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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Leaders and Leadership (Part 2)

August 25, 2025 | S25 E240 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Leaders and Leadership (Part 2)
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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Leaders and Leadership (Part 2) | August 25, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: hey, i sat down recently with my father to do a
  • 00:00:06.755 --> 00:00:09.258
  • Podcast for my "culture & christianity" podcast.
  • 00:00:09.258 --> 00:00:13.262
  • And it was so valuable to me.
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  • I mean, it was stories that obviously i'm familiar with, but
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  • As i heard him recount his faith, it ignited something in
  • 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:22.171
  • Me about the faithfulness of god across generations.
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  • Well, i encouraged my dad to put together a book about his
  • 00:00:26.241 --> 00:00:28.944
  • Experiences with the holy spirit.
  • 00:00:28.944 --> 00:00:30.913
  • It changed his life, my parents' life, ultimately, my
  • 00:00:30.913 --> 00:00:33.682
  • Family's life.
  • 00:00:33.682 --> 00:00:35.050
  • I believe the book will be a real encouragement to you.
  • 00:00:35.050 --> 00:00:38.420
  • Now, i wanna make it available to you right along with
  • 00:00:38.420 --> 00:00:40.422
  • "unleashing the power of the holy spirit."
  • 00:00:40.422 --> 00:00:42.091
  • It's something i put together a while back that's been one of
  • 00:00:42.091 --> 00:00:44.827
  • The most effective tools we've ever had in the ministry.
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  • Together, they'll open the doorway for you to not just have
  • 00:00:47.863 --> 00:00:51.066
  • Language around the holy spirit but to have something to
  • 00:00:51.066 --> 00:00:53.669
  • Actually do to invite him into your life on a regular basis
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  • To give you the wisdom you need to help you unlock the problems
  • 00:00:57.673 --> 00:01:00.542
  • That we face.
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  • The spirit of god within us to help us, guide us, and direct
  • 00:01:01.910 --> 00:01:05.280
  • Us, that's invaluable, and these books will help you understand.
  • 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:09.251
  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: if something that you look forward to is interrupted,
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  • The emotion connected to that--how does it compare to the
  • 00:01:26.502 --> 00:01:29.905
  • Emotion that's interrupted if you might miss a service?
  • 00:01:29.905 --> 00:01:35.244
  • "i mean, that's not fair, pastor."
  • 00:01:35.244 --> 00:01:38.347
  • I don't know if it's fair or not, but i think it's in the
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  • Neighborhood of true.
  • 00:01:40.816 --> 00:01:44.119
  • You see, we model something far more than we lecture.
  • 00:01:44.119 --> 00:01:49.124
  • It's far more impactful.
  • 00:01:49.124 --> 00:01:51.827
  • Eli's been delivered a message.
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  • In 1 samuel 3, the very next chapter, samuel's gonna go to
  • 00:01:53.996 --> 00:01:58.333
  • Listening school.
  • 00:01:58.333 --> 00:02:00.035
  • "the boy samuel ministered before the lord under eli, in
  • 00:02:00.035 --> 00:02:03.639
  • Those days the word of the lord was rare; there weren't
  • 00:02:03.639 --> 00:02:06.408
  • Many visions."
  • 00:02:06.408 --> 00:02:09.178
  • Every generation's different.
  • 00:02:09.178 --> 00:02:13.015
  • "one night eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could
  • 00:02:13.015 --> 00:02:15.517
  • Barely see, was lying down in his usual place.
  • 00:02:15.517 --> 00:02:17.719
  • And the lamp of god had not yet gone out."
  • 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:20.656
  • Didn't turn the lights out yet.
  • 00:02:20.656 --> 00:02:22.491
  • "and samuel was lying down in the temple of the lord, where
  • 00:02:22.491 --> 00:02:24.693
  • The ark of god was."
  • 00:02:24.693 --> 00:02:26.795
  • Can you imagine growing up sleeping in the shadow of
  • 00:02:26.795 --> 00:02:29.231
  • The ark?
  • 00:02:29.231 --> 00:02:37.005
  • "and the lord called samuel.
  • 00:02:37.005 --> 00:02:39.875
  • And samuel answered, 'here i am.'
  • 00:02:39.875 --> 00:02:41.310
  • And he ran to eli and said, 'here i am; you called me.'
  • 00:02:41.310 --> 00:02:44.880
  • But eli said, 'i didn't call you.'"
  • 00:02:44.880 --> 00:02:47.950
  • And no, you can't have a drink, and if you don't get back in
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  • That bed--
  • 00:02:50.185 --> 00:02:53.655
  • "'go back and lie down.'
  • 00:02:53.655 --> 00:02:56.225
  • So he went and laid down."
  • 00:02:56.225 --> 00:02:58.260
  • Now, this is repeated three times.
  • 00:02:58.260 --> 00:02:59.728
  • It's not till the third time that eli understands.
  • 00:02:59.728 --> 00:03:03.932
  • And he said, "samuel, i'm not calling you but the lord is.
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  • If it were to happen again, say, 'i'm listening.'"
  • 00:03:08.770 --> 00:03:13.308
  • And the next morning, eli wants to know everything the lord had
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  • To say to samuel.
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  • And the lord said some difficult things to samuel.
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  • He said some things to samuel about what would happen to eli
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  • And his family.
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  • That would seem very close to a heavy burden to give to a
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  • Young person.
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  • But samuel is being prepared and trained.
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  • You know, growing up, accepting responsibility, maturing, is a
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  • Very important part of what's necessary for us to fulfill our
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  • Places in the earth.
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  • And we see samuel in training.
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  • It's a fascinating story.
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  • We learn to listen to the lord.
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  • It's very clear.
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  • Eli had some awareness of that.
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  • And now he's pointing samuel in a direction.
  • 00:04:06.728 --> 00:04:09.765
  • I don't know of a single characteristic in all of
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  • Scripture that's more essential to god's people in every
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  • Generation than listening.
