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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Separate, Not Alone (Part 2)

November 17, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - Separate, Not Alone (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Honor #Disobedience #Obedience #Choices #Respect #TrustGod #Authority #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Separate, Not Alone (Part 2) | November 17, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: you know, when i was a child, i thought christmas
  • 00:00:06.655 --> 00:00:08.757
  • Came every four years.
  • 00:00:08.757 --> 00:00:10.392
  • Now i feel like it comes about every four weeks.
  • 00:00:10.392 --> 00:00:12.828
  • Well, christmas is just around the corner.
  • 00:00:12.828 --> 00:00:15.097
  • It's a season of tremendous opportunity for those of us who
  • 00:00:15.097 --> 00:00:18.100
  • Are people of faith to remember what god has done for us and
  • 00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:21.103
  • What we're inviting him into in the midst of this
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  • Holiday season.
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  • Well, we've created a tool, a resource, for you to lead with
  • 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:27.543
  • Your faith at christmas.
  • 00:00:27.543 --> 00:00:29.111
  • It's a 25-day devotional along with some ideas about--from
  • 00:00:29.111 --> 00:00:33.682
  • Recipes to activities for your friends or your family.
  • 00:00:33.682 --> 00:00:36.885
  • It's just a fun way so that you can shape your faith into
  • 00:00:36.885 --> 00:00:40.289
  • The holiday.
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  • I think all of us have a desire to see christmas be--have jesus
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  • In the midst of it a bit more.
  • 00:00:44.993 --> 00:00:46.495
  • There's so many secular voices that speak, and sometimes i
  • 00:00:46.495 --> 00:00:48.797
  • Think we feel powerless to do something other than put up a
  • 00:00:48.797 --> 00:00:51.567
  • Tree or hang some lights.
  • 00:00:51.567 --> 00:00:53.135
  • Well, "lead with your faith at christmas" is a tool we created
  • 00:00:53.135 --> 00:00:56.138
  • So you can share your faith with your family, with your friends,
  • 00:00:56.138 --> 00:00:58.440
  • With coworkers.
  • 00:00:58.440 --> 00:00:59.775
  • I think it'll make this christmas season truly a way to
  • 00:00:59.775 --> 00:01:02.945
  • Honor the lord in your life.
  • 00:01:02.945 --> 00:01:04.646
  • In fact, i'm quite confident it'll be a blessing to you.
  • 00:01:04.646 --> 00:01:07.916
  • Allen: the world has shifted.
  • 00:01:07.983 --> 00:01:10.385
  • Today, we will look at our public schools and we see
  • 00:01:10.385 --> 00:01:13.322
  • People, predators looking at our children
  • 00:01:13.322 --> 00:01:15.858
  • And trying to assert their authority over them.
  • 00:01:15.858 --> 00:01:18.060
  • It's evil.
  • 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:20.529
  • We have seen family redefined and marriage redefined.
  • 00:01:20.529 --> 00:01:24.099
  • We have seen significant portions of the church step back
  • 00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:27.703
  • And other portions of the church denounce
  • 00:01:27.703 --> 00:01:29.972
  • The authority of scripture.
  • 00:01:29.972 --> 00:01:33.342
  • This is not the same place we were in a decade ago.
  • 00:01:33.342 --> 00:01:36.512
  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: folks, we've got to cultivate a respect for god,
  • 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:01.403
  • A reverence for god, an honor for god,
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  • Where we understand we will not willingly,
  • 00:02:05.340 --> 00:02:08.343
  • Purposefully, intentionally make disobedient choices
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  • With our days under the sun, that we will rid ourselves
  • 00:02:13.715 --> 00:02:18.520
  • Of ungodliness, that we will purposefully separate
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  • Ourselves from those who choose to do that.
  • 00:02:22.090 --> 00:02:24.993
  • If you spend your discretionary time with people who lead
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  • Ungodly lives, you will become increasingly ungodly.
  • 00:02:28.697 --> 00:02:34.136
  • I don't think you would purposefully spend your time
  • 00:02:34.136 --> 00:02:38.307
  • With someone you knew that was covid positive because
  • 00:02:38.307 --> 00:02:42.711
  • You don't want to even take the chance of the symptoms.
  • 00:02:42.711 --> 00:02:46.815
  • Well, i promise you ungodliness is far more devastating
  • 00:02:46.815 --> 00:02:50.285
  • Than any virus from wuhan.
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  • We've got to separate ourselves from the world.
  • 00:02:54.723 --> 00:02:57.826
  • And the third piece of this i would submit to you, and
  • 00:02:57.826 --> 00:03:01.163
  • It's really about a different way of imagining your life.
  • 00:03:01.163 --> 00:03:04.466
  • I'm a bit embarrassed that at this point in our journey,
  • 00:03:04.466 --> 00:03:07.035
  • I spent my life around the american church and
  • 00:03:07.035 --> 00:03:10.606
  • I've heard the--all the invitations and the altar calls
  • 00:03:10.606 --> 00:03:13.275
  • And the rededication, and i believe in those things,
  • 00:03:13.275 --> 00:03:16.111
  • But i'm not as certain that we've heard the invitation
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  • To yield to the authority of god over all that we are.
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  • I would submit to you that it's more about a lifestyle
  • 00:03:24.987 --> 00:03:27.923
  • Than it is a reaction.
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  • It's not about that moment in time where you felt something.
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  • It's the adoption of a lifestyle.
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  • It's about building habits.
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  • It's about demonstrating perseverance.
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  • It's about the will to endure.
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  • In 2 corinthians 11, we're invited into,
  • 00:03:42.838 --> 00:03:45.807
  • There's a debate in the church in corinth.
  • 00:03:45.807 --> 00:03:47.976
  • Paul helped shepherd that church into existence as well.
