1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Allen Jackson Ministries
  4. Episodes
  5. Allen Jackson - When Your Strength Is Small (Part 2)
Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - When Your Strength Is Small (Part 2)

January 20, 2026 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - When Your Strength Is Small (Part 2)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#WordofGod #Ministry #Salvation #Authority #Confidence #Prayer #Sacrifice #Overwhelming #Leadership #Gospel #AllenJackson

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - When Your Strength Is Small (Part 2) | January 20, 2026
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.417
  • Allen jackson: you know, around the world people are searching
  • 00:00:01.517 --> 00:00:03.352
  • For truth, and together we're doing our very best to help them
  • 00:00:03.452 --> 00:00:06.622
  • Find it.
  • 00:00:06.722 --> 00:00:07.956
  • When you become a ministry partner with allen jackson
  • 00:00:08.090 --> 00:00:09.024
  • Ministries, you're joining a growing community of believers
  • 00:00:10.225 --> 00:00:13.195
  • Who are committed to strengthening the church and
  • 00:00:13.195 --> 00:00:15.864
  • Sharing god's word through every available channel; television,
  • 00:00:15.864 --> 00:00:19.835
  • Radio, podcast, books, bible studies, digital
  • 00:00:19.835 --> 00:00:23.272
  • Resources, conferences.
  • 00:00:23.272 --> 00:00:25.340
  • Your monthly partnership helps us equip believers to reach new
  • 00:00:25.340 --> 00:00:28.677
  • Audiences and to take the hope of jesus to people who may never
  • 00:00:28.677 --> 00:00:32.548
  • Have heard the gospel otherwise.
  • 00:00:32.548 --> 00:00:34.716
  • Together, we can stand firm in our faith and make god's truth
  • 00:00:34.716 --> 00:00:38.620
  • Known right here at home and around the earth wherever god
  • 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:41.824
  • Opens the door.
  • 00:00:41.824 --> 00:00:43.158
  • Let's keep gathering his people and building his church until
  • 00:00:43.158 --> 00:00:46.361
  • The day our king returns.
  • 00:00:46.361 --> 00:00:48.630
  • You can find more about becoming a ministry partner
  • 00:00:48.630 --> 00:00:51.700
  • At allenjackson.com/partner.
  • 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:56.138
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:56.138 --> 00:01:00.843
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:01.844 --> 00:01:07.983
  • Allen: so ananias rolls up and he says, "brother saul, the
  • 00:01:07.983 --> 00:01:10.619
  • Lord--jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were
  • 00:01:10.619 --> 00:01:13.021
  • Coming here."
  • 00:01:13.021 --> 00:01:14.423
  • How could he know that?
  • 00:01:14.423 --> 00:01:15.757
  • The lord told him.
  • 00:01:15.757 --> 00:01:18.060
  • "he sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the
  • 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:22.097
  • Holy spirit."
  • 00:01:22.097 --> 00:01:24.800
  • I read that, and it feels to me as if this is a tremendous
  • 00:01:24.800 --> 00:01:28.804
  • Expression of kindness and grace towards saul.
  • 00:01:28.804 --> 00:01:31.607
  • Would you accept a salvation invitation like that?
  • 00:01:35.677 --> 00:01:39.982
  • Would you accept a salvation invitation that said, "this
  • 00:01:39.982 --> 00:01:42.751
  • Isn't going to be fun.
  • 00:01:42.751 --> 00:01:45.787
  • It's gonna be a bumpy road.
  • 00:01:45.787 --> 00:01:48.857
  • I'm gonna push you into some groups that you would not have
  • 00:01:48.857 --> 00:01:51.026
  • Thought of as peer groups or people you were interested in.
  • 00:01:51.026 --> 00:01:53.795
  • They're people that you've despised, that you have loathed,
  • 00:01:53.795 --> 00:01:58.367
  • That you wouldn't even have a meal with.
  • 00:01:58.367 --> 00:01:59.968
  • In fact, up until this point, you wouldn't have sat at the
  • 00:01:59.968 --> 00:02:02.171
  • Table with them.
  • 00:02:02.171 --> 00:02:04.640
  • And now they're your assignment."
  • 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:07.776
  • See, i don't think we have an imagination for seeking
  • 00:02:07.776 --> 00:02:09.678
  • The lord.
  • 00:02:09.678 --> 00:02:11.113
  • We have an imagination for asking god to give us favors, to
  • 00:02:11.113 --> 00:02:14.316
  • Grant us wishes like a genie in a bottle.
  • 00:02:14.316 --> 00:02:18.921
  • Well, how many verses do i have to read before i can formulate a
  • 00:02:18.921 --> 00:02:21.623
  • Prayer request that god will respond to?
  • 00:02:21.623 --> 00:02:24.560
  • How many weeks in a row do i have to go to church before i
  • 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:27.629
  • Will have banked enough markers that god will answer a prayer
  • 00:02:27.629 --> 00:02:32.568
  • For me?
  • 00:02:32.568 --> 00:02:34.870
  • We cultivate this kind of a transactional imagination, and i
  • 00:02:34.870 --> 00:02:39.208
  • Understand that it's a bit childish.
  • 00:02:39.208 --> 00:02:41.810
  • It's very childlike.
  • 00:02:41.810 --> 00:02:44.646
  • "well, i've cleaned my room twice.
  • 00:02:44.646 --> 00:02:46.281
  • You don't want me to clean it again this week.
  • 00:02:46.281 --> 00:02:50.285
  • How many days in a row do i have to take a bath?"
  • 00:02:50.285 --> 00:02:52.654
  • We get that.
  • 00:02:55.791 --> 00:02:57.125
  • It's cute if you're a toddler.
  • 00:02:57.125 --> 00:02:58.493
  • It's not so cute as we age.
  • 00:02:58.493 --> 00:03:01.230
  • And we've had a little bit of this notion with the lord, and
  • 00:03:01.230 --> 00:03:04.166
  • God is giving to saul this imagination of a completely
  • 00:03:04.166 --> 00:03:07.836
  • Different kind of a life.
  • 00:03:07.836 --> 00:03:09.705
  • Same chapter, verse 21, paul begins to tell about jesus.
  • 00:03:09.705 --> 00:03:12.708
  • He's just met him.
