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Oh [cheering] god. [cheering] >> [singing] >> I enjoy [cheering] you. >> [screaming] [singing] >> Go around.

[cheering] [cheering] The angels in the [cheering] cry angels in the heaven cry in the heaven cry you cry. So, >> oh [cheering] mercy [singing] [cheering] mercy, mercy Oh my soul. >> Yes.

The rightous sh Shallelujah. >> Thank you, Lord. >> Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

>> We are indeed delighted to be back with you at Bor Hill. I uh count among my brothers your pastor and my sister your first lady. I thought Pastor Barber knew us better, but when he said we are from the rich part, I knew that he had not fully understood because if we're from the rich part, somebody forgot to tell my wife and me we're in the wrong neighborhood.

This morning we certainly want to thank uh pastor and first lady and the pastoral support ministry and all of you uh for making our trip here every time one which is entirely memorable. Someone has asked why would you spend your anniversary time in going to preach >> and I have two answers that I have to give. First of all, it depends on who it is that asks you.

>> If the person's a persons are of high esteem, >> it doesn't matter that it's your anniversary time, you're going to go and see about them. >> The second is that the God that I serve doesn't take days off >> and every once in a while he blesses me beyond measure >> and so I have to say thank you God >> for just blessing each of us >> I was uh I was pleasantly surprised and I'm not going to take long but I was pleasantly surprised by the history lesson we got this morning of the Buffalo Soldier some years back about 30 years Now, uh, one of my agencies was the, uh, department that dealt with historical facts. So, being able to look back and and remember, you know, there are people, and this is not going to be political, but there are people who want to erase black history.

>> But I'm so thankful that God is in control. [applause] We are we are indeed blessed that God gave us away. >> All right?

>> Because our ancestors had a way of transmitting information >> even when folk were trying to keep them >> from transmitting that information. >> And so we need we need to remind our offspring that we got here because God blessed us >> with some folks who were geniuses. before we got to Pig Latin >> who talked about escaping and the man was standing right there looking at them >> but they'd be singing going to lay down my burden >> and it was a praise song >> but it also had other meanings >> and so we have to thank God he is so merciful, >> so good.

And so even at this time in history when things look dark and look bleak, >> we got to remember the God that we serve. >> He can make a way. [applause] Today, my friends, as we prepare to install one of your own as pastor of a congregation, I don't want to belabor your attention.

So, I'm going to ask that you would turn with me in your Bibles to the book of Second Samuel, the 9th chapter. 2 Samuel, the 9th chapter. >> There we find these words.

And David says, "Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul? that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Zeba.

And when he had called him unto David, the king said unto him, "Art thou Zyba?" And he said, "Thy servant is he?" And the king said, "Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show kindness, the kindness of God unto him?" >> And Zia said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, >> which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? Zaba said unto the king, "Behold, he is in the house of Meir, the son of Amiel in Lobar." Then King David sent and fetched him out of the house of Meir, and the son of Amile in Lo from Loavar.

And when Mphibicheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul was come unto David, he fell on his face and did reverence. And David said to Mphibicheth, and he answered, Behold thy servant. And David said unto him, "Fear not, for I surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at thy table continually." He bowed himself and said, "What is thy servant that thou should look upon such a dead dog as I am?

Then the king called to Za, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son, all that pertain to Saul, and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servant shall till the land for him, and shall bring in the fruits, that thy master son may have food to eat. But Thy master's son shall eat all of my table.

And Zya had 15 sons and 20 servants. Then said Zya unto the king, according to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mphibicheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table as one of the king's son.

And Mphibicheth had a young son whose name was Micah. And all that dwell in the house of Zyra were servants unto Mphibicheth. So Mphib Mphibicheth dwelt in Jerusalem and did for he did eat continually of the king's table and was laying in both on both of his feet.

>> Amen. >> You may be seated in the presence of God. Today we want to talk about using the subject from Loabar to the king's table.

>> From Loavar to the king's table. You recall that Jonathan before he was killed in battle befriended David and they made a pact even though Jonathan was Saul's son. >> He realized that God's hand was on David.

He made a pack that he would honor David and he would protect him and keep him and bless him. And it is this pact that we see come to fruition in the ninth chapter of 2 Samuel. We find that Jonathan has been killed.

