No More Excuses | Dr. Marcus D. Cosby

Happy Sunday, church family. I'm Riley Happy Sunday, church family. I'm Riley Malvo. I'm Leila Yuing. I'm Chrisette Malvo. I'm Leila Yuing. I'm Chrisette Malvo. I'm Leila Yuing. I'm Chrisette Williams. Williams. Williams. >> And I'm Christian Whitaker. And together >> And I'm Christian Whitaker. And together >> And I'm Christian Whitaker. And together we bring you this week's edition of we bring you this week's edition of we bring you this week's edition of Avenue News. [music] >> Vacation Bible School will be the >> Vacation Bible School will be the brightest week of the year. This year, brightest week of the year. This year, brightest week of the year. This year, we will explore Jesus question. Who you we will explore Jesus question. Who you we will explore Jesus question. Who you say that I am? and discover that Jesus say that I am? and discover that Jesus say that I am? and discover that Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark is the light who brings hope to a dark is the light who brings hope to a dark world. Join us July 13th to July 17th world. Join us July 13th to July 17th world. Join us July 13th to July 17th and bring the entire family. and bring the entire family. and bring the entire family. Registration is required. Registration is required. Registration is required. Families of children and youth with Families of children and youth with Families of children and youth with autism are invited to a lunch and learn autism are invited to a lunch and learn autism are invited to a lunch and learn hosted by Spark on Saturday, July 11th hosted by Spark on Saturday, July 11th hosted by Spark on Saturday, July 11th from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. [music] from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. [music] from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. [music] Join us for fellowship, encouragement, Join us for fellowship, encouragement, Join us for fellowship, encouragement, and practical learning as we explore how and practical learning as we explore how and practical learning as we explore how support at home and within the community support at home and within the community support at home and within the community can make a difference. [music] Lunch can make a difference. [music] Lunch can make a difference. [music] Lunch will be provided. will be provided. will be provided. >> Founded in 1965 by our late founding >> Founded in 1965 by our late founding >> Founded in 1965 by our late founding pastor, Reverend William [music] A. pastor, Reverend William [music] A. pastor, Reverend William [music] A. Lawson, and his wife, Mrs. Audrey Lawson, and his wife, Mrs. Audrey Lawson, and his wife, Mrs. Audrey Lawson, Boy Scout Troop 242 was the Lawson, Boy Scout Troop 242 was the Lawson, Boy Scout Troop 242 was the [music] first youth organization [music] first youth organization [music] first youth organization established at Wheeler Avenue Baptist established at Wheeler Avenue Baptist established at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Since then, more than 1,000 boys Church. Since then, more than 1,000 boys Church. Since then, more than 1,000 boys and young men have participated in and young men have participated in and young men have participated in [music] the program with over 221 [music] the program with over 221 [music] the program with over 221 achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, one achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, one achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, one of the largest totals among of the largest totals among of the largest totals among African-American scout troops in the African-American scout troops in the African-American scout troops in the nation. [music] Troop 242 continues to nation. [music] Troop 242 continues to nation. [music] Troop 242 continues to develop leaders through mentorship, develop leaders through mentorship, develop leaders through mentorship, service, outdoor experiences, and service, outdoor experiences, and service, outdoor experiences, and character building opportunities that character building opportunities that character building opportunities that have positively impacted generations of have positively impacted generations of have positively impacted generations of gentlemen. We invite all scouts, former gentlemen. We invite all scouts, former gentlemen. We invite all scouts, former scouts, Eagle Scouts, Scouts Masters, scouts, Eagle Scouts, Scouts Masters, scouts, Eagle Scouts, Scouts Masters, leaders, families, and friends to join

leaders, families, and friends to join leaders, families, and friends to join us in celebrating this proud legacy and us in celebrating this proud legacy and us in celebrating this proud legacy and honoring our newest Eagle Scouts. honoring our newest Eagle Scouts. honoring our newest Eagle Scouts. Saturday, July 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Saturday, July 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Saturday, July 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Life Center gymnasium. Community Life Center gymnasium. Community Life Center gymnasium. Get ready for Young Adult Week 2026, Get ready for Young Adult Week 2026, Get ready for Young Adult Week 2026, August 11th through the 16th. Join us August 11th through the 16th. Join us August 11th through the 16th. Join us for Rooted and Ready, a powerful 5-day for Rooted and Ready, a powerful 5-day for Rooted and Ready, a powerful 5-day experience inspired by Jeremiah 17 7-8. experience inspired by Jeremiah 17 7-8. experience inspired by Jeremiah 17 7-8. This year, we're taking a deeper look at This year, we're taking a deeper look at This year, we're taking a deeper look at spiritual growth through the lens of a spiritual growth through the lens of a spiritual growth through the lens of a planting cycle, walking step by step planting cycle, walking step by step planting cycle, walking step by step through what it truly means to be rooted through what it truly means to be rooted through what it truly means to be rooted in God. Each day is intentional. Each in God. Each day is intentional. Each in God. Each day is intentional. Each moment is transformative. And by the end moment is transformative. And by the end moment is transformative. And by the end of the week, you'll see the evidence of of the week, you'll see the evidence of of the week, you'll see the evidence of a life fully rooted in him. So mark your a life fully rooted in him. So mark your a life fully rooted in him. So mark your calendars and prepare your heart. We'll calendars and prepare your heart. We'll calendars and prepare your heart. We'll see you at Young Adult Week. There's so see you at Young Adult Week. There's so see you at Young Adult Week. There's so much taking place and we hope you stay much taking place and we hope you stay much taking place and we hope you stay connected. For more information, please connected. For more information, please connected. For more information, please follow us on all social media platforms. follow us on all social media platforms. follow us on all social media platforms. [music] I'm Riley Malvo. I'm Lily Ewing. [music] I'm Riley Malvo. I'm Lily Ewing. [music] I'm Riley Malvo. I'm Lily Ewing. I'm Chrisette Williams. I'm Chrisette Williams. I'm Chrisette Williams. >> And I'm Christian Whitaker. >> And I'm Christian Whitaker. >> And I'm Christian Whitaker. >> And this has been your Avenue News. >> And this has been your Avenue News. >> And this has been your Avenue News. >> And [music] remember, we are Wheeler >> And [music] remember, we are Wheeler >> And [music] remember, we are Wheeler Weber.

Good morning church family. Good morning Good morning church family. Good morning church family. And this is the day that church family. And this is the day that church family. And this is the day that the Lord has made. Let us all rejoice the Lord has made. Let us all rejoice the Lord has made. Let us all rejoice and be glad glad in it all over this and be glad glad in it all over this and be glad glad in it all over this building. We are grateful for this day building. We are grateful for this day building. We are grateful for this day and for the ways by which the Lord has and for the ways by which the Lord has and for the ways by which the Lord has blessed us. And as we are entering into blessed us. And as we are entering into blessed us. And as we are entering into worship, will you please acknowledge our worship, will you please acknowledge our worship, will you please acknowledge our acolytes as they lead us further into acolytes as they lead us further into acolytes as they lead us further into worship. Please receive them as they worship. Please receive them as they worship. Please receive them as they lead us. Help me thank the Lord for these two Help me thank the Lord for these two young ladies who have appropriately led young ladies who have appropriately led young ladies who have appropriately led us into worship. [applause] us into worship. [applause] us into worship. [applause] And I have some great news. Today we And I have some great news. Today we And I have some great news. Today we celebrate commemorate the actual celebrate commemorate the actual celebrate commemorate the actual birthday of our beloved founding pastor, birthday of our beloved founding pastor, birthday of our beloved founding pastor, Reverend William Alexander Lawson.

Reverend William Alexander Lawson. Reverend William Alexander Lawson. On this day, June 28th is his birthday. On this day, June 28th is his birthday. On this day, June 28th is his birthday. [applause] [applause] [applause] And we have a very special tribute uh And we have a very special tribute uh And we have a very special tribute uh planned today. If you don't mind, will planned today. If you don't mind, will planned today. If you don't mind, will you please first turn your attention you please first turn your attention you please first turn your attention toward the screens? And then following toward the screens? And then following toward the screens? And then following that will be a presentation from our own that will be a presentation from our own that will be a presentation from our own sister Willie May. are. Please receive sister Willie May. are. Please receive sister Willie May. are. Please receive them as they minister to us. >> There are people in this room who know >> There are people in this room who know that God has done some magnificent that God has done some magnificent that God has done some magnificent [music] things in this place. We can [music] things in this place. We can [music] things in this place. We can praise God for a little white chapel praise God for a little white chapel praise God for a little white chapel that was given to us. We can praise God that was given to us. We can praise God that was given to us. We can praise God for the fact that we were able to build for the fact that we were able to build for the fact that we were able to build classrooms behind that little chapel and classrooms behind that little chapel and classrooms behind that little chapel and start our first infant school. We can start our first infant school. We can start our first infant school. We can praise God that he allowed us to praise God that he allowed us to praise God that he allowed us to renovate that little white chapel and renovate that little white chapel and renovate that little white chapel and make it a little green chapel. And then make it a little green chapel. And then make it a little green chapel. And then ultimately he allowed us to build this ultimately he allowed us to build this ultimately he allowed us to build this [music] monstrosity 19 years ago. God [music] monstrosity 19 years ago. God [music] monstrosity 19 years ago. God has taken care of us in so many ways.

has taken care of us in so many ways. has taken care of us in so many ways. But aside from that, God has given to us But aside from that, God has given to us But aside from that, God has given to us the 3800 [music] block of Ruth Street. the 3800 [music] block of Ruth Street. the 3800 [music] block of Ruth Street. We've built a Christian life center, a We've built a Christian life center, a We've built a Christian life center, a community life center, a prayer chapel, community life center, a prayer chapel, community life center, a prayer chapel, a scout house. Can you hear what I'm a scout house. Can you hear what I'm a scout house. Can you hear what I'm saying? God has blessed us in this saying? God has blessed us in this saying? God has blessed us in this [music] place. But I'm talking about [music] place. But I'm talking about [music] place. But I'm talking about real estate. I'm talking about real real estate. I'm talking about real real estate. I'm talking about real estate. What is the most important estate. What is the most important estate. What is the most important [music] thing God has done for us? [music] thing God has done for us? [music] thing God has done for us? I look at the young people who are now I look at the young people who are now I look at the young people who are now grown [music] with children who were grown [music] with children who were grown [music] with children who were born while we were here. born while we were here. born while we were here. I look at the folks who have who have I look at the folks who have who have I look at the folks who have who have had their lives turned around. There are had their lives turned around. There are had their lives turned around. There are people who were indigent but they got people who were indigent but they got people who were indigent but they got some start because Wheeler helped to pay some start because Wheeler helped to pay some start because Wheeler helped to pay some rent or because Wheeler helped to some rent or because Wheeler helped to some rent or because Wheeler helped to pay a car loan or Wheeler helped to pay pay a car loan or Wheeler helped to pay pay a car loan or Wheeler helped to pay somebody's [music] tuition. There are somebody's [music] tuition. There are somebody's [music] tuition. There are people in this place who were in jail, people in this place who were in jail, people in this place who were in jail, incarcerated, and they've turned their incarcerated, and they've turned their incarcerated, and they've turned their lives around and now they're going back lives around and now they're going back lives around and now they're going back to help other people. There are people to help other people. There are people to help other people. There are people [music] here who were hung up in [music] here who were hung up in [music] here who were hung up in substance abuse and now they are clean substance abuse and now they are clean substance abuse and now they are clean and sober and they're helping other and sober and they're helping other and sober and they're helping other people. What's the best thing [music] people. What's the best thing [music] people. What's the best thing [music] this church has ever done? It is not its this church has ever done? It is not its this church has ever done? It is not its buildings. It's not its budget. It's its buildings. It's not its budget. It's its buildings. It's not its budget. It's its ministries.

ministries. ministries. And on a mission Sunday, that's what we And on a mission Sunday, that's what we And on a mission Sunday, that's what we ought [music] to be thinking about. And ought [music] to be thinking about. And ought [music] to be thinking about. And God has made that possible. And I thank God has made that possible. And I thank God has made that possible. And I thank God that he has [music] made that God that he has [music] made that God that he has [music] made that possible. [music] [music] >> If I can help as I pass as I pass [music] along. [music] along. [music] along. If I can share [music] If I can share [music] If I can share [music] somebody somebody somebody with a word with a word with a word or a song or a song or a song if I can show if I can show if I can show [music] somebody [music] somebody [music] somebody they are [singing] traveling they are [singing] traveling they are [singing] traveling [music] wrong [music] wrong [music] wrong and my living [singing] and my living [singing] and my living [singing] will not be [music] will not be [music] will not be [music] in [singing] vain.

>> [music] >> [music] >> If I can do >> If I can do >> If I can do [music] my duty [singing] [music] my duty [singing] [music] my duty [singing] as a Christian as a Christian as a Christian [music] art. And if I can bring [music] art. And if I can bring [music] art. And if I can bring [music] that beauty [singing] [music] that beauty [singing] [music] that beauty [singing] to a world to a world to a world abroad. abroad. abroad. [music] [music] [music] If I can spread If I can spread If I can spread spread love message [music] spread love message [music] spread love message [music] as the master as the master as the master tongue tongue tongue then my living [music] then my living [music] then my living [music] will not be will not be will not be in vain. Oh, Oh, my living my living my living will [music] not [singing] be will [music] not [singing] be will [music] not [singing] be in vain. in vain. in vain. [music] [music] [music] No, my No, my No, my living [music] living [music] living [music] will not be will not be will not be in pain.

Oh, if I can help Oh, if I can help somebody somebody somebody as I pass as I pass as I pass along, along, along, then my living will not [music] be then my living will not [music] be then my living will not [music] be [singing] [singing] [singing] in vain. in vain. in vain. [music] [music] [music] Oh, then my living Oh, then my living Oh, then my living it will not be [music] it will not be [music] it will not be [music] in vain. my my living it will not be in vain. my my living it will not be in vain. [music] Oh, if I can help Oh, if I can help somebody somebody somebody as [music] I have alone. as [music] I have alone. as [music] I have alone. And I can help And I can help And I can help somebody somebody somebody as I pass [music] as I pass [music] as I pass [music] along [singing] along [singing] along [singing] if I can help.

if I can help. if I can help. Just one [music] as I pass along as I pass along with my living [music] with my living [music] with my living [music] will not be. It won't be in there. will not be. It won't be in there. will not be. It won't be in there. >> [screaming] >> Seven people in every section in the >> Seven people in every section in the cathedral, in the sanctuary who will cathedral, in the sanctuary who will cathedral, in the sanctuary who will testify, I got to [music] get to church testify, I got to [music] get to church testify, I got to [music] get to church cuz if I don't get to church, there's no cuz if I don't get to church, there's no cuz if I don't get to church, there's no telling what my spirit might do to me. telling what my spirit might do to me. telling what my spirit might do to me. If I don't get to church, there's no If I don't get to church, there's no If I don't get to church, there's no telling what my mind might do to me. If telling what my mind might do to me. If telling what my mind might do to me. If I don't get to the Lord's house, there's I don't get to the Lord's house, there's I don't get to the Lord's house, there's no telling how depleted I might be by no telling how depleted I might be by no telling how depleted I might be by the next time you see me. Somebody in the next time you see me. Somebody in the next time you see me. Somebody in here ought to thank God that you were here ought to thank God that you were here ought to thank God that you were able to wake up this morning. Put your able to wake up this morning. Put your able to wake up this morning. Put your clothes on. Make your way to Wheeler clothes on. Make your way to Wheeler clothes on. Make your way to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Park your car all Avenue Baptist Church. Park your car all Avenue Baptist Church. Park your car all the way over there. Walk all the way to the way over there. Walk all the way to the way over there. Walk all the way to the cathedral. Make your way to the the cathedral. Make your way to the the cathedral. Make your way to the sanctuary. Find yourself a seat. Sit sanctuary. Find yourself a seat. Sit sanctuary. Find yourself a seat. Sit yourself [music] down here and stand yourself [music] down here and stand yourself [music] down here and stand yourself up then. Sit back down and yourself up then. Sit back down and yourself up then. Sit back down and stand back up here and sit back down and stand back up here and sit back down and stand back up here and sit back down and stand back up cuz you needed something stand back up cuz you needed something stand back up cuz you needed something in the sanctuary that you can't get at in the sanctuary that you can't get at in the sanctuary that you can't get at the ballpark. You get something in the the ballpark. You get something in the the ballpark. You get something in the sanctuary you can't get at the club. You sanctuary you can't get at the club. You sanctuary you can't get at the club. You get something in the sanctuary you can't get something in the sanctuary you can't get something in the sanctuary you can't get in the stadium. You got something in

get in the stadium. You got something in get in the stadium. You got something in the sanctuary. Heat.

Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] >> Heat.

>> Heat. [music] [singing] [singing] Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat.

>> Heat. >> Heat. [music] [music] [music] Heat. [music] [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] Heat. [music] [music]

[music] >> Heat up [music] [music] >> Heat up up here. [music] [cheering] [cheering] Heat. >> Heat >> Heat >> [music]

>> Hey, >> Hey, hey, hey, [music] hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, [music] hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, [music] hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. The word said [music] with thank your The word said [music] with thank your heart heart heart with praise.

[music] [music] Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Oh we bless you Lord. Hallelujah. Oh we bless you Lord. Hallelujah. Oh we bless you Lord. Hallelujah. We bring glory [music] to your name of We bring glory [music] to your name of We bring glory [music] to your name of God. Hallelujah. Oh God, every soul, oh God, every Oh God, every soul, oh God, every sister, [music] sister, [music] sister, [music] every brother every brother every brother your name to me. Hallelujah. your name to me. Hallelujah. your name to me. Hallelujah. Glory to the Lord. [music] Everyone, everyone under the sound of my Everyone, everyone under the sound of my voice, I invite you to lift up a heart voice, I invite you to lift up a heart voice, I invite you to lift up a heart of praise. Lift up a heart of of praise. Lift up a heart of of praise. Lift up a heart of thanksgiving. thanksgiving. thanksgiving. This is this is not just a call to This is this is not just a call to This is this is not just a call to worship. This is just another worship. This is just another worship. This is just another opportunity to praise [music] our God. opportunity to praise [music] our God. opportunity to praise [music] our God. And my I'm going to say this to you, my And my I'm going to say this to you, my And my I'm going to say this to you, my deepest desire is that when you find deepest desire is that when you find deepest desire is that when you find yourself praising God, at some point you yourself praising God, at some point you yourself praising God, at some point you move into worship [music] move into worship [music] move into worship [music] where your heart is touched, the where your heart is touched, the where your heart is touched, the presence of the God just of the spirit presence of the God just of the spirit presence of the God just of the spirit just falls upon you. You go from just falls upon you. You go from just falls upon you. You go from shouting to humility. You're broken shouting to humility. You're broken shouting to humility. You're broken before it. You're just broken before his before it. You're just broken before his before it. You're just broken before his presence. And when we enter the spirit presence. And when we enter the spirit presence. And when we enter the spirit of worship, the Lord sits, he inhabits, of worship, the Lord sits, he inhabits, of worship, the Lord sits, he inhabits, [music] he blesses, he heals.

[music] he blesses, he heals. [music] he blesses, he heals. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Woo. Glory to God. Woo. Glory to God. Woo. Glory to God. Glory to God. Hallelujah. [music] Glory to God. Hallelujah. [music] Glory to God. Hallelujah. [music] My brothers, my sisters, I don't know My brothers, my sisters, I don't know My brothers, my sisters, I don't know about you, but I needed that. about you, but I needed that. about you, but I needed that. >> I needed that. >> I needed that. >> I needed that. Glory to God. I need that. [music] [music] Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. We going to send the praise up. We going to send the praise up. We going to send the praise up. And I I tell you what really would be And I I tell you what really would be And I I tell you what really would be exciting. When you leave here, you leave exciting. When you leave here, you leave exciting. When you leave here, you leave in the same spirit of praise. You're in the same spirit of praise. You're in the same spirit of praise. You're driving down Scott Street in the same driving down Scott Street in the same driving down Scott Street in the same spirit of praise. spirit of praise. spirit of praise. >> You're letting the spirit of praise and >> You're letting the spirit of praise and >> You're letting the spirit of praise and let letting the Lord inhabit the praises let letting the Lord inhabit the praises let letting the Lord inhabit the praises of his people. and just and watch him of his people. and just and watch him of his people. and just and watch him just transform our lives. Hallelujah. just transform our lives. Hallelujah. just transform our lives. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Oh, glory to God. Glory to God. Oh, glory to God. Glory to God. Oh, glory to God. Hallelujah. [music] [music] Oh my.

[cheering] Glory to God. Hey, we we want [cheering] Glory to God. Hey, we we want to move on. We want to move on. It is it to move on. We want to move on. It is it to move on. We want to move on. It is it is now [music] is now [music] is now [music] >> [cheering] >> [cheering] >> [cheering] >> Hey, pastor. What you going to do with >> Hey, pastor. What you going to do with >> Hey, pastor. What you going to do with your people? Pastor. Oh, glory. Glory. Glory. Oh, glory. Glory. Glory. [cheering] Beautiful. [cheering] Beautiful. [cheering] Yeah. May the spirit of praise anoint and May the spirit of praise anoint and freshly touch every every soul. May his freshly touch every every soul. May his freshly touch every every soul. May his presence and his love and his light fall presence and his love and his light fall presence and his love and his light fall upon you. My brothers and sisters, it's upon you. My brothers and sisters, it's upon you. My brothers and sisters, it's now prayer time. Uh we'd ask you invite now prayer time. Uh we'd ask you invite now prayer time. Uh we'd ask you invite you to take your postures uh for prayer you to take your postures uh for prayer you to take your postures uh for prayer at this time. [music] Intercessors will at this time. [music] Intercessors will at this time. [music] Intercessors will be placed along the wall. If you need be placed along the wall. If you need be placed along the wall. If you need someone to pray with you, please please someone to pray with you, please please someone to pray with you, please please pray with them. If you have a need, go pray with them. If you have a need, go pray with them. If you have a need, go to an intercessor. cry out to God with to an intercessor. cry out to God with to an intercessor. cry out to God with some who's standing in this [music] in some who's standing in this [music] in some who's standing in this [music] in the gap all the time. They're in the red the gap all the time. They're in the red the gap all the time. They're in the red stones and we invite you to join them as stones and we invite you to join them as stones and we invite you to join them as you feel the need.

you feel the need. you feel the need. This week we have services for Mother This week we have services for Mother This week we have services for Mother Effie Dachi. We have services for Sister Effie Dachi. We have services for Sister Effie Dachi. We have services for Sister Wenia Greg. Uh the prayer on the wall Wenia Greg. Uh the prayer on the wall Wenia Greg. Uh the prayer on the wall there's a list of all those who are there's a list of all those who are there's a list of all those who are going through different prayer concerns going through different prayer concerns going through different prayer concerns and and we do ask that you lift that and and we do ask that you lift that and and we do ask that you lift that everyone who spoken and unspoken on the everyone who spoken and unspoken on the everyone who spoken and unspoken on the wall or not who's going through anything wall or not who's going through anything wall or not who's going through anything we're going to believe God for his we're going to believe God for his we're going to believe God for his presence right now. I want to let you presence right now. I want to let you presence right now. I want to let you know that I'm I'm I'm answering this know that I'm I'm I'm answering this know that I'm I'm I'm answering this prayer in the spirit of the pastor that prayer in the spirit of the pastor that prayer in the spirit of the pastor that I grew up with, I grew up with, I grew up with, >> Pastor William A. Lawson. >> Pastor William A. Lawson. >> Pastor William A. Lawson. And uh just praise God for the fact that And uh just praise God for the fact that And uh just praise God for the fact that I have the privilege of sharing with you I have the privilege of sharing with you I have the privilege of sharing with you on the day of his birth celebration on the day of his birth celebration on the day of his birth celebration because he truly truly poured into all because he truly truly poured into all because he truly truly poured into all of us in a very fresh way. The anointing of us in a very fresh way. The anointing of us in a very fresh way. The anointing that's on Pastor Cosby that's on Pastor Cosby that's on Pastor Cosby >> was poured into him [music] >> was poured into him [music] >> was poured into him [music] [applause] by Pastor Lawson. [applause] by Pastor Lawson. [applause] by Pastor Lawson. Hallelujah. And by Pastor Curry. Hallelujah. And by Pastor Curry. Hallelujah. And by Pastor Curry. Let's pray. Let's pray.

Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray. Our father our God, Our father our God, Our father our God, blessed be your name, oh God. blessed be your name, oh God. blessed be your name, oh God. Blessed be the power of your presence. Blessed be the power of your presence. Blessed be the power of your presence. Blessed be the spirit of your love, oh Blessed be the spirit of your love, oh Blessed be the spirit of your love, oh God. God. God. Your desire, Your desire, Your desire, your deep desire, oh God, your deep desire, oh God, your deep desire, oh God, is to commune with your people, to walk is to commune with your people, to walk is to commune with your people, to walk with us and and talk with us along this with us and and talk with us along this with us and and talk with us along this narrow way, oh God. And I pray with all narrow way, oh God. And I pray with all narrow way, oh God. And I pray with all my heart my heart my heart that ears would be attentive and eyes that ears would be attentive and eyes that ears would be attentive and eyes would be open would be open would be open as we turn our face to the wall [music] as we turn our face to the wall [music] as we turn our face to the wall [music] to seek your presence. Oh God, to seek your presence. Oh God, to seek your presence. Oh God, let this moment of prayer not be a point let this moment of prayer not be a point let this moment of prayer not be a point of confusion for anyone. of confusion for anyone. of confusion for anyone. Let the desire of hearts be be Let the desire of hearts be be Let the desire of hearts be be surrendered before anything else. Let us surrendered before anything else. Let us surrendered before anything else. Let us release everything that's holding on to release everything that's holding on to release everything that's holding on to us, oh God, that we might turn our face us, oh God, that we might turn our face us, oh God, that we might turn our face to the wall and fall on our face before to the wall and fall on our face before to the wall and fall on our face before you, and seek your face, oh God of you, and seek your face, oh God of you, and seek your face, oh God of Jacob. Hallelujah.

Jacob. Hallelujah. Jacob. Hallelujah. We're believing you, Lord, for We're believing you, Lord, for We're believing you, Lord, for transformation. transformation. transformation. We're believing you for transformed We're believing you for transformed We're believing you for transformed minds, oh God. We're believing you for minds, oh God. We're believing you for minds, oh God. We're believing you for transformed minds. Be renewed by the transformed minds. Be renewed by the transformed minds. Be renewed by the transforming of our minds, oh God. That transforming of our minds, oh God. That transforming of our minds, oh God. That our hearts will be stayed [music] on our hearts will be stayed [music] on our hearts will be stayed [music] on you, oh God. Hallelujah. you, oh God. Hallelujah. you, oh God. Hallelujah. We're believing you, Father, for a fresh We're believing you, Father, for a fresh We're believing you, Father, for a fresh anointing, anointing, anointing, a fresh wind of your spirit to touch a fresh wind of your spirit to touch a fresh wind of your spirit to touch every soul under the sound of my voice. every soul under the sound of my voice. every soul under the sound of my voice. Oh God, we need your spirit, oh God, to Oh God, we need your spirit, oh God, to Oh God, we need your spirit, oh God, to cleanse and purify. cleanse and purify. cleanse and purify. We need your spirit to do just what We need your spirit to do just what We need your spirit to do just what Jesus said it would do, teach and Jesus said it would do, teach and Jesus said it would do, teach and instruct, instruct, instruct, lead and guide. Hallelujah. lead and guide. Hallelujah. lead and guide. Hallelujah. And we just thank you, Father, for this And we just thank you, Father, for this And we just thank you, Father, for this fresh anointing fresh anointing fresh anointing breathe on us, oh God. breathe on us, oh God. breathe on us, oh God. May the spirit of these generations, May the spirit of these generations, May the spirit of these generations, these six decades of ministry in this these six decades of ministry in this these six decades of ministry in this place, place, place, we even though this is a new building, we even though this is a new building, we even though this is a new building, Father, this is this is an old place in Father, this is this is an old place in Father, this is this is an old place in you. The foundation that we stand on is you. The foundation that we stand on is you. The foundation that we stand on is was poured out 64 years ago was poured out 64 years ago was poured out 64 years ago as you anointed one man as you anointed one man as you anointed one man and you led him to anoint another.

and you led him to anoint another. and you led him to anoint another. We praise you for the angel of this We praise you for the angel of this We praise you for the angel of this house, oh [music] God, for the power of house, oh [music] God, for the power of house, oh [music] God, for the power of your word moving through him for us to your word moving through him for us to your word moving through him for us to receive. receive. receive. We praise you for even the burden today We praise you for even the burden today We praise you for even the burden today of the lavender, the pink of the lavender, the pink of the lavender, the pink that all those who survive cancer, oh that all those who survive cancer, oh that all those who survive cancer, oh God, would would just be freshly God, would would just be freshly God, would would just be freshly renewed, renewed and anointed. Oh God, renewed, renewed and anointed. Oh God, renewed, renewed and anointed. Oh God, [music] we rebuke the potential for [music] we rebuke the potential for [music] we rebuke the potential for cancer returning in anyone. Oh God, we cancer returning in anyone. Oh God, we cancer returning in anyone. Oh God, we bind [music] the spirit of cancer from bind [music] the spirit of cancer from bind [music] the spirit of cancer from anyone right now. Lord, in the name of anyone right now. Lord, in the name of anyone right now. Lord, in the name of Jesus, we we pray the power of your Jesus, we we pray the power of your Jesus, we we pray the power of your healing touch. Lord, we just thank you, Lord, for how Lord, we just thank you, Lord, for how you covered this church, you covered this church, you covered this church, how your anointing has covered this how your anointing has covered this how your anointing has covered this church, how the spirit of prayer has church, how the spirit of prayer has church, how the spirit of prayer has built this church, oh God. And we thank built this church, oh God. And we thank built this church, oh God. And we thank you, Father, for for this opportunity you, Father, for for this opportunity you, Father, for for this opportunity [music] to seek your face, [music] to seek your face, [music] to seek your face, oh God of Jacob. [music] oh God of Jacob. [music] oh God of Jacob. [music] Prepare our hearts to receive this Prepare our hearts to receive this Prepare our hearts to receive this beautiful word, this wonderful word of beautiful word, this wonderful word of beautiful word, this wonderful word of life. [music] And as we receive, give us life. [music] And as we receive, give us life. [music] And as we receive, give us power to believe.

power to believe. power to believe. As we [music] receive, oh God, give us As we [music] receive, oh God, give us As we [music] receive, oh God, give us power to see the manifestation of your power to see the manifestation of your power to see the manifestation of your presence, oh God, the manifestation of presence, oh God, the manifestation of presence, oh God, the manifestation of true salvation in Jesus Christ. true salvation in Jesus Christ. true salvation in Jesus Christ. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Oh, bless us, oh God. In your precious Oh, bless us, oh God. In your precious Oh, bless us, oh God. In your precious [music] name we pray, Lord Jesus. In [music] name we pray, Lord Jesus. In [music] name we pray, Lord Jesus. In your precious name we pray, Lord Jesus. your precious name we pray, Lord Jesus. your precious name we pray, Lord Jesus. In your precious name we pray, Lord In your precious name we pray, Lord In your precious name we pray, Lord [music] Jesus. [music] Jesus. [music] Jesus. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. God bless us all. Amen. Amen. Amen. God bless us all. Amen. Amen. Amen. God bless us all. Hallelujah. [music] [music] [music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [singing] [singing] [singing] [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [singing] [music] Heat. Heat.

[music] Heat. Heat. [singing] [music] [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] >> God. >> God. >> God. [music] [music] [music] Hallelujah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [singing] >> [music] >> [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] >> Heat.

Yeah. Heat. Yeah. Heat. [music] [music] [music] >> [singing] >> Heat. >> Heat. [music] >> Oh, come on [music] a praise right >> Oh, come on [music] a praise right there. Hallelujah. there. Hallelujah. there. Hallelujah. Yes, God. Yes, God. Yes, God. [music] [music] [music] Good morning, Will. Would you please Good morning, Will. Would you please Good morning, Will. Would you please stand for this morning's hymn, Passk Me stand for this morning's hymn, Passk Me stand for this morning's hymn, Passk Me Not? [music] We're going to lift our voices. It's one We're going to lift our voices. It's one big choir [music] this morning. big choir [music] this morning. big choir [music] this morning. Send the praise up on our hand. Let's Send the praise up on our hand. Let's Send the praise up on our hand. Let's sing it together.

sing it together. sing it together. Pass me not. [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [singing] [singing] [singing] [music] [music] [music] >> Heat. [singing] [music] [music] Heat.

>> trusted me in my area. >> trusted me in my area. [singing] [music] [music] >> save me by thy gra. Come on, lift your voices and we're Come on, lift your voices and we're falling [music] down. >> [music] >> [music] >> Now the spring [music] [music] to I I [music] heat, heat.

heat, heat. [music] Yeah. Yeah. Heat. [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Oh my [music] [music] god.

>> Thank you for standing. Continuing to >> Thank you for standing. Continuing to stand. Our scripture reading is coming stand. Our scripture reading is coming stand. Our scripture reading is coming from the book of Exodus from the book of Exodus from the book of Exodus 3 [music] 3 [music] 3 [music] verse 1 through chapter 4:12. verse 1 through chapter 4:12. verse 1 through chapter 4:12. We invite you to hear these words We invite you to hear these words We invite you to hear these words [music] [music] [music] from the New International Version which from the New International Version which from the New International Version which renders the text this way. renders the text this way. renders the text this way. Now Moses was tending the flock of Now Moses was tending the flock of Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far Midian, and he led the flock to the far Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to side of the wilderness and came to side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the Horeb, the mountain of God. There the Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in angel of the Lord appeared to him in angel of the Lord appeared to him in [music] flames of fire from within a [music] flames of fire from within a [music] flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was bush. Moses saw that though the bush was bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire, it did not burn up. So Moses on fire, it did not burn up. So Moses on fire, it did not burn up. So Moses thought, I will go over and see this thought, I will go over and see this thought, I will go over and see this strange sight, why the bush does not strange sight, why the bush does not strange sight, why the bush does not burn up. When the Lord saw that he had burn up. When the Lord saw that he had burn up. When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him gone over to look, God called to him gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, Moses, Moses. And from within the bush, Moses, Moses. And from within the bush, Moses, Moses. And Moses said, here I [music] am. Do not Moses said, here I [music] am. Do not Moses said, here I [music] am. Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your come any closer, God said. Take off your come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals for the place where you are sandals for the place where you are sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

standing is holy ground. standing is holy ground. Then he said, "I am the God of your Then he said, "I am the God of your Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of father, the God of Abraham, the God of father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." [music] Isaac, and the God of Jacob." [music] Isaac, and the God of Jacob." [music] At this Moses hid his face because he At this Moses hid his face because he At this Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. The Lord was afraid to look at God. The Lord was afraid to look at God. The Lord said, "I have indeed seen the misery of said, "I have indeed seen the misery of said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them my people in Egypt. I have heard them my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slaved crying out because of their slaved crying out because of their slaved drivers, and I am concerned about their drivers, and I am concerned about their drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue suffering. So I have come down to rescue suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians, and them from the hand of the Egyptians, and them from the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land into a to bring them up out of that land into a to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, [music] a land good and spacious land, [music] a land good and spacious land, [music] a land flowing with milk and honey, the home of flowing with milk and honey, the home of flowing with milk and honey, the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. [music] [music] [music] And now the cry of the Israelites has And now the cry of the Israelites has And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me. and I have seen the way the reached me. and I have seen the way the reached me. and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now Egyptians are oppressing them. So now Egyptians are oppressing them. So now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.

my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the should go to Pharaoh and bring the should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" [music] And Israelites out of Egypt?" [music] And Israelites out of Egypt?" [music] And God said, "I will be with you, and this God said, "I will be with you, and this God said, "I will be with you, and this will be the sign to you that it is I who will be the sign to you that it is I who will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you. When you have brought the have sent you. When you have brought the have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship people out of Egypt, you will worship people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain." God on this mountain." God on this mountain." Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say [music] to them, the Israelites and say [music] to them, the Israelites and say [music] to them, the God of your fathers has sent me to you, God of your fathers has sent me to you, God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, what is his name?" and they ask me, what is his name?" and they ask me, what is his name?" [music] Then what shall I tell them? God [music] Then what shall I tell them? God [music] Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, "I am who I am. said to Moses, "I am who I am. said to Moses, "I am who I am. [music] [music] [music] This is what you are to say to the This is what you are to say to the This is what you are to say to the Israelites. I am has sent me to you." Israelites. I am has sent me to you." Israelites. I am has sent me to you." God also said to Moses, "Say to the God also said to Moses, "Say to the God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, [music] the Lord, the God of Israelites, [music] the Lord, the God of Israelites, [music] the Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the your fathers, the God of Abraham, the your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, sent me to you. This is my name forever, sent me to you. This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from the name you shall call me from the name you shall call me from generation [music] to generation.

generation [music] to generation. generation [music] to generation. Go assemble the elders of Israel and say Go assemble the elders of Israel and say Go assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, the Lord, the God of your to them, the Lord, the God of your to them, the Lord, the God of your fathers, [music] the God of Abraham, the fathers, [music] the God of Abraham, the fathers, [music] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and Jacob, appeared to me God of Isaac and Jacob, appeared to me God of Isaac and Jacob, appeared to me and said, I have watched over you and and said, I have watched over you and and said, I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in have seen what has been done to you in have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. And I have promised to bring you Egypt. And I have promised to bring you Egypt. And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the up out of your misery in Egypt into the up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, land of the Canaanites, Hittites, land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey. The elders of Israel will listen honey. The elders of Israel will listen honey. The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to to you. Then you and the elders are to to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, go to the king of Egypt and say to him, go to the king of Egypt and say to him, "The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has "The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has "The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. met with us. met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the Let us take a three-day journey into the Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. But I know that the king Lord our God. But I know that the king Lord our God. But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a of Egypt will not let you go unless a of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will mighty hand compels him. So I will mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the stretch out my hand and strike the stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I Egyptians with all the wonders that I Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will perform among them. After that, he will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.

will let you go. will let you go. and I will make the Egyptians favorably and I will make the Egyptians favorably and I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed [music] toward this people so disposed [music] toward this people so disposed [music] toward this people so that when you leave you will not go that when you leave you will not go that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. empty-handed. empty-handed. Every woman is to ask her neighbor and Every woman is to ask her neighbor and Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for any woman living in her house for any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for articles of silver and gold and for articles of silver and gold and for clothing which you will put on your sons clothing which you will put on your sons clothing which you will put on your sons and daughters and so you will plunder and daughters and so you will plunder and daughters and so you will plunder the Egyptians. the Egyptians. the Egyptians. Moses answered, "What if they do not Moses answered, "What if they do not Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The believe me or listen to me and say, 'The believe me or listen to me and say, 'The Lord did not appear to you." Then the Lord did not appear to you." Then the Lord did not appear to you." Then the Lord said to him, "What is that in your Lord said to him, "What is that in your Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied. [music] hand?" "A staff," he replied. [music] hand?" "A staff," he replied. [music] The Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." The Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." The Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it Moses threw it on the ground and it Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake and he ran from [music] became a snake and he ran from [music] became a snake and he ran from [music] it. Then the Lord said to him, "Reach it. Then the Lord said to him, "Reach it. Then the Lord said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." out your hand and take it by the tail." out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of So Moses reached out and took hold of So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a the snake and it turned back into a the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. This said the Lord is staff in his hand. This said the Lord is staff in his hand. This said the Lord is so that they may believe that the Lord, so that they may believe that the Lord, so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of the God of your fathers, the God of the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob has appeared to you. Then the of Jacob has appeared to you. Then the of Jacob has appeared to you. Then the Lord said, "Put your hand inside your Lord said, "Put your hand inside your Lord said, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak. And when he took it out, the skin cloak. And when he took it out, the skin cloak. And when he took it out, the skin was lepous. It had become as white as was lepous. It had become as white as was lepous. It had become as white as snow.

snow. snow. Now put it back into your cloak," he Now put it back into your cloak," he Now put it back into your cloak," he said. So Moses put his hand back into said. So Moses put his hand back into said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it his cloak, and when he took it out, it his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored [music] was restored [music] was restored [music] like the rest of his flesh. Then the like the rest of his flesh. Then the like the rest of his flesh. Then the Lord said, "If they do not believe you Lord said, "If they do not believe you Lord said, "If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they or pay attention to the first sign, they or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. But if they do may believe the second. But if they do may believe the second. But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to not believe these two signs or listen to not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and you, take some water from the Nile and you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you pour it on the dry ground. The water you pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on take from the river will become blood on take from the river will become blood on the ground. Moses said to the Lord, the ground. Moses said to the Lord, the ground. Moses said to the Lord, "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor been eloquent, neither in the past nor been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I since you have spoken to your servant. I since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who gave human beings said to him, "Who gave human beings said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them Who gives them sight or makes them Who gives them sight or makes them blind? [music] blind? [music] blind? [music] Is it not I, the Lord? Now go. I will Is it not I, the Lord? Now go. I will Is it not I, the Lord? Now go. I will help you speak and will teach you what help you speak and will teach you what help you speak and will teach you what to say. This ends the reading of the to say. This ends the reading of the to say. This ends the reading of the word of God. To God be the glory. Great word of God. To God be the glory. Great word of God. To God be the glory. Great things he has done. [applause and music] Praise the Lord everybody.

Praise the Lord everybody. [music] Praise the Lord everybody. [music] Praise the Lord everybody. [music] Praise the Lord everybody. Hallelujah. That's what we come to do Hallelujah. That's what we come to do Hallelujah. That's what we come to do this morning. [music] [music] Going all over the room. Everybody sing. Going all over the room. Everybody sing. Going all over the room. Everybody sing. [music] [music] [music] [singing] Heat. Heat. [singing] Heat. Heat. [singing] [music] [music] [music] [singing] >> I >> I see [music] see [music] see [music] how how how I I I want to see how [singing] want to see how [singing] want to see how [singing] [music] sing. [music]

sing. [music] Oh, how great Oh, how great Oh, how great is my God [music] is my God [music] is my God [music] sing? Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [singing] Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. Yeah. Yeah. Heat.

[singing] [singing] >> Heat. Heat. >> Heat. Heat. >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] heat. [music] [music] [singing] Yeah. Yeah. [music] Heat. [singing] [singing] [music] [music] Yeah. [singing] [music] Yeah. [singing] Heat.

Yeah. Yeah. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [singing] [music] [music] Heat. [singing] [singing] Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Heat. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [singing] >> Come on and help me celebrate a God who >> Come on and help me celebrate a God who is worthy to [music] be praised. is worthy to [music] be praised. is worthy to [music] be praised. Come on and celebrate a God who is Come on and celebrate a God who is Come on and celebrate a God who is worthy to be [music] praised. From worthy to be [music] praised. From worthy to be [music] praised. From the rising of the sun to the going down the rising of the sun to the going down the rising of the sun to the going down of the saint, of the saint, of the saint, Bible [music] says the name of the Lord Bible [music] says the name of the Lord Bible [music] says the name of the Lord is to be praised. Anybody still got a is to be praised. Anybody still got a is to be praised. Anybody still got a praise on your lips this Sunday morning?

praise on your lips this Sunday morning? praise on your lips this Sunday morning? Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. [music] If you got breath in your body, you're a If you got breath in your body, you're a If you got breath in your body, you're a candidate to praise the Lord. [music] candidate to praise the Lord. [music] candidate to praise the Lord. [music] Let everything Let everything Let everything Let everything that have breath Let everything that have breath Let everything that have breath praise the Lord in this holy [music] praise the Lord in this holy [music] praise the Lord in this holy [music] place. Hallelujah. place. Hallelujah. place. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. To God be the glory. [music] Hallelujah. To God be the glory. [music] Hallelujah. To God be the glory. [music] To God be the glory. To God be the glory. To God be the glory. What a joy it is to gather together one What a joy it is to gather together one What a joy it is to gather together one more time in the house of the Lord. You more time in the house of the Lord. You more time in the house of the Lord. You may be seated in the presence of the may be seated in the presence of the may be seated in the presence of the Lord if you choose to do so. How we Lord if you choose to do so. How we Lord if you choose to do so. How we thank God for this amazing beginning to thank God for this amazing beginning to thank God for this amazing beginning to our worship service today. What a our worship service today. What a our worship service today. What a blessing it has been to be in this place blessing it has been to be in this place blessing it has been to be in this place [music] with the people of God on this [music] with the people of God on this [music] with the people of God on this day. Anybody glad to be in church on a day. Anybody glad to be in church on a day. Anybody glad to be in church on a Sunday morning. Sunday morning. Sunday morning. Yeah. I'm glad to see you. Glad to see Yeah. I'm glad to see you. Glad to see Yeah. I'm glad to see you. Glad to see you. Uh-oh. We got some special guests you. Uh-oh. We got some special guests you. Uh-oh. We got some special guests coming to see us. coming to see us. coming to see us. Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. The Cherub choir of Wheeler Avenue The Cherub choir of Wheeler Avenue The Cherub choir of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church is preparing to bless us Baptist Church is preparing to bless us Baptist Church is preparing to bless us with song. And whenever they leave their with song. And whenever they leave their with song. And whenever they leave their confines of Children's Church, otherwise confines of Children's Church, otherwise confines of Children's Church, otherwise known as Happy Land, we are grateful known as Happy Land, we are grateful known as Happy Land, we are grateful that they come over to share with us and that they come over to share with us and that they come over to share with us and bless us with their music ministry.

