Sunday Morning Worship Service 5-24-26

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:01:43]You too. May we stand this morning?

[00:01:50]The Lord is in his holy temple.

[00:01:52]And we have come this way once again.

[00:01:55]And we know that a consuming fire will come through this place today. If you can join in with me today on hymn number one. Holy, holy, holy. Amen.

[00:02:07]Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty.

[00:02:24]Early in the morning sun shall rise to thee.

[00:02:39]Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty God in person.

[00:03:02]Blessed Trinity number two.

[00:03:10]Holy, holy, holy adore surrounding.

[00:04:02]Ever more shall be number four.

[00:04:09]Holy, holy, holy, holy Yeah.

[00:04:30]Heat.

[00:04:40]Heat. Heat.

[00:04:50]Heat. Heat. Heat.

[00:05:00]Heat. Heat. Heat.

[00:05:10]Heat. Heat.

[00:05:20]might be in the morning.

[00:05:29]Our song shall rise to you.

[00:05:37]Holy, holy, holy.

[00:05:47]Yeah.

[00:05:51]Heat.

[00:06:06]Amen. Thank you.

[00:06:10]>> You may be seated. At this time, we will have our scripture reading by Deaconist Bird. I'm sorry. Stand up.

[00:06:20]Our scripture reading by Deaconist Bird and our prayer by Deacon uh Donna Watts.

[00:06:30]>> Good morning, Mount Olive. Good morning.

[00:06:32]>> I will be reading Galatians 5 NIV verse starting at verse 22 to 26.

[00:06:40]Let us read.

[00:06:42]>> But the fruit of the spirit is love.

[00:06:44]>> Yes.

[00:06:45]>> Joy, >> yes.

[00:06:46]>> Peace, >> forbearance, >> kindness, goodness, >> faithfulness, >> gentleness, and self-control.

[00:06:56]>> Against such things there is no law.

[00:06:59]Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with his passions and desires.

[00:07:07]>> Since we live by the spirit, >> let us keep in step with the spirit.

[00:07:12]>> Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

[00:07:17]>> May the Lord add a blessing to his word.

[00:07:19]Amen.

[00:07:20]>> Amen.

[00:07:26]>> Holy, holy, holy. Our God and father, we come before you, Lord, for the scripture says, "What is man that thou art mindful of him and a son of man that thou should visit him?"

[00:07:43]Dear Lord, we should only be an afterthought, Lord, because we are men and women, Lord, fallible and flawed, Lord, creatures made out of clay, Lord, easily broken, Lord. But you, Father, has chosen us to be the crown of your creation.

[00:08:00]>> And for that we are grateful, Lord.

[00:08:02]>> For that we are grateful. And our father, it has been said, Lord, that there's two most important things in a person life is the day they were born and the day they found out why. And these things are true, Lord, because you have given us the breath of life. And we thank you for that, Lord. And you have given us the why, why we're here, Lord.

[00:08:24]You have given us purpose, oh Lord, for our purpose, Father, is to serve you and to glorify you and to and just do all the things, Father, that you would have us to do, Lord, because you are such a great God. We do these things freely, Lord. Uh, Father, we confess, Lord, that we are needy people, Lord. And, Father, we just ask, Father, that you would supply our needs according to your riches in Christ Jesus. Lord, we confess before you, Lord, that there are times, Father, that we are easily gone astray, >> easily coaxed in doing the wrong thing, oh Lord, but Father, you are our shepherd. You have given us a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jesus Christ. And we thank you for the good shepherd, Lord. We thank you for him, Lord. Now, Father, as we come before you as a church today, Lord, we ask, Father, that you give us the enthusiasm, Lord, the same enthusiasm, Lord, when the day we ask you to come into our lives, Lord, cuz we love you, Lord, only because you first loved us. So, Father, we're thankful for that, Lord.

[00:09:28]But we ask you Lord as a young man Lord who runs Lord and could feel the strength in his loings.

[00:09:35]Oh Lord the young lady Lord who walks in in her grace and senses her beauty. Lord we ask that we would be Father enthusiastic about the things of God. That we would be Father renewed Lord. that we would be young in our spirit, Father, when it comes to being purposeful and intentional, Lord, to just giving you the glory, to giving you our lives, oh Lord, for Father, we just owe you all, Lord, >> for what the scriptures tells us, oh Lord, and is so true, is in him >> we live and move and have our being.

[00:10:13]>> And Lord, we just ask, Father, this day, Lord, >> we invite you into this place.

[00:10:17]>> Lord, >> we want you to be here. Lord, we ask, Father, that you would touch our pastor today. Lord, we ask that you would hide him behind the cross. Oh Lord, we ask that you, Lord, would give him a word for your people. Oh Lord, because sometimes, Father, life gets the better of us, oh Lord. We just need encouragement, Lord. So, oh Lord, we ask for a word of encouragement, Lord. We pray for our first lady, Lord, that she would continue, oh Lord, helping her husband, Lord, and the things that you would have her to do, Lord. Lord, >> encouraging him, oh Lord, standing beside him, Lord, >> talking to him, Lord, when he may get discouraged. So Lord, we pray for our first family, Lord.

[00:10:59]>> We just ask that you would be with them, Lord. And for every saint in this building today, Lord, we just ask from a word from you, Lord. Just our faces are different, Lord.

[00:11:12]Many times our needs are also. So we just ask that you would just look into our hearts.

[00:11:17]>> Look into our lives, Lord. Look into our our mind, Lord, our emotions, our father, our spirit. Give us what is needed, oh Lord, that we may run this race, oh Lord. Oh Lord, cuz we long for that day when we hear you say, "Well done."

[00:11:38]>> Well done, >> good and faithful servant. So Lord, we just give this service over to you today, Lord.

[00:11:43]>> Yes, Lord.

[00:11:44]>> We thank you.

[00:11:45]>> And no other name than a matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

[00:11:51]>> Amen.

[00:12:27]Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Deaconist Bird, for that scripture reading and Deacon Watts for that further prayer. At this time, we open up the devotions to anyone that has something they would like to say.

[00:12:42]Excuse me. Ushers, can you open the doors to see if there's anyone waiting to come in?

[00:12:58]Good morning, church.

[00:13:01]Thank God for another morning to be in the house of the Lord. I stand here. Um I had we had one of our own members that's in need of prayer this morning.

[00:13:13]Uh Sister Barbara Parker.

[00:13:16]Uh she texted me last night um and said she lost her aunt on yesterday. Uh her name was Ruby Brown. So I'm sure a lot of y'all related to Barbara. Y'all should may know who she talking about.

[00:13:29]And she text me this morning. She said she had a cousin died this morning on on her way to the hospital. Her name is Tracy Jones.

[00:13:38]So I want to let you know that you have that those family in prayer and sister Barb Parker and also want y'all know that we celebrate Sherman's birthday yesterday.

[00:13:54]>> It was thanks sister Linda Zal for coming by sharing it with us. God bless you.

[00:14:00]>> Amen. Amen.

[00:14:04]>> Happy birthday.

[00:14:10]I have something I would like to share.

[00:14:14]As many of you have heard me talk about my dad being in uh in and out of rehab pretty much over the last year. Uh he's currently in a rehab and um he's been there since the 8th of of this month.

[00:14:29]And I got a call the other day from the facility saying that they had received notice from Medicare of non-coage and that he would need to discharge in two days.

[00:14:39]Um I received it and I told her I said okay but he won't he won't discharge because I had to go through an appeal process and when you receive those notices you only have until 12:00 the next day to to complete the appeal. Uh so I got off the phone immediately prayed. Little anxiety kicked in but it was a test of faith.

[00:15:03]>> Uh because I've been down this road before and you know the appeal process can be a little daunting because what you write in there determines the end result of the decision from the physician. So I had to gather notes from the therapists and the nursing notes um and and wrote the appeal. This time it took a little longer for the response to come than normal. Um but when it did come back the physician agreed that services should not end. Uh so he continued in the facility. Uh facility called me next day and they said yeah you were right he was not leaving. So just to to say this, if you have a family member that you are responsible for particularly with their health care, stay on top of things because it is important because you know, particularly if they're not familiar with the process, then more than likely, yes, that would have happened. So uh just uh test of faith and uh know that God is still able.

[00:16:03]Okay. All right. If there's not another, we'll go ahead and turn this over to you, Brother Vaughn. And we ask that the Lord have his way in this service. And thank you for your participation.

[00:16:42]Church said amen.

[00:16:44]Church said amen again. Thank God for Jesus and thank him for his sanctifying power. THANK HIM FOR THE FIRE that fell down from heaven on this Pentecost Sunday. Sing with the choir. You can't make me doubt him.

[00:17:06]You can't make me doubt him.

[00:17:09]You can't make me down in my heart.