Saul who is king has been killed. And now we find if we look back in the historical record that Mphibicheth was only five years old >> and true to the nature of how things operated when the king was slain. >> His household was devastated >> because the incoming king would make sure all of his relatives >> were killed.

However, it is here that Mphibichef's nurse decides that she's going to protect him and carry him to safety. But in her hurriedness, in her her anxiousness, she drops this five-year-old >> and winds up that he is now lame, which means that he cannot absorb all of the worship that would be even in Loar because he is now less than perfect. But she hides him in Loabar.

And Loabar is a place that is physically somewhere. But it also when we look in the Hebrew text, we understand that Lobar means a place of no good, a place of desolation, a place of nothingness. So here he is a child of the former king's son on the one hand >> having to hide out in nothingness >> on the other hand hoping to be protected and aside from that he finds himself unable to amulate as you and I would do because he is lame in both feet.

It is in this context that we see David ask the question, >> is there anybody >> of Saul's household? >> Notice the terminology. Is there anybody of Saul's household?

The Saul who tried to kill >> the Saul who tried to do me in. >> The Saul who forgot the good that I brought unto him. That's all.

into anybody in his household. And notice how he frames it. That I may show the kindness >> of God.

>> Let me tell you, my brothers and sisters, God has a way of dealing with folks. >> You remember that there were times when David was running from Saul >> and he had the opportunity >> to take Saul's life. Amen.

>> And I I don't know about you. I know that there's some saints in here, >> but I suspect if somebody were trying to kill you >> and you got the drop on them, >> you would at least cut off a portion of their garment to let them know you could have. >> I I know I know there's some holy saints here.

But but I'm still having to work as God says, "Love your enemy." >> I may not do them in, but loving him, I God has a work on me. And he continually moves me to let me know I'm not where I used to be, but I I'm not where I ought to be. There is a forgotten prince >> Mibichef >> who is hiding out >> in Lobar.

>> He's hiding out hoping that his connection, his genealogy, >> his ancestry does not play in his own demise. And aside from that, he's having to depend on the goodness of others >> just to survive because he does not have any property. He does not have the ability to go to work.

He has to depend on somebody just to be nice to him. >> But let me tell you, my brothers and sisters, we ought to be able to look back and see how God works things out. >> While he may be forgotten for some folks, >> there's a king sitting on the throne.

says, "I want to know about Jonathan's offspring because Jonathan and I had an agreement and Jonathan may be gone, but I'm not going to forget it." >> Is there anybody? >> Word comes back, but there is one who's a servant. His name is Zya.

>> And and I hear you know how we can get we don't tell or tell or tell. We just I hear There may be somebody but ask Zya. Zya can tell you.

So Zaba the servant is called and he is asked this question. Is there anybody of Saul's household that I might show the kindness of God >> to him? Now, now I I don't I don't know and and we're not going to spend a whole lot of time, but but I want you to think about that that that that terminology how it's put together, the kindness of God.

>> And we need to pause there for just a second because I don't know about you, but but I I am always surprised how good God is to me. >> I'm surprised because I know me. And when I look at me, sometimes I wonder, HOW COME GOD STILL WAKES ME UP every morning after how I treated yesterday?

HOW COME GOD STILL KEEPS MY HEART IN RHYTHM? >> After all, I'm not doing the things I should do for my heart. How come God loves me enough [applause] >> that he would send his only begotten son?

>> So, King David called Zya and asked Zya, "Is there anybody >> of the household of the lineage >> of King Saul that he might show the kindness of God?" >> Now, normally one would be careful in this environment because despite the proclamation that he wants to show kindness. >> We know at least in current history, >> you can't always trust the words of leadersh. >> When folks start keeping record of how many times you prefabricated, >> you know there's something up.

when I can't trust your word >> and you will stand in my face >> and tell me you never said it >> even though I got the video of you saying it >> and so I'm I I'm gonna I'm gonna add some idology here. I just suspect that Zyba sort of said, "I'm going to tell the truth because I don't want to get in trouble. Not because I think that David wants to show kindness, but I ain't going to get in trouble and die because I'm protecting somebody who is already messed up." >> So he said, "There's one, >> Jonathan's son, Mphibicheth." Then he has a stipulation.

He's hiding out in Loavar at Mir's house. And let me give you the men the lineage of Mir. And let me tell you that he is lame in both feet.

