Oak Pointe Church Podcast

Our Only Hope for Loving God Scripture: Psalm 63:1–11 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church As our Prayer series concludes, we’ll look at the totality of Psalm 63 and note the not-so-subtle shift in vs. 9–11. For the first eight verses, the focus is firmly on David’s love and admiration for God. But suddenly, his attention turns to those who would be threats to the king. The language change is so abrupt it’s as if these three verses don’t even fit the psalm. Yet, through the contrast these verses provide, we discover our only hope of loving God for God.

C’mon, My Soul! Scripture: Psalm 42 Speaker: Adam Mashni, 707 High School Ministry Pastor This week we study a psalm that embodies life on the struggle bus. The psalmist longs to be at the Temple praising God as he has done before. But life has him somewhere else, in far more challenging circumstances, and he’s yearning for relief. Yet, we see a beautiful refrain where he turns, pauses, and begins coaching himself in the ways of God. When life gets tough, it can be hard to connect with God. But Psalm 42 provides prayer tools to help us turn our eyes upward when spiraling down.

Training to Love God for God Scripture: Psalm 63:1–8 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church Late in 1965, in Detroit, Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston recorded “It Takes Two,” a song that depicted many things in life (dreams, love, wishes, etc.) being better with two people instead of one. But human relationships require diligent and ongoing work to flourish, and both parties must contribute. Our relationship with God is no different. If we’re going to love God for God, then God must do something, and we must do something. In this week’s message, we’ll discover those two things.

Intimacy With God Scripture: Psalm 63:1 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church When David wrote Psalm 63, he did so from an experience of being captivated by God. He is so enamored with who God is and what God does for him that his heart overflows into these eleven verses. But clearly, this is not a normative experience for people of faith. Even though hundreds of millions around the globe attend church each weekend, many do not experience an ongoing deep connection with God. Why is intimacy with God so rare? Beginning this Sunday, we’ll embark on a four-week series from the Psalms called Prayer: Loving God For God. These will not simply be messages about prayer but will actively teach us how to pray! We’ll discover that as our prayer life improves, so will our intimacy with God.

The Overthrowing Power of The Resurrection Mark 16:1-8 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church “He has risen!” These three words are the foundation of the Christian faith. You would think they would provoke celebration, especially by those who had walked with Jesus and were devastated by his death. But that wasn’t initially the case. This Easter Sunday, we’ll consider how the hurts and losses we’ve experienced can keep us in the tomb. But the risen Jesus calls us to follow him forward to a new destination.

The Overthrowing Power of Sacrifice Mark 11:1-11 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church Noteworthy people are easily overlooked. It’s not that they’re always incognito, more like everyone else is unaware of who they are. Jesus was like this. During his ministry, people came to know a teacher named Jesus. But it took the overthrowing power of his sacrifice to begin opening eyes and hearts to who he really was.

The Overthrowing Power of Humility Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 Speaker: Caleb Middleton, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor Holy Week has arrived! We begin our Overthrown series with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In our text, Jesus’ trajectory toward the cross comes quickly into focus. The more boldly and publicly he reveals himself, the more the religious leaders are moved toward hatred and motivated to end his life. The King’s humble entrance sets the conflict in motion, leading to the sacrifice that atones for our sins.

The Triumph of God's Love Scripture: Romans 8: 31-39 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!" Such were the daily affirmations of Stuart Smalley from early 90s SNL sketches. Of course, Stuart struggled to believe these things to be accurate and required regular reminders. Fortunately, the Christian faith doesn't give us empty slogans to help us get by emotionally. Instead, the Bible's solid truths connect us to the power of God's love in the Spirit. This week, instead of affirmations, we'll answer three decisive questions to conclude our Unstoppable series.

(pre)Destined for Glory Scripture: Romans 8:26–30 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church “Guaranteed!” Many companies deploy this word. It means the item you’re considering for purchase will last – at least for a while. God also makes us a guarantee, but his is far more trustworthy and longstanding, as we’ll see in the penultimate message of the Unstoppable Series from Romans 8.

Creation Restored Scripture: Romans 8:18–25 Speaker: Brent Buttermore, Missions Pastor What frustrates you? These days, you have options! The list probably starts with inflation and quickly moves on to viruses, natural disasters, foreign wars, local politics, and the Red Wings selling at the trade deadline. But amid all these frustrations, do you yet hold on to hope? In week 3 of our Unstoppable series from Roman 8, the Apostle Paul addresses personal sufferings and makes a profound comparison to encourage our faith!

