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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Luke (Part 2)

December 22, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Luke (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Miracles #VirginBirth #Prayer #Culture #Strength #Church #Marriage #Choices #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Luke (Part 2) | December 22, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: we began allen jackson ministries
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  • To strengthen the church.
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  • Thank you for your partnership.
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  • Together we made an impact in this nation, but we're not done.
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  • In fact, in many ways i believe we're just beginning.
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  • The status quo is not adequate any longer.
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  • We can't sit in our churches and have our polite bible studies
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  • And sing our favorite choruses while we watch
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  • Darkness increasing in the world around us.
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  • We have to have the courage to tell the truth to our culture.
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  • A biblical worldview to engage current events in a way
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  • To make what we believe apart of the fabric of our schools,
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  • Our homes, our communities, our nation, and beyond.
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  • We have invitations now from war-torn countries
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  • In israel and ukraine to strengthen the churches there.
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  • I want to ask you to make an investment with us
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  • In allen jackson ministries
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  • To make 2026 the most fruitful year we've ever had together.
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  • God is moving in the earth.
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  • We want to keep the pace.
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  • We want to take new steps to make a new impact.
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  • Your help makes that possible.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: now, after that birth announcement
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  • Mary goes to visit elizabeth.
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  • Canceled culture got her in nazareth.
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  • Great with child before you're married,
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  • And the explanation is god did it.
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  • I expect that was as difficult to sell in the synagogue
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  • In nazareth as it would be in the church in middle tennessee.
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  • So mary leaves nazareth, it was a little village,
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  • Probably 1,500 people or less in the time she was there,
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  • And she goes south near jerusalem
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  • To visit aunt elizabeth.
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  • "and at that time mary got ready and hurried to a town in the
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  • Hill country of judea, where she entered zechariah's home,
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  • And she greeted elizabeth.
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  • And when elizabeth heard mary's greeting,
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  • The baby leaped in her womb, and elizabeth was filled
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  • With the holy spirit.
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  • In a loud voice she exclaimed, 'blessed are you among women,
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  • And blessed is the child you will bear.
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  • But why am i so favored, that the mother of my lord
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  • Should come to me?
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  • And as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
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  • The baby in my womb leaped for joy.
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  • Blessed is she who is believed what the lord has said to her
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  • Will be accomplished.'"
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  • Now, the skeptics will read that passage and tell you
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  • That it was written after the fact and that
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  • Elizabeth words are put in her mouth retrospectively because
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  • They have the benefit of time to understand what was happening.
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  • Luke presents them to you and to me,
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  • Asking us to believe that when elizabeth was filled
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  • With the spirit, the spirit of god gave her understanding
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  • And insight into the child that mary was carrying.
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  • That she understood just as she was pregnant
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  • In a most remarkable way, that mary was pregnant
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  • In an even more remarkable way.
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  • Elizabeth said that mary was carrying the son of god.
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  • You have a choice to make when you read your bible.
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  • You have a choice to make whether you'll sit
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  • In the seat of the skeptic, and stand apart from it,
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  • And look down on it, and act as if somehow you're a little
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  • More clever than it is or whether you'll submit yourself
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  • To the authority of scripture and decide to become
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  • A believer yourself.
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  • I'm not asking you to check your brain at the door.
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  • You'll need your brain to serve the lord.
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  • But if god's purposes are going to break forth in your life,
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  • You'll have to learn what it means to be filled
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  • With the spirit as well.
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  • Elizabeth, we're told, was filled with the spirit.
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  • She believed mary was carrying the messiah.
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  • In verse 45 she affirms mary's faith.
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  • You see, when we choose to believe,
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  • When we choose to abandon the seat of the skeptic and become
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  • Believers, we become a strength to others who have faith.
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  • It's precisely the place, the struggle we're in right now.
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  • We've filled our churches with people sitting in the seat
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  • Of the skeptic, and we've done theoretical bible studies,
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  • And discussed the circumstances of antiquity as if they had
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  • Very little relevance for us, as if we have a new moral code
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  • Or some new heightened or more enlightened morality.
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  • Somehow we've branched out beyond he created the male and
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  • Female, and now we have so many categories you need a thesaurus.
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  • Folks, we're going to have to decide whether we believe
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  • The word of god and what we're going to do with it.
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  • Stop lamenting what churches are doing or ministers are doing
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  • Or denominations are doing, and begin to talk to the lord,
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  • And say, "i want to yield my life to your authority.
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  • I want to honor you in my home, in my life,
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  • In how i do business, in how i conduct myself.
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  • I'd like to honor you, lord, not according to my standards
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  • And my precepts.
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  • I want to honor you."
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  • You can't imagine how significant it is when
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  • You choose to believe and the strength it will bring
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  • To other people when you'll affirm them in their belief.
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  • Mary has fled a difficult circumstance to come visit
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  • Elizabeth, and when she gets there elizabeth is overjoyed,
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  • Affirming what's happening in mary.
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  • Verse 57, "when it was time for elizabeth to have her baby,
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  • She gave birth to a son."
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  • Who knew?
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  • "her neighbors and relatives heard that the lord
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  • Had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
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  • On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child,
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  • And they were going to name him after his father zechariah,
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  • But his mother spoke up--"
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  • John didn't have much to say yet.
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  • "his mother spoke up and said, 'no.
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  • He's to be called john.'
