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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Three Banquets (Part 2)

March 24, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - Three Banquets (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#HandofGod #LoveofGod #Jesus #Grace #Rejection #Rebellion #Obedience #Disobedience #IdentityinChrist #Righteousness #PresenceofGod #KingdomofGod #Selfishness #LightoftheWorld #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Three Banquets (Part 2) | March 24, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world people are searching
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  • For truth, and together, we're doing our very best to help them
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  • Find it.
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  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
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  • Together, we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
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  • Known right here at home and around the earth wherever god
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  • Opens the door.
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  • Let's keep gathering his people and building his church until
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  • The day our king returns.
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  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner at
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  • Allenjackson.com/partner.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: look at verse 11: "the king came to see the guest, and
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  • He noticed a man was there and he wasn't wearing
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  • Wedding clothes.
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  • 'and friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?'
  • 00:01:14.057 --> 00:01:16.292
  • And the man was speechless.
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  • And the king told the attendants, 'tie him hand and
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  • Foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where
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  • There'll be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
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  • For many are invited, but few are chosen."
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  • What's jesus saying to us?
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  • Well, it isn't quite as clear to us culturally, you know, wedding
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  • Cultures change.
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  • I got an invitation to a wedding this week, it's digital.
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  • Everything's been digital, no paper, no engraved invitations,
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  • No little tissue slips in front of the invitation that you open
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  • Out, you know, and if you get dirt on it, you're in trouble.
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  • Oh, it's digital, not wrong, just changing.
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  • Well, in this season, a wedding invitation for a gathering
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  • Of this kind of significance, clothing, wedding clothes would
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  • Have been included as a part of the invitation.
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  • It wasn't an expense.
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  • Those of you, if it's--if you're in that season of life where
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  • You're being invited to many weddings.
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  • There's a lot of expense for that, not in that time.
  • 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:13.383
  • So, the wedding clothes would have been a part of the
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  • Provision and the person who comes to the wedding without
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  • Wearing the provided clothing comes with an arrogance,
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  • An attitude, a display of presumptiveness, with pride.
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  • I don't need to be bothered with your style, i have my own.
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  • I can neglect the invitation.
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  • I can establish my own credentials.
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  • And when the king that sponsored the banquet saw it, it says he
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  • Was angered again.
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  • He said, "tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside."
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  • Well, the wedding garment, i believe, in scripture, this one
  • 00:02:45.114 --> 00:02:47.650
  • Isn't particularly challenging for those of us in the new
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  • Covenant, it's our salvation through faith in jesus.
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  • The bible gives us multiple verses.
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  • I don't have time to unpack them all, but it says that we're
  • 00:02:57.260 --> 00:03:00.029
  • Clothed with his righteousness, not our own.
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  • It's a gift.
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  • It's provided with the invitation.
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  • You don't have to earn it.
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  • You don't qualify for it, but you have to receive the gift and
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  • You have to care about it--care about it enough to be identified
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  • By it.
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  • If you don't intend to be identified by the righteousness
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  • Of god, what makes you believe you're a christ follower?
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  • You're not gonna sneak into the banquet.
  • 00:03:28.391 --> 00:03:32.295
  • I brought you a couple of verses.
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  • Isaiah 61.
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  • The prophet, isaiah, hundreds of years before the birth of jesus,
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  • Said: "i delight greatly in the lord; my soul rejoices in
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  • My god.
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  • For he's clothed me with garments of salvation and
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  • Arrayed me in a robe of righteousness."
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  • I love the way isaiah put it.
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  • He starts with the emotions.
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  • He said, "i delight greatly.
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  • My soul rejoices," in what?
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  • Gold and silver?
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  • No, i'm not opposed to that, but that i have a robe
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  • Of righteousness.
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  • I can be clothed in something.
  • 00:04:01.357 --> 00:04:03.026
  • Righteousness is a religious word.
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  • It means the ability to stand in the presence of god without
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  • Fear, without guilt, or without shame.
  • 00:04:07.497 --> 00:04:10.233
  • Imagine a robe that could give you access to the presence of
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  • God with no guilt, i would hope we would rejoice.
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  • I hope we would take that as our identity.
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  • I hope we would begin to understand that was the
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  • Authority we want to live under.
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  • There's nothing more important if you want to participate in
  • 00:04:32.388 --> 00:04:35.325
  • That kingdom of god that we were talking about.
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  • In 2 corinthians 5, it's new testament if you're tracking.
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  • "god made him who had no sin to be sin for us."
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  • Jesus became sin with my sin, "so that in him we might be made
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  • The righteousness of god," that i might be made righteous with
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  • His righteousness, not mine.
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  • See, there's a debate raging through a lot of places these
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  • Days about who killed jesus.
  • 00:05:03.219 --> 00:05:04.587
  • Did the jews kill jesus?
  • 00:05:04.587 --> 00:05:06.989
  • I've asserted that the romans crucified him.
  • 00:05:06.989 --> 00:05:09.625
  • The real question isn't who killed him, the question is why
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  • Did he have to die.
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  • I told you there were two banquets.
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  • I want to look at the second one, it's in luke 14.
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  • Now, it's at the opposite end of the day.
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  • The matthew parable was the morning meal, the beginning of
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  • The day, if you will, the beginning of the age.
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  • The luke parable in luke 14 is at the evening meal in greek.
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  • It's deipnon, it's the evening meal.
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  • This banquet is a supper, and i believe in this parable, jesus
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  • Is not talking principally about the jewish people at the
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  • Beginning of the age.
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  • I understand it to be a picture of the end of the age.
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  • For 19 centuries, the invitations to the kingdom of
  • 00:05:50.400 --> 00:05:52.869
  • God has been open to the people, to the nations.
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  • People from every nation, race, language, and tribe.
