Rev. Dr. Pastor Crosby, Pastor INDEFINITE SERMON TOPIC- "No Shortcut To The Promise Land. Exodus 13:17. Moses was born for a certain reason. We all are born for a certain reason.

First, let me share this: Mary and myself was talking on sunday morning before going to worship services and I was sharing with her about Messianic Jews which are Christians and Arab Christian Ministries. I shared with her that Book of Acts is a great book to read and I shared different scriptures in Acts with her.

On Sunday, September 1, 2002 I was attending worship services with Mary at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo. and Pastor is Rev. Dr. Curtis Crosby.

On Order of Services program what really caught my eye was Pastor Crosby's INDEFINITE SERMON TOPIC- "No Shortcut To The Promise Land" Exodus 13:17

The Sermon text came from Acts 6:1-4.

The pastor told us to look at "brethen" in verse 3.

He did share that Wisdom is fear of Lord. The church must have strong leaders in order for church to grow. Leadership is not an option but a principle. In Old Testament we are introduced to strong leaders. Moses was born for a certain reason. We all are born for a certain reason. When Moses came down from mountain nobody had to ask him where he had been. He talked about Kings of Israel. He talked about Joshua being Moses successor who was anointed.

In his sermon he talked about "Joshua", "Levites" and "Ark of Covenant."

When time came for Acknowledgements of Visitors I did stand and I told church and Pastor I enjoyed sermon. I told church and Pastor that it was just amazing how he spoke from Acts for I had shared with Mary about studying from Acts before we came to church.

I also shared with Pastor/church that on fridays that I share with others from Acts 3:1-6 using key words: "Peter and John, went up, together, hour of prayer, ask, look on us."

To be continued:

I will be sharing from Book "Gospel" of John. This Gospel was addressed to Christians. The history of life of Christ, with especial reference to His most important acts and discourses.

Let's look at Pilate making an honest confession, Christ's Trial and Christ's Reply. (John 18:37, 38)

Pilate therefore, said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into world, that I should bear witness unto truth. Every one that is of truth heareth my voice.

Truly Jesus was a master speaker and could could give testimony for himself under any and all circumstances. He has just made a statement of kingdom of God, contrasting it with kingdoms of men, or kingdoms of world, and now he makes a startling reply to Pilate's sharp question, substaning idea of his Kingship. (John 18:37)

While reading Matthew 27:11 you will see Christ questioned, Mark 15:2 and Luke 23:3 you will see Christ replies.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. (John 18:38 we see Christ's Trial and Pilate's unwillingness to condemn).

Pilate feared men rather than God.

Pilate Desires to Release Jesus Christ (John 19:10-16)

Pilate now seems offended at Christ's silence. While charge against against him was found to be baseless, from which he should have been vindicated and released, Jesus sought to make no new revelations of himself.

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? (John 19:10 Christ's Trial and Christ's Silence).

The Prophecy Concerning Christ Death: Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin. (John 19:11)

More impressed than ever by this powerful statement, Pilate again showed a desire to release Jesus.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. (John 19:12 Christ's Trial and They Demand Jesus's Condemnation).

Pilate prepared to give his judgement, taking his place in his offical seat which stood on a tesselated pavement called "Gabbatha."

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, be brought Jesus forth, and sat down in judgment seat in a place that is called Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. ( John 19:13 Christ led to Trial).

This decision was reached, it seems, about noon of day, which prepared for and terminated in Paschal Supper.