Pathway to Victory

Guest (Male): Hey podcast listeners. Thanks for streaming today’s podcast from Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory is a nonprofit ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Dr. Robert Jeffress. Our mission is to pierce the darkness with the light of God’s word through the most effective media available, like this podcast. To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org/donate or follow the link in our show notes. Now, here’s today’s podcast from Pathway to Victory.

Robert Jeffress: Hi, this is Robert Jeffress, 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, the fact is neither the crucifixion nor the resurrection means anything apart from the other component of the story. Both the death and resurrection of Christ are essential foundations of the Christian message. There has to be a cross, but there also needs to be a crown.

David J. Mullane: Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress. Which is more important, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross or his resurrection from the grave? You know, we often race past the cross to get to the good part of the story. But in doing so, we miss what Christ’s death actually accomplished for us. Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress explains why both are foundational to our faith. But first, let’s take a moment to hear some important ministry updates.

Robert Jeffress: Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory. I hope you enjoyed a fabulous Easter weekend as you reveled in the resurrection of Jesus with family and friends. Before we dive into today’s message, I want to tell you about something Amy and I are genuinely excited about. In just a few weeks, we’re hosting our Pathway to Victory cruise to Alaska, and there’s still time for you to join us.

The dates are June 13th through 20th, and I have to tell you, Alaska’s magnificence is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. Towering glaciers and bald eagles soaring against snow-capped peaks, pristine waters so clear they reflect heaven itself. Alaska testifies to the majesty of our creator.

But here’s what makes this cruise truly special. It’s unlike any vacation you’ve experienced before. Our staff has carefully prepared a week of purposeful Christian fellowship, uplifting music, inspiring Bible studies, and our own wholesome entertainment that honors God. Imagine waking up each morning to breathtaking Alaskan scenery outside your window, then enjoying sumptuous meals prepared by world-class chefs.

Every detail is designed for your comfort and spiritual refreshment. This is purposeful travel at its finest. While there’s still space available, I encourage you to reserve your cabin today at ptv.org. Amy and I can’t wait to share this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with you.

All right, let’s get started with our next study about Resurrection Sunday. I titled today’s message, "The Cross and the Crown." I really hate to do this today, but we’re going to have to take a pop quiz. Now, there’s only one question on it, and the question is this: Which is most important? The death of Jesus Christ on the cross or the resurrection of Jesus from the grave?

Your answer really depends upon the faith tradition you grew up in or identify with right now. Those of us who are evangelical Christians, we want to race by the cross as quickly as we can and get to the good part of the story, the resurrection. But in doing so, we miss out on some important things in understandings of what the death, the cross, accomplished for us.

But those who are the opposite of that, those who center on the cross, sometimes treat the resurrection as a postscript, as an addendum to an already good enough story. The fact is neither the crucifixion nor the resurrection means anything apart from the other component of the story. Both the death and resurrection of Christ are essential foundations of the Christian message.

First Corinthians 15, where we see that in verses 3 and 4. Paul said, "For I delivered to you as of first importance that which I also received, that Christ Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised up on the third day according to the Scriptures." For the few minutes we have together this morning, I want to talk about why both the death and resurrection of Christ are essential foundations of our faith. There has to be a cross, but there also needs to be a crown.

Let’s first of all talk about the cross, the death of Jesus Christ. Why did Jesus have to die? Let’s be clear about one thing. Jesus’s death was no accident. It wasn’t a case of bad men doing something to a good man. All of this was a part of God’s plan. Jesus said in John 10, verses 17 and 18, "For this reason the Father loves me because I lay down my life so that no man may take it again. No one has taken it away from me, but I lay it down on my own initiative." It was all according to God’s preordained plan.

Why was the death of Christ necessary? What does it offer you and me? Well, first of all, it provides an example of unjust suffering. Jesus provides an example of suffering. He didn’t threaten those who were mistreating him. He simply turned the matter over to God to allow God to deal with in his way and in his time. But if that’s all Christ’s death was, an example of suffering, then it was a wasted death because there are plenty of people who suffer unjustly.

But it’s more than that. Jesus’s death also provided a payment for our sin. A righteous God has to judge sin. Somebody has to pay for your sin. Somebody has to pay for my sin. And the most important choice we make in life, ladies and gentlemen, is who’s going to pay for our sin. Do we want to spend eternity in hell, separated from God, trying to pay our sin debt that we could never pay off? Or do we want to allow Jesus to make that payment for our sins?

