The Time Is Now! (1pm) | Dr. Alexander E.M. Johnson

Happy Sunday, church family. I'm [music] Happy Sunday, church family. I'm [music] Riley Malvo. Riley Malvo. Riley Malvo. >> I'm Willie Yuan. >> I'm Willie Yuan. >> I'm Willie Yuan. >> I'm Chris Williams. >> I'm Chris Williams. >> I'm Chris Williams. >> I'm Christian Whitaker. And together >> I'm Christian Whitaker. And together >> I'm Christian Whitaker. And together [music] we bring you this week's edition [music] we bring you this week's edition [music] we bring you this week's edition of Avenue News. Are you ready to make a difference and Are you ready to make a difference and deepen your disciplehip journey? [music] deepen your disciplehip journey? [music] deepen your disciplehip journey? [music] Join us in the Community Life Center Join us in the Community Life Center Join us in the Community Life Center gymnasium next Sunday, August 30th, gymnasium next Sunday, August 30th, gymnasium next Sunday, August 30th, after all three worship services with after all three worship services with after all three worship services with over 80 dynamic ministries to explore. over 80 dynamic ministries to explore. over 80 dynamic ministries to explore. You'll find countless ways to serve for You'll find countless ways to serve for You'll find countless ways to serve for the glory of God. Whether you're called the glory of God. Whether you're called the glory of God. Whether you're called to teach, encourage, organize, create, to teach, encourage, organize, create, to teach, encourage, organize, create, or care, there's a place just for you. or care, there's a place just for you. or care, there's a place just for you. Wheeler Weber family, get ready. [music] Wheeler Weber family, get ready. [music] Wheeler Weber family, get ready. [music] September 4th through 6th is Wheeler September 4th through 6th is Wheeler September 4th through 6th is Wheeler Weber weekend, and we're preparing Weber weekend, and we're preparing Weber weekend, and we're preparing something special just for you. Get something special just for you. Get something special just for you. Get ready for an exciting weekend of faith, ready for an exciting weekend of faith, ready for an exciting weekend of faith, fellowship, connection, and celebration. fellowship, connection, and celebration. fellowship, connection, and celebration. We can't wait to meet you. We can't wait to meet you. We can't wait to meet you. Scripture reminds us in Colossians 4:2, Scripture reminds us in Colossians 4:2, Scripture reminds us in Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being "Devote yourselves to prayer, being "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful, and thankful. The prayer watchful, and thankful. The prayer watchful, and thankful. The prayer ministry invites you to our 12-hour ministry invites you to our 12-hour ministry invites you to our 12-hour prayer vigil on Tuesday, September 1st prayer vigil on Tuesday, September 1st prayer vigil on Tuesday, September 1st from 6:00 [music] a.m. to 6:00 p.m. We from 6:00 [music] a.m. to 6:00 p.m. We from 6:00 [music] a.m. to 6:00 p.m. We are coming together through prayer are coming together through prayer are coming together through prayer seeking God's direction as we cover our seeking God's direction as we cover our seeking God's direction as we cover our church, leadership, [music] church, leadership, [music] church, leadership, [music] ministries, community, and nation with ministries, community, and nation with ministries, community, and nation with virtual and in-person options.

virtual and in-person options. virtual and in-person options. Volunteers are asked to commit to Volunteers are asked to commit to Volunteers are asked to commit to [music] a minimum 2hour prayer watch. [music] a minimum 2hour prayer watch. [music] a minimum 2hour prayer watch. For additional information and to sign For additional information and to sign For additional information and to sign up, [music] please email I up, [music] please email I up, [music] please email I prayadminerbc.org. Are you ready to grow deeper in God's Are you ready to grow deeper in God's word? Join us for study on the Avenue, word? Join us for study on the Avenue, word? Join us for study on the Avenue, which brings together all of Christian which brings together all of Christian which brings together all of Christian education at Wheeler. It includes education at Wheeler. It includes education at Wheeler. It includes disciplehip and Bible study disciplehip and Bible study disciplehip and Bible study opportunities for adults, [snorts] opportunities for adults, [snorts] opportunities for adults, [snorts] youth, and children. Whether you're new youth, and children. Whether you're new youth, and children. Whether you're new to the faith or ready to deepen your to the faith or ready to deepen your to the faith or ready to deepen your walk with Christ, there's a place for walk with Christ, there's a place for walk with Christ, there's a place for you to grow in faith, strengthen your you to grow in faith, strengthen your you to grow in faith, strengthen your biblical knowledge, and connect with biblical knowledge, and connect with biblical knowledge, and connect with others. Come study. Come grow. Come others. Come study. Come grow. Come others. Come study. Come grow. Come develop into a disciple who makes develop into a disciple who makes develop into a disciple who makes disciples for Jesus Christ. Register disciples for Jesus Christ. Register disciples for Jesus Christ. Register today at wheelerbc.org. today at wheelerbc.org. today at wheelerbc.org. >> Whether you're navigating the challenges >> Whether you're navigating the challenges >> Whether you're navigating the challenges of separation or divorce, or grieving of separation or divorce, or grieving of separation or divorce, or grieving the loss of a loved one, [music] you the loss of a loved one, [music] you the loss of a loved one, [music] you don't have to walk it through alone. Our don't have to walk it through alone. Our don't have to walk it through alone. Our divorce care and grief share 11week divorce care and grief share 11week divorce care and grief share 11week support groups provide a safe, welcoming support groups provide a safe, welcoming support groups provide a safe, welcoming environment where you can find the environment where you can find the environment where you can find the necessary support to experience healing necessary support to experience healing necessary support to experience healing and renewed hope. Divorce care begins and renewed hope. Divorce care begins and renewed hope. Divorce care begins Tuesday, September 8th at 700 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8th at 700 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8th at 700 p.m. on Zoom and grief [music] share begins Zoom and grief [music] share begins Zoom and grief [music] share begins Monday, September 14th at 7 p.m.

Monday, September 14th at 7 p.m. Monday, September 14th at 7 p.m. Register today. Register today. Register today. >> The Heart of the Caregiver is a support >> The Heart of the Caregiver is a support >> The Heart of the Caregiver is a support group sponsored by Congregational Care group sponsored by Congregational Care group sponsored by Congregational Care Ministry. If you're caring for a loved Ministry. If you're caring for a loved Ministry. If you're caring for a loved one, you're [music] not alone. Join us one, you're [music] not alone. Join us one, you're [music] not alone. Join us and fellow caregivers for a 9-w weekek and fellow caregivers for a 9-w weekek and fellow caregivers for a 9-w weekek virtual journey beginning Thursday, virtual journey beginning Thursday, virtual journey beginning Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m. Discover September 17th at 7:00 p.m. Discover September 17th at 7:00 p.m. Discover encouragement and practical tools as you encouragement and practical tools as you encouragement and practical tools as you move from feeling overwhelmed to move from feeling overwhelmed to move from feeling overwhelmed to experiencing greater joy and purpose. experiencing greater joy and purpose. experiencing greater joy and purpose. Register today and make time for Register today and make time for Register today and make time for yourself while caring for others. yourself while caring for others. yourself while caring for others. Young adults, save the date. Thursday, Young adults, save the date. Thursday, Young adults, save the date. Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m., we're September 17th at 7:00 p.m., we're September 17th at 7:00 p.m., we're gathering in the cathedral for young gathering in the cathedral for young gathering in the cathedral for young adult worship. This is not just a adult worship. This is not just a adult worship. This is not just a service. [music] This is a setup. God is service. [music] This is a setup. God is service. [music] This is a setup. God is about to move and we want you in the about to move and we want you in the about to move and we want you in the room when it happens. Come worship. Come room when it happens. Come worship. Come room when it happens. Come worship. Come fellowship. Come expecting an experience fellowship. Come expecting an experience fellowship. Come expecting an experience with God. See you there. with God. See you there. with God. See you there. >> Parents and guardians are invited to >> Parents and guardians are invited to >> Parents and guardians are invited to join the counseling ministry for a time join the counseling ministry for a time join the counseling ministry for a time of empowerment. [music] of empowerment. [music] of empowerment. [music] Caring for yourself is important while Caring for yourself is important while Caring for yourself is important while navigating parenthood with patience navigating parenthood with patience navigating parenthood with patience [music] and wisdom. So, we're here to [music] and wisdom. So, we're here to [music] and wisdom. So, we're here to provide effective tools. Our keynote provide effective tools. Our keynote provide effective tools. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Andrea Johnson, speaker will be Dr. Andrea Johnson, speaker will be Dr. Andrea Johnson, [music] chair of the counseling [music] chair of the counseling [music] chair of the counseling department at Houston Christian department at Houston Christian department at Houston Christian University. Register today and meet us University. Register today and meet us University. Register today and meet us Saturday, September 19th [music] from Saturday, September 19th [music] from Saturday, September 19th [music] from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Parents, you're 9:00 a.m. to noon. Parents, you're 9:00 a.m. to noon. Parents, you're invited to join us for the color of invited to join us for the color of invited to join us for the color of autism parent lunch and learn, a special autism parent lunch and learn, a special autism parent lunch and learn, a special opportunity to connect [music] and be opportunity to connect [music] and be opportunity to connect [music] and be encouraged as we navigate neurode encouraged as we navigate neurode encouraged as we navigate neurode divergence together. Join Jerome Cash divergence together. Join Jerome Cash divergence together. Join Jerome Cash for Express Not Suppress and Dr.

for Express Not Suppress and Dr. for Express Not Suppress and Dr. Bernardet Kilo for beyond the diagnosis. Bernardet Kilo for beyond the diagnosis. Bernardet Kilo for beyond the diagnosis. Seeing, supporting, and celebrating your Seeing, supporting, and celebrating your Seeing, supporting, and celebrating your child. [music] Let's work to better child. [music] Let's work to better child. [music] Let's work to better understand, support, and celebrate our understand, support, and celebrate our understand, support, and celebrate our children. children. children. This fall, we're creating space for This fall, we're creating space for This fall, we're creating space for [music] recovery, healthy relationships, [music] recovery, healthy relationships, [music] recovery, healthy relationships, and hope. Join us for Untangling and hope. Join us for Untangling and hope. Join us for Untangling Relationships Fall [music] 2026. a Relationships Fall [music] 2026. a Relationships Fall [music] 2026. a 12-week Christian-based support group 12-week Christian-based support group 12-week Christian-based support group designed to help you recognize designed to help you recognize designed to help you recognize codependency, [music] codependency, [music] codependency, [music] navigate difficult conversations, navigate difficult conversations, navigate difficult conversations, establish healthy boundaries, and build establish healthy boundaries, and build establish healthy boundaries, and build stronger relationships. Then join us stronger relationships. Then join us stronger relationships. Then join us September 17th, [music] September 17th, [music] September 17th, [music] 18th, and 20th for our National Recovery 18th, and 20th for our National Recovery 18th, and 20th for our National Recovery Month Celebration Conference, [music] a Month Celebration Conference, [music] a Month Celebration Conference, [music] a dynamic experience featuring God-entered dynamic experience featuring God-entered dynamic experience featuring God-entered activities, education, and community activities, education, and community activities, education, and community support. Take [music] the next step. support. Take [music] the next step. support. Take [music] the next step. Register today. Register today. Register today. Join walking spiritual excellence Join walking spiritual excellence Join walking spiritual excellence Tuesday, September 8th from 6:30 p.m. to Tuesday, September 8th from 6:30 p.m. to Tuesday, September 8th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Young adults and private life 8:00 p.m. Young adults and private life 8:00 p.m. Young adults and private life [music] ages 24 through 59 are invited [music] ages 24 through 59 are invited [music] ages 24 through 59 are invited to mentor emerging adults ages 18 to 23 to mentor emerging adults ages 18 to 23 to mentor emerging adults ages 18 to 23 through meaningful relationships, shared through meaningful relationships, shared through meaningful relationships, shared experiences, and professional and experiences, and professional and experiences, and professional and spiritual development. Whether you're spiritual development. Whether you're spiritual development. Whether you're ready to invest in the next generation, ready to invest in the next generation, ready to invest in the next generation, or receive guidance for your next or receive guidance for your next or receive guidance for your next season, Wise is for you. Wheeler Avenue.

season, Wise is for you. Wheeler Avenue. season, Wise is for you. Wheeler Avenue. Get ready. Prime of Life Week is Get ready. Prime of Life Week is Get ready. Prime of Life Week is September 23rd through the 27th. September 23rd through the 27th. September 23rd through the 27th. >> If you're between the ages of 40 and 59, >> If you're between the ages of 40 and 59, >> If you're between the ages of 40 and 59, [music] [music] [music] Prime of Life invites you to five Prime of Life invites you to five Prime of Life invites you to five unforgettable days as we celebrate under unforgettable days as we celebrate under unforgettable days as we celebrate under the theme it's a family affair. The the theme it's a family affair. The the theme it's a family affair. The soundtrack of our lives, the faith that soundtrack of our lives, the faith that soundtrack of our lives, the faith that keeps us. keeps us. keeps us. >> On Wednesday, we'll begin where >> On Wednesday, we'll begin where >> On Wednesday, we'll begin where everything should begin with prayer. everything should begin with prayer. everything should begin with prayer. Join us for Prime Praise as we set the Join us for Prime Praise as we set the Join us for Prime Praise as we set the spiritual foundation for the week. spiritual foundation for the week. spiritual foundation for the week. [music] [music] [music] Thursday night, the best is yet to come. Thursday night, the best is yet to come. Thursday night, the best is yet to come. Come lend your voice to our Prime choir Come lend your voice to our Prime choir Come lend your voice to our Prime choir rehearsal experience as we celebrate the rehearsal experience as we celebrate the rehearsal experience as we celebrate the songs that have carried us through the songs that have carried us through the songs that have carried us through the years. years. years. >> Friday night is all about love and life. >> Friday night is all about love and life. >> Friday night is all about love and life. Prime singles, free your mind with an Prime singles, free your mind with an Prime singles, free your mind with an evening created especially for you. And evening created especially for you. And evening created especially for you. And married couples, it's a candlelight and married couples, it's a candlelight and married couples, it's a candlelight and you. An intimate candlelight date night you. An intimate candlelight date night you. An intimate candlelight date night designed to help you relax, reconnect, designed to help you relax, reconnect, designed to help you relax, reconnect, and simply enjoy one another. And and simply enjoy one another. And and simply enjoy one another. And because being a family means caring for because being a family means caring for because being a family means caring for our community, Prime of Life will our community, Prime of Life will our community, Prime of Life will collect toiletry donations to bless collect toiletry donations to bless collect toiletry donations to bless local organizations serving our unhoused local organizations serving our unhoused local organizations serving our unhoused brothers and sisters.

brothers and sisters. brothers and sisters. >> Saturday, join us for Remember the Time, >> Saturday, join us for Remember the Time, >> Saturday, join us for Remember the Time, the ultimate prime family reunion. Come the ultimate prime family reunion. Come the ultimate prime family reunion. Come ready for barbecue, dancing, games, and ready for barbecue, dancing, games, and ready for barbecue, dancing, games, and special surprise guests. special surprise guests. special surprise guests. >> Sunday, worship with us as we thank God >> Sunday, worship with us as we thank God >> Sunday, worship with us as we thank God for where he's brought us and look for where he's brought us and look for where he's brought us and look forward with expectation to where he's forward with expectation to where he's forward with expectation to where he's taking us. Registration opens tomorrow taking us. Registration opens tomorrow taking us. Registration opens tomorrow at noon and is required for all events. >> Join us for the seniors conference >> Join us for the seniors conference >> September [music] >> September [music] >> September [music] 14th through the 16th. Some people skip school board elections Some people skip school board elections because the race is still small, but because the race is still small, but because the race is still small, but there's [music] nothing small about the there's [music] nothing small about the there's [music] nothing small about the decisions that shape a child's future. decisions that shape a child's future. decisions that shape a child's future. School board members decide on teachers, School board members decide on teachers, School board members decide on teachers, safety, discipline, books, and budgets. safety, discipline, books, and budgets. safety, discipline, books, and budgets. Even without a child in school, educated Even without a child in school, educated Even without a child in school, educated young people strengthen our entire young people strengthen our entire young people strengthen our entire community. Know who is running, [music] community. Know who is running, [music] community. Know who is running, [music] the policies, and the issues on the the policies, and the issues on the the policies, and the issues on the ballot. Then vote like their future ballot. Then vote like their future ballot. Then vote like their future depends [music] on it, because it does.

depends [music] on it, because it does. depends [music] on it, because it does. There's so much taking place and we hope There's so much taking place and we hope There's so much taking place and we hope you stay connected. [music] For more you stay connected. [music] For more you stay connected. [music] For more information, please follow us on all information, please follow us on all information, please follow us on all social media platforms. I'm Riley Malvo. social media platforms. I'm Riley Malvo. social media platforms. I'm Riley Malvo. I'm Leila Yuing. I'm Chris Williams. I'm Leila Yuing. I'm Chris Williams. I'm Leila Yuing. I'm Chris Williams. >> I'm Christian Whitaker. >> I'm Christian Whitaker. >> 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 remember, we are Wheeler wherever. >> And remember, we are Wheeler wherever. >> And remember, we are Wheeler wherever. [music] 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 get to church. Cuz if testify, I got to get to church. Cuz if testify, I got to get to church. Cuz if I don't get to church, there's no I don't get to church, there's no 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 down. Then stand yourself up.

yourself down. Then stand yourself up. yourself down. Then stand yourself up. Then sit back down. Then stand back up. Then sit back down. Then stand back up. Then sit back down. Then stand back up. Then sit back down. And stand back up. Then sit back down. And stand back up. Then sit back down. And stand back up. Cuz you needed something in the Cuz you needed something in the Cuz you needed something in the sanctuary that you can't get at the sanctuary that you can't get at the sanctuary that you can't get at the ballpark. You get something in the ballpark. You get something in 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 get something in the sanctuary. You get something in the sanctuary. You can't get in the stadium. You got can't get in the stadium. You got can't get in the stadium. You got something in the sanctuary. [music]

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

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

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

>> here. >> here. [music] >> Well, good afternoon church. [music] >> Well, good afternoon church. [music] Does anybody know that you serve a great Does anybody know that you serve a great Does anybody know that you serve a great God? Come on. I said, does anybody know God? Come on. I said, does anybody know God? Come on. I said, does anybody know that you serve a great God? What a that you serve a great God? What a that you serve a great God? What a mighty God we serve. Heaven and earth mighty God we serve. Heaven and earth mighty God we serve. Heaven and earth adjo him. Come on. Does anybody know adjo him. Come on. Does anybody know adjo him. Come on. Does anybody know that [music] the God that you serve is that [music] the God that you serve is that [music] the God that you serve is great and greatly to be praised. So from great and greatly to be praised. So from great and greatly to be praised. So from the rising of the [music] sun until the the rising of the [music] sun until the the rising of the [music] sun until the going down of the same, the name [music] going down of the same, the name [music] going down of the same, the name [music] of the Lord is worthy to be praised. of the Lord is worthy to be praised. of the Lord is worthy to be praised. Somebody ought to rejoice and put those Somebody ought to rejoice and put those Somebody ought to rejoice and put those hands together because you [music] know hands together because you [music] know hands together because you [music] know that you serve a great God. There's that you serve a great God. There's that you serve a great God. There's nobody that's like our God. Nobody who nobody that's like our God. Nobody who nobody that's like our God. Nobody who is as strong as our God. Nobody who is is as strong as our God. Nobody who is is as strong as our God. Nobody who is as wise as our God. [music] No one who as wise as our God. [music] No one who as wise as our God. [music] No one who has as many resources as our God. Nobody has as many resources as our God. Nobody has as many resources as our God. Nobody who is as mighty as our God. Somebody who is as mighty as our God. Somebody who is as mighty as our God. Somebody ought to give God praise because you ought to give God praise because you ought to give God praise because you know you serve [music] a great God. So know you serve [music] a great God. So know you serve [music] a great God. So lift up your head, oh ye gates, and be lift up your head, oh ye gates, and be lift up your head, oh ye gates, and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in. Who is

the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? He's [music] the Lord the King of glory? He's [music] the Lord the King of glory? He's [music] the Lord strong and mighty. Who is this king of strong and mighty. Who is this king of strong and mighty. Who is this king of glory? The Lord mighty in battle. So I glory? The Lord mighty in battle. So I glory? The Lord mighty in battle. So I was glad when they said [music] unto me, was glad when they said [music] unto me, was glad when they said [music] unto me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." "Let us go into the house of the Lord." "Let us go into the house of the Lord." Is anybody glad that you made it to Is anybody glad that you made it to Is anybody glad that you made it to church [music] on the fifth Sunday of church [music] on the fifth Sunday of church [music] on the fifth Sunday of August on 1:00 on this afternoon. You August on 1:00 on this afternoon. You August on 1:00 on this afternoon. You had to make it through the storm and the had to make it through the storm and the had to make it through the storm and the rain, but you made it through sickness rain, but you made it through sickness rain, but you made it through sickness [music] and pain, but you made it [music] and pain, but you made it [music] and pain, but you made it through hell and high water. You made through hell and high water. You made through hell and high water. You made it. Somebody ought to thank God that it. Somebody ought to thank God that it. Somebody ought to thank God that [music] the God you serve is a great [music] the God you serve is a great [music] the God you serve is a great God. In Jesus' name, somebody say amen. God. In Jesus' name, somebody say amen. God. In Jesus' name, somebody say amen. [music] [music] [music] >> Come on, we'll put those blessed hands >> Come on, we'll put those blessed hands >> Come on, we'll put those blessed hands together. If you know that you serve a together. If you know that you serve a together. If you know that you serve a great God, come on. I said you serve a great God, come on. I said you serve a great God, come on. I said you serve a great God, not just an [music] average great God, not just an [music] average great God, not just an [music] average God. If God has been average in your

God. If God has been average in your God. If God has been average in your life, give him an average praise. If God life, give him an average praise. If God life, give him an average praise. If God has been little in your life, give him a has been little in your life, give him a has been little in your life, give him a little praise. If [music] God has been little praise. If [music] God has been little praise. If [music] God has been uh give him a praise. If God has been uh give him a praise. If God has been uh give him a praise. If God has been good, [music] give him a good praise. good, [music] give him a good praise. good, [music] give him a good praise. But if you know that God is great, you But if you know that God is great, you But if you know that God is great, you ought to lift up your handsh, open up ought to lift up your handsh, open up ought to lift up your handsh, open up [music] your mouth, and give your great [music] your mouth, and give your great [music] your mouth, and give your great God a great praise. You didn't make God a great praise. You didn't make God a great praise. You didn't make [music] it to church this afternoon just [music] it to church this afternoon just [music] it to church this afternoon just to sit here and look cute. But somebody to sit here and look cute. But somebody to sit here and look cute. But somebody knows that God is great and he's great knows that God is great and he's great knows that God is great and he's great to be praised. [music] to be praised. [music] to be praised. [music] You didn't come to play. You didn't come You didn't come to play. You didn't come You didn't come to play. You didn't come to look good. You didn't come to take to look good. You didn't come to take to look good. You didn't come to take [music] your space, but you come to give [music] your space, but you come to give [music] your space, but you come to give your great God some great praise. So let your great God some great praise. So let your great God some great praise. So let everything, everything, everything, let everything, let everything, let everything, let everything let everything let everything that has great glory. Praise [music] ye that has great glory. Praise [music] ye that has great glory. Praise [music] ye the Lord. Give that great God some great the Lord. Give that great God some great the Lord. Give that great God some great praise. Didn't he wake you up this praise. Didn't he wake you up this praise. Didn't he wake you up this [music] morning? Didn't he start you on [music] morning? Didn't he start you on [music] morning? Didn't he start you on your way, food on your table, clothes on your way, food on your table, clothes on your way, food on your table, clothes on your back, shoes on your feet. [music] your back, shoes on your feet. [music] your back, shoes on your feet. [music] He's worthy in Jesus name. Amen. All He's worthy in Jesus name. Amen. All He's worthy in Jesus name. Amen. All right.

Amen. He's a great God. He's Amen. He's a great God. He's He's great. He's great. He's great. He's He's great. He's great. He's great. He's He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. He's great. great. He's great. great. He's great. He's great. Period. He's great. Period. He's great. Period. He's great. He's great. [music] He's great. He's great. [music] He's great. He's great. [music] All right. I think somebody just had a flashback on I think somebody just had a flashback on how good God has been in your life. For how good God has been in your life. For how good God has been in your life. For some people, it don't take much. [music] some people, it don't take much. [music] some people, it don't take much. [music] All it takes is a thought. And when I All it takes is a thought. And when I All it takes is a thought. And when I think, I begin to think. When I think of think, I begin to think. When I think of think, I begin to think. When I think of the goodness of Jesus [music] and all the goodness of Jesus [music] and all the goodness of Jesus [music] and all he's done for me, my soul, my soul cries he's done for me, my soul, my soul cries he's done for me, my soul, my soul cries out, "Hallelujah. [music] Thank God for out, "Hallelujah. [music] Thank God for out, "Hallelujah. [music] Thank God for Savior.

