Sermon: Encountering Complaints/ Danger of Complaining
Delivered by: Pastor William Lee Johnson Date: 12/09/07
Text: Numbers 11:1-25

I. The people complain  vs 1,4-6
II. Moses complains vs 10-15, 21,22
III. God answers the complaints vs 1,2, 16-20, 23-25

Pastor Johnson likened the Israelites to the Church and Moses to the pastor. In his opening statement he said, "when the church complains it causes the pastor to complain". He added, "we need a pastor when we complain". Then he took a minute to describe the mixed multitude of verse 4, likening them to the make up of the church today. Basically, he said we have congregations that are made of both the saved and the unsaved.

Basically, Pastor Johnson made direct observations from the scriptures and expounded on the similarities between the Israelites and the church folks today. He elaborated on the fact that people do not like discipline or taking orders. And when they make complaints to counter leadership they often are deceptive or lying about the situation.

When the Israelites complained, they basically said to Moses, "we are starving". Nothing could have been farther from the truth. Numbers 11:7-9 describes in detail the manna and how God delivered it every night; while the people slept.

Moses responded by pouring out his soul to the Lord in verses 10-15. In verse 14, Moses decries his limits. Then in verse 15 he opts for death rather than to continue leading the complainers. Using these observations, Pastor Johnson said, "...then the preacher begins to think that he is the problem..... but God has the remedy for every complaint."

At this point, he began to unpack some applications. He said, "if you can't stand with the pastor, you are out of order. You can't do the pastor's work without the pastor's spirit. God speaks at the church. God will do what He says He will do. Don't break camp, just straighten it out. Set the camp in order."

He emphasized the fact that Moses had to be obedient to God and follow His instructions. (vs 16,17) When Moses gathered the elders, God took of the spirit of Moses (that He had placed on him) and put it upon the elders. (vs 25) Thus equipping them to help Moses bear the burden of the people.

Pastor Johnson concluded by encouraging the body to pray this way; "Lord, let your spirit fall on me. Lead me. Guide me." He said, "don't let trouble in the camp cause you to turn your back on the man of God. What God says He will do, He will do! Man of God, don't break camp, just straighten it out."

Sermon: Thank God for a Good Watchman  Date: 12/09/07
Delivered by: Evangelist Sarah Shivers
Scriptures: Ezekiel 33:7, Hebrews 13:17, Psalms 127:1, I Timothy 5:17

Minister Shivers opened with giving honor to Pastor, Apostle Perry and First Lady, Co-Pastor Perry. Her message focused on the qualities of good leadership and the need for the body to be supportive of the leadership. 

She said, "good leadership will teach you in love. Love will keep you in line until it is your time. Before the foundation of the world, God ordained Apostle Perry to establish and lead Lighthouse of Worship."

Minister Shivers exhorted the body to encourage our leaders.
Citing I Thessalonians 5:12,13, she spoke of how we should esteem them and give them what they are due. Adding I Timothy 5:17,18, she called us to give our pastors double honor.

For an illustration, she used how we respond to the commands of a  policeman. She said we submit to the policeman because he has the power (pistol) to enforce his commands. He also has the authority to request our cooperation. How much more should we submit to our leaders; for they have the power of the Holy Ghost to back up their actions. They are operating under the authority of God. We should serve them gladly even as we serve the Lord.

Message by: Co-Pastor Evangelist Gail Perry Date: 12/02/07
Text Scriptures: Psalm 119:114, Ecclesiates 3:1-8, Psalm 91

After reading Psalm 119:114, Evangelist Perry defined a hiding place as an obscure location, one not easily located by an enemy. She emphasized the fact that we have a hiding place in God. 

She then read a passage from Ecclesiastes chapter 3. Paying particular attention to verse 8, she said, "we are in a time of war, but we have a hiding place!" "There is no better hiding place than in God. In times of tribulation, we have to hide in Him. It doesn't matter what comes upon me, I can put my trust in what the Word of God says. I have a hiding place!"

Co-Pastor then exhorted the body to get a praise party going on when the enemy comes our way. When all hell comes against us, we have to have confidence in the Word of God. We have to begin to praise and worship the Lord. His ears will hear us and he will come to our rescue. The important thing is for us to seek His face always.

Again, she talked about how people will let us down, but He will never leave us. She said we need to ask the Lord to teach us how to walk in His ways and to lead us into the plain paths. She quoted David as saying, 'I would have fainted, if I had not seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

She said we don't have to be worried. Whatever we are going through, we can rest in the shadow of the Most High. She exhorted us to look back and remember how God made the devil into a liar. She said we have to see those times as reasons to continue to lean on the Lord. She said, "wait on the Lord, wait I say on the Lord."

