1 00:00:29,940 --> 00:00:30,180 You? 2 00:00:30,180 --> 00:00:30,820 Yes, sir. 3 00:00:33,780 --> 00:00:36,980 Oh, I agree with Brother John. 4 00:00:38,420 --> 00:00:41,620 I'm of the conviction if you're going to have a Wednesday 5 00:00:41,620 --> 00:00:46,180 night service, that you call a Wednesday night prayer service, you 6 00:00:46,180 --> 00:00:47,140 better have prayer. 7 00:00:48,020 --> 00:00:48,980 And if. 8 00:00:49,300 --> 00:00:52,180 If it's not going to be prayer, don't call it Wednesday night 9 00:00:52,180 --> 00:00:52,660 prayer. 10 00:00:53,140 --> 00:00:53,980 Thank you, Bible. 11 00:00:53,980 --> 00:00:58,340 Please join with me to the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3. 12 00:00:58,340 --> 00:00:59,420 I'll let you find it. 13 00:00:59,900 --> 00:01:02,220 If you find Psalms, you're on the right track. 14 00:01:03,100 --> 00:01:08,780 Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes Chapter 15 00:01:08,780 --> 00:01:09,100 three. 16 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:16,620 And some of the Psalms have been talking about sheep shepherds. 17 00:01:16,780 --> 00:01:20,700 Right in track with what we got going on tonight as well. 18 00:01:21,420 --> 00:01:23,020 Klesiastes Chapter three. 19 00:01:23,180 --> 00:01:23,980 Look with me. 20 00:01:23,980 --> 00:01:25,420 I hope you're there by now. 21 00:01:25,900 --> 00:01:27,260 In verse number one. 22 00:01:27,580 --> 00:01:29,980 Ecclesiastes Chapter three, verse number one. 23 00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:35,780 To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose 24 00:01:35,780 --> 00:01:36,780 under the heaven. 25 00:01:37,180 --> 00:01:44,180 Time to be born, time to die, time to plant, time to pluck up that 26 00:01:44,180 --> 00:01:45,260 which had been planted. 27 00:01:45,500 --> 00:01:50,020 A time to kill, a time to heal, time to break down, time to 28 00:01:50,020 --> 00:01:54,710 build up, time to weep, Time to A time to laugh, a time to mourn 29 00:01:54,790 --> 00:01:56,070 and a time to dance. 30 00:01:56,470 --> 00:02:00,310 A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together. 31 00:02:00,790 --> 00:02:05,990 A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. 32 00:02:06,310 --> 00:02:08,790 A time to get and a time to lose. 33 00:02:09,030 --> 00:02:11,510 A time to keep and a time to cast away. 34 00:02:11,910 --> 00:02:14,790 A time to rend and a time to sow. 35 00:02:15,110 --> 00:02:19,740 A time to keep silent and a time to speak and a time to love 36 00:02:20,060 --> 00:02:21,260 and a time to hate. 37 00:02:21,580 --> 00:02:24,460 A time of war and a time of peace. 38 00:02:25,340 --> 00:02:28,780 In these eight verses, Solomon, under the direction of the 39 00:02:28,780 --> 00:02:35,940 Holy Spirit, gave Bible wisdom of seeing life through seasons, seasons 40 00:02:35,940 --> 00:02:37,580 of change, or. 41 00:02:37,900 --> 00:02:40,700 What I'm looking at tonight is transitions. 42 00:02:41,340 --> 00:02:43,260 Transitions that we all face. 43 00:02:44,150 --> 00:02:45,830 Meditate for a few seconds. 44 00:02:46,150 --> 00:02:50,630 Verse number one, as you think about Heritage Baptist Church. 45 00:02:51,590 --> 00:02:58,310 To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose 46 00:02:59,030 --> 00:02:59,910 under the sun. 47 00:03:00,950 --> 00:03:02,870 We're all experiencing a purpose. 48 00:03:03,190 --> 00:03:04,950 We're all experiencing a change. 49 00:03:05,590 --> 00:03:07,190 We're all experiencing a. 50 00:03:07,990 --> 00:03:09,270 Yes, transition. 51 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:12,680 And Lord willing, tonight we're going to see and hopefully 52 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,720 understand how Heritage Baptist Church is going through a 53 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:21,480 transition period as ordained and purposed by God. 54 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:22,160 Let's pray. 55 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:24,240 Father in heaven, speak to us now. 56 00:03:24,640 --> 00:03:26,800 Help us to see your word clearly. 57 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:32,080 But Father, I pray that we'll see your purpose and your plan for 58 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:32,960 us clearly. 59 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:36,760 Maybe we've never thought of it in this way or acted upon it in 60 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:37,160 this way. 61 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:40,480 But Father, clearly there is a reason. 62 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,920 Clearly there is a plan, there is a purpose, and we thank you for 63 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:45,640 that help. 64 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:48,880 Us to see it, accept it and embrace it. 65 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:53,360 And use us now as we open our eyes spiritually to see the things 66 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:54,800 you would have us to know. 67 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,040 For it's in Jesus precious name we ask. 68 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:57,840 Amen. 69 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,200 We're familiar with transitions of life. 70 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:03,120 We see it every time. 71 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,970 Every family, every generation, they have babies. 72 00:04:06,970 --> 00:04:09,250 And we've got a slew of babies around here. 73 00:04:09,410 --> 00:04:14,010 In the beginning, they're all cute, they're all cuddly and they're 74 00:04:14,010 --> 00:04:14,610 wonderful. 75 00:04:15,090 --> 00:04:19,290 However, a couple of years later, there's that transition to 76 00:04:19,290 --> 00:04:20,450 the terrible twos. 77 00:04:20,930 --> 00:04:23,450 Some of you remember them, you're laughing about that. 78 00:04:23,450 --> 00:04:26,290 Some of you would like to forget them as well. 79 00:04:26,850 --> 00:04:27,650 Transition. 80 00:04:28,050 --> 00:04:28,930 How to walk. 81 00:04:29,410 --> 00:04:33,400 Kindergarten, transition to primary age, middle school, then 82 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:34,960 high school transition. 