John Gray - The Hook Up
Pastor John Gray passionately teaches from Matthew 17:24-27 about the miracle of the coin in the fish's mouth, declaring that as children of God we are free from obligation but Jesus provides supernatural hookups—specific, first-try blessings that cover our needs and others' through obedience and generosity.
Opening Excitement
Y’all ready for this word this morning? Everybody stand up if you are ready for the word! Could not be more grateful for you all. I am excited about what God is doing in our community and in our midst.
Generosity and Open Hearts
I want you to go to Matthew chapter 17, Matthew chapter 17. I am looking for some generous people. I had asked that earlier; I am just trying to trick you. Where are the generous people? It is like six of you all. I am going to say that again: where are the generous people? In order to be generous, you have to have an open hand, but before you have an open hand, you have to have an open heart.
Shoutout to Stacy Gilbert
Speaking of open hearts, I want to shout out Stacy Gilbert, who is a part of our team, who just literally had surgery. He texted me this morning, a voice memo; he is in considerable pain, but he is alive. He had blockages in all of his arteries, and here is what happened: he should not be alive, but somehow his body created extra arteries in places of the ones that were blocked until they could discover it.
Creative God Keeps You Alive
I need you to know that you have a creative God that will keep you alive. I do not have any help in here! Do you know God will keep you alive when your body says you should be dead? You are looking at a man who had a saddle pulmonary embolism for weeks. I should have died at any moment, but God told that thing no! Is there anybody grateful that God is in charge of your life, your health, your body?
House of Miracles
So, Stacy, we love you; we are praying for your complete recovery, and it is clear God wants you to recover because if He did not, you would already be gone. But when God starts adding extra arteries that were not there—you all do not hear me! For those who are visitors, this is a House of Miracles. You might need to know that anything can happen in the next 30 minutes. You do not know what God wants to do!
Calling the Generous
Last call from the balcony, online, to right here; I am looking for the generous. Where are the generous? I am looking for 500 generous people with $200 or $300 level faith. I just want you to throw that out in the atmosphere and say, “I got faith for that!” Tell somebody else, “I got faith for that!” That is a small thing to God.
Momentum Shift
You have no clue what is coming to your house. You got to be careful what you say in this season because what you say in this season, you will see in this season. By the way, it shifts into overdrive at 12 midnight tonight. You are going into the second half of the year. You are going into momentum! Alright, Asia, did you hear what I said? Momentum! Everybody say momentum!
Scripture: Matthew 17:24
Matthew 17, go to the 24th verse. I am reading from the New King James version, Matthew 17:24. Son, I am going to need you to have your Bible next week, okay? Alright, because I know you got them; your mama got them for you. It has got some pictures in there and everything! Some of us adults need a Bible with pictures in it because Goliath was on the ark and Elijah was in the lion’s den. No, no sir, he was not!
Temple Tax Question
Matthew 17, I am at the 24th verse. When they had come to Capernaum (that is how it is pronounced, Capernaum), those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher—” that is capital T—“does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said yes. And when Peter had come into the house, Jesus, watch this, anticipated him.
Jesus Anticipates
Lord, I love that! Jesus knows all, sees all, and is aware of all. Know this: if Jesus ever asks you a question, it is not because He does not know the answer. Sir, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Jesus, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free!”
Sons Are Free
Tell somebody, “I am free!” I do not think you realize who you are and what you carry. I do not think you know who your father is. I think you believe your father is the person that your mama dated and maybe married, or maybe she did not marry him, but whoever it was—whether he is in your life or out of your life—he is the one that God decided to allow the seed to come through.
Spoken by God
But your original progenitor, your Abba, the source of your life, came from the mouth of God. You were not manufactured; you were spoken! I can tell I am going to have to take this thing off today. I might feel a little healed in here, I am just saying! Then the sons are free. Tell somebody, “I am free!”
Act Free
Well, if you are free, why are you acting bound? And if you are free, then why do you hang around people in bondage? And if you are free, then why are you binding other people up and holding them hostage? Because the thing about hostages—whether it is through anger, manipulation, or offense—if you hold them hostage, you have got to stay with them to keep them there.
