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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - God's People, God's Power (Part 2)

September 29, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - God's People, God's Power (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Blessing #Apostles #Miracles #Courage #Prayer #Belief #Economy #Money

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - God's People, God's Power (Part 2) | September 29, 2025
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: i'm of the opinion that professional
  • 00:00:06.823 --> 00:00:09.059
  • Christians like myself, we tend to make christianity
  • 00:00:09.192 --> 00:00:11.394
  • Too difficult.
  • 00:00:11.528 --> 00:00:12.762
  • We use big words and big concepts.
  • 00:00:12.896 --> 00:00:13.530
  • You know, we'll talk about hermeneutics and homiletics and
  • 00:00:14.831 --> 00:00:18.134
  • Exegetical specificity and reading the koine greek and the
  • 00:00:18.134 --> 00:00:21.938
  • Masoretic hebrew.
  • 00:00:21.938 --> 00:00:23.673
  • And i've studied a lot, and i understand the words,
  • 00:00:23.673 --> 00:00:26.009
  • And i could probably even come up with some definitions.
  • 00:00:26.009 --> 00:00:28.411
  • But in reality, i don't think our faith is that complicated.
  • 00:00:28.411 --> 00:00:31.481
  • Well, i've written a new book that's really at the heart.
  • 00:00:31.481 --> 00:00:34.184
  • It's a concept that changed my life,
  • 00:00:34.184 --> 00:00:35.518
  • And it's changed my relationship with the lord.
  • 00:00:35.518 --> 00:00:37.620
  • It's my friend jesus.
  • 00:00:37.620 --> 00:00:39.489
  • See, i think you and i know how to be a friend.
  • 00:00:39.489 --> 00:00:41.758
  • We know what we want from a friend.
  • 00:00:41.758 --> 00:00:43.226
  • We know what our friends imagine is appropriate from us.
  • 00:00:43.226 --> 00:00:46.596
  • Well, i wanna be jesus's friend.
  • 00:00:46.596 --> 00:00:48.832
  • I wanna do things that make him smile.
  • 00:00:48.832 --> 00:00:50.433
  • I don't wanna be involved with things that make him angry.
  • 00:00:50.433 --> 00:00:53.369
  • When he sees me, i want it to be a pleasant interaction.
  • 00:00:53.369 --> 00:00:56.506
  • I wanna be jesus's friend. it'll change your faith.
  • 00:00:56.506 --> 00:00:59.509
  • I believe this book will help open a whole new door in your
  • 00:00:59.509 --> 00:01:02.779
  • Relationship with the lord.
  • 00:01:02.779 --> 00:01:04.147
  • It'll be a blessing to you.
  • 00:01:04.147 --> 00:01:07.217
  • Allen: you ever buy something that comes with a manual?
  • 00:01:07.217 --> 00:01:11.721
  • And i'm gonna ask the question, but i know the men don't read
  • 00:01:11.721 --> 00:01:13.656
  • The manuals, so the women don't have to answer the question.
  • 00:01:13.656 --> 00:01:15.725
  • But you ever buy something that's gotta a--
  • 00:01:15.725 --> 00:01:18.928
  • It comes with a manual?
  • 00:01:18.928 --> 00:01:20.530
  • Cars will do it, but electronics, different things.
  • 00:01:20.530 --> 00:01:23.766
  • And the manual's written for more than one model, right?
  • 00:01:23.766 --> 00:01:29.439
  • Like, you've got all the operating instructions for,
  • 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:31.774
  • Like, six different models.
  • 00:01:31.774 --> 00:01:34.544
  • Well, it always annoys me to a significant degree.
  • 00:01:34.544 --> 00:01:37.747
  • Like, i'm reading a manual and there's equipment that does
  • 00:01:37.747 --> 00:01:40.984
  • Things that mine doesn't.
  • 00:01:40.984 --> 00:01:44.621
  • You know, and it doesn't call me cheap on every page or left out,
  • 00:01:44.621 --> 00:01:49.659
  • But that's how i feel.
  • 00:01:49.659 --> 00:01:51.127
  • It's like, you know, "if your air conditioning, if you have
  • 00:01:51.127 --> 00:01:54.430
  • The auto thermostat," no, i just got a button and a dial.
  • 00:01:54.430 --> 00:01:59.636
  • And actually, it's a dial on the window.
  • 00:01:59.636 --> 00:02:01.404
  • You roll it down and that's how you get cooled off.
  • 00:02:01.404 --> 00:02:06.176
  • Well, i feel that way about my bible when people say, well, you
  • 00:02:06.176 --> 00:02:08.578
  • Know, the miracles stopped at the end of the first century
  • 00:02:08.578 --> 00:02:11.614
  • That they were to establish the apostolic age, but with the
  • 00:02:11.614 --> 00:02:14.417
  • Passing of the last apostles, we no longer needed the power
  • 00:02:14.417 --> 00:02:17.253
  • Of god.
  • 00:02:17.253 --> 00:02:18.855
  • Oh, really?
  • 00:02:18.855 --> 00:02:22.091
  • What makes me go, well, which other parts of the book
  • 00:02:22.091 --> 00:02:24.460
  • Aren't relevant?
  • 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:26.529
  • And how did you decide that?
  • 00:02:26.529 --> 00:02:29.832
  • You see, there's an awkwardness when we read acts chapter 5
  • 00:02:29.832 --> 00:02:32.435
  • Because our lives are sloppy and messy and we're bruised and it's
  • 00:02:32.435 --> 00:02:38.474
  • Not simple and we weep together and we celebrate some together
  • 00:02:38.474 --> 00:02:41.678
  • And we're trying to navigate it and figure it out, but that
  • 00:02:41.678 --> 00:02:44.280
  • Feels a lot like what i read in the book of acts.
  • 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:46.449
  • They're being arrested and beaten and threatened
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  • And martyred.
  • 00:02:48.718 --> 00:02:52.055
  • And there's so many sick people amongst the church, they don't
  • 00:02:52.055 --> 00:02:54.190
  • Even have time to pray for them individually, they said, "just
  • 00:02:54.190 --> 00:02:56.793
  • Line the road with them.
  • 00:02:56.793 --> 00:02:58.161
  • We're gonna walk past."
  • 00:02:58.161 --> 00:03:00.396
  • And god's still moving.
