St Jude Oak Cliff: Recent Episodes
St Jude Oak Cliff
John 7:1-18, Jude 1-2, John 1:12-13, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Timothy 5:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:26
Dissonance with God: John 5:31-47 (CSB) Dissonance with Others: Philippians 4:1-9 (CSB)
Scripture passages are Ezekiel 16:1-43,59-63 and Ezekiel 34:11-16. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passages are Proverbs 8:32-9:6, Luke 2:1-7, and John 6:47-51. Video of Message is below:
Scripture passages are 1 Kings 8:6-11, 22-30, 54-61, 1 Kings 9:25, and Ezra 3:10-13. Video of the message is below.
Unkind, Uncaring Ruler Scripture passages are Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 3:1-15, and Revelation 7:9-17.
Self-Donating Love Not Human-Consuming Sacrifice (Side 1 The Angry Mob/Side 2 Godâs Self Donating Love ) Scripture passages for "Side 1" are Luke 23:11-12, Luke 23:32-43, and John 11:45-53. Scripture passages for "Side 2" are II...
Weren't able to make it to our 3 Year Anniversary Celebration? Take a listen to the message Martin and Nika shared as we celebrate all that God has done over the last three years and anticipate what he will do in the years to come.
Scripture passages are Jonah 4:1-11 and Matthew 12:1-8, 38-42. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passages are Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21 and Luke 6:35. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passages are Exodus 34:1-8, Isaiah 49:8-21, and Matthew 9:35-38. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passages are Genesis 2:4-7, 15-25 and Luke 10:25-28, 36. Video of the lectionary is below.
Scripture passages are Colossians 1:9-23, James 1:16-18, and Acts 18:1-11. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passages are Lamentations 1:1-22 and Luke 19:41-44. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passages are Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 17:22-34. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passages are John 5:19-20, John 8:27-29, and Luke 23:34. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passage is Romans 7:14-8:4. Sermon Discussion Questions
What does it mean to be Abbaâs child? Consider the Romans 7 passage. How is Paulâs story familiar to you? Martin talked about embracing our contradictions. Discuss this idea as a...
Scripture Passage Galatians 3:21-29The New Testament: A Translation by David Bentley Hart (Yale Press) 21) Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Let it not be! For, if a Law had been given that was capable of imparting life...
Scripture passages are Matthew 5:43-48, and I Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Video of the message is below.
Scripture passage is Acts 8:26-40. Video and sermon discussion questions are below. Video
Sermon Discussion Questions
Have you ever thought about who the first converts actually were? What does that communicate about God? How does this text...
Scripture passages are Luke 24:36-48 and John 20:19-23. Video of this message is below the scripture. Luke 24:36-48 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, âPeace to you!â But they were startled and...
Scripture passages are Psalm 13 and Mark 15:33-39. Video of the message, and the full worship service, is below.
Scripture passage is Acts 8:1-25. Video of the message (and the rest of the worship service) is below.
Scripture passages are 1 Kings 19 and Mark 11:1-19. Sermon Discussion Questions
How are you this week? Whereâs your head? Howâs your heart? What encouragement can we find in Godâs response to Elijah during his time of despair? Are you finding...
Scripture passages are Exodus 16, Ephesians 1, and Genesis 1:1-2. Sermon Discussion Questions
What is a sabbath? Why is it important? How have your typical rhythms and routines been changed by COVID? Do you have time for sabbathing? What might...
Scripture passages are John 7:1-24. 37-52, and John 8:12-20. Sermon Discussion Questions
Jesusâ siblings wanted to use him to gain exclusivity or position during the festival. How have you seen this desire for status or power at play in your own...
Scripture passage is John 6:22-59. Sermon Discussion Questions
How do you relate to the crowds who desire bread in this passage? The people walk away when Jesus says they must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Putting yourself in their shoes...
Scripture passage is Luke 15:1-2,11-32. Sermon Discussion Questions
God goes belonging and Christ "came not to be served but to serve" -- how does the performance mindset interact with your faith today? Has that changed, grown, or...
Scripture passage is Luke 10:25-37. Sermon Discussion Questions
How does this passage define a neighbor? How does that differ from what you originally understood a neighbor to be? How does this text flip the question âwho is my neighbor?â Why is...
Scripture passage is Luke 15:1-11. Sermon Discussion Questions
âThe parables tell us who God is. We just have to listen.â What does this parable teach us about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit? Why does Jesus love people whose...
Message text is Matthew 17:22-18:6. Sermon Discussion Questions
Talk about a time in your life when you vigorously opposed grace. Why is grace so difficult for us? In what way is it still difficult for you to accept Godâs grace? What are the...
Scripture passage is Luke 11:1-13. Sermon Discussion Questions
At first glance this parable seems to be about shame and anxiety. How have you experienced shame and anxiety? How does understanding the meaning of âanadeiaâ in verse 8 clarify the...
