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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Prayer and Spiritual Authority (Part 1)

July 4, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - Prayer and Spiritual Authority (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#SpiritualFoundation #Prayer #Authority #Courage #Compassion #Imagination #Praise #Suffering #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Prayer and Spiritual Authority (Part 1) | July 4, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: we have a new resource for you.
  • 00:00:01.750 --> 00:00:02.985
  • I'm really excited about this.
  • 00:00:03.118 --> 00:00:03.619
  • It's a book. it's a booklet.
  • 00:00:04.319 --> 00:00:05.654
  • It's a small book called "your identity in christ."
  • 00:00:05.654 --> 00:00:08.590
  • It was derived from years of teaching and leading in the
  • 00:00:08.590 --> 00:00:11.427
  • Context of the church.
  • 00:00:11.427 --> 00:00:12.928
  • We're walking through a season, folks, when there's so much
  • 00:00:12.928 --> 00:00:14.630
  • Confusion about our identity.
  • 00:00:14.630 --> 00:00:16.532
  • We put this together to help you understand who you are in
  • 00:00:16.532 --> 00:00:19.268
  • Christ, not just about your salvation, but so that you can
  • 00:00:19.268 --> 00:00:22.204
  • Lead a triumphant, victorious, overcoming life.
  • 00:00:22.204 --> 00:00:25.774
  • We built it for an individual read.
  • 00:00:25.774 --> 00:00:27.209
  • It's great for a small group.
  • 00:00:27.209 --> 00:00:28.677
  • It's a great resource for your kitchen table time as a family
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  • With children or grandchildren.
  • 00:00:31.814 --> 00:00:33.715
  • If you know who you are in christ, it changes everything
  • 00:00:33.715 --> 00:00:36.952
  • About the landscape of your life.
  • 00:00:36.952 --> 00:00:39.054
  • I'm righteous in the sight of god.
  • 00:00:39.054 --> 00:00:41.423
  • I can stand before god without fear, guilt, or condemnation.
  • 00:00:41.423 --> 00:00:45.394
  • Those are such important foundational principles to get
  • 00:00:45.394 --> 00:00:48.564
  • Secure in your heart, around your table with the people you
  • 00:00:48.564 --> 00:00:51.967
  • Care about, in your small groups, with your friends.
  • 00:00:51.967 --> 00:00:54.536
  • Your identity in christ, it's a game changer.
  • 00:00:54.536 --> 00:00:57.172
  • I believe it will add momentum to your spiritual growth in
  • 00:00:57.172 --> 00:01:00.075
  • This season.
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  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:01.443 --> 00:01:08.584
  • Allen: we're looking at some fundamentals that will enable
  • 00:01:08.650 --> 00:01:11.286
  • The summer to be filled with spiritual growth in our lives.
  • 00:01:11.286 --> 00:01:14.590
  • I want to grow more than the weeds in my yard.
  • 00:01:14.590 --> 00:01:19.928
  • If we all do that, we'll be spiritual giants by the end of
  • 00:01:19.928 --> 00:01:22.464
  • The summer, but that's our target.
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  • So we've been talking for the last few sessions, and i wanna
  • 00:01:24.867 --> 00:01:27.202
  • Continue for this and at least one more on prayer, but in this
  • 00:01:27.202 --> 00:01:30.606
  • Session, we're gonna talk about "prayer and spiritual
  • 00:01:30.606 --> 00:01:32.508
  • Authority," "prayer and spiritual authority."
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  • See, for authority to be valuable in your life, it has to
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  • Be expressed.
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  • A police officer has the authority to direct traffic.
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  • They can stand in front of moving automobiles and do this,
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  • And they'll stop, or they can eat doughnuts.
  • 00:01:45.687 --> 00:01:51.460
  • In order for the authority to be effective when the traffic needs
  • 00:01:51.460 --> 00:01:53.929
  • To be redirected, they have to put themselves in a position to
  • 00:01:53.929 --> 00:01:57.399
  • Give expression to that authority.
  • 00:01:57.399 --> 00:01:59.101
  • Having the authority doesn't mean it will bring about
  • 00:01:59.101 --> 00:02:01.737
  • An impact.
  • 00:02:01.737 --> 00:02:03.805
  • And i think for far too long in christendom, we've had seminars
  • 00:02:03.805 --> 00:02:07.442
  • And conversations about the authority that is ours in
  • 00:02:07.442 --> 00:02:10.312
  • Christ, but we haven't necessarily been positioned to
  • 00:02:10.312 --> 00:02:14.149
  • Give expression to that authority.
  • 00:02:14.149 --> 00:02:16.885
  • We're changing.
  • 00:02:16.885 --> 00:02:18.854
  • We are changing.
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  • And i came with an announcement, whether you know it or not,
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  • Depending on your heritage, you may be lesser or more aware, but
  • 00:02:24.226 --> 00:02:28.497
  • You have spiritual authority as a christ follower.
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  • You have been commissioned by the king as an ambassador for
  • 00:02:32.467 --> 00:02:35.804
  • His eternal kingdom.
  • 00:02:35.804 --> 00:02:38.140
  • Now some will say, "well, you know, i don't feel like it, but
  • 00:02:38.140 --> 00:02:40.142
  • I don't feel like i have any authority.
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  • Nobody cares what--i don't know if i have any authority or not.
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  • In fact, i have problems of my own.
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  • You should hear the problems.
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  • Have i got real problems, pastor.
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  • If i got authority, why do i have problems?"
  • 00:02:49.918 --> 00:02:53.922
  • There's another group, you know, authority is more, "i don't
  • 00:02:53.922 --> 00:02:56.425
  • Wanna be bothered.
  • 00:02:56.425 --> 00:02:57.793
  • I'm trying to keep my own sandbox clean.
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  • I don't wanna be--that's not my problem."
  • 00:02:59.628 --> 00:03:02.898
  • Okay, but none of those comments, none of those
  • 00:03:02.898 --> 00:03:06.168
  • Perspectives change the reality that, in god's economy, he has
  • 00:03:06.168 --> 00:03:10.505
  • Invested in you authority.
  • 00:03:10.505 --> 00:03:13.709
  • So what i want to suggest is the expression of that authority
  • 00:03:13.709 --> 00:03:16.445
  • Doesn't mean your life is free of stress.