bless us with their music ministry. bless us with their music ministry. They're going to prepare uh [music] for They're going to prepare uh [music] for They're going to prepare uh [music] for just the next several seconds or minutes just the next several seconds or minutes just the next several seconds or minutes to prepare to bless us in song. While to prepare to bless us in song. While to prepare to bless us in song. While they're doing that, if there are any they're doing that, if there are any they're doing that, if there are any firsttime visitors at the Wheeler Avenue firsttime visitors at the Wheeler Avenue firsttime visitors at the Wheeler Avenue Church this morning, will you please Church this morning, will you please Church this morning, will you please stand so we can see you and celebrate stand so we can see you and celebrate stand so we can see you and celebrate your presence among us? Any firsttime your presence among us? Any firsttime your presence among us? Any firsttime visitors? [applause] visitors? [applause] visitors? [applause] Well, praise the Lord, [music] please Well, praise the Lord, [music] please Well, praise the Lord, [music] please remain standing for just a moment. remain standing for just a moment. remain standing for just a moment. Remain standing for just a moment more. Remain standing for just a moment more. Remain standing for just a moment more. [applause and music] You should be able to tell by the You should be able to tell by the applause you just received that we are applause you just received that we are applause you just received that we are absolutely delighted that out of all the absolutely delighted that out of all the absolutely delighted that out of all the places where you would come for worship places where you would come for worship places where you would come for worship on this fourth and final Sunday of the on this fourth and final Sunday of the on this fourth and final Sunday of the month of June, you came to Wheeler month of June, you came to Wheeler month of June, you came to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. We are honored by Avenue Baptist Church. We are honored by Avenue Baptist Church. We are honored by your presence. We thank God for you. We your presence. We thank God for you. We your presence. We thank God for you. We celebrate you this day and we're so celebrate you this day and we're so celebrate you this day and we're so grateful that we have the opportunity to grateful that we have the opportunity to grateful that we have the opportunity to worship with you in this second service worship with you in this second service worship with you in this second service of our worship day. On behalf of all of of our worship day. On behalf of all of of our worship day. On behalf of all of our congregation, we say to each one of our congregation, we say to each one of our congregation, we say to each one of you, welcome to Wheeler Avenue. If you you, welcome to Wheeler Avenue. If you you, welcome to Wheeler Avenue. If you have churches and pastors from which have churches and pastors from which have churches and pastors from which you've come, we'll ask that you'll take you've come, we'll ask that you'll take you've come, we'll ask that you'll take back to those blessed people the warmest back to those blessed people the warmest back to those blessed people the warmest regards of Wheeler Avenue Baptist regards of Wheeler Avenue Baptist regards of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Let them know that we'd be Church. Let them know that we'd be Church. Let them know that we'd be delighted to have you on our campus delighted to have you on our campus delighted to have you on our campus today. [music] today. [music] today. [music] If you don't have a church home and you If you don't have a church home and you If you don't have a church home and you live in the greater Houston area, look live in the greater Houston area, look live in the greater Houston area, look around. We'd love to have you as a part around. We'd love to have you as a part around. We'd love to have you as a part of the Wheeler Avenue family. We're a of the Wheeler Avenue family. We're a of the Wheeler Avenue family. We're a church that would love to have you as a church that would love to have you as a church that would love to have you as a part of our growing church family.

part of our growing church family. part of our growing church family. Whatever the case may be, please know Whatever the case may be, please know Whatever the case may be, please know that on this Sunday, at this service, in that on this Sunday, at this service, in that on this Sunday, at this service, in this moment, you, my dear friends, are this moment, you, my dear friends, are this moment, you, my dear friends, are welcome here. Let me prove it [music] to welcome here. Let me prove it [music] to welcome here. Let me prove it [music] to you one more time. you one more time. you one more time. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Yes. [music] You may be seated Yes. Yes. Yes. [music] You may be seated in the presence of the Lord. As you take in the presence of the Lord. As you take in the presence of the Lord. As you take your seats, I'll make ask one more favor your seats, I'll make ask one more favor your seats, I'll make ask one more favor of you, and that that request is that of you, and that that request is that of you, and that that request is that you'll look upward toward the screen and you'll look upward toward the screen and you'll look upward toward the screen and text visit WABC to the number that you text visit WABC to the number that you text visit WABC to the number that you see listed there. If you do that, we'll see listed there. If you do that, we'll see listed there. If you do that, we'll send you a more personalized greeting in send you a more personalized greeting in send you a more personalized greeting in the days ahead. Just know that we are the days ahead. Just know that we are the days ahead. Just know that we are delighted that you are here. And if delighted that you are here. And if delighted that you are here. And if you'll do that for us, we'll let you you'll do that for us, we'll let you you'll do that for us, we'll let you know that even in a greater way in the know that even in a greater way in the know that even in a greater way in the moments ahead, the days that are to moments ahead, the days that are to moments ahead, the days that are to come. Delighted that the brother who come. Delighted that the brother who come. Delighted that the brother who stood up on the second row right in stood up on the second row right in stood up on the second row right in front of me uh is no ordinary visitor to front of me uh is no ordinary visitor to front of me uh is no ordinary visitor to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Well, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Well, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Well, he's doing an extraordinary thing in he's doing an extraordinary thing in he's doing an extraordinary thing in this season of his life and I'm so this season of his life and I'm so this season of his life and I'm so [music] glad that he is here. Jared, [music] glad that he is here. Jared, [music] glad that he is here. Jared, will you please stand? This is Jared will you please stand? This is Jared will you please stand? This is Jared Howard. He is the chief executive Howard. He is the chief executive Howard. He is the chief executive officer of the National Junth Museum officer of the National Junth Museum officer of the National Junth Museum that is planned for opening in the days that is planned for opening in the days that is planned for opening in the days ahead. [music] Yes, sir.

So glad to have you with us, man. So glad to have you with us, man. Delighted that you would come, Sister Delighted that you would come, Sister Delighted that you would come, Sister Renee, and those who have been Renee, and those who have been Renee, and those who have been responsible for bringing you to Wheeler responsible for bringing you to Wheeler responsible for bringing you to Wheeler Avenue. We are grateful that you have Avenue. We are grateful that you have Avenue. We are grateful that you have come and we are grateful for the work come and we are grateful for the work come and we are grateful for the work that you are doing. When is the When is that you are doing. When is the When is that you are doing. When is the When is the museum supposed to open? the museum supposed to open? the museum supposed to open? >> Break ground this fall. >> Break ground this fall. >> Break ground this fall. >> Break ground this fall. when is the >> Break ground this fall. when is the >> Break ground this fall. when is the museum supposed to open? He's my frat brother. I can bother him He's my frat brother. I can bother him like that. He said in two years. Well, like that. He said in two years. Well, like that. He said in two years. Well, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church wants to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church wants to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church wants to give at least $100,000 to the work. Just give at least $100,000 to the work. Just give at least $100,000 to the work. Just to let you know that we are celebrating to let you know that we are celebrating to let you know that we are celebrating with you. Amen. Thank you so much for what you do. Thank Thank you so much for what you do. Thank you for doing it with such excellence. you for doing it with such excellence. you for doing it with such excellence. We are grateful to you. Got more We are grateful to you. Got more We are grateful to you. Got more announcements. Thank you so much. We announcements. Thank you so much. We announcements. Thank you so much. We appreciate you, sir. Thank you so much. appreciate you, sir. Thank you so much. appreciate you, sir. Thank you so much. Crew of Fim Fatal is in wing number two. Crew of Fim Fatal is in wing number two. Crew of Fim Fatal is in wing number two. Where are you? There they are. Stand Where are you? There they are. Stand Where are you? There they are. Stand ladies. We want to see you. We're so ladies. We want to see you. We're so ladies. We want to see you. We're so grateful that you have come to be with grateful that you have come to be with grateful that you have come to be with us today. What special event brings you us today. What special event brings you us today. What special event brings you to with brings you to be with us today? to with brings you to be with us today? to with brings you to be with us today? >> Our founder and president is here in >> Our founder and president is here in >> Our founder and president is here in Houston with the Houston and this is her Houston with the Houston and this is her Houston with the Houston and this is her first time coming to do a meeting and first time coming to do a meeting and first time coming to do a meeting and meeting with us.

meeting with us. meeting with us. >> Founder is here. Come on. Founder. >> Founder is here. Come on. Founder. >> Founder is here. Come on. Founder. >> Hey, [applause] >> Hey, [applause] >> Hey, [applause] where are you madam founder? Please where are you madam founder? Please where are you madam founder? Please raise your hand. It's good to see you, raise your hand. It's good to see you, raise your hand. It's good to see you, man. Welcome to Houston. We are glad man. Welcome to Houston. We are glad man. Welcome to Houston. We are glad that you are here. Welcome to Wheeler that you are here. Welcome to Wheeler that you are here. Welcome to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Thank you so much Avenue Baptist Church. Thank you so much Avenue Baptist Church. Thank you so much for coming and sharing with us. What is for coming and sharing with us. What is for coming and sharing with us. What is that you have in your hand, sis? that you have in your hand, sis? that you have in your hand, sis? The old saints, you call that an The old saints, you call that an The old saints, you call that an envelope. envelope. envelope. That's not an envelope. That's an That's not an envelope. That's an That's not an envelope. That's an envelope. What are you enveloping in envelope. What are you enveloping in envelope. What are you enveloping in that envelope right there? Uh my Deacon that envelope right there? Uh my Deacon that envelope right there? Uh my Deacon Davis went quickly to see that. What? Davis went quickly to see that. What? Davis went quickly to see that. What? What that was? Thank you, sir. Let me What that was? Thank you, sir. Let me What that was? Thank you, sir. Let me see. see. see. Well, praise the Lord for $700 in Well, praise the Lord for $700 in Well, praise the Lord for $700 in scholarships to the young people at scholarships to the young people at scholarships to the young people at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. [applause] [applause] [applause] Thank you so much, women of God. Thank Thank you so much, women of God. Thank Thank you so much, women of God. Thank you, ladies. We are blessed by your you, ladies. We are blessed by your you, ladies. We are blessed by your presence. You may be seated. But we presence. You may be seated. But we presence. You may be seated. But we certainly thank you so much. Next month, certainly thank you so much. Next month, certainly thank you so much. Next month, month thereafter, we'll be giving month thereafter, we'll be giving month thereafter, we'll be giving scholarships and grants to young people scholarships and grants to young people scholarships and grants to young people who are leaving from this place, going who are leaving from this place, going who are leaving from this place, going on to their scholastic work, and this on to their scholastic work, and this on to their scholastic work, and this $700 will go toward that. Thank you so $700 will go toward that. Thank you so $700 will go toward that. Thank you so much. We appreciate you and applaud you.

much. We appreciate you and applaud you. much. We appreciate you and applaud you. [applause] [applause] [applause] The Coleman Peacock Simmons family The Coleman Peacock Simmons family The Coleman Peacock Simmons family reunion is here. Please stand, fam. reunion is here. Please stand, fam. reunion is here. Please stand, fam. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. [applause] [applause] [applause] Wow. Wow. Wow. What a joy it is to see you today. We're What a joy it is to see you today. We're What a joy it is to see you today. We're so grateful that you have come. You're so grateful that you have come. You're so grateful that you have come. You're concluding your your um family reunion. concluding your your um family reunion. concluding your your um family reunion. Which me which folks are members of the Which me which folks are members of the Which me which folks are members of the Wheel Avenue Church? Let me see your Wheel Avenue Church? Let me see your Wheel Avenue Church? Let me see your hands. God bless you. You made those hands. God bless you. You made those hands. God bless you. You made those people come to church this morning. We people come to church this morning. We people come to church this morning. We appreciate you. Thank you so much for appreciate you. Thank you so much for appreciate you. Thank you so much for making them come to church. I'm so making them come to church. I'm so making them come to church. I'm so grateful that you've been here. Where grateful that you've been here. Where grateful that you've been here. Where you from? >> Houston, Bowmont. All over. You just >> Houston, Bowmont. All over. You just said Houston, Bowmont, then said all said Houston, Bowmont, then said all said Houston, Bowmont, then said all over. over. over. Texas, Virginia. Texas, Virginia. Texas, Virginia. >> All over. Yes. Thank you so much. Who's >> All over. Yes. Thank you so much. Who's >> All over. Yes. Thank you so much. Who's the matriarch or the patriarch? Where's the matriarch or the patriarch? Where's the matriarch or the patriarch? Where's the eldest member? We love to see the the eldest member? We love to see the the eldest member? We love to see the eldest member. eldest member. eldest member. Hey, mother the eldest m matriarch. God Hey, mother the eldest m matriarch. God Hey, mother the eldest m matriarch. God bless you, ma'am. So glad to have you bless you, ma'am. So glad to have you bless you, ma'am. So glad to have you with us. We honor you, family. Thank you with us. We honor you, family. Thank you with us. We honor you, family. Thank you for being here. You may be seated. Thank for being here. You may be seated. Thank for being here. You may be seated. Thank you so much for being with us. And the you so much for being with us. And the you so much for being with us. And the TJ and Martha Wright family reunion are TJ and Martha Wright family reunion are TJ and Martha Wright family reunion are likewise here. Will you please stand?

likewise here. Will you please stand? likewise here. Will you please stand? Members of Carlicia Homer's family. Hey Members of Carlicia Homer's family. Hey Members of Carlicia Homer's family. Hey family. [applause] family. [applause] family. [applause] [music] [music] [music] Well, praise the Lord. It's good to see Well, praise the Lord. It's good to see Well, praise the Lord. It's good to see you all. What what what is this? the you all. What what what is this? the you all. What what what is this? the conclusion of this family reunion. conclusion of this family reunion. conclusion of this family reunion. >> Yeah, kind of figured it was. But I'm so >> Yeah, kind of figured it was. But I'm so >> Yeah, kind of figured it was. But I'm so grateful that you are here and we grateful that you are here and we grateful that you are here and we celebrate all that has happened over the celebrate all that has happened over the celebrate all that has happened over the weekend over the time that you've been weekend over the time that you've been weekend over the time that you've been here. And uh who's the matriarch? Who's here. And uh who's the matriarch? Who's here. And uh who's the matriarch? Who's the patriarch? Want to see you. Hey, but the patriarch? Want to see you. Hey, but the patriarch? Want to see you. Hey, but patriarch, it's good to see you, sir. patriarch, it's good to see you, sir. patriarch, it's good to see you, sir. God bless you. Glad that you are here. God bless you. Glad that you are here. God bless you. Glad that you are here. [applause] [applause] [applause] [music] What is that you have, Reverend [music] What is that you have, Reverend [music] What is that you have, Reverend Homer? That's an envelope. Homer? That's an envelope. Homer? That's an envelope. >> Well, praise the Lord. >> Well, praise the Lord. >> Well, praise the Lord. >> We love an envelope around here. >> We love an envelope around here. >> We love an envelope around here. Let's be clear. Thank you so much. Let's be clear. Thank you so much. Let's be clear. Thank you so much. Whatever is here in it will likewise go Whatever is here in it will likewise go Whatever is here in it will likewise go to scholarships for our young people. to scholarships for our young people. to scholarships for our young people. And we thank you so much for that. God And we thank you so much for that. God And we thank you so much for that. God bless you. Welcome to the avenue. Thank bless you. Welcome to the avenue. Thank bless you. Welcome to the avenue. Thank you, Reverend Mrs. Homer, for bringing you, Reverend Mrs. Homer, for bringing you, Reverend Mrs. Homer, for bringing family to us today. Just wanted to make family to us today. Just wanted to make family to us today. Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything with the sure I didn't miss anything with the sure I didn't miss anything with the Coleman, Peacock, and Simmons family Coleman, Peacock, and Simmons family Coleman, Peacock, and Simmons family reunion. Is there an envelope? No, I'm reunion. Is there an envelope? No, I'm reunion. Is there an envelope? No, I'm just playing. I'm just playing. I'm just just playing. I'm just playing. I'm just just playing. I'm just playing. I'm just playing. I'm just playing. Well, church playing. I'm just playing. Well, church playing. I'm just playing. Well, church family, family, family, the Cherub choir of Wheeler Avenue the Cherub choir of Wheeler Avenue the Cherub choir of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church [cheering and applause]

Clap your hands. [music] Clap your hands. [music] Clap. Clap your hand. Clap your hand. People People People [music] [music] [music] clap your hand. Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> [music] >> I want to >> I want to >> I want to be happy be happy be happy and you know it. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [music] [music] Heat.

Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [singing] All you [singing] All you [singing] All you Hallelujah. [music] [music] Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [cheering] [cheering] Yeah.

Heat. Heat. [music] >> The Bible says, "Clap your hands all ye >> The Bible says, "Clap your hands all ye people and shout unto God with a voice people and shout unto God with a voice people and shout unto God with a voice of triumph." That's what we do in this of triumph." That's what we do in this of triumph." That's what we do in this place today. [music] how we celebrate place today. [music] how we celebrate place today. [music] how we celebrate and thank God for the precious young and thank God for the precious young and thank God for the precious young people in our church family and what a people in our church family and what a people in our church family and what a blessing they are to us every time they blessing they are to us every time they blessing they are to us every time they come over to what they call big church come over to what they call big church come over to what they call big church [music] and share with us in this space.

[music] and share with us in this space. [music] and share with us in this space. We appreciate them. Well, I thank God We appreciate them. Well, I thank God We appreciate them. Well, I thank God for each of you who take seriously for each of you who take seriously for each of you who take seriously [music] [music] [music] uh the experience of worship every uh the experience of worship every uh the experience of worship every single weekend, every time you come to single weekend, every time you come to single weekend, every time you come to the Wheeler Avenue church. And there are the Wheeler Avenue church. And there are the Wheeler Avenue church. And there are some worshippers sitting beside you. some worshippers sitting beside you. some worshippers sitting beside you. There are some people who love the Lord There are some people who love the Lord There are some people who love the Lord on your row and there's some people who on your row and there's some people who on your row and there's some people who need to be encouraged by the love of the need to be encouraged by the love of the need to be encouraged by the love of the Lord's people. So just turn towards Lord's people. So just turn towards Lord's people. So just turn towards somebody on either side of you, maybe in somebody on either side of you, maybe in somebody on either side of you, maybe in front of you or behind you, and say, front of you or behind you, and say, front of you or behind you, and say, "I'm glad to be in worship with [music] "I'm glad to be in worship with [music] "I'm glad to be in worship with [music] you. you. you. I'm glad to be in worship with you. I'm glad to be in worship with you. I'm glad to be in worship with you. [music] It's good to see you. [music] It's good to see you. [music] It's good to see you. It's good to see you." It's good to see you." It's good to see you." [music] If you don't know their name, get their If you don't know their name, get their name. Get their name. Ask them what's name. Get their name. Ask them what's name. Get their name. Ask them what's your name. What's your [music] name? your name. What's your [music] name? your name. What's your [music] name? Sis, what's your name, bro? Sis, what's your name, bro? Sis, what's your name, bro? Get their name. Get their name. Get their name. Get their name. [music] Make sure they Get their name. [music] Make sure they Get their name. [music] Make sure they have a smile on your face before you have a smile on your face before you have a smile on your face before you finish talking to them. Make sure. Make finish talking to them. Make sure. Make finish talking to them. Make sure. Make sure [music] they have a smile on their sure [music] they have a smile on their sure [music] they have a smile on their faces before you finish talking to them.

faces before you finish talking to them. faces before you finish talking to them. This is called passing the peace of the This is called passing the peace of the This is called passing the peace of the Lord. We pass the peace of the Lord to Lord. We pass the peace of the Lord to Lord. We pass the peace of the Lord to you. The peace of the Lord be with you you. The peace of the Lord be with you you. The peace of the Lord be with you all, my sisters and brothers. Praise the all, my sisters and brothers. Praise the all, my sisters and brothers. Praise the Lord for each one of you. Lord for each one of you. Lord for each one of you. And you're going to need to know that And you're going to need to know that And you're going to need to know that name all throughout this worship name all throughout this worship name all throughout this worship service. Just in [music] case you want a service. Just in [music] case you want a service. Just in [music] case you want a piece of candy, a piece of gum, you can piece of candy, a piece of gum, you can piece of candy, a piece of gum, you can ask that person by name. ask that person by name. ask that person by name. You got a piece of gum. Can I have a You got a piece of gum. Can I have a You got a piece of gum. Can I have a piece of gum? piece of gum? piece of gum? Trying to stay awake. I'm fading. Trying to stay awake. I'm fading. Trying to stay awake. I'm fading. I'm I'm I'm [music] [music] [music] Praise the Lord. Good to see you. Praise the Lord. Good to see you. Praise the Lord. Good to see you. Listen, we're excited about the many Listen, we're excited about the many Listen, we're excited about the many things that are happening at Wheeler things that are happening at Wheeler things that are happening at Wheeler Avenue. We have an amazing [music] Avenue. We have an amazing [music] Avenue. We have an amazing [music] cancer ministry at Wheeler Avenue cancer ministry at Wheeler Avenue cancer ministry at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. And on this fourth Baptist Church. And on this fourth Baptist Church. And on this fourth Sunday of June, many of us are wearing Sunday of June, many of us are wearing Sunday of June, many of us are wearing lavender or shades of purple uh to lavender or shades of purple uh to lavender or shades of purple uh to [music] commemorate National Cancer [music] commemorate National Cancer [music] commemorate National Cancer Survivors Month. National Cancer Survivors Month. National Cancer Survivors Month. National Cancer Survivors Month. Wait. [music] And would Survivors Month. Wait. [music] And would Survivors Month. Wait. [music] And would you believe there are some survivors in you believe there are some survivors in you believe there are some survivors in your section right now? [music] your section right now? [music] your section right now? [music] All survivors. Come on, stand. Let's All survivors. Come on, stand. Let's All survivors. Come on, stand. Let's sing you. All survivors. [music] All survivors.