  • 00:03:12.708 --> 00:03:14.710
  • He's hated people that believed in him, and now he's talking
  • 00:03:14.710 --> 00:03:17.112
  • About him.
  • 00:03:17.112 --> 00:03:18.447
  • "all of those who heard him were astonished and they said, 'isn't
  • 00:03:18.447 --> 00:03:20.215
  • This the man who raised havoc in jerusalem among those who call
  • 00:03:20.215 --> 00:03:23.085
  • On this name?
  • 00:03:23.085 --> 00:03:24.720
  • And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the
  • 00:03:24.720 --> 00:03:27.389
  • Chief priest?'
  • 00:03:27.389 --> 00:03:30.259
  • Yet saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the jews
  • 00:03:30.259 --> 00:03:33.962
  • Living in damascus by proving that jesus is the christ."
  • 00:03:33.962 --> 00:03:38.667
  • If we stopped right there, we'd be like, "that's my testimony.
  • 00:03:38.667 --> 00:03:41.503
  • That's the kind i want right there.
  • 00:03:41.503 --> 00:03:45.173
  • I want that one.
  • 00:03:45.173 --> 00:03:47.376
  • Like i'm fresh off conversion, and i'm baffling people with the
  • 00:03:47.376 --> 00:03:50.979
  • Wisdom of god.
  • 00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:53.582
  • Yes, i kind of thought god was calling me to a ministry
  • 00:03:53.582 --> 00:03:55.784
  • Like that.
  • 00:03:55.784 --> 00:03:57.986
  • I will be the baffler of the pagans."
  • 00:03:57.986 --> 00:04:00.489
  • It's the next part i don't think we're nearly as interested in.
  • 00:04:04.693 --> 00:04:08.764
  • "after many days had gone by, the jews conspired to kill him,"
  • 00:04:08.764 --> 00:04:14.269
  • To kill him.
  • 00:04:14.269 --> 00:04:16.805
  • His friends, his peer group, his fellow scholars;
  • 00:04:16.805 --> 00:04:26.815
  • All the people he listed as references on his resume,
  • 00:04:26.815 --> 00:04:31.453
  • All the connections he has to the power base
  • 00:04:31.453 --> 00:04:33.422
  • Back in jerusalem.
  • 00:04:33.422 --> 00:04:35.791
  • He understands how powerful they are.
  • 00:04:35.791 --> 00:04:37.359
  • He's been one of them.
  • 00:04:37.359 --> 00:04:38.694
  • He's been arresting people, and throwing them into prison, and
  • 00:04:38.694 --> 00:04:41.163
  • Cheering while they killed other people.
  • 00:04:41.163 --> 00:04:42.664
  • And he came here with his own grant of authority to be a
  • 00:04:42.664 --> 00:04:46.601
  • Murderous presence in the city.
  • 00:04:46.601 --> 00:04:48.537
  • And then he met this jesus character, and he's been talking
  • 00:04:48.537 --> 00:04:51.873
  • About him, and now that same group of people, so he's,
  • 00:04:51.873 --> 00:04:55.877
  • There's a 180 degree switch on where he's welcome and where
  • 00:04:55.877 --> 00:04:58.914
  • He's not.
  • 00:04:58.914 --> 00:05:01.650
  • He's not a kid at this point.
  • 00:05:01.650 --> 00:05:02.984
  • He's a professional, very accomplished.
  • 00:05:02.984 --> 00:05:05.721
  • He spent well over a decade studying and learning and
  • 00:05:05.721 --> 00:05:09.691
  • Preparing, and he's put all of that in the shredder.
  • 00:05:09.691 --> 00:05:11.993
  • He's not welcomed.
  • 00:05:11.993 --> 00:05:13.362
  • All of his professional accreditations have been pulled.
  • 00:05:13.362 --> 00:05:16.298
  • His licenses have been pulled.
  • 00:05:16.298 --> 00:05:18.066
  • You know, that's not enough, if that's not enough to say, "well,
  • 00:05:21.703 --> 00:05:24.106
  • You know, so far, jesus been really good to me so far.
  • 00:05:24.106 --> 00:05:27.242
  • I met him on the road and i couldn't see, but now i can see.
  • 00:05:27.242 --> 00:05:29.511
  • So far it's been all right.
  • 00:05:29.511 --> 00:05:31.580
  • I'm baffling people, oh-ho-ho, but the next day they wanna
  • 00:05:31.580 --> 00:05:37.753
  • Kill me.
  • 00:05:37.753 --> 00:05:39.121
  • Wait a minute.
  • 00:05:39.121 --> 00:05:40.722
  • My entire professional life is gone.
  • 00:05:44.559 --> 00:05:47.429
  • My credibility is in tatters."
  • 00:05:47.429 --> 00:05:52.134
  • Saul, the lord jesus who appeared to you.
  • 00:05:55.971 --> 00:05:57.739
  • "saul learned of their plan.
  • 00:06:01.143 --> 00:06:03.545
  • Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order
  • 00:06:03.545 --> 00:06:06.314
  • To kill him."
  • 00:06:06.314 --> 00:06:07.649
  • This wasn't like a momentary thing.
  • 00:06:07.649 --> 00:06:09.017
  • They don't intend for him to escape damascus.
  • 00:06:09.017 --> 00:06:11.253
  • He's not going back to jerusalem with this nonsense.
  • 00:06:11.253 --> 00:06:13.355
  • You finish it there.
  • 00:06:13.355 --> 00:06:15.957
  • It's not there.
  • 00:06:15.957 --> 00:06:17.325
  • I'm quite confident that the directions have come
  • 00:06:17.325 --> 00:06:18.660
  • From jerusalem.
  • 00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:20.028
  • Whatever's happened to him, whatever he hit his head on,
  • 00:06:20.028 --> 00:06:22.497
  • Whatever this is, you just end it there.
  • 00:06:22.497 --> 00:06:24.933
  • But the angels came, and picked him up by the arms, and flew him
  • 00:06:28.203 --> 00:06:34.342
  • Over the walls, and deposited him on a mediterranean
  • 00:06:34.342 --> 00:06:39.748
  • Cruise ship.
  • 00:06:39.748 --> 00:06:41.149
  • "but his followers took him by night and lowered him in a
  • 00:06:44.853 --> 00:06:47.055
  • Basket through an opening in the wall."
