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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - God's Provision, His Powerful Spirit (Part 2)

October 1, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - God's Provision, His Powerful Spirit (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Provision #SpiritualGrowth #Reward #Blessing #Redemption #Strength

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - God's Provision, His Powerful Spirit (Part 2) | October 1, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.316
  • Allen jackson: hey, i've got a new book.
  • 00:00:06.722 --> 00:00:08.057
  • I think it'll be a blessing.
  • 00:00:08.057 --> 00:00:09.425
  • It's "my friend jesus."
  • 00:00:09.425 --> 00:00:10.993
  • You know, i've had the privilege of a good education, a lot of
  • 00:00:10.993 --> 00:00:13.228
  • Formal training, years in church world.
  • 00:00:13.228 --> 00:00:15.731
  • I've learned big words and definitions and
  • 00:00:15.731 --> 00:00:17.933
  • Formal dialogues.
  • 00:00:17.933 --> 00:00:19.568
  • I wanna peel all that back.
  • 00:00:19.568 --> 00:00:20.936
  • At the end of the day, i wanna live my life as jesus's friend.
  • 00:00:20.936 --> 00:00:24.473
  • I want to trust him with who i am, with what i'm doing.
  • 00:00:24.473 --> 00:00:26.642
  • I wanna invite him into the circumstances.
  • 00:00:26.642 --> 00:00:28.911
  • I want his opinion. i want his perspective.
  • 00:00:28.911 --> 00:00:30.612
  • I need his help a lot of times.
  • 00:00:30.612 --> 00:00:32.548
  • I'm not trying to hide anything or compartmentalize anything.
  • 00:00:32.548 --> 00:00:35.684
  • I wanna live my life as jesus's friend.
  • 00:00:35.684 --> 00:00:38.654
  • I've talked about it, i've preached about it,
  • 00:00:38.654 --> 00:00:40.289
  • And now i've written about it, and the
  • 00:00:40.289 --> 00:00:42.224
  • Real goal is to help jesus become your friend in a new way.
  • 00:00:42.224 --> 00:00:45.894
  • I wanna talk about more than going to heaven or being saved
  • 00:00:45.894 --> 00:00:48.564
  • Or being good or keeping the rules.
  • 00:00:48.564 --> 00:00:51.533
  • I just wanna be jesus's friend.
  • 00:00:51.533 --> 00:00:53.769
  • I believe that's the best lane in life.
  • 00:00:53.769 --> 00:00:56.138
  • I think it's the best opportunities.
  • 00:00:56.138 --> 00:00:57.606
  • It's the most fulfilling, the most rewarding.
  • 00:00:57.606 --> 00:01:00.275
  • My hope is the book will change your faith and give a new
  • 00:01:00.275 --> 00:01:03.445
  • Momentum to your own spiritual life.
  • 00:01:03.445 --> 00:01:05.714
  • I believe it'll be a blessing.
  • 00:01:05.714 --> 00:01:07.082
  • Allen: god is moving in the earth.
  • 00:01:08.050 --> 00:01:10.452
  • God is redeeming and restoring, and the provision he's given us,
  • 00:01:10.452 --> 00:01:14.790
  • It was hinted at, it was in colossians, the passage, but i
  • 00:01:14.790 --> 00:01:18.527
  • Want to take the balance of our time and look at the tools we've
  • 00:01:18.527 --> 00:01:21.029
  • Been given.
  • 00:01:21.029 --> 00:01:22.397
  • There is power available for our transformation.
  • 00:01:22.397 --> 00:01:24.967
  • It's not a matter of a force of our will or the strength of our
  • 00:01:24.967 --> 00:01:27.903
  • Character or our learning ability or our iq.
  • 00:01:27.903 --> 00:01:31.173
  • God's power is available to help us be transformed.
  • 00:01:31.173 --> 00:01:34.843
  • In 1 corinthians chapter 12, paul's writing to a church, and
  • 00:01:34.843 --> 00:01:38.580
  • He says, "now about spiritual gifts, brothers, i don't want
  • 00:01:38.580 --> 00:01:40.983
  • You to be ignorant."
  • 00:01:40.983 --> 00:01:42.484
  • One more language study for just a minute.
  • 00:01:42.484 --> 00:01:44.186
  • In the greek language, the word gift is not there.
  • 00:01:44.186 --> 00:01:46.655
  • If you read one of the older translations, gifts will be in
  • 00:01:46.655 --> 00:01:49.091
  • Italics, like the king james, for instance.
  • 00:01:49.091 --> 00:01:51.760
  • What that tells you is it was added by the editor.
  • 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:55.164
  • There's a greek noun, spirituals, but we don't have
  • 00:01:55.164 --> 00:01:58.534
  • The equivalent of that in english.
  • 00:01:58.534 --> 00:02:00.869
  • So when they were translating from greek into english, they
  • 00:02:00.869 --> 00:02:02.971
  • Needed a way for the sentence to make more sense, to be
  • 00:02:02.971 --> 00:02:06.341
  • Understandable, so they inserted the word gift.
  • 00:02:06.341 --> 00:02:08.310
  • It's a normal pattern in translation, but i don't think
  • 00:02:08.310 --> 00:02:12.114
  • It adequately describes what we're about to read because a
  • 00:02:12.114 --> 00:02:14.616
  • Gift is something that i give you.
  • 00:02:14.616 --> 00:02:17.519
  • If i decided that i was gonna gift my bible to somebody, then
  • 00:02:17.519 --> 00:02:21.223
  • I said to coach, here, you can have my bible.
  • 00:02:21.223 --> 00:02:23.759
  • You can't, but just for the illustration.
  • 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:27.696
  • Then it's his bible.
  • 00:02:27.696 --> 00:02:29.031
  • It's not my bible anymore.
  • 00:02:29.031 --> 00:02:30.365
  • If he wants to use it to start a fire this afternoon, i
  • 00:02:30.365 --> 00:02:32.100
  • Don't care.
  • 00:02:32.100 --> 00:02:33.435
  • It's his bible.
  • 00:02:33.435 --> 00:02:35.170
  • If he wants to commemorate it because it's pastor's bible,
  • 00:02:35.170 --> 00:02:37.839
  • That's--it's just not--i gave it to him.
  • 00:02:37.839 --> 00:02:39.641
  • It's a gift.
  • 00:02:39.641 --> 00:02:41.009
  • He can do whatever he wants to with it.
  • 00:02:41.009 --> 00:02:42.544
  • Thank you, illustration's over, and i don't believe that's the
  • 00:02:42.544 --> 00:02:47.282
  • Intent of this passage because we--what paul's getting ready to
  • 00:02:47.282 --> 00:02:51.620
  • Talk to the church about is the presence of the spirit of god in
  • 00:02:51.620 --> 00:02:54.122
  • Their midst, and i don't believe we control the spirit of god.
  • 00:02:54.122 --> 00:02:59.761
  • We don't manipulate him.
  • 00:02:59.761 --> 00:03:01.096
  • In fact, if you see someone and the implication is or the
  • 00:03:01.096 --> 00:03:04.066
  • Appearance is they're manipulating the holy spirit,
  • 00:03:04.066 --> 00:03:06.001
  • Just smile, turn around, and sprint the other direction.
  • 00:03:06.001 --> 00:03:08.503
  • But he says, "about spiritual gifts, i don't want you to
  • 00:03:12.407 --> 00:03:14.476
  • Be ignorant."
