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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - A New Beginning (Part 2)

February 10, 2025 | 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.
#Faith #Evil #Religion #Culture #Government #Attitude #WordofGod #AllenJacksonMinistries #AllenJackson #Money #Responsibility #Humor #Determination #Luke4

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - A New Beginning (Part 2) | February 10, 2025
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: the devil is a tactician.
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  • Now, if he has a strategy for you, if he has game-planned for
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  • 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.
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  • 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
  • 00:00:39.031 --> 00:00:41.366
  • Him, "if you're the son of god, make bread."
  • 00:00:41.366 --> 00:00:44.670
  • That seems pretty strategic to me.
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  • He didn't come to him when he'd finished the buffet.
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  • And then the fourth thing from that passage, it says
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  • Our battle.
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  • It's just stated as a matter of reality that we're engaged in a
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  • Conflict, in a battle; that our battle is against spiritual
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  • Forces of evil in the heavens.
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  • I can't tell you how many times i interact with
  • 00:01:06.291 --> 00:01:08.494
  • Christians--tenured christians, long--people who've been in
  • 00:01:08.494 --> 00:01:10.662
  • Church forever, been in this church for a long, long time.
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  • "you know, i just--i don't know how i feel about all that."
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  • Doesn't really matter.
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  • Like you get up every morning, turn your face to the sun, and
  • 00:01:21.106 --> 00:01:24.243
  • Say, "i don't believe in the devil."
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  • And he will still believe in you.
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  • I--it's amazing to me how we think the assertion of our will
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  • Or the declaration of what we think changes reality--and
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  • Qualify you for politics.
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  • That was snarky. i repent.
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  • Verse 13, paul says you must take up the armor of god.
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  • This is why you must take up the full armor of god.
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  • It's not a suggestion.
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  • It's not an alternative.
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  • There's not some people that take up the armor and some
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  • That don't.
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  • The only ones left standing are the ones that armor up.
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  • On that same verse, the--he gives us the objective.
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  • He said you must take up the armor of god so that you may be
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  • Able to resist.
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  • The language intrigues me.
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  • 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
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  • 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.
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  • The word that we think is a synonym typically: can.
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  • Can is not a request for permission, can is
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  • About ability.
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  • Well, the statement here is about permission.
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  • It's permissive.
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  • So you may be able to resist.
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  • It's not so you can resist.
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  • Go back to the beginning of the passage.
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  • It's talking about the stre--lord and his
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  • Vast strength.
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  • The only opportunity we have to stand against evil is to stand
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  • 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.
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  • We will have to understand the authority that we've been given
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  • And then know how to be strengthened.
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  • It is god's permission that enables us to stand.
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  • Wow, that's not a done deal.
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  • Now we're back into trees and good fruit and a desire to be
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  • Living, vital, vibrant.
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  • You don't bear good fruit because you were really lively 8
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  • Years ago, you're fruitful because you're healthy now.
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  • It's our assignment to resist.
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  • It's not an option to consider.
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  • There aren't some of us tagged as high-level special
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  • Ops resistors.
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  • If you're a christ follower, we've been told to take up the
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  • Armor so that we may be able to resist.
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  • You must take your stand.
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  • You must resist.
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  • You say, "well, pastor, i just don't like that.
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  • You know, i'm a more of a passive.
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  • I'm kind of a get along and go along kind of a person."
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  • I would invite you to be more of like a bible person.
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  • Then in verse 14 we get this ultimate.
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  • It says stand, therefore.
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  • 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
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  • 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.
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  • But the beginning point of standing--i would submit to you
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  • That it's illogical to think you can stand unless you get your
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  • Feet planted in the right place.
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  • Is that fair?
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  • I mean, i grew up in a barn in tennessee so, you know, i'm
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  • Not--but it seems like to me if you're going to stand, having
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  • Your feet sandaled up in preparation is a part of
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  • The deal.
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  • If you've tried to take the gospel into our culture, into
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  • Your schools or the hospital, you know it takes some
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  • Determination, right?
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  • Right?
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  • Good, i thought for a minute i had the wrong group.
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  • It takes some determination to see awful books taken out
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  • Of libraries.
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  • I mean, it's just about any expression of goodness or
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  • Kindness or godliness you think in our current environment takes
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  • Some determination to stand.
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  • Now, i want to see if i can give expression to this.
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  • If you'll humor me for just a moment, i want to give you a
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  • Couple of scenarios of the standing we see taking place
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  • In christendom.
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  • My opinion, you could disagree with me
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  • And we could both still go to heaven,
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  • But i want to see if i can portray it in the way that i
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  • Kind of see it.
