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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Let's Get Started (Part 2)

November 19, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Let's Get Started (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Faith #TrustGod #LightoftheWorld #Church #BodyofChrist #Boldness #Perseverance #Endurance #Honor #GlorifyGod #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Let's Get Started (Part 2) | November 19, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: you know, when i was a child, i thought christmas
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  • Came every four years.
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  • Now i feel like it comes about every four weeks.
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  • Well, christmas is just around the corner.
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  • It's a season of tremendous opportunity for those of us who
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  • Are people of faith to remember what god has done for us and
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  • What we're inviting him into in the midst of this
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  • Holiday season.
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  • Well, we've created a tool, a resource, for you to lead with
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  • Your faith at christmas.
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  • It's a 25-day devotional along with some ideas about--from
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  • Recipes to activities for your friends or your family.
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  • It's just a fun way so that you can shape your faith into
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  • The holiday.
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  • I think all of us have a desire to see christmas be--have jesus
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  • In the midst of it a bit more.
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  • There's so many secular voices that speak, and sometimes i
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  • Think we feel powerless to do something other than put up a
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  • Tree or hang some lights.
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  • Well, "lead with your faith at christmas" is a tool we created
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  • So you can share your faith with your family, with your friends,
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  • With coworkers.
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  • I think it'll make this christmas season truly a way to
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  • Honor the lord in your life.
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  • In fact, i'm quite confident it'll be a blessing to you.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: again, i think we've had this goofy notion of what it
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  • Means to be spirit-filled or to have this dynamic of god's help.
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  • It's not about getting everything just lined up
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  • Appropriately.
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  • It's the messy stuff of continuing to invite god
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  • Into our lives.
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  • Requires us to repent and forgive and release
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  • And renounce and get clean and get back in the arena.
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  • Have to come back and forgive again.
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  • 'cause if you're engaged in the conflict very long,
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  • You're gonna--you'll get a response other than "bless you."
  • 00:01:41.484 --> 00:01:47.257
  • Or i will.
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  • I get a response other than "bless you" just driving
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  • To nashville.
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  • Don't you all?
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  • We get some super-spiritual.
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  • "well, you know, pastor, many years ago there was an occasion
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  • Where i needed to forgive."
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  • Yeah, me too.
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  • It's called saturday.
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  • And the only reason it was better this morning is
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  • When i came to work there were no other cars on the road,
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  • So i got here, like, free.
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  • Well, there was one and i was a little unhappy with them.
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  • That's actually true.
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  • When i came to work there was one other car on the road and
  • 00:02:24.794 --> 00:02:27.197
  • They happened to be in my driveway when i was trying
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  • To pull out and i thought, you know,
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  • "that's just not right.
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  • One car and i had to hit the brake pedal for them."
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  • So i hit 'em.
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  • No i didn't.
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  • But i asked the lord about it, so.
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  • Paul, i think we could say he lived a relatively fruitful life
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  • For the kingdom of god.
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  • Two-thirds of the new testament by title are attributed to him.
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  • And yet, when he gave his résumé,
  • 00:02:56.426 --> 00:02:59.162
  • He didn't do it in terms of conversions or a litany of
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  • Miracles that were accomplished through his ministry,
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  • Or the supernatural things that he had seen.
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  • He didn't even list in detailed order the revelation he'd been
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  • Given, which was extensive, of jesus.
  • 00:03:11.474 --> 00:03:15.445
  • When he wanted to make a case for his qualifications
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  • As an advocate for jesus, he did it in terms of the hardships
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  • That he had faced as an expression of his faithfulness.
  • 00:03:23.720 --> 00:03:29.058
  • It's a bizarre way to provide a recommendation.
  • 00:03:29.058 --> 00:03:34.764
  • There was an argument in the corinthian church,
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  • A church that paul had helped shepherd into existence,
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  • And the people who'd arrived in his absence were trying
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  • To discredit him and disqualify him.
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  • And he said, "many are boasting in the way the world does,
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  • I too will boast.
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  • Are they hebrews? so am i.
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  • Are they israelites? so am i.
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  • Are they abraham's descendants? so am i.
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  • Are they servants of christ?"
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  • He said, "i'm a little nuts to talk to you like this.
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  • I am more.
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  • I've worked harder, i've been in prison more frequently,
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  • I've been flogged more severely, i've been exposed to death
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  • Again and again.
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  • Five times i received from the jews forty lashes minus one."
  • 00:04:05.762 --> 00:04:09.832
  • His résumé is what he endured.
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  • I don't know if i wanna build a résumé like that.
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  • Couldn't i talk about degrees i earned?
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  • Or attendance numbers? or budgets?
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  • Or how many meetings i held?
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  • I think paul is giving us an invitation.
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  • He's opened a window, he's pulled a curtain back on a life
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  • That would enable us to please the lord,
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  • A life that would be rewarded, a spirit-directed life.
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  • It could very well lead us into places of conflict.
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  • I know there are voices in the world today that say
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  • The israelis are facing a war because they deserve it.
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  • I don't agree with them.
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  • I think that's an expression of hatred that,
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  • For the most part, is ignored.
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  • No one deserves to have their babies beheaded.
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  • It's an unthinkable statement.
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  • And paul faced difficulties and obstacles
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  • And physical punishment.
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  • He was physically disfigured from the suffering
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  • That he faced.
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  • But he recounts his résumé in terms of his suffering,
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  • Not his achievements.
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  • He celebrates what he's overcome,
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  • Not the miracles which god performed.
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  • Paul's not whining; he's encouraging.
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  • He's not bemoaning what's happened to him.
