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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Strong Foundations (Part 2)

April 14, 2025 | S25:E107

Allen Jackson - Strong Foundations (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Salvation #Faith #Visions/Dreams #Sacrifice #Religion #Change #WordofGod #inActive #AllenJacksonMinistries #AllenJackson #NamesofGod #Heaven #Acts4:12 #Savior

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Strong Foundations (Part 2) | April 14, 2025
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: in acts chapter 4 and
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  • Verse 12, jesus said, "salvation is found
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  • In no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to
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  • The men by which we must be saved."
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  • There is no plan b, folks.
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  • There's not multiple paths.
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  • If there's another way to heaven other than jesus, then jesus was
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  • Not a good man, he was a liar and a fraud because he said, "no
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  • One comes to the father except by me," and we have to have the
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  • Courage to say to our generation: your eternity will
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  • Be determined by your relationship with one thing, a
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  • Man by the name of jesus of nazareth.
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  • Not the denomination, not the name of the congregation, not
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  • Your favorite whomever or whatever, but the relationship
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  • You established with that man, and how your life gives
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  • Testimony to that.
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  • The fruit of your life has to support your assertion that
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  • Jesus is lord of your life.
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  • If you make the assertion, but the fruit of your life, the
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  • Evidence of your life, doesn't substantiate it, the bible gives
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  • Some very severe warnings.
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  • Jesus gave some very severe warnings.
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  • "many," he said, "will say, 'lord, lord.
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  • We even did miracles in your name,"' and i will--he said, "i
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  • Will say, 'i don't know you.
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  • Depart from me."'
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  • We've had too much sloppy grace, and i'm an advocate for grace
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  • And mercy.
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  • Our assignment is to attract people to the gospel message, to
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  • Lead them into that personal faith, because it will have an
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  • Impact upon our children and our grandchildren how well we
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  • Do that.
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  • Ephesians 2 reminds us, "at that time you were separate from
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  • Christ, excluded from citizenship in israel,
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  • Foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and
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  • Without god in the world."
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  • To be apart from jesus isn't just to have a loose
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  • Moral compass.
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  • To be apart from jesus is to be without a hope in this world.
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  • You may have some things, but you're without hope.
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  • Luke 19, "jesus said," he's speaking in jericho, but he
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  • Said, "'today salvation has come to this house,'" to zacchaeus's
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  • House, "'but this man too is the son of abraham.
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  • For the son of man came to seek and to save that which
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  • Was lost.'"
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  • Jesus came on a search and rescue mission.
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  • For far too long--i had the imagination for many years that
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  • The church, we, you know, we were kind of walled up in our
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  • Buildings, and if somebody wanted what we had, they should
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  • Get themselves here on sunday morning and be jolly well
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  • Grateful that we would share the good news with them.
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  • It's the opposite of the presentation of what jesus
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  • Modeled for us.
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  • He became one of us.
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  • He put on an earth suit.
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  • He walked among us with the frailty and the weakness that
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  • Comes with the human condition.
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  • The son of god laid aside his privilege and his majesty to
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  • Become one of us.
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  • I would submit to you, we're on a search and rescue mission.
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  • God's planted us in neighborhoods and offices and
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  • Hospitals and courtrooms and classrooms and ball fields all
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  • Over our community to be salt and light, and i hear our
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  • Conversations, "oh, i work in a place where there's really
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  • No crazy."
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  • Yeah, that's why god put you there.
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  • He needed one.
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  • Our schools are difficult.
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  • No kidding!
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  • We took prayer out and the scripture out and the biblical
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  • Worldview out.
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  • Now we got to go back in.
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  • We're the 21st century edition of this, and we're committed to
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  • It, we've got to encourage one another and help one another and
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  • Cheer for one another, pick one another up.
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  • That second component of that purpose is to encourage
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  • Christians to consecrate themselves to god's purpose for
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  • Their lives.
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  • Consecrates kind of a fancy word.
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  • It just means, to set yourself apart.
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  • To set yourself apart for god's purposes.
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  • Okay, spoiler alert, if you have become a christ follower, if
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  • You've made a profession of faith and you meant it, if
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  • You've asked jesus to be lord of your life, and you've taken the
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  • Steps of obedience that you know, here's the truth, it's not
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  • Your life.
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  • He's king.
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  • He's lord.
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  • They're not just your dreams.
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  • It's not your time.
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  • It's not your money.
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  • If you're not tithing, you haven't taken the first step in
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  • Yielding your resources to the lord.
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  • Oh, we struggle.
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  • "well, i don't know if i believe that," oh.
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  • You understand the absurdity of the--we imagine if we say,
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  • "well, i don't believe that," we somehow negate truth.
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  • Don't you wish that worked with gravity?
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  • I don't believe in gravity.
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  • How well is that gonna work?
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  • I don't believe chocolate's fattening.
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  • You don't have to.
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  • We have this remarkable reluctance to really yield
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  • Ourselves to the lord.
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  • Now, we don't begin there, we grow up in that.
