The Crowd | A.R. Bernard

leadership leadership is not just leadership leadership is not just directing directing directing people towards a vision or Mission but people towards a vision or Mission but people towards a vision or Mission but it's also teaching them how to adapt and it's also teaching them how to adapt and it's also teaching them how to adapt and adjust quickly to change and change is adjust quickly to change and change is adjust quickly to change and change is the only constant in life so we the only constant in life so we the only constant in life so we appreciate the leadership this morning appreciate the leadership this morning appreciate the leadership this morning that has caused us to adapt and adjust that has caused us to adapt and adjust that has caused us to adapt and adjust to all the changes we've been going to all the changes we've been going to all the changes we've been going through this morning to get this and I through this morning to get this and I through this morning to get this and I promise you that within the next 10 promise you that within the next 10 promise you that within the next 10 years we're going to work out the years we're going to work out the years we're going to work out the Kinks so we need you to stick Kinks so we need you to stick Kinks so we need you to stick around just to make sure that we do around just to make sure that we do around just to make sure that we do let's go to the Lord in prayer let's bow let's go to the Lord in prayer let's bow let's go to the Lord in prayer let's bow our heads Heavenly Father thank you our heads Heavenly Father thank you our heads Heavenly Father thank you seems seems seems so so so deficient in terms of deficient in terms of deficient in terms of words to express our words to express our words to express our gratitude for all the things that you've gratitude for all the things that you've gratitude for all the things that you've done for done for done for us challenges circumstances and us challenges circumstances and us challenges circumstances and situations that you have brought us situations that you have brought us situations that you have brought us through some we imagine we'd never see through some we imagine we'd never see through some we imagine we'd never see the light of day the light of day the light of day and yet here we and yet here we and yet here we are still excited about your love your are still excited about your love your are still excited about your love your life and your life and your life and your light thank you for this day marking a light thank you for this day marking a light thank you for this day marking a new new new beginning of something that you had in beginning of something that you had in beginning of something that you had in mind all mind all mind all along and we have the along and we have the along and we have the privilege of privilege of privilege of participating and what's was in your

participating and what's was in your participating and what's was in your mind thank you for this family of Faith mind thank you for this family of Faith mind thank you for this family of Faith this community thank you for this seed this community thank you for this seed this community thank you for this seed that will grow into an incredible that will grow into an incredible that will grow into an incredible experience here in Atlanta the state of experience here in Atlanta the state of experience here in Atlanta the state of Georgia across our nation and around Georgia across our nation and around Georgia across our nation and around this this this world thank you for the people that you world thank you for the people that you world thank you for the people that you have assigned have assigned have assigned here to be a part of what you're here to be a part of what you're here to be a part of what you're doing we love you and we thank you for doing we love you and we thank you for doing we love you and we thank you for your presence here this your presence here this your presence here this morning once again morning once again morning once again fill us with your wisdom your knowledge fill us with your wisdom your knowledge fill us with your wisdom your knowledge your understanding as we represent your understanding as we represent your understanding as we represent Christ in Christ in Christ in culture we ask in Jesus name amen and culture we ask in Jesus name amen and culture we ask in Jesus name amen and amen all right greet three people before amen all right greet three people before amen all right greet three people before you are you are you are seated it was years ago that I was in a seated it was years ago that I was in a seated it was years ago that I was in a meeting the Reverend Jesse Jackson asked meeting the Reverend Jesse Jackson asked meeting the Reverend Jesse Jackson asked me to come and address an economic me to come and address an economic me to come and address an economic Summit and someone said well this is 24 Summit and someone said well this is 24 Summit and someone said well this is 24 25 years ago 25 years ago 25 years ago actually and someone said well who's AR actually and someone said well who's AR actually and someone said well who's AR Bernard and someone on his staff said Bernard and someone on his staff said Bernard and someone on his staff said well who's AR Bernard Jesse Jackson well who's AR Bernard Jesse Jackson well who's AR Bernard Jesse Jackson respond he said that's the pastor with respond he said that's the pastor with respond he said that's the pastor with the with the board if he doesn't have a board it's board if he doesn't have a board it's not a not a not a Bernard it's amazing how we Bernard it's amazing how we Bernard it's amazing how we can create can create can create signatures of our identity without even signatures of our identity without even signatures of our identity without even realizing it and for me it was just a

