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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Prayer and Judgment (Part 2)

July 16, 2026 | 27:30

Allen Jackson - Prayer and Judgment (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Prayer and Judgment (Part 2) | July 16, 2026
  • ...
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  • Female announcer: everywhere we turn, someone is telling us who
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  • We should be, how we should look, and what we
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  • Should believe.
  • 00:00:06.088 --> 00:00:07.423
  • It's no wonder so many of us feel isolated, uncertain,
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  • Confused, and like we're not enough.
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  • But god has a different message.
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  • You are chosen, loved, accepted, and redeemed.
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  • And as you more fully understand how god sees you, it will change
  • 00:00:21.103 --> 00:00:24.840
  • How you see yourself, how you see god, and how you live
  • 00:00:24.840 --> 00:00:28.243
  • Your life.
  • 00:00:28.243 --> 00:00:29.611
  • In "your identity in christ: 12 truths about who you are,"
  • 00:00:29.611 --> 00:00:33.282
  • Pastor allen jackson shares the unchanging truth of god's word
  • 00:00:33.282 --> 00:00:37.619
  • From isolation to belonging, from doubt to confidence.
  • 00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:42.091
  • Discover your identity in him.
  • 00:00:42.091 --> 00:00:44.860
  • You or someone you know needs the encouragement, truth, and
  • 00:00:44.860 --> 00:00:48.764
  • Freedom found in this book.
  • 00:00:48.764 --> 00:00:52.868
  • Request yours today when you donate any amount at
  • 00:00:52.868 --> 00:00:55.337
  • Allenjackson.com or call...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: the prophet said to the king that if you seek the
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  • Lord, you'll find him, but if you forsake him, he'll
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  • Forsake you.
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  • I'm not sure my language is the best on this, but the idea, i
  • 00:01:15.457 --> 00:01:18.727
  • Think i can communicate.
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  • It has something to do with the--it's the wrath of god, but
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  • It's in a passive way.
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  • If you're not interested in god, he'll allow you to
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  • Be disinterested.
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  • Another way it's said in scripture is that the spirit of
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  • God won't always strive with man.
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  • The grace of god is not infinite.
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  • If you consistently say no to the lord, if you rebuff the
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  • Lord, if you're not interested in the lord, if you won't
  • 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:48.090
  • Cooperate with the lord, i think you come to a place where the
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  • Lord says, "okay."
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  • And i think we need to live with that awareness.
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  • Again, not in great dread, but i think a healthy respect.
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  • If you recognize the lord's given you an invitation, listen.
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  • If you feel like he's put something before you, try to
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  • Understand how to cooperate.
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  • Don't imagine that you'll do it at your leisure when you're in
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  • The mood, when it's more suitable for you at another time
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  • In your life, at another life stage.
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  • If you recognize anything that feels like the lord, even if
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  • It's something as simple as a "let's pray" moment--i can't
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  • Tell you how many people i've talked to--said,
  • 00:02:29.631 --> 00:02:30.999
  • "you know, pastor, i missed it.
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  • I realized after the fact there was something there, and i could
  • 00:02:33.035 --> 00:02:35.571
  • Have said, "let's pray," and had a prayer."
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  • And i said that's a huge step forward.
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  • Most of us have lived for years completely oblivious to that.
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  • And now you're awake enough to go, "ah, i missed.
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  • I shouldn't."
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  • I promise, you the lord will give you another opportunity.
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  • The lord will give you another opportunity.
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  • Remember the disciples on the night they come to arrest jesus?
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  • They all hide.
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  • I mean, peter takes most of the heat for it, but they all hid.
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  • Nobody wanted to own that.
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  • Then on resurrection day jesus comes back to them and restores
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  • Them, especially peter, 'cause he'd been the most verbal
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  • About it.
  • 00:03:12.140 --> 00:03:13.875
  • But after jesus's ascension, on multiple occasions, that same
  • 00:03:13.875 --> 00:03:17.779
  • Group of people who were terrified to even say they know
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  • Jesus--they said, "you have his accent," and they go, "oh no,
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  • Not us."
  • 00:03:23.485 --> 00:03:26.722
  • But after the day--after the ascension and the day of
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  • Pentecost, that same group of people who've been cowardly,
  • 00:03:29.057 --> 00:03:33.795
  • Stand in front of the sanhedrin, the ones who orchestrated
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  • Jesus's execution.
  • 00:03:36.632 --> 00:03:39.201
  • And when they're ordered not to mention his name, they said,
  • 00:03:39.201 --> 00:03:41.336
  • "listen, we will not stop.
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  • You do what you need to do to us, but we're not gonna stop."
  • 00:03:44.573 --> 00:03:49.745
  • And they bring 'em back in, some see--some a bit later, and they
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  • Said, "you have filled all the city with the story of this
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  • Man's death."
  • 00:03:56.752 --> 00:03:58.487
  • And this time they physically punished them.
  • 00:03:58.487 --> 00:04:01.056
  • And it says, "they left having received that beating,
  • 00:04:01.056 --> 00:04:05.260
  • Worshiping that they were worthy to suffer disgrace for the name
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  • Of the lord."
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  • You see, none of us get it right all the time.
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  • So, if you walk past one of those windows and you missed it,
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  • The lord will give you another one.
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  • But i wouldn't encourage you to keep walking past 'em going,
  • 00:04:22.077 --> 00:04:24.313
  • "no, it's not convenient today.
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  • I'm not doing that.
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  • Pastor's trying to make me into a fanatic and i don't wanna be
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  • A fanatic.
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  • I'm not gonna be a fanatic.
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  • I'm going to my prayer closet."
  • 00:04:32.321 --> 00:04:36.825
  • Well, go on with your bad self.
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  • But it seems to me that if we aren't pursuing the lord, god
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  • Will allow us to walk on.
