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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - When Persecution Comes (Part 2)

June 10, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - When Persecution Comes (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Music #Singer/Songwriter #Praise #Worship #AmericanHistory #Persecution #Culture #Faith #SeekGod #TrustGod #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - When Persecution Comes (Part 2) | June 10, 2026
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • When our founding fathers established america nearly 250
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  • Years ago, they built our nation on a solid christian footing.
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  • Tragically, politicians in washington d.c. are chipping
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  • Away at that foundation.
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  • Ignoring the heritage that made us great, they're allowing our
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  • Spiritual foundation to crumble.
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  • Today, i wanna share with you several essential words to
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  • Help you prepare for what's ahead.
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  • My message is titled, "when persecution comes," on today's
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  • Edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ i am the righteous one and i am the lamb. ♪
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  • ♪ i am the ram in the bush for abraham. ♪
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  • ♪ i am the ultimate sacrifice for sin. ♪
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  • ♪ i am your redeemer, beginning and the end. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ yes, i am. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ oh, he said i am. ♪
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  • ♪ i am jehovah, and i am the king. ♪
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  • ♪ i am messiah, david's offspring. ♪
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  • ♪ i am the high priest, and i am the christ. ♪
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  • ♪ i am the resurrection, and i am the life. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ yes, he is. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ i am the bread, and i am the wine. ♪
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  • ♪ i am your future, so leave your past behind. ♪
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  • ♪ i am the one in the midst of two or three. ♪
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  • ♪ i am your tabernacle, i am your jubilee. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ jesus said. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ i am the bread, i am the wine. ♪
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  • ♪ i am your future, so leave your past behind. ♪
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  • ♪ i am the one in the midst of two or three. ♪
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  • ♪ i am your tabernacle, i am your jubilee. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ jesus is. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ i am hope, i am peace, i am joy, i am rest. ♪
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  • ♪ i am your comfort, and relief from your stress. ♪
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  • ♪ i am strength, i am faith, i am love, i am power. ♪
  • 00:03:03.940 --> 00:03:08.778
  • ♪ i am your freedom, this very hour. ♪
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  • ♪ i am hope, i am peace, i am joy, i am rest. ♪
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  • ♪ i am your comfort, and relief from your stress. ♪
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  • ♪ i am strength, i am faith, i am love, i am power. ♪
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  • ♪ i am your freedom, this very hour. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ yes, he is. yes, he is. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ i am. ♪
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  • ♪ hallelu. ♪♪
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  • Announcer: as our nation marks 250 years, america
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  • Stands at a crossroads.
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  • Will we return to the god who blessed us or continue down a
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  • Path that leads to ruin?
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  • Through the in god we trust matching challenge, your gift
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  • Today will be doubled in ministry impact.
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  • For 30 years, "pathway to victory" has pierced the
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  • Darkness of our nation with the light of god's word by sharing
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  • Biblical truth that transforms hearts.
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  • Join us in this critical hour by giving toward the in god we
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  • Trust matching challenge today.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: our culture is more hostile toward
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  • Christianity than at any other time in our nation's history.
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  • And realizing that that negativity and hostility is more
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  • Likely to increase than it is to subside means we ought to get
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  • Ready for persecution.
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  • Well, how should we respond to the escalating attacks
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  • Against christians?
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  • How do we get ready for persecution?
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  • In hebrews chapter 10 verse 25, the writer says, "we ought to
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  • Encourage one another and all the more as we see the day
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  • Drawing near."
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  • Now, one way we can encourage one another as christians is to
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  • Help prepare one another for this inevitable time
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  • Of persecution.
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  • And that's what i want to do in these moments tonight.
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  • Tonight, i wanna share with you three words that i believe are
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  • Essential in strengthening yourself and preparing for the
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  • Coming persecution that every genuine follower of christ
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  • Will experience.
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  • The first word, and write it down, is the word certain.
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  • Suffering is certain.
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  • The first recorded case of persecution against christians
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  • As a whole occurred under emperor nero in 64 ad.
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  • On the night of june 18, a great fire erupted in rome, destroying
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  • 10 of the 14 sections of the city.
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  • Many believed that nero himself set the fires, but to deflect
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  • Blame from himself, he blamed christians and he was able to
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  • Devise the most heinous tortures imaginable for believers.
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  • One thing he would do would be to take christians while they
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  • Were alive, immerse them in wax, and then set them on fire,
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  • To serve as human torches to illuminate his gardens.
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  • However, as in our culture, this awful persecution against
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  • Christians didn't happen suddenly, instead it
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  • Happened progressively.
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  • Nero was allowed by the population to commit these
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  • Atrocities against christians because as the historian tacitus
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  • Notes, christians were already a class hated for the abominations
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  • By the populists.
