The Church at Eastern Oaks Media: Recent Episodes
The Church at Eastern Oaks
Worship with us as we celebrate the return of our Mexico Missions Team as well as the return of Ty Grant who has been serving in Colombia with the IMB. Will will have pictures, videos, testimonies...and lunch!
Everyone who runs a race wants to win. However, not everyone does. How can you run and WIN the race that is this Christian life? Join Pastor Eddie as he looks at three key elements necessary to running...and winning...the race.
Psalm 125 details some magnificent aspects about God. We should see and position ourselves in light of who God is.
The story of Rehab the Harlot is well known by anyone who knows the Old Testament. However, why is her story so well known and remembered? And why is she still referred to as "the Harlot," even in the New Testament. Join Pastor Jayden as he revisits this passage and examines the amazing confession we find there.
How can God be both good AND just? How can God both forgive sin AND hold sinners accountable for their sin? Listen as Pastor Jayden explains the doctrine of Penal Substitionary Atonement.
In the book of Isaiah, we see his encounter with God and the effect that God's holiness has on him. As we examine this text, we can learn how we can encounter God's holiness and what that should do to us.
The start of another new year is here. Many people use this annual changing of the calendar as an opportunity to reevaluate their lives and make some changes for the better. While there is nothing magical about a new year, it can be a great time to reflect on the past and chart a new path for the future. If you want 2023 to be better than the previous year, it can be. And here's how...
Luke's Gospel now comes to a we conclusion. We've seen the birth of Jesus, the ministry of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and the resurrection of Jesus. While we have learned so much about our Savior, as Luke brings his gospel to its end, we find several amazing and uplifting truths about who Jesus is. While we've seen these truths throughout Luke's Gospel, it's good to be reminded of them one last time.
Following the resurrection of Jesus, we encounter two men on the road to Emmaus. These two men were witnesses to Jesus' death and have already heard news of the empty tomb. But they are unsure what to make of this news. Jesus takes this opportunity to open the Scriptures to them and demonstrate that He is the subject matter of the entire Old Testament. The Bible really is ALL about Jesus.
Have you ever thought about what your last words will be? While we don't always know when our last words will be our last words, Jesus knew exactly when He would speak His last words. Luke records three statements Jesus made before His death as He hung on the cross. Each statement is important, full of meaning, and gives us great insight into who Jesus is. Join us as we look at the final words of Jesus.
The crucifixion of Jesus is an extremely powerful moment. This is the event the entire Gospel of Luke has been building up to, and it has huge theological significance. Even today, people have many different reactions when reading these verses. As we look at this passage, let's take a moment to notice all the different reactions we see from those who experienced this event first hand. Afterward, we can ask ourselves the question, how do we respond to Jesus?
Following Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin, He faced the Roman Government. As much as the Jewish religious leaders wanted Jesus dead, they did not have the authority to execute Him...they needed Rome. In these verses we see important themes such as the innocence of Jesus, the culpability of humanity, and the sovereignty of God. The question for each one of us today is, what will we do with this information?
It is well known that Jesus taught on the topic of prayer. And as we might expect, His teaching on prayer is the absolute best on the topic. No one teaches better than Jesus. However, on the night of His arrest, we have the opportunity to see Jesus practice what He preaches. In this powerful moment, Jesus shows us how to pray.
During Jesus' ministry, the disciples lived with him day and night. However, that is about to change. Following Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, the disciples would no longer have the physical earthly presence of Jesus. Therefore, Jesus gives some advice for living life without his physical presence. These lessons equally apply to His disciples today.
Today, we continue looking at Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial of Jesus. However, while Peter's denial is an sinful act of betrayal, it is not the end for Peter. The Lord has plans for his redemption as He intends to use Peter to strengthen the other disciples. This passage is a great reminder that though we fail, our failure isn't final.