Get Free Today
Tell somebody, “Get free today! Get free!” If you are holding on to grudges, let it go. Somebody offended you? Forgive them! Anyone that owes you? Let it go! If they could pay, they would pay, but they cannot pay, so God will repay!
Lest We Offend
Watch this one more time: say, “I am free!” Nevertheless, lest we offend them, Jesus is talking about the leaders or the ruling class of the Jews of the day. “I do not want to offend them because they are real tender and sensitive,” because you know there are some people who look to be offended.
Easily Offended
“You did not speak to me!” I am sorry; honestly, I did not even see you. “Yes, you did! You saw me! You know good and well you saw me; I was 17 rows back, dressed in all black with sunglasses on!” You saw me! No, I promise you, I did not see you! There are people who want to be offended; they are actually not offended; they just do not like you but do not have a reason, so they need you to do anything so they can feel good about the way they treat you.
Exposed in This Season
You know what I love in this season? No, because the Lord has exposed so many people; they stopped speaking to me, and I am glad, because I already know you do not like me! So why are we playing this game? I know what you said: keep that same energy—keep that same energy, especially in the season that is about to hit me in 12 hours!
The Miracle Instruction
I am going to throw this mic, Linton, and tear this whole church down! Nevertheless, lest we offend them, because you are going to find some people who are easily offended. Watch this! Go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first.
Fresh Bread
When I preach this thing—by the way, this is fresh bread! See, I had no intention of preaching today, so the Holy Spirit was talking to me from the time I got Pastor Tim’s text until about 2 in the morning. So I need you all to know that from about 4:32 to 2:00 in the morning, God was stirring this! Everybody say fresh bread!
First Fish
I have never preached this; nobody has ever heard this. So when you hear it next week at somebody else’s church, just know they got it from us! And take the fish that comes up first. Everybody say first! And when you have opened its mouth—wow! Some of you all have been too quiet, and you need to—when it has opened its mouth, watch what you will find!
Breakthrough in Your Mouth
When you open your mouth, you will find a piece of money! Some of you, your breakthrough is in your mouth! You understand why your pastor had you confess and declare, “I am generous”? Because what you are doing is your faith speaking and priming the atmosphere for God to back your words.
Generous Declaration
Because if you say, “I am generous,” then He has to put something in your hands for that to come to pass, and generous means I am able to give freely without worrying about anything that I have to take care of on my own. Generous immediately means all my needs are met, I get to help others!
Last Chance to Declare
I am going to give you one last chance! If you got faith to say it, say, “I am generous! I am generous!” You will find a piece of money! Take that and give it to them for me and you! He said, “Get a hook, go to the sea, drop the hook; the first fish that you catch, open its mouth!” Inside of its mouth is a piece of money that takes care of what you owe and what I owe!
The Hookup Title
I need you to look at one of your few neighbors and say, “You really are blessed to be sitting next to me!” Now, if they looked at you with an attitude, find somebody that is glad to be sitting next to you! You are blessed to be sitting next to me, because what God is about to do is not just for me; it is for me!
Title Revealed
And I am going to need this worship team; you all might have to scoot over here and get in a couple of these seats! Did you hear what I said? Well, Pastor, what is the title of the message? I am glad you asked! The title of the message is “The Hookup!” Somebody say, “I got the hookup!”
High-Five Activation
You got 18 seconds to high-five seven people and tell them, “I got the hookup!” Put it in the chat feed! Seven people—that is only one! I got the hookup! I got the hookup! Babe, do not nobody want to high-five you! What is up? Get a—get a—I got the hookup, James! I got the hookup!
Prophecy for Houses
Remember what I said: will I prophesy to you what is getting ready to happen for you and your house? Me and my house? I am a part of that! I am speaking it back into the atmosphere! You do not have enough accounts, because for what is coming, you might want to go to the bank tomorrow and open up another one!
God's Bills
Because I promise you, what I ask God for the people—I stopped asking God to take care of these buildings! Pastor Charles, I love you, but you maybe do not remember this movie called “The Wiz.” Do not nobody bring me no bad news! Pastor Charles, I love him, but he will tell pastor, “Another air conditioner went out! We just paid for two of the gym!” Yes, but one went out in the office building and another one, and that is going to be another $60,000!
