Transcript of a published sermon by Raymond Sloan, transcribed from subsplash. An attributed primary source — not Acts 2:38 Life doctrine text.
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Summary
Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.
A year of building behind us
- He reviews an incredible year: new people through the doors every Sunday, several baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and several receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and department leaders asking repeatedly for more help as the Lord provides it.
- Wednesday midweek Bible study averages 70 people — folk making time out of busy schedules to connect to the family of God.
- The year before was foundations; last year, 2022, the theme was to build — building one another, building for the kingdom, establishing ourselves on who God is and what he can do.
It is time to accelerate
- For 2023 he hears the voice of the Lord speaking to his church: it is time to accelerate — to gain speed and move faster forward in the kingdom.
- He quotes the Hebrew writer, chapter 10, verses 22 and 23, and the words that follow: let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised; let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
- Take your foot off the brake and hit the gas — if you want to pray more, give more, win souls, teach Bible studies or learn what you can do for the kingdom, but have been afraid or felt inadequate, ask God and move forward.
Scriptures: Hebrews 10:22-25
Endure to the end
- He reads from Matthew chapter 24, from verse 9: they shall deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you, and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake; many shall be offended and betray one another; false prophets shall rise and deceive many; because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold — but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
- The church will face hateful, despiteful days, and every believer must decide how much he is willing to give, and what he is willing to give up.
- In the middle of the battle God may not lift you out of the situation; he says, can you see me? Then walk — pick up your foot, walk faster, run into the presence of Jesus, where your eyes change and you find him in the battle.
Scriptures: Matthew 24:9-13
The vision: united we grow
- The vision at Cornerstone Apostolic Church, very simply: a safe place — United We Grow in Christ; family centered; we heal, we empower; founded on community; spiritual gifts in operation; influence on our city; quality teamwork; connecting to others; faith focused.
- The mission follows: we will pray, we are diverse, we build bridges, we participate, we will show love, we will give, we are focused, we support our community, we will make disciples, we are intentional.
- Chattanooga is desperate for revival: some till the soil, some sow the seed, some pull the weeds and some reap the fruit — as Paul wrote to the church, it all comes increasing by God's hand; God is going to give increase to seeds planted here 50 years ago and to seed sown today.
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians (book-only, as spoken)
Every department primed for growth
- Department by department the church is primed: Christian education with teachers ready, the music department, a media department reaching 70 to 100 watchers every Sunday, men's and ladies' groups, growing youth ministries, guest services, prayer ministries, administration, connect groups and social media.
- Celebrate Recovery begins Tuesday nights — hurts, hangouts and habits — and he and Brother Justin are certified to hold services at Silverdale jail.
- The Cornerstones process will meet people at the door and disciple, empower, engage, activate and connect them, because little things mean a lot in the kingdom — and there is room for everyone; everybody in the room can pray.
Twenty-one days of dedication
- January's focus is accelerate by dedicating and consecrating: 21 days of dedication begin tomorrow, with a short daily podcast devotion — verses, encouragement and prayer points — to accelerate past where you are now.
- Monday through Friday brings a five-day media and entertainment fast: unplug from the social junk and screen time, set the distractions aside, and let the Lord speak — then give him time in personal prayer, not just on the drive to work.
- He tells of two ladies whose praying for a church in Alexandria grew into a breakthrough and a 24-hour prayer chain that has run for decades: tell me it don't matter. The altar closes with the family gathered in prayer, including prayer for Brother Herb and his family in their loss.
Scripture index: Hebrews 10:22-25; Matthew 24:9-13; 1 Corinthians (book-only, as spoken).
