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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - The Shadow of Paganism

October 25, 2025 | 28:35

Allen Jackson - The Shadow of Paganism
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Christianity #WalkwithGod #Faith #Grace #Salvation

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - The Shadow of Paganism | October 25, 2025
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: you know, we're witnessing something of a
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  • Crisis in our nation, something i never thought i would see:
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  • Expressions of antisemitism, hatred for the jewish people
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  • Coming from america, coming from the christian community,
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  • The conservative side of the ideological spectrum to a degree
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  • And scope i've never seen before.
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  • Well, it's important enough that i stopped and put
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  • Together a book.
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  • The title of it is "supporting israel: how far is too far?"
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  • It's an important concept.
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  • It isn't political.
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  • It's grounded in a biblical worldview.
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  • I think we need to understand our responsibilities to
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  • The jewish people, to the modern state of israel,
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  • Not from an ideological perspective,
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  • Not from the perspective of nation states,
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  • But as people of god.
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  • It's important, it's an important season.
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  • A lot of voices--you know, i know there's some fatigue with
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  • The conflict in the middle east, but we can't afford to be
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  • Fatigued with our assignments to honor god and the
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  • Responsibilities that come with that.
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  • I believe the book will be a help to you.
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  • I believe it'll help you navigate the conversation
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  • With your family and your friends.
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  • Enjoy the read.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.aberdeen.io
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: our attitudes towards children reflect far more pagan
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  • Perspectives than they have at other times.
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  • They are currently trafficking in children on our border in
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  • Unprecedented numbers.
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  • They're being sold into slavery predominantly for sexual
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  • Activity, and there is a deafening silence.
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  • We're told we shouldn't talk about it.
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  • It's a political issue.
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  • It's not a political issue, it's a human dignity issue.
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  • It's a sanctity of human life issue, and our silence we will
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  • Be asked to give an account for.
  • 00:02:06.375 --> 00:02:10.045
  • I gave you just some sample verses.
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  • We don't have to read them all.
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  • It's an overwhelming point in scripture.
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  • "teach your children, talk about your faith.
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  • Talk about it when you sit down at home, when you walk along the
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  • Road, when you lie down, when you get up.
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  • Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
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  • I did an interview today with a woman who she and her husband
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  • Have really out of a personal desire in their home but
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  • There's--the families that have gathered around it and coalesced
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  • Into an organization called parents who fight.
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  • When i first saw it, i thought they needed counseling, but it's
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  • Parents who fight for their children.
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  • And it's really--what they're trying to do is help parents
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  • Imagine their children not being engaged with the social media,
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  • Limiting their engagement in social media until they're much
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  • Older than you would think and limiting their access to
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  • Cell phones.
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  • And she gave me some little tokens that she said when
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  • You're--when she's in a restaurant and she observes a
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  • Family and nobody's engaged on a phone or social media, she gives
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  • The family a token because they had a media-free meal.
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  • It's unique enough that we have to give out tokens.
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  • She said the kids at the table felt left out 'cause they
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  • Weren't getting the token, so they get stickers.
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  • But the value we have attached to children we have allowed to
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  • Be determined by a secular, godless culture.
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  • Church.
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  • Matthew 18, jesus said, "whoever welcomes a little child like
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  • This in my name welcomes me.
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  • But if you cause one of these little ones who believes in me
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  • To sin, it would be better to have a large millstone hung
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  • Around his neck and drowned in the depths of the sea."
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  • You don't need me to interpret that.
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  • Don't touch the kids.
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  • Matthew 18, same chapter, verse 10, "see that you don't look
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  • Down on one of these little ones.
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  • I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of
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  • My father."
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  • I don't think annoying the angels in heaven is a good
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  • Course of behavior either.
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  • Luke 18, "jesus called the children to him and said, 'let
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  • The little children come to me, and don't hinder them, for the
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  • Kingdom of god belongs to such as these.'"
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  • I could go on and on with a list of other cultural
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  • Characteristics where the church has abandoned the message and
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  • The values that have been entrusted to us.
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  • I would submit to you we have to begin to talk to the lord about
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  • What's happening from a posture both physically and emotionally
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  • Of humility on our watch.
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  • You need to sit and allow the holy spirit to live with you
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  • Until you have a sense that we need forgiveness for what we
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  • Have presided over.
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  • We have allowed lies to become so prevalent that we don't even
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  • Notice anymore.
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  • We've become people who live so far from the truth.
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  • Even in the churches we call it evangelistically speaking, which
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  • Means i'm lying.
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  • We think it's kind of a polite expression for exaggeration,
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  • Which is a big word for lying.
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  • If you don't know how to spell exaggeration, just--it's l-i-e.
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  • Don't do that.
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  • I'm gonna bring this back to forgiveness because i think one
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  • Of the reasons we have such a low sense of urgency is we have
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  • This perverted sense of forgiveness, that no matter what
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  • We would do, when we have done it, that there is no consequence
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  • For sin.
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  • And i think at the heart of that, what we've overlooked is
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  • That when we received grace we don't recognize the tremendous
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  • Cost of grace.