realizing it and for me it was just a realizing it and for me it was just a tool tool tool because I realize that we are now living because I realize that we are now living because I realize that we are now living in a Sight and Sound in a Sight and Sound in a Sight and Sound generation we want to hear it and see generation we want to hear it and see generation we want to hear it and see it to experience the full impact I bring it to experience the full impact I bring it to experience the full impact I bring you greetings from my lovely wife Pastor you greetings from my lovely wife Pastor you greetings from my lovely wife Pastor Karen Bernard an amazing Bernard an amazing woman who put up with me for 52 years of woman who put up with me for 52 years of woman who put up with me for 52 years of marriage as of this past last marriage as of this past last marriage as of this past last [Applause] Tuesday and we met and started dating at Tuesday and we met and started dating at age five age five age five and decided that we would formalize and decided that we would formalize and decided that we would formalize it by age eight to give you an idea let me say eight to give you an idea let me say thank you thank you thank you to Darwin Hobs and the praise team ter the ter the truth Banna truth Banna truth Banna babano I love your smooth sounds thanks to all of the staff sounds thanks to all of the staff volunteers here in Atlanta who made it volunteers here in Atlanta who made it volunteers here in Atlanta who made it possible for this launch to take place possible for this launch to take place possible for this launch to take place to our Atlanta lead Pastor Sam CER

to our Atlanta lead Pastor Sam CER to our Atlanta lead Pastor Sam CER associate pastor Emanuel associate pastor Emanuel associate pastor Emanuel Lambert and I want to call Pastor Jamal Lambert and I want to call Pastor Jamal Lambert and I want to call Pastor Jamal and his lovely wife my daughter who and his lovely wife my daughter who and his lovely wife my daughter who happened to marry my happened to marry my happened to marry my son because she won't come up on stage son because she won't come up on stage son because she won't come up on stage cuz she's a background person and she cuz she's a background person and she cuz she's a background person and she loves being in the loves being in the loves being in the [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] background background background so what a husband couldn't do a father could because he would have been in could because he would have been in trouble if he invited her up trouble if he invited her up trouble if he invited her up here man is an incredible man is an incredible amazing woman and before she slips into to the and before she slips into to the Shadows I wanted you to see Shadows I wanted you to see Shadows I wanted you to see her face to her face to her face to face because she stands behind him face because she stands behind him face because she stands behind him always always always cheering also known as power steering and we all need that as men in steering and we all need that as men in our lives thank you I'm so proud proud

our lives thank you I'm so proud proud our lives thank you I'm so proud proud of you and I love of you and I love of you and I love [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] you you can you you can you you can leave we're done here want to say thanks to the here want to say thanks to the incredible team that came down from New incredible team that came down from New incredible team that came down from New York just to be here part of this York just to be here part of this York just to be here part of this celebration as well I see in the celebration as well I see in the celebration as well I see in the audience friends longtime friends thank audience friends longtime friends thank audience friends longtime friends thank you for being here as part of you for being here as part of you for being here as part of this Randy Phillips thank you man love this Randy Phillips thank you man love this Randy Phillips thank you man love you and appreciate you brother we go you and appreciate you brother we go you and appreciate you brother we go back to the 1990s with all the Men's back to the 1990s with all the Men's back to the 1990s with all the Men's Ministry movements are going on across Ministry movements are going on across Ministry movements are going on across the country and around the world I realized as I sat there and world I realized as I sat there and looked at the audience that we are looked at the audience that we are looked at the audience that we are today a blended today a blended today a blended family that's interesting because when family that's interesting because when family that's interesting because when you think of Blended families it's two you think of Blended families it's two you think of Blended families it's two families coming together with families coming together with families coming together with established cultures and ideas but established cultures and ideas but established cultures and ideas but coming together based upon a certain coming together based upon a certain coming together based upon a certain foundation and Blended families are foundation and Blended families are foundation and Blended families are interesting concept as I look out at interesting concept as I look out at interesting concept as I look out at this audience I see the original members this audience I see the original members this audience I see the original members of story of story of story church now church now church now CCC CCC CCC Atlanta I see members of CCC New York Atlanta I see members of CCC New York Atlanta I see members of CCC New York who relocated ated

