1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Allen Jackson Ministries
  4. Episodes
  5. Allen Jackson - Prepared For You (Part 1)
Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Prepared For You (Part 1)

December 29, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Prepared For You (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Preparation #WaitingonGod #SeekGod #TrustGod #KingdomofGod #Bible #Faith #Hope #Peace #AllenJackson

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Prepared For You (Part 1) | December 29, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.317
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:03.086 --> 00:00:06.723
  • Allen jackson: we began allen jackson ministries to strengthen
  • 00:00:06.723 --> 00:00:09.125
  • The church.
  • 00:00:09.125 --> 00:00:10.493
  • Thank you for your partnership.
  • 00:00:10.493 --> 00:00:11.861
  • Together, we made an impact in this nation, but we're not done.
  • 00:00:11.861 --> 00:00:14.931
  • In fact, in many ways, i believe we're just beginning.
  • 00:00:14.931 --> 00:00:18.068
  • The status quo is not adequate any longer.
  • 00:00:18.068 --> 00:00:21.004
  • We can't sit in our churches and have our polite bible studies
  • 00:00:21.004 --> 00:00:24.074
  • And sing our favorite choruses while we watch darkness
  • 00:00:24.074 --> 00:00:27.944
  • Increasing in the world around us.
  • 00:00:27.944 --> 00:00:30.046
  • We have to have the courage to tell the truth to our culture, a
  • 00:00:30.046 --> 00:00:33.550
  • Biblical worldview to engage current events in a way to make
  • 00:00:33.550 --> 00:00:37.454
  • What we believe a part of the fabric of our schools, our
  • 00:00:37.454 --> 00:00:40.457
  • Homes, our communities, our nation, and beyond.
  • 00:00:40.457 --> 00:00:44.127
  • We have invitations now from war-torn countries in israel and
  • 00:00:44.127 --> 00:00:47.097
  • Ukraine to strengthen the churches there.
  • 00:00:47.097 --> 00:00:49.099
  • I want to ask you to make an investment with us, in allen
  • 00:00:49.099 --> 00:00:51.901
  • Jackson ministries, to make 2026 the most fruitful year we've
  • 00:00:51.901 --> 00:00:55.705
  • Ever had together.
  • 00:00:55.705 --> 00:00:57.073
  • God is moving in the earth.
  • 00:00:57.073 --> 00:00:58.575
  • We want to keep the pace.
  • 00:00:58.575 --> 00:00:59.943
  • We want to take new steps to make a new impact.
  • 00:00:59.943 --> 00:01:02.712
  • Your help makes that possible.
  • 00:01:02.712 --> 00:01:05.081
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:06.316 --> 00:01:17.327
  • Allen: this is the second week of the advent season.
  • 00:01:17.393 --> 00:01:20.296
  • It's the beginning of the christian calendar, the first
  • 00:01:20.296 --> 00:01:23.500
  • Season of the christian calendar, the four weeks that
  • 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:25.935
  • Precede christmas day, the four sundays that precede christmas
  • 00:01:25.935 --> 00:01:29.672
  • Day, or the advent season.
  • 00:01:29.672 --> 00:01:32.408
  • A time of waiting for the arrival of our lord, for the
  • 00:01:32.408 --> 00:01:36.679
  • Second coming of our lord.
  • 00:01:36.679 --> 00:01:38.114
  • Both are included in this season.
  • 00:01:38.114 --> 00:01:41.284
  • It's celebrated by christians around the earth.
  • 00:01:41.284 --> 00:01:43.486
  • It's a wonderful time of the year.
  • 00:01:43.486 --> 00:01:45.421
  • The second week of advent is the week of peace and preparation.
  • 00:01:45.421 --> 00:01:49.025
  • Sometimes the candle--if you do the advent wreaths, it's the
  • 00:01:49.025 --> 00:01:51.961
  • Bethlehem candle--reminds us of the journey to bethlehem that
  • 00:01:51.961 --> 00:01:56.866
  • Mary and joseph made, where mary would give birth to jesus.
  • 00:01:56.866 --> 00:02:02.605
  • It's a very fun time of the year.
  • 00:02:02.605 --> 00:02:05.642
  • You know, i think it's--i particularly enjoy christmas
  • 00:02:05.642 --> 00:02:08.378
  • Because our faith kind of comes forward this time of year, you
  • 00:02:08.378 --> 00:02:12.248
  • Know, even more so, in many ways, than at easter, 'cause at
  • 00:02:12.248 --> 00:02:14.717
  • Christmas time, there's a commercialization of christmas
  • 00:02:14.717 --> 00:02:18.855
  • That some christians get a little weird about.
  • 00:02:18.855 --> 00:02:20.456
  • Your--christmas isn't gonna be secular in your home unless you
  • 00:02:20.456 --> 00:02:22.725
  • Let it be.
  • 00:02:22.725 --> 00:02:26.129
  • You know, it's not going to be so commercial unless you make it
  • 00:02:26.129 --> 00:02:28.464
  • That way.
  • 00:02:28.464 --> 00:02:30.533
  • If you want christmas to be faith-forward, make it that way
  • 00:02:30.533 --> 00:02:33.469
  • In your life.
  • 00:02:33.469 --> 00:02:35.405
  • You know, don't get mad at a fat guy in a red suit.
  • 00:02:35.405 --> 00:02:39.676
  • Talk more about jesus than you do him.
  • 00:02:39.676 --> 00:02:42.645
  • But christmas blesses me because even the secular folks amongst
  • 00:02:42.645 --> 00:02:47.617
  • Us are celebrating.
  • 00:02:47.617 --> 00:02:50.053
  • I mean, the broadcast channels are all filled with christmas
  • 00:02:50.053 --> 00:02:54.657
  • Movies and christmas stories.
  • 00:02:54.657 --> 00:02:57.327
  • You know, now, they're not all biblically based, but they're
  • 00:02:57.327 --> 00:02:59.629
  • All directly, in one way or another, pointed at jesus.
  • 00:02:59.629 --> 00:03:02.832
  • So our lord, he's like front and center this time of the year.
  • 00:03:02.832 --> 00:03:06.569
  • And it gives us an open door to talk about it and be excited
  • 00:03:06.569 --> 00:03:10.907
  • About it.
  • 00:03:10.907 --> 00:03:12.275
  • I mean, there's colors that go with the season and decorations
  • 00:03:12.275 --> 00:03:15.111
  • That go with the season, and they all give you an opportunity
  • 00:03:15.111 --> 00:03:19.482
  • To talk about why you're celebrating, why you're having
  • 00:03:19.482 --> 00:03:22.819
  • Get-togethers at work or with family or--you know, people
  • 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:26.089
  • Say, "well, you know, we had a christmas party at work where we
  • 00:03:26.089 --> 00:03:27.824
  • Couldn't mention jesus."
