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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Detours That Destroy (Part 2)

February 3, 2025 | S25:E58

Robert Jeffress - Detours That Destroy (Part 2)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Detours That Destroy (Part 2) | February 3, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas,
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  • This is pathway to victory with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress
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  • And welcome again to pathway to victory.
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  • Have you noticed that nearly all the pastors
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  • Who are publicly exposed for sin have something in common?
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  • Their sins typically involve one of two things,
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  • Money or sex, and that's not a coincidence.
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  • Today, we're going to look at a stern warning
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  • In hebrews 13 about the dangers of these two pitfalls
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  • And how we can avoid personal demise.
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  • My message is titled "detours that destroy"
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  • On today's edition of pathway to victory.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ the fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom ♪
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  • ♪ life, hope, meaning, and joy ♪
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  • ♪ the fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship, let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ let us fear our god ♪
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  • ♪ to him belongs eternal praise ♪
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  • ♪ glorious and righteous are his works, his ways ♪
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  • ♪ to him belongs all reverent praise ♪
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  • ♪ faithful and just are his works, his ways ♪
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  • ♪ in the congregation, with your people ♪
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  • ♪ we remember your works, your works ♪
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  • ♪ to him belongs eternal praise ♪
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  • ♪ faithful and just are his works, his ways ♪
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  • ♪ so let us worship, let us bow down ♪
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  • ♪ let us fear our god ♪
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  • ♪ our god, our god, our god, our god ♪
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  • ♪ our god, our god, our god, our god ♪
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  • (applause)
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  • [announcer] in a world filled with noise and
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  • Clutter, god invites us to look past the distractions
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  • And connect with him on a deeply personal level.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • How do you stay sexually pure,
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  • How do you avoid the trap of immorality,
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  • Thirdly, realize the consequences of immorality?
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  • Realize the consequences of immorality.
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  • For fornicators and adulterers, god will judge.
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  • Remember, there are consequences for immorality.
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  • God will judge.
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  • Now, he's not talking about
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  • The hell and fire and brimstone kind of judgment.
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  • That's a real judgment for non-christians.
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  • But he's talking about there's a judgment for christians
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  • Who fall into fornication
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  • Or into any other type of immorality.
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  • You know, today, the non-christian says,
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  • "oh, there's nothing wrong with sex.
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  • It's just a natural bodily function
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  • That needs to be satisfied,
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  • Like getting thirsty or getting hungry."
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  • In fact, one unbeliever wrote, quote,
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  • "sex is a function of the body,
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  • A drive which man shares with animals
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  • Like eating, drinking, and sleeping.
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  • It's a physical demand that must be satisfied.
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  • If you don't satisfy it, you will have
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  • All sorts of neurosis and repressive psychosis."
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  • The writer of hebrews and god himself says
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  • Sex is more than just a physical act.
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  • It is an emotional, it is a spiritual act.
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  • And that's why paul said in 1 corinthians 6:18,
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  • "flee immorality.
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  • For every other sin that a man commits is outside the body,
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  • But an immoral man sins against his own body."
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  • Listen, all sin is sin, i understand that,
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  • But some sins have greater consequences than other sins do.
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  • And when you join yourself
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  • To somebody you're not married to,
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  • You're not just joining your bodies together,
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  • You're joining your souls and your spirit together as well,
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  • And it can have devastating consequences.
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  • Back in 1992, i was reading charles swindoll's newsletter
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  • To his church congregation in fullerton, california.
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  • I used to read it every week.
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  • He would write a pastor's pen like i do.
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  • And there's one of those issues
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  • That really caught my attention.
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  • He was talking about the consequences of sexual immorality,
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  • And it made such an impression on me.
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  • I clipped it out and kept it in my file all of these years.
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  • I'm talking to some of you in this congregation right now,
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  • Some of you watching or listening to this message.
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  • Right now, you're involved in a secret immoral relationship
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  • Or maybe you're just on the edge,
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  • About to fall into such a relationship.
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  • Before you go any further, i want you to listen carefully
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  • To the very real potential consequences of that immorality.
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  • Number one, the total devastation
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  • That will bring to your children.
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  • Their growth, innocence, trust,
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  • And healthy outlook on life will be permanently damaged.
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  • The embarrassment of facing other christians
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  • Who once appreciated you, respected you, and trusted you
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  • Will be overwhelming.
