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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Unafraid With Courage

March 14, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - Unafraid With Courage
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Fear #Courage #Strength #Anxiety #Worry #Church #BodyofChrist #SpiritualWarfare #Overcoming #Evil #LightoftheWorld #Jesus #Ministry #Persecution #Peace #Obedience #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Unafraid With Courage | March 14, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world,
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  • People are searching for truth, and together we're doing our
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  • Very best to help them 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
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  • God opens a 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
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  • At allenjackson.com/partner.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: our topic is "unafraid... with courage".
  • 00:01:08.918 --> 00:01:13.223
  • I would submit to you, it's time for the church to understand
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  • The call upon us is to lead lives unafraid and with courage.
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  • We have focused for most of my adult life on having our
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  • Systematic theology correct.
  • 00:01:27.737 --> 00:01:30.173
  • We quibble about which translation of the bible to read
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  • And what style of worship we prefer and what the wardrobe
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  • Should be of the presenter at the front.
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  • And we have failed to understand that we will not complete
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  • The assignment without courage and unless we are willing
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  • To refuse fear.
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  • When god was preparing joshua to complete the assignment
  • 00:01:50.927 --> 00:01:53.530
  • That had been begun by moses.
  • 00:01:53.530 --> 00:01:55.632
  • I often think that's one of the most difficult job assignments
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  • In the bible, can you imagine being moses's successor?
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  • And the instructions god gave to joshua are surprising to me,
  • 00:02:04.607 --> 00:02:07.744
  • It's repeated multiple times, more than a half a dozen times.
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  • The message to him is be strong and courageous, be strong
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  • And courageous.
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  • I thought he might have said, go back and read moses notes.
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  • Pool together all the people that left with egypt and talked
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  • To joshua, do everything you can do.
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  • Get caleb, go over and over-- no, that's not what he said.
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  • He said, joshua, you need to be strong and courageous.
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  • Church, if we're going to be triumphant in the season before
  • 00:02:32.535 --> 00:02:36.906
  • Us, it will require of us strength and courage.
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  • We're gonna have to lead lives with less fear.
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  • We whisper too much.
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  • We retreat too frequently.
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  • We're too often embarrassed.
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  • We have yielded the fields to our adversaries for so long that
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  • They expect us to cower in fear.
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  • We cannot any longer.
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  • I'm not suggesting we be angry or belligerent and certainly
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  • Not violent, but we have to take the truth that we believe and
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  • Live it out across the breadth of our lives in every arena.
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  • That's our target with this session.
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  • I started with a quote from charlie brown, he's a theologian
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  • I can understand.
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  • Charlie said, "i have a philosophy about fear.
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  • I only dread one day at a time."
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  • It seems to me that fear creeps around our lives.
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  • That it tugs at our minds in more persistent ways than
  • 00:03:31.227 --> 00:03:35.465
  • I'm conscious of in my lifetime.
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  • It's not difficult to understand.
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  • We look around, there are reasons to be anxious.
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  • The economy is unsteady and there don't seem to be
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  • Easy answers.
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  • There aren't any answers that anyone wants to embrace.
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  • We prefer not even to look at the truth.
  • 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:51.981
  • Our moral balance is a bit wobbly and very few seem to be
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  • Willing to embrace the values which have stabilized us
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  • For centuries.
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  • We're told we need to be more progressive in our thinking,
  • 00:03:59.989 --> 00:04:02.825
  • More enlightened, more aware, less anchored to the past, yeah.
  • 00:04:02.825 --> 00:04:09.932
  • Hatred and violence have escalated in cities across
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  • Our nation and in nations around the world.
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  • We are mired in wars with an enemy that we're afraid
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  • Or unwilling to define, which makes victory impossible.
  • 00:04:19.876 --> 00:04:25.548
  • Because of our own individual proximity to sin, we have chosen
  • 00:04:25.548 --> 00:04:29.085
  • To hide from the tooth-- truth far too frequently.
  • 00:04:29.085 --> 00:04:33.556
  • Tragically, even in the church we've embraced political
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  • Correctness and hidden from the light.
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  • And we found that while we were hiding in the darkness,
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  • Our fear has flourished.
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  • It's time for a change.
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  • And i don't think it makes any sense to wait for somebody else
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  • To be different.
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  • Why don't we determine tonight, we'll be the people where
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  • The difference begins.
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  • I'd like to begin in ephesians 6:13.
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  • The assignment, as i understand it, is learning to stand,
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  • And paul's writing to the church at ephesus, a church that
  • 00:05:03.786 --> 00:05:06.456
  • Understood riots, a church that understood a great widespread
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  • Public repentance.
  • 00:05:12.095 --> 00:05:14.797
  • They burned millions of dollars of paraphernalia they had used
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  • In the pursuit of the occult and wickedness.
  • 00:05:18.568 --> 00:05:21.738
  • There was a very intentional public attempt to separate
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  • Themselves from ungodliness.
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  • I look forward to seeing that across our nation.
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  • And paul writes to them in ephesians 6 and verse 13, "put
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  • On the full armor of god, so that when the day of evil comes,
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  • You may be able to stand your ground, and after you've done
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  • Everything, to stand."
