President's Chapel 2020-2021 - Rev. Josh Finely - The 4 Marks of a Modern Day Levite

Rev. Barry Kwallek emphasizes the idea that every moment is an opportunity to worship God. Drawing inspiration from God's question to Elijah, he emphasizes the importance of understanding one's purpose and calling. The sermon unfolds into an exploration of worship as the fundamental purpose of human existence, extending beyond traditional expressions like singing in church. Rev. Kwallek challenges listeners to worship God in various aspects of life, including work, school, and personal time. He underscores the diverse ways individuals can worship, urging them to know God more, love more, and serve more as essential components of their worship. This is a message that will change your life!

Dr. Danuta Case reminds our students that even though Jesus has broken the bondage of sin and Satan does not control genuine born-again Christians, Satan is still on the move trying to distract Christians so they don't grow spiritually. Dr. Case states, "If our spiritual diet consists of reading the Bible once a month, praying here and there, and spending time with God only in our spare time, then our spiritual body will not be able to remain focused on what God has for us and we will get easy distracted causing us to be stuck in our relationship with God." This is a message that will help you to reorganize your priorities!

Pastor Greg Falco delivers a compelling message centered around the theme of self-denial and spiritual introspection. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasizes the significance of prioritizing one's relationship with God over the myriad distractions of modern life, particularly in the realm of entertainment and technology. Pastor Greg maintains a balanced perspective, clarifying that entertainment itself is not inherently negative, but rather the potential imbalance and distraction it can introduce into one's life. The message encourages individuals to reflect on the areas where they might be straying from God's will, whether in the use of smartphones, social media, or other sources of amusement. With a call to action, Pastor Greg challenges the audience to embark on a week-long fast from entertainment, urging them to embrace self-denial as a means to deepen their connection with God and align their lives with a higher purpose. The overarching theme emphasizes the transformative power of surrendering personal comforts and Growing in Christ.

Pastor Tim Case, Senior Pastor of Covenant Life Church in Henrietta NY, and Theology teacher at EBIC, teaches about the misunderstandings of faith and divine healing. He states, "God is always good, loving, and caring even though we may question who He is, sufferings, sickness, and natural disasters do not dictate or change God’s goodness." We live in a sinful world that is in God's control, and, in his sovereignty and plan, God is the one who ultimately decides what to do. This is a teaching that will help you grow spiritually!

Pastor Craig Campbell speaks on how Christians will face opposition here on earth. Looking at the life of Jesus, Pastor Craig reminds us that Jesus faced opposition from the moment of his conception until the crucifixion. Thus, Christians will not only experience opposition but should expect it. Pastor Craig states, "When we work and do great things for the kingdom of God, the enemy will do everything in his power to stop us by using opposition." Handling opposition will require Christians to stand on the truth of God's Word. In doing so, opposition can lead us to cling closer to Christ and grow in our relationship with Him. This is a message that will speak to your heart!

In his message, Rev. Drew Freyder delves into the biblical narrative of Balaam and Balak, drawing insightful parallels to the challenges faced by contemporary church leaders. He cautions believers against succumbing to worldly influences. The message urges church leaders to embrace a resilient faith, emphasizing the need to endure persecution and prioritize obedience to God over societal pressures. This is a message that will speak to your heart!

Pastor Kenneth Wagner, Senior Pastor of United Church of Delaware, passionately delivers a sermon addressing the intense spiritual battle faced by individuals in ministry. Emphasizing the reality of spiritual warfare, he underscores the need for awareness and active engagement against the enemy's tactics. Drawing from Ephesians 6:10-20, he highlights the significance of putting on the whole armor of God, advocating for a deep commitment to the Word of God, and fervent prayer. He warns against complacency and stresses the importance of eliminating apathy by remembering one's purpose in ministry. This is a message that will encourage you today!

Pastor Penn Clark highlights the challenges and conditions of discipleship. As followers of Christ, Christians are called to make disciples throughout the nations. Thus, Pastor Clark emphasizes the discipline, limitations, and costs associated with discipleship, recounting personal experiences of familial challenges and societal opposition. He encourages EBIC to navigate life with Jesus as their guide, emphasizing prayer, fasting, and rest as essential disciplines. This is a message that would help you grow in your understanding of what it means to make disciples around the nations!

In this sermon, Dr. Fred Antonelli humorously debunks the belief that marriage solves all problems. Instead, he emphasizes the need for personal growth and self-awareness. Drawing from biblical examples, particularly the story of Moses spending 40 years in the desert, Dr. Antonelli underscores that spiritual transformation and discovering one's purpose takes time. The message encourages us to fix our eyes on God, as He has a unique purpose and eternal significance for each one of us. This message is a reminder to wait on God as He has a specific purpose for our lives.

Preaching on the Joy of the Lord, Rev. Guy Gabriel brings a message from Philippians 1:6. He reminds us about the good work that God is doing in our lives, and challenges us to trust in God with joy as true joy from a place of total trust and surrender God who will fulfill His promises in our lives. Rev. Gabriel states, "As believers, our Joy does not come from denying the reality of our circumstances but choosing to focus on God who has the bigger picture." God has our very best in mind and allows trials in our lives to draw us nearer to Him, so we can be more like Him.