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  • If you are engaged in the lord's work,
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  • You will suffer the immediate loss of your job
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  • And the support of those with whom you work.
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  • The dark shadow will accompany you everywhere and forever.
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  • Disillusionment and anger will spread rapidly
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  • Among those to whom you once ministered.
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  • Your fall will give others license to do the same.
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  • Your mate will immediately be isolated
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  • By most of those who once stood near.
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  • Guilt, shame, and rejection,
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  • He or she is sure to feel,
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  • Will accompany the anguish of loneliness.
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  • The inner peace you once enjoyed will be gone forever.
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  • You will set in motion a generational chain reaction.
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  • You won't be able to stop it no matter how hard you try.
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  • The heartache you will cause to your parents,
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  • Your family, your peers, your mentors,
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  • And your disciples will be indescribable.
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  • You will never be able to erase your fall
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  • From your or other people's mind.
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  • As solomon wrote, "your reproach will not be blotted out."
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  • This will indelibly remain etched on your life's record.
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  • The name of jesus christ whom you once honored
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  • Will be tarnished, giving the enemies of the faith
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  • Further reason to sneer and jeer.
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  • Your mate will feel betrayed
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  • And can never again say that you are a model of fidelity.
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  • Suspicions will rob her or him of trust.
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  • Your escapades will introduce
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  • To your life and your mate's life
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  • The very real probability of sexually transmitted disease.
  • 00:10:12.935 --> 00:10:19.041
  • And then, swindoll closes his article with these words,
  • 00:10:19.041 --> 00:10:22.378
  • "solomon was right.
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  • The way of the transgressor is hard.
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  • Forgiveness may come, the affair may end.
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  • Restoration to fellowship may occur,
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  • But these consequences will never go away."
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  • Avoid the detour of immorality.
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  • The writer gives a second detour we ought to avoid
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  • With the same kind of resolve, and that is materialism.
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  • Materialism.
  • 00:10:59.815 --> 00:11:00.549
  • Look at verses 5 and 6,
  • 00:11:00.549 --> 00:11:01.984
  • "make sure that your character is free
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  • From the love of money,
  • 00:11:05.221 --> 00:11:06.856
  • Being content with what you have,
  • 00:11:06.856 --> 00:11:09.692
  • For he himself has said,
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  • 'i will never desert you nor will i forsake you,'
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  • So that we can confidently say,
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  • 'the lord is my helper, i will not be afraid.
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  • What will men do to me?'"
  • 00:11:20.770 --> 00:11:24.340
  • In talking about the trap of materialism,
  • 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:26.509
  • Paul warned timothy in 1 timothy 6:10,
  • 00:11:26.509 --> 00:11:29.178
  • "for the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil,
  • 00:11:29.178 --> 00:11:33.949
  • And some by longing for it have wandered away
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  • From the faith and pierced themself with many griefs."
  • 00:11:36.418 --> 00:11:40.790
  • Money has a power to lure you off the track
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  • And distract you in your relationship with god.
  • 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:47.296
  • Don't fall into the trap of thinking,
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  • "well, only rich people suffer from materialism."
  • 00:11:48.864 --> 00:11:53.202
  • The audience to whom the writer was addressing
  • 00:11:53.202 --> 00:11:56.038
  • In the book of hebrews were poor folks,
  • 00:11:56.038 --> 00:11:59.241
  • People who had lost everything
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  • Because they had followed jesus christ.
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  • Did you know those who are poor can be
  • 00:12:03.646 --> 00:12:05.447
  • Just as materialistic as those who are rich,
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  • Believing that money is the answer to their problems?
  • 00:12:08.851 --> 00:12:12.922
  • No, it's a problem that is universal.
  • 00:12:12.922 --> 00:12:15.558
  • How do you keep materialism from getting you off track?
  • 00:12:15.558 --> 00:12:19.328
  • Again, look at these verses,
  • 00:12:19.328 --> 00:12:21.263
  • And notice three commands right inside this passage
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  • For avoiding the detour of materialism.
  • 00:12:25.134 --> 00:12:28.103
  • Number one, avoid unnecessary entanglements with money.
  • 00:12:28.103 --> 00:12:34.109
  • In verse 5, he says,
  • 00:12:34.109 --> 00:12:35.578
  • "let your character be free from the love of money."
