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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - What's So Good About Good Friday? | April 13, 2025
- ♪ music ♪
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- From the pulpit of the first baptist church
- 00:00:07.387 --> 00:00:09.522
- Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
- 00:00:09.522 --> 00:00:12.525
- With dr. robert jeffress.
- 00:00:12.525 --> 00:00:14.894
- Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
- 00:00:15.395 --> 00:00:16.729
- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
- 00:00:16.729 --> 00:00:19.399
- Have you ever wondered why christians
- 00:00:19.399 --> 00:00:21.167
- Call the day of jesus' crucifixion good friday?
- 00:00:21.167 --> 00:00:25.371
- After all, what could possibly be good
- 00:00:25.371 --> 00:00:27.540
- About the brutal torture and execution of an innocent man?
- 00:00:27.540 --> 00:00:32.178
- Today, i'll explain why christ's death
- 00:00:32.178 --> 00:00:34.547
- Was actually the greatest gift humanity has ever received,
- 00:00:34.547 --> 00:00:38.985
- Because jesus' sacrifice provides the solution
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- To mankind's deepest problem, our separation from god.
- 00:00:41.955 --> 00:00:46.759
- My message is titled, "what's so good about good friday?"
- 00:00:46.759 --> 00:00:51.297
- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
- 00:00:51.297 --> 00:00:59.572
- ♪ there is a day coming ♪
- 00:01:00.173 --> 00:01:05.478
- ♪ when the old will pass away ♪
- 00:01:06.146 --> 00:01:11.951
- ♪ and every wrong will be made right ♪
- 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:16.256
- ♪ no darkness, no night ♪
- 00:01:16.256 --> 00:01:19.859
- ♪ the sun will light the way ♪
- 00:01:19.859 --> 00:01:25.398
- ♪ there is a king coming ♪
- 00:01:25.999 --> 00:01:31.304
- ♪ the one who conquered death and grave ♪
- 00:01:32.172 --> 00:01:37.911
- ♪ no more pain and no more sorrow ♪
- 00:01:38.711 --> 00:01:42.715
- ♪ this hope for tomorrow is our hope for today ♪
- 00:01:42.715 --> 00:01:53.259
- ♪ he who was ♪
- 00:01:53.660 --> 00:01:56.763
- ♪ he who is ♪
- 00:01:56.763 --> 00:02:00.033
- ♪ he who was ♪
- 00:02:00.033 --> 00:02:03.336
- ♪ he who is ♪
- 00:02:03.336 --> 00:02:06.105
- ♪ he who is to come ♪
- 00:02:06.105 --> 00:02:10.043
- ♪ it's christ, the son of man ♪
- 00:02:10.043 --> 00:02:13.880
- ♪ who's riding on the clouds ♪
- 00:02:13.880 --> 00:02:16.983
- ♪ with a crown upon his head ♪
- 00:02:16.983 --> 00:02:20.486
- ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
- 00:02:20.486 --> 00:02:23.623
- ♪ with the nail scars in his hands ♪
- 00:02:23.623 --> 00:02:27.060
- -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ we sing hallelujah ♪
- 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:31.264
- ♪ hear who is to come ♪
- 00:02:31.264 --> 00:02:36.502
- ♪ it's christ, the son of man ♪
- 00:02:37.170 --> 00:02:39.973
- ♪ who's riding on the clouds ♪
- 00:02:39.973 --> 00:02:43.309
- ♪ with a crown upon his head ♪
- 00:02:43.309 --> 00:02:46.746
- ♪ and every eye will see him ♪
- 00:02:46.746 --> 00:02:49.983
- ♪ with the nail scars in his hands ♪
- 00:02:49.983 --> 00:02:52.919
- -♪ hallelujah ♪ -♪ we sing hallelujah ♪
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- ♪ yes hallelujah ♪
- 00:02:57.757 --> 00:03:00.827
- ♪ he's coming back again ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah ♪
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- (applause)
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- [narrator] jesus is the most talked about person
- 00:03:24.117 --> 00:03:26.586
- In human history.
- 00:03:26.586 --> 00:03:27.787
- But we can't fully grasp who jesus is
- 00:03:27.787 --> 00:03:30.223
- Until we understand both his first and his second coming.
- 00:03:30.223 --> 00:03:34.027
- In his powerful new book,
- 00:03:34.027 --> 00:03:35.528
- "jesus revealed in the end times,"
- 00:03:35.528 --> 00:03:37.797
- Dr. robert jeffress unveils the glorious
- 00:03:37.797 --> 00:03:40.166
- Return of our savior.
- 00:03:40.166 --> 00:03:41.668
- Learn what his triumphant return means for your life today.
- 00:03:41.668 --> 00:03:45.738
- Request your copy of "jesus revealed in the end times"
- 00:03:45.738 --> 00:03:49.242
- When you give a generous gift
- 00:03:49.242 --> 00:03:50.743
- To support the ministry of pathway to victory.
- 00:03:50.743 --> 00:03:56.082
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:03:56.416 --> 00:04:01.354
- When you hear the word "excruciating,"
- 00:04:01.354 --> 00:04:04.957
- What picture comes to mind?
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- It's probably some pain you have felt
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- That you thought would never end.
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- Maybe the pain of childbirth or a kidney stone.
- 00:04:14.067 --> 00:04:18.204
- But you thought it would never end.
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- It might interest you to know that that word "excruciate"
- 00:04:20.206 --> 00:04:24.577
- Literally means "out of x the cross."
- 00:04:24.577 --> 00:04:28.815
- Out of the cross.
- 00:04:28.815 --> 00:04:30.450
- It was a word that was coined originally by the romans
- 00:04:30.450 --> 00:04:33.286
- To describe the intolerable, unending pain of crucifixion.