  • 00:03:47.976 --> 00:03:51.813
  • And his--in his absence, there's been some new voices in
  • 00:03:51.813 --> 00:03:54.783
  • The church in corinth, and they've begun to say that they
  • 00:03:54.783 --> 00:03:57.352
  • Are super apostles, that they know god in a better way than
  • 00:03:57.352 --> 00:04:00.322
  • Paul, that he was a bit inadequate, perhaps a bit
  • 00:04:00.322 --> 00:04:03.592
  • Inferior, and it's caused confusion
  • 00:04:03.592 --> 00:04:06.628
  • And division in the church in corinth.
  • 00:04:06.628 --> 00:04:08.463
  • So paul's written this letter, and he's going to challenge
  • 00:04:08.463 --> 00:04:10.966
  • Those super apostles.
  • 00:04:10.966 --> 00:04:13.702
  • And so he's gonna present his bonafide days for ministry,
  • 00:04:13.702 --> 00:04:19.141
  • What he has done, the separation that he's hindered,
  • 00:04:19.141 --> 00:04:21.743
  • How he stepped out of the crowd.
  • 00:04:21.743 --> 00:04:23.345
  • That's a pretty interesting passage beginning in verse 18.
  • 00:04:23.345 --> 00:04:30.352
  • He said, "many are boasting in the way the world does,
  • 00:04:30.352 --> 00:04:33.388
  • And i too will boast."
  • 00:04:33.388 --> 00:04:36.325
  • So he's acknowledging that what's happening in corinth
  • 00:04:36.325 --> 00:04:38.794
  • Is more carnal than it is godly.
  • 00:04:38.794 --> 00:04:41.930
  • But in order to meet their argument on their terms, and
  • 00:04:41.930 --> 00:04:44.466
  • He'll apologize for it more than once in this passage, he said,
  • 00:04:44.466 --> 00:04:47.102
  • "i'm gonna use their language.
  • 00:04:47.102 --> 00:04:48.804
  • I'm gonna answer them in the language they're using."
  • 00:04:48.804 --> 00:04:52.007
  • "are they hebrews?
  • 00:04:52.007 --> 00:04:53.775
  • So am i.
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  • Are they israelites?
  • 00:04:55.344 --> 00:04:56.812
  • So am i.
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  • Are they abraham's descendants?
  • 00:04:58.580 --> 00:05:00.248
  • So am i.
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  • Are they servants of christ?"
  • 00:05:02.050 --> 00:05:04.353
  • And then he puts in, parenthetically,
  • 00:05:04.353 --> 00:05:06.621
  • "(i'm out of my mind to talk like this.)
  • 00:05:06.621 --> 00:05:08.590
  • I am more.
  • 00:05:08.590 --> 00:05:11.093
  • I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently,
  • 00:05:11.093 --> 00:05:15.063
  • Been flogged more severely.
  • 00:05:15.063 --> 00:05:17.699
  • I have been exposed to death again and again.
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  • Five times i received from the jews the forty lashes minus one.
  • 00:05:20.535 --> 00:05:25.307
  • Three times i was beaten with rods, once i was stoned,
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  • Three times i was shipwrecked.
  • 00:05:29.411 --> 00:05:31.380
  • I spent a night and a day in the open sea.
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  • I've been constantly on the move.
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  • I've been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits,
  • 00:05:35.717 --> 00:05:39.187
  • In danger from my own countrymen, in danger from
  • 00:05:39.187 --> 00:05:41.857
  • Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country,
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  • In danger at sea, and endanger from false brothers.
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  • I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; i
  • 00:05:48.930 --> 00:05:53.101
  • Have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food.
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  • I've been cold and naked.
  • 00:05:56.905 --> 00:06:01.009
  • Besides everything else, i face daily the pressure of my concern
  • 00:06:01.009 --> 00:06:04.045
  • For all the churches."
  • 00:06:04.045 --> 00:06:06.014
  • There's a lot of ways of understanding that, but as i
  • 00:06:06.014 --> 00:06:10.452
  • Read it, there's one thing that seems very, very clear to me.
  • 00:06:10.452 --> 00:06:13.588
  • Paul has had to repeatedly choose to serve the lord.
  • 00:06:13.588 --> 00:06:17.392
  • And in my own journey, in my own imagination, listen,
  • 00:06:17.392 --> 00:06:21.163
  • I'm thinking, you know, if i've been beaten with rods
  • 00:06:21.163 --> 00:06:23.198
  • Once i'm going home.
  • 00:06:23.198 --> 00:06:26.668
  • If i took a whipping and 40 lashes were intended to kill me,
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  • And they gave me 39, i would like to think the lord answered
  • 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:34.342
  • My prayer about my call to the mission field.
  • 00:06:34.342 --> 00:06:37.712
  • I'm headed home.
  • 00:06:37.712 --> 00:06:40.782
  • And paul said, "that's happened to me repeatedly."
  • 00:06:40.782 --> 00:06:44.386
  • He said, "i've been shipwrecked more than once.
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  • I've faced danger everywhere i've been, in the city
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  • And in the country.
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  • I've faced threats and danger from the non-jewish community,
  • 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:54.529
  • And i have been threatened with death by the jewish community."
  • 00:06:54.529 --> 00:06:58.200
  • He said, everywhere i've looked, i have found opposition.
  • 00:06:58.200 --> 00:07:00.969
  • And in spite of all of those things, i have continued to say
  • 00:07:00.969 --> 00:07:05.040
  • I will serve the lord."
  • 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:07.175
  • Church, we are at a new place.
  • 00:07:07.175 --> 00:07:10.745
  • I don't understand everything that happened to us in 2020, but
  • 00:07:10.745 --> 00:07:14.416
  • I do understand this; god began to call his people
  • 00:07:14.416 --> 00:07:17.219
  • To a new response.
  • 00:07:17.219 --> 00:07:19.588
  • The way we understood our faith and the expressions of our faith
  • 00:07:19.588 --> 00:07:22.958
  • And the practices of our faith have changed since 2020.
  • 00:07:22.958 --> 00:07:27.262
  • We don't have a new savior, i'm not suggesting that, it's
  • 00:07:27.262 --> 00:07:31.233
  • The redemptive work of jesus that gives us hope for time and
  • 00:07:31.233 --> 00:07:34.069
  • Eternity, but prior to that, our faith journey was described
  • 00:07:34.069 --> 00:07:37.906
  • And defined predominantly by comfort and convenience.