Fresh Wind
And then we got some other stuff, and I am like, “Well, God, this is your campus! It is your church! These are your people!” And I am not going to lose no sleep; I am not worrying no more! Because every single day that I have been here, you have shown up, shown out, acted up, and made sure that your people had what they needed! So today I am going to preach! Even though it is 850 degrees in here, I am about to faint, but I believe God is going to let a fresh wind come in here! My God! I said, “Fresh wind!” And she handed me a fan!
What is a Hookup
My God, because I spoke it; it showed up! Play with it if you want to! I am trying to tell you what I know! I got the hookup! And so we got all these bills; I was like, “But no, I do not have bills! These are God’s bills! It is the Lord’s church!” I do not own this campus; you all do; this is ours!
Church Belongs to People
And the Lord told me, He said, “Tell the people I am returning the church back to them!” He said, “Give the church back to the people! It does not belong to a man!” People walking around thinking they own the church, walking around like they are bigwigs, cannot speak to folk—that is a devil! I bind that devil! The church belongs to the people! The church belongs to the people, and the people belong to God!
God's Responsibility
Is there anybody that knows you belong to God? You are God’s responsibility! Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before His presence with exceeding joy. To the only wise God be glory, majesty, dominion, and power both now and forevermore!
Examples of Hookups
I know I am already on 100; I am not starting at zero. I am at 100, and I am going to 120, so you might as well come on and catch up! Put your track shoes on, baby! It is the Olympics! We are going! On your mark, get set—I need some help in here! I said I need some help in here! I got the—anybody ever had family that worked at fast food? Lift your hands if that is you!
Buddy Pass and Discounts
You ever went through there on their shift? Day-Day works 4 to 12, you get up there, you go through—they got a little code; they know you at the drive-thru! Hook you up with some extra fries, some nuggets, a chicken sandwich! Hooked up! What is another example of a hookup? You ever had the hookup? What does the hookup look like? A 20% discount at a store that does not work, because my wife sees 20% discount; that means she gets to buy 20% more, because it is actually the same price now—no, that is not how that works! Skip the line at Six Flags because you got somebody that works there—buddy pass!
Context in Capernaum
Anybody ever flown on a buddy pass? Now that can hit or miss that buddy pass; I have you sitting in that airport for about three days just—I have been in here like Jesus, just three days in the tomb! Just is not nobody—is not nobody sick, did not nobody miss no connections, just I cannot sit in the bathroom, nothing in the overhead compartment. But every now and then, that buddy pass works out, and you do not even sit in coach; they put you up in first! Yes, sir!
Village of Comfort
Well, this story, we find Jesus in Matthew 17 with Peter, and he is in Capernaum, which means village of comfort. This is where Peter lived. We know that Peter was married because Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, who was sick with a fever. So we understand that Peter was married; we do not know if he had children, but we do know that he lived in Capernaum. At this point, Jesus was staying in Peter’s house.
Temple Tax Explained
Now, once a year, the Jews would take from all legal-aged males a temple tax. Everybody say, “Pay your taxes!” Pay your taxes! Listen, all of us know when you see that letter from the IRS or any of that stuff, your whole spirit just drops! I do not care how good the day was! Oh Lord Jesus!
Thankful for Taxes
All that means is that you were blessed because people with no money do not pay taxes! Instead of looking at it as a burden, take a second and say, “Lord, I thank you that I have anything that I can pay taxes on!” Somebody needs to thank God. Every time I get my check, they done took their money—thank God for what you got left! Thank God you have a job! Thank God that you were able to get up and go to the job! Can somebody thank God for what you do have instead of complaining about what they took?
Temple Tax Tradition
I am going to give you a few seconds to be grateful! I am going to give you a few moments to let me explain this! I need you to hear this! Lean in! I do not want you all just sitting in church, not getting this word and walking out the same! The temple tax was a big deal! Now, let us be clear: this was not a Roman tax, so this was not a government tax; this was a temple tax, which is actually closer to tithe and offering!
