Allen Jackson talks about current events.
Closed captions
Show Timecode
Allen Jackson NOW | Allen Jackson: Active Faith | Allen Jackson Now | April 6, 2026
- My spiritual formation didn't take place in a church,
- 00:00:03.028 --> 00:00:05.730
- So i didn't attach great significance to church
- 00:00:05.730 --> 00:00:09.067
- And most of my memories of church as a young person,
- 00:00:09.067 --> 00:00:11.736
- A child, and then a young person,
- 00:00:11.736 --> 00:00:14.873
- Were not helpful.
- 00:00:14.873 --> 00:00:15.707
- And so easter to me
- 00:00:15.707 --> 00:00:16.908
- Was maybe about new clothes, not so much for myself, but
- 00:00:16.908 --> 00:00:20.278
- Maybe chocolate
- 00:00:20.645 --> 00:00:21.446
- Or candy or, you know, kind of those
- 00:00:21.446 --> 00:00:22.848
- Traditional secular approaches to.
- 00:00:22.848 --> 00:00:25.417
- And even after i began serving in the church,
- 00:00:25.417 --> 00:00:28.286
- We didn't,
- 00:00:28.587 --> 00:00:30.122
- Exhibit a lot of energy around.
- 00:00:30.122 --> 00:00:32.324
- We didn't work hard around easter.
- 00:00:32.324 --> 00:00:36.027
- And as i became to understand the significance
- 00:00:36.027 --> 00:00:39.064
- Of church and the role we play in community,
- 00:00:39.064 --> 00:00:41.666
- And that i do believe that the christian church
- 00:00:41.666 --> 00:00:43.602
- Is intended to shape culture,
- 00:00:43.602 --> 00:00:45.537
- Then easter became about more than just a friendly reminder
- 00:00:45.537 --> 00:00:49.241
- Of a portion of our theology that we think is significant.
- 00:00:49.241 --> 00:00:52.677
- And easter becomes a cultural cornerstone
- 00:00:52.677 --> 00:00:56.882
- When those of us who are christ followers
- 00:00:56.882 --> 00:00:58.984
- Celebrate the redemptive work of jesus,
- 00:00:58.984 --> 00:01:01.019
- His death, burial, and resurrection.
- 00:01:01.019 --> 00:01:02.988
- And we do it with enough enthusiasm
- 00:01:02.988 --> 00:01:04.589
- And enough energy and enough effort
- 00:01:04.589 --> 00:01:06.625
- That it is taken note of by people who don't engage.
- 00:01:06.625 --> 00:01:10.629
- And then that opens the door for dialog and questions
- 00:01:10.629 --> 00:01:13.131
- And interaction. and why does it matter so much? and
- 00:01:13.131 --> 00:01:15.734
- All of those things then feed the cycle of an expanding
- 00:01:16.801 --> 00:01:20.138
- Role of christianity or a belief in jesus
- 00:01:20.138 --> 00:01:24.075
- As the messiah, you know, through a culture.
- 00:01:24.075 --> 00:01:27.479
- And i think the church has struggled with this.
- 00:01:27.479 --> 00:01:29.814
- I hear constantly these comments when i travel,
- 00:01:29.814 --> 00:01:32.984
- Particularly in some settings, some media settings,
- 00:01:32.984 --> 00:01:35.187
- Some christian leadership settings,
- 00:01:35.187 --> 00:01:37.189
- They want to talk to me
- 00:01:37.189 --> 00:01:38.123
- That the church is the sleeping giant,
- 00:01:38.123 --> 00:01:39.925
- And when the sleeping giant awakes,
- 00:01:39.925 --> 00:01:42.260
- The whole nation is going to tremble at this expression
- 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:45.297
- Of the power of god and the mercy of god.
- 00:01:45.297 --> 00:01:47.966
- Well, i think that's a wonderful idea,
- 00:01:47.966 --> 00:01:49.568
- But i i'm of the opinion.
- 00:01:49.568 --> 00:01:50.769
- I don't really think there's a sleeping giant.
- 00:01:50.769 --> 00:01:53.171
- If there's a sleeping giant, it's in such a deep sleep.
- 00:01:53.171 --> 00:01:55.707
- I think we would call it a coma.
- 00:01:55.707 --> 00:01:58.543
- I'm more
- 00:01:58.810 --> 00:01:59.945
- Inclined to believe that that sleeping giant doesn't
- 00:01:59.945 --> 00:02:02.547
- Really exist, but that doesn't give me any sense of panic.
- 00:02:02.547 --> 00:02:06.051
- Because god is in the business
- 00:02:06.051 --> 00:02:08.286
- Of raising up shepherds to take down the giants
- 00:02:08.286 --> 00:02:10.855
- That seem to threaten the well-being of his people.
- 00:02:10.855 --> 00:02:13.692
- And we don't have to lead because of
- 00:02:13.692 --> 00:02:15.260
- Our impressive numbers or overwhelming constituencies.
- 00:02:15.260 --> 00:02:19.664
- I think we're triumphant
- 00:02:19.664 --> 00:02:21.032
- Because of the power of an almighty god in our lives.
- 00:02:21.032 --> 00:02:24.402
- And if we will spend our energy
- 00:02:24.402 --> 00:02:26.371
- Getting to know the power of god and the presence of god,
- 00:02:26.371 --> 00:02:29.741
- I think we will see him
- 00:02:30.242 --> 00:02:31.176
- Bring the victories to our lives,
- 00:02:31.176 --> 00:02:32.611
- And we'll see the giants that have opposed
- 00:02:32.611 --> 00:02:34.212
- God's purposes in the earth come tumbling down.
- 00:02:34.212 --> 00:02:37.549
- And i'm much more comfortable, i think, with that imagery
- 00:02:37.549 --> 00:02:40.352
- And that paradigm,
- 00:02:40.352 --> 00:02:41.786
- Because it keeps us from being passive,
- 00:02:41.786 --> 00:02:43.388
- Waiting for something else to happen,
- 00:02:43.388 --> 00:02:44.789
- And it causes us to become difference makers.