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  • No one's been excluded.
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  • There was no particular group.
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  • The invitation has been on the table and the overwhelming
  • 00:06:03.613 --> 00:06:08.518
  • Response of those that have adopted jesus as messiah is
  • 00:06:08.518 --> 00:06:11.120
  • That--point at the jewish people in a condemning way.
  • 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:14.690
  • It's a horrific track record for which we will have to give
  • 00:06:14.690 --> 00:06:17.059
  • An account.
  • 00:06:17.059 --> 00:06:19.829
  • For 19 centuries, the extent the invitation to the kingdom of god
  • 00:06:19.829 --> 00:06:23.766
  • Has been extended to the nations, to the gentile world,
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  • To the goyim, to the non-jewish world.
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  • How have we done with that?
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  • Put your finger on the globe.
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  • How have we done with turning from paganism, turning from
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  • Demonism, turning from animism, turning from secularism, turning
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  • From all the things we've worshiped other than
  • 00:06:41.317 --> 00:06:43.186
  • Almighty god?
  • 00:06:43.186 --> 00:06:45.721
  • We're very quick to condemn, to point accusing fingers.
  • 00:06:45.721 --> 00:06:49.492
  • If we look at all of us who don't fit into that jewish
  • 00:06:49.492 --> 00:06:52.862
  • Paradigm, how have we done with the opportunity of the gospel on
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  • A global basis?
  • 00:06:55.932 --> 00:06:58.434
  • It should give us pause, it should certainly give us
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  • Some humility.
  • 00:07:02.004 --> 00:07:05.808
  • Jesus has something to say.
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  • Luke 14, let's read it.
  • 00:07:07.143 --> 00:07:08.511
  • "which one--when one of those at the table with him heard this,
  • 00:07:08.511 --> 00:07:10.713
  • He said to jesus, 'blessed is the man who will eat the feast
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  • In the kingdom of god.'"
  • 00:07:13.382 --> 00:07:14.717
  • We've got a context again.
  • 00:07:14.717 --> 00:07:16.919
  • It's the kingdom of god and this notion of a table is
  • 00:07:16.919 --> 00:07:19.288
  • Being introduced.
  • 00:07:19.288 --> 00:07:21.390
  • "jesus replied: 'a certain man was preparing a great banquet
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  • And invited many guests.
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  • At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those
  • 00:07:25.895 --> 00:07:28.130
  • Who'd been invited, 'come, for everything is now ready.''"
  • 00:07:28.130 --> 00:07:31.567
  • Seem familiar?
  • 00:07:31.567 --> 00:07:33.202
  • See, a casual reading, "oh, it's the same story.
  • 00:07:33.202 --> 00:07:35.238
  • Jesus told it twice."
  • 00:07:35.238 --> 00:07:37.240
  • I don't know.
  • 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:38.608
  • It isn't--it doesn't come through in the english that
  • 00:07:38.608 --> 00:07:39.942
  • One is at the beginning of the day and one is at the end.
  • 00:07:39.942 --> 00:07:43.513
  • "the banquet is ready, he said, 'come, but they all alike began
  • 00:07:43.513 --> 00:07:48.351
  • To make excuses.
  • 00:07:48.351 --> 00:07:50.286
  • And the first said, 'i just bought a field, and i have to go
  • 00:07:50.286 --> 00:07:52.688
  • And see it, please excuse me.'
  • 00:07:52.688 --> 00:07:54.090
  • And another said, 'i just bought five yoke of oxen and i'm on my
  • 00:07:54.090 --> 00:07:56.826
  • Way to try them out.
  • 00:07:56.826 --> 00:07:58.194
  • Please excuse me.'
  • 00:07:58.194 --> 00:07:59.529
  • And still another said, 'well, i just got married, so
  • 00:07:59.529 --> 00:08:01.197
  • I can't come.'"
  • 00:08:01.197 --> 00:08:03.566
  • If you'll allow me, they're ridiculous excuses.
  • 00:08:03.566 --> 00:08:07.537
  • I extend a lot of invitations to things.
  • 00:08:07.537 --> 00:08:10.172
  • Join us and be a part of the easter ministry team.
  • 00:08:10.172 --> 00:08:13.342
  • Come to an evening of next generation worship.
  • 00:08:13.342 --> 00:08:15.478
  • It will encourage you, not because they're your kids,
  • 00:08:15.478 --> 00:08:17.747
  • Because they are kids honoring god.
  • 00:08:17.747 --> 00:08:19.715
  • There's a note of encouragement in that, that will bless anyone
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  • That will take time to listen.
  • 00:08:21.918 --> 00:08:24.387
  • And i'm used to invitations being swept aside because we're
  • 00:08:24.387 --> 00:08:26.856
  • Busy, and our lives are crowded, and i get it, but in this
  • 00:08:26.856 --> 00:08:29.625
  • Context, it's an invitation about the kingdom of god and the
  • 00:08:29.625 --> 00:08:32.228
  • Excuses that are being extended, they're not wicked or vile,
  • 00:08:32.228 --> 00:08:35.197
  • They're just ridiculous.
  • 00:08:35.197 --> 00:08:37.800
  • Somebody says, "i bought a piece of property, i need to go see
  • 00:08:37.800 --> 00:08:40.202
  • What it looks like."
  • 00:08:40.202 --> 00:08:41.537
  • How many of you bought property without seeing it?
  • 00:08:41.537 --> 00:08:46.342
  • And another man said, "well, i've bought several yoke
  • 00:08:46.342 --> 00:08:48.044
  • Of oxen.
  • 00:08:48.044 --> 00:08:49.378
  • I need to go try them."
  • 00:08:49.378 --> 00:08:50.746
  • My father was a veterinarian, we used to do purchase exams.
