William A. Olsen

What has sustained the prophet Jeremiah, during his long years of service to God? Pastor Billy Olsen examines the human need for hope in light of present suffering. The prophet Jeremiah receives a message of hope from God, just on the eve of Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem.

"A Righteous Branch from David's Line" Jeremiah 33:7-15

God directs the prophet Jeremiah to speak at the gate to the Temple in Jerusalem, to challenge the people's notion of what makes for a right relationship with the Lord. From the pages of the Old Testament, to today, we are all standing at the gate of God's presence. What makes us ready, not just to enter God's presence, but to remain?

"Standing at the Gate" Jeremiah 7:1-11 All Saints Day service

The Old Testament people of Jeremiah's day had the meaning of sacrifice all wrong. What about us? God uses the prophet Jeremiah to deliver a calling to his people to "ask where the good way is!"

"What Makes a Sacrifice 'Pleasing'" Jeremiah 6:13-20

God directs the prophet Jeremiah to warn the people about the consequences of their sins. What will happen to a nation whose people prey upon the weak, ignore evil and promote falsehoods? Are things in 2021 really as bad as they were in the Old Testament? Pastor Billy Olsen asks us to consider Jeremiah's question: "What Will You do in the End?" 
 
Philadelphia, PA "Woman Raped on Train, and 'No one did anything.'"

God directs the prophet Jeremiah to warn the people about the consequences of their sins. What will happen to a nation whose people prey upon the weak, ignore evil and promote falsehoods? Are things in 2021 really as bad as they were in the Old Testament? Pastor Billy Olsen asks us to consider Jeremiah's question: "What Will You do in the End?"

Philadelphia, PA "Woman Raped on Train, and 'No one did anything.'"

"What Will You Do in the End?" Jeremiah 5:23-31

From the headlines of real, but unusual, 2021 news, comes the story of a the hunt for a missing man and the search party who went looking for him. 
 
God called Jeremiah to hunt not for one missing person, but for all of God's people, who had turned away from God to follow idols of wood and stone. Pastor Billy Olsen challenges the church about "Joining the Search."

From the headlines of real, but unusual, 2021 news, comes the story of a the hunt for a missing man and the search party who went looking for him. 

God called Jeremiah to hunt not for one missing person, but for all of God's people, who had turned away from God to follow idols of wood and stone. Pastor Billy Olsen challenges the church about "Joining the Search."

"Joining the Search" Jeremiah 2:26-32

A reminder of the power of music in corporate worship, Psalm 77 is an expression of both suffering and despair in life, and at the same time, hope and faith. 
 
Pastor Billy Olsen shares a personal story from his time as serving Christ United Methodist Church of Fayetteville, NC.

A reminder of the power of music in corporate worship, Psalm 77 is an expression of both suffering and despair in life, and at the same time, hope and faith. 

Pastor Billy Olsen shares a personal story from his time as serving Christ United Methodist Church of Fayetteville, NC.

"Songs in the Night" - Psalm 77:2-12

How important is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Why is the Holy Spirit's power essential, not only to Jesus' first disciples, but to Christians in the present day? Pastor Billy offers a practical lesson on why Pentecost isn't just for "Pentecostals!" 
 
Trinity Sunday service, at Benson United Methodist Church.

How important is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Why is the Holy Spirit's power essential, not only to Jesus' first disciples, but to Christians in the present day? Pastor Billy offers a practical lesson on why Pentecost isn't just for "Pentecostals!" 

Trinity Sunday service, at Benson United Methodist Church.

"Receiving the Promise" Acts 2:29-33

Pastor Billy uses a lesson from the animal Kingdom to explain the Old Testament's first mention of the "New Covenant." The prophet Jeremiah delivers God's promise to write his word on our hearts and minds.

"Written on Our Hearts" Jeremiah 31:27-34

The prophet Samuel faces personal criticism and the pressure to go along with the wishes of the elders of Israel. From the Old Testament to today, how should God's people deal with rejection and the pressure to be "like everyone else?"

"Like or Unlike All the Other Nations?" 1 Samuel 8:4-10 and 19-20

The Children of Israel suffer back to back defeats in their war with the Philistines, and what is their response? They blame God. Sound familiar? Pastor Billy Olsen takes a closer look at how we can learn from Israel's mistakes and avoid the temptations of our own faith being "Misused in Action."

"Misused in Action" 1 Samuel 4:3-11

Understanding the Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel's last vision about the river that flows from the temple in Jerusalem. How can the Dead Sea be a symbol of hope, even in the 21st century?

"Where the River Flows, Everything Lives" Ezekiel 47:1-9

After God pronounces his judgement on the shepherds of Israel, earlier in Ez 34, now God turns his attention to the rest of the "flock," who are still POWs in Babylon. These verses include a "hidden in plain sight" prophetic message to God's people about the coming of the Messiah, and the promise of freedom from sin.

"Breaking the Yoke of Sin" Ezekiel 34:17-27

God's message to a rebellious nation, when the Children of Israel refuse to listen.

'"If All Your Friends Jumped Off a Cliff..." Ezekiel 20:39-44 ~ All Saints Day - 2020

God's people struggle with wrong views of God in the Old Testament and in 2020. Ezekiel 18 is like corrective lenses for the eyes of our faith.

"When Vision Needs Correcting" Ezekiel 18:26-32

Who are the "at risk?" The Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel, has a calling from God to reach the "at risk" population of Israel. How does God's message to Ezekiel, apply to 2020 American's? Who are the "at risk?"

"The At Risk Population" Ezekiel 3:16-22

Whoever came up with the saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me," must have never stepped foot on the playground as a child. 
 
What does James say are the consequences of the untamed tongue? How does James 3 still apply to life, at church? At school? At home? Online?

Whoever came up with the saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me," must have never stepped foot on the playground as a child. 

What does James say are the consequences of the untamed tongue? How does James 3 still apply to life, at church? At school? At home? Online?

William A. Olsen Videos