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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - When Your Strength Is Small (Part 1)

January 19, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - When Your Strength Is Small (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Strength #WalkwithGod #TrustGod #Bible #AllenJackson

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - When Your Strength Is Small (Part 1) | January 19, 2026
  • ...
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  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world people are searching
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  • For truth and together we're doing our very best to help them
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  • Find it.
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  • When you become a ministry partner with allen jackson
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  • Ministries, you're joining a growing community of believers
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  • Who are committed to strengthening the church and
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  • Sharing god's word through every available channel: television,
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  • Radio, podcast, books, bible studies, digital
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  • Resources, conferences.
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  • Your monthly partnership helps us equip believers, to reach new
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  • Audiences, and to take the hope of jesus to people who may never
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  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
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  • Together, we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
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  • Known right here at home and around the earth wherever god
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  • Opens the door.
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  • Let's keep gathering his people and building his church until
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  • The day our king returns.
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  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner
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  • At allenjackson.com/partner.
  • 00:00:51.701 --> 00:00:53.069
  • ♪♪♪
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  • Allen: it's really a continuation of a theme we began
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  • Unpacking in the previous session, so if you didn't have
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  • An opportunity to hear that, if this is helpful, i think that
  • 00:01:14.224 --> 00:01:17.594
  • Will add some momentum to it.
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  • The title for this session is "when your strength is small."
  • 00:01:19.395 --> 00:01:24.234
  • There's some weekends in the year that aren't attached to
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  • Particular assignments.
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  • They're not in the christian calendar that require thematic
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  • Attention, they're not in the messaging of the congregation or
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  • The community of faith that requires me to do something.
  • 00:01:36.679 --> 00:01:39.482
  • They're like--it's like you get out of jail free card weekend.
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  • And the goal is really to do the best i know to provide resources
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  • To bring some momentum to our lives.
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  • And i pray god will help us to do that.
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  • Do you ever feel like your strength is small?
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  • I do.
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  • And so there's some counsel from scripture that i think
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  • Is helpful.
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  • I was wrapping up my bible reading and i read this passage
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  • In zephaniah, and i haven't been able to--it just stuck with me
  • 00:02:04.374 --> 00:02:07.277
  • For a few days.
  • 00:02:07.277 --> 00:02:08.611
  • So i'll start there.
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  • Through the prophet, god is really pronouncing judgment
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  • Against his covenant people, you know, god disciplines
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  • His people.
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  • That's a new testament theme.
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  • That's not just an old testament theme.
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  • You need room for that.
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  • If he doesn't love you, the bible says, he doesn't--if he
  • 00:02:23.459 --> 00:02:26.896
  • Doesn't discipline you, he doesn't love you.
  • 00:02:26.896 --> 00:02:29.933
  • So discipline is a part of the journey and he said we should
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  • Endure hardship as discipline.
  • 00:02:32.135 --> 00:02:33.770
  • You see, i'd just wipe that out of my bible if it was up to me.
  • 00:02:33.770 --> 00:02:38.074
  • But it isn't new, and through the prophet zephaniah, god said,
  • 00:02:38.074 --> 00:02:40.543
  • "i'm gonna stretch out my hand against judah," judah is the
  • 00:02:40.543 --> 00:02:43.913
  • Region of israel where jerusalem is, "and against all who live
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  • In jerusalem.
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  • And i'll cut off from this place every remnant of baal, the names
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  • Of the pagan and the idolatrous priests."
  • 00:02:51.955 --> 00:02:55.058
  • There were pagan idolatrous priests in jerusalem.
  • 00:02:55.058 --> 00:03:01.431
  • "those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, and
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  • Those who bow down and swear by the lord and who also swear by
  • 00:03:04.067 --> 00:03:06.836
  • Molech, who turn back from following the lord and neither
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  • Seek the lord nor inquire of him."
  • 00:03:10.673 --> 00:03:15.245
  • God is disciplining his people because they have stopped
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  • Seeking him.
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  • That's what captured my attention.
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  • God said, "there is severe punishment coming to you because
  • 00:03:26.623 --> 00:03:30.126
  • You're not inquiring of me, you're not seeking me, you're
  • 00:03:30.126 --> 00:03:32.895
  • Not pursuing me.
  • 00:03:32.895 --> 00:03:35.365
  • You live in the city that i've chosen as my own, you worship in
  • 00:03:35.365 --> 00:03:38.401
  • A temple that i have said i will never look away from.
  • 00:03:38.401 --> 00:03:41.838
  • You're keeping dietary rules that i gave you, you're
  • 00:03:41.838 --> 00:03:44.641
  • Observing the holidays that i gave you, but you could care
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  • Less about what i'm doing or thinking."
  • 00:03:47.710 --> 00:03:51.614
  • So now watch this.
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  • The expectation is very, very clear.
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  • God's anticipation is that we would seek him.
  • 00:03:57.720 --> 00:04:02.225
  • Now, i think that's relevant to us because if you ask me for a
  • 00:04:02.225 --> 00:04:04.894
  • Snapshot of contemporary american evangelicalism, i think
  • 00:04:04.894 --> 00:04:08.564
  • Pretty much we've stopped seeking the lord.
  • 00:04:08.564 --> 00:04:12.035
  • We seek salvation, conversion, new birth, and that's good.
  • 00:04:12.035 --> 00:04:17.273
  • We should do that.
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  • We should invite people to that.
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  • I believe in that.
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  • I'm certainly a beneficiary of that, but that's the entry
  • 00:04:21.711 --> 00:04:25.214
  • Point, that's the initiation point, that's the kingdom entry
  • 00:04:25.214 --> 00:04:29.218
  • Point, and from that point on, then we seek the lord.
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  • We need to know him better.
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  • I didn't come--i didn't come to bring guilt, and i don't want to
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  • Try to invoke shame.
  • 00:04:40.330 --> 00:04:41.698
  • Those aren't good long-term motivators.
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  • I want to plant a seed that the imagination of this relationship
  • 00:04:43.032 --> 00:04:47.470
  • That we've entered into as christ followers is that we
  • 00:04:47.470 --> 00:04:50.139
  • Would seek the lord.