  • 00:08:50.746 --> 00:08:52.748
  • You don't pay a lot of money for an animal without inspecting it
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  • If you're smart.
  • 00:08:56.319 --> 00:08:59.855
  • They--it's sad.
  • 00:08:59.855 --> 00:09:01.223
  • The old tennessee horse traders, we have so many people that
  • 00:09:01.223 --> 00:09:03.125
  • Aren't from tennessee now.
  • 00:09:03.125 --> 00:09:05.094
  • Back in the day, the horse trader was a fixture in southern
  • 00:09:05.094 --> 00:09:08.698
  • Tennessee culture.
  • 00:09:08.698 --> 00:09:11.500
  • And the wisdom i was given when i arrived here was the one place
  • 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:14.303
  • A horse trader won't look in the midst of a deal is in your eye.
  • 00:09:14.303 --> 00:09:21.844
  • "i've got to go check out the oxen i bought.
  • 00:09:21.844 --> 00:09:23.813
  • I just got married.
  • 00:09:23.813 --> 00:09:25.147
  • It's not a good time for me.
  • 00:09:25.147 --> 00:09:26.515
  • I got busy, busy things to do."
  • 00:09:26.515 --> 00:09:30.653
  • Look at verse 21: "the servant came back and reported this to
  • 00:09:30.653 --> 00:09:33.222
  • His master.
  • 00:09:33.222 --> 00:09:34.991
  • And the owner of the house became angry and he ordered his
  • 00:09:34.991 --> 00:09:38.961
  • Servant, 'go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town
  • 00:09:38.961 --> 00:09:41.464
  • And bring in the poor, and the crippled, and the blind, and
  • 00:09:41.464 --> 00:09:43.633
  • The lame.'
  • 00:09:43.633 --> 00:09:45.501
  • 'sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but
  • 00:09:45.501 --> 00:09:47.603
  • There's still room.'
  • 00:09:47.603 --> 00:09:50.039
  • And the master told the servant, 'go out to the roads and the
  • 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:52.274
  • Country lanes and make them come in, so that my house
  • 00:09:52.274 --> 00:09:54.744
  • Will be full.
  • 00:09:54.744 --> 00:09:56.412
  • I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get
  • 00:09:56.412 --> 00:09:58.814
  • A taste of my banquet.'"
  • 00:09:58.814 --> 00:10:01.550
  • Now, across both banquets, beginning of the day and end of
  • 00:10:01.550 --> 00:10:03.853
  • The day, beginning of the age and the end of the age, the
  • 00:10:03.853 --> 00:10:06.389
  • Desire is the king of the king was to gather his people, to
  • 00:10:06.389 --> 00:10:11.694
  • Share the benefits of his kingdom with them.
  • 00:10:11.694 --> 00:10:15.398
  • And in both cases there's this persistent group who can't be
  • 00:10:15.398 --> 00:10:18.434
  • Bothered, who were disinterested.
  • 00:10:18.434 --> 00:10:21.003
  • And in both instances, there's anger that comes from the one
  • 00:10:21.003 --> 00:10:24.507
  • That's issuing the invitation, and he's determined to find
  • 00:10:24.507 --> 00:10:28.411
  • Whoever's willing.
  • 00:10:28.411 --> 00:10:29.745
  • The kingdom of god will be completed, will be filled with
  • 00:10:29.745 --> 00:10:33.115
  • Those who are willing to be identified with the king.
  • 00:10:33.115 --> 00:10:40.656
  • You see, if serving god is onerous to you, if it's
  • 00:10:40.656 --> 00:10:45.494
  • Burdensome to you, if it's limiting to you, if it's
  • 00:10:45.494 --> 00:10:49.298
  • Diminishing to you.
  • 00:10:49.298 --> 00:10:52.568
  • I can give you a moment.
  • 00:10:52.568 --> 00:10:54.837
  • You don't have to be frightened.
  • 00:10:54.837 --> 00:10:56.205
  • God won't force himself.
  • 00:10:56.205 --> 00:10:59.675
  • He will extend to you an invitation.
  • 00:10:59.675 --> 00:11:02.812
  • I say to you frequently that the most--that the greatest
  • 00:11:02.812 --> 00:11:05.548
  • Delimiter of my life is when i get to know jesus more.
  • 00:11:05.548 --> 00:11:08.918
  • Every time i yield to him more fully, i find more freedom.
  • 00:11:08.918 --> 00:11:12.922
  • I'm still pushing on that.
  • 00:11:12.922 --> 00:11:15.758
  • There's all sorts of voices that will tell you about limits, and
  • 00:11:15.758 --> 00:11:18.160
  • What you can't, and why you shouldn't, and jesus is not
  • 00:11:18.160 --> 00:11:20.996
  • Intimidated by any of those, he speaks to storms and dances on
  • 00:11:20.996 --> 00:11:23.666
  • The water.
  • 00:11:23.666 --> 00:11:25.868
  • But you have to be willing to make him first, and we're so
  • 00:11:25.868 --> 00:11:28.070
  • Reluctant because we're intuitive enough to understand
  • 00:11:28.070 --> 00:11:30.473
  • If he's first, me isn't first, and there's a powerful me
  • 00:11:30.473 --> 00:11:33.476
  • First button.
  • 00:11:33.476 --> 00:11:35.611
  • I want my way.
  • 00:11:35.611 --> 00:11:37.613
  • I want my desires and i want my plan.
  • 00:11:37.613 --> 00:11:41.016
  • I want my agenda.
  • 00:11:41.016 --> 00:11:44.120
  • And the invitation of the new testament is that if we're gonna
  • 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:46.555
  • Follow jesus, you have to take up your cross daily.
  • 00:11:46.555 --> 00:11:51.761
  • What's the application, as i understand it, in my opinion,
  • 00:11:51.761 --> 00:11:54.497
  • It's the end of the age.
