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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Different - How? (Part 2) | November 13, 2025
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- ♪♪♪
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- Allen jackson: it's a privilege to be with you today.
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- We're gonna complete our study on
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- "step out of the crowd: but different, just how?"
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- I think we struggle with that.
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- Being weird does not make you more spiritual.
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- I know a lot of people that are weird,
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- But they don't really know the lord any better.
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- The point is to be obedient to him.
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- If you choose to honor god with your life,
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- That will bring a distinctiveness to who you are.
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- We're gonna look at that in a little more detail.
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- Grab your bible and get a notepad,
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- But most importantly, open your heart to the lord's invitations.
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- Allen: well, i do life in this place.
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- I'm here most weekends of the year.
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- And i wanna take a few minutes and talk to you about
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- What it looks like for us to step out of the crowd.
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- What's it look like for us to raise our hand?
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- What's that mean to step out of the crowd?
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- How do we differentiate ourselves?
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- Different?
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- Just exactly how?
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- You know, there's no perfect time in history,
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- So if we said we were going to abandon electricity,
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- That doesn't make us more godly.
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- It just means we'll be ungodly in the dark.
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- You know, sometimes we imagine that the good old days
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- Were somehow better, and i'm not suggesting that.
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- I'm grateful for the season in which we live.
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- I like all the technological opportunities that come with us,
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- The ease with which we can communicate
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- With one another around the world or travel.
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- We have many, many blessings.
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- I'm not lamenting this point in time,
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- But i think we have to process this question: different how?
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- Just exactly what does it mean to be the people of god?
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- And we're not left without direction.
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- The bible gives us a wealth of instruction.
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- But i'm gonna take some cultural points that are--
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- Around which there is a tremendous amount
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- Of confusion swirling,
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- And see if i can give you a biblical perspective.
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- Not my opinion.
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- I'll try to anchor it in scripture.
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- I'll start with this notion of marriage.
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- Marriage has been redefined, so we're told.
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- We've heard that at the highest levels of our nation,
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- A nation with a christian heritage,
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- A nation founded upon biblical principles,
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- A nation whose legal system and educational system were grounded
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- In a judeo-christian worldview has decided in recent years
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- That we're no longer gonna use those definitions for marriage
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- And family.
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- And it's left the church confused.
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- A little bit addled, i think.
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- Well, i would submit to you that marriage is a biblical idea.
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- It's a biblical principle.
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- And it's presented to us as a union between a man and a woman.
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- In fact, fundamentally, it's a covenant
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- Between a man and a woman and god.
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- It's about yielding and honoring.
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- Look in genesis chapter 2.
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- If you're not familiar with the bible,
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- Genesis chapter 2 is very near the beginning.
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- So it's one of those big rock ideas,
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- As we begin to explore who this god is.
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- And he said, "for this reason a man will leave his father
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- And mother and be united to his wife,
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- And they will become one flesh."
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- It's not confusing, church.
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- I understand there are alternatives.
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- I understand there may be people that you know,
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- That you care about, that you have shared life with,
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- That you're invested in, that have chosen another definition.
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- I'm not saying that that doesn't exist.
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- I'm saying if you want to walk under a biblical mandate,
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- Under the authority of scripture,
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- That god hasn't redefined his terms.
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- Different how?
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- By having the courage to take a biblical view of life
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- And submit to its authority.
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- Look at hebrews 13:4.
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- It even gets a little more intense.
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- "marriage is to be held in honor among all,
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- And the marriage bed is to be undefiled;
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- For fornicators," that's a big old word: sexual activity
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- Before you're married, "and adulterers,"
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- Sexual activity beyond your marriage vows
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- And your covenant partner, "god will judge."
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- So, biblical morality, sexually, is defined
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- By that marriage covenant between a man and a woman.
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- Different how?
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- Just suppose we returned weddings and all the preparation
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- Around those weddings to a god-honoring establishment
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- Of a covenant.
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- Different how?
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- Different in how you spend your time.
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- If you'll allow me, other people matter too.
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- It's not just about us.
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- I understand self-care counts.
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- I've read a lot of those books, but that's been our focus
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- For a while now.
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- We've lost our imagination that how we lead our lives
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- And how we treat one another and how we respond to one another
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- In community is a reflection of the faith that we have
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- In our hearts.
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- It's a declaration of who is lord in our lives.
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- Look at hebrews 13:16: "do not forget to do good and
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- To share with others, for with such sacrifices god is pleased."
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- Church, we can't afford to forget to do good,
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- And that's not just when we're collecting food
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- For the less fortunate at some point on the calendar.
