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We're going to start with scripture. I'm going to come to you from of course one of my favorites, Second Chronicles. >> Let your light shine.

Oh, let your light shine. Oh, baby, somebody down in the valley trying to find their way home. Baby, your father may be mine.

Baby, your father may be mine. Well, there's somebody down in the valley trying to find their way home. Baby, your father may be mine.

Baby, your father may be mine. Well, there's somebody down in the valley trying to find their way home. Baby, your brother may be mine.

Baby, your brother may be mine. Well, there's somebody down in the valley trying to find their way home. Let your light shine.

Oh, let your light shine. Oh, baby, somebody down in the valley >> Baby, somebody down in the trying to find their way home. Don't let your light go out.

Oh, don't let your light go out. Baby, somebody down in the trying their way home. Don't let your light go out.

Oh, don't let your light go out. Baby, somebody down in the valley trying to find their way home. No matter what they send you.

Oh, somebody's watching you. Baby, somebody down in the trying to find their way home. No matter what they send you.

Oh, somebody's watching you. >> [music] >> Baby, somebody down in the trying to find their way home. Don't let your light go out.

Oh, don't let your light go out. Baby, somebody down in the trying to find their way home. Don't let your light go out.

Oh, don't let your light go out. Baby, somebody down in the >> Trying to find the way home. >> Let your light >> Let your light Somebody down in >> [music] >> Trying to the way home.

>> I heard >> the Lord voice of Say, "Come on home to me." Oh, you lay down every one come lay down. Nobody knows >> [music] >> the road I pray >> [cheering] >> Let your light shine. >> Let your light shine.

Somebody down Trying to the way home. >> I heard >> I strayed and lost my way to the Lord. The way I know the way the Lord told me.

Tell me where the way home. I know >> Let your light shine. >> Let your light shine.

>> Amen. If you don't remember anything else about that song, don't let your light go out. Cuz if you let your light go out, you won't be able to find your way home.

Amen. Amen. It's good to be back in the house of the Lord one more time.

Let's give God some praise this morning. We all got something to give him praise about. Am I right about it?

You still breathing, right? So, you ought to give him glory this morning. Every time you take a breath, you ought to give him glory.

It's not anything you're entitled to. It's only because he allows it to happen. Amen.

Glory be to God. This is our pastor. We winding up his anniversary and we want to give him the praise that he's due.

Amen. Amen. Anybody love God in here?

Oh, that was weak. Oh, that was weak. Anybody love the Lord?

Let me put it that way. Anybody had to call him in the morning? Anybody had to call him in the evening?

Have you had to call him in the midnight hour? When all hell had broke loose and you can't see your way and you called on the name of Jesus and he heard your cry. Mhm.

Mhm. Mhm. Mhm.

Mhm. Mhm. I love you, Jesus.

We worship and adore you. Just want to tell you, Lord, I love you more than anything. I love you, Jesus.

We worship Just want to tell you, Lord, I love you more anything. I love you, Jesus. I worship and adore you.

Just want to tell you. Lord, I love you. Now, we going to say it like we mean it.

I love you, Jesus. Oh, we worship and adore. Just want to tell you.

Lord, I love you more than anything. Yes, I love you, Jesus. We worship and adore.

Just want to tell you. Lord, we love you. More than anything.

More than anything. >> [screaming] >> Oh, I love you, Jesus. We worship and adore you.

I just want to tell you. Lord, we love you. More than anything.

More than our money. More than our cars. >> [screaming] >> I love you, Jesus.

Just want to tell you. Lord, I love you. More than anything.

I love you, Jesus. I love you, Jesus. I love you, Jesus.

Can't make it without you. I can't make it without you. I can't make it without you.

I love you, Jesus. >> [music] >> Lord, I love you. Come on, give God some praise.

Do you really love him more than anything? Have you come to the point in your life where you know that you need him above everything you do? Amen.

Glory be to God. If you have not gotten to that point, today should be your day. Amen.

Glory, hallelujah. Lord, I >> More More than anything, y'all. Glory to God.

Amen. Come on, give him some praise in here. Give him praise.

Amen. Amen. >> Jesus said, "I know all about [singing] your striving.

And he said, "In your [music] sins, in your sins, you're dying. And he said, "I'm making preparations to set you free. All you got to do is follow me.

Don't you [music] dare. Don't you dare. Don't you dare.

>> [music] >> Don't you dare. Don't you dare. Don't you dare.

>> [music] >> Jesus said, "I know all about your trying." And he said, [singing] "In your [music] seeing, in your seeing, your trying, [music and singing] and he said, I'm making preparations to set you free. All you got to do is follow me. Don't you dare.

Don't you dare. Don't you dare. Don't you dare.

Don't you dare. Don't you dare. Oh, Calvary.

He got up from the He gave his >> [music] >> for you and He got up from I rise again. That's what he said. On Calvary.

He got up from He gave his for you and He got up from I rise again. That's what On Calvary. He got up from He gave for you and >> [music] >> He got up I rise again.

That's what he said. Don't you Don't you dare. Don't you dare.

Don't you Don't you. I don't care what you're going through. Don't you dare.

Sometimes you got to get on your knees. Pray to the Lord. He'll make it all right.

He'll make it all right. You're going to have people turn their backs on you, Lord. But don't you Don't you dare.

We're going to go through some sickness. But don't you Don't you >> Don't you dare. Give up.

Cuz on Calvary Somebody say Calvary. He got up on the tree. He gave his life for you and for me.

But he didn't stop right there. It was the blood. >> [screaming] >> He said He got up from the dead.

Mhm. He rose again. Just like said.

So, if he didn't give up, if he didn't throw in the towel, you shouldn't throw in the towel. No matter what you're going through. God is able.

God is able. Even when you think you're all by yourself. Even when you can't see your way out.

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask. There was a word in that song. And somebody needed that today.

I don't know who you are, but you needed that. Things are not looking quite right in your life. Everything has been turned upside down.

But listen to the words of the song. Glory, hallelujah. >> Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. >> Come on, give God praise in here. Give him praise like he went up on that tree for you.

Give him praise like he shed his blood for you. Glory, hallelujah. He is worthy.

Anybody know he's worthy to be praised? Amen. Come on, give him praise.

When I think about the tree, when I think about the tree, when I think about the tree that he hung from, bled and died, my soul begins to rejoice in the Lord. Hey! You might as well give him some praise.

Hey! Come on. Come on.

Come on, right, D. You better come and get this right here. You better come on.

>> [music] >> Come on, people of God. Why don't we come on? we come on.

on, let's give him praise in the house. If you know that you know that you know he's been good to you, you ought to stand and give him some praise in this house. You're not You're not standing.

You're just sitting there. Amen. You ought to join in and let's give God some praise in this Has he been good to you?

I said, has he been good to you? Let me tell you what he's done for me. Brought me out of darkness into the marvelous light.

Come on. Come on. Come on.

Stay right there. Stay right there. Come on.

Keep [music] on in praising until they feel it. Keep on praising until they feel it. Come on.

Yeah. Come on. Come on.

Come on. Come on. Yeah.

Yeah. Yes. Amen.

Amen. Come on. I don't know about you, but I feel the presence of the Lord in this house.

Amen. Amen. Come on.

Come on. Yes. Yes.

We're grateful. We're grateful. Amen.

To be a part of this grand celebration. That God has brought us together. Amen.

We've come first and foremost to lift Jesus. For the Bible I read said, "If I be lifted up and I dare us to lift him today." If we lift him, he's going to draw them. Amen.

Every last one of them that want to be drawn. Amen. And so, we're grateful.

