1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Allen Jackson Ministries
  4. Episodes
  5. Allen Jackson - The Power To Overcome: Evil
Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - The Power To Overcome: Evil

August 30, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - The Power To Overcome: Evil
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Confession/PowerofWords #Overcoming #Evil #Pastors #TrustGod #RelationshipwithGod

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - The Power To Overcome: Evil | August 30, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.384
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:01.851 --> 00:00:06.322
  • Allen jackson: i sat down recently with my father to do
  • 00:00:06.456 --> 00:00:09.092
  • A podcast for my "culture and christianity" podcast, and it
  • 00:00:09.225 --> 00:00:10.293
  • Was so valuable to me.
  • 00:00:13.630 --> 00:00:16.266
  • I mean, it was stories that obviously i'm familiar with,
  • 00:00:16.266 --> 00:00:18.735
  • But as i heard him recount his faith, it ignited something
  • 00:00:18.735 --> 00:00:22.105
  • In me about the faithfulness of god across generations.
  • 00:00:22.105 --> 00:00:26.009
  • Well, i encourage my dad to put together a book about his
  • 00:00:26.009 --> 00:00:28.678
  • Experiences with the holy spirit.
  • 00:00:28.678 --> 00:00:30.780
  • It changed his life, my parents's life, ultimately
  • 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:33.583
  • My family's life.
  • 00:00:33.583 --> 00:00:35.251
  • I believe the book will be a real encouragement to you.
  • 00:00:35.251 --> 00:00:38.021
  • I wanna make it available to you right along with "unleashing
  • 00:00:38.021 --> 00:00:40.890
  • The power of the holy spirit."
  • 00:00:40.890 --> 00:00:42.358
  • It's something i put together a while back that's been one of
  • 00:00:42.358 --> 00:00:45.128
  • The most effective tools we've ever had in the ministry.
  • 00:00:45.128 --> 00:00:47.797
  • Together, they'll open the doorway for you to not just have
  • 00:00:47.797 --> 00:00:51.034
  • Language around the holy spirit, but to have something to
  • 00:00:51.034 --> 00:00:54.270
  • Actually do to invite him into your life in a regular basis,
  • 00:00:54.270 --> 00:00:56.973
  • To give you the wisdom you need to help you unlock the problems
  • 00:00:56.973 --> 00:01:00.610
  • That we face, the spirit of god within us to help us, guide us,
  • 00:01:00.610 --> 00:01:04.647
  • And direct us.
  • 00:01:04.647 --> 00:01:06.082
  • That's invaluable, and these books will help you understand.
  • 00:01:06.082 --> 00:01:11.921
  • Allen jackson: if you have a us passport and you come to a port
  • 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:18.328
  • Of entry in this nation, the process is different if you're a
  • 00:01:18.328 --> 00:01:21.731
  • Citizen or a noncitizen.
  • 00:01:21.731 --> 00:01:26.035
  • And when it's time to approach almighty god, the outcome will
  • 00:01:26.035 --> 00:01:29.772
  • Be different if you're a citizen of his kingdom or you're not.
  • 00:01:29.772 --> 00:01:34.677
  • And it isn't because of something we've done or we
  • 00:01:34.677 --> 00:01:36.846
  • Earned or we accomplished.
  • 00:01:36.846 --> 00:01:39.349
  • It wasn't an exam we passed.
  • 00:01:39.349 --> 00:01:41.417
  • It wasn't something we purchased, it wasn't
  • 00:01:41.417 --> 00:01:43.286
  • About achievement.
  • 00:01:43.286 --> 00:01:44.621
  • It wasn't an accumulation of good works.
  • 00:01:44.621 --> 00:01:47.724
  • It was something he has done on our behalf.
  • 00:01:47.724 --> 00:01:50.326
  • He rescued us from a kingdom of darkness just as certainly as he
  • 00:01:50.326 --> 00:01:56.866
  • Delivered the slaves, the hebrew slaves, from egypt.
  • 00:01:56.866 --> 00:02:00.170
  • Look at 2 corinthians 1: "he has delivered us from such a deadly
  • 00:02:00.170 --> 00:02:04.140
  • Peril, and he will deliver us.
  • 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:07.210
  • And on him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver
  • 00:02:07.210 --> 00:02:10.513
  • Us, as you help us by your prayers."
  • 00:02:10.513 --> 00:02:14.384
  • That's a fascinating sentence to me because of the verb tenses.
  • 00:02:14.384 --> 00:02:17.954
  • And i'm not a great linguist, but he has delivered us is
  • 00:02:17.954 --> 00:02:21.424
  • Past tense.
  • 00:02:21.424 --> 00:02:22.792
  • It's something that is punctiliar.
  • 00:02:22.792 --> 00:02:24.127
  • It's happened. it was once, for done--
  • 00:02:24.127 --> 00:02:25.728
  • It was accomplished. he has delivered us.
  • 00:02:25.728 --> 00:02:29.799
  • And he will deliver us is future tense.
  • 00:02:29.799 --> 00:02:33.870
  • We will need deliverance again.
  • 00:02:33.870 --> 00:02:37.307
  • As you read through the book of joshua, it's a story of a
  • 00:02:37.307 --> 00:02:39.742
  • Tremendous deliverance.
  • 00:02:39.742 --> 00:02:42.512
  • But the book of judges is a story of a need for great
  • 00:02:42.512 --> 00:02:45.248
  • Deliverance again.
  • 00:02:45.248 --> 00:02:48.351
  • And you and i have mistakenly too often labored beneath this
  • 00:02:48.351 --> 00:02:51.821
  • Notion that we were delivered from the kingdom of darkness,
  • 00:02:51.821 --> 00:02:55.091
  • And that was really all the deliverance that was necessary.
  • 00:02:55.091 --> 00:02:59.362
  • We've been born again, we've been saved, we've
  • 00:02:59.362 --> 00:03:01.097
  • Been converted.
  • 00:03:01.097 --> 00:03:02.432
  • I believe in all of that.
