Do that again bless the Lord bless the Lord my soul and all bless one more bless the Lord myess the Lord my Join in right here right here when I’m L I Will Bless The Lord I will bless the Lord is right I will bless the Lord everything I Will Bless The Lord you don’t know I will bless the Lord I could he I Will Bless The Lord you don’t know I will bless the
Lord my I Will Bless The Lord Monday Tuesday I will bless the Lord I Will Bless The eveness me bless I Will Bless The Lord you going to tell I Will Bless The Lord you going to tell I Will Bless The Lord you going to
Tell I Will Bless The Lord way I Will Bless The Lord no way I Will Bless The Lord my I Will Bless The Lord today I will bless I want to tell I Will Bless The Lord I want to tell I will bless I want to tell I want to tell so
Goodess been myess I bless the Lord I want to I I love the Lord he heard my cry I the I Love the Lord I Will Bless The lordess I willess I Will Bless just want to tell iess just want to tell he done he for so
Will he has done he has done great for me so I will he has done he has done great he has done he has great he has done great I will bless the Lord bless the Lord clap your hands this Sunday morning I will bless the Lord at all
Times his praise shall continually be in my mouth I willess the Lord come on somebody say I Will Bless The Lord I Will Bless The Lord here we go I will I will bless the Lord I Will Bless The use this as a warmup for the service
I Will Bless The Lord somebody say I Will Bless I Will Bless The Lord that’s easy I will I will bless the Lord I Will Bless The Lord I Will Bless The Lord he has done great things he has done great things for so my will he has done great
Things he has done great things for my will he has done he has done great things for me he has done great for me he has done for me he great for me he great foress the come on somebody give God some praise the Lord if you’re glad to be in the house
Of the Lord on this morning give God some praise today Lord we love you we thank than you and we bless your Holy Name we are grateful that you’ve given us this chance just to come out to your house to sign on one more time and Lord while we are gathered here physically
While we are gathered here virtually Lord we just ask that your spirit jump from heart to heart so that when we are done with this service people will leave better than they were when they walked in feeling a little bit more of your presence having more of your power and
Your strength and knowing a little bit more about Jesus in Jesus name we pray amen amen am and amen you may have your seats as sister Pierce comes forward with our announcements for Today good morning First Baptist morning I will bless the Lord at all times at all times for those of you are worshiping With Us online we welcome you uh you’ll see in the chat a link and we ask that you will fill it out so just so that we
Know that you’re visiting and that we can acknowledge your presence our First Baptist members if you’re online please make sure that you say hello to them welcome them just like you would if you were here in the building for those of you who are here in the house if you are
Visiting with us for the first time you’ll see in the Himel holder a envelope that say visit information please take out one of those cards fill it out and pass it to an usher or leave it in one of the containers at the door we appreciate your being with here being
Here and we’re so glad that we all get to worship God together amen amen amen um our di diaconate ordination service will be held on the fourth Sunday of this month at 4:00 p.m. more information will come next week for those of you who are celebrating a birthday or anniversary we wish you
God’s during the month of February we wish you God’s continued blessings if your name has been inadvertently uh left off the list that was sent by eblast please um send the correct information to publicity at First Baptist milford.cr amen again it’s good to see you one more
Time uh on this Sunday morning do me a favor turn to the person next to you and tell them I’m glad that you’re Here yeah you could turn to the person on the other side if you didn’t don’t forget to tap the shoulder in front of you let them know I’m glad you’re here don’t forget to turn around and wave at somebody let them know I’m glad that you are here as
Well heyen I want to thank sister Pierce just for covering um many of our housekeeping announcements uh on today listen just a few extra things I want to add we have just a handful of envelopes left in the NX so if you are uh looking for your envelopes requested uh please
Make sure that you pick those up also uh you may have received an email or you should have received an email about our membership um list being uh ultimately our final draft we are not putting that thing out um regularly after this um so please look at that if you see some
Final changes that need to be made please send those in and we will take care of that you will see another copy of that probably go out later on this year all right probably sometimes close sometime in the summer or closer to September uh we have asked that you fill
It out accordingly if you have not gotten around to it we do understand however you will be left off for a little while that does not mean that you may not be contacted in order for us to fill out the uh rest of the list for our
Membership we are still short of many of our members therefore we want to make sure that we do have everyone’s correct information just for our roles um so you may get a phone call or if you still know someone’s not on it feel free to go
Back find the email and type it in uh but just know that it will not be distributed until later on uh this year all right um once the final goes out it won’t be distributed um other than that you’ve already heard that we have a great day
Of our deacons ordination coming up on February 25th that’s at 4 p.m. um so we do ask that First Baptist come on out and support uh be mindful that our for Deacon in training our for deacons in training have a large support system uh so we will probably be packed to the
Brim uh we will have overflow Arrangements set up in the basement so I just want you to know on the day of if it does seem to start getting a little thick in here uh I will as I always do ask first our leaders if they are able
And then second First Baptist members for you to be the ones to give up your seats um you come here often the visitors do not so we have will ask that you give up your Prime seating uh for others and then you can uh you can always enjoy the fellowship hall
Downstairs um and we will have some screen set up down there as well all right but also the Sunday after that the first Sunday in March um I am pleased to announce that our intern Trey Smith will be preaching his initial sermon at 4:00 um so for those of
You for those of you who’ve gotten to know Trey over the last not completely a year but Trey first visited us I believe on Palm Sunday or on Resurrection Sunday of last year um and he officially started as a intern in September uh for those of you who have gotten to know him
