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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Opportunities Lost

April 3, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - Opportunities Lost
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Jesus #Betrayal #Persecution #Crucifixion #Condemnation #Death #WalkwithGod #Disciples #Discipleship #LoveofGod #Grace #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Opportunities Lost | April 3, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world people are searching
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  • For truth and together we're doing our very best to help them
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  • Find it.
  • 00:00:06.755 --> 00:00:06.889
  • When you become a ministry partner with allen jackson
  • 00:00:07.990 --> 00:00:09.925
  • Ministries, you're joining a growing community of believers
  • 00:00:09.925 --> 00:00:13.195
  • Who are committed to strengthening the church and
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  • Sharing god's word through every available channel: television,
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  • Radio, podcast, books, bible studies, digital resources,
  • 00:00:19.835 --> 00:00:23.572
  • Conferences.
  • 00:00:23.572 --> 00:00:25.340
  • Your monthly partnership helps us equip believers to reach new
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  • Audiences and to take the hope of jesus to people who may never
  • 00:00:28.677 --> 00:00:32.548
  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
  • 00:00:32.548 --> 00:00:34.683
  • Together we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
  • 00:00:34.683 --> 00:00:38.620
  • Known right here at home and around the earth wherever god
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  • Opens the 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.
  • 00:00:46.361 --> 00:00:48.630
  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner at
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  • Allenjackson.com/partner.
  • 00:00:51.700 --> 00:01:03.345
  • Allen: you know, grace is the undeserved, the
  • 00:01:07.316 --> 00:01:09.384
  • Unmerited, the unearned blessing of god.
  • 00:01:09.384 --> 00:01:12.321
  • When he shows us kindness that we don't deserve, it's
  • 00:01:12.321 --> 00:01:14.556
  • Not merit-based.
  • 00:01:14.556 --> 00:01:15.891
  • If it's merit-based, it's not grace.
  • 00:01:15.891 --> 00:01:18.360
  • It's grace comes from the character of god, his great love
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  • For humanity.
  • 00:01:21.396 --> 00:01:22.764
  • He loves us so much that he shows us blessings and favor
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  • That have nothing to do with what we justly deserve.
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  • Hallelujah.
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  • The mercy of god are those places where we deserve judgment
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  • And god withholds it.
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  • The bible makes an interesting statement.
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  • It says, realizing that god's kindness leads us
  • 00:01:39.648 --> 00:01:42.784
  • Towards repentance.
  • 00:01:42.784 --> 00:01:44.586
  • We live in an age where grace and mercy are leading discussion
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  • Points in contemporary american christendom.
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  • I'm okay with that.
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  • If you look them up in the bible in the dictionary, you'll
  • 00:01:51.493 --> 00:01:53.228
  • Probably find my picture, i need them.
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  • But the purpose of grace and mercy is to lead us
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  • Towards repentance.
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  • It is not intended to extend license to us.
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  • We don't want to lead lives presumptuous of the grace and
  • 00:02:03.739 --> 00:02:07.142
  • Mercy of god, and i came with good news.
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  • If you don't take anything else away from this one session,
  • 00:02:09.645 --> 00:02:12.347
  • Please know this, you're of incredible significance to god.
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  • And the reality as i understand it from scripture is that the
  • 00:02:16.885 --> 00:02:19.354
  • Grace of god is beyond knowing.
  • 00:02:19.354 --> 00:02:21.223
  • It's beyond my comprehension.
  • 00:02:21.223 --> 00:02:23.659
  • No matter how much i study and how much i would work to be able
  • 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:26.828
  • To communicate it, i truly believe the grace of god is
  • 00:02:26.828 --> 00:02:29.865
  • Beyond knowing.
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  • Almighty god, the creator and the sustainer of all things, has
  • 00:02:31.266 --> 00:02:34.803
  • Shown his love towards us.
  • 00:02:34.803 --> 00:02:37.639
  • When we were rebellious and without god and without hope in
  • 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:40.809
  • This earth, god demonstrated his love for us in sending his son.
  • 00:02:40.809 --> 00:02:45.480
  • And yet in spite of that, we persist in our
  • 00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:48.984
  • Self-centered pursuits.
  • 00:02:48.984 --> 00:02:51.453
  • We do, even those of us that file into churches and
  • 00:02:51.453 --> 00:02:54.856
  • Carry bibles.
  • 00:02:54.856 --> 00:02:57.159
  • God presents us, every one of us, with opportunities to
  • 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:00.028
  • Cooperate with him.
  • 00:03:00.028 --> 00:03:01.663
  • He invites us into his purposes and his plans.
  • 00:03:01.663 --> 00:03:04.600
  • There's no real explanation for that in scripture.
  • 00:03:04.600 --> 00:03:07.069
  • Why almighty god, the creator of all things, would say to weak,
  • 00:03:07.069 --> 00:03:11.039
  • Frail human beings, a part of his creation, i would like to
  • 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:16.044
  • Include you in my purposes.
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  • Can you imagine?
  • 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:20.015
  • It's beyond my intellectual ability to grasp, but i'm still
  • 00:03:20.015 --> 00:03:23.952
  • Amazed at that.
  • 00:03:23.952 --> 00:03:26.088
  • He provides direction to us on how to flourish in our journey
  • 00:03:26.088 --> 00:03:30.025
  • Through time.
  • 00:03:30.025 --> 00:03:31.727
  • So that we don't waste our days and spend our years in futility.
  • 00:03:31.727 --> 00:03:36.832
  • He's established guidelines informed by the wisdom
  • 00:03:36.832 --> 00:03:40.135
  • Of the creator.
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  • So that we can understand where destruction would be and where
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  • Life would be.
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  • He even makes provision for our forgiveness and welcomes us back
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  • After our self-chosen detours.
  • 00:03:50.512 --> 00:03:54.283
  • That's the story that we all share.
  • 00:03:54.283 --> 00:03:56.985
  • And in spite of all of this, in spite of all the expressions of
  • 00:03:56.985 --> 00:04:00.155
  • The goodness and the kindness and the love and the mercy of
  • 00:04:00.155 --> 00:04:02.791
  • God, our tendency is still to accuse him, of injustice, of
  • 00:04:02.791 --> 00:04:09.464
  • Being calloused, of being indifferent towards us.
