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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - When Darkness Overcomes The Light

December 25, 2024 | S

Robert Jeffress - When Darkness Overcomes The Light
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 - When Darkness Overcomes The Light | December 25, 2024
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
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  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome to
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  • This christmas day edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • In our troubled world, many wonder if evil is triumphing
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  • Over good.
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  • From global conflicts to personal struggles, it can seem
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  • As if the darkness has eclipsed the light of christ's arrival
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  • 2000 years ago.
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  • But today, we'll explore why jesus remains the true light of
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  • The world and how his light ultimately overcomes all
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  • The darkness.
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  • My message is titled, "when darkness overcomes the light,"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪ joy to the world, the lord is come ♪
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  • ♪ let earth receive her king ♪
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  • ♪ let every heart prepare him room ♪
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  • ♪ and heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • ♪ and heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • ♪ and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing ♪
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  • Male: we sing "joy to the world."
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  • All the ladies, sing together.
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  • ♪ joy to the world, the savior reigns ♪
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  • Male: and the men.
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  • ♪ let men their songs employ ♪
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  • ♪ while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains ♪
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  • ♪ repeat the sounding joy ♪
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  • ♪ repeat the sounding joy ♪
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  • ♪ repeat, repeat, the sounding joy ♪
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  • ♪ repeat the sounding joy ♪
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  • Male: "he rules the world with truth and grace."
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  • ♪ he rules the world with truth and grace ♪
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  • ♪ and makes the nations prove ♪
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  • ♪ the glories of his righteousness ♪
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  • ♪ and wonders of his love ♪
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  • ♪ and wonders of his love ♪
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  • ♪ and wonders, and wonders, of his love ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • Male: oh, lift your voice. "heaven and nature."
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  • ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪
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  • ♪ heaven and nature sing ♪♪
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  • [congregation cheering]
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  • Announcer: the celebration of jesus's birth each christmas
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  • Marks the moment when god's radiant hope entered our world,
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  • And jesus calls us to share this light with others.
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  • You can help pierce the darkness with the light of god's word
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  • Through the pathway to victory light the darkness
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  • Matching challenge.
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  • Since 1996, "pathway to victory" has been boldly sharing the
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  • Gospel of jesus christ, and your gift, doubled in impact, will be
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  • Used to proclaim god's truth here in america and around
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  • The world.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: you may have seen my christmas commentary this
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  • Weekend at "fox news" about the fact that christmas has been
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  • Canceled for the first time in a long time in that little village
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  • Known as bethlehem.
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  • There'll be traditional services in some of the churches, but the
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  • Traditional christmas tree that is in manger square won't be
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  • There this year.
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  • There'll be no christmas lights illuminated.
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  • The city officials said that such festivities seem out of
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  • Step with the horrors of war that that area of the world
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  • Is experiencing.
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  • The darkness of death, the darkness of war, has overcome
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  • The lights of christmas, or so it seems.
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  • By the way, that's not the first time that's happened
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  • In bethlehem.
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  • You remember, 2000 years ago, on a pitch black night, the
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  • Blackness suddenly gave way to light as the angel made his
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  • Announcement to that group of shepherds on a judean hillside.
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  • The angel gabriel said, "behold, i bring you good news of great
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  • Joy which shall be to all people, for unto you is born
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  • This day in the city of david, a savior who is christ the lord."
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  • And that one angel's voice gave way to a multitude of angels who
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  • Said loudly, "glory to god in the highest and on earth peace
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  • Toward men with whom god is well pleased."
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  • There is the light of christ's birth.
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  • But that lightness was quickly eclipsed by darkness.
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  • Remember, it wasn't too long after that, that herod, hearing
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  • The news of christ's arrival, decided to launch a genocide
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  • Against the jewish people.
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  • Herod's order was to kill every hebrew, every jewish baby, male
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  • Baby, 2 years age-- of age and younger.
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  • And that little village that had heard the announcement of
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  • Christ's birth suddenly found themselves burying their
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  • Dead children.
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  • The light turned to darkness and, in a sense, we've lived in
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  • That darkness for more than 2000 years.
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  • You see, there's a real tension in the christmas story.
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  • The light of christ's coming, people thought, would erase
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  • Forever the darkness.
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  • But it hasn't done that.
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  • Many of you right now are still experiencing the darkness of
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  • This world.
