Pastor Appreciation Service

Tonight I had the honor of preaching at New Salem Baptist Church for Pastor Matt Adams 1st appreciation service. It went well, God blessed in spite of us. I am a manuscript preacher, not that I need it or really even look at it, but it is my crutch. If something goes wrong where my mind blanks out or I see a mean look or notice Satan in the sanctuary, it is my point of reference to find God again and center myself within his will.



Tonight I accidentally but providentially left my manuscript at home and did not realize it until I was in the office at the church. In the office amongst the preacher brethren chatting about this and that, I heard God speak to me in a clear and powerful way. He told me if your Manuscript was written about THE MAN, get up and talk about THE MAN and the power to preach will come from THE MAN if U will get out of the way and let the Bible be your SCRIPT.



I was delivered tonight from the burden of perfection in the pulpit. God does not bless me because my words are perfect or everything is aligned and alliterated but he blesses me because I am talking about THE MAN.



We had a great preaching experience. I was in a bad spot in between Pastor Andre A. McGhee who preached Thursday and Pastor Anthony R. Pettus Sr., who is preaching Sunday evening but God granted favor. I pray God's choicest blessing on Pastor Adams and the New Salem Church.



I preached out of John 12:1-8 although I only read the first three verses as I didn't want to give Judas any more credit than he deserved. I talked about "A Bethany Experience".



Simple structure: The World loves parties and celebrations no matter how extreme or extravagant the cost may be until someone decides to want to do something for the prophet. When it is for the man of God we in holy ceremony ask, Is it Biblical, Is it necessary, and are we doing too much? Whatever we do for Jesus can never be enough in regards for all he has done for us.



Background: Jn 12:1 starts out with the word "Then". I hate always catching a conversation in the middle of things so I had to go back and found out what happened.

JN 11: 1-16 Lazarus becomes sick, The sisters send word but Jesus sits where he was Two More Days.

JN 11: 17-44 The resurrection shows up and calls Lazarus from the grave Four days later.

JN 11:45 Some believed and were transformed

JN 11: 46 Some become bitter and told

JN11:47 Uncalled, Unscheduled and out of order church meeting is convened.

JN 11:48-57 Agenda on the table. Let's get Jesus before we lose our jobs, He becomes Jerusalem's most wanted.

JN 11:57 ends with if anyone knows where Jesus is they should report it that they may seize him

JN12:1 THEN- easy to have a party for someone when everyone likes your guest but what if Jesus is hated by the Pharisees who want to persecute and prosecute him. What will you do if people don't like your guest.

JN 12: 2 They made Jesus the center of attention, how much better would our churches, lives, and world be if Jesus, not the oldest member, head deacon, controlling family but Jesus had his rightful seat in our worship.

Long story short a Bethany Experience teaches us we should:



Give God the Best We Have, Vs 3 costly oil of spikenard



Give God All We Have Vs 3 she poured it(NIV) she didn't drip it here or there. We do have drippers in the church who like to give God as little as they can.



In spite of Judas, Never Stop Giving God What You Have, Judas committed suicide but his cousins in the family survived, they are always around to say that's too much, that's too loud, that's too long, but you don't know my story, you don't know what I been through...................... That is a Bethany Experience