Transcript
as far as we here at Cornerstone Apostolic Church as far as I'm concerned we have just come through an incredible year great reward for great Labor as a church family we saw many new people involved in the work of God and I am glad to say today as I stand here that the departmental leaders that work in our church family many of them are asking repeatedly for additional help and the Lord is providing repeatedly additional Folk I have department leaders saying to me there's folk that want to work is it okay if I plug them in by all means people that want to be used in ministries by all means do so for church family I can truly say as pastor of this assembly God has been good to us I wish you'd look at your neighbor and repeat that God has been good to us from January of last year until this past month of December we saw several received with the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost saw several baptized in The Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins we have every Sunday that as long as we track the guests that come in every Sunday we've had new people walk through the doors of this church house every Sunday amen we've implemented new procedures and software packages and and ways in an effort to somehow better take care of the people that gather here every week listen to me this this is probably one of the most incredible things that I have come across over the last several weeks here at Cornerstone we average on Wednesday night attendance for midweek Bible study brother Rob we're averaging 70 people that may not mean anything to you but I want you to know as a pastor that is thrilling to think that folk out of their busy schedule will make time to come have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the preacher I I thank you so much there is a desire that emanates from this building from this congregation into our community a desire to want to connect to the family of God God is with us God is for us God is opening doors God is making a way somebody shout God is good as we close the books on 2022 we now look forward towards this new year of high expectations and expectancy every year I'm blown away at the magnitude and the blessings of God regardless of whether he gives us a building or takes one away God continues to be God in our church I'm thankful that the Lord knows where we are he established Us in this wonderful city of Chattanooga and believe it or not while we sit in this place even today in worship lifting up the name of the Lord God there are other churches in this community they have no idea what's happening to them but Revival is sleep slipping into their congregations and folk are saying there's got to be something more out there could it possibly be Jesus is the answer now I've come to tell you there's a whole lot more to do but we learn a lot from where we have previously been there's a lot of anticipation about New Opportunities and things that that we are growing into I've come today to tell you that last year our theme was to build and every week every month we talked about aspects of building the year before if anybody will recall we went back to foundations and we talked about the fundamental things of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and building the church as the last year 2022 came to an end I believe that God was gracious to this assembly to allow us to grow as we build one another as we build for the kingdom as we establish ourselves upon who God is and what he can do if you will establish yourself on him but with great opportunity and great anticipation this year 2023 I feel more than ever before the voice of the Lord speaking to his church it is time to accelerate I believe that Hebrew writer said it in chapter 10 verse 22 23 let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to Good Works not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another in so much the more as you see the day approaching we're going to accelerate simply put in the Webster's Dictionary we are going to gain speed and we are going to cause ourselves to move faster forward in the kingdom come on if you truly believe hear this preacher today that the coming of the Lord is near then it is time to get it in gear and to move forward in the kingdom of God you've got to work while it's gay night's gonna come and no man can work I've come to declare to somebody if you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is still the answer take your foot off the break and match the accelerator give it some gas and let's move forward in the kingdom of God I thought I was about to sit Sam down a while ago he's about to jump on it but I'm coming to tell you if you've always wanted to do something for God but you felt timing was off or that you were too afraid to I admonish you take your foot off the brake and hit the gas if you want to pray more but you feel like you're not able get your foot off the break and hit the gas if you want to give more of your finances and your time but you don't feel like you can I declare to you get your foot off the break and hit the gas pedal if you've got a desire to win souls and teach Bible studies but you feel like you're inadequate get your foot off the break and hit the gas pedal if you desire to learn more of what you can do for the church in the kingdom of God take your foot off the break and hit the gas it's time to move forward it's time to accelerate into the blessings of the Lord God let me repeat what Brother Sam said it's time to see Souls Born Into The Kingdom it's time to see the water of baptism traveled by people saying I must be saved it's time to hit the gas it's time to say I'm gonna accelerate put somebody close to you and tell them hit the gas um some of you your desires to be a great prayer Warrior your desire is to do something for God but you stand on the brake pedal so long because you're afraid some of you want to give to the things of God but you're holding the brake pedal because you're fearful that he might ask