Allen Jackson - The Challenge of Faith (Part 2)

April 6, 2026 | 27:29

Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - The Challenge of Faith (Part 2) | April 6, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world,
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  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: cancel culture is not new, folks.
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  • Being left off invitation lists isn't new.
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  • Having people talk about your family, 'cause your family's
  • 00:01:14.089 --> 00:01:16.125
  • Less than perfect, but you keep saying, "we're christians, and
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  • We're trying to work this out," that's not a new thing.
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  • All the struggles that come with our lives, and the enemy that
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  • Gets in your ear and say, "well, if you were a good christian."
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  • Nonsense, nonsense.
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  • Paul's an apostle.
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  • Multiple--god does extraordinary miracles through the hand of
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  • Paul, and yet paul is walking into the teeth of--the belly of
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  • The beast through multiple warnings.
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  • Don't you know there was an enormous chorus of people going,
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  • "i told you so.
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  • I was in that meeting. he knew.
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  • He's just stubborn.
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  • You know how he is.
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  • You know, he was a pharisee.
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  • Did you know paul was a pharisee?
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  • He was an angry pharisee.
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  • He's had an anger problem ever since he was a young man.
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  • I know this family.
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  • He arrested them back in the day.
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  • They've forgotten, but i haven't forgotten.
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  • He had a real anger problem.
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  • He must have had an anger problem.
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  • He wouldn't listen"?
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  • Folks, there were all sorts of reels on social media
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  • Complaining about paul going to jerusalem.
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  • We're not unique.
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  • He said, "i have to go.
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  • Stop breaking my heart.
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  • If i die there, i die there, but the lord told me to go."
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  • I believe all the messaging around it was so the people
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  • Would understand, the people that knew him and loved him and
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  • Cared about him, that when he got to jerusalem and they heard
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  • The message, they wouldn't go, "well, i wonder if
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  • He overstepped.
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  • He just couldn't be quiet, could he?
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  • He could have stayed in ephesus."
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  • I believe all the messaging was for the people who loved him and
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  • Would pray for him to know god sent him there.
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  • He said to them, "i am compelled by the spirit of god to go," and
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  • God, in his mercy, said it's not going to be easy, so paul would
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  • Understand, when he got there and the difficulties began to
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  • Percolate, he hadn't missed it, he hadn't been misdirected, he
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  • Hadn't been misled.
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  • He'd been prepared.
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  • Are you prepared?
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  • Do you know what the bible says is what's in front of us?
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  • There's some amazing expressions of the power of god before us,
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  • And there will be some real challenges like we haven't
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  • Seen before.
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  • Let's go.
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  • Let's go.
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  • "when he wouldn't be dissuaded, we gave up and said"--who
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  • Wrote acts?
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  • Do you remember?
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  • Luke.
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  • Paul needed a doctor to travel with him, 'cause he got the
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  • Daylights beaten out of him on a pretty regular basis.
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  • He said, "we--when he wouldn't be dissuaded, we gave up and
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  • Said, 'the lord's will be done,'" and then, "we
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  • Got ready."
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  • Luke's going with him.
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  • "we got ready and went to jerusalem.
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  • Some of the disciples from caesarea accompanied us and
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  • Brought us to the home of," somebody else with a hard name
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  • To pronounce.
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  • That hospitality thing, it's not new, folks.
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  • There's an additional message slipped into this, the
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  • Preparation for what's ahead.
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  • It doesn't provide reason to abandon the assignment.
  • 00:04:27.683 --> 00:04:32.154
  • Sometimes we think, "well, you know, i got--the lord showed me
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  • It's gonna be difficult, so i changed my course."
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  • Sometimes he shows us it's gonna be difficult so we're ready to
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  • Do something that's difficult.
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  • You know, if you take a long flight, i don't particularly
  • 00:04:46.034 --> 00:04:48.036
  • Like being cooped up and breathing other people's air for
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  • Several hours.
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  • "well, they're scrubbing it."
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  • Oh, okay.
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  • But that's the necessary requirement to make a long trip,
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  • So you have to get emotionally prepared for that.
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  • You're gonna meet people more up close and personal than you
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  • Would like to, and they're gonna put knuckleheads on the plane
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  • With you.
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  • It's a test, but that's part of it, and when you know you
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  • Prepare yourself, and we've got to prepare ourselves.
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  • The bible tells us to be prepared for action.
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  • So paul goes to jerusalem, but he's really going to jerusalem
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  • Because he's destined to go to rome.
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  • Well, that's--he's going the opposite direction.
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  • He could have sailed straight to rome, but god compelled him to
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  • Go to jerusalem first.
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  • Well, is god confused?
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  • Was his gps messed up?
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  • You see, part of serving the lord is serving the lord.
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  • We spend too much energy trying to get the lord to serve us.
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  • Acts chapter 9, you get a little window when paul is first
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  • Being recruited.
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  • He still saul of tarsus.
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  • He's getting recruited.
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  • I'm stepping back a decade or more.
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  • The lord sends ananias to pray for him.
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  • "'go!
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  • This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the
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  • Gentiles and their kings,'" before the gentile kings, "'and
  • 00:06:02.477 --> 00:06:07.883
  • Before the people of israel.
  • 00:06:07.883 --> 00:06:09.217
  • I'll show him how much he must suffer for my name.'"
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  • That's paul's assignment.
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  • People, that's, assignment's pile--followed him from
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  • The beginning.