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- It's not just when we launch an initiative.
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- It's how we live our lives.
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- It's how we view our neighbors that live near us
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- And the people that we interact with in the restaurants
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- And the families that our children go to school with.
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- It's a sacrifice to serve god in this world.
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- It's a sacrifice of your time.
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- It's a sacrifice of your rights.
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- It's a sacrifice of your privileges.
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- It's a commitment to serve, not just randomly,
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- But under authority.
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- But i think we watch other people and we think,
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- "well, they don't do that," and i'm telling you no matter
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- Where you are in your journey, no matter who god has called you
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- To be or what he's put in front of you,
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- You wanna live in such a way that you routinely, regularly,
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- Make a sacrifice to see god's people strengthened.
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- Build that habit into your life.
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- Different how?
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- By serving the people of god.
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- I mean, there was a time in this place i got to mow the grass
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- And clean the bathrooms.
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- I don't get to do that so much anymore.
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- Look at what jesus said, matthew 23:
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- "the greatest among you will be your servant.
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- For whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
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- And whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
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- Folks, our families are a primary ministry center
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- Of our lives.
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- Our children will benefit from the focused routine
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- Of family life.
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- If you'll allow me, less busy, less activity,
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- And dinner at a table together will change
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- The spiritual quotient of your home.
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- It'll also make you different from your peer group,
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- Because it'll mean you'll have to say to your children,
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- "we can't do everything.
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- We're gonna have to be a bit more selective,"
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- And they will not rise up and call you blessed
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- With that announcement.
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- I understand an evening meal is a lift.
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- It's hard work, it's difficult, it's a sacrifice.
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- But it's an investment in your family and in your children.
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- Look at deuteronomy 6: "these commandments
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- That i give you today are to be upon your hearts.
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- Impress them on your children.
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- Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk
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- Along the road, and when you lie down and when you get up."
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- Wherever you go and whatever you do with your children,
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- Bring your faith to bear.
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- Take jesus to the soccer fields.
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- Take jesus to the dance classes.
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- Take jesus to the swim lessons.
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- Take jesus to the public schools.
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- We go under the authority of jesus's name.
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- We've apologized for too long.
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- We've been timid and reluctant.
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- If you're a ut fan, you've taught your kids
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- To sing "rocky top."
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- You better teach 'em to say, "jesus is lord."
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- Different how?
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- Different in our attitude regarding work.
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- Ephesians 4 and verse 28: "he who has been stealing
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- Must steal no longer, but must work,
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- Doing something useful with his own hands,
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- That he may have something to share with those in need."
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- Folks, we've gotta step out of the crowd a little bit
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- In how we live, in how we behave, in how we use our time,
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- And the discipline that we will submit our lives to.
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- Your attitude and investment in work
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- Is an expression of worship.
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- Worship is honoring god with your mind, your heart,
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- And your body.
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- Work involves your whole person.
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- Honor god in those places where you work.
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- In your words, in your attitudes,
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- In what you talk about.
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- Work isn't something you do while you're waiting to get
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- On with more important things.
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- Work creates better opportunities for your family.
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- Therefore, work is an expression of your love for your family.
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- If you don't work with diligence,
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- There is reasonable question about the value you attach
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- To those who are trusting you.
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- Otherwise, we depend upon someone else's work
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- To benefit those we care about.
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- That's not the biblical presentation.
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- We are struggling on this point as a nation.
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- We are being encouraged by those in authority over us to become
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- A nation of thieves, filled with envy and covetousness.
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- We have imagined we deserve what someone else has,
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- And we're willing to have it taken away
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- From someone else and presented to us.
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- The technical definition for that equation is stealing.
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- Look at 1 timothy 5 and verse 8: "if anyone doesn't provide
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- For his relatives, and especially
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- For his immediate family,
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- He has denied the truth and is worse than an unbeliever.
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- Pay your debts.
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- Don't borrow what you can't pay.
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- Hollywood's made a hero out of robin hood.
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- He's had great pr agents, but at the end of the day,
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- Robin hood was a thief.
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- Psalm 37 and verse 21 said: "the wicked borrow
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- And don't repay, but the righteous give generously."
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- Proverbs 22: "the rich rule over the poor,
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- And the borrower is servant to the lender."
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- A part of the discipline of the narrow path
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- Is learning to avoid the love of money.
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- Our culture doesn't help us with this one.
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- We're told we're evaluated by what we drive and what we wear
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- And the labels and the places where our kids go to school,
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- And the trips that they're able to take and what we can post
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- On social media about all of the above.
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- But the bible encourages us to avoid the love of money,
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- And the love of all the things that money can bring to you.
