David Jeremiah - A Spiritual Prophecy - Spiritual Famine

May 2, 2026 | 57:29

There is a spiritual famine in many churches as followers of Christ neglect Bible study and fail to revere God's Word. However, it is possible to remain strong and avoid spiritual malnourishment.

#Famine #Spirit #Prophecy #Theology #Bible #Burden #Study #Shepherds #Evangelism #Signs&Wonders #EndTimes #LastDays #DavidJeremiah

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Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - A Spiritual Prophecy - Spiritual Famine | May 2, 2026

...
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Male announcer: find clarity and hope
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In god's unwavering prophetic plan
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With "understanding biblical prophecy."
00:00:05.210 --> 00:00:07.813
This all-new bible study from dr. jeremiah
00:00:07.813 --> 00:00:09.982
Will guide you through 30 powerful prophetic passages.
00:00:09.982 --> 00:00:12.851
As you read each prophecy, learn its context,
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Answer reflection questions, and apply it to your life,
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You will learn to understand god's word,
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Trust in his promises,
00:00:20.692 --> 00:00:22.027
And face tomorrow with unshakable confidence.
00:00:22.027 --> 00:00:25.197
Request "understanding biblical prophecy"
00:00:25.197 --> 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 --> 00:00:32.471
Dr. david jeremiah: are we living in the end times?
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There may have never been another time in history
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When endtimes prophecy has been more aligned
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With the culture and circumstances of the world
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Than it is today.
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I believe there are ten phenomena
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We are witnessing today
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That were recorded centuries ago in bible prophecy.
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Seeing our circumstances in light of these prophecies
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Should give us resolve, purpose, and hope,
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And help us answer the questions:
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What are we to do with the world around us?
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What hope do we have in times like these?
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And ultimately, where do we go from here?
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Dr. jeremiah: is the indifference to god
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We're experiencing in the world today
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A sign we are living in the last days?
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The bible teaches there will be a scarcity of truth
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In the end times.
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Could we be in the early stages
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Of an apocalyptic spiritual famine?
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Announcer: join dr. david jeremiah
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For this special prophecy edition of "turning point"
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As he presents a sign of the end times,
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"spiritual famine: a spiritual prophecy,"
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Today on "turning point."
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♪♪♪
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♪ when all i see is the battle ♪
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♪ you see my victory ♪
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♪ when all i see is a mountain ♪
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♪ you see a mountain moved ♪
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♪ and as i walk through the shadow ♪
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♪ your love surrounds me ♪
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♪ there's nothing to fear now ♪
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♪ for i am safe with you ♪
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♪ so when i fight ♪
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♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
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♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
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♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
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♪ and every fear ♪
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♪ i lay at your feet ♪
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♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
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♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ and if you are for me ♪
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♪ who can be against me ♪
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♪ for jesus, there's nothing ♪
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♪ impossible for you ♪
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♪ when all i see are the ashes ♪
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♪ you see the beauty ♪
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♪ when all i see is a cross ♪
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♪ god, you see the empty tomb ♪
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♪ so when i fight ♪
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♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
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♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
00:04:06.084 --> 00:04:08.854
♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
00:04:08.854 --> 00:04:13.058
♪ and every fear ♪
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♪ i lay at your feet ♪
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♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
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♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ almighty fortress ♪
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♪ you go before us ♪
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♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
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♪ you win every battle ♪
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♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ almighty fortress ♪
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♪ you go before us ♪
00:04:55.667 --> 00:04:58.904
♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
00:05:03.975 --> 00:05:06.745
♪ you win every battle ♪
00:05:06.745 --> 00:05:10.115
♪ nothing can stand against ♪
00:05:10.115 --> 00:05:12.184
♪ the power of our god ♪
00:05:12.184 --> 00:05:15.120
♪ almighty fortress ♪
00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:17.923
♪ you go before us ♪
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♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ you shine in the shadow ♪
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♪ you win every battle ♪
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♪ nothing can stand against ♪
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♪ the power of our god ♪
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♪ so when i fight ♪
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♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
00:05:42.481 --> 00:05:45.183
♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
00:05:45.183 --> 00:05:47.919
♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
00:05:47.919 --> 00:05:52.124
♪ and every fear ♪
00:05:52.124 --> 00:05:53.692
♪ i lay at your feet ♪
00:05:53.692 --> 00:05:56.962
♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
00:05:56.962 --> 00:05:59.164
♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
00:05:59.164 --> 00:06:03.135
♪ so when i fight ♪
00:06:03.135 --> 00:06:04.770
♪ i'll fight on my knees ♪
00:06:04.770 --> 00:06:07.539
♪ with my hands lifted high ♪
00:06:07.539 --> 00:06:10.308
♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪
00:06:10.308 --> 00:06:14.446
♪ and every fear ♪
00:06:14.446 --> 00:06:16.014
♪ i lay at your feet ♪
00:06:16.014 --> 00:06:19.351
♪ i'll sing through the night ♪
00:06:19.351 --> 00:06:21.453
♪ o god, the battle belongs to you ♪♪
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♪♪♪
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[congregation applauding]
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Announcer: coming up on "turning point."
00:06:42.073 --> 00:06:43.708
Dr. jeremiah: a church that doesn't have
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The word of god at the center of it
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Really has nothing to offer you.
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And you will not grow there
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And your children will not grow there.
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Make sure that you're in a church
00:06:54.953 --> 00:06:56.588
Where the word of god is taught and christ is lifted up.
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Because that's what will make a difference in your life.
00:07:00.425 --> 00:07:02.694
Announcer: the bible predicts the falling away of the church.
00:07:04.329 --> 00:07:07.299
Is that what we are seeing today?
00:07:07.299 --> 00:07:09.434
Are the illnesses, plagues, and pestilence of our day
00:07:09.434 --> 00:07:12.337
Signs we are living in the end times?
00:07:12.337 --> 00:07:14.940
Would you be surprised to know the decay of character
00:07:14.940 --> 00:07:17.809
Is a precursor for christ's return?
00:07:17.809 --> 00:07:20.278
Dr. david jeremiah answers these questions and more
00:07:20.278 --> 00:07:23.582
In his book, "where do we go from here?
00:07:23.582 --> 00:07:26.284
How tomorrow's prophecies foreshadow today's problems."
00:07:26.284 --> 00:07:30.055
Written especially for this time,
00:07:30.055 --> 00:07:32.090
Dr. jeremiah explores how bible prophecy
00:07:32.090 --> 00:07:34.526
Intersects with culture and events
00:07:34.526 --> 00:07:36.561
We are witnessing right outside our door.
00:07:36.561 --> 00:07:39.231
In every chapter, dr. jeremiah examines
00:07:39.231 --> 00:07:41.800
What bible prophecy reveals about the world today,
00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:44.803
What it means for believers,
00:07:44.803 --> 00:07:46.605
And ultimately where we go from here.
00:07:46.605 --> 00:07:49.508
"where do we go from here?" by dr. jeremiah is yours
00:07:49.508 --> 00:07:52.310
When you give a gift of any amount
00:07:52.310 --> 00:07:53.945
In support of this program.
00:07:53.945 --> 00:07:55.614
And if you give $75 or more, you'll receive
00:07:55.614 --> 00:07:58.783
The "where do we go from here?" set, which also includes
00:07:58.783 --> 00:08:01.686
Dr. jeremiah's entire teaching series
00:08:01.686 --> 00:08:03.455
On cd or dvd,
00:08:03.455 --> 00:08:05.457
A correlating study guide,
00:08:05.457 --> 00:08:06.791
And his interview special on dvd.
00:08:06.791 --> 00:08:09.561
Plus included with any order of the book or set,
00:08:09.561 --> 00:08:12.430
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:08:12.430 --> 00:08:14.900
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:08:14.900 --> 00:08:17.702
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:08:17.702 --> 00:08:20.071
Order "where do we go from here?" book or set today.
00:08:20.071 --> 00:08:23.842
♪♪♪
00:08:25.610 --> 00:08:38.256
♪ i love you, lord ♪
00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:42.761
♪ oh, your mercy never fails me ♪
00:08:42.761 --> 00:08:47.465
♪ all my days ♪
00:08:47.465 --> 00:08:49.601
♪ i've been held in your hands ♪
00:08:49.601 --> 00:08:54.306
♪ from the moment that i wake up ♪
00:08:54.306 --> 00:08:57.909
♪ until i lay my head ♪
00:08:57.909 --> 00:09:01.313
♪ and i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
00:09:01.313 --> 00:09:07.719
Michael sanchez: all my life.
00:09:07.719 --> 00:09:10.288
♪ all my life you have been faithful ♪
00:09:10.288 --> 00:09:17.329
♪ all my life you have been so, so good ♪
00:09:17.329 --> 00:09:24.269
♪ with every breath that i am able ♪
00:09:24.269 --> 00:09:29.608
♪ and i will sing ♪
00:09:29.608 --> 00:09:31.876
♪ of the goodness of god ♪
00:09:31.876 --> 00:09:36.781
♪ i love your voice ♪
00:09:36.781 --> 00:09:40.986
♪ you have led me through the fire ♪
00:09:40.986 --> 00:09:45.290
♪ and in darkest night ♪
00:09:45.290 --> 00:09:47.726
♪ you are close like no other ♪
00:09:47.726 --> 00:09:52.464
♪ i've known you as a father ♪
00:09:52.464 --> 00:09:56.001
♪ i've known you as a friend ♪
00:09:56.001 --> 00:09:59.604
♪ and i have lived in the goodness of god ♪
00:09:59.604 --> 00:10:05.543
♪ sing, "all my life." ♪
00:10:05.543 --> 00:10:08.380
♪ all my life you have been faithful ♪
00:10:08.380 --> 00:10:15.487
♪ all my life you have been so, so good ♪
00:10:15.487 --> 00:10:22.494
♪ with every breath that i am able ♪
00:10:22.494 --> 00:10:27.866
♪ i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
00:10:27.866 --> 00:10:36.441
♪ your goodness is running after ♪
00:10:36.441 --> 00:10:39.277
♪ it's running after me ♪
00:10:39.277 --> 00:10:43.415
♪ your goodness is running after ♪
00:10:43.415 --> 00:10:46.384
♪ it's running after me ♪
00:10:46.384 --> 00:10:49.587
♪ with my life laid down ♪
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♪ i'm surrendered now ♪
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♪ i give you everything ♪
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♪ your goodness is running after ♪
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♪ it's running after me ♪
00:11:00.432 --> 00:11:04.269
♪ oh ♪
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♪ sing, "all my life." ♪
00:11:07.338 --> 00:11:10.275
♪ all my life you have been faithful ♪
00:11:10.275 --> 00:11:14.846
♪ yes, you have, lord ♪
00:11:14.846 --> 00:11:17.348
♪ all my life you have been so, so good ♪
00:11:17.348 --> 00:11:22.620
♪ so, so good ♪
00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:24.355
♪ with every breath that i am able ♪
00:11:24.355 --> 00:11:29.694
♪ i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
00:11:29.694 --> 00:11:35.300
♪ i will sing of the goodness of god ♪
00:11:36.701 --> 00:11:42.273
♪ i will sing of the goodness of god ♪♪
00:11:43.808 --> 00:11:53.685
[congregation applauding]
00:11:53.685 --> 00:11:56.921
Announcer: dr. david jeremiah
00:11:58.056 --> 00:11:59.390
Is delivering the unchanging word of god every month
00:11:59.390 --> 00:12:01.559
To more than half a million homes
00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:03.428
Through "turning points" magazine and devotional.
