Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - What Every Christian Should Know About The Church (Part 1)

February 20, 2026 | 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 - What Every Christian Should Know About The Church (Part 1) | February 20, 2026

♪ music ♪
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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'm robert jeffress,
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And welcome again to "pathway to victory".
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There was a time in american history
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When you could find a busy church on every street corner,
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But today more and more churches
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Are shutting their doors for good,
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And many christians see church attendance as optional
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Rather than the high point of their week.
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So what has changed?
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Is the church today any less important
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Than it was 50, 100, or 1,000 years ago?
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My message is titled
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What every christian should know about the church,
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On today's edition of "pathway to victory".
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♪ music ♪
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Do you ever feel uncertain about what you believe
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Or struggle to put your faith into words?
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In a world where truth shifts with every cultural trend,
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Christians need solid ground to stand on.
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"in what every christian should know,"
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Dr. robert jeffress equips you
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To understand 10 core doctrines of christianity.
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Build your faith and your families
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On biblical truth that never changes.
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Request "what every christian should know"
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When you give a generous gift
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To support the ministry of "pathway to victory".
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♪ music ♪
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Robert frost once said, "home is the place
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Where when you have to go there, they have to let you in."
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(congregation laughs)
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You know that begrudging attitude seems
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To reflect the attitude
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A lot of people have about the church.
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If many christians were forced
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To describe their relationship status
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With the church on social media,
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They would choose it's complicated.
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I mean, sometimes when people think about the church,
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They think about good experiences they've had.
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If they've spent any time in the church,
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They've had a good experience.
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Maybe it came through somebody who encouraged them
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After a great loss.
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Maybe it was a sunday school teacher
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Or a pastor who led them to faith in christ.
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They're grateful for the church,
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But at the same time,
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If you've spent any time in the church at all,
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You probably have been witness to petty disputes,
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Powers struggles, hypocritical christians.
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My mom used to say the miracle of christianity
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Is that it survived the christians,
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(congregation laughs)
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And that's true about the church.
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Today, we're going to look at the eighth historic belief
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Of historic christianity,
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The eighth pillar, if you would, of the christian faith,
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And that is the church.
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Today, we're going to examine
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What the scriptures say every christian
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Should about the church.
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Now, i know some people are surprised
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That i would've picked the church
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As one of the 10 pillars of historic christianity.
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Most people think of the church as a peripheral issue.
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The reason it's peripheral in their mind
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Is because it's peripheral in their life.
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The fact is they think the church
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Is just one other nice organization
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That wants your money and your time,
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But is on its way to extinction.
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And yet as ephesians 5:25 tells us,
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Christ loved the church,
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And he gave himself up for her.
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And if you are a disciple of christ,
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If you love jesus christ,
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You're going to have that same attitude about the church.
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Now, first of all,
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Let's talk about the definition of the church.
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What do we mean when we talk about the church?
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The greek word for church is ekklesia in greek.
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It literally means called-out ones.
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And the fact is that word church sometimes
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In the new testament
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Is used to refer to the universal church,
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All christians, true christians everywhere.
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I define the universal church
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As being composed of all people in heaven
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And on earth who have trusted in christ
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For their salvation since the day of pentecost.
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That's the universal church. it's invisible.
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Ephesians 3 talks about the entire family
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Of god living in heaven and earth.
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Some of the membership of the universal church
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Has already gone to heaven.
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Some is here on earth right now,
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But we're all one if we've trusted in christ
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Since the day of pentecost.
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Now, the interesting thing about the universal church
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Is it's never met yet once for worship.
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There's never yet been one worship service
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Of the universal church
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That is yet to come when we're all in heaven.
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But the second usage of the word church
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Is in reference to the local church.
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Now, you like many christians might believe
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That the primary use of the word church in the bible refers
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To the universal church, all christians everywhere.
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We think that that's really the ideal,
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And we see the local church as kind of a necessary evil.
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We get enthralled by the idea of all christians everywhere,
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But the local church, well, it's not quite the same.
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As one wag said, "oh, to dwell with the saints above.
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That will be glory.
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But to worship with the saints we know,
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Well, that's another story."
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(congregation laughs)
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Again, we think of the local church as a necessary evil.
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Author dorothy sayers says
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That god has undergone three great humiliations in history.
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The first humiliation was the incarnation
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When god took on human form.
