Calvary Assembly of God | Craig T. Owens

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The Sin Of Silence

October 14, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” —Edmund Burke

This is as true for Christians as it is for anyone else.

In addressing the church at Pergamum (see Revelation 2:12-17), Jesus calls the Christians out for their silence. He tells them that what He has against them is their close relationship with those who hold to unbiblical ideas.

Pergamum’s sin is our sin in the USA today: tolerance. We let things slide, hoping to get along with others, trying not to rock the boat, trying to avoid being labeled a “hater,” and finding ways to be everyone’s friend.

There is a Latin phrase used in legal circles that says: Qui tacet consentire, which means Silence gives consent. If you don’t speak up to challenge what is stated, it is assumed that you believe it.

Jesus calls the church at Pergamum to repent for their tolerance. He calls for them to speak the truth of God’s Word. Twice the phrase is used to remind us of God’s Word being sharper than a double-edged sword.

Our job as Christians is not to win an argument, bring conviction, or become the sin police. Our job is to speak God’s truth in love.

True friends speak out when someone they care about is making a foolish choice. True Christians loving speak The Truth when the world around them is selling out to a convenient lie.

“In keeping silent about evil, in burying it so deep within us that no sign of it appears on the surface, we are implanting it, and it will rise up a thousandfold in the future. When we neither punish nor reproach evildoers … we are ripping the foundations of justice from beneath new generations.” —Alexander Solzhenitsyn

I will be continuing our series The 7-Star Church: Becoming The Church That Pleases Christ next Sunday. If you are in the area, I would love to have you join me.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Bible, biblical truth, Calvary Assembly of God, church, Edmund Burke, Jesus Christ, Pergamum, repentance, Revelation, sin, tolerance. Leave a Comment »

Weigh The Options

October 7, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

The message Jesus had to deliver to the church at Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11), was a heavy message. It’s a message I believe Christ is still speaking to the church today. In essence Jesus said, “I know how hard it’s been for you as a Christian. You’ve stood tall so far, but brace yourselves because more persecution is coming.”

Charles Spurgeon said, “There are no crown-wearers in Heaven who were not cross-bearers here below.” How true!

But I love the message from Jesus to us: “Yes,” He says, “things are hard, but weigh those things against the rewards I have for you! Hang in there! You will bring Me glory and you will earn the very highest rewards I can give!”

I tried to illustrate Christ’s message this way—

I will be continuing my series on The 7-Star Church next Sunday. If you are in the Cedar Springs area, I would love to have you join us!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary Assembly of God, Christianity, church, courage, eternal life, Jesus Christ, persecution, poverty, Revelation, rewards, sermon, slander, temptation, video. Leave a Comment »

Overcoming The Goliath Fears

September 30, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

Rev. Jeff Hlavin brought such an amazing and timely message to Calvary Assembly of God yesterday! Using the well known story of David and Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17), Pastor Jeff showed us how to defeat the giants of fear that stare us down. Here are the notes I took during his message—

“Unhealthy fear is anxiety-producing and diminishes the quality of our lives. It negatively affects our behavior and our relationships.”

“Unhealthy fear dominates our thinking … It looms larger in consequence … It intimidates… All other options seem to evaporate.”

On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (1 Samuel 17:11)

“Who decides the battle gets to be fought this way? We don’t have to let the enemy dictate the terms of engagement! If we let the enemy define the battle, our fearful state becomes our new status quo.”

“A Christian cliché will not overcome fear. We need to assess the situation accurately: (a) in the light of what fear is and does, (b) in the light of who and what you are, and (c) in the light of who and what God is.”

“…Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)

We overcome personal fear through personal faith. Not someone else’s faith or experience or testimony, but mine.

“I cannot go in these,” David said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. (1 Samuel 17:39)

“God wired you the way He did on purpose. Use what is ‘you’ and ‘yours.’” Look at David’s faith. He tells Goliath he’s going to take his head off, but he doesn’t even have a sword! He used what God gave him and then he used the enemy’s own weapon against him. Once one fear is defeated, the other related fears flee too (v. 51b).

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together. I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. (Psalms 34:1-6 NLT)

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary Assembly of God, David, fear, God's strength, Goliath, help, intimidation, Jeff Hlavin, quality, status quo. 2 Comments »

Wrapping Up “The Q Series”

September 19, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

I love our annual Q Series where the subject matter for those Sundays is driven by the questions people have submitted to me. It’s a bit scary too! Over the last couple of Sundays I’ve fielded questions on topics like freewill versus predestination, divorce and remarriage, the Trinity, backsliding, and more.

As is usually the case, there were more questions than I had time for, so I’ve attempted to answer a couple of remaining questions via video—

Just because The Q Series is done for this year doesn’t mean I’m done answering questions. I love having these sorts of conversations! So feel free to keep sending the questions my way and let’s search the Bible together.

“Heaven will solve our problems, but not, I think, by showing us subtle reconciliations between all our apparently contradictory notions. The notions will all be knocked from under our feet. We shall see that there never was any problem.” —C.S. Lewis

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Bible study, C.S. Lewis, Calvary Assembly of God, Garden of Eden, questions, rapture, Revelation, The Q Series. Leave a Comment »

The 7-Star Church

September 17, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

Seven times in just two chapters of the book of Revelation, Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” That same Spirit is still speaking to the churches today.

As you may know, the number seven in the Bible stands for completion. Although there were many more churches in Asia minor, Jesus delivered a message to seven of them. In other words, He delivered a complete, well-rounded message to all churches by speaking to those seven. Those messages are still speaking to us today.

This Sunday I’m beginning a new series of messages called The 7-Star Church—Becoming The Church That Pleases Christ from this text in Revelation. It’s going to be a challenging word, but an encouraging word at the same time.

