Robert Jeffress - When You Feel Abandoned By God

March 30, 2026 | 27:29

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - 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."
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  • 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?"
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  • 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,
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  • "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."
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • But i think if we were all honest today, we would say
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  • More of our prayers go unanswered than answered.
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  • We don't want to admit to it, but it's true.
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  • Why is that?
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  • Why do our prayers for deliverance rarely get answered?
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  • 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
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  • 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.
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  • 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."
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  • 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:
  • 00:12:48.490 --> 00:12:52.461
  • God rarely explains the reason for our suffering.
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  • Now, jesus was the exception.
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  • He was god.
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  • He understood why he came to earth.
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  • His purpose in coming wasn't to be a good example
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  • Or a great teacher.
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  • He came to be the ransom, the sacrifice for our sins.
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  • Unfortunately, many of us don't understand god's reason
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  • For the heartache he brings into our life.
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  • Why doesn't god tell us like he told jesus?
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  • Maybe god knows, even if he told us, it wouldn't lessen the pain.
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  • Another reason god doesn't explain is maybe he just
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  • Realizes we can't understand.
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  • You know, as finite human beings--at least in this
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  • World--when you're trapped by time and space, it's sometimes
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  • Impossible to understand an omniscient god
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  • And see what god sees.
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  • There's a great analogy that's often used to explain
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  • The mystery of suffering.
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  • It's called "the hunter."
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  • A hunter goes into the woods, and he sees a bear
  • 00:13:55.291 --> 00:13:59.561
  • Caught in a bear trap.
  • 00:13:59.561 --> 00:14:01.864
  • The bear is in agony, and the hunter, feeling compassion
  • 00:14:01.864 --> 00:14:05.601
  • For the bear, wants to deliver him out of the trap,
  • 00:14:05.601 --> 00:14:09.738
  • 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
  • 00:14:15.210 --> 00:14:17.713
  • And shoots the bear with darts filled with drugs.
  • 00:14:17.713 --> 00:14:21.984
  • As the bear feels those darts entering his body,
  • 00:14:21.984 --> 00:14:26.789
  • 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
  • 00:14:32.494 --> 00:14:36.465
  • 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
  • 00:14:38.133 --> 00:14:42.071
  • Caught in the trap, and actually pushes it further into the trap,
  • 00:14:42.071 --> 00:14:46.508
  • 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
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  • A generous gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become
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  • A pathway partner.
  • 00:24:23.818 --> 00:24:25.153
  • And when your gift is $100 or more, we'll send you the
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  • Complete resource set including the study guide, "suit up!
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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