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  • The same way we watch children learn to grow and mature
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  • Emotionally and physically, intellectually, we have to grow
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  • Up in our faith, but this consecration is an essential
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  • Component of that.
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  • Romans 6 and verse 13, "don't offer the parts of your body to
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  • Sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer
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  • Yourselves to god, as though you were brought from death to life;
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  • Offer the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness."
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  • That's all about our choices.
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  • "don't offer the parts of your body to sin."
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  • He's writing to christ followers.
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  • He's saying, "don't do that."
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  • This message is underheard.
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  • Galatians 5, "my brothers, you were called to be free.
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  • Don't use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature."
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  • We've had a very indulgent message for quite a while now,
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  • Rippling across the body of christ.
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  • We've wrapped it in the guise of we were reaching the unreached.
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  • We were gonna be sensitive to people who don't
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  • Know the lord, so we won't talk about any boundaries.
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  • We won't talk about --
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  • We've been so focused on a message without boundaries,
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  • Without commitment, that i believe those of us that have
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  • Gathered in the church and imagined ourselves to be christ
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  • Followers have lost much of the sense of holiness and purity and
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  • Righteousness and sacrifice that are a part of serving the lord.
  • 00:07:08.944 --> 00:07:14.783
  • Providing a climate in which worship and personal spiritual
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  • Growth can occur.
  • 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:20.455
  • Again, growing in the lord has far more to do about our choices
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  • Than the environment, but we've said as a community, we want to
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  • Encourage people to do that, to learn to worship the lord.
  • 00:07:27.629 --> 00:07:31.233
  • John 4, "god is a spirit, and his worshipers must worship in
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  • Spirit and in truth."
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  • Worship is two things, we learned from that verse.
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  • It's spirit directed, and it's grounded in god's truth.
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  • Very little about emotion.
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  • I'm not opposed to worship that touches our emotions, but it
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  • Doesn't have to touch your emotion to be worship.
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  • In 1 peter chapter 2, it says, "like newborn babies, crave pure
  • 00:07:57.058 --> 00:08:00.595
  • Spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your
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  • Salvation, now that you've tasted that the lord is good."
  • 00:08:02.864 --> 00:08:08.203
  • Personal spiritual growth, fueled by craving the word
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  • Of god.
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  • Jesus talked about it in terms of hungering and thirsting.
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  • There are no more powerful motivations to your person than
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  • Hunger and thirst.
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  • You get hungry enough and thirsty enough, you'll leave
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  • Behind every restraint.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Female announcer: it's going to be an amazing spring at world
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  • Outreach church, and you're invited to be part of it all.
  • 00:08:33.895 --> 00:08:37.265
  • Join us in tennessee for easter weekend and our spring festival,
  • 00:08:37.265 --> 00:08:41.036
  • Kicking off saturday, april 12th, and running through
  • 00:08:41.036 --> 00:08:43.471
  • Sunday, april 27th.
  • 00:08:43.471 --> 00:08:45.440
  • Worship with musical guest artists crowder, charity gayle,
  • 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:49.277
  • Matthew west, franni cash, and the katinas.
  • 00:08:49.277 --> 00:08:52.414
  • Hear special messages from pastor allen jackson.
  • 00:08:52.414 --> 00:08:55.183
  • Enjoy fun activities for the whole family, food trucks,
  • 00:08:55.183 --> 00:08:58.353
  • And more.
  • 00:08:58.353 --> 00:08:59.721
  • Services will take place both indoors and outdoors.
  • 00:08:59.721 --> 00:09:02.190
  • Invite your friends and family to come celebrate our risen king
  • 00:09:02.190 --> 00:09:05.393
  • This spring.
  • 00:09:05.393 --> 00:09:06.728
  • Allen: hey, this is pastor allen.
  • 00:09:06.728 --> 00:09:08.096
  • I wanna give you a personal invitation to join us on our
  • 00:09:08.096 --> 00:09:10.198
  • Campus, here in murfreesboro, for our spring festival and our
  • 00:09:10.198 --> 00:09:13.702
  • Easter celebration.
  • 00:09:13.702 --> 00:09:15.403
  • It's a wonderful time to be with people of faith and celebrate
  • 00:09:15.403 --> 00:09:19.207
  • This most remarkable time of the year.
  • 00:09:19.207 --> 00:09:21.543
  • Female announcer: find all the details
  • 00:09:21.543 --> 00:09:22.911
  • At allenjackson.com/spring.
  • 00:09:22.911 --> 00:09:25.313
  • We can't wait to see you there.
  • 00:09:25.313 --> 00:09:27.549
  • Allen: i believe god is moving in the earth in an unprecedented
  • 00:09:31.753 --> 00:09:34.689
  • Way, and at the heart of that is an awakening, it's a shaking,
  • 00:09:34.689 --> 00:09:38.693
  • And in that shaking, there's a sifting.
  • 00:09:38.693 --> 00:09:40.328
  • There are people falling through the cracks and there are people
  • 00:09:40.328 --> 00:09:42.464
  • Becoming more alert and aware of what god is doing.
