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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - They Soon Forget (Part 2)

December 16, 2024 | S

Allen Jackson - They Soon Forget (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - They Soon Forget (Part 2) | December 16, 2024
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  • Cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.aberdeen.io
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  • Allen jackson: for all of our talk about abortion, the
  • 00:00:06.965 --> 00:00:10.302
  • Abortion numbers have not diminished.
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  • It really wasn't a legal issue.
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  • It wasn't because it was the law of the land.
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  • It was the condition of our hearts.
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  • How abortions are performed changes dramatically, the same
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  • Way so much of our lives changes dramatically.
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  • Technology changes it.
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  • Now you can have a pill in the privacy of your home.
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  • You can live in a state where abortion is not legal, but
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  • They'll ship the pills to your home.
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  • We're losing as many children as we've ever lost.
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  • We are told frequently, loudly, boldly, creatively,
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  • Persistently, that it's my body and my choice, that an unborn
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  • Child is just a mass of cells, a blob of protoplasm.
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  • We're very reluctant to say anything about it.
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  • We are not frequently reminded with--and certainly not with the
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  • Intensity that we're told that it's our body and our choice.
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  • I mean, it wasn't our body and our choice when it was about
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  • A vaccination.
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  • We are not reminded that there are frequently, regularly, as a
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  • Matter of medical practice, surgeries performed on unborn
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  • Children, fetal procedures for a whole variety of
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  • Physical problems.
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  • It's not just a mass of cells.
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  • There's a human being there that our health care community
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  • Acknowledges can be treated and helped.
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  • We all understand, every mom understands, that their diet and
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  • Their health is important during pregnancy, because the impact
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  • Upon the developing child.
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  • Simple things like abstaining from alcohol or drugs or tobacco
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  • Because they all can affect the development of a child.
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  • It's not just a blob of cells.
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  • How can we be silent?
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  • Illicit books in our schools for young children.
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  • And we are told we should avoid censorship, the banning
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  • Of books.
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  • We're limiting education.
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  • If you require us to remove these wicked books from the
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  • Library, it'll lead to the removal of the bible from
  • 00:02:03.682 --> 00:02:06.752
  • Public places.
  • 00:02:06.752 --> 00:02:10.956
  • We are not reminded.
  • 00:02:10.956 --> 00:02:12.925
  • See, the arguments they want to obfuscate, muddy, confuse.
  • 00:02:12.925 --> 00:02:17.196
  • They'll push for something as a distraction that isn't dealing
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  • With the real reality.
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  • We're not reminded of things like age-appropriate learning.
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  • We don't sell cigarettes in our elementary schools.
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  • You don't get a beer with the school lunch program.
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  • And i'm not suggesting we should.
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  • They don't talk about the parental role in the training of
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  • Their children, that they don't want strangers making decisions
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  • About sexualizing their young children.
  • 00:02:46.558 --> 00:02:49.895
  • The sexualization of children is an elaborate framing
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  • Of grooming.
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  • It's inappropriate. it's evil.
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  • I don't think school boards should argue about
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  • It incessantly.
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  • Once the books are identified, once the nature of that
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  • Discussion is clearly articulated, they need
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  • To choose.
  • 00:03:09.314 --> 00:03:10.682
  • And if you think that's good for our children, in my opinion, you
  • 00:03:10.682 --> 00:03:13.652
  • Forfeited your right to lead.
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  • It's destructive.
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  • Illegal immigration.
  • 00:03:22.561 --> 00:03:23.895
  • We're told regularly that deportation will be unfair.
  • 00:03:23.895 --> 00:03:29.001
  • I heard this week some sober-minded person looking in a
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  • Camera trying to convince me of their intellectual prowess that
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  • If these deportations of people who are illegal--are here
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  • Illegally is more than a million people already identified,
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  • Informed that they should leave the country because of criminal
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  • Records, acts of violence.
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  • This person is looking at a lens with sobriety saying to us on
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  • The other side, if you persist, when removing these million
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  • People, there will be a doctor or a nurse or a health care
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  • Worker deported.
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  • They proceeded.
  • 00:04:05.971 --> 00:04:07.339
  • I mean, they had a whole little litany.
  • 00:04:07.339 --> 00:04:08.674
  • They said children will suffer if the border is closed, that an
  • 00:04:08.674 --> 00:04:12.778
  • Open border is an expression of compassion.
  • 00:04:12.778 --> 00:04:17.115
  • What they weren't saying, i mean, it's like a smoke bomb,
  • 00:04:17.115 --> 00:04:21.586
  • It's a distraction.
  • 00:04:21.586 --> 00:04:23.188
  • And most of us are busy enough, we don't wanna think about it.
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  • It's not my problem.
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  • That's why we send somebody else to do something.
  • 00:04:26.792 --> 00:04:30.362
  • Millions of illegal immigrants, multiplied millions, have placed
  • 00:04:30.362 --> 00:04:34.299
  • An enormous demand upon the health care system of our
  • 00:04:34.299 --> 00:04:36.835
  • Nation, every day, all across the nation, diminishing the
  • 00:04:36.835 --> 00:04:42.341
  • Quality of care that's available for the citizens.
  • 00:04:42.341 --> 00:04:47.312
  • And they're searching to find some health care professional
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  • That will be caught up in addressing this.
