09.29.2019 Homecoming Service

Oh, man. Wow, wonderful music this morning and God's house. So many emotions today to what was home for two and a half years and I thank God for you. But thank God for being your places today. I had a guy for the steel in this place. I've been gone for just what is going on in the reports that I'm hearing what I thank God for a bright future the future is not at all hands, but it's in his hands and I praise God for that. So it's okay. That's good just to come home today in so many ways. So thank you for having us page is down here Hannah Max. Where are you? Some things never change.

The girls went off to Rebecca tight Elizabethton a truce this morning. She said Elizabeth. She said if you say please you get some things if you say thank you you get more things. So things have not changed a man but bad when they were born you will love them regret I have her to they were so small and you all love them. Well, and I thank God for who they are today and you are so much a part of that. Get older children. Well, and I praise God they accepted Christ Starin through my pictures that I still have in the office for the day. And each of my youngest one of the oldest ones got baptized. Praise God for that is as soon as I drove it. I just think about those memories and so many good things and so many positive things that look over that parsonage. I just praise God. I think you just his for free live in there for just so many memories. As I walk in this place. We saw so many people's lives changed man. God didn't work. I want to spend time with this all through with her because she's praying about what God had for the future and we saw God War but you have a beautiful thing of the past tense because still working today the same guy that has been here since 1940s is 18, whatever. You're still the same God today play some is good was worthy of my praise and he's worthy to be worshipped helping God through his spirit in this place and I think God for welcoming us and I just saw him. So thankful to be here. What an order to preach homecoming. What does toradol help users in water. However he back in this place. I've been gone for those are gone before I start to get emotional when returning Justice came in. Man, I just teared up. Where's Tony. I love you, brother. Tony was a Long John Silver. Was it Captain D's man?

Spend some time together. Think about all those memories I think about the John and I ever Brewers. Love them dearly the home or in the roof Murphy's the Bob in the Ruth Edwards that you'll feel your Rogers and so many stories. But God has it only worked in the past tense and we serve the God is still working today. I praise God for what's happening. It was so good to see Kevin and Tina when I walked into some things never change. I think God for that really missed. It said you got a fantastic great the service you exercise if your man I praise God for them and just are hard for the young people and it's it's never been about them. Whenever I was told it's never been about named Kelly who drives from up and I are you about to apply for my church by man. She drives here week after we can raise our family and just thank you for the spirit and Worship You Can Tell alot about a church about the songs. They choose to sing. How many songs all just look it up Our Saviors to thank you for being here and driving Faithfully it is doing that Randy. Thank you for leaving it. And what guy got his sent you here is a gift and may I thank you for providing her working at what God is doing three of you and speaking through you and I praise God for that. Even Bruce Lipscomb just just recently couple weeks ago. I had his funeral my love Bruce, but then I get excited in this place. I look around tomorrow change God still at work. God still doing something. I God still has a plan comes your way to God still has a plan and a purpose for this church because this church has never been based on man strikes, but it's based on his strength and it's on his supposed to guess who he is. This church is built on so I'll say this you better.

you matter you better this area you matter to me you matter to Vegas and sit in this room, but most of all you matter to God never let anybody tell you anything different you matter to God. It was always you have a pulse in your body. You still use you in a very powerful walking Say Amen? Okay, it's alright to try one of those. I like to raise it's alright, don't be scared. It's good. It's good. It's good.

