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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - When Kingdoms Collide (Part 2)

February 24, 2025 | S25:E58

Allen Jackson - When Kingdoms Collide (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Faith #Grace #Religion #Culture #Truth #WordofGod #inActive #AllenJacksonMinistries #AllenJackson #Courage #Worship #Transgender #Compassion #Imagination

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - When Kingdoms Collide (Part 2) | February 24, 2025
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen jackson: in the current environment, i keep this kind of
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  • Running list in my head between the theater of the absurd and
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  • The truth of god's word 'cause they seem to be in focus all the
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  • Time depending on the messaging you listen to and how they spin
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  • What you're watching.
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  • And i need the balance.
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  • I need the foundation of god's word to help me
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  • Sort through the releases of the theater
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  • Of the absurd because oftentimes they're
  • 00:00:30.979 --> 00:00:32.981
  • Released with some very impressive credentials.
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  • Very notable people signing off on them.
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  • I've come to the realization that people who serve the absurd
  • 00:00:40.155 --> 00:00:43.625
  • Typically do so for purpose.
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  • They do it to gain profit, to gain pleasure, to
  • 00:00:45.194 --> 00:00:47.596
  • Gain opportunity.
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  • So, they endorse things that if you step away from them with any
  • 00:00:48.931 --> 00:00:51.300
  • Clarity oh, it'll look absurd,
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  • But they endorse them because there's some
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  • Personal benefit 'cause they choose the pleasure or they
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  • Choose the gain or they choose the opportunity presented.
  • 00:00:59.641 --> 00:01:02.444
  • People who choose the truth oftentimes the gratification is
  • 00:01:02.444 --> 00:01:07.082
  • Delayed, which means it's not always the easiest choice.
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  • It's always easier for me to say yes to m&m's than no.
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  • After all, they've got a candy shell, so they melt in your
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  • Mouth, not in your hand, right?
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  • I mean, i always feel that when there's an opportunity to
  • 00:01:27.903 --> 00:01:30.772
  • Interact with an oreo double stuff, that the grace of god has
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  • Emerged in my life once again.
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  • I don't have that same compulsion with broccoli.
  • 00:01:38.914 --> 00:01:44.353
  • Choosing the truth often is about delayed gratification.
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  • That doesn't make it--mean it's less valuable.
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  • In fact, typically it means it's more valuable.
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  • I can give you some examples from things that are just a part
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  • Of the current public discussion; a line that we've
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  • Lived with now for quite some time, but it's been
  • 00:02:00.502 --> 00:02:02.337
  • Challenged recently.
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  • The absurd was there are a limitless number of genders
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  • Determined by personal feelings.
  • 00:02:06.842 --> 00:02:09.711
  • Now, i had an interview with a psychiatrist that works in a
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  • State system, not this state, and on their evaluation form
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  • There were more than 30 choices.
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  • I'd have to go back to graduate school just to process
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  • That list.
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  • We've heard recently from a political leader that there were
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  • Only two genders: male and female.
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  • Now, i'm grateful for that expression of authority in our
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  • Lives, but i'm very concerned that it didn't begin with a
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  • Groundswell from the churches.
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  • That should not have been first and initially a political
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  • Declaration, that should have been so obvious and so loudly
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  • Reiterated from the churches.
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  • And when i say church in this little section, i mean church.
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  • I don't mean just institutional, organizational, professional
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  • Christians; i mean the believers.
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  • Folks, if you work in a profession that has acknowledged
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  • Multiple genders and you didn't have the courage to say there's
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  • Two, don't talk to me about pastors using their courage.
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  • "i assure you i have spoken the truth when i deal with my
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  • Professional group."
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  • Limit your opportunities.
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  • But this issue has to go beyond our ability to be critical and
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  • Complain about places of worship.
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  • If you sit in a place that doesn't tell the truth, why?
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  • On this topic i believe the churches, the believers had
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  • Failed to teach biblical truth regarding gender roles for so
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  • Long, but we arrived at the point that men and women were
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  • Competing in athletic contest because we've spent decades
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  • Avoiding the clear teaching of scripture that we're not the
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  • Same and we preferred to tell our daughters that they could do
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  • Anything a boy could do.
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  • No.
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  • We're different.
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  • We're not lesser or greater, but we're not the same.
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  • That's not my imagination.
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  • It comes from the word of god, and we're going to have to have
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  • The courage to come back to that.
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  • And we've found our culture so absurdly off-kilter on
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  • This point that we have absurd statements like it's always
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  • Wrong for a man to use physical violence against a woman.
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  • I don't object to that statement.
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  • I think it makes perfect sense.
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  • And then we have the international olympics, and we
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  • Have men boxing with women.
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  • Now, you can't reconcile those two.
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  • They're irreconcilable.
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  • It's absurd.
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  • But the church, the believers have avoided the truth so long
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  • Because we imagine there was something to be gained if we
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  • Just ignored the truth.