Scripture passage is Matthew 24:45-25:13. Sermon Discussion Questions
What is a parable? Why does it matter that we know this? What is the context of the parable of the 10 virgins? What is the point of this parable? How do you know this? What...
Scripture passage is Matthew 13:1-24. Sermon Discussion Questions
How does the parable of the sower tell us who God/Jesus is? What does it mean for the world and for us that God is universal and goes wherever he wants to go? Consider what good...
Scripture passage is Matthew 2:1-23. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the sermon? Discuss these as a group and...
Scripture passage is Romans 5:1-5. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the sermon? Discuss these as a group and...
Scripture passage is 2 Kings 22. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the sermon? Discuss these as a group and follow...
Scripture passages are I Samuel 16:1-13, Isaiah 11:1-12, and Matthew 1:1-16. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the...
Scripture passages are Matthew 1:1-3, and Genesis 38. Sermon Discussion Questions
How have you previously understood the story of Tamar in Genesis 38? What did you learn about the historical context of this book that was new or different? Why...
Scripture passages are Matthew 12:46-50, Ephesians 2:19-22, and 1 Timothy 5:1-2. Sermon Discussion Questions
If you are one of these alternative families, what has been your experience in the church? How does God/the gospel redefine family? What...
Scripture passage is Matthew 9:1-13. Sermon Discussion Questions
How does Matthew 9:1-13 show us that the gospel is both preaching grace and doing justice? What did you learn about addiction today? When have you felt the most powerless? How does...
Scripture passages are:
John 10:27-29 Ephesians 4:7-13 Romans 16:1-4 Acts 18:24-28 Acts 9:10-19 Acts 9:36-42
Sermon Discussion Questions
Reflecting on your time at SJOC, whether youâve been around from the beginning or in the last...
Scripture passages are John 3:15-17, John 17:20-26, and John 20:19-23. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the...
Scripture passages are John 12:20-36 and John 17:20-26. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the sermon? Discuss...
Scripture passages are II Corinthians 5:17-19 and Colossians 1:17-20. Sermon Discussion Questions
What is reconciliation? Why is it important to the gospel? Do you truly believe God wants to have a relationship with you? When/how is this...
Scripture passages are:Â
I Timothy 2:8-15 Acts 9:36 Luke 8:1-3 Luke 10:38-42 John 19:26-7 John 20:11-18
Scripture passage is John 6:25-51. Sermon Discussion Questions
When have you felt spiritual vertigo? How is John 6 an encouragement to you? Is there anything in your life youâve turned into a functional Jesus? Ask your home group to pray for and...
Scripture passages are John 1:1-18 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. Â John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not...
Scripture passage is Acts 1:1-11. Sermon Discussion Questions
What kind of power does God entrust his disciples with? What about us? How does the beginning of the church in Acts instruct us in what we should do today? What does the story of...
Scripture passage is Isaiah 1:11-20. Sermon Discussion Questions
What have you historically believed evangelism to mean? What is your first response to the word evangelize? Love: Hebrew âahavâ obedience, fidelity, and loyalty. Righteousness...
Scripture passage is Matthew 4:23-5:12; 7:28-29. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the sermon? Discuss these as a...
Scripture passage is Luke 24:13-35. Sermon Discussion Questions
Theology is like food because both are meant to nourish us. Where do you find most of your nourishment during the week?
Martinâs professor said to him after hearing Martin...
Scripture passage is Luke 22:14-21. Sermon Discussion Questions
Consider the perspective that Jesus, the sinless Son of God took on a body that was broken and fallen and yet did not sin. How does this give you a new perspective of Jesusâ ability...
Scripture passage is Luke 22:7-30. Sermon Discussion Questions
What do you think of when you think of an altar? What was the altar in biblical times? Consider the 4 views below. What do these views have in common? How does communion help our...
Scripture passage is Luke 19:1-27. Sermon Discussion Questions
Everything we receive is a gift and for it to stay a gift, we have to give it away. What does it mean to give the gift of yourself away How do you respond when you encounter people...
Scripture passage is Luke 11:1-13. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the sermon? Discuss these as a group and...
Scripture passage is Luke 14:1-24. General Sermon Discussion Questions
What did you learn about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the sermon? What additional questions do you have after hearing the sermon? Discuss these as a group and...
Scripture passage is Luke 15:11-32. Sermon Discussion Questions
What emotions does Fatherâs Day bring for you? How do you expect the Father to respond to you when youâve been like the prodigal son? What does it mean that the Father runs to meet...
Scripture passages are Luke 11:37-54. Sermon Discussion Questions
In what ways have you heard Christianity taught in the âget right with Godâ way Martin refers to? Why do people have such a difficult time with how we actually get right with...
Key passage is Luke 7:36-50. Sermon Discussion Questions
Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany might be the same person. Some scholars believe after her rebellious season in the town of Magdalena she met Jesus and got a new name. God has a tendency...
