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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - One Generation At A Time (Part 1)

October 18, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - One Generation At A Time (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Generations #LightoftheWorld #Change #Christianity #LoveofGod #TrustGod

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - One Generation At A Time (Part 1) | October 18, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: you know, we're witnessing something of a crisis
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  • In our nation, something i never thought i would see: expressions
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  • Of antisemitism, hatred for the jewish people, coming from
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  • America, coming from the christian community,
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  • The conservative side of the ideological spectrum,
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  • To a degree and scope i've never seen before.
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  • Well, it was important enough that i stopped and put together
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  • A book.
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  • The title of it is "supporting israel: how far is too far?"
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  • It's an important concept that isn't political.
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  • It's grounded in a biblical worldview.
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  • I think we need to understand our responsibilities to the
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  • Jewish people, to the modern state of israel, not from
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  • An ideological perspective, not from the perspective of nation
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  • States, but as people of god.
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  • It's important.
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  • It's an important season, a lot of voices.
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  • And i know there's some fatigue with the conflict in the middle
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  • East, but we can't afford to be fatigued with our assignments to
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  • Honor god and the responsibilities that come
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  • With that.
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  • I believe the book will be a help to you.
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  • I believe it'll help you navigate the conversation with
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  • Your family and your friends.
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  • Enjoy the read.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: the theme is gonna be "shaping culture."
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  • It's a really simple premise.
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  • I believe the church is called to shape culture, not to be
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  • Shaped by the culture.
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  • I believe the people of god are intended to be the conscience
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  • Of a culture.
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  • And if the behavior of the culture is not good, it's
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  • Because the church isn't healthy and vital enough to affect the
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  • Culture as we should.
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  • It's easy to be critical and sit in the bleachers and complain,
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  • But if we imagine that we're to be difference makers, that we're
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  • Salt and light, then we can't rage against the darkness.
  • 00:01:38.447 --> 00:01:41.316
  • We gotta turn up the light.
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  • So, that's the theory we're gonna pick up or the thesis
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  • We're gonna pursue for these next few sessions together.
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  • There are things that we need to learn, things that need to be
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  • Incorporated into our lives beyond what we can do
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  • In sermons.
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  • We've got a few minutes together on a weekly basis, but there's
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  • Messaging cascading over you on a very regular basis,
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  • Hour upon hour.
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  • Some of it we willingly volunteer for in social media
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  • And others are broadcast to us and around us, ideas, and we're
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  • Being pushed along by the weight of that.
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  • Reading our bibles is important, but conversations with one
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  • Another is equally important, because as you talk about the
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  • Truth you're reading, it gives it a life and a vitality in your
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  • Own thoughts and your emotions and your attitudes.
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  • I have been sharing with you for some time, several years now,
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  • A little paradigm.
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  • I've been encouraging you to watch and listen, think, and
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  • Then act.
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  • That there is, it seems to me, wave after wave of deception
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  • That crashes over our lives.
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  • It's confusing, it's disorienting, it can be--i feel
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  • Addled some days, like you've been spun around until you're
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  • Dizzy and you can't walk straight and it takes a minute
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  • To get your balance again.
  • 00:02:54.289 --> 00:02:55.657
  • Do you ever feel like you lose your equilibrium?
  • 00:02:55.657 --> 00:02:57.459
  • You're like, wait a minute, that doesn't make sense or that
  • 00:02:57.459 --> 00:02:59.027
  • Shouldn't be right, or why are we doing?
  • 00:02:59.027 --> 00:03:00.896
  • I mean, it's disorienting, so to watch and to listen, you have to
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  • Pay attention.
  • 00:03:04.666 --> 00:03:06.335
  • There's a trend amongst the people of faith, and it's far
  • 00:03:06.335 --> 00:03:09.037
  • Too pervasive in my opinion.
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  • We're desperately trying not to notice.
  • 00:03:10.672 --> 00:03:14.142
  • It's like, you know, hear no evil, see no evil, and if
  • 00:03:14.142 --> 00:03:18.146
  • Ignoring the problem would work, we would organize groups.
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  • We would get together and talk about nothing relevant.
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  • So, i'll come back.
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  • We all have to become willing to watch and listen, think, and in
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  • The ways appropriate for us, to act.
  • 00:03:30.626 --> 00:03:33.595
  • One of the overwhelming, it seems to me, characteristics of
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  • This present season is a dramatic increase
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  • In lawlessness.
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  • We seem--it's been like--as if we have been unchecked for so
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  • Long that now we're unwilling to submit to the rule of law again.
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  • And the assassination of charlie kirk was certainly the most, i
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  • Suppose, brazen example of that in recent weeks.
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  • We've talked about that, but i think another thing that's
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  • Happening on a regular basis is the resistance to our
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  • Immigrations and customs enforcement.
  • 00:04:04.126 --> 00:04:06.995
  • You know, the acronym for that is ice.
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  • It's a federal agency.
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  • It's not like a group of school kids that got together and just
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  • Roll up in a van.
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  • It's a federal agency under the auspices of the department of
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  • Homeland security tasked with maintaining our immigration
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  • Laws, our customs enforcements, things that come into our
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  • Country legally or illegally, like fentanyl, for one, that
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  • Claims tens of thousands of lives on an annual basis,
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  • Smuggled illegally into our country.
  • 00:04:32.321 --> 00:04:35.257
  • And i paused, i did just a quick search today.
  • 00:04:35.257 --> 00:04:38.026
  • I didn't do any exhaustive research, but of the problems
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  • That ice has faced just in the month of september, so this is
  • 00:04:42.297 --> 00:04:46.968
  • Recent history.
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  • I mean, this week there was an attack at a dallas immigration
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  • And custom facility.
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  • One was killed and two were injured as the sniper just
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  • Opened fire on the facility, shooting indiscriminately into
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  • The building and the vans.