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  • Perhaps there's a place at your christmas table this year that
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  • Will be empty, that was filled with somebody last year.
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  • You've experienced the darkness of death or perhaps some other
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  • Darkness has invaded your life.
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  • And you're wondering, is christ's coming really what it
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  • Was built up to be?
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  • Is light the best representation of christ, considering the
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  • Darkness we're experiencing now?
  • 00:07:51.494 --> 00:07:55.231
  • When you look at some of our most familiar christmas songs,
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  • They use the motif of life.
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  • I think of our service we're having this afternoon.
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  • One of the most beautiful parts of that candlelight service is
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  • When all the lights are turned out and we hold up our candles
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  • And sing "silent night."
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  • Remember the third verse of that hymn: "silent night, holy night.
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  • Son of god, love's pure light.
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  • Radiant beams from thy holy face.
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  • With the dawn of redeeming grace.
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  • Jesus lord at thy birth, jesus lord at thy birth."
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  • You see light used to describe christ in some of the most
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  • Well-known passages of scripture.
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  • John uses that metaphor in john 1.
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  • Remember how he introduced jesus?
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  • He said in john 1:6 through 9: "there came a man sent from god,
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  • Whose name was john.
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  • He came as a witness, to testify about the light, that all might
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  • Believe through him.
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  • John was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.
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  • There was the true light which, coming into the world,
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  • Enlightens every man."
  • 00:09:07.536 --> 00:09:09.639
  • Jesus described himself this way in john 8:12: "i am the," what?
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  • "the light of the world; he who follows me shall not walk in the
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  • Darkness, but shall have the light of life."
  • 00:09:18.948 --> 00:09:22.184
  • And then in john 12:46, jesus said, "i have come as light into
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  • The world, so that everyone who believes in me will not remain
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  • In darkness."
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  • A number of years ago, i read an article by dr. robert russell
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  • And he discussed reasons that light was still an apt
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  • Description for jesus christ.
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  • I want to expand on those ideas for just a few moments
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  • This morning.
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  • Why is jesus the light of the world?
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  • Well, think about it.
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  • Light, first of all, commands our attention.
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  • Especially light in the darkness has a way of commanding
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  • Our attention.
  • 00:09:58.587 --> 00:09:59.955
  • And that's why when isaiah prophesied about the coming
  • 00:09:59.955 --> 00:10:02.591
  • Messiah 700 years before he came, listen to what he said in
  • 00:10:02.591 --> 00:10:06.362
  • Isaiah 9, verse 2: "the people walking in darkness have seen
  • 00:10:06.362 --> 00:10:11.500
  • A great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness,
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  • A light has dawned."
  • 00:10:16.939 --> 00:10:19.308
  • He was predicting that jesus, his arrival, would command
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  • Our attention.
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  • Jesus was born of a virgin, he was the son of god, and he still
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  • Defines history.
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  • And you know, as our church enters into a new year of
  • 00:10:33.589 --> 00:10:36.692
  • Ministry, a ministry that impacts not only the city of
  • 00:10:36.692 --> 00:10:41.063
  • Dallas and not only our nation, but the entire world, let's
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  • Remember, our mission is not to lift up a moral code.
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  • Our mission is not to lift up a political philosophy for people
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  • To embrace.
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  • We are lifting up a person, jesus christ, who said, "if i be
  • 00:10:55.511 --> 00:11:00.149
  • Lifted up, i will draw all men unto myself."
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  • Light commands our attention.
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  • Secondly, light reveals our flaws.
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  • Now, this is a part of light we don't like.
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  • It reveals our deficiencies.
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  • I mean, think about it.
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  • If you're going to have a romantic dinner with somebody,
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  • You have that dinner over candlelight, not over
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  • A floodlight.
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  • There are certain things you don't want accented, and it's
  • 00:11:24.507 --> 00:11:28.177
  • The same way, by the way, with criminals.
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  • If you're trying to protect your house, what do the police tell
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  • You to do?
  • 00:11:33.816 --> 00:11:35.184
  • Put lights everywhere because light repels the darkness.
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  • Light reveals sinister motives and actions, and jesus is
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  • A light.
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  • That doesn't appeal to everybody.
  • 00:11:45.261 --> 00:11:46.629
  • Have you ever wondered why it is people are turned off, they are
  • 00:11:46.629 --> 00:11:51.433
  • Repelled, by the gospel message and they hate the name of jesus?