  • 00:03:27.824 --> 00:03:29.158
  • Oh, nonsense.
  • 00:03:29.158 --> 00:03:33.096
  • "is this the jesus punch?"
  • 00:03:33.096 --> 00:03:34.931
  • I bet i can find a way to take my friend to the party.
  • 00:03:39.068 --> 00:03:42.905
  • "oh, you're one of those, gee."
  • 00:03:42.905 --> 00:03:44.274
  • Yes, i am one of those people, aren't you?
  • 00:03:44.274 --> 00:03:47.243
  • It's just a fun time of the year.
  • 00:03:47.243 --> 00:03:49.212
  • So i know it's not an easy time.
  • 00:03:49.212 --> 00:03:51.147
  • There's a lot of reflection that goes with the end of the year,
  • 00:03:51.147 --> 00:03:53.449
  • And if there's a loss in the year at christmas time and your
  • 00:03:53.449 --> 00:03:56.419
  • Circumstances aren't ideal, it's easy to get in an--kind of
  • 00:03:56.419 --> 00:04:00.490
  • Upside down about that, but don't give in to that.
  • 00:04:00.490 --> 00:04:05.895
  • Don't concede to that any more than you throw away your diet
  • 00:04:05.895 --> 00:04:09.065
  • This time of year.
  • 00:04:09.065 --> 00:04:10.433
  • That's easy to do, too.
  • 00:04:10.433 --> 00:04:11.768
  • Don't do that.
  • 00:04:11.768 --> 00:04:13.102
  • You know, let's maintain the discipline emotionally, maintain
  • 00:04:13.102 --> 00:04:15.204
  • The discipline spiritually, maintain the discipline
  • 00:04:15.204 --> 00:04:17.840
  • Physically so that we walk through this season and we begin
  • 00:04:17.840 --> 00:04:20.910
  • A new year with the joy of the lord and the strength of
  • 00:04:20.910 --> 00:04:23.079
  • The lord.
  • 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:24.447
  • It's a wonderful time of the year.
  • 00:04:24.447 --> 00:04:27.083
  • But it's not a time of the year to hide.
  • 00:04:27.083 --> 00:04:29.986
  • You know, i think we should live into our culture, not hide
  • 00:04:29.986 --> 00:04:33.189
  • From it.
  • 00:04:33.189 --> 00:04:34.824
  • People say to me, "well, it's christmas time, let's not talk
  • 00:04:34.824 --> 00:04:36.793
  • About--" no, we gotta talk about the world, too.
  • 00:04:36.793 --> 00:04:39.629
  • And then there's some craziness going on, right?
  • 00:04:39.629 --> 00:04:41.998
  • Have you noticed?
  • 00:04:41.998 --> 00:04:44.033
  • I mean, we're having a national debate right now about
  • 00:04:44.033 --> 00:04:47.303
  • Interrupting people smuggling drugs into our country.
  • 00:04:47.303 --> 00:04:51.874
  • People are unhappy because we're stopping drugs illegally flowing
  • 00:04:51.874 --> 00:04:55.078
  • Into our country.
  • 00:04:55.078 --> 00:04:56.646
  • Hundreds of thousands of us have died because of overdoses with
  • 00:04:56.646 --> 00:05:00.450
  • Illegal drugs smuggled into our country by enemies, sold by
  • 00:05:00.450 --> 00:05:04.253
  • Cartels that are threatening us as a people, and when that
  • 00:05:04.253 --> 00:05:09.158
  • Process is interrupted, people are completely losing
  • 00:05:09.158 --> 00:05:12.295
  • Their balance.
  • 00:05:12.295 --> 00:05:13.963
  • The same people that are confused about biological sex
  • 00:05:13.963 --> 00:05:16.833
  • That can't identify a man or a woman can identify a fishing
  • 00:05:16.833 --> 00:05:19.569
  • Boat from a drug boat.
  • 00:05:19.569 --> 00:05:25.975
  • That's not original, i saw a meme.
  • 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:34.517
  • But it was a good one.
  • 00:05:34.517 --> 00:05:35.852
  • But, i mean, in reality, there's a lot of chaos and lawlessness
  • 00:05:35.852 --> 00:05:38.821
  • And greed and deception, and the principles of god are kind of
  • 00:05:38.821 --> 00:05:41.491
  • Deemed inconvenient in our world.
  • 00:05:41.491 --> 00:05:44.894
  • You know, they're just--it's the truth.
  • 00:05:44.894 --> 00:05:46.729
  • I mean, it's overwhelming what you hear, what gets reported.
  • 00:05:46.729 --> 00:05:51.434
  • One of our states has had more than a billion dollars of fraud
  • 00:05:51.434 --> 00:05:57.807
  • Supporting the somali community, and they're not sorry or
  • 00:05:57.807 --> 00:06:01.210
  • Repentant, they're belligerent about it.
  • 00:06:01.210 --> 00:06:04.147
  • It's bizarre.
  • 00:06:04.147 --> 00:06:06.215
  • I mean, we have this continued refusal to enforce our laws
  • 00:06:06.215 --> 00:06:10.019
  • Across our nation.
  • 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:11.387
  • We're offended by the notion of the rule of law, but very much
  • 00:06:11.387 --> 00:06:14.490
  • Aware of our entitlements.
  • 00:06:14.490 --> 00:06:16.826
  • There's a stubborn defense of immorality and perversion,
  • 00:06:16.826 --> 00:06:20.096
  • Tragically frequently from within the church.
  • 00:06:20.096 --> 00:06:23.599
  • We call it grace.
  • 00:06:23.599 --> 00:06:24.967
  • Folks, it's not grace to promote and protect ungodliness.
  • 00:06:24.967 --> 00:06:29.605
  • Sin and the embarrassment that should come from that are
  • 00:06:29.605 --> 00:06:32.575
  • Considered quaint.
  • 00:06:32.575 --> 00:06:35.244
  • They're not concepts that are any--considered relevant
  • 00:06:35.244 --> 00:06:37.980
  • Any longer.
  • 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:42.018
  • Just the almost complete abandonment of what was once
  • 00:06:42.018 --> 00:06:45.254
  • Considered to be the right thing to do and embracing what is good
  • 00:06:45.254 --> 00:06:48.991
  • For me has become an acceptable life choice.
  • 00:06:48.991 --> 00:06:52.295
  • It isn't.
  • 00:06:52.295 --> 00:06:53.996
  • In the context of the kingdom of god.