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  • He releases us.
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  • And if you prefer the new testament, romans chapter 1.
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  • Romans chapter 1 is the opening to this amazing treatise on
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  • Our faith.
  • 00:05:02.884 --> 00:05:04.619
  • And in the beginning of it, by the spirit of god, paul
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  • Describes this downward progression of the human heart
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  • When we refuse to give glory to god.
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  • And it's worth noting in verse 1--verse 18, it says, "the wrath
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  • Of god is being revealed from heaven against all the
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  • Godlessness and the wickedness of men who suppress the truth by
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  • Their wickedness."
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  • Now, i don't believe that was just a first century occurrence.
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  • I don't believe it's a uniquely 21st century occurrence.
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  • I think what he described is what we witnessed in the earth.
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  • That the wrath of god is being revealed from heaven against
  • 00:05:38.820 --> 00:05:42.190
  • Godlessness and the wickedness of men.
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  • How is that godlessness and wickedness expressed?
  • 00:05:46.528 --> 00:05:51.199
  • By men who suppress the truth with their wickedness.
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  • The suppression of the truth, the refusal to acknowledge the
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  • Truth, the refusal to listen to the truth, to yield to
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  • The truth.
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  • So, you act in opposition to the truth.
  • 00:06:09.551 --> 00:06:12.053
  • And when you do that, it's as if you're leaning down on the truth
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  • Going, "i'll not let you escape."
  • 00:06:15.457 --> 00:06:19.361
  • And what the scripture is telling us, is that the wrath of
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  • God is revealed from heaven against those behaviors.
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  • That's not just an end-time thing, folks.
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  • That's an all-the-time thing.
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  • I don't wanna be in that group.
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  • I certainly don't wanna stay in that group.
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  • And then in this downward progression, it describes this
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  • Response of god.
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  • What does it look like when the wrath of god is being revealed?
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  • Verse 24, says, "therefore god gave them over in the sinful
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  • Desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the
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  • Degrading of their bodies with one another."
  • 00:06:58.066 --> 00:07:00.402
  • The language is important: "god gave them over."
  • 00:07:00.402 --> 00:07:04.105
  • If that's what you wanna do, if you're gonna suppress the truth.
  • 00:07:04.105 --> 00:07:10.145
  • It's repeated in verse 26: "because of this, god gave them
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  • Over to shameful lusts."
  • 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:21.223
  • Again, they wanted to walk this way.
  • 00:07:21.223 --> 00:07:23.325
  • They've suppressed the truth.
  • 00:07:23.325 --> 00:07:24.693
  • They will not acknowledge god.
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  • They will not give glory to him.
  • 00:07:26.061 --> 00:07:28.129
  • So, god says--excuse me.
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  • He says, "okay, you keep walking."
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  • Lord bless us all.
  • 00:07:36.104 --> 00:07:37.472
  • "furthermore," verse 28, says, "they didn't think it worthwhile
  • 00:07:41.343 --> 00:07:44.212
  • To retain the knowledge of god, he gave them over to a depraved
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  • Mind, to do what ought not to be done."
  • 00:07:48.149 --> 00:07:50.852
  • Again, the image is the same.
  • 00:07:50.852 --> 00:07:52.220
  • It's like we're determined to keep walking away from the lord,
  • 00:07:52.220 --> 00:07:55.190
  • And he said, "listen, let's pray, church."
  • 00:07:55.190 --> 00:08:03.231
  • When you see ungodliness, when you see the truth being
  • 00:08:03.231 --> 00:08:05.767
  • Suppressed, begin to pray, "god, let the truth be told.
  • 00:08:05.767 --> 00:08:11.106
  • Let the truth be shouted from the housetops."
  • 00:08:11.106 --> 00:08:13.975
  • Remember what isaiah wrote.
  • 00:08:13.975 --> 00:08:16.144
  • He wrote, "the judgment of god is headed for his people," and
  • 00:08:16.144 --> 00:08:19.781
  • Isaiah says, "truth has stumbled in the street.
  • 00:08:19.781 --> 00:08:23.151
  • And there's no one to help it up."
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  • You and i can--are not just--we're not just individuals
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  • Who will tell the truth.
  • 00:08:28.924 --> 00:08:30.258
  • We become advocates for the truth, crying out to god, "let
  • 00:08:30.258 --> 00:08:33.194
  • Your truth be shouted from the housetops."
  • 00:08:33.194 --> 00:08:37.065
  • How will people respond?
  • 00:08:37.065 --> 00:08:38.433
  • Jesus told us in matthew 24, it's gonna make some people
  • 00:08:38.433 --> 00:08:41.503
  • Really unhappy.
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  • Okay.
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  • There are some contributing factors in that passage that i
  • 00:08:52.847 --> 00:08:55.016
  • Think are worth tagging.
  • 00:08:55.016 --> 00:08:56.384
  • I believe i put 'em in your notes.
  • 00:08:56.384 --> 00:08:59.387
  • In verse 3, it says, "the people who are opposing god say there's
  • 00:08:59.387 --> 00:09:06.194
  • No true god."
  • 00:09:06.194 --> 00:09:07.896
  • They're still religious.
  • 00:09:07.896 --> 00:09:11.132
  • They have a form of religion, but there's just no true god.
  • 00:09:11.132 --> 00:09:14.269
  • "there's no teaching priest," they said to the king.
  • 00:09:14.269 --> 00:09:19.174
  • They had preachers, but there wasn't no--there was no one
  • 00:09:19.174 --> 00:09:21.276
  • Teaching them the word of god.
  • 00:09:21.276 --> 00:09:22.611
  • Their hearts weren't open.
  • 00:09:22.611 --> 00:09:23.945
  • There was no law.
  • 00:09:23.945 --> 00:09:25.313
  • They were a law unto themselves.