  • 00:09:42.464 --> 00:09:45.533
  • At the heart of that is the acknowledgment, the realization
  • 00:09:45.533 --> 00:09:49.104
  • That spiritual forces shape our lives.
  • 00:09:49.104 --> 00:09:52.140
  • Folks, this isn't for the lunatic fringe.
  • 00:09:52.140 --> 00:09:54.376
  • This isn't for the hyper spiritual people.
  • 00:09:54.376 --> 00:09:57.545
  • This is the stuff of the bible, and it better be the stuff of
  • 00:09:57.545 --> 00:09:59.981
  • Our lives or we are in a tremendous deficit position.
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  • Well, i've written a book, "angels, demons, & you," simply
  • 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:07.522
  • A biblical review of those spiritual forces that are
  • 00:10:07.522 --> 00:10:10.458
  • Impacting us today.
  • 00:10:10.458 --> 00:10:11.793
  • There's a battle in the earth, and it's not between armies
  • 00:10:11.793 --> 00:10:14.529
  • Wearing the labels of nations or terrorist groups.
  • 00:10:14.529 --> 00:10:17.399
  • It's a spiritual battle.
  • 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:18.967
  • If you don't understand, if you don't understand the equipment
  • 00:10:18.967 --> 00:10:21.569
  • And the authority you've been given, you are at a tremendous
  • 00:10:21.569 --> 00:10:25.173
  • Position of forfeiture.
  • 00:10:25.173 --> 00:10:27.409
  • Don't live that way.
  • 00:10:27.409 --> 00:10:28.777
  • "angels, demons, & you," you need the solution.
  • 00:10:28.777 --> 00:10:32.313
  • Female announcer: loneliness, depression, despair, they all
  • 00:10:32.313 --> 00:10:35.617
  • Have a spiritual origin.
  • 00:10:35.617 --> 00:10:37.218
  • We're in a spiritual battle, and the forces of evil stand against
  • 00:10:37.218 --> 00:10:40.789
  • Us, but we don't need to be afraid.
  • 00:10:40.789 --> 00:10:43.258
  • We need to prepare.
  • 00:10:43.258 --> 00:10:44.793
  • Allen: jesus said the children have angels assigned to them
  • 00:10:44.793 --> 00:10:47.362
  • That have the father's attention.
  • 00:10:47.362 --> 00:10:48.930
  • It's safe to say that in the kingdom of god there are
  • 00:10:48.930 --> 00:10:52.033
  • Spiritual beings in significant number, and they're ministering
  • 00:10:52.033 --> 00:10:57.839
  • Spirits, the bible says, sent forth to help us.
  • 00:10:57.839 --> 00:11:01.443
  • They're messengers, they fill the pages of scripture, and yet
  • 00:11:01.443 --> 00:11:04.379
  • We tend to kind of imagine if it's--as if it's peripheral,
  • 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:07.415
  • Secondary, that you could be a christ follower, not really need
  • 00:11:07.415 --> 00:11:10.151
  • Be engaged or have to imagine spiritual forces.
  • 00:11:10.151 --> 00:11:13.254
  • We believe in organization.
  • 00:11:13.254 --> 00:11:15.924
  • Well, so do i, i like a good plan, and i like an organization
  • 00:11:15.924 --> 00:11:20.328
  • That is run well, but i don't want to--it's not an
  • 00:11:20.328 --> 00:11:22.964
  • Either-or equation, and i certainly don't want to exchange
  • 00:11:22.964 --> 00:11:27.035
  • The power of god and the spiritual help that he's made
  • 00:11:27.035 --> 00:11:29.804
  • Available to us for the imagination that we can
  • 00:11:29.804 --> 00:11:32.140
  • Out-organize evil.
  • 00:11:32.140 --> 00:11:33.508
  • Female announcer: pastor allen's new book, "angels, demons, &
  • 00:11:33.508 --> 00:11:35.643
  • You" offers compelling biblical evidence about angels and
  • 00:11:35.643 --> 00:11:39.347
  • Demons, and the rules in the heavens, on earth, and in
  • 00:11:39.347 --> 00:11:43.284
  • Our lives.
  • 00:11:43.284 --> 00:11:44.619
  • It answers the questions you want to know.
  • 00:11:44.619 --> 00:11:47.422
  • Learn what the bible has to say about angels, demons, and
  • 00:11:47.422 --> 00:11:50.692
  • Spiritual warfare.
  • 00:11:50.692 --> 00:11:52.227
  • Gain helpful insight that will help you identify and remove
  • 00:11:52.227 --> 00:11:55.830
  • Evil from your life.
  • 00:11:55.830 --> 00:11:57.732
  • Find practical tools and biblical truth that will help
  • 00:11:57.732 --> 00:12:00.735
  • You align your beliefs more fully with god's word.