  • 00:06:53.996 --> 00:06:57.600
  • You know, and the reality is, all of those things really
  • 00:06:57.600 --> 00:06:59.402
  • Indicate a rise of darkness and a diminishment of the light of
  • 00:06:59.402 --> 00:07:02.138
  • The church.
  • 00:07:02.138 --> 00:07:04.040
  • And we gotta turn up the light, especially in these seasons that
  • 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:07.343
  • Are at the heart of our calendar and the message that we have for
  • 00:07:07.343 --> 00:07:11.247
  • Our world.
  • 00:07:11.247 --> 00:07:12.582
  • It's time for a courageous response of faith, to lead with
  • 00:07:12.582 --> 00:07:15.384
  • Our faith.
  • 00:07:15.384 --> 00:07:17.553
  • I have no objections to the celebrations of christmas and
  • 00:07:17.553 --> 00:07:20.957
  • Lighted trees and the decorations and all of the
  • 00:07:20.957 --> 00:07:24.494
  • Things, but in the heart of all of them, they're an on-ramp, a
  • 00:07:24.494 --> 00:07:27.063
  • Doorway, an opportunity to share the reason we celebrate and that
  • 00:07:27.063 --> 00:07:31.400
  • We live into this season.
  • 00:07:31.400 --> 00:07:33.402
  • We don't want to avoid our culture at christmas time.
  • 00:07:33.402 --> 00:07:36.239
  • We want to use christmas time to shout the love of god to the
  • 00:07:36.239 --> 00:07:38.975
  • World that we know, to invite people towards transformation.
  • 00:07:38.975 --> 00:07:44.480
  • We've been talking about when god moves, and i believe god is
  • 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:46.983
  • Moving in the earth in the most remarkable of ways.
  • 00:07:46.983 --> 00:07:49.085
  • I don't believe he's moving to take us back to places we've
  • 00:07:49.085 --> 00:07:51.888
  • Been or to re-implement patterns that we're familiar with.
  • 00:07:51.888 --> 00:07:55.591
  • I think it's something new and different, and it's gonna
  • 00:07:55.591 --> 00:07:57.593
  • Require change and growth on our part, and we typically don't
  • 00:07:57.593 --> 00:08:00.596
  • Like that.
  • 00:08:00.596 --> 00:08:02.265
  • In this session, i want to talk a bit about what god has
  • 00:08:02.265 --> 00:08:04.734
  • Prepared for you in keeping with this week of advent.
  • 00:08:04.734 --> 00:08:06.869
  • Matthew 1, in verse 18, the familiar passage for the
  • 00:08:06.869 --> 00:08:10.373
  • Christmas story.
  • 00:08:10.373 --> 00:08:11.707
  • "now the birth of jesus was as follows: when his mother mary
  • 00:08:11.707 --> 00:08:15.144
  • Had been betrothed to joseph, before they came together she
  • 00:08:15.144 --> 00:08:17.647
  • Was found to be with child by the holy spirit."
  • 00:08:17.647 --> 00:08:20.783
  • Isn't that a polite way of describing a very
  • 00:08:20.783 --> 00:08:22.685
  • Awkward circumstance?
  • 00:08:22.685 --> 00:08:24.820
  • You know, following god's gonna put you in some awkward places.
  • 00:08:24.820 --> 00:08:27.290
  • Most of us try to avoid every awkward place because of
  • 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:34.864
  • Our faith.
  • 00:08:34.864 --> 00:08:36.232
  • If you truly honor the lord in your life, it's gonna put you in
  • 00:08:36.232 --> 00:08:38.100
  • Some awkward places, buckle up.
  • 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:41.237
  • We've had enough wimpy christians.
  • 00:08:41.237 --> 00:08:44.674
  • "well, i only share my faith in places where i know everybody's
  • 00:08:44.674 --> 00:08:47.109
  • A believer."
  • 00:08:47.109 --> 00:08:48.477
  • You're not sharing your faith.
  • 00:08:48.477 --> 00:08:50.079
  • That's not sharing your faith, that's usually gossip.
  • 00:08:50.079 --> 00:08:56.519
  • Merry christmas.
  • 00:08:56.519 --> 00:09:01.123
  • "had been betrothed to joseph.
  • 00:09:01.123 --> 00:09:02.491
  • They came together, she was found to be with child by the
  • 00:09:02.491 --> 00:09:04.093
  • Holy spirit."
  • 00:09:04.093 --> 00:09:05.428
  • Verse 19, "and joseph her husband, being a righteous man
  • 00:09:05.428 --> 00:09:06.996
  • And not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her
  • 00:09:06.996 --> 00:09:09.065
  • Away secretly.
  • 00:09:09.065 --> 00:09:11.033
  • But when he considered this, behold, an angel of the lord
  • 00:09:11.033 --> 00:09:13.536
  • Appeared to him," and slapped him around a little bit.
  • 00:09:13.536 --> 00:09:17.139
  • He said, "joseph, son of david, don't be afraid to take mary as
  • 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:20.009
  • Your wife; for the child who's been conceived in her is of the
  • 00:09:20.009 --> 00:09:22.411
  • Holy spirit."
  • 00:09:22.411 --> 00:09:24.413
  • You know, we read that like that's so easy.
  • 00:09:24.413 --> 00:09:28.651
  • Imagine if you had that dream and you went, "oh, sure.
  • 00:09:28.651 --> 00:09:32.288
  • No problem."
  • 00:09:32.288 --> 00:09:34.323
  • Joseph didn't have any friends that had an equal story.
  • 00:09:34.323 --> 00:09:38.327
  • There was no way to confirm that.
  • 00:09:38.327 --> 00:09:39.729
  • There was no scientific data.
  • 00:09:39.729 --> 00:09:41.397
  • "'she'll bear a son; and you'll call his name jesus.
  • 00:09:45.267 --> 00:09:48.471
  • He'll save his people from their sins.'
  • 00:09:48.471 --> 00:09:49.905
  • And joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the lord
  • 00:09:49.905 --> 00:09:52.475
  • Commanded him, and took mary as his wife."
  • 00:09:52.475 --> 00:09:56.112
  • There's some implications in that passage.
  • 00:09:56.112 --> 00:09:58.247
  • I've played with it a bit, but there's some serious
  • 00:09:58.247 --> 00:09:59.749
  • Implications there about god's awareness of the
  • 00:09:59.749 --> 00:10:03.686
  • Individuals involved.
  • 00:10:03.686 --> 00:10:05.054
  • He gave the messaging they needed in order to be able to
  • 00:10:05.054 --> 00:10:06.656
  • Cooperate with him in obedience.
  • 00:10:06.656 --> 00:10:09.392
  • He didn't give them full explanations.