  • 00:04:49.881 --> 00:04:54.019
  • Children in the migrant caravans are subjected to
  • 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:56.722
  • Horrible things.
  • 00:04:56.722 --> 00:04:59.391
  • They're being trafficked at our border in numbers never seen in
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  • The united states of america.
  • 00:05:03.195 --> 00:05:04.996
  • Tens of thousands of them regularly sold into slavery,
  • 00:05:04.996 --> 00:05:09.968
  • Sexual slavery.
  • 00:05:09.968 --> 00:05:13.472
  • And we've stayed silent.
  • 00:05:13.472 --> 00:05:16.842
  • Antisemitism, we're told.
  • 00:05:16.842 --> 00:05:21.179
  • Israel is an apartheid state.
  • 00:05:21.179 --> 00:05:27.185
  • The attacks of october 7th by hamas, a terrorist organization
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  • Funded by iran, should be given moral equivalency with the state
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  • Of israel when their military in uniform goes to search for
  • 00:05:35.961 --> 00:05:40.265
  • Those terrorists.
  • 00:05:40.265 --> 00:05:42.267
  • The elite schools in our nation, we are told frequently, are
  • 00:05:42.267 --> 00:05:46.304
  • Appropriate when they support antisemitic demonstrations.
  • 00:05:46.304 --> 00:05:51.309
  • This week, the international criminal court, the icc, issued
  • 00:05:51.309 --> 00:05:56.148
  • Arrest warrants for the israeli prime minister and former
  • 00:05:56.148 --> 00:05:59.384
  • Defense minister as well as the head of hamas, ibrahim al-masri.
  • 00:05:59.384 --> 00:06:08.960
  • As if there was an equivalency between the prime minister of
  • 00:06:08.960 --> 00:06:12.197
  • Israel and the head of hamas.
  • 00:06:12.197 --> 00:06:15.200
  • Folks, this stuff washes over us day in and day out.
  • 00:06:15.200 --> 00:06:20.405
  • It cascades over us.
  • 00:06:20.405 --> 00:06:21.840
  • We're not reminded of the innocent women, children, and
  • 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:26.845
  • Families that were murdered and slaughtered and brutalized in
  • 00:06:26.845 --> 00:06:31.082
  • The most awful ways on october the 7th.
  • 00:06:31.082 --> 00:06:35.454
  • The list could go on and on.
  • 00:06:35.454 --> 00:06:37.556
  • It did in my notes.
  • 00:06:37.556 --> 00:06:40.725
  • But underlying it all, if you'll allow me to bring it back to
  • 00:06:40.725 --> 00:06:43.795
  • Your outlines and to the biblical perspective, it has to
  • 00:06:43.795 --> 00:06:47.132
  • Do with the existence of evil.
  • 00:06:47.132 --> 00:06:50.135
  • I believe you have to understand evil exists to process what we
  • 00:06:50.135 --> 00:06:53.738
  • Are watching.
  • 00:06:53.738 --> 00:06:55.440
  • Secular culture avoids the reality of spiritual forces.
  • 00:06:55.440 --> 00:07:00.645
  • They don't want to talk about it.
  • 00:07:00.645 --> 00:07:01.980
  • They don't want to acknowledge it.
  • 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:03.348
  • If you say you believe in those things, they discount you.
  • 00:07:03.348 --> 00:07:06.885
  • You lack sophistication to speak into the current world.
  • 00:07:06.885 --> 00:07:11.089
  • But the reality is the church of jesus christ exists because of
  • 00:07:11.089 --> 00:07:15.293
  • Spiritual power.
  • 00:07:15.293 --> 00:07:17.462
  • We have to lead with our faith.
  • 00:07:17.462 --> 00:07:20.499
  • We don't just lead with generosity and kindness and good
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  • Deeds and expressions of material
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  • Possessions to people in need.
  • 00:07:28.373 --> 00:07:29.708
  • All of those things are appropriate.
  • 00:07:29.708 --> 00:07:31.042
  • I'm not saying we should stop them, but they're not the
  • 00:07:31.042 --> 00:07:33.745
  • Fullest expression of what we've been called to do.
  • 00:07:33.745 --> 00:07:36.214
  • We are salt and light.
  • 00:07:36.214 --> 00:07:37.782
  • We hold out the eternal truth of a living god.
  • 00:07:37.782 --> 00:07:42.721
  • And to do that, we have to recognize that good and evil
  • 00:07:42.721 --> 00:07:48.193
  • Exist, that they are expressions of spiritual realities.
  • 00:07:48.193 --> 00:07:51.530
  • They're not political classifications.
  • 00:07:51.530 --> 00:07:55.700
  • We've been bullied into silence for too long.
  • 00:07:55.700 --> 00:07:59.271
  • There are different dimensions which exist.
  • 00:07:59.271 --> 00:08:02.974
  • I find it a bit amusing that if you believe there are aliens
  • 00:08:02.974 --> 00:08:05.610
  • From other planets that are frequenting our world, you are
  • 00:08:05.610 --> 00:08:09.748
  • Enlightened and sophisticated.
  • 00:08:09.748 --> 00:08:14.553
  • It's okay with me, but then if you believe in an almighty god
  • 00:08:14.553 --> 00:08:17.589
  • Who created the heavens and the earth, you are backwards.
