David Jeremiah - Tough-Minded About Heaven

November 22, 2025 | 58:20

Dr. Jeremiah's message centers on tough-mindedness about heaven, with a call to action for believers to focus on purity, promises, purpose, profession, and progress. Using vivid examples and powerful quotes, he illustrates how anticipation of heaven transforms daily living, urging listeners to actively pursue growth in their faith and embody a life reflective of their heavenly destination. His engaging storytelling highlights the transformative power of keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal shore, akin to Florence Chadwick's perseverance in swimming towards a distant shore amidst challenges, making the promise of heaven a driving force in navigating life's trials and triumphs.

#Mind #Heaven #KingdomofGod #MentalHealth #Focus #SeekGod #Distraction #Distractions #PositiveThoughts #NegativeThoughts #Setapart #Holiness #Obedience #Reverence #FearoftheLord #GlorifyGod #DavidJeremiah

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Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah | David Jeremiah - Tough-Minded About Heaven | November 22, 2025

Where every tear is wiped away, no more sorrow,
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No more pain, no more goodbyes.
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In their place, peace that flows like the river of life,
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And joy running deeper than any earthly current.
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All things will be renewed,
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Including your body and strength,
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And every one of your steps taking you further into eternity
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To the throne of the one who knows you completely
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And who welcomes you home.
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In his presence, you'll be reminded,
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This is where you belong.
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This is the promise of heaven.
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♪ praise the lord, praise the lord ♪
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♪ let the earth hear his voice ♪
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♪ praise the lord, praise the lord ♪
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♪ let the people rejoice ♪
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♪ o come to the father, through jesus the son ♪
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♪ and give him the glory, great things he has done ♪
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♪ praise the lord, praise the lord ♪
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♪ let the earth hear his voice ♪
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♪ praise the lord, praise the lord ♪
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♪ let the people rejoice ♪
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♪ o come to the father, through jesus the son ♪
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♪ and give him the glory, great things he has done ♪♪
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[congregation applauding]
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Announcer: coming up on "turning point."
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Dr. david jeremiah: when it comes to your walk
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With the lord, be diligent.
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Don't be haphazard.
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Don't be lazy. don't be passive.
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Go after it with all you have.
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Find out the things that you know
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That make you grow in christ
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And help you to be a better christian
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And concentrate on them.
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Announcer: heaven, just thinking about it stirs up questions.
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What will the celestial city look like?
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Will my loved ones be there?
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Will heaven be boring?
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And how do i secure my place in eternity?
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In "the promise of heaven," new from dr. david jeremiah,
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You'll discover what the bible says about your eternal home
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And how what you believe about heaven today
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Transforms how you live, worship,
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And face life's challenges.
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Explore 31 exciting reasons to look forward to heaven
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Through short, easy-to-read chapters
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That answer your biggest questions
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Like, are my loved ones watching me from heaven?
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What happens to the souls of the unborn?
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How will we look in heaven? and more.
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"the promise of heaven" by dr. jeremiah is yours
00:02:38.794 --> 00:02:41.630
For a gift of any amount.
00:02:41.630 --> 00:02:42.965
Or for a gift of $75 or more,
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Request "the heaven" of heaven" set,
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Which contains dr. jeremiah's new book,
00:02:47.469 --> 00:02:49.538
His complete teaching series on cd or dvd,
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A correlating study guide,
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A special interview with sheila walsh on dvd,
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And the "10 things you may not know about heaven" bookmark.
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Plus, when you order from turning point,
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You'll receive two exclusive bonus chapters
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Written by dr. jeremiah.
00:03:04.119 --> 00:03:05.954
It's time to get excited about your eternal home.
00:03:05.954 --> 00:03:08.690
Request "the promise of heaven" book or set
00:03:08.690 --> 00:03:11.026
When you contact turning point today.
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♪ we worship the god who was ♪
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♪ we worship the god who is ♪
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♪ we worship the god ♪
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♪ who evermore will be ♪
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♪ he opened the prison doors ♪
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♪ he parted the raging sea ♪
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♪ my god he holds the victory ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord today ♪
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♪ and we won't be quiet ♪
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♪ we shout out your praise ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord ♪
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♪ our god is surely in this place ♪
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♪ and we won't be quiet ♪
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♪ we shout out your praise ♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ we sing to the god who heals ♪
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♪ we sing to the god who saves ♪
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♪ we sing to the god ♪
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♪ who always makes a way ♪
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♪ 'cause he hung up on that cross ♪
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♪ then he rose up from that grave ♪
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♪ my god's still rolling stones away ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord today ♪
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♪ and we won't be quiet ♪
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♪ we shout out your praise ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord ♪
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♪ our god is surely in this place ♪
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♪ and we won't be quiet ♪
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♪ we shout out your praise ♪
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♪ so we were the beggars ♪
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♪ and now we're royalty ♪
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♪ we were the prisoners ♪
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♪ and now we're running free ♪
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♪ we are forgiven, accepted ♪
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♪ redeemed by his grace ♪
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♪ let the house of the lord sing praise ♪
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♪ we were the beggars ♪
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♪ now we're royalty ♪
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♪ we were the prisoners ♪
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♪ now we're running free ♪
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♪ we are forgiven, accepted ♪
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♪ redeemed by his grace ♪
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♪ let the house of the lord sing praise ♪
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Michael sanchez: come on, church, sing it out.
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"there's joy."
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord today ♪
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♪ and we won't be quiet ♪
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♪ we shout out your praise ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord ♪
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♪ our god is surely in this place ♪
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♪ and we won't be quiet ♪
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♪ we shout out your praise ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord today ♪
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♪ and we won't be quiet ♪
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♪ we shout out your praise ♪
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♪ there's joy in the house of the lord ♪
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♪ our god is surely in this place ♪
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♪ and we won't be quiet ♪
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♪ we shout out your praise ♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ shout out your praise, lord ♪♪
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♪♪♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ i searched the world ♪
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♪ but it couldn't fill me ♪
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♪ man's empty praise ♪
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♪ and treasures that fade are never enough ♪
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♪ you came along ♪
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♪ and you put me back together ♪
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♪ and every desire is now satisfied ♪
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♪ here in your love ♪
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♪ oh, yeah ♪
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Michael: sing it with us.
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♪ oh there's nothing ♪
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♪ better than you ♪
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♪ there's nothing ♪
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♪ better than you ♪
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♪ lord there's nothing ♪
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♪ nothing is better than you ♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ i'm not afraid ♪
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♪ to show you my weakness ♪
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♪ and my failures and flaws ♪
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♪ lord you've seen them all ♪
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♪ and you still call me friend ♪
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♪ oh, yes, you do, lord ♪
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♪ 'cause the god of the mountain ♪
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♪ is the god of the valley ♪
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♪ there's not a place ♪
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♪ your mercy and grace won't find me again ♪
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♪ oh there's nothing ♪
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♪ better than you ♪
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♪ there's nothing ♪
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♪ nothing, lord ♪
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♪ better than you ♪
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♪ lord there's nothing ♪
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♪ nothing is better than you ♪
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Michael: all right, church, sing "you turn mourning to dancing."
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♪ you turn mourning to dancing ♪
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♪ you give beauty for ashes ♪
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♪ you turn shame into glory ♪
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♪ you're the only one who can ♪
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♪ you turn graves into gardens ♪
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♪ you turn bones into armies ♪
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♪ you turn seas into highways ♪
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♪ you're the only one who can ♪
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♪ you're the only one who can ♪
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Michael: "there's nothing."
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♪ oh, there's nothing ♪
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♪ better than you ♪
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♪ there's nothing ♪
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♪ better than you ♪
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♪ oh there's nothing ♪
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♪ nothing is better than you ♪
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Michael: sing it again.
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♪ oh ♪
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♪ oh, there's nothing, nothing ♪
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♪ better than you ♪
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♪ there's nothing ♪
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♪ better than you ♪
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♪ oh there's nothing ♪
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♪ nothing is better than you ♪
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♪ come on, you turn mourning to dancing ♪
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♪ you turn mourning to dancing ♪
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♪ you give beauty for ashes ♪
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♪ you turn shame into glory ♪
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♪ you're the only one who can ♪
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Michael: "you turn mourning."
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♪ you turn mourning to dancing ♪
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♪ you give beauty for ashes ♪
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♪ you turn shame into glory ♪
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♪ you're the only one who can ♪
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♪ you turn graves into gardens ♪
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♪ you turn bones into armies ♪
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♪ you turn seas into highways ♪
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♪ you're the only one who can ♪
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Michael: oh yes, you are.
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♪ you're the only one who can ♪
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♪ you're the only one who can ♪♪
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♪♪♪
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Announcer: david jeremiah and turning point are making
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A global impact for the kingdom of god,
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Delivering the unchanging word of god
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To an ever-changing world every day.
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But we can't do it alone.
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That's where bible-strong partners come in.
00:12:02.257 --> 00:12:04.759
Bible-strong partners form the foundation of turning point,
00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:07.595
Allowing dr. jeremiah to teach
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The whole counsel of god,
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Not be swayed by cultural trends or hot topics of the day,
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Presenting the gospel across the globe,
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And strengthening the saints.
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In return, we want to encourage your daily walk with god
00:12:18.773 --> 00:12:21.976
With a monthly resource and study guide,
00:12:21.976 --> 00:12:24.479
Instant on-demand access
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To the vast library of content from dr. jeremiah
00:12:26.414 --> 00:12:29.117
On turning point+
00:12:29.117 --> 00:12:30.518
And so much more.
00:12:30.518 --> 00:12:32.387
Will you join david jeremiah and turning point
00:12:32.387 --> 00:12:34.622
In global ministry outreach?
00:12:34.622 --> 00:12:36.491
To become a bible-strong partner, go to
00:12:36.491 --> 00:12:38.893
Davidjeremiah.org/biblestrong today.