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  • If we don't know how to recognize the voice of god, from
  • 00:04:19.741 --> 00:04:23.245
  • A biblical perspective, it's very difficult to assert that
  • 00:04:23.245 --> 00:04:27.215
  • You're god's people.
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  • And we don't always do it well and there's certainly an ebb and
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  • A flow to that through the generations of scripture, both
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  • Old and new testament.
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  • But i would submit to you that as an objective in our lives, as
  • 00:04:38.026 --> 00:04:41.129
  • Something we aspire to, we want to learn to hear from the lord.
  • 00:04:41.129 --> 00:04:45.367
  • Jesus said, "my sheep hear my voice."
  • 00:04:45.367 --> 00:04:48.103
  • I put it in your notes.
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  • It's john 10:27, "my sheep listen to my voice; i know them,
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  • And they follow me."
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  • If you're not listening and following, exactly how are you
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  • Connected to the shepherd?
  • 00:04:59.448 --> 00:05:02.250
  • But i--you know, in the new testament, all those places
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  • Where jesus said, "i tell you the truth," it's like a
  • 00:05:04.753 --> 00:05:08.957
  • Caution light.
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  • "i'm about to drop a truth bomb on you.
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  • Are you listening?"
  • 00:05:11.993 --> 00:05:14.696
  • Or all the places where it says, "the lord said," or "the word of
  • 00:05:14.696 --> 00:05:17.366
  • The lord came," or "thus saith the lord."
  • 00:05:17.366 --> 00:05:21.236
  • I mean, it populates the pages of scripture, the phrases change
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  • A little bit.
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  • I mean, the book of revelation, "he who has an ear,
  • 00:05:27.209 --> 00:05:29.077
  • Let him hear."
  • 00:05:29.077 --> 00:05:32.114
  • So, the question that samuel's being introduced to is the one
  • 00:05:32.114 --> 00:05:34.983
  • That we're being introduced to, are we listening?
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  • I put together just a quick list of some listening aids.
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  • You know, life has a way of diminishing your capacity.
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  • But you can get assistance.
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  • And sometimes real life has a way of diminishing your capacity
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  • To hear god.
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  • Scars and calluses and--but there are things that you and i
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  • Can do to facilitate our listening skills.
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  • It's not an inclusive list, but it's a good beginning.
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  • It starts, i believe, with a commitment to the word of god.
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  • If you're not committed to time with the word of god, you're not
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  • Displaying the discipline that would suggest you want to hear.
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  • 'cause listening to the lord isn't just, "how do i know when
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  • To go to the--to drive to nashville so the traffic is
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  • The least?"
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  • I mean, i pray that prayer, but that's not the only prayer
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  • I pray.
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  • A commitment to the word of god.
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  • Secondly, an attitude of thankfulness.
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  • This has to be cultivated.
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  • In good circumstances and not so good circumstances.
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  • On days when it's all going your way and on days when it's not so
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  • Much, i will be thankful.
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  • It means i will verbally give expressions of gratitude to god
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  • For his engagement in my life.
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  • You have to cultivate that.
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  • You have to fight against the messaging that you will
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  • Self-generate.
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  • Be careful with the people you bring around you.
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  • I try to limit my exposure to people that do nothing
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  • But complain.
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  • You can't eliminate it, but i try not to be overly available
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  • To people who do nothing but complain.
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  • Thirdly, be certain that you maintain a very healthy respect,
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  • Reverence, fear of god.
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  • When i read my bible, i don't stand outside of my bible and
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  • Pass judgment on it.
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  • That's a very common practice.
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  • It's a very common practice from professional christians.
  • 00:07:29.030 --> 00:07:33.468
  • They're trained that way.
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  • The further you go up the academic tree, the more they
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  • Teach you to stand outside of your bible and judge it.
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  • I would submit to you the most helpful way to read it is to
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  • Allow it to judge you.
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  • How does my life, how do my thoughts, how do my behaviors
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  • Line up with what's presented to me?
  • 00:07:51.152 --> 00:07:55.557
  • That's an expression of the fear of god, a respect for god.
  • 00:07:55.557 --> 00:07:59.427
  • See, if you disrespect the scripture, you disrespect god.
  • 00:07:59.427 --> 00:08:04.165
  • When you find groups of christians that no longer adhere
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  • To the authority of scripture and the scripture is a rule of
  • 00:08:06.701 --> 00:08:09.137
  • Faith and practice--and they cast out fundamental biblical
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  • Notions like marriage and human sexuality and sexual morality
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  • And sexual immorality.
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  • When you see those things cast out, understand for certain, in
  • 00:08:19.481 --> 00:08:22.417
  • That place, there is no respect for god, no fear of god.
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  • Don't sit there and imagine you'll learn about god.
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  • Commitment to his word, an attitude of
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  • Thankfulness, a fear of god.
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  • Fourth, a confidence in the spirit of god.
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  • And that comes from experience.
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  • From learning to trust him.
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  • From responding to him and seeing how he responds to you.
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  • The line--and it's not unique to me but it's helpful--
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  • Truth divorced from experience must always dwell in the realm
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  • Of doubt.
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  • You see, truth and experience come together and they give you
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  • A platform for making life plans.
  • 00:09:00.655 --> 00:09:02.557
  • They're like points.
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  • You begin to connect them and it gives you the courage to move to
  • 00:09:04.826 --> 00:09:07.262
  • The next one.
  • 00:09:07.262 --> 00:09:09.731
  • And finally you have to accept spiritual realities.
  • 00:09:09.731 --> 00:09:12.701
  • You'll never listen to god if you don't think spiritual things
  • 00:09:12.701 --> 00:09:14.936
  • Are impacting your life.
  • 00:09:14.936 --> 00:09:19.240
  • You know, some of us, we talk about science deniers.