you to give something that you're may not be ready to give up I come to tell somebody if you really believe in heaven it's time to hit the gas we have a new year with new opportunities and this future is only going to happen as we do the things of God while we are here listen to this carefully this is Matthew chapter 24. listen to the words of Jesus they shall deliver you up to be afflicted verse 9 says shall kill you shall be hated of all Nations for my name's sake then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and shall shall hate one another many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold hear this but he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved red letter Edition in your King James Version the church WIll face hateful despiteful and bad days things are happening things are going to happen stuff is going to take place that you as an individual you as a child of God you as a family of God you're not going to like it but every single one of us have to decide how much am I willing to give and how much am I willing to give up how much am I willing to give and what am I willing to give up you've got choices to make you've got decisions you've got to make Pastor I want to help in the new building but I'm not sure how ask God he will show you Pastor I believe that there are Bible studies to be taught but I'm not the best teacher ask God and he will allow you Pastor I believe that my neighbor needs to know you but I'm not sure if I've got the guts to go down and invite him ask God to go with you take your foot off the break friend and move forward in Jesus there's so much talent sitting in this room right now there's so much capability sitting here right now under the sound of my voice and some of you are doing a million and eight things for God and some of you are still waiting on somebody to come and pull you into the fight I've come to tell you fight's already on jump in jump in some none of none of the hell God help me stay on target none of us want the the things of the world to overrun us and overshadow us I had a dear friend of mine this past week that's got several things happening in his life he's got this one's sick and this one going through this and this one going through that and the only thing that I can counsel him the only thing I could console him with was simply this you must be right smack dab in the middle of the battle he said brother I am I said listen carefully I pray God give you strength in the battle why because you're in the middle of it for some reason and if the Lord is with you he's got a way to get you out of that situation but he might not pick you up and pull you out and drop you he may simply say to you can you see me do you see where I'm at walk do you see where I'm at walk do you see where I'm standing walk can you see where I am to pick up your foot and start walking it's hot out here then walk faster it's uncomfortable out here than pick up the pace oh come on I don't like it out here get up and run I tell you every day you come in the house of the Lord I pray as I scream it out loud run into the presence of Jesus come on why is that necessary because if you're walking slow dragging your feet you're going to look at every little obstacle and every little trial and every little test but you take off running your eyes are going to change and you're gonna say look who I found in the battle his name is Jesus and with Jesus I got a feeling I'm all gonna be all right can only sign to take your phone off the break and hit the gas pedal let's move forward in Jesus our vision slide please our vision at Cornerstone Apostolic Church very simply this safe place United We Grow in Christ we're family centered we heal we Empower we are founded on community spiritual gifts are an operation influence on our city quality of our teamwork connecting to others and we are Faith focused that's our that's our vision that's what we see and what we see believe it or not let's see what our department has put together we see all of these things out here that Vision gives us a mission mission please as a mission of the church we will pray we are diverse we build Bridges we participate we will show love we will give we are focused we support our community we'll make disciples we're intentional as a church family it's time that we together bind together with those around us and we move forward into the kingdom listen Chattanooga is desperate for Revival whatever City street you live on whatever Country Road you walk down the city of Chattanooga needs an outpouring of the spirit we have to come together in this hour and we have to move the mission forward some will till the soil some will add fertilizers some will sow the seed some will pull the weeds some will come and reap the fruits but as Paul wrote to the church it all comes increasing by God's hand see some of us don't want to be seed Sowers we want to be weed pullers some of us don't want to dig out in the heat some of us want to get up under the shade of the tree and pull the fruit only I come to tell you there are so Jesus help me there are seeds that were planted in Chattanooga 50 years ago that are just now coming to fruition come on you better know that it was somebody back then that began to plant seed that began to dig up soil that begin to water see some of you guys when you greet somebody at your job or you're walking down the aisle at Walmart you smile to somebody you're throwing a handful of water on a seed that a great grandmother or a neighbor or a co-worker planted and something's happening there but God is going to give increase God is going to give increase God is going to give increase to those who will understand we all have our part to pray in the Kingdom in 2023 we continue to move forward with the work of God somebody say a new year accelerate accelerate accelerate Chattanooga needs Revival there are churches in this community there they are one prayer away from a holy ghost explosion they are one prayer away from Jesus name