Teaching at OCCA: Recent Episodes
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This message isn't what you might think; an interactive way to learn the plan of salvation, through sign language, and some words, from the Bible, in the process.
What does God say to give our Moms; is it flowers, chocolates, or expensive gifts? We are to honor, not only our Moms, but each other. God has put us on the honor system and we are to value others above ourselves.
Jesus continues to pray for us and we should pray for each other. Pray wider, deeper and higher.
It's after Easter and Jesus is alive, so what's next? Some think we need to go and let people know about Him. That's true, but first we need to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon us. Stop and wait. We need to be equipped for spiritual battle.
You'll never hear Jesus say you're following too close, because you can't follow Him close enough! Jesus wants to be and needs to be an "in your face" kind of close.
We can be, once again, the "Valley that Changed the World". But, now, with a spiritual oil. Before that can happen the valley itself needs to be changed. All things are possible in Christ...take the next step and light up our streets here. Don't lose your light and salt by keeping it in the box, or salt shaker. Share the blessings of God and go outside the walls.
We have to have time with God in order to have a relationship with Him. It's about quality and quantity time spent with Him. Our connection, with God, should lead to direction and change in our lives. A relationship with God should change you!
How do you begin your day...with coffee, or a shower?Jesus began each day by connecting with His Father. It wasn't optional; it was essential! Prayer should be the core part of who we are. You are no good, for the day, unless you have a cup of "the Living Water".
God saved us for more than sin management, but to serve Him and to let Jesus change us. Are we really praying, or do we just look like we are? Prayer should be who we are; it's the primary work of God's people and we should have a passion for it. Does prayer define you?
There comes a time when we can't beat around the bush; straight talk and harder words are needed to spur one another on to good works. ..when the issue is so serious, we have to speak the truth in love. It's a rescue mission and it's all about restoration.!
We need to admonish, encourage, exhort, and more using more than our words, but, instead, God's Word. This requires knowing God's Word; get back to 1 Thes. 5:14-17.
Sometimes, we need to go beyond encouraging, to admonishing and warning, but speak, to others, out of and in love. Be patient, with ALL, and put your trust in the Holy Spirit, when talking with someone.
Maybe you're asking the wrong question? We need to look beyond encouraging and admonish one another; it's a commandment; it's hard! It's about love for God and a love for people. How do you admonish someone?
Barnabus was a son of encouragement; be a son, or daughter, of encouragement. Believe the best in others; bring out the best in others; be your best with others.
Serve one another, stirring each other up to good works, encouraging one another. It's not about volunteering, because we are saved to serve our King! We should recognize the servants, of our God, in ways that are fitting and proper; in ways He's shown us, in His Word.
God says "Apart from Me, you can't do anything." Prayer MUST be our first reaction to EVERYTHING! It makes a lasting difference. First of all...pray.
Bottom line...to encourage each other. Come along side someone and don't just make them feel better, but be better.
Check your foundation because you can live in the Kingdom! Things and traditions are engrained is us; programmed in us and we need to renew our minds. Let the peace of Christ rule your heart and don't let your baggage rule. Don't be afraid to ask: "Lord, how am I doing?" and ask it often.
Our shepherd visitor taught us to got to the Word of God and think and ponder, because we need God!The Shepherd we have been waiting for has come with good news and great joy! Have you met Jesus and He become a reality in your heart?
Announcements come in all forms and, when they do, we like to be included! God used Angels to announce the birth of Christ, but anyone can be an agent of the Most High. All we need to do is be available and willing. When God speaks, we can spread the Word. Shout it out; God is with us!
Christmas was always God's plan from the very beginning; it's about the fulfillment of God's promises, to deliver the whole world, by changing each of us one at a time. What are you hoping for this Christmas? Are you holding on to the hope that Jesus is coming today(even in your own heart), everyday, and in the future?
What is your hope, during these uncertain times? Jesus can be your hope for "ALL" time! When you repent and have a relationship with Him, He's on the throne; no matter what happens!
Do we believe God's presence can saturate Oil City? Instead of "The Oil Valley", it would be known as God's Valley. Can we believe it?
We don't think of persecution as a blessing, a glad thing, or something worthy of rejoicing, but that is what God's Word says. And, it's what many of our Brothers and Sisters, around the world, do! Pray they would continue to know they are blessed and that the Kingdom of God is theirs.
Hold on to the hope of a Heaven that is so much more! Take a tour of Heaven and embrace the wonder, it will be; a new world, in a new way!
The End Times don't end with the White Throne Judgement, but are the beginning of Eternity! Have you made a choice for Jesus, Heaven and Eternity? Have you made the choice to live eternally in the place of "no more, yet, so much more"?
The End Times don't end with the Great White Throne Judgement, but are, rather, the beginning of Eternity! Have you made the choice for Jesus, Heaven and Eternity? Have you made the choice to live in Eternity where there is "no more, yet, so much more"?
Before the new world can happen, the old must be destroyed; before the beginning of the new heaven and new earth, there must be a destruction of the old one. Are you ready for the old to go and the new to begin?
When things were "normal", they weren't normal! Have we longed to get back to our "normal", more than longed to get closer to God and changed by Him! We should desire to be different; God will work in us and change us. He can make life better, from the inside out; right now!
