Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - When Darkness Overcomes the Light

December 28, 2024 | S24:E5207

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 - When Darkness Overcomes the Light | December 28, 2024

Thank you so much for joining us on today's edition
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Of "pathway to victory."
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Before we begin today's program, i wanted
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To say a word about the recent election.
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In 1 timothy 2, paul said, "we should pray
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That government would basically protect us
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And then leave us alone to practice our faith."
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And i think the election has ensured that's going to happen
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For the next four years.
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I've known president trump for almost 10 years,
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And i know religious freedom
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Is a very real priority with him.
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But we need to remember
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That it is not government's responsibility
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To share the gospel of jesus christ.
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That's our responsibility
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And one we need to take advantage
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Of while there's still time.
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The only way we're going
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To change america is by changing the hearts of americans,
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And that's only possible through the power of jesus christ.
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So thank you for supporting "pathway to victory" generously
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In this important time,
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But limited time of religious liberty.
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So together we can pierce the darkness
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With the light of god's word.
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♪ music ♪
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[commentator] from the pulpit
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Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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Hi, i am robert jeffress
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And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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In our troubled world,
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Many wonder if evil is triumphing over good.
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From global conflicts to personal struggles,
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It can seem as if the darkness has eclipsed the light
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Of christ's arrival 2,000 years ago.
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But today we'll explore why jesus remains the true light
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Of the world and
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How his light ultimately overcomes all darkness.
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My message is titled,
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"when darkness overcomes the light,"
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On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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♪ music ♪
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♪ joy to the world ♪
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♪ the lord is come ♪
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♪ let earth receive her king ♪
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♪ let every heart ♪
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♪ prepare him room ♪
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♪ and heaven and nature sing ♪
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♪ and heaven and heaven and nature sing ♪
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♪ music ♪
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[speaker] we sing "joy to the world."
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All the ladies sing together.
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♪ joy to the world ♪
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♪ the savior reigns ♪
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[speaker] and the men.
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♪ let men their songs employ ♪
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♪ while fields and floods ♪
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♪ rocks hills and plains ♪
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♪ repeat the sounding joy ♪
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♪ repeat repeat the sounding joy ♪
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♪ music ♪
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♪ repeat the sounding joy ♪
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[speaker] he rules the world.
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With truth and grace.
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♪ he rules the world ♪
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♪ with truth and grace ♪
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♪ and makes the nations prove ♪
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♪ the glories of his righteousness ♪
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♪ and wonders of his love ♪
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♪ and wonders and wonders of his love ♪
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♪ music ♪
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♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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♪ all in joy ♪
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♪ heaven and nature ♪
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♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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♪ heaven and nature ♪
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♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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(applause) ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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(applause)
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[commentator] the celebration of jesus' birth
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Each christmas marks the moment
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When god's radiant hope entered our world
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And jesus calls us to share this light with others.
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You can help pierce the darkness with the light
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Of god's word through the "pathway to victory,
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Light the darkness matching challenge."
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Since 1996, "pathway to victory"
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Has been boldly sharing the gospel
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Of jesus christ and your gift,
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Doubled in impact, will be used
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To proclaim god's truth here in america
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And around the world.
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♪ music ♪
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You may have seen my christmas commentary this weekend
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At fox news about the fact that christmas has been canceled
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For the first time in a long time
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In that little village known as bethlehem.
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There'll be traditional services in some of the churches,
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But the traditional christmas tree
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That is in manger square won't be there this year.
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There'll be no christmas lights illuminated.
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The city officials said that, "such festivities seem out
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Of step with the horrors of war that that area
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Of the world is experiencing."
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The darkness of death, the darkness of war
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Has overcome the lights of christmas, or so it seems.
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By the way, that's not the first time
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That's happened in bethlehem.
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You remember 2,000 years ago on a pitch black night,
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The blackness suddenly gave way to light
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As the angel made his announcement to that group
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Of shepherds on a judean hillside.
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The angel gabriel said, "behold, i bring you good news
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Of great joy, which will be to all people
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For unto you is born this day in the city of david,
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A savior who is christ the lord."
