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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - The Essential Role of the Church (Part 2)

January 13, 2026 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - The Essential Role of the Church (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Responsibility #Church #Faithfulness #WalkwithGod #AllenJackson #RobMcCoy

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - The Essential Role of the Church (Part 2) | January 13, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world people are searching
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  • For truth and together, we're doing our very best to help them
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  • Find it.
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  • When you become a ministry partner with allen jackson
  • 00:00:07.991 --> 00:00:09.926
  • Ministries, you're joining a growing community of believers
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  • Who are committed to strengthening the church and
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  • Sharing god's word through every available channel,
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  • Television, radio, podcast, books, bible studies,
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  • Digital resources, conferences.
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  • Your monthly partnership helps us equip believers to reach new
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  • Audiences and to take the hope of jesus to people who may never
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  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
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  • Together, we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
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  • Known right here at home and around the earth wherever god
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  • Opens the door.
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  • Let's keep gathering his people and building his church until
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  • The day our king returns.
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  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner
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  • At allenjackson.com/partner.
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  • [music]
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  • [music]
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  • Allen: i think 2020, in hindsight, was a huge
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  • Transition point.
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  • So, we'd heard about pandemics before, the bird flu and the
  • 00:01:13.556 --> 00:01:17.026
  • Swine flu and the--and they kind of fizzled.
  • 00:01:17.026 --> 00:01:21.798
  • But covid had some more momentum to it.
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  • But, you know, from hindsight, it seems to have
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  • Changed everything.
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  • There's a whole set of new perspectives that have come
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  • Since covid.
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  • I mean, our relationship to authority and how we've gathered
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  • People and the people we see gather with us and talk
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  • About it.
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  • And it didn't stop with covid.
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  • I mean, those changes have just continued right up until today.
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  • It's like a--i mean, you and i have both served the church for
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  • A bit.
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  • And it's like so many aspects of what's happening today are
  • 00:01:47.590 --> 00:01:50.660
  • Different since 2020.
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  • Do you see that too?
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  • Rob mccoy: absolutely.
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  • Yeah, i would hear people say that president trump is
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  • A divider.
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  • I don't necessarily think he was a divider as much as he was
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  • A highlighter.
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  • He would take a stand, and then you could just see the room
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  • Divided where everyone was on there.
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  • Allen: bright orange highlighter?
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  • Rob: yeah, yeah, and.
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  • Allen: if he's listening, i mean that in a very loving way, so i
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  • Don't know.
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  • Rob: and i think covid was the same way.
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  • You would have pastors thinking that they're doing god's work by
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  • Submitting to authority.
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  • But then they'd realized and they would have the
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  • Misconception of the separation of church and state, but then
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  • They'd watch the church insert them--excuse me, they'd watch
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  • The state insert themselves into the church.
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  • And all of a sudden, they were trying to be compliant, but they
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  • Kept taking.
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  • And rights are like muscles, if you don't exercise them,
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  • You lose them.
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  • And they didn't know what those rights were, they didn't even
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  • Know what it meant to be an american.
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  • The apostle paul knew roman citizenship, he could contend
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  • For it.
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  • Most americans have no idea how many articles are in the
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  • Constitution or how many amendments there are.
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  • You don't even--and america's not an ethnicity, it's an idea.
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  • You know, you can look around the room and there's every race,
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  • Creed, color, and you're an american based on a set
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  • Of ideas.
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  • I can live in japan my whole life, become a japanese citizen,
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  • But i'll never be japanese.
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  • That's a difference with america, it's a set of ideas.
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  • But if you don't know what those ideas are, what is an american?
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  • And and that's so critical, because we're a nation conceived
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  • In liberty.
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  • We have this understanding.
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  • Four times in our birth certificate, we list god.
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  • That rights don't come from man, they come from god.
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  • And that's why we must be diligent to preserve
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  • That liberty.
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  • And so, i think covid has awakened people to realize
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  • They're gonna do this again if i don't start understanding what
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  • We've been given in the constitutional republic.
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  • And i'm watching people become far more educated in that,
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  • Especially in the church.
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  • [congregation applauding]
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  • Allen: you know, next year is our 250th anniversary.
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  • And we've already started gearing up.
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  • I've started making video stuff.
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  • We've got some things coming for you, because i think we have
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  • To change.
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  • You know, we can't keep blaming the coach in high school that
  • 00:04:05.361 --> 00:04:07.497
  • Didn't teach us history.
  • 00:04:07.497 --> 00:04:11.100
  • We may have to actually like open a book or go ask rabbi
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  • Google or something.
  • 00:04:15.038 --> 00:04:17.373
  • But it's our history, and we've got to know it, or we'll--
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  • You know, your idea about being an american is absolutely right.
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  • It's a set of values.
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  • It is not about the way we look or the accent with which we
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  • Speak or the nation from which we've come or our dna.
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  • It was--we were bound together by a set of ideals that have
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  • Made us the most prosperous, blessed, free people in the
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  • History of civilizations.
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  • And the church has an essential role in that.
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  • Everybody won't want to be a part, but we--there's a core of
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  • That that we have an assignment to watch over.
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  • And i thank you for those reminders.
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  • Don't grow weary with that.
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  • Rob: no, i'm-- you think about it.
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  • America represents 4% of the world's population, and in the
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  • 6,000 years of recorded history, we've been on the map for 250 of
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  • Those years.
  • 00:05:05.755 --> 00:05:07.256
  • And we're the oldest country under one article of
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  • Incorporation in the history, the 6,000 years of
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  • Recorded history.
  • 00:05:11.527 --> 00:05:12.895
  • But with 4% of the world's population, we have more
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  • Patents, nobel peace prize winners, more symphonies, more
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  • Accumulation of wealth of any other nation in the history of
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  • The world, not because we have more natural resources.
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  • Canada far surpasses us as does south america.
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  • We were given freedom.
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  • I mean, think about it.
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  • If you're enjoying electricity, lighting, it was invented by an
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  • American, air conditioning, invented by an american, riding
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  • In an elevator, invented by an american, flying an airplane,
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  • Invented by an american, enjoy the internet, invented by an
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  • American, not al gore.
