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 You Feel Abandoned By God | March 30, 2026
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- ♪♪♪
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- Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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- Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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- With dr. robert jeffress.
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- Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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- Have you ever noticed that suffering and loneliness
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- Tend to be a package deal?
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- When you're going through a tough time, it can often feel
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- Like you're facing the battle alone, and that's exactly
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- How jesus felt in those hours before his death.
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- Today, we're going to examine our savior's final moments
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- On the cross.
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- My message is titled, "when you feel abandoned by god,"
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- ♪♪♪
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- Announcer: whether you know it or not, you're in a battle.
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- Satan has a strategy to attack your faith, disrupt your family,
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- And derail your future.
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- But god has given you everything you need to fight back and win.
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- In "the divine defense," dr. robert jeffress reveals
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- Six practical strategies from ephesians chapter 6 to defeat
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- Satan's destructive plan.
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- When you put on the full armor of god, satan doesn't
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- Have a prayer.
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- Request "the divine defense" when you give a generous
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- Ministry gift to "pathway to victory."
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- ♪♪♪
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- Jeffress: we are entering into the most holy week on
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- The christian calendar, in which we remember the death
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- And the resurrection of jesus christ.
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- Most preaching around this time of the year either centers on
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- The adoration of christ on palm sunday, or on the resurrection
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- Of christ the following sunday.
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- Fewer sermons deal with what happened on that good friday,
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- The death of jesus christ.
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- And if people do tackle that topic, preachers might center on
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- The physical agony of the cross.
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- No torture has been invented that was as severe
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- As death by crucifixion.
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- But instead of talking about the physical horror or even
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- The theological significance of the death of christ, i want to
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- Talk about something we don't often talk about, and that is
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- The emotional agony that jesus experienced on the cross.
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- It's a feeling you've probably had in your life, as well,
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- And it's described in the final moments of jesus's life,
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- Described in matthew 27, beginning with verse 45.
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- Matthew writes, "now from the sixth hour," that would've been
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- Noon, "darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour,"
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- That is 3 p.m.
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- "and it was about the ninth hour that jesus cried out with a loud
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- Voice saying, 'eli, eli, lama sabachthani,' which being
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- Translated says, 'my god, my god, why have you forsaken me?'
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- And some of those who were standing there, when they heard
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- It, began saying, 'this man is calling for elijah.'
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- Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled
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- It with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.
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- But the rest of them said, 'let us see whether
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- Elijah will come and save him.'
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- And jesus cried out again with a loud voice,
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- And yielded up his spirit."
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- Today, for the few moments we have, i want to concentrate
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- On those words from the cross: "my god, my god,
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- Why have you forsaken me?"
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- Those words are the honest expression of a man who feels
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- Disappointed with, abandoned by god.
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- Maybe you know that feeling as well.
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- You've cried out for god to intervene in your situation.
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- You're in a season of loneliness in your life, physical pain,
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- Emotional pain.
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- You've asked god to intervene, but heaven remains silent.
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- You begin to doubt god's goodness
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- Or even god's existence.
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- If you've ever felt that way before, today's message
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- From the cross ought to be an encouragement to you.
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- More then 30 years ago, i read a book.
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- The author of the book was really the first person
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- Who introduced me to the idea that on the cross jesus
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- Was fully god, absolutely, but he was also fully human,
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- And this was a human emotion that jesus experienced.
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- I want to expand by sharing with you
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- Four lessons of encouragement that come from the cross
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- On that friday afternoon.
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- First of all, that friday afternoon experience
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- On the cross reminds us that life is unfair.
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- You know, most of us operate with this secret agreement
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- We think we have with god.
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- It's not written down anywhere, but we have it in our mind,
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- And that is the belief that if we do the best we can,
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- We try to live a godly life, then god is going to spare us
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- From any real horrible thing in life.
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- Romans 8:28, "for all things work together for good to those
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- Who love god, and are called according to his purpose."
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- We think that means that if you look hard enough at bad things,
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- You can find some good in every bad thing that happens.
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- There's a silver lining in every cloud.