Jesus stepped out of His comfort zone and so should you!The word Church, literally, means a calling out of. Be a light and go to the darkness; to the dying, sick, world. Be His testimony; you are the Church!
How do I love others and how am I doing at it? Love is bigger than a feeling ; it's a motive for action and deeds. They are connected and God has prepared, for us, things to do. When we do them, we encourage and help others. God teaches us, softens our hearts and we become more like Jesus!
Now and forever, Jesus is still the only Savior needed for Salvation. Do you know Jesus Christ, whom God has sent?
Who do You want us to be and what do You want us to do? What does Thy Kingdom Come mean? It’s real, visible, and physical here on earth. This is for today; right now! Jesus is the answer now and forever. Jesus always wins!
Hide and Seek: Ready or not, here I come! One day, Jesus will stop counting and come back! Are you ready for that day?
The 2nd coming, of Jesus, is mentioned more often than the Rapture! EVERYONE will will see Him for who He is; our reigning King!
Is my life fireproof, or firewood? At Judgement Day, I, too, will be judged. Do I live every second with that thought in my mind and heart? Furthermore, will my reward, that I ultimately give back to Jesus, be a crown, or wood, hay and stubble?
Is my life fireproof, or firewood? At Judgement Day, I, too, will be judged. Do I live every second with that thought in my mind and heart? Furthermore, will my reward, that I ultimately give back to Jesus, be a crown, or wood, hay and stubble?
You may be the only Jesus people see. You are a testimony and what you say reflects Him, to others.
Pastor Tim challenges us to go deeper, in our relationship, with our Heavenly Father. Do you walk with Him ALL day long?
Guest Speaker Rev. Timothy Keller, Northern Regional Team Leader of the C&MA Western PA District
Complete Obedience leads to Complete Joy. Completely Obeying all that we know brings Complete Joy. Completely Obeying with all that we are is Complete Joy. John 15:8-16
Let us commit to live out our God-given purpose with our God-given power in a way that gives God the glory
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
Guest speaker Jim Eaton shares from Luke 11:1-4 about Jesus's emphasis on prayer and the model he showed to the disciples and us.
The Empty Tomb was just the beginning. The old has gone, the New has come. We can have a fresh start filled with a New Joy, Peace, Strength, Hope, Love, and more as we experience anew the old story and how the New can begin NOW !
In the act of getting forgiveness, we need to alter our behavior and choose to change. Matthew 5:23-24
When we have wronged someone, we need to acknowledge the hurt and accept the consequences. Matthew 5:23-24
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24. What is "the day" referring to?
2019 OCCA Theme: We need to Fight 4 Joy. Because it's God's will to rejoice, then I will rejoice. Psalm 118:21-29
We can have a happy NEW life! We need to recognize the NEW person we have become, and receive the NEW power we have been given. Ezekiel 36:22-28
Guest speaker Bernie Knefley shares from John 3:10-16 about the the way God loves & gives and how we can love others and share the gospel with them.
Hear afresh & anew the Christmas Story through first-person drama & song. Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7
This Christmas, may we realize that God sometimes comes through ordinary ways and to ordinary people. Philippians 2:5-11
International Worker David Kindervater speaks on the Alliance Missions theme of "Awaken" and shares some of his experiences in Japan.
Pressing in to Jesus closer than ever: we need to get it in our head and our heart that there is more of God.
We must fight from both a defensive and offensive position in prayer. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
God has made a place for us to belong. So, let's get connected to the family on earth, and to the Father in heaven. Ephesians 2:17-22
We need to practice hospitality - as an action that leads to an attitude, and as an attitude that leads to an action. 1 Peter 4:7-11
We need to be a church that is pressing UPWARD towards God, INWARD towards God, and OUTWARD towards others. Acts 2:41-47
We can travel from panic to peace when we trust the journey to Jesus. We need to surrender our fears and sit back in faith. I Peter 5:5-11
Let go of the steering wheel! We need to surrender the things that we think we can control, as well as the idea that we think we can control things. John 14:27
Pastor Tim continues the series on David & Goliath with a focus on defeating our giants against all odds.
We need to first prepare to defeat our giant of fear: to defend yourself against the lies of "friendly fire" and arm yourself with the truth to fire back.
We can be set free from fear. We need to stand up to fear that is our bully, and stand up in faith with our Bodyguard. I Samuel 17:1-25
We need to see that Jesus still sets people free! We must take off the blinders that limit how and when He does it. Luke 4:16-21
We need to follow Jesus: beyond belief, beyond 'that lovin' feeling', and beyond 'buffet-style' believers. I John 2:1-6
There is no fear in forgiveness. Having no fear means we are no longer afraid of payback or punishment. Genesis 50:15-21
We need a forgiveness that makes the first move in the family. Love means to be the first one to forgive. Genesis 50:15-21
Let's stay ALWAYS in the flow of the Holy Spirit. Let's stay ALL IN the flow of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:13-26
We need a real faith that models a true beauty and a true love. Every believer should be a model of real faith. 2 Timothy 1:5
Jesus looks AT your distress.Jesus looks FOR your desire. Jesus looks TO your deliverance. Luke 13:10-17
If we are not "not guilty" then why do you still feel guilty? That depends on who you are listening to. We need to be listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:1-17
According to Romans 8:1-17 we are set free from condemnation by Jesus Christ. Have you heard God say you are "not guilty"?