  • 00:08:17.589 --> 00:08:22.627
  • You can call me all the names you want.
  • 00:08:22.627 --> 00:08:24.095
  • I'm not gonna give up my belief.
  • 00:08:24.095 --> 00:08:27.365
  • In ephesians 6 and verse 12, it says: "our struggle is not
  • 00:08:27.365 --> 00:08:30.335
  • Against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
  • 00:08:30.335 --> 00:08:33.371
  • Authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against
  • 00:08:33.371 --> 00:08:36.575
  • The spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
  • 00:08:36.575 --> 00:08:39.711
  • That the church is called to take a stand against spiritual
  • 00:08:39.711 --> 00:08:44.583
  • Forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
  • 00:08:44.583 --> 00:08:50.388
  • We have to become more aware of kingdoms and authorities and
  • 00:08:50.388 --> 00:08:54.993
  • Less occupied with politicians and parties.
  • 00:08:54.993 --> 00:09:01.199
  • In ephesians chapter 2 and verse 1, it says: "you were dead in
  • 00:09:01.199 --> 00:09:04.135
  • Your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you
  • 00:09:04.135 --> 00:09:08.173
  • Followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of
  • 00:09:08.173 --> 00:09:11.042
  • The air, the spirit who's now at work in those who
  • 00:09:11.042 --> 00:09:14.613
  • Are disobedient."
  • 00:09:14.613 --> 00:09:18.049
  • I believe that the spiritual world is every bit as real as
  • 00:09:18.049 --> 00:09:21.252
  • The material physical world in which we live.
  • 00:09:21.252 --> 00:09:23.555
  • It does not offend my intellect whatsoever to believe in
  • 00:09:23.555 --> 00:09:28.660
  • Dimensions that exist, that coexist.
  • 00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:34.299
  • In fact, it's impossible to say you believe your bible and not
  • 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:36.935
  • To believe in spiritual things.
  • 00:09:36.935 --> 00:09:39.537
  • The significance of those kingdoms, look at revelation 5
  • 00:09:39.537 --> 00:09:42.240
  • And verse 11.
  • 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:44.209
  • John said, "i looked and i heard the voice of many angels,
  • 00:09:44.209 --> 00:09:47.278
  • Numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousands
  • 00:09:47.278 --> 00:09:49.948
  • Time ten thousand.
  • 00:09:49.948 --> 00:09:51.282
  • They encircled the throne and the living creatures and
  • 00:09:51.282 --> 00:09:53.585
  • The elders."
  • 00:09:53.585 --> 00:09:55.020
  • John has a vision of the throne room of god and he sees this
  • 00:09:55.020 --> 00:09:57.822
  • Enormous gathering of angels, and he said there were 10,000
  • 00:09:57.822 --> 00:10:02.927
  • Times 10,000.
  • 00:10:02.927 --> 00:10:04.295
  • Some of you are good with numbers.
  • 00:10:04.295 --> 00:10:06.731
  • It's 100 million angels.
  • 00:10:06.731 --> 00:10:12.904
  • That's a lot.
  • 00:10:12.904 --> 00:10:15.306
  • Angels, we're told, are ministering spirits, messengers.
  • 00:10:15.306 --> 00:10:18.843
  • We're told in scripture that there are mighty angels,
  • 00:10:18.843 --> 00:10:21.246
  • Powerful angels, angels with great strength, angels assigned
  • 00:10:21.246 --> 00:10:25.083
  • To people groups, angels assigned to nations.
  • 00:10:25.083 --> 00:10:29.454
  • They have authority to see the purposes of god and the will of
  • 00:10:29.454 --> 00:10:32.757
  • God brought forward in the earth.
  • 00:10:32.757 --> 00:10:35.226
  • They're here to help the people of god living in time.
  • 00:10:35.226 --> 00:10:40.031
  • More than 100 million of them.
  • 00:10:40.031 --> 00:10:46.304
  • Allen: i want to take just a moment to say thank you.
  • 00:10:50.375 --> 00:10:52.877
  • In a year of political turmoil and confusion and wars and
  • 00:10:52.877 --> 00:10:56.614
  • Rumors of wars, because of your partnership,
  • 00:10:56.614 --> 00:10:59.217
  • Your generosity, your prayers, your encouragement,
  • 00:10:59.217 --> 00:11:02.387
  • We have done more for the gospel than any year
  • 00:11:02.387 --> 00:11:04.889
  • In our ministry so far.
  • 00:11:04.889 --> 00:11:06.224
  • We started a whole new genre of programing.
  • 00:11:06.224 --> 00:11:08.626
  • Allen jackson now does a daily review of headlines
  • 00:11:08.626 --> 00:11:11.329
  • From a biblical worldview.
  • 00:11:11.329 --> 00:11:13.131
  • We've started a new podcast, "culture & christianity," to
  • 00:11:13.131 --> 00:11:15.567
  • Help stabilize god's people in the midst of all the confusion.
  • 00:11:15.567 --> 00:11:19.771
  • All of that because of your faithfulness,
  • 00:11:19.771 --> 00:11:21.606
  • Your generosity, your prayers.
  • 00:11:21.606 --> 00:11:23.274
  • Thank you so much.
