Donate

A Life Beyond Amazing

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah

November 19, 2020

27:29

Learn about the roadblocks; roadmaps; and results for a Christian life that’s beyond amazing.

Closed captions

A Life Beyond Amazing

Show timecode

Hide timecode

Dr. David Jeremiah: Eachof us has just one life to live.
00:00:04.387 --> 00:00:09.059
Our life should count.
00:00:09.092 --> 00:00:11.327
It should matter.
00:00:11.361 --> 00:00:13.797
It should have purpose and,frankly, it should be amazing.
00:00:13.830 --> 00:00:20.737
But as I look around me, Isee lives lived in disarray,
00:00:20.770 --> 00:00:25.175
in defeat, and discouragement.
00:00:25.208 --> 00:00:28.411
I've been deeply burdened aboutthis because, you see,
00:00:28.445 --> 00:00:31.281
an unfulfilled lifeis just no way to exist.
00:00:31.314 --> 00:00:34.951
And from what I read in theScripture, God promises us
00:00:34.984 --> 00:00:38.288
a life of blessings beyond ourcomprehension, literally a life
00:00:38.321 --> 00:00:43.860
beyond amazing.
00:00:43.893 --> 00:00:47.464
So I asked a few friendsof mine, friends who I believe
00:00:47.497 --> 00:00:51.868
demonstrate a life beyondamazing, to sit down together
00:00:51.901 --> 00:00:55.538
with me and discusswhat it takes to live a vibrant
00:00:55.572 --> 00:00:59.742
and victorious life.
00:00:59.776 --> 00:01:02.545
We gathered together for a mealin San Diego and what
00:01:02.579 --> 00:01:05.648
you're about to see is a partof our amazing conversation.
00:01:05.682 --> 00:01:11.921
♪♪♪
00:01:11.955 --> 00:01:17.127
Dr. Jeremiah: I wanna thankyou for joining me today
00:01:17.160 --> 00:01:18.995
for this amazing discussion.
00:01:19.028 --> 00:01:22.665
Somebody asked me one day,"Well, since we live
00:01:22.699 --> 00:01:24.868
in this kind of time,what should we be focusing on?"
00:01:24.901 --> 00:01:29.105
And everybody wants to know whatto do, and I think God cares
00:01:29.139 --> 00:01:32.442
more about who we are,what kind of people we are.
00:01:32.475 --> 00:01:35.879
There's a bridge between whenyou become a Christian and when
00:01:35.912 --> 00:01:38.848
you go to heaven, and it shouldbe making a difference
00:01:38.882 --> 00:01:42.051
in our lives.
00:01:42.085 --> 00:01:43.386
And in this discussion today,we're gonna look at some
00:01:43.419 --> 00:01:47.056
of those characteristics and askourselves is there something
00:01:47.090 --> 00:01:50.593
we should be doing to move thisalong because the fact is that
00:01:50.627 --> 00:01:55.165
the Holy Spirit gives us thesequalities, they're gifts,
00:01:55.198 --> 00:01:59.869
but what most peopledon't understand,
00:01:59.903 --> 00:02:01.571
you've gotta open a gift.
00:02:01.604 --> 00:02:02.705
You've gotta receive it.You've gotta put it to work.
00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:05.308
And the Bible doesn't have anyproblem helping us understand
00:02:05.341 --> 00:02:08.244
that while the Holy Spiritis giving us all these gifts,
00:02:08.278 --> 00:02:11.915
we are commandedto put them into operation.
00:02:11.948 --> 00:02:15.752
You all know the Scripture whereit says, "Jesus came that we
00:02:15.785 --> 00:02:18.354
might have life, and that wemight have it more abundantly."
00:02:18.388 --> 00:02:21.691
Most Christians I know hearthat and they think
00:02:21.724 --> 00:02:23.893
that it's talking about heaven.
00:02:23.927 --> 00:02:25.228
But Jesus wasn't talkingabout heaven.
00:02:25.261 --> 00:02:26.863
He's talking about life now.
00:02:26.896 --> 00:02:28.464
So here's my question.
00:02:28.498 --> 00:02:29.599
Do you think most Christianstoday are living a life
00:02:29.632 --> 00:02:32.936
beyond amazing?
00:02:32.969 --> 00:02:34.671
Mandisa: Abundantly, for me,when I think about living life
00:02:34.704 --> 00:02:37.040
fully in relationship with theLord and walking with the
00:02:37.073 --> 00:02:41.110
authority that I know that he'sgiven me, I think very few of us
00:02:41.144 --> 00:02:43.613
are doing that but I thinkit's because it's hard to do
00:02:43.646 --> 00:02:47.317
something that you've not seenpatterned for you so I feel
00:02:47.350 --> 00:02:50.019
like, hopefully, this discussionwill maybe give a pattern.
00:02:50.053 --> 00:02:52.989
Dr. Jeremiah: A lot of theChristian language that we hear
00:02:53.022 --> 00:02:55.325
today is a discussion of thingsthat people know about
00:02:55.358 --> 00:03:00.430
but they don't live it.
00:03:00.463 --> 00:03:02.432
Do we all here at this tableagree that it's possible
00:03:02.465 --> 00:03:05.468
that we could live that life?
00:03:05.501 --> 00:03:07.003
I mean, 'cause if we don't agreethat, we should just eat our
00:03:07.036 --> 00:03:09.405
dinner and go home, you know?
00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:11.207
David Green: To me,an abundant life with Jesus is
00:03:11.241 --> 00:03:13.643
all about following after him.
00:03:13.676 --> 00:03:17.180
I think that's when we seeabundant life, is when we follow
00:03:17.213 --> 00:03:20.216
after him and try to walkwith him as close as we can.
00:03:20.250 --> 00:03:23.353
Not that I've always done that,but I see that that's when we
00:03:23.386 --> 00:03:25.955
can live that abundant life.
00:03:25.989 --> 00:03:27.991
Dr. Jeremiah: And you knowthat translates into the kind of
00:03:28.024 --> 00:03:29.959
life that the Bible talks about.
00:03:29.993 --> 00:03:31.628