Who are you listening to? We can be set free from the lies that we are worthless through the truth that we are priceless. We must reject the worthless lies, and replace them with the truth. Psalm 139:1-18
According to John 8:31-47 Jesus has set us free. But we need to recognize our chains, realize they are broken, and release them.
Come and find the freedom of the cross and empty tomb as we experience the old story in a new way through the eyes of one who was set free by Jesus Christ.
If you're following Jesus, then you've got to MOVE. We need a faith that follows ALL IN and follows ALL OUT. John 12:12-19
Stop believing the excuses of: who I am is not enough and what I can do is not enough. Exodus 3:1-4:11
In part three of the series, we look at passages of Scripture that describe Spiritual gifts and human talents. What the Word of God says about them gives us a better sense of our interconnectedness and how we are uniquely positioned to work together for the kingdom.
Step up and serve the Lord humbly. We must admit to being servants, and submit to being servants. Exodus 4:1-15
Step up and serve the Lord happily. We serve the Lord happily because of our great love for Him and because of His great love for us.
We need to give the total forgiveness of God that seeks to remember no more, seeks revenge no more, and seeks to restore much more. Colossians 3:12-15
We must passionately pursue the presence of God to a closer, more intimate relationship. We need a wholly desire and a holy fire from God. John 17:3 "Now this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
In great pursuit of our greatest love, we must keep pressing in and through to the presence of God. John 17:3 "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
Fasting can help us focus on our need for God. We need to see fasting as a normal way for Christians and the church to get closer to Christ.
To get closer to the Savior, we need to get farther from sin, through confession, repentance, and submission. James 4:6-12.
Amidst our human propensity to make resolutions, let us remember that all people are made in the image of God and that Jesus died for everyone. Receiving Him is our choice, but His love for each person is real.
Journey back to that first Christmas and hear from a "special guest" who was there. This dramatized message will help to make the Christmas story come alive for all ages including those not usually into the "church" scene.
When we fully unwrap all that Christ is, then we can fully celebrate all that Christmas is. From Isaiah 9:6-7, let us see how we can fully unwrap how Christ has come to be our Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.
Have you ever found an unopened gift after Christmas stuck way under the Christmas tree? Who would actually take all their presents and just stick them in a closet without opening them. That's crazy - yet that is what many a Christian does.We are often missing out on all God wants to do in our lives merely because we have neglected to open ALL His gifts up.
Every journey to Jesus is worth the wait. Let us be like those who are wise and keep pressing on, pressing through, and pressing in.
Beginning with prayer, understanding the timing of God and accessing the power of the Holy Spirit were the first three steps to pressing in to God. Now it is time to get in the game. A close look at Colossians 3 gives us valuable insight into what we need to do to live our lives in the momentum of the advancing Kingdom.
Jesus chose to set aside being God so that He could demonstrate how we can access the power of the Spirit in our lives.
There is more of God than we can imagine. Continue to press into His presence while asking Him to reveal more and more of Himself to you.
Seeing how God arranges circumstances to accomplish what He wants requires a big perspective. The long wait for relief that we sometimes experience can mask the need for us to ask expectantly to receive His intervention in our life situation. This is sharpened when we hear testimonies of how His alignment of things resulted in life changes. God has set the schedule for OCCA. Will you be a part of what He wants?
The challenge to intentionally press in to God begins with prayer. Following the example of Jesus, our determination to get alone with the Father will sharpen our sensitivity to hear His voice, even when He whispers.
Pastor Tim Connor, teaching from Exodus 33, speaks about pressing into the presence of God.
What did Jesus mean when He said we are to deny ourselves? Are there things about us that are actually inhibiting us from living in the fullness that He promises?
Instant gratification has become the norm for Americans. With technology bringing an endless supply of information to our fingertips, we can easily avoid periods of waiting and miss the benefit of the spiritual formation that occurs during those times.
When we place our expectations on God, expecting Him to intervene in the ways we want, we shut ourselves off from what He might do. A look at the story of Naaman the Syrian gives us some good points of reference on how to avoid falling into that pattern of thinking.
In a season where anger seems to be the normal response to anything and everything with which people do not agree, learning how to access the power of God to put that emotion in perspective and deal with it is important.
Are there giants in our lives that only we see? Getting a fresh twist on the story of David and Goliath may help us recognize them and realize that no matter how big our giant is, Jesus is bigger.
Although pain comes to us all and in many ways, how we respond to it and through it says a lot about our spiritual formation. We will consider the pain that Naomi felt and draw some principles that may help us navigate these difficult seasons.
Understanding that life is a series of seasons which dictate where our energies and efforts are directed.
Being intentional gives focus to the mission of the gospel and increases the impact believers have in the world.
Living for the kingdom in the long term means dependence on God for strength to finish well.
In this first installment in a new series we look at how encountering Jesus gives us a new identity. And that identity is the one that matters.
Our everyday actions affect the Kingdom. What we say we believe, and do about it, matter.
Stop, look, and listen - unless we stop and consider our actions, motivations, and goals, we cannot know if we are living as we should.
Seeing things through the eyes of God helps us arrive at a singleness of thought and action that has eternal implications.
