Allen Jackson - Determining Our Identity (Part 2)

November 25, 2024 | S24:E4802

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 - Determining Our Identity (Part 2) | November 25, 2024
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: but my time is slipping past.
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  • I want to come to the last question.
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  • It's the most important one.
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  • What determines if you're a christian?
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  • Is it location, where you sit?
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  • Is it descent, because your parents and your
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  • Grandparents were?
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  • What determines that?
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  • Well, the first part of this i suspect will be pretty familiar
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  • To you.
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  • They're often the most quoted verses in the bible and the most
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  • Practiced points of discipleship.
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  • We have a reasonably high participation rate at this entry
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  • Level point.
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  • I'll warn you our participation rate plummets beyond this
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  • Initial session 'cause we've fabricated all sorts of
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  • Elaborate theological schemes that say if we get the first
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  • Part right, nothing else matters.
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  • And we sound a great deal like the 1st century scribes and
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  • Pharisees, when "you should not tell us we have faults or flaws,
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  • That we're not obedient, because we're the children of abraham,"
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  • To which jesus said, "well, just for the record, god can make
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  • Children of abraham out of rocks.
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  • He started with a little dust and got you."
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  • Then we find ourselves in the 21st century, tempted to say,
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  • "we are bulletproof.
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  • We're golden.
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  • It doesn't really matter what we do or how we do it, we can kind
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  • Of sort of say, 'i'm sorry.'"
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  • But the pathway begins in john 3, jesus said, "i tell you
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  • The truth."
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  • You know by now, right, big news coming.
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  • "i tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of god
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  • Unless he's born again."
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  • So it isn't about your genealogical descent.
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  • It's not because you were born into the right family and you're
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  • Not excluded because you were born into the wrong family.
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  • So it does have nothing to do with the tracks and which side
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  • Of them you were born on.
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  • It has to do with the spiritual birth.
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  • Same chapter, verse 5: "i tell you the truth, no one can enter
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  • The kingdom of god unless he's born of water and the spirit.
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  • Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to
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  • The spirit."
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  • Jesus is talking to a leader of the jewish community.
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  • He didn't tell him his descent was sufficient.
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  • He didn't tell him that the religious practices he held
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  • Were sufficient.
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  • He said you have to be born into the kingdom of god.
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  • If it was true for nicodemus, i would humbly submit it's true
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  • For me and it is true for you.
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  • The kingdom--the keys to the kingdom are not the purview of
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  • Any particular denomination or any religious sect.
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  • It's not about protestant or catholic.
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  • It's not about a style of worship or a translation of
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  • The bible.
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  • All of those things have may have--may have some place in
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  • The discussion, but they are not primary.
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  • Your participation in the kingdom of god begins with
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  • A birth.
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  • In the same way your participation in time begins
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  • With a physical birth, your participation in the kingdom of
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  • God begins with a spiritual birth.
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  • Romans 10 amplifies it a bit: "if you confess with your mouth,
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  • 'jesus is lord,' and you believe in your heart that god raised
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  • Him from the dead, you will be saved.
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  • For it's with your heart that you believe and are justified,
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  • And it's with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
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  • So that spiritual birth is triggered, initiated, by a
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  • Physical choice.
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  • We believe in our heart and confess with our mouth.
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  • That's how we enter the kingdom of god.
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  • That initiates the greatest miracle that will ever touch
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  • Your life: a deliverance from the kingdom of darkness and
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  • Being welcomed into the eternal kingdom of almighty god.
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  • It's not dependent upon a college degree or an iq point or
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  • A balance in your bank account or your success or lack thereof
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  • In the marketplace or your physical abilities.
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  • Everyone is welcome.
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  • That's remarkable.
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  • I've studied in too many theological settings where they
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  • Have this deteriorating theology that tries to re-invent god in
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  • Our image.
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  • It's incredibly destructive and, tragically, it's infected the
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  • Church now for decades.
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  • It's not surprising that the church is increasingly apostate.
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  • We've been educating our leaders to ignore the word of god.
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  • We're gonna have to find our voices, church.
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  • Like, i think we ought to just say that prayer together,
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  • Whether you call it a conversion prayer, a profession of faith,
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  • The prayer of salvation, the new birth.
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  • There's a handful of labels that are used frequently.
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  • They're all synonymous.
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  • But if we will acknowledge our need of a savior and be willing
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  • To admit that we are sinners and we will ask for forgiveness, we
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  • Can be forgiven.
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  • But that bargain has a condition.