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  • And they said to her,
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  • 'there's no one among your relatives who has that name.'
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  • They made signs to the father to find out what he would like
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  • To name the child."
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  • 'cause clearly elizabeth is a little rattled.
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  • "and he asked for a writing tablet,
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  • And to everyone's astonishment he wrote, 'his name is john.'
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  • And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue
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  • Was loosed, and he began to speak, praising god."
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  • Do you think god would cause somebody to be mute?
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  • Bible seems to suggest it.
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  • I mean, we could call that discipline,
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  • But then we'd have to believe that god disciplines his kids.
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  • Wow, that's another sermon, isn't it?
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  • We wait for that one.
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  • We'll do that after christmas.
  • 00:06:38.447 --> 00:06:41.383
  • "and immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue
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  • Was loosed, and he began to speak, praising god.
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  • The neighbors were all filled with awe,
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  • And throughout the hill country of judea people were talking
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  • About all these things.
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  • Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking,
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  • 'what then is this child going to be?
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  • For the lord's hand was with him.'"
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  • It's a fascinating, little segment.
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  • And i know you've turned the page,
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  • But don't just hurry ahead too fast.
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  • It won't make me get done more quickly.
  • 00:07:07.275 --> 00:07:11.813
  • Hope springs eternal.
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  • Chapter 2, "then those days caesar augustus issued a decree
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  • That a census should be taken of the entire roman world."
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  • We know this part 'cause charlie brown reads it to us
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  • Every christmas.
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  • "so joseph also went up from the town of nazareth in galilee
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  • To judea, to bethlehem the town of david because he belonged
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  • To the house and line of david.
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  • And he went there to register with mary,
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  • Who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
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  • And while they were there, the time came for the baby
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  • To be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn son,
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  • Wrapped him in cloths, and placed him in a manger
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  • Because there was no room for them in the inn."
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  • Safe to say that could have been a stressful evening;
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  • Long trip, very pregnant, baby is coming,
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  • No place to stay.
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  • "we'll put him in the manger."
  • 00:08:06.034 --> 00:08:09.137
  • There was a cool breeze in bethlehem.
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  • In verse 8, "and there were shepherds living out in the
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  • Fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
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  • And an angel of the lord appeared to them,
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  • And the glory of the lord shone around them,
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  • And they were terrified, and the angel said to them,
  • 00:08:21.416 --> 00:08:23.652
  • 'do not be afraid.
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  • I bring you good news of great joy
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  • That will be for all the people.
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  • Today in the town of david the savior has been born to you.
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  • He's christ the lord. and there'll be a sign to you.
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  • You'll find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger.'
  • 00:08:33.895 --> 00:08:36.431
  • And suddenly a great company of the heavenly host,"
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  • Many angels, "appeared with the angel,
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  • Praising god and saying, 'glory to god in the highest,
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  • And on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'
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  • And when the angels had left them,
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  • The shepherd said to one another,
  • 00:08:51.746 --> 00:08:53.214
  • 'let's go to bethlehem and see this thing that has happened
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  • Which the lord has told us about.'"
  • 00:08:55.483 --> 00:08:58.520
  • Luke can't tell this story without the help of the angels.
  • 00:08:58.520 --> 00:09:01.790
  • There is no jesus's story without the help of the angels.
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  • Folks, the purposes of god are not going to be brought forth
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  • In our generation without the help of the angels.
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  • Can we stop having the seminar on whether or not we believe
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  • In angels?
  • 00:09:13.568 --> 00:09:16.838
  • The bible says we entertain angels,
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  • And we do it unaware.
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  • We don't even have the discernment to recognize them.
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  • That if we have the privilege of seeing an angel or hearing an
  • 00:09:23.945 --> 00:09:26.348
  • Angel or recognizing an angel, it's because god and his grace
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  • And mercy has pulled the curtain back to give us
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  • Spiritual insight.
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  • Do you understand how naive it is to imagine
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  • That your five senses define reality?
  • 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:42.130
  • That if you can't see it, hear it, taste it, touch it,
  • 00:09:42.130 --> 00:09:44.232
  • Or smell it it doesn't exist.
  • 00:09:44.232 --> 00:09:47.569
  • With that set of tools there's no such thing as a virus
  • 00:09:47.569 --> 00:09:52.540
  • 'cause you need an assist to see the virus.
  • 00:09:52.540 --> 00:09:56.277
  • You can see the outcomes of a virus,
  • 00:09:56.277 --> 00:09:57.812
  • You can see the impact of a virus,
  • 00:09:57.812 --> 00:09:59.147
  • But you can't see the virus.
  • 00:09:59.147 --> 00:10:01.683
  • We can play cause and effect and use many things you take
  • 00:10:01.683 --> 00:10:05.253
  • For granted on the base of somebody is trustworthy is--
  • 00:10:05.253 --> 00:10:09.290
  • That it's a virus, and yet when it comes to your faith we balk,
  • 00:10:11.760 --> 00:10:18.299
  • We're hesitant, we're reluctant to invite the power of god
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  • Into our lives.
  • 00:10:21.770 --> 00:10:24.773
  • In luke's presentation the pre--the person and the work of
  • 00:10:24.773 --> 00:10:28.376
  • The holy spirit is inseparable from the purposes of god.