In these verses, Jesus predicts Peter's betrayal. However, Peter in his arrogance vows that he would never betray Jesus. As we will soon see, Jesus was right...as always. These verses can teach us a lot about the reality of temptation and sin, as well as the beauty of redemption.
Following the Passover meal, Jesus reveals to His disciples that one of them will betray Him. This results in a dispute about who is the greatest disciple. Jesus, never missing a teaching opportunity, teaches the disciples the difference between the world's idea of greatness and the Kingdom's idea of greatness. This lesson is one every Christian still needs to hear today.
The night of Jesus' arrest He shares one final Passover Meal with His disciples. However, this was no ordinary Passover Meal. This was the Passover that all other Passover's pointed to. As Jesus demonstrates how He is the fulfillment of Passover, He also gives us a new tradition. The Lord's Supper is an extremely ordinance of the church. It looks back, it looks ahead, and it gives us reason to celebrate and worship our great God.
As Jesus and his disciples prepare for the celebration of Passover, we can't help but be reminded of the original Passover event recorded for us in the book of Exodus. This was a major focal point in the life of every Israelite. However, little did they know that the entire event merely pointed forward to the ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Before the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, we read a very disturbing passage of Scripture. God's Word tells us in Luke 22:3, "Then Satan entered Judas." We've seen several examples of demon possession in Luke's Gospel, but this is the first time we see it happen. Therefore, it raises a few questions about demon possession. Can it still happen today? What does it look like? Can a follower of Christ be possessed? Join us as we answer each of these questions.
In the preceding verses, Jesus has just predicted the end of time. However, the end has not arrived yet. So, what should we do in the meantime? That is exactly what Jesus addresses in Luke 21:29-38. Let's listen and obey the commands of Jesus for those of us awaiting His return.
As Jesus' crucifixion approaches, He predicts two extremely chaotic events. First, He predicts the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple. Second, He predicts His return. While these are chaotic events, Jesus is the Prince of Peace and offers His peace in the midst of chaos.
Throughout Luke 20, Jesus has been on defense as the High Priests, scribes, and Sadducees all take turns trying to question Him. Now, it's time for Jesus to go on offense. In Luke 20:41 - 21:4 Jesus will demonstrate the hypocrisy of the the religious leaders by attacking their poor theology, their pride, and their greed.
The attacks on Jesus continue with a question from the Sadducee's. This particular sect of Judaism rejected the resurrection of the dead. Therefore, they pose a question to Jesus regarding marriage that is meant to debunk the truth of the resurrection. In Jesus' response, He once again demonstrates His superiority. However, He also teaches an important lesson about the true meaning of marriage while demonstrating the reality of the resurrection.
No one likes taxes. This is nothing profound and nothing new. We may enjoy the benefits of paying taxes, but no one really enjoys paying taxes. In Luke 20:19-26, the scribes and chief priests think they have come up with the ultimate question to stump Jesus...a question about paying taxes. However, as they soon learn, Jesus can't be stumped. Jesus is superior.
The attacks on Jesus by the chief priests and scribes continue. This time, they send in a spy. Ironically, everything the spies say about Jesus in Luke 20:21 is absolutely true. However, it is clear the spies do not believe what they are saying...but we do. Let's examine this verse and see what it has to tell us about Jesus.
As we come to Luke 20, we find Jesus under attack from the chief priests and scribes. In these first verses, they challenge the authority of Jesus. However, Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the ultimate authority. As Jesus makes clear in this passage, He answers to no one. Let's take a closer look at these verses and see how they may apply to us today.
Jesus is our Prince of Peace. He is the only source of true, lasting peace. However, this is only true for those who recognize Him as the Prince of Peace and follow Him. For those who reject Him, there will be no peace. Is Jesus your Prince of Peace?
As Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time before his crucifixion, He makes quite the entrance. Riding on a donkey, praised by His disciples, rebuked by the Pharisees; Jesus was a very divisive individual. These verses give amazing insight into the identity of Jesus. Not only does this passage reveal who Jesus is, but it also requires a response from the reader.
