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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Lions and Lambs (Part 1)

September 13, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Lions and Lambs (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Blessing #Study #Attitude #Community #Belief #Responsibility #Accountability #Socialism #Government

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Lions and Lambs (Part 1) | September 13, 2025
  • Allen jackson: hey, i've got a new book.
  • 00:00:06.922 --> 00:00:08.157
  • I think it'll be a blessing, it's "my friend jesus."
  • 00:00:08.290 --> 00:00:10.893
  • You know, i've had the privilege of a good education,
  • 00:00:10.993 --> 00:00:13.462
  • A lot of formal training, years in church world,
  • 00:00:13.595 --> 00:00:14.463
  • I've learned big words and definitions
  • 00:00:15.697 --> 00:00:17.666
  • And formal dialogues.
  • 00:00:17.666 --> 00:00:19.601
  • I'm going to peel all that back.
  • 00:00:19.601 --> 00:00:20.936
  • At the end of the day i want to live my life as jesus's friend.
  • 00:00:20.936 --> 00:00:24.339
  • I want to trust him with who i am, with what i'm doing.
  • 00:00:24.339 --> 00:00:26.475
  • I want to invite him into the circumstances,
  • 00:00:26.475 --> 00:00:28.343
  • I want his opinion, i want his perspective,
  • 00:00:28.343 --> 00:00:30.746
  • I need his help a lot of times.
  • 00:00:30.746 --> 00:00:32.581
  • I'm not trying to hide anything or compartmentalize anything.
  • 00:00:32.581 --> 00:00:35.717
  • I want to live my life as jesus's friend.
  • 00:00:35.717 --> 00:00:38.387
  • I've talked about it, i've preached about it,
  • 00:00:38.387 --> 00:00:40.289
  • And now i've written about it.
  • 00:00:40.289 --> 00:00:41.957
  • And the real goal is to help jesus become your friend
  • 00:00:41.957 --> 00:00:44.693
  • In a new way.
  • 00:00:44.693 --> 00:00:46.361
  • I want to talk about more than going to heaven, or being saved,
  • 00:00:46.361 --> 00:00:48.597
  • Or being good, or keeping the rules.
  • 00:00:48.597 --> 00:00:51.433
  • I just want to be jesus's friend.
  • 00:00:51.433 --> 00:00:53.735
  • I believe that's the best lane in life.
  • 00:00:53.735 --> 00:00:56.004
  • I think it's the best opportunities.
  • 00:00:56.004 --> 00:00:57.439
  • It's the most fulfilling and the most rewarding.
  • 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:00.142
  • My hope is the book will change your faith
  • 00:01:00.142 --> 00:01:02.778
  • And give a new momentum to your own spiritual life.
  • 00:01:02.778 --> 00:01:05.714
  • I believe it'll be a blessing.
  • 00:01:05.714 --> 00:01:07.983
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:08.050 --> 00:01:13.655
  • Allen: i want to begin a new study with you under the title
  • 00:01:13.655 --> 00:01:17.359
  • Of "lions & lambs."
  • 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:21.663
  • Two very different positions on the food chain, but they impact
  • 00:01:21.730 --> 00:01:27.769
  • Our lives in some dramatic ways.
  • 00:01:27.769 --> 00:01:31.440
  • It'll take us a few sessions, god willing, i think, to walk
  • 00:01:31.440 --> 00:01:34.143
  • Through it.
  • 00:01:34.143 --> 00:01:35.511
  • At the heart of it are the realities, the spiritual forces,
  • 00:01:35.511 --> 00:01:37.880
  • That shape our days and our destiny.
  • 00:01:37.880 --> 00:01:40.516
  • And i think we've lived in if not ignorance, indifference, to
  • 00:01:40.516 --> 00:01:45.020
  • Those things for far too long.
  • 00:01:45.020 --> 00:01:47.389
  • But i'll start in acts chapter 20.
  • 00:01:47.389 --> 00:01:50.092
  • It's a part of paul's message to the leaders in the church
  • 00:01:50.092 --> 00:01:52.594
  • At ephesus.
  • 00:01:52.594 --> 00:01:53.962
  • He'd spent a great deal of time there and he has a passing visit
  • 00:01:53.962 --> 00:01:57.166
  • With them and he's actually saying goodbye to them and he
  • 00:01:57.166 --> 00:01:59.234
  • Gives them a message, a parting message.
  • 00:01:59.234 --> 00:02:02.371
  • But it's really wrapped up in this notion that there's false
  • 00:02:02.371 --> 00:02:04.907
  • Gospels that ravage the body of christ.
  • 00:02:04.907 --> 00:02:07.576
  • It was true in the 1st century, and i assure you it's true in
  • 00:02:07.576 --> 00:02:10.212
  • The 21st century.
  • 00:02:10.212 --> 00:02:11.947
  • I don't say that to frighten you because i don't think it need
  • 00:02:11.947 --> 00:02:14.850
  • Be frightening.
  • 00:02:14.850 --> 00:02:16.185
  • I say that so that we're aware.
  • 00:02:16.185 --> 00:02:19.288
  • Every building that has a label that says church doesn't honor
  • 00:02:19.288 --> 00:02:22.391
  • Jesus of nazareth as lord and embrace a biblical worldview.
  • 00:02:22.391 --> 00:02:25.994
  • Every group of people that say a prayer or sing a chorus that you
  • 00:02:25.994 --> 00:02:29.097
  • May recognize as christian music, don't honor jesus of
  • 00:02:29.097 --> 00:02:32.134
  • Nazareth as lord and christ.
  • 00:02:32.134 --> 00:02:35.704
  • That landscape has changed dramatically and it's changed
  • 00:02:35.704 --> 00:02:38.073
  • More dramatically in the last few years than i've ever seen it
  • 00:02:38.073 --> 00:02:40.309
  • In my lifetime.
  • 00:02:40.309 --> 00:02:41.944
  • I don't think that's frightening.
  • 00:02:41.944 --> 00:02:43.312
  • I think it's an opportunity.
  • 00:02:43.312 --> 00:02:44.646
  • God's moving in the earth.
  • 00:02:44.646 --> 00:02:45.981
  • He's preparing a people for himself.
  • 00:02:45.981 --> 00:02:47.349
  • I wanna be a part of that.
  • 00:02:47.349 --> 00:02:48.784
  • But we're gonna have to be better informed.
  • 00:02:48.784 --> 00:02:50.786
  • We're gonna have to be more aware.
  • 00:02:50.786 --> 00:02:52.888
  • We can't simply choose labels any longer, we'll have to
  • 00:02:52.888 --> 00:02:55.224
  • Pay attention.
