John K. Jenkins Sr - Unlocking Your Potential (01/25/2026)
In part three of his series on purpose from Luke 22, Pastor John Jenkins drives home that stepping into God's calling brings real opposition from Satan, who targets those with kingdom potential like a threat to his plans. But Jesus prays for us, God sets limits on trials, and staying faithful through it all proves we're still here to give Him glory—encouraging believers not to quit when resistance hits.
Continuing the Series on Purpose
I want to pick back up in my series on purpose. So, we’ve gone through the first two parts. Today is part three of purpose, and that’s what I want to talk about. We’ve already talked about, in part one, how to discover your purpose and your identity—knowing why God created you. Ultimately, God created all of us for His glory, that our lives point to Him. Look at your neighbor and say, «Ain’t about you, baby.» Go ahead, tell them, «Ain’t about you.» Ain’t about your name, ain’t about your reputation. It’s not about your career. It’s not about whatever you created. It’s about your God—who created you ultimately to live a life that points to Him.
God’s Purpose: Glory and Service
And in whichever way your life can give Him the greater glory, He will help you fulfill that in your walking and living. He’s called us to our purpose, which is to serve other people. He’s bestowed upon us a kingdom. Here’s what the Scripture says in this text here—I didn’t talk about this during the series, but I just want to mention it. He said, «I bestow upon you a kingdom.» That’s what it said. Matter of fact, if you’re in Luke 22, let me just read that to you. Jesus is talking to the disciples, and in verse 29 He says, «And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me.»
Entering Your Zone – Your Unique Calling
Jesus says the same thing the Father did to Me, I’m going to do to you. I’m going to bestow, I’m going to put on, I’m going to smear you with a kingdom. And what that word «kingdom» means is He’s going to put you in your own zone. That’s how I like to describe it—that when you get in the scheme of what God created you to do, can’t nobody do what you do like you do when you do it. Nobody can beat you being the person that God created you to be. You mess up by trying to be like everybody else. You want to look like Beyoncé—you ain’t Beyoncé, baby. Stop trying to look like her.
Recap of Previous Parts – Discovering and Fulfilling Purpose
How you know, Pastor? I did not go last night—let me just be clear. I was not there. I would not spend my hard-earned money to go see somebody. I’m sorry, and I mean the amount of money that they’re paying to go to these shows—it blows my mind—and didn’t complain about paying your tithes. Y’all ain’t got to say nothing. You ain’t got to say a thing to me. I feel tension in the room. You know what? I better save these tithes for the 11:30 crowd. That’s who needs to hear that. So, uh, that was part one: recognizing why God created you—His purpose.
Then we talked about how do you fulfill it, and we shared with you that God wants you to discover your calling and your purpose by the passion He gives you, the provision, the possibilities or the opportunities, the fact that you’re going to have player haters, opposition, and then God will raise up partners. I don’t know if I remember us talking about that. Today is part three, and there’s one thing—if I could drive one point home today, I have to tell you about this. I wish I could talk to you about purpose without talking to you about this, but I have to talk to you about it.
The Reality of Opposition in Fulfilling Purpose
'Cause if I don’t tell you about it and prepare you for it, you might wash out, and I don’t want you to wash out. I don’t want you to quit. And so that’s why I’ve taken you to this 22nd chapter of Luke, and I want to just spend a moment. Now, by the way, I don’t have points. Look at your neighbor—they ain’t got no points today. Don’t wait for point 1, 2, 3. Today’s message is a narrative message, so write down what the Holy Ghost says to you, and I believe He’s going to say a whole lot to you. Tell your neighbor, «He’s going to say a whole lot to you.»
The Disciples' Debate – Who Is the Greatest?
Now, in Luke chapter 22, I want you to turn there real quick if you have your Bibles. Luke 22—there’s a dialogue going on between the disciples about who is the greatest. Really, the real discussion is who’s going to take leadership of the ministry after Jesus is gone—who’s going to be the pastor when the pastor has left. That’s what the real question is: who’s going to lead the ministry, who’s going to take over this conglomerate of this ministry that Jesus has started—all these thousands of people following Him. Who’s going to take over?
