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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Intent Matters (Part 2)

November 2, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Intent Matters (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Dedication/Devotion #Confidence #Blessing #Family #Culture #Gifting/Talent #Change

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Intent Matters (Part 2) | November 2, 2025
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, when i was a child, i thought christmas
  • 00:00:06.822 --> 00:00:08.791
  • Came every 4 years.
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  • Now i feel like it comes about every 4 weeks.
  • 00:00:10.692 --> 00:00:12.961
  • Well, christmas is just around the corner.
  • 00:00:13.095 --> 00:00:13.862
  • It's a season of tremendous opportunity for those of us who
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  • Are people of faith to remember what god has done for us and
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  • What we're inviting him into in the midst of this
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  • Holiday season.
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  • Well, we've created a tool, a resource for you, to lead with
  • 00:00:24.606 --> 00:00:27.476
  • Your faith at christmas.
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  • It's a 25-day devotional along with some ideas about from
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  • Recipes to activities for your friends or your family.
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  • It's just a fun way so that you can shape your faith into
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  • The holiday.
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  • I think all of us have a desire to see christmas if we have
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  • Jesus in the midst of it a bit more.
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  • There's so many secular voices that speak and sometimes i think
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  • We feel powerless to do something other than put up a
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  • Tree or hang some lights.
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  • Well, "lead with your faith at christmas" is a tool we created
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  • So you can share your faith with your family, with your friends,
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  • With coworkers.
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  • I think it'll make this christmas season truly a way to
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  • Honor the lord in your life.
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  • In fact, i'm quite confident it'll be a blessing to you.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: we're gonna practice hospitality.
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  • If your kids are grown and you don't have a family in the
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  • House anymore.
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  • On a regular basis, invite someone to your table.
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  • Say, we're gonna open our table in our home in the name of
  • 00:01:37.246 --> 00:01:39.748
  • The lord.
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  • Hospitality is a biblical principle.
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  • We are instructed to practice hospitality multiple places in
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  • The new testament.
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  • It's a practice.
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  • It's not intuitive.
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  • I was--i want to absolve you of the burden of being
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  • Martha stewart-esque.
  • 00:01:59.601 --> 00:02:02.938
  • Your home doesn't have to be perfect.
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  • I don't know who the current establisher of home
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  • Etiquette is.
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  • But in the name of the pastor, you can use chinet.
  • 00:02:13.048 --> 00:02:18.187
  • It's not about the elaborate nature of your centerpiece.
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  • Or the perfection of your decorating ability.
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  • Those things don't offend me.
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  • If that's your gift, god bless you.
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  • Some of us don't have that gift.
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  • I'm gonna leave that.
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  • We will shape culture.
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  • The greatest way to shape culture is to be born again.
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  • If you've never asked jesus as lord of your life, we're going
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  • To before we go or at least give you an invitation or an
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  • Opportunity to do so.
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  • And once you do that, all of us then are on the same pathway.
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  • It's really similar day after day.
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  • We're gonna say no to ungodliness and yes to the lord.
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  • It's not that complicated.
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  • Most of you recognize ungodliness when you see it.
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  • Say no.
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  • Say, "no, i don't want to make room for that.
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  • That's not an attitude i wanna hold.
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  • That's not an expression that i want to give voice to.
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  • That's not a spirit i want to welcome into my home.
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  • God, i don't wanna take that spirit home."
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  • If we will, within our own hearts, begin to say no to
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  • Ungodliness, we can change the shape of the culture that we
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  • Live in.
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  • There's a second statement of intent.
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  • If you've been around woc very long or followed us, you'll know
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  • This one.
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  • We will read our bible.
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  • You shouldn't have to come to church to hear that nugget of
  • 00:03:37.566 --> 00:03:39.568
  • Truth, folks, but if you're not in the habit of systematically
  • 00:03:39.568 --> 00:03:42.838
  • Regularly reading your bible in an intentional way, you are
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  • Forfeiting spiritual strength.
  • 00:03:46.708 --> 00:03:49.878
  • Without that nourishment, you are forfeiting spiritual
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  • Strength every day just as certainly as if you
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  • Weren't eating.
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  • Most of us couldn't imagine going a week with no food.
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  • How can we imagine going day after day after day without any
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  • Exposure to the word of god?
  • 00:04:04.693 --> 00:04:07.963
  • It diminishes us.
  • 00:04:07.963 --> 00:04:10.132
  • You say, "well, i don't understand it."
  • 00:04:10.132 --> 00:04:11.733
  • You don't have to understand.
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  • You can't explain all the chemical reactions that happen
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  • When you eat.
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  • You can't explain how the sun radiates energy that's absorbed
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  • By green grass and the chlorophyll ingested by a black
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  • And white cow that gives white milk and you get yellow butter
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  • And strawberry ice cream.
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  • But you still enjoy the food chain.
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  • I don't know why we get so confused when it comes to our
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  • Bible and say, "i can't spell nebuchadnezzar; therefore, i
  • 00:04:37.659 --> 00:04:40.462
  • Won't read it."
  • 00:04:40.462 --> 00:04:44.199
  • Take the time.
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  • I'll give you a couple of verses.
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  • Joshua 1 and verse 8: "don't let this book of the law depart out
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  • Of your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may
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  • Be careful to do everything written in it.
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  • Then you'll be prosperous and successful."
  • 00:04:55.510 --> 00:04:57.312
  • How many of you prefer to be prosperous and successful?
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  • Well, in joshua 1:8, you're given a road map.
  • 00:05:00.415 --> 00:05:02.517
  • You say, "well, i don't believe it."
  • 00:05:02.517 --> 00:05:03.852
  • Therein is the problem.
  • 00:05:03.852 --> 00:05:06.054
  • Therein is the problem.
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  • Did you ever buy a diet book that tells you
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  • How to lose 10 pounds?
  • 00:05:10.559 --> 00:05:12.594
  • How many of you lost any weight when you read the book?
