Allen Jackson Ministries

Unforgiveness is a luxury we simply cannot afford. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson offers compelling reasons why we want to be forgiving people. He discusses the ground rules for forgiveness, the process of being forgiven and extending forgiveness, and the healing that comes when we choose to make forgiveness a part of our daily lives. Forgiveness is a choice, not an emotion, and when we choose to follow God’s plan, we will discover new freedom.

Is there a point where the Lord will no longer offer forgiveness? In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson explores passages from the Old and New Testament to help us answer this question. We don’t want to live in such a way that God uses His judgement to maintain the integrity of His justice. Pastor Allen also discusses the sacrament of marriage and how our perspective on it has changed in recent decades. Our nation was formed on biblical principles, and as we drift further away from God’s Truth and toward paganism, we move closer toward God’s judgement.

We are no longer at a crossroads—we’re beyond it, and we’re witnessing our culture tragically move away from a Christian worldview. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the various ways this is apparent, and asks if it’s possible to reach a place where God will no longer extend forgiveness. He provides a variety of Scriptures to help us answer this question and offers biblical insights that speak into current topics like gender transition in children, Christian marriage, and the Respect for Marriage act. God is a God of love and mercy—but the love of God is supported by His justice and judgment.

Deciding whether or not to forgive is a powerful choice we make every day. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses what Jesus says about forgiving others and the freedom that comes when we choose to forgive. Forgiving someone doesn’t absolve them of what they did—God will handle that. Instead, forgiving is a gift to ourselves. As we release the person and the situation to the Lord, we also release the bondage of bitterness, hate, and anger, which leads us toward new freedom.

Forgiveness is a doorway to health and vitality—spiritually, physically, and emotionally. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson helps us understand the forgiveness God offers each of us, how to receive it, and the power it has to transform our lives. Giving and receiving forgiveness is a life-changing event, and gifts that alter the course of your life should not be sought or received with indifference. Pastor Allen provides tools to help us accept forgiveness and lead others toward the freedom it offers. He also discusses guilt and shame and offers prayers to help overcome these destructive emotions.

What’s the difference between transformational faith and transactional faith? In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses each approach, and shows us why we should pursue a faith that continually transforms us from the inside out. We need an encounter with Jesus, and taking the posture of a learner will help us approach the gospel in a new way so it can speak personally into our lives. Pastor Allen highlights four powerful invitations Jesus offers each of us—if we accept and follow them, we can find new freedom.

What does forgiveness mean and why do we need it? How do we accept it for ourselves and extend it to others? In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the spiritual power and authority that’s expressed in our lives when we choose to participate in forgiveness. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, but Jesus' redemptive work on the cross—His death, burial, and resurrection—make it possible for any human being to participate in God’s eternal Kingdom. To benefit from what God has done we need to continue to choose to repent when we fall short, accept His forgiveness, and extend forgiveness to others.

Will we give into anxiety and fear, or choose to walk in the triumph that is ours in Christ? In this sermon, Pastor Allen discusses the power of pushing back on fear by giving thanks, then highlights a passage from 2 Kings, chapter 7, where God delivers the Israelites from the Arameans by using unlikely people: four men with leprosy. For the Lord to intervene on our behalf, we’ll have to: Acknowledge we have needs only God can resolve; Trust God’s timing; Expect discouraging people, as well as help from unlikely candidates; Trust that God’s help will come—often in an unexpected way—as we move forward.

How do you battle discouragement? By seeking to know and follow the Lord more and more. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses current events and how elections reveal the spiritual health of our nation. A doctor’s diagnosis shouldn’t be discouraging—it’s a roadmap to a better future. In a similar way, elections show us where our nation needs the healing influence of God’s People. As we move forward, we need to intentionally seek the Lord for His thoughts and His leading so we’re prepared to overcome.

If you’re frightened, anxious, or uncertain, begin to seek the Lord. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses what it means to seek the Lord, offering insight on why it's important, and how to begin. He highlights people from the Bible who sought the Lord and were helped—and those who didn’t. Jesus didn’t die on the cross so we could remain infants—maturing in our faith is essential to our God-assignments. As we grow in our understanding of the Lord and His character, we become equipped to pursue His purposes, instead of our own. It’s time to seek the Lord!

If our faith does not influence the place where we live, beyond the sharing of theological ideas, we have stumbled in our assignment. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the Church, politics, and culture. He offers many examples where Jesus and others in the Bible had to engage with the political leaders of their day in order to complete their assignment from God. While the Church should not endorse candidates and parties, we are absolutely called to engage in our culture, addressing what's happening in our world from a biblical perspective and helping one another be aware.

We’re in a time of decision—a tipping point—and the choices we make in the months ahead will determine our future. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson provides examples that illustrate this truth, then offers several steps we can take to bring God's hope and light into our world. Changing our future doesn’t rely on elections or politicians, but on the Spirit of God. We need a spiritual solution, and that will come through the people of God seeking the Lord, courageously doing the things we know to do, practicing contentment, and leading a generous life.

Does your life show evidence of being a faithful follower of Jesus? In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses how being faithful to God requires directional leadership—not looking to others for affirmation, but boldly moving forward with what you know you’re supposed to do. In Philippians 4:9, Paul told us, “Whatever you’ve learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Are we living in that way? Pastor Allen also offers insight on the End of the Age and our assignments.