If you're looking to gain something, if you're looking to get something of value, let me tell you, he ain't worth it because he is lame in both feet. He can't do nothing. >> But David said, you you need to understand, I I need to go and have somebody bring him to me >> and bring him to me.

Now, now if you can imagine the trepidation of coming, you you are the lineage of Saul. You know that Saul has been killed. You know that Saul went after David.

And now David is king. He is B O. If you can imagine by the time Mphibicheth is brought to David that in his mind this is the end.

This is good night >> because no matter what he said, he can't have me around because I represent risks to him. >> But here's what David said. David said, "I made a promise." >> And because I made a promise, there's a record that will be kept.

And I want folks to understand, I'm really not doing this in my ownstead. I'm doing this in God'sstead. And God never makes a promise that he does not keep.

And I want you to know even when it looks bad, I'm going to keep my promise because >> so he calls has Mphibichef brought to him and Mphibicheth is brought to him and declares, "I am your servant. As broken as I am, as disabled as I am, I am your servant." David said to him, "Because of your father, >> you will be coming to sit at my table. >> Not only are you going to sit at my table, you may have been in Loabar.

>> You may be in the place of desolation. You may be in a place of nothing. But when you leave here, >> you will understand everything that Saul had.

Everything that belonged to Jonathan will belong to you and somebody else will take care of it. >> Let let me tell you, put it this way, my brothers and sisters. You may be in desolation today, but don't let your desolation fool you about what God can do.

>> You may be in brokenness today, but the God that I serve can put you together, and you won't see it coming. That's right. >> David is showing grace >> unto Mphibicheth >> in much the same way that God shows grace in us.

>> See, grace says that when you can't do nothing for me, >> I still want to bless you. No wonder the scripture said that while you were YET SINNERS, >> YOU AND I were yet sinners, >> we were still messed up >> DOING STUFF WE SHOULD NOT DO, NOT THINKING ABOUT GOD AND HOW GOOD GOD WAS. YES, CHRIST DIED FOR US in the midst of that.

I I I don't know about you, but sometime even when I'm riding in the car, I just want to get a little shout on when I think about how good God is to me. Not only did he erase my past sins, but he erased my sins of today and he's already paid for my sins of tomorrow. I'M SAYING, GOD, HOW GOOD you are.

So David David says >> to me, "You don't have to be afraid. >> I'm going to bless you >> because of God's kindness. >> And I'll sick of pining that for a moment.

Sometimes when God delivers us, he puts us somewhere >> and now we got a name plate on the door >> and somebody that we knew in the past come in who said, "I'm going to do something good for you." >> Now, now let me understand what David is really saying, "I'm not doing this because I'm good." >> I'm doing this because God is good >> and because God is good and I got an answer to God, I'm going to keep my promise. IT'S NOT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A bad side. It's not because I don't have some wrong thought.

BUT BECAUSE GOD IS GOOD TO ME, I'M GOING to be gracious unto you. [applause] >> Thank you, Jesus. >> So he says, I want you to fear not.

>> But notice if you will from the text what Mphibicheth's response is. response is, "I understand what you said, >> but why would you have any concern for a dead dog like me?" >> That that that's the verse. That's the scripture.

>> Dead dog. In other words, I have such a low opinion of myself. >> I can't do anything.

I can't even walk across the street. I can't make my own living. >> I can't do anything for you.

I can't do anything that you would find valuable. Why would you consider me? >> Well, well, >> now turn that around if you would for a moment.

>> I was standing having a conversation with God, I would still HAVE TO ASK, WHY did you bless me? >> Why did you wake me up this morning? >> Why did you keep me in my right mind?

Why did you let me go across the street and not get run over? Why did you put food on my table and ramens ON MY BACK? WHY IS IT THAT YOU KEPT ME ALL OF THESE YEARS DESPITE of who I am?

I have nothing TO OFFER YOU EXCEPT THE goodness of my heart. >> That's all right. >> Notice notice if you will from the text is that David never answered Mphibicheth's question.

Look at the text. Zaba said, uh, Mphibichef said, "Why are you concerned with a dead dog like me?" >> And David's answer was to turn to Zya and say, "You're going to take care of all the stuff I gave you." >> Let me let me let me as we as we rush on. >> Sometimes God will do things that that frankly I don't care how long I think about it.

