David Jeremiah - A Biographical Prophecy

April 18, 2026 | 57:29

An increase in evil will characterize many people in the Last Days, but Scripture tells us how we can survive their growing hostility and counter their influence.

#EndTimes #Selfishness #Family #Brokenness #Grace #LightoftheWorld #LastDays #Future #Prophecy #Choices #Disobedience #Rebellion #Sin #Evil #Peopleinyourlife #Wicked #DavidJeremiah

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - A Biographical Prophecy | April 18, 2026

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.373
Male announcer: find clarity and hope
00:00:01.840 --> 00:00:03.042
In god's unwavering prophetic plan
00:00:03.175 --> 00:00:04.977
With "understanding biblical prophecy."
00:00:05.110 --> 00:00:05.911
This all-new bible study from dr. jeremiah will guide you
00:00:07.446 --> 00:00:10.349
Through 30 powerful prophetic passages.
00:00:10.349 --> 00:00:12.851
As you read each prophecy, learn its context,
00:00:12.851 --> 00:00:15.487
Answer reflection questions, and apply it to your life,
00:00:15.487 --> 00:00:18.657
You will learn to understand god's word,
00:00:18.657 --> 00:00:20.659
Trust in his promises, and face tomorrow
00:00:20.659 --> 00:00:23.362
With unshakeable confidence.
00:00:23.362 --> 00:00:25.130
Request "understanding biblical prophecy"
00:00:25.130 --> 00:00:27.166
For a gift of any amount
00:00:27.166 --> 00:00:28.500
From turning point ministries today.
00:00:28.500 --> 00:00:34.239
♪♪♪
00:00:34.339 --> 00:00:34.506
Dr. david jeremiah: are we living in the end times?
00:00:36.442 --> 00:00:39.645
There may have never been another time in history
00:00:39.645 --> 00:00:42.481
When end times prophecy has been more aligned with the culture
00:00:42.481 --> 00:00:46.718
And circumstances of the world than it is today.
00:00:46.718 --> 00:00:50.756
I believe there are ten phenomenon
00:00:53.225 --> 00:00:55.794
We are witnessing today that were recorded centuries ago
00:00:55.794 --> 00:00:59.064
In bible prophecy.
00:00:59.064 --> 00:01:00.666
Seeing our circumstances in light of these prophecies
00:01:01.900 --> 00:01:05.704
Should give us resolve, purpose, and hope,
00:01:05.704 --> 00:01:11.110
And help us answer the questions,
00:01:11.110 --> 00:01:14.680
What are we to do with the world around us?
00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:18.383
What hope do we have in times like these?
00:01:18.383 --> 00:01:22.654
And ultimately, "where do we go from here"?
00:01:22.654 --> 00:01:26.425
♪♪♪
00:01:26.425 --> 00:01:27.960
Dr. jeremiah: would you be surprised to know
00:01:27.960 --> 00:01:29.962
The decay of character is a precursor for christ's return?
00:01:29.962 --> 00:01:34.233
We can see it.
00:01:34.233 --> 00:01:35.601
The bad is getting worse.
00:01:35.601 --> 00:01:37.836
Godlessness is overtaking every square inch of our culture.
00:01:37.836 --> 00:01:42.307
Decency is crumbling,
00:01:42.307 --> 00:01:43.942
And in the bible predicts the rise of end times people.
00:01:43.942 --> 00:01:48.046
But just who are they?
00:01:48.046 --> 00:01:50.482
Announcer: join dr. david jeremiah
00:01:50.549 --> 00:01:52.851
For this special prophecy edition
00:01:52.851 --> 00:01:55.020
Of "turning point" as he presents a sign
00:01:55.020 --> 00:01:57.623
Of the end times,
00:01:57.623 --> 00:01:59.391
End times people: a biographical prophecy,
00:01:59.391 --> 00:02:03.228
Today on "turning point."
00:02:03.228 --> 00:02:05.264
♪ every praise is to our god ♪
00:02:07.399 --> 00:02:11.270
♪ every word of worship with one accord ♪
00:02:11.270 --> 00:02:15.807
♪ every praise, every praise is to our god ♪
00:02:15.807 --> 00:02:24.483
♪ sing hallelujah to our god ♪
00:02:24.483 --> 00:02:28.287
♪ glory hallelujah is due our god ♪
00:02:28.287 --> 00:02:33.091
♪ every praise, every praise is to our god ♪
00:02:33.091 --> 00:02:41.700
♪ every praise is to our god ♪
00:02:41.700 --> 00:02:45.537
♪ every word of worship with one accord ♪
00:02:45.537 --> 00:02:50.242
♪ every praise, every praise is to our god ♪
00:02:50.242 --> 00:02:58.884
♪ sing hallelujah to our god ♪
00:02:58.884 --> 00:03:02.821
♪ glory hallelujah is due our god ♪
00:03:02.821 --> 00:03:07.426
♪ every praise, every praise is to our god ♪
00:03:07.426 --> 00:03:16.335
♪ god my savior ♪
00:03:16.335 --> 00:03:20.339
♪ god my healer ♪
00:03:20.339 --> 00:03:24.743
♪ god my deliverer ♪
00:03:24.743 --> 00:03:28.647
♪ yes he is, yes he is ♪
00:03:28.647 --> 00:03:33.352
♪ god my savior ♪
00:03:33.352 --> 00:03:37.556
♪ god my healer ♪
00:03:37.556 --> 00:03:41.760
♪ god my deliverer ♪
00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:45.797
♪ yes he is, yes he is ♪
00:03:45.797 --> 00:03:50.102
♪ yes he is, yes he is ♪
00:03:50.168 --> 00:03:54.706
♪ every praise is to our god ♪
00:03:54.706 --> 00:03:58.477
♪ every word of worship with one accord ♪
00:03:58.477 --> 00:04:03.048
♪ every praise, every praise is to our god ♪
00:04:03.048 --> 00:04:11.590
♪ sing hallelujah to our god ♪
00:04:11.590 --> 00:04:15.460
♪ glory hallelujah is due our god ♪
00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:20.198
♪ every praise, every praise ♪
00:04:20.198 --> 00:04:24.436
♪ every praise, every praise ♪
00:04:24.503 --> 00:04:28.707
♪ every praise, every praise ♪
00:04:28.774 --> 00:04:32.911
♪ every praise, every praise ♪
00:04:32.978 --> 00:04:37.349
♪ every praise, every praise is to our god ♪♪
00:04:37.349 --> 00:04:45.524
[congregation applauding]
00:04:45.524 --> 00:04:49.294
Announcer: coming up on "turning point."
00:04:49.361 --> 00:04:51.997
Dr. jeremiah: the bible says when you have a city on a hill
00:04:52.064 --> 00:04:55.801
Where all the candles are lit, no one can deny the truth.
00:04:55.801 --> 00:05:01.139
So, the most important thing we can do as christians
00:05:01.139 --> 00:05:04.476
In the darkness of our time
00:05:04.476 --> 00:05:06.945
Is to let our light so shine that men will see us
00:05:06.945 --> 00:05:10.882
And they will give glory to the father.
00:05:10.882 --> 00:05:13.251
Announcer: the bible predicts the falling away of the church.
00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:17.889
Is that what we are seeing today?
00:05:17.889 --> 00:05:19.825
Are the illnesses, plagues, and pestilence of our day
00:05:19.825 --> 00:05:22.861
Signs we are living in the end times?
00:05:22.861 --> 00:05:25.564
Would you be surprised to know the decay of character is
00:05:25.564 --> 00:05:28.633
A precursor for christ's return?
00:05:28.633 --> 00:05:30.769
Dr. david jeremiah answers these questions and more
00:05:30.769 --> 00:05:34.172
In his book, "where do we go from here?
00:05:34.172 --> 00:05:36.775
How tomorrow's prophecies foreshadow today's problems."
00:05:36.775 --> 00:05:40.345
Written especially for this time,
00:05:40.345 --> 00:05:42.447
Dr. jeremiah explores how bible prophecy intersects
00:05:42.447 --> 00:05:45.951
With culture and events we are witnessing
00:05:45.951 --> 00:05:48.186
Right outside our door.
00:05:48.186 --> 00:05:49.921
In every chapter, dr. jeremiah examines what bible prophecy
00:05:49.921 --> 00:05:53.392
Reveals about the world today,
00:05:53.392 --> 00:05:55.560
What it means for believers,
00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:57.162
And ultimately where we go from here.
00:05:57.162 --> 00:06:00.065
"where do we go from here?" by dr. jeremiah is yours
00:06:00.065 --> 00:06:03.335
When you give a gift of any amount
00:06:03.335 --> 00:06:05.003
In support of this program.
00:06:05.003 --> 00:06:06.538
And if you give $75 or more, you'll receive the,
00:06:06.538 --> 00:06:09.674
"where do we go from here" set, which also includes
00:06:09.674 --> 00:06:12.377
Dr. jeremiah's entire teaching series
00:06:12.377 --> 00:06:14.179
On cd or dvd, a correlating study guide,
00:06:14.179 --> 00:06:17.549
And his interview special on dvd;
00:06:17.549 --> 00:06:20.118
Plus, included with any order of the book or set,
00:06:20.118 --> 00:06:23.221
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:06:23.221 --> 00:06:25.457
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:06:25.457 --> 00:06:28.226
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:06:28.226 --> 00:06:30.729
Order "where do we go from here" book or set today.
