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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Breaking Our Addiction To Easy (Part 2)

July 12, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Breaking Our Addiction To Easy (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Addiction #Complacency #Comfort #Jesus #Faith #TrustGod #Obedience #Dedication/Devotion #Commitment #Longsuffering #WalkwithGod

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Breaking Our Addiction To Easy (Part 2) | July 12, 2025
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: and i know you know, but we're living in
  • 00:00:06.456 --> 00:00:08.158
  • A chaotic world, things are changing globally.
  • 00:00:08.158 --> 00:00:10.727
  • There's wars, there's threats of war, a lot of stuff happening.
  • 00:00:10.727 --> 00:00:15.198
  • But i wanna make a suggestion, don't focus on the negative,
  • 00:00:15.198 --> 00:00:18.068
  • Don't get caught up in the uncertainty.
  • 00:00:18.068 --> 00:00:20.703
  • That'll bring fear and anxiety and worry.
  • 00:00:20.703 --> 00:00:23.673
  • It's not helpful.
  • 00:00:23.673 --> 00:00:25.008
  • Let's determine to focus our attention on the lord.
  • 00:00:25.008 --> 00:00:28.044
  • We've created a tool that i believe will make a difference.
  • 00:00:28.044 --> 00:00:30.313
  • It's called, "awaken us."
  • 00:00:30.313 --> 00:00:31.948
  • It's a 30 day plan.
  • 00:00:31.948 --> 00:00:33.716
  • Each day is directed at a different topic
  • 00:00:33.716 --> 00:00:36.119
  • That's a part of our current world.
  • 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:38.254
  • It gives us a verse of scripture, a little devotional
  • 00:00:38.254 --> 00:00:40.256
  • Around that topic.
  • 00:00:40.256 --> 00:00:41.591
  • And then a prayer for that specific thing.
  • 00:00:41.591 --> 00:00:43.960
  • The idea is we're gonna give the holy spirit an invitation
  • 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:47.163
  • To awaken us to a new place of faith.
  • 00:00:47.163 --> 00:00:50.600
  • You know, we need an awakening in the midst
  • 00:00:50.600 --> 00:00:52.635
  • Of the people of god.
  • 00:00:52.635 --> 00:00:53.970
  • And we wanna say, "well, i am awake."
  • 00:00:53.970 --> 00:00:55.338
  • Well, i get that, but, you know, i was awakened yesterday.
  • 00:00:55.338 --> 00:00:58.508
  • But this morning i was awakened again, and my prayer is
  • 00:00:58.508 --> 00:01:00.844
  • Tomorrow i'll be awakened yet again.
  • 00:01:00.844 --> 00:01:03.413
  • We need a daily awakening by the spirit of god
  • 00:01:03.413 --> 00:01:06.349
  • To find his best for us in this season.
  • 00:01:06.349 --> 00:01:08.985
  • And i believe this book will help you.
  • 00:01:08.985 --> 00:01:14.290
  • Allen: so that when jesus talked to us about easy and light, he's
  • 00:01:18.528 --> 00:01:22.765
  • Not talking to us about the absence of conflict or the
  • 00:01:22.765 --> 00:01:26.703
  • Complete elimination of resistance because jesus's life
  • 00:01:26.703 --> 00:01:29.439
  • Was filled with that.
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  • There's something else involved.
  • 00:01:32.609 --> 00:01:35.378
  • The one message jesus gave repeatedly, and i didn't bring
  • 00:01:35.378 --> 00:01:37.714
  • You all the references, it's beyond a single lesson, but that
  • 00:01:37.714 --> 00:01:40.583
  • He was committed to do the will of the father, to do what god
  • 00:01:40.583 --> 00:01:42.886
  • Had sent him to do, that he was on an assignment.
  • 00:01:42.886 --> 00:01:45.121
  • I hope you and i can live with the awareness that we're on a
  • 00:01:45.121 --> 00:01:47.390
  • God assignment, that i'm not just here to do what
  • 00:01:47.390 --> 00:01:50.493
  • Allen wants.
  • 00:01:50.493 --> 00:01:53.129
  • I'm not opposed to doing things that are pleasing or satisfying
  • 00:01:53.129 --> 00:01:56.099
  • Or bring contentment or joy, but that cannot be the only set of
  • 00:01:56.099 --> 00:01:59.536
  • Choices in making the decisions in my life or i
  • 00:01:59.536 --> 00:02:02.438
  • Will self-destruct.
  • 00:02:02.438 --> 00:02:05.375
  • Clearly, god intended for that generation to occupy the
  • 00:02:05.375 --> 00:02:09.279
  • Promised land.
  • 00:02:09.279 --> 00:02:10.647
  • That was the objective before they ever left egypt.
  • 00:02:10.647 --> 00:02:12.682
  • God had declared his purposes before the plagues were visited
  • 00:02:12.682 --> 00:02:15.451
  • Upon the egyptians, before the red sea was ever parted, before
  • 00:02:15.451 --> 00:02:19.789
  • They gathered manna daily to eat, before they visited mount
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  • Sinai and saw the glory of god.
  • 00:02:22.825 --> 00:02:27.163
  • Still, it was a promise that required the hebrews to occupy,
  • 00:02:27.163 --> 00:02:32.202
  • To face intimidating odds, determined enemies.
  • 00:02:32.202 --> 00:02:36.573
  • It was not an invitation to a picnic.
  • 00:02:36.573 --> 00:02:41.010
  • Their exit from egypt was not a picnic.
  • 00:02:41.010 --> 00:02:44.447
  • Oh, there were plagues, but they were making bricks with
  • 00:02:44.447 --> 00:02:46.816
  • No straw.
  • 00:02:46.816 --> 00:02:49.085
  • They were telling moses to leave him alone.
  • 00:02:49.085 --> 00:02:52.388
  • On multiple occasions, they said, "we wish we had never
  • 00:02:52.388 --> 00:02:55.592
  • Met you."
  • 00:02:55.592 --> 00:02:58.194
  • So in spite of all the miracles and all the displays of the
  • 00:02:58.194 --> 00:03:01.497
  • Power of god and a pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud, it
  • 00:03:01.497 --> 00:03:06.069
  • Required the very best they had.
