Oldham Lane Church of Christ: Recent Episodes
Oldham Lane Church of Christ
Does life ever feel like you're hurtling through space at thousands of miles per hour? And sometimes, even THAT is not fast enough?
I've had times in my life where I've been stuck in hyper speed, feeling like I have ALL these things to do, no time to do them, and so if I just hurry I might be able to squeeze it all in. And inevitably, when that doesn't work, we start trimming our day to get it all to fit.
We fill our lives with all of these distractions, desires we chase after. And if I just HURRY, I can squeeze it all in.
We're all in a hurry. And if we want to walk with Jesus, we have to slow down.
The average person walks between 2.5 and 4 mph. If we want to walk with Jesus, we need a 3mph faith. And that's hard living in an 80mph world.
When Jesus raised a man from the dead, he embodied his love for those that were there, and his love for mankind.
Each year, the shepherds at Oldham Lane update the congregation on all the good work that has happened over the past year, highlighting all the people involved in making it happen, as well as all the new and exciting things ahead in the coming year.
Jesus is the light of the world, the objective source of truth from God, who reveals to us the path to life everlasting.
We spend our days filling our spiritual stomach with things that only satisfy temporarily, but Jesus, as the bread of life, can fill our spiritual stomach with enduring food that never fades.
The birth of Jesus finally arrives, and does so without any great or bold moments, but rather takes place in a humble way. Our Lord is born in humble means, embodying those he came to save: the lowly, the poor, and the humble.
As the lives of John and Jesus intersect for the first time, magnificent realties about God’s patterns and promises for his people, the humble, are unveiled.
God has made no secret of the winning hand in either life or holiness. Holiness and happiness are often misunderstood by outsiders and Christians alike. Scripture is clear in its mandate for a holy life but what is often missed is how this is inextricably entwined with happiness.
In Luke 1:1-25 we see the plans of God intersecting with the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth in a way that blesses them personally and prepares the world for the savior.
Not only does the word of God press us to faith in Christ, but it steps into our lives, redirects us, and prepares to live how we were designed.
We have, at our fingertips, the very words of God. They are the most valuable possession we have and their primary purpose is to press us to faith in Jesus Christ.
While the winds of change constantly swirl around us we find the pattern for a stable anchor laid out in this letter from the Apostle Paul to a young minister, Timothy.
Every person must ask themselves the question, “What’s my win?” Because if you don’t define your win, then you’ll just keep running. You’ve got to know where the finish line is. If you don’t care where you get to, then it doesn’t really matter which way you go, but life isn’t an aimless endeavor. Your life and the things that make up your life matter. There is a goal. There is a prize, but if you don’t know what your win is, then how will you know if you’re winning?
Have you thought about what it will be like right after you die? What will those first 5 minutes be like? Mankind is the only creature that knows he’s going to die. God made us with that recognition, and God gave us scripture to tell us how to live until we die. So, it would seem that ignoring the subject is not a good idea.
Integrity is our decision-making filter. Before engaging in a certain activity, we must ask ourselves, “How will this affect my character? What will this do to my influence?” In other words, what’s your price tag? Can you be bought? If so, what’s the going rate for your integrity? Every person has a price? What’s yours?
Even in his faithful moments, Samson comes across as an arrogant and selfish guy. It also seems that Samson lived his whole life as a defiant sinner, but somehow snuck into God’s good graces at the end. But God felt that this man, marred by sin, was worthy of induction into the Faith Hall of Fame, therefore, who are we to judge.
Integrity is chosen. You don’t stumble into integrity. No one has ever stepped in it. Never has anyone said, “Oops! There I go again. I fell into integrity.” Integrity is the conscious decision to do what you ought to do even if it costs you.
When we first met Gideon, he was hiding in a winepress. His story closes with him living up to his title—valiant warrior.
Integrity goes beyond you. It goes beyond you to the you’s around you. It’s not enough just to be blameless. It’s not enough to be on your best behavior. It’s not about doing good for goodness’ sake. Your integrity is meant to be leveraged beyond you.
Chris and Blake conclude their sermon series by discussing how to communicate God’s word and will for human sexuality to our children, our friends, and others.
To love God with all your strength is to love Him with everything in your life—every moment, every opportunity, every ability, every capacity, every resource. Your money, your children, your spouse—all of it is a chance to love and honor God; the One who made you and the One who delivered you. It’s a whole-hearted, life-encompassing, community-impacting, exclusive commitment to our Heavenly Father.
Pornography is a dangerous tool of the enemy that silently steals life, pleasure, and oneness from the God-given blessing of sex. As we struggle with sexual brokenness, we must continue to participate in the fight. Not through our own power, but by submitting our hearts to HIS power.
Christianity is a thinking person’s religion. It’s not anti-science. It’s not irrational. It’s not merely emotional. It’s based in truth; God’s truth. Which means that not only is it knowable, it is our responsibility to know it. Being a disciple requires you to use your brain.
The greatest commandment, as given by our Lord, is an ALL IN exhortation. It’s body, soul, every fiber of your being.
There are two ditches here that we should avoid at all costs. There is the truth only ditch and the grace only ditch. Both are detrimental to the cause of Christ. And both are unloving.
A healthy heart promotes healthy habits. When my heart is in rhythm with God, it shows up in the rhythm of my life.
Sex is not man-made. Sex is God-designed, but it is only God-ordained when it occurs within the confines of marriage. There’s a reason God placed boundaries on this sacred gift. He knows the urges, and the temptation to satisfy those urges. He knows all about the allure of the god of sexual pleasure, and He is keenly aware that Satan will pull out all the stops to entice people to bow down to the idol of sex.
In a culture so preoccupied with sex and where sexual freedom in all its forms is celebrated and defended as a human right, Romans 12:1 & 2 reminds us that we are called to show and tell the good news of Jesus, which includes God’s design for sexuality.
Your identity doesn’t have to be wrapped up in who you are or what you’ve done. God names you. Jesus defines you. When you become a Christian, you receive a new identity. You get a name change. Others may still refer to you by your given name, but that’s not the name that truly defines you. No, the name that reveals your true identity is “Christian.”
As the Oldham Lane congregation begins the process of appointing new shepherds, Chris brings a lesson on what a godly shepherd should look like. One of the first questions that should be asked of any prospective elder is this: “Does he “walk by the Spirit?” If he doesn’t, then he’s not qualified. Doesn’t matter if he meets the qualifications as spelled out in scripture. First and foremost, he must be a man who is Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.
Everyone is a builder. Every single person is a General Contractor. We are all building something. The quality of what we build depends on what we do with the specifications we have been given. That is Jesus’ message in a nutshell. He gives us the blueprint, then says, “Go build a life.”
There was not a lot of faith on the part of Sarah in the beginning. She liked God’s plan. To have a child would have been an amazing gift. But, while she loved the plan, she didn’t buy into the promise.
Who are your prophets? Who are you listening to? Who has your ear? What is their message? If you want to know if someone is proclaiming a message from God or from their own corrupt heart, just look at what the message is producing in you. Who or what is shaping you? What is making you you?
Abraham’s legacy can be divided into three sections: 1) Leaving, 2) Living, and 3) Looking.
Discipleship starts with a funeral. Before you become a child of God, before you can enlist in the Lord’s army, before anything can change in your life, you must die.
Every time you pray, God is teaching you how to hold His hand and walk through life with Him. So, keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking!
The entire Sermon on the Mount is about the heart and where your heart is located. While it sits just behind and slightly to the left of the breastbone, it’s still movable. It moves with your money. It moves with your possessions. Your heart follows your treasure.
Are you a Noah? As you ponder what it means to be a Noah, think about this—are you walking with God? Noah walked with God, and it made all the difference.
Do you know what grace is? It’s getting something you didn’t earn. It’s getting a reward for something you didn’t merit. In short, grace is letting Jesus mop up the mess.
There’s only one type of person—the one who has failed God. However, we fail forward when we take the experience of wrong decisions and allow them to teach us about right decisions.
Jesus didn’t abolish the Old Law. He didn’t render null and void everything the prophets said. He didn’t come to discard. He came to display. The Old Testament is the gospel in bud, while the New Testament is the gospel in bloom. Jesus is the Law with skin on it.
We love our heroes. We love the idea that there is someone with great power, determination, and skill to change the world, or at least our own little part of the world. But we especially love the heroes that are flawed—those that look like us, those that are broken and troubled. We want to believe that even messed up people can become great.
One of the great themes of the Bible is the glory of God through the advancement of the kingdom. Are you living out that theme? God wants to wake up and shake up the world by waking up and shaking up the church. He wants to start a salt and light revolution. Are you in?
People tend to be generally fascinated with underdog stories. In this sermon, Matheo looks primarily into the story of Gideon and shows how when we are with God and the body of Christ, we are never underdogs.
Exodus 32:1-10
It is easy to get impatient and trade the living God for a lifeless idol, but there is NOTHING worthy of worship save God alone and he is worth the wait.
There are many folks in our world who care nothing about what the Bible has to say concerning any other subject, but are quick to pull Matthew 7:1 from their holster. However, Jesus said a whole lot more after He made the statement, “Do not judge.” In fact, once you understand the context of His words, you find that what He meant is quite the opposite of what so many assume.
The Beatitudes are a lot of things. But, first and foremost, they are an upside-down way of thinking, a backwards calling, a reverse image of what we commonly think of when we think of what it means to be blessed.
We are God’s temple, and we come together as a bunch of little temples to form a spiritual house that He bought with the blood of His Son. You should be at worship, not so you can check it off your weekly to-do list, but because you give life to the assembly and you get life from the assembly.
Each year, the Oldham Lane Church of Christ hosts a camp designed for young men, ages 14 through 18. The purpose of this camp is to train these young men in the art of preaching and leadership. The camp concludes with the campers preaching at various congregations in the area.
Each year the Oldham Lane Church of Christ hosts young men for a week of training in the art of preaching and leadership. This year’s camp kicks off with Noel Whitlock delivering a lesson to the students and the congregation.
What are we doing at Oldham Lane? We are sharing life by sharing love. We are seeking to give people more of Jesus so that we can get more of Him. That’s what we are doing here.
Ministers are people who are crazy in love with Jesus. We serve because He saved, but we are not only saved to serve; we are also shaped to serve. And we look the most like Jesus when we are serving others.
Romans 8:28 is about what God can do with even the most adverse of circumstances. That doesn’t mean that everything that happens to us should be considered good and necessary because God is behind it and He caused it. It simply means that God is there in our pain, in our suffering, and in our tragedy. Romans 8:28 is a promise that no matter what I may deal with in this life, no matter how bad things get, tragedy will not triumph. God’s ultimate, eternal purpose will be realized.