  • 00:12:35.578 --> 00:12:40.649
  • In 2 timothy 2:4, paul says,
  • 00:12:40.649 --> 00:12:42.284
  • "no soldier in active service entangles himself
  • 00:12:42.284 --> 00:12:46.689
  • In the affairs of everyday life
  • 00:12:46.689 --> 00:12:48.424
  • So that he may please the one
  • 00:12:48.424 --> 00:12:50.192
  • Who enlisted him as a soldier."
  • 00:12:50.192 --> 00:12:52.094
  • There is something about money and focusing on money
  • 00:12:52.094 --> 00:12:55.197
  • That trips you up as you're running the race.
  • 00:12:55.197 --> 00:12:57.733
  • It gets you entangled with things
  • 00:12:57.733 --> 00:12:59.635
  • You shouldn't be entangled with.
  • 00:12:59.635 --> 00:13:02.638
  • Now, the truth is
  • 00:13:02.638 --> 00:13:03.906
  • We all have to deal with money at some level.
  • 00:13:03.906 --> 00:13:06.942
  • We have to earn it.
  • 00:13:06.942 --> 00:13:08.377
  • We have to spend it
  • 00:13:08.377 --> 00:13:09.578
  • To take care of ours and our family's needs.
  • 00:13:09.578 --> 00:13:11.914
  • We have to put some aside for the future,
  • 00:13:11.914 --> 00:13:13.883
  • As proverbs said.
  • 00:13:13.883 --> 00:13:15.417
  • We can't say we're not going to have anything to do with money,
  • 00:13:15.417 --> 00:13:19.221
  • But the writer is saying
  • 00:13:19.221 --> 00:13:21.123
  • Don't let it become the focus of your life.
  • 00:13:21.123 --> 00:13:23.025
  • Don't let it trip you up and get entangled with it.
  • 00:13:23.025 --> 00:13:27.763
  • Do you know one way people get,
  • 00:13:27.763 --> 00:13:29.798
  • Christians get entangled with money
  • 00:13:29.798 --> 00:13:32.067
  • Where it becomes an obsession with them,
  • 00:13:32.067 --> 00:13:34.703
  • Is when they become slaves to debt.
  • 00:13:34.703 --> 00:13:39.375
  • Consumer debt is a major problem among all americans,
  • 00:13:39.375 --> 00:13:44.947
  • Including christians.
  • 00:13:44.947 --> 00:13:46.448
  • I was reading just this week that the average american
  • 00:13:46.448 --> 00:13:49.351
  • Has $5,700 on his credit card.
  • 00:13:49.351 --> 00:13:52.755
  • $5,700 of credit card debt.
  • 00:13:52.755 --> 00:13:55.291
  • Then you may think, "well, that's not a big deal
  • 00:13:55.291 --> 00:13:56.825
  • Because pastor interest rates are really low,"
  • 00:13:56.825 --> 00:13:59.962
  • And they are low right now except on credit cards.
  • 00:13:59.962 --> 00:14:03.866
  • You know what the average credit card rate is
  • 00:14:03.866 --> 00:14:05.534
  • Right now, today? 17.89%.
  • 00:14:05.534 --> 00:14:11.907
  • Now, that means if you're an average american
  • 00:14:11.907 --> 00:14:13.242
  • With $5,700 of debt, and you say,
  • 00:14:13.242 --> 00:14:17.046
  • "i'm going to get rid of that.
  • 00:14:17.046 --> 00:14:18.580
  • I'm going to pay off $100 of that debt every month,"
  • 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:21.684
  • Do you know how long it will take you to pay that debt off
  • 00:14:21.684 --> 00:14:24.119
  • Because of the accruing interest?
  • 00:14:24.119 --> 00:14:26.588
  • 10-and-a-half years.
  • 00:14:26.588 --> 00:14:29.591
  • And at the end of 10-and-a-half years,
  • 00:14:29.591 --> 00:14:31.293
  • You will have spent $7,100 on interest,
  • 00:14:31.293 --> 00:14:35.698
  • In addition to the $5,700 on the principle,
  • 00:14:35.698 --> 00:14:38.767
  • Almost $13,000 to pay off that $5,700 debt.
  • 00:14:38.767 --> 00:14:44.740
  • That's what debt does.
  • 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:46.008
  • It entangles you.
  • 00:14:46.008 --> 00:14:47.509
  • In the book of proverbs, the writer says in proverbs 22:7,
  • 00:14:47.509 --> 00:14:51.146
  • "the rich rules over the poor,
  • 00:14:51.146 --> 00:14:53.115
  • And the borrower becomes the lender's slave."