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  • But this is all that stuff, because with freedom comes the
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  • Ability for folks to dream and the american dream.
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  • But a government big enough to give you everything you want is
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  • Big enough to take everything you have.
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  • And so, the titler cycle of history goes from bondage to
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  • Faith, faith to freedom, freedom to abundance, abundance to
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  • Apathy, apathy to dependence, dependence into slavery.
  • 00:06:06.182 --> 00:06:10.553
  • Anywhere in that cycle you can insert faith and reset it.
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  • And the three legs of the stool of america for us to flourish is
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  • Faith, virtue, and freedom, liberty.
  • 00:06:21.931 --> 00:06:26.169
  • Because when you have faith, it provides virtue.
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  • Freedom is not getting to do whatever you want, freedom is
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  • Getting to do what god wants you to do.
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  • [congregation applauding]
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  • Allen: it's absolutely true.
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  • And somehow we got convinced in church world, we took away those
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  • Big rock ideas and we started arguing about when we take
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  • Communion and the style of worship we prefer and what's the
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  • Dress code for the presenter on the platform, and we stopped
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  • Engaging the world we live in.
  • 00:06:56.632 --> 00:06:58.334
  • We were made irrelevant by-- we voluntarily made
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  • Ourselves irrelevant.
  • 00:07:01.304 --> 00:07:02.972
  • So, we've got to walk that back.
  • 00:07:02.972 --> 00:07:05.408
  • And it's like starting a workout program when you've taken six
  • 00:07:05.408 --> 00:07:08.110
  • Months off.
  • 00:07:08.110 --> 00:07:09.745
  • That first week is awful because your body doesn't change, but
  • 00:07:09.745 --> 00:07:14.050
  • It's screaming at you for changing your habits and
  • 00:07:14.050 --> 00:07:16.586
  • Behaviors and patterns.
  • 00:07:16.586 --> 00:07:18.554
  • And if you decide to be an advocate for jesus, everybody in
  • 00:07:18.554 --> 00:07:21.090
  • Your sphere of influence won't cheer for you.
  • 00:07:21.090 --> 00:07:24.393
  • In the first few days you start that journey, you may not see
  • 00:07:24.393 --> 00:07:27.630
  • The outcomes that you're looking for.
  • 00:07:27.630 --> 00:07:30.399
  • But honoring the lord isn't about comfort and convenience
  • 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:32.935
  • And ease and always feeling good, it's about pleasing
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  • The king.
  • 00:07:35.972 --> 00:07:37.540
  • And that is the assignment of the church, right?
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  • Rob: it is.
  • 00:07:39.942 --> 00:07:41.277
  • And again, when the lord said, "all authority has been given to
  • 00:07:41.277 --> 00:07:44.046
  • Me in heaven and on the earth, go therefore and make disciples
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  • Of all nations, baptizing in the name of the father, and the son,
  • 00:07:47.116 --> 00:07:50.786
  • And the holy spirit, and teaching them to obey all that i
  • 00:07:50.786 --> 00:07:53.556
  • Have commanded you: and, lo, i'm with you always, even to the end
  • 00:07:53.556 --> 00:07:55.658
  • Of the age."
  • 00:07:55.658 --> 00:07:57.326
  • The reason why, especially in the '60s, young people checked
  • 00:07:57.326 --> 00:08:01.931
  • Out of church into eastern religions and experimental drug
  • 00:08:01.931 --> 00:08:05.268
  • Use, is because the church abdicated its responsibility to
  • 00:08:05.268 --> 00:08:09.105
  • Disciple young people.
  • 00:08:09.105 --> 00:08:10.806
  • And they're watching their young friends die in hamlets and
  • 00:08:10.806 --> 00:08:14.010
  • Villages that the name they couldn't pronounce in a country
  • 00:08:14.010 --> 00:08:16.445
  • So far away in vietnam.
  • 00:08:16.445 --> 00:08:19.115
  • And all their leaders, you know, martin luther king junior was
  • 00:08:19.115 --> 00:08:22.351
  • Murdered, bobby kennedy was murdered.
  • 00:08:22.351 --> 00:08:24.554
  • And so, they check out of the church into eastern religions
  • 00:08:24.554 --> 00:08:26.255
  • And they end up awash on the shores of california, all burned
  • 00:08:26.255 --> 00:08:29.392
  • Out hippies, and chuck begins--chuck smith, calvary
  • 00:08:29.392 --> 00:08:31.727
  • Chapel begins to teach the bible verse by verse, chapter by
  • 00:08:31.727 --> 00:08:34.030
  • Chapter, book by book, but avoids politics.
  • 00:08:34.030 --> 00:08:37.066
  • Well, there's 10,000% growth to calvary chapels.
  • 00:08:37.066 --> 00:08:39.802
  • There's over 2,000 worldwide.
  • 00:08:39.802 --> 00:08:41.404
  • Fastest mission movement.
  • 00:08:41.404 --> 00:08:43.539
  • But he avoided politics, and the lion's share of those 2,000
  • 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:46.776
  • Churches are in california.
  • 00:08:46.776 --> 00:08:48.744
  • So, how's it changed the state of california?
  • 00:08:48.744 --> 00:08:50.246
  • It started in 1967, chuck did in california.
  • 00:08:50.246 --> 00:08:53.649
  • Reagan was governor.
  • 00:08:53.649 --> 00:08:55.051
  • We had the fourth largest gdp.
  • 00:08:55.051 --> 00:08:56.786
  • We just completed the california aqueduct to marvel in civil
  • 00:08:56.786 --> 00:08:59.255
  • Engineering, most fertile farmland in the country.
  • 00:08:59.255 --> 00:09:02.692
  • And he preaches the gospel, throwing out the net every
  • 00:09:02.692 --> 00:09:04.694
  • Sunday, death, burial, resurrection of christ.
  • 00:09:04.694 --> 00:09:06.429
  • I see your hand, god bless you.
  • 00:09:06.429 --> 00:09:08.831
  • And they avoid politics.
