Brief Summary
This video features a church service with announcements, tithes and offerings, and a sermon about the goodness of God. The speaker emphasizes that God's goodness is beyond human understanding and encourages the congregation to praise God to experience His presence and have more of Him revealed. The sermon focuses on the importance of walking uprightly and believing that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him, urging listeners to overcome evil with good and be a source of goodness in the world.
- Announcements of church events and special guest speaker.
- Sermon about the goodness of God and its impact on believers' lives.
- Encouragement to seek God and walk in integrity to experience His rewards.
Announcements and Introduction
The speaker begins by wishing everyone a Happy Father's Day and then proceeds with several announcements. Outreach took place yesterday, with one salvation and prayers with 21 people. ETBTC students have a test this week, with no teaching, and midweek service will resume on the 25th at 6:30 PM. Life Group is scheduled for the 19th, and Family Fun Night will be on the 22nd at 5:00 PM. Men's breakfast is set for the 28th at 9:00 AM. A special guest minister, Dr. Melody Lavin, will be speaking at the end of the month, with a believers meeting that Sunday night oriented toward worship.
Tithes and Offerings - The Goodness of God
The speaker transitions into tithes and offerings, referencing Psalm 136:1, "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his loving kindness is everlasting." The speaker explains that our understanding of "good" is weak compared to God's pure form of goodness, which is like comparing coal to a diamond. In 2 Chronicles 5:12-14, the glory of the Lord filled the house of God when the Levitical singers praised Him, highlighting that God inhabits the praises of His people. Praising God reveals more of Him, and if you feel far from God, offer a sacrifice of praise. Experiencing God changes your view of the Bible, making it personal and desirable to read.
Praising God and Honoring Leaders
The speaker encourages the congregation to practice praising God, emphasizing that He inhabits those praises and reveals different facets of Himself. The congregation begins to praise God, thanking Him for His goodness and loving-kindness. The speaker reminds everyone that praising God should not be limited to corporate worship but should be a constant practice. The church body then presents gifts to the bishop and pastor for Father's Day and an upcoming birthday, including vision boards representing their aspirations.
Sermon: The Goodness of God and Walking Uprightly
The bishop begins his sermon by referencing Psalms 84:11, stating that God is a sun and shield who bestows grace, favor, and future glory. He emphasizes that everything from God is good, better than just "good." He shares a story about Dr. Seville, who showed goodness even to those who tried to harm him, emphasizing that the goodness of God leads to repentance. The bishop stresses the importance of walking uprightly, which means living with integrity and doing good, referencing Acts 10:38, where Jesus went about doing good.
Truths and Walking in God's Goodness
The bishop continues by stating that God is all sunshine and there is no darkness in Him. He clarifies that God does not put sickness on people to teach them; instead, He puts goodness on them. Quoting scripture, he reminds the congregation that goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days of their lives. He emphasizes that integrity is key to God's goodness and unlocks more of it. Walking uprightly means living in truth, sincerely, and undefiled.
Faith, Rewards, and Abundant Life
The bishop references James 1:17, stating that every good and perfect gift is from above. He emphasizes the importance of believing that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him, referencing Hebrews 11:6. He encourages the congregation to believe that something good is going to happen to them because God is good. He contrasts living an ordinary life with living an abundant life, stating that Christ came to give them more than just life, but abundant life.
Overcoming Evil with Good
The bishop emphasizes that one cannot come to God doubting His reality or goodness, as that cancels faith. Faith is the access key to goodness and more. He encourages the congregation to expect more from God and to overcome evil with good, not with anger or revenge. He shares personal anecdotes and biblical references to illustrate how goodness can be a powerful weapon against evil.
Goodness as the Answer
The bishop stresses that the church should be the answer to the problems in the community and the world. He shares examples of how the church has provided practical help, such as paying off school lunch accounts and offering resources to a pastor whose church burned down. He encourages the congregation to let goodness flow out of them and to be a source of goodness wherever they go.
Treasure Hunting and Altar Call
The bishop shares a story about "treasure hunting," where he and his wife would seek out people in need based on prophetic guidance. He emphasizes that God speaks to those who listen and that the church should be focused on outreach and showing goodness to others. He concludes with an altar call, inviting those who feel the dam of goodness is stopped up in their lives or who need to be the answer to a situation to come forward for prayer.
Prayer and Benediction
The bishop leads a prayer, asking for a big dose of goodness to be poured out in the room. He prays for those who are struggling and for those who need to be the answer to a situation. He speaks the goodness of God over their homes, families, and expectations. He then invites those with bad health reports to come forward for prayer, speaking the goodness of God over their bodies. Finally, the youth group presents gifts, and the bishop gives a benediction, encouraging everyone to walk in goodness as they go.