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  • I'll tell you another absurd statement we've heard for some
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  • Season, that an open border is an expression of compassion;
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  • Followed very closely by the statement that our border
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  • Is secure.
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  • Well, the truth is an open border is dangerous to
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  • All citizens.
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  • Securing the border is a first responsibility of government,
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  • And a failure to do so is a complete capitulation upon the
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  • Responsibility of those who have leadership over us.
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  • The really uncomfortable part is because of sloppy grace the
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  • Church has failed to teach about the sovereignty of god.
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  • We have no imagination of boundaries, or borders, or thou
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  • Shalt not.
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  • We've had so much sloppy grace that anything goes and
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  • Everything's okay.
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  • And so, when someone comes to us and uses grace or compassion as
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  • A lever of manipulation, we're unprepared to think our way
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  • Through it.
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  • I'll tell you another statement that--it's absurd, but it made
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  • Its way into the realm of truth recently.
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  • More than 90% of federal employees don't work full time
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  • From the office.
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  • Just think about that for a moment.
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  • More than 90% do not work full time from the office.
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  • Now, it's hard to imagine that as an efficient anything.
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  • Suppose i told you that i wanted to continue to do my job, but i
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  • Just want you to know 90% of the next several years i won't
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  • Actually be in the house.
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  • I'll be with you in spirit.
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  • And, i mean, i'm going to zoom some.
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  • Those of you watching the stream, you're going, "that
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  • Works for us.
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  • Just whatever works for you, pastor.
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  • Keep the lines open."
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  • It's so absurd when you say it out loud.
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  • You think, "well, who's watching over that?"
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  • Well, clearly it wasn't us.
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  • The truth is work is an expression of character and work
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  • From a biblical perspective is inherently good.
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  • In fact, i don't think it's a stretch of scripture to suggest
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  • That when you go to work you go to worship every bit as much as
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  • You do as when you walk into a sanctuary to sing a chorus.
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  • In fact, when we meet god in genesis chapter 1, he's working,
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  • And just for the casual observer he's working a six-day week.
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  • "well, well, well."
  • 00:07:37.772 --> 00:07:42.244
  • Again, church and believers have capitulated to culture.
  • 00:07:42.244 --> 00:07:49.017
  • See, it's easier for us to think we can be enhanced or enriched
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  • By affluence and we'd rather turn our attention to elder
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  • Places, and too often in contemporary culture we use our
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  • Children as an excuse for our avoidance of work.
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  • We do.
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  • "well, i need to spend more quality time with my children."
  • 00:08:03.965 --> 00:08:06.368
  • Now, i'm an advocate for that, i believe it's important; but i
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  • Would submit to you, men especially, that we have three
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  • Primary assignments in the sight of god.
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  • One is to introduce our children and teach them about the kingdom
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  • Of god.
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  • Not the church, not the sunday school, yours.
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  • Church and sunday school can be a help.
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  • They can be an assist.
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  • That's why you can't sit in the church that dishonors jesus or
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  • The authority of scripture.
  • 00:08:28.223 --> 00:08:29.591
  • You make your children incredibly vulnerable.
  • 00:08:29.591 --> 00:08:34.362
  • And then we have to protect them and provide for them, and those
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  • Things lead the discussion.
  • 00:08:40.001 --> 00:08:43.004
  • The scripture says that if you don't provide for your family
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  • You're worse than an infidel.
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  • We've lost that message in the contemporary.
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  • I read the literature.
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  • I read the articles.
  • 00:08:51.346 --> 00:08:52.681
  • I know what we've been pumping out for quite a season now.
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  • It's how we arrived in this place where 90% of the federal
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  • Employees can work from home.
  • 00:09:00.055 --> 00:09:03.525
  • Sure.
  • 00:09:03.525 --> 00:09:07.562
  • One of the other absurdities of our current environment
  • 00:09:07.562 --> 00:09:10.065
  • Is just the unbelievable, frivolous waste of money.
  • 00:09:10.065 --> 00:09:16.605
  • I saw a stat come out in the last few days.
  • 00:09:16.605 --> 00:09:18.173
  • It was difficult to believe just 'cause i know a bit more about
  • 00:09:18.173 --> 00:09:20.375
  • That part of the world.
  • 00:09:20.375 --> 00:09:21.743
  • Our department of defense was preparing to send $50 million to
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  • Gaza for condoms.
  • 00:09:24.946 --> 00:09:30.585
  • Maybe, just maybe an expenditure that could be put under review.
  • 00:09:30.585 --> 00:09:35.523
  • The truth is we've lost sense of the stewardship of time, talent,
  • 00:09:35.523 --> 00:09:39.160
  • And money; and from a biblical perspective, we've already
  • 00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:42.297
  • Glanced at it in luke 16.
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  • It's an expression of our character.
  • 00:09:43.765 --> 00:09:45.734
  • It's as much an expression of our faith.
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  • It's how we pray and how we worship.
  • 00:09:47.435 --> 00:09:51.740
  • Contentment is the biblical value.