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  • He's saying, "listen, if you're walking through this stuff,
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  • Come on, let's keep moving.
  • 00:05:33.516 --> 00:05:36.119
  • If you found opposition, if you found injustice,
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  • If you found hatred, let's go.
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  • We don't need the government to promise us a solution.
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  • Almighty god will bring us through.
  • 00:05:46.028 --> 00:05:49.399
  • It's a reorientation, it's our family tradition.
  • 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:53.836
  • Paul is showing us the way.
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  • He's illuminating a path.
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  • He's highlighting the nature of a commitment to the lord.
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  • We haven't had enough of this disgust with us.
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  • We thought commitment was surviving another worship
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  • Service, like, "how often do we have to attend?"
  • 00:06:06.582 --> 00:06:11.120
  • And since covid, the message has been,
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  • "you don't have to.
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  • Just find a screen."
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  • Whee!
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  • Paul led a spirit-directed life.
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  • All of these heroes we've looked at experienced
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  • A supernatural intervention of god.
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  • But the awkward reality is each one of them
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  • Had to overcome threats, attacks, fear, impatience,
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  • Injustice, rejection, temptations of their own,
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  • False accusations, powerful enemies.
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  • We wanna say, "it's the end of the age and we're just gonna get
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  • Raptured out of it," so we don't have to think about it.
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  • We should pay attention to our predecessors so we have the
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  • Courage to be people of faith in the midst of this generation.
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  • If the lord returns, we'll be busy about his activities.
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  • If he doesn't, we will have represented well on our watch.
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  • Let's go.
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  • I'm gonna wrap this up with some simple guidelines
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  • For stepping out of the crowd.
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  • They're ideas that'll underscore your ability to do this.
  • 00:07:10.179 --> 00:07:14.116
  • It's purposeful, it's intentional,
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  • It's not accidental.
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  • It's not emotional, it's not whimsical.
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  • It will take some real determination on your part.
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  • I don't wanna mislead you.
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  • To honor the lord will take the very best you have.
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  • It'll take more self-discipline than any project in your life.
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  • If you've thought you could please almighty god
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  • With a casual halfhearted investment of yourself,
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  • You have been deceived.
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  • If you think you can make a greater commitment
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  • To your hobby of choice or your profession of choice,
  • 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:46.816
  • In your preparation for those things,
  • 00:07:46.816 --> 00:07:48.951
  • Than you can make in serving the lord,
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  • We have devalued who god is.
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  • And i'm not recruiting for anything today.
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  • But some simple guidelines.
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  • The first is recognize that they'll--those who have preceded
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  • Us in this family have had confidence in someone
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  • Beyond time.
  • 00:08:07.303 --> 00:08:09.906
  • In someone beyond time.
  • 00:08:09.906 --> 00:08:13.309
  • They believed in god and they ordered their lives
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  • Upon that foundational belief.
  • 00:08:15.177 --> 00:08:17.947
  • That seems so simple, but you could walk past it.
  • 00:08:17.947 --> 00:08:21.050
  • You see, we don't believe in something.
  • 00:08:21.050 --> 00:08:23.719
  • It's not some nebulous whatever.
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  • We believe there is a god and he can be known and he's
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  • Omniscient, he's all-knowing, and he's omnipotent,
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  • He's all-powerful.
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  • And in his grace and mercy, he's made it possible for us not only
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  • To know him but to participate in his eternal kingdom.
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  • There's no greater opportunity that will ever be presented
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  • To you or to me.
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  • I wanna please him.
  • 00:08:47.243 --> 00:08:49.245
  • I wanna know him better tomorrow than i know him today.
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  • I really care very little about playing church,
  • 00:08:52.014 --> 00:08:55.952
  • But i love to be with the people of god.
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  • He can be known.
  • 00:09:00.056 --> 00:09:02.892
  • In the language of the new testament,
  • 00:09:02.892 --> 00:09:04.760
  • It's about jesus being lord of your life.
  • 00:09:04.760 --> 00:09:09.198
  • That is the message, that's the presentation,
  • 00:09:09.198 --> 00:09:11.734
  • Of the new testament.
  • 00:09:11.734 --> 00:09:13.069
  • Not just knowing jesus as a savior.
  • 00:09:13.069 --> 00:09:17.907
  • Pilate said, "this man is innocent.
  • 00:09:17.907 --> 00:09:19.675
  • He doesn't deserve death."
  • 00:09:19.675 --> 00:09:21.143
  • The centurion that was there when jesus died on the cross,
  • 00:09:21.143 --> 00:09:25.481
  • Said, "certainly, this was the son of god."
  • 00:09:25.481 --> 00:09:28.384
  • There's a lot of voices that understood the uniqueness of
  • 00:09:28.384 --> 00:09:30.453
  • Jesus, the innocence of jesus, but there's a great difference
  • 00:09:30.453 --> 00:09:34.757
  • In recognizing that and choosing jesus as lord.
  • 00:09:34.757 --> 00:09:40.162
  • I wanna be certain you're not confused.
  • 00:09:40.162 --> 00:09:45.034
  • In galatians 3 and verse 6 it says: "consider abraham:
  • 00:09:45.034 --> 00:09:47.637
  • 'he believed god, and it was credited to him
  • 00:09:47.637 --> 00:09:51.440
  • As righteousness.'"
  • 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:53.242
  • How do we know he believed god?
  • 00:09:53.242 --> 00:09:54.844
  • What was the evidence that he believed in god?
  • 00:09:54.844 --> 00:09:56.278
  • He totally and completely reordered his life around that.
