2026 Wk 25 - Father's Day
Fire In the City • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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===========SERVICE
1 WORSHIP NOTE…
Church, today we celebrate fathers—Yay!
However, let’s start of the morning celebrating our Heavenly Father and His “Amazing Grace”.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
A FREE gift paid for by the blood of Jesus.
2 WORSHIP NOTE…
Today, let’s turn our our hearts to Jesus,
“the author and finisher of our faith”
Press in—
Let your heart be exposed to His Spirit
Let the HS melt away anything that is keeping you from entering into Father’s presence.
That’s where you will find real joy… in His Presence.
GENEROSITY…
Offering Thought: The Pencil Story
A grandmother once gave her grandson a simple pencil and said, “Before you use this, I want you to remember five things.
First, you can do great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.
Second, you will experience sharpening, and it may be uncomfortable, but it will make you better.
Third, you can always correct your mistakes.
Fourth, what matters most is what’s on the inside.
And finally, leave a mark wherever you go.”
That little pencil is a lot like us. Everything we have—our talents, resources, opportunities, and finances—comes from God’s hand.
As we place our lives in His hands, He uses us to leave a mark on the lives of others.
Generosity is one of the ways we leave that mark.
When we give, we become part of God’s work of encouraging people, meeting needs, and spreading hope.
And just as the pencil never runs out of purpose while it remains in the Master’s hand, God never runs out of provision for those who trust Him.
Scripture:
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
As we give today,
let’s do so with grateful hearts, trusting that the God who provides seed to the sower will continue to provide all we need and use our gifts to bless others
PRAYER…
UPDATE…
MidWeek
Mission: PRAY! Peru Reunion Tour Jim & C’cie
Daily Bread
Outreach at the Apartments
Saturday June. 27, 5pm
Sign up today— See Grant
FATHERS DAY
Pass out gifts
Cornerstone Honors Fathers
Pass out Slim Jim’s
Front:
“Fatherhood can be tough… so here’s something tough to chew on.”
Scripture & Application
God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.
Back:
“Thank you for every prayer prayed, every sacrifice made, every lesson taught, and every time you showed up when it mattered. Your faithfulness matters more than you know.”
MAXIMIZED MANHOOD QUOTES:
by Edwin Louis Cole Jr.
“Being a male is a matter of birth. Being a man is a matter of choice.”
“The absentee father is the curse of our day.”
“Christ likenesses and Manhood are synonymous.”
Closing Moment Blessing:
As we honor fathers today—we are honoring, birth-fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, adoption fathers, and spiritual fathers.
Thank you for showing up, standing firm, and loving your families.
We pray God’s strength, wisdom, and favor over you.
May your greatest legacy be the lives you point toward Jesus.
Prayer/ Blessing
Father, Thank You for this moment that has been placed upon our hearts today.
A moment of legacy to honor fathers but also to openly honor You Father. Just like you are always there to hear our hearts cry— let our fathers be present to provide, protect, and to listen for their children's cry.
Thank You Father, for always being here throughout all of life’s journey… Thank You for the role model you give us in Your Word.
May the Holy Spirit give our fathers greater insight into the lives of their children to provide and protect them according to Your Word.
In Jesus Name— Amen.
===========SERMON
LET’S JUMP BACK INTO OUR SERIES…
FIRE IN THE CITY — Week 4:
INTRO:
“Takin' It to the Streets” is a song by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers.
It showed up on their album of the same name.
It was their first single with Michael McDonald on vocals and was written by McDonald.
And was released in 1976. 50 years ago. So it was a Bicentennial theme song!
The song was about…
social awareness, advocating for the underprivileged, and recognizing the struggles of poverty.
It urges listeners to step out of their comfort zones, stop ignoring systemic hardships, and take a message of hope and action to those trapped in poverty's despair.
My sermon title reflects this 50 year old song with a message that is still viable in 2026.
Maybe it has always been the case — however it seems more than ever that SPIRITUAL POVERTY is rampant.