  • 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:54.309
  • The scripture says that godliness with contentment is of
  • 00:09:54.309 --> 00:09:56.678
  • Great gain.
  • 00:09:56.678 --> 00:09:59.447
  • The bible says don't take what you don't earn.
  • 00:09:59.447 --> 00:10:03.585
  • There are values that we have to reintroduce to our families and
  • 00:10:03.585 --> 00:10:06.788
  • Through our families into our communities and into
  • 00:10:06.788 --> 00:10:09.357
  • Our culture.
  • 00:10:09.357 --> 00:10:11.393
  • We have lost sight of them.
  • 00:10:11.393 --> 00:10:14.896
  • We have embraced a whole host of imposters, absurdities.
  • 00:10:14.896 --> 00:10:21.970
  • We've been watching a national debate for the last few days
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  • Around dei: diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • 00:10:25.106 --> 00:10:28.677
  • John spoke to that last weekend.
  • 00:10:28.677 --> 00:10:30.512
  • I cannot improve on what he had to say, but the essence of it is
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  • That we've made hiring decisions regarding imposed pa--future
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  • Employees based upon their appearance,
  • 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:40.555
  • Not their competence.
  • 00:10:40.555 --> 00:10:42.657
  • That's absurd.
  • 00:10:42.657 --> 00:10:50.665
  • The truth is we're one human race, one blood; that our
  • 00:10:50.665 --> 00:10:54.436
  • Character and our heart is far more significant than our
  • 00:10:54.436 --> 00:10:56.905
  • Appearance and the awkward reality, again, is the
  • 00:10:56.905 --> 00:11:00.875
  • Capitulation of the church.
  • 00:11:00.875 --> 00:11:02.243
  • Again, church and believers have preferred cultural acceptance
  • 00:11:02.243 --> 00:11:04.846
  • And avoided the conflict.
  • 00:11:04.846 --> 00:11:08.783
  • I'll give you more uncomfortable category.
  • 00:11:08.783 --> 00:11:10.785
  • We've listened to the absurdity that it's my body and my choice.
  • 00:11:10.785 --> 00:11:16.858
  • The biblical perspectives are out of date on human sexuality.
  • 00:11:16.858 --> 00:11:20.028
  • "my body my--nobody can tell me what to do with my body."
  • 00:11:20.028 --> 00:11:22.497
  • Unless they decide to tell you to get vaccinated and then
  • 00:11:22.497 --> 00:11:25.567
  • That's a mandate.
  • 00:11:25.567 --> 00:11:30.138
  • The truth is the sanctity of human life and god-defined
  • 00:11:30.138 --> 00:11:33.041
  • Boundaries for sexuality should shape the lives of his people.
  • 00:11:33.041 --> 00:11:39.214
  • Church and believers have ignored biblical presentation of
  • 00:11:39.214 --> 00:11:42.150
  • Sexuality and because of that we've had to capitulate on the
  • 00:11:42.150 --> 00:11:45.353
  • Sanctity of human life.
  • 00:11:45.353 --> 00:11:47.956
  • We're not confused.
  • 00:11:47.956 --> 00:11:49.290
  • We're not unaware.
  • 00:11:49.290 --> 00:11:51.025
  • It's not that we don't understand.
  • 00:11:51.025 --> 00:11:52.393
  • It's just inconvenient and we think god's going to grade on a
  • 00:11:52.393 --> 00:11:54.462
  • Curve and that grace thing is going to come into play, so we
  • 00:11:54.462 --> 00:11:57.532
  • Can fudge around the edges and somehow it's going to be okay.
  • 00:11:57.532 --> 00:12:01.436
  • We mock god.
  • 00:12:01.436 --> 00:12:04.672
  • Reason our culture found ourselves in this place is
  • 00:12:04.672 --> 00:12:07.509
  • Because the church had lost our voice.
  • 00:12:07.509 --> 00:12:10.578
  • There have been voices crying in the wilderness.
  • 00:12:10.578 --> 00:12:13.948
  • I want to close with an example.
  • 00:12:13.948 --> 00:12:15.950
  • I'm going to get almost through your outline.
  • 00:12:15.950 --> 00:12:20.288
  • Just a reminder that the authority of scripture, a
  • 00:12:20.288 --> 00:12:22.457
  • Biblical worldview, a judeo-christian worldview is
  • 00:12:22.457 --> 00:12:25.693
  • So important.
  • 00:12:25.693 --> 00:12:27.362
  • And when you hear a messaging or ideas or principles that are
  • 00:12:27.362 --> 00:12:30.465
  • Leading you away from the fundamentals of the character of
  • 00:12:30.465 --> 00:12:33.768
  • God that you know from reading your bibles, there should be a
  • 00:12:33.768 --> 00:12:37.739
  • Warning light that begins to flash at a very high intensity
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  • Even if there's a promise of gain, profit, pleasure,
  • 00:12:41.643 --> 00:12:45.747
  • Opportunity for yourself or your children or someone you love.
