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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Separate, Not Alone (Part 1)

November 15, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Separate, Not Alone (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Ministry #Pastors #Christianity #Bible #WalkwithGod #TrustGod #Faithfulness #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Separate, Not Alone (Part 1) | November 15, 2025
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  • Allen jackson: you know, when i was a child, i thought christmas
  • 00:00:06.723 --> 00:00:08.792
  • Came every four years.
  • 00:00:08.792 --> 00:00:10.560
  • Now i feel like it comes about every four weeks.
  • 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:12.962
  • Well, christmas is just around the corner.
  • 00:00:12.962 --> 00:00:15.198
  • It's a season of tremendous opportunity for those of us who
  • 00:00:15.198 --> 00:00:17.801
  • Are people of faith to remember what god has done for us and
  • 00:00:17.801 --> 00:00:20.870
  • What we're inviting him into in the midst of this
  • 00:00:20.870 --> 00:00:23.006
  • Holiday season.
  • 00:00:23.006 --> 00:00:24.607
  • Well, we've created a tool, a resource for you to lead with
  • 00:00:24.607 --> 00:00:27.477
  • Your faith at christmas.
  • 00:00:27.477 --> 00:00:29.079
  • It's a 25-day devotional along with some ideas about--from
  • 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:33.349
  • Recipes to activities for your friends or your family.
  • 00:00:33.349 --> 00:00:36.853
  • It's just a fun way so that you can shape your faith into
  • 00:00:36.853 --> 00:00:40.156
  • The holiday.
  • 00:00:40.156 --> 00:00:41.524
  • I think all of us have a desire to see christmas be--have jesus
  • 00:00:41.524 --> 00:00:44.761
  • In the midst of it a bit more.
  • 00:00:44.761 --> 00:00:46.396
  • There's so many secular voices that speak, and sometimes i
  • 00:00:46.396 --> 00:00:48.698
  • Think we feel powerless to do something other than put up a
  • 00:00:48.698 --> 00:00:51.401
  • Tree or hang some lights.
  • 00:00:51.401 --> 00:00:53.036
  • Well, "lead with your faith at christmas" is a tool we created
  • 00:00:53.036 --> 00:00:56.172
  • So you can share your faith with your family, with your friends,
  • 00:00:56.172 --> 00:00:58.608
  • With coworkers.
  • 00:00:58.608 --> 00:00:59.943
  • I think it'll make this christmas season truly a way to
  • 00:00:59.943 --> 00:01:02.912
  • Honor the lord in your life.
  • 00:01:02.912 --> 00:01:04.647
  • In fact, i'm quite confident it'll be a blessing to you.
  • 00:01:04.647 --> 00:01:07.117
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:07.917 --> 00:01:13.223
  • Allen: i suspect many of you were like me,
  • 00:01:13.223 --> 00:01:15.024
  • That you woke up this morning with the news that the israelis
  • 00:01:15.024 --> 00:01:18.595
  • Had been attacked by hamas from the gaza strip and they didn't
  • 00:01:18.595 --> 00:01:26.069
  • Attack the military bases.
  • 00:01:26.069 --> 00:01:27.570
  • I mean, some of those got included,
  • 00:01:27.570 --> 00:01:29.205
  • But they attacked the civilian population.
  • 00:01:29.205 --> 00:01:31.307
  • They went into the homes of families and began to do
  • 00:01:31.307 --> 00:01:34.410
  • Horrific things.
  • 00:01:34.410 --> 00:01:36.045
  • And they've taken prisoners back from those communities along the
  • 00:01:36.045 --> 00:01:41.317
  • Gaza strip back into the strip.
  • 00:01:41.317 --> 00:01:43.453
  • We have a number of friends who live in those areas,
  • 00:01:43.453 --> 00:01:45.722
  • We've been to their homes.
  • 00:01:45.722 --> 00:01:47.524
  • We've been checking all day.
  • 00:01:47.524 --> 00:01:49.025
  • I don't have any negative reports,
  • 00:01:49.025 --> 00:01:50.793
  • All the news i've had all day has been positive,
  • 00:01:50.793 --> 00:01:53.329
  • But we're gonna pray tonight.
  • 00:01:53.329 --> 00:01:55.265
  • We have a biblical assignment to pray for the peace of jerusalem.
  • 00:01:55.265 --> 00:01:59.502
  • It is not just god gave that piece of land to the descendants
  • 00:01:59.502 --> 00:02:02.438
  • Of abraham forever.
  • 00:02:02.438 --> 00:02:04.607
  • And i don't believe he has withdrawn that covenant just
  • 00:02:04.607 --> 00:02:06.643
  • Because the un doesn't always smile.
  • 00:02:06.643 --> 00:02:10.480
  • The last report i had and i'm sure the number will grow 'cause
  • 00:02:10.480 --> 00:02:12.715
  • It's incomplete, they're still discovering all that's happened.
  • 00:02:12.715 --> 00:02:14.484
  • More than a 100 israelis have been killed.
  • 00:02:14.484 --> 00:02:17.587
  • There've been more than 3000 rockets fired out of gaza into
  • 00:02:17.587 --> 00:02:21.891
  • Those communities really far beyond just surrounding gaza.
  • 00:02:21.891 --> 00:02:24.861
  • You know, it is almost impossible to to believe
  • 00:02:24.861 --> 00:02:29.232
  • The change that's come to the middle east in just
  • 00:02:29.232 --> 00:02:31.067
  • A little over two years.
  • 00:02:31.067 --> 00:02:32.635
  • Two years ago, we were celebrating historic peace
  • 00:02:32.635 --> 00:02:34.604
  • Accords across the middle east.
  • 00:02:34.604 --> 00:02:37.407
  • Israelis were being welcomed in places they had never been
  • 00:02:37.407 --> 00:02:39.275
  • Welcomed before.
  • 00:02:39.275 --> 00:02:41.644
  • And today, the taliban is in charge in afghanistan,
  • 00:02:41.644 --> 00:02:45.148
  • It's unthinkable.
  • 00:02:45.148 --> 00:02:47.517
  • In the last few months, we've given $6 billion to iran,
  • 00:02:47.517 --> 00:02:51.254
  • An international sponsor of terrorism.
  • 00:02:51.254 --> 00:02:54.457
  • It's not surprising that hamas has the resources to launch
  • 00:02:54.457 --> 00:02:59.762
  • An attack on israel, we are funding it.
  • 00:02:59.762 --> 00:03:03.566
  • Now, i don't know that those dollars flowed directly into
  • 00:03:03.566 --> 00:03:07.370
  • Hamas' hands, but i know we gave 6 billion in extra cash
  • 00:03:07.370 --> 00:03:11.174
  • To the iranians.