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And that one angel's voice gave way to a multitude of angels
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Who said loudly, "glory to god and the highest
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And on earth, peace toward men
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With whom god is well pleased."
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There is the light of christ's birth,
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But that lightness was quickly eclipsed by darkness.
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Remember, it wasn't too long
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After that, that herod hearing the news
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Of christ arrival, decided to launch a genocide
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Against the jewish people.
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Herod's order was to kill every hebrew, every jewish baby,
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Male baby, two years of age and younger.
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And that little village that had heard the announcement
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Of christ's birth suddenly found themselves burying
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Their dead children.
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The light turned to darkness.
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And in a sense, we've lived in that darkness
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For more than 2,000 years.
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You see, there's a real tension in the christmas story.
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The light of christ coming, people thought
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Would erase forever the darkness, but it hasn't done that.
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Many of you right now are still experiencing
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The darkness of this world.
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Perhaps there's a place at your christmas table this year
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That will be empty that was filled with somebody last year.
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You've experienced the darkness of death
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Or perhaps some other darkness has invaded your life
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And you're wondering, "is christ coming, really?
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What it was built up to be?
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Is light the best representation of christ,
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Considering the darkness we're experiencing now?"
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When you look at some of our most familiar christmas songs,
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They use the motif of life.
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I think of our service we're having this afternoon,
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One of the most beautiful parts of that candlelight service
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Is when all the lights are turned out
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And we hold up our candles and sing "silent night."
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Remember the third verse of that hymn,
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"silent night, holy night, son of god loves pure light,
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Radiant beams from thy holy face,
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With the dawn of redeeming grace,
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Jesus lord at my birth, jesus lord at thy birth."
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You see light used to describe christ in some
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Of the most well-known passages of scripture.
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John uses that metaphor in john 1.
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Remember how he introduced jesus?
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He said in john 1:6-9,
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"there came a man sent from god whose name was john.
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He came as a witness to testify about the light
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That all might believe through him.
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John was not the light,
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But he came to testify about the light.
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There was the true light
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Which coming into the world enlightens every man."
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Jesus described himself this way in john 8:12,
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"i am the" what?
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"the light of the world.
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He who follows me shall not walk in the darkness,
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But shall have the light of life."
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And then in john 12:46, jesus said, "i have come
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As light into the world so that everyone
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Who believes in me will not remain in darkness."
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A number of years ago, i read an article
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By dr. robert russell and he discussed reasons
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That light was still an apt description for jesus christ.
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I want to expand on those ideas
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For just a few moments this morning.
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Why is jesus the light of the world?
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Well, think about it.
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Light first of all, commands our attention,
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Especially light in the darkness has a way
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Of commanding our attention.
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And that's why when isaiah prophesied
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About the coming messiah,
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700 years before he came,
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Listen to what he said in isaiah 9:2,
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"the people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
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On those living in the land of deep darkness,
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A light has dawned."
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He was predicting that jesus,
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His arrival would command our attention.
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It's amazing that the birth
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Of jesus commanded anybody's attention
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When you think about it.
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Jesus was born of a virgin.
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He was the son of god and he still defines history.
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And you know, as our church enters into a new year
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Of ministry, a ministry that impacts not only the city
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Of dallas and not only our nation, but the entire world.
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Let's remember, our mission is not
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To lift up a moral code.
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Our mission is not to lift up a political philosophy
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For people to embrace.
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We are lifting up a person, jesus christ, who said,
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"if i be lifted up, i will draw all men unto myself."
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Light commands our attention.
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Secondly, light reveals our flaws.
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And this is a part of light we don't like.
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It reveals our deficiencies.
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I mean, think about it.
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If you're going to have a romantic dinner with somebody,
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You have that dinner over candlelight,
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Not over a floodlight.
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There are certain things you don't want accented.
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It's the same way, by the way, with criminals.
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If you're trying to protect your house,
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What did the police tell you to do?
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Put lights everywhere because light repels the darkness.
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Light reveals sinister motives and actions.
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And jesus is a light, that doesn't appeal to everybody.
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Have you ever wondered why it is people are turned off,
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They are repelled by the gospel message
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And they hate the name of jesus?