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  • And the assumption that paul makes is that the day of evil
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  • Will arrive.
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  • It can't be avoided.
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  • We can't hand it off to another generation.
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  • We can't imagine it isn't our assignment.
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  • Every one of us in our journey through time, our journey
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  • Under the sun, will be asked to address evil.
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  • It's an inescapable part of what we've been asked to do.
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  • And what we're told we need to do in that instance, is be
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  • Prepared to stand our ground.
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  • And after we've done everything we know to do, we have to stand.
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  • Standing is an instinctive response that is needed
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  • For survival.
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  • So if you'll allow me, i'm gonna give you an invitation
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  • This evening to begin to stand.
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  • Not in the midst of a worship service, but in the midst
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  • Of the arenas of your life.
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  • Whether it's at work or with your friends or your family
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  • Or your neighbors, wherever you may gather, it may be
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  • At the ball fields.
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  • If they don't pray on the ball field before your kids play,
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  • Have a prayer in the bleachers.
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  • You don't have to shout at the top of your lungs.
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  • You can just quietly say, father, i pray
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  • For the children today.
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  • Keep them safe.
  • 00:06:53.229 --> 00:06:54.897
  • May they compete in a way that honors you and help
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  • Their parents not to act a fool.
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  • In jesus name, amen.
  • 00:06:58.601 --> 00:07:01.838
  • Because typically the kids behave better than the kids.
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  • Look, i can't give you all the ways that we need to begin
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  • To stand, but in all the arenas of all of our lives,
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  • It's time to stand up for jesus.
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  • We have been sitting down, hiding in the shadows,
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  • For too long.
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  • Now i'm gonna add one more component to it that makes it
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  • More difficult, and it's not the devil.
  • 00:07:24.861 --> 00:07:29.065
  • It's not instituted by something that's demonic.
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  • I believe god is doing something in the, in the earth that makes
  • 00:07:32.034 --> 00:07:35.338
  • Standing more challenging.
  • 00:07:35.338 --> 00:07:38.007
  • In the book of haggai chapter 2 and verse 6 says,
  • 00:07:38.007 --> 00:07:41.878
  • "this is what the lord almighty says: 'in a little while.
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  • I will once more shake the heavens and the earth,
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  • The sea and the dry land."'
  • 00:07:47.617 --> 00:07:49.952
  • Now that passage is quoted by the author of hebrews
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  • In the 12th chapter.
  • 00:07:52.455 --> 00:07:55.191
  • It's very clear, god "said, i'm going to shake the earth."
  • 00:07:55.191 --> 00:07:58.961
  • The devil is not doing it.
  • 00:07:58.961 --> 00:08:00.696
  • It's not the demonic host.
  • 00:08:00.696 --> 00:08:02.732
  • It's not the principalities and powers of spiritual darkness
  • 00:08:02.732 --> 00:08:06.002
  • In the heavenly places.
  • 00:08:06.002 --> 00:08:07.336
  • All of those things are real.
  • 00:08:07.336 --> 00:08:09.472
  • When we're asked to stand, we're not asked to stand
  • 00:08:09.472 --> 00:08:11.641
  • Against governments.
  • 00:08:11.641 --> 00:08:13.042
  • We're not asked to stand against politicians
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  • Or political parties.
  • 00:08:15.444 --> 00:08:16.812
  • We're asked to stand against spiritual forces of wickedness
  • 00:08:16.812 --> 00:08:20.082
  • In the heavenly places.
  • 00:08:20.082 --> 00:08:23.619
  • We're still having seminars on whether or not we believe that.
  • 00:08:23.619 --> 00:08:27.123
  • Stop it, the decision you have to make is whether or not you
  • 00:08:27.189 --> 00:08:31.661
  • Believe your bible.
  • 00:08:31.661 --> 00:08:34.630
  • If you believe your bible, jesus believed in all of those things.
  • 00:08:34.630 --> 00:08:39.769
  • He cast out demons.
  • 00:08:39.769 --> 00:08:41.704
  • He was tempted by satan.
  • 00:08:41.704 --> 00:08:45.241
  • He talked about it and demonstrated it in the plainest
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  • Of ways.
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  • It's difficult for me to imagine any person that considers
  • 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:53.549
  • Themselves to be a christ follower and doesn't believe
  • 00:08:53.549 --> 00:08:56.986
  • In spiritual forces of good and evil.
  • 00:08:56.986 --> 00:09:00.289
  • The angels ministered to jesus.
  • 00:09:00.289 --> 00:09:02.925
  • He addressed the demons.
  • 00:09:02.925 --> 00:09:04.894
  • He was tempted by satan.
  • 00:09:04.894 --> 00:09:07.163
  • And we as the 21st century edition of people who follow him
  • 00:09:07.163 --> 00:09:11.334
  • Still have seminars and talk about whether or not
  • 00:09:11.334 --> 00:09:14.103
  • We believe it.
  • 00:09:14.103 --> 00:09:18.608
  • That makes no sense.
