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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Lessons From Matthew (Part 1)

June 1, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - Lessons From Matthew (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Bible #WalkwithGod #Christianity #Encouragement #Foundation #Truth #Culture #Submission #Choices #TrustGod #Faith #Kindness #Foolishness #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Lessons From Matthew (Part 1) | June 1, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world,
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  • People are searching for truth, and together we're doing our
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  • Very best to help them find it.
  • 00:00:04.630 --> 00:00:06.598
  • When you become a ministry partner with allen jackson
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  • Ministries, you're joining a growing community of believers
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  • Who are committed to strengthening the church and
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  • Sharing god's word through every available channel--
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  • Television, radio, podcast, books, bible studies,
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  • Digital resources, conferences.
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  • Your monthly partnership helps us equip believers to reach new
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  • Audiences, to take the hope of jesus to people who may never
  • 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:31.623
  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
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  • Together, we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
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  • Known right here at home and around the earth, wherever
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  • God opens a door.
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  • Let's keep gathering his people and building his church until
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  • The day our king returns.
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  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner
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  • At allenjackson.com/partner.
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  • Allen jackson: if you've been around here for very long, you
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  • Know the invitation to read your bible at the beginning of the
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  • Year is not a new idea.
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  • I don't apologize for revisiting that.
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  • It is transformational.
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  • And i'm happy for you to read on another agenda.
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  • I'm happy for you to read random things that are of interest
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  • To you.
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  • I think all of those things are valuable, but if you wanted my
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  • Best advice on how to initiate and sustain spiritual change, it
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  • Would be the systematic, orderly reading of your bible as the
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  • Foundation of your engagement with your bible.
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  • I just haven't found anything that has had the impact in my
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  • Life and on the lives of hundreds and thousands of other
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  • People than that purposeful, intentional reading of your
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  • Bible will have.
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  • You can read the bible in the course of a year from the table
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  • Of contents to the maps with about a 10 to a 15 minute
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  • Investment of time each day, depending on this rate at which
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  • You read.
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  • And it is worthwhile.
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  • So, i wanna put that invitation before you again, but i wanna
  • 00:02:07.019 --> 00:02:10.989
  • Reshape it a little bit this year because i believe we are in
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  • A pivotal time.
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  • And i think it's incumbent upon us to do anything we can do to
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  • Initiate and sustain change.
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  • And god is the great agent of change.
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  • I don't want change that's initiated by the devil.
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  • Amen is the word you're searching for.
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  • So, here's what i want to suggest.
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  • If you've taken a pass on this reading in the, you know, to be
  • 00:02:40.385 --> 00:02:45.390
  • Completely honest, if you've been around here and you've
  • 00:02:45.390 --> 00:02:46.758
  • Never read your bible, i'm like, "okay, good.
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  • I got it. i hear your position."
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  • To the rest of you, i wanna give you an invitation.
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  • Don't just read it yourself this year.
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  • Let's see who else we can include in reading the word.
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  • And what i would suggest is let's read the gospels first.
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  • Matthew, mark, luke, and john, the first four books of the
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  • New testament.
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  • If--with that same block of time, about that 10 to 15
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  • Minutes a day, you can read through all the gospels in
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  • 60 days.
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  • That's a pretty light lift.
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  • You'll know the names of some of the places, jerusalem and
  • 00:03:18.490 --> 00:03:20.926
  • Nazareth and bethlehem.
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  • You'll know some of the characters, mary and joseph.
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  • You know, there's a familiarity to it that makes it much more
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  • Accessible to the person who's just marginally aware
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  • Of scripture.
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  • And so, what i wanna ask you to do is invite a friend, a
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  • Neighbor, a coworker, somebody in your small group, whomever.
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  • See how many people you can get to join you in reading through
  • 00:03:40.746 --> 00:03:43.815
  • The gospels as we begin the year.
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  • They've even put a special plan together, just the gospels.
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  • If you're doing the normal reading plan with us, you know
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  • We're reading through the psalms at the same time, but we've got
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  • This pared down version.
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  • So that in 60 days, with really a minimal effort, you can have
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  • That introduction.
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  • If you do that and there's a positive outcome and think,
  • 00:04:01.733 --> 00:04:03.635
  • "that wasn't as painful as i thought."
  • 00:04:03.635 --> 00:04:07.005
  • Then with another 30 day add-on, you can finish the whole
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  • New testament.
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  • So, by the time we get to easter, we will have read the
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  • New testament together.
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  • I'm doing my very best to enlist as many people as i'm capable of
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  • To read the new testament with me between now and easter.
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  • Every platform that i have access to.
  • 00:04:23.955 --> 00:04:26.591
  • Any place someone will talk to me, any place somebody'll turn
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  • The camera on and give me a chance, i'm saying, "will you do
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  • This with me?"
  • 00:04:32.731 --> 00:04:34.466
  • So, i wanna start with the people that i do life with.
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  • Are you willing to not just read it yourself?
  • 00:04:37.936 --> 00:04:40.472
  • I'm like, "good, i'm glad you're reading it, but when
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  • Are we gonna--" we need change.
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  • It's more than just me.
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  • So, invite somebody.
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  • Will you--how many of you be willing to invite somebody to
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  • Read the gospels with you?
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  • Look at you.
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  • What are the rest of you gonna do?
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  • Yes, that's an attempt to shame you, which is not generally
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  • My approach.
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  • I'm kidding.
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  • I'll give you a couple of heads up.
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  • Not everybody you invite is gonna say yes.
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  • Don't be discouraged.
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  • Everybody jesus invited to follow him didn't say yes.
  • 00:05:06.998 --> 00:05:11.470
  • Most of us didn't say yes the first time somebody gave an
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  • Invitation to us.
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  • I have friends at church, they've been a part of church
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  • For a long time, that i invited a hundred times.
  • 00:05:17.409 --> 00:05:20.779
  • And it was 101 that seemed to be the key.
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  • I got the words right on that hundred and first opportunity.
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  • And through out the last 50 times, they would say,
  • 00:05:26.885 --> 00:05:29.087
  • "absolutely, i'll be there," and they wouldn't show.