It’s one or the other; it can’t be both. In 1 John 2:2, it says about Jesus, "And he himself is the propitiation, the satisfaction for our sins, and not our sins only, but for the sins of the entire world." Finally, Jesus’s death is not only providing an example of suffering and a payment for our sin, but it is also providing a redemption from spiritual slavery.

Listen to me. When you and I are born into this world, we’re not born free. We think we’re free to do whatever we want to do. No person is free. They just think they’re free. When you’re born into this world, you’re not born as a child of God. The Bible says we are born as children, slaves of the evil one, of Satan himself. We’re not free to do what we want to do; we are obligated to do exactly what he wants.

And Satan is a cruel taskmaster. Never forget this about Satan. Satan hates you and has a terrible plan for your life. Remember the little Campus Crusade booklet, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life"? That’s true, but Satan equally hates you and has a terrible plan for your life. It is a plan that is filled with misery in this life and a plan for misery in all eternity.

Now, God could have very easily left us as slaves of Satan, but the Bible says he has redeemed us. He has purchased us out of spiritual slavery. The Bible says when God saw our plight, that we were in chains to Satan, God did what he didn’t have to do. He paid the ultimate price to free us from Satan’s bondage. He paid by the blood of his son, not so that we could be free to do whatever we wanted to do, but we could have a new master, God, who does love us and has a wonderful plan for us.

First Corinthians 6 says, "Do you not know you’re not your own? You have been bought with a price, the precious blood of the lamb." That’s what redeemed means. He has paid the price to deliver us out of slavery into service to God. You know, the Bible says we were made by God to have fellowship with him. He made us for himself. But sin has carried us away, far away from God. God had every right to turn his back on you and me.

He had every right to completely extinguish the human race and start over again. But because God is love, because of the great love with which God loved us, he paid the price to redeem us so that he could have fellowship with us. We are twice God’s, once because he made us and now because he bought us. "Do you not know you are not your own? You have been bought with a price." That’s what the death of Christ accomplished. It offers us an example for suffering, a payment for our sin, a redemption from slavery.

But that’s only half the story. Three days later, there was a crown, a resurrection crown that Christ experienced. In these final few moments, let me tell you four things the resurrection is described as in the Bible. First of all, it was prophesied by Christ. This is so interesting to me. John Stott points out that every time Jesus mentioned his death, his upcoming death, he always mentioned his resurrection.

Never did he talk about his death alone. It was always his death and resurrection. In Matthew 16:21, Matthew records from that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and must suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised up on the third day. Or listen to Matthew 17, verses 22 and 23, in which Jesus said the same thing, "And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised up on the third day.'"

And they were deeply grieved. They missed the last part of what he told them. John 2:19, "Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'" Jesus prophesied his death and he prophesied his resurrection. Not only was it prophesied by Christ, but secondly, the resurrection was proclaimed by the apostles. The resurrection was not just a postscript, an addendum to the Jesus story. It was the central part of the story.

Go back to Peter for a moment on the southern steps in Jerusalem preaching his great sermon on Pentecost. He said, "This man, delivered over by the predetermined and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and you put him to death. But," verse 24, "God raised him up again, putting an end to the agony of death since it was impossible for him to be held in its power. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we were all witnesses."

Now, had Jesus not been raised from the dead, had he still been in that tomb, Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb, the people listening to Peter that day would have laughed him off the platform. "What are you talking about? A resurrection? We know where he is buried." But they didn’t laugh Peter off. In fact, the Bible says they were pierced to their hearts and they cried out to Peter, "What must we do to be saved? Tell us what to do."

And what did Peter say? He said, "Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of his sins." This was a part of the message. You know, one of the strongest evidences for the resurrection is the almost overnight change that took place in the apostles. Remember by Friday afternoon at the time of Jesus’s death, most everyone had forsaken Jesus. They had deserted him. They were in hiding. They didn’t want to be associated with him.

But then suddenly, three days later, you have Peter standing on the southern steps. The same Peter who had denied Jesus three times two days before, now he’s proclaiming that Jesus is the Lord, he has been risen from the dead. What changed those apostles? I almost laughed out loud one time watching this documentary about the resurrection, and the interviewer said to this liberal theologian, "You don’t believe in the resurrection. How do you explain the sudden change in the apostles?"

And the theologian answered, "Well, they obviously saw something." They saw something! What they saw was the risen Christ, and that changed their lives forever. It transformed them from cowering followers of Jesus to courageous defenders of the Christ who would end up giving their life to proclaim that message freely. The resurrection of Jesus was prophesied by Christ, it was proclaimed by the apostles, and thirdly, it was proved by history.

