William A Deans

ID 54262Date unavailable

Assembly responsibilities toward missionaries are explored, emphasizing the missionary's understanding of their relationship to the assembly that commends them. The sermon highlights the importance of participation in assembly testimony and activities, using the example of Barnabas in Acts 11:22-26, who was sent to Antioch and ministered to believers. It stresses the need for information, preparation, and a willing heart, drawing parallels with Abraham's obedience and Paul's conversion. The message concludes by detailing the process of commendation, emphasizing that missionaries are sent by the Holy Spirit, not mission boards, and are commended to the grace of God for the work, with ongoing communication and prayerful support from the assembly being crucial.

ID 54261Mar 10, 1969

Jesus demonstrates his authority to forgive sins by healing a man paralyzed from birth, as recorded in Mark 2:1-12. When Jesus declared the man's sins forgiven, the scribes questioned his blasphemy, but Jesus, knowing their thoughts, proved his divine power by commanding the man to rise and walk. The sermon draws parallels between this event and missionary work, emphasizing the importance of bringing people to Christ through various means and the power of prayer and teamwork in spreading the gospel. It concludes by highlighting that the greatest human need is spiritual, the forgiveness of sins, which Jesus alone can provide.

ID 54259Mar 10, 1969

John the Baptist's life and ministry serve as a model for believers to prioritize Christ's increase in their lives while decreasing their own self-importance. His early life in the desert, his prophetic calling, and his unwavering witness to Jesus, even unto death, demonstrate a life wholly dedicated to preparing the way for the Messiah. John's humility in pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God, his willingness to be secondary, and his ultimate sacrifice exemplify the principle that Christ must increase and self must decrease. This principle is essential for effective Christian witness, both in personal lives and in missionary endeavors, ensuring that Christ receives all glory and preeminence.

ID 54258Mar 9, 1969

The profound debt believers owe to share the gospel, drawing from Paul's declaration in Romans 1:14-17, "I am debtor... I am ready to preach the gospel... I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." The passage recounts his family's journey to missionary work in the Congo, highlighting his grandfather's conversion through a Black preacher, his father's commitment to evangelism, and his own redirection from a career in graphic arts to missionary service. The core lesson is that this sense of obligation, particularly towards the Black community, fueled their missionary endeavors, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel through personal testimonies and the growth of the church even amidst rebellion.

ID 54257Mar 9, 1969

The Great Commission given by Jesus before his ascension, highlighting the authority of Christ and the mandate to disciple all nations. It details the commission as recorded in Luke, Matthew, and Acts, stressing that it is a perpetual call to each generation of believers. The message explains that witnessing involves a vision of Christ by faith, with Christ himself as the subject, and the Holy Spirit as the source of strength, urging believers to live lives that reflect their faith and to actively share the gospel in their immediate surroundings and beyond.

ID 53552Feb 24, 1981

The story of the Tower of Babel to illustrate humanity's tendency towards self-aggrandizement and the futility of efforts independent of God. The narrative highlights how the builders' ambition to reach heaven and make a name for themselves led to divine confusion of languages and dispersion, serving as a cautionary tale against pride and self-reliance. In contrast, the sermon emphasizes that true spiritual building, whether individual or collective, must be founded on Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, leading to the growth of the church as God's spiritual house. The ultimate application is to yield one's life to God's molding and participate in His work for His glory, not for personal fame.

ID 52803Date unavailable

Paul's journey to Rome, detailed in Acts 27, serves as a powerful illustration of trusting God amidst overwhelming circumstances. Despite Paul's warning about the dangers of continuing their voyage, the ship's crew prioritized favorable winds and the desire for a better winter harbor, leading to a devastating storm. In the midst of this crisis, when all hope seemed lost, Paul, grounded in his identity as belonging to God and serving Him, received a divine promise of safety for all aboard. The sermon emphasizes that true Christian living involves unwavering faith in God's promises, even when circumstances are dire, and acting upon that faith, as demonstrated by Paul's calm demeanor and his act of eating during the storm, which inspired hope in others. Ultimately, the message calls believers to a perfect trust in God, recognizing that His will is best, even when it involves hardship, and to believe His word in every aspect of life.

ID 52800Date unavailable

Calls believers to 'put on the armor of light' by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing that this is a time for spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness. It highlights that light is the greatest weapon against darkness, drawing parallels to the defensive power of light against wild animals in Africa and the radiant face of Stephen. The message urges listeners to reflect Christ's glory by living in His presence, confessing sin, and yielding to the Holy Spirit, thereby manifesting their identity as children of light and dispelling the darkness around them. The ultimate application is to live in unbroken communion with Christ, allowing His life to be manifest through us, so that others may recognize our fellowship with Him.

ID 52799Date unavailable

The Lord's imminent return calls believers to diligent, faithful service, as illustrated by the parable of the master returning to his servants. This responsibility extends to every individual, regardless of their specific role or gift within the body of Christ. The sermon emphasizes that while salvation is assured, believers will ultimately stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of their works, which will be tested by fire for reward or loss. Therefore, believers are urged to live in anticipation of Christ's coming, actively fulfilling their God-given tasks with watchfulness and dedication, lest they be found sleeping and suffer loss.

ID 52794Feb 18, 1969

Believers are debtors to share the gospel, drawing from Paul's declaration in Romans 1:14-17. The passage recounts personal and familial testimonies of responding to this debt, beginning with his grandfather's conversion through a Black preacher, leading to a family legacy of missionary service. The message emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel, illustrated by the dramatic conversion of Okalufu, a cannibalistic society member, and highlights the readiness to serve despite personal ambitions. It concludes by urging listeners to embrace their own sense of debtorship and readiness to proclaim Christ's saving power, especially in mission fields like the Congo.

