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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Lessons From The Table (Part 2)

February 24, 2026 | S26 E55 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - Lessons From The Table (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Church #BodyofChrist #Family #Community #Relationships #Peopleinyourlife #Humble #Jesus #Sacrifice #Surrender #Transformation #Change #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Lessons From The Table (Part 2) | February 24, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world people are searching
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  • For truth and together we're doing our very best to help them
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  • Find it.
  • 00:00:06.655 --> 00:00:07.990
  • 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 television,
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  • Radio, podcast, books, bible studies, digital
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  • Resources, conferences.
  • 00:00:23.238 --> 00:00:25.340
  • Your monthly partnership helps us equip believers to reach new
  • 00:00:25.340 --> 00:00:28.677
  • Audiences and to take the hope of jesus to people who may never
  • 00:00:28.677 --> 00:00:32.548
  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
  • 00:00:32.548 --> 00:00:34.716
  • Together, we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
  • 00:00:34.716 --> 00:00:38.620
  • Known right here at home and around the earth wherever god
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  • Opens the door.
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  • Let's keep gathering his people and building his church until
  • 00:00:43.158 --> 00:00:46.361
  • The day our king returns.
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  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner
  • 00:00:48.630 --> 00:00:51.700
  • At allenjackson.com/partner.
  • 00:00:51.700 --> 00:01:03.612
  • Allen: i sat down with my legal pad, i started to make a list of
  • 00:01:07.850 --> 00:01:10.486
  • Some lessons i took away at a kitchen table.
  • 00:01:10.486 --> 00:01:14.857
  • Largely through my parents' leadership, to be completely
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  • Candid about it, but nevertheless, there are lessons
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  • That affect me until today, and i think kathy would testify to
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  • Most of this.
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  • It's your table is an expression of hospitality in service,
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  • Whether it's in use or it's being ignored.
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  • It holds that potential.
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  • Your table is a place where you are a participant and not just
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  • An attender.
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  • Don't allow your family to come to the table as just attenders.
  • 00:01:37.479 --> 00:01:40.549
  • They're not olympic judges to evaluate the quality of the
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  • Meal, the time that was demanded.
  • 00:01:43.152 --> 00:01:46.421
  • They're participants.
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  • Participants, how?
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  • Well, these are some of the things i learned.
  • 00:01:49.725 --> 00:01:51.093
  • I always learned that i had to be present and prepared,
  • 00:01:51.093 --> 00:01:53.762
  • Particularly if we had guests coming.
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  • I couldn't come sliding in at the last minute not prepared.
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  • It would not go well with me when the guests left.
  • 00:02:00.102 --> 00:02:05.407
  • Typically we would be engaged in helping to set the table.
  • 00:02:05.407 --> 00:02:07.976
  • I had to learn where the forks went.
  • 00:02:07.976 --> 00:02:10.879
  • Didn't matter to me.
  • 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:12.214
  • You got a fork here.
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  • Who knew there was an order.
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  • There is.
  • 00:02:18.153 --> 00:02:20.956
  • I thought it was nonsense, but i've been grateful for it
  • 00:02:20.956 --> 00:02:23.525
  • Since then.
  • 00:02:23.525 --> 00:02:24.893
  • I had a friend that was invited to a state department meal.
  • 00:02:24.893 --> 00:02:29.531
  • He was a pastor.
  • 00:02:29.531 --> 00:02:30.866
  • He told the story.
  • 00:02:30.866 --> 00:02:32.234
  • He said he got to the table and there was a--the number of
  • 00:02:32.234 --> 00:02:34.369
  • Utensils at the place setting were greater than any
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  • He'd ever seen.
  • 00:02:36.638 --> 00:02:38.540
  • He said he was a little intimidated.
  • 00:02:38.540 --> 00:02:39.875
  • He didn't know what to do, so he decided, i'll just, the first
  • 00:02:39.875 --> 00:02:42.144
  • Course, he said, he just watched and he used the utensil that
  • 00:02:42.144 --> 00:02:44.546
  • Everybody else picked up.
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  • He's followed suit on the second course.
  • 00:02:46.248 --> 00:02:47.649
  • He said by the third course, he was there, you know,
  • 00:02:47.649 --> 00:02:49.284
  • I'm a leader.
  • 00:02:49.284 --> 00:02:50.852
  • This time i'm gonna be the first one to react at our table.
  • 00:02:50.852 --> 00:02:54.523
  • And they put a bowl of a clear broth in front of him and he got
  • 00:02:54.523 --> 00:02:57.492
  • A spoon and began to sip it and everybody else put their fingers
  • 00:02:57.492 --> 00:03:00.162
  • In it.
  • 00:03:00.162 --> 00:03:01.530
  • It was a finger bowl.
  • 00:03:01.530 --> 00:03:05.801
  • I'm grateful for the training i got learning to set a table.
  • 00:03:05.801 --> 00:03:09.838
  • It's an investment in your children.
  • 00:03:09.838 --> 00:03:11.240
  • Don't teach them to hit a curveball and not teach them how
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  • To set a table.
  • 00:03:13.542 --> 00:03:19.414
  • Well, there's no n-i-l money for setting a table, but there's
  • 00:03:19.414 --> 00:03:23.919
  • Some character formation.
  • 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:27.823
  • I also learned i had to fill the glasses before the meal.
  • 00:03:27.823 --> 00:03:30.025
  • Somebody had to put the ice in the glasses and whatever we were
  • 00:03:30.025 --> 00:03:32.394
  • Drinking had to go in the glasses.
  • 00:03:32.394 --> 00:03:33.895
  • What a nuisance.
  • 00:03:33.895 --> 00:03:36.498
  • And i never learned, it would always be, "allen, wouldn't you
  • 00:03:36.498 --> 00:03:38.834
  • Like to?"
  • 00:03:38.834 --> 00:03:40.202
  • And the answer was? no.
  • 00:03:40.202 --> 00:03:41.903
  • But they were bigger than me, so yes, i would be delighted.
  • 00:03:41.903 --> 00:03:46.108
  • My brothers got involved.
  • 00:03:46.108 --> 00:03:47.442
  • I wasn't singled out.
  • 00:03:47.442 --> 00:03:49.645
  • You know, there was this kind of game you got, if you could be
  • 00:03:49.645 --> 00:03:51.980
  • Invisible enough, your brothers would get the assignments.