  • 00:03:00.396 --> 00:03:04.567
  • We've got to have the courage to say, "i believe god
  • 00:03:04.567 --> 00:03:06.803
  • Is involved."
  • 00:03:06.803 --> 00:03:09.906
  • Simple things, like "let's pray."
  • 00:03:09.906 --> 00:03:12.742
  • We've got to live it out in plain language.
  • 00:03:12.742 --> 00:03:15.945
  • The pathway to god's purposes includes the supernatural.
  • 00:03:15.945 --> 00:03:19.415
  • I think we have to have a new evaluation.
  • 00:03:19.415 --> 00:03:21.084
  • There's a verse in luke 16 that has captured my attention
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  • Of late.
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  • Jesus is talking.
  • 00:03:25.455 --> 00:03:26.823
  • He said, "you're the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes
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  • Of men, but god knows your heart."
  • 00:03:28.691 --> 00:03:32.128
  • That's a concerning statement to me.
  • 00:03:32.128 --> 00:03:34.497
  • He's talking to religious people, deeply religious people,
  • 00:03:34.497 --> 00:03:37.166
  • Lots of rules, they read their bibles, they know the scripture
  • 00:03:37.166 --> 00:03:39.435
  • Better than i do.
  • 00:03:39.435 --> 00:03:40.803
  • I promise you they did.
  • 00:03:40.803 --> 00:03:43.106
  • And he said, "you're the group of people who justify yourselves
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  • In the eyes of people."
  • 00:03:46.976 --> 00:03:51.347
  • But god knows your heart.
  • 00:03:51.347 --> 00:03:54.817
  • See, our audience ultimately is the lord.
  • 00:03:54.817 --> 00:03:56.886
  • Look at the next phrase.
  • 00:03:56.886 --> 00:03:58.454
  • He said, "what is highly valued among men is detestable in
  • 00:03:58.454 --> 00:04:04.560
  • God's sight."
  • 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:07.130
  • Jesus is inviting us towards a different kind of valuation.
  • 00:04:07.130 --> 00:04:10.833
  • So i have a question for you and it's not a simple answer, so i'm
  • 00:04:10.833 --> 00:04:15.238
  • Not pointing you towards something, but where in your
  • 00:04:15.238 --> 00:04:17.740
  • Life do you accept a valuation that is identified by
  • 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:22.045
  • Ungodly people?
  • 00:04:22.045 --> 00:04:25.148
  • The things we're striving for, the things that we imagine bring
  • 00:04:25.148 --> 00:04:28.985
  • Success or failure or to be celebrated or mourned should not
  • 00:04:28.985 --> 00:04:34.624
  • Be the same as the secularists around us.
  • 00:04:34.624 --> 00:04:39.629
  • Because what's highly valued in this present world order, it
  • 00:04:39.629 --> 00:04:42.632
  • Says, is detestable in god's sight.
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  • You need to--i would--i'll hand you that verse.
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  • It's worth committing the memory.
  • 00:04:52.975 --> 00:04:57.213
  • See, one day the bible says that when the lord returns in all of
  • 00:04:57.213 --> 00:04:59.849
  • His glory, then we'll be rewarded for how we've lived
  • 00:04:59.849 --> 00:05:03.086
  • Our lives.
  • 00:05:03.086 --> 00:05:05.655
  • And at that point that--you can't revisit it, there's not a
  • 00:05:05.655 --> 00:05:09.892
  • Do-over, and we won't have lived our lives in such a way that the
  • 00:05:09.892 --> 00:05:15.932
  • Lord finds joy in rewarding us for it.
  • 00:05:15.932 --> 00:05:19.836
  • And i'm taking a moment with it because it hasn't been the
  • 00:05:19.836 --> 00:05:22.772
  • Primary presentation that we've heard, or at least that i have
  • 00:05:22.772 --> 00:05:26.109
  • Heard in much of my life around the church.
  • 00:05:26.109 --> 00:05:28.111
  • We've had this focus on don't be a sinner, be saved.
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  • And i believe in that.
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  • It's a wonderful message.
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  • It's just not complete.
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  • Things that are highly valued in a secular, godless culture are
  • 00:05:36.886 --> 00:05:40.156
  • Detestable in god's sight.
  • 00:05:40.156 --> 00:05:43.593
  • And it's just not some obscure verse.
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  • 1 peter--peter picked it up.
  • 00:05:45.528 --> 00:05:47.864
  • He echoes it in 1 peter 3.
  • 00:05:47.864 --> 00:05:49.265
  • The context is a little different,
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  • But the idea is there.
  • 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:51.934
  • He said, "your beauty shouldn't come from outward adornment,
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  • Such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and
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  • Fine clothes."
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  • I mean, we understand those things add attractiveness to us.
  • 00:05:58.808 --> 00:06:01.844
  • I don't think it means we have to wear worn out clothes, but he
  • 00:06:01.844 --> 00:06:04.914
  • Said, "instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading
  • 00:06:04.914 --> 00:06:09.852
  • Beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth
  • 00:06:09.852 --> 00:06:12.488
  • In god's sight."
  • 00:06:12.488 --> 00:06:15.758
  • Again, i don't think it's an either/or, i don't think he's
  • 00:06:15.758 --> 00:06:18.227
  • Saying you have to wear shabby clothes, but he's saying that
  • 00:06:18.227 --> 00:06:20.763
  • The external, the ornamentation you can hang on your earth suit
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  • Is not what makes you valuable in god's sight.
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  • He said what is of great value in god's economy is a gentle and
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  • Quiet spirit.
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  • How many of us think about that?
  • 00:06:36.979 --> 00:06:39.682
  • How many of us actually pray about it?
  • 00:06:39.682 --> 00:06:41.050
  • "god, i would like to cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit."
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  • Things that are highly valued are detestable in
  • 00:06:49.125 --> 00:06:51.360
  • God's sight.
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  • I'll tell you all of this 'cause we're watching this titanic
  • 00:06:52.695 --> 00:06:55.998
  • Clash of cultures.
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  • And it seems to me that, within the church--and i've spent my
  • 00:06:59.869 --> 00:07:02.405
  • Adult life, my professional life, in the church--that we
  • 00:07:02.405 --> 00:07:05.107
  • Have lacked the intent or the awareness of spiritual things.
  • 00:07:05.107 --> 00:07:10.446
  • And i played with those two words, we lacked the intent or
  • 00:07:10.446 --> 00:07:12.949
  • We lacked the awareness, but it feels a little bit like chicken
  • 00:07:12.949 --> 00:07:15.117
  • And egg to me.