  • 00:03:02.432 --> 00:03:03.766
  • But folks, there is freedom to come.
  • 00:03:03.766 --> 00:03:06.736
  • We live in a fallen world, a broken world.
  • 00:03:06.736 --> 00:03:09.639
  • We're inconsistent folk.
  • 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:13.076
  • He has delivered us, he will deliver us.
  • 00:03:13.076 --> 00:03:16.112
  • "and on him, we have set our hope that he will continue to
  • 00:03:16.112 --> 00:03:19.115
  • Deliver us."
  • 00:03:19.115 --> 00:03:20.483
  • The continual present tense, that we will walk in his
  • 00:03:20.483 --> 00:03:25.855
  • Deliverance, that no matter what besets us.
  • 00:03:25.855 --> 00:03:30.260
  • And here in deuteronomy 28 it says: "the enemy will come
  • 00:03:30.260 --> 00:03:33.096
  • Before us one way and flee before us seven ways."
  • 00:03:33.096 --> 00:03:38.067
  • See, rather than believe the authority of god, the power of
  • 00:03:38.067 --> 00:03:41.170
  • God, to deliver us, to help us be set free, we prefer some
  • 00:03:41.170 --> 00:03:45.775
  • Theological constructs that say to us, we can't be encumbered.
  • 00:03:45.775 --> 00:03:51.981
  • Either we choose not to believe in a kingdom of darkness or we
  • 00:03:51.981 --> 00:03:56.419
  • Choose not to believe in spiritual forces of wickedness
  • 00:03:56.419 --> 00:03:59.489
  • In the heavenly places, or we construct some fanciful theology
  • 00:03:59.489 --> 00:04:03.092
  • That they can't impact us because we're christ followers
  • 00:04:03.092 --> 00:04:07.096
  • And then we start to parse definitions between possessed,
  • 00:04:07.096 --> 00:04:11.834
  • Oppressed, depressed, recessed.
  • 00:04:11.834 --> 00:04:14.137
  • Stop!
  • 00:04:14.137 --> 00:04:17.173
  • Our god is a deliverer.
  • 00:04:17.173 --> 00:04:21.177
  • He is a deliverer and we better know how to walk in freedom and
  • 00:04:21.177 --> 00:04:26.849
  • How to find freedom and how to help one another.
  • 00:04:26.849 --> 00:04:31.954
  • It's important.
  • 00:04:31.954 --> 00:04:34.257
  • Well, for joshua, in his generation, they're gonna leave
  • 00:04:34.257 --> 00:04:39.295
  • Egypt in slavery and engage in the greatest deliverance that
  • 00:04:39.295 --> 00:04:43.533
  • The bible presents to us until we get to the redemptive work of
  • 00:04:43.533 --> 00:04:46.169
  • Jesus, the exodus.
  • 00:04:46.169 --> 00:04:48.271
  • It's the second book of our bible, but it's far more
  • 00:04:48.271 --> 00:04:50.306
  • Than that.
  • 00:04:50.306 --> 00:04:53.176
  • Joshua is a slave and the message ripples through the
  • 00:04:53.176 --> 00:04:59.248
  • Community that someone's walked in out of the desert, kind of a
  • 00:04:59.248 --> 00:05:04.620
  • Mythical figure we knew about and we were told he'd grown up
  • 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:07.557
  • In pharaoh's palace.
  • 00:05:07.557 --> 00:05:10.093
  • We heard he was a bit of a hothead, murderous, but moses is
  • 00:05:10.093 --> 00:05:16.599
  • Back and he's back with a story that we're leaving and that
  • 00:05:16.599 --> 00:05:23.072
  • Relationship changes joshua's life.
  • 00:05:23.072 --> 00:05:25.141
  • He becomes an understudy, a aide de camp, whatever label
  • 00:05:25.141 --> 00:05:28.778
  • You prefer.
  • 00:05:28.778 --> 00:05:31.881
  • Moses is his mentor.
  • 00:05:31.881 --> 00:05:35.084
  • And joshua is witness to the plagues, to the passover.
  • 00:05:35.084 --> 00:05:40.690
  • Joshua witnesses moses stretch out a shepherd's staff over the
  • 00:05:40.690 --> 00:05:43.960
  • Red sea and he sees the waters parted, and he watches his
  • 00:05:43.960 --> 00:05:48.531
  • People fearfully escape through those walls of water and then
  • 00:05:48.531 --> 00:05:54.203
  • They turn to watch the egyptian army drown.
  • 00:05:54.203 --> 00:05:57.907
  • Joshua made the journey into the wilderness.
  • 00:05:57.907 --> 00:06:02.245
  • Imagine that.
  • 00:06:02.245 --> 00:06:04.380
  • You know, sometimes i think we pray for things: be careful what
  • 00:06:04.380 --> 00:06:07.717
  • You ask for.
  • 00:06:07.717 --> 00:06:09.752
  • God's gonna set us free and now there's hundreds of thousands of
  • 00:06:09.752 --> 00:06:12.655
  • People and costco is closed and sam's isn't open and publix
  • 00:06:12.655 --> 00:06:17.960
  • Won't take their money and they need food and they need water
  • 00:06:17.960 --> 00:06:23.833
  • And they have none.
  • 00:06:23.833 --> 00:06:26.068
  • If you'll allow me some just general observations from
  • 00:06:26.068 --> 00:06:28.438
  • Joshua's journey.
  • 00:06:28.438 --> 00:06:30.840
  • Since they're in your notes you already have.
  • 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:34.510
  • The entrance into the purposes of god is not a
  • 00:06:34.510 --> 00:06:36.546
  • Partial commitment.
  • 00:06:36.546 --> 00:06:39.849
  • The slaves of egypt couldn't really find the freedom god had
  • 00:06:39.849 --> 00:06:44.320
  • For them unless they challenged the authority of egypt.
  • 00:06:44.320 --> 00:06:49.158
  • They couldn't find god's freedom on the egyptian side of the red
  • 00:06:49.158 --> 00:06:52.094
  • Sea, they couldn't fully be the people of god and just negotiate
  • 00:06:52.094 --> 00:06:57.834
  • A new contract where they were.