who relocated ated who relocated ated to Atlanta I see North and Atlanta I see North and South South South finally coming together and and and maybe this is where together and and and maybe this is where Unity should Unity should Unity should begin in the house of God maybe this is begin in the house of God maybe this is begin in the house of God maybe this is where we should model civil where we should model civil where we should model civil discourse instead of demonizing each discourse instead of demonizing each discourse instead of demonizing each other but listening to each other other but listening to each other other but listening to each other validating and appreciating each other validating and appreciating each other validating and appreciating each other maybe this is the environment that Jesus maybe this is the environment that Jesus maybe this is the environment that Jesus intended for that to intended for that to intended for that to take place dear friend of mine for many many place dear friend of mine for many many years we actually ministered annually years we actually ministered annually years we actually ministered annually together on something called the together on something called the together on something called the Nicholas love Cruise Nicholas love Cruise Nicholas love Cruise dear friend Dr Miles Monroe and he rest in peace he's gone on Monroe and he rest in peace he's gone on to be with the Lord but Karen and I to be with the Lord but Karen and I to be with the Lord but Karen and I Pastor Karen and I had just a great Pastor Karen and I had just a great Pastor Karen and I had just a great relationship with he and his wife Ruth relationship with he and his wife Ruth relationship with he and his wife Ruth and we would Minister together to and we would Minister together to and we would Minister together to married couples and other opportunities married couples and other opportunities married couples and other opportunities as well and and I just love that brother as well and and I just love that brother as well and and I just love that brother so much we could sit down argue and so much we could sit down argue and so much we could sit down argue and debate over particular theological debate over particular theological debate over particular theological nuances and then find he would find a

nuances and then find he would find a nuances and then find he would find a restaurant a a oh man a Tony restaurant a a oh man a Tony restaurant a a oh man a Tony Romas which is Spar Romas which is Spar Romas which is Spar Ribs Right but he would find one in the Ribs Right but he would find one in the Ribs Right but he would find one in the Bahamas that serves Spar ribs and rice Bahamas that serves Spar ribs and rice Bahamas that serves Spar ribs and rice and peas only Dr Miles could do peas only Dr Miles could do that he has an amazing Legacy his son that he has an amazing Legacy his son that he has an amazing Legacy his son his family as well his family as well his family as well but he released the principle into the but he released the principle into the but he released the principle into the body of Christ back in the early 90s and body of Christ back in the early 90s and body of Christ back in the early 90s and it went like it went like it went like this if the purpose of a this if the purpose of a this if the purpose of a thing is not clearly thing is not clearly thing is not clearly understood understood understood abuse is abuse is abuse is inevitable that principle reverberated inevitable that principle reverberated inevitable that principle reverberated around the world taught and around the world taught and around the world taught and retaught because of how powerful it was retaught because of how powerful it was retaught because of how powerful it was and everything that God does he does and everything that God does he does and everything that God does he does according to a pattern and based on a according to a pattern and based on a according to a pattern and based on a principle a broad and basic truth unlike principle a broad and basic truth unlike principle a broad and basic truth unlike a precept where it is a direct command a precept where it is a direct command a precept where it is a direct command like the stop sign but a principle like the stop sign but a principle like the stop sign but a principle requires wisdom knowledge understanding requires wisdom knowledge understanding requires wisdom knowledge understanding experience Insight on how Insight on how to apply it a abuse is a compound word that comes it a abuse is a compound word that comes from the Latin ab and UT AB

from the Latin ab and UT AB from the Latin ab and UT AB meaning meaning meaning away and UT meaning use the idea is that away and UT meaning use the idea is that away and UT meaning use the idea is that abuse is moving away from the normal use abuse is moving away from the normal use abuse is moving away from the normal use intended for intended for intended for something so abuse is something so abuse is something so abuse is essentially abnormal essentially abnormal essentially abnormal use so if the purpose of a use so if the purpose of a use so if the purpose of a husband is not clearly understood by the wife it can wife it can result in result in result in abnormal use of the abnormal use of the abnormal use of the relationship also known as husband if the purpose of a if the purpose of a wife is not clearly understood understood abuse is inevitable if the purpose of an inevitable if the purpose of an organization a organization a organization a relationship a tool an object if the purpose of a object if the purpose of a church is not clearly understood abuse is abuse is inevitable and we have inevitable and we have inevitable and we have churches that are