Then she dealt with the issue of having sin in our lives. She said there is no need to hold back from God. Just confess our errors/sins and come back to Him. He will surely forgive and extend His hand to meet our needs. 

Citing the Israelites and the blood on their doorposts, she said we must be under the blood of Jesus. That is our covering. We can depend on His deliverance just as they did. She said it is important for us to remember and speak the Word of God.

For an example of God's protection, she gave a brief testimony of how He spoke to her on the way to the service. She was in a bit of a hurry, but she heard the Lord tell her to slow down. At that very time, 4 deer came bounding across the road. She was spared from a accident, because she heard the voice of the Lord.

In closing, she read from Psalm chapter 91. She had Sister Patrick to read from the KJV and then she followed with the NIV. With each verse, she proclaimed the goodness of the Lord in caring for His saints. She admonished the young people to get God into their lives. Adding that He will be their sheild and will direct their ways.

A call was given for any unsaved to come forward and then for those desiring prayer. Several came forward and received a touch from the Lord. The Apostle came to the platform and began to exhort the body concerning the message. Families came forward for prayer as well as those sick in body.

One brother testified to the healing touch of God. He said that as he came into the house of the Lord, the enemy put a tiredness on him like he had never known. He had been having difficulty breathing all during the service. After prayer, he said the heaviness had been lifted and he was feeling well.

11/25/05  Message by: Apostle Mark Perry
Text Scriptures: Psalm 23, St.John 10:11-17, James 5:13-15

The Psalmist said, "he anoints my head with oil". Pastor elaborated on the application of the oil. Referring back to the shepherd caring for his sheep, he said the oil was a sign that the sheep had an owner. The oil was used in grooming and also for medicinal reasons. A sheep with oil on its coat carried a scent. A scent that would be a distraction to any would be predator. 

Apostle Perry expounded on the differences between a good shepherd and a hireling. The hireling has nothing invested in the sheep therefore he has no concern for them when the wolves come. The  hireling would rather save his own skin than risk it for the sheep. 

A true shepherd will put himself between his sheep and any threat against them. Not only has he invested money and time in them, he loves them. He has a relationship with them. He speaks and they hear his voice. He provides for their needs and they supply wool to meet his. Pastor said, " When you find one willing to die for you, you better hold on to him." 

Basically, he exhorted us to recognize good leadership and to understand that it is the Lord that sets them in place. Again, we should hear the voice of our shepherd just as he hears from The Good Shepherd. Being a sheep is a good thing as long as you stay in the fold and follow the voice of the shepherd.

This lead right into the passage in James. Pastor made several statements and prefaced them with "If you have been anointed". This meaning: if you belong to a certain shepherd, if you have been cared for by a certain shepherd, if you are a part of his flock, then you are entitled to call the elders, receive healing, deliverance, and salvation.

At the close of the service, Pastor asked that everyone in the place come forward and be anointed. As each one passed by him, oil was placed on their heads and prayers were offered unto God. There was a shout and a praise in the house. Folks went their way rejoicing, knowing that God had placed them in the Lighthouse family and covered them with the care of a good shepherd.

Occasion: 4th Saturday Nursing Home service @ Bailey Park NH
Speaker: Prophet Marvin Epperson 

Greetings and opening remarks were made by Evangelist Sarah Shivers. The residents were eager to join the service. As the praise and worship began, some of the staff members were observed clapping and swaying to the music. Truly the Lord's presence was felt by all.

Prophet Epperson presented the way of salvation according to scripture. He used John 3:16 as his text. From there he read Romans 10:9 and following verses. Prophet explained the verses in detail, leaving no margin for misinterpretation.

Along the way he said, "you have a choice to make." A little further in the service, he stated "your life shows if you are real with God or not."
He then elaborated on a couple of passages in Romans. The first was Romans 8:1-3. The second, Romans 12:1,2. 

Using James 1:21 as a foundation, he said, "the Word will save you and give you life." He followed that with II Timothy 1:6 and closed with John 3:16.

The service was closed out with a song and  prayers for the residents. Their hearts were lifted and their countenances were bright. There were smiles on the faces of the residents, employees, and members of Lighthouse.

11/09/07 Road Trip to Greater Deliverance Ministries in Fulton, Ky. Occasion: Women of Destiny Retreat  Theme: It's a Love Affair  Pastor: Bishop Nolan Hardin.

Co-Pastor Evangelist Gail Perry was the speaker for the evening. She was given "A Greater Love" for a topic. The Lord used her in the Gifts of the Spirit; word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discernment, and prophecy prior to getting into the message. She exhorted the church to hear the voice of the Lord and to become subject to the leadership that He had set in the church.