  • 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:53.309
  • Now what he's reminding the inhabitants of jerusalem and
  • 00:04:53.309 --> 00:04:55.945
  • Judah is, is that when they stopped seeking god, they began
  • 00:04:55.945 --> 00:04:59.182
  • Seeking something else, and i think we've got to deal with
  • 00:04:59.182 --> 00:05:01.217
  • That awkward thing.
  • 00:05:01.217 --> 00:05:03.386
  • If we're not seeking god, we're seeking something.
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  • If we're not seeking god to secure our futures, if we're not
  • 00:05:07.590 --> 00:05:10.259
  • Seeking god for our children, if we're not seeking god for our
  • 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:13.963
  • Grandchildren, if we're not ambitious for the kingdom of god
  • 00:05:13.963 --> 00:05:16.466
  • In the lives of our families, we're ambitious for something.
  • 00:05:16.466 --> 00:05:23.373
  • It's just kind of--this time of year is such a wonderful time
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  • For just a little bit of review and thought and--he said,
  • 00:05:25.975 --> 00:05:30.980
  • "you're not seeking me anymore."
  • 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:34.584
  • There is no turning back on this journey, folks.
  • 00:05:34.584 --> 00:05:38.154
  • We're to keep seeking the lord.
  • 00:05:38.154 --> 00:05:39.856
  • You say, "i've been in church 40 years and i've done an annual
  • 00:05:39.856 --> 00:05:43.092
  • Bible reading 40 times."
  • 00:05:43.092 --> 00:05:46.162
  • Well, bless your heart, for real.
  • 00:05:46.162 --> 00:05:54.404
  • The year david decided not to go to war with his armies, he got
  • 00:05:54.404 --> 00:05:57.306
  • In some really bad trouble.
  • 00:05:57.306 --> 00:06:01.477
  • Lots of death because of that.
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  • You and i don't get to say we're not seeking the lord anymore.
  • 00:06:05.081 --> 00:06:07.583
  • That's not the nature of the relationship.
  • 00:06:07.583 --> 00:06:09.919
  • "well, i'm tired."
  • 00:06:09.919 --> 00:06:11.287
  • Okay, duly noted.
  • 00:06:11.287 --> 00:06:13.122
  • Take a nap, now let's go.
  • 00:06:13.122 --> 00:06:16.392
  • You can't tap out.
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  • We have to keep saying yes to the lord.
  • 00:06:18.895 --> 00:06:20.463
  • Here's what i've discovered: the yeses can get more difficult.
  • 00:06:20.463 --> 00:06:26.369
  • The assignments get big, you know, when you're a little
  • 00:06:26.369 --> 00:06:28.104
  • Person, they just want you to eat vegetables.
  • 00:06:28.104 --> 00:06:31.407
  • The expectations are higher of me than that now.
  • 00:06:31.407 --> 00:06:35.011
  • I ate vegetables all week.
  • 00:06:35.011 --> 00:06:36.379
  • I did not get any applause for that.
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  • I even took some supplements and nobody cheered.
  • 00:06:39.549 --> 00:06:43.286
  • Well, we have all kinds of expectations.
  • 00:06:43.286 --> 00:06:44.954
  • That's true in the kingdom of god.
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  • I'm not saying you earn your way to heaven.
  • 00:06:46.322 --> 00:06:48.257
  • I'm telling you jesus didn't die on a cross so you could sit on
  • 00:06:48.257 --> 00:06:50.860
  • Your good intentions and demand blessings.
  • 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:56.732
  • Look at luke 11.
  • 00:06:56.732 --> 00:06:58.067
  • This is not just old testament.
  • 00:06:58.067 --> 00:06:59.435
  • This is jesus speaking: "ask and it will be given to you; seek
  • 00:06:59.435 --> 00:07:01.604
  • And you'll find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
  • 00:07:01.604 --> 00:07:05.374
  • It doesn't sound like a one-time proposition.
  • 00:07:05.374 --> 00:07:08.778
  • In fact, i ran out of space in your notes or i'd have given you
  • 00:07:08.778 --> 00:07:11.280
  • A half a dozen more scriptures that would have supported it.
  • 00:07:11.280 --> 00:07:14.484
  • The invitation is that you and i are intended to be in pursuit
  • 00:07:14.484 --> 00:07:17.753
  • Of god.
  • 00:07:17.753 --> 00:07:19.222
  • You understand this fundamentally.
  • 00:07:19.222 --> 00:07:20.723
  • You're not spiritually well if you're not seeking god.
  • 00:07:20.723 --> 00:07:24.427
  • You're not.
  • 00:07:24.427 --> 00:07:25.862
  • You're out of shape.
  • 00:07:25.862 --> 00:07:28.297
  • You're weak.
  • 00:07:28.297 --> 00:07:30.266
  • Please don't be offended.
  • 00:07:30.266 --> 00:07:31.601
  • If you're not exercising at all, you're out of shape.
  • 00:07:31.601 --> 00:07:35.872
  • You can show me a picture of yourself when you were in peak
  • 00:07:35.872 --> 00:07:39.675
  • Fitness condition, rippled abs, amazing cardiovascular strength.
  • 00:07:39.675 --> 00:07:49.685
  • But if you haven't done anything since that picture, that's
  • 00:07:49.685 --> 00:07:51.954
  • Not you.
  • 00:07:51.954 --> 00:07:56.626
  • That's a facsimile of who you used to be.
  • 00:07:56.626 --> 00:08:01.364
  • Meet the fluffy version.
  • 00:08:01.364 --> 00:08:05.301
  • I've been enjoying christmas and cookies and fudge and gifted
  • 00:08:05.301 --> 00:08:09.071
  • Oreos and it's just been a ho-ho-ho time.
  • 00:08:09.071 --> 00:08:15.745
  • And some of us are spiritually in that condition.
  • 00:08:15.745 --> 00:08:18.314
  • We've known the lord, we've sought the lord.
  • 00:08:18.314 --> 00:08:21.250
  • This isn't some mystery, folks.
  • 00:08:21.250 --> 00:08:23.920
  • You have to read your bible, you have to be in community.
  • 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:27.957
  • You go, "i don't have to go to church to be a christian."
  • 00:08:27.957 --> 00:08:29.692
  • No, you don't.
  • 00:08:29.692 --> 00:08:31.027
  • You're right.