  • 00:09:25.313 --> 00:09:26.948
  • Contributing factors that brought the pronouncement of
  • 00:09:26.948 --> 00:09:29.284
  • Judgment in that chronicles passage.
  • 00:09:29.284 --> 00:09:33.555
  • I would submit to you that when we recognize that god has turned
  • 00:09:33.555 --> 00:09:36.291
  • To us in his judgment--remember, judgment is not always an
  • 00:09:36.291 --> 00:09:40.295
  • Expression of anger or punishment.
  • 00:09:40.295 --> 00:09:42.364
  • Judgment can be in your favor.
  • 00:09:42.364 --> 00:09:45.000
  • But it's when god steps into time and says, "i will no longer
  • 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:49.304
  • Stay on the sidelines while this behavior escalates."
  • 00:09:49.304 --> 00:09:54.843
  • And we know intuitively that if judgment is in favor of one,
  • 00:09:54.843 --> 00:09:58.113
  • Judgment is not in favor of someone else.
  • 00:09:58.113 --> 00:10:02.150
  • But i learned this principle years ago on "the
  • 00:10:02.150 --> 00:10:04.085
  • People's court."
  • 00:10:04.085 --> 00:10:06.955
  • Not in some theological tone.
  • 00:10:06.955 --> 00:10:09.691
  • Judge wapner used to always render judgment in favor of
  • 00:10:09.691 --> 00:10:13.228
  • Someone: the plaintiff or the defendant.
  • 00:10:13.228 --> 00:10:17.732
  • And so, you don't needn't be frightened.
  • 00:10:17.732 --> 00:10:19.434
  • You wanna live in such a way that when god's judgment is
  • 00:10:19.434 --> 00:10:22.237
  • Expressed, it's in your favor.
  • 00:10:22.237 --> 00:10:26.608
  • But whenever you recognize the judgment of god in play--elymas,
  • 00:10:26.608 --> 00:10:32.347
  • The sorcerer and the governor.
  • 00:10:32.347 --> 00:10:35.550
  • You wanna do everything in your power to assuage the anger
  • 00:10:35.550 --> 00:10:40.055
  • Of god.
  • 00:10:40.055 --> 00:10:42.857
  • God be merciful to us.
  • 00:10:42.857 --> 00:10:44.192
  • Read daniel's prayer.
  • 00:10:44.192 --> 00:10:45.560
  • It's in the book of daniel.
  • 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:46.928
  • Read daniel's prayer in chapter 9.
  • 00:10:46.928 --> 00:10:48.830
  • It says in daniel that he discovered by
  • 00:10:48.830 --> 00:10:52.067
  • Reading the book of jeremiah that the time of
  • 00:10:52.067 --> 00:10:54.602
  • Their captivity was about over.
  • 00:10:54.602 --> 00:10:56.204
  • They're gonna spend 60 years in a foreign country.
  • 00:10:56.204 --> 00:10:59.207
  • And he does the math and he goes, "it's about time to
  • 00:10:59.207 --> 00:11:01.209
  • Go home."
  • 00:11:01.209 --> 00:11:03.244
  • And then daniel says this most remarkable prayer.
  • 00:11:03.244 --> 00:11:07.182
  • But he confesses the sins of his people.
  • 00:11:07.182 --> 00:11:11.052
  • But he doesn't pray, you know, god, forgive these people, they
  • 00:11:11.052 --> 00:11:14.289
  • Are stiff-necked, and immoral, and wicked.
  • 00:11:14.289 --> 00:11:18.259
  • He says, "god, forgive us."
  • 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:20.295
  • And when you recognize the behaviors in suppressing the
  • 00:11:23.998 --> 00:11:27.635
  • Truth and the oppression of god--jesus said we don't have to
  • 00:11:27.635 --> 00:11:30.572
  • Be afraid.
  • 00:11:30.572 --> 00:11:31.906
  • We need to be engaged.
  • 00:11:31.906 --> 00:11:33.274
  • The goal is the gospel to be preached in the whole world.
  • 00:11:33.274 --> 00:11:37.545
  • But we can begin to pray, "god be merciful to us.
  • 00:11:37.545 --> 00:11:43.184
  • In the midst of all the abundance, and the blessing, and
  • 00:11:43.184 --> 00:11:45.920
  • The liberty, and the freedom, we have turned it to our own
  • 00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:49.624
  • Comfort and convenience.
  • 00:11:49.624 --> 00:11:50.992
  • God, we're sorry.
  • 00:11:50.992 --> 00:11:53.795
  • Help us, god."
  • 00:11:53.795 --> 00:11:55.563
  • We don't have to deny it.
  • 00:11:55.563 --> 00:11:56.898
  • You see, there's a tendency to think, "well, if i just don't
  • 00:11:56.898 --> 00:12:00.068
  • Talk about it, if i just don't look at it, if i"--but just
  • 00:12:00.068 --> 00:12:03.138
  • Stay happy.
  • 00:12:03.138 --> 00:12:04.506
  • I'm gonna stay positive.
  • 00:12:04.506 --> 00:12:06.441
  • Well, i'm an advocate of being positive.
  • 00:12:06.441 --> 00:12:08.109
  • But when you recognize god's judgment, our priority becomes,
  • 00:12:11.212 --> 00:12:16.184
  • "what can i do to diminish that anger?"
  • 00:12:16.184 --> 00:12:19.921
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:12:19.988 --> 00:12:27.328
  • Allen: hey, i wanna ask you a question.
  • 00:12:27.328 --> 00:12:29.063
  • How do you identify male, female, southerner,
  • 00:12:29.063 --> 00:12:31.833
  • Educated, housewife?
  • 00:12:31.833 --> 00:12:33.835
  • How do you identify?
