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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - After Party

May 17, 2025 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - After Party
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#HolySpirit #Church #SeekGod #Religion #Culture #Witness/Witnessing #Obedience #AllenJackson #Crucifixion #KingdomofGod #Messiah

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - After Party | May 17, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:06.422
  • Allen jackson: it's good to be with you again.
  • 00:00:06.555 --> 00:00:08.157
  • You know, we're walking through a season of some pretty
  • 00:00:08.257 --> 00:00:10.726
  • Unprecedented turmoil.
  • 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:11.226
  • There are cars burning and car dealerships burning and there
  • 00:00:13.062 --> 00:00:16.899
  • Are judges.
  • 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:18.233
  • There's just a lot of stuff.
  • 00:00:18.233 --> 00:00:20.002
  • Well, i'm really excited about our offer this month.
  • 00:00:20.002 --> 00:00:21.804
  • In fact, we chose it because i think it will bring you a
  • 00:00:21.804 --> 00:00:24.640
  • Pathway of stability in the midst of all the turmoil.
  • 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:27.509
  • It's written by a good friend of mine, rob morgan,
  • 00:00:27.509 --> 00:00:29.812
  • "the lord is my shepherd."
  • 00:00:29.812 --> 00:00:31.713
  • And it seems to me we need to know the tranquility that comes
  • 00:00:31.713 --> 00:00:35.284
  • From a shepherd who is marking a path for us and then standing
  • 00:00:35.284 --> 00:00:38.954
  • Watch over us when we know there's predators about.
  • 00:00:38.954 --> 00:00:42.658
  • We're living in a predatory season.
  • 00:00:42.658 --> 00:00:44.560
  • We need to know the lord is a shepherd, and i believe this
  • 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:48.330
  • Offer can make a real difference in your life.
  • 00:00:48.330 --> 00:00:49.965
  • In fact, it's important enough that we'll make it available for
  • 00:00:49.965 --> 00:00:52.634
  • A gift of any amount.
  • 00:00:52.634 --> 00:00:54.470
  • I think it's far more important that you have it in your hand,
  • 00:00:54.470 --> 00:00:57.005
  • Than the cost attached to it.
  • 00:00:57.005 --> 00:00:58.707
  • God is moving in the earth and we wanna move with him.
  • 00:00:58.707 --> 00:01:01.243
  • Our shepherd will lead us through.
  • 00:01:01.243 --> 00:01:03.045
  • You'll enjoy the book.
  • 00:01:03.045 --> 00:01:14.656
  • Allen: the title for the session is "the 'after party.'"
  • 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:21.830
  • You know, if you go to an event, and it could be just about any
  • 00:01:25.334 --> 00:01:29.138
  • Kind of event, it's not uncommon that after the event there's
  • 00:01:29.138 --> 00:01:32.207
  • A party.
  • 00:01:32.207 --> 00:01:34.610
  • And it can be a sporting event, it can be an awards event, but
  • 00:01:34.610 --> 00:01:38.046
  • Once the contest is settled, once the purpose for the
  • 00:01:38.046 --> 00:01:42.284
  • Gathering has been resolved, you get to live in that new reality
  • 00:01:42.284 --> 00:01:47.122
  • And that's often reason for a party.
  • 00:01:47.122 --> 00:01:49.525
  • You know, after the super bowl, there's any number of
  • 00:01:49.525 --> 00:01:52.427
  • After parties.
  • 00:01:52.427 --> 00:01:54.630
  • Whether you won or whether you lost, whether your team won or
  • 00:01:54.630 --> 00:01:56.932
  • Your team lost, you're gonna go live in that new reality.
  • 00:01:56.932 --> 00:01:59.668
  • We'll try harder next year or we're the world champions.
  • 00:01:59.668 --> 00:02:02.671
  • Or if you go to an award show, after the program and there's
  • 00:02:02.671 --> 00:02:07.976
  • Oftentimes a whole multitude of after parties whether you won
  • 00:02:07.976 --> 00:02:11.313
  • The award or you didn't win the award, you're gonna go live in
  • 00:02:11.313 --> 00:02:13.248
  • That reality.
  • 00:02:13.248 --> 00:02:14.616
  • At least i was nominated.
  • 00:02:14.616 --> 00:02:17.286
  • Well, it seemed to me that after easter weekend and after our
  • 00:02:17.286 --> 00:02:23.058
  • Walk up to easter through the gospels, what's next is the
  • 00:02:23.058 --> 00:02:27.362
  • After party.
  • 00:02:27.362 --> 00:02:30.032
  • And that is really the stuff of the book of acts.
  • 00:02:30.032 --> 00:02:34.403
  • And i don't know how much of it we're gonna pursue formally, but
  • 00:02:34.403 --> 00:02:37.239
  • I, at least for this session, wanted to pick that up because
  • 00:02:37.239 --> 00:02:40.642
  • It seems so relevant to me.
  • 00:02:40.642 --> 00:02:42.945
  • Jesus, by the end of acts chapter 1, by the time you get
  • 00:02:42.945 --> 00:02:45.914
  • To acts chapter 2, jesus has gone.
  • 00:02:45.914 --> 00:02:49.384
  • He's ascended back to heaven.
  • 00:02:49.384 --> 00:02:51.753
  • And truthfully, after the resurrection, jesus's
  • 00:02:51.753 --> 00:02:53.989
  • Relationship with his disciples is different.
  • 00:02:53.989 --> 00:02:57.626
  • He's a resurrected king.
  • 00:02:57.626 --> 00:03:00.462
  • The nature of that relationship is very, very different.
  • 00:03:00.462 --> 00:03:05.701
  • And so the after party idea, i think, fits.
  • 00:03:05.701 --> 00:03:09.137
  • There's a new reality now.
  • 00:03:09.137 --> 00:03:11.740
  • It's a completely different dynamic.
  • 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:13.275
  • It's just not more of the same.
  • 00:03:13.275 --> 00:03:16.378
  • You know, god changes times and seasons.
  • 00:03:16.378 --> 00:03:18.547
  • That's a biblical principle.
