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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Walk Out of The Darkness (Part 2)

April 30, 2025 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - Walk Out of The Darkness (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Faith #WalkwithGod #SeekGod #Religion #Culture #Truth #Obedience #AllenJackson #Disobedience

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Walk Out of The Darkness (Part 2) | April 30, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: it's good to be with you again.
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  • You know, we're walking through a season of some pretty
  • 00:00:08.090 --> 00:00:10.626
  • Unprecedented turmoil.
  • 00:00:10.626 --> 00:00:12.728
  • There are cars burning and car dealerships burning, and there
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  • Are judges.
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  • There's just a lot of stuff.
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  • Well, i'm really excited about our offer this month.
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  • In fact, we chose it because i think it will bring you a
  • 00:00:21.737 --> 00:00:24.373
  • Pathway of stability in the midst of all the turmoil.
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  • It's written by a good friend of mine, rob morgan, "the lord is
  • 00:00:27.976 --> 00:00:30.479
  • My shepherd."
  • 00:00:30.479 --> 00:00:31.914
  • And it seems to me we need to know the tranquility that comes
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  • From a shepherd who is marking a path for us and then standing
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  • Watch over us when we know there's predators about.
  • 00:00:38.587 --> 00:00:42.624
  • We're living in a predatory season.
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  • We need to know the lord is a shepherd, and i believe this
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  • Offer can make a real difference in your life.
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  • In fact, it's important enough that we'll make it available for
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  • A gift of any amount.
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  • I think it's far more important that you have it in your hand
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  • Than the cost attached to it.
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  • God is moving in the earth, and we wanna move with him.
  • 00:00:58.540 --> 00:01:01.009
  • Our shepherd will lead us through.
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  • You'll enjoy the book.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: there's just no replacement for obedience
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  • To god.
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  • You can't be generous enough to overcome your disobedience.
  • 00:01:35.844 --> 00:01:38.680
  • You can't be kind enough or--obedience is irreplaceable.
  • 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:42.918
  • Walk in the light of the truth that you know.
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  • In fact, i really don't think there's any significant
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  • Opportunity for advancement in the kingdom of god until you're
  • 00:01:48.190 --> 00:01:50.559
  • Willing to walk in the truth that you know.
  • 00:01:50.559 --> 00:01:53.328
  • And so, if you're not in the habit of practicing obedience,
  • 00:01:53.328 --> 00:01:56.765
  • Begin to make it a determined part of your daily life.
  • 00:01:56.765 --> 00:02:00.536
  • Let's decide to be obedient to the truth of god, to be
  • 00:02:00.536 --> 00:02:04.373
  • Courageous enough to speak the truth that we know, to not be
  • 00:02:04.373 --> 00:02:08.777
  • Manipulated by fear.
  • 00:02:08.777 --> 00:02:13.682
  • So, what's the challenge and how do we navigate it?
  • 00:02:13.682 --> 00:02:16.885
  • Well, the diagnosis isn't particularly complex to me and
  • 00:02:16.885 --> 00:02:19.454
  • This isn't about the ungodly, it's not about the people
  • 00:02:19.454 --> 00:02:21.890
  • Outside the church, it's not about the professional class of
  • 00:02:21.890 --> 00:02:25.594
  • Political leaders, it's about the people of faith.
  • 00:02:25.594 --> 00:02:28.530
  • The diagnosis, it seems to me, is we have laid aside the
  • 00:02:28.530 --> 00:02:31.200
  • Knowledge of god.
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  • There was enough opportunity for prosperity and enjoyment and
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  • Pleasure that we could rear our children and point them towards
  • 00:02:37.472 --> 00:02:41.009
  • Pathways that we thought would bring fulfillment and
  • 00:02:41.009 --> 00:02:43.445
  • Contentment and joy and we could celebrate the victories with
  • 00:02:43.445 --> 00:02:46.315
  • Them without necessarily trying to establish in them a
  • 00:02:46.315 --> 00:02:50.452
  • Foundation of obedience to fundamental biblical values.
  • 00:02:50.452 --> 00:02:55.257
  • Hosea chapter 4 and verse 1 says, "listen to the word of the
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  • Lord, o sons of israel."
  • 00:02:58.026 --> 00:02:59.861
  • This isn't for the pagan nation, it's not for the gentile, this
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  • Is for the covenant people of god.
  • 00:03:02.798 --> 00:03:05.067
  • "listen to the word of the lord, for the lord has a case against
  • 00:03:05.067 --> 00:03:07.636
  • The inhabitants of the land.
  • 00:03:07.636 --> 00:03:09.972
  • There is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of god in
  • 00:03:09.972 --> 00:03:14.176
  • The land.
  • 00:03:14.176 --> 00:03:16.511
  • There is swearing and deception and murder and stealing
  • 00:03:16.511 --> 00:03:21.049
  • And adultery.
  • 00:03:21.049 --> 00:03:22.985
  • They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed."
  • 00:03:22.985 --> 00:03:27.823
  • Gee, that sounds pretty accurate to me.
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  • I mean, the location is a little different, but it's a pretty
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  • Accurate description of our land.
  • 00:03:34.830 --> 00:03:37.432
  • The case being made against us is the knowledge of god has been
  • 00:03:37.432 --> 00:03:42.204
  • Removed, it's been inconvenient.
  • 00:03:42.204 --> 00:03:47.342
  • We're more interested in civic behaviors that are applauded.