Kirk, I know enough aboutthe athletic world to know
00:03:31.661 --> 00:03:33.663
that there's a fine line betweenliving your faith on the field
00:03:33.696 --> 00:03:37.934
and being the person everybodywatches, and the abundant life
00:03:37.967 --> 00:03:41.871
is possible even in the NFL?
00:03:41.904 --> 00:03:43.606
Kirk Cousins:Sure, absolutely.
00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:45.241
I think that through the NFL,you know, the Lord is certainly
00:03:45.275 --> 00:03:48.144
teaching me a lot.
00:03:48.177 --> 00:03:49.412
And so it's required great faithand I get on the bus every game
00:03:49.445 --> 00:03:52.649
wondering, you know,if something happens today what
00:03:52.682 --> 00:03:54.784
does that mean for my future,what does that mean
00:03:54.817 --> 00:03:56.653
for my security?
00:03:56.686 --> 00:03:57.820
And the Lord's teaching me,"Kirk, your security's not
00:03:57.854 --> 00:03:59.289
in a contract.
00:03:59.322 --> 00:04:01.291
Your security'snot in touchdown passes.
00:04:01.324 --> 00:04:03.226
Your security's in me.
00:04:03.259 --> 00:04:04.060
Just trust me."
00:04:04.093 --> 00:04:04.961
And so the Lord has used the NFL
00:04:04.994 --> 00:04:06.963
to take me on a faith lessonand, as a result, I come out
00:04:06.996 --> 00:04:09.299
looking back, saying,"What an abundant life
00:04:09.332 --> 00:04:12.101
he's allowed me to live."
00:04:12.135 --> 00:04:13.269
Doesn't mean it was easy,doesn't mean it was always what
00:04:13.303 --> 00:04:15.738
I wanted, but it's beenan adventure, it's been
00:04:15.772 --> 00:04:17.907
a worthwhile adventure,and hearing and responding
00:04:17.940 --> 00:04:21.044
to the voice of God, as Davidmentioned, as you have said,
00:04:21.077 --> 00:04:24.480
is a key part to living thatabundant life.
00:04:24.514 --> 00:04:26.883
Dr. Jeremiah: Right, amen.
00:04:26.916 --> 00:04:28.117
Bobby Schuller: Yeah, I thinkwhen you ask are there some
00:04:28.151 --> 00:04:29.886
Christians that are leadinga life beyond amazing,
00:04:29.919 --> 00:04:32.288
there absolutely are.
00:04:32.322 --> 00:04:33.389
And, in fact, I sometimes thinkthey're the only ones
00:04:33.423 --> 00:04:35.391
that are doing it.
00:04:35.425 --> 00:04:36.626
There's a lot of Christiansthat aren't but I wouldn't be
00:04:36.659 --> 00:04:38.261
a believer if I didn't see otherbelievers living amazing lives.
00:04:38.294 --> 00:04:42.098
And I think you sort ofhave two messages.
00:04:42.131 --> 00:04:43.866
You have the one from the worldthat says, "A life beyond
00:04:43.900 --> 00:04:46.002
amazing is if you travel a lotand if you have a lot of fun
00:04:46.035 --> 00:04:48.705
experiences or you make tons ofmoney, if you do these things,"
00:04:48.738 --> 00:04:51.207
but the believers are saying,"No, there's a life that's
00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:53.176
amazing if you follow Jesus' waywhich means serving others,
00:04:53.209 --> 00:04:56.212
being generous, bonding deeplywith others, being vulnerable,
00:04:56.245 --> 00:05:00.850
letting go of shame, believingin God's love," and there's two
00:05:00.883 --> 00:05:04.287
very different messages andthat's why I think one of the
00:05:04.320 --> 00:05:07.390
best ways to lead peopleto Christ is to lead the amazing
00:05:07.423 --> 00:05:11.127
life Jesus has called us to.
00:05:11.160 --> 00:05:12.662
Dr. Jeremiah: Amen.
00:05:12.695 --> 00:05:13.629
Mandisa:Jesus is after a relationship.
00:05:13.663 --> 00:05:15.264
It's not just aboutSunday morning participation.
00:05:15.298 --> 00:05:17.533
It really is about a life thatyou live every single day
00:05:17.567 --> 00:05:20.069
in relationship with the Lord.
00:05:20.103 --> 00:05:21.604
And I think it's just so easyfor us to look at the outside,
00:05:21.637 --> 00:05:25.108
what we see in our churcheson Sunday mornings, and to think
00:05:25.141 --> 00:05:27.777
that that's all there is to it.
00:05:27.810 --> 00:05:29.045
I think that we are missingwhat he's really after,
00:05:29.078 --> 00:05:31.714
and that's after relationship.
00:05:31.748 --> 00:05:33.249
David: We talk about faithbut what is true faith
00:05:33.282 --> 00:05:36.119
in God's Word?
00:05:36.152 --> 00:05:37.253
And I think when we havethe true faith in God's Word
00:05:37.286 --> 00:05:39.422
then we will walk it out.
00:05:39.455 --> 00:05:40.990
And I think that hopefullyhappens in our life, that we'll
00:05:41.023 --> 00:05:44.026
walk closer to him and realizethat our faith in God
00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:47.063
and walking in his ways,that we'll see a different life.
00:05:47.096 --> 00:05:53.035
Kirk: You know, the Biblesays in Jeremiah that you will
00:05:53.069 --> 00:05:56.005
find me, the Lord says, when
00:05:56.038 --> 00:05:58.007
you seek me with all your heart.
00:05:58.040 --> 00:05:59.909
When it's not just a Sundaychurch attendance, check
00:05:59.942 --> 00:06:01.878
the box, but when you give yourwhole heart and you go all in,
00:06:01.911 --> 00:06:05.281
that's when God shows up andso I think that's the challenge
00:06:05.314 --> 00:06:07.617
is to live a life wherewe go all in with
00:06:07.650 --> 00:06:09.585
God and then watch him show up.
00:06:09.619 --> 00:06:10.887
Dr. Jeremiah: Right, that'sa good experience to have.
00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:14.290
Dr. Jeremiah: As I sat withmy friends and reflected on what