[00:17:16]You can't make me.

[00:17:20]I know about him.

[00:17:24]You can't make me in my heart. Everybody sing it. Come on, Zion. Yes, sir. You gave me good.

[00:17:34]You gave me in my heart.

[00:17:45]You gave me.

[00:17:48]I know about you. Yes, sir. You can't in my heart.

[00:17:58]Well, I've got the love of Jesus.

[00:18:03]Got the love of Jesus.

[00:18:07]Got the love of Jesus in my heart.

[00:18:14]I love Jesus.

[00:18:18]I love Jesus. Yes, I love Jesus in my heart.

[00:18:27]Well, I feel the prayer wheel turning.

[00:18:32]Feel the prayer wheel turning.

[00:18:35]Feel the prayer wheel turning in my heart.

[00:18:43]Feel the prayer wheel turning. Yeah.

[00:18:46]Feel the wheel turning. Yes. Feel the wheel turning.

[00:18:53]Now see this part's about the liturgy.

[00:18:55]Yes sir. Feel that fire burning.

[00:19:01]Feel the fire burning.

[00:19:04]Feel the fire burning in my heart.

[00:19:10]Yes, I feel the fire burning.

[00:19:15]Feel the fire burning. Yes, I feel the fire burning. Come on, let's clap your hands and let's have some church.

[00:19:37]Heat.

[00:19:52]Hey. Hey. Oh, you can't make me without him. Come on. You can't you know too much about you. You can't my heart.

[00:20:22]I feel the fire burning. Come on. Feel the fire burning. Yes, I feel the fire burning in my heart.

[00:20:37]I feel the fire burning. I feel the fire burning. Yes, I feel the fire burning.

[00:20:47]Oh, that one more. We got to get out of here. Oh yes, I feel the fire burning.

[00:20:54]Come on now. Feel the fire burning.

[00:20:59]Feel the fire burning in my heart.

[00:21:05]Stay there. Feel the fire burning.

[00:21:09]I feel the fire burning. Stay there.

[00:21:13]Feel the fire burning. Yes, I feel the fire burning. Yes, I feel the fire burning. Yes, I feel the fire burning.

[00:21:26]Yes, I feel the fire burning. Yeah, feel the fire burning. Yes, I feel the fire.

[00:21:38]Feel the fire burning spirit down.

[00:21:43]Yes, I feel feel burning. Yes, I feel the fire burning in my heart.

[00:21:59]Can feel the fire burning.

[00:22:03]Feel the fire burning in my heart. Is that anyone in here this morning just can feel the fire of Jesus Christ in your heart this morning?

[00:22:13]For this is the day that the Lord has made.

[00:22:17]We will rejoice and be glad in it.

[00:22:22]We come this morning to welcome each and every one of you into the fellowship of Jesus Christ, >> into the house of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[00:22:34]And this morning is a day of Pentecost.

[00:22:44]And I have a little piece here I want to read just before I go into the prayer for the morning. It's at Pentecost.

[00:22:53]A quick search for Pentecost is the definition indicates that indicates it commemorates and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.

[00:23:06]>> But what is Pentecost meaning in our lives today?

[00:23:12]It is certainly an important commemoration and anniversary of the glorious historical event.

[00:23:22]It is also a celebration of the present reality.

[00:23:28]The present reality as followers of Christ signify that they believers today are still led by the inddwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Do you feel Jesus Christ and your sister's point?

[00:23:52]We know because of this day, we need to go forward and let the world know that Jesus is still in our hearts today, just like they were back then.

[00:24:04]Let us pray.

[00:24:11]Almighty in our wise, my heavenly father, father, in your presence, Father, we bow. Father, we come this morning thanking you, my heavenly father, for allowing us to come back this way one more time.

[00:24:25]We come this way this morning, Father, to thank you for allowing us to get up out of our beds this morning, Father, and grow ourselves and eat nourishing food that would strengthen us throughout this day. Father, we thank you this morning >> because Father, you allowed each one of us to realize in our hearts and in our minds, Father, that we are nothing without you.

[00:24:53]That Father, we come back today to say, "Thank you. Thank you, Father God, for all that I am and all that I will be in Jesus Christ."

[00:25:03]Father, we ask you this morning that you will continue to bless this little house in the curve of the road.

[00:25:10]Bless it, oh heavenly father, that we can be a light unto someone's pathway.

[00:25:15]That we can be the sound that opened their heart and their minds, Father, to let them realize that Jesus Christ is still alive today.

[00:25:26]Father, let them realize that all they have to do is reach up to that reaching down hand to let them realize, Father God, that we must change our mindset and our hearts, Father, to follow you.

[00:25:41]And Father, that everything would be all right.

[00:25:45]Father, we ask you this morning to touch each one of us, each one, each home that's represented here this morning and each child and each family that's here this morning. Touch us, oh heavenly father, and build us up where we're torn down and strengthen us where we're weak.

[00:26:03]Strengthen us, Father God, that we will understand that we are in the world but not of the world. That, Father, you are still in control.

[00:26:12]Strengthen us, oh heavenly father, that all we have to do is turn to you.

[00:26:17]And father, you are still standing by our side.

[00:26:22]Father, we thank you today because Father, we didn't have to be this morning be here this morning.

[00:26:29]Father, we've heard this morning of some that has passed during the night or early this morning. But Father, you blessed us to come back this way one more time. Thank you, Lord. Open us up as we sit here today, Father God, that our hearts and mind will receive your word and let it become a part of our daily living, Father God, that we can be used in your service. Father God, if you do these things for us, we'll be ever so careful to give you all of the honor, the glory, and the praise for all that we are. But most of all, Father, all that we shall be in the precious and matches name of Jesus Christ, your son, but our Lord and Savior, it's in Jesus name. And let all the saints of God say amen.

[00:27:23]>> Amen.

[00:27:24]>> Amen.

[00:27:26]>> Amen.

[00:27:28]>> Jesus name.

[00:27:31]Holy Spirit.

[00:27:36]Holy Spirit sweet with your Oh, we lift our hearts in praise.

[00:28:22]Without a doubt, we'll know that we have been receiveing will be coming from Acts chapter 2:ES 14- 21 the NIV version then Peter stood up with the 11 raised his voice and address the crowd fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem let me explain this to you listen carefully to what I say >> these people are not as close it's only 9 >> no this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.

[00:29:24]>> In the last days, God says, "I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams >> even on my servants, both men and women.

[00:29:42]I will pour out my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." Oh, oops.

[00:29:48]I will show you wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below.

[00:29:54]Blood and fire and smoke.

[00:29:58]>> The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

[00:30:06]Alto together and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

[00:30:13]Amen.

[00:30:14]>> Join us in the hymn of the morning.

[00:30:15]Revive us again.

[00:30:27]We praise thee, oh God, for the son of my love. For Jesus who died and is now.

[00:30:39]Hallelujah.

[00:30:41]Glory. Hallelujah.

[00:30:45]Hallelujah.

[00:30:46]I us again. We praise thee, oh God, for all our savior and our hallelujah.

[00:31:05]Hallelujah.

[00:31:08]Hallelujah.

[00:31:10]Glory be.

[00:31:14]All glory and praise to the lamb that was save and all our sins and everything.

[00:31:26]Hallelujah.

[00:31:28]Glory. Hallelujah.

[00:31:30]Amen. Hallelujah.

[00:31:33]Glory.

[00:31:37]Revive us again.

[00:31:42]Oh my god.

[00:32:21]Good morning again.

[00:32:24]>> Good morning again.

[00:32:28]>> Now you sound like you got something on your stomach. The spirit of the Lord is in there somewhere. Amen. Amen. on this great getting up morning. We welcome everyone here.

[00:32:43]>> So if we have any visitors here for the first time, we ask that you stand, state your name and any small remark.

[00:32:56]Hallelujah.

[00:32:57]Hallelujah. That mean that family is all up in here this morning. I might not say all the English right, but we up in here this morning.

[00:33:08]Amen. To God be the glory. But we always want to say that the pastor and the first lady still says hello >> and welcome. To God be the glory.

[00:33:24]>> Good morning, Mount Olive. These are your announcements for the upcoming week. On the road with Pastor Edmonds.

[00:33:29]On Sunday, June 7th, 2026, Pastor Edmonds will be preaching at Little Forest Baptist Church, Stafford, Virginia at 2:30 p.m. for their scholarship program. Let us go and support our pastor.

[00:33:44]Here comes Junth. Join us in celebrating freedom, culture, and community. On Saturday, June 6th, the District 16th, Junth celebration will be held at North Stafford High School from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The MOBC Evangelism and Outreach Ministry will participate with the table setup. If your ministry is interested in partner with the Evangelism Ministry table, please see Deacon Derek Washington or Dr. Love's son Parent. This is a wonderful familyfriendly event packed with opportunities to support our community.

