Seven Words That Will Change Your Life
November 5, 2020
27:30
There is only one sin that will keep you out of heaven and it’s probably not the one you are thinking about! Today; we are going to look at Jesus’ final and clearest parable about how a person can be welcomed into God’s presence.
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Seven Words That Will Change Your Life
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- ♪ MUSIC
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- [NARRATOR] FROM THE PULPITOF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
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- OF DALLAS TEXAS, THISIS PATHWAY TO VICTORY
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- WITH DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS.
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- HI, I'M ROBERT JEFFRESS
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- AND WELCOME AGAIN TOPATHWAY TO VICTORY.
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- 1 JOHN 1:9 SAYS, "IFWE CONFESS OUR SINS,
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- GOD IS FAITHFUL AND RIGHTEOUSTO FORGIVE US OUR SINS
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- AND TO CLEANSE US FROMALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS."
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- AND WHILE WE TAKECOMFORT IN THAT PROMISE,
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- THERE IS ONE SIN THATGOD WILL NEVER FORGIVE.
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- TODAY I'M GOING TOEXPLAIN WHAT THAT SIN IS
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- AND HOW WE CAN AVOIDIT AT ALL COST.
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- MY MESSAGE IS TITLED SEVENWORDS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
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- ON TODAY'S EDITION OFPATHWAY TO VICTORY.
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- [NARRATOR] INSPIRE YOUR FAMILYWITH THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS
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- WITH "THE NATIVITY DEVOTIONAL"FROM DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS.
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- EACH DEVOTIONAL FOCUSES ON ACHARACTER IN THE NATIVITY SCENE
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- AND HIGHLIGHTS ANDIMPORTANT SPIRITUAL LESSON
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- FOR YOUR LIFE TODAY.
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- THERE'S EVEN A CHILD-FRIENDLYVERSION AT THE END
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- TO READ TO YOUR CHILDRENOR GRANDCHILDREN.
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- IN THE MIDDLE OF YOURBUSY HOLIDAY SEASON,
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- TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECTON THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
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- REQUEST "THENATIVITY DEVOTIONAL"
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- WHEN YOU GIVE A GENEROUSGIFT TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY
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- OF PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
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- ♪ MUSIC
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- AUTHOR MARK BATTERSON NOTESTHAT WHEN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
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- WAS A YOUNG MAN HE WROTE ANUMBER OF SCATHING EDITORIALS.
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- AND ONE OF THE FREQUENTTARGETS OF HIS EDITORIALS
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- WAS A PURITAN PREACHERNAMED COTTON MATHER.
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- I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULDBE LIKE TO BE A PREACHER
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- IN THE SUBJECT OFSCATHING EDITORIALS,
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- BUT ANYWAY, COTTON MATHER WAS.
- 00:01:59.475 --> 00:02:03.146
- AND FRANKLY, HE REACTED A LOTBETTER THAN I DO SOMETIMES.
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- COTTON MATHER ACTUALLYDECIDED TO TRY TO MAKE PEACE
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- WITH BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ANDHE INVITED HIM TO DINNER
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- IN HIS HOME ONE EVENING.
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- KNOWING THAT FRANKLINWAS A LOVER OF BOOKS,
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- COTTON MATHER THOUGHT THATFRANKLIN WOULD ENJOY SEEING
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- COTTON MATHER'S MASSIVE LIBRARYOF MORE THAN 4.000 VOLUMES.
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- SO AFTER DINNER HE INVITEDHIM TO COME TO HIS LIBRARY
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- AND THE ENTRANCE WAY FROM THEDINING ROOM TO THE LIBRARY
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- WAS VERY, VERY NARROWAND THERE WAS A LONG
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- OR A LOW HANGING BEAMAND SO COTTON MATHER
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- NOT WANTING HISGUESTS TO HIT HIS HEAD
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- ON THE LOW HANGING BEAMTURNED AROUND TO FRANKLIN
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- AND YELLED OUT STOOP, STOOP.
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- OH FRANKLIN DIDN'T UNDERSTANDWHAT HE WAS SAYING,
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- HE DIDN'T STOOPAND HE HIT HIS HEAD
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- ON THAT LOW HANGING BEAM.
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- WELL, LIKE ANY GOOD PREACHERCOTTON MATHER DECIDED
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- TO TURN THAT INTO ASERMON ILLUSTRATION.
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- AND LATER ON HESAID IN A MESSAGE,
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- "LET THIS BE A CAUTION TO YOU,
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- NOT TO ALWAYS HOLDYOUR HEAD SO HIGH.
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- STOOP YOUNG MAN, STOOP ASYOU GO THROUGH THIS WORLD
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- AND YOU WILL MISSMANY HARD BUMPS."
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- STOOPING, HUMBLING YOURSELFIS CERTAINLY IMPORTANT
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- FOR EXPERIENCINGSUCCESS IN THIS LIFE,
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- BUT HUMBLINGYOURSELF IS ESSENTIAL
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- FOR INHERITING ETERNAL LIFE.
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- DID YOU KNOWTHERE'S ONLY ONE SIN
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- THAT WILL KEEPYOU OUT OF HEAVEN.
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- DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE SIN IS?
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- IT'S NOT ADULTERY, IT'S NOTMURDER, IT'S NOT HOMOSEXUALITY,
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- THE ONE SIN THAT WILL KEEPYOU OUT OF HEAVEN IS PRIDE.
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- REFUSING TO HUMBLE YOURSELF
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- AND RECEIVE GOD'S FREEGIFT OF SALVATION.
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- AND THAT IS THE POINT OF APARABLE JESUS TOLD IN LUKE 18,
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- IT WAS THE LASTPARABLE HE TAUGHT
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- ON THE SUBJECT OF SALVATION
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- AND PERHAPS THECLEAREST PARABLE AT ALL.
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- TODAY IF YOU HAVE YOUR BIBLES
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- AS WE CONTINUE OURSTUDY OF LUKE'S GOSPEL,
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- I WANT YOU TO TURNTO LUKE 18
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- AS WE DISCOVER SEVEN WORDS
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- THAT WILL CHANGE YOURLIFE AND YOUR ETERNITY.
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- LUKE 18.
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- NOW THE PURPOSE OF THISPARABLE IS ALREADY GIVEN TO US
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- ON THE FRONT END BYLUKE, LOOK AT VERSE 9.
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- "AND HE," THAT IS JESUS,"ALSO TOLD THIS PARABLE
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- TO CERTAIN ONES WHOTRUSTED IN THEMSELVES
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- THAT THEY WERE RIGHTEOUS
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- AND THEY VIEWEDOTHERS WITH CONTEMPT."
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- THIS PARABLE WAS DIRECTED TOA CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE,
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- MOST PROBABLY THE PHARISEES
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- AND NOTICE WHAT HE SAYSABOUT THE PHARISEES,
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- THEY WERE ONES WHOTRUSTED IN THEMSELVES
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- THAT THEY WERE RIGHTEOUS.