  • 00:09:08.831 --> 00:09:11.334
  • Fifty-plus years now of doing this, how's it changed the state
  • 00:09:11.334 --> 00:09:14.937
  • Of california?
  • 00:09:14.937 --> 00:09:16.305
  • Well, california no longer has the fourth largest gdp, we have
  • 00:09:16.305 --> 00:09:18.541
  • The fifth maybe sixth.
  • 00:09:18.541 --> 00:09:19.875
  • We have the highest gas tax, sales tax, income tax,
  • 00:09:19.875 --> 00:09:21.644
  • Corporate tax.
  • 00:09:21.644 --> 00:09:23.012
  • We lead the nation in debt.
  • 00:09:23.012 --> 00:09:24.513
  • You take the next four largest states' debt, combine it,
  • 00:09:24.513 --> 00:09:26.415
  • Doesn't equal california's debt.
  • 00:09:26.415 --> 00:09:28.284
  • Where the authors of no fault divorce that reagan signed in
  • 00:09:28.284 --> 00:09:30.386
  • '69 became law in '70, decimated marriage across the country.
  • 00:09:30.386 --> 00:09:34.123
  • And i love reagan.
  • 00:09:34.123 --> 00:09:35.958
  • He said that was the worst piece of legislation.
  • 00:09:35.958 --> 00:09:37.526
  • And then you had transgender bathroom bills, a secular
  • 00:09:37.526 --> 00:09:41.464
  • Progressive secular education, sex education curriculum so vile
  • 00:09:41.464 --> 00:09:45.568
  • You can't read it in church.
  • 00:09:45.568 --> 00:09:47.169
  • But here's a kicker, abortion was legal long before roe v.
  • 00:09:47.169 --> 00:09:51.574
  • Wade in california.
  • 00:09:51.574 --> 00:09:53.743
  • And we lead the nation in abortion.
  • 00:09:53.743 --> 00:09:55.144
  • It's been estimated that california's aborted more
  • 00:09:55.144 --> 00:09:58.581
  • Children than the current population of canada.
  • 00:09:58.581 --> 00:10:03.185
  • And we don't just rip the baby apart in the womb of its mother
  • 00:10:03.185 --> 00:10:05.388
  • And flush its parts in the sewer system of the state, we harvest
  • 00:10:05.388 --> 00:10:08.024
  • The organs on the downbeat of the heart.
  • 00:10:08.024 --> 00:10:09.525
  • We make nazi germany look like girl scouts.
  • 00:10:09.525 --> 00:10:12.595
  • And i'm thinking, where's the power of the gospel?
  • 00:10:12.595 --> 00:10:17.933
  • We--the largest churches in america were in california.
  • 00:10:17.933 --> 00:10:22.204
  • We have the harvest crusades of greg laurie.
  • 00:10:22.204 --> 00:10:23.906
  • And listen, i'm not belittling evangelism.
  • 00:10:23.906 --> 00:10:27.643
  • Please understand that.
  • 00:10:27.643 --> 00:10:29.011
  • I'm emphasizing a need for discipleship.
  • 00:10:29.011 --> 00:10:32.548
  • And if the pastor can't give you a ready answer and educate you
  • 00:10:32.548 --> 00:10:35.751
  • On the topics of the day where you can profess christ and
  • 00:10:35.751 --> 00:10:39.121
  • Insert his truth into the midst of the issues that your
  • 00:10:39.121 --> 00:10:42.258
  • Neighbors are dealing with, that's problematic.
  • 00:10:42.258 --> 00:10:46.462
  • Pray for kings and those in authority, we'd live quiet and
  • 00:10:46.462 --> 00:10:48.564
  • Peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence.
  • 00:10:48.564 --> 00:10:51.867
  • And the question would be, "pastor, you're praying for your
  • 00:10:51.867 --> 00:10:54.470
  • School board and your city council, and what are the issues
  • 00:10:54.470 --> 00:10:57.540
  • They're dealing with in your community to allow your citizens
  • 00:10:57.540 --> 00:10:59.542
  • To have quiet and peaceful lives and all godliness
  • 00:10:59.542 --> 00:11:01.577
  • And reverence?"
  • 00:11:01.577 --> 00:11:02.945
  • They don't know their names.
  • 00:11:02.945 --> 00:11:04.280
  • They don't know the issues.
  • 00:11:04.280 --> 00:11:05.648
  • That's our job.
  • 00:11:05.648 --> 00:11:06.982
  • We're to love our neighbors ourself.
  • 00:11:06.982 --> 00:11:08.918
  • Don't you want your kids to grow up knowing there's two sexes?
  • 00:11:08.918 --> 00:11:12.922
  • Listen, love isn't lying to somebody.
  • 00:11:12.922 --> 00:11:15.691
  • "oh no, no, you'll be--you can become the opposite sex."
  • 00:11:15.691 --> 00:11:18.160
  • No you can't, that's a lie.
  • 00:11:18.160 --> 00:11:19.929
  • And it's not loving to lie to them.
  • 00:11:19.929 --> 00:11:21.564
  • You're mutilating them.
  • 00:11:21.564 --> 00:11:23.299
  • I have to stop now, go sorry.
  • 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:25.201
  • Allen: no, you don't.
  • 00:11:25.201 --> 00:11:27.203
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:11:27.203 --> 00:11:32.241
  • And they're used to hearing me say it, but it's wrong to feel
  • 00:11:34.510 --> 00:11:38.547
  • Like we're impotent, like our voice is small and we can't
  • 00:11:38.547 --> 00:11:40.983
  • Do anything.
  • 00:11:40.983 --> 00:11:42.318
  • It starts at our kitchen table.
  • 00:11:42.318 --> 00:11:43.853
  • We got in this fine mess because we were winking at fornication
  • 00:11:43.853 --> 00:11:46.889
  • Around our kitchen table, that we were grinning at adultery, we
  • 00:11:46.889 --> 00:11:50.760
  • Were covering.
  • 00:11:50.760 --> 00:11:52.094
  • It was our kids and our grandkids, and we didn't want it
  • 00:11:52.094 --> 00:11:53.696
  • To interrupt our holidays.