  • 00:10:28.376 --> 00:10:33.515
  • And i would submit to you that the church has no hope
  • 00:10:33.515 --> 00:10:36.618
  • Of fulfilling the purposes of god apart from the help
  • 00:10:36.618 --> 00:10:39.220
  • Of the holy spirit.
  • 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:42.323
  • Don't begin that discussion with him with limits.
  • 00:10:42.323 --> 00:10:45.760
  • Welcome him into your life without any barriers.
  • 00:10:45.760 --> 00:10:49.964
  • "i want your presence in my life.
  • 00:10:49.964 --> 00:10:51.399
  • I need to hear your voice to recognize your prompts,
  • 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:53.902
  • To understand your direction.
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  • I want to cooperate with you."
  • 00:10:55.637 --> 00:10:58.907
  • I'm an advocate for study, and learning, and training,
  • 00:10:58.907 --> 00:11:02.243
  • And discipline, and disciplined thoughts,
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  • And i'm all in on those things, but at the end of the day
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  • I want outcomes more than my intellect.
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  • Holy spirit, help us.
  • 00:11:10.418 --> 00:11:13.822
  • We need your help.
  • 00:11:13.822 --> 00:11:16.357
  • Verse 21, "on the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise
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  • Jesus, the name the angel had given him
  • 00:11:24.933 --> 00:11:28.970
  • Before he'd been conceived.
  • 00:11:28.970 --> 00:11:31.973
  • When the time of their purification,
  • 00:11:31.973 --> 00:11:33.441
  • According to the law of moses, had been completed,
  • 00:11:33.441 --> 00:11:35.210
  • Mary and joseph took him to jerusalem to present him
  • 00:11:35.210 --> 00:11:37.278
  • To the lord."
  • 00:11:37.278 --> 00:11:38.613
  • At 8 days jewish boys are presented to the priest
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  • For circumcision.
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  • "and there was in the--and there was a man in jerusalem
  • 00:11:42.650 --> 00:11:45.520
  • Called simeon, who was righteous and devout."
  • 00:11:45.520 --> 00:11:50.825
  • Again, these characters that god invites are people who lived
  • 00:11:50.825 --> 00:11:53.995
  • A disciplined life for the lord.
  • 00:11:53.995 --> 00:11:57.265
  • What kind of life are we leading?
  • 00:11:57.265 --> 00:11:59.367
  • What are we pursuing?
  • 00:11:59.367 --> 00:12:01.836
  • Whose approval is it we are after?
  • 00:12:01.836 --> 00:12:04.906
  • What's the court we most want to be appealing to?
  • 00:12:04.906 --> 00:12:08.943
  • They're very important questions.
  • 00:12:08.943 --> 00:12:11.679
  • I hope they're a bit intrusive.
  • 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:14.716
  • And i want to invite you away from this notion that
  • 00:12:14.716 --> 00:12:16.551
  • Because you said a prayer and you went through some ritual
  • 00:12:16.551 --> 00:12:20.021
  • At some point in your past that there was nothing left
  • 00:12:20.021 --> 00:12:22.824
  • To think about or nothing left to talk to the lord about.
  • 00:12:22.824 --> 00:12:27.629
  • He was righteous and devout, and he was waiting for
  • 00:12:27.629 --> 00:12:29.464
  • The consolation of israel, and the holy spirit was upon him.
  • 00:12:29.464 --> 00:12:33.201
  • Luke can't help himself.
  • 00:12:33.201 --> 00:12:35.703
  • "it had been revealed to him by the holy spirit
  • 00:12:35.703 --> 00:12:37.705
  • That he would not die before he'd seen the lord's christ.
  • 00:12:37.705 --> 00:12:42.143
  • Moved by the spirit, he went into the temple courts."
  • 00:12:42.143 --> 00:12:44.546
  • So there's three statements made about simeon and the person
  • 00:12:44.546 --> 00:12:47.782
  • Of the holy spirit.
  • 00:12:47.782 --> 00:12:49.117
  • The holy spirit was upon him, the holy spirit had revealed
  • 00:12:49.117 --> 00:12:51.786
  • Something to him about his life and the end of his life,
  • 00:12:51.786 --> 00:12:55.490
  • That he wouldn't die until he's seen the messiah,
  • 00:12:55.490 --> 00:12:59.761
  • And on this particular day he's moved by the spirit
  • 00:12:59.761 --> 00:13:02.363
  • Into the temple courts.
  • 00:13:02.363 --> 00:13:04.566
  • "and when the parents brought in the child, jesus,
  • 00:13:04.566 --> 00:13:06.935
  • To do for him what the custom of the law required,
  • 00:13:06.935 --> 00:13:09.671
  • Simeon took him in his arms and praised god--"
  • 00:13:09.671 --> 00:13:14.042
  • We do baby dedications around here.
  • 00:13:14.042 --> 00:13:15.510
  • We'll do another one in a few weeks.
  • 00:13:15.510 --> 00:13:17.512
  • There'll be dozens and dozens of babies before you
  • 00:13:17.512 --> 00:13:19.247
  • At the front of the church.
  • 00:13:19.247 --> 00:13:20.582
  • Can you imagine looking at that, and saying,
  • 00:13:20.582 --> 00:13:21.916
  • "oh, that one is special?"
  • 00:13:21.916 --> 00:13:26.120
  • Well, if it's your grandchild, i get it,
  • 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:29.858
  • But if you're making a random observation you just to picked
  • 00:13:29.858 --> 00:13:31.893
  • A fight with every other parent and grandparent in the room.