  • 00:06:57.834 --> 00:07:02.705
  • I would submit to you that to be the people of god takes a
  • 00:07:02.705 --> 00:07:05.641
  • Complete commitment.
  • 00:07:05.641 --> 00:07:08.611
  • For far too long, for far too long, we have been advocating
  • 00:07:08.611 --> 00:07:14.016
  • For partial commitment.
  • 00:07:14.016 --> 00:07:19.288
  • The second observation would be there's no story without the
  • 00:07:19.288 --> 00:07:21.824
  • Power of god as a routine part of the narrative.
  • 00:07:21.824 --> 00:07:24.827
  • This wasn't like something-- moses didn't have a strategy.
  • 00:07:24.827 --> 00:07:27.296
  • He didn't have a better game plan than the opposition.
  • 00:07:27.296 --> 00:07:31.400
  • He didn't have a training protocol.
  • 00:07:31.400 --> 00:07:33.736
  • He didn't have a system.
  • 00:07:33.736 --> 00:07:36.472
  • It wasn't like he could count cards and then he played poker
  • 00:07:36.472 --> 00:07:40.109
  • For the freedom of the slaves.
  • 00:07:40.109 --> 00:07:43.513
  • There's simply no story to be told apart from the power
  • 00:07:43.513 --> 00:07:47.617
  • Of god.
  • 00:07:47.617 --> 00:07:49.352
  • And i would say the same about you and me.
  • 00:07:49.352 --> 00:07:51.387
  • We have no story to tell apart from the power of god.
  • 00:07:51.387 --> 00:07:55.391
  • Folks, we're not here because we were clever or wise or kind,
  • 00:07:55.391 --> 00:07:59.395
  • That we were tenderhearted.
  • 00:07:59.395 --> 00:08:02.198
  • We weren't, we aren't.
  • 00:08:02.198 --> 00:08:05.334
  • God's power has been at work within us, through us, around us
  • 00:08:05.334 --> 00:08:09.739
  • And on our behalf, and he said he'll continue to do that.
  • 00:08:09.739 --> 00:08:13.976
  • It amazes me even until today.
  • 00:08:13.976 --> 00:08:18.047
  • Thirdly in joshua's journey, there's no shortage of
  • 00:08:18.047 --> 00:08:21.717
  • Challenges or opponents or unanticipated obstacles.
  • 00:08:21.717 --> 00:08:27.256
  • In fact, they just keep coming.
  • 00:08:27.256 --> 00:08:29.425
  • It's not just pharaoh, it's not just the armies of egypt, it's
  • 00:08:29.425 --> 00:08:32.762
  • Grumpy complaining people, it's rebellions.
  • 00:08:32.762 --> 00:08:36.899
  • I mean, one day the earth opens up and swallows a few thousand
  • 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:39.802
  • People who are complaining about moses.
  • 00:08:39.802 --> 00:08:41.938
  • And the next morning there's people in the complaint line.
  • 00:08:41.938 --> 00:08:46.842
  • I mean, you have to say that's not really the quickest study.
  • 00:08:46.842 --> 00:08:54.183
  • I mean, the challenges just keep coming and somehow we morph that
  • 00:08:54.183 --> 00:09:00.823
  • Into this imagination that we're gonna be the generation that
  • 00:09:00.823 --> 00:09:03.926
  • Follows god, that links arms with the spirit of god, and
  • 00:09:03.926 --> 00:09:08.531
  • We're not gonna face trouble.
  • 00:09:08.531 --> 00:09:10.600
  • We're not gonna have challenges.
  • 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:12.768
  • We act surprised when our schools are ungodly.
  • 00:09:12.768 --> 00:09:17.006
  • We act like it shouldn't be that the media would be more
  • 00:09:17.006 --> 00:09:19.642
  • Interested in propaganda than the truth.
  • 00:09:19.642 --> 00:09:23.179
  • It's more normal than not.
  • 00:09:23.179 --> 00:09:26.048
  • We just haven't wanted to be bothered.
  • 00:09:26.048 --> 00:09:29.452
  • We wanted to be blessed.
  • 00:09:29.452 --> 00:09:31.687
  • We didn't want to fool with it.
  • 00:09:31.687 --> 00:09:33.055
  • Let somebody else deal with it.
  • 00:09:33.055 --> 00:09:35.891
  • If i can keep my portfolio growing and my kids can stay on
  • 00:09:35.891 --> 00:09:38.594
  • The teams i want them to stay on, it's not my problem, hm.
  • 00:09:38.594 --> 00:09:47.770
  • Joshua's story is a tale of tremendous change.
  • 00:09:47.770 --> 00:09:52.174
  • Tremendous change.
  • 00:09:52.174 --> 00:09:54.377
  • As a young man, he knows the egyptian gods and the egyptian
  • 00:09:54.377 --> 00:09:56.946
  • Holidays, he knows the humiliation of slavery.
  • 00:09:56.946 --> 00:10:02.652
  • And as a mature man, he's a leader of the armies of israel,
  • 00:10:02.652 --> 00:10:10.092
  • An unimaginable change.
  • 00:10:10.092 --> 00:10:13.162
  • Joshua understands the challenge of obedience.
  • 00:10:13.162 --> 00:10:17.299
  • See, i think we are-- i think we're disingenuous.
  • 00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:23.406
  • We act as if obedience is no big deal.
  • 00:10:23.406 --> 00:10:26.809
  • I mean, we know some disobedient people but we're shocked
  • 00:10:26.809 --> 00:10:30.346
  • By them.
  • 00:10:30.346 --> 00:10:34.517
  • You know why we're silent in the face of it?
  • 00:10:34.517 --> 00:10:37.586
  • Because we know how vulnerable we are.
  • 00:10:37.586 --> 00:10:40.890
  • If we don't say anything to them, then maybe we're good
  • 00:10:40.890 --> 00:10:42.958
  • To go.
  • 00:10:42.958 --> 00:10:45.261
  • The challenge of--it's very much a part of joshua's story.