  • 00:03:51.980 --> 00:03:55.284
  • But it didn't work very often 'cause we went to the table
  • 00:03:55.284 --> 00:03:57.819
  • A lot.
  • 00:03:57.819 --> 00:03:59.221
  • Often we get involved in helping to plate the food, help me put
  • 00:03:59.221 --> 00:04:02.157
  • This in this bowl or put this in that place or put this on the
  • 00:04:02.157 --> 00:04:05.193
  • Table or get this out of the refrigerator.
  • 00:04:05.193 --> 00:04:07.296
  • There was very much a sense that we were in this together.
  • 00:04:07.296 --> 00:04:12.701
  • I didn't understand the effort it took.
  • 00:04:12.701 --> 00:04:15.904
  • I didn't understand when i was engaged in it, the focus it
  • 00:04:15.904 --> 00:04:19.408
  • Required, the preparation that was involved.
  • 00:04:19.408 --> 00:04:21.109
  • I didn't understand they were making an investment in me.
  • 00:04:21.109 --> 00:04:25.647
  • I didn't understand it would have been easier to have gone
  • 00:04:25.647 --> 00:04:27.649
  • Through a drive-through.
  • 00:04:27.649 --> 00:04:30.052
  • I didn't get it.
  • 00:04:30.052 --> 00:04:34.256
  • And if there were guests that would come and it happened
  • 00:04:34.256 --> 00:04:36.892
  • A lot.
  • 00:04:36.892 --> 00:04:39.328
  • Oftentimes they say, "well, you know, will you go invite our
  • 00:04:39.328 --> 00:04:41.063
  • Guests to the table?"
  • 00:04:41.063 --> 00:04:42.397
  • I'm like, "don't they--aren't they smart enough to know it's
  • 00:04:42.397 --> 00:04:43.965
  • Time to eat?"
  • 00:04:43.965 --> 00:04:49.071
  • Dinner is prepared.
  • 00:04:49.071 --> 00:04:52.407
  • And then nearing the meal, if something needed replenished, if
  • 00:04:52.407 --> 00:04:56.211
  • Glasses needed refilled, if a bowl needed replenished, one of
  • 00:04:56.211 --> 00:05:01.149
  • My brothers, we would get up and go do those things.
  • 00:05:01.149 --> 00:05:03.819
  • I mean, we had to be told.
  • 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:06.988
  • You know, it started out with verbal instructions and then you
  • 00:05:06.988 --> 00:05:08.990
  • Got the look.
  • 00:05:08.990 --> 00:05:13.061
  • Do y'all have the look?
  • 00:05:13.061 --> 00:05:14.396
  • You need the table so the kids learn the look.
  • 00:05:14.396 --> 00:05:19.167
  • But we learned it was a corporate experience.
  • 00:05:19.167 --> 00:05:22.237
  • We were done, we would help clear the dishes.
  • 00:05:22.237 --> 00:05:27.909
  • If there was dessert to be served, we would often be
  • 00:05:27.909 --> 00:05:30.178
  • Involved in its preparation and certainly taking it to
  • 00:05:30.178 --> 00:05:32.581
  • The table.
  • 00:05:32.581 --> 00:05:33.949
  • What we took away from it was a meal was an investment in
  • 00:05:33.949 --> 00:05:36.485
  • People, even if it was just our own family.
  • 00:05:36.485 --> 00:05:38.954
  • It wasn't something that our parents just did for us.
  • 00:05:38.954 --> 00:05:41.156
  • Yeah, they paid for it.
  • 00:05:41.156 --> 00:05:42.524
  • They took all the work, they made all the decisions, but they
  • 00:05:42.524 --> 00:05:45.394
  • Engaged us in a process and we weren't overly happy about that.
  • 00:05:45.394 --> 00:05:48.497
  • It wasn't like we were saying, oh, thank you so much.
  • 00:05:48.497 --> 00:05:52.033
  • We are so grateful that you have taught us some table
  • 00:05:52.033 --> 00:05:54.202
  • Manners today.
  • 00:05:54.202 --> 00:05:57.606
  • My memories are a whole lot more like, do we have to eat this?
  • 00:05:57.606 --> 00:06:06.448
  • I came to understand it as an expression of kindness.
  • 00:06:06.448 --> 00:06:09.985
  • It was a welcome.
  • 00:06:09.985 --> 00:06:12.854
  • And i'm not completely clueless.
  • 00:06:12.854 --> 00:06:14.723
  • I'm inviting you towards an initiative like this that is
  • 00:06:14.723 --> 00:06:17.392
  • Gonna require at least two pretty significant
  • 00:06:17.392 --> 00:06:20.228
  • Review points.
  • 00:06:20.228 --> 00:06:22.097
  • I mean, it'll take some intentional thought and
  • 00:06:22.097 --> 00:06:24.166
  • Consideration on your part.
  • 00:06:24.166 --> 00:06:25.500
  • One's about priority and who you allow to establish them.
  • 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:28.270
  • Our lives are really, really busy.
  • 00:06:28.270 --> 00:06:29.838
  • I understand that.
  • 00:06:29.838 --> 00:06:31.873
  • We talk a lot about schedule around here and try to be
  • 00:06:31.873 --> 00:06:34.643
  • Mindful of the invitations we put before you and the demands
  • 00:06:34.643 --> 00:06:37.746
  • That are required for your children to participate
  • 00:06:37.746 --> 00:06:39.915
  • In things.
  • 00:06:39.915 --> 00:06:43.084
  • But i would ask you, if you don't have time for a meal at
  • 00:06:43.084 --> 00:06:45.153
  • Your table with your children, who exactly is setting the
  • 00:06:45.153 --> 00:06:48.123
  • Priorities of your life?
  • 00:06:48.123 --> 00:06:50.926
  • Is it the 14th coach that you've been involved with
  • 00:06:50.926 --> 00:06:52.994
  • Your children?
  • 00:06:52.994 --> 00:06:54.329
  • I'm grateful for them.
  • 00:06:54.329 --> 00:06:55.664
  • I like athletics myself, but you better be certain what authority
  • 00:06:55.664 --> 00:06:58.967
  • Is being established over your home.
  • 00:06:58.967 --> 00:07:01.570
  • The second point that's under review with this is our roles in
  • 00:07:01.570 --> 00:07:04.005
  • Families, 'cause if you're gonna start talking about a meal in
  • 00:07:04.005 --> 00:07:05.974
  • The kitchen, there's a battle that begins.