  • 00:03:06.069 --> 00:03:08.805
  • And now, they've arrived at the jordan river, at the entrance to
  • 00:03:08.805 --> 00:03:11.274
  • God's promised inheritance, and they said, "we're gonna retire
  • 00:03:11.274 --> 00:03:17.880
  • From difficult.
  • 00:03:17.880 --> 00:03:21.084
  • We don't want to do difficult anymore.
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  • We're out.
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  • You're feeding us every day.
  • 00:03:26.623 --> 00:03:30.393
  • None of us are sick.
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  • No thanks."
  • 00:03:33.329 --> 00:03:36.199
  • And god called them wicked, his covenant people.
  • 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:43.072
  • He said, "i'll start over with a new group, and you can wander in
  • 00:03:43.072 --> 00:03:47.343
  • A circle until your days are done."
  • 00:03:47.343 --> 00:03:52.649
  • I honestly believe when we say i refuse to do difficult, what we
  • 00:03:52.649 --> 00:03:57.520
  • Do is commit ourselves to go wander in a circle.
  • 00:03:57.520 --> 00:04:01.724
  • Because you'll be led around by easy.
  • 00:04:01.724 --> 00:04:06.663
  • And they missed the opportunity of god.
  • 00:04:06.663 --> 00:04:08.498
  • And it's clearly condemned in scripture.
  • 00:04:08.498 --> 00:04:11.367
  • Throughout the breadth of scripture, old testament
  • 00:04:11.367 --> 00:04:13.703
  • And new.
  • 00:04:13.703 --> 00:04:16.739
  • Now, i want to take it a step further and look at jesus's life
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  • With you.
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  • At the end of the day, he's our leader.
  • 00:04:21.644 --> 00:04:25.114
  • He is the one we follow.
  • 00:04:25.114 --> 00:04:28.484
  • And in hebrews chapter 12, again in hebrews, they would be
  • 00:04:28.484 --> 00:04:32.955
  • Familiar with the concept of a messiah.
  • 00:04:32.955 --> 00:04:35.525
  • There was a tremendous adjustment that had to come in
  • 00:04:35.525 --> 00:04:37.694
  • The jewish mindset through a messiah who could be killed by
  • 00:04:37.694 --> 00:04:40.163
  • The romans.
  • 00:04:40.163 --> 00:04:42.198
  • You see that the heroes they knew were moses that overcame
  • 00:04:42.198 --> 00:04:44.801
  • Egypt, samson that overcame the philistines, gideon that
  • 00:04:44.801 --> 00:04:48.004
  • Overcame the midianites.
  • 00:04:48.004 --> 00:04:49.672
  • They have a long history, a national consciousness, of these
  • 00:04:49.672 --> 00:04:52.709
  • Remarkable deliverers that god would bring.
  • 00:04:52.709 --> 00:04:54.811
  • And now they're waiting for the messiah, the incarnate son of
  • 00:04:54.811 --> 00:04:57.847
  • God, the king of kings.
  • 00:04:57.847 --> 00:05:00.483
  • And they very much expect him to be a political ruler, a
  • 00:05:00.483 --> 00:05:03.553
  • Military ruler.
  • 00:05:03.553 --> 00:05:07.890
  • See, the church desperately wants an election right now to
  • 00:05:07.890 --> 00:05:10.126
  • Fix us in our nation, to turn back the darkness, to
  • 00:05:10.126 --> 00:05:13.496
  • Re-establish the biblical view of marriage, to have the courage
  • 00:05:13.496 --> 00:05:17.133
  • To say that your biological sex actually means something more
  • 00:05:17.133 --> 00:05:20.136
  • Than your opinion.
  • 00:05:20.136 --> 00:05:22.505
  • We want politicians to do what god's called us to do.
  • 00:05:22.505 --> 00:05:26.909
  • We want people elected by secular authority to have more
  • 00:05:26.909 --> 00:05:29.679
  • Moral courage than we have in the church.
  • 00:05:29.679 --> 00:05:31.547
  • We're afraid to say those things around our kitchen tables, and
  • 00:05:31.547 --> 00:05:35.718
  • We want somebody to go echo those in the halls
  • 00:05:35.718 --> 00:05:37.653
  • Of government.
  • 00:05:37.653 --> 00:05:42.125
  • So the imagination was the messiah was gonna come and lead
  • 00:05:42.125 --> 00:05:45.161
  • A political revolt and get rid of the romans.
  • 00:05:45.161 --> 00:05:47.130
  • And even the disciples asked jesus that in acts chapter 1.
  • 00:05:47.130 --> 00:05:52.335
  • And jesus came, and the romans tortured him to death.
  • 00:05:52.335 --> 00:05:56.406
  • Big realignment.
  • 00:05:56.406 --> 00:06:01.043
  • But by the time they put hebrews together, the author of
  • 00:05:58.975 --> 00:06:04.647
  • Hebrews understands.
  • 00:06:04.647 --> 00:06:07.016
  • And so, he's writing his audience a message, and we get
  • 00:06:07.016 --> 00:06:10.253
  • To hear it.
  • 00:06:10.253 --> 00:06:11.587
  • It's appropriate for us today.
  • 00:06:11.587 --> 00:06:12.955
  • He said, "let's fix our eyes on jesus.
  • 00:06:12.955 --> 00:06:15.792
  • He's the author and the perfecter of our faith," you
  • 00:06:15.792 --> 00:06:19.028
  • Could translate that equally, "he's the author and the
  • 00:06:19.028 --> 00:06:21.130
  • Completer of our faith."
  • 00:06:21.130 --> 00:06:22.465
  • I love that.
  • 00:06:22.465 --> 00:06:24.200
  • When you write a book, you get to choose how it ends.
  • 00:06:24.200 --> 00:06:28.404
  • It's your book.
  • 00:06:28.404 --> 00:06:30.373
  • Guess who the author of your faith is?
  • 00:06:30.373 --> 00:06:33.543
  • The one who's going to write the ending.
  • 00:06:33.543 --> 00:06:37.146
  • Spoiler alert.
  • 00:06:37.146 --> 00:06:39.549
  • We win!