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- And even if that's not true, we think no matter how evil
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- Something is, that evil is going to be resolved.
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- But the longer we live, we realize it's not true.
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- There is no exemption from problems for godly people.
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- Rabbi harold kushner said one time,
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- "expecting the world to treat you fairly because you're
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- A good person is like expecting a bull
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- Not to charge at you because you're a vegetarian."
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- Just doesn't work that way.
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- After the death of president kennedy, many years ago
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- Then senator daniel patrick moynihan said,
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- "when you're irish, one of the first things you learn is:
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- Sooner or later this world will break your heart."
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- Life is unfair, even with godly people.
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- Nobody understood that better than job.
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- Remember the description of job you find in the opening verse
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- Of his story, "there was a man in the land of uz,
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- Whose name was job, and that man was blameless,
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- Upright, fearing god, and turning away from evil."
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- Then we find an account of what happened
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- To this upright, righteous man.
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- Within a short period of time he lost all of his possessions,
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- His livestock.
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- There was a freak windstorm that took the lives
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- Of all of his children.
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- And if that were not enough, he lost his health as well.
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- That's what happened to job
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- And that's what happens to many godly people as well.
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- Life seems unfair at times.
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- There is no exemption from suffering for the godly.
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- One popular writer tells the story about a friend
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- Of his named doug, who gave up a lucrative career
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- Because he felt called to the ministry.
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- Shortly after he made that decision,
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- Doug's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer,
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- That soon spread throughout her body.
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- Doug had to take over many of the responsibilities
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- For taking care of his family.
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- And one evening, he was driving his wife and 12-year-old son
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- When a drunk driver coming the opposite direction swerved over
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- The line and headlong crashed into doug's car, leaving him
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- With massive head injuries and permanent injuries.
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- Somebody asked doug how he reconciled his faith in god
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- With a god who would treat him that way.
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- And doug said, "for me, the cross of jesus christ forever
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- Demolished the basic assumption that life will be fair."
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- Life is unfair.
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- That's just reality.
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- Secondly, the cross reminds us that god does not always
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- Deliver us out of our problems.
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- He doesn't deliver us always out of our problems.
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- Again, we think, "well, maybe if something horrible happens,
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- There'll be a quick resolve to it,
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- Like those one-hour dramas on tv.
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- Something terrible happens, but the end of the 60 minutes,
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- Everything is reconciled."
- 00:09:07.403 --> 00:09:10.573
- By the way, the religious leaders believed that way in
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- Jesus time.
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- They thought if god is really pleased with the person, even if
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- He's going through heartache and hurt god will eventually
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- Rescue him.
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- Look again at verse 41 of matthew 27, "in the same way
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- The chief priest also, along with the scribes and the elders
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- Were mocking him saying, 'he saved others;
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- He can't even save himself.
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- He is the king of israel;
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- Let him now come down from the cross
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- And we will believe in him.'"
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- And then they quote a psalm that says, "he trusts in god, let god
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- Rescue him now, if he delights in him."
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- Paraphrase: if god loves you, if he's pleased with you, he'll
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- Deliver you.
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- If he doesn't deliver you.
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- It's because he isn't really pleased with you, by the way,
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- Remember, job's friends, they used the same line with him.
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- Job, the reason you're having trouble after trouble after
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- Trouble is there must be some hidden sin in your life.
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- God is displeased with you or he wouldn't let this happen to you.
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- The fact is god doesn't always deliver us
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- From the evil things that happen to us.
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- Jesus, when he said, "my god, my god, why have you forsaken me?"
- 00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:28.117
- He was actually quoting psalm 22, that had been written
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- 1,000 years before christ.
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- In that psalm, the first two verses, david cried out,
- 00:10:35.558 --> 00:10:38.894
- "my god, my god, why have you forsaken me?
- 00:10:38.894 --> 00:10:42.498
- Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.
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- O my god, i cry by day, but you do not answer;
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- And by night, but i have no rest."
- 00:10:50.606 --> 00:10:55.778
- David was struggling with a problem that jesus had
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- To wrestle with, paul had to wrestle with, and probably you
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- Have wrestled with, as well, and that is unanswered prayer.