  • 00:14:53.115 --> 00:14:57.653
  • Secondly, to keep materialism
  • 00:14:57.653 --> 00:15:00.823
  • From detouring your relationship with god,
  • 00:15:00.823 --> 00:15:02.958
  • Learn the secret of contentment.
  • 00:15:02.958 --> 00:15:09.098
  • He says here in verse 5, "be content with what you have."
  • 00:15:06.428 --> 00:15:15.571
  • Now, admittedly, that's a lot easier said than done,
  • 00:15:15.571 --> 00:15:17.406
  • Isn't it, to be content with what you have.
  • 00:15:17.406 --> 00:15:20.142
  • The truth is, no matter what income level you're at,
  • 00:15:20.142 --> 00:15:23.479
  • There's always somebody who has more than you do.
  • 00:15:23.479 --> 00:15:26.215
  • And you think, "if only i could have this amount of money,
  • 00:15:26.215 --> 00:15:29.151
  • Then i could really have all of my needs met
  • 00:15:29.151 --> 00:15:31.520
  • And i would be free from the love of money.
  • 00:15:31.520 --> 00:15:33.389
  • I just need a little bit more."
  • 00:15:33.389 --> 00:15:36.458
  • I remember watching an interview between barbara walters,
  • 00:15:36.458 --> 00:15:40.162
  • Remember her, and the late ted turner who founded cnn.
  • 00:15:40.162 --> 00:15:44.633
  • He was a billionaire.
  • 00:15:44.633 --> 00:15:46.368
  • And i remember she asked him,
  • 00:15:46.368 --> 00:15:47.736
  • "ted, how does it feel to be so wealthy?"
  • 00:15:47.736 --> 00:15:52.007
  • He said, "barbara, i'll tell you how it feels.
  • 00:15:52.007 --> 00:15:54.643
  • It's like a paper bag.
  • 00:15:54.643 --> 00:15:58.180
  • Everybody sees the paper bag,
  • 00:15:58.180 --> 00:16:00.649
  • Everybody thinks they want the paper bag,
  • 00:16:00.649 --> 00:16:03.519
  • And they get the paper bag and open it up
  • 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:05.921
  • Only to find it's empty."
  • 00:16:05.921 --> 00:16:09.992
  • Now, that's what a billionaire is saying about wealth.
  • 00:16:09.992 --> 00:16:12.594
  • It is empty.
  • 00:16:12.594 --> 00:16:14.229
  • It's a mirage.
  • 00:16:14.229 --> 00:16:15.464
  • It doesn't satisfy your deepest needs.
  • 00:16:15.464 --> 00:16:19.034
  • The secret to having your needs met
  • 00:16:19.034 --> 00:16:21.737
  • Is to learn the secret of contentment.
  • 00:16:21.737 --> 00:16:25.140
  • I wrote a book on contentment years ago
  • 00:16:25.140 --> 00:16:27.142
  • But, you know, i said the word contentment,
  • 00:16:27.142 --> 00:16:29.578
  • The english word comes from an old english word
  • 00:16:29.578 --> 00:16:31.914
  • That is containment.
  • 00:16:31.914 --> 00:16:34.283
  • It comes from the word containment.
  • 00:16:34.283 --> 00:16:36.552
  • A content person is one who is self-contained.
  • 00:16:36.552 --> 00:16:42.691
  • That is his happiness in life, his joy.
  • 00:16:42.691 --> 00:16:45.661
  • His satisfaction is not tied
  • 00:16:45.661 --> 00:16:48.263
  • To the dow jones industrial average,
  • 00:16:48.263 --> 00:16:51.233
  • Is not tied to the square footage of his home.
  • 00:16:51.233 --> 00:16:54.336
  • It's not tied or dependent upon the kind of car he drives.
  • 00:16:54.336 --> 00:16:57.973
  • He's not looking to external things to fill him up.
  • 00:16:57.973 --> 00:17:02.544
  • He's looking inwardly,
  • 00:17:02.544 --> 00:17:05.247
  • And for a christian,
  • 00:17:05.247 --> 00:17:06.682
  • That inward resource is a relationship with jesus christ.
  • 00:17:06.682 --> 00:17:10.986
  • No amount of money,
  • 00:17:10.986 --> 00:17:12.521
  • No amount of possessions
  • 00:17:12.521 --> 00:17:13.956
  • Can satisfy the void of an empty life.
