1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Allen Jackson Ministries
  4. Episodes
  5. Allen Jackson - Legacy, Eternity and You (Part 1)
Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Legacy, Eternity and You (Part 1)

October 31, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Legacy, Eternity and You (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Legacy #Eternity #Reverence #FearoftheLord #Preparation #Generations #Serving #ServantofGod #Humble #Humility #AllenJackson

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Legacy, Eternity and You (Part 1) | October 31, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.316
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:01.784 --> 00:00:06.655
  • Allen jackson: you know, we're witnessing something of a
  • 00:00:06.755 --> 00:00:08.290
  • Crisis in our nation, something i never thought i would see:
  • 00:00:08.390 --> 00:00:09.425
  • Expressions of antisemitism, hatred for the jewish people
  • 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:15.130
  • Coming from america, coming from the christian community,
  • 00:00:15.130 --> 00:00:18.767
  • The conservative side of the ideological spectrum to a degree
  • 00:00:18.767 --> 00:00:22.204
  • And scope i've never seen before.
  • 00:00:22.204 --> 00:00:24.406
  • Well, it's important enough that i stopped and put
  • 00:00:24.406 --> 00:00:26.208
  • Together a book.
  • 00:00:26.208 --> 00:00:27.543
  • The title of it is "supporting israel: how far is too far?"
  • 00:00:27.543 --> 00:00:31.613
  • It's an important concept.
  • 00:00:31.613 --> 00:00:33.015
  • It isn't political.
  • 00:00:33.015 --> 00:00:34.349
  • It's grounded in a biblical worldview.
  • 00:00:34.349 --> 00:00:36.452
  • I think we need to understand our responsibilities to the
  • 00:00:36.452 --> 00:00:39.188
  • Jewish people, to the modern state of israel,
  • 00:00:39.188 --> 00:00:41.890
  • Not from an ideological perspective,
  • 00:00:41.890 --> 00:00:43.659
  • Not from the perspective of nation states,
  • 00:00:43.659 --> 00:00:45.861
  • But as people of god.
  • 00:00:45.861 --> 00:00:47.830
  • It's important, it's an important season.
  • 00:00:47.830 --> 00:00:49.364
  • A lot of voices--you know, i know there's some fatigue with
  • 00:00:49.364 --> 00:00:52.034
  • The conflict in the middle east, but we can't afford to be
  • 00:00:52.034 --> 00:00:54.770
  • Fatigued with our assignments to honor god and the
  • 00:00:54.770 --> 00:00:57.172
  • Responsibilities that come with that.
  • 00:00:57.172 --> 00:00:59.274
  • I believe the book will be a help to you.
  • 00:00:59.274 --> 00:01:01.243
  • I believe it'll help you navigate the conversation with
  • 00:01:01.243 --> 00:01:03.645
  • Your family and your friends.
  • 00:01:03.645 --> 00:01:05.514
  • Enjoy the read.
  • 00:01:05.514 --> 00:01:07.583
  • Cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.aberdeen.io
  • 00:01:07.649 --> 00:01:12.688
  • Allen: the title for this talk is "legacy, eternity, and you."
  • 00:01:14.156 --> 00:01:18.927
  • And it's really a bit of a reflection on the readings
  • 00:01:18.927 --> 00:01:21.797
  • We're doing.
  • 00:01:21.797 --> 00:01:23.165
  • I hope you do the daily bible-reading with us.
  • 00:01:23.165 --> 00:01:24.900
  • If you don't, i would like to invite you to.
  • 00:01:24.900 --> 00:01:27.703
  • You don't have to wait till january to begin.
  • 00:01:27.703 --> 00:01:30.873
  • We--as a community of faith, we read through our bibles each
  • 00:01:30.873 --> 00:01:33.675
  • Year in a systematic way, and there is something that i
  • 00:01:33.675 --> 00:01:37.412
  • Have discovered.
  • 00:01:37.412 --> 00:01:38.747
  • To my embarrassment, it took me many years, but there is
  • 00:01:38.747 --> 00:01:41.550
  • Something significant and profound in reading through the
  • 00:01:41.550 --> 00:01:44.319
  • Scripture together.
  • 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:46.488
  • We're just beginning the book of 1 kings.
  • 00:01:46.488 --> 00:01:49.725
  • So if you're not reading along, join us.
  • 00:01:49.725 --> 00:01:51.360
  • It's the historical books in the bible.
  • 00:01:51.360 --> 00:01:53.028
  • There--there's a bit more narrative to that than there was
  • 00:01:53.028 --> 00:01:56.031
  • To leviticus.
  • 00:01:56.031 --> 00:01:58.834
  • I mean, god put leviticus in there.
  • 00:01:58.834 --> 00:02:00.235
  • It has great value, but he doesn't read it every week.
  • 00:02:00.235 --> 00:02:06.341
  • I mean, he's just, like, occasionally, so.
  • 00:02:06.341 --> 00:02:08.810
  • But we just started 1 kings and it seem like an important point
  • 00:02:08.810 --> 00:02:12.648
  • To kinda step back into the narrative because the monarchy,
  • 00:02:12.648 --> 00:02:16.251
  • That brief period in israelite history where they had the kings
  • 00:02:16.251 --> 00:02:18.921
  • And the nation was unified really slipped past them
  • 00:02:18.921 --> 00:02:22.824
  • Very quickly.
  • 00:02:22.824 --> 00:02:24.159
  • And i think if we can grasp what's happening in that portion
  • 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:25.994
  • Of the text, it'd be able to make the remainder of the old
  • 00:02:25.994 --> 00:02:29.031
  • Testament much more meaningful.
  • 00:02:29.031 --> 00:02:30.666
  • So that's a bit of our target.
  • 00:02:30.666 --> 00:02:32.868
  • We started with--the reading these days is about solomon, one
  • 00:02:32.868 --> 00:02:37.739
  • Of the most celebrated of the hebrew kings, arguably the
  • 00:02:37.739 --> 00:02:42.544
  • Wealthiest, and, depending on how you measure it, some would
  • 00:02:42.544 --> 00:02:46.181
  • Say one of the more successful.
  • 00:02:46.181 --> 00:02:48.183
  • Then i wanna look at the legacy that he left, but i really wanna
  • 00:02:48.183 --> 00:02:51.653
  • Look at it in the context of our own life.
  • 00:02:51.653 --> 00:02:55.657
  • It's just--i'm sure it's because of the events in my life in
  • 00:02:55.657 --> 00:02:58.160
  • Recent weeks and months.