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The second humiliation was the crucifixion,
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But the greatest humiliation of all is the church.
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Dorothy sayers says, "in an awesome act of self-denial,
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God entrusted his reputation to ordinary people."
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And yet god did choose the church.
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Here's the definition dr. charles ryrie gives
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Of the local church.
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Write it down.
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The local church is a group of baptized believers
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Who have organized themselves
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For the purpose of doing god's will.
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Let's take each of those three phrases for a further study.
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First of all, the church is composed of baptized believers.
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The church is for christians only.
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Now, anybody can attend the church,
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But to be a member of the church, you must be a believer,
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Somebody who's trusted in jesus since the day of pentecost.
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Now, the fact is the church has
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On its membership roles many non-christians.
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We didn't design it that way. that's what happens.
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In fact, seated next to you right now
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May be an un-christian, a non-christian.
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Don't look at that person right now, but trust me.
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Jesus talked about the wheat and the tares,
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The false wheat that were sown together.
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But ideally, the church should be composed
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Of only believers.
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In 1 corinthians 12:13 talking about the universal church,
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Paul said, for by, or, "with one spirit,
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We were all baptized into one body."
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"for by one spirit we were all baptized into one body."
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The universal church is only composed of true christians.
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The local church ought to be that way as well.
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And by the way, it's not just believers.
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It's baptized believers.
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When you get to the book of acts
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Throughout the rest of the new testament,
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There is not one example anywhere
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Of somebody who was a christian who was not baptized.
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And remember, in our study of acts 2,
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We saw the order is always the same.
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Believe and be baptized. believe and be baptized.
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Never was there a command to be baptized first
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And then believe later.
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There's not one instance of infant baptism,
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I use that word lightly, infant baptism.
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It's impossible to be baptized by being sprinkled.
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The word baptized means to be immersed.
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If you as a baby
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Or as a young child got sprinkled with water,
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You got wet, but you didn't get baptized.
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The bible says we believe first,
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And then we are baptized as a sign of our faith in christ.
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This was baptized believers.
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They were what composed the local church.
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Secondly, not only is a group of baptized believers,
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But it's believers who have organized themselves.
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There is an organization,
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A god-given organization to the church.
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Now, occasionally, i'll run into somebody,
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I'll ask them where they go to church.
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They say, "well, we just haven't been able
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To find a church."
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Isn't that interesting?
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Of the thousands of churches,
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Somehow they haven't found one
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Quite perfect enough for them.
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They say, "we haven't been able to find a church.
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So we started our own church."
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I said, "oh, really? well, tell me about it."
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Well, we meet in our living room every other sunday,
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A group of friends and a couple family members,
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And we take turns reading the bible, and we pray,
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And we do life with one another, and that's our church.
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I said, "oh, well, who's your pastor?"
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"oh, well we don't have a pastor.
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We don't want all that hierarchy stuff."
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My response is already the same.
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I said, "well, you may have a nice fellowship group
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Or a bible study, but you don't have a church."
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If you don't have a pastor
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And you don't have deacons, you don't have a church,
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Because the bible says a church designed by god
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Has two offices in it that are approved by the congregation.
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We talked about that in acts 6.
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Remember the two offices of the church?
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The first office is the pastor.
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Every church is to have a pastor.
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The greek new testament uses three words
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To describe the same office of pastor.
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Sometimes the pastor is called the pastor,
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The shepherd, the poimen,
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Referring to his job to care for the sheep.
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Sometimes he's called the presbuteros, the elder.
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That refers to the dignity of the office.
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Sometimes he's called the episkopos,
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The overseer, the ruler, the leader of the church,
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His duty to give direction to the church.
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Three different words, but it's all the same office.
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In fact, in 1 peter 5:1-4,
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You see those three words being used interchangeably.
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"i urge the elders among you
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To shepherd the flock of god, exercising oversight."
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That is the pastor.
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The second office in the church is the deacon.
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In philippians 1:1 and 2,
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The letter was written to the pastors, the overseers,
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And the deacons.
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In 1 timothy 3, you have the qualifications
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For the overseer and the deacons.
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1 timothy 3:8-13 tells us what those qualifications are.
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The word deacon, diakonon, means servant, minister.
00:11:11.660 --> 00:11:15.664
The office of the deacon was born out of the need
00:11:15.664 --> 00:11:18.267
For a group of men to take care of the practical needs
00:11:18.267 --> 00:11:21.971
Of the congregation.