00:06:30.729 --> 00:06:33.799
♪ jesus paid it all ♪
00:06:35.867 --> 00:06:40.772
♪ all to him i owe ♪
00:06:40.772 --> 00:06:45.644
♪ sin had left a crimson stain ♪
00:06:45.644 --> 00:06:49.881
♪ he washed it white as snow ♪
00:06:49.881 --> 00:06:54.453
♪♪♪
00:06:54.453 --> 00:07:02.360
♪ i hear the savior say ♪
00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:07.065
♪ thy strength indeed is small ♪
00:07:07.065 --> 00:07:11.937
♪ child of weakness, watch and pray ♪
00:07:11.937 --> 00:07:17.008
♪ find in me thine all in all ♪
00:07:17.008 --> 00:07:22.747
♪ jesus paid it all ♪
00:07:22.747 --> 00:07:27.652
♪ all to him i owe ♪
00:07:27.652 --> 00:07:32.657
♪ sin had left a crimson stain ♪
00:07:32.657 --> 00:07:36.862
♪ he washed it white as snow ♪
00:07:36.862 --> 00:07:41.233
♪♪♪
00:07:41.233 --> 00:07:49.407
♪ lord, now indeed i find ♪
00:07:49.407 --> 00:07:54.079
♪ thy power and thine alone ♪
00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:59.017
♪ can change the leper's spots ♪
00:07:59.017 --> 00:08:03.922
♪ and melt the heart of stone ♪
00:08:03.922 --> 00:08:09.594
♪ jesus paid it all ♪
00:08:09.594 --> 00:08:14.599
♪ all to him i owe ♪
00:08:14.599 --> 00:08:19.571
♪ sin had left a crimson stain ♪
00:08:19.571 --> 00:08:23.408
♪ he washed it white as snow ♪
00:08:23.408 --> 00:08:28.813
♪♪♪
00:08:28.813 --> 00:08:46.431
♪ and when before the throne ♪
00:08:36.421 --> 00:08:50.702
♪ i stand in him complete ♪
00:08:50.702 --> 00:08:55.473
♪ jesus died my soul to save ♪
00:08:55.473 --> 00:09:00.679
♪ my lips shall still repeat ♪
00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:06.251
♪ jesus paid it all ♪
00:09:06.251 --> 00:09:11.323
♪ all to him i owe ♪
00:09:11.323 --> 00:09:16.361
♪ sin had left a crimson stain ♪
00:09:16.361 --> 00:09:20.732
♪ he washed it white as snow ♪
00:09:20.732 --> 00:09:26.605
♪ sin had left a crimson stain ♪
00:09:26.605 --> 00:09:31.176
♪ he washed it white as snow ♪♪
00:09:31.176 --> 00:09:37.916
Announcer: dr. david jeremiah is delivering
00:09:39.818 --> 00:09:41.519
The unchanging word of god every month
00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:43.421
To more than half a million homes
00:09:43.421 --> 00:09:45.190
Through "turning points" magazine and devotional.
00:09:45.190 --> 00:09:47.692
Request your first issue now to read inspirational
00:09:47.692 --> 00:09:50.362
In-depth articles and quick, clear, and creative devotionals
00:09:50.362 --> 00:09:53.465
From dr. jeremiah each month
00:09:53.465 --> 00:09:55.200
That will encourage, challenge, and strengthen your walk
00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:57.469
With the lord.
00:09:57.469 --> 00:09:58.803
Request your first three issues of "turning points"
00:09:58.803 --> 00:10:00.605
Completely free, or give a gift of any amount
00:10:00.605 --> 00:10:03.241
To receive an annual subscription.
00:10:03.241 --> 00:10:05.243
Contact "turning point" today.
00:10:05.243 --> 00:10:07.278
♪♪♪
00:10:08.513 --> 00:10:21.192
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:10:11.182 --> 00:10:27.332
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:33.271
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:10:33.338 --> 00:10:39.110
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:10:39.110 --> 00:10:42.080
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:10:42.147 --> 00:10:45.216
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:10:45.283 --> 00:10:48.353
♪ the victory ♪
00:10:48.353 --> 00:10:51.523
♪ when i was lost in a world of sin ♪
00:10:51.523 --> 00:10:56.895
♪ oh, and jesus came and he took me in ♪
00:10:56.895 --> 00:11:02.200
♪ yes, he did ♪
00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:03.702
♪ now i give him all my problems ♪
00:11:03.702 --> 00:11:06.805
♪ and i'm his forever more ♪
00:11:06.805 --> 00:11:10.008
♪ we need to give god all of the praise ♪
00:11:10.008 --> 00:11:16.181
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:11:16.181 --> 00:11:22.253
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:28.226
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:11:28.293 --> 00:11:34.232
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:11:34.232 --> 00:11:37.135
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:11:37.202 --> 00:11:40.105
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:11:40.171 --> 00:11:43.341
♪ the victory ♪
00:11:43.341 --> 00:11:45.977
♪ oh, see, satan is so busy trying to deceive you ♪
00:11:45.977 --> 00:11:51.883
♪ he wants to stop you if he can ♪
00:11:51.883 --> 00:11:57.388
♪ yes, he does ♪
00:11:57.388 --> 00:11:58.857
♪ but you don't have to give up ♪
00:11:58.857 --> 00:12:01.726
♪ let jesus give you the victory ♪
00:12:01.726 --> 00:12:05.096
♪ we need to give god all, all of the praise ♪
00:12:05.096 --> 00:12:11.136
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:12:11.136 --> 00:12:17.308
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:12:17.375 --> 00:12:23.381
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:12:23.448 --> 00:12:29.287
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:12:29.287 --> 00:12:32.223
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:12:32.290 --> 00:12:35.360
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:12:35.426 --> 00:12:38.429
♪ the victory ♪
00:12:38.429 --> 00:12:42.100
♪ satan, the blood of jesus is against you ♪
00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:48.106
♪ satan, the blood of jesus is against you ♪
00:12:48.173 --> 00:12:54.179
♪ satan, the blood of jesus is against you ♪
00:12:54.245 --> 00:12:59.784
♪ so let us give god ♪
00:12:59.784 --> 00:13:02.620
♪ so let us give god ♪
00:13:02.687 --> 00:13:05.790
♪ so let us give god ♪
00:13:05.857 --> 00:13:08.927
♪ all of the praise ♪
00:13:08.927 --> 00:13:12.764
♪ satan, the blood of jesus is against you ♪
00:13:12.764 --> 00:13:16.568
♪ mm, is against you ♪
00:13:16.568 --> 00:13:18.703
♪ satan, the blood of jesus is against you ♪
00:13:18.703 --> 00:13:22.574
♪ you're not a-welcome here, no ♪
00:13:22.574 --> 00:13:25.043
♪ satan, the blood of jesus is against you ♪
00:13:25.043 --> 00:13:28.613
♪ oh, no ♪
00:13:28.613 --> 00:13:30.648
♪ so let us give god ♪
00:13:30.648 --> 00:13:33.284
♪ so let us give god ♪
00:13:33.351 --> 00:13:36.287
♪ so let us give god ♪
00:13:36.354 --> 00:13:39.457
♪ all of the praise ♪
00:13:39.457 --> 00:13:42.894
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:13:42.894 --> 00:13:49.167
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:13:49.234 --> 00:13:55.139
♪ give god the glory ♪
00:13:55.206 --> 00:14:00.979
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:14:00.979 --> 00:14:03.815
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:14:03.882 --> 00:14:06.885
♪ and he will give you ♪
00:14:06.951 --> 00:14:10.021
♪ the victory ♪♪
00:14:10.021 --> 00:14:19.831
[congregation applauding]
00:14:19.831 --> 00:14:25.336
Announcer: turning point plus is a bible-strong library
00:14:28.406 --> 00:14:31.409
Of on-demand teaching from dr. david jeremiah.
00:14:31.409 --> 00:14:34.479
Over 40 years of bible-strong teaching
00:14:34.479 --> 00:14:37.181
And more, available on all your favorite devices.
00:14:37.181 --> 00:14:42.086
Watch the "turning point" series you love at any time.
00:14:42.086 --> 00:14:45.657
Plus, discover new, never-before-seen
00:14:45.657 --> 00:14:48.126
Collections today.
00:14:48.126 --> 00:14:50.061
Visit turningpointplus.org to get started.
00:14:50.061 --> 00:14:53.398
♪♪♪
00:14:55.800 --> 00:15:09.814
♪ i need thee every hour ♪
00:14:59.804 --> 00:15:16.020
♪ most gracious lord ♪
00:15:16.020 --> 00:15:22.560
♪ no tender voice like thine ♪
00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:28.967
♪ can peace afford ♪
00:15:28.967 --> 00:15:36.374
♪ i need thee ♪
00:15:36.374 --> 00:15:41.279
♪ oh, i need thee ♪
00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:50.254
♪ every hour, i need thee ♪
00:15:50.254 --> 00:15:59.230
♪ oh, bless me now ♪
00:15:59.230 --> 00:16:07.772
♪ my savior ♪
00:16:07.772 --> 00:16:13.277
♪ i come ♪
00:16:13.277 --> 00:16:19.017
♪ i come to thee ♪
00:16:19.017 --> 00:16:27.625
♪ it is so sweet to trust in jesus ♪
00:16:28.593 --> 00:16:36.701
♪ just to take him at his word ♪
00:16:36.701 --> 00:16:44.675
♪ just to rest upon his promise ♪
00:16:44.675 --> 00:16:52.617
♪ and to know thus says our lord ♪
00:16:52.617 --> 00:16:58.990
Taranda greene: sing this with me.