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  • We don't want to be offensive.
  • 00:03:52.180 --> 00:03:56.718
  • Well, the resolution, i believe, is equally simple, it's equally
  • 00:03:56.718 --> 00:04:00.255
  • Straightforward, we have to desire the knowledge of god.
  • 00:04:00.255 --> 00:04:03.125
  • And you think, well, duh, but i think we tend to think, well,
  • 00:04:03.125 --> 00:04:07.663
  • It's not about me, it's about somebody else.
  • 00:04:07.663 --> 00:04:11.333
  • I mean, we're in church on a sunday and it stormed all night,
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  • We're the best.
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  • I mean, we stayed home, there was a lot of water, but
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  • We're livestreaming.
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  • Yes, you are.
  • 00:04:22.644 --> 00:04:24.813
  • Look at 1 corinthians 15 verse 34, "awake."
  • 00:04:24.813 --> 00:04:29.484
  • And that word that's translated there was the secular greek word
  • 00:04:29.484 --> 00:04:33.655
  • That was used for somebody who was recovering from being drunk,
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  • So come out of your inebriated condition.
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  • There's been an influence in your life.
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  • There's been something that has addled your ability to
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  • Comprehend and understand.
  • 00:04:47.769 --> 00:04:49.137
  • "awake to righteousness, and do not sin, for some do not have
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  • The knowledge of god.
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  • I speak this to your shame."
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  • This is paul writing to a church.
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  • He's not writing to the ungodly, to the secular culture, he's not
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  • Writing to the roman leaders who practice paganism, he's writing
  • 00:05:04.286 --> 00:05:08.023
  • To a church.
  • 00:05:08.023 --> 00:05:09.391
  • "awake to righteousness."
  • 00:05:09.391 --> 00:05:11.960
  • Some of you don't have the knowledge of god.
  • 00:05:11.960 --> 00:05:13.662
  • 2 corinthians, same church but another letter, "the weapons
  • 00:05:13.662 --> 00:05:16.431
  • We fight with are not the weapons of the world.
  • 00:05:16.431 --> 00:05:19.334
  • On the contrary, they have divine power to
  • 00:05:19.334 --> 00:05:21.336
  • Demolish strongholds.
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  • We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
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  • Against the knowledge of god."
  • 00:05:26.341 --> 00:05:29.077
  • Wow, pretentious ideas that oppose god's knowledge, our
  • 00:05:29.077 --> 00:05:37.419
  • Culture is filled with them and the church struggles with this,
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  • We do.
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  • We're not sure if we should be kind, should we just
  • 00:05:44.826 --> 00:05:47.829
  • Overlook sin?
  • 00:05:47.829 --> 00:05:49.364
  • We've been very good at that.
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  • For decades now, i would say we have majored in overlooking
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  • Ungodliness, extending invitations to the ungodly.
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  • Come stand amongst us, we won't notice your paganism.
  • 00:05:57.706 --> 00:06:02.177
  • The bible has given us really a very different assignment, it's
  • 00:06:02.177 --> 00:06:05.113
  • That we're supposed to overcome evil with good.
  • 00:06:05.113 --> 00:06:08.483
  • That in the place of ungodliness and immorality and wickedness,
  • 00:06:08.483 --> 00:06:12.087
  • We're supposed to give demonstration to what god says
  • 00:06:12.087 --> 00:06:15.023
  • Is good and we're told over and over, frequently, and we're
  • 00:06:15.023 --> 00:06:20.462
  • Shown across many seasons of biblical history that when we
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  • Give those expressions of good, those who don't choose god's
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  • Good will be offended and oppose you.
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  • Jesus said it.
  • 00:06:32.774 --> 00:06:34.376
  • He said you'll be hated by all nations for my name's sake.
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  • Is it possible that we have misconstrued, misunderstood?
  • 00:06:40.982 --> 00:06:45.554
  • I don't believe we should be angry or belligerent and
  • 00:06:45.554 --> 00:06:47.889
  • Certainly not violent, i think we are ambassadors for a kingdom
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  • With compassion for every human being with a very important
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  • Message to deliver, there is an almighty god, he's sovereign
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  • Over all creation.
  • 00:06:59.768 --> 00:07:01.203
  • He delights in showing mercy, even to the ungodly.
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  • But you shouldn't imagine that that mercy is infinite, there
  • 00:07:05.974 --> 00:07:09.411
  • Will be a point of evaluation, please be prepared.
  • 00:07:09.411 --> 00:07:14.683
  • And the admonition of scripture is the preparation needs to
  • 00:07:14.683 --> 00:07:17.152
  • Begin with the house of god, so let's start that in that place,
  • 00:07:17.152 --> 00:07:22.190
  • In our own hearts, in our own homes, in our own ambitions,
  • 00:07:22.190 --> 00:07:24.759
  • With our own children, with our own grandchildren.
  • 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:27.028
  • Are we willing to challenge every idea that sets itself
  • 00:07:27.028 --> 00:07:31.399
  • Against the knowledge of god or do we just want to overlook it?
  • 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:37.839
  • There's a battle raging in the earth, warfare is being
  • 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:41.009
  • Conducted not so much with traditional warfare, but
  • 00:07:41.009 --> 00:07:45.413
  • Spiritual warfare.
  • 00:07:45.413 --> 00:07:47.649
  • There's a purposeful opposition to the knowledge of god.
  • 00:07:47.649 --> 00:07:50.218
  • You don't have to be very discerning to know this.