churches that are churches that are suffering from leadership the Provost of our leadership the Provost of our Seminary new school of biblical theology Seminary new school of biblical theology Seminary new school of biblical theology darl Irvin been a friend for many many darl Irvin been a friend for many many darl Irvin been a friend for many many years he was 18 years of president of years he was 18 years of president of years he was 18 years of president of New York Theological Seminary he came to New York Theological Seminary he came to New York Theological Seminary he came to work with our University as we move work with our University as we move work with our University as we move towards towards towards accreditation he said something to me accreditation he said something to me accreditation he said something to me striking he said he said you striking he said he said you striking he said he said you know 85% of the students who come to know 85% of the students who come to know 85% of the students who come to Seminary are there because they failed Seminary are there because they failed Seminary are there because they failed in the in the in the world and they've interpreted that world and they've interpreted that world and they've interpreted that failure as the call of God to Ministry wow and it's interesting because I've wow and it's interesting because I've had conversation with individuals who've had conversation with individuals who've had conversation with individuals who've told me they've called they've been told me they've called they've been told me they've called they've been called by the Lord and I know that that called by the Lord and I know that that called by the Lord and I know that that calling is their attempt to make sense calling is their attempt to make sense calling is their attempt to make sense of their failure it's failure it's dangerous a clergy should not be a dangerous a clergy should not be a dangerous a clergy should not be a pastor in order to resolve his or her pastor in order to resolve his or her pastor in order to resolve his or her own identity crisis that's not why you go into crisis that's not why you go into Ministry so if you don't understand the

Ministry so if you don't understand the Ministry so if you don't understand the purpose of purpose of purpose of ministry you'll abuse ministry you'll abuse ministry you'll abuse Ministry and too often we have Ministry and too often we have Ministry and too often we have individuals stepping into that role individuals stepping into that role individuals stepping into that role because they're because they're because they're charismatic they've got stage presence covering I know what that is because I covering I know what that is because I grew up without a father but thank God grew up without a father but thank God grew up without a father but thank God there was a point in time in Ministry there was a point in time in Ministry there was a point in time in Ministry where God sent me a spiritual father but abuse within the context of father but abuse within the context of the church the church the church which means that if internally abuse is which means that if internally abuse is which means that if internally abuse is going on it is easy to fall prey to going on it is easy to fall prey to going on it is easy to fall prey to external abuse which means external forces can abuse which means external forces can come in and abuse the church and the church can end up in a church and the church can end up in a place that we are here in our society place that we are here in our society place that we are here in our society American society where we are guilty of American society where we are guilty of American society where we are guilty of political idolatry you can't have Jesus as your personal you can't have Jesus as your personal Savior and politics as your social

savior church and state have a role they savior church and state have a role they play together to work with each other play together to work with each other play together to work with each other holding each other accountable as part holding each other accountable as part holding each other accountable as part of the power of the power of the power structure but government is not our structure but government is not our structure but government is not our savior politics is not our savior savior politics is not our savior savior politics is not our savior and it's unfortunately when we talk and it's unfortunately when we talk and it's unfortunately when we talk about abuse especially external to the about abuse especially external to the about abuse especially external to the church we've had political parties church we've had political parties church we've had political parties successfully and successfully and successfully and effectively effectively effectively leverage the leverage the leverage the church and create create emotional and social emotional and social emotional and social bonds around political Democrat the message of Jesus Democrat the message of Jesus transcended the political landscape of transcended the political landscape of transcended the political landscape of his his his time and continues to transcend the time and continues to transcend the time and continues to transcend the political landscape of our political landscape of our political landscape of our times but in order to exer exert power times but in order to exer exert power times but in order to exer exert power and influence we want to pull him into and influence we want to pull him into and influence we want to pull him into our political party pull him into our our political party pull him into our our political party pull him into our special interest group pull them into special interest group pull them into special interest group pull them into our particular context and then use his context and then use his authority to authority to authority to influence

influence influence people that might be called Jesus abuse this Podium is a this Podium is a God given God given God given platform to speak into the hearts and platform to speak into the hearts and platform to speak into the hearts and minds of minds of minds of people and when we compromise the people and when we compromise the people and when we compromise the platform platform platform we we we compromise our moral Authority Authority and our prophetic voice and our prophetic voice and our prophetic voice so we lose our so we lose our so we lose our right to speak in to the right to speak in to the right to speak in to the society and to hold Society accountable society and to hold Society accountable society and to hold Society accountable to consider its judgments in accordance with the kingdom judgments in accordance with the kingdom of of of God God's moral God God's moral God God's moral order I say this because 5:00 this order I say this because 5:00 this order I say this because 5:00 this morning I Was preparing what I was going morning I Was preparing what I was going morning I Was preparing what I was going to say to you and to our other to say to you and to our other to say to you and to our other congregations but technology congregations but technology congregations but technology said or should I say the failure of said or should I say the failure of said or should I say the failure of Technology said this is where we're speaking said this is where we're speaking today so as I told Pastor Jamal there is