The Great Reversal Scripture: Romans 8:9-17 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church Last week, we began our Unstoppable series in Romans 8, rejoicing that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Leaving the land of death-sin-law, we belong in a new realm, and our new location removes our condemnation! But as glorious as this truth is, it doesn’t stop us from sometimes hanging out in our old neighborhood. What draws us back? And what essential truths help us say no to old ways?

Note: This was recorded during a power outage. As a result the audio quality is different than normal. Title: No Condemnation! Scripture: Romans 8:1–8 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church How often do you run across a Starbucks in an obscure location? Think hard. The answer is probably “never.” That’s because this Fortune 500 company isn’t primarily in the coffee business – they’re in the real estate business. Yes, they work hard to ensure your quad grande no foam extra hot two-pump blonde vanilla latte is always the same quality. But the true foundation of their success is not consistency but location. Similarly, our spiritual position is the key to breaking free from the no man’s land of law-sin-death. This week we enter the glorious chapter of Romans 8 in a new series called Unstoppable - the power of God’s love in the Spirit.

The Law Can’t Deliver Scripture: Romans 7:7–25 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church War is an awful thing, but never more so than when it is a civil war. The internal forces that should work in harmony to bring about good instead turn on each other. The result is not life but death. Civil conflict can tear apart nations, companies, and even churches. But the war the apostle Paul addresses is a personal struggle – we are the battleground! Before entering into the beauty and hope of Romans 8 next week, we must first traverse this last thorny section of Romans 7 as we reach the end of our series, “New or New-ish?”

A Fruitful Marriage Scripture: Romans 7:1-6 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church Is there a tool or appliance in your home that doesn’t really perform? Maybe it takes your vacuum six passes to pick up a piece of popcorn. Yet, instead of replacing it with a new model, you hang on to it because it still kinda-sorta works. How can you be released from such a dysfunctional machine? It would probably have to die completely. This week in our New or New-ish? series, we continue exploring our union with Christ and what must die to give us the freedom to move into a life-giving relationship with Jesus.

The Freest Slave Scripture: Romans 6:15-23 Speaker: Charlie Koopman, Worship & Creative Arts Pastor   “Hey buddy…wanna buy a watch?” Have you ever been on the receiving end of a bait and switch? You’re enticed to purchase an apparent bargain (say, a Rolex from a street vendor) but receive a vastly inferior product (it tarnishes quickly and doesn’t keep time). Sin is constantly making us such offers regarding our freedom. It promises greater liberties, but we end up more entangled. This week in our series, New or New-ish, the Apostle Paul encourages us to make an exchange that will bring true and lasting freedom.

A New Master Scripture: Romans 6:8-14 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church The Christian life has never been for the faint of heart – not in the first century and still not in the twenty-first century. Doubt, sadness, and temptation are as present as ever, waging war internally, harassing our souls, and seeking to snuff out our faith. So how do we escape the constant assault of sin on our hearts and minds? Romans chapter six has an answer for us this week.

The New Life of Grace Scripture: Romans 6:1-7 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church In 1911, Julia H. Johnston penned the lyrics to the hymn, Grace Greater Than Our Sin. The chorus is quite simple: Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin. That last line causes so many Christians to wobble in their faith. The operative word is “all.” Do you believe that God’s grace exceeds ALL your sin? To see us move from merely newish to genuinely made new, Pastor Jon challenges us this weekend to match up two critical facets of the Christian life.

Only Sinners Welcome Scripture: Romans 5:1-11 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor of Oak Pointe Church Are you made new? Or are you just new-ish? That’s the central question of Pastor Jon’s series that begins this weekend in the book of Romans. Even though Jesus came to make all things new – including you and me – our transformation from old to new can be slow and shallow. But how we view ourselves is the catalyst to real change. Coming to grips with the depth of our sin allows the gospel to transform our lives profoundly.

Worship Over Worry Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 Speaker: Caleb Middleton, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor We all begin a new year with the very best of intentions. This will be the year of breaking bad habits, being more intentional with our time and money, getting in shape, or completing neglected projects. So we launch the year with our new calendars, journals, to-do lists, financial budgets, and workout plans, all focused on being better at doing things. Similarly, as we consider deepening our relationship with God in 2023, our tendency is to move toward tasks. But what is behind this drive toward doing? How can we make sure that in doing things for God, we don’t neglect what is actually better – being with him?