- 00:02:44.789 --> 00:02:47.259
- We'll start picking up five smooth stones
- 00:02:47.259 --> 00:02:49.227
- Out of the brook, and understanding
- 00:02:49.227 --> 00:02:51.363
- That we have a covenant with almighty god.
- 00:02:51.363 --> 00:02:53.064
- And these threatening voices that we hear
- 00:02:53.064 --> 00:02:54.666
- Are challenging, not us,
- 00:02:54.666 --> 00:02:56.368
- But they're challenging the purposes of god in the earth.
- 00:02:56.368 --> 00:02:58.703
- And that's not a position anyone should want to be in.
- 00:02:58.703 --> 00:03:01.606
- And so it isn't dependent upon our strength or our wisdom
- 00:03:01.606 --> 00:03:04.943
- Or our ability, but it's dependent upon
- 00:03:04.943 --> 00:03:06.678
- The one to whom we have committed ourselves.
- 00:03:06.678 --> 00:03:09.214
- And some of you are thinking, well,
- 00:03:09.214 --> 00:03:10.148
- It's hard for me to celebrate
- 00:03:10.148 --> 00:03:11.349
- Because i can hear the threats of goliath,
- 00:03:11.349 --> 00:03:14.019
- But i want you to know god is able.
- 00:03:14.019 --> 00:03:16.187
- He's able to bring healing
- 00:03:16.187 --> 00:03:17.255
- To our bodies and peace to our minds.
- 00:03:17.255 --> 00:03:19.024
- He's able to restore our families.
- 00:03:19.024 --> 00:03:21.393
- He's able to make a way and open doors of opportunity.
- 00:03:21.393 --> 00:03:24.262
- That's the god we serve.
- 00:03:24.262 --> 00:03:25.530
- That's the message we have
- 00:03:25.530 --> 00:03:27.866
- That we will overcome the kingdom of darkness.
- 00:03:27.866 --> 00:03:30.535
- We may be touched by evil,
- 00:03:30.535 --> 00:03:32.203
- But we will overcome the kingdom of darkness.
- 00:03:32.203 --> 00:03:35.273
- Oh, let's believe that we have capitulated for too long.
- 00:03:35.273 --> 00:03:38.310
- We have genuflect
- 00:03:38.310 --> 00:03:39.744
- To expressions of evil and tried to accommodate
- 00:03:39.744 --> 00:03:42.380
- And to imagine ourselves tolerant.
- 00:03:42.380 --> 00:03:44.649
- I don't believe god is tolerant of evil.
- 00:03:44.649 --> 00:03:46.818
- I believe he's patient, sometimes not wanting anyone to
- 00:03:47.886 --> 00:03:50.755
- To miss the opportunity to come to the knowledge of god.
- 00:03:50.755 --> 00:03:53.858
- But we shouldn't understand his patience as tolerance.
- 00:03:53.858 --> 00:03:57.629
- God doesn't tolerate evil.
- 00:03:57.629 --> 00:04:00.065
- It doesn't escape.
- 00:04:00.065 --> 00:04:01.299
- So let's you and i go forth and be a light in the darkness.
- 00:04:01.299 --> 00:04:05.036
- Speaking of of shepherds and giants,
- 00:04:05.837 --> 00:04:09.240
- I, i've been i've asked you for the last couple of weeks
- 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:11.876
- If you would join me in making an investment in the church
- 00:04:11.876 --> 00:04:15.580
- In iran and the church in ukraine.
- 00:04:16.314 --> 00:04:19.984
- We have some friends that we have known
- 00:04:19.984 --> 00:04:21.553
- For many years, ministry and church leaders
- 00:04:21.553 --> 00:04:24.422
- In those nations that had reached out to me
- 00:04:24.422 --> 00:04:26.291
- And said there were some unique opportunities
- 00:04:26.291 --> 00:04:28.460
- Because of the turmoil,
- 00:04:28.460 --> 00:04:29.661
- The war in iran right now, the the underground church and,
- 00:04:29.661 --> 00:04:33.698
- Full candor, i think the military action
- 00:04:33.698 --> 00:04:36.167
- That's taking place in iran right now is a response
- 00:04:36.167 --> 00:04:39.404
- To the prayers of the god's people in the nation of iran.
- 00:04:39.404 --> 00:04:43.074
- For a decade or so, we've been hearing
- 00:04:43.074 --> 00:04:44.876
- About the underground church
- 00:04:44.876 --> 00:04:46.211
- And that jesus was revealing himself
- 00:04:46.211 --> 00:04:48.046
- To the iranian people, the persian people,
- 00:04:48.046 --> 00:04:50.582
- And they were turning from islam to faith,
- 00:04:50.582 --> 00:04:52.650
- And that there have been tens of
- 00:04:52.650 --> 00:04:53.852
- Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of new believers
- 00:04:53.852 --> 00:04:56.921
- In this emerging underground church in iran.
- 00:04:56.921 --> 00:05:00.325
- My opinion is that it's been the prayers
- 00:05:00.325 --> 00:05:03.661
- Of this emerging church in iran that is toppling the ayatollah
- 00:05:03.661 --> 00:05:08.199
- And their brutal, oppressive, wicked, evil regime.
- 00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:12.704
- And i think if we will join them now in our prayers
- 00:05:12.704 --> 00:05:15.206
- And stand with them, remember the book of daniel,
- 00:05:15.206 --> 00:05:19.110
- Daniel's fasting and praying, and god dispatches an angel
- 00:05:19.110 --> 00:05:21.913
- With a response to his prayers.
- 00:05:21.913 --> 00:05:23.381
- But he said he was withheld.
- 00:05:23.381 --> 00:05:25.350
- He was, his arrival was withheld because he was engaged
- 00:05:25.350 --> 00:05:29.387
- In a battle with the prince of persia.
- 00:05:29.387 --> 00:05:31.756
- I believe there are spiritual forces of wickedness
- 00:05:31.756 --> 00:05:34.592
- In the heavenly places, principalities and powers
- 00:05:34.592 --> 00:05:37.729
- That have influence over nations,
- 00:05:37.729 --> 00:05:40.565
- Over people, groups.