You know Trey is a great guy um and he wants to move ahead within Ministry so that will be 4:00 on the first Sunday of March uh again he will have his support system coming up from Alabama so he will have his family here that’s where he is
Right now um so uh he’s not here to hear this announcement but we want to make sure that we support him all right um other than that just two well one really quick uh housekeeping note um which is simply that I want to remind you all that we
Currently do not have anyone in the administrate administrative assistance office which means that things might move a little slower than you’re used to in terms of returning phone calls or emails but I do ask that you be patient you will soon receive um an announcement regarding how we’re going to fill that
Position so please keep your ears open if it’s something that you are interested in as a church member or if you know someone who may be interested in that position um and when I the reason say that now I want to be very clear if that’s something that you are
Interested in doing if that’s a way that you were interested in serving then please keep your ears open uh I will promise you right here and now that the check will not impress you um I’m going to let you know if if you were if you
Were looking for a way that this was going oh this is going to be it like no that’s that’s not what this is I would love to be able to tell you otherwise but that’s that’s not what this is going to be so if you would love to serve in
That way if you would love to work in that way to assist the church um then please please please please please keep your ears open you will hear more about that um as we move ahead all right um listen last Sunday we had a pleasure of hearing uh from our library ministry as
Well as uh brother Pierce and sister white um as they introduced our black history presentations for the month um we are looking at the divine nine um or what is called The Divine n of National panh helenic Council those are the nine fraternities and sororities uh that make
Up what we would just kind of call our recognized official black Greek letter organizations last Sunday uh we gave a quick intro and we looked at uh alpha alpha which brother Pierce uh LED in and we also looked at Iota Theta which is the youngest of them being founded in
1963 this Sunday we’re looking at Sigma gamma row sority incorporated as well as Delta Sigma Theta sorority Incorporated um and I have the pleasure of leading in with Sigma gamma row so as the library Ministry comes forward and gets ready to set up um for the in-house images but
For those of you who are watching we know that you also get to see images on your screen as well um I am doing Sigma gamma row although yes I’m a member of omegas sou 5 attorney Incorporated I am a child of a member of Sigma gamow
Sority Incorporated so an honor of my mother uh I said that I would do a really a brief summary uh for that so come on come on come on come on come on come on we got it when I am done following this presentation uh sister Jennifer Holmes will come forward um and
Present uh Delta Sigma Theta uh just so you know after the presentations I’ll come back up very briefly uh and then we’ll move we’ll continue on with worship Sigma Garo uh sority Incorporated was organized in 1922 um as you can see in my family picture which is being put up uh right
Now although I have my own membership in a Greek letter of fraternity my introduction to Black Greek life was seeing my mother’s gold paddle with weird looking letters on it as I got older I learned what it was and what those Greek letters represented they spelled out Sigma gamma Ros sority
Incorporated it was the black Greek letter sorority that my mother joined in 1970 when she was still at her Alma ma Shaw University as you can see in my family picture and the picture of my mother on my installation Sunday the sorority’s colors royal blue and gold are still
Prevalent in my mother’s clothing choices to this day as shown on their Banner Sigma gamar Roose sorority Incorporated was founded on November 12th 1922 in Indianapolis Indiana by seven young Educators Mary Lou Allison Gardner little Dorothy Henley Whiteside Vivien Irene white Marberry Nanny May gone Johnson Hattie May
Annette dlin Redford Bessie May Downey rhs Martin and kubena McLure its commitment to service is expressed in its slogan greater service greater progress the only Divine non sorority founded at a predominant white school the dynamic women of Sigma Garo have built and sustained a well-known and well-respected reputation for leading
Positive change to help uplift the community Through Sisterhood leadership and service some notable members include singers Vanessa Bell Armstrong Kelly Price Fantasia uh L legendary rapper MC light actresses Hatty McDaniel and Wendy Raquel Robinson businesswoman Mary Washington the first black woman CPA Bishop Carolyn Tyler G the first woman
To be appointed a presiding Elder and the second woman to be appointed Bishop in the AM church and a host of other prominent politicians athletes and public figures the sority has more than 500 chapters throughout the United States and internationally they have a proud history of providing positive and
Proactive community outreach here and overseas the programs Partnerships and sponsorships represent Sigma gamar R’s commitment to promoting the greater good in Education Service leadership and development uh thank you so much for your time hopefully I made my mother proud just giving this quick summary she
Told me what to leave out and what to put in so left alone now I’m going to call up Sister Jennifer good morning First Baptist as I celebrate 25 years as a legacy member I’m honored to shortly squeeze in 111 years of History I will do my best January 13th 1913 22 Dynamic
Scholarly thoughtful college students founded Delta Sigma Theta sorority Incorporated they stood for sisterhood scholarship service social action the birthplace Howard University we are founded on Christian principles its Andrew Ranken Memorial Chapel was undoubtedly important to the sorority Founders so much so that in honor of our 100 years a beautiful stained glass was
Permanently enshrined and dedicated in the chapel our conferences and conventions conclude with ecumenical Services I say we love church and no one loved a signature church hat more than the famous Dr Dorothy Irene height less than two months after the sorority’s founding the founders of Delta Sigma
Theta embarked on our First Act of Public Service exercis izing political activism by participating in the historic 1913 women’s suffrage March they boldly bravely carried the new sorority Banner Delta Sigma Theta was the only black sorority to participate in the women’s suffrage March I personally have always found it so
Appropriate that our First Act of public service was in the mon month of March because we have been in the March we led the March we lead the March ever since in Selma in Al in Selma in bming inam the March on Washington against apart tide led by Elsie cook Holmes