Bending Truth and coloring outside the lines of godly living has become our favorite pastime.
What do we do?
This Sermon TITLE:
Taking Hope to the Streets — will have us trying to identify the faces of those who are Spiritually bankrupt and need Jesus our Savior…
I hope we walk away today motivated to…
“Love Them.
See Them. and
Lift Them” — up to find real life that is found in Jesus.
Our TEXT is: Acts 3:1-10
BIG IDEA of our Series came from Pentecost:
Pentecost was never meant to stay in the sanctuary.
The same Spirit who fills us in worship sends us into the streets with compassion, courage, and the power of Jesus.
LAST WEEK We learned:
• God uses ordinary people.
• SLIDE: Your testimony is not a performance to perfect. It is evidence you have been with Jesus.
• The language of love is the clearest evidence of a Spirit-filled life.
John 13:35 says,
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
TODAY Please Follow along with your Life Sheet
Before people hear our message, they need to experience our love.
This is the rub I think
How do we show or demonstrate “our love”?
Today I pose three actions that can bridge the gap between us and the streets…
“Love Them. See Them. Lift Them.”
1. LOVE THEM
Acts 3 begins with two men walking toward prayer.
Peter and John were going to church.
But ministry happened before they got inside.
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,* get up and* walk!”
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Before they got inside… a miracle took place.
Before the coffee
Before the were greeted at the door
Before the worship or offering or communion
Even before the sermon and alter call
MINISTRY HAPPENED!
Outreach often begins with:
• a meal shared
• a burden carried
• a kindness remembered
• a prayer offered
• a person genuinely seen
• a person showing compassion
A TEXT!
this past week it was not me sending a text, but an individual that I haven’t actually seen in sometime sending me a text.
Just out of the blue… a text, a message of appreciation, an encouraging word.
Words that gave me a lift in my day.
Words that lifted my chin and warmed my heart.
It was like a, “cool drink of water” on a hot summer day. (Proverbs 25:25)
People may forget sermons… but people rarely forget how we treated them during their hardest season.
Memorable Line: Remember this…
You have heard this before and it is a proven saying…
People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.
Heart Check
Ask yourself…
Do I see interruptions as inconveniences or opportunities?
Pencil your answer on your page
Be honest, but you can write it real tiny.
Lol
2. SEE THEM
Seeing people is where ministry begins.
Perhaps when it comes to the Begger in our story today in Acts 3
Everybody saw a problem.
But, Peter saw a person.
That’s a strong line to remember.
Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”
“Peter and John looked at him intently, and said “Look on us.”
WHAT was going on here?
“Look on us” Greek word to “Look” > blepo meaning,
to turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing, to consider, contemplate, to look at, to weigh carefully, examine
This implies… to focus, remove the distractions!
Or Simply:: “To see with the minds eye.”
The Begger was just looking for a handout, but he was getting ready for a hand up!
Everyone else saw a “beggar”.
Peter saw a “person”.
The miracle started before the healing.
It started when someone stopped and truly SAW him.
Not just seeing the beggars inability to walk, or weak ankles or
Hear his recited request over and over, day after day or
Possibly smelling his poor hygiene
These are all outward appearance!
WHAT are some of the invisible burdens people around us are carrying?
• shame
• grief
• addiction
• fear
• loneliness
• poverty
Where do we find these invisible Burdens?
Examples.
• The underpaid cashier.
• The tired single mother.
• The recovering addict needing a job and a friend.
• The lonely elderly neighbor.
People living with limited resources or people trying to survive in this season of their life do not need our pity.
They need dignity.
They need the Gospel
We need to be reminded that every person bears the image of God.
So, what would help us to see and identify faces that needs Father’s Compassion?
Memorable Line: Remember this…
The first gift we give people should be our attention.
Heart Check
What wounds am I not seeing in others cause I’m focused on their outward appearance?