  • 00:03:14.476 --> 00:03:15.811
  • Now, again, that's very plain language.
  • 00:03:15.811 --> 00:03:17.145
  • If you're ignorant about the spirit of god and the gifts of
  • 00:03:17.145 --> 00:03:18.747
  • The spirit, you are ignoring the counsel of scripture.
  • 00:03:18.747 --> 00:03:21.783
  • You can't afford to be ignorant.
  • 00:03:21.783 --> 00:03:23.485
  • Let's read on.
  • 00:03:26.888 --> 00:03:28.657
  • "there are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit.
  • 00:03:28.657 --> 00:03:31.760
  • There are different kinds of service, but the same lord.
  • 00:03:31.760 --> 00:03:33.895
  • There are different kinds of working, but the same god works
  • 00:03:33.895 --> 00:03:36.431
  • All of them in all men."
  • 00:03:36.431 --> 00:03:37.799
  • The focus is on what god is doing, not what we do.
  • 00:03:37.799 --> 00:03:41.870
  • "now to each one the manifestation of the spirit is
  • 00:03:41.870 --> 00:03:44.506
  • Given for the common good."
  • 00:03:44.506 --> 00:03:46.341
  • If i had to choose a key word for this passage, and i did
  • 00:03:46.341 --> 00:03:49.011
  • Since i put the outline together,
  • 00:03:49.011 --> 00:03:51.580
  • I think the key word is manifestation.
  • 00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:53.749
  • I think it's the best meaning of what's being discussed.
  • 00:03:53.749 --> 00:03:56.652
  • For something to be manifest is to be made apparent, to be
  • 00:03:56.652 --> 00:03:59.554
  • Made visible, to be brought into your awareness.
  • 00:03:59.554 --> 00:04:02.591
  • So what's being discussed is how does the presence of the spirit
  • 00:04:02.591 --> 00:04:05.294
  • Of god made manifest in the midst of the people of god?
  • 00:04:05.294 --> 00:04:09.197
  • How do you become aware of the spirit of god?
  • 00:04:09.197 --> 00:04:12.301
  • Again, we have lots of language, but very little intent.
  • 00:04:12.301 --> 00:04:18.340
  • Lots of high, high, high language, flowery language, and
  • 00:04:18.340 --> 00:04:22.444
  • It gets worse the more theology you study.
  • 00:04:22.444 --> 00:04:25.047
  • Lots of language, but very little intent.
  • 00:04:25.047 --> 00:04:28.417
  • Well, i intend to cooperate with the spirit of god.
  • 00:04:28.417 --> 00:04:33.722
  • If it makes me look silly in some settings, i'm just good
  • 00:04:33.722 --> 00:04:36.892
  • With being silly.
  • 00:04:36.892 --> 00:04:38.794
  • If it means a certain group of people think i'm a fanatic, so
  • 00:04:38.794 --> 00:04:41.596
  • Be it.
  • 00:04:41.596 --> 00:04:42.964
  • I've been called worse.
  • 00:04:42.964 --> 00:04:44.666
  • If i am set aside, mocked, or ridiculed because i want to
  • 00:04:44.666 --> 00:04:47.703
  • Align myself with what god is doing in the earth, i'm willing
  • 00:04:47.703 --> 00:04:51.306
  • To go walk that path.
  • 00:04:51.306 --> 00:04:54.776
  • Now, i'm not--i've told you all many times, you know, don't be
  • 00:04:54.776 --> 00:04:58.714
  • Silly and call it spiritual.
  • 00:04:58.714 --> 00:05:01.483
  • Don't be weird and call it spiritual.
  • 00:05:01.483 --> 00:05:02.918
  • You're just silly and weird.
  • 00:05:02.918 --> 00:05:04.252
  • You're not spiritual.
  • 00:05:04.252 --> 00:05:06.088
  • But you understand this principle.
  • 00:05:06.088 --> 00:05:07.622
  • If you're a ut fan, you don't care if it makes alabama fans
  • 00:05:07.622 --> 00:05:10.826
  • Mad or not.
  • 00:05:10.826 --> 00:05:12.361
  • Like, you kind of hope it does, 'cause they've already lost the
  • 00:05:12.361 --> 00:05:15.997
  • Game, and you'll applaud it in church.
  • 00:05:15.997 --> 00:05:21.903
  • You just outed yourselves.
  • 00:05:21.903 --> 00:05:23.672
  • So i'm not asking you for something that's not already a
  • 00:05:27.843 --> 00:05:30.812
  • Part of your response to life.
  • 00:05:30.812 --> 00:05:32.681
  • I'm asking you to elevate the things of god to a place where
  • 00:05:32.681 --> 00:05:35.784
  • You let them become identifying characteristics.
  • 00:05:35.784 --> 00:05:40.455
  • "about spiritual gifts, i don't want you to be ignorant."
  • 00:05:40.455 --> 00:05:43.392
  • And then it's gonna give us a list.
  • 00:05:43.392 --> 00:05:44.960
  • "now to each one the manifestation of the spirit is
  • 00:05:48.296 --> 00:05:50.832
  • Given for the common good."
  • 00:05:50.832 --> 00:05:53.769
  • Why does the spirit made evident amongst us?
  • 00:05:53.769 --> 00:05:56.571
  • For the common good.
  • 00:05:56.571 --> 00:05:57.939
  • There's a benefit to all of us in community.
  • 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:00.375
  • And then he's gonna list nine specific manifestations of
  • 00:06:00.375 --> 00:06:03.478
  • The spirit.
  • 00:06:03.478 --> 00:06:04.813
  • I'm not gonna unpack 'em in a lot of detail.
  • 00:06:04.813 --> 00:06:06.181
  • We'll do it in the--in some of the later sessions, but, "to one
  • 00:06:06.181 --> 00:06:09.284
  • There is given through the spirit the message of wisdom, to
  • 00:06:09.284 --> 00:06:13.355
  • Another the message of knowledge."
  • 00:06:13.355 --> 00:06:14.890
  • There's a difference in wisdom and knowledge.
  • 00:06:14.890 --> 00:06:16.458
  • Knowledge is a bit of insight that you wouldn't have if god
  • 00:06:16.458 --> 00:06:20.128
  • Didn't make it real to you.
  • 00:06:20.128 --> 00:06:21.496
  • We read a passage in the previous session about ananias
  • 00:06:21.496 --> 00:06:23.565
  • And sapphira.
  • 00:06:23.565 --> 00:06:24.933
  • They came to make an offering before the church, and peter was
  • 00:06:24.933 --> 00:06:27.169
  • The one they presented it to, and peter said to ananias,
  • 00:06:27.169 --> 00:06:30.505
  • "you're not telling the truth."
  • 00:06:30.505 --> 00:06:33.542
  • Well, i don't think peter had done forensic accounting on
  • 00:06:33.542 --> 00:06:35.944
  • Ananias's personal business deals.
  • 00:06:35.944 --> 00:06:39.214
  • I think he had a word of knowledge from the lord, and god
  • 00:06:39.214 --> 00:06:45.520
  • Responded to that message being delivered in the midst of
  • 00:06:45.520 --> 00:06:47.522
  • The church.
  • 00:06:47.522 --> 00:06:48.857
  • It changed the attitude of the church.