  • 00:06:39.549 --> 00:06:42.084
  • He just keeps writing chapters.
  • 00:06:42.084 --> 00:06:46.155
  • Sometimes, you know, when i'm bumping into things and people
  • 00:06:46.155 --> 00:06:48.324
  • Seem to be making life difficult or circumstances, i do, “oh,
  • 00:06:48.324 --> 00:06:50.893
  • Y'all don't know my boss.
  • 00:06:50.893 --> 00:06:52.261
  • He's gonna write a new chapter.
  • 00:06:52.261 --> 00:06:53.629
  • I'm gonna win.
  • 00:06:53.629 --> 00:06:54.964
  • It's gonna irritate you to no end.” "he's the author and the
  • 00:06:54.964 --> 00:06:59.268
  • Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured
  • 00:06:59.268 --> 00:07:02.605
  • The cross, scorning at shame, and sat down at the right hand
  • 00:07:02.605 --> 00:07:06.776
  • Of the throne of god.
  • 00:07:06.776 --> 00:07:08.110
  • Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so
  • 00:07:08.110 --> 00:07:13.816
  • That you will not grow weary and lose heart."
  • 00:07:13.816 --> 00:07:17.520
  • It says we have to fix our eyes on jesus.
  • 00:07:17.520 --> 00:07:19.755
  • He's the author and the completer of our story, who for
  • 00:07:19.755 --> 00:07:24.994
  • The joy set before him endured the cross.
  • 00:07:24.994 --> 00:07:26.829
  • Why would we do difficult things?
  • 00:07:26.829 --> 00:07:28.431
  • Because on the other side of difficult are the best things
  • 00:07:28.431 --> 00:07:30.633
  • In life.
  • 00:07:30.633 --> 00:07:32.568
  • I've talked about that more in some previous sessions.
  • 00:07:32.568 --> 00:07:34.504
  • I don't want to go back to that.
  • 00:07:34.504 --> 00:07:35.872
  • But i assure you, if you'll just reflect on your life, those
  • 00:07:35.872 --> 00:07:38.140
  • Times when you were willing to walk through difficult places,
  • 00:07:38.140 --> 00:07:40.676
  • You found something better.
  • 00:07:40.676 --> 00:07:43.412
  • And when you are determined to push the easy button, every time
  • 00:07:43.412 --> 00:07:45.982
  • You do, you forfeit something better.
  • 00:07:45.982 --> 00:07:48.518
  • For the joy set before him, he endured the cross.
  • 00:07:48.518 --> 00:07:51.787
  • He scorned the shame of that.
  • 00:07:51.787 --> 00:07:53.256
  • He was hung naked, beaten almost beyond recognition, before
  • 00:07:53.256 --> 00:07:58.094
  • His enemies.
  • 00:07:58.094 --> 00:07:59.562
  • They had spit upon him.
  • 00:07:59.562 --> 00:08:01.564
  • They blindfolded and hit him over the head again and again,
  • 00:08:01.564 --> 00:08:04.901
  • And said, "if you're really the son of god, tell us who
  • 00:08:04.901 --> 00:08:07.436
  • Hit you."
  • 00:08:07.436 --> 00:08:08.804
  • Oh, he could have.
  • 00:08:08.804 --> 00:08:10.139
  • He could have caused them to melt.
  • 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:13.442
  • He wasn't without power or options.
  • 00:08:13.442 --> 00:08:17.513
  • Then they made him carry his cross through the streets and
  • 00:08:17.513 --> 00:08:19.949
  • Out through the city gate where the criminals went, and they
  • 00:08:19.949 --> 00:08:24.620
  • Tortured him to death where criminals died.
  • 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:27.957
  • And his enemy stood at a distance and mocked him, and
  • 00:08:27.957 --> 00:08:30.293
  • Said, "if you're the son of god, come down from there."
  • 00:08:30.293 --> 00:08:33.229
  • And he could have.
  • 00:08:33.229 --> 00:08:37.934
  • He endured the cross, scorning, and shame.
  • 00:08:37.934 --> 00:08:45.041
  • Philippians chapter 2 gives us just a little more insight.
  • 00:08:45.041 --> 00:08:49.211
  • Again, this is how it came to be understood in the hearts of the
  • 00:08:49.211 --> 00:08:51.514
  • People of god.
  • 00:08:51.514 --> 00:08:52.882
  • This is something paul wrote a rabbi, a pharisee, someone
  • 00:08:52.882 --> 00:08:56.485
  • Trained in the mosaic law.
  • 00:08:56.485 --> 00:08:59.922
  • Now an avid follower of jesus writing to a church that he'd
  • 00:08:59.922 --> 00:09:03.726
  • Helped shepherd into existence, he said, "your attitude should
  • 00:09:03.726 --> 00:09:06.929
  • Be the same as that of christ jesus," okay.
  • 00:09:06.929 --> 00:09:11.300
  • Did you know god cares about your attitude?
  • 00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:14.470
  • You just thought he cared about your vocabulary and your
  • 00:09:14.470 --> 00:09:16.405
  • Wardrobe and your beverage list.
  • 00:09:16.405 --> 00:09:19.041
  • No, he caress about what you're thinking.
  • 00:09:19.041 --> 00:09:22.645
  • "who, being in very nature god, didn't consider equality with
  • 00:09:22.645 --> 00:09:25.548
  • God, something to be grasped, he made himself nothing, and took
  • 00:09:25.548 --> 00:09:30.653
  • The very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
  • 00:09:30.653 --> 00:09:34.190
  • And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and he
  • 00:09:34.190 --> 00:09:39.495
  • Became obedient to death," obedient to the point of death,
  • 00:09:39.495 --> 00:09:46.602
  • "even death on a cross!
  • 00:09:46.602 --> 00:09:50.206
  • Therefore," therefore is a word that means in conclusion, in
  • 00:09:50.206 --> 00:09:54.377
  • Summary, because of everything i just said.
  • 00:09:54.377 --> 00:09:57.713
  • I learned it as a boy, but it's a great rule.
  • 00:09:57.713 --> 00:09:59.649
  • It's not original with me.
