Oldham Lane Church of Christ

What is spiritual growth is? It’s about having Jesus’ heart and living like it. Someone died so that you can live, and living is about growing. We understand that in a physical sense, but we need to grasp it in a spiritual sense as well.

What’s so special about the church? What makes it special? The same thing that made the temple and the tabernacle special—the fact that God dwelt there. His Spirit dwells in us as we come together to form one unified assembly of temples where we praise the God who has chosen to take up residence in our hearts.

Outcomes are about what you get. Processes are about what you do. Identity is about what you believe. When it comes to real change that leads to spiritual growth and maturation, we must address the latter. If we truly want to change who we are at our core, then rather than starting with what we should do, we need to start with who we want to be.

Each year, the shepherds at Oldham Lane update the congregation on what has taken place in the previous year, as well as all the new and exciting things ahead in the coming year.

We are all familiar with habits, both good and bad. There are certain things we do without even really thinking about them. We want to hold on to the good habits and purge the bad ones. We know that a bad habit is a bad habit, and we know that we need to remove the bad habit from our life. But how? That’s the rub. We know we should say, “No more,” to that bad habit, but it’s just not that easy.

Church growth is often defined by bodies, bucks, and bricks. Bigger crowds, bigger budget, and bigger buildings. But what if it’s not about bodies, bucks, and bricks? What if it’s really about souls, spirituality, and sanctification?

Lessons on becoming a better Christian typically focus on 3 areas: Read your Bible more. Pray more. Go to church more. But I can tell you from experience that those 3 things are not a cure all nor a tried-and-true method for being a stronger Christian. Certainly, these are good things, and we should be engaging in them on a consistent basis, but more spiritual activity doesn’t typically produce th...

Role distinctions are not value judgments. We all have the same essence and worth; however, God has given men and women different roles and responsibilities. Even though these roles and responsibilities are different, they are all vitally important.

Which side of the Jordan are you on? Many are on the right side of the Red Sea. They’ve been delivered from bondage, but they’re not moving toward their inheritance. It’s not enough to be delivered. The Israelites left Egypt with another destination in mind, and we’re no different. Although we’ve been delivered, we still have to move.

When blessings flow it is easy to let our hearts take comfort in things that aren’t lasting. Jesus reminds us that life is more than abundance of possessions.

When Christ built his Church, he gave us the gift that keeps on giving. Meaningful membership in the Church is central to our daily walk with Christ.

Let’s talk about Jesus more during this time of year, not less. Let’s sing about Jesus more this time of year, not less. Let’s be logical and reasonable in our approach. Let’s always be loving, patient, and kind. Rather than avoiding the holidays because we’re afraid of being too secular, let’s redeem them. Let’s remind ourselves and others what Christmas and Easter are really all about.

For to us, a child is born. God has given you and me a gift. It’s a gift of rescue and a gift of hope. It’s a gift of peace. A day is coming when there will be no more enemies and, thus, no more grief, no more sorrow, no more loneliness.

Church isn’t something that opens or closes with a prayer. Church isn’t something you go to. Church isn’t something you do. Church is YOU. It’s US. WE are the church and we are added to the Lord’s church for the purpose of serving.

Mary had the little lamb, and that lamb would die for her sins and for the sins of the entire world. In that manger that fateful day in Bethlehem lay, not just a baby, but the God of heaven who came to earth to dwell with the very people He created. What often gets lost […]

Jesus left the comforts of heaven, came to this earth to dwell among us, to teach and preach that the kingdom is at hand, to die a horrific death on the cross, to be buried, and to rise again 3 days later. That is the story that deserves our attention; every day of the year, not just one day in December. Jesus is not the reason for the season. Jesus is the reason for everything.

The church needs more body-builders, not body-bashers; people who are seeking to beautify the church rather than deface her.

A sermon on giving has very little to do with money, and everything to do with the heart.

The Bible is filled with individuals who were overwhelmed by pain, whether physical or emotional or both. For example, the psalms paint a portrait of a man who is struggling emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. What you will also notice as you survey these various individuals is that, in their torment, they look up. They […]

Your heart is going to beat for the things you treasure and, sadly, we often treasure things that hold no real value. We put our spiritual health in danger by cherishing things that are earthly. Jesus is our spiritual pacemaker. He puts our heart back in rhythm. He reminds us to treasure the right things, and by treasuring the right things we keep our heart healthy and beating properly.

How big is your God? Some might say, “He’s infinite!” Others might answer, “He’s immeasurable!” “He’s bigger than anything imaginable!” Really? Do you worship a God that is infinite? Do you worship a God that is immeasurable? I’m afraid that, all too often, we give lip service to the God who is infinite, but we worship a God who is infinitesimal.

If we, at Oldham Lane, want to have any hope of making a difference in the world around us it won’t start with money. It won’t start with programs. It won’t start with manpower. It won’t start with hiring another minister. It will start with PRAYER.

We all look down. We all get focused on our failures and our faults and, when we do, we lose sight of our Father. The best advice for those dwelling in the depths is to look up!

If the church is not making a difference in people’s lives then something is wrong. If the church is not making a difference in the community then something is wrong.

What you’re worried about most is what you’re most devoted to. The emotion follows the devotion. Whatever it is that you’re devoted to will directly affect your anxiety level. To put it another way, your over-concerns reveal your over-loves. So, pursue Jesus and let Him provide rest from the stress.