  • 00:03:18.547 --> 00:03:20.482
  • I believe our world changed with covid.
  • 00:03:20.482 --> 00:03:24.987
  • Spiritually, it was the beginning of a series of
  • 00:03:24.987 --> 00:03:28.223
  • Shakings, tremors.
  • 00:03:28.223 --> 00:03:31.793
  • And we've seen multiple of those.
  • 00:03:31.793 --> 00:03:34.029
  • I'm not gonna unpack it, but i wanna go to acts chapter 1, and
  • 00:03:34.029 --> 00:03:37.432
  • We're just gonna step into the after party, and luke-- luke
  • 00:03:37.432 --> 00:03:42.337
  • Wrote the book of acts.
  • 00:03:42.337 --> 00:03:43.672
  • He wrote the gospel to tell the story of jesus's life from his
  • 00:03:43.672 --> 00:03:45.874
  • Birth through his resurrection.
  • 00:03:45.874 --> 00:03:47.876
  • And then as he's going to explain to us, he wrote the book
  • 00:03:47.876 --> 00:03:50.045
  • Of acts to tell us the rest of the story.
  • 00:03:50.045 --> 00:03:53.849
  • "in my former book theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus began
  • 00:03:53.849 --> 00:03:57.452
  • To do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after
  • 00:03:57.452 --> 00:04:02.391
  • Giving instructions through the holy spirit to the apostles he
  • 00:04:02.391 --> 00:04:05.093
  • Had chosen.
  • 00:04:05.093 --> 00:04:06.728
  • After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave
  • 00:04:06.728 --> 00:04:10.832
  • Many convincing proofs that he was alive."
  • 00:04:10.832 --> 00:04:13.201
  • Even in luke's narrative, there's something different.
  • 00:04:13.201 --> 00:04:16.004
  • He said, "after he suffered, he had a different message."
  • 00:04:16.004 --> 00:04:21.109
  • You see, i think after you celebrate easter in your life,
  • 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:26.915
  • After you welcome a resurrected king into your life, once you
  • 00:04:26.915 --> 00:04:29.751
  • Choose and acknowledge jesus as lord, what comes next is
  • 00:04:29.751 --> 00:04:33.655
  • After that.
  • 00:04:33.655 --> 00:04:35.691
  • It's not your same life; it's a new life.
  • 00:04:35.691 --> 00:04:37.759
  • You're a new creation, a new creature.
  • 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:41.396
  • And i think we have kind of rolled it all into and it's
  • 00:04:41.396 --> 00:04:44.232
  • Like, no, no, no, it's the same life now.
  • 00:04:44.232 --> 00:04:46.101
  • I've just got more power to help me get what i want.
  • 00:04:46.101 --> 00:04:48.203
  • No, no, no, that's not what it is at all.
  • 00:04:48.203 --> 00:04:52.641
  • And the disciples are not the same, they're never gonna be
  • 00:04:52.641 --> 00:04:54.810
  • The same.
  • 00:04:54.810 --> 00:04:56.478
  • "after his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave
  • 00:04:56.478 --> 00:04:58.680
  • Many convincing proofs that he was alive.
  • 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:00.849
  • He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke
  • 00:05:00.849 --> 00:05:03.752
  • About the kingdom of god."
  • 00:05:03.752 --> 00:05:06.755
  • That would be my first observation.
  • 00:05:06.755 --> 00:05:08.757
  • He had a 40-day seminar with them on the kingdom of god.
  • 00:05:08.757 --> 00:05:13.895
  • I bet they were better listeners than they were before
  • 00:05:13.895 --> 00:05:15.831
  • The crucifixion.
  • 00:05:15.831 --> 00:05:17.165
  • What do you bet?
  • 00:05:17.165 --> 00:05:18.533
  • I'm thinking.
  • 00:05:18.533 --> 00:05:20.802
  • But you know, we don't know a great deal.
  • 00:05:20.802 --> 00:05:22.237
  • There's not a book.
  • 00:05:22.237 --> 00:05:25.273
  • Peter didn't sit down and hammer out "what we learned about the
  • 00:05:25.273 --> 00:05:28.410
  • Kingdom after the resurrection."
  • 00:05:28.410 --> 00:05:32.080
  • I mean, there's some hints, there's some little-- but
  • 00:05:32.080 --> 00:05:34.182
  • There's really very little of that seminar that's presented
  • 00:05:34.182 --> 00:05:36.918
  • To us.
  • 00:05:36.918 --> 00:05:40.055
  • Wouldn't you like to know?
  • 00:05:40.055 --> 00:05:43.291
  • Forty days, that's a lengthy session.
  • 00:05:43.291 --> 00:05:48.263
  • So he appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke
  • 00:05:48.263 --> 00:05:50.732
  • About the kingdom of god.
  • 00:05:50.732 --> 00:05:52.234
  • "on one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them
  • 00:05:52.234 --> 00:05:54.970
  • This command: 'don't leave jerusalem, but wait for the gift
  • 00:05:54.970 --> 00:05:58.774
  • My father promised, which you've heard me speak about.
  • 00:05:58.774 --> 00:06:01.276
  • John baptized with water, but in a few days you'll be baptized in
  • 00:06:01.276 --> 00:06:04.346
  • The holy spirit.'"
  • 00:06:04.346 --> 00:06:06.181
  • Post-resurrection, glorified jesus in the midst of a seminar
  • 00:06:06.181 --> 00:06:10.719
  • With his closest followers, is still issuing commandments
  • 00:06:10.719 --> 00:06:14.623
  • To them.
  • 00:06:14.623 --> 00:06:16.358
  • Not suggestions.
  • 00:06:16.358 --> 00:06:18.527
  • The purpose of this session isn't really to unpack the
  • 00:06:18.527 --> 00:06:20.829
  • Baptism of the holy spirit, but it's noteworthy that jesus
  • 00:06:20.829 --> 00:06:24.433
  • Commanded his closest friends, born again in john 20, they've
  • 00:06:24.433 --> 00:06:30.105
  • Already crossed that threshold.
  • 00:06:30.105 --> 00:06:31.807
  • He commands them not to leave jerusalem.