The word of God is not boring. We may be boring. Our words may be boring. The way we read scripture may be boring, but scripture itself is not boring when you connect with the story, and you read yourself into that story.
In Luke 5:36-39, Jesus tells the parable of New Wine in Old Wineskins. Jesus wants to make us “New Wine.” Three words come to mind when thinking about becoming “New Wine”: Intimate, Uncomfortable, and Transformative.
We love ourselves and look out for ourselves hoping to find what we need, but instead find emptiness. While it doesn’t make natural sense, when we stop looking out for ourselves and focus on God, the only being worthy of love, we find our needs eternally met in a glorious way.
In John 15, Jesus uses the analogy of a vine to help us understand our relationship to Jesus, the Father, and how we can produce fruit. In this lesson, we take a closer look at what exactly fruit is, and how we can better produce fruit for Jesus by staying connected to Him.
The biblical call to motherhood is a learned behavior, that doesn’t come naturally. It is countercultural but presents a uniquely powerful opportunity to glorify God in this dark world.
Here at Oldham Lane we have a tradition: Every year, when our seniors are graduating, there is a service held in their honor, where they lead songs, say prayers, and preach lessons to the congregation. That time has arrived once again, and this is the lessons that they have imparted to us.
Saints beget saints. You grow inwardly so that you can grow outwardly. You grow YOU so that you can grow THEM. Church growth is about training the people of God to become what God wants them to be so that they can go do what God expects them to do. Simply put, we are to GROW and GO.
Sadly, not all godly children grow up to be godly adults. Although their parents raised them in a godly home, their children have chosen not to glorify God in their own home. And all too often, parents receive the blame. The finger always seems to point back to mom and dad. That’s a judgment we need to avoid making. In fact, if our assessment of parenting is based solely on how the child turns out, then we would have to conclude that God was an unfit father.
We often talk about church growth. The question is often asked, “How do we grow the church? What must we do to grow?” When the truth of the matter is, we don’t grow the church. We plant. We water. We feed. We nourish. But there’s a metabolic thing going on that is out of our control and that we have nothing to do with. We sow. He grows. We irrigate. He regenerates. God is the grower. We are the sowers.
God has been honest with us in telling us that there will be trouble in this life. This life is hard. But God has also made us a promise. There is hope on the horizon. There is a glorious future awaiting us.
The resurrection is the single greatest event in the history of the world. It only means everything!
Contrary to popular opinion, the Bible does not teach, anywhere, that God will give you the strength to do whatever you set your mind to. God is not some heavenly genie or divine sugar daddy. He’s not some cosmic power plant who fuels your dreams. Instead, He is our sustainer in an unstable world.
What’s your fig leaf? Is it your appearance? Is it initials after your name or degrees on the wall? Is it rule-following? Is it avoidance? What’s your cover? It should be Jesus
Plenty of people hear the word of God. They read it. They study it. They memorize it. They can recite it upon command. But do they live it? At some point, hearing must turn into doing. Head knowledge doesn’t mean a thing without heart doing. It’s not how much you know. It’s what you do with what you know.
Far too many Christians are living a less-than-fulfilling existence because they still believe that they are the object of God’s wrath. May we never forget that the wrathful God became the atonement for our sin that we so desperately needed. The angry God provided a way for His own wrath to be appeased, which means that there is NO CONDEMNATION AT ALL! It’s time to wake up to your own salvation and revel in the fact that you are no longer the object of God’s wrath. You are the object of His affection.
God works in us to bring about the transformation that we so desperately need. The Philippians were being transformed from the inside out, and so are we. God is working to change our affections and our complete manner of life. However, we are not passive in this work. We must actively imitate the humility of Jesus. We must strive to be more like Him. We must live a surrendered life.
There are far too many Christians who are completely satisfied with being lukewarm. They are lukewarm and loving it. Too many Christians believe that they have enough of God in their lives. What they don’t realize is that they are on the verge of spiritually bankruptcy. And what’s worse than being spiritually bankrupt? Being numb.
We often use scripture as a means for proof-texting our beliefs, which is not entirely bad. It’s almost unavoidable. But we must be careful when using the Bible in this manner because sometimes scripture isn’t answering the question that we’re asking. Case in point—Romans 10:9 & 10.
Worship is an end in and of itself. Worship is never a step on the way to something else. Worship should never be pursued as a means to achieving something other than worship. Worship is not a door through which we pass to get somewhere else. Worship is the goal.
In John Chapter 4, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman who is drawing water from a well. Our Lord reveals His identity to her and offers her a gift—Spirit and Truth. His identity is the Messiah, and His gift is the Holy Spirit.
Hypocrisy is the gap between what we show and who we are. It’s the gap between what we say and how we live. It’s the gap between our public persona and our private character. We close the gap with Jesus!
God does not take death lightly. He takes all death seriously; whether it’s a one-hundred-year-old man or an infant. Both are costly in God’s eyes. Make no mistake, death is the enemy. Death entered the picture in the Garden of Eden with the fall of man, and it’s been a problem ever since.
Pride is behind EVERY sin. Every sin that has ever been committed, is being committed, or will be committed is because of pride. Therefore, pride is the number one thing that keeps people out of heaven.
Don’t allow politics to shape you! Don’t allow politics to shape your worldview. Don’t allow politics to shape your view of people. Don’t allow politics to shape your view of faith. Let Jesus do that. Let Him and Him alone shape you.
Where’s your treasure? Life follows your heart. So, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Your heart is mobile, which means that we have complete control over where it goes, what it follows, and what it worships.
Remember the “W.W.J.D.” bracelets that were popular in the 90’s. The origins of the acronym W.W.J.D. can be traced back to a Kansas preacher and author named Charles Sheldon who wrote a book back in the 1800’s entitled In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? The book has sold over 30 million copies. Sheldon encouraged his congregation and the readers of his book to not do anything without first asking themselves, “What would Jesus do?” I want to ask a different question. I want us to think about W.W.J.U.? What would Jesus undo? And I want to start with the walls we put up and the lines of division we draw.
The context of Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:20 has nothing to do with small gatherings outside the church building. Rather, it pertains to the theme of handling conflict within the church. Jesus tells us how to properly deal with church discipline by spelling out the process.
God wants to use our mess to draw us closer to Him. All trials have the same goal—TO GROW YOU. In fact, spiritual growth cannot occur without trials.
Life isn’t easy as a Christ follower, but salvation is. There is no place more restful and meaningful than under the yoke of our gentle and humble master.
All of life is defined by growth. Seedlings grow into plants and trees. Grass grows. Organisms grow. Businesses grow. Hopefully our investments grow. How many things in life are considered good or right or successful based on growth? Without a doubt, faith would fall into that category.
What is spiritual growth is? It’s about having Jesus’ heart and living like it. Someone died so that you can live, and living is about growing. We understand that in a physical sense, but we need to grasp it in a spiritual sense as well.
What’s so special about the church? What makes it special? The same thing that made the temple and the tabernacle special—the fact that God dwelt there. His Spirit dwells in us as we come together to form one unified assembly of temples where we praise the God who has chosen to take up residence in our hearts.
Outcomes are about what you get. Processes are about what you do. Identity is about what you believe. When it comes to real change that leads to spiritual growth and maturation, we must address the latter. If we truly want to change who we are at our core, then rather than starting with what we should do, we need to start with who we want to be.
Each year, the shepherds at Oldham Lane update the congregation on what has taken place in the previous year, as well as all the new and exciting things ahead in the coming year.
We are all familiar with habits, both good and bad. There are certain things we do without even really thinking about them. We want to hold on to the good habits and purge the bad ones. We know that a bad habit is a bad habit, and we know that we need to remove the bad habit from our life. But how? That’s the rub. We know we should say, “No more,” to that bad habit, but it’s just not that easy.
Church growth is often defined by bodies, bucks, and bricks. Bigger crowds, bigger budget, and bigger buildings.
But what if it’s not about bodies, bucks, and bricks? What if it’s really about souls, spirituality, and sanctification?
Lessons on becoming a better Christian typically focus on 3 areas:
Read your Bible more. Pray more. Go to church more.
But I can tell you from experience that those 3 things are not a cure all nor a tried-and-true method for being a stronger Christian. Certainly, these are good things, and we should be engaging in them on a consistent basis, but more spiritual activity doesn’t typically produce the outcome that we’re after. And therein lies the problem. We are often goal-oriented when we need to be systems-oriented.
Role distinctions are not value judgments. We all have the same essence and worth; however, God has given men and women different roles and responsibilities. Even though these roles and responsibilities are different, they are all vitally important.
Which side of the Jordan are you on? Many are on the right side of the Red Sea. They’ve been delivered from bondage, but they’re not moving toward their inheritance. It’s not enough to be delivered. The Israelites left Egypt with another destination in mind, and we’re no different. Although we’ve been delivered, we still have to move.
When blessings flow it is easy to let our hearts take comfort in things that aren’t lasting. Jesus reminds us that life is more than abundance of possessions.
When Christ built his Church, he gave us the gift that keeps on giving. Meaningful membership in the Church is central to our daily walk with Christ.
Let’s talk about Jesus more during this time of year, not less. Let’s sing about Jesus more this time of year, not less. Let’s be logical and reasonable in our approach. Let’s always be loving, patient, and kind. Rather than avoiding the holidays because we’re afraid of being too secular, let’s redeem them. Let’s remind ourselves and others what Christmas and Easter are really all about.
For to us, a child is born. God has given you and me a gift. It’s a gift of rescue and a gift of hope. It’s a gift of peace. A day is coming when there will be no more enemies and, thus, no more grief, no more sorrow, no more loneliness.
Church isn’t something that opens or closes with a prayer. Church isn’t something you go to. Church isn’t something you do. Church is YOU. It’s US. WE are the church and we are added to the Lord’s church for the purpose of serving.
Mary had the little lamb, and that lamb would die for her sins and for the sins of the entire world. In that manger that fateful day in Bethlehem lay, not just a baby, but the God of heaven who came to earth to dwell with the very people He created. What often gets lost […]
Jesus left the comforts of heaven, came to this earth to dwell among us, to teach and preach that the kingdom is at hand, to die a horrific death on the cross, to be buried, and to rise again 3 days later. That is the story that deserves our attention; every day of the year, not just one day in December. Jesus is not the reason for the season. Jesus is the reason for everything.
The church needs more body-builders, not body-bashers; people who are seeking to beautify the church rather than deface her.
A sermon on giving has very little to do with money, and everything to do with the heart.