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  • And so i'm going to get--i want to get the right shoes so i
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  • Got slippers.
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  • And i have traveled a bit and i've been to museums and i
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  • Earned a degree in history once and i know a little bit
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  • About armor.
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  • I've seen--have you ever seen a coat of armor?
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  • Doesn't look comfortable.
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  • You know, the truth about the knights from the middle ages,
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  • You know, with all the armor, they make movies about them, it
  • 00:06:44.796 --> 00:06:48.467
  • Was most common if a knight was traveling alone and for any
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  • Reason he lost his seat on the horse and he fell they would die
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  • Of exposure 'cause they couldn't even rise to stand again with
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  • All that armor on.
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  • True story.
  • 00:07:04.583 --> 00:07:05.917
  • So i thought about that. i thought, "i don't know.
  • 00:07:05.917 --> 00:07:07.686
  • It's going to be single digits this week.
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  • I don't want a lot of cold armor
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  • So i'm going to armor up in a little more convenient way."
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  • Wait a minute. i'll tie it.
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  • And i have ridden horses and take care of--taken care
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  • Of horses.
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  • I suppose if it was urgent i could do something with that,
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  • But this is better.
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  • I'm sorry for the chair you have, but i have a deluxe model.
  • 00:07:51.730 --> 00:08:00.805
  • And that helmet thing--i've had to wear helmets for various and
  • 00:08:00.805 --> 00:08:06.278
  • Sundry things and most of them were far more aggressive than i
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  • Wanted to be.
  • 00:08:09.147 --> 00:08:11.116
  • So i thought i could pick a helmet.
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  • Not that one.
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  • And then i picked up this one.
  • 00:08:24.229 --> 00:08:25.597
  • I thought, "this works."
  • 00:08:25.597 --> 00:08:26.932
  • This is make education great again, and i thought, "i could
  • 00:08:26.932 --> 00:08:31.403
  • Wear that helmet."
  • 00:08:31.403 --> 00:08:35.607
  • Then i thought, "not today."
  • 00:08:35.607 --> 00:08:38.243
  • And then i picked this one up and it said david citadel
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  • Jerusalem and i thought, "now i'm okay with that."
  • 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:49.487
  • Now, if you want my best adaptation of the current
  • 00:08:49.487 --> 00:08:54.726
  • Contemporary landscape in evangelical america,
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  • I'm standing.
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  • Oh, come on, i spent my whole life in that group of people so
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  • I'm not throwing stones any place beyond the glass house
  • 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:10.909
  • Where i live, but particularly--oh, and i brought
  • 00:09:10.909 --> 00:09:13.011
  • Some goodies, too.
  • 00:09:13.011 --> 00:09:17.349
  • They told me that there were some copyright issues if we put
  • 00:09:17.349 --> 00:09:21.453
  • Dr. pepper on camera.
  • 00:09:21.453 --> 00:09:24.689
  • So i have such an amazing team.
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  • I have dr. george--
  • 00:09:26.524 --> 00:09:36.234
  • Established 1936.
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  • This is vintage.
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  • And i have cheese doodles for everybody.
  • 00:09:41.072 --> 00:09:44.943
  • I really was going to bring you all some, but that much yellow
  • 00:09:44.943 --> 00:09:47.178
  • Dust in the building would never have gotten clean.
  • 00:09:47.178 --> 00:09:52.484
  • But, you know, particularly this weekend with what we are
  • 00:09:52.484 --> 00:09:57.088
  • Imagining over the next few days, this felt like the
  • 00:09:57.088 --> 00:09:59.624
  • Appropriate posture.
  • 00:09:59.624 --> 00:10:01.059
  • I can't tell you how many conversations i've had lately
  • 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:03.361
  • Where people said to me, "i'm so happy the election's over.
  • 00:10:03.361 --> 00:10:08.266
  • I'm exhausted with all the bickering.
  • 00:10:08.266 --> 00:10:12.270
  • I'm tired of all the snarky comments, tired of
  • 00:10:12.270 --> 00:10:16.908
  • The commercials.
  • 00:10:16.908 --> 00:10:18.843
  • I don't want to think about it anymore.
  • 00:10:18.843 --> 00:10:22.347
  • I'm so thankful that there's a new administration going to
  • 00:10:22.347 --> 00:10:25.850
  • Washington and they're going to fix all our problems.
  • 00:10:25.850 --> 00:10:29.921
  • Bobby kennedy is going to make us healthy, or kash patel is
  • 00:10:29.921 --> 00:10:36.995
  • Going to make us more honest, or pam bondi is going to make us
  • 00:10:36.995 --> 00:10:42.200
  • More just.