  • 00:06:48.857 --> 00:06:50.225
  • It opened the church up more fully to what god could do in
  • 00:06:50.225 --> 00:06:52.260
  • Their midst.
  • 00:06:52.260 --> 00:06:54.996
  • "to another faith by the same spirit."
  • 00:06:54.996 --> 00:06:56.965
  • We're all given a measure of faith.
  • 00:06:56.965 --> 00:06:58.400
  • The bible says all of us have a measure of faith, but there's a
  • 00:06:58.400 --> 00:07:02.037
  • Manifestation of faith that god gives to people in times and
  • 00:07:02.037 --> 00:07:05.006
  • Places that they'll believe god can do something that most
  • 00:07:05.006 --> 00:07:07.776
  • People wouldn't believe he could do.
  • 00:07:07.776 --> 00:07:10.879
  • David, when he saw goliath, and he said, "oh no, i can do that."
  • 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:13.482
  • I don't believe that came just from david being a good slinger
  • 00:07:13.482 --> 00:07:15.917
  • Of stones.
  • 00:07:15.917 --> 00:07:17.719
  • God put something in his heart.
  • 00:07:17.719 --> 00:07:20.755
  • "to another gifts of healing by that one spirit."
  • 00:07:20.755 --> 00:07:23.225
  • So far, the only things have been repeated with each
  • 00:07:23.225 --> 00:07:25.794
  • Manifestation is the word spirit.
  • 00:07:25.794 --> 00:07:28.363
  • The emphasis is upon the presence of the spirit.
  • 00:07:28.363 --> 00:07:32.434
  • Gifts of healing is plural.
  • 00:07:32.434 --> 00:07:33.768
  • God heals in many ways. don't get weird.
  • 00:07:33.768 --> 00:07:36.705
  • I'm an advocate for science. i believe in doctors.
  • 00:07:36.705 --> 00:07:39.140
  • I'm grateful for all they can do, but god is ultimately
  • 00:07:39.140 --> 00:07:41.376
  • Our healer.
  • 00:07:41.376 --> 00:07:43.879
  • "to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another
  • 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:47.649
  • Distinguishing between spirits."
  • 00:07:47.649 --> 00:07:50.085
  • The old english is, "the discerning of spirits."
  • 00:07:50.085 --> 00:07:51.987
  • Folks, we need to be able to determine between a holy
  • 00:07:51.987 --> 00:07:54.923
  • Spirit and an unholy spirit.
  • 00:07:54.923 --> 00:07:57.692
  • You know, christians, they get tense.
  • 00:07:57.692 --> 00:07:59.394
  • There's often some intrigue in having conversations about
  • 00:07:59.394 --> 00:08:01.663
  • Demons and demonic activity.
  • 00:08:01.663 --> 00:08:03.565
  • I think it's far more important to be able to recognize what the
  • 00:08:03.565 --> 00:08:05.800
  • Holy spirit is doing.
  • 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:07.168
  • "to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and
  • 00:08:10.305 --> 00:08:12.407
  • To still another the interpretation of tongues."
  • 00:08:12.407 --> 00:08:15.443
  • Again, we'll come back to this in more detail, but speaking in
  • 00:08:15.443 --> 00:08:18.547
  • A language that you didn't learn is not a product of your
  • 00:08:18.547 --> 00:08:20.849
  • Intellect, and having an interpretation of that.
  • 00:08:20.849 --> 00:08:24.886
  • It's clearly a part of scripture.
  • 00:08:24.886 --> 00:08:28.823
  • I'll come back to that.
  • 00:08:28.823 --> 00:08:30.358
  • I believe it's biblical.
  • 00:08:30.358 --> 00:08:31.693
  • I believe god's still doing it today.
  • 00:08:31.693 --> 00:08:33.061
  • It's shaped my life.
  • 00:08:33.061 --> 00:08:34.429
  • "all of these are the work of one and the same spirit, and he
  • 00:08:34.429 --> 00:08:37.165
  • Gives them to each one, just as he determines."
  • 00:08:37.165 --> 00:08:41.202
  • Again, the emphasis is on the work and the person of the
  • 00:08:41.202 --> 00:08:43.872
  • Holy spirit.
  • 00:08:43.872 --> 00:08:45.206
  • He determines which of the gifts are made manifest.
  • 00:08:45.206 --> 00:08:48.977
  • He determines the timing.
  • 00:08:48.977 --> 00:08:51.446
  • He determines the outcome.
  • 00:08:51.446 --> 00:08:52.814
  • We don't do them.
  • 00:08:52.814 --> 00:08:54.149
  • They're not something we control.
  • 00:08:54.149 --> 00:08:55.517
  • It's not something we possess. it's not mine.
  • 00:08:55.517 --> 00:08:58.653
  • But we do have to make ourselves available.
  • 00:08:58.653 --> 00:09:00.755
  • One of the clear teachings--principles of
  • 00:09:00.755 --> 00:09:02.958
  • Scripture is that god doesn't force his will upon you.
  • 00:09:02.958 --> 00:09:08.229
  • He gave abraham and abram an invitation to leave his home and
  • 00:09:08.229 --> 00:09:11.099
  • To go to a country that he would show him, but abram had
  • 00:09:11.099 --> 00:09:13.335
  • To choose.
  • 00:09:13.335 --> 00:09:15.103
  • He gave peter an invitation, "follow me and i'll make you a
  • 00:09:15.103 --> 00:09:17.539
  • Fisher of men," but peter had to choose to follow.
  • 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:19.774
  • Not everybody said okay.
  • 00:09:19.774 --> 00:09:22.177
  • The rich, young ruler, when he was given a very similar
  • 00:09:22.177 --> 00:09:24.279
  • Invitation said, "no, i don't--that's uncomfortable.
  • 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:26.448
  • I don't think i can do that."
  • 00:09:26.448 --> 00:09:30.051
  • You see, we have to choose to cooperate with god, and again, i
  • 00:09:30.051 --> 00:09:33.254
  • Think the place we've had a deficit is we've lacked
  • 00:09:33.254 --> 00:09:35.357
  • The intent.
  • 00:09:35.357 --> 00:09:36.691
  • Maybe we lack the awareness.
  • 00:09:36.691 --> 00:09:38.493
  • I'm not trying to establish order.
  • 00:09:38.493 --> 00:09:39.928
  • I'm just telling you we haven't imagined it was necessary.
  • 00:09:39.928 --> 00:09:43.999
  • We thought we could study our way through and work our way
  • 00:09:43.999 --> 00:09:46.234
  • Through and appropriate, and i'm grateful.
  • 00:09:46.234 --> 00:09:48.303
  • I believe in all of those things, but they're
  • 00:09:48.303 --> 00:09:50.305
  • Not complete.
  • 00:09:50.305 --> 00:09:51.673
  • They won't deliver us from gross darkness.
  • 00:09:51.673 --> 00:09:53.942
  • There's a pretty significant initiative right now in our
  • 00:09:57.145 --> 00:09:58.980
  • Nation for the truth to be told, that things that have been
  • 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:00.882
  • Hidden in the shadows to be pulled into the light, and try
  • 00:10:00.882 --> 00:10:03.785
  • To get to clarity on things that have been desperately a part of
  • 00:10:03.785 --> 00:10:06.788
  • A very significant deceptive effort across all political
  • 00:10:06.788 --> 00:10:10.225
  • Boundaries, but whatever progress is made, it won't be
  • 00:10:10.225 --> 00:10:14.095
  • Held unless there's a fundamental change in the hearts
  • 00:10:14.095 --> 00:10:17.165
  • Of god's people.
