The Bible claims (and we believe!) that “all Scripture is inspired by God and useful”  (2 Timothy 3:16). However, the usefulness of all Scripture is not  uniformly self-evident with some passages seem more obviously applicable  and more immediately practical than others! Arriving at the second half  of Matthew 6, we find a text that requires very little explanation as  to its modern-day relevance as, in it, Jesus addresses two temptations  that each and every Christian has, is, or will  battle in their lifetime. These are temptations that threaten to  distract us and steal the joy and peace to which we have access in  Christ. What are they? They are wealth and worry. All who have a relationship with money—whether you have it, want it, lost it, or need it—and all who experience worry, stress, or anxiety need to hear Jesus’ very useful words.

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

Key Passage: Matthew 6:19–34

Today  we’re going to fight a disease together, one that often goes undetected  and has eternal side-effects. The disease is that of exhibitionism—the  desire to be seen and validated for doing or saying something. This is a  sickness that controls lives, binds consciences, distorts motives, and  spreads quickly.

While  exhibitionism is always ugly, it may be at its worst when it gets into  the church. You see, Christians are not immune. We’re all vulnerable to  the desire of wanting to be seen doing churchy things by churchy people, whether to impress or avoid disappointing. And one of the  terrible symptoms of this illness when it gets into the church is that  the desire to be seen godly becomes more important than actually being godly; that more time is spent crafting the illusion of righteousness rather than pursuing real righteousness; that we elevate what those around us think over and above what God in heaven thinks of us.

This  morning we want fight exhibitionism and, to do that we’re going to hear  from Jesus, the Good Doctor himself, and find help in both diagnosis  and treatment.

Key Scripture: Matthew 6:1–18

Speaker: Josiah

Lew walks us through the first fourteen verses of Colossians and into the context of Colossae, where a new form of heresy was sneaking into the church. Paul's message was simple: “there is no other name under heaven,  given among men, whereby you must be saved…” In short,  everything you need is in Jesus. In the first verses of this powerful letter, Paul gives a full-bodied picture of Christ, and then encourages the believers, prays for them, and reminds them of what God has done for them already, and where true wisdom and knowledge comes from.

Key Passage: Colossians 1:1-14

Speaker: Lew Worrad

In  these days characterized by repeated lockdown, constant inconvenience,  forced isolation, and a seemingly never-ending stream of bad news, do  you find yourself increasingly tired, frustrated, and burdened? Or, if  you don’t, do you know anyone who does? What, as Christians, are we supposed to do in response?

This  morning, from Psalm 61, we’re going to find some divine guidance on  what to do when we we feel weary and inadequate, helpless and fearful.  As we study this passage, we’re going to find that it’s comprised of  three prayers that you and I can and should be praying during times of  struggle.

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

Key Passage: Psalm 61:1–8

COVID-19 has forced us apart as a church and paused or changed many of the functions of our church, but we recognize the virus doesn’t exempt us from being the church. The reality and mission of the body of Christ transcends continents, eras, and even pandemics.

God has given us assignments to which we must dedicate ourselves regardless of circumstance. These  are God-given lighthouses at which we must stare and move toward,  especially when the winds are strong, the waves are high, and the fog is  thick.

Today, from a handful of chapters in the latter half of Paul’s  letter to the Romans, we’re going to be reminded of one such  assignment. More specifically, we’re going to find a root to which we  must attend and, when we do, the fruit it surely produces.

Key Passage: Romans 12:1–15:13

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

The arrival and spread of the coronavirus has largely rendered churches oxymoronic unassembled assemblies tantamount to an uncrowded crowds or ungrouped groups. At Oakridge, our  prayer and mission is to be a church that's like family. But how do we  become family from afar? How can we operate as a body when our members  are disconnected from one another?

Today we’re going to be reminded that the separation-causing hardship  we’re currently facing as a church family is not unprecedented. It’s  happened many times in history and, this morning, we're going  back to perhaps its first occurrence. As we see how the people of God  were scattered in Acts 8, we want to learn how to best navigate our days  ahead with faith, trust, and effectiveness.

Key Passage: Acts 8:1-8

Speaker: Josiah Boyd

The author of Hebrews gave believers a task: "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds ... , not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (10:24–25). One of the ways we, as the people of God, can stimulate and encourage one another is by sharing stories of God's faithfulness.

Sarah Sutherland, a member of Oakridge Bible Chapel, shares some of what God has been teaching her over the past few years, months, and through various trials. She also encourages and challenges us to trust he would is worthy of such trust.

The author of Hebrews gave believers a task: "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds ... , not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (10:24–25). One of the ways we, as the people of God, can stimulate and encourage one another is by sharing stories of God's faithfulness.

Bertha Maoka, a member of Oakridge Bible Chapel, shares an abridged version of what God has done, what he is doing, and what she trusts he will do in her life.

The author of Hebrews gave believers a task: "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds ... , not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (10:24–25). One of the ways we, as the people of God, can stimulate and encourage one another is by sharing stories of God's faithfulness.

Bruce Pellowe, a member of Oakridge Bible Chapel, shares an abridged version of how he came to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, trust him as Saviour, and follow him as Lord.

On this, our final Sunday together before Christmas 2020, we look together at the opening two chapters of Luke's gospel account. In these opening scenes we're remind of the oft-told but never over-told true story about God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. This is the account of how the Infinite took on finitude and the Transcendent condescended to come near.

Speaker: Lew Worrad