  • 00:06:31.807 --> 00:06:34.276
  • Don't begin the assignment until you've been baptized in
  • 00:06:34.276 --> 00:06:38.480
  • The spirit.
  • 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:41.216
  • "'don't leave jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father
  • 00:06:41.216 --> 00:06:43.518
  • Promised, which you've heard me speak about.
  • 00:06:43.518 --> 00:06:45.821
  • John baptized with water, but in a few days you'll be baptized
  • 00:06:45.821 --> 00:06:48.423
  • With the holy spirit.'
  • 00:06:48.423 --> 00:06:50.525
  • So when they met together, they asked him, 'lord, are you at
  • 00:06:50.525 --> 00:06:54.162
  • This time going to restore the kingdom to israel?'"
  • 00:06:54.162 --> 00:06:58.633
  • Well, he's been talking about the kingdom to them this
  • 00:06:58.633 --> 00:07:00.569
  • Whole time.
  • 00:07:00.569 --> 00:07:02.304
  • And they have a timing question.
  • 00:07:02.304 --> 00:07:05.073
  • Are you gonna do it now?
  • 00:07:05.073 --> 00:07:06.408
  • Now their-- in their imagination, their desire,
  • 00:07:06.408 --> 00:07:09.244
  • Restoring the kingdom to israel, is about political autonomy.
  • 00:07:09.244 --> 00:07:13.215
  • Are you gonna throw the romans out?
  • 00:07:13.215 --> 00:07:16.184
  • I still, i continue to be bemused by people that say we
  • 00:07:16.184 --> 00:07:19.221
  • Shouldn't talk about current events or culture.
  • 00:07:19.221 --> 00:07:23.225
  • The disciples in the midst of a 40-day seminar with a
  • 00:07:23.225 --> 00:07:25.894
  • Resurrected king asked him a political question.
  • 00:07:25.894 --> 00:07:33.168
  • You see, the imagination of the first century they had of the
  • 00:07:37.372 --> 00:07:40.008
  • Messiah is that he would be a military deliverer, a
  • 00:07:40.008 --> 00:07:47.048
  • Political restorer.
  • 00:07:47.048 --> 00:07:49.117
  • In the same way perhaps that in the book of judges when god
  • 00:07:49.117 --> 00:07:52.053
  • Raised up a leader like gideon or samson, they would help push
  • 00:07:52.053 --> 00:07:56.691
  • Out their adversaries and would deliver to them a physical
  • 00:07:56.691 --> 00:08:00.962
  • Victory, a political victory.
  • 00:08:00.962 --> 00:08:03.265
  • I mean, he was seated in spiritual power and authority.
  • 00:08:03.265 --> 00:08:05.800
  • Samson had a strength that wasn't explained because of his
  • 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:09.371
  • Time in the gym, and gideon had a victory over an opposing force
  • 00:08:09.371 --> 00:08:14.409
  • That vastly outnumbered him, not because of his great military
  • 00:08:14.409 --> 00:08:17.879
  • Strategy, but because of his obedience to god.
  • 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:20.916
  • And so the-- that notion has incubated in the hearts of the
  • 00:08:20.916 --> 00:08:25.220
  • People and they have extrapolated from that a messiah
  • 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:28.823
  • Who is going to vanquish their enemies.
  • 00:08:28.823 --> 00:08:33.895
  • It's what made jesus so unacceptable.
  • 00:08:33.895 --> 00:08:36.097
  • In corinthians, paul explains it to us.
  • 00:08:36.097 --> 00:08:37.899
  • He said a christ crucified, a messiah crucified, was just
  • 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:43.772
  • Nonsense to the jews.
  • 00:08:43.772 --> 00:08:45.173
  • It's what made that whole episode around golgotha
  • 00:08:49.244 --> 00:08:51.780
  • So confusing.
  • 00:08:51.780 --> 00:08:56.017
  • And yet, jesus here is-- they're saying to him, "are you gonna
  • 00:08:56.017 --> 00:08:59.955
  • Restore the kingdom now?"
  • 00:08:59.955 --> 00:09:01.289
  • That's who messiah is going to be.
  • 00:09:01.289 --> 00:09:03.058
  • That's what he's got to do.
  • 00:09:03.058 --> 00:09:04.826
  • They're still struggling to assimilate everything
  • 00:09:04.826 --> 00:09:06.795
  • That's happening.
  • 00:09:06.795 --> 00:09:08.129
  • I would submit to you that we're gonna struggle a bit to
  • 00:09:08.129 --> 00:09:10.031
  • Assimilate all that god's doing in the earth.
  • 00:09:10.031 --> 00:09:14.336
  • And that if your answer to that is, "i'm born again and i've
  • 00:09:14.336 --> 00:09:17.405
  • Been baptized, i don't have to pay any attention to that," you
  • 00:09:17.405 --> 00:09:20.542
  • Have a willful ignorance that will cause you to miss the
  • 00:09:20.542 --> 00:09:22.777
  • Invitations of god.
  • 00:09:22.777 --> 00:09:26.681
  • They believe jesus is the messiah.
  • 00:09:26.681 --> 00:09:28.316
  • They believe he died on the cross and he's been raised to
  • 00:09:28.316 --> 00:09:30.318
  • Life again, but they're not done learning.
  • 00:09:30.318 --> 00:09:35.190
  • They've experienced the new birth.
  • 00:09:35.190 --> 00:09:38.093
  • But they haven't just shut down and said, "well, there's nothing
  • 00:09:38.093 --> 00:09:40.762
  • More for us to know."
  • 00:09:40.762 --> 00:09:43.398
  • Are you gonna restore the kingdom now?
  • 00:09:43.398 --> 00:09:45.967
  • And jesus's answer is fascinating.
  • 00:09:45.967 --> 00:09:49.204
  • He said, "that's really not any of your business."
  • 00:09:49.204 --> 00:09:52.440
  • It's not very kind.
  • 00:09:55.944 --> 00:09:59.347
  • I mean, he said, "it's not for you to know the times or the
  • 00:09:59.347 --> 00:10:01.783
  • Date the father has set by his own authority."