  • 00:08:31.027 --> 00:08:32.361
  • You can meet the lord in the produce section at
  • 00:08:32.361 --> 00:08:33.696
  • The grocery store.
  • 00:08:33.696 --> 00:08:35.031
  • But you gotta be in the midst of god's people to grow up.
  • 00:08:35.031 --> 00:08:38.501
  • Just hard stop, you can't do it any other way.
  • 00:08:38.501 --> 00:08:41.704
  • You don't come to church because you like the music or even
  • 00:08:41.704 --> 00:08:43.873
  • Because the preaching's good or the classes.
  • 00:08:43.873 --> 00:08:45.975
  • You come to church because you need to be in the midst of
  • 00:08:45.975 --> 00:08:47.710
  • People who are seeking the lord.
  • 00:08:47.710 --> 00:08:50.546
  • And you better find a group of people to be in the midst of
  • 00:08:50.546 --> 00:08:52.715
  • That if you got an announcement you never wanna get, you'd trust
  • 00:08:52.715 --> 00:08:55.718
  • Those people to pray for you.
  • 00:08:55.718 --> 00:08:57.086
  • If you're going because you like the carpet or the music style or
  • 00:08:57.086 --> 00:09:00.122
  • The translation of the bible, you're confused.
  • 00:09:00.122 --> 00:09:02.692
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:09:02.692 --> 00:09:10.199
  • Allen: welcome to 2026.
  • 00:09:10.199 --> 00:09:11.867
  • Happy new year.
  • 00:09:11.867 --> 00:09:13.235
  • We've created a new book to help you.
  • 00:09:13.235 --> 00:09:14.670
  • It's called "turn up the light."
  • 00:09:14.670 --> 00:09:16.038
  • It's a devotional for the whole year.
  • 00:09:16.038 --> 00:09:17.673
  • It's a really simple idea.
  • 00:09:17.673 --> 00:09:19.041
  • I can join you for a cup of coffee in the morning.
  • 00:09:19.041 --> 00:09:21.844
  • We'll have a brief conversation with a spiritual principle to
  • 00:09:21.844 --> 00:09:24.680
  • Start our day, a scripture verse, a prayer, and then when
  • 00:09:24.680 --> 00:09:27.683
  • You're tired of me, you can close the book.
  • 00:09:27.683 --> 00:09:30.152
  • It's perfect.
  • 00:09:30.152 --> 00:09:31.721
  • In all seriousness, we do wanna turn up the light.
  • 00:09:31.721 --> 00:09:34.323
  • Let's not rage against the darkness.
  • 00:09:34.323 --> 00:09:35.758
  • Let's invite god into the midst of this year and then just see
  • 00:09:35.758 --> 00:09:38.628
  • What he will do.
  • 00:09:38.628 --> 00:09:39.996
  • Female announcer: pastor allen's new devotional, "turn up the
  • 00:09:39.996 --> 00:09:42.098
  • Light," is designed to equip you every single day of the year.
  • 00:09:42.098 --> 00:09:45.635
  • Inside, you'll find 365 short devotionals, each with a
  • 00:09:45.635 --> 00:09:49.705
  • Scripture, teaching, and a prayer.
  • 00:09:49.705 --> 00:09:52.375
  • As you begin this new year, don't rage against the darkness.
  • 00:09:52.375 --> 00:09:55.611
  • Instead, choose to turn up the light.
  • 00:09:55.611 --> 00:09:57.847
  • You can request this book when you donate $25 or more today at
  • 00:09:57.847 --> 00:10:01.951
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:10:01.951 --> 00:10:07.723
  • Allen: we read jeremiah not long ago.
  • 00:10:10.493 --> 00:10:12.328
  • Jeremiah has a complaint with the lord.
  • 00:10:12.328 --> 00:10:16.499
  • Do you ever have those?
  • 00:10:16.499 --> 00:10:17.867
  • I do.
  • 00:10:17.867 --> 00:10:19.201
  • I get really self-righteous.
  • 00:10:19.201 --> 00:10:21.404
  • So i swell up and tell the lord what he's doing wrong.
  • 00:10:21.404 --> 00:10:25.174
  • Jeremiah did too.
  • 00:10:25.174 --> 00:10:26.509
  • He said, "you're always righteous, o lord, when i bring
  • 00:10:26.509 --> 00:10:27.877
  • A case before you.
  • 00:10:27.877 --> 00:10:29.545
  • Yet i would speak with you," [chuckling]
  • 00:10:29.545 --> 00:10:32.515
  • "about your justice."
  • 00:10:32.515 --> 00:10:33.849
  • He's easing into it.
  • 00:10:33.849 --> 00:10:36.552
  • "why does the way of the wicked prosper?
  • 00:10:36.552 --> 00:10:38.154
  • And why do all the faithless live at ease?"
  • 00:10:38.154 --> 00:10:41.257
  • I know you're righteous.
  • 00:10:41.257 --> 00:10:43.225
  • And you've always been kind to me, but you're not paying very
  • 00:10:43.225 --> 00:10:46.262
  • Close attention.
  • 00:10:46.262 --> 00:10:48.264
  • And god answers jeremiah.
  • 00:10:48.264 --> 00:10:50.366
  • He said, "jeremiah, if you've raced with men on foot and
  • 00:10:50.366 --> 00:10:52.401
  • They've worn you out, how can you compete with horses?
  • 00:10:52.401 --> 00:10:55.938
  • Then if you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in
  • 00:10:55.938 --> 00:10:58.307
  • The thickets by the jordan?"
  • 00:10:58.307 --> 00:11:01.043
  • "jeremiah, you're focused on the wrong thing.
  • 00:11:01.043 --> 00:11:04.346
  • It's not gonna be easy, jeremiah.
  • 00:11:04.346 --> 00:11:07.717
  • You've raced with men, but i need you to run with the
  • 00:11:07.717 --> 00:11:09.452
  • Horses, jeremiah.
  • 00:11:09.452 --> 00:11:12.021
  • You run a pretty good race if the grass is well manicured, but
  • 00:11:12.021 --> 00:11:15.458
  • I need you to run through the thickets."