  • 00:04:09.464 --> 00:04:15.070
  • Many times even to his adversaries.
  • 00:04:15.070 --> 00:04:18.440
  • And to pay attention to the choices that they made to help
  • 00:04:18.440 --> 00:04:21.743
  • Us make choices that will bring the best of god into our lives.
  • 00:04:21.743 --> 00:04:25.614
  • If you want god's best in your life, i can give you the key in
  • 00:04:25.614 --> 00:04:28.650
  • A single phrase.
  • 00:04:28.650 --> 00:04:30.452
  • You have to truly want god's best.
  • 00:04:30.452 --> 00:04:33.422
  • You can't be indifferent, you can't be casual, you can't
  • 00:04:33.422 --> 00:04:36.625
  • Be lukewarm.
  • 00:04:36.625 --> 00:04:37.959
  • If you want god's best, you have to truly want god's best.
  • 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:40.595
  • I learned that as a young boy from a voice that was a mentor
  • 00:04:40.595 --> 00:04:44.266
  • In my life, and i've never lost it, and it's true today.
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  • So we're gonna look at some of jesus's invitations.
  • 00:04:48.704 --> 00:04:52.374
  • It's a remarkable collection of people from different walks of
  • 00:04:52.374 --> 00:04:55.143
  • Life, different life stations, and each one is gonna be
  • 00:04:55.143 --> 00:04:58.747
  • Presented with an opportunity to cooperate with jesus.
  • 00:04:58.747 --> 00:05:02.584
  • And yet as we will see in these next few moments, the majority
  • 00:05:02.584 --> 00:05:05.520
  • Of them are going to reject that invitation.
  • 00:05:05.520 --> 00:05:09.825
  • I say that because i don't want one of us to do that.
  • 00:05:09.825 --> 00:05:13.228
  • I don't wanna do that.
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  • I don't wanna reject one of god's invitations for my life.
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  • I don't want to turn it away.
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  • I don't want to turn my head.
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  • I don't want to act like i didn't notice.
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  • I don't want to turn up the music, so i don't have
  • 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:25.674
  • To listen.
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  • I want to learn to cooperate more fully with god than i ever
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  • Have before, and i believe you do as well.
  • 00:05:30.445 --> 00:05:34.549
  • I wanna start with an individual that's at the center of much of
  • 00:05:34.549 --> 00:05:38.687
  • The jesus narrative as he approached the end of his life.
  • 00:05:38.687 --> 00:05:41.156
  • His name is caiaphas.
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  • He's a high priest.
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  • That that language is a little blind to us.
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  • We have to put it in the grid of the religious world in which
  • 00:05:47.896 --> 00:05:50.432
  • We live.
  • 00:05:50.432 --> 00:05:51.767
  • The equivalent of a high priest, he was the most powerful
  • 00:05:51.767 --> 00:05:53.902
  • Religious figure in the day, one of the most powerful political
  • 00:05:53.902 --> 00:05:57.672
  • Figures of his day.
  • 00:05:57.672 --> 00:05:59.574
  • He had access to tremendous power both in the religious
  • 00:05:59.574 --> 00:06:02.377
  • Sphere and the political sphere.
  • 00:06:02.377 --> 00:06:04.312
  • He commanded great resources.
  • 00:06:04.312 --> 00:06:06.882
  • I suppose in the contemporary christendom, he would be the
  • 00:06:06.882 --> 00:06:09.217
  • Equivalent of the head of a denomination if you come from
  • 00:06:09.217 --> 00:06:12.387
  • One of those arenas.
  • 00:06:12.387 --> 00:06:13.989
  • It wouldn't be vastly different from the pope, but i don't mean
  • 00:06:13.989 --> 00:06:16.625
  • That disrespectfully to anybody around that equation.
  • 00:06:16.625 --> 00:06:20.095
  • A very powerful religious leader that had tremendous influence in
  • 00:06:20.095 --> 00:06:24.065
  • Realms beyond a worship service.
  • 00:06:24.065 --> 00:06:27.068
  • His name is caiaphas.
  • 00:06:27.068 --> 00:06:29.004
  • And in matthew 26:3-5, says "the chief priest and the elders of
  • 00:06:29.004 --> 00:06:33.942
  • The people assembled in the palace of the high priest whose
  • 00:06:33.942 --> 00:06:37.179
  • Name was caiaphas.
  • 00:06:37.179 --> 00:06:39.047
  • And they plotted to arrest jesus in some sly way and to kill him.
  • 00:06:39.047 --> 00:06:44.152
  • But they said not during the feast or there could be a riot
  • 00:06:44.152 --> 00:06:48.356
  • Among the people."
  • 00:06:48.356 --> 00:06:50.225
  • So in this introduction i'm giving you, caiaphas is not only
  • 00:06:50.225 --> 00:06:53.295
  • The high priest, the most powerful religious leader, and
  • 00:06:53.295 --> 00:06:56.731
  • Certainly one of the most powerful political leaders, we
  • 00:06:56.731 --> 00:06:59.701
  • Find out that he's plotting the arrest and the destruction
  • 00:06:59.701 --> 00:07:03.939
  • Of jesus.
  • 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:05.807
  • Now what's troubling about that is he's an expert in
  • 00:07:05.807 --> 00:07:07.843
  • The scripture.
  • 00:07:07.843 --> 00:07:09.311
  • He's not marginally associated with scripture, he's studied the
  • 00:07:09.311 --> 00:07:12.547
  • Word of god since childhood.
  • 00:07:12.547 --> 00:07:14.783
  • He knows all the prophecies about messiah.
  • 00:07:14.783 --> 00:07:18.053
  • The jewish people are awaiting the arrival of their messiah.
  • 00:07:18.053 --> 00:07:21.456
  • In greek it means christ, christos.
  • 00:07:21.456 --> 00:07:23.859
  • In hebrew mashiach.
  • 00:07:23.859 --> 00:07:25.193
  • They're all interchangeable.
  • 00:07:25.193 --> 00:07:26.728
  • The anointed one, god's deliverer.