- 00:04:33.286 --> 00:04:38.591
- Frederic farrar, in his book "the life of christ,"
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- Explains it this way.
- 00:04:41.894 --> 00:04:43.763
- "a death by crucifixion seems to include
- 00:04:43.763 --> 00:04:46.733
- "all that pain and death can give
- 00:04:46.733 --> 00:04:49.235
- "in terms of the horrible and the ghastly.
- 00:04:49.235 --> 00:04:52.739
- "death by crucifixion, invented by the persians
- 00:04:52.739 --> 00:04:56.342
- "and embraced by the romans,
- 00:04:56.342 --> 00:04:58.411
- "involved dizziness, cramps, thirst, starvation,
- 00:04:58.411 --> 00:05:02.582
- "sleeplessness, traumatic fever, publicity of shame,
- 00:05:02.582 --> 00:05:07.920
- "the long continuance of torment,
- 00:05:08.688 --> 00:05:11.224
- "horror of anticipation,
- 00:05:11.224 --> 00:05:13.192
- "mortification of untended wounds,
- 00:05:13.192 --> 00:05:15.928
- "all intensified just up to the point
- 00:05:15.928 --> 00:05:19.198
- "at which the person could endure it,
- 00:05:19.198 --> 00:05:21.734
- "but stopping short of the point
- 00:05:21.734 --> 00:05:23.803
- "where unconsciousness would bring some relief.
- 00:05:23.803 --> 00:05:27.573
- "crucifixion was designed to keep the person
- 00:05:27.573 --> 00:05:30.777
- "conscious and suffering."
- 00:05:30.777 --> 00:05:34.814
- That's what jesus experienced on the cross for us,
- 00:05:35.848 --> 00:05:41.120
- Which begs the question, as we acknowledge that event,
- 00:05:42.221 --> 00:05:45.558
- Why would we ever use the term "good"
- 00:05:45.558 --> 00:05:49.128
- To describe what happened to jesus christ?
- 00:05:49.128 --> 00:05:53.032
- What is so good about torture and death on a cross?
- 00:05:53.032 --> 00:05:58.938
- The answer is, that death that christ experienced
- 00:05:59.939 --> 00:06:04.677
- Is the answer to our greatest dilemma,
- 00:06:04.677 --> 00:06:07.847
- Mankind's greatest dilemma.
- 00:06:07.847 --> 00:06:10.483
- It's a dilemma that was expressed best
- 00:06:10.483 --> 00:06:12.685
- By the patriarch job in job 9:2,
- 00:06:12.685 --> 00:06:15.087
- When he said, "what must a person do
- 00:06:15.087 --> 00:06:18.090
- "to be right with god?"
- 00:06:18.090 --> 00:06:21.994
- Now, admittedly, that's not a question
- 00:06:22.829 --> 00:06:24.897
- That many people are asking today.
- 00:06:24.897 --> 00:06:26.499
- There are some who don't believe
- 00:06:26.499 --> 00:06:28.568
- There's a god we need to be right with.
- 00:06:28.568 --> 00:06:31.003
- The majority of people believe in god,
- 00:06:31.003 --> 00:06:33.239
- But they believe, although they're not perfect,
- 00:06:33.239 --> 00:06:35.274
- They're good enough to have a right relationship with god.
- 00:06:35.274 --> 00:06:38.744
- Most people don't ever think about the question at all.
- 00:06:39.846 --> 00:06:43.149
- Paul faced a similar audience
- 00:06:43.783 --> 00:06:46.085
- When he wrote his letter to the romans.
- 00:06:46.085 --> 00:06:49.155
- He faced a culture like ours
- 00:06:49.155 --> 00:06:51.123
- That was more interested in sex and sports
- 00:06:51.123 --> 00:06:53.559
- Than it was in salvation.
- 00:06:53.559 --> 00:06:55.828
- But that didn't keep paul from being faithful
- 00:06:55.828 --> 00:06:58.097
- To deliver the answer to our greatest dilemma.
- 00:06:58.097 --> 00:07:02.435
- He spends in romans the first 2 1/2 chapters
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- Making the case that we all do need god's forgiveness,
- 00:07:05.204 --> 00:07:08.875
- Whether we recognize it or not.
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- It doesn't matter who it is.
- 00:07:10.476 --> 00:07:12.445
- We all need god's forgiveness.
- 00:07:12.445 --> 00:07:14.680
- The pagan who has never heard the gospel,
- 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:16.983
- He is still guilty before god.
- 00:07:16.983 --> 00:07:19.452
- The moralist who tries to live by the ten commandments
- 00:07:19.452 --> 00:07:22.288
- May think he's good enough,
- 00:07:22.288 --> 00:07:23.656
- But he's still guilty before god.
- 00:07:23.656 --> 00:07:26.526
- The sincere follower of other religions
- 00:07:26.526 --> 00:07:29.395
- May think they're all right with god,
- 00:07:29.395 --> 00:07:31.497
- But they're still guilty before god.
- 00:07:31.497 --> 00:07:33.900
- And the climax is romans 3 10 when he says,
- 00:07:33.900 --> 00:07:36.302
- "there's not one righteous among us.
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- No, not even one."
- 00:07:38.938 --> 00:07:42.308
- Salvation, paul says, is not a reward,
- 00:07:42.308 --> 00:07:46.646
- But it is a gift for those who trust in the death of christ
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- For the forgiveness of their sins.
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- Let me say it again.
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- Salvation is not a reward.
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- It is a gift for those who trust in the death of christ
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- For the forgiveness of their sins.
- 00:08:01.928 --> 00:08:05.598
- Notice how paul develops that thought
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- Beginning in verse 21.