  • 00:11:51.433 --> 00:11:56.405
  • In fact, i mean, think about it.
  • 00:11:56.405 --> 00:11:59.208
  • Have you ever heard anybody accidentally hit their thumb
  • 00:11:59.208 --> 00:12:01.544
  • With a hammer and say, "oh, my benjamin franklin," or "mahatma
  • 00:12:01.544 --> 00:12:07.349
  • Gandhi," "buddha, buddha, buddha"?
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  • No, there's one name they curse by: jesus christ.
  • 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:15.357
  • Why is that?
  • 00:12:15.357 --> 00:12:17.092
  • There are people who are repelled by the light of jesus.
  • 00:12:17.092 --> 00:12:20.696
  • They don't like their flaws being revealed.
  • 00:12:20.696 --> 00:12:23.499
  • Jesus is like a perfect straight ruler that reveals how crooked
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  • People's lives really are.
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  • And jesus predicted that, by the way, that some people would
  • 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:34.910
  • Choose to reject him.
  • 00:12:34.910 --> 00:12:36.812
  • In john 3, verses 19 and 20, jesus said, "this is the
  • 00:12:36.812 --> 00:12:40.416
  • Judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men
  • 00:12:40.416 --> 00:12:43.853
  • Loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds
  • 00:12:43.853 --> 00:12:47.423
  • Were evil.
  • 00:12:47.423 --> 00:12:48.757
  • For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to
  • 00:12:48.757 --> 00:12:52.761
  • The light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
  • 00:12:52.761 --> 00:12:57.199
  • Some people are drawn by the light, others are repelled
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  • By it.
  • 00:13:00.469 --> 00:13:01.804
  • You see that in the christmas story itself.
  • 00:13:01.804 --> 00:13:03.839
  • Turn over to matthew 2 for just a moment.
  • 00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:06.575
  • Here, you see two very distinct reactions to the coming
  • 00:13:06.575 --> 00:13:09.812
  • Of christ.
  • 00:13:09.812 --> 00:13:11.213
  • Matthew 2, verse 1: "now after jesus was born in bethlehem of
  • 00:13:11.213 --> 00:13:15.251
  • Judea in the days of herod the king, magi from the east,"
  • 00:13:15.251 --> 00:13:21.557
  • Probably persia, which is today's iran.
  • 00:13:21.557 --> 00:13:25.227
  • "magi from the east arrived in jerusalem, saying, 'where is he
  • 00:13:25.227 --> 00:13:29.565
  • Who has been born king of the jews?
  • 00:13:29.565 --> 00:13:31.767
  • For we saw his star in the east and we have come to
  • 00:13:31.767 --> 00:13:36.272
  • Worship him.'
  • 00:13:36.272 --> 00:13:37.606
  • And when herod heard this, he was troubled," literally, the
  • 00:13:37.606 --> 00:13:41.810
  • Word is stirred up, he was agitated, "and all jerusalem
  • 00:13:41.810 --> 00:13:47.116
  • With him."
  • 00:13:47.116 --> 00:13:49.051
  • When herod heard the news that jesus had been born, it
  • 00:13:49.051 --> 00:13:54.056
  • Bothered him.
  • 00:13:54.056 --> 00:13:55.524
  • He was paranoid anyway about somebody taking over his
  • 00:13:55.524 --> 00:13:58.961
  • Kingdom, and the idea that another king was on the scene
  • 00:13:58.961 --> 00:14:02.398
  • Bothered him greatly.
  • 00:14:02.398 --> 00:14:03.866
  • And remember what he said to the magi?
  • 00:14:03.866 --> 00:14:05.434
  • He said, "you go and find him, and when you find him, let me
  • 00:14:05.434 --> 00:14:09.338
  • Know where he is so that i might worship him as well."
  • 00:14:09.338 --> 00:14:14.476
  • Right.
  • 00:14:14.476 --> 00:14:16.445
  • His purpose in finding the light was to extinguish the light.
  • 00:14:16.445 --> 00:14:20.382
  • He had no desire to know the real jesus.
  • 00:14:20.382 --> 00:14:22.918
  • And that's why herod stumbled around in darkness for several
  • 00:14:22.918 --> 00:14:26.422
  • Years and died without ever finding him.
  • 00:14:26.422 --> 00:14:29.325
  • But contrast that to these magi.