>> It's time to pray. It's time to pray. >> It's time to pray. It's time to pray. If you have a prayer [music] request for If you have a prayer [music] request for If you have a prayer [music] request for this great God, you can find this great God, you can find this great God, you can find intercessors who are available. They intercessors who are available. They intercessors who are available. They have the red stones. um um [music] [music] [music] uh they they would love to pray with uh they they would love to pray with uh they they would love to pray with you. [music] you. [music] you. [music] As always, we want to be prayerful of As always, we want to be prayerful of As always, we want to be prayerful of those uh who might be dealing with those uh who might be dealing with those uh who might be dealing with health concerns and other challenges in health concerns and other challenges in health concerns and other challenges in life. life. life. Amen. >> All >> All >> All right. Let's let's let's >> All right. Let's let's let's >> All right. Let's let's let's go to our great God in prayer. go to our great God in prayer. go to our great God in prayer. Our Father and our God, how we come Our Father and our God, how we come Our Father and our God, how we come tonight, this afternoon with tonight, this afternoon with tonight, this afternoon with thanksgiving on our lips and on our thanksgiving on our lips and on our thanksgiving on our lips and on our hearts. God, [music] we thank you for hearts. God, [music] we thank you for hearts. God, [music] we thank you for another day. We thank you for this another day. We thank you for this another day. We thank you for this opportunity to be alive and as well as opportunity to be alive and as well as opportunity to be alive and as well as we are. God, we realize and recognize we are. God, we realize and recognize we are. God, we realize and recognize and acknowledge that things might not be and acknowledge that things might not be and acknowledge that things might not be as well as we want them to be, but we as well as we want them to be, but we as well as we want them to be, but we thank you that they are not as bad as thank you that they are not as bad as thank you that they are not as bad as they could be. God, we thank you that they could be. God, we thank you that they could be. God, we thank you that although we are not quite yet what we although we are not quite yet what we although we are not quite yet what we want to be, what we should be, God, we want to be, what we should be, God, we want to be, what we should be, God, we thank you that we aren't what we used to thank you that we aren't what we used to thank you that we aren't what we used to be. God, we thank you that you haven't be. God, we thank you that you haven't be. God, we thank you that you haven't given up on us. We thank you that you given up on us. We thank you that you given up on us. We thank you that you have day after day continued to work on have day after day continued to work on have day after day continued to work on us. We thank you that every day when we

us. We thank you that every day when we us. We thank you that every day when we woke up, we had new mercies, [music] a woke up, we had new mercies, [music] a woke up, we had new mercies, [music] a fresh batch of mercies. We had brand new fresh batch of mercies. We had brand new fresh batch of mercies. We had brand new mercies awaiting us. And so God, this mercies awaiting us. And so God, this mercies awaiting us. And so God, this afternoon, we say, "Great is thy afternoon, we say, "Great is thy afternoon, we say, "Great is thy faithfulness, God. You've been faithful faithfulness, God. You've been faithful faithfulness, God. You've been faithful in our lives. You've been faithful even in our lives. You've been faithful even in our lives. You've been faithful even when we were not faithful unto you. when we were not faithful unto you. when we were not faithful unto you. You've been faithful, oh God, in our You've been faithful, oh God, in our You've been faithful, oh God, in our relationships, faithful to us with job relationships, faithful to us with job relationships, faithful to us with job opportunities, faithful to us in opportunities, faithful to us in opportunities, faithful to us in providing resources. So God, the least providing resources. So God, the least providing resources. So God, the least we can do because you've been so we can do because you've been so we can do because you've been so faithful to us is give you some type of faithful to us is give you some type of faithful to us is give you some type of faithful praise. And so God, with our faithful praise. And so God, with our faithful praise. And so God, with our hands lifted [music] up, God, with our hands lifted [music] up, God, with our hands lifted [music] up, God, with our mouths filled with praise, God, with a mouths filled with praise, God, with a mouths filled with praise, God, with a heart of thanksgiving, we've determined heart of thanksgiving, we've determined heart of thanksgiving, we've determined and [music] decided that we're going to and [music] decided that we're going to and [music] decided that we're going to bless you. We going to bless you when bless you. We going to bless you when bless you. We going to bless you when it's good and bless [music] you when it's good and bless [music] you when it's good and bless [music] you when it's bad. We going to bless you when it's bad. We going to bless you when it's bad. We going to bless you when we're well. We're going to bless you we're well. We're going to bless you we're well. We're going to bless you when we're not so well. We're going to when we're not so well. We're going to when we're not so well. We're going to bless you when we're up. We're going to bless you when we're up. We're going to bless you when we're up. We're going to bless you when we're down. God, we're bless you when we're down. God, we're bless you when we're down. God, we're going to bless you through every aspect going to bless you through every aspect going to bless you through every aspect of our lives. Uh because even though our of our lives. Uh because even though our of our lives. Uh because even though our situation might not be great, God, you situation might not be great, God, you situation might not be great, God, you still are great. You are great and still are great. You are great and still are great. You are great and you're greatly [music] to be praised.

you're greatly [music] to be praised. you're greatly [music] to be praised. And so God, we've come to give your name And so God, we've come to give your name And so God, we've come to give your name all of the glory, all of the honor, all all of the glory, all of the honor, all all of the glory, all of the honor, all of the praise that's due to your name. of the praise that's due to your name. of the praise that's due to your name. So, [music] Father, we say thank you, So, [music] Father, we say thank you, So, [music] Father, we say thank you, God. There are some people here today God. There are some people here today God. There are some people here today who don't come [music] with just prayer who don't come [music] with just prayer who don't come [music] with just prayer requests or praise reports, but they requests or praise reports, but they requests or praise reports, but they come with some prayer requests. They come with some prayer requests. They come with some prayer requests. They come with some things weighing heavily come with some things weighing heavily come with some things weighing heavily on their hearts, God. Lord, you know on their hearts, God. Lord, you know on their hearts, God. Lord, you know what the need is before they even went what the need is before they even went what the need is before they even went to an intercessor with a red soul. You to an intercessor with a red soul. You to an intercessor with a red soul. You know what the need was before they know what the need was before they know what the need was before they pulled up in the parking lot. You know pulled up in the parking lot. You know pulled up in the parking lot. You know what the need was before they even woke what the need was before they even woke what the need was before they even woke up this morning. And so, God, we pray up this morning. And so, God, we pray up this morning. And so, God, we pray that you would just show up in their that you would just show up in their that you would just show up in their lives. And we've lived long enough to lives. And we've lived long enough to lives. And we've lived long enough to know that, Lord, when you show up that know that, Lord, when you show up that know that, Lord, when you show up that you're going to show out. So God, we're you're going to show out. So God, we're you're going to show out. So God, we're asking you and we have faith to expect asking you and we have faith to expect asking you and we have faith to expect you to show up and show out this week in you to show up and show out this week in you to show up and show out this week in our lives. God, would you show out in our lives. God, would you show out in our lives. God, would you show out in our finances? God, would you show out in our finances? God, would you show out in our finances? God, would you show out in our relationships? God, would you show our relationships? God, would you show our relationships? God, would you show out in our marriages? God, would you out in our marriages? God, would you out in our marriages? God, would you show out in our schools? God, would you show out in our schools? God, would you show out in our schools? God, would you show out on the doctor's trips? God, show out on the doctor's trips? God, show out on the doctor's trips? God, would you show out in our mental health?

would you show out in our mental health? would you show out in our mental health? God, would you show out in every aspect God, would you show out in every aspect God, would you show out in every aspect of our lives? [music] of our lives? [music] of our lives? [music] because we know that you are willing and because we know that you are willing and because we know that you are willing and able to do exceeding and abundantly able to do exceeding and abundantly able to do exceeding and abundantly above anything that we can ever ask or above anything that we can ever ask or above anything that we can ever ask or think. So God, we say thank you [music] think. So God, we say thank you [music] think. So God, we say thank you [music] that you are great and you're greatly to that you are great and you're greatly to that you are great and you're greatly to be praised. God, we lift up those to you be praised. God, we lift up those to you be praised. God, we lift up those to you who are even now walking through the who are even now walking through the who are even now walking through the valley of the shadow of death. God, we valley of the shadow of death. God, we valley of the shadow of death. God, we pray for those who are dealing with pray for those who are dealing with pray for those who are dealing with grief, not just of loved ones, but grief, not just of loved ones, but grief, not just of loved ones, but perhaps any major life transition. God, perhaps any major life transition. God, perhaps any major life transition. God, would you comfort them? We thank you for would you comfort them? We thank you for would you comfort them? We thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Ghost to the precious gift of the Holy Ghost to the precious gift of the Holy Ghost to comfort us, to strengthen us, to guide comfort us, to strengthen us, to guide comfort us, to strengthen us, to guide us, to nurture us, to be with us through us, to nurture us, to be with us through us, to nurture us, to be with us through every life transition we might face. So every life transition we might face. So every life transition we might face. So God, we say thank you. We thank you for God, we say thank you. We thank you for God, we say thank you. We thank you for this church. We thank you for Pastor this church. We thank you for Pastor this church. We thank you for Pastor Cosby. We thank you for Dr. Johnson in Cosby. We thank you for Dr. Johnson in Cosby. We thank you for Dr. Johnson in this next season. And God, we still this next season. And God, we still this next season. And God, we still believe that eyes still have not seen. believe that eyes still have not seen. believe that eyes still have not seen. We still believe that ears still have We still believe that ears still have We still believe that ears still have not heard. We still believe that it has not heard. We still believe that it has not heard. We still believe that it has not entered the hearts of men, women, not entered the hearts of men, women, not entered the hearts of men, women, boys or girls what you have in store for boys or girls what you have in store for boys or girls what you have in store for us. And [music] so if we've asked you us. And [music] so if we've asked you us. And [music] so if we've asked you for too little, we pray you do so much for too little, we pray you do so much for too little, we pray you do so much more and blow our minds in Jesus' name.

more and blow our minds in Jesus' name. more and blow our minds in Jesus' name. Amen. Y'all arrest your praise. Y'all keep Y'all arrest your praise. Y'all keep [music] giving God the glory cuz when we [music] giving God the glory cuz when we [music] giving God the glory cuz when we think about what the Lord has done for think about what the Lord has done for think about what the Lord has done for us, we should praise his name. us, we should praise his name. us, we should praise his name. Hallelujah. >> about the Lord. >> about the Lord. >> How he saved me. [music] >> How he saved me. [music] >> How he saved me. [music] >> Raise me. [singing] >> Raise me. [singing] >> Raise me. [singing] >> Heal me. >> Heal me. >> Heal me. >> How he >> How he >> How he >> with his Holy Ghost. >> with his Holy Ghost. >> with his Holy Ghost. >> Holy Ghost. How he [music] >> Holy Ghost. How he [music] >> Holy Ghost. How he [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] >> heal me. >> heal me. >> heal me. When I [music] [music] Heat. Heat.

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

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

Heat. [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Glory to the Lord. God, [music] we Glory to the Lord. God, [music] we Glory to the Lord. God, [music] we praise your name in this place. praise your name in this place. praise your name in this place. We give you all the glory. We give you We give you all the glory. We give you We give you all the glory. We give you all the honor. [music] all the honor. [music] all the honor. [music] We give you all the praise. We give you all the praise. We give you all the praise. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music] He didn't bring you what he brought you He didn't bring you what he brought you through to say quiet in his place. He through to say quiet in his place. He through to say quiet in his place. He brought you here to give his name some brought you here to give his name some brought you here to give his name some glory. glory. glory. Give him all the glory.

Give him all the glory. Give him all the glory. Hallelujah. It's the highest [music] Hallelujah. It's the highest [music] Hallelujah. It's the highest [music] praise. It's the highest praise. praise. It's the highest praise. praise. It's the highest praise. He revels in your praise. Hallelujah. He revels in your praise. Hallelujah. He revels in your praise. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music] Thank Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music] Thank Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music] Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah. Oh, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah. Oh, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah. Oh, hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. >> Come on. With the fruits of your lips, >> Come on. With the fruits of your lips, can we [music] just say thank you, can we [music] just say thank you, can we [music] just say thank you, Jesus? Jesus? Jesus? Can we just glorify his name? If you're Can we just glorify his name? If you're Can we just glorify his name? If you're not already [music] standing, can you not already [music] standing, can you not already [music] standing, can you stand all over the cathedral as we take stand all over the cathedral as we take stand all over the cathedral as we take our praise high and we sing this [music] our praise high and we sing this [music] our praise high and we sing this [music] morning's hymn, leaning on the morning's hymn, leaning on the morning's hymn, leaning on the everlasting arm. It just feels good to everlasting arm. It just feels good to everlasting arm. It just feels good to be able [music] to bask in his presence be able [music] to bask in his presence be able [music] to bask in his presence for a little while. Is that all right? for a little while. Is that all right? for a little while. Is that all right? Can we sing it together? Leaning on the Can we sing it together? Leaning on the Can we sing it together? Leaning on the everlasting arm. What a fellowship it everlasting arm. What a fellowship it everlasting arm. What a fellowship it is. [music] What a joy divine. is. [music] What a joy divine. is. [music] What a joy divine. Leaning on the everlasting arm of Leaning on the everlasting arm of Leaning on the everlasting arm of Christ. Christ. Christ. Who's our savior and [music] our Lord. Who's our savior and [music] our Lord. Who's our savior and [music] our Lord. Let's sing it together. One.

Let's sing it together. One. Let's sing it together. One. What a joy divine. What a joy divine. What a joy divine. [music] [music] [music] Leading on Leading on Leading on the everlasting. [music] the everlasting. [music] the everlasting. [music] What a blessing. What a blessing. What a blessing. What a peace is mine. What a peace is mine. What a peace is mine. Leaning on [music] the everlasting. Leaning on [music] the everlasting. Leaning on [music] the everlasting. Come on, lift your voice unto the Lord. Come on, lift your voice unto the Lord. Come on, lift your voice unto the Lord. Say, leave it. Say, leave it. Say, leave it. [music] [music] [music] Oh, Oh, Oh, we're safe and secure we're safe and secure we're safe and secure from all along. [music] from all along. [music] from all along. [music] Come on, they need it. Come on, they need it. Come on, they need it. [music] [music] [music] Glory in this pilgrim way in this pilgrim way leaning on. leaning on. leaning on. [music] Oh Oh [music] [music] [music] go from day to day go from day to day go from day to day on the everlasting.

on the everlasting. on the everlasting. [music] [music] [music] Come on lift your voices What am I What am I [music] leaning on the everlasting? [music] [music] I have [singing] Yeah. Heat.

Yeah. Heat. [music] [music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. [music] [music] >> together. Everybody lean into Everybody lean into [music] Yeah.

Yeah. Heat. [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> I am >> I am >> I am we all [music] Good afternoon. [music] Good afternoon. [music] Leaning and trusting in Jesus.

Leaning and trusting in Jesus. Leaning and trusting in Jesus. >> Would you please stand if you're not >> Would you please stand if you're not >> Would you please stand if you're not already standing for our reading of our already standing for our reading of our already standing for our reading of our scripture text today? Our scripture reading is coming [music] Our scripture reading is coming [music] from from from Ephesians chapter 3. Ephesians chapter 3. Ephesians chapter 3. The New International Version renders The New International Version renders The New International Version renders the text like this. For this reason I, the text like this. For this reason I, the text like this. For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, for Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, for Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, for the sake of you Gentiles, surely you the sake of you Gentiles, surely you the sake of you Gentiles, surely you have heard about the administration of have heard about the administration of have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for God's grace that was given to me for God's grace that was given to me for you. That is the mystery made known to you. That is the mystery made known to you. That is the mystery made known to me by revelation as I have already me by revelation as I have already me by revelation as I have already written briefly. In reading [music] written briefly. In reading [music] written briefly. In reading [music] this, then you will be able to this, then you will be able to this, then you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery understand my insight into the mystery understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, [music] which was not made of Christ, [music] which was not made of Christ, [music] which was not made known to people in other generations, as known to people in other generations, as known to people in other generations, as it has now been revealed by the spirit it has now been revealed by the spirit it has now been revealed by the spirit of God's holy apostles and prophets. of God's holy apostles and prophets. of God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel, This mystery is that through the gospel, This mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles are hes together with the Gentiles are hes together with the Gentiles are hes together with Israel, members together of one body and Israel, members together of one body and Israel, members together of one body and sharers together in the promise in sharers together in the promise in sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given gospel by the gift of God's grace given gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his [music] me through the working of his [music] me through the working of his [music] power.

power. power. Although I am less than the least of all Although I am less than the least of all Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given the Lord's people, this grace was given the Lord's people, this grace was given me to preach [music] to the Gentiles the me to preach [music] to the Gentiles the me to preach [music] to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ and to make boundless riches of Christ and to make boundless riches of Christ and to make plain to everyone the administration of plain to everyone the administration of plain to everyone the administration of this mis mystery which for ages past was this mis mystery which for ages past was this mis mystery which for ages past was kept hidden in God who created all kept hidden in God who created all kept hidden in God who created all things. His intent [music] was that now things. His intent [music] was that now things. His intent [music] was that now through the church, the manifold wis through the church, the manifold wis through the church, the manifold wis wisdom of God should be made known to wisdom of God should be made known to wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the the rulers and authorities in the the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to his eternal heavenly realms according to his eternal heavenly realms according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ purpose that he accomplished in Christ purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [music] In him and Jesus our Lord. [music] In him and Jesus our Lord. [music] In him and through faith in him, we may approach through faith in him, we may approach through faith in him, we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask God with freedom and confidence. I ask God with freedom and confidence. I ask you therefore not to be discouraged you therefore not to be discouraged you therefore not to be discouraged because of my sufferings [music] for you because of my sufferings [music] for you because of my sufferings [music] for you which are your glory. For this reason I which are your glory. For this reason I which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the father from whom every kneel before the father from whom every kneel before the father from whom every family in heaven and on earth deres its family in heaven and on earth deres its family in heaven and on earth deres its name. I pray that out of his glorious name. I pray that out of his glorious name. I pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power riches, he may strengthen you with power riches, he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being through his spirit in your inner being through his spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts so that Christ may dwell in your hearts so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. [music] through faith. [music] through faith. [music] And I pray that you being rooted and And I pray that you being rooted and And I pray that you being rooted and established in love may have power established in love may have power established in love may have power together with all the Lord's holy people together with all the Lord's holy people together with all the Lord's holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and to grasp how wide and long and high and to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know

deep is the love of Christ and to know deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses [music] this love that surpasses [music] this love that surpasses [music] knowledge that you may be filled to the knowledge that you may be filled to the knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. measure of all the fullness of God. measure of all the fullness of God. >> Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask [music] or imagine according all we ask [music] or imagine according all we ask [music] or imagine according to his power that is at work within us. to his power that is at work within us. to his power that is at work within us. To him be glory To him be glory To him be glory in the church [music] in the church [music] in the church [music] and in Christ Jesus throughout all and in Christ Jesus throughout all and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations generations generations forever and ever. Amen. Praise [music] the Lord. Praise the Praise [music] the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. There we go. Lord. Praise the Lord. There we go. Lord. Praise the Lord. There we go. Amen. Praise the Lord. Come on, y'all. Amen. Praise the Lord. Come on, y'all. Amen. Praise the Lord. Come on, y'all. Let's put our hands together [music] and Let's put our hands together [music] and Let's put our hands together [music] and continue to give God praise. We going to continue to give God praise. We going to continue to give God praise. We going to give him the highest praise on today. give him the highest praise on today. give him the highest praise on today. Come on. If you [music] still got a Come on. If you [music] still got a Come on. If you [music] still got a little bit of energy, stay with us, God. little bit of energy, stay with us, God. little bit of energy, stay with us, God. Come on. Let's sing. Hallelujah.

>> Heat. Heat. >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [singing] [singing] [singing] Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. I am my [music and singing] >> [music] >> [music] >> I >> I >> I [music] [music] [music] you He's so [music] worth the Lord. He's so [music] worth the Lord. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Jesus [music] [music] everybody [music] everybody [singing] [singing] [singing] you [music] [music] [music] my [music] [music] Hey.

>> [music] >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [screaming] [screaming] Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] >> [music] >> Heat. >> Heat. >> Heat. Heat. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music] Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. [music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. We lift you up. We lift you up. We lift you up. We lift you up. We lift you up. [music] Give him glory. [music] Give him glory. [music] Give him glory. Heat. Heat. [music]

[music] reason [music] [music] you you you find a way for you [music] find a way for you [music] find a way for you [music] to come on up. Come on. He [music] said, come on up. Come on. He [music] said, "And I if I be lifted up, I'll draw all "And I if I be lifted up, I'll draw all "And I if I be lifted up, I'll draw all unto me." So, let's go ahead and give unto me." So, let's go ahead and give unto me." So, let's go ahead and give him all the [music] praise. Give him him all the [music] praise. Give him him all the [music] praise. Give him glory. Hallelujah. glory. Hallelujah. glory. Hallelujah. But come on and clap [music] your hands But come on and clap [music] your hands But come on and clap [music] your hands on you people. And let's shout to God on you people. And let's shout to God on you people. And let's shout to God with a voice of with a voice of with a voice of Come on. If you [music] know the Lord is Come on. If you [music] know the Lord is Come on. If you [music] know the Lord is worthy of all of the glory and all of worthy of all of the glory and all of worthy of all of the glory and all of the praise. Let's [music] lift our God the praise. Let's [music] lift our God the praise. Let's [music] lift our God for just a little bit longer. I got you. for just a little bit longer. I got you. for just a little bit longer. I got you. Come on. Come on. Come [music] on. Come Come on. Come on. Come [music] on. Come Come on. Come on. Come [music] on. Come on.

>> Come on and celebrate tonight. [music] >> Come on and celebrate tonight. [music] I love you. I love you. There we go. There we go. [music] Glory to God.

Glory to God. Lift them all over the church house Lift them all over the church house Lift them all over the church house today. [music] [music] Lift him with your voices. Lift him with Lift him with your voices. Lift him with Lift him with your voices. Lift him with your arms. Lift him with your [music] your arms. Lift him with your [music] your arms. Lift him with your [music] feet. Lift him. Lift him. feet. Lift him. Lift him. feet. Lift him. Lift him. Oh, [music] let's go. [music] let's go. Let's go. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. [music] [music] [music] Glory to God. Thank you Lord. [music] Thank you Lord.

Thank you Lord. [music] Thank you Lord. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. [music] [music] [music] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Thank you Jesus. >> Thank you Jesus. >> Thank you Jesus. The presence of the Lord is in this The presence of the Lord is in this The presence of the Lord is in this place place place where the spirit of the Lord is. There where the spirit of the Lord is. There where the spirit of the Lord is. There is liberty. is liberty. is liberty. [music] [music] [music] >> We have the freedom to worship him and >> We have the freedom to worship him and >> We have the freedom to worship him and to praise him, to praise him, to praise him, >> to glorify him. >> to glorify him. >> to glorify him. In his presence there is fullness In his presence there is fullness In his presence there is fullness of joy of joy of joy >> at his right hand >> at his right hand >> at his right hand are pleasures forever more. [music] are pleasures forever more. [music] are pleasures forever more. [music] >> That's what we're experiencing right >> That's what we're experiencing right >> That's what we're experiencing right now. This is the fullness of joy that now. This is the fullness of joy that now. This is the fullness of joy that comes from being in the presence of the comes from being in the presence of the comes from being in the presence of the Lord.

Some can't sit down. Some don't want to Some can't sit down. Some don't want to sit down. Some hands are being [music] sit down. Some hands are being [music] sit down. Some hands are being [music] raised. voices are being lifted raised. voices are being lifted raised. voices are being lifted because we're in the presence of the because we're in the presence of the because we're in the presence of the Lord Lord Lord >> and how we honor his presence in this >> and how we honor his presence in this >> and how we honor his presence in this house today. house today. house today. Yeah. You don't want to go a day or two Yeah. You don't want to go a day or two Yeah. You don't want to go a day or two or three without experiencing the or three without experiencing the or three without experiencing the presence of the Lord. presence of the Lord. presence of the Lord. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. There's somebody on your row who will There's somebody on your row who will There's somebody on your row who will tell you, you don't have to be in church tell you, you don't have to be in church tell you, you don't have to be in church to experience [music] his presence. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Somebody's been at home all by yourself. Somebody's been at home all by yourself. Somebody's been at home all by yourself. [music] You felt his presence moving on the You felt his presence moving on the heart, on your heart, and you had to heart, on your heart, and you had to heart, on your heart, and you had to give him glory right there in your home. give him glory right there in your home. give him glory right there in your home. Somebody was driving down the street and Somebody was driving down the street and Somebody was driving down the street and that song came on and started talking that song came on and started talking that song came on and started talking about how good God had been right there about how good God had been right there about how good God had been right there driving down 59 on 288 driving down 59 on 288 driving down 59 on 288 out [music] there on 45. You just out [music] there on 45. You just out [music] there on 45. You just started giving God glory.

started giving God glory. started giving God glory. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Somebody's been at the gym working out Somebody's been at the gym working out Somebody's been at the gym working out and something some something just and something some something just and something some something just flashed back and it just made you thank flashed back and it just made you thank flashed back and it just made you thank God for his abiding presence. God for his abiding presence. God for his abiding presence. I'm glad he never leaves us. He never I'm glad he never leaves us. He never I'm glad he never leaves us. He never [music] forsakes us. But every now and [music] forsakes us. But every now and [music] forsakes us. But every now and then you can feel him in a whole other then you can feel him in a whole other then you can feel him in a whole other way. Thank you, Jesus. Oh. Oh. way. Thank you, Jesus. Oh. Oh. way. Thank you, Jesus. Oh. Oh. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Oh, this is when you got to pull up on Oh, this is when you got to pull up on Oh, this is when you got to pull up on the old saints now. He walks with me. the old saints now. He walks with me. the old saints now. He walks with me. [laughter] He [music] talks with me. He [music] talks with me. He tells me on his own [music] He tells me on his own [music] He tells me on his own [music] and the joy we share and the joy we share and the joy we share as [music] we carry there none other as [music] we carry there none other as [music] we carry there none other has ever known. Somebody [music] knows has ever known. Somebody [music] knows has ever known. Somebody [music] knows that he's got joy in his presence. that he's got joy in his presence. that he's got joy in his presence. Yes, Lord. Thank you so much, [music] Yes, Lord. Thank you so much, [music] Yes, Lord. Thank you so much, [music] Lord. Thank you so much, Lord.