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- The bible's not against money.
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- It just simply says that the love of money
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- Opens a trap door in our hearts.
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- Look at hebrews 13:5: "make sure that your character is free
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- From the love of money, and be content with what you have."
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- Contentment is a remarkable thing in your heart.
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- It's not easily held.
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- It's not about how much you have.
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- It's not about a little or a lot.
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- Contentment comes from a relationship with god.
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- Look at 1 timothy 6: "godliness actually is a means
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- Of great gain when accompanied by contentment."
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- See, if you'll cultivate contentment,
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- God can trust you with more.
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- But if your heart is grasping and never satisfied
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- And never content and filled with envy and covetousness,
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- God can't bring more, it would destroy us.
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- I like the next verse: "we brought nothing into the world,
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- And we're not taking anything out of it."
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- Godliness, by definition, is living with an awareness
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- Of our life beyond time, that i will not forfeit my decision
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- To honor god by some short-term opportunity in my days
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- Under the sun.
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- I'll not trade my place on that narrow path for a moment
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- Of something that i can't keep beyond time.
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- Godliness plus contentment will bring tremendous gain
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- To your life, increase to your life,
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- A return on investment for your life.
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- Different how?
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- Not different weird, not different by your vocabulary.
- 00:13:29.123 --> 00:13:34.662
- Different by the formation of your character
- 00:13:34.662 --> 00:13:37.365
- And how you choose to order your life.
- 00:13:37.365 --> 00:13:40.134
- ♪♪♪
- 00:13:40.134 --> 00:13:44.138
- Allen: have you ever said that christmas is too secular and
- 00:13:46.541 --> 00:13:48.877
- You're tired of it?
- 00:13:48.877 --> 00:13:50.211
- Well, we've got a solution, or at least
- 00:13:50.211 --> 00:13:51.546
- Something that can help.
- 00:13:51.546 --> 00:13:52.881
- We've written a book.
- 00:13:52.881 --> 00:13:54.215
- It's called, "how to lead with your faith at christmas."
- 00:13:54.215 --> 00:13:56.284
- It's 25 days of devotionals that you can read.
- 00:13:56.284 --> 00:13:58.453
- You can share them with family, your friends, coworkers.
- 00:13:58.453 --> 00:14:00.889
- Then there's some ideas, even recipes, activities.
- 00:14:00.889 --> 00:14:04.025
- It's a fun--it's like a--it's a starter kit for bringing your
- 00:14:04.025 --> 00:14:06.661
- Faith to bear this christmas season.
- 00:14:06.661 --> 00:14:08.997
- Don't stand on the sidelines and complain.
- 00:14:08.997 --> 00:14:11.299
- Let's lead with our faith this christmas season.
- 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:13.401
- Let's honor the lord and see the blessings that he brings to all
- 00:14:13.401 --> 00:14:16.838
- Of our lives.
- 00:14:16.838 --> 00:14:18.172
- Female announcer: christmas comes quickly, and it's easy to
- 00:14:18.172 --> 00:14:19.874
- Let the season slip by without focusing on what matters most.
- 00:14:19.874 --> 00:14:23.711
- Pastor allen's new book, "lead with faith at christmas," is a
- 00:14:23.711 --> 00:14:27.181
- 25-day advent devotional that will help you bring jesus more
- 00:14:27.181 --> 00:14:31.252
- Fully into the season.
- 00:14:31.252 --> 00:14:32.820
- Inside, you'll find scriptures, devotionals, prayers, recipes,
- 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:37.292
- And practical things you can do to make the holidays
- 00:14:37.292 --> 00:14:39.894
- More meaningful.
- 00:14:39.894 --> 00:14:41.496
- It also makes a fantastic gift.
- 00:14:41.496 --> 00:14:43.965
- It's time to stop repeating the same stale traditions and get
- 00:14:43.965 --> 00:14:47.468
- Ready to put your faith into action in new ways
- 00:14:47.468 --> 00:14:49.904
- This christmas.
- 00:14:49.904 --> 00:14:51.372
- Request your copy when you donate $30 or more today at
- 00:14:51.372 --> 00:14:55.143
- Allenjackson.com or by calling...
- 00:14:55.143 --> 00:15:01.015
- Announcer: getting the latest messages from pastor allen has
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- Never been easier with the allen jackson ministries app.
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- Plus take part in any of the livestream services
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- From world outreach church.
- 00:15:13.861 --> 00:15:16.164
- If you're on the go, listen to the latest podcast and radio
- 00:15:16.164 --> 00:15:19.367
- Programs as you go about your day.
