Calvary Assembly

On this Easter Sunday, Pastor George Sawyer uses an illustrated sermon to take us through Jesus final hours on Earth before His death, burial and triumphant resurrection. During this message, we not only see the what of Jesus's life and death, but the why. We were His purpose.

Part 2 of the Calvary Countdown to Easter

Part 1 of the Calvary Countdown to Easter

Calvary Assembly

Pastor George Sawyer continues to encourage us with the example of David's life when he was in a hard place. There is a time to weep, but we cannot stay in that place until it turns into bitterness. The time of weeping is temporary, and between weeping and rejoicing is a season of pursuing. We can learn David's lesson to encourage yourself until there is breakthrough. Scripture reference: Psalms 30:1-5, 11-12; 23:4-5; 91:1-4 I Samuel 30:1-4, 6-8; Hebrews 12:15

Pastor George Sawyer shows us an example in scripture where a battle is happening on Earth but is won by spiritual. It is battle just like the corona virus, but God is going to win the battle. The Israelites learned that God was their banner, Jehovah-Nissi. This is how we fight our battles. See how we can win this battle against a virus by fighting God's way. When the Church is praying, praising and worshipping, the enemy is losing. Scripture reference: Exodus 17:8-16; Hebrews 4:16, 7:25; Psalms 144:1

Pastor George Sawyer encourages the church that during this time of COVID-19, we will respond by faith and not by fear. Our faith does not deny reality. We can have the peace of Jesus. We don’t have to earn it. What do we count on when everything is changing? We count on God. During a time of limited resources, we are sacrificial not selfish. We know who our source is. Pastor Sawyer shares several faith-building scriptures. Scripture reference: John 14:1, 27; II Timothy 1:6-7; Philippians 2:4; Matthew 5:14-16; Acts 2:44-47

Pastor Sawyer shares the story from scripture of the Shunammite woman who made a place at her home for Elisha the prophet. Elisha represents the presence of God. Through Jesus, we have access to our Heavenly Father. God is waiting for us to prepare a room for His presence. When we make room for God, He Will do what we have not asked for. Scripture reference: Ephesians 2:19-22; II Kings 4:8-28; Ephesians 3:20

Pastor George Sawyer continues to teach us about how we will build a tabernacle of David. God wants His church to learn how to host, honor, welcome and expect His presence. Until we have encountered God, we will not hunger for His presence. David in the Bible knew he had to bring the presence of God into the city. David put the ark of God in a tent where everyone could worship. We build a place where God can come in as we pray. Pastor Sawyer uses the example of the Shunammite woman who made a place for the prophet/presence of God to stay. When you build a house of prayer, God will answer prayers you haven't prayed yet. Scripture reference: Matthew 21:13-16; Ephesians 2:19-22; Amos 9:11; 2 Samuel 6:11-12; Matthew 27:51; 2 Kings 4:8-9; Psalm 91:1-6

Calvary Assembly

Pastor Tony Willis ministers a word during the celebration of Pastors George and Phyllis Sawyer's 39th anniversary since their founding of Calvary. God is giving us a prophetic opportunity that we must not miss. We make the most the opportunity through prayer. The season has changed. The time of hiding is over and gone. Scripture reference: Ephesians 5:15-16,18; Song of Solomon 2:10-15; Psalms 68:1

Guest speaker Duane Swilley shows us six aspects of who Holy Spirit is in our lives. Holy Spirit is: My Coach My Attorney My Intercessor My Counselor My Strength My Substitute Scripture reference: John 17:6, 16:7-12

Calvary Assembly

What happens when you have the presence of God with you? What will never happen unless the presence of God is with you? Guest speaker, apostle Patty Valenzuela, gives examples from the Bible of what happened when the presence descended and tells what can happen now when God's presence is desired in a place. Scripture reference: Isaiah 64:1-2; Deuteronomy 28:23; 2 Samuel 6:11; 1 Sam. 7:1-2; Psalm 16:8; Luke 7:37-39

Why is it important to pray out loud? Pastor George Sawyer shows us the answer in scripture. Some of the reasons are: Prayer is exercising the authority God has given us. When we speak God’s word out loud, we release heaven into the situation. We pray according to scripture and speak God's word. Our mouths are authorized by God to be a fountain of life. When we speak the Word, Holy Spirit takes them and brings life. God whispers so we can lean in to hear Him for intimacy. If we don’t hear God’s voice, we don’t have a voice. God partners with us when we pray. If you can breathe and speak, you can pray. Scripture reference: Romans 10:17; Mark 11:22-24; Proverbs 18:21, 10:11; Hebrews 1:3; Genesis 1:1-3; Ezekiel 37:1-1; Isaiah 55:11

Praying and fasting is an opportunity where we willingly choose to spend time to encounter more of God's presence. Daniel chapter 10 gives us insight into spiritual warfare and is our model for our 21-day fast. Maybe you’re one day away from a breakthrough. Pastor George Sawyer shows us through scripture that our prayers matter and we have been authorized by God to pray. Praying with authority is based on who God is. Satan has power, but lost his authority when Jesus died and rose from the dead. Because of Him, we are authorized to connect Heaven to Earth. When we pray, we access everything Heaven has and connect it to everything Earth doesn't have. Scripture reference: Daniel 10:1-3, 12-14; Ephesians 6:10-18; Matthew 28:18-20; Exodus 14:15-16; Jeremiah 29:11-14

Prayer impacts everything. The ability to expand your prayer life is the key to other areas of your life. Pastor George Sawyer explains the 21-day Daniel fast that begins Jan. 6, 2020. Daniel's prayer life distinguished him from others. Pastor Sawyer explains how we will use Daniel's life of fasting and prayer as a pattern for our fast. Scripture reference: Acts 2:42; Daniel 1:3-20; Dan. 6:1-5, 10; Dan. 10:1-3, 12-14, 20; John 1:12; Luke 10:18-19, Colossians 1:13, 2:9, 14-15

Flipping the calendar from one year to the next does not mean your life will change. So what do we do to make it change? Pastor George Sawyer teaches us how to turn the page, not just on the calendar, but in our lives. We can't turn the page of our lives if things have taken hold of us. How do I turn the page? Repent—forget what's behind you. Resist—reach for what's ahead of you Then God begins to refill and restore you. Scripture reference: Philippians 3:12-14; Matthew 4:17; Acts 3:19; John 8:3-4; Mark 9:18; James 4:7; Ephesians 5:15-18

Calvary Assembly

In the movie Polar Express, the young boy struggles to decide if he believes in Santa Claus and was told to believe. Pastor Sawyer uses the movie’s theme and the account of Jesus's birth as a springboard to help us through our battles to believe God—not believe IN God, but to believe Him and what He says. Everything surrounding the birth of Jesus challenged beliefs. Logic is a good thing, but God’s promises are preeminent over logic. We serve a God who knows no impossibilities. Scripture reference: Mark 9:21-24; Acts 5:12-14; Luke 1:8-20, 28-38