  • 00:11:23.274 --> 00:11:24.976
  • As we come to the end of this year, i want to ask
  • 00:11:24.976 --> 00:11:26.711
  • You to prayerfully consider making a sacrificial
  • 00:11:26.711 --> 00:11:29.247
  • Investment in what's next.
  • 00:11:29.247 --> 00:11:31.950
  • We want to take those programs, share them in new
  • 00:11:31.950 --> 00:11:34.252
  • Places with more people.
  • 00:11:34.252 --> 00:11:36.387
  • We want to continue to be creative in how we share the
  • 00:11:36.387 --> 00:11:39.190
  • Good news of jesus christ.
  • 00:11:39.190 --> 00:11:41.326
  • A generous partner makes it possible.
  • 00:11:41.326 --> 00:11:43.027
  • Every gift you give will be matched.
  • 00:11:43.027 --> 00:11:44.662
  • It doubles your gift between now and the end of the year.
  • 00:11:44.662 --> 00:11:47.432
  • Let me thank you in advance for what we've been doing and what
  • 00:11:47.432 --> 00:11:49.968
  • God's going to do with our lives and our partnership
  • 00:11:49.968 --> 00:11:52.837
  • Together in 2025.
  • 00:11:52.837 --> 00:11:55.106
  • Thank you and god bless you.
  • 00:11:55.106 --> 00:11:57.542
  • Female announcer: god is moving in major ways in the
  • 00:11:57.542 --> 00:11:59.644
  • Ministry and our world.
  • 00:11:59.644 --> 00:12:02.180
  • As we watched the 2024 election unfold,
  • 00:12:02.180 --> 00:12:05.049
  • We witnessed a miracle.
  • 00:12:05.049 --> 00:12:07.085
  • God has heard our prayers.
  • 00:12:07.085 --> 00:12:09.187
  • He has shown us his mercy.
  • 00:12:09.187 --> 00:12:11.422
  • We're entering a new era with new leaders,
  • 00:12:11.422 --> 00:12:14.492
  • But it's not a time to rest.
  • 00:12:14.492 --> 00:12:16.694
  • Our assignment hasn't changed.
  • 00:12:16.694 --> 00:12:18.730
  • In fact, it's as urgent as ever.
  • 00:12:18.730 --> 00:12:21.766
  • You and i have been set apart by god for his purposes,
  • 00:12:21.766 --> 00:12:25.003
  • And there's a lot for us to do.
  • 00:12:25.003 --> 00:12:27.472
  • Allen: i believe when god shows you mercy,
  • 00:12:27.472 --> 00:12:31.776
  • He gives with it an opportunity.
  • 00:12:31.776 --> 00:12:34.546
  • I want us to quietly say to the lord, "here am i.
  • 00:12:34.546 --> 00:12:44.289
  • Let me go.
  • 00:12:44.289 --> 00:12:46.724
  • Let me go back to where i work in the name of jesus.
  • 00:12:46.724 --> 00:12:50.595
  • Let me go back into my neighborhood
  • 00:12:50.595 --> 00:12:52.230
  • In the name of jesus."
  • 00:12:52.230 --> 00:12:54.699
  • God himself has shown us grace, and it will require of us
  • 00:12:54.699 --> 00:13:02.640
  • Greater strength and greater courage than we have ever had to
  • 00:13:02.640 --> 00:13:06.678
  • Attach to our faith before.
  • 00:13:06.678 --> 00:13:10.448
  • Let's go. let's go.
  • 00:13:10.448 --> 00:13:14.185
  • Announcer: let's set our hearts on preparing for what's
  • 00:13:14.185 --> 00:13:16.221
  • Next with pastor allen's brand-new 90-day devotional
  • 00:13:16.221 --> 00:13:19.891
  • Called "set apart for his purposes."
  • 00:13:19.891 --> 00:13:23.094
  • It will help us seek god so we can recognize his voice and
  • 00:13:23.094 --> 00:13:26.130
  • Consistently choose to follow him.
  • 00:13:26.130 --> 00:13:28.333
  • Each day includes scripture, a short teaching,
  • 00:13:28.333 --> 00:13:30.635
  • And a prayer, followed by a journaling prompt and room
  • 00:13:30.635 --> 00:13:33.872
  • To write and reflect.
  • 00:13:33.872 --> 00:13:35.607
  • Let's get ready for the season ahead.
  • 00:13:35.607 --> 00:13:37.876
  • Request your copy of "set apart for his purposes" when you
  • 00:13:37.876 --> 00:13:40.712
  • Donate $50 or more today at allenjackson.com or by calling
  • 00:13:40.712 --> 00:13:45.049
  • ...
  • 00:13:45.049 --> 00:13:48.653
  • Allen: now, it's not terribly difficult
  • 00:13:50.955 --> 00:13:55.393
  • To get people to believe in angels.
  • 00:13:55.393 --> 00:13:56.728
  • Even secularists like to believe in angels.
  • 00:13:56.728 --> 00:13:59.530
  • It's kind of polite and chic.
  • 00:13:59.530 --> 00:14:06.170
  • I would remind you of what most of you know from scripture, that
  • 00:14:06.170 --> 00:14:10.208
  • A third of the angels joined with satan in his rebellion
  • 00:14:10.208 --> 00:14:12.911
  • Against god.
