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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Joy and Strength (Part 1)

January 4, 2026 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Joy and Strength (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Celebrity #Bible #Joy #Challenges #Resurrection #Transformation #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Joy and Strength (Part 1) | January 4, 2026
  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world,
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  • People are searching for truth, and together we're doing our
  • 00:00:02.852 --> 00:00:05.522
  • Very best to help them find it.
  • 00:00:05.622 --> 00:00:07.590
  • When you become a ministry partner with allen jackson
  • 00:00:07.724 --> 00:00:09.859
  • Ministries, you're joining a growing community of believers
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  • Who are committed to strengthening the church and
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  • Sharing god's word through every available channel--
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  • Television, radio, podcast, books, bible studies,
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  • Digital resources, conferences.
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  • Your monthly partnership helps us equip believers to reach new
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  • Audiences, to take the hope of jesus to people who may never
  • 00:00:28.711 --> 00:00:32.615
  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
  • 00:00:32.615 --> 00:00:34.717
  • Together, we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
  • 00:00:34.717 --> 00:00:38.655
  • Known right here at home and around the earth, wherever
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  • God opens a door.
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  • Let's keep gathering his people and building his church until
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  • The day our king returns.
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  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner
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  • At allenjackson.com/partner.
  • 00:00:51.634 --> 00:01:04.247
  • Allen: we've been walking through this series on "when
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  • God moves."
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  • I believe god is moving in the earth in unprecedented ways,
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  • Remarkable ways.
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  • I, in fact, i believe god is moving in such a way that
  • 00:01:16.726 --> 00:01:18.895
  • There's a--it's a period of discontinuity, that the future
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  • Will not be like the past.
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  • I think how we gather, how we worship, what god does in our
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  • Midst is changing.
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  • It's emerging.
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  • Not the content, not the core of what we believe, but how we see
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  • That processed.
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  • This is the third week of advent.
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  • The four sundays, the four weekends preceding christmas are
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  • Celebrated as a part of the advent season by the body of
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  • Christ throughout the earth, and has been for many centuries.
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  • This third weekend is typically a celebration of joy.
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  • If you're lighting an advent wreath and the candles on that,
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  • The third candle is typically the shepherd's candle because
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  • That angelic announcement that came to the shepherds in the
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  • Fields outside of bethlehem was centered in the expression
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  • Of joy.
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  • And that's where we're gonna begin in this session.
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  • We're gonna talk about joy and strength.
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  • Luke chapter 2, the familiar verses of the
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  • Christmas narrative.
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  • "the angel said to the shepherds, 'do not be afraid;
  • 00:02:16.986 --> 00:02:19.589
  • For behold, i bring you good news of great joy which will be
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  • For all the people; for today in the city of david there's been
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  • Born for you a savior, who is christ the lord."'
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  • We've all heard that, we've seen it on christmas cards.
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  • If you can't quote scripture, you recognize that as a
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  • Biblical passage.
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  • It's the message from heaven to the shepherds.
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  • The shepherds were the lowest rung on the social order.
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  • If shepherds were called to give testimony, they needed more than
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  • One shepherd because a single shepherd wasn't considered to
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  • Be trustworthy.
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  • So i don't think it's any accident that god chose the
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  • Shepherds to be the chief agent of announcing the birth
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  • Of jesus.
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  • And he sent not just an angel, but the heavenly host.
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  • The sky was filled with the angel as if heaven couldn't
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  • Contain themselves, with the excitement and the enthusiasm of
  • 00:03:06.002 --> 00:03:10.106
  • Jesus's entry into time.
  • 00:03:10.106 --> 00:03:12.442
  • And the message was, "i bring you good news of great joy."
  • 00:03:12.442 --> 00:03:16.579
  • The greek word for great is mega.
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  • You know what mega is?
  • 00:03:18.881 --> 00:03:20.516
  • Means really big.
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  • I grew up in tennessee, folks.
  • 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:24.087
  • The angels said, "i got good news for you, it's really big
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  • Joy for you."
  • 00:03:26.222 --> 00:03:28.691
  • And i don't think it just means like really be happy day, oh,
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  • Happy clappy everybody.
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  • Because jesus's arrival at the time changed everything, the
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  • Earth was never the same again.
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  • The destiny of humanity has never been the same.
  • 00:03:39.202 --> 00:03:42.639
  • Jesus entering into time changed everything.
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  • When we celebrate the advent season, it's--i think the most
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  • Challenging weeks in church ever are the weeks when you know the
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  • Topics before you come.
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  • You know, like easter, i'm probably gonna talk about
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  • The resurrection.
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  • December is probably--we're gonna get mary and joseph worked
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  • In there somewhere.
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  • One year we used to do chris--we used to do easter at murphy
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  • Center, which is the athletic complex at the university here.
  • 00:04:06.062 --> 00:04:10.133
  • And we would transform that great big gym into a worship
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  • Place and a place for kids.
  • 00:04:12.702 --> 00:04:14.437
  • One easter we--when we were doing our planning, we decided
  • 00:04:14.437 --> 00:04:17.373
  • That we would flip the script and we'd bring santa.
  • 00:04:17.373 --> 00:04:22.679
  • And we lived with that for about a week and we thought, no, we
  • 00:04:22.679 --> 00:04:25.148
  • Can't do that.
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  • But you know, when you know the topic, it's so easy to shut down
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  • And go, "yeah, pastor, you know, i know.
  • 00:04:29.485 --> 00:04:31.854
  • You know, mary and joseph and the baby, and great joy for all
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  • People, fa la la la la.
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  • Can we get on with something important or something
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  • Meaningful or?"
  • 00:04:41.731 --> 00:04:43.566
  • You know the reason it's an annual celebration?
  • 00:04:43.566 --> 00:04:47.403
  • It's because there's not anything more meaningful.