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We have 300+ deacons here at first baptist dallas,
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And they do a great job
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Of taking things off of my shoulders,
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The practical things of the church,
00:11:31.914 --> 00:11:33.916
The business responsibilities, the finances of the church,
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Caring for widows, preparing the lord's supper.
00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:41.157
Those are all things that are very important.
00:11:41.157 --> 00:11:44.627
So who has the final say in the church?
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Who has the final determination
00:11:47.830 --> 00:11:49.498
Of what happens at first baptist church dallas?
00:11:49.498 --> 00:11:52.001
Is it the pastor? no.
00:11:52.001 --> 00:11:54.770
Is it the 300 deacons? no.
00:11:54.770 --> 00:11:58.007
It is you, the congregation.
00:11:58.007 --> 00:12:00.409
Every biblical new testament church
00:12:00.409 --> 00:12:03.345
Was ultimately approved by the congregation.
00:12:03.345 --> 00:12:07.383
That doesn't mean the congregation votes on everything.
00:12:07.383 --> 00:12:09.885
The congregation vests some authority in the pastor,
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Some in the deacons, but the congregation has the final say.
00:12:12.721 --> 00:12:16.392
Acts 6:5 says that the proposal
00:12:16.392 --> 00:12:18.961
To institute deacons was met with the approval
00:12:18.961 --> 00:12:22.631
Of the whole congregation.
00:12:22.631 --> 00:12:25.201
Major decisions in the new testament
00:12:25.201 --> 00:12:27.870
Were made by the entire congregation.
00:12:27.870 --> 00:12:30.906
A famous pastor once said,
00:12:30.906 --> 00:12:32.474
"a new testament church is pastor-led, deacon-served,
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And congregationally approved."
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That's what a new testament church is,
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Baptized believers who have organized themselves,
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The third phrase is, in order to do god's will.
00:12:45.688 --> 00:12:50.759
Chuck swindoll tells about a huge machine
00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:54.563
That had a number of wheels, cogs, pulleys,
00:12:54.563 --> 00:12:57.333
And conveyor belts.
00:12:57.333 --> 00:12:58.500
It had lights that would light up
00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.735
With a touch of the button.
00:12:59.735 --> 00:13:01.403
Somebody asked the inventor, "what does your machine do?"
00:13:01.403 --> 00:13:05.207
He said, "absolutely nothing,
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But doesn't it run beautifully."
00:13:06.942 --> 00:13:09.011
You know, that's a great description of many churches.
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They're impressive, they're large,
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They've got great organization,
00:13:13.782 --> 00:13:15.885
But they've forgotten what they're supposed to be doing.
00:13:15.885 --> 00:13:18.854
A new testament church is focused on doing god's will.
00:13:18.854 --> 00:13:22.992
What is god's will for the church?
00:13:22.992 --> 00:13:25.561
Go into all of the world, and what?
00:13:25.561 --> 00:13:28.264
Mathetes, make disciples,
00:13:28.264 --> 00:13:31.800
Not just converts,
00:13:31.800 --> 00:13:33.302
But fully devoted followers of jesus christ.
00:13:33.302 --> 00:13:36.705
That's the unique mission of the church,
00:13:36.705 --> 00:13:39.975
To go into the world and make disciples.
00:13:39.975 --> 00:13:42.311
And no other organization,
00:13:42.311 --> 00:13:44.179
Either secular or christian, has been given that mandate.
00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:47.516
That mandate was given to the church of jesus christ.
00:13:47.516 --> 00:13:51.186
Now, in a minute, we're going to talk about the four activities
00:13:51.186 --> 00:13:53.956
Of the church that contribute
00:13:53.956 --> 00:13:55.691
To the church fulfilling that purpose of making disciples.
00:13:55.691 --> 00:13:59.995
But let me just say something about the singular nature
00:13:59.995 --> 00:14:04.366
Of this purpose.
00:14:04.366 --> 00:14:06.335
Many of you know the name peter drucker.
00:14:06.335 --> 00:14:09.071
If you go to business school, you know he is held out
00:14:09.071 --> 00:14:12.174
As the guru of modern management principles.