  • 00:11:54.497 --> 00:11:56.499
  • The privileged ones in this parable are not the
  • 00:11:56.499 --> 00:11:58.334
  • Jewish people.
  • 00:11:58.334 --> 00:11:59.702
  • The privileged ones are those who have professed faith.
  • 00:11:59.702 --> 00:12:02.371
  • Again, we're not the pagans standing apart, we have
  • 00:12:02.371 --> 00:12:05.674
  • Invitations to the banquet, it's a very significant point.
  • 00:12:05.674 --> 00:12:09.812
  • We're very quick to point out the hardness of the hearts of
  • 00:12:09.812 --> 00:12:12.114
  • The jewish people, whether it's the first century or tenth
  • 00:12:12.114 --> 00:12:15.017
  • Centuries bc, but we gotta look at our own heart
  • 00:12:15.017 --> 00:12:18.087
  • Conditions, folks.
  • 00:12:18.087 --> 00:12:19.455
  • We've had two millennia standing in the light of the grace of
  • 00:12:19.455 --> 00:12:23.692
  • God, the privileg--privileged ones are the professing
  • 00:12:23.692 --> 00:12:27.863
  • Christians in this parable, and they're in terrible danger of
  • 00:12:27.863 --> 00:12:30.633
  • Making the same mistake that the jews made at the breakfast, but
  • 00:12:30.633 --> 00:12:34.870
  • Presuming on a relationship with god which they're not
  • 00:12:34.870 --> 00:12:38.440
  • Living out.
  • 00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:40.843
  • We belong to the right group.
  • 00:12:40.843 --> 00:12:43.712
  • We know the stories.
  • 00:12:43.712 --> 00:12:46.048
  • We've got language.
  • 00:12:46.048 --> 00:12:50.019
  • Since the time they received the invitation, they've become busy
  • 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:53.255
  • With other things.
  • 00:12:53.255 --> 00:12:54.590
  • They--they've got real estate, and business to do, and social
  • 00:12:54.590 --> 00:12:58.027
  • Relationships, and they're just not prepared to respond to
  • 00:12:58.027 --> 00:13:00.763
  • The invitation.
  • 00:13:00.763 --> 00:13:02.965
  • They're too busy.
  • 00:13:02.965 --> 00:13:06.836
  • Maybe we perceive there's too much to be forfeited.
  • 00:13:06.836 --> 00:13:10.806
  • Right now, there's an epidemic amongst people who imagine
  • 00:13:10.806 --> 00:13:13.075
  • Themselves to be christians.
  • 00:13:13.075 --> 00:13:14.543
  • They wanna be for god, but they don't wanna be so for god that
  • 00:13:14.543 --> 00:13:17.980
  • They're perceived as being against anything.
  • 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:21.116
  • They're looking for that neutral space, that space where you
  • 00:13:21.116 --> 00:13:25.387
  • Can't be labeled, so people that don't like god can't attach
  • 00:13:25.387 --> 00:13:28.190
  • A label to you and affix a label to you.
  • 00:13:28.190 --> 00:13:30.025
  • So we--we're just trying to be neutral.
  • 00:13:30.025 --> 00:13:32.228
  • Well, there's no neutral option.
  • 00:13:32.228 --> 00:13:33.629
  • Jesus said it's--in fact, it's in the first passage in your
  • 00:13:33.629 --> 00:13:35.664
  • Notes today.
  • 00:13:35.664 --> 00:13:37.032
  • He said, "you're either gathering with me or
  • 00:13:37.032 --> 00:13:38.400
  • You're scattering."
  • 00:13:38.400 --> 00:13:39.735
  • There's no third option.
  • 00:13:39.735 --> 00:13:42.304
  • And we've been trying to major in 21st century american
  • 00:13:42.304 --> 00:13:44.907
  • Evangelicalism in some third space that doesn't exist.
  • 00:13:44.907 --> 00:13:54.383
  • Does it sound like anybody we know?
  • 00:13:54.383 --> 00:13:57.620
  • Do we look through the windows of our churches and imagine
  • 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:59.622
  • Those people out there are the problems?
  • 00:13:59.622 --> 00:14:02.524
  • Well, it's worth the salt and the light.
  • 00:14:02.524 --> 00:14:03.893
  • If the darkness is more intense, it's not the darkness's fault,
  • 00:14:03.893 --> 00:14:06.128
  • It's the light's.
  • 00:14:06.128 --> 00:14:09.231
  • If i walk in a room and i flip the switch and nothing happens,
  • 00:14:09.231 --> 00:14:11.834
  • And i stub my toe, and i break a bone in my foot, i don't curse
  • 00:14:11.834 --> 00:14:17.106
  • The darkness, i wonder who didn't pay the electric bill.
  • 00:14:17.106 --> 00:14:24.346
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:14:24.346 --> 00:14:29.418
  • Allen: hey, i have a suggestion.
  • 00:14:30.719 --> 00:14:32.087
  • Let's stop waiting for somebody else to be a better leader.
  • 00:14:32.087 --> 00:14:34.490
  • Let's determine this year to lead with faith.
  • 00:14:34.490 --> 00:14:37.026
  • I've written a book to help.
  • 00:14:37.026 --> 00:14:38.360
  • It's a practical collection of tools that you and i can use the
  • 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:41.764
  • Influence of our lives, faith first in the marketplace, in our
  • 00:14:41.764 --> 00:14:45.601
  • Homes, with our friends, folks, it's time for us to stop waiting
  • 00:14:45.601 --> 00:14:48.804
  • For somebody else to step forward, let's determine to lead
  • 00:14:48.804 --> 00:14:51.941
  • With faith.