  • 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:22.744
  • I think probably the most consistent expression of science
  • 00:09:22.744 --> 00:09:25.013
  • Deniers are people who don't wanna listen to a
  • 00:09:25.013 --> 00:09:26.781
  • Medical professional.
  • 00:09:26.781 --> 00:09:29.050
  • You know you're not well, but you don't wanna talk to one of
  • 00:09:29.050 --> 00:09:30.819
  • Those professionals 'cause they'll tell you something you
  • 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:32.387
  • Don't wanna hear as if ignorance will make you healthy.
  • 00:09:32.387 --> 00:09:38.093
  • Well, we bring that same attitude over into our faith.
  • 00:09:38.093 --> 00:09:40.195
  • "well, i don't believe in spiritual things," as if
  • 00:09:40.195 --> 00:09:41.830
  • Ignorance will protect you from evil things.
  • 00:09:41.830 --> 00:09:45.100
  • "well, i don't believe in demons."
  • 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:46.468
  • Oh, then you're good, you're golden.
  • 00:09:46.468 --> 00:09:49.938
  • Folks, if that was true, we'd print t-shirts: "i don't believe
  • 00:09:49.938 --> 00:09:52.173
  • In," and we just have a big long list of stuff.
  • 00:09:52.173 --> 00:09:55.977
  • But it won't protect us.
  • 00:09:55.977 --> 00:09:59.447
  • Well, not only did samuel begin to listen, but god begins to
  • 00:09:59.447 --> 00:10:04.019
  • Establish samuel as he grows.
  • 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:06.554
  • In chapter 7, says, "it was a long time, twenty years in all,
  • 00:10:06.554 --> 00:10:10.558
  • That the ark remained at that place, and all the people of
  • 00:10:10.558 --> 00:10:14.896
  • Israel mourned and sought after the lord.
  • 00:10:14.896 --> 00:10:16.698
  • And samuel said to the whole house of israel, 'if you're
  • 00:10:16.698 --> 00:10:19.200
  • Returning to the lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves
  • 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:22.537
  • Of the foreign gods, the ashtoreths."
  • 00:10:22.537 --> 00:10:26.141
  • They're canaanite fertility gods.
  • 00:10:26.141 --> 00:10:29.844
  • They are worshiping idols to be more prosperous.
  • 00:10:29.844 --> 00:10:34.015
  • And because the devil is the one who orchestrates idolatry, most
  • 00:10:34.015 --> 00:10:38.987
  • Of the practice of worshiping those gods for prosperity
  • 00:10:38.987 --> 00:10:42.123
  • Involved immorality, sexual immorality.
  • 00:10:42.123 --> 00:10:46.361
  • It's a very carnal thing.
  • 00:10:46.361 --> 00:10:47.762
  • We want more, and we want more pleasure while we seek for more.
  • 00:10:47.762 --> 00:10:53.968
  • "gee, that doesn't sound like our world."
  • 00:10:53.968 --> 00:10:57.739
  • So, the message that samuel is delivering is, you've got to put
  • 00:10:57.739 --> 00:11:00.642
  • These--"commit yourselves to the lord and serve him only."
  • 00:11:00.642 --> 00:11:03.812
  • They didn't reject god, they're still coming to tabernacle,
  • 00:11:03.812 --> 00:11:06.481
  • They're still offering sacrifices, but they're
  • 00:11:06.481 --> 00:11:09.017
  • Worshiping--they're doing all these other things too.
  • 00:11:09.017 --> 00:11:12.387
  • "'and god will deliver you out of the hand of the philistines.'
  • 00:11:12.387 --> 00:11:14.923
  • So the israelites put away their baals and their ashtoreths, and
  • 00:11:14.923 --> 00:11:18.893
  • They served the lord only."
  • 00:11:18.893 --> 00:11:20.295
  • It's an amazing sentence.
  • 00:11:20.295 --> 00:11:22.430
  • Cultures can be redeemed.
  • 00:11:22.430 --> 00:11:24.766
  • See, that's why i--we talk about it.
  • 00:11:24.766 --> 00:11:26.334
  • I say i believe jesus belongs in our schools.
  • 00:11:26.334 --> 00:11:28.870
  • I think we'll see it again.
  • 00:11:28.870 --> 00:11:31.673
  • But we have to believe it.
  • 00:11:31.673 --> 00:11:34.008
  • We have to act like it.
  • 00:11:34.008 --> 00:11:35.376
  • What we've learned is that--we've been seeing it on
  • 00:11:35.376 --> 00:11:37.645
  • Broad levels: christian universities, christian
  • 00:11:37.645 --> 00:11:39.748
  • Training grounds.
  • 00:11:39.748 --> 00:11:41.082
  • They're not honoring scripture.
  • 00:11:41.082 --> 00:11:43.885
  • It's not just public schools, we need jesus back in our schools,
  • 00:11:43.885 --> 00:11:47.422
  • Not with some subterfuge, not some facade, but a meaningful,
  • 00:11:47.422 --> 00:11:52.060
  • Honest, integrated presentation of our faith.
  • 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:58.166
  • Israelites put away their gods and served the lord only.
  • 00:11:58.166 --> 00:12:01.202
  • "and samuel said, 'assemble all of israel and i'll intercede
  • 00:12:01.202 --> 00:12:04.606
  • With the lord for you.'
  • 00:12:04.606 --> 00:12:06.808
  • And when they had assembled, they drew water and poured it
  • 00:12:06.808 --> 00:12:08.843
  • Out before the lord.
  • 00:12:08.843 --> 00:12:10.178
  • And on that day they fasted and they confessed, 'we have sinned
  • 00:12:10.178 --> 00:12:12.947
  • Against the lord.'"
  • 00:12:12.947 --> 00:12:15.116
  • And here's the statement: "samuel was the leader of
  • 00:12:15.116 --> 00:12:17.118
  • The people."
  • 00:12:17.118 --> 00:12:18.453
  • He's the last of the judges.