  • 00:06:47.055 --> 00:06:52.527
  • This is a really short period of time from the encounter with
  • 00:06:52.527 --> 00:06:56.431
  • Jesus on the road to damascus to his entry into the city and his
  • 00:06:56.431 --> 00:06:59.468
  • Sight being restored.
  • 00:06:59.468 --> 00:07:01.336
  • He begins to advocate.
  • 00:07:01.336 --> 00:07:02.704
  • He begins to tell the story, and now the one he's opposed, he's
  • 00:07:02.704 --> 00:07:04.906
  • Advocating for.
  • 00:07:04.906 --> 00:07:07.275
  • And they're so confused.
  • 00:07:07.275 --> 00:07:08.777
  • His former friends are so confused by the authority
  • 00:07:08.777 --> 00:07:11.480
  • Because he understands their arguments.
  • 00:07:11.480 --> 00:07:12.881
  • And so his counterpoints are irrefutable, and they can't out
  • 00:07:12.881 --> 00:07:16.985
  • Debate him.
  • 00:07:16.985 --> 00:07:18.320
  • They can't overcome his logic or his wisdom.
  • 00:07:18.320 --> 00:07:20.155
  • And so they're mirroring the rage and the anger and the
  • 00:07:20.155 --> 00:07:23.058
  • Violence that he's been a part of.
  • 00:07:23.058 --> 00:07:24.426
  • And they said, "we'll just kill you."
  • 00:07:24.426 --> 00:07:28.363
  • And paul doesn't relent.
  • 00:07:28.363 --> 00:07:32.367
  • And for days he has to stay in hiding.
  • 00:07:32.367 --> 00:07:34.970
  • And finally, his friends say, "the only way we know to resolve
  • 00:07:34.970 --> 00:07:37.706
  • This is we're gonna put you in a basket and lower you over
  • 00:07:37.706 --> 00:07:40.175
  • The wall."
  • 00:07:40.175 --> 00:07:41.543
  • He walked into the city with authority from the chief priest
  • 00:07:41.543 --> 00:07:46.281
  • In jerusalem.
  • 00:07:46.281 --> 00:07:47.649
  • He left the city in a basket.
  • 00:07:47.649 --> 00:07:51.620
  • God's been faithful so far.
  • 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:56.458
  • Wasn't quite the way i was expecting it.
  • 00:07:56.458 --> 00:08:00.128
  • Galatians 1 says, "after three years, i went up to jerusalem to
  • 00:08:04.332 --> 00:08:10.305
  • Get acquainted with peter and stayed with him fifteen days.
  • 00:08:10.305 --> 00:08:13.875
  • I saw none of the other apostles--only james, the
  • 00:08:13.875 --> 00:08:16.044
  • Lord's brother."
  • 00:08:16.044 --> 00:08:17.646
  • There's an opportunity for a little question here about the
  • 00:08:17.646 --> 00:08:21.950
  • Timing of paul.
  • 00:08:21.950 --> 00:08:23.318
  • Paul goes back to tarsus.
  • 00:08:23.318 --> 00:08:24.920
  • Saul goes back to tarsus.
  • 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:26.755
  • It's where he'd studied.
  • 00:08:26.755 --> 00:08:28.123
  • It's where he'd grown up.
  • 00:08:28.123 --> 00:08:29.457
  • There's not complete uniformity among scholars on when he went
  • 00:08:29.457 --> 00:08:32.360
  • And how long he was there.
  • 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:34.062
  • We know he went for at least three years.
  • 00:08:34.062 --> 00:08:36.531
  • Some suggest that he may have been there for as long as
  • 00:08:36.531 --> 00:08:38.433
  • 13 years.
  • 00:08:38.433 --> 00:08:39.935
  • It's not overly relevant, unless they're your years.
  • 00:08:39.935 --> 00:08:43.805
  • I don't mean to be trivial with it, but it doesn't really change
  • 00:08:43.805 --> 00:08:45.907
  • The narrative.
  • 00:08:45.907 --> 00:08:47.309
  • For three years after the damascus experience, paul goes
  • 00:08:47.309 --> 00:08:50.845
  • To tarsus.
  • 00:08:50.845 --> 00:08:52.447
  • He talks about it in the churches when he ministers
  • 00:08:52.447 --> 00:08:54.683
  • Through the balance of your new testament, how he had a
  • 00:08:54.683 --> 00:08:56.685
  • Revelation of jesus and the lord taught him.
  • 00:08:56.685 --> 00:09:00.188
  • Now he's a scholar of the first order, but now he's not studying
  • 00:09:00.188 --> 00:09:03.925
  • In the places he's studied.
  • 00:09:03.925 --> 00:09:07.329
  • He's not studying with the tutors that he's had before.
  • 00:09:07.329 --> 00:09:11.633
  • And after three years, he goes back to jerusalem.
  • 00:09:11.633 --> 00:09:13.835
  • He's not just an overnight success, either for three years
  • 00:09:13.835 --> 00:09:18.907
  • Or for 13 years.
  • 00:09:18.907 --> 00:09:21.242
  • He stayed focused on seeking the lord.
  • 00:09:21.242 --> 00:09:22.777
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:09:22.777 --> 00:09:29.884
  • Allen: welcome to 2026.
  • 00:09:29.884 --> 00:09:31.519
  • Happy new year.
  • 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:32.887
  • We've created a new book to help you.
  • 00:09:32.887 --> 00:09:34.356
  • It's called "turn up the light."
  • 00:09:34.356 --> 00:09:35.724
  • It's a devotional for the whole year.
  • 00:09:35.724 --> 00:09:37.359
  • It's a really simple idea.
  • 00:09:37.359 --> 00:09:38.727
  • I can join you for a cup of coffee in the morning.
  • 00:09:38.727 --> 00:09:41.529
  • We'll have a brief conversation with the spiritual principal to
  • 00:09:41.529 --> 00:09:44.366
  • Start our day, a scripture verse, a prayer.
  • 00:09:44.366 --> 00:09:47.102
  • And then when you're tired of me, you can close the book.
  • 00:09:47.102 --> 00:09:49.838
  • It's perfect.
  • 00:09:49.838 --> 00:09:51.406
  • In all seriousness, we do wanna turn up the light.