00:14:12.174 --> 00:14:16.578
Many people don't know
00:14:16.578 --> 00:14:17.846
That peter drucker was also a christian,
00:14:17.846 --> 00:14:20.983
And i remember reading an interview with him one time
00:14:20.983 --> 00:14:23.452
When he was talking about the church, and he said,
00:14:23.452 --> 00:14:26.755
"the church is the only organization in the world
00:14:26.755 --> 00:14:30.492
That is focused on meeting people's needs
00:14:30.492 --> 00:14:33.362
On the other side of the grave."
00:14:33.362 --> 00:14:35.631
Every other organization is geared toward helping people
00:14:35.631 --> 00:14:39.168
On this side of the grave to do good things,
00:14:39.168 --> 00:14:42.338
To live healthy and productive lives.
00:14:42.338 --> 00:14:44.273
But only the church
00:14:44.273 --> 00:14:45.507
Is focused on the other side of the grave.
00:14:45.507 --> 00:14:49.478
And he said, "the greatest danger
00:14:49.478 --> 00:14:51.714
For a successful organization, including the church,
00:14:51.714 --> 00:14:54.917
Is to take on things
00:14:54.917 --> 00:14:57.019
That do not fit its purpose."
00:14:57.019 --> 00:15:01.523
And he uses this example.
00:15:01.523 --> 00:15:03.125
He said, if you go to the american lung association
00:15:03.125 --> 00:15:06.762
And you say to them,
00:15:06.762 --> 00:15:08.030
"have you seen the frightening statistics
00:15:08.030 --> 00:15:09.965
That 97% of americans have ingrown toenails?"
00:15:09.965 --> 00:15:14.169
You know what the american lung association will say to you?
00:15:14.169 --> 00:15:16.672
They'll say, "well, that's really bad,
00:15:16.672 --> 00:15:18.741
But our interest in people stops above the neck
00:15:18.741 --> 00:15:21.777
And below the navel.
00:15:21.777 --> 00:15:23.545
We're singularly focused on people's lungs."
00:15:23.545 --> 00:15:27.449
And he said, "in the very same way,
00:15:27.449 --> 00:15:30.085
Many people assume the church
00:15:30.085 --> 00:15:32.454
Is supposed to take care of every need that's out there,
00:15:32.454 --> 00:15:35.357
Every need that people have."
00:15:35.357 --> 00:15:37.292
And he said, "effective churches have to learn
00:15:37.292 --> 00:15:41.196
To say no."
00:15:41.196 --> 00:15:43.766
But the effective ones do say no to good things,
00:15:43.766 --> 00:15:48.337
But good things that are not a part
00:15:48.337 --> 00:15:50.239
Of their unique purpose statement.
00:15:50.239 --> 00:15:52.875
For example, this will shock some of you,
00:15:52.875 --> 00:15:55.878
But there's no mandate in the new testament for the church
00:15:55.878 --> 00:15:59.148
To take care of the physical needs of people
00:15:59.148 --> 00:16:01.283
To feed the hungry, to clothe the naked.
00:16:01.283 --> 00:16:04.653
Oh, you're going to point to jesus and,
00:16:04.653 --> 00:16:07.122
Every command, the few that talk about that
00:16:07.122 --> 00:16:11.060
Are talking about fellow brothers and sisters in christ.
00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:14.596
We have a responsibility to take care of the physical needs
00:16:14.596 --> 00:16:17.533
Of our members who are in need.
00:16:17.533 --> 00:16:19.334
If you see a brother or sister in need, james says,
00:16:19.334 --> 00:16:22.137
We are to take care of them,
00:16:22.137 --> 00:16:23.739
But there is no mandate
00:16:23.739 --> 00:16:25.174
To go take care of the physical needs of the world.
00:16:25.174 --> 00:16:27.609
We are not a sanctified social agency.
00:16:27.609 --> 00:16:30.646
Only the church has been given the task
00:16:30.646 --> 00:16:33.348
Of going into all the world and making disciples.
00:16:33.348 --> 00:16:37.853
Now let's talk for a moment
00:16:37.853 --> 00:16:39.154
About the beginning of the church.
00:16:39.154 --> 00:16:40.689
We've talked about the definition of the church,
00:16:40.689 --> 00:16:43.192
Baptized believers organized to do god's will.
00:16:43.192 --> 00:16:46.728
Let's talk about the beginning of the church.
00:16:46.728 --> 00:16:48.130
The church has not always existed.
00:16:48.130 --> 00:16:51.166
We're going to talk about abraham in a few weeks.
00:16:51.166 --> 00:16:53.168
He was not a member of the church, of the universal church.