  • 00:07:26.728 --> 00:07:29.831
  • And he should be the one person in the midst of the people of
  • 00:07:29.831 --> 00:07:32.734
  • God, the covenant people of god.
  • 00:07:32.734 --> 00:07:34.336
  • He oversees the sacrifices in the temple.
  • 00:07:34.336 --> 00:07:37.239
  • He oversees the activity on the day of atonement, the holiest
  • 00:07:37.239 --> 00:07:41.276
  • Days in the calendar of the covenant people of god, and the
  • 00:07:41.276 --> 00:07:44.813
  • Son of god is in their midst, and he is plotting
  • 00:07:44.813 --> 00:07:49.184
  • His destruction.
  • 00:07:49.184 --> 00:07:52.988
  • That's a very awkward reality.
  • 00:07:52.988 --> 00:07:54.556
  • There's some things you can learn from that little passage.
  • 00:07:54.556 --> 00:07:56.791
  • It says the high priest resided in a palace.
  • 00:07:56.791 --> 00:08:00.428
  • This particular gathering, the gathering that i just described
  • 00:08:00.428 --> 00:08:03.131
  • To you took place in the palace of the high priest.
  • 00:08:03.131 --> 00:08:05.767
  • Life is good for caiaphas.
  • 00:08:05.767 --> 00:08:08.236
  • He's living the good life.
  • 00:08:08.236 --> 00:08:10.939
  • He lives in gold circle seating.
  • 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:14.943
  • And he has no intention of relinquishing any aspect of
  • 00:08:14.943 --> 00:08:17.846
  • That, no matter what might be perceived that god is doing.
  • 00:08:17.846 --> 00:08:21.716
  • This is near the end of jesus's public ministry.
  • 00:08:21.716 --> 00:08:23.752
  • He's no longer a mystery.
  • 00:08:23.752 --> 00:08:25.220
  • He's raised the dead and opened blind eyes.
  • 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:27.556
  • He's been doing it in jerusalem this week.
  • 00:08:27.556 --> 00:08:30.926
  • Lazarus just lives a few 100 yards from here.
  • 00:08:30.926 --> 00:08:33.695
  • Everybody in jerusalem knows the story.
  • 00:08:33.695 --> 00:08:35.630
  • Certainly caiaphas knows the story.
  • 00:08:35.630 --> 00:08:37.766
  • Lazarus dead for several days.
  • 00:08:37.766 --> 00:08:39.935
  • Jesus brought him back to life again.
  • 00:08:39.935 --> 00:08:43.038
  • But he, the high priest, and those under his influence
  • 00:08:43.038 --> 00:08:46.007
  • Are scheming.
  • 00:08:46.007 --> 00:08:47.375
  • He's devious. he's murderous.
  • 00:08:47.375 --> 00:08:51.046
  • It's uncomfortable just to say it.
  • 00:08:51.046 --> 00:08:53.915
  • We would expect him to at least be neutral on the fence,
  • 00:08:53.915 --> 00:08:56.818
  • Curious, intrigued, a learner, none of the above.
  • 00:08:56.818 --> 00:09:02.157
  • He's a murderous, devious, lying.
  • 00:09:02.157 --> 00:09:07.829
  • It's uncomfortable language.
  • 00:09:07.829 --> 00:09:10.165
  • But you know, the scripture warns us, jesus warned us that
  • 00:09:10.165 --> 00:09:13.501
  • As we approach the end of the age, that pattern will flourish
  • 00:09:13.501 --> 00:09:16.471
  • Amongst us.
  • 00:09:16.471 --> 00:09:18.006
  • False prophets, he said, would abound.
  • 00:09:18.006 --> 00:09:20.976
  • The false gospels were already plaguing the church as you read
  • 00:09:20.976 --> 00:09:24.746
  • Through the letters of the new testament.
  • 00:09:24.746 --> 00:09:27.282
  • Churches that were founded on the truth that were anchored on
  • 00:09:27.282 --> 00:09:29.784
  • The cornerstone of jesus, losing their momentum, being redirected
  • 00:09:29.784 --> 00:09:33.855
  • By messengers and messengers coming amongst them who
  • 00:09:33.855 --> 00:09:36.758
  • Were false.
  • 00:09:36.758 --> 00:09:38.360
  • We're going to have to be more sophisticated.
  • 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:41.096
  • We've got to take time to read our bibles.
  • 00:09:41.096 --> 00:09:42.831
  • We have to be familiar with the spirit of god.
  • 00:09:42.831 --> 00:09:45.734
  • We have to know the true and the false, the authentic from
  • 00:09:45.734 --> 00:09:48.036
  • The inauthentic.
  • 00:09:48.036 --> 00:09:52.273
  • It's intriguing to me, honestly, how the deception grows.
  • 00:09:52.273 --> 00:09:56.711
  • You know, in more than one circle, i find people will try
  • 00:09:56.711 --> 00:10:00.281
  • To establish credibility by borrowing your name.
  • 00:10:00.281 --> 00:10:04.185
  • Oh, i believe what allen believes, or i believe what
  • 00:10:04.185 --> 00:10:06.454
  • Whoever believes.
  • 00:10:06.454 --> 00:10:07.789
  • The people listening should know what you believe by who you are
  • 00:10:07.789 --> 00:10:10.525
  • And how you live.
  • 00:10:10.525 --> 00:10:13.261
  • We've got to be wiser, we've got to be more prudent.
  • 00:10:13.261 --> 00:10:17.432
  • It's a very important season.
  • 00:10:17.432 --> 00:10:19.134
  • What we're presented in the new testament in the 1st century is
  • 00:10:19.134 --> 00:10:22.170
  • Flourishing in the 21st century.
  • 00:10:22.170 --> 00:10:24.806
  • Same chapter of matthew, matthew chapter 26 and verse 57,
  • 00:10:24.806 --> 00:10:29.144
  • I'm sorry.
  • 00:10:29.144 --> 00:10:30.512
  • "they've arrested jesus in gethsemane, and those who had
  • 00:10:30.512 --> 00:10:33.481
  • Arrested him took him, took jesus to caiaphas, the high
  • 00:10:33.481 --> 00:10:36.584
  • Priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had
  • 00:10:36.584 --> 00:10:39.354
  • Assembled the chief priest and the whole sanhedrin."