  • 00:09:51.406 --> 00:09:54.009
  • Let's not rage against the darkness.
  • 00:09:54.009 --> 00:09:55.443
  • Let's invite god into the midst of this year, and then just see
  • 00:09:55.443 --> 00:09:58.313
  • What he will do.
  • 00:09:58.313 --> 00:09:59.681
  • Female announcer: pastor allen's new devotional, "turn up the
  • 00:09:59.681 --> 00:10:01.783
  • Light," is designed to equip you every single day of the year.
  • 00:10:01.783 --> 00:10:05.320
  • Inside, you'll find 365 short devotionals, each with a
  • 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:09.357
  • Scripture, teaching, and a prayer.
  • 00:10:09.357 --> 00:10:12.060
  • As you begin this new year, don't rage against the darkness.
  • 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:15.296
  • Instead, choose to turn up the light.
  • 00:10:15.296 --> 00:10:17.532
  • You can request this book when you donate $25 or more today at
  • 00:10:17.532 --> 00:10:21.636
  • Allenjackson.com or by calling (800)880-5102.
  • 00:10:21.636 --> 00:10:27.108
  • Allen: see, i don't think we've really had, we don't think we've
  • 00:10:30.178 --> 00:10:32.247
  • Even had this intent.
  • 00:10:32.247 --> 00:10:34.149
  • We don't seek the lord.
  • 00:10:34.149 --> 00:10:36.785
  • We really don't.
  • 00:10:36.785 --> 00:10:39.020
  • We're born again.
  • 00:10:39.020 --> 00:10:40.355
  • We've got our bibles.
  • 00:10:40.355 --> 00:10:41.723
  • We go to church some.
  • 00:10:41.723 --> 00:10:43.058
  • I mean, we don't even take simple things--like, we look for
  • 00:10:43.058 --> 00:10:45.527
  • Reasons not to seek the lord.
  • 00:10:45.527 --> 00:10:47.195
  • Like somebody talks about tithing, "well, that's
  • 00:10:47.195 --> 00:10:48.563
  • Old testament.
  • 00:10:48.563 --> 00:10:49.898
  • We're not under the law anymore."
  • 00:10:49.898 --> 00:10:51.266
  • I agree.
  • 00:10:51.266 --> 00:10:52.600
  • We're not under the law.
  • 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:54.369
  • But it doesn't mean that all those values and principles have
  • 00:10:54.369 --> 00:10:56.638
  • Just been eliminated.
  • 00:10:56.638 --> 00:10:59.074
  • You still honor god with your resources.
  • 00:10:59.074 --> 00:11:04.179
  • There is no sacrifice in the old testament.
  • 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:05.947
  • There is no offering to the lord that didn't have monetary value
  • 00:11:05.947 --> 00:11:08.717
  • To it.
  • 00:11:08.717 --> 00:11:10.085
  • They were agrarians, so they brought animals, and crops, and
  • 00:11:10.085 --> 00:11:12.087
  • Their harvest.
  • 00:11:12.087 --> 00:11:13.455
  • And if you and i don't let god into the finances of our lives,
  • 00:11:13.455 --> 00:11:16.091
  • You really can't make a biblical argument that you're a
  • 00:11:16.091 --> 00:11:18.026
  • Christ follower.
  • 00:11:18.026 --> 00:11:20.995
  • And i'm not taking up another offering.
  • 00:11:20.995 --> 00:11:22.530
  • You're safe.
  • 00:11:22.530 --> 00:11:24.632
  • But seeking the lord has many facets to it.
  • 00:11:24.632 --> 00:11:27.635
  • Seeking the lord.
  • 00:11:30.839 --> 00:11:32.607
  • Saul spends years doing it before he becomes the apostle
  • 00:11:32.607 --> 00:11:35.243
  • Paul that we know.
  • 00:11:35.243 --> 00:11:39.047
  • In acts 9, "when he came to jerusalem, he tried to join the
  • 00:11:39.047 --> 00:11:45.320
  • Disciples, but they were all afraid of him, they didn't
  • 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:50.825
  • Believe he was really a disciple," with good reason.
  • 00:11:50.825 --> 00:11:56.998
  • They remember him.
  • 00:11:56.998 --> 00:11:58.366
  • "he put us in prison.
  • 00:11:58.366 --> 00:12:00.735
  • He helped kill stephen, and stephen was a friend of ours.
  • 00:12:00.735 --> 00:12:05.306
  • I'm not sitting at the table with him.
  • 00:12:05.306 --> 00:12:07.976
  • He's a pig."
  • 00:12:07.976 --> 00:12:10.645
  • To a jew, that's not a compliment.
  • 00:12:10.645 --> 00:12:13.782
  • "but barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.
  • 00:12:13.782 --> 00:12:15.817
  • And he told them how saul on his journey had seen the lord and
  • 00:12:15.817 --> 00:12:18.219
  • That the lord had spoken to him, and how in damascus he had
  • 00:12:18.219 --> 00:12:20.622
  • Preached fearlessly.
  • 00:12:20.622 --> 00:12:22.757
  • So saul stayed with them and he moved about freely in jerusalem,
  • 00:12:22.757 --> 00:12:25.860
  • Speaking boldly in the name of the lord."
  • 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:30.298
  • So he's made his way to jerusalem, and he's met peter
  • 00:12:30.298 --> 00:12:32.834
  • And the crew.
  • 00:12:32.834 --> 00:12:36.437
  • And because of barnabas, they've accepted him.
  • 00:12:36.437 --> 00:12:38.373
  • God's been very faithful, so far.
  • 00:12:38.373 --> 00:12:42.243
  • "he talked and debated with the grecian jews, but they tried to
  • 00:12:45.313 --> 00:12:51.252
  • Kill him.
  • 00:12:51.252 --> 00:12:55.123
  • And when the brothers learned of this, they took him down to
  • 00:12:55.123 --> 00:12:58.760
  • Caesarea," caesarea is the port, "and they sent him back
  • 00:12:58.760 --> 00:13:01.496
  • To tarsus."
  • 00:13:01.496 --> 00:13:04.999
  • Again, the timing on this isn't the relevant part, at least not
  • 00:13:04.999 --> 00:13:09.137
  • For our purposes today.