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  • Me either.
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  • Didn't help.
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  • I read the book.
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  • It didn't sound like a diet i wanted to eat.
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  • It said i'd lose 10 pounds. i followed it.
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  • I followed it from the beginning of the book to the end of
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  • The book.
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  • I didn't lose any weight.
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  • Well, we kind of do that with our bibles, and think, "well,
  • 00:05:28.510 --> 00:05:30.946
  • They said it would change me."
  • 00:05:30.946 --> 00:05:32.314
  • It only changes when we do what's written in the book, but
  • 00:05:32.314 --> 00:05:34.549
  • If you've never read it, you're just taking my word for it, and
  • 00:05:34.549 --> 00:05:37.586
  • I'm not that reliable of a guide.
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  • Read your bible, it'll change your life.
  • 00:05:41.323 --> 00:05:43.492
  • Isaiah 55, verse 9: "as the heavens are higher than the
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  • Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts
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  • Than your thoughts."
  • 00:05:50.031 --> 00:05:52.000
  • Some of you prefer the new testament.
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  • Hebrews 5, i'm sorry, hebrews 4 and verse 12 says: "the word of
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  • God is living and active, and sharper than any double-edged
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  • Sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and
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  • Joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of
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  • The heart."
  • 00:06:08.450 --> 00:06:09.818
  • It's hard to know your own heart sometimes.
  • 00:06:09.818 --> 00:06:12.988
  • It's hard to sort out all of our motives.
  • 00:06:12.988 --> 00:06:15.690
  • But if we will read our bible, while we're reading our bible,
  • 00:06:15.690 --> 00:06:18.593
  • Our bible reads us.
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  • I can't explain it fully, but i can tell you i've had this
  • 00:06:20.996 --> 00:06:24.065
  • Practice now for many years, and when i will take the discipline,
  • 00:06:24.065 --> 00:06:27.669
  • I will set aside a few minutes.
  • 00:06:27.669 --> 00:06:29.104
  • You don't have to spend hours every day.
  • 00:06:29.104 --> 00:06:30.572
  • Take 15 minutes a day and open your bible.
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  • Turn off all the noise and say, "god, you know, for 10 minutes
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  • I'd just like to turn my attention to you."
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  • If you'll cultivate that habit, it may not happen on day 1 or
  • 00:06:40.048 --> 00:06:42.884
  • Day 2, but somewhere along the journey, god will open your
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  • Heart to him in a way that i don't know any other way to do.
  • 00:06:46.288 --> 00:06:51.393
  • It's simply a matter of saying, "you matter enough to me
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  • That i'm gonna turn my attention to you on a regular basis."
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  • If you're a sports fan, you wouldn't--you couldn't imagine
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  • Going 3 or 4 weeks without following your favorite team.
  • 00:06:59.734 --> 00:07:03.338
  • Whatever your hobby is, whatever you're interested in, you
  • 00:07:03.338 --> 00:07:05.707
  • Stay current.
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  • You do as parents and grandparents with the children
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  • That you care about.
  • 00:07:10.111 --> 00:07:12.013
  • Well, it's a very difficult argument to make that god's
  • 00:07:12.013 --> 00:07:14.783
  • Matters to you if you don't stay current with him.
  • 00:07:14.783 --> 00:07:18.753
  • Read your bible.
  • 00:07:18.753 --> 00:07:20.121
  • I wonder if we could say that together.
  • 00:07:20.121 --> 00:07:21.456
  • "i will read my bible" on three.
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  • Can you do that?
  • 00:07:22.824 --> 00:07:24.159
  • One, two, three.
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  • I will read my bible.
  • 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:28.263
  • That was a...you know about the laodicean church in the book
  • 00:07:28.263 --> 00:07:34.202
  • Of revelation?
  • 00:07:34.202 --> 00:07:36.371
  • That was that lukewarm crew.
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  • We don't want to be that one.
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  • I'll give you another chance in a minute.
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  • We'll see.
  • 00:07:41.076 --> 00:07:42.410
  • The third one, the third statement of intent, is we will
  • 00:07:42.410 --> 00:07:44.813
  • Lead the next generation with faith.
  • 00:07:44.813 --> 00:07:47.582
  • We're not gonna leave the next generation to the
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  • College professors.
  • 00:07:49.451 --> 00:07:51.620
  • We're not gonna leave them to their coaches.
  • 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:54.089
  • We're not gonna leave them to tiktok or social media.
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  • I'm not opposed to any of those things.
  • 00:07:57.225 --> 00:07:58.927
  • In fact, i'm grateful for all of them, but the next generation is
  • 00:07:58.927 --> 00:08:02.264
  • Going to be shaped by the faith of those of us who
  • 00:08:02.264 --> 00:08:04.566
  • Preceded them.
  • 00:08:04.566 --> 00:08:05.934
  • We will tell them about our faith.
  • 00:08:05.934 --> 00:08:08.336
  • We will give them personal examples of god and how he's
  • 00:08:08.336 --> 00:08:11.273
  • Made a difference in our life, in our brokenness, how god has
  • 00:08:11.273 --> 00:08:14.409
  • Made a difference.
  • 00:08:14.409 --> 00:08:16.011
  • In 1 timothy 1 and verse 2, paul is writing to a young man, not
  • 00:08:16.011 --> 00:08:19.214
  • His son, not genetically his son, not even jewish by birth,
  • 00:08:19.214 --> 00:08:24.553
  • But he writes to timothy and he says, "timothy my true son in
  • 00:08:24.553 --> 00:08:28.089
  • The faith."
  • 00:08:28.089 --> 00:08:29.624
  • I pray that there are young people in your life, the
  • 00:08:29.624 --> 00:08:32.294
  • Generations trailing you other than those who share your dna,
  • 00:08:32.294 --> 00:08:36.331
  • That you are purposefully, intentionally encouraging in
  • 00:08:36.331 --> 00:08:39.868
  • Their faith.