  • 00:11:15.458 --> 00:11:18.861
  • How many of you are willing to be that kind of person
  • 00:11:18.861 --> 00:11:20.529
  • For the lord?
  • 00:11:20.529 --> 00:11:22.565
  • "well, pastor, i just really wanna go to heaven."
  • 00:11:22.565 --> 00:11:25.601
  • Well, i have something, some-- it's really an important piece
  • 00:11:25.601 --> 00:11:28.370
  • Of information.
  • 00:11:28.370 --> 00:11:29.739
  • You should know that the journey through time is not gonna
  • 00:11:29.739 --> 00:11:31.841
  • Be easy.
  • 00:11:31.841 --> 00:11:33.642
  • And there'll be unwanted intrusions and disappointments
  • 00:11:33.642 --> 00:11:36.011
  • And things that will break your heart.
  • 00:11:36.011 --> 00:11:38.714
  • That's not a negative confession; that describes our
  • 00:11:38.714 --> 00:11:41.083
  • Journey through time.
  • 00:11:41.083 --> 00:11:44.720
  • And in order to overcome that, we've got to learn to run with
  • 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:47.723
  • The horses.
  • 00:11:47.723 --> 00:11:49.658
  • We got to learn to find god's strength.
  • 00:11:49.658 --> 00:11:53.329
  • We've got to learn how to seek the lord so we can get the
  • 00:11:53.329 --> 00:11:56.132
  • Outcomes that people look at that and go, "i know you
  • 00:11:56.132 --> 00:11:57.800
  • Didn't--that wasn't something allen could have done, because i
  • 00:11:57.800 --> 00:12:00.803
  • Know him, and he's dumb as a stick.
  • 00:12:00.803 --> 00:12:04.707
  • Must be something happening."
  • 00:12:04.707 --> 00:12:06.776
  • There is.
  • 00:12:06.776 --> 00:12:08.144
  • God is happening.
  • 00:12:08.144 --> 00:12:09.678
  • And the same is true for you.
  • 00:12:09.678 --> 00:12:11.013
  • You want people looking at you, going, "i don't know what
  • 00:12:11.013 --> 00:12:12.782
  • They're doing, but something got--something's going, wow,
  • 00:12:12.782 --> 00:12:15.351
  • I'll know.
  • 00:12:15.351 --> 00:12:17.486
  • I knew their mama and their daddy and i knew their brothers
  • 00:12:17.486 --> 00:12:19.755
  • And their--oh, something's happening over there."
  • 00:12:19.755 --> 00:12:23.392
  • Yeah, it's called the lord.
  • 00:12:23.392 --> 00:12:25.528
  • "if you've raced with men on foot and they've worn you out,
  • 00:12:25.528 --> 00:12:28.564
  • How can you compete with the horses?"
  • 00:12:28.564 --> 00:12:31.300
  • Here's the awkward part.
  • 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:34.270
  • From the vantage point that we have, we can't see very far.
  • 00:12:34.270 --> 00:12:38.641
  • Our vision is limited.
  • 00:12:38.641 --> 00:12:40.776
  • I think navigating life is a lot like driving at night.
  • 00:12:40.776 --> 00:12:43.212
  • You can't see past the reach of your headlights.
  • 00:12:43.212 --> 00:12:47.983
  • And life is like that and because of that uncertainty, we
  • 00:12:47.983 --> 00:12:52.054
  • Become very hesitant, we become very tentative in our faith.
  • 00:12:52.054 --> 00:12:55.691
  • Because we're not in the habit of seeking the lord and we don't
  • 00:12:55.691 --> 00:12:58.394
  • Have that confidence in him and that trust in him, and we get
  • 00:12:58.394 --> 00:13:01.330
  • Our eyes on the wrong thing and the wicked seem to be prospering
  • 00:13:01.330 --> 00:13:04.099
  • And the righteous seem to be struggling, and we think, "well,
  • 00:13:04.099 --> 00:13:06.802
  • Maybe there's nothing to this."
  • 00:13:06.802 --> 00:13:09.205
  • And we lose our certainty.
  • 00:13:09.205 --> 00:13:11.941
  • I hear it a lot.
  • 00:13:11.941 --> 00:13:13.676
  • I can tell it to you in some ways that are more funny than
  • 00:13:13.676 --> 00:13:15.544
  • Not, but one of my assignments is i get to talk to people who
  • 00:13:15.544 --> 00:13:18.447
  • Are newer to the church.
  • 00:13:18.447 --> 00:13:19.815
  • We gather them in groups and i listen and talk and i meet
  • 00:13:19.815 --> 00:13:23.085
  • People every weekend that are visiting or new, and it's very
  • 00:13:23.085 --> 00:13:26.322
  • Common to have a dialogue sometimes, i'll meet a family,
  • 00:13:26.322 --> 00:13:28.190
  • You know, mom and dad and their little kids and they say, "you
  • 00:13:28.190 --> 00:13:31.260
  • Know, we've been here for 4 weeks and our children just love
  • 00:13:31.260 --> 00:13:34.129
  • The sunday school, so far."
  • 00:13:34.129 --> 00:13:39.235
  • And i'll meet another couple and they say, "you know, pastor,
  • 00:13:39.235 --> 00:13:41.370
  • We've been here since thanksgiving, and the sermons
  • 00:13:41.370 --> 00:13:44.073
  • Have just been remarkable, so far."
  • 00:13:44.073 --> 00:13:49.745
  • Somebody else will say, "you know, pastor, we've been
  • 00:13:49.745 --> 00:13:52.081
  • Visiting your church.
  • 00:13:52.081 --> 00:13:53.415
  • We came with some friends and we've even came back when they
  • 00:13:53.415 --> 00:13:56.952
  • Weren't here, and we've really enjoyed all the things.
  • 00:13:56.952 --> 00:13:59.922
  • The people of the church have been so kind to us, so far."
  • 00:13:59.922 --> 00:14:04.093
  • You know, for the first two or three of those, i'm okay.
  • 00:14:04.093 --> 00:14:06.128
  • About number five or six, i start getting twitchy.
  • 00:14:06.128 --> 00:14:12.701
  • Like, so far?
  • 00:14:12.701 --> 00:14:15.104
  • Well, i guess i should go ahead and confess, after 6 months in
  • 00:14:15.104 --> 00:14:17.373
  • Youth ministry, we start giving the kids hard liquor.
