ATLANTA – Eddie Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church who was accused in civil court action of coercing four men into sexual relationships, took to the pulpit at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for the first time since resolving the matter out of court.

He did not address the allegations during his sermon but rather preached about the need to remain thirsty for God’s salvation.

“There are so many of us that understand the sacrifice of Jesus ... You are saved, but yet you are thirsty. You are trying to quench your thirst by stuff other than him,” Long was quoted as saying.

“Most of us are saved but ain’t living,” he continued. “Now we have to accept the life that God has that flows from his belly like rivers of living water.”

Long spoke from his Atlanta megachurch, which also broadcasts the sermons to New Birth Charlotte, located on N.C. 73 East in Huntersville.

In the civil litigation filed in September, four men accused Long of plying them with trips and gifts for a sexual relationship, reports have said. All of the boys were 17 and 18 at the time of the allegations.

Details of the settlement were not released.