  • 00:07:50.218 --> 00:07:53.989
  • Don't pray in this place, don't bring those values, separate the
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  • Church from the state.
  • 00:07:56.725 --> 00:07:58.093
  • You can put every other worldview into the public
  • 00:07:58.093 --> 00:08:00.595
  • Square, into the government, into the corporate offices, into
  • 00:08:00.595 --> 00:08:03.665
  • Our public education, into our college campuses, you can take
  • 00:08:03.665 --> 00:08:06.568
  • Every other worldview you want and let it flourish and
  • 00:08:06.568 --> 00:08:09.538
  • Proliferate, be institutionalized,
  • 00:08:09.538 --> 00:08:12.474
  • Departmentalized, be written into federal code, but if you
  • 00:08:12.474 --> 00:08:15.310
  • Have the audacity to bring the name of jesus, someone begins to
  • 00:08:15.310 --> 00:08:18.680
  • Squawk and they start threatening lawsuits and we run,
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  • We back down and we hush.
  • 00:08:24.886 --> 00:08:28.957
  • We abandoned the corporate boardroom because they said,
  • 00:08:28.957 --> 00:08:32.260
  • Well, one person was offended so you keep your faith out of it.
  • 00:08:32.260 --> 00:08:35.497
  • Were you watching when budweiser made transgenderism their
  • 00:08:35.497 --> 00:08:41.303
  • Corporate platform?
  • 00:08:41.303 --> 00:08:45.774
  • They weren't unique or alone.
  • 00:08:45.774 --> 00:08:51.813
  • Everything that sets itself up against the knowledge of god.
  • 00:08:51.813 --> 00:08:58.219
  • Strongholds established to diminish the knowledge of god.
  • 00:08:58.219 --> 00:09:03.892
  • Please don't imagine that people we elect to office are tasked
  • 00:09:03.892 --> 00:09:07.896
  • With the assignment of bringing spiritual transformation.
  • 00:09:07.896 --> 00:09:12.367
  • At the very best, at the very best, the highest opportunity
  • 00:09:12.367 --> 00:09:17.906
  • They could achieve would be to enact a policy that maybe
  • 00:09:17.906 --> 00:09:21.543
  • Reflected a biblical worldview, but their assignment is not.
  • 00:09:21.543 --> 00:09:26.615
  • That's the assignment of the church.
  • 00:09:26.615 --> 00:09:29.417
  • That's our voice.
  • 00:09:29.417 --> 00:09:31.953
  • That's our platform.
  • 00:09:31.953 --> 00:09:33.989
  • That's the neighborhoods where we live and the schools where
  • 00:09:33.989 --> 00:09:36.124
  • Our children go.
  • 00:09:36.124 --> 00:09:37.692
  • We can't sit quietly in the community where schools teach
  • 00:09:37.692 --> 00:09:41.029
  • Ungodliness to our children and imagine that we will avoid
  • 00:09:41.029 --> 00:09:43.865
  • God's judgment.
  • 00:09:43.865 --> 00:09:46.134
  • We can't look quietly upon a culture that doesn't value the
  • 00:09:46.134 --> 00:09:49.537
  • Life of children and think that god's response will not impact
  • 00:09:49.537 --> 00:09:53.942
  • Us because we gathered in the right building for a few minutes
  • 00:09:53.942 --> 00:09:56.444
  • On a sunday morning.
  • 00:09:56.444 --> 00:10:00.582
  • There's a battle unfolding.
  • 00:10:00.582 --> 00:10:02.984
  • I do believe covid was a wakeup call.
  • 00:10:02.984 --> 00:10:04.986
  • We saw the links to which limits could be expressed, at least the
  • 00:10:04.986 --> 00:10:10.091
  • Beginning of that.
  • 00:10:10.091 --> 00:10:11.459
  • Look at romans 11, "all the depths of the riches of the
  • 00:10:11.459 --> 00:10:13.928
  • Wisdom and knowledge of god!
  • 00:10:13.928 --> 00:10:16.164
  • How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond
  • 00:10:16.164 --> 00:10:18.733
  • Tracing out!
  • 00:10:18.733 --> 00:10:20.101
  • Who has known the mind of the lord?
  • 00:10:20.101 --> 00:10:21.436
  • Who has been his counselor?
  • 00:10:21.436 --> 00:10:22.804
  • Who has ever given to god that god should repay him?
  • 00:10:22.804 --> 00:10:26.374
  • For from him and through him and to him are all things.
  • 00:10:26.374 --> 00:10:30.245
  • To him be glory forever!
  • 00:10:30.245 --> 00:10:32.914
  • Amen."
  • 00:10:32.914 --> 00:10:34.482
  • The depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of god.
  • 00:10:34.482 --> 00:10:37.585
  • You know why i think we've been silent?
  • 00:10:37.585 --> 00:10:40.288
  • Because we haven't really believed that the goodness of
  • 00:10:40.288 --> 00:10:42.624
  • God and the wisdom of god was real in our heart of hearts.
  • 00:10:42.624 --> 00:10:48.430
  • We have bent our knee to contemporary
  • 00:10:48.430 --> 00:10:51.766
  • Educational theories.
  • 00:10:51.766 --> 00:10:53.735
  • We've embraced things like crt and dei and scl and alphabets.