  • 00:14:17.373 --> 00:14:23.345
  • So for the first 6 months, those are the good months.
  • 00:14:23.345 --> 00:14:27.516
  • I'm kidding, don't--do not make a social media reel out of that.
  • 00:14:27.516 --> 00:14:35.190
  • Youth ministry will get overrun.
  • 00:14:35.190 --> 00:14:41.330
  • Ministry opportunities.
  • 00:14:41.330 --> 00:14:45.834
  • But the normal means of having that conversation will have "so
  • 00:14:45.834 --> 00:14:51.941
  • Far" tacked on the end.
  • 00:14:51.941 --> 00:14:55.044
  • "we've just found the people in this place to be so kind,
  • 00:14:55.044 --> 00:14:57.913
  • So far.
  • 00:14:57.913 --> 00:15:00.816
  • I mean, when we walked in the door, people said hello to us
  • 00:15:00.816 --> 00:15:03.085
  • Every time we've walked in the door, so far."
  • 00:15:03.085 --> 00:15:07.089
  • Well, i'm telling you, i start to break out in a sweat.
  • 00:15:07.089 --> 00:15:10.225
  • I think, "well, i think i'm gonna order a police report on
  • 00:15:10.225 --> 00:15:12.294
  • You because you look reasonably normal so far.
  • 00:15:12.294 --> 00:15:17.066
  • Could i have references from your last church because you've
  • 00:15:17.066 --> 00:15:18.934
  • Been polite the first 3 weeks i've met you, but it's just
  • 00:15:18.934 --> 00:15:21.337
  • So far."
  • 00:15:21.337 --> 00:15:24.807
  • Until i heard myself.
  • 00:15:24.807 --> 00:15:27.910
  • "pastor, how's the construction project?"
  • 00:15:27.910 --> 00:15:31.513
  • God has been so faithful to us, so far.
  • 00:15:31.513 --> 00:15:39.755
  • "how's christmas?"
  • 00:15:39.755 --> 00:15:41.457
  • It's been remarkable through all the productions and all the
  • 00:15:41.457 --> 00:15:44.026
  • Things with the children and the teenagers and the people that
  • 00:15:44.026 --> 00:15:46.362
  • Have come and the ice rink.
  • 00:15:46.362 --> 00:15:47.896
  • It's been a wonderful christmas season.
  • 00:15:47.896 --> 00:15:50.833
  • So far.
  • 00:15:50.833 --> 00:15:53.235
  • I'm like, "oh, lord, i'm sorry.
  • 00:15:53.235 --> 00:15:58.507
  • I'm treating you with the same uncertainty that i hear
  • 00:15:58.507 --> 00:16:01.076
  • Other people."
  • 00:16:01.076 --> 00:16:03.212
  • You know, we could just say, "i'm delighted to be here.
  • 00:16:03.212 --> 00:16:06.815
  • It has blessed me.
  • 00:16:06.815 --> 00:16:09.284
  • If the place is going to continue to be a blessing, it's
  • 00:16:09.284 --> 00:16:11.553
  • Because i'll become a part of that blessing."
  • 00:16:11.553 --> 00:16:18.427
  • We live with this uncertainty.
  • 00:16:18.427 --> 00:16:19.895
  • Now, i understand why we do that.
  • 00:16:19.895 --> 00:16:21.997
  • Life is disappointing.
  • 00:16:21.997 --> 00:16:25.034
  • It's not mystery to me.
  • 00:16:25.034 --> 00:16:26.535
  • Life is difficult.
  • 00:16:26.535 --> 00:16:28.971
  • Evil exists, disappointments come to all of us.
  • 00:16:28.971 --> 00:16:32.608
  • People let you down, organizations let you down.
  • 00:16:32.608 --> 00:16:35.177
  • Churches let you down.
  • 00:16:35.177 --> 00:16:36.512
  • Pastors let you down.
  • 00:16:36.512 --> 00:16:37.846
  • I get that and some people decide they'd rather just never
  • 00:16:37.846 --> 00:16:40.349
  • Be disappointed, so they have no hope.
  • 00:16:40.349 --> 00:16:44.553
  • That's not the best way.
  • 00:16:44.553 --> 00:16:47.856
  • Psalm 37: david said, "i was young and now i'm old, yet i've
  • 00:16:47.856 --> 00:16:50.692
  • Never seen the righteous forsaken or their children
  • 00:16:50.692 --> 00:16:52.661
  • Begging for bread.
  • 00:16:52.661 --> 00:16:53.996
  • They're always generous and they lend freely; and their children
  • 00:16:53.996 --> 00:16:56.298
  • Will be blessed."
  • 00:16:56.298 --> 00:16:59.134
  • I wanna invite you to a little different response to the lord.
  • 00:16:59.134 --> 00:17:02.171
  • Rather than keep tagging it with "so far," say, "god, you have
  • 00:17:02.171 --> 00:17:04.306
  • Been really good to me.
  • 00:17:04.306 --> 00:17:07.276
  • Your faithfulness has shaped my life.
  • 00:17:07.276 --> 00:17:10.479
  • You've opened doors when i couldn't figure out how to deal
  • 00:17:10.479 --> 00:17:13.382
  • With the wall that was in front of me.
  • 00:17:13.382 --> 00:17:17.019
  • You have never forsaken me.
  • 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:20.656
  • God, you've been good to me."
  • 00:17:20.656 --> 00:17:21.990
  • I have changed.
  • 00:17:21.990 --> 00:17:23.325
  • I am working on it.
  • 00:17:23.325 --> 00:17:24.693
  • I have tried to change my responses, because i want the
  • 00:17:24.693 --> 00:17:27.863
  • Condition of my heart--if your mouth speaks from the overflow
  • 00:17:27.863 --> 00:17:30.032
  • Of your heart, i realized i had some stuff flowing out of my
  • 00:17:30.032 --> 00:17:32.668
  • Heart i had to change.
  • 00:17:32.668 --> 00:17:35.304
  • Nobody else can do that to you.
  • 00:17:35.304 --> 00:17:38.140
  • We've been skeptical for too long.
  • 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:40.909
  • We say, "why don't we pray for people?"