  • 00:02:55.224 --> 00:02:57.526
  • So acts chapter 20 and verse 28, the instructions that were given
  • 00:02:57.526 --> 00:03:00.395
  • To a church: "keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of
  • 00:03:00.395 --> 00:03:03.999
  • Which the holy spirit has made you overseers.
  • 00:03:03.999 --> 00:03:06.702
  • Be shepherds of the church of god, which he bought with his
  • 00:03:06.702 --> 00:03:09.137
  • Own blood."
  • 00:03:09.137 --> 00:03:10.472
  • That's the essence, right?
  • 00:03:10.472 --> 00:03:12.641
  • It's through the blood of jesus that we're included in the
  • 00:03:12.641 --> 00:03:14.610
  • Kingdom of god.
  • 00:03:14.610 --> 00:03:16.311
  • It's not because we joined the right denomination or we have
  • 00:03:16.311 --> 00:03:19.514
  • The right worship style or music style or communion date or color
  • 00:03:19.514 --> 00:03:22.918
  • For our communion juice or translation of the bible.
  • 00:03:22.918 --> 00:03:25.654
  • It's through the blood of jesus.
  • 00:03:25.654 --> 00:03:27.122
  • If you imagine something other than the blood of jesus
  • 00:03:27.122 --> 00:03:29.958
  • Nominated you to the kingdom of god, you're deceived.
  • 00:03:29.958 --> 00:03:34.129
  • It's a simple reminder, but don't lose sight of it.
  • 00:03:34.129 --> 00:03:36.565
  • It will help you in the seasons ahead.
  • 00:03:36.565 --> 00:03:39.534
  • "which he bought with his own blood.
  • 00:03:39.534 --> 00:03:41.169
  • I know that after i leave, savage wolves will come in among
  • 00:03:41.169 --> 00:03:46.275
  • You and will not spare the flock.
  • 00:03:46.275 --> 00:03:49.344
  • Even from your own number, men will arise and distort the truth
  • 00:03:49.344 --> 00:03:52.781
  • In order to draw away disciples after them.
  • 00:03:52.781 --> 00:03:56.585
  • So be on your guard!
  • 00:03:56.585 --> 00:03:58.553
  • Remember that for three years i never stopped warning each of
  • 00:03:58.553 --> 00:04:01.390
  • You night and day with tears."
  • 00:04:01.390 --> 00:04:03.992
  • Not the happiest of passages, but it's important.
  • 00:04:03.992 --> 00:04:09.131
  • A group of people that paul has helped shepherd into the kingdom
  • 00:04:09.131 --> 00:04:12.401
  • Of god, a community that he's been very instrumental in seeing
  • 00:04:12.401 --> 00:04:15.137
  • Form, and he says, "i'm not gonna see you again, and i know
  • 00:04:15.137 --> 00:04:18.206
  • That after i leave, savage wolves will come in among you
  • 00:04:18.206 --> 00:04:22.044
  • And will not spare the flock."
  • 00:04:22.044 --> 00:04:26.648
  • It's not hypothetical, it's a statement of certainty.
  • 00:04:26.648 --> 00:04:30.452
  • By this point in his journey, he has a good bit of experience.
  • 00:04:30.452 --> 00:04:35.424
  • And he's giving them, it's i suppose you could call it a
  • 00:04:35.424 --> 00:04:38.093
  • Prophetic statement, but don't make it mystical.
  • 00:04:38.093 --> 00:04:40.996
  • He's telling them what their future is going to be, and he
  • 00:04:40.996 --> 00:04:43.231
  • Said, "even from your own number, from those whose names
  • 00:04:43.231 --> 00:04:46.301
  • You know, whose tables you have shared, whose children you've
  • 00:04:46.301 --> 00:04:49.271
  • Interacted with, from that community, men will arise and
  • 00:04:49.271 --> 00:04:53.675
  • Distort the truth with an objective.
  • 00:04:53.675 --> 00:04:56.478
  • They want to pull away followers for themselves.
  • 00:04:56.478 --> 00:04:58.447
  • They will practice deception and distortion.
  • 00:04:58.447 --> 00:05:01.116
  • They'll bring disruption."
  • 00:05:01.116 --> 00:05:02.517
  • And this is his counsel: "so be on your guard.
  • 00:05:05.987 --> 00:05:09.925
  • I've never stopped warning you day and night."
  • 00:05:09.925 --> 00:05:12.961
  • We're gonna have to be more astute consumers, folks.
  • 00:05:12.961 --> 00:05:16.698
  • "well, i don't know why everybody in the body of christ
  • 00:05:16.698 --> 00:05:18.734
  • Can't just be nice."
  • 00:05:18.734 --> 00:05:21.670
  • Well, i mean, i suppose i could say because the devil exists.
  • 00:05:21.670 --> 00:05:25.107
  • But perhaps it's just simpler to say we've been cautioned in
  • 00:05:25.107 --> 00:05:27.476
  • Scripture that that's not the truth.
  • 00:05:27.476 --> 00:05:31.246
  • Jesus was tortured to death in jerusalem, the city from which
  • 00:05:31.246 --> 00:05:35.550
  • He will rule and reign in the earth.
  • 00:05:35.550 --> 00:05:38.320
  • So why would we imagine that everybody that sits in a
  • 00:05:38.320 --> 00:05:40.422
  • Christian church or carries a bible or uses christian language
  • 00:05:40.422 --> 00:05:43.892
  • Will treat you with integrity?
  • 00:05:43.892 --> 00:05:47.562
  • It's a myth.
  • 00:05:47.562 --> 00:05:48.997
  • "well, it's so disappointing."
  • 00:05:48.997 --> 00:05:50.365
  • Okay, so you're disappointed.
  • 00:05:50.365 --> 00:05:51.700
  • Can we move on now?
  • 00:05:51.700 --> 00:05:53.935
  • "well, i don't like it."
  • 00:05:53.935 --> 00:05:55.303
  • Okay, noted.
  • 00:05:55.303 --> 00:05:59.674
  • I don't like the fact that oreos make me fat.
  • 00:05:59.741 --> 00:06:04.579
  • You know, i wish some credible health organization would come
  • 00:06:04.579 --> 00:06:07.349
  • Up with some amazing discovery that oreos, chased by a pint of
  • 00:06:07.349 --> 00:06:11.086
  • Ice cream, would cause muscle growth.
  • 00:06:11.086 --> 00:06:13.555
  • But absent that, i'll eat chicken and broccoli.