  • 00:03:11.174 --> 00:03:13.343
  • You know, a billion's a lot.
  • 00:03:13.343 --> 00:03:15.378
  • I think sometimes we get a little confused in our heads.
  • 00:03:15.378 --> 00:03:17.513
  • You know, if you have a million seconds to spend,
  • 00:03:17.513 --> 00:03:20.116
  • Do you know how long that will take?
  • 00:03:20.116 --> 00:03:22.352
  • A million seconds will elapse in about 11 days.
  • 00:03:22.352 --> 00:03:26.623
  • If you have a billion seconds, it's gonna take 31 and a half
  • 00:03:26.623 --> 00:03:30.126
  • Years for those seconds to elapse.
  • 00:03:30.126 --> 00:03:34.197
  • We gave $6 billion to the iranians.
  • 00:03:34.197 --> 00:03:37.834
  • That's a destabilizing influence,
  • 00:03:37.834 --> 00:03:39.736
  • Not just in the middle east, but to our whole world.
  • 00:03:39.736 --> 00:03:42.705
  • Saudi arabia has stepped closer to china,
  • 00:03:42.705 --> 00:03:45.275
  • Israel's been attacked this evening man the south,
  • 00:03:45.275 --> 00:03:48.811
  • I think we're all waiting to see if hezbollah in the north
  • 00:03:48.811 --> 00:03:51.080
  • Will join the fight, it isn't clear just yet.
  • 00:03:51.080 --> 00:03:54.417
  • The world is watching to see if the united states will stand
  • 00:03:54.417 --> 00:03:57.654
  • With our ally.
  • 00:03:57.654 --> 00:03:59.956
  • Our track record recently has not been great.
  • 00:03:59.956 --> 00:04:03.226
  • So i think that's an adequate point of prayer for our
  • 00:04:03.226 --> 00:04:05.762
  • Offertory prayer tonight, would you agree?
  • 00:04:05.762 --> 00:04:09.065
  • You know, i did a program.
  • 00:04:09.065 --> 00:04:10.967
  • We taped a program this week, it won't air for two or three weeks
  • 00:04:10.967 --> 00:04:13.369
  • But on the persecution of christians around the world,
  • 00:04:13.369 --> 00:04:16.339
  • 300 million christians are suffering persecution in our
  • 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:19.442
  • World today, 300 million.
  • 00:04:19.442 --> 00:04:23.579
  • We talked to christian leaders in nigeria and in india,
  • 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:26.649
  • We got reports on pakistan and throughout the middle east.
  • 00:04:26.649 --> 00:04:29.118
  • The things that are happening are horrific.
  • 00:04:29.118 --> 00:04:32.922
  • And you should know that expressions of the hatred for
  • 00:04:32.922 --> 00:04:35.892
  • The jewish people, antisemitism and hatred for christians are
  • 00:04:35.892 --> 00:04:39.429
  • Two sides of the same coin.
  • 00:04:39.429 --> 00:04:41.364
  • They're all fueled by the spirit of antichrist.
  • 00:04:41.364 --> 00:04:43.900
  • That spirit hates the purposes of god breaking forth
  • 00:04:43.900 --> 00:04:46.202
  • In the earth.
  • 00:04:46.202 --> 00:04:48.104
  • So we're not just praying for an end to the military conflict
  • 00:04:48.104 --> 00:04:50.540
  • Between hamas and the israelis, we're praying that that spirit
  • 00:04:50.540 --> 00:04:55.645
  • That would like to see them destroyed will be turned back,
  • 00:04:55.645 --> 00:04:59.015
  • Amen?
  • 00:04:59.015 --> 00:05:03.119
  • I wanna continue the study we've been doing for several sessions,
  • 00:05:03.119 --> 00:05:07.023
  • Talking about this general theme of stepping out of the crowd.
  • 00:05:07.023 --> 00:05:09.826
  • The idea that our faith isn't about just joining a group,
  • 00:05:09.826 --> 00:05:13.463
  • A denomination, or a congregation,
  • 00:05:13.463 --> 00:05:15.798
  • Or some school of thought, but to be a christ follower means
  • 00:05:15.798 --> 00:05:20.803
  • That we put ourselves intentionally in a minority
  • 00:05:20.803 --> 00:05:23.239
  • Position in the world.
  • 00:05:23.239 --> 00:05:25.174
  • It's a very biblical idea.
  • 00:05:25.174 --> 00:05:26.709
  • Jesus described two pathways through life.
  • 00:05:26.709 --> 00:05:28.978
  • He said one was broad and it led to a wide gate and many would
  • 00:05:28.978 --> 00:05:32.081
  • Find it, but the outcome of that path and that broad gate
  • 00:05:32.081 --> 00:05:35.151
  • Was destruction.
  • 00:05:35.151 --> 00:05:36.819
  • The alternative he said, was a more narrow path and a much
  • 00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:39.455
  • Smaller gate, and he said few would find that and that
  • 00:05:39.455 --> 00:05:42.959
  • That gate led to life.
  • 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:45.395
  • That there's many expressions he gave that support that idea,
  • 00:05:45.395 --> 00:05:47.563
  • But we're making a choice in our lives whether we'll just go with
  • 00:05:47.563 --> 00:05:50.233
  • The flow and blend in and yield to conventional wisdom,
  • 00:05:50.233 --> 00:05:53.269
  • Or whether we'll have the courage to step out of the crowd
  • 00:05:53.269 --> 00:05:55.605
  • And identify ourselves with jesus of nazareth and choose him
  • 00:05:55.605 --> 00:05:59.642
  • As the lord of our lives.
  • 00:05:59.642 --> 00:06:02.512
  • I think we've spent too many decades trying to figure out how
  • 00:06:02.512 --> 00:06:04.614
  • We could be friends with the world and we've been reluctant
  • 00:06:04.614 --> 00:06:07.517
  • To step out of the crowd a bit, but i believe god since covid
  • 00:06:07.517 --> 00:06:11.087
  • Has begun to shake the earth and to awaken his church.
  • 00:06:11.087 --> 00:06:14.023
  • And i'm grateful to be a part of that and i know you are as well.
  • 00:06:14.023 --> 00:06:17.794
  • That's our topic and the theme for this particular session is
  • 00:06:17.794 --> 00:06:20.530
  • What it means to do that.
  • 00:06:20.530 --> 00:06:22.498
  • There's a separation that comes, but it doesn't mean
  • 00:06:22.498 --> 00:06:24.834
  • That you're alone.
  • 00:06:24.834 --> 00:06:26.536
  • And i wanna be certain that you hear that.