  • 00:09:59.649 --> 00:10:01.017
  • When you find a "therefore" in your bible, you should find out
  • 00:10:01.017 --> 00:10:02.852
  • What it's there for.
  • 00:10:02.852 --> 00:10:05.721
  • Because it's telling you this is a summary of what we just said.
  • 00:10:05.721 --> 00:10:08.924
  • "therefore," because of all those things, jesus did, "god
  • 00:10:08.924 --> 00:10:12.495
  • Exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that's
  • 00:10:12.495 --> 00:10:16.799
  • Above every name, that at the name of jesus every knee should
  • 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:19.635
  • Bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every
  • 00:10:19.635 --> 00:10:22.672
  • Tongue confess that jesus christ is lord, to the glory of god
  • 00:10:22.672 --> 00:10:25.808
  • The father."
  • 00:10:25.808 --> 00:10:27.943
  • Because of the choices jesus made, because he was willing to
  • 00:10:27.943 --> 00:10:31.781
  • Humble himself, to become a part of his own creation and suffer
  • 00:10:31.781 --> 00:10:36.786
  • The the indignity of the frailties of being human, to be
  • 00:10:36.786 --> 00:10:40.623
  • Rejected and mistreated, because he was willing to be obedient to
  • 00:10:40.623 --> 00:10:45.594
  • His father's instructions, even to the point of death and at
  • 00:10:45.594 --> 00:10:48.764
  • That, death on the cross.
  • 00:10:48.764 --> 00:10:50.099
  • It said, "therefore, god exalted him and gave him a name that's
  • 00:10:50.099 --> 00:10:54.003
  • Above every name in heaven, earth, under the earth."
  • 00:10:54.003 --> 00:10:58.007
  • No one will ever challenge the authority of jesus.
  • 00:10:58.007 --> 00:11:01.377
  • He has the penultimate authority from the creator of everything
  • 00:11:01.377 --> 00:11:07.983
  • Because of what he chose to do.
  • 00:11:07.983 --> 00:11:11.487
  • So if you'll allow me, i don't believe i'm stepping, like, into
  • 00:11:11.487 --> 00:11:14.390
  • Some crazy peripheral place to say that god can give
  • 00:11:14.390 --> 00:11:19.495
  • Difficult assignments.
  • 00:11:19.495 --> 00:11:25.735
  • Allen: hey we have a tool that i think will help you
  • 00:11:29.772 --> 00:11:31.474
  • Overcome some of the chaos in the world
  • 00:11:31.474 --> 00:11:33.209
  • And stay focused on the good things that god is doing.
  • 00:11:33.209 --> 00:11:36.645
  • It's called, "awaken us."
  • 00:11:36.645 --> 00:11:38.080
  • It's a 30 day plan.
  • 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:39.982
  • Each day's got a scripture, a little devotional,
  • 00:11:39.982 --> 00:11:42.618
  • A prayer that goes with a specific topic
  • 00:11:42.618 --> 00:11:45.121
  • To awaken us to god's promise and provision in this season.
  • 00:11:45.121 --> 00:11:50.159
  • God's moving in the earth, i wanna move with him.
  • 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:52.628
  • And i believe this tool will help you be prepared
  • 00:11:52.628 --> 00:11:55.264
  • To capitalize on god's invitations in your life.
  • 00:11:55.264 --> 00:11:59.101
  • Female announcer: "awaken us" delivers 30 days
  • 00:11:59.168 --> 00:12:01.036
  • Of prayer, scripture and insight from pastor allen
  • 00:12:01.036 --> 00:12:04.073
  • On relevant topics.
  • 00:12:04.073 --> 00:12:05.741
  • Each day is designed to sharpen your focus
  • 00:12:05.741 --> 00:12:08.010
  • As you ask god to show you his heart
  • 00:12:08.010 --> 00:12:10.179
  • And his truth in a new way.
  • 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:12.448
  • With the holy spirit's help, this book will awaken you
  • 00:12:12.448 --> 00:12:15.317
  • To the impact your life has on the world
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  • Allen: obedience is seldom easy.
  • 00:13:02.298 --> 00:13:05.668
  • The right things are typically not the easy thing.
  • 00:13:05.668 --> 00:13:09.038
  • Being a person of integrity, it's probably not as easy as
  • 00:13:09.038 --> 00:13:14.743
  • Being a person who doesn't keep your word or keep your
  • 00:13:14.743 --> 00:13:16.645
  • Commitments, who doesn't mind your character.
  • 00:13:16.645 --> 00:13:23.485
  • Hebrews chapter 5 and verse 8 says of jesus, "although he was
  • 00:13:23.485 --> 00:13:27.122
  • A son, he learned obedience," at the fair.
  • 00:13:27.122 --> 00:13:36.432
  • No, actually it says, "although he was a son, he learned
  • 00:13:36.432 --> 00:13:39.168
  • Obedience from what he suffered."
  • 00:13:39.168 --> 00:13:43.472
  • It's really noteworthy to me that jesus had to learn to
  • 00:13:43.472 --> 00:13:45.774
  • Be obedient.
  • 00:13:45.774 --> 00:13:47.109
  • He came from heaven.
  • 00:13:47.109 --> 00:13:48.477
  • The perfect, sinless, obedient son of god had to learn what it
  • 00:13:48.477 --> 00:13:51.513
  • Was to live out obedience in the frailty of an earth suit that
  • 00:13:51.513 --> 00:13:55.050
  • Gets tired and grumpy and hungry.
  • 00:13:55.050 --> 00:13:58.787
  • He laid aside the glory of heaven and whatever went
  • 00:13:58.787 --> 00:14:01.724
  • With that.
  • 00:14:01.724 --> 00:14:03.058
  • We don't know yet fully what that means, but he became one of
  • 00:14:03.058 --> 00:14:05.594
  • Us so that we could have a different future.
  • 00:14:05.594 --> 00:14:08.230
  • And then he said to me, said to every one of us, "come to me,"
  • 00:14:08.230 --> 00:14:11.400
  • He said, "if you're weary, and you're tired.
  • 00:14:11.400 --> 00:14:14.436
  • If you're worn down, if you've tried it on your own and it has
  • 00:14:14.436 --> 00:14:17.706
  • Worn you down," he said, "come to me and take my yoke upon you.