  • 00:12:33.835 --> 00:12:35.436
  • Well, i wanna suggest knowing your identity in christ is the
  • 00:12:35.436 --> 00:12:38.439
  • Most significant component of your person for both time
  • 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:42.043
  • And eternity.
  • 00:12:42.043 --> 00:12:43.411
  • We put together a resource.
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  • It's a new booklet.
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  • It'll help you understand who you are in christ, your identity
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  • In the kingdom of god, and what the implications of that are for
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  • Your life today.
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  • It's a game changer.
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  • I believe it'll be a blessing to you and to your family.
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  • Announcer: every day, the world tries to define who we are, what
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  • We should believe, and whether we're enough, but god's word
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  • Tells a different story.
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  • In pastor allen's new book, "your identity in christ: 12
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  • Truths about who you are," he shares biblical truths that will
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  • Help you recognize who you are in christ.
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  • Request your book and free companion card today with your
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  • Gift of any amount at allenjackson.com or
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  • 00:13:21.683 --> 00:13:25.086
  • Allen: i wanna suggest one thing really quickly.
  • 00:13:29.057 --> 00:13:30.992
  • My time's slipping away.
  • 00:13:30.992 --> 00:13:33.328
  • And it's a force multiplier.
  • 00:13:33.328 --> 00:13:37.332
  • It's a step beyond just, "let's pray."
  • 00:13:37.332 --> 00:13:39.901
  • And it has to do with the role of fasting and prayer.
  • 00:13:39.901 --> 00:13:43.838
  • And fasting is when you abstain from food for
  • 00:13:43.838 --> 00:13:46.674
  • Spiritual purposes.
  • 00:13:46.674 --> 00:13:48.042
  • I'm not suggesting a spiritual diet.
  • 00:13:48.042 --> 00:13:51.312
  • I understand that intermittent fasting has made its way into
  • 00:13:51.312 --> 00:13:53.915
  • Our health, and i'm good with that.
  • 00:13:53.915 --> 00:13:56.150
  • I've practiced it for a long time.
  • 00:13:56.150 --> 00:13:57.852
  • I believe it's beneficial, but i'm talking about
  • 00:13:57.852 --> 00:14:00.255
  • Something different.
  • 00:14:00.255 --> 00:14:01.589
  • It's the intentional--intentionally
  • 00:14:01.589 --> 00:14:03.725
  • Abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.
  • 00:14:03.725 --> 00:14:06.327
  • The time and energy i would normally spend shopping and
  • 00:14:06.327 --> 00:14:09.797
  • Preparing and--to enjoy a meal, i'll take that effort and spend
  • 00:14:09.797 --> 00:14:14.135
  • It with the lord with my bible, with a book, in prayer.
  • 00:14:14.135 --> 00:14:19.574
  • In some way, i'm gonna take that effort.
  • 00:14:19.574 --> 00:14:21.376
  • And i'll tell you what you'll discover really quickly is
  • 00:14:21.376 --> 00:14:23.945
  • You'll become very aware of your creatureliness.
  • 00:14:23.945 --> 00:14:27.815
  • 'cause you miss a meal or two, and you'll become very attuned
  • 00:14:27.815 --> 00:14:31.686
  • To how frail you really are, or i do.
  • 00:14:31.686 --> 00:14:34.255
  • But i don't know of anything in my life that god has been--has
  • 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:41.763
  • Consistently responded to, as faithfully as he has when i've
  • 00:14:41.763 --> 00:14:46.200
  • Been willing to fast and pray.
  • 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:48.803
  • It doesn't mean every obstacle is melted or that the problem
  • 00:14:48.803 --> 00:14:51.572
  • Got resolved within 30 minutes.
  • 00:14:51.572 --> 00:14:54.175
  • But i can tell you, across my life, when i look back in those
  • 00:14:54.175 --> 00:14:56.978
  • Seasons when i fasted and prayed, the faithfulness of god
  • 00:14:56.978 --> 00:15:00.381
  • Has been expressed towards me.
  • 00:15:00.381 --> 00:15:03.184
  • And if that isn't a part of your spiritual disciplines, i would
  • 00:15:03.184 --> 00:15:05.586
  • Invite you towards it.
  • 00:15:05.586 --> 00:15:06.955
  • It's very biblical.
  • 00:15:06.955 --> 00:15:08.289
  • In matthew 6, jesus is speaking, and he said, "when you fast."
  • 00:15:08.289 --> 00:15:11.359
  • He didn't say if you fast, or if the lord leads you to fast, or
  • 00:15:11.359 --> 00:15:15.630
  • If an angel comes to you and says you should fast.
  • 00:15:15.630 --> 00:15:19.267
  • "when you fast, don't look somber as the hypocrites do,
  • 00:15:19.267 --> 00:15:21.769
  • They disfigure their faces to show men they're fasting.
  • 00:15:21.769 --> 00:15:24.639
  • I tell you the truth."
  • 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:26.174
  • You know by now, that's kinda like a--he's shaking you by
  • 00:15:26.174 --> 00:15:28.276
  • The shoulders.
  • 00:15:28.276 --> 00:15:29.610
  • "i'm telling you the truth, they've received their reward
  • 00:15:29.610 --> 00:15:32.580
  • In full.
  • 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.948
  • But when you fast."
  • 00:15:33.948 --> 00:15:35.917
  • The assumption is that we will.
  • 00:15:35.917 --> 00:15:38.252
  • "put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not
  • 00:15:38.252 --> 00:15:40.455
  • Be obvious to men that you're fasting, but only to the father,
  • 00:15:40.455 --> 00:15:42.890
  • Who's unseen; and your father, who sees what is done in secret,
  • 00:15:42.890 --> 00:15:46.160
  • Will reward you."
  • 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:47.528
  • Jesus said, "god will reward you when you seek the lord in
  • 00:15:47.528 --> 00:15:49.797
  • This way."
