Christian Life Assembly UPC - Syracuse

Rev. Amelia De Jesus delivers a direct message urging believers to stay spiritually awake, watchful, and prayerful. Using Matthew 26, Mark 13, and 1 Peter 5, she warns against complacency, spiritual deception, and the danger of letting small compromises in. She calls for daily discipline, personal repentance, and covering spiritual leaders in prayer. The message emphasizes taking responsibility for your walk, knowing the Word, and being alert in the final hour.

Pastor Ryan Deas teaches from Numbers 14 and 16, showing how Moses responded to criticism and rebellion—not with anger, but intercession. When the people turned on him, he fell on his face and prayed. This study calls believers to stop taking things personally and instead step into the role of intercessor, carrying God’s mercy to a broken world. Judgment was coming—but Moses stood between the living and the dead. Will we?

Bishop Robert Vona teaches from Romans 12 on what it means to present our lives as a living sacrifice. He challenges the church to align with God’s Word—not personal opinions or feelings. The message calls for spiritual realignment in families and in the church, emphasizing unity, accountability, forgiveness, and sincere love among believers.

Pastor Ryan Deas delivers a direct and convicting message: You were created to please God, not yourself. Drawing from Hebrews 11, John 8, and Romans 12, this sermon challenges the self-centered mindset of modern Christianity and calls believers back to lives of true surrender and self-denial. Pleasing God—not ourselves—is the core of real discipleship.Key Verse: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.” – Romans 12:1

Rev. Euclide Mugisho preaches on God’s power to restore broken lives. Using the imagery of the potter and clay, he reminds us that God reshapes us for His purpose, no matter our past. Rooted in scriptures like Jeremiah 18 and 2 Corinthians 5:17, this message calls us to repentance, renewal, and daily surrender to Christ.Key Verse: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Gospel still works. Jesus still saves. And His call hasn’t changed: Come to Me. Pastor Ryan Deas reminds us that the power of God is released through faith in God. The enemy is after your ears—because faith comes by hearing. This message exposes distraction, challenges surface-level Christianity, and pushes us back to raw trust in Jesus.It’s not about fixing yourself before coming. It's about coming to Jesus and letting His voice transform you. Guilt, shame, failure? Bring it to Him. Whether you're the prodigal, the paralyzed, or the woman caught in the act—Jesus doesn't condemn. He heals. He delivers. He saves.Key Scriptures:Romans 1:16–17Romans 3:3–28John 8 (The woman caught in adultery)Matthew 11:28Luke 5 (The paralyzed man)Core Messages:The Gospel is the power of God for those who believe.You can’t clean yourself up—come as you are.Faith activates the power of salvation, deliverance, and righteousness.Hearing God personally is essential; no one can do it for you.The devil’s biggest trick: get you to stay away from Jesus.Don’t run from conviction—run to Him.

We are in the 11th hour. Jesus is calling laborers into the field—not spectators in the marketplace. Bishop Vona calls out the dangers of idleness, debate, ego, and unaccountable gifting. The marketplace is not the mission. The harvest is. Joy is found in obedience, humility, submission, and spiritual alignment. False unity, unchecked ambition, and ministry without submission will hurt lives, not heal them. God is not sending souls into a house out of order.Key Themes:The harvest is ready. Laborers must be equipped and submitted.Spirit and truth must flow together—rhema from logos, under covering.The marketplace (church culture, busyness, gifting) must not replace the field (souls, obedience, submission).Every personality, gifting, and calling has a place—but only under the lordship of Jesus and covering.The time is late. Be found working. Be found right. Be found ready.Key Scriptures:Matthew 20Acts 2John 4Matthew 7Proverbs 11Titus 3

This message is a call to wake up. Pastor Ryan Deas reminds us that God doesn’t need our ability—He wants our surrender. The less we try to control, the more He can move. The danger isn’t in hardship—it’s in comfort, convenience, and coasting. Hunger and thirst for righteousness aren't optional. They're the evidence you’re alive in Christ. Without them, you will be deceived—even in church. Seek Jesus. Not blessings. Not tradition. Not good vibes. Just Him.Also includes the powerful testimony of Amos Peachy, a former Amish man who left religion behind for a Spirit-filled walk with Jesus.Key Scriptures:Matthew 5:6John 42 Thessalonians 21 Thessalonians 5