  • 00:09:56.278 --> 00:10:00.516
  • You see, the message of scripture is,
  • 00:10:00.516 --> 00:10:02.618
  • Throughout the bible, god's people
  • 00:10:02.618 --> 00:10:04.620
  • Have been asked to yield all to him.
  • 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:07.390
  • And i'm not sure we've really meditated upon that.
  • 00:10:07.390 --> 00:10:09.525
  • We haven't lived with that idea.
  • 00:10:09.525 --> 00:10:11.827
  • We've been told to get saved, get born again,
  • 00:10:11.827 --> 00:10:13.996
  • To walk the aisle, maybe take a dip in the pool,
  • 00:10:13.996 --> 00:10:16.132
  • And i believe in the new birth and the conversion,
  • 00:10:16.132 --> 00:10:18.401
  • But it's the doorway, it's the entry point into the yielding
  • 00:10:18.401 --> 00:10:21.771
  • Of a life to the lordship of jesus.
  • 00:10:21.771 --> 00:10:24.407
  • Philippians 2 says: "your attitude should be
  • 00:10:24.407 --> 00:10:26.342
  • The same as that of christ jesus."
  • 00:10:26.342 --> 00:10:29.145
  • We should have jesus's attitude.
  • 00:10:29.145 --> 00:10:31.180
  • In what way?
  • 00:10:31.180 --> 00:10:33.449
  • With him "being in the very nature god,
  • 00:10:33.449 --> 00:10:35.184
  • He didn't consider equality with god something to be grasped."
  • 00:10:35.184 --> 00:10:38.354
  • We're not trying to make ourselves godlike.
  • 00:10:38.354 --> 00:10:41.824
  • That's a very important distinction.
  • 00:10:41.824 --> 00:10:45.628
  • Jesus's entry into time was about a forfeiture,
  • 00:10:45.628 --> 00:10:48.898
  • And our journey through time is about laying things down,
  • 00:10:48.898 --> 00:10:53.836
  • Not about being served but being a servant.
  • 00:10:53.836 --> 00:10:57.206
  • Not about being entitled, but about serving the one
  • 00:10:57.206 --> 00:11:01.477
  • Who has given us the privilege of participating in his kingdom.
  • 00:11:01.477 --> 00:11:05.514
  • It's a different orientation.
  • 00:11:05.514 --> 00:11:08.184
  • It's not one we have talked about enough.
  • 00:11:08.184 --> 00:11:12.354
  • We've imagined our faith as a way to upgrade.
  • 00:11:12.354 --> 00:11:15.024
  • And god does bring blessings and god does bring good things,
  • 00:11:15.024 --> 00:11:17.693
  • And i've served the lord long enough,
  • 00:11:17.693 --> 00:11:19.195
  • I can tell you from my own experience portfolio,
  • 00:11:19.195 --> 00:11:21.363
  • He is faithful.
  • 00:11:21.363 --> 00:11:24.233
  • But there's a yielding that comes with it.
  • 00:11:24.233 --> 00:11:27.570
  • And it will continue along your whole journey.
  • 00:11:27.570 --> 00:11:33.042
  • In philippians 3:8 paul says: "i consider everything a loss
  • 00:11:33.042 --> 00:11:37.546
  • Compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing
  • 00:11:37.546 --> 00:11:39.849
  • Christ jesus my lord, for whose sake i've lost all things.
  • 00:11:39.849 --> 00:11:44.587
  • I consider them rubbish."
  • 00:11:44.587 --> 00:11:45.988
  • I'm not saying you have to go home and have a yard sale.
  • 00:11:45.988 --> 00:11:49.692
  • That's not what i'm suggesting to you,
  • 00:11:49.692 --> 00:11:52.027
  • But i'm suggesting there's nothing that you're fighting
  • 00:11:52.027 --> 00:11:53.896
  • To hold onto that has any value that remotely reflects
  • 00:11:53.896 --> 00:11:57.099
  • The value of being identified with jesus.
  • 00:11:57.099 --> 00:12:00.603
  • So if when you identify with jesus something that you have
  • 00:12:00.603 --> 00:12:02.938
  • Imagined valuable is threatened, understand your alliance
  • 00:12:02.938 --> 00:12:05.908
  • With jesus is more valuable.
  • 00:12:05.908 --> 00:12:09.945
  • See, i interact with people a lot and i'll hear things like,
  • 00:12:09.945 --> 00:12:12.615
  • "well, you know, pastor, if i stood up or i said something,
  • 00:12:12.615 --> 00:12:15.151
  • It would have an impact on my professional life."
  • 00:12:15.151 --> 00:12:17.753
  • No doubt.
  • 00:12:17.753 --> 00:12:21.090
  • Or, "if i said that, it could disrupt my family system."
  • 00:12:21.090 --> 00:12:23.125
  • It could.
  • 00:12:23.125 --> 00:12:25.861
  • All of those--all of those observations are very legitimate
  • 00:12:25.861 --> 00:12:28.430
  • But they're not legitimate excuses to be
  • 00:12:28.430 --> 00:12:30.432
  • A covert christian.
  • 00:12:30.432 --> 00:12:35.237
  • If we're going to step out of the crowd,
  • 00:12:35.237 --> 00:12:38.974
  • We're gonna have to do it before we need god to be our deliverer.
  • 00:12:38.974 --> 00:12:44.580
  • One of the best examples in all the--it's a simple story.
  • 00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:46.482
  • You learned it in sunday school.
  • 00:12:46.482 --> 00:12:49.018
  • When goliath is challenging the armies of israel.
  • 00:12:49.018 --> 00:12:52.621
  • The most valiant warriors in israel are hiding
  • 00:12:52.621 --> 00:12:54.657
  • In their tents.