00:06:14.323 --> 00:06:16.192
was shared, I was reminded thata life beyond amazing
00:06:16.225 --> 00:06:20.530
is the kind of life Godwants us to live.
00:06:20.563 --> 00:06:23.966
How nine decisions rootedin the Spirit can transform us,
00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:28.037
empower us, and deliver a life,well, beyond amazing.
00:06:28.070 --> 00:06:34.377
♪♪♪
00:06:34.410 --> 00:06:38.748
announcer: What are the signsof a life beyond amazing?
00:06:40.817 --> 00:06:43.786
Among them, joy that is notdependent on circumstance,
00:06:43.820 --> 00:06:47.156
integrity that settlesfor no exceptions,
00:06:47.190 --> 00:06:49.425
and self-disciplinethat stands firm.
00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:52.628
But how do you get theminto your life?
00:06:52.662 --> 00:06:55.097
It takes a decision; actually,nine decisions each day
00:06:55.131 --> 00:06:59.035
to commit these into your heartand actions.
00:06:59.068 --> 00:07:02.038
Discover the steps to the lifeof blessings God has for you
00:07:02.071 --> 00:07:05.441
in Dr. David Jeremiah'sinspiring book,
00:07:05.475 --> 00:07:07.944
"A Life Beyond Amazing:9 Decisions That Will Transform
00:07:07.977 --> 00:07:11.013
Your Life Today."
00:07:11.047 --> 00:07:13.149
Order this transformational bookfrom Dr. Jeremiah today when you
00:07:13.182 --> 00:07:16.786
give a gift of any amountin support of this program,
00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:19.622
and if you give $60 or more,Dr. Jeremiah will send you
00:07:19.655 --> 00:07:23.559
in appreciation,his comprehensive
00:07:23.593 --> 00:07:26.229
"A Life Beyond Amazing" set.
00:07:26.262 --> 00:07:28.331
It contains his book, his entireteaching series on CD or DVD,
00:07:28.364 --> 00:07:32.702
a correlating study guide,and the "Life Beyond Amazing"
00:07:32.735 --> 00:07:35.638
Scripture cards.
00:07:35.671 --> 00:07:37.607
Also available, the "30 Daysto a Life Beyond Amazing"
00:07:37.640 --> 00:07:40.776
workbook.
00:07:40.810 --> 00:07:42.078
Implement the 9 key decisionsfrom "A Life Beyond Amazing"
00:07:42.111 --> 00:07:45.047
in powerful and practical ways;plus, it includes a DVD
00:07:45.081 --> 00:07:49.318
with video instructionsfrom Dr. Jeremiah, available
00:07:49.352 --> 00:07:52.221
on its own for $30 or more
00:07:52.255 --> 00:07:54.457
or as part of"A Life Beyond Amazing" set
00:07:54.490 --> 00:07:57.426
for a gift of $85 or more.
00:07:57.460 --> 00:08:00.296
Decide today to start livinga life beyond what you thought
00:08:00.329 --> 00:08:03.799
possible, a life beyond amazing.
00:08:03.833 --> 00:08:06.369
Order these resources when youcontact Turning Point today.
00:08:06.402 --> 00:08:12.742
♪♪♪
00:08:12.775 --> 00:08:19.782
Dr. Jeremiah: What kindof people do we need
00:08:20.249 --> 00:08:21.884
to be to live in this culturethat is so messed up and hard to
00:08:21.918 --> 00:08:26.656
define and we don't know whereit's going and it always ends up
00:08:26.689 --> 00:08:30.092
where we didn't thinkit would be?
00:08:30.126 --> 00:08:33.529
We are told thatwhen the Holy Spirit
00:08:33.563 --> 00:08:35.865
completely controls the lifeof a believer, this is what
00:08:35.898 --> 00:08:39.802
it will look like:the fruit of the Spirit is love,
00:08:39.835 --> 00:08:43.372
joy, peace, longsuffering,kindness, goodness,
00:08:43.406 --> 00:08:46.542
faithfulness, gentleness,and self-control.
00:08:46.576 --> 00:08:50.279
God's description of a manfor all seasons.
00:08:50.313 --> 00:08:54.850
So in response to the question,
00:08:54.884 --> 00:08:56.852
"What kind of people should webe at such a time in history
00:08:56.886 --> 00:08:59.589
as this," here is God's answer.
00:08:59.622 --> 00:09:01.591
He calls us to be people of loveand joy and peace.
00:09:01.624 --> 00:09:05.828
He wants us to haveendurance in our lives.
00:09:05.861 --> 00:09:08.364
He wants us to have compassionfor those who need our help.
00:09:08.397 --> 00:09:12.068
We should be peopleof generosity.
00:09:12.101 --> 00:09:14.804
This is God's ideal personand, believe it or not,
00:09:14.837 --> 00:09:17.907
we can become like that.
00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:19.375
We were meant to be like that.
00:09:19.408 --> 00:09:20.576
Could I just say it this way?
00:09:20.610 --> 00:09:22.712
Christ died so that we could bethat kind of a person.
00:09:22.745 --> 00:09:26.816
The Lord Jesus Christ saidin John 10:10, "I have come
00:09:26.849 --> 00:09:30.286
that they might have life,and that they might have it
00:09:30.319 --> 00:09:34.123
more abundantly."
00:09:34.156 --> 00:09:36.759
Sounds like life beyond amazing.
00:09:36.792 --> 00:09:40.363
But there are some roadblocksthat we need to get out
00:09:40.396 --> 00:09:43.032
of the way if we're gonna getto the place we wanna be.
00:09:43.065 --> 00:09:48.070
If there's a gap betweenthe promise of what our Lord
00:09:48.104 --> 00:09:51.007
wants us to haveand what we're experiencing,
00:09:51.040 --> 00:09:53.876
what is causing it?
00:09:53.909 --> 00:09:55.478
What is happening to us thatthis abundant life that Jesus
00:09:55.511 --> 00:09:59.615
died for so that we could haveit seems to always be at the end
00:09:59.649 --> 00:10:04.086
of our fingers but not quitein our grasp.
00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:07.123
And I'd like to suggestto you the three things that