The Bible is filled with individuals who were overwhelmed by pain, whether physical or emotional or both. For example, the psalms paint a portrait of a man who is struggling emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. What you will also notice as you survey these various individuals is that, in their torment, they look up. They […]
Your heart is going to beat for the things you treasure and, sadly, we often treasure things that hold no real value. We put our spiritual health in danger by cherishing things that are earthly. Jesus is our spiritual pacemaker. He puts our heart back in rhythm. He reminds us to treasure the right things, and by treasuring the right things we keep our heart healthy and beating properly.
How big is your God? Some might say, “He’s infinite!” Others might answer, “He’s immeasurable!” “He’s bigger than anything imaginable!” Really? Do you worship a God that is infinite? Do you worship a God that is immeasurable? I’m afraid that, all too often, we give lip service to the God who is infinite, but we worship a God who is infinitesimal.
If we, at Oldham Lane, want to have any hope of making a difference in the world around us it won’t start with money. It won’t start with programs. It won’t start with manpower. It won’t start with hiring another minister. It will start with PRAYER.
We all look down. We all get focused on our failures and our faults and, when we do, we lose sight of our Father. The best advice for those dwelling in the depths is to look up!
If the church is not making a difference in people’s lives then something is wrong. If the church is not making a difference in the community then something is wrong.
What you’re worried about most is what you’re most devoted to. The emotion follows the devotion. Whatever it is that you’re devoted to will directly affect your anxiety level. To put it another way, your over-concerns reveal your over-loves. So, pursue Jesus and let Him provide rest from the stress.
Words are like bricks. They can be used to build a hospital or to throw through a window. Water can quench your thirst or flood an entire town. Fire can cook your food or burn down your house. Likewise, words are neutral in and of themselves. It’s how we use them that determines whether they are worthwhile or worthless.
Each and every member should approach church from this perspective—what can I do to contribute to the health and vitality of this congregation? How can I make this body better? What do I bring to the table? What am I doing to ensure that the Lord’s church that meets here at Oldham Lane is fulfilling its purpose?
As Christians, we become what we put on. Let’s put on our “Jesus suit” and adorn ourselves with the character of Christ.
Church is not just for the cleaned up. It’s for the messed up. It’s not just for those who have it altogether. It’s for those who are broken in pieces. It’s for those who are trying to make sense of it all. We are all sinners saved by a gracious God, and we are all capable of a relapse. We are not perfect, far from it. But you don’t have to be perfect to be a part of God’s family.
As creatures made in God’s image, the Creator has conferred upon us incredible ability and responsibility to be sub-creators who affect the culture we’re immersed in. Lives are changed, for better or for worse, by how we live the life we have been given.
Spiritual growth is a choice. Jesus said that it requires labor (Jn. 6:27). Paul wrote that it requires work (cf. Phil. 2:12; 3:13-14). Peter stated that it requires diligence (2 Pet. 1:5, 10). Spiritual maturity is an on-going, persistent, continuous process. It is a concerted effort. It is also a command.
What if we didn’t just make church a part of our lives? What if, like our first-century brethren, the church was our life? What if?
How we respond to a crisis is more important than the crisis. When tough times hit, we will respond the way we have been trained to respond. Hopefully, our knee-jerk response is to hit our knees.
Espresso is a very popular variety of coffee. It’s the result of water being forced at high pressure through finely ground coffee beans and extracted in small concentrated amounts. The result is full flavor that provides a powerful punch. That’s what prayer is, or at least it should be. Our prayer life should be full of flavor and pack a powerful punch.
Christians should be the most grateful people on the planet. If we have nothing else, we have salvation; something we did not deserve. That is more than enough reason to rejoice. We are all unworthy slaves who, even at our best, are only doing only what we should be doing.
Building a kingdom culture in our home means having one priority, not competing priorities. One priority. Our little family is an extension of God’s kingdom, which means that we destroy all idols, we embrace kingdom values, and we live upside-down.
If you want to be prepared for Jesus’ second coming, then live like His first coming mattered.
Our homes should have kid versions of their superhero parents. Supermen and Wonder Women should be raising little superheroes to go out and save the world from the forces of evil. They get their power and strength from mom and dad. They learn how to fight from the parents. Sadly, sometimes they go over to the dark side when they get a little older. It’s not easy raising superheroes. Sometimes they refuse to utilize their power and strength for the right purpose. Sometimes they fight against us instead of with us.
Before Isaiah could see the mission that God had for him, he had to see God for who He truly was. The prophet could not fully grasp the mission until he grasped the holiness of God. However, it wasn’t just about a proper perspective of God. It was about a proper perspective of Isaiah as well. The prophet had to view himself in relation to God’s holiness before he could comprehend the magnitude of God’s calling.
What makes a mother a “wonder woman” is her spiritual strength as she battles the foe and his forces of evil. She may embody some, most, or all of the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman. But above all else, this “wonder woman” is dubbed as such because she returns her child to its rightful owner. She gives her child back to the King.
Playing it safe doesn’t take faith. Paul didn’t play it safe. The apostles, after the resurrection and ascension of their Lord, didn’t play it safe. We can’t play it safe either. Faith demands that we take risks.
Our homes should be a little city of refuge. A fortress of solitude where, no matter what’s going on in the world around them, our children can find peace and security. It should also be a place where they find wisdom and instruction. Most importantly, it should be a place where they find God.
Our attitude, our mantra, our livelihood should reflect the statement made by Isaiah—“Here am I. Send me!” This isn’t about whether or not I should go. The issue isn’t about where I would rather go. This is about going where God has called us to go—into all the world, making disciples of all nations; baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The goal of family is to be a visible portrait of God. We are to be a reflection of the US who created us. We were made to be image-bearers.
Each year the shepherds at Oldham Lane lead the congregation in prayer for our students and teachers as they begin a new school year.
This life is filled with chatter. It’s filled with distractions, and some of it is good stuff. Some of it is absolutely necessary, but a lot of it is nothing more than white noise. We often waste our wait with this chatter when we should be filling our wait with something better.
James Graham & Kevin Batten talk about the wonderful things Ripple of Light is doing to reach the lost and to encourage Christians.
There are 3 kinds of people in this world: Believers, Unbelievers, and Make-Believers. The first 2 are pretty self-explanatory. The Make-Believers pretend to be something they are not, and that is how Jesus and scripture defines a hypocrite.
Rusty Brown visits Oldham Lane to give a report about the wonderful work he and his family are doing in Ecuador.
Fellowship begins with followship. You are defined by your relationship with God, and that relationship defines all other relationship in your life. The vertical provides the formatting for the horizontal.
Our relationships with Christ, other Christians, and the world are complicated. However, it's vital to our Christian walk to maintain these relationships.
Prayer is a privilege. It is dependency. It is surrender. It is relationship. You may do some good works in the name of Jesus. You may attend church twice a week. You may study your Bible on a regular basis, but if your prayer life is lacking then your spiritual life will suffer immensely.
Jesus came to reveal the Father. Is that not what the word of God does? Jesus came as the word incarnate; meaning He gave God’s word a face, a body, a manifestation. He brought a new word from God, one that would be written down and shared for generations to come, and one that would quite literally change the world.
The sword of the Spirit is unique in that it is both a defensive and offensive weapon. It can deflect the devil’s devices as well as kill his intentions.
What makes us US? As the church, as the individuals who make up the Lord’s body, who are we and what should we be about? It all begins and ends with God. He is top priority, not a category.
Even though Christians are the winners, all too often we live like losers. Far too many of us go through life defeated, beaten down, dejected. All of us have been among the walking wounded at some point. It’s in these moments when we need to hit fast forward, and focus on the finish. Because you’re not just a victim. You’re a victor!
God calls His Child to follow Him. To live up to the reputation of God’s Family and walk in love like Jesus. How close are we following God?
The term “All clear!” means everyone is accounted for. As we go through the storms of life, fear can negate our faith and we sometimes wonder if God is there for us. He is! We are all accounted for.
Jesus Christ came so that we could have life and have it abundantly (Jn. 10:10). He wants Christians to enjoy that life. He wants us to feel secure because when you feel secure, you’re a more effective soldier.
The devil is a formidable foe, but has no authority. The bullets have been removed from his gun. Jesus’ foot is on his neck. And we are victorious when we are in union. We triumph when we are in alignment. We win when we are glued to the head.
The devil is constantly shooting his fiery darts at us, but faith can shield us. If we are willing to confidently affirm our trust in God and what He has said, then Satan has no answer.
Each year, the Oldham Lane Church of Christ hosts a camp to train young men in the art of preaching and leadership. The week-long camp culminates in the students preaching at various congregations in the Abilene area. Two of these students deliver the message on Sunday morning at Oldham Lane.
Each year the Oldham Lane Church of Christ hosts a Preacher Training Camp where young men, ages 14 through 18 come to learn about preaching and leadership. Wayne Roberts kicks things off with an encouraging message for this year’s campers.
Before you enlist in the Lord’s army, before you begin to fight, before you can claim victory, you must die. Discipleship begins with death. Until you have a funeral, there can be no victory.
You’ve heard the phrase “dressed for success?” Well, success in battle has a lot to do with the type of footwear one chooses to wear. Some say, “The shoes make the man.” That statement certainly has application when it comes to putting on the armor of God. Fighting the devil requires that we stand firm in our faith, but it also requires that we be ready to move, sharing the gospel with others so they will not become a prisoner of war.
The devil may have you surrounded on all sides. He may have his weapons of mass destruction pointed directly at you. It may seem like you’re destined to be his next victim, but he picked the wrong disciple to mess with. Not because you’re bigger, better, or stronger, but because God is.
For the Roman soldier, the breastplate served to protect the vital organs, namely the heart, lungs, and intestines. In Bible times, the heart often referred to the mind, the will, and the bowels. It was considered the seat of emotion and feeling. No wonder Paul included this vital piece of gear when speaking of the armor of God. The mind and the heart are the areas Satan most fiercely attacks. If we don’t protect our hearts and our minds, we are doomed to fail.
At this moment, we live in two kingdoms. Satan is king. Jesus is king. There is an overlap. For now. Some cry out, “Why is there so much evil in the world?” The answer is simple. Because Satan is still ruling and reigning. But, at the same time, we can also cry out, “Why is there so much good in the world?” The answer is simple. Because Jesus rules and reigns. We live in the age of overlap.
If we are going to be successful in winning the spiritual battle, we must develop a game plan. We must devise a strategy. We must know our opponent, know his tendencies, and be confident and prepared to withstand whatever he throws at us. We face a formidable foe, but not an invincible one.
The belt of truth is where the sword of the Spirit is kept. The sword is dependent on the belt to keep it connected to its owner. The two go hand-in-hand. We must wear the belt of truth and we must wear it properly.
We don’t always take the enemy seriously. We’ve turned him into a cartoon, a harmless caricature, a red, bearded guy with horns and a pitchfork. He’s almost cute; so cute, in fact, that we make plush dolls in his image, or print his likeness on t-shirts proclaiming that it’s somehow adorable to be naughty. Make no mistake, Satan is a formidable foe and this is the fight of our lives. To not take the enemy or the fight seriously will lead to certain doom.