- 00:15:19.367 --> 00:15:21.703
- We wanna make sure you have tools to help you grow in
- 00:15:21.703 --> 00:15:24.305
- Your faith.
- 00:15:24.305 --> 00:15:25.640
- Find useful resources like devotionals, daily prayers, and
- 00:15:25.640 --> 00:15:28.743
- Small-group studies designed to help you in your spiritual life.
- 00:15:28.743 --> 00:15:32.447
- Plus you can join us in our daily bible reading plan.
- 00:15:32.447 --> 00:15:35.350
- Read it on the app, or let the app read it to you.
- 00:15:35.350 --> 00:15:38.920
- You can even partner with us in the ministry to help make our
- 00:15:38.920 --> 00:15:41.856
- Messages available for free in as many places as possible.
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- And look for this icon.
- 00:15:49.497 --> 00:15:51.199
- Download the app and be encouraged by the word today.
- 00:15:51.199 --> 00:15:57.138
- Allen: i wanna close with a series of one-sentence prayers.
- 00:16:01.309 --> 00:16:05.213
- We've been talking a little bit lately about let's pray.
- 00:16:05.213 --> 00:16:08.216
- How many of you have had a "let's pray" moment
- 00:16:08.216 --> 00:16:10.218
- In your life?
- 00:16:10.218 --> 00:16:12.320
- I can't tell.
- 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:13.821
- I'll trust you all raised your hand.
- 00:16:13.821 --> 00:16:18.393
- It's a really simple idea.
- 00:16:18.393 --> 00:16:20.828
- When you interact with people at work,
- 00:16:20.828 --> 00:16:22.397
- In your neighborhood, at school, with your friends,
- 00:16:22.397 --> 00:16:24.332
- On a night out, whatever you're doing,
- 00:16:24.332 --> 00:16:27.335
- People, if you'll listen, we're social beings.
- 00:16:27.335 --> 00:16:30.238
- They'll give you windows into their lives.
- 00:16:30.238 --> 00:16:32.306
- And when they do, they often express needs.
- 00:16:32.306 --> 00:16:34.642
- "how you doing?"
- 00:16:34.642 --> 00:16:35.977
- "i'm not great. my husband's sick.
- 00:16:35.977 --> 00:16:37.578
- My kids aren't great. i just got a report card."
- 00:16:37.578 --> 00:16:41.182
- Whatever it may be.
- 00:16:41.182 --> 00:16:42.550
- When that happens, you've got a little moment of opportunity
- 00:16:42.550 --> 00:16:44.285
- Right there to say a prayer.
- 00:16:44.285 --> 00:16:46.521
- They've opened the doorway.
- 00:16:46.521 --> 00:16:47.989
- Now, don't ask them for permission.
- 00:16:47.989 --> 00:16:49.390
- We get weird on this point.
- 00:16:49.390 --> 00:16:50.725
- We lose our minds.
- 00:16:50.725 --> 00:16:52.560
- You know, we wanna appear spiritual.
- 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:54.662
- I don't want to appear spiritual; i just want to be
- 00:16:54.662 --> 00:16:56.931
- Guilty of inviting god into the midst of everything i do.
- 00:16:56.931 --> 00:17:01.102
- I want to appear normal.
- 00:17:01.102 --> 00:17:03.938
- I want godliness to be normal.
- 00:17:03.938 --> 00:17:05.540
- We perspire just like non-christians and when we do,
- 00:17:05.540 --> 00:17:09.077
- We stink just like non-christians.
- 00:17:09.077 --> 00:17:11.779
- When i hit my thumb with a hammer,
- 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.347
- "praise the lord" may come out, maybe not.
- 00:17:13.347 --> 00:17:19.821
- You know, the goal isn't to try to appear something we're not.
- 00:17:19.821 --> 00:17:22.590
- It's to try to bring integrity between who we say
- 00:17:22.590 --> 00:17:24.826
- And what we do.
- 00:17:24.826 --> 00:17:26.928
- So when they've expressed that need,
- 00:17:26.928 --> 00:17:28.696
- Don't ask for some hyper-spiritual permission,
- 00:17:28.696 --> 00:17:31.132
- "would it be all right with you if i invoked a blessing
- 00:17:31.132 --> 00:17:33.768
- From the most high god, because i've had a 36-week course
- 00:17:33.768 --> 00:17:38.072
- At my church and i'm an expert in anointing oil
- 00:17:38.072 --> 00:17:40.541
- And biblical quotation and proclamation declaration."