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  • Grace is when you were shown favor or kindness that you
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  • Don't deserve.
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  • You're making a withdrawal from somebody else's account.
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  • And for me to receive grace means there's had to have been a
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  • Tremendous sacrifice someplace else.
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  • There are many expressions of grace in our life.
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  • We have liberty and freedom that someone else sacrificed for.
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  • It's why i cannot, will not refuse to be silent when people
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  • Denigrate our liberties and freedoms.
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  • Folks, we have many problems.
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  • I'll be happy to help work on those lists.
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  • But i'm telling you, we wouldn't have millions of people flooding
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  • Our borders, breaking federal law, risking all sorts of things
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  • To get into this nation if we were the most wicked place on
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  • The planet.
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  • Nobody's storming the walls to get into gaza.
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  • So how do we understand this?
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  • Well, i took luke's gospel.
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  • I got a little bit of time.
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  • We won't read all those passages, but there's a theme
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  • That luke presents.
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  • It's a single author, so there's this--do you remember who wrote
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  • The book of acts?
  • 00:07:20.956 --> 00:07:22.958
  • It's not a trick question-- luke did.
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  • So the gospel of luke is the story of jesus he--his ministry.
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  • The book of acts is the story of jesus's friends after he went
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  • Back to heaven.
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  • So you have a consistent thought, a consistent
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  • Vocabulary, a consistent set of definitions, which is helpful
  • 00:07:33.902 --> 00:07:38.306
  • 'cause paul and james define some words differently.
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  • And when you compare what paul said and what james said, you've
  • 00:07:40.475 --> 00:07:43.512
  • Got to work through some definitions in order
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  • To get to a meaning.
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  • But if we stay with luke, we don't have to spend any time
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  • With that tonight.
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  • In luke 13, jesus is talking.
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  • He said there were some present at the time who told jesus about
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  • The galileans.
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  • Galilee is a region of israel, like middle tennessee is a
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  • Region of tennessee, and he's in judea in the southern part and
  • 00:08:01.263 --> 00:08:05.534
  • He says up north "the galileans whose blood pilate had mixed
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  • With their sacrifices."
  • 00:08:08.637 --> 00:08:11.873
  • They were unjustly, unfairly killed by a roman governor.
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  • And jesus said, "do you think these galileans were worse
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  • Sinners than all the other galileans because they
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  • Suffered this way?
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  • I tell you, no!
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  • But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
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  • Or those eighteen who died in the tower when the tower in
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  • Siloam fell on them, do you think that they were more guilty
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  • Than all the others living in jerusalem?
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  • I tell you, no!
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  • But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
  • 00:08:38.199 --> 00:08:42.404
  • Now, there's a principle that we don't talk about a lot, but
  • 00:08:42.404 --> 00:08:45.407
  • There is a place in your life that if you don't address it,
  • 00:08:45.407 --> 00:08:49.077
  • Means there will be no more forgiveness extended to you.
  • 00:08:49.077 --> 00:08:56.217
  • The grace of god is not infinite.
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  • The key to forgiveness is repentance.
  • 00:09:01.189 --> 00:09:05.260
  • And if we stay unrepentant, unremorseful, determined to
  • 00:09:05.260 --> 00:09:11.132
  • Protect our selfishness or our self-indulgence or whatever it
  • 00:09:11.132 --> 00:09:14.536
  • Is that we're protecting that is ungodly and we know it, there is
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  • No more forgiveness.
  • 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:23.178
  • It's not some subtle theme.
  • 00:09:23.178 --> 00:09:24.546
  • Look in luke 13, just a few verses later.
  • 00:09:24.546 --> 00:09:27.849
  • "jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he
  • 00:09:27.849 --> 00:09:30.051
  • Made his way through to jerusalem.
  • 00:09:30.051 --> 00:09:32.087
  • Someone asked him, 'lord, are only a few people going to
  • 00:09:32.087 --> 00:09:34.155
  • Be saved?'"
  • 00:09:34.155 --> 00:09:35.557
  • It's an interesting question.
  • 00:09:35.557 --> 00:09:38.860
  • And jesus said to them, "make every effort to enter through
  • 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:42.330
  • The narrow door."
  • 00:09:42.330 --> 00:09:43.865
  • Again, it's very plain language.
  • 00:09:43.865 --> 00:09:45.533
  • Make every effort.
  • 00:09:45.533 --> 00:09:48.169
  • How many of you when you think of christianity think of making
  • 00:09:48.169 --> 00:09:50.271
  • Every effort?
  • 00:09:50.271 --> 00:09:54.776
  • Make every effort.
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  • Leave no stone unturned.
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  • Do not stop.
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  • Whatever it takes, whatever it costs, wherever you have to go,
  • 00:10:01.583 --> 00:10:08.723
  • No matter what you have to endure, no matter what
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  • Opposition you face, no matter what threat you see, no matter
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  • Who says they will cancel you, no matter what deal you lose, no
  • 00:10:15.263 --> 00:10:19.000
  • Matter what the implication is for your child, make every
  • 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:23.505
  • Effort, he said.