  • 00:17:40.909 --> 00:17:42.277
  • "well, so what if i prayed and nothing happened?"
  • 00:17:42.277 --> 00:17:43.612
  • What if you prayed and something did?
  • 00:17:43.612 --> 00:17:46.982
  • What if you never pray and you face the boss?
  • 00:17:46.982 --> 00:17:51.720
  • So far.
  • 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.388
  • Don't allow the uncertainty of the future to rob you of your
  • 00:17:53.388 --> 00:17:58.694
  • Determination to seek the lord.
  • 00:17:58.694 --> 00:18:01.864
  • That isn't helpful.
  • 00:18:01.864 --> 00:18:03.198
  • Now, i want to take the balance of our time
  • 00:18:03.198 --> 00:18:04.733
  • And i got a few minutes to do a case study with you.
  • 00:18:04.733 --> 00:18:08.437
  • We're gonna look at a life, an individual.
  • 00:18:08.437 --> 00:18:10.572
  • You know him pretty well.
  • 00:18:10.572 --> 00:18:11.907
  • You know a lot about him, i suspect, but i pulled some of
  • 00:18:11.907 --> 00:18:14.776
  • The pieces that are a little less maybe celebrated
  • 00:18:14.776 --> 00:18:18.046
  • Or discussed.
  • 00:18:18.046 --> 00:18:19.381
  • We're gonna look at saul of tarsus.
  • 00:18:19.381 --> 00:18:22.117
  • Saul from the city of tarsus.
  • 00:18:22.117 --> 00:18:23.519
  • He's gonna become the apostle paul.
  • 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:26.755
  • But when we meet him, he's very much saul of tarsus.
  • 00:18:26.755 --> 00:18:28.924
  • He's a pharisee of the pharisees.
  • 00:18:28.924 --> 00:18:32.294
  • He grew up in the city of tarsus.
  • 00:18:32.294 --> 00:18:33.695
  • He's a roman citizen.
  • 00:18:33.695 --> 00:18:35.030
  • He's jewish, but he's a roman citizen.
  • 00:18:35.030 --> 00:18:37.966
  • That means he wouldn't get crucified at the end of
  • 00:18:37.966 --> 00:18:39.868
  • His life.
  • 00:18:39.868 --> 00:18:41.236
  • He'd get beheaded.
  • 00:18:41.236 --> 00:18:42.571
  • Beheading is a more humane means of execution.
  • 00:18:42.571 --> 00:18:45.007
  • If you run completely afoul of the roman system and you're
  • 00:18:45.007 --> 00:18:48.243
  • Condemned to death, they'll kill you in a more humane way
  • 00:18:48.243 --> 00:18:52.347
  • Than crucifixion.
  • 00:18:52.347 --> 00:18:55.651
  • Saul of tarsus.
  • 00:18:55.651 --> 00:18:57.419
  • We meet him in acts chapter 7: "while they were stoning him,
  • 00:18:57.419 --> 00:19:02.357
  • Stephen prayed, 'lord jesus, receive my spirit.'
  • 00:19:02.357 --> 00:19:06.094
  • And he fell on his knees and he cried out, 'lord, don't hold
  • 00:19:06.094 --> 00:19:08.730
  • This sin against them.'
  • 00:19:08.730 --> 00:19:10.065
  • And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
  • 00:19:10.065 --> 00:19:12.668
  • And luke slips into the narrative: "and saul was there,
  • 00:19:12.668 --> 00:19:15.671
  • Giving approval to his death."
  • 00:19:15.671 --> 00:19:18.207
  • What kind of a happy character is that?
  • 00:19:18.207 --> 00:19:21.777
  • They're stoning a young man to death outside the city walls of
  • 00:19:21.777 --> 00:19:25.113
  • Jerusalem, and saul is cheering for them.
  • 00:19:25.113 --> 00:19:29.551
  • Doesn't sound like somebody you want your kids to hang out with.
  • 00:19:29.551 --> 00:19:33.155
  • Doesn't sound like somebody you want to invite to your
  • 00:19:33.155 --> 00:19:34.656
  • Christmas dinner.
  • 00:19:34.656 --> 00:19:36.792
  • He's angry, he's a violent opponent of jesus and
  • 00:19:36.792 --> 00:19:41.296
  • His followers.
  • 00:19:41.296 --> 00:19:43.966
  • Not just online.
  • 00:19:43.966 --> 00:19:45.968
  • He is physically violent.
  • 00:19:45.968 --> 00:19:48.904
  • Look at acts 8, the next chapter: "godly men buried
  • 00:19:48.904 --> 00:19:51.373
  • Stephen and mourned deeply for him.
  • 00:19:51.373 --> 00:19:52.741
  • But saul, he began to destroy the church.
  • 00:19:52.741 --> 00:19:56.144
  • Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and he
  • 00:19:56.144 --> 00:19:59.881
  • Put them in prison."
  • 00:19:59.881 --> 00:20:03.185
  • He took anybody.
  • 00:20:03.185 --> 00:20:05.854
  • He'd take men or women, he's not discriminating.
  • 00:20:05.854 --> 00:20:08.757
  • "if you're an advocate for jesus, i'll drag you to prison.
  • 00:20:08.757 --> 00:20:13.528
  • Not because you're a thief.
  • 00:20:13.528 --> 00:20:16.798
  • Not because you're immoral, just because you advocate that jesus
  • 00:20:16.798 --> 00:20:20.769
  • Of nazareth was the messiah.
  • 00:20:20.769 --> 00:20:22.771
  • I won't tolerate that," saul says.
  • 00:20:22.771 --> 00:20:26.074
  • He's aggressive in his opposition.
  • 00:20:26.074 --> 00:20:29.144
  • Well, in acts chapter 9, jesus went back to heaven
  • 00:20:29.144 --> 00:20:31.046
  • In acts chapter 1.
  • 00:20:31.046 --> 00:20:32.514
  • He ascended.
  • 00:20:32.514 --> 00:20:33.882
  • It's the ascension.
  • 00:20:33.882 --> 00:20:35.217
  • He--the mount of olives, and he disappeared into the clouds.
  • 00:20:35.217 --> 00:20:38.153
  • In acts chapter 9, he's back.