  • 00:10:09.392 --> 00:10:12.228
  • He gave them enough information that if they would choose
  • 00:10:12.228 --> 00:10:14.130
  • Obedience, they could be obedient.
  • 00:10:14.130 --> 00:10:16.832
  • I want to assure you that god's aware of your
  • 00:10:16.832 --> 00:10:18.300
  • Circumstances today.
  • 00:10:18.300 --> 00:10:20.403
  • They're not blind to him.
  • 00:10:20.403 --> 00:10:22.838
  • He knows.
  • 00:10:22.838 --> 00:10:24.206
  • He knows the part you're willing to acknowledge to him, and he
  • 00:10:24.206 --> 00:10:26.142
  • Knows the part you won't acknowledge to him.
  • 00:10:26.142 --> 00:10:28.511
  • He's aware.
  • 00:10:28.511 --> 00:10:30.513
  • That's both good news and a little awkward.
  • 00:10:30.513 --> 00:10:33.949
  • God's very intentional in what he's about.
  • 00:10:33.949 --> 00:10:36.218
  • He's very intentional in the christmas story.
  • 00:10:36.218 --> 00:10:38.054
  • He chose mary and joseph purposefully.
  • 00:10:38.054 --> 00:10:41.057
  • It wasn't random.
  • 00:10:41.057 --> 00:10:42.391
  • It wasn't like he didn't ask for volunteers.
  • 00:10:42.391 --> 00:10:45.161
  • He anticipated the challenges.
  • 00:10:45.161 --> 00:10:48.230
  • He had gabriel on ready with a script, ready to go and talk
  • 00:10:48.230 --> 00:10:51.300
  • To joseph.
  • 00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:52.835
  • The timing, as we'll see in a moment, god chose.
  • 00:10:52.835 --> 00:10:55.371
  • You see, god is never not prepared.
  • 00:10:55.371 --> 00:11:00.142
  • He's always prepared.
  • 00:11:00.142 --> 00:11:02.011
  • Now, i don't always understand his timing, but i've never found
  • 00:11:02.011 --> 00:11:06.148
  • Him to be unprepared.
  • 00:11:06.148 --> 00:11:09.418
  • Allen: god is moving in the earth, and at allen jackson
  • 00:11:13.589 --> 00:11:15.925
  • Ministries, we're doing everything we can to strengthen
  • 00:11:15.925 --> 00:11:18.828
  • The church in our nation and wherever god opens the door.
  • 00:11:18.828 --> 00:11:22.064
  • We don't intend to maintain the status quo or to gather in our
  • 00:11:22.064 --> 00:11:25.034
  • Churches for polite bible studies.
  • 00:11:25.034 --> 00:11:26.936
  • We're gonna engage our culture with biblical truth and give you
  • 00:11:26.936 --> 00:11:30.272
  • The tools to do so.
  • 00:11:30.272 --> 00:11:32.007
  • We want our children and grandchildren to inherit a
  • 00:11:32.007 --> 00:11:34.510
  • Church that's vibrant and vital, and to do that, we've got to
  • 00:11:34.510 --> 00:11:38.514
  • Make an investment.
  • 00:11:38.514 --> 00:11:39.882
  • Will you give generously to what we're doing at allen
  • 00:11:39.882 --> 00:11:41.884
  • Jackson ministries?
  • 00:11:41.884 --> 00:11:43.219
  • Your partnership will make 2026 the most fruitful year we've
  • 00:11:43.219 --> 00:11:46.255
  • Ever known.
  • 00:11:46.255 --> 00:11:47.590
  • Thank you.
  • 00:11:47.590 --> 00:11:48.924
  • Female announcer: at allen jackson ministries, we're
  • 00:11:48.924 --> 00:11:50.292
  • Committed to strengthening the church and sharing the truth of
  • 00:11:50.292 --> 00:11:53.229
  • God's word.
  • 00:11:53.229 --> 00:11:54.563
  • When you support this ministry with a gift of $75 or more,
  • 00:11:54.563 --> 00:11:58.467
  • We'll send you the lead with faith esv journaling bible.
  • 00:11:58.467 --> 00:12:01.904
  • Your generosity will help us equip more people with the
  • 00:12:01.904 --> 00:12:04.707
  • Biblical truth and encouragement they need for the year ahead.
  • 00:12:04.707 --> 00:12:08.677
  • Give today at allenjackson.com, or call...
  • 00:12:08.677 --> 00:12:15.518
  • Allen: i want to spend a few minutes and see if we can find
  • 00:12:15.584 --> 00:12:17.787
  • Some application for that in our own lives, in our own personal
  • 00:12:17.787 --> 00:12:20.489
  • Journey, and just keep underscoring this idea that god
  • 00:12:20.489 --> 00:12:23.626
  • Is prepared.
  • 00:12:23.626 --> 00:12:25.528
  • He's not caught off guard by artificial intelligence.
  • 00:12:25.528 --> 00:12:31.700
  • He's not intimidated by fake news.
  • 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:36.071
  • He's not panicked at immorality.
  • 00:12:36.071 --> 00:12:39.408
  • He's prepared.
  • 00:12:39.408 --> 00:12:41.944
  • In job chapter 38--job's a difficult book.
  • 00:12:41.944 --> 00:12:46.882
  • When you get to chapter 38, god steps in, he's heard all of
  • 00:12:46.882 --> 00:12:50.953
  • Job's friends he can stand.
  • 00:12:50.953 --> 00:12:53.622
  • He's listened to all of job's responses that he could take.
  • 00:12:53.622 --> 00:12:57.560
  • And god says to job, "now, you sit up straight.
  • 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:59.829
  • You and i are gonna have a talk."
  • 00:12:59.829 --> 00:13:03.098
  • How many of you have ever said-- you know, and maybe you did it
  • 00:13:03.098 --> 00:13:05.634
  • In jest or in some snarky way, you know, "i've got some
  • 00:13:05.634 --> 00:13:09.438
  • Questions for god."
  • 00:13:09.438 --> 00:13:11.373
  • Be careful with that, 'cause he might have a few for you.
  • 00:13:11.373 --> 00:13:16.478
  • And in job's case, god arrived with some questions.
  • 00:13:16.478 --> 00:13:19.014
  • I think they're insightful.
  • 00:13:19.014 --> 00:13:20.382
  • It's job 38:1.
  • 00:13:20.382 --> 00:13:21.717
  • "the lord answered job out of the storm, and he said, 'who is
  • 00:13:21.717 --> 00:13:24.587
  • This that darkens my council with words without knowledge?
  • 00:13:24.587 --> 00:13:28.624
  • Brace yourself like a man; i will question you, and you will
  • 00:13:28.624 --> 00:13:31.927
  • Answer me.'"