00:16:53.168 --> 00:16:56.472
We're going to talk about moses.
00:16:56.472 --> 00:16:58.207
He was never a member of the church.
00:16:58.207 --> 00:16:59.708
John the baptist wasn't a member of the church.
00:16:59.708 --> 00:17:02.377
The church had a beginning time.
00:17:02.377 --> 00:17:04.213
Even in jesus' day, the church was still future.
00:17:04.213 --> 00:17:06.715
Remember what he said in matthew 16,
00:17:06.715 --> 00:17:08.484
"upon this rock, i will build my church."
00:17:08.484 --> 00:17:13.222
The church was born on the day of pentecost.
00:17:13.222 --> 00:17:16.425
We went through this in our series on acts,
00:17:16.425 --> 00:17:19.194
So i won't belabor it,
00:17:19.194 --> 00:17:20.462
But let me show you the birthday of the church.
00:17:20.462 --> 00:17:22.331
Acts 1, beginning with verse one.
00:17:22.331 --> 00:17:24.566
When the day of pentecost had come,
00:17:24.566 --> 00:17:27.169
They were all together in one place.
00:17:27.169 --> 00:17:28.937
All the followers, 120 of them were in that upper room.
00:17:28.937 --> 00:17:32.941
Remember, jesus had told them to wait there.
00:17:32.941 --> 00:17:35.277
He said, "john baptized with water,
00:17:35.277 --> 00:17:37.746
But i will baptize you with the holy spirit."
00:17:37.746 --> 00:17:40.616
So they were there waiting for that.
00:17:40.616 --> 00:17:42.751
"and suddenly there came from heaven
00:17:42.751 --> 00:17:44.453
A noise like a violent rushing wind,
00:17:44.453 --> 00:17:47.089
And it filled the whole house where they were sitting,
00:17:47.089 --> 00:17:49.858
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
00:17:49.858 --> 00:17:52.794
Distributing themselves
00:17:52.794 --> 00:17:54.296
And they rested on each one of them."
00:17:54.296 --> 00:17:57.399
Later on, peter would look back on this day
00:17:58.333 --> 00:18:00.669
And describe it as the day they received the baptism
00:18:00.669 --> 00:18:04.006
With the holy spirit of god.
00:18:04.006 --> 00:18:06.275
I've defined on your outline the baptism
00:18:06.275 --> 00:18:08.644
With the holy spirit is the supernatural act of god
00:18:08.644 --> 00:18:11.880
By which christ immerses believers
00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:15.083
With the holy spirit,
00:18:15.083 --> 00:18:16.485
Joining them to himself and to other christians.
00:18:16.485 --> 00:18:20.022
They were waiting for the baptism with the spirit.
00:18:21.056 --> 00:18:23.225
But since acts 2, every christian,
00:18:23.225 --> 00:18:26.495
The moment he is saved, is immediately baptized
00:18:26.495 --> 00:18:29.264
With the holy spirit of god.
00:18:29.264 --> 00:18:30.799
We don't have to wait for it, beg for it,
00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:33.335
Barter with god for it.
00:18:33.335 --> 00:18:34.803
It is ours as part of our birthright as christians.
00:18:34.803 --> 00:18:38.140
1 corinthians 12:13 again says, "for with one spirit,
00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:41.977
We were all baptized into one body."
00:18:41.977 --> 00:18:45.380
That's how we became a part of the universal church.
00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:48.650
Now let's talk about the activities of the church.
00:18:48.650 --> 00:18:51.453
What does the church do
00:18:51.453 --> 00:18:53.055
In order to reach its mission statement of making disciples?
00:18:53.055 --> 00:18:57.659
You have a description of the activities
00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:59.561
Of the early church in acts 2, beginning with verse 42.
00:18:59.561 --> 00:19:03.465
"they were continually devoting themselves
00:19:03.465 --> 00:19:06.034
To the apostles' teaching and to fellowship,
00:19:06.034 --> 00:19:09.071
To the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
00:19:09.071 --> 00:19:12.374
Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe,
00:19:12.374 --> 00:19:14.910
And many wonders and signs were taking place
00:19:14.910 --> 00:19:17.746
Through the apostles.
00:19:17.746 --> 00:19:19.181
And all those who had believed were together,
00:19:19.181 --> 00:19:21.383
And they had all things in common."