  • 00:02:58.160 --> 00:02:59.895
  • My mother's passing has been a powerful reminder to me that we
  • 00:02:59.895 --> 00:03:03.665
  • Are all on a temporary assignment, no matter who you
  • 00:03:03.665 --> 00:03:07.402
  • Are, no matter how vibrant your faith or how robust your
  • 00:03:07.402 --> 00:03:10.539
  • Physical well-being may be.
  • 00:03:10.539 --> 00:03:13.242
  • I think in church world typically we kinda give lip
  • 00:03:13.242 --> 00:03:15.677
  • Service to this principle, but i'm not sure it's our reality or
  • 00:03:15.677 --> 00:03:22.718
  • That we believe it's that real.
  • 00:03:22.718 --> 00:03:24.152
  • I think we tend to think it's just some motivational ploy from
  • 00:03:24.152 --> 00:03:26.855
  • The pastor or the leader to try to get a heightened commitment
  • 00:03:26.855 --> 00:03:30.025
  • From us, and i assure you that's not my goal.
  • 00:03:30.025 --> 00:03:33.695
  • I want to remind you as kindly as i can if you--not in a morbid
  • 00:03:33.695 --> 00:03:37.666
  • Way, but there's a point ahead of you when your strength will
  • 00:03:37.666 --> 00:03:40.335
  • Fail and you will step into eternity, and at that point your
  • 00:03:40.335 --> 00:03:44.840
  • Future is already determined.
  • 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:47.609
  • There will not be a second chance or a review.
  • 00:03:47.609 --> 00:03:52.281
  • There's no mulligan.
  • 00:03:52.281 --> 00:03:54.549
  • So i have some questions i would put to you just for reflection.
  • 00:03:54.549 --> 00:03:57.452
  • Now, not looking for an immediate answer, but what are
  • 00:03:57.452 --> 00:04:00.122
  • You investing in?
  • 00:04:00.122 --> 00:04:01.490
  • I know we're in church and the answer is to jesus to almost
  • 00:04:01.490 --> 00:04:03.258
  • Every question, but--so you answer these away from here.
  • 00:04:03.258 --> 00:04:06.295
  • What are you investing in, what are you longing for, and what
  • 00:04:06.295 --> 00:04:10.432
  • Are you striving for?
  • 00:04:10.432 --> 00:04:12.567
  • What are you investing in, what are you longing for, and what
  • 00:04:12.567 --> 00:04:16.705
  • Are you striving for?
  • 00:04:16.705 --> 00:04:19.508
  • I brought two passages.
  • 00:04:19.508 --> 00:04:20.876
  • I put them at the beginning of the notes.
  • 00:04:20.876 --> 00:04:22.210
  • Hebrews 9 says, "as just as man is destined to die once, and
  • 00:04:22.210 --> 00:04:26.281
  • After that to face judgment," the author of hebrews is
  • 00:04:26.281 --> 00:04:29.084
  • Pointing out something most of us would prefer just not to
  • 00:04:29.084 --> 00:04:30.919
  • Think about.
  • 00:04:30.919 --> 00:04:32.287
  • We all have two appointments that are inescapable.
  • 00:04:32.287 --> 00:04:35.223
  • You can't call in sick.
  • 00:04:35.223 --> 00:04:36.558
  • You can't send a replacement.
  • 00:04:36.558 --> 00:04:39.728
  • One is death, and following death is judgment, and it's a
  • 00:04:39.728 --> 00:04:44.700
  • Real thing.
  • 00:04:44.700 --> 00:04:46.134
  • For the christ follower it's not a judgment of destiny, it's not
  • 00:04:46.134 --> 00:04:49.571
  • A judgment of heaven or hell, it's a judgment for what you've
  • 00:04:49.571 --> 00:04:52.074
  • Done with your life.
  • 00:04:52.074 --> 00:04:54.176
  • And it's possible to survive that judgment and make your way
  • 00:04:54.176 --> 00:04:56.878
  • Into the kingdom of god, but to have all of the consequences of
  • 00:04:56.878 --> 00:05:00.248
  • Your life fail to make the test, to lose all the rewards you
  • 00:05:00.248 --> 00:05:05.454
  • Imagine might have been yours.
  • 00:05:05.454 --> 00:05:08.023
  • That would be a tragic way to step into eternity.
  • 00:05:08.023 --> 00:05:11.493
  • People say some foolish things, some rather naive things.
  • 00:05:11.493 --> 00:05:14.996
  • "pastor, it doesn't matter to me.
  • 00:05:14.996 --> 00:05:16.365
  • I just wanna be there."
  • 00:05:16.365 --> 00:05:18.734
  • Really?
  • 00:05:18.734 --> 00:05:20.802
  • Can you imagine standing at the altar with a couple who are
  • 00:05:20.802 --> 00:05:24.272
  • Preparing to take their wedding vows,
  • 00:05:24.272 --> 00:05:25.607
  • They look at one another and say, "you know, i don't really
  • 00:05:25.607 --> 00:05:27.342
  • Wanna be a good husband or a good wife, i just wanna
  • 00:05:27.342 --> 00:05:30.545
  • Be present.
  • 00:05:30.545 --> 00:05:33.448
  • I'm not striving to make this a remarkable marriage, i just
  • 00:05:33.448 --> 00:05:38.019
  • Wanna get my name on the certificate"?
  • 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:40.622
  • We say some rather nonsensical things amongst ourselves.
  • 00:05:40.622 --> 00:05:44.526
  • Sometimes we say them in well-meaning ways, but we say
  • 00:05:44.526 --> 00:05:47.796
  • Them with a lack of awareness of scripture that is stunning and
  • 00:05:47.796 --> 00:05:51.133
  • With a degree of presumptiveness that makes me
  • 00:05:51.133 --> 00:05:52.968
  • Very uncomfortable.
  • 00:05:52.968 --> 00:05:55.771
  • Jesus clearly said there'll be people that approach him and
  • 00:05:55.771 --> 00:05:57.939
  • Say, "lord, lord," and he'll say, "i'm sorry, i don't know
  • 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:00.475
  • Who you are."
  • 00:06:00.475 --> 00:06:02.244
  • And they'll say, "but we did miracles in your name."
  • 00:06:02.244 --> 00:06:05.647
  • And he'll say, "depart from me.
  • 00:06:05.647 --> 00:06:08.183
  • You have no part of my kingdom."
  • 00:06:08.183 --> 00:06:10.485
  • We draw these lines like they're so clear and they're so
  • 00:06:10.485 --> 00:06:12.687
  • Immutable and they're so certain.