All survivors. Yes. [music] Come on. Let the survivors [music] hear Come on. Let the survivors [music] hear you. you. you. Look at him up there. Let the survivors Look at him up there. Let the survivors Look at him up there. Let the survivors hear you. hear you. hear you. I [music] see you all the way over I [music] see you all the way over I [music] see you all the way over there. Come on, survivors. I see you. [music] I see you. [music] Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. You remain standing. Remain [music] You remain standing. Remain [music] You remain standing. Remain [music] standing. We need to see miracles in standing. We need to see miracles in standing. We need to see miracles in motion. motion. motion. We need to see the people who have a We need to see the people who have a We need to see the people who have a strong testimony strong testimony strong testimony of the healing power [music] of God. We of the healing power [music] of God. We of the healing power [music] of God. We need to see some people who may have a need to see some people who may have a need to see some people who may have a thorn in their flesh, but they still say thorn in their flesh, but they still say thorn in their flesh, but they still say his grace is sufficient. Come on. There his grace is sufficient. Come on. There his grace is sufficient. Come on. There they all are. they all are. they all are. And we thank God for each one of you. We And we thank God for each one of you. We And we thank God for each one of you. We thank God for your testimonies. [music] thank God for your testimonies. [music] thank God for your testimonies. [music] We thank God for your endurance, for We thank God for your endurance, for We thank God for your endurance, for your perseverance. Some of you have had your perseverance. Some of you have had your perseverance. Some of you have had to endure treatments. Some of you have to endure treatments. Some of you have to endure treatments. Some of you have endured pain. Some of you endured endured pain. Some of you endured endured pain. Some of you endured surgery. But all of you are living, surgery. But all of you are living, surgery. But all of you are living, breathing testimonies of the kindness breathing testimonies of the kindness breathing testimonies of the kindness and goodness of God. And we thank God and goodness of God. And we thank God and goodness of God. And we thank God for you. We celebrate with you and we for you. We celebrate with you and we for you. We celebrate with you and we honor you on this Sunday morning. God honor you on this Sunday morning. God honor you on this Sunday morning. God bless you. You may be seated. And we bless you. You may be seated. And we bless you. You may be seated. And we praise God for your presence among us praise God for your presence among us praise God for your presence among us today. Listen, I likewise want to today. Listen, I likewise want to today. Listen, I likewise want to [music] remember a very special [music] remember a very special [music] remember a very special individual who has made us who we are, individual who has made us who we are, individual who has made us who we are, whether we know it or not. It was 98

whether we know it or not. It was 98 whether we know it or not. It was 98 years ago today that Pastor William years ago today that Pastor William years ago today that Pastor William Alexander Lawson was birthed into the Alexander Lawson was birthed into the Alexander Lawson was birthed into the world by Miss Clarice Cade. And today on world by Miss Clarice Cade. And today on world by Miss Clarice Cade. And today on June 28th, although he is gone, he is June 28th, although he is gone, he is June 28th, although he is gone, he is not forgotten. Will you help me thank not forgotten. Will you help me thank not forgotten. Will you help me thank God for our founding pastor, [music] the God for our founding pastor, [music] the God for our founding pastor, [music] the Reverend Dr. William Alexander Lawson Reverend Dr. William Alexander Lawson Reverend Dr. William Alexander Lawson Jr.? Jr.? Jr.? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Praise the name of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. [music] Praise the name of the Lord. [music] Praise the name of the Lord. [music] Praise the name of the Lord. Thank God for our founder. Thank God for our founder. Thank God for our founder. He's in heaven right now. And I'm glad He's in heaven right now. And I'm glad He's in heaven right now. And I'm glad that he is. And if he was sitting right that he is. And if he was sitting right that he is. And if he was sitting right down here listening to those children down here listening to those children down here listening to those children sing and all the worship and praise that sing and all the worship and praise that sing and all the worship and praise that has been taking place, you know what has been taking place, you know what has been taking place, you know what he'd do, don't you? Spirit hands here. he'd do, don't you? Spirit hands here. he'd do, don't you? Spirit hands here. Come on. As our [music] founding pastor, Come on. As our [music] founding pastor, Come on. As our [music] founding pastor, he put those hands up and give God he put those hands up and give God he put those hands up and give God praise. Well, in place of him on this praise. Well, in place of him on this praise. Well, in place of him on this front row, we're grateful that his three front row, we're grateful that his three front row, we're grateful that his three daughters are here. Thank God for daughters are here. Thank God for daughters are here. Thank God for Melanie, for Cheryl, for Roxanne, for Melanie, for Cheryl, for Roxanne, for Melanie, for Cheryl, for Roxanne, for granddaughter Raven. We celebrate this granddaughter Raven. We celebrate this granddaughter Raven. We celebrate this family and all that they have meant to family and all that they have meant to family and all that they have meant to us over these 64 years of the life of us over these 64 years of the life of us over these 64 years of the life of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. [music] Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. [music] Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. [music] And we are so grateful that God gifted And we are so grateful that God gifted And we are so grateful that God gifted Wheeler Avenue with Pastor William Wheeler Avenue with Pastor William Wheeler Avenue with Pastor William Alexander Lawson. And we'll never forget Alexander Lawson. And we'll never forget Alexander Lawson. And we'll never forget him. We'll celebrate him. I hope you him. We'll celebrate him. I hope you him. We'll celebrate him. I hope you went through the atrium. If you didn't went through the atrium. If you didn't went through the atrium. If you didn't get a chance to go through the atrium, get a chance to go through the atrium, get a chance to go through the atrium, there's a beautiful presentation uh a

there's a beautiful presentation uh a there's a beautiful presentation uh a display [music] that is set up to look display [music] that is set up to look display [music] that is set up to look at that distinguished gentleman to honor at that distinguished gentleman to honor at that distinguished gentleman to honor our founder and we thank God for him. Uh our founder and we thank God for him. Uh our founder and we thank God for him. Uh we thank God for those who are on our we thank God for those who are on our we thank God for those who are on our team, our staff who made sure that we be team, our staff who made sure that we be team, our staff who made sure that we be able to see that beautiful display. able to see that beautiful display. able to see that beautiful display. Thank you ladies for providing pictures. Thank you ladies for providing pictures. Thank you ladies for providing pictures. Thank you gentlemen [music] for making Thank you gentlemen [music] for making Thank you gentlemen [music] for making sure that that display was properly sure that that display was properly sure that that display was properly presented to us. And if you didn't get a presented to us. And if you didn't get a presented to us. And if you didn't get a chance to see it before coming into chance to see it before coming into chance to see it before coming into worship, take [music] some time on your worship, take [music] some time on your worship, take [music] some time on your way out of worship. There's some sweet way out of worship. There's some sweet way out of worship. There's some sweet treats out there. Have a wonderful out. treats out there. Have a wonderful out. treats out there. Have a wonderful out. She clap for the sweet treats. I like I She clap for the sweet treats. I like I She clap for the sweet treats. I like I know that's right. Better testify to know that's right. Better testify to know that's right. Better testify to what you like. Amen. All right. We what you like. Amen. All right. We what you like. Amen. All right. We praise God for you. But go on out and be praise God for you. But go on out and be praise God for you. But go on out and be blessed after the benediction. And uh if blessed after the benediction. And uh if blessed after the benediction. And uh if you have a Lawson story, swap it with you have a Lawson story, swap it with you have a Lawson story, swap it with somebody after the benediction. Let them somebody after the benediction. Let them somebody after the benediction. Let them know how Pastor Lawson has blessed your know how Pastor Lawson has blessed your know how Pastor Lawson has blessed your life. All right. Well, on Wednesday, life. All right. Well, on Wednesday, life. All right. Well, on Wednesday, we'll start our day in prayer as is our we'll start our day in prayer as is our we'll start our day in prayer as is our custom. Some of you may start your day custom. Some of you may start your day custom. Some of you may start your day before 6:00 a.m., but if you start uh at before 6:00 a.m., but if you start uh at before 6:00 a.m., but if you start uh at 6 or after, start it with us at 6:00 in 6 or after, start it with us at 6:00 in 6 or after, start it with us at 6:00 in the virtual space in prayer, [music] the virtual space in prayer, [music] the virtual space in prayer, [music] it'll be a blessing uh to you for those it'll be a blessing uh to you for those it'll be a blessing uh to you for those first 15 minutes if you'll share with first 15 minutes if you'll share with first 15 minutes if you'll share with us. It'll certainly be a blessing to me us. It'll certainly be a blessing to me us. It'll certainly be a blessing to me as well. [music] And then at 12:00 noon as well. [music] And then at 12:00 noon as well. [music] And then at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m., we'll have study on the and 7:00 p.m., we'll have study on the and 7:00 p.m., we'll have study on the Avenue right here at the church. And I Avenue right here at the church. And I Avenue right here at the church. And I hope that you will come and study the hope that you will come and study the hope that you will come and study the word of God with other believers. It word of God with other believers. It word of God with other believers. It will strengthen you uh for the will strengthen you uh for the will strengthen you uh for the disciplehip journey that is ahead of disciplehip journey that is ahead of disciplehip journey that is ahead of you. And of course at [music] 6:00 p.m.

you. And of course at [music] 6:00 p.m. you. And of course at [music] 6:00 p.m. there's a second session of prayer. It there's a second session of prayer. It there's a second session of prayer. It lasts for a full hour. It's in the lasts for a full hour. It's in the lasts for a full hour. It's in the sanctuary and we invite you to come and sanctuary and we invite you to come and sanctuary and we invite you to come and be a part of the experience of worship be a part of the experience of worship be a part of the experience of worship well of prayer and study on Wednesdays. well of prayer and study on Wednesdays. well of prayer and study on Wednesdays. And [music] then finally, vacation Bible And [music] then finally, vacation Bible And [music] then finally, vacation Bible school 2026 is coming up and we're school 2026 is coming up and we're school 2026 is coming up and we're excited about that. Yeah, it's an excited about that. Yeah, it's an excited about that. Yeah, it's an awesome opportunity for us to gather awesome opportunity for us to gather awesome opportunity for us to gather together all week long, Monday through together all week long, Monday through together all week long, Monday through Friday, July [music] Friday, July [music] Friday, July [music] 13th through 17th. And in that space of 13th through 17th. And in that space of 13th through 17th. And in that space of time, we eat together, we play together, time, we eat together, we play together, time, we eat together, we play together, we worship together, we pray together, we worship together, we pray together, we worship together, we pray together, we study together, we have a great time we study together, we have a great time we study together, we have a great time all week long, Monday through Friday. all week long, Monday through Friday. all week long, Monday through Friday. And I hope that you will join us. Want And I hope that you will join us. Want And I hope that you will join us. Want you to register for it. You'll see the you to register for it. You'll see the you to register for it. You'll see the QR code right there. Register for uh QR code right there. Register for uh QR code right there. Register for uh vacation Bible school. If not through vacation Bible school. If not through vacation Bible school. If not through the QR code, you can certainly go online the QR code, you can certainly go online the QR code, you can certainly go online to our website [music] and you can to our website [music] and you can to our website [music] and you can register there. But we want everybody to register there. But we want everybody to register there. But we want everybody to come. Every age, every stage of life, come. Every age, every stage of life, come. Every age, every stage of life, nobody's exempt, nobody's left out. Want nobody's exempt, nobody's left out. Want nobody's exempt, nobody's left out. Want everybody to be here. It's going to be a everybody to be here. It's going to be a everybody to be here. It's going to be a great time [music] from the 13th through great time [music] from the 13th through great time [music] from the 13th through the 17th of uh the month of July. All the 17th of uh the month of July. All the 17th of uh the month of July. All right. Well, those are our announcements right. Well, those are our announcements right. Well, those are our announcements for this Sunday. It's offering time in for this Sunday. It's offering time in for this Sunday. It's offering time in the Lord's house. We're excited about the Lord's house. We're excited about the Lord's house. We're excited about giving. [music] giving. [music] giving. [music] Amen.

I mistakenly went to that side when I I mistakenly went to that side when I was looking for the Coleman family. was looking for the Coleman family. was looking for the Coleman family. [music] They're over here. And uh [music] They're over here. And uh [music] They're over here. And uh Coleman's family said, "Now, listen, we Coleman's family said, "Now, listen, we Coleman's family said, "Now, listen, we not going to be outdone." They sent not going to be outdone." They sent not going to be outdone." They sent messages said, "We got $1,000 for the messages said, "We got $1,000 for the messages said, "We got $1,000 for the scholarships at Wheeler Avenue Baptist scholarships at Wheeler Avenue Baptist scholarships at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church." God [music] bless you. Thank Church." God [music] bless you. Thank Church." God [music] bless you. Thank you, Ram. Appreciate you. Praise God for you, Ram. Appreciate you. Praise God for you, Ram. Appreciate you. Praise God for their commitment to [music] the their commitment to [music] the their commitment to [music] the scholastic achievement of our young scholastic achievement of our young scholastic achievement of our young people. All of us today have the people. All of us today have the people. All of us today have the opportunity to participate in worship as opportunity to participate in worship as opportunity to participate in worship as we give the tithe and the offering we give the tithe and the offering we give the tithe and the offering [music] beyond the tithe. The tithe is [music] beyond the tithe. The tithe is [music] beyond the tithe. The tithe is the first 10% of our increase. Bible the first 10% of our increase. Bible the first 10% of our increase. Bible says it's holy unto God. And then says it's holy unto God. And then says it's holy unto God. And then secondarily, we give an offering that secondarily, we give an offering that secondarily, we give an offering that goes above that responsibility. goes above that responsibility. goes above that responsibility. And that is to show our appreciation to And that is to show our appreciation to And that is to show our appreciation to God for his goodness and our and his God for his goodness and our and his God for his goodness and our and his grace in [music] our lives. And then in grace in [music] our lives. And then in grace in [music] our lives. And then in the tertiary way in the third place we the tertiary way in the third place we the tertiary way in the third place we give to missions and mercy that give to missions and mercy that give to missions and mercy that distinguished gentleman about whom I distinguished gentleman about whom I distinguished gentleman about whom I spoke Dr. Lawson he started that spoke Dr. Lawson he started that spoke Dr. Lawson he started that offering more than 50 years ago to offering more than 50 years ago to offering more than 50 years ago to remind us to take care of the least the remind us to take care of the least the remind us to take care of the least the last and the left out. [music] If you last and the left out. [music] If you last and the left out. [music] If you were in worship at the very very very were in worship at the very very very were in worship at the very very very beginning of church you heard him beginning of church you heard him beginning of church you heard him preaching and he talked about how we preaching and he talked about how we preaching and he talked about how we must take care of the indigent, the must take care of the indigent, the must take care of the indigent, the poor, those who are neglected and left poor, those who are neglected and left poor, those who are neglected and left out. And we have been doing that under out. And we have been doing that under out. And we have been doing that under his leadership, from his leadership his leadership, from his leadership his leadership, from his leadership since that [music] time of his pastor, since that [music] time of his pastor, since that [music] time of his pastor, even to this. So we ask that you'll even to this. So we ask that you'll even to this. So we ask that you'll continue to help us to bless those who continue to help us to bless those who continue to help us to bless those who need the assistance of our congregation.

need the assistance of our congregation. need the assistance of our congregation. As we give this afternoon, this morning As we give this afternoon, this morning As we give this afternoon, this morning still morning. As we give this morning, still morning. As we give this morning, still morning. As we give this morning, our ushers have moved about us with our ushers have moved about us with our ushers have moved about us with envelopes just in case uh you want to envelopes just in case uh you want to envelopes just in case uh you want to place something in that envelope, a place something in that envelope, a place something in that envelope, a paper gift, and you'll deposit it after paper gift, and you'll deposit it after paper gift, and you'll deposit it after the benediction into the dropboxes that the benediction into the dropboxes that the benediction into the dropboxes that line the walls of the church house in line the walls of the church house in line the walls of the church house in all of its buildings. And we ask that all of its buildings. And we ask that all of its buildings. And we ask that you will deposit it there as you offer you will deposit it there as you offer you will deposit it there as you offer your gifts unto the Lord. Others of us your gifts unto the Lord. Others of us your gifts unto the Lord. Others of us will use these digital methods and that will use these digital methods and that will use these digital methods and that immediately will give to us the immediately will give to us the immediately will give to us the opportunity to bless the Lord and the opportunity to bless the Lord and the opportunity to bless the Lord and the Lord's church as we give this Sunday Lord's church as we give this Sunday Lord's church as we give this Sunday morning. Well, together, let's pray as morning. Well, together, let's pray as morning. Well, together, let's pray as we consecrate these gifts unto our God. we consecrate these gifts unto our God. we consecrate these gifts unto our God. Gracious God, how we give you thanks for Gracious God, how we give you thanks for Gracious God, how we give you thanks for this moment in time and for the this moment in time and for the this moment in time and for the opportunity to give back to you a opportunity to give back to you a opportunity to give back to you a portion of what you've given to us. portion of what you've given to us. portion of what you've given to us. [music] We pray now your blessings upon [music] We pray now your blessings upon [music] We pray now your blessings upon each gift and each giver so that no one each gift and each giver so that no one each gift and each giver so that no one will lack as a consequence of what we will lack as a consequence of what we will lack as a consequence of what we give this Sunday morning. who you bless give this Sunday morning. who you bless give this Sunday morning. who you bless now. These your sons and daughters who now. These your sons and daughters who now. These your sons and daughters who take you at your word, believing [music] take you at your word, believing [music] take you at your word, believing [music] that when we bring the tithe, you will that when we bring the tithe, you will that when we bring the tithe, you will open up the windows of heaven and pour open up the windows of heaven and pour open up the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing we would not have room us out a blessing we would not have room us out a blessing we would not have room enough to receive. [music] We come enough to receive. [music] We come enough to receive. [music] We come believing that when we give, it shall be believing that when we give, it shall be believing that when we give, it shall be given back unto us in good measure, given back unto us in good measure, given back unto us in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and pressed down, shaken together, and pressed down, shaken together, and running over. We believe that we're running over. We believe that we're running over. We believe that we're helping the house of God to flourish and helping the house of God to flourish and helping the house of God to flourish and the work of God to go forth with the work of God to go forth with the work of God to go forth with excellence [music] for your name's sake.

excellence [music] for your name's sake. excellence [music] for your name's sake. So, thank you for giving to us these So, thank you for giving to us these So, thank you for giving to us these gifts and now we return them to you. We gifts and now we return them to you. We gifts and now we return them to you. We ask your blessings upon them and we ask ask your blessings upon them and we ask ask your blessings upon them and we ask that you will supernaturally expand that you will supernaturally expand that you will supernaturally expand them, multiply them so that your name them, multiply them so that your name them, multiply them so that your name might be glorified, your people might be might be glorified, your people might be might be glorified, your people might be edified in Jesus name we pray. Amen. And edified in Jesus name we pray. Amen. And edified in Jesus name we pray. Amen. And praise God. Let's give unto our God. praise God. Let's give unto our God. praise God. Let's give unto our God. Musicians are playing that great song of Musicians are playing that great song of Musicians are playing that great song of the church. The old church used to sing, the church. The old church used to sing, the church. The old church used to sing, you can't beat God giving no matter how you can't beat God giving no matter how you can't beat God giving no matter how you try. We're going to take it one more you try. We're going to take it one more you try. We're going to take it one more one time through just in case somebody one time through just in case somebody one time through just in case somebody needs to [music] go back to when you needs to [music] go back to when you needs to [music] go back to when you learned it when you were a child. Others learned it when you were a child. Others learned it when you were a child. Others of you need to sing it just so you can of you need to sing it just so you can of you need to sing it just so you can remember how our ancestors remember how our ancestors remember how our ancestors sang [music] their faith when they said sang [music] their faith when they said sang [music] their faith when they said you can't beat God giving no matter how you can't beat God giving no matter how you can't beat God giving no matter how you try. [music] If you sing it, lift you try. [music] If you sing it, lift you try. [music] If you sing it, lift it. If you know it, lift your voice and it. If you know it, lift your voice and it. If you know it, lift your voice and sing it. If you don't, just [music] be sing it. If you don't, just [music] be sing it. If you don't, just [music] be blessed as the rest of us sing it blessed as the rest of us sing it blessed as the rest of us sing it together. You can't beat God. [music] [music] just as sure as you just as sure as you just as sure as you just as just as just as [music] the more he gives to you.

the more he gives to you. [music] [music] [music] He gives to you. He gives to you. He gives to you. Just keep on. Just keep on. Just keep on. Just keep [music] on Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Yes. Yes. [music] [music] [music] Thank God for our forebears who believed Thank God for our forebears who believed Thank God for our forebears who believed it and we are reaping the benefits right it and we are reaping the benefits right it and we are reaping the benefits right now. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. now. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. now. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm excited to Ladies and gentlemen, I'm excited to Ladies and gentlemen, I'm excited to present to you these who have been present to you these who have been present to you these who have been singing for us since the beginning of singing for us since the beginning of singing for us since the beginning of worship on this fourth Sunday. that we worship on this fourth Sunday. that we worship on this fourth Sunday. that we get the benefit, the blessing of hearing get the benefit, the blessing of hearing get the benefit, the blessing of hearing from the mass choir of Wheeler Avenue from the mass choir of Wheeler Avenue from the mass choir of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church recording [music] Baptist Church recording [music] Baptist Church recording [music] artists. They are and we praise God for artists. They are and we praise God for artists. They are and we praise God for them. Will you receive the mass choir as them. Will you receive the mass choir as them. Will you receive the mass choir as they come now under the leadership of they come now under the leadership of they come now under the leadership of brother Kenneth and brother Ron John's brother Kenneth and brother Ron John's brother Kenneth and brother Ron John's going to minister to us with that going to minister to us with that going to minister to us with that blessed voice.

[music] [music] >> Oh [singing] [music] [music] my. my. my. [singing] for for all [music and singing] my [music] earth [music] earth is [singing] low is [singing] low is [singing] low and the fullness Yes, there are [singing] [singing] [music] [music] [music] [singing] >> So I [music] >> So I [music] should be should be should be [singing] [singing] [singing] God has set me free. [music] God has set me free. [music] God has set me free. [music] >> Oh [singing] >> Oh [singing] >> Oh [singing] should I be should I be should I be free? [music] free? [music] free? [music] >> Jesus died [singing] for you and me.

>> Jesus died [singing] for you and me. >> Jesus died [singing] for you and me. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [singing] [music] [music] Heat.

[singing] [singing] Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Yeah.

[screaming] Heat. [screaming] Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Yeah. Yeah. [music] Heat. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. [music] [music]

[music] Yes. Yes. Yes. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] heat, heat, heat. >> [music] >> [music] >> Come on. He'll keep you. >> Come on. He'll keep you. >> Come on. He'll keep you. He'll keep you. If you want, he can. He'll keep you. If you want, he can. He'll keep you. If you want, he can. He'll keep [music] you. If you want, he He'll keep [music] you. If you want, he He'll keep [music] you. If you want, he can. can. can. Hey. He He is the king [music] is the king [music] is the king [music] of Heat.

Heat. [music] [music] [music] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. Come on. If you know he's [music] a good Come on. If you know he's [music] a good keeper, if he's kept your mind, if he's keeper, if he's kept your mind, if he's keeper, if he's kept your mind, if he's kept your heart, if he's returned kept your heart, if he's returned kept your heart, if he's returned [music] the joy unto you, if he's turn [music] the joy unto you, if he's turn [music] the joy unto you, if he's turn your promises, your promises, your promises, come on and celebrate the Lord. Send come on and celebrate the Lord. Send come on and celebrate the Lord. Send [music] the praise up. Send the praise [music] the praise up. Send the praise [music] the praise up. Send the praise up.

>> Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. >> Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. [music] [music] >> Heat. [music and singing] [music and singing] Oh The Bible says in the book of Isaiah, The Bible says in the book of Isaiah, God will keep them in perfect peace God will keep them in perfect peace God will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him

whose mind is stayed on him whose mind is stayed on him because we trust in him. because we trust in him. because we trust in him. There's some people who can look back There's some people who can look back There's some people who can look back over your lives today and you still over your lives today and you still over your lives today and you still can't figure out how the Lord kept you can't figure out how the Lord kept you can't figure out how the Lord kept you through that. through that. through that. But here you are on this Sunday But here you are on this Sunday But here you are on this Sunday afternoon testifying afternoon testifying afternoon testifying he really is the keeper he really is the keeper he really is the keeper of my soul. of my soul. of my soul. Oh to be kept by Jesus. [music] [music] >> Heat [music and singing] [music and singing] Oh,

[screaming] [screaming] [music] and all of God's people said, "Amen." and all of God's people said, "Amen." Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. The Reverend Piles read for us from the The Reverend Piles read for us from the The Reverend Piles read for us from the book of Exodus, [music] book of Exodus, [music] book of Exodus, [music] the second book of the Bible. the second book of the Bible. the second book of the Bible. Last week, we were in the book of Last week, we were in the book of Last week, we were in the book of Genesis. I invite your attention this Genesis. I invite your attention this Genesis. I invite your attention this week to the book of Exodus. week to the book of Exodus. week to the book of Exodus. Exodus chapter 4. Exodus chapter 4. Exodus chapter 4. Dr. Piles, excuse me. Dr. Piles read an Dr. Piles, excuse me. Dr. Piles read an Dr. Piles, excuse me. Dr. Piles read an extended passage, extended passage, extended passage, quite extended to be sure quite extended to be sure quite extended to be sure from chapter 3 all the way through the from chapter 3 all the way through the from chapter 3 all the way through the 12th verse of chapter 4.