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- First of all,
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- He talks about the reality of god's gift of salvation,
- 00:08:10.670 --> 00:08:13.372
- And he makes three simple statements.
- 00:08:13.372 --> 00:08:15.207
- He says, first of all,
- 00:08:15.207 --> 00:08:16.576
- God's salvation is offered as a gift.
- 00:08:16.576 --> 00:08:19.879
- Look at verse 21.
- 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:20.980
- "now apart from the law,
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- The righteousness of god has been manifested,
- 00:08:24.116 --> 00:08:26.719
- Being witnessed by the law and the prophets."
- 00:08:26.719 --> 00:08:30.189
- That word "righteousness" literally means a right standing.
- 00:08:30.189 --> 00:08:34.927
- A synonym would be "salvation."
- 00:08:34.927 --> 00:08:37.763
- Paul is saying a right standing with god
- 00:08:37.763 --> 00:08:40.366
- Is not something we earn.
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- It is achieved apart from law,
- 00:08:42.568 --> 00:08:46.238
- Apart from keeping the law.
- 00:08:46.238 --> 00:08:48.007
- It's offered as a gift, not a reward.
- 00:08:48.007 --> 00:08:51.310
- Secondly, notice paul says in verses 24 to 26,
- 00:08:51.310 --> 00:08:55.448
- "god's salvation is based on the work of christ."
- 00:08:55.448 --> 00:08:59.285
- It's offered as a gift.
- 00:08:59.285 --> 00:09:00.753
- It is based on the work of christ.
- 00:09:00.753 --> 00:09:04.256
- Now, remember ephesians 2:8-9 says,
- 00:09:04.256 --> 00:09:06.525
- "for by grace we are saved through faith,
- 00:09:06.525 --> 00:09:08.861
- And that not of yourselves.
- 00:09:08.861 --> 00:09:10.129
- It is a gift from god, not of works."
- 00:09:10.129 --> 00:09:13.699
- He means not of our works,
- 00:09:14.266 --> 00:09:16.002
- But somebody had to work to provide our forgiveness.
- 00:09:16.002 --> 00:09:19.138
- It's just not us.
- 00:09:19.138 --> 00:09:20.640
- Somebody has to work for our forgiveness.
- 00:09:20.640 --> 00:09:23.242
- God is too holy to just look the other way
- 00:09:23.242 --> 00:09:26.078
- When it comes to our sin.
- 00:09:26.078 --> 00:09:27.847
- Notice in these three verses,
- 00:09:27.847 --> 00:09:29.615
- Paul uses three words to describe
- 00:09:29.615 --> 00:09:32.485
- What it is, the work that christ accomplished
- 00:09:32.485 --> 00:09:35.621
- On that good friday.
- 00:09:35.621 --> 00:09:36.922
- First of all, redemption.
- 00:09:36.922 --> 00:09:39.225
- Look at verse 24.
- 00:09:39.225 --> 00:09:40.493
- "being justified as a gift by his grace
- 00:09:40.493 --> 00:09:43.462
- Through the redemption which is in christ jesus."
- 00:09:43.462 --> 00:09:47.299
- He has redeemed us.
- 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:48.834
- The second word that is used is propitiation.
- 00:09:48.834 --> 00:09:52.705
- Whom, talking about jesus,
- 00:09:52.705 --> 00:09:54.273
- God displayed publicly as a propitiation
- 00:09:54.273 --> 00:09:57.476
- In his blood through faith.
- 00:09:57.476 --> 00:09:59.111
- What does that word mean?
- 00:09:59.111 --> 00:10:00.246
- The word means satisfaction.
- 00:10:00.246 --> 00:10:03.049
- Jesus christ, by his death,
- 00:10:03.049 --> 00:10:05.051
- Satisfied the requirements of a holy god.
- 00:10:05.051 --> 00:10:09.055
- In verses 11 to 9 of hebrews 9,
- 00:10:09.055 --> 00:10:11.757
- Verses 11 to 12, he writes,
- 00:10:11.757 --> 00:10:13.926
- "but when christ appeared as the high priest
- 00:10:13.926 --> 00:10:16.562
- "of the good things to come,
- 00:10:16.562 --> 00:10:18.264
- "he entered through the greater
- 00:10:18.264 --> 00:10:19.999
- And more perfect tabernacle,
- 00:10:19.999 --> 00:10:22.101
- "not made with hands, that is to say,
- 00:10:22.101 --> 00:10:24.704
- "not of this creation,
- 00:10:24.704 --> 00:10:26.272
- "and not through the blood of goats and calves,
- 00:10:26.272 --> 00:10:29.241
- "but christ entered through his own blood.
- 00:10:29.241 --> 00:10:32.344
- "he entered the holy place once for all,
- 00:10:32.344 --> 00:10:35.314
- "having obtained eternal redemption."
- 00:10:35.314 --> 00:10:39.885
- The old testament, the high priest
- 00:10:39.885 --> 00:10:41.821
- Came year after year after year to make an atonement,
- 00:10:41.821 --> 00:10:45.991
- But jesus, the perfect high priest,
- 00:10:45.991 --> 00:10:48.260
- Entered once for all with his blood
- 00:10:48.260 --> 00:10:50.629
- And made a once-for-all sacrifice for our sins.
- 00:10:50.629 --> 00:10:54.967
- That's what christ did.
- 00:10:54.967 --> 00:10:56.669
- He offers us the propitiation for our sins.
- 00:10:56.669 --> 00:11:00.139
- He offers us redemption from our sins,
- 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:02.975
- And the third word is justification.
- 00:11:02.975 --> 00:11:05.811
- In verse 26, he says he is both the just and the justifier.
- 00:11:05.811 --> 00:11:10.149
- This word justification is found over 200 times
- 00:11:10.149 --> 00:11:13.786
- In the greek new testament.