  • 00:12:45.747 --> 00:12:49.717
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:12:50.185 --> 00:12:55.857
  • Allen: hey, i believe 2025 is going to be a year of
  • 00:12:58.026 --> 00:13:00.662
  • Change--significant change, and i don't think it's going to be
  • 00:13:00.662 --> 00:13:04.532
  • Limited to washington, d.c.
  • 00:13:04.532 --> 00:13:06.835
  • I think in that there's a tremendous opportunity.
  • 00:13:06.835 --> 00:13:09.003
  • It's not a threat to me, it's really a promise from god.
  • 00:13:09.003 --> 00:13:11.840
  • In fact, i want to suggest that we take this year as a year for
  • 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:14.442
  • Some real breakthroughs; that we imagine god's intervention in
  • 00:13:14.442 --> 00:13:17.846
  • Our lives, in our homes, in our communities, in our
  • 00:13:17.846 --> 00:13:20.648
  • Congregations, in our nation.
  • 00:13:20.648 --> 00:13:22.984
  • Well, to do that we can't just maintain the status quo.
  • 00:13:22.984 --> 00:13:25.854
  • We've got to be willing to be different.
  • 00:13:25.854 --> 00:13:27.322
  • So, i want to suggest a tool.
  • 00:13:27.322 --> 00:13:28.857
  • It's a book i have written called "intentional faith."
  • 00:13:28.857 --> 00:13:32.093
  • And it invites you towards some very simple behaviors, but if
  • 00:13:32.093 --> 00:13:35.663
  • You will build in the intent for them to become a part of your
  • 00:13:35.663 --> 00:13:39.200
  • Routine it opens your life to god's intervention.
  • 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:42.804
  • It facilitates breakthroughs.
  • 00:13:42.804 --> 00:13:45.006
  • Let's not just be passive and hope god does something.
  • 00:13:45.006 --> 00:13:47.842
  • Let's choose a pathway where we raise our hand and say,
  • 00:13:47.842 --> 00:13:50.678
  • "god, we are here, we will cooperate."
  • 00:13:50.678 --> 00:13:53.715
  • And let's make 2025 a year of god's breakthrough
  • 00:13:53.715 --> 00:13:56.417
  • For each of us.
  • 00:13:56.417 --> 00:13:58.853
  • Female announcer: think of the places where you are purposely
  • 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.989
  • And intentionally saying yes to god.
  • 00:14:00.989 --> 00:14:03.625
  • Maybe it's reading your bible every day or being faithful
  • 00:14:03.625 --> 00:14:06.561
  • To pray.
  • 00:14:06.561 --> 00:14:07.896
  • It might be helping a neighbor instead of pretending you don't
  • 00:14:07.896 --> 00:14:10.265
  • Notice their need.
  • 00:14:10.265 --> 00:14:11.633
  • When you take time to purposely seek god and follow his lead,
  • 00:14:11.633 --> 00:14:15.303
  • You begin to see breakthroughs emerge; change in your faith,
  • 00:14:15.303 --> 00:14:18.573
  • Your life, and your relationship that only god could orchestrate.
  • 00:14:18.573 --> 00:14:22.377
  • Pastor allen's book "intentional faith" provides ten simple
  • 00:14:22.377 --> 00:14:25.947
  • Things you can do to invite god's direction into your life
  • 00:14:25.947 --> 00:14:29.417
  • And help you draw closer to him.
  • 00:14:29.417 --> 00:14:31.085
  • It provides a pathway to help deepen your faith in just
  • 00:14:31.085 --> 00:14:33.755
  • 100 days.
  • 00:14:33.755 --> 00:14:35.123
  • Request the book today when you donate $40 or more and we'll
  • 00:14:35.123 --> 00:14:39.060
  • Also send our "100 days of intentional faith" journal, a
  • 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:42.964
  • Consistent place where you can document your journey.
  • 00:14:42.964 --> 00:14:45.767
  • These powerful tools will ignite your faith, bringing new purpose
  • 00:14:45.767 --> 00:14:49.270
  • And intention to your everyday life.
  • 00:14:49.270 --> 00:14:51.539
  • Allen: and i want to plant a seed.
  • 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.874
  • I really want to ask you to spend some time reflecting
  • 00:14:52.874 --> 00:14:56.844
  • On it.
  • 00:14:56.844 --> 00:14:58.179
  • Allow the spirit of god to make it real to you.
  • 00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.814
  • You want to think consciously about the places where you are
  • 00:14:59.814 --> 00:15:02.850
  • Purposefully, very intentionally saying yes to the lord, and i
  • 00:15:02.850 --> 00:15:07.488
  • Would submit to you you want that list to grow.
  • 00:15:07.488 --> 00:15:12.193
  • You don't want to reflect upon it.
  • 00:15:12.193 --> 00:15:13.761
  • You don't want to--it's not like a history lesson.
  • 00:15:13.761 --> 00:15:15.630
  • "these are the places where i did say yes to the lord."