  • 00:05:29.087 --> 00:05:33.392
  • Well, i was just too stupid to quit.
  • 00:05:33.392 --> 00:05:35.827
  • So, let's take that approach.
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  • And i think let's recruit all the way through january.
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  • Don't--it's not like just this week.
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  • Let's take this month and see how many people we
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  • Could include.
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  • If they don't get started until the end of january, they'll read
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  • Through the gospels by easter.
  • 00:05:46.571 --> 00:05:48.106
  • That's a big win.
  • 00:05:48.106 --> 00:05:49.608
  • And then we could finish the whole new testament by
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  • Memorial day.
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  • Again, it's not--and let me tell you why i think it's
  • 00:05:53.578 --> 00:05:55.847
  • So important.
  • 00:05:55.847 --> 00:05:58.216
  • I know that when men and women take the time to open their
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  • Bibles and turn their thoughts to the lord, that it brings the
  • 00:06:01.787 --> 00:06:04.956
  • Blessing of god.
  • 00:06:04.956 --> 00:06:07.359
  • And if you ask me what's most important for us to have a
  • 00:06:07.359 --> 00:06:09.961
  • Better future for our children and grandchildren, it's not an
  • 00:06:09.961 --> 00:06:12.998
  • Election with people that you prefer.
  • 00:06:12.998 --> 00:06:15.567
  • It's the blessing of god.
  • 00:06:15.567 --> 00:06:18.270
  • Now, i understand elections have consequences, but the
  • 00:06:18.270 --> 00:06:20.906
  • Consequences are not sustainable without the help of god.
  • 00:06:20.906 --> 00:06:25.310
  • And so, the best thing i know we can do to bring some legs to the
  • 00:06:25.310 --> 00:06:30.682
  • Changes that we need and not just have some momentary
  • 00:06:30.682 --> 00:06:33.552
  • Celebration, is to invite the blessings of god more fully into
  • 00:06:33.552 --> 00:06:37.456
  • Our lives.
  • 00:06:37.456 --> 00:06:39.257
  • So, i'm gonna keep--i'm gonna talk about it until you wish i'd
  • 00:06:39.257 --> 00:06:41.626
  • Be quiet.
  • 00:06:41.626 --> 00:06:43.361
  • So, be an early adopter, be ahead of it.
  • 00:06:43.361 --> 00:06:45.197
  • You can just sit here and feel smugly.
  • 00:06:45.197 --> 00:06:47.199
  • I've already recruited a dozen people.
  • 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:49.301
  • Somebody stopped me this morning and said he recruited 16.
  • 00:06:49.301 --> 00:06:53.138
  • So there's a good baseline.
  • 00:06:53.138 --> 00:06:57.275
  • Say, "i don't have 16 people that like me."
  • 00:06:57.275 --> 00:06:58.844
  • Well, invite some people who don't.
  • 00:06:58.844 --> 00:07:02.747
  • It's too important just to keep it amongst friends.
  • 00:07:02.747 --> 00:07:06.518
  • Why not be identified with it?
  • 00:07:06.518 --> 00:07:08.019
  • Say, "i don't know what benefit it'll bring."
  • 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:10.088
  • Well, try it and see.
  • 00:07:10.088 --> 00:07:12.457
  • It'll be as diverse as we are a group of people, but i believe
  • 00:07:12.457 --> 00:07:15.060
  • It's a worthwhile investment of your time and effort.
  • 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:18.230
  • Will you join me in praying?
  • 00:07:18.230 --> 00:07:19.564
  • I don't know what the number will be.
  • 00:07:19.564 --> 00:07:20.932
  • I don't know if we'll get 1000.
  • 00:07:20.932 --> 00:07:22.300
  • I don't know if we'll get 100,000.
  • 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:24.703
  • I don't know if we'll get some multiple of that.
  • 00:07:24.703 --> 00:07:27.405
  • But imagine what would happen if hundreds of thousands of people
  • 00:07:27.405 --> 00:07:29.975
  • Across our nation would take 10 or 15 minutes a day, and open
  • 00:07:29.975 --> 00:07:33.912
  • Their bibles and their hearts to the lord.
  • 00:07:33.912 --> 00:07:36.081
  • We would live in a different place.
  • 00:07:36.081 --> 00:07:38.817
  • We would.
  • 00:07:38.817 --> 00:07:41.353
  • Thank you for that enthusiastic response.
  • 00:07:41.353 --> 00:07:45.090
  • I started a new study in our previous session.
  • 00:07:45.090 --> 00:07:48.493
  • I want to continue.
  • 00:07:48.493 --> 00:07:49.828
  • I don't know how many we will link together.
  • 00:07:49.828 --> 00:07:54.900
  • The title of the study is "stormproof foundations."
  • 00:07:54.900 --> 00:07:59.204
  • Jesus told us that storms would come to our lives.
  • 00:07:59.204 --> 00:08:01.473
  • You didn't really need jesus to know that, but if he hadn't told
  • 00:08:01.473 --> 00:08:04.743
  • You that, you'd be easy prey for some of those people that say,
  • 00:08:04.743 --> 00:08:07.412
  • "if you love the lord right and your faith is big enough, you'd
  • 00:08:07.412 --> 00:08:10.148
  • Be storm free."
  • 00:08:10.148 --> 00:08:11.483
  • It's a lie. it's a false gospel.
  • 00:08:11.483 --> 00:08:14.486
  • It's not supported by scripture.
  • 00:08:14.486 --> 00:08:17.522
  • In fact, jesus told us very clearly that the storms come to
  • 00:08:17.522 --> 00:08:20.692
  • All of us.
  • 00:08:20.692 --> 00:08:22.027
  • The differentiating factor is what our lives are founded upon.
  • 00:08:22.027 --> 00:08:26.865
  • He said if our foundation is in place, that when the storm
  • 00:08:26.865 --> 00:08:29.568
  • Comes, we will stand.
  • 00:08:29.568 --> 00:08:31.703
  • If our foundations are inadequate or suspect, that when
  • 00:08:31.703 --> 00:08:34.539
  • The storms come, our lives and all about them will collapse.