  • 00:17:13.956 --> 00:17:16.725
  • And that's why paul said in philippians 4:11 through 12,
  • 00:17:16.725 --> 00:17:19.962
  • "not that i speak from want,
  • 00:17:19.962 --> 00:17:22.131
  • For i have learned to be content
  • 00:17:22.131 --> 00:17:23.899
  • In whatever circumstance i'm in.
  • 00:17:23.899 --> 00:17:26.702
  • I know how to get along with humble means
  • 00:17:26.702 --> 00:17:29.171
  • And i know how to live in prosperity.
  • 00:17:29.171 --> 00:17:31.673
  • In each and every circumstance,
  • 00:17:31.673 --> 00:17:34.243
  • I've learned the secret of being filled and of going hungry,
  • 00:17:34.243 --> 00:17:38.280
  • Both of having abundance and suffering need."
  • 00:17:38.280 --> 00:17:41.383
  • You know what that secret of contentment is he learned?
  • 00:17:41.383 --> 00:17:44.052
  • He tells us in the next verse,
  • 00:17:44.052 --> 00:17:46.288
  • "i can do all things through christ who strengthens me."
  • 00:17:46.288 --> 00:17:51.126
  • Did you know that's the context of the verse?
  • 00:17:51.126 --> 00:17:53.562
  • "i can do all things through christ who strengthens me."
  • 00:17:53.562 --> 00:17:55.864
  • Contentment, the secret to contentment
  • 00:17:55.864 --> 00:17:58.901
  • Is tying your sense of wellbeing to jesus christ.
  • 00:17:58.901 --> 00:18:03.138
  • That's the secret of contentment.
  • 00:18:03.138 --> 00:18:06.141
  • But to do that, we need to follow this final command
  • 00:18:06.141 --> 00:18:10.245
  • In hebrews 13:5 and 6, that is,
  • 00:18:10.245 --> 00:18:14.183
  • Acknowledge the sufficiency of god.
  • 00:18:14.183 --> 00:18:18.020
  • There is no contentment apart from trusting
  • 00:18:18.020 --> 00:18:20.789
  • And acknowledging the sufficiency of god.
  • 00:18:20.789 --> 00:18:23.559
  • "be content with what you have,
  • 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:25.093
  • Verse 5, "for he himself has said,
  • 00:18:25.093 --> 00:18:28.263
  • 'i will never desert you nor will i ever forsake you,'
  • 00:18:28.263 --> 00:18:32.901
  • So that we can confidently say,
  • 00:18:32.901 --> 00:18:35.137
  • 'the lord is my helper, i will not be afraid.
  • 00:18:35.137 --> 00:18:37.773
  • What will man do to me?'"
  • 00:18:37.773 --> 00:18:41.276
  • Remember i told you that these hebrew christians,
  • 00:18:41.276 --> 00:18:44.112
  • Chapter 10 verse 34 says
  • 00:18:44.112 --> 00:18:46.114
  • They had actually had their property seized
  • 00:18:46.114 --> 00:18:48.917
  • Because of their christian faith,
  • 00:18:48.917 --> 00:18:50.953
  • But paul or the writer said,
  • 00:18:50.953 --> 00:18:52.988
  • "you know that you have for yourselves a better possession,
  • 00:18:52.988 --> 00:18:56.325
  • And a lasting one."
  • 00:18:56.325 --> 00:18:58.527
  • And that better possession,
  • 00:18:58.527 --> 00:19:00.062
  • That lasting one is rooted in the sufficiency of god.
  • 00:19:00.062 --> 00:19:05.500
  • You know i realized today,
  • 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.435
  • I'm speaking to some of you
  • 00:19:06.435 --> 00:19:07.569
  • Who may be in financial knots right now.
  • 00:19:07.569 --> 00:19:11.006
  • You're tied up and worry about your financial future.
  • 00:19:11.006 --> 00:19:14.543
  • Maybe you've been laid off because of this pandemic.
  • 00:19:14.543 --> 00:19:17.913
  • Maybe you've had your savings depleted.
  • 00:19:17.913 --> 00:19:20.349
  • Maybe there's a medical need that you have.
