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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - A New Beginning (Part 2)

June 7, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - A New Beginning (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Devil #Foundation #ArmorofGod #Peace #Gospel #Determination #Season #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - A New Beginning (Part 2) | June 7, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world,
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  • People are searching for truth, and together we're doing our
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  • Very best to help them find it.
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  • When you become a ministry partner with allen jackson
  • 00:00:07.723 --> 00:00:09.858
  • Ministries, you're joining a growing community of believers
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  • Who are committed to strengthening the church and
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  • Sharing god's word through every available channel--
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  • Television, radio, podcast, books, bible studies,
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  • Digital resources, conferences.
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  • Your monthly partnership helps us equip believers to reach new
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  • Audiences, to take the hope of jesus to people who may never
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  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
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  • Together, we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
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  • Known right here at home and around the earth, wherever
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  • God opens a door.
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  • Let's keep gathering his people and building his church until
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  • The day our king returns.
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  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner
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  • At allenjackson.com/partner.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: the devil is a tactician.
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  • Now, if he has a strategy for you, if he has game-planned for
  • 00:01:09.184 --> 00:01:13.088
  • You, i would humbly suggest perhaps you should have a plan
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  • Of your own.
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  • Now, we're given one.
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  • I gave you luke 4 just as a little support for that.
  • 00:01:23.165 --> 00:01:26.502
  • It says, this was jesus in the wilderness, "he ate nothing
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  • During those days, and at the end of them he was hungry."
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  • Did i put that in your notes?
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  • Yeah, just on the other side.
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  • Okay.
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  • Turn the page.
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  • Jesus ate nothing for 40 days.
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  • At the end of them, he was hungry and the devil said to
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  • Him, "if you're the son of god, make bread."
  • 00:01:42.384 --> 00:01:45.687
  • That seems pretty strategic to me.
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  • He didn't come to him when he'd finished the buffet.
  • 00:01:48.190 --> 00:01:53.028
  • And then the fourth thing from that passage, it says
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  • Our battle.
  • 00:01:55.397 --> 00:01:58.167
  • It's just stated as a matter of reality that we're engaged in a
  • 00:01:58.167 --> 00:02:01.670
  • Conflict, in a battle; that our battle is against spiritual
  • 00:02:01.670 --> 00:02:04.806
  • Forces of evil in the heavens.
  • 00:02:04.806 --> 00:02:07.309
  • I can't tell you how many times i interact with
  • 00:02:07.309 --> 00:02:09.511
  • Christians--tenured christians, long--people who've been in
  • 00:02:09.511 --> 00:02:11.680
  • Church forever, been in this church for a long, long time.
  • 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:14.750
  • "you know, i just--i don't know how i feel about all that."
  • 00:02:14.750 --> 00:02:18.420
  • Doesn't really matter.
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  • Like you get up every morning, turn your face to the sun, and
  • 00:02:22.124 --> 00:02:25.260
  • Say, "i don't believe in the devil."
  • 00:02:25.260 --> 00:02:27.796
  • And he will still believe in you.
  • 00:02:27.796 --> 00:02:32.100
  • I--it's amazing to me how we think the assertion of our will
  • 00:02:32.100 --> 00:02:36.405
  • Or the declaration of what we think changes reality--and
  • 00:02:36.405 --> 00:02:42.277
  • Qualify you for politics.
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  • That was snarky. i repent.
  • 00:02:47.316 --> 00:02:52.087
  • Verse 13, paul says you must take up the armor of god.
  • 00:02:52.087 --> 00:02:58.193
  • This is why you must take up the full armor of god.
  • 00:02:58.193 --> 00:03:00.729
  • It's not a suggestion.
  • 00:03:00.729 --> 00:03:02.064
  • It's not an alternative.
  • 00:03:02.064 --> 00:03:03.432
  • There's not some people that take up the armor and some
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  • That don't.
  • 00:03:05.534 --> 00:03:06.868
  • The only ones left standing are the ones that armor up.
  • 00:03:06.868 --> 00:03:14.743
  • On that same verse, the--he gives us the objective.
  • 00:03:14.743 --> 00:03:18.247
  • He said you must take up the armor of god so that you may be
  • 00:03:18.247 --> 00:03:22.417
  • Able to resist.
  • 00:03:22.417 --> 00:03:24.653
  • The language intrigues me.
  • 00:03:24.653 --> 00:03:25.988
  • I checked more than one translation to be sure i wasn't
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  • Missing something 'cause my language skills that could
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  • Happen; but the word may is intentional, that you
  • 00:03:31.326 --> 00:03:34.963
  • May resist.
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  • Now, that sticks in my heart because may has a very
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  • Specific meaning.
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  • May is a request for permission.
  • 00:03:42.571 --> 00:03:46.508
  • The word that we think is a synonym typically: can.
  • 00:03:46.508 --> 00:03:51.980
  • Can is not a request for permission, can is
  • 00:03:51.980 --> 00:03:54.683
  • About ability.
  • 00:03:54.683 --> 00:03:57.019
  • Well, the statement here is about permission.
  • 00:03:57.019 --> 00:04:00.022
  • It's permissive.
  • 00:04:00.022 --> 00:04:01.356
  • So you may be able to resist.
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  • It's not so you can resist.
