Oviedo City Church Sermons

Have you ever heard a recording of your voice and found it jarring? It sounds so different from the sound in your head. To hear your own voice accurately, you need to listen closely. The same applies to our faults. We often criticize others while ignoring our own shortcomings. Jesus said, "Judge not, that you be not judged." He calls us to examine our own failures—the log in our eye—before pointin...

Ever notice the constant stream of notifications we receive every day? Imagine if we received weekly worry notifications, showing us how many hours we spent fretting—about the past, the future, and things that never happen. Jesus tells us there's nothing to worry about because it's not our kingdom, it's God's. The best part? We follow the lead of the King, who isn't worried about anything. He is i...

Have you ever gone swimming in the ocean, only to realize you’ve drifted far from where you started? It happens in an instant, often without our notice. As followers of Jesus, we often find ourselves caught in the strong currents of material wealth and distractions, losing sight of our true treasure. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

What was the last great meal you had? Do you remember how it tasted? The aroma? The people you shared it with? Eating is essential to being human (because, well, we need food), so why does Jesus talk about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount? Why does Jesus, himself, fast? Fasting is an ancient tradition, but it is so easily interpreted as "not eating". According to Jesus, fasting leads to a feast...

We are thrilled to welcome Dela Adadevoh as our guest preacher this Sunday! Since 1980, Dela has authored several books and worked with Cru in the U.S., holding various leadership roles, including National Director of his home country of Ghana. He currently serves as the Vice President of Global Leadership. With a passion for seeing the gospel transform individuals and nations, Dela founded the In...

We love movies! There's nothing like a talented actor to make you laugh, scream, or cry. While these performers are perfect for the screen, Jesus has a different view of those who put on an act for Him. He calls them hypocrites. Jesus seeks authenticity in our lives, not acting. Join us this Sunday as we learn how Jesus fights for our hearts and calls us from phony righteousness to authentic right...

G.K. Chesterton once wrote, "The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people." So, who is your enemy? Is it the neighbor, coworker, or family member with different ideologies, or the one who mocks Christianity? We might all answer this question differently. But regardless of who our enemies are, Jesus calls us to one of th...

Jesus is relentless. He confronts us on our anger, lust, and now, our words. Each of us grapples with broken promises, white lies, or hurting others. This unveils our need for healing in both our hearts and speech. Amidst a sea of untruths, Jesus calls us, as Kingdom people, to speak Kingdom words—buoys of grace and truth.

Fire can be life-giving, providing comfort and warmth in a fireplace, but it can also cause great destruction when it spreads beyond its boundaries. Sex is much like fire. In the next section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus confronts the powerful force of human sexuality and the destructive power of lust in our hearts. However, the gospel brings good news: Jesus doesn't shame us in our sexual br...

What comes to mind when you hear "the law"? Order, restrictions, or breaking the rules? Probably not “flourishing” or “thriving.” Yet that's precisely why God gave us His law—so that we might live in right relationship with Him and others. There's only one problem: none of us can keep it! Enter Jesus, who came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Take a listen as we learn what this means for...

Are you salty? Not in terms of your attitude, but in terms of your life? If you're a Christian, the answer is most certainly "yes." Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13). Following Jesus frees us to accept this new identity. Your life brings the flavor of the Kingdom into a world that desperately needs it. Take a listen as we continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount, learn...

This Sunday, we'll pick up where we left off last week, exploring some of Jesus' most profound and puzzling words—the Beatitudes. Consider, for instance, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Is this a tit-for-tat situation? Does it imply that if we show mercy, we'll receive God's mercy in return? How does this align with the gospel? Join us as we discover that—far from contrad...

Have you ever pondered what it truly means to flourish? Amidst the clash of conflicting ideas in today's world, Jesus offers a clear path for thriving in his Kingdom. Discover how Jesus not only imparts radical wisdom on flourishing but also ignites the power within us to live it out through His gospel of radical grace. Take a listen as we explore our new series on the Sermon on the Mount — Flouri...

It is unusual these days to see a smooth leadership transition in a church. It is also unusual, but not unheard of, that the outgoing leader stays on and takes a supportive role in the church. Yet, in the early church, the nature of mentoring/discipleship relationships, meant that it was more the norm than not. Paul's relationship with the young pastors, Timothy and Titus, is a great example. At O...

Ever been on a road trip with family or friends, arguing over which playlist to put on the speakers? Sometimes life with Jesus feels like listening to two competing melodies: radical grace vs. radical discipleship. Which wins? The amazing grace of the gospel or the call to obey? Find out how Jesus' final "I am” statement invites us to play both tunes at full volume, finding harmony in our union wi...

What do we do when life's unexpected punches leave us flat on the mat? How do we rise again? Where do we turn? These questions echo the experience of one family who faced the loss of their brother, Lazarus. As we journey through Jesus' "I am” statements, we encounter a story brimming with hope. This week, we are confronted with the profound truth of Easter, expressed in Jesus' words: "I am the Res...

How many times have you stumbled around in the dark looking for something, or stubbed your toe on the leg of the bed in the middle of the night? Stubbing your toe in the dark is one thing. Crashing into a spiritual or emotional wall in the darkness of life is quite another. Jesus promises to be the light in such darkness. But what does that mean in real life? How can we walk in the light when the...

Dallas Willard once remarked: “’The Lord is my Shepherd’ is a sentiment carved on tombstones more often than a reality written in lives.” Why is that? Take a listen as we continue our journey in the "I Am” series, exploring Jesus' identity as the Good Shepherd. Together we’ll investigate why this sentiment, though treasured, can be challenging to live out but has the power to transform lives!

How do we try to attain freedom in life? Usually through rebellion or religion. But Jesus tells us there is only one path to true freedom: relationship. As we explore the "I Am" statements of Jesus, we’ll see how He emphasizes that He is the doorway to this vital connection. He is the gateway to genuine freedom, where abundant life awaits! Take a listen as we discover the richness of life that is...

When you reflect on your life's journey, how do you define yourself? Is it by your job, your circumstances, or the voices within? Amidst the clamor, we often hear: "I am unsatisfied, alone, anxious, afraid. I am empty, lost, disconnected." Yet there is a stronger, eternally secure "I Am" for which we were made, which is the center of reality. The Great I Am, who revealed himself to Moses and walke...

Have you ever tried people watching? Jesus did. In Mark 12, we encounter a poignant story where Jesus observed a poor widow sacrificially offering two coins at the temple. He not only acknowledged her generosity but also praised her dependence on God to his disciples. Two thousand years later, this small act of radical generosity continues to inspire God's people. In this sermon, we will delve int...

The very idea of evangelism gives some people heartburn. The thought of talking to people about deeply personal religious convictions is out of bounds for many of us. Having seen over-zealous people make a complete mess of sharing Jesus only adds to the anxiety most of us feel when it comes to telling others about Jesus. But what if it didn't have to be so threatening? What if you could actually f...

When it comes to studying the Bible, we often fall into two camps: feeling discouraged because we can’t find the time, or feeling proud because we do. Are those really our only two options? This week, we’ll look at Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus, a Pharisee renowned for his profound grasp of Scripture. In this story, Jesus offers a new motivation to engage with His word—one that goes beyond feeli...

In this week’s Scripture, Jesus sneaks up, incognito, on two discouraged disciples. He asks some seemingly patronizing questions, calls them slow of heart, then delivers a compelling sermon about how all of Scripture revolves around him. Suddenly, the disciples find their “slow hearts” transformed into “burning hearts” and they gather the believers to share the story. Take a listen as we experienc...