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Now, here's today's podcast, From Pathway to Victory. Hi, this is Robert Jeffers, and I'm glad to study God's Word with you every day on this Bible teaching program. On today's edition of Pathway to Victory, we've got to be willing to argue God's point of view in the public square, but to do that, We also have to be equipped to do so. Think about Paul. When he went to Mars Hill to engage in a public arena, He came to arm not just with scripture.
but also with compelling reasoning and logic. Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress. You know, Jesus clearly stated, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Yet Christians are being typecast as hateful and intolerant for teaching the exclusive claims of Christ. Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress presents a message from his series, Not All Roads Lead to Heaven. But first, let's take a moment to hear some important ministry updates. Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory.
This year marks a milestone I don't take for granted. Did you realize that Pathway to Victory is celebrating 30 years of ministry? You may ask, why is this such a big deal?
Well, it means that for three decades, through five presidential administrations, September 11th, a global pandemic, and more, this broadcast has never gone silent, and the message has never changed. When the world keeps shifting under your feet, there's something steadying about a voice you can count on to open the Bible and tell you the truth. That's what we've tried to be for you. In concert with our anniversary, I've reached the age of 70, and through it all, I find myself thinking about the days God has given each of us and how quickly they pass. That's why I've written a brand new book for you.
It's called Seven Lessons from My 70 Years. And it's more like a journal than a book. It contains seven deeply personal lessons the Lord has taught me across a lifetime of walking with Him, along with some nostalgic pictures. These lessons have made a profound difference in my life, and I'm confident they can in yours as well. I'd love to place a copy in your hands when you give a special 30th anniversary gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory.
This week, in honor of our 30th anniversary, I I've chosen to share one of the most important and most impactful sequence of messages ever shared on Pathway to Victory. They come from the series called Not All Roads Lead to Heaven. To get us started, today we're going to clearly identify Christianity's most offensive belief. Conservative Christians have lost the battle. over homosexual marriage.
Not only in the Supreme Court, but in the court of public opinion. A recent Pew Religion Forum revealed that 58% of young evangelical Christians support some kind of legal recognition of homosexual partnerships. How do you explain that? How do you explain the doubling of the number of Americans who accept this and the rise in the number of Christians who accept this? Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York City on Meet the Press not long ago explained it this way.
He said, The church has been out-marketed on the issue of gay marriage. But that's just one example. of how we're losing the battle for biblical truth. My real purpose today is not to talk about gay marriage, it is to talk about another. An even more foundational issue.
We're in danger of surrendering. Right now, Christians, conservative Christians, are waffling and wavering on the foundational belief of all Christianity, and that is that salvation is available only to those who trust in Christ as Savior. Waffling on that issue, Pastor, surely you're exaggerating. No. In 2008, a poll of 35,000 Americans revealed that 57% Of evangelical Christians believe that many religions, not just Christianity, many religions lead to eternal life.
Why are we losing this battle for the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation? It's for the same reason we've lost the homosexual marriage debate. We have been outthought, out-argued, and out-marketed on this issue. Let's take a moment and look at each of these points. First of all, we are being outthought.
on the issue of exclusivity. This issue that we're talking about in this series, Not All Roads Lead to Heaven, this issue is ground zero. For the larger battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. I say it's ground zero because it is the heart Of everything God is trying to do and everything Satan is trying to do. You see, the eternal issue for mankind is: will you accept God's way of forgiveness through Christ?
Or will you try to find or manufacture your own way to God?
Now, listen to me on this. Because we were created as spiritual beings, we all have this desire to be reconciled to God. And Satan knows that. And that's why Satan doesn't hate religion, he loves religion. Because it appeals to man's inborn desire to be reconciled to God.
So, what does Satan do? He uses religion as a way of deceiving people away from the true way of knowing God. What I'm saying to you is, this battle for the exclusivity of Christ. Is really ground zero of the battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. You do understand we're in a battle, don't you?
Most people don't understand that. Most people don't understand the spiritual battle that we're in. Martin Lloyd-Jones wrote years ago. Not to realize that you are in a conflict means one thing only, and that is that you are so hopelessly defeated and so knocked out, as it were, that you don't even know it. You are completely defeated by the devil.
Anyone who is not aware of a fight and a conflict in a spiritual sense. is in a drugged and a hazardous condition. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, Paul said, but against the unseen forces of wickedness in the spiritual places. We are Being outfought in this issue. But even those who accept the fact that this is an important issue.