- 00:11:03.753 --> 00:11:09.692
- We like to talk about the miraculous answers to prayers.
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- That's what encourages everybody,
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- Makes everybody feel good.
- 00:11:15.264 --> 00:11:18.300
- But i think if we were all honest today, we would say
- 00:11:18.300 --> 00:11:22.204
- More of our prayers go unanswered than answered.
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- We don't want to admit to it, but it's true.
- 00:11:28.010 --> 00:11:31.147
- Why is that?
- 00:11:31.147 --> 00:11:33.415
- Why do our prayers for deliverance rarely get answered?
- 00:11:33.415 --> 00:11:38.854
- In an essay on prayer, c.s. lewis suggested
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- That god treats new christians with a special kind
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- Of tenderness such as a parent dotes on a newborn.
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- He quotes one experienced christian, who said, "i have
- 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:53.769
- Seen many striking answers to prayer, and more than one that i
- 00:11:53.769 --> 00:11:58.174
- Would call miraculous, but they usually come at the beginning
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- Of a person's life before conversion
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- Or soon after conversion.
- 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:06.916
- As the christian life proceeds,
- 00:12:06.916 --> 00:12:09.385
- Those dramatic answers tend to be rarer.
- 00:12:09.385 --> 00:12:13.589
- The refusals, too, are not only more frequent,
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- They become more unmistakable, more emphatic."
- 00:12:16.592 --> 00:12:21.530
- In other words, lewis is saying god's plan for us,
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- As christians, is to grow in such a way as we can be weaned
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- Off the need for immediate answers to prayers, that
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- Our faith deepens in god, so that, like job said in the midst
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- Of his heartache, he said, "though god slay me,
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- Yet will i continue to trust in him."
- 00:12:40.182 --> 00:12:43.853
- That's the kind of mature faith
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- God is trying to build in each of us.
- 00:12:46.155 --> 00:12:48.490
- The third truth that comes from the cross is this:
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- God rarely explains the reason for our suffering.
- 00:12:52.461 --> 00:12:56.966
- Now, jesus was the exception.
- 00:12:56.966 --> 00:12:59.401
- He was god.
- 00:12:59.401 --> 00:13:01.370
- He understood why he came to earth.
- 00:13:01.370 --> 00:13:03.239
- His purpose in coming wasn't to be a good example
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- Or a great teacher.
- 00:13:05.741 --> 00:13:07.610
- He came to be the ransom, the sacrifice for our sins.
- 00:13:07.610 --> 00:13:11.146
- Unfortunately, many of us don't understand god's reason
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- For the heartache he brings into our life.
- 00:13:15.217 --> 00:13:17.720
- Why doesn't god tell us like he told jesus?
- 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:20.723
- Maybe god knows, even if he told us, it wouldn't lessen the pain.
- 00:13:20.723 --> 00:13:25.561
- Another reason god doesn't explain is maybe he just
- 00:13:25.561 --> 00:13:27.897
- Realizes we can't understand.
- 00:13:27.897 --> 00:13:31.333
- You know, as finite human beings--at least in this
- 00:13:31.333 --> 00:13:34.870
- World--when you're trapped by time and space, it's sometimes
- 00:13:34.870 --> 00:13:40.376
- Impossible to understand an omniscient god
- 00:13:40.376 --> 00:13:44.346
- And see what god sees.
- 00:13:44.346 --> 00:13:47.016
- There's a great analogy that's often used to explain
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- The mystery of suffering.
- 00:13:50.552 --> 00:13:53.455
- It's called "the hunter."
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- A hunter goes into the woods, and he sees a bear
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- Caught in a bear trap.
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- The bear is in agony, and the hunter, feeling compassion
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- For the bear, wants to deliver him out of the trap,
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- But the bear won't allow the hunter anywhere near him,
- 00:14:09.738 --> 00:14:12.908
- Fearing he'll do him harm.
- 00:14:12.908 --> 00:14:15.210
- And so the hunter, not giving up, takes a dart gun
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- And shoots the bear with darts filled with drugs.