baptism in their baptismals they are one prayer away from a Revival that nobody's going to be able to put out come on only those who work for the kingdom for work for Jesus Christ can receive what Jesus has for the church every Department here at Cornerstone Apostolic Church you are primed for growth you have tools in your hands and at your disposal to grow Christian education Daniel and Jennifer Johnson they've got a group of teachers ready to teach people as they come into the kingdom as they come into the church brother Duran in his music department super talented well capable I'd put them up against anybody in our nation that's got music these guys are so talented because they desire to do the things of God we've got a media Department barred none I miss telling you these guys have a vision that I don't have you like the color schemes the idea was the word the rest of it's them understand where I'm coming from our media Department's got 150 000 people they need but they have five listen to me we have a men's group that wants to do something together with other men we have a ladies group that wants to do something with other ladies to support one another we have youth Ministries that are growing and they're adding to this past holiday convention that picture was deep and wide of kids up there loving the Lord and serving God what a beautiful sight to behold Guest Services that's all they can do to get folk they come through the door trying to get to them with their cup or with their stuff to introduce themselves we've got to have things happening left and right out at the guest services table we've got prayer Ministries our church would be zero without prayer we got a prayer coordinator that says I believe in prayer therefore I will pray and I'll take anybody with me that'll go we have Administration here that's working to make sure that things are administered and put together in the proper place we have connect groups that are trying to help each demographic come together with those that are similar to who they are we have social media that reaches outside these four walls we average 70 to 100 people every Sunday that click on the social media site and they watch what's going on here at Cornerstone I have people all the time saying I love your church I'm like who in the world are you well I watch you on Sundays really I don't remember your time I'm joking I'm joking they're watching and they're declaring this is a great church this is a great church why because God has put us here for such a time as this we have Ministries that are going on brother Horton sister Chastity these guys are eat up with and Horton you got 45 seconds fast you can jump go read it to me 6 p.m Tuesday be here why because it's about to be Christ centered beautiful that's right beautiful beautiful Celebrate Recovery hurts Hangouts and habits Tuesday nights here at the church six o'clock till eight o'clock right brother Justin six to eight o'clock be here if you want to be involved with it be here support them if not tell somebody else about it because you know they probably need it come on here on Tuesday nights these guys have been studying for months now to prepare for this not only that can I say it not only that brother Justin and I have been certified to go now into Silverdale jail over here and to have service over there and to reach into that community I don't know what to expect I've done jail Ministry long time ago when people were gooder and now I'm not so sure that they're that good but I told Justin buddy if you're in for it let's go and of course he don't know no better so he said sure I've come to tell you God is doing some miraculous and wonderful things why because we are combining our efforts and we are working together to see the kingdom of God Thrive and to grow in the church in this city where we are here at Cornerstone Apostolic Church put the next one up with cornerstones listen carefully six or eight months ago as leadership we started assembling a plan how can we get folk here every single Sunday walk through the doors come in and say wow I love your church how do I connect with you how do I am I involved in only to find out that we have a hard time juggling and trying to get him involved we put together a process cornerstones we want to disciple them we want to empower them we want to engage them we want to activate them and we want to connect them when they walk through the door they'll be bombarded with new faces of people that have a smile on their face to say listen what we're doing here is some place for you to plug in there's a place for you to connect to us there's there's a reason that God lets you come through our front doors it's not an accident that you are here but the pain and the suffering you felt God brought you here because this is the hospital for the hurting we can't let them fall through the crack but again we're going to try we're going to move we're going to do what we got to do it's time to take your foot off the break and hit the gas and move forward in Jesus if God put him in this building Lord it is our responsibility we've got to connect him to the family y'all listen to preacher for just a moment please little things mean a lot in the Kingdom a smile on your face could lift such a weight that somebody's carrying a pat on their back could lift such a weight a squeeze of the shoulder and a grip of them just a little bit they just need to feel okay it's exactly why God's put you in this church from the song leader to the Sunday school teacher to the media person to the one at the front door the one handing out cups of water everything matters with cornerstones we're going to do what we can to make disciple makers I'm not inviting all of you to be a disciple maker I'm not I'm not some of you you are terrible at talking to people smile see it it's because I love you and be like some of y'all don't need to sing come on help me now don't be asking to sing in the choir if you can't sing Lord's going to love you some other way