  • 00:07:05.974 --> 00:07:09.044
  • Well, i'm not gonna unpack that all the way today, but i want to
  • 00:07:09.044 --> 00:07:11.680
  • Acknowledge it's there, who's gonna do the work?
  • 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:13.381
  • Who's gonna make the effort?
  • 00:07:13.381 --> 00:07:14.716
  • Who's gonna be responsible?
  • 00:07:14.716 --> 00:07:17.118
  • I'll give you the big picture, you know how we got to the point
  • 00:07:17.118 --> 00:07:19.120
  • Where our children are transitioning and being
  • 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:20.722
  • Mutilated in hospitals?
  • 00:07:20.722 --> 00:07:23.825
  • Because we started transitioning in homes decades ago.
  • 00:07:23.825 --> 00:07:28.630
  • We stopped paying attention to biblical roles and biblical
  • 00:07:28.630 --> 00:07:31.366
  • Values, and we've been almost completely adopted by secular
  • 00:07:31.366 --> 00:07:35.203
  • Culture until we've reached the point of the absurd where we
  • 00:07:35.203 --> 00:07:38.673
  • Talk about men having babies.
  • 00:07:38.673 --> 00:07:41.443
  • That's absurd.
  • 00:07:41.443 --> 00:07:46.147
  • I believe a meal a week at your table with your family holds
  • 00:07:46.147 --> 00:07:50.685
  • A tremendous spiritual opportunity.
  • 00:07:50.685 --> 00:07:54.523
  • Don't let it be about how elaborate the food is or how
  • 00:07:54.523 --> 00:07:57.158
  • Fancy the table settings may be.
  • 00:07:57.158 --> 00:07:59.895
  • The time together matters.
  • 00:07:59.895 --> 00:08:02.831
  • Use your table for hospitality.
  • 00:08:02.831 --> 00:08:04.866
  • You don't wait, don't wait until you're married and have a picket
  • 00:08:04.866 --> 00:08:08.069
  • Fence and two and a half children and a dog and a half.
  • 00:08:08.069 --> 00:08:12.407
  • Don't wait until you get the perfect scenario.
  • 00:08:12.407 --> 00:08:14.342
  • Use your table.
  • 00:08:14.342 --> 00:08:17.145
  • There's an expression of spiritual authority,
  • 00:08:17.145 --> 00:08:19.681
  • An intentional invitation to people.
  • 00:08:19.681 --> 00:08:22.751
  • "well, i don't like people that much."
  • 00:08:22.751 --> 00:08:24.185
  • That's a clue.
  • 00:08:24.185 --> 00:08:28.757
  • And i had a rule, there was a crisis point in my life.
  • 00:08:28.757 --> 00:08:31.593
  • I knew god was inviting me to serve him, and i didn't
  • 00:08:31.593 --> 00:08:33.862
  • Like christians.
  • 00:08:33.862 --> 00:08:36.298
  • That's a problem.
  • 00:08:36.298 --> 00:08:38.600
  • I was more comfortable with ungodly people.
  • 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:42.103
  • You know why? i had reasons.
  • 00:08:42.103 --> 00:08:43.805
  • Christians were hypocrites.
  • 00:08:43.805 --> 00:08:46.141
  • They were boring, they were dull.
  • 00:08:46.141 --> 00:08:48.643
  • You know, the real truth?
  • 00:08:48.643 --> 00:08:50.412
  • There was so little jesus in me.
  • 00:08:50.412 --> 00:08:53.615
  • I didn't really enjoy being around people that had jesus
  • 00:08:53.615 --> 00:08:55.850
  • In them.
  • 00:08:55.850 --> 00:08:58.353
  • I had to change.
  • 00:08:58.353 --> 00:08:59.688
  • If you don't like people, there's a point you can start to
  • 00:08:59.688 --> 00:09:01.323
  • Talk to the lord about, god, i really don't like these people.
  • 00:09:01.323 --> 00:09:05.093
  • Changed my heart.
  • 00:09:05.093 --> 00:09:09.331
  • Allen: we have partnered with our friends tim and david barton
  • 00:09:13.535 --> 00:09:16.004
  • To make available to you a two-volume set on
  • 00:09:16.004 --> 00:09:18.773
  • American history.
  • 00:09:18.773 --> 00:09:20.108
  • It's "the american story."
  • 00:09:20.108 --> 00:09:21.476
  • And it focuses on the part of american history that's been
  • 00:09:21.476 --> 00:09:23.612
  • Lost in much of our public education these days.
  • 00:09:23.612 --> 00:09:26.481
  • It's god's engagement with this nation and how he brought the
  • 00:09:26.481 --> 00:09:29.751
  • American story forward.
  • 00:09:29.751 --> 00:09:31.252
  • Our nation is more than politics or republicans and democrats.
  • 00:09:31.252 --> 00:09:34.723
  • It's god working in the lives of people to shape a nation that
  • 00:09:34.723 --> 00:09:38.259
  • Had brought forth his purposes in the world.
  • 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:40.562
  • I believe it's an important part of our faith journey this year,
  • 00:09:40.562 --> 00:09:43.498
  • And i believe the books will be a blessing to you.
  • 00:09:43.498 --> 00:09:45.867
  • Female announcer: the 250th anniversary of our nation is
  • 00:09:45.867 --> 00:09:49.037
  • An important milestone we shouldn't rush past, because
  • 00:09:49.037 --> 00:09:52.407
  • History matters.
  • 00:09:52.407 --> 00:09:53.875
  • "the american story" is a two-volume book series that
  • 00:09:53.875 --> 00:09:56.711
  • Explores how faith, courage, and conviction helped shape the
  • 00:09:56.711 --> 00:10:00.348
  • United states from the very beginning.
  • 00:10:00.348 --> 00:10:02.784
  • Gain a greater understanding of where we've been so you can
  • 00:10:02.784 --> 00:10:05.887
  • Protect and defend our nation's biblical foundations as we
  • 00:10:05.887 --> 00:10:08.857
  • Move forward.
  • 00:10:08.857 --> 00:10:10.191
  • Request "the american story" with your gift of $50 or more at
  • 00:10:10.191 --> 00:10:13.595
  • Allenjackson.com or call...
  • 00:10:13.595 --> 00:10:18.767
  • Allen: i want to take the balance of our time.
  • 00:10:22.504 --> 00:10:23.838
  • We're gonna go visit the table of lazarus, mary, and martha.
  • 00:10:23.838 --> 00:10:26.341
  • It's a family.