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- As the bear feels those darts entering his body,
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- He's confident now that the hunter is up to no good.
- 00:14:26.789 --> 00:14:32.494
- The bear is in a semiconscious and drugged state
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- When the hunter approaches.
- 00:14:36.465 --> 00:14:38.133
- And to the bear's horror, the hunter takes the bear's paw
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- Caught in the trap, and actually pushes it further into the trap,
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- In order to release it.
- 00:14:46.508 --> 00:14:48.711
- But, again, the bear doesn't understand, and he thinks now
- 00:14:48.711 --> 00:14:52.081
- The hunter is trying to inflict as much pain as possible.
- 00:14:52.081 --> 00:14:56.285
- But the bear's arrived at its decision.
- 00:14:56.285 --> 00:14:59.989
- It's arrived at its conclusion prematurely.
- 00:14:59.989 --> 00:15:03.058
- If it would wait just a little bit longer,
- 00:15:03.058 --> 00:15:06.228
- It will see what the hunter is up to.
- 00:15:06.228 --> 00:15:09.298
- You know, that's like us and god's dealings with us.
- 00:15:09.298 --> 00:15:12.601
- Every dart of adversity that stains us, every push by
- 00:15:12.601 --> 00:15:17.806
- The hunter deeper into the jaws of suffering convinces us
- 00:15:17.806 --> 00:15:21.643
- That god is up to no good.
- 00:15:21.643 --> 00:15:24.046
- He can't be trusted.
- 00:15:24.046 --> 00:15:25.948
- But we make our judgment prematurely.
- 00:15:25.948 --> 00:15:29.885
- We don't understand, many times, the specific reason god allows
- 00:15:29.885 --> 00:15:34.189
- Us to go through what we may be experiencing, but there's some
- 00:15:34.189 --> 00:15:38.460
- Truths we can hang onto, even when we find ourself
- 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:41.964
- In the jaws of suffering.
- 00:15:41.964 --> 00:15:44.633
- I want you to write these three truths down
- 00:15:44.633 --> 00:15:46.735
- So that you can remember them.
- 00:15:46.735 --> 00:15:49.371
- Number one, god's purpose for our lives is good.
- 00:15:49.371 --> 00:15:53.876
- Whatever you're going through right now, never forget
- 00:15:53.876 --> 00:15:56.445
- That god's purpose for your life is good, not evil.
- 00:15:56.445 --> 00:16:00.349
- Romans 8:28 does say god causes all things to work together
- 00:16:00.349 --> 00:16:04.219
- For good to those who love god and are called
- 00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:07.289
- According to his purpose.
- 00:16:07.289 --> 00:16:09.258
- The problem is we stop with that verse, and we limit good
- 00:16:09.258 --> 00:16:14.196
- To a very superficial meaning.
- 00:16:14.196 --> 00:16:17.332
- We think the good that all things are working out together
- 00:16:17.332 --> 00:16:21.103
- For are a full bank account, or a satisfying marriage,
- 00:16:21.103 --> 00:16:27.910
- Or a disaster proof life.
- 00:16:27.910 --> 00:16:30.112
- No.
- 00:16:30.112 --> 00:16:32.314
- No, the good god is causing everything in your life to work
- 00:16:32.314 --> 00:16:35.951
- Toward is found in verse 29.
- 00:16:35.951 --> 00:16:38.253
- "for those whom god foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed
- 00:16:38.253 --> 00:16:43.592
- To the image of his son, so that his son would be
- 00:16:43.592 --> 00:16:46.328
- The firstborn among many brethren."
- 00:16:46.328 --> 00:16:49.298
- God so loved his son, jesus, he said instead of just having
- 00:16:49.298 --> 00:16:53.268
- One child, i want to have many children, men and women
- 00:16:53.268 --> 00:16:57.072
- Who look and act just like my son, jesus.
- 00:16:57.072 --> 00:17:00.509
- And that's what he's doing in your life.
- 00:17:00.509 --> 00:17:02.444
- He's not just saving you from hell.
- 00:17:02.444 --> 00:17:04.379
- He is molding you, shaping you into the image of his son.