  • 00:10:53.735 --> 00:10:58.073
  • We got all kinds of alphabet things, all kinds of acronyms,
  • 00:10:58.073 --> 00:11:02.243
  • Most of them directly pointed at displacing the authority of the
  • 00:11:02.243 --> 00:11:05.680
  • Word of god.
  • 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:08.616
  • And we've wanted the approval that comes with that because we
  • 00:11:08.616 --> 00:11:10.819
  • See the opportunities and the things that go with that and we
  • 00:11:10.819 --> 00:11:13.722
  • Truly haven't believed that god's ideas were better.
  • 00:11:13.722 --> 00:11:16.791
  • We didn't think he was wiser.
  • 00:11:16.791 --> 00:11:18.927
  • I mean, we might have language and liturgy that says we
  • 00:11:18.927 --> 00:11:21.229
  • Acknowledge the sovereignty of god and the creator of all
  • 00:11:21.229 --> 00:11:24.232
  • Things, but in the practice of our lives, in the choices of how
  • 00:11:24.232 --> 00:11:28.136
  • We carry out and conduct ourselves, we have bent
  • 00:11:28.136 --> 00:11:34.242
  • Our knee.
  • 00:11:34.242 --> 00:11:35.610
  • Look in colossians 1, "we pray this in order that you may live
  • 00:11:35.610 --> 00:11:38.580
  • A life worthy of the lord and may please him in every way,
  • 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:41.983
  • Bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge
  • 00:11:41.983 --> 00:11:45.453
  • Of god."
  • 00:11:45.453 --> 00:11:46.921
  • That's it, church.
  • 00:11:46.921 --> 00:11:48.256
  • We want to grow in the knowledge of god, not just bible studies.
  • 00:11:48.256 --> 00:11:51.993
  • I'm over theoretical bible studies.
  • 00:11:51.993 --> 00:11:53.828
  • I love to learn, i like to study, i've spent my life
  • 00:11:53.828 --> 00:11:56.297
  • Studying, but the point of learning is that we might give
  • 00:11:56.297 --> 00:11:59.167
  • Expression to the truth.
  • 00:11:59.167 --> 00:12:02.570
  • What's the outcome of our learning?
  • 00:12:02.570 --> 00:12:05.340
  • If it isn't more godliness, it's fruitless.
  • 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:09.344
  • The audience that jesus addressed were experts in
  • 00:12:09.344 --> 00:12:12.847
  • Scriptural compliance.
  • 00:12:12.847 --> 00:12:14.249
  • He said, you tithe, you know what a tithe is?
  • 00:12:14.249 --> 00:12:16.985
  • The first tenth.
  • 00:12:16.985 --> 00:12:18.386
  • We understand tithing to be the first tenth of your income, i
  • 00:12:18.386 --> 00:12:20.755
  • Believe it's a biblical principle.
  • 00:12:20.755 --> 00:12:22.857
  • I believe it belongs to the lord, i don't even think
  • 00:12:22.857 --> 00:12:24.692
  • It's mine.
  • 00:12:24.692 --> 00:12:26.828
  • But the audience that jesus spoke to in the gospels, he said
  • 00:12:26.828 --> 00:12:29.998
  • You are so fastidious, you are so occupied with legalistic
  • 00:12:29.998 --> 00:12:34.803
  • Compliance that if you buy spices in the marketplace, you
  • 00:12:34.803 --> 00:12:38.873
  • Buy spices in very small quantities.
  • 00:12:38.873 --> 00:12:41.810
  • You even tithe of the spices you purchase in the marketplace, but
  • 00:12:41.810 --> 00:12:48.917
  • He said your hearts are far from me.
  • 00:12:48.917 --> 00:12:52.053
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:12:52.053 --> 00:12:57.225
  • Allen: hey, the question i'm asked most often is, "how do i
  • 00:12:59.627 --> 00:13:01.863
  • Know what god wants me to do?
  • 00:13:01.863 --> 00:13:03.364
  • If i just knew what god wanted me to do, i would do it,
  • 00:13:03.364 --> 00:13:05.667
  • Whatever it is."
  • 00:13:05.667 --> 00:13:07.402
  • Well, our offer this month i think will help.
  • 00:13:07.402 --> 00:13:09.103
  • It's by a good friend of mine, rob morgan, "the lord
  • 00:13:09.103 --> 00:13:11.339
  • Is my shepherd."
  • 00:13:11.339 --> 00:13:12.674
  • He's gonna unpack the scripture that tells us how to follow the
  • 00:13:12.674 --> 00:13:15.510
  • Lord's guidance and understand his abiding presence
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  • And his comfort.
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  • It'll help you chart a course and know the path that
  • 00:13:20.448 --> 00:13:23.551
  • God has for you.
  • 00:13:23.551 --> 00:13:24.886
  • Get a copy, it'll make a difference in your life.
  • 00:13:24.886 --> 00:13:27.055
  • Female announcer: life can be overwhelming, but true peace
  • 00:13:27.055 --> 00:13:29.557
  • Is possible.
  • 00:13:29.557 --> 00:13:30.959
  • Pastor robert morgan's book "the lord is my shepherd" reflects on
  • 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:33.628
  • The specific ways psalm 23 speaks to our lives today.
  • 00:13:33.628 --> 00:13:36.965
  • It will help you find rest for your soul and discover the joy,
  • 00:13:36.965 --> 00:13:40.235
  • Inspiration, power, and peace found in psalm 23.