  • 00:19:20.349 --> 00:19:22.618
  • And to be quite honest,
  • 00:19:22.618 --> 00:19:25.020
  • When you hear words from people who aren't going through
  • 00:19:25.020 --> 00:19:27.789
  • That particular problem at this time,
  • 00:19:27.789 --> 00:19:30.892
  • When they say, "oh, trust in god.
  • 00:19:30.892 --> 00:19:33.362
  • Be content with what you have,"
  • 00:19:33.362 --> 00:19:36.798
  • Those words seem hollow.
  • 00:19:36.798 --> 00:19:39.034
  • They don't help at all.
  • 00:19:39.034 --> 00:19:42.638
  • Don't listen to my words.
  • 00:19:42.638 --> 00:19:45.073
  • Listen to god's word.
  • 00:19:45.073 --> 00:19:46.975
  • Listen to god's promise to you.
  • 00:19:46.975 --> 00:19:48.944
  • He's the one who says,
  • 00:19:48.944 --> 00:19:50.412
  • "i will never leave you nor will i forsake you."
  • 00:19:50.412 --> 00:19:56.818
  • Or listen to the testimony of one of god's saints
  • 00:19:56.818 --> 00:19:59.888
  • Who suffered loss and needed god's sufficiency.
  • 00:19:59.888 --> 00:20:03.925
  • He said, "the lord is my helper, i will not be afraid.
  • 00:20:03.925 --> 00:20:08.163
  • What can man do to me?"
  • 00:20:08.163 --> 00:20:12.067
  • Men and women for 2,000 years
  • 00:20:12.067 --> 00:20:14.102
  • Have trusted in the sufficiency of jesus christ
  • 00:20:14.102 --> 00:20:17.072
  • And they have never been disappointed.
  • 00:20:17.072 --> 00:20:20.142
  • Trust in the sufficiency of god.
  • 00:20:20.142 --> 00:20:25.447
  • As we close today,
  • 00:20:25.447 --> 00:20:26.682
  • I want to close with two final thoughts
  • 00:20:26.682 --> 00:20:30.352
  • And two commitments i want to ask you to make
  • 00:20:30.352 --> 00:20:34.523
  • To stay on track in your relationship with god.
  • 00:20:34.523 --> 00:20:38.994
  • Here's commitment number one, write it down,
  • 00:20:38.994 --> 00:20:42.097
  • Will you commit to say no to immorality of any kind?
  • 00:20:42.097 --> 00:20:49.871
  • Will today, you make the pledge to say,
  • 00:20:49.871 --> 00:20:52.974
  • "i'm going to abstain
  • 00:20:52.974 --> 00:20:54.276
  • From any sexual immorality in my life"?
  • 00:20:54.276 --> 00:20:58.280
  • That means sexual activity outside of marriage.
  • 00:20:58.280 --> 00:21:02.150
  • I'm going to say no to it today.
  • 00:21:02.150 --> 00:21:06.988
  • One tuesday evening,
  • 00:21:06.988 --> 00:21:08.990
  • A couple who were not married but living together
  • 00:21:08.990 --> 00:21:13.795
  • Were watching television.
  • 00:21:13.795 --> 00:21:16.698
  • They had decided not to get married,
  • 00:21:16.698 --> 00:21:18.400
  • Because frankly, they didn't want to go
  • 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.835
  • Through the pain of another possible divorce,
  • 00:21:19.835 --> 00:21:22.237
  • So they decided to live together.
  • 00:21:22.237 --> 00:21:23.638
  • And this tuesday night, they had rented a movie.
  • 00:21:23.638 --> 00:21:26.041
  • They were about halfway through the movie,
  • 00:21:26.041 --> 00:21:27.442
  • It wasn't that good, so they turned it off.
  • 00:21:27.442 --> 00:21:30.612
  • And on popped on their television set
  • 00:21:30.612 --> 00:21:33.248
  • Our church's program, pathway to victory,
  • 00:21:33.248 --> 00:21:36.618
  • And the pastor was talking about sexual purity.
  • 00:21:36.618 --> 00:21:41.890
  • And when the woman called our church the next day, she said,
  • 00:21:41.890 --> 00:21:45.794
  • "my boyfriend and i watched that message to the very end.
  • 00:21:45.794 --> 00:21:50.399
  • We were glued to every word.
  • 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:52.968
  • And when the pastor had finished,
  • 00:21:52.968 --> 00:21:54.970
  • Tears were streaming down both of our faces,
  • 00:21:54.970 --> 00:21:57.539
  • And we made the commitment right then to move out,
  • 00:21:57.539 --> 00:22:01.309
  • Not to live together any longer until we got married."