- 00:17:40.541 --> 00:17:45.880
- Folks, they think you're so weird,
- 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:48.249
- They don't wanna have anything else to do with you.
- 00:17:48.249 --> 00:17:51.385
- But when you hear that need, if you'll simply say,
- 00:17:51.385 --> 00:17:53.888
- "let's pray," and then close your eyes
- 00:17:53.888 --> 00:17:56.591
- 'cause they'll understand you're praying.
- 00:17:56.591 --> 00:17:58.259
- They may sneak off.
- 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.594
- If they do, it's okay.
- 00:17:59.594 --> 00:18:02.530
- Just say, "let's pray," and you only get one sentence.
- 00:18:02.530 --> 00:18:04.932
- "lord, help my friend bring peace to their home,
- 00:18:04.932 --> 00:18:08.002
- In jesus's name, amen."
- 00:18:08.002 --> 00:18:10.271
- "lord, i pray for those kids that next semester
- 00:18:10.271 --> 00:18:12.340
- They'll be better in school, in jesus's name, amen."
- 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:15.510
- Just one sentence, no scriptures, no sermons.
- 00:18:15.510 --> 00:18:19.614
- Just one sentence.
- 00:18:19.614 --> 00:18:21.315
- And then when you're done, and this is so important,
- 00:18:21.315 --> 00:18:23.184
- You know if you've done this, you've heard me say it.
- 00:18:23.184 --> 00:18:25.353
- Don't wait for them to affirm you.
- 00:18:25.353 --> 00:18:28.689
- We would all like that, but don't wait for that.
- 00:18:28.689 --> 00:18:31.192
- Let the lord affirm you.
- 00:18:31.192 --> 00:18:33.327
- So don't stand there and wait for them to go,
- 00:18:33.327 --> 00:18:35.229
- "oh, that was the most meaningful thing
- 00:18:35.229 --> 00:18:37.198
- That's happened to me all day.
- 00:18:37.198 --> 00:18:39.567
- When you prayed, i felt something from the top
- 00:18:39.567 --> 00:18:42.003
- Of my head to the soles--"
- 00:18:42.003 --> 00:18:45.206
- Don't do that.
- 00:18:45.206 --> 00:18:46.908
- And don't give them all those non-verbal cues
- 00:18:46.908 --> 00:18:49.010
- That we christians know how to do: that creepy look.
- 00:18:49.010 --> 00:18:54.115
- Don't do that.
- 00:18:54.115 --> 00:18:55.449
- After you've said, "amen," just move on.
- 00:18:55.449 --> 00:18:59.687
- "think the titans will ever win again?"
- 00:18:59.687 --> 00:19:01.722
- "don't you love fall in tennessee?"
- 00:19:03.191 --> 00:19:06.027
- "wasn't it nice to get some rain this week?"
- 00:19:06.027 --> 00:19:09.030
- Just whatever gives you a sentence to help you escape
- 00:19:09.030 --> 00:19:12.600
- That moment so that you don't-- you're not waiting
- 00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:14.535
- For some spiritual--if they've got another question,
- 00:19:14.535 --> 00:19:17.104
- They'll follow up.
- 00:19:17.104 --> 00:19:18.439
- Don't you worry about that.
- 00:19:18.439 --> 00:19:20.141
- Now you've done two things in that moment:
- 00:19:20.141 --> 00:19:22.043
- You've invited god into their lives and you've introduced them
- 00:19:22.043 --> 00:19:25.112
- To a person who's willing to pray.
- 00:19:25.112 --> 00:19:27.615
- Both of those are life-changing moments.
- 00:19:27.615 --> 00:19:31.485
- And you have directed all the attention to the lord.
- 00:19:31.485 --> 00:19:34.622
- "let's pray."
- 00:19:34.622 --> 00:19:35.957
- Well, i wanna give you some "let's prayer--pray" prayers
- 00:19:35.957 --> 00:19:38.326
- For yourself tonight.
- 00:19:38.326 --> 00:19:40.294
- Some prayers you can pray.
- 00:19:40.294 --> 00:19:41.629
- They're in your outline.
- 00:19:41.629 --> 00:19:42.964
- You can take 'em with you, and they're bundled
- 00:19:42.964 --> 00:19:44.465
- Into three categories.
- 00:19:44.465 --> 00:19:45.800
- There's a prayer of repentance, there are some prayers
- 00:19:45.800 --> 00:19:47.501
- Of renouncing, and there are some prayers of release.
- 00:19:47.501 --> 00:19:50.238
- Because if you haven't been living a life that makes you
- 00:19:50.238 --> 00:19:52.640
- Different, if you've been so undercover that the angels
- 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:56.978
- In heaven can't quite find you, then there are some prayers
- 00:19:56.978 --> 00:20:01.415
- That you need to pray.