  • 00:10:01.783 --> 00:10:04.552
  • But then he tells them two things.
  • 00:10:04.552 --> 00:10:07.722
  • He said, "you're asking the wrong question still, you're--
  • 00:10:07.722 --> 00:10:11.026
  • Are you not paying attention?"
  • 00:10:11.026 --> 00:10:13.828
  • Well, probably not, lord.
  • 00:10:13.828 --> 00:10:16.064
  • We didn't bring any bread.
  • 00:10:16.064 --> 00:10:19.067
  • He said, "but you will receive power.
  • 00:10:19.067 --> 00:10:23.571
  • You'll be empowered to be witnesses for me when the holy
  • 00:10:23.571 --> 00:10:26.608
  • Spirit comes on you."
  • 00:10:26.608 --> 00:10:28.877
  • He said, "you will receive power and you will be my witnesses in
  • 00:10:28.877 --> 00:10:34.683
  • Jerusalem, in judea, in samaria, and to the uttermost parts of
  • 00:10:34.683 --> 00:10:38.653
  • The earth."
  • 00:10:38.653 --> 00:10:39.988
  • Those are expanding concentric circles in murfreesboro and
  • 00:10:39.988 --> 00:10:42.190
  • Rutherford county in middle tennessee, across the nation and
  • 00:10:42.190 --> 00:10:45.393
  • Throughout the earth.
  • 00:10:45.393 --> 00:10:47.829
  • You will be my witnesses.
  • 00:10:47.829 --> 00:10:50.899
  • They weren't asking that question.
  • 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:53.635
  • Jesus is still issuing directions to them.
  • 00:10:53.635 --> 00:10:57.405
  • He gave them a commandment.
  • 00:10:57.405 --> 00:10:59.541
  • And then he tells them what will happen.
  • 00:10:59.541 --> 00:11:01.042
  • "you will be empowered.
  • 00:11:01.042 --> 00:11:03.378
  • And you will be witnesses for me."
  • 00:11:03.378 --> 00:11:07.716
  • And watch what happens after he says that.
  • 00:11:07.716 --> 00:11:10.752
  • "and after he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes,
  • 00:11:10.752 --> 00:11:13.321
  • And a cloud hid him from their sight."
  • 00:11:13.321 --> 00:11:17.158
  • Last words have heightened significance,
  • 00:11:17.158 --> 00:11:20.395
  • Elevated significance.
  • 00:11:20.395 --> 00:11:22.564
  • And the last thing jesus said to them is, "you'll be empowered
  • 00:11:22.564 --> 00:11:25.800
  • And you'll be witnesses for me."
  • 00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:28.903
  • And the remaining 27 chapters in the book of acts tell us
  • 00:11:28.903 --> 00:11:31.840
  • About that.
  • 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:33.875
  • But here's what we have to understand: we're the 21st
  • 00:11:33.875 --> 00:11:36.444
  • Century edition of that narrative.
  • 00:11:36.444 --> 00:11:39.380
  • There's no conclusion.
  • 00:11:39.380 --> 00:11:41.249
  • We're just the current chapter.
  • 00:11:41.249 --> 00:11:42.650
  • Cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 aberdeen.io
  • 00:11:44.018 --> 00:11:49.057
  • Allen: and the question i'm asked most often is, "how do i
  • 00:11:50.358 --> 00:11:52.961
  • Know what god wants me to do?
  • 00:11:52.961 --> 00:11:54.295
  • If i just knew what god wanted me to do, i would do it,
  • 00:11:54.295 --> 00:11:56.664
  • Whatever it is."
  • 00:11:56.664 --> 00:11:58.266
  • Well, our offer this month i think will help.
  • 00:11:58.266 --> 00:11:59.868
  • It's by a good friend of mine, rob morgan, "the lord is
  • 00:11:59.868 --> 00:12:02.303
  • My shepherd."
  • 00:12:02.303 --> 00:12:03.671
  • He's gonna unpack the scripture that tells us how to follow the
  • 00:12:03.671 --> 00:12:06.608
  • Lord's guidance and understand his abiding presence and
  • 00:12:06.608 --> 00:12:10.044
  • His comfort.
  • 00:12:10.044 --> 00:12:11.379
  • It'll help you chart a course and know the path
  • 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:13.815
  • That god has for you.
  • 00:12:13.815 --> 00:12:15.416
  • Get a copy.
  • 00:12:15.416 --> 00:12:16.751
  • It'll make a difference in your life.
  • 00:12:16.751 --> 00:12:18.119
  • Female announcer: life can be overwhelming, but true peace
  • 00:12:18.186 --> 00:12:20.455
  • Is possible.
  • 00:12:20.455 --> 00:12:21.823
  • Pastor robert morgan's book, "the lord is my shepherd,"
  • 00:12:21.823 --> 00:12:23.758
  • Reflects on the specific ways psalm 23 speaks to our
  • 00:12:23.758 --> 00:12:26.928
  • Lives today.
  • 00:12:26.928 --> 00:12:28.296
  • It will help you find rest for your soul and discover the joy,
  • 00:12:28.296 --> 00:12:31.266
  • Inspiration, power, and peace found in psalm 23.
  • 00:12:31.266 --> 00:12:34.936
  • In today's culture, it's essential to know god is leading
  • 00:12:34.936 --> 00:12:37.639
  • Us, charting our path, and watching over us.
  • 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:40.942
  • Request your copy of "the lord is my shepherd" when you donate
  • 00:12:40.942 --> 00:12:43.411
  • Any amount at allenjackson.com, or by calling...
  • 00:12:43.411 --> 00:12:49.317
  • Allen: i wanna take the moments i've got left and and look at
  • 00:12:50.552 --> 00:12:53.755
  • That a little more in detail.
  • 00:12:53.755 --> 00:12:55.089
  • Shame and ashamed, very powerful forces in your life.