Nobody is perfect. Christ has accepted us as we are. In His church family, no one is refused because everyone comes broken in some way.
Keeping Our Eyes Up and Looking Forward - If we are going to fulfill the Great Commission, we have to raise our eyes and see a bigger picture than the needs that immediately surround us.
We were never meant to walk through life alone. Having someone to whom we can turn for accountability is an essential element to the Christian life. God provides the Holy Spirit, and our close relationships provide the remaining support to help us overcome the things that would draw us away from the Father.
Tedd Lewellen, sharing from Matthew 14:22-36, talks about trusting Jesus in any situation or circumstance.
We will examine the expression of a love that crosses boundaries of race, status, and culture.
When we respond to Jesus's invitation and extend it to others, we are putting love into action.
On this resurrection Sunday, we celebrate the promise that those who believe in Christ shall never die.
As we embark in a new season of ministry at OCCA, we have to trust that God has it all under control, even if the exact path is uncertain to us.
Take a look at time. As we understand the two kinds of time in the Bible, we begin to see how our decision to intentionally include God in our daily activities changes the weight of those irrevocable moments.
When something new is on the horizon, we will either respond with expectations or we will respond with expectancy. One places demands. The other produces hope.
The Bible points to us the need for timely exercise of this necessary practice of forgiveness.
Two stories of people desperate to meet Jesus, and five things that keep us from realizing that only meeting Him is the answer to everything.
Living out the four actions God requires of us as His children means recognizing and relying on God in the heart and life of another.
Christ is a Holy God that is know for justice, but He is also a God of mercy. How can He be two things that contradict one another?
What Jesus commands and what Jesus wants, but doesn't command, are two different things. How can we move from the minimum standard of obedience to pleasing the Lord?
Christ reveals different aspects of himself to each of the churches as He commends them, reproofs them, calls for them to repent, and then declares what they will receive for conquering. Our all-knowing God that is always faithful and true is the same God that sacrificed Himself on the cross to redeem us.
Dave Nagel, the new Western PA District Superintendent, talks about the history of C&MA missions, as well as the many unreached people groups in the world today.
Kirby Montgomery talks about restarting your life in this new year, with God taking control.
Through the story of Joseph's life, we can see how our past can impact the present and our future.
In this season, we anticipate the coming of Christ. As we look at our vision statement and the Christmas story, we can see that the freedom we proclaim is a central part of that story.
Rob Douglas shares from Psalm 63 and gives 6 "soul markers" to gauge where we are in our relationship with Christ.
Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of Heaven had come. Then He commissioned us to tell people that this was good news worth sharing.
How do we see Jesus? Consider the first time the disciples saw Him as God. What will our response be?
John Smith talks about how we can build God's Kingdom through drawing closer to Christ, loving one another, and forgiving one another.
Jesus gave us a clear picture of what bringing the Kingdom meant. What will our reaction to this be?
As we pursue Jesus, we can begin to see the Kingdom. It is important to not become impatient or to imagine how it will be revealed. It is in the waiting that the Father shapes us into the people He wants us to be to do the work He wants us to do.
Certain false perspective can keep us from believing that following Jesus is possible for us. It is not only possible, it's what we have to do.
What does it mean to be pursuing Jesus? Do we remember that He is also pursuing us? Consider the work that God is doing to bring us through the process of growing in our faith.
God's love motivates us to love Him and to love others, and it is the impetus for reconciliation.
Missionary David Bill asks "Are you prepared in word & deed, in heart and mind, to proclaim Christ to the world?"
Pastor Cory leads us through Ephesians 3:1-13 and helps us to discover that the Holy Spirit is not only alive but well!
Guest speaker Jamison Nesta talks about the life of Daniel, and the godly character he showed in his relationships and circumstances.
Pastor Cory leads us through Ephesians as he discusses how the NT church was built and ultimately that as the body of Christ we are joined by the Holy Spirit.
There are many verses in the bible about how to relate to "one another." Some are negative, some are positive - which ones are we living by?
Kevin Borland shares his testimony of giving control of his life to God and the transformation that has taken place.
Kirby Montgomery shares advice from a Navy Seals admiral and how to apply it as Christians in order to change the world.
Pastor John shares from 2 Corinthians and Colossians 3 about what it means to be a peacemaker, and reconciliation with God and each other.
Pastor Cory leads us through Ephesians 2 and talks about identifying our enemy, and God's gift of mercy and grace.
What does it mean to be a peacemaker? How can we all be peacemakers within our church family and the world around us?
Pastor Cory shares from Ephesians 1 and discusses the marked difference of living life with a double portion of God's inheritance.
Pastor John talks about how God wants us to celebrate the things He is doing in our lives.
Guest speaker Jamison Nesta talks about what Jesus said is the greatest commandment - to love God and to love others.
C&MA Missionary John Howard shares about his ministry in Mexico, and how we should all listen and answer God's call in our own lives.
Fran Nesta shares about the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42, and how to focus on intimacy with Christ.
Pastor Cory uses a study in Ephesians to demonstrate that when we fall out of love with God the answer could be to go back to the very beginning.
Pastor John shares from Luke 18-19 about how Jesus takes time out of his ministry to interact with 2 men who are seeking him in very different ways.
In our culture that says particular people groups matter, God says that all lives matter to Him.