If you are near Cedar Springs, please join me at Calvary Assembly of God on Sunday morning at 10:30am. Come with an ear to hear what the Spirit is still saying to us today.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary Assembly of God, church, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Revelation, sermon. Leave a Comment »

Keep The Questions Coming

September 9, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

Every year I look forward to our Q Series, where I field questions folks have about spiritual matters. Not that I’m an expert, but I’m following the example of The Expert.

Jesus never tired of answering people’s longing questions. Sometimes He gave them a direct answer; sometimes He asked them a question in reply to their question; sometimes He answered their question with a story or parable. But one thing was always consistent: Jesus answered every question in a way that pointed people to His Heavenly Father.

That’s what I am attempting to do in our Q Series.

Yesterday I fielded questions about creation/evolution; Christ’s passion week and His death, burial, and resurrection; the names given to God; and even suicide. I pray each answer created a desire for others to dig deeper in Scripture and learn more about God.

In the book of Proverbs, Wisdom is personified as one calling out to those who want help to come to her with their questions. In the New Testament, James writes, “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God for help.” So we need to keep asking The One who is The Truth.

If you would like to participate in our Q Series, please join us next Sunday at Calvary Assembly of God, or submit your question in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer it. But even if I can’t, you know where to go!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: apostle James, Calvary Assembly of God, God questions, Jesus Christ, proverbs, Q&A, wisdom. Leave a Comment »

Lots Of Winners!

September 7, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

Our Impact youth group had a contest to see which school could raise the most money for Speed The Light (STL). STL helps missionaries purchase the equipment that will help them speed the light of the gospel around the world. Our Cedar Springs students, Kent City students, and missionaries are all winners!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary Assembly of God, Cedar Springs, Gospel, Kent City, missionaries, missions. Leave a Comment »

The Q Series

September 3, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

“Ladies and gentleman, come see the amazing high wire act! Watch closely as he crosses the chasm on a tightrope without a net!” Well, at least that’s what it feels like for me.

On September 8 and September 15 we will be doing our annual Q Series at Calvary Assembly of God. These are Sundays where I don’t prepare a sermon, but I prepare myself to answer questions that are thrown at me on any topic. And I feel a little like the man walking on a tightrope without a net.

Here we go!

If you’d like to submit a question, you can do so in the comments below. You can always send questions to me via Twitter or email. If you won’t be able to attend the services, we’ll make an audio link available with my answer to your question.

If you can attend in person (each of these Sundays at 10:30am), we will have a text number available so you can anonymously text your question to the computer techs.

It’s always fun and educational, so I hope you will be able to join us.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Calvary Assembly of God, Q&A, questions, The Q Series. 1 Comment »

Show Us The Way

August 26, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

I have often said that one of the most arrogant, short-sighted prayers we can ever pray is this: “Lord, please bless what I’m about to do.”

Why is this arrogance? Because I’m presuming to know what’s best. I am saying, “God, this is what I have decided is the best thing to do, and I want You to bless it.” In reality, God has already decided what He is going to do, and He will bless me if I do that.

Listen to what God says—

“This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is His name: ‘Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” (Jeremiah 33:2-3)

I love that promise: Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know!

This is as true for me personally as it is corporately for the church I get to pastor. So this Sunday I am taking time to talk to the congregation of Calvary Assembly of God about what I believe God is calling us to do. If you are in the area, I’d love to have you join us.

Whether you can attend on Sunday or not, this is a great reminder for all of us. Let’s not tell God our puny plans and ask Him to bless them, but let’s ask Him to show us great and unsearchable things that He is blessing so that we can get to work doing those things. You will be blessed by doing what God is doing.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: arrogance, blessing, Calvary Assembly of God, God's direction, Jeremiah, prayer. Leave a Comment »

Learning & Teaching

August 12, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

I’ve been leading my congregation through a spiritual workout from the 119th Psalm. This psalm is unique for a couple of reasons: (1) It’s the longest chapter in the Bible; (2) It’s divided into twenty-two 8-verse segments, with each segment beginning with its own Hebrew letter; and (3) All but four of the 176 verses directly mention God’s Word (using words like command, precept, statues, commands, etc.).

Something else that makes this psalm interesting to study is the Hebrew alphabet itself. In our western world, a letter is just a letter: an L is just an L. But in the Hebrew language, the letters have a name, a meaning, and even a numeric value. So the Hebrew equivalent to our English L is the letter/word lamedh.

Lamedh is the tallest of all the Hebrew letters, so that means it stands out. The section called lamedh in Psalm 119 is one of big proportions. Words like eternal, boundless, established, enduring, and forever are prominent in these eight verses. The psalmist is inviting us to climb up into God’s Word and get a bigger view, a higher vantage point of who God is.

When we are in difficult places, we tend to focus more on our problems, and less on God’s awesomeness. So lamedh is a call to shift our gaze.

But this letter/word also has a definition, and lamedh is a double-edged definition. This word can mean to learn. Indeed, as we gaze upon God’s majesty, we learn so much more about Him! But lamedh also means to teach.

I have found that as I go through difficult times and choose to change my focus from my situation to my Savior, that I learn more about His faithfulness. But at the same time, others are learning from that decision to switch my gaze to God.

So I’ve got one word of advice for you if you feel like your problem is too big and you’re thinking about throwing in the towel: DON’T!!

By focusing on God’s bigness instead of your circumstance, you will learn to grow in faith. And at the same times you will be teaching others to place their faith in God too.

Those who wait on God will soar to new heights!

If you have missed any of the messages in our P119 series, you can access them all by clicking here.