  • 00:09:18.608 --> 00:09:22.745
  • Let's decide to take the bible at face value.
  • 00:09:22.745 --> 00:09:25.114
  • God said, "once more i will shake the heavens and
  • 00:09:25.114 --> 00:09:28.184
  • The earth," and the author of hebrews picks it up,
  • 00:09:28.184 --> 00:09:31.721
  • Gives us the verse, and a bit of commentary.
  • 00:09:31.721 --> 00:09:34.357
  • It's chapter 12 and verse 27, "the words 'once more' indicate
  • 00:09:34.357 --> 00:09:38.060
  • The removing of what can be shaken--
  • 00:09:38.060 --> 00:09:41.130
  • That is created things--
  • 00:09:41.130 --> 00:09:43.265
  • That so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
  • 00:09:43.265 --> 00:09:46.435
  • Therefore, since we're receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
  • 00:09:46.435 --> 00:09:49.939
  • Let us be thankful, and so worship god acceptably
  • 00:09:49.939 --> 00:09:53.209
  • With reverence and awe, for our 'god is a consuming fire.'"
  • 00:09:53.209 --> 00:10:00.249
  • The prophet says to us that god is going to once again shake
  • 00:10:00.249 --> 00:10:04.553
  • The earth.
  • 00:10:04.553 --> 00:10:05.888
  • God has shaken the earth many times.
  • 00:10:05.888 --> 00:10:08.524
  • I'm of the opinion that we're living in one of those seasons
  • 00:10:08.524 --> 00:10:10.993
  • Of shaking.
  • 00:10:10.993 --> 00:10:13.295
  • I believe--and it isn't so much that it's one
  • 00:10:13.295 --> 00:10:16.065
  • Massive earthquake.
  • 00:10:16.065 --> 00:10:18.100
  • It seems to me at this point, it's been a series of shocks.
  • 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:22.271
  • 2020, with the virus that started our way from wuhan,
  • 00:10:22.271 --> 00:10:26.275
  • Began a shaking.
  • 00:10:26.275 --> 00:10:28.344
  • Everything, it seems to me, changed.
  • 00:10:28.344 --> 00:10:31.881
  • October 7, a year ago, when the attack came by hamas out
  • 00:10:31.881 --> 00:10:36.652
  • Of gaza, it was another shaking in our earth.
  • 00:10:36.652 --> 00:10:40.189
  • I never imagined i would see universities that i one--
  • 00:10:40.189 --> 00:10:43.592
  • At one time considered elite.
  • 00:10:43.592 --> 00:10:45.327
  • I no longer imagine them to be that, but at one time
  • 00:10:45.327 --> 00:10:48.664
  • I considered them to be institutions
  • 00:10:48.664 --> 00:10:50.399
  • Of considerable learning.
  • 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:52.735
  • Clearly now they house uneducated students filling
  • 00:10:52.735 --> 00:10:55.805
  • Their minds with propaganda.
  • 00:10:55.805 --> 00:10:57.473
  • But i never imagined to see that kind of hatred and ignorance
  • 00:10:57.473 --> 00:11:01.410
  • Demonstrated at celebrated university campuses
  • 00:11:01.410 --> 00:11:04.213
  • In our nation.
  • 00:11:04.213 --> 00:11:05.881
  • I didn't expect to see it echoed in the halls of congress.
  • 00:11:05.881 --> 00:11:09.885
  • I didn't expect to hear the silence of the churches.
  • 00:11:09.885 --> 00:11:12.521
  • I think there was another episode in the shaking,
  • 00:11:12.521 --> 00:11:15.524
  • When the supreme court ruled and overturned roe v wade.
  • 00:11:15.524 --> 00:11:20.329
  • I didn't expect the voices that were demanding the right
  • 00:11:20.329 --> 00:11:23.866
  • To abortions to be louder than those celebrating
  • 00:11:23.866 --> 00:11:27.036
  • The protections offered to our children.
  • 00:11:27.036 --> 00:11:30.940
  • I think god is still shaking the earth and i think the objective
  • 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:35.377
  • Is to reveal those things that cannot be shaken.
  • 00:11:35.377 --> 00:11:39.648
  • If our trust is in the economic system of our nation or
  • 00:11:39.648 --> 00:11:43.753
  • The economic stability of the global community, i suspect that
  • 00:11:43.753 --> 00:11:48.858
  • The not too distant future we're going to see shaking
  • 00:11:48.858 --> 00:11:51.660
  • In those arenas.
  • 00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:54.363
  • If we imagine that our security was in the truthfulness and
  • 00:11:54.363 --> 00:11:57.833
  • The forthrightness of the cdc, it's been shaken.
  • 00:11:57.833 --> 00:12:01.470
  • If we thought it was in the forthrightness and the absolute
  • 00:12:01.470 --> 00:12:03.773
  • Integrity of the fbi and the security community,
  • 00:12:03.773 --> 00:12:06.809
  • It's been shaken.