83 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:36,360 More changes coming on. 84 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:37,560 What do I do? 85 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:38,920 Do I go to college? 86 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:40,280 Do I go to trade school? 87 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:41,240 Military? 88 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:42,520 Get married? 89 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:45,720 Perhaps the ministry if God's calling. 90 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:50,360 So there are all kinds of transitions that we make in our life. 91 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:55,640 We see here in Psalms 144, verse 12, it says this, that our 92 00:04:55,640 --> 00:05:02,880 sons may be plants grown up in in their youth, and that our daughters 93 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:09,920 may be cornerstones polished after the similitude of a palace. 94 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:12,080 Wow, I love that. 95 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:14,320 Transitions in each and every way. 96 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:17,920 Adults, yeah, we adults go through transitions, don't we? 97 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:23,240 Marriage, family, needing a bigger house, me, maybe a bigger 98 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:24,960 car for all the kids. 99 00:05:25,370 --> 00:05:29,530 Then we get to the senior age and let me tell you right now, being 100 00:05:29,530 --> 00:05:34,290 there myself, our seniors today, many of them come here with 101 00:05:34,290 --> 00:05:38,450 church aches and pains and hurts and battling this and battling 102 00:05:38,450 --> 00:05:38,810 that. 103 00:05:39,370 --> 00:05:43,250 In my estimation, they still come to church faithfully. 104 00:05:43,250 --> 00:05:47,410 They are the real heroes of Heritage Baptist Church because the 105 00:05:47,410 --> 00:05:50,570 average person with that kind of hurt, that kind of pain, oh no, 106 00:05:50,570 --> 00:05:51,930 you're not going to find me in church. 107 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:55,440 They come, they're faithful and God bless them. 108 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:58,400 We appreciate their faithfulness in each and every way. 109 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:02,880 But also we go through unpleasant transitions, don't we? 110 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:07,440 Jeanne and myself, we've experienced changes and transition 111 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:09,840 in our 59 years of marriage. 112 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:14,480 God gave me for an example, for I consider the perfect wife. 113 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:18,320 Couldn't have any other wife better than she is. 114 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:22,080 And we find that God gave us four children. 115 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:24,640 However, two miscarriages. 116 00:06:25,280 --> 00:06:31,600 Our oldest died in 2012 due to complications with lupus and died 117 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:35,200 on our son's birthday in 2007. 118 00:06:35,280 --> 00:06:36,880 I had kidney cancer. 119 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:42,600 So needless to say, we've gone through transitions and by God's 120 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:48,580 grace, we will learn to adapt these God ordained changes and transitions 121 00:06:48,580 --> 00:06:53,180 in her life as the years of experiences come along with that 122 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:57,100 come wisdom, a little bit of Wisdom, how to handle that, and godliness 123 00:06:57,100 --> 00:07:01,180 and maturity and also our gray hair. 124 00:07:01,580 --> 00:07:04,300 All of it comes together with transitions. 125 00:07:04,940 --> 00:07:09,940 But as we physically change, that doesn't automatically translate 126 00:07:09,940 --> 00:07:14,150 or transition into, into maturity, spiritual maturity change. 127 00:07:14,390 --> 00:07:15,350 For an example. 128 00:07:15,510 --> 00:07:20,830 Sometimes a 25 to 30 year old Christian may not have grown or developed 129 00:07:20,830 --> 00:07:24,310 or transitioned spiritually into the maturity level. 130 00:07:24,550 --> 00:07:28,950 I know many of our teenagers are more spiritually mature than 131 00:07:28,950 --> 00:07:30,790 many adults I know. 132 00:07:31,750 --> 00:07:36,310 They've never really grown, they've never really spiritually 133 00:07:36,790 --> 00:07:38,710 grown in their Christian life. 134 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:41,280 Paul knew this at Corinth. 135 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:44,400 For an example, First Corinthians 3, verse number one. 136 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:49,120 And I, my brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, 137 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:53,200 but unto carnal, even as the babes of Christ. 138 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:55,920 For I have fed you with milk, not with meat. 139 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:59,200 For hitherto ye are not able to bear it, neither now are able 140 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:03,440 for ye are yet carnal as whereas there is among you envying 141 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:04,400 strife. 142 00:08:04,990 --> 00:08:10,670 Divisions are ye not yet carnal and walk as men. 143 00:08:11,870 --> 00:08:13,870 From the Kingsians, chapter 3. 144 00:08:14,350 --> 00:08:21,390 God has planned all along a set of time, a determined time, era 145 00:08:22,350 --> 00:08:25,510 we call it, maybe dispensations in the word of God. 146 00:08:25,510 --> 00:08:29,230 But there are certain times where transitions take place, and 147 00:08:29,230 --> 00:08:30,830 we see that many, many times. 148 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:33,960 For an example, in the Old Testament we've got the Old Testament, 149 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:37,760 sacrifices in temple worship, prophets, and the trust and faith 150 00:08:37,760 --> 00:08:41,640 in God and also for the future coming of the Messiah. 151 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:44,040 Then between Matthew. 