  • 00:03:16.445 --> 00:03:18.747
  • I suspect there are police officers directing traffic that
  • 00:03:18.747 --> 00:03:21.383
  • Have some other stresses in their lives.
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  • I mean, it's stressful to have an automobile that weighs a few
  • 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:26.955
  • 1000 pounds headed towards you.
  • 00:03:26.955 --> 00:03:29.424
  • And you wonder if that is going to be as sufficient to get them
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  • To adopt their behavior, but they're willing to do it anyway.
  • 00:03:32.094 --> 00:03:36.398
  • And you and i as christ followers don't give expression
  • 00:03:36.398 --> 00:03:39.701
  • To the power of god because our lives are perfect, or there's no
  • 00:03:39.701 --> 00:03:44.072
  • Stress, or there's no anxiety, or there's no threat, or we feel
  • 00:03:44.072 --> 00:03:47.309
  • Like it, or because we think it's fun.
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  • We do it in obedience to the lord.
  • 00:03:50.512 --> 00:03:53.882
  • So we're gonna try to understand a bit more about how prayer is
  • 00:03:53.882 --> 00:03:56.618
  • An expression of that authority.
  • 00:03:56.618 --> 00:03:58.553
  • I'll start in acts chapter 19.
  • 00:03:58.553 --> 00:04:00.756
  • The idea is pretty simple that in our world, there are two
  • 00:04:00.756 --> 00:04:04.660
  • Kingdoms in complete collision.
  • 00:04:04.660 --> 00:04:08.130
  • On collision courses, they are diametrically opposed to
  • 00:04:08.130 --> 00:04:11.099
  • One another.
  • 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:12.467
  • They will not peacefully coexist.
  • 00:04:12.467 --> 00:04:14.236
  • There is no peace to be brokered.
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  • There's no treaty to be established.
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  • The kingdom of god and the kingdom of darkness are in
  • 00:04:20.042 --> 00:04:22.444
  • Opposition to one another.
  • 00:04:22.444 --> 00:04:25.714
  • And then we take some unique positions.
  • 00:04:25.714 --> 00:04:27.349
  • We go, well, you know, i just don't know if i believe that, as
  • 00:04:27.349 --> 00:04:29.751
  • If that changes it.
  • 00:04:29.751 --> 00:04:31.920
  • It's like saying i don't believe in gravity as if that were
  • 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:34.056
  • Changing it.
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  • The biblical position is those kingdoms are in conflict.
  • 00:04:37.025 --> 00:04:41.096
  • We were introduced to that in the opening chapters of genesis
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  • When satan comes to the garden to disrupt what god has created
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  • In perfection.
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  • And it continues to the book of revelation until god's judgment
  • 00:04:49.604 --> 00:04:52.941
  • Comes ultimately on satan and his kingdom and those in the
  • 00:04:52.941 --> 00:04:55.544
  • Nations who have allied themselves with him.
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  • That is the story of scripture.
  • 00:04:58.380 --> 00:05:01.950
  • Those kingdoms that are in collision in our earth, in acts
  • 00:05:01.950 --> 00:05:05.454
  • Chapter 19, paul and his team are in ephesus.
  • 00:05:05.454 --> 00:05:11.693
  • They have made a tremendous impact with the gospel there.
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  • You know the story of the seven sons of sceva?
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  • He's a jewish high priest, sceva.
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  • Call him sam, it's easier.
  • 00:05:19.234 --> 00:05:21.703
  • Sam had seven kids, and they're on the periphery of what's
  • 00:05:21.703 --> 00:05:25.574
  • Happening spiritually.
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  • Their father is a religious leader, and paul begins his
  • 00:05:26.908 --> 00:05:29.544
  • Ministry in every city where he goes in the synagogue.
  • 00:05:29.544 --> 00:05:32.013
  • So they're no doubt familiar with paul.
  • 00:05:32.013 --> 00:05:34.516
  • They've heard their dad talking about him.
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  • They've heard the disruptions that have come.
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  • They have heard of the miracles that god's done through paul.
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  • They've no doubt heard of some of the deliverance that has
  • 00:05:41.189 --> 00:05:43.558
  • Come, spiritual deliverance, and so they decided to give it
  • 00:05:43.558 --> 00:05:45.794
  • A whirl.
  • 00:05:45.794 --> 00:05:48.797
  • And they say to a man who's demonstrating some sort of
  • 00:05:48.797 --> 00:05:51.233
  • A demonic response, "in the name of jesus, come out."
  • 00:05:51.233 --> 00:05:55.670
  • Remember what it says?
  • 00:05:55.670 --> 00:05:57.506
  • The man said, "well, jesus, i know.
  • 00:05:57.506 --> 00:06:01.777
  • And paul, i've heard of him, but who are you?"
  • 00:06:01.777 --> 00:06:07.182
  • And that one man attacked the seven brothers and gave them
  • 00:06:07.182 --> 00:06:13.855
  • A beating sufficient enough that their clothing was stripped.
  • 00:06:13.855 --> 00:06:17.392
  • And they ran naked through the streets, not a great way to
  • 00:06:17.392 --> 00:06:21.863
  • Launch a ministry.
  • 00:06:21.863 --> 00:06:24.666
  • But it caused the city to be stirred and revival came so that
  • 00:06:24.666 --> 00:06:28.937
  • They brought all of the things they used to practice
  • 00:06:28.937 --> 00:06:31.306
  • Ungodliness, burned them in public at a significant value,
  • 00:06:31.306 --> 00:06:35.477
  • Millions of dollars in today's dollars.
  • 00:06:35.477 --> 00:06:38.447
  • So there's a spiritual change coming to the city.
  • 00:06:38.447 --> 00:06:42.617
  • So i don't think we should be shocked when there are
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  • Expressions in support of the kingdom of god that there will
  • 00:06:44.820 --> 00:06:49.124
  • Be a rebuttal.
  • 00:06:49.124 --> 00:06:51.726
  • That's the nature of conflict.
  • 00:06:51.726 --> 00:06:55.130
  • So, in ephesus, it says, "about that time there arose a great
  • 00:06:55.130 --> 00:06:59.301
  • Disturbance about the way."
  • 00:06:59.301 --> 00:07:00.936
  • The way is one of the labels given to those who are followers
  • 00:07:00.936 --> 00:07:03.939
  • Of jesus.