  • 00:10:26.341 --> 00:10:27.809
  • Brother and two sisters, you probably know something
  • 00:10:27.809 --> 00:10:30.679
  • About them.
  • 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:32.047
  • Lazarus was the guy that they're jesus's friends.
  • 00:10:32.047 --> 00:10:34.783
  • In fact, they're close friends, good friends of jesus, and when
  • 00:10:34.783 --> 00:10:37.919
  • Lazarus got sick, the sister sent a message to jesus,
  • 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:41.022
  • "our brother's sick, will you come and pray for him," the high
  • 00:10:41.022 --> 00:10:43.324
  • Expectation that he'd be healed.
  • 00:10:43.324 --> 00:10:45.026
  • And jesus purposefully delayed, even the disciples were shocked.
  • 00:10:45.026 --> 00:10:49.064
  • Jesus was close enough, they expected him to respond to the
  • 00:10:49.064 --> 00:10:51.366
  • Invitation, but he purposely waited until lazarus died.
  • 00:10:51.366 --> 00:10:58.707
  • Remember that prepare a table in the presence of my
  • 00:10:58.707 --> 00:11:00.809
  • Enemies thing?
  • 00:11:00.809 --> 00:11:03.411
  • And then jesus said, "now we need to go see lazarus.
  • 00:11:03.411 --> 00:11:05.647
  • He's fallen asleep."
  • 00:11:05.647 --> 00:11:07.015
  • And the disciples said, "well, if he's asleep, he'll
  • 00:11:07.015 --> 00:11:08.349
  • Get better."
  • 00:11:08.349 --> 00:11:09.718
  • And jesus said, "knuckleheads, he's dead."
  • 00:11:09.718 --> 00:11:12.454
  • Living bible, but it's there, you can check me.
  • 00:11:12.454 --> 00:11:15.824
  • We got three little vignettes where jesus is at the table with
  • 00:11:15.824 --> 00:11:18.860
  • Lazarus and martha and mary in john 11.
  • 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:24.032
  • "on his arrival, jesus found that lazarus has already been in
  • 00:11:24.032 --> 00:11:26.534
  • The tomb for four days.
  • 00:11:26.534 --> 00:11:29.738
  • Bethany was less than two miles from jerusalem."
  • 00:11:29.738 --> 00:11:31.906
  • Bethany is a little village on the mount of olives.
  • 00:11:31.906 --> 00:11:34.642
  • It's on the opposite side, it's on the eastern side of the mount
  • 00:11:34.642 --> 00:11:38.213
  • Of olives.
  • 00:11:38.213 --> 00:11:41.382
  • In fact, it's a predominantly an arab village today, and in
  • 00:11:41.382 --> 00:11:45.253
  • Arabic it's called el-aizariya, after lazarus.
  • 00:11:45.253 --> 00:11:50.024
  • It's a short walk to the city, the temple mount.
  • 00:11:50.024 --> 00:11:52.160
  • You can see the temple just from the crest of the hill there.
  • 00:11:52.160 --> 00:11:55.096
  • "but many jews had come to martha and mary to comfort them
  • 00:11:55.096 --> 00:11:57.732
  • In the loss of their brother.
  • 00:11:57.732 --> 00:12:00.401
  • When martha heard that jesus was coming, she went out to meet
  • 00:12:00.401 --> 00:12:02.704
  • Him, but mary stayed at home.
  • 00:12:02.704 --> 00:12:06.107
  • Martha said to jesus, 'lord, if you'd been here, my brother
  • 00:12:06.107 --> 00:12:08.643
  • Would not have died.'
  • 00:12:08.643 --> 00:12:10.712
  • But i know that even now god will give you whatever you ask.
  • 00:12:10.712 --> 00:12:14.449
  • And jesus said to her, 'your brother will rise again.'"
  • 00:12:14.449 --> 00:12:17.919
  • That's a drop the mic moment right there, folks.
  • 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:22.891
  • "and martha answered, 'oh, i know he will rise again in the
  • 00:12:22.891 --> 00:12:25.460
  • Resurrection at the last day.'"
  • 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:28.630
  • You know, we're so good at deflecting what we don't have
  • 00:12:28.630 --> 00:12:30.298
  • Faith for.
  • 00:12:30.298 --> 00:12:33.802
  • Have to make a decision about jesus.
  • 00:12:33.802 --> 00:12:35.570
  • Martha's all in.
  • 00:12:35.570 --> 00:12:36.905
  • Martha's criticized sometimes 'cause she's not gonna do so
  • 00:12:36.905 --> 00:12:38.807
  • Great at another one of these jesus visits.
  • 00:12:38.807 --> 00:12:43.044
  • But it looks like to me, she's gone to meet jesus and said,
  • 00:12:43.044 --> 00:12:45.914
  • "lord, if you could raise him from the dead.
  • 00:12:45.914 --> 00:12:48.850
  • I know you're the messiah."
  • 00:12:48.850 --> 00:12:51.152
  • What a household. what a household.
  • 00:12:51.152 --> 00:12:55.824
  • Do the people in your household think like that?
  • 00:12:55.824 --> 00:13:01.396
  • I want my household to reverberate with that.
  • 00:13:01.396 --> 00:13:04.833
  • I want the people that sit at my table to know i believe that.
  • 00:13:04.833 --> 00:13:09.170
  • I'm not trying to be subtle or coy or undercover.
  • 00:13:09.170 --> 00:13:13.942
  • I don't think we have to be obnoxious or condemning or
  • 00:13:13.942 --> 00:13:16.377
  • Critical or judgy, but i want my enthusiasm, my advocacy for
  • 00:13:16.377 --> 00:13:20.582
  • Jesus to resonate.
  • 00:13:20.582 --> 00:13:24.552
  • Don't you?
  • 00:13:24.552 --> 00:13:27.222
  • What authority is your table under?
  • 00:13:27.222 --> 00:13:31.292
  • Luke 10: "as jesus and his disciples were on their way, he
  • 00:13:31.292 --> 00:13:35.597
  • Came to a village where a woman named martha opened her home
  • 00:13:35.597 --> 00:13:38.366
  • To him.
  • 00:13:38.366 --> 00:13:40.668
  • She had a sister called mary who sat at the lord's feet listening
  • 00:13:40.668 --> 00:13:43.304
  • To what he said.
  • 00:13:43.304 --> 00:13:44.672
  • But martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to
  • 00:13:44.672 --> 00:13:47.842
  • Be made.