00:16:58.990 --> 00:17:00.625
♪ jesus, jesus, how i trust him ♪
00:17:00.625 --> 00:17:08.699
♪ how i've proved him o'er and o'er ♪
00:17:08.699 --> 00:17:16.841
♪ jesus, jesus, precious jesus ♪
00:17:16.841 --> 00:17:24.816
♪ oh, for grace to trust him more ♪
00:17:24.816 --> 00:17:32.890
♪ jesus, jesus, how i trust him ♪
00:17:32.890 --> 00:17:40.731
♪ and how i've proved him o'er and o'er ♪
00:17:40.731 --> 00:17:49.040
♪ jesus, jesus, precious jesus ♪
00:17:49.040 --> 00:17:56.614
♪ oh, for grace ♪
00:17:56.614 --> 00:18:00.418
♪ to trust him more, ooh ♪
00:18:00.418 --> 00:18:07.291
♪ oh, for a little more grace ♪
00:18:07.291 --> 00:18:10.995
♪ to trust him more ♪
00:18:10.995 --> 00:18:18.936
♪ i would rather have jesus ♪
00:18:21.806 --> 00:18:29.647
♪ than silver or gold ♪
00:18:29.647 --> 00:18:35.553
♪ i'd rather be his ♪
00:18:35.553 --> 00:18:40.858
♪ than have riches untold ♪
00:18:40.858 --> 00:18:47.231
♪ and i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:18:47.231 --> 00:18:53.704
♪ than houses or land ♪
00:18:53.704 --> 00:18:58.776
♪ i'd rather be led by his nail-scarred ♪
00:18:58.776 --> 00:19:06.517
♪ by his nail-scarred hand ♪
00:19:06.517 --> 00:19:11.255
♪ than to be the king ♪
00:19:11.255 --> 00:19:17.428
♪ of a vast domain ♪
00:19:17.428 --> 00:19:23.034
♪ or be held in sin's dread sway ♪
00:19:23.034 --> 00:19:36.247
♪ i'd rather have jesus ♪
00:19:27.939 --> 00:19:42.253
♪ more than anything ♪
00:19:42.253 --> 00:19:48.192
♪ this whole world can afford today ♪
00:19:48.192 --> 00:20:02.440
♪ oh, and i need ♪
00:20:04.742 --> 00:20:11.082
♪ more than anything ♪
00:20:11.082 --> 00:20:13.751
♪ oh, i need, i need ♪
00:20:13.751 --> 00:20:20.024
♪ i need thee ♪
00:20:20.024 --> 00:20:26.397
♪ oh, you are the source of my strength ♪
00:20:26.397 --> 00:20:35.973
♪ oh, you are the strength of my life ♪
00:20:35.973 --> 00:20:44.815
♪ and i lift my hands ♪
00:20:44.815 --> 00:20:49.353
♪ in total praise to you ♪
00:20:49.353 --> 00:21:00.498
♪ i would rather have you, jesus ♪
00:20:56.494 --> 00:21:09.307
♪ more than anything ♪
00:21:09.307 --> 00:21:15.179
♪ this whole world can afford ♪
00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:23.688
♪ today ♪♪
00:21:23.688 --> 00:21:30.227
[congregation applauding]
00:21:30.227 --> 00:21:37.668
Announcer: in dr. david jeremiah's book
00:21:39.003 --> 00:21:40.905
"where do we go from here?"
00:21:40.905 --> 00:21:42.740
Discover ten phenomena happening in our world today
00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:45.676
That prove tomorrow's prophecies foreshadow
00:21:45.676 --> 00:21:48.879
The problems we're experiencing in our culture,
00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:51.015
And find biblical direction for the end-times.
00:21:51.015 --> 00:21:54.819
In this book, dr. jeremiah examines what bible prophecy
00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:57.722
Reveals about ten issues of our time,
00:21:57.722 --> 00:22:00.458
What they mean for believers,
00:22:00.458 --> 00:22:02.093
And ultimately, where we go from here.
00:22:02.093 --> 00:22:05.129
"where do we go from here?" by dr. jeremiah
00:22:05.129 --> 00:22:07.231
Is yours when you give a gift of any amount
00:22:07.231 --> 00:22:09.567
In support of this program.
00:22:09.567 --> 00:22:11.235
And if you give $75 or more, you'll receive
00:22:11.235 --> 00:22:14.338
The "where do we go from here?" set,
00:22:14.338 --> 00:22:16.340
Which also includes dr. jeremiah's
00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:18.008
Entire teaching series on cd or dvd,
00:22:18.008 --> 00:22:21.045
A correlating study guide,
00:22:21.045 --> 00:22:22.480
And his interview special on dvd.
00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:25.015
Plus, included with any order of the book or set,
00:22:25.015 --> 00:22:28.052
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:22:28.052 --> 00:22:30.388
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:22:30.388 --> 00:22:33.124
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:22:33.124 --> 00:22:35.593
Order "where do we go from here?" book or set today.
00:22:35.593 --> 00:22:38.596
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:22:40.965 --> 00:22:43.167
In appreciation of your viewership,
00:22:43.167 --> 00:22:44.935
Dr. jeremiah would like to send you
00:22:44.935 --> 00:22:47.104
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:22:47.104 --> 00:22:48.939
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:51.442
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:22:51.442 --> 00:22:53.911
It's yours absolutely free just by contacting
00:22:53.911 --> 00:22:56.714
"turning point" today.
00:22:56.714 --> 00:22:58.416
And now, here is dr. jeremiah with his message
00:22:58.416 --> 00:23:01.218
"end times people: a biographical prophecy."
00:23:01.218 --> 00:23:04.255
David jeremiah: shon hopwood grew up in a christian home
00:23:05.556 --> 00:23:08.759
In rural nebraska, and he had parents
00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:10.995
Who had started a local church.
00:23:10.995 --> 00:23:13.564
He was the oldest of five children,
00:23:13.564 --> 00:23:15.900
And he was bright and excelling on standardized tests.
00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:19.804
He also played basketball in high school
00:23:19.804 --> 00:23:21.839
And won a scholarship to nebraska's midland university.
00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:25.543
But in his teens, hopwood grew disillusioned
00:23:25.543 --> 00:23:28.746
With his basketball skills.
00:23:28.746 --> 00:23:30.681
He stopped going to class, and he dropped out of school.
00:23:30.681 --> 00:23:35.019
Then he joined the united states navy
00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.954
And ended up in the persian gulf guarding warships
00:23:36.954 --> 00:23:39.623
With shoulder-mounted stinger missiles.
00:23:39.623 --> 00:23:43.627
But hopwood developed acute pancreatitis,
00:23:43.627 --> 00:23:46.864
Almost died in a bahrain hospital,
00:23:46.864 --> 00:23:49.066
And he left the navy with an honorable discharge.
00:23:49.066 --> 00:23:53.103
That's when lostness overtook this young man.
00:23:53.103 --> 00:23:56.607
His alcohol and drug use grew into raging addictions,
00:23:56.607 --> 00:24:01.312
And he became depressed.
00:24:01.312 --> 00:24:03.414
One day while drinking with a friend,
00:24:03.414 --> 00:24:05.749
They decided to rob a bank together.
00:24:05.749 --> 00:24:08.285
Why not?
00:24:08.285 --> 00:24:09.720
They could use the money.
00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:11.388
They ended up robbing five banks while armed.
00:24:11.388 --> 00:24:15.559
Afterward, hopwood squandered the money on parties.
00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:19.797
And eventually his life came crashing down in the lobby
00:24:19.797 --> 00:24:22.533
Of a doubletree hotel in omaha, nebraska,
00:24:22.533 --> 00:24:25.302
When fbi agents tackled and arrested him.
00:24:25.302 --> 00:24:28.105
A year later, he stood terrified before a federal judge
00:24:28.105 --> 00:24:31.509
Who sentenced him to more than 12 years in prison.
00:24:31.509 --> 00:24:34.778
And shortly thereafter, he was on a prison plane,
00:24:34.778 --> 00:24:39.083
Handcuffed, shackled, heading to a federal penitentiary.
00:24:39.083 --> 00:24:42.386
He was only 23 years old, and his life was growing worse
00:24:42.386 --> 00:24:45.956
And worse by the day.
00:24:45.956 --> 00:24:49.693
Now, if you stay with me,
00:24:49.693 --> 00:24:51.028
I'll tell you what happened to him at the end of my message.
00:24:51.028 --> 00:24:54.698
But his story raises questions for all of us.
00:24:54.698 --> 00:24:59.270
Why do people go the wrong way?
00:24:59.270 --> 00:25:03.107
Or in a broader sense,
00:25:03.107 --> 00:25:05.409
Why do good people do bad things?
00:25:05.409 --> 00:25:09.513
For thousands of years, people have been debating
00:25:09.513 --> 00:25:12.082
Those questions.
00:25:12.082 --> 00:25:13.817
Sociologists and laypeople expend huge amounts
00:25:13.817 --> 00:25:16.453
Of air and ink trying to determine if human beings
00:25:16.453 --> 00:25:19.690
Are basically good or fundamentally evil.
00:25:19.690 --> 00:25:24.595
According to scripture, sin is the fundamental problem
00:25:24.595 --> 00:25:28.732
Of every person.
00:25:28.732 --> 00:25:31.035
Romans 3:10 says, "no one is righteous, not even one.
00:25:31.035 --> 00:25:36.674
No one is truly wise.
00:25:36.674 --> 00:25:38.309
No one is seeking god.
00:25:38.309 --> 00:25:40.144
All have turned away, all have become useless.
00:25:40.144 --> 00:25:42.713
No one does good, not a single one."
00:25:42.713 --> 00:25:45.182
That's from the new living translation.
00:25:45.182 --> 00:25:47.217
Our problem then isn't just that we live in a sinful world,
00:25:48.852 --> 00:25:53.190
Which we do, but that we live in a world
00:25:53.190 --> 00:25:56.694
Full of sinful people,
00:25:56.694 --> 00:26:00.030
Because our sin affects everything in our lives.
00:26:00.030 --> 00:26:04.268
The bible makes it clear that we are all corrupted by sin,
00:26:04.268 --> 00:26:07.371
Every one of us.
00:26:07.371 --> 00:26:08.706
That corruption entered our bloodstream
00:26:08.706 --> 00:26:10.674
Through adam and eve who rebelled against god
00:26:10.674 --> 00:26:14.144
In his garden, and the blood disease of sin
00:26:14.144 --> 00:26:17.081
Has descended through the generations
00:26:17.081 --> 00:26:19.550
And it affects all of us today.
00:26:19.550 --> 00:26:21.752
The bible says, "therefore, just as through one man
00:26:21.752 --> 00:26:25.456
Sin entered the world, and death through sin,
00:26:25.456 --> 00:26:28.792
And thus death spread to all men,
00:26:28.792 --> 00:26:32.096
Because all sinned."
00:26:32.096 --> 00:26:34.665
Because we have been stained by sin in this way,
00:26:34.732 --> 00:26:38.802
Every one of us, the bible says, "there is none righteous,
00:26:38.802 --> 00:26:41.538
No, not one," we cannot produce anything good
00:26:41.538 --> 00:26:44.408
On our own, collectively, individually.
00:26:44.408 --> 00:26:46.810
"without me, you can do nothing," jesus said.
00:26:46.810 --> 00:26:50.214
So, the blood of christ and the spirit of god
00:26:50.214 --> 00:26:53.117
Must unleash their power in our lives.
00:26:53.117 --> 00:26:55.886
God can come into a prison cell.
00:26:55.886 --> 00:26:58.856
He can take the life of a person who's going the wrong way
00:26:58.856 --> 00:27:02.026
And totally change it.
00:27:02.026 --> 00:27:04.061
But only god can do that.
00:27:04.061 --> 00:27:05.929
There's no other program that you can go to.
00:27:05.929 --> 00:27:07.731
God is the only one who can offset the impact
00:27:07.731 --> 00:27:10.501
Of original sin, sin that started in the garden.
