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As we start into the meat of 1 John we quickly see that it is practical and filled with encouraging yet convicting words. In particular, as we finish chapter 1 and begin chapter 2, John calls followers of Jesus to avoid hypocrisy and live in a way that reflects their relationship with Christ, or risk experiencing the fellowship available to them. Thankfully he doesn't leave us with checklist of unfollowable commands, but ensures us that we already have access to everything we need to "claim the prize". Join with Josiah and Andrew as they explore these topics more deeply this week on the podcast.

We had a special Sunday at Oakridge this week, and a special Sunday begets a special podcast. This week Andrew sat down with Dean Billings from Compassion Canada to learn a little bit more about his experiences, what drew him to working with Compassion, and what sets Compassion apart from everyone else. A special thank you to Dean for taking the extra time for this conversation, and for opening up his world and his heart to us, both on Sunday and today. For those interested in finding out more, check out the link to the Oakridge/Compassion landing page here.

It's a brand new sermon series at Oakridge as we start making our way through the book of 1 John. And while we started with only four verses this week, they certainly weren't short on content! But why 1 John, and what is so special about this opening prelude? Why does it matter that Christ is eternal, knowable, and even offers intimate fellowship within himself and his church? Josiah and Andrew begin the discussion on this complex yet beautiful book this week on the podcast.

We've talked about God's sovereignty before on this podcast, but understanding and appreciating it is an issue we often continue to wrestle with, especially when the going gets tough. In John 9 we meet a man who was blind from birth "so that the works of God might be displayed in him", and in-so-doing, get a fascinating picture of God's sovereign will. But knowing pain can have a purpose, and actually enduring it are two very different things. Join with Andrew and Josiah as they discuss what we can learn from this passage, and how we can be encouraged by this man's experience.

In the past year at Oakridge, we have seen four more step into the role of Elder, being commissioned to the task of leading and shepherding the flock that is this local expression of the body of Christ. But we also recognize that in the past few years we have seen many new faces and families in the church, many of whom may have not been a part of an elder-led church before, or understand why we do what we do in this regard. This past Sunday we heard a sermon explaining and illustrating the role and this week on the podcast Josiah and Andrew break it down a bit further by comparing some other popular church leadership models and why we land where we do.

While the first five covenants set the stage for God's plan for the redemption of his creation, without the final covenant, the new covenant, they would all just be logs in a fireplace waiting to be lit. The new covenant offered more than the other five ever could, and it promised a future of hope to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As we come to conclusion of this series, join with Josiah and Andrew as they discuss the new covenant and its place in the bigger picture, and how we can be inspired and challenged by this knowledge of the covenants moving forward.

In the penultimate biblical covenant, the one struck with David, God promises an eternal kingdom of endless jurisdiction and perfect authority. It is one that offers so much hope in the midst of a world filled with so much evil and brokenness that longs to be redeemed by its King. But how does this kingly covenant fit in with our understanding of the Kingdom, especially with regards to our role as believers now? Join Josiah and Andrew as they discuss the far-reaching implications and some of the incredible inspirations offered to us by this covenant.

If we were to make an educated guess, we'd imagine that of the six Biblical covenants, the one that is probably most likely to get a response of "huh?" would be the priestly covenant in Numbers 25. Yet despite being short and sweet, it is an important covenant nonetheless. So what is this priestly covenant, where does it fit, and why does it matter? We heard the answers to these questions on Sunday, but join with Josiah and Andrew as they dive a bit deeper into the text and its implications for our lives.

Josiah was asked to share some details from his personal testimony at Oakridge's Lively Oaks ministry gathering on January 27, 2023. Below is the recording of that talk in which he describes three things the Lord has been teaching him over the past number of years. (Josiah apologizes for his singing and longs for his glorified voice.)

And just like that we're halfway through the covenants already! This week it's the Mosaic Covenant, probably the most well-known, and unfortunately, most misunderstood. It's easy to look at a covenant involving a bunch of rules and morality and assume it must apply directly to all people, but that was never it's intended purpose. Join with Josiah and Andrew this week on the podcast as they discuss this covenant, where it fits, and why it matters.