  • 00:12:06.809 --> 00:12:09.245
  • If we thought the church was a place that would maintain
  • 00:12:09.245 --> 00:12:12.114
  • Orthodoxy, stand for the authority of scripture
  • 00:12:12.114 --> 00:12:15.751
  • And the uniqueness of jesus in a very unsettling way,
  • 00:12:15.751 --> 00:12:18.854
  • It's been shaken.
  • 00:12:18.854 --> 00:12:21.323
  • God is making clear his unshakeable kingdom.
  • 00:12:21.323 --> 00:12:27.963
  • Allen: hey, i have a suggestion.
  • 00:12:31.734 --> 00:12:33.068
  • Let's stop waiting for somebody else to be a better leader.
  • 00:12:33.068 --> 00:12:35.538
  • Let's determine this year to lead with faith.
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  • I've written a book to help.
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  • It's a practical collection of tools that you and i can use the
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  • Homes, with our friends.
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  • Folks, it's time for us to stop waiting for somebody else to
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  • Step forward.
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  • We can do that and i believe we can change our homes, our
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  • Neighborhoods, our churches, maybe even our nation.
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  • Announcer: choosing to lead with faith starts with a simple
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  • In his new book "lead with faith," pastor allen shares
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  • Faith in meaningful ways every day.
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  • Request "lead with faith" with your gift of $30 or more at
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  • Allenjackson.com or call ...
  • 00:13:25.554 --> 00:13:31.861
  • Allen: how many of you would like to live with less fear
  • 00:13:31.927 --> 00:13:34.630
  • And more courage?
  • 00:13:34.630 --> 00:13:36.532
  • Me too.
  • 00:13:36.532 --> 00:13:38.167
  • We live in a frightening season, god is shaking the earth.
  • 00:13:38.167 --> 00:13:41.370
  • That's frightening stuff.
  • 00:13:41.370 --> 00:13:43.706
  • We've watched two remarkable storms sweep across
  • 00:13:43.706 --> 00:13:46.475
  • The southern part of the united states.
  • 00:13:46.475 --> 00:13:48.978
  • You get the sense that if god wanted to, he could wreak
  • 00:13:48.978 --> 00:13:52.615
  • Destruction on a scale we cannot imagine.
  • 00:13:52.615 --> 00:13:56.719
  • So when god says he's going to shake the earth, if that doesn't
  • 00:13:56.719 --> 00:14:00.222
  • Have your attention, you're not paying attention.
  • 00:14:00.222 --> 00:14:04.693
  • We're not finished with the shaking, it's just begun.
  • 00:14:04.693 --> 00:14:08.864
  • But we're given the opportunity to imagine that we could lead
  • 00:14:08.864 --> 00:14:12.167
  • Our lives without fear and with great courage.
  • 00:14:12.167 --> 00:14:17.673
  • Now i need more information.
  • 00:14:17.673 --> 00:14:23.979
  • In luke chapter 21 in verse 26, jesus is describing the end of
  • 00:14:23.979 --> 00:14:29.518
  • The age and he list many characteristics, we'll look
  • 00:14:29.518 --> 00:14:32.054
  • At one.
  • 00:14:32.054 --> 00:14:33.389
  • He said, "men will faint with terror apprehensive is what
  • 00:14:33.389 --> 00:14:36.392
  • Of what is coming on the world, for even the heavenly bodies
  • 00:14:36.392 --> 00:14:40.029
  • Will be shaken."
  • 00:14:40.029 --> 00:14:41.363
  • That's a whole another level of shaking.
  • 00:14:41.363 --> 00:14:44.366
  • The things that are clearly beyond our control.
  • 00:14:44.366 --> 00:14:48.437
  • In john 14 and verse 27, jesus is speaking and he said,
  • 00:14:48.437 --> 00:14:52.207
  • "peace i leave with you; my peace i give you.
  • 00:14:52.207 --> 00:14:54.443
  • I don't give to you as the world gives.
  • 00:14:54.443 --> 00:14:56.145
  • Don't let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
  • 00:14:56.145 --> 00:15:00.749
  • Jesus is talking to his friends, his disciples, and he's telling
  • 00:15:00.749 --> 00:15:04.119
  • Them about his departure, he's leaving.
  • 00:15:04.119 --> 00:15:05.888
  • They're quite upset about that, that wasn't the bargain they
  • 00:15:05.888 --> 00:15:08.357
  • Thought they had struck.
  • 00:15:08.357 --> 00:15:10.125
  • When jesus said, follow me and i'll make you fishers of men,
  • 00:15:10.125 --> 00:15:12.928
  • I'm quite confident their imagination as they would spend
  • 00:15:12.928 --> 00:15:15.397
  • The rest of their lives, their lengthy lives they imagined,
  • 00:15:15.397 --> 00:15:20.235
  • Following jesus.
  • 00:15:20.235 --> 00:15:22.171
  • And now three years later, he's rolled up and he said,
  • 00:15:22.171 --> 00:15:24.740
  • I'm leaving and where i'm going you can't come, but i leave you
  • 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:28.177
  • My peace.
  • 00:15:28.177 --> 00:15:30.079
  • Now we read that and think, well, how sweet.