00:19:21.383 --> 00:19:23.652
Verse 46, "day by day,
00:19:23.652 --> 00:19:26.421
Continuing with one mind in the temple
00:19:26.421 --> 00:19:29.191
And breaking bread from house to house,
00:19:29.191 --> 00:19:31.793
They were taking their meals together
00:19:31.793 --> 00:19:33.629
With gladness and sincerity of heart,
00:19:33.629 --> 00:19:36.231
Praising god and having favor with all the people.
00:19:36.231 --> 00:19:40.068
And the lord was adding to their number day by day
00:19:40.068 --> 00:19:43.705
Those who were being saved."
00:19:43.705 --> 00:19:46.208
My very first sermon here 15 years ago
00:19:47.042 --> 00:19:50.212
Was based on this passage.
00:19:50.212 --> 00:19:51.980
It was titled a church that wins.
00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:55.183
And i use the word wins,
00:19:55.183 --> 00:19:57.152
W-i-n-s, as an acrostic for the four activities
00:19:57.152 --> 00:20:01.123
Of the early church.
00:20:01.123 --> 00:20:02.624
Do you remember what those four components were?
00:20:02.624 --> 00:20:06.061
I didn't think you would.
00:20:06.628 --> 00:20:08.163
Neither did i, actually, till i went back to look at it.
00:20:08.163 --> 00:20:11.566
But as you look at this passage,
00:20:11.566 --> 00:20:13.368
Here's what the early church did
00:20:13.368 --> 00:20:15.070
And what we ought to be doing as well.
00:20:15.070 --> 00:20:17.439
The w in wins stands for worship.
00:20:17.439 --> 00:20:21.410
Acts 2 says they were praising god together,
00:20:21.410 --> 00:20:25.914
Worship, worship.
00:20:25.914 --> 00:20:28.283
Psalm 34:3 said, "o let us magnify the lord together
00:20:28.283 --> 00:20:33.655
And let us exalt his name."
00:20:34.256 --> 00:20:36.825
When we meet together for worship,
00:20:36.825 --> 00:20:38.593
And don't we have spectacular worship here
00:20:38.593 --> 00:20:40.762
At first baptist dallas?
00:20:40.762 --> 00:20:42.464
The purpose of worship,
00:20:42.464 --> 00:20:43.865
Regardless of the music style, is to magnify god.
00:20:43.865 --> 00:20:49.004
To magnify something means to make something look bigger.
00:20:50.172 --> 00:20:53.075
You think, "wait a minute, we're supposed to magnify god?
00:20:53.075 --> 00:20:56.345
Is it really possible to make god bigger?"
00:20:56.345 --> 00:21:00.315
Remember, vision is a matter of perspective.
00:21:00.315 --> 00:21:04.686
For example, have you ever done this, maybe as a child,
00:21:04.686 --> 00:21:07.089
Take two nickels and put one into each eye
00:21:07.089 --> 00:21:10.359
And look up at the sky?
00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:12.361
And these two little nickels
00:21:12.361 --> 00:21:15.130
Can block out the entire sun
00:21:15.130 --> 00:21:17.699
That is billions of times larger than the nickel.
00:21:17.699 --> 00:21:20.268
How is that possible?
00:21:20.268 --> 00:21:21.770
Vision is a matter of focus,
00:21:21.770 --> 00:21:24.539
What we're focusing on.
00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:26.842
Every day of the week,
00:21:26.842 --> 00:21:28.477
We are bombarded with problems in our family
00:21:28.477 --> 00:21:31.179
And our work life and a thousand other areas,
00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:34.483
And those problems are what the focus of our life is.
00:21:34.483 --> 00:21:38.487
And many times, those problems block out our vision of god.
00:21:38.487 --> 00:21:43.158
There needs to be one day a week
00:21:43.158 --> 00:21:45.360
When we lay aside the concerns that we have
00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:49.030
And focus on god, focus on him.
00:21:49.030 --> 00:21:52.701
And when we do that,
00:21:52.701 --> 00:21:54.169
He regains his proper place in our life,
00:21:54.169 --> 00:21:58.039
His proper size in our life.
00:21:58.039 --> 00:22:00.075
If we focus only on our problems like those nickels,
00:22:00.075 --> 00:22:03.044
We're going to be filled with anxiety and worry and stress.
00:22:03.044 --> 00:22:06.848
There needs to be a time that we look at god
00:22:06.848 --> 00:22:10.018
And remember who he is.
