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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Jesus' Victory on Display (Part 1)

April 9, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - Jesus' Victory on Display (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Jesus #Victory #Perseverance #Endurance #WalkwithGod #Trials-HardTimes #Challenges #IdentityinChrist #Redemption #Satan #Overcoming #Evil #Goodness #Truth #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Jesus' Victory on Display (Part 1) | April 9, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world, people are searching
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: we've been doing this little study called
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  • "finish the race."
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  • It's a biblical image that we're runners running a race and we're
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  • Called to run in such a way as to get the prize.
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  • Don't just--i got recruited for some--some track stuff when i
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  • Was in school, not because they thought i was a gifted athlete,
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  • They needed warm bodies and they had leverage.
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  • So, i ran some cross country and some things, and i was not
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  • Running to get the prize.
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  • I was running to get--to be sure i got to play on
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  • The basketball team.
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  • That was the only prize i was interested in, so i would run
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  • When they could see me and walk when they couldn't.
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  • And i trained with almost no enthusiasm.
  • 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:02.204
  • That's just full confession.
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  • So, when i read that passage and it says in corinthians, to run
  • 00:02:04.873 --> 00:02:07.409
  • In such a way as to get the prize, it's got my attention.
  • 00:02:07.409 --> 00:02:10.546
  • Said all the runners run, but only one gets the prize.
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  • A lot of runners, but there's a--there's only a handful
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  • Of prizes.
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  • We don't live our christian life like that.
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  • It seems to me we live very presumptive christian lives.
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  • As if we think everybody gets a participation trophy.
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  • Come on now.
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  • And that's not the story in the book.
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  • If it were, we wouldn't be given those encouraged--points
  • 00:02:31.533 --> 00:02:33.468
  • Of encouragement.
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  • And i don't say that to frighten you or make you feel threatened,
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  • But i do say it to shake you out of your slumber.
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  • Run in such a way as to get the prize.
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  • And this whole notion of finishing the race is important.
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  • At this season in my life, i understand there's a beginning
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  • And an ending to our lives, all of us.
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  • But my life seems more like a collection of races.
  • 00:02:50.919 --> 00:02:54.823
  • You know, there've been different seasons and there
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  • Was--there were--there were contests or there were certainly
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  • Assignments within those seasons, and sometimes i
  • 00:02:59.595 --> 00:03:02.364
  • Finished well and sometimes i didn't finish so well.
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  • And then that's really helpful to me because in this season,
  • 00:03:05.867 --> 00:03:08.003
  • It's important for me that i'm far more attentive to that.
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  • I don't just assume it'll work out well.
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  • I want to finish well.
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  • I mean, certainly a big picture, but i want to finish in each of
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  • Those seasons better.
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  • I want to give more attention to that.
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  • And i don't want to be presumptive.
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  • So that--that's the invitation for this.
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  • And the other piece of it is, it's more difficult than
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  • I imagined.
  • 00:03:27.122 --> 00:03:28.890
  • Life's just harder than i thought it would be.
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  • And i don't think it's unique, and i--i'm not complaining
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  • Or whining.
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  • I don't feel like a victim at all.
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  • I'm just here to tell you, if you think it's supposed
  • 00:03:36.865 --> 00:03:38.333
  • To be easy, you're not paying attention.
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  • It's every generation, every--the life comes filled
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  • With challenges because there's a battle in our world.
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  • In this session, i wanna come back to jesus's victory.
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  • I did this whole little study around two persons.
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  • One was the apostle, paul, and really, the window near the end
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  • Of his life or the last window we have on paul in scripture
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  • When he said he was compelled to go to jerusalem and then he knew
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  • He had an assignment to go to rome.
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  • And so, we followed him to jerusalem and then to rome, both
  • 00:04:05.661 --> 00:04:08.196
  • God-given assignments, both something paul was aware of
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  • Early in his journey as a christ follower, and yet an
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  • Extraordinarily difficult thing.
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  • He made it to rome as a prisoner.
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  • On the end of a two-year journey of false accusations and
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  • Multiple assassination attempts, and shipwrecks, and poisonous
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  • Snake bites, and all this stuff, and then he got to rome.
  • 00:04:26.682 --> 00:04:29.518
  • Like god said, "i want you, i'm thinking a business class ticket
  • 00:04:29.518 --> 00:04:31.853
  • Would have been good."
  • 00:04:31.853 --> 00:04:33.889
  • And then i--alongside of that, we took jesus.
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  • And i know he's jesus and we kind of--we don't treat him in
  • 00:04:37.159 --> 00:04:40.529
  • A real way sometimes, but jesus came with a mission.
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  • The incarnate son of god came with an assignment.
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  • And it wasn't simple.
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  • And we walked through some of that in a previous session, and
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  • I wanna come back to it a bit because there's a passage in
  • 00:04:52.074 --> 00:04:55.377
  • 2 corinthians 2 that i think is appropriate for this.
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  • It says: "thanks be to god."
  • 00:04:57.379 --> 00:04:58.747
  • Paul's writing to a church in corinth, the pagan city,
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  • A godless city.
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  • "thanks be to god, who always leads us in triumphal procession
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  • In christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the
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  • Knowledge of him."
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  • That's a little blind to us, but if we put it back in the first
  • 00:05:12.361 --> 00:05:14.696
  • Century context, when a roman general won a great victory,
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  • Sometimes the emperor would grant them a triumph.
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  • In essence, a parade through the streets of rome.
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  • And the general would be allowed to ride in a chariot, and coming
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  • Behind him would be the spoils of his victory.
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  • Maybe persons captured, or remarkable art images, or the
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  • Produce, or animals.
  • 00:05:36.151 --> 00:05:37.486
  • It would be a celebration through the streets of the rome
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  • Of a victory that had been won.
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  • So, a triumph wasn't the winning of a victory.
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  • We think of a triumph as, "i won.
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  • I'm triumphant."
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  • A triumph was the celebration of a victory that was
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  • Already accomplished.
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  • You with me?