[00:34:22]Enjoy food, fellowship, activities, and many resources. Then on Tuesday, June 16th, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors will present Pastor Edmonds a proclamation honoring Junth on behalf of the black community. Finally, you're invited to join our local Stafford County NAACP on Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th at Colonial Forge High School.

[00:34:51]Tickets and T-shirts are available in limited supply at staffordnaacp.org.

[00:34:58]To learn more, please see Sister Yolanda Russell or Dr. Loveson Parents. Happy Father's Day. On Sunday, June 21st, we will salute all fathers. We will also observe our annual men's day. May God continue to bless each of you. Save the date. Join us for a mountaintop experience filled with spiritual rejuvenation at our inaugural offsite church retreat taking place July 24th to July 26th at the beautiful Serenity Inn and events in Elton, Virginia. For more information, please see Sister Hazel Bumry, Sister Robin Edwards, or Dr. Loveson Sun Parent.

[00:35:44]Coming soon, join us for vacation Bible school June 22nd through the June 24th.

[00:35:51]If you are interested in serving as a teacher, leading crafts or activities, please sign up today. We thank you for joining us in worship today. These are your announcements. And this is Mount Olive Baptist Church. The church where everybody is somebody for God.

[00:36:12]>> Amen. Amen. Amen.

[00:36:14]>> Let the church say amen.

[00:36:15]>> Amen.

[00:36:16]>> Let the church say amen.

[00:36:18]>> Amen.

[00:36:19]>> Amen. Amen. We thank God for another Sunday in which he's blessed us. Amen.

[00:36:24]>> Amen.

[00:36:25]>> Amen. Oh, I can hear.

[00:36:29]Amen. Thank you, brother Von. Amen. And this isn't just any any Sunday church.

[00:36:35]This is Pentecost Sunday. Amen. Amen.

[00:36:38]And that's something to celebrate and to give God some praise for cuz this Sunday represents the birth of the church.

[00:36:45]Amen.

[00:36:47]>> And the wind and the fire that came down from heaven. Amen. So, we're looking forward to having a a high and holy time on this Pentecost Sunday. Won't you stand to your feet and give God some praise up in here? Amen.

[00:37:01]Amen. Give him some praise. He's been too good to us, hasn't he? Amen. Amen. I don't know about you, I'm still on the high from last Sunday. Amen. As God has just blessed this great church for 208 years. Amen. Amen. 208 years of being on the battlefield for the Lord. Because there's so many churches that have opened their doors in the last 208 years >> that are no longer around.

[00:37:32]>> Amen. But God saw fit and had favor on this branch of Zion that we aren't on life support. Amen. We're still going strong. Amen. So we thank God and we praise him and we give him glory for that. Amen. Amen. You may take your seats on this Sunday. God bless each one of you. We thank all of our ministries that are serving us so faithfully on this Fourth Sunday. God bless our our men's choir who they they always look sharp and sound good. God bless you my brothers and our musicians as well. Our minister of music, Brother Von Bird, our percussionist, Trusty Leah Connley and the two on the guitar lead guitar, Brother VJ and the basist Deacon Smith.

[00:38:17]God bless you. We thank God for folks that got talent and are using their talent to glorify the Lord. Amen.

[00:38:24]>> Amen. And of course, we thank our ushers who always do just such a wonderful job for us every Sunday and serving us so faithfully. Amen. Amen. Uh we thank those that uh have come out on this Sunday morning. Little rain a little earlier. We know how we get sometimes when it get a little rainy. Amen.

[00:38:43]>> Amen. Amen. But we thank each of you that have made your way out on this Pentecost Sunday as well. I do want to just highlight real quickly, uh, you saw the announcement, uh, relative to the church retreat. Um, I want to encourage everyone, come to the church retreat if you're able to. Amen.

[00:39:05]>> Amen. Amen. We're going to just have a great time of Kania, but it's also going to be a time where you can rejuvenate and relax. Amen.

[00:39:14]>> The Mass Nutton Resort has a lot of different amenities. cuz I know I'm looking forward to my wife and I doing a a couple's massage or something, you know. Amen. Amen. Amen. But there are a lot of different amenities. So, you're going to have an opportunity to enjoy a lot of those amenities. In addition, there will be some time of spiritual formation, but we're just going to have a time just to enjoy just the awesomeness of God and the beautiful mountains of Massanutton as well. So, I do want Deacon Bird to come up at this time and just to share a little bit about our upcoming church retreat. Amen.

[00:39:52]>> Let us receive him with a hand clap of praise.

[00:39:59]Thank you, pastor. Isn't God great?

[00:40:02]>> Amen.

[00:40:02]>> Amen.

[00:40:04]as the pastor just uh alluded to and as you saw um in the announcements um we're planning this uh retreat in Massanetton um I've come before you just briefly to share some of the details of things that are going on there. For example uh just to make sure that everyone everyone is aware that the offsite off-site retreat is uh July 24th through 26. That's important because that's my birthday weekend. So remember that.

[00:40:36]Um uh we wanted to remind everyone who's going to reserve your condo at Massanutton, uh deadline for the MOBC Stafford group block is 6:24 2026. So it's just about a month out. um should you decide to stay at another location because you have that option.

[00:40:55]Um the uh I think if you're going to look for uh additional uh lodging, you could look for Elton, Virginia or Harrisonburg, Virginia. Um um please contact Sister Robin or Sister um uh I'm sorry, Robin Edwards or Sister Hazel Bumbre so that they can uh properly plan for the food and activities u so that you're included. um what you can expect.

[00:41:21]You will hear from either uh sister Edwards or sister Brumre to confirm the number of guests in your party and ages so that we can adequately plan for meals and other activities. Okay. Um transportation is available from MOBC here to the retreat site. Um we'll we'll support through the van the transportation ministry. um uh to serenity in um and mass um the events and mass nut and res resorts.

[00:41:52]What that means is we'll get you there and then we'll get you between the the sites while you're there. Um there will be many activities planned for devotional time, praise and worship, free time and fun. Examples include Friday night we're going to have a com comedy featuring Reverend Dr. Angie Lewis. Um, I've heard that she is very, very funny. So, please come and enjoy.

[00:42:16]Uh, we're going to have a prayer walk, prayer boarding, vow renewal, which I am re really ready and interested in in renewing my vows with my beautiful wife.

[00:42:27]For any couples that are are interested in that, please u reach out to the couples ministry, myself, my wife, and the other um the other leaders to let us know if you would like to participate so we can plan and make sure we have a good count on people who are going to do that. Um Friday night um is going to be theme night. We're gonna It's going to be entitled dynamic duos where we where you will pair with a partner and dress as a duo such as salt and pepper, Batman and Robin, peanut butter and jelly, or whatever you combo or duo you can come up with.

[00:43:02]Uh Saturday themed 70s night, dress in your best 70s outfit and participate in the fashion show and other activities.

[00:43:10]Um and then also there will be uh both paid and free activities available for all ages. Okay. On Sunday morning you have an option. Um uh Sunday morning services will be held in two locations that day.

[00:43:24]>> Amen.

[00:43:25]>> Um as as normal at and regularly church services will be held here at MOBC. The pastor will come back here and have church service for anyone here who wants to have uh church service at MOC. as well as we will have uh one of the preachers who is traveling with us have service at Matt at in Massan Nutton on Sunday morning if you choose to stay and enjoy the scenery and take your time on your way back. So you have an option and then and then finally um there will be a question and answer uh session in the vestibule right after church. See either sister uh Edwards or Sister Bombay. They can answer any questions you may have.

[00:44:06]Isn't God good? And this would be an excellent way for us to continue our growth and our relationship with God. So I encourage you to come and participate.

[00:44:15]>> Amen.

[00:44:16]>> Thank you.

[00:44:16]>> Amen. Amen.

[00:44:20]Amen. Amen. God bless you. God bless you, Deacon Bird. I I think I would like that dynamic duo tonight. Amen. You gave some good examples. You know, throwing peaches and herbs. You know, just don't come dressed as I can. Okay. Amen. Amen.

[00:44:35]But we're looking forward to it. And I prayed on some things, Deacon Bird. So, actually, pastor is going to be preaching Sunday in Massutton. Amen.

[00:44:45]Amen. We gonna close out with the word up in the mountains. Amen. As we have a mountaintop experience. So, please sign up for our annual church retreat as we know that God is going to move so mightily. I want to also recognize uh a couple of our uh college students that have come to church. Amen. I see we have brother Josiah and Sister Kendra that are here as well. If y'all are stand just real quickly so we can recognize and show you some love. Amen. Amen. We thank God for both of you. And I just want you to know you're in our thoughts and in our prayers as you both continue to excel athletically on the football field and on the basketball court, but most importantly academically in the classroom as well. Amen. So, we thank God for you worshiping with us on this Sunday. Amen. Amen. Thank you. You may be seated. It says a lot that now that school is over with, the semester is over with, they've come to the house of the Lord. Amen.