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  • He'd written on some of the cartridges that he was firing
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  • Against ice or anti-ice.
  • 00:05:06.755 --> 00:05:09.324
  • It wasn't theoretical, it wasn't hard to understand why or what
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  • He was doing.
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  • In illinois following the dallas attack, protesters rioted
  • 00:05:13.695 --> 00:05:16.965
  • Outside the ice processing center.
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  • Reports indicated that the protesters threw rocks and
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  • Fireworks at federal officers and 16 people were arrested.
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  • Chicago, on september 12th, an ice officer was dragged by
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  • A vehicle trying to avoid.
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  • In texas, the department of justice press, the department of
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  • Justice press released announced that during the week of
  • 00:05:42.824 --> 00:05:45.761
  • September 19 to 20, several individuals charged with
  • 00:05:45.761 --> 00:05:49.297
  • Assaults on federal officers.
  • 00:05:49.297 --> 00:05:51.900
  • The list goes on and on in city after city.
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  • We're unwilling to cooperate with federal law.
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  • In los angeles, the federal grand jury charged three women
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  • With following ice agents from his workplace, live streaming
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  • The agent's home.
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  • I've heard complaints that they wear a mask.
  • 00:06:08.116 --> 00:06:09.451
  • It's because their personal information has been placed on
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  • The internet by people who don't like them to make their families
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  • And their children vulnerable.
  • 00:06:15.056 --> 00:06:18.260
  • It's really unimaginable, it's unthinkable that we have federal
  • 00:06:18.260 --> 00:06:21.897
  • Laws being opposed by mayors in our major cities and by
  • 00:06:21.897 --> 00:06:25.901
  • Governors in those states.
  • 00:06:25.901 --> 00:06:28.703
  • And the resistance is organized, it's systematic, it's
  • 00:06:28.703 --> 00:06:31.473
  • Very intentional.
  • 00:06:31.473 --> 00:06:33.542
  • Again, i did just a little bit of work today, ten minutes.
  • 00:06:33.542 --> 00:06:35.677
  • It wasn't hard to find cities that resist ice, primary cities
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  • Like chicago, denver, la, and new york.
  • 00:06:39.481 --> 00:06:42.184
  • They have sanctuary policies.
  • 00:06:42.184 --> 00:06:43.585
  • Many cities have enacted sanctuary policies that limit
  • 00:06:43.585 --> 00:06:46.254
  • The extent to which local law enforcement can cooperate
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  • With ice.
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  • They passed their own laws saying that their law
  • 00:06:50.158 --> 00:06:52.360
  • Enforcement will not cooperate with federal laws, particularly
  • 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:56.932
  • Concerning immigration detainers or interrogations of illegal
  • 00:06:56.932 --> 00:06:59.634
  • Immigrants in local custody.
  • 00:06:59.634 --> 00:07:01.937
  • So, they release the people that the federal agents are looking
  • 00:07:01.937 --> 00:07:04.406
  • For so then they have to go be picked up in the midst of their
  • 00:07:04.406 --> 00:07:07.108
  • Communities, making it less safe for everybody involved.
  • 00:07:07.108 --> 00:07:11.513
  • They provide legal support, cities organize rapid response
  • 00:07:11.513 --> 00:07:14.749
  • Teams of immigration attorneys and civil rights groups to be on
  • 00:07:14.749 --> 00:07:18.286
  • The ground and provide legal assistance to illegal immigrants
  • 00:07:18.286 --> 00:07:21.523
  • Facing potential ice action.
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  • We have cities spending our dollars and our effort to oppose
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  • Federal law.
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  • Public demonstrations, residents, and local officials
  • 00:07:34.302 --> 00:07:36.671
  • In cities like chicago have organized protests and parades
  • 00:07:36.671 --> 00:07:39.941
  • To show solidarity and resist the efforts of federal
  • 00:07:39.941 --> 00:07:42.344
  • Immigration officers, seeking enforcement of laws that affect
  • 00:07:42.344 --> 00:07:46.181
  • Illegal immigrants.
  • 00:07:46.181 --> 00:07:50.352
  • And this isn't something distant.
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  • The mayor of nashville has been engaged with this.
  • 00:07:52.287 --> 00:07:55.624
  • Cities, memphis is regularly listed as one of the most
  • 00:07:55.624 --> 00:07:58.560
  • Dangerous cities in america, right along with detroit and
  • 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:02.264
  • Baltimore and new orleans.
  • 00:08:02.264 --> 00:08:05.667
  • In chicago in 2025, this year, there have been 692 victims of
  • 00:08:05.667 --> 00:08:11.306
  • Gun violence.
  • 00:08:11.306 --> 00:08:16.745
  • It's common, it's so common we don't even notice anymore that
  • 00:08:16.745 --> 00:08:21.216
  • Mayors or governors resist efforts of federal agencies to
  • 00:08:21.216 --> 00:08:25.086
  • Help limit violent crime or immigration violations.
  • 00:08:25.086 --> 00:08:29.958
  • They don't care about their citizens.
  • 00:08:29.958 --> 00:08:32.260
  • They choose to make the citizens vulnerable rather than challenge
  • 00:08:32.260 --> 00:08:35.130
  • Political narratives which keep them in power.
  • 00:08:35.130 --> 00:08:38.733
  • Through june of this year, just june of this year, 100--more
  • 00:08:38.733 --> 00:08:42.604
  • Than 160 police officers have been shot.
  • 00:08:42.604 --> 00:08:46.174
  • There have been 34 police officers killed in the us
  • 00:08:46.174 --> 00:08:48.944
  • This year.
  • 00:08:48.944 --> 00:08:53.148
  • The lawlessness amongst us being encouraged by the people that
  • 00:08:53.148 --> 00:08:57.485
  • Have been entrusted to protect us, and it's become
  • 00:08:57.485 --> 00:09:02.123
  • So commonplace.