  • 00:04:47.403 --> 00:04:54.544
  • I'm always intrigued, because of our advocacy for the jewish
  • 00:04:54.544 --> 00:04:59.082
  • People and the old testament and--there's often discussions
  • 00:04:59.082 --> 00:05:03.252
  • Around jewish holidays.
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  • And i think that's appropriate to understand our scripture in
  • 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:06.489
  • Those holidays, but oftentimes, i meet christians and they
  • 00:05:06.489 --> 00:05:09.192
  • Attach more significance to the jewish holidays than they do to
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  • The christian holidays.
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  • They know more about the passover meal, the seder meal,
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  • And the different components and why they matter.
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  • And i think that's a wonderful learning and great understanding
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  • Of our bibles.
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  • But you know, i have lived in israel through their--over the
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  • Course of a year and been with them for their holiday cycle.
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  • And it's not as if there's something more important than
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  • The day of atonement.
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  • And i think for christians sometimes the contempt that
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  • Comes with familiarity weakens the spiritual authority of
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  • These seasons.
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  • So i understand that the shepherd's announcement is
  • 00:05:47.363 --> 00:05:49.866
  • Probably not new to us, but i wanna invite you towards it
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  • Because i believe there's an expression of the strength of
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  • God for us that is necessary for what was in front of us.
  • 00:05:55.004 --> 00:06:00.109
  • We are going to need the power of god and the strength of god
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  • And a revelation of a transformational god.
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  • Not just a historical character, not just a historical theology,
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  • Not just a frame of reference for how we prefer to worship.
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  • We're going to need a personal awareness of the power of god
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  • And it's transformational capacity for us to flourish in
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  • What's before us.
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  • We're gonna have to move beyond church as a polite gathering of
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  • People who would like to do good in the community.
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  • We're gonna have to be more than a civic club with a bit of a
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  • Moral code.
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  • We're gonna have to be an expression of the power of god.
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  • I spent my adult life, my professional life in the church,
  • 00:06:42.018 --> 00:06:44.821
  • So i'm very much a part of that system, but if you ask me for an
  • 00:06:44.821 --> 00:06:49.158
  • Analysis, it seems that we have such a diminished perspective of
  • 00:06:49.158 --> 00:06:52.628
  • Faith that it has left us with a rather unfortunately tepid
  • 00:06:52.628 --> 00:06:57.166
  • Expression of our faith.
  • 00:06:57.166 --> 00:07:00.636
  • You know, jesus said, if you're lukewarm, in the book of
  • 00:07:00.636 --> 00:07:02.538
  • Revelation, he'll just spew you out of his mouth.
  • 00:07:02.538 --> 00:07:04.607
  • We don't wanna be neutral.
  • 00:07:04.607 --> 00:07:05.942
  • We don't wanna be middle of the road.
  • 00:07:05.942 --> 00:07:08.344
  • Our cultural influence has diminished slowly for decades.
  • 00:07:08.344 --> 00:07:11.714
  • At one time, the christian church was the dominant social
  • 00:07:11.714 --> 00:07:15.251
  • Influence in this nation.
  • 00:07:15.251 --> 00:07:16.586
  • It shaped education at every level, including
  • 00:07:16.586 --> 00:07:19.322
  • Higher education.
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  • It informed our legal system.
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  • It encode the--it affected the moral code for how we did
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  • Business with one another.
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  • It affected our legal system.
  • 00:07:27.196 --> 00:07:28.831
  • It was the dominant social influence.
  • 00:07:28.831 --> 00:07:32.301
  • That has diminished year over year, decade over decade, until
  • 00:07:32.301 --> 00:07:36.105
  • We awaken to find ourselves in a condition that looks a lot
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  • Like--if you've read c. s. lewis--looks like narnia
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  • In winter.
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  • We have memories of another age, but that's not the spiritual
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  • Force that's in play any longer.
  • 00:07:48.150 --> 00:07:50.586
  • There are dark spiritual forces expressing destructive ideas for
  • 00:07:50.586 --> 00:07:53.990
  • Our children and our families, and they have secured positions
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  • Of authority.
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  • I know we're desperately trying not to notice and it's christmas
  • 00:08:01.063 --> 00:08:03.533
  • Time and can't we just talk about the lights?
  • 00:08:03.533 --> 00:08:06.602
  • And this is a triumphant message, i believe, but it's a
  • 00:08:06.602 --> 00:08:10.106
  • Triumphant message against the honest evaluation of the
  • 00:08:10.106 --> 00:08:13.276
  • Challenges we face.
  • 00:08:13.276 --> 00:08:16.779
  • We have ignored them for too long.
  • 00:08:16.779 --> 00:08:18.247
  • The good news is god is moving in the earth.
  • 00:08:18.247 --> 00:08:21.284
  • Without any question, he's awakening his people.
  • 00:08:21.284 --> 00:08:24.053
  • Jesus is at the head of the church.
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  • Jesus is the head of the church, not a politician, not a
  • 00:08:26.556 --> 00:08:30.192
  • Government, not a nation.
  • 00:08:30.192 --> 00:08:31.961
  • Jesus is the head of the church.
  • 00:08:31.961 --> 00:08:34.330
  • It was multinational long before they saw a profit motive
  • 00:08:34.330 --> 00:08:37.300
  • In that.
  • 00:08:37.300 --> 00:08:39.135
  • And he's gathering those willing to serve him as lord and king.
  • 00:08:39.135 --> 00:08:42.872
  • The power of god is being demonstrated in the most
  • 00:08:42.872 --> 00:08:45.041
  • Remarkable ways in my lifetime, without any question.
  • 00:08:45.041 --> 00:08:49.445
  • There're lives being transformed, families are
  • 00:08:49.445 --> 00:08:51.581
  • Orienting towards god in new ways.