  • 00:10:39.354 --> 00:10:42.590
  • The sanhedrin was the religious ruling body.
  • 00:10:42.590 --> 00:10:45.593
  • They're the power brokers.
  • 00:10:45.593 --> 00:10:47.529
  • Caiaphas is the leader of that group.
  • 00:10:47.529 --> 00:10:51.499
  • "the entire sanhedrin were looking for false evidence
  • 00:10:51.499 --> 00:10:54.869
  • Against jesus so they could put him to death."
  • 00:10:54.869 --> 00:10:57.539
  • There is no integrity in the leadership in the community.
  • 00:10:57.539 --> 00:11:02.243
  • They'll plot, they'll scheme, they'll lie, and they will
  • 00:11:02.243 --> 00:11:05.413
  • Purposefully look for false evidence in order to
  • 00:11:05.413 --> 00:11:08.216
  • Indict jesus.
  • 00:11:08.216 --> 00:11:10.952
  • That's the leadership he faced in the city of jerusalem.
  • 00:11:10.952 --> 00:11:13.388
  • It's why he wept when he came down the mount of olives, on
  • 00:11:13.388 --> 00:11:17.325
  • That day of his triumphal entry, it's why he said judgment is
  • 00:11:17.325 --> 00:11:20.161
  • Coming for you.
  • 00:11:20.161 --> 00:11:22.263
  • Leadership matters, folks.
  • 00:11:22.263 --> 00:11:26.167
  • "they didn't find any false evidence."
  • 00:11:26.167 --> 00:11:28.303
  • Matthew says.
  • 00:11:28.303 --> 00:11:29.637
  • "though many false witnesses came forward, finally, two came
  • 00:11:29.637 --> 00:11:32.040
  • Forward and declared, 'this fellow said, i'm able to destroy
  • 00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:34.409
  • The temple of god and rebuild it in three days.'"
  • 00:11:34.409 --> 00:11:37.112
  • Herod's temple had taken 40 years to build.
  • 00:11:37.112 --> 00:11:40.448
  • "then the high priest stood up and said to jesus, 'are you not
  • 00:11:40.448 --> 00:11:43.351
  • Going to answer?
  • 00:11:43.351 --> 00:11:44.686
  • What is this testimony these men are bringing against you?'
  • 00:11:44.686 --> 00:11:46.821
  • And jesus remained silent, and the high priest said to him,
  • 00:11:46.821 --> 00:11:50.091
  • Caiaphas said to him.
  • 00:11:50.091 --> 00:11:52.494
  • 'i charge you under oath by the living god.
  • 00:11:52.494 --> 00:11:56.531
  • Tell us if you're the christ, the son of god.'"
  • 00:11:56.531 --> 00:11:58.500
  • There it is, it's on the table.
  • 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:01.736
  • There's no mystery any longer.
  • 00:12:01.736 --> 00:12:04.205
  • And again, jesus is not some professorial character.
  • 00:12:04.205 --> 00:12:07.575
  • He hasn't labored in a library.
  • 00:12:07.575 --> 00:12:11.179
  • He's been living amongst the people, demonstrating the power
  • 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:14.883
  • And the authority of almighty god.
  • 00:12:14.883 --> 00:12:17.185
  • They haven't been able to, to outreason him, they haven't been
  • 00:12:17.185 --> 00:12:19.554
  • Able to trap him with his language.
  • 00:12:19.554 --> 00:12:21.623
  • Now they're paying people to bear false testimony, and
  • 00:12:21.623 --> 00:12:24.659
  • Finally caiaphas says, "all right.
  • 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:27.896
  • Are you the one?"
  • 00:12:27.896 --> 00:12:30.431
  • And jesus replied, "yes, it is as you say.
  • 00:12:30.431 --> 00:12:36.671
  • But i tell you, in the future, you'll see the son of man
  • 00:12:36.671 --> 00:12:39.274
  • Sitting at the right hand of the mighty one and coming on the
  • 00:12:39.274 --> 00:12:42.243
  • Clouds of heaven, and the high priest tore his clothes and said
  • 00:12:42.243 --> 00:12:45.980
  • He has spoken blasphemy."
  • 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:48.683
  • At that point, caiaphas has faced a choice.
  • 00:12:48.683 --> 00:12:51.586
  • Forget all the choices that have brought him up to this point.
  • 00:12:51.586 --> 00:12:54.322
  • At that moment, he could have said, "i believe you're right."
  • 00:12:54.322 --> 00:12:58.960
  • I've exhaustively studied the scripture, and you've checked
  • 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:01.863
  • Every box.
  • 00:13:01.863 --> 00:13:03.464
  • I've interviewed dozens of people that have benefited from
  • 00:13:03.464 --> 00:13:06.601
  • Your prayers and your miraculous intervention, they can't
  • 00:13:06.601 --> 00:13:10.471
  • Be denied.
  • 00:13:10.471 --> 00:13:12.540
  • I've talked to lazarus.
  • 00:13:12.540 --> 00:13:13.875
  • I've been to his home. i listened to him.
  • 00:13:13.875 --> 00:13:15.910
  • I questioned his sisters, mary and martha.
  • 00:13:15.910 --> 00:13:17.912
  • I agree with you, but that wasn't the path that
  • 00:13:17.912 --> 00:13:20.782
  • Caiaphas chose.
  • 00:13:20.782 --> 00:13:23.785
  • He chose something different.
  • 00:13:23.785 --> 00:13:25.119
  • I want to read it to you.
  • 00:13:25.119 --> 00:13:26.487
  • It's unsettling.
  • 00:13:26.487 --> 00:13:28.723
  • He said, "'what do you think?'
  • 00:13:28.723 --> 00:13:30.058
  • 'he's worthy of death.'
  • 00:13:30.058 --> 00:13:32.393
  • Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fist, and
  • 00:13:32.393 --> 00:13:36.698
  • Others slapped him.
  • 00:13:36.698 --> 00:13:38.967
  • And they said, 'prophesy to us, messiah, who hit you?'"
  • 00:13:38.967 --> 00:13:45.039
  • Choices made.
  • 00:13:47.008 --> 00:13:49.143
  • Opportunities lost.