152 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:49,720 I'm sorry, between Malachi and Matthew are 400 years, silent years, 153 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:53,240 no prophet, no word given, nothing at all. 154 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:58,060 Then we translate into the New Testament. 155 00:08:58,140 --> 00:09:02,180 Then suddenly in Bethlehem, there is a baby born by the name 156 00:09:02,180 --> 00:09:02,860 of Jesus. 157 00:09:02,860 --> 00:09:07,620 He lived for 33 years and the disciples were saved and they were 158 00:09:07,620 --> 00:09:10,980 called to be learners and followers until another change or 159 00:09:10,980 --> 00:09:16,380 a translation, until we see a transition to that of the cross and 160 00:09:16,380 --> 00:09:17,500 the resurrection. 161 00:09:17,660 --> 00:09:21,900 And then the transition, I'm going to leave you. 162 00:09:22,060 --> 00:09:26,370 He says this in John 14:16, and I pray the Father and he will 163 00:09:26,370 --> 00:09:30,170 give you another comforter that he may abide with you forever. 164 00:09:30,250 --> 00:09:33,930 I'm going to go into heaven, and you're going to be left with 165 00:09:33,930 --> 00:09:36,410 another who's going to lead you and direct you. 166 00:09:36,810 --> 00:09:38,970 And he will be called the Holy Spirit. 167 00:09:38,970 --> 00:09:40,010 He's the comforter. 168 00:09:40,490 --> 00:09:41,690 So there's another change. 169 00:09:42,010 --> 00:09:43,930 There's another transition. 170 00:09:44,090 --> 00:09:47,050 Holy Spirit is going to come and live and dwell within you. 171 00:09:47,210 --> 00:09:48,970 And he will empower you. 172 00:09:49,130 --> 00:09:49,620 Acts will. 173 00:09:49,770 --> 00:09:50,090 1, 8. 174 00:09:50,090 --> 00:09:52,130 You shall receive power after that. 175 00:09:52,130 --> 00:09:55,250 The Holy Ghost has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto 176 00:09:55,250 --> 00:09:59,210 Me both in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the uttermost parts of the 177 00:09:59,210 --> 00:09:59,610 Earth. 178 00:09:59,610 --> 00:10:01,290 That is another change. 179 00:10:01,450 --> 00:10:06,530 It's another transition they went through going into the church 180 00:10:06,530 --> 00:10:08,650 age, another one. 181 00:10:08,810 --> 00:10:12,010 And then there will be the one we're all waiting for. 182 00:10:12,010 --> 00:10:15,850 And that will be the transition of the rapture, looking 183 00:10:15,850 --> 00:10:19,810 forward to heaven, the time when this old world is over and we 184 00:10:19,810 --> 00:10:23,490 are up in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 185 00:10:23,730 --> 00:10:26,890 These are all transitions, things that we go through in our 186 00:10:26,890 --> 00:10:27,170 life. 187 00:10:27,330 --> 00:10:30,450 God has ordained transitions. 188 00:10:30,850 --> 00:10:33,010 He has made them with a godly result. 189 00:10:33,890 --> 00:10:36,730 Old Testament to New Testament, from the life of Christ 190 00:10:36,730 --> 00:10:40,930 to that of the Holy Spirit, from the apostles to pastors, from 191 00:10:40,930 --> 00:10:42,390 the temple to churches, from. 192 00:10:42,540 --> 00:10:44,460 From Israel to now, the Gentiles. 193 00:10:44,940 --> 00:10:47,900 Transitions, transitions, transitions. 194 00:10:48,540 --> 00:10:52,060 But there are times recorded that there are some that did not 195 00:10:52,060 --> 00:10:52,940 like transitions. 196 00:10:53,020 --> 00:10:55,100 And most of us are kind of that way. 197 00:10:55,100 --> 00:10:56,220 We don't like change. 198 00:10:56,620 --> 00:11:00,940 I'm comfortable just the way my life is, you might say. 199 00:11:01,180 --> 00:11:05,340 But there are transitions in our life that come, and sometimes 200 00:11:05,500 --> 00:11:06,860 it's resistant. 201 00:11:06,940 --> 00:11:10,370 It's even rebelled against Adam and Eve. 202 00:11:10,690 --> 00:11:12,050 They didn't like the garden. 203 00:11:12,210 --> 00:11:15,090 Who could not like perfect conditions in the garden? 204 00:11:15,090 --> 00:11:16,210 But they didn't. 205 00:11:16,530 --> 00:11:18,290 And they thought they knew better. 206 00:11:18,370 --> 00:11:24,530 And consequently sin entered in because God was put down by the 207 00:11:24,530 --> 00:11:25,010 devil. 208 00:11:25,010 --> 00:11:29,010 And the devil offered Adam and Eve something they thought was better. 209 00:11:29,010 --> 00:11:30,370 You shall be as gods. 210 00:11:30,770 --> 00:11:31,970 Knowing good and evil. 211 00:11:32,130 --> 00:11:33,810 Their life changed forever. 212 00:11:34,250 --> 00:11:39,490 It continued to change in a transition which they've never experienced 213 00:11:39,490 --> 00:11:39,850 before. 214 00:11:40,410 --> 00:11:44,330 Their oldest son, Cain, killed Abel. 215 00:11:44,890 --> 00:11:48,410 The first murder never happened before. 216 00:11:49,770 --> 00:11:51,610 What a transition that took place. 217 00:11:52,250 --> 00:11:53,770 Their life changed forever. 218 00:11:54,090 --> 00:11:56,396 Moses, 40, 40 and 40. 219 00:11:56,464 --> 00:11:57,850 40 years with Pharaoh. 220 00:11:57,850 --> 00:12:00,805 40 years in the wilderness taking care of sheep. 221 00:12:00,805 --> 00:12:00,960 And. 222 00:12:01,110 --> 00:12:05,750 And now 40 years with the children of Israel griping and complaining 223 00:12:06,230 --> 00:12:08,950 because they wish they had gone back to Egypt. 224 00:12:09,430 --> 00:12:14,830 Moses not, of course, was disobedient and ended up not going 225 00:12:14,830 --> 00:12:16,070 into the promised land. 226 00:12:16,550 --> 00:12:18,710 He transitioned as well. 227 00:12:19,110 --> 00:12:22,950 Adam or Abraham, a child was going to have a child. 228 00:12:23,110 --> 00:12:28,800 But 100 he knew and he grew impatient and had a child by another 229 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:29,360 woman. 230 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:31,280 Ishmael was born. 231 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:35,120 Arab people now oppose God's children. 232 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:36,640 Changes. 233 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:40,160 Transitions have come in our church and our life. 234 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:43,520 And we may not like it, but we can't fight it. 235 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:45,760 And we must learn to accept it. 236 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:48,560 We must learn to embrace that timing. 