  • 00:11:53.696 --> 00:11:55.231
  • And then we found ourselves where perversion was being
  • 00:11:55.231 --> 00:11:57.366
  • Normalized and they're changing genders or saying our biological
  • 00:11:57.366 --> 00:12:00.236
  • Sex is confusing, but we lost our moral authority long ago
  • 00:12:00.236 --> 00:12:03.939
  • Because we quit standing up for the truth.
  • 00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:06.609
  • And if we'll bring the truth back to our homes, see, it's
  • 00:12:06.609 --> 00:12:09.979
  • Illegitimate to demand that the politicians have more courage
  • 00:12:09.979 --> 00:12:12.648
  • Than we have.
  • 00:12:12.648 --> 00:12:14.450
  • If we want them to define their political careers by the
  • 00:12:14.450 --> 00:12:17.586
  • Worldviews they hold, and we're not willing to define our
  • 00:12:17.586 --> 00:12:20.656
  • Families by the values that we bring to our homes, then we're
  • 00:12:20.656 --> 00:12:24.693
  • Illegitimate in our faith.
  • 00:12:24.693 --> 00:12:27.496
  • We're trying to offload.
  • 00:12:27.496 --> 00:12:28.831
  • We're trying to delegate somebody else to go be a--
  • 00:12:28.831 --> 00:12:34.937
  • The light in the darkness while we shelter our own lives
  • 00:12:34.937 --> 00:12:38.240
  • In darkness.
  • 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:39.875
  • And rather than have rage against people that you disagree
  • 00:12:39.875 --> 00:12:42.945
  • With, ask the spirit of god to bring a spirit of repentance and
  • 00:12:42.945 --> 00:12:45.915
  • The fear of the lord into our hearts and our homes.
  • 00:12:45.915 --> 00:12:49.385
  • And i'm confident that with that,
  • 00:12:49.385 --> 00:12:51.253
  • God will bring the changes we need.
  • 00:12:51.253 --> 00:12:53.656
  • [music]
  • 00:12:53.656 --> 00:12:57.927
  • Allen: welcome to 2026.
  • 00:13:00.663 --> 00:13:02.298
  • Happy new year.
  • 00:13:02.298 --> 00:13:03.666
  • We've created a new book to help you.
  • 00:13:03.666 --> 00:13:05.134
  • It's called "turn up the light."
  • 00:13:05.134 --> 00:13:06.502
  • It's a devotional for the whole year.
  • 00:13:06.502 --> 00:13:08.137
  • It's a really simple idea.
  • 00:13:08.137 --> 00:13:09.505
  • I can join you for a cup of coffee in the morning.
  • 00:13:09.505 --> 00:13:12.308
  • We'll have a brief conversation with a spiritual principal to
  • 00:13:12.308 --> 00:13:15.144
  • Start our day, a scripture verse, a prayer, and then when
  • 00:13:15.144 --> 00:13:18.147
  • You're tired of me, you can close the book.
  • 00:13:18.147 --> 00:13:20.616
  • It's perfect.
  • 00:13:20.616 --> 00:13:22.184
  • In all seriousness, we do wanna turn up the light.
  • 00:13:22.184 --> 00:13:24.787
  • Let's not rage against the darkness.
  • 00:13:24.787 --> 00:13:26.222
  • Let's invite god into the midst of this year and then just see
  • 00:13:26.222 --> 00:13:29.091
  • What he will do.
  • 00:13:29.091 --> 00:13:30.459
  • Announcer: pastor allen's new devotional, "turn up the light"
  • 00:13:30.459 --> 00:13:32.962
  • Is designed to equip you every single day of the year.
  • 00:13:32.962 --> 00:13:36.131
  • Inside, you'll find 365 short devotionals, each with
  • 00:13:36.131 --> 00:13:40.169
  • A scripture, teaching, and a prayer.
  • 00:13:40.169 --> 00:13:42.838
  • As you begin this new year, don't rage against the darkness.
  • 00:13:42.838 --> 00:13:46.075
  • Instead, choose to turn up the light.
  • 00:13:46.075 --> 00:13:48.310
  • You can request this book when you donate $25 or more today at
  • 00:13:48.310 --> 00:13:52.781
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:13:52.781 --> 00:13:57.353
  • Rob: earlier you were talking about christians not
  • 00:14:01.423 --> 00:14:04.693
  • Participating in a sense in the public square, and there's
  • 00:14:04.693 --> 00:14:07.429
  • Estimated 60 to 80 million evangelical christians
  • 00:14:07.429 --> 00:14:10.699
  • In america.
  • 00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:12.034
  • It's the worst voting block in america, largest, but the worst.
  • 00:14:12.034 --> 00:14:15.237
  • Of the 60 to 80 million, only half are registered to vote.
  • 00:14:15.237 --> 00:14:18.274
  • And of the half that are registered to vote, only half of
  • 00:14:18.274 --> 00:14:20.276
  • Those vote in a presidential election.
  • 00:14:20.276 --> 00:14:22.811
  • In a midterm non-presidential election, 11%.
  • 00:14:22.811 --> 00:14:27.016
  • You contrast that with the lgbtq community, over 90% voter
  • 00:14:27.016 --> 00:14:30.386
  • Registration and over 90% voter turnout, and they're driving
  • 00:14:30.386 --> 00:14:34.290
  • The narrative.
  • 00:14:34.290 --> 00:14:35.691
  • And christians insert what we call moral pietism where
  • 00:14:35.691 --> 00:14:39.728
  • Anyone who steps into the public square as an elected official,
  • 00:14:39.728 --> 00:14:43.866
  • We demand perfection, and we miss the good because we demand
  • 00:14:43.866 --> 00:14:46.669
  • The perfect.
  • 00:14:46.669 --> 00:14:48.137
  • And politics isn't a perfect sport.
  • 00:14:48.137 --> 00:14:51.273
  • You mean you're dealing with flawed people,
  • 00:14:51.273 --> 00:14:53.142
  • And it's incremental in everything you do.
  • 00:14:53.142 --> 00:14:55.878
  • But we take this moral pietism that, "i'm done with that.
  • 00:14:55.878 --> 00:14:58.247
  • I'm not voting.