00:22:10.018 --> 00:22:11.420
And that is the purpose of worship.
00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:14.656
They worship god.
00:22:14.656 --> 00:22:16.258
The i in that acrostic stands for instruction.
00:22:16.258 --> 00:22:20.362
Acts 2:42 says that they devoted themselves,
00:22:20.362 --> 00:22:24.199
First of all, to the apostles' teaching.
00:22:24.199 --> 00:22:27.702
Now, remember, this was in the days
00:22:27.702 --> 00:22:29.171
When there was no new testament,
00:22:29.171 --> 00:22:31.139
So the apostles actually had to do the teaching.
00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:34.109
♪ music ♪
00:22:34.109 --> 00:22:38.580
Gathering with a local body of believers
00:22:39.448 --> 00:22:41.683
Is a vital part of the christian life.
00:22:41.683 --> 00:22:44.186
And next time, i'll continue to describe
00:22:44.186 --> 00:22:46.455
What every christian should know about the church.
00:22:46.455 --> 00:22:50.292
Well, i want to use today's remaining time
00:22:50.292 --> 00:22:52.561
To pass along a note i received from michelle in virginia.
00:22:52.561 --> 00:22:56.598
She wrote, "dr. jeffress,
00:22:56.598 --> 00:22:58.600
I'm struggling with some issues in my family right now
00:22:58.600 --> 00:23:01.770
And 'pathway to victory' keeps my spirit up
00:23:01.770 --> 00:23:04.873
And keeps reminding me that god is in control.
00:23:04.873 --> 00:23:08.610
The only way through the trauma in my family
00:23:08.610 --> 00:23:10.979
Is through christ our lord.
00:23:10.979 --> 00:23:13.281
Thank you so much for making this available to me every day
00:23:13.281 --> 00:23:16.952
On the radio and tv.
00:23:16.952 --> 00:23:19.254
"pathway to victory" has given me hope.
00:23:19.254 --> 00:23:21.857
I really need this ministry."
00:23:21.857 --> 00:23:24.860
Well, i'm so glad
00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:26.228
This ministry's an encouragement to you, michelle.
00:23:26.228 --> 00:23:28.663
And friends, thank you for partnering
00:23:28.663 --> 00:23:30.665
With "pathway to victory" and for helping us reach men
00:23:30.665 --> 00:23:33.735
And women just like michelle,
00:23:33.735 --> 00:23:35.570
Who rely on this program
00:23:35.570 --> 00:23:37.005
As a beacon of light in the darkness.
00:23:37.005 --> 00:23:39.975
Now, stay right there.
00:23:39.975 --> 00:23:41.276
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
00:23:41.276 --> 00:23:43.778
In just a moment.
00:23:43.778 --> 00:23:45.146
When everything around you is shifting,
00:23:45.947 --> 00:23:47.883
When friends question your beliefs,
00:23:47.883 --> 00:23:50.151
When you hear something that doesn't sound right
00:23:50.151 --> 00:23:52.320
But don't know what to say, you need confidence
00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:55.290
In what you believe and why you believe it.
00:23:55.290 --> 00:23:57.759
"in what every christian should know,"
00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:59.861
Dr. robert jeffress gives you a biblical foundation you
00:23:59.861 --> 00:24:03.198
And your family can build your faith upon.
00:24:03.198 --> 00:24:05.834
You'll discover practical truth
00:24:05.834 --> 00:24:07.802
That deepens your relationship with god
00:24:07.802 --> 00:24:10.171
And strengthens your confidence in what you believe.
00:24:10.171 --> 00:24:13.041
If you've ever struggled
00:24:13.041 --> 00:24:14.342
To put your faith into words, you're not alone.
00:24:14.342 --> 00:24:17.379
Many christians find it difficult to do so,
00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:20.382
But when we're uncertain about the basics,
00:24:20.382 --> 00:24:22.851
We can become vulnerable to false teaching.
00:24:22.851 --> 00:24:25.754
In my book "what every christian should know,"
00:24:25.754 --> 00:24:28.390
I'll walk you through 10 essential truths of christianity,
00:24:28.390 --> 00:24:32.127
Explaining not just what the bible teaches,
00:24:32.127 --> 00:24:34.829
But why it matters for your life today.
00:24:34.829 --> 00:24:37.632
Request your copy of "what every christian should know"
00:24:37.632 --> 00:24:40.635
When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory".