  • 00:14:12.911 --> 00:14:15.713
  • If we have 100 million of them in this one scene, it's safe to
  • 00:14:15.713 --> 00:14:20.585
  • Say there are tens of millions of angels that joined satan in
  • 00:14:20.585 --> 00:14:24.923
  • His attempt to oppose the purposes of god.
  • 00:14:24.923 --> 00:14:30.628
  • So if you say, "well, i don't believe, you know, spiritual
  • 00:14:30.628 --> 00:14:32.664
  • Conflict stuff.
  • 00:14:32.664 --> 00:14:33.998
  • You know, that's just a lot of hocus pocus."
  • 00:14:33.998 --> 00:14:36.267
  • Let me help you restate that: "i don't believe my bible.
  • 00:14:36.267 --> 00:14:42.874
  • I reject jesus."
  • 00:14:42.874 --> 00:14:45.777
  • Get clarity on what you're saying.
  • 00:14:45.777 --> 00:14:49.981
  • I would--i don't endorse it.
  • 00:14:49.981 --> 00:14:51.316
  • I don't think it's the appropriate way to go.
  • 00:14:51.316 --> 00:14:53.017
  • But to imagine that politicians and parties determine our world
  • 00:14:53.017 --> 00:14:56.554
  • More than the involvement of the angelic beings that god has
  • 00:14:56.554 --> 00:14:59.958
  • Created to help us requires a lack of spiritual awareness that
  • 00:14:59.958 --> 00:15:05.263
  • We can no longer afford.
  • 00:15:05.263 --> 00:15:09.434
  • In 1 peter 5, we're told that we have an adversary: "be
  • 00:15:09.434 --> 00:15:12.303
  • Self-controlled and alert.
  • 00:15:12.303 --> 00:15:13.671
  • Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
  • 00:15:13.671 --> 00:15:17.342
  • Looking for someone to devour.
  • 00:15:17.342 --> 00:15:21.713
  • Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that
  • 00:15:21.713 --> 00:15:27.151
  • Your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same
  • 00:15:27.151 --> 00:15:29.620
  • Kind of sufferings."
  • 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:32.256
  • He didn't offer a suggestion.
  • 00:15:32.256 --> 00:15:33.691
  • He gave a direction.
  • 00:15:33.691 --> 00:15:35.626
  • This is the fisherman that jesus recruited as a teenager.
  • 00:15:35.626 --> 00:15:38.997
  • When he writes this letter, he's an old man, his strength
  • 00:15:38.997 --> 00:15:41.466
  • Is diminished.
  • 00:15:41.466 --> 00:15:43.267
  • He stood many years as an unrelenting advocate for jesus
  • 00:15:43.267 --> 00:15:46.938
  • Of nazareth, after jesus ascended back to heaven.
  • 00:15:46.938 --> 00:15:49.674
  • He's been arrested, imprisoned, condemned to death,
  • 00:15:49.674 --> 00:15:52.577
  • Narrowly escaped.
  • 00:15:52.577 --> 00:15:55.413
  • And he says, "you have an adversary that searches the
  • 00:15:55.413 --> 00:15:58.316
  • Earth like a roaring lion.
  • 00:15:58.316 --> 00:15:59.751
  • Resist him.
  • 00:15:59.751 --> 00:16:02.387
  • Stand firm in your faith."
  • 00:16:02.387 --> 00:16:06.858
  • "well, now, wait a minute, pastor.
  • 00:16:06.858 --> 00:16:08.192
  • I thought that's what we just did.
  • 00:16:08.192 --> 00:16:09.560
  • We voted.
  • 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:13.598
  • Can't i just go back to my routine?"
  • 00:16:13.598 --> 00:16:17.702
  • Our routines is what got us in this fine mess.
  • 00:16:17.702 --> 00:16:22.206
  • I know we wanna blame everybody else.
  • 00:16:22.206 --> 00:16:25.710
  • And i'm not saying that all of us are engaged in gross
  • 00:16:25.710 --> 00:16:30.181
  • Immorality and ungodliness.
  • 00:16:30.181 --> 00:16:32.450
  • I pray you're not.
  • 00:16:32.450 --> 00:16:33.785
  • If you are, stop. it'll destroy you.
  • 00:16:33.785 --> 00:16:37.321
  • But i'm very confident that those things have touched all of
  • 00:16:37.321 --> 00:16:40.658
  • Our lives.
  • 00:16:40.658 --> 00:16:43.394
  • And in far too many instances, we've been quiet.
  • 00:16:43.394 --> 00:16:46.831
  • And in our silence, we've added an endorsement, a sublime
  • 00:16:46.831 --> 00:16:52.637
  • Blessing, and it ripples out to children and generationally.
  • 00:16:52.637 --> 00:16:58.543
  • And you do that for very long, and then you realize that all of
  • 00:16:58.543 --> 00:17:02.313
  • A sudden that notion of a biblical worldview has been so
  • 00:17:02.313 --> 00:17:04.549
  • Diminished, so turned down, that it's no longer welcome in the
  • 00:17:04.549 --> 00:17:07.785
  • Corporate setting or the public square, and it has
  • 00:17:07.785 --> 00:17:11.422
  • Very little to do with laws.
  • 00:17:11.422 --> 00:17:12.757
  • It has to do with the will of the people.