And they want to enter into the fight. They do want to fight for the exclusivity of Christ. They're losing the battle because, frankly, we are being out-argued in this issue as well. We're being out-argued by the world. You know, sometimes people wonder why I spend time and effort in the secular media.
Uh I think about an associate of the late Jerry Falwell who once told me this story. He said one time he was with Dr. Falwell, who was always giving interviews in the secular media, and this had been a particularly tough one. And after the interview, Dr. Falwell got back in the car with his associate, and they were going back to the church.
And the associate said, Dr. Falwell, why do you subject yourself to that? Why do you spend time doing this? Why do you let people beat up on you in the media like that? And Jerry smiled as he always does, and he said, just think about it.
I got four minutes to share biblical truth with millions of people, and it didn't cost us a cent to do it. Then that good, in that wise. You'd have to be an imbecile not to take advantage of those opportunities to share God's truth. We've got to present God's truth because, quite frankly, the Christian message is being distorted by the media today. Is being distorted by liberals.
For example, The issue of the sanctity of life has been turned into a war on women's health. Or the conviction that marriage should be between one man and one woman has been twisted into some kind of hatred toward homosexuals. The belief in religious freedom of expression has been perverted into the oppression of other religions. The good news that Christ has offered a way of forgiveness to everybody who believes in Christ. Has been twisted into a message of intolerance and condemnation of sincere followers of other faiths.
We've got to be willing to argue God's point of view in the public square, but to do that, We also have to be equipped to do so. Think about Paul. When he went to Mars Hill to engage in a public arena, He came to arm not just with scripture. but also with compelling reasoning and logic. and vivid illustrations.
To undergird those logical points. And I believe we're going to have to do the same if we are going to win this argument in the public square. You know, in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 20, Paul said. We are ambassadors. for Christ.
As though God Himself were speaking through us and begging others to be reconciled to God. Folks, hear me on this again. God left you here for one reason. It's not just pastors and missionaries that are ambassadors for Christ. We are ambassadors for Christ.
We are God's mouthpieces in this world. You are the final link between God and a long chain of events to another person to voice the gospel message to that person. And that's why he's left us here, to be able to share that message. We are God's representatives here on earth. But if we're going to be effective in that assignment, we have to know what the message is.
We have to be prepared to share that message. And that's what this series is designed to do: to give you the resources you need to be that ambassador for Christ. Thank you. Not only are we being outbought and out-argued, we're being out-marketed on this issue of exclusivity. You know, in Ephesians 2.2.
When Paul describes Satan As the prince Of the power of the air. I've often wondered if Paul had in mind what Ann Sweeney. The president of Disney ABC Television, I wonder if he had in mind what Ann Sweeney referred to as the most powerful medium in the world. television. You know, Satan is the prince of the power of the air.
What does that mean? Could that be a reference to television? It's a very powerful medium. But let me tell you, When it comes to the issue of spirituality, The message that is coming from television is one that is not sympathetic, it is antagonistic. For the idea that there is only one way to be saved, and that's through faith in Jesus Christ.
If you don't believe that, consider the words of one media titan, Oprah Winfrey, who is still a powerful, powerful force in media. She absolutely rejects any idea that there is one way to God. Winfrey said recently: quote, one of the biggest mistakes humans make is to believe there is only one way. Actually, there are many diverse paths leading to what you call God. And Ophra Winfrey and her multi-billion dollar empire is just one influence in media.
Not only in television, but radio, movies, print, the internet, all spewing forth the lie that there are many ways to God other than faith in Christ. And it's true that Christians are trying to utilize the media as well. to voice opposition to that message of Inclusivism, we're trying to drown it out. Frankly, It's impossible for us to drown it out. It's impossible for us to drown it out.
You cannot compete with the secular media. The good news is We don't have to. Because you see, this battle for exclusivity. is not an air war. It's a ground war.
You see, more than 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ entrusted that message that He is the way of salvation to 12 people. And they took that message and they spread it to others, who spread it to others, who spread it to others. And 2,000 years later, that message is still going stronger than ever: that Christ is the only way to God. This is A ground war. God's plan is to equip people just like you with that message to take to the uttermost parts of the world.
Now, please don't misunderstand. I'm not saying utilizing media isn't important. Our church places a lot of emphasis on television and radio and the internet, and we are having fantastic. Results. Friday night and Saturday, I was in Minneapolis, Minnesota, preaching at a Bible prophecy conference.
5,000 people were there. They came from Florida. They came from Illinois. They came from Arkansas. They came from Dallas.