  • 00:10:42.200 --> 00:10:44.602
  • Oh, it's so good.
  • 00:10:44.602 --> 00:10:46.237
  • I'm so glad they're going.
  • 00:10:46.237 --> 00:10:47.605
  • I mean, i know they've disrupted their lives.
  • 00:10:47.605 --> 00:10:49.007
  • I'm glad governor huckabee is going to israel.
  • 00:10:49.007 --> 00:10:52.544
  • I appreciate him making that sacrifice."
  • 00:10:52.544 --> 00:10:56.214
  • 'cause if they'd have called me, it would have been real pain.
  • 00:10:56.214 --> 00:11:00.785
  • I mean, i had routines and habits.
  • 00:11:00.785 --> 00:11:02.821
  • I'm really grateful that he got to blow his life up 'cause i'm
  • 00:11:02.821 --> 00:11:10.128
  • Standing and i'm--you know, if you just took a snapshot, you
  • 00:11:10.128 --> 00:11:18.737
  • Would think that our primary commitment for standing was
  • 00:11:18.737 --> 00:11:22.107
  • Comfort and convenience.
  • 00:11:22.107 --> 00:11:24.242
  • I will stand wherever you ask me to if it's comfortable and it's
  • 00:11:24.242 --> 00:11:27.512
  • Convenient with my schedule.
  • 00:11:27.512 --> 00:11:31.282
  • Praise the lord.
  • 00:11:31.282 --> 00:11:39.624
  • You know, we prayed for months about that election.
  • 00:11:39.624 --> 00:11:43.294
  • I'm glad it's over so i can get on with my life.
  • 00:11:43.294 --> 00:11:47.132
  • I need to be able to think about something else.
  • 00:11:47.132 --> 00:11:48.867
  • I'm tired of thinking about culture and immorality and
  • 00:11:48.867 --> 00:11:53.505
  • Ungodliness and illegal and legal and bord--
  • 00:11:53.505 --> 00:11:57.609
  • I want somebody else to think about it.
  • 00:11:57.609 --> 00:11:58.943
  • I want to get back to what i want to do.
  • 00:11:58.943 --> 00:12:04.516
  • I mean, i stood.
  • 00:12:04.516 --> 00:12:08.253
  • But they've even got a deal for the hostages.
  • 00:12:08.253 --> 00:12:12.157
  • Hallelujah?
  • 00:12:12.157 --> 00:12:19.397
  • I don't know if you've checked on it at all.
  • 00:12:19.397 --> 00:12:20.899
  • I pray it holds together.
  • 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:23.401
  • I desperately pray it does.
  • 00:12:23.401 --> 00:12:25.069
  • But they're not releasing all the hostages monday.
  • 00:12:25.069 --> 00:12:28.840
  • They're releasing them in a slow trickle, week over week over
  • 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:31.943
  • Several weeks.
  • 00:12:31.943 --> 00:12:34.245
  • What's the chance you think hamas will keep their word for
  • 00:12:34.245 --> 00:12:36.781
  • Several weeks?
  • 00:12:36.781 --> 00:12:39.918
  • But i'm standing if i can stay awake.
  • 00:12:39.918 --> 00:12:44.422
  • I like standing where i can doordash.
  • 00:12:44.422 --> 00:12:49.694
  • I like standing where i've got an app with a doorbell camera
  • 00:12:49.694 --> 00:12:54.098
  • And i can see who's ringing the doorbell 'cause i don't want to
  • 00:12:54.098 --> 00:12:56.201
  • Get up to check.
  • 00:12:56.201 --> 00:13:05.643
  • But i--you could dial any form of communications you want and
  • 00:13:05.643 --> 00:13:08.646
  • It'll--on my schedule--i don't have to know what time
  • 00:13:08.646 --> 00:13:11.449
  • The programs would come on anymore.
  • 00:13:11.449 --> 00:13:12.817
  • I just watch what i want to.
  • 00:13:12.817 --> 00:13:15.987
  • Me and dr. george, we are standing.
  • 00:13:15.987 --> 00:13:23.795
  • Now, this image in light of what we read together,
  • 00:13:23.795 --> 00:13:31.669
  • If i can't get out of the chair we're in trouble,
  • 00:13:33.671 --> 00:13:39.110
  • To be honest frightens me
  • 00:13:39.110 --> 00:13:42.146
  • 'cause i'm pretty certain i can't bear much fruit with
  • 00:13:42.146 --> 00:13:45.416
  • This attitude.