Amen. As we prepare now to get ready to enter into this worship experience. Amen.

I would ask that you all stand. Amen. As we call to worship.

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein. Lift up your heads, oh ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors. And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts. He is King of glory.

Let us now receive our honorees. Come on, give God praise. Come on, let's celebrate our honorees as they come.

Pastor Barbara and Lady Barbara has been serving this congregation for 27 years. Amen. As they enter, let's honor them.

Amen. Amen. Let's give God praise.

Amen. Let's celebrate with them 27 awesome years that God has blessed them. Come on, let's celebrate Pastor Barbara.

Come on. A man after God's own heart. Amen.

Amen. As they're taking their seats, the choir will open with their first and their selection. The choir will help us sing.

>> You may be seated. Opening song from the Board Hill choir. Our opening prayer will be Reverend Ronald Reagan who will come with responsive reading, Reverend Tracy Branch.

Scripture, 1 Corinthians 13. He will give leadership. And then we'll come back.

>> Amen. Come on. Let's give God the praise and the We went from way up there way down there.

Amen. Reverend Branch, you ain't got to call me out now. He told me last night He said he didn't want to hear it.

He said if you don't If you don't sing, I'm calling you out. Amen. It's not about [music] me.

But it's all about him. I'm living [music] to see I want to see Jesus. It's not about [music] me.

But it's all about him. I'm living [music] to see Jesus. I want to see Jesus.

Quiet. Not about me. >> [music] >> All about him.

It's not about Not [music] about me. Thank you, Lord. Someday.

Someday. [music] I really want to see him. Someday.

[music] Listen to this song. It's not about [music and singing] my name. Or the things I've done.

I'm living [music] to see Jesus. I want to see Jesus. It's not about my name.

Or the things I've done. I'm living to see Jesus. I want to see Jesus.

Not about Not about my name. Thank you, Lord. It's not about Or the things >> [music] >> I'm living.

>> [music] >> Someday >> [music] >> Someday Someday Come on, help me say it. See one glad morning >> [music] >> when this life is over, I'm going to fly away. His face is the first face that I want to see.

Oh, someday. Yeah, someday. I'm going to walk the streets of glory where I can praise him forevermore.

Yeah, someday. Someday, someday Oh, someday. When my time is up when my time is up when my time is up when my time is up Oh, someday.

Yeah, someday. I'm going to walk the streets of glory where I can praise him forevermore. Yeah, someday.

Someday >> [music] >> Glory. >> Every head bowed. Every eye closed.

Lord God, our Father. We come in the name of Jesus. For Lord God, we have no other name that is worthy to be praised.

For I I was going to ask you to stop by here for a little while. But Father God, you already here. Thank you.

Thank you, Lord. So now we ask you just to look down upon these our honorees and your children. For we realize, Lord, that you are the one who's brought them not part of the way, but but all the way.

And your job is not finished yet. Because I believe you're going to take us from all the way here to all the way to glory. But we can see Jesus sitting on your right hand.

Oh, Lord God, we just thank you. For one of these days, Lord, we're going to hear you say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And now, Lord, we understand that there are some here that that know you real well. But, Lord, we pray that you would just move in the hearts of those who do not know you.

For some reason, Lord God, they there may have been a problem or Satan may have gotten in the way, but Father God, I know that you have an answer to every problem. Touch, Lord God. Heal and deliver.

Make a way, Lord God, that they may hear, that all of us may hear a word from you today. Lord God, we pray your blessing upon this preacher. Knowing, Lord God, that you have given her a word.

And therefore, Lord, we wait in our tent doors to hear what you have to say. Lord, bless everyone who is in the sound of my voice. Every choir member, every usher, every deacon, every officer.

And Lord God, most of all, little old me. Bless, oh God, this service. That it may honor you.

Lift up the name of Jesus. And take us all a little closer to thy precious bleeding side. Thank you, Father, for this privilege.

We give you now, Lord, all of our worship. All of our praise. All of the honor worthy of your name.

And we sit now, Lord, waiting for you to speak. And Lord, we thank you for the privilege. And this we pray in the matchless name of Jesus.

Amen. Amen. Praise God.

We're going to read Our responsive reading will be coming from the back of your hymn books, 5 74. Love. That's what we're celebrating today.

Amen. Bible proclaims and declares that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. So, today we stand here for love.

In the back of your hymn books, 574. 1 Corinthians 13. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I become a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, I profiteth me nothing. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. Believeth all things, believeth all things, hopeth in all things, and endureth all things.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part. When I was a child, I spake as a child. I understood as a child.

I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things. Altogether.

And now abide faith, hope, charity. These three, but the greatest of these is charity. God is blessed.

God bless you. Thank you so much for those who have participated thus far. Amen.

But right there still a praise should go forth. Can we give God praise? That's right.

There will be some hallelujahs in the house. Amen. God bless you.

Now we going to proceed. Our sisters going to come back to the altar. All right.

And response to the visiting church, Sister Elizabeth Sanders, and then the combined choir will bless us. >> Good morning. I'm looking back at these choirs going here quietly to Pastor Good morning.

It's amazing. Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for coming out this morning to help us celebrate the last day of Pastor J.

Thomas Barber and Lady Wanda Barber's 27th anniversary year at Morning Star Church in the Morning Star community. Pastor Barber and Lady Barber give the service you have to thank them for love and teaching the Christ in the church and the surrounding community. The Barbers are so delighted you chose to be here today.

Let's celebrate this remarkable milestone this morning and express our sincere love and gratitude for the last 27 years of leadership. On behalf of Pastor Barber and Lady Barber, I say welcome, welcome, welcome. >> Good morning.

Yesterday we were told when we were in the Barbers' house we have to do as the Barbers say. So now I guess we have to do as Reverend Dean says also. Oh, but Reverend Oh.

Thank you all so much for coming to celebrate with my friends, people that I love dearly, the Barbers. No better people are they. They make it look easy.

So we get in that car and drive from New York every year to say congratulations to the Barbers and we enjoy doing that. Thank you for the welcome. We were welcomed before we got here.

I think this is coming home. Thank you on behalf of the Bethlehem of Judea Church, Hempstead, New York. Thank you.

>> Good morning, Boy Hill. Uh Today is a special day. Hey, uh of course this is pastor's 27th anniversary.

And I think thank uh Miss Frenchie for allowing me to step on the stage to uh honor my grandfather today cuz today is is is is eighth year without us uh us here. It's a blessing that uh he has made a staple and a legacy for this community and in this church church. And I'm trying to thank y'all for loving him throughout the years.

And uh you know, it's it's been a trying time, but but but I like to think that he is not here in in in in what the world's going through with all this racism and all this all this all this hate and all this war and all this disease. There's there's there's he no no more pain. No more suffering.

No more remembering any of our names anymore any of my grandchildren's names anymore. He is in a better place, and I'm just thankful right here that that throughout the eight years that he's been gone, I've been doing my best to make sure that I'm happy throughout these years. And all we can do is ask to be happy every every.

So, I just want to thank him and I want to thank him with this song that I know Pastor Barber will love cuz this is his favorite song. So, it simply says, Lord, I am >> Lord, I am >> so thankful for what you've done. >> for what you've done >> Lord, I am Lord, I am >> Lord, I am >> I'm so for what you've done.

>> for what you've done >> Lord, I am >> Lord, I am >> I'm so for what you've done. >> for what you've done >> Here we go. Remember how sick he was in that old hospital room.

Lord, heal me. That's what you done. >> [music] >> You see, his friends came to see me but they couldn't save.

That's what you done. But you see, but Lord, you came and you saved both night and day. That's what you done.