  • 00:10:45.261 --> 00:10:50.299
  • It's very much a part of his story.
  • 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:52.034
  • I brought you some verses of scripture.
  • 00:10:52.034 --> 00:10:53.369
  • I'm not gonna dwell on 'em, we don't have time, but they'll
  • 00:10:53.369 --> 00:10:55.771
  • Underscore those observations.
  • 00:10:55.771 --> 00:10:58.974
  • There's no partial commitment in god's kingdom.
  • 00:10:58.974 --> 00:11:01.077
  • Romans 12: "i urge you to offer your bodies as living
  • 00:11:01.077 --> 00:11:04.547
  • Sacrifices, holy and pleasing to god--this is your spiritual act
  • 00:11:04.547 --> 00:11:08.651
  • Of worship."
  • 00:11:08.651 --> 00:11:09.985
  • A living sacrifice, folks.
  • 00:11:09.985 --> 00:11:11.353
  • It's language that goes with the sacrificial system, not the
  • 00:11:11.353 --> 00:11:16.992
  • Sacrifice in the way we use the word, but an animal sacrifice.
  • 00:11:16.992 --> 00:11:20.529
  • If you brought a bull or a goat or a lamb, presented it to the
  • 00:11:20.529 --> 00:11:23.966
  • Priest as a sacrifice, they would literally slaughter
  • 00:11:23.966 --> 00:11:26.836
  • The animal.
  • 00:11:26.836 --> 00:11:28.170
  • And after that, they would put it on the altar.
  • 00:11:28.170 --> 00:11:29.505
  • You never put a living animal on the altar because the altar was
  • 00:11:29.505 --> 00:11:32.575
  • A place of fire.
  • 00:11:32.575 --> 00:11:33.943
  • It's a huge grill.
  • 00:11:33.943 --> 00:11:36.045
  • The aroma of the sacrifices in jerusalem would have filled the
  • 00:11:36.045 --> 00:11:39.782
  • Air over the city every day.
  • 00:11:39.782 --> 00:11:43.219
  • So paul's borrowing that language when he writes to the
  • 00:11:43.219 --> 00:11:45.654
  • Believers in rome and he said, "offer yourself as a
  • 00:11:45.654 --> 00:11:48.724
  • Living sacrifice."
  • 00:11:48.724 --> 00:11:52.261
  • He said, "that's just your reasonable expression of
  • 00:11:52.261 --> 00:11:55.197
  • Serving god."
  • 00:11:55.197 --> 00:11:56.832
  • He said, if you do that, you'll be able to understand the will
  • 00:11:56.832 --> 00:11:59.769
  • Of god.
  • 00:11:59.769 --> 00:12:01.570
  • See, you can't know the will of god with a partial commitment.
  • 00:12:01.570 --> 00:12:06.275
  • Jesus is ultimately the one we follow.
  • 00:12:06.275 --> 00:12:09.478
  • We call him lord.
  • 00:12:09.478 --> 00:12:12.081
  • Jesus modeled this for us.
  • 00:12:12.081 --> 00:12:14.116
  • It says in philippians 2, it's not in your notes, but it's in
  • 00:12:14.116 --> 00:12:16.218
  • The book.
  • 00:12:16.218 --> 00:12:17.553
  • He said he became obedient, he humbled himself and became
  • 00:12:17.553 --> 00:12:20.156
  • Obedient; obedient to death, even death on a cross.
  • 00:12:20.156 --> 00:12:25.327
  • He didn't consider equality with god something to be grasped, but
  • 00:12:25.327 --> 00:12:28.798
  • He made himself nothing, taking the nature of a servant.
  • 00:12:28.798 --> 00:12:34.336
  • He became one of us.
  • 00:12:34.336 --> 00:12:37.807
  • It wasn't a partial commitment.
  • 00:12:37.807 --> 00:12:40.376
  • It wasn't like a little side hustle.
  • 00:12:40.376 --> 00:12:43.979
  • God has asked us for more.
  • 00:12:43.979 --> 00:12:47.183
  • If you prefer jesus's words in luke 9: "he said to them all,"
  • 00:12:47.183 --> 00:12:51.987
  • Not just some private group, not some subset of super achievers.
  • 00:12:51.987 --> 00:12:55.925
  • "he said to them all: 'if anyone--'" anyone would come
  • 00:12:55.925 --> 00:12:58.527
  • After him, he must deny himself, "'and take up his cross daily
  • 00:12:58.527 --> 00:13:03.098
  • And follow me.
  • 00:13:03.098 --> 00:13:04.633
  • Because if you wanna save your life, you'll lose it, and
  • 00:13:04.633 --> 00:13:07.536
  • Whoever loses his life for me will save it.'"
  • 00:13:07.536 --> 00:13:10.105
  • The language there is very inclusive: "if anyone would come
  • 00:13:10.105 --> 00:13:14.577
  • After me, he must deny himself."
  • 00:13:14.577 --> 00:13:18.314
  • There's no plan b, there's no alternative.
  • 00:13:18.314 --> 00:13:20.349
  • There's no like, kind of, sort of, christian.
  • 00:13:20.349 --> 00:13:24.320
  • You can't design your own faith.
  • 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:28.290
  • That's not easy.
  • 00:13:28.290 --> 00:13:29.658
  • It's not easy. it's uncomfortable.
  • 00:13:29.658 --> 00:13:32.294
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:13:32.294 --> 00:13:37.466
  • Allen: i sat down with my father recently, did a podcast.
  • 00:13:39.368 --> 00:13:42.438
  • He told the story how he came to faith,
  • 00:13:42.438 --> 00:13:44.073
  • How god transformed our family, he started a home bible study,
  • 00:13:44.073 --> 00:13:47.176
  • All the way up to the beginning of this church that
  • 00:13:47.176 --> 00:13:48.978
  • I've served now for decades.
  • 00:13:48.978 --> 00:13:51.080
  • As i listened, the heart of it was the work of the holy spirit
  • 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:53.616
  • In his life and through his life.