00:12:03.428 --> 00:12:05.797
Request your first issue now
00:12:05.797 --> 00:12:07.599
To read inspirational, in-depth articles
00:12:07.599 --> 00:12:09.801
And quick, clear, and creative devotionals
00:12:09.801 --> 00:12:11.736
From dr. jeremiah each month
00:12:11.736 --> 00:12:13.505
That will encourage, challenge, and strengthen
00:12:13.505 --> 00:12:15.607
Your walk with the lord.
00:12:15.607 --> 00:12:17.041
Request your three issues of "turning points" completely free
00:12:17.041 --> 00:12:19.811
Or give a gift of any amount
00:12:19.811 --> 00:12:21.579
To receive an annual subscription.
00:12:21.579 --> 00:12:23.581
Contact turning point today.
00:12:23.581 --> 00:12:24.949
♪♪♪
00:12:26.885 --> 00:12:35.093
♪ i sought the lord ♪
00:12:35.093 --> 00:12:39.030
♪ and he answered me ♪
00:12:39.030 --> 00:12:42.834
♪ and delivered me ♪
00:12:42.834 --> 00:12:46.604
♪ from every fear ♪
00:12:46.604 --> 00:12:50.475
♪ those who look on him ♪
00:12:50.475 --> 00:12:54.312
♪ are radiant ♪
00:12:54.312 --> 00:12:58.216
♪ they'll never be ashamed ♪
00:12:58.216 --> 00:13:00.819
♪ they'll never be ashamed ♪
00:13:01.753 --> 00:13:06.157
♪ this poor man cried ♪
00:13:06.157 --> 00:13:09.928
♪ and the lord heard me ♪
00:13:09.928 --> 00:13:13.798
♪ and saved me from ♪
00:13:13.798 --> 00:13:17.535
♪ my enemies ♪
00:13:17.535 --> 00:13:21.606
♪ the son of god ♪
00:13:21.606 --> 00:13:25.276
♪ surrounds his saints ♪
00:13:25.276 --> 00:13:29.180
♪ he will deliver them ♪
00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:32.183
♪ he will deliver them ♪
00:13:32.984 --> 00:13:37.622
♪ magnify the lord with me ♪
00:13:37.622 --> 00:13:45.263
♪ come exalt his name together ♪
00:13:45.263 --> 00:13:52.704
♪ glorify the lord with me ♪
00:13:52.704 --> 00:14:00.745
♪ come exalt his name forever ♪
00:14:00.745 --> 00:14:08.253
♪ magnify the lord with me ♪
00:14:08.253 --> 00:14:15.894
♪ come exalt his name together ♪
00:14:15.894 --> 00:14:23.668
♪ glorify the lord with me ♪
00:14:23.668 --> 00:14:31.342
♪ come exalt his name ♪
00:14:31.342 --> 00:14:36.014
♪ forever ♪
00:14:36.014 --> 00:14:43.254
♪ let us bless the lord, every day and night ♪
00:14:43.254 --> 00:14:50.862
♪ never-ending praise, may our incense rise ♪
00:14:50.862 --> 00:14:59.270
♪ let us bless the lord, every day and night ♪
00:14:59.270 --> 00:15:06.177
♪ never-ending praise, may our incense rise ♪
00:15:06.177 --> 00:15:13.952
♪ let us bless the lord, every day and night ♪
00:15:13.952 --> 00:15:21.659
♪ never-ending praise, may our incense rise ♪
00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:29.534
♪ let us bless the lord, every day and night ♪
00:15:29.534 --> 00:15:37.108
♪ never-ending praise ♪
00:15:37.108 --> 00:15:41.045
♪ may our incense rise ♪
00:15:41.045 --> 00:15:48.987
♪ magnify the lord with me ♪
00:15:48.987 --> 00:15:56.361
♪ come exalt his name together ♪
00:15:56.361 --> 00:16:04.235
♪ glorify the lord with me ♪
00:16:04.235 --> 00:16:11.843
♪ come exalt his name forever ♪
00:16:11.843 --> 00:16:19.784
♪ magnify the lord with me ♪
00:16:19.784 --> 00:16:27.592
♪ come exalt his name together ♪
00:16:27.592 --> 00:16:35.199
♪ glorify the lord with me ♪
00:16:35.199 --> 00:16:40.571
♪ come and exalt his name ♪
00:16:40.571 --> 00:16:43.274
♪ come exalt his name ♪
00:16:43.274 --> 00:16:47.545
♪ forever ♪
00:16:47.545 --> 00:16:54.752
♪ oh, taste and see that the lord is good ♪
00:16:54.752 --> 00:17:02.060
♪ he'll give you everything ♪
00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:05.029
♪ he'll give you everything ♪♪
00:17:06.664 --> 00:17:15.073
[congregation cheering]
00:17:15.073 --> 00:17:19.877
Announcer: in dr. david jeremiah's book,
00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:22.780
"where do we go from here?"
00:17:22.780 --> 00:17:24.582
Discover ten phenomena happening in our world today
00:17:24.582 --> 00:17:27.785
That prove tomorrow's prophecies foreshadow
00:17:27.785 --> 00:17:30.421
The problems we're experiencing in our culture,
00:17:30.421 --> 00:17:32.990
And find biblical direction for the end times.
00:17:32.990 --> 00:17:36.761
In this book, dr. jeremiah examines
00:17:36.761 --> 00:17:38.696
What bible prophecy reveals about ten issues of our time,
00:17:38.696 --> 00:17:42.233
What they mean for believers,
00:17:42.233 --> 00:17:44.035
And ultimately where we go from here.
00:17:44.035 --> 00:17:46.904
"where do we go from here?" by dr. jeremiah is yours
00:17:46.904 --> 00:17:49.707
When you give a gift of any amount
00:17:49.707 --> 00:17:51.342
In support of this program.
00:17:51.342 --> 00:17:53.010
And if you give $75 or more, you'll receive
00:17:53.010 --> 00:17:56.180
The "where do we go from here?" set, which also includes
00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:59.083
Dr. jeremiah's entire teaching series
00:17:59.083 --> 00:18:00.852
On cd or dvd,
00:18:00.852 --> 00:18:02.854
A correlating study guide,
00:18:02.854 --> 00:18:04.188
And his interview special on dvd.
00:18:04.188 --> 00:18:06.958
Plus included with any order of the book or set,
00:18:06.958 --> 00:18:09.827
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:18:09.827 --> 00:18:12.296
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:18:12.296 --> 00:18:15.099
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:17.468
Order "where do we go from here?" book or set today.
00:18:17.468 --> 00:18:21.239
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:24.842
In appreciation of your viewership,
00:18:24.842 --> 00:18:26.677
Dr. jeremiah would like to send you
00:18:26.677 --> 00:18:28.713
"warning signs of the end times,"
00:18:28.713 --> 00:18:30.715
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:18:30.715 --> 00:18:33.151
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:18:33.151 --> 00:18:35.853
It's yours absolutely free
00:18:35.853 --> 00:18:37.555
Just by contacting turning point today.
00:18:37.555 --> 00:18:40.224
And now here is dr. jeremiah with his message,
00:18:40.224 --> 00:18:43.127
"spiritual famine: a spiritual prophecy."
00:18:43.127 --> 00:18:45.763
Dr. jeremiah: when actor benedict cumberbatch
00:18:47.665 --> 00:18:49.800
Took on the role of greville wynne
00:18:49.800 --> 00:18:52.170
In the movie, "the courier,"
00:18:52.170 --> 00:18:54.272
He faced some scenes that required him
00:18:54.272 --> 00:18:56.340
To endure severe weight loss.
00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:59.710
The movie was inspired by real events,
00:18:59.710 --> 00:19:01.779
And wynne was an english businessman
00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:03.915
Recruited by mi6 and the cia
00:19:03.915 --> 00:19:06.951
To spy against russia during the cold war.
00:19:06.951 --> 00:19:10.087
When wynne was captured by the soviets,
00:19:10.087 --> 00:19:11.923
He spent a few years in lockup,
00:19:11.923 --> 00:19:13.691
And his near-starvation diet reduced him to skin and bones.
00:19:13.691 --> 00:19:19.897
For about four scenes in this movie,
00:19:19.897 --> 00:19:22.733
Cumberbatch had to replicate the look
00:19:22.733 --> 00:19:24.902
Of a man nearly starved to death.
00:19:24.902 --> 00:19:27.972
And the movie's crew took a break from filming
00:19:27.972 --> 00:19:30.675
While he went on a harsh diet
00:19:30.675 --> 00:19:32.843
To make him look emaciated for this portion of the movie.
00:19:32.843 --> 00:19:36.547
It was a brutal experience.
00:19:36.547 --> 00:19:39.116
"you get very disoriented," he said.
00:19:39.116 --> 00:19:40.985
"you feel dehydrated.
00:19:40.985 --> 00:19:42.320
You feel hungry all the time.
00:19:42.320 --> 00:19:44.422
You feel emotionally and physically vulnerable.
00:19:44.422 --> 00:19:47.291
It's horrible."
00:19:47.291 --> 00:19:48.626
He said, "i felt mentally unstable."
00:19:48.626 --> 00:19:52.063
Have you ever wondered why our world
00:19:52.063 --> 00:19:54.799
Seems so hungry all the time?
00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:58.236
Why we are perpetually thirsty, why so many people
00:19:58.236 --> 00:20:00.838
Are emotionally and physically vulnerable,
00:20:00.838 --> 00:20:03.507
Why they feel horrible, why they seem mentally unstable?
00:20:03.507 --> 00:20:08.446
The answer is that our generation is on a diet.
00:20:08.446 --> 00:20:14.118
It's a generation that is famished.
00:20:14.118 --> 00:20:17.255
We have been starved for truth,
00:20:17.255 --> 00:20:19.123
We're hungry for hope and thirsty
00:20:19.123 --> 00:20:21.325
For the god-given message of the scripture.
00:20:21.325 --> 00:20:24.762
And what we're experiencing right now,
00:20:24.762 --> 00:20:26.464
Which we'll get into in a little bit,
00:20:26.464 --> 00:20:28.633
Is something that the bible teaches would happen.
00:20:28.633 --> 00:20:31.702
The bible says there will be
00:20:31.702 --> 00:20:33.070
A famine of truth in the last days.
00:20:33.070 --> 00:20:35.573
Did you know that was in the bible?
00:20:35.573 --> 00:20:37.808
The most vivid biblical prediction about this
00:20:37.808 --> 00:20:40.177
Comes from the rugged prophet amos.
00:20:40.177 --> 00:20:43.281
He wasn't a trained preacher or an educated theologian.
00:20:43.281 --> 00:20:46.450
He was a herdsman who spent most of his time
00:20:46.450 --> 00:20:49.854
Trying to figure out where his sheep were.
00:20:49.854 --> 00:20:52.356
He also was a fruit picker, amos the fruit picker.