00:12:38.893 --> 00:12:42.063
♪♪♪
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♪ i'm calling on the god of jacob ♪
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♪ whose love endures through generations ♪
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♪ i know that you will keep your covenant ♪
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♪ i'm calling on the god of moses ♪
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♪ the one who opened up the ocean ♪
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♪ i need you now to do the same thing for me ♪
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♪♪♪
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♪ oh god, my god, i need you ♪
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♪ oh god, my god, i need you now ♪
00:13:37.385 --> 00:13:42.090
♪ how i need you now ♪
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♪ oh rock, oh rock of ages ♪
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♪ i'm standing on your faithfulness ♪
00:13:50.865 --> 00:13:56.337
♪ on your faithfulness ♪
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♪ i'm calling on the god of mary ♪
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♪ whose favor rests upon the lowly ♪
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♪ i know with you all things are possible ♪
00:14:14.289 --> 00:14:20.929
♪ i'm calling on the god of david ♪
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♪ who made a shepherd boy courageous ♪
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♪ i may not face goliath ♪
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♪ but i've got my own giants ♪
00:14:37.512 --> 00:14:40.782
♪ oh god, my god, i need you ♪
00:14:40.782 --> 00:14:44.118
♪ oh god, my god, i need you now ♪
00:14:44.118 --> 00:14:48.623
♪ how i need you now ♪
00:14:48.623 --> 00:14:54.095
♪ oh rock, oh rock of ages ♪
00:14:54.095 --> 00:14:57.398
♪ i'm standing on your faithfulness ♪
00:14:57.398 --> 00:15:02.770
♪ on your faithfulness ♪
00:15:02.770 --> 00:15:07.241
♪♪♪
00:15:07.241 --> 00:15:21.022
♪ you heard your children then ♪
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♪ you hear your children now ♪
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♪ you are the same god ♪
00:15:27.495 --> 00:15:30.098
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:15:30.932 --> 00:15:34.268
♪ you answered prayers back then ♪
00:15:34.268 --> 00:15:37.739
♪ and you will answer now ♪
00:15:37.739 --> 00:15:41.009
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:15:41.009 --> 00:15:43.511
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:15:44.278 --> 00:15:47.448
♪ you were providing then ♪
00:15:47.448 --> 00:15:50.585
♪ you are providing now ♪
00:15:50.585 --> 00:15:53.988
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:15:53.988 --> 00:15:56.591
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:15:57.358 --> 00:16:00.728
♪ you moved in power then ♪
00:16:00.728 --> 00:16:03.965
♪ god, move in power now ♪
00:16:03.965 --> 00:16:07.335
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:16:07.335 --> 00:16:09.871
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:16:10.671 --> 00:16:14.008
♪ you were a healer then ♪
00:16:14.008 --> 00:16:17.412
♪ you are a healer now ♪
00:16:17.412 --> 00:16:20.882
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:16:20.882 --> 00:16:23.351
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:16:24.185 --> 00:16:27.455
♪ you were a savior then ♪
00:16:27.455 --> 00:16:30.792
♪ you are a savior now ♪
00:16:30.792 --> 00:16:34.062
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:16:34.062 --> 00:16:36.831
♪ you are the same god ♪
00:16:37.598 --> 00:16:40.968
♪ oh god, my god, i need you ♪
00:16:40.968 --> 00:16:44.205
♪ oh god, my god, i need you now ♪
00:16:44.205 --> 00:16:48.609
♪ how i need you now ♪
00:16:48.609 --> 00:16:54.282
♪ oh rock, oh rock of ages ♪
00:16:54.282 --> 00:16:57.652
♪ i'm standing on your faithfulness ♪
00:16:57.652 --> 00:17:02.890
♪ on your faithfulness ♪
00:17:02.890 --> 00:17:07.528
♪ oh god, my god, i need you ♪
00:17:07.528 --> 00:17:10.898
♪ oh, god, my god, i need you now ♪
00:17:10.898 --> 00:17:15.336
♪ how i need you now ♪
00:17:15.336 --> 00:17:21.008
♪ oh rock, oh rock of ages ♪
00:17:21.008 --> 00:17:24.278
♪ i'm standing on your faithfulness ♪
00:17:24.278 --> 00:17:29.484
♪ on your faithfulness ♪
00:17:29.484 --> 00:17:36.958
♪ oh god, i need you now ♪♪
00:17:36.958 --> 00:17:40.161
♪♪♪
00:17:40.161 --> 00:17:48.169
[congregation applauding]
00:17:50.605 --> 00:17:55.109
Announcer: turningpoint+ is a bible-strong library
00:17:57.044 --> 00:17:59.680
Of on-demand teaching from dr. david jeremiah,
00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:03.017
Over 40 years of bible-strong teaching
00:18:03.017 --> 00:18:05.786
And more, available on all your favorite devices.
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00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:22.003
♪♪♪
00:18:23.804 --> 00:18:36.184
♪ what a friend we have in jesus ♪
00:18:33.814 --> 00:18:41.622
♪ all our sins and griefs to bear ♪
00:18:41.622 --> 00:18:47.495
♪ what a privilege to carry ♪
00:18:47.495 --> 00:18:53.000
♪ everything to god in prayer ♪
00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:58.873
♪ o what peace we often forfeit ♪
00:18:58.873 --> 00:19:04.478
♪ o what needless pain we bear ♪
00:19:04.478 --> 00:19:09.717
♪ all because we do not carry ♪
00:19:09.717 --> 00:19:15.523
♪ everything to god in prayer ♪
00:19:15.523 --> 00:19:21.562
♪ have we trials and temptations? ♪
00:19:21.562 --> 00:19:27.101
♪ is there trouble anywhere? ♪
00:19:27.101 --> 00:19:31.539
♪ oh no, we should never, never, never, never ♪
00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:35.376
♪ never, never, never, never be discouraged ♪
00:19:35.376 --> 00:19:38.713
♪ take it to the lord in prayer ♪
00:19:38.713 --> 00:19:44.485
♪ can we find a friend so faithful ♪
00:19:44.485 --> 00:19:49.991
♪ who will all our sorrows share? ♪
00:19:49.991 --> 00:19:55.496
♪ jesus knows our every weakness ♪
00:19:55.496 --> 00:19:59.100
♪ yes he does, oh ♪
00:19:59.100 --> 00:20:01.202
♪ so take it to the lord in prayer ♪
00:20:01.202 --> 00:20:04.171
♪♪♪
00:20:04.171 --> 00:20:52.053
♪ oh and what a friend we have in jesus ♪
00:20:14.181 --> 00:20:56.324
♪ oh yeah ♪
00:20:56.324 --> 00:20:58.926
♪ all our sins and griefs to bear ♪
00:20:58.926 --> 00:21:02.630
♪ oh ♪
00:21:02.630 --> 00:21:04.699
♪ what a privilege to carry, yeah, to carry ♪
00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:10.037
♪ everything to god in prayer ♪
00:21:10.037 --> 00:21:13.641
♪ oh yeah, yeah, yeah, everything to god in prayer ♪
00:21:13.641 --> 00:21:18.946
♪ oh one more time, ♪
00:21:18.946 --> 00:21:20.414
♪ and everything to god in prayer ♪♪
00:21:20.414 --> 00:21:24.085
♪♪♪
00:21:24.085 --> 00:21:33.160
[congregation cheering]
00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:37.598
Announcer: heaven, just thinking about it stirs up questions.
00:21:38.833 --> 00:21:42.036
What will the celestial city look like?
00:21:42.036 --> 00:21:44.271
Will my loved ones be there?
00:21:44.271 --> 00:21:45.906
Will heaven be boring?
00:21:45.906 --> 00:21:47.375
And how do i secure my place in eternity?
00:21:47.375 --> 00:21:50.177
In "the promise of heaven," new from dr. david jeremiah,
00:21:50.177 --> 00:21:53.581
You'll discover what the bible says about your eternal home
00:21:53.581 --> 00:21:56.217
And how what you believe about heaven today
00:21:56.217 --> 00:21:58.586
Transforms how you live, worship,
00:21:58.586 --> 00:22:00.688
And face life's challenges.
00:22:00.688 --> 00:22:02.623
Explore 31 exciting reasons to look forward to heaven
00:22:02.623 --> 00:22:05.893
Through short, easy-to-read chapters
00:22:05.893 --> 00:22:07.762
That answer your biggest questions
00:22:07.762 --> 00:22:09.497
Like, are my loved ones watching me from heaven?
00:22:09.497 --> 00:22:11.932
What happens to the souls of the unborn?
00:22:11.932 --> 00:22:13.968
How will we look in heaven? and more.
00:22:13.968 --> 00:22:16.337
"the promise of heaven" by dr. jeremiah is yours
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For a gift of any amount.
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Or for a gift of $75 or more,
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Request "the heaven" of heaven" set,
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Which contains dr. jeremiah's new book,
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His complete teaching series on cd or dvd,
00:22:27.081 --> 00:22:30.251
A correlating study guide,
00:22:30.251 --> 00:22:31.752
A special interview with sheila walsh on dvd,
00:22:31.752 --> 00:22:34.355
And the "10 things you may not know about heaven" bookmark.
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Plus, when you order from turning point,
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You'll receive two exclusive bonus chapters
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Written by dr. jeremiah.
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It's time to get excited about your eternal home.
00:22:43.497 --> 00:22:46.233
Request "the promise of heaven" book or set
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When you contact turning point today.
00:22:48.569 --> 00:22:50.471
Announcer: thank you for watching "turning point."
00:22:52.873 --> 00:22:54.775
In appreciation of your viewership,
00:22:54.775 --> 00:22:56.610
Dr. jeremiah would like to send you
00:22:56.610 --> 00:22:58.512
The "10 things you may not know about heaven" bookmark,
00:22:58.512 --> 00:23:01.582
10 truths from god's word about your eternal home.
