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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Dads, Front and Center (Part 2) | March 25, 2025
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:05.328
- [announcer] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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- Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
- 00:00:08.531 --> 00:00:11.501
- With dr. robert jeffress.
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- Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
- 00:00:14.537 --> 00:00:15.839
- And welcome again to "pathway to victory".
- 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:18.074
- As parents, our goal is to raise children
- 00:00:18.074 --> 00:00:21.144
- Who love the lord and follow him,
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- But how do we inspire our sons and daughters
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- To have a heart for god?
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- Well, the apostle paul has given some practical advice,
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- And today we're going to learn
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- Why raising godly children requires less "do as i say"
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- And "more do as i do."
- 00:00:37.293 --> 00:00:39.562
- My message is titled "dads front and center"
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory".
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- ♪ music ♪
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- ♪ when peace like a river attendeth my way ♪
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- ♪ when sorrows like sea billows roll ♪
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- ♪ whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say ♪
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- ♪ it is well, it is well with my soul ♪
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- ♪ it is well ♪
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- ♪ with my soul ♪
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- ♪ it is well, it is well with my soul ♪
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- ♪ and lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight ♪
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- ♪ the clouds be rolled back as a scroll ♪
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- ♪ the trump shall resound, and the lord shall descend ♪
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- ♪ even so, it is well with my soul ♪
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- ♪ it is well ♪
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- ♪ with my soul ♪
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- ♪ it is well ♪
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- ♪ it is well with my soul ♪
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- ♪ amen ♪
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- (congregation applauds)
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- [announcer] are you longing for a taste of heaven
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- Right here on earth?
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- In his powerful book, "heaven can't wait",
- 00:03:55.725 --> 00:03:58.027
- Dr. robert jeffress shows you
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- How to experience the really good life now.
- 00:03:59.495 --> 00:04:02.165
- Learn to develop an eternal mindset
- 00:04:02.165 --> 00:04:04.167
- While navigating everyday responsibilities.
- 00:04:04.167 --> 00:04:06.803
- Discover freedom from worry, victory over temptation,
- 00:04:06.803 --> 00:04:09.806
- And the secret to lasting peace.
- 00:04:09.806 --> 00:04:12.241
- Ready to experience a transformed life?
- 00:04:12.241 --> 00:04:14.744
- Request your copy of "heaven can't wait"
- 00:04:14.744 --> 00:04:17.080
- When you give a generous gift to support the ministry
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- Of "pathway to victory".
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- ♪ music ♪
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- I want you to notice two things
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- About this command to children.
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- The command to obey your parents.
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- I want you to write these down.
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- First of all, it is a command made to children, not adults.
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- It is a command made to children, not adults.
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- When he addresses children, he's talking about children
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- Who are still living in the home,
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- Children who are financially dependent upon their parents.
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- You know, god's plan for children is they grow up
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- And they begin homes of their own.
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- In genesis 2:24, god said,
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- "a man shall leave his father and mother
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- "and shall cleave to his wife,
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- "and the two shall become one flesh."
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- God's plan for your children is that they grow up,
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- Leave home and start a home on their own.
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- Do i hear an amen to that?
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- That's god's plan.
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- Now, as long as your child is living in your home,
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- Or even if your child is away at college
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- But is still deriving their primary financial support
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- From you, they are under your authority.
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- And this is something that is addressed to children.
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- Now, hopefully they will grow up,
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- Mature, and start their own homes.
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- And when that happens, whether the home they begin
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- Is as a single adult or a married adult,
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- They are no longer obligated to obey you in all things,
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- But they are obligated to follow ephesians 6:2,
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- "honor your father and your mother
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- "that your days may be long upon the earth."
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- It doesn't matter how old children become,
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- We always have the obligation to honor our parents.
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- What does it mean to honor your parents?
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- It certainly means to respect them.
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- It means to seek their counsel.
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- I mean, after all,
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- Even if you're an adult with your own home
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- And you're facing a difficult decision,
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- Why wouldn't you want to consult your parents?
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- They know you better than anyone.
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- They love you more than anyone.
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- Certainly you'd want to consult their guidance
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- Even if you choose not to follow it.
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- To honor your parents means that you care for them as well.
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- Many of you have elderly parents.
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- And if you have elderly parents,
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- Let me say this as clearly as i know how,
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- You are the one who is responsible
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- For the wellbeing of your parents.
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- The church is not responsible for your parents.
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- 1 timothy 5 says, "let not the church be burdened
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- "if a elderly person has children living."
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- It is the child's responsibility
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- To take care of their parents.
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- It is not the government's responsibility
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- To take care of you.
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- It is your child's responsibility to take care of you.