  • 00:08:39.868 --> 00:08:43.405
  • Folks, we can't leave this to some random happenstance.
  • 00:08:43.405 --> 00:08:47.175
  • The people you work with, the people who live near you, the
  • 00:08:47.175 --> 00:08:49.778
  • People that you recreate, the places where you spend your
  • 00:08:49.778 --> 00:08:52.514
  • Discretionary time, use your voice to encourage the next
  • 00:08:52.514 --> 00:08:57.519
  • Generation to choose the lord with their faith.
  • 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:02.324
  • In 1 corinthians 15 and verse 3, it says: "what i received i
  • 00:09:02.324 --> 00:09:05.627
  • Passed on to you as of first importance: that christ died for
  • 00:09:05.627 --> 00:09:09.631
  • Our sins according to the scripture."
  • 00:09:09.631 --> 00:09:12.000
  • What i received from the lord i gave to you as if it was of
  • 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:16.204
  • Primary importance.
  • 00:09:16.204 --> 00:09:19.274
  • If you'll teach people who are interested how to fish or how to
  • 00:09:19.274 --> 00:09:21.710
  • Hunt, if you'll explain to them why ut really has the best
  • 00:09:21.710 --> 00:09:25.981
  • College sports program in the nation, and how alabama cheats
  • 00:09:25.981 --> 00:09:29.884
  • On such a regular basis.
  • 00:09:29.884 --> 00:09:33.989
  • If you take the time to do that, please don't fail to take the
  • 00:09:33.989 --> 00:09:38.293
  • Time to pass on your faith to them.
  • 00:09:38.293 --> 00:09:41.796
  • It isn't that you're a systematic theologian and that
  • 00:09:41.796 --> 00:09:45.100
  • You can explain every nuance or subtlety of scripture, but it is
  • 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:48.937
  • So profoundly significant that the people who respect you, that
  • 00:09:48.937 --> 00:09:53.041
  • Are younger than you, know your faith matters to you,
  • 00:09:53.041 --> 00:09:57.412
  • That it's not some passing fancy, that it's not linked to a
  • 00:09:57.412 --> 00:10:00.348
  • Denomination or a particular congregation,
  • 00:10:00.348 --> 00:10:04.319
  • That it is anchored in jesus of nazareth and his
  • 00:10:04.319 --> 00:10:06.888
  • Redemptive work.
  • 00:10:06.888 --> 00:10:08.256
  • We will lead the next generation with our faith.
  • 00:10:08.256 --> 00:10:12.894
  • It only takes three generations for an idea to be lost.
  • 00:10:12.894 --> 00:10:16.631
  • That's not very long.
  • 00:10:16.631 --> 00:10:19.134
  • That is not very long at all.
  • 00:10:19.134 --> 00:10:23.571
  • My grandfather and the apostle paul both shared the same means
  • 00:10:23.571 --> 00:10:26.975
  • Of transportation:
  • 00:10:26.975 --> 00:10:29.344
  • A fast horse.
  • 00:10:29.344 --> 00:10:32.013
  • It was the fastest means of transportation available to them
  • 00:10:32.013 --> 00:10:35.083
  • As young men.
  • 00:10:35.083 --> 00:10:37.585
  • That hardly seems practical anymore.
  • 00:10:37.585 --> 00:10:41.222
  • Yet for almost 2 millennia, that was the fastest
  • 00:10:41.222 --> 00:10:44.159
  • Option available.
  • 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:46.061
  • So if you were going to travel from one place to another, you
  • 00:10:46.061 --> 00:10:48.430
  • Needed to know how to put a bridle and a saddle on a horse.
  • 00:10:48.430 --> 00:10:52.734
  • If we couldn't go home tonight unless we knew how to put a
  • 00:10:52.734 --> 00:10:55.136
  • Bridle and a saddle on the horse there'd be a lot of folks
  • 00:10:55.136 --> 00:10:57.806
  • Sleeping in the parking lot at church.
  • 00:10:57.806 --> 00:11:01.242
  • And this is tennessee.
  • 00:11:01.242 --> 00:11:03.511
  • It's a skill set that slips away pretty quickly.
  • 00:11:03.511 --> 00:11:06.381
  • It only takes three generations, folks.
  • 00:11:06.381 --> 00:11:08.750
  • Let's not lament that.
  • 00:11:08.750 --> 00:11:10.085
  • Let's be determined to shape the next generation with the faith
  • 00:11:10.085 --> 00:11:14.422
  • That we have.
  • 00:11:14.422 --> 00:11:18.460
  • Allen: have you ever said that christmas is too secular and
  • 00:11:22.664 --> 00:11:25.033
  • You're tired of it?
  • 00:11:25.033 --> 00:11:26.367
  • Well, we've got a solution or at least something that can help.
  • 00:11:26.367 --> 00:11:28.903
  • We've written a book.
  • 00:11:28.903 --> 00:11:30.271
  • It's called "how to lead with your faith at christmas."
  • 00:11:30.271 --> 00:11:32.340
  • It's 25 days of devotionals that you can read.
  • 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:34.576
  • You can share them with family, your friends, coworkers.
  • 00:11:34.576 --> 00:11:37.112
  • Then there's some ideas, even recipes, activities.
  • 00:11:37.112 --> 00:11:40.048
  • It's a fun--it's like a--it's a starter kit for bringing your
  • 00:11:40.048 --> 00:11:42.751
  • Faith to bear this christmas season.
  • 00:11:42.751 --> 00:11:45.253
  • Don't stand on the sidelines and complain.
  • 00:11:45.253 --> 00:11:47.489
  • Let's lead with our faith this christmas season.
  • 00:11:47.489 --> 00:11:49.624
  • Let's honor the lord and see the blessings that he brings to all
  • 00:11:49.624 --> 00:11:52.827
  • Of our lives.