Lord. Thank you so much, Lord. Lord. Thank you so much, Lord. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Thank you Jesus. >> Thank you Jesus. >> Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. [music] Thank you Jesus. [music] Thank you Jesus. [music] Sweet, sweet spirit in this place. Sweet, sweet spirit in this place. Sweet, sweet spirit in this place. And I know [music] that it's the And I know [music] that it's the And I know [music] that it's the presence of the Lord. If you're glad to presence of the Lord. If you're glad to presence of the Lord. If you're glad to be in his presence, give him glory. Lift be in his presence, give him glory. Lift be in his presence, give him glory. Lift him up. Give him honor. Give him praise him up. Give him honor. Give him praise him up. Give him honor. Give him praise on a Sunday afternoon in his house. This on a Sunday afternoon in his house. This on a Sunday afternoon in his house. This is his house. [music] is his house. [music] is his house. [music] If he'll meet you in your house, you If he'll meet you in your house, you If he'll meet you in your house, you ought to tell him thank you in his ought to tell him thank you in his ought to tell him thank you in his house. Come on. It's his house. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. We Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. We praise the Lord. You may be seated in praise the Lord. You may be seated in praise the Lord. You may be seated in the presence of the Lord if you choose the presence of the Lord if you choose the presence of the Lord if you choose to be seated. to be seated. to be seated. But we are so [music] grateful that we But we are so [music] grateful that we But we are so [music] grateful that we have the this opportunity, another have the this opportunity, another have the this opportunity, another privilege, another moment in time to be privilege, another moment in time to be privilege, another moment in time to be at the Wheeler Avenue Church on a Sunday at the Wheeler Avenue Church on a Sunday at the Wheeler Avenue Church on a Sunday afternoon. Anybody glad to be in the afternoon. Anybody glad to be in the afternoon. Anybody glad to be in the service?

service? service? one more time. one more time. one more time. I'm glad to see you. I'm glad you made I'm glad to see you. I'm glad you made I'm glad to see you. I'm glad you made it. There's some folk who had to press it. There's some folk who had to press it. There's some folk who had to press through a rough week so they could get through a rough week so they could get through a rough week so they could get to church on a Sunday afternoon. to church on a Sunday afternoon. to church on a Sunday afternoon. Some folk had a great week and you came Some folk had a great week and you came Some folk had a great week and you came to tell the Lord, "Thank you." to tell the Lord, "Thank you." to tell the Lord, "Thank you." Whether you're on the mountain or in the Whether you're on the mountain or in the Whether you're on the mountain or in the valley, he's [music] still worthy to be valley, he's [music] still worthy to be valley, he's [music] still worthy to be praised. praised. praised. And this afternoon, we're grateful to be And this afternoon, we're grateful to be And this afternoon, we're grateful to be together once again. And if you haven't together once again. And if you haven't together once again. And if you haven't done so yet, turn to somebody close to done so yet, turn to somebody close to done so yet, turn to somebody close to you. Tell them, "I'm glad to be in you. Tell them, "I'm glad to be in you. Tell them, "I'm glad to be in worship with you." worship with you." worship with you." Glad to be in worship with you. Glad to be in worship with you. Glad to be in worship with you. Make sure you put a smile on that Make sure you put a smile on that Make sure you put a smile on that person's [music] face. Make sure she person's [music] face. Make sure she person's [music] face. Make sure she says something back to you. Amen. Glad says something back to you. Amen. Glad says something back to you. Amen. Glad to be in worship with you. to be in worship with you. to be in worship with you. Glad to be in worship with you. Glad to be in worship with you. Glad to be in worship with you. My my my. I'm trying to move on, but I My my my. I'm trying to move on, but I My my my. I'm trying to move on, but I feel his presence. feel his presence. feel his presence. >> [music] >> We got other stuff to do, but I feel his >> We got other stuff to do, but I feel his [music] presence.

[music] presence. [music] presence. Glory Glory Glory to God. to God. to God. Glory to God. [music] Glory. Glory to Glory to God. [music] Glory. Glory to Glory to God. [music] Glory. Glory to God. Glory to God. God. Glory to God. God. Glory to God. [music] >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. How we give God glory. [music] How we give God glory. [music] How we give God glory. [music] How we give God praise How we give God praise How we give God praise for his abiding presence among us. [music] Thank you Jesus. [music] Thank you Jesus. Just take about 30 seconds [music] and Just take about 30 seconds [music] and Just take about 30 seconds [music] and celebrate God. Worship him in your own celebrate God. Worship him in your own celebrate God. Worship him in your own way. [music]

[music] >> Heat. Heat. >> Glory to God. Glory to God. >> Glory to God. Glory to God. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. [music] [music] [music] Yeah. They call this a visitation [music] They call this a visitation [music] of the Holy Ghost. of the Holy Ghost. of the Holy Ghost. I like it. I like it. I like it. I like I like it. I like it. I like it. I like I like it. I like it. I like it. I like it. Mhm. it. Mhm. it. Mhm. [music] [music] [music] Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Thank you so much. Praise the name of the Lord. so much. Praise the name of the Lord. so much. Praise the name of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord. I do want to celebrate not only the I do want to celebrate not only the I do want to celebrate not only the presence of all those who come to be presence of all those who come to be presence of all those who come to be with us each win each [music] week in with us each win each [music] week in with us each win each [music] week in this worship service, but there are some this worship service, but there are some this worship service, but there are some first-time visitors who may have pressed first-time visitors who may have pressed first-time visitors who may have pressed their way to the Wheeler Avenue Church their way to the Wheeler Avenue Church their way to the Wheeler Avenue Church today. [music] today. [music] today. [music] And I want to honor your presence among And I want to honor your presence among And I want to honor your presence among us as well. If you're a first- time us as well. If you're a first- time us as well. If you're a first- time visitor to Wheeler Avenue, will you visitor to Wheeler Avenue, will you visitor to Wheeler Avenue, will you please stand wherever you are so we may please stand wherever you are so we may please stand wherever you are so we may see you and celebrate your presence am see you and celebrate your presence am see you and celebrate your presence am all? There you are. I knew I had to all? There you are. I knew I had to all? There you are. I knew I had to celebrate you. I knew I had to celebrate celebrate you. I knew I had to celebrate celebrate you. I knew I had to celebrate you today.

you today. you today. Something told me I needed to celebrate Something told me I needed to celebrate Something told me I needed to celebrate our first time visitors. Look at all our first time visitors. Look at all our first time visitors. Look at all these precious people who came to be these precious people who came to be these precious people who came to be with us on the avenue this afternoon. with us on the avenue this afternoon. with us on the avenue this afternoon. Please remain standing. [music] Let me tell you something. Under normal Let me tell you something. Under normal circumstances, when the order of worship circumstances, when the order of worship circumstances, when the order of worship gets shifted like that, I'll move on. We gets shifted like that, I'll move on. We gets shifted like that, I'll move on. We won't acknowledge visitors at all. But won't acknowledge visitors at all. But won't acknowledge visitors at all. But some led me to make sure that we some led me to make sure that we some led me to make sure that we celebrate the presence of our first time celebrate the presence of our first time celebrate the presence of our first time visitors. And look at all of you visitors. And look at all of you visitors. And look at all of you precious people who have come to be with precious people who have come to be with precious people who have come to be with us today. To God be the glory. To God be us today. To God be the glory. To God be us today. To God be the glory. To God be the glory. This is obviously a group the glory. This is obviously a group the glory. This is obviously a group that has come to be here today. Who's that has come to be here today. Who's that has come to be here today. Who's the member of Wheeler Avenue in this the member of Wheeler Avenue in this the member of Wheeler Avenue in this group right here? Anybody? Any members group right here? Anybody? Any members group right here? Anybody? Any members you are? Please tell us who who these you are? Please tell us who who these you are? Please tell us who who these precious people are. precious people are. precious people are. >> Christian, [applause and cheering] [applause and cheering] >> the leadership of Greater New Grove >> the leadership of Greater New Grove >> the leadership of Greater New Grove >> Christian Worship Center. Where are you >> Christian Worship Center. Where are you >> Christian Worship Center. Where are you located?

>> You better let me know. Then come on and >> You better let me know. Then come on and celebrate the leadership of this fine celebrate the leadership of this fine celebrate the leadership of this fine church that has come to be with us this church that has come to be with us this church that has come to be with us this afternoon. afternoon. afternoon. Amen. Amen. Amen. What led you to come to Wheeler Avenue What led you to come to Wheeler Avenue What led you to come to Wheeler Avenue today? >> Oh, praise the Lord. >> Oh, praise the Lord. >> All right. Yeah. >> All right. Yeah. >> All right. Yeah. >> Yeah. Oh, the apostle is here. Come >> Yeah. Oh, the apostle is here. Come >> Yeah. Oh, the apostle is here. Come here, man of God. I want to shake a good here, man of God. I want to shake a good here, man of God. I want to shake a good man's hand. God bless you. man's hand. God bless you. man's hand. God bless you. Praise the Lord. My brother, beloved, Praise the Lord. My brother, beloved, Praise the Lord. My brother, beloved, God bless you, man. Tell me your name. God bless you, man. Tell me your name. God bless you, man. Tell me your name. >> Lionel Parker. >> Lionel Parker. >> Lionel Parker. >> Apostle Lionel Parker is here, church. >> Apostle Lionel Parker is here, church. >> Apostle Lionel Parker is here, church. Come on. Thank God for him. Amen. Amen. Come on. Thank God for him. Amen. Amen. Come on. Thank God for him. Amen. Amen. [music] [music] [music] God bless you. Did you all have church God bless you. Did you all have church God bless you. Did you all have church this morning this morning this morning >> and then you came over here this >> and then you came over here this >> and then you came over here this afternoon? afternoon? afternoon? >> Y'all know we going to be here about 5 >> Y'all know we going to be here about 5 >> Y'all know we going to be here about 5 or 6. Y'all know that, right? We don't or 6. Y'all know that, right? We don't or 6. Y'all know that, right? We don't have a time limit on this service, so have a time limit on this service, so have a time limit on this service, so settle in. settle in. settle in. Good to see you. God bless you. Any Good to see you. God bless you. Any Good to see you. God bless you. Any other groups among us today? Any other other groups among us today? Any other other groups among us today? Any other groups? Any other groups? All right. To groups? Any other groups? All right. To groups? Any other groups? All right. To all of you first time visitors at all of you first time visitors at all of you first time visitors at Wheeler Avenue, welcome to the Avenue.

Wheeler Avenue, welcome to the Avenue. Wheeler Avenue, welcome to the Avenue. We are so glad you're here. We praise We are so glad you're here. We praise We are so glad you're here. We praise God for you. We wrote a little song just God for you. We wrote a little song just God for you. We wrote a little song just to let you know that we're really to let you know that we're really to let you know that we're really excited that you've [music] come to be excited that you've [music] come to be excited that you've [music] come to be with us this afternoon. So, be blessed with us this afternoon. So, be blessed with us this afternoon. So, be blessed by this as we celebrate the fact that by this as we celebrate the fact that by this as we celebrate the fact that you're on the avenue. We welcome you to you're on the avenue. We welcome you to you're on the avenue. We welcome you to Wheeler Avenue. Church family. [music] Wheeler Avenue. Church family. [music] Wheeler Avenue. Church family. [music] Serenade our guest. Serenade our guest. Serenade our guest. We welcome you We welcome you We welcome you to to to [music] everything [music] everything [music] I Heat.

Heat. [music] [music] [music] Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [music] [music] Oh, >> [music] >> [music] >> to the hallelujah.

Yes, we do. [music] Yes, we do. [music] Yes, we do. Yes, we do. Yes, we do. Amen. Amen. Amen. Praise the Lord for all of you who have Praise the Lord for all of you who have Praise the Lord for all of you who have come today. All of you around the world come today. All of you around the world come today. All of you around the world who share with us via the worldwide web. who share with us via the worldwide web. who share with us via the worldwide web. God bless you. I greet you in the name God bless you. I greet you in the name God bless you. I greet you in the name of the Lord. Please know that this of the Lord. Please know that this of the Lord. Please know that this afternoon, immediately following this afternoon, immediately following this afternoon, immediately following this service, everyone is encouraged, even service, everyone is encouraged, even service, everyone is encouraged, even invited to go to the community life invited to go to the community life invited to go to the community life center in the gymnasium. Uh we have been center in the gymnasium. Uh we have been center in the gymnasium. Uh we have been working this weekend to make sure that working this weekend to make sure that working this weekend to make sure that everyone in the church knew what their everyone in the church knew what their everyone in the church knew what their spiritual gifts are. And as a spiritual gifts are. And as a spiritual gifts are. And as a consequence of knowing our spiritual consequence of knowing our spiritual consequence of knowing our spiritual gifts, we operate in ministry. And so we gifts, we operate in ministry. And so we gifts, we operate in ministry. And so we got a ministry fair going on in the got a ministry fair going on in the got a ministry fair going on in the gymnasium immediately following this gymnasium immediately following this gymnasium immediately following this service. There are precious people service. There are precious people service. There are precious people already waiting to receive you over already waiting to receive you over already waiting to receive you over there in the community life center there in the community life center there in the community life center gymnasium and all of our min Hey y'all. gymnasium and all of our min Hey y'all. gymnasium and all of our min Hey y'all. All of our ministries. Hey. Okay, All of our ministries. Hey. Okay, All of our ministries. Hey. Okay, everybody want to wave now. Go. Come on. everybody want to wave now. Go. Come on. everybody want to wave now. Go. Come on. Everybody wave back. Let's wave back. Everybody wave back. Let's wave back. Everybody wave back. Let's wave back. God bless you. We'll look forward to God bless you. We'll look forward to God bless you. We'll look forward to seeing you there in the gymnasium seeing you there in the gymnasium seeing you there in the gymnasium immediately following this service as we immediately following this service as we immediately following this service as we share in our ministry fair. If you're share in our ministry fair. If you're share in our ministry fair. If you're not in a ministry yet, at least one, I not in a ministry yet, at least one, I not in a ministry yet, at least one, I want you to go over to the ministry fair want you to go over to the ministry fair want you to go over to the ministry fair and look around to see where your gifts and look around to see where your gifts and look around to see where your gifts could be best utilized in service to God could be best utilized in service to God could be best utilized in service to God and others. And we invite you and and others. And we invite you and and others. And we invite you and encourage you to participate in ministry encourage you to participate in ministry encourage you to participate in ministry going forward. And we say that because going forward. And we say that because going forward. And we say that because we have come to the conclusion of our we have come to the conclusion of our we have come to the conclusion of our church year. Every time uh we gather church year. Every time uh we gather church year. Every time uh we gather around this last of August, we remind around this last of August, we remind around this last of August, we remind ourselves of our responsibility as we ourselves of our responsibility as we ourselves of our responsibility as we head into our new church year. For those head into our new church year. For those head into our new church year. For those who are new to our church or who are

who are new to our church or who are who are new to our church or who are visitors, our church year begins visitors, our church year begins visitors, our church year begins September 1st and it ends August 31st. September 1st and it ends August 31st. September 1st and it ends August 31st. Tomorrow is August 31st and our church Tomorrow is August 31st and our church Tomorrow is August 31st and our church year will come to its conclusion and we year will come to its conclusion and we year will come to its conclusion and we will have our year-end church meeting will have our year-end church meeting will have our year-end church meeting tomorrow evening at 700 p.m. It is a tomorrow evening at 700 p.m. It is a tomorrow evening at 700 p.m. It is a virtual meeting and we invite you if virtual meeting and we invite you if virtual meeting and we invite you if you're a member of the congregation uh you're a member of the congregation uh you're a member of the congregation uh to please take a picture of the QR code to please take a picture of the QR code to please take a picture of the QR code and uh join us with us. Register if and uh join us with us. Register if and uh join us with us. Register if you've not yet registered and be with us you've not yet registered and be with us you've not yet registered and be with us tomorrow evening from 7 uh until about tomorrow evening from 7 uh until about tomorrow evening from 7 uh until about 8:30 or 9. uh and we will share together 8:30 or 9. uh and we will share together 8:30 or 9. uh and we will share together the business of our church as it has the business of our church as it has the business of our church as it has been conducted since September 1st of been conducted since September 1st of been conducted since September 1st of last year until August 31st. And I hope last year until August 31st. And I hope last year until August 31st. And I hope that you will share with us tomorrow that you will share with us tomorrow that you will share with us tomorrow evening if you're so inclined and have evening if you're so inclined and have evening if you're so inclined and have the availability. And then on Tuesday, the availability. And then on Tuesday, the availability. And then on Tuesday, we'll get up early in the morning. We'll we'll get up early in the morning. We'll we'll get up early in the morning. We'll make our way to Wheeler Avenue Baptist make our way to Wheeler Avenue Baptist make our way to Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church for our 12hour prayer vigil. Church for our 12hour prayer vigil. Church for our 12hour prayer vigil. We'll be praying together for the We'll be praying together for the We'll be praying together for the entirety of the day from 6:00 am to 6 entirety of the day from 6:00 am to 6 entirety of the day from 6:00 am to 6 pm. We'll be praying together as we pm. We'll be praying together as we pm. We'll be praying together as we begin our new ch church year on begin our new ch church year on begin our new ch church year on September 1st. There's a QR code for September 1st. There's a QR code for September 1st. There's a QR code for those who cannot make it to the or at those who cannot make it to the or at those who cannot make it to the or at least a link for those who cannot make least a link for those who cannot make least a link for those who cannot make it to the church house. Uh but we hope it to the church house. Uh but we hope it to the church house. Uh but we hope that every person in we encourage every that every person in we encourage every that every person in we encourage every person of who's a member of our person of who's a member of our person of who's a member of our congregation to come by the church at congregation to come by the church at congregation to come by the church at some point. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 some point. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 some point. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, three hours, it minutes, an hour, three hours, it minutes, an hour, three hours, it doesn't matter. However long you can doesn't matter. However long you can doesn't matter. However long you can stay and let's pray together. Some will stay and let's pray together. Some will stay and let's pray together. Some will be interceding for others. Others will be interceding for others. Others will be interceding for others. Others will be praying for your own families and for be praying for your own families and for be praying for your own families and for yourselves. Some will just be basking in yourselves. Some will just be basking in yourselves. Some will just be basking in the presence of the Lord, even as we

the presence of the Lord, even as we the presence of the Lord, even as we have earlier in this service. Whatever have earlier in this service. Whatever have earlier in this service. Whatever the case may be, we invite you to come the case may be, we invite you to come the case may be, we invite you to come on by and have a good time in prayer. on by and have a good time in prayer. on by and have a good time in prayer. That's all we're going to do for the That's all we're going to do for the That's all we're going to do for the whole 12 hours is pray. And I hope that whole 12 hours is pray. And I hope that whole 12 hours is pray. And I hope that you will come and share with us in that you will come and share with us in that you will come and share with us in that experience. And just when you thought experience. And just when you thought experience. And just when you thought that was enough prayer to cover you for that was enough prayer to cover you for that was enough prayer to cover you for the month, no, no. We'll be right back the month, no, no. We'll be right back the month, no, no. We'll be right back up early Wednesday morning and we'll be up early Wednesday morning and we'll be up early Wednesday morning and we'll be in our 6:00 a.m. prayer time in the in our 6:00 a.m. prayer time in the in our 6:00 a.m. prayer time in the virtual space. And I hope that you will virtual space. And I hope that you will virtual space. And I hope that you will join with me as we pray together from join with me as we pray together from join with me as we pray together from 6:00 to 6:15 on Wednesday morning. And 6:00 to 6:15 on Wednesday morning. And 6:00 to 6:15 on Wednesday morning. And then from 6:00 p.m. to 6:55 or so just then from 6:00 p.m. to 6:55 or so just then from 6:00 p.m. to 6:55 or so just before the second session of study on before the second session of study on before the second session of study on the Avenue. But we will be in prayer and the Avenue. But we will be in prayer and the Avenue. But we will be in prayer and study 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. for prayer, study 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. for prayer, study 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. for prayer, 12:00 noon, and 7:00 p.m. for study. And 12:00 noon, and 7:00 p.m. for study. And 12:00 noon, and 7:00 p.m. for study. And I hope that you will join us in that I hope that you will join us in that I hope that you will join us in that experience. Where are the registered experience. Where are the registered experience. Where are the registered voters? Let me see your hands, please. voters? Let me see your hands, please. voters? Let me see your hands, please. All the reg Oh, God bless you. I love All the reg Oh, God bless you. I love All the reg Oh, God bless you. I love [music] this church. I love this [music] this church. I love this [music] this church. I love this conscientious church. We want to make conscientious church. We want to make conscientious church. We want to make sure that everyone who's eligible to sure that everyone who's eligible to sure that everyone who's eligible to vote votes in the upcoming election. A vote votes in the upcoming election. A vote votes in the upcoming election. A very crucial, significant election is very crucial, significant election is very crucial, significant election is coming up in the next few months. And we coming up in the next few months. And we coming up in the next few months. And we want every member of our congregation to want every member of our congregation to want every member of our congregation to know your status as an eligible voter.

know your status as an eligible voter. know your status as an eligible voter. They've been moving lines and changing They've been moving lines and changing They've been moving lines and changing rules and shifting people's status in on rules and shifting people's status in on rules and shifting people's status in on the rolls. And so we want to make sure the rolls. And so we want to make sure the rolls. And so we want to make sure that every person who is a registered that every person who is a registered that every person who is a registered voter at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church voter at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church voter at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church maintains eligibility to do that to make maintains eligibility to do that to make maintains eligibility to do that to make sure that your status has not shifted. sure that your status has not shifted. sure that your status has not shifted. Take a picture of that QR code. Check Take a picture of that QR code. Check Take a picture of that QR code. Check your status. Make sure they have your your status. Make sure they have your your status. Make sure they have your proper address in the database so that proper address in the database so that proper address in the database so that you will be able to vote in the next few you will be able to vote in the next few you will be able to vote in the next few months. You must do that by October 5th. months. You must do that by October 5th. months. You must do that by October 5th. you have a good runway with on which to you have a good runway with on which to you have a good runway with on which to do so, but it must be done by October do so, but it must be done by October do so, but it must be done by October 5th. And I hope that you will make sure 5th. And I hope that you will make sure 5th. And I hope that you will make sure that you are eligible so that all of us that you are eligible so that all of us that you are eligible so that all of us together can make some good decisions in together can make some good decisions in together can make some good decisions in the next few months come November for the next few months come November for the next few months come November for those who will govern and guide us in those who will govern and guide us in those who will govern and guide us in the days ahead. Let the church say, the days ahead. Let the church say, the days ahead. Let the church say, "Amen." "Amen." "Amen." >> Amen. Well, those are our announcements >> Amen. Well, those are our announcements >> Amen. Well, those are our announcements for this Sunday afternoon. It's offering for this Sunday afternoon. It's offering for this Sunday afternoon. It's offering time in the Lord's house now. We're time in the Lord's house now. We're time in the Lord's house now. We're excited about that. I like this church. excited about that. I like this church. excited about that. I like this church. I like this church. I like this church. I like this church. I like this church. I like this church. I like this church. It's time for us to give unto God. And It's time for us to give unto God. And It's time for us to give unto God. And as we give this afternoon, we remember as we give this afternoon, we remember as we give this afternoon, we remember uh that our ushers are moving about us uh that our ushers are moving about us uh that our ushers are moving about us now to provide for us envelopes just in now to provide for us envelopes just in now to provide for us envelopes just in case there are those who want to place a case there are those who want to place a case there are those who want to place a paper gift within those envelopes.

paper gift within those envelopes. paper gift within those envelopes. [music] We invite you and encourage you [music] We invite you and encourage you [music] We invite you and encourage you to utilize their ministry now. But if to utilize their ministry now. But if to utilize their ministry now. But if you prefer digital methods, you'll see you prefer digital methods, you'll see you prefer digital methods, you'll see on the screen the ways by which we give on the screen the ways by which we give on the screen the ways by which we give in a digital way. You'll see a QR code in a digital way. You'll see a QR code in a digital way. You'll see a QR code there. You'll see a number text to give. there. You'll see a number text to give. there. You'll see a number text to give. you'll be able to give on the website as you'll be able to give on the website as you'll be able to give on the website as we push pay. Whatever your best method we push pay. Whatever your best method we push pay. Whatever your best method of giving is, we encourage you to of giving is, we encourage you to of giving is, we encourage you to utilize it this afternoon. And together utilize it this afternoon. And together utilize it this afternoon. And together we will honor the Lord through the we will honor the Lord through the we will honor the Lord through the presentation of our tithes and presentation of our tithes and presentation of our tithes and offerings. Together we will worship the offerings. Together we will worship the offerings. Together we will worship the Lord through the presentation of our Lord through the presentation of our Lord through the presentation of our tithes and offerings. Would you believe tithes and offerings. Would you believe tithes and offerings. Would you believe that? Together we will lift him up that? Together we will lift him up that? Together we will lift him up through the presentation of our tithes through the presentation of our tithes through the presentation of our tithes and offerings as we give to the work of and offerings as we give to the work of and offerings as we give to the work of ministry at Wheeler Avenue Baptist ministry at Wheeler Avenue Baptist ministry at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. It allows us to do greater Church. It allows us to do greater Church. It allows us to do greater ministry as we go forward even greater ministry as we go forward even greater ministry as we go forward even greater than we have done uh in the days ahead than we have done uh in the days ahead than we have done uh in the days ahead days behind us. And so I hope that you days behind us. And so I hope that you days behind us. And so I hope that you will help us to give this afternoon in a will help us to give this afternoon in a will help us to give this afternoon in a way that allows us to do ministry with way that allows us to do ministry with way that allows us to do ministry with excellence in the next church year even excellence in the next church year even excellence in the next church year even as we have done so in this church year.

as we have done so in this church year. as we have done so in this church year. and that information will be forthcoming and that information will be forthcoming and that information will be forthcoming tomorrow evening. Thank you ushers for tomorrow evening. Thank you ushers for tomorrow evening. Thank you ushers for moving about us. There are still ushers moving about us. There are still ushers moving about us. There are still ushers who are helping to [music] serve those who are helping to [music] serve those who are helping to [music] serve those who need envelopes. Uh we're grateful who need envelopes. Uh we're grateful who need envelopes. Uh we're grateful for their service in the Lord's church. for their service in the Lord's church. for their service in the Lord's church. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. If you don't know the name of the Amen. If you don't know the name of the Amen. If you don't know the name of the person sitting on either side of you, person sitting on either side of you, person sitting on either side of you, make sure you get their name. Get their make sure you get their name. Get their make sure you get their name. Get their name. Get their name. I got a funny name. Get their name. I got a funny name. Get their name. I got a funny feeling. I'm going to ask you to say feeling. I'm going to ask you to say feeling. I'm going to ask you to say something specific to them before the something specific to them before the something specific to them before the day is over. So, get their names. If you day is over. So, get their names. If you day is over. So, get their names. If you don't know, even if they think you know don't know, even if they think you know don't know, even if they think you know their name, just tell them anyway. their name, just tell them anyway. their name, just tell them anyway. You've been sitting next to them for 4 You've been sitting next to them for 4 You've been sitting next to them for 4 years and never got their name. Lord years and never got their name. Lord years and never got their name. Lord have mercy. You just say, "Hey girl, have mercy. You just say, "Hey girl, have mercy. You just say, "Hey girl, what up man?" No, get the name. what up man?" No, get the name. what up man?" No, get the name. Get the gold name. Get the gold name. Get the gold name. Get the middle name. Lord have mercy. Get the middle name. Lord have mercy. Get the middle name. Lord have mercy. Get that maiden name. Get that maiden name. Get that maiden name. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Get their mama's maiden name. Get their >> Get their mama's maiden name. Get their >> Get their mama's maiden name. Get their blood type. Get all the information this blood type. Get all the information this blood type. Get all the information this afternoon.