  • 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:05.540
  • About that time, about the time all these spiritual things are
  • 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:08.009
  • Happening, a great disturbance arose.
  • 00:07:08.009 --> 00:07:10.579
  • Gee, i wonder what the source of the disturbance would be.
  • 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:14.416
  • I mean, it's gonna be expressed through people, but that's why
  • 00:07:14.416 --> 00:07:17.085
  • Paul wrote to the people in ephesus.
  • 00:07:17.085 --> 00:07:18.453
  • It's in ephesus 6.
  • 00:07:18.453 --> 00:07:19.788
  • Remember he said, "our wrestling match is
  • 00:07:19.788 --> 00:07:21.223
  • Not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of
  • 00:07:21.223 --> 00:07:25.060
  • Wickedness in the heavenly places."
  • 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:27.462
  • He didn't write to them as some sort of a theoretical discussion
  • 00:07:27.462 --> 00:07:30.999
  • Of theological nuance.
  • 00:07:30.999 --> 00:07:33.101
  • He's reminding them of the story that he's experienced with them
  • 00:07:33.101 --> 00:07:36.104
  • When he was with them.
  • 00:07:36.104 --> 00:07:38.540
  • "about that time a great disturbance arose about
  • 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:40.709
  • The way."
  • 00:07:40.709 --> 00:07:42.043
  • "and a silversmith named demetrius, who made silver
  • 00:07:42.043 --> 00:07:43.845
  • Shrines of artemis, who was the god of ephesus, brought in no
  • 00:07:43.845 --> 00:07:49.317
  • Little business for the craftsmen, and he called them
  • 00:07:49.317 --> 00:07:51.219
  • Together along with the workmen in related trades."
  • 00:07:51.219 --> 00:07:53.154
  • "and he said, "men, we know we receive a good income from
  • 00:07:53.154 --> 00:07:56.358
  • This business.
  • 00:07:56.358 --> 00:07:57.726
  • And as you see and hear, this fellow paul has convinced and
  • 00:07:57.726 --> 00:08:00.395
  • Led astray large numbers of people," led them astray.
  • 00:08:00.395 --> 00:08:04.699
  • No good has come from what he's doing.
  • 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:07.402
  • All he's doing is wreaking havoc.
  • 00:08:07.402 --> 00:08:10.238
  • Please do not expect people that do not acknowledge jesus as
  • 00:08:10.238 --> 00:08:14.543
  • Lord, and i don't mean in word, if they're not honoring him with
  • 00:08:14.543 --> 00:08:17.546
  • Their life, please do not look to them to affirm your position
  • 00:08:17.546 --> 00:08:22.284
  • In obedience to the word of god.
  • 00:08:22.284 --> 00:08:28.056
  • That's irrational.
  • 00:08:28.056 --> 00:08:29.391
  • It's illogical.
  • 00:08:29.391 --> 00:08:30.759
  • It makes no sense.
  • 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:32.093
  • If you're looking for affirmation for your biblical
  • 00:08:32.093 --> 00:08:34.462
  • Practices from people who haven't chosen biblical
  • 00:08:34.462 --> 00:08:37.365
  • Practices, you're confused.
  • 00:08:37.365 --> 00:08:44.406
  • Demetrius doesn't have paul's best interest at heart.
  • 00:08:44.406 --> 00:08:47.809
  • "this fellow paul is convinced and led astray," he's been
  • 00:08:47.809 --> 00:08:52.247
  • Leading astray people.
  • 00:08:52.247 --> 00:08:54.983
  • We were on the straight and narrow here.
  • 00:08:54.983 --> 00:08:56.484
  • We were doing wonderful.
  • 00:08:56.484 --> 00:08:57.852
  • Everybody in ephesus was good, and then paul rolled up, "and in
  • 00:08:57.852 --> 00:09:03.725
  • Practically the whole province of asia.
  • 00:09:03.725 --> 00:09:05.427
  • He says that man-made gods are no gods at all."
  • 00:09:05.427 --> 00:09:09.397
  • We know better.
  • 00:09:09.397 --> 00:09:15.136
  • It sounds like a conversation we could have in
  • 00:09:15.136 --> 00:09:17.238
  • Contemporary culture.
  • 00:09:17.238 --> 00:09:19.708
  • Who are these people?
  • 00:09:19.708 --> 00:09:21.676
  • How dare you have nuclear family month?
  • 00:09:21.676 --> 00:09:26.147
  • Who would do something so horrific?
  • 00:09:26.147 --> 00:09:30.018
  • Well, i think the spirit of the lord might.
  • 00:09:30.018 --> 00:09:34.889
  • There's a kingdom collision in ephesus, and there are people
  • 00:09:34.889 --> 00:09:38.927
  • Being delivered from the kingdom of darkness and finding their
  • 00:09:38.927 --> 00:09:41.396
  • Way into the kingdom of god, and their lives are being
  • 00:09:41.396 --> 00:09:44.666
  • Transformed and their futures are being rewritten, and there
  • 00:09:44.666 --> 00:09:47.802
  • Is a rebuttal.
  • 00:09:47.802 --> 00:09:51.339
  • That is the nature of our journey under the sun.
  • 00:09:51.339 --> 00:09:56.411
  • So i would suggest to you that our most helpful posture is not
  • 00:09:56.411 --> 00:10:01.182
  • One of covert expressions of faith.
  • 00:10:01.182 --> 00:10:07.022
  • Let's be so quiet that no one knows
  • 00:10:07.022 --> 00:10:14.329
  • We believe in jesus.
  • 00:10:14.329 --> 00:10:24.372
  • Do you remember when jesus came in the synagogue?
  • 00:10:27.008 --> 00:10:28.643
  • It's mark 1; we looked at it in an earlier session.
  • 00:10:28.643 --> 00:10:31.946
  • Jesus came into the synagogue in capernaum, the beginning of his
  • 00:10:31.946 --> 00:10:34.683
  • Public ministry, no reputation yet, no long miracle narratives
  • 00:10:34.683 --> 00:10:37.686
  • Yet, no long list of testimonies, and a demonized man
  • 00:10:37.686 --> 00:10:42.057
  • Said, "we know who you are.
  • 00:10:42.057 --> 00:10:45.326
  • We know who you are, jesus of nazareth.
  • 00:10:45.326 --> 00:10:48.663
  • And we know your authority.