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  • We call them the wise men from the east.
  • 00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:35.864
  • Something in them, god stirred up a desire in their heart to
  • 00:14:35.864 --> 00:14:41.103
  • Know the true god.
  • 00:14:41.103 --> 00:14:43.238
  • And their desire was so sincere that god sent a star to
  • 00:14:43.238 --> 00:14:47.109
  • Illuminate the way and to bring them to bethlehem to find jesus.
  • 00:14:47.109 --> 00:14:52.815
  • By the way, god does that for anybody.
  • 00:14:52.815 --> 00:14:56.185
  • When god senses a heart that truly wants to know him, god
  • 00:14:56.185 --> 00:15:01.557
  • Will move heaven and earth to make sure that person finds him.
  • 00:15:01.557 --> 00:15:05.461
  • Jeremiah 29:13, god says, "and you will seek me and find me
  • 00:15:05.461 --> 00:15:10.132
  • When you search for me with all of your heart."
  • 00:15:10.132 --> 00:15:13.869
  • If you really wanna know god, god will lead you to the same
  • 00:15:13.869 --> 00:15:17.873
  • Place that he led the wise men, to the feet of jesus christ.
  • 00:15:17.873 --> 00:15:23.545
  • He is our way to god.
  • 00:15:23.545 --> 00:15:25.614
  • And that's why light is so powerful.
  • 00:15:25.614 --> 00:15:27.783
  • Light reveals our flaws.
  • 00:15:27.783 --> 00:15:30.686
  • It repels those who don't want to know god, but it draws those
  • 00:15:30.686 --> 00:15:34.957
  • Who want to know god.
  • 00:15:34.957 --> 00:15:36.892
  • There's a third similarity between light and jesus christ.
  • 00:15:36.892 --> 00:15:41.530
  • Light overpowers our darkness.
  • 00:15:41.530 --> 00:15:45.034
  • Yes, there is a time that it seems like darkness overpowers
  • 00:15:45.034 --> 00:15:48.370
  • The light, but eventually light overpowers the darkness.
  • 00:15:48.370 --> 00:15:52.741
  • In ephesians 6, verse 12, which we're gonna look at next month
  • 00:15:52.741 --> 00:15:56.145
  • When we resume our ephesians series.
  • 00:15:56.145 --> 00:15:58.881
  • No, i haven't forgotten about ephesians.
  • 00:15:58.881 --> 00:16:00.983
  • We're coming back to it next month.
  • 00:16:00.983 --> 00:16:03.452
  • But listen to chapter 6, verse 12.
  • 00:16:03.452 --> 00:16:05.654
  • Paul gives us an analysis of every problem you're facing in
  • 00:16:05.654 --> 00:16:10.559
  • Your life right now.
  • 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:11.927
  • Paul says, "for our struggle," life is a struggle, isn't it?
  • 00:16:11.927 --> 00:16:16.732
  • "our struggle is not against flesh and blood."
  • 00:16:16.732 --> 00:16:19.601
  • That is, it's not against other people, "but it's against the
  • 00:16:19.601 --> 00:16:22.438
  • Rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of
  • 00:16:22.438 --> 00:16:26.875
  • This," what?
  • 00:16:26.875 --> 00:16:28.243
  • "darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the
  • 00:16:28.243 --> 00:16:32.381
  • Heavenly places."
  • 00:16:32.381 --> 00:16:34.850
  • There's a battle going on right now between the forces of
  • 00:16:34.850 --> 00:16:39.621
  • Darkness and the forces of light, between the kingdom of
  • 00:16:39.621 --> 00:16:42.691
  • Satan and the kingdom of god.
  • 00:16:42.691 --> 00:16:44.860
  • And it seems like at times that darkness is winning out.
  • 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:50.399
  • Maybe some of you here, some of you watching, are having a hard
  • 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:54.603
  • Time entering into the festivities of christmas
  • 00:16:54.603 --> 00:16:57.172
  • This year.
  • 00:16:57.172 --> 00:16:58.540
  • You've experienced darkness.
  • 00:16:58.540 --> 00:17:00.909
  • The darkness of death of a loved one has touched your life
  • 00:17:00.909 --> 00:17:04.746
  • This year.
  • 00:17:04.746 --> 00:17:06.315
  • Maybe you have the uncertainty of a financial difficulty you're
  • 00:17:06.315 --> 00:17:10.752
  • Experiencing, or a health concern.