- 00:05:40.565 --> 00:05:42.901
- And i believe that we we gain victories.
- 00:05:42.901 --> 00:05:45.503
- I believe we see social and political freedoms
- 00:05:45.503 --> 00:05:48.039
- Come when those spiritual
- 00:05:48.039 --> 00:05:49.874
- Principalities and powers are weakened
- 00:05:49.874 --> 00:05:52.477
- Or brought down
- 00:05:52.477 --> 00:05:53.878
- Through the prayers and the intercessions of god's people.
- 00:05:53.878 --> 00:05:57.148
- And i believe what we're seeing the u.s.
- 00:05:57.148 --> 00:05:59.484
- And the israeli
- 00:05:59.484 --> 00:06:00.718
- Military do is a response to the prayers of people of the faith
- 00:06:00.718 --> 00:06:04.322
- In iran and beyond.
- 00:06:04.322 --> 00:06:05.790
- So let's join them in those prayers,
- 00:06:05.790 --> 00:06:08.226
- But not just with their prayers.
- 00:06:08.226 --> 00:06:09.360
- I ask you to make an investment.
- 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:10.762
- I just thought i'd give you a quick update.
- 00:06:10.762 --> 00:06:12.931
- I got a,
- 00:06:12.931 --> 00:06:14.232
- I'm in consistent contact with, folks there,
- 00:06:15.166 --> 00:06:18.670
- But the man that was on point is armenian.
- 00:06:18.670 --> 00:06:21.706
- Armenia is a bordering country, and it has a long
- 00:06:22.707 --> 00:06:25.710
- Christian heritage.
- 00:06:25.710 --> 00:06:27.345
- And for for for a long season,
- 00:06:27.345 --> 00:06:30.615
- Armenia has proven to be something of a training ground
- 00:06:30.615 --> 00:06:33.184
- Or a place of rest.
- 00:06:33.184 --> 00:06:34.018
- But for believers in that region.
- 00:06:34.018 --> 00:06:36.754
- And so the pastors in iran, with the current military
- 00:06:36.754 --> 00:06:39.290
- Confusion, can slip out of iran into armenia
- 00:06:39.290 --> 00:06:42.327
- For some training, some encouragement.
- 00:06:42.327 --> 00:06:44.963
- And so what we were helping them
- 00:06:44.963 --> 00:06:46.431
- Do is set up a training center.
- 00:06:46.431 --> 00:06:49.801
- And this was the message i got in the last couple of days.
- 00:06:49.801 --> 00:06:53.071
- We recently held a major prayer
- 00:06:53.071 --> 00:06:54.439
- Gathering in yerevan, which is in armenia,
- 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:57.308
- Attended by leaders and pastors connected
- 00:06:57.308 --> 00:06:59.310
- To iran's underground church as well as pastors from armenia.
- 00:06:59.310 --> 00:07:02.747
- It was both heartbreaking and inspiring to hear firsthand
- 00:07:02.747 --> 00:07:05.583
- What iranian believers are enduring
- 00:07:05.583 --> 00:07:07.352
- For the sake of their faith in christ.
- 00:07:07.352 --> 00:07:09.721
- One brother sold his car in order to attend our gathering.
- 00:07:09.721 --> 00:07:12.991
- The sacrifices these believers are making to
- 00:07:12.991 --> 00:07:15.159
- Remain faithful are extraordinary,
- 00:07:15.159 --> 00:07:17.428
- And i believe their example
- 00:07:17.428 --> 00:07:18.663
- Should deeply encourage christians in the west.
- 00:07:18.663 --> 00:07:21.332
- And then he goes on to say, you know, at present
- 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:23.735
- We're actively assisting the families
- 00:07:23.735 --> 00:07:25.703
- That are able to make it into armenia.
- 00:07:25.703 --> 00:07:29.240
- They they're arriving with nothing.
- 00:07:30.041 --> 00:07:31.609
- So they're purchasing
- 00:07:31.609 --> 00:07:32.777
- Mattresses and beds and all the things they need
- 00:07:32.777 --> 00:07:35.713
- So that they have a place to stay
- 00:07:35.713 --> 00:07:37.282
- When they come in for the training and,
- 00:07:37.282 --> 00:07:40.118
- The coaching and the encouragement.
- 00:07:40.118 --> 00:07:41.619
- Then they'll go back into iran.
- 00:07:41.619 --> 00:07:43.788
- There's a new season coming.
- 00:07:43.788 --> 00:07:45.089
- I'm trusting the lord that next easter,
- 00:07:45.089 --> 00:07:47.392
- They'll be able to celebrate,
- 00:07:47.392 --> 00:07:50.495
- Easter on the streets of tehran in public.
- 00:07:51.362 --> 00:07:55.400
- Wouldn't that only god could bring that about that?
- 00:07:55.400 --> 00:07:58.503
- That's like what god did with esther
- 00:07:58.503 --> 00:08:00.972
- When he turned back the edict that all the jews in persia,
- 00:08:00.972 --> 00:08:04.375
- Which is modern day iran, would be killed.
- 00:08:04.375 --> 00:08:07.245
- I think we should be trusting the lord,
- 00:08:07.245 --> 00:08:09.180
- Crying out to the lord that something of that
- 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:11.049
- Magnitude would happen.
- 00:08:11.049 --> 00:08:13.117
- While this is unfolding, i think we should be praying
- 00:08:13.117 --> 00:08:15.019
- For the same thing in cuba.
- 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:16.821
- Won't it be wonderful next easter?
- 00:08:16.821 --> 00:08:18.122
- If we could worship in havana
- 00:08:18.122 --> 00:08:20.658
- In openness without fear of reprisal
- 00:08:20.658 --> 00:08:23.061
- From a communist socialist government
- 00:08:23.061 --> 00:08:24.929
- That's oppressed the church for 70 years?
- 00:08:24.929 --> 00:08:28.232
- I think the same should be true in venezuela, wouldn't it be?