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- And we who have living parents,
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- It is our job to take care of the physical,
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- Emotional wellbeing of our parents.
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- You know, i hear people today whining,
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- "i have my young children i'm trying to take care of.
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- "my teenagers, my college students,
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- "and on the other hand, i've got these elderly parents.
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- "woe is me.
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- "what am i going to do?"
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- I say to that boohoo, crime me a river.
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- (congregation laughs)
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- So what? that's what families do for one another.
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- They take care of one another.
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- And that's what we're to do for our parents as well.
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- Even though we don't obey our parents when we become adults,
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- Even though the relationship changes,
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- We still have the responsibility
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- To honor our father and mother.
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- Secondly, notice that this command must be qualified.
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- It must be qualified.
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- Paul says, "children obey your parents in everything,"
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- Or "in all things."
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- He says that to say your obedience to your parents
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- Is not to be arbitrary.
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- You're not to say, "okay, i'll obey my parents
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- "when they tell me to do something i agree with.
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- "i'll obey those things that are easy to do."
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- No, he says, "it's not selective obedience.
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- "we are to obey our parents in all things."
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- Think about jesus christ.
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- He's a perfect model of obeying his heavenly father.
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- What if jesus had said,
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- "father, i'll do anything you tell me to do
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- "except go to the cross.
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- "that's the one thing i'm not going to obey you in."
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- Where would that have left you and me?
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- No, he was obedient to the father in all things.
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- And so children are to obey their parents in all things.
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- Now, that phrase in all things, again,
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- Has to be qualified, just like submission.
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- If there is ever a time,
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- Children, teenagers listening to this message,
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- If there is ever a time
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- Your parent asked you to do something
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- Or not do something that clearly violates god's rules,
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- God's law, you're to obey god, not your parents.
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- You can refuse to obey in a respectful way,
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- But you're still to refuse
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- To obey any unscriptural ungodly command
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- That you receive from your parents.
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- Jesus made that very clear in luke 14:26.
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- He says, "if anyone comes to me
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- "and does not hate his own father and mother and wife
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- "and children and brothers and sisters,
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- "yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."
- 00:09:38.934 --> 00:09:43.339
- Those are pretty strong words, aren't they?
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- Jesus said, "to follow me, you have to be willing
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- "to hate your family members."
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- Now, what does he mean by that?
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- When he talks about hate,
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- He's not talking about emotional ill will
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- Toward another person.
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- The word hate in the bible is often used to mean choose.
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- Remember in romans 9:13 in talking about jacob and esau,
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- God says, "jacob have i loved, esau have i," what?
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- Hated.
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- Now did god hate esau?
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- Did he have all this anger toward esau?
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- No, no.
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- It was about god's choice.
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- He said, "i have chosen jacob to be the recipient
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- "of my blessing.
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- "i have not chosen esau."
- 00:10:23.913 --> 00:10:26.682
- And so when jesus says we are to be willing
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- To hate our father, mother, wife, and sisters and so forth,
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- He's saying, if it ever comes down to a choice
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- Between obeying god and obeying a family member,
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- We're to obey god and to follow god.
- 00:10:38.961 --> 00:10:42.064
- So this qualification is very important to understand,
- 00:10:42.064 --> 00:10:45.301
- And that is we only obey those things
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- That are according to the will of god.
- 00:10:48.304 --> 00:10:50.806
- Now, a wife's test of christ's likeness is her submission
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- To her husband.
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- A husband's test of his christ's likeness
- 00:10:57.079 --> 00:11:00.149
- Is his sacrificial love for his mate.
- 00:11:00.149 --> 00:11:03.819
- The test of whether you as a child or teenager
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- Are becoming like jesus christ is your willingness
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- To obey your parents in all things.
- 00:11:08.124 --> 00:11:11.293
- And now he has a word for parents.
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- Look at verse 21.
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- "fathers," and by the way, by fathers,
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- He's talking to fathers and mothers.
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- Fathers were the leaders of their home,
- 00:11:19.935 --> 00:11:21.537
- But this is a word that refers to fathers and mothers.
- 00:11:21.537 --> 00:11:24.840
- "parents do not exasperate your children
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- "so that they will not lose heart."
- 00:11:29.078 --> 00:11:33.048
- This word exasperate is a word that means to irritate,
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- To frustrate.
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- This is my children's favorite verse in all the bible.
- 00:11:38.888 --> 00:11:41.490
- (congregation laughs)
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- Don't frustrate/exasperate your children.
- 00:11:43.192 --> 00:11:47.062
- Ephesians 6:4 says it this way.
- 00:11:47.062 --> 00:11:48.964
- "do not provoke your children to anger."