  • 00:06:26.536 --> 00:06:28.905
  • Stepping out of the crowd does not mean you're alone.
  • 00:06:28.905 --> 00:06:31.707
  • It doesn't mean you're abandoned that you're by yourself.
  • 00:06:31.707 --> 00:06:35.211
  • I'll start with matthew chapter 28.
  • 00:06:35.211 --> 00:06:37.313
  • It's jesus's instructions to his disciples post-resurrection.
  • 00:06:37.313 --> 00:06:43.085
  • He's just about ready to leave and he gives them
  • 00:06:43.085 --> 00:06:46.222
  • One last message.
  • 00:06:46.222 --> 00:06:47.657
  • It said, "jesus came to the disciples and said,
  • 00:06:47.657 --> 00:06:50.226
  • 'all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
  • 00:06:50.226 --> 00:06:52.795
  • Therefore you go and make disciples of all the nations,
  • 00:06:52.795 --> 00:06:55.631
  • Baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the
  • 00:06:55.631 --> 00:06:57.767
  • Holy spirit and teaching them to obey everything
  • 00:06:57.767 --> 00:07:00.937
  • I've commanded you.
  • 00:07:00.937 --> 00:07:02.538
  • And surely i'm with you always to the very end of the age.'"
  • 00:07:02.538 --> 00:07:06.876
  • Did you hear the promise?
  • 00:07:06.876 --> 00:07:08.478
  • It's from a resurrected christ, our lord and king.
  • 00:07:08.478 --> 00:07:12.949
  • He gave us an assignment.
  • 00:07:12.949 --> 00:07:14.717
  • He said we had to go and tell the good news to all the people,
  • 00:07:14.717 --> 00:07:18.154
  • Teaching them to obey everything he'd commanded.
  • 00:07:18.154 --> 00:07:21.290
  • It's not just an invitation to get saved,
  • 00:07:21.290 --> 00:07:23.493
  • It's an invitation to lay our lives down,
  • 00:07:23.493 --> 00:07:26.996
  • To do everything that jesus instructed us to do.
  • 00:07:26.996 --> 00:07:30.666
  • But he said, if we would accept that assignment,
  • 00:07:30.666 --> 00:07:32.835
  • He would be with us always.
  • 00:07:32.835 --> 00:07:36.272
  • Doesn't mean it's always going to be easy,
  • 00:07:36.272 --> 00:07:38.674
  • Or always going to be comfortable,
  • 00:07:38.674 --> 00:07:40.510
  • Or always going to be fun, but we have the promise
  • 00:07:40.510 --> 00:07:43.145
  • Of his abiding presence.
  • 00:07:43.145 --> 00:07:45.548
  • So we may be separate from the crowd,
  • 00:07:45.548 --> 00:07:47.583
  • But we're never alone.
  • 00:07:47.583 --> 00:07:49.185
  • The creator of heaven and earth knows our name.
  • 00:07:49.185 --> 00:07:51.821
  • We're standing on his behalf, we're his ambassadors.
  • 00:07:51.821 --> 00:07:54.924
  • He has written our assignment, he's the author and the
  • 00:07:54.924 --> 00:07:57.360
  • Completer of our story.
  • 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:59.495
  • It is very important.
  • 00:07:59.495 --> 00:08:01.364
  • The enemy will try to convince you you're alone.
  • 00:08:01.364 --> 00:08:03.933
  • He'll remind you of your failures and your shortcomings,
  • 00:08:03.933 --> 00:08:07.003
  • Of the ungodly choices you've made.
  • 00:08:07.003 --> 00:08:09.105
  • And he'll say that makes you a reprobate,
  • 00:08:09.105 --> 00:08:10.973
  • You're beyond the grace of god, he's a liar.
  • 00:08:10.973 --> 00:08:14.277
  • You are not alone.
  • 00:08:14.277 --> 00:08:16.546
  • We can come to the cross of jesus christ and find
  • 00:08:16.546 --> 00:08:18.681
  • Restoration and renewal and hope,
  • 00:08:18.681 --> 00:08:21.851
  • But it's not an invitation just to blend into the crowd.
  • 00:08:21.851 --> 00:08:26.489
  • Look at 2 corinthians, i'm sorry,
  • 00:08:26.489 --> 00:08:28.190
  • It's 1 corinthians 10.
  • 00:08:28.190 --> 00:08:30.493
  • Says, "these things happen to them as an example."
  • 00:08:30.493 --> 00:08:32.361
  • Speaking of those who have preceded us.
  • 00:08:32.361 --> 00:08:34.196
  • "and they were written for our instruction upon whom the ends
  • 00:08:34.196 --> 00:08:37.500
  • Of the ages have come."
  • 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:38.968
  • There's a culmination to this present age.
  • 00:08:38.968 --> 00:08:42.572
  • Time will not go on.
  • 00:08:42.572 --> 00:08:44.807
  • This present age will not continue infinitely.
  • 00:08:44.807 --> 00:08:48.578
  • It's coming to a conclusion and you wanna be prepared
  • 00:08:48.578 --> 00:08:50.780
  • For what's next.
  • 00:08:50.780 --> 00:08:54.850
  • The reason we would step out of the crowd today,
  • 00:08:54.850 --> 00:08:57.820
  • The reason we're willing to be different and to be distinctive,
  • 00:08:57.820 --> 00:09:01.023
  • It's not to be weird.
  • 00:09:01.023 --> 00:09:04.226
  • Please understand weird does not make you godly.
  • 00:09:04.226 --> 00:09:08.764
  • Some people confuse weird with spiritual.
  • 00:09:08.764 --> 00:09:11.534
  • "you're not spiritual, you're just weird."
  • 00:09:11.534 --> 00:09:14.503
  • You know some of those people.
  • 00:09:14.503 --> 00:09:17.540
  • You're pulling on the interstate and they begin to pray.
  • 00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:20.376
  • It's too late to pray at that point,
  • 00:09:20.376 --> 00:09:22.745
  • I want you to look.
  • 00:09:22.745 --> 00:09:25.848
  • You don't need guidance from the lord,
  • 00:09:25.848 --> 00:09:27.883
  • You need to check your mirrors and look around.
  • 00:09:27.883 --> 00:09:31.621
  • Please don't ever confuse the two.
  • 00:09:31.621 --> 00:09:34.824
  • You know, we live in a season where deception is growing
  • 00:09:34.824 --> 00:09:37.326
  • Exponentially, and oftentimes we're easily manipulated
  • 00:09:37.326 --> 00:09:40.963
  • By those who appear to be spiritual.
  • 00:09:40.963 --> 00:09:43.099
  • They use supernatural language and they report all sorts
  • 00:09:43.099 --> 00:09:46.068
  • Of supernatural activity.