  • 00:14:17.706 --> 00:14:24.346
  • Be obedient to me, and you'll find an easier way," not an easy
  • 00:14:24.346 --> 00:14:30.052
  • Way, not an absence of conflict, not the removal of all
  • 00:14:30.052 --> 00:14:32.988
  • Difficulty, not an applause line every time you step into public,
  • 00:14:32.988 --> 00:14:39.528
  • But it's worthwhile.
  • 00:14:39.528 --> 00:14:41.964
  • Obedience is seldom easy.
  • 00:14:41.964 --> 00:14:44.366
  • The temptation that comes to all of us is the temptation of easy.
  • 00:14:44.366 --> 00:14:47.536
  • It's worth noting it came to jesus.
  • 00:14:47.536 --> 00:14:49.305
  • In luke chapter 4, it says, "the devil led him," jesus, "to a
  • 00:14:49.305 --> 00:14:52.207
  • High place, and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of
  • 00:14:52.207 --> 00:14:55.144
  • The world.
  • 00:14:55.144 --> 00:14:56.478
  • And he said to him, ‘i'll give you all their authority and
  • 00:14:56.478 --> 00:14:58.480
  • Splendor, it has been given to me, and i can give it to anyone
  • 00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:02.451
  • I want to.
  • 00:15:02.451 --> 00:15:04.386
  • So if you worship me, it'll all be yours.'" now, jesus knows his
  • 00:15:04.386 --> 00:15:10.793
  • Assignment by this point.
  • 00:15:10.793 --> 00:15:12.828
  • He's begun his public ministry.
  • 00:15:12.828 --> 00:15:14.363
  • He's been to the baptism, the jordan river, and been baptized
  • 00:15:14.363 --> 00:15:17.299
  • By john.
  • 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.634
  • The holy spirit has descended upon him.
  • 00:15:18.634 --> 00:15:20.436
  • And satan comes and shows him the kingdoms of the world, and
  • 00:15:20.436 --> 00:15:25.908
  • He says, "i have authority here."
  • 00:15:25.908 --> 00:15:28.377
  • And jesus knows it's true.
  • 00:15:28.377 --> 00:15:29.745
  • It's why he came.
  • 00:15:29.745 --> 00:15:32.548
  • Because when jesus appears to john in the book of revelation
  • 00:15:32.548 --> 00:15:35.017
  • In chapter 1, post resurrection, remember what he said to john?
  • 00:15:35.017 --> 00:15:39.955
  • "i'm the living one.
  • 00:15:39.955 --> 00:15:42.024
  • I was alive, and i was dead.
  • 00:15:42.024 --> 00:15:44.793
  • And i'm alive forevermore.
  • 00:15:44.793 --> 00:15:46.862
  • And i have the keys of death and hell."
  • 00:15:46.862 --> 00:15:52.634
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:15:52.634 --> 00:15:57.873
  • Allen: but satan is offering him easy.
  • 00:15:57.873 --> 00:15:59.808
  • No cross, no betrayal, no beating, no suffering, no
  • 00:15:59.808 --> 00:16:07.149
  • Golgotha, just worship me.
  • 00:16:07.149 --> 00:16:10.152
  • It's just us.
  • 00:16:10.152 --> 00:16:12.388
  • I'll give you the authority i have.
  • 00:16:12.388 --> 00:16:17.026
  • Now, jesus understands it's a temporary authority, but it's
  • 00:16:17.026 --> 00:16:21.130
  • A solution.
  • 00:16:21.130 --> 00:16:22.464
  • It's a broker deal.
  • 00:16:22.464 --> 00:16:24.333
  • It's a compromise.
  • 00:16:24.333 --> 00:16:28.570
  • And he said, "away from me."
  • 00:16:28.570 --> 00:16:31.140
  • Oh, it was a temptation because we find jesus in gethsemane.
  • 00:16:31.140 --> 00:16:36.779
  • We're three years on the other side of this little temptation.
  • 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:39.548
  • It's not in your notes, but it is in your bible.
  • 00:16:39.548 --> 00:16:43.952
  • I try to do that.
  • 00:16:43.952 --> 00:16:46.488
  • He's in gethsemane on the night he's gonna be arrested, and he's
  • 00:16:46.488 --> 00:16:49.825
  • Praying, "father, if there is any other way, i would rather go
  • 00:16:49.825 --> 00:16:53.028
  • Whatever that way is.
  • 00:16:53.028 --> 00:16:55.764
  • Nevertheless, not my will but your will."
  • 00:16:55.764 --> 00:17:01.537
  • I'm gonna see this through.
  • 00:17:01.537 --> 00:17:02.871
  • I'm gonna be obedient.
  • 00:17:02.871 --> 00:17:04.239
  • This is looking tougher than i thought it was gonna look.
  • 00:17:04.239 --> 00:17:08.811
  • And they come to get him.
  • 00:17:08.811 --> 00:17:10.712
  • And peter, bless his heart, jumps up.
  • 00:17:10.712 --> 00:17:12.281
  • And you know, he's gonna defend his best friend, and he cuts off
  • 00:17:12.281 --> 00:17:16.185
  • A guy's ear.
  • 00:17:16.185 --> 00:17:17.519
  • I don't think he was trying for the ear.
  • 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:20.089
  • It was another one of peter's, you know, "he's my friend."
  • 00:17:20.089 --> 00:17:26.528
  • And jesus said, "put your sword away.
  • 00:17:26.528 --> 00:17:28.130
  • If i needed angels, we could call legions, thousands
  • 00:17:28.130 --> 00:17:30.766
  • Of angels.
  • 00:17:30.766 --> 00:17:32.201
  • I gotta go do this.
  • 00:17:32.201 --> 00:17:33.936
  • I gotta go do this."
  • 00:17:33.936 --> 00:17:37.739
  • The temptation of easy comes to all of us.
  • 00:17:37.739 --> 00:17:39.741
  • It comes to me.
  • 00:17:39.741 --> 00:17:41.110
  • It comes to you.