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  • There was a growing hatred toward christians that finally
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  • Allowed nero to commit these heinous crimes
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  • Against believers.
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  • And you know, i believe in our culture, you see this growing
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  • Hatred toward christians that is festering and is being fueled by
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  • The media by using these stereotypes of what
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  • Christians are.
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  • Just watch the media, notice how any evangelical christian in a
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  • Sitcom or a movie is portrayed, and it is this growing
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  • Animosity toward believers that is going to pave the way for a
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  • General acceptance in our culture of the persecution
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  • Against christians.
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  • Most scholars agree that the apostle peter wrote his letter
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  • One year before nero began his empire-wide persecution
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  • Of believers.
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  • But listen to what peter said in 1 peter 4 verses 12 to 13, he
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  • Said, "beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal
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  • Among you which comes upon you for your testing as though some
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  • Strange thing were happening to you.
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  • But to the degree that you share the sufferings of christ, keep
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  • On rejoicing so that at the revelation of his glory you may
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  • Rejoice with exultation."
  • 00:07:56.132 --> 00:07:59.302
  • "do not be surprised," peter says.
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  • Now, i have to confess to you, those words hit me between the
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  • Eyes every time i read them, "do not be surprised."
  • 00:08:04.941 --> 00:08:09.645
  • Because quite frankly, when i begin to suffer, especially
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  • Suffer any consequences because of obedience to god,
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  • I'm surprised.
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  • I mean, it kind of knocks me for a loop.
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  • When i start to suffer negative consequences for my faith, i
  • 00:08:22.391 --> 00:08:25.428
  • Mean, my first reaction is, "god, what's wrong?
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  • Are you asleep at the wheel?
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  • Don't you see what's happening to me?"
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  • Or "god, i think you're making a tremendous mistake.
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  • I'm supposed to be rewarded, not persecuted for what i'm doing."
  • 00:08:33.869 --> 00:08:38.741
  • Or "god, if this is how you're gonna treat your friends, no
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  • Wonder you're having such a hard time getting a following
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  • These days."
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  • And i'm not the only one who feels that way.
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  • You know, when hit with hardships, many christians
  • 00:08:48.017 --> 00:08:50.519
  • Appear dazed and confused.
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  • They walk around in a spiritual stupor wondering what's wrong?
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  • Why is this happening to me?
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  • They are shocked that obeying christ has resulted in an
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  • Alienation from friends or the loss of a job or even the
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  • Breakup of a marriage.
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  • The truth is we ought to be more surprised if we're not
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  • Suffering for our faith.
  • 00:09:15.211 --> 00:09:17.279
  • See, peter says persecution is the rule rather than the
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  • Exception for those who have chosen to follow christ.
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  • Beyond being surprised, many christians get disillusioned
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  • With a god who would allow them to suffer for doing not the
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  • Wrong thing, but for doing the right thing.
  • 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:33.229
  • After all, in psalm 3, we sing this song, you know, god is my
  • 00:09:33.229 --> 00:09:37.833
  • Shield, my shield, my defender, my protector.
  • 00:09:37.833 --> 00:09:40.536
  • He's gonna keep bad things from happening.
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  • And yet when they do happen to us, we think, "man, god, you
  • 00:09:43.472 --> 00:09:45.975
  • Need a bigger shield or something.
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  • This isn't right.
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  • God, if you're really protecting me, why would you allow this to
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  • Happen to me?"
  • 00:09:53.115 --> 00:09:54.483
  • And yet all you have to do is look at how god dealt with his
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  • Own son, his beloved son, to get a different perspective
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  • On persecution.
  • 00:10:01.691 --> 00:10:03.192
  • You see, suffering is not an unexpected detour in god's plan
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  • For your life, it is actually a part of god's calling for
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  • Your life.
  • 00:10:11.467 --> 00:10:12.835
  • And 1 peter 2, peter writes, "for you have been called for
  • 00:10:12.835 --> 00:10:16.639
  • This purpose, since christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
  • 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:21.043
  • Example to follow in his steps.
  • 00:10:21.043 --> 00:10:23.279
  • He committed no sin nor was any deceit found in his mouth and
  • 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:27.249
  • While being reviled, he did not revile in return: while
  • 00:10:27.249 --> 00:10:30.586
  • Suffering, he uttered no threats, but he kept entrusting
  • 00:10:30.586 --> 00:10:34.190
  • Himself to him who judges righteously."
  • 00:10:34.190 --> 00:10:38.294
  • Peter says suffering is a calling from god for
  • 00:10:38.294 --> 00:10:42.064
  • Every christian.