  • 00:13:47.842 --> 00:13:49.310
  • And she came to him and asked, 'lord, don't you care that my
  • 00:13:49.310 --> 00:13:51.646
  • Sister's left me to do the work by myself?
  • 00:13:51.646 --> 00:13:53.982
  • Tell her to help me!'"
  • 00:13:53.982 --> 00:13:57.051
  • I'm feeling at home in this house.
  • 00:13:57.051 --> 00:14:01.256
  • He touched me, make him get back on his side.
  • 00:14:01.256 --> 00:14:05.593
  • He got more than i got.
  • 00:14:05.593 --> 00:14:06.928
  • I didn't get my part.
  • 00:14:06.928 --> 00:14:08.529
  • Tell him he has to share.
  • 00:14:08.529 --> 00:14:12.634
  • "and the lord said, 'martha, you were worried and upset about
  • 00:14:12.634 --> 00:14:15.703
  • Many things, but only one thing is needed.
  • 00:14:15.703 --> 00:14:18.640
  • Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away
  • 00:14:18.640 --> 00:14:21.242
  • From her.'"
  • 00:14:21.242 --> 00:14:23.344
  • They invited jesus into the house.
  • 00:14:23.344 --> 00:14:26.080
  • See, one of the reasons we don't do this is we're afraid the real
  • 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:28.349
  • Stuff of our house will leak.
  • 00:14:28.349 --> 00:14:32.420
  • They invited jesus into the house.
  • 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:38.326
  • And their stuff leaked.
  • 00:14:38.326 --> 00:14:39.827
  • They had a little sibling thing going on.
  • 00:14:39.827 --> 00:14:42.196
  • "tell her to help me."
  • 00:14:42.196 --> 00:14:45.133
  • And jesus said, "oh, bother."
  • 00:14:45.133 --> 00:14:47.902
  • It's okay, folks, we're not perfect.
  • 00:14:47.902 --> 00:14:51.839
  • Now, this requires maturity on both sides of hospitality, the
  • 00:14:51.839 --> 00:14:54.676
  • Courage to open your home and the maturity to recognize that
  • 00:14:54.676 --> 00:14:57.979
  • We're not perfect people.
  • 00:14:57.979 --> 00:15:00.181
  • If you use the expression of grace and kindness and
  • 00:15:00.181 --> 00:15:02.984
  • Hospitality as a reason to gossip and criticize, you bring
  • 00:15:02.984 --> 00:15:06.554
  • Judgment on yourself.
  • 00:15:06.554 --> 00:15:09.590
  • We gotta grow up a little bit.
  • 00:15:09.590 --> 00:15:13.828
  • Don't go investigate.
  • 00:15:13.828 --> 00:15:16.664
  • Don't make people have to lock their closets when you come to
  • 00:15:16.664 --> 00:15:19.067
  • Their house.
  • 00:15:19.067 --> 00:15:21.536
  • Don't be that guest.
  • 00:15:21.536 --> 00:15:24.439
  • But when i hear these stories,
  • 00:15:24.439 --> 00:15:29.811
  • Christians, people that sit in churches.
  • 00:15:29.811 --> 00:15:35.216
  • We're never going to bring the blessings of god and the
  • 00:15:35.216 --> 00:15:38.152
  • Transformation to our culture until we have some fundamental
  • 00:15:38.152 --> 00:15:41.356
  • Shifts in our hearts.
  • 00:15:41.356 --> 00:15:42.724
  • The privilege of sitting at the table with someone under the
  • 00:15:42.724 --> 00:15:45.493
  • Banner of faith and processing what's unfolding in our lives is
  • 00:15:45.493 --> 00:15:49.464
  • One of the greatest gifts you'll ever have.
  • 00:15:49.464 --> 00:15:52.734
  • Stop waiting for someone else to organize something, to put
  • 00:15:52.734 --> 00:15:55.570
  • Together whatever, to create a program, to do another study.
  • 00:15:55.570 --> 00:16:00.174
  • The integrity of discussing our lives and what's unfolding and
  • 00:16:00.174 --> 00:16:03.478
  • Inviting god into the midst of that is transformational.
  • 00:16:03.478 --> 00:16:06.581
  • You're equipped for that.
  • 00:16:06.581 --> 00:16:09.550
  • If you're still trying to learn isaiah's middle name, or how to
  • 00:16:09.550 --> 00:16:13.388
  • Learn the numeric values of the greek alphabet so you can figure
  • 00:16:13.388 --> 00:16:16.190
  • Out who the anti-christ is--i'm not opposed to those things,
  • 00:16:16.190 --> 00:16:18.793
  • They're okay, but transformation will come more likely at
  • 00:16:18.793 --> 00:16:22.263
  • The table.
  • 00:16:22.263 --> 00:16:27.802
  • We're not done with mary and martha yet.
  • 00:16:27.802 --> 00:16:30.204
  • John 12.
  • 00:16:30.204 --> 00:16:31.539
  • In fact, if you go back to john 11 and john 12, those are
  • 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:33.441
  • Very close together.
  • 00:16:33.441 --> 00:16:37.345
  • I just slipped the luke narrative in 'cause i thought it
  • 00:16:37.345 --> 00:16:39.680
  • Was an interesting vantage point on the table at lazarus and mary
  • 00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:44.719
  • And martha's home, but in john 12, "six days before the
  • 00:16:44.719 --> 00:16:47.488
  • Passover," do you happen to remember the meal that jesus
  • 00:16:47.488 --> 00:16:51.893
  • Shared with the disciples before his betrayal was the passover?
  • 00:16:51.893 --> 00:16:58.599
  • "so six days" before jesus's passion is to begin, "he arrived
  • 00:16:58.599 --> 00:17:03.905
  • At bethany, where lazarus lived, whom jesus had raised from
  • 00:17:03.905 --> 00:17:07.842
  • The dead.
  • 00:17:07.842 --> 00:17:09.177
  • And here a dinner was given in jesus's honor."
  • 00:17:09.177 --> 00:17:12.313
  • Now this touches my heart.
  • 00:17:12.313 --> 00:17:13.648
  • There's a dinner given in jesus's honor.
  • 00:17:13.648 --> 00:17:16.384
  • Like, i'm gonna make a suggestion.
  • 00:17:16.384 --> 00:17:18.553
  • What i'm inviting you at your kitchen table is really in honor
  • 00:17:18.553 --> 00:17:23.858
  • Of jesus.