Jesus Teaches True Greatness Through Servanthood
So they’re debating. Matter of fact, the Scripture says they’re debating about who is the greatest among them. Another translation says they argued about it. It was a fight—it was an intense discussion about who is the greatest among them. And Jesus unveils to them some just amazing things to me. He says in verse 27, «For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.»
Bestowing the Kingdom – Promise of Authority
But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Do y’all see that? Verse 30. Jesus is having this dialogue, and He’s unveiling this truth to them.
Satan Targets Those with Kingdom Potential
But then He says something amazing that I have to tell you—this is what the whole purpose I want to talk to you about is. In verse 31 and 32, He says, «Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.» Let me stop right there. Somebody say, «Pause.» Take a moment. I want to take a moment and talk to you about something, 'cause some of you don’t understand that when you get into the realm of what God created you to do, the devil is going to try to stop you.
Opposition Comes with the Territory of Purpose
That’s a nice little patty-cake, but I want y’all to recognize—'cause people quit, people stop going to church when they hit a little tension, when they get a little stressed out, when people talk about them, when somebody—whatever the kind of issue. It goes with the territory. Resistance, rejection, opposition goes with the territory of you fulfilling your call. As a matter of fact, I’ve said this before—I want to say it again—in my 50 years of ministry, oh Lord, 50 years—before every significant advancement in my ministry, before God boosted me to a new level and a new accomplishment, some kind of drama always raised its head. Something always came up.
Don’t Quit When Trials Hit – It’s a Sign You’re Close
And some of y’all get frustrated and angry and mad and cussing at God because, «Why God let this happen to you?» Oh Lord, slow down, Pastor. My assignment is to try to prepare you that tension and trials are going to come. It goes with the territory. Don’t be shocked. Don’t be surprised. Don’t get mad. Don’t get angry. Don’t quit. Don’t walk away. Don’t get frustrated. It’s an indication that you’re close to where God’s trying to get you to go. It’s an indicator that you’re headed in the right direction.
You Must Be a Threat – Satan Asks for You by Name
Somebody say, «I must been headed in the right direction all my life—look like all hell is going on in all of my life.» You think it’s tough now—you have not yet faced what the devil has in store for you. Matter of fact, here’s what Jesus says to him: «Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.» That’s a significant point I want you to get in your head. I want you to understand that the drama and the burden of the experiences of what you’re going through is aimed at you. And I want you to recognize that you must be a bad somebody when the devil asks for you.
The Devil Targets Playmakers – You’re Anointed
Y’all not hearing what I’m saying to you today. You must be a bad somebody. Y’all know I’m a Baltimore Ravens fan. Y’all know that. I’m a Baltimore—don’t play hate, don’t get mad, don’t be upset with me. I tried to be a Commanders fan. I tried. I got tired of losing. Y’all ain’t saying nothing. I got tired of getting disappointed, I got tired of being defeated and losing games they should have won. But maybe since they’re under new ownership, they might have a change. I might come back if it look like it might be a little different. But I don’t think so.
But with the Baltimore Ravens—that’s the team I follow, that’s the team I look after, that’s the team I cheer for, that’s the team who I went to the Super Bowl to watch in 2012, and they won the Super Bowl. Y’all ain’t got to say nothing. Yeah, I like the Baltimore Ravens. All the discussion and all of the talk is about Lamar Jackson—preach good, Baltimore right there. He from Baltimore. And then they just signed a wide receiver, Odell Beckham. He’s a bad dude—one-handed catch. If I do this, you know I’m talking about Odell. Odell can catch the ball one-handed.
Notice they don’t talk about the other receivers. There’s no tension about the backup quarterback or the third-string quarterback. There’s no talk about any—all talk’s about Lamar and Odell because they have the potential of winning them a Super Bowl. And that’s why the devil has asked for you by name, 'cause you represent a threat to his kingdom. You don’t even recognize how anointed you are. You don’t even recognize the gifts and the callings that God has put on you—that the devil has gone to the Father and called out your name.