  • 00:10:23.505 --> 00:10:26.274
  • This was jesus.
  • 00:10:26.274 --> 00:10:28.443
  • This is group-hug jesus.
  • 00:10:28.443 --> 00:10:32.180
  • "make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because
  • 00:10:32.180 --> 00:10:34.516
  • Many, i tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."
  • 00:10:34.516 --> 00:10:39.754
  • It seems to me we talk about a much cheaper salvation.
  • 00:10:39.754 --> 00:10:44.793
  • "once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door,
  • 00:10:44.793 --> 00:10:47.162
  • You'll be standing out--you'll stand outside knocking
  • 00:10:47.162 --> 00:10:49.464
  • And pleading.
  • 00:10:49.464 --> 00:10:51.533
  • But he'll answer, 'i don't know you or where you come from.'
  • 00:10:51.533 --> 00:10:55.036
  • And you'll say, 'we ate and drank with you, and you taught
  • 00:10:55.036 --> 00:10:57.839
  • In our streets.'
  • 00:10:57.839 --> 00:10:59.174
  • But he will reply, 'i don't know you or where you come from.
  • 00:10:59.174 --> 00:11:01.943
  • Away from me, all you evildoers!'
  • 00:11:01.943 --> 00:11:04.846
  • And there'll be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you
  • 00:11:04.846 --> 00:11:07.982
  • See abraham, isaac and jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom
  • 00:11:07.982 --> 00:11:10.652
  • Of god, but you yourselves are thrown out."
  • 00:11:10.652 --> 00:11:13.088
  • Now, you can do some fancy exegetical work and say jesus
  • 00:11:13.088 --> 00:11:15.757
  • Was talking about some other generation and some group of
  • 00:11:15.757 --> 00:11:17.859
  • People that made bad choices, but if you'll adopt that
  • 00:11:17.859 --> 00:11:21.396
  • Attitude, you're just taking a pair of scissors or a bottle of
  • 00:11:21.396 --> 00:11:23.565
  • White-out to your bible and saying, "i'm gonna eliminate the
  • 00:11:23.565 --> 00:11:26.367
  • Passages that seem in any way intimidating to me."
  • 00:11:26.367 --> 00:11:29.871
  • The bible is addressive literature.
  • 00:11:29.871 --> 00:11:31.473
  • It's written to help us understand the character of god
  • 00:11:31.473 --> 00:11:34.709
  • And, therefore, the responses we should be making.
  • 00:11:34.709 --> 00:11:37.979
  • That phrase that jesus ends that little segment with where he
  • 00:11:37.979 --> 00:11:40.482
  • Says there'll be weeping and gnashing of teeth, he uses it on
  • 00:11:40.482 --> 00:11:43.685
  • More than one occasion.
  • 00:11:43.685 --> 00:11:45.954
  • The way i have come to understand it, and i did it
  • 00:11:45.954 --> 00:11:49.090
  • After some reflection and a bit of study, it's not just, like,
  • 00:11:49.090 --> 00:11:51.726
  • Some arbitrary decision i arrived at, is that it describes
  • 00:11:51.726 --> 00:11:55.330
  • A very unique group of people, people who were in very close
  • 00:11:55.330 --> 00:11:58.500
  • Proximity to the kingdom of god, not people who heard seldom or
  • 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:06.274
  • Heard infrequently or had limited access.
  • 00:12:06.274 --> 00:12:09.077
  • But when that phrase is used, it's usually used in conjunction
  • 00:12:09.077 --> 00:12:11.613
  • To someone or some group of people who had very close
  • 00:12:11.613 --> 00:12:15.216
  • Proximity and opportunity to be participants in the kingdom of
  • 00:12:15.216 --> 00:12:18.219
  • God, on this case, standing on the other side of the door,
  • 00:12:18.219 --> 00:12:23.158
  • But they chose not to.
  • 00:12:23.158 --> 00:12:25.660
  • And when the realization comes that the opportunity has been
  • 00:12:25.660 --> 00:12:28.463
  • Forfeited, their response is great weeping and
  • 00:12:28.463 --> 00:12:31.533
  • Gnashing of teeth.
  • 00:12:31.533 --> 00:12:32.901
  • Tremendous angst.
  • 00:12:32.901 --> 00:12:35.703
  • "i never imagined that i would be left out.
  • 00:12:35.703 --> 00:12:39.607
  • I never imagined i could be excluded.
  • 00:12:39.607 --> 00:12:43.812
  • I thought the opportunity would always be there."
  • 00:12:43.812 --> 00:12:48.783
  • Again, the message that jesus is delivering this time in luke
  • 00:12:48.783 --> 00:12:51.252
  • 13:22 is there's no more forgiveness.
  • 00:12:51.252 --> 00:12:57.125
  • Allen: you know, how should we respond to the nation of
  • 00:13:01.296 --> 00:13:03.131
  • Israel and the jewish people?
  • 00:13:03.131 --> 00:13:05.333
  • It's a complex question in today's world.