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In fact, i mean, think about it.
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Have you ever heard anybody accidentally hit their thumb
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With a hammer and say, "oh my benjamin franklin!"
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(congregation laughing)
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Or "mahatma gandhi, buddha, buddha, buddha!"
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No, there's one name they curse by, jesus christ.
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Why is that?
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There are people who are repelled by the light of jesus.
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They don't like their flaws being revealed.
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Jesus is like a perfect straight ruler that reveals
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How crooked people's lives really are.
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Jesus predicted that by the way,
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That some people would choose to reject him.
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In john 3:19-20, jesus said, "this is the judgment
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That the light has come into the world
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And men love the darkness rather than the light,
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For their deeds were evil.
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For everyone who does evil hates the light
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And does not come to the light for fear
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That his deeds will be exposed."
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Some people are drawn by the light,
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Others are repelled by it.
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You see that in the christmas story itself.
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Turn over to matthew 2 for just a moment.
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Here you see two very distinct reactions
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To the coming of christ.
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Matthew 2:1, "now after jesus was born in bethlehem
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Of judea, in the days of herod the king,
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Magi from the east," probably persia which is today's iran,
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"magi from the east arrived in jerusalem saying,
00:14:28.991 --> 00:14:32.661
'where is he who has been born king of the jews?
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For we saw his star in the east
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And we have come to worship him.'
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And when herod heard this, he was troubled."
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Literally the word is stirred up.
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He was agitated "and all jerusalem with him."
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When herod heard the news
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That jesus had been born, it bothered him.
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He was paranoid anyway about somebody taking
00:14:59.321 --> 00:15:02.257
Over his kingdom.
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And the idea that another king
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Was on the scene bothered him greatly.
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And remember what he said to the magi?
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He said, "you go and find him
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And when you find him, let me know where he is
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So that i might worship him as well."
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Right.
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His purpose in finding the light was
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To extinguish the light.
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He had no desire to know the real jesus,
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And that's why herod stumbled around in darkness
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For several years and died without ever finding him.
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But contrast that to these magi,
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We call them the wise men from the east.
00:15:35.557 --> 00:15:39.695
Something in them, god stirred up a desire in their heart
00:15:39.695 --> 00:15:44.666
To know the true god,
00:15:44.666 --> 00:15:47.069
And their desire was so sincere that god sent a star
00:15:47.069 --> 00:15:50.706
To illuminate the way
00:15:50.706 --> 00:15:52.441
And to bring them to bethlehem to find jesus.
00:15:52.441 --> 00:15:56.612
By the way, god does that for anybody.
00:15:56.612 --> 00:15:59.948
When god senses a heart that truly wants to know him,
00:15:59.948 --> 00:16:04.820
God will move heaven
00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:06.188
And earth to make sure that person finds him.
00:16:06.188 --> 00:16:09.191
Jeremiah 29:13, god says, "and you will seek me
00:16:09.191 --> 00:16:13.128
And find me when you search for me with all of your heart."
00:16:13.128 --> 00:16:17.666
If you really want to know god, god will lead you
00:16:17.666 --> 00:16:20.702
To the same place that he led the wise men,
00:16:20.702 --> 00:16:24.540
To the feet of jesus christ.
00:16:24.540 --> 00:16:27.342
He is our way to god, and that's why light is so powerful.
00:16:27.342 --> 00:16:31.380
Light reveals our flaws.
00:16:31.380 --> 00:16:34.450
It repels those who don't want to know god,
00:16:34.450 --> 00:16:37.219
But it draws those who want to know god.
00:16:37.219 --> 00:16:40.722
There's a third similarity between light and jesus christ.
00:16:40.722 --> 00:16:45.327
Light overpowers our darkness.
00:16:45.327 --> 00:16:48.831
Yes, there's a time
00:16:48.831 --> 00:16:50.265
That it seems like darkness overpowers the light,
00:16:50.265 --> 00:16:52.801
But eventually light overpowers the darkness.
00:16:52.801 --> 00:16:56.371
In ephesians 6:12,
00:16:56.371 --> 00:16:58.107
Which we're going to look at next month when we resume
00:16:58.107 --> 00:17:01.110
Our ephesians series.