  • 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:38.143
  • Now, he has my attention with that.
  • 00:08:38.143 --> 00:08:40.745
  • And so, we're going to spend a few sessions looking at some
  • 00:08:40.745 --> 00:08:43.915
  • Things that will help to storm proof our lives.
  • 00:08:43.915 --> 00:08:49.120
  • And i'm gonna continue that in this session.
  • 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:51.122
  • We're gonna do some lessons for matthew.
  • 00:08:51.122 --> 00:08:52.457
  • We're reading through matthew right now, wherever you are in
  • 00:08:52.457 --> 00:08:54.426
  • The reading plan with us.
  • 00:08:54.426 --> 00:08:56.361
  • If you're on kind of the traditional, then you we're on
  • 00:08:56.361 --> 00:08:59.264
  • Matthew chapter 10, and that's what i want to look at with you.
  • 00:08:59.264 --> 00:09:02.934
  • I woke up new year's morning.
  • 00:09:02.934 --> 00:09:04.536
  • I love the beginning of the year.
  • 00:09:04.536 --> 00:09:06.171
  • It's like the beginning of a semester.
  • 00:09:06.171 --> 00:09:07.505
  • You know that first day of a new semester, i wasn't behind.
  • 00:09:07.505 --> 00:09:12.911
  • Nobody was ahead of me.
  • 00:09:12.911 --> 00:09:14.312
  • I didn't need the teacher to grade on a curve.
  • 00:09:14.312 --> 00:09:16.748
  • Life was good.
  • 00:09:16.748 --> 00:09:18.083
  • I mean, i was completely up to speed, and it would usually last
  • 00:09:18.083 --> 00:09:21.686
  • Until about noon.
  • 00:09:21.686 --> 00:09:25.056
  • Well, i've always enjoyed the beginning of the year and the
  • 00:09:25.056 --> 00:09:27.559
  • Fresh set of opportunities and the strength to meet a new year.
  • 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:30.128
  • And i woke up new year's day with the reports of a terror
  • 00:09:30.128 --> 00:09:34.899
  • Attack in new orleans.
  • 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:37.902
  • Kathy and i turned on the television, and the first thing
  • 00:09:37.902 --> 00:09:40.138
  • I heard was an fbi agent saying, "this is not a
  • 00:09:40.138 --> 00:09:45.110
  • Terrorist attack."
  • 00:09:45.110 --> 00:09:49.514
  • Now, admittedly, i grew up in a barn in tennessee.
  • 00:09:49.514 --> 00:09:54.986
  • But if someone drives a truck at high speed into a street crowded
  • 00:09:54.986 --> 00:10:01.960
  • With people, then gets out of the truck and opens fire on
  • 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:06.898
  • Police officers, and attached
  • 00:10:06.898 --> 00:10:09.834
  • To the truck is an isis flag,
  • 00:10:09.834 --> 00:10:17.308
  • You don't have to be deputy dawg to understand that's a
  • 00:10:17.308 --> 00:10:20.345
  • Terrorist attack.
  • 00:10:20.345 --> 00:10:27.686
  • And i've been encouraging you for quite a season now to watch
  • 00:10:27.686 --> 00:10:31.256
  • And listen and think and be prepared to act, not in anger or
  • 00:10:31.256 --> 00:10:35.860
  • Belligerence or violence, but we have to pay attention in a way
  • 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:38.897
  • We didn't in the past because clearly some of the people
  • 00:10:38.897 --> 00:10:44.035
  • Controlling the messaging just think you're stupid.
  • 00:10:44.035 --> 00:10:46.771
  • It's offensive to me.
  • 00:10:46.771 --> 00:10:50.108
  • I mean, imagine that in any number of other contexts, it
  • 00:10:50.108 --> 00:10:53.344
  • Would be a laughable if someone wearing a white hood with kkk
  • 00:10:53.344 --> 00:10:57.582
  • Painted on the back of it drove into a group of minority people,
  • 00:10:57.582 --> 00:11:02.387
  • The first thing that people observing would say was--would
  • 00:11:02.387 --> 00:11:04.823
  • Not be, "this is not a racist event."
  • 00:11:04.823 --> 00:11:07.525
  • Of course it is.
  • 00:11:07.525 --> 00:11:11.029
  • Now, the motivations around all of that can be discussed and
  • 00:11:11.029 --> 00:11:13.865
  • Understood and--but i think what we have to acknowledge is
  • 00:11:13.865 --> 00:11:18.436
  • Because of choices, because of manipulation, because of a
  • 00:11:18.436 --> 00:11:20.972
  • Diminishment of free speech, because of a burying of so much
  • 00:11:20.972 --> 00:11:24.909
  • Truth, there is a tremendous deterioration of trust amongst
  • 00:11:24.909 --> 00:11:30.215
  • Institutions and offices which it is very, very important that
  • 00:11:30.215 --> 00:11:34.285
  • We have trust in.
  • 00:11:34.285 --> 00:11:37.055
  • Which means that we're at a very critical juncture.
  • 00:11:37.055 --> 00:11:39.457
  • The reason it's a part of the community of faith is we're the
  • 00:11:39.457 --> 00:11:43.061
  • Conscience of a culture and we have to engage with what's
  • 00:11:43.061 --> 00:11:45.396
  • Happening in the culture or the deterioration will continue.
  • 00:11:45.396 --> 00:11:48.366
  • It's like imagining there's no connection between your diet and
  • 00:11:48.366 --> 00:11:51.469
  • Your physical health.
  • 00:11:51.469 --> 00:11:54.038
  • You say, "well, i'm a spiritual person, so it doesn't
  • 00:11:54.038 --> 00:11:56.074
  • Matter what i eat, i'll be healthy."
  • 00:11:56.074 --> 00:11:57.408
  • You're confused.
