1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Allen Jackson Ministries
  4. Episodes
  5. Allen Jackson - The Responsibility Of Friendship (Part 1)
Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - The Responsibility Of Friendship (Part 1)

January 16, 2025 | 27:29

Allen Jackson - The Responsibility Of Friendship (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#Faith #TrustGod #Relationships #WalkwithGod #RelationshipwithGod #Christianity #Religion #Encouragement #AllenJacksonMinistries #AllenJackson #Responsibility #Fellowship

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - The Responsibility Of Friendship (Part 1) | January 16, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.817
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:03.118 --> 00:00:12.995
  • Allen jackson: hey, it is so good to be with you today.
  • 00:00:22.438 --> 00:00:24.606
  • Our topic is a favorite of mine: my friend jesus.
  • 00:00:24.606 --> 00:00:28.110
  • You know, sometimes we make our faith so complicated.
  • 00:00:28.110 --> 00:00:30.813
  • Whether it's about the translation we read,
  • 00:00:30.813 --> 00:00:32.548
  • Or a style of worship, or the dress code for the people who
  • 00:00:32.548 --> 00:00:36.051
  • Attend the worship service, all of those things may have
  • 00:00:36.051 --> 00:00:38.620
  • A place, but at the end of the day,
  • 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:39.955
  • Our faith is rooted in a person, and his name is jesus
  • 00:00:39.955 --> 00:00:43.225
  • Of nazareth, how you know him.
  • 00:00:43.225 --> 00:00:45.561
  • We want to be his friend, not just be friendly with him.
  • 00:00:45.561 --> 00:00:48.263
  • There's a great difference.
  • 00:00:48.263 --> 00:00:49.798
  • We're gonna look at that in a bit more detail,
  • 00:00:49.798 --> 00:00:52.401
  • But i believe that in this season ahead,
  • 00:00:52.401 --> 00:00:54.670
  • The greatest way to stabilize your life and your family and
  • 00:00:54.670 --> 00:00:58.373
  • Your circumstances is to get to know the person of jesus.
  • 00:00:58.373 --> 00:01:01.877
  • We're gonna explore that in a little detail and see if we can
  • 00:01:01.877 --> 00:01:03.879
  • Take some steps towards it.
  • 00:01:03.879 --> 00:01:05.647
  • Grab your bible and a notepad,
  • 00:01:05.647 --> 00:01:07.015
  • But most of all, open your heart.
  • 00:01:07.015 --> 00:01:09.718
  • Allen: sometimes i think those of us in church world,
  • 00:01:09.785 --> 00:01:11.620
  • Especially those of us who are professional christians,
  • 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:13.755
  • Overcomplicate this.
  • 00:01:13.755 --> 00:01:16.091
  • And there's some time and place for technical things,
  • 00:01:16.091 --> 00:01:19.595
  • And i don't want to diminish that.
  • 00:01:19.595 --> 00:01:20.929
  • I'm grateful for that and enjoy it on many levels.
  • 00:01:20.929 --> 00:01:25.000
  • But the fundamentals of our faith are not complicated.
  • 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:28.003
  • It is really not so much about the particular congregation
  • 00:01:28.003 --> 00:01:30.339
  • Where we gather or the denomination or that we would
  • 00:01:30.339 --> 00:01:33.575
  • Give a nod towards or even the translation we prefer to read.
  • 00:01:33.575 --> 00:01:36.578
  • Fundamentally, our faith is founded on a person,
  • 00:01:36.578 --> 00:01:38.947
  • And his name is jesus,
  • 00:01:38.947 --> 00:01:41.116
  • Jesus of nazareth, to be specific,
  • 00:01:41.116 --> 00:01:43.385
  • The incarnate son of god.
  • 00:01:43.385 --> 00:01:44.820
  • What you believe about jesus, how you interact with jesus,
  • 00:01:44.820 --> 00:01:47.856
  • How you relate to jesus, the position of authority you give
  • 00:01:47.856 --> 00:01:50.859
  • To jesus will determine your eternity.
  • 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:54.029
  • It will be a tremendous determinant on how you make your
  • 00:01:54.029 --> 00:01:56.198
  • Journey through time, but i assure you it will determine
  • 00:01:56.198 --> 00:01:58.600
  • Your eternity far more than any of those previously stated
  • 00:01:58.600 --> 00:02:01.503
  • Things: churches or denominations
  • 00:02:01.503 --> 00:02:03.405
  • Or worship styles.
  • 00:02:03.405 --> 00:02:05.974
  • Jesus.
  • 00:02:05.974 --> 00:02:07.776
  • And the construct is so helpful for me is to think
  • 00:02:07.776 --> 00:02:10.746
  • Of jesus as a friend.
  • 00:02:10.746 --> 00:02:12.214
  • Jesus called us his friend. i'm always a little cautious.
  • 00:02:12.214 --> 00:02:15.717
  • I don't want to invite you towards that
  • 00:02:15.717 --> 00:02:17.252
  • In an overly casual way.
  • 00:02:17.252 --> 00:02:20.489
  • Jesus deserves respect and honor,
  • 00:02:20.489 --> 00:02:24.927
  • And you don't want to diminish his place as lord and king,
  • 00:02:24.927 --> 00:02:29.698
  • Even though he will welcome you as a friend.
  • 00:02:29.698 --> 00:02:33.502
  • He's not like us.
  • 00:02:33.502 --> 00:02:35.671
  • When you see him in all of his glory,
  • 00:02:35.671 --> 00:02:37.272
  • In his splendor, you will be filled with awe.
  • 00:02:37.272 --> 00:02:43.545
  • So, i have a little hesitation 'cause it's not like he's bubba.
  • 00:02:43.545 --> 00:02:49.318
  • It's like, hey, yo, dude, that doesn't feel right to me.
  • 00:02:49.318 --> 00:02:52.921
  • He is still the king of kings and the lord of lords.
  • 00:02:52.921 --> 00:02:57.359
  • In this session, i want to look with you at the responsibility
  • 00:02:57.359 --> 00:02:59.628
  • Of friendship, because true friendship
  • 00:02:59.628 --> 00:03:01.163
  • Comes with responsibility.
  • 00:03:01.163 --> 00:03:04.166
  • You know, we're in a very unique season.
  • 00:03:04.166 --> 00:03:06.034
  • It was introduced by covid, but it didn't end with--when the
  • 00:03:06.034 --> 00:03:09.371
  • Mask mandates finally began to dissipate.
  • 00:03:09.371 --> 00:03:13.275
  • I don't know that i've ever seen a more important time for us to
  • 00:03:13.275 --> 00:03:16.178
  • Truly live our faith.
