It is unusual these days to see a smooth leadership transition in a church. It is also unusual, but not unheard of, that the outgoing leader stays on and takes a supportive role in the church. Yet, in the early church, the nature of mentoring/discipleship relationships, meant that it was more the norm than not. Paul's relationship with the young pa…

Ever been on a road trip with family or friends, arguing over which playlist to put on the speakers? Sometimes life with Jesus feels like listening to two competing melodies: radical grace vs. radical discipleship. Which wins? The amazing grace of the gospel or the call to obey? Find out how Jesus' final "I am” statement invites us to play both tun…

What do we do when life's unexpected punches leave us flat on the mat? How do we rise again? Where do we turn? These questions echo the experience of one family who faced the loss of their brother, Lazarus. As we journey through Jesus' "I am” statements, we encounter a story brimming with hope. This week, we are confronted with the profound truth o…

How many times have you stumbled around in the dark looking for something, or stubbed your toe on the leg of the bed in the middle of the night? Stubbing your toe in the dark is one thing. Crashing into a spiritual or emotional wall in the darkness of life is quite another. Jesus promises to be the light in such darkness. But what does that mean in…

How do we try to attain freedom in life? Usually through rebellion or religion. But Jesus tells us there is only one path to true freedom: relationship. As we explore the "I Am" statements of Jesus, we’ll see how He emphasizes that He is the doorway to this vital connection. He is the gateway to genuine freedom, where abundant life awaits! Take a l…

When you reflect on your life's journey, how do you define yourself? Is it by your job, your circumstances, or the voices within? Amidst the clamor, we often hear: "I am unsatisfied, alone, anxious, afraid. I am empty, lost, disconnected." Yet there is a stronger, eternally secure "I Am" for which we were made, which is the center of reality. The G…

Have you ever tried people watching? Jesus did. In Mark 12, we encounter a poignant story where Jesus observed a poor widow sacrificially offering two coins at the temple. He not only acknowledged her generosity but also praised her dependence on God to his disciples. Two thousand years later, this small act of radical generosity continues to inspi…

The very idea of evangelism gives some people heartburn. The thought of talking to people about deeply personal religious convictions is out of bounds for many of us. Having seen over-zealous people make a complete mess of sharing Jesus only adds to the anxiety most of us feel when it comes to telling others about Jesus. But what if it didn't have …

When it comes to studying the Bible, we often fall into two camps: feeling discouraged because we can’t find the time, or feeling proud because we do. Are those really our only two options? This week, we’ll look at Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus, a Pharisee renowned for his profound grasp of Scripture. In this story, Jesus offers a new motivation …

In this week’s Scripture, Jesus sneaks up, incognito, on two discouraged disciples. He asks some seemingly patronizing questions, calls them slow of heart, then delivers a compelling sermon about how all of Scripture revolves around him. Suddenly, the disciples find their “slow hearts” transformed into “burning hearts” and they gather the believers…

Jesus makes it clear that He came in order to serve, and He ultimately served us by giving His life in ransom for our eternal life. He calls His followers to be servants as well. The world outside the church has learned that serving is key, servant leadership is all the rage, and a service economy drives our nation. Service in the name of Christ th…

Of all the things Jesus’ disciples could ask for, one of their most pressing requests was: "Lord, teach us to pray." It wasn’t "Teach us to heal like you" or "Teach us to preach like you" but "Teach us to pray." After walking with Jesus, they observed that the power behind all he did was prayer—Kingdom-shaking prayer. It was intimacy with the Fathe…

What would happen if you were dying of thirst, and all that was available was saltwater? Well...you'd still be dying of thirst. Spiritually speaking, this is often our predicament. We attempt to quench our souls with things that do not satisfy, such as comfort, control, and the approval of others. We drink from broken wells, revealing our broken wo…

Every year on the first Sunday, we look at what lies ahead for OCC, anticipating what God will do. This year is no different, except we think God is going to do even more amazing things than in the past. You won't want to miss getting the inside scoop as we look into the future so we can dream about, pray for and celebrate what we believe God is do…

What are you afraid of? The future? Failure? Rejection? Beneath all of those fears lies a deeper question: Is God for me? Will God love me? This Christmas Eve, let's reconsider the shepherds who were filled with great fear when they encountered an angelic army shining with God's glory. Their fear was cast out by the angel’s announcement: “For unto …

Have you ever tried to figure out what God was doing in a situation and just could not wrap your mind around it? Have you ever had times when the nature of God was bewildering and didn't make sense? Have you ever been in the position of trying to figure out what God wanted you to do and couldn't? There are lots of times when the things of God are c…