  • 00:08:51.581 --> 00:08:53.816
  • Young people are choosing faith in jesus rather than bowing to
  • 00:08:53.816 --> 00:08:56.752
  • Woke ideologies.
  • 00:08:56.752 --> 00:08:59.221
  • It's remarkable to see.
  • 00:08:59.221 --> 00:09:01.757
  • We are witnesses to the restoration of a people of
  • 00:09:01.757 --> 00:09:04.527
  • Transforming faith.
  • 00:09:04.527 --> 00:09:06.395
  • It's not looking like what we've seen in the past, and it causes
  • 00:09:06.395 --> 00:09:10.232
  • A little confusion and a bit of consternation.
  • 00:09:10.232 --> 00:09:12.368
  • People go, "well, why do you say that, pastor?
  • 00:09:12.368 --> 00:09:14.570
  • We don't see what we remember from decades ago or what our
  • 00:09:14.570 --> 00:09:17.506
  • Parents or grandparents," it's not gonna look like that.
  • 00:09:17.506 --> 00:09:19.809
  • The book of acts doesn't look like what happened before
  • 00:09:19.809 --> 00:09:21.711
  • Acts chapter 2.
  • 00:09:21.711 --> 00:09:25.348
  • Bethlehem was never the same after jesus was born
  • 00:09:25.348 --> 00:09:27.984
  • There, not until today.
  • 00:09:27.984 --> 00:09:30.653
  • See, when god moves, he doesn't just rewrite something and drag
  • 00:09:30.653 --> 00:09:34.323
  • Us into the past.
  • 00:09:34.323 --> 00:09:35.691
  • When moses walked in out of the desert and said to the hebrew
  • 00:09:35.691 --> 00:09:38.361
  • Slaves, "pack your bags, we're leaving," and he went to the
  • 00:09:38.361 --> 00:09:41.230
  • Palace where he had grown up as a child, and he said, "i need to
  • 00:09:41.230 --> 00:09:44.066
  • See pharaoh,"
  • 00:09:44.066 --> 00:09:45.401
  • They've known one another since childhood, but they weren't
  • 00:09:45.401 --> 00:09:47.970
  • Getting together to reminisce about back in the day.
  • 00:09:47.970 --> 00:09:50.106
  • He said, "you're gonna have to turn the slaves loose.
  • 00:09:50.106 --> 00:09:54.143
  • God is moving, and you can cooperate and it'll spare the
  • 00:09:54.143 --> 00:09:58.014
  • Nation of egypt, or you can resist it and you'll
  • 00:09:58.014 --> 00:10:00.082
  • Be destroyed."
  • 00:10:00.082 --> 00:10:02.485
  • And pharaoh said, "who do you think you are to flex in front
  • 00:10:02.485 --> 00:10:05.121
  • Of me?"
  • 00:10:05.121 --> 00:10:07.023
  • And egypt was devastated.
  • 00:10:07.023 --> 00:10:09.425
  • God is moving in the earth.
  • 00:10:09.425 --> 00:10:10.993
  • I want to cooperate with him.
  • 00:10:10.993 --> 00:10:13.429
  • I want to be willing to follow him.
  • 00:10:13.429 --> 00:10:17.099
  • There is a visible conflict because of this.
  • 00:10:17.099 --> 00:10:19.201
  • See, i carried a mistaken idea for so long.
  • 00:10:19.201 --> 00:10:23.005
  • As a pastor, a professional christian, i carried this idea
  • 00:10:23.005 --> 00:10:25.708
  • That when god's spirit began to move, it would be like a
  • 00:10:25.708 --> 00:10:28.110
  • Tremendous victory parade, and all you would hear was the
  • 00:10:28.110 --> 00:10:30.379
  • Thunderous applause of people grateful for god moving.
  • 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:34.216
  • That was my imagination, but it isn't biblical.
  • 00:10:34.216 --> 00:10:37.286
  • Is that what happened after jesus was born in bethlehem?
  • 00:10:37.286 --> 00:10:41.323
  • No, they killed all the babies.
  • 00:10:41.323 --> 00:10:42.692
  • Is that what happened after jesus began his public ministry?
  • 00:10:42.692 --> 00:10:45.494
  • Hardly, they wanted to kill him in his hometown.
  • 00:10:45.494 --> 00:10:49.398
  • Is that what happened in the book of acts after the holy
  • 00:10:49.398 --> 00:10:51.367
  • Spirit was poured out on the day of pentecost?
  • 00:10:51.367 --> 00:10:54.203
  • Everywhere peter, james, and john went with the good news
  • 00:10:54.203 --> 00:10:56.672
  • That the messiah had come, did they hold a victory banquet and
  • 00:10:56.672 --> 00:10:59.575
  • Give them the keys to the city?
  • 00:10:59.575 --> 00:11:02.578
  • Hardly, well, where do we arrive at this conclusion of
  • 00:11:02.578 --> 00:11:06.749
  • Triumphalism--that when the spirit of god moves that the
  • 00:11:06.749 --> 00:11:10.152
  • Evil will scurry into the shadows in the corners?
  • 00:11:10.152 --> 00:11:12.755
  • I think quite the opposite is the biblical presentation, that
  • 00:11:12.755 --> 00:11:15.591
  • When the spirit of god moves, there's an agitation in the
  • 00:11:15.591 --> 00:11:19.695
  • Demonic world and we see expressions of evil that are a
  • 00:11:19.695 --> 00:11:23.699
  • Challenge we weren't imagining.
  • 00:11:23.699 --> 00:11:26.235
  • You don't have to be very creative or fixated on the news
  • 00:11:26.235 --> 00:11:29.171
  • To recognize that, there's a visible conflict for those
  • 00:11:29.171 --> 00:11:31.607
  • Willing to see today.
  • 00:11:31.607 --> 00:11:34.110
  • You don't have to be discerning.