  • 00:12:18.453 --> 00:12:19.821
  • Remember the book of judges?
  • 00:12:19.821 --> 00:12:21.456
  • Samuel is the last.
  • 00:12:21.456 --> 00:12:22.824
  • He's a transitionary figure.
  • 00:12:22.824 --> 00:12:25.293
  • But he also demonstrates for us an authority from god that's
  • 00:12:25.293 --> 00:12:28.463
  • Evidenced in the outcomes of lives.
  • 00:12:28.463 --> 00:12:30.999
  • Again, the church has lost this notion.
  • 00:12:30.999 --> 00:12:32.600
  • We think the most powerful forces are economic or
  • 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:34.836
  • Military or political parties.
  • 00:12:34.836 --> 00:12:38.740
  • And so, we don't even talk about culture anymore, we get very
  • 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:40.975
  • Uncomfortable talking about culture.
  • 00:12:40.975 --> 00:12:42.410
  • "i can't believe you talk about that."
  • 00:12:42.410 --> 00:12:45.313
  • We need the authority of god to be evidenced in all the places
  • 00:12:45.313 --> 00:12:48.950
  • That affect our lives.
  • 00:12:48.950 --> 00:12:51.786
  • And we've got to have the courage to say it.
  • 00:12:51.786 --> 00:12:55.523
  • And i would encourage all of us, we don't want org
  • 00:12:55.523 --> 00:12:57.859
  • Chart authority.
  • 00:12:57.859 --> 00:12:59.194
  • It's not about a title and a position.
  • 00:12:59.194 --> 00:13:00.562
  • We've all known people with titles that people could've
  • 00:13:00.562 --> 00:13:02.297
  • Cared less about, except them.
  • 00:13:02.297 --> 00:13:06.367
  • They have it stenciled on their shirt.
  • 00:13:06.367 --> 00:13:10.471
  • But if we will please god, he will bring promotion and
  • 00:13:10.471 --> 00:13:13.441
  • Opportunity to our lives.
  • 00:13:13.441 --> 00:13:17.011
  • And just as an observation, if you're interested, my experience
  • 00:13:17.011 --> 00:13:19.914
  • Is that he brings those promotions and opportunities
  • 00:13:19.914 --> 00:13:22.483
  • Frequently designed as problems and difficulties.
  • 00:13:22.483 --> 00:13:26.554
  • They don't arrive with a big bow: "this is a
  • 00:13:26.554 --> 00:13:28.323
  • God opportunity.
  • 00:13:28.323 --> 00:13:29.991
  • Blessing enclosed."
  • 00:13:29.991 --> 00:13:32.493
  • Usually rolls up into my life like something that i wish had
  • 00:13:32.493 --> 00:13:34.762
  • Just rolled right on through.
  • 00:13:34.762 --> 00:13:37.265
  • Because it requires of me faith and obedience and courage
  • 00:13:37.265 --> 00:13:41.336
  • And perseverance.
  • 00:13:41.336 --> 00:13:42.670
  • And i'm like, "well, i don't wanna do any of that.
  • 00:13:42.670 --> 00:13:45.440
  • I just wanted the blessing."
  • 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:50.945
  • Allen: hey, i said down with my father recently, did a podcast.
  • 00:13:55.183 --> 00:13:58.319
  • He told the story of how he came to faith, how god transformed
  • 00:13:58.319 --> 00:14:00.889
  • Our family.
  • 00:14:00.889 --> 00:14:02.223
  • They started a home bible study--all the way up to the
  • 00:14:02.223 --> 00:14:03.892
  • Beginning of this church that i've served now for decades.
  • 00:14:03.892 --> 00:14:06.928
  • As i listened, the heart of it was the work of the holy spirit
  • 00:14:06.928 --> 00:14:09.664
  • In his life and through his life.
  • 00:14:09.664 --> 00:14:11.766
  • I asked him to do a book around the topic, and we have it so
  • 00:14:11.766 --> 00:14:15.203
  • That you can invite the spirit of god to be the dynamic
  • 00:14:15.203 --> 00:14:18.106
  • Presence of the power of god to bring change and life and hope
  • 00:14:18.106 --> 00:14:22.277
  • No matter what the circumstances.
  • 00:14:22.277 --> 00:14:24.078
  • You'll enjoy the book.
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  • Female announcer: experience the holy spirit in a deeper way with
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  • This new book by pastor allen's dad, "the eternal breath
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  • Of life."
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  • Request your copy when you donate any amount today.
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  • And when you get $50 or more, you can also request,
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  • It's a collection of pastor allen's sermons that will help
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  • Request yours today at
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  • Allenjackson.com or
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  • By calling...
  • 00:14:49.871 --> 00:14:53.541
  • Allen: samuel's story, he's leading the nation, he's brought
  • 00:14:56.311 --> 00:15:00.415
  • Them back to god.
  • 00:15:00.415 --> 00:15:01.783
  • There's been a tremendous reversal of behavior.
  • 00:15:01.783 --> 00:15:05.920
  • But it began with the sacrifice of his parents.
  • 00:15:05.920 --> 00:15:08.723
  • It began with him having to grow through an authority that he was
  • 00:15:08.723 --> 00:15:12.226
  • Submitted to, whose sons, who stood in a position of authority
  • 00:15:12.226 --> 00:15:15.229
  • Over him, were wicked, godless people.
  • 00:15:15.229 --> 00:15:20.201
  • It's not an easy journey.
  • 00:15:20.201 --> 00:15:21.769
  • He doesn't have a peer group that are sharing all of his
  • 00:15:21.769 --> 00:15:24.138
  • Experiences with him.
  • 00:15:24.138 --> 00:15:29.110
  • See, we've almost lost--almost completely lost our
  • 00:15:29.110 --> 00:15:32.113
  • Ambition with the lord.
  • 00:15:32.113 --> 00:15:33.448
  • We're so convinced we're going to heaven, we need not have any
  • 00:15:33.448 --> 00:15:35.650
  • Other ambitions for the lord.