  • 00:06:17.592 --> 00:06:21.730
  • And sometimes we spend way too much energy lamenting, and we
  • 00:06:21.730 --> 00:06:26.501
  • Allow it to blunt our momentum.
  • 00:06:26.501 --> 00:06:29.571
  • We get discouraged or disappointed or we get our
  • 00:06:29.571 --> 00:06:31.973
  • Feelings hurt or we--or something and so we
  • 00:06:31.973 --> 00:06:34.509
  • Sideline ourselves.
  • 00:06:34.509 --> 00:06:36.011
  • I'm imploring you not to do that.
  • 00:06:36.011 --> 00:06:38.280
  • Savage wolves are a part of the journey.
  • 00:06:38.280 --> 00:06:40.515
  • "well, well, well--" it's in the book!
  • 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:47.055
  • I could take you to many places.
  • 00:06:47.055 --> 00:06:49.424
  • It's not some isolated thing.
  • 00:06:49.424 --> 00:06:53.295
  • By the time paul gets to the end of his--the journey in the new
  • 00:06:53.295 --> 00:06:55.764
  • Testament, he's locked in a roman prison, and the churches
  • 00:06:55.764 --> 00:06:57.866
  • He spent his life establishing, they're all hanging by a thread.
  • 00:06:57.866 --> 00:07:04.072
  • But it's the thread of the holy spirit.
  • 00:07:04.072 --> 00:07:07.342
  • And we're 2 millennia on the other side and the empire that
  • 00:07:07.342 --> 00:07:09.744
  • Was putting so much pressure on him is gone and the church is
  • 00:07:09.744 --> 00:07:12.747
  • Still flourishing.
  • 00:07:12.747 --> 00:07:16.284
  • But it should inform our own journey.
  • 00:07:16.284 --> 00:07:18.220
  • We're going to face some challenges, some threats, some
  • 00:07:18.220 --> 00:07:21.256
  • Predatory behavior.
  • 00:07:21.256 --> 00:07:24.626
  • Galatians chapter 1, another church that paul was very
  • 00:07:24.626 --> 00:07:27.128
  • Instrumental in fashioning.
  • 00:07:27.128 --> 00:07:29.831
  • He said, "i'm astonished that you are so quickly deserting the
  • 00:07:29.831 --> 00:07:33.301
  • One who called you by the grace of christ and are turning to a
  • 00:07:33.301 --> 00:07:36.037
  • Different gospel, which is really no gospel at all.
  • 00:07:36.037 --> 00:07:40.709
  • Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and
  • 00:07:40.709 --> 00:07:43.445
  • Are trying to pervert the gospel of christ."
  • 00:07:43.445 --> 00:07:46.147
  • Isn't that what it sounds like he said was gonna happen to the
  • 00:07:46.147 --> 00:07:48.149
  • Ephesian believers?
  • 00:07:48.149 --> 00:07:51.119
  • "but even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel
  • 00:07:51.119 --> 00:07:54.356
  • Other than the one we preach to you, let him be
  • 00:07:54.356 --> 00:07:56.591
  • Eternally condemned!"
  • 00:07:56.591 --> 00:07:59.628
  • "well, paul's not being polite.
  • 00:07:59.628 --> 00:08:01.429
  • He is very unkind."
  • 00:08:04.599 --> 00:08:07.903
  • If someone preaches the gospel other than the one i gave to
  • 00:08:07.903 --> 00:08:10.572
  • You, i hope he's condemned forever.
  • 00:08:10.572 --> 00:08:16.144
  • ♪ kumbaya my lord. ♪♪
  • 00:08:16.144 --> 00:08:21.049
  • It's not unique there.
  • 00:08:21.049 --> 00:08:23.285
  • In 2 corinthians, another church paul's been very
  • 00:08:23.285 --> 00:08:26.187
  • Instrumental in.
  • 00:08:26.187 --> 00:08:27.556
  • "if someone comes to you and preaches a jesus other than the
  • 00:08:27.556 --> 00:08:30.091
  • Jesus we preached, or if you received a different spirit from
  • 00:08:30.091 --> 00:08:33.328
  • The one you received, or a different gospel, the one you
  • 00:08:33.328 --> 00:08:35.964
  • Accepted, you put up with it easily enough."
  • 00:08:35.964 --> 00:08:40.435
  • There's a group rolled into corinth and they've labeled
  • 00:08:40.435 --> 00:08:42.470
  • Themselves super apostles.
  • 00:08:42.470 --> 00:08:45.907
  • You know, paul, he's just an old ordinary apostle.
  • 00:08:45.907 --> 00:08:49.511
  • But they have a new version, upgraded, new and improved, 2.0
  • 00:08:49.511 --> 00:08:53.882
  • Apostles, super apostles.
  • 00:08:53.882 --> 00:08:56.618
  • It's in the text.
  • 00:08:56.618 --> 00:08:57.953
  • I mean, a little bit embellished, but it's in
  • 00:08:57.953 --> 00:08:59.321
  • The text.
  • 00:08:59.321 --> 00:09:01.022
  • And paul said, you know, excuse me, i didn't come with the super
  • 00:09:01.022 --> 00:09:04.559
  • Apostle stamp.
  • 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:07.562
  • And you tolerate the deception easily enough.
  • 00:09:07.562 --> 00:09:11.433
  • Take a moment with it because we're living in a time when
  • 00:09:11.433 --> 00:09:14.169
  • There are many versions of the gospel that are flourishing
  • 00:09:14.169 --> 00:09:16.671
  • Amongst us.
  • 00:09:16.671 --> 00:09:19.007
  • I don't mean just in our community, but i mean broadly
  • 00:09:19.007 --> 00:09:22.444
  • Around us.
  • 00:09:22.444 --> 00:09:23.812
  • It doesn't take much discernment.
  • 00:09:23.812 --> 00:09:25.480
  • There's a great deal of disorientation.
  • 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:27.248
  • We--i hear people say, "well, you know, i don't read the
  • 00:09:27.248 --> 00:09:29.150
  • Old testament.
  • 00:09:29.150 --> 00:09:30.485
  • God's so harsh."
  • 00:09:30.485 --> 00:09:32.487
  • What, do you think he got therapy after malachi?
  • 00:09:32.487 --> 00:09:36.758
  • Did you pay attention to the gospels and what was required of
  • 00:09:36.758 --> 00:09:39.394
  • Jesus in order for you and i to make our way into the kingdom?
  • 00:09:39.394 --> 00:09:42.731
  • It makes the old testament look rather light.
  • 00:09:42.731 --> 00:09:46.067
  • Have you read the book of revelation?