237 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:52,960 According to Matthew 6:10, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on 238 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:57,150 earth, on earth as it is in heaven. 239 00:12:57,470 --> 00:13:01,710 God, you've got a will in heaven, you've got a plan in heaven. 240 00:13:01,870 --> 00:13:03,630 Let thy will be done on earth. 241 00:13:04,270 --> 00:13:06,670 For whatever you have written down up there. 242 00:13:08,190 --> 00:13:12,510 We are in the transition of finding a new pastor for the first 243 00:13:12,510 --> 00:13:14,670 time in 25 years. 244 00:13:14,750 --> 00:13:16,190 It's never been done before. 245 00:13:16,670 --> 00:13:20,000 That's why you need to pray for a pulpit committee that's never 246 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:24,040 been done in their lifetime here at Heritage Baptist Church. 247 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:28,360 These changes, these transitions are not only a time to 248 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:34,040 remodel and maybe reshape our church, but it's a time to remodel 249 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:37,240 and reshape us as well. 250 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:42,440 As we go through it, it gives us a chance to refocus on God once 251 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:45,030 again because we're in this turmoil we're in. 252 00:13:45,100 --> 00:13:45,820 What am I do, God? 253 00:13:45,820 --> 00:13:46,620 What do I do? 254 00:13:47,340 --> 00:13:47,740 Good. 255 00:13:48,220 --> 00:13:48,700 Pray. 256 00:13:49,020 --> 00:13:50,940 Focus on the Lord once before. 257 00:13:51,260 --> 00:13:52,220 It's wonderful. 258 00:13:52,300 --> 00:13:53,380 I think it's wonderful. 259 00:13:53,380 --> 00:13:56,540 We have this honor, we have this privilege of seeing God at work. 260 00:13:56,540 --> 00:14:00,700 Do you know how many churches have never, ever been able to see 261 00:14:01,020 --> 00:14:06,860 God at work because they've always been content with the status 262 00:14:06,860 --> 00:14:07,340 quo? 263 00:14:08,460 --> 00:14:09,820 We have the opportunity. 264 00:14:10,300 --> 00:14:13,750 We have that privilege of seeing God being able to work in 265 00:14:13,750 --> 00:14:15,470 our life over time. 266 00:14:15,710 --> 00:14:19,150 It does seem like, and it happens from time to time, that well 267 00:14:19,150 --> 00:14:25,870 established churches like ours seem to get comfortable, maybe even 268 00:14:26,510 --> 00:14:28,110 too comfortable. 269 00:14:28,590 --> 00:14:33,230 I mean, we've had the same pastor and we have a calendar and. 270 00:14:33,230 --> 00:14:36,750 And we do maybe, maybe the same thing every year. 271 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:40,520 And we perhaps don't put enough prayer into it. 272 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:43,080 We don't take church seriously. 273 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:47,160 Maybe we have told God in our minds, I got it. 274 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:47,800 Don't worry. 275 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:49,240 Don't worry, God, I got it. 276 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:50,440 You don't have to do anything. 277 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:52,040 We've all been through this before. 278 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:55,320 We know what to do. 279 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,400 It's easy to get comfortable. 280 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:03,250 Like Israel AI. 281 00:15:03,410 --> 00:15:06,930 They didn't pray about AI, and they got soundly defeated. 282 00:15:07,570 --> 00:15:11,570 You can get too comfortable in your Christian life. 283 00:15:12,370 --> 00:15:16,210 Transitioning to a new pastoral leadership is not easy. 284 00:15:16,370 --> 00:15:17,090 Not easy. 285 00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:20,210 But take note, we're not the only churches to go through it. 286 00:15:20,450 --> 00:15:23,450 Not long ago, Brother Knickerbocker, one of our evangelists, 287 00:15:23,450 --> 00:15:27,570 came and he spoke and wrote somewhere, I guess on Facebook. 288 00:15:27,730 --> 00:15:33,490 There are over a dozen churches looking for pastor. 289 00:15:33,890 --> 00:15:35,090 We're not the only one. 290 00:15:35,570 --> 00:15:36,850 We're not the only one. 291 00:15:37,330 --> 00:15:38,210 They're out there. 292 00:15:38,530 --> 00:15:42,290 This transition our minds into what we need to be looking for. 293 00:15:42,530 --> 00:15:43,170 Please do. 294 00:15:43,810 --> 00:15:46,770 I've often wondered and I could not remember because we've 295 00:15:46,770 --> 00:15:49,490 been faithful in services, but have we ever. 296 00:15:49,890 --> 00:15:56,280 Have we ever spoken to the congregation about where and what 297 00:15:56,280 --> 00:16:01,960 passages define the qualification for a pastor? 298 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:04,920 Would you know where they are located? 299 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:07,000 Would you know where they're found? 300 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:09,080 And do you know what it says? 301 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:10,520 Well, if you don't. 302 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:11,479 And you're kind of. 303 00:16:11,479 --> 00:16:14,840 Now that I picked your curiosity and write it down. 304 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:20,760 First Timothy, chapter 3 verses 1 to 11, first Timothy, chapter 305 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:26,320 3, verse, verses 1 to 11, first Timothy 3, 1, 11, and Titus 306 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:31,840 1:5 to 9, Titus 1:5 to 9. 307 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,960 Now, don't leave that up to the pulpit committee. 308 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:36,720 You're the church. 