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  • To be forgiven we have to acknowledge jesus as lord, which
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  • Means now he establishes the priorities.
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  • If you're the priority setter of your life, jesus is not
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  • Your lord.
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  • "but i sit in church."
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  • I'm happy that you do, but it doesn't make you a
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  • Christ follower.
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  • "but i keep some of the rules."
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  • Good for you.
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  • It doesn't make you a christ follower.
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  • Jesus is lord, and that means now we are in process for his
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  • Lordship to fully occupy our lives as we grow up in him.
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  • And then in order to receive that forgiveness, we have to
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  • Forgive those who've sinned against us.
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  • It's not optional.
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  • If you'll do that, you can be a part of the eternal kingdom of
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  • God.
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  • Wow.
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  • Wow, there's an entirely new authority in your life, a
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  • New future.
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  • I think we gotta say that little prayer together.
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  • Why don't you just repeat it after me.
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  • Just close your eyes for a minute, forget who's around you.
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  • You know, it's a problem when you've been in church a while
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  • And maybe jesus really hadn't been lord.
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  • You hate to say that in public.
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  • You know, it's like not knowing english.
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  • I studied english since i started school.
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  • And if i go back, they still work on my english.
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  • I learned more about english when i learned
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  • Foreign languages.
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  • I didn't know there was such a thing as a pluperfect verb tense
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  • Till i got to greek.
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  • But if you've been in church, sometimes you're embarrassed to
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  • Say, "you know, i really haven't served jesus as lord.
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  • I go to church occasionally.
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  • I'm a pretty good person.
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  • I kinda sort of keep the morals that go with the
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  • Christian faith.
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  • But i've never really made jesus lord."
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  • Why don't we do that tonight?
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  • You can do that if you're watching me from someplace else.
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  • You don't have to be on campus for this one.
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  • Just repeat this prayer with me.
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  • "almighty god, i'm a sinner and i need a savior.
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  • I believe jesus is your son, that he died on a cross for my
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  • Sin, and that you raised him to life again, that i might be
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  • Justified, declared non-guilty, just as if i'd never sinned.
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  • Jesus, be lord of my life.
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  • Forgive me of all my sin, and i forgive all those who've sinned
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  • Against me.
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  • I wanna live for your glory with all that i am, all that i have,
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  • All that i'll ever be, in jesus's name, amen," hallelujah.
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  • Pretty amazing stuff.
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  • For all of you unaware people that say you've never seen a
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  • Miracle, yes, you have.
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  • If you're a christ follower, you are a walking miracle because,
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  • Apart from jesus, you were destined for an eternity apart
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  • From god.
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  • And because of jesus, we are participants in the
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  • Eternal kingdom.
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  • Come on now.
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  • Here's the challenge we face.
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  • Most--many, many people are willing to take that step.
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  • Many people.
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  • It seems so wonderful.
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  • But we've had very little conversation and very little
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  • Instruction on what's next.
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  • And there's some very well-formed, very elaborate,
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  • Very well-presented theological systems that says everything
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  • After that is secondary.
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  • Well, i mean, maybe you need to get baptized, probably not a bad
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  • Idea to get baptized, but everything else gets treated
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  • Pretty sloppily, pretty casually, 'cause we're told
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  • That our god is a forgiving god, filled with grace and mercy, and
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  • You can do almost anything you wanna do.
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  • And then if you'll hesitate momentarily and kind of, sort
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  • Of, perhaps a little bit, say, "i probably shouldn't have done
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  • That," that you're good to go again.
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  • You get to go right back to go and get 200 more dollars, and
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  • You get a fresh start.
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  • And it's created a sloppy-- dietrich bonhoeffer called it
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  • Men without chests.
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  • It's not really a biblical presentation.
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  • I don't want you to live in fear of your salvation.
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  • I'm not trying to dangle you by a thread over the pits of hell
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  • As jonathan edwards so famously did.
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  • I'm asking you to consider what the scripture says to us.
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  • 1 peter chapter 1.
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  • This is peter the fisherman.
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  • He said, "you've been born again, not of perishable seed,
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  • But of imperishable."
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  • It's not about your physical descent.
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  • It's about your spiritual descent.
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  • "through the living and enduring word of god.
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  • For, 'all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the
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  • Flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fail,
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  • But the word of the lord stands forever.'
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  • And this is the word that was preached to you.
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  • Therefore," therefore is a summary word.
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  • What i was taught as a young man, "when you read your bible
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  • And when you find a therefore, you better find out what it's
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  • There for."