  • 00:10:48.663 --> 00:10:50.031
  • Have you come here to torment us?"
  • 00:10:50.031 --> 00:10:52.934
  • You see, if you think you're being covert by being quiet, the
  • 00:10:52.934 --> 00:10:58.473
  • Principalities and powers in the kingdom of darkness know
  • 00:10:58.473 --> 00:11:01.876
  • The spirit within you.
  • 00:11:01.876 --> 00:11:03.745
  • You're just forfeiting the harvest that the lord would
  • 00:11:03.745 --> 00:11:06.548
  • Bring to you.
  • 00:11:06.548 --> 00:11:09.084
  • We don't have to be obnoxious or belligerent.
  • 00:11:09.084 --> 00:11:12.153
  • We don't have to be condemning, but i believe we have to be
  • 00:11:12.153 --> 00:11:15.156
  • Advocates for the truth.
  • 00:11:15.156 --> 00:11:16.725
  • In fact, i'm gonna suggest to you that it takes courage.
  • 00:11:16.725 --> 00:11:18.960
  • I couldn't decide which word was the most accurate, and i
  • 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:22.097
  • Honestly, i think it's both, whether it was courage or
  • 00:11:22.097 --> 00:11:24.332
  • Compassion to bring your prayer into the public arena.
  • 00:11:24.332 --> 00:11:29.037
  • I think it takes courage, but i think what elicits the courage
  • 00:11:29.037 --> 00:11:33.441
  • Is the desire to give expression to compassion, that you see
  • 00:11:33.441 --> 00:11:36.811
  • People that would benefit from the engagement of god
  • 00:11:36.811 --> 00:11:39.647
  • In their lives.
  • 00:11:39.647 --> 00:11:40.982
  • And when you see that and you're willing to respond, that's
  • 00:11:40.982 --> 00:11:43.318
  • An expression of compassion.
  • 00:11:43.318 --> 00:11:45.787
  • But i believe in most places in our lives, it takes courage to
  • 00:11:45.787 --> 00:11:48.890
  • Give expression to godly compassion.
  • 00:11:48.890 --> 00:11:52.327
  • Now there's all sorts of secular compassion.
  • 00:11:52.327 --> 00:11:54.028
  • You can help those that are less fortunate.
  • 00:11:54.028 --> 00:11:55.830
  • You can feed those that are hungry and clothe those who
  • 00:11:55.830 --> 00:11:59.734
  • Don't have clothing.
  • 00:11:59.734 --> 00:12:01.936
  • And if you don't interject jesus in that, you can get a lot
  • 00:12:01.936 --> 00:12:04.439
  • Of applause.
  • 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:07.275
  • It's when you bring jesus into the conversation.
  • 00:12:07.275 --> 00:12:10.678
  • And that's why i think prayer is such an important part of this,
  • 00:12:10.678 --> 00:12:13.748
  • Because when we invoke the name of jesus and the authority of
  • 00:12:13.748 --> 00:12:16.351
  • The kingdom of god, you elicit a response from those spiritual
  • 00:12:16.351 --> 00:12:20.722
  • Forces that are in opposition to that.
  • 00:12:20.722 --> 00:12:25.059
  • Now i'm all for food and clothing.
  • 00:12:25.059 --> 00:12:26.828
  • I'm not opposed to that, but i'm opposed to that and burying the
  • 00:12:26.828 --> 00:12:30.732
  • Name of jesus.
  • 00:12:30.732 --> 00:12:33.101
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:12:33.101 --> 00:12:39.607
  • Female announcer: everywhere we turn, someone is telling us who
  • 00:12:39.674 --> 00:12:41.876
  • We should be, how we should look, and what we
  • 00:12:41.876 --> 00:12:44.546
  • Should believe.
  • 00:12:44.546 --> 00:12:45.947
  • It's no wonder so many of us feel isolated, uncertain,
  • 00:12:45.947 --> 00:12:49.951
  • Confused, and like we're not enough.
  • 00:12:49.951 --> 00:12:52.754
  • But god has a different message.
  • 00:12:52.754 --> 00:12:55.156
  • You are chosen, loved, accepted, and redeemed.
  • 00:12:55.156 --> 00:12:59.661
  • And as you more fully understand how god sees you, it will change
  • 00:12:59.661 --> 00:13:03.198
  • How you see yourself, how you see god, and how you live
  • 00:13:03.198 --> 00:13:06.801
  • Your life.
  • 00:13:06.801 --> 00:13:08.303
  • In "your identity in christ: 12 truths about who you are,"
  • 00:13:08.303 --> 00:13:11.639
  • Pastor allen jackson shares the unchanging truth of god's word.
  • 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:16.144
  • From isolation to belonging, from doubt to confidence,
  • 00:13:16.144 --> 00:13:20.582
  • Discover your identity in him.
  • 00:13:20.582 --> 00:13:23.384
  • You or someone you know needs the encouragement, truth, and
  • 00:13:23.384 --> 00:13:27.121
  • Freedom found in this book.
  • 00:13:27.121 --> 00:13:31.426
  • Request yours today when you donate any amount at
  • 00:13:31.426 --> 00:13:33.828
  • Allenjackson.com or call...
  • 00:13:33.828 --> 00:13:39.934
  • Allen: compassion and courage, look in john chapter 11.
  • 00:13:40.001 --> 00:13:44.839
  • Jesus's best friend or one of his best friends has died, and
  • 00:13:44.839 --> 00:13:48.776
  • Jesus purposely didn't go to minister to him when he
  • 00:13:48.776 --> 00:13:50.812
  • Was sick.
  • 00:13:50.812 --> 00:13:52.146
  • So the time jesus gets there, he's been dead several days.
  • 00:13:52.146 --> 00:13:54.482
  • Jesus was moved. he came to the tomb.
  • 00:13:54.482 --> 00:13:56.484
  • "it was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance."
  • 00:13:56.484 --> 00:13:58.553
  • It's how they buried people in the first century.
  • 00:13:58.553 --> 00:14:01.890
  • All around israel, all around jerusalem, you can find first
  • 00:14:01.890 --> 00:14:04.192
  • Century caves.
  • 00:14:04.192 --> 00:14:05.560
  • That's how they know they're first century burial places
  • 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:07.128
  • 'cause they buried people in caves.