  • 00:15:15.630 --> 00:15:19.200
  • You want to be able to tell that narrative in the way, "these are
  • 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.302
  • The places where i am currently engaged with god," because those
  • 00:15:21.302 --> 00:15:26.307
  • Are the places where breakthroughs emerge.
  • 00:15:26.307 --> 00:15:29.243
  • Absent those, i believe you are forfeiting god's interventions.
  • 00:15:29.243 --> 00:15:36.150
  • Allen: let's choose to cooperate with god's breakthrough and make
  • 00:15:36.150 --> 00:15:38.953
  • 2025 a year where we see god's best in our lives, our homes,
  • 00:15:38.953 --> 00:15:44.258
  • And our families.
  • 00:15:44.258 --> 00:15:45.593
  • You'll enjoy the book.
  • 00:15:45.593 --> 00:15:46.961
  • Announcer: request your book and journal today at
  • 00:15:46.961 --> 00:15:49.330
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:15:49.330 --> 00:15:55.470
  • Announcer: we are committed to helping you grow in your faith
  • 00:15:58.006 --> 00:16:00.041
  • And have tools for your journey no matter your schedule.
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  • Get daily encouragement and insight
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  • With pastor allen's daily devotion right in your inbox.
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  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:16:25.466 --> 00:16:28.469
  • Allen: well, i was reminded of something recently and i wanted
  • 00:16:28.469 --> 00:16:30.738
  • To share it with you.
  • 00:16:30.738 --> 00:16:33.574
  • You know, the word of god--i have said frequently lately that
  • 00:16:33.574 --> 00:16:36.077
  • The word of god thunders against sin, that there's a moral
  • 00:16:36.077 --> 00:16:41.115
  • Authority in scripture.
  • 00:16:41.115 --> 00:16:43.084
  • And then when you will align yourself with the word of god,
  • 00:16:43.084 --> 00:16:45.620
  • There's an authority that comes to your perspective that far
  • 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:48.389
  • Exceeds your position, your stature, your wealth; all those
  • 00:16:48.389 --> 00:16:51.926
  • Things that the world uses to evaluate us.
  • 00:16:51.926 --> 00:16:54.629
  • Martin luther king jr. brought a message of civil rights to our
  • 00:16:54.629 --> 00:16:58.966
  • Nation, but the authority for which he delivered his message
  • 00:16:58.966 --> 00:17:01.636
  • Was the word of god and the outcome reflected far more than
  • 00:17:01.636 --> 00:17:05.540
  • Anything he could personally mash up.
  • 00:17:05.540 --> 00:17:09.610
  • Well, at the national prayer breakfast in washington, d.c.
  • 00:17:09.610 --> 00:17:11.979
  • On february the 5th, 1994--i couldn't believe it.
  • 00:17:11.979 --> 00:17:16.451
  • It had been 30 years.
  • 00:17:16.451 --> 00:17:18.419
  • I just remembered the event, and when i went to look it up it was
  • 00:17:18.419 --> 00:17:21.055
  • Been almost 30 years.
  • 00:17:21.055 --> 00:17:22.924
  • Mother teresa stood before president and mrs. bill clinton
  • 00:17:22.924 --> 00:17:27.261
  • And vice president and mrs. al gore, along with 4,000 others in
  • 00:17:27.261 --> 00:17:32.600
  • Attendance, and she called abortion murder.
  • 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:39.140
  • Now, i would remind you, if you don't remember, that at that
  • 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:41.843
  • Point president clinton had vetoed a partial birth abortion
  • 00:17:41.843 --> 00:17:45.847
  • Ban multiple times, and should you not remember a partial birth
  • 00:17:45.847 --> 00:17:51.018
  • Abortion was delivering a child to the head crowns and then
  • 00:17:51.018 --> 00:17:55.022
  • Puncturing the head, vacuuming out what was there to collapse
  • 00:17:55.022 --> 00:17:57.959
  • The head and make an easier delivery.
  • 00:17:57.959 --> 00:18:02.497
  • We vetoed that multiple times.
  • 00:18:02.497 --> 00:18:06.734
  • We didn't want to stop that.
  • 00:18:06.734 --> 00:18:09.871
  • And this is mother teresa, a little person with--that chose
  • 00:18:09.871 --> 00:18:16.077
  • The truth of god standing in that setting without many
  • 00:18:16.077 --> 00:18:20.581
  • Allies, "i feel that the greatest destroyer of peace
  • 00:18:20.581 --> 00:18:24.652
  • Today is abortion because it is a war against the child, a
  • 00:18:24.652 --> 00:18:29.390
  • Direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the
  • 00:18:29.390 --> 00:18:32.660
  • Mother herself.
  • 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:34.829
  • And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how
  • 00:18:34.829 --> 00:18:38.132
  • Can we tell other people not to kill one another?
  • 00:18:38.132 --> 00:18:41.335
  • How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion?
  • 00:18:41.335 --> 00:18:44.605
  • As always we must persuade her with love, and we remind
  • 00:18:44.605 --> 00:18:48.576
  • Ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts.