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  • The people that god used to help saul of tarsus become the
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  • Apostle paul knew what was coming.
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  • In acts 23, now we're back on our daily readings.
  • 00:06:27.736 --> 00:06:31.773
  • He's in jerusalem, he's been arrested in the temple, and a
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  • Roman military tribune.
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  • Claudius ly--i can't say his name.
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  • Claudius--claudius is the arresting officer in charge
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  • Of paul.
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  • It says, "he called two of his centurions and he ordered
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  • Them, 'get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy
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  • Horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to caesarea at
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  • Nine tonight.
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  • Provide mounts for paul so that he may be taken safely to
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  • Governor felix.'"
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  • Are you kidding me?
  • 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:05.173
  • He's a preacher, and the threat against his life from the jewish
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  • Community in jerusalem is so great that the roman tribune
  • 00:07:09.778 --> 00:07:14.583
  • Thinks that paul needs a detachment of 200 soldiers, 70
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  • Cavalrymen, and 200 spearmen to be sure that he's safe.
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  • That is determined opposition.
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  • If you're looking for a 21st century interpretation, that is
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  • A credible threat on his well-being, and the roman legion
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  • Understands that if paul's life is taken, their life is in
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  • Jeopardy, so he's taking no chances.
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  • When they got him safely beyond the city of jerusalem the
  • 00:07:43.578 --> 00:07:47.716
  • Cavalry was sufficient, but it took 7 mounted--70 mounted
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  • Soldiers to justify or to guarantee paul's safe arrival.
  • 00:07:53.121 --> 00:07:58.894
  • That's a lot of hostility, folks.
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  • Is it possible that we might have to increase our capacity to
  • 00:08:01.696 --> 00:08:05.233
  • Imagine not everybody would applaud when we say we're
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  • Christ followers?
  • 00:08:07.168 --> 00:08:09.638
  • We don't have to be obnoxious or belligerent, we certainly don't
  • 00:08:09.638 --> 00:08:11.573
  • Need to be violent, but we gotta be more courageous.
  • 00:08:11.573 --> 00:08:15.911
  • Acts 24, there's a series of trials and hearings.
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  • The--rome used regional governors, leaders.
  • 00:08:19.981 --> 00:08:23.785
  • Governor is probably the word we'd be most familiar with, and
  • 00:08:23.785 --> 00:08:26.588
  • The leader over this region was changing, and paul, because he's
  • 00:08:26.588 --> 00:08:31.493
  • In prison for almost two years in caesarea as a part of this
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  • False accusation--fake news, it's not new either.
  • 00:08:35.630 --> 00:08:40.168
  • Almost two years imprisonment in caesarea.
  • 00:08:40.168 --> 00:08:42.537
  • He's gonna have multiple hearings before people that
  • 00:08:42.537 --> 00:08:44.739
  • Would like to hear his story, and trials before governors that
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  • Have the authority to release him.
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  • You'll know their names if you've been reading with us.
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  • His first is with felix, who is the governor at the time
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  • He's arrested.
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  • It's chapter 24 and verse 24, "several days after felix came
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  • With his wife drusilla," she was a jewess, "and he sent for paul
  • 00:09:01.156 --> 00:09:05.126
  • And listened to him as he spoke about his faith in christ," and
  • 00:09:05.126 --> 00:09:08.363
  • Paul gives his testimony time and time again.
  • 00:09:08.363 --> 00:09:10.465
  • He's not really defending himself.
  • 00:09:10.465 --> 00:09:11.800
  • He's telling about jesus.
  • 00:09:11.800 --> 00:09:14.269
  • Look at verse 27, "when two years had passed, felix was
  • 00:09:14.269 --> 00:09:16.571
  • Succeeded by festus, but because felix wanted to grant a favor to
  • 00:09:16.571 --> 00:09:20.308
  • The jews, he left paul in prison."
  • 00:09:20.308 --> 00:09:23.044
  • He doesn't think he's guilty.
  • 00:09:23.044 --> 00:09:25.113
  • He's just trying to score political points.
  • 00:09:25.113 --> 00:09:28.650
  • Politics is not the cause of our problems, it's the symptom of
  • 00:09:28.650 --> 00:09:34.589
  • Our problems.
  • 00:09:34.589 --> 00:09:36.625
  • We want to change the political arena, we have to change our
  • 00:09:36.625 --> 00:09:39.060
  • Hearts, not parties.
  • 00:09:39.060 --> 00:09:43.965
  • Chapter 25 is paul's trial before festus.
  • 00:09:43.965 --> 00:09:48.737
  • He's really not a strong leader.
  • 00:09:48.737 --> 00:09:51.906
  • He didn't really have the courage to deal with
  • 00:09:51.906 --> 00:09:53.575
  • Paul's problem.
  • 00:09:53.575 --> 00:09:54.943
  • He's gonna send him back to jerusalem to the jews, and paul
  • 00:09:54.943 --> 00:09:57.045
  • Understands if he goes back to jerusalem he'll be murdered.
  • 00:09:57.045 --> 00:10:00.281
  • There've already been multiple assassination attempts, and the
  • 00:10:00.281 --> 00:10:02.550
  • Hatred is still there.
  • 00:10:02.550 --> 00:10:04.152
  • So in acts chapter 25 and verse 9, "festus, wishing to do the
  • 00:10:04.152 --> 00:10:07.055
  • Jews a favor, said to paul, 'are you willing to go up to
  • 00:10:07.055 --> 00:10:09.157
  • Jerusalem and stand trial?