- 00:11:48.964 --> 00:11:52.768
- What paul is saying is, don't so frustrate your children
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- That they become bitter against you
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- And they give up on life in general.
- 00:11:58.474 --> 00:12:01.210
- How do we do that as parents?
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- Let me share with you three ways that are guaranteed
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- To make your children hate you.
- 00:12:06.749 --> 00:12:08.484
- Here are three things you can do
- 00:12:08.484 --> 00:12:10.319
- That will guarantee your children grow up
- 00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:12.488
- To absolutely hate you.
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- Write 'em down.
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- Number one, continual nagging.
- 00:12:15.357 --> 00:12:18.127
- Continual nagging.
- 00:12:18.127 --> 00:12:20.095
- Why is your room always a mess?
- 00:12:20.095 --> 00:12:23.065
- Why do you always do this, this, and this?
- 00:12:23.065 --> 00:12:25.501
- Always finding one thing to harp on
- 00:12:25.501 --> 00:12:28.637
- And just keep needling them about it.
- 00:12:28.637 --> 00:12:30.906
- Continual nagging.
- 00:12:30.906 --> 00:12:32.474
- My girls will tell you, they're grown now,
- 00:12:32.474 --> 00:12:34.710
- But they'll tell you when i used to go up
- 00:12:34.710 --> 00:12:37.780
- And kiss each of them goodnight and pray with 'em,
- 00:12:37.780 --> 00:12:40.082
- The last thing i would say to 'em was,
- 00:12:40.082 --> 00:12:42.318
- "have you brushed your teeth?"
- 00:12:42.318 --> 00:12:45.154
- And they just absolutely hate that,
- 00:12:45.154 --> 00:12:47.223
- And they'll tell you to this day,
- 00:12:47.223 --> 00:12:48.958
- The first thing i'll ask 'em when i see 'em now,
- 00:12:48.958 --> 00:12:50.459
- "are you brushing your teeth?"
- 00:12:50.459 --> 00:12:51.794
- You know, i shouldn't do that.
- 00:12:51.794 --> 00:12:53.462
- I zero in on one thing.
- 00:12:53.462 --> 00:12:54.930
- It becomes an annoyance to them.
- 00:12:54.930 --> 00:12:58.200
- The bible says, "don't do that.
- 00:12:58.200 --> 00:12:59.668
- "don't be continually nagging your children."
- 00:12:59.668 --> 00:13:02.304
- Here's another way to make them hate you,
- 00:13:02.304 --> 00:13:04.139
- And that is by unfavorable comparison.
- 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:07.910
- Why can't you be more like so-and-so?
- 00:13:07.910 --> 00:13:11.013
- It may be another brother or sister,
- 00:13:11.013 --> 00:13:13.582
- It may be another child.
- 00:13:13.582 --> 00:13:14.817
- Why can't you be more like them?
- 00:13:14.817 --> 00:13:16.652
- Parents, remember, your child's self-esteem is very fragile.
- 00:13:16.652 --> 00:13:21.991
- James dobson said, "it is a wise adult who understands
- 00:13:23.092 --> 00:13:26.228
- "that self-esteem is the most fragile characteristic
- 00:13:26.228 --> 00:13:29.732
- "in human nature,
- 00:13:29.732 --> 00:13:31.166
- "and once broken, its reconstruction is more difficult
- 00:13:31.166 --> 00:13:34.637
- "than repairing humpty dumpty."
- 00:13:34.637 --> 00:13:37.306
- A third way to make your children hate you,
- 00:13:37.306 --> 00:13:39.108
- To frustrate and bitter them
- 00:13:39.108 --> 00:13:40.776
- Is through inconsistent discipline.
- 00:13:40.776 --> 00:13:43.879
- We used to go out to eat with a couple,
- 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.881
- They had a six-year-old son,
- 00:13:45.881 --> 00:13:47.383
- And sometimes at dinner the son would misbehave,
- 00:13:47.383 --> 00:13:51.287
- And the parents would egg him on.
- 00:13:51.287 --> 00:13:53.389
- They'd say,
- 00:13:53.389 --> 00:13:54.857
- "oh, isn't that cute what little johnny's doing?"
- 00:13:54.857 --> 00:13:56.058
- And they just thought it was so cute.
- 00:13:56.058 --> 00:13:57.326
- They'd egg him on, take pictures of it,
- 00:13:57.326 --> 00:13:58.827
- You know, and all of this.
- 00:13:58.827 --> 00:14:00.429
- Then another time would be out with them,
- 00:14:00.429 --> 00:14:01.964
- Little johnny was doing the same thing
- 00:14:01.964 --> 00:14:03.499
- And the father would yank him by the arm,
- 00:14:03.499 --> 00:14:05.467
- Take him to the bathroom,
- 00:14:05.467 --> 00:14:06.769
- And just wallop the daylights out of him.