  • 00:11:52.827 --> 00:11:54.162
  • Female announcer: christmas comes quickly and it's easy to
  • 00:11:54.162 --> 00:11:56.131
  • Let the season slip by without focusing on what matters most.
  • 00:11:56.131 --> 00:12:00.068
  • Pastor allen's new book, "lead with faith at christmas," is a
  • 00:12:00.068 --> 00:12:03.438
  • 25-day advent devotional that will help you bring jesus more
  • 00:12:03.438 --> 00:12:07.075
  • Fully into the season.
  • 00:12:07.075 --> 00:12:08.777
  • Inside you'll find scriptures, devotionals, prayers, recipes,
  • 00:12:08.777 --> 00:12:13.581
  • And practical things you can do to make the holidays
  • 00:12:13.581 --> 00:12:16.384
  • More meaningful.
  • 00:12:16.384 --> 00:12:17.719
  • It also makes a fantastic gift.
  • 00:12:17.719 --> 00:12:20.288
  • It's time to stop repeating the same stale traditions and get
  • 00:12:20.288 --> 00:12:23.525
  • Ready to put your faith into action in new ways
  • 00:12:23.525 --> 00:12:26.227
  • This christmas.
  • 00:12:26.227 --> 00:12:27.629
  • Request your copy when you donate $30 or more today at
  • 00:12:27.629 --> 00:12:31.032
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:12:31.032 --> 00:12:36.171
  • Allen: you know, we are living through a tragedy in our nation.
  • 00:12:39.874 --> 00:12:43.912
  • Charlie kirk was assassinated not long ago.
  • 00:12:43.912 --> 00:12:47.348
  • A christian martyr in america in 2025, that's very difficult
  • 00:12:47.348 --> 00:12:51.352
  • To process.
  • 00:12:51.352 --> 00:12:56.157
  • Charlie was guilty of taking a biblical worldview onto
  • 00:12:56.157 --> 00:13:00.028
  • College campuses.
  • 00:13:00.028 --> 00:13:03.198
  • He would sit and have an open dialogue with college students
  • 00:13:03.198 --> 00:13:06.768
  • About a biblical worldview.
  • 00:13:06.768 --> 00:13:09.637
  • He wasn't a pastor, he wasn't a minister.
  • 00:13:09.637 --> 00:13:11.606
  • He didn't hold a political office.
  • 00:13:11.606 --> 00:13:13.708
  • He was a citizen that went to college campuses and had a
  • 00:13:13.708 --> 00:13:16.344
  • Dialogue with college students in a place where the free
  • 00:13:16.344 --> 00:13:19.814
  • Exchange of ideas has been understood historically to be
  • 00:13:19.814 --> 00:13:23.852
  • The lingua franca of that environment.
  • 00:13:23.852 --> 00:13:25.587
  • You're supposed to be able to be on a college campus and have
  • 00:13:25.587 --> 00:13:27.689
  • Dissenting opinions.
  • 00:13:27.689 --> 00:13:30.692
  • And charlie did that.
  • 00:13:30.692 --> 00:13:33.628
  • And for that, he was frequently hated, often vilified.
  • 00:13:33.628 --> 00:13:38.666
  • Quite often lied about, labeled in the most heinous ways.
  • 00:13:38.666 --> 00:13:43.004
  • But what we have observed is that his life had a tremendous
  • 00:13:43.004 --> 00:13:46.774
  • Impact on countless thousands of young people,
  • 00:13:46.774 --> 00:13:51.479
  • That they heard the truth that charlie shared and they were
  • 00:13:51.479 --> 00:13:54.983
  • Moved by it.
  • 00:13:54.983 --> 00:13:56.951
  • They realigned their lives.
  • 00:13:56.951 --> 00:14:00.622
  • I meet frequently with groups of pastors.
  • 00:14:00.622 --> 00:14:02.657
  • I was with a group not long ago and they were, for the most
  • 00:14:02.657 --> 00:14:04.859
  • Part, mocking charlie kirk.
  • 00:14:04.859 --> 00:14:08.263
  • And i sat there with the temperature rising.
  • 00:14:08.263 --> 00:14:13.768
  • And someone turned finally and said, "i thought he is i--was
  • 00:14:13.768 --> 00:14:17.405
  • Charlie your friend?"
  • 00:14:17.405 --> 00:14:18.740
  • And i said, "he was."
  • 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:21.542
  • And they asked me what i thought and i said, "well, i think
  • 00:14:21.542 --> 00:14:23.978
  • Charlie went on the college campuses and told the students
  • 00:14:23.978 --> 00:14:26.948
  • What you aren't willing to tell them in your churches."
  • 00:14:26.948 --> 00:14:30.718
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:14:30.718 --> 00:14:35.857
  • He had discussions that too many of us have hidden from.
  • 00:14:35.857 --> 00:14:39.727
  • We were afraid they'd be awkward or uncomfortable or we wouldn't
  • 00:14:39.727 --> 00:14:42.330
  • Know how to answer or we would be labeled with some
  • 00:14:42.330 --> 00:14:45.233
  • Hateful label.
  • 00:14:45.233 --> 00:14:47.235
  • And if there's anything at this point that seems abundantly
  • 00:14:47.235 --> 00:14:50.071
  • Clear, it's that there are tens of thousands of young people
  • 00:14:50.071 --> 00:14:53.141
  • With tremendous gratitude that charlie kirk was willing to
  • 00:14:53.141 --> 00:14:56.577
  • Speak the truth to them.
  • 00:14:56.577 --> 00:14:59.013
  • So i want to submit to you that you and i can lead this next
  • 00:14:59.013 --> 00:15:02.550
  • Generation with our faith.
  • 00:15:02.550 --> 00:15:04.919
  • Not dramatical stuff, not subtle theological nuanced, when to
  • 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:08.489
  • Take communion and how often, which translation of the bible
  • 00:15:08.489 --> 00:15:11.693
  • Is better, which part of the bible was written in greek or
  • 00:15:11.693 --> 00:15:14.529
  • Aramaic or hebrew.