00:27:10.501 --> 00:27:15.706
So, what that means is you and i live in this war zone
00:27:15.706 --> 00:27:18.609
We call planet earth.
00:27:18.609 --> 00:27:20.144
We're pushed and pulled between goodness and evil,
00:27:20.144 --> 00:27:22.746
Between love and hate,
00:27:22.746 --> 00:27:24.081
Between creation and destruction.
00:27:24.081 --> 00:27:27.084
You and i are christ followers in a fallen world.
00:27:27.084 --> 00:27:30.454
That has been true for god's people
00:27:31.555 --> 00:27:33.457
Throughout all the centuries.
00:27:33.457 --> 00:27:36.060
But can you feel it?
00:27:36.060 --> 00:27:39.496
Can you sense it?
00:27:39.496 --> 00:27:41.699
Something is changing.
00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:44.568
The bad is getting worse.
00:27:44.568 --> 00:27:48.706
Godlessness is overtaking every institution,
00:27:48.706 --> 00:27:52.743
Every platform, every square inch of our culture
00:27:52.743 --> 00:27:57.681
Because something in us is broken.
00:27:57.681 --> 00:28:02.886
We live in a world of sinful people.
00:28:02.886 --> 00:28:05.789
Better said, we live in a world of broken people.
00:28:05.789 --> 00:28:09.593
And the brokenness is becoming everywhere more evident to us
00:28:09.593 --> 00:28:14.264
As time goes by.
00:28:14.264 --> 00:28:16.867
What does this mean?
00:28:16.867 --> 00:28:19.169
Well, i want to show you a prediction about
00:28:19.169 --> 00:28:21.271
The last days that will put all of this into prophetic context.
00:28:21.271 --> 00:28:26.243
I want to quote from a letter written by another prisoner,
00:28:26.243 --> 00:28:29.313
This one on death row, and he wasn't there
00:28:29.313 --> 00:28:31.949
For robbing banks.
00:28:31.949 --> 00:28:33.550
He was there for preaching the gospel.
00:28:33.550 --> 00:28:36.386
The apostle paul wrote his final letter to timothy
00:28:36.386 --> 00:28:38.856
From a roman cell.
00:28:38.856 --> 00:28:41.959
Near the end of his letter, he drew
00:28:41.959 --> 00:28:43.827
A surprisingly detailed picture of how people will behave
00:28:43.827 --> 00:28:48.966
Just prior to the lord's return and the beginning
00:28:48.966 --> 00:28:51.835
Of the tribulation period.
00:28:51.835 --> 00:28:53.670
So, i'm gonna read that letter and see if you don't resonate
00:28:53.670 --> 00:28:56.173
With what he said.
00:28:56.173 --> 00:28:57.941
2 timothy 3:1 through 5.
00:28:58.008 --> 00:29:00.544
"but know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
00:29:00.544 --> 00:29:06.216
For men will be lovers of themselves,
00:29:06.216 --> 00:29:09.353
Lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
00:29:09.353 --> 00:29:13.457
Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving,
00:29:13.457 --> 00:29:17.761
Unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal,
00:29:17.761 --> 00:29:23.033
Despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty,
00:29:23.033 --> 00:29:26.103
Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god,
00:29:26.103 --> 00:29:29.373
Having a form of godliness but denying its power."
00:29:29.373 --> 00:29:34.311
And then if you jump down in this passage to the 13th verse,
00:29:34.311 --> 00:29:37.347
Here's what it says.
00:29:37.347 --> 00:29:39.216
"evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
00:29:39.216 --> 00:29:44.655
Deceiving and being deceived."
00:29:44.655 --> 00:29:48.492
So, we're not just imagining this.
00:29:48.492 --> 00:29:51.094
What's happening right now isn't just something that,
00:29:51.094 --> 00:29:54.331
"oh, i haven't known many evil people before,
00:29:54.331 --> 00:29:56.300
So maybe i'm just meeting them all right now."
00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:59.469
No, the bible says that there will be a trajectory
00:29:59.469 --> 00:30:02.940
Toward the coming of christ when sinful people
00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:06.443
Will be more sinful, evil people will be more evil,
00:30:06.443 --> 00:30:09.313
And difficulty in relationships and all the rest
00:30:09.313 --> 00:30:12.316
Will be more profound.
00:30:12.316 --> 00:30:15.285
Worse and worse, the scripture says.
00:30:15.285 --> 00:30:17.721
With those three short words, paul predicted people
00:30:17.721 --> 00:30:20.257
Will descend into a rampant and accelerating godlessness
00:30:20.257 --> 00:30:23.660
As we approach the tribulation.
00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:25.662
Please note the apostle's focus is not on bad times,
00:30:25.662 --> 00:30:30.601
But on bad people.
00:30:30.601 --> 00:30:32.769
As john calvin wrote many, many years ago,
00:30:32.769 --> 00:30:36.240
"the hardness or danger of this time is,
00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:39.576
In paul's view, to be not war, not famine or diseases,
00:30:39.576 --> 00:30:44.815
Nor any of the other calamities or ills that befall the body,
00:30:44.815 --> 00:30:48.785
But the wicked and depraved ways of man."
00:30:48.785 --> 00:30:53.590
You know, it's an interesting thing.
00:30:53.590 --> 00:30:56.193
Nobody knows how good a person can be,
00:30:56.193 --> 00:31:00.297
And nobody knows how bad a person can be.
00:31:00.297 --> 00:31:04.801
Paul gave us 19 specific character descriptions
00:31:04.801 --> 00:31:10.240
Of what people will be like.
00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:12.242
In other words, here in 2 timothy 3,
00:31:12.242 --> 00:31:14.578
The lord gives us 19 expressions
00:31:14.578 --> 00:31:17.080
To depict the nature of godlessness in the last days,
00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:20.284
The things we should expect and not be surprised by.
00:31:20.284 --> 00:31:23.086
I can't bore in all the 19 words,
00:31:23.086 --> 00:31:25.022
And i'm not gonna do a 19-word word study.
00:31:25.022 --> 00:31:27.658
But i can show you a pattern in paul's words
00:31:27.658 --> 00:31:30.427
That move from selfish people, to splintered families,
00:31:30.427 --> 00:31:34.231
To shattered societies.
00:31:34.231 --> 00:31:36.733
First of all, selfish people.
00:31:36.733 --> 00:31:39.736
Right up front, the lord tells us
00:31:39.736 --> 00:31:41.705
That the last days will be populated by people
00:31:41.705 --> 00:31:44.107
Who are lovers of themselves, narcissistic people,
00:31:44.107 --> 00:31:50.714
People who see themselves in the mirror and applaud.
00:31:50.714 --> 00:31:56.453
According to paul, the days before the tribulation
00:31:56.453 --> 00:31:58.388
Will be perilous
00:31:58.388 --> 00:31:59.723
Because people will love only themselves.
00:31:59.723 --> 00:32:02.192
They will, according to the scripture,
00:32:02.192 --> 00:32:04.628
Be boasters and proud and blasphemers.
00:32:04.628 --> 00:32:07.564
These people love to talk about themselves
00:32:07.564 --> 00:32:09.499
And to build themselves up.
00:32:09.499 --> 00:32:11.401
Such people want everyone else to love them as much as
00:32:11.401 --> 00:32:13.937
They love themselves.
00:32:13.937 --> 00:32:15.272
They write their own press reports.
00:32:15.272 --> 00:32:17.674
They pad their own resumes.
00:32:17.674 --> 00:32:20.277
When you finally meet the person in question,
00:32:20.277 --> 00:32:22.412
You hardly recognize them.
00:32:22.412 --> 00:32:26.016
These are proud or haughty people,
00:32:26.016 --> 00:32:27.951
Which means they're disdainful toward other people.
00:32:27.951 --> 00:32:30.721
Looking down on others comes as naturally to them
00:32:30.721 --> 00:32:33.890
As it does to a pigeon on top of a statue.
00:32:33.890 --> 00:32:37.761
Perhaps nothing represents this attitude better
00:32:37.761 --> 00:32:40.964
Than social media.
00:32:40.964 --> 00:32:43.000
Facebook, twitter, youtube, and instagram allow us
00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:45.936
To constantly crow about our own success,
00:32:45.936 --> 00:32:49.239
While simultaneously slashing away
00:32:49.239 --> 00:32:51.908
At the achievements of other people.
00:32:51.908 --> 00:32:54.611
Often through anonymous comments and online bullying,
00:32:54.611 --> 00:32:57.748
Social media is a stronghold for selfish people.
00:32:57.748 --> 00:33:02.152
Unfortunately, selfish people rarely keep to themselves.
00:33:02.219 --> 00:33:08.091
You watch what's going on right now in our culture
00:33:08.091 --> 00:33:11.261
In how we are treating one another.
00:33:11.261 --> 00:33:13.263
I saw on television, the story of a restaurant,
00:33:13.263 --> 00:33:17.334
And they closed the restaurant.
00:33:17.334 --> 00:33:18.702
And it said on the restaurant, "closed."
00:33:18.702 --> 00:33:20.670
And down at the bottom it said, "for kindness day."
00:33:20.670 --> 00:33:24.741
And the story was that people came into that restaurant
00:33:24.741 --> 00:33:27.477
And treated the people that were working there so badly,
00:33:27.477 --> 00:33:30.514
Yelled at them, hollered at them,
00:33:30.514 --> 00:33:32.082
Sometimes physically wanted to abuse them,
00:33:32.082 --> 00:33:34.251
That the owner said, "no."
00:33:34.251 --> 00:33:35.852
He shut the restaurant down as a protest against the ugliness
00:33:35.852 --> 00:33:40.357
Of the people who were coming into a store.
00:33:40.357 --> 00:33:42.893
Well, selfish people end up being a part
00:33:45.195 --> 00:33:47.497
Of splintered families.
00:33:47.497 --> 00:33:49.299
People will focus less on their loved ones.
00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:51.935
Their time, energy, and passion will be tied up in themselves.
00:33:51.935 --> 00:33:55.639
And the result was in the days prior to the tribulation
00:33:55.639 --> 00:33:58.241
Will be strewn with broken homes.
00:33:58.241 --> 00:34:02.779
And he uses five descriptions.