  • 00:13:40.235 --> 00:13:44.072
  • In today's culture it's essential to know god is leading
  • 00:13:44.072 --> 00:13:46.708
  • Us, charting our path, and watching over us.
  • 00:13:46.708 --> 00:13:49.911
  • Request your copy of "the lord is my shepherd" when you donate
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  • Any amount at allenjackson.com or by calling ...
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  • And have tools for your journey, no matter your schedule.
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  • Here with allen jackson ministries.
  • 00:14:24.712 --> 00:14:26.981
  • Allen: see, the purpose of learning about god is that we
  • 00:14:30.485 --> 00:14:33.988
  • Might cooperate with god, that we would lean in to his wisdom,
  • 00:14:33.988 --> 00:14:41.329
  • That we would become increasingly compliant, that we
  • 00:14:41.329 --> 00:14:45.366
  • Would be brighter lights, more intentional in our faith.
  • 00:14:45.366 --> 00:14:51.639
  • And our messaging has been almost the opposite.
  • 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:53.908
  • We've said if you could check this box and this box and
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  • Perhaps this box, you're pretty much good to go, just ride
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  • It out.
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  • And if you were to transgress or step aside or take a detour, you
  • 00:15:00.048 --> 00:15:04.152
  • Know, god's merciful, just kind of say, oh, i'm kind of sorry.
  • 00:15:04.152 --> 00:15:10.124
  • And we've lived with so much sloppy agape.
  • 00:15:10.124 --> 00:15:13.928
  • Look at proverbs 2, "my son, if you accept my words and store up
  • 00:15:13.928 --> 00:15:18.099
  • My commands within you, if you turn your ear to wisdom and
  • 00:15:18.099 --> 00:15:21.502
  • Apply your heart to understanding, if you call out
  • 00:15:21.502 --> 00:15:24.939
  • For insight and you cry aloud for understanding, if you look
  • 00:15:24.939 --> 00:15:27.442
  • For it as for silver and you search for it as hidden
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  • Treasure, then you will understand the fear of the lord
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  • And find the knowledge of god."
  • 00:15:32.046 --> 00:15:34.515
  • I don't really like that passage, i would like to have
  • 00:15:34.515 --> 00:15:36.818
  • The understand the fear of the lord and the knowledge of god
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  • Because i raised my hand once.
  • 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:42.023
  • Well, i'd like that.
  • 00:15:42.023 --> 00:15:44.025
  • That's not really what's described there.
  • 00:15:44.025 --> 00:15:45.493
  • It says, "the lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come
  • 00:15:45.493 --> 00:15:47.795
  • Knowledge and understanding."
  • 00:15:47.795 --> 00:15:49.130
  • Wisdom comes from the lord.
  • 00:15:49.130 --> 00:15:52.867
  • "he holds victory in store for the upright.
  • 00:15:52.867 --> 00:15:54.769
  • He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.
  • 00:15:54.769 --> 00:15:57.538
  • He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his
  • 00:15:57.538 --> 00:15:59.907
  • Faithful ones."
  • 00:15:59.907 --> 00:16:02.043
  • Then, you ought to circle that little word, "then."
  • 00:16:02.043 --> 00:16:06.247
  • "then you will understand what is right and just and fair,
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  • Every good path."
  • 00:16:09.484 --> 00:16:10.818
  • It's not easy to know these days.
  • 00:16:10.818 --> 00:16:12.887
  • Powerful people, influential people, people with lots of
  • 00:16:12.887 --> 00:16:15.356
  • Views, lots of likes, lots of stuff trying to define for you
  • 00:16:15.356 --> 00:16:20.561
  • What's good and right.
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  • I don't want you to take my word for it, i want you to know god
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  • Well enough.
  • 00:16:25.333 --> 00:16:26.667
  • There's seven things there that the proverb says we should do
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  • With regard to god.
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  • Accept his words, store up his commands, turn your ear to
  • 00:16:31.372 --> 00:16:33.875
  • Wisdom, apply your heart to understanding, call out for
  • 00:16:33.875 --> 00:16:37.078
  • Insight, cry aloud, look for it as silver, search for it as
  • 00:16:37.078 --> 00:16:40.615
  • Hidden treasure.
  • 00:16:40.615 --> 00:16:42.150
  • If you'll do those things, he said then you will know and
  • 00:16:42.150 --> 00:16:44.852
  • Understand the fear of the lord.
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  • That's our goal, not just heaven, not just salvation, not
  • 00:16:46.821 --> 00:16:49.957
  • Just eternity, but now the knowledge of god.
  • 00:16:49.957 --> 00:16:58.166
  • So, i wanna give you a little homework assignment.
  • 00:16:58.166 --> 00:17:00.034
  • Take that passage, scale of one to ten, take those seven things
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  • And evaluate how are you doing?
  • 00:17:02.670 --> 00:17:06.040
  • Be honest with yourself, how are you doing with accepting god's
  • 00:17:06.040 --> 00:17:09.377
  • Word, with storing up his commands, of turning to his
  • 00:17:09.377 --> 00:17:11.712
  • Wisdom, applying yourself to understanding, of crying out,
  • 00:17:11.712 --> 00:17:16.784
  • Looking for it, searching for it?
  • 00:17:16.784 --> 00:17:18.152
  • The benefits, they're worthwhile, better than anything
  • 00:17:18.152 --> 00:17:21.489
  • Any market i know of promises and far more secure.
  • 00:17:21.489 --> 00:17:24.125
  • It says that god holds victory in store for us.