  • 00:05:53.168 --> 00:05:54.703
  • So paul says, "thanks be to god, he leads us in a triumphal
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  • Procession in christ."
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  • Christ is the head of the church, and we make our journey
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  • Through time under the authority of his name.
  • 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:08.984
  • Evidence of the transforming power of the victory of our
  • 00:06:08.984 --> 00:06:13.054
  • Lord, the fruit of our lives, the outcome of our lives, the
  • 00:06:13.054 --> 00:06:17.659
  • Impact of our lives, people standing apart from our lord go,
  • 00:06:17.659 --> 00:06:20.896
  • "that's just not possible, that's not probable.
  • 00:06:20.896 --> 00:06:23.265
  • I don't know how that happened."
  • 00:06:23.265 --> 00:06:25.567
  • And it's because of him.
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  • We're the triumphal procession in christ.
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  • Hallelujah.
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  • Y'all are pretty calm about that.
  • 00:06:33.708 --> 00:06:35.076
  • I'm a little jacked up.
  • 00:06:35.076 --> 00:06:37.446
  • You know, we're not--you know, we're like, "oh, i'm in church."
  • 00:06:37.446 --> 00:06:39.881
  • You go to church?
  • 00:06:39.881 --> 00:06:41.216
  • "yeah, i go to church."
  • 00:06:41.216 --> 00:06:42.584
  • You love jesus?
  • 00:06:42.584 --> 00:06:43.919
  • "oh yeah, i really love jesus."
  • 00:06:43.919 --> 00:06:46.254
  • Do you read your bible?
  • 00:06:46.254 --> 00:06:47.589
  • "mm, no."
  • 00:06:47.589 --> 00:06:52.127
  • We are evidence, we are the display case for our lord.
  • 00:06:52.127 --> 00:06:57.766
  • That is so remarkable that jesus sat down at the right hand of
  • 00:06:57.766 --> 00:07:03.305
  • God, his redemptive work on our behalf is complete.
  • 00:07:03.305 --> 00:07:07.175
  • There's nothing to be added to it.
  • 00:07:07.175 --> 00:07:08.543
  • There can be nothing to be taken away from it.
  • 00:07:08.543 --> 00:07:10.879
  • He obtained an eternal, irreversible victory over satan
  • 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:14.249
  • And his entire kingdom.
  • 00:07:14.249 --> 00:07:17.152
  • And most of us know that.
  • 00:07:17.152 --> 00:07:19.020
  • And with that, we kind of go... [sighs]
  • 00:07:19.020 --> 00:07:23.492
  • But i have news for you: jesus is at work.
  • 00:07:23.492 --> 00:07:27.229
  • His redemptive work is complete, but he's not done in the earth.
  • 00:07:27.229 --> 00:07:32.033
  • I'm gonna show you that in scripture, as we walk through
  • 00:07:32.033 --> 00:07:35.003
  • This, but i also need you to be prepared.
  • 00:07:35.003 --> 00:07:39.007
  • There is opposition.
  • 00:07:39.007 --> 00:07:41.476
  • That's a part of the journey.
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  • It was true for saul of tarsus as he's becoming the
  • 00:07:44.012 --> 00:07:46.515
  • Apostle paul.
  • 00:07:46.515 --> 00:07:48.183
  • It was true in the life of jesus, the incarnate son of god.
  • 00:07:48.183 --> 00:07:52.354
  • I mean, you would have to imagine that, you know, we have
  • 00:07:52.354 --> 00:07:55.223
  • Enough glimpses into the spiritual realities through the
  • 00:07:55.223 --> 00:07:59.594
  • Gospels that we get some insight into the kingdom of darkness.
  • 00:07:59.594 --> 00:08:04.733
  • Demons expressing what they're aware of or not aware of, and
  • 00:08:04.733 --> 00:08:08.770
  • It's--it seems to be abundantly clear to me at least that the
  • 00:08:08.770 --> 00:08:11.373
  • Demons understood who jesus was.
  • 00:08:11.373 --> 00:08:14.209
  • On multiple occasions and, "we know who you are."
  • 00:08:14.209 --> 00:08:17.479
  • And they understood his power.
  • 00:08:17.479 --> 00:08:18.880
  • They said, "have you come here to destroy us?"
  • 00:08:18.880 --> 00:08:22.517
  • I mean, james says, "you believe there's a god, oh, good
  • 00:08:22.517 --> 00:08:24.786
  • For you."
  • 00:08:24.786 --> 00:08:26.154
  • The demons believe that and they shudder.
  • 00:08:26.154 --> 00:08:28.924
  • So the incarnate son of god comes to the earth.
  • 00:08:28.924 --> 00:08:31.960
  • Satan and his entire kingdom understand who he is, and they
  • 00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:36.898
  • Still oppose him.
  • 00:08:36.898 --> 00:08:39.834
  • You're talking about being outgunned.
  • 00:08:39.834 --> 00:08:43.305
  • Satan's already been thrown out of heaven.
  • 00:08:43.305 --> 00:08:46.441
  • And yet, they oppose him.
  • 00:08:47.742 --> 00:08:49.110
  • So based upon that, i would submit to you that you and i
  • 00:08:49.110 --> 00:08:51.613
  • Should probably make some, have some awareness tucked into our
  • 00:08:51.613 --> 00:08:56.084
  • Travel journal.
  • 00:08:56.084 --> 00:08:57.719
  • That there'll be opposition.
  • 00:08:57.719 --> 00:08:59.955
  • And i'll tell you that because i'm always surprised.
  • 00:08:59.955 --> 00:09:04.092
  • And i'm not like a beginner.
  • 00:09:04.092 --> 00:09:06.962
  • I mean, i'm young, but i'm not a beginner.
  • 00:09:06.962 --> 00:09:10.465
  • And i'm still surprised.
  • 00:09:10.465 --> 00:09:11.800
  • I'm going--i didn't expect that to be hard, but
  • 00:09:11.800 --> 00:09:16.404
  • There's opposition.