  • 00:13:31.893 --> 00:13:36.898
  • Simeon wasn't prompted because jesus was a uniquely pretty baby
  • 00:13:36.898 --> 00:13:40.468
  • Or he was the one that was quiet.
  • 00:13:40.468 --> 00:13:44.739
  • Imagine a day when dozens of children are being presented,
  • 00:13:44.739 --> 00:13:48.042
  • And simeon, directed by the spirit of god,
  • 00:13:48.042 --> 00:13:50.879
  • Takes jesus in his arms, recognizes him to be
  • 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:54.616
  • The fulfillment of the prophets.
  • 00:13:54.616 --> 00:13:58.786
  • "sovereign lord, as you've promised,
  • 00:13:58.786 --> 00:14:00.388
  • You now dismiss your servant in peace.
  • 00:14:00.388 --> 00:14:02.257
  • My eyes have seen your salvation,
  • 00:14:02.257 --> 00:14:05.360
  • Which you've prepared in the sight of all people,
  • 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.329
  • A light of revelation to the gentiles and for their glory
  • 00:14:08.329 --> 00:14:11.599
  • To your people israel."
  • 00:14:11.599 --> 00:14:15.503
  • He's holding a baby, and he said he's going to be a revelation
  • 00:14:15.503 --> 00:14:17.672
  • To the whole non-jewish world.
  • 00:14:17.672 --> 00:14:22.377
  • That's bold.
  • 00:14:22.377 --> 00:14:25.914
  • Allen: god is moving in the earth
  • 00:14:29.717 --> 00:14:31.252
  • And at allen jackson ministries we're doing everything we can
  • 00:14:31.252 --> 00:14:34.122
  • To strengthen the church in our nation
  • 00:14:34.122 --> 00:14:36.090
  • And wherever god opens the door.
  • 00:14:36.090 --> 00:14:38.192
  • We don't intend to maintain the status quo
  • 00:14:38.192 --> 00:14:40.228
  • Or to gather at our churches for polite bible studies.
  • 00:14:40.228 --> 00:14:43.031
  • We're going to engage our culture with biblical truth
  • 00:14:43.031 --> 00:14:45.600
  • And give you the tools to do so.
  • 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:48.136
  • We want our children and grandchildren to inherit
  • 00:14:48.136 --> 00:14:50.338
  • A church that's vibrant and vital.
  • 00:14:50.338 --> 00:14:53.241
  • And to do that we've got to make an investment.
  • 00:14:53.241 --> 00:14:55.810
  • Will you give generously to what we're doing
  • 00:14:55.810 --> 00:14:57.345
  • At allen jackson ministries?
  • 00:14:57.345 --> 00:14:59.047
  • Your partnership will make 2026 the most fruitful year
  • 00:14:59.047 --> 00:15:01.916
  • We've ever known.
  • 00:15:01.916 --> 00:15:03.418
  • Thank you.
  • 00:15:03.418 --> 00:15:04.752
  • Female announcer: at allen jackson ministries
  • 00:15:04.752 --> 00:15:06.154
  • We're committed to strengthening the church
  • 00:15:06.154 --> 00:15:08.222
  • And sharing the truth of god's word.
  • 00:15:08.222 --> 00:15:10.425
  • When you support this ministry with a gift of $75 or more
  • 00:15:10.425 --> 00:15:14.529
  • We'll send you the lead with faith esv journaling bible.
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  • Your generosity will help us equip more people
  • 00:15:18.032 --> 00:15:20.501
  • With the biblical truth and encouragement they need
  • 00:15:20.501 --> 00:15:23.171
  • For the year ahead.
  • 00:15:23.171 --> 00:15:24.772
  • Give today at allenjackson.com or call...
  • 00:15:24.772 --> 00:15:30.478
  • Allen: i hope you'll note it's worth reflecting on
  • 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:34.115
  • At your own leisure the significance to the holy spirit
  • 00:15:34.115 --> 00:15:36.918
  • In the life of simeon.
  • 00:15:36.918 --> 00:15:40.054
  • Now, i want to close this.
  • 00:15:40.054 --> 00:15:41.956
  • Every angelic visit we've had in this narrative with luke
  • 00:15:41.956 --> 00:15:44.559
  • Has involved not being afraid.
  • 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:49.263
  • There's an anxiety that comes when the curtain is pulled back
  • 00:15:49.263 --> 00:15:51.933
  • And you bump into the power of a living god.
  • 00:15:51.933 --> 00:15:55.970
  • Almost without exception the angels begin by saying,
  • 00:15:55.970 --> 00:15:58.172
  • "don't be afraid."
  • 00:15:58.172 --> 00:16:00.842
  • They're excited. they're giving glory to god.
  • 00:16:00.842 --> 00:16:03.077
  • It's like a heavenly party has broken out.
  • 00:16:03.077 --> 00:16:04.846
  • The king has come.
  • 00:16:04.846 --> 00:16:06.180
  • The redemptive purposes of god have broken into time.
  • 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:09.017
  • The story of humanity is going to change forever.
  • 00:16:09.017 --> 00:16:11.552
  • They've known jesus in the eternal halls of heaven,
  • 00:16:14.222 --> 00:16:16.357
  • And now he's stepped into time to a stable in bethlehem,
  • 00:16:16.357 --> 00:16:19.794
  • And the angelic hosts are vibrant with anticipation,
  • 00:16:19.794 --> 00:16:25.333
  • But the human beings participating with the purposes
  • 00:16:25.333 --> 00:16:27.502
  • Of god are frightened.