  • 00:09:46.067 --> 00:09:47.402
  • That's our lord and king coming back in there as a triumphant
  • 00:09:47.402 --> 00:09:50.972
  • King leading the armies of the angels.
  • 00:09:50.972 --> 00:09:56.277
  • There's a lot of versions of the gospel around these days, kind
  • 00:09:56.277 --> 00:09:58.613
  • Of a social gospel that we want to be social reformers,
  • 00:09:58.613 --> 00:10:01.216
  • Social justice.
  • 00:10:01.216 --> 00:10:03.451
  • We don't like to talk about sin, so off-putting.
  • 00:10:03.451 --> 00:10:08.456
  • You know, we just, we're gonna love everybody.
  • 00:10:08.456 --> 00:10:11.126
  • We don't want to be judgy.
  • 00:10:11.126 --> 00:10:14.029
  • Well, that's odd because our lord is the judge of all the
  • 00:10:14.029 --> 00:10:16.798
  • Earth and he tells us we will all give an account to him, that
  • 00:10:16.798 --> 00:10:19.300
  • We will stand before him as judge.
  • 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:23.171
  • You're not a very good friend if you don't help those that you
  • 00:10:23.171 --> 00:10:25.907
  • Care about and interact with to be prepared to stand before
  • 00:10:25.907 --> 00:10:28.510
  • The judge.
  • 00:10:28.510 --> 00:10:31.980
  • Like, you're no friend at all.
  • 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:36.017
  • That gospel is very prevalent.
  • 00:10:36.017 --> 00:10:38.119
  • There's the gospel of comfort and convenience.
  • 00:10:38.119 --> 00:10:40.622
  • Ah, this one's fashionable too.
  • 00:10:40.622 --> 00:10:44.392
  • You know, we need our faith to make our lives easier, the
  • 00:10:44.392 --> 00:10:47.362
  • Labels in our clothing better, to upgrade our vehicle, get our
  • 00:10:47.362 --> 00:10:49.898
  • Kids in a better school.
  • 00:10:49.898 --> 00:10:52.901
  • I'm not opposed to any of those things.
  • 00:10:52.901 --> 00:10:56.037
  • But i don't believe that was the purpose of the redemptive work
  • 00:10:56.037 --> 00:10:58.106
  • Of jesus.
  • 00:10:58.106 --> 00:11:00.241
  • And i'm quite certain you can't evaluate spirituality based on
  • 00:11:00.241 --> 00:11:05.113
  • Balance sheets.
  • 00:11:05.113 --> 00:11:07.916
  • I'm quite certain there's some very godly people in ukraine
  • 00:11:07.916 --> 00:11:10.418
  • Today separated from their homes and what their families may have
  • 00:11:10.418 --> 00:11:14.322
  • Spent generations protecting.
  • 00:11:14.322 --> 00:11:17.492
  • And it's not unique to ukraine.
  • 00:11:17.492 --> 00:11:19.360
  • It's all over the world.
  • 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:23.665
  • Allen: hey, i've written a new book.
  • 00:11:27.502 --> 00:11:28.970
  • It's called "my friend jesus."
  • 00:11:28.970 --> 00:11:30.772
  • You know, i'm a pastor--a lot of ritual,
  • 00:11:30.772 --> 00:11:32.841
  • Tradition, a lot of formality in the way we know god.
  • 00:11:32.841 --> 00:11:36.244
  • It's not bad.
  • 00:11:36.244 --> 00:11:37.579
  • There's some good things in that,
  • 00:11:37.579 --> 00:11:38.980
  • But when i'm in real trouble or i have something i wanna
  • 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.915
  • Celebrate, i call a friend.
  • 00:11:40.915 --> 00:11:43.051
  • Well, i wanna live my life with jesus of nazareth as my friend.
  • 00:11:43.051 --> 00:11:46.454
  • It changes everything in both celebration
  • 00:11:46.454 --> 00:11:49.290
  • And when there's a problem.
  • 00:11:49.290 --> 00:11:50.625
  • Wrote the book to help.
  • 00:11:50.625 --> 00:11:51.960
  • I think it'll open your life to god in a more personal,
  • 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:54.395
  • Transformational way than ever before.
  • 00:11:54.395 --> 00:11:57.165
  • Enjoy the book.
  • 00:11:57.165 --> 00:11:58.500
  • Female announcer: in his book,
  • 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.834
  • "my friend jesus," pastor allen shares how friendship with jesus
  • 00:11:59.834 --> 00:12:02.370
  • Brings clarity, strength, and peace in every part of life.
  • 00:12:02.370 --> 00:12:06.241
  • This isn't about following a religion or religious rules.
  • 00:12:06.241 --> 00:12:09.611
  • It's about cultivating a cherished relationship that will
  • 00:12:09.611 --> 00:12:12.113
  • Help your faith become more personal,
  • 00:12:12.113 --> 00:12:14.449
  • More joyful, and more powerful each day.
  • 00:12:14.449 --> 00:12:17.318
  • Request "my friend jesus" with your donation of $25 or more
  • 00:12:17.318 --> 00:12:21.156
  • Today at allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:12:21.156 --> 00:12:27.762
  • Allen: there's another gospel that's taken root.
  • 00:12:27.829 --> 00:12:29.564
  • It's flourished in american academia.
  • 00:12:29.564 --> 00:12:32.767
  • It's been there for decades.
  • 00:12:32.767 --> 00:12:34.102
  • It's--when i was in theology school, it was very prominent,
  • 00:12:34.102 --> 00:12:37.839
  • Very prevalent.
  • 00:12:37.839 --> 00:12:39.174
  • It was so bizarre, i thought it'll never influence culture,
  • 00:12:39.174 --> 00:12:41.142
  • And now it's become one of the defining voices of just
  • 00:12:41.142 --> 00:12:43.478
  • Secular culture.
  • 00:12:43.478 --> 00:12:46.347
  • It really started with a liberation theology, or a
  • 00:12:46.347 --> 00:12:48.850
  • Marxist gospel.
  • 00:12:48.850 --> 00:12:52.420
  • Not just socialist; marxist.
  • 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:56.925
  • They replaced jesus with equity and all sorts of good-meaning
  • 00:12:56.925 --> 00:13:05.400
  • Things, but they deny that in human--that every human life
  • 00:13:05.400 --> 00:13:09.771
  • Needs transformed.
  • 00:13:09.771 --> 00:13:11.472
  • Folks, we are not inherently good.
  • 00:13:11.472 --> 00:13:16.578
  • We don't have to have classes in school to teach our kids how to
  • 00:13:16.578 --> 00:13:19.714
  • Lie, cheat, and steal.