Oh, >> [screaming] >> help me say, Lord, I'm so for what you've done. But in love, >> the Lord >> Lord, I am >> I'm so >> I'm thankful >> what you've done. >> what you've done for me.

>> I remember how sick he was in a old hospital room. Lord, how you healed him. >> what you've done for [music] me.

>> My friends came to see me but they couldn't say that's what you done. >> what you've done for me. >> Oh, but Lord you came and you [music] stayed all night and day.

That's what you done. >> what you've done for me. >> Oh, Lord.

>> what you've done for me. >> Help me say, Lord >> Lord, I am >> I'm so >> I'm thankful >> [music] >> what you've done. >> what you've done for me.

>> Lord, [screaming] I am >> Lord, I am >> [music] >> I'm so >> I'm thankful >> what you've done. >> what you've done >> [music] >> for me. >> Yeah, you did it.

>> You did it. >> You did it. >> You did it.

>> [music] >> You did it. >> You did >> You did it. How you do it?

>> You did it. >> Lord, I'm so glad you did it. >> You did it.

>> For me and you. >> You did it. >> For your mother >> You did it.

>> to the motherless >> You did it. >> fatherly fatherless friend with your friendless Oh, thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for letting. >> [music] >> Thank you for walking. Thank you for talking.

With me now. I'm so glad. You've been there.

You've been there. You've been there. >> [screaming] >> Hey, you did it.

You [screaming] did it. You did it. How did you do it for me?

Oh, I'm so glad you did it. I caught up in debt. No [screaming] time out.

No. But I'm so glad you did it. For me.

>> [music] >> Hey, you did it. You did it. Oh, you did it.

I'm so glad you did it. For you and for me. I'm glad you did it.

Oh, you did it. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

>> [music] >> Oh. What you done. Oh, yeah.

Oh. What you done. Done.

For me. If he's done it for you, come on, give him praise. All right.

Oh, you did You did it for me. You did it for you. When I was down and out, you did it for me.

Hey. When I was thinking lonely, and I didn't have no friends, you did it for me. You did it for my mother.

Did it for my grandfather. Did it for my family. That's why [screaming] we're here, praising God for everything he's done for us.

Hey. Hey. Hey.

So what you done? >> [music] >> I'm so What you done? Amen.

Amen. God bless you, bride. God bless you, bride.

Praise him. Praise him in the midnight hour. In the new day.

In the night. Oh, Oh, no. Oh, no.

Oh, yeah. >> [music] >> Oh, yeah. Can we give God praise?

Come on. Can we give God praise? Oh, yes.

God bless you, brother. >> The announcements. Announcements the office staff is coming now.

Followed offertory prayer Minister Tishaun Pope. selection again from the combined choir. Come in that order.

>> Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

>> Glory. Glory. Glory.

Glory. Good morning, Board Hill. I am so thankful for what he's done for me.

Very grateful. Very grateful. First giving honor to God, Pastor Barbara, pulpit associates, deacons, trustees, members, and friends.

these are today's announcements. Let's keep our sick and shut-in in prayer. On our special prayer list this morning, we have brother J.T.

Redwood. He's in the hospital. Sister Phyllis Perry, she's home recovering.

Reverend Hazel Hill, she's in rehab. Also keep in prayer mission Nia Massey, Sister Shamika Stinson, Miss Angela Parker, Mr. Wana Parker, and the Mitchell family of Pennsylvania.

The Deacon and Trustee Ministry will meet tomorrow, Monday, April the 20th at 7:00 p.m. Our Missionary Outreach Ministry fellowship dinner will be on Monday, April the 20th at the House of the Coffee, located at the old Western Elementary School. All volunteers and monetary donations are welcome.

Please see Sister Myra Castle or either Sister Faye Miles for any additional information. The Hymn Choir will be going to Mount Prospect on tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. There will be no Missionary meeting for the month of April.

The Women's Convention semi-annual session is April the 25th at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Clover, South Carolina at 10:00 a.m. Attention all graduates. All graduates, K through college, please submit your name to the church office for publication by April the 30th, 2026.

Coins for the Crown. We are collecting coins for our fundraising efforts for our contestant. If you have any loose change, please bring coins every Sunday to help bring home the crown.

Our community news, April the 16th through the 25th, come see me festival. And you can go to www.comseeme.org for a schedule. We are in sympathy with the Gathings Gathings family in the passing of their mother, Ms.

Betty Crockett Gathings. She is a She was a long time educator in the Rock Hill community. So, please keep all three families in your prayers.

Save the date. The women's convention for the Sandy River Baptist Association Upper Division will host a workshop focusing on mental health awareness on May the 1st at 6:00 p.m. at Boyd Hill Baptist Church.

Please come out and bring a friend. We have one uh additional community event. Faith and community leaders conversation with Dr.

Annie Andrews, she's a candidate for the U.S. for the U.S. Senate.

Please come out on April the 21st, Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 for a conversation with her at Boyd Hill Baptist Church. We have uh graduation announcements. Please join us in celebrating the graduation of Soraya Montague from USC Upstate, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Thursday, May the 7th at 6:00 p.m. in Spartanburg. Thank you.

At this time, we would like to recognize our visitors. Will you please stand? >> On behalf of Pastor Barber and the entire church family, we thank you for coming to worship with us today.

Please know that our doors are always open and whenever they are whenever you are in the area, please come and worship with us. Thank you for coming again and please come again. Have a blessed day in the name of the Lord.

>> Praise the Lord. Thank you visitors for being here with us. Did any of you have anything to say?

I seen the mic but nobody got up there to say nothing. Y'all feel at home? You ought to.

You're in the house of the Lord. Amen. What a fellowship.

What a joy divine. My job is easy. Um to present some uh donations or monetary gifts to the pastor and first lady.

Um 27 years. Um I was taken back. I was a youngster.

>> [laughter] >> I'm I'm 61 years old now. Okay. Um It's been um It's been a pleasure.

Uh and I say that because we've done a lot in 27 years. Uh I was talking last night about um pastor and how he did in New York and but I got to tell you New Yorkers he's done a lot more here in 27 years than he did in the 15 years in New York. Amen.

He is a Boyd Hilliard. Amen. That's right, first lady.

Um but we we have been blessed. Um had a lot of accomplishments in this time. We went through COVID together.

Um when a lot of ministries fell apart um we remained steadfast. Amen. And that that's big in this day and time.

Um and our members stayed faithful. And they were talking about being faithful under good leadership and they were faithful enough to still come and know that that the lights still had to be on. The the bills still the utility bills still had to be paid and uh we we we rode it out together.

Um what one didn't know the other one knew. Amen. When pastor wasn't familiar with with Zoom we familiarized him with Zoom.

Amen. Amen. Just like when we don't know stuff, he have to familiarize us with stuff.

And sometimes he have to chastise us in the process, so hey. But all the things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. Amen.

Amen. So, I want to say to Pastor Barbara and our first lady, that just thank you. Thank you.

Um I I get to talk to deacons from other ministries and to be quite honest with you, a lot of them go through hell. They really do. And and they look to us Boyd Hill as leadership.

So, I get those calls and I'm like, "No, we don't have that going on at Boyd Hill." Uh you know, that's uncharted waters for me. Uh so, all I can tell you is that we will pray for your ministry, that you will get it on track. But, um because Pastor has led us in and the right direction.

Um we have become better leaders. We um to our congregates. Um it's important cuz he he led by example.

Um those nights in the hospital when when your family was going through crisis, he was there. Can't anybody say he wasn't there? Cuz if you call him, he know about it.

He's going to make his way. Amen. And he taught us when when our when our members call, we need to go.