  • 00:03:16.178 --> 00:03:19.214
  • The onset of that covid-19 pandemic,
  • 00:03:19.214 --> 00:03:21.650
  • We all did our best to live healthier lives.
  • 00:03:21.650 --> 00:03:24.152
  • Remember that?
  • 00:03:24.152 --> 00:03:25.954
  • We all got really focused on that for a season.
  • 00:03:25.954 --> 00:03:28.590
  • We limited our possible exposure to persons or circumstances
  • 00:03:28.590 --> 00:03:31.760
  • Which might have put us at high risk of contracting the virus.
  • 00:03:31.760 --> 00:03:36.965
  • We all understood it wasn't time for business as usual.
  • 00:03:36.965 --> 00:03:39.501
  • We closed schools and businesses,
  • 00:03:39.501 --> 00:03:40.969
  • And we stayed home, and we washed our groceries.
  • 00:03:40.969 --> 00:03:46.708
  • I don't mean the vegetables.
  • 00:03:46.708 --> 00:03:48.610
  • You washed the cans.
  • 00:03:48.610 --> 00:03:50.812
  • Now we're a little embarrassed, but we did.
  • 00:03:50.812 --> 00:03:53.815
  • Well, i would submit to you, if we can borrow the idea for a
  • 00:03:53.815 --> 00:03:56.918
  • Moment, we are continuing--in fact,
  • 00:03:56.918 --> 00:03:59.321
  • We are probably in a more heightened
  • 00:03:59.321 --> 00:04:00.889
  • Spiritual pandemic today.
  • 00:04:00.889 --> 00:04:03.992
  • And i would submit to you, you're not at greater risk of an
  • 00:04:03.992 --> 00:04:06.194
  • Infection from a virus, but you're at greater risk of
  • 00:04:06.194 --> 00:04:08.430
  • Deception than you've ever been in your spiritual journey.
  • 00:04:08.430 --> 00:04:12.467
  • Deception, manipulation of being overwhelmed by ungodliness,
  • 00:04:12.467 --> 00:04:15.337
  • Because it's being expressed in ways and with a frequency beyond
  • 00:04:15.337 --> 00:04:20.742
  • Anything i've seen.
  • 00:04:20.742 --> 00:04:22.644
  • We're in danger of compromising our faith.
  • 00:04:22.644 --> 00:04:25.147
  • The pressures to do that are intensifying.
  • 00:04:25.147 --> 00:04:27.683
  • They don't want you to deny your faith.
  • 00:04:27.683 --> 00:04:29.151
  • They're just trying to ask you to assimilate
  • 00:04:29.151 --> 00:04:30.719
  • Some other ideas into it.
  • 00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:32.054
  • Don't be so rigid.
  • 00:04:32.054 --> 00:04:33.855
  • Don't be so determined to assert that jesus of nazareth is the
  • 00:04:33.855 --> 00:04:36.825
  • Way, the truth, and the life.
  • 00:04:36.825 --> 00:04:38.327
  • Can't we just all get along?
  • 00:04:38.327 --> 00:04:40.862
  • Why do we have to imagine such narrow definitions?
  • 00:04:40.862 --> 00:04:46.034
  • All those pressures are growing, as are the pressures to deny the
  • 00:04:46.034 --> 00:04:51.873
  • Lord--not to walk away completely from your faith,
  • 00:04:51.873 --> 00:04:54.109
  • Just to deny the lord for a moment of opportunity.
  • 00:04:54.109 --> 00:04:58.313
  • Or for a moment, i could just turn down the volume.
  • 00:04:58.313 --> 00:05:00.048
  • There's a little window here.
  • 00:05:00.048 --> 00:05:02.351
  • I'm just gonna slip through the window,
  • 00:05:02.351 --> 00:05:03.685
  • And then i'll turn the volume back up on the other side.
  • 00:05:03.685 --> 00:05:09.624
  • And i want to encourage you it's a time to live our faith,
  • 00:05:09.624 --> 00:05:14.363
  • To give attention to the truth that you know,
  • 00:05:14.363 --> 00:05:17.499
  • To limit your exposure to temptation,
  • 00:05:17.499 --> 00:05:20.068
  • More so than you ever have before.
  • 00:05:20.068 --> 00:05:21.837
  • We know the places where you're tempted.
  • 00:05:21.837 --> 00:05:23.939
  • We're not tempted on every point,
  • 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:25.273
  • But you know the places you're most vulnerable.
  • 00:05:25.273 --> 00:05:27.342
  • Limit your exposure to temptation.
  • 00:05:27.342 --> 00:05:29.411
  • Turn away from anything you know diminishes righteousness.
  • 00:05:29.411 --> 00:05:33.815
  • Just don't encourage it. don't cultivate it.
  • 00:05:33.815 --> 00:05:35.617
  • Don't give yourself willingly to those places.
  • 00:05:35.617 --> 00:05:39.454
  • Seek the lord.
  • 00:05:39.454 --> 00:05:40.789
  • Spend time thinking about godliness,
  • 00:05:40.789 --> 00:05:42.357
  • More time than you're accustomed to.
  • 00:05:42.357 --> 00:05:44.926
  • Don't spend time thinking about the wickedness,
  • 00:05:44.926 --> 00:05:46.928
  • Or the immorality, and the ungodliness,
  • 00:05:46.928 --> 00:05:48.730
  • And the economic chaos that is ahead of us.
  • 00:05:48.730 --> 00:05:50.966
  • It is ahead of us.
  • 00:05:50.966 --> 00:05:54.636
  • But you can't fix it, you're not gonna think your way through it.
  • 00:05:54.636 --> 00:05:57.839
  • Worrying won't help, or we would organize groups.
  • 00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:02.344
  • Spend more time thinking about godliness.
  • 00:06:02.344 --> 00:06:04.246
  • Take time to pray and to listen.
  • 00:06:04.246 --> 00:06:07.082
  • Give thanks to god--not because you feel like it,
  • 00:06:07.082 --> 00:06:11.052
  • Not because your circumstances seem to dictate it,
  • 00:06:11.052 --> 00:06:14.055
  • Because he is worthy.
  • 00:06:14.055 --> 00:06:15.390
  • He is your provider. he is your protection.
  • 00:06:15.390 --> 00:06:17.159
  • He's your sustainer.
  • 00:06:17.159 --> 00:06:20.695
  • We've been idolatrous for too long.
  • 00:06:20.695 --> 00:06:23.799
  • We've trusted in the strength of the dollar,
  • 00:06:23.799 --> 00:06:25.801
  • Or the constitution, or the bill of rights.