  • 00:09:02.123 --> 00:09:06.661
  • It's very difficult to imagine, and the church for the most part
  • 00:09:06.661 --> 00:09:10.031
  • Has been strangely silent.
  • 00:09:10.031 --> 00:09:13.602
  • Folks, it is not compassionate to encourage illegal behavior.
  • 00:09:13.602 --> 00:09:19.541
  • It's not an expression of compassion.
  • 00:09:19.541 --> 00:09:21.676
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:09:21.676 --> 00:09:27.449
  • And there's been a tremendous reluctance.
  • 00:09:27.449 --> 00:09:29.918
  • If we continue to let lawlessness flourish and refuse
  • 00:09:29.918 --> 00:09:34.556
  • Those attempts, if we promote the deception and the lies,
  • 00:09:34.556 --> 00:09:38.827
  • Please don't imagine the violence won't come to us.
  • 00:09:38.827 --> 00:09:43.798
  • That is beyond naive.
  • 00:09:43.798 --> 00:09:45.133
  • It has come to us.
  • 00:09:45.133 --> 00:09:46.501
  • We had a conference a week ago that was completely turned
  • 00:09:46.501 --> 00:09:48.637
  • Upside down, had to be completely restructured because
  • 00:09:48.637 --> 00:09:51.606
  • People who were planned to be here were taken from us,
  • 00:09:51.606 --> 00:09:54.809
  • Assassinated, martyred.
  • 00:09:54.809 --> 00:09:57.879
  • It's not theoretical.
  • 00:09:57.879 --> 00:10:01.149
  • How long will we pretend not to notice?
  • 00:10:01.149 --> 00:10:06.021
  • It's a very serious time, and our prayers are very important.
  • 00:10:06.021 --> 00:10:11.026
  • "shaping culture."
  • 00:10:11.026 --> 00:10:12.994
  • I believe, you know, when i watched the memorial service
  • 00:10:12.994 --> 00:10:15.730
  • Last sunday, it was striking to me how so many high profile
  • 00:10:15.730 --> 00:10:21.603
  • Figures stood with an awareness of the gospel and were willing
  • 00:10:21.603 --> 00:10:24.205
  • To talk about the essential nature of the redemptive work
  • 00:10:24.205 --> 00:10:26.441
  • Of jesus. [congregation applauding]
  • 00:10:26.441 --> 00:10:30.679
  • Stunning to me.
  • 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:33.515
  • If we'd put the most celebrated faces from the church on the
  • 00:10:33.515 --> 00:10:37.118
  • Platform, the message would have been very different.
  • 00:10:37.118 --> 00:10:38.720
  • It would have been about tolerance and inclusivity
  • 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:41.489
  • And understanding.
  • 00:10:41.489 --> 00:10:44.325
  • We haven't been champions for the need of repentance.
  • 00:10:44.325 --> 00:10:48.029
  • We've been reluctant to talk about why we have to repent, why
  • 00:10:48.029 --> 00:10:51.566
  • We need a savior, the intrusion of sin into the lives and how
  • 00:10:51.566 --> 00:10:55.804
  • That brings destruction every time.
  • 00:10:55.804 --> 00:10:59.040
  • The church has a message, and it's important.
  • 00:10:59.040 --> 00:11:01.176
  • We have to shape culture or we will make the children--those
  • 00:11:01.176 --> 00:11:05.046
  • Among us that are most vulnerable will be overwhelmed
  • 00:11:05.046 --> 00:11:08.616
  • By it.
  • 00:11:08.616 --> 00:11:12.187
  • Allen: now, how should we respond to the nation of israel
  • 00:11:16.324 --> 00:11:18.827
  • And the jewish people?
  • 00:11:18.827 --> 00:11:20.195
  • It's a complex question in today's world.
  • 00:11:20.195 --> 00:11:22.630
  • Well, i've written a book, "supporting israel: how far is
  • 00:11:22.630 --> 00:11:25.400
  • Too far?" to help us establish
  • 00:11:25.400 --> 00:11:27.702
  • A biblical perspective on what has become
  • 00:11:27.702 --> 00:11:30.638
  • A complex question in contemporary culture.
  • 00:11:30.638 --> 00:11:33.641
  • We don't wanna follow the guidance and the counsel of some
  • 00:11:33.641 --> 00:11:36.511
  • Of the elite universities in this nation.
  • 00:11:36.511 --> 00:11:39.180
  • We wanna form a perspective that's built from god's word.
  • 00:11:39.180 --> 00:11:41.750
  • If we'll do that, it'll bring his blessings to our lives.
  • 00:11:41.750 --> 00:11:45.120
  • Enjoy the book.
  • 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:46.454
  • Female announcer: from the pages of scripture to the frontlines
  • 00:11:46.454 --> 00:11:48.456
  • Of today's news, israel stands at the center of god's purposes.
  • 00:11:48.456 --> 00:11:52.894
  • Pastor allen's new booklet, "supporting israel: how far is
  • 00:11:52.894 --> 00:11:56.431
  • Too far?"
  • 00:11:56.431 --> 00:11:57.766
  • Offers a quick way to gain a biblical perspective on israel,
  • 00:11:57.766 --> 00:12:00.735
  • Why israel matters to god, and why it should matter to us.
  • 00:12:00.735 --> 00:12:05.073
  • Request your copy with your gift of any amount today at
  • 00:12:05.073 --> 00:12:08.143
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:12:08.143 --> 00:12:16.251
  • Allen: shaping culture one generation at a time.
  • 00:12:16.317 --> 00:12:18.186
  • I really am gonna get on your notes, i promise.
  • 00:12:18.186 --> 00:12:21.289
  • All right, let's define culture in this way.
  • 00:12:21.289 --> 00:12:23.758
  • It's a simple definition, but i think it works.