  • 00:15:49.797 --> 00:15:51.299
  • And i don't think that--you know, the meaning of that isn't
  • 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:53.167
  • About oil on your head and your makeup.
  • 00:15:53.167 --> 00:15:56.137
  • It's about, don't call attention to the fact that you're fasting.
  • 00:15:56.137 --> 00:16:00.408
  • Don't go around, you know, "well, i'd like to help you
  • 00:16:00.408 --> 00:16:02.110
  • Today, but my energy levels are really low.
  • 00:16:02.110 --> 00:16:06.214
  • I missed my pancakes."
  • 00:16:06.214 --> 00:16:09.751
  • We're kinda back to that creepy spiritual thing.
  • 00:16:09.751 --> 00:16:12.887
  • Weird and creepy doesn't make you spiritual, it just makes you
  • 00:16:12.887 --> 00:16:15.056
  • Weird and creepy.
  • 00:16:15.056 --> 00:16:18.826
  • But fasting puts the spiritual in front of the physical in
  • 00:16:18.826 --> 00:16:22.964
  • Our lives.
  • 00:16:22.964 --> 00:16:24.332
  • 'cause usually, when there's stress in our lives and when
  • 00:16:24.332 --> 00:16:25.666
  • There's great anxiety, it's because there's some physical
  • 00:16:25.666 --> 00:16:28.369
  • Need that's captured our attention, and captured our
  • 00:16:28.369 --> 00:16:30.405
  • Emotions, and it's dominating our thoughts, and we're having
  • 00:16:30.405 --> 00:16:33.541
  • Trouble getting our mind's renewed.
  • 00:16:33.541 --> 00:16:36.177
  • And fasting begins to shift that.
  • 00:16:36.177 --> 00:16:38.813
  • And you say, "god, i'm gonna take those physical needs of my
  • 00:16:38.813 --> 00:16:41.249
  • Own life, and i'm gonna subjugate those to seeking you
  • 00:16:41.249 --> 00:16:45.053
  • For just a bit."
  • 00:16:45.053 --> 00:16:46.921
  • And you begin to reverse that awareness.
  • 00:16:46.921 --> 00:16:50.958
  • I think we all have to kind of--one of the hurdles we climb
  • 00:16:50.958 --> 00:16:55.563
  • Over is, "why would i make the effort?
  • 00:16:55.563 --> 00:16:57.665
  • Isn't it enough?
  • 00:16:57.665 --> 00:16:59.000
  • Can't i just pray that good enough?
  • 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.368
  • I got two people to pray.
  • 00:17:00.368 --> 00:17:01.702
  • I'll get pastor to pray.
  • 00:17:01.702 --> 00:17:03.071
  • I got my small group to pray.
  • 00:17:03.071 --> 00:17:04.405
  • I submitted prayer requests online to 63
  • 00:17:04.405 --> 00:17:05.773
  • Different ministries.
  • 00:17:05.773 --> 00:17:07.108
  • I'm covered.
  • 00:17:07.108 --> 00:17:08.543
  • You know, that's easier than fasting.
  • 00:17:08.543 --> 00:17:10.278
  • I don't like to fast.
  • 00:17:10.278 --> 00:17:11.646
  • It's not easy for me.
  • 00:17:11.646 --> 00:17:12.980
  • I have a sugar issue."
  • 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:16.484
  • Well, in jeremiah 29, it says, "seek the peace and prosperity
  • 00:17:16.484 --> 00:17:19.454
  • Of the city to which i've carried you into exile."
  • 00:17:19.454 --> 00:17:23.758
  • This is in the midst of god's judgment.
  • 00:17:23.758 --> 00:17:26.727
  • "when god's judgment comes on you to the point that you can't
  • 00:17:26.727 --> 00:17:29.163
  • Live in the land i gave you," jeremiah said, "these are the
  • 00:17:29.163 --> 00:17:33.201
  • Instructions: seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which
  • 00:17:33.201 --> 00:17:35.636
  • I carried you.
  • 00:17:35.636 --> 00:17:36.971
  • Pray to the lord for it, because if it prospers, you too
  • 00:17:36.971 --> 00:17:39.140
  • Will prosper.
  • 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:40.842
  • This is what the lord almighty, the god of israel, says, 'don't
  • 00:17:40.842 --> 00:17:43.077
  • Let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you.
  • 00:17:43.077 --> 00:17:46.514
  • Don't listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
  • 00:17:46.514 --> 00:17:51.552
  • They're prophesying lies to you in my name.
  • 00:17:51.552 --> 00:17:53.488
  • I haven't sent them,' declares the lord."
  • 00:17:53.488 --> 00:17:55.957
  • "make the effort to seek me," he said, "even in the midst of
  • 00:17:55.957 --> 00:17:59.227
  • My judgment."
  • 00:17:59.227 --> 00:18:01.129
  • See, i think it's easy to capitulate and say, "you know,
  • 00:18:01.129 --> 00:18:03.631
  • Things are getting dark, and things are deteriorating, and
  • 00:18:03.631 --> 00:18:06.134
  • Marriage is being redefined, all the things."
  • 00:18:06.134 --> 00:18:07.935
  • And go, "you know, well, it's the end of the age and jesus is
  • 00:18:07.935 --> 00:18:10.471
  • Coming back, hallelujah."
  • 00:18:10.471 --> 00:18:13.808
  • I think we have a different assignment.
  • 00:18:13.808 --> 00:18:17.345
  • I think we have assignment to see that the gospel of the
  • 00:18:17.345 --> 00:18:19.380
  • Kingdom is preached in the whole world.
  • 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:22.150
  • And i believe in the midst of that, we recognize there's gonna
  • 00:18:22.150 --> 00:18:24.552
  • Be some tension, and we need to be a people who learn to pray,
  • 00:18:24.552 --> 00:18:27.455
  • To recognize the spirit of god.