Say this… Dear Holy Spirit, help me SEE … what others overlook… help me respond with Compassion! Amen
Love Them > See Them and
3. LIFT THEM
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.
“Peter took him by the right hand and helped him up.”
Peter did not just pray.
He participated.
Peter let Compassion make a move.
Compassion causes us to reach out.
Compassion isn’t lazy—Love acts.
The early church did not simply talk about healing.
They carried healing with them.
They expected something to happen.
They broke bread house to house and God added to the church daily (Acts 2:46-47)
46 The believers had a single purpose and went to the temple every day. They were joyful and humble as they ate at each other’s homes and shared their food. 47 At the same time, they praised God and had the good will of all the people. Every day the Lord saved people, and they were added to the group.
The miracle started before the healing.
The same Jesus who rose from the dead still lives.
The same Jesus who saves still heals.
The same Jesus who forgives still restores.
The same Jesus who lifts people still changes lives.
Let’s ask:
What does lifting people look like in Okmulgee?
What are some practical examples.
• Invite someone to lunch.
• Pray with a coworker.
• Help a family move.
• Volunteer in Bridges.
• Encourage a struggling student.
• Visit someone in the hospital.
Memorable Line: Remember this…
We cannot help everyone, but we can help the one God places in front of us.
Our Last Heart Check could become a…
GOSPEL CONNECTION
Ask yourself>
Why could Peter offer hope?
Why did Peter and John not feel inconvenienced when the Begger asked for money?
THINK ABOUT IT::
Peter could offer hope because he had received hope.
Peter could stop because Jesus had stopped for him.
Peter could see because Jesus had seen him.
Peter could lift because Jesus had lifted him.
We cannot give what we have not received.
The reason we take hope to the streets is because Hope first came looking for us.
Paul wrote…
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.*
“I am not ashamed of this Good News.”
The greatest miracle in Acts 3 was not a healed ankle.
It was a Savior who still changes lives.
The healed man became a walking testimony.
Do You See It?
We were the beggar.
Jesus stopped for me.
Jesus saw me.
Jesus lifted me.
Now I go and do the same.
WE GO AND DO THE SAME!
HERE IS THE INVITATION: Just in case you didn’t think you got a personal invitation.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
Do you know someone who is…
Has an ear to listen
Who is thirsty
Who desires a FREE DRINK OF ETERNAL WATER!
WAIT! What about you?
Are you someone who is…
Has an ear to listen
Who is thirsty
Who desires a FREE DRINK OF ETERNAL WATER!
“Let anyone who is thirsty come.”
The Gospel is not for people who have it all together.
The Gospel is for thirsty people…
Come weary.
Come ashamed.
Come addicted.
Come afraid.
Come skeptical.
Come broken.
Come thirsty.
Jesus still offers living water freely.
Closing Line: WHAT ARE WE SAYING!
Fire in the City begins when people filled with the Spirit carry the love, compassion, and power of Jesus beyond the walls of the church.
This week, Let’s Ask Father for help — help by the Holy Spirit to… Hear and discern when the Holy Spirit puts that one person in your path.
Just one.
To Love them.
To See them.
To Lift them.
Church, ministry is not waiting inside these walls.
Ministry is sitting at a restaurant table tomorrow.
Ministry is standing in line at Walmart.
Ministry is showing up at work Tuesday morning.
Ministry is noticing the person everyone else walks past.
The fire of Pentecost was never meant to stay in the upper room.
The fire was meant for the streets.
So this week…
Love them.
See them.
Lift them.
And watch what Jesus does
The Water of Life-evermore is still free.
Let’s Pray…
Jesus, thank You — thank you that Your grace cannot be earned and cannot be purchased.
Help us to come to You with open hands and a humble heart.
When pride tells us to rely on ourselves, remind me that everything I need is found in You.
Thank You for the living water that satisfies our soul. Amen
“The Holy Spirit did not fill us so we could have a better church service. He filled us so we could become better witnesses.”
