Sherwood Oaks Christian Church Podcast

Join us for week 3 of the Under Construction series as we look at the topic of Sex and Identity from 1 Corinthians 6. 

If there’s one thing all of humanity shares in common, it’s our unfortunate familiarity with pain and suffering. It’s something we all experience but we rarely talk about. Most often, when hardship hits, we isolate and go it alone.Hi I’m Quentin Bemis from Sherwood Oaks with the minute message.In John chapter 11, we read the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. It’s got a happy ending, sure, but there are a few things we need to see here.First, in verse 35, we read that Jesus wept. A short simple verse with a powerful reminder that our Lord understands our sorrows. He laments our sorrows.Second, the end of the story reminds us that Jesus holds all the power over pain and sufferings. Death does not get the final word. Jesus does.If you’re experiencing hardships you don’t have to go it alone. I invite you to join us at Sherwood Oaks this Sunday as we talk about these very issues. Find your people and find Jesus, who both understands and overcomes.

Join us this week for a special edition of our SOCC Stories podcast! As we are preaching through our Under Construction series on Sunday morning, we are posting some "after hours" discussions that go deeper into the discussion. This week, we are sitting down with "Erik." Erik lives and works in North Africa and owns a business. We will be talking about the tensions of living as citizens of this world and our countries but called to live under the rule and reign of Jesus. We'll also discuss the tension between compromise and non-compromise in the culture that you live in. 

What does Jesus have to say about politics? Does he pick sides or is he only on my side? Join us for week 2 of the Under Construction series as we dive into the sticky topic of politics and a relationship with Jesus. 

Have you ever had a feeling that you wish you could bottle up and hold on to forever? It’s an overwhelming feeling of marvel and awe and often, at least for me, comes with goosebumps and tears.  I think that feeling can be summed up by the Hebrew word “Shechinah”, which means a dwelling or settling of the presence of God. Hi, this is Maggie Mobley from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with a Minute Message. Richard J. Foster says “To worship is to know, to feel, to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of the gathered community. It is being invaded by the shechinah of God.” God’s presence can be felt when people gather together to worship him. Psalm 86:9 says “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.” If you’re longing for a connection with God, to feel and experience the presence of Him, join us this Sunday, September 24 at Switchyard Park at 6:00pm. The B-Town worship night will be a community event to gather together in worship and bring glory to God. For he alone is deserving of our praise.  

Join us for week 1 of a new series "Under Construction." We discuss the importance of positive deconstruction and how it can bring you closer to God. 

How are you today? I bet if you were honest, you’d probably say, “I’m exhausted.”Hi, I’m Shawn from Sherwood Oaks ChrisAan Church with today’s Minute Message.Low-grade exhausAon seems to be the new normal for most of us. I talk to people all the Ame who are physically exhausted. They’re living at a pace that’s impossible to maintain.They’re emoAonally exhausted from carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.They’re mentally exhausted. Their minds never stop racing and it keeps them up at night, which only makes them even more physically exhausted. And the cycle goes on and on. Sound familiar?Everything in our life and culture is shouAng, “Go faster! Do more!” We live at an unsustainable pace and our world calls it normal.But while our culture shouts, “Go!”, the God who loves you whispers, “Stop.” He invites you to stop running and rest in Him.Feeling exhausted today? Turn to Jesus who promises to give rest to your weary soul.

Join us for this one-week look at rest and Sabbath with Pastor Shawn Green. 

As college sports seasons start up again do you ever wonder what happened to the John 3:16 signs people used to hold up at games? Maybe you have no idea what I’m talking about.I’m Matt Limbrick from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with todays’ minute message and I’m going to tell you about it.It all started in the 1970’s and carried on for decades.People would hold up poster-board with just the words John 3:16 written on it in end-zones or sidelines. Usually where television cameras could catch it often. It’s one of the most popular and most memorized passages in the Bible today. John 3:16 says:For God so Loved the World that he gave his only son, so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.The gospel in a sentence.Believe in Jesus, accept him as the son of God and have the life God meant for you here on earth and in heaven. Sometimes I wonder what came first. Did the signs make the verse popular or was the verse chosen for the sign because it was already well known and memorized often.Regardless, there is so much packed into that thought...what if Jesus is the Son of God. What would that mean for you today?