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- THAT WORD RIGHTEOUS SIMPLY MEANS
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- TO BE IN A RIGHTSTANDING WITH GOD.
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- WHAT WERE THEY TRUSTING IN?
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- THAT ALL WAS RIGHT BETWEENGOD AND THEMSELVES,
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- IT WAS THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS,THEY TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES.
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- LITERALLY IN THE GREEK TEXT
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- IT SAYS THEY BASEDON THEMSELVES.
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- BASED ON THEMSELVES THEY THOUGHTTHAT THEY WERE RIGHTEOUS.
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- THEY WERE TRUSTING INTHEIR INHERENT GOODNESS,
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- RATHER THAN THE GRACE OF GOD.
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- THAT WAS THE GROUP TO WHOM JESUSWAS DIRECTING THIS PARABLE.
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- AND NOTICE WHAT IT SAYS THEYBASED THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS
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- ON THEMSELVES AND THEY LOOKEDDOWN ON OTHERS WITH CONTEMPT.
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- I MEAN, WHAT GOOD IS IT TOFEEL SUPERIOR ABOUT YOURSELF
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- IF YOU CAN'T LOOKDOWN ON PEOPLE?
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- AIN'T THAT ONE OF THEBENEFITS OF FEELING SUPERIOR?
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- THAT'S ALWAYS BY THEWAY COROLLARY OF PRIDE
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- IS LOOKING DOWN AT OTHER PEOPLE.
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- IF YOU HAVE ANINFLATED VIEW OF SELF
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- YOU'LL AUTOMATICALLY HAVE ADEFLATED VIEW OF OTHER PEOPLE.
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- YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLEACTUALLY PRIDE THEMSELVES
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- ON THEIR HUMILITY.
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- A LOT OF PEOPLE AREPROUD OF THEIR HUMILITY,
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- THAT'S NOT THE POINTOF THIS PARABLE.
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- THIS IS A PARABLEABOUT SALVATION
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- AND JESUS IS TRYING TOTELL US THERE ARE TWO WAYS
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- TO TRY TO APPROACH GOD.
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- THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO TRY TO BE
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- IN A RIGHTRELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
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- ONE WAY IS BASED ON YOUROWN INHERENT GOODNESS,
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- THE OTHER IS BASEDON GOD'S GRACE.
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- NOW LET'S LOOK ATTHE STORY ITSELF.
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- NOTICE THE TWO PLAYERSIN THE PARABLE VERSE 10,
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- "TWO MEN WENT UP INTOTHE TEMPLE TO PRAY.
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- ONE A PHARISEE AND THEOTHER A TAX GATHERER."
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- YOU KNOW IN THE JEWISH MINDSET,
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- ON THE JEWISH HOLINESS SPECTRUM,
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- YOU COULDN'T FIND TWOMORE OPPOSITE PEOPLE.
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- AT THE TOP OF THAT LADDER,THE JEWISH HOLINESS LADDER
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- WAS THE PHARISEE, ON THE BOTTOMRUNG WAS THE TAX COLLECTOR.
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- IF JESUS WERE TELLINGTHE STORY TODAY
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- HE WOULD PROBABLYTELL IT THIS WAY.
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- TWO PEOPLE WENT INTOTHE CHURCH TO PRAY,
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- A PREACHER AND A PROSTITUTE.
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- THAT'S HOW THESE PEOPLE WOULDTHINK OF THESE TWO PEOPLE,
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- A PHARISEE AND A TAX COLLECTOR.
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- LET'S LOOK AT THEPHARISEE FIRST OF ALL,
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- LET'S TALK ABOUT HISCHARACTER FOR A MOMENT.
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- NOW, 2000 YEARS LATER, WHENWE TALK ABOUT PHARISEES
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- WE SEE THEM AS VILLAINS.
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- IN FACT, WHEN I MENTIONEDTHE WORD PHARISEE
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- I COULD HEAR SOME OFYOU ALMOST HISSING. (HISSING)
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- HERE COMES THEPHARISEE. (HISSING)
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- THAT'S HOW WE THINK OF THEM,
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- WE THINK OF THEMAS THE BAD GUYS.
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- THAT'S NOT HOW THE FIRSTCENTURY JEWS SAW THE PHARISEES.
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- THEY WERE THE GOOD GUYS,THEY WERE THE HOLY PEOPLE,
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- THEY WERE ONLY ABOUT 3000OF THEM AND THEY WERE NOTED
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- BECAUSE OF THEIR DEVOTIONTO GOD AND HIS LAW.
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- THEY METICULOUSLYTRIED TO KEEP THE LAW
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- THE BEST THAT THEY COULDAND NOTICE HIS PRAYER.
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- THE PHARISEE'S PRAYER, HECOMES TO THE TEMPLE VERSE 11,
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- "THE PHARISEE STOODAND WAS PRAYING."
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- NOW SOME PEOPLE TRY TO MAKEA BIG DEAL OUT OF THAT.
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- SEE HOW PROUD HEIS, HE WAS STANDING.
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- THERE WAS NOTHINGWRONG WITH STANDING.
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- IN FACT, THAT'STHE WAY YOU PRAYED
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- IF YOU WENT TO THE TEMPLE.
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- MANY OF US WENT TO THEWAILING WALL A FEW MONTHS AGO,
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- THE WESTERN WALL, YOUSTAND THERE AND YOU PRAY.
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- THIS PHARISEE WAS PRAYING,BUT HE WAS PRAYING OUT LOUD
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- SO THAT EVERYBODY COULD HEAR HIM
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- AND I LOVE THIS NEXT PHRASE.
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- "HE WAS PRAYINGTHUS TO HIMSELF."
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- HIS PRAYER WAS REALLY TOHIMSELF, HE THOUGHT IT WAS
- 00:08:26.295 --> 00:08:28.464
- TO GOD, BUT IT WAS TO HIMSELF.
- 00:08:28.497 --> 00:08:29.966
- NOTICE WHAT HE SAID,"GOD I THANK THEE
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- THAT I'M NOT LIKE OTHERPEOPLE, SWINDLERS, UNJUST,
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- ADULTERERS OR EVEN LIKETHIS TAX GATHERER OVER HERE.
- 00:08:36.772 --> 00:08:41.577
- BY CONTRAST TO HIM,I FAST TWICE A WEEK,
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- I PAY TITHES OF ALL THAT I GET."
- 00:08:44.914 --> 00:08:48.951
- YOU KNOW, TRUE WORSHIPIS ALWAYS GOD-CENTERED,
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- IT IS NOT MAN-CENTERED.
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- THIS PHARISEE WASPRAYING TO HIMSELF
- 00:08:56.525 --> 00:08:59.061
- AND NOTICE WHAT WASLACKING IN THE PRAYER.
- 00:08:59.095 --> 00:09:02.365
- NO CONFESSION OF SIN, NOADORATION OF GOD'S NAME,
- 00:09:02.398 --> 00:09:07.303
- NO THANKSGIVING FOR WHATGOD HAS ALREADY DONE,
- 00:09:07.336 --> 00:09:10.172
- NO PETITION TO GOD,IT WAS ALL ABOUT SELF.