We find ourselves now in the "in-between time." The time between Jesus' first and second coming. What exactly are we to be doing during this "in-between time." Let's look at Jesus' parable of The Ten Minas to hear His instructions for us today.
Let's return once again to that wee little man named Zacchaeus. In his encounter with Jesus, we can learn several important Gospel lessons. Zacchaeus serves as an amazing example of the change that occurs in the life of an individual who has a true, saving encounter with the Savior.
It's always a good thing to take initiative when proclaiming the Gospel. However, don't be surprised when you face opposition. In this world, Gospel initiative will always be met with Gospel opposition. But the possible outcome is always worth the inevitable risk.
In the final miracle performed by Jesus in Luke's Gospel, Jesus heals a blind beggar. While this beggar may not have possessed physical sight, he demonstrates amazing insight. There are four things this blind beggar knew. Do you know these four things?
It's part of our fallen sinful nature...we all think we're good people. We think we can save ourselves. However, the truth is only the work of Jesus on the cross can save. Following Jesus will require sacrifice, but the sacrifice is worth the cost.
In one of the best known passages of the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates the fact that all people are welcome to come to Him when he says, "Let the children come to me." This not only teaches us about the inclusive nature of the Gospel, but also the value God's Word places on children.
We can never overestimate the importance of prayer. As Luke 18 begins, Jesus offers two parables which focus on this topic and can teach us several important lessons when it comes to our prayer life. Specifically, we will see the necessity for persistence and humility in our prayer life.
There's a lot of fascination with the end of time. People often want to know when will it happen, or how will it happen? However, sometimes this fascination leads to into crazy speculation that has no basis in God's Word. In Luke 17, Jesus addresses the end of time. Let's set the speculation aside, and just look at what Jesus says.
Luke 17:11-19 records another amazing miracle of Jesus. Once again we see the amazing kindness and mercy of Jesus in action. What is more, we see another example of the saving power of faith. What can these verses teach about kindness, mercy, and faith? Let's find out together.
What does it look like to live as a disciple of Jesus? Jesus' teaching in Luke 17:1-10 may seem unrelated, but we can actually identify several attributes of the life of a disciple. Let's look at these as we ask ourselves, are we living the life of a disciple?
Eternity only has two options: Heaven or Hell. With all of eternity at stake, we want to make sure we make the right decision. Furthermore, we want to make sure everyone in our life has the opportunity to make that decision as well.
While money conversations may make us uncomfortable, Jesus didn't mind talking about money at all. In the second parable of Luke 16, Jesus continues this theme of the right use of our money and possessions with The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Following The Parable of the Dishonest Manager, Luke tells us that the Pharisees, who were "lovers of money," ridiculed Jesus. They did not care for His teaching on wealth. However, sometimes the things we don't like to hear are the very things we need to hear. Jesus continues this theme in the verses that follow the parable.
The Parable of the Dishonest Manager is a great reminder of the importance of living everyday with an eternal perspective. Our spiritual health is always more important than our material wealth. We want to use our earthly wealth to increase our heavenly rewards.
The Prodigal Son is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus. The main is idea is the joy that results when a sinner repents and turns to Jesus. However, there are several other lessons this great story can teach us.
Have you ever lost something important to you, only to find it later? If so, you know the great joy in finding what once was lost. Likewise, Jesus tells us there is great joy in heaven when even one sinner repents. Furthermore, the joy in heaven should be mirrored by our joy here on earth as well.
It's something we do every day...we count the cost. Whether we're looking for a new house, a car, or just out grocery shopping; we always count the cost. Is the benefit worth the cost. However, the most important calculation we will ever do is counting the cost to follow Jesus. As someone once said, "Salvation is a free gift, but following Jesus will cost you everything."