  • 00:15:35.650 --> 00:15:40.154
  • And samuel--through samuel's life, god brings about these
  • 00:15:40.154 --> 00:15:43.024
  • Tremendous changes.
  • 00:15:43.024 --> 00:15:44.392
  • Same chapter, look at verse 13, "throughout samuel's lifetime,
  • 00:15:44.392 --> 00:15:46.894
  • The hand of the lord was against the philistines."
  • 00:15:46.894 --> 00:15:49.430
  • The whole nation's outlook, their military
  • 00:15:49.430 --> 00:15:53.234
  • Perspectives were changed by samuel.
  • 00:15:53.234 --> 00:16:00.475
  • "the towns from ekron to gath," is the philistine
  • 00:16:00.475 --> 00:16:02.643
  • Towns they'd captured--is they were restored to israel.
  • 00:16:02.643 --> 00:16:05.747
  • "israel delivered the neighboring territory from the
  • 00:16:05.747 --> 00:16:07.648
  • Power of the philistines.
  • 00:16:07.648 --> 00:16:09.584
  • There was peace between israel and their neighbors.
  • 00:16:09.584 --> 00:16:11.853
  • Samuel continued as judge over israel all the days of his life.
  • 00:16:11.853 --> 00:16:16.024
  • From the year--from that year--from year to year he went
  • 00:16:16.024 --> 00:16:18.259
  • On a circuit from bethel to gilgal to mizpah, judging israel
  • 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:21.129
  • And all those places."
  • 00:16:21.129 --> 00:16:23.331
  • Samuel sought god, provided leadership to the nation.
  • 00:16:23.331 --> 00:16:25.833
  • That's my prayer: "god give us men who fear--men and women who
  • 00:16:25.833 --> 00:16:28.736
  • Fear your name to bring leadership."
  • 00:16:28.736 --> 00:16:32.640
  • And we have all these voices, it's in the literature, bubbles
  • 00:16:32.640 --> 00:16:35.309
  • Up all through--
  • 00:16:35.309 --> 00:16:36.644
  • "don't talk about current events.
  • 00:16:36.644 --> 00:16:38.012
  • Don't, you can't do that.
  • 00:16:38.012 --> 00:16:39.347
  • You can't do that."
  • 00:16:39.347 --> 00:16:41.315
  • What bible are you reading?
  • 00:16:41.315 --> 00:16:46.721
  • God's plan for ancient israel.
  • 00:16:46.721 --> 00:16:49.924
  • As you're reading it, you can't separate it from national
  • 00:16:49.924 --> 00:16:52.427
  • Figures who would seek him.
  • 00:16:52.427 --> 00:16:55.763
  • And a lot of 'em were scoundrels.
  • 00:16:55.763 --> 00:17:00.068
  • You wouldn't want samson engaged with the teenagers in
  • 00:17:00.068 --> 00:17:02.703
  • Your church.
  • 00:17:02.703 --> 00:17:04.972
  • But god used him to change the destiny of a nation.
  • 00:17:04.972 --> 00:17:09.844
  • Gideon was a coward of the first order.
  • 00:17:09.844 --> 00:17:14.048
  • And god said, "i see a mighty warrior."
  • 00:17:14.048 --> 00:17:16.150
  • And gideon went, "where?"
  • 00:17:16.150 --> 00:17:19.554
  • I mean, it's a ragtag group of people--samuel.
  • 00:17:19.554 --> 00:17:26.294
  • God serves as the ultimate authority over the nation.
  • 00:17:26.294 --> 00:17:30.598
  • I gotta wrap it.
  • 00:17:30.598 --> 00:17:38.339
  • The people still aren't happy.
  • 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:40.408
  • You've seen this cycle, you've read enough now.
  • 00:17:40.408 --> 00:17:42.043
  • If you're doing the bible reading, you know that, if you
  • 00:17:42.043 --> 00:17:43.678
  • Don't, you should, it'll help you.
  • 00:17:43.678 --> 00:17:47.248
  • The people have a hard time holding a position.
  • 00:17:47.248 --> 00:17:49.517
  • So do we.
  • 00:17:49.517 --> 00:17:50.952
  • That's why our life tends to have an ebb and a flow to it.
  • 00:17:50.952 --> 00:17:54.055
  • It's typically true with your physical health, it's true with
  • 00:17:54.055 --> 00:17:56.224
  • Your spiritual condition.
  • 00:17:56.224 --> 00:17:57.959
  • There's seasons.
  • 00:17:57.959 --> 00:17:59.760
  • And i'm inviting you to make this a season.
  • 00:17:59.760 --> 00:18:01.496
  • It's growing season in tennessee.
  • 00:18:01.496 --> 00:18:03.264
  • Let's decide to grow spiritually.
  • 00:18:03.264 --> 00:18:06.167
  • And in spite of all that god was doing, in spite of their enemies
  • 00:18:06.167 --> 00:18:08.870
  • Being subdued, and the freedoms that have come, and the
  • 00:18:08.870 --> 00:18:10.972
  • Blessings that have come in chapter 8 and verse 6, "they
  • 00:18:10.972 --> 00:18:14.242
  • Said, 'give us the king to lead us.'"
  • 00:18:14.242 --> 00:18:17.311
  • "we don't like you, samuel.
  • 00:18:17.311 --> 00:18:18.646
  • I know you conquered the philistines.
  • 00:18:18.646 --> 00:18:21.048
  • I know we have more freedom and more liberty than we've had in
  • 00:18:21.048 --> 00:18:23.451
  • Our lifetimes, but we don't like you.
  • 00:18:23.451 --> 00:18:26.787
  • "so samuel prayed.
  • 00:18:26.787 --> 00:18:28.122
  • And the lord said, 'listen to what the people are saying.
  • 00:18:28.122 --> 00:18:30.491
  • It's not you they've rejected, but they've rejected me.'"