  • 00:10:42.064 --> 00:10:43.699
  • That's a calling most of us would like to ignore or forward
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  • To somebody else to receive.
  • 00:10:47.436 --> 00:10:49.905
  • But if suffering was part of god's plan for his own son, why
  • 00:10:49.905 --> 00:10:55.010
  • Are we surprised when god plans it for us as well?
  • 00:10:55.010 --> 00:10:59.381
  • Why would god allow, not only allow, plan for his son as well
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  • As for you and me to suffer?
  • 00:11:05.421 --> 00:11:07.356
  • That leads to the second word that would encourage you in
  • 00:11:07.356 --> 00:11:10.159
  • Times of suffering.
  • 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.494
  • Suffering is not only certain, but suffering is profitable.
  • 00:11:11.494 --> 00:11:16.532
  • While suffering results in some temporary discomfort, the
  • 00:11:16.532 --> 00:11:19.735
  • Long-term gain far exceeds the short-term losses.
  • 00:11:19.735 --> 00:11:23.873
  • In fact, on a personal level, it is the heat of persecution that
  • 00:11:23.873 --> 00:11:28.277
  • Fortifies our faith.
  • 00:11:28.277 --> 00:11:29.812
  • Remember what james said in james 1 verses 2 to 4, he was
  • 00:11:29.812 --> 00:11:33.015
  • Talking to a group of hebrew christians who were suffering.
  • 00:11:33.015 --> 00:11:35.584
  • They were being dispersed throughout the roman empire
  • 00:11:35.584 --> 00:11:38.020
  • Because of their faith.
  • 00:11:38.020 --> 00:11:39.355
  • And james said, "consider it all joy my brethren, when you
  • 00:11:39.355 --> 00:11:42.658
  • Encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your
  • 00:11:42.658 --> 00:11:46.562
  • Faith produces endurance.
  • 00:11:46.562 --> 00:11:48.297
  • And let endurance have its perfect result that you may be
  • 00:11:48.297 --> 00:11:51.634
  • Perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
  • 00:11:51.634 --> 00:11:55.604
  • Now, that word testing, the testing of your faith literally
  • 00:11:55.604 --> 00:11:59.909
  • Means approved.
  • 00:11:59.909 --> 00:12:01.944
  • It is a word that was used to describe the process by which a
  • 00:12:01.944 --> 00:12:06.148
  • Potter would take a clay pot and he would place it in a firing
  • 00:12:06.148 --> 00:12:10.853
  • Oven in order to fortify that piece of sculpture, that
  • 00:12:10.853 --> 00:12:15.157
  • Clay pot.
  • 00:12:15.157 --> 00:12:16.592
  • And the potter's purpose in putting his work of art into
  • 00:12:16.592 --> 00:12:20.930
  • That firing oven was not to destroy it, but to
  • 00:12:20.930 --> 00:12:24.166
  • Strengthen it.
  • 00:12:24.166 --> 00:12:25.734
  • And if it survived that fire without cracking, the word was
  • 00:12:25.734 --> 00:12:29.672
  • Written on the bottom, this greek word that is translated
  • 00:12:29.672 --> 00:12:32.975
  • Tested or approved.
  • 00:12:32.975 --> 00:12:35.511
  • Now that is the same word that james uses to describe god's
  • 00:12:35.511 --> 00:12:38.914
  • Reason for putting you through the oven of testing so that
  • 00:12:38.914 --> 00:12:42.585
  • Your faith can be strengthened.
  • 00:12:42.585 --> 00:12:44.253
  • God's purpose is not to destroy you but to strengthen
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  • Your faith.
  • 00:12:47.957 --> 00:12:49.291
  • Persecution, testing is not only profitable for us personally,
  • 00:12:49.291 --> 00:12:53.762
  • But also for the church as a whole.
  • 00:12:53.762 --> 00:12:56.532
  • Even the most cursory study of history reveals that persecution
  • 00:12:56.532 --> 00:13:01.470
  • Causes the church to flourish, to expand, while prosperity
  • 00:13:01.470 --> 00:13:06.275
  • Causes the church to wither away and retreat.
  • 00:13:06.275 --> 00:13:10.346
  • When the church suffered, it grew, when it prospered, it
  • 00:13:10.346 --> 00:13:14.350
  • Withered away.
  • 00:13:14.350 --> 00:13:15.851
  • But notice what happened in acts 8 verses 2 and 4, "and on that
  • 00:13:15.851 --> 00:13:19.922
  • Great day a persecution arose against the church in jerusalem,
  • 00:13:19.922 --> 00:13:24.226
  • And they were all scattered throughout the regions of judea
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  • And samaria.