  • 00:04:03.292 --> 00:04:07.362
  • Go back to the beginning of the passage.
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  • It's talking about the stre--lord and his
  • 00:04:09.231 --> 00:04:12.467
  • Vast strength.
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  • The only opportunity we have to stand against evil is to stand
  • 00:04:13.835 --> 00:04:19.308
  • In the strength of the lord.
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  • We won't stand in our physical determination or our
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  • Self-control or our vast understanding or our affiliation
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  • With the right group.
  • 00:04:30.652 --> 00:04:32.187
  • We will have to understand the authority that we've been given
  • 00:04:32.187 --> 00:04:35.390
  • And then know how to be strengthened.
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  • It is god's permission that enables us to stand.
  • 00:04:37.526 --> 00:04:42.597
  • Wow, that's not a done deal.
  • 00:04:42.597 --> 00:04:44.499
  • Now we're back into trees and good fruit and a desire to be
  • 00:04:44.499 --> 00:04:48.570
  • Living, vital, vibrant.
  • 00:04:48.570 --> 00:04:50.672
  • You don't bear good fruit because you were really lively 8
  • 00:04:50.672 --> 00:04:53.342
  • Years ago, you're fruitful because you're healthy now.
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  • It's our assignment to resist.
  • 00:04:59.915 --> 00:05:01.717
  • It's not an option to consider.
  • 00:05:01.717 --> 00:05:03.285
  • There aren't some of us tagged as high-level special
  • 00:05:03.285 --> 00:05:06.988
  • Ops resistors.
  • 00:05:06.988 --> 00:05:10.625
  • If you're a christ follower, we've been told to take up the
  • 00:05:10.625 --> 00:05:13.829
  • Armor so that we may be able to resist.
  • 00:05:13.829 --> 00:05:19.835
  • You must take your stand.
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  • You must resist.
  • 00:05:22.304 --> 00:05:24.840
  • You say, "well, pastor, i just don't like that.
  • 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:27.075
  • You know, i'm a more of a passive.
  • 00:05:27.075 --> 00:05:28.410
  • I'm kind of a get along and go along kind of a person."
  • 00:05:28.410 --> 00:05:35.150
  • I would invite you to be more of like a bible person.
  • 00:05:35.150 --> 00:05:39.421
  • Then in verse 14 we get this ultimate.
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  • It says stand, therefore.
  • 00:05:42.591 --> 00:05:45.560
  • And then he gives us some of the specifics about the armor and he
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  • Says that the necessary foundation for standing is to
  • 00:05:49.664 --> 00:05:54.035
  • Have your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of
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  • Peace, and we'll talk more about the gospel of peace in the
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  • Next session.
  • 00:06:03.211 --> 00:06:04.579
  • But the beginning point of standing--i would submit to you
  • 00:06:04.579 --> 00:06:07.015
  • That it's illogical to think you can stand unless you get your
  • 00:06:07.015 --> 00:06:10.385
  • Feet planted in the right place.
  • 00:06:10.385 --> 00:06:12.921
  • Is that fair?
  • 00:06:12.921 --> 00:06:14.556
  • I mean, i grew up in a barn in tennessee so, you know, i'm
  • 00:06:14.556 --> 00:06:16.658
  • Not--but it seems like to me if you're going to stand, having
  • 00:06:16.658 --> 00:06:20.128
  • Your feet sandaled up in preparation is a part of
  • 00:06:20.128 --> 00:06:25.500
  • The deal.
  • 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:26.868
  • If you've tried to take the gospel into our culture, into
  • 00:06:26.868 --> 00:06:28.670
  • Your schools or the hospital, you know it takes some
  • 00:06:28.670 --> 00:06:30.972
  • Determination, right?
  • 00:06:30.972 --> 00:06:34.342
  • Right?
  • 00:06:34.342 --> 00:06:35.944
  • Good, i thought for a minute i had the wrong group.
  • 00:06:35.944 --> 00:06:39.881
  • It takes some determination to see awful books taken out
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  • Of libraries.
  • 00:06:42.417 --> 00:06:44.352
  • I mean, it's just about any expression of goodness or
  • 00:06:44.352 --> 00:06:46.421
  • Kindness or godliness you think in our current environment takes
  • 00:06:46.421 --> 00:06:49.391
  • Some determination to stand.
  • 00:06:49.391 --> 00:06:52.294
  • Now, i want to see if i can give expression to this.
  • 00:06:52.294 --> 00:06:54.162
  • If you'll humor me for just a moment, i want to give you a
  • 00:06:54.162 --> 00:06:56.631
  • Couple of scenarios of the standing we see taking place
  • 00:06:56.631 --> 00:07:01.069
  • In christendom.
  • 00:07:01.069 --> 00:07:02.404
  • My opinion, you could disagree with me
  • 00:07:02.404 --> 00:07:03.772
  • And we could both still go to heaven,
  • 00:07:03.772 --> 00:07:05.106
  • But i want to see if i can portray it in the way that i
  • 00:07:05.106 --> 00:07:09.344
  • Kind of see it.
  • 00:07:09.344 --> 00:07:11.513
  • And so i'm going to get--i want to get the right shoes so i
  • 00:07:11.513 --> 00:07:19.821
  • Got slippers.