Word Moves to Give
That is why Pastor said we are not giving at the normal time; we are going to give during the word, because if the word does not stir you to give, then there is nothing else that will move you! If the word does not move you, then emotion will not move you! If the word does not move you, then the need will not move you! If the word does not move you, then whatever circumstance the church is in will not move you!
Religious Tradition
But in this day, they made sure everybody—and here is the thing: all men of legal age in the synagogue have to pay the temple tax! It is a drama, and you need to pay it! Everybody needs to pay it, and everybody who does not pay it, you are ostracized. Now watch this: it was not a legal requirement, but it became like a law because it was a tradition that became a law.
Unconventional Jesus
There are things that are religious that are traditional, but they are not legal; they are not law-based. And that is why many of the Jews of the day could not stand Jesus because He did unconventional things—like heal people on the Sabbath! He would do unconventional things—like touch lepers then heal them! He would do unconventional things—like allow a woman who was ceremonially unclean with an issue of blood touch the hem of His garment, knowing she was not legally supposed to even be outside!
Generational Legacy
Are you hearing me, or am I just preaching to the air? Talk to me! I am looking for 500 people who are going to receive this word, because I believe that God is about to reconcile your generational legacy through the receiving of this word today! Oh Lord!
Don't Get Too Comfortable
So here is what the word says: Jesus and Peter were in Capernaum, a village of comfort. Tell somebody, “Do not get too comfortable!” The problem with the church right now is we are a little too comfortable. The church is where you show up, but that was never how Jesus intended it. The church is what you are; the building is where you show up!
Church is You
I am going to say it one more time: the church is where you are; the building is where you show up! Jesus was sitting in Peter’s house. Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man; Jesus, the creator of heaven and earth; Jesus, He whom the Father reconciled all created things—everything that was created was created through Jesus Christ. But here Jesus is living in Peter’s house because Jesus did not have a house of His own!
Anointing Needs Landing
The anointing had no landing place! And that is like—oo, that is so sad! It is no different than when Noah let out the dove from the ark; the anointing had no place to land, so it came back to the ark; then it flew out and got an olive leaf, then came back, but it still had no place to land. Then he sent it out again, and it never came back.
Living Word to Word
And this is the power of the Holy Ghost! For those of us who walk in the anointing—who walk in the obedience of God—you will not always have what looks like safety and security because you do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God! I want to talk to some people who are fretting because you look like you are living from paycheck to paycheck!
Word to Word
No, no ma’am, no sir! Nobody online, no online family—you are living from word to word! Now, I have never said that, but sarahan, I am living from word to word! I need you to find seven people, get up, elbow, do something, tell them, “You are living from word to word!” Word to word! But only say it if you mean it!
Thank Him
But if you are living from word to word, then the last word He spoke provided for you! Then, did you thank Him? There it is; I see you moving, man of God! See, because I said I do not want you sowing until you get a revelation of this word! I am believing 500 people to be 300-level generous, $200-level generous, because we got big bills, but I got a bigger God!
Jesus Anticipated Peter
And we live from word to word, but I am only speaking to the generous! You ready for this one? Because I am about to come right down your row! Row four, this for you! Row four, this for you all! Get ready! You got the key! Go on! Yes, sir! You is for your row! You all ready?
Sons Are Free
Jesus was sitting in the house; He was not with Peter when the Pharisees approached Peter and said, “Does your teacher pay the tax or is he going to be funny acting too? He has been messing with all of our traditions—is he going to pay the temple tax too?” Peter, um, yeah, yeah man, he is going to pay it! Peter did not know!
Jesus Was There
How do I know he did not know? Because the first thing Jesus said when Peter came into his own house, Jesus said, “Hey, Peter, let me ask you a question.” I love that Jesus was not there, but was there! I do not know who this is for, but when you are sitting over there struggling, fretting over your bills, you do not think nobody is there—it is just you and the bills at the table—Jesus is on the other side in the other chair!
Do What You Do
I am getting ready to help somebody! Somebody is going to shout; somebody is going to worship! I know that you were crying because you did not think you had enough, but who do you think caught those tears? I am trying to help six people in here and 18,000 online! Is there anybody that is listening to what I said?