- 00:09:10.206 --> 00:09:13.709
- AND THEN HE GOESINTO THIS RECITATION
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- OF ALL THE REASONS GODHAS SHOULD BE HONORED
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- TO HAVE SUCH A HOLYMAN IN HIS PRESENCE.
- 00:09:18.214 --> 00:09:21.117
- HE SAID, LORD, NOTICEWHAT I'VE DONE,
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- I HAVE FASTED TWICE A WEEK.
- 00:09:23.619 --> 00:09:25.321
- NOW THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW SAID
- 00:09:25.354 --> 00:09:26.656
- YOU ONLY HAD TOFAST ONCE A YEAR,
- 00:09:26.689 --> 00:09:28.557
- THIS GUY DID IT TWICE A WEEK.
- 00:09:28.591 --> 00:09:30.660
- NOT ONLY THAT HE SAID I PAYTITHES OF ALL THAT I GET.
- 00:09:30.693 --> 00:09:34.296
- THE OLD TESTAMENTLAW SAID YOU ONLY HAD
- 00:09:34.330 --> 00:09:36.165
- TO TITHE YOUR INCOME, THEPHARISEE WENT BEYOND THAT,
- 00:09:36.198 --> 00:09:39.935
- HE TITHED ALL OFHIS CAPITAL GAINS.
- 00:09:39.969 --> 00:09:41.871
- IF HE SOLD SOMETHING,HE PAID A TITLE ON IT.
- 00:09:41.904 --> 00:09:45.775
- AND NOT ONLY THAT HE SAID HEWASN'T LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
- 00:09:45.808 --> 00:09:49.211
- HE WASN'T A SWINDLER,UNJUST, ADULTERER
- 00:09:49.245 --> 00:09:52.548
- AND THE FACT IS HE WASN'T,NOT AT LEAST OUTWARDLY.
- 00:09:52.581 --> 00:09:56.185
- WHAT THIS MAN IS SAYINGABOUT HIMSELF IS TRUE
- 00:09:56.218 --> 00:10:00.923
- AT LEAST ABOUT HISOUTWARD APPEARANCE
- 00:10:00.956 --> 00:10:02.825
- BUT WHAT HE FAILED TO REALIZEWAS GOD IS AS INTERESTED
- 00:10:02.858 --> 00:10:06.729
- OR MORE INTERESTED INWHAT IS IN OUR HEART
- 00:10:06.762 --> 00:10:09.398
- THAN SIMPLY OUREXTERNAL APPEARANCES.
- 00:10:09.432 --> 00:10:12.034
- HE COULDN'T COMPREHENDTHAT BY GOD'S STANDARD
- 00:10:12.068 --> 00:10:15.004
- HE WAS JUST AS MUCHOF A VILE SINNER
- 00:10:15.037 --> 00:10:18.174
- AS THIS GUY STANDING SOMEDISTANCE AWAY, THE
- 00:10:18.207 --> 00:10:21.577
- TAX COLLECTOR. SO LET'S LOOKAT HIM FOR A MOMENT,
- 00:10:21.610 --> 00:10:24.246
- THE SECOND CHARACTER IN THISSTORY, THE TAX COLLECTOR.
- 00:10:24.280 --> 00:10:28.050
- NOW I SAID, ACCORDING TOTHE JEWISH HOLINESS LADDER,
- 00:10:28.084 --> 00:10:33.055
- THE PHARISEE WAS AT TOP,BUT ON THE BOTTOM RUNG
- 00:10:33.089 --> 00:10:37.093
- WAS THE TAX COLLECTOR.
- 00:10:37.126 --> 00:10:39.228
- HE WAS RIGHT DOWN THEREALONG WITH THE TELEVANGELIST
- 00:10:39.261 --> 00:10:42.231
- AND THE USED CHARIOT SALESMAN.
- 00:10:42.264 --> 00:10:45.501
- I MEAN, THAT'S HOW PEOPLETHOUGHT ABOUT TAX COLLECTORS,
- 00:10:45.534 --> 00:10:48.137
- THEY HATED THE TAX COLLECTORS.
- 00:10:48.170 --> 00:10:50.740
- YOU KNOW, WE READ THE STORY ANDWE THINK, WELL MAYBE THOUGH,
- 00:10:50.773 --> 00:10:53.642
- JUST MAYBE THIS TAXCOLLECTOR WAS DIFFERENT
- 00:10:53.676 --> 00:10:56.579
- AND THAT'S WHY HE'SGOING TO END UP
- 00:10:56.612 --> 00:10:58.280
- BEING THE HERO OF THE STORY.
- 00:10:58.314 --> 00:11:00.216
- WE THINK MAYBE THERE ISSOMETHING INHERENTLY GOOD
- 00:11:00.249 --> 00:11:03.452
- IN THIS TAX COLLECTORTHAT MAKES HIM DIFFERENT
- 00:11:03.486 --> 00:11:06.088
- AND EVEN MORE RIGHTEOUSTHAN THE PHARISEE.
- 00:11:06.122 --> 00:11:08.090
- NO, THAT WOULD BETRAY THEWHOLE POINT OF THE PARABLE.
- 00:11:08.124 --> 00:11:12.728
- WHAT JESUS IS SAYINGIS THIS TAX COLLECTOR
- 00:11:12.762 --> 00:11:15.364
- WAS JUST AS GUILTY,JUST AS VILE OF A SINNER
- 00:11:15.397 --> 00:11:18.701
- AS THE PHARISEE WAS.
- 00:11:18.734 --> 00:11:21.337
- WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
- 00:11:21.370 --> 00:11:22.705
- WE'LL NOTICE THE DIFFERENCEIN THEIR PRAYERS.
- 00:11:22.738 --> 00:11:24.173
- VERSE 13, "BUT THE TAX GATHERERSTANDING SOME DISTANCE AWAY
- 00:11:24.206 --> 00:11:30.446
- EVEN WAS UNWILLING TO LIFTUP HIS EYES TO HEAVEN,
- 00:11:30.479 --> 00:11:33.182
- BUT WAS BEATING HIS BREAST,
- 00:11:33.215 --> 00:11:34.950
- SAYING GOD BE MERCIFULTO ME THE SINNER."
- 00:11:34.984 --> 00:11:41.323
- THIS IS ONE OF THE SHORTESTPRAYERS IN THE BIBLE.
- 00:11:41.357 --> 00:11:43.559
- SIX WORDS IN THE GREEK TEXT,
- 00:11:43.592 --> 00:11:45.661
- SEVEN WORDS IN THE ENGLISH TEXT.
- 00:11:45.694 --> 00:11:48.097
- THAT'S WHY I CALLTHEM SEVEN WORDS
- 00:11:48.130 --> 00:11:50.633
- THAT CAN CHANGE YOURLIFE AND YOUR ETERNITY.
- 00:11:50.666 --> 00:11:53.736
- GOD BE MERCIFULTO ME THE SINNER.