  • 00:13:09.137 --> 00:13:12.106
  • The faithfulness of god in his life, i think, is unmistakable.
  • 00:13:12.106 --> 00:13:16.945
  • But the journey is uncomfortable.
  • 00:13:16.945 --> 00:13:21.282
  • He's still relatively new to this.
  • 00:13:21.282 --> 00:13:22.951
  • He's making his introductions.
  • 00:13:22.951 --> 00:13:24.352
  • He's being welcomed into the community of believers.
  • 00:13:24.352 --> 00:13:27.255
  • And on multiple occasions, people don't like his message
  • 00:13:27.255 --> 00:13:30.191
  • Enough that they're trying to murder him.
  • 00:13:30.191 --> 00:13:31.926
  • When we see a high profile person lose his life because
  • 00:13:35.730 --> 00:13:39.400
  • He's an advocate for jesus, how many of us will say things like,
  • 00:13:39.400 --> 00:13:44.205
  • "well, he should have been more prudent.
  • 00:13:44.205 --> 00:13:47.308
  • I'm not gonna be reckless.
  • 00:13:50.912 --> 00:13:54.515
  • Well, i have a responsibility to my family.
  • 00:13:54.515 --> 00:13:56.618
  • I can't take jesus into the marketplace.
  • 00:13:56.618 --> 00:13:58.519
  • There could be repercussions, and somebody else would suffer.
  • 00:13:58.519 --> 00:14:00.521
  • I have other people that depend upon me.
  • 00:14:00.521 --> 00:14:04.392
  • We want our pastor to be bold, though."
  • 00:14:04.392 --> 00:14:09.230
  • I think it'd be very easy for saul to say, "well, you know,
  • 00:14:13.468 --> 00:14:15.303
  • God's been really faithful to me so far."
  • 00:14:15.303 --> 00:14:20.708
  • In acts 11, "barnabas went to tarsus to look for saul.
  • 00:14:20.708 --> 00:14:25.346
  • Revival's broken out.
  • 00:14:25.346 --> 00:14:26.681
  • After the persecution, the jews have been scattered.
  • 00:14:26.681 --> 00:14:28.583
  • The believers have been scattered from beyond jerusalem
  • 00:14:28.583 --> 00:14:30.785
  • And judea.
  • 00:14:30.785 --> 00:14:32.120
  • And the places they're going, they're telling the jesus story,
  • 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:34.289
  • And they're being overwhelmed by the responses.
  • 00:14:34.289 --> 00:14:36.057
  • So barnabas goes to tarsus to look for saul, and he found him,
  • 00:14:36.057 --> 00:14:39.093
  • Then he brought him to antioch.
  • 00:14:39.093 --> 00:14:40.461
  • And for a whole year, barnabas and saul met with the church and
  • 00:14:40.461 --> 00:14:43.431
  • They taught great numbers of people.
  • 00:14:43.431 --> 00:14:44.866
  • And the disciples were called christians first at antioch."
  • 00:14:44.866 --> 00:14:48.102
  • Now we're getting some momentum.
  • 00:14:48.102 --> 00:14:49.570
  • God's been faithful so far.
  • 00:14:49.570 --> 00:14:51.239
  • In acts 14, "some of the jews came from antioch and iconium
  • 00:14:54.208 --> 00:14:57.812
  • And they won the crowd over.
  • 00:14:57.812 --> 00:15:01.082
  • We had some really good runs at antioch, and now some people
  • 00:15:01.082 --> 00:15:03.985
  • From antioch have come to where we are.
  • 00:15:03.985 --> 00:15:05.787
  • And they stoned paul, and they dragged him outside of the city.
  • 00:15:05.787 --> 00:15:11.592
  • They thought they'd killed him.
  • 00:15:11.592 --> 00:15:15.196
  • But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up
  • 00:15:15.196 --> 00:15:17.498
  • And went back into the city.
  • 00:15:17.498 --> 00:15:20.234
  • The next day he and barnabas left for derbe."
  • 00:15:20.234 --> 00:15:24.238
  • God's been faithful, so far.
  • 00:15:24.238 --> 00:15:29.711
  • That pattern is gonna follow saul of tarsus until we find him
  • 00:15:29.711 --> 00:15:32.814
  • As an old man in a roman prison in the city of rome.
  • 00:15:32.814 --> 00:15:39.354
  • City after city, remarkable responses.
  • 00:15:39.354 --> 00:15:41.589
  • The bible says, "god did extraordinary miracles through
  • 00:15:41.589 --> 00:15:44.092
  • The hands of paul."
  • 00:15:44.092 --> 00:15:46.494
  • Not just miracles, extraordinary miracles.
  • 00:15:46.494 --> 00:15:50.565
  • And in city after city, and place after place, there's a
  • 00:15:50.565 --> 00:15:53.368
  • Murderous rage released against him, and he didn't quit.
  • 00:15:53.368 --> 00:16:01.009
  • Oh, he gets into arguments with people on his team.
  • 00:16:01.009 --> 00:16:03.011
  • Some people on his team drop out and go, "look, traveling with
  • 00:16:03.011 --> 00:16:05.046
  • You is not a, this is not what i thought it was gonna be.
  • 00:16:05.046 --> 00:16:08.583
  • I just signed up for short-term missions, kind of a cultural
  • 00:16:08.583 --> 00:16:11.352
  • Experience for myself and my kids.
  • 00:16:11.352 --> 00:16:14.322
  • And everywhere you go, people get angry, enraged, and furious.
  • 00:16:14.322 --> 00:16:20.161
  • I'm going home."
  • 00:16:20.161 --> 00:16:21.496
  • And paul said, "if you're gonna quit, i don't wanna
  • 00:16:21.496 --> 00:16:22.864
  • Travel with you anyway."
  • 00:16:22.864 --> 00:16:25.166
  • We can't keep hiding, folks.
  • 00:16:25.166 --> 00:16:27.735
  • We can't keep praying that god will give us leaders that will
  • 00:16:27.735 --> 00:16:30.805
  • Tell the truth when we won't.
  • 00:16:30.805 --> 00:16:34.809
  • That's the truth.
  • 00:16:34.809 --> 00:16:37.545
  • I meet with church leaders from across the country, and i tell
  • 00:16:37.545 --> 00:16:40.848
  • Them the same thing.