  • 00:09:16.404 --> 00:09:18.340
  • So, i wanna start where i kind of ended with the
  • 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:20.442
  • Previous session.
  • 00:09:20.442 --> 00:09:21.810
  • We were looking at some of jesus's critics and i was
  • 00:09:21.810 --> 00:09:23.945
  • Pointing out that they were very diverse across a broad spread of
  • 00:09:23.945 --> 00:09:26.915
  • Places, but they were also extraordinarily determined.
  • 00:09:26.915 --> 00:09:30.652
  • Some of their accusations, you know, just seem bizarre.
  • 00:09:30.652 --> 00:09:33.855
  • In matthew 15, the religious leaders come to jesus and they
  • 00:09:33.855 --> 00:09:37.125
  • Say, "why do your disciples break the tradition of
  • 00:09:37.125 --> 00:09:38.927
  • The elders?
  • 00:09:38.927 --> 00:09:40.261
  • They don't wash their hands."
  • 00:09:40.261 --> 00:09:42.831
  • I mean, i know jewish culture and i understand there were some
  • 00:09:42.831 --> 00:09:45.033
  • Very strict rules about washing before you eat, but still, they
  • 00:09:45.033 --> 00:09:48.837
  • Come to somebody who's raising the dead, walking on water,
  • 00:09:48.837 --> 00:09:52.073
  • Making wine out of water, and they go, "you know, we don't
  • 00:09:52.073 --> 00:09:55.010
  • Think you're very much of a leader because your friends
  • 00:09:55.010 --> 00:09:59.514
  • Don't wash their hands."
  • 00:09:59.514 --> 00:10:03.551
  • Hm.
  • 00:10:03.551 --> 00:10:05.420
  • Well you keep washing your hands and have funerals, i'm gonna
  • 00:10:05.420 --> 00:10:07.555
  • Keep raising the dead.
  • 00:10:07.555 --> 00:10:12.394
  • And jesus is very aware, and this is important, he
  • 00:10:12.394 --> 00:10:16.464
  • Isn't blissfully ignorant.
  • 00:10:16.464 --> 00:10:17.832
  • Sometimes we think christians are just low iq, you know, we
  • 00:10:17.832 --> 00:10:23.004
  • Serve the lord because we don't know any better.
  • 00:10:23.004 --> 00:10:25.774
  • We decide to honor the lord because we couldn't do
  • 00:10:25.774 --> 00:10:27.942
  • Anything else.
  • 00:10:27.942 --> 00:10:29.411
  • Nobody wanted us on their team, we couldn't make the grade, we
  • 00:10:29.411 --> 00:10:32.714
  • Couldn't achieve or accomplish, so we decided to serve the lord.
  • 00:10:32.714 --> 00:10:38.053
  • Wouldn't you like to join us?
  • 00:10:38.053 --> 00:10:40.955
  • And that's not the presentation of scripture at all.
  • 00:10:40.955 --> 00:10:42.891
  • Jesus is very much aware of the big picture of what's happening.
  • 00:10:42.891 --> 00:10:47.162
  • He understands the forces arrayed against him, both
  • 00:10:47.162 --> 00:10:50.231
  • Spiritually, politically, economically.
  • 00:10:50.231 --> 00:10:52.400
  • He understands the scenario.
  • 00:10:52.400 --> 00:10:53.835
  • It's very clear in mark 10, he says: "we're going up to
  • 00:10:53.835 --> 00:10:56.438
  • Jerusalem," he's telling his friends this.
  • 00:10:56.438 --> 00:10:59.674
  • And he said: "the son of man will be betrayed to the chief
  • 00:10:59.674 --> 00:11:03.144
  • Priest and the teachers of the law, and they will condemn him
  • 00:11:03.144 --> 00:11:05.180
  • To death and they'll hand him over to the gentiles," to
  • 00:11:05.180 --> 00:11:07.315
  • The non-jews.
  • 00:11:07.315 --> 00:11:09.050
  • Jesus understood who was gonna kill him.
  • 00:11:09.050 --> 00:11:10.385
  • "it's not the jews.
  • 00:11:10.385 --> 00:11:11.753
  • They're gonna hand me over to the gentiles."
  • 00:11:11.753 --> 00:11:14.522
  • And they'll mock him, and they'll spit on him, and they'll
  • 00:11:14.522 --> 00:11:16.624
  • Flog him, and they'll kill him.
  • 00:11:16.624 --> 00:11:18.259
  • He's not talking in arbitrary things.
  • 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:20.228
  • Those things very specifically happened to him.
  • 00:11:20.228 --> 00:11:22.497
  • It's easter season, we're gonna talk about it in some detail,
  • 00:11:22.497 --> 00:11:25.066
  • But when they handed him over to the romans, they literally
  • 00:11:25.066 --> 00:11:27.535
  • Blindfolded him and hit him in the face and over the head and
  • 00:11:27.535 --> 00:11:31.005
  • Then said, "tell us who hit you."
  • 00:11:31.005 --> 00:11:35.176
  • And they hit him over, and over, and over again.
  • 00:11:35.176 --> 00:11:41.282
  • And he could have.
  • 00:11:41.282 --> 00:11:44.119
  • He didn't defend himself, but he didn't go into that
  • 00:11:44.119 --> 00:11:47.088
  • Position unaware.
  • 00:11:47.088 --> 00:11:48.423
  • He didn't go uninformed.
  • 00:11:48.423 --> 00:11:49.791
  • He didn't go powerless.
  • 00:11:49.791 --> 00:11:51.459
  • When they came to arrest him and peter's all swelled up ready to
  • 00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:54.129
  • Fight, he said, "peter, not now.
  • 00:11:54.129 --> 00:11:55.764
  • If i needed to, i could call legions of angels.
  • 00:11:55.764 --> 00:11:59.634
  • No contest, peter.
  • 00:11:59.634 --> 00:12:01.069
  • I need to do this."