  • 00:18:48.576 --> 00:18:52.580
  • Jesus gave even his life to love us.
  • 00:18:52.580 --> 00:18:55.483
  • So the mother who is thinking of abortion should be helped to
  • 00:18:55.483 --> 00:18:58.052
  • Love; that is, to give until it hurts her plans or her free
  • 00:18:58.052 --> 00:19:02.657
  • Time, to respect the life of her child.
  • 00:19:02.657 --> 00:19:06.227
  • And the father of that child, whoever he is, must also give
  • 00:19:06.227 --> 00:19:10.164
  • Until it hurts."
  • 00:19:10.164 --> 00:19:12.400
  • She went on with one of the most eloquent presentations of
  • 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:15.102
  • The truth.
  • 00:19:15.102 --> 00:19:17.705
  • It didn't bring change that day.
  • 00:19:17.705 --> 00:19:20.541
  • It didn't bring an immediate reversal.
  • 00:19:20.541 --> 00:19:23.611
  • We've had changes in our laws, but we've yet to have a change
  • 00:19:23.611 --> 00:19:27.481
  • Of heart.
  • 00:19:27.481 --> 00:19:30.318
  • More than 70% of americans still say they're in favor
  • 00:19:30.318 --> 00:19:33.688
  • Of abortion.
  • 00:19:33.688 --> 00:19:36.424
  • We don't say it that way.
  • 00:19:36.424 --> 00:19:38.559
  • Usually it begins with limits.
  • 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.761
  • You know, we're opposed to abortion after 12 weeks or
  • 00:19:40.761 --> 00:19:43.331
  • 16 weeks.
  • 00:19:43.331 --> 00:19:44.699
  • Well, 80% of abortions take place before 16 weeks.
  • 00:19:44.699 --> 00:19:49.537
  • So 70% of americans are okay with abortion.
  • 00:19:49.537 --> 00:19:56.744
  • One out of five people--one out of five women statistically have
  • 00:19:56.744 --> 00:20:00.214
  • Been involved.
  • 00:20:00.214 --> 00:20:01.582
  • Abortion touches every one of us directly or indirectly.
  • 00:20:01.582 --> 00:20:04.785
  • I didn't come to bring shame, i came to do my best to tell you
  • 00:20:04.785 --> 00:20:07.855
  • The truth.
  • 00:20:07.855 --> 00:20:09.190
  • There's a debate.
  • 00:20:09.190 --> 00:20:10.558
  • There's a conflict taking place.
  • 00:20:10.558 --> 00:20:11.892
  • There are kingdoms in conflict.
  • 00:20:11.892 --> 00:20:13.527
  • And that diminutive woman from kolkata stood in front of the
  • 00:20:13.527 --> 00:20:17.765
  • Most powerful person in the planet and held up the truth
  • 00:20:17.765 --> 00:20:22.470
  • About life.
  • 00:20:22.470 --> 00:20:27.074
  • I would submit to you she chose the more narrow path.
  • 00:20:27.074 --> 00:20:31.612
  • I'll contrast that with something we watched recently.
  • 00:20:31.612 --> 00:20:34.815
  • An episcopal bishop in washington, d.c.
  • 00:20:34.815 --> 00:20:36.784
  • Who presides over the national cathedral chose to scold the
  • 00:20:36.784 --> 00:20:42.056
  • Current administration, encouraging them and urging them
  • 00:20:42.056 --> 00:20:47.028
  • To have mercy upon communities across the country who are
  • 00:20:47.028 --> 00:20:49.530
  • Scared, including the lgbtq people and migrants, and she
  • 00:20:49.530 --> 00:20:55.436
  • Went on to advocate for positions that are clearly
  • 00:20:55.436 --> 00:20:59.373
  • Against the authority of scripture.
  • 00:20:59.373 --> 00:21:03.544
  • And, again, she's a bishop in that organization.
  • 00:21:03.544 --> 00:21:06.113
  • I checked just to be sure.
  • 00:21:06.113 --> 00:21:08.382
  • As a matter of law, the episcopal church is
  • 00:21:08.382 --> 00:21:10.551
  • Unambiguously supported a woman's right to choose an
  • 00:21:10.551 --> 00:21:13.454
  • Abortion since before anyone had ever heard
  • 00:21:13.454 --> 00:21:16.157
  • The term roe v. wade.
  • 00:21:16.157 --> 00:21:20.094
  • So in between mother teresa and an episcopal bishop we have a
  • 00:21:20.094 --> 00:21:25.066
  • Kingdom conflict, we have a clash of world-views and we're
  • 00:21:25.066 --> 00:21:31.339
  • Left to watch and to listen and to think and to act.
  • 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:37.211
  • I know you want to put your fingers in your ears and whistle
  • 00:21:37.211 --> 00:21:39.246
  • And go, "ah, it's not my issue.
  • 00:21:39.246 --> 00:21:41.816
  • I don't want to be involved anymore."