- 00:08:28.232 --> 00:08:30.568
- And what about gaza?
- 00:08:30.568 --> 00:08:31.970
- Do you have the faith to believe that in gaza next easter
- 00:08:31.970 --> 00:08:34.439
- We could have worship services without fear of hamas
- 00:08:34.439 --> 00:08:38.142
- Or hezbollah or whomever else?
- 00:08:38.142 --> 00:08:41.412
- We might as well.
- 00:08:41.412 --> 00:08:42.547
- In fact, if those things happen, i will make the trip.
- 00:08:42.547 --> 00:08:45.550
- We'll go be a part of those those
- 00:08:46.317 --> 00:08:48.086
- Celebrations in those places and share it with you.
- 00:08:48.086 --> 00:08:51.389
- But we've got some prayers to make between now
- 00:08:51.389 --> 00:08:53.591
- And then for that to come about.
- 00:08:53.591 --> 00:08:55.026
- But god's moving in the earth, folks,
- 00:08:55.026 --> 00:08:57.395
- And thank you
- 00:08:57.395 --> 00:08:58.496
- For your generosity and your willingness to invest.
- 00:08:58.496 --> 00:09:01.933
- We're in contact with the folks in ukraine as well,
- 00:09:02.967 --> 00:09:05.336
- Trying to get some resources to the church there.
- 00:09:05.336 --> 00:09:08.339
- At the beginning of the war, i was on zoom calls
- 00:09:08.339 --> 00:09:10.441
- With them on a weekly basis, a regular basis. and,
- 00:09:10.441 --> 00:09:13.511
- It's been brutal what they
- 00:09:14.078 --> 00:09:15.279
- Have endured, but they're not forgotten.
- 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.315
- And that's really the message.
- 00:09:17.315 --> 00:09:18.249
- We want them to know that
- 00:09:18.249 --> 00:09:19.684
- There are believers all over the earth
- 00:09:19.684 --> 00:09:21.152
- That are standing with them and praying with them.
- 00:09:21.152 --> 00:09:23.855
- There's not an american church and a ukrainian church
- 00:09:23.855 --> 00:09:26.190
- And an iranian church.
- 00:09:26.190 --> 00:09:27.325
- There's not a church in tennessee and a church in oregon
- 00:09:27.325 --> 00:09:29.694
- And a church in washington state.
- 00:09:29.694 --> 00:09:31.629
- There's the church of jesus christ
- 00:09:31.629 --> 00:09:33.331
- And jesus is the head of the church.
- 00:09:33.331 --> 00:09:35.533
- And when one portion of the church suffers,
- 00:09:35.533 --> 00:09:38.136
- The rest of us when we can, we will make up a difference.
- 00:09:38.136 --> 00:09:40.705
- And we will definitely stand
- 00:09:40.705 --> 00:09:42.507
- Together in the spirit and ask god for his mercy.
- 00:09:42.507 --> 00:09:46.310
- It's a troubled world
- 00:09:46.811 --> 00:09:48.346
- We live in, but god is not intimidated.
- 00:09:48.346 --> 00:09:51.549
- And i think that's so important for us to remember.
- 00:09:51.549 --> 00:09:54.118
- So thank you for your generosity,
- 00:09:54.118 --> 00:09:55.987
- Most of all for your prayers,
- 00:09:55.987 --> 00:09:57.922
- And i will keep you updated as we walk through this.
- 00:09:57.922 --> 00:10:00.725
- And, i think, some of the folks will be visiting with us.
- 00:10:00.725 --> 00:10:04.262
- Maybe you'll get to see them, if not on the podcast,
- 00:10:04.262 --> 00:10:06.931
- We'll interview them in a worship service
- 00:10:06.931 --> 00:10:08.399
- And share it with you. but
- 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:10.868
- God is moving.
- 00:10:11.202 --> 00:10:19.000
- God is moving.
- 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:24.039
- You know,
- 00:10:24.339 --> 00:10:24.973
- I have held the belief in,
- 00:10:24.973 --> 00:10:28.043
- I don't i don't know that anybody said it to me,
- 00:10:28.043 --> 00:10:30.179
- But when i think about the end of the age
- 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:31.814
- And the outpouring of the spirit of god
- 00:10:31.814 --> 00:10:33.348
- And the renewal, the awakening, the revival
- 00:10:33.348 --> 00:10:35.517
- That i think takes place before jesus comes back,
- 00:10:35.517 --> 00:10:38.454
- I guess i've always imagined that that was going to be
- 00:10:38.454 --> 00:10:40.222
- Something that was kind of universal,
- 00:10:40.222 --> 00:10:42.624
- That the numbers would be
- 00:10:43.192 --> 00:10:44.059
- So overwhelming that it would be some
- 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:46.061
- Small minority that was left out,
- 00:10:46.061 --> 00:10:47.763
- But that it would be like this enormous global response to god.
- 00:10:47.763 --> 00:10:52.234
- And i believe there will be a global response to god.
- 00:10:52.234 --> 00:10:54.837
- But i don't think it's
- 00:10:54.837 --> 00:10:55.938
- Going to be the overwhelming majority of the people.
- 00:10:55.938 --> 00:10:58.540
- And it seems to me
- 00:10:58.540 --> 00:10:59.775
- That the message of scripture is that god presents himself
- 00:10:59.775 --> 00:11:02.411
- Generation upon generation upon generation to people,
- 00:11:02.411 --> 00:11:05.848
- And some choose him and some do not.
- 00:11:05.848 --> 00:11:08.584
- And that captures my attention because i very much want to be
- 00:11:08.584 --> 00:11:12.154
- In in the midst
- 00:11:12.154 --> 00:11:13.255
- Of that group of people that are saying to the lord,
- 00:11:13.255 --> 00:11:15.557
- I'll walk with you,
- 00:11:15.557 --> 00:11:17.292
- Not just the group that will say,
- 00:11:17.292 --> 00:11:18.627
- I've said the sinner's prayer,
- 00:11:18.627 --> 00:11:19.962
- I've been baptized in a pool, or i'm not committing murder,
- 00:11:19.962 --> 00:11:23.465
- Or i'm not practicing adultery, you know, well, good for you.