  • 00:13:31.927 --> 00:13:34.930
  • Sir, yes, sir.
  • 00:13:34.930 --> 00:13:37.333
  • "where were you when i laid the earth's foundation?
  • 00:13:37.333 --> 00:13:40.202
  • Tell me, if you understand.
  • 00:13:40.202 --> 00:13:41.704
  • Who marked off its dimensions?
  • 00:13:41.704 --> 00:13:43.405
  • Surely you know!
  • 00:13:43.405 --> 00:13:45.608
  • Who stretched a measuring line across it?
  • 00:13:45.608 --> 00:13:48.043
  • On what were its footing set, or who laid its cornerstone?"
  • 00:13:48.043 --> 00:13:52.715
  • May i submit to you, it's--it would be helpful to all of us if
  • 00:13:52.715 --> 00:13:56.051
  • We could expand a bit our imagination of god?
  • 00:13:56.051 --> 00:14:00.856
  • I think we tend to imagine god as kind of like us, just maybe
  • 00:14:00.856 --> 00:14:03.425
  • An improved version.
  • 00:14:03.425 --> 00:14:06.028
  • He thinks better thoughts, he's got a little more energy, he has
  • 00:14:06.028 --> 00:14:10.666
  • A better attitude, kind of like us, just kind of the better
  • 00:14:10.666 --> 00:14:13.435
  • Version of us.
  • 00:14:13.435 --> 00:14:15.704
  • God's not like us.
  • 00:14:15.704 --> 00:14:18.407
  • He's not like us.
  • 00:14:18.407 --> 00:14:20.009
  • He made the earth and everything that's in it.
  • 00:14:20.009 --> 00:14:21.710
  • On our best day, we can't heal a gnat's wing.
  • 00:14:21.710 --> 00:14:25.414
  • He's not like us.
  • 00:14:25.414 --> 00:14:27.816
  • See, there's an enormous amount of messaging that cascades over
  • 00:14:27.816 --> 00:14:31.287
  • Us day in, day out, season after season to diminish our awareness
  • 00:14:31.287 --> 00:14:37.026
  • Of god, to diminish how we think about it.
  • 00:14:37.026 --> 00:14:41.497
  • It's an assault.
  • 00:14:41.497 --> 00:14:42.865
  • It comes through our educational systems.
  • 00:14:42.865 --> 00:14:44.733
  • It's doubled down on our higher educational system.
  • 00:14:44.733 --> 00:14:47.202
  • It comes through our theological education.
  • 00:14:47.202 --> 00:14:50.239
  • The bible--you know, critical approach to biblical studies,
  • 00:14:50.239 --> 00:14:54.209
  • And, you know, "it's not trustworthy, and you can't--"
  • 00:14:54.209 --> 00:14:57.346
  • And i don't think we understand the degree to which it erodes.
  • 00:14:57.346 --> 00:15:01.283
  • It just constantly erodes the magnificence of god in
  • 00:15:01.283 --> 00:15:05.688
  • Our heart.
  • 00:15:05.688 --> 00:15:07.056
  • And we have to purposefully not just protect that but
  • 00:15:07.056 --> 00:15:09.425
  • Restore it.
  • 00:15:09.425 --> 00:15:12.227
  • Why is it we're more willing to believe in the capabilities of
  • 00:15:12.227 --> 00:15:15.030
  • Ai than we are of god?
  • 00:15:15.030 --> 00:15:19.435
  • I traveled this week, and i didn't know where i was going.
  • 00:15:19.435 --> 00:15:23.839
  • So you know what i did?
  • 00:15:23.839 --> 00:15:26.075
  • I asked siri for directions.
  • 00:15:26.075 --> 00:15:30.312
  • Then i followed the voice of some woman.
  • 00:15:30.312 --> 00:15:32.915
  • "continue on this street for 3 1/2 miles.
  • 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:40.089
  • At the next stop sign, turn right."
  • 00:15:40.089 --> 00:15:43.258
  • If kathy had been in the car with me and said the same thing,
  • 00:15:43.258 --> 00:15:45.427
  • I'd have said, "why?
  • 00:15:45.427 --> 00:15:48.063
  • Have you been here before?
  • 00:15:51.667 --> 00:15:54.503
  • Have you got a map?
  • 00:15:54.503 --> 00:15:56.238
  • How do you know?"
  • 00:15:56.238 --> 00:15:58.807
  • But somebody i'll never see, i can't find, giving me
  • 00:15:58.807 --> 00:16:03.278
  • Directions, and i'm just turning at the corner, happy as a clam.
  • 00:16:03.278 --> 00:16:11.153
  • And then we say, "well, you know, i'm not sure god speaks
  • 00:16:11.153 --> 00:16:13.155
  • To people.
  • 00:16:13.155 --> 00:16:16.492
  • What do you mean you're led by the spirit?
  • 00:16:16.492 --> 00:16:19.862
  • Are you one of those kind of christians?"
  • 00:16:19.862 --> 00:16:21.397
  • Yeah, what kind are you?
  • 00:16:21.397 --> 00:16:24.433
  • Why is it we're more willing to believe in technology than we
  • 00:16:24.433 --> 00:16:27.403
  • Are believing god?
  • 00:16:27.403 --> 00:16:29.805
  • 'cause there's an enormous amount of messaging and cultural
  • 00:16:29.805 --> 00:16:32.708
  • Pressure that says if you're wise and intelligent and up to
  • 00:16:32.708 --> 00:16:35.911
  • Speed and current and contemporary and fashionable,
  • 00:16:35.911 --> 00:16:38.781
  • These things are a part of your life.
  • 00:16:38.781 --> 00:16:40.816
  • They shape your dreams and your entertainment experiences and
  • 00:16:40.816 --> 00:16:43.585
  • How you travel and how you communicate.
  • 00:16:43.585 --> 00:16:45.921
  • Everybody's doing it.
  • 00:16:45.921 --> 00:16:49.525
  • When it comes to the things of god, it's the narrow door, the
  • 00:16:49.525 --> 00:16:53.862
  • Small door, the narrow path.
  • 00:16:53.862 --> 00:16:57.066
  • It's the minority choice, and you're gonna have to have the
  • 00:16:57.066 --> 00:16:59.435
  • Courage to say, "no, i believe there's a god.
  • 00:16:59.435 --> 00:17:02.604
  • I'm gonna follow him.
  • 00:17:02.604 --> 00:17:04.273
  • I believe he created the heavens and the earth.
  • 00:17:04.273 --> 00:17:08.377
  • But i'm gonna yield my life to him."