  • 00:07:15.117 --> 00:07:17.353
  • You know, we lacked the intent, we didn't intend to
  • 00:07:17.353 --> 00:07:19.121
  • Be spiritual.
  • 00:07:19.121 --> 00:07:22.158
  • And the outcome, then we--so we lacked awareness of
  • 00:07:22.158 --> 00:07:24.494
  • Spiritual things.
  • 00:07:24.494 --> 00:07:25.828
  • Well, maybe we lacked the awareness, so we didn't have
  • 00:07:25.828 --> 00:07:27.196
  • The intent.
  • 00:07:27.196 --> 00:07:28.531
  • I don't know the right order.
  • 00:07:28.531 --> 00:07:29.899
  • To be honest, i don't.
  • 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:31.234
  • But both of them have been absent.
  • 00:07:31.234 --> 00:07:32.602
  • We haven't intended to be spiritual and we haven't been
  • 00:07:32.602 --> 00:07:35.671
  • Aware of spiritual things and we've got to change.
  • 00:07:35.671 --> 00:07:39.408
  • We have to understand that what's tearing our nation apart
  • 00:07:39.408 --> 00:07:42.411
  • Is not political forces, they're spiritual forces.
  • 00:07:42.411 --> 00:07:47.984
  • And the church has got to engage on this.
  • 00:07:47.984 --> 00:07:51.420
  • And because we've lacked this intent and we've lacked this
  • 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:53.923
  • Awareness, they have remained, for us, indistinct.
  • 00:07:53.923 --> 00:07:58.361
  • They lack clarity, these spiritual discussions.
  • 00:07:58.361 --> 00:08:01.330
  • We consider them untrustworthy.
  • 00:08:01.330 --> 00:08:03.199
  • They're not really considered reliable.
  • 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:04.867
  • It's kind of a "hope so, long shot, dark horse, hail mary,
  • 00:08:04.867 --> 00:08:09.038
  • Maybe something will happen.
  • 00:08:09.038 --> 00:08:10.406
  • I've done everything i know to do.
  • 00:08:10.406 --> 00:08:11.741
  • Let's pray."
  • 00:08:11.741 --> 00:08:13.843
  • That's the wrong formulation.
  • 00:08:13.843 --> 00:08:16.879
  • We've generally imagined spiritual things to be
  • 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.048
  • Less than.
  • 00:08:19.048 --> 00:08:21.784
  • You know, the blessing of god is less significant than money.
  • 00:08:21.784 --> 00:08:28.558
  • We've imagined spiritual things to be less than.
  • 00:08:28.558 --> 00:08:31.727
  • Medicine is better than having to pray.
  • 00:08:31.727 --> 00:08:35.698
  • I mean, we can go right down the list.
  • 00:08:35.698 --> 00:08:37.033
  • I know we're in church and we kind of cringe when we say that
  • 00:08:37.033 --> 00:08:38.901
  • We--if you look at our behavior, our aspirations for our children
  • 00:08:38.901 --> 00:08:43.272
  • And our grandchildren, our dreams for them, there's so much
  • 00:08:43.272 --> 00:08:50.913
  • We've generally imagined to be less than.
  • 00:08:50.913 --> 00:08:52.648
  • We've imagined obedience to god--"it's not really that
  • 00:08:52.648 --> 00:08:55.184
  • Necessary 'cause, you know, he'll forgive and there's a lot
  • 00:08:55.184 --> 00:08:56.953
  • Of grace involved," and so we practice immorality and we wink
  • 00:08:56.953 --> 00:09:00.923
  • At it and we nod at it and we don't get anxious when we see it
  • 00:09:00.923 --> 00:09:03.426
  • And we certainly don't wanna confront it.
  • 00:09:03.426 --> 00:09:04.961
  • It might disrupt something, so.
  • 00:09:04.961 --> 00:09:08.497
  • We haven't given spiritual things a very significant role.
  • 00:09:08.497 --> 00:09:12.835
  • We're inexperienced in spiritual realities.
  • 00:09:12.835 --> 00:09:16.305
  • And we're not new to this.
  • 00:09:16.305 --> 00:09:17.640
  • It's the narrative we're presented in the gospels.
  • 00:09:17.640 --> 00:09:19.742
  • I didn't bring you all the passages.
  • 00:09:19.742 --> 00:09:21.444
  • Many of them, i think, will come to mind.
  • 00:09:21.444 --> 00:09:23.279
  • As the disciples begin to get to know jesus day after day and
  • 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:26.415
  • Week after week, they're challenged by him.
  • 00:09:26.415 --> 00:09:30.886
  • They're caught in a storm and they think they're gonna drown
  • 00:09:30.886 --> 00:09:32.688
  • And he speaks to the wind and the waves and it freaks him out.
  • 00:09:32.688 --> 00:09:35.691
  • Who is this?
  • 00:09:35.691 --> 00:09:37.593
  • They go in a synagogue with him, pretty normal behavior, and a
  • 00:09:37.593 --> 00:09:40.096
  • Demonized man interrupts and jesus casts out the demons, and
  • 00:09:40.096 --> 00:09:43.466
  • They go, wait a minute, he even has authority over demons?
  • 00:09:43.466 --> 00:09:47.403
  • They bring sick people to him and they're healed, or tormented
  • 00:09:47.403 --> 00:09:50.439
  • People to him and they're set free, and there's this constant
  • 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:53.409
  • Tension they said, "well, we've never seen anything like this."
  • 00:09:53.409 --> 00:09:55.845
  • They're inexperienced in spiritual reality.
  • 00:09:55.845 --> 00:09:58.147
  • But in the book of acts after he's gone, they begin, in their
  • 00:09:58.147 --> 00:10:00.716
  • Own halting way, to walk it forward.
  • 00:10:00.716 --> 00:10:03.052
  • God is inviting the church forward in the 21st century.
  • 00:10:03.052 --> 00:10:06.555
  • I believe it with all of my heart.
  • 00:10:06.555 --> 00:10:10.960
  • I think, too often, we're captured by our pride.
  • 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:13.129
  • We imagine spiritual things are unnecessary.
  • 00:10:13.129 --> 00:10:16.365
  • We'll outwork evil or outthink evil or out-organize evil or
  • 00:10:16.365 --> 00:10:19.135
  • We'll just try harder next time.