We are family. We are family. We're not just people sitting in a room We're not just people sitting in a room We're not just people sitting in a room together. We are family and we [music] together. We are family and we [music] together. We are family and we [music] thank God for that. thank God for that. thank God for that. You got her social security number. Good You got her social security number. Good You got her social security number. Good job, Doc. Good job. Get her social job, Doc. Good job. Get her social job, Doc. Good job. Get her social security number. Good job. That's That's security number. Good job. That's That's security number. Good job. That's That's a real church member right there. That's a real church member right there. That's a real church member right there. That's right. Good. Good job. right. Good. Good job. right. Good. Good job. Now, if you don't have any offering, now Now, if you don't have any offering, now Now, if you don't have any offering, now say to that same person, let me have $5. say to that same person, let me have $5. say to that same person, let me have $5. Let me have $5 and put in the offering. Let me have $5 and put in the offering. Let me have $5 and put in the offering. Put in the offering. Dr. Jay, I'm led to do it. I'm led to do Dr. Jay, I'm led to do it. I'm led to do it. Listen. Sh. Listen. Where the people it. Listen. Sh. Listen. Where the people it. Listen. Sh. Listen. Where the people in between jobs? In between jobs. You in between jobs? In between jobs. You in between jobs? In between jobs. You don't have a job right now. You're don't have a job right now. You're don't have a job right now. You're looking for one. Come to the altar, looking for one. Come to the altar, looking for one. Come to the altar, please. I'm I'm led to talk to you. Come please. I'm I'm led to talk to you. Come please. I'm I'm led to talk to you. Come here. here. here. Come on to the altar. Come on to the altar. Come on to the altar. Adults. Adults. I'm not talking about Adults. Adults. I'm not talking about Adults. Adults. I'm not talking about children. Adults in between jobs. children. Adults in between jobs. children. Adults in between jobs. Tell the truth. Tell the truth. All Tell the truth. Tell the truth. All Tell the truth. Tell the truth. All adults in between jobs, come to the adults in between jobs, come to the adults in between jobs, come to the altar.

All adults in between jobs, come to the All adults in between jobs, come to the altar. Come on down. Choir. If you're in altar. Come on down. Choir. If you're in altar. Come on down. Choir. If you're in between jobs, come on down. Come all the between jobs, come on down. Come all the between jobs, come on down. Come all the way down. Come all the way down. My God. [music] My God. [music] My God. My God. My God. Meaning you do not have a job right now. Meaning you do not have a job right now. Meaning you do not have a job right now. You are in between jobs, [music] You are in between jobs, [music] You are in between jobs, [music] unemployed, unemployed, unemployed, and you want a job. I'm not about to and you want a job. I'm not about to and you want a job. I'm not about to give you one, but I'm just saying. Come give you one, but I'm just saying. Come give you one, but I'm just saying. Come on down. on down. on down. I don't have a job to give you. I just I don't have a job to give you. I just I don't have a job to give you. I just want to see you. The Lord [music] want to see you. The Lord [music] want to see you. The Lord [music] Lord laid you on my heart between Lord laid you on my heart between Lord laid you on my heart between services. services. services. My God. My God. My God. My Lord. My Lord. My Lord. My Lord. Oh God. Oh God. My God. My God. My God. My God. My God. My God. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. My God. God bless you. God bless you.

My God. God bless you. God bless you. My God. God bless you. God bless you. God bless you. So, I was going to give you gift cards. So, I was going to give you gift cards. I ain't got none. So, I'm not going to I ain't got none. So, I'm not going to I ain't got none. So, I'm not going to give you gift cards, give you gift cards, give you gift cards, but I'm going to hook you up. You know, but I'm going to hook you up. You know, but I'm going to hook you up. You know, we got we got to hook you up as a church we got we got to hook you up as a church we got we got to hook you up as a church family. Yeah. You got to do that. Amen. family. Yeah. You got to do that. Amen. family. Yeah. You got to do that. Amen. [music] [music] [music] Amen. Amen. Amen. Miss Andrea is Okay, I need you to Miss Andrea is Okay, I need you to Miss Andrea is Okay, I need you to stand, Miss T. That's Miss Andrea stand, Miss T. That's Miss Andrea stand, Miss T. That's Miss Andrea Tucker. I want you all to look back at Tucker. I want you all to look back at Tucker. I want you all to look back at that precious lady right there before that precious lady right there before that precious lady right there before you leave church this afternoon after you leave church this afternoon after you leave church this afternoon after the benediction. She's going to wait the benediction. She's going to wait the benediction. She's going to wait around. I want you to give her your name around. I want you to give her your name around. I want you to give her your name and your email address, and she's going and your email address, and she's going and your email address, and she's going to make sure that you get a blessing to make sure that you get a blessing to make sure that you get a blessing from your church to hold you for a from your church to hold you for a from your church to hold you for a little while longer. All right. [music] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> We got you. We got you.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Listen, it's not it's not a whole lot. Listen, it's not it's not a whole lot. Listen, it's not it's not a whole lot. It's not going to, you know, get you all It's not going to, you know, get you all It's not going to, you know, get you all the way to December, but it's going to the way to December, but it's going to the way to December, but it's going to get you a beast away. All right. It's get you a beast away. All right. It's get you a beast away. All right. It's going to get you a beast away. Get your going to get you a beast away. Get your going to get you a beast away. Get your beast away. Um, put our put our stuff back up there Um, put our put our stuff back up there where we worship Jesus Christ. Put that where we worship Jesus Christ. Put that where we worship Jesus Christ. Put that back up there where we worship Jesus back up there where we worship Jesus back up there where we worship Jesus Christ. Um, our our moniker that our Christ. Um, our our moniker that our Christ. Um, our our moniker that our pastor emmeritus, he's with the Lord pastor emmeritus, he's with the Lord pastor emmeritus, he's with the Lord now. But before he left here, many years now. But before he left here, many years now. But before he left here, many years before he left here, he told us that before he left here, he told us that before he left here, he told us that this is the place where we worship Jesus this is the place where we worship Jesus this is the place where we worship Jesus [music] Christ and minister to the total [music] Christ and minister to the total [music] Christ and minister to the total person. person. person. That means beyond the benediction, we That means beyond the benediction, we That means beyond the benediction, we got to take care of our family, right? got to take care of our family, right? got to take care of our family, right? got to take care of our sisters and got to take care of our sisters and got to take care of our sisters and brothers. Yeah. So, we want to make sure brothers. Yeah. So, we want to make sure brothers. Yeah. So, we want to make sure that we can help you in some way. If you that we can help you in some way. If you that we can help you in some way. If you have enough faith to keep coming to have enough faith to keep coming to have enough faith to keep coming to church, keep believing God for great church, keep believing God for great church, keep believing God for great things, you just never know when the things, you just never know when the things, you just never know when the Lord will turn that thing. Thank you, Lord will turn that thing. Thank you, Lord will turn that thing. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Yeah.

Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Yeah. Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Yeah. So, the Lord put you on my heart between So, the Lord put you on my heart between So, the Lord put you on my heart between the second and third [music] services. I the second and third [music] services. I the second and third [music] services. I was in my office all by myself and the was in my office all by myself and the was in my office all by myself and the Lord said those between jobs need to Lord said those between jobs need to Lord said those between jobs need to know of the love of Wheeler Avenue know of the love of Wheeler Avenue know of the love of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. And so we love you. Baptist Church. And so we love you. Baptist Church. And so we love you. We're caring for you. We're praying for We're caring for you. We're praying for We're caring for you. We're praying for you. Praying for you. God, in the name you. Praying for you. God, in the name you. Praying for you. God, in the name of the Lord Jesus, I thank you for your of the Lord Jesus, I thank you for your of the Lord Jesus, I thank you for your sons and daughters. I thank [music] you sons and daughters. I thank [music] you sons and daughters. I thank [music] you for their faith in you, for their for their faith in you, for their for their faith in you, for their confidence in you. confidence in you. confidence in you. Brought them to church on a Sunday Brought them to church on a Sunday Brought them to church on a Sunday afternoon. They had no idea of what you afternoon. They had no idea of what you afternoon. They had no idea of what you had [music] in store for them. But I had [music] in store for them. But I had [music] in store for them. But I thank you that you care about your thank you that you care about your thank you that you care about your people. I thank you, [music] oh God, people. I thank you, [music] oh God, people. I thank you, [music] oh God, that you continue to show your people that you continue to show your people that you continue to show your people your favor your favor your favor even in the midst of frustrating even in the midst of frustrating even in the midst of frustrating realities. So in the name [music] of realities. So in the name [music] of realities. So in the name [music] of Jesus, will you give your people more Jesus, will you give your people more Jesus, will you give your people more faith to endure, faith to keep pressing, faith to endure, faith to keep pressing, faith to endure, faith to keep pressing, faith to keep holding on, faith to keep faith to keep holding on, faith to keep faith to keep holding on, faith to keep believing, faith to keep persevering, believing, faith to keep persevering, believing, faith to keep persevering, faith to keep pushing, faith, faith, faith to keep pushing, faith, faith, faith to keep pushing, faith, faith, faith, faith to [music] keep on going.

faith, faith to [music] keep on going. faith, faith to [music] keep on going. We don't give up. We don't tire. We We don't give up. We don't tire. We We don't give up. We don't tire. We don't throw in the towel. We still don't throw in the towel. We still don't throw in the towel. We still believe that [music] you're able to do believe that [music] you're able to do believe that [music] you're able to do exceeding exceeding exceeding abundantly above all we ask [music] or abundantly above all we ask [music] or abundantly above all we ask [music] or think according to the power that is at think according to the power that is at think according to the power that is at work within us. And we thank you for the work within us. And we thank you for the work within us. And we thank you for the victory for [music] your people. I ask victory for [music] your people. I ask victory for [music] your people. I ask in the name of Jesus that you'll open in the name of Jesus that you'll open in the name of Jesus that you'll open some doors now. [music] Yep. Yep. Yep. some doors now. [music] Yep. Yep. Yep. some doors now. [music] Yep. Yep. Yep. You open some doors. Put your sons and You open some doors. Put your sons and You open some doors. Put your sons and daughters in relationship with the right daughters in relationship with the right daughters in relationship with the right people. Help them to meet the right people. Help them to meet the right people. Help them to meet the right person, [music] the right people to get person, [music] the right people to get person, [music] the right people to get them to the next level of their lives. I them to the next level of their lives. I them to the next level of their lives. I thank you. I thank you. I [music] thank thank you. I thank you. I [music] thank thank you. I thank you. I [music] thank you that victory shall be ours in the you that victory shall be ours in the you that victory shall be ours in the name [music] of Jesus. name [music] of Jesus. name [music] of Jesus. Oh, we thank you that some miracles are Oh, we thank you that some miracles are Oh, we thank you that some miracles are [music] about to take place. Yep. Yep. [music] about to take place. Yep. Yep. [music] about to take place. Yep. Yep. Yep. It's still the year. is still the Yep. It's still the year. is still the Yep. It's still the year. is still the year [music] of manifested miracles. Do year [music] of manifested miracles. Do year [music] of manifested miracles. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it in the it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it in the it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. [music] name of the Lord Jesus. [music] name of the Lord Jesus. [music] And I thank you for it in advance. I And I thank you for it in advance. I And I thank you for it in advance. I don't have to wait to see it. I know don't have to wait to see it. I know don't have to wait to see it. I know you're about to [music] do it. And I you're about to [music] do it. And I you're about to [music] do it. And I thank you for it in Jesus name. Somebody thank you for it in Jesus name. Somebody thank you for it in Jesus name. Somebody shout hallelujah. Come on, give God shout hallelujah. Come on, give God shout hallelujah. Come on, give God praise for your sisters and brothers praise for your sisters and brothers praise for your sisters and brothers [music] who about to get all hook up in [music] who about to get all hook up in [music] who about to get all hook up in Jesus name.

Jesus name. Jesus name. do it for me. do it for me. do it for me. [music] [music] [music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Lord, >> yeah, this is old school. I need the old >> yeah, this is old school. I need the old school to say, do it for school to say, do it for school to say, do it for [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] me right now. right now. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> If you go and sing it with the Lord, >> If you go and sing it with the Lord, >> If you go and sing it with the Lord, do it. do it. do it. [music] You may return to your seat. You may You may return to your seat. You may return to your seat with faith, return to your seat with faith, return to your seat with faith, believing that God's [music] about to believing that God's [music] about to believing that God's [music] about to make a way. Lord, do it for me. Do it for [music] me. it for me. Do it for [music] me. Oh, I need you to work it out. Make a way.

I need you to work it out. Make a way. Do [music] it for me. [music] [music] Last time. Everybody. Everybody. Last time. Everybody. Everybody. Last time. Everybody. Everybody. [music] [music] [music] Oh, Yeah. Yeah. [singing] [singing] [singing] [music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah. [music] Hallelujah.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. >> Glory to God. >> Glory to God. >> Glory to God. >> Glory to God. >> Glory to God. >> Glory to God. >> Glory to God. right now. Somebody else needs something. It may Somebody else needs something. It may not be a job, but you need something not be a job, but you need something not be a job, but you need something from the Lord. Do it. Do it. Do it. from the Lord. Do it. Do it. Do it. from the Lord. Do it. Do it. Do it. >> Do it for me. >> Do it for me. >> Do it for me. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. >> Come on. It's already >> Come on. It's already >> Come on. It's already It's already >> [music] >> [music] >> Do it.

>> Do it. >> Do it. >> Do it [singing] for me. >> Do it [singing] for me. >> Do it [singing] for me. [music] [music] [music] >> Do it for me. [singing] >> Do it for me. [singing] >> Do it for me. [singing] >> Do it for me. >> Do it for me. >> Do it for me. >> Do it for me. [music and singing] >> Do it for me. [music and singing] >> Do it for me. [music and singing] >> I know you can. And I know you will. >> I know you can. And I know you will. >> I know you can. And I know you will. [music] Do it for me. Do it for me. [music] [music] [music] [singing] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. >> I hear the Lord saying, "I I tell you >> I hear the Lord saying, "I I tell you >> I hear the Lord saying, "I I tell you the number. I hear the Lord. I got a the number. I hear the Lord. I got a the number. I hear the Lord. I got a number. I got a number for every one of number. I got a number for every one of number. I got a number for every one of you who who is between jobs. I [music] you who who is between jobs. I [music] you who who is between jobs. I [music] need every one of you make sure you tell need every one of you make sure you tell need every one of you make sure you tell the truth. Don't don't do anything that the truth. Don't don't do anything that the truth. Don't don't do anything that would offend God's heart. I want you to would offend God's heart. I want you to would offend God's heart. I want you to tell the truth and see Miss Andrea tell the truth and see Miss Andrea tell the truth and see Miss Andrea before the ser before this day is over. before the ser before this day is over. before the ser before this day is over. Before you leave church today, Lord, Before you leave church today, Lord, Before you leave church today, Lord, bless all of our gifts and our giving so bless all of our gifts and our giving so bless all of our gifts and our giving so that it might glorify God. I see the that it might glorify God. I see the that it might glorify God. I see the leader of our missions and mercy leader of our missions and mercy leader of our missions and mercy ministry here and she's Matthew 25.

ministry here and she's Matthew 25. ministry here and she's Matthew 25. We're going to make sure she we put her We're going to make sure she we put her We're going to make sure she we put her to good work this week. We're going to to good work this week. We're going to to good work this week. We're going to take care of all of our sisters and take care of all of our sisters and take care of all of our sisters and brothers. Somebody shout amen. brothers. Somebody shout amen. brothers. Somebody shout amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. If you haven't given, Amen. Amen. Amen. If you haven't given, Amen. Amen. Amen. If you haven't given, I'm praying over your giving. Go ahead I'm praying over your giving. Go ahead I'm praying over your giving. Go ahead and give. Let's give. And our music and give. Let's give. And our music and give. Let's give. And our music ministry is going to bless us. We've got ministry is going to bless us. We've got ministry is going to bless us. We've got to make sure that we hear from them this to make sure that we hear from them this to make sure that we hear from them this afternoon. They're they're warming up afternoon. They're they're warming up afternoon. They're they're warming up for another experience. They're for another experience. They're for another experience. They're worshiping with us today. And they're worshiping with us today. And they're worshiping with us today. And they're going to leave after this service, and going to leave after this service, and going to leave after this service, and they're going all the way to Austin, they're going all the way to Austin, they're going all the way to Austin, Texas, where they've been asked to come Texas, where they've been asked to come Texas, where they've been asked to come and minister in concert tonight at the and minister in concert tonight at the and minister in concert tonight at the St. James Baptist Church in Austin. If St. James Baptist Church in Austin. If St. James Baptist Church in Austin. If anybody's in Austin, you're watching us, anybody's in Austin, you're watching us, anybody's in Austin, you're watching us, go on over to St. James. You are going go on over to St. James. You are going go on over to St. James. You are going to be blessed tonight by the magnificent to be blessed tonight by the magnificent to be blessed tonight by the magnificent and majestic music ministry of Wheeler and majestic music ministry of Wheeler and majestic music ministry of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church under the Avenue Baptist Church under the Avenue Baptist Church under the ineimitable leadership of Minister Leon ineimitable leadership of Minister Leon ineimitable leadership of Minister Leon Christopher Lewis. And we thank God for Christopher Lewis. And we thank God for Christopher Lewis. And we thank God for you, for the baddest band in the land, you, for the baddest band in the land, you, for the baddest band in the land, for our praise team. Listen, immediately for our praise team. Listen, immediately for our praise team. Listen, immediately following them, many of you who were following them, many of you who were following them, many of you who were here last week or the weeks prior, here last week or the weeks prior, here last week or the weeks prior, you've been online, you've seen it on you've been online, you've seen it on you've been online, you've seen it on social media, our 13-year executive social media, our 13-year executive social media, our 13-year executive pastor, has been called to be the senior pastor, has been called to be the senior pastor, has been called to be the senior pastor of the Brentwood Baptist Church pastor of the Brentwood Baptist Church pastor of the Brentwood Baptist Church of Houston, Texas, of Houston, Texas, of Houston, Texas, and we're excited for him. Dr. Alexander and we're excited for him. Dr. Alexander and we're excited for him. Dr. Alexander EM Johnson, the first.

EM Johnson, the first. EM Johnson, the first. the first. [music] the first. [music] the first. [music] And as is our custom, as our family And as is our custom, as our family And as is our custom, as our family leaves from us to go serve other leaves from us to go serve other leaves from us to go serve other congregations, we hear from them with congregations, we hear from them with congregations, we hear from them with their farewell message. And today, as their farewell message. And today, as their farewell message. And today, as has been his reality all day long in the has been his reality all day long in the has been his reality all day long in the first and second services, he [music] is first and second services, he [music] is first and second services, he [music] is preaching powerfully what thus sayeth preaching powerfully what thus sayeth preaching powerfully what thus sayeth the Lord. and we get ready to hear from the Lord. and we get ready to hear from the Lord. and we get ready to hear from him in just a moment [music] as he shall him in just a moment [music] as he shall him in just a moment [music] as he shall provide for us what he has on his heart provide for us what he has on his heart provide for us what he has on his heart for us to hear in this moment. I thank for us to hear in this moment. I thank for us to hear in this moment. I thank God for this wonderful worship team that God for this wonderful worship team that God for this wonderful worship team that always helps us to give glory to God always helps us to give glory to God always helps us to give glory to God each and every Sunday. So receive now each and every Sunday. So receive now each and every Sunday. So receive now the majestic music ministry of the the majestic music ministry of the the majestic music ministry of the Wheeler Avenue Church and then the Wheeler Avenue Church and then the Wheeler Avenue Church and then the executive pastor for the next couple executive pastor for the next couple executive pastor for the next couple hours of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. hours of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. hours of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Yeah, cuz he's cuz next Sunday he's Yeah, cuz he's cuz next Sunday he's Yeah, cuz he's cuz next Sunday he's going to Brentwood and he's going to going to Brentwood and he's going to going to Brentwood and he's going to preach his first pastoral sermon as the preach his first pastoral sermon as the preach his first pastoral sermon as the pastor at Brentwood next Sunday. [music] He going to stay around here and do some He going to stay around here and do some other stuff for the couple days, but but other stuff for the couple days, but but other stuff for the couple days, but but uh he's headed to to Brentwood to serve uh he's headed to to Brentwood to serve uh he's headed to to Brentwood to serve them and I'm excited. So, receive our them and I'm excited. So, receive our them and I'm excited. So, receive our music and then our [music] message in music and then our [music] message in music and then our [music] message in that order.

>> [music] >> [music] >> It's already >> It's already >> It's already God. Yeah. Yeah. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. [music] [music] I give up.

I give up. I give up. Thy will be done. Oh, Oh, [music] hallelujah. Hallelujah. hallelujah. Hallelujah. [music and singing] Now we must Now we must [music] be [music] be [music] He's done [music] done [music] today.

today. today. I believe I believe I believe [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] God. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] [singing] [singing] [music] Heat.

[music] [music] Heat. [music] [music] Heat. [music] [music] >> It's so [music] [music] worth worth worth it. It's not [music] bad. It's not [music] bad. Stay in the race. It's found [singing] [singing] [music] [music] [music] to the sweet.