- 00:11:53.769 --> 00:11:58.607
- I WANT YOU TO NOTICEIN THIS SHORT PRAYER
- 00:11:58.641 --> 00:12:00.643
- THAT THIS MAN EXPRESSESTWO CRUCIAL ELEMENTS
- 00:12:00.676 --> 00:12:04.980
- TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.
- 00:12:05.014 --> 00:12:07.316
- FIRST OF ALL, HE EXPRESSESSORROW FOR HIS SIN.
- 00:12:07.349 --> 00:12:11.453
- GOD, HE CRIES OUT BEMERCIFUL TO ME THE SINNER.
- 00:12:11.487 --> 00:12:16.392
- IN THE ORIGINAL TEXT THATWORD SINNER IS NOT ANARTHERIS
- 00:12:16.425 --> 00:12:20.396
- THAT IS IT'S NOTWITHOUT AN ARTICLE.
- 00:12:20.429 --> 00:12:23.265
- IT'S NOT, GOD BEMERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER.
- 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:26.535
- GOD I'M JUST LIKE EVERY SINNERWHO NEEDS YOUR FORGIVENESS.
- 00:12:26.569 --> 00:12:29.471
- NO, IT'S ARTICULAR,THERE'S AN ARTICLE,
- 00:12:29.505 --> 00:12:31.841
- GOD BE MERCIFULTO ME THE SINNER.
- 00:12:31.874 --> 00:12:35.945
- LIKE PAUL, HE WAS SAYING, IAM THE CHIEF AMONG SINNERS
- 00:12:35.978 --> 00:12:39.748
- AND I NEED YOUR FORGIVENESS.
- 00:12:39.782 --> 00:12:42.418
- WE DON'T KNOW WHATBROUGHT HIM TO THIS POINT,
- 00:12:42.451 --> 00:12:44.186
- WE DON'T KNOW WHAT MOTIVATED HIM
- 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:45.588
- TO COME TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY.
- 00:12:45.621 --> 00:12:47.590
- PERHAPS HE HAD JUST COMMITTEDA SIN THAT WAS SO HEINOUS
- 00:12:47.623 --> 00:12:52.127
- THAT EVEN HIMSELF, HE HIMSELFDIDN'T THINK HIMSELF CAPABLE
- 00:12:52.161 --> 00:12:55.998
- OF COMMITTING THIS SIN.
- 00:12:56.031 --> 00:12:58.801
- OR MAYBE HIS LIFE HAD SLOWLYUNRAVELED AND HE WAS AT THE END
- 00:12:58.834 --> 00:13:02.004
- AND HE HAD NO PLACE TO TURN,
- 00:13:02.037 --> 00:13:05.474
- BUT HE REALIZED HE WAS IN ADESPERATE POSITION BEFORE GOD.
- 00:13:05.507 --> 00:13:10.246
- BY THE WAY, SPEAKINGOF POSITION,
- 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.847
- NOTICE WHERE HESTOOD IN JESUS STORY.
- 00:13:11.881 --> 00:13:14.717
- THE BIBLE SAYS, JESUS SAIDHE STOOD SOME DISTANCE AWAY.
- 00:13:14.750 --> 00:13:19.588
- DOES THAT MEAN HE STOODSOME DISTANCE AWAY
- 00:13:19.622 --> 00:13:21.390
- FROM THE PHARISEEOR SOMEPLACE ELSE?
- 00:13:21.423 --> 00:13:25.227
- PERHAPS THE HOLY OFHOLIES WHERE GOD DWELLED.
- 00:13:25.261 --> 00:13:27.897
- I THINK BOTH.
- 00:13:27.930 --> 00:13:29.498
- I THINK THIS PHARISEE CONFIDENTIN HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS
- 00:13:29.531 --> 00:13:32.668
- CAME AS CLOSE TO THE PRESENCEOF GOD IN THE HOLY OF HOLIES
- 00:13:32.701 --> 00:13:35.871
- AS HE COULD GET WITHOUTBEING STRUCK DEAD.
- 00:13:35.905 --> 00:13:38.474
- AFTER ALL, HE WAS A HOLYMAN, HOLY OF HOLIES,
- 00:13:38.507 --> 00:13:41.176
- THAT MUST BE FOR ME.
- 00:13:41.210 --> 00:13:43.045
- ALTHOUGH HE WOULDN'T GO INTOTHE HOLY OF HOLIES HIMSELF,
- 00:13:43.078 --> 00:13:46.015
- HE WOULD GET AS CLOSE TOTHE HOLY PLACE AS HE COULD.
- 00:13:46.048 --> 00:13:49.551
- THE SINNER, NO.
- 00:13:49.585 --> 00:13:51.754
- HE DIDN'T WANT TO STAYIN CLOSE TO GOD,
- 00:13:51.787 --> 00:13:54.089
- HE FELT UNWORTHY TOBE IN GOD'S PRESENCE.
- 00:13:54.123 --> 00:13:57.693
- SO HE STOOD FAR AWAYFROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD
- 00:13:57.726 --> 00:14:01.964
- AND THEREFORE HE WASSTANDING FAR AWAY
- 00:14:01.997 --> 00:14:03.933
- FROM THE PHARISEES AS WELL.
- 00:14:03.966 --> 00:14:06.001
- BUT HERE'S THE IRONIC POINT,
- 00:14:06.035 --> 00:14:09.238
- BY STANDING FURTHER AWAY FROMGOD, HE WAS ACTUALLY SHOWING
- 00:14:09.271 --> 00:14:12.942
- THAT HE WAS CLOSER TOGOD THAN THE PHARISEE.
- 00:14:12.975 --> 00:14:16.979
- YOU SEE THE CLOSER YOUGET TO GOD'S PRESENCE,
- 00:14:17.012 --> 00:14:19.782
- THE MORE AWARE YOU AREOF YOUR OWN UNWORTHINESS.
- 00:14:19.815 --> 00:14:24.253
- REMEMBER ISAIAH, HE SAW THEVISION OF GOD ON THE THRONE,
- 00:14:24.286 --> 00:14:26.789
- THE ANGELS SWIRLING AROUNDSINGING, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.
- 00:14:26.822 --> 00:14:31.427
- WHEN HE SAW THAT VISION,WHAT WAS HIS RESPONSE?
- 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:34.096
- REMEMBER IN ISAIAH 6:5 HE SAID,
- 00:14:34.129 --> 00:14:35.831
- "WOE TO ME FOR I AM RUINED FORI'M A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS."
- 00:14:35.864 --> 00:14:41.704
- REMEMBER WHEN THE APOSTLE PETER
- 00:14:41.737 --> 00:14:43.339
- AFTER ONE OF JESUS' MIRACLES,
- 00:14:43.372 --> 00:14:45.107
- WHEN IT DAWNED ON PETERWHO JESUS REALLY WAS,
- 00:14:45.140 --> 00:14:48.310
- HE KNELT DOWN BEFORETHE LORD AND SAID,
- 00:14:48.344 --> 00:14:50.612
- "DEPART FROM ME, LORDFOR, I AM A SINFUL MAN."
