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Touching Lives with Dr. James Merritt

James Merritt - Conversion

August 17, 2025 | S25 E61 | 28:30

James Merritt - Conversion
Touching Lives is the international broadcast ministry of Dr. James Merritt.
#inActive #Convert/Conversion #Salvation #Transformation #Sanctification #Bible #Culture #Truth #RelationshipwithGod #SpiritualGrowth

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Touching Lives with Dr. James Merritt | James Merritt - Conversion | August 17, 2025
  • ...
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  • Male announcer: welcome to the international broadcast ministry
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  • Of touching lives with dr. james merritt.
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  • Here at touching lives, our mission is to touch the lives of
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  • The lost and enrich the faith of the found.
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  • And now here is pastor, author, and speaker, dr. james merritt.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • James merritt: conversion, say that with me, conversion.
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  • Now, let me tell you what conversion is, make it as easy
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  • As i can.
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  • Conversion is an inward transformation that leads to an
  • 00:00:34.583 --> 00:00:39.588
  • Outward reformation because of the salvation that comes from
  • 00:00:39.588 --> 00:00:44.193
  • Trusting in jesus.
  • 00:00:44.193 --> 00:00:46.795
  • Now, we're in a series we're calling "lost in translation"
  • 00:00:46.795 --> 00:00:50.866
  • Because, what i've learned and figured out after all these
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  • Years, probably more than ever before--when i first started
  • 00:00:52.835 --> 00:00:55.604
  • Out as pastoring, most everybody believed the bible.
  • 00:00:55.604 --> 00:00:59.341
  • A lot of people read the bible.
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  • Most people knew words that we would use.
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  • Those days are gone.
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  • I'm really now more of a missionary than i am a pastor.
  • 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:08.117
  • Most people don't know much about the bible, haven't read
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  • The bible, so we use these big churchy words, and i finally
  • 00:01:11.019 --> 00:01:14.089
  • Realized a lot of believers, much less unbelievers, don't
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  • Even know what they mean.
  • 00:01:16.658 --> 00:01:17.993
  • So we've been talking about big churchy words like regeneration
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  • A couple of weeks ago.
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  • We talked about repentance.
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  • Well, today we're going to talk about conversion.
  • 00:01:24.366 --> 00:01:27.603
  • And you say, "well, why are you talking about these big words?
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  • Why are they so important?"
  • 00:01:29.638 --> 00:01:31.140
  • Because, without these words and without knowing what they mean,
  • 00:01:31.140 --> 00:01:34.076
  • Without experiencing them, you cannot have a relationship
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  • With god.
  • 00:01:38.413 --> 00:01:39.882
  • Jesus said something to all of us who would say, "hey, i wanna
  • 00:01:39.882 --> 00:01:44.453
  • Go to heaven when i die.
  • 00:01:44.453 --> 00:01:46.054
  • When i die, i wanna get into the kingdom of god.
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  • I wanna live with jesus forever and ever and ever."
  • 00:01:48.357 --> 00:01:51.426
  • Well, here's what jesus said about that, "assuredly, i say to
  • 00:01:51.426 --> 00:01:54.496
  • You, unless you are converted--" say that word with me,
  • 00:01:54.496 --> 00:01:58.767
  • Converted--"and become as little children, you will by no
  • 00:01:58.767 --> 00:02:02.337
  • Means enter the kingdom of heaven."
  • 00:02:02.337 --> 00:02:04.673
  • So, here's the question for all of you in the room, watching on
  • 00:02:04.673 --> 00:02:08.076
  • Tv, watching online right now; here's the question.
  • 00:02:08.076 --> 00:02:13.448
  • Have i truly been converted?
  • 00:02:13.448 --> 00:02:18.187
  • Not baptized, not christened, not initiated, not
  • 00:02:18.187 --> 00:02:26.228
  • Taking communion.
  • 00:02:26.228 --> 00:02:28.130
  • Have i ever truly been converted?
  • 00:02:28.130 --> 00:02:31.833
  • We're gonna read about maybe the greatest example of conversion
  • 00:02:31.833 --> 00:02:34.937
  • In all of the bible.
  • 00:02:34.937 --> 00:02:36.438
  • As a matter of fact, it probably is still today the most famous
  • 00:02:36.438 --> 00:02:39.308
  • Conversion in the history of the world, and it's very
  • 00:02:39.308 --> 00:02:42.678
  • Well documented.
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  • It's about a man named paul.
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  • It's so important that, three times in the book of acts, the
  • 00:02:46.348 --> 00:02:49.718
  • Story is told.
  • 00:02:49.718 --> 00:02:51.086
  • It's repeated three times.
  • 00:02:51.086 --> 00:02:52.888
  • As a matter of fact, the story of paul's conversion occupies
  • 00:02:52.888 --> 00:02:56.892
  • More space in all the new testament than any other
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  • Event except the crucifixion of jesus.
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  • It is probably the most intense, in your face, radical encounter
  • 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:07.869
  • With jesus in all of the bible.
  • 00:03:07.869 --> 00:03:10.105
  • In fact, let me tell you what a big deal this is.
  • 00:03:10.105 --> 00:03:13.675
  • What happened around 35 ad is the reason we're sitting in
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  • This church.
  • 00:03:19.548 --> 00:03:21.717
  • What happened in 35 ad is the reason that christianity is the
  • 00:03:21.717 --> 00:03:27.356
  • Most widespread religion in all of the world.
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  • As a matter of fact, we still have people who talk about a
  • 00:03:30.792 --> 00:03:33.362
  • Damascus road experience.
  • 00:03:33.362 --> 00:03:35.964
  • That is exactly what happened to the apostle paul.
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  • Now, i want you to keep--before we get into this story, one
  • 00:03:38.700 --> 00:03:41.503
  • Thing you gotta keep in mind, i am not saying that you've got to
  • 00:03:41.503 --> 00:03:45.107
  • Have the same experience paul had to be converted.
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  • I'm not saying that at all.
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  • There's not one size fits all type of conversion.
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  • The way he was converted, not how, but the way he's converted
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  • Is the way we all need to be converted.
  • 00:03:57.185 --> 00:04:00.689
  • So, let me leave you think-- think about this, we're gonna be
  • 00:04:00.689 --> 00:04:03.225
  • Off to the races, ready?