No moments. Or seasons in a church is life. The many times will Define that church for years to come. Order Windows things come or what does things blowing Bubble Boy Who Could Be and what are the seasons right now? Is you search out what God has in store for pastor as you search out what God has in store for the future. I don't know me very well might be one of those Seasons right now. That might be where you're working right now. How much might be at the other fighting moment if you will Billy Graham's there's a store that I would share with your very quickly. What was the fighting moments in his life that he refused. He did not Embrace and it haunted him the rest of his life in his autobiography. Just as I am. He tells a story about a meeting with dead erect president-elect Trinity. It was 1960 in Greenwood MS roads on the way back to the Trinity house. The president asked to pull over he has to stop the car. Send Ami scherson Billy. He said do you believe in the second coming of Christ when he grabs out? Of course, I do not believe that Christ will come and get her or even the second coming into the president of like said, this was my church believe it will Billy Graham said this they have it in their Creed's Creed's cuz they don't teach audit much. I'd like to know what you think. So they'll end up limousine Billy Graham spoke with the president elect any talked about Jesus coming Jesus getting his life. Jesus living a perfect sinless life dying on a cross stitch. What about raising three days later? She told us ending in the whole family coming back one day the teacher did his people. He said he will come again and Billy said maybe so, then and only then will we really know World Peace. In the present of the Reich said this that's pretty interesting. They said he looked away. And Billy said that me and in the president-elect said let me think about that. I would love to talk to you more about that fact. two years past National Prayer Breakfast, they both attended Dr. Graham had the flu, but he spoke anyhow. The president spoke with the president said was married to kick it. I have a few moments with you and give it back. But he said not right now. I do not feel well, but you don't we talk some talk to you about whatever's going on, but I do feel better and work. Well right now. It's cold outside. I need to go. The president-elect was very gracious of the present of that time was very gracious. And he said this he said go ahead Billy. I understand. Burn the book Billy said this we never met again. We never met again late in 1963. President Kennedy was shot in Downtown, Dallas. Billy never had a chance to have that conversation. Dr. Graham Road, and I quote is hesitation of the car door and was request hot me. They still hot me. Where was on his man. Should I have done with him. He says these words. That was a horrible moment. I could never ever ever get back. Listen to me Church never miss a moment what God has for you never miss another just because the guy didn't you just because you're in transition just because of this never miss a moment. Each day is a gift and Bryce Dallas to be grabbed onto thank God has a plan for today or tomorrow, whatever day she gives your bluff. Don't miss it. Illicit Reddit since I guess what do you have for me today? I tell you that story this morning. I'm telling you Pleasant Ridge might be in that season. This might be one of those points in time that will Define who you are as a church for years to come if he turns and does not come back. This might be one of those Seasons because listen to me this community is counting on you. You are a part of the fabric of who this community is you make up this community, community is counting on you to take the good news of Jesus Christ to the byways in the hallways and it's important. You don't just meet here for for anything else but to worship him and make much of Jesus you matter your attendance matters being in your place matter, so what you do today? Will greatly affect what God has in store for you every Church finds herself at one time or another and I have to ask this question. Will we see God's best. We seek God's best, you know, sometimes his best is not always our best. We left I said God. What are you thinking that we love it here. You got a plan and a purpose here, but you know what God's best sometimes leads it's different than what we think. They marry your dad's best. Sometimes takes us places. We didn't think we would go Snorlax best is always perfect. So with that being said take your mom was an Open up The Exodus chapter 14. I want to send a picture this morning very quickly thaw the people of God on the edge of greatness in pain. What's getting ready to happen Exodus chapter 14 water Crossroads by making today a perfect day for used to care Exodus chapter 14 verse number 10.

Would you slap the rating of God's word?

Spell the word boutonniere. The sons of Israel looked at Junctions when watching after them and they became very frightened citizens of visual cruelties out to the road and they said the bonuses is it because there were no graves in Egypt the deal take it as a way to die in the wilderness. Why have you done with us in this way? Bringing us out of Egypt? What is this? Not the world that we spoke to you in a job setting leave us alone or do they serve the Egyptians still would have been better for us to save the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness. Moses said to the people do not fear stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, but you will accomplish for you today because I had Junctions who have seen today. You'll never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for what's a good way to hosterman right there a Lord will fight for you while you keep silent the Lord said to Moses. Why are you crying out to me? Tell me some division. To go for? Address for you, look up your stop stretch out your hand over the seat and avadhut and their sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. Ask for me behold. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians. So they will go ahead after the end. I will be honored through Pharaoh it all his army through his chariots and his Horsemen than the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I am Auto through Fair Oaks to his chariots and his Horsemen father. God I am thankful for the privilege to come to you this morning. God I am thankful for this place. After these people I am thankful that your spirit dwells here. I got your spirit is always working out for you work this morning, or do encourage or to convict go to draw us closer to you. And when it's all done with the music and the message will give all the glory to the only one that deserves it. Jesus Christ, it's in your name. I pray amen and amen may be seated.