- 00:11:23.465 --> 00:11:27.469
- You know, in james, he said,
- 00:11:27.469 --> 00:11:28.704
- You believe there's a god that's really good.
- 00:11:28.704 --> 00:11:30.439
- The demons believe that and they shudder.
- 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:33.442
- And sometimes i think the the, the devil and his demonic host
- 00:11:33.442 --> 00:11:38.580
- Believe more about god than those of us
- 00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:40.582
- That imagined ourselves to be the people of god.
- 00:11:40.582 --> 00:11:43.285
- We're still having seminars and debates on
- 00:11:43.285 --> 00:11:45.154
- Whether we believe in spiritual conflict.
- 00:11:45.154 --> 00:11:47.289
- I promise you, the devil and the demons and hell
- 00:11:47.289 --> 00:11:49.424
- And the demons that have been unleashed in the earth.
- 00:11:49.424 --> 00:11:51.293
- They believe in spiritual conflict.
- 00:11:51.293 --> 00:11:53.962
- So the idea that i want to unpack, i'm going to take
- 00:11:53.962 --> 00:11:56.799
- From the triumphal entry, you know, that day when jesus
- 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:58.934
- Descended the mount of olives into jerusalem?
- 00:11:58.934 --> 00:12:01.436
- It's fashionable in some segments of
- 00:12:01.436 --> 00:12:03.872
- Of the social media these days to denigrate
- 00:12:03.872 --> 00:12:06.241
- The jewish people, to say they rejected jesus, that
- 00:12:06.241 --> 00:12:09.711
- They were guilty for killing jesus, that,
- 00:12:09.711 --> 00:12:13.148
- The jews of today aren't the jews of the bible.
- 00:12:13.148 --> 00:12:15.517
- I mean, it's phenomenal
- 00:12:15.517 --> 00:12:16.718
- To me, the statements that are coming out
- 00:12:16.718 --> 00:12:19.321
- Well, the majority of the the jewish community
- 00:12:19.321 --> 00:12:21.924
- In the first century embraced jesus.
- 00:12:21.924 --> 00:12:24.293
- Enormous crowds of people followed jesus.
- 00:12:24.293 --> 00:12:26.962
- And on palm sunday, that was very much on display.
- 00:12:26.962 --> 00:12:30.532
- There's a couple of chapters.
- 00:12:30.532 --> 00:12:31.633
- It's recorded in multiple gospels,
- 00:12:31.633 --> 00:12:33.202
- But in luke 19 and john 12, there are lengthy presentations
- 00:12:33.202 --> 00:12:38.073
- Not only of the entry into jerusalem,
- 00:12:38.073 --> 00:12:39.808
- But the events surrounding that day.
- 00:12:39.808 --> 00:12:42.277
- They had a celebratory banquet
- 00:12:42.878 --> 00:12:44.813
- At the home of mary, martha and lazarus.
- 00:12:44.813 --> 00:12:47.950
- They lived in bethany,
- 00:12:47.950 --> 00:12:49.117
- Which is a little village on the mount of olives.
- 00:12:49.117 --> 00:12:51.186
- Now it's on the opposite side.
- 00:12:51.186 --> 00:12:52.788
- It's on the
- 00:12:52.788 --> 00:12:53.922
- The eastern slopes
- 00:12:53.922 --> 00:12:55.023
- Of the mount of olives in the city of jerusalem,
- 00:12:55.023 --> 00:12:56.959
- Is on the western slopes of the mount of olives.
- 00:12:56.959 --> 00:12:59.161
- But it's it's a very short distance between the two.
- 00:12:59.161 --> 00:13:02.297
- And jesus had a they had a celebratory dinner
- 00:13:02.297 --> 00:13:05.367
- For jesus in his house the evening before
- 00:13:05.367 --> 00:13:08.103
- He makes
- 00:13:08.103 --> 00:13:09.004
- His triumphal entry into the city, and
- 00:13:09.004 --> 00:13:10.906
- People are coming from jerusalem
- 00:13:10.906 --> 00:13:12.441
- Because they've heard jesus is arriving,
- 00:13:12.441 --> 00:13:14.209
- And they've heard that lazarus that was raised from the dead.
- 00:13:14.209 --> 00:13:16.511
- And they
- 00:13:16.511 --> 00:13:17.346
- They want to see the miracle worker
- 00:13:17.346 --> 00:13:18.847
- And the miracle in the same place,
- 00:13:18.847 --> 00:13:21.750
- Which is fascinating to me.
- 00:13:22.351 --> 00:13:24.753
- You know that jesus previous visits
- 00:13:24.753 --> 00:13:27.022
- To jerusalem, he has done undercover
- 00:13:27.022 --> 00:13:29.691
- Because there's such hatred towards him from the powerful
- 00:13:29.691 --> 00:13:33.228
- 1% of the community
- 00:13:33.695 --> 00:13:36.231
- That it wasn't safe for him always.
- 00:13:36.231 --> 00:13:39.368
- So he was coming under cover.
- 00:13:39.368 --> 00:13:41.203
- But this time, this last entry before his passion,
- 00:13:41.203 --> 00:13:44.539
- He comes into jerusalem in this very public way,
- 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:47.242
- Descending the mount of olives
- 00:13:47.242 --> 00:13:48.577
- With a large crowd of people celebrating his arrival.
- 00:13:48.577 --> 00:13:52.147
- But jesus is coming down
- 00:13:52.147 --> 00:13:53.181
- The mount of olives and the whole crowd.
- 00:13:53.181 --> 00:13:54.383
- His disciples begin to joyfully praise god
- 00:13:54.383 --> 00:13:56.418
- In a loud voice for all the miracles
- 00:13:56.418 --> 00:13:58.020
- They had seen a crowd of disciples joyfully celebrating
- 00:13:58.020 --> 00:14:01.957
- Jesus arrival.
- 00:14:01.957 --> 00:14:03.191
- Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the lord, peace
- 00:14:03.191 --> 00:14:05.127
- In heaven and glory in the highest.
