Where did you go and what did you see?

How has today’s experience help you appreciate your history?

Unlike other years, the Lord didn’t lay it on my heart to invite a guest to come in and teach on the principles of Stewardship, but look out among our congregation and choose some gifted men to write our own Stewardship lessons. In short, the Holy Spirit desired for us to walk and think “outside the box.” These lessons were geared to meet the immediate needs and challenges of our Church and community.

I was overwhelmed by the willingness of those brothers who accepted the challenge and met with me over and over again, to fine tune each lesson and have them ready for the Believers that make up this great congregation.

1 Cor. 4:2 KING JAMES
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1 Cor. 4:2 MESSAGE BIBLE
The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge.

1 Cor. 4:2 NEW LIVING
Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.

 Being Faithful Stewards of Our Temple
 Being Faithful Stewards of Our Time
 Being Faithful Stewards of Our Treasures
 Being Faithful Stewards of Our Talents/Spiritual Gifts

For one solid month, every Sunday School lesson and Bible Study lesson in every class was centered around these four principles. It was awesome for me to see Laymen teach each other.

My hat goes off to Tony Meriwether, Mickey Shelton, Floyd Toliver, Leo Lewis, Lionel McNeil for doing an awesome job; moreover, John Hill and Cedric Anderson wrote some awesome lessons for the youth classes as well.

Stewardship is a lifestyle and every Christian is a Steward. The question is, “are you a faithful and trustworthy Steward or are you a bad and ungrateful Steward?’ Since Stewardship is a lifestyle, after these awesome lessons, I pray that your life will never be the same!

Saved and Sure

Pastor

Just finished up the sermon series entitled, “God’s Way Still Works: Dating, Marriage and Sex.” I must say, this series has been rewarding and challenging for me personally. I just believe, it is imperative that the Church begin to address the unhealthy relationships that exist in our pews and pulpits.

In the African American community AIDS/HIV is the leading cause of death for African American women between the ages of 21-39. African Americans lead or come close to leading predominately every negative category as it pertains to sexual transmitted diseases. Only 15% of all African American children are born in a household with both parents. These statistics and others are the results of man refusing to do things God’s way.

The people of Christ cannot shy away from our responsibility to proclaim an unpopular message in this modern “Sodom and Gomorrah – self centered – devilish – anti God – Dr. Phil/Oprah humanistic – sensualistic – drop it like it’s hot – apple bottom wearing era” that we live in. I contend to you, that God’s precepts are not outdated, but will and still work in a day like ours.

I pray that this series has been a blessing to you. I realize that the seven sermons only scratched the surface, but I’m grateful to see how the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of the people at the Mount!

Sermon #1 – What Eve Received From God

Sermon #2 – What Adam Received From God

Sermon #3 – Man Gone Wild

Sermon #4 – What They Didn’t Tell Me About Sex

Sermon #5 – The Vicious Circle Of Sexual Promiscuity

Sermon #6 – Before You Say, “I Do” To Your Boo! Pt. 1

Sermon #7 – Before You Say, “I Do” To Your Boo! Pt. 2

Please share your thoughts about the series by adding your comments on this Blog page. Click the “COMMENT” icon and leave your response. God’s Way Still Works!

What’s Up Mt. Pisgah!!!

Mt. Pisgah, you are an extraordinary assembly of Christians, whom God has shown much favor towards.  I can see the mighty and miraculous power of GOD stirring in the hearts and minds of the people.  I am positively privileged and pleased to have been appointed and anointed by God Himself to serve as Pastor of this fellowship of Believers. 

 So many times we hear what’s wrong with your church but hardly ever does anybody just affirm what they love about their Church family. I was just sitting here reflecting on some of the significant essentials that I really love about our Church and I began to record some of them, so here is my list (not necessarily in order):

1. That the Bible is still preached and taught without compromise
2. We are still excited about seeing souls saved
3. There is a passion to move people towards Discipleship
4. The presence of God is manifested in the hearts of the membership
5. The diversity of ages and ethnic backgrounds that make up the congregation
6. Worship is “off the chain, you can still get your praise on”
7. The growing sense of being a family unit
8. That we laugh with each other
9. Down to earth and laid back – steering away from religious and empty images of self importance
10. We are learning how to disagree without declaring war on each other
11. I love seeing our young people pray, praise, and prepare themselves for leadership in their church and community
12. How forgiveness and reconciliation are not strangers or unwelcomed participants within the congregation
13. How we are weaning ourselves of some meaningless traditions and empty rituals
14. I love the fact that I can see growth in the greater majority of the membership
15. I really love the fact that most of the church’s growth has come through the evangelism efforts of the congregation
16. The greater majority of the people simply want to follow leadership
17. I love seeing new face taking leadership in the Church

 There are more, but I will just stop with these.  We have not arrived at all of our final destinations, but I thank God we are on our way …

 There might be someone who is praying about becoming a part of our Church family.  Why would you recommend them to do so?  Write or list the reasons you would recommend our Church to others. 

 If you were a visitor at Mt. Pisgah, how did you feel about worshipping with us and would you come back to worship with us again?

 Saved and Sure,

 Pastor

Matthew 13:58 (MSG)
⁵⁸ But Jesus said, “A prophet is taken for granted in his hometown and his family.” He didn’t do many miracles there because of their hostile indifference.

Matthew 13:58 (CEV)
⁵⁸ And because the people did not have any faith, Jesus did not work many miracles there. 
 

 I was just wondering how many times my unbelief has tied the hands of God.  My brothers and sisters, where would we be, if we actually practiced and implemented the Word in our life?  What mightier things could be done in our lives, if we had more than a “head knowledge” or an “academic knowledge” of the Word of God.  So often I have found myself trusting in my ability, resources, or knowledge “first” and then turn to God afterwards.  When my oldest daughter was young, whenever she got scared she would always run to me, because I was the person who she trusted the most.  I hate to admit it, but when things go wrong in my life, I’m tempted all to often to turn inward.   Isn’t depression, anxiety, worry, frustration, impatience, exasperation, etc., all signs that says we are trusting in ourselves rather than God?  My my my!

I don’t want my life to be a frustrating event for the Holy Spirit.  I don’t want to grieve or quench the Holy Spirit’s power in my life.  When it comes to blessing me or using me, I don’t desire to force God to ration His power in my life.  I WANT IT ALL!  I want the Spirit of God to have full access in my life.  I desire to give Him complete control and never be short-circuited by my lack of faith/believe.   I want to experience another level in my growth, love, devotion, and trust in God.

“Lord it is my prayer that my faith be the vehicle You will use to do a mighty work in me – so that You can do a mighty work through me.  Father I pray that my life never again be filled with doubt and unbelief.”

What about you?