International president and chair board of directors who I affectionately call my cousin-in-law Delta Sigma Theta sorority Incorporated is an organization of college educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the black community we are a private nonprofit organization
Whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world World here especially in New Haven County we have 100 Collegiate and alumni chapters in the US as far as West and southern Africa the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea we address the
Most critical areas of life and provide Public Service initiatives through a five-point programmatic thrust as the sorority celebrated 100 years in TW 2013 we gathered all over DC and Howard especially to dedicate fortitude Plaza on the first day of 2013 the Sor was the first black Greek lettered organization
To participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade in California with the most amazing flow entitled transforming communities through Sisterhood and service we saw more than 38,000 members registered in attending our centennial celebration and National Convention and still to this day that was my favorite with my sister Danielle Holmes Heath and
My mother Lillian Holmes Deltas are Trailblazers we began the first national program National Library project which established a traveling libr library in the rural South the first black Greek letter organization to establish a national headquarters property the first black Greek letter organization to be named a non-governmental organization
NGO by the United Nations there’s a Connecticut connection to one of the 22 founders of Delta as well Ethel Carr Watson born in West Virginia she graduated Magna Kum loud from Howard and returned home where she had a 30-year career she retired married and then decided to relocate to wendam
Connecticut where she began work as a dramatic performer during the significant march on women’s suffrage she was tall and held the banner she passed in 1960 and was wait relate to rest in Willam antic Cemetery the Connecticut chapters here including New Haven alumni chapter purchased a significant cemetery monument to honor
Her during our 2018 Regional Conference in Hartford I was honored to write and share a biographical and genealogical history of focar Watson for VIP dignitaries traveling from our regional conference in Hartford to the cemetery we are a body of over 350,000 highly educated and professional women and I’ve
Met some of our more famous ones sister Janetta B Cole Daphne Maxwell Reed Alexis Herman solidad O’Brien you all have met one too the famous Bishop basy Murphy Mckenzie was our first Baptist Church women’s day luncheon speaker in the early 990s Deltas are in every industry these names you are sure to
Know Shirley Chisum Barbara Jordan Wendy Mandela Patricia Roberts Harris Gwen Eiffel April Ryan rubby D Davis Angela Basset cesal Tyson Lena horns Loretta Lynch Joy an Reed Abby Phillip ly who will be at the Shubert Theater in what month March and Supreme Court Justice katoni Brown Jackson the immediate past president of
Delta Sigma Theta sorority Incorporated is Connecticut connected to born and raised in Hartford chery a Hickman became a Delta at South Carolina State University after matriculating she returned to Hartford joined the local chapter where she ascended to the chapter presidency her love for Delta was reflected through her 29 years of
Continuous service on a regional and National basis being elected National president and chair of the national board of directors in November 2021 was the culmination of her life’s dream as a member of Delta Sigma Theta sority Incorporated Deltas are in the world this nation this state this city this
Church we are here today in crimson and cream we will forever be black history we will forever be DST thank [Applause] you [Applause] thank you so much um sister Holmes do we have any members of Sigma gamma row who were here in the sanctuary I didn’t believe that we did
And they may have already done it but I’m going to ask that all uh of the uh devastating divas of Delta Sigma Theta sority Incorporated would you please stand to your feet Thank you so much thank you so well thank you thank you thank you um as I said last week as I was trying to be mature um and I was trying my hardest not to be Petty I’m trying to to remain in my pastoral position and not show any
Uh favoritism uh toward any specific organization so I’m just I’m I’m just going to stay straight and shoot and just say please please please take all the information that you have um and apply it where necessary as you continue to learn more um about these organizations um and if you have anybody
Who’s going off to college or anybody who knows a little bit or they want to learn a little bit more please be aware that we do have people in our own church who are affiliated who are members and who might be able to share some more information than they already have um I
Just wanted to say the same thing I said last Sunday we’re going to go right into worship which is the reason why I was happy about doing this presentation specifically is because um there are many different views about what happens in the ble in the black Greek letter organizations and their uh
Appropriateness or how they connect with faith and all these kind of things and I wanted to make sure that we at least just took a quick second so people understood the history of them um so that we can kind of pull them out of being to some people this mythological
Secretive uh clandestine thing that’s happening that is our obviously doing some evil or whatever the case is and let’s bring it back to going no these are organizations that were built uh for the purposes of what you’ve heard with different uh goals with different mantras with different models um and
Different principles but all to make sure that people of like mind could come together and do the work uh that was intended I did say something last week which I need to clear up which is I openly said that I didn’t believe that any of our organizations uh had values or
Principles that conflict icted with our faith and I wanted to take that back just because I don’t know about every other organization I can only speak to mine so I can only speak to omegas SII Fraternity Incorporated uh I have not gone through everybody else’s procedures
And processes so there are people who I already mentioned have done things like denounced or renounced their letters because they feel like there’s some Faith conflict um although I have not heard anything that makes me believe that that is the case within the principles of the organization uh um
Although people might personally need to make that choice because they may have made an idol out of something that they should not have made an idol out of I don’t I didn’t feel that there were organizational issues but I just can’t speak to that for everybody I I I I know
What I’m a part of uh I know my mother’s a part of I know what my wife is a part of everybody else I’m I’m learning like y’all on these Sundays all right so um but I did want to give a chance for us to realize we have so many leaders so