  • 00:12:23.758 --> 00:12:25.593
  • It's a set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices
  • 00:12:25.593 --> 00:12:29.297
  • That characterize an institution, an organization,
  • 00:12:29.297 --> 00:12:31.666
  • Or a people.
  • 00:12:31.666 --> 00:12:33.368
  • It's those things that describe who we are, how we behave, how
  • 00:12:33.368 --> 00:12:36.171
  • We respond in circumstances.
  • 00:12:36.171 --> 00:12:39.574
  • Over in the atrium, that's the lobby next to genesis, which was
  • 00:12:39.574 --> 00:12:42.343
  • Our first sanctuary, the walls over there are filled with
  • 00:12:42.343 --> 00:12:45.747
  • Pictures of the young people from this church, students and
  • 00:12:45.747 --> 00:12:48.650
  • Teenagers and some of the children engaged in all sorts of
  • 00:12:48.650 --> 00:12:51.853
  • Activities that have emanated from this place.
  • 00:12:51.853 --> 00:12:55.123
  • It's a remarkable place to be encouraged.
  • 00:12:55.123 --> 00:12:56.991
  • Just take a few minutes and stand in that lobby and look
  • 00:12:56.991 --> 00:13:00.028
  • Around a bit.
  • 00:13:00.028 --> 00:13:01.930
  • Each generation shapes culture.
  • 00:13:01.930 --> 00:13:03.731
  • Every generation has to make a decision.
  • 00:13:03.731 --> 00:13:07.468
  • You see, we can't take the character choices of our
  • 00:13:07.468 --> 00:13:10.738
  • Grandparents and imagine that they're going to define our
  • 00:13:10.738 --> 00:13:14.075
  • Future or our grandchildren's futures.
  • 00:13:14.075 --> 00:13:17.045
  • Every generation has to choose to shape culture.
  • 00:13:17.045 --> 00:13:21.249
  • And the point of this fall learning series is to awaken us
  • 00:13:21.249 --> 00:13:23.751
  • To that reality in a greater way, a more tangible way with
  • 00:13:23.751 --> 00:13:27.088
  • God's help.
  • 00:13:27.088 --> 00:13:28.423
  • There's four statements on the wall over there in the atrium,
  • 00:13:28.423 --> 00:13:30.325
  • And i'll just give them to you.
  • 00:13:30.325 --> 00:13:31.659
  • You can go check me later, see if i've told you the truth.
  • 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:33.928
  • The first is the next generation shapes culture.
  • 00:13:33.928 --> 00:13:37.332
  • It only takes three generations for an idea to be completely
  • 00:13:37.332 --> 00:13:40.134
  • Lost, so every generation has to choose.
  • 00:13:40.134 --> 00:13:43.738
  • Every generation, you can't assume they'll take your values.
  • 00:13:43.738 --> 00:13:47.308
  • You have to pass them along.
  • 00:13:47.308 --> 00:13:49.811
  • They have to be explained, they have to be taught.
  • 00:13:49.811 --> 00:13:53.147
  • There's an investment in every generation.
  • 00:13:53.147 --> 00:13:56.417
  • It's why children and students and their activities,
  • 00:13:56.417 --> 00:13:58.686
  • It matters.
  • 00:13:58.686 --> 00:14:00.021
  • It's more than busy work, we're not just warehousing kids.
  • 00:14:00.021 --> 00:14:05.393
  • Next generation is shaping culture.
  • 00:14:05.393 --> 00:14:07.262
  • The second statement is, you are the church today.
  • 00:14:07.262 --> 00:14:10.031
  • And they're--the kids aren't the church of tomorrow.
  • 00:14:10.031 --> 00:14:11.566
  • They're the church today.
  • 00:14:11.566 --> 00:14:12.901
  • If they don't--if they're not presented with and engage the
  • 00:14:12.901 --> 00:14:15.036
  • Gospel today, it's highly improbable they ever will.
  • 00:14:15.036 --> 00:14:20.975
  • They're the church of today.
  • 00:14:20.975 --> 00:14:23.244
  • Their lives matter, their voices matter.
  • 00:14:23.244 --> 00:14:25.346
  • In 1 timothy chapter 4 and verse 12, paul wrote it to timothy.
  • 00:14:25.346 --> 00:14:29.217
  • Paul's the author, the recipient of the letter is timothy.
  • 00:14:29.217 --> 00:14:32.353
  • Timothy is a young man, a gentile, not jewish, that paul
  • 00:14:32.353 --> 00:14:36.691
  • Is mentoring in the faith.
  • 00:14:36.691 --> 00:14:38.793
  • And he gives him some very practical instructions.
  • 00:14:38.793 --> 00:14:40.862
  • "don't let anyone look down on you because you're young."
  • 00:14:40.862 --> 00:14:44.032
  • Paul's given him some leadership roles, some roles of influence
  • 00:14:44.032 --> 00:14:46.601
  • In the lives of people older than him.
  • 00:14:46.601 --> 00:14:48.569
  • "don't let anyone look down on you because you're young, but
  • 00:14:48.569 --> 00:14:50.872
  • Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in
  • 00:14:50.872 --> 00:14:56.044
  • Faith, and in purity."
  • 00:14:56.044 --> 00:14:58.446
  • He's saying to a young man, you set an example for
  • 00:14:58.446 --> 00:15:01.382
  • The believers.
  • 00:15:01.382 --> 00:15:02.750
  • It's not about your age.
  • 00:15:02.750 --> 00:15:04.185
  • You be an example, be an example in your speech, in your life, in
  • 00:15:04.185 --> 00:15:09.891
  • Your faith, in your purity.
  • 00:15:09.891 --> 00:15:12.660
  • Are you giving that message to the young people in your life,
  • 00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:14.996
  • Or are you encouraging them to be ungodly?