  • 00:10:17.165 --> 00:10:21.703
  • Allen: hey, i've written a new book.
  • 00:10:25.540 --> 00:10:26.908
  • It's called "my friend jesus."
  • 00:10:26.908 --> 00:10:28.743
  • You know, i'm a pastor.
  • 00:10:28.743 --> 00:10:30.078
  • A lot of ritual, tradition.
  • 00:10:30.078 --> 00:10:31.813
  • A lot of formality in the way we know god.
  • 00:10:31.813 --> 00:10:34.349
  • It's not bad.
  • 00:10:34.349 --> 00:10:35.684
  • There's some good things in that, but when i'm in real
  • 00:10:35.684 --> 00:10:37.485
  • Trouble or i have something i wanna celebrate, i call
  • 00:10:37.485 --> 00:10:39.821
  • A friend.
  • 00:10:39.821 --> 00:10:41.156
  • Well, i wanna live my life with jesus of nazareth as my friend.
  • 00:10:41.156 --> 00:10:44.459
  • It changes everything, in both celebration and when there's
  • 00:10:44.459 --> 00:10:47.529
  • A problem.
  • 00:10:47.529 --> 00:10:48.897
  • I wrote the book to help.
  • 00:10:48.897 --> 00:10:50.231
  • I think it'll open your life to god in a more personal,
  • 00:10:50.231 --> 00:10:52.567
  • Transformational way than ever before.
  • 00:10:52.567 --> 00:10:55.103
  • Enjoy the book.
  • 00:10:55.103 --> 00:10:56.438
  • Female announcer: in his book "my friend jesus," pastor allen
  • 00:10:56.438 --> 00:10:58.907
  • Shares how friendship with jesus brings clarity, strength, and
  • 00:10:58.907 --> 00:11:02.343
  • Peace in every part of life.
  • 00:11:02.343 --> 00:11:04.345
  • This isn't about following a religion or religious rules.
  • 00:11:04.345 --> 00:11:07.582
  • It's about cultivating a cherished relationship that will
  • 00:11:07.582 --> 00:11:10.318
  • Help your faith become more personal, more joyful, and more
  • 00:11:10.318 --> 00:11:13.888
  • Powerful each day.
  • 00:11:13.888 --> 00:11:15.490
  • Request "my friend jesus" with your donation of $25 or more
  • 00:11:15.490 --> 00:11:19.394
  • Today at allenjackson.com, or by calling ...
  • 00:11:19.394 --> 00:11:25.900
  • Allen: i want to take the balance of our time, i've got a
  • 00:11:25.967 --> 00:11:27.802
  • Couple of minutes, and take that--those manifestations of
  • 00:11:27.802 --> 00:11:31.840
  • The spirit.
  • 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:33.174
  • The book of acts is the, is the--one historical book in the
  • 00:11:33.174 --> 00:11:35.977
  • New testament.
  • 00:11:35.977 --> 00:11:37.345
  • We've been reading the historical books in the old
  • 00:11:37.345 --> 00:11:38.780
  • Testament, samuel and kings and getting ready to chronicles, and
  • 00:11:38.780 --> 00:11:42.617
  • There's some others, but acts is the historical book of the new
  • 00:11:42.617 --> 00:11:45.854
  • Testament, and we get to follow--the gospels tell us
  • 00:11:45.854 --> 00:11:48.556
  • What--about jesus's life through his crucifixion and
  • 00:11:48.556 --> 00:11:51.960
  • His resurrection.
  • 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:53.294
  • The book of acts tells us that jesus went back to heaven in the
  • 00:11:53.294 --> 00:11:55.864
  • First chapter, and the balance of the 28 chapters is to show us
  • 00:11:55.864 --> 00:11:59.334
  • How jesus's friends behaved after the outpouring of the
  • 00:11:59.334 --> 00:12:02.537
  • Spirit of god.
  • 00:12:02.537 --> 00:12:04.606
  • I believe it's a pattern for you and me.
  • 00:12:04.606 --> 00:12:07.475
  • And in acts chapter 3, we're just gonna look at one event.
  • 00:12:07.475 --> 00:12:09.377
  • It's a bit of a case study.
  • 00:12:09.377 --> 00:12:10.712
  • We'll do it quickly.
  • 00:12:10.712 --> 00:12:12.080
  • "one day peter and john were going to the temple at the time
  • 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:13.815
  • Of prayer."
  • 00:12:13.815 --> 00:12:15.383
  • Good religious people, we call 'em christians at this point.
  • 00:12:15.383 --> 00:12:18.019
  • They believe jesus of nazareth is the messiah.
  • 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:20.021
  • They've accepted him as the lord.
  • 00:12:20.021 --> 00:12:21.356
  • They're going to the temple. it's time to pray.
  • 00:12:21.356 --> 00:12:22.891
  • We'd all sign off on that behavior.
  • 00:12:22.891 --> 00:12:26.094
  • "at three in the afternoon.
  • 00:12:26.094 --> 00:12:27.428
  • Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple
  • 00:12:27.428 --> 00:12:29.564
  • Gate called beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from
  • 00:12:29.564 --> 00:12:32.467
  • Those going into the temple.
  • 00:12:32.467 --> 00:12:33.835
  • And when peter and john--he asked them for money.
  • 00:12:33.835 --> 00:12:38.373
  • And peter looked straight at the man, as did john.
  • 00:12:38.373 --> 00:12:43.444
  • Said, 'look at us!'
  • 00:12:43.444 --> 00:12:44.779
  • And the man gave him his attention, expecting to get
  • 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:46.514
  • Something from him, and peter said, 'silver and gold i don't
  • 00:12:46.514 --> 00:12:49.951
  • Have, but what i have i give you, in the name of jesus of
  • 00:12:49.951 --> 00:12:52.353
  • Nazareth, walk.'"
  • 00:12:52.353 --> 00:12:53.922
  • Is there anything in that list of nine we just read that would
  • 00:12:57.225 --> 00:12:59.394
  • Correspond with that?
  • 00:12:59.394 --> 00:13:01.696
  • Maybe gifts of healing.
  • 00:13:01.696 --> 00:13:05.500
  • "and they took him by the right hand, and helped him up, and
  • 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:07.535
  • Instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.
  • 00:13:07.535 --> 00:13:09.704
  • And he jumped to his feet and he began to walk.
  • 00:13:09.704 --> 00:13:12.373
  • And he went with them into the temple courts, walking and
  • 00:13:12.373 --> 00:13:14.642
  • Jumping, and praising god."
  • 00:13:14.642 --> 00:13:17.178
  • And we're gonna read a little further, but i want to pause
  • 00:13:17.178 --> 00:13:19.314
  • There just a moment.
  • 00:13:19.314 --> 00:13:21.115
  • Gift of healing? working of miracles?
  • 00:13:21.115 --> 00:13:22.450
  • Honestly, i don't know.
  • 00:13:22.450 --> 00:13:23.785
  • I don't think we have enough information.
  • 00:13:23.785 --> 00:13:25.119
  • When i think of a gift of healing, i think it's when god
  • 00:13:25.119 --> 00:13:27.021
  • Accelerates something that our body is created to do naturally.