  • 00:10:19.135 --> 00:10:22.672
  • We focus on the things we've learned and the processes
  • 00:10:22.672 --> 00:10:24.907
  • We've learned.
  • 00:10:24.907 --> 00:10:26.242
  • We bring all of our secular training.
  • 00:10:26.242 --> 00:10:27.576
  • And i'm not opposed to that.
  • 00:10:27.576 --> 00:10:28.944
  • I got a lot of it myself.
  • 00:10:28.944 --> 00:10:30.279
  • But i don't wanna supplant the spiritual forces of cooperating
  • 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:33.649
  • With god.
  • 00:10:33.649 --> 00:10:35.284
  • Let's teach our children to pray.
  • 00:10:35.284 --> 00:10:37.687
  • Let's teach them to pray for one another.
  • 00:10:37.687 --> 00:10:39.221
  • Let's teach them about spiritual forces of darkness and
  • 00:10:39.221 --> 00:10:41.957
  • Wickedness in the heavenly places and how to stand
  • 00:10:41.957 --> 00:10:44.360
  • Against it.
  • 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.761
  • Let's let that become as normative to them, as familiar
  • 00:10:45.761 --> 00:10:48.531
  • To them as watching a ball game.
  • 00:10:48.531 --> 00:10:51.667
  • How dare we rob them of that.
  • 00:10:51.667 --> 00:10:53.402
  • If we say, "we believe it's true," we don't prepare our
  • 00:10:53.402 --> 00:10:55.471
  • Children, we are cruel.
  • 00:10:55.471 --> 00:11:00.910
  • Allen: hey, i've written a new book.
  • 00:11:04.747 --> 00:11:06.215
  • It's called "my friend jesus."
  • 00:11:06.215 --> 00:11:08.017
  • You know, i'm a pastor--a lot of ritual,
  • 00:11:08.017 --> 00:11:10.086
  • Tradition, a lot of formality in the way we know god.
  • 00:11:10.086 --> 00:11:13.489
  • It's not bad.
  • 00:11:13.489 --> 00:11:14.824
  • There's some good things in that,
  • 00:11:14.824 --> 00:11:16.225
  • But when i'm in real trouble or i have something i wanna
  • 00:11:16.225 --> 00:11:18.160
  • Celebrate, i call a friend.
  • 00:11:18.160 --> 00:11:20.296
  • Well, i wanna live my life with jesus of nazareth as my friend.
  • 00:11:20.296 --> 00:11:23.699
  • It changes everything in both celebration
  • 00:11:23.699 --> 00:11:26.535
  • And when there's a problem.
  • 00:11:26.535 --> 00:11:27.870
  • Wrote the book to help.
  • 00:11:27.870 --> 00:11:29.205
  • I think it'll open your life to god in a more personal,
  • 00:11:29.205 --> 00:11:31.640
  • Transformational way than ever before.
  • 00:11:31.640 --> 00:11:34.410
  • Enjoy the book.
  • 00:11:34.410 --> 00:11:35.745
  • Female announcer: in his book,
  • 00:11:35.745 --> 00:11:37.079
  • "my friend jesus," pastor allen shares how friendship with jesus
  • 00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:39.615
  • Brings clarity, strength, and peace in every part of life.
  • 00:11:39.615 --> 00:11:43.486
  • This isn't about following a religion or religious rules.
  • 00:11:43.486 --> 00:11:46.856
  • It's about cultivating a cherished relationship that will
  • 00:11:46.856 --> 00:11:49.358
  • Help your faith become more personal,
  • 00:11:49.358 --> 00:11:51.694
  • More joyful, and more powerful each day.
  • 00:11:51.694 --> 00:11:54.563
  • Request "my friend jesus" with your donation of $25 or more
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  • Today at allenjackson.com or by calling...
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  • And have tools for your journey, no matter your schedule.
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  • App, perfect for a commute,
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  • And make sure to follow pastor allen
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  • On social media to stay up-to-date with everything
  • 00:12:27.062 --> 00:12:29.565
  • Happening here with allen jackson ministries.
  • 00:12:29.565 --> 00:12:33.736
  • Allen: consider ourselves to be self-sufficient.
  • 00:12:36.138 --> 00:12:39.074
  • We can address life's challenges and opportunities, so we don't
  • 00:12:39.074 --> 00:12:41.510
  • Really have to be dependent on spiritual things.
  • 00:12:41.510 --> 00:12:46.782
  • I'm gonna run out of clock before you run out of outline.
  • 00:12:46.782 --> 00:12:51.687
  • There's some cultural trends that i think give evidence of
  • 00:12:51.687 --> 00:12:54.690
  • What we're watching, of what i'm describing to you.
  • 00:12:54.690 --> 00:12:58.260
  • We have churches, we meet in our buildings and we read our bibles
  • 00:12:58.260 --> 00:13:00.563
  • And we crank out studies and we do all those things, but the
  • 00:13:00.563 --> 00:13:03.866
  • Power of god is not as prevalent amongst us as it might be
  • 00:13:03.866 --> 00:13:07.436
  • Because i believe god will make available to us if we'll
  • 00:13:07.436 --> 00:13:09.638
  • Cooperate with him.
  • 00:13:09.638 --> 00:13:11.273
  • And because of that, we see these expressions that the
  • 00:13:11.273 --> 00:13:13.943
  • Scripture tells us they're coming.
  • 00:13:13.943 --> 00:13:16.278
  • They're anticipated by scripture.
  • 00:13:16.278 --> 00:13:18.447
  • They're anticipated as a part of being the season before the
  • 00:13:18.447 --> 00:13:21.483
  • Conclusion of this age, but the church is triumphant through the
  • 00:13:21.483 --> 00:13:25.154
  • End of this age.
  • 00:13:25.154 --> 00:13:27.389
  • And in order for us to overcome deception and manipulation and
  • 00:13:27.389 --> 00:13:30.559
  • The hatred and the violence that's gonna be directed against
  • 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:32.995
  • The people of god,
  • 00:13:32.995 --> 00:13:34.563
  • We're gonna have to understand the difference.
  • 00:13:34.563 --> 00:13:36.198
  • We're gonna have to understand where our authority comes from,
  • 00:13:36.198 --> 00:13:38.334
  • What power is available to us.
  • 00:13:38.334 --> 00:13:42.571
  • Lawlessness is increasing.