  • 00:13:05.333 --> 00:13:07.535
  • Well, i've written a book, "supporting israel:
  • 00:13:07.535 --> 00:13:09.571
  • How far is too far?"
  • 00:13:09.571 --> 00:13:11.506
  • To help us establish a biblical perspective on what has become a
  • 00:13:11.506 --> 00:13:15.243
  • Complex question in contemporary culture.
  • 00:13:15.243 --> 00:13:18.680
  • We don't want to follow the guidance and the counsel of some
  • 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:21.583
  • Of the elite universities in this nation.
  • 00:13:21.583 --> 00:13:24.118
  • We want to form a perspective that's built from god's word.
  • 00:13:24.118 --> 00:13:26.855
  • If we'll do that, it'll bring his blessings to our lives.
  • 00:13:26.855 --> 00:13:29.891
  • Enjoy the book.
  • 00:13:29.891 --> 00:13:31.226
  • Female announcer: from the pages of scripture to the front
  • 00:13:31.226 --> 00:13:33.194
  • Lines of today's news, israel stands at the center
  • 00:13:33.194 --> 00:13:36.264
  • Of god's purposes.
  • 00:13:36.264 --> 00:13:37.799
  • Pastor allen's new booklet, "supporting israel:
  • 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:40.802
  • How far is too far?"
  • 00:13:40.802 --> 00:13:42.237
  • Offers a quick way to gain a biblical perspective on israel,
  • 00:13:42.237 --> 00:13:45.707
  • Why israel matters to god, and why it should matter to us.
  • 00:13:45.707 --> 00:13:50.144
  • Request your copy with your gift of any amount today at
  • 00:13:50.144 --> 00:13:53.047
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:13:53.047 --> 00:13:59.087
  • Allen: see, i think we've been very sloppy.
  • 00:14:01.322 --> 00:14:04.759
  • We've treated the lord in a very shabby way, a very presumptive,
  • 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:07.762
  • Arrogant, condescending, entitled way.
  • 00:14:07.762 --> 00:14:11.199
  • We can live any way we want.
  • 00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:12.533
  • Folks, there is forgiveness of sin, but the practice of sin
  • 00:14:12.533 --> 00:14:17.071
  • Will lead you to destruction.
  • 00:14:17.071 --> 00:14:21.209
  • We struggle with sin.
  • 00:14:21.209 --> 00:14:22.543
  • We--jesus taught us to pray, "lead us not into temptation.
  • 00:14:22.543 --> 00:14:24.979
  • Deliver us from evil."
  • 00:14:24.979 --> 00:14:26.748
  • We live in a broken world.
  • 00:14:26.748 --> 00:14:28.816
  • To be a christ follower does not remove you from the arena of sin
  • 00:14:28.816 --> 00:14:31.920
  • And temptation, but it better give you momentum away from the
  • 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:36.524
  • Practice of sin.
  • 00:14:36.524 --> 00:14:41.496
  • Luke 17, "jesus said to his disciples: 'the thing that cause
  • 00:14:41.496 --> 00:14:45.433
  • People to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through
  • 00:14:45.433 --> 00:14:49.137
  • Whom they come.'"
  • 00:14:49.137 --> 00:14:54.442
  • You know, woe is an interesting word.
  • 00:14:54.442 --> 00:14:55.810
  • I grew up around horses.
  • 00:14:55.810 --> 00:14:59.447
  • Whoa, w-h-o-a.
  • 00:14:59.447 --> 00:15:03.284
  • Whoa means stop.
  • 00:15:03.284 --> 00:15:07.088
  • If you scream it, it doesn't work very well.
  • 00:15:07.088 --> 00:15:10.525
  • 'cause if you're screaming whoa in a terrified voice, my
  • 00:15:10.525 --> 00:15:15.063
  • Experience, the animal reads that as accelerate.
  • 00:15:15.063 --> 00:15:20.368
  • This word w-o-e has a completely different meaning.
  • 00:15:20.368 --> 00:15:24.372
  • It's a word of warning.
  • 00:15:24.372 --> 00:15:28.376
  • It's a word of impending judgment.
  • 00:15:28.376 --> 00:15:34.549
  • It is someone shouting stop, so it captures my attention when my
  • 00:15:34.549 --> 00:15:40.488
  • Lord says woe to the person through whom those things come
  • 00:15:40.488 --> 00:15:47.495
  • That cause people to sin.
  • 00:15:47.495 --> 00:15:50.698
  • "it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a
  • 00:15:50.698 --> 00:15:54.002
  • Millstone tied around his neck than to cause one of these
  • 00:15:54.002 --> 00:15:57.705
  • Little ones to sin."
  • 00:15:57.705 --> 00:16:00.208
  • And look at his next line.
  • 00:16:00.208 --> 00:16:02.510
  • "so watch yourselves."
  • 00:16:02.510 --> 00:16:05.146
  • Can you hear jesus?
  • 00:16:05.146 --> 00:16:06.948
  • Watch yourselves.
  • 00:16:06.948 --> 00:16:09.450
  • This is our generation.