00:23:01.582 --> 00:23:04.552
It's yours absolutely free
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Just by contacting turning point today.
00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:08.722
And now, here is dr. jeremiah with his message,
00:23:08.722 --> 00:23:12.393
"tough-minded about heaven."
00:23:12.393 --> 00:23:16.063
Dr. jeremiah: back in 2017, tara wells was drowning
00:23:16.063 --> 00:23:19.133
In diapers and laundry and sleep deprivation.
00:23:19.133 --> 00:23:22.503
She had two toddlers and a third baby on the way.
00:23:22.503 --> 00:23:26.640
She looked at her husband and she said, "in 2024,
00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:30.177
We're taking a big family trip.
00:23:30.177 --> 00:23:31.946
No excuses."
00:23:31.946 --> 00:23:33.714
He raised his eyebrow and just kind of said, "okay."
00:23:33.714 --> 00:23:37.685
But tara wasn't kidding.
00:23:37.685 --> 00:23:39.053
That night, she circled the year on a calendar
00:23:39.053 --> 00:23:41.789
And she began planning.
00:23:41.789 --> 00:23:43.691
She and her husband sold
00:23:43.691 --> 00:23:45.292
Their small location-based business.
00:23:45.292 --> 00:23:47.628
They switched careers,
00:23:47.628 --> 00:23:49.096
Didn't take a vacation for seven years.
00:23:49.096 --> 00:23:51.499
Every single decision that they made pointed to one goal:
00:23:51.499 --> 00:23:55.402
The trip of a lifetime.
00:23:55.402 --> 00:23:58.739
Finally, 2024 arrived,
00:23:58.739 --> 00:24:00.908
And after seven years of dreaming and sacrificing,
00:24:00.908 --> 00:24:04.211
Tara and her family spent a month in california,
00:24:04.211 --> 00:24:07.781
Hiking big sur, wandering through disneyland,
00:24:07.781 --> 00:24:11.018
And marveling at yosemite.
00:24:11.018 --> 00:24:13.220
Then came seven weeks exploring mexico's yucatan peninsula,
00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:17.825
And finally, a caribbean cruise to top it all off.
00:24:17.825 --> 00:24:22.363
"it was everything we wanted it to be," tara says.
00:24:22.363 --> 00:24:24.965
"it instilled a spirit of adventure in the three boys
00:24:24.965 --> 00:24:28.068
That can never be taken away
00:24:28.068 --> 00:24:29.937
And refueled my spirit
00:24:29.937 --> 00:24:31.272
To be ready for whatever comes next."
00:24:31.272 --> 00:24:33.507
I'm sure you all know
00:24:33.507 --> 00:24:35.376
That when you have something to look forward to,
00:24:35.376 --> 00:24:37.111
It changes everything.
00:24:37.111 --> 00:24:38.612
When you're getting ready to do something special,
00:24:38.612 --> 00:24:40.981
Every day is changed because of that.
00:24:40.981 --> 00:24:43.884
For seven years, that future trip
00:24:43.884 --> 00:24:46.053
Shaped tara's future choices
00:24:46.053 --> 00:24:48.055
And gave her strength when the hard days came.
00:24:48.055 --> 00:24:50.758
It gave her direction when things got chaotic
00:24:50.758 --> 00:24:53.427
And joy in the waiting.
00:24:53.427 --> 00:24:55.529
And that's the power of a vacation.
00:24:55.529 --> 00:24:58.532
And just a glimpse of what heaven can do
00:24:58.532 --> 00:25:00.668
For you and me.
00:25:00.668 --> 00:25:02.870
People often tell me they don't understand
00:25:02.870 --> 00:25:05.039
Why we should be concerned about heaven now.
00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:07.575
Isn't it true that people who are heavenly minded
00:25:07.575 --> 00:25:10.778
Tend to be no earthly good?
00:25:10.778 --> 00:25:14.014
But the opposite is true.
00:25:14.014 --> 00:25:16.450
Wayne martindale said it this way.
00:25:16.450 --> 00:25:18.252
He said, "some people think that if you're focused
00:25:18.252 --> 00:25:20.421
On the streets of gold in heaven,
00:25:20.421 --> 00:25:22.790
You'll ignore the potholes on the streets in chicago."
00:25:22.790 --> 00:25:27.294
But history shows
00:25:27.294 --> 00:25:28.696
That the people most interested in the streets of gold
00:25:28.696 --> 00:25:31.732
Are most interested
00:25:31.732 --> 00:25:33.233
In the ones made out of concrete and asphalt.
00:25:33.233 --> 00:25:37.237
One of the most consistent truths of the new testament
00:25:37.237 --> 00:25:40.174
Is this: what you think about heaven
00:25:40.174 --> 00:25:42.710
Affects how you live today.
00:25:42.710 --> 00:25:45.846
The hope of heaven is like an anchor.
00:25:45.846 --> 00:25:47.781
It doesn't hold you back,
00:25:47.781 --> 00:25:49.450
Holds you steady when the storms come and pull you forward,
00:25:49.450 --> 00:25:53.220
And it brings you
00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.555
Into the future god has promised.
00:25:54.555 --> 00:25:57.524
In his second letter,
00:25:57.524 --> 00:25:59.627
Peter ended his letter with a question.
00:25:59.627 --> 00:26:02.997
After describing the renovation of the world
00:26:02.997 --> 00:26:05.633
At the end of the age, he said, "therefore,
00:26:05.633 --> 00:26:09.236
Since all these things will be dissolved,
00:26:09.236 --> 00:26:12.206
What manner of persons ought you to be?"
00:26:12.206 --> 00:26:17.344
That question is at the heart of our study today.
00:26:17.344 --> 00:26:20.381
Now that we know
00:26:20.381 --> 00:26:21.715
What the bible teaches about heaven,
00:26:21.715 --> 00:26:23.550
Now that we know that god's future
00:26:23.550 --> 00:26:25.219
Has wonderful plans for his children,
00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:29.723
The question then is, how should we now live?
00:26:29.723 --> 00:26:32.960
Because of what we know is coming,
00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:35.095
How should our life be changed?
00:26:35.095 --> 00:26:37.164
So in the verses that follow,
00:26:37.164 --> 00:26:38.899
Peter tells us the answer to that question,
00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:42.636
And i want to share them with you today.
00:26:42.636 --> 00:26:45.005
Let me remind you that when god gives us truth,
00:26:45.005 --> 00:26:48.542
He also gives us responsibility.
00:26:48.542 --> 00:26:51.311
We don't get truth from god so we can be smarter.
00:26:51.311 --> 00:26:54.682
We get truth from god so we can be holier,
00:26:54.682 --> 00:26:56.984
So we can walk with him.
00:26:56.984 --> 00:26:58.485
God wants his truth to change our lives.
00:26:58.485 --> 00:27:01.121
We must be different people
00:27:01.121 --> 00:27:02.856
Because of our exposure to the word of god.
00:27:02.856 --> 00:27:07.027
I've been thinking about how important this is,
00:27:07.027 --> 00:27:09.663
Not just for me, but for our whole church.
00:27:09.663 --> 00:27:12.499
If we want to experience all that god has for us,
00:27:12.499 --> 00:27:15.569
We have to train our minds to think biblically.
00:27:15.569 --> 00:27:19.139
The constant flood of media is pulling us away from that.
00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:22.976
It's never been so powerful as it is today.
00:27:22.976 --> 00:27:25.479
You cannot turn the television on
00:27:25.479 --> 00:27:27.214
And escape it.
00:27:27.214 --> 00:27:28.716
It is everywhere.
00:27:28.716 --> 00:27:30.250
And every day you turn it on,
00:27:30.250 --> 00:27:32.553
Someone has invented a new way to be evil,
00:27:32.553 --> 00:27:35.155
And you can't imagine that it would be true.
00:27:35.155 --> 00:27:38.358
Without tough-mindedness, we will be overwhelmed.
00:27:38.358 --> 00:27:42.896
So i encourage you to listen with your heart and your head
00:27:42.896 --> 00:27:45.999
And your determination today.
00:27:45.999 --> 00:27:48.368
In 1 peter 1:13, the apostle uses a term that is
00:27:48.368 --> 00:27:53.373
The biblical equivalent of tough-mindedness.
00:27:53.373 --> 00:27:55.909
Here's what he wrote: "therefore gird up the loins of your mind."
00:27:55.909 --> 00:28:02.182
Now, that's not a term we would use today.
00:28:02.182 --> 00:28:04.318
We don't use the word "gird."
00:28:04.318 --> 00:28:05.919
"loins of our minds," i've never said that
00:28:05.919 --> 00:28:07.621
In any normal conversation.
00:28:07.621 --> 00:28:10.424
But peter is using an ancient expression
00:28:10.424 --> 00:28:13.927
Which described the gathering up around the waist
00:28:13.927 --> 00:28:16.997
Of the long eastern robes
00:28:16.997 --> 00:28:18.699
That would impede one's progress in running.
00:28:18.699 --> 00:28:21.668
They would gird these robes up around them
00:28:21.668 --> 00:28:23.637
And tie them in a knot so that when they ran,
00:28:23.637 --> 00:28:25.939
The robes didn't get in their way.
00:28:25.939 --> 00:28:27.775
In other words, peter is telling his readers
00:28:27.775 --> 00:28:30.711
To put out of their minds
00:28:30.711 --> 00:28:32.746
All of the things that can cause them to stumble,
00:28:32.746 --> 00:28:35.616
The things that will get in their way
00:28:35.616 --> 00:28:37.317
Of thinking god's thoughts after him.
00:28:37.317 --> 00:28:39.620
He's saying, "gird up the loins of your mind."
00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:43.157
Tough-mindedness means saying no to the mental junk of the world.