309 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:38,160 You vote. 310 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:39,440 I vote. 311 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:41,600 You have to know what you're voting for. 312 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:43,600 You have to know what you're looking for. 313 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:47,960 So familiarize yourself with these passages of scripture and find 314 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:48,960 out what's going on. 315 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:52,440 As you look at these qualifications, you'll see something 316 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:52,960 right away. 317 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:53,880 At least I do. 318 00:16:54,600 --> 00:17:00,240 It's more about the pastor's character than it is his preaching 319 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:00,760 style. 320 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:05,080 In fact, nowhere, nowhere, nowhere, you'll never find anything 321 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:07,080 talking about how he preaches. 322 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:11,400 And yet, nine times out of 10, pastors are selected on how they 323 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:12,120 preach. 324 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:14,280 What about how they pastor? 325 00:17:15,570 --> 00:17:16,450 Ever thought about that? 326 00:17:16,770 --> 00:17:20,370 I mean, because we have a Wednesday night, a Sunday morning 327 00:17:20,370 --> 00:17:21,410 and a Sunday night. 328 00:17:22,050 --> 00:17:25,570 But those are just four hours of the week. 329 00:17:26,370 --> 00:17:30,290 What's he going to do the rest of the week that will concern you 330 00:17:30,609 --> 00:17:31,730 in pastoring? 331 00:17:32,290 --> 00:17:33,090 Think about it. 332 00:17:33,570 --> 00:17:34,370 Think about it. 333 00:17:34,450 --> 00:17:37,250 His character will determine his pastoring style. 334 00:17:38,050 --> 00:17:43,820 There is a difference, by the way, between a preacher and a pastor. 335 00:17:44,460 --> 00:17:45,580 I hope you know that. 336 00:17:45,980 --> 00:17:47,580 A difference between the two. 337 00:17:48,460 --> 00:17:49,260 What we need. 338 00:17:49,580 --> 00:17:51,980 And this is why the other went so well. 339 00:17:52,060 --> 00:17:54,700 A Psalm 23 Shepherd. 340 00:17:54,940 --> 00:17:56,619 A Psalm 23 Shepherd. 341 00:17:56,780 --> 00:17:57,820 And here's why. 342 00:17:57,900 --> 00:17:59,460 Because I'm going to tell you stories. 343 00:17:59,460 --> 00:18:00,220 They're real. 344 00:18:00,300 --> 00:18:01,420 They're not made up. 345 00:18:02,780 --> 00:18:05,660 I will not give you the names, but they're real. 346 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:13,560 I know because I happened to Jeannie and myself, a Psalm 23 pastor, 347 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:15,480 for an example. 348 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:20,800 I pastored three churches whose pastors were not of any kind 349 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:22,760 of biblical shepherds. 350 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,560 They were verbally abusive. 351 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,120 They were bullies from the pulpit. 352 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:31,800 And Jeanne and I had to pick up the pieces and have to repair 353 00:18:32,270 --> 00:18:34,670 those broken churches once we got there. 354 00:18:35,150 --> 00:18:35,870 Get this. 355 00:18:36,190 --> 00:18:37,830 In one church, this is real. 356 00:18:37,830 --> 00:18:38,350 This is. 357 00:18:38,350 --> 00:18:39,630 I do not make this up. 358 00:18:39,630 --> 00:18:44,030 One pastor realized I'm not really saved. 359 00:18:45,550 --> 00:18:50,230 And so he had the Christian school principal come down to the 360 00:18:50,230 --> 00:18:54,910 altar and lead him to the Lord in front of the congregation. 361 00:18:56,030 --> 00:19:02,170 And when that was over, he had the Christian school minister to 362 00:19:02,170 --> 00:19:04,290 baptize him in the baptistry. 363 00:19:05,010 --> 00:19:05,490 Wow. 364 00:19:06,770 --> 00:19:08,530 Of course, that broke up the church. 365 00:19:09,170 --> 00:19:13,970 And another church, an abusive pastor used his pastoral authority 366 00:19:14,290 --> 00:19:15,730 to the extreme. 367 00:19:16,210 --> 00:19:18,210 And I'm not kidding on this one. 368 00:19:18,290 --> 00:19:20,850 He fired deacons from the pulpit. 369 00:19:21,570 --> 00:19:25,780 He named names from the pulpit, pointed fingers, fired him 370 00:19:25,780 --> 00:19:26,820 right there at the spot. 371 00:19:26,980 --> 00:19:30,020 And when they lingered around, told him, get out, get out. 372 00:19:31,220 --> 00:19:32,660 And they would have to get out. 373 00:19:33,300 --> 00:19:36,020 Public ridicule they never came. 374 00:19:36,180 --> 00:19:42,100 I had to follow that man and try to help put God's willing, the 375 00:19:42,100 --> 00:19:45,620 churches back together again in some way, shape or form. 376 00:19:46,180 --> 00:19:50,190 Members were not allowed to have differing opinions, and he did 377 00:19:50,190 --> 00:19:52,110 not allow anyone to question him. 378 00:19:52,350 --> 00:19:58,430 If you question me, I question your motive and therefore you must 379 00:19:58,510 --> 00:19:59,710 be guilty. 380 00:20:00,590 --> 00:20:01,230 Of what? 381 00:20:01,550 --> 00:20:02,510 Questioning me. 382 00:20:02,750 --> 00:20:03,870 He wouldn't allow it. 383 00:20:04,350 --> 00:20:05,390 There's the door. 384 00:20:05,630 --> 00:20:06,430 Go for it. 385 00:20:07,150 --> 00:20:12,030 I was talking to another military vet not long ago, and we 386 00:20:12,030 --> 00:20:16,270 talked about America, how we served our nation, served our country. 387 00:20:16,270 --> 00:20:18,790 Many vets are here, and we had to. 388 00:20:18,790 --> 00:20:22,710 We served in order that we might have freedom, the precious 389 00:20:22,710 --> 00:20:24,950 freedom to do the things that we have. 390 00:20:24,950 --> 00:20:29,110 And one of the things that we have in America is to be able to 391 00:20:29,190 --> 00:20:34,470 make our decisions and vote our conscience without harassment 392 00:20:35,110 --> 00:20:37,990 and without feeling guilty because of that. 393 00:20:37,990 --> 00:20:41,590 Vote with the transitioning new pastor. 394 00:20:41,670 --> 00:20:42,150 Yes. 395 00:20:42,470 --> 00:20:46,350 I mean, you know, we may have Democrats, we may have Republicans 396 00:20:46,350 --> 00:20:51,470 in this church, but we should not harass them because they vote 397 00:20:51,470 --> 00:20:52,630 differently than we do. 398 00:20:52,710 --> 00:20:54,150 That's not America. 