  • 00:13:53.616 --> 00:13:55.684
  • I asked him to do a book around the topic and we have it
  • 00:13:55.684 --> 00:13:59.588
  • So that you can invite the spirit of god to be the dynamic
  • 00:13:59.588 --> 00:14:01.824
  • Presence of the power of god to bring change
  • 00:14:01.824 --> 00:14:05.060
  • And life and hope no matter what the circumstance is.
  • 00:14:05.060 --> 00:14:08.130
  • You'll enjoy the book.
  • 00:14:08.130 --> 00:14:09.531
  • Female announcer: experience the holy spirit in a deeper way
  • 00:14:09.531 --> 00:14:11.934
  • With this new book by pastor allen's dad,
  • 00:14:11.934 --> 00:14:14.136
  • "the eternal breath of life."
  • 00:14:14.136 --> 00:14:16.572
  • Request your copy when you donate any amount today
  • 00:14:16.572 --> 00:14:19.174
  • And when you give $50 or more you can also request
  • 00:14:19.174 --> 00:14:22.878
  • "unleashing the power of the holy spirit."
  • 00:14:22.878 --> 00:14:25.114
  • It's a collection of pastor allen's sermons
  • 00:14:25.114 --> 00:14:27.750
  • That will help you understand the holy spirit in new ways.
  • 00:14:27.750 --> 00:14:30.819
  • Request yours today at allenjackson.com
  • 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:33.889
  • Or by calling...
  • 00:14:33.889 --> 00:14:37.660
  • Allen: just as joshua has no story without the power of god,
  • 00:14:40.462 --> 00:14:43.532
  • Neither do you and i: we really should stop arguing that god has
  • 00:14:43.532 --> 00:14:47.670
  • Stopped doing miracles because we're gonna need them.
  • 00:14:47.670 --> 00:14:51.106
  • Have you read the end of the book?
  • 00:14:51.106 --> 00:14:52.474
  • It is a very supernatural narrative.
  • 00:14:52.474 --> 00:14:56.245
  • In ephesians 1: "i pray that the eyes of your heart may be
  • 00:14:56.245 --> 00:14:59.014
  • Enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he
  • 00:14:59.014 --> 00:15:01.483
  • Has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
  • 00:15:01.483 --> 00:15:04.887
  • Saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
  • 00:15:04.887 --> 00:15:08.724
  • That's paul's prayer for the church at ephesus.
  • 00:15:08.724 --> 00:15:12.962
  • I would submit to you just as a matter of biblical
  • 00:15:12.962 --> 00:15:15.631
  • Interpretation of understanding your bible, if paul is saying
  • 00:15:15.631 --> 00:15:19.168
  • There's something i pray for you on a consistent basis, it's
  • 00:15:19.168 --> 00:15:22.371
  • Because he thinks it's somewhat either diminished, lacking,
  • 00:15:22.371 --> 00:15:25.274
  • Or absent.
  • 00:15:25.274 --> 00:15:27.876
  • He's not just affirming them; that would be
  • 00:15:27.876 --> 00:15:29.645
  • Different language.
  • 00:15:29.645 --> 00:15:31.213
  • So he said these are the things i'm praying that you will not
  • 00:15:31.213 --> 00:15:33.782
  • Lose sight of, that you'll hold on to.
  • 00:15:33.782 --> 00:15:36.785
  • "that you may know the hope that which he's called you to."
  • 00:15:36.785 --> 00:15:38.787
  • There'll be reasons to lose hope.
  • 00:15:38.787 --> 00:15:41.156
  • "that you'll know the glorious inheritance in the saints."
  • 00:15:41.156 --> 00:15:44.093
  • That there's a value in choosing the kingdom of god.
  • 00:15:44.093 --> 00:15:47.062
  • And it's glorious, spectacular, unbelievable.
  • 00:15:47.062 --> 00:15:53.435
  • "and i pray that you never lose sight of his incomparably great
  • 00:15:53.435 --> 00:15:56.338
  • Power for us who believe," because we're gonna need it.
  • 00:15:56.338 --> 00:16:01.710
  • We're not gonna outthink evil or outwork evil or
  • 00:16:01.710 --> 00:16:04.113
  • Out-organize evil.
  • 00:16:04.113 --> 00:16:08.417
  • Joshua models for us the reality that there's no shortage
  • 00:16:08.417 --> 00:16:11.954
  • Of challenges.
  • 00:16:11.954 --> 00:16:13.822
  • There were opponents.
  • 00:16:13.822 --> 00:16:16.558
  • 1 peter, jesus recruited him: "dear friends, don't be
  • 00:16:16.558 --> 00:16:20.429
  • Surprised at the painful trial you're suffering."
  • 00:16:20.429 --> 00:16:22.998
  • I always am.
  • 00:16:22.998 --> 00:16:26.135
  • I mean, i'm well into my thirties now and i'm still
  • 00:16:26.135 --> 00:16:28.704
  • Surprised, right?
  • 00:16:28.704 --> 00:16:32.941
  • How many have ever ever been through a painful trial?
  • 00:16:32.941 --> 00:16:36.245
  • About a third of you.
  • 00:16:36.245 --> 00:16:37.613
  • Well, bless your hearts, the rest of you.
  • 00:16:37.613 --> 00:16:42.184
  • Peter says, "don't be surprised."
  • 00:16:42.184 --> 00:16:43.719
  • I'm always shocked.
  • 00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:48.624
  • "well, god, that's not fair.
  • 00:16:48.624 --> 00:16:57.599
  • I don't like it."
  • 00:16:57.599 --> 00:17:01.437
  • It's been a long--it's been a while.
  • 00:17:01.437 --> 00:17:03.072
  • I doubt very many of you were here.
  • 00:17:03.072 --> 00:17:04.506
  • Once upon a time at church, i gave everybody a candy pacifier.
  • 00:17:04.506 --> 00:17:14.049
  • I'm kinder now.
  • 00:17:14.049 --> 00:17:18.087
  • And i said, every time you're tempted to tell god he's not
  • 00:17:18.087 --> 00:17:20.556
  • There, just pop it in.