  • 00:09:46.068 --> 00:09:48.337
  • Now, i believe in the supernatural,
  • 00:09:48.337 --> 00:09:49.805
  • I'm an advocate for miracles and the supernatural involvement
  • 00:09:49.805 --> 00:09:52.642
  • Of god, but your character is the best indication of godliness
  • 00:09:52.642 --> 00:09:56.045
  • In your life.
  • 00:09:56.045 --> 00:09:57.980
  • The greatest indication of maturity in your spiritual life
  • 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:01.017
  • Is the presence of the fruit of the spirit.
  • 00:10:01.017 --> 00:10:03.285
  • You can't fake that.
  • 00:10:03.285 --> 00:10:06.288
  • And don't be deceived by expressions of the supernatural,
  • 00:10:06.288 --> 00:10:09.225
  • The antichrist will have an associate,
  • 00:10:09.225 --> 00:10:11.961
  • A false prophet who will be one of the most supernatural
  • 00:10:11.961 --> 00:10:14.530
  • Individuals that has ever stood on the face of the earth,
  • 00:10:14.530 --> 00:10:18.100
  • But he will not be godly.
  • 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:20.903
  • I don't want you to be afraid of miracles,
  • 00:10:20.903 --> 00:10:22.605
  • But i want you to understand the difference.
  • 00:10:22.605 --> 00:10:24.507
  • This age is coming to a close.
  • 00:10:24.507 --> 00:10:26.542
  • 1 corinthians 7 says, "this world that is in present form
  • 00:10:26.542 --> 00:10:28.844
  • Is passing away."
  • 00:10:28.844 --> 00:10:31.447
  • So the question to me then, is what's it look like for us
  • 00:10:31.447 --> 00:10:34.417
  • To step out of the crowd?
  • 00:10:34.417 --> 00:10:36.252
  • If it's not about being weird or some pseudo spirituality,
  • 00:10:36.252 --> 00:10:39.555
  • And i don't have to ramp up my spiritual language,
  • 00:10:39.555 --> 00:10:42.792
  • What is the distinctiveness that separates us from the crowd?
  • 00:10:42.792 --> 00:10:46.729
  • Well i'm gonna give you just two or three components.
  • 00:10:46.729 --> 00:10:49.465
  • In philippians chapter 3 and verses 4 to 8,
  • 00:10:49.465 --> 00:10:54.203
  • Paul is writing, the apostle paul,
  • 00:10:54.203 --> 00:10:57.506
  • To a church that he's helped shepherd into existence.
  • 00:10:57.506 --> 00:10:58.874
  • So he knows the people and they know him.
  • 00:10:58.874 --> 00:11:01.310
  • He says, "if anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence
  • 00:11:01.310 --> 00:11:04.313
  • In the flesh, i have more."
  • 00:11:04.313 --> 00:11:06.515
  • He's about to--what he's really saying is,
  • 00:11:06.515 --> 00:11:09.051
  • My résumé is better than your résumé.
  • 00:11:09.051 --> 00:11:12.254
  • I'm more accomplished than you.
  • 00:11:12.254 --> 00:11:14.256
  • And he is about to list his accomplishments for us.
  • 00:11:14.256 --> 00:11:15.925
  • It's pretty impressive.
  • 00:11:15.925 --> 00:11:17.493
  • He says, "i was circumcised on the eighth day
  • 00:11:17.493 --> 00:11:19.562
  • Of the people of israel."
  • 00:11:19.562 --> 00:11:21.263
  • That's pretty impressive.
  • 00:11:21.263 --> 00:11:22.765
  • That eight days into his earthly journey,
  • 00:11:22.765 --> 00:11:24.133
  • He was honoring god.
  • 00:11:24.133 --> 00:11:26.736
  • Now, there's really no action that he chose,
  • 00:11:26.736 --> 00:11:30.039
  • But he was the beneficiary of being born into a family that
  • 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:33.375
  • Intended from his eighth day for him to honor the lord.
  • 00:11:33.375 --> 00:11:36.078
  • So he is gonna include that in his story.
  • 00:11:36.078 --> 00:11:39.081
  • "i was of the tribe of benjamin, a hebrew of the hebrews.
  • 00:11:39.081 --> 00:11:42.818
  • In regard to the law of pharisee.
  • 00:11:42.818 --> 00:11:45.621
  • As for zeal, i persecuted the church.
  • 00:11:45.621 --> 00:11:49.391
  • As for legalistic righteousness, i was faultless.
  • 00:11:49.391 --> 00:11:53.696
  • But whatever was to my profit, i now consider loss
  • 00:11:53.696 --> 00:11:56.132
  • For the sake of christ."
  • 00:11:56.132 --> 00:11:59.235
  • That's the pivot point in this passage.
  • 00:11:59.235 --> 00:12:02.204
  • Whatever may have been to my credit,
  • 00:12:02.204 --> 00:12:04.473
  • Whatever i would've considered an accolade,
  • 00:12:04.473 --> 00:12:06.909
  • An achievement, a point of accomplishment,
  • 00:12:06.909 --> 00:12:09.812
  • He said, "i just consider it lost,
  • 00:12:09.812 --> 00:12:11.580
  • It's irrelevant for the sake of christ."
  • 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:14.450
  • "what is more, i consider everything a loss compared to
  • 00:12:14.450 --> 00:12:17.052
  • The surpassing greatness of knowing christ jesus my lord,
  • 00:12:17.052 --> 00:12:20.656
  • For whose sake i have lost all things.
  • 00:12:20.656 --> 00:12:22.858
  • I consider them rubbish, that i may gain christ."
  • 00:12:22.858 --> 00:12:26.996
  • "i was a rising star in the pharisees," he said.
  • 00:12:26.996 --> 00:12:29.899
  • "i had a zeal that was more pronounced than any
  • 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:33.102
  • Of my peer group.
  • 00:12:33.102 --> 00:12:35.070
  • I was on the fast track to success and achievement and
  • 00:12:35.070 --> 00:12:37.306
  • Accomplishment and position and power and authority,
  • 00:12:37.306 --> 00:12:41.076
  • But then i met jesus."
  • 00:12:41.076 --> 00:12:43.612
  • And he said, "i decided that all of those things
  • 00:12:43.612 --> 00:12:46.015
  • Was like rubbish."
  • 00:12:46.015 --> 00:12:47.817
  • It was trash, it was to be disposed of.
  • 00:12:47.817 --> 00:12:49.718
  • "compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing
  • 00:12:49.718 --> 00:12:51.554
  • Christ jesus, my lord."
  • 00:12:51.554 --> 00:12:54.557
  • May i ask you a question?