  • 00:11:01.576 --> 00:11:03.511
  • It's a pretty good principle.
  • 00:11:03.511 --> 00:11:05.814
  • "therefore," because of what he's just said, "rid yourselves
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  • Of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of
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  • Every kind.
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  • Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it
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  • You may grow up in your salvation, now that you have
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  • Tasted that the lord is good."
  • 00:11:24.432 --> 00:11:28.002
  • The language is just as clear as the john passages.
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  • He said because you've been born of imperishable seed, not the
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  • Decision of a human being, because you have something now
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  • That reaches beyond time that's more enduring than your physical
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  • Body or the plants that grow around us.
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  • He said now we've got to make the decision to grow
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  • Up spiritually.
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  • We have to rid ourselves, he says.
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  • It's not something god will do to us.
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  • "rid yourself of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
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  • Crave pure spiritual milk, so that you can grow up in
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  • Your salvation."
  • 00:12:09.677 --> 00:12:11.045
  • My concern is this has not been a prevalent message.
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  • I don't wanna diminish the invitation to the new birth,
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  • Conversion, salvation.
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  • But i would like to amplify the rest of the assignment to grow
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  • Up as christ followers.
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  • It's a very--it's not some subtle hidden theme.
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  • Allen: i want to take just a moment to say thank you.
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  • In a year of political turmoil and confusion and wars and
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  • Rumors of wars, because of your partnership,
  • 00:12:46.114 --> 00:12:48.716
  • Your generosity, your prayers, your encouragement,
  • 00:12:48.716 --> 00:12:51.886
  • We have done more for the gospel than any year
  • 00:12:51.886 --> 00:12:54.389
  • In our ministry so far.
  • 00:12:54.389 --> 00:12:55.723
  • We started a whole new genre of programing.
  • 00:12:55.723 --> 00:12:58.126
  • Allen jackson now does a daily review of headlines
  • 00:12:58.126 --> 00:13:00.829
  • From a biblical worldview.
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  • We've started a new podcast, "culture & christianity," to
  • 00:13:02.630 --> 00:13:05.066
  • Help stabilize god's people in the midst of all the confusion.
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  • All of that because of your faithfulness,
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  • Your generosity, your prayers.
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  • Thank you so much.
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  • As we come to the end of this year, i want to ask
  • 00:13:14.475 --> 00:13:16.211
  • You to prayerfully consider making a sacrificial
  • 00:13:16.211 --> 00:13:18.746
  • Investment in what's next.
  • 00:13:18.746 --> 00:13:21.449
  • We want to take those programs, share them in new
  • 00:13:21.449 --> 00:13:23.751
  • Places with more people.
  • 00:13:23.751 --> 00:13:25.887
  • We want to continue to be creative in how we share the
  • 00:13:25.887 --> 00:13:28.690
  • Good news of jesus christ.
  • 00:13:28.690 --> 00:13:30.825
  • A generous partner makes it possible.
  • 00:13:30.825 --> 00:13:32.527
  • Every gift you give will be matched.
  • 00:13:32.527 --> 00:13:34.162
  • It doubles your gift between now and the end of the year.
  • 00:13:34.162 --> 00:13:36.931
  • Let me thank you in advance for what we've been doing and what
  • 00:13:36.931 --> 00:13:39.467
  • God's going to do with our lives and our partnership
  • 00:13:39.467 --> 00:13:42.337
  • Together in 2025.
  • 00:13:42.337 --> 00:13:44.606
  • Thank you and god bless you.
  • 00:13:44.606 --> 00:13:47.041
  • Female announcer: god is moving in major ways in the
  • 00:13:47.041 --> 00:13:49.143
  • Ministry and our world.
  • 00:13:49.143 --> 00:13:51.679
  • As we watched the 2024 election unfold,
  • 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:54.549
  • We witnessed a miracle.
  • 00:13:54.549 --> 00:13:56.584
  • God has heard our prayers.
  • 00:13:56.584 --> 00:13:58.686
  • He has shown us his mercy.
  • 00:13:58.686 --> 00:14:00.922
  • We're entering a new era with new leaders,
  • 00:14:00.922 --> 00:14:03.992
  • But it's not a time to rest.
  • 00:14:03.992 --> 00:14:06.194
  • Our assignment hasn't changed.
  • 00:14:06.194 --> 00:14:08.229
  • In fact, it's as urgent as ever.
  • 00:14:08.229 --> 00:14:11.266
  • You and i have been set apart by god for his purposes,
  • 00:14:11.266 --> 00:14:14.502
  • And there's a lot for us to do.