  • 00:17:41.110 --> 00:17:42.444
  • We act like we don't know right and wrong.
  • 00:17:42.444 --> 00:17:44.947
  • We act like we didn't hear, therefore, we don't have to
  • 00:17:44.947 --> 00:17:47.116
  • Say anything.
  • 00:17:47.116 --> 00:17:48.750
  • We pretend like somehow it's murky to us or we
  • 00:17:48.750 --> 00:17:51.453
  • Don't understand.
  • 00:17:51.453 --> 00:17:52.788
  • We just remove ourselves from the arena.
  • 00:17:52.788 --> 00:17:55.624
  • We accept the temptation.
  • 00:17:55.624 --> 00:17:58.827
  • We compromise.
  • 00:17:58.827 --> 00:18:03.565
  • So, i wanna extend to you the invitation that jesus gave us.
  • 00:18:03.565 --> 00:18:06.635
  • It's matthew 28, said, "jesus came to his disciples," this is
  • 00:18:06.635 --> 00:18:10.739
  • Post-resurrection, "and he said, ‘all authority in heaven on
  • 00:18:10.739 --> 00:18:13.609
  • Earth has been given to me.
  • 00:18:13.609 --> 00:18:15.711
  • Therefore,'" here's your word, and it's appropriate english if
  • 00:18:15.711 --> 00:18:21.316
  • You allow me, "‘therefore you go and you make disciples of all
  • 00:18:21.316 --> 00:18:24.286
  • Nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the son
  • 00:18:24.286 --> 00:18:26.955
  • And the holy spirit, and teach them to,'" do what?
  • 00:18:26.955 --> 00:18:31.059
  • Obey, “'teach them to obey everything that i have
  • 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:36.098
  • Commanded you.
  • 00:18:36.098 --> 00:18:37.466
  • And surely i'm with you always to the very end of the age.'”
  • 00:18:37.466 --> 00:18:39.468
  • Jesus's abiding presence in my life and in your life, in our
  • 00:18:39.468 --> 00:18:43.238
  • Lives collectively in this generation, is connected to our
  • 00:18:43.238 --> 00:18:47.509
  • Willingness to accept the assignment, to go and make
  • 00:18:47.509 --> 00:18:51.013
  • Disciples of all the nations, to teach them, to obey everything
  • 00:18:51.013 --> 00:18:54.883
  • He said.
  • 00:18:54.883 --> 00:18:56.585
  • It's not up to us to sort out the ones that we like and we
  • 00:18:56.585 --> 00:18:59.087
  • Don't like.
  • 00:18:59.087 --> 00:19:00.422
  • We begin by practicing obedience, and then we invite
  • 00:19:00.422 --> 00:19:02.758
  • Other people to join us.
  • 00:19:02.758 --> 00:19:04.092
  • And when we see one another struggling, we say, "come on.
  • 00:19:04.092 --> 00:19:05.894
  • Let's do difficult together.
  • 00:19:05.894 --> 00:19:08.463
  • Looks like a tough patch you're walking through.
  • 00:19:08.463 --> 00:19:10.199
  • I've been there myself.
  • 00:19:10.199 --> 00:19:11.533
  • Let's go.
  • 00:19:11.533 --> 00:19:12.868
  • We can do this."
  • 00:19:12.868 --> 00:19:14.403
  • That's why hebrew says to us, tells us to encourage one
  • 00:19:14.403 --> 00:19:17.372
  • Another daily.
  • 00:19:17.372 --> 00:19:18.840
  • Because most days, we all would benefit from a
  • 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:20.742
  • Little encouragement.
  • 00:19:20.742 --> 00:19:23.512
  • Let's do difficult.
  • 00:19:23.512 --> 00:19:24.846
  • Let's determine to be the generation.
  • 00:19:24.846 --> 00:19:27.049
  • Our story hasn't been written yet.
  • 00:19:27.049 --> 00:19:29.651
  • Our tagline is still emerging.
  • 00:19:29.651 --> 00:19:33.088
  • They like to say that world war ii generation was the
  • 00:19:33.088 --> 00:19:35.123
  • Greatest generation.
  • 00:19:35.123 --> 00:19:36.491
  • What's gonna be said of us?
  • 00:19:36.491 --> 00:19:37.859
  • We were the most convenient generation?
  • 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:40.896
  • We presided over the most precipitous decline of christian
  • 00:19:40.896 --> 00:19:43.498
  • Influence in the history of civilization?
  • 00:19:43.498 --> 00:19:45.901
  • I don't think so.
  • 00:19:45.901 --> 00:19:52.241
  • You see, we have help, the power to complete the difficulty.
  • 00:19:49.671 --> 00:19:54.743
  • I got about two minutes.
  • 00:19:54.743 --> 00:19:56.111
  • We're gonna do this.
  • 00:19:56.111 --> 00:19:57.879
  • In scripture--and i'll do this--we'll develop this more in
  • 00:19:57.879 --> 00:20:00.215
  • The next session.
  • 00:20:00.215 --> 00:20:01.550
  • But in scripture, the exercise of all true power rests with
  • 00:20:01.550 --> 00:20:03.418
  • God alone.
  • 00:20:03.418 --> 00:20:04.753
  • Forever.
  • 00:20:04.753 --> 00:20:06.088
  • It's all his.
  • 00:20:06.088 --> 00:20:07.656
  • He's the one who gives political power to whom he pleases.
  • 00:20:07.656 --> 00:20:10.392
  • He strengthens those who wait on him.
  • 00:20:10.392 --> 00:20:13.695
  • God revealed his power in creation and in unfolding the
  • 00:20:13.695 --> 00:20:17.299
  • World and creation.
  • 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.634
  • And there's nothing that's too difficult for him.
  • 00:20:18.634 --> 00:20:21.737
  • Nothing.
  • 00:20:21.737 --> 00:20:23.071
  • He's not like us, but he's willing to call us his kids.
  • 00:20:23.071 --> 00:20:32.414
  • And he simply says, "will you yield your life to me?"
  • 00:20:32.414 --> 00:20:36.084
  • Then we go, "well, how much?"
  • 00:20:36.084 --> 00:20:40.355
  • So, i would just wrap this up with a reminder that we have
  • 00:20:40.355 --> 00:20:43.425
  • Help in zechariah 4:6.