  • 00:14:58.247 --> 00:14:59.615
  • I'm tired of voting for the lesser of two evils."
  • 00:14:59.615 --> 00:15:01.450
  • Unless jesus is running for office, you're always voting for
  • 00:15:01.450 --> 00:15:03.185
  • The lesser of two evils.
  • 00:15:03.185 --> 00:15:06.355
  • Allen: say that again.
  • 00:15:06.355 --> 00:15:08.657
  • Rob: you can't write it off by taking a superior moral position
  • 00:15:08.657 --> 00:15:13.429
  • As though that's beneath me.
  • 00:15:13.429 --> 00:15:15.631
  • Politics is dirty.
  • 00:15:15.631 --> 00:15:17.499
  • You gotta get in the thick of it.
  • 00:15:17.499 --> 00:15:19.635
  • William wilberforce contended to lift slavery 35 years before
  • 00:15:19.635 --> 00:15:23.072
  • America did.
  • 00:15:23.072 --> 00:15:24.406
  • He did it without a shot being fired in the public square.
  • 00:15:24.406 --> 00:15:26.709
  • We lost 650,000 soldiers on a field of battle.
  • 00:15:26.709 --> 00:15:31.046
  • Every home in america lost a father, a son, a husband, a
  • 00:15:31.046 --> 00:15:35.150
  • Brother to lift slavery from the warp and the woof of the fabric
  • 00:15:35.150 --> 00:15:39.855
  • Of this country because moral pietism, it was all or nothing.
  • 00:15:39.855 --> 00:15:44.393
  • And we have to contend.
  • 00:15:44.393 --> 00:15:46.962
  • It's when you contend in the public square, and that's what
  • 00:15:46.962 --> 00:15:51.033
  • Was so powerful about charlie, he built turning point on
  • 00:15:51.033 --> 00:15:53.335
  • Nothing more than the spoken word.
  • 00:15:53.335 --> 00:15:55.971
  • And he'd let his detractors always come to the front of
  • 00:15:55.971 --> 00:15:57.773
  • The line.
  • 00:15:57.773 --> 00:15:59.141
  • And he treated them with dignity and respect.
  • 00:15:59.141 --> 00:16:00.476
  • So, when you go to a city council meeting and you wanna
  • 00:16:00.476 --> 00:16:03.412
  • Berate them, you're a clanging cymbal and a sounding brass.
  • 00:16:03.412 --> 00:16:08.150
  • But when you get to understand the issues and you understand
  • 00:16:08.150 --> 00:16:10.152
  • What they're dealing with, and you come to understand that and
  • 00:16:10.152 --> 00:16:12.221
  • Work through that and help the volunteer, now you're changing
  • 00:16:12.221 --> 00:16:15.157
  • Your community, and now you have an effect on those folks.
  • 00:16:15.157 --> 00:16:18.060
  • And that's the power of christians participating in what
  • 00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:20.896
  • I call the ecclesia, which is matthew 16:18, "upon this rock
  • 00:16:20.896 --> 00:16:23.599
  • I'll build my," doesn't say church, it says ecclesia, which
  • 00:16:23.599 --> 00:16:27.102
  • Is--we know etymologically that's--
  • 00:16:27.102 --> 00:16:30.205
  • Aristotle defined it as that's where the citizens
  • 00:16:30.205 --> 00:16:32.841
  • Of the greek city-state would gather
  • 00:16:32.841 --> 00:16:34.410
  • To decide the welfare of their community.
  • 00:16:34.410 --> 00:16:36.979
  • So, think about that.
  • 00:16:36.979 --> 00:16:38.313
  • "upon this rock i'll build my public square."
  • 00:16:38.313 --> 00:16:40.182
  • "upon this rock i'll build my city hall."
  • 00:16:40.182 --> 00:16:42.151
  • You're going, "oh, pastor, that says church."
  • 00:16:42.151 --> 00:16:43.485
  • No, it says ecclesia.
  • 00:16:43.485 --> 00:16:44.853
  • You do your etymological study.
  • 00:16:44.853 --> 00:16:46.422
  • "upon this rock i'll build my public square, and the gates,"
  • 00:16:46.422 --> 00:16:49.725
  • Gates enslaved, "and the gates of hell will not prevail."
  • 00:16:49.725 --> 00:16:52.995
  • When you apply the moral law to civil law, it becomes the wise
  • 00:16:52.995 --> 00:16:56.131
  • Restraints that make men free.
  • 00:16:56.131 --> 00:16:58.200
  • But when you remove the moral law from civil law, the law
  • 00:16:58.200 --> 00:17:01.270
  • Becomes a weapon to enslave.
  • 00:17:01.270 --> 00:17:02.604
  • It's no longer rule of law, it now becomes rule by law,
  • 00:17:02.604 --> 00:17:05.174
  • Judicial fiat.
  • 00:17:05.174 --> 00:17:06.508
  • You're non-essential.
  • 00:17:06.508 --> 00:17:08.177
  • Shut their store down.
  • 00:17:08.177 --> 00:17:09.545
  • Jews are not permitted, you're out.
  • 00:17:09.545 --> 00:17:12.815
  • That's rule by law.
  • 00:17:12.815 --> 00:17:14.616
  • Rule of law, common law, comes directly from the scriptures.
  • 00:17:14.616 --> 00:17:18.353
  • Due process comes from the scriptures.
  • 00:17:18.353 --> 00:17:20.456
  • And we're watching people today, especially with the insanity of
  • 00:17:20.456 --> 00:17:24.326
  • The lies being perpetrated at turning point
  • 00:17:24.326 --> 00:17:27.896
  • And espousing lies that i had something to do with
  • 00:17:27.896 --> 00:17:29.731
  • Charlie's murder, my son, and my father,
  • 00:17:29.731 --> 00:17:32.000
  • Who's been dead 10 years and had alzheimer's
  • 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:34.303
  • The last 15 years of his life.
  • 00:17:34.303 --> 00:17:37.406
  • And it's a carnal christian soap opera.
  • 00:17:37.406 --> 00:17:41.343
  • And we're not supposed to participate in that.