  • 00:11:34.110 --> 00:11:35.444
  • We have christian martyrs in america in the 21st century.
  • 00:11:35.444 --> 00:11:39.181
  • We've seen celebrations of prominent, powerful, influential
  • 00:11:39.181 --> 00:11:42.251
  • People, celebrations focused on the death of a christian leader.
  • 00:11:42.251 --> 00:11:47.089
  • If you don't want to look at that, with just a modest glance
  • 00:11:47.089 --> 00:11:50.526
  • At current events, lawlessness is being encouraged and
  • 00:11:50.526 --> 00:11:53.462
  • Cultivated by powerful, well-funded persons and
  • 00:11:53.462 --> 00:11:56.599
  • Organizations at the highest level of our nation,
  • 00:11:56.599 --> 00:12:00.970
  • Unimaginable things.
  • 00:12:00.970 --> 00:12:03.439
  • Now here's the good news, we don't have to respond in fear or
  • 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:05.741
  • Anger, it's not helpful.
  • 00:12:05.741 --> 00:12:09.011
  • But we have to stand in the truth of our king, with a
  • 00:12:09.011 --> 00:12:12.281
  • Determination to live out our faith in this unique time.
  • 00:12:12.281 --> 00:12:16.218
  • I believe it will take courage and a persistence that we
  • 00:12:16.218 --> 00:12:18.788
  • Haven't previously imagined were necessary for a life of faith
  • 00:12:18.788 --> 00:12:21.791
  • In jesus.
  • 00:12:21.791 --> 00:12:23.259
  • It used to be that an expression of courageous faith meant you
  • 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:26.295
  • Were pretty regular in attending church.
  • 00:12:26.295 --> 00:12:29.932
  • And if you could manage that, you were pretty much golden.
  • 00:12:29.932 --> 00:12:34.270
  • I don't believe that's a--that's an accurate description of what
  • 00:12:34.270 --> 00:12:36.906
  • Will be demanded of us in the days ahead, but i can tell you
  • 00:12:36.906 --> 00:12:42.778
  • This, the rewards are both amazing and eternal.
  • 00:12:42.778 --> 00:12:47.783
  • I wasn't asked to be with daniel and shadrach and meshach and
  • 00:12:47.783 --> 00:12:50.719
  • Abednego in babylon.
  • 00:12:50.719 --> 00:12:54.056
  • I didn't get drafted to help moses and joshua organize the
  • 00:12:54.056 --> 00:12:58.060
  • Crew when they left egypt.
  • 00:12:58.060 --> 00:13:01.130
  • I didn't get tapped to wait tables in jerusalem when god
  • 00:13:01.130 --> 00:13:04.433
  • Began to move and the number of people responding was so great
  • 00:13:04.433 --> 00:13:07.269
  • That the apostles needed to hand the baton off to yet another
  • 00:13:07.269 --> 00:13:11.407
  • Circle of helpers.
  • 00:13:11.407 --> 00:13:13.843
  • I didn't get to travel with paul and his evangelism team around
  • 00:13:13.843 --> 00:13:17.213
  • The mediterranean while they watched the most remarkable
  • 00:13:17.213 --> 00:13:19.782
  • Expressions of god and the most intimidating threats
  • 00:13:19.782 --> 00:13:24.119
  • From hatred.
  • 00:13:24.119 --> 00:13:25.588
  • I didn't get those opportunities.
  • 00:13:25.588 --> 00:13:28.824
  • I like history.
  • 00:13:28.824 --> 00:13:30.159
  • I get to ride the streets of boston with paul revere saying,
  • 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:31.961
  • "the british are coming."
  • 00:13:31.961 --> 00:13:33.662
  • I always thought that'd be fun.
  • 00:13:33.662 --> 00:13:34.997
  • I liked horses.
  • 00:13:34.997 --> 00:13:37.266
  • But we did get tagged for the 21st century, when the spirit of
  • 00:13:37.266 --> 00:13:41.570
  • God begins to move to prepare for the culmination of the age.
  • 00:13:41.570 --> 00:13:46.942
  • Wow, god trusted you and me!
  • 00:13:46.942 --> 00:13:50.212
  • He called us.
  • 00:13:50.212 --> 00:13:51.580
  • We're not here randomly, by accident.
  • 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:54.416
  • You're not some blob of protoplasm that washed up on a
  • 00:13:54.416 --> 00:13:57.519
  • Beach and got struck by lightning and voila!
  • 00:13:57.519 --> 00:14:01.790
  • You're a creation of the most high god.
  • 00:14:01.790 --> 00:14:05.361
  • And that announcement of the heavenly host outside bethlehem
  • 00:14:05.361 --> 00:14:08.597
  • A couple of millennia ago is still in force, "i bring you
  • 00:14:08.597 --> 00:14:12.067
  • Good news of big joy because today the savior is born."
  • 00:14:12.067 --> 00:14:19.475
  • Allen: welcome to 2026. happy new year.
  • 00:14:23.312 --> 00:14:26.515
  • We've created a new book to help you.
  • 00:14:26.515 --> 00:14:28.017
  • It's called "turn up the light."
  • 00:14:28.017 --> 00:14:29.351
  • It's a devotional for the whole year.
  • 00:14:29.351 --> 00:14:30.986
  • It's a really simple idea.
  • 00:14:30.986 --> 00:14:32.321
  • I can join you for a cup of coffee in the morning.
  • 00:14:32.321 --> 00:14:35.157
  • We'll have a brief conversation with a spiritual principle
  • 00:14:35.157 --> 00:14:37.860
  • To start our day, a scripture verse, a prayer.
  • 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:40.663
  • And then when you're tired of me,
  • 00:14:40.663 --> 00:14:41.997
  • You can close the book.
  • 00:14:41.997 --> 00:14:43.499
  • It's perfect.