  • 00:16:09.450 --> 00:16:12.186
  • This is the time in the span of history where our name got
  • 00:16:12.186 --> 00:16:15.556
  • Called and we got an earth suit and we were given an assignment
  • 00:16:15.556 --> 00:16:18.526
  • To be salt and light, and jesus said you better watch yourself
  • 00:16:18.526 --> 00:16:24.966
  • 'cause if you cause one of these little ones to stumble, woe
  • 00:16:24.966 --> 00:16:29.604
  • To you.
  • 00:16:29.604 --> 00:16:33.608
  • Yeah, i think they ought to get the pornography out of
  • 00:16:33.608 --> 00:16:35.309
  • The schools.
  • 00:16:35.309 --> 00:16:37.578
  • Yes, i think they should quit pumping dei into our kids.
  • 00:16:37.578 --> 00:16:42.450
  • Yeah, i think we ought to take prayer back into the building.
  • 00:16:42.450 --> 00:16:46.854
  • The only reason they could do all of those things and take all
  • 00:16:46.854 --> 00:16:49.090
  • Of those things out of school that were helpful and put all
  • 00:16:49.090 --> 00:16:51.259
  • Those things in that are so destructive is we haven't
  • 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:53.861
  • Cared enough.
  • 00:16:53.861 --> 00:16:55.797
  • We took them out of our homes and the practice of our families
  • 00:16:55.797 --> 00:16:58.800
  • Long before they took them out of the schools.
  • 00:16:58.800 --> 00:17:01.669
  • They're not canceling southeastern
  • 00:17:01.669 --> 00:17:03.404
  • Conference football.
  • 00:17:03.404 --> 00:17:04.772
  • That's way too important.
  • 00:17:04.772 --> 00:17:07.575
  • Too much money bet on it.
  • 00:17:07.575 --> 00:17:12.447
  • Have i offended everybody yet?
  • 00:17:12.447 --> 00:17:15.249
  • I got three minutes left.
  • 00:17:15.249 --> 00:17:16.584
  • Who have i missed?
  • 00:17:16.584 --> 00:17:17.952
  • I wanna be sure.
  • 00:17:17.952 --> 00:17:19.854
  • It seems to me jesus said one more time no more forgiveness.
  • 00:17:19.854 --> 00:17:25.059
  • Again, it's not some subtle theme, folks.
  • 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:27.962
  • We have embraced a false gospel, that we can do whatever,
  • 00:17:27.962 --> 00:17:32.366
  • Whenever, any way we want, and then on some moment when we deem
  • 00:17:32.366 --> 00:17:36.337
  • That it's in our best interest or presents to us a better
  • 00:17:36.337 --> 00:17:38.773
  • Opportunity, we can feign some sort of sorrow and grief and
  • 00:17:38.773 --> 00:17:42.944
  • Kind of casually and flippantly say, "i'm sorry."
  • 00:17:42.944 --> 00:17:48.516
  • It terrifies me.
  • 00:17:48.516 --> 00:17:52.453
  • I believe in the grace of god.
  • 00:17:52.453 --> 00:17:53.955
  • I believe in the mercy of god.
  • 00:17:53.955 --> 00:17:55.556
  • If you look them up, you can probably find my picture.
  • 00:17:55.556 --> 00:18:00.394
  • But i don't want to purposefully, intentionally, and
  • 00:18:00.394 --> 00:18:03.030
  • Willfully practice disobedience to the truth that i know, nor do
  • 00:18:03.030 --> 00:18:09.303
  • I wanna encourage you to do that.
  • 00:18:09.303 --> 00:18:12.874
  • Following the lord is not easy.
  • 00:18:12.874 --> 00:18:15.076
  • It's not comfortable.
  • 00:18:15.076 --> 00:18:17.645
  • It's often extremely difficult.
  • 00:18:17.645 --> 00:18:20.348
  • It will separate you from friends and family.
  • 00:18:20.348 --> 00:18:25.086
  • It will lead you to make choices that a secular culture will not
  • 00:18:25.086 --> 00:18:28.623
  • Make about how you spend your time, how you spend your money,
  • 00:18:28.623 --> 00:18:31.826
  • To what you give your attention.
  • 00:18:31.826 --> 00:18:34.962
  • It is a call to be different in the world, not different weird.
  • 00:18:34.962 --> 00:18:41.736
  • Weird does not make you godly.
  • 00:18:41.736 --> 00:18:43.838
  • You're just weird.
  • 00:18:43.838 --> 00:18:49.143
  • But we have heard a false gospel.
  • 00:18:49.143 --> 00:18:51.445
  • I brought you--so what do we do?
  • 00:18:51.445 --> 00:18:52.813
  • I gotta wrap it up.
  • 00:18:52.813 --> 00:18:54.815
  • The what-do-we-do part is always important.
  • 00:18:54.815 --> 00:18:56.918
  • This is luke again, chapter 14.
  • 00:18:56.918 --> 00:18:59.921
  • "jesus--anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me
  • 00:18:59.921 --> 00:19:03.224
  • Cannot be my disciple."