  • 00:07:19.821 --> 00:07:27.796
  • And i have traveled a bit and i've been to museums and i
  • 00:07:27.796 --> 00:07:31.166
  • Earned a degree in history once and i know a little bit
  • 00:07:31.166 --> 00:07:34.102
  • About armor.
  • 00:07:34.102 --> 00:07:35.971
  • I've seen--have you ever seen a coat of armor?
  • 00:07:35.971 --> 00:07:39.741
  • Doesn't look comfortable.
  • 00:07:39.741 --> 00:07:42.377
  • You know, the truth about the knights from the middle ages,
  • 00:07:42.377 --> 00:07:45.814
  • You know, with all the armor, they make movies about them, it
  • 00:07:45.814 --> 00:07:49.484
  • Was most common if a knight was traveling alone and for any
  • 00:07:49.484 --> 00:07:52.487
  • Reason he lost his seat on the horse and he fell they would die
  • 00:07:52.487 --> 00:07:57.092
  • Of exposure 'cause they couldn't even rise to stand again with
  • 00:07:57.092 --> 00:08:03.098
  • All that armor on.
  • 00:08:03.098 --> 00:08:05.600
  • True story.
  • 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:06.935
  • So i thought about that. i thought, "i don't know.
  • 00:08:06.935 --> 00:08:08.703
  • It's going to be single digits this week.
  • 00:08:08.703 --> 00:08:11.139
  • I don't want a lot of cold armor
  • 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:18.446
  • So i'm going to armor up in a little more convenient way."
  • 00:08:20.348 --> 00:08:28.657
  • Wait a minute. i'll tie it.
  • 00:08:28.657 --> 00:08:33.528
  • And i have ridden horses and take care of--taken care
  • 00:08:33.528 --> 00:08:36.197
  • Of horses.
  • 00:08:36.197 --> 00:08:37.999
  • I suppose if it was urgent i could do something with that,
  • 00:08:37.999 --> 00:08:46.408
  • But this is better.
  • 00:08:46.408 --> 00:08:52.747
  • I'm sorry for the chair you have, but i have a deluxe model.
  • 00:08:52.747 --> 00:09:01.823
  • And that helmet thing--i've had to wear helmets for various and
  • 00:09:01.823 --> 00:09:07.295
  • Sundry things and most of them were far more aggressive than i
  • 00:09:07.295 --> 00:09:10.165
  • Wanted to be.
  • 00:09:10.165 --> 00:09:12.133
  • So i thought i could pick a helmet.
  • 00:09:12.133 --> 00:09:21.610
  • Not that one.
  • 00:09:21.610 --> 00:09:25.246
  • And then i picked up this one.
  • 00:09:25.246 --> 00:09:26.615
  • I thought, "this works."
  • 00:09:26.615 --> 00:09:27.949
  • This is make education great again, and i thought, "i could
  • 00:09:27.949 --> 00:09:32.420
  • Wear that helmet."
  • 00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:36.625
  • Then i thought, "not today."
  • 00:09:36.625 --> 00:09:39.260
  • And then i picked this one up and it said david citadel
  • 00:09:39.260 --> 00:09:42.197
  • Jerusalem and i thought, "now i'm okay with that."
  • 00:09:42.197 --> 00:09:50.505
  • Now, if you want my best adaptation of the current
  • 00:09:50.505 --> 00:09:55.744
  • Contemporary landscape in evangelical america,
  • 00:09:55.744 --> 00:10:00.715
  • I'm standing.
  • 00:10:00.715 --> 00:10:06.721
  • Oh, come on, i spent my whole life in that group of people so
  • 00:10:06.721 --> 00:10:08.957
  • I'm not throwing stones any place beyond the glass house
  • 00:10:08.957 --> 00:10:11.926
  • Where i live, but particularly--oh, and i brought
  • 00:10:11.926 --> 00:10:14.029
  • Some goodies, too.
  • 00:10:14.029 --> 00:10:18.366
  • They told me that there were some copyright issues if we put
  • 00:10:18.366 --> 00:10:22.470
  • Dr. pepper on camera.
  • 00:10:22.470 --> 00:10:25.707
  • So i have such an amazing team.
  • 00:10:25.707 --> 00:10:27.542
  • I have dr. george--
  • 00:10:27.542 --> 00:10:37.252
  • Established 1936.
  • 00:10:37.252 --> 00:10:39.120
  • This is vintage.
  • 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:42.090
  • And i have cheese doodles for everybody.
  • 00:10:42.090 --> 00:10:45.960
  • I really was going to bring you all some, but that much yellow
  • 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:48.196
  • Dust in the building would never have gotten clean.
  • 00:10:48.196 --> 00:10:53.501
  • But, you know, particularly this weekend with what we are
  • 00:10:53.501 --> 00:10:58.106
  • Imagining over the next few days, this felt like the
  • 00:10:58.106 --> 00:11:00.642
  • Appropriate posture.
  • 00:11:00.642 --> 00:11:02.077
  • I can't tell you how many conversations i've had lately
  • 00:11:02.077 --> 00:11:04.379
  • Where people said to me, "i'm so happy the election's over.
  • 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:09.284
  • I'm exhausted with all the bickering.