Now, I’ve talked in previous messages about all the evidence for the resurrection. Simon Greenleaf, who was a legal professor of Harvard University, was an expert in legal evidence, and he said there is more evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ than for any other event in human history. What is that evidence? Well, part of the evidence is the empty tomb. For 2,000 years, they haven’t been able to find Jesus’s body.

How do you explain that? Some people say the apostles stole it. The apostles? They were cowering cowards by the time Sunday rolled around. They denied even knowing Christ. Do you think they had the courage to overtake a guard unit of 16 men, Roman soldiers? No, they lacked the courage. Well, some people say the Romans or the Jewish leaders stole the body. That makes even less sense when you think about it.

They wanted to keep that body right there in the tomb. Remember the religious leaders went to Pilate on Saturday after Good Friday and they said, "We need a guard unit to protect this tomb, lest the disciples come and steal the body and say he’s risen from the dead, and the last deception ends up being worse than the first." And Pilate said, "Okay, you’ve got your guard unit." 16 men to guard that tomb.

They wanted to keep that body in the tomb lest people say, "See, he was the Christ. He fulfilled the prophecy of being raised from the dead." No, the disciples lacked the courage. The religious leaders and the Romans lacked the motivation. There’s only one explanation for that body disappearing, and it is that God reached down and rescued him from the jaws of death. That’s some of the strongest proof for the evidence of the resurrection.

But there’s one other piece of evidence I’d like to suggest to you, and that is the immediate embrace of the resurrection by the church. Immediately the resurrection became a part of the message. You know, experts tell us that it takes 80 years or more for a myth to corrupt a historical reality. It takes at least 80 years for that to happen. But it was immediate that the resurrection became and was accepted by the church as fact.

Let me show you why that’s so important. Let’s just imagine a group of people started saying Elvis Presley is still alive. They were so convinced that he’s alive that they wanted to start a new religion. It’s called Presleianity. And to be a follower of Elvis Presley, you would meet with a group every Sunday morning for a period of time and listen to old recordings of Elvis Presley. You would study the lyrics of his song, you would seek to be like him in your everyday life, and you were so convinced that Elvis Presley was alive that you’d be willing to give your life for it.

What do you think the chances are of hundreds of millions of people in different countries speaking different languages from different cultures all becoming followers of Elvis Presley? It wouldn’t happen. It couldn’t happen because we’re too close to his death for a myth to be corrupting of the actual events. It’s the same way with Jesus Christ. Have you ever heard the name of Sir Lionel Luckhoo?

He is, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the most successful trial attorney in history. He’s an expert in legal evidence. He decided one time to test the accounts of his resurrection according to the rules of legal evidence. And this was Sir Lionel Luckhoo’s conclusion. He said, "I unequivocally say that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt."

The resurrection, prophesied by Jesus, proclaimed by the apostles, proved by history, and finally, promised to believers. You may be thinking, "Okay, Jesus arose from the dead. Big deal. Why does that affect me? What does it mean to me?" Well, it means everything. And this is why. The resurrection of Jesus Christ answers the most important question there is. It’s a question Job asked when he said, "If a man dies, will he live again?"

When you think about it, that’s the bottom-line existence question, isn’t it? When I die, what happens? Do I shut my eyes for the last time and go into nothingness? Or is there an existence beyond the grave? Jesus answers that question for us. In John 11:25, he said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live again."

Jesus promised eternal life over and over again to those who believe, trust in, depend upon him for their salvation. For example, in John 5:24, Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say unto you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life and shall not come into judgment but has passed from death unto life." Or John 6:39, "For this is the will of him who sent me, that of all that he has given me I lose nothing, but I will raise them up on the last day."

Over and over and over again, Jesus promised a resurrection for those who believe in him. Jesus said to Martha and Mary, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live again. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? Do you believe this? Do you believe Jesus Christ is alive?" Mark Buchanan, in his book *The Holy Wild*, describes what happened on the day of Dr. Martin Luther King’s funeral in 1968.

It was a tense time in our country. People wondered if the death of Dr. King meant the death of the civil rights movement. And so on the day of his funeral, leaders from all around the world came to pay tribute to Dr. King. People wondered, would the civil rights movement last through a host of eulogizers and pastors that day who were asked to speak? One of those men was a man named James Bevel.