today so as I told Pastor Jamal there is today so as I told Pastor Jamal there is the the the message and there's a message I should and there's a message I should speak and preachers can often get caught speak and preachers can often get caught speak and preachers can often get caught in the tension between the two in the tension between the two in the tension between the two especially if you're 46 years in especially if you're 46 years in especially if you're 46 years in Ministry and you have a treasure trest a Ministry and you have a treasure trest a Ministry and you have a treasure trest a repertoire of messages and ideas and repertoire of messages and ideas and repertoire of messages and ideas and Concepts from God that you can share Concepts from God that you can share Concepts from God that you can share with the people so it seems the way this is people so it seems the way this is playing out is you're getting a mixture playing out is you're getting a mixture playing out is you're getting a mixture of of of both what I could both what I could both what I could say but most say but most say but most importantly what I should importantly what I should importantly what I should say so I just said what I could say so I just said what I could say so I just said what I could say but I won't elaborate on that I'll say but I won't elaborate on that I'll say but I won't elaborate on that I'll move into what I should move into what I should move into what I should say in the gospel of Matthew chap 4 say in the gospel of Matthew chap 4 say in the gospel of Matthew chap 4 verse 25 in the English Standard Version it Version it reads as follows macchiato with a

macchiato with a table to support it but I've learned to adapt it but I've learned to adapt and ajust and great ajust and great crowds followed him From crowds followed him From crowds followed him From Galilee and the Galilee and the Galilee and the decapolis which means the 10 cities that decapolis which means the 10 cities that decapolis which means the 10 cities that were under Roman rule and dominated by were under Roman rule and dominated by were under Roman rule and dominated by Gentiles and from Gentiles and from Gentiles and from Jerusalem and Jerusalem and Jerusalem and Judea and from Judea and from Judea and from beyond the Jordan Jordan great great great crowds say great people as the text expresses they can people as the text expresses they can come from a come from a come from a wide demographic gathered to usually see and hear gathered to usually see and hear Jesus as this crowd Jesus as this crowd Jesus as this crowd did the majority of them were there out did the majority of them were there out did the majority of them were there out of of of curiosity they heard about him his curiosity they heard about him his curiosity they heard about him his exorcisms his miracles his incredible exorcisms his miracles his incredible exorcisms his miracles his incredible teaching with authority that even their

teaching with authority that even their teaching with authority that even their religious Scholars did not religious Scholars did not religious Scholars did not exercise so they exercise so they exercise so they came and his Fame continued came and his Fame continued came and his Fame continued to spread it spread it drew a drew a drew a crowd say a crowd say a crowd say a crowd John 7:12 in The New International crowd John 7:12 in The New International crowd John 7:12 in The New International Version it reads as Version it reads as Version it reads as follows among the crowds there's that follows among the crowds there's that follows among the crowds there's that word word word again again again crowds among the crowds there was crowds among the crowds there was crowds among the crowds there was widespread widespread widespread Whispering about Whispering about Whispering about him some said he's a good him some said he's a good him some said he's a good man others replied no no no he deceives man others replied no no no he deceives man others replied no no no he deceives the the the people you see a crowd is a mixture of people you see a crowd is a mixture of people you see a crowd is a mixture of belief and belief and belief and skepticism that's why you can't trust skepticism that's why you can't trust skepticism that's why you can't trust the crowd the crowd can get caught up in crowd the crowd can get caught up in eupharia of the moment and it could be eupharia of the moment and it could be eupharia of the moment and it could be error leading to their death Matthew death Matthew 16: 13 and 14 in the English Standard 16: 13 and 14 in the English Standard 16: 13 and 14 in the English Standard Version now when Jesus came into the Version now when Jesus came into the Version now when Jesus came into the District of cesaria Philippi he asked District of cesaria Philippi he asked District of cesaria Philippi he asked his disciples who do people

his disciples who do people his disciples who do people say that the son of man say that the son of man say that the son of man is and they said the is and they said the is and they said the crowd they were reflecting the opinions crowd they were reflecting the opinions crowd they were reflecting the opinions of the crowd his of the crowd his of the crowd his disciples and they said well some say disciples and they said well some say disciples and they said well some say John the John the John the Baptist others say Elijah the Baptist others say Elijah the Baptist others say Elijah the prophet and others say prophets the prophets the crowd has a a mixture of crowd has a a mixture of crowd has a a mixture of ideas and ideas and ideas and opinions they don't have a shared core belief the crowd lacks belief the crowd lacks Unity lacks Unity lacks Unity lacks purpose because usually what draws them purpose because usually what draws them purpose because usually what draws them together is emotional Gospel of John chapter Gospel of John chapter 6:66 also in the ESV it says after 6:66 also in the ESV it says after 6:66 also in the ESV it says after this many of his this many of his this many of his disciples turned disciples turned disciples turned back and no longer walked with him the reason they turned back is him the reason they turned back is because he said unless you drink of my because he said unless you drink of my because he said unless you drink of my blood eat of My Flesh you have no part