When was the last time you belly-laughed? Laughed so hard that it hurt so good? There's nothing quite like it. That's because we were made for joy – and made for the Author of joy! Join us this week as we come to the part of the Christmas story when Elizabeth's baby leaps for joy as pregnant Mary arrives on the scene. Like the child in Elizabeth’s …

You've heard of Doubting Thomas. What about Doubting Zechariah? In this week's Advent message, we’ll witness doubts emerging in the Christmas story. After decades of disappointment, Zechariah is told that his prayer will finally be answered in his old age. Skepticism fills him. Yet even in his doubt, God is with him. This is good news for the doubt…

What is guaranteed in life? Some might cynically say "death and taxes," but as human beings, we know there are many other certainties: fear and joy, confusion and doubt, and countless times of waiting. However, the greatest assurance is the reminder that Christmas brings: God is with us. Join us this Advent season as we reflect on the profound stor…

What will heaven be like? It is a question that is asked often. The answer has been depicted in movies, books, paintings, poems and even cartoons. A vast majority of the time the answers are completely wrong. The Apostle Paul gives us a picture of heaven in our final message from 1 Corinthians this week as we explore chapter 15 and what the Resurre…

We've all witnessed a child’s tantrum. Whether it's our child or someone else's, we feel helpless when nothing seems to calm them down. Yet we know “this too shall pass” because children grow up and mature. But what happens when adults have tantrums and haven't grown up? That’s the issue Paul addresses in the well-known “love passage” of 1 Corinthi…

he sensation of having your home light up when the power returns after a blackout is glorious. Suddenly, all the lifeless appliances and electronics pulse with energy, illuminating our everyday lives. That power pales in comparison to what happens when the Spirit of the Living God enlivens our hearts, bringing us His spiritual gifts. As we continue…

What is true freedom? What is self-control? Would it surprise you that the answers to those two questions are connected? As we continue in 1 Corinthians this Sunday, we will learn that only the gospel of Jesus gives genuine freedom—a freedom that empowers us to control the desires that once controlled us. This gospel liberates us to run life's race…

Have you ever noticed how much arguing takes place over little things? Why do we get so worked up over things that are of secondary importance at best and miss the big important things? As we have seen all along in our study of 1 Corinthians, things have really not changed in 2,000 years. The Corinthians argued over things that were not nearly as i…

As part of our OCC Institute Forum weekend, we're so thrilled to have Sara Stevenson join us as our Guest Speaker on Sunday. Sara is a member of the speaking team for The Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics (OCCA). She has an Education Degree in Religious Studies from Queens University, a Master's Degree in Philosophy of Science and Religion fr…

Paul writes, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food…” Does that sound weird to you? It appears Paul is echoing a familiar catchphrase that the Corinthians were using to rationalize their highly sexualized lifestyle. Their mindset was: if you have an appetite, indulge it. Paul challenges this attitude with a countercultural biblical vision f…

Have you ever had a bad sunburn? It hurts like anything! You're so sensitive that even the slightest touch can send you writhing in pain. Within each and every heart there is another excessive sensitivity – our ego. It's why we bristle at criticism and feel snubbed when things don't go our way. And it's why the church in Corinth was filled with so …

We live in a time when society is polarized as never before. People divide into camps over nearly every issue that comes up in conversation, be it political, ethical, cultural, or a host of other issues, people are divided and angry and show very little grace to one another. The church in Corinth, which should have been united in Christ and His mis…

They were a new church, new to Jesus, and they were… a hot mess. The Corinthian Church was divisive, prideful, lustful and looked more like their city than Jesus. They struggled with serious problems, just like us. And yet, as we'll see together, the Good News of Jesus brought real solutions to their problems. Take a listen as we explore 1 Corinthi…

"Put out into the deep... for a catch." When Jesus spoke those words to Peter, you can only imagine Peter's gut reaction: "I'm the fisherman; you're the carpenter – stay in your lane." However, scripture tells us that Peter simply said, "Master, we toiled all night and caught nothing! But at your word, I'll go." Peter would go on to make the bigges…

Disciple making can sound like a daunting task best left to the theological experts and ministry professionals. Yet Jesus made it clear that making disciples is what every follower of Christ is called to do, no matter their theological sophistication or their occupation. So how can something that seems so daunting become a joy-filled, life-giving e…

Have you ever built a Lego set? There’s something satisfying about snapping those bricks together—so satisfying that Lego is the most valuable toy brand in the world, worth $7.4 billion! People love Legos because they're made to connect. Perhaps we also love them because we know we were made for the same purpose. Each of us is made to connect in re…

Have you ever heard your favorite song played badly? It can be downright painful! When we follow Jesus, we join in his melody of loving and serving others. But unless we tune our hearts to the truth of the gospel, our lives can sound like bad karaoke! It’s crucial to remember that "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his …