  • 00:13:45.416 --> 00:13:47.852
  • I don't know that it's inherently evil, but i know that
  • 00:13:47.852 --> 00:13:51.789
  • If i maintain that posture, evil will be unchecked and it doesn't
  • 00:13:51.789 --> 00:13:59.163
  • Sound like the heroes i have in my bible.
  • 00:13:59.163 --> 00:14:04.235
  • I'm not opposed to comfort and convenience.
  • 00:14:04.235 --> 00:14:07.672
  • I prefer to worship indoors when the weather's like this.
  • 00:14:07.672 --> 00:14:11.910
  • But when we couldn't, we'd worship outdoors.
  • 00:14:11.910 --> 00:14:16.014
  • I don't want my life to be dictated by comfort and
  • 00:14:16.014 --> 00:14:18.549
  • Convenience, and i don't want the church in my generation to
  • 00:14:18.549 --> 00:14:21.853
  • Be imagined that those are the criteria that drive us.
  • 00:14:21.853 --> 00:14:27.625
  • Allen: hey, i believe 2025 is gonna be a year of change,
  • 00:14:31.796 --> 00:14:35.533
  • Significant change, and i don't think it's gonna be limited to
  • 00:14:35.533 --> 00:14:38.803
  • Washington, d.c.
  • 00:14:38.803 --> 00:14:40.672
  • I think in that there's a tremendous opportunity.
  • 00:14:40.672 --> 00:14:42.807
  • It's not a threat to me. it's really a promise from god.
  • 00:14:42.807 --> 00:14:45.610
  • In fact, i wanna suggest that we take this year as a year for
  • 00:14:45.610 --> 00:14:48.146
  • Some real breakthroughs, that we imagine god's intervention
  • 00:14:48.146 --> 00:14:51.416
  • In our lives, in our homes, in our communities,
  • 00:14:51.416 --> 00:14:54.118
  • In our congregations, in our nation.
  • 00:14:54.118 --> 00:14:56.854
  • Well, to do that we can't just maintain the status quo.
  • 00:14:56.854 --> 00:14:59.524
  • We've gotta be willing to be different.
  • 00:14:59.524 --> 00:15:00.992
  • So i wanna suggest a tool.
  • 00:15:00.992 --> 00:15:02.593
  • It's a book i have written called "intentional faith,"
  • 00:15:02.593 --> 00:15:05.863
  • And it invites you towards some very simple behaviors,
  • 00:15:05.863 --> 00:15:09.133
  • But if you will build in the intent for them to become a part
  • 00:15:09.133 --> 00:15:12.704
  • Of your routine, it opens your life to god's intervention.
  • 00:15:12.704 --> 00:15:16.774
  • It facilitates breakthroughs.
  • 00:15:16.774 --> 00:15:18.676
  • Let's not just be passive and hope god does something.
  • 00:15:18.676 --> 00:15:21.546
  • Let's choose a pathway where we raise our hand and say,
  • 00:15:21.546 --> 00:15:24.449
  • "god, we are here.
  • 00:15:24.449 --> 00:15:25.783
  • We will cooperate."
  • 00:15:25.783 --> 00:15:27.218
  • And let's make 2025 a year of god's breakthrough
  • 00:15:27.218 --> 00:15:30.421
  • For each of us.
  • 00:15:30.421 --> 00:15:32.590
  • Female announcer: think of the places where you are
  • 00:15:32.657 --> 00:15:34.459
  • Purposely and intentionally saying yes to god.
  • 00:15:34.459 --> 00:15:37.395
  • Maybe it's reading your bible every day
  • 00:15:37.395 --> 00:15:39.397
  • Or being faithful to pray.
  • 00:15:39.397 --> 00:15:41.299
  • It might be helping a neighbor instead of pretending you don't
  • 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:44.102
  • Notice their need.
  • 00:15:44.102 --> 00:15:45.703
  • When you take time to purposely seek god and follow his lead,
  • 00:15:45.703 --> 00:15:49.040
  • You begin to see breakthroughs emerge,
  • 00:15:49.040 --> 00:15:51.309
  • Change in your faith, your life, and your relationship that only
  • 00:15:51.309 --> 00:15:54.579
  • God could orchestrate.
  • 00:15:54.579 --> 00:15:56.147
  • Pastor allen's book "intentional faith" provides ten simple
  • 00:15:56.147 --> 00:15:59.584
  • Things you can do to invite god's direction into your life
  • 00:15:59.584 --> 00:16:03.121
  • And help you draw closer to him.