00:17:01.110 --> 00:17:02.611
No, i haven't forgotten about ephesians.
00:17:02.611 --> 00:17:04.713
We're coming back to it next month.
00:17:04.713 --> 00:17:07.216
But listen to chapter six, verse 12.
00:17:07.216 --> 00:17:09.518
Paul gives us an analysis
00:17:09.518 --> 00:17:11.954
Of every problem you're facing in your life right now.
00:17:11.954 --> 00:17:15.757
Paul says, "for our struggle," life is a struggle, isn't it?
00:17:15.757 --> 00:17:20.395
"our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
00:17:20.395 --> 00:17:23.332
That is, it's not against other people,
00:17:23.332 --> 00:17:25.267
But it's against the rulers, against the powers,
00:17:25.267 --> 00:17:28.504
Against the world forces of this" what?
00:17:28.504 --> 00:17:31.507
"darkness, against the spiritual forces
00:17:31.507 --> 00:17:34.710
Of wickedness in the heavenly places."
00:17:34.710 --> 00:17:38.013
There's a battle going on right now
00:17:38.747 --> 00:17:40.916
Between the forces of darkness and the forces of light,
00:17:40.916 --> 00:17:45.454
Between the kingdom of satan and the kingdom of god.
00:17:45.454 --> 00:17:48.557
And it seems like at times that darkness is winning out.
00:17:48.557 --> 00:17:53.929
A day comes when the light overcomes the darkness.
00:17:53.929 --> 00:17:57.332
Just think about the disciples themselves.
00:17:57.332 --> 00:18:01.336
That friday afternoon we call good friday
00:18:01.336 --> 00:18:03.872
Was a dark, dark day.
00:18:03.872 --> 00:18:06.675
Jesus had just been crucified,
00:18:06.675 --> 00:18:08.443
His body placed in the tomb.
00:18:08.443 --> 00:18:10.646
The disciples dreams of a kingdom had been dashed.
00:18:10.646 --> 00:18:14.583
They had never been lower than they were friday evening.
00:18:14.583 --> 00:18:18.654
But three days later, that easter sunday began to dawn
00:18:18.654 --> 00:18:23.926
And an angel appeared.
00:18:24.426 --> 00:18:25.827
"his appearance was like lightning," the bible says,
00:18:25.827 --> 00:18:29.031
And the light of that angel's power illuminated the tomb
00:18:29.031 --> 00:18:32.868
And raised jesus christ from the dead
00:18:32.868 --> 00:18:36.271
And the darkness of death was eclipsed by the light
00:18:36.271 --> 00:18:39.408
Of god's power.
00:18:39.408 --> 00:18:40.976
And that same power will rid your life of darkness as well.
00:18:40.976 --> 00:18:45.781
Light eventually overcomes the darkness.
00:18:45.781 --> 00:18:49.051
That is the promise for every follower of jesus christ.
00:18:49.051 --> 00:18:54.389
And finally, light offers us direction.
00:18:55.224 --> 00:18:59.261
That's why it's such a good description of jesus.
00:18:59.261 --> 00:19:01.530
Light offers us direction.
00:19:01.530 --> 00:19:03.632
Now think about this with me for a moment.
00:19:03.632 --> 00:19:06.301
Imagine the captain of a giant jumbo jet liner,
00:19:06.301 --> 00:19:10.138
Weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds.
00:19:10.138 --> 00:19:12.874
He's trying to land that airplane in the midst
00:19:12.874 --> 00:19:16.311
Of a driving rainstorm at night.
00:19:16.311 --> 00:19:19.848
There's only one place he can safely land the plane,
00:19:19.848 --> 00:19:22.884
That strip of concrete in the darkness.
00:19:22.884 --> 00:19:25.821
How does he find that place of safety?
00:19:25.821 --> 00:19:29.224
There are lights on that runway that shine,
00:19:29.224 --> 00:19:32.728
That blink, motioning for him to come
00:19:32.728 --> 00:19:36.098
To this place of safety.
00:19:36.098 --> 00:19:38.600
It's the same for us.