  • 00:04:03.225 --> 00:04:05.027
  • Conversion means there will be a celebration of a transformation
  • 00:04:05.027 --> 00:04:12.134
  • That results in a demonstration of salvation.
  • 00:04:12.134 --> 00:04:16.271
  • Now, look, i worked hard on that; give me some love
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  • Here, okay?
  • 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:19.608
  • Conversion means there will be a celebration of a transformation
  • 00:04:19.608 --> 00:04:24.413
  • That results in the demonstration of salvation.
  • 00:04:24.413 --> 00:04:27.416
  • So, what are the steps to conversion?
  • 00:04:27.416 --> 00:04:29.451
  • If i were to say to you now, "hey, tell me how you know, tell
  • 00:04:29.451 --> 00:04:32.587
  • Me the marks that are in your life, you know you've
  • 00:04:32.587 --> 00:04:35.490
  • Been converted?"
  • 00:04:35.490 --> 00:04:36.858
  • Three things must happen to you.
  • 00:04:36.858 --> 00:04:38.193
  • Number 1, you must see the light of truth.
  • 00:04:38.193 --> 00:04:43.065
  • If you're gonna be converted, you've got to see the light
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  • Of truth.
  • 00:04:45.734 --> 00:04:47.069
  • Now, some of you will know this, how many of you know, what was
  • 00:04:47.069 --> 00:04:49.104
  • Paul's original name, what was it?
  • 00:04:49.104 --> 00:04:51.640
  • Saul, right?
  • 00:04:51.640 --> 00:04:53.008
  • He wasn't paul; at first he was saul.
  • 00:04:53.008 --> 00:04:55.811
  • Now, here's the thing about saul.
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  • If you don't know anything about saul, let me just tell you.
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  • If you were making out a list of all the people in the world the
  • 00:05:00.615 --> 00:05:05.220
  • Least likely ever to be converted, he would have been
  • 00:05:05.220 --> 00:05:08.056
  • The number one guy.
  • 00:05:08.056 --> 00:05:09.524
  • You said, "oh, i'll tell you one guy whoo will never come
  • 00:05:09.524 --> 00:05:11.126
  • To jesus.
  • 00:05:11.126 --> 00:05:12.461
  • I'll tell you one guy that will never be converted.
  • 00:05:12.461 --> 00:05:14.396
  • That is saul."
  • 00:05:14.396 --> 00:05:15.897
  • He would be at the top of the list, why?
  • 00:05:15.897 --> 00:05:18.667
  • He was a jewish blue blood by birth.
  • 00:05:18.667 --> 00:05:21.236
  • He was a pharisee, meaning he was at the top of the
  • 00:05:21.236 --> 00:05:23.338
  • Jewish pyramid.
  • 00:05:23.338 --> 00:05:24.706
  • He was a hebrew, a histocrat, and, with all that in mind,
  • 00:05:24.706 --> 00:05:27.743
  • Here's his story; listen to this, "meanwhile, saul was still
  • 00:05:27.743 --> 00:05:31.947
  • Breathing out murderous threats against the lord's disciples.
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  • He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the
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  • Synagogues in damascus so that, if he found any there who
  • 00:05:37.719 --> 00:05:41.056
  • Belonged to the way, whether men or women, he might take them as
  • 00:05:41.056 --> 00:05:44.626
  • Prisoners to jerusalem."
  • 00:05:44.626 --> 00:05:47.396
  • Saul is on a mission straight from jewish headquarters
  • 00:05:47.396 --> 00:05:53.869
  • In jerusalem.
  • 00:05:53.869 --> 00:05:55.437
  • Saul, you're the hit man.
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  • You have one job, wipe out christianity.
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  • You find every christian you can, and you drag them
  • 00:06:01.710 --> 00:06:04.045
  • Into jail.
  • 00:06:04.045 --> 00:06:05.380
  • You find every church you can, and you burn it to the ground.
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  • You find every single scripture, any single writing that has the
  • 00:06:08.450 --> 00:06:12.421
  • Name of jesus in it, you tear it up into pieces and you throw it
  • 00:06:12.421 --> 00:06:15.857
  • In the garbage can.
  • 00:06:15.857 --> 00:06:17.225
  • I want you to absolutely be the man that snuffs out the light of
  • 00:06:17.225 --> 00:06:20.595
  • Christianity, that wipes out the fire of christianity, and i want
  • 00:06:20.595 --> 00:06:24.266
  • You to do it everywhere that you can.
  • 00:06:24.266 --> 00:06:26.168
  • And i wanna tell you, paul is running hot.
  • 00:06:26.168 --> 00:06:29.104
  • His blood is boiling.
  • 00:06:29.104 --> 00:06:31.139
  • He is on fire, not for jesus.
  • 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:34.409
  • He is on fire against jesus.
  • 00:06:34.409 --> 00:06:37.078
  • And he's made up his mind.
  • 00:06:37.078 --> 00:06:38.547
  • If you're a christian, you deserve the death penalty.
  • 00:06:38.547 --> 00:06:41.149
  • You go to a church, you deserve to be thrown in jail.
  • 00:06:41.149 --> 00:06:43.852
  • And don't even mention to me the name of jesus because i'm gonna
  • 00:06:43.852 --> 00:06:47.122
  • Tell you what i'm going to do.
  • 00:06:47.122 --> 00:06:48.457
  • I think christianity is the spiritual covid of my day.
  • 00:06:48.457 --> 00:06:51.793
  • I'm going to wipe it out.
  • 00:06:51.793 --> 00:06:53.495
  • I'm going to take the name of jesus, and i'm gonna do
  • 00:06:53.495 --> 00:06:56.398
  • Everything i can to make sure nobody ever hears that
  • 00:06:56.398 --> 00:06:59.401
  • Name again.
  • 00:06:59.401 --> 00:07:01.536
  • I'm gonna wipe out his fame.
  • 00:07:01.536 --> 00:07:04.272
  • I'm gonna wipe out the family.
  • 00:07:04.272 --> 00:07:06.475
  • I'm gonna wipe out the fellowship.
  • 00:07:06.475 --> 00:07:08.610
  • I'm gonna wipe out the faith called christianity.