  • 00:13:42.571 --> 00:13:43.973
  • Have you noticed?
  • 00:13:43.973 --> 00:13:45.975
  • Jesus told us it would. we shouldn't be surprised.
  • 00:13:45.975 --> 00:13:48.244
  • It's like when he told the disciples, "we go to jerusalem,
  • 00:13:48.244 --> 00:13:50.079
  • I'm gonna be arrested."
  • 00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:51.413
  • And when he was arrested, they lost their minds.
  • 00:13:51.413 --> 00:13:56.085
  • But it isn't just a battle over law and order.
  • 00:13:56.085 --> 00:13:59.421
  • There's a spiritual battle unfolding.
  • 00:13:59.421 --> 00:14:03.726
  • I read this week that the durham city council, a city in north
  • 00:14:03.726 --> 00:14:06.428
  • Carolina, passed a resolution this past tuesday on a unanimous
  • 00:14:06.428 --> 00:14:11.433
  • Vote to shield city workers against raids and arrests
  • 00:14:11.433 --> 00:14:14.270
  • Carried out by the federal officials.
  • 00:14:14.270 --> 00:14:16.005
  • They said it's a fourth amendment issue.
  • 00:14:16.005 --> 00:14:19.608
  • Some of you may not be constitutional scholars,
  • 00:14:19.608 --> 00:14:22.945
  • Neither am i.
  • 00:14:22.945 --> 00:14:24.513
  • The fourth amendment protects citizens against
  • 00:14:24.513 --> 00:14:27.549
  • Unreasonable search and arrest.
  • 00:14:27.549 --> 00:14:31.153
  • So we had a city in north carolina--
  • 00:14:31.153 --> 00:14:33.155
  • I mean, not like the lunatic fringe of our country.
  • 00:14:33.155 --> 00:14:38.494
  • And they voted unanimously to say that ice was not welcome in
  • 00:14:38.494 --> 00:14:42.932
  • Their city because, if they came, they would be violating
  • 00:14:42.932 --> 00:14:46.335
  • The fourth amendment.
  • 00:14:46.335 --> 00:14:47.703
  • And the fourth amendment says citizens of this nation are
  • 00:14:47.703 --> 00:14:50.572
  • Protected against unlawful search and seizure.
  • 00:14:50.572 --> 00:14:54.143
  • And they're imputing the privileges of citizens to people
  • 00:14:54.143 --> 00:14:58.447
  • Who are here illegally.
  • 00:14:58.447 --> 00:15:01.183
  • That is the definition of lawlessness.
  • 00:15:01.183 --> 00:15:05.054
  • And it's wrapped up in words like compassion and mercy.
  • 00:15:05.054 --> 00:15:08.490
  • It's not!
  • 00:15:08.490 --> 00:15:11.994
  • It's no more unfair than if you make withdrawals from a bank and
  • 00:15:11.994 --> 00:15:17.900
  • You're not a depositor.
  • 00:15:17.900 --> 00:15:23.739
  • Think about that for a minute.
  • 00:15:23.739 --> 00:15:26.842
  • The resources of the bank come from the people who have signed
  • 00:15:26.842 --> 00:15:29.945
  • Their name, made a deposit.
  • 00:15:29.945 --> 00:15:31.580
  • That is the financial basis of the institution.
  • 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:35.551
  • And if you're not a depositor, you have no claim on
  • 00:15:35.551 --> 00:15:38.153
  • The resources.
  • 00:15:38.153 --> 00:15:40.389
  • Well, citizens make the sacrifices to defend,
  • 00:15:40.389 --> 00:15:43.659
  • To protect.
  • 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:45.361
  • It's not a legal issue, and the thin blue line of law
  • 00:15:45.361 --> 00:15:48.263
  • Enforcement doesn't keep us safe.
  • 00:15:48.263 --> 00:15:49.798
  • The character of citizens keeps us safe.
  • 00:15:49.798 --> 00:15:53.836
  • We're the ones that have fought in the war--of all the things.
  • 00:15:53.836 --> 00:15:58.640
  • And we are so addled that they're using moral arguments
  • 00:15:58.640 --> 00:16:02.111
  • 'cause the church is so inept.
  • 00:16:02.111 --> 00:16:04.646
  • We have district attorneys, people elected to enforce the
  • 00:16:04.646 --> 00:16:07.082
  • Law in our major cities that will not.
  • 00:16:07.082 --> 00:16:11.086
  • Federal judges attempting to dictate national policies.
  • 00:16:11.086 --> 00:16:15.024
  • Federal regional judges trying to dictate national policies,
  • 00:16:15.024 --> 00:16:18.394
  • Even after the supreme court said, "you should not do that."
  • 00:16:18.394 --> 00:16:24.166
  • I could go on and on, expressions of lawlessness
  • 00:16:24.166 --> 00:16:27.269
  • Amongst us.
  • 00:16:27.269 --> 00:16:28.604
  • And this isn't some other part of the country.
  • 00:16:28.604 --> 00:16:29.972
  • Nashville is one of the more violent cities in the nation--
  • 00:16:29.972 --> 00:16:33.409
  • Depending on the list you read, easily in the top 20,
  • 00:16:33.409 --> 00:16:36.345
  • Rates higher than that on some of the lists.
  • 00:16:36.345 --> 00:16:39.715
  • Which leads me to the second trend: violence.
  • 00:16:39.715 --> 00:16:42.584
  • It's exploding.
  • 00:16:42.584 --> 00:16:44.086
  • For all of our conversations about safety and security
  • 00:16:44.086 --> 00:16:46.688
  • And protecting our children, our kids aren't more safe.
  • 00:16:46.688 --> 00:16:50.125
  • I mean, i realized i'm so old
  • 00:16:50.125 --> 00:16:51.493
  • I walked to school when dinosaurs were a concern, but
  • 00:16:51.493 --> 00:16:55.197
  • Nevertheless, i used to walk to school several blocks and nobody
  • 00:16:55.197 --> 00:16:58.333
  • Was concerned for my safety.
  • 00:16:58.333 --> 00:16:59.668
  • And i wasn't alone.
  • 00:16:59.668 --> 00:17:01.036
  • There were lots of kids walking to school.
  • 00:17:01.036 --> 00:17:05.107
  • For all of our chatter and all of our prattling on, we're not
  • 00:17:05.107 --> 00:17:08.010
  • More safe.