  • 00:12:54.557 --> 00:12:57.059
  • What aspect of your life and your journey through time
  • 00:12:57.059 --> 00:12:59.895
  • Are you most grateful for?
  • 00:12:59.895 --> 00:13:02.898
  • What part do you celebrate with the most enthusiasm?
  • 00:13:02.898 --> 00:13:06.502
  • When someone asks about you and your story,
  • 00:13:06.502 --> 00:13:09.438
  • How do you introduce yourself?
  • 00:13:09.438 --> 00:13:11.640
  • What are the leading characteristics?
  • 00:13:11.640 --> 00:13:13.843
  • How do you identify?
  • 00:13:13.843 --> 00:13:15.811
  • We had a little fun earlier with the part of the states we come
  • 00:13:15.811 --> 00:13:18.948
  • From, but in reality the most significant part of my choices
  • 00:13:18.948 --> 00:13:22.852
  • In time, have to do with the person of jesus of nazareth.
  • 00:13:22.852 --> 00:13:27.089
  • And we should all understand that to become a christ
  • 00:13:27.089 --> 00:13:29.658
  • Follower, means that there's a leaving behind.
  • 00:13:29.658 --> 00:13:32.962
  • There's a separation that has to take place.
  • 00:13:32.962 --> 00:13:35.831
  • We don't wanna take our pre faith behaviors with us into
  • 00:13:35.831 --> 00:13:38.634
  • The service of our lord.
  • 00:13:38.634 --> 00:13:41.136
  • We don't wanna take the same aspirations that we had for our
  • 00:13:41.136 --> 00:13:43.772
  • Lives, the same passions for our hobbies and our distractions
  • 00:13:43.772 --> 00:13:48.277
  • Because we've met a new king, we're under a new authority.
  • 00:13:48.277 --> 00:13:51.981
  • We have a new reason for drawing our breath each time we inhale.
  • 00:13:51.981 --> 00:13:56.285
  • The invitation of jesus to follow him,
  • 00:13:56.285 --> 00:14:00.055
  • To be his disciple is the call to separation.
  • 00:14:00.055 --> 00:14:05.494
  • Allen: have you ever said that christmas is too secular and
  • 00:14:09.698 --> 00:14:11.967
  • You're tired of it?
  • 00:14:11.967 --> 00:14:13.302
  • Well, we've got a solution, or at least
  • 00:14:13.302 --> 00:14:14.637
  • Something that can help.
  • 00:14:14.637 --> 00:14:15.971
  • We've written a book.
  • 00:14:15.971 --> 00:14:17.339
  • It's called, "how to lead with your faith at christmas."
  • 00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:19.375
  • It's 25 days of devotionals that you can read.
  • 00:14:19.375 --> 00:14:21.610
  • You can share them with family, your friends, coworkers.
  • 00:14:21.610 --> 00:14:24.146
  • Then there's some ideas, even recipes, activities.
  • 00:14:24.146 --> 00:14:27.049
  • It's a fun--it's like a--it's a starter kit for bringing your
  • 00:14:27.049 --> 00:14:29.785
  • Faith to bear this christmas season.
  • 00:14:29.785 --> 00:14:32.288
  • Don't stand on the sidelines and complain.
  • 00:14:32.288 --> 00:14:34.523
  • Let's lead with our faith this christmas season.
  • 00:14:34.523 --> 00:14:36.659
  • Let's honor the lord and see the blessings that he brings to all
  • 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:39.862
  • Of our lives.
  • 00:14:39.862 --> 00:14:41.196
  • Female announcer: christmas comes quickly, and it's easy to
  • 00:14:41.196 --> 00:14:43.165
  • Let the season slip by without focusing on what matters most.
  • 00:14:43.165 --> 00:14:47.102
  • Pastor allen's new book, "lead with faith at christmas," is a
  • 00:14:47.102 --> 00:14:50.472
  • 25-day advent devotional that will help you bring jesus more
  • 00:14:50.472 --> 00:14:54.143
  • Fully into the season.
  • 00:14:54.143 --> 00:14:55.811
  • Inside, you'll find scriptures, devotionals, prayers, recipes,
  • 00:14:55.811 --> 00:15:00.616
  • And practical things you can do to make the holidays
  • 00:15:00.616 --> 00:15:03.419
  • More meaningful.
  • 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:04.753
  • It also makes a fantastic gift.
  • 00:15:04.753 --> 00:15:07.323
  • It's time to stop repeating the same stale traditions and get
  • 00:15:07.323 --> 00:15:10.592
  • Ready to put your faith into action in new ways
  • 00:15:10.592 --> 00:15:13.262
  • This christmas.
  • 00:15:13.262 --> 00:15:14.663
  • Request your copy when you donate $30 or more today at
  • 00:15:14.663 --> 00:15:18.067
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
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  • Female announcer: we are committed to helping you grow in
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  • Your faith and have tools for your journey,
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  • No matter your schedule.
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  • On social media to stay up-to-date with everything
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  • Happening here with allen jackson ministries.
  • 00:15:48.897 --> 00:15:52.568
  • Allen: in ephesians chapter 2 and verse 1.
  • 00:15:54.470 --> 00:15:58.140
  • Paul again is writing to a group of people that he knows well.
  • 00:15:58.140 --> 00:16:00.409
  • He was there when the church of ephesus was taking
  • 00:16:00.409 --> 00:16:03.512
  • Its first steps.
  • 00:16:03.512 --> 00:16:04.980
  • He spent months and months with them,
  • 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:07.149
  • Teaching them and encouraging them,
  • 00:16:07.149 --> 00:16:09.118
  • So he knows them and they know him well.
  • 00:16:09.118 --> 00:16:10.853
  • And he says, "as for you, you were dead in your transgressions
  • 00:16:10.853 --> 00:16:14.323
  • And sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways
  • 00:16:14.323 --> 00:16:17.726
  • Of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air,
  • 00:16:17.726 --> 00:16:21.296
  • The spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient."
  • 00:16:21.296 --> 00:16:24.967
  • It's a timing passage.
  • 00:16:24.967 --> 00:16:27.603
  • He's reminding them that at one time they followed the ways of
  • 00:16:27.603 --> 00:16:31.073
  • This world, but he's saying to them,
  • 00:16:31.073 --> 00:16:34.343
  • "you don't live that way any longer.
  • 00:16:34.343 --> 00:16:36.378
  • You're on a new path, you have a new set of ambitions,
  • 00:16:36.378 --> 00:16:38.981
  • You have a new set of objectives,
  • 00:16:38.981 --> 00:16:41.350
  • Your discretionary time is spent in new ways."