  • 00:07:08.610 --> 00:07:15.083
  • And then something happened... just like that, in the flash of
  • 00:07:15.083 --> 00:07:21.356
  • A moment that wouldn't just change his life.
  • 00:07:21.356 --> 00:07:25.293
  • It would change the course of human history forever.
  • 00:07:25.293 --> 00:07:28.630
  • Now watch this story, this is awesome, verse 3, and, "as he
  • 00:07:28.630 --> 00:07:31.566
  • Neared damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven
  • 00:07:31.566 --> 00:07:34.870
  • Flashed around him."
  • 00:07:34.870 --> 00:07:37.405
  • Paul's just going down the road, ready to do his thing, and all
  • 00:07:37.405 --> 00:07:40.475
  • Of a sudden he sees this and a heavenly light.
  • 00:07:40.475 --> 00:07:44.546
  • But what changed everything was not what paul saw, it was not
  • 00:07:44.546 --> 00:07:47.349
  • The light that paul saw so much, it was the voice that he heard.
  • 00:07:47.349 --> 00:07:51.453
  • Listen to this, "he fell to the ground, he heard a voice say to
  • 00:07:51.453 --> 00:07:54.990
  • Him, 'saul, saul, why do you persecute me?'"
  • 00:07:54.990 --> 00:07:57.659
  • Then he asked a great question,
  • 00:07:57.659 --> 00:07:59.628
  • A question i wish everybody on earth would ask about jesus.
  • 00:07:59.628 --> 00:08:02.464
  • 'who are you, lord?'
  • 00:08:02.464 --> 00:08:04.332
  • Great question, "'who are you, lord?'
  • 00:08:04.332 --> 00:08:06.368
  • Saul asked.
  • 00:08:06.368 --> 00:08:07.736
  • 'i am jesus, whom you're persecuting,' he replied."
  • 00:08:07.736 --> 00:08:10.805
  • Now, watch this, keep in mind, saul had never met jesus.
  • 00:08:10.805 --> 00:08:15.710
  • Oh, he'd heard about jesus.
  • 00:08:15.710 --> 00:08:17.712
  • He never met jesus, and he didn't want to meet jesus.
  • 00:08:17.712 --> 00:08:23.919
  • He had no use for jesus.
  • 00:08:23.919 --> 00:08:26.288
  • He didn't like jesus, he didn't love jesus.
  • 00:08:26.288 --> 00:08:29.324
  • He thought jesus was a curse, and he thought jesus was gonna
  • 00:08:29.324 --> 00:08:32.360
  • Mess everything up in his jewish religion.
  • 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:35.964
  • And then he hears three words, and everything changes, "i
  • 00:08:35.964 --> 00:08:43.171
  • Am jesus."
  • 00:08:43.171 --> 00:08:47.008
  • And, all of a sudden, all of a sudden, it's like, in an
  • 00:08:47.008 --> 00:08:52.380
  • Instant, he sees it all.
  • 00:08:52.380 --> 00:08:56.785
  • This guy i've been trying to persecute,
  • 00:08:56.785 --> 00:09:01.556
  • This guy that i've been trying to wipe out from the face of
  • 00:09:01.556 --> 00:09:04.759
  • This earth, this guy that i know died--i know he died because i
  • 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:09.798
  • Know he was crucified, i know they killed him.
  • 00:09:09.798 --> 00:09:12.467
  • I know the centurion that heard him say, "it's finished, into
  • 00:09:12.467 --> 00:09:16.605
  • Your hands i commit my spirit."
  • 00:09:16.605 --> 00:09:18.707
  • I know the guy that saw him breathe his last.
  • 00:09:18.707 --> 00:09:21.409
  • That guy is alive; he's not dead.
  • 00:09:21.409 --> 00:09:28.149
  • He has come back from the grave.
  • 00:09:28.149 --> 00:09:31.386
  • And, in a moment, not only did everything change about saul,
  • 00:09:31.386 --> 00:09:35.323
  • Listen, everything changed in saul.
  • 00:09:35.323 --> 00:09:38.426
  • It was the catalyst that transformed him, and it was the
  • 00:09:38.426 --> 00:09:41.329
  • Resurrected jesus because the moment, the exact moment he met
  • 00:09:41.329 --> 00:09:46.167
  • Jesus, the exact moment jesus said, "i am jesus," all of a
  • 00:09:46.167 --> 00:09:51.339
  • Sudden, paul does a 180.
  • 00:09:51.339 --> 00:09:53.375
  • He changed his mind about everything he ever believed
  • 00:09:53.375 --> 00:09:55.577
  • About god, about judaism, about religion, about righteousness,
  • 00:09:55.577 --> 00:10:00.482
  • About himself, about the meaning of life.
  • 00:10:00.482 --> 00:10:03.318
  • And i wanna guarantee you something.
  • 00:10:03.318 --> 00:10:05.053
  • If you will just ask the question, "who are you, lord?"
  • 00:10:05.053 --> 00:10:10.058
  • If you'll truly open your mind and, if you will just open this
  • 00:10:10.058 --> 00:10:14.129
  • Book, you'll find the answer.
  • 00:10:14.129 --> 00:10:16.431
  • You'll find, "i'll tell you who i am.
  • 00:10:16.431 --> 00:10:18.333
  • I am the risen lord.
  • 00:10:18.333 --> 00:10:20.068
  • I am the resurrected lord.
  • 00:10:20.068 --> 00:10:21.770
  • I am the reigning lord.
  • 00:10:21.770 --> 00:10:23.138
  • I am the ruling lord."
  • 00:10:23.138 --> 00:10:25.407
  • You see, paul, saul, had always believed he had the light and
  • 00:10:25.407 --> 00:10:29.544
  • Everybody else was in spiritual darkness.
  • 00:10:29.544 --> 00:10:31.312
  • All of a sudden, paul said, "dear god, i'm the one that's
  • 00:10:31.312 --> 00:10:34.349
  • Been in the darkness, but now i have seen the light."
  • 00:10:34.349 --> 00:10:39.788
  • And he realized, all of a sudden, all these things he'd
  • 00:10:39.788 --> 00:10:43.658
  • Been taught since he was a kid, "it's not my religion that gets
  • 00:10:43.658 --> 00:10:48.163
  • Me to god.