They came from all over. And the majority of those who were there were there because they have heard Pathway to Victory on radio or watched it on television. I know that because I personally stood in line and talked to over 1,100 of those conference attendees. And I wish you could have heard the stories they shared with me about what our ministry means to them. I heard stories, individuals who said, I was driving in the radio and I heard the broadcast.
I pulled the car off to the side of the road and I bowed my head and prayed to receive Christ as Savior. Other people in their homes telling that story about watching television. We heard those kind of stories from unbelievers who became Christian, but the vast majority of the stories I heard yesterday were Christians. Who said, Thank you for giving us the spiritual food we need and the resources we need to go out and share the message of Christ with other people. One man who stopped me said he had driven to the conference from Chicago.
He was a railroad engineer. And he said because of his job, he only got to go to church two times a year. But every day he listened to Pathway to Victory on Sirius XM Radio and he got the message. He said, You have become my church. Thank you for this broadcast.
You see, that's the reason we're really involved in media. Yes, we want to win unbelievers, and we hear it all the time. But the real goal of our ministry is to equip the saints for the work of service. To the building up of the body of Christ. And that's what Ephesians 4:12 says.
The plan is to equip the saints, that's you for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. You see, God wants you to be equipped. Students listening to me, He wants you to be equipped so you can go into that classroom debate. And logically argue and present why Christ is the only way to salvation. Workers, he wants you to be able to go into that break room in your business and have a conversation with other people.
He wants you to be able to articulate with that religious. Family member or friend who doesn't know Christ about why Christ is the only way to be saved. That is God's plan for getting this message out. It is a ground war.
Now, if we're going to be successful in doing what God has called us to do, we need two resources to effectively market the gospel. Write them down. First of all, we need to be equipped with compelling reasoning. Compelling reasoning. How do we get equipped to do that?
Well, certainly with the word of God. Nothing's more powerful than the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is living. It's active, it's sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and it's able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. But it's not enough to just spout off Bible verses to people.
Look again at the example of Paul. He didn't just quote Bible verses. He used the word of God. But he also explained the word of God. He was able to come up with those logical arguments that flow out of scripture.
He was able to use interesting illustrations to drive home the point about why Christ is the only way to be saved. And that's the purpose of this series: Not All Roads Lead to Heaven. We're not going to give you just a bunch of Bible verses. We're going to give you some logical arguments you can use with people, some compelling illustrations to communicate that eternal message of salvation. If we're going to be effective foot soldiers for Christ, we need compelling reasoning.
Secondly, we need an unwavering resolve. to share this message. The pressure to compromise is more intense today than it's ever been. I remember more than 40 years ago. I was a student at Richardson High School, and I was president of the student council.
And so one of my duties was to lead the prayer at the first football game of the season. And so that particular game, we were playing a Dallas school that had a very large. Jewish population. And so the school officials pulled me aside. I don't know why they would single me out, but they said, you know, Robert, we've got a lot of Jewish people who are going to be in the stadium tonight.
So in your prayer, please do not say, in Jesus' name. That would be offensive to many people here tonight, so please don't say that.
Well Not long before that, I had dedicated my life to being a pastor. And so it took me about five seconds to think that through. And I said, you know what? If I'm going to begin my ministry, By compromising And the nine The only name under heaven by which we can be saved, I don't have any reason being in the ministry. I might as well just give it up right now.
And so you can imagine how I prayed that night. It was with Billy Graham evangelistic fervor that night. But you know, since that time I've seen that pressure to compromise on that issue. intensify and intensify, not just on me. but on every one of you.
You've felt that pressure before, haven't you? You feel it when you consider closing a public prayer in And in your name, we pray, instead of Jesus' name, not wanting to offend people of different faiths. You experience that pressure when you're reluctant to insist in a conversation with a friend, family member at school or at work that. Those who don't trust in Christ. Are destined to an eternity in hell.
You feel that pressure to compromise when you're hesitant to go too deep in a conversation with a religious friend or religious family member about their need to trust in Christ, reasoning, well, they're from a different denomination, a different belief system. I don't want to appear condemning. We're being bullied by those outside the faith. We are being badgered by those inside the faith. To be more inclusive.
In our belief system. You know, there's a story that is often told about a Catholic priest and a Protestant Army chaplain. Who served together side by side in Italy during the First World War? And in the midst of the war, the Protestant chaplain was killed. His friend, the Catholic priest, was heartbroken over his death and wanted to honor him by having him buried in the cemetery behind the Catholic priest's church.