  • 00:13:19.714 --> 00:13:21.182
  • They can arrive at that.
  • 00:13:21.182 --> 00:13:24.085
  • Come on, i did not just call your little johnny.
  • 00:13:24.085 --> 00:13:28.890
  • I'll get to it, but i didn't do it yet.
  • 00:13:28.890 --> 00:13:33.461
  • We have to be transformed and that takes the power of a
  • 00:13:33.461 --> 00:13:36.497
  • Living christ.
  • 00:13:36.497 --> 00:13:38.766
  • And the only group prepared to deliver that message to humanity
  • 00:13:38.766 --> 00:13:42.203
  • Is the church.
  • 00:13:42.203 --> 00:13:44.372
  • And it requires us to have a clarity and an understanding to
  • 00:13:44.372 --> 00:13:47.742
  • Invest the energy and the time and the awareness to understand
  • 00:13:47.742 --> 00:13:51.012
  • What not only the scripture has said, but what's happening in
  • 00:13:51.012 --> 00:13:53.815
  • The culture around us.
  • 00:13:53.815 --> 00:13:56.317
  • And i'm not talking about this congregation, but under what we
  • 00:13:56.317 --> 00:14:00.455
  • Think of as the institutional church.
  • 00:14:00.455 --> 00:14:03.157
  • We can see it in many ways.
  • 00:14:03.157 --> 00:14:04.525
  • We just watched a video.
  • 00:14:04.525 --> 00:14:05.894
  • There's a war in ukraine which was preventable.
  • 00:14:05.894 --> 00:14:09.264
  • It was not a necessity.
  • 00:14:09.264 --> 00:14:11.866
  • It's cost more than a million lives and untold suffering.
  • 00:14:11.866 --> 00:14:16.104
  • Civilians and civilian population centers have
  • 00:14:16.104 --> 00:14:19.974
  • Consistently been the targets of attack.
  • 00:14:19.974 --> 00:14:23.645
  • Our current administration is working, searching for
  • 00:14:23.645 --> 00:14:26.147
  • A conclusion.
  • 00:14:26.147 --> 00:14:28.249
  • But if you're not paying much attention, the legacy media and
  • 00:14:28.249 --> 00:14:31.052
  • Political opponents are feverishly seeking to discredit
  • 00:14:31.052 --> 00:14:33.655
  • Any attempt to bring a resolution to the conflict.
  • 00:14:33.655 --> 00:14:38.893
  • The church has a role to play.
  • 00:14:38.893 --> 00:14:41.296
  • We're advocates for the prince of peace.
  • 00:14:41.296 --> 00:14:44.732
  • We don't stop there.
  • 00:14:44.732 --> 00:14:46.067
  • For many years in this nation we've endured an open border
  • 00:14:46.067 --> 00:14:48.536
  • Policy with millions of people flooding into our country
  • 00:14:48.536 --> 00:14:51.506
  • Illegally, while those in authority have repeatedly told
  • 00:14:51.506 --> 00:14:54.909
  • Us without shame or embarrassment or flinching that
  • 00:14:54.909 --> 00:14:57.946
  • Our border is secure.
  • 00:14:57.946 --> 00:14:59.480
  • Don't believe your lying eyes.
  • 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:03.818
  • And now there are attempts being made to remove people who are
  • 00:15:03.818 --> 00:15:06.421
  • Here illegally who are criminals.
  • 00:15:06.421 --> 00:15:10.258
  • Not just because of their border crossing; because they have
  • 00:15:10.258 --> 00:15:12.794
  • Broken our laws.
  • 00:15:12.794 --> 00:15:15.029
  • And that effort is being widely resisted, placing our
  • 00:15:15.029 --> 00:15:17.832
  • Communities and our law enforcement personnel in
  • 00:15:17.832 --> 00:15:19.867
  • Tremendous danger.
  • 00:15:19.867 --> 00:15:22.370
  • And we stay quiet.
  • 00:15:22.370 --> 00:15:25.373
  • It's just easier not to notice.
  • 00:15:25.373 --> 00:15:29.110
  • Different gospels are almost everywhere.
  • 00:15:29.110 --> 00:15:33.982
  • The nfl, a very powerful institution in our nation, most
  • 00:15:33.982 --> 00:15:39.721
  • Powerful of the professional sports franchises.
  • 00:15:39.721 --> 00:15:43.591
  • One of their teams, the minnesota vikings, have selected
  • 00:15:43.591 --> 00:15:45.960
  • This year male cheerleaders to perform the same dance moves as
  • 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:49.097
  • The women.
  • 00:15:49.097 --> 00:15:50.832
  • Not just men to lead cheers, but to do the same things the women
  • 00:15:50.832 --> 00:15:54.335
  • Are doing.
  • 00:15:54.335 --> 00:15:55.670
  • And if we missed that, if we were looking past it, they're
  • 00:15:55.670 --> 00:15:58.573
  • Posting promotional videos of that group in a women's restroom
  • 00:15:58.573 --> 00:16:03.144
  • With both the female and male cheerleaders.
  • 00:16:03.144 --> 00:16:08.483
  • That would be the national football league using their
  • 00:16:08.483 --> 00:16:12.587
  • Multi-billion dollar platform to try to dictate social behavior.
  • 00:16:12.587 --> 00:16:18.693
  • I don't know if you're paying attention or not, but
  • 00:16:22.797 --> 00:16:24.298
  • Washington, dc, has gone 7 days without a murder.
  • 00:16:24.298 --> 00:16:27.969
  • That's a celebratory event.
  • 00:16:27.969 --> 00:16:29.837
  • But rather than celebrate the restoration of order, many
  • 00:16:34.008 --> 00:16:36.544
  • Voices complain that the president's trying to take over.
  • 00:16:36.544 --> 00:16:41.849
  • I visit dc from time to time, a city that's lived with too much
  • 00:16:41.849 --> 00:16:44.986
  • Chaos and violence.
  • 00:16:44.986 --> 00:16:48.189
  • Acknowledges that they've reclassified crimes to make them
  • 00:16:48.189 --> 00:16:50.892
  • Seem less violent.
  • 00:16:50.892 --> 00:16:52.226
  • They have underreported violent crimes to pretend the city
  • 00:16:52.226 --> 00:16:54.328
  • Was safe.
  • 00:16:54.328 --> 00:16:56.964
  • And rather than say thank you, they prefer political rhetoric
  • 00:16:56.964 --> 00:16:59.834
  • And personal attacks.
