flames."
  • 00:17:49.057 --> 00:17:52.794
  • Abraham explained, "i can't do anything.
  • 00:17:52.794 --> 00:17:55.797
  • There's a great gulf between you and me.
  • 00:17:55.797 --> 00:17:58.000
  • I can't come over to you, and you sure can't come over to me."
  • 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:01.637
  • And in the moment of unexpected unselfishness, the rich man
  • 00:18:01.637 --> 00:18:05.040
  • Actually started to think of somebody other than himself.
  • 00:18:05.040 --> 00:18:08.076
  • He said, "well, if you can't help me, help my brothers who
  • 00:18:08.076 --> 00:18:10.879
  • Are still alive on earth.
  • 00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:12.548
  • They don't believe yet, but if you would just send somebody
  • 00:18:12.548 --> 00:18:15.817
  • Back from the dead, they would certainly listen and obey."
  • 00:18:15.817 --> 00:18:20.422
  • Abraham said, "no."
  • 00:18:20.422 --> 00:18:22.090
  • He said, "they have moses and the prophets to listen to.
  • 00:18:22.090 --> 00:18:25.160
  • They can read the scripture."
  • 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:27.095
  • And the rich man said, "well, you don't understand.
  • 00:18:27.095 --> 00:18:28.730
  • My brothers aren't churchgoing brothers.
  • 00:18:28.730 --> 00:18:31.934
  • They don't ever read the bible.
  • 00:18:31.934 --> 00:18:33.835
  • They won't listen to the bible.
  • 00:18:33.835 --> 00:18:35.771
  • But if somebody were to come back from the dead, surely that
  • 00:18:35.771 --> 00:18:39.274
  • Would get their attention."
  • 00:18:39.274 --> 00:18:41.109
  • And in luke 16:31 abraham said to him, "if they do not listen
  • 00:18:41.109 --> 00:18:46.315
  • To moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded
  • 00:18:46.315 --> 00:18:50.552
  • If somebody rises from the dead."
  • 00:18:50.552 --> 00:18:54.189
  • If they're not gonna be convinced by scripture, they're
  • 00:18:54.189 --> 00:18:56.992
  • Not going to be convinced by a supernatural experience.
  • 00:18:56.992 --> 00:19:00.796
  • And, of course, that's exactly what happened.
  • 00:19:00.796 --> 00:19:02.564
  • Even after jesus was raised from the dead, the majority still
  • 00:19:02.564 --> 00:19:07.135
  • Dismissed that supernatural display of god's power.
  • 00:19:07.135 --> 00:19:11.974
  • Milestone moments are necessary.
  • 00:19:11.974 --> 00:19:15.410
  • They are rare, but they are secondary to the truth of
  • 00:19:15.410 --> 00:19:19.915
  • God's word.
  • 00:19:19.915 --> 00:19:21.583
  • Now, those are some principles that come from this story, but
  • 00:19:21.583 --> 00:19:25.821
  • None of these principles is the central truth of this story.
  • 00:19:25.821 --> 00:19:30.359
  • The central truth of the transfiguration is found in
  • 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:34.596
  • Verse 35 of luke 9 when god the father said from heaven,
  • 00:19:34.596 --> 00:19:40.235
  • "this is my son, my chosen one.
  • 00:19:40.235 --> 00:19:44.373
  • Listen to him."
  • 00:19:44.373 --> 00:19:48.577
  • What did he mean?
  • 00:19:48.577 --> 00:19:50.112
  • He was saying, "this is the messiah.
  • 00:19:50.112 --> 00:19:53.548
  • This is my son.
  • 00:19:53.548 --> 00:19:55.350
  • Therefore, everything jesus says is true.
  • 00:19:55.350 --> 00:19:59.955
  • Therefore, you better listen and follow everything he says."
  • 00:19:59.955 --> 00:20:04.092
  • That's the central truth of this passage.
  • 00:20:04.092 --> 00:20:06.328
  • Since jesus is the son of god, we must believe and act on
  • 00:20:06.328 --> 00:20:12.434
  • Everything he says.
  • 00:20:12.434 --> 00:20:15.037
  • "well, pastor, jesus said a lot of things.
  • 00:20:15.037 --> 00:20:17.773
  • Is there anything in particular god had in mind here when he
  • 00:20:17.773 --> 00:20:21.243
  • Said, 'this is my son.
  • 00:20:21.243 --> 00:20:23.478
  • Listen to him?'"
  • 00:20:23.478 --> 00:20:25.514
  • I think there's something he did have in mind.
  • 00:20:25.514 --> 00:20:28.083
  • The apostles in just a few months were going to have an
  • 00:20:28.083 --> 00:20:30.886
  • Experience in jerusalem that all the israelites experienced, and
  • 00:20:30.886 --> 00:20:35.624
  • I think god was foreshadowing what it is the israelites needed
  • 00:20:35.624 --> 00:20:39.528
  • To listen to from the lips of jesus.