  • 00:17:10.752 --> 00:17:13.722
  • Maybe your darkness is due to a child or a grandchild who has
  • 00:17:13.722 --> 00:17:19.328
  • Wandered away from you and wandered away from god.
  • 00:17:19.328 --> 00:17:23.232
  • In the battle between light and darkness, it seems like darkness
  • 00:17:23.232 --> 00:17:26.635
  • Is winning because darkness is winning, for now.
  • 00:17:26.635 --> 00:17:31.473
  • But it won't always be that way.
  • 00:17:31.473 --> 00:17:34.343
  • A day comes when the light overcomes the darkness.
  • 00:17:34.343 --> 00:17:37.813
  • Just think about the disciples themselves.
  • 00:17:37.813 --> 00:17:41.750
  • That friday afternoon we call good friday was a dark,
  • 00:17:41.750 --> 00:17:45.420
  • Dark day.
  • 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:47.022
  • Jesus had just been crucified, his body placed in the tomb.
  • 00:17:47.022 --> 00:17:51.126
  • The disciples' dreams of a kingdom had been dashed.
  • 00:17:51.126 --> 00:17:55.030
  • They had never been lower than they were friday evening.
  • 00:17:55.030 --> 00:17:59.134
  • But 3 days later, that easter sunday began to dawn and an
  • 00:17:59.134 --> 00:18:04.973
  • Angel appeared.
  • 00:18:04.973 --> 00:18:06.341
  • His appearance was like lightning, the bible says, and
  • 00:18:06.341 --> 00:18:09.778
  • The light of that angel's power illuminated the tomb and raised
  • 00:18:09.778 --> 00:18:14.082
  • Jesus christ from the dead.
  • 00:18:14.082 --> 00:18:16.785
  • And the darkness of death was eclipsed by the light of
  • 00:18:16.785 --> 00:18:20.022
  • God's power.
  • 00:18:20.022 --> 00:18:21.356
  • And that same power will rid your light of--life of
  • 00:18:21.356 --> 00:18:24.793
  • Darkness as well.
  • 00:18:24.793 --> 00:18:26.128
  • Light eventually overcomes the darkness.
  • 00:18:26.128 --> 00:18:29.565
  • That is the promise for every follower of jesus christ.
  • 00:18:29.565 --> 00:18:35.170
  • And finally, light offers us direction.
  • 00:18:35.170 --> 00:18:39.675
  • That's why it's such a good description of jesus: light
  • 00:18:39.675 --> 00:18:42.411
  • Offers us direction.
  • 00:18:42.411 --> 00:18:44.012
  • Now, think about this with me for a moment.
  • 00:18:44.012 --> 00:18:45.948
  • Imagine the captain of a giant jumbo jetliner weighing hundreds
  • 00:18:45.948 --> 00:18:51.453
  • Of thousands of pounds.
  • 00:18:51.453 --> 00:18:53.322
  • He's trying to land that airplane in the midst of a
  • 00:18:53.322 --> 00:18:56.992
  • Driving rainstorm at night.
  • 00:18:56.992 --> 00:19:00.162
  • There's only one place he can safely land the plane, that
  • 00:19:00.162 --> 00:19:03.599
  • Strip of concrete in the darkness.
  • 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:06.201
  • How does he find that place of safety?
  • 00:19:06.201 --> 00:19:09.605
  • There are lights on that runway that shine, that blink,
  • 00:19:09.605 --> 00:19:14.376
  • Motioning for him to come to this place of safety.
  • 00:19:14.376 --> 00:19:19.014
  • It's the same for us.
  • 00:19:19.014 --> 00:19:21.116
  • How can we ever navigate successfully through the
  • 00:19:21.116 --> 00:19:25.153
  • Darkness, the uncertainty of this life, with all kind of
  • 00:19:25.153 --> 00:19:29.491
  • Surprises that come our way and disappointments, and how can we
  • 00:19:29.491 --> 00:19:34.296
  • Ever hope to navigate our way through the darkness
  • 00:19:34.296 --> 00:19:37.766
  • Of eternity?
  • 00:19:37.766 --> 00:19:39.334
  • Jesus said, "i am the way.
  • 00:19:39.334 --> 00:19:42.371
  • I'm the way.