- 00:14:50.646 --> 00:14:54.683
- REMEMBER IN REVELATION 1WHEN JOHN
- 00:14:54.717 --> 00:14:57.119
- WAS ON THE ISLAND OFPATMOS EXILED THERE
- 00:14:57.152 --> 00:15:00.022
- AND HE SAW THE VISIONOF THE GLORIFIED CHRIST,
- 00:15:00.055 --> 00:15:02.691
- THE BIBLE SAYS HE FELL DOWNBEFORE JESUS LIKE A DEAD MAN.
- 00:15:02.725 --> 00:15:09.164
- THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WEREALIZE THE HOLINESS OF GOD
- 00:15:09.198 --> 00:15:11.567
- AND OUR OWN SINFULNESS.
- 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:14.670
- HE CRIED OUT FORMERCY, FOR REPENTANCE,
- 00:15:14.703 --> 00:15:19.408
- HE EXPRESSED SORROW FOR HIS SIN.
- 00:15:19.441 --> 00:15:22.611
- WELL, LISTEN TO ME TODAY.
- 00:15:22.644 --> 00:15:23.946
- YOU CAN BE SORRY FOR YOUR SIN
- 00:15:23.979 --> 00:15:26.515
- WITHOUT EVER BEINGSAVED FROM YOUR SIN.
- 00:15:26.548 --> 00:15:29.918
- REPENTANCE IS CRUCIAL, BUTIT'S ONLY THE FIRST ELEMENT
- 00:15:29.952 --> 00:15:33.989
- OF A PRAYER THATLEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE
- 00:15:34.023 --> 00:15:36.458
- BECAUSE IN ADDITION OFEXPRESSING SORROW FOR HIS SIN,
- 00:15:36.492 --> 00:15:39.028
- NOTICE SECONDLY, HE REQUESTEDGOD'S MERCY TO COVER HIS SIN.
- 00:15:39.061 --> 00:15:45.134
- HE SAID, GOD BE MERCIFULTO ME THE SINNER.
- 00:15:45.167 --> 00:15:51.006
- NOW FOLKS STAY WITH ME ONTHIS, THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.
- 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:53.575
- WHEN HE CRIED OUT, WHENHE REQUESTED GOD'S MERCY,
- 00:15:53.609 --> 00:15:57.980
- THE WORD HE USED FOR MERCY WASNOT JUST SOME GENERAL TERM,
- 00:15:58.013 --> 00:16:01.417
- IT WAS A VERY SPECIFIC TERM.
- 00:16:01.450 --> 00:16:03.852
- IN FACT THIS WORD IS ONLY USEDTWICE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
- 00:16:03.886 --> 00:16:06.822
- HERE AND IN HEBREWS 2,WHEN HE SAID,
- 00:16:06.855 --> 00:16:09.792
- LORD, BE MERCIFULTO ME THE SINNER,
- 00:16:09.825 --> 00:16:13.495
- HE'S SAYING, LORD COVER MY SIN.
- 00:16:13.529 --> 00:16:17.766
- JUST AS THE MERCY SEATWAS COVERED, COVER MY SIN
- 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:21.503
- I CAN'T COVER IT,ONLY YOU CAN COVER IT.
- 00:16:21.537 --> 00:16:26.408
- JAMES MONTGOMERY BOICE NOTESTHAT IN THIS SIMPLE PRAYER,
- 00:16:26.442 --> 00:16:29.578
- NOTICE THE PATTERN, IT STARTSWITH GOD, IT ENDS WITH MAN
- 00:16:29.611 --> 00:16:35.751
- AND IN THE MIDDLEIS THE MERCY OF GOD.
- 00:16:35.784 --> 00:16:39.154
- GOD BE MERCIFULTO ME THE SINNER.
- 00:16:39.188 --> 00:16:43.892
- THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BRIDGEA HOLY GOD WITH SINFUL MAN
- 00:16:43.926 --> 00:16:50.232
- IS THE MERCY, THECOVERING THAT JESUS CHRIST
- 00:16:50.265 --> 00:16:53.335
- OFFERS FOR OUR SIN.
- 00:16:53.368 --> 00:16:56.472
- NOW HAD JESUS STOPPED RIGHTHERE AND SAID, OKAY POP QUIZ
- 00:16:56.505 --> 00:17:04.813
- WHICH OF THESE TWO MEN LEFTTHE TEMPLE FORGIVEN BY GOD?
- 00:17:04.847 --> 00:17:10.986
- OH, THE CROWD WOULD HAVEANSWERED UNANIMOUSLY,
- 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:14.289
- WELL THE PHARISEE OF COURSE.
- 00:17:14.323 --> 00:17:16.758
- MAN DIDN'T YOU JUSTHEAR HIM TALK ABOUT
- 00:17:16.792 --> 00:17:18.460
- WHAT A RIGHTEOUS PERSON HE WASAND THAT VILE TAX COLLECTOR
- 00:17:18.494 --> 00:17:22.231
- DOES HE THINKS SAYINGTHE LITTLE SIMPLE PRAYER
- 00:17:22.264 --> 00:17:24.466
- IS GOING TO MAKE HIMRIGHT WITH GOD?
- 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:26.101
- NO, NO, NO, IT WAS THEPHARISEE WHO WAS RIGHTEOUS
- 00:17:26.135 --> 00:17:31.006
- IN A RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD.
- 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:33.742
- IN FACT, IF YOU'D ASKEACH OF THESE MEN,
- 00:17:33.775 --> 00:17:37.713
- WHO DO YOU THINK WAS IN ARIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
- 00:17:37.746 --> 00:17:40.816
- I THINK BOTH THE TAXCOLLECTOR AND THE PHARISEE
- 00:17:40.849 --> 00:17:42.784
- PROBABLY FELT LIKEIT'S THE PHARISEE.
- 00:17:42.818 --> 00:17:47.956
- YOU SEE I A FEELINGTHAT WHEN THAT PHARISEE
- 00:17:47.990 --> 00:17:51.126
- FINISHED HIS PRAYER AND STARTEDWALKING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
- 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:54.863
- HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, MAN,
- 00:17:54.897 --> 00:17:56.865
- THAT'S LIKE A LITTLEGOOD AND PRAYER TIME,
- 00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:58.634
- FELLOWSHIP TIME WITHTHE LORD, I FEEL GREAT.
- 00:17:58.667 --> 00:18:02.804
- IMAGINE THAT TAX COLLECTORSSTILL FELT SHAME OVER HIS LIFE.
- 00:18:02.838 --> 00:18:08.577
- BUT YOU SEE IT DOESN'TMATTER HOW THEY FELT,
- 00:18:08.610 --> 00:18:12.047
- LOOK AT VERSE 14, CHAPTER 18.
- 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:14.650
- "I TELL YOU THIS MANTHE TAX COLLECTOR
- 00:18:14.683 --> 00:18:18.053
- WENT DOWN TO HIS HOUSEJUSTIFIED RATHER THAN THE OTHER,
- 00:18:18.086 --> 00:18:22.558
- RATHER THAN THE PHARISEE."