- 00:14:06.769 --> 00:14:08.570
- How did that make johnny feel?
- 00:14:08.570 --> 00:14:10.940
- I mean, he didn't know what to do.
- 00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:12.274
- It's kind of like inconsistent discipline.
- 00:14:12.274 --> 00:14:14.810
- The bible says, "don't embitter your children,"
- 00:14:14.810 --> 00:14:17.479
- But it adds a positive word in ephesians 6:4,
- 00:14:17.479 --> 00:14:20.449
- "fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
- 00:14:20.449 --> 00:14:23.652
- "but bring them up in the discipline
- 00:14:23.652 --> 00:14:26.722
- "and the instruction of the lord."
- 00:14:26.722 --> 00:14:30.125
- Parents, here is the test
- 00:14:30.125 --> 00:14:31.760
- Of whether or not you're becoming like jesus christ.
- 00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:34.830
- Is your number one priority with your children encouraging
- 00:14:34.830 --> 00:14:39.234
- And nurturing their relationship with god?
- 00:14:39.234 --> 00:14:42.371
- That's the test of whether you're a heavenly minded parent.
- 00:14:43.505 --> 00:14:45.240
- Is nurturing, encouraging your child's relationship
- 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:49.345
- With god your top priority?
- 00:14:49.345 --> 00:14:52.047
- You say, well, now how did jesus illustrate that?
- 00:14:52.047 --> 00:14:54.483
- He didn't have any biological children?
- 00:14:54.483 --> 00:14:56.585
- That's true, but he had some spiritual children,
- 00:14:56.585 --> 00:14:58.954
- 12 of them to be exact.
- 00:14:58.954 --> 00:15:00.990
- Men that he spent three years with
- 00:15:00.990 --> 00:15:03.158
- Trying to instill in them the godly values
- 00:15:03.158 --> 00:15:06.562
- That would make them a success in life.
- 00:15:06.562 --> 00:15:09.431
- And the bible says, in the same way,
- 00:15:09.431 --> 00:15:11.533
- We as parents ought to recognize how short our time is
- 00:15:11.533 --> 00:15:14.503
- With our children and to make sure that encouraging
- 00:15:14.503 --> 00:15:17.106
- And developing their relationship with god is the priority
- 00:15:17.106 --> 00:15:21.176
- In our parenting life.
- 00:15:21.176 --> 00:15:22.945
- How do you do that?
- 00:15:22.945 --> 00:15:24.780
- Let me share with you three ways
- 00:15:24.780 --> 00:15:26.248
- To ensure your children's spiritual success.
- 00:15:26.248 --> 00:15:29.618
- How many of you would like to have children
- 00:15:29.618 --> 00:15:31.286
- Who are spiritually successful?
- 00:15:31.286 --> 00:15:33.255
- Raise your hand.
- 00:15:33.255 --> 00:15:34.089
- Okay, write this down.
- 00:15:34.089 --> 00:15:35.858
- And this would be good for grandparents too
- 00:15:35.858 --> 00:15:37.860
- Because you can play an important part in this as well.
- 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:40.829
- Number one, to ensure your child's spiritual success,
- 00:15:40.829 --> 00:15:44.533
- Parents should dedicate their children to god.
- 00:15:44.533 --> 00:15:48.804
- Parents are to dedicate their children to god.
- 00:15:48.804 --> 00:15:50.839
- Now, what do i mean by dedicate?
- 00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:52.441
- I'm not talking about where parents dress up their children
- 00:15:52.441 --> 00:15:55.577
- In the cutest outfit they can find
- 00:15:55.577 --> 00:15:57.246
- So that everybody in the church sees them and goos and ah
- 00:15:57.246 --> 00:16:00.816
- And ooh, isn't that a cute baby and everything.
- 00:16:00.816 --> 00:16:03.152
- That's not what we're talking about
- 00:16:03.152 --> 00:16:04.353
- When we're talking about dedicating.
- 00:16:04.353 --> 00:16:05.754
- But it is a symbol of something hopefully those parents
- 00:16:05.754 --> 00:16:08.824
- Have done in their own hearts,
- 00:16:08.824 --> 00:16:10.426
- And that is to surrender their child to god's will.
- 00:16:10.426 --> 00:16:15.030
- When we dedicate our children to god,
- 00:16:15.030 --> 00:16:18.033
- We express it through a ceremony like we're about to do,
- 00:16:18.033 --> 00:16:21.336
- What you're saying as a parent
- 00:16:21.336 --> 00:16:22.938
- Is you realize your child is not your own.