  • 00:18:30.491 --> 00:18:33.094
  • The reason god had to tell samuel that is it felt a lot
  • 00:18:33.094 --> 00:18:35.296
  • Like him that was being rejected.
  • 00:18:35.296 --> 00:18:36.898
  • Why don't we take our faith with us to the marketplace?
  • 00:18:36.898 --> 00:18:39.267
  • Why don't we stand up in our schools and say, "no, i've got a
  • 00:18:39.267 --> 00:18:41.702
  • Biblical worldview here.
  • 00:18:41.702 --> 00:18:43.171
  • I'm not gonna yield to this garbage."
  • 00:18:43.171 --> 00:18:45.973
  • Because we understand that there's a high degree of
  • 00:18:45.973 --> 00:18:48.075
  • Probability we'd be rejected.
  • 00:18:48.075 --> 00:18:50.545
  • And then you might be able to say to yourself, "well, they're
  • 00:18:50.545 --> 00:18:52.380
  • Not really rejecting me, they're rejecting god," but it's you
  • 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:54.682
  • They're looking at.
  • 00:18:54.682 --> 00:18:57.118
  • And so, it causes us to be quiet.
  • 00:18:57.118 --> 00:19:01.389
  • "samuel, it's not you they've rejected, it's me."
  • 00:19:01.389 --> 00:19:03.424
  • "yeah, but it's me that they wanna take the position
  • 00:19:03.424 --> 00:19:05.726
  • Away from."
  • 00:19:05.726 --> 00:19:07.962
  • And god said, "they've done this from the day i brought them out
  • 00:19:07.962 --> 00:19:10.031
  • Of egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other
  • 00:19:10.031 --> 00:19:13.100
  • Gods, and now they're doing it to you.
  • 00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:16.537
  • Listen to them."
  • 00:19:16.537 --> 00:19:18.472
  • This is a fun place, a fun study.
  • 00:19:18.472 --> 00:19:19.974
  • We could do it another time.
  • 00:19:19.974 --> 00:19:21.943
  • God teaches samuel to listen and now god says to samuel, "you
  • 00:19:21.943 --> 00:19:25.213
  • Have to listen to the people.
  • 00:19:25.213 --> 00:19:27.949
  • Listen to them."
  • 00:19:27.949 --> 00:19:29.317
  • You know god listens to us.
  • 00:19:29.317 --> 00:19:31.619
  • That's why it's so important to cultivate that expression
  • 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:33.854
  • Of thanks.
  • 00:19:33.854 --> 00:19:37.825
  • God listens to us.
  • 00:19:37.825 --> 00:19:39.160
  • "listen to them; but warn them and let them know what the king
  • 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:42.863
  • Who will reign over them will do."
  • 00:19:42.863 --> 00:19:45.566
  • So samuel does, and then in verse 18, this is what god says
  • 00:19:45.566 --> 00:19:48.603
  • Through samuel back to the people: "'when the day comes,
  • 00:19:48.603 --> 00:19:51.005
  • You'll cry out for relief from the king you've chosen, and the
  • 00:19:51.005 --> 00:19:53.407
  • Lord will not answer you.'
  • 00:19:53.407 --> 00:19:57.011
  • But the people refused to listen to samuel."
  • 00:19:57.011 --> 00:19:59.747
  • This is a fun study on listening, listening to god,
  • 00:19:59.747 --> 00:20:02.984
  • Listening to the people, and the people who refuse to listen.
  • 00:20:02.984 --> 00:20:07.221
  • They said, "we want a king over us.
  • 00:20:07.221 --> 00:20:08.689
  • Then we'll be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us
  • 00:20:08.689 --> 00:20:10.958
  • And go out before us and fight our battles."
  • 00:20:10.958 --> 00:20:13.861
  • There are limits to god's grace.
  • 00:20:13.861 --> 00:20:16.530
  • God's grace is not infinite.
  • 00:20:16.530 --> 00:20:17.898
  • If god's grace was infinite, we wouldn't have needed jesus.
  • 00:20:17.898 --> 00:20:21.335
  • He would have just shrugged his shoulders and say, "oh, it's not
  • 00:20:21.335 --> 00:20:23.237
  • That big a deal."
  • 00:20:23.237 --> 00:20:25.506
  • But there are limits to god's grace.
  • 00:20:25.506 --> 00:20:28.409
  • Even in the midst of the covenant people of god, you and
  • 00:20:28.409 --> 00:20:30.578
  • I have the promises of god, but it's not permission to
  • 00:20:30.578 --> 00:20:32.980
  • Be sloppy.
  • 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:35.883
  • And he says, "tell the people i've heard them.
  • 00:20:35.883 --> 00:20:38.753
  • I will give them what they've asked for, but the day will come
  • 00:20:38.753 --> 00:20:41.689
  • When the oppression will be so great, they will cry out to me
  • 00:20:41.689 --> 00:20:44.358
  • Again and i won't help."
  • 00:20:44.358 --> 00:20:48.396
  • Now, he will intervene eventually, but there's
  • 00:20:48.396 --> 00:20:51.499
  • Generational suffering when we choose wickedness.
  • 00:20:51.499 --> 00:20:56.437
  • There's a consequence to ungodliness.
  • 00:20:56.437 --> 00:20:58.906
  • The people are warned about the consequences of their choices
  • 00:20:58.906 --> 00:21:01.876
  • And they still preferred their way.
  • 00:21:01.876 --> 00:21:04.345
  • Most of us are not caught up in ungodliness because of a wave
  • 00:21:04.345 --> 00:21:08.449
  • Of emotion.
  • 00:21:08.449 --> 00:21:10.618
  • We choose it.
  • 00:21:10.618 --> 00:21:13.087
  • We think we can outrun it, we can outlive it, we can
  • 00:21:13.087 --> 00:21:15.523
  • Out-plan it.