  • 00:13:27.021 --> 00:13:32.560
  • If you break a bone, your body's designed to heal if every--your
  • 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:35.597
  • Systems are all working okay.
  • 00:13:35.597 --> 00:13:36.965
  • So if you break a bone and it heals more quickly than normal,
  • 00:13:36.965 --> 00:13:39.667
  • I think it's a gift of healing.
  • 00:13:39.667 --> 00:13:41.035
  • Something happened.
  • 00:13:41.035 --> 00:13:44.072
  • A miracle is when god does something that's beyond the
  • 00:13:44.072 --> 00:13:47.375
  • Normal healing process.
  • 00:13:47.375 --> 00:13:50.411
  • Maybe the man's hip joints were not normal at birth.
  • 00:13:50.411 --> 00:13:54.816
  • Maybe he didn't have a hip joint.
  • 00:13:54.816 --> 00:13:56.184
  • My dad--i know more about animals, but i've seen animals
  • 00:13:56.184 --> 00:13:59.053
  • That didn't have everything they needed to function in a normal
  • 00:13:59.053 --> 00:14:01.789
  • Way, and when that's restored, that's a miracle.
  • 00:14:01.789 --> 00:14:03.858
  • I don't know exactly what happened to that man.
  • 00:14:03.858 --> 00:14:06.561
  • We don't have all the details.
  • 00:14:06.561 --> 00:14:08.997
  • We don't have his x-rays.
  • 00:14:08.997 --> 00:14:11.532
  • We know one thing.
  • 00:14:11.532 --> 00:14:12.901
  • He couldn't walk, and then he could walk, and the difference
  • 00:14:12.901 --> 00:14:15.503
  • Was an invitation in the name of jesus.
  • 00:14:15.503 --> 00:14:18.006
  • Is that fair?
  • 00:14:18.006 --> 00:14:19.707
  • And i think the other thing that we have to look at is peter and
  • 00:14:19.707 --> 00:14:22.243
  • John, for some reason, are prompted by the spirit to
  • 00:14:22.243 --> 00:14:25.480
  • Respond to someone begging.
  • 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:26.814
  • This is not the only beggar in jerusalem.
  • 00:14:26.814 --> 00:14:30.218
  • And they didn't gather all the beggars in jerusalem.
  • 00:14:30.218 --> 00:14:33.888
  • They didn't--they didn't, you know, start the day and send out
  • 00:14:33.888 --> 00:14:36.224
  • A text blast.
  • 00:14:36.224 --> 00:14:38.726
  • They said, "go find all the immobile beggars.
  • 00:14:38.726 --> 00:14:42.664
  • We're gonna do something today."
  • 00:14:42.664 --> 00:14:45.033
  • In the normal pattern of their life, they passed a person with
  • 00:14:45.033 --> 00:14:48.836
  • A need and seemed to have been prompted by the spirit of god to
  • 00:14:48.836 --> 00:14:52.707
  • Respond in a way that was not their typical response.
  • 00:14:52.707 --> 00:14:57.712
  • We're used to driving--this, it's a pretty close equivalent
  • 00:14:57.712 --> 00:15:00.014
  • To the homeless people we would see.
  • 00:15:00.014 --> 00:15:02.784
  • And on this particular day they respond differently, and they
  • 00:15:02.784 --> 00:15:06.754
  • Get a different outcome.
  • 00:15:06.754 --> 00:15:08.656
  • And this is not unlike jesus behavior.
  • 00:15:08.656 --> 00:15:11.326
  • See, we wanna control it. we want to be in charge.
  • 00:15:11.326 --> 00:15:13.061
  • "well, i'm not praying for anybody that's sick unless
  • 00:15:13.061 --> 00:15:14.696
  • Everybody i pray for gets well."
  • 00:15:14.696 --> 00:15:17.899
  • Well, i'm sorry.
  • 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:19.233
  • The god position's already occupied.
  • 00:15:19.233 --> 00:15:20.635
  • Imagine if a doctor said he'd never treat another patient
  • 00:15:24.505 --> 00:15:26.808
  • Unless everybody he treated got the exact same outcome.
  • 00:15:26.808 --> 00:15:30.178
  • We would have no medicine.
  • 00:15:30.178 --> 00:15:33.147
  • Or a teacher said, "i'm not gonna teach a single student
  • 00:15:33.147 --> 00:15:35.450
  • Unless every student i teach gets the exact same outcome."
  • 00:15:35.450 --> 00:15:37.952
  • We'd have no more teachers.
  • 00:15:37.952 --> 00:15:41.155
  • And you see, because we've lacked the intents to invite god
  • 00:15:41.155 --> 00:15:43.825
  • Into the midst of our lives, we have this false thing we put
  • 00:15:43.825 --> 00:15:46.627
  • Out there.
  • 00:15:46.627 --> 00:15:47.996
  • "well, i'm not doing that because i'm not sure what
  • 00:15:47.996 --> 00:15:49.464
  • Will happen."
  • 00:15:49.464 --> 00:15:50.832
  • Well, you don't know what will happen when you do a lot
  • 00:15:50.832 --> 00:15:52.433
  • Of things.
  • 00:15:52.433 --> 00:15:55.870
  • Jesus, remember the story where he came to the pool of bethesda?
  • 00:15:55.870 --> 00:15:59.974
  • It was a pool that by jewish tradition, said the angels
  • 00:15:59.974 --> 00:16:02.810
  • Troubled the waters, and when the waters were stirred, if you
  • 00:16:02.810 --> 00:16:05.947
  • Weren't well and you were the first one into the water, you
  • 00:16:05.947 --> 00:16:08.082
  • Would be healed.
  • 00:16:08.082 --> 00:16:09.617
  • So what do you think imagined at the pool of bethesda?
  • 00:16:09.617 --> 00:16:12.854
  • There's a crowd of sick people.
  • 00:16:12.854 --> 00:16:15.556
  • And jesus visits that pool.
  • 00:16:15.556 --> 00:16:18.893
  • Then he meets a man who's ill, and he said, you know, "why are
  • 00:16:18.893 --> 00:16:21.529
  • You here?"
  • 00:16:21.529 --> 00:16:22.897
  • And he said, "well, i have a problem, but i'm not
  • 00:16:22.897 --> 00:16:24.866
  • Particularly mobile or agile, and when the water is stirred, i
  • 00:16:24.866 --> 00:16:27.335
  • Don't get in the water first, and so i don't get any help."
  • 00:16:27.335 --> 00:16:31.372
  • And jesus said to the man, "pick up your bed and walk."
  • 00:16:31.372 --> 00:16:35.843
  • And the man was healed.
  • 00:16:35.843 --> 00:16:38.413
  • But you know, there was other people around that pool, other
  • 00:16:38.413 --> 00:16:43.084
  • Desperate people, and jesus didn't minister to them.
  • 00:16:43.084 --> 00:16:48.122
  • I don't know why.
  • 00:16:48.122 --> 00:16:50.725
  • Remember the story of the blind man in john's gospel?
  • 00:16:50.725 --> 00:16:53.261
  • Born blind, the disciples point him out to jesus, and, "why is
  • 00:16:53.261 --> 00:16:55.797
  • He blind?
  • 00:16:55.797 --> 00:16:57.165
  • His sin or his parents?"