Someone once said, "Humility is a strange virtue, for once you think you've obtained it...you just lost it." Humility is not a virtue valued in the world today, but it is our calling as followers of Christ. Jesus came not to serve, but to be served. The same is to be true of us. Let's look together at Luke 14:1-24 as we learn some important lessons about humility.
Every once in a while someone asks a really profound question, a question everyone needs answered. We find just such a question in Luke 13:23, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" This is a great question, and we all need to hear Jesus' answer!
Do good! It sounds simple enough...yet the truth is, doing good is often inconvenient. Not only that, but doing good often leads to adversity. Yet, we are called to do good. Listen as Pastor Danny walks through Luke 13:10-21.
We all experience tragedy and pain in this life. And we all ask the same question, "Why?" Why do bad things happen? Who is to blame? Listen as we explore Tragedy, Sin, and Salvation.
The teaching of Jesus was not always popular. In fact, Jesus said some pretty controversial things. Furthermore, Jesus is one of the most divisive and controversial figures in all human history. Jesus demands a choice. Will you follow Him? Or will you reject Him?
Have you girded up your loins? Do you even know how? As followers of Jesus, He tells us to always "Stay Dressed For Action." We are to be prepared at all times. Listen as Pastor Danny explains exactly what that means and how we can do it.
Many people think it's rude to talk about money. Jesus was NOT one of those people. As we continue in Luke's Gospel, Jesus has a great deal to say about money and possessions. Therefore, as His followers, we want to follow Him by viewing money and possessions as He does.
Everyone likes to be liked. We all prefer acceptance to rejection. However, as followers of Christ, popularity can sometimes be a temptation. If we care too much what the world thinks of us, we may be tempted to seek their approval instead of God's approval. Listen as explore the temptation of popularity.
Monopoly money is great when you're playing Monopoly. However, no one thinks their rich if all they have is Monopoly money. Why? Because it's fake. It's phony money...and no one likes a phony. This includes Jesus. In these verses, Jesus confronts the phony religion of the Pharisees. Let's look at this passage as we learn how to avoid phony religion.
Slanderers and Skeptics...Jesus had them both. As we are His followers, we cannot be surprised when we also face the slanderer and the skeptic. But how should we respond? Let's look at Jesus' response as a guide for how we too can deal with the slanderers and skeptics we encounter.
As parents often tell their teenage children, "It's just what you say, but how you say it." Our attitude matters. It matters because our attitude reveals what is in our hearts. As Jesus continues His teaching on prayer in Luke 11, He addresses our attitude in prayer. Let's look at these very encouraging words from Jesus.
Many people understand prayer as merely asking for things. While prayer is MUCH more than this, we are told to bring our requests to our Heavenly Father. However, what should those requests be? What types of requests should we prioritize in prayer? Let's return to Jesus' teaching on prayer and find out.
There is no meaningful relationship without conversation. This is true in friendship, it is true in marriage, and it is true with our Heavenly Father. If we want to a have a meaningful and fruitful relationship with God, we must learn to talk to Him. Thankfully, Jesus taught us how to do just that.
I'm sure Martha meant well. After-all, she is serving Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. However, God's Word is clear, Martha was distracted. Jesus told her she was anxious and troubled about many things. Often, we mean well...but we get distracted. Let's look to Martha and learn how we can avoid distraction in our walk with Jesus.
Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." There is a time work, to do chores, to serve others; but there is also a time to sit. As we see in these verses, there is even a time to sit, while others are working. Join us as we look to Mary as our example of the importance of sitting at the feet of Jesus.
While many Christians attempt to proclaim the Gospel by making Christianity sound as east as possible, Jesus had a very different strategy. Jesus was never afraid of communicating the high cost of following Him. How much does it cost to follow Jesus? Let's find out together.
Wouldn't it be great if life consisted of one success after another? Unfortunately, that is not real life. In real life, we face failure, doubt, division, embarrassment, and many other difficulties. Sometimes these are our fault...sometimes not. And sometimes they all happen at the same time. So, what do we do when it feels like the wheels of life are coming off? Let's see what the Disciples did in just such a situation.