  • 00:17:08.010 --> 00:17:11.413
  • It's uncomfortable, we don't like to talk about it, we don't
  • 00:17:11.413 --> 00:17:13.449
  • Wanna look at it.
  • 00:17:13.449 --> 00:17:17.186
  • Chicago, labor day weekend, 58 people were shot and
  • 00:17:17.186 --> 00:17:21.190
  • Eight killed.
  • 00:17:21.190 --> 00:17:24.426
  • And the mayor of chicago and the governor of illinois said, "we
  • 00:17:24.426 --> 00:17:27.729
  • Don't want any help, we got this.
  • 00:17:27.729 --> 00:17:30.566
  • Stay away from us."
  • 00:17:30.566 --> 00:17:35.437
  • Greed, graft, corruption--
  • 00:17:35.437 --> 00:17:38.774
  • It's another set of characteristics that we're told
  • 00:17:38.774 --> 00:17:40.676
  • Were ahead of us.
  • 00:17:40.676 --> 00:17:43.645
  • You know, we started the year with doge
  • 00:17:43.645 --> 00:17:45.414
  • Doing what they do.
  • 00:17:45.414 --> 00:17:46.915
  • It was so awkward they had to quit giving us the reports.
  • 00:17:46.915 --> 00:17:50.519
  • Billions and billions of dollars being siphoned off.
  • 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:55.124
  • Dozens and dozens and dozens of politicians who make relatively
  • 00:17:55.124 --> 00:17:59.094
  • Normal wages become fabulously wealthy in short periods
  • 00:17:59.094 --> 00:18:02.197
  • Of time.
  • 00:18:02.197 --> 00:18:04.566
  • They become genius in the market.
  • 00:18:04.566 --> 00:18:06.135
  • I don't know where the--how they do it.
  • 00:18:06.135 --> 00:18:08.937
  • Three of the wealthiest counties in america surround the district
  • 00:18:08.937 --> 00:18:12.674
  • Of columbia.
  • 00:18:12.674 --> 00:18:16.345
  • And we become so climatized to it, we become so accustomed
  • 00:18:16.345 --> 00:18:21.083
  • To it.
  • 00:18:21.083 --> 00:18:22.417
  • We go, oh, that's just how that works.
  • 00:18:22.417 --> 00:18:24.019
  • No, that's not how that should work.
  • 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:26.588
  • That hasn't been our pattern throughout our history.
  • 00:18:26.588 --> 00:18:30.225
  • It's a fracture in our character.
  • 00:18:30.225 --> 00:18:36.698
  • Intolerance.
  • 00:18:36.698 --> 00:18:38.033
  • For all of our language around intolerance,
  • 00:18:38.033 --> 00:18:41.170
  • We're more intolerant than we've ever been.
  • 00:18:41.170 --> 00:18:42.804
  • We're intolerant of discipline.
  • 00:18:42.804 --> 00:18:45.174
  • We do not intend disci--"we will work from home in our pajamas
  • 00:18:45.174 --> 00:18:51.346
  • And be far more productive than when we actually got up and
  • 00:18:51.346 --> 00:18:54.216
  • Washed our hair."
  • 00:18:54.216 --> 00:18:57.252
  • We're intolerant of moral boundaries.
  • 00:18:57.252 --> 00:18:59.655
  • "how dare you say that my behavior is immoral."
  • 00:18:59.655 --> 00:19:03.725
  • Well, i'm not really saying it.
  • 00:19:03.725 --> 00:19:05.093
  • I'm reflecting what the lord said to us, and we're trying to
  • 00:19:05.093 --> 00:19:07.296
  • Comply with that.
  • 00:19:07.296 --> 00:19:08.630
  • "well, who said god had an opinion?"
  • 00:19:08.630 --> 00:19:12.034
  • Well, he created us.
  • 00:19:12.034 --> 00:19:13.368
  • We're intolerant of authority.
  • 00:19:13.368 --> 00:19:15.037
  • We disrespect symbols of authority in ways we've never
  • 00:19:15.037 --> 00:19:17.773
  • Seen before.
  • 00:19:17.773 --> 00:19:22.110
  • Simple things.
  • 00:19:22.110 --> 00:19:23.445
  • We disrespect the flag.
  • 00:19:23.445 --> 00:19:25.814
  • We disrespect the national anthem.
  • 00:19:25.814 --> 00:19:28.717
  • I'm tired of multimillionaire athletes disrespecting the
  • 00:19:28.717 --> 00:19:32.120
  • Fundamental expressions of authority in our nation that
  • 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:34.656
  • Made them wealthy.
  • 00:19:34.656 --> 00:19:36.058
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:19:36.058 --> 00:19:42.197
  • We're focused on our personal rights.
  • 00:19:43.765 --> 00:19:48.070
  • Our personal preferences have transcended almost everything.
  • 00:19:48.070 --> 00:19:51.873
  • All of it's an expression of intolerance.
  • 00:19:51.873 --> 00:19:53.342
  • We want to do what we want
  • 00:19:53.342 --> 00:19:54.710
  • When we want the way we want it,
  • 00:19:54.710 --> 00:19:56.044
  • And we're intolerant of anything else.
  • 00:19:56.044 --> 00:19:59.014
  • Deception is increasing.
  • 00:19:59.014 --> 00:20:01.216
  • I read a report this week from the barna research group.
  • 00:20:01.216 --> 00:20:03.952
  • Some of you may know dr. barna. it was unsettling.
  • 00:20:03.952 --> 00:20:08.156
  • For a long time, i've called him chicken little 'cause whenever i
  • 00:20:08.156 --> 00:20:10.425
  • Read his reports, it feels like the sky is falling, but he said
  • 00:20:10.425 --> 00:20:13.395
  • Only 52% of americans believe that they sin.
  • 00:20:13.395 --> 00:20:17.566
  • That's about half of americans say they don't sin.
  • 00:20:17.566 --> 00:20:23.438
  • Sin's no longer fashionable.
  • 00:20:23.438 --> 00:20:26.475
  • But the deception isn't limited to just the secular voices in
  • 00:20:26.475 --> 00:20:29.544
  • Our culture.
  • 00:20:29.544 --> 00:20:30.912
  • Multitudes of churches, entire denominations promote marriage
  • 00:20:30.912 --> 00:20:34.116
  • Profiles other than the biblical directive of a man and a woman.