00:28:43.157 --> 00:28:49.363
These distractions get in the way
00:28:49.363 --> 00:28:51.031
Of what the holy spirit wants to do in our minds,
00:28:51.031 --> 00:28:53.901
And they keep us from focusing
00:28:53.901 --> 00:28:55.502
On what matters to god.
00:28:55.502 --> 00:28:58.605
Here's how paul explained this concept
00:28:58.605 --> 00:29:00.574
To the colossian believers.
00:29:00.574 --> 00:29:02.009
Here's what he said:
00:29:02.009 --> 00:29:03.343
"if then you were raised with christ,
00:29:03.343 --> 00:29:05.312
Seek those things which are above,
00:29:05.312 --> 00:29:07.447
Where christ is,
00:29:07.447 --> 00:29:08.782
Sitting at the right hand of god.
00:29:08.782 --> 00:29:10.250
Set your mind on things above, not on the things on the earth."
00:29:10.250 --> 00:29:15.756
In other words, be tough-minded.
00:29:15.756 --> 00:29:18.358
To set your mind means to take control of your mind.
00:29:18.358 --> 00:29:22.329
Here from 2 peter are five things
00:29:22.329 --> 00:29:25.332
That demand our tough-mindedness.
00:29:25.332 --> 00:29:27.968
These are five things that are true
00:29:27.968 --> 00:29:29.536
Because jesus is coming back.
00:29:29.536 --> 00:29:31.872
Five things that are true
00:29:31.872 --> 00:29:33.207
Because there is a heaven and a hell.
00:29:33.207 --> 00:29:34.942
Five things that are true
00:29:34.942 --> 00:29:36.844
Because if we take them seriously,
00:29:36.844 --> 00:29:40.113
We know where we're headed.
00:29:40.113 --> 00:29:41.982
You can't know about heaven and believe in heaven,
00:29:41.982 --> 00:29:45.185
Be confident that you're going to heaven,
00:29:45.185 --> 00:29:47.087
Without it changing the things that you do on the earth
00:29:47.087 --> 00:29:51.058
In anticipation of it.
00:29:51.058 --> 00:29:53.026
First of all, peter said because we're going to heaven,
00:29:53.026 --> 00:29:56.330
We should be tough-minded about purity.
00:29:56.330 --> 00:29:59.066
2 peter 3:11 reads like this: "therefore,
00:29:59.066 --> 00:30:02.903
Since all these things will be dissolved,
00:30:02.903 --> 00:30:05.105
What manner of persons ought you to be
00:30:05.105 --> 00:30:07.941
In holy conduct and godliness?"
00:30:07.941 --> 00:30:12.713
In this one verse,
00:30:12.713 --> 00:30:14.047
Peter describes the lifestyle of a christ follower
00:30:14.047 --> 00:30:17.084
Who understands the future plan of god.
00:30:17.084 --> 00:30:19.586
Notice, first of all, he says
00:30:19.586 --> 00:30:20.921
We ought to be people of holy conduct.
00:30:20.921 --> 00:30:24.591
That doesn't mean we walk around with halos on our head.
00:30:24.591 --> 00:30:27.094
It means we live righteously.
00:30:27.094 --> 00:30:29.196
The word "holy" means
00:30:29.196 --> 00:30:30.964
To be set apart for the service of god.
00:30:30.964 --> 00:30:33.734
Peter addressed this same thing in his first letter.
00:30:33.734 --> 00:30:36.203
Listen to these words:
00:30:36.203 --> 00:30:38.138
"therefore gird up the loins of your mind,
00:30:38.138 --> 00:30:40.807
Be sober, rest your hope fully
00:30:40.807 --> 00:30:43.277
Upon grace that is to be brought to you
00:30:43.277 --> 00:30:45.012
At the revelation of jesus christ;
00:30:45.012 --> 00:30:47.614
As obedient children,
00:30:47.614 --> 00:30:48.982
Not conforming yourselves to the former lusts,
00:30:48.982 --> 00:30:52.085
As in your ignorance;
00:30:52.085 --> 00:30:53.720
But as he who has called you is holy,
00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:56.056
You also be holy in all your conduct,
00:30:56.056 --> 00:30:58.191
Because it is written, 'be holy, for i am holy.'"
00:30:58.191 --> 00:31:02.763
Peter tells us that we're to be tough-minded about godliness.
00:31:02.763 --> 00:31:06.199
This illustrates the importance of our inward attitude.
00:31:06.199 --> 00:31:09.136
The word "godliness" means to have a god-ward attitude,
00:31:09.136 --> 00:31:13.206
That god is included in our thought process.
00:31:13.206 --> 00:31:16.176
He is the leader in the way we think.
00:31:16.176 --> 00:31:18.111
He doesn't just have a seat at the table.
00:31:18.111 --> 00:31:20.314
He is the originator and leader and director
00:31:20.314 --> 00:31:23.183
Of our thought process.
00:31:23.183 --> 00:31:24.885
We do things that are well-pleasing to him.
00:31:24.885 --> 00:31:27.955
And let me just tell you something i've learned.
00:31:27.955 --> 00:31:29.656
This doesn't happen automatically.
00:31:29.656 --> 00:31:31.792
You don't just become a christian
00:31:31.792 --> 00:31:33.226
And a switch goes on, and from that moment on,
00:31:33.226 --> 00:31:35.762
You think in godly ways.
00:31:35.762 --> 00:31:37.397
You have to learn to do that and develop that.
00:31:37.397 --> 00:31:39.766
It's called self-discipline.
00:31:39.766 --> 00:31:41.501
And it's interesting to me, as you read the new testament,
00:31:41.501 --> 00:31:44.404
How many times you run into words
00:31:44.404 --> 00:31:46.640
That are filled with energy.
00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:48.542
For instance, 1 timothy 4 says:
00:31:48.542 --> 00:31:51.445
"exercise yourselves toward godliness."
00:31:51.445 --> 00:31:56.350
And you know the word "exercise" is the word "gymnasio,"
00:31:56.350 --> 00:31:58.685
Which we get the word "gymnasium."
00:31:58.685 --> 00:32:01.888
And paul told young timothy, his disciple, he said, "get
00:32:01.888 --> 00:32:04.658
Into the spiritual gymnasium and become a holy person.
00:32:04.658 --> 00:32:08.662
Don't be lazy.
00:32:08.662 --> 00:32:10.397
Don't just think this is gonna happen."
00:32:10.397 --> 00:32:13.233
In 1 timothy 6, he says,
00:32:13.233 --> 00:32:15.569
"but you, o man of god, pursue righteousness."
00:32:15.569 --> 00:32:19.606
How many of you know righteousness
00:32:19.606 --> 00:32:20.941
Is never gonna pursue you?
00:32:20.941 --> 00:32:23.410
You have to pursue it.
00:32:23.410 --> 00:32:24.811
You have to go after it.
00:32:24.811 --> 00:32:26.146
When you're fighting with temptation and all of that,
00:32:26.146 --> 00:32:28.882
The scripture says one of the strategies you use
00:32:28.882 --> 00:32:32.085
Is you become the pursuer, and you pursue righteousness.
00:32:32.085 --> 00:32:36.656
Titus 2 says: "teaching us that,
00:32:36.656 --> 00:32:38.625
Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
00:32:38.625 --> 00:32:41.728
We should live soberly, righteously, and godly
00:32:41.728 --> 00:32:45.032
In the present age, looking for the blessed hope
00:32:45.032 --> 00:32:48.802
And glorious appearing
00:32:48.802 --> 00:32:50.337
Of our great god and savior jesus christ."
00:32:50.337 --> 00:32:52.906
So, ladies and gentlemen,
00:32:52.906 --> 00:32:54.241
If you sensitize your mind to this truth,
00:32:54.241 --> 00:32:56.076
You will discover
00:32:56.076 --> 00:32:57.411
That over and over again in the new testament,
00:32:57.411 --> 00:33:00.547
The holy spirit associates godliness and holiness
00:33:00.547 --> 00:33:05.986
With the coming again of christ to receive us to himself.
00:33:05.986 --> 00:33:10.624
One writer helps us understand
00:33:11.591 --> 00:33:13.093
How heaven should motivate us to live holy lives.
00:33:13.093 --> 00:33:16.696
He said, "if my wedding date is on the calendar
00:33:16.696 --> 00:33:20.033
And i'm thinking of the person i'm gonna marry,
00:33:20.033 --> 00:33:23.937
I shouldn't be an easy target for seduction.
00:33:23.937 --> 00:33:28.108
Likewise, when i've meditated on heaven,
00:33:28.108 --> 00:33:30.377
Sin is terribly unappealing.
00:33:30.377 --> 00:33:33.146
It's when my mind drifts from heaven
00:33:33.146 --> 00:33:35.048
That sin seems attractive.
00:33:35.048 --> 00:33:37.084
Thinking of heaven leads inevitably to pursuing holiness.
00:33:37.084 --> 00:33:40.087
Our high tolerance of sin
00:33:40.087 --> 00:33:42.289
Testifies to our failure to prepare for heaven.
00:33:42.289 --> 00:33:46.760
If i believe i'll spend eternity
00:33:46.760 --> 00:33:48.395
In a world of unending beauty and adventure,
00:33:48.395 --> 00:33:51.498
Will i be content to spend all my evenings
00:33:51.498 --> 00:33:53.834
Staring at game shows, sitcoms, and ball games?
00:33:53.834 --> 00:33:56.937
Even if i keep my eyes off of impurities,
00:33:56.937 --> 00:33:59.639
How much time will i want to invest
00:33:59.639 --> 00:34:01.775
In what doesn't matter?"
00:34:01.775 --> 00:34:03.844
What a warning that is for all of us.
00:34:03.844 --> 00:34:06.246
In this day and age when so much is available to us,
00:34:06.246 --> 00:34:08.982
Most of which is not health-giving to christians,
00:34:08.982 --> 00:34:11.918
If we're not careful,
00:34:11.918 --> 00:34:13.253
We succumb to the easiness of its availability
00:34:13.253 --> 00:34:17.057
And our lives become more directed
00:34:17.057 --> 00:34:19.926
By the world system than the things of god.