  • 00:12:01.069 --> 00:12:03.938
  • You see, we live as if the struggle in our lives is a very
  • 00:12:03.938 --> 00:12:07.842
  • Close contest, as if the one who is for us might not have the
  • 00:12:07.842 --> 00:12:11.379
  • Juice to get us over the hump.
  • 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:14.616
  • That our adversary just might be at the tipping point this time.
  • 00:12:14.616 --> 00:12:20.221
  • And i think god is looking at us and going, "why won't you pray?
  • 00:12:20.221 --> 00:12:23.625
  • Why won't you use the name of my son?"
  • 00:12:23.625 --> 00:12:30.064
  • Jesus said, i know what's coming, but three days later,
  • 00:12:30.064 --> 00:12:35.370
  • He will rise.
  • 00:12:35.370 --> 00:12:41.843
  • Now, if i were gonna write that, if i were gonna write it,
  • 00:12:41.843 --> 00:12:44.512
  • I'd just skip all that suffering part, right?
  • 00:12:44.512 --> 00:12:49.584
  • But that's tha--a part of what we have to do is reconcile our
  • 00:12:49.584 --> 00:12:53.555
  • Lives to the information that we're given in scripture, and
  • 00:12:53.555 --> 00:12:56.424
  • Stop living in our fantasies.
  • 00:12:56.424 --> 00:12:59.994
  • So, when we have a challenge, we go, "i'm about to see the power
  • 00:12:59.994 --> 00:13:02.630
  • Of god in a new way.
  • 00:13:02.630 --> 00:13:05.133
  • I'm gonna get to know the character of the lord in
  • 00:13:05.133 --> 00:13:06.901
  • A new way.
  • 00:13:06.901 --> 00:13:08.236
  • I'm gonna learn to pray in a new way.
  • 00:13:08.236 --> 00:13:09.604
  • I'm gonna learn to trust god in a new way."
  • 00:13:09.604 --> 00:13:13.374
  • And then the real answer is, well, "i really don't wanna
  • 00:13:13.374 --> 00:13:15.276
  • Do that.
  • 00:13:15.276 --> 00:13:16.644
  • I just wanna go to heaven."
  • 00:13:16.644 --> 00:13:19.647
  • And god loves us too much.
  • 00:13:19.647 --> 00:13:21.950
  • He's gonna help us grow up.
  • 00:13:21.950 --> 00:13:24.152
  • My parents, when i was a kid, they had this weird idea for
  • 00:13:24.152 --> 00:13:26.554
  • My brothers and i.
  • 00:13:26.554 --> 00:13:28.022
  • I'm sure it wasn't godly.
  • 00:13:28.022 --> 00:13:31.526
  • But you know, we didn't have places to report them back then.
  • 00:13:31.526 --> 00:13:36.598
  • They had this crazy idea, they wanted us to mature.
  • 00:13:36.598 --> 00:13:43.137
  • I never--i have no memory at any point in the journey thinking,
  • 00:13:43.137 --> 00:13:46.674
  • I would like to mature.
  • 00:13:46.674 --> 00:13:49.711
  • They thought it would be good for us to have a job and
  • 00:13:49.711 --> 00:13:51.880
  • Be responsible.
  • 00:13:51.880 --> 00:13:53.214
  • I--no, i'm good.
  • 00:13:53.214 --> 00:13:54.582
  • My friends are going to the lake.
  • 00:13:54.582 --> 00:13:55.917
  • I'll just go to the lake.
  • 00:13:55.917 --> 00:13:57.285
  • "no, i think you'll mow hay today."
  • 00:13:57.285 --> 00:13:59.621
  • No, really, i think i'm needed at the lake.
  • 00:13:59.621 --> 00:14:03.958
  • "shut up and get on the tractor."
  • 00:14:03.958 --> 00:14:06.961
  • See, i didn't have a number to call.
  • 00:14:06.961 --> 00:14:08.296
  • I'd have reported him.
  • 00:14:08.296 --> 00:14:10.999
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:14:10.999 --> 00:14:17.739
  • Allen: hey, i have a suggestion.
  • 00:14:17.805 --> 00:14:19.173
  • Let's stop waiting for somebody else to be a better leader.
  • 00:14:19.173 --> 00:14:21.576
  • Let's determine this year to lead with faith.
  • 00:14:21.576 --> 00:14:24.112
  • I've written a book to help.
  • 00:14:24.112 --> 00:14:25.446
  • It's a practical collection of tools that you and i can use the
  • 00:14:25.446 --> 00:14:28.850
  • Influence of our lives, faith first in the marketplace, in our
  • 00:14:28.850 --> 00:14:32.687
  • Homes, with our friends, folks, it's time for us to stop waiting
  • 00:14:32.687 --> 00:14:35.890
  • For somebody else to step forward.
  • 00:14:35.890 --> 00:14:37.692
  • Let's determine to lead with faith.
  • 00:14:37.692 --> 00:14:39.694
  • We can do that, and i believe we can change our homes, our
  • 00:14:39.694 --> 00:14:42.764
  • Neighborhoods, our churches, maybe even our nation.
  • 00:14:42.764 --> 00:14:45.900
  • Female announcer: choosing to lead with faith starts with a
  • 00:14:45.900 --> 00:14:48.136
  • Simple decision to be intentional right where you are.
  • 00:14:48.136 --> 00:14:51.739
  • In his new book, "lead with faith," pastor allen shares
  • 00:14:51.739 --> 00:14:54.842
  • Biblical insight and practical tools to help you live out your
  • 00:14:54.842 --> 00:14:58.112
  • Faith in meaningful ways every day.
  • 00:14:58.112 --> 00:15:01.015
  • This book will encourage you to stand for truth with wisdom,
  • 00:15:01.015 --> 00:15:04.218
  • Clarity, and courage without waiting for someone else to
  • 00:15:04.218 --> 00:15:07.221
  • Go first.
  • 00:15:07.221 --> 00:15:08.556
  • Request lead with faith with your gift of $30 or more at
  • 00:15:08.556 --> 00:15:11.626
  • Allenjackson.com, or call...