  • 00:17:24.125 --> 00:17:26.861
  • He's a shield for us, he guards our course, he protects our way,
  • 00:17:26.861 --> 00:17:32.400
  • And he will grant us understanding of what is right.
  • 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:35.903
  • Sign me up.
  • 00:17:35.903 --> 00:17:40.141
  • So, my question to you, we gotta wrap up, if we've been in this
  • 00:17:40.141 --> 00:17:44.545
  • Five-year wakeup call, we keep hitting snooze, what have
  • 00:17:44.545 --> 00:17:48.850
  • We learned?
  • 00:17:48.850 --> 00:17:50.184
  • Don't answer out loud, what have we learned?
  • 00:17:50.184 --> 00:17:52.286
  • I'll tell you how to get to that.
  • 00:17:52.286 --> 00:17:53.654
  • The question then is what have we changed?
  • 00:17:53.654 --> 00:17:56.791
  • If we learned anything, we made course adjustments, course
  • 00:17:56.791 --> 00:17:59.327
  • Corrections, we modified behavior, habits, patterns.
  • 00:17:59.327 --> 00:18:03.564
  • Most of the data suggests that the modification of our habits
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  • And patterns has not been towards more public expressions
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  • Of our faith.
  • 00:18:09.837 --> 00:18:12.607
  • There have been some wonderful expressions of truth breaking
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  • Into the public square.
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  • The legalization of abortion is a right in our nation was walked
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  • Backwards and the response of the people of faith was
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  • Almost silence.
  • 00:18:26.287 --> 00:18:28.222
  • Are we more committed to faith and obedience than ever before?
  • 00:18:28.222 --> 00:18:32.226
  • It's an important question, or do we imagine we were pretty
  • 00:18:32.226 --> 00:18:34.795
  • Good to begin with?
  • 00:18:34.795 --> 00:18:36.864
  • We could not have been the problem, it was the
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  • Other people.
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  • And we know they desperately need to change.
  • 00:18:41.102 --> 00:18:45.173
  • How have we given more attention to god?
  • 00:18:45.173 --> 00:18:47.842
  • No, really, how have we done that?
  • 00:18:47.842 --> 00:18:50.778
  • Have we changed our patterns of cooperation with him?
  • 00:18:50.778 --> 00:18:54.315
  • In what ways does our life today reflect a new relationship with
  • 00:18:54.315 --> 00:18:58.553
  • The creator of all things?
  • 00:18:58.553 --> 00:19:01.322
  • Are we still waiting for those other people?
  • 00:19:01.322 --> 00:19:05.092
  • Have we grieved over the hardness of our hearts?
  • 00:19:05.092 --> 00:19:09.096
  • To what extent have we wrestled with the condition of our lives?
  • 00:19:09.096 --> 00:19:13.901
  • I know the response, i understand, and i don't mean to
  • 00:19:13.901 --> 00:19:17.471
  • Dismiss it lightly because, you know, we have problems.
  • 00:19:17.471 --> 00:19:21.676
  • It's a crazy year, there's crazy stuff going on, turmoil.
  • 00:19:21.676 --> 00:19:25.613
  • Everything seems more difficult than we want it to be.
  • 00:19:25.613 --> 00:19:27.682
  • There's struggles in our lives, surely you don't expect me to
  • 00:19:27.682 --> 00:19:31.219
  • Initiate new responses to god in the midst of the problems of
  • 00:19:31.219 --> 00:19:33.955
  • This year.
  • 00:19:33.955 --> 00:19:36.591
  • When everything's going the way i prefer then i'll be ready to
  • 00:19:36.591 --> 00:19:38.826
  • Seek god in new ways.
  • 00:19:38.826 --> 00:19:41.395
  • Well, i think the most important time to seek god is when it
  • 00:19:41.395 --> 00:19:43.764
  • Seems like everything is in turmoil.
  • 00:19:43.764 --> 00:19:47.401
  • Are we training our children to respect god, to respect his
  • 00:19:47.401 --> 00:19:51.405
  • Word, his people, his sabbath?
  • 00:19:51.405 --> 00:19:53.274
  • Have we really made any changes with that?
  • 00:19:53.274 --> 00:19:56.410
  • I remember the discussions when the lockdown started and family
  • 00:19:56.410 --> 00:19:59.614
  • After family said it's been transformational for us,
  • 00:19:59.614 --> 00:20:02.283
  • We're together.
  • 00:20:02.283 --> 00:20:05.353
  • Did we learn any lessons?
  • 00:20:05.353 --> 00:20:06.687
  • Have we taught the children to respect those places where we
  • 00:20:06.687 --> 00:20:10.291
  • Worship god?
  • 00:20:10.291 --> 00:20:15.830
  • What about personal morality?
  • 00:20:15.830 --> 00:20:17.999
  • Have we made meaningful changes to our behavior?
  • 00:20:17.999 --> 00:20:21.936
  • Ephesians 5:3, i think you have it, it says, "among you there
  • 00:20:21.936 --> 00:20:24.438
  • Must not even be a hint of sexual immorality or of any kind
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  • Of impurity or of greed."
  • 00:20:28.109 --> 00:20:30.244
  • Wow, you put greed and sexual immorality in the same sentence?
  • 00:20:30.244 --> 00:20:35.316
  • Awkward, maybe there's some greek word that lets us out of
  • 00:20:35.316 --> 00:20:38.219
  • That loop, huh?