  • 00:14:43.499 --> 00:14:45.100
  • In all seriousness, we do wanna turn up the light.
  • 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:47.536
  • Let's not rage against the darkness.
  • 00:14:47.536 --> 00:14:48.938
  • Let's invite god into the midst of this year
  • 00:14:48.938 --> 00:14:51.373
  • And then just see what he will do.
  • 00:14:51.373 --> 00:14:53.175
  • Female announcer: pastor allen's new devotional,
  • 00:14:53.175 --> 00:14:54.710
  • "turn up the light," is designed to equip you every single day
  • 00:14:54.710 --> 00:14:57.846
  • Of the year.
  • 00:14:57.846 --> 00:14:59.181
  • Inside, you'll find 365 short devotionals,
  • 00:14:59.181 --> 00:15:02.651
  • Each with a scripture, teaching, and a prayer.
  • 00:15:02.651 --> 00:15:05.721
  • As you begin this new year, don't rage against the darkness.
  • 00:15:05.721 --> 00:15:08.924
  • Instead, choose to turn up the light.
  • 00:15:08.924 --> 00:15:11.093
  • You can request this book when you donate $25 or more today
  • 00:15:11.093 --> 00:15:15.097
  • At allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:15:15.097 --> 00:15:20.369
  • Allen: but i want to start with just some simple things.
  • 00:15:24.239 --> 00:15:25.941
  • I have little hope of doing this whole outline, but there's more
  • 00:15:25.941 --> 00:15:30.212
  • Sessions, which is really wonderful.
  • 00:15:30.212 --> 00:15:33.816
  • I get three shots at joy during advent season, so between now
  • 00:15:33.816 --> 00:15:37.519
  • And the end of that, we'll get there.
  • 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:39.989
  • 1 chronicles 16:26 says, "all the gods of the nations are
  • 00:15:39.989 --> 00:15:43.859
  • Idols, but the lord made the heavens.
  • 00:15:43.859 --> 00:15:46.996
  • Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his
  • 00:15:46.996 --> 00:15:50.966
  • Dwelling place."
  • 00:15:50.966 --> 00:15:53.535
  • There's a biblical idea that i want to invite you to begin to
  • 00:15:53.535 --> 00:15:56.538
  • Think about.
  • 00:15:56.538 --> 00:15:57.873
  • There's a relationship between strength and joy.
  • 00:15:57.873 --> 00:16:01.777
  • We're gonna talk in a minute about the distinction between
  • 00:16:01.777 --> 00:16:03.779
  • Joy and happiness because i think we've imagined it to be
  • 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:06.415
  • Synonyms, and they're really not, they're very different.
  • 00:16:06.415 --> 00:16:10.019
  • And the joy that's used and the way it's used in scripture is
  • 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:13.389
  • Attached to the strength of god, that if you wanna maintain and
  • 00:16:13.389 --> 00:16:17.493
  • Display the strength of god, you'll have to know how to
  • 00:16:17.493 --> 00:16:20.295
  • Welcome and protect the joy of the lord.
  • 00:16:20.295 --> 00:16:24.600
  • Look at nehemiah chapter 8.
  • 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:27.436
  • Nehemiah--you remember nehemiah, the assignment?
  • 00:16:27.436 --> 00:16:29.471
  • Nehemiah had a great job, he was the cupbearer for the
  • 00:16:29.471 --> 00:16:34.109
  • Persian king.
  • 00:16:34.109 --> 00:16:35.444
  • The most common way of eliminating an ancient near
  • 00:16:35.444 --> 00:16:37.746
  • Eastern monarch was poison, so you wanted one of your most
  • 00:16:37.746 --> 00:16:41.417
  • Trusted people to be your taste tester, which means you ate
  • 00:16:41.417 --> 00:16:46.121
  • Really well, but you hoped desperately your--the one you
  • 00:16:46.121 --> 00:16:49.958
  • Served was popular.
  • 00:16:49.958 --> 00:16:53.429
  • Well, nehemiah was the cupbearer for the king, he had the king's
  • 00:16:53.429 --> 00:16:57.633
  • Attention, the king's ear.
  • 00:16:57.633 --> 00:16:59.001
  • He was frequently in the presence of the sultan, and
  • 00:16:59.001 --> 00:17:04.706
  • He--because of that, the travelers that would come to
  • 00:17:04.706 --> 00:17:06.775
  • Speak to the king, nehemiah could hear.
  • 00:17:06.775 --> 00:17:09.378
  • And the message came that jerusalem was in disarray.
  • 00:17:09.378 --> 00:17:13.182
  • Most of you know the story, you've read it.
  • 00:17:13.182 --> 00:17:15.717
  • And nehemiah was so grieved, he felt as if he had to go back and
  • 00:17:15.717 --> 00:17:19.588
  • Do something to rebuild the defenses of jerusalem.
  • 00:17:19.588 --> 00:17:24.293
  • So he secured permission from the king, and which would seem
  • 00:17:24.293 --> 00:17:29.264
  • To be the victory.
  • 00:17:29.264 --> 00:17:30.599
  • You know, if i was imagining that for myself, i think, well,
  • 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:32.534
  • Once i got the permission of the sultan to go and do that, and he
  • 00:17:32.534 --> 00:17:36.238
  • Provided the resources and i have letters of authority, it's
  • 00:17:36.238 --> 00:17:38.607
  • A downhill pull from there.
  • 00:17:38.607 --> 00:17:41.343
  • But there was persistent opposition to nehemiah, and it
  • 00:17:41.343 --> 00:17:45.747
  • Was a very difficult task.
  • 00:17:45.747 --> 00:17:48.417
  • And there's this one little snippet that comes from that.
  • 00:17:48.417 --> 00:17:50.486
  • "nehemiah said, 'go and enjoy the choice food and the sweet
  • 00:17:50.486 --> 00:17:53.288
  • Drinks, send some to those who have nothing prepared.