listen carefully but we've got some people that we've selected because of personality and because of their ability that we've calling our disciple makers they will be the smile the helper to get folks encouraged and moved into the processes of knowing god listen carefully If somebody walks into the church house they deserve every right that you have to draw closer to the Lord sitting next to them in service calling or texting them during the week if it's appropriate all in an effort to allow them to connect themselves to the church I want everybody in this room to understand pastor's heart listen carefully I'm going to ask you to repeat something you ready for it are you listening there is room for everyone would you say that with me there is a room for everyone if you believe it would just say it again there is room for everyone if you're sitting and you're waiting on your ability to jump up and grab a microphone or you're going to jump up and play the instrument or you're waiting on somebody to recognize you and pin something on you and say you're that and that I'm telling you no friend it is time to get your foot off the break that you've been holding for so long and hit the gas pedal it's time for you to put the desires that's in your heart to work say God I am finished with excuses listen carefully Pat pastor does not give you an excuse the Lord Jesus Christ does not give you an excuse the Lord gives you the ability to follow his word but Pastor I'm not good talking in front of people then don't talk to people on your job Pastor I don't know how to this fine then do this everybody in this room can pray somebody say Amen you can pray I I'm a hesitated to mention it but I'll take just a moment there are large churches in our fellowship that have two three thousand people on weekends worshiping brother G.A Mangan when he went to Alexandria back what 110 000 years ago listen he went there and he started a church because the Lord told him to in that little smelly town of Alexandria listen carefully he met two ladies that were praying for a church am I right brother Gibson and he wrapped himself into the prayers of those ladies and they begin to pray for Revival in their community they be kept praying for Revival in their Community they kept continuing praying for Revival in their Community lo and behold just a few years from that brother Mangan started having a breakthrough took him years to get there but finally they got to a place where people started to come and listen carefully and I can tell you right now as long as I can recall in my Ministry almost 40 years that church has had 24-hour prayer chain seven days a week because two ladies decided we can make a difference tell me it don't matter you tell me it don't matter I wish to God somebody in this house would catch on fire with the passion of prayer to say Pastor don't you ask me to leave this building I'm going to pray until something happens I'm going to get a hold of God things are happening why because I believe in it what we're going to do here at Cornerstone it's the first of the year and y'all know how it works here 21 days of dedication say 21 days beginning tomorrow morning tomorrow morning when you get out of bed in the morning there will be a podcast posted on my pastor's blog on the web on their app sometime during the day I need you to click on that it's about four minutes long four minutes long you understand how four minutes man it takes you that long brush teeth well most people you hear me there's verses there there's an encouragement and there's some prayer points I'm going to ask you for the next 21 days starting tomorrow morning you click on that and you listen on your way to work on your lunch time however you want to do it with your family gathered around at night doesn't matter it's four to five minutes long is all it is but it's an encouragement to help you to accelerate past where you are now and get to the place to where God wants you to be somebody say 21 days tomorrow morning when you get out of bed listen carefully to Pastor tomorrow morning when you wake up we are going to begin Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and Friday five days of media and entertainment fast Mom and Dad I am not the police I would be terrible at it you you have to decide what is enough for your family I've come to tell you somebody needs to unplug from all the social junk that's getting over over your head and all the screen time some of y'all need to unplug from that for a little while and just decide you know what I don't care what she or he or they are doing and I could care less how much he's making or what they're I'm unplugging so beginning in the morning tell all your friends and and all your trouble and all the stuff that you're wrapped up in by I can tell you how to spell it b-u-y that's wrong by b-y-e bye bye two syllables bye uh tell them you hmm I am 100 convinced with all of my heart as pastor of this assembly that some of you are this close to an incredible outpouring and moving of God in your homes in your hearts and your families you are this close but you're going to have to disconnect from all the lies and all the rubbish that you're having to look through every day because you're making bad choices if you'll get it out in front of you and say all right now what oh it's just me and Jesus now all that stuff's gone Hollywood's not influence come on if you've got a computer at work and you need it use your computer at work you'll understand where I'm coming from there's too much idle time some of y'all going to be so surprised if next Sunday when your screen time indication goes off on your phone how much it tells you mine did anybody else get that mine's pretty cool it comes on so are you still there well yeah well your screen usage is up 17 this week you went from eight minutes to 12. yeah I'm like I don't even know that I had somebody watching me oh well I scared somebody didn't it listen to me take take some time during your day unplug from the media