  • 00:16:59.834 --> 00:17:02.070
  • I think this is relevant to us and it's on point with this
  • 00:17:02.070 --> 00:17:04.739
  • Notion of the gospel and lions and lambs because under the
  • 00:17:04.739 --> 00:17:07.942
  • Guise of christianity, a false gospel has flourished.
  • 00:17:07.942 --> 00:17:13.181
  • You see, jesus or a biblical worldview have been frequently
  • 00:17:13.181 --> 00:17:16.717
  • Unwelcome or pointedly removed.
  • 00:17:16.717 --> 00:17:19.754
  • And i trust that you understand the gospel, a message of good
  • 00:17:19.754 --> 00:17:23.157
  • News, absent the lord--of jesus of nazareth, and a biblical
  • 00:17:23.157 --> 00:17:27.028
  • Worldview is, by definition, a false gospel.
  • 00:17:27.028 --> 00:17:31.632
  • Messages of compassion and inclusivity have emerged as
  • 00:17:31.632 --> 00:17:34.936
  • Essential messages from pulpits, from christian schools, from
  • 00:17:34.936 --> 00:17:38.306
  • Universities, from theological centers as well as corporate
  • 00:17:38.306 --> 00:17:41.976
  • Boardrooms, from our civic organizations, from our own
  • 00:17:41.976 --> 00:17:45.880
  • Government, from professional sports leagues, it's been a
  • 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:49.417
  • Cultural tsunami.
  • 00:17:49.417 --> 00:17:50.985
  • I would remind you that advocacy and institutional support for
  • 00:17:54.655 --> 00:17:58.593
  • Dei, diversity equity inclusion, or insistence on normalizing the
  • 00:17:58.593 --> 00:18:04.432
  • Lgbtq2i community they've been presented to us as expressions
  • 00:18:04.432 --> 00:18:12.974
  • Of compassion and kindness.
  • 00:18:12.974 --> 00:18:14.942
  • We're told we should express tolerance for sexual immorality;
  • 00:18:14.942 --> 00:18:18.913
  • In biblical language: adultery and fornication.
  • 00:18:18.913 --> 00:18:22.250
  • They're so widespread amongst those who imagine themselves
  • 00:18:22.250 --> 00:18:24.752
  • Christians that it's hardly noticeable anymore.
  • 00:18:24.752 --> 00:18:28.456
  • We're told that it's christian charity for us to welcome
  • 00:18:28.456 --> 00:18:32.927
  • Illegal aliens in our nation.
  • 00:18:32.927 --> 00:18:37.198
  • That we should come alongside the immoral or the lawless.
  • 00:18:37.198 --> 00:18:42.069
  • The christians are much less frequently reminded of their
  • 00:18:42.069 --> 00:18:44.205
  • Responsibility to transform culture and to not be
  • 00:18:44.205 --> 00:18:47.441
  • Transformed by the spirit of this age.
  • 00:18:47.441 --> 00:18:50.645
  • We're not here to be passive and gather in our buildings and sing
  • 00:18:50.645 --> 00:18:53.147
  • Our choruses.
  • 00:18:53.147 --> 00:18:54.515
  • We're here to impact culture with the truth of the gospel of
  • 00:18:54.515 --> 00:18:57.718
  • Jesus christ.
  • 00:18:57.718 --> 00:19:00.121
  • I would submit to you that it's not compassion to encourage
  • 00:19:00.121 --> 00:19:03.257
  • People to pursue pathways that are illegal or ungodly.
  • 00:19:03.257 --> 00:19:08.329
  • God is merciful and just.
  • 00:19:08.329 --> 00:19:10.464
  • That is true, but to promote ungodliness by refusing to tell
  • 00:19:10.464 --> 00:19:14.235
  • The truth to those practicing rebellion against god is to
  • 00:19:14.235 --> 00:19:17.538
  • Abandon others to destruction, and we're not given
  • 00:19:17.538 --> 00:19:21.209
  • That license.
  • 00:19:21.209 --> 00:19:22.977
  • If in seeking to avoid the awkward conversations that could
  • 00:19:22.977 --> 00:19:26.147
  • Emerge or to forfeit social opportunity or because of a fear
  • 00:19:26.147 --> 00:19:29.884
  • Of diminished profits, because we would limit potential
  • 00:19:29.884 --> 00:19:33.454
  • Customers, we remain silent.
  • 00:19:33.454 --> 00:19:36.324
  • Do you know the outcome of that?
  • 00:19:36.324 --> 00:19:37.792
  • Then we receive the judgment of the ungodly.
  • 00:19:37.792 --> 00:19:42.196
  • Leading godly lives is not easy.
  • 00:19:42.196 --> 00:19:44.832
  • It includes more than attendance at religious services or
  • 00:19:44.832 --> 00:19:47.468
  • Participation in a christian school.
  • 00:19:47.468 --> 00:19:50.371
  • We don't step into our christian role for appointed times and
  • 00:19:50.371 --> 00:19:54.208
  • Then out of our christian persona at others.
  • 00:19:54.208 --> 00:19:57.778
  • There's no such thing.
  • 00:19:57.778 --> 00:20:00.014
  • To be a christ follower is a yielding and an acceptance of an
  • 00:20:00.014 --> 00:20:04.685
  • Assignment of reconciliation in whatever generation god calls
  • 00:20:04.685 --> 00:20:08.789
  • Us to.
  • 00:20:08.789 --> 00:20:11.025
  • God is moving in the earth.
  • 00:20:11.025 --> 00:20:13.227
  • I've never seen the hunger for the truth that i witness these
  • 00:20:13.227 --> 00:20:16.998
  • Days and weeks.
  • 00:20:16.998 --> 00:20:19.233
  • At the same time, i've never seen more widespread deception
  • 00:20:19.233 --> 00:20:21.869
  • And manipulation under the umbrellas of faith.
  • 00:20:21.869 --> 00:20:26.974
  • One of the presentation that scripture gives us is the true
  • 00:20:26.974 --> 00:20:29.210
  • And false will flourish together.
  • 00:20:29.210 --> 00:20:31.279
  • Do you remember the parable that jesus told about the wheat and
  • 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:33.414
  • The tares?
  • 00:20:33.414 --> 00:20:35.516
  • A field that was planted intentionally with wheat and
  • 00:20:35.516 --> 00:20:37.852
  • When the crop came up, there was also amongst the wheat,
  • 00:20:37.852 --> 00:20:40.855
  • Something unintentional.
  • 00:20:40.855 --> 00:20:43.724
  • And it was weeds, tares, in the field and the servants came and
  • 00:20:43.724 --> 00:20:47.461
  • Said, "should we pull them up?"