  • 00:17:53.288 --> 00:17:56.158
  • This day is sacred to our lord.'"
  • 00:17:56.158 --> 00:17:57.759
  • Ezra has come back, they're re-engaging with worship.
  • 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:03.398
  • They're reading the book of the law to the people.
  • 00:18:03.398 --> 00:18:05.968
  • He says, "do not grieve, for the joy of the lord is
  • 00:18:05.968 --> 00:18:09.471
  • Your strength."
  • 00:18:09.471 --> 00:18:13.008
  • Now, i've heard this discussed in two ways, one i much prefer
  • 00:18:13.008 --> 00:18:16.545
  • Over the other.
  • 00:18:16.545 --> 00:18:19.348
  • I--i've heard it discussed where the joy of the lord, the lord is
  • 00:18:19.348 --> 00:18:22.818
  • Just joyous over my strength.
  • 00:18:22.818 --> 00:18:27.055
  • When i'm strong, the lord is just very happy.
  • 00:18:27.055 --> 00:18:32.127
  • That one is not my favorite.
  • 00:18:32.127 --> 00:18:33.595
  • The one that i think is more authentic, with a larger context
  • 00:18:33.595 --> 00:18:36.265
  • Of scripture, is that the joy of the lord strengthens me.
  • 00:18:36.265 --> 00:18:43.438
  • And i could give you many passages, and i will probably
  • 00:18:43.438 --> 00:18:46.041
  • Over the course of these few sessions.
  • 00:18:46.041 --> 00:18:48.810
  • But i would--i'm gonna submit to you that the joy of the lord is
  • 00:18:48.810 --> 00:18:53.849
  • The--facilitates the emergence of the strength of god in your
  • 00:18:53.849 --> 00:18:56.451
  • Life so that you want to welcome it, recognize it, protect it.
  • 00:18:56.451 --> 00:19:01.056
  • I'm intrigued at what the angel said to the shepherds, "we bring
  • 00:19:01.056 --> 00:19:04.726
  • You good news of great joy," big joy.
  • 00:19:04.726 --> 00:19:09.565
  • I'll just be happy, it's a completely different word.
  • 00:19:09.565 --> 00:19:14.369
  • There--there's an expression of the strength of god and the
  • 00:19:14.369 --> 00:19:16.371
  • Power of god on your behalf.
  • 00:19:16.371 --> 00:19:18.106
  • The world is changing tonight.
  • 00:19:18.106 --> 00:19:20.876
  • The whole heavenly host lit up.
  • 00:19:20.876 --> 00:19:24.246
  • Well, before the lord returns, we will need the strength of god
  • 00:19:24.246 --> 00:19:28.217
  • And the joy of the lord to complete the task and the
  • 00:19:28.217 --> 00:19:31.653
  • Assignment that we've been given.
  • 00:19:31.653 --> 00:19:34.423
  • We're not gonna outthink evil or out-organize evil or outwork
  • 00:19:34.423 --> 00:19:37.593
  • Evil, we will need the power of god to help us.
  • 00:19:37.593 --> 00:19:40.729
  • Psalm 28 verse 7 says, "the lord is my strength and my shield; my
  • 00:19:40.729 --> 00:19:45.033
  • Heart trusts in him, i'm helped.
  • 00:19:45.033 --> 00:19:47.536
  • My heart leaps for joy and i will give thanks to him
  • 00:19:47.536 --> 00:19:50.572
  • In song."
  • 00:19:50.572 --> 00:19:51.940
  • Again, there's this relationship between the strength of the lord
  • 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:56.178
  • And joy in our hearts.
  • 00:19:56.178 --> 00:19:58.880
  • Some of you prefer the new testament.
  • 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:00.249
  • In hebrews chapter 12, it's speaking of jesus.
  • 00:20:00.249 --> 00:20:03.252
  • Hebrews 11 is the hall of fame of our faith.
  • 00:20:03.252 --> 00:20:06.188
  • "since we're surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses, let's
  • 00:20:06.188 --> 00:20:08.790
  • Throw off everything that hinders."
  • 00:20:08.790 --> 00:20:10.158
  • The imagery of--as an arena.
  • 00:20:10.158 --> 00:20:11.893
  • The olympic games didn't start with the modern olympics, they
  • 00:20:11.893 --> 00:20:14.296
  • Started in the ancient world.
  • 00:20:14.296 --> 00:20:16.031
  • And in every roman city or every major roman city, there was a
  • 00:20:16.031 --> 00:20:20.669
  • Place for the competition.
  • 00:20:20.669 --> 00:20:22.704
  • And so paul is borrowing on that stadium imagery, that the
  • 00:20:22.704 --> 00:20:26.541
  • Stadium is filled with people from those who have preceded us
  • 00:20:26.541 --> 00:20:29.678
  • In time and this is our time in the floor of the arena.
  • 00:20:29.678 --> 00:20:35.183
  • Years ago, we did a men's event here at mtsu, in the
  • 00:20:35.183 --> 00:20:37.419
  • Football stadium.
  • 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:39.921
  • And we started out in the bleachers, and we had some
  • 00:20:39.921 --> 00:20:42.824
  • Conversation and some dialogue and some points.
  • 00:20:42.824 --> 00:20:44.860
  • And at one point, we moved from the bleachers and we went out
  • 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:46.728
  • And sat in the middle of the field.
  • 00:20:46.728 --> 00:20:48.096
  • They turned on the stadium lights.
  • 00:20:48.096 --> 00:20:50.265
  • And the emotions changed completely.
  • 00:20:50.265 --> 00:20:54.503
  • It's a completely different place being a spectator than
  • 00:20:54.503 --> 00:20:58.140
  • Being a participant.
  • 00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:03.178
  • You don't believe me, i'll walk you up here.