  • 00:11:09.284 --> 00:11:13.288
  • I'm tired of all the snarky comments, tired of
  • 00:11:13.288 --> 00:11:17.926
  • The commercials.
  • 00:11:17.926 --> 00:11:19.861
  • I don't want to think about it anymore.
  • 00:11:19.861 --> 00:11:23.364
  • I'm so thankful that there's a new administration going to
  • 00:11:23.364 --> 00:11:26.868
  • Washington and they're going to fix all our problems.
  • 00:11:26.868 --> 00:11:30.939
  • Bobby kennedy is going to make us healthy, or kash patel is
  • 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:38.012
  • Going to make us more honest, or pam bondi is going to make us
  • 00:11:38.012 --> 00:11:43.218
  • More just.
  • 00:11:43.218 --> 00:11:45.620
  • Oh, it's so good.
  • 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.255
  • I'm so glad they're going.
  • 00:11:47.255 --> 00:11:48.623
  • I mean, i know they've disrupted their lives.
  • 00:11:48.623 --> 00:11:50.024
  • I'm glad governor huckabee is going to israel.
  • 00:11:50.024 --> 00:11:53.561
  • I appreciate him making that sacrifice."
  • 00:11:53.561 --> 00:11:57.232
  • 'cause if they'd have called me, it would have been real pain.
  • 00:11:57.232 --> 00:12:01.803
  • I mean, i had routines and habits.
  • 00:12:01.803 --> 00:12:03.838
  • I'm really grateful that he got to blow his life up 'cause i'm
  • 00:12:03.838 --> 00:12:11.146
  • Standing and i'm--you know, if you just took a snapshot, you
  • 00:12:11.146 --> 00:12:19.754
  • Would think that our primary commitment for standing was
  • 00:12:19.754 --> 00:12:23.124
  • Comfort and convenience.
  • 00:12:23.124 --> 00:12:25.260
  • I will stand wherever you ask me to if it's comfortable and it's
  • 00:12:25.260 --> 00:12:28.530
  • Convenient with my schedule.
  • 00:12:28.530 --> 00:12:32.300
  • Praise the lord.
  • 00:12:32.300 --> 00:12:40.642
  • You know, we prayed for months about that election.
  • 00:12:40.642 --> 00:12:44.312
  • I'm glad it's over so i can get on with my life.
  • 00:12:44.312 --> 00:12:48.149
  • I need to be able to think about something else.
  • 00:12:48.149 --> 00:12:49.884
  • I'm tired of thinking about culture and immorality and
  • 00:12:49.884 --> 00:12:54.522
  • Ungodliness and illegal and legal and bord--
  • 00:12:54.522 --> 00:12:58.626
  • I want somebody else to think about it.
  • 00:12:58.626 --> 00:12:59.961
  • I want to get back to what i want to do.
  • 00:12:59.961 --> 00:13:05.533
  • I mean, i stood.
  • 00:13:05.533 --> 00:13:09.270
  • But they've even got a deal for the hostages.
  • 00:13:09.270 --> 00:13:13.174
  • Hallelujah?
  • 00:13:13.174 --> 00:13:20.415
  • I don't know if you've checked on it at all.
  • 00:13:20.415 --> 00:13:21.916
  • I pray it holds together.
  • 00:13:21.916 --> 00:13:24.419
  • I desperately pray it does.
  • 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:26.087
  • But they're not releasing all the hostages monday.
  • 00:13:26.087 --> 00:13:29.858
  • They're releasing them in a slow trickle, week over week over
  • 00:13:29.858 --> 00:13:32.961
  • Several weeks.
  • 00:13:32.961 --> 00:13:35.263
  • What's the chance you think hamas will keep their word for
  • 00:13:35.263 --> 00:13:37.799
  • Several weeks?
  • 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:40.935
  • But i'm standing if i can stay awake.
  • 00:13:40.935 --> 00:13:45.440
  • I like standing where i can doordash.
  • 00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:50.712
  • I like standing where i've got an app with a doorbell camera
  • 00:13:50.712 --> 00:13:55.116
  • And i can see who's ringing the doorbell 'cause i don't want to
  • 00:13:55.116 --> 00:13:57.218
  • Get up to check.
  • 00:13:57.218 --> 00:14:06.661
  • But i--you could dial any form of communications you want and
  • 00:14:06.661 --> 00:14:09.664
  • It'll--on my schedule--i don't have to know what time
  • 00:14:09.664 --> 00:14:12.467
  • The programs would come on anymore.
  • 00:14:12.467 --> 00:14:13.835
  • I just watch what i want to.
  • 00:14:13.835 --> 00:14:17.005
  • Me and dr. george, we are standing.
  • 00:14:17.005 --> 00:14:24.812
  • Now, this image in light of what we read together,
  • 00:14:24.812 --> 00:14:32.687
  • If i can't get out of the chair we're in trouble,
  • 00:14:34.689 --> 00:14:40.128
  • To be honest frightens me
  • 00:14:40.128 --> 00:14:43.164
  • 'cause i'm pretty certain i can't bear much fruit with
  • 00:14:43.164 --> 00:14:46.434
  • This attitude.