Many pastors so many people involved in our churches so many faithful leaders uh political leaders doctors lawyers and all these other professions who have been uh blessed by being a part of these organizations that I wanted to make sure we took time uh and I thank the library
Ministry for that we took time to say wait let’s just talk a little bit about who they are and what they do amen all right and with that uh we’re going to end this period of the service we usually have our Teen Summit on this
Sunday so if you are a teenager in the house if you’re a teen in the house if you are a teenager in the house and you uh uh are open to or parents you’re open to your child uh going downstairs just to meet with the rest of our youth group
You can do so after the song uh after the song that’s about to be sung um and there will be leaders downstairs a waiting for them so again after the next song if you were a teenager uh and you would like to uh go down and just hear
What the youth group has to say you can go downstairs right after the next song with that I’m going to turn this back over into the hands of our music Ministry and then I’ll be uh I’ll come back forward with the word for today God bless You for Every Mountain you brought me over for every trial you seen me Through for blessing Hallelujah for this I give you praise help me save for Every Mountain you brought me over you brought me over for every trial for every trial you seen me through you see for every bless Hallelujah hallelu for this I give I give you praise if you know the song sing for every M for Mountain you brought me over you brought me over For every Tri for every trial you sing me through you sing me through for every bless bless my soul says hallelujah hallelujah for this I give I give you I give you praise for Every Mountain you brought me over brought me over y’all don’t know my
Tri every Tri but the Lord has seen me Through every bless down in my to say hallelujah hallelujah this I give you somebody with your hand and tell on for Every Mountain Every Mountain you brought me I know for every PR every you s me through you see me through bless soul hallelu I to the Lord let’s raise it up every
Every God has brought me over every I said every every every strle every challeng bless my my heart my mind I want to hallelu I you for this for this I you for I give you come on every Tri every test every struggle we thank the Lord come on is that anybody’s testimony
On today that for Every Mountain you brought me over for every blessing Hallelujah for this I give you praise I’ve got so much to thank God for so many wonderful blessings so many open doors brand new mercies along with each new day Lord that’s why I praise you
Lord it’s for this for all of that that I give you Praise Lord we love you we thank you and we bless you as it has come to this time of preaching I ask that you please bless my mind my heart my spirit and my voice that all that I say may be of you that your word may go forth and that someone
May know more about the goodness of Jesus in Jesus name we pray amen amen giving all honor and praise unto my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ giving respect to everybody in God’s house house under God’s grace I greet you in the name of Jesus how you
Doing that’s not bad that’s not bad I don’t have to ask two more times on this Sunday and God bless I do want to go ahead and get started please open up your Bibles turn your Bibles on uh open up your browser window we’re going to the Book of Luke Chapter 9:
28-36 Luke chapter 9: 28-36 a familiar scripture to many of us If you have it say Amen if you need more time say hold up Luke Chapter 9:28 and the word of the Lord reads about 8 days after Jesus said this he took Peter John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray as he was praying the appearance of his
Face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning two men Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious Splendor talking with Jesus they spoke about his departure which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem Peter and his companions were very sleepy but when they became fully awake
They saw his glory and two men standing with him as the men were leaving Jesus Peter said to him Master it is good for us to be here let us put up three shelters one for you one for Moses and one for Elijah he did not know what he
Was saying while he was speaking a cloud appeared and covered them and they were afraid as they entered the cloud a voice came from the cloud saying this is my son whom I have chosen listen to him when the voice had spoken they found that Jesus was alone the disciples kept
Us to themselves and did not tell anyone at the time what they had seen May our minds and Spirits be blessed by the reading of God’s word I would like to talk to you this morning from the theme show them who you are show them who you
Are there’s a scene in the Marvel movie Black Panther that has ramonda played by Angela Basset ramonda is the mother of the main character uh Prince tchala played by the late Chad Bowman ramonda shouts a phrase to her son Prince tala that has become a Staple in many black
People’s lexicon since the movie came out show them who you are I can tell you the context because it doesn’t really mess up the movie it doesn’t spoil the plot to Chala before officially being enthroned as king of the country of wakanda first must allow Challengers a
Chance to defeat him in hand toand combat for the throne a large Challenger from a smaller tribe accepts the offer he is entitled he is ominous he is strong he is in intimidating and it doesn’t look good for tala while talking trash the opponent is defeating the prince during the battle and while
Everyone is worried about the outcome while tchala is dizzy from the trauma that he’s taking he sees his mother Ramona through blurry eyes and hears her shout through his own disorientation show him who you are and I know that message is something that we all need to be reminded of in
2024 y’all are quiet I think I went too fast let me come back around and slow it down a little bit the one who was about to be more powerful the one who was empowered and skilled to rise higher right before they reach the next level finds themselves in the middle of a
Losing fight with someone from a smaller tribe but they feel entitled and they are ominous and they are strong and they are intimidating and while dizzy from the trauma of the battle this person needs to be reminded by those who came before him show them them who you are
And I know that’s not my text for this morning but that’s enough of a message to get me excited on this Sunday because if there’s one thing I know we could use more of in these days and times it’s a reminder to show them who we are we can
All use that reminder that during the pivotal moments of Our Lives whether we are young or whether we are seasoned at the moments that seem to matter the most when we are about to be more powerful when we are about to reach the next level we often find ourselves in battles
With people with less power who feel entitled who are ominous who are strong and who are intimidating but even while you are dizzy from your trauma remember to show them who you are it’s why according to Will Smith Denzel told him at your highest moment be careful that’s