  • 00:21:03.178 --> 00:21:05.480
  • [congregation laughing]
  • 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.649
  • You know, sanctuary means a safe place.
  • 00:21:07.649 --> 00:21:09.284
  • You'll feel less safe up here.
  • 00:21:09.284 --> 00:21:13.088
  • Well, you'll feel less safe when you get in the arena floor.
  • 00:21:13.088 --> 00:21:17.025
  • For far too long, we have coached christians to be like
  • 00:21:17.025 --> 00:21:19.528
  • Olympic judges.
  • 00:21:19.528 --> 00:21:22.197
  • We sit in the seats and we watch the people that we imagine have
  • 00:21:22.197 --> 00:21:25.534
  • The assignment of doing something significant for the
  • 00:21:25.534 --> 00:21:28.337
  • Kingdom of god, and then we make an evaluation, seven.
  • 00:21:28.337 --> 00:21:36.211
  • And i'm telling you, the invitation of scripture is not
  • 00:21:36.211 --> 00:21:39.514
  • That we're spectators of what god is doing, that we're either
  • 00:21:39.514 --> 00:21:42.451
  • Participants or we're not a part.
  • 00:21:42.451 --> 00:21:47.055
  • There--there's not like some super disciple, super apostle,
  • 00:21:47.055 --> 00:21:50.125
  • Some hyper christ follower that's supposed to do the thing.
  • 00:21:50.125 --> 00:21:53.428
  • Yes, we have different assignments and
  • 00:21:53.428 --> 00:21:54.896
  • Different responsibilities.
  • 00:21:54.896 --> 00:21:56.231
  • We'll be held accountable for those, but we will, everyone, be
  • 00:21:56.231 --> 00:21:58.734
  • Held accountable, and the accountability goes with the
  • 00:21:58.734 --> 00:22:00.702
  • Gifts that we've been given.
  • 00:22:00.702 --> 00:22:03.038
  • Remember the parable of the talents, one had five, one had
  • 00:22:03.038 --> 00:22:05.640
  • Two, one was given one?
  • 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:09.911
  • The one that got the harshest criticism was the one that had
  • 00:22:09.911 --> 00:22:13.048
  • The least number of talents, because the response was out
  • 00:22:13.048 --> 00:22:17.219
  • Of fear.
  • 00:22:17.219 --> 00:22:21.089
  • We're surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses, the people
  • 00:22:21.089 --> 00:22:24.326
  • Who preceded us in the faith.
  • 00:22:24.326 --> 00:22:26.194
  • Folks, the book of acts has no conclusion because it's
  • 00:22:26.194 --> 00:22:28.597
  • Not finished.
  • 00:22:28.597 --> 00:22:30.899
  • All the other letters in the new testament, all those epistles,
  • 00:22:30.899 --> 00:22:33.201
  • They have conclusions, not the book of acts.
  • 00:22:33.201 --> 00:22:35.937
  • We're the 21st century edition.
  • 00:22:35.937 --> 00:22:37.773
  • God is still moving in the earth.
  • 00:22:37.773 --> 00:22:42.010
  • "let's throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
  • 00:22:42.010 --> 00:22:44.713
  • Easily entangles, and let's run with perseverance the race
  • 00:22:44.713 --> 00:22:47.482
  • Marked out for us."
  • 00:22:47.482 --> 00:22:51.920
  • A lot of debate in the contemporary american
  • 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.789
  • Christian about whether we should talk about
  • 00:22:53.789 --> 00:22:55.357
  • Current events or not.
  • 00:22:55.357 --> 00:22:57.592
  • We're kind of on the record that we believe the church should
  • 00:22:57.592 --> 00:22:59.828
  • Shape culture and not be shaped by culture.
  • 00:22:59.828 --> 00:23:03.565
  • It transcends political parties and candidates.
  • 00:23:03.565 --> 00:23:05.867
  • It's not what it's about, but our biblical worldview, our
  • 00:23:05.867 --> 00:23:08.203
  • Biblical values, the judeo-christian values, we have
  • 00:23:08.203 --> 00:23:11.373
  • To advocate for them, or we're trading away the future of our
  • 00:23:11.373 --> 00:23:15.177
  • Children and our grandchildren for the comfort and convenience
  • 00:23:15.177 --> 00:23:17.446
  • Of anonymity, and that's not an acceptable bargain.
  • 00:23:17.446 --> 00:23:21.283
  • It's not a comfortable bargain always, but it's a
  • 00:23:21.283 --> 00:23:24.186
  • Necessary bargain.
  • 00:23:24.186 --> 00:23:26.421
  • I stood and talked to a family tonight and the--it was a father
  • 00:23:26.421 --> 00:23:30.592
  • And son.
  • 00:23:30.592 --> 00:23:31.960
  • They were visiting with us from another state.
  • 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.295
  • And the son had served in the national guard and a first
  • 00:23:33.295 --> 00:23:36.531
  • Responder and was--his--tours through the middle east, and i
  • 00:23:36.531 --> 00:23:40.802
  • Just said thank you.
  • 00:23:40.802 --> 00:23:42.170
  • I said, "you spent your life running towards trouble," and
  • 00:23:42.170 --> 00:23:43.505
  • The dad said, "i went to vietnam."
  • 00:23:43.505 --> 00:23:46.308
  • I mean, it was a moment for me because it was a poignant
  • 00:23:46.308 --> 00:23:49.778
  • Reminder that the freedom and liberty we have is not cheap.
  • 00:23:49.778 --> 00:23:55.050
  • And why, in the church, do we think we should have the right
  • 00:23:55.050 --> 00:23:57.986
  • And the privilege of our faith being a cultural force if we
  • 00:23:57.986 --> 00:24:01.423
  • Don't have the courage to bring it to our kitchen table or to
  • 00:24:01.423 --> 00:24:05.026
  • The place where we work or to our holiday celebrations?