Jesus said, “You must be born again”—not as a suggestion, but as a command. In this Bible study, Rev. Gean Galloway breaks down the necessity of spiritual rebirth through water and Spirit, straight from John 3, Acts 2, 8, 10, 19, and Titus 3. This is not a feel-good message. It’s the gospel: you need the Holy Ghost. You need to be baptized in Jesus’ name. You need to be regenerated from above—because without it, you can’t see or enter the kingdom of God.Scripture Focus: John 3:1–7, Titus 3:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:18–23

This isn’t about religion or routine. Pastor Ryan Deas calls the church back to the core: walking in the Spirit, knowing Jesus personally, and living out the gospel daily. Without submission to the Spirit of God and the lordship of Jesus Christ, we have nothing. The promise of the Holy Ghost wasn’t given for tradition—it was given so Christ could live in us and work through us. The world is on fire. It’s time to respond.Scripture Focus: Acts 2:38–39

In a culture full of competing voices, Rev. Mike Cluster, UPCI Metro Missionary to Philadelphia, calls the church to tune in to the voice that matters most—God’s. Preaching from Genesis 3, John 1, Luke 4, and more, he emphasizes the urgency of silencing the noise and positioning ourselves to hear clearly from the Lord. The voice of God still creates, still convicts, and still calls. This year, we must listen.Key Challenge:Whose voice are you listening to—fear, culture, the enemy... or God?

Rev. Euclide Mugisho opens the new year with a message of faith and repentance, calling believers to walk daily with God like Enoch. Through Genesis 5, Jude 14, and Hebrews 11, he challenges listeners to live faithfully—even in a dark and busy world. We are reminded that Jesus is coming again, and our response must be to live holy, preach the Word, and please God by faith.Key Verse: “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” – Genesis 5:24

Speaker: Ryan Deas Opening Scripture: Acts 8:26-39 Summary: Pastor Ryan Deas began by reading Acts 8:26-39, recounting the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. He emphasized the power and significance of being baptized in Jesus' name and how this act transforms lives. Deas discussed how the eunuch, despite being an outsider and physically cut off from the community, was deeply hungry for God's truth. This hunger led him to read Isaiah, even though he didn’t fully understand it. God noticed his sincerity and sent Philip to guide him, demonstrating that God reaches out to those earnestly seeking Him. The key message was the importance of preaching Jesus and nothing else. Deas highlighted that Philip’s approach was solely focused on Jesus, leading the eunuch to ask about baptism naturally. The message of Jesus Christ is transformative and immediate; it calls for a complete reliance on Him, resulting in drastic life changes. Deas explained that being baptized in Jesus' name signifies being fully immersed in His death and resurrection, leading to a new life. He stressed that this transformation is not about our efforts but about fully placing our faith in Jesus. In conclusion, Deas urged listeners to seek Jesus above all else, emphasizing that He must be enough.

Speaker: Robert Vona Opening Scripture: Luke 6:46-49 Summary: Bishop Robert Vona began with an emphasis on the faithfulness and goodness of God, reminding listeners to focus on Him amidst life's uncertainties. He drew parallels between Noah's limited vision in the ark and our limited understanding of God's work, encouraging believers to look to God for help and assurance. Using Ecclesiastes 3:11, he highlighted that we cannot fully comprehend God's plans from beginning to end. Vona emphasized the importance of community and mutual support within the church, likening it to the fingerprints left on each other's lives. He shared personal anecdotes about the value of his wife’s advice and the necessity of simply trusting that "everything’s going to be alright." Transitioning to Luke 6:46-49, Vona discussed the importance of not just hearing, but doing the words of Jesus. He illustrated this with the metaphor of building a house on a solid foundation, emphasizing the need to dig deep in faith and understanding to withstand life's storms. He further elaborated on the necessity of both young and elder voices within the church, urging believers to seek counsel and to strive for unity and support. Drawing from Genesis 26, Vona explained how Isaac dug wells that were once filled by the Philistines, symbolizing the need to revisit and renew the foundations laid by spiritual forebears. The sermon concluded with a reflection on John 4, where Jesus speaks of living water to the Samaritan woman, encouraging listeners to seek a continuous flow of God's spirit in their lives. Vona urged the congregation to be a source of refreshment to others, embodying the living water that Jesus offers. He closed with a prayer for unity, growth, and an increased flow of God’s love and spirit in the lives of the listeners.