  • 00:17:12.757 --> 00:17:20.331
  • Jesus taught us to pray in matthew 6: "lead us not into
  • 00:17:20.331 --> 00:17:23.167
  • Temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
  • 00:17:23.167 --> 00:17:26.971
  • Jesus said, "you better pray that you'll be delivered from
  • 00:17:26.971 --> 00:17:29.807
  • The evil one."
  • 00:17:29.807 --> 00:17:32.543
  • We've adopted a different stance: "i'm not sure i believe
  • 00:17:32.543 --> 00:17:36.347
  • In an evil one.
  • 00:17:36.347 --> 00:17:40.118
  • Well, you know, i know some people believe in that, but my
  • 00:17:40.118 --> 00:17:44.055
  • People, the church i go to, the tradition i belong to, the
  • 00:17:44.055 --> 00:17:48.826
  • Denomination i grew up, you know, we didn't--we didn't lead
  • 00:17:48.826 --> 00:17:52.063
  • With that.
  • 00:17:52.063 --> 00:17:53.431
  • We led with grace."
  • 00:17:53.431 --> 00:17:55.967
  • I'm an advocate for grace.
  • 00:17:55.967 --> 00:17:57.301
  • I'm the poster child.
  • 00:17:57.301 --> 00:17:58.669
  • You look up grace, you'll probably find my picture.
  • 00:17:58.669 --> 00:18:01.806
  • I have needed grace and mercy.
  • 00:18:01.806 --> 00:18:04.642
  • But we better be asking the lord to deliver us from the evil one.
  • 00:18:04.642 --> 00:18:09.881
  • We face evil within.
  • 00:18:09.881 --> 00:18:11.415
  • It's not just external.
  • 00:18:11.415 --> 00:18:12.783
  • Matthew 9, jesus is speaking: "some of the teachers of the law
  • 00:18:12.783 --> 00:18:16.621
  • Said to themselves, 'this fellow is blaspheming!'
  • 00:18:16.621 --> 00:18:18.856
  • Knowing their thoughts, jesus said, 'why do you entertain evil
  • 00:18:18.856 --> 00:18:22.059
  • Thoughts in your hearts?'"
  • 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:24.162
  • These are biblical experts, they're keeping all the rules,
  • 00:18:24.162 --> 00:18:28.900
  • And he said, "you're entertaining evil thoughts in
  • 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:31.602
  • Your hearts": what you watch, what you listen to, what you
  • 00:18:31.602 --> 00:18:35.373
  • Think about, the jokes you tell, the conversations you'll
  • 00:18:35.373 --> 00:18:40.044
  • Entertain, the gossip you'll listen to.
  • 00:18:40.044 --> 00:18:43.848
  • Matthew 15: "out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder,
  • 00:18:43.848 --> 00:18:47.818
  • Adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
  • 00:18:47.818 --> 00:18:51.923
  • This is what makes a man 'unclean'; not eating with
  • 00:18:51.923 --> 00:18:55.960
  • Unwashed hands."
  • 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:58.663
  • Jesus said out of the hearts of his covenant people.
  • 00:18:58.663 --> 00:19:03.167
  • Our heart is our carnal self, that selfish part of us.
  • 00:19:03.167 --> 00:19:08.806
  • The biblical prescription for that carnal part of every one of
  • 00:19:08.806 --> 00:19:12.143
  • Us, we all have it, is we have to execute it.
  • 00:19:12.143 --> 00:19:14.712
  • We have to put it to death.
  • 00:19:14.712 --> 00:19:16.914
  • Every thought we have, every emotion we have, is not godly.
  • 00:19:16.914 --> 00:19:23.688
  • And there's this overwhelming notion amongst us that says,
  • 00:19:23.688 --> 00:19:27.692
  • "well, you can't tell me what to feel."
  • 00:19:27.692 --> 00:19:30.328
  • No, i can't, but i can tell you some feelings are ungodly.
  • 00:19:30.328 --> 00:19:36.234
  • "well, it's my feeling."
  • 00:19:36.234 --> 00:19:37.935
  • Duly noted.
  • 00:19:37.935 --> 00:19:41.772
  • But if you pursue something that is fueled by evil, ungodliness,
  • 00:19:41.772 --> 00:19:46.210
  • Immorality, that stands in opposition to the purposes of
  • 00:19:46.210 --> 00:19:49.714
  • God, it will bring you to destruction.
  • 00:19:49.714 --> 00:19:53.584
  • We're reading lamentations.
  • 00:19:53.584 --> 00:19:59.824
  • Matthew 12, jesus again: "you brood of vipers."
  • 00:19:59.824 --> 00:20:05.529
  • In case you didn't know, that's not a compliment.
  • 00:20:05.529 --> 00:20:09.500
  • Good old tennessee language: "you bunch of snakes."
  • 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:13.271
  • "how can you who are evil say anything good?
  • 00:20:13.271 --> 00:20:15.940
  • Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
  • 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:19.010
  • The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in
  • 00:20:19.010 --> 00:20:21.812
  • Him and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up
  • 00:20:21.812 --> 00:20:24.982
  • In him."
  • 00:20:24.982 --> 00:20:26.550
  • We can't tolerate ungodliness.
  • 00:20:26.550 --> 00:20:31.656
  • We can no longer afford the luxury.
  • 00:20:31.656 --> 00:20:33.858
  • God has shown us mercy and grace.