- 00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:09.184
- And everything that happens in your life is for that purpose.
- 00:17:09.184 --> 00:17:14.156
- And that leads to the second truth:
- 00:17:14.156 --> 00:17:16.592
- God's purpose does require discomfort.
- 00:17:16.592 --> 00:17:20.762
- Right now, god is molding, he is hammering,
- 00:17:20.762 --> 00:17:23.632
- He is shaping your life to resemble that of jesus christ.
- 00:17:23.632 --> 00:17:28.137
- He is renovating your life, if you will, renovating your heart,
- 00:17:28.137 --> 00:17:32.074
- And that's not always an easy process.
- 00:17:32.074 --> 00:17:35.210
- Sometimes it requires discomfort.
- 00:17:35.210 --> 00:17:37.446
- And thirdly, god's purpose for our lives will be
- 00:17:37.446 --> 00:17:40.782
- Ultimately realized, ultimately understood.
- 00:17:40.782 --> 00:17:45.754
- Occasionally, we get a glimpse
- 00:17:45.754 --> 00:17:49.358
- Into the purpose of our suffering.
- 00:17:49.358 --> 00:17:51.527
- Joseph did. remember the story?
- 00:17:51.527 --> 00:17:53.495
- Joseph sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape,
- 00:17:53.495 --> 00:17:56.665
- Had so many problems.
- 00:17:56.665 --> 00:17:58.800
- But at the end, he saw how it worked, and he said to his
- 00:17:58.800 --> 00:18:01.537
- Brothers, when he was reunited with them, "as for you, you
- 00:18:01.537 --> 00:18:05.340
- Meant evil against me, but god used it for good to bring about
- 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:10.345
- This present circumstance, to preserve many people alive.
- 00:18:10.345 --> 00:18:15.350
- But i want to suggest to you that's the exception,
- 00:18:15.350 --> 00:18:19.154
- Not the rule.
- 00:18:19.154 --> 00:18:20.656
- Most of the time, we live and die without seeing
- 00:18:20.656 --> 00:18:24.193
- The purpose of what god is doing in our life.
- 00:18:24.193 --> 00:18:28.430
- But it doesn't mean we won't ever see it.
- 00:18:28.430 --> 00:18:31.033
- In 1 peter 4, verses 12 and 13, peter writes, "beloved,
- 00:18:31.033 --> 00:18:35.404
- Don't be surprised if the fiery ordeal among you, which has come
- 00:18:35.404 --> 00:18:39.141
- Upon you for your testing is though some strange thing were
- 00:18:39.141 --> 00:18:42.978
- Happening to you, but to the degree that you share the
- 00:18:42.978 --> 00:18:46.014
- Sufferings of christ, keep on rejoicing, so that," when, "at
- 00:18:46.014 --> 00:18:51.687
- The revelation of his glory you may rejoice with exultation."
- 00:18:51.687 --> 00:18:58.060
- When are you going to rejoice?
- 00:18:58.060 --> 00:19:00.729
- When are you going to be filled with laughter,
- 00:19:00.729 --> 00:19:03.765
- As you look back over your life?
- 00:19:03.765 --> 00:19:06.335
- Not now.
- 00:19:06.335 --> 00:19:07.769
- It will be at the revelation of his glory
- 00:19:07.769 --> 00:19:09.137
- At the second coming of christ.
- 00:19:09.137 --> 00:19:11.240
- Then it will all make sense.
- 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:15.177
- Life is unfair.
- 00:19:15.177 --> 00:19:17.846
- God rarely delivers us out of our suffering,
- 00:19:17.846 --> 00:19:22.417
- God rarely explains the reason for our suffering,
- 00:19:22.417 --> 00:19:25.687
- But there's a final truth, and that is for all christians,
- 00:19:25.687 --> 00:19:30.092
- All disappointment is temporary.
- 00:19:30.092 --> 00:19:34.396
- For a christian, all disappointment in god,
- 00:19:34.396 --> 00:19:37.332
- All suffering is temporary.