  • 00:12:00.735 --> 00:12:03.905
  • "angels, demons, & you" will help you recognize the spiritual
  • 00:12:03.905 --> 00:12:07.275
  • Battle around you, so you can live without fear and stand firm
  • 00:12:07.275 --> 00:12:10.678
  • In your faith.
  • 00:12:10.678 --> 00:12:12.013
  • Allen: this is our season in time to be a difference maker
  • 00:12:12.013 --> 00:12:14.516
  • For the kingdom of god, and that's a spiritual assignment.
  • 00:12:14.516 --> 00:12:18.486
  • Female announcer: request your copy when you donate $30 or more
  • 00:12:18.486 --> 00:12:21.256
  • At allenjackson.com, or by calling ...
  • 00:12:21.256 --> 00:12:28.997
  • Allen: and finally, to equip believers for effective ministry
  • 00:12:32.801 --> 00:12:35.270
  • To reach our community and throughout the earth.
  • 00:12:35.270 --> 00:12:41.242
  • Seems to me we have a generation of unequipped saints.
  • 00:12:41.242 --> 00:12:44.946
  • I don't believe equipping believers is as much about a
  • 00:12:44.946 --> 00:12:48.917
  • Discipleship program or a class, as it is about
  • 00:12:48.917 --> 00:12:52.921
  • Character formation.
  • 00:12:52.921 --> 00:12:55.690
  • I don't believe it's primarily informational.
  • 00:12:55.690 --> 00:12:59.894
  • I think it's far more to do with our character.
  • 00:12:59.894 --> 00:13:02.764
  • Philippians chapter 2, paul said, "let your attitude be the
  • 00:13:02.764 --> 00:13:05.466
  • Same as that of christ jesus."
  • 00:13:05.466 --> 00:13:10.104
  • Our intellects vary.
  • 00:13:10.104 --> 00:13:13.074
  • Our ability to learn is different.
  • 00:13:13.074 --> 00:13:17.278
  • The circumstances from which we come is widely divergent, but
  • 00:13:17.278 --> 00:13:21.649
  • All of us can choose an attitude.
  • 00:13:21.649 --> 00:13:24.452
  • An attitude to be like jesus.
  • 00:13:24.452 --> 00:13:27.889
  • And then in--that second chapter, he begins to enumerate
  • 00:13:27.889 --> 00:13:30.859
  • Those characteristics.
  • 00:13:30.859 --> 00:13:32.393
  • I didn't put them in your notes, but in ephesians 4 it says, "the
  • 00:13:32.393 --> 00:13:34.629
  • Equipping of the saints for the work of the service, to the
  • 00:13:34.629 --> 00:13:37.532
  • Building up of the body of christ."
  • 00:13:37.532 --> 00:13:40.835
  • We have to have a commitment to seeing the body of
  • 00:13:40.835 --> 00:13:42.604
  • Christ strengthened.
  • 00:13:42.604 --> 00:13:45.607
  • It's a nuisance.
  • 00:13:45.607 --> 00:13:48.877
  • It's a nuisance helping other people get stronger.
  • 00:13:48.877 --> 00:13:51.512
  • It makes our strength less apparent.
  • 00:13:51.512 --> 00:13:54.582
  • It even sometimes makes our strength seem less significant.
  • 00:13:54.582 --> 00:13:58.620
  • If i help others gain strength, and find expressions for
  • 00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:01.789
  • Their strength.
  • 00:14:01.789 --> 00:14:03.958
  • We have to understand the value, that it isn't ultimately
  • 00:14:03.958 --> 00:14:06.361
  • About us.
  • 00:14:06.361 --> 00:14:10.932
  • Same chapter of ephesians, verse 22, "you were taught, with
  • 00:14:10.932 --> 00:14:14.469
  • Regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,
  • 00:14:14.469 --> 00:14:18.473
  • Which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; and to be
  • 00:14:18.473 --> 00:14:21.309
  • Made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new
  • 00:14:21.309 --> 00:14:25.013
  • Self, created to be like god in true righteousness
  • 00:14:25.013 --> 00:14:28.683
  • And holiness."
  • 00:14:28.683 --> 00:14:30.151
  • If you ask me for the--my best synopsis of what it means to
  • 00:14:30.151 --> 00:14:34.322
  • Equip believers for effectiveness in the kingdom, i
  • 00:14:34.322 --> 00:14:37.659
  • Think i would take those verses from ephesians 4.
  • 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:40.795
  • It's about learning to put off our old self.
  • 00:14:40.795 --> 00:14:44.532
  • Our old carnal self, our earthly self, our adamic self, they're
  • 00:14:44.532 --> 00:14:48.269
  • All phrases used in the new testament for that part of us
  • 00:14:48.269 --> 00:14:52.040
  • That isn't immediately transformed at conversion.
  • 00:14:52.040 --> 00:14:56.911
  • Our spirit is made alive to god, we're made a new creation, a
  • 00:14:56.911 --> 00:14:59.914
  • Totally new creation, but that earthly part of us is still
  • 00:14:59.914 --> 00:15:03.451
  • Intact, and we have to learn to yield to the spirit of god in
  • 00:15:03.451 --> 00:15:07.755
  • Our lives.