- 00:18:22.591 --> 00:18:24.793
- YOU SEE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW YOU FEEL
- 00:18:24.826 --> 00:18:28.597
- ABOUT YOURRELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
- 00:18:28.630 --> 00:18:30.199
- DID YOU KNOW YOURFEELINGS DON'T MATTER?
- 00:18:30.232 --> 00:18:32.401
- PEOPLE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT
- 00:18:32.434 --> 00:18:33.869
- WELL I FEEL I HAVE A GOODRELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
- 00:18:33.902 --> 00:18:35.571
- AND I FEEL THIS AND THAT,LOOK IT DOESN'T MATTER
- 00:18:35.604 --> 00:18:38.407
- HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURRELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
- 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:41.443
- WHAT MATTERS ISHOW DOES GOD FEEL
- 00:18:41.476 --> 00:18:43.712
- ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU?
- 00:18:43.745 --> 00:18:46.648
- AND WHAT JESUS IS SAYINGIS THERE'S ONE MAN
- 00:18:46.682 --> 00:18:49.585
- WHO LEFT THAT TEMPLE MOUNTJUSTIFIED, DECLARED NOT GUILTY
- 00:18:49.618 --> 00:18:55.857
- AND IT WAS THE TAX COLLECTOR
- 00:18:55.891 --> 00:18:57.826
- BECAUSE HE CALLEDON THE MERCY OF GOD.
- 00:18:57.859 --> 00:19:01.730
- LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THEMOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IS,
- 00:19:01.763 --> 00:19:04.132
- HAVE YOU BEEN JUSTIFIED?
- 00:19:04.166 --> 00:19:05.567
- THAT'S A LEGAL TERMTO DECLARE NOT GUILTY.
- 00:19:05.601 --> 00:19:08.537
- HAVE YOU BEENDECLARED NOT GUILTY?
- 00:19:08.570 --> 00:19:10.706
- THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TOBE DECLARED NOT GUILTY
- 00:19:10.739 --> 00:19:13.141
- AND THAT'S BY APPEALING TOTHE MERCY, THE COVERING,
- 00:19:13.175 --> 00:19:15.911
- THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST.
- 00:19:15.944 --> 00:19:18.647
- ROMANS 5:1 SAYS, "THEREFOREHAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED,"
- 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:23.185
- BY WORKS NO, "THEREFORE HAVINGBEEN JUSTIFIED BY FAITH,
- 00:19:23.218 --> 00:19:27.856
- WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGHOUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."
- 00:19:27.889 --> 00:19:33.528
- NOTICE HOW JESUSCLOSES THIS PARABLE.
- 00:19:33.562 --> 00:19:37.566
- IT'S THIS IDIOM WE'VE HEARDAND QUOTED OFTEN VERSE 14,
- 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:41.003
- "FOR EVERYONE WHO EXALTSHIMSELF SHALL BE HUMBLED,
- 00:19:41.036 --> 00:19:45.774
- BUT HE WHO HUMBLESHIMSELF SHALL BE EXALTED."
- 00:19:45.807 --> 00:19:50.479
- THE PROUD PERSON WHO REFUSES
- 00:19:50.512 --> 00:19:52.981
- TO BOW HIS KNEE BEFORE JESUSCHRIST AND BEG FOR THE COVERING
- 00:19:53.015 --> 00:19:56.985
- HIS COVERING FOR HIS OWN SIN,
- 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:59.154
- ONE DAY THAT PERSONWILL BE HUMBLED.
- 00:19:59.187 --> 00:20:02.824
- THE BIBLE SAYS ONE DAY,"EVERY KNEE WILL BOW
- 00:20:02.858 --> 00:20:05.127
- AND EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESSTHAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:08.063
- TO THE GLORY OF GOD."
- 00:20:08.096 --> 00:20:09.564
- IF YOU WAIT TILL THAT DAY,YOU'VE WAITED TOO LONG.
- 00:20:09.598 --> 00:20:12.167
- BUT SECONDLY, THE PERSON WHO'SWILLING TO HUMBLE HIMSELF
- 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:16.638
- IN THIS LIFE, TO NOT ONLYEXPRESS SORROW FOR HIS SIN,
- 00:20:16.672 --> 00:20:20.309
- BUT TO TRUST COMPLETELYIN GOD'S COVERING
- 00:20:20.342 --> 00:20:23.211
- OF HIS SIN THROUGH CHRIST,
- 00:20:23.245 --> 00:20:24.746
- THAT PERSON WILLBE EXALTED ONE DAY,
- 00:20:24.780 --> 00:20:26.515
- WILL SIT AT THE RIGHTHAND OF GOD THE FATHER.
- 00:20:26.548 --> 00:20:31.053
- TWO APPROACHES TO GOD,ONE BASED ON WORKS,
- 00:20:31.086 --> 00:20:34.556
- ONE BASED ON GRACE.
- 00:20:34.589 --> 00:20:38.727
- ALL WEEK I HAVE BEENTHINKING ABOUT HOW DIFFERENT
- 00:20:38.760 --> 00:20:41.296
- THESE TWO MEN WERE,BUT DID YOU KNOW
- 00:20:41.330 --> 00:20:45.334
- THEY WERE ALSO VERY MUCH ALIKE.
- 00:20:45.367 --> 00:20:48.337
- THAT'S WHAT I MISSED ALLWEEK, HOW ALIKE THEY WERE.
- 00:20:48.370 --> 00:20:53.375
- THEY WERE BOTH JEWS, THEYBOTH HAD GONE TO THE TEMPLE,
- 00:20:53.408 --> 00:20:57.112
- THEY WERE REGULARWORSHIPERS IN THE TEMPLE,
- 00:20:57.145 --> 00:21:00.982
- THEY BOTH BELIEVED IN THEAUTHORITY OF GOD'S WORD,
- 00:21:01.016 --> 00:21:04.886
- THE OLD TESTAMENT, THEYBOTH WERE BELIEVERS
- 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:08.657
- IN THE ONE TRUE GOD,THE GOD OF ISRAEL,
- 00:21:08.690 --> 00:21:12.561
- THEY BOTH WANTED TO PLEASE GOD.
- 00:21:12.594 --> 00:21:17.632
- THERE WAS ONLY ONE TINYDIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO MEN
- 00:21:17.666 --> 00:21:21.670
- AND THAT'S HOW THEY WENTABOUT TRYING TO PLEASE GOD.
- 00:21:21.703 --> 00:21:26.007
- ONE TRIED TO PLEASE GOD ONTHE BASIS OF HIS OWN WORKS,
- 00:21:26.041 --> 00:21:29.678
- ONE TRIED TO PLEASE GOD ON THEBASIS OF CHRIST'S SACRIFICE.
- 00:21:29.711 --> 00:21:36.084
- YOU SEE IN TODAY'S WORLD,
- 00:21:36.118 --> 00:21:38.153
- PEOPLE THINK THAT'S A TINYTHEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCE.