  • 00:14:51.941 --> 00:14:53.309
  • We can do that, and i believe we can change our homes, our
  • 00:14:53.309 --> 00:14:55.678
  • Neighborhoods, our churches, maybe even our nation.
  • 00:14:55.678 --> 00:14:58.814
  • Announcer: choosing to lead with faith starts with a simple
  • 00:14:58.814 --> 00:15:01.784
  • Decision to be intentional right where you are.
  • 00:15:01.784 --> 00:15:04.653
  • In his new book, "lead with faith," pastor allen shares
  • 00:15:04.653 --> 00:15:07.756
  • Biblical insight and practical tools to help you live out your
  • 00:15:07.756 --> 00:15:11.026
  • Faith in meaningful ways every day.
  • 00:15:11.026 --> 00:15:13.929
  • This book will encourage you to stand for truth with wisdom,
  • 00:15:13.929 --> 00:15:17.132
  • Clarity, and courage without waiting for someone else
  • 00:15:17.132 --> 00:15:20.135
  • To go first.
  • 00:15:20.135 --> 00:15:21.470
  • Request "lead with faith" with your gift of $30 or more at
  • 00:15:21.470 --> 00:15:24.540
  • Allenjackson.com or call...
  • 00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:29.144
  • Allen: look at the passage in luke 17.
  • 00:15:33.015 --> 00:15:35.117
  • We gotta hurry.
  • 00:15:35.117 --> 00:15:36.452
  • "just as it was in the days of noah, so it will be in the days
  • 00:15:36.452 --> 00:15:38.821
  • Of the son of man."
  • 00:15:38.821 --> 00:15:40.189
  • Jesus is drawing a parallel between noah's days and the
  • 00:15:40.189 --> 00:15:42.591
  • Season before his return to the earth, and now he's gonna
  • 00:15:42.591 --> 00:15:44.893
  • Describe something of noah's days.
  • 00:15:44.893 --> 00:15:46.729
  • "people were eating and drinking, marrying and being
  • 00:15:46.729 --> 00:15:48.397
  • Given in marriage up to the day noah entered the ark.
  • 00:15:48.397 --> 00:15:50.199
  • And the flood came and destroyed them all.
  • 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:52.735
  • Same as it was in the days of lot."
  • 00:15:52.735 --> 00:15:54.169
  • Again, similar to lot's days, and the return of the lord, and
  • 00:15:54.169 --> 00:15:56.638
  • A description of lot's days.
  • 00:15:56.638 --> 00:15:58.540
  • "people were eating and drinking, buying and selling,
  • 00:15:58.540 --> 00:16:00.576
  • Planting and building until the day lot left sodom, and fire and
  • 00:16:00.576 --> 00:16:03.445
  • Sulfur rained down and destroyed them all."
  • 00:16:03.445 --> 00:16:05.514
  • He didn't list what i would have expected.
  • 00:16:05.514 --> 00:16:07.016
  • He didn't list the immorality, and the ungodliness, and the
  • 00:16:07.016 --> 00:16:09.685
  • Hardness of their hearts.
  • 00:16:09.685 --> 00:16:11.120
  • He listed ordinary everyday activities, nothing wicked in
  • 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:15.024
  • Those lists of a half a dozen things.
  • 00:16:15.024 --> 00:16:17.926
  • They sound like the excuses for the people who couldn't come to
  • 00:16:17.926 --> 00:16:20.496
  • The banquet, too busy for the evening meal.
  • 00:16:20.496 --> 00:16:25.701
  • But they had no self-awareness, no awareness of the larger
  • 00:16:25.701 --> 00:16:29.405
  • Emerging purposes of god.
  • 00:16:29.405 --> 00:16:32.775
  • And so, the judgment of god came on them completely unaware.
  • 00:16:32.775 --> 00:16:37.346
  • We don't wanna be in that category, folks.
  • 00:16:37.346 --> 00:16:40.349
  • We don't want to be religious.
  • 00:16:40.349 --> 00:16:42.618
  • We don't want to have a form of godliness, but deny the
  • 00:16:42.618 --> 00:16:44.820
  • Power thereof.
  • 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:46.955
  • We don't want to be acquainted.
  • 00:16:46.955 --> 00:16:48.323
  • We want to hold up our personal baptism sheet but not be living
  • 00:16:48.323 --> 00:16:51.693
  • In the righteousness of god.
  • 00:16:51.693 --> 00:16:55.230
  • I'm not telling you earn your way into the kingdom.
  • 00:16:55.230 --> 00:16:57.232
  • I'm telling you, you have to value the gift that's been
  • 00:16:57.232 --> 00:16:59.401
  • Given you.
  • 00:16:59.401 --> 00:17:02.571
  • One last banquet.
  • 00:17:02.571 --> 00:17:05.874
  • The book of revelation, as i understand it, big picture, is
  • 00:17:05.874 --> 00:17:09.178
  • A presentation of the judgment of god on the gentile nations.
  • 00:17:09.178 --> 00:17:12.981
  • That is the book of revelation.
  • 00:17:12.981 --> 00:17:16.018
  • So to understand it, two passages, revelation 14: "i saw
  • 00:17:16.018 --> 00:17:18.887
  • An angel flying in midair between the heaven and the
  • 00:17:18.887 --> 00:17:21.957
  • Earth, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who
  • 00:17:21.957 --> 00:17:25.594
  • Live on the earth."
  • 00:17:25.594 --> 00:17:27.596
  • God sees to it.
  • 00:17:27.596 --> 00:17:28.931
  • It says in romans 1 that every person is without excuse,
  • 00:17:28.931 --> 00:17:31.900
  • Everybody has an individual presentation of the gospel.
  • 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:35.304
  • "to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
  • 00:17:35.304 --> 00:17:37.806
  • And he said in a loud voice, 'fear god and give him glory,
  • 00:17:37.806 --> 00:17:40.542
  • For the hour of his judgment has come.