  • 00:14:14.502 --> 00:14:16.971
  • Allen: i believe when god shows you mercy,
  • 00:14:16.971 --> 00:14:21.276
  • He gives with it an opportunity.
  • 00:14:21.276 --> 00:14:24.045
  • I want us to quietly say to the lord, "here am i.
  • 00:14:24.045 --> 00:14:33.788
  • Let me go.
  • 00:14:33.788 --> 00:14:36.224
  • Let me go back to where i work in the name of jesus.
  • 00:14:36.224 --> 00:14:40.094
  • Let me go back into my neighborhood
  • 00:14:40.094 --> 00:14:41.729
  • In the name of jesus."
  • 00:14:41.729 --> 00:14:44.198
  • God himself has shown us grace, and it will require of us
  • 00:14:44.198 --> 00:14:52.140
  • Greater strength and greater courage than we have ever had to
  • 00:14:52.140 --> 00:14:56.177
  • Attach to our faith before.
  • 00:14:56.177 --> 00:14:59.948
  • Let's go. let's go.
  • 00:14:59.948 --> 00:15:03.685
  • Announcer: let's set our hearts on preparing for what's
  • 00:15:03.685 --> 00:15:05.720
  • Next with pastor allen's brand-new 90-day devotional
  • 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:09.390
  • Called "set apart for his purposes."
  • 00:15:09.390 --> 00:15:12.593
  • It will help us seek god so we can recognize his voice and
  • 00:15:12.593 --> 00:15:15.630
  • Consistently choose to follow him.
  • 00:15:15.630 --> 00:15:17.832
  • Each day includes scripture, a short teaching,
  • 00:15:17.832 --> 00:15:20.134
  • And a prayer, followed by a journaling prompt and room
  • 00:15:20.134 --> 00:15:23.371
  • To write and reflect.
  • 00:15:23.371 --> 00:15:25.106
  • Let's get ready for the season ahead.
  • 00:15:25.106 --> 00:15:27.375
  • Request your copy of "set apart for his purposes" when you
  • 00:15:27.375 --> 00:15:30.211
  • Donate $50 or more today at allenjackson.com or by calling
  • 00:15:30.211 --> 00:15:34.549
  • ...
  • 00:15:34.549 --> 00:15:38.720
  • Allen: i'll go to that last section you have.
  • 00:15:42.690 --> 00:15:44.592
  • The question's there: what are we doing?
  • 00:15:44.592 --> 00:15:46.694
  • What are you doing? what are you doing?
  • 00:15:46.694 --> 00:15:52.900
  • You see, what i find and the more broadly i listen, the more
  • 00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:57.839
  • I'm aware, is that we have an imagination as to how christians
  • 00:15:57.839 --> 00:16:01.876
  • Should behave.
  • 00:16:01.876 --> 00:16:03.244
  • Even non-christians know how they think christians
  • 00:16:03.244 --> 00:16:05.146
  • Should behave.
  • 00:16:05.146 --> 00:16:07.115
  • Have you ever bumped into that?
  • 00:16:07.115 --> 00:16:09.283
  • Well, "i know--i thought you were a christian," said to you
  • 00:16:09.283 --> 00:16:12.887
  • By someone who clearly doesn't intend to be.
  • 00:16:12.887 --> 00:16:17.125
  • We have this imagination, but we often do not intend to abide by
  • 00:16:17.125 --> 00:16:21.562
  • The principles.
  • 00:16:21.562 --> 00:16:24.165
  • We say we hold them, but we lack the intent to honor them.
  • 00:16:24.165 --> 00:16:30.204
  • And i think the idea that's given rise to that is we've
  • 00:16:30.204 --> 00:16:34.609
  • Said, "well, i've been born again and i can't earn my way
  • 00:16:34.609 --> 00:16:39.547
  • To heaven.
  • 00:16:39.547 --> 00:16:42.216
  • So why should i try so hard?"
  • 00:16:42.216 --> 00:16:46.587
  • 'cause at the end of the day, it isn't about trying.
  • 00:16:46.587 --> 00:16:49.190
  • It's about training.
  • 00:16:49.190 --> 00:16:50.558
  • We've had that discussion quite a bit.
  • 00:16:50.558 --> 00:16:53.161
  • If the outcomes matter, trying is not enough, folks.
  • 00:16:53.161 --> 00:16:58.566
  • If you've never flown a plane, i don't want you to fly the plane
  • 00:16:58.566 --> 00:17:02.070
  • I'm on, even if you're gonna try really, really hard.