- 00:20:01.415 --> 00:20:03.684
- If you've been bypassing the opportunities
- 00:20:03.684 --> 00:20:05.786
- That god has given you, if you've been living
- 00:20:05.786 --> 00:20:08.356
- Like you're on that broad road,
- 00:20:08.356 --> 00:20:10.424
- But when it's convenient you go jump in a group of people
- 00:20:10.424 --> 00:20:12.827
- And say, "jesus," they're prayers you need.
- 00:20:12.827 --> 00:20:17.999
- I feel like i need them.
- 00:20:17.999 --> 00:20:20.067
- This is our watch.
- 00:20:20.067 --> 00:20:22.970
- This is the place in human history where god called
- 00:20:22.970 --> 00:20:25.072
- Our name and gave us an assignment,
- 00:20:25.072 --> 00:20:27.074
- And we're witnessing the most precipitous decline
- 00:20:27.074 --> 00:20:29.410
- Of christian influence in the history of the church.
- 00:20:29.410 --> 00:20:33.447
- I'm not okay with that, so i'm busy about changing.
- 00:20:33.447 --> 00:20:38.452
- I am busy about reorienting my time and my effort
- 00:20:38.452 --> 00:20:41.856
- And my calendar.
- 00:20:41.856 --> 00:20:43.190
- Wherever the lord opens the door,
- 00:20:43.190 --> 00:20:44.692
- I'm willing to stand up and say, "let's go honor jesus."
- 00:20:44.692 --> 00:20:48.462
- So i brought you some prayers.
- 00:20:48.462 --> 00:20:49.797
- I'm gonna ask you to pray 'em with me.
- 00:20:49.797 --> 00:20:51.966
- I think they're gonna put 'em on the screens.
- 00:20:51.966 --> 00:20:54.268
- It may be too dark for you to read your notes.
- 00:20:54.268 --> 00:20:56.137
- I wanna start with a prayer of repentance.
- 00:20:56.137 --> 00:20:57.738
- It's just one sentence.
- 00:20:57.738 --> 00:20:59.507
- If you don't get in on the beginning you'll miss it.
- 00:20:59.507 --> 00:21:02.143
- I don't want you to leave here feeling guilty.
- 00:21:02.143 --> 00:21:04.979
- I don't want you to leave here with a sense of shame.
- 00:21:04.979 --> 00:21:06.681
- I want you to be free.
- 00:21:06.681 --> 00:21:09.250
- We gotta go. are you ready?
- 00:21:09.250 --> 00:21:11.485
- Let's pray it together: "god forgive me of my sin,
- 00:21:11.485 --> 00:21:16.123
- Restore to me a tender heart, in jesus's name, amen."
- 00:21:16.123 --> 00:21:21.762
- Now, i wanna give you three prayers of renunciation.
- 00:21:21.762 --> 00:21:24.632
- It's--to repent of your sins is good,
- 00:21:24.632 --> 00:21:27.668
- But you wanna separate yourself from all those activities
- 00:21:27.668 --> 00:21:31.172
- Where you invited ungodliness into your life.
- 00:21:31.172 --> 00:21:34.041
- You opened a door for something unclean and we've got to break
- 00:21:34.041 --> 00:21:37.411
- Those invitations.
- 00:21:37.411 --> 00:21:39.880
- So we're gonna withdraw those invitations now.
- 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:42.783
- The first one is a renunciation of any form of the occult,
- 00:21:42.783 --> 00:21:46.387
- Any spiritual pursuit other than an invitation
- 00:21:46.387 --> 00:21:49.490
- To the holy spirit: horoscopes, ouija boards, fortunetelling.
- 00:21:49.490 --> 00:21:55.196
- There's a whole menu of ways we have done that.
- 00:21:55.196 --> 00:21:59.033
- You say, "well, i didn't mean anything by it."
- 00:21:59.033 --> 00:22:01.936
- Folks, you don't have to mean it.
- 00:22:01.936 --> 00:22:06.474
- Let's say that first prayer together: "almighty god,
- 00:22:06.474 --> 00:22:10.277
- I renounce my involvement in all forms of the occult,
- 00:22:10.277 --> 00:22:13.481
- In jesus's name, amen."
- 00:22:13.481 --> 00:22:16.717
- And then in every form of immorality.