00:10:07.156 --> 00:10:09.792
I've thought of in preparationfor this that might help us
00:10:09.825 --> 00:10:12.928
understand this a little bit.
00:10:12.962 --> 00:10:14.864
First of all, I think for manyof us, we misunderstand
00:10:14.897 --> 00:10:17.967
our salvation.
00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:20.603
Most Christians todayview salvation strictly
00:10:20.636 --> 00:10:23.172
in the past tense.
00:10:23.205 --> 00:10:26.776
Salvation is somethingthat has happened to us.
00:10:26.809 --> 00:10:29.445
It's history.
00:10:29.478 --> 00:10:30.646
Our salvation, according to manyChristians, is a done thing.
00:10:30.680 --> 00:10:36.519
But the Bible doesn't viewsalvation like that,
00:10:36.552 --> 00:10:38.888
men and women.
00:10:38.921 --> 00:10:40.022
The Bible views salvationin three different tenses.
00:10:40.056 --> 00:10:44.026
The Bible views salvationlike this.
00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:47.496
I have been saved.
00:10:47.530 --> 00:10:48.764
If I've trusted Jesus Christ asmy Savior, as many of you have,
00:10:48.798 --> 00:10:51.967
you've become a Christian, thenyou can say of yourself, "I have
00:10:52.001 --> 00:10:55.438
been saved," and you point tothe day when you trusted Christ.
00:10:55.471 --> 00:10:59.442
But the Bible also teachesthat once you're saved,
00:10:59.475 --> 00:11:03.245
you continue being saved.
00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:05.114
You're saved eternally but it'strue that once you have been
00:11:05.147 --> 00:11:08.718
saved, as you go forward in yourlife, you are being saved.
00:11:08.751 --> 00:11:13.689
And one day, the Scripture says,you're gonna stand before the
00:11:13.723 --> 00:11:16.225
Lord and you're gonna be justlike him and then the Bible says
00:11:16.258 --> 00:11:19.462
you will be ultimately saved.
00:11:19.495 --> 00:11:21.230
So here's the way that works.
00:11:21.263 --> 00:11:23.566
You are saved from your sin,from the very penalty of sin.
00:11:23.599 --> 00:11:28.637
During your lifetimeas a Christian, you're gradually
00:11:28.671 --> 00:11:31.107
being saved from the powerof sin over your life and
00:11:31.140 --> 00:11:34.610
ultimately, one day, praise God,we're all gonna be saved
00:11:34.643 --> 00:11:37.480
from the very presence of sin.
00:11:37.513 --> 00:11:39.315
There won't even be any sin.
00:11:39.348 --> 00:11:42.384
But please hear me.
00:11:42.418 --> 00:11:44.286
If you get stuck in the pasttense, you won't be the kind
00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:49.291
of person who can have a lifebeyond amazing because salvation
00:11:49.325 --> 00:11:53.996
is more than just"I have been saved."
00:11:54.029 --> 00:11:57.066
It's "I am being savedand I ultimately will be saved."
00:11:57.099 --> 00:11:59.168
That's why Paul saidto the Romans that
00:11:59.201 --> 00:12:03.739
"now is our salvation nearerthan when we believed."
00:12:03.773 --> 00:12:07.610
What was he talking about?
00:12:07.643 --> 00:12:09.311
Not past salvation;that was already done.
00:12:09.345 --> 00:12:11.480
Not present salvation;they were all living that.
00:12:11.514 --> 00:12:13.382
The salvation of the future whenyou stand before the Lord
00:12:13.415 --> 00:12:16.118
and you are made like unto him.
00:12:16.152 --> 00:12:18.154
Sometimes we miss what Godwants for us in the Christian
00:12:18.187 --> 00:12:21.457
experience because we misapplythe concept of works.
00:12:21.490 --> 00:12:26.162
Here's the dilemmathat people have.
00:12:26.195 --> 00:12:28.798
I'm supposed to be savedbut it's not by works.
00:12:28.831 --> 00:12:33.435
But then I am saved.
00:12:33.469 --> 00:12:34.436
Now what do I do?
00:12:34.470 --> 00:12:36.472
So let me help you with that.
00:12:36.505 --> 00:12:37.506
Two passages of Scripturethat are very clear.
00:12:37.540 --> 00:12:39.475
First of all, Ephesians 2:8-9,notice: "For by grace you have
00:12:39.508 --> 00:12:43.646
been saved through faith,and that not of yourselves;
00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:47.416
it is the gift of God,"now watch this, "not of works,
00:12:47.449 --> 00:12:50.119
lest any man should boast."
00:12:50.152 --> 00:12:54.290
Or try this one.
00:12:54.323 --> 00:12:55.524
Paul wrote to Titus, his youngprotégé and he said, "Not by
00:12:55.558 --> 00:12:58.227
works of righteousness which wehave done, but according to his
00:12:58.260 --> 00:13:01.664
mercy he saved us, through thewashing of regeneration and the
00:13:01.697 --> 00:13:05.367
renewing of the Holy Spirit."
00:13:05.401 --> 00:13:07.069
Paul, in both of these passages,reminds us clearly,
00:13:07.102 --> 00:13:11.106
indelibly, unconditionally,there is no such thing
00:13:11.140 --> 00:13:15.010
as being saved by works.
00:13:15.044 --> 00:13:16.445
You can't do enough worksto become a Christian.
00:13:16.478 --> 00:13:19.982
You were saved by the graceof God, apart from works.
00:13:20.015 --> 00:13:22.852
Everybody got that?
00:13:22.885 --> 00:13:24.220
All right, now don't stop herebecause after Ephesians 2:8-9
00:13:24.253 --> 00:13:29.325
comes Ephesians 2:10.
00:13:29.358 --> 00:13:31.560
Have you read that?
00:13:31.594 --> 00:13:33.229
"For we are His workmanship,created in Christ Jesus for good
00:13:33.262 --> 00:13:38.434
works, which God preparedbeforehand that
00:13:38.467 --> 00:13:41.804
we should walk in them."
00:13:41.837 --> 00:13:44.006