  • 00:14:07.128 --> 00:14:08.830
  • They don't always do that.
  • 00:14:08.830 --> 00:14:10.198
  • They don't do that today in jerusalem.
  • 00:14:10.198 --> 00:14:12.600
  • But in the first century, they buried them in caves.
  • 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:15.169
  • "take away the stone," jesus said, but martha, the dead man's
  • 00:14:15.169 --> 00:14:17.972
  • Sister, said, "lord, by this time there's a bad odor.
  • 00:14:17.972 --> 00:14:21.876
  • He's been there for four days."
  • 00:14:21.876 --> 00:14:23.211
  • Lord, he's stinky.
  • 00:14:23.211 --> 00:14:26.180
  • In fact, my opinion, after this event, his nickname forever
  • 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:32.720
  • Was stinky.
  • 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:34.188
  • I don't know.
  • 00:14:34.188 --> 00:14:35.523
  • When i see him next time, i'll ask him, but "then jesus said,
  • 00:14:35.523 --> 00:14:38.159
  • 'did i not tell you that if you believed, you would see the
  • 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:42.630
  • Glory of god?'
  • 00:14:42.630 --> 00:14:45.066
  • So they took away the stone.
  • 00:14:45.066 --> 00:14:46.401
  • And jesus looked up and said, 'father, i thank you that you've
  • 00:14:46.401 --> 00:14:48.569
  • Heard me.
  • 00:14:48.569 --> 00:14:49.938
  • I knew that you always hear me, but i said this for the
  • 00:14:49.938 --> 00:14:51.940
  • Benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that
  • 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:54.075
  • You sent me.'
  • 00:14:54.075 --> 00:14:55.576
  • And when he had said this, jesus called in a loud voice,
  • 00:14:55.576 --> 00:14:59.580
  • 'lazarus, come out!'"
  • 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:02.684
  • Jesus said it in a loud voice.
  • 00:15:02.684 --> 00:15:04.018
  • I'm in church.
  • 00:15:04.018 --> 00:15:05.353
  • I won't scare you.
  • 00:15:05.353 --> 00:15:06.721
  • "lazarus, get out here."
  • 00:15:06.721 --> 00:15:15.763
  • And "the dead man came out."
  • 00:15:15.763 --> 00:15:18.866
  • What do you think the atmosphere was amongst those gathered on
  • 00:15:18.866 --> 00:15:21.469
  • The outside of the tomb?
  • 00:15:21.469 --> 00:15:24.405
  • Little bit electric.
  • 00:15:24.405 --> 00:15:27.976
  • "his hands and feet were wrapped with strips of linen."
  • 00:15:27.976 --> 00:15:30.144
  • That's how they buried people.
  • 00:15:30.144 --> 00:15:31.512
  • It was how they prepared them for burial.
  • 00:15:31.512 --> 00:15:33.681
  • "and jesus said, 'take off the grave clothes and let him go.'"
  • 00:15:33.681 --> 00:15:36.684
  • Is it safe to assume it took some courage to offer
  • 00:15:36.684 --> 00:15:38.820
  • That prayer?
  • 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:41.756
  • There's so many things about that are noteworthy to me.
  • 00:15:41.756 --> 00:15:43.758
  • Jesus's prayer for lazarus was "lazarus, come out,"
  • 00:15:43.758 --> 00:15:46.361
  • Three words.
  • 00:15:46.361 --> 00:15:48.863
  • See, that's not how i would have done it.
  • 00:15:48.863 --> 00:15:52.700
  • I would have had a worship service.
  • 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:56.771
  • I'd have shown you a video of every resurrection i had any
  • 00:15:56.771 --> 00:16:00.141
  • Evidence of.
  • 00:16:00.141 --> 00:16:01.909
  • I've done everything i would have known to have chummed the
  • 00:16:01.909 --> 00:16:04.145
  • Water, right?
  • 00:16:04.145 --> 00:16:07.382
  • Oh, don't look at me like you don't understand.
  • 00:16:07.382 --> 00:16:10.852
  • Jesus just rolled up and said, "open the thing up."
  • 00:16:10.852 --> 00:16:14.122
  • "oh, lord, it's not a good idea. he's--"
  • 00:16:14.122 --> 00:16:16.591
  • "open. didn't i tell you?
  • 00:16:16.591 --> 00:16:19.193
  • Open the tomb."
  • 00:16:19.193 --> 00:16:21.229
  • "lazarus."
  • 00:16:21.229 --> 00:16:23.564
  • Is it safe to say that took courage?
  • 00:16:23.564 --> 00:16:26.467
  • What drove the expression of courage?
  • 00:16:26.467 --> 00:16:29.504
  • Compassion.
  • 00:16:29.504 --> 00:16:31.572
  • You see, in our silence, because we tend to lead with, what will
  • 00:16:31.572 --> 00:16:37.045
  • They think of me?
  • 00:16:37.045 --> 00:16:38.413
  • What will they say of me?
  • 00:16:38.413 --> 00:16:40.481
  • I don't feel competent.
  • 00:16:40.481 --> 00:16:42.850
  • I'm not adequate.
  • 00:16:42.850 --> 00:16:44.185
  • I don't know my bible well enough.
  • 00:16:44.185 --> 00:16:45.686
  • We have all the reasons.
  • 00:16:45.686 --> 00:16:47.021
  • I don't feel good.
  • 00:16:47.021 --> 00:16:48.389
  • It's not my day.
  • 00:16:48.389 --> 00:16:49.724
  • I'm busy.
  • 00:16:49.724 --> 00:16:51.092
  • I don't know them well enough.
  • 00:16:51.092 --> 00:16:52.427
  • I don't know what they think about god.
  • 00:16:52.427 --> 00:16:53.795
  • I don't know their spirit, the whole thing.
  • 00:16:53.795 --> 00:16:55.596
  • We've all got a whole litany of things inside of us that cause
  • 00:16:55.596 --> 00:16:59.434
  • Us to stay on the sidelines.