In What You Do
Jesus said, “Peter, let me ask you,” he said, “Let me ask you a question, Simon! To whom did the kings and leaders of the earth collect tribute or taxes—from sons or strangers?” Peter says, “Strangers!” He said, “Then the sons are free!” What Jesus was saying is that temple belongs to my Father; I am the temple!
Specific Instructions
He said, “But nevertheless, I do not want to offend these people any more than I already have! Peter, go do what you do!” You all missed that because you are like, “How am I going to get wealth? I am going to have to do something brand new!” No, God says, “In what you already do!” In what you already do! Because Peter was a—what before Jesus found him? Fishing!
No New Skill
Listen, you are not going to have to learn a new skill for the blessing that is about to hit your house! In 12 hours from right now, God says if you just do what you do, I need you to write that in the chat feed, “Do what you do!” He said, “Hey, go fish! Get a hook!” Wait a minute! I am sorry! Because when we find Jesus talking to the fisherman, He was like, “Let down your nets for a catch!” Because a net is easier to catch fish than with a hook.
One Hook, First Fish
Unless of course, you are moving based on a word! Sir, I am not using that today! It is in my way today! I am declaring I am going into a place of healing today! The pain is still there, but I am not putting this mic up; I am letting the devil know you do not have control over my healing; God does!
First Try Works
I am going to do what I do, because you all know I am full contact! I run, I jump, I do all of that! But with what I have, I am going to do what I do! You all missed it! You got it! Okay, so check this out, Pastor Mike! He said, “Get a hook!” Now, for a fisherman who uses nets, to get a hook is a scary proposition!
Not Hit or Miss
He said, “Get a hook! Put the hook in the water; the first fish you catch…” You are not going to be out there all day! This is not hit or miss! This is not try this, try that, try this, try that, try this, try those, try him, try her—no, no, no, no, no! First hook, first fish! Everybody say ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH!
Assigned Fish
Tell somebody else, ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH! Listen, you are not going to have to throw nothing back in this season! God is going to bless the first time you try it, bless the first time you do it, bless the first business plan, bless the first day you open that business, bless the first date you going to know yes or no!
Fish Finds Hook
Watch this! Either way, you blessed because you are not going to waste time! Everybody say ONE HOOK, ONE HOOK! FIRST FISH! FIRST FISH! Watch this! Jesus said, “Peter, the Jews have been looking for a reason to kill me! They want to kill me; they hate me; they cannot stand me!”
Specific Fish
By the way, if you are an online electronic giver, if you are an electronic giver, and you sow, lift your gift in the air, just lift it up once you have sown! If that is you, I asked you to wait because I needed you to know what I am believing God for! Because some of us tip God! This is not tip day! This is ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH day!
Debt Cancellation
This is God is about to pay all of my bills; excuse me, not all your bills, ALL YOUR DEBT! Carla, I do not know if the first row heard me—ALL YOUR DEBT! The thing that you could not pay—watch this—the thing you do not have the ability to pay!
Specific Obedience
Jesus is going to give you specific instructions: “Go to this store at that time! Go to that Starbucks! Be there by 35! Wear this outfit! Sit in this chair, and there is going to be a man that walks in like this! Pay for his coffee! It will start a conversation, and what is going to happen from the conversation is somebody is going to finance your dream!”
Nine Figures Seed
I am trying to help you all! I talked to the leaders yesterday; the Lord put an old friend on my heart a couple of weeks ago, and I reached out because he had transitioned one of his businesses—sold it for nine figures! And I just happened to speak life and encourage him, and it started a conversation! And it was such a beautiful time of just reconnection!
The Fish Finds You
And I just needed them to know that just out of obedience—just out of pure obedience, reaching out, checking on them, and all of a sudden you just decided to sow a seed into the church. You are clapping! I said nine figures! But some of you all do not know what nine figures is; go look it up! Sold one of his companies!
Assigned Blessing
And the reason why some of you all did not shout is because you do not believe God can do that in you! But there is about nine of us who believe that God can do exceeding abundantly above! Where are my exceeding abundantly above? I am looking for 500 people to be even more generous! I need you to go above and beyond—I need you to sow!