God's people Stay right there. The Red Sea almost on living cells on the edge on the album sales on the verge of greatness and asking this question. What will God do whales are scattered and faithful servant / 400 years of slavery in Egypt to send them to 10 plagues promised. Neverland was their own question why they found themselves at the Red Sea and they have to make a choice. Do we walk in the brightness to do we go into greatness or do we go back to the known of where we've been Egypt not a choice. What is themself. Question today could be one of those times where 22nd got busted and asking for God's bass that pay you one God's best. Let me tell you wait on God's best has a plan and God has a purpose always go in God's time and I want you to notice weight quickly this morning. Just three things from this passage. First of all, there are some people that say go back. There are some people that say go back to Georgia verses 10 through 12. What about tomatoes instead? They say there was only coming from a site to get them ready tell you before you left a job to pay retarded. We told you it would be better off as slaves in Egypt, better off where we were. We don't want to go out and die on this water this today. So we need to go back to bondage. We need to go back where we were.. Picture this the greatest. 6 million Israelites best huge number of people that does children lose last night was when did those women?

What up, were they going to do to start a choice to make sure I had to decide something at that moment. What were they going to do? They just started the journey, but some said we need to go back. They thought the beginning was the end for them. None of this is important. I did the right thing the wrong way. And I watch this let me say it again. They did the right thing the wrong way. We said this passage they cried out to God was that the right thing? Reply all to God that I cried out to God and that is what we're here to do. What they cried out and stare weather that infects very crude oil and steer weather down in fight. It's always right to cry out to God, but he says this screw around and stay not in fear and faith cannot endure Converse tennis has to be called out to the Lord. Where was their trust in God if you think about it for just a moment when it got done for them to go to protect them in there slavery. Good. It's a 10 plagues to go to that always thinks he's in the death angels to protect a bed with a blood over the door posted daughter. All those things together. We're still look like crazy. Is that worth in your life? Where is an official time out real quick things in your life? They're just one of those for a second. Just thank God that what God has done. Are you breathing air today Saturday man? You live in a house that I said. Hey, man, you drive a car here. Co threw it on the table. Say amen. That's why our blessings from God. God has done something. What do you realize? You're not even if you're not save, you know, God still watching over. A woman just as you live in this world you get to look around and see all these beautiful days. Never forget. Sometimes we are so Cotton Pickin short-sighted. 1 people in this room that are dealing with things. Hey, man, I haven't been here in a long time. But I know you're dealing with things. Can I tell you the guy that saved you as a still God's working today? Whatever's going on in your life the same God that is moved. So powerfully it's still the same God that is working to day cry out in faith and not in fear. God has provided over and over and over and over for Van rather than cry out in faith. They cried out in his back. We're crying out to God is always the right thing to do, but he says cry out in faith. The second thing that would rather have been known at Egypt than the unknown of God and there's so many today. I would rather have that which is known then the trust that which is unknown to try to tell you this.

every single one of us every single one of us X is an unknown future But aren't you thankful for in the hands of a known God?

We don't know what tomorrow brings. We don't know what we're going to face. we're in the hands of a unknown God if your believer you're in the hands of your father and you can trust him.