  • 00:16:57.165 --> 00:16:58.733
  • Then jesus said, "oh, that's not the right question," and he put
  • 00:16:58.733 --> 00:17:00.902
  • Mud on the man's eyes, remember the story?
  • 00:17:00.902 --> 00:17:02.236
  • He told him to go wash, and the man went and washed, and he came
  • 00:17:02.236 --> 00:17:04.605
  • Home seeing.
  • 00:17:04.605 --> 00:17:06.307
  • Do you think he's the only blind man in jerusalem?
  • 00:17:06.307 --> 00:17:08.142
  • I promise not.
  • 00:17:08.142 --> 00:17:11.846
  • You see, we're not in control.
  • 00:17:11.846 --> 00:17:13.448
  • We don't direct it, but we have to be willing to participate.
  • 00:17:13.448 --> 00:17:15.950
  • We have to have the intent that the presence of god
  • 00:17:15.950 --> 00:17:18.453
  • Be available.
  • 00:17:18.453 --> 00:17:19.821
  • Can we teach our children that?
  • 00:17:19.821 --> 00:17:21.889
  • Kids are far more willing to pray.
  • 00:17:21.889 --> 00:17:24.358
  • They're far more willing to believe in miracles.
  • 00:17:24.358 --> 00:17:26.260
  • I was at those pools in bethesda.
  • 00:17:29.230 --> 00:17:30.698
  • We typically visit there if we're in jerusalem with a group.
  • 00:17:30.698 --> 00:17:34.068
  • They've been excavated now.
  • 00:17:34.068 --> 00:17:35.403
  • There was actually multiple pools there.
  • 00:17:35.403 --> 00:17:37.138
  • Water is a very precious resource in the middle east, so
  • 00:17:37.138 --> 00:17:40.174
  • They capture all the rainwater and put it into these pools.
  • 00:17:40.174 --> 00:17:42.343
  • These particular pools weren't particularly pretty.
  • 00:17:42.343 --> 00:17:44.078
  • The reason the sick people were there is they used them to wash
  • 00:17:44.078 --> 00:17:47.181
  • The sheep to take them up to the temple mount.
  • 00:17:47.181 --> 00:17:51.085
  • But we were at this site.
  • 00:17:51.085 --> 00:17:52.453
  • It's a beautiful place now.
  • 00:17:52.453 --> 00:17:53.788
  • There's an old crusader church there that has the most
  • 00:17:53.788 --> 00:17:55.156
  • Fabulous acoustics.
  • 00:17:55.156 --> 00:17:56.491
  • We always go sing in that church.
  • 00:17:56.491 --> 00:17:57.859
  • It was a muslim school for a while, but the pools of
  • 00:17:57.859 --> 00:18:00.595
  • Bethesda, the actual biblical pools have been excavated.
  • 00:18:00.595 --> 00:18:03.998
  • We were there with the group, and i wandered down into the
  • 00:18:03.998 --> 00:18:05.733
  • Lowest level where there was one of the pools with a handful of
  • 00:18:05.733 --> 00:18:08.669
  • People, and i was kind of telling them a story, and we
  • 00:18:08.669 --> 00:18:11.172
  • Were turning to leave, 'cause our group was leaving.
  • 00:18:11.172 --> 00:18:12.607
  • I could see 'em headed out the gate, and there was a woman
  • 00:18:12.607 --> 00:18:15.243
  • Standing there that i hadn't seen.
  • 00:18:15.243 --> 00:18:18.212
  • And the woman said to me, excuse us--"excuse me."
  • 00:18:18.212 --> 00:18:22.350
  • I said, "yes," and she said, "would you happen to know
  • 00:18:22.350 --> 00:18:24.485
  • Anything about the baptism in the holy spirit?"
  • 00:18:24.485 --> 00:18:26.387
  • And i said, "well, a little."
  • 00:18:30.057 --> 00:18:33.661
  • Then she said, "well, my husband and i have been in israel for
  • 00:18:33.661 --> 00:18:36.297
  • Several days and i'm leaving in two hours, and i told god i
  • 00:18:36.297 --> 00:18:40.401
  • Didn't want to leave until i experienced the baptism in the
  • 00:18:40.401 --> 00:18:44.539
  • Holy spirit, and i didn't know where to go, and i didn't know
  • 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:46.307
  • What to do, so i came to these pools and you showed up."
  • 00:18:46.307 --> 00:18:48.843
  • I'm not proud of it, but i said, "well, my group is walking
  • 00:18:52.513 --> 00:18:54.682
  • Through that gate over there, and i have to go.
  • 00:18:54.682 --> 00:18:57.618
  • I've got about two minutes, and i can give you an overview."
  • 00:18:57.618 --> 00:19:03.191
  • So there's a handful of us there.
  • 00:19:03.191 --> 00:19:04.525
  • We had about a two minute little bible study, and i said, you
  • 00:19:04.525 --> 00:19:06.694
  • Know, "if you'd like to receive, i can pray for you," and
  • 00:19:06.694 --> 00:19:11.399
  • We prayed.
  • 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.733
  • We gave her the explanation.
  • 00:19:12.733 --> 00:19:14.101
  • We prayed for that woman, and she received the baptism of the
  • 00:19:14.101 --> 00:19:15.836
  • Spirit with a prayer language.
  • 00:19:15.836 --> 00:19:18.372
  • And her whole--there was a woman in the group with me.
  • 00:19:18.372 --> 00:19:23.311
  • She gave her a hug.
  • 00:19:23.311 --> 00:19:24.645
  • I thought she was gonna choke the life out of her, to
  • 00:19:24.645 --> 00:19:26.247
  • Be honest.
  • 00:19:26.247 --> 00:19:27.815
  • You know, i tell you that i wasn't there on the day when
  • 00:19:27.815 --> 00:19:30.585
  • That--the beggar had a transformation, but i was at the
  • 00:19:30.585 --> 00:19:34.889
  • Pool of bethesda when god arranged an appointment with
  • 00:19:34.889 --> 00:19:36.958
  • Somebody that i'd never met.
  • 00:19:36.958 --> 00:19:38.326
  • I don't remember her name.
  • 00:19:38.326 --> 00:19:39.660
  • If i see her again, it'll probably be eternity, but god
  • 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:42.396
  • Answered a prayer for her in that moment with a hillbilly
  • 00:19:42.396 --> 00:19:45.066
  • Preacher from middle tennessee.
  • 00:19:45.066 --> 00:19:47.702
  • This stuff is not--you say, "well, you know, you're
  • 00:19:51.806 --> 00:19:54.775
  • Attributing something spiritual to an experience you had."
  • 00:19:54.775 --> 00:19:57.912
  • Yeah, that's how that works.
  • 00:19:57.912 --> 00:20:01.015
  • You're either gonna attribute it to your own wisdom
  • 00:20:01.015 --> 00:20:02.984
  • And your own strength and your own power, or you're gonna be
  • 00:20:02.984 --> 00:20:06.254
  • Willing to acknowledge that god is moving in our midst.
  • 00:20:06.254 --> 00:20:08.656
  • You know, the bible says that we entertain angels, lar--many
  • 00:20:12.126 --> 00:20:14.562
  • Times unaware of that.
  • 00:20:14.562 --> 00:20:17.265
  • I've told the story, but it wasn't too long ago.