  • 00:17:40.542 --> 00:17:42.744
  • Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and
  • 00:17:42.744 --> 00:17:44.847
  • The springs of the water.'"
  • 00:17:44.847 --> 00:17:46.181
  • There's the invitation.
  • 00:17:46.181 --> 00:17:48.117
  • It's been given to every person, every nation, every tribe,
  • 00:17:48.117 --> 00:17:51.553
  • Every language.
  • 00:17:51.553 --> 00:17:54.289
  • And we'll be judged according to whom much is given, much is
  • 00:17:54.289 --> 00:17:57.659
  • Required, but everybody's had an opportunity.
  • 00:17:57.659 --> 00:18:02.564
  • How have we done with that?
  • 00:18:02.564 --> 00:18:05.033
  • Think of what you know of the globe.
  • 00:18:05.033 --> 00:18:06.368
  • To what extent is jesus honored?
  • 00:18:06.368 --> 00:18:07.803
  • Is jesus celebrated as lord?
  • 00:18:07.803 --> 00:18:11.907
  • In our hospitals, our courtrooms, our classrooms, our
  • 00:18:11.907 --> 00:18:14.543
  • Halls of government, "oh, we can't do that.
  • 00:18:14.543 --> 00:18:16.545
  • We have to separate."
  • 00:18:16.545 --> 00:18:17.913
  • Who said?
  • 00:18:17.913 --> 00:18:19.815
  • And why have we accepted that?
  • 00:18:19.815 --> 00:18:25.087
  • [applauding]
  • 00:18:25.087 --> 00:18:27.923
  • I don't want a theocracy.
  • 00:18:27.923 --> 00:18:29.258
  • I don't want the government dictating what we believe, or
  • 00:18:29.258 --> 00:18:31.360
  • How we worship, or how we think, but who convinced the christians
  • 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:35.297
  • To be quiet?
  • 00:18:35.297 --> 00:18:44.439
  • Everybody's had an invitation.
  • 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:47.676
  • And there's another banquet.
  • 00:18:47.676 --> 00:18:49.211
  • Revelation 19, "i heard what sounded like a great multitude,
  • 00:18:49.211 --> 00:18:52.614
  • Like the roar of rushing waters, like loud peals of thunder
  • 00:18:52.614 --> 00:18:55.984
  • And shouting."
  • 00:18:55.984 --> 00:18:57.553
  • The worship was so loud, so enveloping, so many involved
  • 00:18:57.553 --> 00:19:02.691
  • That it sounds like thunder, and what's, what's the word?
  • 00:19:02.691 --> 00:19:05.093
  • "hallelujah!
  • 00:19:05.093 --> 00:19:06.461
  • For our lord god almighty reigns.
  • 00:19:06.461 --> 00:19:09.498
  • Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!"
  • 00:19:09.498 --> 00:19:11.867
  • What did isaiah say?
  • 00:19:11.867 --> 00:19:13.969
  • "i'm exceedingly joyful."
  • 00:19:13.969 --> 00:19:17.406
  • Isaiah will be at that banquet.
  • 00:19:17.406 --> 00:19:20.576
  • "let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
  • 00:19:20.576 --> 00:19:22.778
  • For the wedding of the lamb has come, and his bride has made
  • 00:19:22.778 --> 00:19:25.180
  • Herself ready.
  • 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.949
  • Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.
  • 00:19:26.949 --> 00:19:29.585
  • Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints."
  • 00:19:29.585 --> 00:19:32.387
  • We read it.
  • 00:19:32.387 --> 00:19:33.722
  • We receive a gift of righteousness.
  • 00:19:33.722 --> 00:19:35.724
  • A robe of righteousness to put on, but our response to that
  • 00:19:35.724 --> 00:19:39.194
  • Gift is reflected in our willingness to act righteously,
  • 00:19:39.194 --> 00:19:47.336
  • And that's to be reflected.
  • 00:19:47.336 --> 00:19:49.137
  • There's a record being kept.
  • 00:19:49.137 --> 00:19:50.672
  • The people at this banquet are clothed in fine linen, the
  • 00:19:50.672 --> 00:19:55.811
  • Righteous acts of the saints.
  • 00:19:55.811 --> 00:19:57.613
  • "and the angel said to me, 'write: 'blessed are those who
  • 00:19:57.613 --> 00:20:00.115
  • Were invited to the wedding supper of the lamb!'
  • 00:20:00.115 --> 00:20:04.386
  • And he added, 'these are the true words of god.''"
  • 00:20:04.386 --> 00:20:07.456
  • This banquet is a triumphal gathering of the people of god,
  • 00:20:07.456 --> 00:20:12.828
  • Jew and gentile from every nation, from every race, from
  • 00:20:12.828 --> 00:20:15.998
  • Every language, from every tribe.
  • 00:20:15.998 --> 00:20:19.434
  • But we'll be gathered because we cared about the righteousness of
  • 00:20:19.434 --> 00:20:22.671
  • The god that we worship.
  • 00:20:22.671 --> 00:20:25.774
  • It's an invitation available to everyone.
  • 00:20:25.774 --> 00:20:28.877
  • Let's not treat it presumptively.
  • 00:20:28.877 --> 00:20:31.146
  • Let's not treat it with arrogance.
  • 00:20:31.146 --> 00:20:34.216
  • Let's not treat it with--you know, religion breeds
  • 00:20:34.216 --> 00:20:37.986
  • Self-righteousness amongst all of us.
  • 00:20:37.986 --> 00:20:43.692
  • And we started saturday night services some years ago, people
  • 00:20:43.692 --> 00:20:46.995
  • Said, "i can't come to church on saturday night.