  • 00:13:49.143 --> 00:13:52.447
  • There's no record in scripture that caiaphas ever changed
  • 00:13:52.447 --> 00:13:54.816
  • His mind.
  • 00:13:54.816 --> 00:13:57.051
  • Well, there were some amongst the priests who did.
  • 00:13:57.051 --> 00:14:00.054
  • But not caiaphas.
  • 00:14:00.054 --> 00:14:01.890
  • If i had to look for a category that describes his attitude and
  • 00:14:01.890 --> 00:14:04.893
  • His incalcitrance, it's self-righteousness.
  • 00:14:04.893 --> 00:14:08.663
  • He thought he was good enough.
  • 00:14:08.663 --> 00:14:10.765
  • He had enough power.
  • 00:14:10.765 --> 00:14:12.634
  • He had enough prestige.
  • 00:14:12.634 --> 00:14:14.903
  • He had enough resources.
  • 00:14:14.903 --> 00:14:17.205
  • He had enough knowledge of scripture.
  • 00:14:17.205 --> 00:14:19.607
  • He wasn't about to have his routine disrupted.
  • 00:14:19.607 --> 00:14:23.878
  • Even if it was by jesus.
  • 00:14:23.878 --> 00:14:28.383
  • Allen jackson: hey, i have a suggestion.
  • 00:14:32.287 --> 00:14:33.655
  • Let's stop waiting for somebody else to be a better leader.
  • 00:14:33.655 --> 00:14:35.990
  • Let's determine this year to lead with faith.
  • 00:14:35.990 --> 00:14:38.526
  • I've written a book to help.
  • 00:14:38.526 --> 00:14:39.861
  • It's a practical collection of tools that you and i can use the
  • 00:14:39.861 --> 00:14:43.264
  • Influence of our lives, faith first in the marketplace, in our
  • 00:14:43.264 --> 00:14:47.101
  • Homes, with our friends, folks, it's time for us to stop waiting
  • 00:14:47.101 --> 00:14:50.305
  • For somebody else to step forward.
  • 00:14:50.305 --> 00:14:52.106
  • Let's determine to lead with faith.
  • 00:14:52.106 --> 00:14:54.108
  • We can do that, and i believe we can change our homes, our
  • 00:14:54.108 --> 00:14:57.178
  • Neighborhoods, our churches, maybe even our nation.
  • 00:14:57.178 --> 00:15:00.315
  • Female announcer: choosing to lead with faith starts with a
  • 00:15:00.315 --> 00:15:02.550
  • Simple decision to be intentional right where you are.
  • 00:15:02.550 --> 00:15:06.154
  • In his new book, "lead with faith," pastor allen shares
  • 00:15:06.154 --> 00:15:09.257
  • Biblical insight and practical tools to help you live out your
  • 00:15:09.257 --> 00:15:12.527
  • Faith in meaningful ways every day.
  • 00:15:12.527 --> 00:15:15.430
  • This book will encourage you to stand for truth with wisdom,
  • 00:15:15.430 --> 00:15:18.633
  • Clarity, and courage without waiting for someone else
  • 00:15:18.633 --> 00:15:21.602
  • To go first.
  • 00:15:21.602 --> 00:15:22.971
  • Request "lead with faith" with your gift of $30 or more at
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  • Allenjackson.com or call...
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  • Announcer: we are committed to helping you grow in your
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  • Date with everything happening
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  • Here with allen jackson ministries.
  • 00:15:58.006 --> 00:16:00.875
  • Allen jackson: i want to go to the opposite end of the
  • 00:16:03.077 --> 00:16:04.712
  • Spectrum with the next character.
  • 00:16:04.712 --> 00:16:06.047
  • You know his name, if you know anything about the new testament
  • 00:16:06.047 --> 00:16:08.282
  • And easter weekend, he's pilate, he's the roman governor
  • 00:16:08.282 --> 00:16:11.085
  • Of judea.
  • 00:16:11.085 --> 00:16:12.453
  • He's not jewish.
  • 00:16:12.453 --> 00:16:13.788
  • He doesn't preside over the daily sacrifices.
  • 00:16:13.788 --> 00:16:16.491
  • He's not a student of scripture, very different character.
  • 00:16:16.491 --> 00:16:20.795
  • Very different life story, very different engagement with
  • 00:16:20.795 --> 00:16:23.631
  • The community.
  • 00:16:23.631 --> 00:16:24.999
  • He's in jerusalem and in judea because of his
  • 00:16:24.999 --> 00:16:27.668
  • Roman citizenship.
  • 00:16:27.668 --> 00:16:29.170
  • He's been given an appointment, a position of power,
  • 00:16:29.170 --> 00:16:31.873
  • Of political authority.
  • 00:16:31.873 --> 00:16:34.175
  • But the romans are the ones who do crucifixions.
  • 00:16:34.175 --> 00:16:36.444
  • The jews don't crucify people.
  • 00:16:36.444 --> 00:16:38.513
  • For jesus to be crucified the jewish authorities need the
  • 00:16:38.513 --> 00:16:41.349
  • Blessing of the roman governor.
  • 00:16:41.349 --> 00:16:43.618
  • And so after they've arrested jesus in gethsemane, they bring
  • 00:16:43.618 --> 00:16:46.454
  • Jesus to pilate's palace early in the morning.
  • 00:16:46.454 --> 00:16:51.926
  • They want to get this done before sunset.
  • 00:16:51.926 --> 00:16:53.795
  • It's a holiday and they need it to be done before the sunset,
  • 00:16:53.795 --> 00:16:57.999
  • And they begin this inter interaction with pilate and in
  • 00:16:57.999 --> 00:17:00.535
  • Luke 23, verse 13 says, "pilate called together
  • 00:17:00.535 --> 00:17:03.805
  • The chief priest and the rulers
  • 00:17:03.805 --> 00:17:05.173
  • Of the people, and he said to them,
  • 00:17:05.173 --> 00:17:08.810
  • 'you brought me this man as one who was inciting the people
  • 00:17:08.810 --> 00:17:11.312
  • To rebellion.
  • 00:17:11.312 --> 00:17:12.647
  • I've examined him in your presence and i have found no
  • 00:17:12.647 --> 00:17:15.116
  • Basis for your charges against him.'"