True intimacy with Jesus is much more than just knowing about God or following a list of do's and don'ts.
When we are attempting to achieve the purposes of God in the world, especially his purposes with the church, it will inevitably involve taking faith-filled risks. The problem is that faith-filled risks always involve change, and change can be awfully scary!
Jesus is coming back some day to get his church and establish his kingdom on earth. How should this vital truth affect how we live as Christians?
It wasn't only Judas who was responsible for putting Jesus on the cross. So, who else is to blame?
Some people believe that death is the great equalizer, but how does this idea square up with what the Bible teaches on the subject of death?
Dr. Jeff Norris shares from Ephesians 1:3-14 about the spiritual blessings in Christ that are given to His church.
Pastor John talks about why we believe healing is still available today and how to seek God for healing in our life.
Christians are supposed to live godly and upright lives, but how does one go about doing this in a world that is so full of temptation and darkness?
Salvation has been provided for anyone and everyone through the work of Jesus, but you have to respond to his provision in order to secure it.
Even though the notion that Hell is a real place that will exist for all of eternity is not popular, we must not let it deter us from talking about the reality of Hell. Friends and family that we love are headed there by default, but this does not have to be the case.
We say that the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, are our only rule of Christian faith and practice. However, the church today finds herself increasingly tempted to compromise this position in order to make Christianity more politically correct, and the results of this are and will be disastrous.
A lot of confusion abounds around the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Is the Spirit a he or an it? Does the Spirit only affect believers, or can unbelievers be affected by the ministry of the Spirit? These questions and more are directly addressed in the Alliance Statement of Faith.
We all know life is not fair. But what should our response to that be? We need to stop focusing on our circumstances and instead keep our eyes on God, and remind ourselves that He is fair and just.
Much of the claims we make about Jesus would be impossible if it were not for the fact that he was both God and man at the same time. This vital truth has come under attack over the centuries, but nevertheless the truth of Jesus as God and man has remained.
The idea of the trinity of the Godhead is mind boggling, even to the most spiritually mature Christian. It just does not seem natural that God could be three coequal persons all at the same time, but this is what the scriptures teach. So will we believe the scriptures, or will we try to reduce God to something less than he is?
In the beginning of the book of Acts Luke tells Theophilus, his original audience, that in his first book, the Gospel of Luke, he wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach. This implied that Jesus was not done working and Luke was going to tell us more about Jesus ministry. However, the book of Acts is mostly about the Apostles and early church. What could this possibly mean?
Why did God appoint a plant to grow up over Jonah and give him shade only to let a worm kill it the next day? The answer to this question reveals the heart of God and his desire to be merciful and gracious toward sinners, as well as his desire for us to do the same. So how will you and I respond?
How do you react when an enemy of yours is blessed by God? The reaction you have, good or bad, says a lot more about your spiritual condition than that of your enemy. So how is it with your soul?
Often times our own pride keeps us from openly confessing sin and repenting before the Lord. It is like we are afraid if we confess our sins that they will be our undoing, but God shows us through the book of Jonah that nothing could be further from the truth. When we openly confess and repent of our sins we can, and should, expect God to manifest blessing in our lives.
Pastor John challenges us from 1 Peter 3 to allow to God to define, shape, and grow our character by living in harmony with one another, loving one neighbor, being compassionate, and to be careful how we react to others.
Being a Christian who follows the Lord was never meant to be an easy thing. With our call to follow Christ comes great sacrifice as we work with all our energy to expand God's kingdom. Even though Jonah was a reluctant prophet, his ministry to the city of Nineveh wonderfully illustrates the substantial sacrifices we must make as men and women who follow the Lord.
The idea of repentance is slippery and elusive. Is it simply changing ones mind about something, like agreeing with God that something sinful is actually sinful, or is there more to it? Jonah's example of repentance helps us as Christians to see what genuine repentance is and is not.
No matter how hard we try, or how surrendered we are to walking in the Spirit, there is going to come a time when we sin against our God. So what does genuine confession and repentance look like? Jonah's prayer from the belly of the great fish can answer a lot of that question.
Paul King challenges us in his message to keep pursuing Jesus, no matter how far we are in our walk with Him. The highest calling in the Christian faith is to continually go deeper and come up higher, growing ever closer to our Savior.
A miracle is a divine act beyond human replication, or even explanation. Yet for some reason we feel we have to explain how Jonah being swallowed by a fish could happen or we gloss it over. In the process we often miss out on what God was trying to say to Jonah and us through the miracle.
Jonah knew the great storm he was encountering with his ship mates was due to God’s discipline for his personal rebellion. In order for everyone involved to experience God’s grace and protection in the situation Jonah needed to enact a plan of repentance, but the others on board the ship had a different idea. They couldn’t let Jonah bear the brunt of it alone, or could they?
Many of us in the church have done well with keeping the tradition of the Lord's Supper, but have we followed the instructions and intent of what Christ asked us to do in remembrance of Him? Paul corrected a church who had remembered the tradition, but forgot the instruction he had left. Dave invites our church body to take a closer look into their own lives, and seek forgiveness, and reconciliation using this communion service to serve each other.
There are times when God is practically screaming to get our attention, but our hearts are so stayed on a course we have already decided upon that we fail to hear him. It is in those times that God will often use other people to alert us to his call for us to return to him. Will we hear the call and turn, or will we continue to move away from the Lord?