00:34:19.926 --> 00:34:23.463
Tough-minded about purity.
00:34:23.463 --> 00:34:24.798
There's never been a time when more people's lives
00:34:24.798 --> 00:34:27.868
Were at stake at this issue than there is today,
00:34:27.868 --> 00:34:30.871
Because there's never been a time
00:34:30.871 --> 00:34:32.439
When seduction has been more intense
00:34:32.439 --> 00:34:34.774
In every aspect of life than it is in this very hour.
00:34:34.774 --> 00:34:38.845
So here's what the bible says: gird up the loins of your mind.
00:34:38.845 --> 00:34:42.582
Get tough-minded about this.
00:34:42.582 --> 00:34:44.684
You take control,
00:34:44.684 --> 00:34:46.019
And don't let that take control of you.
00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:48.488
Then, tough-minded about promises.
00:34:48.488 --> 00:34:51.057
In verse 12, he says, "looking for and hastening
00:34:51.057 --> 00:34:54.427
The coming of the day of god."
00:34:54.427 --> 00:34:57.397
C.s. lewis was tough-minded
00:34:57.397 --> 00:34:59.900
About the promise of god.
00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:01.568
Here's what he wrote, "i must keep alive in myself
00:35:01.568 --> 00:35:05.005
The desire for my true country,
00:35:05.005 --> 00:35:07.440
Which i shall not find until after death.
00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:09.442
I must never let it get snowed under
00:35:09.442 --> 00:35:12.179
Or turned aside.
00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:13.547
I must make it the main object of life
00:35:13.547 --> 00:35:15.749
To press on to that other country
00:35:15.749 --> 00:35:17.851
And help others do the same."
00:35:17.851 --> 00:35:20.187
According to peter, it's easy to become
00:35:20.187 --> 00:35:22.756
Indifferent to the future and to what it means.
00:35:22.756 --> 00:35:26.560
In fact, in 2 peter, he says
00:35:26.560 --> 00:35:30.030
That "in the end times, scoffers will come,
00:35:30.030 --> 00:35:33.133
Walking according to their own lusts,
00:35:33.133 --> 00:35:35.235
And saying, 'where is the promise of his coming?'"
00:35:35.235 --> 00:35:38.238
They will poo-poo the coming of christ.
00:35:38.238 --> 00:35:41.942
They will say, "it's just in your mind,"
00:35:41.942 --> 00:35:43.843
Or "i know you guys need to believe that,
00:35:43.843 --> 00:35:46.346
And if that's what you need to believe, then--"
00:35:46.346 --> 00:35:48.248
They're scoffers.
00:35:48.248 --> 00:35:49.716
Their mockery stems
00:35:49.716 --> 00:35:51.051
From a short-sighted view of life.
00:35:51.051 --> 00:35:52.786
They think because jesus hasn't come
00:35:52.786 --> 00:35:55.255
Since he announced he was coming, that he won't come,
00:35:55.255 --> 00:35:58.491
And they believe that god's working
00:35:58.491 --> 00:36:00.427
On their time schedule.
00:36:00.427 --> 00:36:02.162
The bible says: "one day with the lord
00:36:02.162 --> 00:36:03.663
Is like a thousand years.
00:36:03.663 --> 00:36:05.198
A thousand years is one day."
00:36:05.198 --> 00:36:06.666
What does that mean?
00:36:06.666 --> 00:36:08.001
It means that god never looks at his watch
00:36:08.001 --> 00:36:11.805
Because god's timing is perfect.
00:36:11.805 --> 00:36:14.441
I believe it's soon, don't you?
00:36:14.441 --> 00:36:17.544
We see the things happening around us today that remind us
00:36:17.544 --> 00:36:21.114
That while we can't tell you for sure
00:36:21.114 --> 00:36:23.183
When the lord is coming,
00:36:23.183 --> 00:36:24.517
We can sure identify the season of his coming.
00:36:24.517 --> 00:36:27.954
And more things are on the plate right now
00:36:27.954 --> 00:36:30.056
Than ever have been before that i can remember.
00:36:30.056 --> 00:36:32.225
Even the nations coming together in certain patterns
00:36:32.225 --> 00:36:35.161
And things that are happening around the world.
00:36:35.161 --> 00:36:37.297
One thing we know for sure,
00:36:37.297 --> 00:36:39.532
Our redemption is nearer now than when we first believed.
00:36:39.532 --> 00:36:42.869
His coming will be soon.
00:36:42.869 --> 00:36:44.537
And because of that,
00:36:44.537 --> 00:36:46.673
We need to be tough-minded about our profession.
00:36:46.673 --> 00:36:50.076
Don't let people push you in a corner about your faith
00:36:50.076 --> 00:36:53.280
In the return of christ.
00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:54.981
Our citizenship is in heaven,
00:36:54.981 --> 00:36:57.117
And the bible says we eagerly wait for the savior,
00:36:57.117 --> 00:37:01.021
The lord jesus christ.
00:37:01.021 --> 00:37:03.590
One writer captured this perspective
00:37:03.590 --> 00:37:05.525
With these words: "a habitual contemplation
00:37:05.525 --> 00:37:08.928
Of the truth that all we see is soon to pass away
00:37:08.928 --> 00:37:13.466
Would produce a most solemn effect on our minds.
00:37:13.466 --> 00:37:16.603
It would make us serious.
00:37:16.603 --> 00:37:18.038
It would lead us not to desire to accumulate
00:37:18.038 --> 00:37:20.774
What must soon be destroyed.
00:37:20.774 --> 00:37:23.643
It would prompt us to lay up treasures in heaven.
00:37:23.643 --> 00:37:26.046
It would cause us to ask with deep earnestness
00:37:26.046 --> 00:37:28.815
Whether we are prepared for these amazing scenes
00:37:28.815 --> 00:37:32.719
Should they suddenly burst upon us."
00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:35.155
In other words, what if we knew for certain,
00:37:35.155 --> 00:37:38.124
If it was absolutely
00:37:38.124 --> 00:37:39.759
Without possibility of not happening,
00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:42.195
If we knew for certain two weeks from now
00:37:42.195 --> 00:37:44.130
Jesus would come and we'd be ushered into heaven
00:37:44.130 --> 00:37:46.700
To spend our eternity there,
00:37:46.700 --> 00:37:48.902
How would that change the way we spend these next two weeks?
00:37:48.902 --> 00:37:52.605
We would make a whole lot of different kinds of decisions
00:37:52.605 --> 00:37:55.342
Would we know that.
00:37:55.342 --> 00:37:56.676
But ladies and gentlemen, we know that.
00:37:56.676 --> 00:37:59.679
We know he's coming soon.
00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:01.781
We know it could happen at any moment in our lifetime.
00:38:01.781 --> 00:38:05.618
How then, says the scripture, should we live?
00:38:05.618 --> 00:38:08.888
That's the question.
00:38:08.888 --> 00:38:10.223
How is heaven and knowing
00:38:10.223 --> 00:38:11.858
That we're gonna spend eternity there,
00:38:11.858 --> 00:38:13.727
Making a difference in how we live today?
00:38:13.727 --> 00:38:16.629
Thirdly, tough-minded about our purpose.
00:38:16.629 --> 00:38:19.699
2 peter 3:14 says: "therefore, beloved,
00:38:19.699 --> 00:38:23.303
Looking forward to these things,
00:38:23.303 --> 00:38:26.005
Be diligent to be found by him in peace,
00:38:26.005 --> 00:38:30.210
Without spot and blameless."
00:38:30.210 --> 00:38:32.879
Here's the thing i think is really hard
00:38:32.879 --> 00:38:34.781
For people to understand: holiness is hard.
00:38:34.781 --> 00:38:39.552
Say that with me. "holiness is hard."
00:38:39.552 --> 00:38:42.722
We don't just become holy because we put a bible
00:38:42.722 --> 00:38:45.024
Under our pillow at night and sleep on it.
00:38:45.024 --> 00:38:47.427
We're not holy 'cause we come to church.
00:38:47.427 --> 00:38:49.729
We don't become holy because we know a few scriptures
00:38:49.729 --> 00:38:52.432
Or sing a few songs.
00:38:52.432 --> 00:38:54.234
Holiness is the daily diligent pursuit of righteousness
00:38:54.234 --> 00:38:57.704
In our life.
00:38:57.704 --> 00:38:59.038
Peter says, when it comes to your walk with the lord,
00:38:59.038 --> 00:39:01.174
Be diligent.
00:39:01.174 --> 00:39:02.575
Don't be haphazard.
00:39:02.575 --> 00:39:04.277
Don't be lazy. don't be passive.
00:39:04.277 --> 00:39:06.946
Go after it with all you have.
00:39:06.946 --> 00:39:09.649
Find out the things that you know
00:39:09.649 --> 00:39:11.151
That make you grow in christ
00:39:11.151 --> 00:39:12.585
And help you to be a better christian
00:39:12.585 --> 00:39:14.521
And concentrate on them.
00:39:14.521 --> 00:39:16.489
Don't miss church because you want to do something.
00:39:16.489 --> 00:39:19.526
Whatever it is that you want to do
00:39:19.526 --> 00:39:20.860
That causes you to miss church,
00:39:20.860 --> 00:39:22.295
Most of it's not worth that choice.
00:39:22.295 --> 00:39:25.231
And in our culture today,
00:39:25.231 --> 00:39:26.566
They've programmed everything on sunday
00:39:26.566 --> 00:39:28.968
As if to concentrate on people not going to church,
00:39:28.968 --> 00:39:31.905
And you have to be diligent to not let that happen to you.
00:39:31.905 --> 00:39:35.575
You have to stand up and say,
00:39:35.575 --> 00:39:36.910
"no, church is a critical, important issue in my life,
00:39:36.910 --> 00:39:41.047
And i'm not gonna let you take that away from me."