00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:40.736
How can we ever navigate successfully through the darkness,
00:19:40.736 --> 00:19:45.540
The uncertainty of this life, with all kind of surprises
00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:50.178
That come our way and disappointments,
00:19:50.178 --> 00:19:53.048
And how can we ever hope to navigate our way
00:19:53.048 --> 00:19:56.451
Through the darkness of eternity?
00:19:56.451 --> 00:19:59.087
Jesus said, "i am the way.
00:19:59.087 --> 00:20:02.090
I'm the way, i am the way, the truth, and the life.
00:20:02.090 --> 00:20:07.329
No man comes to the father, but by me."
00:20:08.196 --> 00:20:10.065
We need jesus to lead us safely through this life
00:20:10.065 --> 00:20:14.770
And safely into his presence in all of eternity.
00:20:14.770 --> 00:20:18.874
You probably, some of you,
00:20:18.874 --> 00:20:20.809
Recognize the name of paul harvey.
00:20:21.543 --> 00:20:24.980
Paul harvey was the most successful radio commentator
00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:29.418
On the radio on "abc news."
00:20:29.418 --> 00:20:31.553
He was also a christian.
00:20:31.553 --> 00:20:34.189
He once came and spoke at our church
00:20:34.189 --> 00:20:37.292
And he said when he talked to our church
00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:41.563
That many times through the years when his travels
00:20:41.563 --> 00:20:45.067
Brought him to dallas, he sat on the back row
00:20:45.067 --> 00:20:47.269
Of the old sanctuary of our church
00:20:47.269 --> 00:20:50.405
And participated in worship.
00:20:50.405 --> 00:20:53.175
He was a very devoted christian
00:20:53.175 --> 00:20:55.177
And every year, every year without fail, on the day closest
00:20:55.177 --> 00:20:59.915
To christmas, he would use the same story
00:20:59.915 --> 00:21:03.051
About the meaning of christmas.
00:21:03.051 --> 00:21:05.520
The story was about an old farmer
00:21:05.520 --> 00:21:07.456
Who had become jaded in his christian faith.
00:21:07.456 --> 00:21:11.226
He had isolated himself from his friends and family members.
00:21:11.226 --> 00:21:15.530
He was all alone one evening when one raw, winter night,
00:21:15.530 --> 00:21:20.836
The farmer heard an irregular thumping sound
00:21:21.737 --> 00:21:23.338
Against the kitchen storm door.
00:21:23.338 --> 00:21:25.974
He went to a window
00:21:25.974 --> 00:21:27.242
And watched as tiny, shivering sparrows,
00:21:27.242 --> 00:21:30.679
Attracted to the evident warmth inside,
00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:33.982
Beat in vain against the glass.
00:21:33.982 --> 00:21:36.818
Touched, the farmer bundled up and trudged
00:21:36.818 --> 00:21:39.755
Through fresh snow to open the barn
00:21:39.755 --> 00:21:41.757
For the struggling birds.
00:21:41.757 --> 00:21:44.226
He turned on the lights, tossed some hay in the corner
00:21:44.226 --> 00:21:47.429
And sprinkled a trail of saltine crackers
00:21:47.429 --> 00:21:50.098
To direct them to the barn.
00:21:50.098 --> 00:21:52.567
But the sparrows, which had scattered in all directions
00:21:52.567 --> 00:21:55.771
When he emerged from the house,
00:21:55.771 --> 00:21:57.706
Still hid in the darkness, afraid of him.
00:21:57.706 --> 00:22:01.343
He tried various tactics, circling behind the birds
00:22:01.343 --> 00:22:05.113
To drive them toward the barn,
00:22:05.113 --> 00:22:07.182
Tossing cracker crumbs in the air toward them, retreating
00:22:07.182 --> 00:22:10.786
To his house to see if they would flutter
00:22:10.786 --> 00:22:12.854
Into the barn on their own.
00:22:12.854 --> 00:22:15.090
But nothing worked.
00:22:15.090 --> 00:22:16.958
He, a huge alien creature, had terrified the birds.