Her opening statements dealt with one of the names of God, Jehovah Nissi. She explained how that name literally meant; God is my banner and His banner over us is love. Evangelist Perry added that when a banner is lifted it signifies the Presence of God being raised in our midst.

Then she brought out historical descriptions of banners as used by the Tribes of Israel. Evangelist  Perry elaborated on the use of the banner to identify the location of the heads of the tribes. And how they were used to signal the place to which the armies would rally in time of battle. Again she emphasized the fact that the banner, flag, standard, or ensign represented the identity of a tribe or nation.

For a text, she chose Song of Solomon 2:4. "He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love." After briefly talking about the romance of King Solomon and the Shunammite woman, she began to quote various scriptures dealing with God's love and how we must love as He loved.

Evangelist Perry stressed the fact that we must put on love. We must portray love in all we do and in every situation. We must speak and act in love. If we want to win souls, we will have to share His love. 

Though the sermon came to a close, the ministry of the Holy Ghost did not. She presented Bishop Hardin and First Lady Hardin to the body. She exhorted the body of Greater Deliverance to honor and support their pastors. She prayed for them and prophesied concerning the church's borders being enlarged. She admonished the body to prepare to house the needy and minister to those who currently haunt the taverns and bars.

Truly God's presence was experienced by all who wanted to receive from Him. The Word was preached and the body was challenged. Many left changed by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Theme: Usher Day Service  Title: Committed to Serve
Speaker: Minister McKinney from Macedonia Fruitvale
Text: Psalm 84:7-12

After the customary greetings, Minister McKinney proceeded to set forth some facts in regards to ushers. His first statement was bold but so true. He said, "Everyone can't be an usher." Secondly, he said, "The usher sets the tone for the folks as they enter the church." Thirdly, "people are chosen by the pastor because the pastor saw usher material in them." Lastly, he said,"ushers must serve as unto God."

Furthermore he gave a list of qualities that an usher must possess. He said an usher must: be alert, be clean inside and outside, be cheerful, have good behavior, possess patience, be sober-minded, and be loveable.

He elaborated on 3 keys found in Psalm 84. Verse 3 speaks of the blessedness of those who dwell in the temple. These are the ones who invest time and efforts into the church, who have the church at heart, who think about how they can assist in the church.  He mentioned verse 5 and talked of the blessings that are upon those that come into the house and are strengthened by God. And then verse 12 sums up the source of blessings; trusting in God.

September 23, 2007
Apostle Mark Perry preached a sermon entitled, "I am anointed". The message revolved around the prophets Elijah and Elisha. He compared Elijah's anointing to Elisha's. 

He talked about Elijah having so much of God that he did not see death. Then he spoke of Elisha's double portion. Elisha in fact died, but had anointing left in his bones. So much that a dead man was resurrected when he made contact with Elisha's bones.

He brought out the New Testament passage where Jesus took the scroll and read from Isaiah. “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed MeTo preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captivesAnd recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed;to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18,19 and in verse 21 Jesus said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Pastor Perry then elaborated on just what one can do when they are anointed. Making mention that it makes no difference what people say about you as a Christian, or what hardships you are going through, you are still anointed. 

He challenged the body to say, "I am anointed". At the close of the message, he called for a number of folks to come forward. He anointed them with oil and prophesied into their lives. He spoke words of knowledge and wisdom to each one. Members and visitors alike were set on fire for the kingdom of God.

On September 16, 2007 Co-Pastor Gail Perry was the guest speaker at Cloras Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dyer Tennessee. The occasion of the service was Women's Day. The members of CCCP served up a wonderful meal just prior to the service. Anticipation filled the room as time neared for the service to begin.

From the opening prayer to the final amen, the power of the Holy Spirit was evident. A couple of songs were offered by the ladies of CCCP and a couple by the praise team of Lighthouse of Worship Ministries.

Evangelist Perry's message was entitled. "There is Hope". Her initial remarks included scriptures on faith. She also ministered one on one to a few sisters prior to getting into the body of the message. 

The sermon was rounded out with a passage from Ezekiel concerning the dry bones. The people of Israel had lost hope. God through the prophet declared there was yet still hope. Evangelist Perry declared there was still hope for those who would respond to the call of the Lord. 

The altars were filled with hungry hearts. All that came experienced the power and presence of the Holy Ghost. God used Evangelist Perry in the gifts of the Spirit as she spoke prophetically into the lives of the people. To others, she spoke words of knowledge and wisdom.

Lives were changed that day. Pastor Myles gave the Lighthouse of Worship family and open invitation to come any time.