00:39:41.047 --> 00:39:43.817
Take your goal, put it out in front of you,
00:39:43.817 --> 00:39:46.820
And don't let anybody dissuade you from it.
00:39:46.820 --> 00:39:50.056
And if you do that, you will learn
00:39:50.056 --> 00:39:51.558
How to be tough-minded about your purpose.
00:39:51.558 --> 00:39:54.160
So, diligence is hard.
00:39:54.160 --> 00:39:56.830
It's tough. it's easier to slack off.
00:39:56.830 --> 00:39:59.132
It's easier to take an easier road,
00:39:59.132 --> 00:40:01.434
To follow shortcuts, to give up.
00:40:01.434 --> 00:40:03.269
Diligence is particularly difficult
00:40:03.269 --> 00:40:05.805
In our fast food microwave society.
00:40:05.805 --> 00:40:09.943
As americans, we don't want to be diligent for something.
00:40:09.943 --> 00:40:12.946
We just want to do it and have it pay off.
00:40:12.946 --> 00:40:15.515
We want the maximum payoff
00:40:15.515 --> 00:40:17.016
For the smallest possible amount of labor,
00:40:17.016 --> 00:40:19.118
And that's how we live.
00:40:19.118 --> 00:40:20.854
And that's built into our current culture.
00:40:20.854 --> 00:40:23.756
Now, in paul's day, there were some who thought
00:40:23.756 --> 00:40:25.758
That since the lord was gonna come back soon,
00:40:25.758 --> 00:40:28.394
They should just take it easy.
00:40:28.394 --> 00:40:30.630
And some of that attitude is present
00:40:30.630 --> 00:40:31.965
In our churches today among god's people.
00:40:31.965 --> 00:40:34.467
I know i'm going to heaven and that's all i care about.
00:40:34.467 --> 00:40:36.936
I made my reservation for heaven,
00:40:36.936 --> 00:40:38.404
I'm gonna live the rest of my life
00:40:38.404 --> 00:40:39.739
The way i wanna live it.
00:40:39.739 --> 00:40:41.674
Well, first of all, if that's your attitude,
00:40:41.674 --> 00:40:43.209
You should go back and examine
00:40:43.209 --> 00:40:44.544
Whether or not you truly know the lord,
00:40:44.544 --> 00:40:46.079
'cause if i tried to live that way,
00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:47.814
I would be the most miserable creature
00:40:47.814 --> 00:40:49.782
On the face of god's earth,
00:40:49.782 --> 00:40:52.051
And so should you be if you're a christian.
00:40:52.051 --> 00:40:54.554
And we don't always do this life i'm talking about perfectly.
00:40:54.554 --> 00:40:57.991
We get our priorities mixed up, but down deep in our soul,
00:40:57.991 --> 00:41:00.927
There is this hunger and desire to please god,
00:41:00.927 --> 00:41:03.496
And we want to live for him.
00:41:03.496 --> 00:41:05.098
We want to honor him with our lives.
00:41:05.098 --> 00:41:07.200
We want to make a difference in our culture.
00:41:07.200 --> 00:41:09.302
If that's not within you as a part of your dna,
00:41:09.302 --> 00:41:13.039
Your christianity may be subject to a little investigation
00:41:13.039 --> 00:41:17.777
Because the bible tells us this.
00:41:17.777 --> 00:41:19.312
When you become a christian--
00:41:19.312 --> 00:41:20.647
Listen to me, "old things pass away
00:41:20.647 --> 00:41:22.782
And all things become new."
00:41:22.782 --> 00:41:24.551
Is that happening?
00:41:24.551 --> 00:41:25.919
That's what the bible tells us
00:41:25.919 --> 00:41:27.487
We should be like as followers of christ.
00:41:27.487 --> 00:41:30.290
What urgency this should put into our daily lives.
00:41:30.290 --> 00:41:34.127
So peter's given us this incredible list:
00:41:34.127 --> 00:41:37.697
Tough-minded about our purity, our promises, our purpose,
00:41:37.697 --> 00:41:41.601
Tough-minded about our profession.
00:41:41.601 --> 00:41:43.603
He says, "therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand,
00:41:43.603 --> 00:41:47.307
Beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness,
00:41:47.307 --> 00:41:51.277
Being led away with the error of the wicked."
00:41:51.277 --> 00:41:54.747
Peter says if you know you're going to heaven,
00:41:54.747 --> 00:41:56.583
Don't get lazy-minded.
00:41:56.583 --> 00:41:58.651
Don't just sit around and think, "this is cool,
00:41:58.651 --> 00:42:00.653
I'm going to heaven, everything's fine,"
00:42:00.653 --> 00:42:02.221
Because the enemy will come after you.
00:42:02.221 --> 00:42:05.224
The bible says: "he goes about as a roaring lion
00:42:05.224 --> 00:42:08.261
Seeking whom he may destroy."
00:42:08.261 --> 00:42:10.897
The enemy is out to dissuade you from your holy righteousness.
00:42:10.897 --> 00:42:15.401
I don't believe peter was saying we can fall from our salvation.
00:42:15.401 --> 00:42:18.771
He was exhorting us to be strong in our profession of faith,
00:42:18.771 --> 00:42:22.342
To know what we believe,
00:42:22.342 --> 00:42:24.143
And let nothing keep us from believing it.
00:42:24.143 --> 00:42:27.947
We are responsible before god
00:42:27.947 --> 00:42:29.649
To stay rooted and grounded in faith,
00:42:29.649 --> 00:42:32.285
To rightly divide the word of truth.
00:42:32.285 --> 00:42:34.087
Do you know that when peter, paul, and james
00:42:34.087 --> 00:42:36.856
Were doing their job,
00:42:36.856 --> 00:42:38.558
They were inundated by false teachers?
00:42:38.558 --> 00:42:41.928
We have a lot of false teachers today.
00:42:41.928 --> 00:42:44.163
They're more seductive.
00:42:44.163 --> 00:42:47.133
They're more kind of in the background.
00:42:47.133 --> 00:42:48.468
They just sort of sneak their way in.
00:42:48.468 --> 00:42:50.670
They get their little false teaching,
00:42:50.670 --> 00:42:52.572
And they surround it with biblical truth
00:42:52.572 --> 00:42:54.807
As if it were from god.
00:42:54.807 --> 00:42:56.576
But in paul's day, it was just blatant false teaching,
00:42:56.576 --> 00:42:59.579
And they were constantly exposed to it.
00:42:59.579 --> 00:43:02.315
And i want to tell you, the devil still has his agents
00:43:02.315 --> 00:43:04.817
Who ask, "did god really say that?"
00:43:04.817 --> 00:43:08.287
That's how satan works. he makes us doubt his word.
00:43:08.287 --> 00:43:11.858
And then the next thing we know, we become a victim of his craft.
00:43:11.858 --> 00:43:17.163
Finally, peter says, "be tough-minded
00:43:17.163 --> 00:43:20.033
About your progress."
00:43:20.033 --> 00:43:21.367
This is my favorite point in the whole list.
00:43:21.367 --> 00:43:23.836
He says, "but grow in the grace and knowledge
00:43:23.836 --> 00:43:27.273
Of our lord and savior jesus christ.
00:43:27.273 --> 00:43:30.009
To him be the glory both now and forever, amen."
00:43:30.009 --> 00:43:32.712
You know why that's important?
00:43:32.712 --> 00:43:34.080
That's the last thing peter ever said
00:43:34.080 --> 00:43:35.882
That's recorded in the bible.
00:43:35.882 --> 00:43:37.350
He said, "grow in grace
00:43:37.350 --> 00:43:38.685
And in the knowledge of the lord."
00:43:38.685 --> 00:43:40.353
And the question then comes to all of us:
00:43:40.353 --> 00:43:42.121
Am i growing in grace?
00:43:42.121 --> 00:43:44.223
Am i growing as a christian?
00:43:44.223 --> 00:43:45.858
This is one of peter's exhortations
00:43:45.858 --> 00:43:48.161
In this chapter.
00:43:48.161 --> 00:43:49.495
He says we're to grow in grace and in the knowledge
00:43:49.495 --> 00:43:52.165
Of our lord and savior, jesus christ.
00:43:52.165 --> 00:43:54.701
And the best way to overcome those who are coming after you
00:43:54.701 --> 00:43:57.704
Is keep growing.
00:43:57.704 --> 00:43:59.038
You're going so fast they can't catch you.
00:43:59.038 --> 00:44:01.874
You're becoming a christian of such magnitude
00:44:01.874 --> 00:44:05.011
That they don't know where to get at you.
00:44:05.011 --> 00:44:07.346
The least thing you can do is sit back and worry
00:44:07.346 --> 00:44:10.116
About people coming after you to destroy you,
00:44:10.116 --> 00:44:12.218
And you're not growing.
00:44:12.218 --> 00:44:13.553
Be a growing, aggressive christian.
00:44:13.553 --> 00:44:16.556
And if you are that, according to peter,
00:44:16.556 --> 00:44:18.825
You will be blessed.
00:44:18.825 --> 00:44:20.927
You say, "pastor, how do i grow?"
00:44:20.927 --> 00:44:22.862
Well, you grow through the will of god.
00:44:22.862 --> 00:44:25.364
Philippians 1:6: "being confident of this very thing,
00:44:25.364 --> 00:44:28.701
That he who has begun a good work in you
00:44:28.701 --> 00:44:31.170
Will complete it until the day of jesus christ."
00:44:31.170 --> 00:44:33.606
Did you know that god wants you to grow?
00:44:33.606 --> 00:44:36.676
He's the one who started the work in your heart,
00:44:36.676 --> 00:44:38.711
And when you first believed, and he's not gonna quit on you.
00:44:38.711 --> 00:44:41.981
He doesn't leave things half finished.