  • 00:15:07.755 --> 00:15:11.392
  • My old nature says, "i think," and, "i feel," and, "i want,"
  • 00:15:11.392 --> 00:15:15.263
  • And, "i want those things to be honored and given first
  • 00:15:15.263 --> 00:15:17.865
  • Priority," and the spirit of god says, "i have to yield those.
  • 00:15:17.865 --> 00:15:22.370
  • I have to put off that old self, and i have to put on a
  • 00:15:22.370 --> 00:15:26.207
  • New self."
  • 00:15:26.207 --> 00:15:29.043
  • We do it jokingly around here a good little bit.
  • 00:15:29.043 --> 00:15:31.279
  • Like, don't get torqued up if somebody sits in your seat.
  • 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:36.050
  • We laugh because we do.
  • 00:15:36.050 --> 00:15:39.487
  • Or, please don't get too bent out of shape if you have to park
  • 00:15:39.487 --> 00:15:42.790
  • Further away than you would like.
  • 00:15:42.790 --> 00:15:46.794
  • You understand the absurdity in there, right?
  • 00:15:46.794 --> 00:15:48.396
  • "oh, there's so many people that came to church today,
  • 00:15:48.396 --> 00:15:49.964
  • It's inconvenient.
  • 00:15:49.964 --> 00:15:51.632
  • Oh, it's awful.
  • 00:15:51.632 --> 00:15:55.169
  • Gonna find me a more convenient place, where nobody wants
  • 00:15:55.169 --> 00:15:57.472
  • To go."
  • 00:15:57.472 --> 00:16:02.010
  • So those admonitions to put off that old self and put on our new
  • 00:16:02.010 --> 00:16:06.047
  • Self, we understand the struggle of that.
  • 00:16:06.047 --> 00:16:09.951
  • It's easy to be offended.
  • 00:16:09.951 --> 00:16:13.254
  • It's easy to sit like an olympic judge and evaluate the people
  • 00:16:13.254 --> 00:16:17.792
  • That are doing something.
  • 00:16:17.792 --> 00:16:19.127
  • "well, i don't--[grumbling]"
  • 00:16:19.127 --> 00:16:21.996
  • I'm not really saying, but i mean we've seen that on the
  • 00:16:21.996 --> 00:16:24.265
  • Landscape of how christianity is practiced.
  • 00:16:24.265 --> 00:16:28.069
  • I'm always fascinated by people who don't yield as christians.
  • 00:16:28.069 --> 00:16:32.407
  • They know how christians should behave.
  • 00:16:32.407 --> 00:16:35.743
  • They're very willing to say, "well, you know, you--they said
  • 00:16:35.743 --> 00:16:38.112
  • They were christian, and they acted like this."
  • 00:16:38.112 --> 00:16:40.815
  • Well, i'm thinking if you hadn't committed to be christian, you
  • 00:16:40.815 --> 00:16:43.051
  • Should just hold your opinion.
  • 00:16:43.051 --> 00:16:53.161
  • I want to close with acts 20, because i know it to be true,
  • 00:16:53.227 --> 00:16:58.566
  • And it's uncomfortable.
  • 00:16:58.566 --> 00:17:01.903
  • Paul's talking with his friends in ephesus, and he's told them
  • 00:17:01.903 --> 00:17:06.040
  • That he won't see them again.
  • 00:17:06.040 --> 00:17:08.476
  • Now, he's lived in that community for a couple of years,
  • 00:17:08.476 --> 00:17:10.545
  • And he's no doubt has very close relationships, and they've been
  • 00:17:10.545 --> 00:17:14.082
  • Through a great deal together.
  • 00:17:14.082 --> 00:17:16.117
  • Tremendous deliverance.
  • 00:17:16.117 --> 00:17:18.453
  • Great freedoms.
  • 00:17:18.453 --> 00:17:20.855
  • They've publicly destroyed millions of dollars worth of
  • 00:17:20.855 --> 00:17:25.293
  • Paraphernalia they used in ungodly things.
  • 00:17:25.293 --> 00:17:28.563
  • I mean, it's been a remarkable thing that has happened in their
  • 00:17:28.563 --> 00:17:30.965
  • Lives together, and now paul says to them, "you won't see me
  • 00:17:30.965 --> 00:17:34.535
  • Again," and so he's giving them some last instructions.
  • 00:17:34.535 --> 00:17:38.906
  • He says, "'keep watch over yourselves and all of the flock
  • 00:17:38.906 --> 00:17:42.443
  • Of which the holy spirit has made you overseers.
  • 00:17:42.443 --> 00:17:46.013
  • Be shepherds of the church of god, which he bought with his
  • 00:17:46.013 --> 00:17:49.183
  • Own blood.
  • 00:17:49.183 --> 00:17:51.185
  • I know that after i leave, savage wolves will come in among
  • 00:17:51.185 --> 00:17:56.124
  • You and will not spare the flock.