  • 00:12:54.657 --> 00:12:56.091
  • They're nameless, they're faceless.
  • 00:12:56.091 --> 00:12:57.426
  • David's own brothers are amongst them.
  • 00:12:57.426 --> 00:12:58.761
  • We don't know who they are.
  • 00:12:58.761 --> 00:13:00.930
  • Well, shepherd kid shows up and he hears goliath bellowing
  • 00:13:00.930 --> 00:13:04.667
  • His challenge, and he said, "who is this?
  • 00:13:04.667 --> 00:13:10.272
  • Who is this uncircumcised philistine,
  • 00:13:10.272 --> 00:13:12.608
  • This man with no covenant with god,
  • 00:13:12.608 --> 00:13:14.810
  • That he would threaten the people
  • 00:13:14.810 --> 00:13:16.445
  • Who have a covenant with god?"
  • 00:13:16.445 --> 00:13:19.315
  • He said, "god has delivered the lion into my hand and the bear
  • 00:13:19.315 --> 00:13:22.184
  • Into my hand, and i mean, he's ugly and he's big
  • 00:13:22.184 --> 00:13:24.053
  • But god's bigger."
  • 00:13:24.053 --> 00:13:27.890
  • You see, it's too late to step out of the crowd
  • 00:13:27.890 --> 00:13:30.626
  • When you hear goliath.
  • 00:13:30.626 --> 00:13:34.697
  • And what we should all understand us goliath is
  • 00:13:34.697 --> 00:13:37.132
  • In all of our pathways.
  • 00:13:37.132 --> 00:13:40.035
  • Takes various forms and presents in different ways,
  • 00:13:40.035 --> 00:13:43.372
  • But there are challenges that are intimidating and
  • 00:13:43.372 --> 00:13:45.541
  • Threatening and frightening and unwelcome and uninvited,
  • 00:13:45.541 --> 00:13:48.344
  • And we would rather look around and avoid,
  • 00:13:48.344 --> 00:13:50.679
  • But they're unavoidable.
  • 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:53.415
  • And you want to have stepped out of the crowd and say,
  • 00:13:53.415 --> 00:13:55.684
  • "i belong to him."
  • 00:13:55.684 --> 00:13:58.420
  • So then you can respond like david's responded,
  • 00:13:58.420 --> 00:14:00.556
  • "oh, yeah, that's a threat, but i know god is a deliverer
  • 00:14:00.556 --> 00:14:04.593
  • Because he's delivered me from other things
  • 00:14:04.593 --> 00:14:06.562
  • And he'll deliver me from this."
  • 00:14:06.562 --> 00:14:10.799
  • We believe in someone who has an authority beyond time.
  • 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:16.238
  • Allen: have you ever said that christmas is too secular and
  • 00:14:20.442 --> 00:14:22.845
  • You're tired of it?
  • 00:14:22.845 --> 00:14:24.179
  • Well, we've got a solution or at least something that can help.
  • 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:26.715
  • We've written a book.
  • 00:14:26.715 --> 00:14:28.083
  • It's called, "how to lead with your faith at christmas."
  • 00:14:28.083 --> 00:14:30.119
  • It's 25 days of devotionals that you can read.
  • 00:14:30.119 --> 00:14:32.354
  • You can share them with family, your friends, coworkers.
  • 00:14:32.354 --> 00:14:34.890
  • Then there's some ideas, even recipes, activities.
  • 00:14:34.890 --> 00:14:37.793
  • It's a fun--it's like a--it's a starter kit for bringing your
  • 00:14:37.793 --> 00:14:40.529
  • Faith to bear this christmas season.
  • 00:14:40.529 --> 00:14:43.032
  • Don't stand on the sidelines and complain.
  • 00:14:43.032 --> 00:14:45.267
  • Let's lead with our faith this christmas season.
  • 00:14:45.267 --> 00:14:47.403
  • Let's honor the lord and see the blessings that he brings to all
  • 00:14:47.403 --> 00:14:50.606
  • Of our lives.
  • 00:14:50.606 --> 00:14:51.941
  • Female announcer: christmas comes quickly, and it's easy to
  • 00:14:51.941 --> 00:14:53.909
  • Let the season slip by without focusing on what matters most.
  • 00:14:53.909 --> 00:14:57.846
  • Pastor allen's new book, "lead with faith at christmas," is a
  • 00:14:57.846 --> 00:15:01.216
  • 25-day advent devotional that will help you bring jesus more
  • 00:15:01.216 --> 00:15:04.887
  • Fully into the season.
  • 00:15:04.887 --> 00:15:06.555
  • Inside, you'll find scriptures, devotionals, prayers, recipes,
  • 00:15:06.555 --> 00:15:11.360
  • And practical things you can do to make the holidays
  • 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:14.163
  • More meaningful.
  • 00:15:14.163 --> 00:15:15.497
  • It also makes a fantastic gift.
  • 00:15:15.497 --> 00:15:18.067
  • It's time to stop repeating the same stale traditions and get
  • 00:15:18.067 --> 00:15:21.337
  • Ready to put your faith into action in new ways
  • 00:15:21.337 --> 00:15:24.006
  • This christmas.
  • 00:15:24.006 --> 00:15:25.407
  • Request your copy when you donate $30 or more today at
  • 00:15:25.407 --> 00:15:28.811
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:15:28.811 --> 00:15:33.983
  • Allen: a second component to stepping out of the crowd is
  • 00:15:35.150 --> 00:15:37.519
  • That that they didn't see the completion of their assignment.
  • 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:41.156
  • This one's not easy.