  • 00:13:27.730 --> 00:13:29.064
  • Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching
  • 00:13:29.064 --> 00:13:32.468
  • The word."
  • 00:13:32.468 --> 00:13:33.836
  • It was only because of persecution that the church
  • 00:13:33.836 --> 00:13:37.072
  • Left jerusalem.
  • 00:13:37.072 --> 00:13:38.407
  • And where did they go?
  • 00:13:38.407 --> 00:13:39.775
  • Just as jesus prophesied, they went to judea and samaria.
  • 00:13:39.775 --> 00:13:43.846
  • Later in his life, peter looked back and saw the connection
  • 00:13:43.846 --> 00:13:46.749
  • Between persecution and the growth of the church.
  • 00:13:46.749 --> 00:13:48.851
  • He said in 1 peter chapter 3 verses 14 and 15, "but even if
  • 00:13:48.851 --> 00:13:52.788
  • You should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you
  • 00:13:52.788 --> 00:13:55.457
  • Are blessed.
  • 00:13:55.457 --> 00:13:56.792
  • And do not fear their intimidation and do not be
  • 00:13:56.792 --> 00:13:59.328
  • Troubled, but sanctify christ as lord in your hearts, always
  • 00:13:59.328 --> 00:14:04.199
  • Being ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give an
  • 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:07.970
  • Account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness
  • 00:14:07.970 --> 00:14:11.774
  • And reverence."
  • 00:14:11.774 --> 00:14:13.309
  • You know, we always take this verse out of context.
  • 00:14:13.309 --> 00:14:15.878
  • We think it's a verse for apologetics.
  • 00:14:15.878 --> 00:14:18.113
  • We kind of say, well now, you know, if you're walking down the
  • 00:14:18.113 --> 00:14:20.749
  • Street, be prepared to give people an answer for why you
  • 00:14:20.749 --> 00:14:24.320
  • Believe in the virgin birth of christ or why you believe in
  • 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:27.356
  • The second coming of jesus, have all of these facts because
  • 00:14:27.356 --> 00:14:30.159
  • Somebody may ask you why you believe these things.
  • 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:33.662
  • Baloney, the world we live in today, nobody could care less
  • 00:14:33.662 --> 00:14:37.132
  • About those things.
  • 00:14:37.132 --> 00:14:38.968
  • They're not interested in those things.
  • 00:14:38.968 --> 00:14:41.203
  • Peter is saying what causes people to ask you for the hope
  • 00:14:41.203 --> 00:14:45.307
  • That is within you is when they see you responding positively
  • 00:14:45.307 --> 00:14:50.212
  • To suffering.
  • 00:14:50.212 --> 00:14:51.814
  • He said when people see you responding positively to
  • 00:14:51.814 --> 00:14:56.251
  • Suffering, be ready to give an answer because people are gonna
  • 00:14:56.251 --> 00:14:59.455
  • Ask you, "how do you do that?
  • 00:14:59.455 --> 00:15:01.557
  • How do you react that way when the world around you
  • 00:15:01.557 --> 00:15:04.727
  • Is collapsing?"
  • 00:15:04.727 --> 00:15:06.428
  • It's always been that way.
  • 00:15:06.428 --> 00:15:07.896
  • The suffering of christians is the seed for christianity.
  • 00:15:07.896 --> 00:15:12.468
  • You see that again in the early church, remember in acts chapter
  • 00:15:12.468 --> 00:15:15.537
  • 8 verses 58 and 60 the story of the martyrdom of the first
  • 00:15:15.537 --> 00:15:20.242
  • Christian martyr, stephen.
  • 00:15:20.242 --> 00:15:22.211
  • Luke writes, "and when they had driven him out of the city, they
  • 00:15:22.211 --> 00:15:25.581
  • Began stoning him: and the witnesses laid aside their robes
  • 00:15:25.581 --> 00:15:29.585
  • At the feet of a young man named saul.
  • 00:15:29.585 --> 00:15:34.256
  • And falling on his knees, stephen cried out with a loud
  • 00:15:34.256 --> 00:15:37.326
  • Voice, 'lord, do not hold this sin against them!'
  • 00:15:37.326 --> 00:15:40.729
  • And having said this, he fell asleep."
  • 00:15:40.729 --> 00:15:43.165
  • That is, he died.
  • 00:15:43.165 --> 00:15:45.134
  • Don't you think it's fascinating that saul, the great persecutor
  • 00:15:45.134 --> 00:15:49.438
  • Against the church, happened to be there that day to witness the
  • 00:15:49.438 --> 00:15:53.675
  • Death of stephen?