- 00:19:37.332 --> 00:19:40.269
- Look at verse 50 of matthew 27.
- 00:19:40.269 --> 00:19:42.871
- "and jesus cried out with a loud voice,
- 00:19:42.871 --> 00:19:46.675
- And he yielded up his spirit."
- 00:19:46.675 --> 00:19:50.345
- From a human perspective, for the disciples,
- 00:19:50.345 --> 00:19:53.915
- It was all over that friday afternoon.
- 00:19:53.915 --> 00:19:56.351
- Their hope, their dream of a new kingdom and a new king
- 00:19:56.351 --> 00:20:01.657
- To preside over that kingdom, those hopes were dashed.
- 00:20:01.657 --> 00:20:05.227
- In the war between good and evil, evil had won, hands down;
- 00:20:05.227 --> 00:20:12.134
- But three days later, everything changed.
- 00:20:12.134 --> 00:20:15.671
- All suffering is temporary.
- 00:20:15.671 --> 00:20:19.508
- You know, occasionally, somebody will ask me, "pastor, what's
- 00:20:19.508 --> 00:20:22.944
- The hardest thing you ever had to do in your ministry?"
- 00:20:22.944 --> 00:20:26.148
- I don't even have to think about the answer to that.
- 00:20:26.148 --> 00:20:29.051
- It's an experience i had that is so seared into my consciousness.
- 00:20:29.051 --> 00:20:33.822
- I'll never forget it.
- 00:20:33.822 --> 00:20:36.525
- It happened more than 20 years ago, and it happened
- 00:20:36.525 --> 00:20:39.928
- To be on palm sunday, just like this one today.
- 00:20:39.928 --> 00:20:44.266
- We'd finished the morning service.
- 00:20:44.266 --> 00:20:46.435
- I went back home to eat lunch and get ready
- 00:20:46.435 --> 00:20:49.705
- For the evening choir presentation.
- 00:20:49.705 --> 00:20:52.441
- And while i was home, i received a telephone call that a young
- 00:20:52.441 --> 00:20:57.479
- Couple at our church had been killed in an accident,
- 00:20:57.479 --> 00:21:02.317
- A traffic accident.
- 00:21:02.317 --> 00:21:04.619
- They both were dead, and they left two little girls
- 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:07.989
- Behind at home.
- 00:21:07.989 --> 00:21:10.659
- And the family member who called me asked if i would go over
- 00:21:10.659 --> 00:21:14.096
- To the house and tell those two little girls what had happened
- 00:21:14.096 --> 00:21:17.899
- To their parents.
- 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:21.536
- If i live to be 100, i'll never forget that experience sitting
- 00:21:21.536 --> 00:21:26.274
- There and watching those little girls cry their eyes out,
- 00:21:26.274 --> 00:21:30.178
- Realizing they would never see their parents
- 00:21:30.178 --> 00:21:34.182
- In this life again.
- 00:21:34.182 --> 00:21:36.752
- What do you say to children?
- 00:21:36.752 --> 00:21:39.388
- What do you say to anybody who goes through
- 00:21:39.388 --> 00:21:41.056
- Something like that?
- 00:21:41.056 --> 00:21:43.658
- The only light that will eclipse that kind of darkness
- 00:21:43.658 --> 00:21:48.764
- Is the light of the hope of the resurrection that comes from
- 00:21:48.764 --> 00:21:54.336
- The one who said, "i am the resurrection and the life.
- 00:21:54.336 --> 00:21:58.173
- He who believes in me, though he were dead,
- 00:21:58.173 --> 00:22:01.710
- Yet shall he live again."
- 00:22:01.710 --> 00:22:05.547
- There's some of you right now who are trapped
- 00:22:05.547 --> 00:22:09.317
- In disappointment, loneliness, hurt.
- 00:22:09.317 --> 00:22:14.623
- You feel like god has forgotten about you.
- 00:22:14.623 --> 00:22:17.826
- You think that god has abandoned you.
- 00:22:17.826 --> 00:22:20.996
- No.
- 00:22:20.996 --> 00:22:22.397
- The bible never diminishes, it never belittles the reality
- 00:22:22.397 --> 00:22:26.935
- Of suffering, but it does add one word: temporary.
