Oak Pointe Church Podcast

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingThe Unconcealable Kingdom Mark 4:21-25 We’ve all heard the phrase “let’s address the elephant in the room.” It describes that moment when something feels too important to ignore, or so obvious that there might as well be a full-sized elephant standing between you and the other person. In a way, Jesus’ ministry began in the opposite manner. It arrived quietly. He was born in a manger, in a small town, and grew up like every other child. And yet, unlike any other human life, Jesus was bringing forth the Kingdom of God into the world. He knew that even though His mission began quietly, it would eventually become impossible to overlook – an “elephant in the room” of sorts. Join us this Sunday as we discover how the light of Jesus’ Kingdom refuses to stay in the shadows and how we’re invited to live in it. 

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and King (Part 13)The Seed of the KingdomMark 4:26-34We’ve all been there. The teacher assigns a group project, and you’re paired with two people who likely won’t do a thing. You spend all week working, and by the time presentation day arrives, your only goal is to make sure the teacher knows exactly who did all the work.From Lego towers in the living room, to reference pages in academic writing, we are wired from a young age to claim credit for our accomplishments. We want the acknowledgment we feel we’ve earned.But the Kingdom of God operates differently.Scripture reminds us that we are simply vessels in the greater plan of the kingdom, not the source. God tells his children that all credit should be given to him, because any growth we see is a product of his plan being carried out.Join us this Sunday as we read the parables of Jesus and rediscover our role in God’s great plan.

Risen to Lead YouEaster SundayMark 14:26-29Humans are often captivated by life’s great mysteries. Questions about why we dream, how life began, or what lies beyond our solar system can feel unexplainable. Yet one question continues to puzzle even the sharpest historians: What sparked the rise of Christianity? Jesus’ life stirred up curiosity and wonder, but His resurrection provides the answer.Join us as we open God’s Word and discover the power of the risen Savior and the life-changing hope that His resurrection brings.

The Summons: Grappling with God’s Kingdom and KingThe Parable of the SowerMark 4:1-20We’ve all heard that gentle but pointed question, “Are you listening to me?” Not because we’re hard of hearing, but because our attention has drifted. Parents asking a child to repeat back their words aren’t just checking for repetition, they’re checking for presence, engagement, and for a heart that’s tuned in. This is a familiar concept because we know the difference between hearing sounds and actually taking them in. Jesus understood that difference to an even greater degree. People heard him but often did not receive him. His words were misunderstood, misconstrued and reinterpreted by some of his audience. Conversely, his parables stood as an invitation for those who were ready to listen, not simply hear. Join us this Sunday as we dive into this parable with open hearts, ready to listen for the summons of the King. 

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingMark 3:20-35 When the Kingdom Becomes God’s Family Family is often the first way we understand who we are. We introduce ourselves through the people we’re connected to, and we give our time and affection to those who share our blood. In Jesus’ day, this was even more intense. Your family line was your identity, your security, and your place in the world. But when Jesus announces His kingdom, He reshapes even this. He shows that God’s family is not defined by ancestry, last names, or bloodlines, but by a deeper allegiance: doing the will of the Father. In a culture where family defined everything, Jesus invites His followers into a new family tree. Join us this Sunday as we explore how Jesus redefines family and what it means to belong to God’s household today. 

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingCrowds Versus Followers Mark 3:7-19 We’re often swept into whatever the majority is doing – the music everyone listens to, the clothes everyone wears, even the phrases we use just to blend in. Crowds feel safe and familiar. They offer belonging without requiring anything of us. But does simply blending in ever lead us into the sweetness of the life we’re called to live? Jesus was constantly surrounded by crowds who wanted something from Him. And though the disciples followed Him too, there was a stark contrast in their approach. Join us this Sunday as we explore the difference between joining the crowd and becoming a faithful follower. 