  • 00:06:25.801 --> 00:06:28.403
  • We've watched all those things
  • 00:06:28.403 --> 00:06:29.738
  • Be set aside rather quickly and glibly.
  • 00:06:29.738 --> 00:06:31.973
  • Take time to give thanks.
  • 00:06:31.973 --> 00:06:33.308
  • Look for evidence of god's activity.
  • 00:06:33.308 --> 00:06:35.811
  • Use your voices and your influence to encourage holiness
  • 00:06:35.811 --> 00:06:39.848
  • And purity.
  • 00:06:39.848 --> 00:06:43.418
  • We've been silent too long. we've winked at ungodliness.
  • 00:06:43.418 --> 00:06:45.987
  • We smiled at it, and laughed at it,
  • 00:06:45.987 --> 00:06:47.689
  • And grinned at it, and encouraged our kids towards it.
  • 00:06:47.689 --> 00:06:53.094
  • Act out the truth you know.
  • 00:06:53.094 --> 00:06:55.397
  • Do everything in your power to avoid a theoretical faith.
  • 00:06:55.397 --> 00:06:57.699
  • If you don't intend to lives it, have the courage to say,
  • 00:06:57.699 --> 00:07:00.335
  • "i don't believe it."
  • 00:07:00.335 --> 00:07:02.537
  • We've gotta stop pretending.
  • 00:07:02.537 --> 00:07:05.907
  • We're past that. that season has gone.
  • 00:07:05.907 --> 00:07:08.376
  • The consequences are too high.
  • 00:07:08.376 --> 00:07:11.079
  • Watch, listen, think, act as christ followers.
  • 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:18.119
  • The responsibility of friendship is different than what social
  • 00:07:18.119 --> 00:07:20.455
  • Media calls friends.
  • 00:07:20.455 --> 00:07:23.592
  • It's not about how many likes you can gather.
  • 00:07:23.592 --> 00:07:26.628
  • Friendship isn't about being a voyeur digitally.
  • 00:07:26.628 --> 00:07:30.532
  • True friendships come with responsibilities.
  • 00:07:30.532 --> 00:07:33.502
  • You have a limited capacity for friends,
  • 00:07:33.502 --> 00:07:36.838
  • Because you have a limited amount of time
  • 00:07:36.838 --> 00:07:38.507
  • And space and energy.
  • 00:07:38.507 --> 00:07:41.476
  • You can't truly give attention to but a
  • 00:07:41.476 --> 00:07:44.546
  • Limited number of friends.
  • 00:07:44.546 --> 00:07:46.915
  • You can be friendly, but that's different.
  • 00:07:46.915 --> 00:07:48.750
  • We'll talk about that in a moment.
  • 00:07:48.750 --> 00:07:50.252
  • In john 15 and verse 16, jesus said,
  • 00:07:50.252 --> 00:07:52.787
  • "you didn't choose me, but i chose you and appointed you to
  • 00:07:52.787 --> 00:07:57.325
  • Go and bear fruit--fruit that will last."
  • 00:07:57.325 --> 00:08:00.328
  • Beginning point for this is to understand
  • 00:08:00.328 --> 00:08:01.830
  • That you've been chosen.
  • 00:08:01.830 --> 00:08:04.599
  • Now, we've all been left off or left out.
  • 00:08:04.599 --> 00:08:08.403
  • It's happened to all of us from programs you wanted to be
  • 00:08:08.403 --> 00:08:11.640
  • Included in or marriages that we wanted to remain a part of,
  • 00:08:11.640 --> 00:08:14.743
  • Or schools that we wanted an opportunity to participate,
  • 00:08:14.743 --> 00:08:17.879
  • Or something.
  • 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:19.748
  • We all understand what that's like,
  • 00:08:19.748 --> 00:08:22.284
  • But it's important to know that the creator of heaven and
  • 00:08:22.284 --> 00:08:24.219
  • Earth has chosen you.
  • 00:08:24.219 --> 00:08:25.554
  • And i'm not gonna take the time to build it biblically,
  • 00:08:25.554 --> 00:08:27.556
  • But if you will trust me on it for the moment,
  • 00:08:27.556 --> 00:08:29.958
  • We'll look at it another time.
  • 00:08:29.958 --> 00:08:31.593
  • Before you ever chose god, he chose you.
  • 00:08:31.593 --> 00:08:35.196
  • Before you had an inclination towards him,
  • 00:08:35.196 --> 00:08:37.198
  • When you were still completely ensnared in ungodliness,
  • 00:08:37.198 --> 00:08:40.802
  • And you could've cared less about him,
  • 00:08:40.802 --> 00:08:42.871
  • God chose you, and he made provision that you and i might
  • 00:08:42.871 --> 00:08:46.641
  • Lead godly, upright, righteous lives,
  • 00:08:46.641 --> 00:08:50.745
  • Chosen by god.
  • 00:08:50.745 --> 00:08:53.648
  • And i suspect somewhere along the journey,
  • 00:08:53.648 --> 00:08:54.983
  • You probably weren't even too happy about it.
  • 00:08:54.983 --> 00:08:58.053
  • When you first started feeling guilty and uncomfortable,
  • 00:08:58.053 --> 00:09:00.989
  • That conviction started within you,
  • 00:09:00.989 --> 00:09:02.557
  • But you really weren't ready to stop whatever it was you were
  • 00:09:02.557 --> 00:09:04.526
  • Convicted of, yet--
  • 00:09:04.526 --> 00:09:10.865
  • Can't even throw a good fit and feel good about it anymore.
  • 00:09:10.865 --> 00:09:15.437
  • It's not always easy.
  • 00:09:15.437 --> 00:09:16.771
  • Well, there's two specific groups i would just highlight to
  • 00:09:16.771 --> 00:09:19.674
  • You, want to keep an awareness of, that god has chosen--same
  • 00:09:19.674 --> 00:09:22.711
  • Story, same objective, but they form different parts of that
  • 00:09:22.711 --> 00:09:27.949
  • Emerging story, but it's important
  • 00:09:27.949 --> 00:09:29.818
  • To understand them both.
  • 00:09:29.818 --> 00:09:31.152
  • The first is the jewish people.
  • 00:09:31.152 --> 00:09:34.889
  • God chose the jewish people. it's very clear in scripture.
  • 00:09:34.889 --> 00:09:37.926
  • We'll read a passage or two together in just a moment.
  • 00:09:37.926 --> 00:09:40.962
  • He hasn't set them aside.
  • 00:09:40.962 --> 00:09:42.797
  • That's the arrogance and the heresy of the christian church.
  • 00:09:42.797 --> 00:09:47.836
  • It's carnal nature, started very early,
  • 00:09:47.836 --> 00:09:50.271
  • Started in the books of the new testament.