  • 00:06:12.687 --> 00:06:16.191
  • And i don't want you to be frightened of your eternity, but
  • 00:06:16.191 --> 00:06:18.293
  • I don't want you to live with this arrogance that causes you
  • 00:06:18.293 --> 00:06:21.329
  • To imagine that there's something so immutable that we
  • 00:06:21.329 --> 00:06:25.000
  • Don't need to live with a reverence for god.
  • 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:29.037
  • And i think the life of solomon is a very good point to enter
  • 00:06:29.037 --> 00:06:32.841
  • Into this discussion.
  • 00:06:32.841 --> 00:06:34.209
  • I brought you a second passage, it's revelation 20.
  • 00:06:34.209 --> 00:06:36.411
  • It's very near the end of the book, and it says, "the sea gave
  • 00:06:36.411 --> 00:06:38.713
  • Up the dead that were in it, and death and hades gave up the dead
  • 00:06:38.713 --> 00:06:41.550
  • That were in them, and each person was judged according to
  • 00:06:41.550 --> 00:06:43.718
  • What he had done.
  • 00:06:43.718 --> 00:06:45.720
  • Then death and hades were thrown into the lake of fire.
  • 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:49.057
  • The lake of fire is the second death.
  • 00:06:49.057 --> 00:06:50.692
  • If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he
  • 00:06:50.692 --> 00:06:53.528
  • Was thrown into the lake of fire."
  • 00:06:53.528 --> 00:06:56.198
  • Please don't ever equate attending church with serving
  • 00:06:56.198 --> 00:06:58.633
  • The lord.
  • 00:06:58.633 --> 00:06:59.968
  • They're not the same.
  • 00:06:59.968 --> 00:07:01.803
  • I'm an advocate for attending church, i do it a lot, but i do
  • 00:07:01.803 --> 00:07:06.641
  • Not imagine that my service to the lord will be measured in
  • 00:07:06.641 --> 00:07:09.845
  • Terms of my willingness to attend church.
  • 00:07:09.845 --> 00:07:13.114
  • And i don't want you to imagine that either.
  • 00:07:13.114 --> 00:07:15.617
  • I want you to be prepared for eternity.
  • 00:07:15.617 --> 00:07:17.352
  • I want you to lay up treasure in heaven.
  • 00:07:17.352 --> 00:07:20.288
  • I wanna have a great celebration with the people with whom
  • 00:07:20.288 --> 00:07:23.058
  • Through i made the journey through time, but that's not
  • 00:07:23.058 --> 00:07:27.395
  • Something that happens randomly or accidentally.
  • 00:07:27.395 --> 00:07:29.898
  • And i think while we're reading through these historical books
  • 00:07:29.898 --> 00:07:32.534
  • And we see the reviews of all these individuals, it's worth
  • 00:07:32.534 --> 00:07:36.571
  • Reminding you're gonna meet--be introduced to many people whose
  • 00:07:36.571 --> 00:07:38.807
  • Names are very difficult to pronounce, but the
  • 00:07:38.807 --> 00:07:41.877
  • Characteration--characterization of their lives is not difficult
  • 00:07:41.877 --> 00:07:44.613
  • To understand.
  • 00:07:44.613 --> 00:07:45.947
  • They're go--they'll be identified as evil or wicked or
  • 00:07:45.947 --> 00:07:48.083
  • Godly or some mix thereof, but they're all people of the book.
  • 00:07:48.083 --> 00:07:53.255
  • They're all covenant people of god.
  • 00:07:53.255 --> 00:07:55.390
  • They're descendants of abraham, isaac, and jacob.
  • 00:07:55.390 --> 00:07:58.827
  • They have a family heritage of the supernatural and
  • 00:07:58.827 --> 00:08:01.129
  • The miraculous.
  • 00:08:01.129 --> 00:08:02.497
  • They're living in a promised land.
  • 00:08:02.497 --> 00:08:05.066
  • They have temples to worship at and priests that will make
  • 00:08:05.066 --> 00:08:07.602
  • Sacrifices on their behalf, and yet a very significant
  • 00:08:07.602 --> 00:08:11.439
  • Percentage of them fail to enter into the kingdom or the purposes
  • 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:14.910
  • Of god.
  • 00:08:14.910 --> 00:08:17.679
  • It should capture our attention.
  • 00:08:17.679 --> 00:08:20.482
  • Jesus talked about broad paths and narrow gates, and i don't
  • 00:08:20.482 --> 00:08:24.753
  • Wanna live presumptively.
  • 00:08:24.753 --> 00:08:26.621
  • So it's a tale of two kings.
  • 00:08:26.621 --> 00:08:27.989
  • I'd like to compare a bit solomon and his father who
  • 00:08:27.989 --> 00:08:30.158
  • Preceded him on the throne, king david.
  • 00:08:30.158 --> 00:08:32.861
  • We'll start with solomon because it's the reading portion for
  • 00:08:32.861 --> 00:08:35.063
  • These days.
  • 00:08:35.063 --> 00:08:36.498
  • 1 kings chapter 10 gives us a summary of solomon's life.
  • 00:08:36.498 --> 00:08:42.671
  • "king solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the
  • 00:08:42.671 --> 00:08:45.206
  • Other kings of the earth."
  • 00:08:45.206 --> 00:08:47.309
  • Wow.
  • 00:08:47.309 --> 00:08:49.344
  • That's not bad.
  • 00:08:49.344 --> 00:08:52.514
  • He accumulated more and learned more than anybody.
  • 00:08:52.514 --> 00:08:56.284
  • Hard stop.
  • 00:08:56.284 --> 00:08:59.321
  • Wow.
  • 00:08:59.321 --> 00:09:02.624
  • I went to riverdale and i was in the solid top 50% of my class.
  • 00:09:02.624 --> 00:09:12.267
  • Yeah, they're not gonna cut that in stone anywhere, i promise.
  • 00:09:12.267 --> 00:09:15.770
  • "the whole world sought audience with solomon to hear the wisdom
  • 00:09:15.770 --> 00:09:18.807
  • God had put in his heart.
  • 00:09:18.807 --> 00:09:20.976
  • Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift--articles
  • 00:09:20.976 --> 00:09:23.445
  • Of silver, gold, robes, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.
  • 00:09:23.445 --> 00:09:28.750
  • Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred
  • 00:09:28.750 --> 00:09:31.853
  • Chariots and twelve thousand horses.