  • 00:07:37.906 --> 00:07:42.444
  • We could articulate our faith in the generational terms.
  • 00:07:42.444 --> 00:07:45.680
  • It was the way our grandparents had worshiped and our parents
  • 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:48.216
  • Had worshiped, and it was probably okay for us.
  • 00:07:48.216 --> 00:07:51.119
  • The world has shifted.
  • 00:07:51.119 --> 00:07:53.522
  • Today, we will look at our public schools and we see
  • 00:07:53.522 --> 00:07:57.125
  • People, predators looking at our children
  • 00:07:57.125 --> 00:08:00.095
  • And trying to assert their authority over them.
  • 00:08:00.095 --> 00:08:01.930
  • It's evil.
  • 00:08:01.930 --> 00:08:04.299
  • We have seen family redefined and marriage redefined.
  • 00:08:04.299 --> 00:08:07.435
  • We have seen significant portions of the church step back
  • 00:08:07.435 --> 00:08:10.772
  • And other portions of the church denounce
  • 00:08:10.772 --> 00:08:13.308
  • The authority of scripture.
  • 00:08:13.308 --> 00:08:16.444
  • This is not the same place we were in a decade ago.
  • 00:08:16.444 --> 00:08:20.682
  • We need to hear what paul was saying to us.
  • 00:08:20.682 --> 00:08:24.019
  • We're going to have the will to bear discomfort.
  • 00:08:24.019 --> 00:08:27.489
  • We will have to be willing to do difficult things.
  • 00:08:27.489 --> 00:08:30.292
  • We'll have to be willing to stand in the face of antagonism.
  • 00:08:30.292 --> 00:08:34.396
  • We'll have to be willing to be ambassadors for jesus when
  • 00:08:34.396 --> 00:08:37.399
  • There's not an applause line, our faith will have to go with
  • 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:41.169
  • Us outside of the churches.
  • 00:08:41.169 --> 00:08:43.605
  • We'll have to stop leading immoral lives and singing hymns
  • 00:08:43.605 --> 00:08:47.709
  • On the weekends and imagine we're okay.
  • 00:08:47.709 --> 00:08:51.046
  • We will have to accept the invitation that paul gave to the
  • 00:08:51.046 --> 00:08:54.149
  • Church of colossae, to rid ourselves of these things.
  • 00:08:54.149 --> 00:08:57.419
  • We gotta step out of the crowd.
  • 00:08:57.419 --> 00:09:00.822
  • Again, i'm not asking you to be weird or strange in spiritual
  • 00:09:00.822 --> 00:09:05.360
  • Terms, i'm asking you to be unique because of your
  • 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:08.563
  • Commitment to the lord.
  • 00:09:08.563 --> 00:09:10.565
  • In paul's life, after every encounter with hostility,
  • 00:09:10.565 --> 00:09:14.603
  • He had to make a decision.
  • 00:09:14.603 --> 00:09:16.671
  • Is it worth the price?
  • 00:09:16.671 --> 00:09:18.340
  • Is the cost too high?
  • 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:20.008
  • Am i willing to continue to speak?
  • 00:09:20.008 --> 00:09:22.911
  • Do you know how easy it would've been for him to go home at some
  • 00:09:22.911 --> 00:09:25.914
  • Point along the way, write his memoirs and lead a small group?
  • 00:09:25.914 --> 00:09:30.185
  • There's many places along the journey where he could
  • 00:09:30.185 --> 00:09:33.788
  • Have dialed it back and said, "listen, i've done enough.
  • 00:09:33.788 --> 00:09:36.791
  • I invested a decade or two decades or three decades, or i
  • 00:09:36.791 --> 00:09:41.496
  • Gave up my career as a pharisee, or i was beaten to death
  • 00:09:41.496 --> 00:09:44.866
  • Multiple or almost to death multiple times
  • 00:09:44.866 --> 00:09:47.135
  • And left for dead more than once."
  • 00:09:47.135 --> 00:09:49.371
  • But he refused to yield.
  • 00:09:49.371 --> 00:09:52.307
  • It's time for us to begin to say i belong to jesus of nazareth.
  • 00:09:52.307 --> 00:09:57.746
  • He is lord christ and king, and i'm bringing him to work
  • 00:09:57.746 --> 00:10:01.650
  • With me, i'm taking him to the university campus with me,
  • 00:10:01.650 --> 00:10:04.786
  • My children are gonna bring him
  • 00:10:04.786 --> 00:10:06.354
  • Into the public schools with them.
  • 00:10:06.354 --> 00:10:08.056
  • I will defend their right to do that.
  • 00:10:08.056 --> 00:10:10.592
  • I will not be silent.
  • 00:10:10.592 --> 00:10:17.098
  • We're gonna have to step out of the crowd a bit.
  • 00:10:17.098 --> 00:10:19.501
  • I'd like to tell you it got easier for paul.
  • 00:10:19.501 --> 00:10:22.070
  • I'd like to, but it wouldn't be accurate.
  • 00:10:22.070 --> 00:10:25.240
  • In 2 timothy chapter 4, it's very near the end of his life.
  • 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:28.610
  • He's writing to timothy, a young man that he is mentored,
  • 00:10:28.610 --> 00:10:32.247
  • Who's traveled with him and ministered with him.
  • 00:10:32.247 --> 00:10:34.916
  • Paul is in a prison in rome, and he writes to timothy and says,
  • 00:10:34.916 --> 00:10:40.088
  • "do your best to come to me quickly, for demas, because he
  • 00:10:40.088 --> 00:10:43.391
  • Loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to thessalonica.
  • 00:10:43.391 --> 00:10:47.529
  • Crescents is in galatia and titus in dalmatia.
  • 00:10:47.529 --> 00:10:50.398
  • Only luke is with me.