- 00:11:13.786 --> 00:11:16.422
- Justification is a legal term.
- 00:11:16.422 --> 00:11:18.824
- It's that legal act of god
- 00:11:18.824 --> 00:11:21.393
- By which he declares a sinful person to be righteous.
- 00:11:21.393 --> 00:11:26.732
- Now, you've probably heard this little definition
- 00:11:27.733 --> 00:11:28.801
- Of justification.
- 00:11:28.801 --> 00:11:30.269
- Some people have said it means just.
- 00:11:30.269 --> 00:11:32.972
- God now looks at me when i become a christian
- 00:11:32.972 --> 00:11:35.441
- Just as if i have never sinned.
- 00:11:35.441 --> 00:11:39.912
- I don't like that definition
- 00:11:40.513 --> 00:11:42.815
- Because it gives the idea, the impression,
- 00:11:42.815 --> 00:11:46.018
- That god is playing like we're innocent
- 00:11:46.018 --> 00:11:49.021
- When we're not innocent.
- 00:11:49.021 --> 00:11:51.457
- That's not what justification means.
- 00:11:51.457 --> 00:11:54.326
- Justification is the act of god
- 00:11:54.326 --> 00:11:56.896
- By which, because of the blood of christ,
- 00:11:56.896 --> 00:11:59.098
- God declares us not guilty
- 00:11:59.098 --> 00:12:01.033
- Because we are not guilty any longer in the eyes of god.
- 00:12:01.033 --> 00:12:05.905
- Romans 8:1 says, "there is therefore now no condemnation
- 00:12:05.905 --> 00:12:10.142
- Awaiting those who belong to christ jesus."
- 00:12:10.142 --> 00:12:14.647
- Paul says salvation is offered as a gift.
- 00:12:15.548 --> 00:12:19.318
- He says, secondly, it's based on the work of christ,
- 00:12:19.318 --> 00:12:22.121
- And thirdly and most importantly,
- 00:12:22.121 --> 00:12:24.056
- It is received through faith.
- 00:12:24.056 --> 00:12:26.926
- How do i receive that forgiveness in my life?
- 00:12:26.926 --> 00:12:30.296
- It's through faith.
- 00:12:30.296 --> 00:12:31.130
- Look at verse 26.
- 00:12:31.130 --> 00:12:32.598
- "for the demonstration, i say, of his righteousness
- 00:12:32.598 --> 00:12:35.434
- At the present time,
- 00:12:35.434 --> 00:12:36.735
- So that he would be the just and the justifier
- 00:12:36.735 --> 00:12:39.238
- Of the one who has faith in jesus."
- 00:12:39.238 --> 00:12:42.608
- Throughout this chapter,
- 00:12:42.608 --> 00:12:43.976
- You see that word "faith" over and over again.
- 00:12:43.976 --> 00:12:45.878
- Verse 22, "through faith in jesus christ
- 00:12:45.878 --> 00:12:48.581
- For all those who believe."
- 00:12:48.581 --> 00:12:49.915
- Verse 25, "whom god displayed as
- 00:12:49.915 --> 00:12:51.717
- A propitiation in his blood through faith."
- 00:12:51.717 --> 00:12:54.553
- Verse 26, "he who has faith in jesus."
- 00:12:54.553 --> 00:12:57.489
- Verse 28, "man is justified by faith."
- 00:12:57.489 --> 00:13:00.526
- Faith is integral to our salvation,
- 00:13:00.526 --> 00:13:03.128
- But listen to me.
- 00:13:03.128 --> 00:13:04.463
- If you don't understand what i'm about to say
- 00:13:04.463 --> 00:13:06.599
- In the next five minutes,
- 00:13:06.599 --> 00:13:08.033
- You're going to miss heaven,
- 00:13:08.033 --> 00:13:09.935
- And you're going to experience eternity in hell
- 00:13:09.935 --> 00:13:12.838
- If you don't understand what faith is
- 00:13:12.838 --> 00:13:14.974
- And what it isn't.
- 00:13:14.974 --> 00:13:16.308
- Listen to me.
- 00:13:16.308 --> 00:13:17.576
- Faith is not the means of our salvation.
- 00:13:17.576 --> 00:13:21.680
- It is the channel through which we receive salvation.
- 00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:26.585
- We are not saved by faith.
- 00:13:26.585 --> 00:13:28.554
- Nowhere in the bible does it say we are saved by faith.
- 00:13:28.554 --> 00:13:32.324
- Ephesians 2:8-9 says,
- 00:13:32.324 --> 00:13:34.026
- "for by grace you have been saved through faith."
- 00:13:34.026 --> 00:13:38.364
- Not by faith.
- 00:13:38.364 --> 00:13:39.798
- We're saved by grace,
- 00:13:39.798 --> 00:13:41.367
- Which we receive through faith.
- 00:13:41.367 --> 00:13:43.469
- You say, "well, what in the world is the difference
- 00:13:43.469 --> 00:13:45.471
- Between the two things?"
- 00:13:45.471 --> 00:13:47.006
- Let me see if i can illustrate that for you.
- 00:13:47.006 --> 00:13:51.377
- Some of you recognize this.
- 00:13:51.977 --> 00:13:54.980
- It's a cable.
- 00:13:55.347 --> 00:13:56.982
- For those of you who still have cable television,
- 00:13:56.982 --> 00:13:59.852
- You remember what the cable is.
- 00:13:59.852 --> 00:14:02.655
- There are a generation of you
- 00:14:02.655 --> 00:14:03.923
- Who have never seen this before
- 00:14:03.923 --> 00:14:05.491
- 'cause you have a smart tv.
- 00:14:05.491 --> 00:14:07.660
- We still have a cable,
- 00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:09.061
- And you know how the cable works.