  • 00:17:23.858 --> 00:17:25.993
  • I'm gonna gather my family in honor of jesus.
  • 00:17:25.993 --> 00:17:30.765
  • He gave them to you.
  • 00:17:30.765 --> 00:17:32.767
  • I'm gonna invite a friend or a guest to my home and invite them
  • 00:17:32.767 --> 00:17:36.304
  • To my table or i'll meet with them someplace, but i'm gonna do
  • 00:17:36.304 --> 00:17:39.073
  • It in jesus's honor.
  • 00:17:39.073 --> 00:17:42.844
  • He's done a great deal for us folks.
  • 00:17:42.844 --> 00:17:46.180
  • Again, remember the organizing principle of this whole lesson
  • 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:48.816
  • Was what's the spiritual authority of your table?
  • 00:17:48.816 --> 00:17:51.119
  • They're having a dinner in jesus's honor.
  • 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.954
  • "martha served, while lazarus was among those reclining at the
  • 00:17:52.954 --> 00:17:55.656
  • Table with him."
  • 00:17:55.656 --> 00:17:57.024
  • That's pretty good show and tell.
  • 00:17:57.024 --> 00:17:58.993
  • "lazarus, tell us again how sick you got and how long you were in
  • 00:17:58.993 --> 00:18:01.829
  • The tomb."
  • 00:18:01.829 --> 00:18:03.164
  • I love hearing the story.
  • 00:18:03.164 --> 00:18:06.601
  • "you know, you were pretty stinky, son."
  • 00:18:06.601 --> 00:18:10.471
  • "and then mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive
  • 00:18:10.471 --> 00:18:13.307
  • Perfume; and she poured it on jesus's feet and wiped his feet
  • 00:18:13.307 --> 00:18:15.810
  • With her hair.
  • 00:18:15.810 --> 00:18:17.745
  • And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."
  • 00:18:17.745 --> 00:18:20.681
  • It doesn't really matter how you spin that, that's a very
  • 00:18:20.681 --> 00:18:22.683
  • Humbling exercise.
  • 00:18:22.683 --> 00:18:26.354
  • She poured an expensive ointment on jesus's feet and then wiped
  • 00:18:26.354 --> 00:18:29.290
  • It with her hair.
  • 00:18:29.290 --> 00:18:32.226
  • You ever been a part of a foot washing service?
  • 00:18:32.226 --> 00:18:35.830
  • Well, i'll tell you, that's a humbling thing.
  • 00:18:35.830 --> 00:18:37.165
  • No matter which side of that you're on, that's just got
  • 00:18:37.165 --> 00:18:39.400
  • Awkward stamped all over it.
  • 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:41.869
  • Been there and done that.
  • 00:18:41.869 --> 00:18:44.172
  • Somebody should have told me we were gonna do this.
  • 00:18:44.172 --> 00:18:45.840
  • Hygiene would have been better.
  • 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:48.876
  • I wore the wrong socks.
  • 00:18:48.876 --> 00:18:53.114
  • Mary is wiping jesus's feet with her hair.
  • 00:18:53.114 --> 00:18:55.116
  • "and one of the disciples, judas, who was later to betray
  • 00:18:55.116 --> 00:18:58.419
  • Him, objected.
  • 00:18:58.419 --> 00:19:00.288
  • 'why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?
  • 00:19:00.288 --> 00:19:02.924
  • It was worth a year's wages.'"
  • 00:19:02.924 --> 00:19:05.193
  • Wow.
  • 00:19:05.193 --> 00:19:06.761
  • This is expensive perfume.
  • 00:19:06.761 --> 00:19:10.865
  • "he didn't say this because he cared about the poor, but
  • 00:19:10.865 --> 00:19:12.900
  • Because he was a thief; a keeper of the money bag, he used to
  • 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:16.437
  • Help himself to what was put into it."
  • 00:19:16.437 --> 00:19:20.208
  • You see, some of us would decline an invitation to be one
  • 00:19:20.208 --> 00:19:22.410
  • Of jesus's inner circle because one of them was a thief.
  • 00:19:22.410 --> 00:19:26.113
  • "i'm not following that man.
  • 00:19:26.113 --> 00:19:27.481
  • I know judas, he's a thief.
  • 00:19:27.481 --> 00:19:30.117
  • If jesus doesn't have enough discernment to know that judas
  • 00:19:30.117 --> 00:19:32.386
  • Is a thief, i'm not about to follow him."
  • 00:19:32.386 --> 00:19:35.590
  • How many invitations of god have you forfeited because of the
  • 00:19:35.590 --> 00:19:38.893
  • Inconsistency in somebody else's life?
  • 00:19:38.893 --> 00:19:41.796
  • I wouldn't counsel that.
  • 00:19:41.796 --> 00:19:44.699
  • You follow the lord.
  • 00:19:44.699 --> 00:19:47.768
  • You choose the lord.
  • 00:19:47.768 --> 00:19:50.404
  • You double down on your own choices.
  • 00:19:50.404 --> 00:19:55.376
  • "jesus replied, 'it was intended that she should save this
  • 00:19:55.376 --> 00:19:58.246
  • Perfume for the day of my burial.
  • 00:19:58.246 --> 00:20:01.816
  • You'll always have the poor among you, but you'll not always
  • 00:20:01.816 --> 00:20:04.118
  • Have me.'"
  • 00:20:04.118 --> 00:20:05.519
  • A dinner given in jesus's honor.
  • 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:08.656
  • I like the mashup of the table of lazarus and martha and mary.
  • 00:20:08.656 --> 00:20:12.760
  • It's a supernatural table, it's a miraculous table, it's a table
  • 00:20:12.760 --> 00:20:15.863
  • With bickering, it's a table with critics.
  • 00:20:15.863 --> 00:20:19.100
  • It's a confusing table.
  • 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:22.270
  • And yet jesus was willing to visit over and again.
  • 00:20:22.270 --> 00:20:27.041
  • Sounds like the tables i go to.
  • 00:20:27.041 --> 00:20:29.944
  • Disappointments, heartbreaks, frustrations with one another.
  • 00:20:29.944 --> 00:20:34.348
  • Critics, unclean people at the table.
  • 00:20:34.348 --> 00:20:39.387
  • Look at verse 9: "meanwhile, a large crowd of jews found out
  • 00:20:39.387 --> 00:20:41.956
  • That jesus was there, and they came not only because of him but
  • 00:20:41.956 --> 00:20:45.092
  • Also to see lazarus, whom he'd raised from the dead."