  • 00:17:02.070 --> 00:17:07.809
  • When outcomes matter, trying is not the issue.
  • 00:17:07.809 --> 00:17:15.116
  • The bible tells us we have to submit ourselves to the
  • 00:17:15.116 --> 00:17:18.219
  • Authority of god.
  • 00:17:18.219 --> 00:17:19.687
  • Look at matthew 7. jesus is speaking.
  • 00:17:19.687 --> 00:17:22.190
  • "not everyone who says to me, 'lord, lord,' will enter the
  • 00:17:22.190 --> 00:17:25.993
  • Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father
  • 00:17:25.993 --> 00:17:31.165
  • Who's in heaven.
  • 00:17:31.165 --> 00:17:32.600
  • Many will say to me on that day, 'lord, didn't we prophesy in
  • 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:37.371
  • Your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform
  • 00:17:37.371 --> 00:17:39.907
  • Many miracles?'
  • 00:17:39.907 --> 00:17:41.609
  • Then i will tell them plainly, 'i never knew you.
  • 00:17:41.609 --> 00:17:45.980
  • Away from me, you evildoers!'"
  • 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:51.319
  • I don't know about you.
  • 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.820
  • He has my attention.
  • 00:17:52.820 --> 00:17:56.624
  • You can cast out demons and do miracles and recognize the lord.
  • 00:17:56.624 --> 00:18:03.664
  • And he'll say, "no, no, you're not welcome."
  • 00:18:03.664 --> 00:18:08.569
  • The criteria that he holds out to us is the one who does the
  • 00:18:08.569 --> 00:18:12.273
  • Will of my father.
  • 00:18:12.273 --> 00:18:13.641
  • So here's a suggestion, just an idea.
  • 00:18:13.641 --> 00:18:15.276
  • I'm not bringing you the full--the assignment.
  • 00:18:15.276 --> 00:18:19.881
  • I'm giving you the concept to begin on a very regular basis to
  • 00:18:19.881 --> 00:18:24.218
  • Say, "lord, i would like to do your will today.
  • 00:18:24.218 --> 00:18:31.125
  • I'm going to work today.
  • 00:18:31.125 --> 00:18:33.528
  • I have a family today.
  • 00:18:33.528 --> 00:18:35.563
  • I'm gonna make choices about what i look at on my screens.
  • 00:18:35.563 --> 00:18:39.667
  • I'm gonna make choices about how i interact with people.
  • 00:18:39.667 --> 00:18:43.437
  • I'd like to do your will today."
  • 00:18:43.437 --> 00:18:47.708
  • Will you do it perfectly?
  • 00:18:47.708 --> 00:18:49.043
  • Probably not.
  • 00:18:49.043 --> 00:18:51.145
  • But if you don't intend to do it, tell me again the evidence
  • 00:18:51.145 --> 00:18:56.984
  • That you're a christ follower?
  • 00:18:56.984 --> 00:19:03.224
  • Jesus said, "the one who does my father's will."
  • 00:19:03.224 --> 00:19:08.396
  • And this is not some rogue verse that i've ripped out of context.
  • 00:19:08.396 --> 00:19:11.999
  • It is a theme.
  • 00:19:11.999 --> 00:19:15.036
  • I'll give you one more example.
  • 00:19:15.036 --> 00:19:18.306
  • Galatians chapter 5:19.
  • 00:19:18.306 --> 00:19:20.241
  • Do you have that one?
  • 00:19:20.241 --> 00:19:22.343
  • Good, okay.
  • 00:19:22.343 --> 00:19:24.312
  • Paul's writing to a church.
  • 00:19:24.312 --> 00:19:25.646
  • He's not writing to pagans or godless people.
  • 00:19:25.646 --> 00:19:28.616
  • He doesn't have an arena filled with a mixed audience.
  • 00:19:28.616 --> 00:19:31.118
  • He's writing to a church, and he says: "the acts of the
  • 00:19:31.118 --> 00:19:34.055
  • Sinful nature are obvious."
  • 00:19:34.055 --> 00:19:35.389
  • Well, they're so obvious, he has to list them for them
  • 00:19:35.389 --> 00:19:37.225
  • Again, right?
  • 00:19:37.225 --> 00:19:40.728
  • It's like, they probably wouldn't, i mean, so, "sexual
  • 00:19:40.728 --> 00:19:44.632
  • Immorality, impurity, debauchery."
  • 00:19:44.632 --> 00:19:46.601
  • Debauchery means excess.