  • 00:15:14.529 --> 00:15:15.897
  • I'm okay with those discussions, but that's not the heart of what
  • 00:15:15.897 --> 00:15:18.733
  • Needs to be said.
  • 00:15:18.733 --> 00:15:20.101
  • We have to have the courage and come back and say there's a
  • 00:15:20.101 --> 00:15:21.836
  • Biblical definition of marriage,
  • 00:15:21.836 --> 00:15:24.172
  • That there's a biblical view of sexual morality and sexual
  • 00:15:24.172 --> 00:15:27.108
  • Immorality in scripture,
  • 00:15:27.108 --> 00:15:29.510
  • That the bible endorses the sanctity of human life, that
  • 00:15:29.510 --> 00:15:32.313
  • Babies aren't just blobs of cells, that they deserve our
  • 00:15:32.313 --> 00:15:36.250
  • Respect and our voices on their behalf because they can't yet
  • 00:15:36.250 --> 00:15:40.188
  • Speak for themselves,
  • 00:15:40.188 --> 00:15:42.156
  • That there are two biological sexes, that god really did
  • 00:15:42.156 --> 00:15:45.126
  • Create us male and female, and that that isn't confusing.
  • 00:15:45.126 --> 00:15:50.531
  • We've been afraid of the conversations.
  • 00:15:50.531 --> 00:15:53.634
  • We've been too reluctant.
  • 00:15:53.634 --> 00:15:55.003
  • Again, we're not doing it in anger or belligerence, but we
  • 00:15:55.003 --> 00:15:59.207
  • Have allowed our universities to become intolerant
  • 00:15:59.207 --> 00:16:01.843
  • Indoctrination centers.
  • 00:16:01.843 --> 00:16:03.578
  • That's on our watch.
  • 00:16:03.578 --> 00:16:04.912
  • It's not acceptable.
  • 00:16:04.912 --> 00:16:06.280
  • We will lead the next generation with faith.
  • 00:16:06.280 --> 00:16:09.717
  • And i'm done with places that put christian on their signs at
  • 00:16:09.717 --> 00:16:12.954
  • The university level and below even.
  • 00:16:12.954 --> 00:16:15.923
  • And they become intolerant.
  • 00:16:15.923 --> 00:16:18.693
  • They may have an occasional chapel service and assuage their
  • 00:16:18.693 --> 00:16:22.463
  • Conscience by saying they're better than the alternatives,
  • 00:16:22.463 --> 00:16:25.266
  • But if the sign says christian, you better own a biblical
  • 00:16:25.266 --> 00:16:27.869
  • Worldview or it's false.
  • 00:16:27.869 --> 00:16:31.272
  • It's not something that we have an opinion about.
  • 00:16:31.272 --> 00:16:34.042
  • We are submitted to the lordship of jesus.
  • 00:16:34.042 --> 00:16:37.378
  • He's changing us.
  • 00:16:37.378 --> 00:16:38.780
  • Folks, we're all broken people.
  • 00:16:38.780 --> 00:16:41.449
  • We've all led imperfect lives.
  • 00:16:41.449 --> 00:16:43.284
  • We've all got fractured stories, but our god is a redeemer.
  • 00:16:43.284 --> 00:16:48.156
  • And it's the hope we hold out to the generations who follow us.
  • 00:16:48.156 --> 00:16:52.760
  • Let's be determined to lead this generation with faith.
  • 00:16:52.760 --> 00:16:57.131
  • And the fourth one--
  • 00:16:57.131 --> 00:16:59.067
  • How am i doing?
  • 00:16:59.067 --> 00:17:00.435
  • I'm out of time here shortly--
  • 00:17:00.435 --> 00:17:05.573
  • Is we've made a commitment as a community of faith to
  • 00:17:05.573 --> 00:17:08.276
  • Do difficult.
  • 00:17:08.276 --> 00:17:12.146
  • Aren't you glad you came to church for that little
  • 00:17:12.146 --> 00:17:14.015
  • Encouraging nugget?
  • 00:17:14.015 --> 00:17:16.717
  • I'm here to tell you the honest truth.
  • 00:17:16.717 --> 00:17:18.686
  • Giving your heart to jesus as lord, christ, and king is
  • 00:17:18.686 --> 00:17:21.389
  • Not easy.
  • 00:17:21.389 --> 00:17:24.692
  • It's free, it's available to anybody.
  • 00:17:24.692 --> 00:17:27.695
  • No matter your race, your biological sect--sex, your
  • 00:17:27.695 --> 00:17:34.635
  • Ethnicity, your iq, your social status, your financial resources
  • 00:17:34.635 --> 00:17:40.741
  • Or the lack thereof.
  • 00:17:40.741 --> 00:17:42.110
  • None of those things that divide us can keep you on the outside
  • 00:17:42.110 --> 00:17:44.479
  • Of the kingdom of god.
  • 00:17:44.479 --> 00:17:45.813
  • Everybody's welcome.
  • 00:17:45.813 --> 00:17:47.515
  • And it begins with a decision.
  • 00:17:47.515 --> 00:17:49.750
  • You can't earn it.
  • 00:17:49.750 --> 00:17:51.385
  • None of us are good enough or moral enough or holy enough.
  • 00:17:51.385 --> 00:17:54.021
  • You can't earn it.
  • 00:17:54.021 --> 00:17:55.389
  • It begins with a decision about who jesus is and the position
  • 00:17:55.389 --> 00:17:58.926
  • You'll give him in your life.
  • 00:17:58.926 --> 00:18:00.895
  • But once you make that decision, the bible says that we offer
  • 00:18:00.895 --> 00:18:04.966
  • Ourselves as a living sacrifice to the lord,
  • 00:18:04.966 --> 00:18:09.070
  • That we lay our lives on an altar.
  • 00:18:09.070 --> 00:18:10.705
  • It's not easy, folks.
