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The Big Story
THE BIG STORY – a year long series of messages based on 52 favorite stories from the bible.
Pick up the book at the Resource Center for $15 and download the reading plan here.
Also, you can stay up-to-date by listening to the latest message here.
August 15th Unconventional (Luke 10:38-41)
Narrative: The story of Jesus visiting the house of Lazarus, Mary and Martha and Jesus sharing with Martha that he was an “unconventional” teacher. He honored women’s traditional roles but he also honored women who wanted to sit and learn from him.
The Message: This is not a message about fast paced people and how they never hear from God because they are too busy (it might be true sometimes but that is not the lesson of this story). This is a story about how Jesus came to break all the conventional roles of people and especially men and women and also set people free in being who they were designed to be.
August 22nd Telling Stories (Matthew 13, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 15)
Narrative: The gospels recordings of Jesus’ stories
The Message: A closer study of Jesus’ stories reveals that he was not really teaching the people new information. It turns out Jesus was just telling stories and asking questions to help people see the pattern of God around them. In the end he said you either have eyes to see this and ears to hear this or you decide you are not interested.
August 29th *Communion Jesus and Two Women (John 4:1-42; 8:1-11)
Narrative: The stories of Jesus encountering the Samaritan women who had had 5 husbands and the women caught in adultery. Jesus could have “taken a stand “ against them instead he showed undeserved acceptance and forgiveness.
The Message: Sometimes (often) grace and acceptance can accomplish what judgment and condemnation never can.
Note: We jump past the Easter messages because we covered those in the spring. As we begin fall we study the book of Acts starting with the ascension of Jesus and then studying the birth and growth of the early Christian church.
September 5th
The Sequel (Acts 1:1-11)
Narrative: After the resurrection the disciples were wondering, “what’s next”. Jesus told them that it was now their turn. He was going back to His father; the Holy Spirit would come to help them tell the world about the kingdom of God
Message: The message Jesus gave to the disciples before he ascended is the same for us today “be my witness, tell people everywhere about me”
September 12th *Prayer for Healing
The Room Upstairs (Acts 2)
Narrative: The story of the 120 who waited 10 days in the room upstairs for the gift Jesus had promised. They were not exactly sure what they were waiting for but when the Holy Spirit came there was no question about his arrival.
Message: As we live out our lives on this earth we need to regularly wait for the arrival of the Holy Spirit’s power (supernatural power) to accomplish the assignments God has given us everyday.
September 19th
Things I Know For Sure (Acts 4-8)
Narrative: The story of how this small group of Jesus followers began to grow. The reaction was different. Some felt they should just be ignored and they would soon go away while others were convinced this new sect was a huge threat to the Jewish way of life. Soon the persecution began and by the time Steven was stoned 100’s of these new Christ followers left Jerusalem telling people about Jesus everywhere they went.
Message: With this text we will make special application to Oak Hills Church. This Sunday represents the beginning of our 20th year of ministry. This message will highlight the things “we know for sure” about God’s specific calling and mission for our church and the vision we feel God has given to us for the next season of ministry.
September 26th *Communion
A Man Named Saul (Acts 9:1-31)
Narrative: The story of Saul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.
Message: The story of Saul’s conversion teaches us that we should never underestimate who might be overcome by the love and mercy of Jesus and receive Him as Lord.
Pick up the book at the Resource Center for $15 and download the reading plan here.
Also, you can stay up-to-date by listening to the latest message here.
