Christian Assembly Church - 2020 Audio Archives: Recent Episodes
Christian Assembly Church
Catch up on the teachings from Pastor Bill and Christian Assembly Church in Ohioville, PA from 2020!
As we approach the New Year, we can look to scripture for our example and inspiration - to allow God to push the restart button of our lives. Thank God for His mercies and His grace at work in us, to always forgive and always restore - all to empower us to be better witnesses for Him!
Tonight is a celebration of the Incarnation of the Son of God. The incarnation was necessary in order to provide a Savior who qualified to pay the penalty for Adam’s high treason by offering His spotless blood as the sacrifice for man’s transgression. That Savior is Christ the Lord.
Man is stuck in the miry clay of spiritual death and doesn’t know it. Jesus heads up the search party and calls out to anyone who will listen. We, too, call out by witnessing. Whosoever answers the call and cries out to God gets rescued, and released from spiritual deaths walls.
Jesus revealed the Father to be a loving, good, faithful, unchanging, and merciful Father who is more responsible than any earthly father who ever lived. To trust God is to trust the person who was the Word made flesh!
God’s word gives revelation to us on my levels. The scriptures are in the context of the time when the events occurred. We can study these scriptures to see what different sources have said about the Name of Jesus!
God is for us and nothing in time or eternity, in heaven or earth, can separate us from His love or from what He’s done for us - no force of evil, or demon from darkness. God is for us, are we for Him?
2 Cor. 2:14-16 shows us how the church is called to pass around the aroma of the body of Christ. As we celebrate communion, let’s rightly discern the body of Christ: 1. in His sacrific, 2. each of us as part of the body of Christ, & 3. the corporate body of Christ.
Isaiah chapter 54 beautifully illustrates how we can trust God with our past, our present, and our future. Circumstances are subject to change, but if we keep our eyes on Him we can be assured that God is our salvation.
When we look at our examples in scripture of the patriarchs of old, we can see that none of them were perfect. Each one was a work-in-progress, compared to where God wanted to bring them. Let us remember that each of us has a much greater potential in front of us which we have not yet attained! Thanks be unto God who calls us to high places!
In 1 Corinthians 2:9-10a, the Apostle Paul says that no matter what we’ve seen, heard, or experienced in God on this side of heaven, it pales in comparison to what God has prepared for us in glory. What we’ve experienced is only a glimpse of what lies ahead!
When pilots are learning to fly, they are taught that it’s not a matter of if, but when they will all face storms. They are given the ‘5 C’s of passing through a storm’ to guide them: Calm down, Check your instruments, Communicate, Comply with the instructions, Climb-climb-climb! How applicable this is to the body of Christ!
The storms of life come to all of us. Scripture gives us examples of how to handle them before, during, and after they come. Thank God for the examples of both Old and New Testament saints - as well as the example of Jesus Himself!
As we grow in our walk with Jesus, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by how complicated life can get. But we can walk more intimately with Him if we remember the basics of the simple Gospel: God is holy, man is fallen, Jesus is the Savior!
The purpose of the Church is this: every fiber, every brick, every dollar spent is created as a vessel to win souls, bring healing, restore others, and bring this message of salvation to the world.
The Apostle Paul’s life and ministry should speak volumes to our lives. He started as a destroyer and finished as a major builder of the church of our Lord. Though he suffered more than any man, second only to Jesus, he kept his eyes on the prize. There are five crowns, or rewards, that we are promised if we can remain faithful and steadfast in our Christian walk. Those crowns can help bring motivation for us to finish strong our race on this earth.
We are in a warfare- not with flesh in blood, not with politicians, terrorists, or anyone else. Our warfare is against the evil forces of darkness. The only agency on earth equipped to stand against these forces is the Church.
A period of seven years made up of three sevenfold judgments upon the world: Seven seals, trumpets and bowls or vials. It will be the darkest time in our world’s history. The only escape is the Rapture of the Church. To be raptured, one must be born again. Plan as Christ isn’t coming soon, but live as if He’s coming tonight.
When Elijah stood before the prophets of Baal and the people of God, he told them to make a choice, and take a stand. If we want the Lord to answer by fire, then we, too, must take a stand for God and against evil.
Continuing this study of end times events, we can describe with some detail the events that must be fulfilled leading up to the rapture of the church. There can be some confusion regarding the trumpets that will sound, but scripture is clear about the Feast of Trumpets and the final trump of Christ’s second coming. Some believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of the church, some a mid-trib, and others post-trib. Let’s allow both Old and New Testaments to clarify.
We’re living in unprecedented times. COVID-19 has changed the landscape of our society. Empty shelves, schools closing, bars and restaurants limited, churches are live streaming, sporting events canceled or altered, the home is the new workplace, weddings and funerals postponed, no visitation in hospitals or nursing homes, movie theaters closed and masks being worn. Is COVID-19 a sign that the end is near, or is it a precursor to things to come?