  • 00:10:50.398 --> 00:10:52.467
  • Get mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me
  • 00:10:52.467 --> 00:10:54.869
  • In my ministry.
  • 00:10:54.869 --> 00:10:56.271
  • I sent tychicus to ephesus.
  • 00:10:56.271 --> 00:10:58.807
  • When you come, bring the cloak that i left with carpus
  • 00:10:58.807 --> 00:11:01.543
  • At troas, my scrolls, especially the parchments."
  • 00:11:01.543 --> 00:11:05.480
  • Paul, as i said, is near the end of his life.
  • 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:08.349
  • He's a prisoner now,
  • 00:11:08.349 --> 00:11:10.251
  • And yet he's still stepping out of the crowd.
  • 00:11:10.251 --> 00:11:12.921
  • Most of his companions are gone and yet there he stands.
  • 00:11:12.921 --> 00:11:17.625
  • "timothy bring my scrolls, they'll be helpful to me.
  • 00:11:17.625 --> 00:11:19.894
  • They bring a coat, i'm cold.
  • 00:11:19.894 --> 00:11:22.764
  • Hurry timothy, only luke is here with me now."
  • 00:11:22.764 --> 00:11:26.101
  • He hasn't stopped his encouragement, he hasn't stopped
  • 00:11:26.101 --> 00:11:28.503
  • His advocacy for the gospel.
  • 00:11:28.503 --> 00:11:30.271
  • It isn't easy, he's an old man now.
  • 00:11:30.271 --> 00:11:33.842
  • His strength has been drained, he's physically deformed from
  • 00:11:33.842 --> 00:11:36.211
  • The abuse that he suffered, and yet he's still an advocate
  • 00:11:36.211 --> 00:11:39.047
  • For jesus of nazareth.
  • 00:11:39.047 --> 00:11:41.282
  • Church, this is our generation, this is our watch,
  • 00:11:41.282 --> 00:11:45.687
  • This is our season in human history.
  • 00:11:45.687 --> 00:11:48.423
  • We know what moses chose to do and david chose to do
  • 00:11:48.423 --> 00:11:51.793
  • And nehemiah chose to do.
  • 00:11:51.793 --> 00:11:53.495
  • What will be said of us?
  • 00:11:53.495 --> 00:11:55.864
  • Will we step out of the crowd and stand for the truth of god?
  • 00:11:55.864 --> 00:12:00.535
  • We're willing to--are we willing to be unashamed advocates for
  • 00:12:00.535 --> 00:12:02.871
  • Jesus of nazareth or will we get caught up in the cultural drift?
  • 00:12:02.871 --> 00:12:08.143
  • And will we try to make friends with this present age?
  • 00:12:08.143 --> 00:12:11.479
  • Will we imagine that we can be undercover, christ followers?
  • 00:12:11.479 --> 00:12:14.549
  • I don't believe there's such a thing.
  • 00:12:14.549 --> 00:12:18.853
  • Allen: have you ever said that christmas is too secular and
  • 00:12:23.057 --> 00:12:25.460
  • You're tired of it?
  • 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.795
  • Well, we've got a solution or at least something that can help.
  • 00:12:26.795 --> 00:12:29.164
  • We've written a book.
  • 00:12:29.164 --> 00:12:30.498
  • It's called, "how to lead with your faith at christmas."
  • 00:12:30.498 --> 00:12:32.834
  • It's 25 days of devotionals that you can read.
  • 00:12:32.834 --> 00:12:34.969
  • You can share them with family, your friends, coworkers.
  • 00:12:34.969 --> 00:12:37.405
  • Then there's some ideas, even recipes, activities.
  • 00:12:37.405 --> 00:12:40.508
  • It's a fun--it's like a--it's a starter kit for bringing your
  • 00:12:40.508 --> 00:12:43.444
  • Faith to bear this christmas season.
  • 00:12:43.444 --> 00:12:45.547
  • Don't stand on the sidelines and complain.
  • 00:12:45.547 --> 00:12:47.849
  • Let's lead with our faith this christmas season.
  • 00:12:47.849 --> 00:12:50.051
  • Let's honor the lord and see the blessings that he brings to all
  • 00:12:50.051 --> 00:12:53.755
  • Of our lives.
  • 00:12:53.755 --> 00:12:55.190
  • Female announcer: christmas comes quickly, and it's easy to
  • 00:12:55.190 --> 00:12:57.025
  • Let the season slip by without focusing on what matters most.
  • 00:12:57.025 --> 00:13:00.495
  • Pastor allen's new book, "lead with faith at christmas," is a
  • 00:13:00.495 --> 00:13:03.932
  • 25-day advent devotional that will help you bring jesus more
  • 00:13:03.932 --> 00:13:07.669
  • Fully into the season.
  • 00:13:07.669 --> 00:13:09.270
  • Inside, you'll find scriptures, devotionals, prayers, recipes,
  • 00:13:09.270 --> 00:13:14.042
  • And practical things you can do to make the holidays
  • 00:13:14.042 --> 00:13:16.544
  • More meaningful.
  • 00:13:16.544 --> 00:13:17.979
  • It also makes a fantastic gift.
  • 00:13:17.979 --> 00:13:20.748
  • It's time to stop repeating the same stale traditions and get
  • 00:13:20.748 --> 00:13:24.185
  • Ready to put your faith into action in new ways
  • 00:13:24.185 --> 00:13:26.521
  • This christmas.
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  • Request your copy when you donate $30 or more today at
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  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
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  • 00:14:02.757 --> 00:14:05.593
  • Allen: i want to close with a couple of passages
  • 00:14:08.429 --> 00:14:10.932
  • From our--some of our most recent reading.
  • 00:14:10.932 --> 00:14:13.067
  • I know we're in the book of job right now, or for those of you
  • 00:14:13.067 --> 00:14:16.704
  • It's your first time it's job.
  • 00:14:16.704 --> 00:14:19.540
  • It's right in front of the book of psalms.
  • 00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:22.477
  • It's good stuff.