  • 00:17:41.343 --> 00:17:44.847
  • We're supposed to contend, and this idea of due process is you
  • 00:17:44.847 --> 00:17:49.218
  • Go and find out the facts.
  • 00:17:49.218 --> 00:17:50.552
  • You want it like your burrito, you press a minute and you're
  • 00:17:50.552 --> 00:17:53.122
  • Waiting for it to heat up, and then you pull it out and it's
  • 00:17:53.122 --> 00:17:55.023
  • Molten and you're burning the roof of your mouth dry.
  • 00:17:55.023 --> 00:17:56.325
  • We want everything now.
  • 00:17:56.325 --> 00:17:58.160
  • "be anxious in nothing, but in all things by prayer and
  • 00:17:58.160 --> 00:18:01.697
  • Supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known
  • 00:18:01.697 --> 00:18:03.732
  • To god."
  • 00:18:03.732 --> 00:18:05.067
  • Look, i'd--i'm not an employee of turning point.
  • 00:18:05.067 --> 00:18:08.804
  • I don't know any of the details, but to now endanger my family by
  • 00:18:08.804 --> 00:18:14.910
  • Implying that i had something to do with it, or my son had
  • 00:18:14.910 --> 00:18:17.045
  • Something to do with it, my daughter-in-law had something
  • 00:18:17.045 --> 00:18:18.547
  • To do with it or erika or anyone at turning point,
  • 00:18:18.547 --> 00:18:25.320
  • I just don't understand that.
  • 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:26.822
  • I can't process it.
  • 00:18:26.822 --> 00:18:28.157
  • That's been the hardest thing for me, 'cause i understand the
  • 00:18:28.157 --> 00:18:30.125
  • World, i don't understand the church participating in that.
  • 00:18:30.125 --> 00:18:35.330
  • I had to--i don't even know what the question was.
  • 00:18:35.330 --> 00:18:36.999
  • I just had to share that.
  • 00:18:36.999 --> 00:18:38.934
  • I feel better now, thanks.
  • 00:18:38.934 --> 00:18:40.269
  • I appreciate that.
  • 00:18:40.269 --> 00:18:42.271
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:18:42.271 --> 00:18:44.306
  • Allen: well, since you opened that door just a touch.
  • 00:18:47.809 --> 00:18:52.281
  • You know, i was a boy, small boy, when jfk was assassinated.
  • 00:18:52.281 --> 00:18:59.488
  • I remember because they-- he and his funeral
  • 00:18:59.488 --> 00:19:01.690
  • Interrupted cartoons.
  • 00:19:01.690 --> 00:19:04.626
  • But i did study history later on, and i can tell you this,
  • 00:19:04.626 --> 00:19:07.329
  • That while his character was--had some weaknesses.
  • 00:19:07.329 --> 00:19:13.835
  • I mean, he used the secret service like pimps to be honest.
  • 00:19:13.835 --> 00:19:18.774
  • In the midst of that tragedy, he was very much celebrated and his
  • 00:19:18.774 --> 00:19:23.278
  • Family, appropriately so.
  • 00:19:23.278 --> 00:19:28.116
  • Dr. king, i was a boy when he was assassinated.
  • 00:19:28.116 --> 00:19:32.554
  • And in the midst of all that hatred, his family was
  • 00:19:32.554 --> 00:19:36.024
  • Celebrated and his life was venerated, appropriately so.
  • 00:19:36.024 --> 00:19:42.331
  • What we've watched since charlie's assassination, his
  • 00:19:42.331 --> 00:19:45.767
  • Martyrdom, is unthinkable to me.
  • 00:19:45.767 --> 00:19:49.871
  • And it's a tragic indicator into the condition of the church,
  • 00:19:49.871 --> 00:19:56.044
  • Because we have been a primary component of that.
  • 00:19:56.044 --> 00:19:59.648
  • I say church with a big c.
  • 00:19:59.648 --> 00:20:02.651
  • When a tragedy strikes a family like that,
  • 00:20:02.651 --> 00:20:04.720
  • As devastating as that is, to imagine you're the muckraker
  • 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:11.326
  • That goes back through it looking for cause and effect is
  • 00:20:11.326 --> 00:20:14.429
  • The wrong response in that moment.
  • 00:20:14.429 --> 00:20:17.933
  • And we have struggled with this.
  • 00:20:17.933 --> 00:20:21.737
  • Charlie was a force for good.
  • 00:20:21.737 --> 00:20:25.574
  • He was not a politician nor a preacher, but he went to our
  • 00:20:25.574 --> 00:20:27.909
  • College campuses and talked to young people about biblical
  • 00:20:27.909 --> 00:20:31.413
  • Worldview issues with the courage that most of our
  • 00:20:31.413 --> 00:20:34.182
  • Churches would not allow our youth ministers to do.
  • 00:20:34.182 --> 00:20:38.120
  • And he allowed people who disagreed with him, as rob said,
  • 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:41.657
  • To come to the front of the line and treated them with dignity
  • 00:20:41.657 --> 00:20:43.725
  • And respect and listened to their opinions.
  • 00:20:43.725 --> 00:20:46.895
  • And for that he was vilified and ultimately hunted and killed.
  • 00:20:46.895 --> 00:20:51.633
  • And we need to have the courage to stand up for what's right and
  • 00:20:51.633 --> 00:20:59.074
  • To allow that family to heal without the kind of drama that
  • 00:20:59.074 --> 00:21:03.445
  • We have helped create.
  • 00:21:03.445 --> 00:21:06.581
  • It wasn't a planned part of this conversation, but i think it's
  • 00:21:06.581 --> 00:21:09.084
  • Appropriate at that point.
  • 00:21:09.084 --> 00:21:10.452
  • Folks, the church in the earth matters.
  • 00:21:10.452 --> 00:21:13.488
  • And we have an assignment certainly that is attached to
  • 00:21:13.488 --> 00:21:16.058
  • Eternity, but if the only conversation we have is about
  • 00:21:16.058 --> 00:21:19.061
  • Eternity, i don't think we'll be on the right side of it when we
  • 00:21:19.061 --> 00:21:21.863
  • Get there.