  • 00:16:03.121 --> 00:16:04.856
  • It provides a pathway to help deepen your faith in just one
  • 00:16:04.856 --> 00:16:07.725
  • Hundred days.
  • 00:16:07.725 --> 00:16:09.160
  • Request the book today when you donate $40 or more,
  • 00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:12.497
  • And we'll also send our "a hundred days of intentional
  • 00:16:12.497 --> 00:16:15.533
  • Faith" journal, a consistent place where you can document
  • 00:16:15.533 --> 00:16:18.603
  • Your journey.
  • 00:16:18.603 --> 00:16:19.971
  • These powerful tools will ignite your faith,
  • 00:16:19.971 --> 00:16:22.106
  • Bringing new purpose and intention to your everyday life.
  • 00:16:22.106 --> 00:16:25.143
  • Allen: and i wanna plant a seed.
  • 00:16:25.143 --> 00:16:26.544
  • I really wanna ask you to spend some time reflecting on--
  • 00:16:26.544 --> 00:16:30.915
  • And allow the spirit of god to make it real to you.
  • 00:16:30.915 --> 00:16:33.451
  • You wanna think consciously about the places where you are
  • 00:16:33.451 --> 00:16:36.587
  • Purposefully, very intentionally,
  • 00:16:36.587 --> 00:16:39.157
  • Saying yes to the lord.
  • 00:16:39.157 --> 00:16:41.025
  • And i would submit to you you want that list to grow.
  • 00:16:41.025 --> 00:16:46.030
  • You don't wanna reflect upon it.
  • 00:16:46.030 --> 00:16:47.565
  • You don't wanna--it's not like a history lesson.
  • 00:16:47.565 --> 00:16:49.233
  • These are the places where i did say yes to the lord.
  • 00:16:49.233 --> 00:16:53.037
  • You wanna be able to tell that narrative in the way "these are
  • 00:16:53.037 --> 00:16:55.073
  • The places where i am currently engaged with god" because those
  • 00:16:55.073 --> 00:17:00.144
  • Are the places where breakthroughs emerge.
  • 00:17:00.144 --> 00:17:03.114
  • Absent those, i believe you are forfeiting god's interventions.
  • 00:17:03.114 --> 00:17:09.854
  • Allen: let's choose to cooperate with god's
  • 00:17:09.854 --> 00:17:11.889
  • Breakthrough and make 2025 a year where we see god's best
  • 00:17:11.889 --> 00:17:16.561
  • In our lives, our homes, and our families.
  • 00:17:16.561 --> 00:17:19.130
  • You'll enjoy the book.
  • 00:17:19.130 --> 00:17:20.465
  • Announcer: request your book and journal today at
  • 00:17:20.465 --> 00:17:22.633
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:17:22.633 --> 00:17:29.107
  • Allen: i grew up in middle tennessee.
  • 00:17:32.110 --> 00:17:33.711
  • Most of you know that. my dad was a veterinarian.
  • 00:17:33.711 --> 00:17:37.148
  • Pretty normal.
  • 00:17:37.148 --> 00:17:41.285
  • But the day i graduated, the day i finished my freshman year in
  • 00:17:41.285 --> 00:17:45.223
  • High school; i don't remember the details, i just remember
  • 00:17:45.223 --> 00:17:48.893
  • That my mom picked me up from school, which was not normal,
  • 00:17:48.893 --> 00:17:52.864
  • And she said to me--we lived on a little farm.
  • 00:17:52.864 --> 00:17:57.001
  • We had about, i don't remember, 26 acres, but because of my
  • 00:17:57.001 --> 00:18:00.238
  • Dad's job it was filled with broodmares in the springtime.
  • 00:18:00.238 --> 00:18:05.042
  • And my mom picked me up from school and she said, "the man
  • 00:18:05.042 --> 00:18:08.179
  • That manages the farm, take care of the horses and the barns
  • 00:18:08.179 --> 00:18:11.949
  • Broke his ankle today.
  • 00:18:11.949 --> 00:18:15.653
  • It's your job."
  • 00:18:15.653 --> 00:18:18.823
  • Now, i still remember.
  • 00:18:18.823 --> 00:18:20.424
  • I'm thinking, "no, i'm good.
  • 00:18:20.424 --> 00:18:24.829
  • Don't need a job.
  • 00:18:24.829 --> 00:18:26.564
  • I got plans."
  • 00:18:26.564 --> 00:18:29.300
  • But it really wasn't presented to me as a suggestion.
  • 00:18:29.300 --> 00:18:36.908
  • "you have a job."