  • 00:09:50.271 --> 00:09:51.940
  • Before they even got the canon of the new testament closed,
  • 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:54.509
  • The non-jewish people were saying the jewish people missed
  • 00:09:54.509 --> 00:09:56.811
  • Their opportunity.
  • 00:09:56.811 --> 00:09:59.481
  • Well, god doesn't think so.
  • 00:09:59.481 --> 00:10:01.883
  • So, i would encourage you to align your thinking with god's.
  • 00:10:01.883 --> 00:10:04.386
  • It's his story.
  • 00:10:04.386 --> 00:10:06.788
  • But i'll tell you this.
  • 00:10:06.788 --> 00:10:08.256
  • What i've learned--i have many people,
  • 00:10:08.256 --> 00:10:10.458
  • Many friends who are jewish, and the story,
  • 00:10:10.458 --> 00:10:15.363
  • Both historically and even to an extent today i would submit,
  • 00:10:15.363 --> 00:10:19.000
  • Israel doesn't want to be different.
  • 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:23.238
  • They would tell you there's a tremendous price to be paid for
  • 00:10:23.238 --> 00:10:26.908
  • Being chosen--
  • 00:10:26.908 --> 00:10:30.612
  • Our study at hebrew university in jerusalem,
  • 00:10:30.612 --> 00:10:33.581
  • And you sit in those history classes,
  • 00:10:33.581 --> 00:10:34.916
  • And you hear what the jewish people have endured,
  • 00:10:34.916 --> 00:10:39.220
  • Far too frequently at the hands of the people under the name of
  • 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:42.223
  • Christianity, and they're very aware of the high price that was
  • 00:10:42.223 --> 00:10:47.195
  • Paid for them to be chosen by god.
  • 00:10:47.195 --> 00:10:51.666
  • It comes at a cost to be god's friend.
  • 00:10:51.666 --> 00:10:57.439
  • It does.
  • 00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:59.140
  • And they finally said, "look, we just don't want to do this.
  • 00:10:59.140 --> 00:11:02.143
  • We want to be like all the other nations."
  • 00:11:02.143 --> 00:11:05.380
  • And here's the awkward part: they're not.
  • 00:11:05.380 --> 00:11:09.484
  • They're not like all the other nations.
  • 00:11:09.484 --> 00:11:13.788
  • It's important to understand.
  • 00:11:13.788 --> 00:11:17.225
  • You see, god's choices in your life and mine carry a weight and
  • 00:11:17.225 --> 00:11:21.830
  • A significance.
  • 00:11:21.830 --> 00:11:23.331
  • Look with me at the scripture. it'll help.
  • 00:11:23.331 --> 00:11:25.233
  • Exodus 19, this was god speaking to them.
  • 00:11:25.233 --> 00:11:27.402
  • This is after--we just read exodus together.
  • 00:11:27.402 --> 00:11:29.537
  • We're in leviticus now. how's that going for you.
  • 00:11:29.537 --> 00:11:32.574
  • Good stuff, isn't it?
  • 00:11:32.574 --> 00:11:33.908
  • Leviticus should've come with pictures.
  • 00:11:33.908 --> 00:11:36.945
  • It would've helped, wouldn't it?
  • 00:11:36.945 --> 00:11:39.447
  • Exodus 19, "then out of all nations you'll
  • 00:11:39.447 --> 00:11:42.417
  • Be my treasured possession.
  • 00:11:42.417 --> 00:11:44.853
  • And although the whole earth is mine,
  • 00:11:44.853 --> 00:11:47.422
  • You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
  • 00:11:47.422 --> 00:11:52.827
  • These are the words you're to speak to the israelites."
  • 00:11:52.827 --> 00:11:55.730
  • God said, "moses, you tell them, all of you are gonna be for me
  • 00:11:55.730 --> 00:11:59.100
  • A kingdom of priests, kings and priests."
  • 00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:01.936
  • Out of all the peoples in the world--they're all mine,
  • 00:12:01.936 --> 00:12:04.539
  • But you're a special possession to me.
  • 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:07.876
  • They didn't have a vote.
  • 00:12:07.876 --> 00:12:10.111
  • All they really wanted was out of the egyptian brick pits.
  • 00:12:10.111 --> 00:12:14.048
  • They didn't want to be slaves to pharaoh any longer.
  • 00:12:14.048 --> 00:12:16.251
  • They wanted to be free.
  • 00:12:16.251 --> 00:12:18.753
  • And god said, "i've come to get you.
  • 00:12:18.753 --> 00:12:21.289
  • We're leaving."
  • 00:12:21.289 --> 00:12:23.391
  • And there was some pretty good drama around that,
  • 00:12:23.391 --> 00:12:25.460
  • Some pretty significant theatrics,
  • 00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.961
  • Complete with the parting of the red sea,
  • 00:12:26.961 --> 00:12:30.565
  • And water out of a rock, and manna every day,
  • 00:12:30.565 --> 00:12:32.700
  • And a tabernacle, and a priesthood,
  • 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:34.669
  • And a sacrificial system, and god said,
  • 00:12:34.669 --> 00:12:36.704
  • "now, you tell them, you're a special people."
  • 00:12:36.704 --> 00:12:42.143
  • You see, to know god, to experience god,
  • 00:12:42.143 --> 00:12:45.780
  • To have god know you and give you a revelation of himself is
  • 00:12:45.780 --> 00:12:50.952
  • A point of distinction, a line of demarcation in your journey
  • 00:12:50.952 --> 00:12:53.955
  • Through time.
  • 00:12:53.955 --> 00:12:56.357
  • It's not about sitting in church.
  • 00:12:56.357 --> 00:12:58.793
  • You can sit in church and never know the lord.
  • 00:12:58.793 --> 00:13:03.631
  • 1 samuel chapter 8, verse 19, the people refused
  • 00:13:03.631 --> 00:13:05.767
  • To listen to samuel.
  • 00:13:05.767 --> 00:13:07.101
  • Samuel was the last of the judges.
  • 00:13:07.101 --> 00:13:10.071
  • The book of judges is coming.
  • 00:13:10.071 --> 00:13:11.406
  • It's a little more dramatic than leviticus.
  • 00:13:11.406 --> 00:13:14.509
  • For 400 years, the hebrews people lived in the land of
  • 00:13:14.509 --> 00:13:17.512
  • Israel without a centralized government: no king,
  • 00:13:17.512 --> 00:13:20.915
  • No monarchy, no standing army.