[00:45:46]>> To give God some praise. So, we thank them and their parents as well. And we also need some volunteers uh for the nursery ministry. If you're interested in volunteering for the nursery ministry, we ask that you see Sister Tanya Johnson or Sister Tish Acres. We definitely need some additional volunteers for our nursery ministry. And we're standing up a transportation ministry as well. Amen. Amen. As you know, we purchased the new church van.

[00:46:13]This ministry is being headed by our very capable and energetic deacon Watts.

[00:46:19]Amen.

[00:46:21]Amen. So, if you're interested in becoming a part of this great ministry because we want to make sure that if people want to get to church, they're able to get to church. Amen. Please see Deacon Watson. He'll be more than happy to give you some information relative to our transportation ministry. Amen. We thank all those that are watching virtually by way of Facebook and YouTube. We do feel your presence in this place on Pentecost Sunday. God bless you, my sisters and brothers. And let us praise the Lord this Sunday morning. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[00:46:59]Man Olive, it's giving time. Has God been good to you?

[00:47:04]>> Praise the Lord. The Lord is blessing us right now.

[00:47:08]>> I'mma get it a little bit louder. It's time to give our tithe.

[00:47:14]>> Titheong to the Lord because the tithe of the land of the land or fruit of the tree, it is the Lord. It is holy to the Lord.

[00:47:27]>> Why should we tithe?

[00:47:29]>> We give because we love the Lord and recognize that the Lord is the source of our past, present, and future blessings.

[00:47:38]>> How should I give today?

[00:47:40]>> Cheerfully. Because God loves cheerful giving.

[00:47:43]>> What is God's promise to those who tithe all together >> and pour out a blessing that you will not have room to receive it? Give and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall it be poured into your life.

[00:48:03]For with the same measure you give, it shall be returned to you again. As you see on the screen, there are three ways to give. And right now, we're giving the most important way. And we will now have the diggers take charge.

[00:48:48]You Be God's spirit.

[00:48:58]No matter how you try, you can. You can keep us no matter how.

[00:49:20]And just as sure as you are living and the Lord is in heaven all high.

[00:49:36]The more you give, the more he gives to you.

[00:49:46]Just keep on giving because it's really true that you can giving no matter how.

[00:50:07]Oh.

[00:50:15]Oh.

[00:50:34]Let us pray.

[00:50:36]Most heavenly father, we bow before you in humbleness and gratitude.

[00:50:42]Thank you, Lord God, for allowing those who have to give right now. Bless those who wanted to give, Lord God. Lord God, we ask that this this offering will be used to continue the building of your kingdoms. And it's in Jesus' name we do pray. Amen.

[00:51:07]All things. All things.

[00:51:19]Yeah.

[00:51:21]Heat.

[00:51:40]Jesus.

[00:51:44]Jesus.

[00:51:54]Heat.

[00:52:08]Heat.

[00:52:16]Heat.

[00:52:28]Heat.

[00:52:37]Heat.

[00:52:40]Heat.

[00:52:57]something more. I said something got a hold got a hold on me.

[00:53:12]I said something got a hold got a hold on me.

[00:53:18]I tell you what I did.

[00:53:27]But I see you got me.

[00:53:34]Listen, he was at a revival on the morning's bench. My heart was filled with misery.

[00:53:43]The same God touched my mother. He laid his hands on me. I said I said something. You got a hold. You got a hold on me.

[00:53:56]Oh, yes you did. I said something. You got a hold on me.

[00:54:04]I tell you what I did. I wish you in my heart just wasn't right. But I see something you got to hold on.

[00:54:20]Listen, it was singing. Come ye that love the Lord and let your joys be known.

[00:54:28]I join in that same song. A sweet accord and thus around the throne. I said something. You got a hold. Got a hold on me.

[00:54:42]Oh yes. I said something. You got a hold on me.

[00:54:50]I tell you what I did. I went to a meeting one night in my heart. It's just my life. I said son on me.

[00:55:08]Come here that love the Lord and I thought they were singing to me.

[00:55:15]Something hit me from the crown of my head all through the souls of my feet. I said now something you got a hold on me.

[00:55:27]Oh yes. I say something. Got a hold on me. Got a hold on me.

[00:55:35]Oh, I tell you. I went through a meeting one night in my heart.

[00:55:42]It just wasn't right. I said something.

[00:55:47]Let's go. I tell you what it was. Well, it was the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost.

[00:55:55]The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. I went to I tell you was the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost.

[00:56:21]The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost.

[00:56:29]Something got a hold on me.

[00:56:36]Well, I Something got a hold. Got a hold on me.

[00:56:42]Oh, yes. Did I say something got a hold on me? Got a hold on me.

[00:56:50]I tell you what I did. I went to a meeting one night and my heart just was right.

[00:56:59]He call something got a hold on me.

[00:57:06]Well, I said something got a got a hold on me on me.

[00:57:13]Oh, yes. I say something got a hold got a hold on me.

[00:57:21]I tell you what I did. I went to a meeting one night and my heart just was something.

[00:57:42]Yeah.

[00:57:44]It was the HOLY GHOST >> fire you.

[00:57:48]>> The Holy Ghost, it'll make you do right.

[00:57:51]The Holy Ghost, it'll make you sing right. The Holy Ghost. Come on, y'all.

[00:57:58]Y'all got that Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Baptist. Can you say about the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost.

[00:58:06]The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost.

[00:58:17]Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost.

[00:58:19]I went to meet him.

[00:58:26]Well, it was the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost.

[00:58:35]Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost.

[00:58:38]The Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost.

[00:58:41]HOLY GHOST.

[00:58:54]YES, LORD.

[00:58:56]YES, LORD. YES, LORD. Something's got a hold on me. Oh, it's the Holy Ghost, church.

[00:59:06]Holy Ghost got a hold on me. Oh, I love that. That's a throwback right there.

[00:59:14]>> Amen. Amen. Y'all sang that. Amen. God bless you. God bless you, Deacon Jones.

[00:59:20]>> Something's got a hold >> on me. Oh, man. What a very appropriate song for Pentecost Sunday. Amen. Anybody out there know something about the Holy Ghost? Amen.

[00:59:35]Amen. Amen.

[00:59:37]Thank you. Thank you, choir. God bless you. you blessed me with that one. Amen.

[00:59:42]There is indeed a word from God on this Pentecost Sunday. And if you'll turn with me to the book of Acts, chapter 2, and I'll be reading verses 1-8.

[00:59:53]Acts 2:es 1-8. And I'll be reading from the New International Version. If you see it or you have it, say amen.

[01:00:03]>> Amen.

[01:00:04]>> Amen. And it reads as follows.

[01:00:07]When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

[01:00:15]Suddenly, somebody say, "Suddenly."

[01:00:18]>> Suddenly.

[01:00:19]>> Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

[01:00:30]They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit enabled them. Now they were still staying in Jerusalem.

[01:00:58]God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment because each one heard their own language being spoken.

[01:01:14]Utterly amazed, they asked, "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans?

[01:01:21]Then how is it that each of us hears them in our own native language?

[01:01:28]the word of God to the people of God. Oh, the choir said it was the Holy Ghost. Amen. May God bless the hearers, but most importantly the doers of his sacred and holy word. You may be seated in this place on this Pentecost Sunday, Maral Baptist Church. I want to preach on the subject Pentecost was only the beginning.

[01:01:58]>> Amen.

[01:01:59]>> Pentecost >> was only the beginning.

[01:02:06]Mad, there are some moments in life that change everything.

[01:02:11]One phone call >> can change everything.

[01:02:15]>> One diagnosis can change everything.

[01:02:19]One decision, one opportunity can alter the trajectory of your entire life.

[01:02:26]>> Some moments become turning points in your life. Life before it happened >> and then life after it happened.

[01:02:34]>> You see, you remember where you were in that moment when it happened >> and how you felt when it happened as well. Because some moments are so powerful that life never returns to normal afterward. Oh church, that was Pentecost.

[01:02:53]>> That's what Pentecost was about. You see, Pentecost was more than just a church service.

[01:03:00]>> It was more than an emotional moment. It was a divine interruption that changed everything. You see, Pentecost was heaven invading earth. the moment where fearful disciples became fearless witnesses and the church stepped into power. And can I tell you something this morning, church?

[01:03:22]>> The miracle of Pentecost was never just the wind, >> never just the fire or speaking in tongues.

[01:03:30]>> The real miracle of Pentecost was what the Holy Spirit produced in people.