  • 00:22:01.309 --> 00:22:06.715
  • That was a hard thing to do, but they did it out of faith,
  • 00:22:06.715 --> 00:22:13.088
  • Believing that god's plan for them was really best.
  • 00:22:13.088 --> 00:22:16.858
  • Do you have that kind of faith?
  • 00:22:16.858 --> 00:22:18.994
  • Are you willing, no matter how hard it is, to say,
  • 00:22:18.994 --> 00:22:21.496
  • "if i'm engaged in a sexual activity outside marriage,
  • 00:22:21.496 --> 00:22:25.033
  • I'm going to break it off.
  • 00:22:25.033 --> 00:22:26.535
  • I'm going to stop it today"?
  • 00:22:26.535 --> 00:22:28.970
  • Remember, those stop signs are for your benefit,
  • 00:22:28.970 --> 00:22:32.607
  • Not for god's.
  • 00:22:32.607 --> 00:22:34.709
  • Secondly, will you commit to be content
  • 00:22:34.709 --> 00:22:40.816
  • With your financial circumstances,
  • 00:22:40.816 --> 00:22:43.385
  • To be satisfied with your financial circumstances?
  • 00:22:43.385 --> 00:22:46.721
  • Instead of focusing on what you don't have,
  • 00:22:46.721 --> 00:22:50.292
  • Will you commit to be grateful to god
  • 00:22:50.292 --> 00:22:52.394
  • For what he's already given you?
  • 00:22:52.394 --> 00:22:54.563
  • Remember paul's words again in 1 timothy 6,
  • 00:22:54.563 --> 00:22:57.032
  • "for if we have food and covering, with these things,
  • 00:22:57.032 --> 00:23:01.503
  • We should be content, satisfied, grateful."
  • 00:23:01.503 --> 00:23:06.875
  • Those who are willing to make that commitment,
  • 00:23:06.875 --> 00:23:09.010
  • God has a promise for you,
  • 00:23:09.010 --> 00:23:10.846
  • "i will never leave you.
  • 00:23:10.846 --> 00:23:12.747
  • I will never forsake you.
  • 00:23:12.747 --> 00:23:14.683
  • He who trusts in me shall never be disappointed."
  • 00:23:14.683 --> 00:23:20.489
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:20.489 --> 00:23:25.727
  • God's promises are perfect and true,
  • 00:23:25.727 --> 00:23:28.597
  • And those who follow him,
  • 00:23:28.597 --> 00:23:30.065
  • Those who trust his word will never be disappointed.
  • 00:23:30.065 --> 00:23:34.503
  • Well, in the few minutes we have remaining today,
  • 00:23:34.503 --> 00:23:36.805
  • I'd like to give you an update
  • 00:23:36.805 --> 00:23:38.740
  • About the growing ministry of pathway to victory.
  • 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:41.810
  • You'll know from watching this program
  • 00:23:41.810 --> 00:23:43.578
  • That i'm committed to to telling the truth
  • 00:23:43.578 --> 00:23:45.413
  • About god and his word even when it's unpopular.
  • 00:23:45.413 --> 00:23:49.584
  • Gratefully, this truth-telling approach
  • 00:23:49.584 --> 00:23:51.786
  • Has served to grow and strengthen our audience.
  • 00:23:51.786 --> 00:23:54.990
  • So today, we're asking you to stoke this fire
  • 00:23:54.990 --> 00:23:57.759
  • Of growing impact for the gospel by giving a generous gift.
  • 00:23:57.759 --> 00:24:02.063
  • When you give,
  • 00:24:02.063 --> 00:24:03.598
  • You're helping us shine the bright light of god's truth
  • 00:24:03.598 --> 00:24:05.967
  • In a decaying culture that's shrouded in darkness.
  • 00:24:05.967 --> 00:24:09.638
  • Thank you so much for giving generously.
  • 00:24:09.638 --> 00:24:12.707
  • Now, stay right there,
  • 00:24:12.707 --> 00:24:14.242
  • I'll be back in just a moment with more pathway to victory.
  • 00:24:14.242 --> 00:24:18.713
  • [announcer] when was the last time you heard god
  • 00:24:18.713 --> 00:24:20.615
  • Speak to you from his word?