  • 00:16:59.434 --> 00:17:02.537
  • What i'm inviting you to is this imagination that if we recognize
  • 00:17:02.537 --> 00:17:05.807
  • We need spiritual change, if we recognize that there's an
  • 00:17:05.807 --> 00:17:08.576
  • Expression of darkness that needs to be diminished by
  • 00:17:08.576 --> 00:17:11.179
  • Turning up the light, that you and i have the ability with a
  • 00:17:11.179 --> 00:17:14.982
  • Simple prayer to turn up the light in so many places where
  • 00:17:14.982 --> 00:17:18.086
  • God takes us, but it's gonna require of us a compassion and
  • 00:17:18.086 --> 00:17:22.757
  • An expression of courage.
  • 00:17:22.757 --> 00:17:25.993
  • Acts chapter 3, another example, peter and john on the way to the
  • 00:17:25.993 --> 00:17:29.163
  • Temple, they're going to a prayer meeting.
  • 00:17:29.163 --> 00:17:31.699
  • And they're interrupted by some person that's begging.
  • 00:17:31.699 --> 00:17:35.002
  • Some homeless person catches their attention.
  • 00:17:35.002 --> 00:17:38.439
  • He's asking for money.
  • 00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:39.807
  • And peter says, you know, "silver and gold," not today,
  • 00:17:39.807 --> 00:17:42.410
  • "but what i have i give you.
  • 00:17:42.410 --> 00:17:43.778
  • In the name of the lord jesus christ, walk."
  • 00:17:43.778 --> 00:17:48.416
  • And he took him by the hand and he helped him up, and instantly
  • 00:17:48.416 --> 00:17:50.651
  • The man's feet and ankles became strong."
  • 00:17:50.651 --> 00:17:53.087
  • "he jumped to his feet and he began to walk and he went with
  • 00:17:53.087 --> 00:17:55.156
  • Him into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and
  • 00:17:55.156 --> 00:17:57.125
  • Praising god."
  • 00:17:57.125 --> 00:17:58.693
  • The whole city's gonna be stirred.
  • 00:17:58.693 --> 00:18:00.027
  • In fact, they're gonna get arrested because of this.
  • 00:18:00.027 --> 00:18:03.331
  • I mean, it's gonna bring down on their heads some real pressure,
  • 00:18:03.331 --> 00:18:06.100
  • And it'll be the beginning of a legal battle that will shape the
  • 00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:09.337
  • Rest of their lives.
  • 00:18:09.337 --> 00:18:10.671
  • It'll lead some of their friends to martyrdom, premature deaths.
  • 00:18:10.671 --> 00:18:15.977
  • They themselves will suffer physically.
  • 00:18:15.977 --> 00:18:18.613
  • It's the first step in igniting the controversy in jesus's
  • 00:18:18.613 --> 00:18:22.950
  • Absence that the works of jesus are not done in the earth.
  • 00:18:22.950 --> 00:18:26.320
  • Folks, you and i are the 21st century addition to this.
  • 00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:29.891
  • We've been taught to go to church and to be polite and to
  • 00:18:29.891 --> 00:18:32.193
  • Be kind and to be covert and to do good deeds, but not to drag
  • 00:18:32.193 --> 00:18:36.230
  • Jesus into it.
  • 00:18:36.230 --> 00:18:40.401
  • Peter and john could have said, "look, here's some money
  • 00:18:40.401 --> 00:18:42.236
  • For lunch."
  • 00:18:42.236 --> 00:18:44.705
  • But they said, "listen, today it's not about money.
  • 00:18:44.705 --> 00:18:46.507
  • In the name of jesus," please understand in that city not very
  • 00:18:46.507 --> 00:18:52.346
  • Many days earlier, the crowd had stood when jesus was presented
  • 00:18:52.346 --> 00:18:57.118
  • To them and said crucify him.
  • 00:18:57.118 --> 00:19:02.223
  • And in the preceding chapter on the day of pentecost, peter
  • 00:19:02.223 --> 00:19:05.660
  • Stood up in the streets of jerusalem and said, "you
  • 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:08.996
  • Murdered the messiah."
  • 00:19:08.996 --> 00:19:12.466
  • Those are not conciliatory words.
  • 00:19:12.466 --> 00:19:17.338
  • Now that day thousands of people raised their hands and said, "we
  • 00:19:17.338 --> 00:19:19.941
  • Will acknowledge jesus as lord," and they were baptized.
  • 00:19:19.941 --> 00:19:23.044
  • So the fuse has been lit, the pressure's growing, the tension
  • 00:19:23.044 --> 00:19:26.514
  • Is increasing.
  • 00:19:26.514 --> 00:19:29.250
  • The hatred that was expressed towards jesus is being
  • 00:19:29.250 --> 00:19:31.352
  • Redirected now at peter and john and the crew that they're
  • 00:19:31.352 --> 00:19:33.955
  • Hanging out with.
  • 00:19:33.955 --> 00:19:36.557
  • Before long, they're gonna be celebrating that they've been
  • 00:19:36.557 --> 00:19:38.693
  • Suffering disgrace for the sake of the, for the name of jesus.
  • 00:19:38.693 --> 00:19:43.064
  • Disgrace, the little prefix dis- means without.
  • 00:19:43.064 --> 00:19:45.700
  • They're going to have a fall from grace.
  • 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:49.203
  • They're not gonna be welcomed any longer into polite society.
  • 00:19:49.203 --> 00:19:53.107
  • Their kids are gonna get the side eye when they go to school.
  • 00:19:53.107 --> 00:19:57.645
  • It's going to affect them and their business interests.
  • 00:19:57.645 --> 00:20:02.283
  • And they rejoiced because they had been counted worthy to
  • 00:20:02.283 --> 00:20:06.153
  • Suffer disgrace, but acts chapter 3 and the healing of
  • 00:20:06.153 --> 00:20:09.557
  • This man is kind of the second step.
  • 00:20:09.557 --> 00:20:11.626
  • It starts on the day of pentecost when the spirit of god
  • 00:20:11.626 --> 00:20:13.828
  • Is poured out, but it escalates when peter and john said, "in
  • 00:20:13.828 --> 00:20:16.964
  • The name of jesus."
  • 00:20:16.964 --> 00:20:20.234
  • And when they're interrogated about it, they said, "don't
  • 00:20:20.234 --> 00:20:22.770
  • Question us about this.
  • 00:20:22.770 --> 00:20:24.105
  • If you wanna know why this man is healthy, it's because of the
  • 00:20:24.105 --> 00:20:27.375
  • Name of jesus whom you crucified."