  • 00:14:22.477 --> 00:14:25.146
  • But before we got the job, we read esther.
  • 00:14:25.146 --> 00:14:29.117
  • It's a remarkable story about a young jewish woman who became
  • 00:14:29.117 --> 00:14:34.122
  • The queen of persia.
  • 00:14:34.122 --> 00:14:36.557
  • And then because of circumstances beyond her
  • 00:14:36.557 --> 00:14:38.927
  • Control, the jewish people in persia were condemned to death.
  • 00:14:38.927 --> 00:14:43.197
  • The one discrepancy in that narrative is she'd hidden her
  • 00:14:43.197 --> 00:14:46.701
  • Jewish heritage.
  • 00:14:46.701 --> 00:14:48.836
  • It was not known except to the man who'd helped to rear her.
  • 00:14:48.836 --> 00:14:52.974
  • And when the jewish people were destined to destruction by an
  • 00:14:52.974 --> 00:14:57.378
  • Edict of the persian king, the message came to esther that she
  • 00:14:57.378 --> 00:15:01.182
  • Should stand up, that she should step out of the crowd, and she
  • 00:15:01.182 --> 00:15:05.286
  • Was very reluctant to do that.
  • 00:15:05.286 --> 00:15:07.555
  • She had everything quite literally, and there was a
  • 00:15:07.555 --> 00:15:11.492
  • Hesitancy in her.
  • 00:15:11.492 --> 00:15:12.927
  • And in esther chapter 4, in verse 11, it says, "all the
  • 00:15:12.927 --> 00:15:15.663
  • King's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that
  • 00:15:15.663 --> 00:15:19.767
  • For any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner
  • 00:15:19.767 --> 00:15:22.036
  • Court without being summoned the king has but one law;
  • 00:15:22.036 --> 00:15:25.606
  • That he be put to death."
  • 00:15:25.606 --> 00:15:28.843
  • You know, we live far removed from the world of an ancient
  • 00:15:28.843 --> 00:15:32.380
  • Near eastern monarch.
  • 00:15:32.380 --> 00:15:34.449
  • One thing you should know about that environment
  • 00:15:34.449 --> 00:15:37.618
  • Is that the opinion of the king was absolute.
  • 00:15:37.618 --> 00:15:40.455
  • If they wanted to promote you and grant you something,
  • 00:15:40.455 --> 00:15:42.924
  • They could do it.
  • 00:15:42.924 --> 00:15:44.592
  • If they were angry with you and they wanted to remove your head,
  • 00:15:44.592 --> 00:15:47.495
  • They could do it.
  • 00:15:47.495 --> 00:15:49.430
  • Think of john the baptist and herod.
  • 00:15:49.430 --> 00:15:52.133
  • Well, it would've been even more so, that would've been the case
  • 00:15:52.133 --> 00:15:56.437
  • For the king of persia, and esther is reminding us of that,
  • 00:15:56.437 --> 00:15:59.340
  • That the law is if you approach the king and he didn't summon
  • 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:02.810
  • You, you'll be put to death.
  • 00:16:02.810 --> 00:16:05.346
  • He didn't take walk-ins.
  • 00:16:05.346 --> 00:16:08.282
  • There was one exception, and that was if he lowered
  • 00:16:08.282 --> 00:16:12.286
  • The scepter for you, "the only exception to this is for
  • 00:16:12.286 --> 00:16:15.390
  • The king to extend the gold scepter and spare their life."
  • 00:16:15.390 --> 00:16:19.227
  • And then she said this, "it's been thirty days
  • 00:16:19.227 --> 00:16:21.896
  • Since i was called to go to the king."
  • 00:16:21.896 --> 00:16:26.167
  • Mordecai sent a note and she says,
  • 00:16:26.167 --> 00:16:29.404
  • "you have to intercede for your people.
  • 00:16:29.404 --> 00:16:31.205
  • You gotta step out of the crowd in the palace
  • 00:16:31.205 --> 00:16:33.541
  • And raise your hand and say,
  • 00:16:33.541 --> 00:16:35.009
  • 'i'm jewish and plead for the lives of your people.'"
  • 00:16:35.009 --> 00:16:38.613
  • And esther respond with language that i'm very familiar with.
  • 00:16:38.613 --> 00:16:41.549
  • She said, "i haven't been called.
  • 00:16:41.549 --> 00:16:44.252
  • He hadn't called me and i'm not going.
  • 00:16:44.252 --> 00:16:48.523
  • I haven't been called to do that.
  • 00:16:48.523 --> 00:16:51.325
  • Not my assignment.
  • 00:16:51.325 --> 00:16:52.760
  • I have an assignment, but i haven't been
  • 00:16:52.760 --> 00:16:55.163
  • Called to that one."
  • 00:16:55.163 --> 00:16:56.764
  • May i ask you a question?
  • 00:16:56.764 --> 00:16:58.299
  • I know it's a bit personal.
  • 00:16:58.299 --> 00:17:00.068
  • How many times have you taken a pass on being an advocate
  • 00:17:00.068 --> 00:17:02.703
  • For jesus with the idea in your heart that
  • 00:17:02.703 --> 00:17:05.106
  • You weren't called to do that?
  • 00:17:05.106 --> 00:17:07.108
  • "that's not my assignment.
  • 00:17:07.108 --> 00:17:09.310
  • I'm just here to do a job.
  • 00:17:09.310 --> 00:17:11.512
  • I just want my kids to get a scholarship.
  • 00:17:11.512 --> 00:17:13.781
  • We're just here to play ball."
  • 00:17:13.781 --> 00:17:16.117
  • "i mean, i live on this block, but i'm not an evangelist,
  • 00:17:16.117 --> 00:17:19.320
  • That's what god gave the pastors for.
  • 00:17:19.320 --> 00:17:21.856
  • What you expect me to do?
  • 00:17:21.856 --> 00:17:23.458
  • Tell my neighbors about jesus?
  • 00:17:23.458 --> 00:17:25.326
  • I'm not called to that."