You Are a Bad Somebody – Called and Gifted
Tell your neighbor, «I must be a bad somebody—he asked for me.» He put my name on the table. He said John Jenkins. The devil recognizes something that you don’t recognize about yourself—that you a bad somebody. Point yourself—say, «I must be a bad somebody.» Tell, «I must be—I must be a playmaker. I must be a baller. I must be a shot caller. I must be the one that’s going to make a difference.» And my assignment is to tell you yes, you are. Yes, you are. Yes, you’ve been called by God. Yes, you’ve been anointed by God. Yes, you’ve been gifted by God. Yes, you’ve been empowered by God.
Souls Saved, Lives Changed – Because of You
And the devil does not want you to reach your destiny. Somebody high-five your neighbor and say, «I must be a bad somebody.» Tell them, «I’m a baller. I’m a shot caller.» You represent a threat. Souls are going to get saved because of you. Men are going to be healed because of you. Children are going to get delivered because of you. The devil’s going to be defeated, and God’s going to get the glory—all because of you. People are going to be healed. Miracles are going to happen. The gospel’s going to be carried out. Souls are going to get saved because of you.
Your Worship Inspires – Even in Trials
People are watching you. They’re looking at you. And when they see you worship God in spite of all the hell that you’re going through, they will conclude, «Only a God that their servant serves can cause them to worship God with all the hell that they’re going through.» Oh, I feel like preaching up in here today. Hallelujah.
Satan Asked for All of You – But He Can’t Have Us
Now, check this out—y’all still with me? The enemy went to—and Jesus said, «Satan—Peter, Simon, Simon!» Huh, the devil in all of our conversations has asked me about you. He’s called out your name. He knew that one day Peter was going to be filled with the Holy Ghost. He knew that he would be the first apostle to go to the empty grave. He knew that he would preach the gospel and be one of the preachers of the early church. He knew that miracles were going to be happening, and people would be delivered out of prison, and people would be healed of sickness and diseases, and that Peter would eventually carry the gospel to the east.
He knew he represented a main threat, so he said, «Peter—he’s asked for you by name.» Wait, wait, wait—hold on, y’all missing it. Here’s what I got to break down for you. Look at verse 31: He says, «Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.» You’re not going to like this, but this is true—the word «you» in the Greek is plural. Pastor, what does that mean? Here’s what He said—everybody, the disciples sitting around the table—He said, «Simon, Simon—the devil has asked for y’all.» He’s asked for you and your family. He wants you and your spouse. He wants you and your children.
We Stand Together Against the Enemy
Somebody say, «He wants y’all.» Tell your neighbor, «He wants y’all.» Tell him on the other side, «He wants y’all.» He said, in other words, he want Peter and the rest of y’all. That’s why we’re together here today—to give each other strength, 'cause he’s trying to tear us down and frustrate us. Oh, I feel a shout down in my sanctified soul. But here’s what I’m thankful for—here’s what I give God the praise about—that he may ask for us, but he can’t have us. You can’t have me, devil. You want to frustrate me, but you can’t have me. You want me to quit, but I ain’t quitting. You want me to stop, but I refuse to stop. I’m not stopping. I’m not stopping. I’m not stopping.
God Boasts About Us – Like with Job
That devil asked for y’all. Remember Job—when the devil asked God for Job. The devil showed up and stood before the Lord, and God said, «Have you considered My servant Job?» I’m just grateful—somebody going to shout on this—I’m just grateful that God thinks enough about me that He said to the devil, «Have you checked out my boy John?» Somebody ought to be glad that God thought enough about you—with all that you’ve gone through—that He sees enough in you to say to the devil, «Have you considered my boy? Have you considered my girl?»