Got a shadow of a doubt you can trust them. No matter what tomorrow brings no matter what you going to face. You can trust him if you can trust him with your salvation. If I can trust him with everything you have taught me be able to trust him with whatever is going on in your life a man. We can trust him. Trust your part about that. Okay, we just thought there was on the Ritz by 7. We can throw it out to the desert. We can try to swim across this website safe. That's not an option. Where are we going to do the face the choice that do we go back to the women of slavery toward we step off and rainbow cuz I got a pass for student have to ask that same question today for studying the known for Venture into the unknown. It's a lot easier to walk by sight about what we say dad in the world. Thank you so much easier to 77, Florida bus timing. Did you ever taste of choice and you say I wish I knew how it turn out?

I wish I would just write me a note and just tell me how I was going to turn it off. Choice. God doesn't do that. Google just says trust me and let me just say this.

When you learn to trust him in those small choices that are small as decision to always take care of the big ones also. Today. They process it's a step-by-step process, but there's times. I wish I could go to just write me a note. I just feel his voice. The guy says this I want you to walk by faith. Not by sight. I'll problem now I say our problem. I'm talkin about the church's problem the church at large. I'll probably try to run the church the same way we try to run a business. Am I making sense schedule something? You cannot run our faith Enterprise by sight there has to be some trust in God and one has to be some trusting that which we can do on our own. God gets no glory. Real Madrid at daughter's looking for people to step out of the box cuz I like to do this. I don't know why God would you working and God is going to work today. We're going to trust you and we're going to step out and try it.

Prayer times in a church is life or they need to look back and say only got to do that. Only God could have done that. 42b we need to trust an unknown future to a known God so many times we say this we don't have the ability God's not looking for your abilities looking for are you available? What are the resources we don't have the skills? Let me tell you some it to him. God is going to provide God is going to work. God is good a direct God is going to do. Lead Churchill said we don't have the resources and God says you're right. You don't but me and you got riches in me to say we don't have the strength.

God says you're right.

here lies this when Jesus Christ came into your life you got all of God's you need.

But then I chew on that for a second went went when he didn't just come in at halfway. Did he stay a jumped in with both feet? And if he's living in you you can't try and listen to me. If he's working two years.

When you have his power and his mercy and his goodness, you got all you need. What is he the appropriate way to see the use of a man? Hey, man.

We don't have the ability the resources or the strength. The God does God gets no glory. There's a second group very quickly that says this let stand still verses 13 and 14, but Moses said to the people do not fear stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which one accomplished for you today for the Egyptians from USA Today. You'll never see them again forever for the Lord will fight for you while you keep silence Moses Lake Cinema says this just stand still for a second just pause for a moment with you staying there dogs going to take care of us together as one of the workmen thermostat. God is going through this slow down let the Lord fight for you. Now, that sounds good, but that's not what God Said do and I follow me follow me. It wasn't God's will God didn't tell them to stand still. Why why?

A church never stays the same the church is either going forward or backwards a man. You don't tread water. You're going forward or backwards letter Churchill is there is no such thing as a contraction stays the same type of church. Is it going to storm or some reason ground what happens when a church stance tail? But they start to die for Dior moving God is doing a work God is leading you to do some things well, and he's been telling about some things that God has been leading you to do is Utah's station. Dre featuring what he has in store for drilling about what God has it. I want you to hear me. I'll pray God does a great work in the center. He does a great work. Is there some things listen to me? There's some things God has called us to do. It doesn't matter if you have a pastor or not. now listen Listen, listen Bible says in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 25 not forsaking alone assembling together as in the habit of somebody encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing their don't you think you'll ever come to God's house? You know what just because you don't have a pastor give you already I think God for and besides I know how some people are so I'm just going to skip lunch baloney.

Reverse you think George is all about your wants and not know I was getting real honest. I I feel at home.