  • 00:21:15.523 --> 00:21:17.358
  • We think the benefit is great enough that we'll just
  • 00:21:17.358 --> 00:21:19.327
  • Persevere anyway.
  • 00:21:19.327 --> 00:21:21.796
  • And the counsel, the plain teaching of scripture, the
  • 00:21:21.796 --> 00:21:25.132
  • Simple presentation, is there are consequences to our choices.
  • 00:21:25.132 --> 00:21:33.307
  • They have a greater desire for alignment with secular ungodly
  • 00:21:33.307 --> 00:21:36.610
  • Norms than they have a desire for aligning themselves with the
  • 00:21:36.610 --> 00:21:39.680
  • Blessings of god.
  • 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:42.416
  • See, these lessons feel so relevant to me in
  • 00:21:42.416 --> 00:21:44.185
  • Contemporary christendom.
  • 00:21:44.185 --> 00:21:47.655
  • And i tell you that not as a point of condemnation, as a
  • 00:21:47.655 --> 00:21:50.191
  • Point of recognizing the tug of war that takes place within all
  • 00:21:50.191 --> 00:21:52.860
  • Of us.
  • 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:54.929
  • We can all find voices to give us permission to be less godly.
  • 00:21:54.929 --> 00:21:58.399
  • Not to reject our faith, not to deny god, not to burn our bible,
  • 00:21:58.399 --> 00:22:01.802
  • Just to be a little less godly.
  • 00:22:01.802 --> 00:22:04.438
  • A little less engaged, a little less focused.
  • 00:22:04.438 --> 00:22:07.842
  • "you don't wanna be one of those--"
  • 00:22:07.842 --> 00:22:09.210
  • Yeah, i do.
  • 00:22:09.210 --> 00:22:11.278
  • I wanna be one of those crazy zealot, fanatical, overboard,
  • 00:22:11.278 --> 00:22:15.850
  • Over the top.
  • 00:22:15.850 --> 00:22:18.886
  • I'm not looking for--at this point in my journey, lukewarm
  • 00:22:18.886 --> 00:22:22.089
  • Makes no sense.
  • 00:22:22.089 --> 00:22:26.894
  • They're unwilling to trust god and submit to his direction.
  • 00:22:26.894 --> 00:22:30.297
  • They'd rather have a king, and i quote, "to fight for us."
  • 00:22:30.297 --> 00:22:34.235
  • It's pretty clear, their indifference to faithfulness.
  • 00:22:34.235 --> 00:22:38.739
  • "faithfulness is too difficult.
  • 00:22:38.739 --> 00:22:40.074
  • We don't wanna persevere in this.
  • 00:22:40.074 --> 00:22:41.442
  • We just wanna king to go fight for us.
  • 00:22:41.442 --> 00:22:44.011
  • Can we hire somebody to do that?"
  • 00:22:44.011 --> 00:22:47.948
  • It's a fascinating story on the covenant people of god.
  • 00:22:47.948 --> 00:22:51.252
  • The very next chapter begins with the ascent of saul.
  • 00:22:51.252 --> 00:22:53.287
  • There's a king coming.
  • 00:22:53.287 --> 00:22:54.655
  • God's gonna pick a king, and he's gonna use samuel to
  • 00:22:54.655 --> 00:22:56.357
  • Establish him.
  • 00:22:56.357 --> 00:22:58.592
  • And it's gonna be as bumpy of a ride as we've been so far.
  • 00:22:58.592 --> 00:23:01.395
  • Amazing victories, god brings deliverance, their enemies
  • 00:23:01.395 --> 00:23:03.898
  • Are subdued.
  • 00:23:03.898 --> 00:23:05.533
  • And there's a group of people going, "we don't like this, we
  • 00:23:05.533 --> 00:23:07.535
  • Don't like this a bit."
  • 00:23:07.535 --> 00:23:09.904
  • It's not a unanimous vote.
  • 00:23:09.904 --> 00:23:11.906
  • It wasn't a unanimous vote in jerusalem when the crowd in the
  • 00:23:11.906 --> 00:23:14.809
  • Streets said, "crucify him!"
  • 00:23:14.809 --> 00:23:17.077
  • There were people weeping.
  • 00:23:17.077 --> 00:23:19.447
  • There were people with broken hearts.
  • 00:23:19.447 --> 00:23:23.284
  • But there was a loud group of people saying, "crucify him!"
  • 00:23:23.284 --> 00:23:27.555
  • See, i think we live with this imagination that renewal or
  • 00:23:27.555 --> 00:23:29.723
  • Awakening will be so all-inclusive that it will sweep
  • 00:23:29.723 --> 00:23:32.927
  • Aside the negative or the contrarian voices, and the bible
  • 00:23:32.927 --> 00:23:37.097
  • Doesn't give us that presentation.
  • 00:23:37.097 --> 00:23:40.901
  • We'll have to have the courage to live our faith out in the
  • 00:23:40.901 --> 00:23:43.404
  • Face of--that's why we're salt and light.
  • 00:23:43.404 --> 00:23:46.173
  • If there weren't intense darkness, we wouldn't
  • 00:23:46.173 --> 00:23:47.875
  • Need light.
  • 00:23:47.875 --> 00:23:51.745
  • Don't be discouraged, folks, god is moving in the earth.
  • 00:23:51.745 --> 00:23:55.015
  • I've never seen a generation of people as hungry as the ones i
  • 00:23:55.015 --> 00:23:57.952
  • See in front of us right now.
  • 00:23:57.952 --> 00:24:01.255
  • And there's all sorts of interesting data that's
  • 00:24:01.255 --> 00:24:03.424
  • Bubbling up.
  • 00:24:03.424 --> 00:24:04.792
  • Younger people more interested in the lord than they have been
  • 00:24:04.792 --> 00:24:06.360
  • In several generations.