blood eat of My Flesh you have no part blood eat of My Flesh you have no part with me but instead of allowing him to with me but instead of allowing him to with me but instead of allowing him to explain the metaphor they metaphor they left and that's the nature of a crowd left and that's the nature of a crowd left and that's the nature of a crowd when there's something that they don't when there's something that they don't when there's something that they don't understand they won't stick around long understand they won't stick around long understand they won't stick around long enough to gain enough to gain enough to gain understanding the moment it's understanding the moment it's understanding the moment it's inconsistent with what they already inconsistent with what they already inconsistent with what they already understand and believe they understand and believe they understand and believe they leave because we live at a time where leave because we live at a time where leave because we live at a time where people are caught up in what is people are caught up in what is people are caught up in what is called conf information called conf information called conf information bias in other words we listen long bias in other words we listen long bias in other words we listen long enough to see if you're saying what we enough to see if you're saying what we enough to see if you're saying what we believe and if you're not we're sustainability when there's something sustainability when there's something difficult for the crowd to grasp or difficult for the crowd to grasp or difficult for the crowd to grasp or something offends them they are quick to something offends them they are quick to something offends them they are quick to abandon the 6:15 the English Standard Version it 6:15 the English Standard Version it reads as follows perceiving then that reads as follows perceiving then that reads as follows perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by they were about to come and take him by they were about to come and take him by force to make him King

force to make him King force to make him King Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself let me give you the context himself let me give you the context himself let me give you the context people had been out there three days he people had been out there three days he people had been out there three days he feeds this is the miracle of him feeding feeds this is the miracle of him feeding feeds this is the miracle of him feeding the 5,000 and after he fed them they were so 5,000 and after he fed them they were so impacted by the impacted by the impacted by the miracle that they rushed him to put him miracle that they rushed him to put him miracle that they rushed him to put him in political power said to make him in political power said to make him in political power said to make him King because again they thought politics King because again they thought politics King because again they thought politics would be the answer so they said we got to make this answer so they said we got to make this guy King he can deal with our economic guy King he can deal with our economic guy King he can deal with our economic crisis he can provide food for us like crisis he can provide food for us like crisis he can provide food for us like this he can solve all of our problems this he can solve all of our problems this he can solve all of our problems and that was the Messianic notion in the and that was the Messianic notion in the and that was the Messianic notion in the in nation of Israel at the in nation of Israel at the in nation of Israel at the time so what happens when you you feel time so what happens when you you feel time so what happens when you you feel that someone could solve your problems that someone could solve your problems that someone could solve your problems you want to give them you want to give them you want to give them power but they didn't realize he didn't power but they didn't realize he didn't power but they didn't realize he didn't need their power need their power need their power he didn't feed them by their he didn't feed them by their he didn't feed them by their power see the thing is that whoever puts power see the thing is that whoever puts power see the thing is that whoever puts you in power can take you out of power can take you out of power if God puts you in power if God puts you in power if God puts you in power only God can take you God can take you out and Jesus understood that and out and Jesus understood that and out and Jesus understood that and refused to allow the emotional charge of

refused to allow the emotional charge of refused to allow the emotional charge of the moment that the people felt there the moment that the people felt there the moment that the people felt there was a solution in front of them to their was a solution in front of them to their was a solution in front of them to their problems he rejected it he problems he rejected it he problems he rejected it he left he rejected left he rejected left he rejected it the crowd is it the crowd is it the crowd is moved by the emotion of the moved by the emotion of the moved by the emotion of the moment not by a set of moment not by a set of moment not by a set of values and a sense of values and a sense of values and a sense of purpose Luke 28:20 purpose Luke 28:20 purpose Luke 28:20 now you'll give me a signal when I've now you'll give me a signal when I've now you'll give me a signal when I've got when I've got two hours left just got when I've got two hours left just got when I've got two hours left just give me a give me a give me a signal 10 minutes in Luke 23: 20- signal 10 minutes in Luke 23: 20- signal 10 minutes in Luke 23: 20- 21 pilate addressed them once 21 pilate addressed them once 21 pilate addressed them once more Desiring to release more Desiring to release more Desiring to release Jesus but they kept Jesus but they kept Jesus but they kept shouting shouting shouting crucify crucify him crucify crucify him crucify crucify him isn't it interesting that the same crowd isn't it interesting that the same crowd isn't it interesting that the same crowd that wanted to make him King we now King we now yelling crucifier yelling crucifier yelling crucifier her a crowd can turn on you at the drop her a crowd can turn on you at the drop her a crowd can turn on you at the drop of a dime why do I say this to you I'm glad dime why do I say this to you I'm glad you you you asked because we did not come to Atlanta asked because we did not come to Atlanta asked because we did not come to Atlanta and establish CCC