  • 00:09:31.853 --> 00:09:34.689
  • He kept them in chariot cities with him in jerusalem.
  • 00:09:34.689 --> 00:09:37.993
  • The king made silver as common in jerusalem as stones, and
  • 00:09:37.993 --> 00:09:40.729
  • Cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in
  • 00:09:40.729 --> 00:09:43.531
  • The foothills."
  • 00:09:43.531 --> 00:09:44.866
  • Not everywhere in the world has cedar trees with the same
  • 00:09:44.866 --> 00:09:47.268
  • Abundance that we enjoy them in middle tennessee.
  • 00:09:47.268 --> 00:09:52.140
  • "solomon's horses were imported from egypt.
  • 00:09:52.140 --> 00:09:54.976
  • The royal merchants purchased them from kue.
  • 00:09:54.976 --> 00:09:58.346
  • They imported a chariot from egypt for six hundred shekels of
  • 00:09:58.346 --> 00:10:01.116
  • Silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty, and they
  • 00:10:01.116 --> 00:10:03.885
  • Exported them to all the kings of the hittites and
  • 00:10:03.885 --> 00:10:06.121
  • The arameans."
  • 00:10:06.121 --> 00:10:08.256
  • Just a summary, if you'll allow, of solomon, and this is
  • 00:10:08.256 --> 00:10:11.593
  • My perspective.
  • 00:10:11.593 --> 00:10:12.927
  • If you gave me another week i'd probably come up with an
  • 00:10:12.927 --> 00:10:15.063
  • Additional list, but this was a good beginning point.
  • 00:10:15.063 --> 00:10:17.899
  • Solomon has a god-designed role.
  • 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:21.403
  • He's chosen to be king of the covenant people of god.
  • 00:10:21.403 --> 00:10:25.640
  • It's not some arbitrary thing.
  • 00:10:25.640 --> 00:10:27.709
  • It's not some accidental thing.
  • 00:10:27.709 --> 00:10:29.044
  • In fact, i'm gonna do my best to suggest to you that solomon had
  • 00:10:29.044 --> 00:10:31.680
  • Every reason to be an overwhelming success.
  • 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:35.016
  • The things that would bring momentum to you, put the wind at
  • 00:10:35.016 --> 00:10:37.385
  • Your back seem to all be present in solomon's life.
  • 00:10:37.385 --> 00:10:42.023
  • He has a god-designed role for his life.
  • 00:10:42.023 --> 00:10:44.426
  • Secondly, he has generational momentum.
  • 00:10:44.426 --> 00:10:46.995
  • He comes from a family who have a strong faith life.
  • 00:10:46.995 --> 00:10:52.367
  • I mean, his father is david.
  • 00:10:52.367 --> 00:10:55.870
  • That's not bad.
  • 00:10:55.870 --> 00:10:58.139
  • I mean, he wasn't perfect, but there was only one of those and
  • 00:10:58.139 --> 00:11:00.375
  • We killed him.
  • 00:11:00.375 --> 00:11:04.312
  • Allen: you know, how should we respond to the nation of
  • 00:11:08.483 --> 00:11:10.318
  • Israel and the jewish people?
  • 00:11:10.318 --> 00:11:12.387
  • It's a complex question in today's world.
  • 00:11:12.387 --> 00:11:14.723
  • Well, i've written a book, "supporting israel:
  • 00:11:14.723 --> 00:11:16.758
  • How far is too far?"
  • 00:11:16.758 --> 00:11:18.693
  • To help us establish a biblical perspective on what has become a
  • 00:11:18.693 --> 00:11:22.430
  • Complex question in contemporary culture.
  • 00:11:22.430 --> 00:11:25.867
  • We don't want to follow the guidance and the counsel of some
  • 00:11:25.867 --> 00:11:28.770
  • Of the elite universities in this nation.
  • 00:11:28.770 --> 00:11:31.306
  • We want to form a perspective that's built from god's word.
  • 00:11:31.306 --> 00:11:34.042
  • If we'll do that, it'll bring his blessings to our lives.
  • 00:11:34.042 --> 00:11:37.078
  • Enjoy the book.
  • 00:11:37.078 --> 00:11:38.413
  • Female announcer: from the pages of scripture to the front
  • 00:11:38.413 --> 00:11:40.482
  • Lines of today's news, israel stands at the center
  • 00:11:40.482 --> 00:11:43.485
  • Of god's purposes.
  • 00:11:43.485 --> 00:11:44.986
  • Pastor allen's new booklet, "supporting israel:
  • 00:11:44.986 --> 00:11:47.989
  • How far is too far?"
  • 00:11:47.989 --> 00:11:49.424
  • Offers a quick way to gain a biblical perspective on israel,
  • 00:11:49.424 --> 00:11:52.894
  • Why israel matters to god, and why it should matter to us.
  • 00:11:52.894 --> 00:11:57.332
  • Request your copy with your gift of any amount today at
  • 00:11:57.332 --> 00:12:00.235
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:12:00.235 --> 00:12:06.274
  • Allen: but that was not solomon.
  • 00:12:08.810 --> 00:12:10.678
  • Ahab was not his father, david was.
  • 00:12:10.678 --> 00:12:12.947
  • He had a generational momentum.
  • 00:12:12.947 --> 00:12:14.816
  • Thirdly, he lived in a season where there was
  • 00:12:14.816 --> 00:12:16.584
  • Great opportunity.
  • 00:12:16.584 --> 00:12:18.520
  • He didn't live in a time of great war or turmoil.
  • 00:12:18.520 --> 00:12:22.490
  • Solomon was born to the purple.
  • 00:12:22.490 --> 00:12:26.027
  • Purple is usually assimilated-- attached to royalty.
  • 00:12:26.027 --> 00:12:32.300
  • He was born in the palace.
  • 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:36.104
  • We'll look at david in a minute.
  • 00:12:36.104 --> 00:12:37.472
  • David was a shepherd.
  • 00:12:37.472 --> 00:12:38.807
  • He had to hide as a fugitive in en gedi.
  • 00:12:38.807 --> 00:12:40.708
  • It's hard to imagine solomon hanging out for a few months at
  • 00:12:40.708 --> 00:12:43.311
  • En gedi.
  • 00:12:43.311 --> 00:12:46.247
  • I mean, where are his servants gonna stay?
  • 00:12:46.247 --> 00:12:49.484
  • I mean, he was born to a season of tremendous opportunity.
  • 00:12:49.484 --> 00:12:52.854
  • He inherited phenomenal wealth.