I can't think at God's level. >> But but I'm okay with that because God says my ways >> are not your ways >> and my thoughts >> are not your thoughts. >> And and so sometime when I'm when I'm working on a math problem, I can't ever figure out what the answer is.

And so I've come to understand that I can't understand everything. In fact, my mother used to always say when when my wife would go to see her and she said, "Don't you think we ought to take you home?" She said, "Don't you think we ought to talk to Eddie?" And mom's answer was, "Eddie don't have to know everything." >> That that was good training. It was good training because I understand that God works in such mysterious ways >> that there's no need for me to rack my brain trying to figure out why God does the way he does.

[applause] >> But the fact that David never answered Mibbeef's question >> tells me that there are times when God is not going to answer our question. He's just going to do what God does and he will make a way out of nowhere. He will make the crooked places straight and the rough places smooth.

And we ain't ever going to figure out how and what he does. >> Amen. >> David's response was, "Zaba, I'm giving Mphibicheth, all that [singing] belonged to Saul and all that belonged to Jonathan, and you will work the land and bring in the fruit you and your sons and your servants." Now, I I I don't I don't know.

Some of you all are are deeper than I am. >> You You're deep in thought. >> But I'm always amazed how at times God will use folk who never thought they would help you >> to bless you.

Sometimes God will use your enemies >> to bless you. >> And the thing is, when he uses your enemies to bless you, >> they still think they're hurting you. In fact, sometimes your enemies are working so hard to harm you >> and God is using it for your good >> and blessing you.

>> Sometime you want to turn to your enemies and say, "Hurt me some more. This prince who came out of lovar, a place of no reputation, a place of no good, a place of nothingness, is now sitting at the king's table, >> being fed as a son of the king. Yeah.

>> And he has Zya and his family and his servants who working his land >> producing crops that he does not need because he's already being fed from the king savior. >> So I want to tell you my brothers and sisters, don't worry about where you are today. Because when God gets ready >> and God moves on your behalf, it does not matter who's looking around, they can't understand why you're being blessed the way you are.

When you get called into the office and promoted and they can't figure out why you're BEING BLESSED. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. JUST SAY THAT THE God that I serve has taken me from Loabar and put me at the king's table.

And when when God when God decides to bless you, >> that God decides to bless you. >> God opens doors >> that nobody else can open. >> Cuts doors that nobody else can shut.

And I I don't know, but I remember back a few years there was a song that said, "What God has for me >> is for me. You may not see my name on it, >> but it's for me. >> It may not be on my side of the street, but it's for me.

And when God gets ready, >> he'll either move me to my side of the street or move me to the other side of the street. But in anyway, I'm going to sit at the king's table. Thank you, Lord.

>> We ought to just take a minute >> and think about >> some of those folk who knew Mphibicheth >> when he was in Loavar. >> And I say that because you know in all of our lives, >> there are some folks >> when the blessings start to flow Instead of blessing God that he's blessing you, >> they want to talk about what you used to be. >> I knew you win.

>> You weren't always. >> But I want to tell you something. It doesn't matter to God >> what I used to be >> because he's delivered me.

>> And it's that God who wakes me up every morning. >> It's that God whose protection is all around me. >> And if the one who's blessing me >> is not worried about it, >> that's right.

>> I don't care that you're worried about it. You just [cheering] got to deal with it and go talk to God for yourself. I'm coming out a little boy.

But this this this passage this passage reminds us of how good God is to each and every one of us >> because all of us at one point in time >> and I know we may be showing our halos today >> but at one point in time we were on other side of the street >> and the God that we serve today >> said I'm looking on the inside and I can see somebody who needs to come out of Loabar >> and get to the king's table. >> It may not be a straight journey, but I'm going to bring them to the king's table, I'm going to set them up, and when they get to the king's table is not because of anything they did, but simply because I decided to bless them. >> So, here we have >> Mphibichef >> who has come all the way from Lord.

to sit at the king's table. >> Just like he was blessed by the grace of God through David, >> we have been blessed by the grace of God by some of those who are our ancestors. >> I know today now we afraid to say to somebody, "No, you got to do it this way." But some of us Remember that when we sat in church, it did not matter who it was.

If they saw us doing something >> untoward, >> they'd come over and grab us. >> And the only hope that we had is that mom was so much in the spirit, she didn't see it. I I will tell you I I remember going off to college and I didn't wait.