Not saved by good worksbut you're saved for good works.
00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:50.145
Same thing with Titus chapter 3.
00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:53.215
Here's verse 8 and same chapter.
00:13:53.249 --> 00:13:55.184
This is even more powerful.
00:13:55.217 --> 00:13:56.752
"This is a faithful saying,and these things I want you
00:13:56.785 --> 00:13:58.988
to affirm constantly,that those who have believed
00:13:59.021 --> 00:14:01.624
in God should be carefulto maintain good works.
00:14:01.657 --> 00:14:06.428
These things are goodand profitable to men."
00:14:06.462 --> 00:14:10.132
So sometimes, we don't get whatwe should get out of this life
00:14:10.165 --> 00:14:13.469
as Christians becausewe misunderstand salvation and
00:14:13.502 --> 00:14:18.107
we think it's already over, thateverything has happened.
00:14:18.140 --> 00:14:21.577
Sometimes, we don't get it rightbecause we misunderstand
00:14:21.610 --> 00:14:24.146
how works are so wonderfullycommanded of us as believers.
00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:28.784
And here's the third one, andthis is a little more mysterious
00:14:28.817 --> 00:14:31.186
but if you've been around thechurch as long as I have,
00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:33.555
you'll get this one in a hurry.
00:14:33.589 --> 00:14:34.590
Sometimes, it's mistaken ideaof spirituality.
00:14:34.623 --> 00:14:39.495
Here's what I know, menand women, after all these years
00:14:39.528 --> 00:14:42.264
of studying this and I wanna bevery clear about this.
00:14:42.298 --> 00:14:44.667
The New Testament calls uponChristians to take action.
00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:48.837
It does not tell us thatthe work of sanctification
00:14:48.871 --> 00:14:51.740
is going to be done for us.
00:14:51.774 --> 00:14:54.576
We are in the good fightof faith and we have
00:14:54.610 --> 00:14:57.112
to do the fighting.
00:14:57.146 --> 00:14:58.747
But thank God we're unable to doit for the moment we believe and
00:14:58.781 --> 00:15:01.417
are justified by faith, we'reborn again by the Spirit of God,
00:15:01.450 --> 00:15:04.520
we get the ability.
00:15:04.553 --> 00:15:06.388
The New Testament methodof sanctification
00:15:06.422 --> 00:15:08.490
is to remind us of that.
00:15:08.524 --> 00:15:09.591
Now, having been reminded of it,let's go do it.
00:15:09.625 --> 00:15:15.030
Now, let me hurry quickly to theroadmap of a life beyond amazing
00:15:15.064 --> 00:15:19.368
and I want you, if you haveyour Bibles, to turn to the
00:15:19.401 --> 00:15:21.637
2nd chapter of Philippians.
00:15:21.670 --> 00:15:24.873
I love the book of Philippians.
00:15:24.907 --> 00:15:26.208
Do you love Philippians?
00:15:26.241 --> 00:15:27.643
Yes, what a great book this is.
00:15:27.676 --> 00:15:28.777
It seems like it speaksto so many things.
00:15:28.811 --> 00:15:31.947
But I'm gonna read to you theseverses and, having explained to
00:15:31.981 --> 00:15:35.017
you what I've explained to you,you'll sort of get this now in
00:15:35.050 --> 00:15:36.819
the way that I hoped you
00:15:36.852 --> 00:15:38.854
would get it.
00:15:38.887 --> 00:15:40.089
Philippians 2:12-13: "Therefore,my beloved, as you have always
00:15:40.122 --> 00:15:44.293
obeyed, not as in my presenceonly, but now much more in my
00:15:44.326 --> 00:15:48.430
absence," listen carefully,"work out your own salvation
00:15:48.464 --> 00:15:54.069
with fear and trembling; for itis God who works in you both
00:15:54.103 --> 00:15:58.240
to will and to dofor His good pleasure."
00:15:58.273 --> 00:16:03.112
And you're gonna say, "Wait aminute, didn't you just tell me
00:16:03.145 --> 00:16:05.014
you don't have to workfor your salvation?"
00:16:05.047 --> 00:16:07.416
Yes, I did because that'swhat the Bible says
00:16:07.449 --> 00:16:10.119
and I'm not contradicting it.
00:16:10.152 --> 00:16:11.286
You're justnot reading carefully.
00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:14.556
It doesn't say,"Work for your salvation."
00:16:14.590 --> 00:16:17.493
It says, "Work outyour salvation."
00:16:17.526 --> 00:16:20.429
Some of you are so opposedto work out,
00:16:20.462 --> 00:16:22.498
you won't even read that.
00:16:22.531 --> 00:16:23.999
[congregation laughing]
00:16:24.033 --> 00:16:26.602
In that same text,it says, "Work out your own
00:16:26.635 --> 00:16:29.471
salvation with fear andtrembling; because
00:16:29.505 --> 00:16:32.041
it is God who works in you."
00:16:32.074 --> 00:16:36.011
So we're to work outwhat God has worked in.
00:16:36.045 --> 00:16:40.649
God has given us these thingsthat we need.
00:16:40.682 --> 00:16:44.620
But that doesn't meanwe just sit and hold them.
00:16:44.653 --> 00:16:48.590
What is really responsiblefor your Christian walk,
00:16:48.624 --> 00:16:52.161
your Christian growth?
00:16:52.194 --> 00:16:53.362
Is it just sit back and wait forthe Holy Spirit to zap you?
00:16:53.395 --> 00:16:57.299
How many have been zapped?
00:16:57.332 --> 00:17:00.502
No, and we wonder,"Why isn't this working."
00:17:00.536 --> 00:17:03.372
Well, we're lookingfor the wrong thing.
00:17:03.405 --> 00:17:07.109
Each generation of believerscarries on its own debate
00:17:07.142 --> 00:17:10.412
over this question.
00:17:10.446 --> 00:17:11.647
But here's what Iwant you to know.
00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:13.415