  • 00:18:10.705 --> 00:18:12.773
  • Nobody said it was supposed to be easy.
  • 00:18:12.773 --> 00:18:15.710
  • None of the best things in your life are easy.
  • 00:18:15.710 --> 00:18:20.815
  • Rearing good children, children with good character, children
  • 00:18:20.815 --> 00:18:25.253
  • Who will be good citizens, children prepared to meet the
  • 00:18:25.253 --> 00:18:28.656
  • World and flourish in it is not easy.
  • 00:18:28.656 --> 00:18:33.261
  • You missed a great chance for an amen.
  • 00:18:33.261 --> 00:18:37.064
  • Having a good marriage.
  • 00:18:37.064 --> 00:18:40.334
  • Don't say amen on this one.
  • 00:18:40.334 --> 00:18:41.702
  • I'm just gonna clue you in, okay?
  • 00:18:41.702 --> 00:18:43.337
  • Having a good marriage is not easy.
  • 00:18:43.337 --> 00:18:47.375
  • You know, people say it's hard work.
  • 00:18:47.375 --> 00:18:48.910
  • You know what work is?
  • 00:18:48.910 --> 00:18:50.244
  • Work is that place where you go--where you wouldn't go
  • 00:18:50.244 --> 00:18:51.946
  • Unless they paid you.
  • 00:18:51.946 --> 00:18:54.248
  • Or you engage in behaviors you probably wouldn't engage in
  • 00:18:54.248 --> 00:18:56.817
  • Unless they paid you.
  • 00:18:56.817 --> 00:18:59.353
  • So the definitions, "work," if you're gonna have a good
  • 00:18:59.353 --> 00:19:01.389
  • Marriage or if you're gonna parent great kids, it's
  • 00:19:01.389 --> 00:19:05.092
  • Hard work.
  • 00:19:05.092 --> 00:19:06.961
  • Following the lord is not easy.
  • 00:19:06.961 --> 00:19:10.965
  • We've treated christianity like we were volunteering for some
  • 00:19:10.965 --> 00:19:16.571
  • Hobby, hobby-esque type of behavior.
  • 00:19:16.571 --> 00:19:19.774
  • That's not it at all.
  • 00:19:19.774 --> 00:19:22.944
  • I'm sorry.
  • 00:19:22.944 --> 00:19:24.946
  • Let me read you a couple of verses.
  • 00:19:24.946 --> 00:19:26.380
  • Matthew 10, this is jesus, verse 22: "all men will hate you
  • 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:30.585
  • Because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
  • 00:19:30.585 --> 00:19:35.456
  • If you choose jesus, sooner or later, you'll find somebody who
  • 00:19:35.456 --> 00:19:39.660
  • Won't like you because of your affiliation with jesus.
  • 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:43.864
  • Choose jesus anyway.
  • 00:19:43.864 --> 00:19:46.500
  • Don't act surprised.
  • 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.868
  • If you're a ut fan, you'll fly that orange and white flag all
  • 00:19:47.868 --> 00:19:50.638
  • The way to the gulf coast, proudly.
  • 00:19:50.638 --> 00:19:57.445
  • We've had the wrong approach on this.
  • 00:19:57.445 --> 00:20:00.548
  • We go, "i don't wanna go to church.
  • 00:20:00.548 --> 00:20:01.849
  • It's a hassle.
  • 00:20:01.849 --> 00:20:03.184
  • I gotta get up and get the kids ready.
  • 00:20:03.184 --> 00:20:04.852
  • When i get to campus, we have to park so far away."
  • 00:20:04.852 --> 00:20:08.556
  • Oh, i'm sorry.
  • 00:20:08.556 --> 00:20:11.092
  • Bless your--come up here.
  • 00:20:11.092 --> 00:20:14.595
  • Did somebody promise you that they would clean your binky when
  • 00:20:14.595 --> 00:20:17.565
  • You came to church?
  • 00:20:17.565 --> 00:20:20.735
  • What has happened to us?
  • 00:20:20.735 --> 00:20:24.305
  • What has happened to us, church?
  • 00:20:24.305 --> 00:20:27.742
  • In luke 21, jesus said, "you'll be betrayed even by parents and
  • 00:20:27.742 --> 00:20:32.246
  • Brothers and relatives and friends, and they'll put some of
  • 00:20:32.246 --> 00:20:34.982
  • You to death.
  • 00:20:34.982 --> 00:20:36.317
  • All men will hate you because of me."
  • 00:20:36.317 --> 00:20:39.120
  • How many of you know who the apostle paul is?
  • 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:41.155
  • You heard of him?
  • 00:20:41.155 --> 00:20:42.923
  • By title, he wrote 2/3 of your new testament.
  • 00:20:42.923 --> 00:20:46.294
  • One of the most remarkable advocates for jesus the world
  • 00:20:46.294 --> 00:20:48.562
  • Has ever known.
  • 00:20:48.562 --> 00:20:49.930
  • Jesus interrupted paul.
  • 00:20:49.930 --> 00:20:51.632
  • He hated jesus, and jesus met him on the road to damascus and
  • 00:20:51.632 --> 00:20:55.536
  • Left paul.
  • 00:20:55.536 --> 00:20:56.904
  • From that encounter, saul was blind, so jesus recruited
  • 00:20:56.904 --> 00:20:59.674
  • Somebody to go pray for him.
  • 00:20:59.674 --> 00:21:01.008
  • His name was ananias, and this was the message god
  • 00:21:01.008 --> 00:21:03.177
  • Gave ananias.
  • 00:21:03.177 --> 00:21:04.545
  • It's acts 9, the lord saying to ananias, "go tell this man,"
  • 00:21:04.545 --> 00:21:07.948
  • Saul, "that he's my chosen instrument to carry my name
  • 00:21:07.948 --> 00:21:11.886
  • Before the gentiles and their kings and before the people
  • 00:21:11.886 --> 00:21:14.155
  • Of israel."