Your Fish
There is one person running; she is already running! I love that! By the way, Jesus said, ONE HOOK! When you used to a net, He said, ONE HOOK! Why? Because I am going to be specific! I am telling the fish to get on the hook! A—they did not catch it! You are not going fishing; the fish is looking for your hook!
Praise Break
You are not looking for a fish; the fish is looking for your hook! And it is not just a regular fish; it is a fish with a mouth big enough to eat money, to eat money and still swim, to eat money and still live, to eat money and still survive, to eat money but still have the ability to find your hook in the Galilean sea!
No Jealousy
Preach, John Gray! I am—you do not hear me! God says, “Put your hook in the water, and the fish that I have assigned will find your hook!” This is why you do not need to worry about who else is fishing! Do I have anybody in the back that understands any of the words that are coming out of my mouth? Did you hear what I said?
30-Second Praise
You are about to get the hookup! There is a fish that was minding its business in the sea, the Sea of Galilee, right there on the shores of Capernaum, and somehow somebody with some money dropped it in the water! Somehow this fish swallowed that money, and that fish was in the same water as his cousins, his uncles, his mama and them—all of them got scooped up in nets, but that fish escaped!
Double Portion
You have no clue how many people wanted the fish that is about to be on your hook! But nobody can scoop it because God assigned it to your hook! Sir, nobody can get your wife; God assigned her to your hook! Ma’am, nobody can get your husband; God assigned him to your hook! If he is not on your hook, he belongs to you! And I feel the Holy Ghost!
Praise for Assignment
Stop being jealous of what other people have; that is not your fish! I need a 30-second praise break! I said I need a 30—hey man, Indiana Jones, stand up! I need crazy praise from everybody on your row! Everybody on your row! Everybody on your row! Everybody—hey, everybody on your row!
First Time Success
I do not need you worrying about what somebody else has; that is their fish! God has a fish with your name on it! And even if their fish looks good, they are going to cook their fish—you are about to pay debt with yours! I am believing for 200 today! I am believing! I am believing for unprecedented resource today!
Debt Paid for House
What did I say yesterday? I am believing! 500 people will sow $300, is that what I said? I believe that! I believe that! Because that is what we need! But here is what is going to mess you up: Jesus said, “Get one hook! Put one hook in the water! The first fish you catch…”
Start Tomorrow
I need you to know the first time you try is going to work out in your favor! Who ever was waiting, should I go start the business? If I were you, I would start tomorrow! Baby, on the seventh, seven is new beginnings! But add one—plus one is completion! And add two—one is a new beginning! So go on and walk into your completely new beginning!
Covers Me and You
And it is on a Monday, the start of the business week! You need to go down to the business office and be like, “Fish, I am going fishing!” Listen to me, I got to hurry! I got ten minutes, 100 minutes or less! Help me, baby Jesus! Somebody in here, you need to move because some of you all have not moved! You need to move! Stop playing with me!
Altar Call
Somebody say ONE HOOK, ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH! Jesus said the first fish you see will have a piece of money in it! Pay the tax for me and you! I do not know who this is for, but hear me! Whatever you are about to sow or whatever you have sown just unlocked debt freedom for the person next to you!
Obedience Unlocks
Some of you all are not clapping because the Lord told you to sow and you did not! But thank God somebody next to you was obedient, and you still got eight minutes to get in line with the word of God! Oh no, no, no, no! Jesus said, when you catch it, there will be enough for me and you!
Double Drama
I need you to know that the blessing of the Lord that is coming effective in less than 12 hours from right now is not only going to pay for you, it is going to pay for your house! God is eliminating debt! He is cancelling debt and all of it! Did you hear what I said? Ma’am? You have no clue! Go get all your bills and write PAID when you put them on the kitchen table!
Full Payment
Did you hear what I said? I need you to do—everybody stand up! You are playing with my emotions! Today, Jesus said, ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH! Not only is it going to pay my debt; Peter is going to pay yours! And because you have been letting me live in your house, I am going to pay your debt! Because neither one of us has the ability right now!
Power and Poverty
So I am going to let you do what you do! Go fishing! Whatever it is you normally do in the normal course of your day tomorrow, God is going to give you ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH! Watch this! The piece of money that was in the fish’s mouth was a drama—not just a drama, because the temple tax was a drama, but a drama means two, which means I could pay for two!