  • 00:17:15.116 --> 00:17:18.719
  • That's the opposite perspective that caiaphas had.
  • 00:17:18.719 --> 00:17:22.390
  • Caiaphas, in spite of the miracles, in spite of all the
  • 00:17:22.390 --> 00:17:24.792
  • Biblical fulfillment that jesus represented, he mocked him and
  • 00:17:24.792 --> 00:17:28.830
  • Wanted him condemned to death.
  • 00:17:28.830 --> 00:17:30.832
  • Pilate says, "i've interviewed him.
  • 00:17:30.832 --> 00:17:32.500
  • I've listened to your charges, and i can find no basis for your
  • 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:36.637
  • Charges against him."
  • 00:17:36.637 --> 00:17:39.574
  • In fact, he said, "i send him to herod, who's the jewish governor
  • 00:17:39.574 --> 00:17:42.810
  • Of the galilee, and he sent him back to us, as you can see.
  • 00:17:42.810 --> 00:17:45.980
  • He's done nothing to deserve death.
  • 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:48.249
  • Therefore, i'll punish him and release him."
  • 00:17:48.249 --> 00:17:51.385
  • With one voice they cried out, "away with this man.
  • 00:17:51.385 --> 00:17:54.755
  • Release barabbas to us."
  • 00:17:54.755 --> 00:17:57.458
  • You know what the liberal scholars will tell you when you
  • 00:17:57.458 --> 00:17:59.393
  • Read that?
  • 00:17:59.393 --> 00:18:00.995
  • I know because i listened to it.
  • 00:18:00.995 --> 00:18:03.231
  • They said you can't trust the authority of scripture.
  • 00:18:03.231 --> 00:18:06.968
  • The romans crucified jesus.
  • 00:18:06.968 --> 00:18:09.537
  • But the jewish people didn't have the courage to say it, so
  • 00:18:09.537 --> 00:18:12.006
  • They blamed the romans for it in the gospels.
  • 00:18:12.006 --> 00:18:15.877
  • I believe in the veracity of the report we have in the gospels.
  • 00:18:15.877 --> 00:18:20.681
  • Pilate said, "i find no reason to condemn this man," and the
  • 00:18:20.681 --> 00:18:24.519
  • People said, "we would rather have barabbas."
  • 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:27.421
  • In the 20th verse of that same 23rd chapter of luke, "wanting
  • 00:18:27.421 --> 00:18:31.192
  • To release jesus," it said, "pilate appealed to
  • 00:18:31.192 --> 00:18:34.128
  • Them again.
  • 00:18:34.128 --> 00:18:35.663
  • But they kept shouting, 'crucify him, crucify him.'
  • 00:18:35.663 --> 00:18:39.333
  • For the third time, pilate spoke to them.
  • 00:18:39.333 --> 00:18:42.703
  • 'why?
  • 00:18:42.703 --> 00:18:44.038
  • What crime has this man committed?
  • 00:18:44.038 --> 00:18:45.406
  • I find in him no grounds for the death penalty.'"
  • 00:18:45.406 --> 00:18:49.043
  • "i'll have him punished, or we'll have him beaten, we'll
  • 00:18:49.043 --> 00:18:52.480
  • Make him suffer, but there's no reason to kill him,"
  • 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:55.249
  • Pilate said.
  • 00:18:55.249 --> 00:18:57.084
  • "though with loud shouts, they insistently demanded that he be
  • 00:18:57.084 --> 00:19:00.288
  • Crucified, and their shouts prevailed, so pilate decided to
  • 00:19:00.288 --> 00:19:04.725
  • Grant their demand."
  • 00:19:04.725 --> 00:19:08.863
  • Pilate knows he's innocent.
  • 00:19:08.863 --> 00:19:11.199
  • He's interviewed him he's used to the judgment seat.
  • 00:19:11.199 --> 00:19:15.503
  • He passes judgment on the lives of men and women and allows them
  • 00:19:15.503 --> 00:19:18.873
  • To live or die on a regular basis.
  • 00:19:18.873 --> 00:19:21.709
  • He knows murderers and liars and thieves, and his conclusion is
  • 00:19:21.709 --> 00:19:26.180
  • That jesus of nazareth is as innocent.
  • 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:29.250
  • But there's tremendous political pressure on him because his
  • 00:19:29.250 --> 00:19:32.220
  • Assignment is to keep the peace in jerusalem, to keep the peace
  • 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:35.056
  • In judea, and if he loses the support of the most powerful
  • 00:19:35.056 --> 00:19:38.526
  • Religious political leaders in the jewish community, his
  • 00:19:38.526 --> 00:19:41.996
  • Posting is in jeopardy.
  • 00:19:41.996 --> 00:19:45.666
  • He's tried three times.
  • 00:19:45.666 --> 00:19:48.336
  • But it doesn't really stop there in matthew 27:19, "while pilate
  • 00:19:48.336 --> 00:19:52.340
  • Is sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message,
  • 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:56.577
  • 'don't have anything to do with that innocent man.
  • 00:19:56.577 --> 00:19:58.813
  • I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because
  • 00:19:58.813 --> 00:20:02.216
  • Of him.'"
  • 00:20:02.216 --> 00:20:03.551
  • His wife had a dream. the mercy of god.
  • 00:20:03.551 --> 00:20:08.089
  • Pilate is given multiple opportunities.
  • 00:20:09.423 --> 00:20:14.829
  • And then there's this fascinating scene in matthew 27.
  • 00:20:14.829 --> 00:20:18.766
  • Begins in verse 24, it says, "when pilate saw that he was
  • 00:20:18.766 --> 00:20:21.502
  • Getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting,
  • 00:20:21.502 --> 00:20:25.106
  • He couldn't have that.
  • 00:20:25.106 --> 00:20:27.008
  • He couldn't stand for there to be a riot.
  • 00:20:27.008 --> 00:20:30.311
  • An uproar was starting, so he took water and he washed his
  • 00:20:30.311 --> 00:20:34.081
  • Hands in front of the crowd.
  • 00:20:34.081 --> 00:20:36.150
  • 'i'm innocent of this man's blood,' he said, 'it's
  • 00:20:36.150 --> 00:20:38.319
  • Your responsibility.'