  • 00:21:14.155 --> 00:21:15.523
  • Well, that's a pretty cool assignment.
  • 00:21:15.523 --> 00:21:17.425
  • "you go tell him i've chosen him to stand before kings,
  • 00:21:17.425 --> 00:21:21.395
  • That i've written an assignment for him.
  • 00:21:21.395 --> 00:21:23.230
  • I know his name.
  • 00:21:23.230 --> 00:21:24.598
  • I have recruited him purposefully."
  • 00:21:24.598 --> 00:21:28.035
  • The next sentence is not quite so fun.
  • 00:21:28.035 --> 00:21:30.805
  • "and i will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
  • 00:21:30.805 --> 00:21:36.410
  • See, i think most of us have lived with the standard that we
  • 00:21:36.410 --> 00:21:39.246
  • Want our faith to be something that never brings discomfort.
  • 00:21:39.246 --> 00:21:42.483
  • No awkward conversations.
  • 00:21:42.483 --> 00:21:44.919
  • No rejection, no difficulty.
  • 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:48.689
  • You know, we've had very much kind of a toddler-esque faith.
  • 00:21:48.689 --> 00:21:52.693
  • We cry, we want somebody to feed us.
  • 00:21:52.693 --> 00:21:55.196
  • If we need change, we want to make some more noise and
  • 00:21:55.196 --> 00:21:57.264
  • Somebody will change us.
  • 00:21:57.264 --> 00:21:59.467
  • If we're unhappy, we'll try to make everybody around us more
  • 00:21:59.467 --> 00:22:02.069
  • Unhappy until they make us happy.
  • 00:22:02.069 --> 00:22:05.406
  • That doesn't make a child wicked.
  • 00:22:05.406 --> 00:22:07.108
  • That makes a child normal, but if you're doing that when you're
  • 00:22:07.108 --> 00:22:09.977
  • 30, it's awkward.
  • 00:22:09.977 --> 00:22:12.780
  • And many of us--many of us have gotten stuck in a very childish
  • 00:22:12.780 --> 00:22:16.650
  • Expression of our faith.
  • 00:22:16.650 --> 00:22:18.686
  • We wanna be comfortable.
  • 00:22:18.686 --> 00:22:20.054
  • We want it to suit us.
  • 00:22:20.054 --> 00:22:21.422
  • We wanna sit in the place we wanna sit and park in the place
  • 00:22:21.422 --> 00:22:23.824
  • We wanna park and the sermon and the music to fit our personal
  • 00:22:23.824 --> 00:22:27.194
  • Taste and if all of these-- those things don't align just
  • 00:22:27.194 --> 00:22:30.064
  • Right, we're unhappy.
  • 00:22:30.064 --> 00:22:32.700
  • And we won't tolerate it anymore.
  • 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:35.603
  • Now, i'm not opposed to personal preference and personal choice.
  • 00:22:35.603 --> 00:22:38.239
  • I'm grateful that we have much of that, but i want to serve the
  • 00:22:38.239 --> 00:22:41.208
  • Lord with a different agenda.
  • 00:22:41.208 --> 00:22:43.911
  • I'm willing to do the difficult things.
  • 00:22:43.911 --> 00:22:47.014
  • I don't think you can argue that you serve the lord unless you
  • 00:22:47.014 --> 00:22:49.583
  • Serve the lord's people.
  • 00:22:49.583 --> 00:22:51.786
  • I don't think you can argue very convincingly that you are giving
  • 00:22:51.786 --> 00:22:54.288
  • The lord your best unless you're leading a generous life with
  • 00:22:54.288 --> 00:22:57.324
  • Your time and your talent and your treasure and your energy.
  • 00:22:57.324 --> 00:23:01.529
  • Serving the lord's not simple, folks, and the longer you serve
  • 00:23:01.529 --> 00:23:05.533
  • Him, the more complicated that becomes, because the more he'll
  • 00:23:05.533 --> 00:23:09.804
  • Trust you with other assignments.
  • 00:23:09.804 --> 00:23:13.407
  • And many of us, if we're honest, i think, well, you know, "look,
  • 00:23:13.407 --> 00:23:15.609
  • I signed up for this thing because i just didn't wanna go
  • 00:23:15.609 --> 00:23:17.411
  • To hell.
  • 00:23:17.411 --> 00:23:20.548
  • You know, they--i heard that sermon and they said there was a
  • 00:23:20.548 --> 00:23:22.883
  • Hell and i thought, 'wow, i don't wanna go there.'
  • 00:23:22.883 --> 00:23:25.820
  • Then they gave me plan b, so i raised my hand and i said, 'i'm
  • 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:28.989
  • For plan b.'"
  • 00:23:28.989 --> 00:23:31.325
  • And that was kind of the last time we listened much.
  • 00:23:31.325 --> 00:23:34.562
  • And we've got some credentials.
  • 00:23:34.562 --> 00:23:35.930
  • We know the date when we walked the aisle and we said
  • 00:23:35.930 --> 00:23:37.832
  • The prayer.
  • 00:23:37.832 --> 00:23:39.200
  • Maybe you got baptized in a pool and that's good.
  • 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:40.534
  • We're gonna baptize quite a few people tonight.
  • 00:23:40.534 --> 00:23:43.504
  • But i'm telling you, the point of that entry into the kingdom
  • 00:23:43.504 --> 00:23:45.840
  • Is to serve the lord.
  • 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:47.675
  • And it means that we'll be willing to do difficult.
  • 00:23:47.675 --> 00:23:51.412
  • How many of you would be willing to do something difficult to
  • 00:23:51.412 --> 00:23:54.048
  • Honor the lord--
  • 00:23:54.048 --> 00:23:55.816
  • That you'd take him with you to work or take him with you to the
  • 00:23:55.816 --> 00:23:58.219
  • Ball fields or take him with you to wherever it is you go with
  • 00:23:58.219 --> 00:24:00.621
  • Your friends on your discretionary time,
  • 00:24:00.621 --> 00:24:03.958
  • That you'd say, you know, "i wish you'd change your
  • 00:24:03.958 --> 00:24:05.693
  • Vocabulary," or "don't tell that joke"?