  • 00:18:27.455 --> 00:18:30.057
  • And we'll have to overcome all those things that jesus said are
  • 00:18:30.057 --> 00:18:32.894
  • Gonna come with those seasons of his judgment.
  • 00:18:32.894 --> 00:18:35.329
  • And we have enough biblical patterns of this happening that
  • 00:18:35.329 --> 00:18:39.133
  • We're not surprised, but we engage.
  • 00:18:39.133 --> 00:18:43.704
  • And if the spirit of god prompts you, fast for a meal.
  • 00:18:43.704 --> 00:18:47.275
  • If you've never fasted before, don't take down 40 days.
  • 00:18:47.275 --> 00:18:51.679
  • Maybe you start with 40 minutes.
  • 00:18:51.679 --> 00:18:55.516
  • I mean, it's a discipline and it's something that you engage.
  • 00:18:55.516 --> 00:18:58.119
  • You know, if you've never run, or if you haven't run in 10
  • 00:18:58.119 --> 00:19:00.054
  • Years, don't start with the marathon.
  • 00:19:00.054 --> 00:19:03.758
  • Start by just walking faster to the mailbox.
  • 00:19:03.758 --> 00:19:08.429
  • And i feel the same way with spiritual disciplines.
  • 00:19:08.429 --> 00:19:10.665
  • If they haven't been a part of your routine, just begin to say,
  • 00:19:10.665 --> 00:19:13.834
  • "lord, i wanna seek you in a new way."
  • 00:19:13.834 --> 00:19:16.604
  • You can even fast things other than food.
  • 00:19:16.604 --> 00:19:18.339
  • No devices for 24 hours.
  • 00:19:21.475 --> 00:19:25.680
  • I mean, there's a variety of ways to fast other than
  • 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:30.685
  • Just food.
  • 00:19:30.685 --> 00:19:33.487
  • But you don't forfeit something that doesn't matter to you.
  • 00:19:33.487 --> 00:19:38.259
  • Like, "i'm not gonna hunt elephants for 30 minutes."
  • 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:42.897
  • That's not exactly a sacrifice.
  • 00:19:42.897 --> 00:19:44.932
  • "i won't eat any mushrooms all day today because i am seeking
  • 00:19:44.932 --> 00:19:50.171
  • The lord."
  • 00:19:50.171 --> 00:19:52.974
  • You know, we don't con god.
  • 00:19:52.974 --> 00:19:56.244
  • Was it david said, "i won't offer to the lord something that
  • 00:19:56.244 --> 00:19:58.246
  • Costs me nothing."
  • 00:19:58.246 --> 00:20:00.214
  • And you wanna give god your best.
  • 00:20:00.214 --> 00:20:03.551
  • So, it seems to me--and then this notion of judgment--we have
  • 00:20:03.551 --> 00:20:05.720
  • Three general options.
  • 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.054
  • Either jesus returns, and yay.
  • 00:20:07.054 --> 00:20:11.058
  • Or final judgment comes.
  • 00:20:11.058 --> 00:20:12.560
  • Or the 2 chronicles 7 thing--"if my people will humble themselves
  • 00:20:16.130 --> 00:20:20.668
  • And seek my face."
  • 00:20:20.668 --> 00:20:22.970
  • And you know, how that plays out is beyond us.
  • 00:20:22.970 --> 00:20:25.072
  • None of us knows the day or the hour.
  • 00:20:25.072 --> 00:20:28.009
  • So, rather than choose the scenario that you prefer and
  • 00:20:28.009 --> 00:20:31.345
  • Shut down, how about if we seek the lord?
  • 00:20:31.345 --> 00:20:36.250
  • 'cause i'm telling you, when the judgment of god is unfolding
  • 00:20:36.250 --> 00:20:38.486
  • Around you, it feels like the end of everything.
  • 00:20:38.486 --> 00:20:42.089
  • Even if it's just your personal life, it feels that way.
  • 00:20:42.089 --> 00:20:46.460
  • And if it's happening on a broader scale, it certainly
  • 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:48.562
  • Feels that way.
  • 00:20:48.562 --> 00:20:51.098
  • So, let's discern--let's determine to become a people
  • 00:20:51.098 --> 00:20:53.167
  • Who pray.
  • 00:20:53.167 --> 00:20:54.735
  • You can start it with your, "let's pray."
  • 00:20:54.735 --> 00:20:56.937
  • You can take those prayers everywhere you go.
  • 00:20:56.937 --> 00:20:59.774
  • And as you do that and you begin to establish your willingness to
  • 00:20:59.774 --> 00:21:02.476
  • Pray, i have found that the spirit of god will lead you
  • 00:21:02.476 --> 00:21:05.246
  • Towards the next steps.
  • 00:21:05.246 --> 00:21:07.915
  • He'll invite you towards bigger initiatives, greater prayers.
  • 00:21:07.915 --> 00:21:12.353
  • And some of you, he'll lead you to fast and pray.
  • 00:21:12.353 --> 00:21:15.990
  • Let's just see what god will do.
  • 00:21:15.990 --> 00:21:18.192
  • He's moving in the earth.
  • 00:21:18.192 --> 00:21:19.560
  • I wanna go with him.
  • 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:21.962
  • Remember what jesus said, we don't have to be afraid.
  • 00:21:21.962 --> 00:21:25.433
  • We don't have to be afraid.
  • 00:21:25.433 --> 00:21:28.269
  • We don't have to be afraid, church.
  • 00:21:28.269 --> 00:21:31.005
  • There are some frightening things in the earth, but we
  • 00:21:31.005 --> 00:21:33.107
  • Don't have to be afraid.