  • 00:16:41.350 --> 00:16:45.854
  • I've come to ask you a question and i know to a degree
  • 00:16:45.854 --> 00:16:48.991
  • I'm preaching to the choir because on a beautiful
  • 00:16:48.991 --> 00:16:51.493
  • Fall saturday night, you're sitting outside
  • 00:16:51.493 --> 00:16:53.062
  • At a church service.
  • 00:16:53.062 --> 00:16:55.197
  • I get that but i wanna ask a question beyond the obvious in
  • 00:16:55.197 --> 00:16:59.568
  • Your heart, in your ambitions, in your aspirations.
  • 00:16:59.568 --> 00:17:03.172
  • I want you to reflect upon how knowing jesus has changed
  • 00:17:03.172 --> 00:17:08.811
  • That set of things.
  • 00:17:08.811 --> 00:17:11.380
  • What have you left behind?
  • 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:13.482
  • What have you had to separate yourself from?
  • 00:17:13.482 --> 00:17:16.051
  • Is that leaving complete?
  • 00:17:16.051 --> 00:17:18.253
  • Has the separation been as full as you feel the lord
  • 00:17:18.253 --> 00:17:22.124
  • Would invite you to?
  • 00:17:22.124 --> 00:17:24.126
  • Or do you still stand with a foot in some of those places?
  • 00:17:24.126 --> 00:17:27.329
  • Is your heart still divided?
  • 00:17:27.329 --> 00:17:29.798
  • In james chapter 1, it says, "a double-minded man should
  • 00:17:29.798 --> 00:17:32.067
  • Understand he won't receive anything from the lord because
  • 00:17:32.067 --> 00:17:35.003
  • They're unstable in all their ways.
  • 00:17:35.003 --> 00:17:36.939
  • They're just like a wave from the sea that's tossed."
  • 00:17:36.939 --> 00:17:39.708
  • We shouldn't imagine we will receive from the lord.
  • 00:17:39.708 --> 00:17:42.444
  • I want you to hear what paul is saying.
  • 00:17:42.444 --> 00:17:44.680
  • He said something similar to the church in colossae.
  • 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:48.117
  • In colossians chapter 3 and verse 5.
  • 00:17:48.117 --> 00:17:51.019
  • He said, "put to death, therefore,
  • 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:53.188
  • Whatever belongs to your earthly nature."
  • 00:17:53.188 --> 00:17:55.591
  • And then he gives some examples.
  • 00:17:55.591 --> 00:17:57.226
  • It's not an inclusive list, but if you wanna know what that
  • 00:17:57.226 --> 00:17:59.628
  • Earthly adamic, carnal nature gives expression to,
  • 00:17:59.628 --> 00:18:04.733
  • What would it look like, he gives you a little sampling.
  • 00:18:04.733 --> 00:18:07.236
  • "sexual immorality, impurity, lust,
  • 00:18:07.236 --> 00:18:11.073
  • The desire for evil, greed."
  • 00:18:11.073 --> 00:18:14.376
  • He said, "because of these, the wrath of god is coming."
  • 00:18:14.376 --> 00:18:19.148
  • He said, "you used to walk in these ways,
  • 00:18:19.148 --> 00:18:21.683
  • In the life you once lived.
  • 00:18:21.683 --> 00:18:24.219
  • But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these."
  • 00:18:24.219 --> 00:18:28.957
  • And then he gives us some more examples.
  • 00:18:28.957 --> 00:18:31.093
  • "anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language.
  • 00:18:31.093 --> 00:18:35.664
  • Don't lie to each other since you've taken off your old self
  • 00:18:35.664 --> 00:18:39.034
  • With its practices and have put on the new self,
  • 00:18:39.034 --> 00:18:42.070
  • Which is being renewed in knowledge in the image
  • 00:18:42.070 --> 00:18:44.406
  • Of its creator."
  • 00:18:44.406 --> 00:18:47.009
  • It's very clear in the language that paul is anticipating
  • 00:18:47.009 --> 00:18:51.079
  • A separation from a previous way of life.
  • 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:56.151
  • Not just a new destination for a few minutes on the weekend.
  • 00:18:56.151 --> 00:18:59.688
  • Not just saying, i'm an adherent to a new religious expression
  • 00:18:59.688 --> 00:19:02.724
  • Or i found faith.
  • 00:19:02.724 --> 00:19:05.694
  • He's suggesting to us a rather dramatic orientation
  • 00:19:05.694 --> 00:19:08.697
  • In our lives.
  • 00:19:08.697 --> 00:19:10.365
  • In fact, he puts the responsibility upon us
  • 00:19:10.365 --> 00:19:11.967
  • In verse 8.
  • 00:19:11.967 --> 00:19:13.535
  • He said, "now you must rid yourselves."
  • 00:19:13.535 --> 00:19:17.039
  • It isn't something god's going to do for us.
  • 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.575
  • One of the shocks of my life is i have walked with the lord is
  • 00:19:19.575 --> 00:19:21.977
  • God does not remove from me the arena of temptation.
  • 00:19:21.977 --> 00:19:26.215
  • I have to decide what i'm gonna give myself to.
  • 00:19:26.215 --> 00:19:29.718
  • And i would like to tell you that i made that decision,
  • 00:19:29.718 --> 00:19:32.287
  • You know, when i was 20 something and it's never again
  • 00:19:32.287 --> 00:19:34.890
  • Presented itself.
  • 00:19:34.890 --> 00:19:36.491
  • I'd like to tell you that but it wouldn't be true.
  • 00:19:36.491 --> 00:19:39.094
  • The reality is i have to guard my heart today.
  • 00:19:39.094 --> 00:19:42.764
  • I have to be careful what i give my thoughts to,
  • 00:19:42.764 --> 00:19:45.500
  • What ambitions i will let creep into me.
  • 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:48.670
  • It's very easy to begin to think i'm entitled to something,
  • 00:19:48.670 --> 00:19:52.140
  • Or i deserve something, or i should recalibrate my goals and
  • 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:55.544
  • Objectives because i wanna get ahead,
  • 00:19:55.544 --> 00:19:58.146
  • I wanna keep up, and i have to come back to that point that i'm
  • 00:19:58.146 --> 00:20:01.250
  • A servant of the most high god, i serve at his pleasure.
  • 00:20:01.250 --> 00:20:05.220
  • That he sets my agenda.
  • 00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:08.624
  • That it isn't my life any longer,
  • 00:20:08.624 --> 00:20:12.060
  • That in that covenant that i made with him to receive eternal
  • 00:20:12.060 --> 00:20:15.063
  • Life, i yielded my journey under time to his authority,
  • 00:20:15.063 --> 00:20:18.567
  • He is my king.