and establish CCC and establish CCC Atlanta for the crowd the crowd is not our aim the crowd crowd the crowd is not our aim the crowd may be a byproduct of growth and may be a byproduct of growth and may be a byproduct of growth and Effectiveness in Effectiveness in Effectiveness in Ministry but it's not our Ministry but it's not our Ministry but it's not our Aim so it's important for me as a Aim so it's important for me as a Aim so it's important for me as a general overseer to make sure that you general overseer to make sure that you general overseer to make sure that you understand our purpose cuz if you don't understand our purpose cuz if you don't understand our purpose cuz if you don't understand our understand our understand our purpose Come on talk back to me if purpose Come on talk back to me if purpose Come on talk back to me if you've been in the building for a you've been in the building for a you've been in the building for a minute minute minute abuse is inevitable nor are we here to save inevitable nor are we here to save Atlanta like some of the Ministries who Atlanta like some of the Ministries who Atlanta like some of the Ministries who came into New York to save came into New York to save came into New York to save us the epitome of arrogance to ignore and arrogance to ignore and devalue all of the work that has already devalue all of the work that has already devalue all of the work that has already been done in a city before you get been done in a city before you get been done in a city before you get there we won't do there we won't do there we won't do that no we're here to come alongside the that no we're here to come alongside the that no we're here to come alongside the legacy of churches and organizations legacy of churches and organizations legacy of churches and organizations that have been working in the vineyard that have been working in the vineyard that have been working in the vineyard called Atlanta and the state of Georgia called Atlanta and the state of Georgia called Atlanta and the state of Georgia to build on that Legacy to imagine the to build on that Legacy to imagine the to build on that Legacy to imagine the future possibilities based on that future possibilities based on that future possibilities based on that Legacy to come alongside of them and Legacy to come alongside of them and Legacy to come alongside of them and join join join with them in their work in the kingdom with them in their work in the kingdom with them in their work in the kingdom of

God that's important cuz I don't want God that's important cuz I don't want you to go and say well see our church is you to go and say well see our church is you to go and say well see our church is better than your church we're not here better than your church we're not here better than your church we're not here to be better if that is a result of how to be better if that is a result of how to be better if that is a result of how effective we are how efficient we are effective we are how efficient we are effective we are how efficient we are then it's on their then it's on their then it's on their own I own I own I remember there was a period in fact this remember there was a period in fact this remember there was a period in fact this past week I was invited to address a a past week I was invited to address a a past week I was invited to address a a group of group of group of priests at a priests at a priests at a retreat and understand it's not retreat and understand it's not retreat and understand it's not normal for a Protestant minister to be normal for a Protestant minister to be normal for a Protestant minister to be invited to address a group of invited to address a group of invited to address a group of priests but my longtime relationship priests but my longtime relationship priests but my longtime relationship with a cardinal of New York he said I with a cardinal of New York he said I with a cardinal of New York he said I want you to come and speak on want you to come and speak on want you to come and speak on homiletics I want you to talk to them homiletics I want you to talk to them homiletics I want you to talk to them about how to about how to about how to preach how to communicate the gospel to preach how to communicate the gospel to preach how to communicate the gospel to the social mind and it's interesting because this is and it's interesting because this is 2024 and I did that last week 15 years 2024 and I did that last week 15 years 2024 and I did that last week 15 years ago the Catholic priests in Brooklyn ago the Catholic priests in Brooklyn ago the Catholic priests in Brooklyn were complaining that I was stealing were complaining that I was stealing were complaining that I was stealing their members it's amazing how life can make members it's amazing how life can make full circle and of course my response at full circle and of course my response at full circle and of course my response at the time is I'm not stealing sheep I the time is I'm not stealing sheep I the time is I'm not stealing sheep I don't steal sheep I just grow grass you see if you grow grass you see if you grow grass come on talk to me church if you grass come on talk to me church if you grass come on talk to me church if you grow