  • 00:17:20.556 --> 00:17:23.926
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:17:23.926 --> 00:17:29.231
  • Allen: and then wait until somebody asks you
  • 00:17:29.231 --> 00:17:30.732
  • Why you have it.
  • 00:17:30.732 --> 00:17:34.536
  • Again, if peter says not to be surprised, you know why he
  • 00:17:34.536 --> 00:17:37.005
  • Said that?
  • 00:17:37.005 --> 00:17:38.340
  • He's shocked.
  • 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:40.809
  • And i have been, but he gives us some pretty wise counsel.
  • 00:17:40.809 --> 00:17:45.347
  • "don't be shocked or surprised at the painful trials that
  • 00:17:45.347 --> 00:17:48.917
  • You're going through."
  • 00:17:48.917 --> 00:17:50.252
  • And then he explains himself.
  • 00:17:50.252 --> 00:17:53.122
  • You see, it's not something strange happening to you.
  • 00:17:53.122 --> 00:17:55.390
  • "rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of christ."
  • 00:17:55.390 --> 00:18:03.699
  • I think we'll just cross that out.
  • 00:18:07.503 --> 00:18:12.941
  • "rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of christ, so
  • 00:18:12.941 --> 00:18:16.745
  • That you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
  • 00:18:16.745 --> 00:18:21.850
  • That same chapter i cited a moment ago in philippians 2, it
  • 00:18:21.850 --> 00:18:25.220
  • Says, "because jesus did all of those things, god gave him a
  • 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:28.157
  • Name that's above every name.
  • 00:18:28.157 --> 00:18:29.491
  • That at the name of jesus, every knee will bow in heaven, on
  • 00:18:29.491 --> 00:18:32.794
  • Earth, and under the earth."
  • 00:18:32.794 --> 00:18:35.697
  • When god asks you to stand in a difficult place, he will respond
  • 00:18:35.697 --> 00:18:39.568
  • To you.
  • 00:18:39.568 --> 00:18:40.903
  • And if you don't see his response in the moment or in the
  • 00:18:40.903 --> 00:18:42.671
  • Season or in time, i assure you when his glory is revealed, you
  • 00:18:42.671 --> 00:18:47.242
  • Will see his response.
  • 00:18:47.242 --> 00:18:54.783
  • It's worth serving the lord, but peter doesn't stop.
  • 00:18:54.783 --> 00:18:57.085
  • He knows we're kind of a tough audience.
  • 00:18:57.085 --> 00:18:58.820
  • "if you're insulted because of the name of christ,
  • 00:18:58.820 --> 00:19:01.089
  • You're blessed."
  • 00:19:01.089 --> 00:19:03.592
  • Cancel culture didn't start with covid.
  • 00:19:03.592 --> 00:19:09.831
  • "for the spirit of glory and god rests on you.
  • 00:19:09.831 --> 00:19:13.569
  • If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or a thief or any
  • 00:19:13.569 --> 00:19:17.472
  • Kind of a criminal, or a meddler."
  • 00:19:17.472 --> 00:19:19.675
  • If you're behaving in an ungodly way and you suffer for it, you
  • 00:19:19.675 --> 00:19:23.645
  • Don't get a blessing.
  • 00:19:23.645 --> 00:19:30.152
  • Now, we can be candid enough to say, "i've been ungodly and the
  • 00:19:30.152 --> 00:19:34.223
  • Consequences have settled upon me.
  • 00:19:34.223 --> 00:19:36.124
  • Will you pray for me to be delivered?"
  • 00:19:36.124 --> 00:19:37.859
  • Those prayers are appropriate.
  • 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:41.964
  • But it's inappropriate to sit in church and act like the devil
  • 00:19:41.964 --> 00:19:47.369
  • And expect a blessing because you're suffering.
  • 00:19:47.369 --> 00:19:51.840
  • We've tolerated way too much, folks.
  • 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:55.210
  • We've winked at it.
  • 00:19:55.210 --> 00:19:56.545
  • We've just--we've played god as if he were a fool.
  • 00:19:56.545 --> 00:20:00.349
  • He's not.
  • 00:20:00.349 --> 00:20:03.986
  • Peter doesn't stop.
  • 00:20:03.986 --> 00:20:05.354
  • "however, if you suffer as a christian, do not be ashamed,
  • 00:20:05.354 --> 00:20:10.092
  • But praise god that you bear that name."
  • 00:20:10.092 --> 00:20:13.795
  • Peter modeled that for us.
  • 00:20:13.795 --> 00:20:15.163
  • He and john on more than one occasion are called in on the
  • 00:20:15.163 --> 00:20:17.466
  • Carpet in front of the same group of people that condemned
  • 00:20:17.466 --> 00:20:19.635
  • Jesus to death.
  • 00:20:19.635 --> 00:20:21.003
  • And they said, "don't ever mention his name again.
  • 00:20:21.003 --> 00:20:23.138
  • If we see you or hear of you doing it, we're gonna do to you
  • 00:20:23.138 --> 00:20:27.209
  • What we did to your boss," and then they escalated it and they
  • 00:20:27.209 --> 00:20:31.680
  • Beat them.
  • 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:33.815
  • And it says they left the session rejoicing that they had
  • 00:20:33.815 --> 00:20:37.419
  • Been counted worthy to suffer for the name of jesus.
  • 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:43.325
  • Well, what happens if i take jesus with me to work or to
  • 00:20:43.325 --> 00:20:47.229
  • School or to my friends or to my family?
  • 00:20:47.229 --> 00:20:51.500
  • What happens?
  • 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.834
  • What happens when it isn't always easy?
  • 00:20:52.834 --> 00:20:54.469
  • What happens when there's difficulty?
  • 00:20:54.469 --> 00:20:57.506
  • Well, peter gave us a little coaching.
  • 00:20:57.506 --> 00:21:00.142
  • "praise god that you bear that name."
  • 00:21:00.142 --> 00:21:07.749
  • I'll give you one last one.