  • 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:40.187
  • And all the people answered, 'let his blood be on us and
  • 00:20:40.187 --> 00:20:43.291
  • Our children.'
  • 00:20:43.291 --> 00:20:44.692
  • And he released barabbas to them, but he had jesus flogged
  • 00:20:44.692 --> 00:20:49.063
  • And handed him over to be crucified."
  • 00:20:49.063 --> 00:20:53.401
  • It's a hard story, it's hard just to read it.
  • 00:20:53.401 --> 00:20:56.404
  • It's more difficult to truly think about it.
  • 00:20:56.404 --> 00:20:58.372
  • I wanna ask you a question.
  • 00:20:58.372 --> 00:21:00.574
  • I want to impanel you as expert witnesses.
  • 00:21:00.574 --> 00:21:04.812
  • You know something of the character of god.
  • 00:21:04.812 --> 00:21:07.615
  • You know something of the kingdom of god.
  • 00:21:07.615 --> 00:21:10.618
  • We're told in the narrative that pilate knows jesus
  • 00:21:10.618 --> 00:21:13.521
  • Is innocent.
  • 00:21:13.521 --> 00:21:14.855
  • He understands him to be an innocent man.
  • 00:21:14.855 --> 00:21:17.892
  • He's been warned by his wife, she's had a dream saying, don't
  • 00:21:17.892 --> 00:21:21.295
  • Touch this man.
  • 00:21:21.295 --> 00:21:23.331
  • Pilate knowing all of that, decides to condemn him to death.
  • 00:21:23.331 --> 00:21:29.904
  • But his solution is a bowl of water.
  • 00:21:29.904 --> 00:21:33.808
  • He has a bowl of water brought out.
  • 00:21:35.843 --> 00:21:38.145
  • And he washes his hands in the bowl.
  • 00:21:38.145 --> 00:21:41.382
  • And he makes a very feeble attempt.
  • 00:21:41.382 --> 00:21:44.685
  • He said, "now i'm innocent of this man's blood."
  • 00:21:44.685 --> 00:21:47.221
  • Here's my question.
  • 00:21:47.221 --> 00:21:48.889
  • And maybe you think pouring a little water on pilate's hands
  • 00:21:48.889 --> 00:21:54.895
  • Made him innocent in the halls of heaven.
  • 00:21:54.895 --> 00:21:59.066
  • Think that'll do it?
  • 00:21:59.066 --> 00:22:01.502
  • If a little water would make you innocent, i'd have brought out
  • 00:22:01.502 --> 00:22:04.405
  • A tub.
  • 00:22:04.405 --> 00:22:07.274
  • I'd have gone to the sea of galilee or the ocean, the
  • 00:22:07.274 --> 00:22:09.844
  • Mediterranean, or i'd have gone someplace for lots of water,
  • 00:22:09.844 --> 00:22:13.047
  • Because imagine the attitude in heaven.
  • 00:22:13.047 --> 00:22:16.817
  • Can you hear the silence?
  • 00:22:16.817 --> 00:22:18.552
  • Jesus before the judgment seat of the roman governor, he can
  • 00:22:18.552 --> 00:22:21.689
  • Free him, or he can condemn him to crucifixion.
  • 00:22:21.689 --> 00:22:25.559
  • Pilate knows he's innocent.
  • 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:28.496
  • If caiaphas was guilty of self-righteousness.
  • 00:22:28.496 --> 00:22:34.702
  • Where did pilate miss the grace of god?
  • 00:22:34.702 --> 00:22:39.273
  • I would submit to you he made the choice that was expedient.
  • 00:22:39.273 --> 00:22:43.511
  • It was the easiest it was the one that satisfied his ambition
  • 00:22:43.511 --> 00:22:49.316
  • For his career, for his future, for his retirement,
  • 00:22:49.316 --> 00:22:54.789
  • So he could overlook the innocence of an individual.
  • 00:22:54.789 --> 00:22:59.393
  • After all, he was capitulating to the voices of the leaders in
  • 00:22:59.393 --> 00:23:03.030
  • The community, and it'd be better to be applauded by the
  • 00:23:03.030 --> 00:23:05.599
  • Community than to take a stand for what you know to be right.
  • 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:11.405
  • And he missed his invitation.
  • 00:23:11.405 --> 00:23:12.773
  • Think how dramatically different pontius pilate's life would
  • 00:23:12.773 --> 00:23:15.609
  • Have been.
  • 00:23:15.609 --> 00:23:16.944
  • If when jesus said, "you're right, i'm a king," if he had
  • 00:23:16.944 --> 00:23:20.114
  • Knelt and said, "my lord and my king."
  • 00:23:20.114 --> 00:23:26.053
  • Well, he would have lost his job.
  • 00:23:26.053 --> 00:23:28.389
  • No, duh.
  • 00:23:28.389 --> 00:23:31.392
  • But he would have changed his eternity.
  • 00:23:31.392 --> 00:23:35.095
  • Well, that's not easy.
  • 00:23:35.095 --> 00:23:37.298
  • Who said following jesus was easy?
  • 00:23:37.298 --> 00:23:41.669
  • I don't intend to present a soft gospel in an easy path.
  • 00:23:41.669 --> 00:23:47.141
  • Jesus said unless we take up our cross daily, we should not
  • 00:23:47.141 --> 00:23:51.545
  • Consider ourselves his disciples.
  • 00:23:51.545 --> 00:23:55.416
  • It's free, the ground at the foot of the cross and the
  • 00:23:55.416 --> 00:23:59.520
  • Entrance through that narrow door, but it's not cheap.
  • 00:23:59.520 --> 00:24:04.191
  • Pilate declined his opportunity.
  • 00:24:04.191 --> 00:24:07.528
  • And there's no evidence that he ever was given another.
  • 00:24:07.528 --> 00:24:10.764
  • There's a third character i would point you to, you know
  • 00:24:10.764 --> 00:24:13.234
  • This one.
  • 00:24:13.234 --> 00:24:14.602
  • He's a part of jesus's inner circle.
  • 00:24:14.602 --> 00:24:16.704
  • Jesus recruited him.