  • 00:21:41.816 --> 00:21:44.985
  • Folks, we're not called to be salt and light when
  • 00:21:44.985 --> 00:21:46.754
  • It's convenient.
  • 00:21:46.754 --> 00:21:48.289
  • Those are assignments you give to children.
  • 00:21:48.289 --> 00:21:52.893
  • "mow the yard if you have time.
  • 00:21:52.893 --> 00:21:55.663
  • Pick up your room if you can."
  • 00:21:55.663 --> 00:22:00.067
  • Those are children's assignments.
  • 00:22:00.067 --> 00:22:02.970
  • Adults have assignments with consequences, and if you fail
  • 00:22:02.970 --> 00:22:07.041
  • The assignment the consequences are typically unpleasant.
  • 00:22:07.041 --> 00:22:12.313
  • We have a choice.
  • 00:22:12.313 --> 00:22:13.748
  • We've been called to the stage, remember?
  • 00:22:13.748 --> 00:22:17.918
  • God is searching the earth for men and women whose hearts are
  • 00:22:17.918 --> 00:22:20.855
  • Right towards him.
  • 00:22:20.855 --> 00:22:22.723
  • Folks, it's not our achievement, or our accomplishments, or our
  • 00:22:22.723 --> 00:22:26.160
  • Platforms, or our resources.
  • 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:29.230
  • What's about our heart?
  • 00:22:29.230 --> 00:22:32.767
  • What about our heart?
  • 00:22:32.767 --> 00:22:34.101
  • You--this isn't about age.
  • 00:22:34.101 --> 00:22:37.304
  • You can be young and have a heart, that god could tap you
  • 00:22:37.304 --> 00:22:39.774
  • And say, "i've got an assignment that'll change the destiny
  • 00:22:39.774 --> 00:22:42.209
  • Of many."
  • 00:22:42.209 --> 00:22:45.212
  • In fact, that tends to be his pattern.
  • 00:22:45.212 --> 00:22:46.881
  • It's very seldom he recruits us old curmudgeons.
  • 00:22:46.881 --> 00:22:52.119
  • Moses had a little mileage when god came for him.
  • 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:58.793
  • I could argue that god used samuel in the most powerful ways
  • 00:22:58.793 --> 00:23:03.063
  • When he was at the end of one of his careers.
  • 00:23:03.063 --> 00:23:05.065
  • He's done as a judge, but god said, "samuel, the people are
  • 00:23:05.065 --> 00:23:08.469
  • Making a boneheaded decision and i need you to shepherd them into
  • 00:23:08.469 --> 00:23:12.139
  • What's next."
  • 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:13.507
  • And samuel said, "i will do that."
  • 00:23:13.507 --> 00:23:14.842
  • He could have been so angry, so enraged, so embittered that he
  • 00:23:14.842 --> 00:23:17.545
  • Said, "i'm not anointing anybody for anything."
  • 00:23:17.545 --> 00:23:21.816
  • So whoever you are on the spectrum, i wonder if we could
  • 00:23:21.816 --> 00:23:25.319
  • Say to the lord tonight, "i choose the truth.
  • 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:29.123
  • I choose the truth.
  • 00:23:29.123 --> 00:23:31.592
  • For my life, for my home, for the people that i'm doing life
  • 00:23:31.592 --> 00:23:37.231
  • With, i choose the truth.
  • 00:23:37.231 --> 00:23:41.535
  • I choose the truth."
  • 00:23:41.535 --> 00:23:42.870
  • Are you ready?
  • 00:23:42.870 --> 00:23:44.238
  • That's the best way to limit the theater of the absurd.
  • 00:23:44.238 --> 00:23:47.575
  • Politicians can't do this, folks.
  • 00:23:47.575 --> 00:23:50.478
  • They'll initiate their changes and they won't last until the
  • 00:23:50.478 --> 00:23:53.581
  • Ink dries if we don't have a heart change amongst
  • 00:23:53.581 --> 00:23:57.051
  • The believers.
  • 00:23:57.051 --> 00:23:58.752
  • This is our watch.
  • 00:23:58.752 --> 00:24:00.087
  • Will you stand with me?
  • 00:24:00.087 --> 00:24:01.455
  • I know we got to go.
  • 00:24:01.455 --> 00:24:07.828
  • I put you a wonderful proclamation in your notes.
  • 00:24:07.828 --> 00:24:10.364
  • You can use it later.
  • 00:24:10.364 --> 00:24:14.068
  • I want to pray for you.
  • 00:24:14.068 --> 00:24:16.337
  • I don't like messages without an opportunity to respond.
  • 00:24:16.337 --> 00:24:21.542
  • If i just wanted to do lectures, i would have gone to
  • 00:24:21.542 --> 00:24:23.177
  • The university.
  • 00:24:23.177 --> 00:24:24.512
  • The hours are better.
  • 00:24:24.512 --> 00:24:27.314
  • I want you to reflect with me for a moment.