  • 00:12:55.089 --> 00:13:01.329
  • The simplest working definition of shame is the humiliation or
  • 00:13:01.329 --> 00:13:05.133
  • Distress that comes that you're conscious of when there's some
  • 00:13:05.133 --> 00:13:08.169
  • Behavior wrong, foolish, something that's identified
  • 00:13:08.169 --> 00:13:10.471
  • As inappropriate.
  • 00:13:10.471 --> 00:13:12.207
  • And when you become aware of it, there's that sense of shame.
  • 00:13:12.207 --> 00:13:15.677
  • What shame communicates, what is internalized, is that
  • 00:13:15.677 --> 00:13:18.780
  • I'm devalued.
  • 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:20.815
  • I behaved in the wrong way and so i've lost value.
  • 00:13:20.815 --> 00:13:23.785
  • I'm unworthy, i'm despised.
  • 00:13:23.785 --> 00:13:25.720
  • See, god doesn't shame us.
  • 00:13:28.723 --> 00:13:30.892
  • There's a difference between conviction and condemnation.
  • 00:13:30.892 --> 00:13:34.963
  • Condemnation is demonic.
  • 00:13:34.963 --> 00:13:36.865
  • It's from the pit.
  • 00:13:36.865 --> 00:13:39.133
  • The spirit of god doesn't bring condemnation.
  • 00:13:39.133 --> 00:13:41.836
  • In fact, the scripture says, "there is therefore now no
  • 00:13:41.836 --> 00:13:44.038
  • Condemnation to those of us who are in christ jesus," because
  • 00:13:44.038 --> 00:13:47.242
  • Condemnation says you're worthless.
  • 00:13:47.242 --> 00:13:49.944
  • You've gotten it wrong, you're always gonna get it wrong.
  • 00:13:49.944 --> 00:13:52.580
  • It is shame based.
  • 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:54.682
  • It's filled with despair and hopelessness.
  • 00:13:54.682 --> 00:13:57.085
  • Conviction says you're wrong.
  • 00:13:57.085 --> 00:14:01.022
  • But if you will repent, if you'll change your thought and
  • 00:14:01.022 --> 00:14:03.458
  • You'll change your behavior, you can be free and redeemed.
  • 00:14:03.458 --> 00:14:08.529
  • The holy spirit convicts us, he doesn't condemn us.
  • 00:14:08.529 --> 00:14:11.332
  • There's some interesting commentary.
  • 00:14:15.103 --> 00:14:16.471
  • 2 timothy chapter 1. who wrote 2 timothy?
  • 00:14:16.471 --> 00:14:21.276
  • Timothy?
  • 00:14:21.276 --> 00:14:23.811
  • Paul, it was a trick question.
  • 00:14:23.811 --> 00:14:27.348
  • Paul wrote it to a young man that has traveled with him, that
  • 00:14:27.348 --> 00:14:29.784
  • He's mentoring.
  • 00:14:29.784 --> 00:14:31.386
  • In 2 timothy paul is in a prison cell in rome.
  • 00:14:31.386 --> 00:14:34.856
  • He's already been on trial once, narrowly escaped condemnation to
  • 00:14:34.856 --> 00:14:38.026
  • Death, and the expectation seems to be, the implication is, that
  • 00:14:38.026 --> 00:14:41.596
  • Upon his next appearance, he will be condemned to death.
  • 00:14:41.596 --> 00:14:46.734
  • Most of his friends have abandoned him.
  • 00:14:46.734 --> 00:14:48.136
  • In fact, and earlier in the letter, he said-- he's
  • 00:14:48.136 --> 00:14:51.472
  • Encouraging timothy to hurry and to bring him a coat.
  • 00:14:51.472 --> 00:14:53.708
  • He's cold.
  • 00:14:53.708 --> 00:14:55.810
  • It's a pretty desperate letter.
  • 00:14:55.810 --> 00:14:58.246
  • But in 2 timothy chapter 1 and verse 8, he says, "do not be
  • 00:14:58.246 --> 00:15:01.015
  • Ashamed to testify about our lord, or ashamed of me his
  • 00:15:01.015 --> 00:15:07.155
  • Prisoner," wow.
  • 00:15:07.155 --> 00:15:09.624
  • Don't be ashamed to testify about our lord.
  • 00:15:12.627 --> 00:15:15.296
  • There'll be people who say your behavior is inappropriate, you
  • 00:15:15.296 --> 00:15:17.899
  • Shouldn't do that.
  • 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:21.169
  • How could you be so stupid?
  • 00:15:21.169 --> 00:15:24.005
  • Aren't you more intellectually enlightened than that?
  • 00:15:24.005 --> 00:15:27.375
  • Are you that antiquated?
  • 00:15:27.375 --> 00:15:28.710
  • Are you that out of step?
  • 00:15:28.710 --> 00:15:30.578
  • You really believe that jesus is the son of god?
  • 00:15:30.578 --> 00:15:33.314
  • Rome had a pantheon, a building filled with gods.
  • 00:15:33.314 --> 00:15:37.952
  • "timothy, don't be ashamed to testify about our lord."
  • 00:15:37.952 --> 00:15:41.356
  • I believe the message is very relevant in the 21st century.
  • 00:15:41.356 --> 00:15:44.192
  • Don't be ashamed to testify about jesus.
  • 00:15:44.192 --> 00:15:46.260
  • Don't reject the gospel.
  • 00:15:49.564 --> 00:15:51.032
  • Don't adopt another gospel.
  • 00:15:51.032 --> 00:15:52.633
  • Don't extrapolate the gospel.
  • 00:15:52.633 --> 00:15:54.569
  • But then he says something that's even more personal:
  • 00:15:57.805 --> 00:16:01.275
  • "don't be ashamed of me."
  • 00:16:01.275 --> 00:16:02.643
  • That would not be easy to write from a prison cell.
  • 00:16:06.147 --> 00:16:12.286
  • "timothy, i don't want you to be ashamed of me.
  • 00:16:12.286 --> 00:16:14.122
  • Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of god,
  • 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:23.765
  • Who has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of
  • 00:16:23.765 --> 00:16:28.803
  • Anything we have done but because of his own purpose
  • 00:16:28.803 --> 00:16:31.672
  • And grace.