ID 52764Date unavailable

The imminent return of Jesus Christ serves as a powerful incentive for believers to live a sanctified and godly life, casting off the works of darkness. The sermon emphasizes that the blessed hope of salvation is intrinsically linked to a holy walk, urging believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. It highlights that love for one another and honest conduct toward outsiders are hallmarks of those who walk in the light. Ultimately, the message calls for a conscious and immediate decision to reckon oneself dead to sin and alive to God, yielding to the Holy Spirit's filling to live a life that honors Christ.

ID 52759Feb 27, 1981

Every believer has a divinely assigned task to perform as they await the Lord's return, a concept illustrated by Jesus' parable of the master leaving his servants in charge. This responsibility extends beyond personal conduct to active service, as highlighted in 1 Thessalonians 4, where waiting for Christ involves walking pleasingly to God and working diligently. The diversity of spiritual gifts, as detailed in 1 Corinthians 12, ensures that each member of Christ's body is equipped for their specific role, emphasizing interdependence and mutual care. Ultimately, believers will give an account for how they have fulfilled their assigned tasks, with works being tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3) and rewarded accordingly at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5). Therefore, believers are called to earnestly seek and faithfully execute their God-given assignments, whether in local ministry or global missions, for the building up of the church and the spread of the gospel.

ID 52758Feb 27, 1981

The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation, transforming lives from darkness to light. It illustrates this power through personal testimonies, including The passage's own calling to missions and the dramatic conversion of a cannibalistic tribal member named Okalufu, who sought forgiveness from both God and the government. The message emphasizes that believing in Jesus Christ is the means by which individuals access God's saving power, leading to transformed lives and active witness for Christ. It concludes by urging believers to actively share the gospel, recognizing its transformative potential in every life.

ID 52757Feb 26, 1981

The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation, and believers should not be ashamed of it. It illustrates this power through dramatic accounts of transformation, such as the hydroelectric project at Nyan Kundi, the taming of elephants, and most notably, the conversion of Okalufu, a cannibal from a leopard society. Okalufu's profound transformation and his earnest desire for governmental forgiveness after receiving God's forgiveness highlight the gospel's ability to change lives from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. The message concludes by urging believers to actively share this life-changing gospel with others, emphasizing the personal, person-to-person nature of evangelism.

ID 52754Feb 25, 1981

The Lord Jesus, the good shepherd, has "other sheep" not of the current fold of Israel, but from the nations, whom He must also bring to hear His voice, resulting in one flock under one shepherd. This universal vision of salvation is illustrated by Jesus' compassion for the multitudes scattered and helpless like sheep without a shepherd, and by His prayer in John 17 for believers to be sent into the world to spread the gospel. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus willingly laid down His life on the cross for all lost sheep, and His resurrected command to His disciples is to go and disciple all nations, a commission that continues today. The ultimate goal is to reconcile all people to God through the gospel, revealing the hidden mystery of God's plan for Gentiles and Jews to be fellow heirs in one body, the church, thereby displaying God's manifold wisdom to heavenly powers.

ID 52753Feb 25, 1981

Romans 10 emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection, not through self-righteousness. The chapter highlights that faith comes by hearing the word of God, which necessitates preachers to communicate the gospel. The sermon illustrates this with the example of Marcel Kimarecki, a missionary with limited education but immense dedication, who brought the gospel to the Wallachian tribe and remained with them through famine, demonstrating the profound impact of faithful gospel proclamation. The message concludes by underscoring the beauty of those who preach the gospel and the responsibility believers have to support this mission, whether by going or by providing resources.

ID 52752Feb 24, 1981

Paul's ministry in Thessalonica, as described in 1 Thessalonians 1:5, was characterized not by mere words but by the power of the Holy Spirit and deep conviction, exemplified by his godly life and the resulting faith of the converts. This powerful gospel transformed lives, turning people from idols to serve the living God and await Christ's return, as illustrated by the dramatic conversion of Tocco, a witch doctor in Africa, who abandoned his idol worship after witnessing the gospel's power. Tocco's transformation, despite severe persecution, demonstrates the profound impact of a life-changing faith that leads to serving God and sharing the gospel. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that true ministry is evidenced by lives transformed from darkness to light, reflecting God's power and grace.

ID 52702Feb 22, 1981

Believers are debtors, obligated to preach the gospel to all people, a conviction deeply rooted in The passage's family history and personal experience. The passage recounts how his grandfather was converted by a black preacher, his father felt a debt to Africa after witnessing its atrocities, and his own life was transformed by a missionary's call to service, leading him to abandon a career in advertising for missionary work. The message emphasizes that the gospel is the power of God for salvation, illustrated through The passage's ministry in Africa, where simple yet profound truths led to the transformation of individuals like Pili Pili and the establishment of a Christian publishing house. The sermon concludes by urging listeners to recognize their own debtorship and embrace the life-changing power of the gospel.

ID 52701Feb 22, 1981

The resurrection of Lazarus demonstrates that God's purposes, even in death and sorrow, are for His glory and the glorification of His Son. Jesus intentionally delayed his arrival, not out of indifference, but to allow for a greater display of God's power and to strengthen the faith of His disciples and witnesses. The account highlights the contrast between human limitations and God's omnipotence, as seen in Martha and Mary's initial despair and Jesus' ultimate command, "Lazarus, come forth!" The sermon emphasizes that while God's delays may seem inexplicable, they serve a divine purpose, ultimately leading to belief and the manifestation of God's glory.