  • 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:34.083
  • But if you understand peace to be abs--to be the absence
  • 00:15:34.083 --> 00:15:37.119
  • Of conflict, that's not the life jesus led.
  • 00:15:37.119 --> 00:15:41.590
  • When he was an infant in bethlehem, they killed
  • 00:15:41.590 --> 00:15:43.792
  • All the baby boys that were in his age range.
  • 00:15:43.792 --> 00:15:47.129
  • When he became an adult and began his public ministry,
  • 00:15:47.129 --> 00:15:50.966
  • He faced conflict and rejection and resistance almost
  • 00:15:50.966 --> 00:15:53.736
  • Every place he went.
  • 00:15:53.736 --> 00:15:55.637
  • From his hometown, to the temple in jerusalem, to many
  • 00:15:55.637 --> 00:15:58.340
  • Of the synagogues throughout the nation.
  • 00:15:58.340 --> 00:16:01.076
  • He was hated, he was rejected, ultimately, he was tortured
  • 00:16:01.076 --> 00:16:04.146
  • To death by the romans and he's gathering his friends together
  • 00:16:04.146 --> 00:16:06.949
  • And he said, listen, my peace, you can have it.
  • 00:16:06.949 --> 00:16:11.720
  • "my peace," jesus said, "i give to you."
  • 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:15.024
  • What we do find in jesus's life is that he's never panicked.
  • 00:16:15.024 --> 00:16:19.395
  • He can be in the midst of an angry mob whose intent is
  • 00:16:19.395 --> 00:16:22.131
  • To destroy him, and he says, he just walked through their midst.
  • 00:16:22.131 --> 00:16:26.769
  • He can be confronted by a demonized man with many a legion
  • 00:16:26.769 --> 00:16:31.707
  • Of demons in him, and with complete authority
  • 00:16:31.707 --> 00:16:34.476
  • And confidence he says to the unclean spirits,
  • 00:16:34.476 --> 00:16:36.378
  • Come out of him.
  • 00:16:36.378 --> 00:16:39.148
  • He demonstrated authority over that.
  • 00:16:39.148 --> 00:16:40.616
  • He could be caught in the midst of a storm that terrified
  • 00:16:40.616 --> 00:16:43.819
  • The fisherman.
  • 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:45.487
  • And jesus stands up and speaks to the wind and the waves
  • 00:16:45.487 --> 00:16:48.123
  • And says, "oh, be still."
  • 00:16:48.123 --> 00:16:50.459
  • He stands before a roman governor who has the political
  • 00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:53.128
  • Authority and the inclination to have him crucified.
  • 00:16:53.128 --> 00:16:58.000
  • The romans were known for their crucifixion.
  • 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:01.503
  • And pilate is agitated because of jesus silence before him,
  • 00:17:01.503 --> 00:17:05.107
  • And he said, "don't you know who i am."
  • 00:17:05.107 --> 00:17:07.810
  • Imagine saying that to jesus.
  • 00:17:07.810 --> 00:17:11.547
  • "don't you know i have the authority to have you crucified
  • 00:17:11.547 --> 00:17:14.149
  • Or to have you released."
  • 00:17:14.149 --> 00:17:16.351
  • And jesus said to him, "sir," living bible, "you have
  • 00:17:16.351 --> 00:17:21.423
  • No authority unless my dad gave it to you."
  • 00:17:21.423 --> 00:17:24.660
  • Don't make me call pops.
  • 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:29.765
  • Jesus had a peace in the face of some great threats,
  • 00:17:29.765 --> 00:17:34.470
  • Mortal threats.
  • 00:17:34.470 --> 00:17:36.138
  • In fact, he told his friends, he said, "don't be afraid
  • 00:17:36.138 --> 00:17:38.107
  • Of those people who can only kill your body."
  • 00:17:38.107 --> 00:17:42.177
  • Well, i'm pretty much thinking those are the people
  • 00:17:42.177 --> 00:17:44.146
  • We're typically afraid of.
  • 00:17:44.146 --> 00:17:46.448
  • He said, you don't have to be afraid of that.
  • 00:17:46.448 --> 00:17:48.050
  • He said, "be afraid of those, that after they've destroyed you
  • 00:17:48.050 --> 00:17:50.853
  • Physically, could throw your soul into hell."
  • 00:17:50.853 --> 00:17:54.389
  • "my peace," he said, "i give to you."
  • 00:17:54.389 --> 00:17:57.059
  • Now we want his peace, we've got to choose obedience.
  • 00:17:57.059 --> 00:18:03.065
  • My peace i give to you, do not be afraid.
  • 00:18:03.065 --> 00:18:10.506
  • And we've talked many times about jesus saying,
  • 00:18:10.506 --> 00:18:12.508
  • Do not worry.
  • 00:18:12.508 --> 00:18:13.842
  • If he said we don't, we shouldn't worry, that it's
  • 00:18:13.842 --> 00:18:16.512
  • Possible to be free of anxiety.
  • 00:18:16.512 --> 00:18:19.381
  • And if he said do not be afraid, i would submit to you,
  • 00:18:19.381 --> 00:18:22.718
  • It's possible to lead lives free of fear.