- 00:16:22.938 --> 00:16:25.441
- He or she is a gift from god,
- 00:16:25.441 --> 00:16:28.110
- And you are giving your child back to god,
- 00:16:28.110 --> 00:16:31.413
- Making god's will the priority for your child's life.
- 00:16:31.413 --> 00:16:35.717
- That is saying, god, i'm giving up my dreams,
- 00:16:35.717 --> 00:16:39.588
- My aspirations, and i want your will to be done
- 00:16:39.588 --> 00:16:43.759
- In my child's life.
- 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.260
- Parents are to dedicate their children to god
- 00:16:45.260 --> 00:16:47.496
- Just as hannah dedicated her son samuel to eli, the priest.
- 00:16:47.496 --> 00:16:52.768
- She delivered him over to eli
- 00:16:53.402 --> 00:16:54.770
- As if she were delivering him over to god himself.
- 00:16:54.770 --> 00:16:58.507
- Secondly, to ensure your children's spiritual success,
- 00:16:58.507 --> 00:17:01.443
- Parents should encourage their children
- 00:17:01.443 --> 00:17:03.946
- To become christians.
- 00:17:03.946 --> 00:17:05.481
- We should encourage our children to become christians.
- 00:17:05.481 --> 00:17:08.317
- Now, obviously,
- 00:17:08.317 --> 00:17:09.818
- The child must ultimately make that decision himself,
- 00:17:09.818 --> 00:17:12.855
- But we can do a lot to influence that decision.
- 00:17:12.855 --> 00:17:16.625
- Fathers, mothers, grandparents,
- 00:17:16.625 --> 00:17:19.061
- We don't have any greater responsibility
- 00:17:19.061 --> 00:17:21.096
- Than ensuring that our children trust in christ.
- 00:17:21.096 --> 00:17:25.134
- We should encourage our children to become christians,
- 00:17:25.134 --> 00:17:27.302
- But our responsibility doesn't stop there.
- 00:17:27.302 --> 00:17:29.138
- Thirdly, parents should impart spiritual values
- 00:17:29.138 --> 00:17:32.574
- To their children.
- 00:17:32.574 --> 00:17:33.809
- If you're a heavenly minded christian,
- 00:17:33.809 --> 00:17:35.577
- You are to be ministry focused rather than self-focused.
- 00:17:35.577 --> 00:17:39.114
- We are to realize the only reason god has left us here
- 00:17:39.114 --> 00:17:42.284
- Is to fulfill the great commission of making disciples,
- 00:17:42.284 --> 00:17:46.088
- Followers of christ.
- 00:17:46.088 --> 00:17:47.890
- Have you ever thought about it?
- 00:17:47.890 --> 00:17:49.892
- Fact is the greatest discipleship project we have
- 00:17:49.892 --> 00:17:52.895
- Is our own children.
- 00:17:52.895 --> 00:17:54.396
- It's not the only project we have,
- 00:17:55.164 --> 00:17:57.299
- But it's certainly the greatest and the most important.
- 00:17:57.299 --> 00:18:00.836
- To make a disciple means not only to lead them to faith
- 00:18:00.836 --> 00:18:03.305
- In christ, but to help them order their lives
- 00:18:03.305 --> 00:18:05.641
- Around the teachings of christ.
- 00:18:05.641 --> 00:18:07.342
- That means imparting spiritual values to them.
- 00:18:07.342 --> 00:18:09.978
- Hold your place here and turn over to deuteronomy 6.
- 00:18:09.978 --> 00:18:13.415
- Deuteronomy 6, listen to moses' command.
- 00:18:13.415 --> 00:18:16.852
- He said in verse four, "hear, israel.
- 00:18:16.852 --> 00:18:19.288
- "the lord is our god.
- 00:18:19.288 --> 00:18:20.956
- "the lord is one.
- 00:18:20.956 --> 00:18:23.392
- "and you shall love the lord your god
- 00:18:23.392 --> 00:18:26.662
- "with all of your heart, with all of your soul,
- 00:18:26.662 --> 00:18:29.765
- "and with all of your might.
- 00:18:29.765 --> 00:18:31.533
- "these words, which i'm commanding you today,
- 00:18:31.533 --> 00:18:33.769
- "shall be on your heart."
- 00:18:33.769 --> 00:18:36.104
- Now listen to this, fathers and mothers,
- 00:18:36.104 --> 00:18:38.574
- You cannot give away to your children
- 00:18:38.574 --> 00:18:41.109
- Something you don't possess in your own heart.
- 00:18:41.109 --> 00:18:43.679
- Notice how moses begins.