  • 00:15:41.156 --> 00:15:43.492
  • Their lives were an investment in the eternal purposes of god.
  • 00:15:43.492 --> 00:15:47.363
  • I think we wanna see the full outcome.
  • 00:15:47.363 --> 00:15:49.331
  • We wanna see the completion.
  • 00:15:49.331 --> 00:15:50.899
  • We wanna see the end of the story.
  • 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:54.336
  • And that's typically not the case in scripture.
  • 00:15:54.336 --> 00:15:56.905
  • Moses didn't see the end of the journey that began with that
  • 00:15:56.905 --> 00:15:59.842
  • Bush that was burning in the desert.
  • 00:15:59.842 --> 00:16:02.611
  • He didn't see the completion of what happened when the red sea
  • 00:16:02.611 --> 00:16:04.613
  • Was parted.
  • 00:16:04.613 --> 00:16:07.383
  • He didn't get to see the outcome of all those people and all the
  • 00:16:07.383 --> 00:16:10.419
  • Manna, and he just didn't.
  • 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:13.422
  • David didn't get to see the temple built.
  • 00:16:13.422 --> 00:16:16.859
  • And on and on it goes.
  • 00:16:16.859 --> 00:16:18.761
  • And you and i are a part of a story that's bigger than us.
  • 00:16:18.761 --> 00:16:22.031
  • We've got the baton for a little while,
  • 00:16:22.031 --> 00:16:25.234
  • And we wanna carry it faithfully and diligently
  • 00:16:25.234 --> 00:16:28.303
  • And very purposefully.
  • 00:16:28.303 --> 00:16:29.972
  • But we want there to be an outcome beyond ourselves.
  • 00:16:29.972 --> 00:16:34.343
  • Many of you think about how to pass along wealth or
  • 00:16:34.343 --> 00:16:36.779
  • Opportunities, and there's nothing wrong with that.
  • 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:39.715
  • But i assure you there's something far more profound to
  • 00:16:39.715 --> 00:16:42.718
  • Extend to the generations who follow you,
  • 00:16:42.718 --> 00:16:45.120
  • And that's a legacy of faithfulness to god.
  • 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:49.525
  • It doesn't take long for that to be lost.
  • 00:16:52.661 --> 00:16:55.864
  • And if there's an interruption in a family system,
  • 00:16:55.864 --> 00:16:58.067
  • Then it takes the sovereign intervention of god to bring
  • 00:16:58.067 --> 00:17:00.436
  • Them back on course.
  • 00:17:00.436 --> 00:17:01.804
  • Don't you be the generation where there's a break.
  • 00:17:01.804 --> 00:17:06.041
  • It's so important.
  • 00:17:06.041 --> 00:17:07.376
  • Hebrews 11: "these people were--"
  • 00:17:07.376 --> 00:17:09.111
  • Hebrews 11 is the hall of fame.
  • 00:17:09.111 --> 00:17:10.879
  • "these people were living by faith when they died.
  • 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:13.315
  • They didn't receive the things promised;
  • 00:17:13.315 --> 00:17:15.184
  • They only saw them from a distance."
  • 00:17:15.184 --> 00:17:18.987
  • They didn't see everything that was promised.
  • 00:17:18.987 --> 00:17:21.457
  • Abraham saw jesus, but he didn't meet him.
  • 00:17:21.457 --> 00:17:25.694
  • He understood what he would be, but he didn't have the passover
  • 00:17:25.694 --> 00:17:30.466
  • Meal with him.
  • 00:17:30.466 --> 00:17:33.368
  • In matthew 28, it's jesus post-resurrection.
  • 00:17:33.368 --> 00:17:35.904
  • Jesus--jesus after his crucifixion and after his
  • 00:17:35.904 --> 00:17:41.076
  • Resurrection, he meets with his friends and he said,
  • 00:17:41.076 --> 00:17:43.579
  • "all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.
  • 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.781
  • Therefore you go and make disciples of all nations."
  • 00:17:45.781 --> 00:17:48.951
  • Jesus came, he said, to seek and to save those who were lost.
  • 00:17:48.951 --> 00:17:53.956
  • But the completion of that assignment,
  • 00:17:53.956 --> 00:17:55.924
  • He entrusted to the holy spirit and his disciples.
  • 00:17:55.924 --> 00:18:01.630
  • He said, "it's better for you if i go away 'cause i'm gonna
  • 00:18:01.630 --> 00:18:04.166
  • Send--and the father will send another comforter.
  • 00:18:04.166 --> 00:18:07.636
  • There's a lot more you need to know but you can't take it
  • 00:18:07.636 --> 00:18:09.738
  • If i told it to you now."
  • 00:18:09.738 --> 00:18:12.074
  • So even jesus didn't see the fulfillment in his days
  • 00:18:12.074 --> 00:18:15.577
  • On the earth.
  • 00:18:15.577 --> 00:18:17.112
  • He completed his assignment.
  • 00:18:17.112 --> 00:18:20.349
  • And so often, we get so inward-focused,
  • 00:18:20.349 --> 00:18:23.318
  • So self-centered, we wanna see the fulfillment.
  • 00:18:23.318 --> 00:18:29.024
  • Let's begin to say, "lord, i wanna complete my course.
  • 00:18:29.024 --> 00:18:33.395
  • I don't wanna--i want to extend the baton to the generation
  • 00:18:33.395 --> 00:18:35.898
  • Who follows."
  • 00:18:35.898 --> 00:18:38.800
  • I have a memory.