  • 00:16:27.502 --> 00:16:30.071
  • So the question i want to pose, and we'll do it
  • 00:16:30.071 --> 00:16:33.141
  • In just a moment, is what is it we're to fear and what is it
  • 00:16:33.141 --> 00:16:36.044
  • We're not to be afraid of?
  • 00:16:36.044 --> 00:16:37.378
  • Because we live in a season when fear is stalking our streets.
  • 00:16:37.378 --> 00:16:42.617
  • We're afraid to say god created us male and female.
  • 00:16:42.617 --> 00:16:45.119
  • We're afraid to say a marriage is between a man and a woman.
  • 00:16:45.119 --> 00:16:48.189
  • We're afraid to say parents should be responsible
  • 00:16:48.189 --> 00:16:50.191
  • For the education of their children.
  • 00:16:50.191 --> 00:16:53.561
  • We're afraid to say we believe censorship is more prevalent
  • 00:16:53.561 --> 00:16:56.364
  • Than it should be.
  • 00:16:56.364 --> 00:16:58.433
  • We're afraid of so many things.
  • 00:16:58.433 --> 00:17:01.869
  • We're afraid to tell the truth about our economy.
  • 00:17:01.869 --> 00:17:03.805
  • We know it's a sham.
  • 00:17:03.805 --> 00:17:06.808
  • I mean, fear stalks our streets.
  • 00:17:06.808 --> 00:17:11.145
  • It's a very important question.
  • 00:17:11.145 --> 00:17:12.513
  • What is it we should be afraid of,
  • 00:17:12.513 --> 00:17:14.715
  • And what do we not have to be afraid of?
  • 00:17:14.715 --> 00:17:18.352
  • Well, i brought you two passages.
  • 00:17:18.352 --> 00:17:21.422
  • Isaiah, "the lord spoke to me with his strong hand upon me,
  • 00:17:21.422 --> 00:17:25.460
  • Warning me not to follow the way of this people."
  • 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:28.863
  • "don't go with the crowd.
  • 00:17:28.863 --> 00:17:30.198
  • Don't follow conventional wisdom.
  • 00:17:30.198 --> 00:17:33.167
  • Don't be caught with what's trending in the social media.
  • 00:17:33.167 --> 00:17:37.105
  • Have the courage to stand apart," he says.
  • 00:17:37.105 --> 00:17:39.240
  • "do not call a conspiracy everything that these people
  • 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:41.609
  • Call a conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear,
  • 00:17:41.609 --> 00:17:45.179
  • And do not dread it.
  • 00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:47.181
  • The lord almighty is the one you're to regard as holy.
  • 00:17:47.181 --> 00:17:49.784
  • He is the one you are to fear.
  • 00:17:49.784 --> 00:17:52.153
  • He is the one you are to dread."
  • 00:17:52.153 --> 00:17:56.190
  • Be more concerned with pleasing god than with the people
  • 00:17:56.190 --> 00:17:59.293
  • That are displeased with you.
  • 00:17:59.293 --> 00:18:00.695
  • Don't count your adversaries or your critics, weigh them.
  • 00:18:00.695 --> 00:18:06.501
  • You want to do the things, make the choices that you know
  • 00:18:06.501 --> 00:18:08.402
  • To be pleasing to god.
  • 00:18:08.402 --> 00:18:10.972
  • And as you grow in the lord and mature in the lord,
  • 00:18:10.972 --> 00:18:12.874
  • Your understanding of what that means will grow and change
  • 00:18:12.874 --> 00:18:14.842
  • And emerge as you grow; founded in scripture,
  • 00:18:14.842 --> 00:18:18.112
  • Derived from the texts.
  • 00:18:18.112 --> 00:18:19.447
  • It's not whimsical.
  • 00:18:19.447 --> 00:18:21.816
  • God hasn't changed the ten commandments.
  • 00:18:21.816 --> 00:18:26.020
  • So if you prefer the new testament,
  • 00:18:26.020 --> 00:18:27.555
  • 1 peter 3 and verse 13, "who is going to harm you
  • 00:18:27.555 --> 00:18:30.458
  • If you are eager to do good?"
  • 00:18:30.458 --> 00:18:31.792
  • It's a rhetorical question, and the answer in peter's day
  • 00:18:31.792 --> 00:18:34.061
  • And our day is, well, there's quite a list.
  • 00:18:34.061 --> 00:18:38.399
  • "but even if you should suffer for what is right,
  • 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:40.701
  • You are blessed."
  • 00:18:40.701 --> 00:18:42.870
  • Now, i know that's in the bible, but that's an awkward sentence.
  • 00:18:42.870 --> 00:18:46.574
  • If you suffer for doing what's right,
  • 00:18:46.574 --> 00:18:48.109
  • And you're blessed.
  • 00:18:48.109 --> 00:18:49.443
  • It doesn't feel blessed, feels mistreated,
  • 00:18:49.443 --> 00:18:52.813
  • Makes me angry.
  • 00:18:52.813 --> 00:18:55.716
  • If i paused to let you in traffic and you cut me off
  • 00:18:55.716 --> 00:18:59.020
  • And let 12 more cars in, i don't feel blessed.