Key passages are Luke 1:16-55, Luke 2:15-20, and Luke 2:36-40. Sermon Discussion Questions
What feeling does Motherâs Day bring for you? Share celebrations and hardships together as community and pray for and encourage one another. Food is a...
Key passages are Luke 1:15, Luke 1:46-53, and Luke 7:24-35. Sermon Discussion Questions
Food is for everyone. What is the biblical principal we can take from this truth? How should our lives be marked by this truth? In Jesusâ day, someone in the...
Key passage is Luke 24:13-35. Sermon Discussion Questions
The recipe of life is knowing God, knowing others, and knowing yourself. What part of this recipe is hardest for you? How can your home group help you with your recipe? Jesus explains how...
Key passage is John 20:1-22. Poem read was Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front by Wendell Berry. Sermon Discussion Questions
When is a time that your feet had more faith than your head and heart? Encourage one another with Truth. âPatience...
Key passage is Luke 19:28-48. Sermon Discussion Questions
If a king riding on a donkey indicates royalty bringing peace, what do you think the people in Jerusalem felt that day? What does it mean for us that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a...
Key passage is Leviticus 16:1-22. Sermon Discussion Questions
The scapegoat was a term used to describe the goat that would take on your sins and then be sent away. That term has come to mean anything that takes the place of your personal sin or...
Key passages are Genesis 1:26-31, and Matthew 25:31-40. Nika and Martin want to visit you while you work for God! Whether that means stopping by your office where you work your white collar job, your school campus where you're studying or...
Key passages are Revelation 3:14, Galatians 2:19-21, and Luke 9:14-29. Sermon Discussion Questions
Why is it important as a Christian to believe the Creed? Why do things that are common or orthodox feel confining to us? How does believing in an...
Key passages are John 5:24, John 17:1-3, and Revelation 3:14. Â Sermon Discussion Questions
If life everlasting is mending for all things, what hope does that give you? Why? How does the desire for âgood goodâ look in your life now?
Is there...
Scriptural passages are Matthew 22:1-14 (the parable of wedding banquet) and Psalm 45:6-7.
Key passages are Hebrews 11:32-12:2 and ll Corinthians 13:11-14. Hebrews 11:32-12:2 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophetsâ who through faith conquered...
Key passages are Matthew 13:24-43 and Psalm 84:1-7. Matthew 13:24-43 He put another parable before them, saying, âThe kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and...
Key passages are Genesis 1:1-3, Luke 1:34-36, and Titus 3:3-8. Â Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was...
Key passages are Matthew 6:25-34 and Psalm 20:7. Matthew 6:25-34 âTherefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body...
Key passages are:John 11:21-26Ephesians 4:4-8I Peter 3:18-19I Peter 4:6Revelation 1:17-18Mark 16:19
Listen in as Nika discusses a history of racism in the Church as well as a brief discourse on the history of racism in Dallas. For deeper study we recommend the following resources: Divided by Faith by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith SBC Paper...
Key passages are I Corinthians 15:1-11, I Peter 3:13-22, and Colossians 2:6-15. Song referenced by Pastor Martin in this message:
Listen in as Nika discusses Anglo-normativity through White identity, privilege, fragility, and supremacy. For deeper study, we recommend these resources: Watch thebibleproject.com video on Justice.  Divided by Faith Emerson and Smith  White...
Key passage: John 19:1-13. Four books on suffering Pastor Mart recommends in this message:
Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C. S. Lewis A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering...
In this message, Pastor Martin examines the words "... And in Jesus Christ, God's only son our Lord" in the Apostle's Creed...
In our next installment of our Gospel in the Apostle's Creed series, we examine the words "Maker of Heaven and Earth". Our key passages are Genesis 1:1-5, Job 38:1-7, and Colossians 1:15-17.
Listen in as Mart and Nika answer 5 questions:
What is the gospel? When has Mart changed his mind about spiritual matters? How is prayer effective? How do we address homosexuality? What is the view of women at SJOC?
Listen in as Nika takes us through the first three chapters of Romans discussing the brokenness of humanity.
Listen in as Mart discusses Jesus' homecoming in Mark 6 as well as these principles from James KA Smith's book Thinking in Tongues.
- A posture of radical openness to God. Jesus makes all things new. The Holy Spirit operates...
Listen in as Nika explains how we have a better temple in Jesus and will one day no longer need a temple.
Listen in as Mart reminds us that our faith is based on a public historical truth rather than a personal important belief.
Listen in as Mart explains how Jesus' baptism demonstrates his anointing as our great High Priest.
Listen in as Nika explains how Jesus demonstrates the old is gone and the new has come.
Listen in as Mark reminds us that God loves it when we talk about His family. Also, He won't interrupt us even when we fail to be articulate or profound.
John 1 serves as a prologue introducing themes that will occur throughout the rest of the gospel.
In light of the attack in Las Vegas, and the natural disasters in Houston, Miami, and Puerto Rico, we need to know where God is in the midst of suffering. Martin reminds us God is good and Jesus goes dumpster diving to renew all things.