Acts 10:38 is one of the most informative verses of scripture in the Bible on the subject of healing. Describing all three parts of the Godhead, it reveals to us how healing was and is at work through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. Healing is a blessing and not a curse. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.
The next event to occur on God’s timetable is the rapture. The type - the High Priest blows the shofar on the feast of trumpets to call the laborers off the harvest fields to enter the temple. The antitype - Christ coming in the clouds with a shout and trumpet blast that’s heard worldwide. Graves open, bodies are glorified and reunited with their spirits and souls. We who are alive are changed and meet our Lord in the air. Gentile time ends, and Jewish time begins again.
Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the Gospel to every creature. He gave us a pattern to follow: preach the Word, and He will confirm the Word with signs following. If we do our part, He will do His part!
There are prerequisites to becoming a good father: being a good man, functioning like a good man, taking responsibility as a good man, thinking, acting, speaking, working, and living like a good man, and being a good husband. Celebrate #fathersday with us!
A promise is only as good as the integrity, ability, and willingness of the promise-maker to make good on his promise. In building or rebuilding in our lives, choosing to build on the promises of God is using the best building materials available.
Continuing our study from Wed. night, when building or rebuilding, we need to consider the building materials: meditation, confession, prayer, & praise.
When building or rebuilding, we need to consider the building materials! Love, forgiveness, awareness, mindset, meditation, confession, prayer, & praise are all necessary to "build our house upon a rock."
Three rules to effective study: what did it mean then; what does it mean today; and how can I apply it to my life? Nehemiah was commissioned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that were fallen, leaving God’s people defenseless. These verses reveal certain truths we can use today to build or rebuild a life, a family, a business or a church. To our graduates – practices that can help you build the life God wants you to have. Whether building or rebuilding a life, there’s no possibility of failure when we practice these steps: Focus on what God says, find what’s required; get friends to help, use faith, stand against foes, and look to God for fulfillment.
The plan of redemption involves all members of the Godhead. The Father planned it, Jesus consummated it and the Holy Spirit makes it a reality in the life of anyone who believes. Nothing can be done by the Spirit for anyone until they come to Jesus. They can’t come to Jesus without the conviction provided by the Holy Spirit.
On the day of Pentecost the fire of God fell, lives were Transformed, God’s glory moved into human temples, the church was born, and Jews and Gentiles are one new man in Christ.
I can’t imagine going through a year without celebrating two of the most important events on our Christian calendar - Christmas (the birth of Christ) and Easter (the resurrection of Christ). But there’s another event that sometimes gets overlooked - Pentecost. This day celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the 120 in a backstreet upper room waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled. Before Pentecost, they were in fear. After Pentecost, they were courageous. Also, they were equipped and empowered to continue the ministry Jesus began, in the very city where Jesus was crucified. What made these believers move from fear to faith?
May we never take for granted the lives that were sacrificed for us to enjoy the freedoms we have in America. And may we never forget the sacrifice Jesus made for us to enjoy freedom from sin, death and hell!
When in Egyptian captivity, Pharaoh gave the Israelites the land of Goshen to live in. It was there that they were protected from the plagues that devastated the Egyptian people. In Goshen, they were protected from the flies, from the hail, and from the darkness that prevented the Egyptians from seeing anyone or moving about for three days. There was light in Goshen, when all of Egypt was in darkness.
Wrong action at the wrong time leads to disaster. Right action at the wrong time leads to resistance. Wrong action at the right time is a mistake. Right action at the right time results in success. Receive an understanding of how Timing is Everything.
One recipe for success involves being at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing, with the right heart. Whether preaching, sports, comedy, baking or re-opening our church - timing is everything.
A Mother’s Day message and service can be a time of blessing, refreshing, restoration, and healing. We can learn many lessons from Eve, our first Woman, Wife, and Mother.
Love is the true mark of maturity. Growing in love enables our faith to be strong and vibrant. Romans 5:5 tells us the Spirit’s involvement and help are necessary! Receive an understanding of focus being the key to faith.
God’s Word is the anchor for our soul. Our focus must be on God’s integrity and faithfulness. Receive an understanding of focus being the key to faith and how faith grows.
Christians start out strong and enthusiastic about walking with God and living by faith. But over time, we can become weary of well-doing. Receive an understanding of reaping benefits and blessings if we Don’t Faint!
"Therefore" means because of what was just said. In Ephesians 6:10-14, because of the wiles of the devil, because of the warfare we are in because we are wrestling with demon forces, we must be strong in the Lord and His power, in order to withstand the strategies of the enemy.
In the midst of this challenge, let’s thank God for His promise, presence, and power - HE IS OUR GOD!
Genuine faith is not presumptuous or foolish and being foolish or presumptuous tempts God (Deuteronomy 6:16). Receive an understanding of operating under genuine faith or acting in foolishness and presumptions.
Romans 13:10 tells us, "Love never does anything that is harmful to a neighbor." We believe in God’s power and divine healing, but we also believe in using every means available to stay protected and get healed.