  • 00:24:27.314 --> 00:24:29.583
  • Are you willing to say to the lord, "i'll choose the truth?"
  • 00:24:29.583 --> 00:24:32.953
  • We get so heated up about other people, what they should
  • 00:24:32.953 --> 00:24:35.890
  • Be doing.
  • 00:24:35.890 --> 00:24:37.224
  • "and i don't like that choice, and i don't like--" stop it.
  • 00:24:37.224 --> 00:24:40.194
  • God knows your heart and my heart, and if we're hiding he
  • 00:24:40.194 --> 00:24:46.000
  • Knows it.
  • 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:50.271
  • Some of us need to start this prayer for the truth with a
  • 00:24:50.271 --> 00:24:52.640
  • Repentance that we've stood in the shadows and tried to act
  • 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:56.577
  • Like we didn't notice.
  • 00:24:56.577 --> 00:25:00.014
  • You're not unique.
  • 00:25:00.014 --> 00:25:01.382
  • Peter did that.
  • 00:25:01.382 --> 00:25:03.450
  • Boy, did they get it turned around.
  • 00:25:03.450 --> 00:25:06.153
  • So can we.
  • 00:25:06.153 --> 00:25:09.623
  • That's what they were singing about.
  • 00:25:08.289 --> 00:25:12.026
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:25:12.026 --> 00:25:13.394
  • Father, thank you for your word, for its truth and authority
  • 00:25:13.394 --> 00:25:15.329
  • And power.
  • 00:25:15.329 --> 00:25:16.897
  • I thank you that we're not left alone, we're not left just to
  • 00:25:16.897 --> 00:25:19.500
  • Our opinions or our feelings or what seems prudent to us but
  • 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:23.704
  • That you have given us guidance and direction and instruction
  • 00:25:23.704 --> 00:25:29.310
  • And, lord, tonight we choose the truth.
  • 00:25:29.310 --> 00:25:32.313
  • We choose your truth over our lives.
  • 00:25:32.313 --> 00:25:35.549
  • We choose the authority of your word over our lives.
  • 00:25:35.549 --> 00:25:39.987
  • Lord, we choose the more narrow path.
  • 00:25:39.987 --> 00:25:43.290
  • We want to honor you.
  • 00:25:43.290 --> 00:25:45.292
  • Jesus, be lord of our lives.
  • 00:25:45.292 --> 00:25:48.162
  • Forgive us when we have equivocated.
  • 00:25:48.162 --> 00:25:50.064
  • Forgive us when we have been indifferent.
  • 00:25:50.064 --> 00:25:52.466
  • Forgive us when we have denied what we knew so that we could
  • 00:25:52.466 --> 00:25:56.770
  • Gain an opportunity or an advantage or a profit.
  • 00:25:56.770 --> 00:25:59.740
  • Lord, forgive us when we've pursued pleasure over what we
  • 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:03.243
  • Knew to be true.
  • 00:26:03.243 --> 00:26:07.014
  • Lord, we come tonight in humility to repent; to repent of
  • 00:26:07.014 --> 00:26:11.151
  • Our thoughts, to change our minds; and to repent of our
  • 00:26:11.151 --> 00:26:13.420
  • Actions and to choose a new path.
  • 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:16.590
  • We want to be pleasing to you.
  • 00:26:16.590 --> 00:26:20.260
  • Holy spirit, help us.
  • 00:26:20.260 --> 00:26:22.930
  • If there are things that need to be addressed, bring them to
  • 00:26:22.930 --> 00:26:25.132
  • Our awareness.
  • 00:26:25.132 --> 00:26:27.768
  • Bring voices around us to encourage us.
  • 00:26:27.768 --> 00:26:30.537
  • Show us the people around us with whom we can use our voice
  • 00:26:30.537 --> 00:26:33.774
  • To be an encouragement.
  • 00:26:33.774 --> 00:26:35.943
  • Thank you for what you're doing.
  • 00:26:35.943 --> 00:26:37.311
  • We praise you that you're moving in the earth, that we see you
  • 00:26:37.311 --> 00:26:40.714
  • Moving in our nation.
  • 00:26:40.714 --> 00:26:43.217
  • We see the light being expressed in unlikely places from
  • 00:26:43.217 --> 00:26:46.220
  • Unlikely sources.
  • 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:47.588
  • Now, awaken your people to be salt and light as we've never
  • 00:26:47.588 --> 00:26:50.424
  • Seen before from coast to coast, and border to border, and
  • 00:26:50.424 --> 00:26:53.927
  • Community to community, and congregation to congregation.
  • 00:26:53.927 --> 00:26:57.131
  • May the name of jesus be exalted and your truth lifted up.
  • 00:26:57.131 --> 00:27:01.702
  • We praise you for it.
  • 00:27:01.702 --> 00:27:03.037
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:03.037 --> 00:27:06.240
  • Hallelujah.
  • 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.608
  • God bless you.
  • 00:27:07.608 --> 00:27:08.976
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:10.044 --> 00:27:30.097