  • 00:18:59.020 --> 00:19:06.594
  • I'm feeling a myriad of things,
  • 00:19:06.594 --> 00:19:08.129
  • And blessing is at the end of the list.
  • 00:19:08.129 --> 00:19:12.133
  • So i don't want to read that and act like,
  • 00:19:12.133 --> 00:19:13.701
  • "oh, yeah, that makes sense."
  • 00:19:13.701 --> 00:19:15.036
  • That's a very grown-up sentence.
  • 00:19:15.036 --> 00:19:16.704
  • "if you should suffer for what is right,
  • 00:19:16.704 --> 00:19:18.306
  • You are blessed.
  • 00:19:18.306 --> 00:19:19.740
  • Do not fear what they fear, and do not be frightened."
  • 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:24.745
  • Folks, there is turmoil in our world.
  • 00:19:24.745 --> 00:19:26.614
  • Lawlessness is exploding.
  • 00:19:27.248 --> 00:19:28.916
  • The rule of law is crumbling before our very eyes.
  • 00:19:28.916 --> 00:19:31.419
  • Prudence is difficult to find.
  • 00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:33.254
  • Truth is stumbled in the streets.
  • 00:19:33.254 --> 00:19:35.356
  • Ungodliness and immorality are being celebrated
  • 00:19:35.356 --> 00:19:37.491
  • As if they are virtues.
  • 00:19:37.491 --> 00:19:40.261
  • Deception and untruthfulness flourish
  • 00:19:40.261 --> 00:19:44.332
  • In very powerful places.
  • 00:19:44.332 --> 00:19:47.868
  • But those things aren't frightening
  • 00:19:47.868 --> 00:19:50.771
  • 'cause god's watching over us.
  • 00:19:50.771 --> 00:19:53.341
  • God is watching over us.
  • 00:19:53.341 --> 00:19:55.543
  • We don't have to fear what they fear.
  • 00:19:55.543 --> 00:19:58.112
  • We can't afford to ignore it because we have
  • 00:19:58.112 --> 00:19:59.814
  • To make decisions based upon those things.
  • 00:19:59.814 --> 00:20:02.650
  • We'll be asked to respond to that and to be salt
  • 00:20:02.650 --> 00:20:04.418
  • And light and we'll be asked to speak the truth,
  • 00:20:04.418 --> 00:20:06.387
  • But you don't have to be filled with fear.
  • 00:20:06.387 --> 00:20:11.759
  • You don't have to be afraid.
  • 00:20:15.396 --> 00:20:18.232
  • Ask the lord to help you.
  • 00:20:18.232 --> 00:20:20.735
  • See, there's a fear that's an unhealthy fear,
  • 00:20:20.735 --> 00:20:22.870
  • And ungodly fear, a demonic fear that's stalking our lives,
  • 00:20:22.870 --> 00:20:27.341
  • And you need to recognize its source,
  • 00:20:27.341 --> 00:20:28.909
  • And not welcome it in.
  • 00:20:28.909 --> 00:20:30.244
  • God will secure our futures.
  • 00:20:30.244 --> 00:20:31.579
  • You honor the lord. you choose the lord.
  • 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:33.914
  • You stand for the truth.
  • 00:20:33.914 --> 00:20:36.217
  • It doesn't mean you won't-- it won't always be difficult.
  • 00:20:36.217 --> 00:20:39.353
  • What did peter say?
  • 00:20:39.353 --> 00:20:41.889
  • He said it's possible that you'll suffer for what is right,
  • 00:20:41.889 --> 00:20:44.392
  • And if you do you're blessed for it.
  • 00:20:44.392 --> 00:20:47.295
  • You're blessed for it.
  • 00:20:47.295 --> 00:20:49.730
  • Doesn't mean when you stand for what's right
  • 00:20:49.730 --> 00:20:51.165
  • It always gets easier.
  • 00:20:51.165 --> 00:20:53.534
  • Sometimes there's a price to be paid,
  • 00:20:53.534 --> 00:20:55.770
  • But there's a response from almighty god
  • 00:20:55.770 --> 00:20:57.271
  • Even in those circumstances.
  • 00:20:57.271 --> 00:21:01.142
  • I want to close with a prayer.
  • 00:21:01.142 --> 00:21:03.411
  • I'd like to pray for deliverance from fear.
  • 00:21:03.411 --> 00:21:07.782
  • You know, fear comes in a lot of packages,
  • 00:21:07.782 --> 00:21:11.385
  • But i'd prefer to treat it in a single way
  • 00:21:11.385 --> 00:21:14.221
  • That it's a person without a body.
  • 00:21:14.221 --> 00:21:17.391
  • It's not some abstract force.
  • 00:21:17.391 --> 00:21:19.960
  • Fear is a person.
  • 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:22.897
  • It has all the marks of a personality,
  • 00:21:22.897 --> 00:21:24.732
  • It just doesn't have an earth suit,
  • 00:21:24.732 --> 00:21:27.101
  • And it comes calling to threaten you,
  • 00:21:27.101 --> 00:21:29.036
  • To intimidate you, to bully you, to show you pictures of a dark
  • 00:21:29.036 --> 00:21:33.841
  • Future, of an uncertain future, of an unacceptable future,
  • 00:21:33.841 --> 00:21:38.346
  • To diminish you, to push you into inactivity,
  • 00:21:38.346 --> 00:21:42.950
  • To disobedience.