  • 00:20:38.153 --> 00:20:41.823
  • And he's on the road to damascus where one saul of tarsus is
  • 00:20:41.823 --> 00:20:46.695
  • Traveling from jerusalem to damascus to go find any
  • 00:20:46.695 --> 00:20:50.065
  • Believers in that city and he's gonna drag them back in chains.
  • 00:20:50.065 --> 00:20:54.703
  • And our boss shows up.
  • 00:20:54.703 --> 00:20:57.072
  • It's quite the encounter.
  • 00:20:57.072 --> 00:21:00.108
  • "saul fell to the ground and he heard a voice say to him, 'saul,
  • 00:21:00.108 --> 00:21:02.944
  • Why do you persecute me?'
  • 00:21:02.944 --> 00:21:06.315
  • 'who are you, lord?'
  • 00:21:06.315 --> 00:21:08.383
  • 'i'm jesus, whom you were persecuting.
  • 00:21:08.383 --> 00:21:12.421
  • Now get up and go into the city, and you'll be told what you
  • 00:21:12.421 --> 00:21:16.024
  • Must do.'
  • 00:21:16.024 --> 00:21:18.460
  • The men traveling with saul stood there speechless; they
  • 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.762
  • Heard the sound but they didn't see anyone.
  • 00:21:20.762 --> 00:21:23.832
  • So saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he
  • 00:21:23.832 --> 00:21:26.401
  • Could see nothing.
  • 00:21:26.401 --> 00:21:28.537
  • So they led him by the hand into damascus.
  • 00:21:28.537 --> 00:21:31.840
  • And for three days he was blind.
  • 00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:35.277
  • He didn't eat or drink anything."
  • 00:21:35.277 --> 00:21:40.349
  • For all of you who come from the camp that say jesus is all about
  • 00:21:40.349 --> 00:21:43.618
  • Love, i give you exhibit a.
  • 00:21:43.618 --> 00:21:49.758
  • "saul, put your nose in the dirt.
  • 00:21:49.758 --> 00:21:54.596
  • I'm gonna close your eyes.
  • 00:21:54.596 --> 00:21:58.734
  • We'll see about vision, but for now you can just be blind."
  • 00:21:58.734 --> 00:22:02.838
  • I would submit to you that when jesus meets saul, it's a rather
  • 00:22:02.838 --> 00:22:06.675
  • Assertive intervention.
  • 00:22:06.675 --> 00:22:09.544
  • It's not passive.
  • 00:22:09.544 --> 00:22:12.080
  • Saul, have you considered another approach to
  • 00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:15.083
  • The prophets?
  • 00:22:15.083 --> 00:22:18.286
  • "what are you doing, son?
  • 00:22:18.286 --> 00:22:22.357
  • Now you get up and you go to damascus.
  • 00:22:22.357 --> 00:22:25.961
  • I'll be in touch.
  • 00:22:25.961 --> 00:22:27.963
  • And in the meantime, you're blind."
  • 00:22:27.963 --> 00:22:33.568
  • That's not a passive introduction.
  • 00:22:33.568 --> 00:22:36.471
  • I need to add to that though.
  • 00:22:36.471 --> 00:22:38.640
  • Jesus chose saul of tarsus.
  • 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:44.179
  • Are you kidding me?
  • 00:22:44.179 --> 00:22:46.648
  • I'd have probably been praying he'd get the botch, the itch,
  • 00:22:46.648 --> 00:22:48.617
  • And the scab, right?
  • 00:22:48.617 --> 00:22:52.721
  • I mean, he's an aggressive, murderous, violent opponent of
  • 00:22:52.721 --> 00:22:57.526
  • The gospel and jesus chooses him.
  • 00:22:57.526 --> 00:23:01.797
  • Well, that should give hope to some of us because we've been on
  • 00:23:01.797 --> 00:23:04.065
  • The wrong side of this narrative before, and jesus chooses us.
  • 00:23:04.065 --> 00:23:10.172
  • He's a redeemer.
  • 00:23:10.172 --> 00:23:12.808
  • He is a redeemer.
  • 00:23:12.808 --> 00:23:15.710
  • Some of you have small strength because you're facing things
  • 00:23:15.710 --> 00:23:18.079
  • That you think even god couldn't redeem, and i assure you he can.
  • 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:21.883
  • He's a redeemer.
  • 00:23:21.883 --> 00:23:27.789
  • Saul is a scholar of some accomplishment, of some
  • 00:23:27.789 --> 00:23:32.861
  • Significant accomplishment.
  • 00:23:32.861 --> 00:23:34.763
  • And when he's struck blind, his future is very uncertain.
  • 00:23:34.763 --> 00:23:41.403
  • So he goes into damascus to await what's next, and that's in
  • 00:23:41.403 --> 00:23:46.408
  • That same 9th chapter of acts: "the lord said to ananias," who
  • 00:23:46.408 --> 00:23:50.745
  • Lives in damascus, "'go!
  • 00:23:50.745 --> 00:23:52.714
  • This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the
  • 00:23:52.714 --> 00:23:55.550
  • Gentiles and their kings and before the people of israel.
  • 00:23:55.550 --> 00:23:59.321
  • And i will show him how much he must suffer for my name.'
  • 00:23:59.321 --> 00:24:03.792
  • Now ananias had a little conversation with the lord.
  • 00:24:03.792 --> 00:24:05.494
  • I didn't put it in your notes.
  • 00:24:05.494 --> 00:24:06.828
  • He said, "lord, no, no, no, i know you don't look at social
  • 00:24:06.828 --> 00:24:09.664
  • Media much, but that's a really angry guy.
  • 00:24:09.664 --> 00:24:13.235
  • He kills people like me, he's coming to this town to arrest
  • 00:24:13.235 --> 00:24:16.404
  • People like me.
  • 00:24:16.404 --> 00:24:17.739
  • You don't want me to go knock on his door and say, 'hey!'"
  • 00:24:17.739 --> 00:24:22.410
  • And the lord, "no, that's exactly what i need you to do.
  • 00:24:22.410 --> 00:24:25.046
  • In fact, i need you to go tell him he's gonna be a very
  • 00:24:25.046 --> 00:24:27.816
  • Important advocate for me."