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingNew Wine Into Old Wineskins Mark 3:1-6 No one likes change. Whether it’s a new manager, a new president or a new housing development moving in right across the street, we all know the complaints that come with unfamiliarity. Moving away feels uncomfortable, switching jobs feels unsteady and inviting new people in can feel nerve wracking. But why do we fear change when it’s guaranteed to happen? When Jesus brought forth the new kingdom, people were confronted with uncomfortable change. Some responded with flexibility, humility and resilience, while others reacted with resistance and hostility. Join us this Sunday as we explore how Jesus came to pour out His new wine, and what it means for us to become new wineskins, ready for his renewal.

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and King (Part 7)The King is HereMark 2:23-28Rules can often leave a bitter taste. They can feel confining, stifling creativity and limiting freedom. Authority figures can silence people rather than guide them. Parents can fail to explain the heart behind their rules. Teachers can unintentionally shut down the inspiration of their students. For many, rules bring more frustration than order. But what if there was a perfect rule-maker? An Authority whose commands aren’t meant to restrict, but to help His people thrive. A Father whose rules protect His children. A Teacher whose instructions lead to joy and new life. Living in a world full of broken rules and leaders, causes us to seek the voice of a gentle Shepherd. Join us this Sunday to discover how the commands of the King Jesus are for the flourishing of His subjects. 

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and King (Part 6) On That Day They Will Fast Mark 2:18-22Picture this: A sweet smell of pot roast wafts from the kitchen to your room. As you draw closer, you hear vegetables sizzling on the stove and catch a glimpse of the apple pie baking in the oven. Your mother has spent hours preparing a feast for you. But when she serves you a generous helping, you push the plate away. “Does it not look appetizing?” she asks, though you know it does. “Are you not hungry?” she wonders, as your stomach growls. Why deny a delicious and nourishing meal? Fasting has been a spiritual discipline for thousands of years, yet many of us still wrestle with questions like these. What is the point? How can going without food deepen our spiritual life? Join us this Sunday as we listen to Jesus’ words and discover how fasting can deepen our fellowship with the bridegroom.

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingThe Sanitized vs the Scandalous Church Mark 2:13-17 Jon Morales Have you ever voiced an unpopular opinion? One that makes people look up from their plates at a dinner party or causes passionate debate amongst friends? These opinions can often be polarizing, occasionally causing people to choose sides, leaving little room for neutrality. Similarly, Jesus had an approach to ministry that sparked strong reactions. It was unpopular to many religious leaders of the day and didn't fit neatly into their expectations. Some called it a scandal, but Jesus called it the gospel. Join us this Sunday to discover how Jesus' relational ministry invites us into a life of radical hospitality and healing. 

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingMark 2:1-12 Jon Morales Most of us spend a good portion of our lives learning how to respond to authority. We learn it early, through the parent that tells us when to cross the street, the teacher who decides when recess ends, and the boss who sets the deadlines. Some of these voices are trustworthy while others leave us questioning. But when we encounter the voice and power of Jesus, we experience a different kind of authority at work—one that didn’t make empty promises or use His position for personal gain. This kind of authority chose service over status, lifting others up rather than prioritizing Himself. Join us this Sunday in our Mark series as we discover what the authority of Jesus does for our biggest problem.  And come ready to experience anew how we should respond. 

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingMark 1:35-45Nate LeeMost of us have a junk drawer where all kinds of household items get tossed: pens, chargers, receipts and keys, all piled together until it’s hard to tell what’s important. Our lives can often feel the same way. Tasks stack up, responsibilities blur, and the things that matter most get buried under everything else. Thankfully, we’re not left to sort through the mess on our own. We have a God who knows exactly what belongs where, a master organizer who can reorder our priorities the moment our hearts are open to His work.Join us this Sunday as we continue our series in the Gospel of Mark and explore what it means to let the King set our priorities.