I graduated in May. In June, I was already in college because I wanted to get away from home. I was tired of going to Sunday school every Sunday morning.

I decided I was not going to Sunday school. I was going to show my independence. So that's first Sunday I did not go to Sunday school.

>> Second Sunday morning, I'm sitting out in front of the Sunday school building waiting for them to show up >> cuz it was embedded in me. [applause] I I wonder >> get ready to draw to a close. I I wonder how >> would have answered the question.

What What happened to you? >> You used to be in Loar with nothing. >> And now you in the king's palace sitting at the king's table.

And and I know how some of us get, "Y'all don't understand. I had a 4.0. That's how I got to where I am.

I look good. I had the right dress on and I had the right suit on and I could speak some proper English. That's how I got to where I am.

>> But but you see the reality of it is it does not matter how smart we are. What matters is that we say, "God, whatever you give me, help me to use it according to your will, according to your design, according to your purpose. I I'm not here because of me.

I'm here because you are gracious and you are loving and you are kind and you are way maker. You are my Jehovah." So here here is Mphibichef eating at the king's table. >> He's got Zya >> who's taking care of all his estate, his property.

But the Bible ends this passage with this that he was lame in both feet. Sometimes we look to God and we want to be prescriptive to God. >> God, they just laid me off and it shouldn't have been me.

But they laid me off because of the color of my skin. >> They laid me off because we're not welcome anymore. >> And God said, "Don't worry.

I I'm going to open another door for you." >> Say, "God, thank you for opening the door. Just make you on the top dog when I get there. >> But what the last verse of this chapter tells us is that God chooses to bless us >> the way he chooses to bless us.

>> And he does not necessarily take away all of the things that we would consider negative. He said, "Can you be thankful in the midst of where I am? >> Can you realize the blessing you have even though it may not be everything?" >> Let me let me just let me give you one off thereord comment.

Not off the record per se, but different Bible. You remember that Joseph when he was taken out of jail and brought into the king's house, >> he was in charge. >> I don't know about you, but if I had been in jail, >> locked up, >> not able to go anywhere >> except somebody gave me permission.

And now God has lifted me and put me where I'm second in the kingdom. Only the king is is above him. >> All right.

Now, I don't know about you, but but that's enough for me to shout already because I have gotten out of jail. I'm ready to say, "God, I I just can't believe how good you are to me." >> But think about the other side of it. He is liberated, but he ain't free, >> can I back that up one more time?

>> He's liberated out of jail, >> but he's not totally free. Amen. >> He can't leave Egypt >> unless the king says so.

>> Amen. >> He can't go back home >> unless the king gives him permission. >> And so he could either get himself all wound up by the fact that he is not able to have total freedom.

Or he can simply say, "God, I thank you for getting me out of jail. >> I thank you for opening up a door. I thank you for putting me in charge." And and so Mphibichef has a choice.

He is sitting at the king's table. >> He's eating what he never thought he would eat. He does not have to worry about somebody fighting him out and coming to take his life.

He is free to have all that. And beside that, he has all that is coming in from all of his land and property. And he doesn't have to work at all.

Now, his choice is, do I complain to God that you still didn't heal my feet? >> Let me run that by you again. >> You were homeless.

>> Amen. >> And God gave you a house. >> The house comes with three bedrooms.

It comes with two beds, >> a double car garage, >> and you say, "God, I wanted a triple garage cuz, you know, I got a golf cart. I want to be able to put my golf cart in there, and nobody knows." And God is saying, "But I have blessed you beyond anything you thought you would have." Just be thankful for where you are. So let let me close let me close with this as as we we go from lobar to the king's tail.

God may not deliver us from those who would reimpose segregation if they could. But the God that we serve >> is going to say they're going to see you every day >> and see me blessing you every day and not be able to put their hands on you. Don't worry about they're still talking about you.

Don't worry about they would do you evil if they could understand that I've allowed you to sit at the king's table. And as long as you're sitting at the king's table, remember what the psalmist SAID THAT YOU BLESS ME in a table even in the presence of my enemies. And the thing is I have blessed God because when GOD BLESSES YOU EVEN in the presence of your enemy, they can't do anything about it.

[applause] [cheering] So what the scripture does not tell us >> is that any of those folks >> who knew Mphibichef when he was hiding, >> any of those folks who knew Mphibicheth when he didn't want nobody to know where he was. >> That none of them could do anything about the fact that he is now sitting at the king's table. >> They may not like it, but he's still sitting at the king's table.