- 00:22:16.717 --> 00:22:19.720
- If you have led an immoral life while you bore
- 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:22.590
- The name of jesus, you can't just live through it and say,
- 00:22:22.590 --> 00:22:27.528
- "now i'm married and i'm behaving better,"
- 00:22:27.528 --> 00:22:29.997
- Or "i've changed my pattern of--my behavior."
- 00:22:29.997 --> 00:22:33.968
- We've got to go back in repentance and clean up
- 00:22:33.968 --> 00:22:37.405
- Those places or we leave a stronghold for darkness.
- 00:22:37.405 --> 00:22:42.710
- So there's the prayer of renunciation.
- 00:22:42.710 --> 00:22:44.979
- Let's say it together: "almighty god,
- 00:22:44.979 --> 00:22:47.882
- I renounce my involvement in every form of immorality,
- 00:22:47.882 --> 00:22:51.652
- In jesus's name, amen."
- 00:22:51.652 --> 00:22:55.289
- And then in every expression of greed
- 00:22:55.289 --> 00:22:58.225
- Where we've allowed the culture to influence us.
- 00:22:58.225 --> 00:23:00.995
- Together: "almighty god, i renounce my involvement
- 00:23:00.995 --> 00:23:04.965
- In all expressions of greed, covetousness,
- 00:23:04.965 --> 00:23:08.436
- And the lust for more, amen."
- 00:23:08.436 --> 00:23:12.072
- Now, finally, we're gonna release some people.
- 00:23:12.072 --> 00:23:14.341
- We're gonna release some individuals,
- 00:23:14.341 --> 00:23:15.976
- Some families, some organizations.
- 00:23:15.976 --> 00:23:17.645
- We've all been hurt.
- 00:23:17.645 --> 00:23:19.480
- We've all been mistreated.
- 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.948
- Some of us have been-- have had to deal with evil.
- 00:23:20.948 --> 00:23:25.085
- And we've got to be set free from that,
- 00:23:25.085 --> 00:23:27.488
- And a part of that comes from our willingness to forgive.
- 00:23:27.488 --> 00:23:30.257
- So let's start with that first prayer.
- 00:23:30.257 --> 00:23:32.092
- We're gonna release all those who have wronged me.
- 00:23:32.092 --> 00:23:34.662
- Together: "heavenly father, i forgive all those
- 00:23:34.662 --> 00:23:37.798
- Who have wronged me, in jesus's name, amen."
- 00:23:37.798 --> 00:23:42.670
- And now we're gonna release all of our anger
- 00:23:42.670 --> 00:23:44.839
- And our bitterness and our resentment.
- 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:47.475
- You can't afford that luxury any longer.
- 00:23:47.475 --> 00:23:50.311
- "well, what they did wasn't right."
- 00:23:50.311 --> 00:23:51.912
- I'm not saying it was, but you can't afford
- 00:23:51.912 --> 00:23:53.981
- To hold on to the bitterness.
- 00:23:53.981 --> 00:23:56.217
- Together: "heavenly father, i release all anger,
- 00:23:56.217 --> 00:23:59.987
- Resentment and bitterness towards those
- 00:23:59.987 --> 00:24:02.356
- Who caused me pain, in jesus's name, amen."
- 00:24:02.356 --> 00:24:08.128
- And now we need to release some organizations.
- 00:24:08.128 --> 00:24:10.898
- Some of you hate the government.
- 00:24:10.898 --> 00:24:13.734
- You can't do that.
- 00:24:13.734 --> 00:24:15.870
- We're called to pray for those with authority over us.
- 00:24:15.870 --> 00:24:18.739
- "well, i've suffered because of them,"
- 00:24:18.739 --> 00:24:20.407
- Or "they've caused me harm."
- 00:24:20.407 --> 00:24:21.742
- I'm not arguing that.
- 00:24:21.742 --> 00:24:23.077
- I'm telling you, you don't have the luxury of holding hate
- 00:24:23.077 --> 00:24:25.179
- And resentment and bitterness in your heart.
- 00:24:25.179 --> 00:24:28.182
- We can't do that.
- 00:24:28.182 --> 00:24:31.285
- Let's pray this together: "heavenly father,
- 00:24:31.285 --> 00:24:34.154
- I release all persons and organizations who have caused me
- 00:24:34.154 --> 00:24:38.058
- Harm--i release them from all expectations of restoration,
- 00:24:38.058 --> 00:24:43.230
- In jesus's name, amen."
- 00:24:43.230 --> 00:24:46.567
- And finally, i want you to receive a release from the lord.
- 00:24:46.567 --> 00:24:49.770
- If you've forgiven others, you leave here tonight forgiven,
- 00:24:49.770 --> 00:24:54.041
- Hallelujah.
