Calvary Assembly

Did you know that you can love Jesus but still walk in bondage? What is The Church's response to victimization, identity, and labeling? Pastor George Sawyer answers these questions, explaining that we can change the way we look at ourselves and others, no matter how we see ourselves. In Christ, we are new creations; the new has to push the old out. "Victimization" is a buzzword, but Christians must not identify with what they were and their experiences before Christ, but instead identify with what He has done for them. We can choose how we respond to what has happened to us. Jesus asked the man who needed to be healed, "Do you want to get well?" The man's response was to talk about his problem instead of answering the question. But Jesus healed the man. We can ask ourselves: Do I want to be whole or just get a little help? Am I willing for God to transform my life? Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:11 John 5:1-10

Calvary Assembly

What do you do when what God has said to you doesn't match what you see? Pastor Josh Wilbanks answers this question with examples from Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Sometimes we have to wait. As we wait, we must do two things: give it time and pay the price. Then we must rise up with violent hope, when we're suffering and it feels like life is trying to destroy us. Could it be that the things you've been going through were not sent to destroy you, but to make you violent again? Scripture reference: Luke 1:39-45. Matthew 11:11-12

Calvary Assembly

Today is the second annual Kingdom Builders Pledge Day. Kingdom Builders is an income stream to fund the vision of Calvary Assembly. The vision allows us to be proactive, intentional, and reach more people more quickly through three main focuses: 1. local and global missions, 2. developing leaders and 3. local outreach and growth. Part six of the Kingdom Builders series is "The Impact of Sacrifice." What happens when we give God our best? Pastor George Sawyer challenges us to live bigger than ourselves and uses King David's and Jesus's examples of sacrifices. Sacrifice comes out of love and trust. Sacrifice inspires others. As we make our pledges for the next year of Kingdom Builders giving, we know that we do not give equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. Scripture references: 2 Samuel 24:16-25, Philippians 2:4-9, Philippians 1:14, and 2 Corinthians 8:11-13.

Calvary Assembly

Calvary Assembly

In part four of his message, Pastor Sawyer explains that how we are blessed by belonging. Kingdom Builders is a revenue stream connected to the vision God has given our church for: local and global missions; developing leaders; and local church outreach. The privilege of Kingdom Builders is that we take on the heart of God, we're "blessed by belonging," just as God told Abram, "I'm going to bless those who bless you." As Kingdom Builders we are the workers in the harvest field and we send out workers. Pastor Sawyer shared the ministry of the Raths, a young missionary couple from Calvary to Zambia. Kingdom Builders helps the Raths' ministry. Jesus expressed the urgency of the harvest. We cannot wait when the harvest of people is ready now. God is stretching us to prepare for the harvest. We stretch and obey before we increase. So, make a new goal for the next year of Kingdom Builders. Plan. Write the vision. Dream. Genesis 12:1-3. Matthew 9:35-37. John 4:34. Isaiah 54:1-5.

Calvary Assembly

Calvary Assembly

Calvary Assembly

In part two of Kingdom Builders, Pastor George Sawyer uses scripture to help us understand the privilege and purpose of the church. In Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus explains that there are plenty of people but few workers, so we must pray for laborers. We're the laborers. We're the answer to the heart of God. That's our identity and purpose. We are laborers in the harvest and it is harvest time. God has provided the seeds. The seed is the same, but we have new tools to accomplish the work. In feeding the 5,000, Jesus used a little meal to feed them all. That's all He needed. All God is looking for is what we have, so we should let Him have what's in our hands. He wants to start where we are and do something bigger. Starting with what we have, we should pray for how we will participate in the harvest for Kingdom Builders. We should pray for our: Plan--what we want to do Vision—what happens when God gets the plan. Dream—what can happen when God responds to the vision. He is able to d

Calvary Assembly

What do you do when it seems that God's promise has not been fulfilled? How do you have faith when you're suffering? In Hope Part 2, Pastor George Sawyer explains that faith is present tense— confidence and trust in God. And hope is the expectation based on faith, or the byproduct of faith. Pastor Sawyer then tells us how to hope when what you are expecting has not happened, yet. Scripture references: Hebrews 11:1, Proverbs 13:12, Romans 5:1-5, Isaiah 40:28-31,Mark 9:21-24, Hebrews 6, Hebrews 10.

Calvary Assembly

Pastor George Sawyer preaches an encouraging word on hope. He begins with the familiar passage from Hebrews 11:1 and explains the difference between faith and hope, then uses more scripture to clarify the differences. He then shows how hope is applied in our lives. Scripture references: Romans 8:24, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalms 42:5, Romans 15:13,Romans 4:16-21

Calvary Assembly

Calvary Assembly

Pastor George Sawyer challenges the body of Christ to a paradigm shift for how we think about prayer. This message calls us to a higher level of prayer that will define the destiny of a generation. This principle of prayer applies to anyone in any situation, but for parents their highest responsibility is to pray for their children. Pray matters. Parents' prayers that are authorized by God puts the authority of Heaven at your disposal. Pastor Sawyer teaches how to pray these kinds of prayers. Daniel 1:3-7, II Corinthians 10:3-4, Matthew 6:9-10 and 28:18-20

Pastor George Sawyer continues the Family Matters series with a discussion of the needs of men and women and how to build trust and prioritize the needs. Unmet needs are open doors for Satan to get into a relationship. Needs are an opportunity for God to show you the beauty of your diversity. God has made you distinct as male and female to recognize that our differences are God-designed and complementary. Pastor Sawyer explains the core values of marriage and the three basic needs of men and women, whether married or single. There should be joy in meeting the needs of someone you love. Scripture reference: Ephesians 5:15-33