00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:05.382
These five descriptions highlight the damage
00:34:05.382 --> 00:34:08.218
That broken people perpetuate on their own families
00:34:08.218 --> 00:34:10.754
In the last days.
00:34:10.754 --> 00:34:12.622
It says they are disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
00:34:12.622 --> 00:34:15.826
Unloving, and unforgiving.
00:34:15.826 --> 00:34:17.794
Those are the five things that are in the text.
00:34:17.794 --> 00:34:19.996
And i want you to know that when ancient greek writers
00:34:19.996 --> 00:34:22.365
Wanted to say something negative,
00:34:22.365 --> 00:34:24.734
They took a positive word and put a letter in front of it
00:34:24.734 --> 00:34:27.804
Called the alpha privative.
00:34:27.804 --> 00:34:30.207
The alpha negated the positive word.
00:34:30.207 --> 00:34:33.877
You see the principle in english when we say
00:34:33.877 --> 00:34:35.912
Something is distasteful.
00:34:35.912 --> 00:34:38.515
We take the word tasteful, and we put a prefix
00:34:38.515 --> 00:34:40.617
In front of it and that prefix negates the word.
00:34:40.617 --> 00:34:44.721
All five of paul's terms about the family
00:34:44.721 --> 00:34:48.658
Included in the paragraph are alpha privatives.
00:34:48.658 --> 00:34:52.829
All five describe a positive attitude that has vanished
00:34:52.829 --> 00:34:56.466
From most families during the last days.
00:34:56.466 --> 00:34:59.536
Children will be disobedient willfully.
00:34:59.536 --> 00:35:01.605
They will do what they want to do,
00:35:01.605 --> 00:35:03.540
Casting off oversight and authority.
00:35:03.540 --> 00:35:05.809
They will ignore the instruction of scripture that says,
00:35:05.876 --> 00:35:09.446
"children, obey your parents in the lord, for this as right."
00:35:09.446 --> 00:35:14.384
They will be ungrateful.
00:35:14.384 --> 00:35:16.052
Gone will be a thankful spirit between children
00:35:16.052 --> 00:35:18.522
And their parents, and that lack of gratitude
00:35:18.522 --> 00:35:21.258
Will extend to other relationships.
00:35:21.258 --> 00:35:24.461
The third word is "unholy."
00:35:24.461 --> 00:35:26.596
In this context, that implies lack of respect.
00:35:26.596 --> 00:35:29.332
There will be no respect within the structure
00:35:29.332 --> 00:35:31.434
Of the framework of the family.
00:35:31.434 --> 00:35:33.203
The picture is of someone who throws off the oversight
00:35:33.203 --> 00:35:35.705
At all levels of authority and harbors
00:35:35.705 --> 00:35:37.707
A growing sense of rebellion and independence.
00:35:37.707 --> 00:35:40.810
Next, we come to the word "unloving."
00:35:40.810 --> 00:35:43.914
Normal, human relationships will be destroyed and broken
00:35:43.914 --> 00:35:50.754
And affected and wither away.
00:35:50.754 --> 00:35:53.123
The word here is translated elsewhere
00:35:53.123 --> 00:35:55.225
In the new testament as heartless.
00:35:55.225 --> 00:35:57.394
Homes will become hard places ruined by harsh hearts.
00:35:57.394 --> 00:36:01.631
It'll spill over into the whole society.
00:36:01.631 --> 00:36:05.235
And the final word is "unforgiving,"
00:36:05.235 --> 00:36:07.704
Which could also mean truth breaker.
00:36:07.704 --> 00:36:10.173
This refers to people whose rebellion
00:36:10.173 --> 00:36:12.175
Becomes stubborn and hardhearted.
00:36:12.175 --> 00:36:14.644
The root of bitterness within them grows
00:36:14.644 --> 00:36:16.680
Into an emotional forest of poisonous trees
00:36:16.680 --> 00:36:19.549
Bearing toxic fruit.
00:36:19.549 --> 00:36:22.052
And the lack of capacity to forgive others means
00:36:22.052 --> 00:36:25.155
They live as though they themselves
00:36:25.155 --> 00:36:27.657
Could never be forgiven for all the harm they've done.
00:36:27.657 --> 00:36:31.528
By now you may be wondering, is this gonna keep getting worse
00:36:31.528 --> 00:36:34.831
And worse or is this gonna be a whole negative sermon?
00:36:34.831 --> 00:36:37.367
No.
00:36:37.367 --> 00:36:39.035
Let's take a breath of fresh air.
00:36:39.035 --> 00:36:41.137
Let's take a moment and turn this around.
00:36:41.137 --> 00:36:43.673
If the ungodly world is characterized
00:36:43.673 --> 00:36:46.276
By these negatives, how should god's people live
00:36:46.276 --> 00:36:49.446
In the midst of it all?
00:36:49.446 --> 00:36:51.548
It's very simple.
00:36:51.548 --> 00:36:53.083
Our grammar has to change.
00:36:53.083 --> 00:36:55.252
We should leave off the alpha privative.
00:36:55.252 --> 00:36:58.321
In christ, it's not appropriate to negate a virtue.
00:36:58.321 --> 00:37:01.191
Our homes should be filled with obedience
00:37:01.191 --> 00:37:04.461
Between children and parents.
00:37:04.461 --> 00:37:05.962
Family should be filled with gratitude
00:37:05.962 --> 00:37:07.764
And defined by respect.
00:37:07.764 --> 00:37:09.633
They should exude a natural love and affection,
00:37:09.633 --> 00:37:11.901
And we should be able to trust each other.
00:37:11.901 --> 00:37:15.272
We have to work hard to avoid the alpha privative lifestyle.
00:37:15.272 --> 00:37:20.043
You probably never heard that word before,
00:37:20.043 --> 00:37:21.845
But here's a new term.
00:37:21.845 --> 00:37:23.480
Don't be an alpha privative family.
00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:27.284
Don't be a family that negates all the virtues
00:37:27.284 --> 00:37:30.020
That you've been given by almighty god.
00:37:30.020 --> 00:37:32.489
We must be doggedly committed to biblical marriages
00:37:32.489 --> 00:37:35.458
And kingdom families.
00:37:35.458 --> 00:37:37.027
Whatever has happened to you in the past,
00:37:37.027 --> 00:37:38.762
Start where you are today.
00:37:38.762 --> 00:37:40.597
And with god's help, make your home a place
00:37:40.597 --> 00:37:42.966
That's indwelled by the lord jesus christ.
00:37:42.966 --> 00:37:45.502
Make it a christian home.
00:37:45.502 --> 00:37:47.203
So, are you getting this picture?
00:37:49.506 --> 00:37:51.207
When you have selfish people, they end up
00:37:51.207 --> 00:37:53.743
Creating splintered families, and splintered families
00:37:53.743 --> 00:37:58.415
Create shattered societies.
00:37:58.415 --> 00:38:01.685
You know, we're always looking for some corporate answer
00:38:01.685 --> 00:38:04.020
To the problems, but the problems are ours.
00:38:04.020 --> 00:38:07.424
So, unless we're willing to take insight on ourselves,
00:38:07.424 --> 00:38:11.127
We don't have much of a chance to get better, do we?
00:38:11.127 --> 00:38:14.731
So, we have selfish people.
00:38:14.731 --> 00:38:17.567
We have families that reflect on the selfishness
00:38:17.567 --> 00:38:21.204
Of the people in them.
00:38:21.204 --> 00:38:23.340
And then those families go into churches and cultures
00:38:23.340 --> 00:38:26.543
And societies, and the society becomes what the family is.
00:38:26.543 --> 00:38:32.115
So, what do we do with that?
00:38:32.115 --> 00:38:33.750
I mean, in this message series, i've been trying to tell you
00:38:33.750 --> 00:38:36.086
Here's where we are, here's what that means.
00:38:36.086 --> 00:38:39.622
And where do we go from here?
00:38:39.622 --> 00:38:42.392
So, how do christians live in such a place
00:38:42.392 --> 00:38:45.061
Where selfishness reigns and immorality increases?
00:38:45.061 --> 00:38:48.965
How can we be different kind of end-times people
00:38:48.965 --> 00:38:52.869
In a broken world?
00:38:52.869 --> 00:38:55.438
Let's take a page from benjamin franklin.
00:38:55.438 --> 00:38:58.708
In his autobiography,
00:38:58.708 --> 00:39:00.443
Franklin described the darkness that filled the streets
00:39:00.443 --> 00:39:02.545
Of philadelphia during his day.
00:39:02.545 --> 00:39:04.714
It was pitch black at night, and people were sleeping
00:39:04.714 --> 00:39:06.716
On the streets, and they were stepping into mud puddles,
00:39:06.716 --> 00:39:09.486
And stumbling over rough stones.
00:39:09.486 --> 00:39:11.354
And even worse, crime was growing.
00:39:11.354 --> 00:39:14.057
It wasn't safe to be out after sunset.
00:39:14.057 --> 00:39:16.926
So, franklin waged an intense campaign
00:39:16.926 --> 00:39:19.429
To persuade everyone to light the area
00:39:19.429 --> 00:39:21.798
Around their own house, but he got nowhere.
00:39:21.798 --> 00:39:25.368
Finally, he just did it himself,
00:39:25.368 --> 00:39:28.004
But only in front of his own house.
00:39:28.004 --> 00:39:30.273
He planted a pole in front of his porch
00:39:30.273 --> 00:39:32.342
With a kerosene light on top of the pole.
00:39:32.342 --> 00:39:35.111
That night in the city of philadelphia,
00:39:35.111 --> 00:39:36.880
There was one house bathed in warm glow.
00:39:36.880 --> 00:39:40.150
The lamp cast light on the street,
00:39:40.150 --> 00:39:42.118
Giving passersby a feeling of well-being and safety.
00:39:42.118 --> 00:39:46.022
But the next night, another house had a lamp
00:39:46.022 --> 00:39:49.359
And then another, and pretty soon,
00:39:49.359 --> 00:39:51.027
Almost the whole city was lighting the walkways
00:39:51.027 --> 00:39:54.063
In front of their houses at night.
00:39:54.063 --> 00:39:56.733
Franklin learned something.
00:39:56.733 --> 00:39:59.202
He learned that our example is often greater than our words
00:39:59.202 --> 00:40:02.806
And our admonitions,
00:40:02.806 --> 00:40:05.208
And that's what we need to learn.