  • 00:14:46.434 --> 00:14:48.870
  • I don't know that it's inherently evil, but i know that
  • 00:14:48.870 --> 00:14:52.807
  • If i maintain that posture, evil will be unchecked and it doesn't
  • 00:14:52.807 --> 00:15:00.181
  • Sound like the heroes i have in my bible.
  • 00:15:00.181 --> 00:15:05.253
  • I'm not opposed to comfort and convenience.
  • 00:15:05.253 --> 00:15:08.690
  • I prefer to worship indoors when the weather's like this.
  • 00:15:08.690 --> 00:15:12.927
  • But when we couldn't, we'd worship outdoors.
  • 00:15:12.927 --> 00:15:17.031
  • I don't want my life to be dictated by comfort and
  • 00:15:17.031 --> 00:15:19.567
  • Convenience, and i don't want the church in my generation to
  • 00:15:19.567 --> 00:15:22.870
  • Be imagined that those are the criteria that drive us.
  • 00:15:22.870 --> 00:15:28.543
  • Allen: hey, we're celebrating this year the 250th anniversary
  • 00:15:32.747 --> 00:15:36.117
  • Of the signing of the declaration of independence.
  • 00:15:36.117 --> 00:15:38.753
  • What a wonderful privilege we have.
  • 00:15:38.753 --> 00:15:41.155
  • You know, god has blessed our nation so many good things.
  • 00:15:41.155 --> 00:15:44.158
  • People say to me, "well, our whole history is not good."
  • 00:15:44.158 --> 00:15:46.627
  • Well, folks, you know, my history is not great.
  • 00:15:46.627 --> 00:15:48.830
  • Your family history is not perfect.
  • 00:15:48.830 --> 00:15:50.832
  • But you love your family, you love your children.
  • 00:15:50.832 --> 00:15:53.534
  • In spite of our weaknesses-- well, our nation hadn't been
  • 00:15:53.534 --> 00:15:56.471
  • Perfect, but through that whole story, the goodness of god
  • 00:15:56.471 --> 00:15:59.374
  • Is evident.
  • 00:15:59.374 --> 00:16:00.708
  • It still is.
  • 00:16:00.708 --> 00:16:02.043
  • Let's ask god to bless america again.
  • 00:16:02.043 --> 00:16:04.612
  • I believe he will.
  • 00:16:04.612 --> 00:16:05.980
  • Female announcer: as we celebrate 250 years of god's
  • 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:08.950
  • Faithfulness to our nation, we want to help you carry
  • 00:16:08.950 --> 00:16:11.819
  • That message along with you.
  • 00:16:11.819 --> 00:16:13.354
  • This commemorative tote bag and blanket are simple reminders of
  • 00:16:13.354 --> 00:16:17.125
  • His goodness and a way to spark meaningful
  • 00:16:17.125 --> 00:16:19.527
  • Conversations wherever you go.
  • 00:16:19.527 --> 00:16:21.329
  • Request your limited edition tote bag and blanket
  • 00:16:21.329 --> 00:16:24.132
  • Today while supplies last with your gift
  • 00:16:24.132 --> 00:16:26.934
  • Of $100 or more at allenjackson.com or call...
  • 00:16:26.934 --> 00:16:34.142
  • Allen: i grew up in middle tennessee.
  • 00:16:35.343 --> 00:16:36.944
  • Most of you know that. my dad was a veterinarian.
  • 00:16:36.944 --> 00:16:40.381
  • Pretty normal.
  • 00:16:40.381 --> 00:16:44.519
  • But the day i graduated, the day i finished my freshman year in
  • 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:48.456
  • High school; i don't remember the details, i just remember
  • 00:16:48.456 --> 00:16:52.126
  • That my mom picked me up from school, which was not normal,
  • 00:16:52.126 --> 00:16:56.097
  • And she said to me--we lived on a little farm.
  • 00:16:56.097 --> 00:17:00.234
  • We had about, i don't remember, 26 acres, but because of my
  • 00:17:00.234 --> 00:17:03.471
  • Dad's job it was filled with broodmares in the springtime.
  • 00:17:03.471 --> 00:17:08.276
  • And my mom picked me up from school and she said, "the man
  • 00:17:08.276 --> 00:17:11.412
  • That manages the farm, take care of the horses and the barns
  • 00:17:11.412 --> 00:17:15.183
  • Broke his ankle today.
  • 00:17:15.183 --> 00:17:18.886
  • It's your job."
  • 00:17:18.886 --> 00:17:22.056
  • Now, i still remember.
  • 00:17:22.056 --> 00:17:23.658
  • I'm thinking, "no, i'm good.
  • 00:17:23.658 --> 00:17:28.062
  • Don't need a job.
  • 00:17:28.062 --> 00:17:29.797
  • I got plans."
  • 00:17:29.797 --> 00:17:32.533
  • But it really wasn't presented to me as a suggestion.
  • 00:17:32.533 --> 00:17:40.141
  • "you have a job."
  • 00:17:40.141 --> 00:17:42.910
  • Now, i had had boy jobs.
  • 00:17:42.910 --> 00:17:48.416
  • I mowed the grass sometimes if it was convenient, and i didn't
  • 00:17:48.416 --> 00:17:53.721
  • Have a ball game or something i wanted to do.
  • 00:17:53.721 --> 00:17:57.358
  • I'd chip in, do my fair share.
