Timeless Text Messages

It seems like I have had too many irons in the fire to post as much as I would like. But video posting is so easy that I really have no excuse. Ahhh, but I don't frequent blogs that consist primarily of video posts. Time consuming.... so, I won't be upset if you don't hang around and view today's video. Without further ado, here is a clip of some Sunday morning preaching delivered by yours truly.

Message delivered by Apostle Mark Perry Watch Night Service at Liberty Hall Full Gospel Church Text Scriptures: Proverbs 14:12, John 14:6, Revelation 2:1-5
Part One

Apostle Perry asked the congregation, "how many of you have done what you have been called to do in 2007?" Then asked, "how many of you have fallen short in 2007?" He compared our short comings to being on the right track but on the wrong train. Speaking of John 14:6 he said, Jesus did not deny the fact that there is a way that seems right to man, but He said, "I am the Way." Then he shared a paraphrase of Matthew 25:33-46. With that, he said folks are caught up in the mechanics of church, but not doing kingdom work.

Referring to the church of Ephesus, he said the church has gotten caught up in protocol and lost focus on what kingdom work is supposed to be. True kingdom work is to win souls and meet the needs of others. Jesus commended the church on their works, but still had somewhat against them. Apostle Perry said that the church that has lost its first love (agape) therefore it is without brotherly love (phileo). And this loss is because it is too caught up in lover's love/lust (eros).

Jesus presented kingdom work in very clear terms in Matthew 7:22-24. Then Apostle Perry added that there are some folks that can feed the hungry and clothe the naked yet despise the church. They are on the right track but on the wrong train. From there he cited IIChronicles 7:14 and reminded the congregation that the scriptures were referring to the God's people not the dope dealer, the harlot, or thug.

He exhorted the body to be real and to examine themselves. He said that we could do more than what we have been doing. For example, we can call and check on absentees. We are wrong when we think Jesus can't have anything against us. We are much like the church of Ephesus. We do some good works, but we can do more. We can get back to doing the kingdom work of winning souls. Then he talked about being pruned so we can bear more fruit. He added IJohn 3:16-18 which exposes those who call themselves Christians but fail to do kingdom work.

"Jesus was not sent to Earth to do miracles. He was sent here to die on the cross when His season arrived." This was the opening statement by Dr. Yvonne Capehart of Sister Keeper International Ministries. She entitled the message, "Increased Strength" and used Luke 22:40-46 for her text.

As with my previous post, I'll just sketch out a few of her points and leave the rest for you to study on your own. Always evaluate the message in the light of what the Bible says and seek the Lord for clear understanding.

Jesus had his friends to go with him to the garden. He asked them to watch and pray. He knew his death would be soon, but did not want satan to kill him before the appointed time.

Peter, James, and John were not to feel sorry for Christ in his trials. They were to support him as he went through them. They were to pray for him to be strengthened. The process that led Christ to the garden had taken his strength.

When you are facing a difficult assignment you need to surround yourself with those who know your assignment and will encourage you as you fulfill it. You do not need assistants who are jealous of your assignment. You need folks who are watching out for your soul. Those who will be wary of any opposition and be ready to protect you at any cost.

When you begin to reach souls for the Kingdom, the devil seeks to destroy you before they can be birthed. He does not necessarily attack your faith, but he will rob your strength. My pastor has put it this way, "The devil can't destroy the Word that is in you, but he can hinder you (the vessel) as you carry the Word."

She said, "Faith is what you need to believe in what God says about your life. But strength is what you need to resist what the enemy wants to do against what God is doing in your life."

She mentioned II Kings 19:1-3 as an additional reference about how the enemy wants to prevent new life from coming forth.

Dr. Capehart challenged us to guard the Word that is within us and to go forth in our assignments.

I am at the Honey Conference in Cordova, TN. We are having a blast. Follow this link to watch the services live. Yesterday we enjoyed music and preaching by CeCe Winans. She took I John chapter 3 for her text. "Process means progress" was a running theme throughout her message.

Last night, Darlene Bishop brought the Word. She entitled the message "When It Doesn't Make Sense". She used II Corinthians 4:8-12 as a text.
Rather than recap it all, here's a few nuggets.

The way out of your situation is not found in explanation, it is revelation.

Your life should be so different that it demands explanation.

Joy is emotional stability. The joy of the Lord in your life brings emotional stability that becomes your strength.

The Shunamite woman shut the door on an impossible situation. When you shut the door on impossibilities, doubt and fear can't get in. But Jesus can walk on in.