00:40:05.208 --> 00:40:07.444
With that in mind, i want to lift you
00:40:07.444 --> 00:40:09.045
Out of 2 timothy and take you to ephesians 5,
00:40:09.045 --> 00:40:12.582
And this is the passage that says,
00:40:12.582 --> 00:40:14.751
"for you were once darkness,
00:40:14.751 --> 00:40:17.687
But now you are light in the lord."
00:40:17.687 --> 00:40:21.891
That sentence is short enough to memorize,
00:40:21.891 --> 00:40:24.360
But it's powerful enough to illumine the pathways
00:40:24.360 --> 00:40:27.363
Around your life.
00:40:27.363 --> 00:40:29.966
First of all, you need to remember
00:40:29.966 --> 00:40:31.301
The grace that you received.
00:40:31.301 --> 00:40:33.636
How do we walk in the light when our society is defined
00:40:33.636 --> 00:40:36.306
By end-times people?
00:40:36.306 --> 00:40:38.308
How do you be a christian if you're surrounded by people
00:40:38.308 --> 00:40:41.945
Who are doing the kinds of things we're watching right now,
00:40:41.945 --> 00:40:45.849
Literally destroying the fabric of our country?
00:40:45.849 --> 00:40:49.652
Well, you have to experience god's grace
00:40:49.652 --> 00:40:52.155
Through an encounter with the lord jesus christ.
00:40:52.155 --> 00:40:54.924
Metaphors involving light pervade scripture,
00:40:54.924 --> 00:40:58.328
And ephesians 5:8 describes the difference
00:40:58.328 --> 00:41:00.363
That comes over us when we have grace with christ.
00:41:00.363 --> 00:41:04.501
Before that moment, we live in darkness
00:41:04.501 --> 00:41:06.202
As deep as underground caverns.
00:41:06.202 --> 00:41:08.471
We are spiritually, morally, personally,
00:41:08.471 --> 00:41:10.740
And eternally in pitch blackness.
00:41:10.740 --> 00:41:13.276
But the moment we come to christ,
00:41:14.244 --> 00:41:15.945
He pushes down the lever that connects us
00:41:15.945 --> 00:41:18.214
To the throne of grace, and he switches on
00:41:18.214 --> 00:41:20.416
A billion mega watts of light inside of our souls.
00:41:20.416 --> 00:41:24.754
That experience is so vivid that many christians describe
00:41:24.754 --> 00:41:27.724
Their moment of grace in bright terms.
00:41:27.724 --> 00:41:31.794
So, first of all, remember your salvation.
00:41:31.794 --> 00:41:34.230
Remember the grace you received.
00:41:34.230 --> 00:41:35.865
Remember that, but for the grace of god,
00:41:35.865 --> 00:41:37.667
You wouldn't be a part of this culture
00:41:37.667 --> 00:41:39.569
Doing the things that right now are so hurtful to you.
00:41:39.569 --> 00:41:42.539
Without jesus christ in your life, you are capable,
00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:45.408
I am capable, of all those things
00:41:45.408 --> 00:41:47.310
That we watch that are just making us shake our heads.
00:41:47.310 --> 00:41:52.615
Number two, reflect the light that you have become.
00:41:52.615 --> 00:41:57.053
That brings us to our next tactic
00:41:57.053 --> 00:41:59.222
For living in these dark times.
00:41:59.222 --> 00:42:00.990
We have to exude god's light.
00:42:00.990 --> 00:42:03.192
We have to convey it.
00:42:03.192 --> 00:42:04.727
We have to reflect it.
00:42:04.727 --> 00:42:06.062
We have to radiate it.
00:42:06.062 --> 00:42:07.397
That's what we read in ephesians 5:8.
00:42:07.397 --> 00:42:10.066
"walk as children of light (for the fruit of the spirit is
00:42:10.066 --> 00:42:13.937
In all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
00:42:13.937 --> 00:42:16.072
Finding out what is acceptable to the lord."
00:42:16.072 --> 00:42:18.274
Men and women, i am concerned about the way
00:42:19.409 --> 00:42:21.411
This present darkness is casting the shadow
00:42:21.411 --> 00:42:24.614
Over many churches and over many christians.
00:42:24.614 --> 00:42:28.017
Too many people in our community of faith are trying to blend
00:42:28.017 --> 00:42:31.788
The light and the darkness so they can kind of come up
00:42:31.788 --> 00:42:35.792
With a grayness in their life, and that doesn't work.
00:42:35.792 --> 00:42:40.863
It's a devilish lie to believe that we can be christians
00:42:40.863 --> 00:42:43.633
Without being different and distinct from the world.
00:42:43.633 --> 00:42:47.136
You can't, and you can't marry the world
00:42:47.136 --> 00:42:49.539
So that you'll be more acceptable to them.
00:42:49.539 --> 00:42:51.874
A lot of my younger friends who are pastors
00:42:51.874 --> 00:42:53.743
Are doing that now with many of the social issues
00:42:53.743 --> 00:42:56.045
That we're facing in this country.
00:42:56.045 --> 00:42:58.514
As followers of jesus, we have left
00:42:58.514 --> 00:43:01.084
The kingdom of darkness and we are now children of light.
00:43:01.084 --> 00:43:04.921
So, now we must walk, we must live,
00:43:04.921 --> 00:43:07.156
As children of light.
00:43:07.156 --> 00:43:10.159
We have this ceremony here on christmas eve
00:43:10.159 --> 00:43:12.295
That's always so meaningful to me.
00:43:12.295 --> 00:43:13.863
And i know it's more meaningful to me than anybody else
00:43:13.863 --> 00:43:16.299
'cause i get to stand up here and watch all of you
00:43:16.299 --> 00:43:19.235
Light your candles.
00:43:19.235 --> 00:43:21.471
It starts out just like in ben franklin's story.
00:43:21.471 --> 00:43:24.240
It starts out with my grandson who's been walking down that
00:43:24.240 --> 00:43:27.043
Aisle now for over 12 years and bringing me the original candle.
00:43:27.043 --> 00:43:32.348
And i take that original candle with that light,
00:43:32.348 --> 00:43:34.384
And i light all of the servers.
00:43:34.384 --> 00:43:35.985
And little by little, they like the rows
00:43:35.985 --> 00:43:38.421
In this building until when it's all done,
00:43:38.421 --> 00:43:40.323
You look up and this room is full of light.
00:43:40.323 --> 00:43:42.992
The light has dispelled the darkness.
00:43:42.992 --> 00:43:46.863
Ladies and gentlemen, we're only one candle,
00:43:46.863 --> 00:43:49.132
Each of us.
00:43:49.132 --> 00:43:50.800
But the bible says when you have a city on a hill
00:43:50.800 --> 00:43:54.604
Where all the candles are lit, no one can deny the truth.
00:43:54.604 --> 00:43:59.809
So, the most important thing we can do as christians
00:43:59.809 --> 00:44:03.346
In the darkness of our time is to let our light so shine
00:44:03.346 --> 00:44:07.784
That men will see us and they will give glory to the father.
00:44:07.784 --> 00:44:12.622
Castlefields church is in the center of derby, uk,
00:44:12.622 --> 00:44:15.425
Has a section on its website for its members to share
00:44:15.425 --> 00:44:19.829
How they found the light of christ.
00:44:19.829 --> 00:44:22.832
So, here's one that showed up on that website.
00:44:22.832 --> 00:44:25.134
Amanda grew up without a christian background,
00:44:25.134 --> 00:44:27.370
Except for a great aunt who would talk about
00:44:27.370 --> 00:44:29.706
The lord and give out bibles.
00:44:29.706 --> 00:44:31.240
And when amanda was 25, she was studying at a university
00:44:31.240 --> 00:44:34.177
Feeling very depressed and having trouble
00:44:34.177 --> 00:44:36.012
Finding employment.
00:44:36.012 --> 00:44:37.914
One night, she was walking home on a cold february evening,
00:44:37.914 --> 00:44:40.950
She heard someone singing behind her.
00:44:40.950 --> 00:44:43.619
He was singing loudly.
00:44:43.619 --> 00:44:46.189
Amanda turned around and said, "why are you so happy?"
00:44:46.189 --> 00:44:50.259
He said, "i'm praising the lord. he makes me so happy."
00:44:50.259 --> 00:44:54.197
Turns out the man was a nigerian evangelist.
00:44:54.197 --> 00:44:57.300
And over time, he answered amanda's questions.
00:44:57.300 --> 00:45:00.269
He gave her literature, pointed her to the passages
00:45:00.269 --> 00:45:02.238
Of scripture, explained the gospel
00:45:02.238 --> 00:45:04.140
Simply through his words so that she can understand it.
00:45:04.140 --> 00:45:08.211
"and one evening," she said,
00:45:08.211 --> 00:45:09.679
"something supernatural happened, a light switched on.
00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:16.052
And i believed jesus had died on the cross for my sins.
00:45:16.052 --> 00:45:19.455
And it all became so personal, i gave my life to jesus
00:45:19.455 --> 00:45:22.391
That february night in 1998.
00:45:22.391 --> 00:45:25.094
And jesus became my lord and savior."
00:45:25.094 --> 00:45:28.731
Note that phrase, "a light switched on."
00:45:28.731 --> 00:45:32.135
How many of you can say today,
00:45:32.135 --> 00:45:34.170
"i remember the day when the light switched on"?
00:45:34.170 --> 00:45:37.106
Can you say, "amen"?
00:45:37.106 --> 00:45:38.441
Amen.
00:45:38.441 --> 00:45:40.343
When i read that story, i could almost hear
00:45:40.343 --> 00:45:42.145
That nigerian evangelist singing as he walked
00:45:42.145 --> 00:45:44.580
Through the dark streets of derby.
00:45:44.580 --> 00:45:46.816
His faith lit up the sidewalk, and he was living out
00:45:46.816 --> 00:45:49.485
The words of christ who says to us
00:45:49.485 --> 00:45:52.588
That we are the light of the world,
00:45:52.588 --> 00:45:54.791
And a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
00:45:54.791 --> 00:45:58.361
Finally, remember the grace you receive,
00:45:58.361 --> 00:46:01.531
Reflect the light you've become,
00:46:01.531 --> 00:46:03.132
And reveal the darkness that you see.
00:46:03.132 --> 00:46:05.635
The ephesians passage goes on to tell us something else.