here I've got to specify what kind of here I've got to specify what kind of grass I'm talking about grass I'm talking about grass I'm talking about [Applause] metaphor we're not here for the metaphor we're not here for the crowd but we invite the crowd but we invite the crowd but we invite the crowd we're here to build a crowd we're here to build a crowd we're here to build a congregation I'm going to say it again congregation I'm going to say it again congregation I'm going to say it again we're here to build a we're here to build a we're here to build a congregation I have nothing against the congregation I have nothing against the congregation I have nothing against the crowd but I understand the crowd I crowd but I understand the crowd I crowd but I understand the crowd I understand the crowd understand the crowd understand the crowd mentality we're here to build a congregation did I say that we're here congregation did I say that we're here to build the congregation because if the purpose of a congregation because if the purpose of a thing thing thing is not clearly understood understood abuse is inevitable if the purpose of power is inevitable if the purpose of power is not understood that it's given you to not understood that it's given you to not understood that it's given you to serve the people not serve the people not serve the people not yourself you'll abuse power a congregation is a community of power a congregation is a community of people and I'm going to give you the

people and I'm going to give you the people and I'm going to give you the list list list a community of people with a shared a community of people with a shared a community of people with a shared Center that's important because that's Center that's important because that's Center that's important because that's our our our Compass a Compass a Compass a shared Center our shared Center our shared Center is the one Center is the one Center is the one true true true Eternal Eternal Eternal omnipotent omniscient omnipresent omnipotent omniscient omnipresent omnipotent omniscient omnipresent creator of the creator of the creator of the universe who revealed universe who revealed universe who revealed himself in the person of the Lord Jesus himself in the person of the Lord Jesus himself in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ you see what distinguishes us Christ you see what distinguishes us Christ you see what distinguishes us from others is the Lord Jesus from others is the Lord Jesus from others is the Lord Jesus Christ and what we believe about Christ and what we believe about Christ and what we believe about him that's Central that's our Center the second thing Center the second thing that makes a that makes a that makes a congregation is shared values I'm not going to impact each one of I'm not going to impact each one of these but shared these but shared these but shared values shared sense of values shared sense of values shared sense of purpose a shared journey of ups and purpose a shared journey of ups and purpose a shared journey of ups and downs and challenges that we talk about downs and challenges that we talk about downs and challenges that we talk about and learn from each and learn from each and learn from each other a congregation is long-term other a congregation is long-term other a congregation is long-term commitment commitment commitment sustainability Jesus said he prayed that sustainability Jesus said he prayed that sustainability Jesus said he prayed that we will bear fruit much fruit but that

we will bear fruit much fruit but that we will bear fruit much fruit but that our fruit should our fruit should our fruit should remain longevity managing remain longevity managing remain longevity managing continuity and change how will we do change how will we do this I'm glad you this I'm glad you this I'm glad you ask by creating an environment physical environment physical spiritual and emotional attributes spiritual and emotional attributes spiritual and emotional attributes filling that environment that help filling that environment that help filling that environment that help people connect to God and connect to people connect to God and connect to people connect to God and connect to each each each other love God with all your heart soul other love God with all your heart soul other love God with all your heart soul mind and strength love your neighbor as mind and strength love your neighbor as mind and strength love your neighbor as yourself the yourself the yourself the vertical and the vertical and the vertical and the horizontal we'll do it by serving people horizontal we'll do it by serving people horizontal we'll do it by serving people our local community and our Global our local community and our Global our local community and our Global Community by facilitating Dynamic Community by facilitating Dynamic Community by facilitating Dynamic interaction between interaction between interaction between people of all walks of life and stations people of all walks of life and stations people of all walks of life and stations in in in life through our life through our life through our programs programs that value and help programs programs that value and help programs programs that value and help people become the best version of sustainability and sustainability and today we invite today we invite today we invite you to join us on this you to join us on this you to join us on this journey to be a part of this

journey to be a part of this journey to be a part of this congregation this blended family that congregation this blended family that congregation this blended family that will continue to will continue to will continue to blend but I want you to understand blend but I want you to understand blend but I want you to understand clearly why we are clearly why we are clearly why we are here we're going to glorify God and I think I'm God and I think I'm sorry I sorry I sorry I know that we're going to be part of know that we're going to be part of know that we're going to be part of something something something new that God is doing not only in new that God is doing not only in new that God is doing not only in Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta but in our but in our but in our nation thank nation thank nation thank you for indulging me this morning to you for indulging me this morning to you for indulging me this morning to share my share my share my heart our ministry our vision and the heart our ministry our vision and the heart our ministry our vision and the future for future for future for CCC CCC CCC Atlanta God bless you