  • 00:10:09.157 --> 00:10:12.661
  • And paul answers, 'i'm standing before caesar's court
  • 00:10:12.661 --> 00:10:15.130
  • Now, where i ought to be tried.
  • 00:10:15.130 --> 00:10:17.132
  • I haven't done any wrong to the jews, and you know this.
  • 00:10:17.132 --> 00:10:20.502
  • If i'm guilty of doing anything deserving of death, i don't
  • 00:10:20.502 --> 00:10:22.737
  • Refuse to die.
  • 00:10:22.737 --> 00:10:24.105
  • But if the charges brought against me by these jews aren't
  • 00:10:24.105 --> 00:10:25.774
  • True, no one has the right to hand me over to them.'"
  • 00:10:25.774 --> 00:10:28.843
  • There's a courage in him.
  • 00:10:28.843 --> 00:10:30.178
  • Do you hear it?
  • 00:10:30.178 --> 00:10:32.480
  • He said, "listen, i don't deserve to die.
  • 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:33.915
  • If i deserve to die, let's go with it, but i haven't broken
  • 00:10:33.915 --> 00:10:38.219
  • Their rules."
  • 00:10:38.219 --> 00:10:40.055
  • So then he makes this statement, "'i appeal to caesar!'"
  • 00:10:40.055 --> 00:10:42.023
  • He expects more justice from caesar in rome than the jewish
  • 00:10:42.023 --> 00:10:45.794
  • Leadership in jerusalem, and festus sees a way out.
  • 00:10:45.794 --> 00:10:50.165
  • So he says, "wonderful, you've appealed to caesar, you just go
  • 00:10:50.165 --> 00:10:53.601
  • To caesar.
  • 00:10:53.601 --> 00:10:54.936
  • I want you off of my hands."
  • 00:10:54.936 --> 00:10:57.138
  • But he's not done, 'cause there's a visiting king that
  • 00:10:57.138 --> 00:10:59.407
  • Comes to show respect to festus in his newly--new appointment.
  • 00:10:59.407 --> 00:11:05.113
  • His name is agrippa, and he brings his wife bernice, in
  • 00:11:05.113 --> 00:11:07.982
  • Verse--chapter 25:23, "the next day agrippa and bernice came
  • 00:11:07.982 --> 00:11:10.952
  • With great pomp and they entered the audience room with the high
  • 00:11:10.952 --> 00:11:13.688
  • Ranking officers and the leading men of the city.
  • 00:11:13.688 --> 00:11:16.558
  • And paul was brought in."
  • 00:11:16.558 --> 00:11:18.893
  • Agrippa understood judaism better, and he said, this man's
  • 00:11:18.893 --> 00:11:21.396
  • Done nothing worthy of arrest or certainly imprisonment.
  • 00:11:21.396 --> 00:11:25.266
  • Two years now paul's been in prison, two years, but now he's
  • 00:11:25.266 --> 00:11:29.471
  • Headed to rome.
  • 00:11:29.471 --> 00:11:31.473
  • He's appealed to caesar, so to rome he must go.
  • 00:11:31.473 --> 00:11:34.576
  • Chapter 27, verse 1, "when it was decided that we should sail
  • 00:11:34.576 --> 00:11:37.178
  • For italy," he's cruising again, "paul and some other prisoners
  • 00:11:37.178 --> 00:11:42.383
  • Were handed over to a centurion named julius, who belonged to
  • 00:11:42.383 --> 00:11:44.986
  • The imperial regiment."
  • 00:11:44.986 --> 00:11:46.321
  • If god says you're gonna go to rome, i think all of us would be
  • 00:11:46.321 --> 00:11:49.724
  • A little offended if we went chained as prisoners.
  • 00:11:49.724 --> 00:11:53.862
  • But god, i thought you wanted me to go to rome.
  • 00:11:53.862 --> 00:11:55.597
  • This looks like somebody else wants--the devil wants me to go
  • 00:11:55.597 --> 00:11:58.032
  • To rome.
  • 00:11:58.032 --> 00:12:00.802
  • We got to recalibrate a little bit.
  • 00:12:00.802 --> 00:12:04.506
  • But paul's been warned in city after city after city.
  • 00:12:04.506 --> 00:12:08.209
  • Person after person said this is what your future looks like, and
  • 00:12:08.209 --> 00:12:14.149
  • He said okay.
  • 00:12:14.149 --> 00:12:15.950
  • So i can imagine him--i know the steps he walked down
  • 00:12:15.950 --> 00:12:18.119
  • In caesarea.
  • 00:12:18.119 --> 00:12:19.454
  • They've excavat--you can see them if you visit the city on
  • 00:12:19.454 --> 00:12:21.723
  • The inner harbor, the steps he walked down getting on board
  • 00:12:21.723 --> 00:12:23.925
  • That ship.
  • 00:12:23.925 --> 00:12:25.260
  • I don't think he's downcast.
  • 00:12:25.260 --> 00:12:26.995
  • I don't think he's agitated.
  • 00:12:26.995 --> 00:12:30.265
  • I think he understands full well he's on a god assignment.
  • 00:12:30.265 --> 00:12:34.602
  • He seems to travel that way.
  • 00:12:34.602 --> 00:12:37.105
  • Chapter 27, "before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called
  • 00:12:37.105 --> 00:12:40.308
  • The 'northeaster,' swept down from the island.