for the next five days and say Lord speak to me I'm ready Lord to remove my foot from the break but for me to do that I don't want to go in the coast I want to hit the accelerator I want to move forward the Lord will show you things listen to me the Lord will demonstrate things to you that you need to find better time to use your money and your your efforts and your Energies you hear what I'm saying now if some of you go home and binge tonight and watch all the way up to midnight shame on you doing it for the wrong reason my wife and I say this every year we are not the fasting police that ain't between you and I you're doing this for him to get closer to him set aside the distractions of media and social connections get rid of them turn off the stuff that sucks time out of your life allow God to move in your situation focus on Jesus and what he is saying to you I still believe that his word speaks even in this new year spend time every day come on spend time focusing on the time and the hour in which we are living get up in the morning with expectation today God I've set aside all the distractions and I'm going to talk to you come on how long has it been since you've had prayer time personally on your own listen to Pastor not driving to work not simply riding down the road saying thank you Jesus or none of that with your eyes wide open but time's sitting in your chair laying on your floor sitting on your back porch whatever it is saying to God I need the oil I need thee come on when was the last time you gave some time to the Lord and decided you know what this is worth investing in if my children are going to serve God it's because I'm going to show them how to serve God I've got grandchildren that is coming any day in the way distant future but whenever they show up on the scene they're going to know my voice that's that granddaddy that's all messed up in the head you better believe it I'm pleading the blood of Jesus over you every day I'm pleading the blood of Jesus over you every day yesterday my wife and I had opportunity to go to my nephew's wedding man it's just hard to believe he's 19 years old and got married at such a young age why the audacity my wife was 18 when we married I was 42. um I remember when that young man was born I was we were around when he was born when when I watched him this big you don't understand where I'm coming from and it was a really neat cool wedding I also had the opportunity Josh to take my 82 year old mom over to that wedding she rode with us she stayed with us There's No Greater Joy Sam than me look over at Mom yesterday in her say for this is what I have prayed and I talked to her and said mom why is she because my mom poured it into me I poured it into you you're pouring it into them they're going to pour it into their next one friend of mine it's worth it but it has to be on purpose and intentional arise to this Podium today to tell you what brother Justin sister Chesney are doing is they're trying to reach our community in a way that's going to set some of us back years we're not going to be used to what's going to be happening around here but I come to tell you the Lord knows why He's doing what he's doing he's well aware of where we are and the times in which we live and what's going to be required of us every month this year we're going to focus on another way to accelerate this month of January we're talking about accelerate by dedicating and consecrating our lives to God the month of February Brother Gibson once more time is going to pick up take the take the teaching Podium on Wednesday nights and he's going to talk about giving and Gain you're going to notice this year that each topic monthly is going to be talking about how do I get from here to there that's what we're going to focus on why because it's worth it it's worth it as the Lord's been dealing with me for the last several months on this particular topic it's it's been made aware of to me these last several months that God desires to do something in the church God has brought us to this place for a reason look left and right we have chairs still available for folk don't we I don't mind telling you I've been a little bit apprehensive about how to move forward Lord I don't I don't know what to do next we got very small classrooms here we've got smaller bathrooms thankful there's four of them but maybe we need to get a take a ticket thing like at the meat counter or bathroom breaks I'm 42 it's my turn yeah I don't know parking is not too bad unless you get out there with other people to run over but anyway um there's room in the sanctuary for new faces yes it's the things and so I'm praying God is this it where to now what next and God keeps sending precious people to the church friend of mine I've come to tell you the Lord knows why we are here and his timing is perfect his timing is perfect there's a reason that you guys are teaching classes helping in music helping in the front God is doing something in you to continue the work forward the music department this coming year this year actually their brother Duran's asked can I help young people start to help me on the the music rotations man I think that's fabulous I've asked sister Stacy listen to Young people I've asked sister Stacy our prayer coordinator on Sunday prayers pre-service prayer I said can you get these young folk off the chair and help them pray certainly but guess what some of you guys are going to help with prayer don't skip church afraid you come early and learn did I just say that out loud why because it's time to move forward it's time to hit the gas pedal take your foot off the brake you've been holding still too long some of you God has put a desire for growth and from maturity and for expansion in your ministry and you're nervous and you're afraid and you don't know how to proceed I'll tell you how to proceed get your foot off the brake pedal and hit the gas pedal say Lord I'm doing it in you I'm coming in your name I'm believing you for great things we accelerate