  • 00:17:25.326 --> 00:17:29.597
  • Well, the esther story, as you know, didn't stop there.
  • 00:17:29.597 --> 00:17:32.500
  • Mordecai sends a response to her, same chapter, verse 12.
  • 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:37.772
  • "when esther's words were repeated to mordecai,
  • 00:17:37.772 --> 00:17:39.607
  • He sent back this answer.
  • 00:17:39.607 --> 00:17:41.609
  • 'do not think that because you're in the king's house
  • 00:17:41.609 --> 00:17:43.744
  • You alone of all the jews will escape.'"
  • 00:17:43.744 --> 00:17:46.347
  • He understood what was in her heart.
  • 00:17:46.347 --> 00:17:48.716
  • You think you can be quiet and miss the problem?
  • 00:17:48.716 --> 00:17:51.919
  • You think you can remain silent and this will pass you by.
  • 00:17:51.919 --> 00:17:56.390
  • You think if you just don't say anything and you look away
  • 00:17:56.390 --> 00:17:59.994
  • And you stay real small and you act like you didn't notice,
  • 00:17:59.994 --> 00:18:02.997
  • It'll be okay.
  • 00:18:02.997 --> 00:18:04.732
  • How many children do we have to abort before we decide
  • 00:18:04.732 --> 00:18:07.135
  • It's worth standing up for?
  • 00:18:07.135 --> 00:18:10.872
  • It's an important question.
  • 00:18:10.872 --> 00:18:12.673
  • We're gonna see them again in heaven.
  • 00:18:12.673 --> 00:18:14.375
  • They will ask just exactly how many was enough.
  • 00:18:14.375 --> 00:18:19.714
  • I would submit to you it's a greater scourge upon us since
  • 00:18:19.714 --> 00:18:24.085
  • The supreme court reversed the law that we haven't uses our
  • 00:18:24.085 --> 00:18:27.088
  • Voices to stand in the street and say, "that is awesome."
  • 00:18:27.088 --> 00:18:31.192
  • In fact, the abortion rate hasn't changed.
  • 00:18:31.192 --> 00:18:35.396
  • It's not about the law,
  • 00:18:35.396 --> 00:18:38.232
  • It's about the condition of our heart.
  • 00:18:38.232 --> 00:18:40.168
  • It's not a woman's problem.
  • 00:18:40.168 --> 00:18:42.870
  • Oh, i know the debate's been framed in terms of "it's my
  • 00:18:42.870 --> 00:18:46.374
  • Body," but it would be i--the best i remember i did biology
  • 00:18:46.374 --> 00:18:49.911
  • Once upon a time, it's very difficult to have pregnancy
  • 00:18:49.911 --> 00:18:53.014
  • Without the involvement of a man even in this age of confusion.
  • 00:18:53.014 --> 00:18:59.987
  • Men, we could change our behaviors and change our
  • 00:19:01.856 --> 00:19:05.626
  • Attitudes about the sanctity of human life and change
  • 00:19:05.626 --> 00:19:08.529
  • The equation significantly.
  • 00:19:08.529 --> 00:19:11.032
  • We could behave with a kind of dignity that we haven't behaved
  • 00:19:11.032 --> 00:19:13.768
  • With and encourage our children to behave
  • 00:19:13.768 --> 00:19:16.137
  • With that kind of a dignity.
  • 00:19:16.137 --> 00:19:18.873
  • The challenge that esther faced is not lost to us,
  • 00:19:18.873 --> 00:19:22.543
  • It's just inconvenient.
  • 00:19:22.543 --> 00:19:25.379
  • It's uncomfortable.
  • 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:27.481
  • We don't want to talk to our children
  • 00:19:27.481 --> 00:19:29.050
  • When they live together.
  • 00:19:29.050 --> 00:19:30.851
  • We don't wanna point out the immorality.
  • 00:19:30.851 --> 00:19:32.453
  • We'll point out to the fact that they go to church and they said
  • 00:19:32.453 --> 00:19:35.056
  • The sinner's prayer and they've been baptized and we act like
  • 00:19:35.056 --> 00:19:37.558
  • Those scriptures that said you can't lead an immoral life
  • 00:19:37.558 --> 00:19:40.194
  • And participate in the kingdom of god,
  • 00:19:40.194 --> 00:19:42.296
  • Maybe they just don't apply.
  • 00:19:42.296 --> 00:19:48.202
  • What mordecai was saying to esther, i believe the spirit of
  • 00:19:48.202 --> 00:19:50.738
  • God is saying to our generation.
  • 00:19:50.738 --> 00:19:53.107
  • If you think that because you're in the king's house,
  • 00:19:53.107 --> 00:19:55.576
  • You will escape.
  • 00:19:55.576 --> 00:19:57.411
  • And if you think you can sit in a church service and read
  • 00:19:57.411 --> 00:20:00.348
  • A bible and volunteer your time and lead an ungodly life
  • 00:20:00.348 --> 00:20:03.651
  • And escape the judgment of god, you're confused.
  • 00:20:03.651 --> 00:20:08.256
  • And he said, "if you remain silent at this time, relief
  • 00:20:08.256 --> 00:20:13.594
  • And deliverance for the jews will arise from another place,
  • 00:20:13.594 --> 00:20:16.530
  • But you and your father's family will perish.
  • 00:20:16.530 --> 00:20:20.201
  • And who knows but that you may have come to royal position
  • 00:20:20.201 --> 00:20:22.937
  • For such a time as this?"
  • 00:20:22.937 --> 00:20:25.773
  • Mordecai said god is faithful he will deliver his people.
  • 00:20:25.773 --> 00:20:29.310
  • This unique season is about your opportunity.
  • 00:20:29.310 --> 00:20:32.446
  • Your opportunity to use your voice, your opportunity to see
  • 00:20:32.446 --> 00:20:35.950
  • The rewards and the privileges that would come from honoring
  • 00:20:35.950 --> 00:20:38.419
  • God in your life.
  • 00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:40.154
  • And i would submit to you that same invitation is before us.