  • 00:13:20.915 --> 00:13:23.451
  • They had tribes, the tribal system;
  • 00:13:23.451 --> 00:13:25.253
  • And when there was a need for a unified response,
  • 00:13:25.253 --> 00:13:28.189
  • God would raise up a leader, and empower them to meet the needs
  • 00:13:28.189 --> 00:13:32.827
  • Of that specific season.
  • 00:13:32.827 --> 00:13:34.729
  • And the book of judges is this cycle between the people
  • 00:13:34.729 --> 00:13:37.966
  • Experiencing the blessings of god and drifting into apostasy
  • 00:13:37.966 --> 00:13:41.970
  • And suffering, and crying out to god,
  • 00:13:41.970 --> 00:13:43.972
  • And god raising up a leader that would lead them back to a place
  • 00:13:43.972 --> 00:13:48.042
  • Of independence at some significant cost.
  • 00:13:48.042 --> 00:13:52.146
  • And then the blessings of god would come again,
  • 00:13:52.146 --> 00:13:53.715
  • And then they would drift again into apostasy.
  • 00:13:53.715 --> 00:13:55.950
  • Sound familiar?
  • 00:13:55.950 --> 00:13:58.119
  • We're not the first generation
  • 00:13:58.119 --> 00:13:59.454
  • To have a bit of a problem with drift.
  • 00:13:59.454 --> 00:14:03.958
  • Well, the last of the judges is samuel.
  • 00:14:03.958 --> 00:14:05.827
  • Israel's never had a king,
  • 00:14:05.827 --> 00:14:09.030
  • And the tribal leaders come to samuel.
  • 00:14:09.030 --> 00:14:12.567
  • Chapter 8, "the people refused to listen to samuel.
  • 00:14:12.567 --> 00:14:14.636
  • 'no! we want a king over us.
  • 00:14:14.636 --> 00:14:17.205
  • Then we will be like all the other nations,
  • 00:14:17.205 --> 00:14:20.775
  • With a king to lead us and to go out before
  • 00:14:20.775 --> 00:14:23.411
  • Us and to fight our battles.
  • 00:14:23.411 --> 00:14:24.746
  • We don't want to fight our battles anymore.
  • 00:14:24.746 --> 00:14:28.249
  • We don't want to stand in this place of responsibility.
  • 00:14:28.249 --> 00:14:32.120
  • We don't want to have to worry about this relationship.
  • 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:35.990
  • We want the benefits with no responsibilities.
  • 00:14:35.990 --> 00:14:39.861
  • Give us a king. let them be responsible.'"
  • 00:14:39.861 --> 00:14:43.898
  • Did it change the nature of the covenant they had with the lord?
  • 00:14:43.898 --> 00:14:46.301
  • No.
  • 00:14:46.301 --> 00:14:48.169
  • Did it change their future?
  • 00:14:48.169 --> 00:14:49.504
  • Absolutely, it did.
  • 00:14:49.504 --> 00:14:54.876
  • Female announcer: if you look, you'll find good
  • 00:14:58.880 --> 00:15:00.515
  • News everywhere.
  • 00:15:00.515 --> 00:15:02.383
  • Female: our baby was born healthy and strong.
  • 00:15:02.383 --> 00:15:06.254
  • Female: we have the groceries we need.
  • 00:15:06.254 --> 00:15:08.823
  • Male: another year cancer-free.
  • 00:15:08.823 --> 00:15:12.193
  • Female: we bought our first house this year.
  • 00:15:12.193 --> 00:15:16.130
  • Female: the raise came through when i needed it most.
  • 00:15:16.130 --> 00:15:19.767
  • Male: i have a working car.
  • 00:15:19.767 --> 00:15:23.371
  • Female: my husband came home safe.
  • 00:15:23.371 --> 00:15:27.241
  • Female announcer: philippians 4 tells us to, "think about
  • 00:15:27.241 --> 00:15:29.077
  • Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable,
  • 00:15:29.077 --> 00:15:34.682
  • Excellent and praiseworthy."
  • 00:15:34.682 --> 00:15:36.951
  • All of these things honor god and when we take time to notice
  • 00:15:36.951 --> 00:15:40.254
  • Them, we welcome god's presence and experience his peace.
  • 00:15:40.254 --> 00:15:44.125
  • Allen: you know, the two most critical junctures of any
  • 00:15:45.893 --> 00:15:48.429
  • Enterprise are how we begin and how we conclude.
  • 00:15:48.429 --> 00:15:51.866
  • So, the beginning of a new year is a tremendous opportunity.
  • 00:15:51.866 --> 00:15:55.803
  • We've prepared a tool we want to share with you.
  • 00:15:55.803 --> 00:15:57.605
  • It's a good news journal.
  • 00:15:57.605 --> 00:15:59.474
  • We wanna help you set a habit this year to do something with
  • 00:15:59.474 --> 00:16:03.511
  • A bit more intention than perhaps has been our pattern in
  • 00:16:03.511 --> 00:16:06.481
  • The past.
  • 00:16:06.481 --> 00:16:07.815
  • We wanna start our year with an attitude of appreciation and
  • 00:16:07.815 --> 00:16:10.852
  • Gratitude for the blessings of god in our lives.
  • 00:16:10.852 --> 00:16:14.088
  • So, we've designed this journal so that you can use it as a part
  • 00:16:14.088 --> 00:16:17.091
  • Of your devotional.
  • 00:16:17.091 --> 00:16:18.426
  • It's something you could include the children, the grandchildren.
  • 00:16:18.426 --> 00:16:20.661
  • You could take it to work and create a good news journal for
  • 00:16:20.661 --> 00:16:23.097
  • The people you work with.
  • 00:16:23.097 --> 00:16:24.699
  • Wherever that may be, let's start our year out purposefully,
  • 00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:28.469
  • Intentionally saying, "thank you," to the lord for his
  • 00:16:28.469 --> 00:16:31.472
  • Goodness to us.
  • 00:16:31.472 --> 00:16:32.940
  • I know there's challenges and we have places where we need god's
  • 00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:35.676
  • Help, but we're gonna begin with gratitude and walk into the
  • 00:16:35.676 --> 00:16:39.580
  • Blessings of god in this year.
  • 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:41.949
  • I think you'll enjoy the journal.
  • 00:16:41.949 --> 00:16:43.684
  • God bless.
  • 00:16:43.684 --> 00:16:45.019
  • Female announcer: when you keep a good news list, you'll notice
  • 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:47.121
  • How god is constantly at work all around you.
  • 00:16:47.121 --> 00:16:50.391
  • Our new 52-week, good news notebook gives you a place to
  • 00:16:50.391 --> 00:16:54.328
  • Record your good news, prayers you saw god answer, and your
  • 00:16:54.328 --> 00:16:57.932
  • Current prayer requests.