  • 00:21:07.749 --> 00:21:09.117
  • My time's up.
  • 00:21:09.117 --> 00:21:10.452
  • 1 corinthians 9. the challenge of obedience.
  • 00:21:10.452 --> 00:21:13.055
  • This is paul writing to a church.
  • 00:21:13.055 --> 00:21:14.623
  • He said, "i don't run like a man running aimlessly.
  • 00:21:14.623 --> 00:21:17.793
  • I don't fight like a man beating the air.
  • 00:21:17.793 --> 00:21:20.862
  • I beat my body and i make it my slave so that after i have
  • 00:21:20.862 --> 00:21:23.598
  • Preached to others, i myself will not be disqualified for
  • 00:21:23.598 --> 00:21:27.069
  • The prize."
  • 00:21:27.069 --> 00:21:29.838
  • Paul said, "i don't want to forfeit anything.
  • 00:21:29.838 --> 00:21:32.741
  • So i'm gonna choose a disciplined life."
  • 00:21:32.741 --> 00:21:36.411
  • I wanna encourage you.
  • 00:21:36.411 --> 00:21:37.746
  • I know obedience is not always easy, but it's
  • 00:21:37.746 --> 00:21:39.981
  • Always worthwhile.
  • 00:21:39.981 --> 00:21:42.351
  • Honoring god is not always simple, but it's
  • 00:21:42.351 --> 00:21:45.153
  • Always worthwhile.
  • 00:21:45.153 --> 00:21:47.222
  • Giving the lord your best is not always cheered broadly.
  • 00:21:47.222 --> 00:21:51.960
  • There is a blessing in obedience to the lord.
  • 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:55.030
  • As you read the book of joshua, think about the transformation
  • 00:21:55.030 --> 00:21:57.733
  • That comes to his life.
  • 00:21:57.733 --> 00:22:00.001
  • He could have lived and died in the brick pits of egypt and he
  • 00:22:00.001 --> 00:22:05.173
  • Occupies a tremendous place of significance in the unfolding
  • 00:22:05.173 --> 00:22:08.910
  • Story of god.
  • 00:22:08.910 --> 00:22:10.912
  • He didn't have the right education.
  • 00:22:10.912 --> 00:22:13.281
  • He didn't have the right financial support.
  • 00:22:13.281 --> 00:22:16.218
  • He didn't have access to the halls of power.
  • 00:22:16.218 --> 00:22:19.020
  • He didn't know the right people.
  • 00:22:19.020 --> 00:22:21.289
  • There was simply no reason other than he chose to be a person who
  • 00:22:21.289 --> 00:22:25.527
  • Honored the lord.
  • 00:22:25.527 --> 00:22:28.964
  • I brought you a blessing i wanna close with.
  • 00:22:28.964 --> 00:22:30.832
  • I'm gonna ask you to help me.
  • 00:22:30.832 --> 00:22:32.167
  • We did this last sunday morning and it worked well enough.
  • 00:22:32.167 --> 00:22:34.703
  • I'm gonna see if the saturday night group is quicker.
  • 00:22:34.703 --> 00:22:38.306
  • I want you to bless one another.
  • 00:22:38.306 --> 00:22:40.909
  • Are you ready for this?
  • 00:22:40.909 --> 00:22:43.245
  • So i'm gonna--we're gonna separate the room into some
  • 00:22:43.245 --> 00:22:45.814
  • Sections and i'm gonna let one section bless the other.
  • 00:22:45.814 --> 00:22:49.885
  • And then we're done with that, i'm gonna ask the section that
  • 00:22:49.885 --> 00:22:52.120
  • Received the blessing to give a blessing.
  • 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:55.624
  • And then together, we're gonna say a blessing for all the
  • 00:22:55.624 --> 00:22:58.093
  • People not in the building.
  • 00:22:58.093 --> 00:23:00.162
  • We want to invite the blessings of god in our lives, all right?
  • 00:23:00.162 --> 00:23:03.932
  • And it's really a little exercise.
  • 00:23:03.932 --> 00:23:05.300
  • You can take this, folks.
  • 00:23:05.300 --> 00:23:06.668
  • You can say a blessing over your home.
  • 00:23:06.668 --> 00:23:08.069
  • You can say a blessing over the place where you work.
  • 00:23:08.069 --> 00:23:11.239
  • You know, we tend to believe that curses are real, some of
  • 00:23:11.239 --> 00:23:14.476
  • Us, but we act like blessings are just kind of make believe
  • 00:23:14.476 --> 00:23:18.180
  • Hocus pocus stuff.
  • 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:20.015
  • Why, that makes--even physics says that for every action,
  • 00:23:20.015 --> 00:23:23.285
  • There's an equal and opposite reaction.
  • 00:23:23.285 --> 00:23:26.955
  • So i brought you a blessing here.
  • 00:23:26.955 --> 00:23:28.323
  • Let's--we're gonna--i'm gonna start with this side of
  • 00:23:28.323 --> 00:23:30.192
  • The room.
  • 00:23:30.192 --> 00:23:31.860
  • So from this aisle over and from that aisle right back there,
  • 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:35.630
  • This group, all right, we're gonna bless these folks.
  • 00:23:35.630 --> 00:23:38.900
  • They look like they need it, don't they?
  • 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:41.837
  • All right, why don't those of you that--stand with me, okay?
  • 00:23:41.837 --> 00:23:46.441
  • You've got the blessing in your notes, all right?
  • 00:23:46.441 --> 00:23:49.911
  • It's taken from numbers 6.
  • 00:23:49.911 --> 00:23:51.379
  • It's not like something i manufactured.
  • 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:53.014
  • It's the aaronic blessing.
  • 00:23:53.014 --> 00:23:55.016
  • This was the blessing god gave to aaron.
  • 00:23:55.016 --> 00:23:56.952
  • He said this is how you're to bless the people.
  • 00:23:56.952 --> 00:23:59.321
  • So we're really borrowing something biblical, all right?