When the Devil comes for you and I remember that there was a director there that night who hated that Denzel said that to Will Smith he thought it was absurd that someone would blame uh What Will Smith did on some Supernatural force that he did not believe in because
It dismissed personal responsibility but any strong Bible reading Believers knows that the devil in the Bible is not a puppet who is pulling strings to change our behaviors and realities biblically the devil Satan is the tempter tempting us to do what we want to do but should not do that does not dismiss
Responsibility that increases responsibility that means it’s on us more than ever when sitting at the precipice of new chapters and new battles to make sure that no matter how entitled The Enemy No matter how ominous no matter how strong or how intimidating that we show them who we are the one who
Is about to become more powerful the one who is empowered and skilled to rise higher the one who is about to go into a new chapter into another battle in this intimidating World in these ominous times we need to be minded to show the world who we are in every aspect of life
So students finish strong and show them who you are achieve more than anyone could imagine uh and show them that what they how they limited you is not how you have to remain adults with morals and intelligence and political understanding show up to the polls and show them who
You are speak truth to power in your communities and show people that how they limit you is not where you have to remain outperform on your job jobs and in your offices and show them who you are believers like Jesus said in in Matthew 10 be as shrewd as snakes but as
Innocent as doves and show them who you are strive for Holiness and righteousness and show them who you are love people especially those who are the least of these and and show them who you are like Jesus said in Matthew 25 feed the hungry welcome The Stranger clothe
The naked provide Health Care to those who are in need look after those who are incarcerated and show them who you are Amos 5 seek good not evil maintain Justice in our legal system and in our courts and show them who you are when you were getting beat up and you’re
Getting hit in the face by pain and by grief and by anxiety and by confusion and by situational depression and by fear and by lack of purpose and by giving up when your enemy is winning show them who you are that’s what Jesus did when Satan tempted him to leave his
Mission and give into his base desires and the will Wilderness that’s what Jesus did through his life when people wanted him to stop that’s what he trained his disciples to do when they were struggling with the mission that’s what we are supposed to do and embody
When we Face our enemies that’s what we are supposed to show this world who believes that our stories don’t matter that people who look like them don’t matter or people who look like us don’t matter that our history should not be told that we aren’t worthy to be in
Certain spaces that we are supposed to show them that our faith in God God mixed with our fortitude can’t be defeated no matter how entitled how ominous how strong or how intimidating the enemy may be but if you paid close attention to the introduction of this sermon you will notice that the
Character of ramonda said show him who you are however my theme is show them who you are why did I change it from him to them because it’s not just about showing the enemy who you are that’s shortsighted it’s also about showing those who are with us and those coming
Behind us as well that’s what Jesus shows us in this text message on the Mount of transfiguration I know I know I know an explanation is necessary to understand what’s really happening in this text message that Luke sent you need to go back and scroll up a little
Bit earlier in the chapter Jesus asked his disciples who people said he was they thought that he may have people thought he may have been John the Baptist reincarnated or Elijah the prophet reincarnated or one of the prophets from long ago reincarnated but then Jesus asks his disciples yeah but
Who do you think I am Peter one of Jesus’s closest friends and most studious student steps up and says you are the Son of God or you are God’s Messiah as it says in the NIV you are God’s chosen Savior for us and then Jesus tells that his path is going to
Lead to death and that anyone who is following him should prepare to live to fight for their soul rather than fighting for what the world can give you right after that is when we get to the point uh that we read at the beginning of this sermon Jesus and three of his
Friends go up to the mountain to get away from people so Jesus could pray and while he is praying the disciples saw after they woke up they were dozing off they woke up and they saw that Jesus’s appearance changed he changed uh to a glowing metallic brightness they also
Saw the presence of two ancestors who died a long time ago they saw Moses the one who brought the law The Ten Commandments and they saw Elijah the prophet of prophets and according to Luke they were talking with Jesus about uh his death which would be coming soon
They were talking about his transition as they were leaving Peter not knowing what else to say said Jesus this is great let us put up three tents for for the three of you uh uh let’s let’s set up some time so we can hang out a little
Bit longer and let me stop scrolling right here because I need to show you this Jesus letting them see who he really is taught them a few lessons to help them be all that they were supposed to be the first thing we see is that Jesus let them experience his
Encouragement point one let them experience your encouragement somebody say let them experience your encouragement experience your encourag show them who you are and let them experience your encouragement Peter James and John were up next Jesus is going to die soon Peter is going to be the head of the church soon James and
John will continue their work as Apostles and they have a hard Road all of them ahead of them so Jesus lets them see just the glimpse of how he gets by crapp and zoom in on this I need you to see this in in UHD when the three wake
Up they see Jesus talking with Moses and Elisha talking with his ancestors about what he’s going to go through remember it says that they were talking with Jesus about his departure or his death Moses and Elijah could have reminded Jesus you’re not the only one Moses
Could tell Jesus I died on a mountain and no one found my body and Angel and the devil fought over it that’s what scripture says elishah could tell Jesus I was caught up in a whirlwind of fire they looked for my body for three days and nobody ever found me they won’t find
Your body either Moses could tell Jesus I felt lonely out there by myself Elijah could tell Jesus I was so lonely and depressed I told God I didn’t want to live anymore you’re going to feel just abandoned as well Moses could have told Jesus I felt the pressure of speaking