  • 00:15:14.996 --> 00:15:20.068
  • I've had my fill of parents who sit in churches and then wink
  • 00:15:20.068 --> 00:15:23.705
  • And nod at the immorality of the younger people in their lives
  • 00:15:23.705 --> 00:15:26.374
  • And their families.
  • 00:15:26.374 --> 00:15:28.977
  • The devil doesn't play games.
  • 00:15:28.977 --> 00:15:30.445
  • He is searching for people to destroy.
  • 00:15:30.445 --> 00:15:32.847
  • And if you open their hearts and their lives to ungodliness and
  • 00:15:32.847 --> 00:15:35.683
  • Impurity and wickedness and imagine that they will survive
  • 00:15:35.683 --> 00:15:39.087
  • It, you are gambling in a way i'm not comfortable with.
  • 00:15:39.087 --> 00:15:43.124
  • And paul is saying to timothy, you be an example.
  • 00:15:43.124 --> 00:15:47.929
  • Use your voice, use your life.
  • 00:15:47.929 --> 00:15:50.031
  • It's tragic that now we're looking to our young people to
  • 00:15:50.031 --> 00:15:52.834
  • Be an expression of godliness that we haven't been.
  • 00:15:52.834 --> 00:15:56.337
  • That should put every one of us on our knees.
  • 00:15:56.337 --> 00:15:59.741
  • God, forgive us.
  • 00:15:59.741 --> 00:16:01.476
  • Be merciful to us, that we're looking to a younger generation
  • 00:16:01.476 --> 00:16:04.412
  • To have a faith that we didn't have in that season of
  • 00:16:04.412 --> 00:16:07.081
  • Our lives.
  • 00:16:07.081 --> 00:16:11.519
  • The third statement on the wall is use your influence for the
  • 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:15.256
  • Kingdom of god.
  • 00:16:15.256 --> 00:16:18.159
  • These verses are over there as well.
  • 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.527
  • Romans 12 and verse 2 says, "don't conform any longer to the
  • 00:16:19.527 --> 00:16:23.398
  • Pattern of this world."
  • 00:16:23.398 --> 00:16:25.099
  • To conform is to adapt to the prevailing standards of.
  • 00:16:25.099 --> 00:16:28.336
  • Don't adapt to the prevailing standards of this world, "but be
  • 00:16:28.336 --> 00:16:32.473
  • Transformed," be changed in potential, "by the renewing of
  • 00:16:32.473 --> 00:16:34.976
  • Your mind."
  • 00:16:34.976 --> 00:16:37.812
  • We're asking the young people to intentionally, purposefully not
  • 00:16:37.812 --> 00:16:41.549
  • Just fit in, not just blend in, not to be weird different, to be
  • 00:16:41.549 --> 00:16:47.422
  • Godly different.
  • 00:16:47.422 --> 00:16:49.724
  • Which brings us to that fourth statement that's on the wall.
  • 00:16:49.724 --> 00:16:52.093
  • Publicly and privately, choose holiness.
  • 00:16:52.093 --> 00:16:55.129
  • Choose holiness.
  • 00:16:55.129 --> 00:16:57.598
  • The young people are.
  • 00:16:57.598 --> 00:17:00.101
  • There's something happening in our nation.
  • 00:17:00.101 --> 00:17:02.203
  • Thousands and thousands and thousands of young people have
  • 00:17:02.203 --> 00:17:04.705
  • Raised their hands, and so they want to be advocates for jesus
  • 00:17:04.705 --> 00:17:07.542
  • In their schools and on their college campuses.
  • 00:17:07.542 --> 00:17:15.016
  • I wish that were the same message coming from adults on
  • 00:17:15.016 --> 00:17:17.251
  • Our job sites and our factory floors, that it was disrupting
  • 00:17:17.251 --> 00:17:21.489
  • The uaw, because there were so many people saying, "i want to
  • 00:17:21.489 --> 00:17:23.958
  • Lead a bible study," that our hospitals were changing, that
  • 00:17:23.958 --> 00:17:28.863
  • Our healthcare, that our legal system.
  • 00:17:28.863 --> 00:17:31.265
  • It's hard to have court, everybody's having bible study
  • 00:17:31.265 --> 00:17:33.367
  • In the hallways.
  • 00:17:33.367 --> 00:17:36.337
  • I'm grateful for the young people, but i'm looking at their
  • 00:17:36.337 --> 00:17:40.208
  • Lives and i'm thinking, lord, the rest of us can't just sit
  • 00:17:40.208 --> 00:17:43.044
  • And cheer for them.
  • 00:17:43.044 --> 00:17:45.613
  • Publicly and privately, choose holiness.
  • 00:17:45.613 --> 00:17:49.784
  • 1 samuel 16, this was the message god gave to samuel the
  • 00:17:49.784 --> 00:17:53.754
  • Prophet when he was about to anoint the second king
  • 00:17:53.754 --> 00:17:55.923
  • Of israel.
  • 00:17:55.923 --> 00:17:57.358
  • "the lord doesn't look at the things man looks at.
  • 00:17:57.358 --> 00:17:59.527
  • Man looks at the outward appearance, but the lord looks
  • 00:17:59.527 --> 00:18:02.063
  • At the heart."
  • 00:18:02.063 --> 00:18:04.265
  • The lord looks at the heart.
  • 00:18:04.265 --> 00:18:05.733
  • We spend a lot of time on the outward appearance.
  • 00:18:05.733 --> 00:18:08.636
  • That's not necessarily evil, but don't spend more time on
  • 00:18:08.636 --> 00:18:11.539
  • Prepping your exterior than you do your interior, because i got
  • 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:15.610
  • News for you.
  • 00:18:15.610 --> 00:18:16.978
  • No matter how much work you do on that exterior, time's gonna
  • 00:18:16.978 --> 00:18:21.716
  • Catch you.
  • 00:18:21.716 --> 00:18:24.719
  • Work on the part that will never diminish.