  • 00:23:59.321 --> 00:24:02.057
  • Are you all ready to receive a blessing?
  • 00:24:02.057 --> 00:24:04.793
  • These are some world-class, grade a, top shelf
  • 00:24:04.793 --> 00:24:07.529
  • Blessers, okay?
  • 00:24:07.529 --> 00:24:14.102
  • I'm not sure how well your receivers work.
  • 00:24:14.102 --> 00:24:17.939
  • You have to be willing.
  • 00:24:17.939 --> 00:24:20.008
  • Are we ready?
  • 00:24:20.008 --> 00:24:21.743
  • Okay, here we go.
  • 00:24:21.743 --> 00:24:24.045
  • "the lord bless you and keep you; the lord make his face
  • 00:24:24.045 --> 00:24:28.483
  • Shine upon you and be gracious to you; and the lord turn his
  • 00:24:28.483 --> 00:24:33.255
  • Face towards you and give you peace," amen.
  • 00:24:33.255 --> 00:24:38.226
  • All right, now y'all can be seated.
  • 00:24:38.226 --> 00:24:41.263
  • All right, come on.
  • 00:24:41.263 --> 00:24:44.566
  • Don't let me down here.
  • 00:24:44.566 --> 00:24:45.934
  • There's a lot more of you.
  • 00:24:45.934 --> 00:24:48.203
  • But this group looked like they really needed a blessing.
  • 00:24:48.203 --> 00:24:50.572
  • So i saved a few extra in this group, okay?
  • 00:24:50.572 --> 00:24:55.844
  • And i know you're in church and we whisper.
  • 00:24:55.844 --> 00:24:58.847
  • Can you speak with the authority you would want someone to speak
  • 00:24:58.847 --> 00:25:01.416
  • If it was a blessing coming to you?
  • 00:25:01.416 --> 00:25:03.919
  • Will you do that with me?
  • 00:25:03.919 --> 00:25:05.887
  • All right, are you all ready to receive?
  • 00:25:05.887 --> 00:25:08.790
  • You gave first.
  • 00:25:08.790 --> 00:25:10.125
  • So you get a double portion, huh?
  • 00:25:10.125 --> 00:25:12.561
  • All right, here we go.
  • 00:25:12.561 --> 00:25:15.130
  • "the lord bless you and keep you; the lord make his face
  • 00:25:15.130 --> 00:25:19.467
  • Shine upon you and be gracious to you; the lord turn his face
  • 00:25:19.467 --> 00:25:24.739
  • Toward you and give you peace," amen.
  • 00:25:24.739 --> 00:25:29.144
  • Now, let's all stand here.
  • 00:25:29.144 --> 00:25:30.512
  • I wanna say that blessing over our congregation, our community,
  • 00:25:30.512 --> 00:25:33.882
  • Our state, our nation, amen?
  • 00:25:33.882 --> 00:25:38.954
  • With some enthusiasm.
  • 00:25:38.954 --> 00:25:40.322
  • If you're at home, you can say it with us.
  • 00:25:40.322 --> 00:25:41.790
  • We can hear you right through those--no, we can't.
  • 00:25:41.790 --> 00:25:45.360
  • The lord can.
  • 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.895
  • All right, together.
  • 00:25:46.895 --> 00:25:48.330
  • "the lord bless you and keep you; the lord make his face
  • 00:25:48.330 --> 00:25:52.367
  • Shine upon you and be gracious to you; the lord turn his face
  • 00:25:52.367 --> 00:25:57.472
  • Towards you and give you peace," amen.
  • 00:25:57.472 --> 00:26:01.543
  • Hallelujah, god bless you.
  • 00:26:01.543 --> 00:26:03.778
  • Be blessed.
  • 00:26:03.778 --> 00:26:05.947
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:05.947 --> 00:26:11.720
  • Allen jackson: hey, i got a question, what's "the eternal
  • 00:26:14.022 --> 00:26:16.191
  • Breath of life"?
  • 00:26:16.191 --> 00:26:18.026
  • Well, the answer is a new book my dad just wrote.
  • 00:26:18.026 --> 00:26:19.761
  • When i sat down to do a podcast with him and i was listening to
  • 00:26:19.761 --> 00:26:23.264
  • His story about how god had moved in his life and my
  • 00:26:23.264 --> 00:26:26.167
  • Family's life all the way up to the beginning of the church that
  • 00:26:26.167 --> 00:26:28.536
  • I've served now for several decades, i was so reminded of
  • 00:26:28.536 --> 00:26:32.140
  • The purpose and the power of the spirit of god in our lives.
  • 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:34.909
  • I asked him to put it in a book.
  • 00:26:34.909 --> 00:26:36.745
  • That's what we're sharing with you.
  • 00:26:36.745 --> 00:26:38.446
  • We all need god's help, we all face challenges.
  • 00:26:38.446 --> 00:26:40.949
  • Life's not easy no matter who you are, but the spirit of god
  • 00:26:40.949 --> 00:26:43.952
  • Is present within us to bring the power.
  • 00:26:43.952 --> 00:26:47.055
  • And purposes of god to bear in our lives.
  • 00:26:47.055 --> 00:26:50.058
  • I believe the book will be a blessing with--for you.
  • 00:26:50.058 --> 00:26:52.861
  • You'll pair it with "unleashing the power of the holy spirit,"
  • 00:26:52.861 --> 00:26:55.830
  • One of the most effective tools we have.
  • 00:26:55.830 --> 00:26:57.766
  • It'll give you a pathway that i believe will bring god's best
  • 00:26:57.766 --> 00:27:01.269
  • Into your family.
  • 00:27:01.269 --> 00:27:02.604
  • You may not plant a church, but you have been given the
  • 00:27:02.604 --> 00:27:04.739
  • Assignment as an ambassador for the kingdom of god, and we need
  • 00:27:04.739 --> 00:27:07.842
  • The help of the holy spirit.
  • 00:27:07.842 --> 00:27:09.611
  • Enjoy the book.
  • 00:27:09.611 --> 00:27:16.418
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:19.754 --> 00:27:19.754