12th verse of chapter 4. 12th verse of chapter 4. I want to reread verses 10-2 of chapter I want to reread verses 10-2 of chapter I want to reread verses 10-2 of chapter 4 [music] as we seek to engage this 4 [music] as we seek to engage this 4 [music] as we seek to engage this passage of scripture on this Sunday passage of scripture on this Sunday passage of scripture on this Sunday morning. Exodus chapter 4 beginning at morning. Exodus chapter 4 beginning at morning. Exodus chapter 4 beginning at verse 10. [music] I'm reading from the verse 10. [music] I'm reading from the verse 10. [music] I'm reading from the New International Version of the Holy New International Version of the Holy New International Version of the Holy Word of God. And this is what it says. Word of God. And this is what it says. Word of God. And this is what it says. Moses said to the Lord, "Pardon your Moses said to the Lord, "Pardon your Moses said to the Lord, "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been servant, Lord. I have never been servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since eloquent, neither in the past nor since eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have [music] spoken to your servant. you have [music] spoken to your servant. you have [music] spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue. I am slow of speech and tongue. I am slow of speech and tongue. The Lord said to him, "Who gave human The Lord said to him, "Who gave human The Lord said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? beings their mouths? beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it them sight or makes them blind? Is it them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, [music] not I, [music] not I, [music] the Lord? the Lord? the Lord? Now go. I will help you speak and will Now go. I will help you speak and will Now go. I will help you speak and will teach you what to say. Amen. Praise God teach you what to say. Amen. Praise God teach you what to say. Amen. Praise God for his holy word. You may be seated in for his holy word. You may be seated in for his holy word. You may be seated in the presence of our good and gracious the presence of our good and gracious the presence of our good and gracious God. And for the times we share together God. And for the times we share together God. And for the times we share together on this Sunday, I want to talk from the on this Sunday, I want to talk from the on this Sunday, I want to talk from the subject no more excuses.

No No more more more excuses. Truth of all of our lives is that God Truth of all of our lives is that God has a godsized, has a godsized, has a godsized, gargantuan assignment gargantuan assignment gargantuan assignment for every one of our lives. for every one of our lives. for every one of our lives. Every one of us has been divinely Every one of us has been divinely Every one of us has been divinely deputized into the world to do a deputized into the world to do a deputized into the world to do a godsized, godsized, godsized, gargantuan assignment that brings God gargantuan assignment that brings God gargantuan assignment that brings God glory and works for the good of other glory and works for the good of other glory and works for the good of other people. people. people. >> That you and I are not meant to spend >> That you and I are not meant to spend >> That you and I are not meant to spend our lives solely seeking to amass our lives solely seeking to amass our lives solely seeking to amass fortunes for ourselves. fortunes for ourselves. fortunes for ourselves. Not even a good name, notoriety Not even a good name, notoriety Not even a good name, notoriety for ourselves. for ourselves. for ourselves. >> But our ultimate responsibility is to >> But our ultimate responsibility is to >> But our ultimate responsibility is to give God the glory give God the glory give God the glory >> and then to ensure the good of somebody >> and then to ensure the good of somebody >> and then to ensure the good of somebody else. else. else. >> I don't know if you sang it at this >> I don't know if you sang it at this >> I don't know if you sang it at this service, silly, but if did you sing If I service, silly, but if did you sing If I service, silly, but if did you sing If I Can Help Somebody Can Help Somebody Can Help Somebody >> at the top of this service? If I can >> at the top of this service? If I can >> at the top of this service? If I can help somebody as I pass along. If I can help somebody as I pass along. If I can help somebody as I pass along. If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I cheer somebody with a word or song, if I cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody that he or she is can show somebody that he or she is can show somebody that he or she is traveling wrong, then my living will not traveling wrong, then my living will not traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain. All of us have been sent be in vain. All of us have been sent be in vain. All of us have been sent into the world, released into the world, into the world, released into the world, into the world, released into the world, placed within the world to fulfill a placed within the world to fulfill a placed within the world to fulfill a godsized,

godsized, godsized, gargantuan gargantuan gargantuan assignment for the glory of God and for assignment for the glory of God and for assignment for the glory of God and for the good of God's people. the good of God's people. the good of God's people. And that's where we find ourselves when And that's where we find ourselves when And that's where we find ourselves when Exodus chapter 3 opens up and we are Exodus chapter 3 opens up and we are Exodus chapter 3 opens up and we are introduced to this brother named Moses. introduced to this brother named Moses. introduced to this brother named Moses. Moses at the beginning of this third Moses at the beginning of this third Moses at the beginning of this third chapter has found himself doing his chapter has found himself doing his chapter has found himself doing his regular ordinary responsibilities. regular ordinary responsibilities. regular ordinary responsibilities. He is tending the flock of his He is tending the flock of his He is tending the flock of his father-in-law, a brother by the name of father-in-law, a brother by the name of father-in-law, a brother by the name of Jethro. He's doing what he's been Jethro. He's doing what he's been Jethro. He's doing what he's been assigned to do by his father-in-law, assigned to do by his father-in-law, assigned to do by his father-in-law, Jethro. He's doing his job. Jethro. He's doing his job. Jethro. He's doing his job. >> And while he's doing his job, he gets >> And while he's doing his job, he gets >> And while he's doing his job, he gets introduced to a God who's got even introduced to a God who's got even introduced to a God who's got even bigger job for him to do. bigger job for him to do. bigger job for him to do. >> Here is Moses. Don't miss it. Moses is, >> Here is Moses. Don't miss it. Moses is, >> Here is Moses. Don't miss it. Moses is, according to the scriptures, on the back according to the scriptures, on the back according to the scriptures, on the back side of the desert on the mountain of side of the desert on the mountain of side of the desert on the mountain of God called Horeb. And while he is there, God called Horeb. And while he is there, God called Horeb. And while he is there, your Bible says that he sees a unique your Bible says that he sees a unique your Bible says that he sees a unique experience at top that mountain. It is experience at top that mountain. It is experience at top that mountain. It is something that most people would never something that most people would never something that most people would never get to see because it is according to get to see because it is according to get to see because it is according to scripture a bush that's on fire scripture a bush that's on fire scripture a bush that's on fire >> but it's not consumed.

>> but it's not consumed. >> but it's not consumed. >> It just won't burn up. It is what >> It just won't burn up. It is what >> It just won't burn up. It is what theologians call what our first theologians call what our first theologians call what our first associate pastor who is here, Dr. associate pastor who is here, Dr. associate pastor who is here, Dr. Cleopatrick Lacy, he would call it a Cleopatrick Lacy, he would call it a Cleopatrick Lacy, he would call it a theophony. theophony. theophony. These scholars say that a theophony is a These scholars say that a theophony is a These scholars say that a theophony is a pre-incarnate pre-incarnate pre-incarnate manifestation manifestation manifestation of the presence of the deity, the of the presence of the deity, the of the presence of the deity, the divine, of God himself. And that's divine, of God himself. And that's divine, of God himself. And that's what's happening on the backside of what's happening on the backside of what's happening on the backside of Mount Horeb as Moses now sees this bush Mount Horeb as Moses now sees this bush Mount Horeb as Moses now sees this bush that is burning, but it is not consumed. that is burning, but it is not consumed. that is burning, but it is not consumed. Don't miss this. Now, Moses wants to see Don't miss this. Now, Moses wants to see Don't miss this. Now, Moses wants to see what's going on. what's going on. what's going on. >> And so, your Bible says he goes over to >> And so, your Bible says he goes over to >> And so, your Bible says he goes over to see it a little bit more. I don't know see it a little bit more. I don't know see it a little bit more. I don't know what it is about human nature. Every what it is about human nature. Every what it is about human nature. Every time we see something out of the time we see something out of the time we see something out of the ordinary, we got to get up close so we ordinary, we got to get up close so we ordinary, we got to get up close so we can really see it. We want to see can really see it. We want to see can really see it. We want to see exactly what's going on. Every time you exactly what's going on. Every time you exactly what's going on. Every time you pass an accident on the interstate, pass an accident on the interstate, pass an accident on the interstate, you slow traffic down so that your nosy you slow traffic down so that your nosy you slow traffic down so that your nosy self can see everything that's happening self can see everything that's happening self can see everything that's happening on the side of the road. If you're on the side of the road. If you're on the side of the road. If you're guilty, say amen.

guilty, say amen. guilty, say amen. >> If you're not, say that's them. Not me, >> If you're not, say that's them. Not me, >> If you're not, say that's them. Not me, not me. Yeah. not me. Yeah. not me. Yeah. Yeah. Right. No, that's human nature. Yeah. Right. No, that's human nature. Yeah. Right. No, that's human nature. All of us are intrigued by what's All of us are intrigued by what's All of us are intrigued by what's happening, what's going on, the or the happening, what's going on, the or the happening, what's going on, the or the out of the ordinary, the extraordinary. out of the ordinary, the extraordinary. out of the ordinary, the extraordinary. And so Moses goes over and God says, And so Moses goes over and God says, And so Moses goes over and God says, "Don't come any closer because you're "Don't come any closer because you're "Don't come any closer because you're not just experiencing something regular not just experiencing something regular not just experiencing something regular and ordinary. You're not just and ordinary. You're not just and ordinary. You're not just experiencing some trit or mediocre experiencing some trit or mediocre experiencing some trit or mediocre experience. No, you're coming into the experience. No, you're coming into the experience. No, you're coming into the presence of the most high God." And so presence of the most high God." And so presence of the most high God." And so God says, "When you come into my God says, "When you come into my God says, "When you come into my presence, I need you to do so with presence, I need you to do so with presence, I need you to do so with reverence, with respect, with regard for reverence, with respect, with regard for reverence, with respect, with regard for deity." So listen to what God says. God deity." So listen to what God says. God deity." So listen to what God says. God says, "Take your shoes off. For the says, "Take your shoes off. For the says, "Take your shoes off. For the ground you're standing on is holy ground you're standing on is holy ground you're standing on is holy ground. Don't miss it when we come into ground. Don't miss it when we come into ground. Don't miss it when we come into the presence of God. This is no ordinary the presence of God. This is no ordinary the presence of God. This is no ordinary space, child of God. That's why we can't space, child of God. That's why we can't space, child of God. That's why we can't treat this space in an ordinary, trit, treat this space in an ordinary, trit, treat this space in an ordinary, trit, and casual manner. This is holy ground." and casual manner. This is holy ground." and casual manner. This is holy ground." The old saints say we are standing on The old saints say we are standing on The old saints say we are standing on holy ground and I know that there are holy ground and I know that there are holy ground and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus angels all around. Let us praise Jesus angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now for we're standing in his presence now for we're standing in his presence now for we're standing in his presence on holy ground. And that's what God says on holy ground. And that's what God says on holy ground. And that's what God says to him. Hebrews would always take their to him. Hebrews would always take their to him. Hebrews would always take their shoes off to show their respect, their shoes off to show their respect, their shoes off to show their respect, their regard, their reverence for the presence regard, their reverence for the presence regard, their reverence for the presence of God. And so they they they they did of God. And so they they they they did of God. And so they they they they did that in antiquity. And God tells Moses that in antiquity. And God tells Moses that in antiquity. And God tells Moses to do it in this reality, in this moment

to do it in this reality, in this moment to do it in this reality, in this moment in which he now experiences God. And in which he now experiences God. And in which he now experiences God. And then God speaks out of the burning bush then God speaks out of the burning bush then God speaks out of the burning bush theophony. It is a theophanic moment. He theophony. It is a theophanic moment. He theophony. It is a theophanic moment. He is experiencing the pre-incarnate is experiencing the pre-incarnate is experiencing the pre-incarnate presence of the living God. Before God presence of the living God. Before God presence of the living God. Before God is birthed into the world as Jesus is birthed into the world as Jesus is birthed into the world as Jesus Christ, God shows up to his people to Christ, God shows up to his people to Christ, God shows up to his people to prove to them that he has an assignment prove to them that he has an assignment prove to them that he has an assignment for their lives. That's what God does for their lives. That's what God does for their lives. That's what God does for old Moses. He shows up and when he for old Moses. He shows up and when he for old Moses. He shows up and when he does, your Bible says, now listen, does, your Bible says, now listen, does, your Bible says, now listen, Moses, verse 7, I have seen the misery Moses, verse 7, I have seen the misery Moses, verse 7, I have seen the misery of my people. I have heard their cry and of my people. I have heard their cry and of my people. I have heard their cry and I am concerned about their suffering. I am concerned about their suffering. I am concerned about their suffering. Don't miss it. The Israelite people have Don't miss it. The Israelite people have Don't miss it. The Israelite people have been suffering under the cruel been suffering under the cruel been suffering under the cruel taskmastership of the Egyptians and taskmastership of the Egyptians and taskmastership of the Egyptians and their leader, Pharaoh. And God says, their leader, Pharaoh. And God says, their leader, Pharaoh. And God says, "I've had just about enough of it. My "I've had just about enough of it. My "I've had just about enough of it. My people have been calling out to me. My people have been calling out to me. My people have been calling out to me. My people have been enduring misery and people have been enduring misery and people have been enduring misery and suffering. And that's about enough. So, suffering. And that's about enough. So, suffering. And that's about enough. So, Moses, I'm going to use you to go to Moses, I'm going to use you to go to Moses, I'm going to use you to go to Pharaoh and tell Pharaoh to let my Pharaoh and tell Pharaoh to let my Pharaoh and tell Pharaoh to let my people go. You know it. That's what people go. You know it. That's what people go. You know it. That's what happens. God uses an ordinary fellow by happens. God uses an ordinary fellow by happens. God uses an ordinary fellow by the name of Moses who's just doing his the name of Moses who's just doing his the name of Moses who's just doing his ordinary life responsibility of tending ordinary life responsibility of tending ordinary life responsibility of tending to the father-in-law's sheep on the to the father-in-law's sheep on the to the father-in-law's sheep on the mountain called Horeb. And while he's mountain called Horeb. And while he's mountain called Horeb. And while he's doing his ordinary thing, God calls him doing his ordinary thing, God calls him doing his ordinary thing, God calls him to an extraordinary work. I want you to to an extraordinary work. I want you to to an extraordinary work. I want you to go tell Pharaoh to let my people go.

go tell Pharaoh to let my people go. go tell Pharaoh to let my people go. Now, this, my brothers and sisters, is Now, this, my brothers and sisters, is Now, this, my brothers and sisters, is intriguing to me. It blesses me on one intriguing to me. It blesses me on one intriguing to me. It blesses me on one level because it says, listen, God sees level because it says, listen, God sees level because it says, listen, God sees us when we're going through our roughest us when we're going through our roughest us when we're going through our roughest realities and most pressing realities and most pressing realities and most pressing predicaments. God hears us when we call predicaments. God hears us when we call predicaments. God hears us when we call out to him, needing him to work a out to him, needing him to work a out to him, needing him to work a miracle in our certain circumstances. miracle in our certain circumstances. miracle in our certain circumstances. And God feels our pain when we're And God feels our pain when we're And God feels our pain when we're dealing with something that sometimes we dealing with something that sometimes we dealing with something that sometimes we can't even tell our best friends about. can't even tell our best friends about. can't even tell our best friends about. Listen to what your Bible says. Verse 7, Listen to what your Bible says. Verse 7, Listen to what your Bible says. Verse 7, I see the misery of my people. I've I see the misery of my people. I've I see the misery of my people. I've heard their cry and I'm concerned about heard their cry and I'm concerned about heard their cry and I'm concerned about their suffering. I see what you're going their suffering. I see what you're going their suffering. I see what you're going through. I hear you when you call out to through. I hear you when you call out to through. I hear you when you call out to me and I feel what you're dealing with me and I feel what you're dealing with me and I feel what you're dealing with right now. Don't you miss it. Your God right now. Don't you miss it. Your God right now. Don't you miss it. Your God is a seeing, hearing, and feeling God. is a seeing, hearing, and feeling God. is a seeing, hearing, and feeling God. He knows how you're dealing with what He knows how you're dealing with what He knows how you're dealing with what you're dealing with. And he says that you're dealing with. And he says that you're dealing with. And he says that misery will not last always. Don't miss misery will not last always. Don't miss misery will not last always. Don't miss it, church family, that God knows how to it, church family, that God knows how to it, church family, that God knows how to bring our misery to termination, to its bring our misery to termination, to its bring our misery to termination, to its ceation. And that's what God is ready to ceation. And that's what God is ready to ceation. And that's what God is ready to do. God says, "I know what you're going do. God says, "I know what you're going do. God says, "I know what you're going through in your individual personal through in your individual personal through in your individual personal situations. I know what you're dealing situations. I know what you're dealing situations. I know what you're dealing with with undermployment and sometimes with with undermployment and sometimes with with undermployment and sometimes unemployment. I know how it feels to be unemployment. I know how it feels to be unemployment. I know how it feels to be dealing with all this inflation that the dealing with all this inflation that the dealing with all this inflation that the president says he loves.

president says he loves. president says he loves. I know what it feels like to be going I know what it feels like to be going I know what it feels like to be going through that and now have to deal with through that and now have to deal with through that and now have to deal with the unavo unaffordability of this thing the unavo unaffordability of this thing the unavo unaffordability of this thing called life. I know your misery when called life. I know your misery when called life. I know your misery when you're dealing with voter suppression you're dealing with voter suppression you're dealing with voter suppression and voter voter oppression. I understand and voter voter oppression. I understand and voter voter oppression. I understand what it means when your rights are being what it means when your rights are being what it means when your rights are being gutted by the federal. I feel you. I gutted by the federal. I feel you. I gutted by the federal. I feel you. I know what you're going through. I know know what you're going through. I know know what you're going through. I know what depression feels like and I'm what depression feels like and I'm what depression feels like and I'm concerned about you. I understand that concerned about you. I understand that concerned about you. I understand that anxiety you're dealing with and I'm anxiety you're dealing with and I'm anxiety you're dealing with and I'm feeling your pain. I know that physical feeling your pain. I know that physical feeling your pain. I know that physical pressure you're dealing with with your pressure you're dealing with with your pressure you're dealing with with your body in such situations as they are. But body in such situations as they are. But body in such situations as they are. But I understand what's happening and I'm I understand what's happening and I'm I understand what's happening and I'm going to do something about it. Moses, I going to do something about it. Moses, I going to do something about it. Moses, I need you to get up from where you are need you to get up from where you are need you to get up from where you are and go to where I'm sending you cuz my and go to where I'm sending you cuz my and go to where I'm sending you cuz my people need to know I'm still on their people need to know I'm still on their people need to know I'm still on their side. Would you believe that God woke me side. Would you believe that God woke me side. Would you believe that God woke me up this morning to come to this church up this morning to come to this church up this morning to come to this church house to tell somebody, "God sees you house to tell somebody, "God sees you house to tell somebody, "God sees you where you are. God hears you when you where you are. God hears you when you where you are. God hears you when you cry. God feels your pain. And in his own cry. God feels your pain. And in his own cry. God feels your pain. And in his own time, he's going to work all things time, he's going to work all things time, he's going to work all things together for the good of those who love together for the good of those who love together for the good of those who love God and are the called according to his God and are the called according to his God and are the called according to his purpose." Where the folk at the Wheeler purpose." Where the folk at the Wheeler purpose." Where the folk at the Wheeler Avenue Church who still love the Lord.

Avenue Church who still love the Lord. Avenue Church who still love the Lord. Oh yes, he's working all things together Oh yes, he's working all things together Oh yes, he's working all things together for your good. Moses, go do that. That's for your good. Moses, go do that. That's for your good. Moses, go do that. That's a big old godsized a big old godsized a big old godsized gargantuan assignment. gargantuan assignment. gargantuan assignment. >> And Moses in true form does what almost >> And Moses in true form does what almost >> And Moses in true form does what almost all of us would do. He starts calling all of us would do. He starts calling all of us would do. He starts calling out excuses as to why he can't do what out excuses as to why he can't do what out excuses as to why he can't do what God has told him to do. Now, don't you God has told him to do. Now, don't you God has told him to do. Now, don't you miss this. Don't you dare come down hard miss this. Don't you dare come down hard miss this. Don't you dare come down hard on Moses. Cuz everybody in here knows on Moses. Cuz everybody in here knows on Moses. Cuz everybody in here knows that when you got a big old assignment that when you got a big old assignment that when you got a big old assignment that you don't think you can handle in that you don't think you can handle in that you don't think you can handle in your own strength, in your own power, your own strength, in your own power, your own strength, in your own power, you will put up all the excuses possible you will put up all the excuses possible you will put up all the excuses possible to make sure that we can find another to make sure that we can find another to make sure that we can find another way to do this thing. God, don't you way to do this thing. God, don't you way to do this thing. God, don't you have a plan B? God, don't you have an have a plan B? God, don't you have an have a plan B? God, don't you have an alternative to this situation? And God alternative to this situation? And God alternative to this situation? And God speaks to Moses as Moses lifts up his speaks to Moses as Moses lifts up his speaks to Moses as Moses lifts up his excuses. And every time Moses brings an excuses. And every time Moses brings an excuses. And every time Moses brings an excuse, God pushes back. You got to excuse, God pushes back. You got to excuse, God pushes back. You got to catch this. From chapter 3 to chapter 4, catch this. From chapter 3 to chapter 4, catch this. From chapter 3 to chapter 4, Moses raises four or five excuses to let Moses raises four or five excuses to let Moses raises four or five excuses to let God know that he's not the man for the God know that he's not the man for the God know that he's not the man for the job.

job. job. >> He's not the man for the job. It's a >> He's not the man for the job. It's a >> He's not the man for the job. It's a beautiful picture. I want you to walk beautiful picture. I want you to walk beautiful picture. I want you to walk with me through the scriptures if you with me through the scriptures if you with me through the scriptures if you don't mind because it seems to me that don't mind because it seems to me that don't mind because it seems to me that Moses, watch this, gives some pretty Moses, watch this, gives some pretty Moses, watch this, gives some pretty good excuses. good excuses. good excuses. >> I like him. All of them are rooted in >> I like him. All of them are rooted in >> I like him. All of them are rooted in truth. All of them are rooted in fact. truth. All of them are rooted in fact. truth. All of them are rooted in fact. He is not just making stuff up. He is He is not just making stuff up. He is He is not just making stuff up. He is serious with God. He wants God to find serious with God. He wants God to find serious with God. He wants God to find another way, do something different. And another way, do something different. And another way, do something different. And when he does, his excuses begin with when he does, his excuses begin with when he does, his excuses begin with what I call insecurity. what I call insecurity. what I call insecurity. >> Moses said, "No, I don't want to do >> Moses said, "No, I don't want to do >> Moses said, "No, I don't want to do this." Because in a real sense, I'm this." Because in a real sense, I'm this." Because in a real sense, I'm insecure about who I am and what I'm insecure about who I am and what I'm insecure about who I am and what I'm able to do. If your Bible is still open, able to do. If your Bible is still open, able to do. If your Bible is still open, if your app is unlocked, we started in if your app is unlocked, we started in if your app is unlocked, we started in verse one. We talked about verses 1-9. verse one. We talked about verses 1-9. verse one. We talked about verses 1-9. And then we said in verse 10, God says, And then we said in verse 10, God says, And then we said in verse 10, God says, "Go. I'm sending you to Pharaoh to bring "Go. I'm sending you to Pharaoh to bring "Go. I'm sending you to Pharaoh to bring my children, my people, the Israelites, my children, my people, the Israelites, my children, my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." Verse 11. But Moses said out of Egypt." Verse 11. But Moses said out of Egypt." Verse 11. But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to to God, "Who am I that I should go to to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Did you catch it? Do you see his Egypt?" Did you catch it? Do you see his Egypt?" Did you catch it? Do you see his insecurity? Who Who am I? I'm just insecurity? Who Who am I? I'm just insecurity? Who Who am I? I'm just Moses. I'm out here tending my Moses. I'm out here tending my Moses. I'm out here tending my father-in-law's sheep. I'm just Moses.