- 00:14:05.127 --> 00:14:07.596
- And some of the pharisees in the crowd
- 00:14:07.596 --> 00:14:09.097
- Said to jesus, teacher, rebuke your disciples.
- 00:14:09.097 --> 00:14:12.100
- Some of the pharisees is a big crowd.
- 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:13.702
- There's some pharisees that are celebrating jesus arrival,
- 00:14:13.702 --> 00:14:16.672
- But some of the pharisees, some subset of this larger
- 00:14:16.672 --> 00:14:20.008
- Group, were offended by the the celebratory
- 00:14:20.008 --> 00:14:24.012
- Nature with which jesus is being received into the city.
- 00:14:24.012 --> 00:14:27.983
- And they said to jesus, rebuke your disciples.
- 00:14:28.917 --> 00:14:31.019
- And jesus said,
- 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:32.187
- I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out,
- 00:14:32.187 --> 00:14:34.890
- Makes me smile.
- 00:14:34.890 --> 00:14:35.924
- I believe that literally, that is
- 00:14:35.924 --> 00:14:37.292
- That group of people could have been silenced.
- 00:14:37.292 --> 00:14:39.394
- The stones should have begun to worship god.
- 00:14:39.394 --> 00:14:42.364
- There are some points when the heavenly host can't be silent.
- 00:14:42.364 --> 00:14:44.933
- When jesus was born in bethlehem,
- 00:14:44.933 --> 00:14:47.035
- The skies above the shepherds fields were filled
- 00:14:47.035 --> 00:14:49.371
- With the heavenly host.
- 00:14:49.371 --> 00:14:50.405
- You know the story you hear the christmas time.
- 00:14:50.405 --> 00:14:51.773
- Glory to god in the highest and on earth peace to men on
- 00:14:51.773 --> 00:14:55.010
- Whom is you know, his favor. rest.
- 00:14:55.010 --> 00:14:56.678
- I mean, it's
- 00:14:56.678 --> 00:14:57.412
- There are times
- 00:14:57.412 --> 00:14:58.613
- When the heavens can't be silent, when jesus gives up his
- 00:14:58.613 --> 00:15:01.216
- On the cross and says,
- 00:15:01.216 --> 00:15:02.617
- You know, into your hands i commit my spirit.
- 00:15:02.617 --> 00:15:04.419
- The temple, the curtain between the holy of holies
- 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:07.489
- And the holy place is torn in two.
- 00:15:07.489 --> 00:15:09.157
- The graves split open and people come to life again.
- 00:15:09.157 --> 00:15:12.194
- There are times when heaven can't be silent,
- 00:15:12.194 --> 00:15:14.863
- And i believe this is one of those times.
- 00:15:15.764 --> 00:15:17.666
- Jesus entry into the city
- 00:15:17.666 --> 00:15:19.868
- Just prior to his arrest and his suffering,
- 00:15:19.868 --> 00:15:23.271
- And the people are celebrating
- 00:15:23.271 --> 00:15:24.806
- His arrival with great numbers of people.
- 00:15:24.806 --> 00:15:26.641
- And jesus said, if you shut them down,
- 00:15:26.641 --> 00:15:29.478
- You'd be terrified by what happens next.
- 00:15:29.478 --> 00:15:31.380
- It makes me smile.
- 00:15:31.380 --> 00:15:32.581
- God is not thwarted by the knuckleheads.
- 00:15:32.581 --> 00:15:35.584
- You don't have
- 00:15:35.584 --> 00:15:36.785
- To wring your hands in fear and wonder what will happen.
- 00:15:36.785 --> 00:15:39.821
- The purposes of god are breaking forth in the earth.
- 00:15:39.821 --> 00:15:43.125
- They will not be thwarted.
- 00:15:43.125 --> 00:15:44.893
- They will not be stopped.
- 00:15:44.893 --> 00:15:46.928
- God's not intimidated by people who oppose him.
- 00:15:46.928 --> 00:15:50.966
- What captures my attention in this scenario is you and me.
- 00:15:50.966 --> 00:15:54.770
- Just imagine we're in the crowd, but we're not.
- 00:15:54.770 --> 00:15:57.539
- Maybe we're not part of the inner circle.
- 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:59.241
- Maybe we weren't invited to the celebratory dinner
- 00:15:59.241 --> 00:16:01.576
- And mary and martha and lazarus home.
- 00:16:01.576 --> 00:16:04.613
- Maybe we're very much peripheral.
- 00:16:04.613 --> 00:16:06.081
- Maybe we've heard jesus deliver a message or two.
- 00:16:06.081 --> 00:16:08.784
- Or maybe we've seen the man that had was born
- 00:16:08.784 --> 00:16:12.020
- Blind in jerusalem, and jesus smeared the mud on his eyes.
- 00:16:12.020 --> 00:16:15.524
- And we've seen people point him out
- 00:16:15.524 --> 00:16:16.925
- And we've been to the marketplace, but
- 00:16:16.925 --> 00:16:19.061
- We haven't had front row seats.
- 00:16:19.061 --> 00:16:20.629
- But we hear he's coming to town.
- 00:16:20.629 --> 00:16:22.731
- And so we go stand in the crowd this day.
- 00:16:22.731 --> 00:16:25.600
- So here's my question.
- 00:16:26.068 --> 00:16:27.369
- What's your reaction to that?
- 00:16:27.369 --> 00:16:29.571
- Are you going to join with the people and giving glory
- 00:16:29.571 --> 00:16:31.907
- To god
- 00:16:31.907 --> 00:16:32.607
- Because you think god is moving
- 00:16:32.607 --> 00:16:34.342
- In your generation, and the dead are being raised
- 00:16:34.342 --> 00:16:36.511
- And the blind eyes are being opened,
- 00:16:36.511 --> 00:16:38.513
- Or are you going to go huddle with the skeptics?
- 00:16:38.513 --> 00:16:42.117
- You see, we all have to make these decisions.