  • 00:10:48.163 --> 00:10:49.798
  • It's not my righteousness that will get me to god.
  • 00:10:49.798 --> 00:10:52.901
  • It's only a relationship with the risen lord that will ever
  • 00:10:52.901 --> 00:10:56.504
  • Get me to god."
  • 00:10:56.504 --> 00:10:58.006
  • And his life was radically changed.
  • 00:10:58.006 --> 00:11:00.175
  • I know what some of you are saying right now, "i got it."
  • 00:11:00.175 --> 00:11:02.811
  • Well.
  • 00:11:02.811 --> 00:11:05.046
  • If i saw a bright light, i'd believe.
  • 00:11:05.046 --> 00:11:07.782
  • But sure, he believed it; he saw this light.
  • 00:11:07.782 --> 00:11:09.818
  • You let me see a bright light, and i'll believe, too.
  • 00:11:09.818 --> 00:11:13.288
  • I believe that.
  • 00:11:13.288 --> 00:11:14.622
  • I got news for you.
  • 00:11:14.622 --> 00:11:15.957
  • You got a bright light.
  • 00:11:15.957 --> 00:11:18.326
  • You say, "where?" right there...
  • 00:11:18.326 --> 00:11:21.362
  • You got a bright light.
  • 00:11:21.362 --> 00:11:23.231
  • Matter of fact, the psalmist said, about this book, "your
  • 00:11:23.231 --> 00:11:30.338
  • Word is a lamp for my feet, a--" what's that word, light--"a
  • 00:11:30.338 --> 00:11:37.212
  • Light for my path."
  • 00:11:37.212 --> 00:11:38.713
  • You say, "well, but that's not the same as that bright light."
  • 00:11:38.713 --> 00:11:41.850
  • No, it's not, it's better.
  • 00:11:41.850 --> 00:11:44.052
  • "so, whoa, whoa, whoa, why do you say it's better?"
  • 00:11:44.052 --> 00:11:46.454
  • I don't say it's better. you know who said it was better?
  • 00:11:46.454 --> 00:11:48.289
  • A man named peter.
  • 00:11:48.289 --> 00:11:50.458
  • Peter, yeah, peter was a disciple, spent 3 years
  • 00:11:50.458 --> 00:11:53.495
  • With jesus.
  • 00:11:53.495 --> 00:11:54.863
  • You know what peter said?
  • 00:11:54.863 --> 00:11:56.197
  • Peter said, "i spent 3 years with the guy.
  • 00:11:56.197 --> 00:12:00.502
  • I saw his miracles.
  • 00:12:00.502 --> 00:12:03.404
  • I saw his crucifixion.
  • 00:12:03.404 --> 00:12:07.375
  • I saw his burial.
  • 00:12:07.375 --> 00:12:09.978
  • I saw his transfiguration.
  • 00:12:09.978 --> 00:12:13.281
  • I saw his resurrection.
  • 00:12:13.281 --> 00:12:16.451
  • I saw his ascension."
  • 00:12:16.451 --> 00:12:19.621
  • But, peter, i've never seen any of those things.
  • 00:12:19.621 --> 00:12:21.923
  • Listen to what peter wrote, "we also have the prophetic message
  • 00:12:21.923 --> 00:12:26.294
  • As something completely reliable, and you will do well
  • 00:12:26.294 --> 00:12:29.531
  • To pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place,
  • 00:12:29.531 --> 00:12:33.368
  • Until the day dawns and the morning star rises in
  • 00:12:33.368 --> 00:12:36.638
  • Your heart."
  • 00:12:36.638 --> 00:12:38.006
  • I guarantee you, open this book, read it with an open mind, say,
  • 00:12:38.006 --> 00:12:42.477
  • "lord, who are you?" and i will tell you, the light of jesus
  • 00:12:42.477 --> 00:12:46.915
  • Will shine in your heart brighter than the noonday sun.
  • 00:12:46.915 --> 00:12:49.818
  • You'll come to the realization, he is who he said he is; he did
  • 00:12:49.818 --> 00:12:53.021
  • What he said he did; he is the resurrected lord.
  • 00:12:53.021 --> 00:12:56.457
  • That's the first thing that's gotta happen.
  • 00:12:56.457 --> 00:12:58.259
  • You've got to see the light of truth.
  • 00:12:58.259 --> 00:13:03.431
  • Now, once you see the light of truth, here's the second way
  • 00:13:03.431 --> 00:13:07.202
  • You'll know you've been converted.
  • 00:13:07.202 --> 00:13:09.170
  • You will share the life of god.
  • 00:13:09.170 --> 00:13:12.574
  • So, the question is, have you seen the light of truth?
  • 00:13:12.574 --> 00:13:15.343
  • You say, "what truth?"
  • 00:13:15.343 --> 00:13:16.678
  • The same truth that saul saw.
  • 00:13:16.678 --> 00:13:18.046
  • Hey, i see the light, and i see the truth.
  • 00:13:18.046 --> 00:13:20.014
  • You are jesus, you're the son of god, you're a human being.
  • 00:13:20.014 --> 00:13:23.017
  • You lived a perfect life.
  • 00:13:23.017 --> 00:13:24.352
  • You died for my sins.
  • 00:13:24.352 --> 00:13:25.720
  • You came back from the grave. you ascended into heaven.
  • 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:27.889
  • You're the lord of the lord-- the universe, and you can now
  • 00:13:27.889 --> 00:13:30.325
  • Come into my life, and you can change my life.
  • 00:13:30.325 --> 00:13:33.561
  • And, when you see the light of truth, you share the life of god
  • 00:13:33.561 --> 00:13:37.732
  • Because, watch what happens now, watch this.
  • 00:13:37.732 --> 00:13:39.634
  • Paul's been blinded by this light.
  • 00:13:39.634 --> 00:13:41.402
  • The light shines, he hits the ground, he can't see.
  • 00:13:41.402 --> 00:13:44.205
  • Here's what happens, verse 8, "saul got up from the ground,
  • 00:13:44.205 --> 00:13:48.209
  • But when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.
  • 00:13:48.209 --> 00:13:51.412
  • So they led him by the hand into damascus.
  • 00:13:51.412 --> 00:13:53.448
  • For three days he was blind, he did not eat or drink anything."