And I I I I left work and went to the hospital to pray. But, we thank you for your leadership. And thank you for for teaching us the the way that we should be.

I have a a card from the deacons also. Uh thank you for entrusting leadership in our um And uh you you you >> [applause] >> Good morning beautiful people of God. Mrs.

Robbie Barber I told you all yesterday or Friday how much of a friend Mrs. Barber is to me. And we refer to Mrs.

Barber as the first lady. And we like that because it's kind of cute. But Robbie is more than the first lady because you know there can always be a second lady.

And Robbie ain't hearing that. So, you are a wonderful elect lady. And I love you, Mrs.

Barber. You are wonderfully and fearfully made. To change tape.

Wonderfully and fearfully made, and we love you. And on behalf of Pastor Deans and myself, thank you for being our friend. Thank you for being the wonderful elect lady that you are.

It takes one to know one. We love you. God bless your heart.

>> God bless you. Thank you so much, Sister Deans, for representing to Sister Barber um from being you and blessed and for Pastor Barber um Bethlehem uh Bethlehem that is she uh Sister Deans uh Sister Lewis Pastor Lewis uh you can stand. You can stand.

Wow, you make this presentation. This is from This is from the Bethlehem Missionary Church to my friend and my brother and Pastor Barber knows without a shadow of a doubt we're brothers and we are friends. And so we've had to come and represent our our church family and again from Pastor Deans and church family we want to present this money to you.

Uh I I don't remember you saying anything about riding the subway. So this is not a token, this is money. And any preacher that's been preaching as over 40 some years, and then one thing we know how to do is spend money.

Honest money. I need to say that honest money. So, we're grateful to call you friend and brother.

And the Boylston Church, we always celebrate you for what you do for my friend and sister Barbara. Amen. It's always a blessing and a delight to be here to be a participant.

Thank you, my brother. God bless you, and we will see you in May. Is that right?

>> Let the church say go Red Sox. I said, let the church say go Red Sox. Pastor Barbara will be in that pulpit and he'll be doing good.

So, he say something about my Red Sox. I don't care what he do. He's going to find me to say something about my Red Sox.

Huh? LA, he's a Dodgers fan, y'all. So, maybe they'll let us win a World Series soon.

We tired of y'all. But on behalf of the Boylston Baptist Church Combined Choir, this is a small token of love and appreciation for you, for your guidance and your dedication to us. We sing now every Sunday.

Pat mentioned COVID, so now we sing every Sunday after COVID. So, sometimes we tired. So, sometimes Pastor Barbara will go ahead and sing a little song sometimes, too.

Y'all, was y'all here last Sunday? I said, "Pastor felt like singing today, right?" It be like that sometimes. So, we love you.

We thank you. >> I like Pastor Barbara and First Lady Barbara stand cuz this is this is for both of you. Pastor, I'm going to I'm going to tell you two stories.

One Pastor Barbara went with Miss Barbara. So, Pastor, I don't know if you remember, but when I was in back in college I was in front of Winthrop getting the service station and you pulled over and you you flagged me down and said, "Here, here's $20. You know, you you all go and you know, get you something to eat." So, I want to say this part of this is your return of your $20.

>> [cheering] >> And and and First Lady, I got I got one more story. I I'm going to need you to stand cuz I'm about to tell this in in front of your face. So, you know last evening at the at the banquet, we had a great time.

You know, we all had our our blue attire, had on blue and everything. So, at the end of of the program, Pastor I was packing up my my keyboard and stuff. First Lady tiptoed over to me.

And I said, "You know what? We got on our blues. I want to take a a picture with you and Pastor." You know what she said?

She said, "No, I want to take a picture with me and you." Yeah, this is we all we really Yeah, I just want to say thank you all for I y'all been a blessing to not only me but my family and Bow Hills as a whole. So, I just I'm thankful for y'all. >> When I get speechless for wordy, you know that's you know that something's wrong.

Let let me say this as brother Elliott uh I I I'm reminded of few years ago a a fellow ran off with a patrol uh with a highway a state trooper's wife. And about five or six years later the patrolman man was speeding and he was blowing the horn. And I kept on.

Finally, he pulled him over. He said, "Didn't you hear me blowing that siren?" And you didn't even stop me, Jake. Officer, five years ago a patrolman ran off with my wife.

And I thought you were here to bring her back. So, so I gave it to you. That's what you get.

Those Those of you know me, I love to smile. And I love to have fun. Some people are so holy and sanctified, they can't even say amen.

But I know when to rejoice. But when it's God's business, I know it's time be serious. See, a lot of us don't know how to be that way.

But I thank God that he lets me know the difference. And see, God don't want you to invite him to a pity party. A lot of us are sad too much.

And then we call on God, "Help me to do it." And then he said, "Well, you got to do something for yourself." But I thank God. I I I let me start off by saying this. Uh in all the 27 years, this has been the greatest.

This has been the greatest. I've enjoyed it from day one. And I must say to Pastor Z, they've had me excited from January up to now.

I don't believe in And they'll tell you, I don't believe in waiting till the last minute. Last year, after the anniversary last year, we laid out this year. So, we had time to make corrections.

What we didn't do the last time. But sometimes people wait till the last minute and want to cram everything in. But I'm thankful we do not do that.

My wife will tell you. I plan way ahead of time. My niece asked me last night, "You did not tell us where you want to go for next year." She said, "But I'm putting it on my calendar.

We're taking you to Italy in February for your birthday." But >> I I love them so much I let them correct me. But that's the important of being around young men. That is the important of being around young men.

And and uh since my niece said that she uh my doorbell is hooked up to her house and let her know who's coming and going. And I asked her a question. I said, "Are you that interested or you just that nosy?" But guess what she said?

Both of them. But I thank God for her. I thank God for her because she took a load off of us this year.

And we thank God for the gifts of our heart. As I say all the time, good people does good things. And I can't even start calling names of those who have been so good to us this in these 27 years.

And I get excited because when I anniversary time comes I want my New York friends to let to let them know how good you are to me. And so you may I I I would not have an anniversary without someone from New York. When I was on Long Island 15 years every anniversary I had a group from Rockaway.

I always allowed a preacher from the South [snorts] would preach my anniversary. And certainly I tell people this, when a person die, you don't have to try to put them in the heaven. Their life speak for itself.

Sometime I I I've never been to a funeral where someone goes there was a bad person. I don't care what they've done. They was the best thing that ever lived.

And I always say when you were alive, they would lie on you. But when you die, they'll lie for you. And I tell them when I go with I don't need a everybody get up and say and listen to this and didn't even speak to me when I was alive.

My life speak for itself. And I see people from New York to fly because my life in New York spoke for itself. And I want to thank them from the depth of the depth of my heart that they saw something in me when I was in New York to come and stay.

We still saying with you. And certainly too, this choir, this choir here, certainly they sang every Sunday. But I want you to know I helped you.

You ain't doing all of that by yourself. And I I I I love I love singing. When I was on Long Island, people used to come to Mount Pleasant just to hear me sing.

And my wife would get so jealous. And they'd say, "Pastor, you ain't going to sing today." They makes me sick. Oh, yeah.

You don't sing that way. But I I thank I thank God and I I thank Pastor Dean asked me one time lady asked me say you see a saint. I said honey you got so many singers in boy here.

So I got lost in in the crowd. I said every now and then to let God know I still thank him for the gift that he gave me. I have to sing and say I love something.

But again I really thank God for what has been done and what has been said and said to me. Let me say again to boy here I thank you. Thank you.