  • 00:18:38.800 --> 00:18:40.135
  • I attended oral roberts university once upon a time,
  • 00:18:40.135 --> 00:18:45.807
  • And when i was there, president roberts was still very much
  • 00:18:45.807 --> 00:18:47.976
  • Involved with the campus and they'd begun some big project
  • 00:18:47.976 --> 00:18:52.047
  • And, for his 60th birthday, we had some gathering.
  • 00:18:52.047 --> 00:18:56.151
  • I remember we were--the whole student body was there.
  • 00:18:56.151 --> 00:18:58.086
  • He stepped out and he said,
  • 00:18:58.086 --> 00:18:59.788
  • "the lord has shown me that your ministry will exceed mine."
  • 00:18:59.788 --> 00:19:04.026
  • And if you knew oral, that was not an easy pill to swallow.
  • 00:19:04.026 --> 00:19:08.030
  • Boy had a vision.
  • 00:19:08.030 --> 00:19:10.332
  • And he smiled for a moment, then he said,
  • 00:19:10.332 --> 00:19:11.934
  • "but i think it'll take more than one of you."
  • 00:19:11.934 --> 00:19:14.069
  • And when i was there, there was nobody imagining i was going
  • 00:19:16.338 --> 00:19:18.640
  • To do ministry.
  • 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:24.046
  • Be nice.
  • 00:19:24.046 --> 00:19:27.983
  • And i look back some years later at the students that were
  • 00:19:27.983 --> 00:19:30.786
  • There with me and what god has done in and through their lives,
  • 00:19:30.786 --> 00:19:34.790
  • And in truth, god has touched more people through
  • 00:19:34.790 --> 00:19:36.925
  • Those students that came through that place.
  • 00:19:36.925 --> 00:19:40.896
  • But that stuck with me and the imagination that what we do is
  • 00:19:40.896 --> 00:19:45.033
  • A small representation of what god will do with the seed
  • 00:19:45.033 --> 00:19:48.136
  • Of our life if we will offer it to him.
  • 00:19:48.136 --> 00:19:52.574
  • The ministry that takes place through this congregation
  • 00:19:52.574 --> 00:19:54.643
  • And the ministries that you represent far exceeds
  • 00:19:54.643 --> 00:19:56.678
  • What any one of us does.
  • 00:19:56.678 --> 00:19:59.481
  • Don't be confused.
  • 00:19:59.481 --> 00:20:00.916
  • Don't be confused.
  • 00:20:02.351 --> 00:20:04.486
  • There's a third principle for stepping out of the crowd and
  • 00:20:04.486 --> 00:20:08.123
  • That's to know that god searches for people in every generation.
  • 00:20:08.123 --> 00:20:12.461
  • Every generation has to speak for itself.
  • 00:20:12.461 --> 00:20:16.098
  • There's any number of chapters of--they say that
  • 00:20:16.098 --> 00:20:17.866
  • The world war ii generation was the greatest generation.
  • 00:20:17.866 --> 00:20:21.470
  • You know, i can point to a number of places in american
  • 00:20:21.470 --> 00:20:24.273
  • History where there have been very decisive choices made
  • 00:20:24.273 --> 00:20:26.575
  • That gave a better future to those who followed.
  • 00:20:26.575 --> 00:20:29.745
  • None of those determined what will follow us.
  • 00:20:29.745 --> 00:20:32.614
  • We will determine that.
  • 00:20:32.614 --> 00:20:34.916
  • What kind of people will we be?
  • 00:20:34.916 --> 00:20:36.618
  • What will our--what will the heritage we leave be?
  • 00:20:36.618 --> 00:20:39.154
  • Will it be a redefinition of marriage and confusion
  • 00:20:39.154 --> 00:20:41.623
  • About biology?
  • 00:20:41.623 --> 00:20:43.091
  • I hope not.
  • 00:20:43.091 --> 00:20:45.327
  • I hope we'll have the courage to step into the public square
  • 00:20:45.327 --> 00:20:47.763
  • And say, "i believe there's a better way."
  • 00:20:47.763 --> 00:20:51.166
  • We've been silent long enough.
  • 00:20:51.166 --> 00:20:52.834
  • We've acted like we didn't notice long enough.
  • 00:20:52.834 --> 00:20:58.440
  • God searches for people in every generation.
  • 00:20:58.440 --> 00:21:00.609
  • 2 chronicles 16: "the eyes of the lord range throughout
  • 00:21:00.609 --> 00:21:03.045
  • The earth to strengthen those whose hearts
  • 00:21:03.045 --> 00:21:05.647
  • Are fully committed to him."
  • 00:21:05.647 --> 00:21:08.583
  • And the reality is the awkward part of this, you know,
  • 00:21:08.583 --> 00:21:10.852
  • You read that and you think,
  • 00:21:10.852 --> 00:21:12.220
  • "oh, in every generation, some--"
  • 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.555
  • No, in every generation, they don't.
  • 00:21:13.555 --> 00:21:16.358
  • In every generation they don't.
  • 00:21:16.358 --> 00:21:18.994
  • Look at ezekiel 22: "i looked for a man among them
  • 00:21:18.994 --> 00:21:21.296
  • Who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap
  • 00:21:21.296 --> 00:21:23.565
  • On behalf of the land so i wouldn't have to destroy it,
  • 00:21:23.565 --> 00:21:26.568
  • But i found none."
  • 00:21:26.568 --> 00:21:30.472
  • Folks, god's judgment is before us as a people.
  • 00:21:30.472 --> 00:21:34.910
  • And the only thing that will bring a different outcome is
  • 00:21:34.910 --> 00:21:37.412
  • A change of heart amongst god's people.
  • 00:21:37.412 --> 00:21:40.615
  • It's not going to be about an election.
  • 00:21:40.615 --> 00:21:43.085
  • It's not about the un or international relationships.