  • 00:20:43.425 --> 00:20:46.228
  • And i chose this verse on purpose.
  • 00:20:46.228 --> 00:20:47.963
  • I'll explain.
  • 00:20:47.963 --> 00:20:49.331
  • It says, "this is the word of the lord to zerubbabel,"
  • 00:20:49.331 --> 00:20:50.966
  • If you can spell zerubbabel, you get a gold star.
  • 00:20:50.966 --> 00:20:55.370
  • Zerubbabel gets the the assignment of rebuilding
  • 00:20:55.370 --> 00:20:58.206
  • The temple.
  • 00:20:58.206 --> 00:20:59.541
  • He builds the second temple.
  • 00:20:59.541 --> 00:21:00.909
  • The first temple was built by solomon.
  • 00:21:00.909 --> 00:21:04.146
  • It was destroyed by the babylonians, and some years
  • 00:21:04.146 --> 00:21:07.749
  • Later, zerubbabel gets the assignment to rebuild it.
  • 00:21:07.749 --> 00:21:10.485
  • And this is the message the prophet takes to him: “‘not by
  • 00:21:10.485 --> 00:21:13.689
  • Might nor by power, but by my spirit,' says the lord.” he's
  • 00:21:13.689 --> 00:21:18.293
  • Been given an assignment to build a building, just to build
  • 00:21:18.293 --> 00:21:21.029
  • The building.
  • 00:21:21.029 --> 00:21:22.397
  • We build buildings every day.
  • 00:21:22.397 --> 00:21:23.732
  • We see them all the time.
  • 00:21:23.732 --> 00:21:25.100
  • Now this one comes with some opposition, both physical
  • 00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:26.568
  • Opposition, political opposition, and i promise you,
  • 00:21:26.568 --> 00:21:30.005
  • Spiritual opposition.
  • 00:21:30.005 --> 00:21:31.573
  • There were demonic assignments to keep that temple from
  • 00:21:31.573 --> 00:21:34.276
  • Being built.
  • 00:21:34.276 --> 00:21:35.610
  • I mean, there were political orders, a lot of stuff.
  • 00:21:35.610 --> 00:21:39.781
  • And the message from the prophet is "not by might nor by power."
  • 00:21:39.781 --> 00:21:45.787
  • Now, in english, there's more than one word we could use to
  • 00:21:45.787 --> 00:21:48.156
  • Talk about power or authority or strength.
  • 00:21:48.156 --> 00:21:51.059
  • We get that.
  • 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:52.394
  • Well, the same is true in hebrew.
  • 00:21:52.394 --> 00:21:53.762
  • But the two primary words that are used for "might" or "power"
  • 00:21:53.762 --> 00:21:57.933
  • Are both in that verse.
  • 00:21:57.933 --> 00:22:00.202
  • So the message to zerubbabel is really a pretty
  • 00:22:00.202 --> 00:22:03.705
  • Inclusive message.
  • 00:22:03.705 --> 00:22:05.674
  • It's not by your strength.
  • 00:22:05.674 --> 00:22:07.242
  • It's not by your physical strength.
  • 00:22:07.242 --> 00:22:09.044
  • It's not by the political power you have that gives you the
  • 00:22:09.044 --> 00:22:11.513
  • Grants to do this, but it's by my spirit.
  • 00:22:11.513 --> 00:22:16.251
  • So that no matter what the opposition is, if it's
  • 00:22:16.251 --> 00:22:19.354
  • Political, if it's weariness, if it's weakness, if it's a lack of
  • 00:22:19.354 --> 00:22:22.290
  • Resources, whatever it is, there's a power available to
  • 00:22:22.290 --> 00:22:25.660
  • Help you complete the assignment.
  • 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:27.929
  • That is the place the church is going to have to arrive.
  • 00:22:27.929 --> 00:22:32.067
  • We may see god's deliverance expressed in political arenas,
  • 00:22:32.067 --> 00:22:36.872
  • In financial arena, in all sorts of places, but we understand the
  • 00:22:36.872 --> 00:22:40.642
  • Authority behind it is the spirit of almighty god.
  • 00:22:40.642 --> 00:22:45.147
  • We have turned our hearts to all of those other things too often
  • 00:22:45.147 --> 00:22:48.450
  • As the first imagined deliverance.
  • 00:22:48.450 --> 00:22:52.287
  • "‘not by might, not by power, but by my spirit,' says
  • 00:22:52.287 --> 00:22:56.291
  • The lord."
  • 00:22:56.291 --> 00:22:57.659
  • Romans 8: "if the spirit of him who raised jesus from the dead
  • 00:22:57.659 --> 00:23:00.695
  • Is living in you," and the assertion of paul in romans 8 is
  • 00:23:00.695 --> 00:23:04.266
  • That's exactly who lives in you, "he who raised christ from the
  • 00:23:04.266 --> 00:23:09.070
  • Dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through
  • 00:23:09.070 --> 00:23:11.440
  • His spirit."
  • 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.774
  • When we prayed a few minutes ago, we asked god to do what we
  • 00:23:12.774 --> 00:23:15.043
  • Can't do.
  • 00:23:15.043 --> 00:23:17.379
  • It's not some imaginary hocus-pocus.
  • 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:19.514
  • It's not wishing upon a star.
  • 00:23:19.514 --> 00:23:21.149
  • It's not a hail mary.
  • 00:23:21.149 --> 00:23:23.485
  • It's not a last ditch effort because we pushed every button
  • 00:23:23.485 --> 00:23:26.188
  • And pulled every lever.
  • 00:23:26.188 --> 00:23:27.522
  • In humility, we are turning the one to whom we have
  • 00:23:27.522 --> 00:23:29.891
  • Sworn allegiance.
  • 00:23:29.891 --> 00:23:32.027
  • We call him lord, the creator of all things, and we've invited
  • 00:23:32.027 --> 00:23:36.498
  • His power into our lives.
  • 00:23:36.498 --> 00:23:38.433
  • Now, we prefer that power to make everything easy.