  • 00:21:21.863 --> 00:21:23.498
  • We're called to impact the world in which we live.
  • 00:21:23.498 --> 00:21:25.734
  • Have you read the book of acts?
  • 00:21:25.734 --> 00:21:28.804
  • Have you read the gospels?
  • 00:21:28.804 --> 00:21:30.172
  • John the baptist could have lived much longer if he hadn't
  • 00:21:30.172 --> 00:21:32.107
  • Talked about current events.
  • 00:21:32.107 --> 00:21:35.310
  • Stephen the same, james the same.
  • 00:21:35.310 --> 00:21:38.180
  • Paul could have stayed out of a lot of prisons and would have
  • 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:40.549
  • Not suffered physically nearly as much.
  • 00:21:40.549 --> 00:21:43.151
  • He was accused of disrupting the economies of the communities
  • 00:21:43.151 --> 00:21:46.221
  • Where he preached the gospel because the message he took
  • 00:21:46.221 --> 00:21:48.890
  • About jesus changed how people spent their money and they beat
  • 00:21:48.890 --> 00:21:51.760
  • Him almost to death for it.
  • 00:21:51.760 --> 00:21:55.530
  • So, we have adopted some approach to christianity that
  • 00:21:55.530 --> 00:21:59.101
  • Is--it's not about politics, it's not about parties.
  • 00:21:59.101 --> 00:22:02.738
  • There's no perfect candidates, but the worldview we hold has to
  • 00:22:02.738 --> 00:22:06.475
  • Be shaped in the world in which we live or we're abandoning our
  • 00:22:06.475 --> 00:22:09.511
  • Children to demonic futures.
  • 00:22:09.511 --> 00:22:13.415
  • And i know we don't want to do that.
  • 00:22:13.415 --> 00:22:15.617
  • Rob, i appreciate your courage and your boldness and your
  • 00:22:15.617 --> 00:22:19.187
  • Determination to walk through this rather difficult season.
  • 00:22:19.187 --> 00:22:23.959
  • Rob: well, that's a pot calling the kettle black.
  • 00:22:23.959 --> 00:22:26.895
  • You're a blessing to me, pastor allen.
  • 00:22:26.895 --> 00:22:29.498
  • I was telling your wife, you know, it runs in my family, high
  • 00:22:29.498 --> 00:22:33.468
  • Blood pressure.
  • 00:22:33.468 --> 00:22:34.836
  • I listened to your pastor just start talking and i just--my
  • 00:22:34.836 --> 00:22:37.105
  • Blood pressure goes down.
  • 00:22:37.105 --> 00:22:39.641
  • I think everywhere he speaks, he should have a fireplace behind
  • 00:22:39.641 --> 00:22:41.843
  • Him because it's just so comforting.
  • 00:22:41.843 --> 00:22:43.945
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:22:43.945 --> 00:22:46.181
  • You are a precious brother and a wonderful friend, and i know
  • 00:22:46.181 --> 00:22:51.119
  • I've done something right in life that god would bring me a
  • 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:52.854
  • Friend like you.
  • 00:22:52.854 --> 00:22:54.189
  • So, thank you.
  • 00:22:54.189 --> 00:22:56.224
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:22:56.291 --> 00:23:01.663
  • Allen: rob had the best line of the culture and
  • 00:23:01.730 --> 00:23:03.265
  • Christianity conference.
  • 00:23:03.265 --> 00:23:05.634
  • I've used it several times, and i haven't given you credit.
  • 00:23:05.634 --> 00:23:10.038
  • So, i'll let you repeat it while you're here, 'cause i think
  • 00:23:10.038 --> 00:23:12.207
  • It's--it bears repeating.
  • 00:23:12.207 --> 00:23:14.743
  • Rob: yeah, i think--
  • 00:23:14.743 --> 00:23:16.077
  • Yeah, well, it's fitting 'cause i'm here with you now,
  • 00:23:16.077 --> 00:23:17.679
  • So i said--i was on the stage with all these amazing
  • 00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:21.249
  • Preachers, john amanchukwu and this guy and everybody else, and
  • 00:23:21.249 --> 00:23:25.787
  • I said, "i feel like a mule at the kentucky derby.
  • 00:23:25.787 --> 00:23:29.524
  • I'm not gonna win, but i'm in mighty fine company."
  • 00:23:29.524 --> 00:23:33.028
  • That's how i feel about being around your pastor.
  • 00:23:33.028 --> 00:23:35.130
  • He's a treasure.
  • 00:23:35.130 --> 00:23:36.465
  • And all of you, thank you so much.
  • 00:23:36.465 --> 00:23:38.467
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:23:38.467 --> 00:23:44.573
  • Allen: let's stand.
  • 00:23:44.573 --> 00:23:48.276
  • I wanna pray for you.
  • 00:23:48.276 --> 00:23:50.412
  • You know, one of our commitments in this place is when god brings
  • 00:23:54.649 --> 00:23:57.652
  • Somebody that ministers to us, then we agree to pray for them.
  • 00:23:57.652 --> 00:24:00.956
  • Not just in the moment, but as a part of our family.
  • 00:24:00.956 --> 00:24:04.659
  • You know, christmas eve's coming.
  • 00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.994
  • When he said mule he reminded me,
  • 00:24:05.994 --> 00:24:07.562
  • One of my favorite christmas eves, we've put animals in the
  • 00:24:07.562 --> 00:24:09.097
  • Lobby from time to time.
  • 00:24:09.097 --> 00:24:11.132
  • And we had a donkey out there one christmas eve.
  • 00:24:11.132 --> 00:24:13.268
  • Some of you were here.
  • 00:24:13.268 --> 00:24:15.303
  • And about midway into my little sermonette, that donkey started
  • 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:21.810
  • Sounding off.
  • 00:24:21.810 --> 00:24:24.279
  • I couldn't help it.
  • 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.647
  • I said, "we had two jackasses in the building that christmas
  • 00:24:25.647 --> 00:24:27.349
  • Eve," so i repent.
  • 00:24:27.349 --> 00:24:31.052
  • My mom's in heaven, so i won't get a lecture for that today.