  • 00:19:42.371 --> 00:19:44.106
  • I am the way, the truth, and the life.
  • 00:19:44.106 --> 00:19:47.476
  • No man comes to the father, but by me."
  • 00:19:47.476 --> 00:19:50.445
  • We need jesus to lead us safely through this life and safely
  • 00:19:50.445 --> 00:19:56.218
  • Into his presence in all of eternity.
  • 00:19:56.218 --> 00:19:59.321
  • You probably, some of you, recognize the name of
  • 00:19:59.321 --> 00:20:03.292
  • Paul harvey.
  • 00:20:03.292 --> 00:20:05.227
  • Paul harvey was the most successful radio commentator on
  • 00:20:05.227 --> 00:20:10.032
  • The radio on "abc news."
  • 00:20:10.032 --> 00:20:12.000
  • He was also a christian.
  • 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.603
  • He once came and spoke at our church, and he said, when he
  • 00:20:14.603 --> 00:20:20.509
  • Talked to our church, that many times through the years, when
  • 00:20:20.509 --> 00:20:23.979
  • His travels brought him to dallas, he sat on the back row
  • 00:20:23.979 --> 00:20:27.649
  • Of the old sanctuary of our church and participated
  • 00:20:27.649 --> 00:20:32.187
  • In worship.
  • 00:20:32.187 --> 00:20:33.555
  • He was a very devoted christian, and every year, every year
  • 00:20:33.555 --> 00:20:37.459
  • Without fail, on the day closest to christmas, he would use the
  • 00:20:37.459 --> 00:20:41.930
  • Same story about the meaning of christmas.
  • 00:20:41.930 --> 00:20:45.801
  • The story was about an old farmer who had become jaded in
  • 00:20:45.801 --> 00:20:49.705
  • His christian faith.
  • 00:20:49.705 --> 00:20:51.606
  • He had isolated himself from his friends and family members.
  • 00:20:51.606 --> 00:20:56.011
  • He was all alone one evening, when one raw winter night, the
  • 00:20:56.011 --> 00:21:01.249
  • Farmer heard an irregular thumping sound against the
  • 00:21:01.249 --> 00:21:04.319
  • Kitchen storm door.
  • 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:06.421
  • He went to a window and watched as tiny shivering sparrows,
  • 00:21:06.421 --> 00:21:11.026
  • Attracted to the evident warmth inside, beat in vain against
  • 00:21:11.026 --> 00:21:15.731
  • The glass.
  • 00:21:15.731 --> 00:21:17.132
  • Touched, the farmer bundled up and trudged through fresh snow
  • 00:21:17.132 --> 00:21:21.136
  • To open the barn for the struggling birds.
  • 00:21:21.136 --> 00:21:24.573
  • He turned on the lights, tossed some hay in the corner and
  • 00:21:24.573 --> 00:21:28.043
  • Sprinkled a trail of saltine crackers to direct them to
  • 00:21:28.043 --> 00:21:31.580
  • The barn.
  • 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.948
  • But the sparrows which had scattered in all directions when
  • 00:21:32.948 --> 00:21:36.284
  • He emerged from the house, still hid in the darkness, afraid
  • 00:21:36.284 --> 00:21:40.322
  • Of him.
  • 00:21:40.322 --> 00:21:41.690
  • He tried various tactics, circling behind the birds to
  • 00:21:41.690 --> 00:21:45.560
  • Drive them toward the barn, tossing cracker crumbs in the
  • 00:21:45.560 --> 00:21:49.064
  • Air toward them, retreating to his house to see if they would
  • 00:21:49.064 --> 00:21:52.901
  • Flutter into the barn on their own, but nothing worked.
  • 00:21:52.901 --> 00:21:57.272
  • He, a huge alien creature, had terrified the birds.
  • 00:21:57.272 --> 00:22:02.310
  • They couldn't understand that he actually wanted to help them.
  • 00:22:02.310 --> 00:22:06.515
  • He withdrew to his house and watched the doomed sparrows
  • 00:22:06.515 --> 00:22:10.118
  • Through a window.
  • 00:22:10.118 --> 00:22:11.853
  • As he stared, a thought hit him like a lightning bolt
  • 00:22:11.853 --> 00:22:14.756
  • From heaven.