Jesus’ miraculous life, meaningful death, and magnificent resurrection did what man could never do for himself.
The Passover was one of Israel’s seven feasts that reveal God’s plan for man. During Holy Week, Jesus fulfilled three of the four spring feasts, and one of the fall feasts - Atonement. Tonight, our focus is on Passover and Jesus being the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
The last week of Jesus’ life was so important to John, he devoted over half his gospel writing about it. Receive an understanding of The Triumphal Entry.
There’s a difference between getting and receiving. To get implies using effort to obtain. To receive by faith implies someone else did the work all we do is believe and receive what’s been given. Receive an understanding of Receiving From God.
Faith has three major components; hearing, believing and acting. The primary action being speaking. The Name of Jesus is above COVID-19. We must hear it, believe it, say it and act like it’s true. Receive an understanding of Staying in Faith.
We all have a choice to make. We can feed our fears or we can feed our faith. I recommend we feed our faith and put every fear we have to flight. Receive an understanding of overcoming fear.
God wants us to trust Him, lean upon Him and not self or others. Every act of trust and confidence in the creature moves the heart away from God. It’s God who makes the way to cross over the troubled waters of human life.
According to Deuteronomy 28:61, coronavirus is a curse of the law. But according to Galatians 3:13, Christ redeemed us from coronavirus. Therefore, coronavirus can’t touch our bodies. It is written in Psalms 91:10, "there shall no evil befall me, or any plague come near my body."
The finished work of Christ is the most wonderful and amazing thing to ever take place in the realm of man. It required the greatest victory every won, and it provides for the greatest needs of man.
Mephibosheth feared David would learn of him and have him killed. He thought that day had come. Instead, David restores to him his land and has him live in the palace and eat at his table. Why? Because of the covenant he made with his father!
Building a life of faith is a personal matter. It’s up to us to develop intimacy with God and walk with Him by faith that is born out of that intimacy. It could mean the difference between life and death.
There is a Crimson thread that flows from Genesis to Revelation that represents the blood of Christ that had to be offered upon the altar to make atonement for our sins. Once offered, Jesus obtained eternal redemption for all mankind! Oh the precious blood of Jesus!
In Mark 11:23, Jesus taught the law of faith. In Mark 11:24, He taught the prayer of faith. The "therefore" means the prayer of faith is connected to the law of faith. This means faith makes prayer work. Without faith, prayer isn’t effective.
Faith is a fight with words. With words, we resist Satan, overcome the world, and control the flesh.
Calling things that be not as though they were is a biblical principle used by God to perform a mighty work in the lives of Abraham and Sarah.
Faith is a spiritual law that operates on spiritual conditions just as natural laws do. Faith is a fight that is fought with words. By faith we resist Satan, overcome the world and control the flesh.
God has done His part, now we must do ours. If we meet the conditions, we can expect great results.
We all have a race to run and course to finish. We all face the same opposing forces that want to impede our progress and get us off course - the devil, world and flesh. Paul faced the same forces we face.
God has done His part, now we must do ours. If we meet the conditions, we can expect great results.
We all have a race to run and course to finish. We all face the challenges of the devil, world and flesh. How we finish is up to us. But Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Our faith begins and ends with Him.
Faith is a fight. Faith doesn’t mean we effortlessly glide through life without any struggles along the way. The Word for fight is where we get our word agony from. It’s a word that pictures wrestlers in a wrestling match struggling to overcome his opponent. Learn more about your faith fight through this teaching.
"God’s in control of everything" is one of the most faith destroying lies that Satan has ever told and multitudes believe. God’s not controlling what people do on earth. "Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven." Why pray this if it is? What’s the crime rate in heaven? How much poverty, sickness, violence, cruelty, hate, rape, robbery or fighting is there? None!
Contained within God’s Word are Spiritual laws. There’s the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus and there’s the law of sin and death. Our text speaks of the law of faith. Faith is a spiritual law that enables us to access the grace of God in which we stand.
One’s life is measured by the donation, not duration of it. Investments made in the Kingdom, marriage, children, others. The Christian life involves fighting, finishing and faithfulness. We deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus.
Do you want this year to be like last year, or do you want something different and better? To duplicate last year is easy. Just continue what we were doing last year. If we want something better, we must change, we can’t do the same thing and expect something different.
One’s life is not measured by the duration of his life, but by the donation of his life; in the investments he makes. We deny ourselves the right to live independent of God. We take up our cross, and submit to the will of God. It is by keeping our eyes on Jesus that we are able to stay the course in the Christian walk.
When people humble themselves, bow down and surrender themselves to God, they position themselves to experience God’s mighty power and glory. Receive an understanding of Bowing Down Before God.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 says one day we all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged for how we lived our lives on earth. This involves our conduct, character, decisions, and motives. Knowing this, Paul instructs us to examine ourselves or take spiritual inventory to determine our spiritual condition.