  • 00:16:31.672 --> 00:16:33.074
  • This grace was given us in christ jesus before the
  • 00:16:33.074 --> 00:16:35.743
  • Beginning of the time."
  • 00:16:35.743 --> 00:16:37.445
  • Timothy, don't be ashamed of me, but join with me in suffering
  • 00:16:37.445 --> 00:16:41.015
  • For the gospel.
  • 00:16:41.015 --> 00:16:42.350
  • He didn't say, "timothy, whatever you do, don't walk the
  • 00:16:42.350 --> 00:16:43.718
  • Path i walked."
  • 00:16:43.718 --> 00:16:46.621
  • He said, "timothy, there's nothing shameful about where
  • 00:16:46.621 --> 00:16:48.956
  • I am.
  • 00:16:48.956 --> 00:16:50.792
  • And don't you be ashamed of the gospel."
  • 00:16:50.792 --> 00:16:53.461
  • Same chapter, verse 11: "of this gospel i was appointed a herald
  • 00:16:57.698 --> 00:17:03.571
  • And an apostle and a teacher.
  • 00:17:03.571 --> 00:17:07.775
  • That's why i'm suffering as i am."
  • 00:17:07.775 --> 00:17:10.044
  • Isn't that what peter wrote?
  • 00:17:10.044 --> 00:17:11.412
  • We just read it in 1 peter 4, he said, "if you suffer, you wanna
  • 00:17:11.412 --> 00:17:15.550
  • Suffer for godliness, not because you're a murderer or a
  • 00:17:15.550 --> 00:17:18.486
  • Thief or even a meddler."
  • 00:17:18.486 --> 00:17:21.522
  • He said, "if suffering comes, let it be because of your
  • 00:17:21.522 --> 00:17:24.225
  • Commitment to holiness and righteousness and purity.
  • 00:17:24.225 --> 00:17:28.763
  • Those aren't private matters, those are public matters to be
  • 00:17:28.763 --> 00:17:31.766
  • Lived out in the public square."
  • 00:17:31.766 --> 00:17:35.870
  • Paul's not in prison because he had a private faith.
  • 00:17:35.870 --> 00:17:38.573
  • "i was appointed a herald, an apostle, and a teacher.
  • 00:17:42.443 --> 00:17:44.812
  • It's why i'm suffering as i am.
  • 00:17:44.812 --> 00:17:47.315
  • Yet i'm not ashamed."
  • 00:17:47.315 --> 00:17:50.051
  • I'm not worthless.
  • 00:17:50.051 --> 00:17:52.453
  • I may be reviled by men, but i'm not reviled by god, "because i
  • 00:17:52.453 --> 00:17:57.225
  • Know whom i have believed, and i'm convinced that he's able to
  • 00:17:57.225 --> 00:18:01.496
  • Guard what i've entrusted to him for that day."
  • 00:18:01.496 --> 00:18:05.833
  • When we choose the applause of the ungodly, we forfeit the
  • 00:18:05.833 --> 00:18:13.975
  • Blessings of god.
  • 00:18:13.975 --> 00:18:16.811
  • Every time we choose the applause of the ungodly, and we
  • 00:18:16.811 --> 00:18:20.515
  • Refuse to tell the truth, we refuse to stand up, we refuse to
  • 00:18:20.515 --> 00:18:24.318
  • Acknowledge the reality that we know, we forfeit what we've
  • 00:18:24.318 --> 00:18:28.956
  • Been-- what we've been trying to entrust to the lord.
  • 00:18:28.956 --> 00:18:31.726
  • When jesus said, "lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven,"
  • 00:18:31.726 --> 00:18:34.629
  • He didn't simply mean with our tithes and offerings.
  • 00:18:34.629 --> 00:18:38.366
  • I'll close with hebrews 12: "let's-- let us fix our eyes on
  • 00:18:42.537 --> 00:18:48.509
  • Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
  • 00:18:48.509 --> 00:18:52.079
  • Set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame."
  • 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:56.317
  • To scorn something is to reject it.
  • 00:18:56.317 --> 00:19:02.557
  • A person scorned is a person rejected.
  • 00:19:02.557 --> 00:19:05.493
  • When it says, "he scorned the shame of the cross," to be
  • 00:19:05.493 --> 00:19:08.529
  • Crucified in public as a criminal, to be stripped naked
  • 00:19:08.529 --> 00:19:12.133
  • And beaten, is very humiliating.
  • 00:19:12.133 --> 00:19:16.103
  • The message to anybody who's just a casual observer is
  • 00:19:16.103 --> 00:19:18.639
  • There's something about this person's behavior that is so
  • 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:21.108
  • Reprehensible they deserve death.
  • 00:19:21.108 --> 00:19:25.046
  • Your enemies stand and his enemies spat upon him and the
  • 00:19:25.046 --> 00:19:33.688
  • Author of hebrews says jesus rejected that shame.
  • 00:19:33.688 --> 00:19:36.090
  • "and he sat down at the right hand of the throne of god."
  • 00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:42.029
  • You need some of the rest of the story in the new testament.
  • 00:19:42.029 --> 00:19:44.565
  • In philippians 2, it says: "because jesus did that, god
  • 00:19:44.565 --> 00:19:47.735
  • Exalted him to the highest place."
  • 00:19:47.735 --> 00:19:49.437
  • Folks, i'm inviting you to attend the after party.
  • 00:19:52.540 --> 00:19:59.046
  • Don't just stay at the cross.
  • 00:19:59.046 --> 00:20:01.916
  • Don't stay outside the empty tomb.
  • 00:20:01.916 --> 00:20:06.354
  • Let's be empowered to be witnesses.
  • 00:20:06.354 --> 00:20:09.423
  • Let's recognize that the truth will bring sometimes
  • 00:20:09.423 --> 00:20:12.193
  • Some division.
  • 00:20:12.193 --> 00:20:16.130
  • Let's recognize that it won't cause us to always be applauded.
  • 00:20:16.130 --> 00:20:19.934
  • Let's still be people of the truth.