  • 00:20:33.858 --> 00:20:36.694
  • There are people reorienting their lives saying they wanna
  • 00:20:36.694 --> 00:20:39.363
  • Stand up for principles that will bring freedom and liberty.
  • 00:20:39.363 --> 00:20:43.267
  • The only hope they have, the only opportunity, is if the
  • 00:20:43.267 --> 00:20:48.072
  • People of god will repent.
  • 00:20:48.072 --> 00:20:51.642
  • The spiritual authority that will make change possible, will
  • 00:20:51.642 --> 00:20:55.313
  • Begin in the hearts of god's people.
  • 00:20:55.313 --> 00:21:03.721
  • I'm out of time.
  • 00:21:03.721 --> 00:21:05.990
  • I'll read matthew 13.
  • 00:21:05.990 --> 00:21:08.292
  • Jesus again said, "the son of man will send out his angels,
  • 00:21:08.292 --> 00:21:11.896
  • And they'll weed out of his kingdom everything that causes
  • 00:21:11.896 --> 00:21:15.933
  • Sin and all who do evil."
  • 00:21:15.933 --> 00:21:17.435
  • It's the parable of the wheat and the tares, the wheat and
  • 00:21:17.435 --> 00:21:20.471
  • The weeds.
  • 00:21:20.471 --> 00:21:22.173
  • And the question is put to the owner of the field: "do you want
  • 00:21:22.173 --> 00:21:26.043
  • Us to go out and pull the weeds?"
  • 00:21:26.043 --> 00:21:27.411
  • And he said, "no, let them grow so that the wheat and the weeds,
  • 00:21:27.411 --> 00:21:31.782
  • The good and the evil, the true and the false, are going
  • 00:21:31.782 --> 00:21:34.185
  • To flourish.
  • 00:21:34.185 --> 00:21:35.519
  • The same climactic conditions that cause the wheat to ripen
  • 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:37.621
  • Will let the weeds ripen."
  • 00:21:37.621 --> 00:21:40.091
  • So i believe we will see ungodliness flourish and
  • 00:21:40.091 --> 00:21:44.628
  • Godliness flourish, which means we're all very vulnerable
  • 00:21:44.628 --> 00:21:49.333
  • 'cause they're all growing around us and we've got access
  • 00:21:49.333 --> 00:21:51.869
  • To it and we're gonna be told it's normal and we should
  • 00:21:51.869 --> 00:21:55.473
  • Compromise and we should yield.
  • 00:21:55.473 --> 00:21:57.375
  • Folks, this isn't something new.
  • 00:21:57.375 --> 00:21:58.976
  • We read about josiah a session or two ago on the temple, next
  • 00:21:58.976 --> 00:22:02.913
  • To the temple where they offer daily sacrifices, they built
  • 00:22:02.913 --> 00:22:06.650
  • Places for prostitution.
  • 00:22:06.650 --> 00:22:09.253
  • There were priests that presided over it, people that benefited
  • 00:22:09.253 --> 00:22:12.523
  • From it, and infrastructure that supported it.
  • 00:22:12.523 --> 00:22:15.159
  • It was profitable and pleasurable, and it existed for
  • 00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:22.133
  • A long time.
  • 00:22:22.133 --> 00:22:24.869
  • And when josiah said, "tear it down," i promise you there were
  • 00:22:24.869 --> 00:22:27.605
  • People that said, "we will remove you from power."
  • 00:22:27.605 --> 00:22:35.179
  • Jesus said, "the wheat and the weeds are gonna grow together."
  • 00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:39.283
  • We have to guard our hearts.
  • 00:22:39.283 --> 00:22:42.186
  • I believe we have an unprecedented opportunity,
  • 00:22:42.186 --> 00:22:44.588
  • Nothing like it in my lifetime, to see the values of the kingdom
  • 00:22:44.588 --> 00:22:49.627
  • Of god brought forward again in our schools, on our college
  • 00:22:49.627 --> 00:22:53.431
  • Campuses, in our courtrooms, the corridors of our hospitals.
  • 00:22:53.431 --> 00:22:58.536
  • Doctors should be able to pray with patients without fear
  • 00:22:58.536 --> 00:23:00.771
  • Of attorneys.
  • 00:23:00.771 --> 00:23:07.845
  • How did we get to a place if a person of faith wants to pray a
  • 00:23:07.845 --> 00:23:11.582
  • Prayer for someone who says they would like a prayer that there
  • 00:23:11.582 --> 00:23:14.618
  • Is fear involved?
  • 00:23:14.618 --> 00:23:16.620
  • And why would we tolerate it?
  • 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:21.659
  • What has happened to us, church?
  • 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:28.332
  • I brought you a hymn of thanksgiving.
  • 00:23:28.332 --> 00:23:30.034
  • I wanna close with this.
  • 00:23:30.034 --> 00:23:32.703
  • I took it from that same scene where all the angels were
  • 00:23:32.703 --> 00:23:35.272
  • Gathered, kind of a heavenly party.
  • 00:23:35.272 --> 00:23:39.810
  • But there were statements being made by angels and statements
  • 00:23:39.810 --> 00:23:44.482
  • Being made by people of significance
  • 00:23:44.482 --> 00:23:46.116
  • In the purposes of god.