  • 00:16:57.932 --> 00:16:59.700
  • As you look back on your lists over the weeks and months to
  • 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:02.570
  • Come, you'll find a personal record of god's faithfulness
  • 00:17:02.570 --> 00:17:05.506
  • To you.
  • 00:17:05.506 --> 00:17:06.841
  • Allen: we are trusting god for a year like no other for his
  • 00:17:06.841 --> 00:17:09.243
  • Breakthroughs this year.
  • 00:17:09.243 --> 00:17:10.611
  • I believe the good news journal can be a part of our journey in
  • 00:17:10.611 --> 00:17:13.581
  • Each of our lives.
  • 00:17:13.581 --> 00:17:14.916
  • Female announcer: request your good news notebook when you
  • 00:17:14.916 --> 00:17:16.517
  • Donate $20 or more today at allenjackson.com
  • 00:17:16.517 --> 00:17:19.921
  • Or by calling...
  • 00:17:19.921 --> 00:17:24.625
  • Announcer: we are committed to helping you grow in your faith
  • 00:17:27.628 --> 00:17:29.330
  • And have tools for your journey no matter your schedule.
  • 00:17:29.330 --> 00:17:32.233
  • Get daily encouragement and insight with pastor allen's
  • 00:17:32.233 --> 00:17:34.836
  • Daily devotion right in your inbox.
  • 00:17:34.836 --> 00:17:36.804
  • Just sign up on the website.
  • 00:17:36.804 --> 00:17:38.473
  • Join us on one of our livestream services right from your tv
  • 00:17:38.473 --> 00:17:41.709
  • Using the allen jackson ministries app,
  • 00:17:41.709 --> 00:17:43.644
  • Listen to a powerful message
  • 00:17:43.644 --> 00:17:45.379
  • Through your favorite podcast app perfect for a commute,
  • 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:48.282
  • And make sure to follow pastor allen
  • 00:17:48.282 --> 00:17:50.051
  • On social media to stay up to date with everything happening
  • 00:17:50.051 --> 00:17:52.620
  • Here with allen jackson ministries.
  • 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:55.223
  • Allen: absolutely it did--i told you god had chosen
  • 00:17:58.259 --> 00:18:00.595
  • Two groups of people.
  • 00:18:00.595 --> 00:18:01.929
  • One was the jewish people; the other is the church.
  • 00:18:01.929 --> 00:18:04.232
  • That's not about a racial identity.
  • 00:18:04.232 --> 00:18:05.933
  • The church is comprised of every human being.
  • 00:18:05.933 --> 00:18:08.035
  • They'll be brought from every nation,
  • 00:18:08.035 --> 00:18:09.904
  • Race, language, and tribe.
  • 00:18:09.904 --> 00:18:11.572
  • What binds us together is the lordship of jesus of nazareth
  • 00:18:11.572 --> 00:18:14.609
  • In our lives.
  • 00:18:14.609 --> 00:18:16.677
  • It's not about a building, a congregation, or a denomination.
  • 00:18:16.677 --> 00:18:19.780
  • It's about your allegiance to jesus.
  • 00:18:19.780 --> 00:18:22.250
  • In 1 peter chapter 2, we're gonna read a verse that sounds
  • 00:18:22.250 --> 00:18:24.819
  • A great deal like what we read in exodus 19.
  • 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:26.554
  • "you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
  • 00:18:26.554 --> 00:18:30.958
  • A holy nation, a people for god's own possession,
  • 00:18:30.958 --> 00:18:34.829
  • That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called
  • 00:18:34.829 --> 00:18:37.899
  • You out of darkness into his marvelous light."
  • 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:40.067
  • He didn't call us from the brick pits of egypt.
  • 00:18:40.067 --> 00:18:42.403
  • He called us from bondage to sin into his marvelous light.
  • 00:18:42.403 --> 00:18:49.610
  • And this is peter, the big fisherman that jesus recruited.
  • 00:18:49.610 --> 00:18:52.180
  • He's saying to us, "you're a chosen race,
  • 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:54.749
  • A royal priesthood.
  • 00:18:54.749 --> 00:18:56.117
  • You're a kingdom of priests."
  • 00:18:56.117 --> 00:19:00.955
  • And we're a whole lot like those people we've been reading about
  • 00:19:00.955 --> 00:19:02.990
  • In exodus and leviticus, and you're going to read in numbers
  • 00:19:02.990 --> 00:19:05.426
  • And deuteronomy.
  • 00:19:05.426 --> 00:19:07.628
  • And we didn't really buy into all this.
  • 00:19:07.628 --> 00:19:08.963
  • We just didn't want to go to hell.
  • 00:19:08.963 --> 00:19:12.633
  • I mean, we didn't sign up for like extra credit.
  • 00:19:12.633 --> 00:19:16.237
  • We looked at discipleship plans, and we didn't want to be like
  • 00:19:16.237 --> 00:19:18.673
  • Super disciples, right?
  • 00:19:18.673 --> 00:19:22.143
  • We were looking for minimal daily requirements.
  • 00:19:22.143 --> 00:19:26.080
  • "i bought a bible.
  • 00:19:26.080 --> 00:19:29.217
  • What do you mean i have to read it?
  • 00:19:29.217 --> 00:19:31.986
  • Well, i read it once."
  • 00:19:31.986 --> 00:19:34.689
  • Oh, well, bless your heart.
  • 00:19:34.689 --> 00:19:40.428
  • There's a relationship implied.
  • 00:19:40.428 --> 00:19:42.730
  • In acts chapter 10 and verse 34, "peter began to speak,
  • 00:19:42.730 --> 00:19:45.600
  • 'i now realize how true it is that god does not show
  • 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:48.069
  • Favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him
  • 00:19:48.069 --> 00:19:51.973
  • And do what is right.'"
  • 00:19:51.973 --> 00:19:55.243
  • I would submit to you that just as much as the
  • 00:19:55.243 --> 00:19:57.445
  • Israelites, the jewish people struggled with that invitation
  • 00:19:57.445 --> 00:20:01.115
  • To be different, that oftentimes the church doesn't want to be
  • 00:20:01.115 --> 00:20:03.818
  • Different, that just as much as the tribal leaders came to
  • 00:20:03.818 --> 00:20:07.755
  • Samuel and said, "we want a king so we can be like everybody
  • 00:20:07.755 --> 00:20:10.625
  • Else," i would submit to you there's an abundance of evidence
  • 00:20:10.625 --> 00:20:13.728
  • That suggests we want to be like all the other people.
  • 00:20:13.728 --> 00:20:19.467
  • Can't we just fly under the radar and slip into the building
  • 00:20:19.467 --> 00:20:21.402
  • On sunday and go, "praise jesus"?