  • 00:12:40.308 --> 00:12:42.377
  • The ship was caught by the storm and we couldn't head into the
  • 00:12:42.377 --> 00:12:44.379
  • Wind; so we gave way."
  • 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.713
  • Big storm.
  • 00:12:45.713 --> 00:12:47.515
  • We panic when we have storms now.
  • 00:12:47.515 --> 00:12:50.151
  • We cancel schools and we run for toilet paper and milk.
  • 00:12:50.151 --> 00:12:54.889
  • There's a storm coming.
  • 00:12:54.889 --> 00:12:56.925
  • We've seen one before, they're awful.
  • 00:12:56.925 --> 00:12:59.794
  • Wrap yourself in toilet paper and drink milk, it'll
  • 00:12:59.794 --> 00:13:01.896
  • Protect you.
  • 00:13:01.896 --> 00:13:07.569
  • If only paul had known.
  • 00:13:07.569 --> 00:13:10.572
  • Verse 18, "we took such a violent beating from the storm
  • 00:13:10.572 --> 00:13:13.174
  • That the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard."
  • 00:13:13.174 --> 00:13:16.611
  • Wow, they're--and the economic benefits lost.
  • 00:13:16.611 --> 00:13:20.415
  • Now this is just a survival exercise.
  • 00:13:20.415 --> 00:13:23.284
  • "on the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with
  • 00:13:23.284 --> 00:13:25.920
  • Their own hands."
  • 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:27.655
  • It's a three day storm.
  • 00:13:27.655 --> 00:13:30.358
  • Can you have enough toilet paper and milk for a three day storm?
  • 00:13:30.358 --> 00:13:34.162
  • I mean, we usually have like, what, three-hour storms.
  • 00:13:34.162 --> 00:13:37.999
  • Or is it a three-hour tour?
  • 00:13:37.999 --> 00:13:39.334
  • I don't know, it's something.
  • 00:13:39.334 --> 00:13:41.236
  • "when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the
  • 00:13:41.236 --> 00:13:43.204
  • Storm continued, we gave up all hope of being saved."
  • 00:13:43.204 --> 00:13:45.573
  • There's no hope anymore.
  • 00:13:45.573 --> 00:13:48.243
  • Same chapter, verse 23, "last night an angel of god whose i am
  • 00:13:48.243 --> 00:13:51.212
  • And whom i serve stood beside me and said, 'don't be
  • 00:13:51.212 --> 00:13:53.348
  • Afraid, paul.'"
  • 00:13:53.348 --> 00:13:55.083
  • Why did the angel say, "don't be afraid?"
  • 00:13:55.083 --> 00:13:58.586
  • 'cause paul got afraid.
  • 00:13:58.586 --> 00:14:01.055
  • "'don't be afraid, paul.
  • 00:14:01.055 --> 00:14:02.390
  • You must stand before caesar; and god has graciously given you
  • 00:14:02.390 --> 00:14:07.629
  • All the lives who sail with you.'
  • 00:14:07.629 --> 00:14:10.498
  • So keep up your courage," this is his message to the ship now,
  • 00:14:10.498 --> 00:14:15.103
  • "for i have faith in god that it will happen just as he told me.
  • 00:14:15.103 --> 00:14:18.573
  • Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."
  • 00:14:18.573 --> 00:14:23.077
  • I wanna just quickly in passing, 'cause my time's slipping away.
  • 00:14:23.077 --> 00:14:26.481
  • Paul has this message from the angel that says, "you and
  • 00:14:26.481 --> 00:14:28.783
  • Everybody on board this ship will be saved, but you're gonna
  • 00:14:28.783 --> 00:14:31.586
  • Run aground.
  • 00:14:31.586 --> 00:14:33.321
  • Don't be afraid."
  • 00:14:33.321 --> 00:14:34.989
  • Paul understands that in the most literal possible way, that
  • 00:14:34.989 --> 00:14:38.293
  • Everybody on this ship, if we stay on this ship, will be okay.
  • 00:14:38.293 --> 00:14:43.131
  • We are sloppy with our faith, and i say we treat god because
  • 00:14:43.131 --> 00:14:51.773
  • We've been over-messaged with mercy and grace and forgiveness,
  • 00:14:51.773 --> 00:14:56.744
  • And i believe in those things, i am a poster child for those
  • 00:14:56.744 --> 00:15:00.581
  • Things, but we also need to think about obedience and
  • 00:15:00.581 --> 00:15:03.318
  • Diligence and sacrifice and humility and perseverance.
  • 00:15:03.318 --> 00:15:09.357
  • They're an important part of the equation for us to finish
  • 00:15:09.357 --> 00:15:11.693
  • Our race.
  • 00:15:11.693 --> 00:15:14.128
  • I want to push on.
  • 00:15:14.128 --> 00:15:15.463
  • I want you to see it.
  • 00:15:15.463 --> 00:15:16.831
  • Verse 27, "on the fourteenth night we were still being driven
  • 00:15:16.831 --> 00:15:19.634
  • Across the adriatic sea," and the sailors think they're
  • 00:15:19.634 --> 00:15:23.671
  • Getting close to land.
  • 00:15:23.671 --> 00:15:25.006
  • This is a 14 day storm now.
  • 00:15:25.006 --> 00:15:27.075
  • They haven't eaten in 14 days.