  • 00:18:36.908 --> 00:18:39.677
  • Now, i had had boy jobs.
  • 00:18:39.677 --> 00:18:45.183
  • I mowed the grass sometimes if it was convenient, and i didn't
  • 00:18:45.183 --> 00:18:50.488
  • Have a ball game or something i wanted to do.
  • 00:18:50.488 --> 00:18:54.125
  • I'd chip in, do my fair share.
  • 00:18:54.125 --> 00:18:56.761
  • I'd mow the grass.
  • 00:18:56.761 --> 00:18:58.129
  • I'd take the trash out sometimes if the weather wasn't too bad.
  • 00:18:58.129 --> 00:19:02.200
  • I mean, i was respectful.
  • 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:07.104
  • Now, i didn't really understand yet, but apparently with the
  • 00:19:07.104 --> 00:19:12.043
  • Boots came a whole set of responsibilities.
  • 00:19:12.043 --> 00:19:16.714
  • Like i was supposed to be ready to be in the barn by 6
  • 00:19:16.714 --> 00:19:18.783
  • O'clock a.m.--
  • 00:19:18.783 --> 00:19:27.525
  • Every day.
  • 00:19:27.525 --> 00:19:33.531
  • I didn't laugh, and i tried to explain that my friends didn't
  • 00:19:33.531 --> 00:19:38.135
  • Do that.
  • 00:19:38.135 --> 00:19:41.706
  • It did not seem to matter at all.
  • 00:19:41.706 --> 00:19:46.844
  • But i spent that summer learning lessons that have informed my
  • 00:19:46.844 --> 00:19:51.148
  • Life ever since, that i had to be present in the morning.
  • 00:19:51.148 --> 00:19:57.888
  • No matter what the weather was, no matter how i felt, that there
  • 00:19:57.888 --> 00:20:03.027
  • Were some responsibilities and if i weren't there the horses
  • 00:20:03.027 --> 00:20:05.763
  • Wouldn't have water and they wouldn't have anything to eat.
  • 00:20:05.763 --> 00:20:10.635
  • And if i didn't give attention to the rest of it, the problems
  • 00:20:10.635 --> 00:20:13.804
  • Would accelerate.
  • 00:20:13.804 --> 00:20:16.374
  • I didn't always like it.
  • 00:20:16.374 --> 00:20:18.909
  • In fact, a lot of days i didn't like it.
  • 00:20:18.909 --> 00:20:22.079
  • But i look back on it and i--it's been a year or two since
  • 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:24.382
  • I was 13 and the lessons i learned about how to take care
  • 00:20:24.382 --> 00:20:29.287
  • Of those animals and the responsibility that went with
  • 00:20:29.287 --> 00:20:31.622
  • It, that if i didn't water them they had none.
  • 00:20:31.622 --> 00:20:36.661
  • But i couldn't just call in 'cause i got an invitation to go
  • 00:20:36.661 --> 00:20:39.230
  • To the lake with some friends that i'd rather go to the
  • 00:20:39.230 --> 00:20:40.998
  • Lake with.
  • 00:20:40.998 --> 00:20:44.101
  • I wasn't chained to a pole in the barn, i still had a life
  • 00:20:44.101 --> 00:20:47.571
  • For clarity.
  • 00:20:47.571 --> 00:20:49.940
  • I still remember there were days when because i was tired or
  • 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:53.811
  • Behind or it had been a really busy season of work that i would
  • 00:20:53.811 --> 00:20:56.847
  • Get to the barn and, i guess it was my dad, there really weren't
  • 00:20:56.847 --> 00:21:01.719
  • Any other options, somebody would have done a big chunk of
  • 00:21:01.719 --> 00:21:04.322
  • My work before i got there that morning.
  • 00:21:04.322 --> 00:21:08.759
  • And he was already really busy.
  • 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:11.762
  • In the same way the lord says he will strengthen us, i was very
  • 00:21:11.762 --> 00:21:15.066
  • Conscious that my dad loaned a good bit of his strength to a
  • 00:21:15.066 --> 00:21:18.302
  • 13-year-old boy that was trying to make a transition.
  • 00:21:18.302 --> 00:21:23.140
  • He gave me a pair of gloves.
  • 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:24.909
  • I didn't want gloves.
  • 00:21:24.909 --> 00:21:27.278
  • People who weren't tough wore gloves.
  • 00:21:27.278 --> 00:21:34.251
  • And he said, "oh, it won't stop the blisters.
  • 00:21:34.251 --> 00:21:36.053
  • It'll just make it more bearable."