And you did that to my heart. And I'm being honest I and I always like to Sister Evelyn Carter and Sister Verna Lightfoot. Sister Carter is one of the I might be the oldest pastor's aid member that we have.

Because when I first came here uh she hooked up with the pastor's aid at that time. And Sister Verna Lightfoot and both of those are sick. So I'm going to ask that that the pastor's aids that are in here now, I want you to stand.

I have We have a card for the Sister Evelyn Carter and one of these flowers here. One for Sister Lightfoot and the other one is for Sister Carter. And we also have a card and not a empty card, but a card to go along with it to let them know that we have not forgotten about them.

We may not call them every day, we may not see them every day, but they are still part of us and we want them to know. So, I'm going to ask one of the Philadelphia Eagles to come and receive this flower and this card for Sister Carl. I recognize the Philadelphia Eagles, but there's another team I can't stand.

Those old Cowboys. >> [cheering] >> So, we want you to take this card and this lovely flower here for your mother, Sister Adeline Carl. Let her know we still love her.

And Deacon Thompson, I want you to come. I want to get I want you to come and receive this for Sister Lightfoot. >> My father took my grandfather.

I was raised by my grandfather and he always told me you pay to be the boss. And always give respect and you'll get respect. And I must say that my bride is respectful sometimes.

Not all of the time but some of the time. I'm being honest. I'm being honest.

I know every man in here can say the same thing. That they are honest sometimes but not all the time. I want you to see that sister Lightfoot get this flower over here.

Not tomorrow but today. And last but not least, let me say to those who have children, grandchildren that graduating I think it was April the 30th was the deadline. With that April the 30th please get them in because every year every year every year every year every year somebody come up at the last minute.

Well, you didn't call my child name down and they just telling us. So, I'm asking and pleading with you now. If you don't turn your name in on time and your child or grandchild don't get nothing at that time, don't come up complaining.

Because it'll be your own fault. You know right now when they are going to graduate. If you don't know, you need to search and find out.

But every year we get complaints about well, my child didn't get this, my child didn't get that. You did not turn it in on time. Please, ma'am, and please, sir, get the information in on time.

And what happened is when it's not written in the bulletin, well, I don't see my child in here. Well, you might say, well, we got company. I'm at home.

Please, ma'am, and please, sir, get the information in to the staff in the office that they might now see And the sad part about it, they won't say nothing to them, but they'll run to me. And so, I I I I don't intend to carry no loads that I shouldn't carry. Every fight ain't mine.

So, I'm pleading with you, pleading with you, get your information in on time. If you do that, you'll find out it'll be better for you, it'll be better for God. Let me say, I want all of my New Yorkers to stand.

And either my former my former New Yorkers also. I got some former New Yorkers in here. I want you to stand also.

Now, where is a couple here from Dallas, Texas? Where? All right, they're New Yorkers also, but they're in Dallas, Texas.

I want to thank all of my New York friends. Y'all give them a better hand than that. Come on.

I thank God for my New York friends. Thank you so much and I don't take this lightly. I treasure friendship.

And I tell a person I don't matter. If I tell you I'm I'm your friend, I mean that. I don't say it if I don't mean it.

I will I'll laugh and talk to you, but when I say you are my friend, I mean that. And I say it causes you something to be my friend. It's not cheap to be my friend.

And I ain't talking about money because I ain't got no rich friends. But I'm talking about indeed, if I call you, you call me, we answer each other. And so I let me say to Judea, I mean Bethlehem, I stood when they stood because I might be I think if I'm not I know I'm correct.

Besides Sister Dean and Pastor Dean, I think I'm the oldest member of Judea. Every Judea at that time when they organized. Huh?

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I have been fooling her. I was there when they started.

Am I correct? And I've been with Judea, Bethlehem Judea every since they formed with 49 years. 48 48 or 49 years I've been part of them.

And they know when they having something, they give me a call. I'm part of it. They let me know because I am a chartered member of there.

So, I thank God. They don't have no choice but to come cuz I'm still a member. God bless you and heaven smile on you.

Give Let's give all of these preachers a hand. And let me Let me say this to clear your mind. I don't apologize for being up here long.

I don't. You say this is my day. So?

You want me to be happy, don't you? All right. God bless you and heaven smile on you.

>> Praise the Lord. The ushers are coming now as we get ready to receive our offering. And as we receive our offering, can you stand?

Amen. Amen, aren't you having a blessed time today? Amen.

Amen. Father God, we We you for allowing us to come back into your sanctuary to give your name all the glory, honor, and praise. Father God, we have now entered in the portion of giving.

So now God, I pray as we receive this offering that it be an upbuilding to your kingdom, God. And God, I decree and declare now that everything we put in, God, you multiply in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen. >> Praise the Lord, everybody. Praise the Lord, everybody.

The way to praise that went up in here today, somebody out there know about God's promises. Amen. Amen.

Happy anniversary, Pastor Lady Barbara. We love you and we grateful for each of you. Thank you.

Promises of God What are yes? Promises of God are amen. Promises of God I'm going to Everybody clap your hands.

Listen. Promise he would leave me, yes. Promise he would leave me, yes.

>> [music] >> Promise he would leave me, yes. I'm going Oh, everybody clap your hands. Listen.

Oh, he promised. He'll always be there. He'll never ever leave me.

He's everywhere. Oh, and he'll be >> [music] >> and be my God. Listen.

I'm holding on to my promise. I won't let it go. I'm going to tell everybody everywhere I go.

God keeps his promises. God keeps his promises. God keeps his promises.

[music] I'm going to Oh, yeah. Oh, listen. God He's going to keep his Everything he promised me.

Everything he promised you. That's what God going to do. Wait on God to move.

He's going to come through just for you. [music] He keeps his promise. Everything he promised me.

Everything he promised you. That's what God going to do. Don't give up on his word.

Wait on God he's going He's going to come through just for you. Oh, I keep his promise. Oh, I keep his promise.

Say yes and amen. Yes and amen. Yes and amen.

Yes >> [music] >> and amen. Yes and amen. Yes and amen.

Oh, >> [screaming] >> oh, oh, God. And he keeps his promise. And he keeps his promise.

They that wait upon the Lord shall mount up with wings as an eagle. They'll run and not get weary. They'll walk and not get faint.

That sound like a promise to me. That sound like a promise to me. Weeping may endure endure for a night.

I know that joy I know that joy I know that joy coming in the morning. Oh, I keep his promise. Be not dismayed whatever be tied.

God will God will take care of you. No matter what the problem, God keeps his promise. I'm a witness.

I I'm a witness. I I'm a witness. I'm a witness.

Oh, oh, yeah. Yes and amen. Yes and amen.

Yes and amen. Yes and amen. Yes and amen.

Oh, oh, God. God keeps his promise. Promised he'd me joy.

Promise he'll give me peace. Promise he'll give me rest. Promise he'll give me wisdom.

Promise he'll give me joy. Yeah. Yeah.

>> [screaming] >> Sounds like a promise to me. That sounds like a promise to me. Yeah.

Say yes, say amen. Yes, say amen. Yes, say amen.

>> [music] >> Yes, say amen. Yes, say amen. Yes, say amen.

Oh, oh. >> Oh, yeah. God keeps his promises.

Come on. >> [music] >> Yeah. One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day One day >> All right.

>> Come on! Let's go! Let's go!

Let's go! >> Come on. Come on.

Come on. Come on. Hey glory.

Can we Can we together shout hallelujah? Can we together shout hallelujah? Come on.

Give God the highest praise. Come on. Come on.

Come on. God bless you. God bless you.

My my my. Hallelujah. I don't know about you.

But I wouldn't want to be anywhere but right here where we are right now. There is a move of God in this house right now. We going to hold it up.