  • 00:15:27.075 --> 00:15:30.645
  • That's two weeks if you're counting.
  • 00:15:30.645 --> 00:15:33.815
  • Paul was terrified after three days.
  • 00:15:33.815 --> 00:15:36.184
  • He had an angelic visit, and god said, "oh, it's gonna be
  • 00:15:36.184 --> 00:15:38.786
  • All right."
  • 00:15:38.786 --> 00:15:40.154
  • I'm thinking if i got an angelic visit that said it's gonna be
  • 00:15:40.154 --> 00:15:41.889
  • All right, the storm's about blown itself out.
  • 00:15:41.889 --> 00:15:45.159
  • Eleven more days.
  • 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:48.096
  • How many times do you think they asked paul about that angel?
  • 00:15:48.096 --> 00:15:53.735
  • I mean, 'cause paul shot his mouth off.
  • 00:15:53.735 --> 00:15:55.603
  • He told them all.
  • 00:15:55.603 --> 00:15:58.272
  • You and i would've been tempted to wait and see.
  • 00:15:58.272 --> 00:16:04.412
  • It's not a good time to speak up.
  • 00:16:04.412 --> 00:16:08.683
  • Same chapter, verse 30, "in an attempt to escape from the ship,
  • 00:16:08.683 --> 00:16:11.886
  • The sailors let the lifeboat down, pretending that they were
  • 00:16:11.886 --> 00:16:14.255
  • Going to lower some anchors from the bow," and, "paul said to the
  • 00:16:14.255 --> 00:16:18.026
  • Centurion and the soldiers, 'unless these men stay with the
  • 00:16:18.026 --> 00:16:20.094
  • Ship, you can't be saved.'"
  • 00:16:20.094 --> 00:16:21.863
  • Why is that?
  • 00:16:21.863 --> 00:16:24.198
  • Because the message he had said god's given you the life of
  • 00:16:24.198 --> 00:16:27.502
  • Everybody sailing with you.
  • 00:16:27.502 --> 00:16:29.937
  • If we break up the band, there's no guarantees.
  • 00:16:29.937 --> 00:16:33.741
  • Watch what happens.
  • 00:16:33.741 --> 00:16:35.076
  • This is phenomenal to me.
  • 00:16:35.076 --> 00:16:37.678
  • "so the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let
  • 00:16:37.678 --> 00:16:40.415
  • It fall away."
  • 00:16:40.415 --> 00:16:42.583
  • This isn't a troop ship.
  • 00:16:42.583 --> 00:16:43.918
  • The soldiers are in the minority.
  • 00:16:43.918 --> 00:16:45.286
  • The majority of the crew traveling are sailors, and the
  • 00:16:45.286 --> 00:16:47.755
  • Sailors know they're somewhere close to land.
  • 00:16:47.755 --> 00:16:49.457
  • They're going to escape in the lifeboats and leave the soldiers
  • 00:16:49.457 --> 00:16:52.193
  • And the prisoners, and the soldiers cut the lifeboats
  • 00:16:52.193 --> 00:16:55.730
  • Loose, and they say, "we believe paul."
  • 00:16:55.730 --> 00:17:02.370
  • Wow, no pressure there.
  • 00:17:02.370 --> 00:17:06.641
  • "and the ship struck a sandbar and it ran aground.
  • 00:17:06.641 --> 00:17:09.210
  • And it stuck fast and wouldn't move, and the stern was broken
  • 00:17:09.210 --> 00:17:11.813
  • To pieces by the pounding of the surf.
  • 00:17:11.813 --> 00:17:14.816
  • The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them
  • 00:17:14.816 --> 00:17:17.085
  • From swimming ashore."
  • 00:17:17.085 --> 00:17:18.453
  • If they lose a prisoner, they pay with their own life.
  • 00:17:18.453 --> 00:17:21.589
  • "but the centurion wanted to spare paul's life, and he kept
  • 00:17:21.589 --> 00:17:23.825
  • Them from carrying out their plan," and, "he ordered those
  • 00:17:23.825 --> 00:17:26.594
  • Who could swim to jump overboard to get to land.
  • 00:17:26.594 --> 00:17:30.098
  • The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship.
  • 00:17:30.098 --> 00:17:32.700
  • In this way everyone reached land safely."
  • 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:35.703
  • Okay, paul had an angelic visit that said you're gonna be okay.
  • 00:17:35.703 --> 00:17:39.373
  • I'm reading that, and i'm thinking,
  • 00:17:39.373 --> 00:17:40.708
  • "whew, this was a bad storm.
  • 00:17:40.708 --> 00:17:44.278
  • I thought things were gonna get rough.
  • 00:17:44.278 --> 00:17:47.148
  • Now we're gonna be okay."
  • 00:17:47.148 --> 00:17:49.484
  • So i'm just reading this.
  • 00:17:49.484 --> 00:17:50.852
  • I'm thinking, "well, we're--the storm's gonna blow itself out.
  • 00:17:50.852 --> 00:17:54.188
  • Maybe we'll beach ourselves on some nice sandy shore.
  • 00:17:54.188 --> 00:17:57.992
  • Maybe we'll find a calm harbor and fish for a few days.
  • 00:17:57.992 --> 00:18:00.795
  • It's been two weeks.
  • 00:18:00.795 --> 00:18:02.163
  • We're hungry."