Just because you are a Christian that doesn’t mean the battle is over. In fact, Satan ratchets up the intensity when you put on Christ. We must turn it up a notch as well. The need for the Lord’s power is continual and constant. The devil knows that he can’t dethrone God; therefore, he attempts to do the next best thing—destroy mankind.
Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Phil. 4:4).” “In” is the key. Joy is found in the Lord. Too many are pursuing joy’s cheap imitation—happiness. However, happiness is fleeting, shallow, and hollow. Happiness is based on mood and circumstances, but joy is rooted in something deeper and bigger.
The shepherds give their yearly report on the exciting things that are happening at the Oldham Lane Church of Christ.
We have a Savior who endured the unthinkable for us. And it’s not just what He went through, but why He went through it. He did it to save our lives. Our Heavenly Father paid the ultimate price so that you and I could be called sons, and if sons then heirs according to promise.
Wes McAdams joins Chris to wrap up the series “Rethinking Baptism.” The two of them discuss some of the deeper, often overlooked, aspects of this vital subject.
We tie a string around our finger. We set reminders on our phone. We ask those around us to remind us. We send ourselves an email. We set an alarm. We employ all sorts of strategies to help us remember because, as humans, our memory often fails us. And not just in a physiological sense, but in a spiritual sense as well, which is why God invites us to remember as a means of growing in our faith and our relationship with Him.
Did I really know what I was doing when I went down into the water? Was I just riding emotion; not really comprehending the meaning and magnitude of my actions? These are common questions people ask as they reflect on their baptism, and along with them questions like: What constitutes a scriptural reason for rebaptism? When is it necessary?
Restoration is a vital part of a Christian’s identity because the finished product takes time. Our lives are a series of patching and mending and tearing out and replacing. We’re all a construction project. Getting back to the original, just like restoring a home, takes time, effort, and energy. There’s a cost involved as well.
Baptism is entrusting my life to God. I’m placing my soul and my salvation in the hands of God. He has rescued me from sin and death, but He’s also rescuing me as we speak.
Our hope is not just in what happens when we die. Our hope is in what happens when Jesus returns.
Do I have to be baptized? It’s a question that is debated a lot in religious circles. What role does baptism play in my salvation? Is it necessary? Is it a work? The fact that Jesus did it and God was pleased with Him for doing it should speak volumes to us.
Who do you say that Jesus is? That may be the most important question ever asked. And your life literally depends on how you answer.
Baptism is not a life insurance policy. Baptism is not a security clause. Baptism isn’t about death. It’s about life. In fact, your whole life, as a Christian, is shaped by your baptism, which is why we need to have a proper understanding of precisely what it entails.
Regeneration is one of those theological words that, when you hear it, you slump back in the pew and get ready for a good nap. It’s a topic that may be better suited for a Masters of Divinity program than a Sunday morning sermon. But it’s a concept that applies to all of us even though we’ve likely never stopped to consider it.
Remember your wedding day? No, not the one where you married your spouse, but the one where you were united with Christ. We need to remember this day. Not only do we need to remember it, we need to reimagine this soul-saving, soul-uniting act. Because there is so much more to it than just being dunked and delivered.
Remember your wedding day? No, not the one where you married your spouse, but the one where you were united with Christ. We need to remember this day. Not only do we need to remember it, we need to reimagine this soul-saving, soul-uniting act. Because there is so much more to it than just being dunked and delivered.
Life without God is not easier. Satan presents it as such, but he is a liar and a deceiver. He promises the best but pays the worst. You will never find lasting relief in the enemy’s camp. Life finds its fullest joy and prosperity in a relationship with the Lord.
God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16); however, God doesn’t hate the divorced. He hates divorce because He loves people, and divorce is devastating to mankind.
When our relationship with God is complicated, it complicates our relationship with others. A committed relationship to God and a committed relationship to the Church will mirror one another.
Single Christians are not broken. They are not in need of fixing. You are not “less than” or incomplete just because you are not married. Single Christians are followers of the most complete, most perfect person who ever walked the face of the earth. And, by the way, He was single.
God shows us what real love looks like. It’s sacrificial. It’s unconditional. It goes first. His love for me is not based on what I bring to the table. He loves me, in spite of my flaws and shortcomings. He loves me, even when I am unlovable. And to prove it, He sent His Son to die on a cross.
It's troubling to look around us and see the world as it is. That’s bad enough. What’s worse is when the church acts like the world. The church should be a refuge from the world, not an extension of it. And the first church a child should experience is the home.
When it comes to a relationship with God, many are like the one who dips their toe in the water. They don’t jump in cannonball style and seek to get everyone else wet. Instead they tend to stay on the outskirts; feeling the water but never immersing themselves completely.
Submission is often viewed as a dirty word in our culture. However, it is an absolutely essential ingredient for discipleship and for a godly marriage.
The single life allows one the freedom to do what they want to do and live as they choose. They don’t have to answer to anyone. In a world dedicated to selfishness, it’s easy to see how this mindset persists. However, there is a fatal flaw to this type of mentality. It’s the reality that NO ONE IS TRULY SINGLE!
Marriage was created by God. He is the divine architect of this most sacred human institution, which means that marriage functions best when it is done according to His will.
To be a new creature in Christ doesn’t mean the same individual with minor adjustments. God doesn’t intend for us to simply tweak our old self. He wants something far beyond minor renovations.
In 1980, country singer, Johnny Lee, hit number one on the charts with the theme song from the motion picture Urban Cowboy. Though he didn’t write the song himself, Lee said that he always felt like the song was written about him. Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places is what people in the music industry refer to as a “universal song” because so many people can relate to it. Many people today can relate. We live in a world full of people who are looking for love in all the wrong places.
Praying scripture and praying as we study scripture helps us to internalize the words of our Lord, as well as focus on other important matters outside of ourselves.
When it comes to loving others, you don’t start with the other person. You don’t start with yourself. You start with God.
Interpretation asks the question, “What is God trying to say?” Not, “What do I want it to say.” Once we’ve answered the question of “What is God saying,” we must then ask the question, “So what?” “What difference should this make in my life?”
How we see ourselves will directly affect how we see other people. And we will never treat one another right until we learn to love ourselves.
The goal of Christian Bible study should be learning to be like Jesus. In order to reach this goal, we must play by the rules when approaching scripture. In this lesson, Chris discusses some of the pitfalls we need to avoid when engaging in personal Bible study.
When it comes to the success of the Lord’s church, love has everything to do with it. We are the “it.” The “it” is YOU and ME. And love is the glue that holds all of us together.
It doesn’t matter what you build on a bad foundation. You can construct the most beautiful structure known to man but if its foundation is faulty, it will never stand the test of time. Such is the case with Bible study. You must lay the proper foundation if you want to build a sturdy life.
Loving God and loving God’s people is what makes the church. Christianity stands or falls on the love we show and share.
In the flurry of the Christmas season we often pass by the nativity scene with sense of gratitude but we miss the magnitude. The magnitude of who he is, what he has done, and how he calls us to live.
Peter was full of faith, but he also blew it a few times. We’ll look at how Peter got the rebound in his life and how you can too!
The entire book of Malachi addresses an overriding problem among the people—an abject apathetic attitude that shrugs one’s shoulders, throws one’s hands up and says, “So what?”
One thing is for certain—JESUS IS COMING BACK. And, because He is coming back, our readiness is paramount.
As Christians, we face seemingly insurmountable odds. It’s us against the world. And the world has greater resources and greater manpower. We are not left to fight this fight alone. However, we are not defenseless against Satan and the forces of evil. In fact, it’s not even a fair fight.
DISCIPLES LOSE NOTHING IN THE END! We overcome as long as we place our faith in the Overcomer. All you need is faith, but FAITH MUST BE WELL-PLACED.
When you scan the religious landscape today, you will find countless believers, but not many belongers. You will find innumerable consumers, but not as many communers.
God is in control and Jesus is the solution. Because of this WE WIN! The story of God’s people ends in victory! Before any beginning began, Jesus was. And, after every ending ends, Jesus will be.
Membership is not about having your name on the roster. Membership is about a function to perform. Church membership is functioning membership. It means that we are all necessary parts of the whole.
When Jesus came, He eliminated the need for one temple in a single location. Now there are many temples. Instead of a temple, we have the church.
Israel would not have argued with the concept of the Messiah being the chief cornerstone. They understood this to be true. The problem was with Jesus claiming to be the Messiah. He wasn’t what they were looking for; therefore, in their watching and waiting for the deliverer, they stumbled right over the one who met all the criteria.
God’s people are different than the rest of the world. They are a chosen and royal people, a holy nation belonging to him because he has called us out of darkness. God calls and welcomes all people into his wonderful light.
In this lesson, we’ll look at who Jesus is as we look in Mark 6 when people in his hometown did not believe in him. We’ll ask ourselves, “What do you say about Jesus?”
Jesus healing a crippled man beside a pool in Bethesda is more than just some isolated incident where the Son of God showed heartfelt compassion and kindness. Jesus’ healing of a crippled man sitting beside a pool in Bethesda was about announcing the arrival of the anticipated Messiah.
Hope is a vision of a better tomorrow. There’s something ahead, something around the corner, something in sight that’s better than what we’re currently dealing with. And that hope should change us.
We are kingdom citizens living in exile. One day Jesus will lift the exile and take us home. Until then, we live like Christ in a world that so desperately needs some good news.
What’s the goal of this life? Many would say, “To get to heaven.” I would say that the goal of this life is this: TO HONOR THE KING! If I do that, my destination will never be in question.
You are an indescribable gift. You don’t believe me? Two things prove that you are, indeed, an indescribable gift: 1) Your birth and 2) Christ’s death.
We were bought at a price. The price was someone’s life. We owe everything to the one who redeemed us; therefore, let us glorify God with our body.
Isaiah pointed forward to another deliverer. However, this deliverer would be different; very different. He would come with power. He would provide freedom. But He would do it in a most unexpected way; not as a king seated on a throne, but as a lamb laid out on the altar.
How we express our love for God can get lost in translation. To ensure we’re communicating our love for God in ways that speak to His heart, let’s consider God’s five love languages.
How we express our love for God can get lost in translation. To ensure we’re communicating our love for God in ways that speak to His heart, let’s consider God’s five love languages.
All Christians have had a near-death experience. Every single one of us who have been washed in the blood of Jesus were dead in our trespasses but now we are alive in Christ. And that near-death experience should change us.
We are all terminal. We are all born with an expiration date. However, because we have a Redeemer, this life does not end with the words “Game Over.” No, instead it ends with the words “To be continued.”