  • 00:20:34.116 --> 00:20:38.020
  • Or they deny the uniqueness of jesus and say there's many ways
  • 00:20:38.020 --> 00:20:40.622
  • To get to know god.
  • 00:20:40.622 --> 00:20:43.592
  • And we see it in broader, bolder ways, more brazen ways,
  • 00:20:43.592 --> 00:20:46.995
  • Public lies.
  • 00:20:46.995 --> 00:20:48.430
  • We lived for months and months, years, with the notion of a
  • 00:20:48.430 --> 00:20:50.932
  • Russian collusion to dominate our elections and manipulate the
  • 00:20:50.932 --> 00:20:54.936
  • People involved.
  • 00:20:54.936 --> 00:20:56.305
  • And after years of drama in the media, drum beat echoing it day
  • 00:20:56.305 --> 00:21:00.609
  • After day, getting pulitzer prizes for it, it was all proven
  • 00:21:00.609 --> 00:21:06.181
  • To be a political scheme.
  • 00:21:06.181 --> 00:21:10.419
  • Nobody apologizes or repents.
  • 00:21:10.419 --> 00:21:13.755
  • We just move on to the next, and we've started to accept
  • 00:21:13.755 --> 00:21:16.992
  • Deception in broad scale.
  • 00:21:16.992 --> 00:21:19.795
  • "well, everybody does it."
  • 00:21:19.795 --> 00:21:21.163
  • No, they don't.
  • 00:21:21.163 --> 00:21:23.565
  • And we shouldn't be surprised.
  • 00:21:23.565 --> 00:21:24.900
  • It wasn't too long ago we had a major league baseball team that
  • 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:26.868
  • Cheated their way all the way through the world series.
  • 00:21:26.868 --> 00:21:30.806
  • And we got done with that.
  • 00:21:30.806 --> 00:21:32.174
  • Everybody shrugged their shoulders.
  • 00:21:32.174 --> 00:21:33.508
  • "well, you know, it's baseball.
  • 00:21:33.508 --> 00:21:35.043
  • Only cheats and liars and thieves play baseball?
  • 00:21:35.043 --> 00:21:40.082
  • You see, we should see it, it's demonstrated so broadly, so
  • 00:21:40.082 --> 00:21:43.585
  • Consistently that we shrug our shoulders, and the church gets
  • 00:21:43.585 --> 00:21:47.189
  • Swept along.
  • 00:21:47.189 --> 00:21:49.691
  • There's other characteristics: perversion,
  • 00:21:49.691 --> 00:21:53.395
  • Sexualizing small children, defending the practice as a
  • 00:21:53.395 --> 00:21:56.064
  • Matter of free speech, that's evil.
  • 00:21:56.064 --> 00:22:00.035
  • And this isn't some distant struggle.
  • 00:22:00.035 --> 00:22:01.636
  • We've wrestled with it in our own community.
  • 00:22:01.636 --> 00:22:04.172
  • "well, you're in favor of banning books."
  • 00:22:04.172 --> 00:22:05.574
  • No, i'm in favor of age appropriate learning.
  • 00:22:05.574 --> 00:22:08.977
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:22:08.977 --> 00:22:12.681
  • And it's the reason we have no heart for it, no stomach for it
  • 00:22:12.681 --> 00:22:15.851
  • At that level is we're tolerating it in a much broader
  • 00:22:15.851 --> 00:22:18.086
  • Ways, whether it's epstein or diddy.
  • 00:22:18.086 --> 00:22:21.289
  • Folks, it's been amongst us for a long time.
  • 00:22:21.289 --> 00:22:24.793
  • Perversion, there were 400,000 children brought illegally
  • 00:22:24.793 --> 00:22:27.329
  • Across our border in the last four years and
  • 00:22:27.329 --> 00:22:29.297
  • They've disappeared.
  • 00:22:29.297 --> 00:22:30.632
  • Four hundred thousand children.
  • 00:22:30.632 --> 00:22:34.136
  • Debauchery, it's a fancy word.
  • 00:22:34.136 --> 00:22:38.740
  • Had to look it up to be sure i really knew what i was
  • 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:40.609
  • Talking about.
  • 00:22:40.609 --> 00:22:42.244
  • It comes from a greek word that means wastefulness or
  • 00:22:42.244 --> 00:22:46.047
  • Unrestrained living.
  • 00:22:46.047 --> 00:22:49.151
  • Pretty good description.
  • 00:22:49.151 --> 00:22:51.586
  • We don't want any limits.
  • 00:22:51.586 --> 00:22:53.789
  • We watch celebrities.
  • 00:22:53.789 --> 00:22:55.757
  • We watch their postings or social media.
  • 00:22:55.757 --> 00:22:57.526
  • We wanna live like that.
  • 00:22:57.526 --> 00:22:59.861
  • We want our behaviors to look like that.
  • 00:22:59.861 --> 00:23:02.764
  • We want the trappings of our lives to look like that.
  • 00:23:02.764 --> 00:23:06.735
  • What if we decided we wanted to be godly?
  • 00:23:06.735 --> 00:23:10.105
  • What if we decided to begin to accept god's valuation?
  • 00:23:10.105 --> 00:23:14.009
  • What if we began to celebrate things like a meek and
  • 00:23:14.009 --> 00:23:15.977
  • Quiet spirit?
  • 00:23:15.977 --> 00:23:18.280
  • What if we said the things that this current culture values,
  • 00:23:18.280 --> 00:23:21.082
  • God considers detestable and that we wouldn't sacrifice our
  • 00:23:21.082 --> 00:23:24.953
  • Soul for them?
  • 00:23:24.953 --> 00:23:26.822
  • What if we began to invite the power of god into our lives?
  • 00:23:26.822 --> 00:23:33.528
  • I believe god is not only interested, i believe he has the
  • 00:23:33.528 --> 00:23:38.266
  • Intent of doing that,
  • 00:23:38.266 --> 00:23:39.601
  • That he's looking for men and women to participate with him.
  • 00:23:39.601 --> 00:23:44.940
  • I'm out of time.
  • 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:47.676
  • The key to it is the presence of his spirit.
  • 00:23:47.676 --> 00:23:51.046
  • And i'm gonna spend the next several sessions with you
  • 00:23:51.046 --> 00:23:53.148
  • Talking about how we can open our lives to the spirit of god
  • 00:23:53.148 --> 00:23:55.851
  • More fully and we can cooperate with him
  • 00:23:55.851 --> 00:24:01.990
  • So that we don't imagine that our savior is coming through a
  • 00:24:01.990 --> 00:24:05.660
  • Political party.