  • 00:20:40.154 --> 00:20:44.025
  • And that same temptation is within us to be quiet, to be
  • 00:20:44.025 --> 00:20:47.228
  • Silent, to look away to act like we don't notice, or to stand up
  • 00:20:47.228 --> 00:20:51.098
  • And use our voice, to choose not to be silent, to say,
  • 00:20:51.098 --> 00:20:55.636
  • "i am an advocate for jesus of nazareth."
  • 00:20:55.636 --> 00:20:58.039
  • All paths don't lead to the same place.
  • 00:20:58.039 --> 00:21:00.474
  • All religions are not the same,
  • 00:21:00.474 --> 00:21:02.610
  • All the worldviews are not equal.
  • 00:21:02.610 --> 00:21:05.079
  • Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes
  • 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:08.849
  • To the father except through him, and i will honor him.
  • 00:21:08.849 --> 00:21:12.486
  • And i not only receive him as my savior,
  • 00:21:12.486 --> 00:21:16.257
  • But i will serve him as my lord.
  • 00:21:16.257 --> 00:21:19.226
  • I will yield my time to him and my talent to him
  • 00:21:19.226 --> 00:21:22.330
  • And my dreams to him.
  • 00:21:22.330 --> 00:21:24.598
  • I will serve him with enthusiasm when that results in applause
  • 00:21:24.598 --> 00:21:28.235
  • Or persecution.
  • 00:21:28.235 --> 00:21:30.771
  • I will honor the lord.
  • 00:21:30.771 --> 00:21:34.875
  • I want to invite you to a prayer.
  • 00:21:34.875 --> 00:21:39.880
  • It's a prayer that we find repeated throughout scripture.
  • 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:43.351
  • It's a prayer of repentance when god's people
  • 00:21:43.351 --> 00:21:46.620
  • Are in a desperate place.
  • 00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:48.589
  • Daniel pray to prayer like that in daniel chapter 9.
  • 00:21:48.589 --> 00:21:51.392
  • He confessed the sins of his people.
  • 00:21:51.392 --> 00:21:54.228
  • Daniel is a slave in babylon, the only record we have of
  • 00:21:54.228 --> 00:21:56.931
  • Daniel is of an outstanding young man, but in daniel chapter
  • 00:21:56.931 --> 00:22:00.668
  • 9, he confessed his sins as if he had been the most violent
  • 00:22:00.668 --> 00:22:03.504
  • Offender amongst the jewish people.
  • 00:22:03.504 --> 00:22:07.842
  • Nehemiah prays a similar prayer, and yet nehemiah has left a good
  • 00:22:07.842 --> 00:22:13.481
  • Job in a safe place and a comfortable position to make
  • 00:22:13.481 --> 00:22:16.617
  • A very difficult journey back to jerusalem to take on an
  • 00:22:16.617 --> 00:22:19.286
  • Impossible task, and yet he confesses sins as if he had been
  • 00:22:19.286 --> 00:22:23.090
  • The vialist of sinners.99
  • 00:22:23.090 --> 00:22:26.427
  • I wanna invite you to a prayer with me tonight.
  • 00:22:26.427 --> 00:22:29.230
  • We live in a pivotal season.
  • 00:22:29.230 --> 00:22:32.066
  • I don't know what the future holds for us.
  • 00:22:32.066 --> 00:22:34.702
  • My prayer is that our children and grandchildren would
  • 00:22:34.702 --> 00:22:37.872
  • Know the same kind of liberties and freedoms
  • 00:22:37.872 --> 00:22:39.740
  • That have defined our lives.
  • 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.909
  • The same kind of opportunities that have been afforded us.
  • 00:22:41.909 --> 00:22:45.379
  • But i would remind you that those kind of liberties and
  • 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:48.416
  • Freedom come from the hand of god and not from governments.
  • 00:22:48.416 --> 00:22:52.052
  • The problems we face are not primarily political.
  • 00:22:52.052 --> 00:22:55.990
  • They're not about political parties.
  • 00:22:55.990 --> 00:22:57.725
  • I promise you an election will not fix this.
  • 00:22:57.725 --> 00:23:00.728
  • How many elections do we have to have before we realize
  • 00:23:00.728 --> 00:23:03.998
  • They just change seats?
  • 00:23:03.998 --> 00:23:07.101
  • What we need is the change in the hearts of god's people.
  • 00:23:07.101 --> 00:23:12.306
  • So i have brought you a prayer of repentance, and you may
  • 00:23:12.306 --> 00:23:16.410
  • Imagine that you are upstanding and godly and that you've served
  • 00:23:16.410 --> 00:23:20.314
  • The lord and that your resume is unimpeachable.
  • 00:23:20.314 --> 00:23:23.851
  • I'm grateful for that, but i want to ask you to pray this
  • 00:23:23.851 --> 00:23:26.954
  • Prayer with a sincerity and a recognition that this is our
  • 00:23:26.954 --> 00:23:30.724
  • Generation, and the righteous will suffered with the wicked
  • 00:23:30.724 --> 00:23:34.829
  • When god's judgment comes.
  • 00:23:34.829 --> 00:23:39.767
  • Folks, we have to have a change.
  • 00:23:39.767 --> 00:23:42.002
  • We have to have a change.
  • 00:23:42.002 --> 00:23:44.738
  • We have to have a change, and it's not coming from
  • 00:23:44.738 --> 00:23:48.843
  • The political arena and it won't begin in the universities,
  • 00:23:48.843 --> 00:23:52.213
  • It will begin in the hearts of god's people.
  • 00:23:52.213 --> 00:23:55.950
  • I'm thankful for you.
  • 00:23:55.950 --> 00:23:57.985
  • You are difference makers.
  • 00:23:57.985 --> 00:23:59.587
  • You are the hope for this generation.
  • 00:23:59.587 --> 00:24:04.191
  • The greatest honor and privilege of my life is standing
  • 00:24:04.191 --> 00:24:07.294
  • With the people of god.