- 00:21:38.186 --> 00:21:41.022
- AS LONG AS YOU BELIEVEIN THE RIGHT GOD,
- 00:21:41.056 --> 00:21:42.958
- AS LONG AS YOU WANT TOTRY TO PLEASE GOD,
- 00:21:42.991 --> 00:21:45.494
- AS LONG AS YOU'REDOING THE BEST YOU CAN,
- 00:21:45.527 --> 00:21:47.295
- YOU KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE
- 00:21:47.329 --> 00:21:48.563
- ABOUT THIS MINORPOINT OF SALVATION
- 00:21:48.597 --> 00:21:50.432
- AND HOW YOU APPROACH GOD,WHETHER IT'S FAITH OR WORKS,
- 00:21:50.465 --> 00:21:52.834
- THAT'S A MINORTHEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCE.
- 00:21:52.868 --> 00:21:56.104
- NOT ACCORDING TO JESUS.
- 00:21:56.138 --> 00:21:58.306
- TWO MEN WHO WERE VERY MUCHALIKE, LEFT THAT MOUNTAIN.
- 00:21:58.340 --> 00:22:05.147
- AS THEY LEFT THE TEMPLE MOUNT,
- 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:07.282
- ONE LEFT ON THE ROADTO ETERNAL LIFE,
- 00:22:07.315 --> 00:22:10.886
- THE OTHER LEFT ON THEROAD TO ETERNAL DEATH.
- 00:22:10.919 --> 00:22:16.324
- JOB ASKED THE QUESTION,
- 00:22:16.358 --> 00:22:17.926
- HOW CAN A PERSON BEMADE RIGHT WITH GOD?
- 00:22:17.959 --> 00:22:23.932
- IS IT BY FAITH ORIS IT BY WORKS?
- 00:22:23.965 --> 00:22:28.603
- HOW YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTIONSPELLS THE DIFFERENCE
- 00:22:28.637 --> 00:22:32.841
- BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL.
- 00:22:32.874 --> 00:22:35.777
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:22:35.811 --> 00:22:40.882
- WHEN IN HIS PRESENCE, WHENLISTENING TO HIS PARABLES,
- 00:22:40.916 --> 00:22:44.686
- YOU COULDN'T POSSIBLY ACTPASSIVE OR AMBIVALENT.
- 00:22:44.719 --> 00:22:48.356
- WHEN JESUS SPOKE HIS WELLCHOSEN WORDS DROVE PEOPLE
- 00:22:48.390 --> 00:22:52.394
- INTO A MOMENT OFDECISION AND RIGHTLY SO
- 00:22:52.427 --> 00:22:56.431
- BECAUSE JESUS UNDERSTOODTHAT LIFE AND DEATH
- 00:22:56.465 --> 00:22:59.234
- WERE HANGING IN THE BALANCE.
- 00:22:59.267 --> 00:23:01.503
- AND THIS IS OUR MISSIONAT PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:23:01.536 --> 00:23:04.105
- WHEN YOU WATCH THIS TELEVISIONPROGRAM, YOU CAN BE SURE
- 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:07.075
- THAT YOU WILL HEAR THEUNFILTERED TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD.
- 00:23:07.108 --> 00:23:11.613
- AND IT'S ALL MADE POSSIBLEBECAUSE OF FRIENDS LIKE YOU
- 00:23:11.646 --> 00:23:14.616
- WHO GIVE SO GENEROUSLY.
- 00:23:14.649 --> 00:23:16.418
- SO THANK YOU FOR YOURFINANCIAL SUPPORT
- 00:23:16.451 --> 00:23:19.321
- OF PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:23:19.354 --> 00:23:21.022
- TOGETHER WE'RE TRULYPIERCING THE DARKNESS
- 00:23:21.056 --> 00:23:24.259
- WITH THE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD.
- 00:23:24.292 --> 00:23:26.761
- NOW STAY RIGHT THERE,
- 00:23:26.795 --> 00:23:28.263
- I'LL BE BACK WITH MORE PATHWAYTO VICTORY IN JUST A MOMENT.
- 00:23:28.296 --> 00:23:31.399
- ♪ MUSIC
- 00:23:31.433 --> 00:23:34.769
- [NARRATOR] EVERYYEAR, THE CHARACTERS
- 00:23:34.803 --> 00:23:36.171
- OF THE NATIVITYSCENE STAY THE SAME,
- 00:23:36.204 --> 00:23:38.607
- SO HOW CAN WE GET SOMETHINGNEW OUT OF CHRISTMAS?
- 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:41.576
- TAKE A FRESH LOOKAT A FAMILIAR STORY
- 00:23:41.610 --> 00:23:43.745
- WITH DR. ROBERTJEFFERESS' BRAND NEW BOOK,
- 00:23:43.778 --> 00:23:46.081
- "THE NATIVITY DEVOTIONAL".
- 00:23:46.114 --> 00:23:47.883
- EACH CHAPTER OF "THENATIVITY DEVOTIONAL"
- 00:23:47.916 --> 00:23:49.985
- FOCUSES ON A CHARACTERIN THE NATIVITY SCENE
- 00:23:50.018 --> 00:23:52.921
- AND HIGHLIGHTS ANIMPORTANT SPIRITUAL LESSON
- 00:23:52.954 --> 00:23:55.690
- WE CAN APPLY TO OUR LIVES TODAY.
- 00:23:55.724 --> 00:23:58.326
- I'VE EVEN INCLUDED ACHILD-FRIENDLY VERSION
- 00:23:58.360 --> 00:24:00.762
- FOR YOU TO READ WITH YOURCHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.
- 00:24:00.795 --> 00:24:04.065
- [NARRATOR] A COPY OF "THENATIVITY DEVOTIONAL" IS YOURS
- 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:06.535
- WHEN YOU GIVE A GENEROUSGIFT TO PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:24:06.568 --> 00:24:09.638
- AND WHEN YOUR GIFTIS $75 OR MORE,
- 00:24:09.671 --> 00:24:12.541
- YOU'LL ALSO RECEIVEA CD AND DVD COPY
- 00:24:12.574 --> 00:24:15.510
- OF THIS MONTH TEACHING FROM LUKE
- 00:24:15.544 --> 00:24:16.945
- CALLED REIGNITING YOURPASSION FOR CHRIST.
- 00:24:16.978 --> 00:24:19.881
- PLUS AS AN ADDED BONUS,WE'LL ALSO INCLUDE,
- 00:24:19.915 --> 00:24:22.384
- "THE GIFT, THEGOSPEL FOR CHILDREN".
- 00:24:22.417 --> 00:24:25.020
- MY ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'SBOOK, "THE GIFT"
- 00:24:25.053 --> 00:24:27.656
- PROVIDES A CLEAR CUTPRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL
- 00:24:27.689 --> 00:24:30.692
- IN LANGUAGE THATCHILDREN CAN UNDERSTAND.