  • 00:20:39.528 --> 00:20:42.898
  • One commentator sets the story this way.
  • 00:20:42.898 --> 00:20:46.368
  • Listen to this carefully.
  • 00:20:46.368 --> 00:20:48.603
  • "several months after the transfiguration, jesus and his
  • 00:20:48.603 --> 00:20:52.941
  • Apostles were in jerusalem at the feast of the tabernacles.
  • 00:20:52.941 --> 00:20:57.979
  • It was the end of the festival and the night before
  • 00:20:57.979 --> 00:21:01.783
  • An unforgettable ceremony.
  • 00:21:01.783 --> 00:21:04.119
  • The illumination of the temple had taken place before four
  • 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:08.090
  • Massive golden candelabra topped with huge torches.
  • 00:21:08.090 --> 00:21:12.728
  • The candelabra were as tall as the highest walls of the temple.
  • 00:21:12.728 --> 00:21:17.399
  • At the top of each candelabra were mounted great bowls that
  • 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:22.304
  • Contained 65 liters of oil.
  • 00:21:22.304 --> 00:21:25.741
  • There was a ladder for each of the candelabrum.
  • 00:21:25.741 --> 00:21:28.643
  • And when evening came, young priest would climb the ladder
  • 00:21:28.643 --> 00:21:32.247
  • And light the massive wicks.
  • 00:21:32.247 --> 00:21:35.050
  • Eyewitnesses said that the huge flames not only illuminated the
  • 00:21:35.050 --> 00:21:39.087
  • Massive temple but much of the city of jerusalem.
  • 00:21:39.087 --> 00:21:43.358
  • The israelites would dance under the candelabra, celebrating the
  • 00:21:43.358 --> 00:21:47.963
  • Great pillar of fire which was the presence of god that had led
  • 00:21:47.963 --> 00:21:52.567
  • Their ancestors out of egypt.
  • 00:21:52.567 --> 00:21:55.404
  • The next morning after that ceremony, jesus stood in front
  • 00:21:55.404 --> 00:22:00.742
  • Of the charred torches which were still in place.
  • 00:22:00.742 --> 00:22:04.813
  • He lifted up his voice above the crowd and he proclaimed, 'i am
  • 00:22:04.813 --> 00:22:11.052
  • The light of the world.'"
  • 00:22:11.052 --> 00:22:15.424
  • No one standing there misunderstood what jesus
  • 00:22:15.424 --> 00:22:19.294
  • Was saying.
  • 00:22:19.294 --> 00:22:21.029
  • Standing under those candelabra that had provided that brilliant
  • 00:22:21.029 --> 00:22:25.300
  • Illumination the night before, jesus was saying, "i am he.
  • 00:22:25.300 --> 00:22:32.240
  • I am the light that led your ancestors out of egypt.
  • 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:36.912
  • I am the light that led you through the red sea.
  • 00:22:36.912 --> 00:22:40.816
  • I am he who surrounded mount sinai when god gave the law
  • 00:22:40.816 --> 00:22:45.020
  • To moses.
  • 00:22:45.020 --> 00:22:46.388
  • I am the light of the world.
  • 00:22:46.388 --> 00:22:49.791
  • He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but will have
  • 00:22:49.791 --> 00:22:56.431
  • The light of life."
  • 00:22:56.431 --> 00:22:58.900
  • Ladies and gentlemen, when you come to that place in your life
  • 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:03.305
  • When you believe what jesus says, when you believe that he
  • 00:23:03.305 --> 00:23:07.943
  • Is the only light that can lead you out of the darkness of this
  • 00:23:07.943 --> 00:23:12.814
  • World and death into the presence of god, when you come
  • 00:23:12.814 --> 00:23:16.284
  • To that realization, you have experienced a miracle just as
  • 00:23:16.284 --> 00:23:21.022
  • Great as the apostles experienced at
  • 00:23:21.022 --> 00:23:24.960
  • The transfiguration.
  • 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:27.896
  • Jeffress: what a great moment in history.
  • 00:23:31.833 --> 00:23:34.302
  • On top of that mountain jesus declared his deity, and for
  • 00:23:34.302 --> 00:23:38.773
  • Generations to come he's been a bright light shining in
  • 00:23:38.773 --> 00:23:41.776
  • The darkness.
  • 00:23:41.776 --> 00:23:43.245
  • Now, in closing, let me express my heartfelt gratitude to those
  • 00:23:43.245 --> 00:23:47.315
  • Of you who give generously to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:47.315 --> 00:23:50.452
  • Because of your faithful partnership, we're able to
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  • Proclaim the life-changing message of jesus christ to
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  • A world shrouded in spiritual darkness.