  • 00:15:11.626 --> 00:15:17.198
  • Allen: i was going to the philippines for the summer and i
  • 00:15:19.167 --> 00:15:21.169
  • Really didn't wanna go.
  • 00:15:21.169 --> 00:15:22.770
  • I applied permissions and i, we got to submit the countries
  • 00:15:22.770 --> 00:15:25.406
  • Where we wanted to go and i submitted france, sweden,
  • 00:15:25.406 --> 00:15:28.343
  • And australia.
  • 00:15:28.343 --> 00:15:32.447
  • 'cause i was gonna go suffer for jesus.
  • 00:15:32.447 --> 00:15:36.017
  • And i thought in one of those three options, the lord and i
  • 00:15:36.017 --> 00:15:38.586
  • Could make an impact.
  • 00:15:38.586 --> 00:15:41.089
  • And i remember going to the meeting where they were handing
  • 00:15:41.089 --> 00:15:42.924
  • Out the assignments and they said, we've got one group that's
  • 00:15:42.924 --> 00:15:45.259
  • Different from all the other groups.
  • 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.594
  • It's--it's just gonna be guys because you're gonna be in the
  • 00:15:46.594 --> 00:15:48.696
  • Most remote part of the philippines.
  • 00:15:48.696 --> 00:15:50.965
  • We need people that have lived in a rural setting, people that
  • 00:15:50.965 --> 00:15:53.101
  • Have been around animals.
  • 00:15:53.101 --> 00:15:56.104
  • And everything they said, i just slid lower and lower in my seat.
  • 00:15:56.104 --> 00:16:00.274
  • It was like they were reading my biography.
  • 00:16:00.274 --> 00:16:04.979
  • And so, off i went.
  • 00:16:04.979 --> 00:16:06.314
  • So, i'm--they--take me to the airport to put me on the plane.
  • 00:16:06.314 --> 00:16:09.283
  • I remember my dad saying, he said, this will be like the
  • 00:16:09.283 --> 00:16:11.119
  • Beginning of a ministry.
  • 00:16:11.119 --> 00:16:13.921
  • And i mean i was hoping i got a hangnail so i could stay home.
  • 00:16:13.921 --> 00:16:16.624
  • I didn't wanna go.
  • 00:16:16.624 --> 00:16:18.826
  • And i remember walking down--the job was back--this was so long
  • 00:16:18.826 --> 00:16:21.996
  • Ago, you could still walk people to the gate.
  • 00:16:21.996 --> 00:16:29.437
  • You know, before terrorists made us put all that stuff in
  • 00:16:29.437 --> 00:16:31.706
  • The airports.
  • 00:16:31.706 --> 00:16:34.442
  • And i remember walking down the jetway thinking, well, if you
  • 00:16:34.442 --> 00:16:36.344
  • Think it's such a wonderful ministry opportunity, why don't
  • 00:16:36.344 --> 00:16:38.646
  • You go?
  • 00:16:38.646 --> 00:16:41.816
  • But i came home with a changed heart.
  • 00:16:41.816 --> 00:16:43.818
  • Male: amen.
  • 00:16:43.818 --> 00:16:45.953
  • Allen: and god cares enough about us that he wants us
  • 00:16:45.953 --> 00:16:48.790
  • To mature.
  • 00:16:48.790 --> 00:16:51.192
  • And i'm about as excited about that as i was a job, or a summer
  • 00:16:51.192 --> 00:16:56.130
  • In the philippines, or a lot of other things.
  • 00:16:56.130 --> 00:16:58.766
  • And i'm grateful that there were people in my life that cared
  • 00:16:58.766 --> 00:17:00.968
  • Enough about me, not just to cater to my carnal,
  • 00:17:00.968 --> 00:17:04.072
  • Selfish preference.
  • 00:17:04.072 --> 00:17:07.475
  • I understand now it's probably more work for them than just
  • 00:17:07.475 --> 00:17:09.477
  • Giving in to what i wanted to do.
  • 00:17:09.477 --> 00:17:13.114
  • And god loves us enough to say, "you know, if you'll seek me,
  • 00:17:13.114 --> 00:17:17.785
  • You'll get to know me in a new way."
  • 00:17:17.785 --> 00:17:20.555
  • So jesus even had to face all this opposition in his hometown
  • 00:17:20.555 --> 00:17:24.025
  • In luke chapter 4, says there were many, and he goes to the
  • 00:17:24.025 --> 00:17:27.495
  • Synagogue as his habit, and they're happy with him at first.
  • 00:17:27.495 --> 00:17:30.698
  • This is joe's kid.
  • 00:17:30.698 --> 00:17:32.066
  • We're hearing about the miracles he's doing.
  • 00:17:32.066 --> 00:17:33.401
  • This is one of us.
  • 00:17:33.401 --> 00:17:35.103
  • You know, he may make the ring of honor in nazareth if he keeps
  • 00:17:35.103 --> 00:17:39.107
  • This up.
  • 00:17:39.107 --> 00:17:40.675
  • And then he turns and looks at the crowd and he said, "but you
  • 00:17:40.675 --> 00:17:42.910
  • Know, you have a history as a people of not really following
  • 00:17:42.910 --> 00:17:47.148
  • The lord."
  • 00:17:47.148 --> 00:17:48.516
  • And he starts to push this in their face.
  • 00:17:48.516 --> 00:17:49.851
  • He said, "there were many in israel with leprosy in the
  • 00:17:49.851 --> 00:17:51.385
  • Time of elisha, and yet not one of them was cleansed, only
  • 00:17:51.385 --> 00:17:55.890
  • A foreigner.
  • 00:17:55.890 --> 00:17:59.594
  • And all the people in the synagogue were furious when they
  • 00:17:59.594 --> 00:18:02.263
  • Heard this.
  • 00:18:02.263 --> 00:18:03.631
  • And they got up, and they drove him out of town, and took him
  • 00:18:03.631 --> 00:18:05.500
  • To the brow of the hill on which the town was built in
  • 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:07.335
  • Order to throw him off the cliff."