  • 00:11:57.408 --> 00:12:00.145
  • In the same way, a church that's weak and anemic and not engaged
  • 00:12:00.145 --> 00:12:03.748
  • And not watching and listening and thinking, not standing our
  • 00:12:03.748 --> 00:12:07.385
  • Post, not being light and salt, we diminish a culture to
  • 00:12:07.385 --> 00:12:11.256
  • Deterioration and ultimately collapse.
  • 00:12:11.256 --> 00:12:15.660
  • There's a tremendous deterioration of trust in
  • 00:12:15.660 --> 00:12:17.796
  • The fbi.
  • 00:12:17.796 --> 00:12:19.664
  • I don't doubt there's good people there.
  • 00:12:19.664 --> 00:12:21.032
  • I'm waiting to see them find their voices and be given
  • 00:12:21.032 --> 00:12:23.401
  • Opportunities 'cause for a good while they have not
  • 00:12:23.401 --> 00:12:26.037
  • Been leading.
  • 00:12:26.037 --> 00:12:28.106
  • The justice department, the center for disease
  • 00:12:28.106 --> 00:12:30.375
  • Control, churches.
  • 00:12:30.375 --> 00:12:32.877
  • Churches are as guilty on this front as any of those
  • 00:12:32.877 --> 00:12:35.313
  • Organizations that begin with letters.
  • 00:12:35.313 --> 00:12:37.916
  • Big tech, social media.
  • 00:12:37.916 --> 00:12:39.284
  • I know they entertain us and we spend way too much time on those
  • 00:12:39.284 --> 00:12:43.788
  • Platforms, but they are filled, not only with ungodly things and
  • 00:12:43.788 --> 00:12:49.994
  • Cooperating with ungodly things, but they practice censorship of
  • 00:12:49.994 --> 00:12:54.232
  • The values that we hold as a part of our
  • 00:12:54.232 --> 00:12:56.301
  • Judeo-christian worldview.
  • 00:12:56.301 --> 00:13:02.240
  • And the list goes on.
  • 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:04.876
  • They said, "well you know, i'll get concerned about it when it
  • 00:13:04.876 --> 00:13:06.945
  • Comes to our community."
  • 00:13:06.945 --> 00:13:08.279
  • You're not watching.
  • 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:11.583
  • It was christmas day 2020 when there was an explosion on second
  • 00:13:11.583 --> 00:13:14.652
  • Avenue in nashville.
  • 00:13:14.652 --> 00:13:16.988
  • And i heard the august mayor of nashville that afternoon say,
  • 00:13:16.988 --> 00:13:20.291
  • "really there's nothing.
  • 00:13:20.291 --> 00:13:21.626
  • There was just a few windows broken."
  • 00:13:21.626 --> 00:13:24.863
  • They're just now completing the destruction of that
  • 00:13:24.863 --> 00:13:27.265
  • Block downtown.
  • 00:13:27.265 --> 00:13:29.267
  • There were businesses that never reopened, and within 24 hours
  • 00:13:29.267 --> 00:13:32.203
  • They said to us, "there's nothing to see here.
  • 00:13:32.203 --> 00:13:34.038
  • It's all complete.
  • 00:13:34.038 --> 00:13:35.406
  • We understand the whole thing.
  • 00:13:35.406 --> 00:13:36.741
  • Just look away."
  • 00:13:36.741 --> 00:13:39.377
  • Two years ago, we had a school shooting in nashville.
  • 00:13:39.377 --> 00:13:42.013
  • Children were killed.
  • 00:13:42.013 --> 00:13:45.116
  • A transgender person, obviously someone who was not well, but
  • 00:13:45.116 --> 00:13:50.255
  • There wasn't anything even closely resembling
  • 00:13:50.255 --> 00:13:52.857
  • Full disclosure.
  • 00:13:52.857 --> 00:13:55.693
  • We've become so accustomed to it that we've stopped watching
  • 00:13:55.693 --> 00:13:59.898
  • And listening.
  • 00:13:59.898 --> 00:14:02.066
  • Well, i would submit to you that the pathway forward from here
  • 00:14:02.066 --> 00:14:05.603
  • Has to be different.
  • 00:14:05.603 --> 00:14:07.572
  • We have to expect something different.
  • 00:14:07.572 --> 00:14:09.173
  • Trust has to be earned.
  • 00:14:09.173 --> 00:14:11.776
  • If you give trust when people have not proven themselves to be
  • 00:14:11.776 --> 00:14:15.079
  • Trustworthy, you're not kind or compassionate, you're foolish.
  • 00:14:15.079 --> 00:14:20.852
  • Trust has to be established.
  • 00:14:20.852 --> 00:14:22.887
  • I learned the principle when i was a child that i still think
  • 00:14:22.887 --> 00:14:25.123
  • Is pretty effective.
  • 00:14:25.123 --> 00:14:26.557
  • When a mistake is made, acknowledge the mistake and then
  • 00:14:26.557 --> 00:14:30.595
  • We can move forward.
  • 00:14:30.595 --> 00:14:33.965
  • I believe the season ahead of us will reflect a bit of new
  • 00:14:33.965 --> 00:14:37.135
  • Year's day.
  • 00:14:37.135 --> 00:14:38.469
  • I don't know the extent, but i feel very confident that there's
  • 00:14:38.469 --> 00:14:42.874
  • A time of confusion and chaos and disruption.
  • 00:14:42.874 --> 00:14:48.913
  • I think there are powerful voices and influences that don't
  • 00:14:48.913 --> 00:14:52.684
  • Want to see the momentum of destruction disrupted
  • 00:14:52.684 --> 00:14:56.854
  • Amongst us.
  • 00:14:56.854 --> 00:14:59.023
  • I think the intent for the diminishment of the
  • 00:14:59.023 --> 00:15:00.925
  • Judeo-christian worldview and the dismantling of america
  • 00:15:00.925 --> 00:15:04.295
  • Is intentional.
  • 00:15:04.295 --> 00:15:07.465
  • Don't pray in our schools.
  • 00:15:07.465 --> 00:15:08.800
  • Well, we stopped that because we weren't praying in our homes.
  • 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:10.868
  • I get it.