father-in-law's sheep. I'm just Moses. father-in-law's sheep. I'm just Moses. He's Pharaoh. He's Pharaoh. He's Pharaoh. >> I'm powerless. He's powerful. >> I'm powerless. He's powerful. >> I'm powerless. He's powerful. I'm inadequate. I'm inadequate. I'm inadequate. And he is invincible. And he is invincible. And he is invincible. >> How are you going to send me to tell >> How are you going to send me to tell >> How are you going to send me to tell Pharaoh to let your people go? No, God, Pharaoh to let your people go? No, God, Pharaoh to let your people go? No, God, you must mean Moses down the street cuz you must mean Moses down the street cuz you must mean Moses down the street cuz you can't mean me cuz this is not you can't mean me cuz this is not you can't mean me cuz this is not something that I'm supposed to be doing. something that I'm supposed to be doing. something that I'm supposed to be doing. I I am insecure. I am inadequate. Uh my I I am insecure. I am inadequate. Uh my I I am insecure. I am inadequate. Uh my my my ability is insufficient to handle my my ability is insufficient to handle my my ability is insufficient to handle this task, this responsibility you've this task, this responsibility you've this task, this responsibility you've given to me. Has anybody in church who given to me. Has anybody in church who given to me. Has anybody in church who will be honest ever been in that spot will be honest ever been in that spot will be honest ever been in that spot right there where you raised all of the right there where you raised all of the right there where you raised all of the issues of your insecurities as to why issues of your insecurities as to why issues of your insecurities as to why you should not do something, could not you should not do something, could not you should not do something, could not do something, or just flat out would not do something, or just flat out would not do something, or just flat out would not do something. All of us, if the truth be do something. All of us, if the truth be do something. All of us, if the truth be told, have some insecurities with your told, have some insecurities with your told, have some insecurities with your very strong self, black woman. Even you very strong self, black woman. Even you very strong self, black woman. Even you have some insecurities with your macho have some insecurities with your macho have some insecurities with your macho self, brother man from the gym. You self, brother man from the gym. You self, brother man from the gym. You still got some insecurities.

still got some insecurities. still got some insecurities. All of us, if we'll be honest, have some All of us, if we'll be honest, have some All of us, if we'll be honest, have some things that plague us that we don't even things that plague us that we don't even things that plague us that we don't even tell people about. But we will come to tell people about. But we will come to tell people about. But we will come to God and say, "Who am I that you would God and say, "Who am I that you would God and say, "Who am I that you would choose me for such a situation? Do you choose me for such a situation? Do you choose me for such a situation? Do you know where I'm from? Do you know the know where I'm from? Do you know the know where I'm from? Do you know the kind of upbringing I had? Do you know kind of upbringing I had? Do you know kind of upbringing I had? Do you know the kind of childhood, the family the kind of childhood, the family the kind of childhood, the family relationships that I still have that are relationships that I still have that are relationships that I still have that are fractured and frayed? Who am I that you fractured and frayed? Who am I that you fractured and frayed? Who am I that you would send me to such a wonderful task? would send me to such a wonderful task? would send me to such a wonderful task? This doesn't make sense to Moses and he This doesn't make sense to Moses and he This doesn't make sense to Moses and he gives excuses. gives excuses. gives excuses. >> Who am I? Who am I? And all of us have >> Who am I? Who am I? And all of us have >> Who am I? Who am I? And all of us have to be very careful asking that question. to be very careful asking that question. to be very careful asking that question. Who am I? Cuz last time I checked your Who am I? Cuz last time I checked your Who am I? Cuz last time I checked your Bible, your Bible says that we are Bible, your Bible says that we are Bible, your Bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. That God fearfully and wonderfully made. That God fearfully and wonderfully made. That God took his time crafting us and making us took his time crafting us and making us took his time crafting us and making us in his image and after his likeness. So in his image and after his likeness. So in his image and after his likeness. So if God gives you an assignment, God if God gives you an assignment, God if God gives you an assignment, God already knows that you have within you already knows that you have within you already knows that you have within you what you need to fulfill the assignment what you need to fulfill the assignment what you need to fulfill the assignment cuz he put it in you in the first place.

cuz he put it in you in the first place. cuz he put it in you in the first place. And I need to tell somebody today, don't And I need to tell somebody today, don't And I need to tell somebody today, don't you doubt yourself when you go back to you doubt yourself when you go back to you doubt yourself when you go back to that job. Don't you doubt yourself when that job. Don't you doubt yourself when that job. Don't you doubt yourself when you have that assignment in front of you have that assignment in front of you have that assignment in front of you. Stop doubting yourself when God you. Stop doubting yourself when God you. Stop doubting yourself when God created you for good works. When God created you for good works. When God created you for good works. When God created you to do the amazing and the created you to do the amazing and the created you to do the amazing and the phenomenal, why are you not saying amen phenomenal, why are you not saying amen phenomenal, why are you not saying amen right there? You need to know your right there? You need to know your right there? You need to know your intrinsic value. That God placed in you intrinsic value. That God placed in you intrinsic value. That God placed in you his own DNA that God breathed into you his own DNA that God breathed into you his own DNA that God breathed into you the breath of life. And if you're a the breath of life. And if you're a the breath of life. And if you're a child of God, made in the image of God, child of God, made in the image of God, child of God, made in the image of God, there is nothing you cannot accomplish there is nothing you cannot accomplish there is nothing you cannot accomplish with the help of God. with the help of God. with the help of God. [applause] As I think about our ancestors, majority As I think about our ancestors, majority of us African-Americans are from the of us African-Americans are from the of us African-Americans are from the African diaspora from African descent in African diaspora from African descent in African diaspora from African descent in the room in the church today. And as I the room in the church today. And as I the room in the church today. And as I think about our ancestors, I think about think about our ancestors, I think about think about our ancestors, I think about people who could have raised all the people who could have raised all the people who could have raised all the excuses about insecurity that could have excuses about insecurity that could have excuses about insecurity that could have been raised. Can't you hear Mother Rosa been raised. Can't you hear Mother Rosa been raised. Can't you hear Mother Rosa Parks when she's sitting on that seat Parks when she's sitting on that seat Parks when she's sitting on that seat saying, "Who am I to keep sitting here saying, "Who am I to keep sitting here saying, "Who am I to keep sitting here when this man told me to get up out of when this man told me to get up out of when this man told me to get up out of that seat?" And how far along would we that seat?" And how far along would we that seat?" And how far along would we not be if Mother Rosa had maintained her not be if Mother Rosa had maintained her not be if Mother Rosa had maintained her insecurities and kept on, "Okay, that's insecurities and kept on, "Okay, that's insecurities and kept on, "Okay, that's not good enough for you." Where would we not good enough for you." Where would we not good enough for you." Where would we be if those students asked, "Who am I to be if those students asked, "Who am I to be if those students asked, "Who am I to sit in at this lunch counter and not get sit in at this lunch counter and not get sit in at this lunch counter and not get up when these people are throwing up when these people are throwing up when these people are throwing threats at us and spitting upon us and

threats at us and spitting upon us and threats at us and spitting upon us and telling us that we don't have access to telling us that we don't have access to telling us that we don't have access to this space?" That didn't do it for you. this space?" That didn't do it for you. this space?" That didn't do it for you. Where would we be if our forebears said, Where would we be if our forebears said, Where would we be if our forebears said, "Who am I to build a school when they "Who am I to build a school when they "Who am I to build a school when they won't let us in their school?" And I'm won't let us in their school?" And I'm won't let us in their school?" And I'm so grateful on this Sunday morning that so grateful on this Sunday morning that so grateful on this Sunday morning that there were some people who despite their there were some people who despite their there were some people who despite their insecurities said, "I'm going to do what insecurities said, "I'm going to do what insecurities said, "I'm going to do what I know I need to do cuz if God gives you I know I need to do cuz if God gives you I know I need to do cuz if God gives you the assignment, God will give you the the assignment, God will give you the the assignment, God will give you the assistance." assistance." assistance." [cheering] [applause] That was good. I didn't say [applause] That was good. I didn't say that first thing. that first thing. that first thing. >> [cheering] >> [cheering] >> [cheering] >> I said, "If God gives you the >> I said, "If God gives you the >> I said, "If God gives you the assignment, God will give you the assignment, God will give you the assignment, God will give you the assistance." I'm in your Bible. I'm not assistance." I'm in your Bible. I'm not assistance." I'm in your Bible. I'm not making it up. It's assistance and making it up. It's assistance and making it up. It's assistance and assurance. Look at what happens in verse assurance. Look at what happens in verse assurance. Look at what happens in verse 12. God says, "Hey, 12. God says, "Hey, 12. God says, "Hey, I will be with you. [cheering] I will be with you. [cheering] I will be with you. [cheering] I didn't do it for you. Dr. Lacy got it. I didn't do it for you. Dr. Lacy got it. I didn't do it for you. Dr. Lacy got it. Didn't do it for you." He says, "I know Didn't do it for you." He says, "I know Didn't do it for you." He says, "I know it's a God-sized gargantuan assignment, it's a God-sized gargantuan assignment, it's a God-sized gargantuan assignment, Chris. I know it is. And I know you Chris. I know it is. And I know you Chris. I know it is. And I know you don't feel like you have the sufficiency don't feel like you have the sufficiency don't feel like you have the sufficiency to handle it. I know you have some to handle it. I know you have some to handle it. I know you have some insecurities about who you are, where insecurities about who you are, where insecurities about who you are, where you come from, and what you're able to you come from, and what you're able to you come from, and what you're able to do. But I will be with you.

do. But I will be with you. do. But I will be with you. >> Okay? >> Okay? >> Okay? You must not have heard what the old You must not have heard what the old You must not have heard what the old preacher said. Old preacher said, "Me preacher said. Old preacher said, "Me preacher said. Old preacher said, "Me and God equal the majority. And as long and God equal the majority. And as long and God equal the majority. And as long as God is walking with me and working as God is walking with me and working as God is walking with me and working with me and using me and equipping me, with me and using me and equipping me, with me and using me and equipping me, it will be taken care of in accordance it will be taken care of in accordance it will be taken care of in accordance to God's will and God's plan. Somebody to God's will and God's plan. Somebody to God's will and God's plan. Somebody needs to look over the shoulder of your needs to look over the shoulder of your needs to look over the shoulder of your life and see that despite all the life and see that despite all the life and see that despite all the insecurities you once had, God still insecurities you once had, God still insecurities you once had, God still brought you through and made a way and brought you through and made a way and brought you through and made a way and gave you the opportunity to show him off gave you the opportunity to show him off gave you the opportunity to show him off at the workplace. He you showed him off at the workplace. He you showed him off at the workplace. He you showed him off in the community. You showed him off in in the community. You showed him off in in the community. You showed him off in spaces that folk were trying to keep you spaces that folk were trying to keep you spaces that folk were trying to keep you out of. He says, "I'll be with you." But out of. He says, "I'll be with you." But out of. He says, "I'll be with you." But since that didn't bless everybody in since that didn't bless everybody in since that didn't bless everybody in church today, let me give you the second church today, let me give you the second church today, let me give you the second assurance that God gives to Moses. He assurance that God gives to Moses. He assurance that God gives to Moses. He said, "Listen, I know you insecure about said, "Listen, I know you insecure about said, "Listen, I know you insecure about this. I know you concerned about whether this. I know you concerned about whether this. I know you concerned about whether or not you can handle this, but not only or not you can handle this, but not only or not you can handle this, but not only will I be with you, will I be with you, will I be with you, >> but right there in verse 12, he says, >> but right there in verse 12, he says, >> but right there in verse 12, he says, when you do what I tell you to do, when you do what I tell you to do, when you do what I tell you to do, >> when you have brought them out of >> when you have brought them out of >> when you have brought them out of Egyptian oppression, Egyptian oppression, Egyptian oppression, You going to come back to this mountain You going to come back to this mountain You going to come back to this mountain >> and worship me right here.

>> and worship me right here. >> and worship me right here. >> Nope. Didn't catch it. Cuz if you had >> Nope. Didn't catch it. Cuz if you had >> Nope. Didn't catch it. Cuz if you had caught it, you'd be turning over that caught it, you'd be turning over that caught it, you'd be turning over that seat you sitting in right now. Let me seat you sitting in right now. Let me seat you sitting in right now. Let me give it to you again. He says, "I'm give it to you again. He says, "I'm give it to you again. He says, "I'm going to be with you." going to be with you." going to be with you." >> Second assurance. When you bring them >> Second assurance. When you bring them >> Second assurance. When you bring them out, out, out, >> you going to come back up here and >> you going to come back up here and >> you going to come back up here and worship me on this mountain. [applause] worship me on this mountain. [applause] worship me on this mountain. [applause] Come here. The question is not if you're Come here. The question is not if you're Come here. The question is not if you're going to be successful. The question is going to be successful. The question is going to be successful. The question is not if you going to be effective. The not if you going to be effective. The not if you going to be effective. The question is not if you going to be able question is not if you going to be able question is not if you going to be able to survive. When you do what I tell you to survive. When you do what I tell you to survive. When you do what I tell you to do, you going to come back up here to do, you going to come back up here to do, you going to come back up here and you going to worship me. I need the and you going to worship me. I need the and you going to worship me. I need the people in here who can testify. You've people in here who can testify. You've people in here who can testify. You've already lived through enough with God. already lived through enough with God. already lived through enough with God. That's why you show up on Sunday to That's why you show up on Sunday to That's why you show up on Sunday to worship God cuz he has brought you worship God cuz he has brought you worship God cuz he has brought you through, brought you out, brought you through, brought you out, brought you through, brought you out, brought you over. And you got to testify. It was over. And you got to testify. It was over. And you got to testify. It was nobody but the Lord. I need somebody nobody but the Lord. I need somebody nobody but the Lord. I need somebody who's had a difficult assignment in your who's had a difficult assignment in your who's had a difficult assignment in your life to begin to testify. I'm still life to begin to testify. I'm still life to begin to testify. I'm still standing. I'm still surviving. I'm still standing. I'm still surviving. I'm still standing. I'm still surviving. I'm still making it. And I came to worship God as making it. And I came to worship God as making it. And I came to worship God as a result. [applause and cheering] Don't you let your insecurity stop you.

Don't you let your insecurity stop you. Don't you let your insecurities stifle Don't you let your insecurities stifle Don't you let your insecurities stifle or stagnate or stance your progress. or stagnate or stance your progress. or stagnate or stance your progress. Ah, the Bible [screaming] Ah, the Bible [screaming] Ah, the Bible [screaming] [cheering] says, [cheering] says, [cheering] says, >> I can do >> I can do >> I can do will help me preach then all things will help me preach then all things will help me preach then all things through Christ who strengthens me. Has through Christ who strengthens me. Has through Christ who strengthens me. Has anybody in church ever seen the Lord anybody in church ever seen the Lord anybody in church ever seen the Lord give you strength to handle that tough give you strength to handle that tough give you strength to handle that tough assignment? Come on. It was at the job. assignment? Come on. It was at the job. assignment? Come on. It was at the job. It was at the house. Somebody can It was at the house. Somebody can It was at the house. Somebody can testify. He gave me strength. I stayed testify. He gave me strength. I stayed testify. He gave me strength. I stayed up half the night, but he gave me up half the night, but he gave me up half the night, but he gave me strength. [cheering] strength. [cheering] strength. [cheering] I was pacing the floor, but he gave me I was pacing the floor, but he gave me I was pacing the floor, but he gave me strength. I was concerned while I was strength. I was concerned while I was strength. I was concerned while I was presenting, but he gave me strength. presenting, but he gave me strength. presenting, but he gave me strength. [cheering] I will be with you. And when you come I will be with you. And when you come back after you've completed the back after you've completed the back after you've completed the assignment, just go ahead, throw your assignment, just go ahead, throw your assignment, just go ahead, throw your hands up and tell me thank you. Just hands up and tell me thank you. Just hands up and tell me thank you. Just right there. I like it. right there. I like it. right there. I like it. [cheering and applause] So no, no, no [cheering and applause] So no, no, no [cheering and applause] So no, no, no more excuses, child of God. Not even the more excuses, child of God. Not even the more excuses, child of God. Not even the excuse of insecurity is going to be excuse of insecurity is going to be excuse of insecurity is going to be sufficient for this next season of your sufficient for this next season of your sufficient for this next season of your life, this next phase. Ah, insecurity life, this next phase. Ah, insecurity life, this next phase. Ah, insecurity will not work. But if that wasn't good will not work. But if that wasn't good will not work. But if that wasn't good enough, Moses said, "All right, but enough, Moses said, "All right, but enough, Moses said, "All right, but since that didn't work, since that didn't work, since that didn't work, let me try something else." Um he says let me try something else." Um he says let me try something else." Um he says in in the next verse Moses said to God in in the next verse Moses said to God in in the next verse Moses said to God verse 13 suppose I go to the Israelites verse 13 suppose I go to the Israelites verse 13 suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them the God of your fathers and say to them the God of your fathers and say to them the God of your fathers has sent me to you and they ask me what has sent me to you and they ask me what has sent me to you and they ask me what is his name then what shall I tell them?

is his name then what shall I tell them? is his name then what shall I tell them? >> So now he moves from insecurity to an >> So now he moves from insecurity to an >> So now he moves from insecurity to an issue of identity. issue of identity. issue of identity. He said now who am I supposed to tell He said now who am I supposed to tell He said now who am I supposed to tell them sent me cuz I'm just Moses. I'm them sent me cuz I'm just Moses. I'm them sent me cuz I'm just Moses. I'm just a little shepherd who's been just a little shepherd who's been just a little shepherd who's been tending the flock. And uh who am I tending the flock. And uh who am I tending the flock. And uh who am I supposed to tell them has sent me? Cuz supposed to tell them has sent me? Cuz supposed to tell them has sent me? Cuz you know, uh they they probably not you know, uh they they probably not you know, uh they they probably not going to listen to me right off the bat. going to listen to me right off the bat. going to listen to me right off the bat. >> Uh so who should I tell them sent me? >> Uh so who should I tell them sent me? >> Uh so who should I tell them sent me? And and everybody who's read um Exodus And and everybody who's read um Exodus And and everybody who's read um Exodus chapter 3 is supposed to get happy with chapter 3 is supposed to get happy with chapter 3 is supposed to get happy with the next verse. the next verse. the next verse. Cuz this is what the next verse says. Cuz this is what the next verse says. Cuz this is what the next verse says. God says, listen here. Go tell them I am God says, listen here. Go tell them I am God says, listen here. Go tell them I am who I am. Sent you. who I am. Sent you. who I am. Sent you. [applause] [applause] [applause] 1 2 3. Thank you for Okay, there we go. 1 2 3. Thank you for Okay, there we go. 1 2 3. Thank you for Okay, there we go. All right. You sounding like the church All right. You sounding like the church All right. You sounding like the church now. Tell them I am that who I am. So now. Tell them I am that who I am. So now. Tell them I am that who I am. So that's NIV. That's New International that's NIV. That's New International that's NIV. That's New International Version. Mr. Andre, let's go quote King Version. Mr. Andre, let's go quote King Version. Mr. Andre, let's go quote King James right quick. I am that I am. Yeah.

James right quick. I am that I am. Yeah. James right quick. I am that I am. Yeah. literally suggesting I am that one who literally suggesting I am that one who literally suggesting I am that one who equipss you and enables you to do equipss you and enables you to do equipss you and enables you to do everything I tell you to do. No, let's everything I tell you to do. No, let's everything I tell you to do. No, let's go farther. I [screaming] am everything go farther. I [screaming] am everything go farther. I [screaming] am everything you going to need me to be just when you you going to need me to be just when you you going to need me to be just when you need me to be it so that you can do what need me to be it so that you can do what need me to be it so that you can do what I told you to do. I am whatever you need I told you to do. I am whatever you need I told you to do. I am whatever you need whenever you need it so you can do whenever you need it so you can do whenever you need it so you can do whatever I told you to do. I need whatever I told you to do. I need whatever I told you to do. I need somebody who's ever seen God reveal somebody who's ever seen God reveal somebody who's ever seen God reveal himself as exactly what you needed just himself as exactly what you needed just himself as exactly what you needed just when you needed it most so you could do when you needed it most so you could do when you needed it most so you could do exactly what you needed to do. Is there exactly what you needed to do. Is there exactly what you needed to do. Is there anybody in here who's ever seen him anybody in here who's ever seen him anybody in here who's ever seen him become for you what you I am your become for you what you I am your become for you what you I am your healer. I am your deliverer. I am your healer. I am your deliverer. I am your healer. I am your deliverer. I am your provider. I am [screaming] your way provider. I am [screaming] your way provider. I am [screaming] your way maker. I am your sustainer. I am the maker. I am your sustainer. I am the maker. I am your sustainer. I am the lifter of your head. I am the one who lifter of your head. I am the one who lifter of your head. I am the one who dries tears from your eyes. I'm the one dries tears from your eyes. I'm the one dries tears from your eyes. I'm the one who puts some pep back in your step. I who puts some pep back in your step. I who puts some pep back in your step. I am your strength in your weakness. I am am your strength in your weakness. I am am your strength in your weakness. I am [screaming] that I am [cheering] [screaming] that I am [cheering] [screaming] that I am [cheering] [applause] [applause] [applause] God. I need some company. I am that God.

God. I need some company. I am that God. God. I need some company. I am that God. I need a comforter. I am that God. I I need a comforter. I am that God. I I need a comforter. I am that God. I need some peace. I am that [screaming] need some peace. I am that [screaming] need some peace. I am that [screaming] God. I need some joy. I am that. [cheering] [cheering] Is there a witness in church today who Is there a witness in church today who Is there a witness in church today who can testify? He is everything I need him can testify? He is everything I need him can testify? He is everything I need him to be. to be. to be. Just when I need it most. Just when I need it most. Just when I need it most. [applause] [applause] [applause] Well, the old school saints, this for Well, the old school saints, this for Well, the old school saints, this for you. God is the joy and the strength of you. God is the joy and the strength of you. God is the joy and the strength of my life. He moves all pain, misery, and my life. He moves all pain, misery, and my life. He moves all pain, misery, and strife. He promised to keep me, never to strife. He promised to keep me, never to strife. He promised to keep me, never to leave me. He never ever come short of leave me. He never ever come short of leave me. He never ever come short of his word. I've got to fast and pray. his word. I've got to fast and pray. his word. I've got to fast and pray. Stay in the narrow way and keep my life Stay in the narrow way and keep my life Stay in the narrow way and keep my life clean every day. I want to go with him clean every day. I want to go with him clean every day. I want to go with him when he comes back. I've come too far when he comes back. I've come too far when he comes back. I've come too far and I'll never Here it is. God is God is and I'll never Here it is. God is God is and I'll never Here it is. God is God is God is God is God is my [screaming] all God is God is God is my [screaming] all God is God is God is my [screaming] all and all. Is there a witness in church?