  • 00:24:31.052 --> 00:24:34.456
  • Father, i thank you for rob and his life and for his voice in
  • 00:24:34.456 --> 00:24:38.927
  • The church in our nation in the earth.
  • 00:24:38.927 --> 00:24:42.764
  • I thank you for him, lord.
  • 00:24:42.764 --> 00:24:44.499
  • I thank you that you used him through covid to bring strength
  • 00:24:44.499 --> 00:24:48.637
  • To your people.
  • 00:24:48.637 --> 00:24:50.372
  • And lord, you're moving in the earth.
  • 00:24:50.372 --> 00:24:51.740
  • There's evidence all around us.
  • 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:53.141
  • We hear of lives changed and campuses being changed and young
  • 00:24:53.141 --> 00:24:56.845
  • People's hearts being turned towards you.
  • 00:24:56.845 --> 00:24:59.648
  • And lord, we see the counterattacks of the enemy,
  • 00:24:59.648 --> 00:25:03.018
  • The accusations and the lies and the condemnation.
  • 00:25:03.018 --> 00:25:06.221
  • And i pray that you'll give him supernatural strength.
  • 00:25:06.221 --> 00:25:09.558
  • Lift him above it, minister to him by your spirit.
  • 00:25:09.558 --> 00:25:11.793
  • Lord, i thank you for him.
  • 00:25:11.793 --> 00:25:13.695
  • I pray that the days ahead will be the most fruitful of his
  • 00:25:13.695 --> 00:25:16.097
  • Life, that you will use him in a powerful way in the harvest
  • 00:25:16.097 --> 00:25:20.068
  • That's taking place in the earth.
  • 00:25:20.068 --> 00:25:22.337
  • But we pray for the church today, that you'll stir our
  • 00:25:22.337 --> 00:25:25.340
  • Hearts, that you'll awaken us.
  • 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:27.609
  • Lord, may we be awakened from our slumber and our complacency
  • 00:25:27.609 --> 00:25:31.846
  • And find the courage to be advocates for jesus that will
  • 00:25:31.846 --> 00:25:35.083
  • Provide our children and our grandchildren a better future
  • 00:25:35.083 --> 00:25:38.219
  • Than the lives we have had.
  • 00:25:38.219 --> 00:25:40.255
  • I thank you that you're a god who transforms cultures and
  • 00:25:40.255 --> 00:25:42.857
  • Changes nations and destinies, that you raise up leaders and
  • 00:25:42.857 --> 00:25:46.328
  • You put them down.
  • 00:25:46.328 --> 00:25:48.029
  • Give us leaders who fear your name at every level of our land,
  • 00:25:48.029 --> 00:25:51.967
  • From the lowest offices to the highest.
  • 00:25:51.967 --> 00:25:54.836
  • Lord, may your name once again be welcomed into our schools and
  • 00:25:54.836 --> 00:25:57.706
  • Our college campuses and our hospitals and our courtrooms.
  • 00:25:57.706 --> 00:26:01.509
  • We praise you for it, we thank you for it.
  • 00:26:01.509 --> 00:26:04.546
  • Give us the wisdom to fulfill what you created each of us for
  • 00:26:04.546 --> 00:26:09.050
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:09.050 --> 00:26:12.053
  • Thank you, sir.
  • 00:26:12.053 --> 00:26:13.388
  • Rob: thank you. merry christmas, everybody.
  • 00:26:13.388 --> 00:26:15.357
  • [music]
  • 00:26:15.357 --> 00:26:17.392
  • Allen: how we begin our year, it matters.
  • 00:26:19.794 --> 00:26:22.297
  • So, we've created a tool to help you get the year off on the
  • 00:26:22.297 --> 00:26:24.799
  • Right foot.
  • 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.167
  • It's a devotional for this year.
  • 00:26:26.167 --> 00:26:27.502
  • We've taken our email demotionals that you're familiar
  • 00:26:27.502 --> 00:26:30.105
  • With, and we've edited into a book, 365-day devotional with a
  • 00:26:30.105 --> 00:26:35.143
  • Little short thought for the day, a scripture verse,
  • 00:26:35.143 --> 00:26:37.445
  • A prayer, just a little momentum for every day.
  • 00:26:37.445 --> 00:26:40.315
  • Let's start this year on purpose, inviting god's best
  • 00:26:40.315 --> 00:26:44.052
  • Into our lives.
  • 00:26:44.052 --> 00:26:45.553
  • Many of you are familiar with those devotionals.
  • 00:26:45.553 --> 00:26:47.355
  • You get them in your inbox.
  • 00:26:47.355 --> 00:26:48.790
  • We want to give you a hard copy.
  • 00:26:48.790 --> 00:26:50.158
  • Maybe you get a second copy, share it with a friend, use it
  • 00:26:50.158 --> 00:26:52.494
  • As a mission project this year, maybe take it to work, recruit
  • 00:26:52.494 --> 00:26:55.897
  • Somebody that you're working with.
  • 00:26:55.897 --> 00:26:57.399
  • It's a simple way to invite god into the beginning of your day
  • 00:26:57.399 --> 00:27:01.236
  • On purpose.
  • 00:27:01.236 --> 00:27:02.604
  • And if we do that, i believe the outcome will be
  • 00:27:02.604 --> 00:27:05.140
  • Truly significant.
  • 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:06.741
  • God in the midst of whatever we're doing makes the
  • 00:27:06.741 --> 00:27:08.677
  • Outcomes better.
  • 00:27:08.677 --> 00:27:10.145
  • It's an exciting time.
  • 00:27:10.145 --> 00:27:11.479
  • I like the beginning of a new year, all the promise and the
  • 00:27:11.479 --> 00:27:13.448
  • Hope that that brings, let's put god in the center of it.
  • 00:27:13.448 --> 00:27:16.651
  • "turn up the lights," the name of the devotional, and i believe
  • 00:27:16.651 --> 00:27:18.687
  • It'll do just that in your life.
  • 00:27:18.687 --> 00:27:20.722
  • [music]
  • 00:27:21.389 --> 00:27:30.001