- 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:45.180
- He says, "fathers, mothers, your responsibility
- 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:48.317
- "is to love god with all of your heart, your mind,
- 00:18:48.317 --> 00:18:52.788
- "your soul, and your strength."
- 00:18:52.788 --> 00:18:55.357
- As your children look at you, do they see that in you?
- 00:18:56.458 --> 00:18:59.294
- Is pleasing god the priority of your life?
- 00:18:59.294 --> 00:19:02.864
- Don't even think about trying
- 00:19:02.864 --> 00:19:04.833
- To train your children spiritually
- 00:19:04.833 --> 00:19:07.369
- Until that is true of you.
- 00:19:07.369 --> 00:19:08.737
- You cannot give away what you don't possess.
- 00:19:08.737 --> 00:19:11.773
- But then he says verse seven,
- 00:19:11.773 --> 00:19:14.109
- "you shall teach them, that is the words of god,
- 00:19:14.109 --> 00:19:16.845
- "diligently to your sons,
- 00:19:16.845 --> 00:19:19.648
- "and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house
- 00:19:19.648 --> 00:19:22.184
- "and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down,
- 00:19:22.184 --> 00:19:24.987
- "and when you rise up."
- 00:19:24.987 --> 00:19:26.955
- I notice two things about moses' command here.
- 00:19:26.955 --> 00:19:29.791
- First of all, making spiritual truth,
- 00:19:29.791 --> 00:19:32.594
- Imparting spiritual truth to our children
- 00:19:32.594 --> 00:19:34.463
- Is to be the priority in our home.
- 00:19:34.463 --> 00:19:37.432
- He says we are to do this at early dawn.
- 00:19:37.432 --> 00:19:41.670
- That's what the word diligently means.
- 00:19:41.670 --> 00:19:43.605
- Imparting spiritual values to your children
- 00:19:43.605 --> 00:19:46.008
- Is to take precedence over little league, gymnastics,
- 00:19:46.008 --> 00:19:49.945
- Scholastic pursuits.
- 00:19:49.945 --> 00:19:51.647
- It is the most important thing you do.
- 00:19:51.647 --> 00:19:55.284
- Is that true in your family?
- 00:19:55.884 --> 00:19:57.586
- Secondly, i notice about this command,
- 00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:59.988
- It is to take place in the natural course of life.
- 00:19:59.988 --> 00:20:03.592
- If we're going to teach spiritual values to our children,
- 00:20:03.592 --> 00:20:05.894
- It doesn't mean just once a week on sundays
- 00:20:05.894 --> 00:20:08.897
- At 11 o'clock we haul our kids down to church.
- 00:20:08.897 --> 00:20:11.066
- That's important, that's critical,
- 00:20:11.066 --> 00:20:13.702
- But that's not the only way we impart spiritual truth.
- 00:20:13.702 --> 00:20:16.238
- He says we do it when we lie down at night,
- 00:20:16.238 --> 00:20:19.808
- When we put them to bed, when we wake up in the morning
- 00:20:19.808 --> 00:20:22.544
- And they're seated around the breakfast table,
- 00:20:22.544 --> 00:20:24.112
- When we're driving in the car,
- 00:20:24.112 --> 00:20:25.514
- When we're seated around the television set
- 00:20:25.514 --> 00:20:28.016
- Watching a program.
- 00:20:28.016 --> 00:20:29.251
- There are great opportunities
- 00:20:29.251 --> 00:20:31.486
- Just in the natural course of life
- 00:20:31.486 --> 00:20:34.489
- To teach your children great eternal spiritual truths.
- 00:20:34.489 --> 00:20:39.761
- And if you're a heavenly minded parent,
- 00:20:40.562 --> 00:20:42.164
- You'll be on the alert for those opportunities.
- 00:20:42.164 --> 00:20:44.966
- You know, some of those opportunities occur
- 00:20:44.966 --> 00:20:47.202
- Just in the natural course of life.
- 00:20:47.202 --> 00:20:49.738
- When your child is hurt, disappointed by another person,
- 00:20:49.738 --> 00:20:53.241
- That's a great time to teach them about forgiveness.
- 00:20:53.241 --> 00:20:56.378
- When a loved one dies,
- 00:20:56.378 --> 00:20:57.946
- It's a great time to teach them about the reality of heaven
- 00:20:57.946 --> 00:21:01.350
- And what the reality of hell as well.
- 00:21:01.350 --> 00:21:04.519
- When you see somebody reap the consequences
- 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:08.223
- Of disobedient living, it's a good time to remind your child
- 00:21:08.223 --> 00:21:11.426
- Of this is what happens to someone who disobeys god.