  • 00:24:05.026 --> 00:24:13.001
  • If we're sheltering ungodliness and immorality at our holiday
  • 00:24:13.001 --> 00:24:17.839
  • Tables, then we're hypocrites to complain about politicians that
  • 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:22.644
  • Won't enact laws more righteously.
  • 00:24:22.644 --> 00:24:27.349
  • Do we understand?
  • 00:24:27.349 --> 00:24:30.919
  • We have hidden from the implications of our faith
  • 00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:33.388
  • Because the conversations are awkward or difficult.
  • 00:24:33.388 --> 00:24:36.825
  • I'm not saying we're angry or condemning, but we have to have
  • 00:24:36.825 --> 00:24:39.895
  • The courage to struggle with what it means to live out
  • 00:24:39.895 --> 00:24:42.297
  • The truth.
  • 00:24:42.297 --> 00:24:43.932
  • We want others to do that, but then we want to push it out of
  • 00:24:43.932 --> 00:24:48.303
  • Our arena.
  • 00:24:48.303 --> 00:24:49.638
  • God will judge us.
  • 00:24:49.638 --> 00:24:51.006
  • We will lose our freedom.
  • 00:24:51.006 --> 00:24:54.876
  • We will find ourselves in the 21st century edition of babylon.
  • 00:24:54.876 --> 00:25:01.650
  • God is moving.
  • 00:25:01.650 --> 00:25:03.018
  • We have a decision.
  • 00:25:03.018 --> 00:25:04.352
  • We have an opportunity to cooperate with him.
  • 00:25:04.352 --> 00:25:09.257
  • "everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."
  • 00:25:09.257 --> 00:25:12.260
  • I knew that outline was going to be a problem, i
  • 00:25:12.260 --> 00:25:14.129
  • Confessed already.
  • 00:25:14.129 --> 00:25:17.332
  • Look at the next sentence, "let us."
  • 00:25:17.332 --> 00:25:19.668
  • This intrigues me, it's--in the book of hebrews, it's a
  • 00:25:19.668 --> 00:25:24.172
  • Consistent presentation of the author, "let us," it's used
  • 00:25:24.172 --> 00:25:31.680
  • Several times.
  • 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:33.915
  • I did a sermon series years ago, and i called it "the salad
  • 00:25:33.915 --> 00:25:37.819
  • Series" because there was so much "let us."
  • 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:43.124
  • I never said i was clever, folks, just i studied my bible.
  • 00:25:43.124 --> 00:25:47.062
  • So this isn't just individual, we need one another.
  • 00:25:47.062 --> 00:25:52.500
  • There's a lot of pressure since covid, you know, the notion that
  • 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:55.136
  • We don't need to worship together, that--and it's true,
  • 00:25:55.136 --> 00:25:57.939
  • You can accept the lord in the produce section at the grocery
  • 00:25:57.939 --> 00:26:00.208
  • Store, you don't need the altar of a church or a choir singing
  • 00:26:00.208 --> 00:26:02.477
  • Or a pastor to be involved.
  • 00:26:02.477 --> 00:26:04.946
  • That's a personal decision between you and the creator of
  • 00:26:04.946 --> 00:26:07.115
  • The universe.
  • 00:26:07.115 --> 00:26:09.217
  • Allen: i love the promise of a new year,
  • 00:26:13.121 --> 00:26:15.523
  • All the opportunities that it holds.
  • 00:26:15.523 --> 00:26:17.592
  • We wanna begin that on purpose, so we've created a new tool.
  • 00:26:17.592 --> 00:26:20.295
  • It's a book.
  • 00:26:20.295 --> 00:26:21.630
  • It's a devotional, 365-day devotional, built out of those
  • 00:26:21.630 --> 00:26:25.000
  • Digital devotionals that you're familiar with.
  • 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:27.202
  • The intent is just to give you a bit of a spiritual beginning
  • 00:26:27.202 --> 00:26:30.005
  • For the day, a little vitamin, spiritual vitamin,
  • 00:26:30.005 --> 00:26:31.906
  • For your day--a prayer, a scripture verse.
  • 00:26:31.906 --> 00:26:34.075
  • It's easy to share.
  • 00:26:34.075 --> 00:26:35.410
  • You know, i've often said that you don't rage against
  • 00:26:35.410 --> 00:26:37.212
  • The darkness; turn up the light.
  • 00:26:37.212 --> 00:26:39.080
  • Well, we very creatively entitled this devotional
  • 00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:41.516
  • "turn up the light."
  • 00:26:41.516 --> 00:26:42.984
  • Get a couple of copies.
  • 00:26:42.984 --> 00:26:44.319
  • Share one with a friend, maybe a family member.
  • 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.787
  • Let's do it together. god is moving in the earth.
  • 00:26:45.787 --> 00:26:48.790
  • Don't let your attention be drawn to the darkness and the
  • 00:26:48.790 --> 00:26:51.860
  • Chaos and the confusion.
  • 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:53.762
  • Let's focus our hearts on the lord.
  • 00:26:53.762 --> 00:26:55.263
  • Ask him to turn up the light and raise our hands,
  • 00:26:55.263 --> 00:26:58.099
  • And let's just see what he will do in our lives.
  • 00:26:58.099 --> 00:27:00.635
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:27:00.635 --> 00:27:02.237
  • Father, i thank you for a new year, for the strength to meet
  • 00:27:02.237 --> 00:27:04.205
  • This beginning.
  • 00:27:04.205 --> 00:27:05.540
  • We wanna invite you into the midst of our homes,
  • 00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:07.442
  • Our lives, our journeys.
  • 00:27:07.442 --> 00:27:09.411
  • May christ in us truly be a light in this world this year.
  • 00:27:09.411 --> 00:27:13.081
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:13.081 --> 00:27:27.362