This line is deeply rooted in Acts 1:8 and fits squarely within our Foursquare theology.
Be an unashamed witness this week!
PtL
:::::::::::::::::::::
6-15-26 M&E Devo and Rewrites
“God Has Given Me a Reason to Laugh” — Genesis 21:6
And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter.* All who hear about this will laugh with me.
Sarah laughed because God did what seemed impossible. In her old age, when every human reason for hope had faded, God fulfilled His promise and placed Isaac in her arms.
The same God still works beyond what seems possible.
By nature, my heart was barren. I could not save myself. I could not produce spiritual life on my own. Like a dry wilderness longing for rain, I needed God’s mercy. Yet He came to me. He forgave my sin. He filled my life with His Spirit. He planted new life where there had once been only brokenness.
No wonder my heart rejoices.
Jesus, the promised Savior, has become my greatest treasure. He found me when I was lost. He lifted me when I had fallen. He gave me hope when I could see no way forward.
God has been better to me than I deserve.
Because of that, I want others to share in my joy. I want my family to see the peace Christ brings. I want my friends to notice the hope He gives. I want the church to be encouraged by His faithfulness in my life. I even want those far from God to see that following Jesus is not a burden but a blessing.
Joy is one of the strongest testimonies a believer can carry.
Sarah looked at Isaac and laughed with wonder. We look to Jesus and find an even greater reason to rejoice. He is the fulfillment of every promise and the answer to every longing heart.
Today, fix your eyes on Him. Dive deep into His love. Rest in His presence. Let your heart be filled with gratitude.
The God who keeps His promises has given you a reason to rejoice.
Memorable thought:
“When we look at our circumstances, we may find reasons to worry. When we look at Jesus, we find reasons to rejoice.”
6-16-26 M&E Devo and Rewrites
Never Let Go
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” — John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
As followers of Jesus, we should never treat unbelief as a small thing. Every time we question God’s love, His faithfulness, or His ability to hold us steady, we are doubting the very character of the One who has never failed us.
When fear whispers that God has forgotten you, remember what He has already said. His promises leave no room for the idea that one of His children could slip through His hands. God declared, “I will never forget you.” Even if human love fails, His love never does.
Think about the strength of His promises. Mountains may crumble. Hills may disappear. Circumstances may change overnight. But God’s kindness toward you will not be removed. His covenant of peace still stands.
Jesus could not have spoken more clearly:
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.”
Your security does not rest on your grip on God. It rests on His grip on you.
If even one believer could be lost, what would that say about God’s promises? What would it say about Christ’s sacrifice, God’s faithfulness, His power, His grace, and His covenant love? The cross settled the question. Jesus did not die to leave His people uncertain. He died to bring them safely home.
So lay down those fears that tell you God will abandon you. Shake off the dust of discouragement. Stand up in the confidence of His Word. The eternal life He planted within you was never meant to live in constant anxiety. It was meant to overflow with joy, peace, and trust.
Today, rejoice in this truth:
The God who saved you is the God who keeps you.
The Shepherd who found you is the Shepherd who holds you.
And the Savior who gave you eternal life will never let you go.
“My hope is built on a faithful God—unchanging in His character, unwavering in His promises, and proven by the blood of Jesus Christ.”
6-17-26 M&E Devo and Rewrites
“Help, Lord.” — Psalm 12:1
Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!
Sometimes the most powerful prayer is also the shortest.
David looked around and saw faithful people becoming harder to find. Truth seemed scarce. Support was fading. So instead of giving in to despair, he turned his eyes toward God and prayed two simple words:
“Help, Lord.”
When people couldn’t provide what he needed, David ran to the One who could.
This prayer reveals both humility and faith. David knew he wasn’t strong enough on his own, so he asked for help. But asking for help wasn’t an excuse to quit. It was an acknowledgment that God’s strength would enable him to keep going. God helps those who are willing to step forward in faith.
There is something beautiful about the directness of this prayer. No unnecessary words. No religious performance. Just an honest heart crying out to a faithful God.