Catholic protocol didn't allow for a Protestant to be buried there, so the priest interceded for his friend and said, Would it be possible for us to bury this Protestant chaplain behind our church? The official said no. And so the priest took the body of his friend and buried it just outside the fence around the cemetery. Years later, A friend of that Protestant chaplain came to Italy to visit the grave of his friend. He found the Catholic priest very old by now and asked if he could see the grave of his friend.
And so the priest took him to the grave, but The friend noticed it was inside the fence. The friend was very appreciative, and he said, Well, I'm so glad to see that you finally got permission. to move the body. The priest said, Oh, I didn't move the body. I moved the fence and said Don't miss the point.
The fact is you and I are being told we need to move the fence of salvation. We're being told that we need to be more broad and inclusive in the people that we're going to allow into heaven. Let's just move the fence. and be more inclusive. The only problem is We don't have the authority.
or the ability to move that fence. God has established that fence. He has established of who can enter into heaven. And Jesus said in Matthew 7, 14, the gate is small. and a way is narrow that leads to life.
And pew. are those who find it. Uh People sincerely struggle with the narrow path to God. But the answer doesn't come by moving the fence or twisting God's plan into something we prefer. The answer lies in aligning our heart with God's and accepting his loving invitation to join his forever family.
I'm so excited about this special four-day series. I'm also thrilled to describe a brand new book I've written for you. It's called 7 Lessons from My 70 Years. The subtitle is How You Can Make the Most of Your Life. It's a quick read, less than 120 pages, but it's full of biblical wisdom that has shaped my whole life.
And it's the perfect book to pass along to an adult son, daughter, or grandchild. I'd love to send you a copy when you give a special 30th anniversary gift to Pathway to Victory. Again, it's called 7 Lessons from My 70 Years. Then, with your gift, Perhaps you're prepared to become one of our valued pathway partners. A pathway partner is someone who agrees to give a monthly automated gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory.
In this simple expression of generosity, you'll be carrying the gospel to men and women across our country who might not otherwise hear the good news about Jesus.
So, thanks so much for stepping forward as a pathway partner. Here's David to explain how to get in touch. Today, when you give a generous gift to support the Ministry of Pathway to Victory, you're invited to request Dr. Jeffress's brand new book, Seven Lessons from My 70 Years. Call 866-999-2965, visit ptv.org, or text PTV to 78800.
And in celebration of 30 years of ministry, we've gathered Dr. Jeffers' most requested messages from the past three decades into a complete teaching series called Truth You Can Trust. And we'll send it to you on DVD video and MP3 format audio disc. And that's as a thank you for your especially generous gift of $75 or more. One more time, call 866-999-2965 or make your request online at ptv.org.
You could write to PO Box 223-609-Dallas, Texas 75222. That's P.O. Box 223-609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. I'm David J. Mullins.
If you were to ask someone if they think they're a good person, they'd probably say, well, yes. But just because you try to be good doesn't mean you are good. Learn how to avoid the way of Cain. That's Wednesday on Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory with Dr.
Robert Jeffers comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. The Apostle Paul sailed these waters, walked these streets, and the church was never the same. I'm inviting you to follow in Paul's footsteps on the Pathway to Victory Journeys of Paul cruise through the stunning Greek islands, into ancient Ephesus, and many other destinations as well. This is purposeful travel at its finest. Set sail May 14, 2027.
Call 888-280-6747 or visit btv.org. You made it to the end of today's podcast from Pathway to Victory, and we're so glad you're here. Pathway to Victory relies on the generosity of loyal listeners like you to make this podcast possible. One of the most impactful ways you can give is by becoming a Pathway Partner. Your monthly gift will empower Pathway to Victory to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and help others become rooted more firmly in His Word.
To become a Pathway Partner, go to ptv.org/slash donate, or you can follow the link in our show notes. We hope you've been blessed by today's podcast from Pathway to Victory. Oh, and one last thing before we go: don't forget to reserve your spot on the 2027 Journeys of Paul Mediterranean cruise. You've heard me and Dr. Jeffers talk about it, and cabins are going quickly.
Just picture yourself aboard the beautiful celebrity Infinity sailing round trip from Athens, standing where the Apostle Paul stood in Ephesus, and taking in the breathtaking Greek islands. Nine unforgettable nights with stops in Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, and more. Every meal prepared, every detail taken care of, plus fellowship with like-minded believers. There's also an optional pre-cruise extension to Athens. To book your spot, go to PTV.org.