  • 00:21:33.107 --> 00:21:34.508
  • Let's stand.
  • 00:21:34.508 --> 00:21:35.876
  • I'm afraid of going too long.
  • 00:21:39.447 --> 00:21:42.783
  • No, i'm really not, and you know that, so it's okay.
  • 00:21:42.783 --> 00:21:47.955
  • Since when?
  • 00:21:47.955 --> 00:21:49.357
  • You know, fear is a real thing.
  • 00:21:52.793 --> 00:21:56.864
  • The struggle with fear doesn't mean you're weak.
  • 00:21:56.864 --> 00:21:59.400
  • A struggle with fear doesn't mean that, "i think fear is
  • 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:05.439
  • An adversary."
  • 00:22:05.439 --> 00:22:08.042
  • That's why there's so many places in the scripture where it
  • 00:22:08.042 --> 00:22:09.877
  • Says, "don't be afraid."
  • 00:22:09.877 --> 00:22:12.279
  • If the bible's telling you not to be afraid, you got a
  • 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:14.515
  • Fear issue.
  • 00:22:14.515 --> 00:22:15.883
  • And usually, god's saying that to some really accomplished,
  • 00:22:15.883 --> 00:22:17.985
  • Significant people.
  • 00:22:17.985 --> 00:22:19.954
  • And i think we have to learn to overcome fear.
  • 00:22:19.954 --> 00:22:23.124
  • My habit is to think of fear as a person without a body.
  • 00:22:23.124 --> 00:22:27.027
  • And i speak to it that way.
  • 00:22:27.027 --> 00:22:28.396
  • "in jesus's name you go. you're not welcome here."
  • 00:22:28.396 --> 00:22:31.632
  • If i--you know, if i left church tonight and there was somebody
  • 00:22:31.632 --> 00:22:33.367
  • Sitting in my truck, and they said, "i like your truck.
  • 00:22:33.367 --> 00:22:35.803
  • I think i'll take it."
  • 00:22:35.803 --> 00:22:38.806
  • I'll be like, "no, i don't think so."
  • 00:22:38.806 --> 00:22:41.675
  • And if they're bigger than me, i'm gonna get an equalizer.
  • 00:22:41.675 --> 00:22:46.714
  • But i'm not gonna surrender the truck.
  • 00:22:46.714 --> 00:22:50.084
  • It's not theirs.
  • 00:22:50.084 --> 00:22:51.919
  • And fear comes to take something that it doesn't belong to, that
  • 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:56.624
  • Isn't his.
  • 00:22:56.624 --> 00:22:57.992
  • It comes to steal, and to loot, and to plunder.
  • 00:22:57.992 --> 00:23:00.728
  • Fear comes to steal your peace, to steal your future, to
  • 00:23:00.728 --> 00:23:04.765
  • Steal--and it can be fear for your kids, it can be fear for a
  • 00:23:04.765 --> 00:23:09.003
  • Lot of things.
  • 00:23:09.003 --> 00:23:11.038
  • And so, a beginning point is to say, "in jesus's name, you're
  • 00:23:11.038 --> 00:23:13.574
  • Not welcome here.
  • 00:23:13.574 --> 00:23:15.476
  • You go."
  • 00:23:15.476 --> 00:23:17.244
  • Now, if that fear has been in place for a bit.
  • 00:23:17.244 --> 00:23:20.848
  • It may take more than one prayer.
  • 00:23:20.848 --> 00:23:25.085
  • 'cause it'll come back and try again 'cause it's a familiar
  • 00:23:25.085 --> 00:23:28.355
  • Response to you.
  • 00:23:28.355 --> 00:23:31.525
  • You can do the same thing with anger.
  • 00:23:31.525 --> 00:23:34.328
  • You learned to use anger as a tool.
  • 00:23:34.328 --> 00:23:37.832
  • And if you do it for very, very often, you'll get spiritual
  • 00:23:37.832 --> 00:23:40.901
  • Support for anger.
  • 00:23:40.901 --> 00:23:42.970
  • And you'll have to say, "in jesus's name you go.
  • 00:23:42.970 --> 00:23:46.974
  • I'm not gonna be led by anger."
  • 00:23:46.974 --> 00:23:51.111
  • But fear--jesus said, "we don't have to be afraid."
  • 00:23:51.111 --> 00:23:53.814
  • So, i'm pretty--i'm like, "i don't know, that's a
  • 00:23:53.814 --> 00:23:55.449
  • Frightening scenario.
  • 00:23:55.449 --> 00:23:57.318
  • But in jesus's name i'm not gonna be afraid."
  • 00:23:57.318 --> 00:24:01.622
  • When people--i hear people say they've never been afraid, i
  • 00:24:01.622 --> 00:24:03.524
  • Think, "well, then you're not paying much attention 'cause
  • 00:24:03.524 --> 00:24:06.527
  • There are some frightening things in the world."
  • 00:24:06.527 --> 00:24:08.762
  • There are some frightening things that happen to our lives.
  • 00:24:08.762 --> 00:24:10.764
  • There are some frightening consequences.
  • 00:24:10.764 --> 00:24:12.266
  • If it weren't for jesus, they would terrify me.
  • 00:24:12.266 --> 00:24:16.470
  • If it weren't for jesus, i'd be looking for like a piece of
  • 00:24:16.470 --> 00:24:20.741
  • Property in the outer part of montana or something.
  • 00:24:20.741 --> 00:24:25.279
  • But jesus said we don't have to be afraid.
  • 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:28.482
  • So, maybe we close with that prayer tonight.
  • 00:24:28.482 --> 00:24:31.318
  • Some of us have some points that have been very frightening.
  • 00:24:31.318 --> 00:24:35.089
  • And i believe the lord would set you free.
  • 00:24:35.089 --> 00:24:37.258
  • Wouldn't that be good?
