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Pastor Orr interviews journalist and media personality, Jeremy Pierre! In this episode, they explore how faith, wisdom and direction has guided Pierre's career and life choices.

Bucket List | Pastor Bartholomew Orr | Palm Sunday 

We don’t know how many?  We don’t know what the occasion.  But what a sight!  Parents bringing their children to Jesus so that He could touch and bless them.  What a sight that they would be able to say that my child was touched by Jesus!  What a Shame!  The disciples scolded the parents.  The disciples said, “Stop, get away!”  Where was their compassion for the parents . . . ?  Where was their commitment to Jesus?  Jesus had said, “I’ve come to seek and save that which is lost?  Where was their concern for the community and the children?  What better way to ensure future community success than to have children who have been touched by Jesus grow up to become adults who touch the lives of others?  If ever there was a time, it is now to bring them to Jesus.  Have you looked around?  Carjacking.  Stealing cars and they say that is often young children 12-15.  Bring them to Jesus.  Since these times require some desperate measures, bring them to Jesus!

“Who Yo Daddy?” (John 8:31-47 NLT) Maury Povich and his signature TV Paternity test made popular, “You’re NOT the Father!”  And sometimes equally, “You ARE the Father!”  From Excitement to Explosive, from Entertainment to the Eccentric, who would’ve thought a SIMPLE TEST could cause so much commotion!  Well, Maury, enjoy retirement, but you weren’t the first.  Jesus Christ did a Spiritual Paternity Test on His critics and verified to their Shock and Surprise that God was NOT their Father!  (John 8:41) Indeed, their real daddy was the devil!  (John 8:44). I don’t want to be the cause of FAMILY DRAMA today.  Do you look like your Daddy?  Do you favor your Father?  Have you checked lately?  Are you sure?  Who Your Daddy?  Since DNA will reveal your True Identity, put your Life to the Test!

Who’s Buttering Your Bread?” (Mark 8:11-17 NLT) They didn’t get it!  They just didn’t get it!  After everything Jesus did, they still questioned His identity, doubted His ability, argued His authority, debated His Sovereignty, and even contested His credibility.  No, this wasn’t just outsiders but even His insiders, His own disciples.  What would it take for them to simply BELIEVE?  What would it take for them to put their total FAITH in Jesus Christ?  That is what “frustrated” Jesus – notice the movement of back and forth - He feeds a multitude on the east side and go to the west side only to be met by Unbelieving Pharisees troubling Him for a test – NO (vv.12-13) – then He gets back in the boat with doubting Disciples who’s arguing over one loaf of bread.  And Jesus asked the question, “Don’t you understand yet? (v.21)”  Since even the FAITH to believe is a Gift from God, thank Him for what you have and trust Him for even more

“Let’s Do Something!” (Luke 9:37-43 NLT) What an Indictment against the disciples then and the Church today – The Inability to Solve a Problem.  We have more WORDS than WINS; more TALK than TRANSFORMATIONS; more ACCOLADES than ACCOMPLISHMENTS.  Can you feel the frustration of this father in Luke 9:40, “I begged Your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”  Even when it comes to the issues affecting our youth today - Teenage Pregnancy – Gang Recruitment/Involvement – Gun Violence and Senseless Killings – Poverty and Hopelessness – Drugs and Alcohol Addiction – too often the report – “They couldn’t do it.”      Since Jesus has given the Church More than Enough to do ministry, Let’s Do Something!

“There’s Still Hope” (Mark 5:35-36 NLT) I Can’t!  I Can’t!  I Can’t!  It’s the cry of the single mother raising boys, working 2 ½ jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads and yet he still goes and get involved with gangs and drugs and a life of crime (just a side note to the young brothers . . . stop being angry at who left and start being appreciative of who stayed and supported you and show her your gratitude by simply doing right!). I Can’t!  I Can’t!  I Can’t!  It’s the cry of the struggling couple who after one too many hurts and harsh words declare, “I Can’t Do This Anymore!”  I Can’t – the cry of the burnout teacher, the frustrated worker, the stressed police officer.  We’ve been there where all hope seemingly is gone, when you wonder if even prayer can make a difference.  Such was the case in our text.  It’s too far gone.  Things have gotten too bad.  The situation is beyond curable.  “There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”    Since you can enjoy SUCCESS even in the most SERIOUS SITUATION when Jesus is around, Get Close to Jesus and keep Jesus Close to you!

“A House Divided” (Luke 11:17 NLT) What Power Jesus demonstrated!  Jesus cast a demon from a man.  Luke 11:14  He freed the man from bondage.  He favored the man with a double blessing of healing his inability to speak.  What Power!  There are no demons that can conquer us.  There are no difficulties that can control us.  One word from the Lord and we can be Healed, Delivered and Set FREE!  What Pain Jesus Dealt with.  Jesus greatest opposition wasn’t from the outside but inside, not from the crowds but the so-call church folks.  And since they couldn’t win with the TRUTH, they used TRASH TALKING against Jesus!  They had the audacity to call Jesus a devil!  Luke 11:15 Oh, I need to remind us in this social media frenzy, opinion-driven, where everybody wants to be heard and seen, don’t be alarmed when your haters come after you with lies, rumors, and innuendos.  What Principle Jesus Delivered!  Luke 11:17 What a reminder that we’re better together, that we’re stronger united, that we succeed when we work as ONE!    Since DIVISION will always lead to DESTRUCTION, let LOVE heal old wounds!