  • 00:17:57.358 --> 00:17:59.994
  • I'd mow the grass.
  • 00:17:59.994 --> 00:18:01.362
  • I'd take the trash out sometimes if the weather wasn't too bad.
  • 00:18:01.362 --> 00:18:05.433
  • I mean, i was respectful.
  • 00:18:05.433 --> 00:18:10.338
  • Now, i didn't really understand yet, but apparently with the
  • 00:18:10.338 --> 00:18:15.276
  • Boots came a whole set of responsibilities.
  • 00:18:15.276 --> 00:18:19.947
  • Like i was supposed to be ready to be in the barn by 6
  • 00:18:19.947 --> 00:18:22.016
  • O'clock a.m.--
  • 00:18:22.016 --> 00:18:30.758
  • Every day.
  • 00:18:30.758 --> 00:18:36.764
  • I didn't laugh, and i tried to explain that my friends didn't
  • 00:18:36.764 --> 00:18:41.369
  • Do that.
  • 00:18:41.369 --> 00:18:44.939
  • It did not seem to matter at all.
  • 00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:50.077
  • But i spent that summer learning lessons that have informed my
  • 00:18:50.077 --> 00:18:54.382
  • Life ever since, that i had to be present in the morning.
  • 00:18:54.382 --> 00:19:01.122
  • No matter what the weather was, no matter how i felt, that there
  • 00:19:01.122 --> 00:19:06.260
  • Were some responsibilities and if i weren't there the horses
  • 00:19:06.260 --> 00:19:08.996
  • Wouldn't have water and they wouldn't have anything to eat.
  • 00:19:08.996 --> 00:19:13.868
  • And if i didn't give attention to the rest of it, the problems
  • 00:19:13.868 --> 00:19:17.038
  • Would accelerate.
  • 00:19:17.038 --> 00:19:19.607
  • I didn't always like it.
  • 00:19:19.607 --> 00:19:22.143
  • In fact, a lot of days i didn't like it.
  • 00:19:22.143 --> 00:19:25.313
  • But i look back on it and i--it's been a year or two since
  • 00:19:25.313 --> 00:19:27.615
  • I was 13 and the lessons i learned about how to take care
  • 00:19:27.615 --> 00:19:32.520
  • Of those animals and the responsibility that went with
  • 00:19:32.520 --> 00:19:34.855
  • It, that if i didn't water them they had none.
  • 00:19:34.855 --> 00:19:39.894
  • But i couldn't just call in 'cause i got an invitation to go
  • 00:19:39.894 --> 00:19:42.463
  • To the lake with some friends that i'd rather go to the
  • 00:19:42.463 --> 00:19:44.232
  • Lake with.
  • 00:19:44.232 --> 00:19:47.335
  • I wasn't chained to a pole in the barn, i still had a life
  • 00:19:47.335 --> 00:19:50.805
  • For clarity.
  • 00:19:50.805 --> 00:19:53.174
  • I still remember there were days when because i was tired or
  • 00:19:53.174 --> 00:19:57.044
  • Behind or it had been a really busy season of work that i would
  • 00:19:57.044 --> 00:20:00.081
  • Get to the barn and, i guess it was my dad, there really weren't
  • 00:20:00.081 --> 00:20:04.952
  • Any other options, somebody would have done a big chunk of
  • 00:20:04.952 --> 00:20:07.555
  • My work before i got there that morning.
  • 00:20:07.555 --> 00:20:11.993
  • And he was already really busy.
  • 00:20:11.993 --> 00:20:14.996
  • In the same way the lord says he will strengthen us, i was very
  • 00:20:14.996 --> 00:20:18.299
  • Conscious that my dad loaned a good bit of his strength to a
  • 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:21.535
  • 13-year-old boy that was trying to make a transition.
  • 00:20:21.535 --> 00:20:26.374
  • He gave me a pair of gloves.
  • 00:20:26.374 --> 00:20:28.142
  • I didn't want gloves.
  • 00:20:28.142 --> 00:20:30.511
  • People who weren't tough wore gloves.
  • 00:20:30.511 --> 00:20:37.485
  • And he said, "oh, it won't stop the blisters.
  • 00:20:37.485 --> 00:20:39.287
  • It'll just make it more bearable."
  • 00:20:39.287 --> 00:20:42.857
  • I thought, "what has happened to me?"
  • 00:20:42.857 --> 00:20:47.428
  • So years later those lessons still in play.
  • 00:20:47.428 --> 00:20:51.699
  • I'm not taking care of a barn full of horses anymore, but
  • 00:20:51.699 --> 00:20:55.469
  • Every place i look i see sheep and the responsibilities that go
  • 00:20:55.469 --> 00:21:01.709
  • With that.
  • 00:21:01.709 --> 00:21:05.346
  • Mean that the recliner is not the best option.
  • 00:21:05.346 --> 00:21:09.717
  • I want to ask you to think about your life and how you treat the
  • 00:21:09.717 --> 00:21:13.954
  • Lord and how you imagine your faith and if you have really
  • 00:21:13.954 --> 00:21:21.696
  • Sandaled up so you can stand or if your shoes are more of a
  • 00:21:21.696 --> 00:21:27.001
  • Fashion statement or they're more about comfort or
  • 00:21:27.001 --> 00:21:32.506
  • Convenience or, "what will my friends think?"