The Bible holds the tensionbetween man's role and God's
00:17:13.449 --> 00:17:16.518
role in perfect balance.
00:17:16.552 --> 00:17:19.321
When you becamea Christian, you got everything
00:17:19.354 --> 00:17:22.057
you need for life in godliness.
00:17:22.091 --> 00:17:23.892
How many of you believe that?
00:17:23.926 --> 00:17:25.294
The Bible says it.
00:17:25.327 --> 00:17:26.261
We have to believe it.He said, "God gave us."
00:17:26.295 --> 00:17:27.963
What did he do?He put it in us.
00:17:27.996 --> 00:17:29.798
Like he puts ore in the earth,he puts these things in us.
00:17:29.832 --> 00:17:34.937
Not only that, the Scripturesays he gives us
00:17:34.970 --> 00:17:37.906
precious promises.
00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:39.641
What is that?That's the Bible, the guidebook.
00:17:39.675 --> 00:17:42.644
He gives us everything we need
00:17:42.678 --> 00:17:44.646
for a life in godliness and thenon top of that, he gives us
00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:46.748
these precious promisesto help us.
00:17:46.782 --> 00:17:49.718
Here in Philippians, remember itsays, "Work out your salvation
00:17:49.751 --> 00:17:51.954
with fear and trembling;for it's God who works
00:17:51.987 --> 00:17:54.623
in you both to will and to doof his good purpose."
00:17:54.656 --> 00:17:56.592
What would that look like?
00:17:56.625 --> 00:17:58.794
Well, let me just tell youwhat it would look like.
00:17:58.827 --> 00:18:02.297
Verse 14 comes next:"Do all things without
00:18:02.331 --> 00:18:06.435
complaining and disputing."
00:18:06.468 --> 00:18:09.304
That's a good place to start.
00:18:09.338 --> 00:18:10.806
How many of you coulduse a little help there?
00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:12.875
You probably complained'cause you couldn't find
00:18:12.908 --> 00:18:14.743
your parking place this week.
00:18:14.776 --> 00:18:16.745
And I know some of youcomplained 'cause somebody
00:18:16.778 --> 00:18:18.580
sat in your seat when you cameto church this morning.
00:18:18.614 --> 00:18:21.350
So you all need some work,that's what I'm telling you.
00:18:21.383 --> 00:18:24.520
The reason why we need to workout what God has worked in
00:18:24.553 --> 00:18:28.090
is 'cause it's notall working, amen?
00:18:28.123 --> 00:18:33.262
And it goes on to say that whenwe do this, we'll become
00:18:33.295 --> 00:18:36.698
blameless and harmless, childrenof God without fault in the
00:18:36.732 --> 00:18:39.368
midst of a crooked and perversegeneration, among whom you shine
00:18:39.401 --> 00:18:42.538
as lights in this world."
00:18:42.571 --> 00:18:45.107
The Bible says that the reasonwe're not making more of an
00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:47.242
impact on the world, why we'renot shining as light, is because
00:18:47.276 --> 00:18:49.511
we haven't taken seriouslythe opportunity we have to take
00:18:49.545 --> 00:18:52.414
the things that God has given usand max them out for his glory
00:18:52.447 --> 00:18:56.285
and for our good.
00:18:56.318 --> 00:18:58.887
We're not just gonna sitand wait for God to make us
00:18:58.921 --> 00:19:01.557
the peoplethat he's called us to be.
00:19:01.590 --> 00:19:04.026
The Bible won't allow that.
00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.661
If you don't know that, there'shundreds of other Scriptures I
00:19:05.694 --> 00:19:08.197
could bring to you that call usto put on the new life,
00:19:08.230 --> 00:19:11.833
to take off the old life,to walk in holiness.
00:19:11.867 --> 00:19:14.970
These are commands.
00:19:15.003 --> 00:19:16.038
These are not suggestions.
00:19:16.071 --> 00:19:18.974
So what is character?
00:19:19.007 --> 00:19:20.142
What will we look likeif we develop
00:19:20.175 --> 00:19:22.010
this character in our life?
00:19:22.044 --> 00:19:23.478
People of strong characterare usually people
00:19:23.512 --> 00:19:25.747
that are very disciplined.
00:19:25.781 --> 00:19:27.549
They have fortitude, integrity,ethical strength.
00:19:27.583 --> 00:19:31.053
These are attributesthat will distinguish you
00:19:31.086 --> 00:19:33.422
from one another.
00:19:33.455 --> 00:19:34.523
These are the thingsthat make you shine as a light
00:19:34.556 --> 00:19:36.458
in the darkness.
00:19:36.491 --> 00:19:37.392
You're a differentkind of person.
00:19:37.426 --> 00:19:39.428
Character is an attitudethat every young person, every
00:19:39.461 --> 00:19:41.897
middle-aged person, and everyold person should have embedded
00:19:41.930 --> 00:19:45.934
in their minds.
00:19:45.968 --> 00:19:47.135
Character is returning extrachange at the grocery store.
00:19:47.169 --> 00:19:50.172
Character is keepingappointments and being on time.
00:19:50.205 --> 00:19:53.141
Character is honoringyour commitments
00:19:53.175 --> 00:19:55.444
and honoring your word.
00:19:55.477 --> 00:19:56.979
Character is choosingthe harder right instead
00:19:57.012 --> 00:19:59.781
of the easier wrong.
00:19:59.815 --> 00:20:01.316
Character is setting prioritiesthat honor God and family
00:20:01.350 --> 00:20:04.419
and country.
00:20:04.453 --> 00:20:06.555
Character in marriage is workingthrough the tough times rather
00:20:06.588 --> 00:20:09.858
than throwing in the toweland looking for divorce.
00:20:09.891 --> 00:20:12.694
Character is being committed tothe wellbeing of your family and
00:20:12.728 --> 00:20:15.264