00:46:05.635 --> 00:46:08.805
"have no fellowship
00:46:08.805 --> 00:46:10.139
With the unfruitful works of darkness,
00:46:10.139 --> 00:46:11.908
But rather expose them.
00:46:11.908 --> 00:46:13.609
For it is shameful even to speak of those things
00:46:13.609 --> 00:46:16.245
Which are done by them in secret.
00:46:16.245 --> 00:46:18.147
But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light,
00:46:18.147 --> 00:46:21.484
For whatever makes manifest is light.
00:46:21.484 --> 00:46:24.187
Therefore he says:
00:46:24.187 --> 00:46:25.521
'awake, you who sleep arise from the dead,
00:46:25.521 --> 00:46:27.323
And christ will give you light.'"
00:46:27.323 --> 00:46:29.759
If you turn over a brick on a bright day,
00:46:29.759 --> 00:46:32.128
You'll see a whole world of bugs and pests fleeing
00:46:32.128 --> 00:46:34.397
In every direction.
00:46:34.397 --> 00:46:36.899
These creatures prefer the darkness
00:46:36.899 --> 00:46:38.501
And the light expels them.
00:46:38.501 --> 00:46:40.603
And in the same way, the world is ill at ease
00:46:40.603 --> 00:46:43.506
When we walk in the light and seek through our lives
00:46:43.506 --> 00:46:46.676
To reveal christ's holiness.
00:46:46.676 --> 00:46:49.645
Did you notice how this happened naturally
00:46:49.645 --> 00:46:51.848
After you gave your life to christ?
00:46:51.848 --> 00:46:53.950
All of a sudden, the people around you
00:46:53.950 --> 00:46:55.318
Started looking at you differently.
00:46:55.318 --> 00:46:57.687
"what's wrong with him?
00:46:57.687 --> 00:46:59.021
He doesn't laugh at my dirty jokes anymore.
00:46:59.021 --> 00:47:01.858
What's wrong with her?
00:47:01.858 --> 00:47:03.192
She doesn't like to get wasted on weekends anymore."
00:47:03.192 --> 00:47:07.196
We reply, "well, you know what?
00:47:07.196 --> 00:47:08.798
I'm a child of the light, and i can't have fellowship
00:47:08.798 --> 00:47:11.000
With the unfruitful works of darkness."
00:47:11.000 --> 00:47:13.803
Some people will turn away from us,
00:47:13.803 --> 00:47:15.838
Some will continue to be our friends.
00:47:15.838 --> 00:47:18.674
But our joint activities will become different.
00:47:18.674 --> 00:47:23.145
And some of them will follow your trail of light
00:47:23.145 --> 00:47:25.581
And find christ for themselves.
00:47:25.581 --> 00:47:27.216
Let me give you a key little principle
00:47:27.216 --> 00:47:29.085
That i found this week that really helps.
00:47:29.085 --> 00:47:31.854
The word "fellowship" in ephesians 5:11
00:47:31.854 --> 00:47:34.290
Is translated from the greek word "sunkoinoneo."
00:47:34.290 --> 00:47:38.527
The last part of the word means fellowship, but the prefix "sun"
00:47:38.527 --> 00:47:43.466
Is the greek word for the word "with."
00:47:43.466 --> 00:47:46.102
It means participating with someone in doing something.
00:47:46.102 --> 00:47:49.438
This verse tells us that once we become a child of the light,
00:47:49.438 --> 00:47:53.075
We can no longer participate with those who are doing
00:47:53.075 --> 00:47:56.212
The works of darkness.
00:47:56.212 --> 00:47:57.880
You can't fellowship with them doing what they do.
00:47:57.880 --> 00:48:01.684
That's what it means.
00:48:01.684 --> 00:48:03.019
It doesn't mean you tell them
00:48:03.019 --> 00:48:04.520
You don't want to see them anymore,
00:48:04.520 --> 00:48:05.855
You don't want to be their friends.
00:48:05.855 --> 00:48:07.189
But it means you don't do what they do.
00:48:07.189 --> 00:48:08.524
You don't fellowship sun, with them.
00:48:08.524 --> 00:48:11.861
John 20:21 says, "for everyone practicing evil hates the light
00:48:11.861 --> 00:48:16.632
And does not come to the light,
00:48:16.632 --> 00:48:18.367
Lest his deeds should be exposed.
00:48:18.367 --> 00:48:20.069
But he who does the truth comes to the light."
00:48:20.069 --> 00:48:23.873
You and i are children of light.
00:48:23.873 --> 00:48:26.542
I don't want to be a negative person, offensive,
00:48:26.542 --> 00:48:31.514
Making people uncomfortable, or drive people away.
00:48:31.514 --> 00:48:35.618
We can't help being lights in the darkness wherever we go,
00:48:35.618 --> 00:48:38.421
And it's gonna be different for you.
00:48:38.421 --> 00:48:39.989
If you'll live for, if you're not trying to be gray,
00:48:39.989 --> 00:48:43.492
If you're not trying to mesmerize your own self
00:48:43.492 --> 00:48:46.062
By marrying the darkness with the light,
00:48:46.062 --> 00:48:48.431
Which doesn't work and is not acceptable
00:48:48.431 --> 00:48:50.099
And will just lead you wrong, if you're trying to really be
00:48:50.099 --> 00:48:53.069
The light, you just need to get excited about this.
00:48:53.069 --> 00:48:55.604
Someone isn't gonna like you as much as they did before.
00:48:55.604 --> 00:48:59.809
But what i know is this, everybody in the world,
00:48:59.809 --> 00:49:02.611
Whether they like to admit it or not, is looking for light.
00:49:02.611 --> 00:49:05.915
They're searching.
00:49:05.915 --> 00:49:07.249
They're trying to figure out why they are the way they are,
00:49:07.249 --> 00:49:09.852
Why they do what they do.
00:49:09.852 --> 00:49:11.220
They're looking for someone to help them.
00:49:11.220 --> 00:49:13.055
And if you don't shine the light,
00:49:13.055 --> 00:49:16.492
If you compromise your witness, they won't come to you
00:49:16.492 --> 00:49:20.696
'cause they'll see the phoniness of who you are
00:49:20.696 --> 00:49:22.732
And what you're doing.
00:49:22.732 --> 00:49:24.700
One day, i was in this barber shop and my friend,
00:49:24.700 --> 00:49:27.003
And i was getting my hair cut.
00:49:27.003 --> 00:49:28.637
And he knows i'm a pastor, and we have a good,
00:49:28.637 --> 00:49:31.640
Positive relationship.
00:49:31.640 --> 00:49:33.509
All of a sudden, this guy comes in,
00:49:33.509 --> 00:49:35.845
He sits down in the other chair,
00:49:35.845 --> 00:49:37.213
And he starts in with vulgarity like you would not believe.
00:49:37.213 --> 00:49:40.916
He's telling a dirty joke, and he's trying to make--
00:49:40.916 --> 00:49:43.219
And he's laughing and it's like, you know, and my barber,
00:49:43.219 --> 00:49:46.188
He doesn't realize i'm sitting there looking at the mirror,
00:49:46.188 --> 00:49:48.724
And he's behind me so i can see him.
00:49:48.724 --> 00:49:51.227
And he's telling his barber friend--
00:49:51.227 --> 00:49:57.266
"the pastor's in the house, come on."
00:49:57.266 --> 00:50:00.269
Well, why wouldn't he just do what he wanted to do
00:50:00.269 --> 00:50:02.405
If he's who he is?
00:50:02.405 --> 00:50:03.739
Because when you're the light, you bring condemnation to people
00:50:03.739 --> 00:50:06.675
Who are in the darkness.
00:50:06.675 --> 00:50:08.411
You don't have to say anything.
00:50:08.411 --> 00:50:09.745
You don't have to do anything.
00:50:09.745 --> 00:50:11.247
People will be different around you.
00:50:11.247 --> 00:50:12.581
That doesn't mean you're better than they are.
00:50:12.581 --> 00:50:14.050
That just means it's the light that dispels the darkness.
00:50:14.050 --> 00:50:17.953
Did you know that in the english language and in language itself,
00:50:17.953 --> 00:50:21.390
There is no word for darkness?
00:50:21.390 --> 00:50:24.060
The word for darkness is coined.
00:50:24.060 --> 00:50:26.695
Darkness is just the expression of the absence of light.
00:50:26.695 --> 00:50:31.600
So, darkness isn't a quantity.
00:50:31.600 --> 00:50:34.303
It's the absence of light.
00:50:34.303 --> 00:50:36.205
When you walk into a situation, you change the darkness.
00:50:36.205 --> 00:50:38.941
You become a part of lighting up that area where you are.
00:50:38.941 --> 00:50:42.044
The light of the world is coming through you,
00:50:42.044 --> 00:50:44.413
And jesus christ is living his life out in you.
00:50:44.413 --> 00:50:48.117
That brings me back to shon hopwood
00:50:48.117 --> 00:50:50.553
With whom we began.
00:50:50.553 --> 00:50:52.254
Remember him?
00:50:52.254 --> 00:50:53.589
He was going to prison at the age of 23.
00:50:53.589 --> 00:50:56.092
As time went by, he got a job in the prison library,
00:50:56.092 --> 00:50:58.594
And he began reading books about the law.
00:50:58.594 --> 00:51:00.729
And as he learned about the law, he began taking on cases
00:51:00.729 --> 00:51:03.466
For fellow prisoners, writing petitions
00:51:03.466 --> 00:51:06.035
They could use in federal courts.
00:51:06.035 --> 00:51:09.038
They called him the jailhouse lawyer.
00:51:09.038 --> 00:51:12.174
Shon also began corresponding with a friend named annie,
00:51:12.174 --> 00:51:15.478
His secret crush through high school.
00:51:15.478 --> 00:51:18.948
Furthermore, his parents let him know
00:51:18.948 --> 00:51:21.484
They continue to pray for him.
00:51:21.484 --> 00:51:23.552
And his mom, she kept sending him christian books.
00:51:23.552 --> 00:51:28.124
One day shon's prison friend, robert,
00:51:28.124 --> 00:51:30.493
Had a life-changing experience with jesus christ.
00:51:30.493 --> 00:51:33.829
Shon took all that in, and he found it
00:51:33.829 --> 00:51:36.265
Increasingly difficult to rationalize
00:51:36.265 --> 00:51:38.434
His own darkened life.