- 00:14:09.061 --> 00:14:11.330
- One end of it, you hook up to your cable box,
- 00:14:11.330 --> 00:14:14.767
- And the television program flows from the cable box
- 00:14:14.767 --> 00:14:18.237
- Into the other end that you attach to your television set.
- 00:14:18.237 --> 00:14:23.142
- This is the means by which you see a program.
- 00:14:23.142 --> 00:14:26.946
- The cable allows you to see it.
- 00:14:26.946 --> 00:14:28.881
- But this cable, in and of itself,
- 00:14:28.881 --> 00:14:31.550
- Can produce no television program.
- 00:14:31.550 --> 00:14:34.453
- Imagine i take this cable tomorrow night at 8 o'clock,
- 00:14:34.453 --> 00:14:37.890
- Place it on my ottoman with my bowl of popcorn,
- 00:14:37.890 --> 00:14:42.127
- And i just stare at this,
- 00:14:42.127 --> 00:14:43.696
- Waiting for my nightly rerun of "the beverly hillbillies."
- 00:14:43.696 --> 00:14:47.399
- And i'm sitting there waiting for it
- 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:50.569
- And wonder, "where's jethro?
- 00:14:50.569 --> 00:14:52.571
- Where's ellie mae?
- 00:14:52.571 --> 00:14:54.840
- Where's jed?"
- 00:14:55.207 --> 00:14:56.375
- And i keep staring.
- 00:14:56.375 --> 00:14:57.776
- And it doesn't matter how long i stare at this,
- 00:14:57.776 --> 00:14:59.478
- There's not going to be any television
- 00:14:59.478 --> 00:15:01.880
- Because the television signal
- 00:15:01.880 --> 00:15:03.382
- Is not produced by this cable.
- 00:15:03.382 --> 00:15:05.551
- It comes through this cable.
- 00:15:05.551 --> 00:15:07.086
- It is the same way with saving faith.
- 00:15:07.086 --> 00:15:11.056
- We are saved by god's grace by the death of christ
- 00:15:11.056 --> 00:15:14.259
- That we receive through faith.
- 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:18.230
- Think about it this way.
- 00:15:18.230 --> 00:15:19.531
- Imagine a parachutist who's up in a plane
- 00:15:19.531 --> 00:15:22.234
- About to make his jump.
- 00:15:22.234 --> 00:15:23.602
- He's strapped on the parachute.
- 00:15:23.602 --> 00:15:24.937
- He believes that parachute can save him,
- 00:15:24.937 --> 00:15:28.307
- But is it saving him
- 00:15:28.307 --> 00:15:29.675
- While he's in the comfort of that airplane cabin?
- 00:15:29.675 --> 00:15:32.277
- No.
- 00:15:32.277 --> 00:15:33.712
- The parachutist can stand at the door
- 00:15:33.712 --> 00:15:35.681
- And dangle one foot out,
- 00:15:35.681 --> 00:15:37.216
- But is that parachute saving him?
- 00:15:37.216 --> 00:15:39.818
- No.
- 00:15:39.818 --> 00:15:41.220
- It's not till he takes that leap out of the airplane
- 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:44.857
- Without any other support
- 00:15:45.424 --> 00:15:47.292
- And pulls that ripcord
- 00:15:47.292 --> 00:15:49.361
- That the parachute actually saves him.
- 00:15:49.361 --> 00:15:52.965
- Ladies and gentlemen,
- 00:15:53.465 --> 00:15:54.666
- It is the same way with saving faith.
- 00:15:54.666 --> 00:15:56.368
- It's not believing certain facts about jesus.
- 00:15:56.368 --> 00:15:59.605
- It's coming to that point in your life
- 00:15:59.605 --> 00:16:01.540
- When you kneel before a holy god
- 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:03.675
- And you say, "god, i know i'm a sinner.
- 00:16:03.675 --> 00:16:06.812
- "i know i deserve your punishment,
- 00:16:06.812 --> 00:16:09.314
- "but i believe with all of my heart
- 00:16:09.314 --> 00:16:11.884
- "that jesus died on the cross for me.
- 00:16:11.884 --> 00:16:14.553
- "he took the punishment i deserve,
- 00:16:14.553 --> 00:16:17.189
- "and i have nothing else i'm trusting in,
- 00:16:17.189 --> 00:16:19.558
- "not my goodness, not my church rituals.
- 00:16:19.558 --> 00:16:22.361
- "i'm trusting in what jesus did alone
- 00:16:22.361 --> 00:16:25.197
- "to save me from my sins,
- 00:16:25.197 --> 00:16:28.367
- "give me eternal life."
- 00:16:28.367 --> 00:16:30.102
- It's only when we say that out of sincere desperation
- 00:16:30.102 --> 00:16:33.672
- That god declares us justified,
- 00:16:33.672 --> 00:16:37.409
- Free, redeemed forever and ever and ever.
- 00:16:37.409 --> 00:16:42.147
- That is the message of the gospel.
- 00:16:42.147 --> 00:16:44.750
- (applause)
- 00:16:44.750 --> 00:16:47.386
- God's gift of salvation is offered as a gift.
- 00:16:47.386 --> 00:16:51.123
- It's based on the work of christ,
- 00:16:51.123 --> 00:16:53.425
- And it is received through faith.
- 00:16:53.425 --> 00:16:56.829
- We've talked about the reality of god's gift.
- 00:16:56.829 --> 00:17:00.365
- Let's look at the results of god's gift.
- 00:17:00.365 --> 00:17:03.102
- What happens?
- 00:17:03.102 --> 00:17:04.570
- What does it mean that we have received god's gift?
- 00:17:04.570 --> 00:17:07.806
- Well, the result of god's gift is this.