00:20:52.356 --> 00:20:58.596
He churned with courage and he spoke with conviction
00:20:58.596 --> 00:21:01.565
Because he knew his god
00:21:01.565 --> 00:21:03.234
And his homespun message was so direct.
00:21:03.234 --> 00:21:06.637
Amos 4:12 says this:
00:21:06.637 --> 00:21:09.040
"prepare to meet your god, o israel!"
00:21:09.040 --> 00:21:11.942
When i read that recently,
00:21:11.942 --> 00:21:13.944
I was reminded of the many trips
00:21:13.944 --> 00:21:15.680
My family and i took across this country
00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:18.015
When i was growing up,
00:21:18.015 --> 00:21:19.350
And you would see that up on billboards.
00:21:19.350 --> 00:21:21.819
"prepare to meet your god."
00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:23.220
And it was not just a few times, it was all over the country.
00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:26.957
I recall seeing this painted on rocks and signposts
00:21:26.957 --> 00:21:30.227
Along the highway when i was growing up.
00:21:30.227 --> 00:21:32.797
Now, of course, they've almost disappeared
00:21:32.797 --> 00:21:34.365
From our consciousness,
00:21:34.365 --> 00:21:35.833
And people take offense at that
00:21:35.833 --> 00:21:37.535
And probably would go to jail
00:21:37.535 --> 00:21:38.869
If they put it up there where people could see it.
00:21:38.869 --> 00:21:42.373
And they didn't like it in amos's day either.
00:21:42.373 --> 00:21:44.475
We often think we're different than history.
00:21:44.475 --> 00:21:46.210
When amos said this,
00:21:46.210 --> 00:21:47.545
He didn't win any awards, i promise you.
00:21:47.545 --> 00:21:49.714
In fact, in the new living translation
00:21:49.714 --> 00:21:52.049
Of amos 7:12-13, here's what we read:
00:21:52.049 --> 00:21:55.853
"get out of here, you prophet!" they said.
00:21:55.853 --> 00:21:58.689
"go on back to the land of judah,
00:21:58.689 --> 00:22:00.491
And earn your living by prophesying back there!
00:22:00.491 --> 00:22:03.260
Don't bother us with your prophecies
00:22:03.260 --> 00:22:05.496
Here in bethel.
00:22:05.496 --> 00:22:06.831
This is the king's sanctuary
00:22:06.831 --> 00:22:08.332
And the national place of worship!"
00:22:08.332 --> 00:22:10.801
When amos told them to prepare to meet their god,
00:22:10.801 --> 00:22:13.337
They didn't like it.
00:22:13.337 --> 00:22:14.672
They told him to get lost.
00:22:14.672 --> 00:22:16.607
They didn't know with whom they were dealing.
00:22:16.607 --> 00:22:18.843
This southern farmer wouldn't be intimidated.
00:22:18.843 --> 00:22:21.579
Instead, he met their threats with this piercing prediction,
00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:26.717
Amos, 8:11-12: "'behold, the days are coming,'
00:22:26.717 --> 00:22:32.857
Says the lord god,
00:22:32.857 --> 00:22:34.959
'that i will send a famine on the land,
00:22:34.959 --> 00:22:37.995
Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
00:22:37.995 --> 00:22:41.966
But of hearing the words of the lord.
00:22:41.966 --> 00:22:45.069
They shall wander from sea to sea,
00:22:45.069 --> 00:22:47.171
And from north to east;
00:22:47.171 --> 00:22:49.273
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the lord,
00:22:49.273 --> 00:22:52.443
And they shall not find it.'"
00:22:52.443 --> 00:22:56.514
Amos was describing
00:22:56.514 --> 00:22:58.582
A particularly deadly type of famine,
00:22:58.582 --> 00:23:01.919
A problem of the ears, not the stomach.
00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:05.456
Our generation may be the early stages
00:23:05.456 --> 00:23:09.760
Of a hearing famine
00:23:09.760 --> 00:23:11.262
As another layer of biblical prophecy unfurls.
00:23:11.262 --> 00:23:15.499
And this isn't the only time that this is in the bible.
00:23:15.499 --> 00:23:17.768
This isn't just amos's word by himself.
00:23:17.768 --> 00:23:19.804
Listen to what the prophet ezekiel said.
00:23:19.804 --> 00:23:22.706
He said, "disaster will come upon disaster,
00:23:22.706 --> 00:23:25.209
And rumor will be upon rumor.
00:23:25.209 --> 00:23:27.978
Then they will seek a vision from a prophet;
00:23:27.978 --> 00:23:30.581
But the law will perish from the priest,
00:23:30.581 --> 00:23:32.783
And counsel from the elders."
00:23:32.783 --> 00:23:36.120
And the prophet micah answered with these words,
00:23:36.120 --> 00:23:39.323
"therefore you shall have night without vision,
00:23:39.323 --> 00:23:42.259
You shall have darkness without divination;
00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:44.962
The sun shall go down on the prophets,
00:23:44.962 --> 00:23:47.064
And the day shall be dark for them."
00:23:47.064 --> 00:23:49.166
Here are the prophets describing a time in the future
00:23:49.166 --> 00:23:52.470
Almost as difficult to understand
00:23:52.470 --> 00:23:54.839
As the 400 silent years that transpired
00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:57.908
Between the old testament and the new testament.
00:23:57.908 --> 00:24:00.444
And as you look around today,
00:24:00.444 --> 00:24:01.846
If you're vigilant, if you're sensitive
00:24:01.846 --> 00:24:03.714
To what's happening in the religious world at all,
00:24:03.714 --> 00:24:06.617
It sort of feels like those days are beginning to come upon us.
00:24:06.617 --> 00:24:10.554
Everywhere you turn, people are running to and fro,
00:24:10.554 --> 00:24:13.557
Trying to find where significance might be,
00:24:13.557 --> 00:24:16.193
Trying to find satisfaction.
00:24:16.193 --> 00:24:18.028
They've lost their appetite
00:24:18.028 --> 00:24:19.363
For the objective truth of god's word,
00:24:19.363 --> 00:24:21.332
And so it's being replaced
00:24:21.332 --> 00:24:22.766
With positive mental attitude lessons
00:24:22.766 --> 00:24:25.002
And motivational lessons
00:24:25.002 --> 00:24:26.737
And all kinds of cute little things
00:24:26.737 --> 00:24:28.973
To try to get people to come and sit
00:24:28.973 --> 00:24:30.307
In the seats in the church.
00:24:30.307 --> 00:24:32.843
But it's not the absence of the word of god
00:24:32.843 --> 00:24:34.578
That's troubling.
00:24:34.578 --> 00:24:35.946
Do you know that there are bibles aplenty
00:24:35.946 --> 00:24:38.048
In most of the world,
00:24:38.048 --> 00:24:39.383
And a virtual army of bible translators
00:24:39.383 --> 00:24:42.219
Are working night and day
00:24:42.219 --> 00:24:44.221
To get the scripture into every tongue,
00:24:44.221 --> 00:24:46.724
And we've made great strides across the universe.
00:24:46.724 --> 00:24:49.760
More than 1500 languages
00:24:49.760 --> 00:24:51.629
Now have access to the new testament,
00:24:51.629 --> 00:24:54.031
And bible translation work
00:24:54.031 --> 00:24:56.100
Is currently being done on the rest.
00:24:56.100 --> 00:24:58.969
Missionary and translation societies
00:24:58.969 --> 00:25:01.305
Are focusing now on the 1.5 billion people
00:25:01.305 --> 00:25:05.042
Who do not have the entire bible
00:25:05.042 --> 00:25:06.644
In their language,
00:25:06.644 --> 00:25:07.978
Working feverishly to meet their need.
00:25:07.978 --> 00:25:10.281
If you ever go
00:25:10.281 --> 00:25:11.615
To the museum of the bible in washington,
00:25:11.615 --> 00:25:13.717
You will see a room
00:25:13.717 --> 00:25:15.052
Where they have cataloged all the languages of the world
00:25:15.052 --> 00:25:17.955
And where you can figure out by just walking in there
00:25:17.955 --> 00:25:21.025
What languages are yet to be translated
00:25:21.025 --> 00:25:23.928
With the bible as its subject.
00:25:23.928 --> 00:25:26.230
And of course, what that means, men and women,
00:25:26.230 --> 00:25:27.765
Is that about 6 billion
00:25:27.765 --> 00:25:29.700
Of the earth's 7.6 billion people
00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:32.870
Now have access to the whole bible,
00:25:32.870 --> 00:25:34.972
Both the old and the new testament.
00:25:34.972 --> 00:25:37.174
In other words, god's word has never been more accessible,
00:25:37.174 --> 00:25:40.210
And in many places in the world
00:25:40.210 --> 00:25:41.912
It's only a smartphone or a laptop click away.
00:25:41.912 --> 00:25:45.783
So what was amos talking about
00:25:45.783 --> 00:25:47.918
When he said there's going to be a famine
00:25:47.918 --> 00:25:49.787
Of the hearing of the word of god?
00:25:49.787 --> 00:25:51.822
The prophet's warnings concerned a loss of hunger for the truth.
00:25:51.822 --> 00:25:57.261
This is a self-inflicted famine.
00:25:57.261 --> 00:26:01.732
I'll never forget the impact a little book had
00:26:01.732 --> 00:26:03.567
On my life some years ago.
00:26:03.567 --> 00:26:06.170
It was written by sherwood eliot wirt.
00:26:06.170 --> 00:26:09.573
He wrote a little book called, "a thirst for god."
00:26:09.573 --> 00:26:12.242
I read it when i was just getting started in ministry,
00:26:12.242 --> 00:26:15.112
Just getting going as a preacher.
00:26:15.112 --> 00:26:17.414
It's basically a commentary on psalm 142,
00:26:17.414 --> 00:26:21.285
And he said that one of the problems we have
00:26:21.285 --> 00:26:23.520
When we talk about spiritual hunger
00:26:23.520 --> 00:26:25.956
Is that we think that spiritual hunger
00:26:25.956 --> 00:26:28.225
And physical hunger are exactly alike.
00:26:28.225 --> 00:26:31.962
But they are as diverse from each other
00:26:31.962 --> 00:26:33.998
As they could be.
00:26:33.998 --> 00:26:35.566
For instance, spiritual hunger works
00:26:35.566 --> 00:26:38.068
Just exactly the opposite from physical hunger.
00:26:38.068 --> 00:26:41.705
When we are physically hungry,
00:26:41.705 --> 00:26:43.540
We eat and satisfy our appetites and cease to be hungry.
00:26:43.540 --> 00:26:48.812
But when we are spiritually undernourished
00:26:48.812 --> 00:26:51.548
And are then given a feast of good spiritual food,
00:26:51.548 --> 00:26:53.951
It makes us hungrier than ever.
00:26:53.951 --> 00:26:56.920
So the more we learn about god's love,
00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:58.822
The more we want to know.
00:26:58.822 --> 00:27:00.157
We can't get enough.
00:27:00.157 --> 00:27:02.026
And the reverse is also true.
00:27:02.026 --> 00:27:04.094
When we are physically hungry and miss a meal,
00:27:04.094 --> 00:27:06.830
Our appetite becomes ravenous, but in time it passes,
00:27:06.830 --> 00:27:11.769
And if we receive no spiritual food
00:27:11.769 --> 00:27:13.537
In that period of time, we lose our appetite.