  • 00:24:27.816 --> 00:24:30.452
  • "no, lord.
  • 00:24:30.452 --> 00:24:32.087
  • That's not the right one.
  • 00:24:32.087 --> 00:24:33.455
  • That's another saul.
  • 00:24:33.455 --> 00:24:36.224
  • I know this guy."
  • 00:24:36.224 --> 00:24:39.194
  • And the lord said, "no, ananias, you gotta go."
  • 00:24:39.194 --> 00:24:41.396
  • "so ananias went to the house and he entered it.
  • 00:24:41.396 --> 00:24:43.965
  • And he placed his hands on saul, and he said, 'brother saul.'"
  • 00:24:43.965 --> 00:24:49.304
  • The faith in him.
  • 00:24:49.304 --> 00:24:53.008
  • You and i don't have to be saul of tarsus.
  • 00:24:53.008 --> 00:24:55.810
  • But we do need to be ananias.
  • 00:24:55.810 --> 00:24:58.280
  • We've got to accept some courageous assignments to go
  • 00:24:58.280 --> 00:25:00.348
  • Places where other people don't want to go.
  • 00:25:00.348 --> 00:25:03.184
  • I'm tired of wimpy christianity, folks.
  • 00:25:03.184 --> 00:25:07.455
  • We won't tell the truth.
  • 00:25:07.455 --> 00:25:09.758
  • We won't even speak the truth.
  • 00:25:09.758 --> 00:25:11.126
  • We won't even advocate for biblical principles.
  • 00:25:11.126 --> 00:25:14.362
  • "well, we try to keep our faith private."
  • 00:25:14.362 --> 00:25:16.064
  • There's no such thing.
  • 00:25:16.064 --> 00:25:18.266
  • If all you have is a private faith, you have none.
  • 00:25:18.266 --> 00:25:22.103
  • You're confused.
  • 00:25:22.103 --> 00:25:24.439
  • "well, i don't want to be divisive."
  • 00:25:24.439 --> 00:25:25.807
  • Why?
  • 00:25:25.807 --> 00:25:27.142
  • Jesus said he was.
  • 00:25:27.142 --> 00:25:28.510
  • He said, "i didn't come to bring peace.
  • 00:25:28.510 --> 00:25:29.844
  • I came to bring division."
  • 00:25:29.844 --> 00:25:31.713
  • He said, "now, my peace i give to you," but if you follow that
  • 00:25:31.713 --> 00:25:34.182
  • Theme, in his hometown they tried to kill him.
  • 00:25:34.182 --> 00:25:38.053
  • So his peace isn't like a group hug.
  • 00:25:38.053 --> 00:25:41.189
  • We've had the wrong image.
  • 00:25:41.189 --> 00:25:42.691
  • We've been led by shepherds that were not good.
  • 00:25:42.691 --> 00:25:48.563
  • The messaging has not been helpful.
  • 00:25:48.563 --> 00:25:50.165
  • We don't have to be obnoxious or belligerent or angry, but we
  • 00:25:50.165 --> 00:25:53.335
  • Have to tell the truth.
  • 00:25:53.335 --> 00:25:55.937
  • "ananias, i need you to go see this man."
  • 00:25:55.937 --> 00:25:58.006
  • "i'd rather not."
  • 00:25:58.006 --> 00:25:59.374
  • "i know you'd rather not.
  • 00:25:59.374 --> 00:26:01.242
  • But i need you to go."
  • 00:26:01.242 --> 00:26:05.347
  • Allen: i love the promise of a new year, all the opportunities
  • 00:26:09.551 --> 00:26:12.621
  • That it holds.
  • 00:26:12.621 --> 00:26:13.955
  • We wanna begin that on purpose, so we've created a new tool.
  • 00:26:13.955 --> 00:26:16.491
  • It's a book.
  • 00:26:16.491 --> 00:26:17.859
  • It's a devotional, 365-day devotional, built out of those
  • 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:21.062
  • Digital devotionals that you're familiar with.
  • 00:26:21.062 --> 00:26:23.431
  • The intent is just to give you a bit of a spiritual beginning for
  • 00:26:23.431 --> 00:26:26.267
  • The day, a little vitamin, spiritual vitamin, for your day,
  • 00:26:26.267 --> 00:26:28.603
  • A prayer, a scripture verse.
  • 00:26:28.603 --> 00:26:30.271
  • It's easy to share.
  • 00:26:30.271 --> 00:26:31.606
  • You know, i've often said to you, don't rage against the
  • 00:26:31.606 --> 00:26:33.308
  • Darkness, turn up the light.
  • 00:26:33.308 --> 00:26:35.176
  • Well, we very creatively entitled this devotional, "turn
  • 00:26:35.176 --> 00:26:37.879
  • Up the light."
  • 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:39.214
  • Get a couple of copies, share one with a friend, maybe a
  • 00:26:39.214 --> 00:26:41.516
  • Family member.
  • 00:26:41.516 --> 00:26:42.884
  • Let's do it together.
  • 00:26:42.884 --> 00:26:44.219
  • God is moving in the earth.
  • 00:26:44.219 --> 00:26:45.587
  • Don't let your attention be drawn to the darkness and the
  • 00:26:45.587 --> 00:26:48.056
  • Chaos and the confusion.
  • 00:26:48.056 --> 00:26:49.824
  • Let's focus our hearts on the lord, ask him to turn up
  • 00:26:49.824 --> 00:26:52.360
  • The light.
  • 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:53.695
  • And raise our hands and let's just see what he will do in
  • 00:26:53.695 --> 00:26:55.864
  • Our lives.
  • 00:26:55.864 --> 00:26:57.232
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:26:57.232 --> 00:26:58.566
  • Father, i thank you for a new year, for the strength to meet
  • 00:26:58.566 --> 00:27:00.368
  • This beginning.
  • 00:27:00.368 --> 00:27:01.703
  • We wanna invite you into the midst of our homes, our lives,
  • 00:27:01.703 --> 00:27:04.472
  • Our journeys.
  • 00:27:04.472 --> 00:27:05.807
  • May christ in us truly be a light in this world this year,
  • 00:27:05.807 --> 00:27:09.144
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:09.144 --> 00:27:11.713
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:12.047 --> 00:27:12.047