>> [music] >> [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] [music] [singing] [music] [music] >> Well, this is the day that the Lord has >> Well, this is the day that the Lord has >> Well, this is the day that the Lord has made. Anybody come to rejoice and be made. Anybody come to rejoice and be made. Anybody come to rejoice and be glad in it? Anybody trusting that if God glad in it? Anybody trusting that if God glad in it? Anybody trusting that if God says it, that settles it, that God is says it, that settles it, that God is says it, that settles it, that God is not a man, that God should lie, nor the not a man, that God should lie, nor the not a man, that God should lie, nor the son of man, that God should repent, son of man, that God should repent, son of man, that God should repent, [music] that God keeps God's word. Come [music] that God keeps God's word. Come [music] that God keeps God's word. Come on, give great praise to our great God on, give great praise to our great God on, give great praise to our great God on this Sunday afternoon.

on this Sunday afternoon. on this Sunday afternoon. God be praised. God be praised. God be praised. What a joy, what a privilege it is to What a joy, what a privilege it is to What a joy, what a privilege it is to greet you on this Sunday. You may claim greet you on this Sunday. You may claim greet you on this Sunday. You may claim your seat. your seat. your seat. It's a joy. It's a privilege to to greet It's a joy. It's a privilege to to greet It's a joy. It's a privilege to to greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior you in the name of our Lord and Savior you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on this Sunday afternoon. Jesus Christ on this Sunday afternoon. Jesus Christ on this Sunday afternoon. Allow me to express my gratitude [music] Allow me to express my gratitude [music] Allow me to express my gratitude [music] to a few uh groups of people if you will to a few uh groups of people if you will to a few uh groups of people if you will and then we'll get right into the word. and then we'll get right into the word. and then we'll get right into the word. Uh first [music] and foremost, will you Uh first [music] and foremost, will you Uh first [music] and foremost, will you help me thank God for the ministry of help me thank God for the ministry of help me thank God for the ministry of music at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church? music at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church? music at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church? The the renowned ministry of music. God The the renowned ministry of music. God The the renowned ministry of music. God be praised for for you, my sisters, my be praised for for you, my sisters, my be praised for for you, my sisters, my brothers, to this uh magnificent band. I brothers, to this uh magnificent band. I brothers, to this uh magnificent band. I got uh nothing but respect and honor got uh nothing but respect and honor got uh nothing but respect and honor [music] for you. Uh help me love you [music] for you. Uh help me love you [music] for you. Uh help me love you too. Um help me thank God for the staff too. Um help me thank God for the staff too. Um help me thank God for the staff of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Our staff is next level and I thank God Our staff is next level and I thank God Our staff is next level and I thank God for for all of our staff members. Um uh for for all of our staff members. Um uh for for all of our staff members. Um uh I want to especially thank God for um my I want to especially thank God for um my I want to especially thank God for um my administrative assistant. Her name is administrative assistant. Her name is administrative assistant. Her name is Sher Benson. Sherry, would you stand up?

Sher Benson. Sherry, would you stand up? Sher Benson. Sherry, would you stand up? Sherry. Sherry. Amen. I get a lot of Sherry. Sherry. Amen. I get a lot of Sherry. Sherry. Amen. I get a lot of credit for stuff around here that she credit for stuff around here that she credit for stuff around here that she does. So, thank God for you. Uh she's does. So, thank God for you. Uh she's does. So, thank God for you. Uh she's been with me for the last several years been with me for the last several years been with me for the last several years and she makes me look good. When I look and she makes me look good. When I look and she makes me look good. When I look good and when I don't, it's my fault. Um good and when I don't, it's my fault. Um good and when I don't, it's my fault. Um so, I thank God for her. that whole that so, I thank God for her. that whole that so, I thank God for her. that whole that that whole ministry fair over there was that whole ministry fair over there was that whole ministry fair over there was her doing. So, I thank God for you and her doing. So, I thank God for you and her doing. So, I thank God for you and for all that you do. Uh and her team, for all that you do. Uh and her team, for all that you do. Uh and her team, her team of folks. Uh we want to thank her team of folks. Uh we want to thank her team of folks. Uh we want to thank God for this preaching staff, this God for this preaching staff, this God for this preaching staff, this production team, our finance team, our production team, our finance team, our production team, our finance team, our facilities team. It takes a lot to run facilities team. It takes a lot to run facilities team. It takes a lot to run an operation uh such as Wheeler Avenue an operation uh such as Wheeler Avenue an operation uh such as Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. So, would you help me Baptist Church. So, would you help me Baptist Church. So, would you help me thank God for the folks you never see thank God for the folks you never see thank God for the folks you never see behind the scenes [music] making sure behind the scenes [music] making sure behind the scenes [music] making sure that what needs to get done gets done. that what needs to get done gets done. that what needs to get done gets done. Amen. Maria, good to see you. God bless Amen. Maria, good to see you. God bless Amen. Maria, good to see you. God bless you. Amen. All right. Um I've Oh, my you. Amen. All right. Um I've Oh, my you. Amen. All right. Um I've Oh, my family is here. My family's been here family is here. My family's been here family is here. My family's been here all day and I I thank God for my wife, all day and I I thank God for my wife, all day and I I thank God for my wife, my children, my mother, my sisters, all my children, my mother, my sisters, all my children, my mother, my sisters, all of y'all. Lyd everybody. God bless you of y'all. Lyd everybody. God bless you of y'all. Lyd everybody. God bless you on and so many friends and loved ones.

on and so many friends and loved ones. on and so many friends and loved ones. 14 years ago, uh I was serving as uh 14 years ago, uh I was serving as uh 14 years ago, uh I was serving as uh intern for the eighth consecutive year intern for the eighth consecutive year intern for the eighth consecutive year at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. And um at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. And um at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. And um Pastor Cosby uh said that he was going Pastor Cosby uh said that he was going Pastor Cosby uh said that he was going to create a job for me. He hadn't to create a job for me. He hadn't to create a job for me. He hadn't figured out what it was going to be just figured out what it was going to be just figured out what it was going to be just yet, but he said, "Stick with me and yet, but he said, "Stick with me and yet, but he said, "Stick with me and you'll never need a resume." and uh he you'll never need a resume." and uh he you'll never need a resume." and uh he has held me down since then and since has held me down since then and since has held me down since then and since prior to then will you help me thank God prior to then will you help me thank God prior to then will you help me thank God for our pastor, my pastor, my father in for our pastor, my pastor, my father in for our pastor, my pastor, my father in the ministry. My friend, I love you. I the ministry. My friend, I love you. I the ministry. My friend, I love you. I thank God for you. I honor you. You have thank God for you. I honor you. You have thank God for you. I honor you. You have honored me and our family and you're honored me and our family and you're honored me and our family and you're stuck with me even if you fire me. Amen. stuck with me even if you fire me. Amen. stuck with me even if you fire me. Amen. Amen. God be praised to the first Amen. God be praised to the first Amen. God be praised to the first family. They were with us earlier today family. They were with us earlier today family. They were with us earlier today and I thank God for them. Colleagues and and I thank God for them. Colleagues and and I thank God for them. Colleagues and friends, I see you and I honor your friends, I see you and I honor your friends, I see you and I honor your presence among us. Ephesians chapter 3 presence among us. Ephesians chapter 3 presence among us. Ephesians chapter 3 has been read in your hearing. And I has been read in your hearing. And I has been read in your hearing. And I want to to just read [music] two verses want to to just read [music] two verses want to to just read [music] two verses from Ephesians chapter 3 verses 20 and from Ephesians chapter 3 verses 20 and from Ephesians chapter 3 verses 20 and 21.

21. 21. And I want to consider them from the And I want to consider them from the And I want to consider them from the King James version just for the sake of King James version just for the sake of King James version just for the sake of y'all so churchy. just for the sake of uh the familiarity just for the sake of uh the familiarity of the of the Shakespearean language. Um of the of the Shakespearean language. Um of the of the Shakespearean language. Um Ephesians chapter 3 Ephesians chapter 3 Ephesians chapter 3 vers 20 and 21. vers 20 and 21. vers 20 and 21. Now unto him Now unto him Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly that is able to do exceeding abundantly that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according above all that we ask or think according above all that we ask or think according to the power that workketh in us. Unto to the power that workketh in us. Unto to the power that workketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ him be glory in the church by Christ him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without Jesus throughout all ages, world without Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. end. end. >> Amen. Amen. >> Amen. Amen. >> Amen. Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> For the time that is ours to share, I >> For the time that is ours to share, I >> For the time that is ours to share, I want to consider this text from the want to consider this text from the want to consider this text from the thought, "The time is now."

thought, "The time is now." thought, "The time is now." The time is The time is The time is now. Y'all praying with me? now. Y'all praying with me? now. Y'all praying with me? >> All right. Praise the Lord. I asked that >> All right. Praise the Lord. I asked that >> All right. Praise the Lord. I asked that at last service and somebody said no. It at last service and somebody said no. It at last service and somebody said no. It was the strangest thing. was the strangest thing. was the strangest thing. What? Uh many of you know um if you are attending many of you know um if you are attending one of our sister institutions that one of our sister institutions that one of our sister institutions that class is back in session. The fall class is back in session. The fall class is back in session. The fall semester has commenced and I'm semester has commenced and I'm semester has commenced and I'm privileged to serve on the faculty at privileged to serve on the faculty at privileged to serve on the faculty at the University of Houston. Goks. the University of Houston. Goks. the University of Houston. Goks. [cheering] Amen. I've I've been serving [cheering] Amen. I've I've been serving [cheering] Amen. I've I've been serving uh in an adjunct capacity for about uh in an adjunct capacity for about uh in an adjunct capacity for about seven years since 2017 and uh now serve seven years since 2017 and uh now serve seven years since 2017 and uh now serve as visiting scholar in the as visiting scholar in the as visiting scholar in the African-American studies department African-American studies department African-American studies department where I'm I'm afforded the opportunity where I'm I'm afforded the opportunity where I'm I'm afforded the opportunity to teach the black church in America. I to teach the black church in America. I to teach the black church in America. I teach the black church in America. I teach the black church in America. I teach the black church in America. I teach black liberation theology. This teach black liberation theology. This teach black liberation theology. This semester I'm teaching the black church semester I'm teaching the black church semester I'm teaching the black church in America. Thursday was my first class in America. Thursday was my first class in America. Thursday was my first class and uh it's a custom of mine to get to and uh it's a custom of mine to get to and uh it's a custom of mine to get to know who my students are visav their know who my students are visav their know who my students are visav their social location to the black church that social location to the black church that social location to the black church that is what is their experience of their is what is their experience of their is what is their experience of their knowledge of have they grown up in the knowledge of have they grown up in the knowledge of have they grown up in the black church are they members of a black black church are they members of a black black church are they members of a black church I I have done this for the past church I I have done this for the past church I I have done this for the past several years and the results have

several years and the results have several years and the results have seemed to be consistent It it was the seemed to be consistent It it was the seemed to be consistent It it was the reality that the vast majority of the reality that the vast majority of the reality that the vast majority of the students had some knowledge of some students had some knowledge of some students had some knowledge of some experiential knowledge of the black experiential knowledge of the black experiential knowledge of the black church. They they'd grown up in a black church. They they'd grown up in a black church. They they'd grown up in a black church. They were a a child when they church. They were a a child when they church. They were a a child when they first had their experience either first had their experience either first had their experience either because their grandmother or their because their grandmother or their because their grandmother or their parents exposed them to the black parents exposed them to the black parents exposed them to the black church. And while many of them most of church. And while many of them most of church. And while many of them most of them had that experiential knowledge at them had that experiential knowledge at them had that experiential knowledge at one point, the vast majority of the one point, the vast majority of the one point, the vast majority of the students were at that time at this time students were at that time at this time students were at that time at this time are no longer members of anyone's are no longer members of anyone's are no longer members of anyone's church. They have for whatever reason church. They have for whatever reason church. They have for whatever reason felt disaffected or disconnected from felt disaffected or disconnected from felt disaffected or disconnected from the church. And some of them prefer to the church. And some of them prefer to the church. And some of them prefer to be spiritual than religious. Some have be spiritual than religious. Some have be spiritual than religious. Some have uh claimed to be agnostic at this time uh claimed to be agnostic at this time uh claimed to be agnostic at this time in their life. Some felt as though the in their life. Some felt as though the in their life. Some felt as though the church rejected them and they didn't church rejected them and they didn't church rejected them and they didn't have a place to find uh call home. And have a place to find uh call home. And have a place to find uh call home. And while this was intriguing, it was not while this was intriguing, it was not while this was intriguing, it was not alarming. Scholarship is clear that alarming. Scholarship is clear that alarming. Scholarship is clear that every major black denomination every major black denomination every major black denomination nationally, don't don't get fooled about nationally, don't don't get fooled about nationally, don't don't get fooled about this phenomenon at Wheeler Avenue. This this phenomenon at Wheeler Avenue. This this phenomenon at Wheeler Avenue. This is different. Every major black is different. Every major black is different. Every major black denomination with the exception of denomination with the exception of denomination with the exception of Pentecostalism and non-denominational, Pentecostalism and non-denominational, Pentecostalism and non-denominational, every other single one save none is

every other single one save none is every other single one save none is nationally experiencing decline. Folks nationally experiencing decline. Folks nationally experiencing decline. Folks are leaving the church. Uh for some are leaving the church. Uh for some are leaving the church. Uh for some reason, folks are no longer feeling as reason, folks are no longer feeling as reason, folks are no longer feeling as if they need to be connected to the if they need to be connected to the if they need to be connected to the church. And while such is the case church. And while such is the case church. And while such is the case nationally, there are still churches who nationally, there are still churches who nationally, there are still churches who choose to uphold exclusionary practices, choose to uphold exclusionary practices, choose to uphold exclusionary practices, denying membership to and denying rights denying membership to and denying rights denying membership to and denying rights and privileges to those with whom they and privileges to those with whom they and privileges to those with whom they take issue, those who don't meet their take issue, those who don't meet their take issue, those who don't meet their standards. churches open in the name of standards. churches open in the name of standards. churches open in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, excluding folks, turning away wouldbe excluding folks, turning away wouldbe excluding folks, turning away wouldbe believers, wouldbe members because they believers, wouldbe members because they believers, wouldbe members because they don't meet their requirements as to who don't meet their requirements as to who don't meet their requirements as to who can be included in the body of Christ. can be included in the body of Christ. can be included in the body of Christ. You know, it's most unfortunate that in You know, it's most unfortunate that in You know, it's most unfortunate that in the year of our Lord 2026, we have the year of our Lord 2026, we have the year of our Lord 2026, we have churches that are more interested in churches that are more interested in churches that are more interested in resembling country clubs than hospitals.

resembling country clubs than hospitals. resembling country clubs than hospitals. >> It's it's a sad indictment that some >> It's it's a sad indictment that some >> It's it's a sad indictment that some folks would prefer to be associated with folks would prefer to be associated with folks would prefer to be associated with dead churches more so with diverse dead churches more so with diverse dead churches more so with diverse churches. And such is the experience. churches. And such is the experience. churches. And such is the experience. And this experience, while tragic, is And this experience, while tragic, is And this experience, while tragic, is not a new one. The early church had to not a new one. The early church had to not a new one. The early church had to deal with this same crisis we see in our deal with this same crisis we see in our deal with this same crisis we see in our text. This is the epistle to the text. This is the epistle to the text. This is the epistle to the Ephesians, what folks call a captivity Ephesians, what folks call a captivity Ephesians, what folks call a captivity epistle. It's written most likely during epistle. It's written most likely during epistle. It's written most likely during Paul's Roman imprisonment around AD60 or Paul's Roman imprisonment around AD60 or Paul's Roman imprisonment around AD60 or 62 alongside Philippians, Colossians, 62 alongside Philippians, Colossians, 62 alongside Philippians, Colossians, and Phileiman. Paul is under house and Phileiman. Paul is under house and Phileiman. Paul is under house arrest, chained to a Roman guard, arrest, chained to a Roman guard, arrest, chained to a Roman guard, awaiting a hearing before Caesar awaiting a hearing before Caesar awaiting a hearing before Caesar himself. Now, notice something curious. himself. Now, notice something curious. himself. Now, notice something curious. Paul doesn't call himself a prisoner of Paul doesn't call himself a prisoner of Paul doesn't call himself a prisoner of Rome. He doesn't say a prisoner of Rome. He doesn't say a prisoner of Rome. He doesn't say a prisoner of Neero. He says the prisoner of Christ Neero. He says the prisoner of Christ Neero. He says the prisoner of Christ Jesus. That's that's not poetic license.

Jesus. That's that's not poetic license. Jesus. That's that's not poetic license. That's a theological statement. Rome may That's a theological statement. Rome may That's a theological statement. Rome may hold his body, but Rome does not hold hold his body, but Rome does not hold hold his body, but Rome does not hold his purpose. He's He's been captive to his purpose. He's He's been captive to his purpose. He's He's been captive to the will of God and commissioned by the the will of God and commissioned by the the will of God and commissioned by the word of God. Captive to the will of God. word of God. Captive to the will of God. word of God. Captive to the will of God. His His chains are subordinate to a His His chains are subordinate to a His His chains are subordinate to a higher claim on his life. He's higher claim on his life. He's higher claim on his life. He's commissioned by the word of God. Even in commissioned by the word of God. Even in commissioned by the word of God. Even in bondage, he still has orders, still has bondage, he still has orders, still has bondage, he still has orders, still has an assignment on his life. Church, I an assignment on his life. Church, I an assignment on his life. Church, I need you to get this. The one who is need you to get this. The one who is need you to get this. The one who is writing this letter about inclusion is writing this letter about inclusion is writing this letter about inclusion is himself locked out of his own freedom. himself locked out of his own freedom. himself locked out of his own freedom. Paul is preaching about open doors while Paul is preaching about open doors while Paul is preaching about open doors while sitting behind a closed door. That's sitting behind a closed door. That's sitting behind a closed door. That's that's the credibility of this text. that's the credibility of this text. that's the credibility of this text. This isn't from some theologically This isn't from some theologically This isn't from some theologically theoretical comfortable pull pit. This theoretical comfortable pull pit. This theoretical comfortable pull pit. This is a theology forged in a prison cell. is a theology forged in a prison cell. is a theology forged in a prison cell. And you can see just how authentic And you can see just how authentic And you can see just how authentic Paul's relationship with God is because Paul's relationship with God is because Paul's relationship with God is because while locked up, he still has the while locked up, he still has the while locked up, he still has the unmitigated Gaul to declare God is still unmitigated Gaul to declare God is still unmitigated Gaul to declare God is still able. I wonder how many of us would have able. I wonder how many of us would have able. I wonder how many of us would have the nerve and tmerity and the ability to the nerve and tmerity and the ability to the nerve and tmerity and the ability to declare that God is able with our backs declare that God is able with our backs declare that God is able with our backs up against the wall. I wonder how many up against the wall. I wonder how many up against the wall. I wonder how many of us are still able to declare that God of us are still able to declare that God of us are still able to declare that God is able when things all around us are is able when things all around us are is able when things all around us are falling apart. Is there a witness this falling apart. Is there a witness this falling apart. Is there a witness this Sunday who can testify that you're going Sunday who can testify that you're going Sunday who can testify that you're going through it right now and you can still

through it right now and you can still through it right now and you can still declare that no matter what you're going declare that no matter what you're going declare that no matter what you're going through in this moment, you got through in this moment, you got through in this moment, you got relationship with the redeemer and you relationship with the redeemer and you relationship with the redeemer and you know that God is still able. What you're know that God is still able. What you're know that God is still able. What you're going through makes God no less able going through makes God no less able going through makes God no less able than God has ever been. Who am I talking than God has ever been. Who am I talking than God has ever been. Who am I talking to who can declare, "Yep, God is able." to who can declare, "Yep, God is able." to who can declare, "Yep, God is able." But before we can get too enthralled in But before we can get too enthralled in But before we can get too enthralled in the celebration of God's ability, we the celebration of God's ability, we the celebration of God's ability, we have to deal with some theological have to deal with some theological have to deal with some theological tension in the text. Looking looking at tension in the text. Looking looking at tension in the text. Looking looking at our text, the first thing we see is our text, the first thing we see is our text, the first thing we see is Paul's position. Someone say Paul's Paul's position. Someone say Paul's Paul's position. Someone say Paul's position. position. position. Paul Paul is arguing for the inclusion Paul Paul is arguing for the inclusion Paul Paul is arguing for the inclusion of Gentiles in the church which at this of Gentiles in the church which at this of Gentiles in the church which at this point was not just irregular, it was point was not just irregular, it was point was not just irregular, it was scandalous. He he even calls it a scandalous. He he even calls it a scandalous. He he even calls it a mystery. Not not a mystery like a who mystery. Not not a mystery like a who mystery. Not not a mystery like a who done it, but a mystery in the technical done it, but a mystery in the technical done it, but a mystery in the technical Pauline sense. A truth once hidden in Pauline sense. A truth once hidden in Pauline sense. A truth once hidden in God's counsel now unveiled in Christ.

God's counsel now unveiled in Christ. God's counsel now unveiled in Christ. And what is this mystery you ask? Verse And what is this mystery you ask? Verse And what is this mystery you ask? Verse six tells us plainly that the Gentiles six tells us plainly that the Gentiles six tells us plainly that the Gentiles are hes together with Israel, members are hes together with Israel, members are hes together with Israel, members together of one body and sharers together of one body and sharers together of one body and sharers together in the promise in Christ. This together in the promise in Christ. This together in the promise in Christ. This is scandalous. This some would say is is scandalous. This some would say is is scandalous. This some would say is sacriiggious. You must realize this sacriiggious. You must realize this sacriiggious. You must realize this breaks with the conventional code of breaks with the conventional code of breaks with the conventional code of conduct for the day. This disrupts the conduct for the day. This disrupts the conduct for the day. This disrupts the sacred order as they knew it. This sacred order as they knew it. This sacred order as they knew it. This upends the social norm and reveals that upends the social norm and reveals that upends the social norm and reveals that grandma's theology was incomplete. grandma's theology was incomplete. grandma's theology was incomplete. >> The God was still that God was still >> The God was still that God was still >> The God was still that God was still revealing Godself and God's plans and revealing Godself and God's plans and revealing Godself and God's plans and God's purpose. And that was the fact God's purpose. And that was the fact God's purpose. And that was the fact that when Christ died, he died for that when Christ died, he died for that when Christ died, he died for everybody. >> Did you hear what I said? >> Did you hear what I said? When Christ died, he died for When Christ died, he died for When Christ died, he died for >> everybody. >> everybody. >> everybody. And so now those who were thought to be And so now those who were thought to be And so now those who were thought to be outside the grasp and the grip and the outside the grasp and the grip and the outside the grasp and the grip and the the grace of God, the Gentiles are hes the grace of God, the Gentiles are hes the grace of God, the Gentiles are hes together with Israel, members together together with Israel, members together together with Israel, members together of one body, sharers together in the of one body, sharers together in the of one body, sharers together in the promise of Jesus Christ. Three togethers promise of Jesus Christ. Three togethers promise of Jesus Christ. Three togethers in one verse. Paul is dismantling every in one verse. Paul is dismantling every in one verse. Paul is dismantling every wall the first century religious wall the first century religious wall the first century religious establishment sought to build. The establishment sought to build. The establishment sought to build. The Jerusalem temple itself had a physical Jerusalem temple itself had a physical Jerusalem temple itself had a physical wall. There were no ICE agents to wall. There were no ICE agents to wall. There were no ICE agents to terrorize those who were of different

terrorize those who were of different terrorize those who were of different origin. There there was the Sore. S O R origin. There there was the Sore. S O R origin. There there was the Sore. S O R E G. Someone say Sore. E G. Someone say Sore. E G. Someone say Sore. >> This wall with inscriptions warning >> This wall with inscriptions warning >> This wall with inscriptions warning Gentiles that to cross it meant death. Gentiles that to cross it meant death. Gentiles that to cross it meant death. It kept them from the Holy of Holies. It kept them from the Holy of Holies. It kept them from the Holy of Holies. Paul is saying Christ tore that wall Paul is saying Christ tore that wall Paul is saying Christ tore that wall down and now anyone who calls on the down and now anyone who calls on the down and now anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For for name of the Lord shall be saved. For for name of the Lord shall be saved. For for some you you can't even rationalize why some you you can't even rationalize why some you you can't even rationalize why Paul would have to make such an Paul would have to make such an Paul would have to make such an argument. But but you have to understand argument. But but you have to understand argument. But but you have to understand that according to salvation history that according to salvation history that according to salvation history there were those who believed that only there were those who believed that only there were those who believed that only the Jews were the people of God and they the Jews were the people of God and they the Jews were the people of God and they were reticent to welcome others who were reticent to welcome others who were reticent to welcome others who weren't like them. Would would you weren't like them. Would would you weren't like them. Would would you imagine that they were gatekeepers of imagine that they were gatekeepers of imagine that they were gatekeepers of the gospel? Look at someone close to you the gospel? Look at someone close to you the gospel? Look at someone close to you say, "Don't be a gospel gatekeeper." say, "Don't be a gospel gatekeeper." say, "Don't be a gospel gatekeeper." >> Let let let me be clear. Regardless, or >> Let let let me be clear. Regardless, or >> Let let let me be clear. Regardless, or as some of y'all say, irregardless of as some of y'all say, irregardless of as some of y'all say, irregardless of your race, your sex, your background, your race, your sex, your background, your race, your sex, your background, your sexual orientation, your politics, your sexual orientation, your politics, your sexual orientation, your politics, your class, your mistakes, your your class, your mistakes, your your class, your mistakes, your missteps, your mess, regardless of all missteps, your mess, regardless of all missteps, your mess, regardless of all that, God's grace is still sufficient that, God's grace is still sufficient that, God's grace is still sufficient for every single last one of us in this for every single last one of us in this for every single last one of us in this place under the sound of my voice. Last place under the sound of my voice. Last place under the sound of my voice. Last time I checked, the Bible says, "For God time I checked, the Bible says, "For God time I checked, the Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only so loved the world that he gave his only so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in begotten son that whosoever believes in begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have him should not perish but have him should not perish but have everlasting life." It was that great everlasting life." It was that great everlasting life." It was that great late preacher Dr. Gardner C. Taylor who

late preacher Dr. Gardner C. Taylor who late preacher Dr. Gardner C. Taylor who said, "I'm not bold enough to come said, "I'm not bold enough to come said, "I'm not bold enough to come behind God and put qualifiers on behind God and put qualifiers on behind God and put qualifiers on whosoever." whosoever." whosoever." Whosoever means whosoever. Whosoever means whosoever. Whosoever means whosoever. In in the preceding chapter, Paul In in the preceding chapter, Paul In in the preceding chapter, Paul writes, "For it is by grace you have writes, "For it is by grace you have writes, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith." And this is been saved through faith." And this is been saved through faith." And this is not from yourselves. This is the gift of not from yourselves. This is the gift of not from yourselves. This is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can God, not by works, so that no one can God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Here, here's the universal truth boast. Here, here's the universal truth boast. Here, here's the universal truth regarding grace. You ready? regarding grace. You ready? regarding grace. You ready? >> Here, here's the universal truth >> Here, here's the universal truth >> Here, here's the universal truth regarding grace. You ready? Yeah, regarding grace. You ready? Yeah, regarding grace. You ready? Yeah, >> none of us deserves it. >> none of us deserves it. >> none of us deserves it. >> Not the Jew, not the Gentile, not the >> Not the Jew, not the Gentile, not the >> Not the Jew, not the Gentile, not the preacher, not the deacon, not you, and preacher, not the deacon, not you, and preacher, not the deacon, not you, and not me. None of us deserves the not me. None of us deserves the not me. None of us deserves the unmmerited favor of God. And yet there unmmerited favor of God. And yet there unmmerited favor of God. And yet there was still the notion among the very was still the notion among the very was still the notion among the very people who had been recipients of the people who had been recipients of the people who had been recipients of the grace of God to exclude others because grace of God to exclude others because grace of God to exclude others because they not like us.