  • 00:18:07.335 --> 00:18:08.703
  • If the jews had killed jesus, they would have thrown him off
  • 00:18:08.703 --> 00:18:10.304
  • A cliff and thrown rocks at him.
  • 00:18:10.304 --> 00:18:13.574
  • The romans killed him on a cross.
  • 00:18:13.574 --> 00:18:17.578
  • But jesus knew the people in this community.
  • 00:18:17.578 --> 00:18:19.514
  • He grew up with their kids.
  • 00:18:19.514 --> 00:18:22.250
  • They played on the same soccer team.
  • 00:18:22.250 --> 00:18:26.220
  • I mean, they knew one another.
  • 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:29.323
  • And they're so mad at him, that would be more hurtful than
  • 00:18:29.323 --> 00:18:33.060
  • Strangers being mad at you.
  • 00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:36.597
  • I mean, i know it's jesus, you think oh it didn't--yes, it did.
  • 00:18:36.597 --> 00:18:40.134
  • If there was any place he would have liked to have been able to
  • 00:18:40.134 --> 00:18:42.603
  • Have given a demonstration of the kingdom of god, the
  • 00:18:42.603 --> 00:18:44.438
  • Scripture says he could only do a few small--lay his hands on
  • 00:18:44.438 --> 00:18:47.508
  • A few sick people there because of their determined unbelief.
  • 00:18:47.508 --> 00:18:51.913
  • Now, jesus's disciples are going to be consistently troubled by
  • 00:18:51.913 --> 00:18:54.515
  • The opposition.
  • 00:18:54.515 --> 00:18:56.484
  • And they struggled to understand the intensity of it.
  • 00:18:56.484 --> 00:18:58.653
  • They couldn't believe jesus when he would tell them, you and i
  • 00:18:58.653 --> 00:19:01.589
  • Should learn the lesson, folks.
  • 00:19:01.589 --> 00:19:03.291
  • Jesus said that we would be hated because of him, and we've
  • 00:19:03.291 --> 00:19:07.962
  • Thought we could overcome evil by being kind.
  • 00:19:07.962 --> 00:19:13.034
  • That's not what the bible says.
  • 00:19:13.034 --> 00:19:15.536
  • The bible says we overcome evil with what?
  • 00:19:15.536 --> 00:19:18.806
  • With good.
  • 00:19:18.806 --> 00:19:20.975
  • It's righteousness that overcomes evil.
  • 00:19:20.975 --> 00:19:22.777
  • We have to tell the truth.
  • 00:19:22.777 --> 00:19:25.479
  • Capitulating to evil will not make you an overcomer.
  • 00:19:25.479 --> 00:19:28.649
  • It'll mean you've been overwhelmed.
  • 00:19:28.649 --> 00:19:31.686
  • And the disciples struggled, they weren't prepared
  • 00:19:31.686 --> 00:19:33.754
  • Emotionally for that.
  • 00:19:33.754 --> 00:19:35.122
  • We get to john 19.
  • 00:19:35.122 --> 00:19:36.524
  • Jesus is on the cross, and he says, "it's finished."
  • 00:19:36.524 --> 00:19:41.195
  • He's done his part.
  • 00:19:41.195 --> 00:19:43.431
  • Now he wrestled with it, he struggled with it, you know,
  • 00:19:43.431 --> 00:19:45.333
  • A lot of those passages, but i want you to be conscious from
  • 00:19:45.333 --> 00:19:48.603
  • The temple when simeon took jesus in his arms and said,
  • 00:19:48.603 --> 00:19:52.440
  • "this child is destined to change the course of nations."
  • 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:58.746
  • Until jesus says it's finished, he's running a race.
  • 00:19:58.746 --> 00:20:03.017
  • So are you, so are you.
  • 00:20:03.017 --> 00:20:07.221
  • Just as certainly as paul was compelled to go to jerusalem and
  • 00:20:07.221 --> 00:20:11.192
  • Then assigned to go to rome, you and i have a kingdom assignment
  • 00:20:11.192 --> 00:20:14.795
  • In our lives.
  • 00:20:14.795 --> 00:20:16.964
  • "so pastor, i don't really want one of those.
  • 00:20:16.964 --> 00:20:18.432
  • I just want to go to heaven."
  • 00:20:18.432 --> 00:20:21.569
  • That's not the nature of the bargain.
  • 00:20:21.569 --> 00:20:25.306
  • You either serve the king.
  • 00:20:25.306 --> 00:20:28.209
  • You either sign up and he's lord of all, or he's not lord at all.
  • 00:20:28.209 --> 00:20:31.812
  • You can't negotiate this.
  • 00:20:31.812 --> 00:20:35.883
  • No, i think you can forfeit a great deal.
  • 00:20:35.883 --> 00:20:40.087
  • I don't want you to live in fear of losing your salvation, but i
  • 00:20:40.087 --> 00:20:43.291
  • Do want you to live with an awareness that there
  • 00:20:43.291 --> 00:20:44.725
  • Are rewards.
  • 00:20:44.725 --> 00:20:47.361
  • God is not a socialist.
  • 00:20:47.361 --> 00:20:50.965
  • Everybody doesn't get the same thing.
  • 00:20:50.965 --> 00:20:52.300
  • We didn't all get the same gifts.
  • 00:20:52.300 --> 00:20:54.268
  • Jesus told all kinds of parables and all kinds of stories.
  • 00:20:54.268 --> 00:20:56.671
  • Somebody got five talents, somebody got two, somebody
  • 00:20:56.671 --> 00:20:58.773
  • Got one.
  • 00:20:58.773 --> 00:21:00.141
  • I mean, it's not, you can swell and be mad about that, or you
  • 00:21:00.141 --> 00:21:02.977
  • Can say, "no, i'm gonna do the best i can with the talents i've
  • 00:21:02.977 --> 00:21:05.212
  • Been given."
  • 00:21:05.212 --> 00:21:06.580
  • Many of us spend lots of our lives angry because we didn't
  • 00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:08.549
  • Get somebody else's talents.