How often do we need this prayer?
When life falls apart and the people we depend on can’t carry the weight.
When we’re confused and need wisdom.
When we’re battling temptation or discouragement.
When we’re serving others and our strength is running low.
When fear, doubt, or uncertainty cloud our vision.
In every season, this prayer fits:
Help, Lord.
It is a prayer for the hospital room and the workplace. For the prayer closet and the battlefield. For moments of celebration and moments of sorrow. It is a prayer for living and a prayer for dying.
The good news is that God never ignores a sincere cry for help. His character is faithful. His heart is compassionate. His promises are sure. He has already proven His love by giving us Jesus, and with Him comes every grace we need for every moment we face.
So when you don’t know what else to pray, pray this:
Help, Lord.
And remember, the God who hears that prayer is the God who has already promised:
“Do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you.”
You may not have all the answers today, but you are not facing today alone. The help you need is found in the presence of the One who never leaves His children to carry their burdens by themselves.
6-18-26 M&E Devo and Rewrites
“Your Redeemer.” — Isaiah 54:5
For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth.
One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is that Jesus is not merely a Redeemer—He is your Redeemer.
Everything Christ is, He is for His people. He is our King, ruling with wisdom and authority on our behalf. He is our Priest, continually interceding for us before the Father. He is our Prophet, revealing God’s heart and truth to us.
Every title He carries is a reminder of His care for us. Every authority He possesses is used for our good. Every promise He makes is rooted in His love for His children.
The fullness of His deity is our inexhaustible source of strength, grace, and hope. His humanity is ours as well. He took on flesh for us. He lived the life we could not live and offered the obedience we could never achieve on our own.
His righteousness becomes our covering. His purity becomes our confidence. His victory becomes our inheritance.
Jesus not only died for us—He lived for us. Every step He took, every miracle He performed, every prayer He prayed, every sorrow He carried, and every act of obedience was part of God’s plan to redeem us.
He came down to us so that we could be brought near to God.
And today, He is still ours. The risen King of kings is not ashamed to call us His own. He continues to lead us, strengthen us, forgive us, and intercede for us.
So don’t just think of Jesus as Savior in a general sense. By faith, call Him what Scripture calls Him:
My Redeemer.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Redeemer. Thank You that everything You are and everything You accomplished is available to me through Your grace. Help me live today with confidence, knowing that I belong to You and that You are faithfully working on my behalf. Amen.
:::
6-19-26 M&E Devo and Rewrites
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 2:4
And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,* as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
What a difference it makes when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. He brings strength for the weak, peace for the troubled, comfort for the hurting, and power for everyday.
The Holy Spirit sets us apart for God’s purposes and equips us to live the life He has called us to live. He works within us, not only changing what we do, but transforming what we desire. He gives us the willingness and the ability to follow Christ.
Like light, He points us to Jesus and guides our steps.
Like fire, He burns away what doesn’t belong and ignites a passion for God.
Like refreshing rain on dry ground, He renews weary hearts and produces spiritual fruit in our lives.
Like a dove, He quiets our fears, comforts our doubts, and draws us into a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Like the wind, He brings life as He breathes new freshness into what has grown stagnant and empowers us to live as witnesses for Christ.
The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are God’s children. He quiets our fears, strengthens our faith, and empowers us to be witnesses for Christ.
Today, don’t settle for merely knowing about the Holy Spirit. Invite Him to fill you afresh. Let Him direct your thoughts, shape your words, and guide your steps.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, fill me afresh today. Shine Your light on my path, purify my heart, renew my strength, and empower me to live for Jesus. Let my life reflect Your presence in all I do. Lead me, comfort me, and help me walk closely with You. Amen.
Wrap up
“The Christian life was never meant to be lived by human effort alone. God has given us His Spirit so we can live with His power, His peace, and His presence every day.”
6-20-26 M&E Devo and Rewrites
6-21-26 M&E Devo and Rewrites