  • 00:12:52.854 --> 00:12:56.724
  • The throne that he occupied was secured by his parents, david
  • 00:12:56.724 --> 00:13:01.696
  • And bathsheba, and the most powerful people in the nation.
  • 00:13:01.696 --> 00:13:06.367
  • He has international cooperation.
  • 00:13:06.367 --> 00:13:09.337
  • The kings from the surrounding nations are interested in
  • 00:13:09.337 --> 00:13:13.041
  • Supporting him and helping him.
  • 00:13:13.041 --> 00:13:15.343
  • The opposition that exist is less powerful than he is.
  • 00:13:15.343 --> 00:13:20.648
  • I mean, he was born into a season and a place and a time
  • 00:13:20.648 --> 00:13:24.652
  • Where the opportunity before him was truly remarkable.
  • 00:13:24.652 --> 00:13:29.657
  • On top of that, he enjoyed god's blessings.
  • 00:13:29.657 --> 00:13:35.296
  • He had some very unique gifts from god.
  • 00:13:35.296 --> 00:13:41.636
  • So do we.
  • 00:13:41.636 --> 00:13:43.538
  • We have more freedom and liberty.
  • 00:13:43.538 --> 00:13:46.140
  • We have more abundance than any people in history.
  • 00:13:46.140 --> 00:13:51.713
  • You know, we're walking through a very difficult economic season
  • 00:13:51.713 --> 00:13:54.382
  • And i suspect it will be more difficult before there's a real
  • 00:13:54.382 --> 00:13:58.219
  • Significant change in it, but it--our responses
  • 00:13:58.219 --> 00:14:03.324
  • Are interesting.
  • 00:14:03.324 --> 00:14:07.629
  • You know, we act as if someone else should provide opportunity
  • 00:14:07.629 --> 00:14:10.832
  • For us and someone else should shape a dream.
  • 00:14:10.832 --> 00:14:14.002
  • Folks, the liberties and freedoms and abundance we have
  • 00:14:14.002 --> 00:14:17.639
  • That have shaped our lives and our nation for decades and
  • 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:20.942
  • Decades have come from a worldview that was based in the
  • 00:14:20.942 --> 00:14:24.279
  • Word of god.
  • 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:26.748
  • I have traveled around the world.
  • 00:14:26.748 --> 00:14:28.182
  • The things that describe our lives are not typical.
  • 00:14:28.182 --> 00:14:31.052
  • They are certainly not global.
  • 00:14:31.052 --> 00:14:34.956
  • And while we've been busy dismantling the things that
  • 00:14:34.956 --> 00:14:37.725
  • Brought stability and prosperity and opportunity to us, we're
  • 00:14:37.725 --> 00:14:42.263
  • Still stamping our feet like petulant children, expecting
  • 00:14:42.263 --> 00:14:45.767
  • Those opportunities to be ours.
  • 00:14:45.767 --> 00:14:50.805
  • Well, that wasn't the challenge that solomon had.
  • 00:14:50.805 --> 00:14:53.441
  • He was born to a season of tremendous momentum.
  • 00:14:53.441 --> 00:14:58.846
  • Solomon modeled the humility that brought the blessing of god
  • 00:14:58.846 --> 00:15:01.649
  • To him.
  • 00:15:01.649 --> 00:15:03.651
  • His character was intact enough that he could respond to god in
  • 00:15:03.651 --> 00:15:07.388
  • A way that the blessings of god would come to him.
  • 00:15:07.388 --> 00:15:10.425
  • Look in 1 kings 3.
  • 00:15:10.425 --> 00:15:11.826
  • He said--it's a prayer.
  • 00:15:11.826 --> 00:15:15.563
  • "lord my god, you've made your servant king in place of my
  • 00:15:15.563 --> 00:15:18.333
  • Father david.
  • 00:15:18.333 --> 00:15:19.701
  • But i'm only a little child and i don't know how to carry out
  • 00:15:19.701 --> 00:15:21.569
  • My duties."
  • 00:15:21.569 --> 00:15:23.071
  • That's not what you would expect him to say.
  • 00:15:23.071 --> 00:15:24.672
  • Remember what nebuchadnezzar said?
  • 00:15:24.672 --> 00:15:27.775
  • I mean, they were both ancient near eastern monarchs.
  • 00:15:27.775 --> 00:15:31.179
  • They shared power in a very similar way.
  • 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.548
  • They could confiscate whatever they wanted to confiscate and
  • 00:15:33.548 --> 00:15:36.484
  • Execute whomever they wanted to execute.
  • 00:15:36.484 --> 00:15:40.521
  • Nebuchadnezzar had a statue made of himself out of gold and said,
  • 00:15:40.521 --> 00:15:44.125
  • "you will bow down and worship it or i'll take your life."
  • 00:15:44.125 --> 00:15:49.530
  • And when we first meet solomon, he has a very
  • 00:15:49.530 --> 00:15:51.632
  • Different attitude.
  • 00:15:51.632 --> 00:15:53.334
  • He said, "i'm just a little child.
  • 00:15:53.334 --> 00:15:58.439
  • I don't know how to do my job."
  • 00:15:58.439 --> 00:16:00.942
  • "your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great
  • 00:16:00.942 --> 00:16:03.511
  • People, too numerous to count or number.
  • 00:16:03.511 --> 00:16:05.747
  • So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your
  • 00:16:05.747 --> 00:16:08.016
  • People and to distinguish between right and wrong.
  • 00:16:08.016 --> 00:16:10.685
  • For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
  • 00:16:10.685 --> 00:16:14.222
  • I believe that's a genuine expression of humility.
  • 00:16:14.222 --> 00:16:18.092
  • "i need your help.
  • 00:16:18.092 --> 00:16:19.427
  • I'm in over my head.
  • 00:16:19.427 --> 00:16:23.464
  • Your people are remarkable, and they deserve
  • 00:16:23.464 --> 00:16:25.933
  • Remarkable leadership.
  • 00:16:25.933 --> 00:16:27.935
  • Would you help me?"
  • 00:16:27.935 --> 00:16:29.270
  • The rest of that section says that god was so pleased with his
  • 00:16:29.270 --> 00:16:32.273
  • Prayer because he didn't ask for wealth or power over his enemies
  • 00:16:32.273 --> 00:16:36.277
  • Or fame, that he said, "i will give you a wisdom that will not
  • 00:16:36.277 --> 00:16:39.247
  • Be exceeded, and beyond that i'll give you all the things you
  • 00:16:39.247 --> 00:16:42.316
  • Didn't ask for."