00:27:13.537 --> 00:27:15.739
You get it?
00:27:15.739 --> 00:27:17.074
When you're hungry physically, you get more hungry,
00:27:17.074 --> 00:27:19.309
But if you don't satisfy your spiritual hunger
00:27:19.309 --> 00:27:22.312
For a period of time,
00:27:22.312 --> 00:27:23.947
Your hunger quotient goes down,
00:27:23.947 --> 00:27:26.083
You get less hungry.
00:27:26.083 --> 00:27:28.619
And that's a real problem because let's suppose
00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:30.487
You've lost your appetite for the word of god.
00:27:30.487 --> 00:27:34.324
Suppose you don't really desire it.
00:27:34.324 --> 00:27:36.894
Suppose you get up in the morning, you see
00:27:36.894 --> 00:27:38.228
Your bible, "you know, i should read this,
00:27:38.228 --> 00:27:40.030
But i don't do that anymore.
00:27:40.030 --> 00:27:41.498
I used to do it a long time ago,
00:27:41.498 --> 00:27:42.833
But i just don't really desire it."
00:27:42.833 --> 00:27:44.968
But then one day you realize you're missing something
00:27:44.968 --> 00:27:47.705
And you need to fix the problem.
00:27:47.705 --> 00:27:49.606
So what do you do?
00:27:49.606 --> 00:27:50.941
How do you fix a problem
00:27:50.941 --> 00:27:52.443
Of spiritual lack of hunger for the word of god?
00:27:52.443 --> 00:27:55.746
Here it is. it's called force feeding.
00:27:55.746 --> 00:28:00.617
You know what that is?
00:28:00.617 --> 00:28:01.952
You go into your little closet,
00:28:01.952 --> 00:28:03.287
Your little study, your little desk,
00:28:03.287 --> 00:28:05.489
And you sit down and you say to yourself,
00:28:05.489 --> 00:28:07.257
"self, i'm going to read the bible today.
00:28:07.257 --> 00:28:09.760
I don't care if i get anything out of it or not.
00:28:09.760 --> 00:28:11.395
I'm going to read it.
00:28:11.395 --> 00:28:12.796
In fact, i'm going to read it till i get something out of it."
00:28:12.796 --> 00:28:15.799
You have to rekindle your appetite
00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:18.736
So that your appetite will grow.
00:28:18.736 --> 00:28:20.237
If you just stop reading the bible
00:28:20.237 --> 00:28:21.972
And don't do anything about it,
00:28:21.972 --> 00:28:23.407
You will never again have an appetite
00:28:23.407 --> 00:28:25.142
For the word of god, and you will be a part
00:28:25.142 --> 00:28:27.010
Of the spiritual famine that amos was talking about.
00:28:27.010 --> 00:28:30.581
The reality is that our hearts are easily drawn away
00:28:30.581 --> 00:28:33.784
From god and his word.
00:28:33.784 --> 00:28:35.152
We know that.
00:28:35.152 --> 00:28:36.487
Human beings have a terrible habit
00:28:36.487 --> 00:28:38.255
Of losing their appetite for the truth.
00:28:38.255 --> 00:28:42.292
Da carson wrote these words.
00:28:42.292 --> 00:28:44.461
Here's what he said.
00:28:44.461 --> 00:28:45.929
He said, "apart from grace-driven effort,
00:28:45.929 --> 00:28:48.565
People do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer,
00:28:48.565 --> 00:28:51.635
Obedience to scripture, faith, and delight in the lord.
00:28:51.635 --> 00:28:54.705
It's not natural to go there.
00:28:54.705 --> 00:28:56.673
We drift toward compromise and we call it tolerance.
00:28:56.673 --> 00:29:00.043
We drift toward disobedience and we call it freedom.
00:29:00.043 --> 00:29:03.680
We drift toward superstition and we call it faith.
00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:06.617
We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control
00:29:06.617 --> 00:29:09.419
And we call it relaxation.
00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:11.722
We slouch toward prayerlessness
00:29:11.722 --> 00:29:13.690
And delude ourselves into thinking
00:29:13.690 --> 00:29:15.826
That we've just escaped legalism.
00:29:15.826 --> 00:29:19.229
We slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves
00:29:19.229 --> 00:29:22.499
That we have been liberated."
00:29:22.499 --> 00:29:24.635
We play these games, don't we, in our minds.
00:29:24.635 --> 00:29:27.037
We all know it. all of us do it.
00:29:27.037 --> 00:29:28.639
I have done it.
00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:30.908
The integrity of our own mind is at stake here
00:29:30.908 --> 00:29:34.344
If we're going to maintain a spiritual appetite.
00:29:34.344 --> 00:29:36.914
So what does this mean?
00:29:36.914 --> 00:29:40.150
That's where we are. what does it mean?
00:29:40.150 --> 00:29:41.752
I know there are some who are listening
00:29:41.752 --> 00:29:43.086
Who will wonder
00:29:43.086 --> 00:29:44.421
About the inclusion of a chapter like this
00:29:44.421 --> 00:29:46.557
In a prophecy book.
00:29:46.557 --> 00:29:48.292
After all, most of the other topics
00:29:48.292 --> 00:29:50.661
That i talk about in this series
00:29:50.661 --> 00:29:52.896
Are sort of cataclysmic or apocalyptic in nature.
00:29:52.896 --> 00:29:57.000
But what we see prophesied in the book of amos
00:29:57.000 --> 00:30:00.237
And other passages of scripture
00:30:00.237 --> 00:30:01.905
Is nothing less than spiritual starvation.
00:30:01.905 --> 00:30:05.342
It's a crisis affecting not only our bodies
00:30:05.342 --> 00:30:07.878
But our souls.
00:30:07.878 --> 00:30:09.446
To appreciate the serious nature of this coming spiritual famine,
00:30:09.446 --> 00:30:13.584
I want you to go with me
00:30:13.584 --> 00:30:14.918
And let's dig a little deeper into its implications.
00:30:14.918 --> 00:30:17.754
What does it mean for the last days?
00:30:17.754 --> 00:30:21.024
What does it mean for our lives right now?
00:30:21.024 --> 00:30:24.228
Here are four things our culture is currently under threat
00:30:24.228 --> 00:30:27.464
From spiritual malnutrition.
00:30:27.464 --> 00:30:30.100
First of all, our heritage is being lost.
00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:33.804
We're losing our heritage.
00:30:33.804 --> 00:30:35.639
The psalmist said, "you have given me the heritage
00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:38.508
Of those who fear your name."
00:30:38.508 --> 00:30:41.311
Hear me now carefully.
00:30:41.311 --> 00:30:43.413
How many children in sunday school and church
00:30:43.413 --> 00:30:45.649
Know anything
00:30:45.649 --> 00:30:47.084
About the 2000 years of christian history?
00:30:47.084 --> 00:30:50.520
Where are the missionary stories?
00:30:50.520 --> 00:30:52.823
What's happened to the heroes and martyrs
00:30:52.823 --> 00:30:54.958
And stalwarts of the past,
00:30:54.958 --> 00:30:56.760
Whose courage brought the gospel to us?
00:30:56.760 --> 00:30:59.763
How many children grow up learning the 23rd psalm
00:30:59.763 --> 00:31:03.000
And the lord's prayer?
00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.468
And what has happened to our old hymns?
00:31:04.468 --> 00:31:07.204
Our spiritual heritage is little by little just slipping away.
00:31:07.204 --> 00:31:12.142
We all know that, and it frustrates us.
00:31:12.142 --> 00:31:14.645
Number two, our theology is being weakened.
00:31:14.645 --> 00:31:18.548
We must also guard our theology 'cause it's easy for churches
00:31:18.548 --> 00:31:21.785
To become malnourished in times of spiritual famine.
00:31:21.785 --> 00:31:24.855
George barna and his researchers issued a 2020 report, warning:
00:31:24.855 --> 00:31:29.493
"american christians are undergoing
00:31:29.493 --> 00:31:32.162
A post-christian reformation.
00:31:32.162 --> 00:31:35.332
The irony of the reshaping
00:31:35.332 --> 00:31:37.000
Of the spiritual landscape in america
00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:39.169
Is that it represents a post-christian reformation
00:31:39.169 --> 00:31:42.839
Driven by people seeking to retain a christian identity.
00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:47.311
The most startling realization
00:31:47.311 --> 00:31:49.112
Is how many people from evangelical churches
00:31:49.112 --> 00:31:51.748
Are adopting unbiblical beliefs."
00:31:51.748 --> 00:31:56.687
You see, if you don't lay a foundation down
00:31:56.687 --> 00:31:58.422
Of what true doctrine is
00:31:58.422 --> 00:32:00.123
And teach people what theology is all about,
00:32:00.123 --> 00:32:02.793
If we don't stand for something, we fall for anything,
00:32:02.793 --> 00:32:05.696
And they fall for whatever comes down the road.
00:32:05.696 --> 00:32:07.798
They don't have anything to measure it by,
00:32:07.798 --> 00:32:09.933
So it sounds good and they buy it.
00:32:09.933 --> 00:32:12.536
The report went on to say
00:32:12.536 --> 00:32:13.870
That "evangelicals have traditionally emphasized
00:32:13.870 --> 00:32:16.707
The importance of seeing the bible
00:32:16.707 --> 00:32:18.709
As the infallible, inerrant word of god,
00:32:18.709 --> 00:32:21.712
But now today, 52% of evangelicals
00:32:21.712 --> 00:32:26.483
Do not believe in objective moral truth."
00:32:26.483 --> 00:32:29.886
These aren't the people on the outside of the church.
00:32:29.886 --> 00:32:32.189
These aren't the people that we think of,
00:32:32.189 --> 00:32:33.857
"oh, they're the pagans, we're the evangelicals."
00:32:33.857 --> 00:32:36.159
No, that statistic
00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:38.195
Is about people who go to churches like ours.
00:32:38.195 --> 00:32:40.464
Some of those people go to our church
00:32:40.464 --> 00:32:42.432
And to your church.
00:32:42.432 --> 00:32:44.001
The researchers concluded that "what used to be
00:32:44.001 --> 00:32:46.636
Basic, universally known truth about christianity
00:32:46.636 --> 00:32:49.573
Are now unknown mysteries
00:32:49.573 --> 00:32:51.708
To a large and growing share of americans,
00:32:51.708 --> 00:32:54.344
Especially young adults."
00:32:54.344 --> 00:32:55.879
Let me tell you what that means to me as a preacher.
00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:59.483
I used to preach with an assumption
00:32:59.483 --> 00:33:01.585
Of a certain basic knowledge of biblical truth.
00:33:01.585 --> 00:33:04.621
I can't do that anymore.
00:33:04.621 --> 00:33:06.523
I have to go back and realize that when i preach,
00:33:06.523 --> 00:33:09.893
The assumption i have to have is that people don't know this,
00:33:09.893 --> 00:33:13.397
So i have to explain it and try to do it in a way
00:33:13.397 --> 00:33:16.566
That i don't bore and frustrate
00:33:16.566 --> 00:33:18.802
The people who do know it,
00:33:18.802 --> 00:33:20.137
But the vast majority of people who come to church today,
00:33:20.137 --> 00:33:23.073
Even if they grew up in a christian home,
00:33:23.073 --> 00:33:25.242
Do not know the books of the bible.