  • 00:20:18.567 --> 00:20:21.436
  • I serve at his pleasure.
  • 00:20:21.436 --> 00:20:23.038
  • In the language of paul to timothy,
  • 00:20:23.038 --> 00:20:25.107
  • I'm a good soldier enlisted under the authority
  • 00:20:25.107 --> 00:20:27.342
  • Of that king.
  • 00:20:27.342 --> 00:20:29.144
  • He determines the place and time of my deployment.
  • 00:20:29.144 --> 00:20:34.349
  • That's a pretty dramatic reorientation of our lives.
  • 00:20:34.349 --> 00:20:38.754
  • So most of our religious experience,
  • 00:20:38.754 --> 00:20:41.223
  • We've been invited to know jesus as our savior,
  • 00:20:41.223 --> 00:20:43.692
  • We don't wanna go to hell.
  • 00:20:43.692 --> 00:20:45.560
  • And that's really wise.
  • 00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:46.895
  • I would encourage you to try to avoid that at all costs.
  • 00:20:46.895 --> 00:20:50.432
  • It's an eternal commitment and it's not one that will be
  • 00:20:50.432 --> 00:20:53.402
  • Beneficial or pleasing.
  • 00:20:53.402 --> 00:20:56.305
  • But the invitation of scripture is not just to be saved,
  • 00:20:56.305 --> 00:20:59.141
  • To know jesus as savior, the invitation of scripture is to
  • 00:20:59.141 --> 00:21:02.210
  • Know jesus as lord.
  • 00:21:02.210 --> 00:21:05.047
  • You see, lord is about authority over your life.
  • 00:21:05.047 --> 00:21:08.450
  • It's about who establishes the priorities.
  • 00:21:08.450 --> 00:21:10.452
  • When jesus is my lord, it's not my time any longer.
  • 00:21:10.452 --> 00:21:14.356
  • It's not just my money, it's not just my goal,
  • 00:21:14.356 --> 00:21:17.826
  • Or my ambition, or what i wanna do,
  • 00:21:17.826 --> 00:21:19.728
  • Or what i feel like, i serve under his authority.
  • 00:21:19.728 --> 00:21:24.266
  • And the assignment is to know what the lord would like me
  • 00:21:24.266 --> 00:21:27.135
  • To do and to the degree that i can understand that,
  • 00:21:27.135 --> 00:21:29.971
  • To be busy about that.
  • 00:21:29.971 --> 00:21:32.307
  • And it's the same for you.
  • 00:21:32.307 --> 00:21:34.309
  • That's not just the assignment of preachers.
  • 00:21:34.309 --> 00:21:37.379
  • Now in my life, i have found that takes consistent attention
  • 00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:40.449
  • Because i can get off the rails pretty quickly.
  • 00:21:40.449 --> 00:21:45.253
  • I have found i can give myself license for just about any form
  • 00:21:45.253 --> 00:21:47.789
  • Of self-indulgence i can imagine,
  • 00:21:47.789 --> 00:21:50.826
  • If i don't continually, purposefully listen to the voice
  • 00:21:50.826 --> 00:21:53.795
  • Of god in my heart.
  • 00:21:53.795 --> 00:21:56.732
  • It's why i need the people of god,
  • 00:21:56.732 --> 00:21:59.101
  • It's why i need daily exposure to the word of god.
  • 00:21:59.101 --> 00:22:02.237
  • I need the reminder that god means what he said.
  • 00:22:02.237 --> 00:22:07.142
  • We just finished the book of nehemiah,
  • 00:22:07.142 --> 00:22:09.211
  • If you're doing the reading with us,
  • 00:22:09.211 --> 00:22:11.480
  • And it impacted me this time as i read those last chapters of
  • 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:15.884
  • Nehemiah when he returned to jerusalem and he and ezra found
  • 00:22:15.884 --> 00:22:19.221
  • That the people had intermarried.
  • 00:22:19.221 --> 00:22:21.857
  • That they were marrying with people of other faiths
  • 00:22:21.857 --> 00:22:24.559
  • And other covenants with god.
  • 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.528
  • And there was almost a sense of panic that came to them,
  • 00:22:26.528 --> 00:22:29.531
  • Because they've been living as slaves in a foreign land because
  • 00:22:29.531 --> 00:22:31.867
  • Of just that kind of disobedience.
  • 00:22:31.867 --> 00:22:35.337
  • And they got the people together and they said,
  • 00:22:35.337 --> 00:22:36.772
  • "you can't do this.
  • 00:22:36.772 --> 00:22:38.707
  • If you do this, our children will grow up as slaves and our
  • 00:22:38.707 --> 00:22:41.309
  • Grandchildren will grow up as slaves.
  • 00:22:41.309 --> 00:22:43.445
  • You can't do this."
  • 00:22:43.445 --> 00:22:46.648
  • Well, it's similar language to what paul is saying to the
  • 00:22:46.648 --> 00:22:49.017
  • Church in colossae or the church in ephesus,
  • 00:22:49.017 --> 00:22:51.253
  • And i think we live a long way away from that.
  • 00:22:51.253 --> 00:22:55.290
  • We're much more familiar with sloppy agape,
  • 00:22:55.290 --> 00:22:58.927
  • With presumptive grace.
  • 00:22:58.927 --> 00:23:01.096
  • "oh, you can do whatever."
  • 00:23:01.096 --> 00:23:03.165
  • And then when you have kind of a half a minute,
  • 00:23:03.165 --> 00:23:04.633
  • Just look at the lord and go, "i'm sorry."
  • 00:23:04.633 --> 00:23:08.837
  • It's almost as if we mock god.
  • 00:23:08.837 --> 00:23:12.808
  • Folks, we've got to cultivate a respect for god,
  • 00:23:12.808 --> 00:23:17.446
  • A reverence for god, an honor for god.
  • 00:23:17.446 --> 00:23:21.450
  • Where we understand we will not willingly,
  • 00:23:21.450 --> 00:23:24.085
  • Purposefully, intentionally make disobedient choices with our
  • 00:23:24.085 --> 00:23:29.491
  • Days under the sun.
  • 00:23:29.491 --> 00:23:32.160
  • That we will rid ourselves of ungodliness.
  • 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:35.797
  • That we will purposefully separate ourselves from those
  • 00:23:35.797 --> 00:23:38.800
  • Who choose to do that.
  • 00:23:38.800 --> 00:23:40.969
  • If you spend your discretionary time with people who lead
  • 00:23:40.969 --> 00:23:44.339
  • Ungodly lives, you will become increasingly ungodly.