  • 00:24:37.258 --> 00:24:39.994
  • How old are you?
  • 00:24:39.994 --> 00:24:41.662
  • "father, i thank you for your word, and its truth, and
  • 00:24:41.662 --> 00:24:43.697
  • Its power.
  • 00:24:43.697 --> 00:24:45.399
  • I thank you for your great love for us.
  • 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:47.902
  • Lord jesus, thank you for your provision.
  • 00:24:47.902 --> 00:24:50.738
  • That you offered yourself as a sacrifice that we might be
  • 00:24:50.738 --> 00:24:53.040
  • Reconciled to god.
  • 00:24:53.040 --> 00:24:54.942
  • We praise you for it tonight.
  • 00:24:54.942 --> 00:24:57.344
  • And through the blood of jesus, we have been delivered out of
  • 00:24:57.344 --> 00:24:59.480
  • The hand of the enemy.
  • 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:01.448
  • I thank you that through the blood of jesus, we have been
  • 00:25:01.448 --> 00:25:03.851
  • Cleansed, made whole, justified, sanctified, set apart for the
  • 00:25:03.851 --> 00:25:09.089
  • Purposes of god.
  • 00:25:09.089 --> 00:25:10.424
  • We praise you for it tonight.
  • 00:25:10.424 --> 00:25:12.526
  • And lord, you said we don't have to be afraid.
  • 00:25:12.526 --> 00:25:15.496
  • So, we come tonight to say that we stand in your truth.
  • 00:25:15.496 --> 00:25:19.600
  • Lord, and we reject that spirit of fear.
  • 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:21.635
  • In jesus's name, you go.
  • 00:25:21.635 --> 00:25:24.271
  • The scenario you bring, the portraits you paint, the
  • 00:25:24.271 --> 00:25:27.508
  • Pictures you bring, in the name of jesus, you go.
  • 00:25:27.508 --> 00:25:31.245
  • We put our faith in almighty god.
  • 00:25:31.245 --> 00:25:34.448
  • And even though circumstances may be intimidating, we choose
  • 00:25:34.448 --> 00:25:37.918
  • Not to be afraid.
  • 00:25:37.918 --> 00:25:39.253
  • We will trust in god.
  • 00:25:39.253 --> 00:25:40.921
  • We'll put our faith in him, and his faithfulness, and his power,
  • 00:25:40.921 --> 00:25:43.791
  • And his mercy, and his grace, and his goodness, and his love
  • 00:25:43.791 --> 00:25:47.094
  • For us.
  • 00:25:47.094 --> 00:25:48.429
  • I thank you that his love is greater than any threat
  • 00:25:48.429 --> 00:25:50.464
  • That presents.
  • 00:25:50.464 --> 00:25:51.832
  • In the name of jesus tonight, we are free.
  • 00:25:51.832 --> 00:25:55.603
  • Father, give us your peace.
  • 00:25:55.603 --> 00:25:57.004
  • Lord jesus, let your peace fill our hearts.
  • 00:25:57.004 --> 00:26:00.441
  • May we be more aware of your presence than any threat.
  • 00:26:00.441 --> 00:26:04.778
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:04.778 --> 00:26:07.881
  • Hallelujah, god bless you.
  • 00:26:07.881 --> 00:26:10.150
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:12.886 --> 00:26:18.892
  • Allen: hey, i'm really excited about our newest publication,
  • 00:26:18.892 --> 00:26:21.462
  • "your identity in christ."
  • 00:26:21.462 --> 00:26:23.263
  • Far too often in christian, we major on the minors.
  • 00:26:23.263 --> 00:26:26.233
  • We get way heated up about which church we attend, which
  • 00:26:26.233 --> 00:26:28.335
  • Denomination we belong to, which translation of the bible
  • 00:26:28.335 --> 00:26:30.804
  • We read.
  • 00:26:30.804 --> 00:26:32.172
  • Most of those things are all okay, but knowing who you are in
  • 00:26:32.172 --> 00:26:34.808
  • Christ, it will mean freedom or it will put you in a place
  • 00:26:34.808 --> 00:26:38.212
  • Of bondage.
  • 00:26:38.212 --> 00:26:39.546
  • When i help people through the steps of spiritual freedom, the
  • 00:26:39.546 --> 00:26:41.915
  • Foundation of that is understanding who we are
  • 00:26:41.915 --> 00:26:44.652
  • In christ.
  • 00:26:44.652 --> 00:26:46.020
  • We put together this little booklet as a tool.
  • 00:26:46.020 --> 00:26:47.788
  • It'll help you individually.
  • 00:26:47.788 --> 00:26:49.189
  • You can do it as a small group.
  • 00:26:49.189 --> 00:26:50.524
  • It's a great resource to share with your children or your
  • 00:26:50.524 --> 00:26:52.993
  • Grandchildren at your kitchen table time.
  • 00:26:52.993 --> 00:26:55.429
  • It'll make a difference in your life knowing who you are in
  • 00:26:55.429 --> 00:26:58.265
  • Christ first and foremost most, as a part of your
  • 00:26:58.265 --> 00:27:00.901
  • Spiritual formation.
  • 00:27:00.901 --> 00:27:02.236
  • In fact, i wanna pray with you before we go that god will bring
  • 00:27:02.236 --> 00:27:04.738
  • New freedom to you in this season.
  • 00:27:04.738 --> 00:27:07.107
  • Father, thank you for you have established, you have paid the
  • 00:27:07.107 --> 00:27:10.511
  • Price that we can participate in your kingdom.
  • 00:27:10.511 --> 00:27:12.846
  • By your spirit, awaken us to who we are in christ first and
  • 00:27:12.846 --> 00:27:17.251
  • Foremost, in jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:17.251 --> 00:27:20.020
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:20.688 --> 00:27:20.688