- 00:16:42.117 --> 00:16:43.919
- This is the same event, the same set of circumstances
- 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:47.456
- Being watched by this one large group of people.
- 00:16:47.456 --> 00:16:50.692
- But there are very different responses.
- 00:16:50.692 --> 00:16:52.594
- Some join in the celebration and some begin to plot
- 00:16:52.594 --> 00:16:55.764
- And execution.
- 00:16:55.764 --> 00:16:58.767
- Which seat are you going to choose?
- 00:16:58.767 --> 00:17:06.998
- Which seat are you going to choose?
- 00:17:06.998 --> 00:17:09.679
- But i'm going to invite you to say, lord,
- 00:17:10.580 --> 00:17:12.982
- We're going to choose you.
- 00:17:12.982 --> 00:17:14.717
- We're going to be a part of that celebratory group.
- 00:17:14.717 --> 00:17:17.653
- We understand there'll be other voices in
- 00:17:17.653 --> 00:17:19.322
- The crowd will be people who say it's inappropriate.
- 00:17:19.322 --> 00:17:21.524
- There will be people who say,
- 00:17:21.524 --> 00:17:22.525
- No, it's not legitimate, it's not authentic.
- 00:17:22.525 --> 00:17:25.027
- It's okay. they can make their choices.
- 00:17:25.027 --> 00:17:26.596
- But as for me, i intend to celebrate the goodness of god.
- 00:17:26.596 --> 00:17:30.933
- I intend to raise my hand and say,
- 00:17:31.701 --> 00:17:33.503
- I want to be a part of that overcoming community
- 00:17:33.503 --> 00:17:35.605
- That displays
- 00:17:35.605 --> 00:17:36.706
- The power of god as we approach the end of this age.
- 00:17:36.706 --> 00:17:39.709
- Looks the deception will grow.
- 00:17:39.709 --> 00:17:41.144
- The turmoil is going to grow,
- 00:17:41.144 --> 00:17:43.679
- The intensity of the resistance will grow.
- 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:46.716
- But in the midst of all of that, the power of god
- 00:17:46.716 --> 00:17:48.951
- Is going to be expressed in such a remarkable way
- 00:17:48.951 --> 00:17:51.554
- That there will be a harvest unlike any we've ever seen.
- 00:17:51.554 --> 00:17:54.724
- There will be people that see christ in you.
- 00:17:54.724 --> 00:17:58.094
- We baptized a man saturday night for the festivals.
- 00:17:58.094 --> 00:18:00.530
- We put up the pools outside and and all the stuff.
- 00:18:00.530 --> 00:18:03.733
- On saturday night it was cold,
- 00:18:03.733 --> 00:18:06.536
- The pools were heated and we had heated towels.
- 00:18:06.536 --> 00:18:09.438
- I love that makes me smile.
- 00:18:09.438 --> 00:18:11.641
- But the man told this story.
- 00:18:11.641 --> 00:18:13.109
- We did a we do a class
- 00:18:13.109 --> 00:18:14.243
- With all the people who are going to be baptized.
- 00:18:14.243 --> 00:18:16.212
- And the man told this story
- 00:18:16.212 --> 00:18:17.380
- Said, i've been to these festivals before.
- 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:19.982
- They were free.
- 00:18:19.982 --> 00:18:20.983
- And i like music and i like the food trucks.
- 00:18:20.983 --> 00:18:22.518
- And i would call him
- 00:18:22.518 --> 00:18:23.386
- And he said i would enjoy the music,
- 00:18:23.386 --> 00:18:24.954
- But i would look at these people and i was
- 00:18:24.954 --> 00:18:26.556
- Be sure i would watch the baptismal pools.
- 00:18:26.556 --> 00:18:29.492
- And he said, i made a promise.
- 00:18:29.492 --> 00:18:30.793
- He said, i'll never be one of those people.
- 00:18:30.793 --> 00:18:33.262
- I will never do that.
- 00:18:33.763 --> 00:18:37.033
- And he said he was back this year and the lord had
- 00:18:37.033 --> 00:18:39.468
- Changed.
- 00:18:39.468 --> 00:18:40.036
- His heart had changed
- 00:18:40.036 --> 00:18:41.170
- His life, had given him a whole new life orientation.
- 00:18:41.170 --> 00:18:44.340
- And he came for baptism.
- 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:46.742
- And when he got to come,
- 00:18:46.742 --> 00:18:47.743
- When he climbed into the pool to be baptized,
- 00:18:47.743 --> 00:18:49.078
- There were tears running down his face.
- 00:18:49.078 --> 00:18:50.947
- And he said, i'm so grateful i've become one of those people.
- 00:18:50.947 --> 00:18:55.151
- And i'll tell you, the god we serve has the ability
- 00:18:56.152 --> 00:18:58.354
- To change our hearts.
- 00:18:58.354 --> 00:19:00.189
- And if yours has been bruised or broken or damaged,
- 00:19:00.189 --> 00:19:03.726
- If you will invite god
- 00:19:03.726 --> 00:19:04.927
- In, he will write a new story for you.
- 00:19:04.927 --> 00:19:06.662
- He's doing it for me.
- 00:19:06.662 --> 00:19:07.964
- He'll do it for you.
- 00:19:07.964 --> 00:19:15.999
- He'll do it for you.
- 00:19:15.999 --> 00:19:19.218
- He sent his son.
- 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.720
- He allowed him to be tortured to death in public,
- 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:23.723
- And he raised him to life again.
- 00:19:23.723 --> 00:19:25.625
- That you and i could be redeemed,
- 00:19:25.625 --> 00:19:27.960
- That we could have a new future.
- 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:30.529
- If god can topple the mullahs in iran
- 00:19:30.529 --> 00:19:34.400
- And bring freedom to the church in venezuela,
- 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:37.570
- And bring freedom to the israelis from the hatred
- 00:19:38.571 --> 00:19:41.607
- That is rained down upon them from the skies for decades,
- 00:19:41.607 --> 00:19:45.211
- God can redeem and renew and refresh our lives.
- 00:19:45.211 --> 00:19:49.115
- Now that's good news.