  • 00:20:45.092 --> 00:20:47.528
  • Know this, when jesus raised lazarus from the dead, he was
  • 00:20:47.528 --> 00:20:50.264
  • Signing his own death warrant.
  • 00:20:50.264 --> 00:20:52.333
  • If jesus did miracles, he just did miracles, you know,
  • 00:20:52.333 --> 00:20:54.935
  • In galilee, up in the country with the rural folk.
  • 00:20:54.935 --> 00:20:58.439
  • You know, we can deny them or ignore it.
  • 00:20:58.439 --> 00:21:00.241
  • They're not too educated.
  • 00:21:00.241 --> 00:21:01.575
  • They're not too sophisticated, but in jerusalem, in the shadow
  • 00:21:01.575 --> 00:21:05.613
  • Of the temple and all of the stuff, he raised lazarus from
  • 00:21:05.613 --> 00:21:10.251
  • The dead and lazarus walks through the markets of the city.
  • 00:21:10.251 --> 00:21:12.787
  • Isn't that the man?
  • 00:21:12.787 --> 00:21:14.121
  • Yeah, that's the man.
  • 00:21:14.121 --> 00:21:17.258
  • So now they've come, they're having dinner and there's people
  • 00:21:17.258 --> 00:21:19.160
  • Looking through the windows.
  • 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.528
  • They're outside in the streets.
  • 00:21:20.528 --> 00:21:22.663
  • "so the chief priest made plans to kill lazarus as well, 'for on
  • 00:21:22.663 --> 00:21:27.001
  • Account of him many of the jews were going over to jesus and
  • 00:21:27.001 --> 00:21:29.203
  • Putting their faith in him.'"
  • 00:21:29.203 --> 00:21:32.540
  • Think inviting jesus to your table is simple.
  • 00:21:32.540 --> 00:21:36.243
  • It makes you a target.
  • 00:21:36.243 --> 00:21:39.647
  • You think inviting jesus to your table and being an advocate for
  • 00:21:39.647 --> 00:21:42.783
  • Jesus at your table is a 21st century issue?
  • 00:21:42.783 --> 00:21:46.721
  • You think cancel culture started with social media?
  • 00:21:46.721 --> 00:21:51.359
  • Cancel culture used to have a whole lot more profound
  • 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:53.828
  • Implications than it does today.
  • 00:21:53.828 --> 00:21:58.199
  • What was the psalm we read?
  • 00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:59.900
  • "you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
  • 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:05.873
  • Here's the invitation.
  • 00:22:05.873 --> 00:22:08.008
  • Once a week for your family, as frequently as your schedule or
  • 00:22:08.008 --> 00:22:12.480
  • Your abilities will allow.
  • 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.948
  • If you don't have a family at home,
  • 00:22:13.948 --> 00:22:15.516
  • Use your table or your life for hospitality.
  • 00:22:15.516 --> 00:22:17.718
  • You can join up, do it with other people.
  • 00:22:17.718 --> 00:22:21.822
  • I believe when you practice hospitality, when you invite
  • 00:22:21.822 --> 00:22:24.225
  • Your family to the table, you're having a meal in honor of jesus.
  • 00:22:24.225 --> 00:22:29.630
  • I don't wanna miss out on that.
  • 00:22:29.630 --> 00:22:32.333
  • I don't wanna forfeit that.
  • 00:22:32.333 --> 00:22:34.702
  • I'm not saying you can't laugh.
  • 00:22:34.702 --> 00:22:36.137
  • I'm not saying you can't be real.
  • 00:22:36.137 --> 00:22:37.538
  • You don't have to sit and sing hymns and hum.
  • 00:22:37.538 --> 00:22:43.644
  • Well, brother allen.
  • 00:22:43.644 --> 00:22:49.517
  • Do you think the angels laugh at us when we morph into our
  • 00:22:49.517 --> 00:22:53.254
  • Church voices.
  • 00:22:53.254 --> 00:22:58.025
  • You know, have you ever, you know, the hardest time of the
  • 00:22:58.025 --> 00:23:01.128
  • Week--what time is it?
  • 00:23:01.128 --> 00:23:02.496
  • I'm done.
  • 00:23:02.496 --> 00:23:03.831
  • Hardest time of the week to maintain the peace is
  • 00:23:03.831 --> 00:23:05.199
  • Getting your family to church.
  • 00:23:05.199 --> 00:23:07.301
  • I'm quite certain the devil is involved in that process, right?
  • 00:23:07.301 --> 00:23:12.006
  • Those are you little people, you know, i watched you hand them
  • 00:23:12.006 --> 00:23:13.674
  • Off, you're like, "here, take them.
  • 00:23:13.674 --> 00:23:16.010
  • Have my little blessing."
  • 00:23:16.010 --> 00:23:19.847
  • Right, but the kids watched you get to church, you screamed at
  • 00:23:19.847 --> 00:23:21.916
  • One another all the way to church.
  • 00:23:21.916 --> 00:23:24.151
  • Fighting about it.
  • 00:23:24.151 --> 00:23:25.486
  • "you weren't ready on time. you're never ready on time.
  • 00:23:25.486 --> 00:23:28.189
  • Next week i'm taking my own car.
  • 00:23:28.189 --> 00:23:29.523
  • You can get them ready and you can bring them to church.
  • 00:23:29.523 --> 00:23:31.158
  • How hard can it be?
  • 00:23:31.158 --> 00:23:32.493
  • We know what time church starts.
  • 00:23:32.493 --> 00:23:33.828
  • It starts at the same time.
  • 00:23:33.828 --> 00:23:35.162
  • It's been the same time since covid.
  • 00:23:35.162 --> 00:23:36.530
  • What are you thinking? what are you doing?"
  • 00:23:36.530 --> 00:23:40.167
  • I know that's theoretical applause, you have no experience
  • 00:23:40.167 --> 00:23:42.536
  • With it.
  • 00:23:42.536 --> 00:23:45.139
  • Kids are in the back seat soaking it all up.
  • 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:46.740
  • They're strapped in those chairs watching this back and forth.
  • 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:51.212
  • You park in the church parking lot, you open the door and
  • 00:23:51.212 --> 00:23:53.314
  • There's somebody right there and you smile and go, "well,
  • 00:23:53.314 --> 00:23:55.382
  • Good morning.
  • 00:23:55.382 --> 00:23:56.717
  • God bless you."