  • 00:15:10.868 --> 00:15:13.438
  • To separate us from our historic culture and tell us that it's
  • 00:15:13.438 --> 00:15:16.741
  • Inappropriate or evil and we've been quiet.
  • 00:15:16.741 --> 00:15:22.146
  • Please understand that an election alone will not cause
  • 00:15:22.146 --> 00:15:24.582
  • Evil to relent.
  • 00:15:24.582 --> 00:15:27.185
  • We're going to have to learn new responses, how to live in the
  • 00:15:27.185 --> 00:15:31.522
  • Authority of our faith, and that's more than just sitting in
  • 00:15:31.522 --> 00:15:34.559
  • Church when it's convenient.
  • 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:39.263
  • We're going to have to develop ourselves a new trust in god.
  • 00:15:39.263 --> 00:15:43.501
  • God is moving in the earth.
  • 00:15:43.501 --> 00:15:44.836
  • I choose to be a part of that.
  • 00:15:44.836 --> 00:15:46.804
  • But to do that, i'll have to be willing to be different.
  • 00:15:46.804 --> 00:15:48.940
  • I'll have to learn to trust him and follow him in new ways.
  • 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:53.745
  • People say to me frequently, i've heard it many, many, many,
  • 00:15:53.745 --> 00:15:56.547
  • Many times, "we know, allen, pastor.
  • 00:15:56.547 --> 00:15:58.549
  • I just--i don't know what to do.
  • 00:15:58.549 --> 00:15:59.884
  • I'm only one person. i just don't know what to do."
  • 00:15:59.884 --> 00:16:03.187
  • Well, i do.
  • 00:16:03.187 --> 00:16:05.990
  • I do.
  • 00:16:05.990 --> 00:16:08.226
  • But i don't mean in arrogance i know the solution to the whole
  • 00:16:08.226 --> 00:16:11.362
  • Thing or i have every detail worked out, but i do understand
  • 00:16:11.362 --> 00:16:15.066
  • A response that would have positive consequences.
  • 00:16:15.066 --> 00:16:19.437
  • What if we, each one, begin to honor god with new
  • 00:16:19.437 --> 00:16:21.806
  • Intentionality in our lives?
  • 00:16:21.806 --> 00:16:25.209
  • Oh, you mean that?
  • 00:16:25.209 --> 00:16:27.845
  • Yeah.
  • 00:16:27.845 --> 00:16:30.515
  • What if we begin to honor the creator of heaven and earth as
  • 00:16:30.515 --> 00:16:33.484
  • If we believed he was real?
  • 00:16:33.484 --> 00:16:36.387
  • If we removed him from the category of a divine suggestion,
  • 00:16:36.387 --> 00:16:40.758
  • And we really began to imagine he was lord again,
  • 00:16:40.758 --> 00:16:44.729
  • It'll change everything.
  • 00:16:44.729 --> 00:16:47.365
  • So, well, i would encourage you to watch and listen and think.
  • 00:16:47.365 --> 00:16:50.134
  • I don't want you to be agitated, frightened, threatened.
  • 00:16:50.134 --> 00:16:55.273
  • I want you to understand that the response of the people of
  • 00:16:55.273 --> 00:16:58.076
  • Faith is essential.
  • 00:16:58.076 --> 00:17:00.945
  • And for this day, i intend to read my bible daily with
  • 00:17:00.945 --> 00:17:06.150
  • God's help.
  • 00:17:06.150 --> 00:17:07.952
  • You missed today, come see me.
  • 00:17:07.952 --> 00:17:09.587
  • We'll reengage.
  • 00:17:09.587 --> 00:17:12.290
  • And i thought maybe just to add a bit of momentum with that, i
  • 00:17:12.290 --> 00:17:14.659
  • Would take a chapter from matthew.
  • 00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:16.928
  • It's our--part of our reading for this day,
  • 00:17:16.928 --> 00:17:18.763
  • If you started the year with us.
  • 00:17:18.763 --> 00:17:20.098
  • If you haven't, you can listen to the lesson when you get to
  • 00:17:20.098 --> 00:17:24.469
  • Matthew chapter 10.
  • 00:17:24.469 --> 00:17:27.238
  • Now, i know we all read the bible differently.
  • 00:17:27.238 --> 00:17:28.906
  • I don't really read my bible in that daily plan imagining that
  • 00:17:28.906 --> 00:17:33.177
  • I'm gonna get divine direction every day.
  • 00:17:33.177 --> 00:17:34.912
  • Those people make me anxious.
  • 00:17:34.912 --> 00:17:37.782
  • Do you have one of those friends?
  • 00:17:37.782 --> 00:17:40.017
  • Every time i see them, you know, there's the lord has spoken to
  • 00:17:40.017 --> 00:17:43.621
  • Them again.
  • 00:17:43.621 --> 00:17:45.289
  • I mean, we read the same passage and they heard angels singing
  • 00:17:45.289 --> 00:17:48.159
  • And they found things in the original language.
  • 00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:52.864
  • I'm like, "i just read matthew 10."
  • 00:17:52.864 --> 00:17:56.567
  • And then they make me a bit worried, but there are times
  • 00:17:56.567 --> 00:17:59.036
  • When i'll pick it up and it feels far more personal.
  • 00:17:59.036 --> 00:18:01.672
  • So i don't want to put on you the burden of reading
  • 00:18:01.672 --> 00:18:04.008
  • It the way i'm gonna read it to you today.
  • 00:18:04.008 --> 00:18:06.010
  • I don't think that's appropriate.
  • 00:18:06.010 --> 00:18:08.312
  • I have a bit of an advantage.
  • 00:18:08.312 --> 00:18:10.515
  • For on most of you, i have a few years head start.
  • 00:18:10.515 --> 00:18:13.651
  • I had some technical training.
  • 00:18:13.651 --> 00:18:15.153
  • I don't know how helpful it is, but i had some.
  • 00:18:15.153 --> 00:18:18.322
  • I have the same kind of opportunity that the color
  • 00:18:18.322 --> 00:18:20.324
  • Commentators on a ballgame have.