- 00:17:07.806 --> 00:17:09.908
- First of all, it demands humility.
- 00:17:09.908 --> 00:17:13.278
- Look at verses 27 to 28.
- 00:17:13.278 --> 00:17:15.114
- "where then is boasting?
- 00:17:15.114 --> 00:17:16.782
- "it's excluded.
- 00:17:16.782 --> 00:17:18.117
- "by what kind of law of works?
- 00:17:18.117 --> 00:17:19.918
- "no, by a law of faith."
- 00:17:19.918 --> 00:17:22.588
- The fact that we are saved by god's grace
- 00:17:22.588 --> 00:17:25.157
- We receive through faith means there's no reason to boast.
- 00:17:25.157 --> 00:17:28.827
- You know, just imagine, what if you and i
- 00:17:28.827 --> 00:17:31.063
- Played even a small role in our salvation?
- 00:17:31.063 --> 00:17:34.266
- Can you imagine how miserable
- 00:17:34.266 --> 00:17:35.934
- That would make heaven one day?
- 00:17:35.934 --> 00:17:38.337
- Because all we would do is go up and down the streets,
- 00:17:38.337 --> 00:17:41.740
- The golden streets,
- 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:43.275
- And brag to other people about what we did to get there.
- 00:17:43.275 --> 00:17:45.744
- "well, what did you do to get here?"
- 00:17:45.744 --> 00:17:47.012
- "well, this is what i did to get here."
- 00:17:47.012 --> 00:17:48.180
- "what did you do to get here?"
- 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:50.082
- There's going to be none of that in heaven
- 00:17:50.082 --> 00:17:52.151
- Because it's all of god's grace.
- 00:17:52.151 --> 00:17:54.753
- There is no boasting.
- 00:17:54.753 --> 00:17:56.455
- It demands humility.
- 00:17:56.455 --> 00:17:57.956
- Secondly, it demonstrates and democratizes salvation.
- 00:17:57.956 --> 00:18:04.963
- The fact that salvation
- 00:18:05.464 --> 00:18:06.698
- Is by grace alone democratizes salvation.
- 00:18:06.698 --> 00:18:10.369
- Look at verse 29.
- 00:18:10.369 --> 00:18:11.904
- "or is god the god of the jews only?
- 00:18:11.904 --> 00:18:14.339
- Is he not the god of the gentiles also?"
- 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:16.675
- Yes, of the gentiles also.
- 00:18:16.675 --> 00:18:18.777
- Paul is saying the fact that it's grace
- 00:18:18.777 --> 00:18:20.679
- Means anybody can be a part of the family of god.
- 00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:24.883
- It doesn't matter your skin color.
- 00:18:24.883 --> 00:18:26.552
- It doesn't matter your past religion.
- 00:18:26.552 --> 00:18:28.687
- It doesn't matter your net worth or your education.
- 00:18:28.687 --> 00:18:31.623
- Everyone is free to partake of god's grace.
- 00:18:31.623 --> 00:18:35.827
- That's what grace does.
- 00:18:35.827 --> 00:18:37.396
- It democratizes salvation.
- 00:18:37.396 --> 00:18:40.465
- And finally, grace demonstrates god's justice.
- 00:18:40.465 --> 00:18:45.737
- Look at verse 31.
- 00:18:46.171 --> 00:18:47.472
- "do we then nullify the law through faith?
- 00:18:47.472 --> 00:18:50.275
- May it never be.
- 00:18:50.275 --> 00:18:51.577
- On the contrary, we establish the law."
- 00:18:51.577 --> 00:18:53.879
- I mean, somebody could say,
- 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:55.614
- "well, grace means god's law isn't that important."
- 00:18:55.614 --> 00:18:59.551
- Maybe god is not quite as holy as we think he is.
- 00:18:59.551 --> 00:19:03.188
- I mean, for example,
- 00:19:03.188 --> 00:19:04.756
- If god allowed us to earn our salvation by our obedience,
- 00:19:04.756 --> 00:19:08.727
- What if he said, "well, as long as you make 70% of the law,
- 00:19:08.727 --> 00:19:11.663
- Keep 70% of the law, you can come into heaven."
- 00:19:11.663 --> 00:19:15.367
- Well, that would mean 30% of the law is not important.
- 00:19:15.367 --> 00:19:18.870
- No, the fact that god's requirements demanded
- 00:19:18.870 --> 00:19:24.142
- The death of his son,
- 00:19:24.643 --> 00:19:25.844
- That that was the only way to settle
- 00:19:25.844 --> 00:19:27.679
- The sin debt we all have,
- 00:19:27.679 --> 00:19:29.715
- That doesn't nullify the law.
- 00:19:29.715 --> 00:19:31.383
- It shows how seriously god takes his law.
- 00:19:31.383 --> 00:19:34.586
- All of god's law is important.
- 00:19:34.586 --> 00:19:37.189
- The fact that god offers his grace as a gift,
- 00:19:38.090 --> 00:19:41.593
- Not a reward,
- 00:19:41.593 --> 00:19:43.295
- Is something that demonstrates the justice of god.
- 00:19:43.295 --> 00:19:47.099
- It democratizes salvation,
- 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:50.002
- And it demands humility.
- 00:19:50.002 --> 00:19:52.604
- This week, i was rereading the story
- 00:19:53.405 --> 00:19:56.575
- Of the 18th century poet, william cooper.
- 00:19:56.575 --> 00:20:00.279
- You may know his story.
- 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:02.848
- When he was six years of age, his mother died.