  • 00:21:36.053 --> 00:21:39.623
  • I thought, "what has happened to me?"
  • 00:21:39.623 --> 00:21:44.195
  • So years later those lessons still in play.
  • 00:21:44.195 --> 00:21:48.466
  • I'm not taking care of a barn full of horses anymore, but
  • 00:21:48.466 --> 00:21:52.236
  • Every place i look i see sheep and the responsibilities that go
  • 00:21:52.236 --> 00:21:58.476
  • With that.
  • 00:21:58.476 --> 00:22:02.113
  • Mean that the recliner is not the best option.
  • 00:22:02.113 --> 00:22:06.484
  • I want to ask you to think about your life and how you treat the
  • 00:22:06.484 --> 00:22:10.721
  • Lord and how you imagine your faith and if you have really
  • 00:22:10.721 --> 00:22:18.462
  • Sandaled up so you can stand or if your shoes are more of a
  • 00:22:18.462 --> 00:22:23.768
  • Fashion statement or they're more about comfort or
  • 00:22:23.768 --> 00:22:29.273
  • Convenience or, "what will my friends think?"
  • 00:22:29.273 --> 00:22:31.976
  • Most of my friends were not wearing red wing work boots that
  • 00:22:31.976 --> 00:22:36.113
  • Smelled like manure.
  • 00:22:36.113 --> 00:22:42.052
  • I believe that what is before us will require the people of god
  • 00:22:42.052 --> 00:22:45.322
  • To stand.
  • 00:22:45.322 --> 00:22:48.159
  • We want to build a foundation that will enable us to flourish
  • 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:52.696
  • In the storm.
  • 00:22:52.696 --> 00:22:54.799
  • I brought you a couple of verses.
  • 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:56.133
  • I'm not going to dwell on them.
  • 00:22:56.133 --> 00:22:57.501
  • We got to go, i know.
  • 00:22:57.501 --> 00:23:01.972
  • I can't turn my notes with my gloves on.
  • 00:23:01.972 --> 00:23:04.775
  • Don't mock.
  • 00:23:04.775 --> 00:23:10.648
  • Proverbs 10:5 says, "he who gathers crops in the summer is a
  • 00:23:10.648 --> 00:23:15.152
  • Wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a
  • 00:23:15.152 --> 00:23:17.588
  • Disgraceful son."
  • 00:23:17.588 --> 00:23:19.657
  • So my question--and it's personal.
  • 00:23:19.657 --> 00:23:22.460
  • You don't have to agree with my analogies, you don't have to
  • 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:24.762
  • Like my illustrations, but you'll have to answer this
  • 00:23:24.762 --> 00:23:27.398
  • Question ultimately.
  • 00:23:27.398 --> 00:23:29.467
  • Are you awake and engaged or are you asleep?
  • 00:23:29.467 --> 00:23:37.274
  • One, we're told, is wise and the other is disgraceful.
  • 00:23:37.274 --> 00:23:42.246
  • And then in 1 corinthians 13 it says, "when i was a child, i
  • 00:23:42.246 --> 00:23:45.549
  • Talked like a child, i thought like a child, i reasoned like
  • 00:23:45.549 --> 00:23:48.352
  • A child.
  • 00:23:48.352 --> 00:23:49.687
  • When i became a man, i put childish ways behind me."
  • 00:23:49.687 --> 00:23:55.259
  • I can tell you i didn't understand it at the time or i
  • 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:57.895
  • Would have screamed far more loudly.
  • 00:23:57.895 --> 00:24:01.932
  • When i was given that first real job, you know, not the kid's
  • 00:24:01.932 --> 00:24:04.268
  • Job--i mean, i had chores and assignments, but when i got that
  • 00:24:04.268 --> 00:24:07.238
  • First real job i had to put childish ways behind me.
  • 00:24:07.238 --> 00:24:11.842
  • So here's my question.
  • 00:24:11.842 --> 00:24:13.811
  • Have you accepted your most recent assignment to serve
  • 00:24:13.811 --> 00:24:16.213
  • The lord?
  • 00:24:16.213 --> 00:24:18.082
  • I understand the majority of you are born again and baptized.
  • 00:24:18.082 --> 00:24:21.352
  • Many of you have read your bibles.
  • 00:24:21.352 --> 00:24:24.054
  • I get it.
  • 00:24:24.054 --> 00:24:25.389
  • You're engaged.
  • 00:24:25.389 --> 00:24:26.757
  • You've got a lengthy resume, a significant curriculum vitae.
  • 00:24:26.757 --> 00:24:29.026
  • I'm not opposed to that.