  • 00:17:08.377 --> 00:17:11.213
  • See, there's not like really good christians, hyper
  • 00:17:11.213 --> 00:17:14.383
  • Christians, great christians, and then other christians.
  • 00:17:14.383 --> 00:17:16.452
  • You're either a believer, or you're not.
  • 00:17:16.452 --> 00:17:19.288
  • There's not that middle ground.
  • 00:17:19.288 --> 00:17:20.956
  • And i understand there's an enormous amount of pressure and
  • 00:17:20.956 --> 00:17:24.026
  • Cultural pressure, and even now try to make it about our
  • 00:17:24.026 --> 00:17:27.296
  • Generation, you know, "the old people believe this, and young
  • 00:17:27.296 --> 00:17:29.364
  • People--" stop that.
  • 00:17:29.364 --> 00:17:31.200
  • Do you think there's new sins?
  • 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:35.037
  • Do you think ungodliness and immorality is more infectious
  • 00:17:35.037 --> 00:17:38.574
  • Today than it was 100 years ago?
  • 00:17:38.574 --> 00:17:40.776
  • I don't think so.
  • 00:17:40.776 --> 00:17:43.245
  • Read your bible.
  • 00:17:43.245 --> 00:17:46.048
  • The devil's been using the same tools for hundreds of years,
  • 00:17:46.048 --> 00:17:49.818
  • Millennia, but now it's just a part of the added pressures to
  • 00:17:49.818 --> 00:17:54.490
  • Segment us by generations and tell us that somehow we're
  • 00:17:54.490 --> 00:17:57.526
  • Unique or different.
  • 00:17:57.526 --> 00:18:00.462
  • Same carnal nature, same adversary.
  • 00:18:00.462 --> 00:18:03.665
  • God's prepared.
  • 00:18:03.665 --> 00:18:05.033
  • Don't be more willing to believe in technology than you are to
  • 00:18:05.033 --> 00:18:08.137
  • Believe in god.
  • 00:18:08.137 --> 00:18:09.471
  • God has a plan.
  • 00:18:09.471 --> 00:18:10.806
  • God has a plan for the earth.
  • 00:18:10.806 --> 00:18:12.174
  • And big picture, if we step back for a moment, at the heart of it
  • 00:18:12.174 --> 00:18:14.810
  • Was the incarnation, god's arrival, in the package of
  • 00:18:14.810 --> 00:18:17.479
  • His son.
  • 00:18:17.479 --> 00:18:19.148
  • The whole bethlehem narrative, the reason we celebrate
  • 00:18:19.148 --> 00:18:21.450
  • Christmas with such enthusiasm and so much effort, is god
  • 00:18:21.450 --> 00:18:25.020
  • Coming amongst us changed the nature of human existence for
  • 00:18:25.020 --> 00:18:28.624
  • All eternity.
  • 00:18:28.624 --> 00:18:30.659
  • It transformed everything.
  • 00:18:30.659 --> 00:18:33.195
  • The new testament says everybody that lived before jesus was
  • 00:18:33.195 --> 00:18:35.797
  • Looking forward to that, so that only together with us could they
  • 00:18:35.797 --> 00:18:38.167
  • Be made perfect.
  • 00:18:38.167 --> 00:18:39.501
  • It's hebrews 11.
  • 00:18:39.501 --> 00:18:40.836
  • It's not in your notes, but it is in the bible.
  • 00:18:40.836 --> 00:18:44.473
  • But that's not the whole story.
  • 00:18:44.473 --> 00:18:45.807
  • The rest of it is the parousia-- fancy greek word for jesus is
  • 00:18:45.807 --> 00:18:49.044
  • Coming back.
  • 00:18:49.044 --> 00:18:50.979
  • And that's as much a certainty and every bit as much a game
  • 00:18:50.979 --> 00:18:54.183
  • Changer for human existence as his first arrival, the first
  • 00:18:54.183 --> 00:18:57.920
  • Time he came, and he came in the vulnerable package of a baby to
  • 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:00.822
  • Be the savior of the world.
  • 00:19:00.822 --> 00:19:02.257
  • When he comes the second time, he's not coming in a
  • 00:19:02.257 --> 00:19:04.459
  • Vulnerable package.
  • 00:19:04.459 --> 00:19:05.994
  • He's coming as a conquering king and the judge of all the earth.
  • 00:19:05.994 --> 00:19:11.667
  • Well, with that little piece of information, you want to be
  • 00:19:11.667 --> 00:19:15.437
  • Prepared to meet the king and the judge.
  • 00:19:15.437 --> 00:19:20.509
  • It's not a reason for sloppy agape.
  • 00:19:20.509 --> 00:19:22.444
  • Look at galatians 4:4.
  • 00:19:22.444 --> 00:19:23.812
  • "when the time had fully come, god sent his son, born of a
  • 00:19:23.812 --> 00:19:28.250
  • Woman, born under law."
  • 00:19:28.250 --> 00:19:30.419
  • How many of you know the jesus assignment was difficult?
  • 00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:33.855
  • He laid aside his glory and his majesty and his power, and he
  • 00:19:33.855 --> 00:19:38.527
  • Became one of us.
  • 00:19:38.527 --> 00:19:39.895
  • The creator became a part of his creation.
  • 00:19:39.895 --> 00:19:42.497
  • It's described in philippians chapter 2 as an exercise in
  • 00:19:42.497 --> 00:19:45.434
  • Humility, an exercise in obedience, obedience even to the
  • 00:19:45.434 --> 00:19:50.239
  • Point of death.
  • 00:19:50.239 --> 00:19:52.708
  • Well, if jesus--if god asked that of jesus, may i ask you
  • 00:19:52.708 --> 00:19:55.344
  • A question?
  • 00:19:55.344 --> 00:19:56.712
  • Do you think it's possible god would ask you to accept
  • 00:19:56.712 --> 00:19:58.947
  • Assignments that required humility and obedience?
  • 00:19:58.947 --> 00:20:03.518
  • The answer would be absolutely.
  • 00:20:03.518 --> 00:20:06.321
  • See, i think we've imagined our faith as a means of promotion
  • 00:20:06.321 --> 00:20:09.324
  • And achievement and accomplishment and accumulation,
  • 00:20:09.324 --> 00:20:13.228
  • And that may be a part of it, but that is only a part of it.
  • 00:20:13.228 --> 00:20:16.298
  • God is preparing you for eternity, not just pampering you
  • 00:20:16.298 --> 00:20:21.536
  • In time.
  • 00:20:21.536 --> 00:20:24.139
  • We've had enough of the first church of the pampered.
  • 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:26.375
  • Merry christmas.
  • 00:20:29.745 --> 00:20:32.514
  • We have.