  • 00:19:46.601 --> 00:19:50.071
  • It's kind of a fun word for me.
  • 00:19:50.071 --> 00:19:51.405
  • It's like there's excess letters in debauchery and it just means
  • 00:19:51.405 --> 00:19:53.541
  • Excess, so.
  • 00:19:53.541 --> 00:19:55.243
  • "idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage,
  • 00:19:55.243 --> 00:20:00.214
  • Selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness,
  • 00:20:00.214 --> 00:20:03.985
  • Orgies, and the like."
  • 00:20:03.985 --> 00:20:06.654
  • It's not an inclusive list.
  • 00:20:06.654 --> 00:20:07.989
  • He goes, "you know, there's, and you," he said, "you know the
  • 00:20:07.989 --> 00:20:09.590
  • Rest of the stuff."
  • 00:20:09.590 --> 00:20:11.492
  • "i warn you, as i did before, that those who live like this
  • 00:20:11.492 --> 00:20:15.563
  • Will not inherit the kingdom of god."
  • 00:20:15.563 --> 00:20:21.435
  • You can't do that.
  • 00:20:21.435 --> 00:20:23.537
  • That stuff cannot be a part of your practice.
  • 00:20:23.537 --> 00:20:27.808
  • You know, if it only said sexual immorality and fits of rage and
  • 00:20:27.808 --> 00:20:31.412
  • Orgies, we might go, "phew," because i think you kind of look
  • 00:20:31.412 --> 00:20:37.618
  • At the list and you grade them, "really bad; whoa, way, way bad;
  • 00:20:37.618 --> 00:20:43.257
  • Mmm, not so."
  • 00:20:43.257 --> 00:20:47.895
  • But god said those things cannot exist.
  • 00:20:47.895 --> 00:20:49.897
  • You can't be filled with envy and inherit the kingdom of god.
  • 00:20:49.897 --> 00:20:53.034
  • You cannot practice envy.
  • 00:20:53.034 --> 00:20:57.672
  • Now, we have to make a distinction between the struggle
  • 00:20:57.672 --> 00:21:00.675
  • With sin and the practice of sin.
  • 00:21:00.675 --> 00:21:04.679
  • We are carnal creatures.
  • 00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:06.080
  • We still have all those tendencies towards ungodliness.
  • 00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:08.549
  • That's the reason we have to have warnings like this.
  • 00:21:08.549 --> 00:21:13.120
  • But there is a power and authority present to help us
  • 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:15.623
  • Overcome every expression of our carnal nature.
  • 00:21:15.623 --> 00:21:19.660
  • My time is about gone, but i'll give you this one caveat.
  • 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:22.663
  • If you--if you choose to give license to your carnal nature,
  • 00:21:22.663 --> 00:21:26.600
  • You will get the support and help of unclean spirits.
  • 00:21:26.600 --> 00:21:30.671
  • And if you do it long enough, you will lose much of your
  • 00:21:30.671 --> 00:21:33.074
  • Own volition.
  • 00:21:33.074 --> 00:21:35.376
  • We call those addictions.
  • 00:21:35.376 --> 00:21:37.278
  • We call those habits that become destructive.
  • 00:21:37.278 --> 00:21:41.115
  • We all have either--we've all had personal experience with
  • 00:21:41.115 --> 00:21:43.918
  • That, directly and indirectly.
  • 00:21:43.918 --> 00:21:47.788
  • So the challenge here is to say, "i will not practice
  • 00:21:47.788 --> 00:21:51.225
  • Those things."
  • 00:21:51.225 --> 00:21:52.993
  • Now, the good news is you're not typically tempted on that whole
  • 00:21:52.993 --> 00:21:55.229
  • List, but there are points that are more of a struggle for you,
  • 00:21:55.229 --> 00:21:58.899
  • And know the places where you're vulnerable and do your very best
  • 00:21:58.899 --> 00:22:02.903
  • Not to give license in those places.
  • 00:22:02.903 --> 00:22:07.475
  • Why?
  • 00:22:07.475 --> 00:22:08.943
  • Because i wanna grow up spiritually.
  • 00:22:08.943 --> 00:22:12.513
  • I don't wanna get to that point of evaluation that awaits me and
  • 00:22:12.513 --> 00:22:15.850
  • Hear the lord say, "no."
  • 00:22:15.850 --> 00:22:19.086
  • "well, i was born again."
  • 00:22:19.086 --> 00:22:20.454
  • "yeah, i know, you called me 'lord.'"
  • 00:22:20.454 --> 00:22:23.424
  • Now, here's the challenge.
