Tell It Like It Was (Live)

I'm gonna preach for a moment

Nobody ever talks about the way it used to be
When tears were on the altar from sinners on their knees
The preacher didn't worry 'bout politically correct
It wasn't his opinion, it was what that Bible said
We can try to pick and choose the one size still fits all
There is no brand new high tech way to make them heed the call

It's time to tell it like it was, cause that's the way it is
If we want it like they had it, we've got to do it like they did
Preaching wrong is wrong and right is right
There is no grey just black and white
And if it took the blood back then, well it still does
We just gotta tell it like it was

Well is there any wonder that we're in the shape we're in
The church will only say it if we're sure it won't offend
John may have baptised Jesus, but he isn't watered down
There's still the power in his Word to turn this world around

It's time to tell it like it was, cause that's the way it is
If we want it like they had it, we've got to do it like they did
Preaching wrong is wrong and right is right
There is no grey just black and white
And if it took the blood back then, well it still does
We just gotta tell it like it was

Oh It's time to tell it like it was, cause that's the way it is
If we want it like they had it, we've got to do it like they did
Preaching wrong is wrong and right is right
There is no grey just black and white
And if it took the blood back then, well it still does
We just gotta tell it, we just gotta tell it like it wa

Tell it like it was
We just gotta tell it like it was

That's good preaching, Amen
This song tells it like it is
We always catch ourselves referring to how things used to be
Things have changed, and I don't think for the better
But if we want things like we had them back in the day
We've got to start doing things like we did them back in the day
And that is that preaching wrong is wrong and right is right
There is no gray, just black and white
I love the words of that song

And now I'm going to stop and tell you who these guys are, real quick
Before we go any farther, and I'm going to start with the man right here
Hey, this man right here is, tes, South Georgia, we say hey
That's right, this man right here has been a huge part of this ministry for over 15 years
He's been by my side, give him a hand
I am and is sweet, lovely wife, Michelle
As some of you know, I have three beautiful children
I have to tell you about this, we love to talk about our families
Because our families are as much a part of this ministry as we are

We couldn't do what we do without God calling them as well as calling us
And our oldest daughter, Brittany, is 16 years old now
Their youngest daughter, Sarah, is 11 years old
Their youngest child is a little boy named Brent, Brent is two
Yep, you heard me right, that's not funny, it is funny, not funny at all
Y'all think about it, he's going to have one in preschool
And one in college at the very same time, I think that's funny
But I know this man will bless your heart tonight with his singing
Are you glad to see Bill Shivers, if you are? Make Bill welcome, I love you
Stan Baritone, another Georgia boy, he's from Sandersville, Georgia's

And been a wonderful part of our ministry now for three years
Doing an awesome job, couldn't have found anybody to fit in any better
Him and his sweet, lovely wife, Becky, have two beautiful girls at home
Their oldest daughter, Cora, is seven years old
Their youngest daughter, Everly, will be two years old very soon
Got two beautiful little girls at the house
And I'm sure some of you are looking at him saying
He doesn't look like he's old enough to have a seven-year-old daughter
Well, there's two things that come into play when it comes to mind

One, he's a lot older than he looks, come on now
Number two, he got married when he was ten
I'm just kidding, but I know this man will bless your heart tonight with his singing
Are you glad to see Mike Rogers, If you are, make Mike a reference
Finally! Singing the high tenor part down here, he really needs no introduction
He's been out here for so, so many years everyone knows this guy
But I love this guy, It's been an honor to stand beside him so many years now
He makes his home just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, not far from Douglasville

And y'all, this year he celebrates 35 years in gospel music
And I say this every night from stage, back when I was in the third grade
I watched him on black and white TV
And back then he had the most beautiful curly perm I'd ever seen
He kind of looked like Conway Twitty
He's also married, now he married his high school sweetheart
Her name is Pam, she's a sweet, beautiful Christian lady
They have two sons, their oldest son, his name is Ricky
Their youngest son, his name is Bryce

And they've had a couple of new additions through the years
He's got two of the most adorable grandsons that you'd ever want to meet
I love him, I know you love him
He's the most awarded tenor in the history of gospel music
Are you glad to see Brian Free here, tell you what