Our faith matters, and what you choose to believe impacts the people around you and our culture. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses faith, faithfulness, and obedience—characteristics that must be learned and cultivated. To be faithful, you also need to be willing to do difficult things. Pastor Allen highlights several people in the Bible as examples of faithfulness, discussing key aspects of their character that became evident during challenging circumstances. Being faithful doesn’t mean seeking out difficult things, but being willing to repent, stand firm, not retreat, and be bold and courageous when faced with adversity.

This challenging season requires us to stand firm in our faith in a new way. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson encourages us to be intentionally faithful to God in every aspect of our lives. It may seem like our world is sinking into new levels of debauchery, but unfaithfulness to God is nothing new. When the people of Israel were unfaithful to God, they found themselves in difficult circumstances, too. When we decide to be faithful to God and diligent with His assignments, it strengthens our faith and helps us stand firm so we can point others toward God’s truth and lead them into His Kingdom.

God is doing something new, and He is inviting us to join Him. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson compares our challenging circumstances to approaching a difficult mountain pass. We need God’s insight to determine our next steps, and that means seeking Him, listening to Him, and following Him in a new way. Pastor Allen offers insight to help equip us and strengthen us for the journey.

When we choose to deny ourselves to honor the Lord, God responds. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the power of fasting—one of our most powerful spiritual weapons. Many Bible stories show God intervening after His people fasted, and we need His supernatural help with the circumstances we face today. At its heart, fasting is about self-denial, and it can take on many forms. Pastor Allen discusses the benefits of fasting, and offers several ways we can build the practice into our own lives.

Being a leader comes with unique challenges. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses awkward truths about leadership, and the challenges you may encounter when you choose to influence those around you. Effective leadership does not happen on its own—it requires sacrifice, service, work, and intentionality. While you may endure adversity and opposition when you lead with your faith, you’ll also discover great rewards as you faithfully fulfill your God-assignments.

If you’re not intentional, you’re prone to wander. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson encourages us to assess our intentions, when it comes to our faith. What is the objective of your faith? What do you expect it to accomplish? How would you know if your faith journey was a win or a loss? Pastor Allen offers several biblical truths to help us understand the purpose of our faith—and guide our daily decisions—so our lives can have an impact beyond time.

Healings and miracles were unmistakable parts of Jesus’ ministry, and they are available to us today. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson explains the difference between healings and miracles, and shows various examples of where they take place in the Bible. God is sovereign, and He decides if and when He will supernaturally intervene in our lives—but the Bible tells us we are welcome to come before God's throne and ask Him to accomplish what seems impossible to us. Pastor Allen ends the sermon with a prayer asking for God’s healing and miraculous intervention in the lives of those who need it.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a family friend when John DeBerry was a child, and in 1968 his public school was desegregated. DeBerry shares many powerful stories during this special guest podcast with Pastor Allen Jackson. They talk about the challenges America currently faces including racial tension, gender confusion, and problems within our education system. They also offer ideas on what Christians can do, the values we need to uphold, how to talk about difficult chapters in history, and the importance of family and fatherhood. A representative in the Tennessee State Legislature for 26 years, DeBerry now serves as a senior advisor to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. He preaches at Coleman Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis, in addition to other churches and organizations across the country.

No matter what your position, you were designed by God Almighty to lead. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses the importance of leading with our faith. We’ve been called to point people toward the Kingdom of God, everywhere God places us, and our world desperately needs our voices. It will require courage to respond to God’s calling. What qualifies you to lead? What hinders you? Pastor Allen offers insight that can help us push past our doubts so we can become effective advocates for Him in our changing world.

Eric Metaxas joins Pastor Allen Jackson to discuss the urgent message of his new book, A Letter to the American Church. They talk about the events that led up to World War II and how they reflect the circumstances America faces today. The only way to press back on evil, and to ensure history is not repeated, is to use our voices to proclaim God’s truth. Eric weighs in on the evil of creating gender confusion in children, critical race theory, why the church needs to discuss current events, and the importance of boldly leading with our faith in every arena of our lives. This is the third time Metaxas has visited our podcast, and his bold and informative conversation with Pastor Allen can help encourage you to take your stand as an ambassador for God’s Kingdom. Metaxas is a bestselling author of: Fish Out of Water; Martin Luther; If You Can Keep It; Bonhoeffer; Miracles; Seven Women, Seven Men; and Amazing Grace. He has written more than thirty children’s books, including the bestsellers Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving, and It’s Time to Sleep, My Love. His Eric Metaxas Radio Show is a nationally syndicated radio program that features in-depth interviews with a wide variety of guests. For more information about Eric Metaxas, visit ericmetaxas.com; facebook.com/ericmetaxas; or Twitter: @ericmetaxas. To support Allen Jackson Ministries and help us continue to reach people with messages like this, visit our website: allenjackson.com/podcastdonate -- Allen Jackson Ministries is the media ministry of World Outreach Church, an inter-denominational congregation located near Nashville, Tennessee. Our mission is to help people become more fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Pastor Allen Jackson has served as senior pastor of the church since 1989, and his biblical messages are broadcast to millions of people each day through radio, television, and the internet. Learn more about Allen Jackson Ministries: https://allenjackson.com/ Learn more about World Outreach Church: https://wochurch.org/ Find the latest ministry news, as well as letters and prayers from Pastor Allen on our prayers and updates page: https://allenjackson.com/prayers-and-updates/ Sign up for Pastor Allen’s daily devotional and receive encouragement in your email box every weekday morning: https://allenjackson.com/devo/ Support the ministry and help us continue to encourage and equip Christ-followers to be salt and light, exactly where God placed them: https://store.allenjackson.com/donate/give-now