Many people believe God is portrayed in the Old Testament as being full of wrath and destruction, while in the New Testament he is full of love and grace. How God could change so drastically is something they cannot reconcile. But does the Old Testament actually paint such a radically different picture of God? To answer that question we turn to the prophet Jonah's story.
Discovering where God wants to lead you in life is one thing, but having the patience and endurance to see that vision come together is another thing entirely. God's plans for you, your family, your church, or your nation do not automatically happen. You must join God, actively follow him, in order to see his blessed plan come to fruition.
Do your personal values reflect the values of Jesus? Christians are tempted to answer this question with a hasty yes. However, Jesus taught a principle that will help us to determine to what level this is actually true. Are you willing to slow down and wrestle with this knowing what it reveals might be somewhat painful?
Like a carrier group in the Navy, churches are to be outward bound in an effort to complete their mission. However, in order for a church to be outward bound they must be ship shape. Is your church ship shape?
It is a pretty normal thing to set a high priority on pursuing the things we need and even things we simply want. Jesus, however, teaches us that there is a way to set our priorities in life that leads to every need we have being met without actually pursuing them directly. His way is rather intriguing, but does it actually work?
Our lives consist of more than our earthly possessions. However, many people fail to understand this, and at the end of their life they leave their only treasures here on earth for others to enjoy. So why not store up heavenly treasure instead, treasure can be enjoyed for all of eternity.
Pastor Cory shares with us what a life lived in service and holiness to God as an ambassador should look like, and that the end result should be continuous forward movement.
The author of Hebrews closes the epistle with encouragement to follow and obey church leaders. This admonition seems so out of place in the culture of America where everyone is proud to be his or her own person. Yet this counter-cultural message still applies today.
Most Christians believe they will probably have to make a clean break between themselves and old friends they had before Jesus came into their lives. However, the author of Hebrews does not warn Jewish Christians to stay away from sinners. Instead, they are warned about the dire need to break off unhealthy ties with the religious crowd.
For those who embrace newer expressions of the church in America, we have a tendency to view what those who went before us did with indifference or even disdain. However, the author of Hebrews reminds us that we are standing on their shoulders and even encourages us to imitate their way of life.
The author of Hebrews urges that the awesome holiness of God should well up in us a desire to worship him in a proper way. This is really no surprise, but what might surprise you is how the author describes proper worship and the conspicuous absence of a church service in that description.
How do we truly show that we love and care for others around us? Pastor John preaches on ways to show love based out of 1 Peter 3:1-7.
Our identity as Christians involves us ultimately living eternally with God in a paradise that he has created. How should that vital truth affect the way we live while sojourning on this earth?
We are reminded to follow the commands to obey the government and to be submitted to their authority.
In this message each and every one of us is encouraged and reminded that Jesus is to be the cornerstone of our life. This is the greatest choice in life.
The reality that we live in as Christians is that we are being molded into the image of Christ each and every day. The challenge is are we willing to submit to that molding or do we try to shape it ourselves.
Pete Brokopp, Coordinator for Development for Envision Ministries, shares his heart for Africa and the rest of the world. Pete works to connect churches, organizations, and business with Envision sites around the world. He attended Nyack College and graduated with a degree in Urban Ministry from Alliance Theological Seminary. He 13 years as a missionary in West Africa. Currently he lives in York, PA with wife, Alice, and two children, Sammy and Charity.
Have you heard the term YOLO (you only live once)? Terms like this embody the temptation for us to believe that we should make decisions by what is best for the moment, but God's word indicates that we should rethink this position carefully.
God is our Father, and as a father he disciplines us out of his great love. Though we sometimes might prefer a friend to a father -- it is the father role that we most need.
When we think we can't take anymore that life has to throw at us the author of Hebrews encourages us to consider our situation compared to the suffering of Jesus. In light of that brutal death, we can and should go on.
Day in and day out people plod through life, but something deep inside us tells us we were created for something better. Are you discontent with plodding? Are you ready to run?
How could a loving God allow evil to happen, especially to his followers? While we may not always be able to answer why, we can know how to get through those times and overcome!
Achieving God's purposes means taking faith-filled risks. During those "risky" times we don't get a dry run or a rehearsal, instead we simply have to step out in a faith that has been grounded in the history of God.
God is the defender of the weak, but what does it actually mean? Is this only a promise that he will defend people who are too helpless to defend themselves, or will he actually defend people who do have the strength of mind and body to defend themselves but choose not to?
Some people say that sticks and stones will break my bones but words can never hurt me, but is this actually true? Pastor Jerry explores the power of our words to bless or curse those around us and challenges us to be a blessing in every situation!
We often look at Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac as next to impossible for us to achieve, but we have to realize God asked this of Abraham after a lot of maturing in the faith. While we may not be being asked to give our child, God is trying to grow us into giants of the faith -- are you willing to let him?
We get so easily distracted from our eternal mission with the problems and challenges of the here and now, but this is not the way we were created to live. We are just passing through this world, it isn't our home, so we shouldn't fight so hard for it.
When you come to the end of life, what will your legacy be? Ken Furl, from the National Office of the C&MA, challenges us to store up treasure in heaven instead of simply building bigger barns.