  • 00:21:43.085 --> 00:21:45.654
  • It's you and me and our attitudes towards the lord.
  • 00:21:45.654 --> 00:21:49.057
  • If we can align ourselves with him more completely,
  • 00:21:49.057 --> 00:21:51.727
  • Perhaps god will look upon us with mercy,
  • 00:21:51.727 --> 00:21:54.162
  • Because his eyes are searching the earth for men and women
  • 00:21:54.162 --> 00:21:56.998
  • Whose hearts are fully committed to him.
  • 00:21:56.998 --> 00:21:59.601
  • Let's decide to become those people.
  • 00:21:59.601 --> 00:22:02.304
  • "what would our neighbors say?"
  • 00:22:02.304 --> 00:22:04.039
  • They'll say "thank you" if they have any sense.
  • 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.807
  • And then finally, this stepping out of the crowd thing.
  • 00:22:08.677 --> 00:22:11.380
  • Our assignment doesn't require us to do great things.
  • 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:14.483
  • I would relieve you from that burden.
  • 00:22:14.483 --> 00:22:17.185
  • We don't have to become great influencers,
  • 00:22:17.185 --> 00:22:19.988
  • We don't have to go viral.
  • 00:22:19.988 --> 00:22:22.491
  • We're not required to do great things.
  • 00:22:22.491 --> 00:22:24.693
  • What we're required to do is be faithful to the one
  • 00:22:24.693 --> 00:22:26.828
  • Who can do anything, because our faithfulness is
  • 00:22:26.828 --> 00:22:31.500
  • What is required.
  • 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:33.435
  • And if we will be faithful in the place where god
  • 00:22:33.435 --> 00:22:35.337
  • Has planted us, then god brings about outcomes that are
  • 00:22:35.337 --> 00:22:38.440
  • So extraordinary that with any honesty at all you would say,
  • 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:42.310
  • "only god could have done that."
  • 00:22:42.310 --> 00:22:44.746
  • Lead a life that when someone looks at it they say,
  • 00:22:44.746 --> 00:22:47.616
  • "there had to be an involvement of god.
  • 00:22:47.616 --> 00:22:50.252
  • I met them.
  • 00:22:50.252 --> 00:22:52.821
  • They had a southern accent, they liked cornbread.
  • 00:22:52.821 --> 00:22:57.559
  • Only god could have brought about that outcome."
  • 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:59.828
  • You're absolutely right: only god.
  • 00:22:59.828 --> 00:23:02.030
  • Only god.
  • 00:23:02.697 --> 00:23:04.533
  • So when that voice goes off on the inside of you that says
  • 00:23:04.533 --> 00:23:06.535
  • You're not smart enough, or you're not well enough
  • 00:23:06.535 --> 00:23:08.336
  • Resourced, or you don't know enough people,
  • 00:23:08.336 --> 00:23:10.505
  • Or whatever, you've failed, the accuser is relentless.
  • 00:23:10.505 --> 00:23:15.610
  • And you can respond: "you're absolutely right,
  • 00:23:15.610 --> 00:23:19.147
  • But have i told you about my elder brother?
  • 00:23:19.147 --> 00:23:20.949
  • His name is jesus.
  • 00:23:20.949 --> 00:23:22.918
  • And did you hear about what he did for me?
  • 00:23:22.918 --> 00:23:24.519
  • He shed his blood and, through his blood,
  • 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:26.721
  • I've been justified and, oh, by the way,
  • 00:23:26.721 --> 00:23:28.590
  • It means just as if i'd never sinned.
  • 00:23:28.590 --> 00:23:31.193
  • And through his blood i've been sanctified.
  • 00:23:31.193 --> 00:23:32.994
  • I've been set apart for his eternal purposes.
  • 00:23:32.994 --> 00:23:35.831
  • And because of his shed blood, every claim of satan
  • 00:23:35.831 --> 00:23:39.167
  • Against me has been canceled.
  • 00:23:39.167 --> 00:23:42.437
  • Have i told you that story?
  • 00:23:42.504 --> 00:23:44.473
  • Then, you're right, i'm not that clever.
  • 00:23:46.975 --> 00:23:49.377
  • My education was a little spotty,
  • 00:23:49.377 --> 00:23:51.313
  • And my discipline was a little inconsistent,
  • 00:23:51.313 --> 00:23:54.182
  • But i belong to the king of kings and the lord of lords,
  • 00:23:54.182 --> 00:23:57.519
  • And if i will stay in my space, he'll bring an outcome
  • 00:23:57.519 --> 00:24:00.388
  • That anybody who looks will know that was god.
  • 00:24:00.388 --> 00:24:05.794
  • Just so we're not confused, here's the invitation:
  • 00:24:05.794 --> 00:24:08.430
  • Step out of the crowd.
  • 00:24:08.430 --> 00:24:10.665
  • Stop hiding.
  • 00:24:10.665 --> 00:24:12.367
  • Find your voice, raise your hand, be identified.
  • 00:24:12.367 --> 00:24:19.207
  • It's time, church.
  • 00:24:19.207 --> 00:24:21.643
  • It is time.
  • 00:24:21.643 --> 00:24:24.079
  • I brought you a prayer, and it really--it's not mine.
  • 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:29.017
  • I put the reference in your notes so you would have
  • 00:24:29.017 --> 00:24:30.819
  • No confusion.
  • 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:32.821
  • I borrowed it from romans chapter 11.
  • 00:24:32.821 --> 00:24:34.589
  • It's a doxology, it's a public declaration of the glory of god.