This has been a year that has made it easier to drift in our faith. Hebrews chapter 2 shows us that if we drift from the message of Jesus, we drift from Jesus and can even drift from our salvation. We can’t make light of our faith. Rather, we must stay pay as close attention as possible to Jesus for he is greater than any problem, temptation or issue that might pull us away!
While there are a lot of details surrounding the royalty and rule of Jesus, the unavoidable truth is that His place is on the throne. He is the King of kings. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone readily acknowledges this fact. Unfortunately, not everyone bows before His throne.
Our identity is not found in our earthly parents or our earthly exploits. No, our true identity is found in God alone.
Is there anything more important than hearing your parents say, “I love you?” “I’m proud of you?” It’s this basic, sort of primal, sense of belonging that we all crave. I guess that’s because, before anything else, we are our parents’ child and that shapes our identity to some degree.
You’ve heard it said, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” Well, our worst enemy sometimes is as close as it gets. Under our skin, feeling with our feelings, taking over our minds and threatening to sabotage our spiritual livelihood. Many of us are double agents; innocently disguised as someone who wishes the best for ourselves but betrays our own self at every turn.
The Hebrew translation for “Everlasting Father” could just as easily be translated “Father of Eternity.” The Hebrew idea of “everlasting” is that of “perpetuity;” “without end.” So, as “Everlasting Father,” the Messiah will be a father and his fatherhood will be without end. He is our forever father.
The source of peace is Jesus. He was sent to this earth to bring peace. He is the ultimate peacemaker. There is no peace without Him. He is the personification of shalom because, in Him, we find wholeness, fullness, and completeness.
In Isaiah Chapter 9, the prophet is seeking to describe the indescribable. Of course, these are not his words. They come from the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, Isaiah’s description will find its fullest meaning in those who experience it some 700 years in the future. But, in an effort, to describe the indescribable, to his immediate audience, the prophet gives alternate names to the baby that will be known as Jesus. One of those names being “Wonderful Counselor.”
Chris sits down with Blake Dozier, Youth & Family Minister at Oldham Lane, to discuss some ways we can set our young people up for spiritual success when they leave the home.
The Prince of Peace came into this world, lived and died to show us what sin does; what it does to other people, what it does to us, and what it does to God. Christ died to overcome the world and to bring us peace.
The question of life is not just about where I go when I die. It’s about being with the Lord now; partnering with Him in His great rescue mission, then ruling and reigning with Him for all eternity.
If we’re going to know Jesus more fully, we don’t start in Matthew. We don’t start in the gospels. We start in Isaiah. Isaiah is a book about Israel and redemption. It is a book of hope and anticipation. It’s also a book about judgment and punishment. The reason why Isaiah is often referred to as the “Messianic Prophet” is because the hope and anticipation he is pointing to is going to find its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.
The entire Bible answers the question, “Then what?” Scripture points us to the fact that there’s more. More than pain and suffering, more than persecution, more than wealth and prosperity. This world, in the current state that it is in, was never meant to be the fulfillment of the plan. There’s more, and scripture invites us to ask the question, “Then what?” And the answer to this question means everything.
As the story of the Bible unfolds, we see that humanity chose rebellion over God’s reign. Thankfully the story is not over. It’s still unfolding, and guess who gets to live it and tell it? We do! We are all image-bearers, no matter how distorted we may be.
God is not a pie chart. He’s not cut into three sections. He is triune. Triune speaks to the tri-unity of God. It combines two important aspects—unity and diversity. This is one of the most important things to settle in our minds before we go any further. When you think of the trinity, don’t think “pieces;” think “personalities.” Think one in essence and three in person.
What is the hardest doctrine in the Bible? I would suggest that submission may be the hardest thing we ever do. And yet, this concept of submissiveness permeates the Bible. You cannot be faithful without giving up and giving in.
Everyone has authority. Everyone is in charge of something. You may be a boss at your job. You may be the boss at home. You may be the boss over your finances or over the dog, but everyone has some measure of authority. And, everyone is under the authority of someone as well. I don’t care who you are, everyone has a boss. It may be a boss at work. It may be a teacher or the principal at school. It may be the devil, but everyone serves someone. Everyone has authority and everyone is under authority.
We are An advertisement for Christianity. We are walking billboards for Christ. Some will be drawn in. Others will be turned off. As imitators of Jesus, we present the precious cornerstone but some will see us as a stumbling block.
We are An advertisement for Christianity. We are walking billboards for Christ. Some will be drawn in. Others will be turned off. As imitators of Jesus, we present the precious cornerstone but some will see us as a stumbling block.
Jesus’ miracles were intimately connected to His message that the kingdom of God had arrived in His own person. They were also meant to establish His credentials, but they were never meant to be the show.
It is hard to read the Bible without noticing the abundance of prophets and prophecy contained within scripture. But all of it was pointing towards the Great Prophet, Jesus Christ, who was on a mission to prepare us for what is to come. The prophecies of Christ change everything. Have they changed you?
What’s the takeaway from COVID-19? What have we learned from this experience? What can we, as the church and as individual Christians, take from this pandemic and cling to going forward?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been separated. Now we’re coming back together, getting reorganized, and rebooting. In some ways we’re trying to get back to normal. But here’s the question, “WHAT PARTS OF NORMAL DO WE WANT TO KEEP AND WHAT PARTS OF NORMAL DO WE WANT TO DO AWAY WITH?” To put it another way, “HOW MUCH NORMAL DO WE WANT TO GET BACK TO?”
Why should a Christian be a theologian? Because that means they are students of God and his word, seeking to know God more and more through his word!
God said, “Can I have a word with you?” And that Word with you is a person—Jesus the Christ. Let’s keep this word that became flesh fresh.
The fool for Christ is looks toward the long-term pay off. He sees past the momentary pleasure and instant gratification that this world has to offer and fixes his eyes on the eternal reward. He may seem foolish from the world’s perspective. But from a spiritual vantage point, he is the wisest of all.
Jesus began with His listeners. The master teacher didn’t preach to a point. He preached to the heart. He was always listener-centered. The people often set the agenda for Jesus’ teaching, which makes sense because people were why He came to this earth in the first place. He came to make God known to people, sinners, pupils who needed more than educating. They needed rescuing.
You are an indescribable gift. Two things prove this reality: 1) Your birth and 2) Christ’s death.
How do you even begin to describe the gift that is Jesus Christ? We use words like redeemer, savior, sacrifice. But He is still greater than we can grasp. Our Lord, who was immeasurably rich in heaven, took on flesh and became poor, so that we might be rich through His marvelous and matchless grace.
PEOPLE ARE REMEMBERED FOR HOW THEY FINISH. The end makes it for us. How we finish means everything. Don’t let your funeral be a disappointment. Let it be an occasion for rejoicing.
There is no such thing as unconditional independence. We all serve something. Everyone has a master. The freedom that is found in Christ constitutes a transfer of ownership. You were bought at a price, and you are indebted to the one who purchased you.
You will become what you revere. You will resemble what you worship. So, what do you want to become? The answer to that question starts with identifying the Caesars in your life. What are you bowing down to?
You are an indescribable gift. There are two things we can point to that prove it: 1) Your birth and 2) Christ’s death.
Satan has already been mortally wounded. The death and burial of Jesus Christ was the kill shot. But the devil is still thrashing around, and sometimes he smashes into us. We may struggle. We may stumble. But, in the end, we have the victory.
“This season in history has been riddled with loss. As a Christian it is important that we both name our loss and frame our loss. Through this process we gain an honest view of our situation and clarity about where true blessing lies.”
Jesus is our judge who takes our side. The ONE who will judge the living and the dead is the ONE who died on a cross so that you could stand confident on the Day of Judgment.
Christ didn’t just come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live. Life isn’t just about being moral. It’s not just how we live, but who we live for.
Jesus doesn’t represent us theoretically. He represents us experientially. He lived the life we live. Like us, He was tempted. Like us, He felt pain, He felt heartache, He felt disappointment. He cried. He felt anxious. He died. That’s who you want on your side; someone who’s been there.
Jesus rose up and sat down. He rose up from the grave; showing His superiority over sin and death, punctuating all that He had said and all that the law and prophets had foretold, proving that He was indeed the Great High Priest and the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Are you busy or are you abiding? I can busy myself with the work of the church, with going to church, with being the church, but am I connected to the head of the church? That’s the overarching question
Israel was not the vine that God intended for them to be. So, Jesus comes along and calls Himself the “true” vine. In other words, Jesus is the real, the authentic, the genuine vine. He is the truer and better Israel. Where Israel failed, Jesus will not.
We put a lot of emphasis on making a decision to put on Christ in baptism, and certainly that’s important. But sometimes we think it ends there—with a decision and an agreement with a set of facts. However, what must be understood is that obeying the gospel is not a one-time decision. It’s a way of life.
Do you want to know the truth? Do you just want to know God and the truth of His word? Or, do you want to just go on believing what you’ve always believed because it’s comfortable and you don’t want anyone telling you any different?
It is a daily fight to be holy! Transformation is a continuous process. Renewal is something that is on-going. Please understand God is not calling you to be a better you. He’s calling you to die to yourself.
Our biggest problem, as human beings, is death. It’s been our greatest problem since Adam and Eve decided to eat from the wrong menu. Since that fateful day in the Garden of Eden, humanity has suffered from a lack of access to the tree of life. Sin, of course, is the root cause of the problem, but death is the greater consequence. Thankfully, God addressed this problem in the person of Jesus Christ.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psa. 23:1).” What a difference that little pronoun “MY” makes. It’s the difference between joy and sorrow, purpose and meaninglessness, abundant life and no life. It’s the difference between more and enough.
Every sheep needs a shepherd. As much as we might like to think that we’re self-sustaining, we’re not; at least not in a spiritual sense. We starve, we thirst, we roam aimlessly, we’re vulnerable, we walk right off the cliff without someone to guide us.
God desires to save everyone. The door is open to all. The question each person must ask themselves is, are you willing to walk through the door Jesus has opened.
All of us are ministers in a dark place. And all of us have something built into us that transcends the darkness.
What does a person need in the darkest moment of their life? Light! Because when light shines into darkness, light immediately wins!
Your natural response; your automatic reflex to all that God has done for you should be to serve.
When you put on Christ, you put on work clothes. When you were baptized, you were given a towel, a mission and the blessing to serve.
If Jesus is one who seeks and saves the lost, then I must be one who seeks and saves the lost. But what does that look like?
Lost is a word that carries with it frustration and desperation, but it also carries with it hope. Because, as long as the lost are alive, and as long as Jesus is looking for them, the lost have hope of being found.