  • 00:17:56.124 --> 00:18:00.194
  • Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth
  • 00:18:00.194 --> 00:18:04.532
  • In order to draw away disciples after them.'"
  • 00:18:04.532 --> 00:18:08.703
  • It would be easy to read past that really quickly and miss the
  • 00:18:08.703 --> 00:18:12.173
  • Intensity of the language.
  • 00:18:12.173 --> 00:18:14.942
  • Words have meaning, and i think here they're particular
  • 00:18:14.942 --> 00:18:17.278
  • Poignant--particularly poignant.
  • 00:18:17.278 --> 00:18:19.380
  • He said, "after i leave there are people who will come among
  • 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:22.884
  • You like savage wolves."
  • 00:18:22.884 --> 00:18:27.488
  • You know, my dad was a vet, so i've been around quite a few
  • 00:18:27.488 --> 00:18:29.624
  • Dogs, and when you see a really savage animal,
  • 00:18:29.624 --> 00:18:32.360
  • They're dangerous.
  • 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:34.695
  • I don't mean a puppy that'll snap at you.
  • 00:18:34.695 --> 00:18:38.533
  • I'm talking about an animal who's crossed over.
  • 00:18:38.533 --> 00:18:41.669
  • It's the imagery that paul is referencing.
  • 00:18:41.669 --> 00:18:43.804
  • He said, "people will come among you even from your own number,
  • 00:18:43.804 --> 00:18:51.345
  • And they'll prey upon you."
  • 00:18:51.345 --> 00:18:56.217
  • I don't think he's saying that to frighten us.
  • 00:18:56.217 --> 00:18:57.952
  • I think he's saying that to prepare us.
  • 00:18:57.952 --> 00:19:00.988
  • It's not unlike what jesus said, he said, "i'm sending you out
  • 00:19:00.988 --> 00:19:03.624
  • Like sheep among wolves," and paul said, "you need to
  • 00:19:03.624 --> 00:19:09.263
  • Understand, some of those wolves will speak your language."
  • 00:19:09.263 --> 00:19:14.769
  • They'll read your translation.
  • 00:19:14.769 --> 00:19:17.672
  • They'll like your worship list on your iphone.
  • 00:19:17.672 --> 00:19:24.979
  • We're gonna have to be a bit more sophisticated.
  • 00:19:24.979 --> 00:19:28.950
  • We're gonna have to recognize the essential components of
  • 00:19:28.950 --> 00:19:31.252
  • The church.
  • 00:19:31.252 --> 00:19:33.454
  • That we can't set aside the authority of scripture.
  • 00:19:33.454 --> 00:19:35.623
  • We can't set aside the uniqueness of jesus.
  • 00:19:35.623 --> 00:19:39.493
  • We'll have to pay attention to fruit.
  • 00:19:39.493 --> 00:19:42.863
  • The most significant warning, the most frequent warning jesus
  • 00:19:42.863 --> 00:19:45.566
  • Gave to us about the end of the age is deception, and if it
  • 00:19:45.566 --> 00:19:49.804
  • Wasn't a real threat, he wouldn't have warned
  • 00:19:49.804 --> 00:19:51.539
  • Us repeatedly.
  • 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:54.909
  • Deception means you believe something to be true, which in
  • 00:19:54.909 --> 00:19:57.178
  • Reality is not true, and i think we have a great deal of
  • 00:19:57.178 --> 00:20:02.483
  • Confusion today.
  • 00:20:02.483 --> 00:20:05.820
  • People often say to me, "you know, well, i have these
  • 00:20:05.820 --> 00:20:08.689
  • Friends, and they go to a church where they deny the authority of
  • 00:20:08.689 --> 00:20:10.891
  • Scripture, and they don't honor who jesus is, but he said
  • 00:20:10.891 --> 00:20:16.197
  • They're good people."
  • 00:20:16.197 --> 00:20:18.532
  • I think we need new labels.
  • 00:20:18.532 --> 00:20:23.871
  • If you support a false gospel, if you advocate for something
  • 00:20:23.871 --> 00:20:30.544
  • That would prohibit people from entering the kingdom of god.
  • 00:20:30.544 --> 00:20:34.515
  • We can say they're talented or kind.
  • 00:20:34.515 --> 00:20:37.518
  • We could say they're generous.
  • 00:20:37.518 --> 00:20:38.886
  • We could say a lot of things about 'em, but i don't think
  • 00:20:38.886 --> 00:20:40.921
  • That's a good thing.
  • 00:20:40.921 --> 00:20:45.059
  • I'm not trying to bring division.
  • 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:46.394
  • I'm try--i think we have to be aware.
  • 00:20:46.394 --> 00:20:49.764
  • I started with 2 timothy 3, in those first 5 verses where paul
  • 00:20:49.764 --> 00:20:52.967
  • Described the deterioration of our character, and he said,
  • 00:20:52.967 --> 00:20:56.203
  • "they'll have a form of godliness."
  • 00:20:56.203 --> 00:20:57.672
  • Have nothing to do with them.