  • 00:15:53.675 --> 00:15:55.044
  • He not only witnessed it, he was actually holding the coats of
  • 00:15:55.044 --> 00:15:58.280
  • Those who were casting the stones against stephen.
  • 00:15:58.280 --> 00:16:01.984
  • But when saul saw the remarkable response of stephen, how he
  • 00:16:01.984 --> 00:16:08.624
  • Entrusted himself to god, how he forgave those who were stoning
  • 00:16:08.624 --> 00:16:13.262
  • Him to death, saul, the greatest antagonist of the church in the
  • 00:16:13.262 --> 00:16:18.200
  • Next chapter became paul, the greatest evangelist of
  • 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:21.570
  • The church.
  • 00:16:21.570 --> 00:16:22.905
  • All because he saw someone respond positively
  • 00:16:22.905 --> 00:16:27.810
  • To persecution.
  • 00:16:27.810 --> 00:16:29.945
  • The willingness of believers to endure mistreatment continues
  • 00:16:29.945 --> 00:16:33.482
  • Even today to be a powerful catalyst for the spread of
  • 00:16:33.482 --> 00:16:36.085
  • The gospel.
  • 00:16:36.085 --> 00:16:37.619
  • Soon-ok lee was a prisoner in north korea from 1987 to 1992.
  • 00:16:37.619 --> 00:16:43.325
  • And although she wasn't a christian at the time, she was
  • 00:16:43.325 --> 00:16:46.161
  • Imprisoned in north korea with other believers.
  • 00:16:46.161 --> 00:16:49.364
  • And she remembers hearing christians sing as they were
  • 00:16:49.364 --> 00:16:51.967
  • Being put to death.
  • 00:16:51.967 --> 00:16:53.502
  • Not understanding their faith, she thought they were insane.
  • 00:16:53.502 --> 00:16:57.239
  • When those christians refused to deny their faith, she remembers
  • 00:16:57.239 --> 00:17:00.542
  • The guards becoming irate.
  • 00:17:00.542 --> 00:17:02.311
  • She couldn't comprehend why these christians would not say,
  • 00:17:02.311 --> 00:17:05.380
  • "i do not believe" and spare themselves from the horrendous
  • 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:09.118
  • Torture they endured.
  • 00:17:09.118 --> 00:17:11.186
  • Instead, these christians would continue to sing hymns as the
  • 00:17:11.186 --> 00:17:14.289
  • Beatings escalated, the guards would take them to the electric
  • 00:17:14.289 --> 00:17:18.594
  • Treatment room.
  • 00:17:18.594 --> 00:17:20.429
  • Lee says she never saw one christian emerge from that
  • 00:17:20.429 --> 00:17:23.398
  • Room alive.
  • 00:17:23.398 --> 00:17:25.834
  • Eventually, lee escaped from prison to south korea where she
  • 00:17:25.834 --> 00:17:30.305
  • Became a christian.
  • 00:17:30.305 --> 00:17:31.707
  • By her own testimony, it was the enduring faith of those
  • 00:17:31.707 --> 00:17:35.777
  • Persecuted believers that implanted the seed of the gospel
  • 00:17:35.777 --> 00:17:39.581
  • In her heart.
  • 00:17:39.581 --> 00:17:41.550
  • Persecution against christians is certain.
  • 00:17:41.550 --> 00:17:45.053
  • It is profitable both personally and for the movement as a whole.
  • 00:17:45.053 --> 00:17:50.125
  • Thirdly, suffering is temporary and that's perhaps the most
  • 00:17:50.125 --> 00:17:55.063
  • Encouraging word about suffering.
  • 00:17:55.063 --> 00:17:57.332
  • It's temporary.
  • 00:17:57.332 --> 00:17:59.101
  • Several christmases ago, we were planning to leave on our
  • 00:17:59.101 --> 00:18:02.804
  • Christmas trip when our youngest daughter, dorothy, started
  • 00:18:02.804 --> 00:18:06.308
  • Suffering these severe pains in her abdomen.
  • 00:18:06.308 --> 00:18:09.878
  • And when she described her symptoms, i knew exactly what it
  • 00:18:09.878 --> 00:18:13.749
  • Was from my own experience, she was suffering from kidney
  • 00:18:13.749 --> 00:18:16.585
  • Stones, which a trip to the emergency room later revealed to
  • 00:18:16.585 --> 00:18:20.122
  • Be true.
  • 00:18:20.122 --> 00:18:21.456
  • You know, there is no pain comparable to those jagged
  • 00:18:21.456 --> 00:18:24.426
  • Calcium rocks in your urinary tract.
  • 00:18:24.426 --> 00:18:27.329
  • And i couldn't offer her a lot of comfort, but what i could
  • 00:18:27.329 --> 00:18:30.499
  • Tell her was, "honey, as bad as this is, it will subside.