  • 00:24:20.615 --> 00:24:22.317
  • Dr. robert jeffress believes that growing closer to god
  • 00:24:22.317 --> 00:24:25.420
  • Begins with reading your bible and spending time in prayer.
  • 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:28.823
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time in his
  • 00:24:28.823 --> 00:24:32.394
  • Word with the brand new 2025 pathway to victory daily devotional.
  • 00:24:32.394 --> 00:24:37.165
  • Of all the ways god could have revealed himself to us,
  • 00:24:37.165 --> 00:24:40.569
  • He chose to do it through the written word.
  • 00:24:40.569 --> 00:24:43.738
  • And that's why it's so important for you and for me
  • 00:24:43.738 --> 00:24:46.041
  • To set aside regular time to read the word of god.
  • 00:24:46.041 --> 00:24:50.345
  • [announcer] whether you've been a christian for a lot
  • 00:24:50.345 --> 00:24:52.113
  • Of years or just a short while, the principles found
  • 00:24:52.113 --> 00:24:54.950
  • In this year's devotional will help breathe new life
  • 00:24:54.950 --> 00:24:57.719
  • Into your walk with god.
  • 00:24:57.719 --> 00:24:59.821
  • Ready to get back to the basics of your christian faith?
  • 00:24:59.821 --> 00:25:02.657
  • Request your copy of the 2025 pathway to victory
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  • Daily devotional when you give a generous gift to
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  • Support the ministry of pathway to victory.
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  • And when you give $75 or more, we'll also send you
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  • The complete spiritual fitness teaching series on
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  • Dvd and audio disc.
  • 00:25:18.406 --> 00:25:20.241
  • We'll discover one thing all of these men and women had
  • 00:25:20.241 --> 00:25:22.877
  • In common is they believed god and they acted according
  • 00:25:22.877 --> 00:25:27.549
  • To their belief in god.
  • 00:25:27.549 --> 00:25:29.084
  • They did something as a demonstration of their faith.
  • 00:25:29.084 --> 00:25:33.421
  • [announcer] thank you for giving generously to support
  • 00:25:33.421 --> 00:25:36.091
  • The ministry of pathway to victory.
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  • Your giving empowers this broadcast ministry to
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  • Proclaim the practical, applicable, life-changing
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  • Truth of the gospel to a world in need.
  • 00:25:43.798 --> 00:25:46.868
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:25:46.868 --> 00:25:48.837
  • I know there's someone watching on television today
  • 00:25:48.837 --> 00:25:51.940
  • Who's struggling with one of these sins.
  • 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:54.676
  • Maybe you're involved in a relationship
  • 00:25:54.676 --> 00:25:56.645
  • That's outside of god's will,
  • 00:25:56.645 --> 00:25:59.047
  • Or maybe money and material possessions
  • 00:25:59.047 --> 00:26:01.082
  • Have become the focus of your life.
  • 00:26:01.082 --> 00:26:03.752
  • God promises to give you the strength to leave those sins
  • 00:26:03.752 --> 00:26:07.055
  • Behind if you're willing to make that commitment today.
  • 00:26:07.055 --> 00:26:11.559
  • Now, next time,
  • 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.827
  • We're going to address one more practical way
  • 00:26:12.827 --> 00:26:15.730
  • To stay on track in our relationship with god.
  • 00:26:15.730 --> 00:26:18.900
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:21.436
  • In our series, spiritual fitness.
  • 00:26:21.436 --> 00:26:25.640
  • We all know pastors who have gone to the extreme
  • 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:28.910
  • Of becoming dictators in the church,
  • 00:26:28.910 --> 00:26:32.313
  • But some churches go to the opposite extreme.
  • 00:26:32.313 --> 00:26:34.749
  • They treat their pastors as nothing
  • 00:26:34.749 --> 00:26:36.551
  • More than hired hands to do their bidding,
  • 00:26:36.551 --> 00:26:39.220
  • To keep the temperature right in the sunday school class,
  • 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:41.756
  • And all of those sorts of things.
  • 00:26:41.756 --> 00:26:44.225
  • Neither extreme is biblical.
  • 00:26:44.225 --> 00:26:47.095
  • [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:26:47.095 --> 00:26:49.497
  • For the message, how to treat your next pastor,
  • 00:26:49.497 --> 00:26:52.500
  • Here on pathway to victory.
  • 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:54.469
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • And seek the one who sought us first, in his creation
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