  • 00:24:34.589 --> 00:24:39.394
  • There are very few things you and i can do that
  • 00:24:39.394 --> 00:24:40.996
  • Are more profound than give glory to god.
  • 00:24:40.996 --> 00:24:44.165
  • It's more significant than any request i can make.
  • 00:24:44.165 --> 00:24:48.236
  • Before jesus invited lazarus out of the tomb,
  • 00:24:48.236 --> 00:24:50.939
  • He said, "father, i thank you that you hear my prayers."
  • 00:24:50.939 --> 00:24:54.442
  • He started with an expression of gratitude,
  • 00:24:54.442 --> 00:24:57.445
  • And i think it's an appropriate way for us to bring this session
  • 00:24:57.445 --> 00:25:01.016
  • To a conclusion.
  • 00:25:01.016 --> 00:25:02.918
  • So if you'll stand with me,
  • 00:25:02.918 --> 00:25:04.252
  • I'm gonna ask you to read it with me.
  • 00:25:04.252 --> 00:25:05.854
  • If you're at home, you read it with us too.
  • 00:25:05.854 --> 00:25:08.056
  • We can hear you right through that screen.
  • 00:25:08.056 --> 00:25:11.493
  • Not quite, but god can.
  • 00:25:11.493 --> 00:25:15.430
  • You know, there's a spiritual authority in your words?
  • 00:25:15.430 --> 00:25:18.767
  • Now you can abuse that idea, but there's a truth in it.
  • 00:25:18.767 --> 00:25:22.337
  • In the same way, broccoli is good for you,
  • 00:25:22.337 --> 00:25:26.074
  • But if all you eat is broccoli, that's not good for you.
  • 00:25:26.074 --> 00:25:29.778
  • So you can take any idea and turn it into something
  • 00:25:29.778 --> 00:25:31.880
  • That's harmful, but the truth is there's spiritual authority
  • 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:35.550
  • In your words and we need to begin to use them for good.
  • 00:25:35.550 --> 00:25:40.388
  • This is a prayer you could repeat every day this week
  • 00:25:40.388 --> 00:25:42.223
  • While you're praying for what's happening in the land of israel
  • 00:25:42.223 --> 00:25:45.794
  • And what's happening in our nation.
  • 00:25:45.794 --> 00:25:48.496
  • Let's read it together.
  • 00:25:48.496 --> 00:25:50.231
  • "oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of god!
  • 00:25:50.231 --> 00:25:54.669
  • How unsearchable his judgments,
  • 00:25:54.669 --> 00:25:57.205
  • And his paths beyond tracing out!
  • 00:25:57.205 --> 00:25:59.975
  • Who has known the mind of the lord?
  • 00:25:59.975 --> 00:26:02.744
  • Or who has been his counselor?
  • 00:26:02.744 --> 00:26:05.313
  • Who has ever given to god, that god should repay him?
  • 00:26:05.313 --> 00:26:09.618
  • For from him and through him and to him are all things.
  • 00:26:09.618 --> 00:26:14.923
  • To him be glory forever!
  • 00:26:14.923 --> 00:26:17.659
  • Amen, hallelujah.
  • 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:19.294
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:19.294 --> 00:26:21.529
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:21.529 --> 00:26:25.333
  • Allen: you know, i'm a pastor and i have the privilege of
  • 00:26:27.068 --> 00:26:29.070
  • Serving god's people.
  • 00:26:29.070 --> 00:26:30.438
  • I can tell you from experience, one of the most difficult things
  • 00:26:30.438 --> 00:26:32.774
  • To do is introduce change.
  • 00:26:32.774 --> 00:26:34.643
  • Most of us don't like it.
  • 00:26:34.643 --> 00:26:36.378
  • And i think that's particularly true around holiday seasons.
  • 00:26:36.378 --> 00:26:39.748
  • We have traditions, we have patterns, we have habits.
  • 00:26:39.748 --> 00:26:43.018
  • They're comforting to us, comfortable to us.
  • 00:26:43.018 --> 00:26:46.521
  • Well, i wanna suggest something.
  • 00:26:46.521 --> 00:26:47.889
  • We have created a tool for you this christmas.
  • 00:26:47.889 --> 00:26:50.091
  • It's called, "leading with your faith at christmas."
  • 00:26:50.091 --> 00:26:52.594
  • It's a little book with a 25-day devotional that you can do
  • 00:26:52.594 --> 00:26:55.263
  • Personally, you can do it with your family, you can do it
  • 00:26:55.263 --> 00:26:56.865
  • With coworkers.
  • 00:26:56.865 --> 00:26:58.233
  • There's some recipes.
  • 00:26:58.233 --> 00:26:59.567
  • There's activities.
  • 00:26:59.567 --> 00:27:00.935
  • It's really a guide for you to shape christmas with your faith,
  • 00:27:00.935 --> 00:27:05.106
  • But it means i'm asking you to do something different, to
  • 00:27:05.106 --> 00:27:07.709
  • Introduce change, and i know that's not easy.
  • 00:27:07.709 --> 00:27:10.879
  • But it's time for us to stop raging against the darkness.
  • 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:13.581
  • Folks, let's turn up the light.
  • 00:27:13.581 --> 00:27:15.417
  • I believe, "leading with your faith at christmas," is a tool
  • 00:27:15.417 --> 00:27:18.253
  • That will help you be a better light for jesus in the midst of
  • 00:27:18.253 --> 00:27:21.656
  • This christmas season, and that's worthwhile.
  • 00:27:21.656 --> 00:27:24.592
  • Enjoy the book and merry christmas.
  • 00:27:24.592 --> 00:27:27.262
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:27.262 --> 00:27:27.262