  • 00:18:30.499 --> 00:18:35.637
  • The pain will pass."
  • 00:18:35.637 --> 00:18:38.273
  • And it did literally.
  • 00:18:38.273 --> 00:18:43.579
  • You know, that's the only comfort sometimes we find in
  • 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:46.148
  • Suffering, that as bad as it is, it is temporary.
  • 00:18:46.148 --> 00:18:50.252
  • The apostle peter was writing to christians who were imprisoned.
  • 00:18:50.252 --> 00:18:53.889
  • Others had lost their jobs, their homes, their livelihood.
  • 00:18:53.889 --> 00:18:57.125
  • Some were having to choose between their faith and their
  • 00:18:57.125 --> 00:18:59.394
  • Families, and some were beginning to be executed for
  • 00:18:59.394 --> 00:19:02.197
  • Their faith.
  • 00:19:02.197 --> 00:19:03.565
  • Listen to what peter said.
  • 00:19:03.565 --> 00:19:04.900
  • He never tried to diminish the reality of the pain they were
  • 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:08.270
  • Facing, but he encouraged them with one small phrase.
  • 00:19:08.270 --> 00:19:13.108
  • In 1 peter 3:6, peter writes, "in this you greatly rejoice
  • 00:19:13.108 --> 00:19:17.746
  • Even though for a little while, if necessary, you have been
  • 00:19:17.746 --> 00:19:23.085
  • Distressed by various trials."
  • 00:19:23.085 --> 00:19:26.455
  • For a little while.
  • 00:19:26.455 --> 00:19:28.624
  • Those are perhaps the most encouraging words to anyone who
  • 00:19:28.624 --> 00:19:32.127
  • Is suffering, especially suffering because of his
  • 00:19:32.127 --> 00:19:34.863
  • Commitment to christ.
  • 00:19:34.863 --> 00:19:36.565
  • It's as if peter is saying, i know this is hurtful, i
  • 00:19:36.565 --> 00:19:40.235
  • Know this is hard, but the pain you feel will not last forever.
  • 00:19:40.235 --> 00:19:45.207
  • Of course, the question is how little is little?
  • 00:19:45.207 --> 00:19:49.544
  • I mean, think about pastor juan in china, do his 22 years in a
  • 00:19:49.544 --> 00:19:54.082
  • Chinese prison camp qualify as a little while?
  • 00:19:54.082 --> 00:19:58.954
  • Well, you see, time is a matter of perspective and suffering is
  • 00:19:58.954 --> 00:20:03.358
  • A matter of perspective.
  • 00:20:03.358 --> 00:20:05.560
  • Remember a few moments ago, we looked in 2 corinthians 11 at
  • 00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:08.530
  • The catalog of paul's sufferings, beaten five times
  • 00:20:08.530 --> 00:20:11.900
  • Within an inch of his life, shipwrecked, tortured, and so
  • 00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:14.436
  • Forth and so forth.
  • 00:20:14.436 --> 00:20:15.804
  • And yet listen in 2 corinthians 5 as he describes
  • 00:20:15.804 --> 00:20:18.206
  • Those sufferings, he writes in verses 17 to 18, "for a
  • 00:20:18.206 --> 00:20:22.044
  • Momentary, light affliction is producing in us an eternal
  • 00:20:22.044 --> 00:20:27.516
  • Weight of glory far beyond our comparison while we look at not
  • 00:20:27.516 --> 00:20:32.054
  • Things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:
  • 00:20:32.054 --> 00:20:35.624
  • For the things which are temporal, but the things which
  • 00:20:35.624 --> 00:20:38.226
  • Are not seen are eternal."
  • 00:20:38.226 --> 00:20:41.563
  • Look at all that paul went through and yet he described
  • 00:20:41.563 --> 00:20:44.266
  • Them as momentary light afflictions as if they were
  • 00:20:44.266 --> 00:20:48.236
  • Nothing more than getting stuck in the slow line at
  • 00:20:48.236 --> 00:20:50.639
  • The supermarket.
  • 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:52.107
  • It's all a matter of perspective.
  • 00:20:52.107 --> 00:20:55.143
  • Paul's not diminishing the pain he felt or the pain you feel as
  • 00:20:55.143 --> 00:20:59.147
  • Well, but he said, "compared to the eternal weight of god's
  • 00:20:59.147 --> 00:21:03.685
  • Unending rewards, what we suffer in this life is both momentary
  • 00:21:03.685 --> 00:21:08.890
  • And it is light."