friends, associates and others,even if it's personally costly.
00:20:15.297 --> 00:20:18.900
And character is settinga good example.
00:20:18.934 --> 00:20:21.970
A married person of characteracts married all the time.
00:20:22.004 --> 00:20:26.975
A person of characteris self-disciplined
00:20:27.009 --> 00:20:28.844
and self-controlled.
00:20:28.877 --> 00:20:30.178
Character implies the courageto stand for what is right, if
00:20:30.212 --> 00:20:32.881
necessary all alone, to opposewhat is wrong, and to make
00:20:32.914 --> 00:20:36.184
the effort to discernthe difference.
00:20:36.218 --> 00:20:38.754
Character is being truthful inall things while being sensitive
00:20:38.787 --> 00:20:41.223
to the fact that sometimes truthhurts and needs not be spoken.
00:20:41.256 --> 00:20:46.461
Character is being selflessrather than selfish.
00:20:46.495 --> 00:20:51.033
Remember, character is the onlything that goes in the casket
00:20:51.066 --> 00:20:54.403
with you to the hereafter.
00:20:54.436 --> 00:20:57.039
And believe it or not,it's the only thing that people
00:20:57.072 --> 00:20:59.174
will remember about youwhen you're gone.
00:20:59.207 --> 00:21:02.844
And it should be somethingwe desperately
00:21:02.878 --> 00:21:05.447
want to develop in our lives.
00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.783
Here's where I'm at, folks.
00:21:07.816 --> 00:21:09.851
I can tell you we used to talkabout this years ago.
00:21:09.885 --> 00:21:13.422
We used to talk about character.
00:21:13.455 --> 00:21:14.556
We used to even teach itto our children in school.
00:21:14.589 --> 00:21:17.159
Do you remember that?
00:21:17.192 --> 00:21:18.427
We had courses in character.
00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.861
Not now.
00:21:19.895 --> 00:21:20.929
We've got charactersin our school but we don't have
00:21:20.962 --> 00:21:22.864
any character in our school.
00:21:22.898 --> 00:21:26.335
But that doesn't meanwe shouldn't do it, does it?
00:21:26.368 --> 00:21:28.337
Because nobody's beendoing it recently?
00:21:28.370 --> 00:21:30.405
Would you say that oneof the great needs we have
00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:32.607
in our culture is more peopleof character?
00:21:32.641 --> 00:21:35.877
Don't you wanna bea person of character?
00:21:35.911 --> 00:21:37.546
I know I sure do.
00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.780
I wanna learn everything I canabout what it means to be a man
00:21:38.814 --> 00:21:41.416
of God and have characterbecause, whether you like it or
00:21:41.450 --> 00:21:45.287
not, at some point people whoseopinion matters will be paying
00:21:45.320 --> 00:21:50.492
a lot of attention to youand to me.
00:21:50.525 --> 00:21:53.662
They'll be watchingwhat we do and how we react.
00:21:53.695 --> 00:21:57.299
We might not even know itbut they'll be looking at you
00:21:57.332 --> 00:21:59.801
for an example becausethey need an example to follow.
00:21:59.835 --> 00:22:03.038
They'll be looking for a leader.
00:22:03.071 --> 00:22:05.273
Maybe the childrenwill be looking for parents
00:22:05.307 --> 00:22:07.409
to do the right thing.
00:22:07.442 --> 00:22:09.311
And each time you enter a room,each time you go to a practice
00:22:09.344 --> 00:22:12.614
or a meeting, every time youinvolve yourself in the life
00:22:12.647 --> 00:22:15.550
of another human being, youhave the opportunity to leave
00:22:15.584 --> 00:22:19.788
a positive legacy behind becauseyou're a person of character.
00:22:19.821 --> 00:22:25.927
Ladies and gentlemen,what I've been talking about
00:22:25.961 --> 00:22:29.264
is called sanctification.
00:22:29.297 --> 00:22:31.233
And sanctificationis best defined in this word.
00:22:31.266 --> 00:22:35.103
Sanctification is becomingin practice what you
00:22:35.137 --> 00:22:38.073
already are in position.
00:22:38.106 --> 00:22:41.610
Everything God calls us to be,we already are in his mind
00:22:41.643 --> 00:22:45.914
but he calls us now to becomeevery day what we already
00:22:45.947 --> 00:22:50.285
are in heaven.
00:22:50.318 --> 00:22:52.487
You know, the greatestillustration of what
00:22:52.521 --> 00:22:54.022
I've been talking to youabout today is this.
00:22:54.055 --> 00:22:56.625
Almighty God has loved us beforethe foundation of the world.
00:22:56.658 --> 00:23:02.631
And that would be enough,would it not?
00:23:02.664 --> 00:23:05.500
He loves us.
00:23:05.534 --> 00:23:07.636
But God didn't leave it at that.
00:23:07.669 --> 00:23:09.237
He loved us and he sent ushis own Son to prove it.
00:23:09.271 --> 00:23:16.077
God took action to demonstratehis love to you and to me.
00:23:16.111 --> 00:23:22.751
And if you've never receivedthat love because you've never
00:23:22.784 --> 00:23:25.153
understood how much he lovesyou, I'd like to ask you
00:23:25.187 --> 00:23:27.989
to do that today.
00:23:28.023 --> 00:23:29.458
God loves you so muchthat he didn't even keep his own
00:23:29.491 --> 00:23:31.626
Son in heaven with him.
00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:33.094
He sent his only begotten Son tothis earth, let him become like
00:23:33.128 --> 00:23:35.997
us, and go to the cross and paya penalty for our sin, which we
00:23:36.031 --> 00:23:39.267
could never have paid sothat we can have a standing
00:23:39.301 --> 00:23:43.338
before the Father.
00:23:43.371 --> 00:23:45.407
If you've never trusted Christ,ask yourself this morning,