00:22:16.958 --> 00:22:21.897
They couldn't understand
00:22:21.897 --> 00:22:23.131
That he actually wanted to help them.
00:22:23.131 --> 00:22:26.101
He withdrew to his house
00:22:26.101 --> 00:22:27.536
And watched the doomed sparrows through a window.
00:22:27.536 --> 00:22:31.506
As he stared a thought hit him
00:22:31.506 --> 00:22:33.241
Like a lightning bolt from heaven.
00:22:33.241 --> 00:22:35.777
If only i could become a bird, one of them just
00:22:35.777 --> 00:22:39.381
For a moment, then i wouldn't frighten them
00:22:39.381 --> 00:22:42.417
So i could show them the way to warmth and safety.
00:22:42.417 --> 00:22:46.388
At the same moment, another thought dawned on him.
00:22:47.389 --> 00:22:51.226
He had grasped the whole meaning of the incarnation.
00:22:51.226 --> 00:22:56.932
Have this attitude in yourselves,
00:22:57.666 --> 00:23:01.369
Which was in christ jesus,
00:23:01.369 --> 00:23:03.738
Who although he existed in the form of god,
00:23:03.738 --> 00:23:07.409
He didn't regard his equality with god a thing
00:23:07.409 --> 00:23:10.345
To be grasped, held onto, but he emptied himself.
00:23:10.345 --> 00:23:15.650
And taken on the appearance of a man,
00:23:16.418 --> 00:23:17.719
He became obedience to the point of death,
00:23:17.719 --> 00:23:21.389
Even death on a cross.
00:23:21.389 --> 00:23:23.859
Ladies and gentlemen, jesus christ did not just point us
00:23:24.993 --> 00:23:28.864
To the way to god.
00:23:28.864 --> 00:23:30.432
He is the way to god.
00:23:30.432 --> 00:23:33.301
"i am the way, the truth, and the life.
00:23:34.135 --> 00:23:37.439
No man comes to the father, except through me."
00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:42.177
♪ music ♪
00:23:42.177 --> 00:23:45.714
Do you know for certain that when you die,
00:23:46.581 --> 00:23:48.917
You'll be welcomed into heaven with open arms?
00:23:48.917 --> 00:23:51.887
There's only one way.
00:23:51.887 --> 00:23:53.288
And that's through jesus christ
00:23:53.288 --> 00:23:55.023
That we can be assured of heaven.
00:23:55.023 --> 00:23:57.125
Today, as we talk about christmas gifts,
00:23:57.125 --> 00:23:59.995
Receiving them and giving them,
00:23:59.995 --> 00:24:02.364
I pray you receive the greatest gift of all,
00:24:02.364 --> 00:24:05.734
The gift of god's forgiveness.
00:24:05.734 --> 00:24:08.236
Well, as you make plans to support your local church
00:24:08.236 --> 00:24:11.373
And favorite christian ministries, i want you to know
00:24:11.373 --> 00:24:14.476
That there's still time to participate
00:24:14.476 --> 00:24:16.811
In the "pathway to victory:
00:24:16.811 --> 00:24:18.280
Light the darkness matching challenge."
00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:20.916
Every dollar given will be matched
00:24:20.916 --> 00:24:23.018
And therefore doubled in impact until we reach the goal
00:24:23.018 --> 00:24:26.688
Of $1.5 million.
00:24:26.688 --> 00:24:28.990
So, be sure to take down our contact information so
00:24:29.991 --> 00:24:32.460
That you can participate
00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:34.095
In this wonderful matching challenge.
00:24:34.095 --> 00:24:36.731
Your generous year-end gift will empower a "pathway
00:24:36.731 --> 00:24:39.634
To victory," to shine the light of god's word through radio,
00:24:39.634 --> 00:24:43.838
Television, digital streaming, and print media,
00:24:43.838 --> 00:24:47.542
Reaching our nation and world
00:24:47.542 --> 00:24:49.544
With the life-changing gospel of jesus christ.
00:24:49.544 --> 00:24:53.315
Now, stay right there.
00:24:53.315 --> 00:24:54.616
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
00:24:54.616 --> 00:24:57.152
In just a moment.