  • 00:21:08.890 --> 00:21:11.626
  • It's nothing when you compare it to the weight of god's blessings
  • 00:21:11.626 --> 00:21:17.265
  • That will be ours forever and ever.
  • 00:21:17.265 --> 00:21:19.434
  • As saint teresa famously said one time, "in light of heaven,
  • 00:21:19.434 --> 00:21:23.939
  • The worst suffering on earth, a life full of the most atrocious
  • 00:21:23.939 --> 00:21:28.276
  • Tortures on earth will be seen to be no more serious than a one
  • 00:21:28.276 --> 00:21:33.048
  • Night stay in an inconvenient hotel."
  • 00:21:33.048 --> 00:21:36.785
  • That's what paul is saying.
  • 00:21:36.785 --> 00:21:39.421
  • Peter lowe is the founder of a success seminar that bears
  • 00:21:39.421 --> 00:21:42.457
  • His name.
  • 00:21:42.457 --> 00:21:43.825
  • He was once asked in a seminar how he defined success.
  • 00:21:43.825 --> 00:21:47.529
  • He said, "first of all, you have to look at the long term.
  • 00:21:47.529 --> 00:21:50.399
  • I like to share with business people if i could show you how
  • 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:53.435
  • To be a millionaire in 30 days, would you like that?"
  • 00:21:53.435 --> 00:21:56.538
  • And of course, they all say, "i'd love that."
  • 00:21:56.538 --> 00:21:58.407
  • "okay, i say, you'll be a millionaire in 30 days, but only
  • 00:21:58.407 --> 00:22:02.277
  • For one day, then you'll be bankrupt the rest of your life.
  • 00:22:02.277 --> 00:22:05.814
  • Do you still wanna be a millionaire?"
  • 00:22:05.814 --> 00:22:08.150
  • It's amazing how few people take him up on his offer.
  • 00:22:08.150 --> 00:22:11.686
  • However, suppose peter lowe changed his offer to say this,
  • 00:22:11.686 --> 00:22:15.190
  • "you can be a millionaire for the rest of your life if you're
  • 00:22:15.190 --> 00:22:19.761
  • Willing to be bankrupt one day of your life.
  • 00:22:19.761 --> 00:22:24.666
  • Would you take him up on that offer?
  • 00:22:24.666 --> 00:22:27.135
  • Most anyone would.
  • 00:22:27.135 --> 00:22:28.837
  • You see suffering, like time, is a matter of perspective.
  • 00:22:28.837 --> 00:22:34.109
  • We hope we never have to make the choice between faithfulness
  • 00:22:34.109 --> 00:22:37.879
  • To christ and painful persecution, but the stories of
  • 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:42.017
  • Christians around the world and in history tell us that we are
  • 00:22:42.017 --> 00:22:45.520
  • Not going to be exempt from making those kind of choices.
  • 00:22:45.520 --> 00:22:51.226
  • You know, i'll have to confess to you that when i read the
  • 00:22:51.226 --> 00:22:53.328
  • Stories of christians in past ages, the great martyrs of the
  • 00:22:53.328 --> 00:22:57.766
  • Faith, or when i read contemporary stories like those
  • 00:22:57.766 --> 00:23:00.769
  • Of pastor juan, i really am fearful that i won't have the
  • 00:23:00.769 --> 00:23:04.739
  • Same response they did.
  • 00:23:04.739 --> 00:23:06.775
  • Sometimes i wonder, do they just simply have a greater threshold
  • 00:23:06.775 --> 00:23:10.679
  • For pain than i have?
  • 00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:13.915
  • But as i read their stories more carefully, i discovered that is
  • 00:23:13.915 --> 00:23:17.219
  • Not the difference between them and us.
  • 00:23:17.219 --> 00:23:21.256
  • It's not that they had a greater threshold for pain, it's that
  • 00:23:21.256 --> 00:23:24.960
  • They had a different perspective.
  • 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:28.630
  • They thoughtfully weighed the temporary real pain of
  • 00:23:28.630 --> 00:23:33.301
  • Persecution against the eternal, unending rewards of god.
  • 00:23:33.301 --> 00:23:39.708
  • And using that scale, the choice
  • 00:23:39.708 --> 00:23:42.677
  • Was not difficult to make at all,
  • 00:23:42.677 --> 00:23:47.015
  • And neither will it be for most of you when persecution comes.
  • 00:23:47.015 --> 00:23:52.787
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:23:52.787 --> 00:23:57.559
  • Jeffress: make no mistake, persecution is coming to
  • 00:23:57.559 --> 00:24:01.029
  • America, and it falls on every christian to be prepared.
  • 00:24:01.029 --> 00:24:05.967
  • Well, as we approach america's 250th birthday, our nation is
  • 00:24:05.967 --> 00:24:10.372
  • In a spiritual crisis.