Against pharaoh and Elijah could tell Jesus I felt the pressure of upsetting the the king and the queen who eventually wanted to kill me Moses could tell Jesus that his life was in danger and Elijah could tell Jesus that his life was in danger and Moses could tell
Jesus that he physically freed God’s people from slavery and Elijah could tell Jesus that he spiritually worked to free God’s people and and even brought somebody back from the dead if Jesus ever felt like he was alone he could be encouraged by his ancestors those who came before him encouraged by what they
Had to go through encouraged by what they had to do encourage that he was not the only one there were many who came before him holding up the banner for the Lord and it’s important that we do the same thing whether looking for inspiration through good times or bad
Ones the Bible is not the only place where we can find reminders our own history is full of people who can whisper to us you’re not the only one some of them are personal to you some of them are people only you know in your
Life and in your family some are part of your friends Village Village or or in your community some may be popular figures and and but they can all remind us that we are not the only ones that’s why I believe that every young person should listen to the stories of those
Who came before you because you might learn something you’re not the only one one of the downsides to our society moving away from encouraging education is that people stop seeing the value of reaching back and getting the stories of those who came before us I look at modern music and I wonder
How do people want to sing how do people want to dance how do people want to rap and you won’t even dig into the crates and see what came before you and figure out the systems and how it started and how it was created nobody said you got
To do the same thing but you should at least reach back how do you want to write poetry and fiction but you don’t want to read uh Tony Morrison or zoron Neil Hurston or or or or Richard Wright or langon Hughes or James bwin how do
You want to talk about issues of of prejudice in this country but you don’t want to read Carter G Woodson or web de boys or the thoughts at least of Booker T Washington you don’t have to like them but you should at least let them remind
You we must make sure that we remind ourselves through every single struggle we are not the only one you’re not the only young actor trying to figure it out you’re not the only aspiring business person to deal with prejudice you’re not the only one trying to be the first one
In your family to do a thing you’re not the only one that wants to make a difference you’re not the only one trying to figure out how to make it through terrible loss you’re not the only one trying to figure out how to balance uh prosperity and opportunity
You’re not the only one dealing with survivors remorse you’re not the only one dealing with divorce you’re not the only one dealing with abuse you’re not the only one dealing with grief you’re not the only one dealing with depression you’re not the only one dealing with anxiety you’re not the only one dealing
With prejudice or bigotry reach back and look around and realize you’re not the only one Jesus on that mountain could hear from Elijah how God brought him through depression on a mountain Jesus on that mountain could hear from Moses how he was empowered on a mountain Jesus could
Learn from these two how they handled their last days which he knew his last days were coming that royalty in his bloodline reminded him what he had to do and for us we must make sure that we are encouraged by those who came before us lean on it and let it Enlighten you
Whoever you are from whatever culture you are those who came before you biologically those who came before you culturally those who came before you spiritually said be encouraged and Jesus let his disciples experience his encouragement now when they uh now when they go through moments they know
What they need to do they know how they need to reach back because they saw it happening with Jesus now they can lean on the inspiration of those who came before them youth adults season Saints friends family visitors people of God Hood holy rough righteous delinquent and dignified let the people with you
Experience your encouragement show those coming after you show those who depend on you show those who are with you and friends with you because they are going to need those lessons as they continue their walk and in 2024 we all need reminders from people telling us how they got
Over but then in the text we see that a cloud shows up and it appears and it covers them and they heard a voice that said this is my son whom I have chosen listen to him and when it was all done the three disciples kept the movement
Kept the moment excuse me to themselves and did not tell anyone else what happened the second thing that we see Jesus did was he let the disciples witness his walk point two let them witness your walk someone say let them witness your your walk I only have two points this is the
Last one I’ll be out your way but I know an explanation is still necessary Jesus lived his life showing his enemies who he was through his work and his walk his commitment his miracle his teachings his love his death and his resurrection but in this moment Jesus showed his
Followers his closest his friends his mes Peter James and John he allowed them to see who he really was and with them seeing who he was through and through to his core they were able to understand why he was able to walk his walk and this is important because although Peter
Said that Jesus was the son of God although Peter believed that Jesus was a Son of God although Jesus told them that the path would lead to death the disciples had not personally seen anything to prove it other than some Miracles which was not uncommon for prophets throughout history they saw
Nothing different until this moment it was this moment that the closest people to Jesus witnessed his incontrovertible Divinity it was in this moment that this wasn’t just about miracles and about things that people like no they saw his entire presence change and they saw the cloud rest on them and they heard the
Voice speaking from God and from that point on at least those three knew without a uh without a doubt that Jesus was the real deal they knew that he was who he said he was they knew that Jesus was nothing to play with they knew that
He was walking this walk with the Lord on his side they they witnessed his walk they saw why he does what he does they saw how he was able to do it and they saw who he did it for and that taught these three disciples at least three
Lessons at once number one that they should not try to walk without the Lord on their side number two that God is always with them as they are with God and then number three if God is on our side there are certain things that don’t have the power to stop
Us and if I was a better preacher I’d shut it down right there and Shout my way out but since I can only be me let me take a couple more minutes to bring it home don’t walk without the Lord on your side God is always with you as you