We all have them. Mountaintop Experiences. Those moments when we become acutely aware of the power and presence of God in our life. These are truly special moments and can aid in our spiritual growth. The Disciples enjoyed one such experience recorded for us in Luke 9:28-36. As we look at their Mountaintop experience, we can learn four important lessons.
There are many important questions in life. Where will I got to college? Where will I live? Who will I marry? What job will I have? However, there is one question more important than all others. Who do you say Jesus is? That one question will determine your eternal destiny. Join us in Luke 9:18-27 and we discover how to answer that important question.
Almost everyone who knows how to ride a bike started with training wheels. But training wheels are only beneficial for a time. Eventually the training wheels have to come off. In the opening of Luke 9, Jesus begins to remove the training wheels from the disciples as He sends them out by themselves to do ministry. Let's look at these verses together and learn some valuable lessons.
The Bible is full of great stories and amazing people. There are so many important lessons we can learn from the likes of Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul...and, of course, Jesus! However, there are also great lessons we can learn from some rather unlikely sources. In Luke 8 we find some valuable insight from a man possessed by many demons!
How bad is sin? We live in a world that seems to downplay the severity or even the existence of sin. However, God's Word treats sin very seriously. The Apostle Paul tells us that "the wages of sins is death." That seems pretty serious. Thankfully, that is not the end of the story. Join us in Luke's Gospel as we look at the severity of sin...and the splendor of salvation.
Jesus was a master storyteller, and the parable of the sower is one of His most well-known parables. However, why did Jesus make a habit of speaking in parables? What was the purpose? Join us in Luke's Gospel as we examine the purpose of parables and learn some important lessons from the parable of the Sower.
In Luke 8:18 Jesus gives the warning, "Take care then how you hear." The fact is, not everyone is willing to listen to the teaching of Jesus. Are you? Join us as we look at the important results of listening to the teaching of Jesus.
Have you ever had an event or dinner party NOT go as planned? If so, you should be able to relate to Simon the Pharisee. Simon invited Jesus to his home to eat, but an unexpected dinner guest also made a shocking appearance. As we look at the interactions between Simon, Jesus, and this unexpected guest, we are confronted with an important question...who do we identify with the most? The Pharisee or the sinner?
We all have expectations. Whether it's with our job, our family, or our schedule; life is filled with expectations. Sometimes those expectations are met, while other times we find our expectations were wrong. However, when talking about God, it's usually best to throw all our expectations out the window. He doesn't always work the way we might expect Him to...but His reality is always better than our expectations.
Luke chapter 7 begins with two miraculous accounts: one healing and one resurrection. Together, these two miracles further demonstrate who Jesus is. These accounts help us better understand the identity of Jesus. And when we truly understand who Jesus is, there is only one possible reaction...FAITH.
Jesus, famously, tells us to build our house on the rock. When we do this, we are wise and will stand strong. But what (or who) is the rock on which we must build? Jesus answers this question in the closing verses of His Sermon on the Plain.
Jesus tells us that "each tree is known by its own fruit." What is true for trees is also true for people. Our "fruit" is how we will be known. The words, actions, and habits of our life are the result of who we are. What does your "fruit" say about you? Maybe it's time we all become fruit inspectors and began evaluating the fruit in our life.
We've all heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Jesus didn't have immediate access to a camera like we do today, but He still understood this truth. While He couldn't simply snap a picture on his phone, He was a master at painting mental pictures which would bring His teaching to life. Let's look at these mental images Jesus created as He emphasizes the importance of obedience to Him.
"Judge not" may be one of the most quoted sayings of Jesus. Even many who are not followers of Christ, know this saying and quote it freely. But too many of us have never taken the time to fully understand these words. Let's take a closer look at Jesus' command so that we can fully understand and obey our Lord and Savior. Before we quote Jesus, let's make sure we know what He is saying and what He is not saying.