  • 00:20:17.265 --> 00:20:21.469
  • It was this year.
  • 00:20:21.469 --> 00:20:22.970
  • I typically at the end of a service will pray for people at
  • 00:20:22.970 --> 00:20:25.640
  • The altar.
  • 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.974
  • That's my normal behavior, and there was a line of people,
  • 00:20:26.974 --> 00:20:28.442
  • Which is not too unusual, and i don't go into a lot of depth.
  • 00:20:28.442 --> 00:20:32.580
  • I try to hear the story and move, 'cause there's people
  • 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:34.448
  • Waiting, and a man came up.
  • 00:20:34.448 --> 00:20:36.217
  • He just introduced himself by his first name.
  • 00:20:36.217 --> 00:20:37.918
  • I'd never seen him before.
  • 00:20:37.918 --> 00:20:39.287
  • I don't remember everybody's names, and i'm pretty good
  • 00:20:39.287 --> 00:20:40.621
  • With faces.
  • 00:20:40.621 --> 00:20:42.990
  • And he said, "pastor, we have to pray that the war in ukraine
  • 00:20:42.990 --> 00:20:46.060
  • Will end.
  • 00:20:46.060 --> 00:20:47.395
  • They're killing so many people. we have to pray."
  • 00:20:47.395 --> 00:20:52.700
  • And i said, "well, i'll be happy to say that prayer with you."
  • 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:55.036
  • Now, i've done that--i've had that interview hundreds of
  • 00:20:55.036 --> 00:20:59.307
  • Times, and it never stops there.
  • 00:20:59.307 --> 00:21:01.309
  • There's always a--there's a follow up in i have a ministry
  • 00:21:01.309 --> 00:21:04.412
  • In ukraine, or i have a family member in ukraine, or i have a
  • 00:21:04.412 --> 00:21:07.014
  • Child in ukraine, or i'm a reporter from ukra--i mean, it
  • 00:21:07.014 --> 00:21:10.985
  • Never--i've never had it stop like that.
  • 00:21:10.985 --> 00:21:15.556
  • And we prayed, and he was perfectly content.
  • 00:21:15.556 --> 00:21:17.358
  • He said, "thank you.
  • 00:21:17.358 --> 00:21:19.226
  • I came today so that we could both know we need to pray that
  • 00:21:19.226 --> 00:21:21.929
  • The conflict in ukraine will stop."
  • 00:21:21.929 --> 00:21:25.066
  • And he left, and the line was there, and i cycled through
  • 00:21:25.066 --> 00:21:27.268
  • The line.
  • 00:21:27.268 --> 00:21:28.602
  • It was a day or two later when i was playing that back through my
  • 00:21:28.602 --> 00:21:31.539
  • Head, and i thought, that wasn't a normal prayer request.
  • 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:37.078
  • Now, he didn't hand me a card that said, "i'm an angel."
  • 00:21:37.078 --> 00:21:42.049
  • And you can disagree with me.
  • 00:21:42.049 --> 00:21:43.384
  • It's okay.
  • 00:21:43.384 --> 00:21:44.952
  • But as far as i'm concerned, god sent me a prompt to pray that
  • 00:21:44.952 --> 00:21:48.522
  • That conflict would end because there are hundreds of thousands
  • 00:21:48.522 --> 00:21:51.759
  • Of people who have lost their lives, and a far greater number
  • 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:55.262
  • Who are suffering greatly.
  • 00:21:55.262 --> 00:21:58.532
  • See, i believe the spirit of god is moving in the earth if we're
  • 00:21:58.532 --> 00:22:01.235
  • Willing to imagine that and to cooperate with him.
  • 00:22:01.235 --> 00:22:06.474
  • Doesn't mean i get the outcomes i want in the time frame i
  • 00:22:06.474 --> 00:22:09.043
  • Always want them.
  • 00:22:09.043 --> 00:22:10.378
  • That battle is still unfolding over there, but i'm
  • 00:22:10.378 --> 00:22:12.480
  • Still praying.
  • 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:14.682
  • I wanna finish this passage, holy moly.
  • 00:22:14.682 --> 00:22:17.518
  • Yeah, i think god still does those miracles today.
  • 00:22:21.589 --> 00:22:25.393
  • Look at verse 11.
  • 00:22:25.393 --> 00:22:27.461
  • Oh, look at 9, "when all the people saw him walking and
  • 00:22:27.461 --> 00:22:29.663
  • Praising god, they recognized him as the same man who sat
  • 00:22:29.663 --> 00:22:31.932
  • Begging and they were filled with wonder and amazement at
  • 00:22:31.932 --> 00:22:34.835
  • What had happened to him."
  • 00:22:34.835 --> 00:22:36.837
  • At this point in the narrative, the focus changes completely.
  • 00:22:36.837 --> 00:22:39.039
  • It's no longer about the beggar.
  • 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:42.410
  • It says all the people came running to peter and john.
  • 00:22:42.410 --> 00:22:45.780
  • What started about a story as a man with few resources and
  • 00:22:45.780 --> 00:22:49.650
  • Physical challenges becomes a transformational event in the
  • 00:22:49.650 --> 00:22:53.220
  • City of jerusalem.
  • 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.523
  • See, the reason we have to care about spiritual things and we
  • 00:22:55.523 --> 00:22:57.691
  • Have to open our lives to the person of the holy spirit
  • 00:22:57.691 --> 00:23:00.928
  • And allow those manifestations to become a part of our journey.
  • 00:23:00.928 --> 00:23:03.631
  • We want our schools to be different.
  • 00:23:03.631 --> 00:23:07.368
  • We want our churches to be different.
  • 00:23:07.368 --> 00:23:08.803
  • We want our workplaces to be different.
  • 00:23:08.803 --> 00:23:11.005
  • Then we have to be willing to participate with the spirit of
  • 00:23:11.005 --> 00:23:14.175
  • God because if we will, he knows how to orchestrate
  • 00:23:14.175 --> 00:23:17.111
  • The circumstances.
  • 00:23:17.111 --> 00:23:19.814
  • It's better than my plan.
  • 00:23:19.814 --> 00:23:21.148
  • It's bigger than my plan.
  • 00:23:21.148 --> 00:23:22.516
  • I'm a servant of the king.
  • 00:23:22.516 --> 00:23:25.252
  • I serve at his pleasure.
  • 00:23:25.252 --> 00:23:28.189
  • I'm not just trying to get my business done so i can go
  • 00:23:28.189 --> 00:23:30.491
  • To heaven.
  • 00:23:30.491 --> 00:23:31.826
  • I'm on assignment, and every day i serve.
  • 00:23:31.826 --> 00:23:35.729
  • I have meetings. i have assignments.
  • 00:23:35.729 --> 00:23:37.097
  • I have responsibilities. i have to-do lists.
  • 00:23:37.097 --> 00:23:39.700
  • I'm asked to look at, review, consider, pray about all kinds
  • 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:43.637
  • Of things, but in the midst of all of that i want to please the
  • 00:23:43.637 --> 00:23:47.508
  • Lord today.
  • 00:23:47.508 --> 00:23:49.844
  • And i don't want my day to--i don't want to come to the end of
  • 00:23:49.844 --> 00:23:52.079
  • My day and think, "oh, i worked hard and i did my best."
  • 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:54.281
  • No, i want an outcome bigger than that.