- 00:21:11.426 --> 00:21:15.664
- If you're really a heavenly minded parent,
- 00:21:16.531 --> 00:21:18.567
- You will make teaching spiritual truth
- 00:21:18.567 --> 00:21:20.702
- To your children the priority of your life.
- 00:21:20.702 --> 00:21:24.373
- Annas duff once wrote,
- 00:21:24.873 --> 00:21:26.775
- "successful family living strikes me
- 00:21:26.775 --> 00:21:29.211
- "as being in many ways rather like playing chamber music.
- 00:21:29.211 --> 00:21:33.048
- "each member of the ensemble has his own skills,
- 00:21:33.048 --> 00:21:36.651
- "but the grace and strength and sweetness of the performance
- 00:21:36.651 --> 00:21:41.623
- "comes from everyone's willingness
- 00:21:41.623 --> 00:21:44.426
- "to subordinate individual virtuosity and personal ambition
- 00:21:44.426 --> 00:21:48.663
- "to the requirements of balance and blend."
- 00:21:48.663 --> 00:21:54.469
- What kind of music is emanating from your home right now?
- 00:21:55.604 --> 00:22:00.742
- Is it beautiful melodious music or is the sound dissonant?
- 00:22:01.877 --> 00:22:07.048
- And how are you doing?
- 00:22:07.549 --> 00:22:09.384
- How are you really doing at playing that part
- 00:22:10.285 --> 00:22:13.622
- That god has assigned you in the home?
- 00:22:13.622 --> 00:22:15.857
- Wives, are you voluntarily submitting yourself
- 00:22:16.825 --> 00:22:19.494
- To your husband's authority even though you disagree?
- 00:22:19.494 --> 00:22:23.865
- Husbands, are you placing your wife's needs above your own?
- 00:22:25.033 --> 00:22:29.905
- Children, are you obeying your parents
- 00:22:30.739 --> 00:22:33.041
- Even when it doesn't make sense?
- 00:22:33.041 --> 00:22:35.877
- Parents, are you making your children's relationship
- 00:22:35.877 --> 00:22:38.647
- With god the priority in your life?
- 00:22:38.647 --> 00:22:42.717
- Your answer to those questions
- 00:22:43.351 --> 00:22:45.220
- Will tell you perhaps better than any other question
- 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:48.356
- Whether or not you are truly becoming like jesus christ.
- 00:22:48.356 --> 00:22:57.532
- God longs to see our families reflect his relationship
- 00:22:58.633 --> 00:23:02.070
- With us, and i hope today's message has given you hope.
- 00:23:02.070 --> 00:23:06.007
- Positive change is possible
- 00:23:06.007 --> 00:23:08.610
- When we submit ourselves to god's authority.
- 00:23:08.610 --> 00:23:12.414
- Well, in closing,
- 00:23:12.414 --> 00:23:13.949
- I want to read an encouraging note i received from dale.
- 00:23:13.949 --> 00:23:16.151
- Dale wrote, "even though i grew up in church,
- 00:23:16.151 --> 00:23:19.621
- "from the time i was a baby
- 00:23:19.621 --> 00:23:21.089
- "and all the way through my private christian years,
- 00:23:21.089 --> 00:23:24.192
- "i found that i never fully accepted jesus
- 00:23:24.192 --> 00:23:27.062
- "as my personal savior.
- 00:23:27.062 --> 00:23:28.730
- "but as i got older, i finally understood
- 00:23:28.730 --> 00:23:31.433
- "and accepted the lord into my life.
- 00:23:31.433 --> 00:23:34.736
- "thank you for this important ministry
- 00:23:34.736 --> 00:23:36.738
- "and all that you do to reach people like me."
- 00:23:36.738 --> 00:23:40.642
- Isn't that encouraging?
- 00:23:40.642 --> 00:23:42.244
- Thank you so much, dale, for writing to us.
- 00:23:42.244 --> 00:23:45.013
- And i want to thank our pathway partners
- 00:23:45.013 --> 00:23:47.148
- And anyone who supports "pathway to victory".
- 00:23:47.148 --> 00:23:49.851
- You're the ones who make it possible
- 00:23:49.851 --> 00:23:51.920
- For us to touch people like dale with the truth
- 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:55.423
- And light of god's word.
- 00:23:55.423 --> 00:23:57.759
- Now stay right there.
- 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:59.094
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:23:59.094 --> 00:24:01.229
- In just a moment.
- 00:24:01.229 --> 00:24:02.864
- [announcer] in a world full of distractions
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- And discouraging headlines,
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- Wouldn't it be wonderful to experience a taste of heaven
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- Right here on earth?