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." These words of Jesus were considered radical when He spoke them almost 2,000 years ago...and they're still considered radical today. What would ever motivate someone to do this? It's completely counter-cultural. But maybe that's the point. As followers of Jesus, let's learn to love like Jesus so we can show Jesus to others.
We live in an ever-changing world. What was once universally thought to be right, is not often considered wrong. What was once condemned as evil, is now celebrated as good. In times like these, followers of Christ are often mocked, ridiculed, and hated. However, this should come as no surprise. Jesus told us this day would come. The question is, how do we respond?
Jesus begins his Sermon on the Plain with some astonishing words. Statements like "Blessed are you who are poor" and "Woe to you who are rich" are not exactly in line with the thinking of the world today. However, maybe that is exactly the problem. Maybe we need a change in perspective. Maybe we need to reevaluate exactly what it means to be "blessed." Let' take a look at these surprising words today as we strive to be conformed to the Word of God and not the word of this world.
Every single day we face spiritual warfare. Thankfully, we have access to a powerful weapon - Prayer. However, to take advantage of this weapon we must know how to use it. Join us as we look to Jesus and learn how to utilize prayer in the spiritual battles we face every day.
In yet another confrontation between Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees, we have the opportunity to see what happens when a relationship with God turns into nothing but bad religion. As we look at this passage, let's evaluate our own relationship with the Lord to ensure we are not making the same mistakes.
The first two parables found in Luke's Gospel are extremely short, and both convey the same lesson...the old and the new don't mix. Jesus wanted His listeners to understand, He was doing something brand new. Both then and now, to follow Jesus is to turn away from the old ways and turn to something new. Will you leave behind your old life to follow Jesus?
Have you ever thought about how much of our life revolves around food? We will often talk about what our next meal will be while we're eating the previous meal. Food is important...and enjoyable. As much as we love food, have you ever considered participating in a fast? This is a spiritual discipline Christians have practiced for thousands of years. Even our Savior, Jesus Christ, spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting. Let's talk about fasting today. What is it? What is it not? What is the purpose?
The most pressing need in our country is not the upcoming election or the Supreme Court. The most pressing need is Jesus. As Christians, we are all called to make disciples. We are called to evangelize the lost. If this is as important as we say it is, we should all want to be the very best evangelists we can be. Thankfully, we have the greatest teacher of all time. Let's look at four evangelism tips we can learn from the Master Evangelist, Himself, Jesus Christ.
Everyone has a past. Some moments we're proud of, others we'd like to forget. Regardless of what our past holds, we are loved by God. He knows us at our worst and loves us all the same. As Adrian Rogers once said, "God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way." We find a great example of this truth in the case of Levi the tax collector. Let's look at this amazing example of God's love through Jesus Christ, as we see what it means to follow Jesus.
Are you a help or a hindrance? When it comes to a relationship with Jesus Christ, we want to do everything in our power to help others come to know Him, while never becoming a hindrance. We see a great example of both in this weeks message from Luke 5.
In one of the more moving miracles of Jesus, He reaches out his hands and touches a leper. Jesus did not have to touch this man to heal him. Lepers were considered unclean. They were outcasts from society. Jesus could have healed him with only His words, but He went the extra mile. He made a personal connection. This miracle gives us great insight and understanding into the person of Jesus.
Luke 5 begins with Simon Peter experiencing the miraculous catch of fish. However, as important as that miracle was, Peter's response was of much greater significance. His response to Jesus poses an important question for us today...What is the right response to Jesus?
Simon Peter, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, has one the greatest fishing stories ever told. It wasn't so much the size of the fish that was spectacular, but the number of fish. However, before the miraculous catch of fish, Simon had to obey Jesus' command, a command which didn't make a lot of sense to Simon. Listen as we explore this passage together and learn a very important lesson from this fisherman who would become a fisher of men.