[01:03:37]Because before Pentecost, >> Peter was denying Jesus.

[01:03:43]>> Before Pentecost, >> the disciples were hiding behind locked and closed doors.

[01:03:50]>> Before Pentecost, >> they were fearful, >> uncertain, intimidated, and broken. But after Pentecost, I said after Pentecost, church, that same Peter who denied Jesus stood publicly and preached Christ WITH BOLDNESS. THOSE SAME DISCIPLES who hid in fear, they walk openly with power.

[01:04:14]Because when the Holy Ghost >> when the Holy GHOST SHOWS UP, >> IT DOESN'T just change atmospheres, >> it changes people. And I believe that's the word for the church today >> because too many believers have reduced Pentecost to something that we just celebrate instead of something that we continue.

[01:04:37]>> You see, we shout about Pentecost, but we don't walk with Pentecost power.

[01:04:42]>> We celebrate the fire, but we avoid the assignment. We love the gathering, but we resist the going. But church, I came to tell you this morning, Pentecost has never been heaven's conclusion.

[01:04:58]Pentecost was heaven's commencement.

[01:05:02]BECAUSE GOD did not send the Holy Spirit so the church could just sit still. God sent the Holy Spirit so that the church could move.

[01:05:12]>> So the church could move >> and move with power.

[01:05:17]>> BECAUSE PENTECOST >> WAS JUST the beginning, church. Now church, if we're going to really understand >> Pentecost, >> you have to understand what condition these same disciples were in before the Holy Spirit came.

[01:05:33]>> So before we shout over Acts chapter 2, >> we can't forget what happened before Acts two.

[01:05:40]>> You see, these are not confident men.

[01:05:44]>> These are traumatized men.

[01:05:46]>> They had watched Jesus die.

[01:05:48]>> They had watched Jesus suffer. They had watched Jesus be crucified. And even after the resurrection, they are still wrestling with fear and uncertainty.

[01:06:00]>> Because resurrection does not automatically erase trauma. You see, some of y'all love God, but you still carry scars from what life has done to you.

[01:06:12]>> You're saved, but you're still healing.

[01:06:15]>> You're faithful, but you're still fighting emotional wounds. And before Pentecost ever came, Jesus tells the disciples something difficult.

[01:06:26]>> He told them to wait.

[01:06:28]>> You see, that's hard right there. Let's be real, church, because nobody likes waiting because we live in a culture right now that wants everything fast >> and right now, fast food, fast money, fast blessings, and fast answers. Amen.

[01:06:46]Right.

[01:06:47]>> But God develops people >> in seasons of waiting.

[01:06:53]>> Waiting tests your faith, my sisters and brothers. Waiting develops your maturity.

[01:06:59]>> And what blesses me is this church.

[01:07:01]>> They obeyed even without fully >> understanding.

[01:07:06]>> Because sometimes obedience must come before explanation. So they wait together, they pray together, they expect together and while they are waiting, Pentecost arrives. Now understand this church, Pentecost, Pentecost took place 50 days after Passover, hence the name Pentecost, we see the root penta, which we know means five. You see, Passover celebrated how God delivered Israel from Egypt through the blood of the lamb. But now at Pentecost, God is doing something even greater because Jesus had already become the ultimate Passover lamb through his death and his resurrection. So just as Passover brought liberation from Egypt, Pentecost now brings empowerment through the Holy Spirit. YOU SEE, CHURCH, PASSOVER BROUGHT THEM OUT, but Pentecost filled them up. And Jerusalem would have been packed during this time, as the scripture said, from people from all over the known world for this feast.

[01:08:16]Different languages, different cultures, different backgrounds. And God intentionally chooses this moment to pour out his spirit because the gospel church was never meant for one group of people. And Pentecost is not just about empowerment.

[01:08:34]Pentecost is about expansion. And then the text tells us, "And then suddenly, oh, I love that word, church. SUDDENLY, BECAUSE GOD HAS A way of interrupting your ordinary moments with extraordinary power. One moment they're sitting, the next moment heaven invades the room."

[01:08:56]Oh, when the Bible says there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind. Now notice where the sound came from, church. The sound came from where?

[01:09:08]It came from heaven, not from performance, not from emotional manipulation. Because revival does not originate on stages. Real revival originates in heaven. You see, church, some folks have mastered how to do church >> without truly experiencing God. Let me say that again cuz I'm talking to somebody.

[01:09:32]>> Some folks have mastered how to do church >> without truly experiencing God. We know how to clap.

[01:09:42]>> WE KNOW HOW TO STAND UP. We know how to say amen on Q. But there is a difference between having church and experiencing the presence of God. Oh, does somebody know what I'm talking about this morning?

[01:09:58]BECAUSE YOU CAN have noise >> without anointing.

[01:10:04]You can have activity without authority. And you can have performance without power. But when heaven sends something, oh, I say when heaven sends something, church, you don't have to force it. You don't have to HYPE IT UP. BECAUSE WHEN THE REAL PRESENCE of God SHOWS UP, CHAINS start breaking, HEARTS START CHANGING, LIVES START TURNING AROUND. And is there anybody here that still believes that we need a move from God? I said we need a move from God because one touch, >> that's all it takes.

[01:10:43]>> One touch from heaven can do what years of human effort could never have accomplished. And then the text goes on to say that it filled the house.

[01:10:56]>> Oh, that blessed me, church, because God never does anything halfway. Amen. When God shows up, >> he feels THE ATMOSPHERE.

[01:11:07]>> WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, HE FEELS HEARTS. WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, HE FEELS MINDS. WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, HE FEELS LIVES. And isn't that the same way that we NEED TO EXPERIENCE GOD TODAY?

[01:11:23]>> WE NEED THE FULLNESS OF GOD IN OUR lives because life HAS DRAINED US. DRAINED by stress, drained by grief, we're drained by disappointment. And some people walked in here this morning smiling externally while emotionally empty.

[01:11:43]>> But I came to announce to you on this Sunday morning, the Holy Spirit still fills empty people.

[01:11:50]>> Amen.

[01:11:51]>> LIKE THE SONG SAYS, SOMETHING >> GOT A hold of me. And then the Bible says they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. You see church, fire represents God's presence. Fire represents God's purification and God's power. But don't miss the shift because in the Old Testament, God's presence rested in places. Amen.

[01:12:23]>> The tabernacle, the ark of the covenant.

[01:12:26]We studying this in the Bible study, right?

[01:12:28]>> But in Pentecost, God's presence rested in people. Amen.

[01:12:34]>> You see, you don't just go to church.

[01:12:37]>> YOU ARE THE CHURCH.

[01:12:39]>> DON'T MISS THAT.

[01:12:41]>> YOU DON'T JUST GO TO CHURCH, >> YOU ARE THE CHURCH.

[01:12:45]>> AND THE FIRE SET ON EACH OF THEM. NOT JUST PETER, >> NOT JUST THE other disciples, but each of them. BECAUSE GOD'S SPIRIT IS NOT reserved for spiritual celebrities. AND PENTECOST POWER PROVES THAT GOD USES ordinary people filled with extraordinary power. And then Peter, we know old Peter. Peter stands up. Now I'm talking about that same Peter who once cursed by the fire NOW STANDS UP FILLED WITH FIRE. THAT SAME PETER WHO ONCE DENIED JESUS to a servant girl NOW BOLDLY DECLARES CHRIST before multitudes. OH, MOTHER OLIVE, I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT SAME PETER WHO ONCE FOLDED UNDER PRESSURE NOW STANDS UP WITH POWER. BECAUSE WHEN THE HOLY GHOST GETS A HOLD OF YOUR LIFE, he can turn your greatest failure into your greatest witness.

[01:13:44]And is there anybody in this place on this Sunday morning >> that can testify because of the Holy Ghost, >> I'm not who I used to be.

[01:13:54]>> Because when the HOLY SPIRIT GETS A HOLD OF YOU, >> HE CHANGES YOUR SPEECH.

[01:14:00]>> OH, YOU DON'T TALK THE SAME. YOU DON'T EVEN WALK THE SAME, Reverend Linda. Got a little swag in your walk.

[01:14:06]>> Oh, YOU DON'T EVEN HANDLE SITUATIONS THE SAME ANYMORE. YOU GOT A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. YOUR PRIORITIES BECOME DIFFERENT. YOU GOT COURAGE THAT YOU NEVER had before. Oh, IS THERE ANYBODY THAT CAN TESTIFY TO THAT? THAT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT GOT A HOLD OF YOU, SOME THINGS CHANGED IN YOU.

[01:14:27]AND CHURCH, THE GREATEST evidence of the Holy Spirit is not emotionalism alone.

[01:14:35]The greatest evidence is transformation.

[01:14:38]Because Pentecost was never merely about just shouting.

[01:14:42]>> It was about transformation.