  • 00:20:46.995 --> 00:20:49.598
  • My people--my neighbors would see me at home on sunday."
  • 00:20:49.598 --> 00:20:58.774
  • The church attendance has changed over the years.
  • 00:20:58.774 --> 00:21:01.943
  • Perception of it, the value of it.
  • 00:21:01.943 --> 00:21:03.545
  • For a while, we offered yard signs.
  • 00:21:03.545 --> 00:21:04.913
  • "i was at church last night.
  • 00:21:04.913 --> 00:21:06.248
  • I mean, it's okay.
  • 00:21:06.248 --> 00:21:09.484
  • I'm good to go, i promise it's all right."
  • 00:21:09.484 --> 00:21:13.355
  • Two verses in closing, matthew, they're from the sermon on
  • 00:21:13.355 --> 00:21:15.624
  • The mount.
  • 00:21:15.624 --> 00:21:16.958
  • Jesus is giving maybe his most celebrated sermon.
  • 00:21:16.958 --> 00:21:19.328
  • Not his only sermon, but he said, "blessed are the poor in
  • 00:21:19.328 --> 00:21:22.397
  • Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
  • 00:21:22.397 --> 00:21:24.800
  • It's not talking about affluence or assets.
  • 00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:29.905
  • Jesus is described as the cornerstone, and those that are
  • 00:21:29.905 --> 00:21:32.240
  • Broken by the cornerstone, those who come to that, broken by our
  • 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:35.010
  • Ungodliness and kneel in humility and repentance.
  • 00:21:35.010 --> 00:21:39.214
  • It says we're welcomed into the kingdom, those who reject the
  • 00:21:39.214 --> 00:21:42.384
  • Cornerstone, it will fall, it will crush us.
  • 00:21:42.384 --> 00:21:46.054
  • It will destroy us.
  • 00:21:46.054 --> 00:21:48.924
  • We have to decide.
  • 00:21:48.924 --> 00:21:50.292
  • Same--same message verse 6, "blessed are those who hunger
  • 00:21:50.292 --> 00:21:53.528
  • And thirst for righteousness, for they'll be filled."
  • 00:21:53.528 --> 00:21:56.231
  • The two of the most powerful drives within you are
  • 00:21:56.231 --> 00:21:59.835
  • Hunger--you get hungry enough and thirsty enough, you'll break
  • 00:21:59.835 --> 00:22:02.704
  • Every civil boundary you have.
  • 00:22:02.704 --> 00:22:06.708
  • How's your hunger and thirst for the lord?
  • 00:22:06.708 --> 00:22:10.345
  • How's your hunger and thirst for the lord?
  • 00:22:10.345 --> 00:22:13.281
  • You miss food for three days, you'll get pretty focused on
  • 00:22:13.281 --> 00:22:17.419
  • Something to eat.
  • 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:19.187
  • You won't be nearly as picky.
  • 00:22:19.187 --> 00:22:21.757
  • I learned that when they brought pets into the clinic.
  • 00:22:21.757 --> 00:22:24.493
  • They didn't like the food that was serving--that was
  • 00:22:24.493 --> 00:22:27.028
  • Being served.
  • 00:22:27.028 --> 00:22:28.363
  • You know, if mama cooked for them--well, they probably
  • 00:22:28.363 --> 00:22:32.000
  • Weren't gonna get individualized meals when they got to the
  • 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:34.302
  • Veterinarian, at least back in the day.
  • 00:22:34.302 --> 00:22:36.972
  • Give them a couple of days, they'll eat.
  • 00:22:36.972 --> 00:22:40.108
  • So, will you and i. how's your spiritual hunger?
  • 00:22:40.108 --> 00:22:45.814
  • "well, i have to read my bible every day.
  • 00:22:45.814 --> 00:22:49.718
  • Oh, how long?
  • 00:22:49.718 --> 00:22:53.488
  • The whole thing?
  • 00:22:53.488 --> 00:22:56.258
  • Phew.
  • 00:22:56.258 --> 00:22:58.193
  • Again?"
  • 00:22:58.193 --> 00:23:02.531
  • If you're hungry and thirsty for righteousness, will be filled.
  • 00:23:02.531 --> 00:23:09.271
  • I wanna close--i really--i wrestled as i thought about the
  • 00:23:09.271 --> 00:23:12.107
  • Weekend, the best way to close this because i don't want to
  • 00:23:12.107 --> 00:23:17.145
  • Segment us.
  • 00:23:17.145 --> 00:23:19.181
  • If you've never given jesus first place, that's a wonderful
  • 00:23:19.181 --> 00:23:22.651
  • Place to begin today.
  • 00:23:22.651 --> 00:23:25.320
  • But if you've given him first place, but you've been declining
  • 00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:27.856
  • Invitations because you thought you were okay.
  • 00:23:27.856 --> 00:23:31.326
  • I mean, it's--i'm in the kingdom.
  • 00:23:31.326 --> 00:23:32.994
  • I got places, and cattle, and homes, and a social--and i'm
  • 00:23:32.994 --> 00:23:37.666
  • Good, i'm in the kingdom and you've been treating it too
  • 00:23:37.666 --> 00:23:40.969
  • Casually, i don't want you to be left out of this
  • 00:23:40.969 --> 00:23:43.104
  • Invitation either.
  • 00:23:43.104 --> 00:23:47.742
  • In fact, if you spent more time being angry at other people
  • 00:23:47.742 --> 00:23:50.212
  • Groups who've rejected god than being broken by our
  • 00:23:50.212 --> 00:23:53.582
  • Own hardheartedness.
  • 00:23:53.582 --> 00:23:55.650
  • I don't want you to miss this invitation either.
  • 00:23:55.650 --> 00:24:00.188
  • So, i'm gonna ask you to stand with me.