  • 00:20:57.672 --> 00:21:00.074
  • Savage wolves.
  • 00:21:00.074 --> 00:21:01.542
  • It will increase.
  • 00:21:01.542 --> 00:21:07.648
  • Truth is in the balance right now.
  • 00:21:07.648 --> 00:21:11.152
  • We have the courage to embrace the fundamentals of genesis
  • 00:21:11.152 --> 00:21:15.256
  • Chapter 1, that god created us male and female.
  • 00:21:15.256 --> 00:21:20.094
  • That god established marriage.
  • 00:21:20.094 --> 00:21:22.697
  • That children are sacred and not a choice.
  • 00:21:22.697 --> 00:21:26.767
  • There's some simple things that the church cannot set aside, and
  • 00:21:26.767 --> 00:21:30.805
  • Imagine we're the church.
  • 00:21:30.805 --> 00:21:33.607
  • We have to help one another, encourage one another.
  • 00:21:33.607 --> 00:21:36.677
  • We have to continue to grow.
  • 00:21:36.677 --> 00:21:39.347
  • It wasn't nearly as necessary a couple of decades ago, 'cause
  • 00:21:39.347 --> 00:21:41.816
  • Those principles and those ideas were a part of the fabric of
  • 00:21:41.816 --> 00:21:44.752
  • Our culture.
  • 00:21:44.752 --> 00:21:46.087
  • They really weren't being debated.
  • 00:21:46.087 --> 00:21:48.422
  • They weren't part of a discussion about offices in our
  • 00:21:48.422 --> 00:21:52.293
  • Land, because they were the fabric of the country and they
  • 00:21:52.293 --> 00:21:54.695
  • Didn't require debate, but now they do.
  • 00:21:54.695 --> 00:22:00.768
  • And it requires an--not only an awareness of the church, it
  • 00:22:00.768 --> 00:22:03.437
  • Requires a voice from the church in order to give the generations
  • 00:22:03.437 --> 00:22:06.774
  • Who follow us an opportunity.
  • 00:22:06.774 --> 00:22:10.277
  • Helping people to become fully devoted followers of jesus.
  • 00:22:10.277 --> 00:22:14.682
  • I'll mug somebody for that.
  • 00:22:14.682 --> 00:22:17.718
  • I'll show up a little early to do my part or stay a
  • 00:22:17.718 --> 00:22:19.987
  • Little late.
  • 00:22:19.987 --> 00:22:22.089
  • I want to add my voice to that.
  • 00:22:22.089 --> 00:22:25.760
  • I wanna help shout it from the housetops.
  • 00:22:25.760 --> 00:22:28.796
  • That jesus is lord and he will change your life.
  • 00:22:28.796 --> 00:22:32.433
  • I don't know if i've ever thought that a local church was
  • 00:22:36.570 --> 00:22:39.273
  • More essential, and clarity around the fundamentals were
  • 00:22:39.273 --> 00:22:42.843
  • More necessary, than in the time that we're walking through
  • 00:22:42.843 --> 00:22:47.148
  • Right now.
  • 00:22:47.148 --> 00:22:48.516
  • I thank god for your lives.
  • 00:22:48.516 --> 00:22:50.384
  • I don't believe it's possible to understand the difference
  • 00:22:50.384 --> 00:22:52.720
  • You make.
  • 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:54.388
  • I see small victories emerging in our community.
  • 00:22:54.388 --> 00:22:57.458
  • Changes coming to library boards.
  • 00:22:57.458 --> 00:23:00.227
  • Changes coming in how we think about the training of our
  • 00:23:00.227 --> 00:23:02.663
  • Children, and it's because people of faith have the courage
  • 00:23:02.663 --> 00:23:09.904
  • To stand up for the truth.
  • 00:23:09.904 --> 00:23:12.540
  • They're called names.
  • 00:23:12.540 --> 00:23:15.109
  • They're taken off of invitation lists.
  • 00:23:15.109 --> 00:23:19.380
  • It's worth it. it's worth it.
  • 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:23.150
  • I want you to stand with me.
  • 00:23:23.150 --> 00:23:24.485
  • I wanna pray.
  • 00:23:24.485 --> 00:23:26.153
  • There's a little report given at the beginning of the book
  • 00:23:26.153 --> 00:23:28.289
  • Of acts.
  • 00:23:28.289 --> 00:23:30.624
  • When they first arrested peter and john, there's a--god's
  • 00:23:30.624 --> 00:23:33.761
  • Beginning to move in jerusalem, and the opponents of jesus have
  • 00:23:33.761 --> 00:23:38.732
  • Not yielded one inch, and they bring peter and john in, and
  • 00:23:38.732 --> 00:23:43.037
  • They say, "you've got to stop talking about this, and if you
  • 00:23:43.037 --> 00:23:46.607
  • Don't stop talking about it, we'll do to you what we did to
  • 00:23:46.607 --> 00:23:49.043
  • Your boss," and it says they left after they were threatened,
  • 00:23:49.043 --> 00:23:53.113
  • And they went back to the believers, and they gave a
  • 00:23:53.113 --> 00:23:55.883
  • Report, and they rejoiced, and they prayed that god would give
  • 00:23:55.883 --> 00:24:02.723
  • Them boldness to speak his word, and that's my prayer for
  • 00:24:02.723 --> 00:24:07.528
  • Us tonight.