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingMark 1:21-34 Jon Morales It is a common reality in the art world to find a masterpiece hidden beneath an ordinary layer of paint. Countless stories tell of lost Picassos or Magrittes uncovered in the midst of restoration projects. An art restorer’s task is to look past the surface to reveal the masterpiece that lies below. When a famous painting is found beneath layers of plain paint, the goal is not to create something new but to uncover what was always there. Once he is finished, the restorer ultimately reclaims the artist’s original design. In much the same way, God is reclaiming His beautiful masterpiece. Join us this Sunday as we continue our series in the Gospel of Mark and discover how Jesus entered our world to take back what belongs to Him.

The Summons: Grappling With God’s Kingdom and KingMark 1:14-20 Jon Morales Picture a typical day in your life: your morning routine, your commute to work, your wind-down time at night. Over the years, these rhythms settle in and become second nature to you. You perfect your breakfast recipe, learn the quickest route across town, and end each evening preparing for the next day. Eventually, the familiar becomes most comfortable. But what if that comfort was never meant to be the end goal? What if our routines were meant to be interrupted? What if we were made for more? Join us this Sunday as we begin a new series in the Gospel of Mark and discover the kind of life the King is calling us into. 

Vision SundaysPsalm 67 Jon MoralesWhen you think of missions, what comes to mind? Traveling overseas to serve the poor? Building homes and raising support? Bold evangelism in the streets? For many, the idea of reaching the nations feels overwhelming, whether it’s too costly, too time-consuming, or beyond our comfort zones. It’s easy to assume that “this calling must be for someone else.” However, God reminds us that His plan for the nations involves something simple yet powerful: our generosity. Join us as we read Psalm 67 and discover how our surrender can bring blessing, joy and salvation to the nations. 

Vision SundaysRevelation 5:9Jon MoralesIn Japan, a sign of respect is to finish all the food on your plate, avoiding “mottainai”, or wastefulness. In China, leaving a small amount of food on your plate is polite, communicating that the host has provided more than enough.In Germany, punctuality is highly valued and arriving exactly on time can even be seen as late. In Spain however, arriving late is often the norm, as it shows that the guest is relaxed and not rushing the host.These are only a few of the numerous examples of diverse ways of life we see exemplified across our world. What can unite nations that are so different from one another? Could it be that we all have a need for food? That we all crave sleep? Perhaps that we all have the desire to be loved?The answers to these may all be yes, but none of them are fully complete. Join us this Sunday as we discover what truly unites the nations together. 

AI, Identity, and What it Means to be HumanAbdu MurrayA woman sits with a knitting pattern, carefully planning each stitch of her creation. She chooses the yarn, the needles and the design, already envisioning the finished work before the first knot is even made.Similarly, God knew you before you even knew yourself. Though many spend their lives searching for their identity, Scripture reminds us that God has already carefully knitted us together (Psalm 139:13).Join us this Sunday as we explore the nature of what God has intricately woven into our true identity.

Advent: The Beginning of the Good NewsMark 1:9-13Jon Morales

Advent: The Beginning of the Good NewsMark 1:1-8 Jon Morales Imagine a candle burning in a dark room, providing both warmth and light. Picture a lantern being held by a traveler who is seeking to find their way amidst the night. Consider the sun, the brightest light we daily behold, replacing the night entirely with its massive rays.But even the sun pales in comparison to the Great Light that has come to overcome the darkness. The fulfilled prophecy in Matthew 4:16a says, "The people who live in darkness have seen a great light." This light is the Messiah, bringing the good news to his beloved people.Join us this Sunday as we continue our Advent series, discovering more about our Great Light.

Advent: The Beginning of the Good NewsMark 1:1-6Jon MoralesGifts arrive in many shapes and sizes. They are often wrapped in paper and ribbons as signs of preparation for the grand reveal. And just as wrapping paper implies readiness for the gift inside, so our hearts must bear the mark of readiness for our Savior. During Advent, we prepare our hearts for the greatest gift of all, the coming Messiah. Join us this week in our Advent series as we explore how repentance prepares us to meet the Messiah.