  • 00:23:38.433 --> 00:23:45.040
  • And sometimes jesus asks us to run, with perseverance, the race
  • 00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:49.778
  • That's marked out for us.
  • 00:23:49.778 --> 00:23:52.314
  • He asks us to endure.
  • 00:23:52.314 --> 00:23:55.584
  • Because everything about life isn't easy.
  • 00:23:55.584 --> 00:23:58.453
  • Evil exists.
  • 00:23:58.453 --> 00:24:00.322
  • Bad things happen to good people.
  • 00:24:00.322 --> 00:24:03.525
  • Aging brings some humility that we would never prefer to
  • 00:24:03.525 --> 00:24:06.728
  • Never encounter.
  • 00:24:06.728 --> 00:24:10.632
  • I read that.
  • 00:24:10.632 --> 00:24:15.437
  • I'll close with ephesians 1 without comment: "i pray also
  • 00:24:15.437 --> 00:24:18.507
  • That the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you
  • 00:24:18.507 --> 00:24:21.776
  • May know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of
  • 00:24:21.776 --> 00:24:25.013
  • His glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably
  • 00:24:25.013 --> 00:24:28.650
  • Great power for us.
  • 00:24:28.650 --> 00:24:29.985
  • Who believe.
  • 00:24:29.985 --> 00:24:31.520
  • That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he
  • 00:24:31.520 --> 00:24:34.022
  • Exerted in christ when he," did what?
  • 00:24:34.022 --> 00:24:36.825
  • "when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right
  • 00:24:36.825 --> 00:24:40.128
  • Hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority,
  • 00:24:40.128 --> 00:24:43.331
  • And power and dominion, and every title that can be given,
  • 00:24:43.331 --> 00:24:46.301
  • Not only in the present age but also in the one to come."
  • 00:24:46.301 --> 00:24:51.740
  • Choose obedience to the lord.
  • 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:53.942
  • Let's break our addiction to easy.
  • 00:24:53.942 --> 00:24:56.645
  • We've made too many bargains with the devil.
  • 00:24:56.645 --> 00:24:59.748
  • I brought you a prayer.
  • 00:24:59.748 --> 00:25:01.983
  • Why don't you stand with me?
  • 00:25:01.983 --> 00:25:03.318
  • We can read it together.
  • 00:25:03.318 --> 00:25:04.686
  • It's a great book end to the one we started with.
  • 00:25:04.686 --> 00:25:12.994
  • Are you ready?
  • 00:25:12.994 --> 00:25:14.796
  • Use your voice.
  • 00:25:14.796 --> 00:25:16.164
  • Give it application in your life.
  • 00:25:16.164 --> 00:25:17.499
  • If you just stand and listen, you step outside.
  • 00:25:17.499 --> 00:25:19.901
  • Your words have spiritual authority, i promise.
  • 00:25:19.901 --> 00:25:25.106
  • Together: almighty god, you've made the earth and everything
  • 00:25:25.106 --> 00:25:29.411
  • In it.
  • 00:25:29.411 --> 00:25:30.745
  • You change the times and seasons; you set up leaders and
  • 00:25:30.745 --> 00:25:34.482
  • You depose them.
  • 00:25:34.482 --> 00:25:35.951
  • You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
  • 00:25:35.951 --> 00:25:39.988
  • We choose to submit to you, to follow in obedience with the
  • 00:25:39.988 --> 00:25:44.025
  • Strength you have provided.
  • 00:25:44.025 --> 00:25:46.227
  • Now may the eyes of our heart be enlightened to know the hope to
  • 00:25:46.227 --> 00:25:50.498
  • Which you have called us, the riches of our glorious
  • 00:25:50.498 --> 00:25:54.169
  • Inheritance and the saints and your incomparable power and work
  • 00:25:54.169 --> 00:25:58.707
  • On our behalf, in jesus' name, amen.
  • 00:25:58.707 --> 00:26:03.078
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:03.078 --> 00:26:08.917
  • Allen: you know no matter what source of news you turn to
  • 00:26:13.088 --> 00:26:16.458
  • It's hard some days not to be overwhelmed with despair,
  • 00:26:16.458 --> 00:26:19.961
  • The deception, the conflict in the earth,
  • 00:26:19.961 --> 00:26:22.931
  • The suffering that's taking place in so many places,
  • 00:26:22.931 --> 00:26:26.201
  • The struggling church in our own nation.
  • 00:26:26.201 --> 00:26:29.070
  • But there are reasons for hope.
  • 00:26:29.070 --> 00:26:30.572
  • God is moving in the most remarkable ways
  • 00:26:30.572 --> 00:26:33.575
  • But we need to have a plan, a method, even a tool
  • 00:26:33.575 --> 00:26:36.511
  • To help us give our thoughts and our hearts focused on god.
  • 00:26:36.511 --> 00:26:40.248
  • Well, i have a suggestion, it's a little booklet
  • 00:26:40.248 --> 00:26:41.683
  • We put together, it's called "awaken us."
  • 00:26:41.683 --> 00:26:43.852
  • It's a 30-day plan.
  • 00:26:43.852 --> 00:26:45.186
  • It's built by topic each day with a scripture,
  • 00:26:45.186 --> 00:26:48.056
  • A little devotional, and a prayer topically directed
  • 00:26:48.056 --> 00:26:51.292
  • To help focus our thoughts at an awakening
  • 00:26:51.292 --> 00:26:54.129
  • To god's invitations to us around that specific theme.
  • 00:26:54.129 --> 00:26:58.099
  • We're awakened every day for the challenges of that day.
  • 00:26:58.099 --> 00:27:00.669
  • Well let's ask the spirit of god to awaken us
  • 00:27:00.669 --> 00:27:03.672
  • Consistently to what he would have us doing
  • 00:27:03.672 --> 00:27:06.374
  • In this most unique season.
  • 00:27:06.374 --> 00:27:08.276
  • God is moving, i want to move with him,
  • 00:27:08.276 --> 00:27:10.478
  • And i believe you do too.
  • 00:27:10.478 --> 00:27:11.813
  • And i believe "awaken us" will be a help.
  • 00:27:11.813 --> 00:27:13.615
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:14.916 --> 00:27:14.916