  • 00:20:27.375 --> 00:20:35.916
  • Again, i don't want you to be obnoxious and belligerent, but
  • 00:20:35.916 --> 00:20:39.220
  • We have been timid long enough.
  • 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:42.757
  • We can gather in our churches and recite our prayers.
  • 00:20:42.757 --> 00:20:46.527
  • I'm an advocate for that.
  • 00:20:46.527 --> 00:20:47.895
  • I write many of them and i share them, and we do lots of things
  • 00:20:47.895 --> 00:20:50.765
  • To communicate them, but, at the end of the day, we have to take
  • 00:20:50.765 --> 00:20:53.868
  • Our prayers beyond here.
  • 00:20:53.868 --> 00:20:59.874
  • So maybe just some general lessons around prayer, and one
  • 00:20:59.874 --> 00:21:05.513
  • I think is just understanding the word.
  • 00:21:05.513 --> 00:21:07.548
  • We treat prayer with--i think whether it's either intimidating
  • 00:21:07.548 --> 00:21:12.420
  • To us or we think it's useless, i'm not sure.
  • 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:15.089
  • Those are kind of two ends of the spectrum.
  • 00:21:15.089 --> 00:21:17.625
  • Maybe we think it's something so powerful that we're afraid.
  • 00:21:17.625 --> 00:21:21.329
  • You know, sometimes i think we're afraid to even try to
  • 00:21:21.329 --> 00:21:23.964
  • Understand what the bible says 'cause we're afraid we'll
  • 00:21:23.964 --> 00:21:25.566
  • Misunderstand it.
  • 00:21:25.566 --> 00:21:26.901
  • So we just want somebody to tell us what it means.
  • 00:21:26.901 --> 00:21:29.270
  • Well, if you've learned to read, bring an opinion.
  • 00:21:29.270 --> 00:21:31.472
  • It's okay.
  • 00:21:31.472 --> 00:21:33.908
  • And i think with prayer, we have to gain the confidence to be
  • 00:21:33.908 --> 00:21:37.411
  • Willing to practice, to put it into play.
  • 00:21:37.411 --> 00:21:40.881
  • But one of the misunderstandings we have is when we say prayer,
  • 00:21:40.881 --> 00:21:44.185
  • We think of prayer as a singular thing.
  • 00:21:44.185 --> 00:21:47.254
  • And i understand prayer to be like a plural noun.
  • 00:21:47.254 --> 00:21:49.590
  • Prayer doesn't refer to a singular thing; it refers to
  • 00:21:49.590 --> 00:21:52.693
  • A whole collection of things.
  • 00:21:52.693 --> 00:21:54.695
  • It's like saying tool.
  • 00:21:54.695 --> 00:21:58.232
  • If you tell me you bought a new tool to use at home.
  • 00:21:58.232 --> 00:22:02.803
  • I don't know if you got a new freezer or a chainsaw.
  • 00:22:02.803 --> 00:22:07.541
  • I don't know if you got a new ratchet set or a new hvac unit.
  • 00:22:07.541 --> 00:22:13.981
  • It could mean anything, or you know, if we're going out to
  • 00:22:13.981 --> 00:22:18.018
  • Dinner and you ask what we're gonna eat, and i say
  • 00:22:18.018 --> 00:22:20.821
  • A vegetable, there's a lot of latitude in there, folks.
  • 00:22:20.821 --> 00:22:26.527
  • You might bring fungus, and i'll be called to fast.
  • 00:22:26.527 --> 00:22:33.801
  • Well, prayer means many different things.
  • 00:22:33.801 --> 00:22:37.471
  • Look at ephesians 6 in verse 18.
  • 00:22:37.471 --> 00:22:39.940
  • "pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of
  • 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:43.778
  • Prayers and requests.
  • 00:22:43.778 --> 00:22:46.113
  • And with this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for
  • 00:22:46.113 --> 00:22:48.883
  • All the saints."
  • 00:22:48.883 --> 00:22:50.217
  • It's worth noting that prayer's presented to us multiple times
  • 00:22:50.217 --> 00:22:53.654
  • Is something to be done in a continuous way: always keep on
  • 00:22:53.654 --> 00:22:57.792
  • Praying for all the saints, in all things with prayer and
  • 00:22:57.792 --> 00:23:00.828
  • Thanksgiving, men should always pray and not give up.
  • 00:23:00.828 --> 00:23:03.998
  • I don't think it means that every word that comes out of our
  • 00:23:03.998 --> 00:23:05.833
  • Mouth should be a prayer, but i think it means that there's no
  • 00:23:05.833 --> 00:23:08.769
  • Aspect of our day that isn't touched by prayer, which means
  • 00:23:08.769 --> 00:23:13.808
  • We have to think of prayer in a different way--not lengthy
  • 00:23:13.808 --> 00:23:17.111
  • Formal diatribes that are proclaimed in a special tone of
  • 00:23:17.111 --> 00:23:20.381
  • Voice but an acknowledgement of god, an invitation to god into
  • 00:23:20.381 --> 00:23:25.986
  • Every aspect of our lives, a recognition of god.
  • 00:23:25.986 --> 00:23:28.556
  • Sometimes it's an expression of thanksgiving.
  • 00:23:28.556 --> 00:23:30.057
  • "lord, thank you.
  • 00:23:30.057 --> 00:23:32.359
  • Thank you that my voice is working better today.
  • 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:34.495
  • God, i appreciate that.
  • 00:23:34.495 --> 00:23:35.830
  • Thank you."
  • 00:23:35.830 --> 00:23:37.198
  • I've been saying that all day, i promise.
  • 00:23:37.198 --> 00:23:39.900
  • It makes my life much easier, but with all kinds of prayer,
  • 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:44.371
  • There's more than one kind of prayer.
  • 00:23:44.371 --> 00:23:47.741
  • How many kinds of prayer are you comfortable with?
  • 00:23:47.741 --> 00:23:49.944
  • How many kinds of prayer can you identify?
  • 00:23:49.944 --> 00:23:53.747
  • How many kinds of prayer do you engage in your home with the
  • 00:23:53.747 --> 00:23:56.550
  • People you work with?
  • 00:23:56.550 --> 00:23:58.586
  • Well, i don't wanna-- [mumbles].
  • 00:23:58.586 --> 00:24:01.555
  • What do you mean?