  • 00:24:07.528 --> 00:24:09.363
  • That god will give us boldness.
  • 00:24:09.363 --> 00:24:12.066
  • We're seeing expressions of it coming from people that we
  • 00:24:12.066 --> 00:24:15.135
  • Didn't even know were people of faith.
  • 00:24:15.135 --> 00:24:17.738
  • They have more boldness than the people that we thought were
  • 00:24:17.738 --> 00:24:19.607
  • Faith leaders.
  • 00:24:19.607 --> 00:24:21.509
  • It's awkward.
  • 00:24:21.509 --> 00:24:23.511
  • How are they doing that?
  • 00:24:23.511 --> 00:24:24.845
  • I don't know, god.
  • 00:24:24.845 --> 00:24:27.815
  • Read your bible, it's hard to figure out sometimes.
  • 00:24:27.815 --> 00:24:29.650
  • I use sampson.
  • 00:24:29.650 --> 00:24:31.952
  • You would not want your teenage daughter going out with sampson.
  • 00:24:31.952 --> 00:24:37.391
  • I promise, he's a scoundrel.
  • 00:24:37.391 --> 00:24:40.427
  • But god used him.
  • 00:24:40.427 --> 00:24:43.197
  • Used him in a mighty way for deliverance.
  • 00:24:43.197 --> 00:24:46.867
  • Gives me hope, we could use some of the scandalous ones
  • 00:24:46.867 --> 00:24:49.503
  • Amongst us.
  • 00:24:49.503 --> 00:24:51.505
  • Father, thank you for your word.
  • 00:24:55.175 --> 00:24:57.912
  • For its truth and authority and power.
  • 00:24:57.912 --> 00:24:59.713
  • I thank you for your church in the earth, that you're the head
  • 00:24:59.713 --> 00:25:02.550
  • Of the church, or that we stand in your authority and
  • 00:25:02.550 --> 00:25:06.954
  • Your power.
  • 00:25:06.954 --> 00:25:08.689
  • We're on assignment for your purposes, lord you called us
  • 00:25:08.689 --> 00:25:12.326
  • Out of darkness into your kingdom.
  • 00:25:12.326 --> 00:25:15.829
  • It's through your shed blood that we've been forgiven and
  • 00:25:15.829 --> 00:25:18.332
  • Cleansed, justified and sanctified.
  • 00:25:18.332 --> 00:25:21.368
  • It's in the authority of your name that we live and we move
  • 00:25:21.368 --> 00:25:24.772
  • And we have our existence.
  • 00:25:24.772 --> 00:25:27.608
  • Well, and there's nothing that is hidden in darkness from you.
  • 00:25:27.608 --> 00:25:31.178
  • There's no threat we face or challenge before us that
  • 00:25:31.178 --> 00:25:34.615
  • Intimidates or threatens you, and we thank you for the great
  • 00:25:34.615 --> 00:25:38.652
  • Privilege and honor of bearing the name of jesus.
  • 00:25:38.652 --> 00:25:42.323
  • Or in all of the places you've planted us, in our homes.
  • 00:25:42.323 --> 00:25:46.160
  • In our schools, in our community, in our jobs, with
  • 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:50.030
  • Our friends.
  • 00:25:50.030 --> 00:25:51.765
  • That we have the great honor of saying, "jesus is our lord, and
  • 00:25:51.765 --> 00:25:56.437
  • We have yielded to you," but we pray that you will confirm your
  • 00:25:56.437 --> 00:26:01.809
  • Word in our midst with signs and wonders.
  • 00:26:01.809 --> 00:26:04.612
  • That you'll give us a boldness, beyond anything we've ever had.
  • 00:26:04.612 --> 00:26:08.616
  • Give us understanding hearts, eyes that see, and ears that
  • 00:26:08.616 --> 00:26:12.553
  • Hear what you're doing.
  • 00:26:12.553 --> 00:26:17.157
  • May we have the courage to finish the race.
  • 00:26:17.157 --> 00:26:20.694
  • To complete the course.
  • 00:26:20.694 --> 00:26:23.130
  • May we not be distracted.
  • 00:26:23.130 --> 00:26:26.333
  • Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
  • 00:26:26.333 --> 00:26:31.038
  • Most of all, may you be pleased.
  • 00:26:31.038 --> 00:26:33.173
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:33.173 --> 00:26:36.510
  • Hallelujah, god bless you.
  • 00:26:36.510 --> 00:26:39.213
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:39.747 --> 00:26:44.952
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  • 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:47.788
  • Your faith, and have tools for your journey, no matter
  • 00:26:47.788 --> 00:26:49.990
  • Your schedule.
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  • ♪♪♪
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