they not like us. they not like us. Isn't Isn't it just insane that people Isn't Isn't it just insane that people Isn't Isn't it just insane that people who were saved by grace can start who were saved by grace can start who were saved by grace can start guarding grace like it's theirs to guarding grace like it's theirs to guarding grace like it's theirs to dispense? dispense? dispense? Uh Paulo Friier in his book, The Uh Paulo Friier in his book, The Uh Paulo Friier in his book, The Pedigogy of the oppressed writes about Pedigogy of the oppressed writes about Pedigogy of the oppressed writes about the tendency of those who had been the tendency of those who had been the tendency of those who had been liberated from oppression to become liberated from oppression to become liberated from oppression to become oppressors themselves. oppressors themselves. oppressors themselves. Now, you must you must remember who it Now, you must you must remember who it Now, you must you must remember who it is that's proclaiming this mysterious is that's proclaiming this mysterious is that's proclaiming this mysterious boundarybreaking grace. It's Paul. boundarybreaking grace. It's Paul. boundarybreaking grace. It's Paul. >> But but he wasn't always Paul. Just like >> But but he wasn't always Paul. Just like >> But but he wasn't always Paul. Just like you haven't always been who you are you haven't always been who you are you haven't always been who you are today. today. today. >> Hello, somebody. >> Hello, somebody. >> Hello, somebody. Saul was a persecutor of the church. Saul was a persecutor of the church. Saul was a persecutor of the church. Saul held the coats while Steven was Saul held the coats while Steven was Saul held the coats while Steven was stoned to death. Saul went from house to stoned to death. Saul went from house to stoned to death. Saul went from house to house dragging believers off to prison. house dragging believers off to prison. house dragging believers off to prison. Saul breathed out murderous threats Saul breathed out murderous threats Saul breathed out murderous threats against the very people he now calls against the very people he now calls against the very people he now calls brothers and sisters. And yet here he is brothers and sisters. And yet here he is brothers and sisters. And yet here he is clearly consumed by the grace of God. We clearly consumed by the grace of God. We clearly consumed by the grace of God. We we recall Paul's encounter with grace.

we recall Paul's encounter with grace. we recall Paul's encounter with grace. It's one of note, is it not? He was It's one of note, is it not? He was It's one of note, is it not? He was given a thorn in his flesh, a messenger given a thorn in his flesh, a messenger given a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet him. And three times of Satan to buffet him. And three times of Satan to buffet him. And three times he asked of the Lord to take that thorn he asked of the Lord to take that thorn he asked of the Lord to take that thorn away. And the Lord responded by saying, away. And the Lord responded by saying, away. And the Lord responded by saying, "My grace is sufficient for you." >> Paul said, [cheering] >> Paul said, [cheering] [applause] [applause] [applause] >> "My grace is sufficient and my strength >> "My grace is sufficient and my strength >> "My grace is sufficient and my strength is made perfect in weakness." That's is made perfect in weakness." That's is made perfect in weakness." That's what God says when Paul asks that the what God says when Paul asks that the what God says when Paul asks that the thorn be taken from his flesh. Paul thorn be taken from his flesh. Paul thorn be taken from his flesh. Paul knows what it means to be gripped by knows what it means to be gripped by knows what it means to be gripped by God's grace. As a matter of fact, Paul's God's grace. As a matter of fact, Paul's God's grace. As a matter of fact, Paul's life is one that is marked by being life is one that is marked by being life is one that is marked by being gripped by God's grace. And Paul Paul gripped by God's grace. And Paul Paul gripped by God's grace. And Paul Paul ain't the only one whose life has been ain't the only one whose life has been ain't the only one whose life has been marked by being gripped by God's grace.

marked by being gripped by God's grace. marked by being gripped by God's grace. God has looked beyond your faults and God has looked beyond your faults and God has looked beyond your faults and time and time again met your needs and time and time again met your needs and time and time again met your needs and blessed you beyond what you ever could blessed you beyond what you ever could blessed you beyond what you ever could have deserved or desired for your life have deserved or desired for your life have deserved or desired for your life because God's grace is so sufficient because God's grace is so sufficient because God's grace is so sufficient that in spite of you, God has covered that in spite of you, God has covered that in spite of you, God has covered you and kept you and sustained you and you and kept you and sustained you and you and kept you and sustained you and upheld you. And here you are on a Sunday upheld you. And here you are on a Sunday upheld you. And here you are on a Sunday morning looking like you're looking morning looking like you're looking morning looking like you're looking clothed and in your right mind because clothed and in your right mind because clothed and in your right mind because God's grace has been so evident in your God's grace has been so evident in your God's grace has been so evident in your life and God has not treated you fairly. life and God has not treated you fairly. life and God has not treated you fairly. God has treated you with favor. Is there God has treated you with favor. Is there God has treated you with favor. Is there a witness in this room? a witness in this room? a witness in this room? You you know you know you know why I You you know you know you know why I You you know you know you know why I like this Pauline passage. Somebody say like this Pauline passage. Somebody say like this Pauline passage. Somebody say why? Because Paul's acknowledgment of why? Because Paul's acknowledgment of why? Because Paul's acknowledgment of God's grace isn't used as a way of God's grace isn't used as a way of God's grace isn't used as a way of elevating himself above others or elevating himself above others or elevating himself above others or considering himself greater than those considering himself greater than those considering himself greater than those who haven't experience the grace of God who haven't experience the grace of God who haven't experience the grace of God in the same way he has. Paul is clear in the same way he has. Paul is clear in the same way he has. Paul is clear that grace isn't something to make him that grace isn't something to make him that grace isn't something to make him puffed up and proud. But grace is a puffed up and proud. But grace is a puffed up and proud. But grace is a reminder that if it had not been for the reminder that if it had not been for the reminder that if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side, he wouldn't be Lord who was on our side, he wouldn't be Lord who was on our side, he wouldn't be who he was. He wouldn't know what he who he was. He wouldn't know what he who he was. He wouldn't know what he knows. He wouldn't have what he has. And knows. He wouldn't have what he has. And knows. He wouldn't have what he has. And even from a prison sale, he's clear that even from a prison sale, he's clear that even from a prison sale, he's clear that the grace of God has been doled out upon the grace of God has been doled out upon the grace of God has been doled out upon him. And he's the recipient of that him. And he's the recipient of that him. And he's the recipient of that which he never deserved. Who am I which he never deserved. Who am I which he never deserved. Who am I talking to this Sunday afternoon who can talking to this Sunday afternoon who can talking to this Sunday afternoon who can look back over your life and realize look back over your life and realize look back over your life and realize that at every major intersection of your

that at every major intersection of your that at every major intersection of your life, it was the grace of God that life, it was the grace of God that life, it was the grace of God that guided you and guarded you and gripped guided you and guarded you and gripped guided you and guarded you and gripped you. And when you look back over your you. And when you look back over your you. And when you look back over your life and wrap your mind around that life and wrap your mind around that life and wrap your mind around that reality, it gives new meaning to the reality, it gives new meaning to the reality, it gives new meaning to the saying of the old saints. But for the saying of the old saints. But for the saying of the old saints. But for the grace of God, there go I. Somebody ought grace of God, there go I. Somebody ought grace of God, there go I. Somebody ought to thank God on a Sunday afternoon for to thank God on a Sunday afternoon for to thank God on a Sunday afternoon for the grace of God that has gripped you the grace of God that has gripped you the grace of God that has gripped you and guarded you and guided you. Anybody and guarded you and guided you. Anybody and guarded you and guided you. Anybody thank God for grace? Anybody thank God thank God for grace? Anybody thank God thank God for grace? Anybody thank God for unmmerited favor? [laughter] Anybody for unmmerited favor? [laughter] Anybody for unmmerited favor? [laughter] Anybody thank God for God just hooking you up thank God for God just hooking you up thank God for God just hooking you up when you knew you didn't deserve it? when you knew you didn't deserve it? when you knew you didn't deserve it? Anybody thank God for the blessings of Anybody thank God for the blessings of Anybody thank God for the blessings of God? Anybody thank God for his benefits God? Anybody thank God for his benefits God? Anybody thank God for his benefits and his bounty and his benevolence? and his bounty and his benevolence? and his bounty and his benevolence? Somebody thank God for grace. Somebody thank God for grace. Somebody thank God for grace. Amazing grace. [cheering] This this is the gift. This is the gift This this is the gift. This is the gift of God of God of God >> that Paul seeks to share with those whom >> that Paul seeks to share with those whom >> that Paul seeks to share with those whom others suggested were outside of the others suggested were outside of the others suggested were outside of the scope of God's saving grace. And scope of God's saving grace. And scope of God's saving grace. And >> and when you get to verse 10, Paul says, >> and when you get to verse 10, Paul says, >> and when you get to verse 10, Paul says, "Now "Now "Now it's time for the church it's time for the church it's time for the church >> to show the manifold wisdom of God to >> to show the manifold wisdom of God to >> to show the manifold wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in the the rulers and authorities in the the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms according to his eternal heavenly realms according to his eternal heavenly realms according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ purpose that he accomplished in Christ purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here's what he says.

Jesus our Lord." Here's what he says. Jesus our Lord." Here's what he says. That word manifold. That word manifold. That word manifold. It's time for the church to show the It's time for the church to show the It's time for the church to show the manifold wisdom of God. That word manifold wisdom of God. That word manifold wisdom of God. That word manifold literally means multi-coled, manifold literally means multi-coled, manifold literally means multi-coled, varagated, ultradiverse with varying varagated, ultradiverse with varying varagated, ultradiverse with varying expressions. And it's used to speak of expressions. And it's used to speak of expressions. And it's used to speak of the wisdom of God only in this verse. the wisdom of God only in this verse. the wisdom of God only in this verse. Nowhere else in the scriptures. Paul Nowhere else in the scriptures. Paul Nowhere else in the scriptures. Paul helps us to see that the helps us to see that the helps us to see that the multi-dimensional multivariagated multi-dimensional multivariagated multi-dimensional multivariagated diverse diversified wisdom of God is diverse diversified wisdom of God is diverse diversified wisdom of God is only able to be fully experienced and only able to be fully experienced and only able to be fully experienced and expressed and realized when the church expressed and realized when the church expressed and realized when the church breaks down barriers and exhibits a breaks down barriers and exhibits a breaks down barriers and exhibits a sense of unity in Christ Jesus our Lord. sense of unity in Christ Jesus our Lord. sense of unity in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul says, "The mystery that is the Paul says, "The mystery that is the Paul says, "The mystery that is the limitlessness of the grace of God is to limitlessness of the grace of God is to limitlessness of the grace of God is to be put on full display by the church be put on full display by the church be put on full display by the church which joins together and brings with which joins together and brings with which joins together and brings with them each person individually their own them each person individually their own them each person individually their own experience and knowledge of the wisdom experience and knowledge of the wisdom experience and knowledge of the wisdom of God. such that when we all get of God. such that when we all get of God. such that when we all get together, we realize collectively the together, we realize collectively the together, we realize collectively the degree to which God knows all, created degree to which God knows all, created degree to which God knows all, created all, is in all, controls all, ordains all, is in all, controls all, ordains all, is in all, controls all, ordains all, and orders all. And each of us all, and orders all. And each of us all, and orders all. And each of us comes together to testify concerning comes together to testify concerning comes together to testify concerning just how much God, our God, really is.

just how much God, our God, really is. just how much God, our God, really is. And we can't help but lead with the And we can't help but lead with the And we can't help but lead with the unified conclusion that there is unified conclusion that there is unified conclusion that there is absolutely nothing too hard for our God. absolutely nothing too hard for our God. absolutely nothing too hard for our God. When we all with our varying experiences When we all with our varying experiences When we all with our varying experiences and knowledge of just how good God is and knowledge of just how good God is and knowledge of just how good God is get together and testify to the reality get together and testify to the reality get together and testify to the reality that God has been wonderful and amazing that God has been wonderful and amazing that God has been wonderful and amazing and supernatural [laughter] and supernatural [laughter] and supernatural [laughter] in our lives, we'll be able to leave in our lives, we'll be able to leave in our lives, we'll be able to leave with the confidence that Paul is trying with the confidence that Paul is trying with the confidence that Paul is trying to instill in his believers. Let me let to instill in his believers. Let me let to instill in his believers. Let me let me try it this way. Here's an ocular me try it this way. Here's an ocular me try it this way. Here's an ocular demonstration of the multivariated demonstration of the multivariated demonstration of the multivariated multi-variegated multi-dimensional multi-variegated multi-dimensional multi-variegated multi-dimensional wisdom of God. Let let me let me ask wisdom of God. Let let me let me ask wisdom of God. Let let me let me ask that if you've ever been through a bout that if you've ever been through a bout that if you've ever been through a bout with cancer and survived that you would with cancer and survived that you would with cancer and survived that you would stand so that we can see you. Any cancer stand so that we can see you. Any cancer stand so that we can see you. Any cancer survivors in the room? Where are the survivors in the room? Where are the survivors in the room? Where are the folk who've ever been broke but God has folk who've ever been broke but God has folk who've ever been broke but God has shown you that he's a provider? Would shown you that he's a provider? Would shown you that he's a provider? Would you stand? Where are the folk I'm you stand? Where are the folk I'm you stand? Where are the folk I'm standing with you? Where are the folk standing with you? Where are the folk standing with you? Where are the folk who almost lost your mind but God kept who almost lost your mind but God kept who almost lost your mind but God kept you in perfect peace as you kept your you in perfect peace as you kept your you in perfect peace as you kept your mind stayed on him? Where are the folk mind stayed on him? Where are the folk mind stayed on him? Where are the folk who ever fa faced discrimination but you who ever fa faced discrimination but you who ever fa faced discrimination but you still experienced promotion and still experienced promotion and still experienced promotion and elevation? Would you stand? Where are elevation? Would you stand? Where are elevation? Would you stand? Where are the folks who almost threw in the towel, the folks who almost threw in the towel, the folks who almost threw in the towel, but God snatched you from the hand of but God snatched you from the hand of but God snatched you from the hand of the enemy? Would you stand? Where are the enemy? Would you stand? Where are the enemy? Would you stand? Where are the folks who made some silly mistakes the folks who made some silly mistakes the folks who made some silly mistakes that could have ended your life, but for that could have ended your life, but for that could have ended your life, but for the grace of God, that was sufficient the grace of God, that was sufficient the grace of God, that was sufficient for you? Would you stand? Where are the for you? Would you stand? Where are the for you? Would you stand? Where are the folks who have ever experienced a folks who have ever experienced a folks who have ever experienced a setback in your life, but you realize setback in your life, but you realize setback in your life, but you realize your setback was a setup for a comeback?

your setback was a setup for a comeback? your setback was a setup for a comeback? Would you stand? [cheering] Where are Would you stand? [cheering] Where are Would you stand? [cheering] Where are the folks who can testify that God has the folks who can testify that God has the folks who can testify that God has been good to you in ways that you can't been good to you in ways that you can't been good to you in ways that you can't even articulate? Where are the folk even articulate? Where are the folk even articulate? Where are the folk who've been healed? Where are the folks who've been healed? Where are the folks who've been healed? Where are the folks who've been set free? Where are the folk who've been set free? Where are the folk who've been set free? Where are the folk who've been saved? Where are the folk who've been saved? Where are the folk who've been saved? Where are the folk who've been delivered? Where are the who've been delivered? Where are the who've been delivered? Where are the folk who've experienced the folk who've experienced the folk who've experienced the supernatural, unexplainable, undeniable supernatural, unexplainable, undeniable supernatural, unexplainable, undeniable favor of the Lord over your life? Would favor of the Lord over your life? Would favor of the Lord over your life? Would you stand so that we can see the wisdom you stand so that we can see the wisdom you stand so that we can see the wisdom of God? of God? of God? Where are the folks who've been Where are the folks who've been Where are the folks who've been revitalized and restored and rejuvenated revitalized and restored and rejuvenated revitalized and restored and rejuvenated and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed will let the redeemed of the Lord? will let the redeemed of the Lord? will let the redeemed of the Lord? Open up your mouth [cheering] and testify. and testify. Let the church show the manifold wisdom Let the church show the manifold wisdom Let the church show the manifold wisdom of God. of God. of God. Who am I talking to who can declare and Who am I talking to who can declare and Who am I talking to who can declare and you can say it with your chest? Can't you can say it with your chest? Can't you can say it with your chest? Can't nobody do me like Jesus. Can't nobody do nobody do me like Jesus. Can't nobody do nobody do me like Jesus. Can't nobody do me like the Lord. Can I get a witness me like the Lord. Can I get a witness me like the Lord. Can I get a witness that there is nothing too hard for our that there is nothing too hard for our that there is nothing too hard for our God?

>> Now is the time >> Now is the time >> for the church to reveal >> for the church to reveal >> for the church to reveal >> just how amazing God's wisdom is. And it >> just how amazing God's wisdom is. And it >> just how amazing God's wisdom is. And it requires all of us with our varying requires all of us with our varying requires all of us with our varying experiences and backgrounds. Paul Paul experiences and backgrounds. Paul Paul experiences and backgrounds. Paul Paul outlines his theology, outlines his theology, outlines his theology, his theology of grace and the his theology of grace and the his theology of grace and the sufficiency thereof made manifest in the sufficiency thereof made manifest in the sufficiency thereof made manifest in the inclusion of those who had at one point inclusion of those who had at one point inclusion of those who had at one point been excluded and ostracized. But but been excluded and ostracized. But but been excluded and ostracized. But but Paul's a preacher and Paul knows people. Paul's a preacher and Paul knows people. Paul's a preacher and Paul knows people. People People People can be can be can be funny acting. >> Y'all, y'all know people. >> Y'all, y'all know people. And so Paul Paul realizes something that And so Paul Paul realizes something that And so Paul Paul realizes something that many of us may have forgotten. many of us may have forgotten. many of us may have forgotten. Information does not automatically Information does not automatically Information does not automatically produce transformation. >> You You can explain inclusion and still >> You You can explain inclusion and still practice prejudice. practice prejudice. practice prejudice. You you can testify [laughter] to the You you can testify [laughter] to the You you can testify [laughter] to the love of God and still exhibit hate. You love of God and still exhibit hate. You love of God and still exhibit hate. You can quote scriptures and still have can quote scriptures and still have can quote scriptures and still have bitterness in your heart. You can sit in bitterness in your heart. You can sit in bitterness in your heart. You can sit in church every Sunday in the same section church every Sunday in the same section church every Sunday in the same section with the same pew partners and still with the same pew partners and still with the same pew partners and still have a heart that has never been have a heart that has never been have a heart that has never been enlarged by the love of God. Paul says, enlarged by the love of God. Paul says, enlarged by the love of God. Paul says, I know I know I've explained it, but let I know I know I've explained it, but let I know I know I've explained it, but let let's let's see if we can bring it about let's let's see if we can bring it about let's let's see if we can bring it about in the church. Let's let's pray about in the church. Let's let's pray about in the church. Let's let's pray about it. You you do know prayer changes it. You you do know prayer changes it. You you do know prayer changes things. [cheering] things. [cheering] things. [cheering] >> I said you do know prayer prayer changes

>> I said you do know prayer prayer changes >> I said you do know prayer prayer changes things. Paul Paul says it's time for a things. Paul Paul says it's time for a things. Paul Paul says it's time for a prayer meeting so we can seal this in prayer meeting so we can seal this in prayer meeting so we can seal this in prayer. Paul Paul really proves just how prayer. Paul Paul really proves just how prayer. Paul Paul really proves just how much of a preacher he is because much of a preacher he is because much of a preacher he is because although he's trying to get across what although he's trying to get across what although he's trying to get across what some might suggest is a simple point. He some might suggest is a simple point. He some might suggest is a simple point. He used very ele he uses very elegant and used very ele he uses very elegant and used very ele he uses very elegant and elevated and extravagant language all elevated and extravagant language all elevated and extravagant language all just to say I pray that you know the just to say I pray that you know the just to say I pray that you know the love [clears throat] of God so you can love [clears throat] of God so you can love [clears throat] of God so you can show the love of God. show the love of God. show the love of God. >> I I want you to know God's love so you >> I I want you to know God's love so you >> I I want you to know God's love so you can show God's love. That's the whole can show God's love. That's the whole can show God's love. That's the whole prayer. I want you to know God's love. prayer. I want you to know God's love. prayer. I want you to know God's love. Why? Why? Why? >> So you can show God's love. But but >> So you can show God's love. But but >> So you can show God's love. But but here's how Paul puts it. Here's how Paul here's how Paul puts it. Here's how Paul here's how Paul puts it. Here's how Paul puts it. I pray that God would puts it. I pray that God would puts it. I pray that God would strengthen you with power through his strengthen you with power through his strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being. Not surface spirit in your inner being. Not surface spirit in your inner being. Not surface strength, not performance power, not strength, not performance power, not strength, not performance power, not something you get from going to the gym, something you get from going to the gym, something you get from going to the gym, but strength in the part of you that but strength in the part of you that but strength in the part of you that nobody else can see. that that that part nobody else can see. that that that part nobody else can see. that that that part of you that's a little too weak for God of you that's a little too weak for God of you that's a little too weak for God to be glorified because God is asking of to be glorified because God is asking of to be glorified because God is asking of you a little more than what you're you a little more than what you're you a little more than what you're really able or desiring to give. And really able or desiring to give. And really able or desiring to give. And deep down on the inside, there's that deep down on the inside, there's that deep down on the inside, there's that piece of you that's love resistant.

piece of you that's love resistant. piece of you that's love resistant. that that piece of you that says uh if that that piece of you that says uh if that that piece of you that says uh if she if she look at me the wrong way one she if she look at me the wrong way one she if she look at me the wrong way one more time, more time, more time, she going to get a piece of my mind. she going to get a piece of my mind. she going to get a piece of my mind. That that that piece of you that still That that that piece of you that still That that that piece of you that still knows how to tell someone where to go knows how to tell someone where to go knows how to tell someone where to go and how to get there. and how to get there. and how to get there. It's that piece of you that is hidden, It's that piece of you that is hidden, It's that piece of you that is hidden, but you're still holding on to it. Paul but you're still holding on to it. Paul but you're still holding on to it. Paul says you need strength and power through says you need strength and power through says you need strength and power through the to through the spirit to let that the to through the spirit to let that the to through the spirit to let that go. So, so that ultimately you can be go. So, so that ultimately you can be go. So, so that ultimately you can be led by the love of God and thereafter led by the love of God and thereafter led by the love of God and thereafter lavish that same love on others instead lavish that same love on others instead lavish that same love on others instead of being one bad day away from messing of being one bad day away from messing of being one bad day away from messing up God's reputation because folks know up God's reputation because folks know up God's reputation because folks know you claim to be Christian. [cheering] you claim to be Christian. [cheering] you claim to be Christian. [cheering] The The The [applause] the prayer continues that [applause] the prayer continues that [applause] the prayer continues that Christ may dwell in your hearts richly Christ may dwell in your hearts richly Christ may dwell in your hearts richly through faith. The word dwell means to through faith. The word dwell means to through faith. The word dwell means to settle down permanently to to make a settle down permanently to to make a settle down permanently to to make a home. The the implication of the text is home. The the implication of the text is home. The the implication of the text is that Paul is praying against the that Paul is praying against the that Paul is praying against the tendency of some of us to have uh and tendency of some of us to have uh and tendency of some of us to have uh and treat Jesus like a visitor and not a treat Jesus like a visitor and not a treat Jesus like a visitor and not a resident.