  • 00:19:03.224 --> 00:19:06.494
  • Jesus carried his cross through the streets of jerusalem.
  • 00:19:06.494 --> 00:19:08.663
  • You and i are called to carry a cross, not a physical one.
  • 00:19:08.663 --> 00:19:12.533
  • "suppose one of you wants to build a tower.
  • 00:19:12.533 --> 00:19:14.135
  • Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he
  • 00:19:14.135 --> 00:19:16.537
  • Has enough money to complete it?
  • 00:19:16.537 --> 00:19:19.140
  • For if he lays the foundation and isn't able to finish,
  • 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:21.375
  • Everyone will see it and ridicule him, saying, 'this
  • 00:19:21.375 --> 00:19:23.277
  • Fellow began to build and he wasn't able to finish.'"
  • 00:19:23.277 --> 00:19:26.647
  • Then jesus gives the punchline.
  • 00:19:26.647 --> 00:19:28.015
  • He gives you the meaning.
  • 00:19:28.015 --> 00:19:29.584
  • "in the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he
  • 00:19:29.584 --> 00:19:32.286
  • Has cannot be my disciple."
  • 00:19:32.286 --> 00:19:36.624
  • He didn't say won't be, shouldn't be, might not be.
  • 00:19:36.624 --> 00:19:39.093
  • He said, "if you're not willing to lay it all down, you cannot
  • 00:19:39.093 --> 00:19:42.496
  • Be my disciple."
  • 00:19:42.496 --> 00:19:45.266
  • Now, you may not understand the full implications of that when
  • 00:19:45.266 --> 00:19:48.202
  • You are presented with the invitation to conversion, new
  • 00:19:48.202 --> 00:19:50.605
  • Birth salvation, but we grow up in our salvation.
  • 00:19:50.605 --> 00:19:57.445
  • And if you've been a christ follower for many years, but
  • 00:19:57.445 --> 00:20:00.248
  • You've never grown up, it's awkward but it's time.
  • 00:20:00.248 --> 00:20:07.188
  • And if you imagine yourself to be so mature, i wanna give you
  • 00:20:07.188 --> 00:20:10.858
  • The invitation to grow on.
  • 00:20:10.858 --> 00:20:14.762
  • Let's grow again.
  • 00:20:14.762 --> 00:20:17.265
  • We haven't mastered almighty god, and the evidence of that is
  • 00:20:17.265 --> 00:20:22.803
  • The fruit of our lives.
  • 00:20:22.803 --> 00:20:24.305
  • We are presiding over one of the most precipitous declines of
  • 00:20:24.305 --> 00:20:27.041
  • Christian influence in the history of the christian church.
  • 00:20:27.041 --> 00:20:32.046
  • We would rival some of the darkest chapters in the hebrew
  • 00:20:32.046 --> 00:20:35.316
  • Bible for people who plummeted into paganism.
  • 00:20:35.316 --> 00:20:41.155
  • This is our watch.
  • 00:20:41.155 --> 00:20:42.490
  • I don't intend to accept it quietly.
  • 00:20:42.490 --> 00:20:45.960
  • I don't intend to be meek about it.
  • 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:49.797
  • I don't know what outcome the lord will choose what to bring.
  • 00:20:49.797 --> 00:20:53.534
  • That's in his hands.
  • 00:20:53.534 --> 00:20:55.403
  • What we can do is choose the truth, you and me.
  • 00:20:55.403 --> 00:21:01.676
  • Now, i know there's a bit of a seriousness with the tone,
  • 00:21:01.676 --> 00:21:05.079
  • But i'll give you one more verse.
  • 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.414
  • It's not in your notes, but you can check me.
  • 00:21:06.414 --> 00:21:07.748
  • It's in luke. same author.
  • 00:21:07.748 --> 00:21:10.151
  • Jesus said when you see these things beginning to take
  • 00:21:10.151 --> 00:21:12.386
  • Place--and luke 21 is this lengthy prophetic passage and
  • 00:21:12.386 --> 00:21:15.256
  • He's describing some pretty horrific things, some signs that
  • 00:21:15.256 --> 00:21:19.894
  • Will precede the end of the age.
  • 00:21:19.894 --> 00:21:21.228
  • He said, "when you see these things happening--beginning to
  • 00:21:21.228 --> 00:21:24.999
  • Take place," he said, "stand up and lift up your heads, 'cause
  • 00:21:24.999 --> 00:21:29.904
  • Your redemption is drawing nigh."
  • 00:21:29.904 --> 00:21:32.673
  • He didn't say go get a bunker.
  • 00:21:32.673 --> 00:21:36.977
  • He said when you see this, stand up, lift up your head.
  • 00:21:36.977 --> 00:21:42.216
  • "you see gross darkness, but i'm gonna display a light that will
  • 00:21:42.216 --> 00:21:46.187
  • Send the darkness scattering."
  • 00:21:46.187 --> 00:21:50.057
  • Now, we've got to decide if we wanna be the church or we're
  • 00:21:50.057 --> 00:21:54.128
  • Gonna cower in the shadows of paganism.