  • 00:21:08.549 --> 00:21:10.985
  • Be careful what you ask for.
  • 00:21:10.985 --> 00:21:13.954
  • As to whom much is given, much is required.
  • 00:21:13.954 --> 00:21:19.393
  • I'm just content to be a good old southern hillbilly.
  • 00:21:19.393 --> 00:21:24.065
  • I was talking to somebody.
  • 00:21:24.065 --> 00:21:25.433
  • I said, you know, i grew up in a barn and they had no--
  • 00:21:25.433 --> 00:21:27.301
  • They had no response.
  • 00:21:27.301 --> 00:21:28.636
  • They lost all their words.
  • 00:21:28.636 --> 00:21:31.472
  • I need some context for that.
  • 00:21:31.472 --> 00:21:34.041
  • I said that one day in an interview and they thought i
  • 00:21:34.041 --> 00:21:35.710
  • Said i grew up in a bar. [congregation laughing]
  • 00:21:35.710 --> 00:21:40.147
  • It didn't go well.
  • 00:21:40.147 --> 00:21:42.183
  • I want to take the minutes we have left, and this piece is
  • 00:21:42.183 --> 00:21:45.753
  • Really intriguing to me.
  • 00:21:45.753 --> 00:21:47.088
  • Jesus is still on assignment.
  • 00:21:47.088 --> 00:21:49.056
  • I understand with regard to his redemption, it's a complete and
  • 00:21:49.056 --> 00:21:51.892
  • Entire work, but jesus didn't say that there wasn't like
  • 00:21:51.892 --> 00:21:54.729
  • Anything left that he had any interest in.
  • 00:21:54.729 --> 00:21:57.765
  • He's--i believe he's engaged in pentecost.
  • 00:21:57.765 --> 00:22:01.102
  • You know, he told the disciples that, "don't you leave town
  • 00:22:01.102 --> 00:22:03.204
  • Until the holy spirit's poured out."
  • 00:22:03.204 --> 00:22:05.573
  • I mean, he spent three years with them.
  • 00:22:05.573 --> 00:22:06.941
  • He's had a 40-day seminar with them, post-resurrection, on the
  • 00:22:06.941 --> 00:22:09.610
  • Kingdom of god.
  • 00:22:09.610 --> 00:22:10.978
  • And the last real instruction he gives them is a commandment.
  • 00:22:10.978 --> 00:22:13.214
  • He said, "now don't you leave town until you're baptized in
  • 00:22:13.214 --> 00:22:15.182
  • The spirit."
  • 00:22:15.182 --> 00:22:16.517
  • I promise you, when peter stands up that day and begins to tell
  • 00:22:16.517 --> 00:22:19.086
  • His jesus story, jesus is present.
  • 00:22:19.086 --> 00:22:25.493
  • And then he sends pete to cornelius's house.
  • 00:22:25.493 --> 00:22:28.262
  • The belly of the beast, the most roman of all the cities
  • 00:22:28.262 --> 00:22:31.065
  • In israel.
  • 00:22:31.065 --> 00:22:32.466
  • To the home of a roman centurion, that hated occupiers.
  • 00:22:32.466 --> 00:22:37.705
  • And he repeats the process.
  • 00:22:37.705 --> 00:22:40.307
  • I promised jesus was there at cornelius's house.
  • 00:22:40.307 --> 00:22:45.112
  • And then of all the people that are persecuting jesus's friends,
  • 00:22:45.112 --> 00:22:48.182
  • There's this nutcase.
  • 00:22:48.182 --> 00:22:51.519
  • I mean this fruit loop of a zealot saul from tarsus.
  • 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:56.190
  • And he's arresting women, and men, and children, and putting
  • 00:22:56.190 --> 00:22:59.026
  • Them in prison and terrifying the believers.
  • 00:22:59.026 --> 00:23:02.096
  • And jesus said, "i got this."
  • 00:23:02.096 --> 00:23:04.765
  • Living bible.
  • 00:23:04.765 --> 00:23:07.435
  • I put it in your notes, in acts 9: "as saul neared damascus on
  • 00:23:07.435 --> 00:23:11.272
  • His journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed.
  • 00:23:11.272 --> 00:23:13.707
  • And he fell to the ground and he heard a voice say, 'saul?'"
  • 00:23:13.707 --> 00:23:18.679
  • I've always--i--my imagination, depending on the day has
  • 00:23:18.679 --> 00:23:21.115
  • Different tones of voice.
  • 00:23:21.115 --> 00:23:23.818
  • "saul, why do you persecute me?"
  • 00:23:23.818 --> 00:23:27.855
  • And saul said, "who are you, lord?"
  • 00:23:27.855 --> 00:23:30.124
  • Clever man.
  • 00:23:30.124 --> 00:23:31.492
  • Saul.
  • 00:23:31.492 --> 00:23:32.827
  • And he said, "i'm jesus."
  • 00:23:32.827 --> 00:23:36.096
  • Jesus showed up on the road to damascus to confront this
  • 00:23:36.096 --> 00:23:41.435
  • Wicked, vile, violent, angry man says just what do you think
  • 00:23:41.435 --> 00:23:47.608
  • You're doing?
  • 00:23:47.608 --> 00:23:51.579
  • Jesus is still at work in the earth.
  • 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:55.816
  • He's still at work in the earth.
  • 00:23:55.816 --> 00:23:58.285
  • I'll give you one more example.
  • 00:23:58.285 --> 00:24:00.221
  • In revelation, john is an old man, his friends are gone.
  • 00:24:00.221 --> 00:24:04.725
  • They've all been martyred, much of his strength is gone.
  • 00:24:04.725 --> 00:24:09.196
  • He's on the island of patmos.
  • 00:24:09.196 --> 00:24:12.066
  • Kind of the general consensus he was probably a slave working in
  • 00:24:12.066 --> 00:24:14.735
  • A copper mine.
  • 00:24:14.735 --> 00:24:16.670
  • Hard labor for an old man because of his faith.