  • 00:18:20.324 --> 00:18:23.861
  • They've been engaged perhaps more frequently than those of us
  • 00:18:23.861 --> 00:18:27.165
  • Who are just casual observers,
  • 00:18:27.165 --> 00:18:28.499
  • And they give us the benefit of that.
  • 00:18:28.499 --> 00:18:29.834
  • I believe that's what i can add, but my opinion didn't come down
  • 00:18:29.834 --> 00:18:32.803
  • From the mountain carved in stone.
  • 00:18:32.803 --> 00:18:36.407
  • When you read your bible, it's not always about having the
  • 00:18:36.407 --> 00:18:39.777
  • Definitive explanation.
  • 00:18:39.777 --> 00:18:41.145
  • It's about presenting yourself to the lord and say, "i would
  • 00:18:41.145 --> 00:18:43.381
  • Like to know you better."
  • 00:18:43.381 --> 00:18:47.485
  • Allen: hey, we're celebrating this year the 250th anniversary
  • 00:18:51.689 --> 00:18:55.026
  • Of the signing of the declaration of independence.
  • 00:18:55.026 --> 00:18:57.728
  • What a wonderful privilege we have.
  • 00:18:57.728 --> 00:19:00.198
  • You know, god has blessed our nation so many good things.
  • 00:19:00.198 --> 00:19:03.134
  • People say to me, "well, our whole history is not good."
  • 00:19:03.134 --> 00:19:05.636
  • Well, folks, you know, my history is not great.
  • 00:19:05.636 --> 00:19:07.838
  • Your family history is not perfect.
  • 00:19:07.838 --> 00:19:09.774
  • But you love your family, you love your children.
  • 00:19:09.774 --> 00:19:12.376
  • In spite of our weaknesses-- well, our nation hadn't been
  • 00:19:12.376 --> 00:19:15.213
  • Perfect, but through that whole story, the goodness of god
  • 00:19:15.213 --> 00:19:18.382
  • Is evident.
  • 00:19:18.382 --> 00:19:19.717
  • It still is.
  • 00:19:19.717 --> 00:19:21.052
  • Let's ask god to bless america again.
  • 00:19:21.052 --> 00:19:23.654
  • I believe he will.
  • 00:19:23.654 --> 00:19:24.989
  • Female announcer: as we celebrate 250 years of god's
  • 00:19:24.989 --> 00:19:27.825
  • Faithfulness to our nation, we want to help you carry
  • 00:19:27.825 --> 00:19:30.728
  • That message along with you.
  • 00:19:30.728 --> 00:19:32.430
  • This commemorative tote bag and blanket are simple reminders of
  • 00:19:32.430 --> 00:19:35.900
  • His goodness and a way to spark meaningful
  • 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:38.236
  • Conversations wherever you go.
  • 00:19:38.236 --> 00:19:40.438
  • Request your limited edition tote bag and blanket
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  • Today while supplies last with your gift
  • 00:19:43.007 --> 00:19:45.810
  • Of a $100 or more at allenjackson.com or call...
  • 00:19:45.810 --> 00:19:52.817
  • Allen: but with that, let's step into matthew 10.
  • 00:19:54.585 --> 00:19:56.621
  • It's an amazing chapter to me.
  • 00:19:56.621 --> 00:19:58.990
  • But most of the chapters you would hand me, i would tell you
  • 00:19:58.990 --> 00:20:00.992
  • Were amazing.
  • 00:20:00.992 --> 00:20:02.393
  • Some of them are a little less dynamic when you get
  • 00:20:02.393 --> 00:20:04.262
  • To leviticus.
  • 00:20:04.262 --> 00:20:06.831
  • But we'll work on that when we get there, i'll help.
  • 00:20:06.831 --> 00:20:09.433
  • Matthew 10, "he," jesus, "called his twelve disciples to him and
  • 00:20:09.433 --> 00:20:12.536
  • He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal
  • 00:20:12.536 --> 00:20:16.741
  • Every disease and sickness.
  • 00:20:16.741 --> 00:20:19.143
  • And these are the names of the twelve apostles," and then
  • 00:20:19.143 --> 00:20:21.946
  • They're listed, "simon (who's called peter)
  • 00:20:21.946 --> 00:20:23.781
  • And andrew and james and john and philip and bartholomew and
  • 00:20:23.781 --> 00:20:26.751
  • Thomas and matthew and james and thaddeus and simon the zealot
  • 00:20:26.751 --> 00:20:30.788
  • And judas, who betrayed him."
  • 00:20:30.788 --> 00:20:33.858
  • I think the punch line in there is that introductory line.
  • 00:20:33.858 --> 00:20:36.260
  • It's the thesis statement for this opening paragraph.
  • 00:20:36.260 --> 00:20:39.530
  • "jesus called his twelve disciples to him and he gave
  • 00:20:39.530 --> 00:20:43.000
  • Them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every
  • 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:45.803
  • Disease and sickness."
  • 00:20:45.803 --> 00:20:49.173
  • Now, when i read that, i recognize there's a decision
  • 00:20:49.173 --> 00:20:51.542
  • That has been pushed at me.
  • 00:20:51.542 --> 00:20:53.978
  • And i believe it's very intentional on both matthew and
  • 00:20:53.978 --> 00:20:56.314
  • The holy spirit's part.
  • 00:20:56.314 --> 00:20:57.748
  • I have to decide what i believe about that assertion.
  • 00:20:57.748 --> 00:21:01.218
  • Was that something jesus did in the 1st century?
  • 00:21:01.218 --> 00:21:04.055
  • Or is that something jesus is still doing in the 21st century?
  • 00:21:04.055 --> 00:21:08.292
  • Because that's gonna change everything.
  • 00:21:08.292 --> 00:21:10.461
  • If you believe the bible is a collection of tales and ideas of
  • 00:21:10.461 --> 00:21:14.298
  • Things that may or may not have happened in antiquity, but they
  • 00:21:14.298 --> 00:21:17.335
  • Have very little relevance for you today, it presents one set
  • 00:21:17.335 --> 00:21:20.738
  • Of things to you.