- 00:20:02.848 --> 00:20:05.217
- The father was unavailable,
- 00:20:05.217 --> 00:20:06.952
- So they bundled young william up,
- 00:20:06.952 --> 00:20:10.088
- And at six years of age, sent him off to a boarding school
- 00:20:10.088 --> 00:20:14.126
- Where he was bullied and badgered
- 00:20:14.126 --> 00:20:16.061
- And even beaten by the older boys.
- 00:20:16.061 --> 00:20:18.764
- He fell into severe depression,
- 00:20:18.764 --> 00:20:21.266
- And he tried to kill himself on two different occasions.
- 00:20:21.266 --> 00:20:24.836
- Finally, when he was 25 years of age, in 1756,
- 00:20:24.836 --> 00:20:30.642
- William cooper was sent to an asylum for the insane.
- 00:20:30.642 --> 00:20:35.781
- At that time in history, it's the worst fate
- 00:20:35.781 --> 00:20:37.883
- That could befall a human being
- 00:20:37.883 --> 00:20:39.851
- To be sent in an asylum for the insane,
- 00:20:39.851 --> 00:20:43.422
- But there seemed to be no other answer.
- 00:20:43.422 --> 00:20:46.558
- While he was in that asylum,
- 00:20:46.558 --> 00:20:48.193
- He could be heard during nights crying out from his room,
- 00:20:48.193 --> 00:20:52.264
- "my sin, my sin,
- 00:20:52.264 --> 00:20:55.767
- "if only there were a fountain
- 00:20:55.767 --> 00:20:57.736
- "that could cleanse me of my sin."
- 00:20:57.736 --> 00:21:01.173
- But he knew of no such fountain
- 00:21:01.173 --> 00:21:03.408
- Until he met a new doctor who was assigned to his case,
- 00:21:03.408 --> 00:21:08.146
- A godly christian named dr. cotton.
- 00:21:08.146 --> 00:21:11.616
- Dr. cotton listened to his plea
- 00:21:11.616 --> 00:21:13.719
- And showed him that fountain
- 00:21:13.719 --> 00:21:15.687
- Where he could find the cleansing of his sin.
- 00:21:15.687 --> 00:21:18.623
- William cooper writes his own testimony of that experience.
- 00:21:18.623 --> 00:21:23.462
- He said, "i flung myself into a chair near the window,
- 00:21:23.462 --> 00:21:27.566
- "and seeing a bible there,
- 00:21:27.566 --> 00:21:29.067
- "i ventured once more to apply to it
- 00:21:29.067 --> 00:21:31.903
- "for comfort and instruction.
- 00:21:31.903 --> 00:21:34.106
- "the first verses i saw were in
- 00:21:34.106 --> 00:21:37.142
- The third chapter of romans,"
- 00:21:37.142 --> 00:21:38.777
- That passage we just looked at,
- 00:21:38.777 --> 00:21:41.546
- "that says, 'being justified freely by his grace
- 00:21:41.546 --> 00:21:44.383
- "'through the redemption that is in christ jesus,
- 00:21:44.383 --> 00:21:48.420
- "'whom god has set forth to be a propitiation
- 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:51.223
- "'through faith in his blood
- 00:21:51.223 --> 00:21:52.557
- To manifest his righteousness.'
- 00:21:52.557 --> 00:21:56.194
- "immediately," william said,
- 00:21:56.795 --> 00:21:58.096
- "i received the strength to believe,
- 00:21:58.096 --> 00:22:00.766
- "and the full beams of the sun
- 00:22:00.766 --> 00:22:02.667
- Of righteousness shone on me.
- 00:22:02.667 --> 00:22:05.036
- "i saw the sufficiency of christ's atonement he had made,
- 00:22:05.036 --> 00:22:09.207
- "my pardon in his blood,
- 00:22:09.207 --> 00:22:11.109
- "and the fullness and completeness of his justification.
- 00:22:11.109 --> 00:22:15.981
- "in a moment, i believed, and i received the gospel."
- 00:22:15.981 --> 00:22:22.220
- Years later, william cooper would use that experience
- 00:22:23.321 --> 00:22:28.126
- To write that hymn we still sing today.
- 00:22:28.126 --> 00:22:32.364
- "there is a fountain filled with blood
- 00:22:32.364 --> 00:22:37.636
- "drawn from emmanuel's veins,
- 00:22:38.270 --> 00:22:40.839
- "and sinners plunged beneath that flood
- 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:44.976
- "lose all their guilty stain.
- 00:22:44.976 --> 00:22:49.080
- "the dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day,
- 00:22:49.080 --> 00:22:55.220
- "and there may i, though vile as he,
- 00:22:55.220 --> 00:23:00.225
- "wash all my sins away.
- 00:23:00.225 --> 00:23:04.162
- "salvation is not a reward.
- 00:23:04.162 --> 00:23:07.199
- "it is a gift to those who trust in the death of christ
- 00:23:07.199 --> 00:23:12.204
- "for the forgiveness of their sins.
- 00:23:12.204 --> 00:23:16.107
- "that's what makes good friday so good."
- 00:23:16.107 --> 00:23:20.312
- ♪ music ♪ there's no more powerful truth than this,
- 00:23:20.312 --> 00:23:25.550
- There's no more powerful truth than this,
- 00:23:25.550 --> 00:23:28.286
- That jesus christ willingly endured the cross
- 00:23:28.286 --> 00:23:31.156
- To pay for our sins.
- 00:23:31.156 --> 00:23:33.391
- And i hope today's message has renewed your focus
- 00:23:33.391 --> 00:23:36.127
- On our glorious savior as we enter into the holy week.
- 00:23:36.127 --> 00:23:40.365
- Before we close,
- 00:23:40.365 --> 00:23:41.700
- I want to share a note from eric in new york.
- 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:44.236
- Eric wrote, "pathway to victory is so encouraging to me.