  • 00:20:32.514 --> 00:20:34.816
  • I mean, i'm not opposed to blessings, i really am not, but
  • 00:20:34.816 --> 00:20:38.453
  • I am not going to sacrifice my opportunity in the kingdom of
  • 00:20:38.453 --> 00:20:42.057
  • God because i would rather be pampered than be obedient.
  • 00:20:42.057 --> 00:20:47.329
  • It's really significant.
  • 00:20:47.329 --> 00:20:48.697
  • Look at romans 5: "you see, at just the right time, when we
  • 00:20:48.697 --> 00:20:51.633
  • Were all still powerless, christ died for the ungodly.
  • 00:20:51.633 --> 00:20:56.471
  • Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though a good
  • 00:20:56.471 --> 00:20:59.641
  • Man--for a good man someone might possibly dare to die."
  • 00:20:59.641 --> 00:21:04.179
  • Jesus gave his life for us.
  • 00:21:04.179 --> 00:21:05.514
  • We were spitting on him.
  • 00:21:05.514 --> 00:21:08.183
  • So you and i are willing to serve people that are
  • 00:21:08.183 --> 00:21:09.785
  • Appropriately grateful.
  • 00:21:09.785 --> 00:21:14.056
  • You were so generous at christmas time with the food
  • 00:21:14.056 --> 00:21:16.458
  • You've brought and the toys you've brought, and we
  • 00:21:16.458 --> 00:21:18.827
  • Distribute those to people all over the region, multiple
  • 00:21:18.827 --> 00:21:21.330
  • People, and some people we give them to say, "thank you," and
  • 00:21:21.330 --> 00:21:23.799
  • Some people don't.
  • 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:26.001
  • And we have to have some internal dialogue, 'cause
  • 00:21:26.001 --> 00:21:27.636
  • There's some people when you say, you know, "we've got a
  • 00:21:27.636 --> 00:21:29.204
  • Whole truckload of toys we want to bring you," they say, "we
  • 00:21:29.204 --> 00:21:31.707
  • Want three."
  • 00:21:31.707 --> 00:21:34.409
  • And i start to twitch.
  • 00:21:34.409 --> 00:21:37.679
  • I'm like, "all right, we'll bring you three toys,
  • 00:21:37.679 --> 00:21:41.149
  • Ye ungrateful."
  • 00:21:41.149 --> 00:21:42.551
  • Now, i know you're not like me.
  • 00:21:45.921 --> 00:21:47.289
  • Pray for me.
  • 00:21:47.289 --> 00:21:49.424
  • But, you see, jesus died for those of us that were spitting
  • 00:21:49.424 --> 00:21:52.494
  • In his face, saying he wasn't real.
  • 00:21:52.494 --> 00:21:57.432
  • It's a remarkable gift we've been given.
  • 00:21:57.432 --> 00:22:00.235
  • Look at that last sentence.
  • 00:22:00.235 --> 00:22:01.570
  • God demonstrates his own love for us.
  • 00:22:01.570 --> 00:22:04.673
  • "while we were still sinners, christ died for us."
  • 00:22:04.673 --> 00:22:07.509
  • God had a plan, not because we were good or appreciative or
  • 00:22:07.509 --> 00:22:11.079
  • Grateful, not because we were living well.
  • 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:16.084
  • I help other people who are very generous, and they say, "well,
  • 00:22:16.084 --> 00:22:18.019
  • You know, i don't wanna give anything to anybody who's
  • 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:20.455
  • Leading an ungodly life.
  • 00:22:20.455 --> 00:22:21.790
  • If they have ungodly habits, i'm not giving them anything."
  • 00:22:21.790 --> 00:22:25.127
  • I get that, you wanna be a good steward, but i'm grateful that
  • 00:22:25.127 --> 00:22:28.430
  • God had a different boundary with me.
  • 00:22:28.430 --> 00:22:33.535
  • I know, i'm not asking you to be reckless with your generosity,
  • 00:22:33.535 --> 00:22:37.305
  • But i'm telling you, god showed us love when we were unlovable,
  • 00:22:37.305 --> 00:22:42.077
  • Ungrateful, unholy.
  • 00:22:42.077 --> 00:22:44.746
  • It's an unimaginable thing, this incarnation.
  • 00:22:44.746 --> 00:22:49.651
  • In john 18, jesus gives us a little window in what he
  • 00:22:49.651 --> 00:22:53.054
  • Understood to be the next chapter of this.
  • 00:22:53.054 --> 00:22:56.158
  • He's on trial.
  • 00:22:56.158 --> 00:22:57.526
  • He's been arrested.
  • 00:22:57.526 --> 00:22:58.894
  • He's standing before the roman governor, the man who will
  • 00:22:58.894 --> 00:23:00.262
  • Ultimately release him or condemn him to death.
  • 00:23:00.262 --> 00:23:03.198
  • And jesus hasn't been a very cooperative interview.
  • 00:23:03.198 --> 00:23:07.669
  • And he finally says to pilate, "it's true, i'm a king," which
  • 00:23:07.669 --> 00:23:11.807
  • Is the one thing that gave pilate the license to have
  • 00:23:11.807 --> 00:23:14.376
  • Him crucified.
  • 00:23:14.376 --> 00:23:16.478
  • That's where you step in.
  • 00:23:16.478 --> 00:23:17.846
  • It's john 18:37.
  • 00:23:17.846 --> 00:23:19.214
  • "'you're a king, then!' pilate said.
  • 00:23:19.214 --> 00:23:21.883
  • And jesus answered, 'you're right in saying i'm a king.
  • 00:23:21.883 --> 00:23:23.251
  • In fact, for this reason i was born.
  • 00:23:23.251 --> 00:23:27.989
  • I was born for this.
  • 00:23:27.989 --> 00:23:30.859
  • And for this i came into the world, to testify to the truth.
  • 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:33.395
  • Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me.'"
  • 00:23:33.395 --> 00:23:37.299
  • See, jesus as king of all the earth will be presented far more
  • 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:43.472
  • Broadly than the infant jesus in a stable in bethlehem.
  • 00:23:43.472 --> 00:23:48.343
  • The shepherds were invited.
  • 00:23:48.343 --> 00:23:49.678
  • The wise men were invited.
  • 00:23:49.678 --> 00:23:51.680
  • Simeon and anna were invited.
  • 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:53.215
  • There was a handful of people.
  • 00:23:53.215 --> 00:23:54.549
  • Herod was invited, the chief priests were invited.
  • 00:23:54.549 --> 00:23:56.751
  • They declined the invitation, but there was a limited--but
  • 00:23:56.751 --> 00:23:59.354
  • When jesus comes back, it says that every eye will see.