  • 00:20:21.402 --> 00:20:24.305
  • Can't we do business like a pagan?
  • 00:20:24.305 --> 00:20:27.241
  • Can't we party like the pagans?
  • 00:20:27.241 --> 00:20:30.845
  • Can we have an attitude towards human sexuality like the pagans?
  • 00:20:30.845 --> 00:20:33.681
  • Or can't we make the boundaries or the goals?
  • 00:20:33.681 --> 00:20:35.616
  • Can't we do that?
  • 00:20:35.616 --> 00:20:37.885
  • We don't want to be different. we just want to go to heaven.
  • 00:20:37.885 --> 00:20:42.523
  • We don't want to be different.
  • 00:20:42.523 --> 00:20:43.858
  • We just don't want to make bricks anymore in egypt.
  • 00:20:43.858 --> 00:20:46.994
  • Why are you bothering us with all these rules about
  • 00:20:46.994 --> 00:20:48.729
  • Righteousness and holiness and purity?
  • 00:20:48.729 --> 00:20:51.232
  • We were tired of the suffering.
  • 00:20:51.232 --> 00:20:52.767
  • We wanted to be free.
  • 00:20:52.767 --> 00:20:57.438
  • The chosen people, a holy nation.
  • 00:20:57.438 --> 00:21:02.743
  • See, i think you have a legitimate reason to question
  • 00:21:02.743 --> 00:21:05.646
  • The foundation of your faith
  • 00:21:05.646 --> 00:21:07.114
  • If you have no interest in being holy.
  • 00:21:07.114 --> 00:21:11.485
  • If righteousness and purity and godliness aren't really
  • 00:21:11.485 --> 00:21:15.089
  • Something that appeal to you,
  • 00:21:15.089 --> 00:21:17.391
  • I don't want to bring a sense of condemnation.
  • 00:21:17.391 --> 00:21:19.226
  • I want to bring a sense of questioning to you.
  • 00:21:19.226 --> 00:21:24.198
  • I don't think you're affiliation with the church or your
  • 00:21:24.198 --> 00:21:27.535
  • Engagement in a worship service is really the objective for you
  • 00:21:27.535 --> 00:21:31.972
  • Or for me.
  • 00:21:31.972 --> 00:21:35.609
  • God's gonna accept men from every nation who fear him
  • 00:21:35.609 --> 00:21:38.112
  • And do what is right.
  • 00:21:38.112 --> 00:21:39.680
  • We want to be like all the other people,
  • 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:41.015
  • And we're not.
  • 00:21:41.015 --> 00:21:43.884
  • I've read the literature a lot, and up until covid,
  • 00:21:43.884 --> 00:21:46.854
  • The predominant theme in so much of current evangelicalism in
  • 00:21:46.854 --> 00:21:51.092
  • This nation was how do we relate to the world, to the ungodly?
  • 00:21:51.092 --> 00:21:54.962
  • How do we communicate with them?
  • 00:21:54.962 --> 00:21:56.297
  • How do we make them understand us?
  • 00:21:56.297 --> 00:21:58.699
  • We don't want for them to feel rejected nor confused,
  • 00:21:58.699 --> 00:22:01.402
  • Or condemned, or judged.
  • 00:22:01.402 --> 00:22:08.509
  • I mean, it's a degree that is necessary.
  • 00:22:08.509 --> 00:22:10.044
  • Jesus certainly spent time with the sinners.
  • 00:22:10.044 --> 00:22:15.549
  • We also have to tell the truth to the church.
  • 00:22:15.549 --> 00:22:20.154
  • We can't be more interested in speaking the language of the
  • 00:22:20.154 --> 00:22:22.390
  • Ungodly than we are the language of the righteous.
  • 00:22:22.390 --> 00:22:27.094
  • We can't be more at home in the midst of ungodliness and
  • 00:22:27.094 --> 00:22:31.298
  • Immorality and wickedness
  • 00:22:31.298 --> 00:22:33.334
  • Than we are in the presence of the holy.
  • 00:22:33.334 --> 00:22:37.505
  • We are serving a king.
  • 00:22:37.505 --> 00:22:40.207
  • That is the point of this journey through
  • 00:22:40.207 --> 00:22:42.576
  • Time that we have.
  • 00:22:42.576 --> 00:22:43.911
  • We are doing everything in our power to please
  • 00:22:43.911 --> 00:22:46.547
  • A very specific audience.
  • 00:22:46.547 --> 00:22:52.753
  • And if he sends you, as he did in our new book of acts,
  • 00:22:52.753 --> 00:22:55.423
  • To the desert to stand by the road,
  • 00:22:55.423 --> 00:22:57.625
  • To speak to someone from another nation,
  • 00:22:57.625 --> 00:22:59.894
  • You want to be moving.
  • 00:22:59.894 --> 00:23:02.630
  • You'll notice the book of acts is a story about god's purposes
  • 00:23:02.630 --> 00:23:05.599
  • For his people, not god's people's purposes for him.
  • 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:11.272
  • And we've kind of flipped the script on that.
  • 00:23:11.272 --> 00:23:13.307
  • How do we get god to do what it is we want him to do?
  • 00:23:13.307 --> 00:23:16.777
  • And the point of this relationship,
  • 00:23:16.777 --> 00:23:18.312
  • This friendship is that we might serve the king.
  • 00:23:18.312 --> 00:23:23.217
  • Jesus said to the jewish leaders,
  • 00:23:23.217 --> 00:23:25.319
  • To the jewish leaders, the covenant keeping,
  • 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:27.855
  • The law of moses keeping--they celebrated the right holidays.
  • 00:23:27.855 --> 00:23:31.025
  • They kept kosher, which means they imagine even what went on
  • 00:23:31.025 --> 00:23:34.094
  • Their fork--determined their holiness.
  • 00:23:34.094 --> 00:23:40.901
  • Do you understand the degree in which they
  • 00:23:40.901 --> 00:23:42.236
  • Were enmeshed in rules?
  • 00:23:42.236 --> 00:23:44.872
  • And jesus said to them, "you are of your father,
  • 00:23:44.872 --> 00:23:48.075
  • The devil."
  • 00:23:48.075 --> 00:23:51.512
  • Did you know you can have the right pedigree and still be
  • 00:23:51.512 --> 00:23:54.815
  • Under the wrong authority?
  • 00:23:54.815 --> 00:23:59.887
  • God has chosen you, but it comes with a responsibility.