  • 00:16:42.316 --> 00:16:45.053
  • I mean, that's a pretty powerful beginning.
  • 00:16:45.053 --> 00:16:48.122
  • The throne is secure, the borders of the nation are
  • 00:16:48.122 --> 00:16:51.392
  • Secure, your leadership has been cemented, and now god said he's
  • 00:16:51.392 --> 00:16:56.931
  • Gonna give you supernatural wisdom and wealth and power over
  • 00:16:56.931 --> 00:17:01.669
  • Your enemies.
  • 00:17:01.669 --> 00:17:03.104
  • Solomon had a vision.
  • 00:17:03.104 --> 00:17:06.641
  • We can argue over the effectiveness of it, but he saw
  • 00:17:06.641 --> 00:17:09.477
  • A nation far beyond the one he inherited.
  • 00:17:09.477 --> 00:17:12.914
  • The boundaries are pushed.
  • 00:17:12.914 --> 00:17:16.217
  • The nation flourishes, tribal loyalties that have been a
  • 00:17:16.217 --> 00:17:20.254
  • Problem and, we could argue, a stumbling block are diminished.
  • 00:17:20.254 --> 00:17:23.558
  • He puts a whole new structure in place.
  • 00:17:23.558 --> 00:17:27.595
  • He had a vision for what god had given him to do.
  • 00:17:27.595 --> 00:17:30.698
  • He wasn't just sitting in the palace enjoying the privilege.
  • 00:17:30.698 --> 00:17:39.907
  • And the seventh thing i gave is he's--he reigned a long time.
  • 00:17:39.907 --> 00:17:43.244
  • 1 kings 11, "solomon reigned in jerusalem over all israel for
  • 00:17:43.244 --> 00:17:46.614
  • Forty years."
  • 00:17:46.614 --> 00:17:48.583
  • God gave him a long tenure.
  • 00:17:48.583 --> 00:17:50.351
  • I mean, he built a temple.
  • 00:17:50.351 --> 00:17:53.154
  • I mean, there is really no period in all of israelite
  • 00:17:53.154 --> 00:17:55.823
  • History that can compare with the season when solomon led and
  • 00:17:55.823 --> 00:17:59.193
  • When he reigned and ruled.
  • 00:17:59.193 --> 00:18:01.062
  • The international influence of israel, the wealth of israel.
  • 00:18:01.062 --> 00:18:05.299
  • He built a fleet of trading ships on the red sea.
  • 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:09.670
  • The leaders of the world--it's one of the only times in ancient
  • 00:18:09.670 --> 00:18:13.141
  • History or modern history where israel was looked at as a
  • 00:18:13.141 --> 00:18:16.010
  • Thought leader.
  • 00:18:16.010 --> 00:18:17.378
  • Modern israel is certainly a technological leader, but
  • 00:18:17.378 --> 00:18:19.647
  • They're widely reviled as well.
  • 00:18:19.647 --> 00:18:22.183
  • Solomon led in a remarkable, remarkable period of time.
  • 00:18:22.183 --> 00:18:27.321
  • But i want you to see the new testament commentary, and i'll
  • 00:18:27.321 --> 00:18:29.924
  • Start with jesus's comment because this is really the one
  • 00:18:29.924 --> 00:18:32.093
  • That captured my attention as i was thinking about solomon.
  • 00:18:32.093 --> 00:18:36.097
  • Jesus had a comment on solomon's life.
  • 00:18:36.097 --> 00:18:40.101
  • It's in the sermon on the mount.
  • 00:18:40.101 --> 00:18:41.435
  • It's matthew chapter 6, and jesus is cautioning us, his
  • 00:18:41.435 --> 00:18:45.606
  • Audience and us as well, about not being distracted by focusing
  • 00:18:45.606 --> 00:18:50.044
  • On the appropriate priorities, not being overcome with worry.
  • 00:18:50.044 --> 00:18:54.382
  • And he said, "why do you worry about clothes?
  • 00:18:54.382 --> 00:18:56.284
  • See how the lilies of the field grow.
  • 00:18:56.284 --> 00:18:58.619
  • They don't labor or spin.
  • 00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.987
  • Yet i tell you that not even solomon in all of his splendor
  • 00:18:59.987 --> 00:19:03.191
  • Was dressed like one of these."
  • 00:19:03.191 --> 00:19:07.195
  • That's jesus's comment on solomon, that as beautiful as
  • 00:19:07.195 --> 00:19:11.599
  • The lilies are, he said they're truly remarkable, god takes care
  • 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:15.770
  • Of them, that solomon in all of his wealth, in all of his power,
  • 00:19:15.770 --> 00:19:19.006
  • In all of his splendor wasn't comparable with the lilies.
  • 00:19:19.006 --> 00:19:25.279
  • Did you get it, jesus's commentary on solomon?
  • 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:30.551
  • He was fashionable.
  • 00:19:30.551 --> 00:19:35.590
  • Solomon was a fancy dresser.
  • 00:19:35.590 --> 00:19:39.794
  • Solomon had a real sense of style.
  • 00:19:39.794 --> 00:19:47.268
  • Rings a little hollow, doesn't it?
  • 00:19:47.268 --> 00:19:50.137
  • All the opportunities, all the achievements, all the
  • 00:19:50.137 --> 00:19:52.540
  • Accomplishments and yet when jesus comments about it--now,
  • 00:19:52.540 --> 00:19:57.979
  • There's more in the new testament, not a lot.
  • 00:19:57.979 --> 00:19:59.947
  • But in acts chapter 7 it says it was solomon who built the house
  • 00:19:59.947 --> 00:20:02.950
  • For him.
  • 00:20:02.950 --> 00:20:04.285
  • Solomon was allowed to build the temple.
  • 00:20:04.285 --> 00:20:07.255
  • David delivered the blueprint.
  • 00:20:07.255 --> 00:20:08.656
  • He delivered the resources to do it with.
  • 00:20:08.656 --> 00:20:11.025
  • Solomon was allowed to oversee the construction, but there's
  • 00:20:11.025 --> 00:20:16.230
  • Very little attributed to him around that.
  • 00:20:16.230 --> 00:20:19.066
  • One last thing in matthew chapter 12.
  • 00:20:19.066 --> 00:20:21.369
  • Jesus, again, he said, "the queen of the south will rise at
  • 00:20:21.369 --> 00:20:23.471
  • The judgment with this generation, condemn it; for she
  • 00:20:23.471 --> 00:20:26.474
  • Came from the ends of the earth to listen to solomon's wisdom,
  • 00:20:26.474 --> 00:20:29.176
  • And now one greater than solomon is here."