  • 00:22:14.756 --> 00:22:16.158
  • If only i could become a bird, one of them, just for a moment,
  • 00:22:16.158 --> 00:22:21.229
  • Then i wouldn't frighten them so i could show them the way to
  • 00:22:21.229 --> 00:22:24.599
  • Warmth and safety.
  • 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:27.369
  • At the same moment, another thought dawned on him.
  • 00:22:27.369 --> 00:22:31.606
  • He had grasped the whole meaning of the incarnation.
  • 00:22:31.606 --> 00:22:38.013
  • "have this attitude in yourselves, which was in christ
  • 00:22:38.013 --> 00:22:42.851
  • Jesus who, although he existed in the form of god, he didn't
  • 00:22:42.851 --> 00:22:48.423
  • Regard his equality with god a thing to be grasped, held on to,
  • 00:22:48.423 --> 00:22:53.829
  • But he emptied himself and, taking on the appearance of a
  • 00:22:53.829 --> 00:22:57.732
  • Man, he became obedience to the point of death, even death on
  • 00:22:57.732 --> 00:23:03.138
  • A cross."
  • 00:23:03.138 --> 00:23:05.240
  • Ladies and gentlemen, jesus christ did not just point us to
  • 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:09.511
  • The way to god.
  • 00:23:09.511 --> 00:23:10.846
  • He is the way to god.
  • 00:23:10.846 --> 00:23:13.982
  • "i am the way, the truth, and the life.
  • 00:23:13.982 --> 00:23:17.886
  • No man comes to the father except through me."
  • 00:23:17.886 --> 00:23:21.490
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:23:21.490 --> 00:23:26.528
  • Jeffress: do you know for certain that when you die,
  • 00:23:26.595 --> 00:23:29.064
  • You'll be welcomed into heaven with open arms?
  • 00:23:29.064 --> 00:23:32.000
  • There's only one way and that's through jesus christ that we can
  • 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:35.670
  • Be assured of heaven.
  • 00:23:35.670 --> 00:23:37.205
  • Today, as we talk about christmas gifts, receiving them
  • 00:23:37.205 --> 00:23:41.142
  • And giving them, i pray you receive the greatest gift of
  • 00:23:41.142 --> 00:23:45.113
  • All: the gift of god's forgiveness.
  • 00:23:45.113 --> 00:23:48.383
  • Well, it's christmas day and, as you make plans to support your
  • 00:23:48.383 --> 00:23:51.953
  • Local church and favorite christian ministries, i want you
  • 00:23:51.953 --> 00:23:55.557
  • To know that there's still time to participate in the "pathway
  • 00:23:55.557 --> 00:23:59.094
  • To victory" light the darkness matching challenge.
  • 00:23:59.094 --> 00:24:02.230
  • Every dollar given will be matched and therefore doubled in
  • 00:24:02.230 --> 00:24:05.800
  • Impact, until we reach the goal of $1.5 million.
  • 00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:10.972
  • So be sure to take down our contact information so that you
  • 00:24:10.972 --> 00:24:14.309
  • Can participate in this wonderful matching challenge.
  • 00:24:14.309 --> 00:24:18.046
  • Your generous year-end gift will empower "pathway to victory" to
  • 00:24:18.046 --> 00:24:22.217
  • Shine the light of god's word through radio, television,
  • 00:24:22.217 --> 00:24:26.087
  • Digital streaming, and print media, reaching our nation and
  • 00:24:26.087 --> 00:24:30.425
  • World with the life-changing gospel of jesus christ.
  • 00:24:30.425 --> 00:24:34.596
  • Now stay right there.
  • 00:24:34.596 --> 00:24:35.964
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:35.964 --> 00:24:41.236
  • Announcer: the one thing god wants more than anything else in
  • 00:24:41.236 --> 00:24:43.872
  • This world is time with you.
  • 00:24:43.872 --> 00:24:46.441
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time in his
  • 00:24:46.441 --> 00:24:49.578
  • Word with the brand-new "2025 pathway to victory
  • 00:24:49.578 --> 00:24:52.914
  • Daily devotional."
  • 00:24:52.914 --> 00:24:54.282
  • This year's devotional has a beautiful navy blue leather
  • 00:24:54.282 --> 00:24:56.818
  • Cover with inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
  • 00:24:56.818 --> 00:24:59.454
  • And now with larger print, the 260 practical insights from dr.
  • 00:24:59.454 --> 00:25:03.458
  • Robert jeffress are easier to read.