  • 00:16:40.848 --> 00:16:42.183
  • Some of you may have been in those sessions.
  • 00:16:42.183 --> 00:16:43.551
  • I say, "stop praying for your pastor to be more bold."
  • 00:16:43.551 --> 00:16:45.753
  • Most churches, the pastor's an employee.
  • 00:16:45.753 --> 00:16:48.589
  • Church existed before they got there.
  • 00:16:48.589 --> 00:16:50.124
  • Church will exist after they're gone.
  • 00:16:50.124 --> 00:16:51.492
  • There's a board, a presbytery, there's some group of people
  • 00:16:51.492 --> 00:16:54.362
  • That call that pastor.
  • 00:16:54.362 --> 00:16:56.931
  • And if he transgresses what they've told him he can talk
  • 00:16:56.931 --> 00:16:59.400
  • About, they will snatch his job from him like breath.
  • 00:16:59.400 --> 00:17:03.938
  • Our churches will be more truthful when the people sitting
  • 00:17:03.938 --> 00:17:06.174
  • In the churches want the truth.
  • 00:17:06.174 --> 00:17:09.110
  • Well, that's real.
  • 00:17:09.110 --> 00:17:10.478
  • Should we have pastors that are willing to lose their jobs for
  • 00:17:13.848 --> 00:17:16.684
  • The sake of the truth?
  • 00:17:16.684 --> 00:17:18.286
  • Yes, but we should have christ followers that are willing to
  • 00:17:18.286 --> 00:17:21.823
  • Lose their jobs for the sake of the truth.
  • 00:17:21.823 --> 00:17:24.725
  • That's not just a pastor assignment.
  • 00:17:24.725 --> 00:17:27.562
  • I understand there's a greater responsibility.
  • 00:17:27.562 --> 00:17:29.530
  • I'm not trying to provide an excuse or diminish it.
  • 00:17:29.530 --> 00:17:33.067
  • I'm telling you what paul faced was not easy.
  • 00:17:33.067 --> 00:17:36.404
  • Scroll forward to his prison letters in 2 timothy.
  • 00:17:36.404 --> 00:17:39.841
  • 2 timothy is the letter paul writes very near the end of his
  • 00:17:39.841 --> 00:17:42.276
  • Life to a young man that he's been mentoring.
  • 00:17:42.276 --> 00:17:44.078
  • Timothy's traveled with him some.
  • 00:17:44.078 --> 00:17:45.847
  • He's greek.
  • 00:17:45.847 --> 00:17:48.549
  • I'm sure paul imagines him as a protege.
  • 00:17:48.549 --> 00:17:52.687
  • In 2 timothy 1, he says, "of this gospel i was appointed a
  • 00:17:52.687 --> 00:17:55.490
  • Herald and an apostle and a teacher."
  • 00:17:55.490 --> 00:17:59.293
  • He writes this from a pit in rome.
  • 00:17:59.293 --> 00:18:02.730
  • Some of you visited rome, and you've seen it.
  • 00:18:02.730 --> 00:18:04.265
  • It's a hole in the ground.
  • 00:18:04.265 --> 00:18:09.504
  • He's not the young man that we meet when he's stoning timothy.
  • 00:18:13.708 --> 00:18:20.982
  • His body has been changed.
  • 00:18:20.982 --> 00:18:24.585
  • Five times he was beaten.
  • 00:18:24.585 --> 00:18:26.821
  • They said 40 lashes would kill a man, and five times he was given
  • 00:18:26.821 --> 00:18:30.391
  • 39 lashes.
  • 00:18:30.391 --> 00:18:32.894
  • Thirty-nine lashes would lay your back open to the bone, tear
  • 00:18:32.894 --> 00:18:36.197
  • The muscle.
  • 00:18:36.197 --> 00:18:39.267
  • Maybe the first time that happens to you, it'll scar and
  • 00:18:39.267 --> 00:18:42.136
  • Heal over.
  • 00:18:42.136 --> 00:18:44.238
  • The second time it happens, you tear all that scar tissue.
  • 00:18:44.238 --> 00:18:47.341
  • I'll tell you, by the time that's happened five times, he's
  • 00:18:47.341 --> 00:18:50.578
  • A mess.
  • 00:18:50.578 --> 00:18:53.514
  • It's affected his posture.
  • 00:18:53.514 --> 00:18:56.684
  • I had a friend who had a serious addiction problem, and he
  • 00:18:56.684 --> 00:18:59.020
  • Injected himself in the arms so much that he had so much scar
  • 00:18:59.020 --> 00:19:04.158
  • Tissue, it left him bent over.
  • 00:19:04.158 --> 00:19:08.329
  • When paul's writing this, he's been physically changed in
  • 00:19:08.329 --> 00:19:13.801
  • Serving the king.
  • 00:19:13.801 --> 00:19:15.136
  • God's been faithful, so far.
  • 00:19:15.136 --> 00:19:21.075
  • "of this gospel i was appointed a herald and an apostle and
  • 00:19:21.075 --> 00:19:23.911
  • A teacher.
  • 00:19:23.911 --> 00:19:25.413
  • That's why i'm suffering as i am.
  • 00:19:25.413 --> 00:19:28.216
  • I'm not here because i'm a thief.
  • 00:19:28.216 --> 00:19:29.617
  • Yet i am not ashamed."
  • 00:19:33.020 --> 00:19:36.324
  • I think it would be hard to write to a young man that you
  • 00:19:40.528 --> 00:19:42.763
  • Were mentoring from a prison cell and say, "i'm not ashamed."
  • 00:19:42.763 --> 00:19:50.938
  • I think he's saying a lot more than that.
  • 00:19:54.842 --> 00:19:56.244
  • "timothy, i don't want you to be ashamed.
  • 00:19:56.244 --> 00:20:00.514
  • I don't want you to be ashamed of me.
  • 00:20:00.514 --> 00:20:04.285
  • I don't want you to be ashamed of the cause."
  • 00:20:04.285 --> 00:20:08.789
  • He tells him why, "because i know whom i have believed, and
  • 00:20:08.789 --> 00:20:15.363
  • I'm convinced that he's able to guard what i've entrusted to him
  • 00:20:15.363 --> 00:20:19.200
  • For that day."
  • 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:21.335
  • By the time paul writes that, he's not saying "so far."