  • 00:24:16.670 --> 00:24:18.906
  • He says, i'm on the island of patmos because of the gospel of
  • 00:24:18.906 --> 00:24:21.242
  • Jesus christ, not because he had a daycare being
  • 00:24:21.242 --> 00:24:26.280
  • Fraudulently funded.
  • 00:24:26.280 --> 00:24:30.951
  • And he hears a voice.
  • 00:24:30.951 --> 00:24:32.319
  • He said, i was in the spirit on the lord's day.
  • 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:35.723
  • And i heard a voice, and it's your notes, it's verse 12.
  • 00:24:35.723 --> 00:24:38.225
  • He said: "i turned around to see the voice that was speaking.
  • 00:24:38.225 --> 00:24:40.427
  • And when i turned, i--he gives you this scenario.
  • 00:24:40.427 --> 00:24:43.631
  • I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was
  • 00:24:43.631 --> 00:24:46.433
  • Someone 'like a son of man,' he's in a robe that reaches down
  • 00:24:46.433 --> 00:24:50.104
  • To a golden sash.
  • 00:24:50.104 --> 00:24:51.472
  • His hair was white like wool, and his eyes were like a
  • 00:24:51.472 --> 00:24:55.242
  • Blazing fire.
  • 00:24:55.242 --> 00:24:56.577
  • And his feet were like bronze in a furnace, and his right hand
  • 00:24:56.577 --> 00:24:59.480
  • Stars, and his double-edged sword in his mouth, and his face
  • 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:03.117
  • Was like the sun shining."
  • 00:25:03.117 --> 00:25:04.485
  • He sounds like the prophets have written about.
  • 00:25:04.485 --> 00:25:08.022
  • You find jesus all through the bible.
  • 00:25:08.022 --> 00:25:11.292
  • "and when i saw him," this is how you know, "when i saw him, i
  • 00:25:11.292 --> 00:25:14.929
  • Fell at his feet as though dead."
  • 00:25:14.929 --> 00:25:18.832
  • He heard a voice and he turned around and he saw jesus.
  • 00:25:18.832 --> 00:25:24.471
  • It's been decades since john has seen jesus.
  • 00:25:24.471 --> 00:25:29.577
  • His friends have been martyred.
  • 00:25:29.577 --> 00:25:34.081
  • And he sees jesus.
  • 00:25:34.081 --> 00:25:36.650
  • And he said, "i fell at his feet like a dead man.
  • 00:25:36.650 --> 00:25:39.820
  • And jesus said to me, "i--don't be afraid.
  • 00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:41.922
  • I'm the first and the last.
  • 00:25:41.922 --> 00:25:43.290
  • I'm the living one; i was dead, and behold i'm alive for ever
  • 00:25:43.290 --> 00:25:46.160
  • And ever!
  • 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:47.494
  • And i hold the keys of death and hades."
  • 00:25:47.494 --> 00:25:49.830
  • John, i got the keys, but i've got something for you, john.
  • 00:25:49.830 --> 00:25:53.500
  • I got a message that you need.
  • 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:55.269
  • I got something that i need you to communicate.
  • 00:25:55.269 --> 00:25:59.006
  • John's running another race.
  • 00:25:59.006 --> 00:26:01.742
  • He's not just an exile on an island doing hard labor, waiting
  • 00:26:01.742 --> 00:26:06.614
  • For the sand to run out.
  • 00:26:06.614 --> 00:26:10.084
  • I got an assignment for you.
  • 00:26:10.084 --> 00:26:11.452
  • I want you to finish your race.
  • 00:26:11.452 --> 00:26:13.887
  • Allen: hey, i have a question.
  • 00:26:13.954 --> 00:26:15.289
  • Have you ever said, "i wish my pastor would lead with more
  • 00:26:15.289 --> 00:26:18.292
  • Courage," or, "i wish my pastor would address what's happening
  • 00:26:18.292 --> 00:26:21.195
  • In the world with greater boldness," folks, we can't
  • 00:26:21.195 --> 00:26:24.331
  • Change other people.
  • 00:26:24.331 --> 00:26:25.666
  • The only person we can ultimately change is ourselves.
  • 00:26:25.666 --> 00:26:27.601
  • I have a suggestion.
  • 00:26:27.601 --> 00:26:29.003
  • What if you and i begin to lead with faith in our own arenas
  • 00:26:29.003 --> 00:26:32.439
  • Of influence?
  • 00:26:32.439 --> 00:26:33.807
  • Well, i've written a book to help with that.
  • 00:26:33.807 --> 00:26:35.142
  • If that seems beyond you or intimidating to you, i believe
  • 00:26:35.142 --> 00:26:38.145
  • This book will help.
  • 00:26:38.145 --> 00:26:39.480
  • It'll give you some practical ways that you and i can begin to
  • 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:42.116
  • Lead with faith in the marketplace, in our homes, with
  • 00:26:42.116 --> 00:26:45.119
  • Our friends, wherever that may be, we have help in this.
  • 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:49.056
  • The spirit of god will help us if we have the willingness to
  • 00:26:49.056 --> 00:26:51.959
  • Use our influence for the kingdom of god.
  • 00:26:51.959 --> 00:26:54.595
  • You can get a copy of the book at allenjackson.com.
  • 00:26:54.595 --> 00:26:56.930
  • You go get your own today, but i wanna pray.
  • 00:26:56.930 --> 00:26:58.999
  • I wanna ask the spirit of god to help you and me lead with faith
  • 00:26:58.999 --> 00:27:03.003
  • This year as never before.
  • 00:27:03.003 --> 00:27:04.972
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:27:04.972 --> 00:27:06.306
  • Heavenly father, we ask for your help.
  • 00:27:06.306 --> 00:27:08.342
  • You have given us strengths, and abilities, and influence.
  • 00:27:08.342 --> 00:27:10.611
  • May we use it for the glory of your kingdom.
  • 00:27:10.611 --> 00:27:13.180
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:15.315
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:15.315 --> 00:27:27.428