  • 00:23:56.717 --> 00:24:00.988
  • Children are going, what?
  • 00:24:00.988 --> 00:24:03.357
  • This is a mystical place.
  • 00:24:03.357 --> 00:24:06.961
  • I'm not talking about a table that isn't authentic.
  • 00:24:06.961 --> 00:24:12.967
  • 'cause it's in the midst of that reality of who we are and the
  • 00:24:12.967 --> 00:24:15.569
  • Brokenness of our lives and the brokenness of our families and
  • 00:24:15.569 --> 00:24:18.405
  • The all of the stuff that we need to invite god.
  • 00:24:18.405 --> 00:24:21.542
  • Mary and martha are arguing.
  • 00:24:21.542 --> 00:24:23.911
  • And jesus kept going back.
  • 00:24:23.911 --> 00:24:26.881
  • They were disappointed in jesus.
  • 00:24:26.881 --> 00:24:28.215
  • He didn't show up on time and their brother died and they
  • 00:24:28.215 --> 00:24:30.351
  • Didn't like it.
  • 00:24:30.351 --> 00:24:31.719
  • I promised there was some chirping about that.
  • 00:24:31.719 --> 00:24:34.555
  • Jesus invited judas to the table with them.
  • 00:24:34.555 --> 00:24:39.727
  • Lazarus got death threats 'cause they kept having jesus in
  • 00:24:39.727 --> 00:24:44.632
  • The house.
  • 00:24:44.632 --> 00:24:47.401
  • I know what i'm inviting you to is not simple, but i promise you
  • 00:24:47.401 --> 00:24:50.437
  • It's worthwhile.
  • 00:24:50.437 --> 00:24:52.072
  • It doesn't sound very spiritual, but i promise you it's more
  • 00:24:52.072 --> 00:24:54.375
  • Spiritual than most of the things that are under the guise
  • 00:24:54.375 --> 00:24:56.310
  • Of great deep spiritual behaviors.
  • 00:24:56.310 --> 00:24:59.380
  • It'll change your family.
  • 00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:01.682
  • It'll change your friends.
  • 00:25:01.682 --> 00:25:03.884
  • It'll change your life.
  • 00:25:03.884 --> 00:25:05.753
  • Take a few minutes, look through the lobby, telephones have
  • 00:25:05.753 --> 00:25:07.621
  • Changed, tvs have changed, automobiles have changed.
  • 00:25:07.621 --> 00:25:10.224
  • The tables are there.
  • 00:25:10.224 --> 00:25:12.693
  • Don't leave your table.
  • 00:25:12.693 --> 00:25:14.895
  • Don't abandon the spiritual authority of your home to
  • 00:25:14.895 --> 00:25:17.131
  • Busyness, to coaches, to whatever.
  • 00:25:17.131 --> 00:25:22.937
  • I brought you a prayer.
  • 00:25:22.937 --> 00:25:24.305
  • We're gonna keep working on this.
  • 00:25:24.305 --> 00:25:26.073
  • Why don't you stand with me.
  • 00:25:26.073 --> 00:25:33.480
  • We get to serve the lord 24/7, not just at church, isn't
  • 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:36.584
  • That good?
  • 00:25:36.584 --> 00:25:38.052
  • Hallelujah.
  • 00:25:38.052 --> 00:25:42.022
  • Enduring sermons don't make you godly.
  • 00:25:42.022 --> 00:25:44.058
  • I mean, you may get rewarded for it.
  • 00:25:44.058 --> 00:25:47.061
  • Whew.
  • 00:25:47.061 --> 00:25:48.462
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:25:48.462 --> 00:25:49.897
  • "heavenly father, we humbly ask you to help us establish our
  • 00:25:49.897 --> 00:25:54.401
  • Homes under your authority.
  • 00:25:54.401 --> 00:25:56.971
  • Forgive us for submitting to the authority of this present age.
  • 00:25:56.971 --> 00:26:01.208
  • Our desire is to honor you, to cooperate with your purposes.
  • 00:26:01.208 --> 00:26:05.980
  • Holy spirit, lead us as we begin a new journey; establish us in
  • 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:10.985
  • Habits which will bring fulfillment and contentment to
  • 00:26:10.985 --> 00:26:14.488
  • Our lives and families, in jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:14.488 --> 00:26:19.727
  • Hallelujah.
  • 00:26:19.727 --> 00:26:21.095
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:21.095 --> 00:26:25.099
  • Allen: this is the 250th anniversary of our nation.
  • 00:26:29.169 --> 00:26:31.905
  • It's a big deal.
  • 00:26:31.905 --> 00:26:33.407
  • Now, i know a lot of us don't care a whole lot about history.
  • 00:26:33.407 --> 00:26:35.876
  • We didn't have great experiences in school.
  • 00:26:35.876 --> 00:26:37.811
  • I understand that, but here's the reality if they can steal
  • 00:26:37.811 --> 00:26:40.981
  • Our history, they'll rob us of our future.
  • 00:26:40.981 --> 00:26:43.317
  • So history really does matter.
  • 00:26:43.317 --> 00:26:45.319
  • Well, because of that, we have partnered with some good friends
  • 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:47.721
  • Of our ministries, wall builders, david and tim barton.
  • 00:26:47.721 --> 00:26:51.125
  • They have the best of the best on this topic.
  • 00:26:51.125 --> 00:26:53.127
  • It's a two-volume set on "the american story."
  • 00:26:53.127 --> 00:26:55.929
  • And it helps us learn american history with a faith component
  • 00:26:55.929 --> 00:26:59.767
  • With a god perspective, how god has been engaged in the
  • 00:26:59.767 --> 00:27:02.770
  • Unfolding narrative of our american story.
  • 00:27:02.770 --> 00:27:06.040
  • That matters because we need god to be involved in the future of
  • 00:27:06.040 --> 00:27:09.276
  • The american story.
  • 00:27:09.276 --> 00:27:10.611
  • That affects our lives, our families, our communities, and
  • 00:27:10.611 --> 00:27:13.380
  • Ultimately, our nation.
  • 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:15.049
  • The books will be a blessing to you, but more than that, i
  • 00:27:15.049 --> 00:27:17.484
  • Believe they'll open your life to the imagination that god is
  • 00:27:17.484 --> 00:27:19.953
  • Moving in the earth and we can participate with him in the next
  • 00:27:19.953 --> 00:27:23.290
  • Chapters of american history.
  • 00:27:23.290 --> 00:27:27.361