399 00:20:55,190 --> 00:20:58,990 America means you have the right to vote the way you feel and 400 00:20:58,990 --> 00:21:01,030 not be called down on the carpet for it. 401 00:21:04,070 --> 00:21:09,780 With a transitioning to a new pastor, I hope we transition to a 402 00:21:09,780 --> 00:21:17,660 new thinking, because I hope, I really do hope, I really do pray 403 00:21:18,300 --> 00:21:21,740 that we do not get into this situation. 404 00:21:21,900 --> 00:21:27,060 And hopefully that's in the past of labeling people that disagree 405 00:21:27,060 --> 00:21:33,340 with us as being cancerous or following core. 406 00:21:34,060 --> 00:21:35,590 And it should not be. 407 00:21:36,230 --> 00:21:39,270 That's not what we serve the military for. 408 00:21:39,910 --> 00:21:41,990 You should have a right to your opinion. 409 00:21:43,510 --> 00:21:47,670 Why would anyone want to insult God's child? 410 00:21:48,630 --> 00:21:49,590 That's what you do. 411 00:21:50,229 --> 00:21:51,430 Call them cancerous. 412 00:21:51,430 --> 00:21:53,350 You're insulting a child of God. 413 00:21:54,390 --> 00:21:58,590 You know what you would do if someone insulted your child on a 414 00:21:58,590 --> 00:22:00,360 basketball court or football court? 415 00:22:02,110 --> 00:22:06,550 What do you think God's going to think when we do this to some 416 00:22:06,550 --> 00:22:07,310 of our own? 417 00:22:08,750 --> 00:22:10,910 We need a Psalm 23 Shepherd. 418 00:22:11,310 --> 00:22:15,710 One who's willing to stoop down, see the needs of the flock, 419 00:22:16,350 --> 00:22:21,230 and not willing to elevate himself and his pride and his righteous 420 00:22:21,550 --> 00:22:24,350 moral superiority by condemning others. 421 00:22:25,150 --> 00:22:31,830 Shepherds are not to yell at their flock like these men did, because 422 00:22:32,470 --> 00:22:35,430 sheep get scared when you yell at them. 423 00:22:36,950 --> 00:22:40,110 They don't produce wool when you are. 424 00:22:40,110 --> 00:22:41,270 When they are scared. 425 00:22:42,710 --> 00:22:45,910 Psalm 23 shepherd welcomes accountability. 426 00:22:46,470 --> 00:22:48,310 They welcome honest questions. 427 00:22:48,870 --> 00:22:49,230 They. 428 00:22:49,230 --> 00:22:50,790 They welcome transparency. 429 00:22:51,350 --> 00:22:51,750 Why? 430 00:22:52,820 --> 00:22:55,460 Because it's not their church. 431 00:22:55,540 --> 00:22:57,220 It's God's church. 432 00:22:58,100 --> 00:23:02,420 And we're here to uplift the honesty and the integrity of God 433 00:23:02,420 --> 00:23:03,540 from his Word. 434 00:23:04,980 --> 00:23:08,100 That's a Psalm 23:SHEPHERD. 435 00:23:09,460 --> 00:23:15,260 Psalm 23:SHEPHERd uses scripture to heal and not weaponize 436 00:23:15,260 --> 00:23:17,860 scripture against members. 437 00:23:19,180 --> 00:23:21,180 Thou anointest my head with oil. 438 00:23:22,060 --> 00:23:23,420 My cup runneth over. 439 00:23:24,060 --> 00:23:29,540 Right now, Heritage Baptist Church needs a healing pastor, one 440 00:23:29,540 --> 00:23:31,260 who knows how to heal. 441 00:23:31,660 --> 00:23:35,540 I hope you get the opportunity to ask whatever candidate it is, 442 00:23:35,540 --> 00:23:36,620 how are you going to do that? 443 00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:41,740 What method you going to put in place to heal this church? 444 00:23:44,070 --> 00:23:44,950 Psalm 23. 445 00:23:45,030 --> 00:23:47,670 Shepherd cares for his sheep. 446 00:23:48,070 --> 00:23:52,550 He leads them to green pastures and to the still waters. 447 00:23:52,790 --> 00:23:56,830 He doesn't create an atmosphere of shame and guilt and 448 00:23:56,830 --> 00:24:02,470 bullying the church, but uses the church to build the people and 449 00:24:02,470 --> 00:24:03,350 not the people. 450 00:24:05,030 --> 00:24:06,550 To build the church. 451 00:24:08,470 --> 00:24:14,060 We need to be fed, we need to be strengthened, we need to be built 452 00:24:14,780 --> 00:24:18,460 in order to be able to help with the enlargement of the church. 453 00:24:19,020 --> 00:24:22,220 But you don't use us and use us and use us and use us. 454 00:24:22,940 --> 00:24:27,500 You build us first and then the church can be built. 455 00:24:28,940 --> 00:24:32,620 So you kind of wonder, like, whose house is it anyway? 456 00:24:32,940 --> 00:24:36,950 Is it man's house or is it God's house? 457 00:24:37,670 --> 00:24:44,150 In Psalm 127, verse 1, except the Lord build the house, they that 458 00:24:44,150 --> 00:24:46,550 labor in vain, that build it. 459 00:24:47,350 --> 00:24:50,950 If it's not God building this house, man can never work it out. 460 00:24:51,670 --> 00:24:52,710 It'll never work. 461 00:24:52,870 --> 00:24:53,830 It'll never happen. 462 00:24:54,550 --> 00:24:58,230 A Psalm 23, shepherd will protect his flock, protect them. 463 00:24:58,470 --> 00:25:00,750 He will make sure they're safe and they're secure. 464 00:25:00,750 --> 00:25:03,300 But Rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 465 00:25:03,300 --> 00:25:05,300 The word and spiritual application. 466 00:25:06,100 --> 00:25:12,180 And it doesn't mean, it doesn't mean that you make up enemies 467 00:25:12,660 --> 00:25:14,340 just to try to protect them. 468 00:25:15,540 --> 00:25:22,580 Sometimes pastors make up bad guys as if to point a finger, rally 469 00:25:22,580 --> 00:25:26,260 the troops, the cancerous thing. 470 00:25:29,390 --> 00:25:29,630 No. 471 00:25:30,590 --> 00:25:32,590 20 Psalm 23. 472 00:25:32,590 --> 00:25:37,710 Shepherd wants the church to grow and be spiritual in this growth. 473 00:25:38,510 --> 00:25:40,350 Judy and I have been in these churches. 474 00:25:40,590 --> 00:25:44,830 We've seen the damage done by these abusive pastors and we've tried 475 00:25:44,830 --> 00:25:47,110 to piece it together from the rubble. 476 00:25:47,110 --> 00:25:50,350 And once again, it's taken the better part of two to three years 477 00:25:50,990 --> 00:25:54,310 just to be able to regain the trust of the small town people that 478 00:25:54,310 --> 00:25:58,300 we lived in and be able to visit once again. 479 00:25:58,700 --> 00:26:02,500 We had one pastor in our Christian school who every time he 480 00:26:02,500 --> 00:26:05,340 went to the post office and the grocery store and there was only 481 00:26:05,340 --> 00:26:09,700 one of each in a small town and questioning people and talking 482 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:12,700 about the football game coming up that Friday night and whatever, 483 00:26:12,860 --> 00:26:16,700 and having a Christian school is that your kid goes to that, that 484 00:26:16,700 --> 00:26:17,660 secular school. 