  • 00:18:24.719 --> 00:18:27.722
  • Work on the part that has a value that cannot be lost.
  • 00:18:27.722 --> 00:18:32.059
  • It matters so much.
  • 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:34.228
  • I wanna go back to some more instructions paul gave timothy.
  • 00:18:34.228 --> 00:18:36.697
  • 2 timothy chapter 2, he said, "the things you've heard me say
  • 00:18:36.697 --> 00:18:39.734
  • In the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable
  • 00:18:39.734 --> 00:18:42.336
  • Men who will be qualified to teach others."
  • 00:18:42.336 --> 00:18:44.739
  • That's a mouthful to give a young man.
  • 00:18:44.739 --> 00:18:47.975
  • He's left him as an overseer of a community of believers, and he
  • 00:18:47.975 --> 00:18:50.912
  • Said the things that you've heard me say many times, now you
  • 00:18:50.912 --> 00:18:54.849
  • Entrust those to reliable men.
  • 00:18:54.849 --> 00:18:57.084
  • Verse 3, "endure hardship with us like a good soldier of
  • 00:18:57.084 --> 00:19:00.188
  • Christ jesus.
  • 00:19:00.188 --> 00:19:02.256
  • No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--
  • 00:19:02.256 --> 00:19:05.126
  • He wants to please his commanding officer.
  • 00:19:05.126 --> 00:19:07.728
  • Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he doesn't receive
  • 00:19:07.728 --> 00:19:10.131
  • The victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
  • 00:19:10.131 --> 00:19:13.167
  • The hardworking farmer," three analogies, "should be the first
  • 00:19:13.167 --> 00:19:15.970
  • To receive a share of the crops.
  • 00:19:15.970 --> 00:19:18.072
  • Reflect on what i'm saying, the lord will give you insight into
  • 00:19:18.072 --> 00:19:20.741
  • All of this."
  • 00:19:20.741 --> 00:19:22.076
  • The lord will help you, timothy.
  • 00:19:22.076 --> 00:19:23.611
  • The lord will help these young people that are raising
  • 00:19:23.611 --> 00:19:25.513
  • Their hands.
  • 00:19:25.513 --> 00:19:27.281
  • Paul introduces this analogy, this imagery of a soldier.
  • 00:19:27.281 --> 00:19:31.686
  • "endure hardship with us like a good soldier."
  • 00:19:31.686 --> 00:19:34.455
  • The expectation, the given in paul's imagination, timothy,
  • 00:19:34.455 --> 00:19:38.459
  • Is this is gonna be difficult.
  • 00:19:38.459 --> 00:19:41.262
  • And he's using the imagery of a soldier, a total commitment.
  • 00:19:41.262 --> 00:19:44.632
  • You don't enlist in the military to serve until things get
  • 00:19:44.632 --> 00:19:48.336
  • Difficult or frightening.
  • 00:19:48.336 --> 00:19:50.805
  • Say, "i didn't expect this.
  • 00:19:50.805 --> 00:19:52.173
  • I thought it was free food and a little bit of exercise."
  • 00:19:52.173 --> 00:19:56.811
  • Endure hardship with us.
  • 00:19:56.811 --> 00:19:58.279
  • We didn't sign up for the kingdom of god for the applause
  • 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:00.815
  • And a ticket to heaven.
  • 00:20:00.815 --> 00:20:03.584
  • We signed up for when it's difficult as well.
  • 00:20:03.584 --> 00:20:08.055
  • Soldiers understand they're under authority, they're under
  • 00:20:08.055 --> 00:20:10.491
  • A commanding officer, they're not self-directed.
  • 00:20:10.491 --> 00:20:12.593
  • I've watched videos recently of a lot of the young people and
  • 00:20:12.593 --> 00:20:15.463
  • Their messaging.
  • 00:20:15.463 --> 00:20:16.797
  • I watched some from my own community, young person after
  • 00:20:16.797 --> 00:20:18.899
  • Young person come to the microphone and talk about how
  • 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:20.768
  • Their lives have been changed through an organization that has
  • 00:20:20.768 --> 00:20:23.738
  • Been telling them the truth.
  • 00:20:23.738 --> 00:20:25.106
  • I was grateful for turning point.
  • 00:20:25.106 --> 00:20:27.908
  • But honestly, it was making me flinch.
  • 00:20:27.908 --> 00:20:29.944
  • Why weren't they hearing this in our churches?
  • 00:20:29.944 --> 00:20:33.114
  • Why wasn't this normative in our homes and in our schools and our
  • 00:20:33.114 --> 00:20:36.317
  • Christian schools and our universities?
  • 00:20:36.317 --> 00:20:38.319
  • I'm grateful for turning point.
  • 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.654
  • Clearly they're stirring the hearts of the young people.
  • 00:20:39.654 --> 00:20:43.257
  • And it's the temptation, then i watched the adults come along
  • 00:20:43.257 --> 00:20:45.660
  • Behind that with their comments and they go, "it's awesome to
  • 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:47.795
  • See a group of young people leading the charge."
  • 00:20:47.795 --> 00:20:50.097
  • That's not how it works, folks.
  • 00:20:50.097 --> 00:20:54.001
  • Nice try.
  • 00:20:54.001 --> 00:20:56.037
  • Oh, it's true our young people volunteer to serve in
  • 00:20:56.037 --> 00:20:58.973
  • Our military.
  • 00:20:58.973 --> 00:21:01.342
  • It's true our wars are fought by young people.
  • 00:21:01.342 --> 00:21:05.446
  • In overwhelming numbers, they always have been.
  • 00:21:05.446 --> 00:21:07.515
  • There's reasons for that.
  • 00:21:07.515 --> 00:21:10.017
  • But it's equally true that they need good sergeants, and they
  • 00:21:10.017 --> 00:21:13.988
  • Need a command structure, and they need people to provide the
  • 00:21:13.988 --> 00:21:17.491
  • Infrastructure that makes possible for them to be in the
  • 00:21:17.491 --> 00:21:19.560
  • Right places at the right time.