  • 00:23:56.124 --> 00:23:59.294
  • Through television, radio, and the internet, we're reaching
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  • People in your city and in cities around the globe with
  • 00:24:02.464 --> 00:24:06.301
  • Biblical truth.
  • 00:24:06.301 --> 00:24:07.636
  • Lives are being transformed as men and women discover that
  • 00:24:07.636 --> 00:24:11.439
  • Jesus truly is the son of god and the only way to salvation.
  • 00:24:11.439 --> 00:24:16.978
  • So to all of our pathway partners and anyone who gives
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  • An occasional gift, thank you for standing with us.
  • 00:24:20.549 --> 00:24:23.919
  • Remember, together we're piercing the darkness with the
  • 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:27.923
  • Light of god's word.
  • 00:24:27.923 --> 00:24:29.758
  • Now, please stay right there.
  • 00:24:29.758 --> 00:24:31.092
  • I'll be back with more in just a moment.
  • 00:24:31.092 --> 00:24:34.729
  • Announcer: that recurring temptation you can't shake, the
  • 00:24:34.729 --> 00:24:37.532
  • Doubts that creep in during your darkest moments, the tension in
  • 00:24:37.532 --> 00:24:40.969
  • Your closest relationships, these aren't random struggles,
  • 00:24:40.969 --> 00:24:44.539
  • These are part of a strategic attack on your faith, your
  • 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:47.442
  • Family, and your future.
  • 00:24:47.442 --> 00:24:49.110
  • Jeffress: satan has a personalized plan to discourage,
  • 00:24:49.110 --> 00:24:52.614
  • Deceive, and derail you, but you don't have to live in defeat.
  • 00:24:52.614 --> 00:24:57.285
  • God has given you access to the same power that raised jesus
  • 00:24:57.285 --> 00:25:00.855
  • From the dead.
  • 00:25:00.855 --> 00:25:02.223
  • In my bestselling book "the divine defense," i'll show you
  • 00:25:02.223 --> 00:25:05.427
  • How to put on the full armor of god and use six biblical
  • 00:25:05.427 --> 00:25:09.230
  • Strategies to defeat satan's plan to destroy your life.
  • 00:25:09.230 --> 00:25:13.902
  • Announcer: request "the divine defense" when you give a
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  • Generous gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become
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  • Armor of god for kids," and the teaching series on both cd
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  • And dvd.
  • 00:25:30.986 --> 00:25:32.354
  • Jeffress: your mind is the devil's battlefield on which he
  • 00:25:32.354 --> 00:25:36.591
  • Is warring against everything important to you.
  • 00:25:36.591 --> 00:25:41.763
  • It is a battle that seeks to destroy your faith, your family,
  • 00:25:41.763 --> 00:25:46.434
  • And your future.
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  • Announcer: thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
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  • Your generous ministry gift helps us broadcast biblical
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  • Truth on television, radio, and online, equipping believers like
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  • 00:25:57.612 --> 00:26:00.715
  • Together, we're piercing the darkness with the light of
  • 00:26:00.715 --> 00:26:03.585
  • God's word.
  • 00:26:03.585 --> 00:26:06.321
  • Jeffress: the transfiguration confirmed what peter had already
  • 00:26:06.388 --> 00:26:09.224
  • Declared: that jesus is the christ, the son of the
  • 00:26:09.224 --> 00:26:13.828
  • Living god.
  • 00:26:13.828 --> 00:26:15.397
  • Well, god has made an incredible offer to each one of us, the
  • 00:26:15.397 --> 00:26:18.833
  • Forgiveness of our sins and the assurance of heaven, but it's
  • 00:26:18.833 --> 00:26:22.604
  • An offer that can be refused.
  • 00:26:22.604 --> 00:26:25.006
  • So next time i wanna show you why so many people neglect god's
  • 00:26:25.006 --> 00:26:29.144
  • Gift of salvation and why we can't afford to let this offer
  • 00:26:29.144 --> 00:26:33.314
  • Pass us by.
  • 00:26:33.314 --> 00:26:34.749
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
  • 00:26:34.749 --> 00:26:37.619
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:40.355
  • Jeffress: what's your game plan for escaping god's judgment?
  • 00:26:40.355 --> 00:26:45.193
  • You better have one.
  • 00:26:45.193 --> 00:26:46.995
  • If you reject god's offer of jesus christ, how are you going
  • 00:26:46.995 --> 00:26:52.600
  • To escape god's judgment of your life?
  • 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:56.404
  • How do you plan to be right with god if you neglect a great
  • 00:26:56.404 --> 00:27:02.911
  • Salvation, a salvation that is without cost, without condition,
  • 00:27:02.911 --> 00:27:08.183
  • Without constraint?
  • 00:27:08.183 --> 00:27:10.919
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message "an
  • 00:27:10.919 --> 00:27:14.222
  • Offer you can refuse" here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:14.222 --> 00:27:27.235