This morning host Pastor Darlene McCarty brought a message entitled, "In a little while". She chose Haggai 2:3-9 for her text. Along the way she added II Kings 11:1-3. With that passage she talked about how the enemy seeks to destroy your future. Then added how you must hide your promises in your prayer closet until the time that God will reveal His glory.

There is much more, but I need to get ready for our evening service.........

Some time ago I posted a synopsis of a Sunday morning sermon given by my pastor. I had a lot of traffic and seven comments on that one. Perhaps I should use Mondays for posting my sermon notes from the previous day. Then again, my note taking may be limited since I am now working with the media production crew and in the sound booth. That's another story for another day. Guess I just wanted you all to know that I gone from techno-wanna be to a multi-media flunky. (smile)

Pastor entitled Sunday's message, "Speak Lord". Sunday School veterans, stay with me now. I know you are thinking of a couple of Bible stories you heard so many times as children. I had the same thoughts as he continued on giving the text references. Just as I was about to put myself on auto-pilot, the Lord spoke to me. He simply said, "Watch and pray". It wasn't what He said that roused me. It was how my mind completed the verse, just as I had heard it so many times.

You see, I was about to lean back and let my mind wander. I was about to allow the familiarity of the text, keep me from hearing a fresh admonition from the throne. I was about to be a poor example for the rest of the body. I was about to let my pastor down. I was about to open the door and let satan step inside. I was about to .......sin.

I always exhort folks to interpret scriptures in light of their context. And I'm not much on studies that are wholly topical in nature. But there are single scriptures that can stand alone as commands of God. Each of the 10 Commandments support this notion, as does many of the Proverbs. Is it a stretch to apply shutting the devil out and avoiding the path of the wicked , to my Sunday morning experience? I don't think so. Different contexts but same principle.

The 3 verses I have referenced convicted me. They became a single exhortation that went something like this: Be alert and pray so you will not yield to temptation. Don't let satan disrupt your purpose. Push him out of your way and get involved in the service.

It was clear to me that I had to take authority over the enemy and over my flesh. Much like casting my thoughts into prison. I could not tune out my pastor just because I thought I knew where he was going with the message. I go to church to be fed the Word of God, to worship the Lord, to fellowship with the saints, to support the pastor, and to use my gifts to serve others.

So I rebuked the tempter, put my mind on the Lord, inclined my ear to hear the preached Word, and I gave hearty amens as I responded to the message. My soul was filled and my heart encouraged. All because I heard the Lord speak to me at the beginning of the sermon. I am thankful for the chastening of the Lord.

Soon I will be posting highlights of pastor's sermon "Speak Lord". For now, I will leave you with this exhortation: Muzzle your flesh and hear the preached Word. Always listen for the voice of the Lord. He may speak to you at any time, even during Sunday morning service; even when you think it is the same old story.

We are in Farmington, NM in the midst of revival. We are attending the "On a Mission with a Vision" conference hosted by Liberty Christian Fellowship. I will tell you more about Vision Ministries later.

Today, I want to give you an abbreviated outline of the sermon brought by Pastor Sheldon Slim. He is a minister on the staff of Liberty Christian Fellowship. A powerful man of God that was a Sunday School student of mine 17 years ago, when he was only a child. It humbled me to know that I had sown into a life that is now producing a great harvest for the Kingdom of God.

Moses' mission began with a vision. Text: Exodus 2:23-25 Exodus 3:1-6 Joshua 1:1,2

God heard - Exodus 2:24
God saw- Exodus 3:4
God called- Exodus 3:4

A few statements he made along the way:
God hears the cry of those genuinely interested in getting out of bondage.
If you are on the backside of the desert, looking for your purpose in life, look for the fire of God. He will speak to you in a holy place.
God is looking for someone that will not get burned out when He sets them on fire.
If you are currently serving the man or woman of God you best be prepared to step up when their duty is fulfilled.

Of course the sermon was peppered with many scripture references throughout. A few that come to mind: Joel 2:28,29 Isaiah 40:29-31 Mark 10:45

The first altar call was for those who were lost, needing the Savior. Secondly, he called for those who felt like they had been on the backside of the desert. Those who did not know their purpose or how to follow the call of God. Thirdly, he called for the ones who serve in leadership under the senior pastor.

The altars were filled. People were saved, filled, healed, restored, called, and instructed by God.

Writing a new post has dropped a few pegs on my priority list this week. Making preparations for a vacation trip has consumed much of my time. For some good reading, I offer this link. The letter was written in January 2007, but it is appropriate for the days we are living in. We need to preach the same message that John the Baptist preached. "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." BTW, I believe David Wilkerson is a true prophet of the Lord with a message for today.