  • 00:20:47.461 --> 00:20:48.796
  • And the master said, "no, we'll do that at the harvest," and
  • 00:20:48.796 --> 00:20:51.932
  • Jesus interpreted it for us.
  • 00:20:51.932 --> 00:20:53.267
  • He didn't leave it to our imagination.
  • 00:20:53.267 --> 00:20:55.202
  • He said the field is the world and it's the end of the age, and
  • 00:20:55.202 --> 00:20:58.606
  • That the angels will do the harvesting and they'll separate
  • 00:20:58.606 --> 00:21:01.776
  • The wheat from the tares, that the same climactic conditions
  • 00:21:01.776 --> 00:21:04.445
  • That allow the wheat to ripen allow the weeds to ripen.
  • 00:21:04.445 --> 00:21:08.749
  • So that what we should anticipate is both at the same
  • 00:21:08.749 --> 00:21:11.385
  • Time, true and false, are going to flourish.
  • 00:21:11.385 --> 00:21:14.955
  • The biblical presentation provides some clarity for us.
  • 00:21:14.955 --> 00:21:17.725
  • It helps us interpret what we see.
  • 00:21:17.725 --> 00:21:20.194
  • I brought you some samples on this topic because we can't just
  • 00:21:20.194 --> 00:21:24.131
  • Put peel a verse out.
  • 00:21:24.131 --> 00:21:25.666
  • We need a bit more of a broader perspective.
  • 00:21:25.666 --> 00:21:27.735
  • In 1 peter 5 in verse 8, peter writes, "be self-controlled
  • 00:21:27.735 --> 00:21:32.039
  • And alert.
  • 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:33.407
  • Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
  • 00:21:33.407 --> 00:21:36.477
  • Looking for someone to devour."
  • 00:21:36.477 --> 00:21:37.878
  • One of the images attached to satan is he's a roaring lion, or
  • 00:21:37.878 --> 00:21:41.849
  • He's like a roaring lion, and then peter gives us a battle
  • 00:21:41.849 --> 00:21:45.386
  • Plan, he says, "resist him, stand firm in the faith.
  • 00:21:45.386 --> 00:21:48.322
  • You know that your brothers throughout the world undergo the
  • 00:21:48.322 --> 00:21:50.591
  • Same kind of suffering."
  • 00:21:50.591 --> 00:21:52.593
  • You know, the--you know the difference in minor surgery and
  • 00:21:52.593 --> 00:21:55.096
  • Major surgery?
  • 00:21:55.096 --> 00:21:57.131
  • If it's on me, it's major, if it's on you, it's minor.
  • 00:21:57.131 --> 00:22:01.369
  • Well, the same is true with suffering of about
  • 00:22:01.369 --> 00:22:03.003
  • Any description.
  • 00:22:03.003 --> 00:22:04.338
  • If it's my suffering, this is a deal.
  • 00:22:04.338 --> 00:22:06.874
  • And if it's your suffering, why don't you just suck it up and
  • 00:22:06.874 --> 00:22:09.477
  • Move along?
  • 00:22:09.477 --> 00:22:11.379
  • And peter's reminding his audience and us that throughout
  • 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:15.649
  • The world, there is discomfort and suffering so that we don't
  • 00:22:15.649 --> 00:22:20.121
  • Capitulate to the self-pity, that we don't sideline ourselves
  • 00:22:20.121 --> 00:22:24.425
  • Because of the obstacles.
  • 00:22:24.425 --> 00:22:26.427
  • That we determine to persevere, to overcome, to be triumphant in
  • 00:22:26.427 --> 00:22:30.664
  • The name of our lord.
  • 00:22:30.664 --> 00:22:33.000
  • And then in verse 10, he said, "the god of all grace, who
  • 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:35.469
  • Called you to his eternal glory in christ, after you've suffered
  • 00:22:35.469 --> 00:22:39.240
  • A little while, will himself restore you and make you strong,
  • 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:44.678
  • Firm, and steadfast."
  • 00:22:44.678 --> 00:22:47.214
  • Now, when you restore something you typically make it better
  • 00:22:47.214 --> 00:22:49.250
  • Than the original.
  • 00:22:49.250 --> 00:22:51.552
  • I have some friends that restored an old home,
  • 00:22:51.552 --> 00:22:54.588
  • Historic home.
  • 00:22:54.588 --> 00:22:56.557
  • They took kathy and i for a visit when they purchased it,
  • 00:22:56.557 --> 00:22:58.726
  • Prior to the restoration.
  • 00:22:58.726 --> 00:23:00.394
  • It took enormous faith.
  • 00:23:00.394 --> 00:23:03.697
  • Piles of cash and enormous faith.
  • 00:23:03.697 --> 00:23:07.368
  • The flooring was rotten.
  • 00:23:07.368 --> 00:23:09.503
  • The plumbing and the electrical that had been a part of the home
  • 00:23:09.503 --> 00:23:12.339
  • Was no longer adequate.
  • 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.874
  • It needed a 21st century makeover and it got it.
  • 00:23:13.874 --> 00:23:17.945
  • Complete with central heat and air.
  • 00:23:17.945 --> 00:23:21.215
  • Whole new plumbing systems, an updated kitchen.
  • 00:23:21.215 --> 00:23:23.918
  • Everything about the home was better than the
  • 00:23:23.918 --> 00:23:25.553
  • Original version.
  • 00:23:25.553 --> 00:23:28.155
  • It wasn't just the house that was there, it was the house that
  • 00:23:28.155 --> 00:23:30.291
  • Was there plus all the advantages that technology and
  • 00:23:30.291 --> 00:23:33.494
  • Modern convenience can bring to our homes.
  • 00:23:33.494 --> 00:23:36.564
  • But when i read that passage in 1 peter 5, it says that god will
  • 00:23:36.564 --> 00:23:39.433
  • Make us--he will restore us and make us strong, firm,
  • 00:23:39.433 --> 00:23:42.803
  • And steadfast.
  • 00:23:42.803 --> 00:23:44.138
  • We'll be stronger.
  • 00:23:44.138 --> 00:23:45.506
  • We'll be better for the experience.
  • 00:23:45.506 --> 00:23:46.841
  • We'll have more compassion.
  • 00:23:46.841 --> 00:23:48.309
  • We'll have trust in a god in an area where we've walked through
  • 00:23:48.309 --> 00:23:50.678
  • And we've seen his power demonstrated on our behalf.
  • 00:23:50.678 --> 00:23:55.182
  • But you know, if i get to tell you the truth, i don't--i'm not
  • 00:23:55.182 --> 00:23:57.218
  • Looking for, like, some opportunity.
  • 00:23:57.218 --> 00:24:00.855
  • I just would like my way now.