00:51:38.434 --> 00:51:41.036
After shon was released from prison in 2009,
00:51:41.036 --> 00:51:44.106
He and annie were engaged, and they asked
00:51:44.106 --> 00:51:46.942
Pastor marty barnhart to officiate the wedding.
00:51:46.942 --> 00:51:50.713
But barnhart wanted to talk to them first.
00:51:50.713 --> 00:51:53.482
He asked them what they believed about jesus,
00:51:53.482 --> 00:51:55.751
And he said they could be forgiven
00:51:55.751 --> 00:51:57.119
By the shed blood of christ.
00:51:57.119 --> 00:51:58.687
And the pastor's exact words were, "yeah, even you, shon."
00:51:58.687 --> 00:52:02.291
Here's what happened next.
00:52:02.291 --> 00:52:04.860
"the next day i could accept the feeling," said shon,
00:52:04.860 --> 00:52:09.431
"that god had been pursuing me for a long time
00:52:09.431 --> 00:52:13.202
And that if i just abandon my stubbornness
00:52:13.202 --> 00:52:15.738
And selfishness and hand everything over to him,
00:52:15.738 --> 00:52:18.741
I would find redemption.
00:52:18.741 --> 00:52:20.609
What does it mean to be redeemed?
00:52:20.609 --> 00:52:22.077
And how do you redeem yourself after robbing five banks?
00:52:22.077 --> 00:52:25.514
Well, the answer is you don't.
00:52:25.514 --> 00:52:27.416
The answer is that you need some help.
00:52:27.416 --> 00:52:29.852
In ephesians 1:7 through 8 paul writes that,
00:52:29.919 --> 00:52:33.589
'in christ, we have redemption through his blood,
00:52:33.589 --> 00:52:37.259
The forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches
00:52:37.259 --> 00:52:39.595
Of god's grace that he lavished on us.'
00:52:39.595 --> 00:52:42.364
To put it differently, because of our sins, none of us,
00:52:42.364 --> 00:52:45.201
And surely no former prisoner like me," said shon,
00:52:45.201 --> 00:52:48.270
"can be redeemed on our own.
00:52:48.270 --> 00:52:50.439
We need the gospel of grace which says
00:52:50.439 --> 00:52:52.808
That each of us matters and has worth
00:52:52.808 --> 00:52:54.977
Because we're made in the image of god.
00:52:54.977 --> 00:52:58.113
Grace says we are not defined by our failures and our faults,
00:52:58.113 --> 00:53:01.684
But by a love without merit or condition.
00:53:01.684 --> 00:53:04.687
God's grace was enough to redeem me," he said.
00:53:04.687 --> 00:53:08.724
Shon and annie asked christ to come into their lives.
00:53:10.392 --> 00:53:12.761
They were married, they were baptized.
00:53:12.761 --> 00:53:14.196
They moved to seattle so shon could attend
00:53:14.196 --> 00:53:16.832
The university of washington law school.
00:53:16.832 --> 00:53:19.535
And believe it or not, today shon is a professor
00:53:19.535 --> 00:53:22.104
Of law at the georgetown university in washington
00:53:22.104 --> 00:53:25.074
Where he is spreading the light every day.
00:53:25.074 --> 00:53:28.110
We're living in a messed-up world.
00:53:29.411 --> 00:53:31.247
Let's face it.
00:53:31.247 --> 00:53:32.581
The bible warns that in the last days,
00:53:32.581 --> 00:53:33.916
Perilous times will come,
00:53:33.916 --> 00:53:35.684
Society will go from bad to worse.
00:53:35.684 --> 00:53:37.853
But remember, the city of ephesus
00:53:37.853 --> 00:53:40.189
Was also a place of darkness in paul's day,
00:53:40.189 --> 00:53:43.392
The city to which his letter was written.
00:53:43.392 --> 00:53:45.327
Yet paul viewed the christians there as children of light.
00:53:45.327 --> 00:53:49.665
Their presence lit up the city streets with the glow of jesus.
00:53:49.665 --> 00:53:53.369
So, even in dark days, you can experience
00:53:53.369 --> 00:53:56.205
God's grace exude his radiance, exhibit his holiness.
00:53:56.205 --> 00:53:59.942
And in a world increasingly dominated by the end times,
00:53:59.942 --> 00:54:03.712
God has empowered you to shine.
00:54:03.712 --> 00:54:07.116
And how many of you know the darker the night,
00:54:07.116 --> 00:54:11.287
The brighter the light?
00:54:11.287 --> 00:54:13.856
So, let's don't complain about the world in which we live.
00:54:13.856 --> 00:54:16.792
Let's take advantage of the difference we make.
00:54:16.792 --> 00:54:19.962
Let's don't be obnoxious, weird people.
00:54:19.962 --> 00:54:22.531
You know some christians are like that.
00:54:22.531 --> 00:54:24.900
And when you see people like that,
00:54:24.900 --> 00:54:26.235
You don't want what they have.
00:54:26.235 --> 00:54:27.569
You want to get away from them as far as you can.
00:54:27.569 --> 00:54:30.406
But if you're gracious, godly people
00:54:30.406 --> 00:54:32.074
And you let your light so shine,
00:54:32.074 --> 00:54:34.209
And when others are being cruel, you're kind,
00:54:34.209 --> 00:54:37.313
When others are doing the things
00:54:37.313 --> 00:54:38.714
That paul described people do in the last days,
00:54:38.714 --> 00:54:40.949
You don't do that, you are not an alpha-privative christian
00:54:40.949 --> 00:54:46.488
But you're a christian in the truest sense
00:54:46.488 --> 00:54:48.590
And you live your life that way, you will make a difference
00:54:48.590 --> 00:54:51.360
In this world.
00:54:51.360 --> 00:54:52.695
And if all of us determine to let our light shine,
00:54:52.695 --> 00:54:55.964
We can light up this world just like we light up this church
00:54:55.964 --> 00:54:59.201
On christmas eve.
00:54:59.201 --> 00:55:00.569
Male announcer: dr. jeremiah will return
00:55:01.704 --> 00:55:03.038
With one more inspirational word to close today's program
00:55:03.038 --> 00:55:06.208
Right after this.
00:55:06.208 --> 00:55:07.876
♪♪♪
00:55:07.876 --> 00:55:09.378
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:55:09.378 --> 00:55:11.714
When you give a gift of any amount
00:55:11.714 --> 00:55:13.182
In support of this program,
00:55:13.182 --> 00:55:14.817
Dr. jeremiah will send you in appreciation
00:55:14.817 --> 00:55:17.653
His book, "where do we go from here?"
00:55:17.653 --> 00:55:20.489
And for a gift of $75 or more, dr. jeremiah will send you
00:55:20.489 --> 00:55:24.793
The "where do we go from here?" set,
00:55:24.793 --> 00:55:26.929
Which includes his book,
00:55:26.929 --> 00:55:28.630
His current teaching series on your choice of cd or dvd,
00:55:28.630 --> 00:55:32.434
A correlating study guide,
00:55:32.434 --> 00:55:34.136
And his interview special on dvd.
00:55:34.136 --> 00:55:37.039
Also, with any order of the book or set,
00:55:37.039 --> 00:55:39.541
You'll receive "warning signs of the end times,"
00:55:39.541 --> 00:55:42.644
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:55:42.644 --> 00:55:45.781
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:55:45.781 --> 00:55:48.717
Thank you for your support of turning point.
00:55:48.784 --> 00:55:50.919
Contact us today.
00:55:50.919 --> 00:55:52.454
Announcer: and now, with one last word
00:55:54.390 --> 00:55:55.758
For today's program, here is dr. jeremiah.
00:55:55.758 --> 00:55:58.961
Dr. jeremiah: it seems that modern societies
00:55:59.027 --> 00:56:01.130
Are growing darker with every passing year.
00:56:01.130 --> 00:56:04.466
It's easy to think we can live surrounded by sin
00:56:04.466 --> 00:56:07.469
And not be influenced by it.
00:56:07.469 --> 00:56:09.638
We need the protection of the lord jesus christ
00:56:09.638 --> 00:56:12.040
In these dark days and to shine his lights for him.
00:56:12.040 --> 00:56:16.178
That protection begins when we accept him
00:56:16.178 --> 00:56:18.447
As lord of our life and walk faithfully with him every day.
00:56:18.447 --> 00:56:22.418
To help, please allow me to send you two free gifts
00:56:22.418 --> 00:56:26.388
From turning point, a booklet called,
00:56:26.388 --> 00:56:29.491
"your greatest turning point,"
00:56:29.491 --> 00:56:31.460
And our monthly devotional magazine called,
00:56:31.460 --> 00:56:33.829
"turning points."
00:56:33.829 --> 00:56:35.731
These resources will introduce you
00:56:35.731 --> 00:56:37.766
To jesus christ and help you know him personally.
00:56:37.766 --> 00:56:41.403
And we will gladly send both of these gifts to you
00:56:41.403 --> 00:56:43.872
Free of charge if you will contact us here
00:56:43.872 --> 00:56:46.475
At turning point today.
00:56:46.475 --> 00:56:48.510
Announcer: next time on "turning point."
00:56:51.079 --> 00:56:53.715
Dr. jeremiah: jesus touched lepers who were untouchable,
00:56:53.782 --> 00:56:56.885
According to the law.
00:56:56.885 --> 00:56:58.687
He welcomed sinners who were despised.
00:56:58.687 --> 00:57:00.556
He expressed compassion for a woman taken in adultery.
00:57:00.556 --> 00:57:03.759
He cast demons out of people who were violent.
00:57:03.759 --> 00:57:06.462
And after his resurrection, he reassured a doubting disciple
00:57:06.462 --> 00:57:10.466
And reestablished the disciple who had denied him.
00:57:10.466 --> 00:57:14.837
Jesus had no place in his heart for the cancel culture.
00:57:14.837 --> 00:57:19.374
Announcer: join dr. jeremiah next time for his message,
00:57:20.976 --> 00:57:23.679
"cancel culture: a political prophecy,"
00:57:23.679 --> 00:57:27.516
Here on "turning point."
00:57:27.516 --> 00:57:27.516

David Jeremiah - A Biographical Prophecy

April 18, 2026 | 57:29

Closed captions

Share