  • 00:20:19.934 --> 00:20:23.304
  • When our behavior brings the reproach from others because
  • 00:20:23.304 --> 00:20:26.741
  • We've made choices that are different, we don't have to
  • 00:20:26.741 --> 00:20:30.511
  • Be ashamed.
  • 00:20:30.511 --> 00:20:31.879
  • You see, serving jesus isn't about just are you gonna restore
  • 00:20:35.283 --> 00:20:38.786
  • The kingdom and we really don't like the romans.
  • 00:20:38.786 --> 00:20:40.454
  • Can we have our way?
  • 00:20:40.454 --> 00:20:42.923
  • It's are we willing to accept the command?
  • 00:20:42.923 --> 00:20:47.428
  • So how do you get there?
  • 00:20:47.428 --> 00:20:48.763
  • I gave you a little formula.
  • 00:20:48.763 --> 00:20:50.131
  • It's not new.
  • 00:20:50.131 --> 00:20:51.465
  • I'm not gonna take a lot of time with it.
  • 00:20:51.465 --> 00:20:52.833
  • I'm just gonna pray for you.
  • 00:20:52.833 --> 00:20:54.168
  • I put it in your notes as r cubed.
  • 00:20:54.168 --> 00:20:56.170
  • It really is the pathway to this.
  • 00:20:56.170 --> 00:20:58.172
  • You have to repent.
  • 00:20:58.172 --> 00:20:59.874
  • Repent means you change your thought and you change
  • 00:20:59.874 --> 00:21:01.542
  • Your behavior.
  • 00:21:01.542 --> 00:21:02.910
  • I've been thinking wrongly, therefore i've been
  • 00:21:02.910 --> 00:21:04.245
  • Behaving wrongly.
  • 00:21:04.245 --> 00:21:05.613
  • I'm gonna change my thoughts and my behavior.
  • 00:21:05.613 --> 00:21:08.949
  • And then you have to renounce.
  • 00:21:08.949 --> 00:21:10.318
  • We open the door to things in our lives, spiritually.
  • 00:21:10.318 --> 00:21:12.953
  • We open the door to spiritual influences and spiritual
  • 00:21:12.953 --> 00:21:15.723
  • Consequences, and when you repent and you want to take that
  • 00:21:15.723 --> 00:21:18.192
  • Next step and say, "i renounce that.
  • 00:21:18.192 --> 00:21:22.330
  • In the name of jesus, i renounce whatever place i gave something
  • 00:21:22.330 --> 00:21:26.367
  • Unholy or unclean in my life.
  • 00:21:26.367 --> 00:21:30.371
  • Then i thank you that through the blood of jesus, i'm free."
  • 00:21:30.371 --> 00:21:35.543
  • And then thirdly, you have to release.
  • 00:21:35.543 --> 00:21:37.345
  • Sometimes there are persons you need to release.
  • 00:21:37.345 --> 00:21:39.246
  • You've taken them hostage.
  • 00:21:39.246 --> 00:21:40.614
  • You're angry, you're resentful, you're bitter, you're filled
  • 00:21:40.614 --> 00:21:44.118
  • With hatred.
  • 00:21:44.118 --> 00:21:45.486
  • Sometimes there are organizations.
  • 00:21:45.486 --> 00:21:47.988
  • I meet people that haven't been to church in 30 years because
  • 00:21:47.988 --> 00:21:50.358
  • Somebody in the church was hypocritical or inappropriate
  • 00:21:50.358 --> 00:21:52.693
  • Or wrong.
  • 00:21:52.693 --> 00:21:55.563
  • That's tragic on every possible level.
  • 00:21:55.563 --> 00:22:00.401
  • And you've got to release those things you've carried.
  • 00:22:00.401 --> 00:22:02.636
  • You don't have a right to take hostages.
  • 00:22:02.636 --> 00:22:04.438
  • Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice, and for us to be
  • 00:22:04.438 --> 00:22:06.941
  • Forgiven, we have to release.
  • 00:22:06.941 --> 00:22:09.710
  • You have to forgive yourself.
  • 00:22:09.710 --> 00:22:13.547
  • Because sometimes you look back and you weren't the parent you
  • 00:22:13.547 --> 00:22:16.016
  • Could have been.
  • 00:22:16.016 --> 00:22:19.186
  • Or you weren't whatever you could have been.
  • 00:22:19.186 --> 00:22:21.889
  • And i don't want you just to live through it and act like it
  • 00:22:21.889 --> 00:22:23.824
  • Didn't happen, it did happen, you need to repent.
  • 00:22:23.824 --> 00:22:27.495
  • And you need to renounce whatever part you had in that,
  • 00:22:27.495 --> 00:22:29.897
  • Whatever willful, stubborn, whatever that may be.
  • 00:22:29.897 --> 00:22:32.400
  • Call it by its ugliest name, you and the lord do that.
  • 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:36.270
  • And then you have to release it and you have to be released.
  • 00:22:36.270 --> 00:22:39.673
  • Forgive me my trespasses, as i forgive those who trespass
  • 00:22:43.844 --> 00:22:47.481
  • Against me.
  • 00:22:47.481 --> 00:22:49.316
  • If you'll take that little equation, that r cubed, repent,
  • 00:22:49.316 --> 00:22:53.254
  • Renounce, and release, it is the pathway to being free and it's
  • 00:22:53.254 --> 00:22:58.259
  • All made possible through the redemptive work of jesus.
  • 00:22:58.259 --> 00:23:02.263
  • If you'll do that, the after party's a breeze.
  • 00:23:02.263 --> 00:23:06.233
  • I mean, you'll meet some knuckleheads along the way.
  • 00:23:06.233 --> 00:23:10.004
  • But you'll be so grateful when you see the king.
  • 00:23:10.004 --> 00:23:16.043
  • God is moving in the earth, folks.
  • 00:23:16.043 --> 00:23:18.479
  • Let's go with him.
  • 00:23:18.479 --> 00:23:23.417
  • Why don't you stand with me?
  • 00:23:20.681 --> 00:23:26.754
  • I'm gonna leave that little equation with you, but i wanna
  • 00:23:30.958 --> 00:23:33.194
  • Say a prayer with you.