00:44:41.981 --> 00:44:44.350
He wants you to grow and be mature.
00:44:44.350 --> 00:44:46.686
That's his purpose. that should be your purpose.
00:44:46.686 --> 00:44:50.022
Growth comes through the watchfulness of prayer,
00:44:50.022 --> 00:44:52.658
1 peter 4:7: "but the end of all things is at hand;
00:44:52.658 --> 00:44:56.329
Therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."
00:44:56.329 --> 00:44:59.899
The closer we come to christ's return,
00:44:59.899 --> 00:45:02.702
The more we need prayer.
00:45:02.702 --> 00:45:04.370
I know it's not always easy,
00:45:04.370 --> 00:45:05.772
But praying creates a climate for spiritual growth.
00:45:05.772 --> 00:45:09.575
Praying christians are growing christians.
00:45:09.575 --> 00:45:13.546
And then, number three, growth comes through the word of god.
00:45:13.546 --> 00:45:17.450
Revelation 22:7 says: "behold, i am coming quickly!
00:45:17.450 --> 00:45:21.521
Blessed is he who keeps
00:45:21.521 --> 00:45:23.189
The words of the prophecy of this book."
00:45:23.189 --> 00:45:26.159
And ladies and gentlemen,
00:45:26.159 --> 00:45:27.493
That's what we're all about here in this church.
00:45:27.493 --> 00:45:29.762
When you come to this church every weekend,
00:45:29.762 --> 00:45:31.798
You should expect to be nourished up
00:45:31.798 --> 00:45:33.599
In the good word of god.
00:45:33.599 --> 00:45:34.934
I don't have a motivational message for you.
00:45:34.934 --> 00:45:37.336
I don't have any travelogue i'm gonna give you.
00:45:37.336 --> 00:45:40.106
I'm not a historian.
00:45:40.106 --> 00:45:41.440
I know how to do one thing,
00:45:41.440 --> 00:45:42.909
And that's nourish you up in the good word of god.
00:45:42.909 --> 00:45:45.044
And the bible says that the word of god
00:45:45.044 --> 00:45:47.547
Is the source of our growth.
00:45:47.547 --> 00:45:49.549
When you read the word of god
00:45:49.549 --> 00:45:50.883
And study the word of god,
00:45:50.883 --> 00:45:52.218
And the word of god gets in your heart,
00:45:52.218 --> 00:45:53.853
It causes you to grow.
00:45:53.853 --> 00:45:55.188
That's why it's called the milk that you drink
00:45:55.188 --> 00:45:58.491
When you're first a christian.
00:45:58.491 --> 00:46:00.026
And then later on, it's called the meat of the word.
00:46:00.026 --> 00:46:03.529
"as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word,
00:46:03.529 --> 00:46:07.300
That you may grow thereby," 1 peter 2:2.
00:46:07.300 --> 00:46:12.939
And then growth comes not only through the will of god
00:46:12.939 --> 00:46:16.175
And the watchfulness of prayer and the word of god,
00:46:16.175 --> 00:46:18.744
Growth comes through the work of the church.
00:46:18.744 --> 00:46:21.447
And i want to just explain all of this today
00:46:21.447 --> 00:46:24.450
The best i can.
00:46:24.450 --> 00:46:26.752
Hebrews 10 says we're to consider one another
00:46:26.752 --> 00:46:29.522
In order to keep up love and good works,
00:46:29.522 --> 00:46:31.891
And we're to assemble together every week.
00:46:31.891 --> 00:46:34.393
We're to come together as god's people.
00:46:34.393 --> 00:46:36.195
Now, i know that's a strange thing.
00:46:36.195 --> 00:46:37.597
Many of you who are listening on the internet,
00:46:37.597 --> 00:46:39.198
You're gonna be upset by this,
00:46:39.198 --> 00:46:40.533
But i hope you do get upset and do something about it.
00:46:40.533 --> 00:46:43.102
Here's what i wanna tell you.
00:46:43.102 --> 00:46:44.804
If you're able-bodied and you live near a church,
00:46:44.804 --> 00:46:46.906
You should be in church.
00:46:46.906 --> 00:46:48.241
You shouldn't be listening to me on the internet.
00:46:48.241 --> 00:46:49.942
You should be in church.
00:46:49.942 --> 00:46:51.277
You say, "well, pastor, i'm gonna just shut you off then
00:46:51.277 --> 00:46:53.379
From now on."
00:46:53.379 --> 00:46:55.781
I'm on the radio, as you know, all over the country,
00:46:55.781 --> 00:46:57.750
And every friday i give this impassioned speech
00:46:57.750 --> 00:47:00.820
To everyone i hardly ever miss: go to church.
00:47:00.820 --> 00:47:03.990
God does some of his best work in the church.
00:47:03.990 --> 00:47:07.460
That's why he wants you to be there.
00:47:07.460 --> 00:47:09.128
He knows that you need to be there,
00:47:09.128 --> 00:47:11.631
And he knows the church needs you to be there
00:47:11.631 --> 00:47:14.333
Because that's where you will grow.
00:47:14.333 --> 00:47:16.335
I don't know many growing christians
00:47:16.335 --> 00:47:18.571
Who never go to church.
00:47:18.571 --> 00:47:20.072
Someone once said, "you can be a christian without the church
00:47:20.072 --> 00:47:23.009
Just like you can be a husband who never goes home,
00:47:23.009 --> 00:47:25.544
But i don't recommend either one."
00:47:25.544 --> 00:47:29.448
God never designed
00:47:29.448 --> 00:47:30.783
The christian life to be lived alone.
00:47:30.783 --> 00:47:33.419
Hebrews tells us that the return of christ is coming,
00:47:33.419 --> 00:47:37.323
And in that case, we need the church more, not less.
00:47:37.323 --> 00:47:41.460
The bible doesn't say we should go to church less
00:47:41.460 --> 00:47:43.529
Because jesus is coming.
00:47:43.529 --> 00:47:44.997
He says, and all the more because he's coming.
00:47:44.997 --> 00:47:49.001
Growth doesn't just happen.
00:47:49.001 --> 00:47:50.569
It takes showing up, speaking up, lifting up.
00:47:50.569 --> 00:47:53.506
I don't think you can be a really happy christian
00:47:53.506 --> 00:47:56.042
If you're not serving somehow.
00:47:56.042 --> 00:47:58.044
Serving is how you grow.
00:47:58.044 --> 00:48:00.780
No one has written more helpfully about heaven
00:48:00.780 --> 00:48:03.716
Than c.s. lewis.
00:48:03.716 --> 00:48:06.052
I love what he says.
00:48:06.052 --> 00:48:07.386
It's in "mere christianity," his signature work.
00:48:07.386 --> 00:48:10.823
Here's what he says: "if you read history,
00:48:10.823 --> 00:48:13.626
You will find that the christians
00:48:13.626 --> 00:48:15.227
Who did most for the present world
00:48:15.227 --> 00:48:17.630
Were just those who thought most of the next world.
00:48:17.630 --> 00:48:20.132
It is since christians have largely ceased
00:48:21.233 --> 00:48:23.803
To think of the other world
00:48:23.803 --> 00:48:25.571
That they have become so ineffective in this world.
00:48:25.571 --> 00:48:29.642
Aim at heaven, and you will get earth thrown in.
00:48:29.642 --> 00:48:33.612
Aim at the earth and you will get neither."
00:48:33.612 --> 00:48:38.017
One man who embodied all of this was a man
00:48:38.017 --> 00:48:40.219
By the name dr. charles mccoy.
00:48:40.219 --> 00:48:42.822
Dr. mccoy never married,
00:48:42.822 --> 00:48:45.725
But he devoted his life
00:48:45.725 --> 00:48:47.126
To pastoring a church in oyster bay, new york.
00:48:47.126 --> 00:48:50.429
During the time he was pastoring that church,
00:48:50.429 --> 00:48:52.665
He earned seven college degrees.
00:48:52.665 --> 00:48:56.168
And at 72, he retired, not certain
00:48:56.168 --> 00:48:59.038
What he was gonna do for the future.
00:48:59.038 --> 00:49:01.774
Then he met a missionary who invited him to india.
00:49:01.774 --> 00:49:04.810
Though hesitant at first, he agreed,
00:49:04.810 --> 00:49:06.612
And when warned of the risks, mccoy simply said,
00:49:06.612 --> 00:49:10.416
"it's just as close to heaven from india as it is from here."
00:49:10.416 --> 00:49:15.755
Soon after arriving in bombay, he was robbed.
00:49:15.755 --> 00:49:19.725
He lost his passport, and then he discovered
00:49:19.725 --> 00:49:22.795
The missionary he'd planned to meet was gone.
00:49:22.795 --> 00:49:26.232
At a loss, he decided to visit the mayor's office.
00:49:26.232 --> 00:49:29.668
Dr. mccoy handed his business card
00:49:29.668 --> 00:49:31.837
To the receptionist and was told
00:49:31.837 --> 00:49:33.172
To return that afternoon, and when he did,
00:49:33.172 --> 00:49:35.875
He was surprised to find a reception in his honor.
00:49:35.875 --> 00:49:38.944
Attended by prominent officials of bombay,
00:49:38.944 --> 00:49:41.881
His commanding presence, his white hair,
00:49:41.881 --> 00:49:43.883
His long list of degrees,
00:49:43.883 --> 00:49:45.217
Made him appear like he was a u.s. dignitary,
00:49:45.217 --> 00:49:48.287
So they all came out to welcome him.
00:49:48.287 --> 00:49:51.824
Dr. mccoy spoke for 30 minutes,
00:49:51.824 --> 00:49:54.226
Giving his testimony about jesus.
00:49:54.226 --> 00:49:56.762
Afterward, a military officer invited him to speak
00:49:56.762 --> 00:49:59.432
At india's equivalent of west point,
00:49:59.432 --> 00:50:02.001
And more invitations followed.