How do you react when you hear someone speak a word from God in the form of an impossible promise? How should you react? How does your reaction effect whether or not God actually fulfills the promise? These important questions need answers.
The Christian life is not one of inaction and leisure. There is a cosmic battle for the souls of men and women, and we are called to engage in this battle in a God honoring way manifesting in personal holiness.
Many people hope in many things, but as Christians our hope is supposed to be in something specific. Are you hoping in the triumphant return of Jesus?
Dave Ghrist takes time to explain the Christian practice of communion. Rather than approaching this special time with a sense of fear and dread, God wants us to come to the communion table to celebrate freedom. This is apparent in the many different ways the Lord portrayed freedom during this meal!
The smallest breeze of fresh air can cause a fire to come roaring to life. The same is true for the wind of the Spirit when it involves our faith. Is your faith needing a fresh breeze to get you burning hot for Jesus again?
Noah probably had questions when God asked him to build an ark, but did he allow those questions to stop him from obeying? How does this historical record help us to live out our faith today?
Pastor Jerry utilizes an illustration about the game of bowling to help us understand what it means to walk by faith like Enoch did. Sometimes what God is calling us to do feels like we are intentionally trying to throw the ball in the gutter, but by faith we can make the shot.
Is my sacrifice to God being given out of my first fruits, or am I bringing an offering to the Lord after I have seen that I have enough for myself first?
Pastor John Spriggs reminds us that In our struggle with loneliness, fear, and shame we often fail to realize that Jesus has promised he will never leave us alone.
Is it important to the Christian faith to believe in the biblical account of creation, or is evolution a viable alternative? You might be surprised at what the author of Hebrews says about this, and you might also be surprised to learn what it is costing those that do believe it!
We often believe faith can and should be easy, but is that a biblical concept? Jesus did not promise Christians an easy path, but he did promise to give us strength to walk our path!
Often times the best way to move forward in anything (e.g. faith, life, business) is to listen to those who have gone on before -- the people who have experienced the hard times and endured.
Pastor Jerry concludes his answer to the question, "What is apostasy?" He does this by exploring Hebrews in light of the insightful comments of Dr. R. Kent Hughes and the First Great Awakening preacher, Jonathan Edwards.
The Bible warns against apostasy, even claiming there is no return from it. So what is apostasy, and is this something that should concern a believer?
When we read tough passages in the Bible, especially those that challenge our thinking, we often attempt to make the passage fit our personal beliefs. This often has nothing to do with what God thinks or is trying to convey, but rather it has to do with what we are willing to accept. Our text for this week is one such passage.
Confidence makes an enormous difference in football, so why can it not do the same in our faith? According to the author of Hebrews, confidence does make a huge difference in our Christian walk.
Does "being perfect because your Heavenly Father is perfect" have you feeling a little overwhelmed? Are you certain you understood what Jesus was telling you when he said this?
Is your past threatening to drag you under? Do you feel boxed in by who you were before you became a Christian? Do you want to experience the freedom and healing that the cross of Christ has promised, but you have never been able to? This teaching might be one you need to hear.
There is something special about the blood of Jesus -- the victory it brings in the life of a believer is nothing less than astounding.
In many Christian traditions the building is seen as a beautifully sacred place. In some respects this has even happened in the Alliance; however, when we are honest we recognize that the building is not what Jesus died to sanctify...he died for us.
When we breath our last breath before stepping off this planet into eternity, we have one final moment to influence everyone we have ever come in contact with. Hebrews has some interesting things to say about this moment of time.
When we are lost and in the valley where is God? We need to seek His face, Ask Him to indwell our lives, Listen to His voice and finally Celebrate what God is doing.
Where is OCCA going as a church? What kind of church do we believe God wants us to become? Listen and find out.
Does Jesus want you to fear failing, or does he want you to operate in a confidence that your inevitable failures do not define you as a person?
Evangelical protestants don't engage in religious ritual...or do we? Is God interested in our ritual, or is he looking for something else altogether?
This week's message uses the illustration of splitting firewood to help us understand the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Who knew firewood could be so instructive for a faith-filled life?
Ever watch a movie only to find out the book is so much better? You are not alone, and this phenomenon can teach us a lot about the differences between the old Mosaic covenant and the new covenant available through Jesus.
Sometimes I think we are more afraid that lost people will make us dirty, rather than Jesus making them clean!
Special guest sparker, Dr. Wayne Spriggs, encourages us to give each other margin for failure and extra grace as we work in ministry together during the installation service of his son John as our new Associate Pastor.
Is miraculous, divine healing still available for the church today? Was it ever available? Many theories about this abound, but what do the scriptures say?
Jesus is superior to all other intercessors in our lives for a couple of key reasons. Join us as Pastor Jerry shows us in the scripture why this is the case.
When pastors come and go in churches it often causes the church to shrink, but there is a biblical way to stabilize the church. Join us as we explore how!
How does The Amazing Spiderman relate to Jesus, his promises in the Bible, and our faith? Join Pastor Jerry and the people of OCCA for this teaching to find out!
Does the Old Testament Law have any purpose now that Jesus has come? Find out what the Word of God says about this subject as Pastor Jerry teaches "Why the Law Then?"