  • 00:13:53.448 --> 00:13:57.752
  • Kind of interesting.
  • 00:13:57.752 --> 00:13:59.087
  • Saul's companions pick him up, and they take him to damascus,
  • 00:13:59.087 --> 00:14:03.625
  • Just like he intended to go.
  • 00:14:03.625 --> 00:14:05.994
  • But there's one big difference.
  • 00:14:05.994 --> 00:14:08.897
  • Before he saw the light, he was going to destroy the church.
  • 00:14:08.897 --> 00:14:14.335
  • Now he's going to join the church.
  • 00:14:14.335 --> 00:14:16.771
  • Now he's gonna join the church.
  • 00:14:16.771 --> 00:14:18.139
  • Well, yeah, he's going to join the church.
  • 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:20.608
  • Now, you talk about--kind of --god has such a great sense
  • 00:14:20.608 --> 00:14:22.644
  • Of humor.
  • 00:14:22.644 --> 00:14:23.978
  • Let me show you what happens.
  • 00:14:23.978 --> 00:14:25.346
  • We're gonna keep reading here down in verse 10, "in damascus
  • 00:14:25.346 --> 00:14:27.415
  • There was a disciple named ananias.
  • 00:14:27.415 --> 00:14:29.651
  • The lord called to him in a vision, 'ananias!'
  • 00:14:29.651 --> 00:14:32.186
  • 'yes, lord,' he answered.
  • 00:14:32.186 --> 00:14:33.521
  • The lord told him, 'go to the house of judas--'" that, let me
  • 00:14:33.521 --> 00:14:36.257
  • Just stop, that's kind of, isn't that kind of a funny little
  • 00:14:36.257 --> 00:14:38.760
  • Twisted thing?
  • 00:14:38.760 --> 00:14:40.128
  • Yeah, you gotta go out--that--judas?
  • 00:14:40.128 --> 00:14:41.462
  • Yeah, yeah, there's another judas.
  • 00:14:41.462 --> 00:14:43.698
  • "'go to the house of judas on straight street and ask for a
  • 00:14:43.698 --> 00:14:47.268
  • Man from tarsus named saul, for he's praying.
  • 00:14:47.268 --> 00:14:50.171
  • In a vision he's seen a man named ananias come and place his
  • 00:14:50.171 --> 00:14:52.573
  • Hands on him to restore sight.'"
  • 00:14:52.573 --> 00:14:54.375
  • Now, watch what ananias said, "'lord, i've heard many reports
  • 00:14:54.375 --> 00:14:58.479
  • About this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people
  • 00:14:58.479 --> 00:15:02.917
  • In jerusalem.
  • 00:15:02.917 --> 00:15:04.252
  • And he has come here with authority from the chief priests
  • 00:15:04.252 --> 00:15:06.020
  • To arrest all who call on your name.'
  • 00:15:06.020 --> 00:15:08.189
  • But the lord said to ananias, 'go!
  • 00:15:08.189 --> 00:15:09.657
  • This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the
  • 00:15:09.657 --> 00:15:11.926
  • Gentiles and their kings and to the people of israel.
  • 00:15:11.926 --> 00:15:14.896
  • I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.'"
  • 00:15:14.896 --> 00:15:19.233
  • Now, kind of, god has a sense of humor.
  • 00:15:19.233 --> 00:15:22.270
  • First, he sends this guy to a house, and who owns this house,
  • 00:15:22.270 --> 00:15:25.440
  • Of all names?
  • 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:26.808
  • Judas owns the house.
  • 00:15:26.808 --> 00:15:29.677
  • And then, this is kind of cool, where does judas live?
  • 00:15:29.677 --> 00:15:33.848
  • He lives on a street called straight.
  • 00:15:33.848 --> 00:15:37.585
  • And, by the way, let me tell you why you pay me to do what i do.
  • 00:15:37.585 --> 00:15:41.289
  • I did my homework.
  • 00:15:41.289 --> 00:15:43.591
  • Do you know why they called that straight--that street straight?
  • 00:15:43.591 --> 00:15:47.495
  • Do you know why they call that street straight?
  • 00:15:47.495 --> 00:15:49.864
  • Okay, because it was a straight street, all right?
  • 00:15:49.864 --> 00:15:52.533
  • So, they call it a straight street.
  • 00:15:52.533 --> 00:15:56.037
  • So, god tells the disciple named ananias, "go to saul, lay hands
  • 00:15:56.037 --> 00:16:00.742
  • On him so his sight can be restored."
  • 00:16:00.742 --> 00:16:03.411
  • Now, you're ananias.
  • 00:16:03.411 --> 00:16:04.879
  • Do you think you're going, "hot diggity dog, can't wait."
  • 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:09.650
  • No, he says, "lord, i got a headache.
  • 00:16:09.650 --> 00:16:13.354
  • I think i've got covid. somebody else needs to go.
  • 00:16:13.354 --> 00:16:15.423
  • I don't have a mask to wear. i think i'm too sick to go."
  • 00:16:15.423 --> 00:16:19.794
  • God doesn't listen--and, by the way, you can't blame him; he
  • 00:16:19.794 --> 00:16:22.563
  • Says, "lord, do you know who this guy is?
  • 00:16:22.563 --> 00:16:26.501
  • Do you know his reputation?
  • 00:16:26.501 --> 00:16:28.069
  • Do you know what he's done to churches?
  • 00:16:28.069 --> 00:16:29.704
  • Do you know what he's done to christians?
  • 00:16:29.704 --> 00:16:31.739
  • Do you get that?"
  • 00:16:31.739 --> 00:16:34.108
  • Here's his problem.
  • 00:16:34.108 --> 00:16:36.778
  • Ananias knew what saul had tried to do to jesus.
  • 00:16:36.778 --> 00:16:42.150
  • What he did not know was what jesus had done to saul.
  • 00:16:42.150 --> 00:16:46.120
  • So we read this, "then ananias went to the house and
  • 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:49.323
  • Entered it.
  • 00:16:49.323 --> 00:16:50.691
  • Placing his hands on saul, he said--" now, watch this, this is
  • 00:16:50.691 --> 00:16:52.727
  • One of my favorite parts of the story--"'brother saul.'"