[01:14:44]>> God changing fearful people >> into faithful witnesses.

[01:14:50]>> BECAUSE REAL Holy Ghost power changes how you live on Monday morning and not just how you shout on Sunday morning.

[01:14:59]And this morning there are three things about Olive that we see about the Holy Spirit on this Pentecost Sunday. And the first is the Holy Spirit came to empower the church. The Holy Spirit came to empower the church. Before Jesus told them to go, he told them to wait.

[01:15:22]>> That's important because Jesus understood something the disciples did not yet understand. Passion alone would not be enough. They needed power. These disciples had already walked with Jesus.

[01:15:37]They had already seen blind eyes open.

[01:15:40]They watched demons being cast out. They watched the dead Lazarus walk out of grave. And yet Jesus still tells them to wait. Because being around Jesus is not the same thing as being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

[01:15:58]>> Keep in mind Judas walked with Jesus.

[01:16:01]Amen.

[01:16:02]>> Amen. And I'm going to leave it at that for right now. And church, that's where many believers are today. Some people have mastered church culture, but they haven't truly been changed by God. Oh, they know the language. They know Bible verses. They know the routines, but still lack spiritual power. Because information without transformation is dangerous. Oh, keep in mind the devil know devil knows the word.

[01:16:34]>> Amen. When he came to tempt Jesus, what did he come to Jesus with? He came to him with the word. Amen. But the Holy Spirit gives us power to live what YOU BELIEVE. POWER TO stand when life gets heavy. POWER TO KEEP GOING WHEN DISAPPOINTMENT DRAINS YOU. POWER TO TRUST GOD when life makes no sense. And church, THE OLDER I GET, THE MORE I realize that you need more than motivation to survive life. BECAUSE LIFE WILL HIT YOU. IN SOME PLACES, sermons can't always reach. Oh, there are moments when you discover your money is not enough. MOMENTS WHEN YOU'LL DISCOVER YOUR TALENT AND education are not enough. Oh, you need some supernatural strength. THAT'S WHY PAUL SAID, "WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG." Because the Holy SPIRIT GIVES STRENGTH THAT YOUR FLESH DOES NOT NATURALLY PROCESS. Am I at all? And some of us keep asking God to remove pressure >> while God is trying to USE PRESSURE TO PRODUCE power in you.

[01:17:46]>> And maybe this season that you're going through is heavy.

[01:17:51]Maybe it's heavy.

[01:17:53]Not because of what life is just throwing your way, but maybe because God has been using it to deepen you spiritually. Because one of the primary works of the Holy Spirit is not just to comfort you, but to also strengthen you.

[01:18:10]>> You see, the Holy Spirit teaches you how to keep trusting when life hurts, how to keep standing when you feel weak, how to keep moving when you feel exhausted.

[01:18:21]Because spiritual power is not just shouting in church on Sunday. Real spiritual power is having peace while under pressure. REAL spiritual power is worshiping while you're wounded. Real spiritual power is still believing while you're burdened. THAT'S HOLY GHOST POWER, CHURCH. I said that's Holy Ghost power. BECAUSE BEFORE GOD USES PEOPLE PUBLICLY, he often works on them privately. That's why scripture keeps showing us fire because fire burns. Fire purifies.

[01:18:57]Fire transforms. And maybe the pressure that you've been under lately is not the devil trying to destroy you. Maybe it's God trying to develop you.

[01:19:09]>> Because some of us, we want power, but we don't want the process.

[01:19:14]>> Oh, some of us want victory, but we want surrender to God. Some of us want strength without being submissive. BUT REAL spiritual power is produced in the presence of God. And is there anybody here this morning THAT CAN TESTIFY? GOD USED SOME HARD SEASONS in my life to make me stronger because honestly some of the things that should have broken you >> actually built you.

[01:19:42]>> THE BETRAYAL BUILT YOU. THE GRIEF BUILT YOU. THE HURT BUILT YOU. YOU CRIED THROUGH IT, BUT GOD KEPT YOU. YOU STRUGGLED THROUGH IT, BUT GOD SUSTAINED YOU. AND NOW WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU, they see strength, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COST TO KEEP YOU STANDING. BUT CAN I TELL YOU WHY you survived it? OH, YOU DIDN'T SURVIVE it because you were strong. You survived it because the Holy Spirit. I said the Holy Spirit gave you strength. THE HOLY SPIRIT KEPT YOU PRAYING WHEN YOU WANTED to quit. THE HOLY SPIRIT KEPT YOU STANDING WHEN LIFE TRIED to crush you because the same pressure that could have destroyed you became the very thing God used to develop power in you. OH CHURCH, GIVE GOD SOME PRAISE for the Holy Spirit that came to empower you. And our second point this morning, mother olive, is the Holy Spirit came to unify the church.

[01:20:47]>> Amen.

[01:20:48]>> Amen.

[01:20:50]>> The Holy Spirit came to unify the church. Now, before the fire fell, there was already a spirit of unity among the believers because scripture tells us what? That they were gathered together. They were praying together.

[01:21:08]They were waiting together and when the Holy Spirit came, it deepened that unity and bound them together in power. And my all of that matters because whenever God starts blessing a church, >> the enemy immediately starts looking for cracks >> to crawl in.

[01:21:32]>> He doesn't always attack with big obvious stuff. Sometimes the enemy slips in quietly through assumptions and misunderstandings because the devil understands something church. If he cannot stop the blessing, he'll try to divide the people that are enjoying it. And anytime God starts moving mightily, oh, the enemy gets nervous. Can I tell you why, church?

[01:22:00]>> Because hell cannot handle a unified church. Right.

[01:22:04]>> Let me say that again cuz we need to hear this, M Island.

[01:22:07]>> Hell cannot handle a unified church.

[01:22:12]>> Hail cannot handle a church that prays together, a church that serves together, a church that loves together, A CHURCH THAT worships together. AND MAYBE THAT'S WHY ACTS CHAPTER 2 says they were all together >> in ONE PLACE.

[01:22:29]>> NOT JUST physically together, but spiritually connected. You see, the miracle of Pentecost was not the sameness. The miracle was that people from different cultures, different backgrounds and languages could all hear one gospel.

[01:22:47]>> Let me say that again. They could all hear one gospel, which means the Holy Spirit does not erase differences, but it unites people through Christ despite their differences. And church that is a miracle within itself because the world teaches us if you disagree disconnect.

[01:23:10]That's why mature believers we must guard unity because the enemy loves planting seeds of deceitfulness.

[01:23:20]>> The enemy loves >> planting seeds of deceitfulness.

[01:23:26]>> But not HERE CHURCH. NOT HERE CHURCH.

[01:23:30]NOT AT MALA BAPTIST CHURCH. NOT HERE CHURCH. NOT WITH THE SAINTS IN THIS ASSEMBLY. NOT AFTER WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR THIS CHURCH. NOT AFTER HOW GOD HAS BLESSED US. NOT AFTER HAS GOD HAS CARRIED US FOR 28 years. NOT TODAY. NOT today and not tomorrow. AND IF SOMEBODY COMES to you WITH SOME MESS TRYING TO GET SOME NONSENSE STARTED, YOU TELL THEM NOT TODAY. ME TODAY. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT MESS. GOD HAS BEEN TOO GOOD TO US AT THIS CHURCH BECAUSE THAT'S THE JOB OF THE ENEMY. HE WANTS TO GET SOME MESS STARTED. NOT TODAY, MOLIVE, AND NOT TOMORROW. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT up in here?

[01:24:19]>> BECAUSE WHEN GOD HAS BEEN >> AS GOOD AS HE'S BEEN TO THIS CHURCH, >> HAS GOD BEEN GOOD TO HIS CHURCH?

[01:24:27]YOU PROTECT unity >> at all costs.

[01:24:31]>> Folks can't gossip by themselves.

[01:24:34]>> Amen.

[01:24:35]>> Amen.

[01:24:35]>> IT TAKES TWO PEOPLE TO GOSSIP, RIGHT?

[01:24:38]>> You got to have a listening ear to gossip. Right. But if they don't have an ear to listen to, they talking to themselves. Amen.

[01:24:45]>> Amen. THE BIBLE SAYS >> HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT it is >> for brethren to dwell together >> in unity. in unity >> because that's where unity exists in the place where God releases blessings. And church, I believe that's why God has been moving and blessing Mount Olive the way that he has.

[01:25:11]>> Because when people come together with one heart, when people come together with one vision, when people come together WITH ONE SPIRIT, GOD SENDS POWER. GOD SENDS FAVOR. GOD SENDS MERCY.

[01:25:26]GOD SENDS LOVE. GOD SENDS BLESSINGS. AM I ALL of hear me this morning? After all THAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US RECENTLY, after all the doors that God has opened, after all the favor that he's poured out, this is not the SEASON TO LET LITTLE THINGS divide us.