  • 00:23:46.116 --> 00:23:47.451
  • And i borrowed two of them and i put them in this declaration
  • 00:23:47.451 --> 00:23:52.356
  • Of thanksgiving.
  • 00:23:52.356 --> 00:23:53.724
  • I thought it was a good week to do this.
  • 00:23:53.724 --> 00:23:55.059
  • Why don't you stand with me?
  • 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:57.361
  • It's really short.
  • 00:23:57.361 --> 00:23:58.696
  • I'd like to make this statement to all four points of
  • 00:23:58.696 --> 00:24:00.865
  • The compass.
  • 00:24:00.865 --> 00:24:02.566
  • I don't wanna leave anything out.
  • 00:24:02.566 --> 00:24:05.202
  • If you're in three crosses with us, which is gonna be my point
  • 00:24:05.202 --> 00:24:08.606
  • Of orientation.
  • 00:24:08.606 --> 00:24:09.940
  • If you're someplace else, you're gonna have to know the compass.
  • 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:12.510
  • I know for some of you that requires a cell phone.
  • 00:24:12.510 --> 00:24:18.916
  • But we're, in three crosses, you're facing north.
  • 00:24:18.916 --> 00:24:21.585
  • So we'll start with the north.
  • 00:24:21.585 --> 00:24:23.654
  • And i want us to make this--say this hymn together.
  • 00:24:23.654 --> 00:24:26.724
  • We're gonna echo what's being-- has been said in the halls
  • 00:24:26.724 --> 00:24:28.993
  • Of heaven.
  • 00:24:28.993 --> 00:24:30.327
  • That makes me smile.
  • 00:24:30.327 --> 00:24:32.062
  • Let the praises of god fill the earth.
  • 00:24:32.062 --> 00:24:35.332
  • Let the praises of god fill our homes.
  • 00:24:35.332 --> 00:24:38.235
  • Let the praises of god fill our schools and our college campuses
  • 00:24:38.235 --> 00:24:42.339
  • And our courtrooms and the operating suites of
  • 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:45.609
  • Our hospitals.
  • 00:24:45.609 --> 00:24:47.311
  • Doesn't mean everybody in all those places
  • 00:24:47.311 --> 00:24:49.179
  • Have to praise the lord.
  • 00:24:49.179 --> 00:24:50.514
  • But it's appropriate that the praises of god break forth in
  • 00:24:50.514 --> 00:24:53.651
  • Those places.
  • 00:24:53.651 --> 00:24:57.988
  • We'll tolerate profanity in those places.
  • 00:24:57.988 --> 00:25:00.624
  • We'll tolerate ungodly music in all those places.
  • 00:25:00.624 --> 00:25:03.327
  • We'll tolerate all sorts of things.
  • 00:25:03.327 --> 00:25:05.329
  • But as people of faith, people who said, "we've chosen jesus as
  • 00:25:05.329 --> 00:25:08.198
  • Lord," we haven't been willing to use our voice.
  • 00:25:08.198 --> 00:25:10.501
  • We're changing.
  • 00:25:10.501 --> 00:25:12.803
  • We are changing.
  • 00:25:12.803 --> 00:25:18.609
  • To the north: "worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive
  • 00:25:18.609 --> 00:25:24.415
  • Power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory
  • 00:25:24.415 --> 00:25:29.920
  • And praise!
  • 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:31.522
  • And to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise
  • 00:25:31.522 --> 00:25:36.493
  • And honor and glory and power, for ever and ever, amen."
  • 00:25:36.493 --> 00:25:42.933
  • To the east.
  • 00:25:42.933 --> 00:25:44.368
  • Let's turn physically.
  • 00:25:44.368 --> 00:25:45.703
  • Come on, if you don't know where that is, i'm sorry.
  • 00:25:45.703 --> 00:25:50.975
  • Let's read it again: "worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to
  • 00:25:50.975 --> 00:25:55.245
  • Receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor
  • 00:25:55.245 --> 00:26:00.851
  • And glory and praise!
  • 00:26:00.851 --> 00:26:06.423
  • --and to the lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for
  • 00:26:06.423 --> 00:26:11.762
  • Ever and ever, amen."
  • 00:26:11.762 --> 00:26:15.566
  • To the south.
  • 00:26:15.566 --> 00:26:17.034
  • That's the back, for those of you directionally challenged.
  • 00:26:17.034 --> 00:26:23.340
  • "worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive power and
  • 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:28.479
  • Wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!
  • 00:26:28.479 --> 00:26:35.319
  • To him who sits on the throne--"
  • 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:38.155
  • Congregation: "and to the lamb be praise and honor and glory
  • 00:26:38.155 --> 00:26:41.959
  • And power, for ever and ever!"
  • 00:26:41.959 --> 00:26:45.029
  • Allen: amen.
  • 00:26:45.029 --> 00:26:46.563
  • And to the west: "worthy is the lamb, who was slain, to receive
  • 00:26:46.563 --> 00:26:54.004
  • Power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory
  • 00:26:54.004 --> 00:27:00.044
  • And praise!
  • 00:27:00.044 --> 00:27:02.479
  • --sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise and honor and
  • 00:27:02.479 --> 00:27:07.918
  • Glory and power for ever and ever, amen," hallelujah.
  • 00:27:07.918 --> 00:27:15.793
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:15.793 --> 00:27:15.793