  • 00:24:00.188 --> 00:24:01.523
  • If you're joining us at home, you stand, too, please, just put
  • 00:24:01.523 --> 00:24:03.391
  • Down your coffee and your kale for a moment.
  • 00:24:03.391 --> 00:24:08.530
  • I'm gonna invite you to say a very familiar prayer with me.
  • 00:24:08.530 --> 00:24:12.667
  • We typically think of it as a confession of faith, an entry
  • 00:24:12.667 --> 00:24:16.972
  • Point into the kingdom of god, but i--i'm gonna suggest to you
  • 00:24:16.972 --> 00:24:19.741
  • It's far more than that.
  • 00:24:19.741 --> 00:24:21.109
  • It's an affirmation of my intent to participate.
  • 00:24:21.109 --> 00:24:26.314
  • It's a declaration that i am accepting invitations.
  • 00:24:26.314 --> 00:24:30.385
  • You know, in the book of acts, there's a statement made about
  • 00:24:30.385 --> 00:24:32.187
  • King david that captures my imagination.
  • 00:24:32.187 --> 00:24:35.223
  • God said of david, he would do anything i asked him to do.
  • 00:24:35.223 --> 00:24:39.561
  • I don't perceive, i don't have any imagination to match
  • 00:24:39.561 --> 00:24:43.865
  • King david.
  • 00:24:43.865 --> 00:24:45.534
  • But to the extent of my ability, i want it to be said to me,
  • 00:24:45.534 --> 00:24:47.669
  • I will do what god asks me to do.
  • 00:24:47.669 --> 00:24:52.374
  • Don't you? [congregation applauding]
  • 00:24:52.374 --> 00:24:58.747
  • So just--you can repeat this prayer with me, we just pray
  • 00:24:58.813 --> 00:25:00.882
  • It together.
  • 00:25:00.882 --> 00:25:02.217
  • Just close your eyes for a minute, forget the rest of
  • 00:25:02.217 --> 00:25:03.685
  • The folks, all right?
  • 00:25:03.685 --> 00:25:05.086
  • Almighty god, i'm a sinner and i need a savior.
  • 00:25:05.086 --> 00:25:11.126
  • I believe jesus is your son, that he died on a cross for my
  • 00:25:11.126 --> 00:25:16.464
  • Sin and that you raised him to life again that i might
  • 00:25:16.464 --> 00:25:23.572
  • Be justified.
  • 00:25:23.572 --> 00:25:26.141
  • Forgive me of my sin and i forgive all those who sinned
  • 00:25:26.141 --> 00:25:31.012
  • Against me.
  • 00:25:31.012 --> 00:25:34.349
  • Jesus, be lord of my life.
  • 00:25:34.349 --> 00:25:37.786
  • I want to live for your glory.
  • 00:25:37.786 --> 00:25:41.022
  • I want you to be lord of all that i am, all that i have, all
  • 00:25:41.022 --> 00:25:47.062
  • That i'll ever be.
  • 00:25:47.062 --> 00:25:48.897
  • I want to live for your glory.
  • 00:25:48.897 --> 00:25:51.800
  • And i thank you now that i belong to the family of god,
  • 00:25:51.800 --> 00:25:57.839
  • The most remarkable family in the universe.
  • 00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:02.177
  • I'm a child of the king.
  • 00:26:02.177 --> 00:26:04.879
  • In jesus's name.
  • 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:07.082
  • Amen.
  • 00:26:07.082 --> 00:26:08.483
  • Hallelujah. [congregation applauding]
  • 00:26:08.483 --> 00:26:14.322
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:14.322 --> 00:26:17.626
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:17.692 --> 00:26:24.733
  • Allen: i suspect we've all heard the line that leadership is
  • 00:26:26.334 --> 00:26:28.436
  • About influence.
  • 00:26:28.436 --> 00:26:29.804
  • I have a question for you: what do you lead with?
  • 00:26:29.804 --> 00:26:32.374
  • What is the basis of your influence?
  • 00:26:32.374 --> 00:26:34.075
  • Is it your appearance, your education, your professional
  • 00:26:34.075 --> 00:26:36.911
  • Expertise, your professional accomplishments, your athletic
  • 00:26:36.911 --> 00:26:39.814
  • Ability, your family?
  • 00:26:39.814 --> 00:26:41.816
  • What is the point of influence that you use most frequently?
  • 00:26:41.816 --> 00:26:45.987
  • Well, i've written a book.
  • 00:26:45.987 --> 00:26:47.355
  • The title is gonna give away where i'm headed.
  • 00:26:47.355 --> 00:26:49.190
  • It's "lead with faith."
  • 00:26:49.190 --> 00:26:50.725
  • I think it's time that all of us begin to use our faith as
  • 00:26:50.725 --> 00:26:54.429
  • An influence in the world where we find ourselves.
  • 00:26:54.429 --> 00:26:56.931
  • We're reluctant to do that.
  • 00:26:56.931 --> 00:26:58.266
  • We typically have more confidence in our education,
  • 00:26:58.266 --> 00:27:00.835
  • Or our family system, or our life experience.
  • 00:27:00.835 --> 00:27:03.371
  • We feel a little uncertain to lead with faith.
  • 00:27:03.371 --> 00:27:05.940
  • The point of this book is to give you the tools to take your
  • 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:09.511
  • Faith out of a church setting and bring it into
  • 00:27:09.511 --> 00:27:12.213
  • The marketplace.
  • 00:27:12.213 --> 00:27:13.581
  • If we will lead with faith, i believe god will help us make
  • 00:27:13.581 --> 00:27:17.252
  • An impact in this generation.
  • 00:27:17.252 --> 00:27:19.087
  • Go to allenjackson.com and get your copy today.
  • 00:27:19.087 --> 00:27:22.991
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:23.958 --> 00:27:30.001