  • 00:18:02.163 --> 00:18:03.798
  • No, they hit a sandbar, and the boat breaks up, and they get to
  • 00:18:03.798 --> 00:18:10.972
  • Shore holding on to driftwood from the broken boat under the
  • 00:18:10.972 --> 00:18:18.112
  • Watchful care of almighty god.
  • 00:18:18.112 --> 00:18:24.585
  • Have i told it right?
  • 00:18:24.585 --> 00:18:26.654
  • You read it.
  • 00:18:26.654 --> 00:18:30.725
  • "well, pastor, i'd just rather not think about that kind
  • 00:18:30.725 --> 00:18:32.560
  • Of faith."
  • 00:18:32.560 --> 00:18:33.928
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:18:33.928 --> 00:18:38.966
  • Allen: hey, i have a suggestion.
  • 00:18:40.768 --> 00:18:42.103
  • Let's stop waiting for somebody else to be a better leader.
  • 00:18:42.103 --> 00:18:44.572
  • Let's determine this year to lead with faith.
  • 00:18:44.572 --> 00:18:47.041
  • I've written a book to help.
  • 00:18:47.041 --> 00:18:48.409
  • It's a practical collection of tools that you and i can use the
  • 00:18:48.409 --> 00:18:51.846
  • Influence of our lives, faith first in the marketplace, in our
  • 00:18:51.846 --> 00:18:55.650
  • Homes, with our friends.
  • 00:18:55.650 --> 00:18:57.018
  • Folks, it's time for us to stop waiting for somebody else to
  • 00:18:57.018 --> 00:18:59.754
  • Step forward.
  • 00:18:59.754 --> 00:19:01.122
  • Let's determine to lead with faith.
  • 00:19:01.122 --> 00:19:02.657
  • We can do that and i believe we can change our homes, our
  • 00:19:02.657 --> 00:19:05.760
  • Neighborhoods, our churches, maybe even our nation.
  • 00:19:05.760 --> 00:19:08.863
  • Announcer: choosing to lead with faith starts with a simple
  • 00:19:08.863 --> 00:19:11.799
  • Decision: to be intentional right where you are.
  • 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:14.735
  • In his new book "lead with faith," pastor allen shares
  • 00:19:14.735 --> 00:19:17.805
  • Biblical insight and practical tools to help you live out your
  • 00:19:17.805 --> 00:19:21.108
  • Faith in meaningful ways every day.
  • 00:19:21.108 --> 00:19:23.978
  • This book will encourage you to stand for truth with wisdom,
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  • Clarity, and courage without waiting for someone else to
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  • Go first.
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  • Request "lead with faith" with your gift of $30 or more at
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  • Allenjackson.com or call ...
  • 00:19:34.589 --> 00:19:39.894
  • Allen: my last trip to israel, we made it to new york, we
  • 00:19:41.662 --> 00:19:46.033
  • Changed our planes, we took off.
  • 00:19:46.033 --> 00:19:47.501
  • I don't know, three or four, five hours out of new york the
  • 00:19:47.501 --> 00:19:49.570
  • Pilot comes on, and says, "we have a medical emergency.
  • 00:19:49.570 --> 00:19:53.741
  • We're going home."
  • 00:19:53.741 --> 00:19:56.978
  • That was three or four hours back, and then we got there and
  • 00:19:56.978 --> 00:20:01.015
  • He said it'll be three or four hours before we can leave again.
  • 00:20:01.015 --> 00:20:07.054
  • I mean, it's the--i don't even know.
  • 00:20:07.054 --> 00:20:08.389
  • It was in the middle of something.
  • 00:20:08.389 --> 00:20:09.757
  • It wasn't daylight.
  • 00:20:09.757 --> 00:20:11.192
  • I hadn't been asleep in too long.
  • 00:20:11.192 --> 00:20:13.394
  • I was cranky.
  • 00:20:13.394 --> 00:20:16.497
  • I don't want to be at newark ten hours after i'm supposed to have
  • 00:20:16.497 --> 00:20:20.234
  • Been gone from newark, eating airport food, and then i
  • 00:20:20.234 --> 00:20:26.774
  • Remembered paul, and i thought, "you are a whiny motor scooter.
  • 00:20:26.774 --> 00:20:36.183
  • Maybe i should just hush.
  • 00:20:36.183 --> 00:20:39.654
  • Thank you, lord.
  • 00:20:39.654 --> 00:20:40.988
  • I'm safe.
  • 00:20:40.988 --> 00:20:42.456
  • I didn't have to swim the shore."
  • 00:20:42.456 --> 00:20:45.860
  • It gets worse.
  • 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:47.194
  • Some of you know the rest of the story.
  • 00:20:47.194 --> 00:20:48.562
  • I know i gotta quit.
  • 00:20:48.562 --> 00:20:50.231
  • They get to shore, and it's--luke says it was cold and
  • 00:20:50.231 --> 00:20:53.901
  • Raining, and i'm thinking, "you have got to be kidding me.
  • 00:20:53.901 --> 00:20:58.039
  • God, you could have at least let it be sunny with a warm breeze."
  • 00:20:58.039 --> 00:21:01.742
  • It was cold and raining, so they built a fire, and paul's
  • 00:21:01.742 --> 00:21:06.714
  • Gathering wood for the fire, and a poisonous snake bites him.
  • 00:21:06.714 --> 00:21:10.851
  • It's in the book.