  • 00:22:23.424 --> 00:22:24.792
  • You don't get a laminated card in the mail
  • 00:22:24.792 --> 00:22:26.961
  • When you make that profession.
  • 00:22:26.961 --> 00:22:28.295
  • Well, you might get one but it comes from the church or some--
  • 00:22:28.295 --> 00:22:31.198
  • You get a name tag and, i mean, that's not what they'll be
  • 00:22:31.198 --> 00:22:34.301
  • Looking for at the pearly gates.
  • 00:22:34.301 --> 00:22:35.803
  • "do you have a lanyard?"
  • 00:22:35.803 --> 00:22:42.910
  • And so you don't have that kind of license.
  • 00:22:42.910 --> 00:22:47.114
  • The evidence that you are--you have entered the kingdom of god
  • 00:22:47.114 --> 00:22:50.885
  • And you're growing up in your faith is the fruit of your life.
  • 00:22:50.885 --> 00:22:59.226
  • So it makes it relevant when they say there are tens of
  • 00:22:59.226 --> 00:23:02.129
  • Millions of evangelical christians in our culture and
  • 00:23:02.129 --> 00:23:05.566
  • We're losing millions of children.
  • 00:23:05.566 --> 00:23:07.735
  • It seems that our fruit is small.
  • 00:23:07.735 --> 00:23:13.808
  • They aren't political issues, they're the fruit of our lives.
  • 00:23:13.808 --> 00:23:18.846
  • And we've got to become the church again.
  • 00:23:18.846 --> 00:23:21.749
  • We've got to find our voice and say there's a god and you can
  • 00:23:21.749 --> 00:23:24.685
  • Know him and you can be clean and delivered and set free.
  • 00:23:24.685 --> 00:23:28.756
  • It's not oppressive, it's not limiting.
  • 00:23:28.756 --> 00:23:31.058
  • Let's get busy serving the lord.
  • 00:23:31.058 --> 00:23:32.927
  • Let's focus our attention, set our objectives, prioritize our
  • 00:23:32.927 --> 00:23:35.963
  • Time, direct our resources.
  • 00:23:35.963 --> 00:23:38.566
  • Let's begin to align our hearts as never before with the
  • 00:23:38.566 --> 00:23:41.502
  • Purposes of god.
  • 00:23:41.502 --> 00:23:42.937
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:23:42.937 --> 00:23:48.542
  • Allen: we're not earning our way towards anything.
  • 00:23:48.542 --> 00:23:50.644
  • We're demonstrating our determined affection for our
  • 00:23:50.644 --> 00:23:53.514
  • Lord and his kingdom.
  • 00:23:53.514 --> 00:23:56.217
  • We want it to be the overriding expression of our existence.
  • 00:23:56.217 --> 00:24:00.821
  • I'm happy that you're an advocate for a sports team or
  • 00:24:00.821 --> 00:24:03.524
  • The hobby of your choice.
  • 00:24:03.524 --> 00:24:04.892
  • Oh, it's okay, it's not wrong, but it shouldn't be the defining
  • 00:24:04.892 --> 00:24:08.462
  • Characteristic of your life or it's an idol.
  • 00:24:08.462 --> 00:24:12.366
  • We wanna lead with, "we are ambassadors
  • 00:24:12.366 --> 00:24:14.935
  • For the kingdom of god.
  • 00:24:14.935 --> 00:24:16.270
  • Have i told you about my best friend?
  • 00:24:16.270 --> 00:24:18.506
  • His name is jesus. he came from nazareth.
  • 00:24:18.506 --> 00:24:21.709
  • Do you know him? i'd like you to know him.
  • 00:24:21.709 --> 00:24:24.778
  • He's brought good things to my life.
  • 00:24:24.778 --> 00:24:26.514
  • He'll bring good things to your life."
  • 00:24:26.514 --> 00:24:32.853
  • I know you don't feel worthy, neither do i, but i want to
  • 00:24:32.853 --> 00:24:37.024
  • Serve him.
  • 00:24:37.024 --> 00:24:38.659
  • I'm gonna give him my best.
  • 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:41.262
  • I will not stop under threat or bullying or tirade or censorship
  • 00:24:41.262 --> 00:24:47.968
  • Or whatever else.
  • 00:24:47.968 --> 00:24:49.904
  • We'll be advocates for the king.
  • 00:24:49.904 --> 00:24:51.539
  • Church, we have a role to play.
  • 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:54.942
  • We have a role to play.