  • 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:51.680
  • I don't think you would purposefully spend your time
  • 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:54.015
  • With someone you knew that was covid positive because you don't
  • 00:23:54.015 --> 00:23:58.320
  • Wanna even take the chance of the symptoms.
  • 00:23:58.320 --> 00:24:02.958
  • Well, i promise you ungodliness is far more devastating than
  • 00:24:02.958 --> 00:24:06.328
  • Any virus from wuhan.
  • 00:24:06.328 --> 00:24:10.365
  • We've got to separate ourselves from the world.
  • 00:24:10.365 --> 00:24:13.735
  • And the third piece of this, i would submit to you, and it's
  • 00:24:13.735 --> 00:24:16.071
  • Really about a different way of imagining your life.
  • 00:24:16.071 --> 00:24:19.741
  • I'm a bit embarrassed that at this point in our journey,
  • 00:24:19.741 --> 00:24:22.878
  • I spent my life around the american church and i've heard
  • 00:24:22.878 --> 00:24:26.147
  • All the invitations and the altar calls and the
  • 00:24:26.147 --> 00:24:29.017
  • Rededication, and i believe in those things,
  • 00:24:29.017 --> 00:24:31.720
  • But i'm not as certain that we've heard the invitation to
  • 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:34.956
  • Yield to the authority of god over all that we are.
  • 00:24:34.956 --> 00:24:39.461
  • I would submit to you that it's more about a lifestyle than it
  • 00:24:39.461 --> 00:24:43.899
  • Is a reaction.
  • 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:46.301
  • It's not about that moment in time where you felt something,
  • 00:24:46.301 --> 00:24:49.204
  • It's the adoption of a lifestyle.
  • 00:24:49.204 --> 00:24:51.907
  • It's about building habits, it's about demonstrating
  • 00:24:51.907 --> 00:24:54.543
  • Perseverance, it's about the will to endure.
  • 00:24:54.543 --> 00:24:58.413
  • Allen: you know, we have this imagination that being
  • 00:24:59.548 --> 00:25:01.917
  • A christian means you've joined the team and there's a truth in
  • 00:25:01.917 --> 00:25:05.053
  • That, but in submitting yourself to the lordship of jesus and
  • 00:25:05.053 --> 00:25:08.456
  • Becoming a part of his kingdom, we also step out of the crowd.
  • 00:25:08.456 --> 00:25:12.027
  • We no longer just get to go with conventional wisdom or
  • 00:25:12.027 --> 00:25:15.330
  • To go along with all of our friends when they were
  • 00:25:15.330 --> 00:25:18.266
  • Making ungodly choices.
  • 00:25:18.266 --> 00:25:20.068
  • It takes courage and boldness and discipline to follow jesus.
  • 00:25:20.068 --> 00:25:24.005
  • I wanna pray for you today that by the spirit of god,
  • 00:25:24.005 --> 00:25:26.741
  • He'll give you the wisdom to know the path he's marked for
  • 00:25:26.741 --> 00:25:29.611
  • You and that you'll have the courage to say yes.
  • 00:25:29.611 --> 00:25:32.447
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:25:32.447 --> 00:25:33.815
  • Holy spirit, you're our helper, we ask for your wisdom to today
  • 00:25:33.815 --> 00:25:36.618
  • Beyond our training or our experience.
  • 00:25:36.618 --> 00:25:39.020
  • Give us the boldness to say yes to you,
  • 00:25:39.020 --> 00:25:41.156
  • At every invitation may we never turn back.
  • 00:25:41.156 --> 00:25:43.925
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:25:43.925 --> 00:25:48.597
  • Allen: he said, "i've been shipwrecked more than once.
  • 00:25:52.734 --> 00:25:55.503
  • I've faced danger everywhere i've been.
  • 00:25:55.503 --> 00:25:57.939
  • In the city and the country, i've faced threats and danger
  • 00:25:57.939 --> 00:26:01.076
  • From the non-jewish community, and i have been
  • 00:26:01.076 --> 00:26:03.411
  • Threatened with death by the jewish community."
  • 00:26:03.411 --> 00:26:06.881
  • He said, "everywhere i've looked, i have found opposition.
  • 00:26:06.881 --> 00:26:10.151
  • And in spite of all of those things, i have continued
  • 00:26:10.151 --> 00:26:12.220
  • To say, 'i will serve the lord.'"
  • 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:14.990
  • Allen: you know, i'm a pastor and i have the privilege of
  • 00:26:15.056 --> 00:26:17.058
  • Serving god's people.
  • 00:26:17.058 --> 00:26:18.426
  • I can tell you from experience, one of the most difficult things
  • 00:26:18.426 --> 00:26:20.762
  • To do is introduce change.
  • 00:26:20.762 --> 00:26:22.631
  • Most of us don't like it.
  • 00:26:22.631 --> 00:26:24.366
  • And i think that's particularly true around holiday seasons.
  • 00:26:24.366 --> 00:26:27.736
  • We have traditions, we have patterns, we have habits.
  • 00:26:27.736 --> 00:26:31.006
  • They're comforting to us, comfortable to us.
  • 00:26:31.006 --> 00:26:34.509
  • Well, i wanna suggest something.
  • 00:26:34.509 --> 00:26:35.877
  • We have created a tool for you this christmas.
  • 00:26:35.877 --> 00:26:38.079
  • It's called, "leading with your faith at christmas."
  • 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:40.582
  • It's a little book with a 25-day devotional that you can do
  • 00:26:40.582 --> 00:26:43.251
  • Personally, you can do it with your family, you can do it
  • 00:26:43.251 --> 00:26:44.853
  • With coworkers.
  • 00:26:44.853 --> 00:26:46.221
  • There's some recipes.
  • 00:26:46.221 --> 00:26:47.555
  • There's activities.
  • 00:26:47.555 --> 00:26:48.923
  • It's really a guide for you to shape christmas with your faith,
  • 00:26:48.923 --> 00:26:53.094
  • But it means i'm asking you to do something different, to
  • 00:26:53.094 --> 00:26:55.697
  • Introduce change, and i know that's not easy.
  • 00:26:55.697 --> 00:26:58.867
  • But it's time for us to stop raging against the darkness.
  • 00:26:58.867 --> 00:27:01.569
  • Folks, let's turn up the light.
  • 00:27:01.569 --> 00:27:03.405
  • I believe, "leading with your faith at christmas," is a tool
  • 00:27:03.405 --> 00:27:06.241
  • That will help you be a better light for jesus in the midst of
  • 00:27:06.241 --> 00:27:09.644
  • This christmas season, and that's worthwhile.
  • 00:27:09.644 --> 00:27:12.580
  • Enjoy the book and merry christmas.
  • 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:14.482
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:15.250 --> 00:27:15.250