resident. resident. And and it's it's clear for some of us And and it's it's clear for some of us And and it's it's clear for some of us that Christ is moving in and moving out that Christ is moving in and moving out that Christ is moving in and moving out and temporarily residing at best because and temporarily residing at best because and temporarily residing at best because light and darkness can't occupy the same light and darkness can't occupy the same light and darkness can't occupy the same space. And if you've got a nasty space. And if you've got a nasty space. And if you've got a nasty attitude and no joy and you're rude and attitude and no joy and you're rude and attitude and no joy and you're rude and you can't speak to people when you walk you can't speak to people when you walk you can't speak to people when you walk past them and you think you better than past them and you think you better than past them and you think you better than other folks, then Paul is praying that other folks, then Paul is praying that other folks, then Paul is praying that you make room for Christ who wants to you make room for Christ who wants to you make room for Christ who wants to dwell and not just dine and dash. The dwell and not just dine and dash. The dwell and not just dine and dash. The songwriter said, "Lord, I want to be a songwriter said, "Lord, I want to be a songwriter said, "Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart." Christian in my heart." Christian in my heart." He he keeps going that you being rooted He he keeps going that you being rooted He he keeps going that you being rooted and established in love may have power and established in love may have power and established in love may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and to grasp how wide and long and high and to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Paul again deep is the love of Christ. Paul again deep is the love of Christ. Paul again prays for the believers to have power to prays for the believers to have power to prays for the believers to have power to attain the full expanse of the love of attain the full expanse of the love of attain the full expanse of the love of Christ. four dimensions that suggest the Christ. four dimensions that suggest the Christ. four dimensions that suggest the impossibility of escaping the vastness impossibility of escaping the vastness impossibility of escaping the vastness of the love of Christ. And Paul starts of the love of Christ. And Paul starts of the love of Christ. And Paul starts this portion off by praying that you're this portion off by praying that you're this portion off by praying that you're first and foremost rooted and first and foremost rooted and first and foremost rooted and established in what? Love. That that established in what? Love. That that established in what? Love. That that love is the firm foundation from which love is the firm foundation from which love is the firm foundation from which you're operating. That love is that you're operating. That love is that you're operating. That love is that which nourishes and nurtures and keeps which nourishes and nurtures and keeps which nourishes and nurtures and keeps you grounded. And when that becomes your you grounded. And when that becomes your you grounded. And when that becomes your reality, Paul says, "I pray that you may reality, Paul says, "I pray that you may reality, Paul says, "I pray that you may have power along with all the other

have power along with all the other have power along with all the other different kinds of folks." The the the different kinds of folks." The the the different kinds of folks." The the the scriptures say all the other saints, but scriptures say all the other saints, but scriptures say all the other saints, but all the other different folks is a more all the other different folks is a more all the other different folks is a more literal translation. I pray that y'all literal translation. I pray that y'all literal translation. I pray that y'all will all be able to fully comprehend will all be able to fully comprehend will all be able to fully comprehend just how much Jesus Christ really does just how much Jesus Christ really does just how much Jesus Christ really does love you. love you. love you. >> That's that that you may know this love >> That's that that you may know this love >> That's that that you may know this love that surpasses knowledge. that that you that surpasses knowledge. that that you that surpasses knowledge. that that you may be filled to the measure of the may be filled to the measure of the may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God. It's it's an fullness of God. It's it's an fullness of God. It's it's an intentional paradox that Paul prays that intentional paradox that Paul prays that intentional paradox that Paul prays that we we would know that which is we we would know that which is we we would know that which is surpassing knowledge because the the the surpassing knowledge because the the the surpassing knowledge because the the the way God's love God loves isn't the way way God's love God loves isn't the way way God's love God loves isn't the way we love. we we love some days. we we love some days. Sometimes Sometimes Sometimes we love if it's reciprocated. we love if it's reciprocated. we love if it's reciprocated. We don't naturally know or practice We don't naturally know or practice We don't naturally know or practice godlike love. We We're works in progress godlike love. We We're works in progress godlike love. We We're works in progress and our our love is often times met with and our our love is often times met with and our our love is often times met with limits. And yet Paul prays that we come limits. And yet Paul prays that we come limits. And yet Paul prays that we come to know this love that surpasses to know this love that surpasses to know this love that surpasses knowledge to the end that we become the knowledge to the end that we become the knowledge to the end that we become the visible manifestation of the image and visible manifestation of the image and visible manifestation of the image and likeness of God in and through our likeness of God in and through our likeness of God in and through our humanity. Paul says, "I want the church humanity. Paul says, "I want the church humanity. Paul says, "I want the church to look more like Jesus."

>> Jesus who who upset traditionalism and >> Jesus who who upset traditionalism and conventional mores. Jesus who associated conventional mores. Jesus who associated conventional mores. Jesus who associated with folks who others deemed beneath with folks who others deemed beneath with folks who others deemed beneath them. Jesus who provided free health them. Jesus who provided free health them. Jesus who provided free health care to the sick. Jesus who fed the care to the sick. Jesus who fed the care to the sick. Jesus who fed the hungry. Jesus who provided mental health hungry. Jesus who provided mental health hungry. Jesus who provided mental health services to those in need. Jesus who put services to those in need. Jesus who put services to those in need. Jesus who put people before policies. Jesus who loved people before policies. Jesus who loved people before policies. Jesus who loved without limit. Anybody want to look like without limit. Anybody want to look like without limit. Anybody want to look like or live like and love like Jesus? or live like and love like Jesus? or live like and love like Jesus? The the text moves from Paul's position The the text moves from Paul's position The the text moves from Paul's position to Paul's prayer and it concludes with to Paul's prayer and it concludes with to Paul's prayer and it concludes with Paul's praise. text moves from Paul's Paul's praise. text moves from Paul's Paul's praise. text moves from Paul's position to Paul's prayer and it position to Paul's prayer and it position to Paul's prayer and it concludes with what? concludes with what? concludes with what? >> Paul's praise. Now >> Paul's praise. Now >> Paul's praise. Now >> unto him, you know it. Paul Paul says >> unto him, you know it. Paul Paul says >> unto him, you know it. Paul Paul says once we conclude that love is limitless once we conclude that love is limitless once we conclude that love is limitless and God's grace is accessible to all who and God's grace is accessible to all who and God's grace is accessible to all who call upon his name, we can move from call upon his name, we can move from call upon his name, we can move from praying to praising. And and and this praying to praising. And and and this praying to praising. And and and this isn't this isn't some praise that's just isn't this isn't some praise that's just isn't this isn't some praise that's just slapped on top of a good message about slapped on top of a good message about slapped on top of a good message about what the church should look like. This what the church should look like. This what the church should look like. This is an informed praise. Paul says first is an informed praise. Paul says first is an informed praise. Paul says first and foremost we ought to praise him and foremost we ought to praise him and foremost we ought to praise him because God is able.

because God is able. because God is able. >> That was about 7% of the room. >> That was about 7% of the room. >> That was about 7% of the room. Um we we we on our way home. Get with Um we we we on our way home. Get with Um we we we on our way home. Get with me. Um Paul says first and foremost we me. Um Paul says first and foremost we me. Um Paul says first and foremost we ought to praise him because God is able. When you're not able, God is able. When When you're not able, God is able. When your friends ain't able, God is able. your friends ain't able, God is able. your friends ain't able, God is able. When your mama ain't able, God is able. When your mama ain't able, God is able. When your mama ain't able, God is able. When your resources aren't able, God is When your resources aren't able, God is When your resources aren't able, God is able. God is able. God is able. Who am I able. God is able. God is able. Who am I able. God is able. God is able. Who am I talking to? who can help me close this talking to? who can help me close this talking to? who can help me close this message and declare God is able message and declare God is able message and declare God is able and and and God is superlative and and and God is superlative and and and God is superlative [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] in said ability. in said ability. in said ability. >> One one one scholar suggests that Paul >> One one one scholar suggests that Paul >> One one one scholar suggests that Paul is trying to put into words that which is trying to put into words that which is trying to put into words that which is truly ineffable and beyond the is truly ineffable and beyond the is truly ineffable and beyond the capacity afforded by mere human capacity afforded by mere human capacity afforded by mere human language. God is able. He says, "God is language. God is able. He says, "God is language. God is able. He says, "God is so good. God is so able. God is so so good. God is so able. God is so so good. God is so able. God is so capable. How can I How can I properly capable. How can I How can I properly capable. How can I How can I properly articulate this? God is able." That's articulate this? God is able." That's articulate this? God is able." That's good news, is it not?

good news, is it not? good news, is it not? >> But he says, "That doesn't quite capture >> But he says, "That doesn't quite capture >> But he says, "That doesn't quite capture the full expanse and breadth and width the full expanse and breadth and width the full expanse and breadth and width and depth of God's ability." Let's see. and depth of God's ability." Let's see. and depth of God's ability." Let's see. God is able to do. Ah, there it is. God God is able to do. Ah, there it is. God God is able to do. Ah, there it is. God can operate in your circumstance and fix can operate in your circumstance and fix can operate in your circumstance and fix some things you couldn't fix and work some things you couldn't fix and work some things you couldn't fix and work some things out you couldn't work out. some things out you couldn't work out. some things out you couldn't work out. That's good. But nah, not good enough. That's good. But nah, not good enough. That's good. But nah, not good enough. Let's see. God is able to do exceeding. Let's see. God is able to do exceeding. Let's see. God is able to do exceeding. Oh yeah. What you thought you could fix, Oh yeah. What you thought you could fix, Oh yeah. What you thought you could fix, God can [laughter] fix it even better God can [laughter] fix it even better God can [laughter] fix it even better than you thought it could be fixed. God than you thought it could be fixed. God than you thought it could be fixed. God can go beyond what you thought and go can go beyond what you thought and go can go beyond what you thought and go better than what you thought. And that's better than what you thought. And that's better than what you thought. And that's good. But that's not good enough. Let's good. But that's not good enough. Let's good. But that's not good enough. Let's see. God is able to do exceeding see. God is able to do exceeding see. God is able to do exceeding abundantly. That's better than the abundantly. That's better than the abundantly. That's better than the better you thought you had access to. better you thought you had access to. better you thought you had access to. That's good, isn't it? But that's not That's good, isn't it? But that's not That's good, isn't it? But that's not good enough. God is able to do exceeding good enough. God is able to do exceeding good enough. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above. There it is. That's abundantly above. There it is. That's abundantly above. There it is. That's good. God can do more than you ever good. God can do more than you ever good. God can do more than you ever expected. God can blow your mind. God expected. God can blow your mind. God expected. God can blow your mind. God can do that which you never thought can do that which you never thought can do that which you never thought could be done. That's good. But it ain't could be done. That's good. But it ain't could be done. That's good. But it ain't good enough. God is able to do exceeding good enough. God is able to do exceeding good enough. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all. [screaming] abundantly above all. [screaming] abundantly above all. [screaming] That's comprehensive. That's anything That's comprehensive. That's anything That's comprehensive. That's anything that you have to deal with, God can deal that you have to deal with, God can deal that you have to deal with, God can deal with for you in such a way that will with for you in such a way that will with for you in such a way that will blow your mind. That's good, but it's blow your mind. That's good, but it's blow your mind. That's good, but it's not good enough. God is able to do not good enough. God is able to do not good enough. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you ask.

exceeding abundantly above all you ask. exceeding abundantly above all you ask. All you have to do is ask for it. And All you have to do is ask for it. And All you have to do is ask for it. And God says, "Is that all you need?" God God says, "Is that all you need?" God God says, "Is that all you need?" God says, "That's all you want?" God says, says, "That's all you want?" God says, says, "That's all you want?" God says, "I'll take care of that and give you "I'll take care of that and give you "I'll take care of that and give you more." more." more." That's good, but it's not quite good That's good, but it's not quite good That's good, but it's not quite good enough. God is able to do exceeding enough. God is able to do exceeding enough. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you ask for. Think abundantly above all you ask for. Think abundantly above all you ask for. Think you ain't even got to ask for it. you ain't even got to ask for it. you ain't even got to ask for it. [music] [music] [music] Think about what you need from the Lord. Think about what you need from the Lord. Think about what you need from the Lord. Think about what you need from the Lord. Think about what you need from the Lord. Think about what you need from the Lord. All you got to do is think about it. And All you got to do is think about it. And All you got to do is think about it. And God says, "I got it covered." [music] God says, "I got it covered." [music] God says, "I got it covered." [music] God is able God is able God is able to do exceeding abundantly above to do exceeding abundantly above to do exceeding abundantly above [screaming] all you ask or think [screaming] all you ask or think [screaming] all you ask or think according to according to according to >> the power [cheering] >> the power [cheering] >> the power [cheering] >> according to >> according to >> according to >> the power. Where's the power?

>> the power. Where's the power? >> the power. Where's the power? >> It's already in you. And and when you >> It's already in you. And and when you >> It's already in you. And and when you realize that you've already got the realize that you've already got the realize that you've already got the power, you can already begin to praise. power, you can already begin to praise. power, you can already begin to praise. You can begin to praise because you You can begin to praise because you You can begin to praise because you realize that there is absolutely nothing realize that there is absolutely nothing realize that there is absolutely nothing beyond God's ability. And God is one who beyond God's ability. And God is one who beyond God's ability. And God is one who can meet you at the point of your need can meet you at the point of your need can meet you at the point of your need and exceed your need and bless you and exceed your need and bless you and exceed your need and bless you beyond the exceeded need. And God is beyond the exceeded need. And God is beyond the exceeded need. And God is able to do exceeding abundantly [music] able to do exceeding abundantly [music] able to do exceeding abundantly [music] above all we ask or think according to above all we ask or think according to above all we ask or think according to the power that's at work. the power that's at work. the power that's at work. Paul says Paul says Paul says Paul says Paul says Paul says >> I'm done. You don't sit down. Don't sit >> I'm done. You don't sit down. Don't sit >> I'm done. You don't sit down. Don't sit down. Paul says down. Paul says down. Paul says glory should be afforded glory should be afforded glory should be afforded >> in every generation. >> in every generation. >> in every generation. >> And and when you realize it, Paul says >> And and when you realize it, Paul says >> And and when you realize it, Paul says to him be glory where? to him be glory where? to him be glory where? >> In the church? >> In the church? >> In the church? >> Through Christ Jesus. to the God who is >> Through Christ Jesus. to the God who is >> Through Christ Jesus. to the God who is able to do exceeding abundantly above able to do exceeding abundantly above able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or imagine. That God all you can ask or imagine. That God all you can ask or imagine. That God should get some glory in the church should get some glory in the church should get some glory in the church throughout every generation throughout every generation throughout every generation forever and ever. World without end.

forever and ever. World without end. forever and ever. World without end. Every generation, every age, even into Every generation, every age, even into Every generation, every age, even into eternity, God is supposed to be eternity, God is supposed to be eternity, God is supposed to be glorified when we come into this place glorified when we come into this place glorified when we come into this place because when when when sinners find because when when when sinners find because when when when sinners find salvation, God gets glory. When when salvation, God gets glory. When when salvation, God gets glory. When when when when uh when grace reaches people when when uh when grace reaches people when when uh when grace reaches people who didn't deserve it, God gets glory. who didn't deserve it, God gets glory. who didn't deserve it, God gets glory. When when wounded people find healing, When when wounded people find healing, When when wounded people find healing, God gets glory. When when broken people God gets glory. When when broken people God gets glory. When when broken people find restoration, God gets glory. When find restoration, God gets glory. When find restoration, God gets glory. When lost people find salvation, God gets lost people find salvation, God gets lost people find salvation, God gets [music] glory. And Paul says, "This [music] glory. And Paul says, "This [music] glory. And Paul says, "This glory isn't for a season. This glory is glory isn't for a season. This glory is glory isn't for a season. This glory is forever." forever." forever." [music] [music] [music] That that means Caesar's glory is hated. That that means Caesar's glory is hated. That that means Caesar's glory is hated. Rome's glory is hated. Presidents come Rome's glory is hated. Presidents come Rome's glory is hated. Presidents come and go. Hallelujah. and go. Hallelujah. and go. Hallelujah. Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away, Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away, Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away, but the glory of the Lord is still but the glory of the Lord is still but the glory of the Lord is still present and shining and palpable in this present and shining and palpable in this present and shining and palpable in this place because God is to be glorified place because God is to be glorified place because God is to be glorified forever and ever, world without end.

forever and ever, world without end. forever and ever, world without end. [music] [music] [music] Because God is able. But the glory is Because God is able. But the glory is Because God is able. But the glory is still shining. The same God who saved still shining. The same God who saved still shining. The same God who saved Paul. The same God who opened the doors Paul. The same God who opened the doors Paul. The same God who opened the doors for the Gentiles. The same God who for the Gentiles. The same God who for the Gentiles. The same God who sustained the early church. The same God sustained the early church. The same God sustained the early church. The same God who carried your grandmother through. who carried your grandmother through. who carried your grandmother through. The same God who brought you through The same God who brought you through The same God who brought you through dangers seen and [music] unseen. The dangers seen and [music] unseen. The dangers seen and [music] unseen. The same God who woke you up this morning, same God who woke you up this morning, same God who woke you up this morning, clothe you in your right mind, gave you clothe you in your right mind, gave you clothe you in your right mind, gave you a reasonable portion [music] of health a reasonable portion [music] of health a reasonable portion [music] of health and strength. That same God is still and strength. That same God is still and strength. That same God is still able. [music] able. [music] able. [music] able to heal, able to set free, able to able to heal, able to set free, able to able to heal, able to set free, able to [music] deliver, able to give you joy [music] deliver, able to give you joy [music] deliver, able to give you joy unspeakable. That God is still able. unspeakable. That God is still able. unspeakable. That God is still able. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. [music] I know I know why some of us ain't I know I know why some of us ain't shouting right now.

shouting right now. shouting right now. Come on. Come on. Come on. >> But you got to remember >> But you got to remember >> But you got to remember >> where Paul is >> where Paul is >> where Paul is >> when he writes this letter. >> when he writes this letter. >> when he writes this letter. >> Paul is in prison. >> Paul is in prison. >> Paul is in prison. Paul is on lockdown. Which suggests to Paul is on lockdown. Which suggests to Paul is on lockdown. Which suggests to me that your context does not define me that your context does not define me that your context does not define God's ability. God's ability. God's ability. Meaning, even if you don't see God Meaning, even if you don't see God Meaning, even if you don't see God operating in your right now, operating in your right now, operating in your right now, the fact that God is able means that the fact that God is able means that the fact that God is able means that sooner or later, God will turn it in sooner or later, God will turn it in sooner or later, God will turn it in your favor and God will work [music] your favor and God will work [music] your favor and God will work [music] some things out for you. So, you don't some things out for you. So, you don't some things out for you. So, you don't have to wait until the battle is over. have to wait until the battle is over. have to wait until the battle is over. [music] [music] [music] Shout now. Shout now. Shout now. I said shout now. [music] I said shout now. [music] I said shout now. [music] I said shout now. Because your God will do more [music] Because your God will do more [music] than you ever expected.

than you ever expected. than you ever expected. I'm talking mindblowing, jaw-dropping, I'm talking mindblowing, jaw-dropping, I'm talking mindblowing, jaw-dropping, [music] [music] [music] eye popping, next level, atmosphere eye popping, next level, atmosphere eye popping, next level, atmosphere shifting, context changing, shifting, context changing, shifting, context changing, supernatural blessing. supernatural blessing. supernatural blessing. Give him glory in the church. [music] He'll do more [music] than you ever He'll do more [music] than you ever expected. More peace, more joy, more expected. More peace, more joy, more expected. More peace, more joy, more contentment, more satisfaction, [music] contentment, more satisfaction, [music] contentment, more satisfaction, [music] more blessing, more dance, more joy. more blessing, more dance, more joy. more blessing, more dance, more joy. Give [music] him glory. [music] [music] Heat. Heat.

Only Only [music] [music] [music] God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can heal. [music] Only God can God can heal. [music] Only God can God can heal. [music] Only God can restore. Only God can make a way. Only restore. Only God can make a way. Only restore. Only God can make a way. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do [music] it. Only God can do God can do [music] it. Only God can do God can do [music] it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Heal your life. it. Only God can do it. Heal your life. it. Only God can do it. Heal your life. Take your soul. Thank you [music] Take your soul. Thank you [music] Take your soul. Thank you [music] around the door. Only God can do it. around the door. Only God can do it. around the door. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. [music] Heat.

Heat. [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> He'll do more >> He'll do more >> He'll do more than you ever expect. [music] [music] Heat. [music] [music] Only Only Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do [music] God can do it. Only God can do [music] God can do it. Only God can do [music] it. Only God can heal. Only God can it. Only God can heal. Only God can it. Only God can heal. Only God can restore. Only God can do it. Only God restore. Only God can do it. Only God restore. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God can do it. Only God [music] can do it.

can do it. Only God [music] can do it. can do it. Only God [music] can do it. Only God can do it. Heat. Heat. [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> Wow.

>> Wow. The Lord. The Lord. The Lord. [music] The Lord. [music] The Lord. [music] The Lord. The Lord. The Lord. The Lord. The Lord. The Lord. The Lord. All the things. [music] All the things. [music] All the things. [music] He's going to do all the things. He He's going to do all the things. He He's going to do all the things. He shall do. shall do. shall do. [music] He will do. All the things he [music] He will do. All the things he [music] He will do. All the things he shall do. shall do. shall do. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> He's done for the Lord's >> He's done for the Lord's >> He's done for the Lord's [music] [music] [music] He's done it before. He'll do it [music] done it before. He'll do it [music] again. He'll give you a test. again. He'll give you a test. again. He'll give you a test. We are all [music] We are all [music] We are all [music] the the the He will do it. The Lord will do [music] He will do it. The Lord will do [music] He will do it. The Lord will do [music] what he will do. The Lord shall do it what he will do. The Lord shall do it what he will do. The Lord shall do it for you. The Lord will do it for you.

for you. The Lord will do it for you. for you. The Lord will do it for you. The Lord will do [music] it for your The Lord will do [music] it for your The Lord will do [music] it for your family. The Lord will do it on your family. The Lord will do it on your family. The Lord will do it on your child. The Lord will do it on your child. The Lord will do it on your child. The Lord will do it on your children. Lord, we [music] do it. Do it. children. Lord, we [music] do it. Do it. children. Lord, we [music] do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. [music] Come on. Give him glory. Give him glory. Come on. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory.

glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory. Give him glory in the church. Give him Give him glory in the church. Give him Give him glory in the church. Give him glory in the church. Come on. Come on. glory in the church. Come on. Come on. glory in the church. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. [music] [music] [music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God. how we honor the Lord for his word today how we honor the Lord for his word today how we honor the Lord for his word today that has come from his servant that has come from his servant that has come from his servant Dr. Alexander [music] Johnson. Dr. Alexander [music] Johnson. Dr. Alexander [music] Johnson. How we thank God for the way that God How we thank God for the way that God How we thank God for the way that God has spoken [music] to us, has spoken [music] to us, has spoken [music] to us, helping us to know what the church helping us to know what the church helping us to know what the church should be and how the church should should be and how the church should should be and how the church should [music] operate.

[music] operate. [music] operate. more importantly reminding us that God more importantly reminding us that God more importantly reminding us that God still gets all the glory. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Oh, somebody in here knows he [music] Oh, somebody in here knows he [music] Oh, somebody in here knows he [music] deserves the glory for all the wonderful deserves the glory for all the wonderful deserves the glory for all the wonderful things he's done in your life. reminded all of us who are part of this reminded all of us who are part of this wonderful expression of God's grace wonderful expression of God's grace wonderful expression of God's grace called the church. called the church. called the church. Not to be gospel gatekeepers, but we're Not to be gospel gatekeepers, but we're Not to be gospel gatekeepers, but we're supposed to be people who share the supposed to be people who share the supposed to be people who share the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with the world so that [music] people like we can world so that [music] people like we can world so that [music] people like we can be saved. Like just like we're saved, be saved. Like just like we're saved, be saved. Like just like we're saved, others need to be saved as well. others need to be saved as well. others need to be saved as well. One of the wonderful parts of worship is One of the wonderful parts of worship is One of the wonderful parts of worship is not just our singing, our celebrating, not just our singing, our celebrating, not just our singing, our celebrating, not just our preaching and our praying. not just our preaching and our praying. not just our preaching and our praying. One of the wonderful parts of worship is One of the wonderful parts of worship is One of the wonderful parts of worship is the invitation to Christian disciplehip. the invitation to Christian disciplehip. the invitation to Christian disciplehip. Yeah. Yeah.