[01:25:47]>> OH CHURCH, I TELL YOU, THE DEVIL IS MAD BECAUSE GOD HAS been moving. HE'S MAD BECAUSE PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. HE'S MAD BECAUSE DEBT HAS BEEN LIFTED. OH, HE'S MAD BECAUSE FAVOR HAS BEEN FLOWING.

[01:26:02]HE'S MAD BECAUSE GOD KEEPS SMILING ON MOLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH. AND I DON'T CARE HOW MAD HE GETS.

[01:26:10]>> I AIN'T SCARED OF THE ENEMY. I'M NOT SCARED OF THE devil >> because there's too much purpose >> connected for this church >> in this season.

[01:26:23]>> TOO MUCH MINISTRY, TOO MUCH WORK TO BE done >> in this season. AND IF GOD CAN TRUST US TO STAY UNIFIED, >> OH, we ain't seen nothing yet, church.

[01:26:33]Amen. greater blessings, more doors open, >> greater works ought to be done because when people get on one accord, God sends power. Oh, churches, are there anybody here this morning THAT CAN THANK GOD THAT HE'S KEPT US TOGETHER AND THAT HE'S BLESSED US TOGETHER BECAUSE WHEN THE SPIRIT TRULY MOVES, >> it doesn't just bless individuals. It blesses the whole house. It blesses the whole house, church. AMEN. GIVE GOD some praise for the spirit of unity.

[01:27:10]And our third and final point this morning, church, is the Holy Spirit came to send the church.

[01:27:17]>> Oh, I love this point, Von. The Holy Spirit came to send the church. You see, this is the heart >> of Pentecost church. The Holy Spirit did not come merely so they could have an emotional church experience and just be done. The Holy Spirit came so that the church could impact the world. And church, this is where many believers miss the true meaning of Pentecost because we love the experience but we avoid the assignment. Or we love shouting but struggle with serving. We love celebration but we resist sacrifice. We love the atmosphere, >> but we avoid accountability. But after Acts chapter 2, they did not stay in the room.

[01:28:05]>> That's important. Amen.

[01:28:07]>> They did not stay in the room. They left the room. Oh, they preached publicly.

[01:28:14]They served boldly. They witnessed courageously. And the Bible says that they turned the world upside down. Oh, that same Peter who once trembled before a servant girl NOW STANDS BEFORE THAT CROWD WITH Holy Ghost authority. And when Peter started preaching, church, he preached with power. Oh, I say he preached with conviction. He preached with boldness AND 3,000 SOULS WERE SAVED on that day. Because when THE HOLY SPIRIT FILLS A PERSON, it will give you courage you never had before. AND CHURCH, WE DESPERATELY NEED BOLD BELIEVERS. WE NEED BOLD BELIEVERS. GOD DON'T WANT NO SCARED FOLKS. GOD DON'T WANT NO TIMID FOLKS. GOD WANTS BOLD BELIEVERS. BELIEVERS WHO ARE not ashamed of Jesus. Believers who will stand for truth and a confused culture. Believers who still know how to love hurting people. BELIEVERS WHO STILL KNOW HOW TO SERVE broken people. BECAUSE THE WORLD DOES not need more church spectators.

[01:29:20]The world needs MORE WITNESSES. OH, GOD NEVER INTENDED FOR PENTECOST TO BECOME A PRIVATE EXPERIENCE. HE POURED POWER INTO THEM INTO Jerusalem so they could carry his presence everywhere that they went BECAUSE THE GOSPEL THE GOSPEL DOES NOT JUST belong in church pews.

[01:29:44]>> Let me say that again. Yes.

[01:29:46]>> THE GOSPEL >> DOES NOT JUST belong in church pews.

[01:29:51]>> That's why we have an evangelism >> and outreach ministry.

[01:29:56]>> MINISTRY NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE OF THE WALLS OF THE CHURCH. THEY'RE DYING MEN and women who need to hear the gospel who need to hear about the goodness of the Lord. Oh, it belongs in neighborhoods. It belongs IN SCHOOLS. IT BELONGS IN WORKPLACES. IT BELONGS IN PRISONS. IT BELONGS IN COMMUNITIES. IT BELONGS IN everyday life. AND CHURCH, IF WE'RE HONEST, TOO MANY BELIEVERS HAVE BECOME comfortable >> sitting IN ROOMS GOD INTENDED us to leave, >> comfortable with routine, >> comfortable with familiarity. BUT PENTECOST DISRUPTED COMFORT.

[01:30:38]>> OH, I said Pentecost, it disrupted comfort. THESE DISCIPLES WENT FROM HIDING BEHIND LOCKED DOORS >> TO STANDING BOLDLY. I SAID BOLDLY IN THE STREETS. They went from fearful to fearless. THEY WENT FROM SILENCE TO PROCLAMATION. THEY WENT FROM SURVIVING TO SERVING. AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS church when the Holy Spirit touches your life. I SAY THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE HOLY Spirit touches your life.

[01:31:10]BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT DOESN'T JUST COMFORT US. The Holy Spirit commissions us. Oh, Jesus said, "YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES. YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES." AND WHAT DO WITNESSES DO? They testify. I SAY WITNESSES TESTIFY. RIGHT, CHURCH?

[01:31:27]NOT PEW WARMERS, NOT RELIGIOUS SPECTATORS, but witnesses. WHICH MEANS THE HOLY GHOST WAS NEVER GIVEN JUST TO MAKE YOU SHOUT. IT WAS ALSO GIVEN TO SEND YOU. I SAID IT WAS GIVEN TO SEND YOU, CHURCH. Send you into broken places. Send you into hurting spaces.

[01:31:46]Oh, THE HOLY SPIRIT FILLS US SO THAT WE CAN GO, NOT SIT. I said it SO WE CAN GO AND NOT SIT. THAT'S WHY THE DEVIL GETS NERVOUS WHEN BELIEVERS STOP JUST ATTENDING CHURCH only and start being the church.

[01:32:01]>> Amen. Amen.

[01:32:02]>> Don't get me wrong. It's good you come in here on Sunday, >> but we got to stop just being spiritual spectators.

[01:32:09]>> We got to start being the church.

[01:32:11]>> AND WE TAKE THE CHURCH WITH us everywhere we go. Everywhere we go.

[01:32:18]Amen.

[01:32:19]Everywhere that we go. Because one believer filled with the Holy Ghost can SHIFT ANY ATMOSPHERE. ONE BELIEVER FILLED WITH THE Holy Ghost can change their family. ONE BELIEVER FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST CAN IMPACT the community.

[01:32:37]AND THAT'S WHY NOBODY CAN SILENCE SOMEBODY WHO'S TRULY EXPERIENCED the fire and the power of the Holy Ghost. Or is there anybody HERE THIS MORNING THAT CAN TESTIFY? I TRIED TO KEEP QUIET, >> BUT GOD HAS been too GOOD TO ME.

[01:32:55]I TRIED TO KEEP QUIET, BUT GOD HAS JUST BLESSED ME TOO MUCH. OH, brother Von, I heard somebody say, I SAID I WASN'T GOING TO TELL NOBODY, BUT I JUST COULDN'T KEEP IT TO MYSELF WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR ME. Because when YOU KNOW THAT HE'S KEPT YOU SAFE, HE'S KEPT YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER. HE KEPT MAKING WAYS OUT OF NOW WAY. HE KEPT FORGIVING YOUR FAILURES. You can't KEEP IT TO YOURSELF, CHURCH. YOU GOT TO TELL SOMEBODY. I say you got to tell somebody. YOU GOT TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT HE'S A HEALER. YOU GOT TO TELL SOMEBODY that he's a keeper.

[01:33:36]You got to tell somebody that he's a way maker. YOU GOT TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT HE'S A BURDENBEARER. YOU GOT TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT HE'S A PROVIDER. YOU GOT TO TELL SOMEBODY that he's still saving.

[01:33:51]YOU GOT TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT he's still delivering. IS THERE ANYBODY HERE THAT CAN LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND admit there was some moments that I should HAVE LOST MY MIND, BUT GOD KEPT ME.

[01:34:07]THERE WERE SOME NIGHTS THAT I CRIED MYSELF TO SLEEP, BUT GOD KEPT ME. THERE WERE SOME situations that should have DESTROYED ME, BUT GOD KEPT ME. AND IF HE'S EVER MADE A WAY FOR YOU, MOLLY, why don't you lift your hands and give him some praise up here?

[01:34:28]Open up your mouth. Lift your voice. God has been too good to you to be quiet. He kept you. He kept you. and he's still keeping.

[01:34:43]Stand to your feet and give God some praise, church.