  • 00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:08.729
  • I mean, it's fascinating what's happening, but it's happening in
  • 00:24:08.729 --> 00:24:12.066
  • The midst of this tug of war, and we've got to decide which
  • 00:24:12.066 --> 00:24:14.435
  • Place we're gonna hold, what our attitude's gonna be.
  • 00:24:14.435 --> 00:24:18.606
  • We'll pick up the ascent of saul in the next session, but i
  • 00:24:18.606 --> 00:24:23.143
  • Brought you a prayer.
  • 00:24:23.143 --> 00:24:24.478
  • Stand with me, if you will.
  • 00:24:24.478 --> 00:24:27.481
  • It's just a summary prayer of what we walked through.
  • 00:24:27.481 --> 00:24:31.018
  • God's people believing god's promises so that god's purposes
  • 00:24:31.018 --> 00:24:36.357
  • Can emerge in the earth.
  • 00:24:36.357 --> 00:24:37.725
  • It's our assignment.
  • 00:24:37.725 --> 00:24:39.493
  • It's the greatest delight of our lives.
  • 00:24:39.493 --> 00:24:42.162
  • And along the way, he will bless you, he'll bring you the stuff
  • 00:24:42.162 --> 00:24:44.765
  • You need and the things you need and the opportunities you
  • 00:24:44.765 --> 00:24:48.102
  • Need, but let's determine to give the lord our best.
  • 00:24:48.102 --> 00:24:52.172
  • And then let's tell him we're sorry when we haven't.
  • 00:24:52.172 --> 00:24:55.676
  • He's not surprised.
  • 00:24:55.676 --> 00:24:57.811
  • He's waiting for us to be honest enough to go, "yeah, i didn't
  • 00:24:57.811 --> 00:25:00.381
  • Really care all that much."
  • 00:25:00.381 --> 00:25:02.516
  • You know we're not shocking god, right?
  • 00:25:02.516 --> 00:25:08.889
  • It would have been--imagine after the people came to samuel
  • 00:25:08.889 --> 00:25:11.425
  • And said, "you know, we don't want you to lead us anymore,"
  • 00:25:11.425 --> 00:25:14.962
  • And god had said to samuel, "it never occurred to me they would
  • 00:25:14.962 --> 00:25:17.631
  • Act that way."
  • 00:25:17.631 --> 00:25:21.135
  • He's said, "no, samuel, they've been his way for hundreds
  • 00:25:21.135 --> 00:25:23.103
  • Of years."
  • 00:25:23.103 --> 00:25:24.805
  • You're just the latest version.
  • 00:25:24.805 --> 00:25:26.140
  • We don't surprise god.
  • 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:28.142
  • I brought you a prayer.
  • 00:25:28.142 --> 00:25:30.611
  • Together, "heavenly father, teach me to walk in your ways,
  • 00:25:30.611 --> 00:25:35.049
  • To recognize your direction and to understand your purposes.
  • 00:25:35.049 --> 00:25:39.486
  • May my ears be open to listen to all your instruction.
  • 00:25:39.486 --> 00:25:43.824
  • My desire is to walk uprightly and to be pleasing in
  • 00:25:43.824 --> 00:25:47.394
  • Your sight.
  • 00:25:47.394 --> 00:25:48.762
  • Let the fear of god grow within me and the power of god be
  • 00:25:48.762 --> 00:25:52.800
  • Evident through all of my days.
  • 00:25:52.800 --> 00:25:55.369
  • Let jesus's name be exalted, amen."
  • 00:25:55.369 --> 00:25:59.306
  • Hallelujah, god bless you.
  • 00:25:59.306 --> 00:26:02.042
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:02.042 --> 00:26:06.547
  • Allen: i got a question, what's the eternal breath
  • 00:26:08.582 --> 00:26:11.018
  • Of life?
  • 00:26:11.018 --> 00:26:12.453
  • Well, the answer is a new book my dad just wrote.
  • 00:26:12.453 --> 00:26:15.189
  • When i sat down to do a podcast with him, and i was listening to
  • 00:26:15.189 --> 00:26:17.858
  • His story about how god had moved in his life and my
  • 00:26:17.858 --> 00:26:20.794
  • Family's life, all the way up to the beginning of the church that
  • 00:26:20.794 --> 00:26:23.097
  • I've served now for several decades, i was so reminded of
  • 00:26:23.097 --> 00:26:26.734
  • The purpose and the power of the spirit of god in our lives, i
  • 00:26:26.734 --> 00:26:29.670
  • Asked him to put it in a book.
  • 00:26:29.670 --> 00:26:31.338
  • That's what we're sharing with you.
  • 00:26:31.338 --> 00:26:33.007
  • We all need god's help, we all face challenges.
  • 00:26:33.007 --> 00:26:35.542
  • Life's not easy no matter who you are, but the spirit of god
  • 00:26:35.542 --> 00:26:38.545
  • Is present within us to bring the power and purposes of god to
  • 00:26:38.545 --> 00:26:42.983
  • Bear in our lives.
  • 00:26:42.983 --> 00:26:44.652
  • I believe the book will be a blessing with--for you.
  • 00:26:44.652 --> 00:26:47.454
  • You'll pair it with "unleashing the power of the holy spirit,"
  • 00:26:47.454 --> 00:26:50.424
  • It's one of the most effective tools we have.
  • 00:26:50.424 --> 00:26:52.359
  • It'll give you a pathway that i believe will bring god's best
  • 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:55.863
  • Into your family.
  • 00:26:55.863 --> 00:26:57.197
  • You may not plant a church, but you have been given the
  • 00:26:57.197 --> 00:26:59.366
  • Assignment as an ambassador for the kingdom of god, and we need
  • 00:26:59.366 --> 00:27:02.436
  • The help of the holy spirit.
  • 00:27:02.436 --> 00:27:04.204
  • Enjoy the book.
  • 00:27:04.204 --> 00:27:05.572
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:05.572 --> 00:27:12.546
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:14.515 --> 00:27:28.429