#739: When God Moves - Resist or Receive

Many Church traditions are beneficial and should be taught generationally, but we shouldn’t confuse our appreciation for tradition with following God. He’s not limited to how He’s moved in the past for how He will move in the future. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson shows how God continuously breaks patterns so His Kingdom can advance, both in history and our lives today. Scripture is full of faithful people who were called to step out of their comfort zones and cultural norms to complete God-assignments. Pastor Allen challenges us to develop dangerous faith—living faith that confronts ungodliness—so we’re prepared when God asks us to move with Him.

Dangerous faith calls people change their patterns of behavior to align with Christ instead of culture—and that’s what makes it dangerous. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses what it looks like to embrace a bold faith that challenges ourselves and those around us to lead godly lives. The truth is often disruptive, and Pastor Allen shares stories of courageous leaders who faced adversity, challenges, and hardship in order to complete their God-assignments. Our faith should challenge culture and advocate for biblical obedience. Instead of accommodating ungodliness, our “dangerous faith” should disrupt it and call it out—not with condemnation, but with conviction, boldness, and care. The only way to bring a biblical worldview back into the public square is by living out a dangerous faith.

When it feels like God’s judgment is unfolding around us, leaning into prayer is one of the most powerful things we can do. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses seeking the Lord through prayer in the midst of turmoil and His discipline. We will all face challenges and suffering, but we don’t need to fear—we need to draw closer to God. Pastor Allen shares insight from Scripture about how to have a healthy fear of the Lord, what His judgment looks like, and why obedience, prayer, and fasting are the best courses of action we can take. Our Lord is merciful, so even when our circumstances are troubling, we can trust Him when He tells us He loves us.

“If you will wait, God has a plan for your life,” said Dr. George Jackson, Pastor Allen Jackson’s father and founder of World Outreach Church. “He’s not a day ahead of you. He’s way ahead of you.” In this interview, Pastor Allen and Dr. George discuss how living out his faith in his family, careers, and friendships helped Dr. George learn to trust the Lord for his future, even when challenges arose. Because of this father’s faith, the Jackson family and countless others experienced the blessings of God, and Dr. George shares wisdom for us today about the importance of following the Lord’s guidance and making time to care for those around us. We can make a difference in the world when we determine to please God with our lives.

God chose to identify Himself as our Heavenly Father, and in doing so He attached tremendous value to fatherhood. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses God’s design for dads. Each of us has a father here on earth. He may be great—or not-so-great—but God is our perfect Father. As we examine God’s character in the Bible, we see what a godly dad looks like: a protector, a provider, and a spiritual leader. We can grow and mature spiritually when we learn to forgive ourselves and our fathers and determine to seek the Lord wholeheartedly. So, let’s choose to honor our dads—both our earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father—and receive God’s blessing.