This worship experience uh linger a little while. But what better time Amen to call us together for our altar prayer. Reverend Jared Lewis will come and lead us in our altar prayer.

Followed by the introduction. Minister Chance Congious will introduce our preacher. The selection will come from the hymn choir.

And the next voice you'll hear will be that of our gospel proclaimer. Amen. We will hear from heaven.

He is waiting for all of us. Our soul saints would say that know the worth of prayer. Amen.

You ought to come close, touch and agree. Amen. Let's Let's Let's ring up heaven because heaven has blessed us today.

Amen. If you're not at the altar, amen, please stand at least. Please stand at least.

Praise God. Pastor Lewis. >> Our Father and our God, here we are again.

God of heaven, God of earth, there's no God like you. We come to you with that name that is above every name. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.

Every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. Father, we come with grateful hearts. Thank you for life, health, and the portion of strength that you have given unto us.

We just want to say thank you. Father, we come to worship you. Your glory is in this place.

Continue to have your way, oh God. Minister to every heart, every mind, and every spirit, oh God. You know the needs of your people, and we know that there is nothing too hard for you.

Father, we thank you for this day of celebration, for the joy of the Lord is our strength. Bless now our Pastor Barbara, 27 years of sacrificing, of serving as your under shepherd in this vineyard. Bless Lady Robbie, oh God, and each family represented here, oh God.

God, continue to bless us, and we shall be blessed. Thank you for generational blessings, from our forefathers, our grandparents, our parents, and even the next generation. Let your blessings flow, oh God, from heart to heart, and from spirit to spirit.

God, we pray now for the woman of God who shall share the word of God. Feed us from heaven, oh God, that we may all may be blessed. God, we count these blessings done, and we're grateful for what you're going to do.

And we'll be so careful you do these things. To give your name all the glory. All the honor.

And all the praise. It belongs to you. It is in Jesus name we pray.

Can we clap our hands and thank God? Come on, thank him in advance. And it is so.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Let the church say amen.

Say it again. I'm here to introduce our preacher of the hour. One that I've been knowing for a full year.

She's a woman of God. I must say she love God. She was under pastor of the now.

The Lord elevate her to Crossroad Baptist Church in the state. What I like about God, if you keep doing what you're doing, he will elevate you. Right now, after this great choir, and that's what you will hear, would be my friend, my sister, here he uh Reverend Shemeka Services.

>> Amen. Amen. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

failing the failing the >> [singing] >> failing the >> [music] >> The sun Oh, this building under the endless Oh, the raging sea above the day. I can not trust the smiling waves. Oh, On Christ the solid rock, I stand.

All other ground On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand.

All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand.

All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand.

All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other On Christ the solid rock, I stand.

All On Christ the solid rock, I stand. All other >> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. >> Amen.

On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. Our scripture this morning comes from 1 Peter the first chapter.

1 Peter the first chapter We will read verses 3 through 9. 1 Peter the first chapter verses 3 through 9. I'm reading from the King James Version.

When you have it, say amen. The word of God reads like this. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy have begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that fadeth not away and reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice through now for a season if need be you are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than the gold that perished though it be tried with fire may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ whom having not seen you love and whom though now you see him not you believing yet rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls. That's the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be unto God.

You may be seated. Let us pray. Lord do it one more time.

Oh God we know your spirit is already here. Do what you want to do. Have thine own way.

Spirit of the living God speak now for your servants are listening. Oh Father God and let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart please oh God allow it to be acceptable in your sight for you are my strength and my redeemer in Jesus name. Amen.

Because we have already had a shouting good time. And because the spirit is already present, it ought not take much for the church to say, "Yes and amen." I promise I won't hold you long, but when you hear the word of God, the church ought to have a response to the word. And the Bible says that if you've been redeemed, you ought to say so.

And the church has a response if they're redeemed, and it's yes and amen. Thank God for all the choirs, all the songs that have been sang, the prayers that have been prayed. And to you, Pastor Barbara, First Lady, to the honorees of this house, my dear friend, I thank God for this precious privilege.

I don't take it lightly to stand before you. And anytime I have the chance to speak a word from the Lord, it makes me feel glad. Not that I deserve it, but God selected, so I'm grateful.

Today, I thank God for all of these co-laborers in the gospel who have joined our honorees on this day. And I would like to say to my Crossroads Church family, y'all just wave your hand. We praise God for them.

Amen. I love them as much as I do Boyd Hill, and I know they know I mean it. Well, it's preaching time.

And there is a word from the Lord. Singing is wonderful. It sets the house order.

Even the prayers God can hear from us. But it's the word of God that will save us. And so at this time, I would like to use just for a sermonic subject, I've had my share of ups and downs.

I wish I had a witness just in the title. I I don't know about you, and I don't know how you feel today, but I'm grateful that the Lord has allowed me to have my share of ups and downs. To God be all the glory.

My brothers and sisters, from the scripture that was read in your hearing, it is the first Epistle of the Apostle Peter. In this In this text today, we find that Peter is giving all praise and glory to God for his son Jesus, who we just celebrated uh just a few Sundays ago, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter was a very close companion of Jesus.

You know, it was always Peter, James, and John. I wish I had some Bible readers. Peter, in this particular letter that he pens this gospel, he is writing to all of those that have become believers in Christ.

In fact, they are under the persecution of said Nero. And so, at this time, the Christians are having a mighty hard time. They are located in the Asia Minor, over there in the province that some might say is modern Turkey.

And today, we know that there is still some conflict and confusion in the Middle East. What Peter wrote in this text can can still be applied to our lives today. When we look amongst ourselves, and even out in the world, we know that there have been spoken conflict and disagreements, and now said to be a trade war.

But the Bible says in the last days there will be wars and rumors of wars. I stopped by to encourage your heart this morning that you should not be not dismayed nor be tired because God will take care of you. In this text, Peter reminds us that even though he's had his share of ups and downs, he still decided to take up his cross and follow Jesus.

I wish I had a praise praising point right there. Many of us have had ups and downs and no matter what we gone through, what we've had to face in life, we had to make up in our minds we have decided to follow Jesus. Follow him all the way, not part of the way, but all the way.

So, my brothers and sisters, when we look at the text today, we find that Peter is very specific in these verses. Peter says it is the power of God in verse five through faith unto salvation. That's enough right there for me to shout because I haven't always been where I am today.

It took faith for me to be where I am and it will take me from this level of glory to the next level because that's how good God has been to me. Let me give you the acronym for faith. It means following all instructions to heaven.

And so, any of you that would like to get there, you must first go by faith. I know you're reading the screens and you see the border, it's a whole lot of fire. Let me stop right here and tell you that Peter had some ups and downs with the Lord.

He had two episodes where there was fire in his life. Let me hurry through my first point with Peter is that when he talks about the fiery trial in his life, you do remember it was Peter that sat around with the Lord supping with him when God said one among you is going to deny me three times. That was Peter.

Peter was sitting there and Peter knew what he was getting ready to do. In fact, it was in the court of Pontius Pilate where Peter was standing there warming his hands by the fire. And as he was warming his body, the servant girl said, "You look like you are one of those disciples of Jesus." You do know Jesus was standing right there looking at Peter.

And when the servant girl said that he was a disciple, Peter began to deny the Lord. Remember he was warming his hands by the fire. I wish I had a fire truck.

Somebody going to catch it in a minute. Because if you don't catch this fire, there won't be any transformation. Let me hurry on.

Peter was warming his hands. Let me see if I can help you understand. It was the fire that had to be present because Jesus was was getting ready to be crucified.