[01:34:53]It's time to get off the sidelines, my sisters and brothers. It's time to get off the sidelines and to get in the game. Amen.

[01:35:02]>> That's what God has called us to be.

[01:35:04]We're soldiers. Amen.

[01:35:06]>> On the battlefield for the Lord. Oh, God wasn't passive when he blessed you. So, he don't want you to be a passive believer as well. Amen.

[01:35:15]>> And you ain't always got to walk out here.

[01:35:18]Blessed, highly favor. Blessed, highly favor. Live the life. Amen. Live the life. Live the life. Let the life that you live speak for you. Oh, you've heard me say it before. A great theologian once said, "Preach often >> and when necessary, use words."

[01:35:41]>> Preach often and when necessary, use words. What do you mean, pastor? Your life should preach your sermon for you.

[01:35:50]Amen. The life that you live should speak volumes about you. People should know that you're a Christian, not because of the big cross that you wear around your neck. that because of the biggest Bible like on this communion table that you may carry, they should know that you're a Christian by the life that you live. Amen.

[01:36:13]Amen.

[01:36:14]Amen.

[01:36:16]Amen. The doors of the church are open.

[01:36:19]The doors of the church are open. If there's somebody who does not know Christ as your personal savior, this call is for you.

[01:36:30]What better day than on the day of Pentecost, >> the day that the church was birthed to come and accept Christ as your personal savior.

[01:36:39]>> I tell you, you got to know for yourself.

[01:36:42]>> And if you have not taken that stuff, >> you cannot operate under assumptions >> because I'm going to be real with you.

[01:36:51]Life offers an economy of two answers.

[01:36:55]>> We all going to die at some point.

[01:36:57]everybody in this room. That should not be breaking news to everyone.

[01:37:02]>> But what happens after death, >> that decision is up to you. Amen.

[01:37:07]>> Oh, you can live eternity in the fullness of God >> where every day will be Sunday and we'll be singing God's praise.

[01:37:16]>> Or if you do not accept Christ as your personal savior, >> the reality of it is you're going to spend eternity in damnation. Amen.

[01:37:26]It's not a hard choice, >> but you have to make that choice for yourself. Amen.

[01:37:33]>> Amen. So, this call is for those >> who have not accepted Christ.

[01:37:37]>> Please come down. Please come down. I would hate to see anybody >> spend eternity in hate.

[01:37:44]>> Because they were worried about folks looking at them. Matter of fact, everybody close your eyes.

[01:37:50]>> Amen.

[01:37:50]>> I want to make it easy for somebody.

[01:37:53]Don't worry about folks looking at you >> because they don't have a heaven and hell to put you in.

[01:37:58]>> But if you have that accepting Christ, >> please come >> and accept Christ as your savior.

[01:38:06]>> Amen.

[01:38:09]>> Maybe you've already accepted Christ and it seems to me that we have a a house full of believers here. Amen.

[01:38:18]But you're looking to connect with the church, >> a branch of Zion, >> a place that you can call home. It's important >> where you don't have to eat from a lot of different tables, >> but you can just call one place home and you can be fed >> spiritually by the preach word, by the tort word world through ministry. Not just inside of the walls of the church, but outside of the walls of the church as well. If you like to join >> this great and historic church, the oldest black church in Stafford, Virginia, >> we stand waiting to receive you.

[01:39:01]>> Won't you come if you'd like to join Malo Baptist Church, just call it.

[01:39:09]>> Amen. You may open your eyes and take your seats. And as you take your seat, give God a Pentecost praise.

[01:39:18]Let the light shine around the world.

[01:39:25]Hold of the light.

[01:39:29]Hold the light.

[01:39:32]Hold of the light. All ye heaven bound solders, hold of the light.

[01:39:43]Hold another light.

[01:39:46]Let your light shine round the world.

[01:39:53]Our brothers and sisters, we've been fed well again today.

[01:39:58]We've come now for the end of this service.

[01:40:02]But before we go, we want you to give you opportunity.

[01:40:06]If there's anything holding you back, anything bothering you that keeping you from doing what God would have you to do, we want you to give it to God now at the altar and let God deal with it. God said, "Bring ye all of your problems, big and small."

[01:40:24]We want you to bring it to him and let him have it today. That when you leave out here, you will feel a lot lighter because you know that your problem is being handled.

[01:40:40]Let us pray.

[01:40:45]Almighty and our wise, my heavenly father, we come to say thank you.

[01:40:48]>> Thank you.

[01:40:49]>> Thank you once again, Father God, for the message that you laid on our hearts today, Father God. Now we ask you, Father, to use us. Open us up heart and mind, Father, that we will receive that message today, Father, and go forward and live it day by day.

[01:41:07]Father, we ask you now, Father, to take all of our burdens and all of our problems, Father. We leave them laying at your feet, Father God, because we know without you, we can handle nothing.

[01:41:20]But we know, Father God, that there's no problem too large or too small for our almighty God. So, Father, we ask you right now to strengthen each one of us as we leave this place today.

[01:41:34]As we go back out the doors, Father, we will go out with shorty of heart, knowing that, Father, you have heard our prayers and will answer our prayers in your time, not ours. Father, we thank you.

[01:41:50]Thank you for the pastor that we have, Father, as a shepherd. We ask you, Father, that you would strengthen him in a mighty way, Father, that he would continue to keep on up the King's Highway.

[01:42:02]Father, we know right now that some of us are feeling sad and some have aches and pains.

[01:42:10]But Father, we asking you right now to relieve those pains and to conquer those fears. Father, that we can walk boldly with our head high, letting the world know that yes, Jesus lives because he lives deep down within my soul.

[01:42:28]Father, I thank you.

[01:42:30]I thank you. I thank you, Father God, for another year to bring me back around one more time to my 73rd birthday.

[01:42:41]>> Yes, Lord.

[01:42:42]>> I thank you, Father God, because I've been through some things that >> I didn't know if I was going to make it that far.

[01:42:49]But, Father, you promised three score and 10. Thank you, Father God. Thank you.

[01:42:58]Now I ask you, Father, that now that I've made, I ask you, Father God, before this assembly, my wife and everyone that's on the phone to use me, Father God, to carry your word and do your will that Father, my life will not be in vain.

[01:43:20]Father, we ask you now that you will bless Mount Olive as a whole. bless us individually, Father, that we can continue to work in our communities and in in our families, Father, to brighten up this world for others, Father God, if you do these things for us, we be ever so careful to give you all the honor, the glory, and the praise for all that we are. But most of all, Father God, all that we shall be in the precious and matchless name of Jesus the Christ, your son, but our Lord and Savior. We say thank you.

[01:43:59]>> Amen.

[01:44:01]>> Amen.

[01:44:02]>> Amen. Thank you, Jesus. Get ready.

[01:44:07]There's a train of coming picking up passengers from coast to coast.

[01:44:17]All you need is faith to hear the deal.

[01:44:24]Don't need no baggage. You just get on board. Every singing sh I believe.

[01:44:35]I believe. Everybody sing. I believe.

[01:44:41]I do believe. Everybody sing it. I believe.

[01:44:48]I believe. Everybody sing. I believe.

[01:44:54]I do believe.

[01:45:22]Let's go home. Come on, man.

[01:45:25]Sing hold of the light.

[01:45:29]Hold of the light.

[01:45:32]Hold on.

[01:45:35]All ye heaven b. Everybody sing. Hold on.

[01:45:42]Hold on. The light.

[01:45:45]Let your light shine on the world.

[01:45:54]Amen.

[01:45:56]I like that, man. I like that. That's some good carrying on right there. Amen.

[01:46:01]Amen. Amen. Oh, we thank God for Jesus, church. Amen.

[01:46:06]>> Amen. Amen. And as I extinguish these candles which give off light, scripture tells us, "Let your light >> so shine that men and women will see that not here will see your good works and glorify your father >> which is in heaven." Amen.

[01:46:33]>> Amen. Be a witness. Live a life that proves that you're filled with the Holy Ghost, that you got Holy Ghost fire up in you. Amen.

[01:46:44]>> Don't live a defeated life. Believe live a life that's full of power and purpose.

[01:46:50]Amen.

[01:46:51]>> Amen. Let us receive our benediction.

[01:46:54]>> Always remember Jesus.

[01:47:00]Jesus.

[01:47:04]Heat. Heat. Heat.

[01:47:14]Heat.

[01:47:15]Heat.

[01:47:33]Heat. Heat.

[01:47:43]Yeah.

[01:47:47]Heat.

[01:47:57]Yeah.

[01:48:03]Heat.

[01:48:15]Heat. Heat.

[01:48:28]May the love of God and the sweet communion of the powerful Holy Spirit rest, rule, and abide with us both now, henceforth and forever more.

[01:48:50]Amen.

[01:49:07]Bless. Amen.