  • 00:18:22.718 --> 00:18:27.756
  • Well there are frightening things in the world and fear
  • 00:18:27.756 --> 00:18:30.692
  • Will visit you, the same way anxiety will visit you.
  • 00:18:30.692 --> 00:18:33.896
  • There are threats and challenges and reports that you don't want
  • 00:18:33.896 --> 00:18:37.633
  • And uncertainties in the world and expressions of evil.
  • 00:18:37.633 --> 00:18:40.802
  • And if you're paying--you know, when i meet people say,
  • 00:18:40.802 --> 00:18:42.538
  • I'm never afraid, i'm thinking, then you're not paying
  • 00:18:42.538 --> 00:18:43.939
  • Much attention.
  • 00:18:43.939 --> 00:18:46.375
  • But we don't have to be dominated by fear.
  • 00:18:46.375 --> 00:18:48.510
  • We don't have to be manipulated by fear.
  • 00:18:48.510 --> 00:18:50.679
  • We don't have to be owned by fear.
  • 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:55.117
  • If you'll allow me, i'm gonna suggest that the root of fear
  • 00:18:55.117 --> 00:18:58.220
  • Is a spiritual problem.
  • 00:18:58.220 --> 00:19:01.256
  • In ephesians 6:10, it says we're in a wrestling match
  • 00:19:01.256 --> 00:19:07.229
  • With persons without bodies in the living bible.
  • 00:19:07.229 --> 00:19:09.598
  • I like the living translation, it's not in your notes,
  • 00:19:09.598 --> 00:19:11.333
  • You can check me later.
  • 00:19:11.333 --> 00:19:13.769
  • And i think of the fear as a person without a body.
  • 00:19:13.769 --> 00:19:19.308
  • And when you're confronted with fear, it's not a time to be
  • 00:19:19.308 --> 00:19:21.877
  • Polite or religious or pretend like you're not.
  • 00:19:21.877 --> 00:19:27.349
  • You need to understand the authority that you have,
  • 00:19:27.349 --> 00:19:29.818
  • To say to that person, in jesus name, you go.
  • 00:19:29.818 --> 00:19:35.457
  • You weren't invited here, i'll not tolerate your presence here.
  • 00:19:35.457 --> 00:19:42.297
  • The psalmist said, when i'm afraid i will trust in the lord.
  • 00:19:42.297 --> 00:19:46.835
  • The antidote to fear is not more courage.
  • 00:19:46.835 --> 00:19:50.305
  • You can do courageous things when you're battling fear.
  • 00:19:50.305 --> 00:19:53.775
  • The antidote to fear is trust.
  • 00:19:53.775 --> 00:19:57.279
  • Lord, i will put my trust in you.
  • 00:19:57.279 --> 00:20:00.182
  • I'll trust you more than the strength of the dollar or the
  • 00:20:00.182 --> 00:20:02.451
  • Federal reserve or the integrity of a politician or the potential
  • 00:20:02.451 --> 00:20:07.389
  • Of a fair election.
  • 00:20:07.389 --> 00:20:09.625
  • I will trust you.
  • 00:20:09.625 --> 00:20:11.960
  • I will take my stand for godliness and righteousness,
  • 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:16.898
  • For holiness and purity.
  • 00:20:16.898 --> 00:20:19.134
  • I'll stand for those values and principles that you've given me
  • 00:20:19.134 --> 00:20:21.903
  • In my word.
  • 00:20:21.903 --> 00:20:25.173
  • I don't have to be afraid.
  • 00:20:25.173 --> 00:20:27.209
  • Second timothy chapter 1 and verse 7 says,
  • 00:20:27.209 --> 00:20:29.778
  • "god didn't give us a spirit of timidity."
  • 00:20:29.778 --> 00:20:32.781
  • An alternative translation that's legitimate is cowardice.
  • 00:20:32.848 --> 00:20:36.118
  • "god didn't give us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power
  • 00:20:36.118 --> 00:20:40.489
  • And of love and of self discipline."
  • 00:20:40.489 --> 00:20:45.327
  • We do not have to lead lives that are dominated by fear,
  • 00:20:45.327 --> 00:20:51.700
  • Amen church.
  • 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:54.169
  • Now in all fairness, not all fear is debilitating.
  • 00:20:54.169 --> 00:20:58.373
  • Not all fear is bad.
  • 00:20:58.373 --> 00:21:00.609
  • God created us, a part of our defense mechanism, a part of our
  • 00:21:00.609 --> 00:21:04.880
  • Self-care that god put in us is an awareness of things that
  • 00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:09.985
  • Present a threat to us and you have some internal messaging
  • 00:21:09.985 --> 00:21:13.922
  • That says, that's not good.
  • 00:21:13.922 --> 00:21:15.791
  • It sparks fear in you.
  • 00:21:15.791 --> 00:21:19.728
  • So it doesn't mean that we're brash or bold or foolish
  • 00:21:19.728 --> 00:21:22.631
  • Or reckless.
  • 00:21:22.631 --> 00:21:23.999
  • We have a fear of new things, a fear of new places.