  • 00:23:54.281 --> 00:23:57.818
  • I want something more than that. i want that for your family.
  • 00:23:57.818 --> 00:23:59.887
  • I want it in the hearts of your children.
  • 00:23:59.887 --> 00:24:03.357
  • But you gotta welcome the lord into your home.
  • 00:24:03.357 --> 00:24:06.694
  • I've been telling you for months and months and years now.
  • 00:24:06.694 --> 00:24:09.463
  • It starts at the kitchen table.
  • 00:24:09.463 --> 00:24:10.931
  • Say, "well, our family isn't perfe--" none are.
  • 00:24:14.869 --> 00:24:18.305
  • Maybe all you could accomplish is you get your family together
  • 00:24:18.305 --> 00:24:20.774
  • For a meal and you say a blessing.
  • 00:24:20.774 --> 00:24:22.476
  • Maybe that's all your circumstance will tolerate.
  • 00:24:22.476 --> 00:24:25.479
  • Start there.
  • 00:24:25.479 --> 00:24:28.148
  • Maybe you're blessed and you've got a greater opportunity than
  • 00:24:28.148 --> 00:24:30.384
  • That, and you can take that meal and make it a time to connect
  • 00:24:30.384 --> 00:24:35.389
  • With everybody in the family.
  • 00:24:35.389 --> 00:24:36.724
  • "what--where did you see god in your life today?"
  • 00:24:36.724 --> 00:24:40.761
  • "well, that's a weird question.
  • 00:24:40.761 --> 00:24:42.129
  • You're the only person that ever asked me that question."
  • 00:24:42.129 --> 00:24:43.464
  • "i'm gonna ask it to you every time i see you.
  • 00:24:43.464 --> 00:24:46.634
  • Don't come to dinner.
  • 00:24:46.634 --> 00:24:48.002
  • There's no dessert until we can talk about how you saw god
  • 00:24:48.002 --> 00:24:49.870
  • Move today."
  • 00:24:49.870 --> 00:24:51.205
  • I'm not--don't bribe your kids. it's not good.
  • 00:24:51.205 --> 00:24:53.941
  • We lost our intent.
  • 00:24:53.941 --> 00:24:55.910
  • We're gonna keep pushing on this.
  • 00:24:55.910 --> 00:24:57.244
  • We're gonna see if we can't become a bit more comfortable
  • 00:24:57.244 --> 00:24:59.613
  • With the manifestations of the spirit.
  • 00:24:59.613 --> 00:25:01.315
  • God's moving in the earth, folks.
  • 00:25:01.315 --> 00:25:03.484
  • I've never seen anything like it, but i wanna be a part.
  • 00:25:03.484 --> 00:25:08.455
  • I don't want to just write a history.
  • 00:25:08.455 --> 00:25:09.890
  • I brought you a prayer.
  • 00:25:13.427 --> 00:25:14.795
  • Why don't you stand with me?
  • 00:25:14.795 --> 00:25:16.397
  • We're gonna pick this up in the next session.
  • 00:25:16.397 --> 00:25:17.998
  • When's that, wednesday.
  • 00:25:17.998 --> 00:25:22.836
  • It's really an invitation to god.
  • 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:29.443
  • I believe it's as personal as if you were standing alone in the
  • 00:25:29.443 --> 00:25:32.046
  • Presence of the lord.
  • 00:25:32.046 --> 00:25:35.382
  • I think there's a much higher degree of engagement if we do it
  • 00:25:35.382 --> 00:25:38.352
  • In the community.
  • 00:25:38.352 --> 00:25:40.120
  • I think praying together is one of the great privileges we have.
  • 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:43.724
  • Let's read it.
  • 00:25:43.724 --> 00:25:45.092
  • Almighty god, pour out your spirit upon us.
  • 00:25:45.092 --> 00:25:48.696
  • Let the darkness be dispelled.
  • 00:25:48.696 --> 00:25:50.998
  • Awaken your people to walk uprightly before you.
  • 00:25:50.998 --> 00:25:54.902
  • Grant the children and young people understanding hearts that
  • 00:25:54.902 --> 00:25:58.672
  • They may know you.
  • 00:25:58.672 --> 00:26:00.374
  • Give to them a revelation of yourself which will change the
  • 00:26:00.374 --> 00:26:04.011
  • Trajectory of their lives.
  • 00:26:04.011 --> 00:26:06.313
  • Forgive us for our indifference and now open our eyes to your
  • 00:26:06.313 --> 00:26:10.484
  • Purposes, in jesus' name, amen.
  • 00:26:10.484 --> 00:26:14.588
  • Hallelujah, god bless you.
  • 00:26:14.588 --> 00:26:16.523
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:16.523 --> 00:26:22.463
  • Allen: i'm so grateful i've had a few minutes with you today.
  • 00:26:22.463 --> 00:26:25.232
  • These opportunities to open the word of god and open our lives
  • 00:26:25.232 --> 00:26:28.002
  • And invite god into the midst of it, they're transformational.
  • 00:26:28.002 --> 00:26:31.305
  • I've learned to never take them for granted.
  • 00:26:31.305 --> 00:26:33.073
  • I used to imagine that they were unlimited, that we could do
  • 00:26:33.073 --> 00:26:35.476
  • It forever.
  • 00:26:35.476 --> 00:26:36.810
  • Every time i have an opportunity to talk with a friend and make a
  • 00:26:36.810 --> 00:26:39.680
  • Journey through the word of god for a bit, i think it's
  • 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:42.650
  • Something precious.
  • 00:26:42.650 --> 00:26:43.984
  • It's a gift from god.
  • 00:26:43.984 --> 00:26:45.352
  • I'm grateful we had this time together.
  • 00:26:45.352 --> 00:26:46.687
  • I've got a new book.
  • 00:26:46.687 --> 00:26:48.055
  • It's called "my friend jesus."
  • 00:26:48.055 --> 00:26:49.757
  • It's the culmination of years of my own spiritual journey.
  • 00:26:49.757 --> 00:26:52.593
  • Kind of peeling away the formality of theology and ritual
  • 00:26:52.593 --> 00:26:55.562
  • And routine, and opening the heart of what it means to be a
  • 00:26:55.562 --> 00:26:58.465
  • Christ follower.
  • 00:26:58.465 --> 00:26:59.800
  • I want to live as jesus's friend.
  • 00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:01.368
  • When i'm in trouble, i call my friends.
  • 00:27:01.368 --> 00:27:03.504
  • When they're in trouble and i can help, it's the delight of
  • 00:27:03.504 --> 00:27:05.673
  • My life.
  • 00:27:05.673 --> 00:27:07.007
  • I wanna pray with you.
  • 00:27:07.007 --> 00:27:08.375
  • Let's invite my friend jesus into the midst of our world.
  • 00:27:08.375 --> 00:27:10.744
  • He changes everything.
  • 00:27:10.744 --> 00:27:12.546
  • Heavenly father, i thank you that you love us, that you sent
  • 00:27:12.546 --> 00:27:14.782
  • Your son.
  • 00:27:14.782 --> 00:27:16.116
  • We need his help, his strength, his wisdom.
  • 00:27:16.116 --> 00:27:18.152
  • Open our hearts to know him as we've never known him before.
  • 00:27:18.152 --> 00:27:21.255
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:21.255 --> 00:27:22.856
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:22.856 --> 00:27:30.297