  • 00:21:32.506 --> 00:21:35.209
  • Most of my friends were not wearing red wing work boots that
  • 00:21:35.209 --> 00:21:39.347
  • Smelled like manure.
  • 00:21:39.347 --> 00:21:45.286
  • I believe that what is before us will require the people of god
  • 00:21:45.286 --> 00:21:48.556
  • To stand.
  • 00:21:48.556 --> 00:21:51.392
  • We want to build a foundation that will enable us to flourish
  • 00:21:51.392 --> 00:21:55.930
  • In the storm.
  • 00:21:55.930 --> 00:21:58.032
  • I brought you a couple of verses.
  • 00:21:58.032 --> 00:21:59.367
  • I'm not going to dwell on them.
  • 00:21:59.367 --> 00:22:00.735
  • We got to go, i know.
  • 00:22:00.735 --> 00:22:05.206
  • I can't turn my notes with my gloves on.
  • 00:22:05.206 --> 00:22:08.008
  • Don't mock.
  • 00:22:08.008 --> 00:22:13.881
  • Proverbs 10:5 says, "he who gathers crops in the summer is a
  • 00:22:13.881 --> 00:22:18.386
  • Wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a
  • 00:22:18.386 --> 00:22:20.821
  • Disgraceful son."
  • 00:22:20.821 --> 00:22:22.890
  • So my question--and it's personal.
  • 00:22:22.890 --> 00:22:25.693
  • You don't have to agree with my analogies, you don't have to
  • 00:22:25.693 --> 00:22:27.995
  • Like my illustrations, but you'll have to answer this
  • 00:22:27.995 --> 00:22:30.631
  • Question ultimately.
  • 00:22:30.631 --> 00:22:32.700
  • Are you awake and engaged or are you asleep?
  • 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:40.508
  • One, we're told, is wise and the other is disgraceful.
  • 00:22:40.508 --> 00:22:45.479
  • And then in 1 corinthians 13 it says, "when i was a child, i
  • 00:22:45.479 --> 00:22:48.783
  • Talked like a child, i thought like a child, i reasoned like
  • 00:22:48.783 --> 00:22:51.585
  • A child.
  • 00:22:51.585 --> 00:22:52.920
  • When i became a man, i put childish ways behind me."
  • 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:58.492
  • I can tell you i didn't understand it at the time or i
  • 00:22:58.492 --> 00:23:01.128
  • Would have screamed far more loudly.
  • 00:23:01.128 --> 00:23:05.166
  • When i was given that first real job, you know, not the kid's
  • 00:23:05.166 --> 00:23:07.501
  • Job--i mean, i had chores and assignments, but when i got that
  • 00:23:07.501 --> 00:23:10.471
  • First real job i had to put childish ways behind me.
  • 00:23:10.471 --> 00:23:15.075
  • So here's my question.
  • 00:23:15.075 --> 00:23:17.044
  • Have you accepted your most recent assignment to serve
  • 00:23:17.044 --> 00:23:19.447
  • The lord?
  • 00:23:19.447 --> 00:23:21.315
  • I understand the majority of you are born again and baptized.
  • 00:23:21.315 --> 00:23:24.585
  • Many of you have read your bibles.
  • 00:23:24.585 --> 00:23:27.288
  • I get it.
  • 00:23:27.288 --> 00:23:28.622
  • You're engaged.
  • 00:23:28.622 --> 00:23:29.990
  • You've got a lengthy resume, a significant curriculum vitae.
  • 00:23:29.990 --> 00:23:32.259
  • I'm not opposed to that.
  • 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:35.696
  • Are we going to bear fruit this year?
  • 00:23:35.696 --> 00:23:39.366
  • Are we going to make an impact?
  • 00:23:39.366 --> 00:23:42.136
  • Are we just going to fold our arms and say, "boy, i hope mr.
  • 00:23:42.136 --> 00:23:44.905
  • Trump's up for the challenge 'cause we need somebody to fix
  • 00:23:44.905 --> 00:23:49.510
  • This mess?"
  • 00:23:49.510 --> 00:23:51.846
  • Folks, we're the church.
  • 00:23:51.846 --> 00:23:54.348
  • We're light and salt.
  • 00:23:54.348 --> 00:23:56.617
  • And if the darkness is going to be dispelled, it will because
  • 00:23:56.617 --> 00:24:00.421
  • The church turns up the light.
  • 00:24:00.421 --> 00:24:08.496
  • I brought you some verses of scripture.
  • 00:24:08.496 --> 00:24:13.167
  • I think--i couldn't write a prayer that was any more
  • 00:24:13.167 --> 00:24:16.203
  • Articulate or any more impactful than what the ones who preceded
  • 00:24:16.203 --> 00:24:20.307
  • Us had to say.
  • 00:24:20.307 --> 00:24:22.276
  • So i thought maybe we could close with this proclamation
  • 00:24:22.276 --> 00:24:24.578
  • Over our lives.
  • 00:24:24.578 --> 00:24:26.313
  • Would you be interested?
  • 00:24:26.313 --> 00:24:28.115
  • Why don't you stand with me?