  • 00:21:20.738 --> 00:21:22.573
  • If you imagine it's addressive literature and everything in it
  • 00:21:22.573 --> 00:21:25.376
  • Is becomes a manual for our engagement with life today in
  • 00:21:25.376 --> 00:21:28.913
  • The midst of the world that we're facing, it becomes a very
  • 00:21:28.913 --> 00:21:31.382
  • Different thing for you.
  • 00:21:31.382 --> 00:21:33.951
  • I'm of the opinion that what jesus did for those twelve
  • 00:21:33.951 --> 00:21:37.388
  • Disciples, he's still doing in the world.
  • 00:21:37.388 --> 00:21:40.691
  • Now, for full disclosure, there are schools of theology that
  • 00:21:40.691 --> 00:21:43.861
  • Disagree with me.
  • 00:21:43.861 --> 00:21:46.497
  • They have a fancy label for that.
  • 00:21:46.497 --> 00:21:48.232
  • It's called cessationism.
  • 00:21:48.232 --> 00:21:51.035
  • From the word cease, meaning to stop.
  • 00:21:51.035 --> 00:21:54.638
  • So, there are people who have given their entire lives to
  • 00:21:54.638 --> 00:21:57.108
  • Studying the bible that said that the supernatural,
  • 00:21:57.108 --> 00:22:00.644
  • Miraculous activity of god stopped with the apostolic age
  • 00:22:00.644 --> 00:22:05.950
  • When the apostles died.
  • 00:22:05.950 --> 00:22:08.853
  • Now personally, i wouldn't give my life to studying a book that
  • 00:22:08.853 --> 00:22:11.522
  • Didn't have the dynamic relevance that it once did.
  • 00:22:11.522 --> 00:22:17.328
  • But it just--so you understand, you have a choice to make.
  • 00:22:17.328 --> 00:22:20.097
  • Will you believe that god still does miracles?
  • 00:22:20.097 --> 00:22:23.667
  • This gets really personal very quickly.
  • 00:22:23.667 --> 00:22:25.202
  • That's why we read our bible.
  • 00:22:25.202 --> 00:22:27.838
  • And the point maybe you--the first day you pick it up because
  • 00:22:27.838 --> 00:22:30.174
  • You say, "i'm not sure i believe that."
  • 00:22:30.174 --> 00:22:31.542
  • I'm good with that. keep reading.
  • 00:22:31.542 --> 00:22:34.278
  • Keep reading.
  • 00:22:34.278 --> 00:22:35.713
  • See, i would suggest to you that conversion, new birth, that
  • 00:22:35.713 --> 00:22:38.315
  • Entry into the kingdom of god is such a remarkable supernatural
  • 00:22:38.315 --> 00:22:42.486
  • Event that nothing more dramatic than that will ever
  • 00:22:42.486 --> 00:22:45.022
  • Happen to you.
  • 00:22:45.022 --> 00:22:46.357
  • Not the rapture, not the resurrection from the dead.
  • 00:22:46.357 --> 00:22:49.927
  • They pale in significance to the magnitude and the scope of the
  • 00:22:49.927 --> 00:22:53.364
  • New birth.
  • 00:22:53.364 --> 00:22:55.433
  • So, it feels bizarre to me to see people that believe in
  • 00:22:55.433 --> 00:22:58.602
  • Conversion, salvation, the new birth, and then they say god
  • 00:22:58.602 --> 00:23:01.205
  • Doesn't do miracles.
  • 00:23:01.205 --> 00:23:04.675
  • Well, he doesn't do them in the way i want.
  • 00:23:04.675 --> 00:23:06.277
  • He certainly doesn't follow my timeline.
  • 00:23:06.277 --> 00:23:12.349
  • But the fact that i can't control god
  • 00:23:12.349 --> 00:23:15.152
  • Doesn't make him less god.
  • 00:23:15.152 --> 00:23:16.487
  • In fact, it's an argument to the opposite.
  • 00:23:16.487 --> 00:23:19.523
  • If i could control him, he wouldn't be god.
  • 00:23:19.523 --> 00:23:24.695
  • I'll give you one verse to kind of support my perspective, and i
  • 00:23:24.695 --> 00:23:30.234
  • Typically don't argue scripture, so i
  • 00:23:30.234 --> 00:23:31.769
  • Would invite you not to do that either.
  • 00:23:31.769 --> 00:23:33.103
  • I don't think it's--you can prove anything you want with a
  • 00:23:33.103 --> 00:23:35.506
  • Handful of verses.
  • 00:23:35.506 --> 00:23:37.274
  • I'll give you an example.
  • 00:23:37.274 --> 00:23:40.511
  • I read a story of a man that was looking for guidance.
  • 00:23:40.511 --> 00:23:42.513
  • So, he opened his bible and he put his finger down and he said,
  • 00:23:42.513 --> 00:23:44.648
  • "god, i really need to know what to do today."
  • 00:23:44.648 --> 00:23:47.251
  • And he looked and it said, "judas went and hanged himself."
  • 00:23:47.251 --> 00:23:54.291
  • Not funny.
  • 00:23:54.291 --> 00:23:57.127
  • And he said, "well that couldn't be god."
  • 00:23:57.127 --> 00:23:58.729
  • So he closed his bible, he opened it back up and he put his
  • 00:23:58.729 --> 00:24:00.831
  • Finger down and it said, "go thou and do likewise."
  • 00:24:00.831 --> 00:24:03.734
  • If you let me pull three verses from the bible, i can prove
  • 00:24:03.734 --> 00:24:06.170
  • Anything i want to.
  • 00:24:06.170 --> 00:24:09.139
  • Context makes a difference.
  • 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:12.042
  • That's why reading your bible is so impactful, so important.
  • 00:24:12.042 --> 00:24:16.847
  • But in acts chapter 10, peter, through a series of supernatural
  • 00:24:16.847 --> 00:24:21.252
  • Events, dreams, visions, angelic visits, i mean, there's a whole
  • 00:24:21.252 --> 00:24:24.555
  • Collection of things that caused peter to arrive in a place peter
  • 00:24:24.555 --> 00:24:27.491
  • Would have never have gone.