  • 00:24:07.294 --> 00:24:09.497
  • I want you to know how incredibly significant you are,
  • 00:24:09.497 --> 00:24:13.267
  • But i also want to ask you to step out of the crowd,
  • 00:24:13.267 --> 00:24:16.704
  • To be willing to be different.
  • 00:24:16.704 --> 00:24:19.340
  • I understand you're born again, i'm grateful for that.
  • 00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:21.809
  • That's not what i'm talking about.
  • 00:24:21.809 --> 00:24:24.078
  • I'm asking you to step out of the crowd of just simply
  • 00:24:24.078 --> 00:24:26.447
  • Identifying as christian and begin to honor jesus
  • 00:24:26.447 --> 00:24:29.817
  • As lord of your entire life.
  • 00:24:29.817 --> 00:24:32.253
  • Give the holy spirit permission in your life.
  • 00:24:32.253 --> 00:24:35.055
  • If there's anything in me that would limit what you could do.
  • 00:24:35.055 --> 00:24:38.292
  • If there's any place i have ignored an invitation,
  • 00:24:38.292 --> 00:24:42.997
  • If there's any place because of my fear or my reticence
  • 00:24:42.997 --> 00:24:47.067
  • Or my reluctance that i have been quiet
  • 00:24:47.067 --> 00:24:49.603
  • When i could have used my voice, help me to see it.
  • 00:24:49.603 --> 00:24:53.674
  • If you'll begin to give the holy spirit that permission,
  • 00:24:53.674 --> 00:24:56.577
  • I believe we will see a change that exceeds anything
  • 00:24:56.577 --> 00:24:59.480
  • We could imagine.
  • 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:01.382
  • Amen?
  • 00:25:01.382 --> 00:25:03.450
  • I brought you a prayer if you'll stand with me.
  • 00:25:03.450 --> 00:25:08.756
  • I thank god for your lives.
  • 00:25:10.624 --> 00:25:13.127
  • I printed this prayer, i wanted to be able to take it with you
  • 00:25:13.127 --> 00:25:15.029
  • So you could repeat it.
  • 00:25:15.029 --> 00:25:17.898
  • They'll put it on the screens if it's too dark for you
  • 00:25:17.898 --> 00:25:20.000
  • To read where you are.
  • 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:21.802
  • Let's say it together.
  • 00:25:21.802 --> 00:25:23.737
  • "heavenly father, we have sinned and turned our backs upon you.
  • 00:25:23.737 --> 00:25:28.108
  • We have put our agenda before your assignment.
  • 00:25:28.108 --> 00:25:31.579
  • We stand in your presence to acknowledge
  • 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:34.682
  • Our failures and our rebellion.
  • 00:25:34.682 --> 00:25:37.651
  • Now look upon us with mercy and pardon our transgressions.
  • 00:25:37.651 --> 00:25:42.323
  • We choose to humble ourselves before you.
  • 00:25:42.323 --> 00:25:45.693
  • Do not respond to us according to our deeds,
  • 00:25:45.693 --> 00:25:49.163
  • But respond to us from your great love.
  • 00:25:49.163 --> 00:25:52.433
  • We choose this day to walk a new path, to live uprightly
  • 00:25:52.433 --> 00:25:56.503
  • Before you, to walk in righteousness.
  • 00:25:56.503 --> 00:26:00.040
  • Bring healing to our hearts, our homes, and our land,
  • 00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:03.978
  • In jesus's name, amen."
  • 00:26:03.978 --> 00:26:07.181
  • Hallelujah.
  • 00:26:07.181 --> 00:26:08.515
  • Why don't you give the lord a hand, huh?
  • 00:26:08.515 --> 00:26:11.485
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:12.252 --> 00:26:17.992
  • Allen: you know, i'm a pastor and i have the privilege of
  • 00:26:18.058 --> 00:26:19.893
  • Serving god's people.
  • 00:26:19.893 --> 00:26:21.295
  • I can tell you from experience one of the most difficult things
  • 00:26:21.295 --> 00:26:23.631
  • To do is introduce change.
  • 00:26:23.631 --> 00:26:25.466
  • Most of us don't like it, and i think that's particularly true
  • 00:26:25.466 --> 00:26:28.969
  • Around holiday seasons.
  • 00:26:28.969 --> 00:26:30.638
  • We have traditions, we have patterns, we have habits.
  • 00:26:30.638 --> 00:26:33.807
  • They're comforting to us, comfortable to us.
  • 00:26:33.807 --> 00:26:37.444
  • Well, i wanna suggest something.
  • 00:26:37.444 --> 00:26:38.779
  • We have created a tool for you this christmas.
  • 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:41.048
  • It's called, "leading with your faith at christmas."
  • 00:26:41.048 --> 00:26:43.517
  • It's a little book with a 25-day devotional that you can
  • 00:26:43.517 --> 00:26:45.886
  • Do personally, you can do with your family,
  • 00:26:45.886 --> 00:26:47.655
  • You can do it with coworkers.
  • 00:26:47.655 --> 00:26:49.189
  • There's some recipes. there's activities.
  • 00:26:49.189 --> 00:26:51.392
  • It's really a guide for you to shape christmas with your faith,
  • 00:26:51.392 --> 00:26:55.963
  • But it means i'm asking you to do something different, to
  • 00:26:55.963 --> 00:26:58.632
  • Introduce change, and i know that's not easy.
  • 00:26:58.632 --> 00:27:01.902
  • But it's time for us to stop raging against the
  • 00:27:01.902 --> 00:27:04.038
  • Darkness, folks, let's turn up the light.
  • 00:27:04.038 --> 00:27:06.373
  • I believe "leading with your faith at christmas" is a tool
  • 00:27:06.373 --> 00:27:09.243
  • That will help you be a better light for jesus in the midst of
  • 00:27:09.243 --> 00:27:12.646
  • This christmas season, and that's worthwhile.
  • 00:27:12.646 --> 00:27:15.449
  • Enjoy the book and merry christmas.
  • 00:27:15.449 --> 00:27:17.551
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:18.952 --> 00:27:30.064