  • 00:16:52.727 --> 00:16:56.431
  • Can you imagine that, brother saul, music to saul's ears--
  • 00:16:56.431 --> 00:17:00.001
  • "'brother saul, the lord--jesus, who appeared to you on the road
  • 00:17:00.001 --> 00:17:03.538
  • As you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see
  • 00:17:03.538 --> 00:17:06.140
  • Again--" but now watch this-- ''and be filled with the
  • 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:09.877
  • Holy spirit.''
  • 00:17:09.877 --> 00:17:11.312
  • Who is the holy spirit?
  • 00:17:11.312 --> 00:17:12.647
  • He's god.
  • 00:17:12.647 --> 00:17:14.482
  • He said, "hey, saul, got news for you.
  • 00:17:14.482 --> 00:17:16.751
  • For the first time in your life, this god you thought you knew,
  • 00:17:16.751 --> 00:17:20.188
  • This god you thought you represented, this god you
  • 00:17:20.188 --> 00:17:22.790
  • Thought you worked for, this god now lives in you.
  • 00:17:22.790 --> 00:17:28.830
  • Because you've seen the truth of--the light of truth, you
  • 00:17:28.830 --> 00:17:31.699
  • Share the life of god."
  • 00:17:31.699 --> 00:17:33.935
  • So you might say this is what happened to saul: he saw
  • 00:17:33.935 --> 00:17:36.904
  • The light.
  • 00:17:36.904 --> 00:17:38.973
  • He gained his sight.
  • 00:17:38.973 --> 00:17:41.876
  • He received god's might.
  • 00:17:41.876 --> 00:17:44.078
  • I worked hard on that, okay?
  • 00:17:44.078 --> 00:17:46.080
  • He saw the light, gained his sight, received god's might.
  • 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:49.817
  • For the first time in his life, this phd, this pharisee, this
  • 00:17:49.817 --> 00:17:55.156
  • Eagle scout of the jewish religion said, "religion won't
  • 00:17:55.156 --> 00:17:59.127
  • Get it, will it?"
  • 00:17:59.127 --> 00:18:00.461
  • No, sir, it won't.
  • 00:18:00.461 --> 00:18:01.829
  • "my righteousness will never be right enough, will it?"
  • 00:18:01.829 --> 00:18:03.498
  • No, it won't.
  • 00:18:03.498 --> 00:18:04.832
  • The only avenue to god is in a relationship.
  • 00:18:04.832 --> 00:18:08.836
  • So, when you see the light of truth, god comes and lives
  • 00:18:08.836 --> 00:18:13.074
  • In you.
  • 00:18:13.074 --> 00:18:14.408
  • Now you share the life of god.
  • 00:18:14.408 --> 00:18:17.812
  • But that raises the question, how do i know i really share the
  • 00:18:17.812 --> 00:18:22.884
  • Life of god?
  • 00:18:22.884 --> 00:18:24.252
  • How do i know i've really, really been converted?
  • 00:18:24.252 --> 00:18:29.257
  • Well, let's look at what happened to saul.
  • 00:18:29.257 --> 00:18:31.893
  • He sees the light of truth.
  • 00:18:31.893 --> 00:18:35.396
  • He shares the life of god.
  • 00:18:35.396 --> 00:18:37.431
  • So what happens?
  • 00:18:37.431 --> 00:18:39.734
  • You surrender to the lord of heaven.
  • 00:18:39.734 --> 00:18:45.006
  • So, this is where a lot of christians get off the rails, a
  • 00:18:45.006 --> 00:18:47.475
  • Lot of people get off the rails.
  • 00:18:47.475 --> 00:18:50.278
  • Because i've seen this happen so many times.
  • 00:18:50.278 --> 00:18:52.713
  • I'm a pastor; i've been a pastor for 4 1/2 decades.
  • 00:18:52.713 --> 00:18:56.083
  • I got a simple question; you're gonna laugh when i say this,
  • 00:18:56.083 --> 00:18:58.186
  • Or smile.
  • 00:18:58.186 --> 00:18:59.554
  • So, lee, i wanna ask you a question.
  • 00:18:59.554 --> 00:19:05.026
  • Lee duncan is one of my boys, one of my bulldog buddies
  • 00:19:05.026 --> 00:19:07.028
  • Back there.
  • 00:19:07.028 --> 00:19:08.362
  • Lee, do you think i've seen more than a few flash in the pans in
  • 00:19:08.362 --> 00:19:10.364
  • My ministry?
  • 00:19:10.364 --> 00:19:12.166
  • I've seen a lot of them.
  • 00:19:12.166 --> 00:19:13.734
  • I thought people were converted, i thought they were saved, we
  • 00:19:13.734 --> 00:19:15.970
  • Baptized them.
  • 00:19:15.970 --> 00:19:17.338
  • And then two months later the fbi can't find them.
  • 00:19:17.338 --> 00:19:20.808
  • I've had them. so let's take saul.
  • 00:19:20.808 --> 00:19:24.145
  • So, is this just a passing fad? was it just a flash in the pan?
  • 00:19:24.145 --> 00:19:29.784
  • Was it something that paul kind of got over?
  • 00:19:29.784 --> 00:19:31.919
  • Was it really real? you know what?
  • 00:19:31.919 --> 00:19:34.288
  • It didn't take long to find out.
  • 00:19:34.288 --> 00:19:37.291
  • Because, first thing i know, you know what happened to--you know
  • 00:19:37.291 --> 00:19:39.260
  • What paul immediately did after he was saved, immediately?
  • 00:19:39.260 --> 00:19:44.365
  • He got baptized.
  • 00:19:44.365 --> 00:19:46.200
  • But it's even more than that.
  • 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:48.970
  • Paul regains his strength, and a few days later he gets ready to
  • 00:19:48.970 --> 00:19:54.342
  • Do what god wants him to do, so watch this.
  • 00:19:54.342 --> 00:19:56.043
  • I want you to watch--this is so great, right?
  • 00:19:56.043 --> 00:19:58.212
  • Remember who he was, remember what he was, remember where he
  • 00:19:58.212 --> 00:20:01.649
  • Was going, remember what he was trying to do, and then listen
  • 00:20:01.649 --> 00:20:04.552
  • To this.