  • 00:24:01.555 --> 00:24:04.391
  • Well, if i invited you to, you know, come go with me.
  • 00:24:04.391 --> 00:24:09.730
  • I've fallen in love with sport.
  • 00:24:09.730 --> 00:24:14.969
  • Well, you don't know if we're gonna go hit a golf ball or play
  • 00:24:14.969 --> 00:24:18.873
  • Football with the titans.
  • 00:24:18.873 --> 00:24:21.575
  • And you would like clarification before you engage in the
  • 00:24:21.575 --> 00:24:24.245
  • Activity, but i think we need a bit of preparation to pray.
  • 00:24:24.245 --> 00:24:30.117
  • Looking at 1 timothy chapter 2, "i urge you, then," paul's
  • 00:24:30.117 --> 00:24:33.487
  • Writing to timothy.
  • 00:24:33.487 --> 00:24:34.822
  • He's a young man he's coaching in the faith.
  • 00:24:34.822 --> 00:24:36.190
  • "i urge you, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession,
  • 00:24:36.190 --> 00:24:39.326
  • And thanksgiving be made for everyone--"
  • 00:24:39.326 --> 00:24:42.396
  • Please note, he's put a whole collection of ways to pray.
  • 00:24:42.396 --> 00:24:46.834
  • It can be requests, prayers, intercession, thanksgiving.
  • 00:24:46.834 --> 00:24:51.572
  • Prayer is a--there are so many aspects to it.
  • 00:24:51.572 --> 00:24:55.743
  • I just gave you kind of a collection of examples, and i
  • 00:24:55.743 --> 00:24:59.079
  • Made them all very simple prayers.
  • 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:00.514
  • I want to invite you to start to practice just sentence prayers.
  • 00:25:00.514 --> 00:25:04.218
  • I'm not telling you can't pray with more than a sentence,
  • 00:25:04.218 --> 00:25:06.820
  • But until you've prayed with a sentence, you're stuck.
  • 00:25:06.820 --> 00:25:12.593
  • I mean, lord, i have a habit.
  • 00:25:12.593 --> 00:25:14.528
  • Lord, i thank you for the beautiful day.
  • 00:25:14.528 --> 00:25:16.330
  • Thanks for the weather.
  • 00:25:16.330 --> 00:25:18.399
  • Lord, thank you for the strength to meet today.
  • 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:22.436
  • God, thank you for your blessings.
  • 00:25:22.436 --> 00:25:24.271
  • I've got it up there.
  • 00:25:24.271 --> 00:25:25.639
  • I've got food to eat today.
  • 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.974
  • God, thank you for that.
  • 00:25:26.974 --> 00:25:28.342
  • I mean, i truly try to cultivate throughout the course of my day
  • 00:25:28.342 --> 00:25:31.845
  • An expression of gratitude for the goodness of god.
  • 00:25:31.845 --> 00:25:35.583
  • And if there's somebody with me, i'll say it to them.
  • 00:25:35.583 --> 00:25:37.151
  • If there's not anybody there, i'll say it to the lord.
  • 00:25:37.151 --> 00:25:41.021
  • I'll say, "pastor, you're a pastor.
  • 00:25:41.021 --> 00:25:42.389
  • People expect you to be weird."
  • 00:25:42.389 --> 00:25:45.659
  • Well, i hope you're enough of a christian that they expect you
  • 00:25:45.659 --> 00:25:47.962
  • To be weird.
  • 00:25:47.962 --> 00:25:54.835
  • Well, he's one of those people.
  • 00:25:54.835 --> 00:25:56.236
  • Yeah, i wanna be.
  • 00:25:56.236 --> 00:26:00.040
  • Being a pastor doesn't make me weird for jesus.
  • 00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:03.444
  • Being weird for jesus is what got me into this role.
  • 00:26:03.444 --> 00:26:09.016
  • Allen: hey, i'm really excited about our newest publication.
  • 00:26:13.253 --> 00:26:15.856
  • "your identity in christ."
  • 00:26:15.856 --> 00:26:17.625
  • Far too often in christian, and we major on the minors,
  • 00:26:17.625 --> 00:26:20.427
  • We get way heated up about which church we attend,
  • 00:26:20.427 --> 00:26:23.130
  • Which denomination we belong to, which translation of the
  • 00:26:23.130 --> 00:26:24.999
  • Bible we read.
  • 00:26:24.999 --> 00:26:26.333
  • Most of those things are all okay.
  • 00:26:26.333 --> 00:26:27.668
  • But knowing who you are in christ,
  • 00:26:27.668 --> 00:26:29.737
  • It will mean freedom, or it will put you in a place of bondage.
  • 00:26:29.737 --> 00:26:33.540
  • When i help people through the steps of spiritual freedom,
  • 00:26:33.540 --> 00:26:35.943
  • The foundation of that is understanding who we are
  • 00:26:35.943 --> 00:26:38.946
  • In christ.
  • 00:26:38.946 --> 00:26:40.381
  • We put together this little booklet as a tool.
  • 00:26:40.381 --> 00:26:42.383
  • It'll help you individually.
  • 00:26:42.383 --> 00:26:43.717
  • You can do it as a small group.
  • 00:26:43.717 --> 00:26:45.052
  • It's a great resource to share with your children or your
  • 00:26:45.052 --> 00:26:47.354
  • Grandchildren at your kitchen table time.
  • 00:26:47.354 --> 00:26:49.690
  • It'll make a difference in your life knowing who you are in
  • 00:26:49.690 --> 00:26:52.426
  • Christ first and foremost as a part of your
  • 00:26:52.426 --> 00:26:55.262
  • Spiritual formation.
  • 00:26:55.262 --> 00:26:56.864
  • In fact, i wanna pray with you before we go that god will bring
  • 00:26:56.864 --> 00:26:59.033
  • New freedom to you in this season.
  • 00:26:59.033 --> 00:27:01.702
  • Father, thank you for you have established,
  • 00:27:01.702 --> 00:27:04.238
  • You have paid the price that we can participate in your kingdom.
  • 00:27:04.238 --> 00:27:07.007
  • By your spirit, awaken us to who we are in christ
  • 00:27:07.007 --> 00:27:10.911
  • First and foremost.
  • 00:27:10.911 --> 00:27:12.312
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:12.312 --> 00:27:14.348
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:14.348 --> 00:27:26.827