Win Souls
I need you to know that if you have the faith to put your hook in the water, you are getting double! You got the hookup! Tell somebody, “I got the hookup!” No, you did not believe me; I got the hookup! I need elders to get in position right now! The drama! Peter, you and me, debt paid! Why? Because I am in your house!
Salvation and Membership
This is amazing! It is Jesus! He owns the universe, but He took off that part of His glory so that He could be the full payment for our sins! In this scripture, we see the full power and poverty of Jesus! The poverty of His human condition because He decided, “I am not here to make money; I am here to win souls!”
Come to Altar
The job of the church is to win souls! And today, I need you to know this was our ONE HOOK! You—the fish! We waiting on! So I am waiting on the first fish to get to this altar! Somebody needs to join this church right now! Somebody needs to make your way to the altar right now!
Sin Debt Paid
Somebody—you know I am talking to you! You supposed to be at this church! You supposed to be a member! You supposed to—you want to get saved today! Jesus is here letting you know I paid your debt! I paid your sin debt! You need to get to this altar! Who am I talking to? Is that you, young lady? Come on, walk with her!
Prayer of Salvation
Who else? Who else? Who else? Is that you, young man? Come on! Who else? You all need to clap a little louder for them! Bring them closer, please; you all scared! We do not stink; we wash well! Who else? Keep clapping! I believe there is about three more that is supposed to make a move!
Welcome Home
Oh, you are about to pull me to the altar! Make sure I am saved! Is there anybody else? Is there anybody else? Good to see you, man! I want everybody here—God bless you; I am so glad you all here! Welcome home; your debts have been paid! Your sin debt has been paid! Debt has been eliminated! Anything that you owe, Jesus has paid it!
Repeat Prayer
Watch this—in the natural and the spirit! So I want everybody here to repeat this prayer after me! I want you to say this, are you ready? Lord Jesus, it is me! I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord! Thank you for the blood that was shed for me! I receive the free gift of salvation, not through my works but the finished work of the cross! The blood is enough to pay for all my sins!
Holy Spirit Come
Now, Holy Spirit, come live inside and teach me how to be more like Jesus each and every day! You are my savior and my Lord! In Jesus' name, amen, amen, and amen! Welcome home! I need everybody to turn this way! We are walking this way right now! We are going with Elder Linton; you could not go with a more blessed elder today, because the blessing is on his household!
Closing Celebration
Let us celebrate what God did and what God is doing! Everybody put up a ONE—ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH! ONE HOOK, ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH! Debts paid! PA legacy! Abundance! Abundance! Overflow! Increase supernaturally in Jesus' name!
Generous Hands
Where are the generous? Let me ask a question! I was believing for 500 people—how many people sowed today? Hands up; let me see your hands! I was believing—a pastor for at least 500 people to sow a seed, and I believe that God did that today! I know He did! ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH! That feels like a shirt! Amen!
Announcements and Benediction
Have you been blessed today? Love Story Church, we want to remind you that we have a Jamaican food truck for our Summer Together Sundays! If you want to go visit the food truck, there is one out there, so you can gather and be with family and grab some food on the way home! And also, if you are a young adult, or you know someone who is a young adult, and you need to gather the information for our next J Ministry, that meeting is in refuel right now after we dismiss!
Final Blessing
But I need you to go over there and grab the information! You are going to be enlightened and encouraged, and we need our Young Adult Ministry to get going! So if you fit the ages of 18 to 35—next gen, 18 to 35—D Now is right in the refuel room! Your meeting is right now! And also, do not forget to grab a raffle ticket to sow into the youth for Carroll Wins! And if you would like to sow into Pastor John for his birthday, you can do that as well!
Dismissal Praise
God bless you, and we love you! So lift your hands! Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before His presence with exceeding joy! To the only wise God be glory, majesty, dominion, and power both now and forevermore! ONE HOOK, FIRST FISH! In Jesus' name, amen, amen, and amen! Leave here with a praise on your lips! Give it up to God right now! God bless you! Give it up to God right now! See you next Sunday!