- 00:22:26.935 --> 00:22:33.074
- ♪♪♪
- 00:22:33.141 --> 00:22:39.147
- Jeffress: our trials on earth are temporary.
- 00:22:39.147 --> 00:22:41.383
- An unending joy awaits those who persevere in christ.
- 00:22:41.383 --> 00:22:45.954
- Well, michelle, who is one of your fellow viewers, knows what
- 00:22:45.954 --> 00:22:49.391
- It's like to walk through trials.
- 00:22:49.391 --> 00:22:51.993
- Michelle said, "i'm struggling with some issues in my family
- 00:22:51.993 --> 00:22:55.497
- Right now.
- 00:22:55.497 --> 00:22:56.832
- It's been difficult, and 'pathway to victory' keeps my
- 00:22:56.832 --> 00:22:59.734
- Spirit up and keeps reminding me that god is in control.
- 00:22:59.734 --> 00:23:04.139
- Thank you so much for making this available to me every day
- 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:07.476
- On the radio and on tv.
- 00:23:07.476 --> 00:23:09.978
- I really need this ministry!"
- 00:23:09.978 --> 00:23:12.781
- Well, i hope this note encourages everyone who
- 00:23:12.781 --> 00:23:16.117
- Supports "pathway to victory," especially our pathway partners,
- 00:23:16.117 --> 00:23:20.055
- Because you play a vital role in
- 00:23:20.055 --> 00:23:22.090
- Shining the light in the darkness for people
- 00:23:22.090 --> 00:23:25.026
- Like michelle.
- 00:23:25.026 --> 00:23:26.695
- Thank you so much for your continued partnership as
- 00:23:26.695 --> 00:23:29.798
- Together we pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
- 00:23:29.798 --> 00:23:34.302
- Now, please, stay right there, i'll be back with more
- 00:23:34.302 --> 00:23:35.837
- "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
- 00:23:35.837 --> 00:23:39.474
- Announcer: that recurring temptation you can't shake, the
- 00:23:39.474 --> 00:23:42.310
- Doubts that creep in during your darkest moments, the tension in
- 00:23:42.310 --> 00:23:45.780
- Your closest relationships, these aren't random struggles,
- 00:23:45.780 --> 00:23:49.317
- These are part of a strategic attack on your faith, your
- 00:23:49.317 --> 00:23:52.254
- Family, and your future.
- 00:23:52.254 --> 00:23:53.889
- Jeffress: satan has a personalized plan to discourage,
- 00:23:53.889 --> 00:23:57.392
- Deceive, and derail you.
- 00:23:57.392 --> 00:23:59.628
- But you don't have to live in defeat.
- 00:23:59.628 --> 00:24:02.063
- God has given you access to the same power that raised jesus
- 00:24:02.063 --> 00:24:05.667
- From the dead.
- 00:24:05.667 --> 00:24:07.035
- In my bestselling book, "the divine defense," i'll show you
- 00:24:07.035 --> 00:24:10.238
- How to put on the full armor of god and use six biblical
- 00:24:10.238 --> 00:24:14.009
- Strategies to defeat satan's plan to destroy your life.
- 00:24:14.009 --> 00:24:18.680
- Announcer: request "the divine defense" when you give
- 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:20.849
- A generous gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become
- 00:24:20.849 --> 00:24:23.818
- A pathway partner.
- 00:24:23.818 --> 00:24:25.153
- And when your gift is $100 or more, we'll send you the
- 00:24:25.153 --> 00:24:28.723
- Complete resource set including the study guide, "suit up!
- 00:24:28.723 --> 00:24:31.860
- The armor of god for kids," and the teaching series on both cd
- 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:35.764
- And dvd.
- 00:24:35.764 --> 00:24:37.098
- Jeffress: your mind is the devil's battlefield on which he
- 00:24:37.098 --> 00:24:41.369
- Is warring against everything important to you.
- 00:24:41.369 --> 00:24:46.541
- It is a battle that seeks to destroy your faith, your family,
- 00:24:46.541 --> 00:24:51.246
- And your future.