God Has Put a Limit – You Can Handle It
In other words, He knows that He’s put enough in me down inside of me that I’m able to take a licking and keep on ticking. I can go through hell and still give God the glory. I can be talked about. I can be rejected. I can be lied on. I can have all that happen and still give God the glory. Wo, oh, I feel a shout down in my soul. Somebody say, «I got a shout down in my soul.» And hold up—wait a minute. Oh, somebody—some ushers, in the words of Gail, guard the door. Somebody going to get up and run around here in this building on this point right here.
You’re Protected – Trials Have Limits
And you know why God could suggest our names to the devil—"Have you considered?"—because He knows He’s already put a shield around us. I’m protected. I’m covered. He got my back. He won’t let more happen to me than I’m able to bear. If I got it coming, there’s enough in me to handle it. You can handle it. He’s put a limit on what he can do. He’s put a stopping point. Tell yourself, «There’s a stopping point.» He can only go but so far. Somebody give God praise—and He put a stopping point.
He Is Still Worthy – Praise Through It All
God knows—I’m almost finished, thank You, Lord—He knows that no matter what you go through, He knows that you have learned that in the midst of your trials, He’s worthy of your praise. I don’t know what you’re going through, but go ahead and stop and say, «You’re still worthy.» I may have lost my job, but You’re still worthy. The doctor may have diagnosed me with something they can’t fix, but You’re still worthy. My spouse might have walked out, but You’re still worthy.
I’m Still Here – Surviving and Praising
I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Magnify the Lord with me—let us exalt His name together. I’ve survived. I’m still here. I’ve been through hell. I’ve been through high water, but I’m still here. I’m still blessing Him. Yes, yes, woo, hey—I’m still here. I thought about quitting, but something told me I can’t. Something inside of me told me to keep going. Keep going. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
Testimony of Survival – The Devil Is a Liar
I don’t know who I’m preaching to, but I’m still here. The devil messed up by letting me get my hands up. He should have took me out when I was down, but I got my hands up, and I will bless the Lord at all times. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hey, hey, hey, woo. When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that He has done for me, my soul cries out, «Hallelujah.» Thank You, Jesus—You saved me, You delivered me, You healed me, You washed me, You forgave me, You’re fixing me.
Listen—that devil tried to count you out. He tried to take you out, but I’m still here with a praise in my mouth, a dance in my feet, a shout in my heart. Hey, the devil tried, but let me testify that he’s a liar because I’m still here. I said the devil tried, but let me testify that he’s a liar because I’m still here. I’m still here. I’m still here 'cause I’m still here. I’m still here 'cause I’m still here. I’m still here because I’m still here. I’m still here 'cause I’m still here. I’m still here 'cause I’m still here. I’m still here 'cause I’m still here.
Still Here to Testify and Give Glory
Listen—the devil tried, but let me testify that he’s a liar because I’m still here. I’m still here because I’m still here. I’m still here. I’m still here. I’m still here because I’m still here. I’m still here—still here to testify. I’m still here—still here to give Him glory. I’m still here because I’m still here. The devil tried, but let me testify that he’s a liar. Say, «The devil tried, but let me testify that he’s a liar.» Why? Because I’m still here. I’m still here. I’m still here. I’m still here. I’m still here.
Through It All – Enthusiastic Praise
Say, «I’m still here. I’m still here.» The devil tried, the devil tried, but let me testify—let me testify he’s a liar because I’m still here. Because I’m still here. I’m still here saying I’m still here. Saying I’m still here. I’m still here saying I’m still here—through hell and high water, still through sickness and disease, still through trouble and trial, still through trial. I’m still here saying I’m still here. I’m still here—that devil don’t try. Let me testify, let me testify that he’s a liar—that he’s a liar because I’m still—yes I am, yes I am, yes I am, yes I am, yes I am still here. Still here. Still here. Still here. Still here.
Now, I’ve been in church all my life. I ain’t never seen nobody do no cartwheel in church—and it’s all right, 'cause if you know what He came through—if you knew that he was struck out on drugs, stealing cars and vehicles from the church, and God delivered him and gave him a job back at the church—the devil be testified just because I’m still here. Ah, I have seen a lot of things in church, but I ain’t never seen nobody—now this man, I just got to talk about him for a moment 'cause he’s our most enthusiastic employee. If you ever walk into the Ministry Center, here’s Tim Thomas. Hey, hey—that’s him.