  • 00:23:59.354 --> 00:24:04.192
  • That first mission was somewhat covert.
  • 00:24:04.192 --> 00:24:08.463
  • He came to the--under the mosaic law to a particular
  • 00:24:08.463 --> 00:24:14.002
  • People, a message for all the world.
  • 00:24:14.002 --> 00:24:18.473
  • When he comes back, everybody will see.
  • 00:24:18.473 --> 00:24:21.910
  • And jesus understood that standing before pililate.
  • 00:24:21.910 --> 00:24:24.412
  • He said, "no, actually, i am a king."
  • 00:24:24.412 --> 00:24:27.382
  • But he said, "my kingdom is not of this world.
  • 00:24:27.382 --> 00:24:29.017
  • If it were, you'd have a whole different kind of battle on
  • 00:24:29.017 --> 00:24:33.121
  • Your hands."
  • 00:24:33.121 --> 00:24:35.624
  • But the king and his court are coming back.
  • 00:24:35.624 --> 00:24:40.028
  • It's an amazing thing, god's preparation.
  • 00:24:40.028 --> 00:24:42.831
  • God has planned very, very well.
  • 00:24:42.831 --> 00:24:44.466
  • Look at 1 corinthians 2, verse 8. "(god's)
  • 00:24:44.466 --> 00:24:46.401
  • Wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood."
  • 00:24:46.401 --> 00:24:49.604
  • And i believe paul is talking about the spiritual rulers, not
  • 00:24:49.604 --> 00:24:52.607
  • The rulers of nation-states or realms.
  • 00:24:52.607 --> 00:24:57.078
  • "none of the rulers of this age had understood it; if they had
  • 00:24:57.078 --> 00:24:59.514
  • Understood it, they would not have crucified the lord
  • 00:24:59.514 --> 00:25:01.483
  • Of glory."
  • 00:25:01.483 --> 00:25:02.817
  • You see, the power behind jesus's crucifixion was not
  • 00:25:02.817 --> 00:25:04.986
  • Roman law.
  • 00:25:04.986 --> 00:25:06.621
  • The power behind jesus's crucifixion was the hatred
  • 00:25:06.621 --> 00:25:09.357
  • From hell.
  • 00:25:09.357 --> 00:25:11.259
  • And that hatred is still emanating from hell towards
  • 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:13.862
  • Jesus and any who will bear his name.
  • 00:25:13.862 --> 00:25:16.464
  • It's why we have to be willing to engage the world in which we
  • 00:25:16.464 --> 00:25:19.100
  • Live and not hide from it.
  • 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:20.468
  • Jesus didn't hide from it, he said, "i'm a king."
  • 00:25:20.468 --> 00:25:23.805
  • Think of all the things he could have said to pilate to deflect.
  • 00:25:23.805 --> 00:25:27.776
  • "nicely decorated office.
  • 00:25:27.776 --> 00:25:31.780
  • You exercise such wisdom in how you rule in this city."
  • 00:25:31.780 --> 00:25:34.816
  • Think of all the bridges jesus could have made.
  • 00:25:34.816 --> 00:25:39.287
  • "do you have any water?
  • 00:25:39.287 --> 00:25:40.655
  • Would you like a glass of wine?"
  • 00:25:40.655 --> 00:25:43.992
  • He could have made a friend out of pilate.
  • 00:25:43.992 --> 00:25:46.728
  • He had the ability.
  • 00:25:46.728 --> 00:25:49.531
  • But he put the one thing between them that was something between
  • 00:25:49.531 --> 00:25:53.268
  • Them if pilate wouldn't accept it.
  • 00:25:53.268 --> 00:25:56.938
  • We're the 21st-century edition.
  • 00:25:56.938 --> 00:26:00.241
  • We've got to have the courage to bring our truth into the world
  • 00:26:00.241 --> 00:26:03.044
  • In which we live.
  • 00:26:03.044 --> 00:26:04.412
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:04.412 --> 00:26:10.986
  • Allen: allen jackson ministries was created to strengthen
  • 00:26:10.986 --> 00:26:13.588
  • The church.
  • 00:26:13.588 --> 00:26:14.956
  • Your partnership has made this possible.
  • 00:26:14.956 --> 00:26:16.658
  • Thank you for your faithfulness and your generosity, but the
  • 00:26:16.658 --> 00:26:19.661
  • Need, it's as significant as it's ever been, not simply in
  • 00:26:19.661 --> 00:26:22.864
  • This nation.
  • 00:26:22.864 --> 00:26:24.232
  • Now we have invitations internationally to war-torn
  • 00:26:24.232 --> 00:26:25.967
  • Countries and to israel and to ukraine to come help strengthen
  • 00:26:25.967 --> 00:26:29.270
  • The church there, and with god's help and your help, we intend
  • 00:26:29.270 --> 00:26:32.273
  • To respond.
  • 00:26:32.273 --> 00:26:33.642
  • Folks, it's a critical time.
  • 00:26:33.642 --> 00:26:34.976
  • It's not just business as usual.
  • 00:26:34.976 --> 00:26:36.878
  • We can't gather in our churches and sing our hymns and ignore
  • 00:26:36.878 --> 00:26:39.614
  • What's happening in our world.
  • 00:26:39.614 --> 00:26:41.249
  • We have to take the biblical truth, a biblical worldview, and
  • 00:26:41.249 --> 00:26:44.419
  • Share it with our culture clearly, with determination,
  • 00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:47.622
  • With courage.
  • 00:26:47.622 --> 00:26:49.024
  • We're creating tools to help you do that in your church, in your
  • 00:26:49.024 --> 00:26:51.893
  • Home, in your community.
  • 00:26:51.893 --> 00:26:53.695
  • Together, we're gonna make an impact in this new year like
  • 00:26:53.695 --> 00:26:56.297
  • We've never made before.
  • 00:26:56.297 --> 00:26:57.999
  • Will you make an investment in what we're doing?
  • 00:26:57.999 --> 00:27:00.535
  • Together, we're gonna join god in seeing the name of jesus
  • 00:27:00.535 --> 00:27:03.471
  • Elevated in the earth.
  • 00:27:03.471 --> 00:27:05.040
  • Will you pray?
  • 00:27:05.040 --> 00:27:06.408
  • Father, i ask for your anointing.
  • 00:27:06.408 --> 00:27:07.876
  • Give us a freedom to give and to serve like never before.
  • 00:27:07.876 --> 00:27:11.413
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:11.413 --> 00:27:13.815
  • God bless you, and thank you.
  • 00:27:13.815 --> 00:27:15.717
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:15.717 --> 00:27:15.717