And the fire represent the presence of almighty God. That was the first instance of the fire when Peter denied Jesus three times. That can be found in the book of John, the 18th chapter.

But come on over to John 21 and you'll find the second instance of the fire. Peter was on the boat. In fact, he had decided that he wanted to go fishing.

He went out there on the Sea of Galilee by himself and then the other disciples says, "I think we'll come with you." Peter was actually without clothing. He was sitting on the boat. He fished all night long.

Jesus was on the seashore and while Jesus was standing there, he was witnessing the struggles and the strife of Peter. And so he allowed Peter to sit there waiting to catch a fish and then all of a sudden, there was a voice that went out to say, "Have you caught any fish?" And the reply was, "No, we haven't caught any fish." And so Jesus said something very interesting. He said, "Cast thy net on the right side." And when they cast the net on the right side, they drew up 153 fish.

It was so many that the boat began to sink. And so other disciples that were around came on in to help collect the fish. And then Peter, all of a sudden, when he heard that voice, John said, "It is the Lord." Then Peter confirmed what John said.

He got so excited, he put on his clothes and dove in the water and he swam all the way to the shore and wouldn't you know it, Jesus was having a old fish fry over the charcoals. The charcoal was the fire. That was the second instance.

In fact, he was preparing the fish before Peter could even make it to the shore. And so when Peter arrived, he could see the smoke, but he could also smell the flavor. When he got there, Jesus had fish on the grill and he had some bread as well.

Jesus said, "Bring the fish to the shore." And while they were bringing what would have become even more, Jesus was already cooking what they needed. In fact, they sat around during this little fish fry and had a conversation. Peter was there with Jesus and Jesus asked Peter three questions.

You do remember the text, don't you? Jesus said, "Peter, son of John, do you love me?" And Peter said, "Yes, Lord, I love you." Jesus said, "Well, feed my sheep." I wish somebody could read the Bible in here. And then Jesus asked the second question.

He said, "Peter, do you really love me?" And Peter responded, "Yes, Lord, I love you." He said, "Take care of my sheep." And then Jesus looked at Peter and he asked him a third time. He said, "Peter, do you really love me?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." He said, "Then feed my sheep." If you read in John 21, you will find that account. And when Jesus asked the questions of Peter, Peter feelings was a little bit hurt because Peter didn't understand his assignment.

But what I want to tell you in the second instance is when Peter got to that seashore and he saw the fire, he knew God was present and something was about to happen. Let me run through these three points real quick. The first thing, my brothers and sisters, if you find yourself thinking about the share of ups and downs, the only thing that will get you through is a fireproof faith.

I wish I had help right there. You got to have a fireproof faith. The Bible says it will be a trying fire and that trying fire will transform your fears into faith.

I know sometimes we are afraid of things. I know some things cross our mind, but the Bible says that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. And I've also said that if we have Christ on our side, there is nothing and nobody in the world that can do anything to us.

And so the response church to having a fireproof faith is that God's word is real. It is alive and is well. So in order for you to understand this faith, you got to stay committed to your purpose.

Peter had denied God, but God still loved Peter. He watched him all night while he was struggling in his nakedness, but God was already making provision on the seashore. That's the kind of God we serve.

He knows what we need, when we need it, and how he's going to give it. Let me move on. The second point I have is in order for you to be able to get through those ups and downs, you've got to have a convicted conscience.

Let me see if I can help you. Peter, when he was in his boat, while he was there and he was fishing and he realized he wasn't catching anything. I come by to tell somebody that the teaching fire, after the trying fire, there's a teaching fire that transformed all your failures into forgiveness.

And so, that's what Peter needed. Peter had done wrong, but Peter still loved the Lord, and the Lord still loved Peter. And even though Peter failed because he wasn't able to stand strong and on the Lord, God still forgave Peter.

In fact, this is what I've come to tell you. Every now and then, you won't get it right. You're going to make some mistakes because we all are human.

In fact, some folk, watch out, preacher, they got a Peter spirit. But that's all right because God, through Jesus, forgave Peter by the time he got to that seashore. And so, what happens, my brothers and sisters, is when we go through failures in life, it's a process God is using.

He makes situations become very hot, sometimes to the point where we can't stand it. In fact, tell your neighbor, I got to fan the flames cuz it's getting hot right now. Stay safe, children of God, cuz you haven't always been where you are now.

And some of you still in places you don't have any business being. But thank God for a forgiving God who looks beyond your faults and still takes care of your needs. That's the kind of God I serve.

That's why [screaming] I praise God like I do. That's why every time I get a chance, I say like David said, I will bless the Lord at all [screaming] time and his praising shall continually be in my mouth. Oh, magnify the Lord with me.

Come [screaming] on, let's give him praise together. Oh, I see you're still sitting there. My God haven't done nothing for you, but you ought to take just two seconds to look back over [screaming] your life and see how good God has been to you.

If you got breath in your lungs, the Bible says, let everything that have breath praise ye the Lord. You got to learn how to give God praise for all that he's doing in your life. Let me see what your response ought to be.

Like Peter, when you read the word of God, that's where you get your sanctification. Preacher, you're using big words now. Let me see if I can make it plain.

It's the washing of your spirit. Just like you wash your body. Old people say you got to bathe every day and night, but just like you take your bath or shower, sanctifi- cation is going to clean your spirit.

So, when you read God's word and you see where you erred, God will help turn your failures into forgiveness. I got to hurry to close now. I'm at my third point.

The last way that you'll be able to move through the ups and the downs is if you understand the assignment. Peter, when he got to the seashore, God gave him an assignment. In fact, after Jesus brought him back into rightful fellowship, I mean, what Jesus did was he gave him favor.

And after he forgave him, you do notice that because Peter denied him three times, Jesus asked, "Do you love me?" three times. And so, for each one of the denials, God graced him with forgiveness. And then he assigned him to do something.

He said, "Peter, if you love me, you ought to feed my sheep." And that's what the Bible tells us, that if you truly love the Lord, you ought to be on assignment for Jesus. You ought not have a problem helping people when they need help. God helped you, didn't he?

Doesn't he provide for you? >> [screaming] >> Doesn't he protect you? Doesn't he take care of you?

Is he still keeping you right now? All you have need of, God had provided because that's the faithfulness of God. And so, when you go through the testing fire, let me tell you, folks will show enough test you, pastor.

They will say one thing Sometimes they will lie on you and stab you in your back. Say all kinds of things about you. Call you everything but a child of God.

That's how people can be sometimes. But I've come to encourage you. Keep on preaching the word of God.

Preach it in season and preach it out of season. Preach it when they want to hear it and preach it when they don't. Don't preach it to they itching ears, but preach what thus saith the Lord.

God will do the rest. My deacon said, on Christ the solid rock I stand. All of the ground is sinking sand.

That's where we have to stand, on Christ himself. God will take care of the rest. So when you go through the testing fire, it ought to transform foolishness and frustrations into rightful fellowship.

I don't know about you, but that's when I shouted myself. I said, Lord, no matter how frustrated I get, there is always rightful fellowship. When I think I can't take anymore, you continue to give me strength and patience.

That's the kind of God that we serve. Helps us to remember there's a reason for restoration. And restoration is not just for you, but it's for you to help reach somebody else.

Peter became the person that started the first church. So after God brought him back into fellowship, he gave him an assignment to go out and tell the world that the wages of sin is still death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. I stopped by to tell somebody as I hurried to my seat that you've got to ask yourself three questions.

The first question is who is in control of the fire? I told you I wish I had a fire truck parked out of there because what you need to understand about the fire is that God is in control. And when your soul catch on fire, God don't let you burn all over.