  • 00:20:04.552 --> 00:20:05.920
  • It says, in verse 20, "at once, at once, at once, he began to
  • 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:14.462
  • Preach in the synagogues that jesus is the son of god.
  • 00:20:14.462 --> 00:20:18.699
  • All those who heard him were astonished and asked, 'isn't he
  • 00:20:18.699 --> 00:20:21.702
  • The man who raised havoc in jerusalem among those who call
  • 00:20:21.702 --> 00:20:24.138
  • On his name?
  • 00:20:24.138 --> 00:20:25.473
  • Hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the
  • 00:20:25.473 --> 00:20:27.308
  • Chief priests?'
  • 00:20:27.308 --> 00:20:28.643
  • Yet saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the jews
  • 00:20:28.643 --> 00:20:31.646
  • Living in damascus by proving jesus is the messiah."
  • 00:20:31.646 --> 00:20:40.821
  • And saul gets up and says.
  • 00:20:40.821 --> 00:20:44.792
  • "this jesus, he's the son of god.
  • 00:20:44.792 --> 00:20:51.499
  • He was god in the flesh.
  • 00:20:51.499 --> 00:20:54.635
  • He lived a perfect life.
  • 00:20:54.635 --> 00:20:57.271
  • He died for our sins.
  • 00:20:57.271 --> 00:21:00.207
  • That dude came out of that tomb.
  • 00:21:00.207 --> 00:21:03.044
  • He is alive.
  • 00:21:03.044 --> 00:21:05.112
  • He is sitting on the throne of heaven.
  • 00:21:05.112 --> 00:21:07.581
  • And one day he's coming back."
  • 00:21:07.581 --> 00:21:10.851
  • And he set the guinness world book of records for pharisees,
  • 00:21:10.851 --> 00:21:13.621
  • Had a heart attack in the synagogue.
  • 00:21:13.621 --> 00:21:16.457
  • "who is this guy?
  • 00:21:16.457 --> 00:21:19.026
  • What in the world happen to the man we came to hear?"
  • 00:21:19.026 --> 00:21:21.829
  • Saul the man of hate had become paul the man of love.
  • 00:21:21.829 --> 00:21:25.933
  • See, you can have--i want you to hear this--you can have
  • 00:21:25.933 --> 00:21:28.669
  • Mystical ecstasies, you can have wonderful dreams, you can have
  • 00:21:28.669 --> 00:21:31.872
  • Mind-blowing experiences of all sorts, and that may be a part of
  • 00:21:31.872 --> 00:21:34.909
  • Your conversion.
  • 00:21:34.909 --> 00:21:36.243
  • It wasn't a part of mine; it may be a part of yours.
  • 00:21:36.243 --> 00:21:37.978
  • I want you to hear me.
  • 00:21:37.978 --> 00:21:40.081
  • You can have all of those things and still never be converted.
  • 00:21:40.081 --> 00:21:44.785
  • And you can be converted and not have any of those things.
  • 00:21:44.785 --> 00:21:49.824
  • Because conversion is not a feeling; it's not goosebumps
  • 00:21:49.824 --> 00:21:55.663
  • Going up and down your arms in the shape of a dove.
  • 00:21:55.663 --> 00:21:59.100
  • It's not speaking in an unknown tongue.
  • 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:02.403
  • I'll tell you what conversion is; it's a change of direction.
  • 00:22:02.403 --> 00:22:06.240
  • It is a transformation.
  • 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:08.142
  • It's when you've been going this way, and all of a sudden you
  • 00:22:08.142 --> 00:22:10.745
  • Start going that way.
  • 00:22:10.745 --> 00:22:12.346
  • It is a moral and a spiritual reversal.
  • 00:22:12.346 --> 00:22:15.282
  • Because i'll tell you when you've been converted.
  • 00:22:15.282 --> 00:22:17.251
  • It's not just so much what you say with your lips, it is what
  • 00:22:17.251 --> 00:22:19.720
  • You show with your life.
  • 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:21.789
  • And we know that paul was converted, not because of the
  • 00:22:21.789 --> 00:22:24.458
  • Light that he saw, not because of the voice that he heard, but
  • 00:22:24.458 --> 00:22:27.862
  • Because of the change in his life.
  • 00:22:27.862 --> 00:22:30.998
  • It was not a 90 degree turn; it was a 180 degree turn.
  • 00:22:30.998 --> 00:22:35.202
  • He had fully surrendered his life to the very one he hated
  • 00:22:35.202 --> 00:22:39.840
  • Before he'd met him.
  • 00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:41.642
  • So, the question is not, have i had an experience like paul?
  • 00:22:41.642 --> 00:22:50.918
  • That's not the question because, let me just tell you, when i got
  • 00:22:50.918 --> 00:22:54.121
  • Saved as a 9-year-old boy, i didn't have that experience.
  • 00:22:54.121 --> 00:22:58.125
  • I didn't see any bright lights when i got saved.
  • 00:22:58.125 --> 00:23:01.962
  • I didn't hear god speak out loud to me when i got saved.
  • 00:23:01.962 --> 00:23:04.632
  • I did not have anything like that at all, but i'll tell you
  • 00:23:04.632 --> 00:23:09.437
  • What did happen to me.
  • 00:23:09.437 --> 00:23:10.838
  • Just like him, my life was changed.
  • 00:23:10.838 --> 00:23:17.111
  • The 9-year-old boy that walked in was not the 9-year-old boy
  • 00:23:17.111 --> 00:23:19.947
  • That walked out.
  • 00:23:19.947 --> 00:23:21.515
  • And, i'm telling you, my life was changed.
  • 00:23:21.515 --> 00:23:24.919
  • One pastor said it this way.
  • 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:28.489
  • If you're not different after you meet jesus than you were
  • 00:23:28.489 --> 00:23:33.093
  • Before you met jesus, you've never met jesus.
  • 00:23:33.093 --> 00:23:37.465
  • So, what a breathtaking moment it must have been that day.
  • 00:23:37.465 --> 00:23:41.936
  • It just was unbelievable.
  • 00:23:41.936 --> 00:23:44.238
  • See, the question is not--and this is a question you need to
  • 00:23:44.238 --> 00:23:47.475
  • Ask yourself right now.
  • 00:23:47.475 --> 00:23:48.809
  • Have you been converted or not?