Invitation to Salvation and Rededication
But if you know what he has come through, I suspect there’s some more y’all that should be doing some cartwheels too—when you look back on all the hell God brought you out of. You should be dead by now, but God spared your life. You should be doing some. I know I said I was almost done—I’m not almost done. I’m going to have to pick this up next time. I’ll pick it up next time. Somebody—there might be somebody here today—they don’t understand all this commotion. They don’t know that we have been forgiven of our sins. We’ve been healed from our diseases. We’ve been delivered from our bondages.
Come to Jesus – Find True Joy
We’ve got a joy deep down inside that only drugs can’t give it to you, sex can’t give it to you, a person can’t give it to you—only Jesus can give you this joy. And if you’re here and you don’t have that joy, let me invite you to come right here, right now. Say, «You know what? I want Jesus. I want that. I want forgiveness. I want a relationship with Him. I want to meet Jesus.» Just get out of your seat and make your way down here right this moment. Don’t be embarrassed—we all made that choice and decision, and you can get it straight today. You can meet the Lord Jesus today.
Rededication, Assurance, or Church Home
He loves you. He cares about you. He died on the cross for you so your sins can be forgiven. And let me invite you—if you don’t know Him, to come. Or maybe you’re backslidden and you need to rededicate yourself to Him—right now is the time to come. Or maybe you’re not sure—you need assurance—right now is the time to come. Or maybe you’re saved and you need a church home—right now is the time to come. Matter of fact, look at your neighbor and tell them, «If you want me to, I’ll walk down there with you so you don’t have to walk by yourself.» Go ahead, talk to your neighbor. Tell them, «Let’s get it right.»
Altar Call – Come Just as You Are
I know somebody here need to get right with the Lord. I know somebody here today—where you at? Amen. Come on. Amen. Here’s the person that breaks the ice right here. I’m so proud of you. I’m so proud of you. God bless you. Wait right there. Amen. Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him. He will give you brand new life. Yes, He will. He will give you brand new life—life abundantly. Just as you are, come to Christ. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Encourage them—they come. Life abundant. Oh, come. Oh, just as you are—come to Christ today. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
Waiting and Final Invitation
We going to wait one more minute for somebody else that needs to come. Don’t put it off. Don’t delay it. Don’t wait on your mom or your daddy. You don’t need their approval. Don’t wait on your husband or your wife. This is between you and God. Come get it right with Him right now while the blood is running warm in your veins. Maybe you’re not sure—you need assurance. You need assurance right now. Right this moment is the time to come. He will give you brand new life. Thank You, Jesus. Hallelujah. Just come to Jesus Christ right now. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
Counseling, Prayer, and Welcome
All right, praise the Lord. Look at me—the person behind you is a counselor. They’re going to take you in the room and sit down and talk with you, share with them, find out why you’re here, why you came forward. They’re going to minister to you. Some of you are coming to get saved—you’re going to be forgiven of your sins today. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Glory to God. All right, and they’re going to share the prayer with you, and they’re going to give you direction. You got to follow the way direction—so we can’t follow you and make sure you’re going to do it all, but you have to pray when they pray with you, believe what they tell you, do what they tell you to do. Okay? Y’all got it? Amen.
Welcome to the Church Family
Some of y’all getting saved. Some of you rededicating. Some of you getting assurance. Some of you already saved—we come to join church. This here is a good church. You can’t find a better church than First Baptist Church in Glenarden. Yeah, it’s a great church.
Closing Prayer
Father, I thank You for each one of these that have come today. So grateful that they have responded to Your voice—that You would plant them in the center of Your will, Almighty God. Let them be all You want them to be, what You called and destined them to be. Help them fulfill their purpose. In Jesus' name we pray. Fill them with Your Holy Spirit. Let them have faith and be extended to You in a heart of repentance. In Jesus' name, amen.