  • 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:07.295
  • I'm grateful for politicians who stand up for
  • 00:24:07.295 --> 00:24:09.064
  • Biblical worldviews.
  • 00:24:09.064 --> 00:24:11.833
  • God will use the most unlikely characters.
  • 00:24:11.833 --> 00:24:13.535
  • We've witnessed that.
  • 00:24:13.535 --> 00:24:16.204
  • They have a courage for biblical values and biblical things that
  • 00:24:16.204 --> 00:24:19.774
  • Leaders that we've chosen who had a lot--much lengthier church
  • 00:24:19.774 --> 00:24:22.777
  • Resumes were unwilling to do.
  • 00:24:22.777 --> 00:24:26.314
  • It's stunning to me.
  • 00:24:26.314 --> 00:24:28.416
  • But i'll celebrate the grace and mercy of god we can receive.
  • 00:24:28.416 --> 00:24:33.321
  • But at the end of the day, the church needs to be the church.
  • 00:24:33.321 --> 00:24:36.725
  • Again, i like to learn.
  • 00:24:36.725 --> 00:24:38.093
  • I'm happy to have a study, but the point of the study is the
  • 00:24:38.093 --> 00:24:40.095
  • Objective of being transformed.
  • 00:24:40.095 --> 00:24:41.730
  • We need freedom.
  • 00:24:41.730 --> 00:24:44.099
  • We need freedom from darkness.
  • 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.634
  • We need freedom from the spiritual forces of wickedness
  • 00:24:45.634 --> 00:24:48.703
  • That challenge us.
  • 00:24:48.703 --> 00:24:50.205
  • We've got to bring the truth back into our homes.
  • 00:24:50.205 --> 00:24:52.040
  • We've got to rear our children with a different set of values
  • 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:54.042
  • In a secular culture.
  • 00:24:54.042 --> 00:24:56.278
  • If you live like the devil, but you say a prayer before you
  • 00:24:56.278 --> 00:24:58.680
  • Start to live, that doesn't make you a christian.
  • 00:24:58.680 --> 00:25:05.487
  • It's time for a realignment.
  • 00:25:05.487 --> 00:25:06.855
  • I brought you a prayer.
  • 00:25:06.855 --> 00:25:08.890
  • Just stand with me, if you will, we're gonna read it together.
  • 00:25:08.890 --> 00:25:20.001
  • Did you find it?
  • 00:25:23.405 --> 00:25:25.507
  • "heavenly father, thank you for sending your spirit into the
  • 00:25:25.507 --> 00:25:28.977
  • Earth, for his presence within me.
  • 00:25:28.977 --> 00:25:32.180
  • Grant me an understanding heart that i may cooperate fully
  • 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:35.951
  • With him.
  • 00:25:35.951 --> 00:25:37.285
  • Holy spirit direct my steps that i may fulfill that for which i
  • 00:25:37.285 --> 00:25:41.823
  • Was created.
  • 00:25:41.823 --> 00:25:43.358
  • Lead me in paths of righteousness and deliver me
  • 00:25:43.358 --> 00:25:46.494
  • From evil.
  • 00:25:46.494 --> 00:25:47.829
  • Open my eyes to understand the fullness of my redemption.
  • 00:25:47.829 --> 00:25:52.267
  • May jesus be glorified through my life, amen."
  • 00:25:52.267 --> 00:25:57.005
  • Hallelujah. god bless you.
  • 00:25:57.005 --> 00:25:59.574
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:25:59.574 --> 00:26:08.550
  • Allen: you know, i'm so grateful i've had a few minutes
  • 00:26:08.550 --> 00:26:10.285
  • With you today.
  • 00:26:10.285 --> 00:26:11.620
  • These opportunities to open the word of god and open our lives
  • 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:14.089
  • And invite god into the midst of it, they're transformational.
  • 00:26:14.089 --> 00:26:17.392
  • I've learned to never take them for granted.
  • 00:26:17.392 --> 00:26:19.127
  • I used to imagine that they were unlimited, that we could do
  • 00:26:19.127 --> 00:26:21.563
  • It forever.
  • 00:26:21.563 --> 00:26:22.897
  • Every time i have an opportunity to talk with a friend and make a
  • 00:26:22.897 --> 00:26:25.767
  • Journey through the word of god for a bit, i think it's
  • 00:26:25.767 --> 00:26:28.703
  • Something precious.
  • 00:26:28.703 --> 00:26:30.038
  • It's a gift from god.
  • 00:26:30.038 --> 00:26:31.406
  • I'm grateful we had this time together.
  • 00:26:31.406 --> 00:26:32.741
  • I've got a new book.
  • 00:26:32.741 --> 00:26:34.075
  • It's called "my friend jesus."
  • 00:26:34.075 --> 00:26:35.777
  • It's the culmination of years of my own spiritual journey, kind
  • 00:26:35.777 --> 00:26:38.747
  • Of peeling away the formality of theology and ritual and routine
  • 00:26:38.747 --> 00:26:42.484
  • And opening the heart of what it means to be a
  • 00:26:42.484 --> 00:26:44.552
  • Christ follower.
  • 00:26:44.552 --> 00:26:45.887
  • I wanna live as jesus's friend.
  • 00:26:45.887 --> 00:26:47.455
  • When i'm in trouble, i call my friends.
  • 00:26:47.455 --> 00:26:49.591
  • When they're in trouble and i can help, it's the delight of
  • 00:26:49.591 --> 00:26:51.760
  • My life.
  • 00:26:51.760 --> 00:26:53.094
  • Well, i wanna pray with you.
  • 00:26:53.094 --> 00:26:54.462
  • Let's invite my friend jesus into the midst of our world.
  • 00:26:54.462 --> 00:26:56.831
  • He changes everything.
  • 00:26:56.831 --> 00:26:58.633
  • Heavenly father, i thank you that you love us, that you sent
  • 00:26:58.633 --> 00:27:00.869
  • Your son.
  • 00:27:00.869 --> 00:27:02.237
  • We need his help, his strength, his wisdom.
  • 00:27:02.237 --> 00:27:04.239
  • Open our hearts to know him as we've never known him before.
  • 00:27:04.239 --> 00:27:07.342
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:07.342 --> 00:27:27.262