  • 00:21:10.851 --> 00:21:14.188
  • He's on a god assignment, and the natives to the island, the
  • 00:21:14.188 --> 00:21:20.628
  • Local people recognize him, and they said he's a murderer.
  • 00:21:20.628 --> 00:21:25.099
  • That's the line that got him in trouble in jerusalem, and they
  • 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:30.938
  • Stepped back to watch him die.
  • 00:21:30.938 --> 00:21:32.306
  • They said it's god's judgment, and when he didn't die, they
  • 00:21:32.306 --> 00:21:36.243
  • Said, oh, he must be a god.
  • 00:21:36.243 --> 00:21:38.779
  • So now he's got another problem.
  • 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:40.114
  • It's not been an easy trip, and if we're not finished yet, they
  • 00:21:40.114 --> 00:21:44.752
  • Wait two months for a boat.
  • 00:21:44.752 --> 00:21:51.759
  • He's been in prison two years, he starts his mediterranean
  • 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:55.663
  • Cruise, and he has a two-week storm, and a shipwreck, and a
  • 00:21:55.663 --> 00:22:04.472
  • Poisonous snake bite, and a two month wait, and how does the
  • 00:22:04.472 --> 00:22:11.746
  • Book of acts conclude?
  • 00:22:11.746 --> 00:22:13.114
  • You've been reading it.
  • 00:22:13.114 --> 00:22:15.416
  • He arrived in rome,
  • 00:22:15.416 --> 00:22:20.287
  • And for two years he taught them--
  • 00:22:20.287 --> 00:22:25.926
  • Whoever wanted to listen about jesus.
  • 00:22:25.926 --> 00:22:29.663
  • Really?
  • 00:22:29.663 --> 00:22:32.400
  • I mean, we couldn't have had, like, a first class flight?
  • 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:37.171
  • Is it possible that the difficulties in your life and
  • 00:22:37.171 --> 00:22:41.909
  • The challenges in mine are not evidence that god has abandoned
  • 00:22:41.909 --> 00:22:45.980
  • Us or a misguided faith?
  • 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:50.684
  • Is it possible that they could reflect an invitation from the
  • 00:22:50.684 --> 00:22:54.088
  • Lord in the presence of an adversary that will require us
  • 00:22:54.088 --> 00:22:58.726
  • To overcome, and require us to persevere, and require us to
  • 00:22:58.726 --> 00:23:04.365
  • Turn down the volume on the accuser in our heads and our
  • 00:23:04.365 --> 00:23:07.401
  • Hearts, that may demand of us to give up our pristine dreams of
  • 00:23:07.401 --> 00:23:13.674
  • How we thought it should go and invite god into the midst of the
  • 00:23:13.674 --> 00:23:18.479
  • Mess in which we find ourselves?
  • 00:23:18.479 --> 00:23:23.317
  • Folks, there's a battle raging in the earth, and we can hide in
  • 00:23:23.317 --> 00:23:27.455
  • The corners and the shadows, and whisper about it, and pray
  • 00:23:27.455 --> 00:23:29.757
  • Nobody notices we're there, or we can raise our hand and say,
  • 00:23:29.757 --> 00:23:33.427
  • "god, here i am.
  • 00:23:33.427 --> 00:23:35.596
  • Send me.
  • 00:23:35.596 --> 00:23:37.298
  • Let's go."
  • 00:23:37.298 --> 00:23:41.969
  • Paul is a very imperfect vessel.
  • 00:23:41.969 --> 00:23:43.771
  • He's a broken, angry, murderous--a lot of people will
  • 00:23:43.771 --> 00:23:46.540
  • Tell you about that if you go back and watch all the
  • 00:23:46.540 --> 00:23:48.209
  • Social media.
  • 00:23:48.209 --> 00:23:50.744
  • I'm kidding.
  • 00:23:50.744 --> 00:23:52.112
  • There was no social media in the 1st century.
  • 00:23:52.112 --> 00:23:54.215
  • Someone will be out there going to figure out who--
  • 00:23:54.215 --> 00:23:57.585
  • It wasn't--never mind.
  • 00:23:57.585 --> 00:24:01.121
  • Let's finish our race.
  • 00:24:01.121 --> 00:24:03.424
  • We all look good at the starting line.
  • 00:24:03.424 --> 00:24:05.659
  • We got new shoes and new shorts.
  • 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:08.929
  • Our hair is fixed.
  • 00:24:08.929 --> 00:24:10.898
  • Some of you know how to stretch, so you look good.
  • 00:24:10.898 --> 00:24:14.735
  • At the finish line we all look awful.
  • 00:24:14.735 --> 00:24:17.805
  • We lay down.
  • 00:24:17.805 --> 00:24:19.173
  • We throw ourselves across the finish line and we lay
  • 00:24:19.173 --> 00:24:20.641
  • Down...right?
  • 00:24:20.641 --> 00:24:24.278
  • "geez, you should have trained a little better."
  • 00:24:24.278 --> 00:24:25.913
  • I did.
  • 00:24:25.913 --> 00:24:27.248
  • Oh, i just want air.
  • 00:24:27.248 --> 00:24:30.017
  • It's not an easy thing we've signed up for, but let's finish
  • 00:24:30.017 --> 00:24:33.988
  • The race, amen?
  • 00:24:33.988 --> 00:24:38.559
  • I believe god's inviting us to a new season.