  • 00:24:16.704 --> 00:24:18.038
  • He spent 3 years with him.
  • 00:24:18.038 --> 00:24:19.573
  • He traveled with him.
  • 00:24:19.573 --> 00:24:20.908
  • They shared meals together.
  • 00:24:20.908 --> 00:24:22.276
  • He saw jesus walk on the water and speak to the wind and
  • 00:24:22.276 --> 00:24:24.778
  • The waves.
  • 00:24:24.778 --> 00:24:26.113
  • He saw him raise the dead and open blind eyes.
  • 00:24:26.113 --> 00:24:28.082
  • You know his name, he's judas.
  • 00:24:28.082 --> 00:24:30.818
  • Now we know he's a traitor, but that's
  • 00:24:30.818 --> 00:24:33.554
  • An incomplete explanation.
  • 00:24:33.554 --> 00:24:35.523
  • I've heard so many attempts to rescue judas.
  • 00:24:35.523 --> 00:24:38.659
  • That he betrayed jesus because he wanted to accelerate jesus's
  • 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:41.829
  • Acknowledgement as messiah.
  • 00:24:41.829 --> 00:24:44.765
  • Oh, bother.
  • 00:24:44.765 --> 00:24:46.767
  • It doesn't work for me.
  • 00:24:46.767 --> 00:24:48.702
  • In matthew 26 and verse 14, jesus is speaking.
  • 00:24:48.702 --> 00:24:53.140
  • "then one of the twelve--the one called judas iscariot--went to
  • 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:55.676
  • The chief priest, and he asked, 'what are you willing to give me
  • 00:24:55.676 --> 00:24:58.646
  • If i hand him over to you?'
  • 00:24:58.646 --> 00:25:00.881
  • So they counted out for him 30 silver coins, and from then on
  • 00:25:00.881 --> 00:25:04.752
  • Jesus watched for an opportunity to hand jesus over."
  • 00:25:04.752 --> 00:25:09.223
  • Unbelievable.
  • 00:25:09.223 --> 00:25:10.891
  • For 30 pieces of silver, he betrayed the lord.
  • 00:25:10.891 --> 00:25:16.363
  • Judas was the keeper of the money bag.
  • 00:25:16.363 --> 00:25:17.998
  • He was the treasurer.
  • 00:25:17.998 --> 00:25:20.601
  • There seems to be some question about his trustworthiness long
  • 00:25:20.601 --> 00:25:23.404
  • Before we get to the point where he actually betrayed the lord.
  • 00:25:23.404 --> 00:25:26.941
  • Jesus knew he would betray him.
  • 00:25:26.941 --> 00:25:29.009
  • He told him he would betray him.
  • 00:25:29.009 --> 00:25:30.544
  • He told him in front of the other disciples.
  • 00:25:30.544 --> 00:25:34.081
  • I'm a bit amused at people who say that jesus was always about
  • 00:25:34.081 --> 00:25:37.251
  • Kindness and a group hug, that he was never confrontational.
  • 00:25:37.251 --> 00:25:40.487
  • Folks, he confronted the leaders in jerusalem in public and in
  • 00:25:40.487 --> 00:25:43.624
  • Private within his own circle.
  • 00:25:43.624 --> 00:25:46.594
  • He would say to peter, "get behind me, satan what you have
  • 00:25:46.594 --> 00:25:49.330
  • In mind is not the purposes of god."
  • 00:25:49.330 --> 00:25:52.533
  • Sharing the last supper with his closest friends, he said, "one
  • 00:25:52.533 --> 00:25:56.070
  • Of you is a traitor, one of you is gonna betray me," and he
  • 00:25:56.070 --> 00:25:59.340
  • Called judas out in front of the others.
  • 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:02.910
  • That's an awkward meal.
  • 00:26:02.910 --> 00:26:07.615
  • Allen: hey, i have a question.
  • 00:26:11.285 --> 00:26:12.653
  • Have you ever said, "i wish my pastor would lead with more
  • 00:26:12.653 --> 00:26:15.689
  • Courage," or "i wish my pastor would address what's happening
  • 00:26:15.689 --> 00:26:18.592
  • In the world with greater boldness"?
  • 00:26:18.592 --> 00:26:21.595
  • Folks, we can't change other people.
  • 00:26:21.595 --> 00:26:22.963
  • The only person we can ultimately change is ourselves.
  • 00:26:22.963 --> 00:26:24.965
  • I have a suggestion.
  • 00:26:24.965 --> 00:26:26.400
  • What if you and i begin to lead with faith in our own arenas
  • 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:29.837
  • Of influence?
  • 00:26:29.837 --> 00:26:31.205
  • Well, i've written a book to help with that.
  • 00:26:31.205 --> 00:26:32.539
  • If that seems beyond you or intimidating to you, i believe
  • 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:35.542
  • This book will help.
  • 00:26:35.542 --> 00:26:36.877
  • It'll give you some practical ways that you and i can begin to
  • 00:26:36.877 --> 00:26:39.513
  • Lead with faith in the marketplace, in our homes, with
  • 00:26:39.513 --> 00:26:42.516
  • Our friends, wherever that may be, we have help in this.
  • 00:26:42.516 --> 00:26:46.453
  • The spirit of god will help us if we have the willingness to
  • 00:26:46.453 --> 00:26:49.356
  • Use our influence for the kingdom of god.
  • 00:26:49.356 --> 00:26:51.992
  • You can get a copy of the book at allenjackson.com.
  • 00:26:51.992 --> 00:26:54.328
  • You go get your own today, but i wanna pray.
  • 00:26:54.328 --> 00:26:56.397
  • I wanna ask the spirit of god to help you and me lead with faith
  • 00:26:56.397 --> 00:27:00.401
  • This year as never before.
  • 00:27:00.401 --> 00:27:02.336
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:27:02.336 --> 00:27:03.704
  • Heavenly father, we ask for your help.
  • 00:27:03.704 --> 00:27:05.773
  • You have given us strengths and abilities and influence, may we
  • 00:27:05.773 --> 00:27:08.409
  • Use it for the glory of your kingdom in jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:08.409 --> 00:27:13.013
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:13.013 --> 00:27:13.013