  • 00:23:33.194 --> 00:23:34.528
  • We're gonna give the holy spirit permission.
  • 00:23:34.528 --> 00:23:36.430
  • If there's any place in us that needs attention, that he'll
  • 00:23:36.430 --> 00:23:38.666
  • Bring it to mind.
  • 00:23:38.666 --> 00:23:40.601
  • He reminds you of a scene in your life.
  • 00:23:40.601 --> 00:23:43.370
  • If he reminds you of some person when you think about him, you
  • 00:23:43.370 --> 00:23:45.606
  • Wanna make a fist or your stomach gets tight or-- there
  • 00:23:45.606 --> 00:23:50.277
  • Have been times and seasons in my life when just the thought of
  • 00:23:50.277 --> 00:23:52.446
  • Somebody would make me almost ill.
  • 00:23:52.446 --> 00:23:56.183
  • The bible talks about being dead to sin.
  • 00:23:56.183 --> 00:23:59.553
  • That's dead to-- that's in our own life and it's dead to the
  • 00:23:59.553 --> 00:24:02.656
  • Sin of others.
  • 00:24:02.656 --> 00:24:05.493
  • You know, if you have whatever habits may grip your life, when
  • 00:24:05.493 --> 00:24:11.799
  • You're dead, their grip is broken.
  • 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:15.936
  • I like chocolate.
  • 00:24:15.936 --> 00:24:18.305
  • When i'm dead you could lay me on a pile of m&ms, and i would
  • 00:24:18.305 --> 00:24:25.546
  • Not be tempted.
  • 00:24:25.546 --> 00:24:28.349
  • I'll be dead to that.
  • 00:24:28.349 --> 00:24:31.085
  • Tonight i'd be cheating.
  • 00:24:31.085 --> 00:24:35.089
  • So when you're dead to something, it has no longer an
  • 00:24:35.089 --> 00:24:37.658
  • Attraction to you, but it no longer elicits a reaction
  • 00:24:37.658 --> 00:24:42.062
  • From you.
  • 00:24:42.062 --> 00:24:44.198
  • And when we're dead to sin, it's not only is it not attractive,
  • 00:24:44.198 --> 00:24:50.037
  • It's no longer causing you to react.
  • 00:24:50.037 --> 00:24:53.874
  • So if the holy spirit brings something to mind, someone to
  • 00:24:53.874 --> 00:24:57.811
  • Mind, some circumstance to mind, repent, renounce, and release.
  • 00:24:57.811 --> 00:25:05.653
  • Father, thank you for your word, for its truth and its authority.
  • 00:25:05.653 --> 00:25:09.123
  • I thank you that you have invited us--lord, you have
  • 00:25:09.123 --> 00:25:12.693
  • Commanded us, to receive your provision
  • 00:25:12.693 --> 00:25:22.036
  • And to be witnesses for you.
  • 00:25:22.036 --> 00:25:25.005
  • And holy spirit, now we ask you if there are any places where
  • 00:25:25.005 --> 00:25:29.643
  • There's a hindrance or a point of resistance, that you would
  • 00:25:29.643 --> 00:25:36.283
  • Give us the insight and understanding.
  • 00:25:36.283 --> 00:25:40.421
  • Or if there's any place where we have denied you or we have been
  • 00:25:40.421 --> 00:25:46.594
  • Ashamed of you or we have tried to bring unity by denying you,
  • 00:25:46.594 --> 00:25:54.201
  • Lord, whatever it may be, we want to be pleasing in
  • 00:25:54.201 --> 00:25:57.838
  • Your sight.
  • 00:25:57.838 --> 00:25:59.707
  • We don't want to shrink back.
  • 00:25:59.707 --> 00:26:01.942
  • We don't want to be turned aside.
  • 00:26:01.942 --> 00:26:04.511
  • We want to honor you.
  • 00:26:04.511 --> 00:26:07.047
  • And i thank you now for the help of the holy spirit.
  • 00:26:07.047 --> 00:26:10.117
  • In jesus's name, amen, hallelujah.
  • 00:26:10.117 --> 00:26:15.356
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:15.356 --> 00:26:16.724
  • Allen: you know, before our congregation even existed, my
  • 00:26:18.292 --> 00:26:21.595
  • Family used to distribute christian literature.
  • 00:26:21.595 --> 00:26:23.731
  • We found that sharing books changed lives and so we spent a
  • 00:26:23.731 --> 00:26:27.801
  • Lot of time and energy and resources, honestly, sharing
  • 00:26:27.801 --> 00:26:31.038
  • Books around our community.
  • 00:26:31.038 --> 00:26:32.806
  • Well, our offer this month is a book by a good friend of mine,
  • 00:26:32.806 --> 00:26:36.343
  • Rob morgan.
  • 00:26:36.343 --> 00:26:37.711
  • The title is "the lord is my shepherd."
  • 00:26:37.711 --> 00:26:39.513
  • It's a book about god's abiding presence, his guidance in our
  • 00:26:39.513 --> 00:26:42.983
  • Lives, and the fact that he charts a course for us.
  • 00:26:42.983 --> 00:26:46.053
  • It's a book i believe will change your life, but it's also
  • 00:26:46.053 --> 00:26:49.323
  • A really easy book to share with a friend.
  • 00:26:49.323 --> 00:26:51.925
  • So i wanna give you an invitation.
  • 00:26:51.925 --> 00:26:53.293
  • Let's not just enjoy the word of god and what god does for us.
  • 00:26:53.293 --> 00:26:57.064
  • Let's decide to be a light in our families, in our community,
  • 00:26:57.064 --> 00:27:00.801
  • In your sunday school class, wherever that may be.
  • 00:27:00.801 --> 00:27:03.504
  • I believe this book is a wonderful tool not only for you
  • 00:27:03.504 --> 00:27:07.741
  • But for the people you care about.
  • 00:27:07.741 --> 00:27:09.209
  • "the lord is my shepherd," that's a message we need now.
  • 00:27:09.209 --> 00:27:12.646
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:13.647 --> 00:27:18.585
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:21.121 --> 00:27:21.121