  • 00:20:29.176 --> 00:20:32.580
  • Jesus refers to solomon's wisdom.
  • 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:36.617
  • I mean, it's the celebrated part of jewish and israelite history.
  • 00:20:36.617 --> 00:20:42.156
  • But if you do just a briefest, the most casual analysis of
  • 00:20:42.156 --> 00:20:45.860
  • Solomon's life, his wisdom led to political disaster.
  • 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:51.599
  • His diminishment of the role of the tribes ultimately led to a
  • 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:54.702
  • Civil war.
  • 00:20:54.702 --> 00:20:57.805
  • He lived through a relational crisis, his foreign wives.
  • 00:20:57.805 --> 00:21:01.776
  • He left the nation spiritually bankrupt.
  • 00:21:01.776 --> 00:21:05.813
  • Following his reign, there's unprecedented turning
  • 00:21:05.813 --> 00:21:08.883
  • To idolatry.
  • 00:21:08.883 --> 00:21:11.185
  • It's hard to imagine, though, in one generation we go from king
  • 00:21:11.185 --> 00:21:14.021
  • David, who danced in the streets before the ark with such
  • 00:21:14.021 --> 00:21:17.358
  • Enthusiasm that he embarrassed, if not humiliated, some of his
  • 00:21:17.358 --> 00:21:21.329
  • Family, to king solomon, who turns the nation on a pathway to
  • 00:21:21.329 --> 00:21:25.633
  • Almost unbridled idolatry.
  • 00:21:25.633 --> 00:21:29.637
  • The new testament commentary on solomon with all the momentum
  • 00:21:29.637 --> 00:21:33.507
  • And all the gifts and all the wealth and all the
  • 00:21:33.507 --> 00:21:35.543
  • Accomplishments, a fancy dresser is probably not the legacy you
  • 00:21:35.543 --> 00:21:40.748
  • Wanna leave.
  • 00:21:40.748 --> 00:21:46.020
  • I would compare that to david, solomon's father.
  • 00:21:46.020 --> 00:21:51.792
  • He didn't come from a notable family of power and wealth.
  • 00:21:51.792 --> 00:21:55.496
  • David came from a pretty typical family structure.
  • 00:21:55.496 --> 00:21:59.467
  • Now, he wasn't in the optimum position.
  • 00:21:59.467 --> 00:22:01.202
  • He was the youngest.
  • 00:22:01.202 --> 00:22:02.837
  • He had several older brothers.
  • 00:22:02.837 --> 00:22:05.172
  • It's a very humble beginning.
  • 00:22:05.172 --> 00:22:06.507
  • There's no great wealth that's mentioned.
  • 00:22:06.507 --> 00:22:09.577
  • Secondly, he's given an assignment in life.
  • 00:22:09.577 --> 00:22:11.445
  • When we meet david, there is very little affirmation, very
  • 00:22:11.445 --> 00:22:13.814
  • Little to celebrate.
  • 00:22:13.814 --> 00:22:15.216
  • It's not like a momentum machine.
  • 00:22:15.216 --> 00:22:18.119
  • He certainly wasn't born to the purple.
  • 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:20.521
  • When we meet david, he's a shepherd.
  • 00:22:20.521 --> 00:22:22.089
  • And if you don't know, the shepherds were on the lowest
  • 00:22:22.089 --> 00:22:24.492
  • Rung of the social ladder.
  • 00:22:24.492 --> 00:22:27.361
  • So even if he was fulfilling a role to serve his family, it'd
  • 00:22:27.361 --> 00:22:30.865
  • Be a lot like, you know, our teenagers today they're--the
  • 00:22:30.865 --> 00:22:33.367
  • Height of their promise in their life, you know, they're working
  • 00:22:33.367 --> 00:22:36.737
  • For a fast food joint.
  • 00:22:36.737 --> 00:22:39.673
  • Now, most of us start with some jobs that are pa--not
  • 00:22:39.673 --> 00:22:42.443
  • Particularly celebrated, and when we meet david,
  • 00:22:42.443 --> 00:22:45.780
  • There doesn't seem to be any momentum.
  • 00:22:45.780 --> 00:22:47.214
  • There's just no apparent momentum in his life.
  • 00:22:47.214 --> 00:22:48.883
  • He's not considered exceptional by his father.
  • 00:22:48.883 --> 00:22:52.286
  • His brothers are somewhat jealous of him when the--when
  • 00:22:52.286 --> 00:22:54.955
  • They know that samuel is coming to the house for something.
  • 00:22:54.955 --> 00:22:57.625
  • They don't know what.
  • 00:22:57.625 --> 00:22:58.959
  • They don't even bother to bring david in the house.
  • 00:22:58.959 --> 00:23:01.729
  • They leave him in the field, and they're not too
  • 00:23:01.729 --> 00:23:05.065
  • Concerned about him.
  • 00:23:05.065 --> 00:23:06.400
  • He's the kid, he's the youngest one in the family,
  • 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:08.536
  • And they give him a job where he has to face real threats
  • 00:23:08.536 --> 00:23:13.073
  • Like lions and bears.
  • 00:23:13.073 --> 00:23:15.943
  • We won't let our kids ride a bicycle without a helmet, and
  • 00:23:15.943 --> 00:23:22.983
  • They're sending the youngest one out in the field.
  • 00:23:22.983 --> 00:23:24.618
  • "yeah, i mean, there's probably a bear out there,
  • 00:23:24.618 --> 00:23:26.253
  • But have a good day."
  • 00:23:26.253 --> 00:23:30.658
  • I mean, there's just no momentum there any way you look at it and
  • 00:23:30.658 --> 00:23:34.495
  • His life--you know, his story emerges in a season of some real
  • 00:23:34.495 --> 00:23:37.665
  • Significant turmoil.
  • 00:23:37.665 --> 00:23:40.868
  • King saul is failing.
  • 00:23:40.868 --> 00:23:42.603
  • God has withdrawn his blessing from the leader of the nation.
  • 00:23:42.603 --> 00:23:47.408
  • I have a little feeling about that.
  • 00:23:47.408 --> 00:23:51.212
  • I mean, everything's in turmoil.
  • 00:23:51.212 --> 00:23:52.713
  • It's roiling a bit.
  • 00:23:52.713 --> 00:23:55.082
  • The hand of god isn't upon them in the way it had been.