  • 00:24:00.855 --> 00:24:03.691
  • But god in his mercy and his grace allows us a journey where
  • 00:24:03.691 --> 00:24:07.094
  • We walk through places where we have to learn to trust him.
  • 00:24:07.094 --> 00:24:11.398
  • But the warning there, if you'll remember, is you've got to be
  • 00:24:11.398 --> 00:24:13.667
  • Sober and alert.
  • 00:24:13.667 --> 00:24:15.035
  • You got to be vigilant because we have an adversary that prowls
  • 00:24:15.035 --> 00:24:17.905
  • Around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
  • 00:24:17.905 --> 00:24:23.477
  • But that's not the only lion message you need.
  • 00:24:23.477 --> 00:24:26.380
  • In revelation chapter 5, john has this majestic vision of
  • 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:31.652
  • Heaven and the throne room of god.
  • 00:24:31.652 --> 00:24:34.522
  • And he said, "i wept and wept because no one was found who was
  • 00:24:34.522 --> 00:24:37.858
  • Worthy to open the scroll."
  • 00:24:37.858 --> 00:24:39.193
  • There's a scroll that has the story of the end of the age.
  • 00:24:39.193 --> 00:24:42.329
  • And john understands he's been given the opportunity to see
  • 00:24:42.329 --> 00:24:44.965
  • This narrative, but now the scroll has been presented, but
  • 00:24:44.965 --> 00:24:48.335
  • There's no one in all of heaven deemed worthy to open it and
  • 00:24:48.335 --> 00:24:50.738
  • John begins to weep, thinking he's gonna fail on
  • 00:24:50.738 --> 00:24:53.874
  • The assignment.
  • 00:24:53.874 --> 00:24:55.209
  • He's not gonna get to hear the narrative.
  • 00:24:55.209 --> 00:24:58.646
  • "then one of the elders said, 'don't weep!
  • 00:24:58.646 --> 00:25:01.148
  • See, the lion of the tribe of judah, the root of david,
  • 00:25:01.148 --> 00:25:04.385
  • Has triumphed.
  • 00:25:04.385 --> 00:25:05.953
  • And he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.'
  • 00:25:05.953 --> 00:25:09.790
  • And then i saw a lamb, looking as if it had been slain,
  • 00:25:09.790 --> 00:25:12.126
  • Standing in the center of the throne."
  • 00:25:12.126 --> 00:25:15.963
  • Who did he see?
  • 00:25:15.963 --> 00:25:18.299
  • Jesus, the lion of the tribe of judah.
  • 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:22.136
  • That's revelation chapter 5. for those of you who are just casual
  • 00:25:22.136 --> 00:25:26.006
  • Readers of the scripture, i would--that's the last book of
  • 00:25:26.006 --> 00:25:28.008
  • The new testament.
  • 00:25:28.008 --> 00:25:29.710
  • And in the last book of the testament, new testament, our
  • 00:25:29.710 --> 00:25:32.313
  • Lord and king jesus of nazareth is identified as the lion of the
  • 00:25:32.313 --> 00:25:36.116
  • Tribe of judah.
  • 00:25:36.116 --> 00:25:37.518
  • He hasn't been separated from those roots.
  • 00:25:40.888 --> 00:25:43.757
  • In fact, when the new jerusalem is established and we visit that
  • 00:25:43.757 --> 00:25:47.194
  • City, which we will, you'll pass through the gates of that city
  • 00:25:47.194 --> 00:25:51.365
  • Will have inscribed above them the names of a hebrew man and at
  • 00:25:51.365 --> 00:25:54.268
  • The center of that city will be a throne and seated on it is an
  • 00:25:54.268 --> 00:25:57.104
  • Observant jewish rabbi, one jesus of nazareth.
  • 00:25:57.104 --> 00:26:00.808
  • It'll be an awkward place if you hate the jews.
  • 00:26:00.808 --> 00:26:03.310
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:03.377 --> 00:26:10.884
  • Allen: you know i'm so grateful to have had a
  • 00:26:10.884 --> 00:26:12.252
  • Few minutes with you today.
  • 00:26:12.252 --> 00:26:13.887
  • These opportunities to open the word of god
  • 00:26:13.887 --> 00:26:15.289
  • And open our lives and invite god into the midst of it,
  • 00:26:15.289 --> 00:26:17.725
  • They're transformational.
  • 00:26:17.725 --> 00:26:19.660
  • I've learned to never take them for granted.
  • 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:21.328
  • I used to imagine that they were unlimited,
  • 00:26:21.328 --> 00:26:23.097
  • That we could do it forever.
  • 00:26:23.097 --> 00:26:24.832
  • Every time i have an opportunity to talk
  • 00:26:24.832 --> 00:26:26.767
  • With a friend and make a journey through the word of god
  • 00:26:26.767 --> 00:26:29.036
  • For a bit, i think it's something precious.
  • 00:26:29.036 --> 00:26:31.639
  • It's a gift from god.
  • 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.973
  • I'm grateful we had this time together.
  • 00:26:32.973 --> 00:26:35.009
  • I've got a new book, it's called "my friend jesus."
  • 00:26:35.009 --> 00:26:38.078
  • It's the culmination of years of my own spiritual journey.
  • 00:26:38.078 --> 00:26:40.814
  • It's kind of peeling away the formality
  • 00:26:40.814 --> 00:26:42.483
  • Of theology and ritual and routine,
  • 00:26:42.483 --> 00:26:44.785
  • And opening the heart of what it means to be a christ follower.
  • 00:26:44.785 --> 00:26:47.488
  • I want to live as jesus's friend.
  • 00:26:47.488 --> 00:26:49.723
  • When i'm in trouble i call my friends.
  • 00:26:49.723 --> 00:26:51.725
  • When they're in trouble and i can help,
  • 00:26:51.725 --> 00:26:53.060
  • It's the delight of my life.
  • 00:26:53.060 --> 00:26:55.129
  • I want to pray with you, let's invite my friend jesus
  • 00:26:55.129 --> 00:26:57.798
  • Into the midst of our world, he changes everything.
  • 00:26:57.798 --> 00:27:00.801
  • Heavenly father, i thank you that you love us,
  • 00:27:00.801 --> 00:27:02.436
  • That you sent your son.
  • 00:27:02.436 --> 00:27:03.937
  • We need his help, his strength, his wisdom.
  • 00:27:03.937 --> 00:27:06.473
  • Open our hearts to know him as we've never known him before.
  • 00:27:06.473 --> 00:27:09.443
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:09.443 --> 00:27:12.012
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.079