  • 00:21:54.128 --> 00:21:57.932
  • I don't know what the lord will do.
  • 00:21:57.932 --> 00:22:01.035
  • I know what i would prefer he do, but he's not always taken
  • 00:22:01.035 --> 00:22:04.271
  • My counsel.
  • 00:22:04.271 --> 00:22:08.442
  • So what we can determine is that we will stand up, lift up our
  • 00:22:08.442 --> 00:22:12.313
  • Heads, and say, "lord, we intend to be faithful.
  • 00:22:12.313 --> 00:22:16.484
  • We will not recant.
  • 00:22:16.484 --> 00:22:18.652
  • We will not yield.
  • 00:22:18.652 --> 00:22:21.722
  • We're not looking for the easy path or the broad way or the
  • 00:22:21.722 --> 00:22:24.725
  • Simple way or the way that's applauded by the majority of
  • 00:22:24.725 --> 00:22:27.795
  • The people.
  • 00:22:27.795 --> 00:22:29.163
  • We'll be willing to be different.
  • 00:22:29.163 --> 00:22:31.699
  • We'll be willing to be separated, stood apart."
  • 00:22:31.699 --> 00:22:37.037
  • You ready?
  • 00:22:37.037 --> 00:22:38.539
  • I wanna pray for you.
  • 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.907
  • Why don't you stand with me?
  • 00:22:39.907 --> 00:22:41.242
  • My time is up.
  • 00:22:41.242 --> 00:22:48.682
  • Forgiveness, practice it.
  • 00:22:48.682 --> 00:22:52.453
  • You can't be forgiven if you won't forgive.
  • 00:22:52.453 --> 00:22:54.422
  • You're stuck if you're choosing to hold on to a feeling, a
  • 00:22:54.422 --> 00:22:59.026
  • Scenario, an experience and wrap it in anger and resentment and
  • 00:22:59.026 --> 00:23:03.264
  • Bitterness because you're entitled to something
  • 00:23:03.264 --> 00:23:05.466
  • You're not.
  • 00:23:05.466 --> 00:23:07.201
  • And you're forfeiting your future.
  • 00:23:07.201 --> 00:23:10.504
  • Choose to forgive.
  • 00:23:10.504 --> 00:23:11.872
  • We talked about it in great detail last week,
  • 00:23:11.872 --> 00:23:14.742
  • Two sessions ago.
  • 00:23:14.742 --> 00:23:16.076
  • If you haven't heard it, you can go listen.
  • 00:23:16.076 --> 00:23:19.380
  • Forgive.
  • 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.748
  • And then some of you need to receive forgiveness.
  • 00:23:20.748 --> 00:23:22.416
  • We need to be serious with the lord.
  • 00:23:22.416 --> 00:23:23.784
  • "lord, i'm sorry.
  • 00:23:23.784 --> 00:23:26.086
  • I've been really casual with this stuff."
  • 00:23:26.086 --> 00:23:28.889
  • Folks, when you heard there was a virus coming,
  • 00:23:28.889 --> 00:23:30.224
  • We weren't--from china.
  • 00:23:30.224 --> 00:23:31.559
  • We weren't casual anymore.
  • 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.893
  • We washed our hands, we bought purell by the gallon.
  • 00:23:32.893 --> 00:23:35.463
  • You couldn't get lysol anywhere.
  • 00:23:35.463 --> 00:23:38.732
  • Man, we were spraying and squirting and washing.
  • 00:23:38.732 --> 00:23:41.802
  • We locked ourselves in our houses and looked through
  • 00:23:41.802 --> 00:23:43.704
  • The windows.
  • 00:23:43.704 --> 00:23:45.039
  • You'd get in your car and wear a mask.
  • 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:51.912
  • Just a brief aside, if you're in the car alone,
  • 00:23:51.912 --> 00:23:56.016
  • [congregation laughing, applauding]
  • 00:23:56.016 --> 00:24:01.355
  • The mask is not essential, okay?
  • 00:24:01.355 --> 00:24:05.493
  • Just--
  • 00:24:05.493 --> 00:24:11.198
  • We got serious about protecting ourselves from that.
  • 00:24:11.198 --> 00:24:14.568
  • When we talk about spiritual influences, we go, "oh, i don't
  • 00:24:14.568 --> 00:24:17.438
  • Believe in the occult.
  • 00:24:17.438 --> 00:24:20.107
  • I don't believe that's bad.
  • 00:24:20.107 --> 00:24:23.677
  • I don't believe it really matters what i look at.
  • 00:24:23.677 --> 00:24:27.314
  • I don't think my sexual choices really matter.
  • 00:24:27.314 --> 00:24:29.383
  • I can--god's kind of open-minded."
  • 00:24:29.383 --> 00:24:31.785
  • We'll take every sort of spiritual direction we've been
  • 00:24:31.785 --> 00:24:34.889
  • Given and treat it as if it's somehow insignificant.
  • 00:24:34.889 --> 00:24:39.393
  • I think god is far more prevalent than any virus coming
  • 00:24:39.393 --> 00:24:42.162
  • From a lab in wuhan.