00:33:25.242 --> 00:33:27.744
As they said, they don't know generation from revolution,
00:33:27.744 --> 00:33:31.415
And they don't know psalms from palms.
00:33:31.415 --> 00:33:33.417
They don't know-- they don't know anything.
00:33:33.417 --> 00:33:34.985
Just the basic understanding of spiritual things
00:33:34.985 --> 00:33:37.354
That we used to have that we assume--
00:33:37.354 --> 00:33:38.922
When you and i were growing up in the church,
00:33:38.922 --> 00:33:41.391
It was just part of our understanding,
00:33:41.391 --> 00:33:42.793
It was part of our knowledge.
00:33:42.793 --> 00:33:44.661
It's not there anymore.
00:33:44.661 --> 00:33:45.996
It's been replaced by a lot of secular humanism
00:33:45.996 --> 00:33:48.698
That's come in to drive our kids and our children away.
00:33:48.698 --> 00:33:54.071
So as a pastor, i'm deeply concerned
00:33:54.071 --> 00:33:57.641
About the wayward theological patterns
00:33:57.641 --> 00:33:59.543
That are trending in churches everywhere,
00:33:59.543 --> 00:34:02.079
And it's not simply
00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:03.413
The liberal, old, protestant, mainstream denominations
00:34:03.413 --> 00:34:06.216
That are diminishing their doctrines.
00:34:06.216 --> 00:34:08.452
It's evangelical churches
00:34:08.452 --> 00:34:10.420
Who, in trying to reach a resistant audience,
00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:13.457
Go too far in compromising biblical truth.
00:34:13.457 --> 00:34:17.427
For centuries, god's word
00:34:17.427 --> 00:34:19.129
Has been at the center of christian preaching.
00:34:19.129 --> 00:34:21.865
Today, questioning scriptural authority is in vogue
00:34:21.865 --> 00:34:25.535
Even in certain faith communities.
00:34:25.535 --> 00:34:28.071
Popular speakers advocate processing god's word
00:34:28.071 --> 00:34:31.208
Through cultural filters
00:34:31.208 --> 00:34:33.310
Rather than the other way around.
00:34:33.310 --> 00:34:36.012
So our heritage is being lost
00:34:36.012 --> 00:34:38.515
And our theology is being weakened.
00:34:38.515 --> 00:34:41.451
And our bibles are being overlooked.
00:34:41.451 --> 00:34:44.588
Mark twain once defined a literary classic
00:34:44.588 --> 00:34:47.858
As "a book which people praise but never read."
00:34:47.858 --> 00:34:53.563
Unfortunately, that describes the way
00:34:53.563 --> 00:34:55.899
Many people in modern society approach the bible.
00:34:55.899 --> 00:34:59.002
Are you for the bible? "oh yes."
00:34:59.002 --> 00:35:00.770
Do you ever read the bible? "well, in all honesty, no."
00:35:00.770 --> 00:35:05.675
It doesn't help that cultures around the world
00:35:05.675 --> 00:35:07.677
Are trying to minimize our bible reading.
00:35:07.677 --> 00:35:10.413
China has just shut down bible apps
00:35:10.413 --> 00:35:13.183
And christian wechat public accounts,
00:35:13.183 --> 00:35:15.919
And hard copies of the bible
00:35:15.919 --> 00:35:17.988
Are no longer available for sale online in china either.
00:35:17.988 --> 00:35:22.626
In america and the west,
00:35:22.626 --> 00:35:24.494
The gideons are running into problems
00:35:24.494 --> 00:35:26.396
Getting their bibles into many hotel rooms.
00:35:26.396 --> 00:35:29.199
One of the most encouraging things
00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:30.700
If you travel like i have
00:35:30.700 --> 00:35:32.035
Is you go into a hotel room and the stand next to your bed,
00:35:32.035 --> 00:35:34.804
You open the top drawer
00:35:34.804 --> 00:35:36.273
And there's a gideon bible in there.
00:35:36.273 --> 00:35:37.807
Not so.
00:35:37.807 --> 00:35:39.142
I've been in many hotels
00:35:39.142 --> 00:35:40.477
Where that bible is no longer present.
00:35:40.477 --> 00:35:43.079
A recent survey showed the percentage of hotels
00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:45.982
Willing to offer bibles in their rooms
00:35:45.982 --> 00:35:48.018
Has dropped from 90% to 48%.
00:35:48.018 --> 00:35:52.222
Hotels are finding younger travelers
00:35:52.222 --> 00:35:54.624
Who are less devout
00:35:54.624 --> 00:35:55.959
Than their parents or grandparents,
00:35:55.959 --> 00:35:57.427
And they don't want to offend atheists
00:35:57.427 --> 00:35:59.296
Or those of other religions.
00:35:59.296 --> 00:36:01.231
And one atheistic group, listen to this,
00:36:01.231 --> 00:36:03.733
Created stickers for its members to attach to any gideon bible
00:36:03.733 --> 00:36:07.904
They did find in a hotel room, and the sticker said,
00:36:07.904 --> 00:36:11.308
Quote, "warning: literal belief in this book
00:36:11.308 --> 00:36:13.944
May endanger your health and your life."
00:36:13.944 --> 00:36:16.746
And they take those stickers with them on their trips
00:36:16.746 --> 00:36:18.515
And they put them on the gideon bibles
00:36:18.515 --> 00:36:20.183
In the hotels, or if they get into a marriott,
00:36:20.183 --> 00:36:22.819
They put it on the book of mormon.
00:36:22.819 --> 00:36:25.822
I'd call that spiritual famine.
00:36:25.822 --> 00:36:27.524
I'd call that people who disregard the bible,
00:36:27.524 --> 00:36:30.427
Who someday may want a society
00:36:30.427 --> 00:36:33.230
That would be impacted by the bible.
00:36:33.230 --> 00:36:36.199
If we take the bible out of our culture,
00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:39.636
We may ultimately get what we want.
00:36:39.636 --> 00:36:43.139
A moral compass of scripture will self-destruct
00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:46.176
From moral decay and decadence,
00:36:46.176 --> 00:36:47.978
And pretty soon we will just be immoral,
00:36:47.978 --> 00:36:52.048
Amoral, perhaps without any morality at all.
00:36:52.048 --> 00:36:56.253
So what's happening in this famine
00:36:56.253 --> 00:36:58.455
Is our heritage is being lost,
00:36:58.455 --> 00:37:00.357
Our theology is being weakened,
00:37:00.357 --> 00:37:01.992
Our bibles are being overlooked,
00:37:01.992 --> 00:37:04.094
And our appetite is being ruined.
00:37:04.094 --> 00:37:07.464
That leads to my next thought.
00:37:07.464 --> 00:37:08.965
The reason we're facing a spiritual famine
00:37:08.965 --> 00:37:11.368
Is because our appetite for god's truth is being ruined.
00:37:11.368 --> 00:37:15.372
A child that gorges on junk food and candy in the afternoon
00:37:15.372 --> 00:37:18.942
Won't have much of an appetite for meat and potatoes at supper.
00:37:18.942 --> 00:37:24.180
In these last days, it seems as if satan has unleashed
00:37:24.180 --> 00:37:27.117
An invisible spiritual virus that robs people
00:37:27.117 --> 00:37:30.954
Of their appetite for god's word.
00:37:30.954 --> 00:37:33.657
But it's worse than that
00:37:33.657 --> 00:37:34.991
Because it's not just a loss of appetite,
00:37:34.991 --> 00:37:37.160
It's a total distaste for the bible.
00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:39.429
People grab a handful of scripture,
00:37:39.429 --> 00:37:41.398
Take a bite, find it distasteful,
00:37:41.398 --> 00:37:43.066
And spew it out like a child spitting out carrots.
00:37:43.066 --> 00:37:47.470
As likely as not, they'll dub it hate speech,
00:37:47.470 --> 00:37:50.807
And often we allow that to push us away,
00:37:50.807 --> 00:37:54.611
And then we don't preach the truth.
00:37:54.611 --> 00:37:56.846
Often, god will respond
00:37:56.846 --> 00:37:58.181
To our lack of spiritual appetite with silence.
00:37:58.181 --> 00:38:01.284
He doesn't force his words into our ears.
00:38:01.284 --> 00:38:04.254
He may withdraw for a time
00:38:04.254 --> 00:38:05.588
If we lose our appreciation for the privilege of his voice,
00:38:05.588 --> 00:38:08.558
But god's silence may be hardly noticeable at first.
00:38:08.558 --> 00:38:12.495
You may still remember times when god spoke to you,
00:38:12.495 --> 00:38:14.898
But you gradually realize you haven't heard from him
00:38:14.898 --> 00:38:17.667
In a long time.
00:38:17.667 --> 00:38:20.170
If you realize you are in a drought,
00:38:20.170 --> 00:38:22.405
Immediately seek god and ask him
00:38:22.405 --> 00:38:24.140
What adjustments you need to make in your life
00:38:24.140 --> 00:38:26.710
So that you can once again enjoy fellowship with him.
00:38:26.710 --> 00:38:30.213
It may be you've disobeyed his last instructions to you.
00:38:30.213 --> 00:38:33.316
Maybe he's waiting on your obedience
00:38:33.316 --> 00:38:34.784
Before giving you fresh direction.
00:38:34.784 --> 00:38:37.354
If there's unconfessed sin in your life
00:38:37.354 --> 00:38:39.856
Or if you have a damaged relationship,
00:38:39.856 --> 00:38:42.025
Get it right and do it now.
00:38:42.025 --> 00:38:44.594
By grace we can stay healthy
00:38:44.594 --> 00:38:46.563
Even during a large-scale spiritual famine.
00:38:46.563 --> 00:38:49.566
Paul told us to be nourished
00:38:49.566 --> 00:38:51.267
In the words of faith and of good doctrine,
00:38:51.267 --> 00:38:53.703
And the psalmist described scripture
00:38:53.703 --> 00:38:55.505
As "sweeter than honey."
00:38:55.505 --> 00:38:57.574
And the prophet jeremiah said, "your words were found,
00:38:57.574 --> 00:39:02.245
And i ate them, and your word was to me
00:39:02.245 --> 00:39:05.081
The joy and rejoicing of my heart."
00:39:05.081 --> 00:39:09.085
Men and women, everything about the bible is special.
00:39:09.085 --> 00:39:12.489
It's god's gift to the human race.
00:39:12.489 --> 00:39:14.624
It's bread for the soul and honey for the heart.
00:39:14.624 --> 00:39:17.093
It's nourishment for your nerves
00:39:17.093 --> 00:39:20.430
And wisdom for your mind.
00:39:20.430 --> 00:39:22.399
Every syllable represents god's thoughts
00:39:22.399 --> 00:39:24.801
Conveyed through inspired human writers
00:39:24.801 --> 00:39:27.504
Who recorded the infallible message
00:39:27.504 --> 00:39:29.472
For the world.
00:39:29.472 --> 00:39:30.840
In this way, the lord has given us a book
00:39:30.840 --> 00:39:33.943
Containing everything we really need
00:39:33.943 --> 00:39:36.312
For life and eternity.
00:39:36.312 --> 00:39:38.815
This book makes us wise unto salvation
00:39:38.815 --> 00:39:41.217
Through faith in christ.