  • 00:21:42.950 --> 00:21:45.353
  • Fear will try to convince you that you should take license
  • 00:21:45.353 --> 00:21:47.388
  • And step away from what you know to be god-honoring.
  • 00:21:47.388 --> 00:21:52.426
  • You have to learn to deal with fear.
  • 00:21:52.426 --> 00:21:54.929
  • You have to renounce it.
  • 00:21:54.929 --> 00:21:56.263
  • "in jesus's name your authority over my life is broken.
  • 00:21:56.263 --> 00:21:59.734
  • You have no place here, no right to me,
  • 00:21:59.734 --> 00:22:01.736
  • No authority over me through the blood of jesus.
  • 00:22:01.736 --> 00:22:04.605
  • Now, you go."
  • 00:22:04.605 --> 00:22:06.707
  • If i left church this morning and there was somebody sitting
  • 00:22:06.707 --> 00:22:08.175
  • On the hood of my car and said, "i decided to take this,"
  • 00:22:08.175 --> 00:22:15.516
  • I would disagree.
  • 00:22:15.516 --> 00:22:17.551
  • And depending on how big they were,
  • 00:22:18.386 --> 00:22:22.022
  • I would form a response, but i wouldn't yield the vehicle
  • 00:22:22.022 --> 00:22:27.561
  • Without a bit of a struggle, and that's just a vehicle.
  • 00:22:27.561 --> 00:22:32.099
  • Don't give into fear.
  • 00:22:33.834 --> 00:22:36.070
  • He's an intruder.
  • 00:22:36.070 --> 00:22:38.038
  • He's an intruder.
  • 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:40.541
  • See, i think when the angel said,
  • 00:22:40.541 --> 00:22:42.076
  • "fear not," it wasn't just the present of the angel--presence
  • 00:22:42.076 --> 00:22:44.078
  • Of the angel that inspires fear, i think it's the magnitude
  • 00:22:44.078 --> 00:22:46.480
  • Of the god invitation.
  • 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.916
  • If you've never said yes to the lord around something
  • 00:22:48.916 --> 00:22:50.951
  • That invokes anxiety or uncertainty in you,
  • 00:22:50.951 --> 00:22:53.721
  • You haven't said the yes to the lord about very much.
  • 00:22:53.721 --> 00:22:57.725
  • God will invite you to places where you know in yourself
  • 00:22:57.725 --> 00:22:59.727
  • You can't finish it and that if he doesn't participate with you,
  • 00:22:59.727 --> 00:23:04.532
  • You're going to look like the village idiot.
  • 00:23:04.532 --> 00:23:06.567
  • I'm not talking about being presumptuous.
  • 00:23:07.535 --> 00:23:10.204
  • If your car's out of gas, don't pray for faith,
  • 00:23:10.204 --> 00:23:12.206
  • Look for a gas station.
  • 00:23:12.206 --> 00:23:14.809
  • All right, fear.
  • 00:23:18.212 --> 00:23:19.880
  • Why don't we stand.
  • 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:21.549
  • You can stand with me at home.
  • 00:23:21.549 --> 00:23:24.585
  • I'd have asked you to stand as individuals,
  • 00:23:27.555 --> 00:23:29.056
  • But the presence of fear in your life would tell you if you stood
  • 00:23:29.056 --> 00:23:32.460
  • Up and told everybody you were afraid you'd look like a fool,
  • 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:34.762
  • And you'd be afraid to stand.
  • 00:23:34.762 --> 00:23:37.898
  • So i'm going to ask you to be honest with the lord
  • 00:23:37.898 --> 00:23:40.167
  • For a moment.
  • 00:23:40.167 --> 00:23:42.269
  • And if there's a place in your life that you have yielded
  • 00:23:42.269 --> 00:23:43.971
  • To fear, you're afraid your dreams won't come true,
  • 00:23:43.971 --> 00:23:48.142
  • You're afraid of fear comes in so many packages,
  • 00:23:48.142 --> 00:23:52.146
  • You can be free today.
  • 00:23:52.146 --> 00:23:55.349
  • The same spirit of god that visited mary in nazareth,
  • 00:23:55.349 --> 00:24:00.187
  • Zechariah and elizabeth, and simeon,
  • 00:24:00.187 --> 00:24:05.593
  • And all our other heroes is present to help us today.
  • 00:24:05.593 --> 00:24:09.697
  • That is such good news.
  • 00:24:09.697 --> 00:24:11.565
  • That is such good news.
  • 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:15.369
  • Hallelujah. let's pray.
  • 00:24:15.369 --> 00:24:16.704
  • Father, i thank you for your word,
  • 00:24:16.704 --> 00:24:18.539
  • For its truth and power and authority,
  • 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.574
  • I thank you that you love us, that you've called us
  • 00:24:20.574 --> 00:24:23.143
  • Out of the dark, into the kingdom of your light,
  • 00:24:23.143 --> 00:24:26.313
  • And i thank you that greater is the spirit that is within us
  • 00:24:26.313 --> 00:24:28.949
  • Than any spirit that's presence in this world.
  • 00:24:28.949 --> 00:24:33.153
  • I thank you for your angels that stand in guard around us,
  • 00:24:33.153 --> 00:24:36.156
  • That had been dispatched on our behalf
  • 00:24:36.156 --> 00:24:37.825
  • And for your purposes in this generation.