- 00:19:49.615 --> 00:19:50.950
- Jesus is alive.
- 00:19:50.950 --> 00:19:52.918
- We'll change culture with that.
- 00:19:52.918 --> 00:19:54.887
- Now i want to pray for you if you know what it is.
- 00:19:54.887 --> 00:19:57.957
- If you know what the hurt is and the wound is,
- 00:19:57.957 --> 00:20:00.326
- I'm going to ask you if you're willing to forgive.
- 00:20:00.326 --> 00:20:02.228
- Forgive whomever may have contributed to the wound.
- 00:20:02.228 --> 00:20:05.464
- Some of you need to forgive god.
- 00:20:05.464 --> 00:20:06.832
- You're mad at him because he hasn't done what you wanted.
- 00:20:06.832 --> 00:20:09.902
- I suspect some of us need to ask for forgiveness
- 00:20:09.902 --> 00:20:12.004
- Because we've contributed
- 00:20:12.004 --> 00:20:13.639
- To wounds and pain in the lives of others.
- 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:15.441
- We may have justified it,
- 00:20:15.441 --> 00:20:16.509
- But we've caused the wounds and the pain.
- 00:20:16.509 --> 00:20:18.611
- And then we're going to invite god
- 00:20:19.378 --> 00:20:20.546
- To bring his resurrection power into our lives
- 00:20:20.546 --> 00:20:22.815
- And write us a new chapter, a new story.
- 00:20:22.815 --> 00:20:25.284
- You ready for that?
- 00:20:25.284 --> 00:20:26.652
- Let's pray.
- 00:20:26.652 --> 00:20:27.687
- Father, i thank you.
- 00:20:27.687 --> 00:20:28.554
- I thank you for your word.
- 00:20:28.554 --> 00:20:30.690
- I thank you that you call people.
- 00:20:30.690 --> 00:20:33.092
- I thank you that jesus loved us enough, that he came
- 00:20:33.092 --> 00:20:36.329
- And put on an earth suit and walked amongst us,
- 00:20:36.329 --> 00:20:39.432
- And that you called him lord, that you let him tell god
- 00:20:39.432 --> 00:20:41.834
- You led him to a seminary and then to golgotha,
- 00:20:41.834 --> 00:20:45.504
- And that you stood by and brought him out of that tomb.
- 00:20:45.504 --> 00:20:49.275
- We thank you that our lord is alive,
- 00:20:49.275 --> 00:20:51.143
- That jesus is the head of the church.
- 00:20:51.143 --> 00:20:53.546
- And lord, we come today to invite you into our lives.
- 00:20:53.546 --> 00:20:56.015
- Nothing's hidden from you.
- 00:20:56.015 --> 00:20:57.083
- You know the details and the circumstances.
- 00:20:57.083 --> 00:20:59.385
- You know the disappointments that we've had, the
- 00:20:59.385 --> 00:21:01.654
- The broken places we've had, the times
- 00:21:01.654 --> 00:21:03.689
- That we have lost our voice and denied you.
- 00:21:03.689 --> 00:21:06.492
- Lord, we ask you to forgive us
- 00:21:06.492 --> 00:21:08.094
- Just as we forgive those who have hurt us.
- 00:21:08.961 --> 00:21:11.664
- Lord, we set them free. we cancel the debt.
- 00:21:11.664 --> 00:21:13.666
- We tear up the markers.
- 00:21:13.666 --> 00:21:14.767
- We're not owed anything.
- 00:21:14.767 --> 00:21:16.669
- We entrust them to your care.
- 00:21:16.669 --> 00:21:18.971
- And i thank you now for your power in our lives,
- 00:21:18.971 --> 00:21:21.340
- Your power to heal and renew and restore to.
- 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:24.210
- To write a new chapter, to write a new ending, to
- 00:21:24.210 --> 00:21:27.179
- To lead us forward,
- 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:28.414
- To make provision for whatever the need may be.
- 00:21:28.414 --> 00:21:31.484
- I thank you that this easter we can gather
- 00:21:31.484 --> 00:21:33.986
- To lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to you,
- 00:21:33.986 --> 00:21:37.790
- And that we will see the goodness of god
- 00:21:37.790 --> 00:21:39.658
- In the land of the living.
- 00:21:39.658 --> 00:21:41.160
- I thank you for it, lord.
- 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.862
- I pray for our brothers and sisters in iran,
- 00:21:42.862 --> 00:21:44.764
- And our brothers and sisters in ukraine,
- 00:21:44.764 --> 00:21:46.999
- And our brothers and sisters in venezuela,
- 00:21:46.999 --> 00:21:49.668
- For our brothers and sisters in israel.
- 00:21:49.668 --> 00:21:51.470
- Lord, may you strengthen your church,
- 00:21:51.470 --> 00:21:53.873
- Bring new freedom and liberty by the name of jesus. be
- 00:21:53.873 --> 00:21:57.476
- Exalted from gaza to tennessee and everywhere in between.
- 00:21:57.476 --> 00:22:01.747
- We thank you for it, for it's in jesus name we pray.
- 00:22:01.747 --> 00:22:04.717
- Amen.
- 00:22:04.717 --> 00:22:05.418
- Thank you for spending a few minutes with me.
- 00:22:06.352 --> 00:22:08.654
- God's moving in the earth.
- 00:22:08.654 --> 00:22:10.623
- It's not dependent on our circumstances.
- 00:22:10.623 --> 00:22:12.324
- It's dependent upon the character of god
- 00:22:12.324 --> 00:22:14.760
- And his faithfulness.
- 00:22:14.760 --> 00:22:15.728
- And those things they'll never change.
- 00:22:15.728 --> 00:22:18.431
- Gonna take our faith outside the walls of the church.
- 00:22:18.431 --> 00:22:21.066
- We're going to impact our culture.
- 00:22:21.066 --> 00:22:23.569
- I'm glad you've joined me in the journey.
- 00:22:23.569 --> 00:22:25.438
- I'll talk to you soon.
- 00:22:25.438 --> 00:22:25.438