  • 00:24:05.693 --> 00:24:10.865
  • Are we willing to start to live as if jesus is at the center of
  • 00:24:10.865 --> 00:24:13.968
  • Our lives?
  • 00:24:13.968 --> 00:24:15.536
  • The challenge is are we gonna shape culture or are we gonna
  • 00:24:15.536 --> 00:24:17.872
  • Be shaped by culture?
  • 00:24:17.872 --> 00:24:19.240
  • Those are the options.
  • 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:21.342
  • I'm gonna say a prayer.
  • 00:24:21.342 --> 00:24:22.710
  • I wanna invite you to join me.
  • 00:24:22.710 --> 00:24:24.044
  • It's an acknowledgement as jesus of lord of your life.
  • 00:24:24.044 --> 00:24:26.614
  • If you've never prayed it before, tonight would be a
  • 00:24:26.614 --> 00:24:28.349
  • Good time.
  • 00:24:28.349 --> 00:24:29.683
  • If you prayed it a thousand times, it won't hurt you.
  • 00:24:29.683 --> 00:24:32.086
  • You're not joining this church.
  • 00:24:32.086 --> 00:24:33.454
  • Joining this church wouldn't help you.
  • 00:24:33.454 --> 00:24:36.323
  • You don't get a laminated woc card that gets you into the
  • 00:24:36.323 --> 00:24:39.126
  • Gates of heaven, bummer, but it will help you with your status
  • 00:24:39.126 --> 00:24:44.265
  • In the kingdom of god.
  • 00:24:44.265 --> 00:24:48.402
  • Why don't you stand with me for this prayer.
  • 00:24:48.402 --> 00:24:51.772
  • I was gonna invite all of you to say this prayer with me if you'd
  • 00:24:51.772 --> 00:24:57.044
  • Like jesus to be lord of your life.
  • 00:24:57.044 --> 00:24:58.445
  • If you wouldn't, you don't have to.
  • 00:24:58.445 --> 00:25:02.449
  • But i want to invite all of you.
  • 00:25:02.449 --> 00:25:05.052
  • Just bow your head and close your eyes, forget the people
  • 00:25:05.052 --> 00:25:07.254
  • Around you for a moment.
  • 00:25:07.254 --> 00:25:10.691
  • Let's pray together: "almighty god, i'm a sinner.
  • 00:25:10.691 --> 00:25:15.829
  • And i need a savior.
  • 00:25:15.829 --> 00:25:18.198
  • I believe jesus is your son, that he died on a cross for
  • 00:25:18.198 --> 00:25:23.537
  • My sin
  • 00:25:23.537 --> 00:25:26.407
  • And that you raised him to life again that i might be saved.
  • 00:25:26.407 --> 00:25:33.247
  • Jesus, be lord of my life.
  • 00:25:33.247 --> 00:25:36.884
  • All that i am, all that i have, i give to you.
  • 00:25:36.884 --> 00:25:43.123
  • Forgive me of all my sin.
  • 00:25:43.123 --> 00:25:46.260
  • And i forgive all those who sinned against me.
  • 00:25:46.260 --> 00:25:51.665
  • And i thank you now that i belong to the family of god, the
  • 00:25:51.665 --> 00:25:58.405
  • Best family in the universe, in jesus's name, amen."
  • 00:25:58.405 --> 00:26:05.579
  • Hallelujah, give the lord a hand, huh?
  • 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:13.387
  • Allen: i'm a pastor and i have the privilege of serving
  • 00:26:17.524 --> 00:26:19.627
  • God's people.
  • 00:26:19.627 --> 00:26:20.995
  • I can tell you from experience, one of the most difficult things
  • 00:26:20.995 --> 00:26:22.997
  • To do is introduce change.
  • 00:26:22.997 --> 00:26:24.865
  • Most of us don't like it, and i think that's particularly true
  • 00:26:24.865 --> 00:26:28.469
  • Around holiday seasons.
  • 00:26:28.469 --> 00:26:29.970
  • We have traditions, we have patterns, we have habits.
  • 00:26:29.970 --> 00:26:33.240
  • They're comforting to us, comfortable to us.
  • 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:36.744
  • Well, i wanna suggest something.
  • 00:26:36.744 --> 00:26:38.112
  • We have created a tool for you this christmas.
  • 00:26:38.112 --> 00:26:40.314
  • It's called, "leading with your faith at christmas."
  • 00:26:40.314 --> 00:26:42.816
  • It's a little book with a 25-day devotional that you can do
  • 00:26:42.816 --> 00:26:45.519
  • Personally, you can do it with your family, you can do it
  • 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:47.154
  • With coworkers.
  • 00:26:47.154 --> 00:26:48.422
  • There's some recipes, there's activities.
  • 00:26:48.422 --> 00:26:50.424
  • It's really a guide for you to shape christmas with your faith,
  • 00:26:50.424 --> 00:26:55.329
  • But it means i'm asking you to do something different to
  • 00:26:55.329 --> 00:26:57.931
  • Introduce change and i know that's not easy, but it's time
  • 00:26:57.931 --> 00:27:01.802
  • For us to stop raging against the darkness, folks.
  • 00:27:01.802 --> 00:27:04.171
  • Let's turn up the light.
  • 00:27:04.171 --> 00:27:05.639
  • I believe "leading with your faith at christmas" is a tool
  • 00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:08.475
  • That will help you be a better light for jesus in the midst of
  • 00:27:08.475 --> 00:27:11.879
  • This christmas season, and that's worthwhile.
  • 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:14.748
  • Enjoy the book, and merry christmas.
  • 00:27:14.748 --> 00:27:27.394