  • 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:20.961
  • Soldiers don't determine which battlefield or which enemy.
  • 00:21:20.961 --> 00:21:24.999
  • The rules of engagement are not established by the enlisted.
  • 00:21:24.999 --> 00:21:29.403
  • New recruits are necessary, but so are the experienced veterans
  • 00:21:29.403 --> 00:21:33.374
  • To provide the leadership, the encouragement, and the training
  • 00:21:33.374 --> 00:21:35.776
  • To help them flourish and not be overwhelmed by an adversary that
  • 00:21:35.776 --> 00:21:39.080
  • Intends their destruction.
  • 00:21:39.080 --> 00:21:41.248
  • I believe we should celebrate the change of hearts we see
  • 00:21:41.248 --> 00:21:44.285
  • Happening among so many young people, but i believe we have to
  • 00:21:44.285 --> 00:21:47.855
  • Step into that with a heart change of our own.
  • 00:21:47.855 --> 00:21:51.158
  • All of us, all of us.
  • 00:21:51.158 --> 00:21:54.962
  • In 1 timothy chapter 1, paul's still coaching.
  • 00:21:54.962 --> 00:21:58.366
  • He says, "timothy, my son, i give you this instruction in
  • 00:21:58.366 --> 00:22:00.868
  • Keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by
  • 00:22:00.868 --> 00:22:03.904
  • Following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith
  • 00:22:03.904 --> 00:22:07.942
  • And a good conscience.
  • 00:22:07.942 --> 00:22:09.744
  • Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith."
  • 00:22:09.744 --> 00:22:12.980
  • Paul's talking to timothy about the struggle of faith, not the
  • 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:17.351
  • Struggle for faith.
  • 00:22:17.351 --> 00:22:20.087
  • That's the struggle we like to tell, "well, you know, it's so
  • 00:22:20.087 --> 00:22:22.823
  • Hard to believe in the lord.
  • 00:22:22.823 --> 00:22:26.026
  • You know, pastor, i want to believe, but it's so difficult."
  • 00:22:26.026 --> 00:22:32.900
  • Stop it.
  • 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:36.337
  • Belief is a choice.
  • 00:22:36.337 --> 00:22:39.006
  • The bible doesn't really give us a great deal of cover for the
  • 00:22:39.006 --> 00:22:42.777
  • Struggle for faith.
  • 00:22:42.777 --> 00:22:44.111
  • It says god's given to every person a measure of faith.
  • 00:22:44.111 --> 00:22:47.848
  • And if you lack faith, it says faith comes, faith will grow by
  • 00:22:47.848 --> 00:22:51.385
  • Hearing the word of god.
  • 00:22:51.385 --> 00:22:52.753
  • It gives us very clearly and plainly a process so that we can
  • 00:22:52.753 --> 00:22:56.090
  • Have growing faith, vibrant faith, great faith, vital faith.
  • 00:22:56.090 --> 00:22:59.727
  • What the bible does tell us is that there'll be a struggle
  • 00:22:59.727 --> 00:23:02.863
  • Of faith.
  • 00:23:02.863 --> 00:23:05.266
  • Not a struggle for faith, a challenge to our faith,
  • 00:23:05.266 --> 00:23:10.337
  • A resistance to our faith, a counter to our faith.
  • 00:23:10.337 --> 00:23:15.709
  • The struggle of faith, it's a fight.
  • 00:23:15.709 --> 00:23:17.278
  • There is an adversary opposing your progress in the kingdom
  • 00:23:17.278 --> 00:23:21.449
  • Of god.
  • 00:23:21.449 --> 00:23:22.783
  • Do you understand the nature of your adversary?
  • 00:23:22.783 --> 00:23:25.820
  • The good news is we're not all tempted on all
  • 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:27.521
  • Points, hallelujah.
  • 00:23:27.521 --> 00:23:29.890
  • I mean, i'm tempted on enough.
  • 00:23:29.890 --> 00:23:33.794
  • I've never been tempted to overeat mushrooms.
  • 00:23:33.794 --> 00:23:37.531
  • God delivered me of that, hallelujah.
  • 00:23:37.531 --> 00:23:41.368
  • You can have my fungus allotment.
  • 00:23:41.368 --> 00:23:46.674
  • But i'm conscious that there are struggles in all of our lives,
  • 00:23:46.674 --> 00:23:51.011
  • There are things god puts before us and says, "will you trust me?
  • 00:23:51.011 --> 00:23:53.714
  • Will you lead through this?
  • 00:23:53.714 --> 00:23:55.349
  • Will you lead with your faith in this?
  • 00:23:55.349 --> 00:23:57.551
  • Will you bring the name of jesus to bear into this conversation?
  • 00:23:57.551 --> 00:24:00.821
  • Will you turn up the light in this place?"
  • 00:24:00.821 --> 00:24:04.225
  • We all have those choices.
  • 00:24:04.225 --> 00:24:05.559
  • It's what paul is saying to timothy.
  • 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:07.728
  • "i give you this instruction in keeping with your heritage.
  • 00:24:07.728 --> 00:24:11.832
  • Fight the good fight, holding on to the faith."
  • 00:24:11.832 --> 00:24:18.205
  • There's one more example i'll give you from the new testament.
  • 00:24:18.205 --> 00:24:21.609
  • This is from jesus's life.
  • 00:24:21.609 --> 00:24:24.078
  • He's in capernaum, the village where he set up his ministry
  • 00:24:24.078 --> 00:24:27.281
  • Base, his headquarters.
  • 00:24:27.281 --> 00:24:30.150
  • And they came and said, "a roman centurion needs your help.
  • 00:24:30.150 --> 00:24:32.586
  • Will you go with him?"