00:39:41.217 --> 00:39:42.752
It's portable.
00:39:42.752 --> 00:39:44.087
You can carry it anywhere.
00:39:44.087 --> 00:39:46.656
It's simple, it's perfect for children,
00:39:46.656 --> 00:39:49.225
It's deep, it's engaging,
00:39:49.225 --> 00:39:51.561
And it even engages earth's greatest scholars.
00:39:51.561 --> 00:39:56.065
This is an incredible book, this book we call the bible.
00:39:56.065 --> 00:40:00.470
And this is your book as well as it is mine.
00:40:00.470 --> 00:40:03.540
Jesus said, "people do not live by bread alone,
00:40:03.540 --> 00:40:07.277
But by every word that comes from the mouth of god."
00:40:07.277 --> 00:40:11.080
I am convinced that you cannot live the christian life
00:40:11.080 --> 00:40:14.417
And avoid the word of god.
00:40:14.417 --> 00:40:16.519
We can know the word of god,
00:40:16.519 --> 00:40:18.121
But we have to discipline ourselves
00:40:18.121 --> 00:40:19.956
To let the word of god be a part of our lives.
00:40:19.956 --> 00:40:22.258
You don't get the word of god
00:40:22.258 --> 00:40:23.626
By putting your bible under your pillow at night.
00:40:23.626 --> 00:40:26.896
Osmosis doesn't work that way.
00:40:26.896 --> 00:40:29.566
You have to engage in the bible.
00:40:29.566 --> 00:40:32.235
So, we've talked about where we are and what it means.
00:40:32.235 --> 00:40:35.672
Let's just talk for a few moments
00:40:35.672 --> 00:40:37.073
At the end of this message
00:40:37.073 --> 00:40:38.541
About where do we go from here?
00:40:38.541 --> 00:40:40.710
Based on everything we've learned,
00:40:40.710 --> 00:40:42.712
Where do we go from here?
00:40:42.712 --> 00:40:44.547
What's our call to action?
00:40:44.547 --> 00:40:46.382
Near the end of the bible,
00:40:46.382 --> 00:40:49.052
The apostle peter wrote two letters
00:40:49.052 --> 00:40:50.820
To the churches of his day, penning the final one
00:40:50.820 --> 00:40:54.290
Shortly before his gruesome death
00:40:54.290 --> 00:40:56.226
By upside-down crucifixion.
00:40:56.226 --> 00:40:59.062
As he wrote those last words, one thing was on his mind,
00:40:59.062 --> 00:41:01.998
And that was making sure that no one forgot
00:41:01.998 --> 00:41:04.434
The message of the gospel
00:41:04.434 --> 00:41:06.002
Or the teachings of the scripture.
00:41:06.002 --> 00:41:07.804
So i want to read to you
00:41:07.804 --> 00:41:09.138
Some things that he wrote in his last letters.
00:41:09.138 --> 00:41:12.108
He said in 2 peter 1:12: "i will not be negligent
00:41:12.108 --> 00:41:16.646
To remind you always of these things,
00:41:16.646 --> 00:41:19.048
Though you know and are established
00:41:19.048 --> 00:41:20.850
In the present truth."
00:41:20.850 --> 00:41:22.185
And he's talking about the bible.
00:41:22.185 --> 00:41:24.287
In verse 15, he says, "i will be careful
00:41:24.287 --> 00:41:26.289
To ensure that you always have a reminder of these things
00:41:26.289 --> 00:41:29.526
After my decease," and he's talking about
00:41:29.526 --> 00:41:32.128
Eight things that he communicated
00:41:32.128 --> 00:41:33.630
In the early part of the chapter when he says,
00:41:33.630 --> 00:41:35.431
"add to your faith knowledge, add to your knowledge,"
00:41:35.431 --> 00:41:37.967
And he goes through this list and he says,
00:41:37.967 --> 00:41:39.302
"remember these things."
00:41:39.302 --> 00:41:40.637
He kept reminding everybody.
00:41:40.637 --> 00:41:43.973
In 2 peter 3:1-3, he says, "now i write to you
00:41:43.973 --> 00:41:47.644
The second epistle
00:41:47.644 --> 00:41:49.178
(in both of which i stir up your pure minds
00:41:49.178 --> 00:41:52.415
By way of reminder),
00:41:52.415 --> 00:41:54.183
That you may be mindful of the words
00:41:54.183 --> 00:41:56.052
Which were spoken before by the holy prophets,
00:41:56.052 --> 00:41:58.888
And of the commandment of us,
00:41:58.888 --> 00:42:00.323
The apostles of the lord and savior,
00:42:00.323 --> 00:42:02.358
Knowing this first:
00:42:02.358 --> 00:42:04.027
That scoffers will come in the last days."
00:42:04.027 --> 00:42:07.530
Remember now, peter was about to check out.
00:42:07.530 --> 00:42:09.699
He was leaving this world. he was just about to die.
00:42:09.699 --> 00:42:13.002
But he wanted his message to remain,
00:42:13.002 --> 00:42:15.271
To never be forgotten,
00:42:15.271 --> 00:42:16.639
And to be passed down through the generations
00:42:16.639 --> 00:42:18.775
Until jesus returns.
00:42:18.775 --> 00:42:20.643
He longed for the gospel to expand,
00:42:20.643 --> 00:42:23.079
To explode throughout the earth.
00:42:23.079 --> 00:42:24.747
He wanted to repel spiritual famine,
00:42:24.747 --> 00:42:28.451
And that same zeal must grab hold of you,
00:42:28.451 --> 00:42:30.954
And it must grab hold of me.
00:42:30.954 --> 00:42:32.822
It must consume the church
00:42:32.822 --> 00:42:34.624
As we face the world of tomorrow.
00:42:34.624 --> 00:42:36.559
It must become not so much what we do
00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:38.728
As followers of jesus,
00:42:38.728 --> 00:42:40.296
But who we are as followers of jesus.
00:42:40.296 --> 00:42:43.366
Based on peter's words,
00:42:43.366 --> 00:42:44.701
Let me give you four b's to put into practice
00:42:44.701 --> 00:42:48.771
During times of spiritual famine.
00:42:48.771 --> 00:42:51.007
Number one, letter a, be burdened.
00:42:51.007 --> 00:42:54.477
Peter spoke as a deeply burdened man.
00:42:54.477 --> 00:42:56.713
He wanted to make sure his hearers
00:42:56.713 --> 00:42:58.948
Were devouring the word and sharing it with others.
00:42:58.948 --> 00:43:02.585
He was ready to make every lived.
00:43:02.585 --> 00:43:04.454
As long as he lived.
00:43:04.454 --> 00:43:05.788
He never lost his burden for this.
00:43:05.788 --> 00:43:09.392
The apostle peter gave us an example
00:43:09.392 --> 00:43:11.427
Of what it's like to be burdened
00:43:11.427 --> 00:43:12.862
For a society facing spiritual famine.
00:43:12.862 --> 00:43:16.966
He described lot in one of his writings,
00:43:16.966 --> 00:43:19.469
Who lived in sodom.
00:43:19.469 --> 00:43:21.671
2 peter 2:7-8, he said, "he was a righteous man,
00:43:21.671 --> 00:43:25.575
Who was distressed
00:43:25.575 --> 00:43:26.909
By the depraved conduct of the lawless
00:43:26.909 --> 00:43:29.245
(for that righteous man, living among them day after day,
00:43:29.245 --> 00:43:32.181
Was tormented in his righteous soul
00:43:32.181 --> 00:43:34.651
By the lawless deeds that he saw and he heard)--"
00:43:34.651 --> 00:43:37.487
And in a similar way,
00:43:37.487 --> 00:43:38.888
The apostle paul walked around athens,
00:43:38.888 --> 00:43:40.890
Was provoked within him
00:43:40.890 --> 00:43:43.192
When he saw that the city was given over to idols.
00:43:43.192 --> 00:43:46.496
We can't do much to alleviate spiritual famine around us
00:43:46.496 --> 00:43:49.866
Until we have a similar concern within us.
00:43:49.866 --> 00:43:52.769
When we look at what's happening in the world today,
00:43:52.769 --> 00:43:54.971
What everybody's talking about, we've never had this before.
00:43:54.971 --> 00:43:58.107
I talk about people needing wisdom
00:43:58.107 --> 00:43:59.642
Because wisdom is defined
00:43:59.642 --> 00:44:01.010
As doing the right thing without a precedent,
00:44:01.010 --> 00:44:03.513
And almost everything that we see today
00:44:03.513 --> 00:44:05.181
Is without a precedent.
00:44:05.181 --> 00:44:06.716
Every day, if you turn on the news,
00:44:06.716 --> 00:44:08.618
You will hear something that you've never heard before.
00:44:08.618 --> 00:44:11.421
It's unprecedented, and it's not unprecedented good,
00:44:11.421 --> 00:44:14.791
It's unprecedented evil.
00:44:14.791 --> 00:44:16.259
It's people coming up with ways to do things
00:44:16.259 --> 00:44:19.262
That are against the holiness of god,
00:44:19.262 --> 00:44:21.030
And it's just unbelievable.
00:44:21.030 --> 00:44:23.700
And the only way you can overcome that
00:44:23.700 --> 00:44:26.135
Is to be burdened about this world
00:44:26.135 --> 00:44:28.404
And be determined that by the grace of god
00:44:28.404 --> 00:44:30.506
You're going to have a part in turning that around.
00:44:30.506 --> 00:44:33.843
You know, we can't by ourselves change the world.
00:44:33.843 --> 00:44:36.412
I'm a preacher. i have a pretty wide pulpit.
00:44:36.412 --> 00:44:39.082
But the idea that i could change the world
00:44:39.082 --> 00:44:41.184
By myself is impossible.
00:44:41.184 --> 00:44:43.319
God could change anything he wants to change
00:44:43.319 --> 00:44:46.089
Through any of us, and he could change the world
00:44:46.089 --> 00:44:47.623
Through me if he chose to do it.
00:44:47.623 --> 00:44:49.826
If you've got the attitude that i hear from some people,
00:44:49.826 --> 00:44:51.828
"oh well, it's just the way the world is, pastor.
00:44:51.828 --> 00:44:54.130
You know, i know it's bad, but it's just--"
00:44:54.130 --> 00:44:55.865
No, it's not just the way the world is.
00:44:55.865 --> 00:44:58.234
If we don't care about it, if we're not concerned about it,
00:44:58.234 --> 00:45:00.770
If we're not burdened about it,
00:45:00.770 --> 00:45:02.238
We'll never do anything about it ourselves,
00:45:02.238 --> 00:45:04.407
And it starts with us.
00:45:04.407 --> 00:45:05.908
It starts in us.
00:45:05.908 --> 00:45:07.243
If we are not burdened enough
00:45:07.243 --> 00:45:08.878
To make the bible central in our own lives,
00:45:08.878 --> 00:45:10.980
We've got no reason to gripe.
00:45:10.980 --> 00:45:12.782
We've got no reason to complain.
00:45:12.782 --> 00:45:14.117
Let's make sure we start where we should start,
00:45:14.117 --> 00:45:16.452
And then god will give us
00:45:16.452 --> 00:45:17.787
The ability to influence the people around us,
00:45:17.787 --> 00:45:20.189
And we can make a difference.