I know that it seems like the wicked is winning. I know it seems like death is the victor. But it will not always be this way. The wicked will perish, death will die, and the meek will win!
We live in a power happy world. A world that is obsessed with competition. A world that lives by its own Beattitude: “Blessed are the aggressive, for they shall conquer the earth.” It’s dog-eat-dog. It’s survival of the fittest. Meekness is not a virtue in our culture. But maybe it would be if more folks understood it.
Pride is interesting. It’s tasteless, colorless, sizeless, odorless, non-fattening and, yet, it’s the hardest thing to swallow.
If we want to be victorious, then it begins with humility. Success in the church and triumph in our spiritual lives is all about submitting to the Father’s will and being about the Father’s business.
Equip is an annual seminar hosted by the Oldham Lane Church of Christ designed to equip our members and visitors to be better disciples. This year’s theme is Stronger and our guest speaker is Billy McGuiggan from Richmond, VA.
Equip is an annual seminar hosted by the Oldham Lane Church of Christ designed to equip our members and visitors to be better disciples. This year’s theme is Stronger and our guest speaker is Billy McGuiggan from Richmond, VA.
Equip is an annual seminar hosted by the Oldham Lane Church of Christ designed to equip our members and visitors to be better disciples. This year’s theme is Stronger and our guest speaker is Billy McGuiggan from Richmond, VA.
The world is a waiting room of sorts. It’s filled with sick people. People who are terminal. People who don’t need us railing on them for being sick. People who don’t need a critic or a judge. People who need a physician. People who need people moved with gut-level compassion.
A lot of people are sitting on bumblebees. They’re sitting on a bumblebee and it’s stinging them over and over again. It hurts, but they refuse to get up because they figure they’re hurting the bee as much as the bee is hurting them.
Mercy is not so much a “What” as it is a “Who.” Mercy has a name and its name is Jesus.
Quit living your life like a cowering puppy and consider the purchase price for your soul. The next time you feel unloved, just look at the cross.
Jesus loved us best because He loved His Father the most. He laid down His life because He loved us, but He loved God more.
In this edition of Ministry Matters, Chris sits down with long time preacher and professor, Forrest McCann, to discuss the role and responsibility of a preacher.
Do you know how to avoid an upset stomach on the Day of Judgment? By answering the invitation now.
In this lesson we’re going to explore Ephesians 1 and 2 to find two things the Christian should want to do and what it is that motivates that want.
The battle cry of Revelation is the faithful endurance of the saints (Rev 13:10). While the immediate reality around us can be dark at times, Revelation sheds light on the bigger and more accurate reality around us: God is in control, he is truth, and will preserve the faithful.
In this installment of Ministry Matters, Chris and Blake discuss the importance of a strong Youth and Family Ministry.
If the early Christians could keep the work of the church alive under such adverse conditions, then certainly we can as well. Wouldn’t it be tragic if we let what they suffered for die with us?
In this installment of Ministry Matters, Jake sits down with Sam Dominguez to discuss the importance of a solid Biblical education program within the church.
It’s not always easy to identify a dead church. The singing may be outstanding. The contribution may be humongous. The attendance may be through the roof. The preaching may be awe-inspiring. Yet, despite all of these dynamic qualities, a church may still be at death’s door.
There’s good news from the graveyard and it’s this: WE WIN! That’s the theme of Revelation.
The church was God’s design. Jesus died for it. Paul and others fought for her unity, her soundness, and her purity. It’s not the divine side that needs fixing. It’s perfect. It’s the human side that often needs to be addressed.
Are you 100% certain that you will go to heaven when you die? One hundred percent. Absolutely no doubt in your mind. Heaven is as much a reality for you as West Texas wind. If you’re not 100% certain, then why not? What’s keeping you from having the confidence of soul security?
We’re closer to the Second Coming than ever before. That truth should cause us to pause, reflect, and ask, “What difference does it make?” As we watch and wait the return of the Messiah, what should we be doing to prepare? How do we pass the time?
God is glorified when we are so fully entrusted to Him that no human institution or unjust action can pry our eyes away.
What is our faith all about? What’s the point of it? What’s the goal? Why should we go through this life trying to be faithful to God and give up so many things the world has to offer?
The primary take away from James 1:19 is: Listen more, talk less, and settle down. This exhortation, of course, applies to how we are to interact with those around us. But before we go plucking verse 19 out of Chapter 1 and making it stand alone, let’s consider everything that’s going on around it because there is more to this verse that we often miss.
There is no partial or divided allegiance when it comes to serving Christ. We serve only one Master. There’s no having our cake and eating it too.
In this installment of Shepherd Talk, Jack Smith discusses the shepherds’ responsibility of taking care of the flock.
As Christians, we often focus more on our Exodus than we do our Promised Land. We garner this mentality that because we were baptized and left the land of sin that the journey is over. But the goal was not to leave slavery. The goal was to reach the Promised Land. It was for the Israelites, and it is for us as well.
All of us were God’s Onesimus. We were slaves to sin, chained to evil, continually running away from God. But Jesus said, “Charge that to my account.” Now there’s been a transfer of ownership. We have a new Master now.
Most sermons on elders zero in on the qualifications. That’s where we often start. But a man can meet the qualifications and still not be the best man for the job. We should start with another list; the one found in Galatians 5:22 & 23.
Each and every one of us should approach scripture like a brain surgeon. We must use careful precision as we seek to expose the truth that God is seeking to convey. I think that’s what Paul was telling Timothy. He charges his son in the faith to be surgical in his handling of God’s word.
The love of money is a root sin. It lies beneath the surface and nourishes a number of other sins. It is a root that bears a variety of fruit. But whatever the variation, it’s still sin because the root determines the fruit. If you let greed, or the love of money, take root it will eventually take over your heart and, like a bad weed, it will choke out anything good that is growing there.
Some people live and die and never ask why. But not us; not Christians. We should be a people who live intentional lives. As a children of God, we should be seeking to outlive our life.
Church should never be a country club where members put their dues in the contribution plate and the preacher and elders seek to meet their every whim. No, the church is the bride of Christ made up of individual Christians who should be seeking to do the Lord’s work until Jesus returns or until they die, whichever comes first.
Spiritual growth can be tough. However, what seems so slow, frustrating and never-ending will draw to a close at some point. One day, if you just keep plodding, your perfection will be complete.
The church of Jesus Christ should be a community. A community is an organized group of individuals united by a common trait. It could be a love of fishing or hunting or shopping or playing board games or whatever. It all boils down to relationships united by a common bond. That’s who we are.
What now? It’s a question that nags and annoys and demands an answer. It’s not going away. At some point, you’re going to have to confront what’s next. Even if you’re clueless; even if you’re directionally challenged; even if you’re scared to death, you’re going to have to move.
How important is remembering? Apparently it’s highly important because the Bible speaks to it over and over again.
What comes out of our lives is a window into what is in our lives. A Christian’s outward action is a result of what God has done inside them.
For to me, to live is ________. What word or phrase goes in the blank for you? Everyone fills in the blank with something. No one leaves it blank. If you don’t fill in the blank with Christ, then what do you put there?
Words are bullets you can’t get back. Once you pull the trigger the damage is done. A bullet is so easy to fire. It can do so much damage; therefore, we need to make certain that the safety is always on.
Some Christians still live like a pauper even though they have been blessed beyond measure. Although they have an abundance of spiritual riches, many of them go unused and unappreciated. One of the primary themes of the book of Ephesians is recognizing our riches in Christ.
We often think of freedom as the ability to do whatever we want to do. But that’s not actually what true freedom is. True freedom is the opportunity, ability, and the desire to do that which bring the deepest joy 10,000 years from now.
Sunday evening, August 18, the Oldham Lane Church of Christ spent time singing praises to God and praying for our teachers, students, community, country, and the church.
Paul’s message to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 13:5-10 is a message that transcends time. Paul is telling these Christians that they must be willing to thoroughly examine themselves and confront the findings. If you don’t pass the test, make the necessary corrections. Because the last thing you want is to receive an “F” on Judgment Day.
We don’t know what’s best for us. Thankfully, God does. The challenge is accepting and living out God’s will even when it doesn’t seem to make sense.
God doesn’t need your money. So, when it comes to giving, we don’t start with money. We don’t start with the amount. We don’t start with the obligation. We start with GRACE.
We are God's method. As Christian’s, we should all be painting a picture; a picture of a risen Savior who came to set people free.
There are few things in this world more powerful than a committed Christian. People are reading your life to see if your letter lives up to the intent of the author. The eye of the world takes in more than the ear. Christian’s lives may be the only religious books the world ever reads. Are […]
The world teaches that there is no absolute truth but rather everyone has their own personal truth. However, the Bible is clear that there is absolute truth. We need to understand the problem of relativism, find the biblical answer to relativism, and respond to this false teaching by fulfilling our mission to share the truth found in God’s Word.
Oldham Lane welcomes Rusty & Brittany Brown & their children: Paden, Lydia, and Logan, as they share with us about the work in Cuenca, Ecuador.
In this edition of Shepherd Talk Chris sits down with one of our elders, Eddie Dunn, to talk discuss what it means to lead by example.
The Israelites and the Corinthian brethren have some valuable things to teach us about placing the proper emphasis upon and giving the proper attention to the Lord’s Supper.
Perseverance, from a Biblical perspective, isn’t just about hanging on. It’s not just about weathering the storm. It’s not just endurance. It’s endurance combined with a diligent resolve to aim higher. It’s supreme effort to be excellent and to conquer whatever may stand in the way of that.
Perseverance, from a Biblical perspective, isn’t just about hanging on. It’s not just about weathering the storm. It’s not just endurance. It’s endurance combined with a diligent resolve to aim higher. It’s supreme effort to be excellent and to conquer whatever may stand in the way of that.
Shine is a week-long camp for young ladies, ages 14-18. This camp is designed to assist them in growing closer to God as they better understand their role as Christian women in the Lord’s church. In this lesson, Chris shares some thoughts related to the theme for 2019—Share Your Joy. Share Jesus.
Romans chapter 15 verses 14 through 21 present a picture of the ideal minister preaching to the ideal congregation. Paul may not have been the preacher every church wanted, but he was the type of preacher every church needed.
The Bible is drenched in love. It’s a love story. And as God’s people living out that story, we had better be defined by love.
The book of Acts ends with a beautiful invitation—WILL YOU JOIN? Will you continue to tell the story that God has written on the pages of our hearts? Will you give your life to this story?
Our summer intern, Noah Davis, delivers a powerful lesson to kick-off our annual VBS at Oldham Lane.
Every year Oldham Lane hosts a camp for young men, ages 14 through 18, who show an interest in preaching and leadership. The week-long camp concludes with the students being sent out to preach at various congregations in and around Abilene. You can watch/listen to wo of the campers, Kent and Caleb Cates, who delivered their sermons at Oldham Lane.