You just burn a little bit within. You start feeling the Holy Ghost and things start happening that ain't never happened before. But God controls the fire.

You know there were three Hebrew boys that all walked around in a fiery furnace. And when the king said, "Turn the the furnace up seven times hotter." After a while a fourth person was seen just walking around in the furnace. And when they opened the furnace, those that opened it died, but the Hebrew boys came on out.

I stopped by to tell you when you're going through the fire, you might pick up a little bit of smoke, but the smoke ought to be a sweet smelling savior to the nostrils of Almighty God. I know you've been to the neighborhood barbecue or you're too saved. Oh, don't fool me now because there's one song that everybody knows when they get to the family barbecue.

It is that Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Oh, y'all too saved for that. But I just want you to know that even Maze and Frankie Beverly knows there is but one God.

And before I let any of you go, I need you to understand that when you get to the barbecue and the master is preparing the food, he's controlling the embers, he's controlling the fire, he's controlling the heat so that everything you need you shall have even if it is your soul. I wish I had a witness. The second question I ask you is where is your focus?

You can focus on the ups and downs or you can focus on God's mercy and grace. You can focus on the trials and tribulations and end up getting burned or you can be obedient to the will of God and every day have a praise in your mouth. The last question I come to ask you is why do you watch the flames?

Why do you need to watch the flames? Let me see if I can help you. If there was a fire in here right now, people would come in saying what happened?

What's going on? Is everybody all right? In fact, some would stand on the outside if they saw the fire truck in the parking lot.

They would begin to talk and they would chatter all throughout talking about what it might be or could be. And some would be afraid to come on in the house and check on those that are here, but I stopped by to let you know you can stand outside and have a conversation or you can come on in the house and be of assistance. You got to understand the assignment.

God promised he would be the bread of heaven and so sometimes I call him. I say "Jeez, you a mighty good master chef, a master chef of my soul." I say "Jeez, you a good shepherd. Help me to know which way to go." I say "Jeez, you a mighty good friend.

Sometimes I get lonely, but Jeez, you are the great physician." Every now and again, sometimes you need a little healing in your body. The Tylenol just won't do, but if Jesus can touch you, the headache and pain will go away. I know I got a witness here because I hear my mama say it.

The more I call on Jesus, the more I call on his name, the better I feel. Sometimes the medicine won't work, but I got my faith in Jesus. I keep my hand in his hand and he promised to make everything all right.

And so I think about Jeez and all he is to me. So many songs I think of that help me in my praise. I don't know about you, but I do know this, that G is my all and my all.

Every day of my life gets sweeter than the day before because I'm walking with G. I'm talking with G and he tells me that I am his own. When friends walk away and you need just a little encouragement, all you got to do is call him by his name.

Let me tell you, G, he's always on the main line. Call him up and tell him what you want. He inclines his ear to hear what you have to say.

He said, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I'll draw all men unto me." And I promise you, G, he's a way maker. G, he's a promise keeper. Jesus He helps me when I need all kinds of help and I promise him for the rest of my life, I'll serve him until I die.

Jesus, the lily of the valley, sweet Jesus, the bright and morning star, Jesus. The wheel in the middle of a wheel, Jesus. My rose of Sharon, Jesus.

Oh, Jesus. My battle ax in the time of a battle, Jesus. Shelter in the time of a storm, Jesus.

Oh, Jesus. The one who went to Mount Calvary's ground, Jesus. And he hung there and he bled and died, Jesus.

Just for you and for me, Jesus. Oh, Jesus. Stop by Boyne Hill today, Jesus.

And see about your people, Jesus. Oh, Jesus. You are who you are, you're the king of kings, Jesus.

The Bible says lord of lords, Jesus. Jesus. I love to call Jesus.

How sweet his name is, Jesus. Sweeter than the honeycomb, Jesus. Jesus.

You ought to try his name, Jesus. Maybe you can feel his power, Jesus. All you got to do uh when you're in trouble and trials are happening in the midst of your ups and your downs, uh you got to learn to say Jesus.

Come on and see about me, Jesus. Jesus. I need your power, uh because it's all saving power, uh and I can do all things uh through Christ who strengthens me, uh I stopped by Boyne Hill, uh I'm on my way to my seat, Does anybody know G?

There is a name above every name that at the name of G every knee is got to bow and every tongue it shall confess that G that is Lord. He is everything to me. I pray that he's everything to you.

And I know that we typically sing the hymn of invitation. I'm going to say the doors of the church are open. But we going to do it just a little bit different in the invitation.

Because there's a message in this song I want us to sing. The song is by Reverend the late Reverend Timothy Wright. And the title says I'm so glad trouble don't last always.

And I ask my brother everybody stand. You ought to have a praise on your lips. The doors of the church are open.

>> But I'm so glad Yeah, yeah, yeah, trouble don't last always. Oh no, oh no, yeah, yeah, yeah, trouble don't last always. >> The doors of the church are open.

>> He may not come when you want him, but I know he's on time. >> [cheering] >> In times of trouble, I found him to be a friend of mine. When times of storm clouds rise in your life, I know he will be there.

And every one of your burdens, I know the Lord will help you to bear. I'm so glad. Hey, yes, I am.

Trouble don't last always. Oh, no. Oh, no.

I told you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Trouble don't last always.

>> [music] >> Oh, say we've been made. Endure. Keep the faith.

It'll be all right. Oh, we've been made. Endure.

Endure. Keep the faith. It'll be all right.

>> [music] >> Oh, all right. Oh, all right. >> [music] >> Come on and clap your hands.

Come on and clap your hands. Everybody say, "Trouble don't last." >> [music] >> No, no, no, no. Hey, [screaming] hey, hey, hey.

Trouble I know that trouble don't last always. >> [music] >> Oh, say trouble don't last >> [music] >> No, no, no, no. I know that trouble don't last always.

>> [music] >> Oh, no, no, no. Oh, say weeping may endure Keep the faith. It'll be all right.

Oh, weeping may endure Keep the faith. It'll be all right. All right.

>> [screaming] [music] >> Hey, hallelujah. Trouble don't last always. Come on, clap your hands if you know trouble don't last always.

>> Amen. Amen. [singing] We praise God.

Trouble don't last always. The doors of the church were open. If anybody would like to join the church, we sang that song to let you know trouble don't last always.

If you got a fireproof faith, if you have a conscience that is always God correcting, and if you understand the assignment, then you are well on your way to following all the instructions to get to heaven. Trouble won't last always. May God bless you.

Heaven smile upon you. At this time, let us Father God, we thank you now that we've done what you've asked us to do. Thank you for what our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, and our hearts have been made to feel.

Oh, Father God, we thank you for your word. Thank you for this celebration. Father God, when we leave this place, but not from your presence, we pray for traveling grace and mercy.

God, that we return to the place safely whence we've come. Oh, Father God, allow your blessings to fall on our lives because we realize, God, that even though we have ups and downs, trouble it don't last always. Thank you, oh God, for Jesus Christ, your son.

And Father God, we pray that you would give us a home somewhere in your kingdom. Father God, we ask that you would bless the food that has been prepared for our partaking. Bless the hands prepared it and those that are going to enjoy it.

Father God, allow it to be for the nourishment of our bodies. And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the sweet communion of His Holy Spirit, please allow it to rest, rule, and abide with us now, henceforth, and forevermore. Let the church say together, >> Amen.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

>> Go in peace and have a blessed week. We have some refreshments for you in the fellowship hall. >> Rejoice.

God bless you. Rejoice. >> Hallelujah.

>> God bless you. >> Hallelujah.