Greenville Oaks Church Message Podcast

Last week we explored the gospel story from above (God’s perspective). This week we’ll explore it from our perspective (below). In doing so, we’ll hopefully gain a better understanding of what it means to say, “Jesus saves.”

This week Wade is launching a new series about what it means to be part of God’s story by challenging us to begin our exploration of the gospel, not with our problems, needs, or desires, but with God’s activity in the world.

God’s grace is unearned, unmerited favor that he lavishes upon us, and is thus unfathomable. We often try to cheapen it by taking it for granted or by trying to “earn it” back. Since we don’t or can’t make sense of it, we struggle to model that kind of grace to others. But praise be to God for his good grace that is available and for each and everyone of us.

What if we just simply lived out the words of Acts 4:32?   I am not saying you should or that it is easy.  I am just saying, what if we did it.   I mean, what if we simply worried less about our own needs and focused more on making sure that those around us and those in our community had everything they needed.  And if they didn‘t have what they needed, that we would give it to them… we would just...

We often fail to understand the incredible love God has for us. Sometimes, though, we can understand God’s love for ourselves, but we aren’t willing to recognize that His love is also given equally to those who are very different from us.

In a world of dizzying choices and multiplying options, Jesus shows us how to stay focused on what really matters

Jesus came offering us not a different or better way to be religious, but a different and better way to be human. 

As we kick off our elder selection process, we’ll consider how Christ’s example redefines leadership in the Kingdom of God.

In Luke 18 Jesus tells a story with a surprise ending that demonstrates how the heart of prayer is always more important than the art of prayer. 

Lead Minister Wade Hodges takes a close examination of the Lord's Prayer and make a case that it is truly the perfect prayer.

This week Lead Student Minister, Wes Rasbury, honors our High school Graduating Seniors as they take their next steps in a new season of life. 

Lead Minister Wade Hodges takes another look at Paul teachings. Specifically, how despite personal differences and preferences, we can put them aside use the example to be "for" others instead of opposing them. This is the way of Christ.

New Lead Minister Wade Hodges teaches from 1 Corinthians 1-2. He examines Paul's message and methods of presentation. It is very much a polarizing method of teaching in comparison too many methods used within the modern church. Wade uses this as a spring board to show that the cross alone is enough to draw people to Christ.

This week we welcome both Wade and Heather Hodges to the Greenville Oaks Church family. Wade is the new Lead Minister at Greenville Oaks and we take some time to learn more about Wade, Heather and their family!

Our DOUBT creates FEAR, that can only grow into FAITH through the gift of Easter and that gift is only fully realized in the HOPE that comes through Jesus Christ.

This week we take a look at the passover meal and the final days of Christ leading up to his crucifixion. Executive Minister Matt Mazza challenges us to put ourselves in the shoes of those losing Jesus in real-time, as if the story were to end there. The things and emotions they experienced while Christ was in the tomb. 

We take time to hear the amazing stories that came to light because of the #ForCollinCounty initiative. Our challenge is to continue forward with this mindset for  years to come.

Bonhoeffer wrote in Life Together that we always have Christ between ourselves and others. Whatever we say and do, we say to and through the Lord Christ. So it is with doing good. Whatever good we do, we do to Jesus. Whatever good we withhold, we withhold from Jesus. We are to be Jesus to others and see Jesus in the face of others. 

The word translated as “pity” here is the Greek word for intestines—guts. Pity and compassion are not intellectual exercises. Our lives should be trained so we have a visceral response to the needs of others that we act on before we think ourselves out of doing the good we should. 

Our doing good is an essential part of keeping the two great commandments. We have to deal with the challenge of love of the neighbor and the love of the one who is not like us. What pride and prejudice might keep us from showing the love of Christ to others?

Paul writes Titus a letter to help him with his ministry on the island of Crete. The Cretans had a reputation of being a horrible people. The difference Christ will make in the lives of his disciples on Crete is that they would be people who do what is good. This is a simple call for us now—do what is good. 

Following Jesus demands that we adopt his way of doing things. His ways and values are not the values and ways of the fallen world. The way of self-sacrifice and service is the way of the Cross. 

Being a disciple of Jesus is a matter of a decision and a process. We decide to follow Jesus. The journey is one in which Jesus becomes clearer to us, and our way to walk with him becomes clearer. 

Student Minister Wes Rasbury finished up the Churches That Heal series by giving guidance by reminding us that this is not the end of journey- not in any way! That we have walked through this to begin the process and journey of healing, it is just the start!