  • 00:24:27.491 --> 00:24:29.627
  • A gentile town dominated by romans into the home of a
  • 00:24:29.627 --> 00:24:33.697
  • Roman centurion.
  • 00:24:33.697 --> 00:24:37.735
  • I mean, everything about it goes against the grain.
  • 00:24:37.735 --> 00:24:40.704
  • And when peter arrives in that place, the holy spirit is poured
  • 00:24:40.704 --> 00:24:43.474
  • Out upon the gentiles, the roman centurion and his household, in
  • 00:24:43.474 --> 00:24:48.679
  • An identical fashion to what happened in acts chapter 2 on
  • 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:51.148
  • The day of pentecost.
  • 00:24:51.148 --> 00:24:53.350
  • And peter gives us his deduction from that, his conclusion from
  • 00:24:53.350 --> 00:24:58.022
  • Watching all of these supernatural things.
  • 00:24:58.022 --> 00:25:00.391
  • And then he recognizes that god is doing something far beyond
  • 00:25:00.391 --> 00:25:03.394
  • What he can do, and this is what he said.
  • 00:25:03.394 --> 00:25:04.728
  • It's in your notes. it's acts 10.
  • 00:25:04.728 --> 00:25:06.764
  • "peter began to speak and he said, 'i now realize how true it
  • 00:25:06.764 --> 00:25:09.533
  • Is that god does not show favoritism but he accepts men
  • 00:25:09.533 --> 00:25:13.704
  • From every nation who fear him and do what is right.'"
  • 00:25:13.704 --> 00:25:19.209
  • The older--some of the older translations it says, "god is no
  • 00:25:19.209 --> 00:25:22.713
  • Respecter of persons."
  • 00:25:22.713 --> 00:25:25.249
  • Well, i would submit to you that what god would do in the 1st
  • 00:25:25.249 --> 00:25:27.384
  • Century, god will do in the 21st century.
  • 00:25:27.384 --> 00:25:31.522
  • And that's a very important component as you're building
  • 00:25:31.522 --> 00:25:33.991
  • Your foundation.
  • 00:25:33.991 --> 00:25:35.893
  • God still hears the prayers of his people.
  • 00:25:35.893 --> 00:25:38.929
  • God is still engaged in some very dramatic ways in the midst
  • 00:25:38.929 --> 00:25:42.032
  • Of the people of faith.
  • 00:25:42.032 --> 00:25:43.767
  • We depend upon that.
  • 00:25:43.767 --> 00:25:45.469
  • Allen: hey, before we go, we wanna pray.
  • 00:25:45.469 --> 00:25:46.971
  • Let's give an invitation to the holy spirit that if there's any
  • 00:25:46.971 --> 00:25:50.040
  • Place in our lives that makes us vulnerable in the midst of the
  • 00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:53.544
  • Turmoil that god would help us see what it
  • 00:25:53.544 --> 00:25:55.813
  • Is so we can address it.
  • 00:25:55.813 --> 00:25:57.147
  • Are you game? let's pray.
  • 00:25:57.147 --> 00:25:58.849
  • Father, thank you, i thank you for your spirit that
  • 00:25:58.849 --> 00:26:00.918
  • Lives within us as our helper, our teacher, our guide.
  • 00:26:00.918 --> 00:26:03.754
  • Holy spirit, if there's any place we're vulnerable, i pray
  • 00:26:03.754 --> 00:26:07.291
  • That you'll help us to see it, that we might choose you with
  • 00:26:07.291 --> 00:26:09.693
  • Our whole heart and stand firm in the midst of the turmoil.
  • 00:26:09.693 --> 00:26:13.697
  • Thank you for your faithfulness to us in jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:13.697 --> 00:26:17.434
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:17.434 --> 00:26:22.873
  • Allen: hey, i've encouraged you for a long time
  • 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.708
  • To lead with your faith.
  • 00:26:24.708 --> 00:26:26.176
  • Take you faith outside the church building
  • 00:26:26.176 --> 00:26:28.178
  • Into all the places that your life takes you,
  • 00:26:28.178 --> 00:26:30.481
  • Where you have influence, where you have a voice.
  • 00:26:30.481 --> 00:26:32.750
  • We've created some pieces to help you do that:
  • 00:26:32.750 --> 00:26:34.918
  • A tote bag, a blanket.
  • 00:26:34.918 --> 00:26:36.520
  • Maybe you're going to a ball game or the park or the beach,
  • 00:26:36.520 --> 00:26:39.123
  • Wherever that may be.
  • 00:26:39.123 --> 00:26:40.457
  • You take these along, they are a celebration of our nation's
  • 00:26:40.457 --> 00:26:43.460
  • 250th anniversary.
  • 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.763
  • Somebody will want to know where you got it, what it's about.
  • 00:26:45.763 --> 00:26:48.365
  • It gives you an opportunity to share your faith.
  • 00:26:48.365 --> 00:26:51.168
  • You know, i've had the privilege of living in some places outside
  • 00:26:51.168 --> 00:26:53.937
  • The united states.
  • 00:26:53.937 --> 00:26:55.272
  • Things like a grocery store or fast food or food delivery,
  • 00:26:55.272 --> 00:27:00.244
  • Those things weren't possible in the places i lived.
  • 00:27:00.244 --> 00:27:02.680
  • When i come home, just walking through a grocery store reminds
  • 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:05.215
  • Me of the goodness and the faithfulness of god,
  • 00:27:05.215 --> 00:27:07.317
  • His blessings on our nation.
  • 00:27:07.317 --> 00:27:09.453
  • Use your voice to say god has blessed america.
  • 00:27:09.453 --> 00:27:13.290
  • Something as simple as a tote bag can open a door
  • 00:27:13.290 --> 00:27:15.893
  • For your god story.
  • 00:27:15.893 --> 00:27:17.394
  • Together, we're gonna lift up the name of jesus in this
  • 00:27:17.394 --> 00:27:19.763
  • Generation and see god bless america again.
  • 00:27:19.763 --> 00:27:25.903