Are with God and with God on our side there are certain things that don’t have the power to stop us that’s what the disciples learn by witnessing Jesus’s walk and they used it themselves when they had to walk some troubling paths in that moment they could coign Jesus’s
Path his purpose and his mission youth adults season Saints friends family visitors people of God show them who you are so they can learn something let them experience your encouragement because they are going to need to tap into it and let them witness your walk because
They will learn to walk with the Lord that God is on their side and with God on their side certain things can’t stop them but there’s a bonus as you show those close to you who you are you’ll also be showing your enemies that you’re nothing to play with because you know
They’re looking you know that they’re always being nosy you know they’re always worri about your potential and what may happen you will show them that you are walking into your fight not alone but with backup coming and that their little traps and obstacles may slow you but they cannot stop you
Political machinations can’t stop us systemic Prejudice whether it be racism misogyny phobias they can’t stop us even those who give the label Christian a bad name can’t stop us but you won’t just be showing those close to you and you won’t just be showing your enemies but you’ll also be showing
God that the Lord picked the right one you’ll be showing God that you know what to do with the power and the presence that you know what to do with the path and the purpose and listen if all that I said is too much information for you
Then let me say it like this let me be sunny day sweeping the clouds away luminously Crystal Clear be like Jesus encourage those with you intimidate those against you and confirm why God picked you woo that’s so nice I’mma say it twice that’s a tweet week for the
Week you can put on threads what I said encourage those with you frighten those against you and confirm why God picked you no your appearance may not change but your presence will no people may not see you talking to your ancestors but they will recognize that you learn from
Them no people may not hear God’s voice about you but they will hear God’s Voice through you and if you need more encouragement you know where to look so reach back to those who came before you lean on those uh who had to fight harder than you will ever fight learn from
Those who had to do more than you’ll ever learn to do and run the list of names in your life now I don’t have time to do that right now but I’ll give you just one a spiritual ancestor that keeps me day by day and his name is Jesus he
Came to love heal and forgive he lived and died to buy my pardon and he stayed in the ground all night on that Friday and all day and night on that Saturday but early on Sunday morning he got up with all power in his hands and that
Empty grave is there to prove that My Savior Lives and Because He Lives I Can Face tomorrow because he lives all fear is gone because I know who holds the future and life is worth the Living Just Because He Lives listen I know that life has knocked you around but show them who
You are I know that life has won a few rounds but show them who you are I know that you haven’t been yourself these last few years but show them who you are I know even those Close to You may forget who you used to be but show them
Who you are I know people don’t believe you have the influence but show them who you are I know people don’t see it coming from you but show them who you are I know people can’t see the spirit of God on you but show them who you are
I know people don’t understand how God is working in and through you but show them who you are let them experience your encouragement let them witness your walk encourage those with you intimidate those against you and confirm why God picked you and if they still have
Questions about how you do what you do if they still have questions about how you keep going if they still have questions about how you can be you in a world that’s trying to change you well then listen tell them one thing matter of fact I can’t speak for you so you
Can’t be mad so there’s one thing I’ll say and it’s that I’m so glad that God is able just tell them he’s able He’s Able just let him know the Lord will do it the Lord is able anybody know he can do it anybody know he’s able anybody know he can do
Exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think or imagine is there anybody who know that the Lord will bring you through listen you don’t have to shout for me I’m just asking you a question is there anybody who when you look back over your life and you start to think
Some things over you can truly say that despite all I’ve been through despite all my struggles despite all of my pain despite all of my trauma despite all of my hits the Lord Keeps On Blessing Me allowing me to show them who I am
Listen I’m a go I’m a go I’m a go listen people need to see it more than ever let them experience your encouragement let them witness your walk not only so that we can be proud and brag about what we did in the face of our enemies that’s a little too cocky
Anyway that’s a little too braggadocious anyway I mean that’s nice it’s a good little feather to put in your cap but this is more about how we influence those who are with us as Jesus did for those three disciples let those close to you see how you are encouraged let them
Witness it cuz they are going to need it and then let them witness your walk let them look at you and say no I know the Lord’s on their side I know it might not all be great but but I know that the Lord is with them i’ I’ve seen it for
Myself and maybe on that day that they will make the decision I want to be linked up with the god God that you know I’ve seen what you do and I need to know this Lord for myself let us all stand to our feet listen if you were here and you have
Never made the decision for yourself you’ve never opened up your mouth personally and said that you believe in Jesus you believe that Jesus came and died for our sins to give us access to eternal life and rose again if you’ve never made that call we want to give you
A chance to do that today and as deacons come forward to welcome anyone who makes that decision although it’s simple words it’s not always the easiest choice but we want to give you a chance to make that decision today so if you’re here and you have never made that choice I’m not asking
For your membership right now I’m just simply asking if you’ve never made the commitment to give your life to Christ we offer you a chance now and all you have to do is step out into the aisles come down to the front and we’ll walk you through the process is there
One come too far from where I start nobody told me nobody told me the Would be I don’t believe he brought me this far maybe you’ve already given your life to Christ and you’re looking for a church home you’re looking for a place that you can anchor yourself in a family of Faith a place where you can serve Jesus Christ by way of a local community maybe