  • 00:23:59.887 --> 00:24:06.026
  • And i understand if you're a christ follower,
  • 00:24:06.026 --> 00:24:07.828
  • You've made the decision for a new birth,
  • 00:24:07.828 --> 00:24:09.530
  • For salvation, conversion, whatever phrase you prefer to
  • 00:24:09.530 --> 00:24:15.169
  • Describe that initiation into the kingdom of god.
  • 00:24:15.169 --> 00:24:17.505
  • I believe in that.
  • 00:24:17.505 --> 00:24:19.673
  • I believe baptism is important.
  • 00:24:19.673 --> 00:24:21.108
  • We've got a couple dozen people being baptized tonight.
  • 00:24:21.108 --> 00:24:24.979
  • I met a--god.
  • 00:24:24.979 --> 00:24:29.250
  • You know that's not normal, right?
  • 00:24:29.250 --> 00:24:31.886
  • Week after week, we have dozens of people coming to be baptized.
  • 00:24:31.886 --> 00:24:35.489
  • Last week, i met a couple from carolina.
  • 00:24:35.489 --> 00:24:37.157
  • Tonight, i met a woman from florida.
  • 00:24:37.157 --> 00:24:40.027
  • I'm pretty sure there's water between here and florida.
  • 00:24:40.027 --> 00:24:43.898
  • But god is moving people's hearts in a unique way in our
  • 00:24:43.898 --> 00:24:47.134
  • Own community.
  • 00:24:47.134 --> 00:24:48.769
  • Young and old. don't miss that.
  • 00:24:48.769 --> 00:24:51.405
  • Don't spend your time focusing your attention on the
  • 00:24:51.405 --> 00:24:54.675
  • Goofy things that are happening.
  • 00:24:54.675 --> 00:24:56.010
  • You need to know they're happening;
  • 00:24:56.010 --> 00:24:57.344
  • But once you've kind of charted it--
  • 00:24:57.344 --> 00:24:58.712
  • Yeah, the border's open.
  • 00:24:58.712 --> 00:25:00.047
  • It's wicked.
  • 00:25:00.047 --> 00:25:01.815
  • That's why illegal is attached to that.
  • 00:25:01.815 --> 00:25:04.485
  • And when the government sanctions illegal,
  • 00:25:04.485 --> 00:25:06.220
  • We're in major trouble.
  • 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:09.123
  • But don't spend your time focused on that.
  • 00:25:09.123 --> 00:25:11.258
  • Bend your knee. begin to talk to the lord.
  • 00:25:11.258 --> 00:25:13.060
  • Say, "lord, we need your help."
  • 00:25:13.060 --> 00:25:16.263
  • It's our own hearts. we've been rebels.
  • 00:25:16.263 --> 00:25:18.132
  • We haven't been willing to yield to authority.
  • 00:25:18.132 --> 00:25:19.967
  • We've led immoral lives and ungodly lives.
  • 00:25:19.967 --> 00:25:22.870
  • We've chaffed at the authority of scripture in our lives,
  • 00:25:22.870 --> 00:25:25.773
  • With the idea of seeking god.
  • 00:25:25.773 --> 00:25:27.875
  • So, why should we be surprised at the highest levels that
  • 00:25:27.875 --> 00:25:30.611
  • Our hearts are being reflected?
  • 00:25:30.611 --> 00:25:33.080
  • Allen: i want to pray with you before we go,
  • 00:25:33.147 --> 00:25:35.215
  • But i want to remind you of something.
  • 00:25:35.215 --> 00:25:36.584
  • We've said it already repeatedly,
  • 00:25:36.584 --> 00:25:38.018
  • But you've been chosen by god.
  • 00:25:38.018 --> 00:25:40.321
  • You're not just an accident. you're not just a statistic.
  • 00:25:40.321 --> 00:25:43.624
  • Jesus said that when a sparrow falls to the ground,
  • 00:25:43.624 --> 00:25:46.226
  • Our heavenly father attends the funeral.
  • 00:25:46.226 --> 00:25:47.928
  • He's aware of that.
  • 00:25:47.928 --> 00:25:49.530
  • Well, if he's keeping track of the birds,
  • 00:25:49.530 --> 00:25:51.165
  • I assure you he's paying attention to your life and mine.
  • 00:25:51.165 --> 00:25:54.969
  • That's not a threat; that's a wonderful promise of the
  • 00:25:54.969 --> 00:25:58.072
  • Watchfulness of god in our lives and how important and valuable
  • 00:25:58.072 --> 00:26:02.676
  • You are to his purposes.
  • 00:26:02.676 --> 00:26:04.778
  • I want to pray with you, that you don't miss that,
  • 00:26:04.778 --> 00:26:06.580
  • And that it will lead you
  • 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:07.915
  • Through every challenge you face.
  • 00:26:07.915 --> 00:26:09.717
  • Father, i thank you for your great love for us,
  • 00:26:09.717 --> 00:26:12.152
  • That you know every circumstance and every detail,
  • 00:26:12.152 --> 00:26:14.688
  • And that you can bring us triumphantly through every
  • 00:26:14.688 --> 00:26:17.124
  • Challenge, over every hurdle, that you will give us the
  • 00:26:17.124 --> 00:26:19.593
  • Strength we need to be overcomers.
  • 00:26:19.593 --> 00:26:22.696
  • I thank you for it, in jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:26:22.696 --> 00:26:26.100
  • God bless you, and don't you give up.
  • 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:29.770
  • Cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.aberdeen.io
  • 00:26:29.837 --> 00:26:32.873
  • Announcer: join us every week for another exciting message
  • 00:26:35.776 --> 00:26:38.178
  • From pastor allen jackson.
  • 00:26:38.178 --> 00:26:40.114
  • And until then, visit us online and discover remarkable
  • 00:26:40.114 --> 00:26:43.617
  • Information and resources to help take your christian life
  • 00:26:43.617 --> 00:26:47.154
  • To the next level.
  • 00:26:47.154 --> 00:26:48.822
  • And if you're visiting the nashville area,
  • 00:26:48.822 --> 00:26:50.724
  • We'd love to see you at world outreach church in murfreesboro.
  • 00:26:50.724 --> 00:26:54.328
  • We're easy to find, so look us up when you're traveling
  • 00:26:54.328 --> 00:26:56.163
  • Through, and don't forget to connect with pastor jackson
  • 00:26:56.163 --> 00:26:59.299
  • Every day through social media.
  • 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:01.869
  • Thanks so much for joining us and being
  • 00:27:01.869 --> 00:27:03.570
  • A part of this ministry.
  • 00:27:03.570 --> 00:27:05.039
  • We'll see you again next time for another encounter with
  • 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:07.274
  • Pastor allen jackson.
  • 00:27:07.274 --> 00:27:13.480
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:16.817 --> 00:27:27.494