  • 00:24:42.162 --> 00:24:44.765
  • I wanna honor him with my life.
  • 00:24:44.765 --> 00:24:47.468
  • We're gonna pray.
  • 00:24:47.468 --> 00:24:48.802
  • Father, thank you for your word, for its truth and authority.
  • 00:24:48.802 --> 00:24:51.872
  • Lord, we come tonight in humility.
  • 00:24:51.872 --> 00:24:53.674
  • We recognize that we live in a generation and a time where we
  • 00:24:53.674 --> 00:24:57.945
  • Have turned our backs on you.
  • 00:24:57.945 --> 00:25:00.414
  • Lord, we have adopted a convenient faith and an easy
  • 00:25:00.414 --> 00:25:02.850
  • Faith and a comfortable faith.
  • 00:25:02.850 --> 00:25:06.353
  • We have looked for the approval of those around us more than
  • 00:25:06.353 --> 00:25:08.722
  • We've looked for yours, and we pause tonight in humility to say
  • 00:25:08.722 --> 00:25:13.394
  • We're sorry.
  • 00:25:13.394 --> 00:25:16.030
  • Lord, we're sorry for the choices we've made and the
  • 00:25:16.030 --> 00:25:18.265
  • Behavior we've exhibited, but more than that we choose a new
  • 00:25:18.265 --> 00:25:21.435
  • Path tonight.
  • 00:25:21.435 --> 00:25:23.337
  • We wanna walk uprightly before you.
  • 00:25:23.337 --> 00:25:25.039
  • We wanna walk in integrity before you.
  • 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:28.042
  • We wanna walk in obedience to the truth that you have made
  • 00:25:28.042 --> 00:25:30.844
  • Real to us.
  • 00:25:30.844 --> 00:25:32.680
  • Forgive us.
  • 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:34.548
  • We forgive those who have sinned against us and, lord, we receive
  • 00:25:34.548 --> 00:25:38.852
  • Your forgiveness tonight, that through the blood of jesus we
  • 00:25:38.852 --> 00:25:42.556
  • Are justified, sanctified, made holy, and set apart to you.
  • 00:25:42.556 --> 00:25:47.995
  • I thank you that through the blood of jesus satan has no
  • 00:25:47.995 --> 00:25:50.564
  • Place in us, no power over us, and every claim has
  • 00:25:50.564 --> 00:25:55.135
  • Been canceled.
  • 00:25:55.135 --> 00:25:57.037
  • We praise you for it tonight.
  • 00:25:57.037 --> 00:25:59.273
  • Holy spirit, help us.
  • 00:25:59.273 --> 00:26:01.208
  • Give us a boldness to speak the truth.
  • 00:26:01.208 --> 00:26:04.878
  • Give us wisdom on where to stand.
  • 00:26:04.878 --> 00:26:08.716
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:08.716 --> 00:26:12.019
  • Bless you.
  • 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:15.222
  • Allen: you know, we don't read our bibles just for exercise or
  • 00:26:19.426 --> 00:26:22.296
  • Just to be dutiful christians.
  • 00:26:22.296 --> 00:26:24.331
  • We read our bibles to understand how to navigate a complex world,
  • 00:26:24.331 --> 00:26:27.401
  • How to understand what's unfolding around us.
  • 00:26:27.401 --> 00:26:30.671
  • We're living in a season where there's a lot of emotion
  • 00:26:30.671 --> 00:26:33.107
  • Expressed about the jewish people and the nation of israel.
  • 00:26:33.107 --> 00:26:35.843
  • From some very well-established elite places, there are voices
  • 00:26:35.843 --> 00:26:39.647
  • Saying they don't deserve our support.
  • 00:26:39.647 --> 00:26:41.882
  • Well, i wrote a book "supporting israel: how far is too far?"
  • 00:26:41.882 --> 00:26:45.285
  • So that we can have a biblical perspective on our response to
  • 00:26:45.285 --> 00:26:48.222
  • Current events.
  • 00:26:48.222 --> 00:26:49.556
  • At the end of the day, i wanna align myself with the purposes
  • 00:26:49.556 --> 00:26:51.859
  • Of god, not the thought leaders at elite ivy league schools or
  • 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:56.296
  • The talking heads in the media.
  • 00:26:56.296 --> 00:26:58.132
  • I intend to stand with the purposes of god.
  • 00:26:58.132 --> 00:27:00.734
  • This book will help you unpack the current events and
  • 00:27:00.734 --> 00:27:04.071
  • Understand the perspective from the viewpoint of scripture on
  • 00:27:04.071 --> 00:27:07.474
  • How you and i can respond in a way that, i believe, will bring
  • 00:27:07.474 --> 00:27:10.177
  • The blessings of god to our lives and help us accomplish his
  • 00:27:10.177 --> 00:27:13.447
  • Purposes in our generation.
  • 00:27:13.447 --> 00:27:15.783
  • It's worth the read.
  • 00:27:15.783 --> 00:27:17.151
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:17.951 --> 00:27:17.951