  • 00:24:32.586 --> 00:24:34.455
  • Jesus said, yes, which is odd.
  • 00:24:34.455 --> 00:24:35.856
  • There were a lot of times he wouldn't cooperate
  • 00:24:35.856 --> 00:24:37.458
  • With non-jews.
  • 00:24:37.458 --> 00:24:41.028
  • "jesus went with them.
  • 00:24:41.028 --> 00:24:42.396
  • He wasn't far from the house when the centurion sent friends
  • 00:24:42.396 --> 00:24:44.431
  • To say to him, 'lord, don't trouble yourself, i don't
  • 00:24:44.431 --> 00:24:47.034
  • Deserve to have you come under my roof.
  • 00:24:47.034 --> 00:24:50.037
  • That's why i didn't even consider myself worthy to come
  • 00:24:50.037 --> 00:24:52.439
  • To you.
  • 00:24:52.439 --> 00:24:53.807
  • But say the word, and my servant will be healed.'"
  • 00:24:53.807 --> 00:24:55.175
  • Many of you know this story.
  • 00:24:55.175 --> 00:24:57.111
  • "'i myself i'm a man under authority, with soldiers
  • 00:24:57.111 --> 00:24:59.346
  • Under me.
  • 00:24:59.346 --> 00:25:00.681
  • I tell this one, "go," and he goes; and that one, "come,"
  • 00:25:00.681 --> 00:25:02.349
  • And he comes.
  • 00:25:02.349 --> 00:25:03.717
  • I say to my servant, "do this," and he does it.'
  • 00:25:03.717 --> 00:25:05.619
  • When jesus heard this, he was amazed."
  • 00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:08.556
  • Wouldn't you like to have faith that made jesus amazed?
  • 00:25:08.556 --> 00:25:13.827
  • "he turned to the crowd and he said, 'i tell you, i haven't
  • 00:25:13.827 --> 00:25:16.730
  • Found such great faith even in israel.'
  • 00:25:16.730 --> 00:25:20.134
  • The men who'd been sent returned to the house and found the
  • 00:25:20.134 --> 00:25:22.202
  • Servant well."
  • 00:25:22.202 --> 00:25:23.537
  • The centurion pulled back the curtain on a kingdom principle.
  • 00:25:23.537 --> 00:25:27.241
  • The roman centurion had great clarity on the topic of
  • 00:25:27.241 --> 00:25:30.044
  • Spiritual authority.
  • 00:25:30.044 --> 00:25:31.879
  • He had more clarity than the leaders in the synagogue or the
  • 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:34.615
  • Leaders in the temple or the sanhedrin.
  • 00:25:34.615 --> 00:25:37.017
  • The centurion, a roman, a man with no covenant, no status, no
  • 00:25:37.017 --> 00:25:41.322
  • Standing, he said, "listen, i recognize authority.
  • 00:25:41.322 --> 00:25:44.758
  • I have physical authority.
  • 00:25:44.758 --> 00:25:46.126
  • I have authority over soldiers.
  • 00:25:46.126 --> 00:25:47.461
  • I have authority over servants.
  • 00:25:47.461 --> 00:25:49.163
  • But i recognize in you a spiritual authority.
  • 00:25:49.163 --> 00:25:51.699
  • If you will say the word, my servant will be well."
  • 00:25:51.699 --> 00:25:54.201
  • Do you know how many--how many seminars have you been to on
  • 00:25:54.201 --> 00:25:55.970
  • Whether god still heals?
  • 00:25:55.970 --> 00:25:58.906
  • How many times have you been engaged in a conversation?
  • 00:25:58.906 --> 00:26:00.708
  • "well, i don't know if god does miracles anymore or not."
  • 00:26:00.708 --> 00:26:05.045
  • That centurion had more clarity.
  • 00:26:05.045 --> 00:26:08.248
  • Allen: you know, i used to believe that antisemitism was
  • 00:26:08.315 --> 00:26:10.484
  • A european problem or an issue in the islamic nations of the
  • 00:26:10.484 --> 00:26:14.254
  • World, but now we see it flourishing in our nation,
  • 00:26:14.254 --> 00:26:17.825
  • On elite college campuses, even amongst the political class,
  • 00:26:17.825 --> 00:26:21.562
  • And now on the conservative ideological spectrum.
  • 00:26:21.562 --> 00:26:25.399
  • It's troubling.
  • 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:26.734
  • So i wrote a book, "supporting israel: how far is too far?"
  • 00:26:26.734 --> 00:26:30.838
  • You know, i know we've all got a little battle fatigue with the
  • 00:26:30.838 --> 00:26:33.173
  • Constant conflicts in the middle east and beyond,
  • 00:26:33.173 --> 00:26:36.377
  • But what we desperately need is a biblical perspective on how to
  • 00:26:36.377 --> 00:26:39.480
  • Navigate what's unfolding in our world,
  • 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:42.416
  • And i believe the word of god gives that to us with clarity.
  • 00:26:42.416 --> 00:26:45.819
  • So we put this book together to help you find yourself in
  • 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:48.756
  • A place that will bring the blessings of god to your life.
  • 00:26:48.756 --> 00:26:51.725
  • I want to pray that we'll have his wisdom.
  • 00:26:51.725 --> 00:26:53.727
  • Father, you said when we lack wisdom,
  • 00:26:53.727 --> 00:26:55.462
  • We can ask and that you would give it to us without criticism.
  • 00:26:55.462 --> 00:26:58.399
  • We want to stand with you in what you're accomplishing in the
  • 00:26:58.399 --> 00:27:00.801
  • Earth so that your purposes can come forth.
  • 00:27:00.801 --> 00:27:03.737
  • Holy spirit, give us the discernment we need
  • 00:27:03.737 --> 00:27:06.240
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:08.542
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:08.609 --> 00:27:08.609