[cheering] [cheering] You worried about identity. You worried about identity. You worried about identity. You must not know about me. throwback. You must not know about me. throwback. You must not know about me. throwback. [cheering] [applause] [applause] I'm the God of your fathers. That's what I'm the God of your fathers. That's what I'm the God of your fathers. That's what he says in verse six. I'm the God of he says in verse six. I'm the God of he says in verse six. I'm the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And for the Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And for the Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And for the rest of this chapter, he begins to read rest of this chapter, he begins to read rest of this chapter, he begins to read his own resume. his own resume. his own resume. And when you take time to read God's And when you take time to read God's And when you take time to read God's resume, you'll stop stressing over stuff resume, you'll stop stressing over stuff resume, you'll stop stressing over stuff that ought not get you down. When you that ought not get you down. When you that ought not get you down. When you start reading God's resume, you'll put a start reading God's resume, you'll put a start reading God's resume, you'll put a new swag in your walk. You'll be walking new swag in your walk. You'll be walking new swag in your walk. You'll be walking like you got diamonds in your back. I like you got diamonds in your back. I like you got diamonds in your back. I need somebody in here to testify. need somebody in here to testify. need somebody in here to testify. There's something about knowing who God There's something about knowing who God There's something about knowing who God is and what he's already done. is and what he's already done. is and what he's already done. [cheering] Nope, you missed it. Not what [cheering] Nope, you missed it. Not what [cheering] Nope, you missed it. Not what he's doing right now. Not what he's he's doing right now. Not what he's he's doing right now. Not what he's about to do. What he's already done. Cuz about to do. What he's already done. Cuz about to do. What he's already done. Cuz when you can look back and see what he's when you can look back and see what he's when you can look back and see what he's already done, it'll give you confidence already done, it'll give you confidence already done, it'll give you confidence for what he's about to do in your life. for what he's about to do in your life. for what he's about to do in your life. Can I find somebody in here who will Can I find somebody in here who will Can I find somebody in here who will help me to preach and say if he did it help me to preach and say if he did it help me to preach and say if he did it before?

before? before? >> That's all I was asking for. Same God >> That's all I was asking for. Same God >> That's all I was asking for. Same God right now. Same God back then. right now. Same God back then. right now. Same God back then. [cheering] [cheering] [cheering] [applause] [applause] [applause] Woo. Woo. Woo. [cheering] >> Somebody shout identity. >> Somebody shout identity. >> Look toward somebody. Say, I know who he >> Look toward somebody. Say, I know who he >> Look toward somebody. Say, I know who he is. Now listen, I I've been through is. Now listen, I I've been through is. Now listen, I I've been through enough now. I know who he is. I I ain't enough now. I know who he is. I I ain't enough now. I know who he is. I I ain't new to this. I'm I'm true to this. And new to this. I'm I'm true to this. And new to this. I'm I'm true to this. And he true to it, too. I I know who he is. he true to it, too. I I know who he is. he true to it, too. I I know who he is. [cheering] [cheering] [cheering] He's still my company keeper. He still He's still my company keeper. He still He's still my company keeper. He still rocks me in the cradle of his arm. He rocks me in the cradle of his arm. He rocks me in the cradle of his arm. He still calms me down, talks me off the still calms me down, talks me off the still calms me down, talks me off the ledge, and tells me everything's going ledge, and tells me everything's going ledge, and tells me everything's going to be all right. Where the witness is in to be all right. Where the witness is in to be all right. Where the witness is in the building, I know who he is. You the building, I know who he is. You the building, I know who he is. You can't make me doubt him can't make me doubt him can't make me doubt him cuz I know too much about him. cuz I know too much about him. cuz I know too much about him. [applause] Like listen, it's his identity. Got to Like listen, it's his identity. Got to remember who he is.

remember who he is. remember who he is. >> You can't get in a tight fix and forget. >> You can't get in a tight fix and forget. >> You can't get in a tight fix and forget. >> This ain't the first time you've been >> This ain't the first time you've been >> This ain't the first time you've been broke. Broke ain't nothing to God. Broke ain't nothing to God. [cheering] This ain't the first time [cheering] This ain't the first time [cheering] This ain't the first time somebody hurt your feelings. somebody hurt your feelings. somebody hurt your feelings. Boo, boo, boo. Lift up your hand, oh Boo, boo, boo. Lift up your hand, oh Boo, boo, boo. Lift up your hand, oh you. you. you. [applause and cheering] You're not going [applause and cheering] You're not going [applause and cheering] You're not going to walk around depressed cuz she walked to walk around depressed cuz she walked to walk around depressed cuz she walked out or he walked out. God got another out or he walked out. God got another out or he walked out. God got another one right down. [cheering] They sitting in the balcony. You on the They sitting in the balcony. You on the first floor. [cheering] first floor. [cheering] first floor. [cheering] They in the overflow and you like where They in the overflow and you like where They in the overflow and you like where Jesus where where hallelujah [screaming] hallelujah [screaming] in advance. Somebody ought to say it. in advance. Somebody ought to say it. in advance. Somebody ought to say it. [applause] I got to keep going. I got to keep I got to keep going. I got to keep going. I got eight minutes. I got four going. I got eight minutes. I got four going. I got eight minutes. I got four points. I got two more left. Can I give points. I got two more left. Can I give points. I got two more left. Can I give it to you? Oh, watch this. It it it's it to you? Oh, watch this. It it it's it to you? Oh, watch this. It it it's it's excuses that Moses keeps profering.

it's excuses that Moses keeps profering. it's excuses that Moses keeps profering. Keeps profering these excuses. First Keeps profering these excuses. First Keeps profering these excuses. First started with insecurity, his own stuff, started with insecurity, his own stuff, started with insecurity, his own stuff, his baggage. Somebody told him he wasn't his baggage. Somebody told him he wasn't his baggage. Somebody told him he wasn't good enough. Somebody told him he'd good enough. Somebody told him he'd good enough. Somebody told him he'd never amount to anything. never amount to anything. never amount to anything. >> Somebody told him you won't graduate. >> Somebody told him you won't graduate. >> Somebody told him you won't graduate. >> Somebody told him that you'd never have >> Somebody told him that you'd never have >> Somebody told him that you'd never have a good job. a good job. a good job. >> Somebody told him all this and it it it >> Somebody told him all this and it it it >> Somebody told him all this and it it it aixed itself to him. aixed itself to him. aixed itself to him. >> And now he's insecure. >> And now he's insecure. >> And now he's insecure. >> Then just make sure that he's getting >> Then just make sure that he's getting >> Then just make sure that he's getting past his insecurity. God has to reveal past his insecurity. God has to reveal past his insecurity. God has to reveal his identity. his identity. his identity. >> I am exactly who you need me to be. >> I am exactly who you need me to be. >> I am exactly who you need me to be. >> Don't you stress about a thing going >> Don't you stress about a thing going >> Don't you stress about a thing going into this next season of your life. I am into this next season of your life. I am into this next season of your life. I am everything you need me to be. [applause] If that was all lost and ladies, that'd If that was all lost and ladies, that'd be good enough. We can kept on go on out be good enough. We can kept on go on out be good enough. We can kept on go on out of here and rejoice. But chapter 3 turns of here and rejoice. But chapter 3 turns of here and rejoice. But chapter 3 turns into chapter 4. into chapter 4. into chapter 4. >> And uh Dr. Janella Pile read all 213 of >> And uh Dr. Janella Pile read all 213 of >> And uh Dr. Janella Pile read all 213 of them verses so that we would know exactly what was so that we would know exactly what was going on in this passage of scripture.

going on in this passage of scripture. going on in this passage of scripture. When she turned to chapter 4, would you When she turned to chapter 4, would you When she turned to chapter 4, would you believe Moses had another excuse? believe Moses had another excuse? believe Moses had another excuse? >> He's moved from insecurity. He talked >> He's moved from insecurity. He talked >> He's moved from insecurity. He talked about identity. Now he has the excuse of about identity. Now he has the excuse of about identity. Now he has the excuse of invalidity. >> 03 word, invalidity. Um, watch what he >> 03 word, invalidity. Um, watch what he says. Verse in verse one of chapter 4. says. Verse in verse one of chapter 4. says. Verse in verse one of chapter 4. Moses answered, "Uh, God, um, what if Moses answered, "Uh, God, um, what if Moses answered, "Uh, God, um, what if they don't believe me they don't believe me they don't believe me >> or listen to me? >> or listen to me? >> or listen to me? >> What if they say the Lord did not appear >> What if they say the Lord did not appear >> What if they say the Lord did not appear to you? to you? to you? What if they try to invalidate the fact What if they try to invalidate the fact What if they try to invalidate the fact >> that you sent somebody like me? >> What if they try to act like I don't I I >> What if they try to act like I don't I I don't know what I'm talking about. don't know what I'm talking about. don't know what I'm talking about. >> I'm not worthy of the assignment. >> I'm not worthy of the assignment. >> I'm not worthy of the assignment. >> What if they know me from back in the >> What if they know me from back in the >> What if they know me from back in the day? [cheering] day? [cheering] day? [cheering] [applause] >> What if they my smoke buddies from the >> What if they my smoke buddies from the last time and they don't believe that you can use and they don't believe that you can use somebody who used to do that [cheering] [applause] [applause] or still does it every now coming in, or still does it every now coming in, or still does it every now coming in, but try not to act like [cheering]

you act like with all these people in you act like with all these people in here ain't nobody smoking weed, man. here ain't nobody smoking weed, man. here ain't nobody smoking weed, man. Please, and you were drunk the other night. and you were drunk the other night. [cheering] Come on. I ain't got nothing [cheering] Come on. I ain't got nothing [cheering] Come on. I ain't got nothing but time. This what I do all day Sunday. but time. This what I do all day Sunday. but time. This what I do all day Sunday. Come on, talk to me if you don't. Come on, talk to me if you don't. Come on, talk to me if you don't. [applause] >> What if they invalidate >> What if they invalidate what you sent me to do what you sent me to do what you sent me to do >> by what I used to do. >> And what if they in my family and they >> And what if they in my family and they really know it's true? [cheering] >> Let's be clear. There will be some >> Let's be clear. There will be some seasons seasons seasons >> when all of us have to wade through the >> when all of us have to wade through the >> when all of us have to wade through the drunk, the junk and the drama drunk, the junk and the drama drunk, the junk and the drama >> of people seeking to invalidate what God >> of people seeking to invalidate what God >> of people seeking to invalidate what God is doing in this season of our lives.

is doing in this season of our lives. is doing in this season of our lives. [applause] There's no perfect Christian in this There's no perfect Christian in this church house today. church house today. church house today. So before you turn your nose up at So before you turn your nose up at So before you turn your nose up at somebody [cheering] because of what I somebody [cheering] because of what I somebody [cheering] because of what I just said and they guilty of smoking it just said and they guilty of smoking it just said and they guilty of smoking it and drinking it and doing it. and drinking it and doing it. and drinking it and doing it. [applause] [cheering] [cheering] I'm going to have a whole lot of fun at I'm going to have a whole lot of fun at I'm going to have a whole lot of fun at 1:00. This is mild compared to what I'm 1:00. This is mild compared to what I'm 1:00. This is mild compared to what I'm going to say later on. going to say later on. going to say later on. [cheering] They invalidate me cuz they know some They invalidate me cuz they know some stuff about me. stuff about me. stuff about me. >> What if they don't believe me or listen >> What if they don't believe me or listen >> What if they don't believe me or listen to me and say the Lord did not appear to to me and say the Lord did not appear to to me and say the Lord did not appear to you. We know you. you. We know you. you. We know you. God ain't said nothing to you. God ain't said nothing to you. God ain't said nothing to you. Maybe they think you're too young for Maybe they think you're too young for Maybe they think you're too young for God to use you.

God to use you. God to use you. Maybe they think you're too old for God Maybe they think you're too old for God Maybe they think you're too old for God to use you. to use you. to use you. >> Maybe they think you're too female for >> Maybe they think you're too female for >> Maybe they think you're too female for God to use you. God to use you. God to use you. >> Maybe they think you're too black for >> Maybe they think you're too black for >> Maybe they think you're too black for God to use you. God to use you. God to use you. They want to invalidate it all. And so They want to invalidate it all. And so They want to invalidate it all. And so God says, "Okay, let me prove to you God says, "Okay, let me prove to you God says, "Okay, let me prove to you that if I can't tell it, I'll show it." that if I can't tell it, I'll show it." that if I can't tell it, I'll show it." Listen. Yeah. I'll show it to you if you Listen. Yeah. I'll show it to you if you Listen. Yeah. I'll show it to you if you won't believe what I say to you. It's won't believe what I say to you. It's won't believe what I say to you. It's right there in your Bible. He gives him right there in your Bible. He gives him right there in your Bible. He gives him three demonstrations. He says, "What's three demonstrations. He says, "What's three demonstrations. He says, "What's that in your hand, Moses?" He says, "A that in your hand, Moses?" He says, "A that in your hand, Moses?" He says, "A staff." He says, "Throw it down." When staff." He says, "Throw it down." When staff." He says, "Throw it down." When he threw it down, the staff became a he threw it down, the staff became a he threw it down, the staff became a >> snake. Yeah. Became a snake. Now, now >> snake. Yeah. Became a snake. Now, now >> snake. Yeah. Became a snake. Now, now Moses is running from that. No, don't Moses is running from that. No, don't Moses is running from that. No, don't no. Don't run from it. I'm trying to no. Don't run from it. I'm trying to no. Don't run from it. I'm trying to show you I got power show you I got power show you I got power >> to make your enemies sit down >> to make your enemies sit down >> to make your enemies sit down >> when I give you an assignment for your >> when I give you an assignment for your >> when I give you an assignment for your life. life. life. So, now I'm going to show you what to So, now I'm going to show you what to So, now I'm going to show you what to do. Pick it up by the tail. do. Pick it up by the tail. do. Pick it up by the tail. >> The most dangerous part. pick it up by >> The most dangerous part. pick it up by >> The most dangerous part. pick it up by the tail. Well, ain't no telling what the tail. Well, ain't no telling what the tail. Well, ain't no telling what might happen if it snakes around, coils might happen if it snakes around, coils might happen if it snakes around, coils around, and by pick it up by the tail. around, and by pick it up by the tail. around, and by pick it up by the tail. And when he picked it up again, it And when he picked it up again, it And when he picked it up again, it became a staff again. I can show you became a staff again. I can show you became a staff again. I can show you better and I can tell you that. And when better and I can tell you that. And when better and I can tell you that. And when I give you an assignment, I want you to I give you an assignment, I want you to I give you an assignment, I want you to fulfill the assignment on your life. He fulfill the assignment on your life. He fulfill the assignment on your life. He said, "Now listen, okay, they don't said, "Now listen, okay, they don't said, "Now listen, okay, they don't believe that. This is what I want you to believe that. This is what I want you to believe that. This is what I want you to do. Put your hand inside your cloak." He do. Put your hand inside your cloak." He do. Put your hand inside your cloak." He put his hand inside his cloak. Said, put his hand inside his cloak. Said, put his hand inside his cloak. Said, "Now take it out." When he took it out, "Now take it out." When he took it out, "Now take it out." When he took it out, it was lepous. It was white. meaning it was lepous. It was white. meaning it was lepous. It was white. meaning that it was dark before it went in.

that it was dark before it went in. that it was dark before it went in. [cheering] [cheering] [cheering] [applause] I love my job so much. This is so good I love my job so much. This is so good to me. to me. to me. [cheering] He said, "Now put it back in." Came back He said, "Now put it back in." Came back out. It was dark like it was before. I'm not done. That's two things. If they I'm not done. That's two things. If they don't believe his first sign, they don't don't believe his first sign, they don't don't believe his first sign, they don't believe the second sign, get some water believe the second sign, get some water believe the second sign, get some water out the Nile, out the Nile, out the Nile, >> pour it out onto the ground, it will >> pour it out onto the ground, it will >> pour it out onto the ground, it will become blood. I'm going to demonstrate become blood. I'm going to demonstrate become blood. I'm going to demonstrate that if I give you the assignment, I that if I give you the assignment, I that if I give you the assignment, I will give you the tools necessary to will give you the tools necessary to will give you the tools necessary to fulfill the assignment and nobody will fulfill the assignment and nobody will fulfill the assignment and nobody will be able to invalidate it. I need be able to invalidate it. I need be able to invalidate it. I need somebody in here to go ahead and get somebody in here to go ahead and get somebody in here to go ahead and get happy about the God who is on your side happy about the God who is on your side happy about the God who is on your side and begin to testify. If God be for us, and begin to testify. If God be for us, and begin to testify. If God be for us, who can be against us? I need somebody who can be against us? I need somebody who can be against us? I need somebody to get happy that God is on your side.

to get happy that God is on your side. to get happy that God is on your side. [applause] The oppressor is not just going to let The oppressor is not just going to let the oppressed go free. the oppressed go free. the oppressed go free. >> Ah, Dr. King said, "Freedom is never >> Ah, Dr. King said, "Freedom is never >> Ah, Dr. King said, "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It voluntarily given by the oppressor. It voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed. must be demanded by the oppressed. must be demanded by the oppressed. >> He says, "I'm going to make sure that if >> He says, "I'm going to make sure that if >> He says, "I'm going to make sure that if you stick to what I told you, you'll see you stick to what I told you, you'll see you stick to what I told you, you'll see it work out for your good." Now, I've it work out for your good." Now, I've it work out for your good." Now, I've got to stop. My time is out. I got to stop. My time is out. I got to stop. My time is out. I apologize. Somebody shout overtime. apologize. Somebody shout overtime. apologize. Somebody shout overtime. >> The second week in a row, we going into >> The second week in a row, we going into >> The second week in a row, we going into overtime. But watch this. overtime. But watch this. overtime. But watch this. >> Going into overtime. >> Going into overtime. >> Going into overtime. >> Cuz if it's not an issue of insecurity, >> Cuz if it's not an issue of insecurity, >> Cuz if it's not an issue of insecurity, it's not an issue of identity, if it's it's not an issue of identity, if it's it's not an issue of identity, if it's not an issue of invalidity, it then not an issue of invalidity, it then not an issue of invalidity, it then becomes an issue of inability. becomes an issue of inability. becomes an issue of inability. Let me open my Bible again. I closed it Let me open my Bible again. I closed it Let me open my Bible again. I closed it like I was done. Inability. like I was done. Inability. like I was done. Inability. Jump down to verse 10. I'm almost done. Jump down to verse 10. I'm almost done. Jump down to verse 10. I'm almost done. Moses said to the Lord, um, "Pardon your Moses said to the Lord, um, "Pardon your Moses said to the Lord, um, "Pardon your servant, Lord." That's what I've been servant, Lord." That's what I've been servant, Lord." That's what I've been trying to get all day. Pardon your trying to get all day. Pardon your trying to get all day. Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been servant, Lord. I have never been servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since eloquent, neither in the past nor since eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am you have spoken to your servant. I am you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue. He says, "I slow of speech and tongue. He says, "I slow of speech and tongue. He says, "I don't talk like all them other preachers don't talk like all them other preachers don't talk like all them other preachers be talking.

be talking. be talking. I don't string my words together very I don't string my words together very I don't string my words together very well. Uh, sometimes my subject is way well. Uh, sometimes my subject is way well. Uh, sometimes my subject is way over there and my verb is way over there over there and my verb is way over there over there and my verb is way over there [laughter] and they never agree. and they never agree. [applause and laughter] I don't know how to talk very well. Some I don't know how to talk very well. Some suggest that Moses had a stuttering suggest that Moses had a stuttering suggest that Moses had a stuttering problem and because of his stutter, he problem and because of his stutter, he problem and because of his stutter, he did not speak well enough to fulfill the did not speak well enough to fulfill the did not speak well enough to fulfill the assignment. And that's why Lawson and assignment. And that's why Lawson and assignment. And that's why Lawson and ladies, I had to that's why I was ladies, I had to that's why I was ladies, I had to that's why I was gripped by this text today because I gripped by this text today because I gripped by this text today because I remember June 28th, 1928. And in those remember June 28th, 1928. And in those remember June 28th, 1928. And in those early years of our founding pastor's early years of our founding pastor's early years of our founding pastor's life, Pastor Lawson says he used to life, Pastor Lawson says he used to life, Pastor Lawson says he used to stutter. stutter. stutter. >> And he stuttered quite a bit. And when >> And he stuttered quite a bit. And when >> And he stuttered quite a bit. And when the Lord called him to preach, he the Lord called him to preach, he the Lord called him to preach, he thought he would not be able to preach thought he would not be able to preach thought he would not be able to preach because he stuttered. because he stuttered. because he stuttered. >> And somewhere between the call to preach >> And somewhere between the call to preach >> And somewhere between the call to preach [cheering] and the call to come be with the Lord.

and the call to come be with the Lord. He spent 78 years preaching the gospel He spent 78 years preaching the gospel He spent 78 years preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. 42 years pastoring the of Jesus Christ. 42 years pastoring the of Jesus Christ. 42 years pastoring the Wheeler Avenue church and didn't nobody Wheeler Avenue church and didn't nobody Wheeler Avenue church and didn't nobody know he had a speech impediment. Cuz know he had a speech impediment. Cuz know he had a speech impediment. Cuz when the Lord is working with you, when the Lord is working with you, when the Lord is working with you, working for you, got an assignment on working for you, got an assignment on working for you, got an assignment on your life, he will remove every your life, he will remove every your life, he will remove every obstacle, every barrier, every obstacle, every barrier, every obstacle, every barrier, every challenge, and give you victory over challenge, and give you victory over challenge, and give you victory over your adversity. I need to find the your adversity. I need to find the your adversity. I need to find the saints in the room who talk to me today saints in the room who talk to me today saints in the room who talk to me today and testify. No matter what your and testify. No matter what your and testify. No matter what your inability is, you better remember God's inability is, you better remember God's inability is, you better remember God's ability. And I need five folk in every ability. And I need five folk in every ability. And I need five folk in every section on every row to begin to section on every row to begin to section on every row to begin to testify. When my inability tries to get testify. When my inability tries to get testify. When my inability tries to get the better of me, I got to start talking the better of me, I got to start talking the better of me, I got to start talking about the ability of the one who is about the ability of the one who is about the ability of the one who is within me now unto him, within me now unto him, within me now unto him, who is able [music] to do exceeding who is able [music] to do exceeding who is able [music] to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think abundantly above all we ask or think abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that is at work according to the power that is at work according to the power that is at work within us. Can I keep on going? Now unto within us. Can I keep on going? Now unto within us. Can I keep on going? Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling him who is able to keep you from falling him who is able to keep you from falling [music] and present you faultless before [music] and present you faultless before [music] and present you faultless before his presence with exceeding joy. To the his presence with exceeding joy. To the his presence with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our savior be glory and only wise God our savior be glory and only wise God our savior be glory and majesty, dominion and power now and majesty, dominion and power now and majesty, dominion and power now and forever more. You missed your shout Q.

forever more. You missed your shout Q. forever more. You missed your shout Q. When you recognize that God is able even When you recognize that God is able even When you recognize that God is able even when you don't feel like you are, your when you don't feel like you are, your when you don't feel like you are, your responsibility is to give him glory. responsibility is to give him glory. responsibility is to give him glory. Make sure he maintains majesty. Make sure he maintains majesty. Make sure he maintains majesty. dominion dominion dominion and power now and forever more. I need and power now and forever more. I need and power now and forever more. I need seven folk to look back over your life seven folk to look back over your life seven folk to look back over your life and find those spaces where you knew you and find those spaces where you knew you and find those spaces where you knew you were unable to figure really fully do were unable to figure really fully do were unable to figure really fully do the assignment that you had before you. the assignment that you had before you. the assignment that you had before you. But now on the 28th day of June 2026, But now on the 28th day of June 2026, But now on the 28th day of June 2026, you look back on it and you say, "God you look back on it and you say, "God you look back on it and you say, "God enabled me to do what I never thought enabled me to do what I never thought enabled me to do what I never thought I'd be able to do." Somebody ought to be I'd be able to do." Somebody ought to be I'd be able to do." Somebody ought to be grateful that if he did it for Moses and grateful that if he did it for Moses and grateful that if he did it for Moses and he did it for Lawson and he did it for he did it for Lawson and he did it for he did it for Lawson and he did it for Marcus, he'll do it for you. God has no Marcus, he'll do it for you. God has no Marcus, he'll do it for you. God has no respect of persons. We're all created in respect of persons. We're all created in respect of persons. We're all created in God's image. We're all children of the God's image. We're all children of the God's image. We're all children of the living God. And if God bless you, he'll living God. And if God bless you, he'll living God. And if God bless you, he'll bless your pew partner. If God bless bless your pew partner. If God bless bless your pew partner. If God bless your pew partner, he'll bless those folk your pew partner, he'll bless those folk your pew partner, he'll bless those folk hanging out on the corner right now. If hanging out on the corner right now. If hanging out on the corner right now. If God blesses them, if God blesses the God blesses them, if God blesses the God blesses them, if God blesses the sparrow and the liies of the field, sparrow and the liies of the field, sparrow and the liies of the field, surely he's got blessings with your name surely he's got blessings with your name surely he's got blessings with your name on it.