  • 00:20:21.335 --> 00:20:28.075
  • He's saying, "timothy, god is faithful.
  • 00:20:28.075 --> 00:20:31.345
  • Through the beatings and the shipwrecks, and the persecution
  • 00:20:31.345 --> 00:20:34.749
  • And the hatred, in all the things, timothy, you can
  • 00:20:34.749 --> 00:20:39.920
  • Trust him."
  • 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:42.023
  • He tells him to endure hardship like a soldier, to finish
  • 00:20:42.023 --> 00:20:46.994
  • The race.
  • 00:20:46.994 --> 00:20:48.362
  • He said, "stir up the gifts that god put in you."
  • 00:20:48.362 --> 00:20:52.533
  • Paul talks to timothy pretty directly.
  • 00:20:52.533 --> 00:20:56.337
  • Seek the lord.
  • 00:20:56.337 --> 00:20:59.540
  • And if you need a motivation for that, that next verse, it's in
  • 00:20:59.540 --> 00:21:02.743
  • The same book.
  • 00:21:02.743 --> 00:21:04.111
  • It's 2 timothy, he's wrapping it up.
  • 00:21:04.111 --> 00:21:05.446
  • He said, "i'm already being poured out like a
  • 00:21:05.446 --> 00:21:06.847
  • Drink offering."
  • 00:21:06.847 --> 00:21:08.182
  • That's blind to us.
  • 00:21:08.182 --> 00:21:09.517
  • They'd bring a drink offering to the priest, and the
  • 00:21:09.517 --> 00:21:10.885
  • Priest would pour it out on the ground.
  • 00:21:10.885 --> 00:21:12.453
  • He said, "my life is ebbing away.
  • 00:21:12.453 --> 00:21:15.222
  • The time has come for my departure.
  • 00:21:15.222 --> 00:21:17.058
  • I have fought the good fight, i have finished the race, i've
  • 00:21:17.058 --> 00:21:20.094
  • Kept the faith.
  • 00:21:20.094 --> 00:21:21.462
  • Now there's in store for me the crown of righteousness, which
  • 00:21:21.462 --> 00:21:24.565
  • The lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that
  • 00:21:24.565 --> 00:21:26.634
  • Day--but it's not only for me, timothy, it's for all who are
  • 00:21:26.634 --> 00:21:31.038
  • Longing for his appearing.
  • 00:21:31.038 --> 00:21:33.474
  • Timothy, i know god will be faithful to me.
  • 00:21:33.474 --> 00:21:38.112
  • I may be chained in a prison."
  • 00:21:38.112 --> 00:21:40.581
  • I didn't put the next lines in there.
  • 00:21:40.581 --> 00:21:42.116
  • I was out of room, but i knew i'd be out of--he said,
  • 00:21:42.116 --> 00:21:45.419
  • "timothy, can you hurry?
  • 00:21:45.419 --> 00:21:48.689
  • I'm cold.
  • 00:21:48.689 --> 00:21:51.592
  • Bring me your coat.
  • 00:21:51.592 --> 00:21:55.663
  • And can you bring my parchments?
  • 00:21:55.663 --> 00:21:57.198
  • I'm so alone.
  • 00:22:00.368 --> 00:22:04.138
  • Demas is gone.
  • 00:22:04.138 --> 00:22:05.673
  • I've sent others to other places.
  • 00:22:09.477 --> 00:22:11.011
  • I'm alone.
  • 00:22:11.011 --> 00:22:12.346
  • Can you hurry, timothy?"
  • 00:22:12.346 --> 00:22:15.249
  • But it's not a defeatist message.
  • 00:22:15.249 --> 00:22:18.452
  • He said, "there's a crown of righteousness for me.
  • 00:22:18.452 --> 00:22:22.523
  • If you don't get here before the executioner does, timothy, i'm
  • 00:22:22.523 --> 00:22:25.960
  • Not ashamed."
  • 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:28.362
  • Folks, i got a question.
  • 00:22:28.362 --> 00:22:31.098
  • Are we gonna seek the lord?
  • 00:22:31.098 --> 00:22:32.566
  • Are we gonna seek the lord?
  • 00:22:36.103 --> 00:22:39.573
  • Are we gonna begin to conform to the image of christ?
  • 00:22:39.573 --> 00:22:44.245
  • We've had this lukewarm, false gospel that said christ will
  • 00:22:44.245 --> 00:22:48.549
  • Conform to the image of our wish list.
  • 00:22:48.549 --> 00:22:51.552
  • But i'm grateful for god's blessings, and the prayers he
  • 00:22:51.552 --> 00:22:53.854
  • Answers, and the good things he does for us, but i wanna give
  • 00:22:53.854 --> 00:22:57.124
  • Him my best.
  • 00:22:57.124 --> 00:23:00.961
  • I'm working to get "so far" out of my vocabulary.
  • 00:23:04.965 --> 00:23:08.569
  • Yeah, you'll be disappointed.
  • 00:23:08.569 --> 00:23:09.937
  • Man, it's disappointing when people try to kill you.
  • 00:23:09.937 --> 00:23:12.873
  • I don't like death threats.
  • 00:23:12.873 --> 00:23:15.910
  • God is preparing a church without spot or wrinkle, and i
  • 00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:26.353
  • Want to be included.
  • 00:23:26.353 --> 00:23:28.189
  • And i believe you do, too.
  • 00:23:28.189 --> 00:23:29.523
  • I wanna pray for you.
  • 00:23:29.523 --> 00:23:30.891
  • Will you stand with me?
  • 00:23:30.891 --> 00:23:33.561
  • If you're at home, you need to stand with us, please.
  • 00:23:33.561 --> 00:23:38.165
  • In fact, if the person watching with you has gone to sleep, wake
  • 00:23:38.165 --> 00:23:40.267
  • Them up.
  • 00:23:40.267 --> 00:23:41.602
  • We're about to pray.
  • 00:23:41.602 --> 00:23:43.237
  • I put people to sleep every week.
  • 00:23:43.237 --> 00:23:46.373
  • People tell me that.
  • 00:23:46.373 --> 00:23:47.708
  • "pastor, when i can't sleep, i put one of your sermons on.
  • 00:23:47.708 --> 00:23:53.814
  • You put me to sleep every time, so far."