Speaker: Pastor Ryan Deas Sermon Summary: Pastor Ryan Deas emphasizes the true freedom found in Jesus Christ, drawing from John 8:31-36 and Romans 8:12-17. He illustrate this with a recent rescue operation in Gaza, likening it to Jesus’ mission to save humanity from the bondage of sin. The key message is that Jesus’ sacrifice paid the ultimate price for our freedom, and as believers, we are called to embrace and live in this freedom.

Speaker: Pastor Ryan Deas - Opening Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39 - Pastor Ryan Deas speaks on the importance of patience, using Hebrews 10:32-39 as the foundation. He emphasizes unity in the body of Christ, highlighting the power of collective faith. Pastor Deas addresses the challenges of betrayal, persecution, and trials, urging believers to rely on God's wisdom and maintain a hopeful spirit. He encourages patience as an active trust in God's promises and calls for enduring faith in all circumstances.

Speaker: Reverend Nathan Hulsman - Opening Scripture: Psalms 23:6 - Sermon Summary: Rev. Nathan Hulsman discusses the unwavering nature of God’s goodness. He emphasizes that God’s goodness and love pursue us throughout our lives, regardless of our actions or backgrounds. Rev. Hulsman challenges us to overcome distractions and recognize God’s relentless pursuit. He explains that God’s goodness is a reflection of His unchanging nature and is evident in protection, provision, mercy, and grace. He encourages believers to respond with faithfulness, worship, and commitment, highlighting that understanding God’s goodness leads to true repentance and spiritual fulfillment. This sermon is a reminder of God’s profound love, calling listeners to draw closer and experience His goodness.

Speaker: Rev. Nathan Hulsman - Scripture: Exodus 25:21-22, Hebrews 9:3-4 - Sermon Summary: This message explores the concept of moving beyond routine religious practices to truly experience divine presence. The discussion highlights the significance of the Tabernacle as a model for accessing deeper spiritual encounters. The message challenges listeners to deepen their worship and obedience to experience genuine transformation and divine provision, emphasizing the need to transcend traditional practices to access God's glory fully.

Speaker: Rev. Nathan Hulsman - Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:32, Isaiah 30:21, Romans 8:14 - Sermon Summary: Rev. Nathan Hulsman discusses the importance of the church being led by the Spirit, rather than by cultural norms. He emphasizes that worship should be intentional and reflect a commitment to God’s will. He calls for a move beyond traditional or cultural expectations to a spiritual maturity that aligns with God's directives, urging the church to embrace actions in worship that are proactive and reflective of biblical verbs.

Speaker: Ryan Deas Opening Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4; Isaiah 52-53 Sermon Summary: Pastor Deas emphasizes the importance of daily personal connection with Jesus, rather than relying solely on Sunday services for spiritual sustenance. He discusses the danger of idolizing religious leaders and the necessity of focusing on Jesus to ensure a genuine and direct relationship with Him. The sermon stresses the transformative power of Jesus's teachings and the need for personal engagement with the gospel to experience true spiritual growth and fulfillment.

Speaker: Euclide Mugisho Opening Scripture: Psalm 34:8 - "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Episode Summary: In this sermon by Pastor Mugisho from the Congo, the focus is on the personal experience of God's goodness. Drawing on the scriptures and personal anecdotes, he encourages listeners to actively seek a deeper relationship with God by tasting and seeing His goodness firsthand. He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing about God from others but experiencing His presence and love personally. Key Points: Experiencing God Personally: The sermon opens with a call to move beyond secondhand knowledge of God. Pastor Mugisho encourages us to "test and see" for themselves, just as David and Job did, to truly understand and witness God's goodness. The Importance of Staying in God's Presence: Reiterating themes from John 15:4 and Jeremiah 29:13, the message stresses the necessity of abiding in God and seeking Him with a whole heart, highlighting the transformation that occurs when one dwells continuously in His presence. The Power of Personal Testimony: Pastor Mugisho uses the metaphor of tasting food to describe how personal experiences of God's faithfulness can lead to more authentic and convincing testimonies. He cautions against speaking of God's goodness without having personally encountered it. Invitation to Deeper Relationship: Through various scriptural invitations, such as those found in Songs of Solomon and the teachings of Jesus about abiding in Him, listeners are called to cultivate a closer, more intimate relationship with God. Transformative Effects of God’s Presence: The sermon highlights how regular, personal interaction with God changes one's language, perspective, and actions, making one more Christ-like. Practical Steps to Experience God: Pastor Mugisho provides practical advice on seeking God through worship, prayer, and the reading of scripture, encouraging believers to make space in their lives for these spiritual disciplines.