  • 00:23:48.809 --> 00:23:50.177
  • Here's the question.
  • 00:23:50.177 --> 00:23:51.512
  • It's not, have i had miraculous events happen around me?
  • 00:23:51.512 --> 00:23:56.717
  • Have i had a miraculous change happen in me?
  • 00:23:56.717 --> 00:24:00.654
  • I get up every morning, and have, since i was 9 years old,
  • 00:24:00.654 --> 00:24:03.724
  • Knowing i am a different person.
  • 00:24:03.724 --> 00:24:05.759
  • What a breathtaking moment that must have been when saul gave
  • 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:08.996
  • That testimony.
  • 00:24:08.996 --> 00:24:10.364
  • By the way, that scene that was in that synagogue?
  • 00:24:10.364 --> 00:24:14.168
  • It was repeated all over asia, from the marketplace of ephesus
  • 00:24:14.168 --> 00:24:18.939
  • To the acropolis in athens to the colosseum in rome and
  • 00:24:18.939 --> 00:24:22.042
  • Today--get this--today, christianity has about 20% of
  • 00:24:22.042 --> 00:24:26.313
  • Its followers in africa, 20% in asia, 20% in europe, 20% in
  • 00:24:26.313 --> 00:24:31.151
  • North america, 20% in south america.
  • 00:24:31.151 --> 00:24:33.754
  • Every other religion has at least 80% of its followers
  • 00:24:33.754 --> 00:24:37.358
  • Concentrated in one continent, except christianity.
  • 00:24:37.358 --> 00:24:41.028
  • You say, "why is christianity so widespread?"
  • 00:24:41.028 --> 00:24:45.799
  • Because a man on a damascus road met jesus, and it totally
  • 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:50.905
  • Changed history forever and forever.
  • 00:24:50.905 --> 00:24:54.375
  • Announcer: to watch an extended version of today's message from
  • 00:24:55.676 --> 00:24:58.045
  • Dr. james merritt, go to touchinglives.org.
  • 00:24:58.045 --> 00:25:02.917
  • James: hello, i'm james merritt, and i'm glad you're joining
  • 00:25:07.087 --> 00:25:10.190
  • Us, welcome.
  • 00:25:10.190 --> 00:25:11.792
  • Today i wanna share with you about one of life's
  • 00:25:11.792 --> 00:25:13.761
  • Greatest heartaches.
  • 00:25:13.761 --> 00:25:15.095
  • It's watching someone that you love walk away from faith
  • 00:25:15.095 --> 00:25:17.464
  • And family.
  • 00:25:17.464 --> 00:25:18.832
  • Maybe you have a son or a daughter, a spouse, or a dear
  • 00:25:18.832 --> 00:25:20.968
  • Friend who's made choices that break your heart.
  • 00:25:20.968 --> 00:25:22.937
  • You pray for them daily.
  • 00:25:22.937 --> 00:25:24.972
  • Sometimes it feels like those prayers just aren't being heard.
  • 00:25:24.972 --> 00:25:28.609
  • That's why i know that this book, "reaching your prodigal,"
  • 00:25:28.609 --> 00:25:31.879
  • By a dear friend, phil waldrep, is going to be a blessing
  • 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:34.481
  • To you.
  • 00:25:34.481 --> 00:25:35.816
  • In this book, phil shows you how to love someone back to life
  • 00:25:35.816 --> 00:25:39.720
  • When they're making poor choices.
  • 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:41.488
  • The book is based on biblical principles to help you maintain
  • 00:25:41.488 --> 00:25:44.325
  • A relationship while still standing firm in truth
  • 00:25:44.325 --> 00:25:48.762
  • And grace.
  • 00:25:48.762 --> 00:25:50.097
  • For a gift of any amount to touching lives ministry today,
  • 00:25:50.097 --> 00:25:53.334
  • We'll send you a copy of "reaching your prodigal" as our
  • 00:25:53.334 --> 00:25:56.236
  • Way of saying thank you for your support.
  • 00:25:56.236 --> 00:25:59.306
  • And, for those who feel led to give a gift of $75 or more, i'd
  • 00:25:59.306 --> 00:26:03.143
  • Like to send you something that i believe every american needs
  • 00:26:03.143 --> 00:26:06.046
  • In their home or office, the freedom boxed set.
  • 00:26:06.046 --> 00:26:10.284
  • This beautiful collection includes elegantly bound copies
  • 00:26:10.284 --> 00:26:13.420
  • Of the declaration of independence, the united states
  • 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:16.290
  • Constitution, and the bill of rights, the foundational
  • 00:26:16.290 --> 00:26:19.293
  • Documents that outline our liberties and the principles
  • 00:26:19.293 --> 00:26:22.262
  • This nation was built upon.
  • 00:26:22.262 --> 00:26:24.198
  • These aren't just historical documents, they're a powerful
  • 00:26:24.198 --> 00:26:27.434
  • Reminder of our nation's heritage.
  • 00:26:27.434 --> 00:26:29.903
  • Your partnership helps us continue bringing god's word and
  • 00:26:29.903 --> 00:26:33.407
  • The hope of christ to people across america and around
  • 00:26:33.407 --> 00:26:36.610
  • The world.
  • 00:26:36.610 --> 00:26:37.945
  • Together we're making an eternal difference in countless lives.
  • 00:26:37.945 --> 00:26:42.750
  • We couldn't do this without faithful friends like you.
  • 00:26:42.750 --> 00:26:45.819
  • Thank you for your prayers and your support as we continue
  • 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:49.690
  • Reaching hearts with the transforming message of
  • 00:26:49.690 --> 00:26:52.493
  • Jesus christ.
  • 00:26:52.493 --> 00:26:53.927
  • God bless you, and, remember, no one is ever too far from god's
  • 00:26:53.927 --> 00:26:59.233
  • Redeeming love.
  • 00:26:59.233 --> 00:27:01.735
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:01.735 --> 00:27:17.317
  • Announcer: touching the lives of the lost and enriching the faith
  • 00:27:07.307 --> 00:27:20.421
  • Of the found.
  • 00:27:20.421 --> 00:27:21.855
  • This is touching lives with dr. james merritt.
  • 00:27:21.855 --> 00:27:24.858
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:24.858 --> 00:27:30.197