We can all think of the leaders in our lives. Whether they are bosses, teachers, coaches, pastors... you can think of some authority figure that impacts you. But how often do we think of ourselves? As Christians, we have ALL been given the authority to lead through serving God and others. One of the 7 Strands of DNA that binds together Oviedo City …

The Gospel is the heart of the message of Jesus and yet it may be one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Christian faith. Could it be that our understanding of the Gospel is too shallow? It is more than a golden ticket to Heaven that most people think it is. It is the key that unlocks all of life, now and forever. It is the truth that makes s…

It is the most purchased book in history. It is the most controversial book in history. It has influenced world events as no other book ever written. It claims to be the Word of God and has been known to change lives as no other book. At OCC, it is the foundation of who we are and what we do. Being biblically driven is the first strand in our DNA.…

Have you ever driven down a dead-end street? Maybe Google Maps wasn’t updated or there were no signs. It’s frustrating and confusing. The book of Ecclesiastes can seem like a long list of dead ends. Pleasure, possessions, control, certainty…none of these lead to the fulfilling destination they seem to promise. Take a listen, as we come to the end o…

We all want certainty. Certainty of our health, relationships, jobs, finances… the future. Yet no matter how hard we try to manage our lives, stuff happens and certainty escapes us. God promises something greater than certainty in this world. He gives hope. Biblical hope isn't wishy-washy or wishful thinking; it is rugged and robust. It is the ball…

Time seems to holler at us, haunt us, pressure us and some days even mock us. No matter how much we try to control time (and our lives!), time seems to control us. This week we come to the most well-known section of Ecclesiastes. In it we’re told why we are so frustrated by time and our lack of control: God has put eternity in our hearts (Ecc. 3:11…

What would happen if each of us sought out as much pleasure as we could? If we took whatever we wanted? We don’t have to try this dangerous experiment because the writer of Ecclesiastes already did. He writes: “… whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure” (Ecc. 2:10). He also reports the bleak results: “It …

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 This week begins a new sermon series; Restless Heart. For the next six weeks we will be exploring Ecclesiastes, an Old Testament book of wisdom that asks some tough questions about life. First up is the question of meaning, in other words, why are we here? Do we have any real purpose in life? What is the meaning of all that we g…

James 5:13-20 James ends his letter with a call to prayer. It is prayer in the midst of any and every life situation, joy, suffering, physical illness and more. This week we will be doing something a little different as we wrap up this wonderful series. We will learn about prayer but then we will also take time to pray. As part of our response to G…

James 5:7-12 It was a pleasure being able to welcome Dr. Steve Brown as our guest preacher! Dr. Brown is a broadcaster, seminary professor, and author, as well as the founder and president of Key Life Network. He is also a regular attender here at OCC!Bởi Dr. Steve Brown

James 4:13-5:6 This week's passage in James reminds us that Scripture has teeth. It's not a book of hollow platitudes and inspirational sayings. It’s the living word of God, and it fights for our hearts because God fights for our hearts. Like a skillful surgeon, James cuts deep so that nothing—not our plans, not our goals, not our finances—will tak…

James 3: 13-4:12 "Who is wise and understanding among you?" That’s a challenging question---one that James invites each of us to consider for ourselves. We might find that we have wisdom from below, full of jealousy and selfish ambition, which is really no wisdom at all. Or we might uncover wisdom from above, which is pure, peace-loving, gentle, op…

James 3:1-12 So often in our world, we are drawn to the big, the powerful, the impressive. We think those are the things that make an impact. So often we try for the big and the dramatic to make our lives better. Yet James tells us that it is often the small, overlooked things that can make the biggest difference for good or ill. Our experience tel…

James 2:14-26 This week James really gets in our business, asking questions like: Is your faith dead? Is your faith domesticated? Does it pulsate with the life-changing love of Jesus? The stakes are high in this passage as we look at the truth that we are saved by faith alone—but it is a faith that is not alone.…

James 1:18-2:13 There is a great deal of confusion in our world about the nature, place, and even value of religion. Some people see it as old-fashioned superstition, others as something harmful and dangerous, yet others as something to devote their lives to. So what's the deal? Are we missing something? And if so, what is it and what benefit can i…

James 1:1-18 Who knows the most about us—the good and the bad? Our families, of course! One surprising thing about the Bible is that we have a whole book from Jesus’ brother, James. Can you imagine growing up with Jesus? James had a front row seat to his life and ministry and was thoroughly convinced that Jesus was indeed ”the Lord of glory!" (2:1)…

1 Corinthians 15:1-5Bởi Dan Lacich