- 00:23:44.236 --> 00:23:48.173
- "your teachings speak so well to
- 00:23:48.173 --> 00:23:50.141
- The misunderstandings of our day
- 00:23:50.141 --> 00:23:52.344
- "and shares how we can be saved because of the lord's
- 00:23:52.344 --> 00:23:55.447
- "unfathomable sacrifice and grace freely given.
- 00:23:55.447 --> 00:23:59.885
- "thank you for changing my heart to live for god
- 00:23:59.885 --> 00:24:03.388
- "and not for the approval of others."
- 00:24:03.388 --> 00:24:06.358
- Well, eric, thank you for those encouraging words.
- 00:24:06.358 --> 00:24:09.594
- And to everyone who supports pathway to victory,
- 00:24:09.594 --> 00:24:12.397
- Especially our pathway partners,
- 00:24:12.397 --> 00:24:14.499
- This note of gratitude really belongs to you
- 00:24:14.499 --> 00:24:17.202
- Because you're the ones helping us share
- 00:24:17.202 --> 00:24:19.671
- The true meaning of easter
- 00:24:19.671 --> 00:24:21.139
- With people across our country and around our world.
- 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:25.243
- Thank you for partnering with us to pierce the darkness
- 00:24:25.243 --> 00:24:28.313
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:24:28.313 --> 00:24:30.348
- Now, stay right there.
- 00:24:30.348 --> 00:24:31.950
- I'll be back with more pathway to victory in just a moment.
- 00:24:31.950 --> 00:24:37.789
- [narrator] most teachings about bible prophecy
- 00:24:38.757 --> 00:24:40.859
- Focus on wars, natural disasters, and economic turmoil.
- 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:46.598
- But the end times shouldn't scare us.
- 00:24:46.598 --> 00:24:49.367
- They should bring us hope.
- 00:24:49.367 --> 00:24:51.603
- In his brand-new book, "jesus revealed in the end times,"
- 00:24:51.603 --> 00:24:55.173
- Dr. robert jeffress takes a radically
- 00:24:55.173 --> 00:24:57.208
- Different approach to prophecy,
- 00:24:57.208 --> 00:24:58.577
- Helping you see the end times
- 00:24:58.577 --> 00:25:00.946
- Through the lens of jesus christ.
- 00:25:00.946 --> 00:25:03.014
- In my new book,
- 00:25:03.014 --> 00:25:04.449
- I share why the bible's prophecies about the last days
- 00:25:04.449 --> 00:25:07.218
- Should fill us with joy and peace
- 00:25:07.218 --> 00:25:09.888
- As we anticipate the return of our savior, jesus christ.
- 00:25:09.888 --> 00:25:14.159
- [narrator] request your copy
- 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:15.360
- Of "jesus revealed in the end times,"
- 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:17.529
- Along with a set of encouragement cards
- 00:25:17.529 --> 00:25:19.531
- When you give a generous gift to support pathway to victory
- 00:25:19.531 --> 00:25:22.500
- Or when you join our team of pathway partners.
- 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:26.171
- And when you give $100 or more,
- 00:25:26.171 --> 00:25:28.673
- You'll also receive the complete
- 00:25:28.673 --> 00:25:30.408
- "jesus revealed in the end times" message series
- 00:25:30.408 --> 00:25:33.211
- On dvd and audio disc,
- 00:25:33.211 --> 00:25:35.146
- Plus the personal and group study guide.
- 00:25:35.146 --> 00:25:37.816
- When jesus comes again,
- 00:25:37.816 --> 00:25:40.051
- He will conquer his enemies and our enemies.
- 00:25:40.051 --> 00:25:43.421
- He will conquer satan himself.
- 00:25:43.421 --> 00:25:45.890
- He will conquer sin and evil forever.
- 00:25:45.890 --> 00:25:49.327
- [narrator] thank you for supporting pathway to victory.
- 00:25:49.327 --> 00:25:51.563
- Your partnership helps introduce hurting people
- 00:25:51.563 --> 00:25:54.799
- To the hope of jesus christ
- 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:56.568
- Through television, radio, and digital streaming.
- 00:25:56.568 --> 00:25:59.437
- Together, we're sharing the life-transforming truth
- 00:25:59.437 --> 00:26:02.474
- About our coming king with people
- 00:26:02.474 --> 00:26:04.409
- Living in spiritual darkness.
- 00:26:04.409 --> 00:26:08.079
- The cross represents the greatest gift ever given,
- 00:26:09.114 --> 00:26:12.617
- The perfect righteousness of christ covering our sins.
- 00:26:12.617 --> 00:26:16.988
- When you place your faith in jesus' finished work,
- 00:26:16.988 --> 00:26:20.058
- God no longer sees your sin,
- 00:26:20.058 --> 00:26:21.860
- But he sees the righteousness of his own son.
- 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:25.430
- That's what makes good friday truly good.
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- Well, next time, we'll tackle three crucial questions
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- About the resurrection that every person should consider.
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- Why is the resurrection so important?
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- How do we know it really happened?
- 00:26:38.877 --> 00:26:40.779
- And most significantly,
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- What does the resurrection mean for you and me today?
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- Stay tuned for a preview of
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- Our special easter sunday message
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- Here on pathway to victory.
- 00:26:49.988 --> 00:26:52.590
- Today, not only to the convinced,
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- But those who are yet to be convinced,
- 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:58.596
- I want to talk about three essential questions,
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- Ask and answer three essential
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- Questions about the resurrection.
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- Number one, why is the resurrection important?
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- Secondly, how do we know that it really happened?
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- And thirdly, what does the resurrection mean to me?
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- [narrator] set your dvr and join us next time
- 00:27:15.814 --> 00:27:17.949
- For the message:
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- The three most important questions about easter
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- Here on "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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