Wes McAdams, from the Church of Christ on McDermott Road, kicks off Preacher Training Camp 2019.
We often think of discipleship as ME plus JESUS or ME and JESUS, which equals the two of us. But that’s the wrong arithmetic. The proper equation is ME + JESUS = JESUS. This higher math involves subtraction, not addition. This isn’t about adding Jesus to my life. This is about Jesus becoming my life.
Throughout the Bible, from Old Testament and throughout the New, we see fasting as a practice engaged in by God’s people. Any other practice that we find so prevalent throughout scripture we would agree must be followed, so why not this one?
Many people want to be saved, yet insist that Christ do all the dying. Like the Geico commercial, that’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works. You cannot be king and subject at the same time. You must forfeit your will and allow God to assume His rightful place on the throne of your heart.
What will you do on the worst day of your life? Where will you turn? At the intersection of tragedy and crisis, will that moment drive you away from God or toward God?
What’s the most important job in the world? I would say the answer is easy—a teacher. Some might disagree and say, “What about a doctor? Doctors save lives. What about a fireman or a policeman?” All worthy professions for sure. But who taught them? Name any job, no matter how important, and someone had to teach them. When it comes to spreading the gospel, without question, teaching is the most important job because there’s not a more important subject and the stakes have never been higher.
You’ve probably heard someone say that couples who stay together for many years start to look like each other. The idea is that, the more time you spend with someone, the more you begin to resemble them. Shouldn’t this apply to our relationship with Jesus? When people look at you, do they see someone who resembles our Lord?
The resurrected Jesus appears to His disciples. He talks with them, He eats with them, He commissions them. Then it’s time for Him to leave the stage. And how does He do it? As we would expect, in dramatic fashion.
There is no way of getting around the fact that we have all failed. There’s also no denying that failure doesn’t have to be fatal. Failure is an event, not a destiny. Far too many Christians are living a less-than-fulfilling spiritual existence because they are hindered by failure.
We often think of fellowship as a means to an end. We get together so that we can accomplish something. We eat, we meet, we discuss, we play, we have fellowship so that we can reach some great goal or purpose. But fellowship is not a means to an end. Fellowship is the end. It is the goal.
Is the life you’re currently living going to get you to heaven? Would you change anything on your schedule if you knew that this was your last day on earth?
Following Jesus will interfere your life. It will cost you something. Religion can only take you so far. It cannot exist without relationship, which is what Jesus was calling us to.
Jesus is a difference-maker. He gives our team all the confidence we need to win the spiritual battle. And, He allows us to have complete confidence in the face of death. Why? Because He has guaranteed victory. Our fearless leader has already won.
The engine of our spiritual growth is a combination of a humbly submitted heart and a biblically formed mind. We’ll explore what the Bible has to say about these two important qualities and how we can grow in them.
What does the work of our lives tell us about the things we pursue? The words of Jesus ring ever true today, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.”
There is potential power in three little words: Come and see. A simple invitation can be the springboard to a changed existence.
If the resurrection is a farce, then none of us have any hope. If Jesus is still in the ground somewhere, then life has no meaning. But if it did happen, and the Bible is clear that it did, then it means everything. The resurrection is the single greatest event in the history of the world. It launched the church. It launched Christianity. And it launches us to heaven when we live our lives in response to it.
Even the most accomplished athlete still focuses on the basics. Professional football players still work on tackling. Every spring training, major league baseball players work on throwing and fielding. Professional basketball players still practice free throws. You can’t get away from the basics. And nowhere is this more obvious than when it comes to our spiritual fitness.
Angry is not a picture of Jesus that people often have framed in their minds. Most people think of Jesus as a baby, as mild and meager, quiet and submissive, meek and lowly. But in Luke 19:45-48 we have a completely different portrait. Jesus storms in and shows people who’s boss. He basically destroys the place, scattering animals and people in the process. His voice rings out through the Temple courtyard as He cracks a whip and tosses tables. Why was Jesus so fired up, and what does He anger communicate to us?
Faith is a muscle. And like any muscle, it must be exercised or it will atrophy. The longer you go without using faith, the greater danger of being spiritually unhealthy. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Maybe you don’t stop believing in God altogether, but if you don’t exercise your faith, you will feel it.
Most of us are like umpires. We like to call balls and strikes on somebody else. We love pointing out when we’re right and someone else is wrong; that’s a satisfaction like no other. What a special feeling when we’ve had an argument with someone and the truth lands on our side. Our pride and ego reach new heights when we hear the other person say, “You’re right. I was wrong.” But for some reason we don’t much like it when the tables are flipped. We’re not big on having people call balls and strikes on us.
If you’re not a Christian, then why not? Quit procrastinating. Quit banking on tomorrow. Quit making excuses. Quit thinking that this isn’t urgent. How would it feel to spend eternity away from God, knowing that you could have easily avoided such a fate? Don’t be foolish. Heaven is won or lost right here, right now.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is about seeing. How’s your eyesight? Not just the eyes in your head. What about the eyes of your heart? What is your heart looking at? Jesus doesn’t want us to be the Good Samaritan as much as He wants us to see the Samaritans in our own lives.
Men and women are equal in the kingdom of God, but men and women do not share the same responsibilities. Equality does not mean that there are no distinctions. The issue is not about essence or worth. The issue about our God-given roles.
Throughout the gospels we find people who had an encounter with Jesus. Some walk away encouraged, some walk away discouraged, some walk away angry, some walk away with the ability to walk, and some don’t walk away at all but, instead, choose to follow. No matter the reaction, no one can walk away from an encounter with Jesus without being changed.
Behind every song is a story. Many songs reveal what is on the musician’s heart at the time they wrote it. In this lesson, we will see what we can learn about Mary from her song.
How much is Jesus worth? That is the central theme to the text Chris examines in this lesson. It’s a question that eventually comes back to us—How much is Jesus worth to you?
Do you have strong faith in a weak savior? Faith is only as strong as the object you’re trusting in. God is not fragile; therefore, our faith shouldn’t be either.
Jesus made a career out of taking interruptions and turning them into opportunities to glorify God. Truthfully, they weren’t interruptions at all. They were His work.
In this lesson Chris sits down with three godly gentlemen to discuss how our Christian service changes as we get older.
Wissam Al-Aethawi used to hide his faith in order to stay alive. Now he shares his faith in order to help others live.
Wissam Al-Aethawi used to hide his faith in order to stay alive. Now he shares his faith in order to help others live.
One day the house is filled with joy and laughter and dirty clothes, and arguing and fighting. The next day it’s eerily silent. We can fill that silence with loud wailing and emotional breakdowns; and we might from time to time, at least in the...
There are 3 kinds of people in this world: Believers, Unbelievers, and Make-Believers. Which one are you? What does an honest assessment reveal? Are you trying to be someone you’re not?
In the kingdom of heaven, attitude affects altitude. To be raised up you must be brought low. To reach new heights you must stoop down. To get to higher ground you must descend. The way to exaltation is through an attitude of humility that sees others...
Children are not an achievement, but a blessing. But God didn’t just give parents a huge blessing. He gave instructions for how to care for that blessing as well. If our children came in a case or a box, on the outside of that package would be a stamp...
Even the most sincere Christian men and women face issues in their marriages. Some of those marriages fall apart. And, sadly, when they need the church the most is when they find little help. We can teach on the sanctity of marriage without treating...
We are a tradition-rich people; that’s nothing new and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, our traditions are completely worthless if they ignore the greater virtues.
Treasuring What We Cannot Lose--Your life follows your heart. So, “Where your treasure is, there YOU will be also.” You follow your treasure. You sacrifice for it. You cling to it. You fight for it. You can’t live without it. And Jesus says, “Quit...
As an adolescent transitioning into adulthood, there’s a certain question you get asked constantly. “So, what are you going to do?” It’s okay to not have everything figured out right now. Trust in God to guide you. Turn up the volume on your prayer...
Jesus had roots; that’s what Matthew shows us in the very beginning of his gospel. Jesus’ genealogy also shows us that the Messiah was born into this world to save the kind of people found in His own family tree.
Being together with our church family should be of utmost importance to us. The more we focus on making our gatherings a place where people feel encouraged, loved, and stirred to do good works, the more people will feel compelled to come.
“The Personal Indwelling of the Holy Spirit.” It’s a phrase we hear often, but do we even know what it means? Do we get what this implies? Do we know what a personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit entails? Maybe we should recalibrate our thinking...
Oldham Lane is actively involved in training young men to preach the gospel. Along with this training comes the opportunity to deliver a lesson during one of our worship services. In this particular recording, two of our Preacher Training Camp...
How we perceive God determines how we relate to God, and how we relate to God determines everything else in our lives.
Sovereignty means that GOD IS GOD! He sits on the throne of the Universe, directing all things, working all things “after the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11).” All things—past, present, and future—are under His control. All things are either caused...
In this edition of Shepherd Talk, Chris sits down with one of our elders, Clay Peterson, to discuss the topic of vision. Watch as Chris and Clay speak about vision as it pertains to the individual Christian as well as the church.
Unless we see ourselves as deserving the same verdict that Pilate handed down to Jesus, unless we see ourselves as worthy of hell, we will never truly understand the cross.
God’s people should strive to keep it simple. Love God, love His word, love His people, and love the lost. Let us seek to be Christians; not a particular brand of Christian. Just Christians. That’s always enough.
Rather than treating prayer as a routine or a ritual, only involving our lips, let’s connect the heart and have the type of prayer life that is marked by fervency, fighting, striving, and agonizing. Let’s go beyond the surface and the lists and let’s...
You and I have a bill to pay. Problem is, we can’t afford to pay it. This debt has nothing to do with money. This isn’t a financial crisis. It’s a moral one. None of us are truly debt-free, at least not in a spiritual sense.
Our Lord needs soldiers. Are you willing to don the armor of God and fight for your soul as well as the souls of others?
As a Christian, your entire life is an offering of thanksgiving to the God who rescued you. You were Satan’s slave. Now you are God’s son or daughter.
Propitiation is a complex word, yet it’s meaning is rather simple. It’s the satisfaction of justice or the appeasement of anger. It’s the turning away of wrath through the offering of a gift. It’s more than a complicated word. It’s a beautiful...
God never said that life would be fair. He never promised that everything would work out in this life. However, He does promise to never leave us or forsake us. And through Romans 8:28, He promises that no matter what life or the devil throws at us...
The doctrine of justification is found throughout the New Testament. The idea is simple: To be justified before God means being deemed “not guilty.” You are declared righteous before a holy God. Therefore, a vital question when it comes to the...