He mounted the podium. He was a large man. With a stern look, he started scanning the audience. And then he began to speak, his voice gaining strength like a gathering storm on a sunny day. This is what he said: "There is a rumor going around, a false rumor that our leader is dead. Our leader is not dead. Our leader is not Martin Luther King." He stopped. The murmuring started in the congregation.

What is he up to? Why is he dividing an already fractured movement? Bevel continued, "Our leader is the man who led Moses out of Egypt." Somebody in the back shouted, "That’s the man! That’s the man!" "Our leader is the one who went with Daniel into the lion’s den. Same man! Same man! Our leader is the one who walked out of the grave on Easter Sunday morning.

"Our leader neither slumbers nor sleeps. Our leader cannot be put in jail. Our leader has never lost a war. Our leader is still on the case! Our leader is not dead!" Ladies and gentlemen, that is the message of Easter. Our leader is not dead. He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today and conquered death forever. And so will we if we trust in him. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live again." That’s the hope. That’s the message of Easter.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a date on the calendar. It’s the hinge point of all of human history. And I pray that its reality will anchor your life from this day forward, right up until the moment he sets foot on this earth again. As we celebrate the risen Christ, I want to issue a challenge. I’m calling on every follower of Jesus to join me in an all-out effort to take the gospel to a world that desperately needs it.

Our prayer for 2026 is that thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, will discover what the Bible calls "so great a salvation." When you send a generous gift to support Pathway to Victory, you’re not just supporting a radio ministry. You’re reaching people in their own language, in their own corner of the world. Pathway to Victory is now heard in multiple languages. Our newest addition brings our Bible teaching to Hindi-speaking audiences, one of the largest language communities on earth.

That means the same faithful teaching you hear every day is now reaching into India, where millions are searching and where many of our brothers and sisters in Christ face real persecution for their faith. Together we can break through the barriers of language and geography so that every person, everywhere, has the opportunity to hear about God’s redemptive plan. Please respond today. The world is waiting to hear the gospel, and with your help, we’ll make sure they do. Here’s David to tell you more.

David J. Mullane: Today when you support the ministry of Pathway to Victory by giving a generous gift, we’ll say thanks by sending you Dr. Jeffress’s brand-new book, *Ask Dr. Jeffress about the End Times*, with clear biblical answers to the top 20 questions people ask about the end times. Just call 866-999-2965 or visit online at ptv.org. You could also support this ministry by texting PTV to 78800.

And when your gift is $125 or more, you’re also going to receive Dr. Jeffress’s bestselling prophecy book, *Perfect Ending*. You’ll also get the complete *Perfect Ending* teaching series on audio and video disc and the stunning full-color resource *The End Times Illustrated*, a panorama of Bible prophecy from Genesis to Revelation. To request the complete package of resources, call 866-999-2965 or visit ptv.org.

You could write to us if you’d like. Here’s the address: P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. Again, that’s P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. I’m David J. Mullane, inviting you to join us Tuesday for a study of the end times titled "Perfect Ending: Why Your Eternal Future Matters Today," right here on Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.

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/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: Have you reserved your spot yet for the 2026 Pathway to Victory cruise to Alaska? You’ve been hearing me and Dr. Jeffress mention it, so what are you waiting for? Just picture yourself on the deck of Holland America’s elegant Koningsdam and stepping out on deck to witness nature’s grandeur. It’s beautiful.

These moments in God’s creation will deepen your faith in powerful ways. It really will. Experience five-star dining, luxurious staterooms, and visiting iconic ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. We’re also bringing along our own Christian entertainment. Seats are filling up, so book your spot today at ptv.org.

David J. Mullane: Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.

Guest (Male): Hey podcast listeners. Thanks for streaming today’s podcast from Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory is a nonprofit ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Dr. Robert Jeffress. Our mission is to pierce the darkness with the light of God’s word through the most effective media available, like this podcast. To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org/donate or 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: Have you reserved your spot yet for the 2026 Pathway to Victory cruise to Alaska? You’ve been hearing me and Dr. Jeffress mention it, so what are you waiting for? Just picture yourself on the deck of Holland America’s elegant Koningsdam and stepping out on deck to witness nature’s grandeur. It’s beautiful. These moments in God’s creation will deepen your faith in powerful ways. It really will. Experience five-star dining, luxurious staterooms, and visiting iconic ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. We’re also bringing along our own Christian entertainment; you’ll love it. Seats are filling up, so book your spot today at ptv.org. One more time, that’s ptv.org/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.