  • 00:23:53.814 --> 00:23:59.086
  • Oh, the lord loves you.
  • 00:24:02.623 --> 00:24:05.759
  • He recruits people like saul of tarsus and turns them
  • 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:08.329
  • Into apostles.
  • 00:24:08.329 --> 00:24:10.998
  • We will get to meet him, and timothy, and luke.
  • 00:24:10.998 --> 00:24:20.040
  • To think luke stayed with him while he was imprisoned in
  • 00:24:20.040 --> 00:24:22.610
  • Caesarea for two years to put the gospel together.
  • 00:24:22.610 --> 00:24:26.981
  • God's preparing a church, not to sit in the building and sing
  • 00:24:31.151 --> 00:24:35.756
  • Polite little songs, to be ambassadors for him.
  • 00:24:35.756 --> 00:24:40.995
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:24:40.995 --> 00:24:42.329
  • Father, thank you.
  • 00:24:42.329 --> 00:24:43.664
  • I thank you for your word and its truth and authority.
  • 00:24:43.664 --> 00:24:47.801
  • As we come to the conclusion of this year, we acknowledge your
  • 00:24:47.801 --> 00:24:50.404
  • Goodness to us, your faithfulness to us, your grace
  • 00:24:50.404 --> 00:24:54.074
  • To us, your provision to us.
  • 00:24:54.074 --> 00:24:58.178
  • You have shepherded and guided and directed us, and we thank
  • 00:24:58.178 --> 00:25:01.282
  • You for it today.
  • 00:25:01.282 --> 00:25:02.616
  • We praise you for it, for the strength to meet a new year.
  • 00:25:02.616 --> 00:25:06.253
  • Lord, give us the strength to complete the assignments that
  • 00:25:06.253 --> 00:25:08.489
  • You created us each one for.
  • 00:25:08.489 --> 00:25:11.525
  • May we not turn back or be distracted.
  • 00:25:11.525 --> 00:25:14.828
  • May we not yield to the criticism, or the oppression, or
  • 00:25:14.828 --> 00:25:20.234
  • The threats.
  • 00:25:20.234 --> 00:25:22.102
  • Give us wisdom to be advocates for you that will bring about
  • 00:25:22.102 --> 00:25:27.341
  • Your purposes.
  • 00:25:27.341 --> 00:25:29.610
  • Holy spirit, give us the humility to seek the lord.
  • 00:25:29.610 --> 00:25:34.214
  • May the fear of god grow in us, so that the presence of the lord
  • 00:25:34.214 --> 00:25:37.851
  • Becomes meaningful to us.
  • 00:25:37.851 --> 00:25:40.354
  • Give us understanding hearts and listening ears.
  • 00:25:40.354 --> 00:25:43.691
  • May the purposes of god break forth in our generation with a
  • 00:25:43.691 --> 00:25:47.361
  • Clarity and an authority and a power that will cause your
  • 00:25:47.361 --> 00:25:50.331
  • Enemies to tremble.
  • 00:25:50.331 --> 00:25:52.633
  • We praise you for it, and we thank you for it, for it's in
  • 00:25:52.633 --> 00:25:56.270
  • Jesus's name that we pray and we believe.
  • 00:25:56.270 --> 00:25:59.373
  • Amen.
  • 00:25:59.373 --> 00:26:01.675
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:01.675 --> 00:26:03.043
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:03.043 --> 00:26:11.719
  • Allen: i love the promise of a new year, all the opportunities
  • 00:26:11.719 --> 00:26:14.788
  • That it holds.
  • 00:26:14.788 --> 00:26:16.123
  • We wanna begin that on purpose, so we've created a new tool.
  • 00:26:16.123 --> 00:26:18.659
  • It's a book, it's a devotional, 365-day devotional built out of
  • 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:23.063
  • Those digital devotionals that you're familiar with.
  • 00:26:23.063 --> 00:26:25.566
  • The intent is just to give you a bit of a spiritual beginning for
  • 00:26:25.566 --> 00:26:28.435
  • The day, a little vitamin, spiritual vitamin for your day,
  • 00:26:28.435 --> 00:26:30.771
  • A prayer, a scripture verse.
  • 00:26:30.771 --> 00:26:32.439
  • It's easy to share.
  • 00:26:32.439 --> 00:26:33.774
  • You know, i've often said to you, "don't rage against
  • 00:26:33.774 --> 00:26:35.309
  • The darkness.
  • 00:26:35.309 --> 00:26:36.677
  • Turn up the light."
  • 00:26:36.677 --> 00:26:38.012
  • Well, we very creatively entitled this devotional, "turn
  • 00:26:38.012 --> 00:26:40.047
  • Up the light."
  • 00:26:40.047 --> 00:26:41.382
  • Get a couple of copies.
  • 00:26:41.382 --> 00:26:42.750
  • Share one with a friend, maybe a family member.
  • 00:26:42.750 --> 00:26:44.251
  • Let's do it together.
  • 00:26:44.251 --> 00:26:45.886
  • God is moving in the earth.
  • 00:26:45.886 --> 00:26:47.254
  • Don't let your attention be drawn to the darkness and the
  • 00:26:47.254 --> 00:26:50.224
  • Chaos and the confusion.
  • 00:26:50.224 --> 00:26:52.026
  • Let's focus our hearts on the lord.
  • 00:26:52.026 --> 00:26:53.694
  • Ask him to turn up the light and raise our hands, and let's just
  • 00:26:53.694 --> 00:26:57.097
  • See what he will do in our lives.
  • 00:26:57.097 --> 00:26:59.066
  • Let's pray.
  • 00:26:59.066 --> 00:27:00.434
  • Father, i thank you for a new year, for the strength to meet
  • 00:27:00.434 --> 00:27:02.536
  • This beginning.
  • 00:27:02.536 --> 00:27:03.871
  • We wanna invite you into the midst of our homes, our lives,
  • 00:27:03.871 --> 00:27:06.640
  • Our journeys.
  • 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.975
  • May christ in us truly be a light in this world this year,
  • 00:27:07.975 --> 00:27:11.311
  • In jesus's name.
  • 00:27:11.311 --> 00:27:12.646
  • Amen.
  • 00:27:12.646 --> 00:27:14.014
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:14.014 --> 00:27:14.014