Following the heart doesn’t always lead one in the right direction. It typically only leads a person in the direction they wanted to go to begin with. Instead of following your heart. Follow the spiritual compass—God’s word.
Change is difficult. Change is often a dirty word in the Lord’s church. It’s very hard to come by, even when it’s absolutely necessary. We cannot allow an unhealthy, unreasonable fear to hold us back and keep us from moving forward. A church that is...
We must cope with our shame by remembering how God dealt with our guilt. We confront both guilt and shame with the gospel. We cannot allow these twins to have the last word.
In this episode of Shepherd Talk, Chris sits down with Robert Harper to discuss the topic of service.
The entire Bible is a story about God seeking to recover what has been lost. God wants to buy back the souls who have been sold into slavery; that includes each and every one of us. Though you have a past, you also have a future because Jesus came to...
God is not some disinterested, detached, and distant deity. God entered our world of pain and heartache and He suffered. Our hurt became His hurt. Our troubles became His troubles. Our tears became His tears. He knows what it’s like for us. And He has...
Worry is directly tied to devotion. We worry about the things that we’re most devoted to. We worry about the treasures we have stored up here on earth.
It’s not that God will never give you more than you can handle. The Biblical truth is that God is there when you feel that your burdens are more than you can handle.
Life is going somewhere. It’s hurdling toward a time in the future when Jesus will return and the earth will be destroyed. We know the ending. We don’t have to wonder. We don’t have to speculate. And we don’t have to be afraid. The entire Bible points...
Whether we can help ourselves or not depends on what the problem is. Spiritually speaking, without Christ we are dead in our sins, and that’s a God-sized problem; a problem we cannot solve on our own.
Before anything can change in your life, you must know and confront the truth. You must confront the lies that you believe. Is what you say about your finances true? What about your relationships? What about the things you say to yourself about...
The message of the Bible is not, “Be yourself.” In fact, it’s anything but. The message of the Bible is, “Be something greater.”
How many of you, when you read the Bible, personalize it? Do you make it about you? Of course, the major characters in scripture are God and His Son, but this is a story about you. It’s a story about all Christians everywhere. God made it about us...
The Christian life is not a life of convenience and comfort. You will have hardships. You will face adversity. You will suffer. And no matter how positive your thinking is, some things will not come to fruition. Your health, your wealth, your comfort...
If the Bible comes from man, then we have a right to sit in judgment of it. If it comes from God, then we have no other option but to bow down to it.
Baptism is not a life insurance policy. Baptism is not a security clause. Baptism is about life. In fact, your whole life, as a Christian, is shaped by your baptism, which is why we need to have a proper understanding of precisely what it entails.
All sin is an offense against a holy God. All sin disappoints God. All sin is a personal affront to a holy God. However, not all sins are categorically the same across the board. The Bible teaches that there is a distinction to be made.
Our concept of confession has been limited by and shaped by the Steps of Salvation. To the point that we only think of it in a very limited context. We’ve oversimplified it. When, the truth is, confession is much deeper and richer than we often realize.
Some luggage is just longing to be lost. Some bags are just begging to be left behind. REPENTANCE is God’s invitation to drop your baggage and let someone else pick it up; that someone, of course, is Jesus Christ. He gave His life in exchange for...
“Christ-centered” is one of those hyphenated words that sounds good, but we’re not always sure how to apply it. It’s like working a math problem. We know the right answer, but we’re not real sure how we got the answer. The life of a Christian and the...
Faith is not unique to Christianity. You put your full faith and trust in a lot of things, countless things every day; things you can’t see and can’t explain, but things you trust nonetheless. When we talk about faith we have to be more specific. We...
In this episode of Shepherd Talk, Chris sits down with Tim Smith, one of the Oldham Lane elders, to discuss the topic of spiritual growth.
Shepherding doesn’t begin with qualifications. It begins with the heart. Before considering any man for the office of elder, the first question that should be asked is, “Is he Spirit-filled and Spirit-led?”
There are many in our society who fake it or put on a front rather than confronting the harsh reality that they have fallen short and that they’re not all that they should be. We call this The Loser’s Limp, and it’s all too common in a world that...
We mustn’t fool ourselves into thinking that our thoughts don’t really matter. They most definitely do. Actions begin in the mind; therefore, if we want to successfully avoid spiritual failure, then we must successfully control our thoughts.
When we the last time you worshiped? You might say, “Just last week.” Think about the question. When was the last time you truly worshiped? There are many people who gather to worship God every week; people who feel a sense of responsibility to come...
Why do so many individuals find a relationship with the Lord and His church complicated? Is it really that complicated? There are many lies we buy into when it comes to a relationship with the Lord and His church. These lies are a product of the...
FELLOWSHIP begins with FOLLOWSHIP. Fellowship is about closeness. It’s about relationship. It’s about participation. It’s about sharing. It’s not just about coming together for worship or to have a meal. Fellowship is not Greek for “potluck.”...
God has called imperfect people to lead a counter-cultural movement and to spread the gospel to a world in desperate need of a perfect Savior.
If all we know about Zacchaeus is that he was a wee little man who climbed a tree so he could catch a glimpse of Jesus, then we’re truly missing out.
Each year, the Oldham Lane Church hosts young men, ages 14 to 18 who have a desire to learn the craft of preaching. The camp culminates in these students preaching at participating congregations in the Abilene area. You can watch two of this year’s...
Jeremy Roberts, Youth and Family Minister from the North MacArthur Church in Oklahoma City, kicks off our annual Preacher Training Camp.
Are we going to talk or are we going to fish? We’re good at talking. We’re not as good at fishing. We know how to bait a hook. We have all sorts of gear in our tackle box but, sadly, it often goes unused.
One of the easiest ways to kill a marriage is to stop pursuing one another. In the beginning, you put all your efforts into winning them over. But with the passing of time, you quit pursuing one another. You go from being soulmates to people who just...
What is a Christian? Depends on who you ask, right? Most would likely define a Christian as someone who believes in Jesus. Yet, Jesus reveals that a Christian is a finisher.
Eternity should change how we look at marriage. Eternity should change how we live. The time is short. Love your spouse. Enjoy your life together. Marriage is a beautiful creation, but it’s not God. Rather, marriage is a means by which we can serve...
We are all equal in the kingdom of God; that is not up for debate. But, we don’t all share the same role. Equality does not imply that there are no role distinctions. Unfortunately, the discussion of the role of women within the church has been...
Most mothers deserve honor and praise. However, we should be careful not to idealize motherhood to the point that we leave others feeling guilty. God still loves the women who are not married and don’t have children just as much as He loves those who...
Hope is always dependent on the reliability of the one we’re counting on. Hope depends on who’s making the promise. For the child of God, our hope is based on a real God who makes real promises and has given us real reasons as to why we can trust Him.
No one is immune to failure. The question is not, “What will I do if I ever fail?” No, the proper question is, “When I fail, what will I do?”
If I'm in Heaven, but my wife or husband or child, etc., is not there, how can I be happy for all eternity? Is heaven really heaven if my loved ones are not there?
We have a terminal disease. Every one of us. It’s called mortality. The current death rate is 100%. Unless Jesus comes back first, we’re all going to die. So, the question becomes, “Are you prepared?”
Holiness is a fuller expression of God than anything else. Whatever God is, He is holy above all else.
Chris sits down with the shepherds at Oldham Lane to discuss various topics related to leadership and the Lord’s Church.
The Israelites had come home. The temple had been rebuilt and things started to return to normal, which wasn’t a good thing. The new inhabitants of Jerusalem became just as corrupt and immoral as their ancestors. They fell right back into the very...
Everyone wants to be happy. And, as a result, everyone is pursuing happiness. It is really the motive behind every ambition. The world’s great hunger is for happiness. Happiness is emotional. It’s fleeting. It’s based on mood and circumstances. Jesus...
The thrust of Zechariah’s message is that God’s blessings are contingent upon man’s loving obedience. Zechariah shows God’s people what the future holds for the faithful.
The Christian life is not just about being a good person or just believing right things. You were dead in your trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). Dead people need resurrection, and only Jesus is in the resurrection business. Therefore, the Christian life...
Haggai was written to people like us—people who struggle to put first things first and to keep them there. Much like today, the people in Haggai’s day were living with misplaced priorities.
The source of peace is Jesus. He was sent to this earth to bring peace. He is the ultimate peacemaker. There is no peace without Him.
Sometimes the project that lies ahead of you and is so overwhelming. You realize that it’s going to take just as much time and energy to renovate as it would to simply tear it down and build something brand new. That’s what we see taking place in the...
Kindness is simple, yet profound. A simple act of kindness can produce life-changing results. It’s not difficult to be kind.
Unlike many of the other minor prophets, Habakkuk doesn't accuse Israel. He doesn't speak out against them. He doesn't even speak on God's behalf to Israel. Instead, Habakkuk's message is one of lament. He asks God...
A self-centered focus will always lead us down a path of destruction. A Christ centered focus will lead us out of destruction into eternal life.
Forgiveness is non-negotiable. We must forgive, not just because the Bible says so, but because we are different and we have been forgiven.
Love protects. It doesn’t nit-pick. It doesn’t slander. It doesn’t stab people in the back. It protects. Always!
Nahum presents us with a God who wants what is best for His children. But not only that, God wants what’s best for those that are not His as well.
As God’s people, we have a glorious future on the horizon. We cling to that promise of future reward. It’s our catalyst through this life. It spurs us on as we strive to live faithfully. However, we cannot be so focused on the future that we ignore...
A holy God is not indifferent toward sin. A holy God must punish sin. Even if it's His own Son, someone has to pay.
Jonah is a mirror. In this minor prophet, we see the worst parts of us magnified a thousand times over. We are selfish, bratty, spoiled, and unmerciful at times. Still, God puts up with the Jonah in all of us.
Everything you deserve Jesus endured. The righteous Judge looks at you and me and says, "Not guilty!" Why? Because His Son paid the penalty for our sins.
You were once of the world. Now, you are one of God's "chosen." Your salvation comes with responsibility. You were "chosen" to be a blessing.
Everything that God has forbidden us to do or commanded us to do is for our own good. He is not arbitrary about the lines He draws. He is perfectly intentional. He loves us, and He wants what's best for us. He hates to see us hurt. He hates to...
God cuts off branches! We cannot live under the illusion that once I’m baptized I’m good. That’s not much different than the Jews way of thinking.
Every creation has the fingerprints of its creator all over it. When we look at what God has made, it reveals something about our Creator.
Are you in the valley of decision? Make the wise choice. Choose to be on the side of God.
Jesus came as the word incarnate. He gave God's word a face, a body, a manifestation. He brought a new word from God; one that would be written down and shared for generations to come. One that would quite literally change the world.