485 00:26:18,060 --> 00:26:19,020 You're wicked. 486 00:26:19,260 --> 00:26:20,220 You're wicked. 487 00:26:21,350 --> 00:26:22,310 You don't do that. 488 00:26:23,030 --> 00:26:24,870 You don't do that in a small town. 489 00:26:25,190 --> 00:26:28,870 You may not agree with a public school education, but Friday 490 00:26:28,870 --> 00:26:32,470 Night lights are their only means of getting together. 491 00:26:33,910 --> 00:26:38,230 And you destroy the people within the church doing that. 492 00:26:39,190 --> 00:26:39,670 Yes. 493 00:26:40,470 --> 00:26:46,830 You know, I thought about this, and I've rewritten many constitutional 494 00:26:46,830 --> 00:26:50,080 bylaws, and I thought, you know what there needs to be? 495 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:55,640 There needs to be a congregational bill of rights to 496 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:56,000 members. 497 00:26:57,360 --> 00:26:58,240 You have rights. 498 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:00,160 Do you not know that? 499 00:27:01,040 --> 00:27:05,280 Many members don't know because they've never been told. 500 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:07,360 It's never been let on. 501 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:12,880 If some pastors like the ones we're talking about, if they let 502 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:17,730 that onto the congregation, I might lose my congregation because 503 00:27:17,810 --> 00:27:19,490 I am supreme here. 504 00:27:21,250 --> 00:27:23,330 Congregation, you have rights. 505 00:27:23,810 --> 00:27:25,250 You need to know what they are. 506 00:27:25,810 --> 00:27:32,970 And I think, as I did, be great to have them in a new constitutional 507 00:27:32,970 --> 00:27:37,410 bylaws that tell you what your rights are when it comes to an abusive 508 00:27:37,410 --> 00:27:42,390 pastor and ones who really don't help further the church so 509 00:27:42,620 --> 00:27:44,300 spiritually for the cause of Christ. 510 00:27:44,700 --> 00:27:48,140 This is a new time, a new time and a new translation. 511 00:27:48,460 --> 00:27:49,740 But transition. 512 00:27:49,820 --> 00:27:53,420 But in addition to that, who's transition? 513 00:27:53,740 --> 00:27:54,340 Ourselves. 514 00:27:54,340 --> 00:27:58,380 And to be more faithful in praying, more diligent in our looking 515 00:27:58,380 --> 00:27:59,060 for that. 516 00:27:59,060 --> 00:28:00,860 Psalm 23, Pastor. 517 00:28:01,340 --> 00:28:01,820 Yes. 518 00:28:01,900 --> 00:28:03,260 That God has for us. 519 00:28:03,500 --> 00:28:04,620 Let me tell you something. 520 00:28:05,020 --> 00:28:05,900 They're out there. 521 00:28:06,380 --> 00:28:07,140 They're out there. 522 00:28:07,140 --> 00:28:08,300 Psalm 23. 523 00:28:08,380 --> 00:28:09,150 Pastors are. 524 00:28:09,380 --> 00:28:10,180 Are out there. 525 00:28:10,340 --> 00:28:13,180 That's why you need to pray for the public committee to sort 526 00:28:13,180 --> 00:28:13,780 that out. 527 00:28:14,500 --> 00:28:17,460 It takes interviews, it takes research. 528 00:28:18,020 --> 00:28:22,060 It takes finding out a little bit about them, their history and 529 00:28:22,060 --> 00:28:23,620 their background, what's going on. 530 00:28:24,580 --> 00:28:28,660 Haven Baptist Church, where Jeannie and I grew up in, got married. 531 00:28:29,300 --> 00:28:32,820 We had the opportunity of pastoring there. 532 00:28:34,180 --> 00:28:34,580 They. 533 00:28:34,660 --> 00:28:38,410 Many of the congregation left because of the abusive pastor. 534 00:28:38,570 --> 00:28:42,330 He was the one that fired men right from the pulpit. 535 00:28:43,530 --> 00:28:45,450 Attendance got down to 25. 536 00:28:46,810 --> 00:28:48,410 Small town, 1300. 537 00:28:48,810 --> 00:28:53,250 We didn't have an Amazon warehouse nearby or factories or 538 00:28:53,250 --> 00:28:56,250 Lockheed Martin or anything that would bring people in. 539 00:28:56,250 --> 00:28:59,050 It was a small country town. 540 00:29:00,010 --> 00:29:04,750 But the Lord led me to preach a series of revival messages. 541 00:29:05,230 --> 00:29:10,030 And we advertised it in the local newspaper at that time, before 542 00:29:10,270 --> 00:29:12,910 social media, in the local newspaper. 543 00:29:13,390 --> 00:29:17,790 And that at a certain date, we were going to have a church renewal. 544 00:29:18,190 --> 00:29:19,390 Church renewal. 545 00:29:19,870 --> 00:29:21,950 All former members, past, present. 546 00:29:22,270 --> 00:29:24,270 Hey, come, we'd love to have you. 547 00:29:24,430 --> 00:29:25,150 Please come. 548 00:29:26,030 --> 00:29:30,320 And we also had church rededication. 549 00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:36,000 I took little vials, which at this time were. 550 00:29:37,200 --> 00:29:41,760 I guess you could find them in any store, wedding store or whatever. 551 00:29:41,760 --> 00:29:43,440 And they would have soap bubbles. 552 00:29:43,440 --> 00:29:46,920 And you open it up, little wand, and you would blow and bubbles 553 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:49,200 would blow out because of the wedding. 554 00:29:49,200 --> 00:29:49,520 Right. 555 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:56,420 I took maybe about 25 of them in my room and I emptied them all 556 00:29:56,420 --> 00:29:56,740 out. 557 00:29:56,900 --> 00:30:01,620 And I put what would to me be the Bible equivalent of olive oil, 558 00:30:01,940 --> 00:30:06,180 and I filled them up, cut all the wands, and put the caps back 559 00:30:06,180 --> 00:30:06,500 on. 560 00:30:07,060 --> 00:30:10,900 During that day, I preached at a series of revival meetings. 561 00:30:11,060 --> 00:30:16,820 And this one date we had a church rededication service. 562 00:30:17,780 --> 00:30:21,820 We rededicated our church to for the cause of Christ, for the 563 00:30:21,820 --> 00:30:26,460 purpose it was supposed to be, tried to stop all the infighting 564 00:30:26,460 --> 00:30:28,820 and everybody else pointing fingers at each one. 565 00:30:28,820 --> 00:30:32,620 And we had a church rededication at the given moment. 566 00:30:32,620 --> 00:30:37,140 I had everybody pop open your caps, take your finger in the little 567 00:30:37,140 --> 00:30:40,660 vial, and anoint the pew ahead of you. 568 00:30:41,540 --> 00:30:46,230 I anointed the pulpit, went to the piano, went to the organization, 569 00:30:46,700 --> 00:30:47,420 the instruments. 570 00:30:47,980 --> 00:30:49,820 We anointed them. 571 00:30:50,700 --> 00:30:53,820 And then I invited everybody to come to the altar. 