  • 00:20:38.219 --> 00:20:40.988
  • "because these are improper for god's holy people."
  • 00:20:40.988 --> 00:20:45.426
  • Are we more truthful?
  • 00:20:45.426 --> 00:20:46.794
  • Have we been shaken from the slumber of deception?
  • 00:20:46.794 --> 00:20:50.164
  • Have we embraced integrity in new ways, again in our own
  • 00:20:50.164 --> 00:20:52.933
  • Lives, in our private lives and how we do business?
  • 00:20:52.933 --> 00:20:55.936
  • What have we learned?
  • 00:20:55.936 --> 00:20:59.373
  • The evidence of what we have learned is in how we
  • 00:20:59.373 --> 00:21:01.676
  • Have changed.
  • 00:21:01.676 --> 00:21:04.345
  • Well, i have a suggestion and an invitation for you.
  • 00:21:04.345 --> 00:21:07.782
  • It's easter season, where our attention, those of us who
  • 00:21:07.782 --> 00:21:11.485
  • Worship the lord, are focused upon a cross, the redemptive
  • 00:21:11.485 --> 00:21:17.224
  • Power of god released on our behalf.
  • 00:21:17.224 --> 00:21:21.028
  • I'll say it again in a couple of weekends, but on that cross
  • 00:21:21.028 --> 00:21:24.031
  • Jesus exhausted the curse of our sin that we might have--he
  • 00:21:24.031 --> 00:21:30.771
  • Deserves a hand for that.
  • 00:21:30.771 --> 00:21:33.307
  • That we might have the blessings that were due his perfect
  • 00:21:33.307 --> 00:21:36.243
  • Obedience, so i think it's appropriate to consider an
  • 00:21:36.243 --> 00:21:40.881
  • Easter reset for us.
  • 00:21:40.881 --> 00:21:44.452
  • We'll work hard on easter weekend to invite people for
  • 00:21:44.452 --> 00:21:46.987
  • Whom church is a rare experience.
  • 00:21:46.987 --> 00:21:50.091
  • We'll put our best foot forward and we will smile and we will
  • 00:21:50.091 --> 00:21:53.894
  • Present the gospel to them as clearly and as concisely as we
  • 00:21:53.894 --> 00:21:57.231
  • Know how, but in preparation for that i wanna talk to the people
  • 00:21:57.231 --> 00:22:02.636
  • Of faith.
  • 00:22:02.636 --> 00:22:04.505
  • Would we consider an easter reset?
  • 00:22:04.505 --> 00:22:08.709
  • Would we invite the spirit of god into our life to say if
  • 00:22:08.709 --> 00:22:12.279
  • There's anything in me that limits what you could do, what
  • 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:16.083
  • You would do, is there any place where i have preferred the
  • 00:22:16.083 --> 00:22:20.521
  • Approval of others more than the approval of god?
  • 00:22:20.521 --> 00:22:25.526
  • Could you help me to see that?
  • 00:22:25.526 --> 00:22:28.062
  • I would like to align myself with you.
  • 00:22:28.062 --> 00:22:31.932
  • If you would be willing to submit yourself for that easter
  • 00:22:31.932 --> 00:22:36.003
  • Reset, i'm just gonna ask you to stand, whichever sanctuary
  • 00:22:36.003 --> 00:22:38.406
  • You're in, wherever you're watching from.
  • 00:22:38.406 --> 00:22:40.307
  • If you're in waffle house you can stand right up there,
  • 00:22:40.307 --> 00:22:43.477
  • They'll probably refill your coffee cup while you're
  • 00:22:43.477 --> 00:22:45.479
  • Having prayer.
  • 00:22:45.479 --> 00:22:50.584
  • You know, at the end of the day, the only person i have real
  • 00:22:50.584 --> 00:22:52.653
  • Influence over is me.
  • 00:22:52.653 --> 00:22:56.390
  • Folks, we don't have to be the majority.
  • 00:22:56.390 --> 00:22:59.226
  • There's an authority in truth, and if the people of god will
  • 00:22:59.226 --> 00:23:03.264
  • Choose god's truth, he will change the destiny of nations.
  • 00:23:03.264 --> 00:23:12.373
  • It's the best possible future for our children and
  • 00:23:12.373 --> 00:23:16.477
  • Our grandchildren.
  • 00:23:16.477 --> 00:23:17.845
  • Do you remember the list of fundamentals we talked about as
  • 00:23:17.845 --> 00:23:20.314
  • We began?
  • 00:23:20.314 --> 00:23:21.682
  • Fasting, a prayer watch, obedience, these are not
  • 00:23:21.682 --> 00:23:25.019
  • Complicated things, you're familiar with them, time in
  • 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:28.022
  • Your bible?
  • 00:23:28.022 --> 00:23:30.324
  • Put those simple practices back in place.
  • 00:23:30.324 --> 00:23:32.159
  • You know, it's like good health.
  • 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:33.494
  • Good health really isn't a mystery, eat better food and
  • 00:23:33.494 --> 00:23:36.764
  • Move more.
  • 00:23:36.764 --> 00:23:41.669
  • Don't buy the diet book, just send me the check.
  • 00:23:41.669 --> 00:23:45.606
  • I'm kidding, but it really isn't that we lack the awareness of
  • 00:23:45.606 --> 00:23:50.578
  • The fundamentals, we would prefer a workaround.