  • 00:24:28.115 --> 00:24:34.154
  • Acts 4, the--some of the apostles have been arrested and
  • 00:24:34.154 --> 00:24:37.157
  • Threatened and their friends are anxiously awaiting to see what
  • 00:24:37.157 --> 00:24:40.928
  • Will happen because the last time their friend got arrested
  • 00:24:40.928 --> 00:24:43.130
  • They beat him, they tortured him to death and it wasn't a
  • 00:24:43.130 --> 00:24:47.001
  • Clear outcome.
  • 00:24:47.001 --> 00:24:48.802
  • That's acts 4, says, "now, lord--" let's read it together.
  • 00:24:48.802 --> 00:24:55.042
  • "now, lord, consider their threats and enable your servants
  • 00:24:55.042 --> 00:24:58.712
  • To speak your word with great boldness.
  • 00:24:58.712 --> 00:25:01.115
  • Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and
  • 00:25:01.115 --> 00:25:05.886
  • Wonders through the name of your holy servant jesus."
  • 00:25:05.886 --> 00:25:10.824
  • The next time they were arrested, the physical
  • 00:25:10.824 --> 00:25:13.694
  • Violence started.
  • 00:25:13.694 --> 00:25:15.796
  • They received a beating and the group that had denied the lord
  • 00:25:15.796 --> 00:25:20.167
  • When he needed them the most left that very difficult meeting
  • 00:25:20.167 --> 00:25:26.907
  • Bleeding, in pain.
  • 00:25:26.907 --> 00:25:30.311
  • It's acts chapter 5. let's read this together.
  • 00:25:30.311 --> 00:25:33.147
  • "the apostles left the sanhedrin, rejoicing because
  • 00:25:33.147 --> 00:25:36.817
  • They had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name.
  • 00:25:36.817 --> 00:25:41.455
  • Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house,
  • 00:25:41.455 --> 00:25:45.626
  • They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that
  • 00:25:45.626 --> 00:25:49.830
  • Jesus is the christ."
  • 00:25:49.830 --> 00:25:52.466
  • And now maybe with isaiah, god was recruiting.
  • 00:25:52.466 --> 00:25:54.702
  • He still is.
  • 00:25:54.702 --> 00:25:56.236
  • He's searching the earth for men and women.
  • 00:25:56.236 --> 00:25:58.405
  • Have you got that verse, isaiah 6, good.
  • 00:25:58.405 --> 00:26:01.075
  • Together, "then i heard the voice of the lord saying, 'whom
  • 00:26:01.075 --> 00:26:04.678
  • Shall i send?
  • 00:26:04.678 --> 00:26:06.180
  • And who will go for us?'
  • 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:08.115
  • And i said, 'here am i. send me.'"
  • 00:26:08.115 --> 00:26:12.119
  • Amen. in jesus's name, here we go.
  • 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:16.323
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:16.323 --> 00:26:21.996
  • Allen: hey, i've encouraged you for a long time
  • 00:26:22.096 --> 00:26:23.631
  • To lead with your faith.
  • 00:26:23.731 --> 00:26:25.165
  • Take you faith outside the church building
  • 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.066
  • Into all the places that your life takes you,
  • 00:26:27.267 --> 00:26:29.403
  • Where you have influence, where you have a voice.
  • 00:26:29.403 --> 00:26:31.805
  • We've created some pieces to help you do that:
  • 00:26:31.805 --> 00:26:33.841
  • A tote bag, a blanket.
  • 00:26:33.841 --> 00:26:35.509
  • Maybe you're going to a ball game or the park or the beach,
  • 00:26:35.509 --> 00:26:38.078
  • Wherever that may be.
  • 00:26:38.078 --> 00:26:39.413
  • You take these along, they are a celebration of our nation's
  • 00:26:39.413 --> 00:26:42.449
  • 250th anniversary.
  • 00:26:42.449 --> 00:26:44.785
  • Somebody will want to know where you got it, what it's about.
  • 00:26:44.785 --> 00:26:47.354
  • It gives you an opportunity to share your faith.
  • 00:26:47.354 --> 00:26:49.923
  • You know, i've had the privilege of living in some places outside
  • 00:26:49.923 --> 00:26:52.893
  • The united states.
  • 00:26:52.893 --> 00:26:54.428
  • Things like a grocery store or fast food or food delivery,
  • 00:26:54.428 --> 00:26:59.433
  • Those things weren't possible in the places i lived.
  • 00:26:59.433 --> 00:27:01.769
  • When i come home, just walking through a grocery store reminds
  • 00:27:01.769 --> 00:27:04.638
  • Me of the goodness and the faithfulness of god,
  • 00:27:04.638 --> 00:27:06.473
  • His blessings on our nation.
  • 00:27:06.473 --> 00:27:08.542
  • Use your voice to say god has blessed america.
  • 00:27:08.542 --> 00:27:12.379
  • Something as simple as a tote bag can open a door
  • 00:27:12.379 --> 00:27:14.848
  • For your god story.
  • 00:27:14.848 --> 00:27:16.517
  • Together, we're gonna lift up the name of jesus in this
  • 00:27:16.517 --> 00:27:18.919
  • Generation and see god bless america again.
  • 00:27:18.919 --> 00:27:22.456
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:22.456 --> 00:27:30.898