- 00:24:54.041 --> 00:24:57.645
- Let's say this last sentence together,
- 00:24:57.645 --> 00:24:59.680
- Then we're gonna stand up and give the lord a hand:
- 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:01.782
- "almighty god, i rejoice that you have forgiven me
- 00:25:01.782 --> 00:25:05.819
- And set me free from all my iniquities,
- 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:09.256
- In jesus's name, amen."
- 00:25:09.256 --> 00:25:12.526
- Hallelujah.
- 00:25:12.526 --> 00:25:14.328
- Now you can stand with me.
- 00:25:16.163 --> 00:25:18.299
- I believe if you prayed those prayers and you meant 'em,
- 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:20.734
- That spiritual forces of wickedness were broken
- 00:25:20.734 --> 00:25:23.137
- Over your life tonight, that you found a freedom
- 00:25:23.137 --> 00:25:26.307
- Through the shed blood of jesus christ,
- 00:25:26.307 --> 00:25:28.842
- That there's a new momentum in your life
- 00:25:28.842 --> 00:25:31.378
- And a new opportunity in your future.
- 00:25:31.378 --> 00:25:33.614
- You take those prayers and make 'em
- 00:25:33.614 --> 00:25:35.449
- A part of your devotion this next week.
- 00:25:35.449 --> 00:25:37.718
- They're one sentence.
- 00:25:37.718 --> 00:25:39.353
- You can do this.
- 00:25:39.353 --> 00:25:40.754
- Teach them to your children.
- 00:25:40.754 --> 00:25:43.624
- Pray them in your small group.
- 00:25:43.624 --> 00:25:45.726
- Pray them with your friends.
- 00:25:45.726 --> 00:25:47.928
- Invite the spirit of god into your heart.
- 00:25:47.928 --> 00:25:50.397
- Now, can we give the lord a hand?
- 00:25:50.397 --> 00:25:52.967
- Hallelujah, lord, we praise you.
- 00:25:52.967 --> 00:25:55.069
- We worship you.
- 00:25:55.536 --> 00:25:57.304
- We give you glory and honor and praise,
- 00:25:57.304 --> 00:26:00.307
- In the name of jesus christ.
- 00:26:00.307 --> 00:26:02.876
- ♪♪♪
- 00:26:02.876 --> 00:26:07.648
- Allen: you know, i'm a pastor and i have the privilege of
- 00:26:09.116 --> 00:26:10.951
- Serving god's people.
- 00:26:10.951 --> 00:26:12.353
- I can tell you from experience, one of the most difficult things
- 00:26:12.353 --> 00:26:14.622
- To do is introduce change.
- 00:26:14.622 --> 00:26:16.557
- Most of us don't like it.
- 00:26:16.557 --> 00:26:18.359
- And i think that's particularly true around holiday seasons.
- 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:21.729
- We have traditions, we have patterns, we have habits.
- 00:26:21.729 --> 00:26:24.965
- They're comforting to us, comfortable to us.
- 00:26:24.965 --> 00:26:28.469
- Well, i wanna suggest something.
- 00:26:28.469 --> 00:26:29.837
- We have created a tool for you this christmas.
- 00:26:29.837 --> 00:26:32.106
- It's called, "leading with your faith at christmas."
- 00:26:32.106 --> 00:26:34.842
- It's a little book with a 25-day devotional that you can do
- 00:26:34.842 --> 00:26:37.478
- Personally, you can do it with your family, you can do it
- 00:26:37.478 --> 00:26:39.480
- With coworkers.
- 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.848
- There's some recipes.
- 00:26:40.848 --> 00:26:42.182
- There's activities.
- 00:26:42.182 --> 00:26:43.517
- It's really a guide for you to shape christmas with your faith,
- 00:26:43.517 --> 00:26:47.087
- But it means i'm asking you to do something different, to
- 00:26:47.087 --> 00:26:49.623
- Introduce change, and i know that's not easy.
- 00:26:49.623 --> 00:26:52.960
- But it's time for us to stop raging against the darkness.
- 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:55.663
- Folks, let's turn up the light.
- 00:26:55.663 --> 00:26:57.364
- I believe, "leading with your faith at christmas," is a tool
- 00:26:57.364 --> 00:27:00.300
- That will help you be a better light for jesus in the midst of
- 00:27:00.300 --> 00:27:03.704
- This christmas season, and that's worthwhile.
- 00:27:03.704 --> 00:27:06.573
- Enjoy the book and merry christmas.
- 00:27:06.573 --> 00:27:08.642
- ♪♪♪
- 00:27:10.878 --> 00:27:29.663