00:45:20.189 --> 00:45:21.724
We need to be burdened.
00:45:21.724 --> 00:45:25.862
Secondly--secondly, we need to be students.
00:45:25.862 --> 00:45:30.133
Peter insists that we become personal students of scripture.
00:45:30.133 --> 00:45:34.303
In 1 peter 2:2-3, he says this: "as newborn babies,
00:45:34.303 --> 00:45:38.641
Desire the pure milk of the word,
00:45:38.641 --> 00:45:41.310
That you may grow thereby,
00:45:41.310 --> 00:45:43.246
If indeed you have tasted that the lord is gracious."
00:45:43.246 --> 00:45:47.583
Peter wanted us and those who would read his epistle
00:45:47.583 --> 00:45:51.287
To know scripture.
00:45:51.287 --> 00:45:54.891
It didn't originate with human beings.
00:45:54.891 --> 00:45:57.059
Peter told us that.
00:45:57.059 --> 00:45:58.761
It came to us in a far different way.
00:45:58.761 --> 00:46:01.864
"holy men of god spoke as they were moved by the holy spirit."
00:46:01.864 --> 00:46:07.036
Peter told us how to study the bible,
00:46:07.036 --> 00:46:08.938
We're to search it the way the prophets of old
00:46:08.938 --> 00:46:11.207
Studied the scripture.
00:46:11.207 --> 00:46:12.842
1 peter 1:10 says: "intently and with the greatest care."
00:46:12.842 --> 00:46:17.647
That's the kind of study we need
00:46:17.647 --> 00:46:19.515
If we're going to make a difference.
00:46:19.515 --> 00:46:21.017
Bible teacher warren wiersbe was converted by listening
00:46:21.017 --> 00:46:24.220
To a young evangelist by the name of billy graham.
00:46:24.220 --> 00:46:27.924
Pretty soon warren wiersbe,
00:46:27.924 --> 00:46:29.292
Who was a dear friend of mine and a wonderful mentor,
00:46:29.292 --> 00:46:32.929
He said, "i think bible study
00:46:32.929 --> 00:46:34.297
Is one of the most exciting things i ever do."
00:46:34.297 --> 00:46:37.466
He said, "i've been living with the bible
00:46:37.466 --> 00:46:39.268
Ever since i got saved that night
00:46:39.268 --> 00:46:40.670
At a youth for christ rally.
00:46:40.670 --> 00:46:42.505
And when i study the word, it always tells me something.
00:46:42.505 --> 00:46:45.408
I feel sorry for people who read it
00:46:45.408 --> 00:46:46.976
And put the bible back on the shelf
00:46:46.976 --> 00:46:48.444
And forget about it."
00:46:48.444 --> 00:46:50.680
He said, "in all my conference ministry,
00:46:50.680 --> 00:46:53.015
I've tried to get people excited about the bible.
00:46:53.015 --> 00:46:55.685
There's so much there that people ignore
00:46:55.685 --> 00:46:58.254
And they shouldn't do that.
00:46:58.254 --> 00:47:00.223
I find that when i trace the cross references,
00:47:00.223 --> 00:47:02.859
When i take time to pray and meditate,
00:47:02.859 --> 00:47:05.194
God says something to me,
00:47:05.194 --> 00:47:06.929
Then i can share that with others.
00:47:06.929 --> 00:47:08.698
So the joy of bible study is not
00:47:08.698 --> 00:47:10.833
Just in learning something for myself in the abstract.
00:47:10.833 --> 00:47:13.903
The joy of bible study is seeing your life changed
00:47:13.903 --> 00:47:17.440
Because of what the bible is saying in your life."
00:47:17.440 --> 00:47:21.244
Begin today.
00:47:21.244 --> 00:47:22.712
Learn to be a student of the bible.
00:47:22.712 --> 00:47:24.380
You know, there is no excuse
00:47:24.380 --> 00:47:26.716
For us in this time of this generation
00:47:26.716 --> 00:47:30.152
Not to be a student of the scripture
00:47:30.152 --> 00:47:31.954
Because you can take out your phone
00:47:31.954 --> 00:47:34.757
And you can find bible study apps
00:47:34.757 --> 00:47:36.926
That will go way beyond
00:47:36.926 --> 00:47:38.261
Anything we have ever known up until this time.
00:47:38.261 --> 00:47:41.497
If you are serious about studying the bible,
00:47:41.497 --> 00:47:44.033
Don't say, "i don't know how to begin."
00:47:44.033 --> 00:47:46.836
There's no reason for us to be biblically ignorant
00:47:46.836 --> 00:47:50.339
And not to do the thing god calls us to do.
00:47:50.339 --> 00:47:52.708
Every one of us can take advantage
00:47:52.708 --> 00:47:54.710
Of this incredible electronic age
00:47:54.710 --> 00:47:57.513
And engage in the word of god.
00:47:57.513 --> 00:48:00.416
Begin today.
00:48:00.416 --> 00:48:01.884
Don't wait for any other time to pass.
00:48:01.884 --> 00:48:04.754
"blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
00:48:04.754 --> 00:48:08.090
For they shall be filled."
00:48:08.090 --> 00:48:09.492
Those are the words of jesus.
00:48:09.492 --> 00:48:11.661
So be burdened, be students, and be shepherds.
00:48:11.661 --> 00:48:15.231
Peter had a special word of instruction
00:48:15.231 --> 00:48:16.999
For pastors and bible teachers,
00:48:16.999 --> 00:48:18.868
So i'm preaching to myself here for a moment.
00:48:18.868 --> 00:48:22.138
He said, 1 peter 5:2, "shepherd the flock of god
00:48:22.138 --> 00:48:26.542
Which is among you,
00:48:26.542 --> 00:48:28.377
Serving as overseers,
00:48:28.377 --> 00:48:30.513
Not by compulsion but willingly."
00:48:30.513 --> 00:48:34.083
In using the term "shepherd,"
00:48:34.083 --> 00:48:35.551
He was undoubtedly thinking of his own experience
00:48:35.551 --> 00:48:37.853
Years before when jesus walked with him
00:48:37.853 --> 00:48:41.257
Along the shoreline of galilee.
00:48:41.257 --> 00:48:43.592
The lord asked him three times, "do you love me?"
00:48:43.592 --> 00:48:47.263
"yes, yes, and yes," replied peter.
00:48:47.263 --> 00:48:50.166
Jesus said to him, "feed my sheep."
00:48:50.166 --> 00:48:53.536
If i could do anything to influence
00:48:53.536 --> 00:48:55.271
Today's evangelical churches around the world,
00:48:55.271 --> 00:48:58.574
It would be a clarion call to return
00:48:58.574 --> 00:49:01.944
To solid biblical teaching in the pulpit,
00:49:01.944 --> 00:49:05.481
Substantial sermons from biblical texts.
00:49:05.481 --> 00:49:11.721
Unfortunately, what is happening so much
00:49:11.721 --> 00:49:14.156
To our younger guys
00:49:14.156 --> 00:49:15.691
Who are standing in the pulpit every week
00:49:15.691 --> 00:49:17.860
Is they pull something off of the internet and preach that,
00:49:17.860 --> 00:49:21.330
Instead of digging into the word of god
00:49:21.330 --> 00:49:23.866
And getting god's truth.
00:49:23.866 --> 00:49:25.201
You see, what happens when they do that is this.
00:49:25.201 --> 00:49:28.604
Obviously, the people in their church
00:49:28.604 --> 00:49:30.873
Get something warmed over
00:49:30.873 --> 00:49:32.475
That they haven't spent much time in.
00:49:32.475 --> 00:49:34.710
But the real problem is the pastor himself
00:49:34.710 --> 00:49:37.079
Is robbed from the incredible joy
00:49:37.079 --> 00:49:40.149
Of independent bible study
00:49:40.149 --> 00:49:42.318
And learning what the word of god says,
00:49:42.318 --> 00:49:43.853
And then his life is changed,
00:49:43.853 --> 00:49:45.488
And through his changed life he's a much better communicator.
00:49:45.488 --> 00:49:48.524
You can't really be an effective preacher
00:49:48.524 --> 00:49:51.193
If all you do is grab some notes the night before you preach
00:49:51.193 --> 00:49:54.263
That somebody else wrote
00:49:54.263 --> 00:49:55.731
And get up and recite them and say "amen."
00:49:55.731 --> 00:49:58.434
It will leave you malnourished
00:49:58.434 --> 00:49:59.935
And it will starve the people that you preach to.
00:49:59.935 --> 00:50:02.938
There's no reason to do that.
00:50:02.938 --> 00:50:05.041
We can be preachers of the word of god,
00:50:05.041 --> 00:50:07.943
And we can teach people the scripture.
00:50:07.943 --> 00:50:10.413
If you're listening, watching, and you're a pastor,
00:50:10.413 --> 00:50:14.016
Please hear me.
00:50:14.016 --> 00:50:15.818
If there's any reason to survive in the ministry for 40 years,
00:50:15.818 --> 00:50:20.289
Here it is.
00:50:20.289 --> 00:50:21.624
I've never ever tried to be a student
00:50:21.624 --> 00:50:23.893
Of any other major thing.
00:50:23.893 --> 00:50:25.494
I am a student of the word of god.
00:50:25.494 --> 00:50:27.430
I tell people--people ask me,
00:50:27.430 --> 00:50:33.169
"why do you preach the word of god like that?"
00:50:33.169 --> 00:50:34.703
And i say, "well, that's all i know how to do."
00:50:34.703 --> 00:50:38.607
I know how to do that. i preach the word of god.
00:50:38.607 --> 00:50:41.277
I study the word of god.
00:50:41.277 --> 00:50:42.611
I broadcast the word of god.
00:50:42.611 --> 00:50:44.346
I televise the word of god.
00:50:44.346 --> 00:50:45.714
I write messages about the word of god.
00:50:45.714 --> 00:50:48.184
I write books on the word of god.
00:50:48.184 --> 00:50:49.852
I provide comment and content for the internet and the web
00:50:49.852 --> 00:50:53.255
On the word of god.
00:50:53.255 --> 00:50:54.590
My whole life is centered in one thing,
00:50:54.590 --> 00:50:56.392
And every day i get up,
00:50:56.392 --> 00:50:58.160
That's basically what i think about,
00:50:58.160 --> 00:50:59.595
And i think about that mostly during the day,
00:50:59.595 --> 00:51:01.897
And then every sunday
00:51:01.897 --> 00:51:03.599
I have an exam in front of all these people.
00:51:03.599 --> 00:51:06.936
Did i do my homework and am i prepared?
00:51:06.936 --> 00:51:10.139
I can't imagine what it would be like
00:51:10.139 --> 00:51:11.707
To stand in front of an audience of people
00:51:11.707 --> 00:51:14.477
Who came to church
00:51:14.477 --> 00:51:15.811
To be nourished up in the good word of god
00:51:15.811 --> 00:51:17.746
And not have done my homework.
00:51:17.746 --> 00:51:19.949
You can't do that
00:51:19.949 --> 00:51:21.283
And be a faithful servant of the lord.
00:51:21.283 --> 00:51:24.053
Finally, to ease
00:51:24.053 --> 00:51:25.387
The spiritual famine of the world,
00:51:25.387 --> 00:51:26.722
We need to be evangelistic, be burdened,
00:51:26.722 --> 00:51:29.725
Be students, be shepherds, and finally be evangelistic.