572 00:30:54,220 --> 00:31:00,620 Let's come and rededicate ourselves before God and have his 573 00:31:00,940 --> 00:31:04,060 church once again be victorious. 574 00:31:04,860 --> 00:31:06,140 The altars were full. 575 00:31:06,940 --> 00:31:07,820 They all came. 576 00:31:09,260 --> 00:31:12,300 And I can tell you God answered that prayer of rededication. 577 00:31:13,010 --> 00:31:17,290 It wasn't long that we averaged over 90 plus in a small 578 00:31:17,290 --> 00:31:17,650 town. 579 00:31:18,210 --> 00:31:20,210 We only had 25 to begin with. 580 00:31:21,250 --> 00:31:26,410 It grew and it grew and it grew and it grew and it grew because 581 00:31:26,410 --> 00:31:30,850 people were willing to rededicate themselves in a time of 582 00:31:30,850 --> 00:31:31,490 transition. 583 00:31:32,210 --> 00:31:33,570 A time of transition. 584 00:31:34,450 --> 00:31:39,710 This transition is indeed talking about God, his church. 585 00:31:40,590 --> 00:31:47,150 A renewed mindset, a church renewed focus, a church renewed spirit 586 00:31:47,150 --> 00:31:49,630 of love, grace, and mercy. 587 00:31:49,950 --> 00:31:55,950 We need to remember, as we read in Ecclesiastes 3, God is in 588 00:31:56,270 --> 00:31:56,990 transitions. 589 00:31:57,870 --> 00:32:00,590 It's for a purpose, it's for a reason. 590 00:32:01,310 --> 00:32:05,940 And God is in this transition at Heritage Baptist Church because 591 00:32:05,940 --> 00:32:07,260 we are his church. 592 00:32:08,060 --> 00:32:11,340 And this church does not belong to any man. 593 00:32:12,380 --> 00:32:18,540 It belongs to God in this transition. 594 00:32:18,620 --> 00:32:20,460 God has a plan for us. 595 00:32:21,099 --> 00:32:22,620 It's got a plan for this church. 596 00:32:23,500 --> 00:32:25,260 That's what transitions are all about. 597 00:32:26,460 --> 00:32:28,060 It can be an exciting time. 598 00:32:28,220 --> 00:32:29,580 Oh, wow, I'm looking forward. 599 00:32:29,980 --> 00:32:31,420 Give me an exciting time. 600 00:32:31,820 --> 00:32:34,300 We actually get to see God work among us. 601 00:32:34,620 --> 00:32:38,900 We actually get to see the handiwork of God before us as he 602 00:32:38,900 --> 00:32:42,700 gives us the man of God wanted and needed. 603 00:32:42,700 --> 00:32:44,940 Here that Psalm 23. 604 00:32:45,100 --> 00:32:50,340 Shepherd, we have to understand God is our rock as well 605 00:32:50,340 --> 00:32:54,700 as our salvation, our peace, our comfort during those times of 606 00:32:54,700 --> 00:32:56,540 changes and transition. 607 00:32:56,780 --> 00:33:03,510 Malachi 3, 6, I am the Lord, I change not. 608 00:33:04,310 --> 00:33:09,990 And Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, 609 00:33:10,470 --> 00:33:11,590 and forever. 610 00:33:11,750 --> 00:33:13,030 He never changes. 611 00:33:13,909 --> 00:33:14,630 We change. 612 00:33:14,950 --> 00:33:18,390 Churches change, but he never changes. 613 00:33:19,670 --> 00:33:25,190 Remember, as we close it out, Ecclesiastes 3, 2 says this. 614 00:33:25,910 --> 00:33:30,790 It's a time to plant, a time to pluck up that which has been planted. 615 00:33:31,510 --> 00:33:37,550 A time to break down and A time to build up Heritage Baptist 616 00:33:37,550 --> 00:33:37,830 Church. 617 00:33:37,830 --> 00:33:39,190 This is our time to build up. 618 00:33:39,670 --> 00:33:41,990 This is our time to see God build us up. 619 00:33:42,230 --> 00:33:45,030 This is our time to see God bless in our life. 620 00:33:45,350 --> 00:33:47,030 It's a matter of transitioning. 621 00:33:47,270 --> 00:33:51,070 Transitioning of this church, transitioning of our minds, of our 622 00:33:51,070 --> 00:33:55,960 heart, getting rid of the past and looking forward to what God has 623 00:33:55,960 --> 00:33:57,400 for us in the future. 624 00:33:58,200 --> 00:34:05,600 Every head bowed, every eye closed, every head down, every eye 625 00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:06,040 closed. 626 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:06,360 Please. 627 00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:10,360 Transitions are never easy. 628 00:34:11,400 --> 00:34:12,440 We don't like change. 629 00:34:14,120 --> 00:34:17,220 But I am afraid change has been thrust upon us. 630 00:34:18,650 --> 00:34:23,370 And with this change, by the design and will of God, it's here. 631 00:34:24,090 --> 00:34:26,250 Like it or not, it's here. 632 00:34:27,610 --> 00:34:28,890 What are we going to do with it? 633 00:34:30,490 --> 00:34:34,730 Are we going to change along with the change that God wants? 634 00:34:35,450 --> 00:34:43,100 Are we going to transition our mindset, our thinking, our old, old 635 00:34:43,100 --> 00:34:46,980 ways of thinking about people and things? 636 00:34:47,540 --> 00:34:52,100 Are we going to transition into what God wants and new life, 637 00:34:52,180 --> 00:34:56,500 a new beginning, a new start, fresh all over again? 638 00:34:57,220 --> 00:35:02,060 This is what God wants when he transitioned from the Old Testament 639 00:35:02,060 --> 00:35:03,140 to the New Testament. 640 00:35:03,460 --> 00:35:07,940 The New Testament churches under Paul did not have animal sacrifices. 641 00:35:08,989 --> 00:35:13,069 You don't carry over the past and you bring it into the future. 642 00:35:14,109 --> 00:35:19,629 You get rid of the past, you shun the past and you think new. 643 00:35:20,509 --> 00:35:20,909 New. 644 00:35:21,469 --> 00:35:23,709 We even say this in salvation, don't we? 645 00:35:24,348 --> 00:35:29,629 Therefore, if any man be in Christ is a new creature, all things 646 00:35:30,189 --> 00:35:32,349 become old, all things become new. 647 00:35:32,669 --> 00:35:34,029 Old things have passed away. 648 00:35:34,730 --> 00:35:36,010 All things have become new. 649 00:35:36,410 --> 00:35:38,490 We don't want to take on the old. 650 00:35:39,530 --> 00:35:44,330 When we got saved, we wanted to get rid of that and take on the 651 00:35:44,330 --> 00:35:44,650 new. 652 00:35:45,130 --> 00:35:46,330 For Jesus Christ. 653 00:35:47,530 --> 00:35:51,770 If you're here tonight, God's got a plan for you. 654 00:35:52,250 --> 00:35:53,450 A plan to transition. 655 00:35:54,330 --> 00:35:58,170 Are you willing to transition to what God wants you to do? 656 00:35:58,810 --> 00:36:03,980 Are you willing to transition his way, his thinking, his mindset? 657 00:36:05,740 --> 00:36:09,580 You come as we sing this invitational song. 658 00:36:09,580 --> 00:36:10,860 I surrender all. 659 00:36:10,860 --> 00:36:13,020 Would you stand please, as we sing.