through this year we're going to navigate the waters as we go through them but listen every week you better come in the house of the Lord early maybe why not make that a new habit just a thought and come in with expectancy come on don't come running and dragging yourself as if you're exhausted and worn out and it's our blessing that you showed up but come in here saying where can I plug in today what can I do today who needs my smile today I'll give it away and get another one out ah my wife said to me this morning why you're awful chipper this morning I said baby this is the first Sunday everybody ought to be in church I'm glad I'm a better person when they're there she said you got that right anyway stand with me would you Church you need to understand something pastor's heart and it's just me talking to you and then we're going to open this altar up I am human as you are is that okay I know some of you are distraught now I make mistakes I don't sometimes follow through I know sometimes I drop the ball I know there are times when I mess up and I try not to so desperately and I may try to help you and encourage you and in the process you're worse often before that wasn't my intent I'm learning just like you are but one thing I have noticed about the grace of God is it works for all of us works for all of us it works for all of us I want to know today is anybody excited about serving the lord are you strong today because you've got joy of the Holy Ghost in your soul in your heart come on this altar is open for everybody in this church there's plenty of room up here would you come come on as a family we're going to gather together as a family we're going to pray together in this altar the spirit of the Lord is here right now come on Church great opportunity come to the altar don't be afraid of this altar the safest place you could ever find yourself is in this altar yeah yeah yeah yeah come on come on this is the best place you can be right here in the presence of the Lord at an altar come on at an altar the altar is where blood is shed the altar is where it's also accepted come on the altar come on would you lift your hands in the altar today Jesus we love you Jesus come on somebody you know how to pray pray open your mouth pray Jesus I love you oh God I need you Lord help me God to take my foot off the break Lord I don't know why I'm hesitating I don't know why I'm dragging I don't know why I'm pulling that I know help me God to accelerate at this time to move forward in the Kingdom oh come on let's try Hallelujah oh come on in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus oh come on would you spend time with him right now come on lift your voice to him that's right let praise erupt from your insides come on let the joy of the Lord be straight to you right now sweet Lamb of God I love you come on let's try spend time with him right now I've come to Love You Lord I desperately need you Jesus I need your hand in my life Lord show me the way Jesus open opportunities God help me Lord to accelerate through them to to trust you God to believe you Jesus that's right that's right that's right come on with all of your heart lean not to your own understanding come on acknowledge him he'll direct your path come to love you Jesus I've come to worship you Jesus I've come to bless you Jesus Hallelujah to the name Hallelujah to the name of Jesus to the name of Jesus to the name of Jesus holy is the Lord Worthy is the Lamb Worthy is the name hallelujah hallelujah foreign I love you Jesus God of Glory it's time to move forward in you don't let me be afraid God let me Trust don't let fear and doubt over overshadow me God let me Trust if you are calling Lord then you are making if you are reaching for me Lord you've already crossed the span and there's a way for me to get to you come on let's try Jesus yeah grab a hold of somebody around you come on pray with them Lord let them see you God let their Vision be clear right now Lord of you we must accelerate oh come on pray Church come on pray Church Hallelujah somebody wants the Holy Ghost today come on pray Church that's right reach over to somebody else pray with them come on there are answers to prayer in this house foreign you're worthy you are worthy Lamb of God you're worthy Lamb of God you're worthy I need you Jesus that's right come on pray for someone else it's okay you can leave the place where you are and go pray for them Lord anoint today leading guide today Jesus let the prayer Faith heal the sick let the prayer of faith do its work Lord in the lives of people oh that's right come on love the Lord love the Lord I bless you Jesus I need you Lord I need you Lord I need you Lord Jesus holy is your name Worthy is your name blessed is your name I need you Jesus how I love you Jesus you're worthy Lord I will bless your name oh come on church it's time to move forward time to accelerate come on God you you've got a plan Lord and I'm all in I'm all in Jesus I'm all in Lord I'm ready to move forward in you I'm ready to move forward and you God your plan is perfect it's right it works it's already thought through the details are already laid out Hallelujah Jesus somebody say in Jesus name there are so many opportunities so many ways that we can be used in the Kingdom so many ways that God can open doors for us amen how many believe your part church family can y'all help me then y'all pray right now with me for brother herb all that situation with his mom passing away you know he's hurting come on pray with you Lord bless my friend this family the family there those traveling send Mercy with them send traveling Mercy with them let them find their God peace in all of this hurt God I pray for that Speak Life into them Lord even in the Valley of the shadow of death there is still hope in you God be with them honor them Jesus honor them Lord I thank you church family continue this week to pray for them
Scripture references as spoken: Hebrews 10:22-25; Matthew 24:9-13; 1 Corinthians (book-only, as spoken).