00:24:40.635 --> 00:24:43.838
And when you give $75 or more,
00:24:43.838 --> 00:24:46.274
We'll also send you the companion study guide
00:24:46.274 --> 00:24:48.376
And the complete teaching series
00:24:48.376 --> 00:24:50.579
On both cd and dvd.
00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:52.581
If we the church are to be the support,
00:24:52.581 --> 00:24:54.950
The foundation, the thing that lifts up the truth of god,
00:24:54.950 --> 00:24:58.587
We need to know what that truth is.
00:24:58.587 --> 00:25:01.656
Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory"
00:25:01.656 --> 00:25:04.459
In a constantly-shifting world.
00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:06.561
Your generous support helps us equip believers
00:25:06.561 --> 00:25:09.331
With the confidence they need
00:25:09.331 --> 00:25:10.865
To stand firm on solid ground in their faith.
00:25:10.865 --> 00:25:15.604
Attending has become a non-essential event
00:25:16.504 --> 00:25:19.674
For too many christians,
00:25:19.674 --> 00:25:21.610
But gathering with fellow believers
00:25:21.610 --> 00:25:23.511
Is no less important today than it was 2,000 years ago.
00:25:23.511 --> 00:25:28.016
And i believe it can become the highlight of your week.
00:25:28.016 --> 00:25:31.853
Well, on today's program,
00:25:31.853 --> 00:25:33.388
I describe some of the essential functions
00:25:33.388 --> 00:25:35.590
Of the local church,
00:25:35.590 --> 00:25:37.092
And next time i'll add a few more to the priority list.
00:25:37.092 --> 00:25:40.662
Plus, i'll share four key roles
00:25:40.662 --> 00:25:42.931
For every person who attends church.
00:25:42.931 --> 00:25:46.167
Stay tuned for a preview
00:25:46.167 --> 00:25:47.435
Of what's coming up next in our series,
00:25:47.435 --> 00:25:49.638
What every christian should know.
00:25:49.638 --> 00:25:52.440
John stott wrote,
00:25:52.874 --> 00:25:54.743
"if the church is central to god's purpose
00:25:54.743 --> 00:25:58.713
As seen in both history and the gospel,
00:25:58.713 --> 00:26:01.783
It must surely also be central in our lives."
00:26:01.783 --> 00:26:05.787
How can we take so lightly what god takes so seriously?
00:26:05.787 --> 00:26:11.126
How dare we push to the circumference
00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:14.429
What god has placed at the center?
00:26:14.429 --> 00:26:17.866
Set your dvr and join us next time
00:26:17.866 --> 00:26:20.135
For part two of the message
00:26:20.135 --> 00:26:21.636
What every christian should know about the church,
00:26:21.636 --> 00:26:24.906
Here on "pathway to victory."
00:26:24.906 --> 00:26:26.808
♪ music ♪
00:26:26.808 --> 00:26:28.677
Experience a journey that will refresh your spirit
00:26:28.677 --> 00:26:31.646
And renew your faith
00:26:31.646 --> 00:26:33.081
On the pathway to victory cruise to alaska,
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June 13 through 20, 2026.
00:26:35.717 --> 00:26:38.420
Sail aboard holland america's luxurious koningsdam
00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:41.756
Through british columbia's beautiful inside passage.
00:26:41.756 --> 00:26:45.360
From the pristine waters of glacier bay
00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:48.163
To the charming frontier towns of juneau,
00:26:48.163 --> 00:26:50.765
Ketchikan, and skagway,
00:26:50.765 --> 00:26:52.934
You'll witness god's handiwork on full display.
00:26:52.934 --> 00:26:56.538
Imagine standing on decks surrounded by towering glaciers
00:26:56.538 --> 00:26:59.808
And snow-capped mountains
00:26:59.808 --> 00:27:01.376
While enjoying powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
00:27:01.376 --> 00:27:04.546
Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien
00:27:04.546 --> 00:27:08.416
And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg,
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America's minister of encouragement.
00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:13.221
This is more than just a vacation.
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It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
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To reserve your cabin
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On the 2026 pathway to victory cruise to alaska,
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Call 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org.
00:27:23.098 --> 00:27:23.098

Robert Jeffress - What Every Christian Should Know About The Church (Part 1)

February 20, 2026 | 27:29

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