00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:48.643
"Why not?"
00:23:48.677 --> 00:23:50.078
Maybe it's time for youto make that decision,
00:23:50.111 --> 00:23:52.047
to decide to become a Christian.
00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:54.316
announcer: Dr. Jeremiahwill return with one more
00:23:56.117 --> 00:23:58.487
inspirational word to closetoday's "A Life Beyond Amazing"
00:23:58.520 --> 00:24:01.690
program right after this.
00:24:01.723 --> 00:24:03.892
announcer: Discover the stepsto the life of blessings
00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:07.162
God has for youin Dr. David Jeremiah's
00:24:07.195 --> 00:24:09.531
inspiring book,"A Life Beyond Amazing:
00:24:09.564 --> 00:24:12.734
9 Decisions That Will TransformYour Life Today."
00:24:12.767 --> 00:24:16.137
Order this transformational bookfrom Dr. Jeremiah today when you
00:24:16.171 --> 00:24:19.774
give a gift of any amountin support of this program,
00:24:19.808 --> 00:24:22.611
and if you give $60 or more,Dr. Jeremiah will send you
00:24:22.644 --> 00:24:26.548
in appreciation,his comprehensive
00:24:26.581 --> 00:24:29.217
"A Life Beyond Amazing" set.
00:24:29.251 --> 00:24:31.319
It contains his book, his entireteaching series on CD or DVD,
00:24:31.353 --> 00:24:35.690
a correlating study guide,and the "Life Beyond Amazing"
00:24:35.724 --> 00:24:38.627
Scripture cards.
00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:40.595
Also available, the "30 Daysto a Life Beyond Amazing"
00:24:40.629 --> 00:24:43.765
workbook.
00:24:43.798 --> 00:24:45.066
Implement the 9 key decisionsfrom "A Life Beyond Amazing"
00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:48.036
in powerful and practical ways;plus, it includes a DVD
00:24:48.069 --> 00:24:52.307
with video instructionsfrom Dr. Jeremiah, available
00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:55.210
on its own for $30 or more
00:24:55.243 --> 00:24:57.445
or as part of"A Life Beyond Amazing" set
00:24:57.479 --> 00:25:00.415
for a gift of $85 or more.
00:25:00.448 --> 00:25:03.285
Decide today to start livinga life beyond what you thought
00:25:03.318 --> 00:25:06.788
possible, a life beyond amazing.
00:25:06.821 --> 00:25:09.357
Order these resources when youcontact Turning Point today.
00:25:09.391 --> 00:25:14.996
announcer: And now, with onelast word for today's program,
00:25:15.030 --> 00:25:17.866
here is Dr. Jeremiah.
00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:20.368
Dr. Jeremiah:Let me say it again.
00:25:21.002 --> 00:25:22.704
God intends for your Christianlife to be amazing.
00:25:22.737 --> 00:25:26.374
However, some Christiansare not experiencing
00:25:26.408 --> 00:25:29.578
that kind of abundant life.
00:25:29.611 --> 00:25:32.047
And maybe that's you.
00:25:32.080 --> 00:25:34.115
That's the purpose in thisintroductory message you heard
00:25:34.149 --> 00:25:37.185
today about realizinga life beyond amazing.
00:25:37.218 --> 00:25:41.222
I want you to overcomethe roadblocks in your life,
00:25:41.256 --> 00:25:45.293
discover the roadmap, and reapthe results of the life Christ
00:25:45.327 --> 00:25:49.764
died to provide for you.
00:25:49.798 --> 00:25:53.034
Such a life begins with faithin Christ as Lord and Savior
00:25:53.068 --> 00:25:57.706
and continues with knowingand trusting in his Word.
00:25:57.739 --> 00:26:01.509
Also, upon request, we wouldlike to send you three free
00:26:01.543 --> 00:26:05.914
gifts to encourage youon your journey with Christ.
00:26:05.947 --> 00:26:09.584
First, "Life Beyond Amazing"Scripture cards to help you stay
00:26:09.618 --> 00:26:13.188
focused every day on the amazinglife we have in Christ.
00:26:13.221 --> 00:26:17.626
Second, a booklet about knowingand living for Christ called,
00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:21.363
"Your Greatest Turning Point,"and third, our monthly
00:26:21.396 --> 00:26:24.699
devotional magazine,"Turning Points," to encourage
00:26:24.733 --> 00:26:28.169
you with inspiring articlesand devotionals.
00:26:28.203 --> 00:26:32.374
And we'll send all these giftsto you, free of charge,
00:26:32.407 --> 00:26:34.976
if you will contact us hereat "Turning Point" today.
00:26:35.010 --> 00:26:39.080
announcer: Next timeon "Turning Point."
00:26:40.715 --> 00:26:42.917
announcer: Dr. Jeremiahcontinues his conversation
00:26:42.951 --> 00:26:45.053
with Bobby Schuller, Mandisa,David Green, and Kirk Cousins.
00:26:45.086 --> 00:26:53.161
And he teaches howwe can make the decision
00:26:53.194 --> 00:26:55.430
to live a life of love.
00:26:55.463 --> 00:26:57.866
Dr. Jeremiah: God has givenus that love and he's stored it
00:26:58.366 --> 00:27:00.902
in a reservoir around our heartand it's out of that reservoir
00:27:00.935 --> 00:27:05.607
of God's love to usthat we love other people.
00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:08.977
announcer: Thank youfor being with us today
00:27:10.311 --> 00:27:12.213
for Dr. Jeremiah's series,"A Life Beyond Amazing."
00:27:12.247 --> 00:27:15.984
Join us next timefor Dr. Jeremiah's message,
00:27:16.017 --> 00:27:18.153
"A Life of Love,"here on "Turning Point."
00:27:18.186 --> 00:27:22.490

Menu Top

A Life Beyond Amazing

A Life Beyond Amazing

Video Keywords

Menu Top

A Life Beyond Amazing

A Life Beyond Amazing

Video Keywords

Stay Up to Date With Our Newsletter