You you’ve watched Us online maybe you visited us here and you realize this is the place for you if that’s you and you want to join us here we offer you an opportunity to step into the aisle come down to the front we can welcome you into our family here at First
Baptist is there One I just can’t give up now come too far from where I started from nobody told me that the RO would be and I don’t believe he brought me this far listen maybe there’s somebody here who is looking to talk to the Lord Lord just for a little while take your burdens to
The Lord and leave them there if that’s you and you want to come down to the front then you have an opportunity to do that right now to come forward to grab the hand of another family member of faith God is a to do just what he said he would
Do he’s going to fulfill every promise must do you don’t give up on God don’t give up on God he he’s Able He’s Able let’s sing that one more time God is able God is able to do just what he said he would do he’s going he’s going to fulfill every promise promise to you don’t give up on God don’t give up on God cuz he won’t give up on you won’t
Give up for you cuz he’s able he’s able He’s Able He’s Able Lord we love you Lord we thank you Lord we lift up your holy name on this day Lord we’re thankful for the things we forget to thank you for Lord we thank you for the things that we take for
Granted we thank you for the things like waking us up this morning and starting us on our way we thank you for allowing us to take our last breath that that we just took and the one we’re about to take Lord we thank you for giving us the opportunity just to be in
Your house or just to sign on right now and Lord while we are here to thank you over and over again while we are here to praise you for always showing up and letting us know that you are able Lord the truth is we still need a little
Bit more from you so Lord we ask that you keep on showing up in miraculous ways in our lives Lord we ask that you make ways out of no way Lord we ask that you open doors no one else can open we ask that you shut doors that no one else
Can shut Lord we ask that you inspire us in a way that no one else can and that you give us all that we need to do your work and your will Lord for those who are standing here for those who are watching who are going through the
Darkest nights of their life Lord I ask that you give them all that they need to keep on pushing through Lord grab their hand and pull them through the darkness Lord get behind them and shove them through the door Lord Lord pick them up and carry them if necessary Lord for
Those who were dealing with the weight of grief and the burden of trying to deal with loneliness Lord I ask that you wrap them in your love and in your comfort Lord every time they cry every time a tear drops we ask that you wipe
One more away Lord I ask that you be right there with them as they’re just trying to navigate life with a new purpose and a new reason Lord for those who are here praying on behalf of those who are sick and those who are shut in
Lord I ask that you send your Miracle working power their way Lord I ask that you send healing to their bodies I ask that you encourage their minds and give them joy in their Spirit Lord I ask that you bless the medical professionals who continue to work in them Lord for those
Who are standing here watching right now who look good to everybody else but Lord you know what they’re going through Lord for every individual hearing me right now who are putting on a good face but Lord you know what’s under the makeup Lord I ask that you be right there with
Them Lord so that when they no longer look that good and when the door is closed and the lights cut off and tears are running down their face when they are confused and they don’t know what to do when they’re questioning life Lord show up show up in their life one more
Time be right there with them one more time wrap them in your love one more time and Lord finally as we navigate this world that we are in I ask that you bless our world our countries our states our cities we need you more now than we’ve ever needed you before Lord give
Us the bravery and the courage to do your work give us the bravery and the courage to live out your will and let the world know what a Believer really looks like give us all that we need to show the world who we are and for the
Things we can’t do Lord we ask that you do them Lord for the people we can’t move we ask that you move them for the positions we can’t change Lord we ask that you change them Lord we ask that you take things into your Mighty hands
And draw us closer to you and Lord as I end this prayer I just simply ask that you do all the things that I haven’t asked cuz I don’t have the wisdom to ask Lord do all the things that I would pray for if I knew to pray for them but Lord
I know you know Lord I know that you know every need that we have so Lord I just simply ask that you continue to be God all by yourself doing what we don’t even know we need done and if you do all these things or if you don’t Lord we’re
Still going to praise you we’re still going to glorify you we’re still going to lift up your holy name cuz if it had not been for the Lord on our side we know we don’t know where we would be so Lord we love you we praise you and we
Give you all the glory in Jesus name we pray come on somebody say in Jesus name we pray come on there’s power in that name in Jesus name we pray amen amen amen you may go back to your seat oh he’s able oh he’s A He’s Able God is able to do just what he said he would do as we get ready to dismiss I know that many of you have plans this afternoon and this evening whether you are going to be watching television to hate what you see or you’re going to be supporting various
Teams or you’re just looking to watch a Usher concert that they playing football around but y’all had to clap on that Jesus we in church it ain’t that kind of Usher whatever your plans are today however the world spins however things change whatever snow falls however weather changes I want you to not
Forget in the midst of everything to show them who you are don’t let that leave as you leave this service don’t let that leave as you sign off let that stay with you to remember to be encouraged and to let them witness your walk and when all else fails if people
Don’t know how you made it and you don’t even know just remember to tell somebody that God’s able that he’s able let us all stand to our feet Lord we love you we thank you we bless your Holy Name we are grateful to you and Lord as we get ready to come
Down off the the mountain of Sunday morning I ask that you continue to be with us walk with us dwell with us as we deal with the challenges of the week to you who are here be kept on the mountain and in the valley be kept on the sea and
Through the Fire be kept in your homes and in the streets and continue to grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to him be glory both now and forever and all of God’s people said amen amen amen Amen to all of the all the members of Delta Sigma if you would like to contribute to the ministries of First Baptist Church feel free to donate online using the information posted on this page thank you for your consideration and your Support That
source