But I have the chance to extend to But I have the chance to extend to somebody an opportunity to get to know somebody an opportunity to get to know somebody an opportunity to get to know the God Dr. [music] Jay just preached the God Dr. [music] Jay just preached the God Dr. [music] Jay just preached about. about. about. I get the opportunity to get somebody in I get the opportunity to get somebody in I get the opportunity to get somebody in included in the family of faith, the included in the family of faith, the included in the family of faith, the church that Dr. Johnson just finished church that Dr. Johnson just finished church that Dr. Johnson just finished preaching about. I love this part of preaching about. I love this part of preaching about. I love this part of worship worship worship >> cuz I got a funny feeling and a sneaky >> cuz I got a funny feeling and a sneaky >> cuz I got a funny feeling and a sneaky suspicion somebody's about to get saved. suspicion somebody's about to get saved. suspicion somebody's about to get saved. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. >> Hallelujah. Somebody's about to become a part of the Somebody's about to become a part of the Somebody's about to become a part of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. church of the Lord Jesus Christ. church of the Lord Jesus Christ. So as deacon and deacon has come and So as deacon and deacon has come and So as deacon and deacon has come and stand with me now, there may be someone stand with me now, there may be someone stand with me now, there may be someone who needs to make his or her way down who needs to make his or her way down who needs to make his or her way down one of these aisles and say, "Pastor, I one of these aisles and say, "Pastor, I one of these aisles and say, "Pastor, I need that God that the man of God was need that God that the man of God was need that God that the man of God was preaching about. I [music] need to be in preaching about. I [music] need to be in preaching about. I [music] need to be in relationship with that that savior relationship with that that savior relationship with that that savior that you tell me turns no one away, that you tell me turns no one away, that you tell me turns no one away, disregards no one, disallows no one to disregards no one, disallows no one to disregards no one, disallows no one to [music] come into his presence." If [music] come into his presence." If [music] come into his presence." If that's you, dear sister, if that's you, that's you, dear sister, if that's you, that's you, dear sister, if that's you, dear brother, maybe you're in the dear brother, maybe you're in the dear brother, maybe you're in the balcony, maybe you're here on this first balcony, maybe you're here on this first balcony, maybe you're here on this first floor. Maybe you're on the wings and you floor. Maybe you're on the wings and you floor. Maybe you're on the wings and you need to know of that grace about which need to know of that grace about which need to know of that grace about which you [music] heard the man of God speak.

you [music] heard the man of God speak. you [music] heard the man of God speak. I want you to start walking toward me I want you to start walking toward me I want you to start walking toward me right now. Don't wait. Don't hesitate. right now. Don't wait. Don't hesitate. right now. Don't wait. Don't hesitate. Don't wait for somebody else to move and Don't wait for somebody else to move and Don't wait for somebody else to move and then you move. No. While you're being then you move. No. While you're being then you move. No. While you're being [music] convicted by that Holy Spirit's [music] convicted by that Holy Spirit's [music] convicted by that Holy Spirit's power that preacher talked about, I want power that preacher talked about, I want power that preacher talked about, I want you to start moving right now. Come on you to start moving right now. Come on you to start moving right now. Come on down here. Say, "Pastor, I need to be down here. Say, "Pastor, I need to be down here. Say, "Pastor, I need to be saved. pastor, I need to be a in part a saved. pastor, I need to be a in part a saved. pastor, I need to be a in part a part of this church. Or you say, pastor, part of this church. Or you say, pastor, part of this church. Or you say, pastor, I'm a student. I'm only here for a I'm a student. I'm only here for a I'm a student. I'm only here for a limited time. I need a church [music] limited time. I need a church [music] limited time. I need a church [music] while I'm in Houston. I need a body of while I'm in Houston. I need a body of while I'm in Houston. I need a body of believers where I can grow and develop believers where I can grow and develop believers where I can grow and develop while I'm a part of this community in while I'm a part of this community in while I'm a part of this community in school on a temporary job assignment, school on a temporary job assignment, school on a temporary job assignment, medical, maybe getting medical treatment medical, maybe getting medical treatment medical, maybe getting medical treatment in the medical center, and you just need in the medical center, and you just need in the medical center, and you just need a church while you're in the Houston a church while you're in the Houston a church while you're in the Houston area. If that's you, come on toward area. If that's you, come on toward area. If that's you, come on toward [music] me right now. I want you to be a [music] me right now. I want you to be a [music] me right now. I want you to be a part of the Wheeler Avenue family while part of the Wheeler Avenue family while part of the Wheeler Avenue family while you're in this in this season of your you're in this in this season of your you're in this in this season of your life. Today is the moment right now. life. Today is the moment right now. life. Today is the moment right now. [music] [music] [music] Today. Today. Today. Here they come. Here they come. She Here they come. Here they come. She Here they come. Here they come. She wants to praise Jesus. Come on. Help me wants to praise Jesus. Come on. Help me wants to praise Jesus. Come on. Help me praise him for her. [music] Nothing praise him for her. [music] Nothing praise him for her. [music] Nothing better than knowing Jesus. Come on, better than knowing Jesus. Come on, better than knowing Jesus. Come on, sister. Come on, brother. [music] Come sister. Come on, brother. [music] Come sister. Come on, brother. [music] Come on, family. Come on. Come on.

on, family. Come on. Come on. on, family. Come on. Come on. people. people. people. Bless you, sir. God bless you. [music] Bless you, sir. God bless you. [music] Bless you, sir. God bless you. [music] Here they come, church. Here they come. Here they come, church. Here they come. Here they come, church. Here they come. Here they come. Here they come. Here they come. [music] [music] [music] Get to know him. Get to know him. Get to know him. God bless you. [music] Right now, right? God bless you. [music] Right now, right? God bless you. [music] Right now, right? [singing] There's nothing [music] better than There's nothing [music] better than knowing Jesus come from wherever you knowing Jesus come from wherever you knowing Jesus come from wherever you are. Yes. Yes. Yes. Come on. Come on. are. Yes. Yes. Yes. Come on. Come on. are. Yes. Yes. Yes. Come on. Come on. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> It gets sweeter as the days go by. Look at those precious [music] people Look at those precious [music] people right there. You ought to know him. right there. You ought to know him. right there. You ought to know him. Get to know him. Get to know him. Get to know him. [music] [music] [music] Who else? Who else? Come on. Come on. Who else? Who else? Come on. Come on. Who else? Who else? Come on. Come on. Right now today Right now today Right now today [music] come on. Come on. Encourage somebody. come on. Come on. Encourage somebody. Come on.

Come on. Come on. [music] [music] [music] Come on. [singing] Come on. [singing] Come on. [singing] Right now. Right now. Right now. Right now. Right now. Right now. Hey. [music] Who else? Who else? Come on. Come on. Who else? Who else? Come on. Come on. Come on. [music] Come on. [music] Come on. [music] Come on. [music] [music] somebody right right Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] >> Just go.

>> Just go. Well, praise the Lord. You remember the Well, praise the Lord. You remember the Well, praise the Lord. You remember the names of the people you got earlier in names of the people you got earlier in names of the people you got earlier in church. You remember their names. You church. You remember their names. You church. You remember their names. You got their names. Look back at them. Call got their names. Look back at them. Call got their names. Look back at them. Call them by their name and ask [music] them, them by their name and ask [music] them, them by their name and ask [music] them, "Is the pastor waiting on you?" Call "Is the pastor waiting on you?" Call "Is the pastor waiting on you?" Call their name. I hope you remember it. You their name. I hope you remember it. You their name. I hope you remember it. You remember that name? remember that name? remember that name? Say, "My pastor waiting on you. You need Say, "My pastor waiting on you. You need Say, "My pastor waiting on you. You need to be down there. It's the last call. to be down there. It's the last call. to be down there. It's the last call. It's the last call. Whosoever will let It's the last call. Whosoever will let It's the last call. Whosoever will let her come. Whosoever [music] will let him her come. Whosoever [music] will let him her come. Whosoever [music] will let him come." come." come." If they don't answer you, you know If they don't answer you, you know If they don't answer you, you know something's up with them. You better ask something's up with them. You better ask something's up with them. You better ask him again. You heard me. Is my pastor him again. You heard me. Is my pastor him again. You heard me. Is my pastor waiting on you. [music] waiting on you. [music] waiting on you. [music] If they say no, say, "Praise the Lord." If they say no, say, "Praise the Lord." If they say no, say, "Praise the Lord." If they said yes, say, "I'll walk with If they said yes, say, "I'll walk with If they said yes, say, "I'll walk with [music] you if you want me to. I'll be [music] you if you want me to. I'll be [music] you if you want me to. I'll be glad to walk with you. glad to walk with you. glad to walk with you. Music Ministries [music] is going to Music Ministries [music] is going to Music Ministries [music] is going to sing it one more time. And when they sing it one more time. And when they sing it one more time. And when they sing it, that's your cue to step out sing it, that's your cue to step out sing it, that's your cue to step out from where you are and get down there from where you are and get down there from where you are and get down there where my pastor is. Come on. Come on. where my pastor is. Come on. Come on. where my pastor is. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. [music] Come Come on. Come on. Come on. [music] Come Come on. Come on. Come on. [music] Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on.

[music] [music] Here she goes. Come on. Come on. Come Here she goes. Come on. Come on. Come Here she goes. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. There we go. There we go. Come on. [music] [music] [music] Yeah. Heat. Heat. [music] >> And they have come on a Sunday >> And they have come on a Sunday afternoon. Come on and celebrate the afternoon. Come on and celebrate the afternoon. Come on and celebrate the newest members of the Wheeler Avenue newest members of the Wheeler Avenue newest members of the Wheeler Avenue Church. Hey y'all. Good to see you. So Church. Hey y'all. Good to see you. So Church. Hey y'all. Good to see you. So happy for you. So proud of you. I happy for you. So proud of you. I happy for you. So proud of you. I believe you just made one of the best believe you just made one of the best believe you just made one of the best decisions you will ever make in your decisions you will ever make in your decisions you will ever make in your entire entire entire life. [music] life. [music] life. [music] So on behalf of our entire church So on behalf of our entire church So on behalf of our entire church family, we say to each one of you who family, we say to each one of you who family, we say to each one of you who stands before us today, from the stands before us today, from the stands before us today, from the youngest to the eldest, welcome [music] youngest to the eldest, welcome [music] youngest to the eldest, welcome [music] to your new church home. We're glad that to your new church home. We're glad that to your new church home. We're glad that you're here. I'm excited to serve as you're here. I'm excited to serve as you're here. I'm excited to serve as your pastor. These precious, excited your pastor. These precious, excited your pastor. These precious, excited people are delighted to be your new people are delighted to be your new people are delighted to be your new family members. We are so delighted that family members. We are so delighted that family members. We are so delighted that God has given us the opportunity to have

God has given us the opportunity to have God has given us the opportunity to have fellowship, relationship [music] with fellowship, relationship [music] with fellowship, relationship [music] with each one of you. I want you to get to each one of you. I want you to get to each one of you. I want you to get to know the members of your church. Get to know the members of your church. Get to know the members of your church. Get to know the people whom you may sit around know the people whom you may sit around know the people whom you may sit around with on a weekly basis. get into a with on a weekly basis. get into a with on a weekly basis. get into a ministry and be productive as a child of ministry and be productive as a child of ministry and be productive as a child of the living God who's been gifted and the living God who's been gifted and the living God who's been gifted and graced to do just that. On behalf of all graced to do just that. On behalf of all graced to do just that. On behalf of all of us, we say to each one of you, of us, we say to each one of you, of us, we say to each one of you, welcome to your new church family. And I welcome to your new church family. And I welcome to your new church family. And I can prove to you how excited we are can prove to you how excited we are can prove to you how excited we are right now. [music] Watch this. Come on. right now. [music] Watch this. Come on. right now. [music] Watch this. Come on. Come on, church. Come on. Come on, church. Come on. Come on, church. Come on. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Dear, raise your hand, man. Will Amen. Dear, raise your hand, man. Will Amen. Dear, raise your hand, man. Will you follow that distinguished gentleman you follow that distinguished gentleman you follow that distinguished gentleman right there? He's going to take you to right there? He's going to take you to right there? He's going to take you to the new movie orientation room. Donus the new movie orientation room. Donus the new movie orientation room. Donus Jones is going to make sure that Jones is going to make sure that Jones is going to make sure that everybody gets to where you need to go. everybody gets to where you need to go. everybody gets to where you need to go. So, will you follow him and she'll So, will you follow him and she'll So, will you follow him and she'll follow you and we're going to celebrate follow you and we're going to celebrate follow you and we're going to celebrate every one of you who now makes your way. every one of you who now makes your way. every one of you who now makes your way. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Well, you blessed by the message this Well, you blessed by the message this Well, you blessed by the message this afternoon. Do you thank God for Dr. Amj, afternoon. Do you thank God for Dr. Amj, afternoon. Do you thank God for Dr. Amj, Dr. Johnson? Thank you, sir. Thank you, Dr. Johnson? Thank you, sir. Thank you, Dr. Johnson? Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir.

sir. sir. 13 years he's been serving at the 13 years he's been serving at the 13 years he's been serving at the Wheeler Avenue Church Wheeler Avenue Church Wheeler Avenue Church and we want to thank him for every one and we want to thank him for every one and we want to thank him for every one of them. Every [music] one of them. of them. Every [music] one of them. of them. Every [music] one of them. And the 22 years as an intern. Come on, And the 22 years as an intern. Come on, And the 22 years as an intern. Come on, thank God. All 57 years he's been thank God. All 57 years he's been thank God. All 57 years he's been working at Wheeler Avenue Baptist working at Wheeler Avenue Baptist working at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. To God be the glory. We Church. To God be the glory. We Church. To God be the glory. We appreciate him. We applaud him. and we appreciate him. We applaud him. and we appreciate him. We applaud him. and we anxiously await what God is going to do anxiously await what God is going to do anxiously await what God is going to do in [music] his next season of life and in [music] his next season of life and in [music] his next season of life and ministry. To God be the glory for him. ministry. To God be the glory for him. ministry. To God be the glory for him. Now listen, uh as is our custom every Now listen, uh as is our custom every Now listen, uh as is our custom every [music] time a preacher pastor leaves [music] time a preacher pastor leaves [music] time a preacher pastor leaves from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church going from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church going from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church going into their next [music] season of into their next [music] season of into their next [music] season of ministry, we ask that preacher to go ministry, we ask that preacher to go ministry, we ask that preacher to go into the lobby of the of the of the of into the lobby of the of the of the of into the lobby of the of the of the of the cathedral space, the Narthx, and be the cathedral space, the Narthx, and be the cathedral space, the Narthx, and be greeted by each one of you. Some of you greeted by each one of you. Some of you greeted by each one of you. Some of you brought gifts. I asked you last week to brought gifts. I asked you last week to brought gifts. I asked you last week to bring a gift to him for his farewell bring a gift to him for his farewell bring a gift to him for his farewell time. So [music] if you brought a gift, time. So [music] if you brought a gift, time. So [music] if you brought a gift, share that gift with him. If you didn't share that gift with him. If you didn't share that gift with him. If you didn't bring a gift, give him a good hug. Give bring a gift, give him a good hug. Give bring a gift, give him a good hug. Give him a good God bless you and let him him a good God bless you and let him him a good God bless you and let him know that we appreciate him. Let's send know that we appreciate him. Let's send know that we appreciate him. Let's send him forth knowing that Wheeler Avenue's him forth knowing that Wheeler Avenue's him forth knowing that Wheeler Avenue's got his back. [music] got his back. [music] got his back. [music] Wheeler Avenue's got his back.

Wheeler Avenue's got his back. Wheeler Avenue's got his back. Amen. Amen. I don't think I mentioned it in this I don't think I mentioned it in this service. Yes, I Did I mention all the service. Yes, I Did I mention all the service. Yes, I Did I mention all the journey for the next several weeks, journey for the next several weeks, journey for the next several weeks, months of this in Did I mention that in months of this in Did I mention that in months of this in Did I mention that in this service? Okay, maybe not. They're this service? Okay, maybe not. They're this service? Okay, maybe not. They're going to um Dr. Ratliff, who is their going to um Dr. Ratliff, who is their going to um Dr. Ratliff, who is their previous pastor, has just retired as of previous pastor, has just retired as of previous pastor, has just retired as of July 31st. And so now they've received July 31st. And so now they've received July 31st. And so now they've received Dr. Johnson as their next pastor. Dr. Johnson as their next pastor. Dr. Johnson as their next pastor. They're going to celebrate uh the They're going to celebrate uh the They're going to celebrate uh the retired [music] pastor in September. retired [music] pastor in September. retired [music] pastor in September. They're going to celebrate their They're going to celebrate their They're going to celebrate their church's anniversary in September. And church's anniversary in September. And church's anniversary in September. And then after all of those celebrations then after all of those celebrations then after all of those celebrations have concluded, we have the privilege of have concluded, we have the privilege of have concluded, we have the privilege of installation, we're going to install installation, we're going to install installation, we're going to install Doug Jay as the next pastor of the Doug Jay as the next pastor of the Doug Jay as the next pastor of the Bretwood Church. [music] Bretwood Church. [music] Bretwood Church. [music] What I also did not tell you is that 46 What I also did not tell you is that 46 What I also did not tell you is that 46 years ago, my predecessor, our founding years ago, my predecessor, our founding years ago, my predecessor, our founding pastor, Dr. William Alexander Lawson, pastor, Dr. William Alexander Lawson, pastor, Dr. William Alexander Lawson, sent Dr. Ratliff to Brentwood to be sent Dr. Ratliff to Brentwood to be sent Dr. Ratliff to Brentwood to be their pastor. He served there for 46 their pastor. He served there for 46 their pastor. He served there for 46 years, and now we have the privilege of years, and now we have the privilege of years, and now we have the privilege of ushering Dr. Johnson into the next ushering Dr. Johnson into the next ushering Dr. Johnson into the next season of pastoral ministry at the season of pastoral ministry at the season of pastoral ministry at the Britwood Church right out of Wheeler Britwood Church right out of Wheeler Britwood Church right out of Wheeler Avenue. And we thank God for that. I Avenue. And we thank God for that. I Avenue. And we thank God for that. I praise God for the experience. [music] praise God for the experience. [music] praise God for the experience. [music] Now, if there are those of you who are Now, if there are those of you who are Now, if there are those of you who are still here who did not yet uh who are still here who did not yet uh who are still here who did not yet uh who are who who are not yet dealing with the job who who are not yet dealing with the job who who are not yet dealing with the job responsibility that you know you need to responsibility that you know you need to responsibility that you know you need to have, you're between jobs, you already have, you're between jobs, you already have, you're between jobs, you already came to the altar, we've already prayed came to the altar, we've already prayed came to the altar, we've already prayed for you. I'm going to ask that right now

for you. I'm going to ask that right now for you. I'm going to ask that right now you get your belongings and return to you get your belongings and return to you get your belongings and return to the altar. [clears throat] Come to the the altar. [clears throat] Come to the the altar. [clears throat] Come to the altar right now. Those of you who have altar right now. Those of you who have altar right now. Those of you who have who have mentioned that you are between who have mentioned that you are between who have mentioned that you are between jobs, we're going to come on down to the jobs, we're going to come on down to the jobs, we're going to come on down to the altar right now. Miss Andrea Tucker is altar right now. Miss Andrea Tucker is altar right now. Miss Andrea Tucker is going to meet you here at the altar going to meet you here at the altar going to meet you here at the altar along with others who are going to work along with others who are going to work along with others who are going to work with her and we're going to take good with her and we're going to take good with her and we're going to take good care of you. Come, somebody say amen. care of you. Come, somebody say amen. care of you. Come, somebody say amen. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. while church was going on, they were while church was going on, they were while church was going on, they were working on how we were going to work working on how we were going to work working on how we were going to work this out. Thank you, Miss T. We this out. Thank you, Miss T. We this out. Thank you, Miss T. We appreciate that. Look at these precious appreciate that. Look at these precious appreciate that. Look at these precious men who have this information. All men who have this information. All men who have this information. All right, you all come on. Take take time. right, you all come on. Take take time. right, you all come on. Take take time. Come on down. Uh take take care of this Come on down. Uh take take care of this Come on down. Uh take take care of this this responsibility. We're not sharing this responsibility. We're not sharing this responsibility. We're not sharing this with anybody else. Let's lower it, this with anybody else. Let's lower it, this with anybody else. Let's lower it, Dee, so the world don't see it. Lower it Dee, so the world don't see it. Lower it Dee, so the world don't see it. Lower it to lower it just a little bit so the to lower it just a little bit so the to lower it just a little bit so the world doesn't see it. It's just for world doesn't see it. It's just for world doesn't see it. It's just for them. It's just for them. would be them. It's just for them. would be them. It's just for them. would be people in Nebraska doing this kind of people in Nebraska doing this kind of people in Nebraska doing this kind of stuff. stuff. stuff. [laughter] [laughter] [laughter] Listen, Listen, Listen, as we get ready to go and you can stay.

as we get ready to go and you can stay. as we get ready to go and you can stay. Hold on. Before you leave the altar, Hold on. Before you leave the altar, Hold on. Before you leave the altar, before you leave the altar, let me do a before you leave the altar, let me do a before you leave the altar, let me do a benediction. We're going to pray over benediction. We're going to pray over benediction. We're going to pray over you and those who need to get this QR you and those who need to get this QR you and those who need to get this QR code are going to get it and uh then code are going to get it and uh then code are going to get it and uh then [music] we'll take care of you from [music] we'll take care of you from [music] we'll take care of you from there. All right. there. All right. there. All right. You want to be a member of the We Lav You want to be a member of the We Lav You want to be a member of the We Lav Church? Praise the Lord. I'm so excited Church? Praise the Lord. I'm so excited Church? Praise the Lord. I'm so excited for you. Got another person responding for you. Got another person responding for you. Got another person responding to the invitation. to the invitation. to the invitation. Yeah. God bless you. Yeah. God bless you. Yeah. God bless you. God bless you. Who's going to take Doc God bless you. Who's going to take Doc God bless you. Who's going to take Doc Piles? Doc Pile's going to take care of Piles? Doc Pile's going to take care of Piles? Doc Pile's going to take care of her. Yeah. Praise the Lord. Welcome to her. Yeah. Praise the Lord. Welcome to her. Yeah. Praise the Lord. Welcome to your new church home, sis. Praise God your new church home, sis. Praise God your new church home, sis. Praise God for you. [music] for you. [music] for you. [music] Amen. Press on in. Y'all can come close. Amen. Press on in. Y'all can come close. Amen. Press on in. Y'all can come close. It's all right. Y'all can come close. It's all right. Y'all can come close. It's all right. Y'all can come close. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on in. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on in. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on in. Come on in. Press on [music] in. And Come on in. Press on [music] in. And Come on in. Press on [music] in. And when you finish taking a picture of that when you finish taking a picture of that when you finish taking a picture of that QR code, stay right where you are until QR code, stay right where you are until QR code, stay right where you are until I give you the benediction and then I give you the benediction and then I give you the benediction and then we're all going to leave together. All we're all going to leave together. All we're all going to leave together. All right. right. right. All right. Apostle Grove family, God All right. Apostle Grove family, God All right. Apostle Grove family, God bless y'all. Thank you so much for being bless y'all. Thank you so much for being bless y'all. Thank you so much for being with us. We thank you so much for with us. We thank you so much for with us. We thank you so much for joining us today. All of our first time joining us today. All of our first time joining us today. All of our first time visitors, God bless you. Let's stand visitors, God bless you. Let's stand visitors, God bless you. Let's stand together. Everybody standing together.

together. Everybody standing together. together. Everybody standing together. Make sure you when you leave you greet Make sure you when you leave you greet Make sure you when you leave you greet Jay. Show him some love. Tell him how Jay. Show him some love. Tell him how Jay. Show him some love. Tell him how much that message blessed you and how much that message blessed you and how much that message blessed you and how his ministry [music] has likewise his ministry [music] has likewise his ministry [music] has likewise blessed you here at the Wheeler Avenue blessed you here at the Wheeler Avenue blessed you here at the Wheeler Avenue Church. The Lord bless you. The Lord Church. The Lord bless you. The Lord Church. The Lord bless you. The Lord keep you. The Lord make [music] his face keep you. The Lord make [music] his face keep you. The Lord make [music] his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto to shine upon you and be gracious unto to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift the light of his you. The Lord lift the light of his you. The Lord lift the light of his countenance upon you and give [music] countenance upon you and give [music] countenance upon you and give [music] you his peace. You're going out and you his peace. You're going out and you his peace. You're going out and you're coming in in your labor and in you're coming in in your labor and in you're coming in in your labor and in your leisure, in your joy, [music] your leisure, in your joy, [music] your leisure, in your joy, [music] as well as in your sorrow, in your as well as in your sorrow, in your as well as in your sorrow, 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 [music] the Until that day when we meet [music] the Until that day when we meet [music] the Lord face to face and cry holy, holy, Lord face to face and cry holy, holy, Lord face to face and cry holy, holy, holy to the Lord of hosts. Until that holy to the Lord of hosts. Until that holy to the Lord of 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, [music] go in joy, peace, go in love, [music] go in joy, peace, go in love, [music] go in joy, and may the very God of peace, love, and and may the very God of peace, love, and and may the very God of peace, love, and 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 [music] name. as we sing together Jesus [music] name. as we sing together Jesus [music] name. as we sing together with uplifted voices. Amen. [music] Amen.

Amen. [music] Everybody sing it out. Everybody sing it out. [music] >> God bless you. Have a great week. >> God bless you. Have a great week. Ministry fair.