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Message delivered by Apostle Mark Perry  Watch Night Service at Liberty Hall Full Gospel Church on 12/31/07.

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 that 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 church work.
    Referring to the church of Ephesus, he said the church has gotten caught up in protocol and lost focus on what church work is supposed to be. True church 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 it 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. 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. 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 the real church work of winning souls.
     Citing Romans 8:22, he said the whole world is waiting for the church to get it right. Then he went to James 1:13-15 and elaborated on the fact that lust is birthed, then matures, and then brings forth death. He followed that with a powerful statement: "between birth and full grown, you can kill it."
     Countering the essay on lust, he began to talk about how man can flourish again after he has been cut down. He quoted Job 14:7-9 and elaborated on it a bit more. Continuing on the 'men are styled as trees' motif, he cited Psalm1:3. Then he talked about being pruned so we can bear more fruit. Again, IJohn 3:16-18 exposes those who call themselves Christians but fail to do church work.