  • 00:23:50.578 --> 00:23:55.416
  • And i think in most instances we have a sense of what god is
  • 00:23:55.416 --> 00:23:59.453
  • Inviting us to, we're just pretty stubborn.
  • 00:23:59.453 --> 00:24:05.926
  • An easter reset, that will make it a triumphant time.
  • 00:24:05.926 --> 00:24:11.232
  • Let's pray, father, i thank you for your word and it's truth and
  • 00:24:11.232 --> 00:24:14.735
  • Its authority, that you love us, that you delight in showing
  • 00:24:14.735 --> 00:24:19.173
  • Mercy to your people.
  • 00:24:19.173 --> 00:24:20.541
  • Father, we have benefited from your mercy.
  • 00:24:20.541 --> 00:24:23.611
  • You have shown us kindness and love and grace.
  • 00:24:23.611 --> 00:24:27.081
  • You have made provision for our failures, for our rebellion, for
  • 00:24:27.081 --> 00:24:30.918
  • Our ungodliness, you even sent your son, and you placed upon
  • 00:24:30.918 --> 00:24:37.825
  • Him the punishment that was due us that we might in turn might
  • 00:24:37.825 --> 00:24:42.863
  • Receive the blessings that were due his obedience.
  • 00:24:42.863 --> 00:24:47.668
  • And we pause today to acknowledge jesus as lord of our
  • 00:24:47.668 --> 00:24:50.504
  • Lives, to establish him as lord and king.
  • 00:24:50.504 --> 00:24:57.745
  • We stand in your presence to signify our desire to honor you
  • 00:24:57.745 --> 00:25:03.250
  • In our lives, in our behaviors, in all that we do.
  • 00:25:03.250 --> 00:25:08.722
  • Forgive us when we have been cavalier.
  • 00:25:08.722 --> 00:25:12.626
  • Forgive us when we have been indifferent.
  • 00:25:12.626 --> 00:25:15.596
  • Forgive us when we have been embarrassed or we have desired
  • 00:25:15.596 --> 00:25:18.632
  • The approval of those who have spurned your counsel.
  • 00:25:18.632 --> 00:25:24.305
  • Our desire is to walk uprightly before you.
  • 00:25:24.305 --> 00:25:26.540
  • Holy spirit, help us, awaken us, help us to see as you see and
  • 00:25:26.540 --> 00:25:32.279
  • Hear as you hear and see as you see.
  • 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:36.050
  • We thank you for what you will do.
  • 00:25:36.050 --> 00:25:39.053
  • As we approach this easter, we thank you for an awakening
  • 00:25:39.053 --> 00:25:42.523
  • Within ourselves, that your love will be more real to us than any
  • 00:25:42.523 --> 00:25:46.627
  • Challenge that we face, any deficit that is before us.
  • 00:25:46.627 --> 00:25:51.799
  • I thank you that fear is not our master, that we have been
  • 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:55.936
  • Delivered through the blood of jesus and the authority of his
  • 00:25:55.936 --> 00:25:58.672
  • Name to walk confidently and boldly in the fear of our god.
  • 00:25:58.672 --> 00:26:05.846
  • I thank you that your mercy and your grace and your power
  • 00:26:05.846 --> 00:26:10.117
  • Surround us.
  • 00:26:10.117 --> 00:26:12.653
  • In jesus's name, amen, hallelujah.
  • 00:26:12.653 --> 00:26:16.790
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:16.790 --> 00:26:19.159
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:25.899
  • Allen: you know, before our congregation even existed,
  • 00:26:25.966 --> 00:26:29.169
  • My family used to distribute christian literature.
  • 00:26:29.169 --> 00:26:31.505
  • We found that sharing books changed lives,
  • 00:26:31.505 --> 00:26:34.942
  • And so we spent a lot of time and energy and resources,
  • 00:26:34.942 --> 00:26:37.411
  • Honestly, sharing books around our community.
  • 00:26:37.411 --> 00:26:40.581
  • Well, our offer this month is our--is a book by a good
  • 00:26:40.581 --> 00:26:43.617
  • Friend of mine, rob morgan.
  • 00:26:43.617 --> 00:26:44.952
  • The title is "the lord is my shepherd."
  • 00:26:44.952 --> 00:26:47.454
  • It's a book about god's abiding presence,
  • 00:26:47.454 --> 00:26:49.757
  • His guidance in our lives, and the fact that he
  • 00:26:49.757 --> 00:26:52.626
  • Charts a course for us.
  • 00:26:52.626 --> 00:26:54.028
  • It's a book i believe will change your life,
  • 00:26:54.028 --> 00:26:56.497
  • But it's also a really easy book to share with a friend.
  • 00:26:56.497 --> 00:26:59.667
  • So i want to give you an invitation.
  • 00:26:59.667 --> 00:27:01.101
  • Let's not just enjoy the word of god and what god does for us,
  • 00:27:01.101 --> 00:27:04.705
  • Let's decide to be light in our families, in our community,
  • 00:27:04.705 --> 00:27:08.642
  • In your sunday school class, wherever that may be.
  • 00:27:08.642 --> 00:27:10.911
  • I believe this book is a wonderful tool,
  • 00:27:10.911 --> 00:27:14.114
  • Not only for you, but for the people you care about.
  • 00:27:14.114 --> 00:27:17.051
  • "the lord is my shepherd," that's the message we need now.
  • 00:27:17.051 --> 00:27:20.721
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:20.721 --> 00:27:27.394