Bent Oak Church

Solomon's character continues to be questionable. By chapter three, we are wondering if he is fit to be king. We wonder if God could find someone better. But when we least expect it, God demonstrates kindness and paitence in a way we wouldn't expect. 

Before his death, David offered Solomon his final advice. Much of it sounds like the God-centered encouragement we would expect from the author of the psalms, but David quickly slips into vengeful self-centeredness. Solomon will soon find himself pulled in by the same force. 

As David prepares today, questions of succession began to spread amongst his family. Adonijah seems the frontrunner, but Solomon will take the crown. But where is God in this process?

Many are familiar with Paul's famous line, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." But what catches our attention is "I". Paul was not describing a superhuman ability that Jesus grants us, he was describing how the glory and riches of Christ so shifts our perspective as to change the things that matter most to us. What we are left with is a deep contentment.

As Paul reaches the end of his letter, his attention turns to known people and the reality of existing conflicts. But Paul turns those involved inward to consider their own anxiety and our struggle with finding peace.

In the second half of chapter 3, Paul continues to describe how knowing Christ is more valuable than all of his previous accomplishments. Paul turns now to an analogy of a runner pressing for the finish line. Paul calls the Philippians to continue pressing to know Christ.

Having urged the Philippians to sacrifice their self-interest for one another and having shown them how Christ was their example, Paul now turns to his own life and offers the Philippians his greatest desire: that he might know Christ more.

Brad Lombardi shares a special Easter message with us as we reflect on the death and resurrection of Christ.

Paul has offered some of his most moving language to describe the incarnation of Christ and his own willingness to sacrifice his life. But Paul also wants to offer the Philippians examples of how Christ's humility can be lived ou tin the everyday world of Philippi.  Paul offers them the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus. 

"It seems to be a fact that you have to suffer as much from the Church as for it but if you believe in the divinity of Christ, you have to cherish the world at the same time that you struggle to endure it.” — Flannery O'Connor Paul knows how difficult Christian community can be. Our tendency to reach for our own benefit constantly poisons the possibility of true friendship and love. But...

Chris Lamberth takes a look at Paul's call for the Philippians to live "worth of the gospel." Chris helps us understand how the gospel reshapes our motives and how it teaches us to deny ourselves and live for him.

In this introductory sermon, we cover the background of Paul's letter to the Philippians as well as his prayer for this church.

We have finally reached the end of Acts, but it's not what you might have expected. Luke seems to stop the story without an ending.  It is a freeze-frame, Paul proclaiming the Gospel in Rome with boldness and without hindrance. As a reader, we are left to decide how this story should end. We are pulled into it. Participants in the kingdom's work.

Paul makes his final defense before Festus and King Agrippa II. Luke draws together the developing themes of Paul's three speeches into a dramatic and poignant final moment.  For Paul, his message is clear. Jesus suffered and was raised from death as the first of a great resurrection to come. This message is the light which had transformed Paul's life and was now being declared to Jews a...

Under threat of assassination, Paul was transferred to Felix where he would again face Jewish accusations.  Paul again shows himself courageous even in the face of an unjust ruler and court. Paul places his confidence not in his citizenship, his case, or the judge but in the hope he has in God.

The Roman tribune was attempting to gather information about Paul. He decided to gather the Sanhedrin.  Things deteriorated quickly. But Paul shrewdly navigates the political and debate to reveal the truth, he is hardly the instigator.  

Paul finally reached Jerusalem and as expected, there were those unwelcoming to his return. Paul's attempts to go to the temple are met with a mob and public beating, eventually interrupted by the Roman Tribune and his soldiers. Paul reminds us that our Christian faith rarely fits into the powers and politics of our world. Yet still, Paul manages to demonstrate that far from being an enemy, h...

Paul continues his trip to Jerusalem. As he goes, he is continually warned about what he faces.  Still, Paul is determined, driven by the Spirit, compelled to give. Josh walks us through the passage and helps us recognize how each of us is called and the inevitable sacrifices that calling requires.

Before Paul arrives in Jerusalem, he stops in Miletus and gathers the church leaders of Ephesus. There he says his final goodbyes. He offers them final words, knowing that they will never see each other again. Paul's final words are striking, a summary of the way in which he had served, ministered, and lived among them. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Paul has begun his journey back to Jerusalem. he knows that what awaits him is the risk of riots, arrest, and possibly execution. As a reader, we assume that what follows will be Jerusalem, but Paul stops in at Troas. At Troas, we are introduced to Eutychus, a young man who drifts off to sleep during Paul's sermon. Asleep, he falls from a third story window to his death. Paul, speaks life ove...

God's with us finds its first promise in Isaiah, to a king terrified by the prospects of war. The radical message of Christianity is that God would go to such lengths to reveal himself to us, to give us a sign of his presence.

Josh Havens shares his personal story and how Immanuel requires us to be honest about who we really are. 

Chris reminds us that God proves himself most with us not just in the conclusion of life but all along the complex narratives of living.  Christmas is the season of Advent, a time of waiting and anticipating. So too, all of life is Advent: a careful watching and waiting for Christ's return and the restoration of all things. Between Christ's birth and his return, we are not alone. We are...

Justus Boever begins our Christmas series by describing his heart for missions and how Christmas is a missionary event, the God who came into the world to reveal himself and save even the one.

Luke chooses Ephesus as the final image of Paul's missionary work.  It proves to be fruitful and frustrating with miracles, converts, riots, and persecution. Luke uses the stories to give us a picture of how we respond to the gospel. It's an important final perspective.