  • 00:24:29.026 --> 00:24:32.463
  • Are we going to bear fruit this year?
  • 00:24:32.463 --> 00:24:36.133
  • Are we going to make an impact?
  • 00:24:36.133 --> 00:24:38.903
  • Are we just going to fold our arms and say, "boy, i hope mr.
  • 00:24:38.903 --> 00:24:41.672
  • Trump's up for the challenge 'cause we need somebody to fix
  • 00:24:41.672 --> 00:24:46.277
  • This mess?"
  • 00:24:46.277 --> 00:24:48.612
  • Folks, we're the church.
  • 00:24:48.612 --> 00:24:51.115
  • We're light and salt.
  • 00:24:51.115 --> 00:24:53.384
  • And if the darkness is going to be dispelled, it will because
  • 00:24:53.384 --> 00:24:57.187
  • The church turns up the light.
  • 00:24:57.187 --> 00:25:05.262
  • I brought you some verses of scripture.
  • 00:25:05.262 --> 00:25:09.934
  • I think--i couldn't write a prayer that was any more
  • 00:25:09.934 --> 00:25:12.970
  • Articulate or any more impactful than what the ones who preceded
  • 00:25:12.970 --> 00:25:17.074
  • Us had to say.
  • 00:25:17.074 --> 00:25:19.043
  • So i thought maybe we could close with this proclamation
  • 00:25:19.043 --> 00:25:21.345
  • Over our lives.
  • 00:25:21.345 --> 00:25:23.080
  • Would you be interested?
  • 00:25:23.080 --> 00:25:24.882
  • Why don't you stand with me?
  • 00:25:24.882 --> 00:25:30.921
  • Acts 4, the--some of the apostles have been arrested and
  • 00:25:30.921 --> 00:25:33.924
  • Threatened and their friends are anxiously awaiting to see what
  • 00:25:33.924 --> 00:25:37.695
  • Will happen because the last time their friend got arrested
  • 00:25:37.695 --> 00:25:39.897
  • They beat him, they tortured him to death and it wasn't a
  • 00:25:39.897 --> 00:25:43.767
  • Clear outcome.
  • 00:25:43.767 --> 00:25:45.569
  • That's acts 4, says, "now, lord--" let's read it together.
  • 00:25:45.569 --> 00:25:51.809
  • "now, lord, consider their threats and enable your servants
  • 00:25:51.809 --> 00:25:55.479
  • To speak your word with great boldness.
  • 00:25:55.479 --> 00:25:57.881
  • Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and
  • 00:25:57.881 --> 00:26:02.653
  • Wonders through the name of your holy servant jesus."
  • 00:26:02.653 --> 00:26:07.591
  • The next time they were arrested, the physical
  • 00:26:07.591 --> 00:26:10.461
  • Violence started.
  • 00:26:10.461 --> 00:26:12.563
  • They received a beating and the group that had denied the lord
  • 00:26:12.563 --> 00:26:16.934
  • When he needed them the most left that very difficult meeting
  • 00:26:16.934 --> 00:26:23.674
  • Bleeding, in pain.
  • 00:26:23.674 --> 00:26:27.077
  • It's acts chapter 5. let's read this together.
  • 00:26:27.077 --> 00:26:29.913
  • "the apostles left the sanhedrin, rejoicing because
  • 00:26:29.913 --> 00:26:33.584
  • They had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name.
  • 00:26:33.584 --> 00:26:38.222
  • Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house,
  • 00:26:38.222 --> 00:26:42.393
  • They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that
  • 00:26:42.393 --> 00:26:46.597
  • Jesus is the christ."
  • 00:26:46.597 --> 00:26:49.233
  • And now maybe with isaiah, god was recruiting.
  • 00:26:49.233 --> 00:26:51.468
  • He still is.
  • 00:26:51.468 --> 00:26:53.003
  • He's searching the earth for men and women.
  • 00:26:53.003 --> 00:26:55.172
  • Have you got that verse, isaiah 6, good.
  • 00:26:55.172 --> 00:26:57.841
  • Together, "then i heard the voice of the lord saying, 'whom
  • 00:26:57.841 --> 00:27:01.445
  • Shall i send?
  • 00:27:01.445 --> 00:27:02.946
  • And who will go for us?'
  • 00:27:02.946 --> 00:27:04.882
  • And i said, 'here am i. send me.'"
  • 00:27:04.882 --> 00:27:08.886
  • Amen. in jesus's name, here we go.
  • 00:27:08.886 --> 00:27:12.222
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:12.222 --> 00:27:28.739