[music] [music] All right, I got to stop. All right, I got to stop. All right, I got to stop. Have you heard of Harriet Tubman last Have you heard of Harriet Tubman last Have you heard of Harriet Tubman last story? story? story? >> Harriet Tubman, they called him Moses >> Harriet Tubman, they called him Moses >> Harriet Tubman, they called him Moses >> respond. You can sit down. I'm I'm done. >> respond. You can sit down. I'm I'm done. >> respond. You can sit down. I'm I'm done. Come on. Stand up here. Moses, my Moses, Come on. Stand up here. Moses, my Moses, Come on. Stand up here. Moses, my Moses, and she led and she led and she led >> continual trips >> continual trips >> continual trips >> to Underground Railroad, freeing slaves. >> to Underground Railroad, freeing slaves. >> to Underground Railroad, freeing slaves. >> What some may not know about my Moses, >> What some may not know about my Moses, >> What some may not know about my Moses, Harriet Tubman, was that when she was Harriet Tubman, was that when she was Harriet Tubman, was that when she was enslaved, her oppressor, her slave enslaved, her oppressor, her slave enslaved, her oppressor, her slave master, threw an iron weight in her master, threw an iron weight in her master, threw an iron weight in her direction, hit her in the head. direction, hit her in the head. direction, hit her in the head. >> As a consequence, she suffered from >> As a consequence, she suffered from >> As a consequence, she suffered from seizures. She would just black out seizures. She would just black out seizures. She would just black out sometime. And um and even while she was sometime. And um and even while she was sometime. And um and even while she was delivering people under the Underground delivering people under the Underground delivering people under the Underground Railroad, she would just pass out Railroad, she would just pass out Railroad, she would just pass out sometimes. And they got concerned sometimes. And they got concerned sometimes. And they got concerned whether she was dead or not. And uh they whether she was dead or not. And uh they whether she was dead or not. And uh they asked her in an interview, "How do you asked her in an interview, "How do you asked her in an interview, "How do you keep on doing what you've been doing keep on doing what you've been doing keep on doing what you've been doing knowing all the stuff you've had to go knowing all the stuff you've had to go knowing all the stuff you've had to go through, all the situations that you through, all the situations that you through, all the situations that you keep on dealing with seizures and keep on dealing with seizures and keep on dealing with seizures and blacking out and all that stuff?" She blacking out and all that stuff?" She blacking out and all that stuff?" She said, "Listen, what one thing I found said, "Listen, what one thing I found said, "Listen, what one thing I found out, when I'm conscious, I'm working for out, when I'm conscious, I'm working for out, when I'm conscious, I'm working for God.

God. God. >> When I'm unconscious, God is working for >> When I'm unconscious, God is working for >> When I'm unconscious, God is working for me. I'm done. me. I'm done. me. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. I need to find the folk in I'm done. I need to find the folk in I'm done. I need to find the folk in church today who say sometimes I'm in my church today who say sometimes I'm in my church today who say sometimes I'm in my right mind. I got my ability. I know I right mind. I got my ability. I know I right mind. I got my ability. I know I can do it. But there are sometimes when can do it. But there are sometimes when can do it. But there are sometimes when I don't know how in the world that thing I don't know how in the world that thing I don't know how in the world that thing going to get done. And whether I'm going to get done. And whether I'm going to get done. And whether I'm working for God or God is working for working for God or God is working for working for God or God is working for me, I made up in my mind, I'm going to me, I made up in my mind, I'm going to me, I made up in my mind, I'm going to give him the glory cuz [music] he keeps give him the glory cuz [music] he keeps give him the glory cuz [music] he keeps on doing great things for me. on doing great things for me. on doing great things for me. Anybody ever seen God work for you? ever seen God work for you? Anybody ever seen God stand in your Anybody ever seen God stand in your Anybody ever seen God stand in your stand [screaming] while you were trying stand [screaming] while you were trying stand [screaming] while you were trying to figure it out? He already to figure it out? He already to figure it out? He already worked that thing. Won't he do it? worked that thing. Won't he do it? worked that thing. Won't he do it? [music] when I'm conscious, when I'm conscious, >> I'm working for God.

>> I'm working for God. >> I'm working for God. >> But I like those moments when I don't >> But I like those moments when I don't >> But I like those moments when I don't even know how this thing is getting even know how this thing is getting even know how this thing is getting worked out. All I can say is God was worked out. All I can say is God was worked out. All I can say is God was working for me. [music] working for me. [music] working for me. [music] And today I came to tell somebody, stop And today I came to tell somebody, stop And today I came to tell somebody, stop making excuses. [music] Whatever your excuse is, God is bigger Whatever your excuse is, God is bigger than your excuse. than your excuse. than your excuse. >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> bigger than your push back. >> bigger than your push back. >> bigger than your push back. No more. [music] [music] >> If you're able to stand, stand with me >> If you're able to stand, stand with me >> If you're able to stand, stand with me all over the church. If you're able to all over the church. If you're able to all over the church. If you're able to stand, stand with me all over the stand, stand with me all over the stand, stand with me all over the church. God, we thank you now in the church. God, we thank you now in the church. God, we thank you now in the name of the Lord [music] Jesus for the name of the Lord [music] Jesus for the name of the Lord [music] Jesus for the story of Moses. We thank you that you story of Moses. We thank you that you story of Moses. We thank you that you told Moses, "Didn't I make your mouth? told Moses, "Didn't I make your mouth? told Moses, "Didn't I make your mouth? If I make your mouth, I'll make it work. If I make your mouth, I'll make it work. If I make your mouth, I'll make it work. I'll speak for you. I'll help you I'll speak for you. I'll help you I'll speak for you. I'll help you >> to say what needs to be said and do what >> to say what needs to be said and do what >> to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done. Now I pray in Jesus needs to be done. Now I pray in Jesus needs to be done. Now I pray in Jesus name that you'll do it for every one of name that you'll do it for every one of name that you'll do it for every one of your sons and daughters in church today. your sons and daughters in church today. your sons and daughters in church today. No matter how old, no matter how young, No matter how old, no matter how young, No matter how old, no matter how young, no matter what one situation in life may no matter what one situation in life may no matter what one situation in life may be, [music] you are the giver of life.

be, [music] you are the giver of life. be, [music] you are the giver of life. And if you assign it to us, you will And if you assign it to us, you will And if you assign it to us, you will assist us to get it done. And we thank assist us to get it done. And we thank assist us to get it done. And we thank you that we can count on you. and you'll you that we can count on you. and you'll you that we can count on you. and you'll even raise up some other folk to help even raise up some other folk to help even raise up some other folk to help us. Oh, thank you, Lord, for for Aaron us. Oh, thank you, Lord, for for Aaron us. Oh, thank you, Lord, for for Aaron who came alongside Moses and helped him who came alongside Moses and helped him who came alongside Moses and helped him out. Every one of us in church got some out. Every one of us in church got some out. Every one of us in church got some Aaron in our lives that has helped us to Aaron in our lives that has helped us to Aaron in our lives that has helped us to get to where we are right now. We thank get to where we are right now. We thank get to where we are right now. We thank you for your divine assistance, but we you for your divine assistance, but we you for your divine assistance, but we thank you for the assistance of brothers thank you for the assistance of brothers thank you for the assistance of brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and sisters, mothers and fathers, and sisters, mothers and fathers, [music] friends, and co co-workers and [music] friends, and co co-workers and [music] friends, and co co-workers and comrades who have helped us to become comrades who have helped us to become comrades who have helped us to become and to do all [music] that you told us and to do all [music] that you told us and to do all [music] that you told us to become and to do. and we thank you to become and to do. and we thank you to become and to do. and we thank you that we're leaving here with greater that we're leaving here with greater that we're leaving here with greater faith for the days ahead. We're going to faith for the days ahead. We're going to faith for the days ahead. We're going to reduce these [music] excuses. We refuse reduce these [music] excuses. We refuse reduce these [music] excuses. We refuse to keep saying the same old thing, to keep saying the same old thing, to keep saying the same old thing, talking ourselves talking ourselves talking ourselves into a trap from which we cannot get into a trap from which we cannot get into a trap from which we cannot get swift recovery. And we thank you for swift recovery. And we thank you for swift recovery. And we thank you for [music] the victory that is ours because [music] the victory that is ours because [music] the victory that is ours because we're yours in Jesus name. Somebody say we're yours in Jesus name. Somebody say we're yours in Jesus name. Somebody say amen.

amen. amen. >> Hallelujah. And thank God. Come on, >> Hallelujah. And thank God. Come on, >> Hallelujah. And thank God. Come on, praise God all over the church for praise God all over the church for praise God all over the church for [music] his goodness and his grace, for [music] his goodness and his grace, for [music] his goodness and his grace, for his word, for his will. Davis says his word, for his will. Davis says his word, for his will. Davis says they're going to come stand with me now. they're going to come stand with me now. they're going to come stand with me now. And as they do, and they come to stand And as they do, and they come to stand And as they do, and they come to stand with me, I want to invite [music] some with me, I want to invite [music] some with me, I want to invite [music] some sister, some brother to a relationship sister, some brother to a relationship sister, some brother to a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If you're with the Lord Jesus Christ. If you're with the Lord Jesus Christ. If you're here on this Sunday afternoon and you here on this Sunday afternoon and you here on this Sunday afternoon and you say, "Pastor, I need a relationship with say, "Pastor, I need a relationship with say, "Pastor, I need a relationship with Jesus." We Jesus." We Jesus." We we can't go any further until we extend we can't go any further until we extend we can't go any further until we extend this invitation to you because you may this invitation to you because you may this invitation to you because you may need to know the God that Moses knew. need to know the God that Moses knew. need to know the God that Moses knew. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> You may need to know the God that all of >> You may need to know the God that all of >> You may need to know the God that all of us who have given our lives to him know us who have given our lives to him know us who have given our lives to him know and have accepted and are so [music] and have accepted and are so [music] and have accepted and are so [music] grateful for not only his assistance but grateful for not only his assistance but grateful for not only his assistance but his assurance that the assignment will his assurance that the assignment will his assurance that the assignment will be fulfilled. If you need to come, start be fulfilled. If you need to come, start be fulfilled. If you need to come, start walking this way. Our [music] arms are walking this way. Our [music] arms are walking this way. Our [music] arms are extended to you. Come this way, brother. extended to you. Come this way, brother. extended to you. Come this way, brother. Come this way, sister. Pastor, I need a Come this way, sister. Pastor, I need a Come this way, sister. Pastor, I need a church. I'm saved. I got a relationship church. I'm saved. I got a relationship church. I'm saved. I got a relationship with God, [music] but I need a church with God, [music] but I need a church with God, [music] but I need a church where I can grow and develop and mature. where I can grow and develop and mature. where I can grow and develop and mature. I invite you to come right now. Come on, I invite you to come right now. Come on, I invite you to come right now. Come on, sisters. God bless you. [music] sisters. God bless you. [music] sisters. God bless you. [music] Come on my dear friends. Whosoever will, Come on my dear friends. Whosoever will, Come on my dear friends. Whosoever will, let her come. Hey, judge. Whosoever let her come. Hey, judge. Whosoever let her come. Hey, judge. Whosoever will, let him come. Let them come.

will, let him come. Let them come. will, let him come. Let them come. Brother, sister, man, woman, child, Brother, sister, man, woman, child, Brother, sister, man, woman, child, start walking this [music] way. If you start walking this [music] way. If you start walking this [music] way. If you can hold out for just a few more minutes can hold out for just a few more minutes can hold out for just a few more minutes before you leave, somebody may need to before you leave, somebody may need to before you leave, somebody may need to give his or her life to Jesus [music] give his or her life to Jesus [music] give his or her life to Jesus [music] Christ. And while they're walking, we're Christ. And while they're walking, we're Christ. And while they're walking, we're going to start singing. God is the going to start singing. God is the going to start singing. God is the [music] joy and the strength of my life. [music] joy and the strength of my life. [music] joy and the strength of my life. Here they come. Start clapping while Here they come. Start clapping while Here they come. Start clapping while they walking. God is [music] they walking. God is [music] they walking. God is [music] joy joy joy of my life. of my life. of my life. >> He moves all pain. >> He moves all pain. >> He moves all pain. >> He moves all [singing] >> He moves all [singing] >> He moves all [singing] [music] [music] [music] >> promise to keep me. >> promise to keep me. >> promise to keep me. >> Promise to keep >> Promise to keep >> Promise to keep >> never to leave me. >> never to leave me. >> never to leave me. >> Never to leave. >> Never to leave. >> Never to leave. >> Never ever. [music] [music] >> Keep my life clean. I want to go with him when he comes I want to go with him when he comes back. [music] back. [music] back. [music] They got him coming. Come on, friends. They got him coming. Come on, friends. They got him coming. Come on, friends. Come on. I've come too far. Come on. I've come too far. Come on. I've come too far. Come on. Bring on [music] Come on. Bring on [music] Come on. Bring on [music] God is [music] [music] [singing] [music]

[music] God bless you. You can move in the God bless you. You can move in the God bless you. You can move in the overflow rooms. Those preachers and overflow rooms. Those preachers and overflow rooms. Those preachers and deacons are waiting for you. God is the deacons are waiting for you. God is the deacons are waiting for you. God is the joy and the strength of my life. [music] [music] >> He moves all day. [singing] >> He moves all day. [singing] >> He moves all day. [singing] [music] [music] [music] >> Promise to keep me. >> Promise to keep me. >> Promise to keep me. Never to leave me. God bless you, man. Never to leave me. God bless you, man. Never to leave me. God bless you, man. Never ever. [music] Never ever. [music] Never ever. [music] >> Who else? Who else? Who else? >> Who else? Who else? Who else? >> Who else? Who else? Who else? I got to break [music] I got to break [music] I got to break [music] down. Keep my life with me. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [singing] [music] [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] >> Who else needs to come? Come on, >> Who else needs to come? Come on, >> Who else needs to come? Come on, sisters. Come on, brothers. [music] sisters. Come on, brothers. [music] sisters. Come on, brothers. [music] In the fellowship hall, start moving.

In the fellowship hall, start moving. In the fellowship hall, start moving. Start moving. [music] In the classroom, Start moving. [music] In the classroom, Start moving. [music] In the classroom, start moving. start moving. start moving. God is my only [music] >> Amen. Amen. Amen. Listen, you remember >> Amen. Amen. Amen. Listen, you remember the name of the person that [music] you the name of the person that [music] you the name of the person that [music] you got earlier in the service. Look back at got earlier in the service. Look back at got earlier in the service. Look back at that person. Call that person by his or that person. Call that person by his or that person. Call that person by his or her name and ask them, "Is the pastor her name and ask them, "Is the pastor her name and ask them, "Is the pastor waiting on you?" If you know the person, waiting on you?" If you know the person, waiting on you?" If you know the person, you came church with them. You know you came church with them. You know you came church with them. You know their real reality. Don't worry about their real reality. Don't worry about their real reality. Don't worry about it. Find somebody. Ask them, "Is the it. Find somebody. Ask them, "Is the it. Find somebody. Ask them, "Is the pastor waiting on you?"

pastor waiting on you?" pastor waiting on you?" If you live in the greater Houston area If you live in the greater Houston area If you live in the greater Houston area and you need to be a church, [music] and you need to be a church, [music] and you need to be a church, [music] part of a church, and we want you to be part of a church, and we want you to be part of a church, and we want you to be a part of the Wheeler Avenue church, a part of the Wheeler Avenue church, a part of the Wheeler Avenue church, come on right now. come on right now. come on right now. You need a relationship with the Lord You need a relationship with the Lord You need a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. You don't have to join a Jesus Christ. You don't have to join a Jesus Christ. You don't have to join a church. We just want you to be hooked up church. We just want you to be hooked up church. We just want you to be hooked up with the Holy One before you leave with the Holy One before you leave with the Holy One before you leave [music] church today. Yeah. Is there [music] church today. Yeah. Is there [music] church today. Yeah. Is there another? Is there another? If you're in another? Is there another? If you're in another? Is there another? If you're in the overflow spaces, just start moving the overflow spaces, just start moving the overflow spaces, just start moving toward that that front of that [music] toward that that front of that [music] toward that that front of that [music] space. The preachers, the leaders are space. The preachers, the leaders are space. The preachers, the leaders are going to take good care of you. There going to take good care of you. There going to take good care of you. There they come. God bless you. [music] Bring they come. God bless you. [music] Bring they come. God bless you. [music] Bring that precious baby with you as you come. that precious baby with you as you come. that precious baby with you as you come. Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. [music] Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. [music] Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. [music] Yep. Come on. Come on. Come on. We're Yep. Come on. Come on. Come on. We're Yep. Come on. Come on. Come on. We're waiting for you. We're waiting [music] waiting for you. We're waiting [music] waiting for you. We're waiting [music] for you. >> Look at what the Lord has done, church >> Look at what the Lord has done, church family. Look at how the Lord has sent family. Look at how the Lord has sent family. Look at how the Lord has sent these precious people to be a part of these precious people to be a part of these precious people to be a part of our family. God bless you. Listen to our family. God bless you. Listen to our family. God bless you. Listen to each of you who stands with us this

each of you who stands with us this each of you who stands with us this morning, this afternoon. Now, welcome to morning, this afternoon. Now, welcome to morning, this afternoon. Now, welcome to your new church home. your new church home. your new church home. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> We're so grateful that out of all the >> We're so grateful that out of all the >> We're so grateful that out of all the places God could have sent you to either places God could have sent you to either places God could have sent you to either continue or commence your Christian continue or commence your Christian continue or commence your Christian journey, he sent you to Wheeler Avenue journey, he sent you to Wheeler Avenue journey, he sent you to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. We're [music] excited Baptist Church. We're [music] excited Baptist Church. We're [music] excited about that reality and we cannot wait to about that reality and we cannot wait to about that reality and we cannot wait to see what God is going to do in you, with see what God is going to do in you, with see what God is going to do in you, with you, through you, and even for you now you, through you, and even for you now you, through you, and even for you now that you're a part of the family of that you're a part of the family of that you're a part of the family of Wheeler Avenue. Welcome to your new Wheeler Avenue. Welcome to your new Wheeler Avenue. Welcome to your new church home. I'm excited to serve as church home. I'm excited to serve as church home. I'm excited to serve as your pastor. And these folk are excited your pastor. And these folk are excited your pastor. And these folk are excited to be your sisters and brothers. [music] to be your sisters and brothers. [music] to be your sisters and brothers. [music] Come on, family. Show them in this Come on, family. Show them in this Come on, family. Show them in this space, in the overflow spaces, how space, in the overflow spaces, how space, in the overflow spaces, how excited we are that they are now a part excited we are that they are now a part excited we are that they are now a part of our family. [music] Deacon Davis, of our family. [music] Deacon Davis, of our family. [music] Deacon Davis, raise your hand, please. My dear sister, raise your hand, please. My dear sister, raise your hand, please. My dear sister, that's Deacon Phil Davis. Will you turn that's Deacon Phil Davis. Will you turn that's Deacon Phil Davis. Will you turn toward him and follow him into the new toward him and follow him into the new toward him and follow him into the new member orientation room? All of you will member orientation room? All of you will member orientation room? All of you will go in that direction. Deacon as Davis is go in that direction. Deacon as Davis is go in that direction. Deacon as Davis is going to make sure that everyone gets going to make sure that everyone gets going to make sure that everyone gets there. And we're going to celebrate your there. And we're going to celebrate your there. And we're going to celebrate your new membership even as you depart from new membership even as you depart from new membership even as you depart from the cathedral and the overflow spaces. the cathedral and the overflow spaces. the cathedral and the overflow spaces. Now, God bless you. God by all.

by all. [music] God is God is [music] God is God is [music] God is. God is. God is. [singing] Oh Oh yeah. [music and singing] >> listen. >> listen. We've got to descend this mountain. We've got to descend this mountain. We've got to descend this mountain. We've got to [music] leave from here We've got to [music] leave from here We've got to [music] leave from here now. I want to give our new members time now. I want to give our new members time now. I want to give our new members time to exit the room. But as we leave from to exit the room. But as we leave from to exit the room. But as we leave from this place today, I want you to go into this place today, I want you to go into this place today, I want you to go into your various areas of responsibility your various areas of responsibility your various areas of responsibility this week and refuse [music] do your this week and refuse [music] do your this week and refuse [music] do your best to refuse to put up excuses as to best to refuse to put up excuses as to best to refuse to put up excuses as to why you can't accomplish a certain task why you can't accomplish a certain task why you can't accomplish a certain task and do and fulfill a [music] certain and do and fulfill a [music] certain and do and fulfill a [music] certain goal. You can do all things through goal. You can do all things through goal. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. And I Christ who gives you strength. And I Christ who gives you strength. And I want you to do it this week for the want you to do it this week for the want you to do it this week for the glory of God and for the good of glory of God and for the good of glory of God and for the good of somebody else. The Lord bless you somebody else. The Lord bless you somebody else. The Lord bless you [music] and keep you. The Lord make his [music] and keep you. The Lord make his [music] and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious face to shine upon you and be gracious face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift the light unto you. The Lord lift the light unto you. The Lord lift the light [music] of his countenance upon you and [music] of his countenance upon you and [music] of his countenance upon you and give you his peace. And you're going out give you his peace. And you're going out give you his peace. And you're going out and in your coming in, in your labor and

and in your coming in, in your labor and and in your coming in, in your labor and in your leisure, in your joy as well as in your leisure, in your joy as well as in your leisure, in your joy as well as in your sorrow, [music] in your in your sorrow, [music] in your in your sorrow, [music] in your laughter, and likewise in your tears. laughter, and likewise in your tears. laughter, and likewise in your tears. Until that day when we meet the Lord Until that day when we meet the Lord Until that day when we meet the Lord face to face and cry holy, holy, holy to face to face and cry holy, holy, holy to face to face and cry holy, holy, holy to the Lord of [music] hosts. Until that the Lord of [music] hosts. Until that the Lord of [music] hosts. Until that day, my brothers, my sisters, go in day, my brothers, my sisters, go in day, my brothers, my sisters, go in peace. Go in love. Go in joy. And may peace. Go in love. Go in joy. And may peace. Go in love. Go in joy. And may the very God of peace, love, and [music] the very God of peace, love, and [music] the very God of peace, love, and [music] joy go with you now and forever more in joy go with you now and forever more in joy go with you now and forever more in Jesus name. Amen. God bless you. Jesus name. Amen. God bless you. Jesus name. Amen. God bless you. Somebody holler. No more excuses. Somebody holler. No more excuses. Somebody holler. No more excuses. Have a great week. Look forward [music] Have a great week. Look forward [music] Have a great week. Look forward [music] to seeing you next Sunday if not before. up here. up here. [music] Heat Heat [music]