00:24:57.152 --> 00:25:00.522
[commentator] the one thing god wants
00:25:01.356 --> 00:25:02.857
More than anything else in this world is time with you.
00:25:02.857 --> 00:25:06.528
Make god your priority
00:25:06.528 --> 00:25:07.896
By spending quality time in his word with
00:25:07.896 --> 00:25:10.231
The brand new 2025 "pathway to victory daily devotional."
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This year's devotional has
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A beautiful navy blue leather cover,
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With inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
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And now with larger print,
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The 260 practical insights from dr. robert jeffress
00:25:20.875 --> 00:25:24.212
Are easier to read.
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This stunning 532 page devotional makes
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An ideal christmas gift for loved ones
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Who want to grow in their faith too,
00:25:30.418 --> 00:25:32.487
Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
00:25:32.487 --> 00:25:35.890
He chose to do it through the written word.
00:25:35.890 --> 00:25:38.927
And that's why it's so important for you
00:25:38.927 --> 00:25:40.762
And for me to set aside regular time
00:25:40.762 --> 00:25:43.331
To read the word of god.
00:25:43.331 --> 00:25:45.900
[commentator] every season carries an uplifting theme.
00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:48.770
Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
00:25:48.770 --> 00:25:52.407
In spring and summer, grow stronger in christ
00:25:53.341 --> 00:25:55.443
With insights from colossians.
00:25:55.443 --> 00:25:57.545
And in the fall and winter, embrace the father who loves you
00:25:57.545 --> 00:26:00.749
With inspirational readings based
00:26:00.749 --> 00:26:02.550
On the parable of the prodigal son.
00:26:02.550 --> 00:26:04.753
When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming,
00:26:05.854 --> 00:26:08.256
Take a moment to anchor yourself in the calming truth
00:26:08.256 --> 00:26:10.892
Of god's word with the brand new 2025 "pathway
00:26:10.892 --> 00:26:14.062
To victory daily devotional."
00:26:14.062 --> 00:26:16.364
Your gift of support not only provides you
00:26:16.364 --> 00:26:18.566
With this life-giving resource, it empowers us
00:26:18.566 --> 00:26:21.403
To spread the hope-filled message of jesus christ as well.
00:26:21.403 --> 00:26:25.006
Thank you for supporting the ministry
00:26:25.006 --> 00:26:27.042
Of "pathway to" victory.
00:26:27.042 --> 00:26:32.147
Perhaps you feel like you're being smothered
00:26:33.081 --> 00:26:35.350
In darkness right now.
00:26:35.350 --> 00:26:37.352
Friends, jesus never promised to illuminate everything
00:26:37.352 --> 00:26:41.189
That's going to happen in the future,
00:26:41.189 --> 00:26:43.358
But he has promised that he will never leave you,
00:26:43.358 --> 00:26:46.428
Nor forsake you.
00:26:46.428 --> 00:26:48.196
And like a lamp to your path,
00:26:48.196 --> 00:26:50.231
He will show you the next step forward you need to take.
00:26:50.231 --> 00:26:54.436
Stay tuned for a preview
00:26:54.436 --> 00:26:55.704
Of what's coming up next on "pathway to victory."
00:26:55.704 --> 00:26:59.674
What i want you to notice is this message we're going to look
00:27:00.842 --> 00:27:02.977
At for just a few moments is not a message for the unsaved.
00:27:02.977 --> 00:27:07.449
There's nothing in this passage that will tell you how
00:27:07.449 --> 00:27:09.517
To go to heaven when you die.
00:27:09.517 --> 00:27:11.152
There's nothing about god's forgiveness through jesus
00:27:11.152 --> 00:27:13.888
Or the cross or the blood of christ.
00:27:13.888 --> 00:27:15.890
This was a message for his disciples, his followers.
00:27:15.890 --> 00:27:21.329
[commentator] set your dvr
00:27:21.329 --> 00:27:23.131
And join us next time for the message, "the crux
00:27:23.131 --> 00:27:24.899
Of christianity" here on "pathway to victory."
00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:24.899

Robert Jeffress - When Darkness Overcomes the Light

December 28, 2024 | S24:E5207

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