00:51:29.725 --> 00:51:34.029
1 peter 1:23-25 says: "born again,
00:51:34.029 --> 00:51:37.600
Not of corruptible seed but incorruptible,
00:51:37.600 --> 00:51:39.935
Through the word of god which lives and abides forever.
00:51:39.935 --> 00:51:43.272
Now this is the word by which the gospel was preached to you."
00:51:43.272 --> 00:51:47.676
The best method i know of evangelism,
00:51:47.676 --> 00:51:50.079
It's the best i've ever read, is peter's own strategy.
00:51:50.079 --> 00:51:53.349
He said, "sanctify the lord god in your hearts,
00:51:53.349 --> 00:51:55.818
And always be ready to give a defense
00:51:55.818 --> 00:51:58.053
To anyone who asks you
00:51:58.053 --> 00:51:59.388
A reason for the hope that is in you."
00:51:59.388 --> 00:52:01.056
He said you don't have to go buttonhole people,
00:52:01.056 --> 00:52:02.992
Chase them down the block, even knock on their door.
00:52:02.992 --> 00:52:05.361
But if you're going to be a faithful christian,
00:52:05.361 --> 00:52:07.129
Be ready if somebody asks you a question.
00:52:07.129 --> 00:52:10.199
When i was working on the freight docks,
00:52:10.199 --> 00:52:12.234
When i was going to seminary,
00:52:12.234 --> 00:52:13.702
I actually had people come up to me and say,
00:52:13.702 --> 00:52:16.405
"hey, boy, why are you the way you are?"
00:52:16.405 --> 00:52:20.309
Well, let me tell you why i am the way i am
00:52:20.309 --> 00:52:23.345
'cause it goes way beyond me,
00:52:23.345 --> 00:52:25.147
And that's the kind of question we should be ready to answer.
00:52:25.147 --> 00:52:27.316
Why are you different? why are you the way you are?
00:52:27.316 --> 00:52:31.353
If somebody asks you that question,
00:52:31.353 --> 00:52:32.788
Do you know the answer?
00:52:32.788 --> 00:52:34.123
That's the best method of evangelism
00:52:34.123 --> 00:52:35.591
You will ever have.
00:52:35.591 --> 00:52:36.926
Be ready to answer when somebody asks you.
00:52:36.926 --> 00:52:40.162
And the reason they're going to ask you
00:52:40.162 --> 00:52:41.497
Is 'cause they've seen something in your life
00:52:41.497 --> 00:52:43.199
That's different than others.
00:52:43.199 --> 00:52:46.302
So, the way to banish spiritual famine in the world
00:52:46.302 --> 00:52:49.572
Is one person at a time.
00:52:49.572 --> 00:52:51.874
We turn the tide as we share the gospel,
00:52:51.874 --> 00:52:54.543
And this is the world's only hope
00:52:54.543 --> 00:52:56.478
That we have in these last days.
00:52:56.478 --> 00:52:58.581
So if we fail to preach the gospel,
00:52:58.581 --> 00:53:01.183
We allow the problems to run rampant
00:53:01.183 --> 00:53:03.219
In our churches and in our culture.
00:53:03.219 --> 00:53:05.020
My job isn't to go out and solve all the problems.
00:53:05.020 --> 00:53:07.623
I know everybody wants you to give an answer for this
00:53:07.623 --> 00:53:10.159
Or that and all these things that are happening.
00:53:10.159 --> 00:53:12.661
If i do that, who's going to preach the gospel?
00:53:12.661 --> 00:53:15.297
So i'm going to preach the gospel.
00:53:15.297 --> 00:53:16.732
I'm not going to give up my pulpit for a soapbox
00:53:16.732 --> 00:53:19.034
Because a soapbox is a long way
00:53:19.034 --> 00:53:22.338
From being the priority of god.
00:53:22.338 --> 00:53:24.206
God's priority is the preaching of his word.
00:53:24.206 --> 00:53:28.544
The spiritual famine has started.
00:53:28.544 --> 00:53:31.480
The statistics that i've shown you prove
00:53:31.480 --> 00:53:34.683
That we're not doing better with the bible.
00:53:34.683 --> 00:53:36.719
We're doing worse with the bible.
00:53:36.719 --> 00:53:39.355
When people leave this church and go to another church,
00:53:39.355 --> 00:53:42.157
They come to me and they'll say, "pastor, we're moving to--"
00:53:42.157 --> 00:53:44.660
They'll give me the name of a place.
00:53:44.660 --> 00:53:46.328
"how are we going to find out if this is a good church?"
00:53:46.328 --> 00:53:48.097
I said, "well, here's a good way
00:53:48.097 --> 00:53:49.732
To at least get a beginning thought.
00:53:49.732 --> 00:53:52.568
When you go to the church for the first time,
00:53:52.568 --> 00:53:54.069
See if anybody's carrying a bible."
00:53:54.069 --> 00:53:56.472
You know, i know people put the bible up on the screen
00:53:56.472 --> 00:53:58.407
And it comes in their phone, but you know, i know christians,
00:53:58.407 --> 00:54:00.843
They like to see it in their bible.
00:54:00.843 --> 00:54:03.279
If you go to a church and nobody has a bible,
00:54:03.279 --> 00:54:07.983
You might want to keep looking.
00:54:07.983 --> 00:54:11.353
Because a church
00:54:11.353 --> 00:54:12.888
That doesn't have the word of god
00:54:12.888 --> 00:54:14.290
At the center of it really has nothing to offer you.
00:54:14.290 --> 00:54:18.961
And you will not grow there
00:54:18.961 --> 00:54:20.296
And your children will not grow there.
00:54:20.296 --> 00:54:22.164
Make sure that you're in a church
00:54:22.164 --> 00:54:23.899
Where the word of god is taught
00:54:23.899 --> 00:54:25.301
And christ is lifted up,
00:54:25.301 --> 00:54:27.770
Because that's what will make a difference in your life.
00:54:27.770 --> 00:54:30.873
We don't have to be discouraged.
00:54:30.873 --> 00:54:32.474
We don't have to be depressed.
00:54:32.474 --> 00:54:39.114
God gave us this wonderful gift to help us find our way,
00:54:39.114 --> 00:54:44.787
And if we will use this
00:54:44.787 --> 00:54:46.121
The way god intended us to use it, we won't get lost.
00:54:46.121 --> 00:54:49.325
We'll stay on the main road
00:54:49.325 --> 00:54:50.926
And we'll get to our destination,
00:54:50.926 --> 00:54:52.561
Not just somehow,
00:54:52.561 --> 00:54:53.896
But with our hands lifted up high in victory, amen?
00:54:53.896 --> 00:54:57.132
Amen.
00:54:57.132 --> 00:54:58.467
[congregation applauding]
00:54:58.467 --> 00:55:02.705
Announcer: dr. jeremiah will return
00:55:02.705 --> 00:55:04.039
With one more inspirational word
00:55:04.039 --> 00:55:05.941
To close today's program right after this.
00:55:05.941 --> 00:55:08.277
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:55:10.979 --> 00:55:13.248
When you give a gift of any amount
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In support of this program,
00:55:14.583 --> 00:55:16.352
Dr. jeremiah will send you in appreciation his book,
00:55:16.352 --> 00:55:20.055
"where do we go from here?"
00:55:20.055 --> 00:55:21.857
And for a gift of $75 or more, dr. jeremiah will send you
00:55:21.857 --> 00:55:26.261
The "where do we go from here?" set,
00:55:26.261 --> 00:55:28.397
Which includes his book,
00:55:28.397 --> 00:55:29.865
His current teaching series on your choice of cd or dvd,
00:55:29.865 --> 00:55:33.535
A correlating study guide
00:55:33.535 --> 00:55:35.270
And his interview special on dvd.
00:55:35.270 --> 00:55:38.140
Also with any order of the book or set,
00:55:38.140 --> 00:55:40.843
You'll receive "warning signs of the end times,"
00:55:40.843 --> 00:55:44.213
A fascinating overview of the cautionary evidence
00:55:44.213 --> 00:55:46.882
That signals the coming of the last days.
00:55:46.882 --> 00:55:49.685
Thank you for your support of turning point.
00:55:49.685 --> 00:55:52.187
Contact us today.
00:55:52.187 --> 00:55:54.089
Announcer: and now with one last word
00:55:55.624 --> 00:55:57.159
For today's program, here is dr. jeremiah.
00:55:57.159 --> 00:56:00.496
Dr. jeremiah: it's understandable
00:56:00.562 --> 00:56:01.897
That jesus christ referred to himself
00:56:01.897 --> 00:56:04.433
As the bread of life.
00:56:04.433 --> 00:56:06.702
You see, in his day, bread was a staple
00:56:06.702 --> 00:56:08.771
That formed the basis of every meal,
00:56:08.771 --> 00:56:12.040
And jesus's message was the same.
00:56:12.040 --> 00:56:14.543
He came to feed a world
00:56:14.543 --> 00:56:16.044
That was famished for spiritual food.
00:56:16.044 --> 00:56:19.648
So i have to ask you today, how spiritually hungry are you?
00:56:19.648 --> 00:56:24.787
I invite you to let jesus christ fill you
00:56:24.787 --> 00:56:28.290
With his life-sustaining meaning and purpose,
00:56:28.290 --> 00:56:31.627
And to help you, i would love to send you two free gifts
00:56:31.627 --> 00:56:34.997
That will feed you spiritually.
00:56:34.997 --> 00:56:37.232
One is our booklet called "your greatest turning point,"
00:56:37.232 --> 00:56:40.202
And the other is our monthly devotional magazine
00:56:40.202 --> 00:56:42.971
Called "turning points."
00:56:42.971 --> 00:56:45.073
The booklet can help you know christ,
00:56:45.073 --> 00:56:47.376
And our magazine will help you grow in christ.
00:56:47.376 --> 00:56:50.779
We'll send them both to you, free of charge,
00:56:50.779 --> 00:56:53.015
If you contact us here at turning point today.
00:56:53.015 --> 00:56:56.718
Announcer: next time on "turning point."
00:56:58.420 --> 00:56:59.988
Dr. jeremiah: god loves jerusalem.
00:57:01.223 --> 00:57:03.258
Satan hates jerusalem.
00:57:03.258 --> 00:57:05.027
Jesus wept over jerusalem.
00:57:05.027 --> 00:57:07.095
The holy spirit descended into jerusalem.
00:57:07.095 --> 00:57:09.898
The nations are drawn to jerusalem,
00:57:09.898 --> 00:57:12.000
And one day christ will return to jerusalem
00:57:12.000 --> 00:57:14.670
And reign over the city.
00:57:14.670 --> 00:57:16.472
Jerusalem is a central city.
00:57:16.472 --> 00:57:20.242
Announcer: join dr. jeremiah next time for his message,
00:57:20.309 --> 00:57:23.212
"jerusalem: a geographical prophecy,"
00:57:23.212 --> 00:57:27.249
Here on "turning point."
00:57:27.249 --> 00:57:27.249

David Jeremiah - A Spiritual Prophecy - Spiritual Famine

May 2, 2026 | 57:29

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