ATLANTA — For the third time this week, Bishop Eddie Long spoke to members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. And once again, he did not outright deny the sex allegations against him.
Long also spoke during both Sunday services at New Birth.
Long began his sermon on Tuesday by telling his congregation he had some cryptic messages for them.
"But I want you to pick up something that the older folks used to say, the more senior. And that is, I'm going to run on," said Long.
VIDEO: Bishop Eddie Long Again Speaks To Congregation
He acknowledged the sexual abuse lawsuits four young men have filed against him, without talking directly about them.
"I'm not speaking about individuals and all of that. This is spiritual warfare," said Long.
He said that if he operated off of what he saw in the media, he wouldn't have shown up Tuesday night.
"I'd be scared to show up. I'd be scared to look at you. But there's something in me bigger than the situation," he said.
Long also said the difficult time is not about him.
"You're not touching me. You're messing with a holy order that God is establishing, and God can handle Eddie Long," he said.
He also reminded church members that God was in control.
"And I'm here to tell you whatever God spoke about me, whatever God said about me, it shall come to pass," said Long.
After the Tuesday service, Channel 2 Action News spoke to a church member who said he's worried about the young men, but he supported his pastor.
"I love my bishop. I respect him as a man and, like I said, you know, he's always giving," said church member Rogerrick Thomas.
Four men have filed lawsuits alleging that the pastor used his influence to force them to engage in sex acts. The men said Long sent them pictures of himself posing and showing off his physique.
PHOTOS: Bishop Eddie Long Accused Of Sexual Abuse
Channel 2 Action News spoke with an attorney who said the men will need more than the pictures to win the case.
"From what's come forward right now, there's no physical evidence. And anytime a sex case (doesn't) have physical evidence, it's very, very difficult to prove," said attorney Gerald Griggs.
On Sunday, Long said he felt like he was under attack. He indirectly refuted the allegations against him saying, "I have never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man, but I am not the man that's being portrayed on the television. That's not me."
The attorney representing the four accusers had no comment Tuesday.
In an earlier written statement, Long denied the allegations.
WSBTV