Rev. John Spriggs shares his heart about the Great Commission, and he challenges us to join God on this journey of faith as we share Jesus with those we meet. Are you ready, because here we go!
Some people teach that tithing is a biblical principle to be followed, and others teach that it is no longer something people should do. What does the Bible teach about giving?
The priest-king Melchizedek makes a cameo appearance in Genesis 14, but then in Hebrews 7 we find out that this seemingly small event has enormous implications. Who are you Melchizedek? Who are you?
We live in a world of broken promise, and this makes it difficult to believe anyone when they make a promise. But there is one whose promises we can always trust.
Rhetoric is often viewed in a very negative light, but is rhetoric always bad? You might be surprised how Biblical authors use rhetorical devices!
Pastor Jerry takes time to review the overarching theme of the first six chapters of the book of Hebrews. This includes the author's repeated warnings to not forget about what God has done!
Can the word impossible not actually mean impossible? Hebrews 6:18 It is "impossible" for God to lie. Hebrews 6:4-8 It is "impossible" to restore someone who has fallen into apostasy. A tough question that we need to wrestle with!
Pastor Jerry starts off with a humorous true story about a new way to do long division and how it relates to our faith. Crazy methods such as he describes are what happen when we ponder to basics too long -- so let yourself be challenged to move into the deeper life our pastor describes. This sermon is about moving beyond the basics of the faith!
Our final principle of discipleship gets discussed at an interesting time -- Easter Sunday 2014. Listen and see what you think. This message includes a brief version of Pastor Jerry's testimony at the end.
Imitation cheese and cookies are sometimes awful, but there are some things in life where imitation is not a bad thing. Join us as we explore the fourth principle of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Have you taken time to consider what it actually costs to follow Jesus? In order to be his disciple we will have to pay the price, and it may be a steeper price than you think.
In our previous message we learned that a disciple submits to a teacher who teaches him or her to follow Jesus. This week we explore the second principle of discipleship and what it means to be a true learner.
The idea of submission inside of American culture often carries negative connotations, and these negative feelings may, in fact, be short circuiting the church's efforts to make disciples.
Great love songs connect to people in intensely personal ways. Why is this, and what does it have to do with the Gospel message?
Do you want to live a life that is holy and upright? Do you struggle actually following through with it though? If you do, you are not alone. Join us as we discover God's plan for living the life he has called you to live.
In the first message of this two part series we discovered that the Word of God is more than just the written pages of the Bible -- it is Jesus himself! Now we talk about the difference this is supposed to make in the life of a believer.
Every word of scripture counts. Even the seemingly unimportant words that appear to just make the pages more full.
What role does works play in the life of a Christian? Do we have to do good works, or has grace freed us from doing anything?
When we consider God's truth, are we united by faith with those who have gone before us, or have we come up with our own interpretation of what the scriptures mean?
When you hear a good sermon or read a powerful passage of scripture, who is the first person you apply it to?
There are many things in life that require a strong team in order to achieve success. Two of those things are baseball and the church. Join us as we explore how the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates serve as a good illustration for the church today.
Was Jesus being born in a stable a divine accident, or did God actually plan it that way? There is far more to this tidbit of the Christmas story that you might first imagine.
Pastor Jerry talks about the new enforcement procedures in Oil City for pet licensing. He shows how his attitude toward it is sinful, and then he helps Christians to understand that there are many areas where we have become hardened to sin while justifying our actions!
For Christians, boasting and bragging is something we are explicitly warned to avoid. But the scriptures also tell us there is a a proper subject to boast about, and the Bible encourages to boast about this subject with all of our energy!
Jesus suffering and death did more than pay the penalty for our sin. It also gave us access to the needed power to conquer temptation in an ever increasing way. The problem is that many of us do not know how to receive the benefits of this promise.
American Christianity knows well the blessings of God, but how well do we understand the work of suffering in God's redemptive plan. Is suffering outside of God's will, or is it something that God uses in our lives?
International Christian Worker Allisa Sande shares the vision and passion of the ministry she leads in Uganda with her husband, Pastor Victor. Does God want to use you to touch people's hearts and change their lives?
We are taught to expect God to move in powerful ways, but sometimes it does not seem as though he does. Does the Bible offer any explanation why this happens, or are we left only with our best human guesses?
When Jesus was physically present on the earth, the Gospel was filled with power. The same holds true for when the Apostles were alive. However, something happened along the way, and now the church is content to live with a powerless Gospel. Is this the way it should be?
Pastor Jerry shares with the congregation about the fiasco of the recent church kayak trip. He likens this adventure together as a church to our spiritual walk with the Lord and our tendency to drift along.
David Kindervater, Alliance International Worker from Japan, shares with us his heart for reaching Japanese people in Tokoyo....and says "Domo" for the support!
In a world of constant change people need something to hold on to that never changes. But is there anything or anyone that can fill this need?
Christians affirm that Jesus is God in their creeds and statements of faith. However, if we really believe that Jesus is God, shouldn't it change how we live?
God the Father is certainly proud of his son, Jesus Christ! If he is so proud of Jesus, how must he feel about you if he let Jesus die in your place?
Sometimes we struggle with believing our Heavenly Dad really loves us because of issues we had we our earthly Dad. However, God does not want it to be that way. Find out what he did in order to help us through those issues.