Join us for week 13 of the Faith in Action series as we look at the joy in serving! 

Hi, this is Allen Burris from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with today’s Minute Message.A young girl, walking along the beach, notices thousands of starfish have washed up on the shore. Knowing they will soon dry out and die in the hot sun, she quickly starts throwing them back into the water.“What are you doing?” a nearby fisherman asks.“I’m saving the starfish,” the girl says proudly with determination. “If they don’t make it back into the water, they will die.”The fisherman, shaking his cynical head, says, “You can’t possibly save all of these starfish. There are thousands of them! What difference can you possibly make?”The spunky girl picks up a starfish, tosses it into the sea, looks at the man, and says, “Made a difference to that one!”Sometimes I feel powerless in a world of huge problems. How can I possibly make a difference? The answer: one person at a time. Live and love like Jesus. Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. I hope you have a great day!

In week 12 of the Faith in Action series, we talk about how to best put your faith into action! 

Election year. Everyone’s favorite year. Right? Well, maybe not. But it’s quickly approaching once again. Hi I’m Quentin Bemis from Sherwood oaks with the minute message.As we enter into that once-every-four-year season that lately has left our nation more divided than united, I would like to offer a reminder from Paul’s words in 1 Timothy as to what our heart posture should be:“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and for all who are in high positions, that we made lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”This next election year, I pray that we are a people marked by peace, not strife. By quiet, not shouting.By conversation, not condemnation.By Jesus, not political platforms.Make that your prayer today. And let’s make an impact on our nation by living godly and dignified in every way next year.

Join us for week 11 of our Faith in Action series! This weekend, Pastor Allen Burris looks at the life of Enoch from Genesis 5 and how we can please God with our faith! 

Did you know that watching the sunrise can improve your mood and reduce stress? I’ve always been an early riser, and there is just something so special about the feel of those early morning hours when the sun is just starting to wake up. Hi, I’m Maggie Mobley from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with a Minute Message. Sunrise - Those moments of the day when it’s no longer dark, but not yet fully light remind me of God’s mercy. Each day we get to awake and start again. Each night in the darkness we have the promise of the sunrise.Luke 1:78-79 says, “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”God promises light and peace with each new morning.  American poet Celia Thaxter said “Sad soul, take comfort, nor forget that sunrise never failed us yet.”  Just as the sunrise has never failed us, God’s love for us will never fail. Next time you get the chance to step outside during a sunrise, take it. And be reminded of God’s tender mercy and unfailing love. 

**Listener discretion advised: This episode of the SOCC Stories/Faith in Action podcast features testimony and discussion about alcohol abuse and addition.**In week 10 of the SOCC Stories : Faith in Action podcast, we sit down with Marshall Baker and talk about alcoholism, trusting God, what it feels like to hit rock bottom and find recovery and the journey that leads to healing. 

Join us for week 10 of the Faith in Action series as Pastor Shawn looks at a faith that saves from Joshua 2 and 6. 

In the immortal words of the band Semisonic, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”Hi, I’m Shawn from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with today’s Minute Message.It seems like just yesterday, school was letting out and summer was ramping up. But now, across our communities, students are trudging back to the classroom, which means summer is coming to an end. Like a new school year, new beginnings can be exhilarating, but they can also be nerve-wracking, too. They challenge us to leave behind what is familiar to step out of our comfort zone and try something new. But, it’s in these moments of uncertainty that we discover God’s goodness, as well as our inner strength and resilience. Jesus understands the joy and apprehension of new beginnings. He knows what it’s like to step out of what is known, familiar, and safe, to step into the unknown of something new. In a new season of life today? It can be scary and feel lonely sometimes, but you’re not alone. Turn to Jesus who will give you courage and help you discover the beauty of new beginnings. 

Join us this summer as we share life-changing, faith stories! This week, we sit down with Amy Lanham and we talk about steps of faith, how God is leading thru those steps, listening without judgment, meeting the needs that are right in front of us and praying for teachers and school administrators.Pastor Shawn mentions Jon Acuff's book "Soundtracks." You can find out more about that book here.

What does it look like to have a faith that moves? Join us for week 9 of the Faith in Action series as we look at the movement of Abraham from Hebrews 11:8-10 and Genesis 12.