  • 00:23:55.082 --> 00:23:59.286
  • They're at war with the philistines when david takes
  • 00:23:59.286 --> 00:24:02.723
  • Another step in the journey with us, and he's called just to take
  • 00:24:02.723 --> 00:24:05.426
  • Food to his brothers.
  • 00:24:05.426 --> 00:24:06.794
  • He doesn't qualify for the army.
  • 00:24:06.794 --> 00:24:08.462
  • He doesn't have any particularly military ability.
  • 00:24:08.462 --> 00:24:10.531
  • He doesn't have any training.
  • 00:24:10.531 --> 00:24:12.533
  • I mean, they say it flat out: he's got no
  • 00:24:12.533 --> 00:24:14.668
  • Qualifications to be there.
  • 00:24:14.668 --> 00:24:16.036
  • He's just delivering some bread and cheese.
  • 00:24:16.036 --> 00:24:22.142
  • And he has the encounter with goliath.
  • 00:24:22.142 --> 00:24:25.412
  • We'll comment on that a bit more, but then he spends years
  • 00:24:25.412 --> 00:24:28.616
  • As a fugitive.
  • 00:24:28.616 --> 00:24:30.818
  • I mean, i know samuel came to the house and said,
  • 00:24:30.818 --> 00:24:32.720
  • "you're gonna be king, god's chosen you."
  • 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:34.388
  • But there was a king and his brothers didn't like it, and it
  • 00:24:34.388 --> 00:24:38.225
  • Was a private deal.
  • 00:24:38.225 --> 00:24:39.593
  • It wasn't like there was some big social media release.
  • 00:24:39.593 --> 00:24:41.161
  • There was no big pr campaign.
  • 00:24:41.161 --> 00:24:44.632
  • They didn't crank it out ahead of the convention to convince
  • 00:24:44.632 --> 00:24:46.800
  • Everybody this was the choice.
  • 00:24:46.800 --> 00:24:50.671
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:24:50.671 --> 00:24:53.340
  • No, but, i mean--none of that is present.
  • 00:24:53.340 --> 00:24:58.345
  • David is anointed, and he has some success on the battlefield
  • 00:24:58.345 --> 00:25:03.884
  • In the most unlikely circumstance against someone
  • 00:25:03.884 --> 00:25:06.787
  • That is--where he's totally outmatched, but that brings
  • 00:25:06.787 --> 00:25:09.924
  • Hatred towards him.
  • 00:25:09.924 --> 00:25:12.626
  • It amps up the jealousy, and so he's forced to live as a
  • 00:25:12.626 --> 00:25:15.629
  • Fugitive, and david is expected to believe what samuel said was
  • 00:25:15.629 --> 00:25:20.167
  • From god.
  • 00:25:20.167 --> 00:25:21.735
  • Have you ever reflected upon that?
  • 00:25:21.735 --> 00:25:25.205
  • The last of the judges--i mean, his best days are behind him.
  • 00:25:25.205 --> 00:25:29.843
  • The tribal leaders long ago said, "we don't want you to be
  • 00:25:29.843 --> 00:25:33.047
  • King over us anymore.
  • 00:25:33.047 --> 00:25:34.815
  • You're a lousy father and you're getting kinda old.
  • 00:25:34.815 --> 00:25:38.419
  • We don't want your leadership.
  • 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:40.020
  • We want a king."
  • 00:25:40.020 --> 00:25:41.488
  • And so saul was chosen to be king.
  • 00:25:41.488 --> 00:25:46.894
  • Now, the cranky, old judge or prophet shows up at your dad's
  • 00:25:46.894 --> 00:25:51.065
  • House and says, "god's anointed you to be--" you'd have to think
  • 00:25:51.065 --> 00:25:53.767
  • He's having a little cognitive problem.
  • 00:25:53.767 --> 00:25:55.502
  • "we have a king."
  • 00:25:55.502 --> 00:25:58.806
  • And david had to choose to believe what samuel said.
  • 00:25:58.806 --> 00:26:06.046
  • He had to believe it when he's hiding in the desert in a cave.
  • 00:26:06.046 --> 00:26:09.483
  • He had to believe it when he's being hunted for his life.
  • 00:26:09.483 --> 00:26:11.986
  • He didn't get a registered letter with an official seal
  • 00:26:11.986 --> 00:26:14.588
  • From the state of israel.
  • 00:26:14.588 --> 00:26:15.956
  • Allen: you know, i used to believe that antisemitism was a
  • 00:26:18.225 --> 00:26:20.527
  • European problem or an issue in the islamic nations of the
  • 00:26:20.527 --> 00:26:24.298
  • World, but now we see it flourishing in our nation,
  • 00:26:24.298 --> 00:26:27.835
  • On elite college campuses, even amongst the political class,
  • 00:26:27.835 --> 00:26:31.505
  • And now on the conservative ideological spectrum.
  • 00:26:31.505 --> 00:26:35.442
  • It's troubling.
  • 00:26:35.442 --> 00:26:36.777
  • So i wrote a book, "supporting israel: how far is too far?"
  • 00:26:36.777 --> 00:26:40.748
  • You know, i know we've all got a little battle fatigue with the
  • 00:26:40.748 --> 00:26:43.317
  • Constant conflicts in the middle east and beyond,
  • 00:26:43.317 --> 00:26:46.286
  • But what we desperately need is a biblical perspective on how to
  • 00:26:46.286 --> 00:26:49.390
  • Navigate what's unfolding in our world,
  • 00:26:49.390 --> 00:26:52.326
  • And i believe the word of god gives that to us with clarity.
  • 00:26:52.326 --> 00:26:55.729
  • So we put this book together to help you find yourself in a
  • 00:26:55.729 --> 00:26:58.666
  • Place that will bring the blessings of god to your life.
  • 00:26:58.666 --> 00:27:01.635
  • I want to pray that we'll have his wisdom.
  • 00:27:01.635 --> 00:27:04.071
  • Father, you said when we lack wisdom,
  • 00:27:04.071 --> 00:27:05.439
  • We can ask and that you would give it to us without criticism.
  • 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:08.308
  • We want to stand with you in what you're accomplishing in the
  • 00:27:08.308 --> 00:27:10.711
  • Earth so that your purposes can come forth.
  • 00:27:10.711 --> 00:27:13.714
  • Holy spirit, give us the discernment we need
  • 00:27:13.714 --> 00:27:16.150
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:16.150 --> 00:27:18.185
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:18.185 --> 00:27:29.997