- 00:24:51.246 --> 00:24:52.581
- Announcer: thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
- 00:24:52.581 --> 00:24:55.083
- Your generous ministry gift helps us broadcast biblical
- 00:24:55.083 --> 00:24:58.219
- Truth on television, radio, and online, equipping believers like
- 00:24:58.219 --> 00:25:02.357
- You to stand firm and live victoriously.
- 00:25:02.357 --> 00:25:05.527
- Together, we're piercing the darkness with the light of
- 00:25:05.527 --> 00:25:08.396
- God's word.
- 00:25:08.396 --> 00:25:11.433
- Jeffress: today, if you're feeling abandoned by god
- 00:25:11.499 --> 00:25:14.336
- And questioning god's goodness, or even his
- 00:25:14.336 --> 00:25:16.705
- Existence, remember this: god is working on your behalf,
- 00:25:16.705 --> 00:25:21.743
- Even when you can't see or understand his plan.
- 00:25:21.743 --> 00:25:25.647
- His perfect design is intended for your good
- 00:25:25.647 --> 00:25:29.117
- And for his eternal glory.
- 00:25:29.117 --> 00:25:31.519
- Well, on the friday before easter, christians commemorate
- 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:35.256
- The horrific death that jesus experienced on the cross.
- 00:25:35.256 --> 00:25:39.260
- Why would anyone ever describe such
- 00:25:39.260 --> 00:25:42.197
- A somber day as good friday?
- 00:25:42.197 --> 00:25:45.734
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:25:45.734 --> 00:25:48.136
- On "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:48.136 --> 00:25:51.106
- Jeffress: as we acknowledge that event this friday, why would
- 00:25:51.172 --> 00:25:54.242
- We ever use the term "good" to describe
- 00:25:54.242 --> 00:25:58.213
- What happened to jesus christ?
- 00:25:58.213 --> 00:26:01.549
- What is so good about torture and death on a cross?
- 00:26:01.549 --> 00:26:08.289
- The answer is that death that christ experienced is the answer
- 00:26:08.289 --> 00:26:14.029
- To our greatest dilemma, mankind's greatest dilemma.
- 00:26:14.029 --> 00:26:18.867
- Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time
- 00:26:18.867 --> 00:26:21.069
- For the message, "what's so good about good friday?",
- 00:26:21.069 --> 00:26:24.406
- Here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:24.406 --> 00:26:27.776
- Announcer: alaska is unlike any other place on earth, and
- 00:26:29.544 --> 00:26:33.581
- This is your chance to witness god's masterpiece and america's
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- Priceless treasure june 13 through 20, 2026.
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- Dr. robert jeffress: you know, i can hardly wait to show
- 00:26:41.056 --> 00:26:42.924
- You alaska.
- 00:26:42.924 --> 00:26:44.292
- I've been there before, and every time i witness those
- 00:26:44.292 --> 00:26:47.629
- Massive glaciers and towering mountains, i'm reminded of how
- 00:26:47.629 --> 00:26:51.499
- Incredibly creative our god is.
- 00:26:51.499 --> 00:26:54.202
- Announcer: picture this, waking up to snow-capped peaks outside
- 00:26:54.202 --> 00:26:57.605
- Your window, then getting to your refreshing breakfast,
- 00:26:57.605 --> 00:27:00.742
- Knowing that all your meals are prepared for you.
- 00:27:00.742 --> 00:27:03.278
- The world-class service means that you can truly relax.
- 00:27:03.278 --> 00:27:06.648
- Jeffress: we'll explore charming villages together.
- 00:27:06.648 --> 00:27:09.117
- We'll stroll alongside the still waters of the mountain stream.
- 00:27:09.117 --> 00:27:13.088
- And yes, we'll see god's artistry at every turn.
- 00:27:13.088 --> 00:27:17.292
- Announcer: reserve your spot on the 2026 "pathway to victory"
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- Cruise to alaska by calling ...
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- Or visit ptv.org.
- 00:27:26.267 --> 00:27:26.267