  • 00:21:23.999 --> 00:21:26.501
  • We have a fear of animals.
  • 00:21:26.501 --> 00:21:29.738
  • But we're so naive, so removed from the reality of the world,
  • 00:21:29.738 --> 00:21:33.508
  • That some of those natural fears god has given us have been
  • 00:21:33.508 --> 00:21:36.745
  • Turned off.
  • 00:21:36.745 --> 00:21:38.980
  • One of those fears that i believe is important and
  • 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:41.183
  • Essential is the fear of god.
  • 00:21:41.183 --> 00:21:44.052
  • When god said don't, he didn't really put it up for a vote.
  • 00:21:44.052 --> 00:21:50.258
  • One of the assignments of the church is to teach about
  • 00:21:50.258 --> 00:21:52.828
  • The sovereignty of god, which means god can do what he wants,
  • 00:21:52.828 --> 00:21:57.132
  • When he wants, any way he wants, and he doesn't need
  • 00:21:57.132 --> 00:22:00.268
  • Anyone's permission.
  • 00:22:00.268 --> 00:22:02.404
  • He is sovereign over all creation.
  • 00:22:02.404 --> 00:22:05.540
  • He can part a sea.
  • 00:22:05.540 --> 00:22:07.309
  • He can bring the dead back to life.
  • 00:22:07.309 --> 00:22:08.877
  • He can open a blind eye or he can initiate judgment.
  • 00:22:08.877 --> 00:22:13.582
  • He is sovereign over all.
  • 00:22:13.582 --> 00:22:15.717
  • We should respect god.
  • 00:22:15.717 --> 00:22:18.954
  • We don't have to cower in terror, but we need a healthy
  • 00:22:18.954 --> 00:22:23.325
  • Respect for him.
  • 00:22:23.325 --> 00:22:26.561
  • And when we lose the fear of god, we make ourselves
  • 00:22:26.561 --> 00:22:30.866
  • Incredibly vulnerable.
  • 00:22:30.866 --> 00:22:34.803
  • You see, if we will begin to build a new trust in him
  • 00:22:34.803 --> 00:22:39.007
  • Through one simple act of obedience after the other.
  • 00:22:39.007 --> 00:22:43.478
  • When we make a decision that we know is displeasing to god,
  • 00:22:43.478 --> 00:22:46.948
  • It's not particularly complicated.
  • 00:22:46.948 --> 00:22:48.750
  • We simply say, god, i'm sorry.
  • 00:22:48.750 --> 00:22:51.420
  • It's a wonderful habit, that the end of each day, you pause
  • 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:55.590
  • And say, god those things today that were displeasing to you,
  • 00:22:55.590 --> 00:22:59.261
  • Forgive me of those.
  • 00:22:59.261 --> 00:23:01.930
  • If you can identify him, do so.
  • 00:23:01.930 --> 00:23:04.766
  • Give the spirit of god permission.
  • 00:23:04.766 --> 00:23:06.334
  • If there's anything today i did that was displeasing to you,
  • 00:23:06.334 --> 00:23:09.604
  • Help me to be aware of it.
  • 00:23:09.604 --> 00:23:11.740
  • I wanna honor you tomorrow more fully than i did today.
  • 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:15.877
  • You see, begin to put statements in place, habits in place,
  • 00:23:15.877 --> 00:23:20.482
  • Practices in place, that represent a respect,
  • 00:23:20.482 --> 00:23:24.019
  • A reverence, for god.
  • 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:27.622
  • And you'll find his presence far more real in your life.
  • 00:23:27.622 --> 00:23:33.562
  • And with that will come an authority over expressions
  • 00:23:33.562 --> 00:23:37.165
  • Of fear you never even understood were present.
  • 00:23:37.165 --> 00:23:41.570
  • You'll stop whispering.
  • 00:23:41.570 --> 00:23:45.273
  • Do you know how much we whisper at church?
  • 00:23:45.273 --> 00:23:48.944
  • Pastor, thank you for talking about that.
  • 00:23:48.944 --> 00:23:55.150
  • Like, we're at church.
  • 00:23:55.150 --> 00:23:58.186
  • We should be able to talk out loud here.
  • 00:23:58.186 --> 00:24:02.123
  • We're so conditioned.
  • 00:24:02.123 --> 00:24:04.726
  • We've lost our courage.
  • 00:24:04.726 --> 00:24:08.630
  • We've given a place to fear that it doesn't--shouldn't have.
  • 00:24:08.630 --> 00:24:14.102
  • So i wanna close tonight, i brought you a proclamation.
  • 00:24:14.102 --> 00:24:16.438
  • We're gonna pick this up in the next session.
  • 00:24:16.438 --> 00:24:19.808
  • We'll talk about some fear that's destructive.
  • 00:24:19.808 --> 00:24:23.278
  • There's a certain fear that's healthy.
  • 00:24:23.278 --> 00:24:26.348
  • I brought you a proclamation from the book of psalms.
  • 00:24:26.348 --> 00:24:29.718
  • Can you see your notes?
  • 00:24:29.718 --> 00:24:31.052
  • Is it light enough you can see your notes?