They may not like it, but it's still being fed at the king's table. And God will do the same thing. He will put a net of protection around you and me and say, "You may look at him.

You may talk about it. You may do anything you want, but you can't touch him. >> You can't touch him because I brought him out a load of water." >> Hallelujah.

>> And I placed him >> at the king's table. So my brothers and sisters share with you and implore you whatever we do keep our hands in God's >> hand >> because God is a promise keeper. >> Thank you Lord.

>> I love promiseke keeper who says heaven and earth may pass a >> word, >> but my word >> still stand. >> And every promise that I made >> is a promise I keep. >> May not come when you want >> but I'm always on time.

>> May not come in the direction you want, >> but I'm on time. >> And when I come, >> I come with my reward in my hand. And I'm able to bless you.

I'm able to make a way. I'm able to straighten up things. I'm able TO OPEN DOORS.

I'M ABLE TO PUT your enemies at bay. I'm able to do it all because I am God all [applause] by myself. I can do anything to fail.

>> Somebody asked the question. God answered, "Is anything too hard for God. >> The answer comes back, no, >> there's nothing.

>> I I don't know if you got that. Nothing. >> It doesn't matter if it's your enemy.

>> Doesn't matter if it's your troubles. >> Doesn't matter if it's your sleep. It doesn't matter if your B, but nothing is too >> hard.

So David reminds us >> the God that we serve >> take us out of a place and a situation >> called >> bring us to the king. >> All we can say is thank you Lord. >> Thank you Lord.

[applause] >> [applause] >> Lord, >> we come we come to that time to extend the invitation Christian disciplehip. >> I don't know about you, but sometimes as I'm walking, riding, just thinking about the goodness of God. And I began to sing that song.

Simply says, "Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord." >> I just want to say, >> "Thank you, Lord." >> So, as we come now to extend the invitation to Christian disciplehip, >> there are some in the congregation who have this testimony. >> When I couldn't say anything else, >> I simply said, "Thank you, Lord.

>> Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ >> to pay a debt I could not pay, but he paid it for." Then I thank you, God, that he gave his life as a [music] ransom. >> Went in the grave, stayed three days, and rose up >> to declare all power is in my hand. Not some, not limited, not with a cautionary note, but all power It's in my hands.

Then he gave the invitation. Come unto me all ye that labor and heavy laden and I will give you rest. The Bible shares with us in that familiar passage John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting or eternal life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. So we stand now to extend the invitation not of us but of Jesus Christ himself.

That if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, that he died and rose again for your sake, all you have to do is say, "Father, I ask that you would forgive me of my sin, that you would cleanse me Aresh, and I come forth to give my life, to give my hands to the pastor, but to give my life unto you. I desire to be baptized as a show of the fact that I believe in my death and resurrection through Jesus Christ that I'm cleansed and given eternal life and my name is written in the lamb's book of life. So we extend invitation if you're here today and you don't know Christ as your personal savior.

We extend this invitation that you would come as a candidate for baptism. But likewise, if you remove from where you routinely worship, the Bible says we ought not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. So we extend invitation that you might come by letter of commendation or by Christian experience to be accepted as a member of this congregation to work out your soul salvation and bless God with your life.

Is there one today? is that one who would say, "God, I give myself. I yield right now for I believe that Jesus is the Christ and I want to be accepted of him and receive of eternal life." Is there one today?

If you're here, I would encourage you not to put it off. None of us know what tomorrow will bring. We don't even know what this afternoon will bring.

But you ought to have your life hidden in Jesus Christ. Is there one? God bless you.

You may be seated. It is our prayer that each of you know Jesus Christ as Lord of Savior and as redeemer. That you know that when this temple journey is ended that you will rest with him in eternity because your name is written in the Lamb's book of life.

God bless you. Let us prepare now for dismissal. We certainly want to say thank you again for your hospitality, for your blessing, and we pray that God will continue to to bless and smile upon you as you do his will.

Let us look to the Lord that we receive the benediction. And now unto him who brought again from the dead, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, working in [music] you that which is well pleasing in his sight. And now unto him be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, henceforth and forever more.

And all of the people of God said, "Amen." >> Amen. Amen. Amen.

[music and singing]