  • 00:24:10.372 --> 00:24:12.607
  • Recent studies show that 57% of americans seldom or never
  • 00:24:12.607 --> 00:24:17.245
  • Attend a church service.
  • 00:24:17.245 --> 00:24:19.214
  • Friends, now is the time to spread god's word to even
  • 00:24:19.214 --> 00:24:22.517
  • More people.
  • 00:24:22.517 --> 00:24:23.952
  • Several generous friends have esablished the $1.5 million
  • 00:24:23.952 --> 00:24:28.823
  • In god we trust matching challenge, and your gift
  • 00:24:28.823 --> 00:24:32.027
  • Today will be matched and therefore doubled in its impact.
  • 00:24:32.027 --> 00:24:36.231
  • Together, let's stand on god's word and take it to the world.
  • 00:24:36.231 --> 00:24:40.869
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:40.869 --> 00:24:42.437
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:42.437 --> 00:24:45.507
  • Announcer: as our nation celebrates 250 years, do we
  • 00:24:47.275 --> 00:24:51.179
  • Still remember the faith that built america?
  • 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:54.316
  • Dr. robert jeffress has created a beautiful book to make sure
  • 00:24:54.316 --> 00:24:57.852
  • That we and our families never forget.
  • 00:24:57.852 --> 00:25:00.221
  • The brand new 250th commemorative edition
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  • Of "america is a christian nation" is an 88 page, full
  • 00:25:02.857 --> 00:25:06.795
  • Color, large print coffee table book packed with inspiring
  • 00:25:06.795 --> 00:25:10.332
  • Stories from our nation's history, breathtaking imagery of
  • 00:25:10.332 --> 00:25:13.768
  • America, select portraits of our founding fathers, and powerful
  • 00:25:13.768 --> 00:25:17.839
  • Truth from god's word.
  • 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:19.741
  • Jeffress: america was founded on the principles of the
  • 00:25:19.741 --> 00:25:22.277
  • Judeo-christian faith as revealed in the bible, and our
  • 00:25:22.277 --> 00:25:25.780
  • Future depends on returning to that biblical foundation.
  • 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:30.185
  • Announcer: request the 250th commemorative edition of
  • 00:25:30.185 --> 00:25:33.421
  • "america is a christian nation" when you give a generous
  • 00:25:33.421 --> 00:25:36.625
  • Ministry gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • You'll also receive the "in god we trust" dvd video and mp3
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  • Format audio disc set featuring two powerful messages from
  • 00:25:43.531 --> 00:25:47.969
  • Dr. jeffress and 12 patriotic performances by the
  • 00:25:47.969 --> 00:25:51.573
  • First baptist dallas choir and orchestra.
  • 00:25:51.573 --> 00:25:54.242
  • And with your ministry gift of $100 or more, we'll also send
  • 00:25:54.242 --> 00:25:58.480
  • You the complete "america and the bible" teaching series on
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  • Dvd video and mp3 format audio disc.
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  • Your gift today will be doubled in impact through the in god we
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  • Trust matching challenge as together we pierce the darkness
  • 00:26:09.891 --> 00:26:13.928
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:26:13.928 --> 00:26:16.197
  • Jeffress: every day america is growing more hostile
  • 00:26:18.333 --> 00:26:21.436
  • Towards christian values.
  • 00:26:21.436 --> 00:26:23.338
  • And because the resentment and anger are likely to increase,
  • 00:26:23.338 --> 00:26:27.108
  • We ought to get ready for the coming persecution.
  • 00:26:27.108 --> 00:26:30.045
  • Well, it's clear from current events that we are living in
  • 00:26:30.045 --> 00:26:33.081
  • What the bible calls the last days, and next time i'm going to
  • 00:26:33.081 --> 00:26:37.318
  • Share with you three biblical commands that will help
  • 00:26:37.318 --> 00:26:40.689
  • Make our last days on earth our best days.
  • 00:26:40.689 --> 00:26:44.259
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:46.661
  • Series, "america and the bible."
  • 00:26:46.661 --> 00:26:50.832
  • Jeffress: if there was a fixed date on god's calendar
  • 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:53.435
  • For his son's return, then he said our ultimate deliverance,
  • 00:26:53.435 --> 00:26:57.038
  • That is, our salvation, is closer today than it was
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  • When we first believed.
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  • That makes sense, doesn't it?
  • 00:27:02.077 --> 00:27:03.978
  • And if paul were alive today, he would say, "it's even closer now
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  • Than it was 2,000 years ago when i wrote that verse."
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  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
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  • "last days living," here on "pathway to victory."
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