00:50:02.001 --> 00:50:04.070
Soon he became a sought-after preacher
00:50:04.070 --> 00:50:06.172
Across all of india,
00:50:06.172 --> 00:50:08.107
And for the next 16 years he proclaimed christ
00:50:08.107 --> 00:50:11.310
With power and purpose.
00:50:11.310 --> 00:50:14.113
Finally, at the age of 88,
00:50:14.113 --> 00:50:16.482
He arrived in what was then calcutta,
00:50:16.482 --> 00:50:19.318
Stopped at the front desk for his room key,
00:50:19.318 --> 00:50:21.787
Stepped onto the elevator,
00:50:21.787 --> 00:50:23.122
And was whisked right up to heaven.
00:50:23.122 --> 00:50:27.626
That's another reason why heaven is transformational,
00:50:27.626 --> 00:50:29.895
'cause it's never very far away.
00:50:29.895 --> 00:50:34.200
It's only a breath away when you get down right to it.
00:50:34.200 --> 00:50:37.603
Wherever life takes us, our eternal home is secure,
00:50:37.603 --> 00:50:41.974
A city built by god, prepared by jesus,
00:50:41.974 --> 00:50:45.177
And we have to live with joyful anticipation
00:50:45.177 --> 00:50:48.114
As we await the final journey,
00:50:48.114 --> 00:50:50.282
And it should change our lives every day,
00:50:50.282 --> 00:50:53.219
Knowing that we're gonna be with jesus forever and ever.
00:50:53.219 --> 00:50:57.590
One of my favorite sports stories
00:50:57.590 --> 00:50:59.892
Is about florence chadwick,
00:50:59.892 --> 00:51:02.895
Who was no stranger to long-distance swimming.
00:51:02.895 --> 00:51:05.131
In fact, she was the first woman
00:51:05.131 --> 00:51:07.333
To swim the english channel in both directions.
00:51:07.333 --> 00:51:11.103
But one of her most memorable swims
00:51:11.103 --> 00:51:13.239
Didn't end in victory and-- at least not at first.
00:51:13.239 --> 00:51:17.409
It was 1952, and she set out to swim the 26 miles
00:51:17.409 --> 00:51:21.981
From catalina island to the california coastline.
00:51:21.981 --> 00:51:26.252
The water was cold and the fog was thick,
00:51:26.252 --> 00:51:28.954
And after swimming for 15 hours, she finally gave up.
00:51:28.954 --> 00:51:33.325
She was physically exhausted and emotionally spent.
00:51:33.325 --> 00:51:36.529
Here's the part of the story that stung.
00:51:36.529 --> 00:51:39.632
When she got back in the boat,
00:51:39.632 --> 00:51:41.200
She was less than a mile from the shore.
00:51:41.200 --> 00:51:45.938
Later, she told reporters, i'm not excusing myself,
00:51:45.938 --> 00:51:49.608
But if i could have seen the shore, i might have made it.
00:51:49.608 --> 00:51:53.679
Two months later, she tried again.
00:51:53.679 --> 00:51:55.247
Same distance, same cold water, same heavy fog.
00:51:55.247 --> 00:51:58.918
But this time, she finished.
00:51:58.918 --> 00:52:00.719
What made the difference?
00:52:00.719 --> 00:52:02.454
She said, "i kept a mental image of the shoreline
00:52:02.454 --> 00:52:04.990
In my mind the entire time."
00:52:04.990 --> 00:52:07.593
Florence chadwick succeeded the second time,
00:52:07.593 --> 00:52:09.795
Not because the fog was gone,
00:52:09.795 --> 00:52:11.864
But because she kept the shoreline in mind.
00:52:11.864 --> 00:52:15.668
Just thinking about her destination
00:52:15.668 --> 00:52:17.536
Gave her the strength to keep going.
00:52:17.536 --> 00:52:20.139
And that's what heaven can do for us.
00:52:20.139 --> 00:52:22.541
When life gets foggy, when the days feel long
00:52:22.541 --> 00:52:25.211
And the struggle wears us down,
00:52:25.211 --> 00:52:26.912
Just knowing what's ahead
00:52:26.912 --> 00:52:28.514
Can give us the courage to keep swimming.
00:52:28.514 --> 00:52:30.916
Heaven is our shoreline.
00:52:30.916 --> 00:52:32.284
It reminds us that this isn't the end of the story.
00:52:32.284 --> 00:52:35.287
God has something beautiful waiting for us.
00:52:35.287 --> 00:52:37.590
Keep your eyes on the shore and then live your life
00:52:37.590 --> 00:52:43.362
The way you know god would be pleased
00:52:43.362 --> 00:52:45.564
If he should intervene in your life at any moment.
00:52:45.564 --> 00:52:50.035
I hope that god will use this to challenge us.
00:52:50.035 --> 00:52:53.472
Maybe some of us need to take a little inventory.
00:52:53.472 --> 00:52:56.275
It's so easy in a church like ours
00:52:56.275 --> 00:52:58.477
To just settle down into the comfort
00:52:58.477 --> 00:53:00.412
Of biblical messages every week,
00:53:00.412 --> 00:53:02.881
Good worship songs, maybe a class to go to,
00:53:02.881 --> 00:53:05.651
Social life that's meaningful.
00:53:05.651 --> 00:53:07.553
But what are we doing for god?
00:53:07.553 --> 00:53:09.888
What are we really doing with the gifts he's given us?
00:53:09.888 --> 00:53:12.725
And you know what the bible tells us?
00:53:12.725 --> 00:53:14.493
Every single one of us has a gift.
00:53:14.493 --> 00:53:16.862
God gives every one of us a gift when we become his followers.
00:53:16.862 --> 00:53:20.833
And if you're willing to be used of god,
00:53:20.833 --> 00:53:23.435
I want you to use this challenge to do something about it.
00:53:23.435 --> 00:53:28.040
You say, "what am i gonna do?"
00:53:28.040 --> 00:53:29.375
Be diligent.
00:53:29.375 --> 00:53:31.744
Go after it.
00:53:31.744 --> 00:53:33.279
Exercise yourself.
00:53:33.279 --> 00:53:35.714
Do something about it.
00:53:35.714 --> 00:53:37.549
You know, we can live in the comfort
00:53:37.549 --> 00:53:41.153
Of what we think we'd like to do for a long time
00:53:41.153 --> 00:53:43.889
Without ever doing it.
00:53:43.889 --> 00:53:46.225
Don't let that strategy get you.
00:53:46.225 --> 00:53:48.394
Sit down this week and make a list of the things
00:53:48.394 --> 00:53:51.830
You think god might be able to use
00:53:51.830 --> 00:53:53.999
From what you know how to do
00:53:53.999 --> 00:53:55.334
And what he's equipped you to do
00:53:55.334 --> 00:53:56.669
And find a way by the grace of god to do it, amen?
00:53:56.669 --> 00:54:00.472
♪♪♪
00:54:00.472 --> 00:54:07.313
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00:54:09.048 --> 00:54:10.816
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00:54:17.990 --> 00:54:19.591
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00:54:19.591 --> 00:54:21.560
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00:54:21.560 --> 00:54:23.896
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00:54:48.821 --> 00:54:51.857
Announcer: if you have never taken the step
00:54:55.894 --> 00:54:57.363
To believe in jesus christ as your lord and savior,
00:54:57.363 --> 00:55:00.366
You can do that today.
00:55:00.366 --> 00:55:02.368
If you will allow us,
00:55:02.368 --> 00:55:03.702
Dr. jeremiah would like to send you
00:55:03.702 --> 00:55:05.504
Two resources that will help you.
00:55:05.504 --> 00:55:07.873
The first is a booklet called, "your greatest turning point,"
00:55:07.873 --> 00:55:10.943
Which will help you as you begin your relationship with christ.
00:55:10.943 --> 00:55:14.313
And the second is our monthly devotional magazine,
00:55:14.313 --> 00:55:16.682
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00:55:16.682 --> 00:55:19.785
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00:55:19.785 --> 00:55:21.286
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00:55:21.286 --> 00:55:23.522
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00:55:23.522 --> 00:55:25.424
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00:55:27.926 --> 00:55:29.328
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00:55:51.150 --> 00:55:54.420
Announcer: next time on "turning point."
00:55:57.623 --> 00:56:00.325
Dr. jeremiah: jesus is the way,
00:56:00.325 --> 00:56:01.827
He's the pathway to heaven.
00:56:01.827 --> 00:56:03.429
He's the truth, he's the trustworthy man
00:56:03.429 --> 00:56:05.664
Who provides certainty and surety.
00:56:05.664 --> 00:56:07.633
He is the life,
00:56:07.633 --> 00:56:08.967
The everlasting and abundant existence that we need.
00:56:08.967 --> 00:56:12.738
No one can compare to him.
00:56:12.738 --> 00:56:14.506
No one can replace him.
00:56:14.506 --> 00:56:15.974
And no one can do what he alone came to do.
00:56:15.974 --> 00:56:19.912
He's the only one.
00:56:19.912 --> 00:56:22.147
Announcer: thank you for being with us today.
00:56:22.147 --> 00:56:24.049
Join dr. jeremiah next time for his message,
00:56:24.049 --> 00:56:27.252
"one way," here on "turning point."
00:56:27.252 --> 00:56:30.889
Announcer: thousands of christians
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Take cruises for their vacations.
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So why not take a cruise with turning point?
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Enjoy a bible conference on the water.
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When you set sail with david and donna jeremiah,
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You'll experience exciting ports and activities
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And uplifting daily times of worship,
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Bible teaching, and fellowship.
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More than just a getaway, it's a time to refresh,
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Renew, and reconnect with god and loved ones.
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Call or go online for more details.
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David Jeremiah - Tough-Minded About Heaven

November 22, 2025 | 58:20

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