  • 00:24:54.942 --> 00:24:56.277
  • I want to pray for you. may i do that?
  • 00:24:56.277 --> 00:24:57.611
  • Will you stand with me?
  • 00:24:57.611 --> 00:25:04.885
  • Thank you for investing the time to pray over these next 2 days.
  • 00:25:04.885 --> 00:25:09.523
  • I know it's a sacrifice.
  • 00:25:09.523 --> 00:25:13.394
  • If you've got a family still at home, it takes the whole family
  • 00:25:13.394 --> 00:25:15.863
  • Making a sacrifice.
  • 00:25:15.863 --> 00:25:17.197
  • Thank you for doing that.
  • 00:25:17.197 --> 00:25:19.466
  • God responds to his people.
  • 00:25:19.466 --> 00:25:22.469
  • He does. he does.
  • 00:25:22.469 --> 00:25:26.707
  • Why don't you join hands with somebody new?
  • 00:25:26.707 --> 00:25:28.442
  • Tell them your name. you know the drill.
  • 00:25:28.442 --> 00:25:31.145
  • They won't talk to you, don't bother.
  • 00:25:31.145 --> 00:25:34.114
  • You know, if you've stood by 'em several times and they've never
  • 00:25:34.114 --> 00:25:36.050
  • Talked to you, move.
  • 00:25:36.050 --> 00:25:40.721
  • I mean, not right now, but.
  • 00:25:40.721 --> 00:25:44.992
  • Father, thank you for your word, for its truth and authority and
  • 00:25:44.992 --> 00:25:48.028
  • Power in our lives.
  • 00:25:48.028 --> 00:25:50.731
  • I thank you that you called us to this very unique point in
  • 00:25:50.731 --> 00:25:53.567
  • History, that you called us out of darkness, and through the
  • 00:25:53.567 --> 00:25:57.605
  • Blood of jesus, we've been forgiven, sanctified, justified,
  • 00:25:57.605 --> 00:26:01.842
  • Delivered, that we might declare the praises of our god in
  • 00:26:01.842 --> 00:26:06.547
  • Our generation.
  • 00:26:06.547 --> 00:26:08.682
  • And i ask you now for a new boldness, for a new courage.
  • 00:26:08.682 --> 00:26:12.820
  • Forgive us for when we've been timid or distracted
  • 00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:15.356
  • Or ambivalent.
  • 00:26:15.356 --> 00:26:17.391
  • But, lord, we offer ourselves tonight as living sacrifices.
  • 00:26:17.391 --> 00:26:22.162
  • We want to conduct ourselves in a way that's pleasing to you,
  • 00:26:22.162 --> 00:26:26.734
  • That you deem trustworthy, that whatever assignments you would
  • 00:26:26.734 --> 00:26:31.438
  • Have fulfilled, that you would consider us trustworthy with
  • 00:26:31.438 --> 00:26:36.143
  • Those assignments.
  • 00:26:36.143 --> 00:26:37.878
  • We praise you for it tonight.
  • 00:26:37.878 --> 00:26:40.314
  • I thank you for the privilege and honor we have of naming
  • 00:26:40.314 --> 00:26:42.716
  • Jesus as lord of our lives, that we can affirm that and declare
  • 00:26:42.716 --> 00:26:46.887
  • That in public.
  • 00:26:46.887 --> 00:26:48.255
  • We praise you for it, lord.
  • 00:26:48.255 --> 00:26:49.590
  • May that freedom grow, may that liberty increase.
  • 00:26:49.590 --> 00:26:52.226
  • May your church grow.
  • 00:26:52.226 --> 00:26:53.761
  • May our voice be strengthened.
  • 00:26:53.761 --> 00:26:55.162
  • May your people be awakened.
  • 00:26:55.162 --> 00:26:57.831
  • Reveal yourself to the children and the young people with a
  • 00:26:57.831 --> 00:27:00.467
  • Clarity beyond anything we've ever seen.
  • 00:27:00.467 --> 00:27:03.270
  • May they know there's a god in heaven and that jesus is
  • 00:27:03.270 --> 00:27:05.572
  • His son.
  • 00:27:05.572 --> 00:27:07.207
  • We thank you for it.
  • 00:27:07.207 --> 00:27:08.542
  • We praise you for it.
  • 00:27:08.542 --> 00:27:10.044
  • For it's in jesus's name that we pray, amen.
  • 00:27:10.044 --> 00:27:13.480
  • Hallelujah, god bless you.
  • 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:16.583
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:16.583 --> 00:27:16.583