It doesn't matter what you think. You're right here to see you. Anyways, we're here to bring him glory. Take take this as being God's house being a place to worship. You know, why cuz you got here just for you. You might be here for a brother sister wanted somebody to your presence. Here is the best place to buy a my tears Works. We're just about to wear watch. I'm encouraged by your presence in this building. How important you say you doubling in God's house. I'll probably close to see you singing the Praises God encourages me to get in Cribbage is that there's no stories in this world that God has worked. What I got is change realized In This Place Your Walking Dead people look inside if they can come and what excuse do I have? Submitting your place. If it's not here man, being your home Church, whatever that may Beach Sunday morning Sunday night with every time you get together together. Don't miss the greatest thing in the world. You encountered somebody if you encouraged this pasture sprinklers this church at 3:30 for being your place & quarks best thing for my domains when the doors open you are to be here, right? Would you be able to be other places by being shot hurts man? There's no place like it Acts 2:42 better continue to bring themselves to the apostles teaching the fellowship to the breaking of bread and a prayer right now. And I know where is where where Teresa Porter I want to translate that really quickly the breaking of blackberry cobbler. Thank you. I heard this morning man, praise the Lord and make good just to be together. Find a good used to sing his Praises register Fellowship in small groups and bible study together on these tables. Don't you dare leave just don't leave after this go around and be with each other take every you know, what I've learned this.

This group is never guaranteed to be back together again.

We all leave this place when I guarantee to come back one more time embrace it every time you come into this place man, but I hear about these people passing away of breaks my heart to think about the years we had together. I'm not lyrics if God tells you to do something you just go ahead and do it because there was just a boy Brody Jenner. He says pray call out to God send those things don't I come by the hills are things that God says they're Jesus tells us and James 1:22 Spell prove yourselves. Do most of the work is not a problem at all, which is the problem with doing doing what God has called us to do whatever that may be. That's one of those beautiful things about this church. You make up this community. You are the fabric of this community. That is who you are when you go when you do that's one of the things I miss the most

I'm just Country Cupboard.

What time is Country Cupboard because it's about a thousand restaurant where we live now and I can walk in one of them. Nice out. I don't see anybody. I know sometimes but I want some country cover don't care. What day of the week it. It don't know half the people in there.

That's one thing. I appreciate about this area. Mancos Community you do life together It's good, you know the good and you know the bad, you know a lot of things. Amen.

It matters that did George I love seeing you here. He just decided it's good match love.

You're part of this community and listen to me. This church matters to this community. A big question churches ask is this if we were not open our doors tomorrow would it matter this community and Pleasant Ridge will be a resounding. Yes, because you matter you are a light to this community for so many years. You been alright light like this community and I praise God for that testimony and who you are, but when you go and you do it speaks well be close with this and we're done. As I look back at all they got it done. Cuz I Stood Still and watch God take care of them. They had no idea listen to me. They had no idea. They got an even better plan for the future.

The best days have not happened yet for this church. I truly believe the best days are ahead because God is still at work. God is still at work. But you know what? God works through you and you matter and you matter and they walked through that Red Sea and and it was testimony after testimony of how God provided how God works cuz I got on the other side and then they sing hymns. They sing praises. They praise the guy that provided What a chance homecoming is to look back and how God is worth over a hundred fifty years here to look at today where you are today, but man God has a bright future because I say this without I'll close with this. Never stop seeking his best. Listen to me. Never stop seeking his best you matter to God. Oh you matter so much to him. He loves you more than you can think or imagine never stop seeking his best. To go to be in his house today.

Ask you this question. Do you know him?

Now, do you know about imma do you know without a shadow of a doubt? Do you know don't pack up. Do you know him? Has he radically changed your life? My bad, I'm not there. I want you to the church has he radically changed your life. Remember to ask you to come also in just pray. The god whatever you have us to do will do. Where do you have us to go? We'll go. Not only corporately but individually in the good that God has a plan for your life. Just got a plan for my life. And I think God that he loves us enough people always call his plan and always seek Him and always give him the glory. Let's go to work and I looks different for everybody in this room, but I'll tell you this. It's always just come to the Altar and pray and thank God for what he's done for what he's doing but also for what he's going to do father. I just thank you Lord for this place called Pleasant Ridge. I think you for these people who we love so dearly. Got to pray for that one than this room that they just might not know you.