  • 00:24:37.825 --> 00:24:40.895
  • Lord, give us the discernment to recognize what you're doing
  • 00:24:40.895 --> 00:24:43.464
  • And the courage and the willingness to say yes to you,
  • 00:24:43.464 --> 00:24:46.667
  • The boldness not to shrink back.
  • 00:24:46.667 --> 00:24:49.003
  • Forgive us when we've been timid or afraid or disinterested.
  • 00:24:49.003 --> 00:24:54.775
  • Forgive us for our ambivalence.
  • 00:24:54.775 --> 00:24:58.445
  • And, lord, we come this morning in jesus's name to address
  • 00:24:58.445 --> 00:25:01.315
  • The fear in our hearts.
  • 00:25:01.315 --> 00:25:03.284
  • It's not a fear you brought; it's an intimidator.
  • 00:25:03.284 --> 00:25:08.022
  • It's a threat.
  • 00:25:08.022 --> 00:25:12.359
  • It's a presentation apart from the grace and the mercy
  • 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:15.029
  • Of living--the living god.
  • 00:25:15.029 --> 00:25:17.064
  • And in jesus's name, we speak to that spirit, "you go today.
  • 00:25:17.064 --> 00:25:20.701
  • Your authority over our lives is broken.
  • 00:25:20.701 --> 00:25:22.970
  • You have no place in us, no power over us,
  • 00:25:22.970 --> 00:25:25.806
  • No authority over us through the blood of jesus.
  • 00:25:25.806 --> 00:25:29.109
  • With every lie, with every intimidating scenario,
  • 00:25:29.109 --> 00:25:34.949
  • With every threat, you stop your lies.
  • 00:25:34.949 --> 00:25:38.085
  • You go in jesus's name."
  • 00:25:38.085 --> 00:25:41.221
  • And, father, i pray that your peace will come,
  • 00:25:41.221 --> 00:25:44.625
  • That you'll give us new understanding,
  • 00:25:44.625 --> 00:25:46.527
  • New insight, new courage, new boldness.
  • 00:25:46.527 --> 00:25:50.264
  • We praise you for it.
  • 00:25:50.264 --> 00:25:52.800
  • May jesus be born in our hearts afresh in the authority,
  • 00:25:52.800 --> 00:25:57.237
  • In the triumph of his victory over death.
  • 00:25:57.237 --> 00:26:00.674
  • I thank you for it, in jesus's name.
  • 00:26:00.674 --> 00:26:03.177
  • Amen.
  • 00:26:03.177 --> 00:26:04.678
  • Hallelujah.
  • 00:26:04.678 --> 00:26:06.113
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:06.113 --> 00:26:07.481
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:07.848 --> 00:26:15.189
  • Allen: allen jackson ministries was created
  • 00:26:15.189 --> 00:26:17.157
  • To strengthen the church.
  • 00:26:17.157 --> 00:26:18.626
  • With your help we've been able to take some steps
  • 00:26:18.626 --> 00:26:20.361
  • In that direction.
  • 00:26:20.361 --> 00:26:21.695
  • But we're more determined than ever to make an impact
  • 00:26:21.695 --> 00:26:23.731
  • In our world.
  • 00:26:23.731 --> 00:26:25.733
  • We have some invitations internationally
  • 00:26:25.733 --> 00:26:27.368
  • To step into war-torn countries,
  • 00:26:27.368 --> 00:26:28.902
  • Into israel and ukraine,
  • 00:26:28.902 --> 00:26:30.337
  • To help strengthen the church there.
  • 00:26:30.337 --> 00:26:31.872
  • We plan to repond to that.
  • 00:26:31.872 --> 00:26:33.540
  • But as importantly in this nation,
  • 00:26:33.540 --> 00:26:36.410
  • Folks, business as usual isn't going to get this done.
  • 00:26:36.410 --> 00:26:38.646
  • We can't be timid and sit in our churches
  • 00:26:38.646 --> 00:26:40.280
  • And have polite bible studies and sing our favorite choruses.
  • 00:26:40.280 --> 00:26:44.018
  • We've got to take the truth into the public square.
  • 00:26:44.018 --> 00:26:46.487
  • A biblical worldview back into the midst of our culture.
  • 00:26:46.487 --> 00:26:50.157
  • We're creating tools to help you do that in your home,
  • 00:26:50.157 --> 00:26:52.593
  • In your church, in your community.
  • 00:26:52.593 --> 00:26:54.461
  • Bible studies, publishing books,
  • 00:26:54.461 --> 00:26:56.430
  • Content that we can share with you.
  • 00:26:56.430 --> 00:26:58.432
  • It's time for the church to be the church.
  • 00:26:58.432 --> 00:27:01.235
  • We have an advocacy for jesus of nazareth that has to be heard
  • 00:27:01.235 --> 00:27:04.938
  • In this season or our children and grandchildren
  • 00:27:04.938 --> 00:27:07.408
  • Will pay the price.
  • 00:27:07.408 --> 00:27:08.742
  • Will you make an investment in this ministry to make 2026
  • 00:27:08.742 --> 00:27:12.146
  • The most fruitful year we've ever had together.
  • 00:27:12.146 --> 00:27:14.915
  • Thank you.
  • 00:27:14.915 --> 00:27:17.351
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:17.351 --> 00:27:30.197