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- Dr. robert jeffress shows you how
- 00:24:11.273 --> 00:24:13.108
- In his powerful book, "heaven can't wait".
- 00:24:13.108 --> 00:24:15.510
- Being heavenly minded doesn't mean separating yourself
- 00:24:15.510 --> 00:24:18.713
- From the responsibilities of this world.
- 00:24:18.713 --> 00:24:21.816
- Instead, it means conforming our everyday attitudes,
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- Actions, and affections to the image of christ.
- 00:24:24.886 --> 00:24:28.990
- In my book, i'll show you how to live biblically
- 00:24:28.990 --> 00:24:31.593
- And authentically while focusing your heart and mind
- 00:24:31.593 --> 00:24:35.030
- On jesus christ.
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- [announcer] it's time to hit the refresh button on life.
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- Experience the renewal of your attitudes, actions,
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- And affections when you read "heaven can't wait".
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- A copy is yours when you give a generous gift
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- As an added bonus, you'll also receive the five keys
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- For strengthening your mind encouragement card,
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- Featuring five practical biblical principles
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- To help you experience the renewing of your mind.
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- Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory".
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- Your partnership helps us transform lives around the world,
- 00:25:16.571 --> 00:25:19.774
- Offering biblical truth to a world in need,
- 00:25:19.774 --> 00:25:22.978
- Discipling believers in their faith,
- 00:25:22.978 --> 00:25:25.547
- And leading people to a life changing relationship
- 00:25:25.547 --> 00:25:28.650
- With jesus christ.
- 00:25:28.650 --> 00:25:31.086
- Many parents get distracted
- 00:25:31.686 --> 00:25:33.488
- By activities like academics or sports or other hobbies.
- 00:25:33.488 --> 00:25:37.892
- Yes, those things are important,
- 00:25:37.892 --> 00:25:39.995
- But your number one priority with your child
- 00:25:39.995 --> 00:25:42.497
- Should be cultivating their relationship with god.
- 00:25:42.497 --> 00:25:46.201
- Well, there's a fourth and final lesson about authority
- 00:25:46.201 --> 00:25:50.005
- That paul highlights in colossians 3,
- 00:25:50.005 --> 00:25:53.541
- And it involves an employee's responsibility
- 00:25:53.541 --> 00:25:56.845
- To his or her employer.
- 00:25:56.845 --> 00:25:58.913
- Does god really expect us
- 00:25:58.913 --> 00:26:00.281
- To obey that boss we don't agree with, understand,
- 00:26:00.281 --> 00:26:03.385
- Or even like?
- 00:26:03.385 --> 00:26:04.719
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:26:04.719 --> 00:26:07.155
- In our series, "growing strong in christ".
- 00:26:07.155 --> 00:26:11.192
- Do you want to know if you're really becoming like christ?
- 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:14.396
- Here are two questions.
- 00:26:14.396 --> 00:26:15.864
- Question number one, how do you behave at home?
- 00:26:15.864 --> 00:26:19.300
- Question number two, how do you behave in the workplace?
- 00:26:20.435 --> 00:26:23.738
- The fact is it's difficult being an employee
- 00:26:23.738 --> 00:26:26.374
- And obeying that employer whom you don't agree with
- 00:26:26.374 --> 00:26:29.411
- And you don't understand and you really don't like.
- 00:26:29.411 --> 00:26:32.814
- It's hard as employers to treat your employees
- 00:26:32.814 --> 00:26:35.784
- With compassion and with fairness.
- 00:26:35.784 --> 00:26:39.421
- [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
- 00:26:39.421 --> 00:26:41.890
- For the message "who's the boss?"
- 00:26:41.890 --> 00:26:44.025
- Here on "pathway to victory".
- 00:26:44.025 --> 00:26:49.497
- Join dr. robert jeffress on pathway to victory's
- 00:26:50.432 --> 00:26:53.601
- Journeys of paul mediterranean cruise.
- 00:26:53.601 --> 00:26:56.004
- I want to take you to the very places
- 00:26:56.004 --> 00:26:58.540
- Where god's word was written
- 00:26:58.540 --> 00:27:00.208
- And seek the one who sought us first in his creation.
- 00:27:00.208 --> 00:27:04.179
- [announcer] experience, world-class accommodations
- 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:06.214
- Aboard the luxurious celebrity ascent
- 00:27:06.214 --> 00:27:08.683
- In beautiful island destinations like santorini,
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- Mykonos, and crete.
- 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:13.021
- To book your reservation now call 888-280-6747
- 00:27:13.021 --> 00:27:17.459
- Or visit ptv.org.
- 00:27:17.459 --> 00:27:17.459