  • 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:41.428
  • I believe we'll see more dramatic expressions of the
  • 00:24:41.428 --> 00:24:43.464
  • Power of god than we've ever seen, and i believe we'll see
  • 00:24:43.464 --> 00:24:46.467
  • More dramatic expressions of evil than we've ever imagined,
  • 00:24:46.467 --> 00:24:50.004
  • But god is faithful.
  • 00:24:50.004 --> 00:24:51.972
  • Let's stand.
  • 00:24:51.972 --> 00:24:58.145
  • Some of you don't believe all that was in your bible.
  • 00:24:58.145 --> 00:24:59.613
  • Go back and read the end of acts.
  • 00:24:59.613 --> 00:25:00.948
  • I promise it's there.
  • 00:25:00.948 --> 00:25:02.683
  • Why don't you join hands?
  • 00:25:02.683 --> 00:25:04.051
  • We're gonna--this is a community effort.
  • 00:25:04.051 --> 00:25:05.386
  • Folks, we won't make it by ourselves.
  • 00:25:05.386 --> 00:25:07.354
  • We need one another.
  • 00:25:07.354 --> 00:25:08.722
  • We need one another.
  • 00:25:09.990 --> 00:25:12.693
  • You don't have to make a circle.
  • 00:25:12.693 --> 00:25:14.061
  • I just prefer you not be alone, unless you just prefer it.
  • 00:25:14.061 --> 00:25:17.598
  • Father, thank you for your word,
  • 00:25:17.598 --> 00:25:18.999
  • For its truth and its authority, for its insight.
  • 00:25:18.999 --> 00:25:22.036
  • Give us now understanding hearts, lord.
  • 00:25:22.036 --> 00:25:23.804
  • You know our lives and the details and the circumstances
  • 00:25:23.804 --> 00:25:26.440
  • And the challenges and the needs.
  • 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:29.577
  • When we pause tonight to lay them before you, i thank you
  • 00:25:29.577 --> 00:25:34.214
  • That at the foot of the cross there's help for every one of
  • 00:25:34.214 --> 00:25:37.251
  • Us, and, lord, as we lay those problems before you, we
  • 00:25:37.251 --> 00:25:40.821
  • Off--also offer ourselves as living sacrifices.
  • 00:25:40.821 --> 00:25:45.259
  • Lord, here we are.
  • 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:47.261
  • Use our voices and our talents, our time and our energy.
  • 00:25:47.261 --> 00:25:52.800
  • May your purposes break forth as but we've never seen
  • 00:25:52.800 --> 00:25:55.169
  • Them before.
  • 00:25:55.169 --> 00:25:57.004
  • Let there be expressions of your power and your presence in our
  • 00:25:57.004 --> 00:25:59.373
  • Homes, in our lives, in our hearts, beyond anything we've
  • 00:25:59.373 --> 00:26:02.543
  • Ever thought.
  • 00:26:02.543 --> 00:26:04.144
  • I thank you for what you're doing, and, lord, we'll be
  • 00:26:04.144 --> 00:26:05.746
  • Careful to give you the glory.
  • 00:26:05.746 --> 00:26:07.548
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:07.548 --> 00:26:10.684
  • Hallelujah, god bless you.
  • 00:26:10.684 --> 00:26:13.020
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:13.020 --> 00:26:18.392
  • Allen: i suspect we've all heard the line that leadership is
  • 00:26:20.894 --> 00:26:23.130
  • About influence.
  • 00:26:23.130 --> 00:26:24.498
  • Well, i have a question for you.
  • 00:26:24.498 --> 00:26:25.833
  • What do you lead with?
  • 00:26:25.833 --> 00:26:27.201
  • What is the basis of your influence?
  • 00:26:27.201 --> 00:26:28.769
  • Is it your appearance, your education, your professional
  • 00:26:28.769 --> 00:26:31.605
  • Expertise, your professional accomplishments, your athletic
  • 00:26:31.605 --> 00:26:34.541
  • Ability, your family?
  • 00:26:34.541 --> 00:26:36.543
  • What is the point of influence that you use most frequently?
  • 00:26:36.543 --> 00:26:40.681
  • Well, i've written a book.
  • 00:26:40.681 --> 00:26:42.016
  • The title is gonna give away where i'm headed.
  • 00:26:42.016 --> 00:26:43.884
  • It's "lead with faith."
  • 00:26:43.884 --> 00:26:45.419
  • I think it's time that all of us begin to use our faith as an
  • 00:26:45.419 --> 00:26:49.123
  • Influence in the world where we find ourselves.
  • 00:26:49.123 --> 00:26:51.625
  • We're reluctant to do that.
  • 00:26:51.625 --> 00:26:52.960
  • We typically have more confidence in our education or
  • 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:55.529
  • Our family system or our life experience, we feel a little
  • 00:26:55.529 --> 00:26:58.666
  • Uncertain to lead with faith.
  • 00:26:58.666 --> 00:27:00.668
  • The point of this book is to give you the tools to take your
  • 00:27:00.668 --> 00:27:04.171
  • Faith out of a church setting and bring it into
  • 00:27:04.171 --> 00:27:06.907
  • The marketplace.
  • 00:27:06.907 --> 00:27:08.242
  • If we will lead with faith, i believe god will help us make an
  • 00:27:08.242 --> 00:27:11.945
  • Impact in this generation.
  • 00:27:11.945 --> 00:27:13.781
  • Go to allenjackson.com and get your copy today.
  • 00:27:13.781 --> 00:27:17.418
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:18.285 --> 00:27:29.830