Speaker: Robert Vona Opening Scripture: Exodus 25:8-9, "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it." Episode Summary: In this sermon, Pastor Vona emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace and mercy. He discusses the significance of the blood of Jesus as the ultimate qualifier for our relationship with God, overshadowing all human qualifications. The sermon highlights the importance of personal experiences with God's mercy, using biblical narratives from Exodus and Genesis to illustrate how God desires to commune with his people and provide them with rest and peace. The sermon encourages listeners to carry the mercy of God into every interaction and to live as conduits of His grace. Key Points: God's Invitation and Human Qualification: The only qualification to stand before God is through the blood of Jesus, which covers our sins and allows us communal access to God's presence. Purpose and Peace through God's Presence: The speaker describes how God’s mercy is designed not just to save us but to give us peace and a sense of purpose, using the sanctuary (Tabernacle) as a metaphor for God dwelling among His people. The Importance of Mercy: Emphasizing mercy over judgment, the sermon explores how the mercy seat in the Tabernacle represents God’s desire to meet and commune with His people in a place of forgiveness rather than condemnation. Living Out God's Mercy: Encourages believers to carry the mercy they've received into their everyday interactions, suggesting that how one handles the presence of God (figuratively carrying the 'ark') is crucial in their Christian walk. Practical Faith in Action: The sermon calls for a living faith that goes beyond knowledge and ritual into a dynamic relationship with God, which involves regular engagement with Scripture and a personal commitment to embodying God's love and mercy in the world.

Speaker: Ryan Deas Opening Scripture: John 1:1-51 Sermon Summary: The sermon examines John 1, focusing on the nature of the Word as divine, and the mission of John the Baptist as a witness to the light, which is Christ. Pastor Deas explains the concept of Jesus as the true light and the "Lamb of God," highlighting his role in removing the sins of the world and granting believers the power to become children of God.

Speaker: Ryan Deas Opening Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-7 Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the profound peace and liberty found in Jesus Christ amid life's trials. Pastor discusses how true peace and joy are not derived from external circumstances but from faith in Jesus. He delves into how believers are chosen and sanctified through hardship, emphasizing that challenges are opportunities for faith to be purified and strengthened. Key Points: Peace and liberty are gifts from Jesus, unaffected by external chaos. Believers are chosen by God, not randomly but with purpose. Trials serve to strengthen and purify faith. The power of God sustains believers, ensuring their spiritual survival and growth.

Speaker: Gean Galloway Opening Scripture: Matthew 24:3-41 Episode Summary: Pastor Gean discusses the signs of the end times described in Matthew 24, emphasizing the need for readiness and vigilance against deception. He highlights the importance of love in maintaining faith and unity as global turmoil increases.

Speaker: Reverend Daniel Davis Opening Scripture: Isaiah 6:9 Sermon Summary: Reverend Daniel Davis explores the theme of spiritual healing through forgiveness in this profound session, drawing inspiration from Isaiah 6:9. He begins by comparing the preparation of a gardener's soil to preparing one's heart to receive God's word, which he describes as essential for growth and healing. Rev. Davis shares personal stories of betrayal and pain, using them to highlight the transformative power of forgiveness. He details a methodical approach to forgiveness that involves acknowledging pain, forgiving others, and forgiving oneself to allow God's healing to flow. The session emphasizes the necessity of continuous forgiveness in maintaining spiritual health and connection with God. It concludes with a prayer for healing and deliverance, encouraging listeners to embrace forgiveness fully and seek God wholeheartedly to overcome past hurts and experience true freedom.

Speaker: Rev. Thad Benson, UPCI Missionary to Africa Opening Scripture: Genesis 22:1-8 Episode Summary: The sermon explores the profound act of obedience demonstrated by Abraham when asked by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The speaker reflects on the intersection of faith and obedience, highlighting Abraham's unwavering trust in God's provision, even in the face of extreme trial. The narrative of Abraham and Isaac is paralleled with Jesus' sacrifice, emphasizing the theme of submission to divine will and the resulting blessings of such faithfulness.