- 00:24:30.725 --> 00:24:33.328
- AT THE END, I'VE WRITTENA PRAYER OF SALVATION,
- 00:24:33.361 --> 00:24:35.564
- YOU CAN PRAY WITH YOURCHILD OR GRANDCHILD
- 00:24:35.597 --> 00:24:38.366
- TO LEAD THEM TO TRUST INCHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR.
- 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:41.803
- MY BOOK EVEN COMES WITHAN INSTRUCTIONAL DVD
- 00:24:41.836 --> 00:24:45.173
- FEATURING A SPECIALGOSPEL PRESENTATION
- 00:24:45.206 --> 00:24:47.876
- FOR YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY.
- 00:24:47.909 --> 00:24:49.477
- [NARRATOR] THANK YOU FORREQUESTING THESE RESOURCES
- 00:24:49.511 --> 00:24:51.546
- AND FAITHFULLY SUPPORTINGPATHWAY TO VICTORY
- 00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:54.182
- AS WE BRING THE LIFE SAVINGMESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL TO YOU
- 00:24:54.215 --> 00:24:57.152
- AND YOUR FAMILY.
- 00:24:57.185 --> 00:24:58.420
- TOGETHER WE ARE SHININGTHE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD
- 00:24:58.453 --> 00:25:01.156
- IN THE DARKNESS OF OUR DAY.
- 00:25:01.189 --> 00:25:05.493
- THERE IS ONLY ONE SIN THATWILL KEEP YOU OUT OF HEAVEN.
- 00:25:05.527 --> 00:25:08.697
- IT'S NOT ADULTERY ORMURDER OR HOMOSEXUALITY,
- 00:25:08.730 --> 00:25:13.134
- THE ONE SIN THAT WILL KEEPYOU OUT OF HEAVEN IS PRIDE
- 00:25:13.168 --> 00:25:17.205
- AND MORE SPECIFICALLYREFUSING TO HUMBLE YOURSELF
- 00:25:17.238 --> 00:25:21.109
- TO SAY THESE WORDS, GOD BEMERCIFUL TO ME THE SINNER.
- 00:25:21.142 --> 00:25:27.816
- WELL, GOD IS IN THE BUSINESSOF LIFE TRANSFORMATION
- 00:25:27.849 --> 00:25:31.353
- AND NEXT TIME WE'LL SEEHOW JESUS TRANSFORMED
- 00:25:31.386 --> 00:25:33.855
- ONE OF THE MOST HATEDMEN IN ALL OF JERICHO,
- 00:25:33.888 --> 00:25:37.058
- INTO THE CITY'SGREATEST PHILANTHROPIST,
- 00:25:37.092 --> 00:25:40.161
- STAY TUNED FOR A PREVIEW OFWHAT'S COMING UP NEXT TIME
- 00:25:40.195 --> 00:25:43.164
- ON PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:25:43.198 --> 00:25:46.334
- [NARRATOR] TODAY WHENYOU GIVE A GENEROUS GIFT
- 00:25:46.368 --> 00:25:48.003
- TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRYOF PATHWAY TO VICTORY,
- 00:25:48.036 --> 00:25:50.672
- WE'LL SAY THANKS BYSENDING YOU A COPY
- 00:25:50.705 --> 00:25:52.841
- OF DR. JEFFRESS BRANDNEW "NATIVITY DEVOTIONAL"
- 00:25:52.874 --> 00:25:55.977
- PLUS ONE FREE ISSUE OF PATHWAYMAGAZINE IS YOURS TODAY
- 00:25:56.011 --> 00:25:59.881
- SIMPLY FOR CONTACTING USAT PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:25:59.914 --> 00:26:02.851
- AND WHEN YOUR GIFTIS $75 OR MORE,
- 00:26:02.884 --> 00:26:05.754
- WE'LL ALSO SEND YOU A COPY
- 00:26:05.787 --> 00:26:07.322
- OF DR. JEFFRESS ILLUSTRATEDCHILDREN'S BOOK, "THE GIFT"
- 00:26:07.355 --> 00:26:10.892
- COMPLETE WITH ANINSTRUCTIONAL DVD
- 00:26:10.925 --> 00:26:13.561
- PLUS VOLUME THREE OFDR. JEFFRESS TEACHING SERIES,
- 00:26:13.595 --> 00:26:16.398
- REIGNITING YOUR PASSION FORCHRIST ON BOTH CD AND DVD.
- 00:26:16.431 --> 00:26:21.169
- THESE PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE
- 00:26:21.202 --> 00:26:22.904
- BECAUSE OF YOURGENEROUS SUPPORT.
- 00:26:22.937 --> 00:26:24.639
- SO THANKS FOR CALLING,WRITING OR GOING ONLINE
- 00:26:24.673 --> 00:26:27.208
- TO GIVE TODAY.
- 00:26:27.242 --> 00:26:28.643
- NOW COMING UP NEXT TIMEON PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:26:28.677 --> 00:26:32.013
- INTERESTINGLY, SOME PEOPLE
- 00:26:32.047 --> 00:26:34.049
- ARE ACTUALLY TRYINGTO HIDE FROM GOD.
- 00:26:34.082 --> 00:26:38.486
- THEY AVOID READING THE BIBLEOR GOING TO CHURCH OR PRAYING,
- 00:26:38.520 --> 00:26:42.791
- HOPING THAT THEY CAN STAVE OFF
- 00:26:42.824 --> 00:26:44.693
- THAT INEVITABLE CONFRONTATIONWITH THEIR CREATOR.
- 00:26:44.726 --> 00:26:48.129
- WHAT IS IT THAT MOTIVATESPEOPLE TO TRY TO HIDE FROM GOD?
- 00:26:48.163 --> 00:26:52.534
- ONE WORD, GUILT.
- 00:26:52.567 --> 00:26:56.104
- WHENEVER WE FEELGUILTY, WHENEVER WE KNOW
- 00:26:56.137 --> 00:26:58.339
- WE HAVE FALLEN SHORT OFGOD'S PLAN FOR OUR LIFE,
- 00:26:58.373 --> 00:27:01.276
- OUR FIRST INSTINCT IS TO HIDE.
- 00:27:01.309 --> 00:27:05.213
- THAT INSTINCT COMESNATURALLY, IT'S INHERITED.
- 00:27:05.246 --> 00:27:07.816
- REMEMBER THE FIRSTCOUPLE ADAM AND EVE,
- 00:27:07.849 --> 00:27:09.684
- THEY HAD A GREATRELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
- 00:27:09.718 --> 00:27:11.486
- UNTIL SIN BECAME A BARRIER WITHTHEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
- 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:16.124
- [NARRATOR] SET YOUR DVRAND JOIN US NEXT TIME
- 00:27:16.157 --> 00:27:18.393
- FOR THE MESSAGE, A SHORTSTORY ABOUT A BIG GOD
- 00:27:18.426 --> 00:27:22.230
- HERE ON PATHWAY TO VICTORY.
- 00:27:22.263 --> 00:27:24.132
- ♪ MUSIC
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