  • 00:24:31.052 --> 00:24:32.420
  • I see everybody holding up your paper.
  • 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:35.056
  • All right, we're gonna pretend like you can read that with me.
  • 00:24:35.056 --> 00:24:38.493
  • Now, we're gonna stand together to make this proclamation.
  • 00:24:38.493 --> 00:24:41.997
  • We're gonna learn to stand.
  • 00:24:41.997 --> 00:24:44.666
  • Look at the person on your right and say, i'm learning to stand.
  • 00:24:44.666 --> 00:24:50.472
  • Look at the person on your left and say, you look
  • 00:24:50.472 --> 00:24:52.274
  • A little wobbly.
  • 00:24:52.274 --> 00:24:59.347
  • Uh-huh, have you found the proclamation?
  • 00:24:59.347 --> 00:25:04.152
  • It's from psalm 56 beginning in verse 9, we're just gonna
  • 00:25:04.152 --> 00:25:08.423
  • Read it together out loud.
  • 00:25:08.423 --> 00:25:09.758
  • It's our declaration.
  • 00:25:09.758 --> 00:25:11.126
  • We're gonna say what the word of god says about us.
  • 00:25:11.126 --> 00:25:14.996
  • Folks, there's an election coming up and elections
  • 00:25:14.996 --> 00:25:17.599
  • Have consequences.
  • 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:18.967
  • We all understand it, but our problem isn't political,
  • 00:25:18.967 --> 00:25:20.702
  • Our problem is spiritual.
  • 00:25:20.702 --> 00:25:22.938
  • And until we make spiritual changes, it's nonsense to think
  • 00:25:22.938 --> 00:25:25.707
  • The politicians are going to resolve our problems.
  • 00:25:25.707 --> 00:25:29.077
  • We wanna make this proclamation for all of heaven to know.
  • 00:25:29.077 --> 00:25:32.881
  • Are you ready?
  • 00:25:32.881 --> 00:25:34.883
  • Let's say it together.
  • 00:25:34.883 --> 00:25:36.518
  • "my enemies will turn back when i call for help.
  • 00:25:36.518 --> 00:25:40.088
  • By this i will know that god is for me.
  • 00:25:40.088 --> 00:25:44.192
  • In god i trust; i will not be afraid.
  • 00:25:44.192 --> 00:25:47.929
  • What can man do to me?
  • 00:25:47.929 --> 00:25:50.198
  • I am under vows to you, o god; i will present my thank offerings
  • 00:25:50.198 --> 00:25:55.136
  • To you, ...
  • 00:25:55.136 --> 00:26:01.142
  • That i may walk before god in the light of life."
  • 00:26:01.142 --> 00:26:05.647
  • Amen, give the lord a hand.
  • 00:26:05.647 --> 00:26:11.686
  • Allen: i suspect we've all heard the line that leadership is
  • 00:26:15.857 --> 00:26:18.093
  • About influence.
  • 00:26:18.093 --> 00:26:19.461
  • Well, i have a question for you.
  • 00:26:19.461 --> 00:26:20.795
  • What do you lead with?
  • 00:26:20.795 --> 00:26:22.163
  • What is the basis of your influence?
  • 00:26:22.163 --> 00:26:23.732
  • Is it your appearance, your education, your professional
  • 00:26:23.732 --> 00:26:26.568
  • Expertise, your professional accomplishments, your athletic
  • 00:26:26.568 --> 00:26:29.504
  • Ability, your family?
  • 00:26:29.504 --> 00:26:31.506
  • What is the point of influence that you use most frequently?
  • 00:26:31.506 --> 00:26:35.644
  • Well, i've written a book.
  • 00:26:35.644 --> 00:26:36.978
  • The title is gonna give away where i'm headed.
  • 00:26:36.978 --> 00:26:38.847
  • It's "lead with faith."
  • 00:26:38.847 --> 00:26:40.382
  • I think it's time that all of us begin to use our faith as an
  • 00:26:40.382 --> 00:26:44.085
  • Influence in the world where we find ourselves.
  • 00:26:44.085 --> 00:26:46.588
  • We're reluctant to do that.
  • 00:26:46.588 --> 00:26:47.922
  • We typically have more confidence in our education or
  • 00:26:47.922 --> 00:26:50.492
  • Our family system or our life experience, we feel a little
  • 00:26:50.492 --> 00:26:53.628
  • Uncertain to lead with faith.
  • 00:26:53.628 --> 00:26:55.630
  • The point of this book is to give you the tools to take your
  • 00:26:55.630 --> 00:26:59.134
  • Faith out of a church setting and bring it into
  • 00:26:59.134 --> 00:27:01.870
  • The marketplace.
  • 00:27:01.870 --> 00:27:03.204
  • If we will lead with faith, i believe god will help us make an
  • 00:27:03.204 --> 00:27:06.908
  • Impact in this generation.
  • 00:27:06.908 --> 00:27:08.743
  • Go to allenjackson.com and get your copy today.
  • 00:27:08.743 --> 00:27:12.380
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:13.481 --> 00:27:13.481