  • 00:25:03.458 --> 00:25:05.460
  • This stunning 532-page devotional makes an ideal
  • 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:09.030
  • Christmas gift for loved ones who want to grow
  • 00:25:09.030 --> 00:25:10.999
  • In their faith too.
  • 00:25:10.999 --> 00:25:12.334
  • Jeffress: of all the ways god could have revealed himself to
  • 00:25:12.334 --> 00:25:15.370
  • Us, he chose to do it through the written word.
  • 00:25:15.370 --> 00:25:18.907
  • And that's why it's so important for you and for me to set aside
  • 00:25:18.907 --> 00:25:22.043
  • Regular time to read the word of god.
  • 00:25:22.043 --> 00:25:25.747
  • Announcer: every season carries an uplifting theme.
  • 00:25:25.747 --> 00:25:28.617
  • Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
  • 00:25:28.617 --> 00:25:33.154
  • In spring and summer, grow stronger in christ with insights
  • 00:25:33.154 --> 00:25:36.091
  • From colossians.
  • 00:25:36.091 --> 00:25:37.459
  • And in the fall and winter, embrace the father who loves you
  • 00:25:37.459 --> 00:25:40.695
  • With inspirational readings based on the parable of the
  • 00:25:40.695 --> 00:25:43.431
  • Prodigal son.
  • 00:25:43.431 --> 00:25:45.200
  • When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming, take a
  • 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:48.603
  • Moment to anchor yourself in the calming truth of god's word with
  • 00:25:48.603 --> 00:25:52.073
  • The brand-new "2025 pathway to victory daily devotional."
  • 00:25:52.073 --> 00:25:56.277
  • Your gift of support not only provides you with this
  • 00:25:56.277 --> 00:25:59.314
  • Life-giving resource, it empowers us to spread the
  • 00:25:59.314 --> 00:26:02.350
  • Hope-filled message of jesus christ as well.
  • 00:26:02.350 --> 00:26:04.886
  • Thank you for supporting the ministry of "pathway
  • 00:26:04.886 --> 00:26:07.822
  • To victory."
  • 00:26:07.822 --> 00:26:09.357
  • Jeffress: perhaps you feel like you're being smothered in
  • 00:26:11.292 --> 00:26:13.795
  • Darkness right now.
  • 00:26:13.795 --> 00:26:15.330
  • Friends, jesus never promised to illuminate everything that's
  • 00:26:15.330 --> 00:26:19.668
  • Going to happen in the future, but he has promised that he will
  • 00:26:19.668 --> 00:26:23.605
  • Never leave you, nor forsake you.
  • 00:26:23.605 --> 00:26:26.474
  • And like a lamp to your path, he will show you the next step
  • 00:26:26.474 --> 00:26:30.311
  • Forward you need to take.
  • 00:26:30.311 --> 00:26:32.881
  • Well, you would think that the perfect son of god wouldn't be
  • 00:26:32.881 --> 00:26:35.950
  • Caught wasting his time with sinners.
  • 00:26:35.950 --> 00:26:38.653
  • Yet jesus spent most of his time with lepers, adulterers,
  • 00:26:38.653 --> 00:26:42.524
  • Drunkards, and idolaters, and he reserved his harshest criticism
  • 00:26:42.524 --> 00:26:47.562
  • For the religious establishment of his day.
  • 00:26:47.562 --> 00:26:50.732
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next on
  • 00:26:50.732 --> 00:26:53.835
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:53.835 --> 00:26:56.337
  • Jeffress: just because other christians may have the freedom
  • 00:26:56.337 --> 00:26:58.373
  • To do something, god may say, "you know what?
  • 00:26:58.373 --> 00:27:01.042
  • I know you, i made you.
  • 00:27:01.042 --> 00:27:02.577
  • This would be too much of a temptation to you that might
  • 00:27:02.577 --> 00:27:04.813
  • Lead to something else."
  • 00:27:04.813 --> 00:27:06.181
  • Somebody has said that conscience is that internal
  • 00:27:06.181 --> 00:27:08.783
  • Warning system that god puts in each one of us that keeps us out
  • 00:27:08.783 --> 00:27:12.921
  • Of places we should not be.
  • 00:27:12.921 --> 00:27:14.622
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:27:14.622 --> 00:27:17.659
  • "jesus and the party poopers," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:27.335