Exhortations

Preaching

...at Brentwood Oaks brings the ancient words of Christian scriptures to bear directly on the choices facing us all today. During the ministry of God’s word to the church we receive teaching, encouragement and exhortation. At its best, preaching calls us to live faithfully among those who may not share our faith and it offers practical help to do it. Thinking more globally, preaching is one of the ways in which we guide the next generation to faith. The Word spoken to the congregation is always from Scripture. I invite you to come into the Assembly ready to worship and ready to hear God’s word. I ask that you to bring your Bible and to keep it open as you listen.

Where Paul Began…

Paul did not start speaking in Athens with a “common ground” idea of a generic god, and then reason along to Jesus. He started with the gospel of Jesus of Nazareth, proclaiming among the Gentile philosophers exactly what he had proclaimed among the Jewish rabbis: that God had raised him from the dead. Where Paul starts is also where he ends: with the guarantee that God will bring about judgment found in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. (Russell D. Moore, “Retaking Mars Hill” in Touchstone Magazine, Sept 2007, p 22)

May 11, 2008 - A Noble Calling - Proverbs 31

The ideal wife and mother is exalted in Proverbs 31. This Mother’s Day we give thanks for those women – mothers or not – who work hard to honor God by the choices they make – by what they will and won’t do.

May 4, 2008 - Yes and No - Matthew 5:33-37

Adam Herndon preaching, reminding us, among other thing, to be people of our word because we are a people of The Word.

Listen (3.9 MB mp3)

April 27, 2008 - At H ome in God's Family Acts 2:42-47

There's no place like home. we know it when we're at home. As one part of God's final family, we are both "at home" and "on our way home." We've been given a picture of life in the family and are called to live up to our family heritage.

Listen (5.8 MB mp3)

April 20, 2008 - Powder Keg Emotions - Matthew 5:21-30

God created us with two equally valuable qualities: we are able both to think and to feel. And as with most things, balance matters. We use our minds to understand the world and our emotions to enjoy it. Both are powerful...and either can be dangerous. In his sermon from the mountain side, Jesus warns us of the dangers which lurk when we fail to control our emotions.

Listen (6 MB mp3)

April 13, 2008 - David Gregesen Preaching

Take the Risk - James 4:13-15 We are a nation of risk-takers except, perhaps, with it means taking a risk for God.

Listen (6.6 MB mp3)

April 6, 2008 - Matthew 5:17-20 A New Lens

Charlie Johanson continues our series on our Lord's sermon from the mountainside. Jesus' fulfillment of all that was prophesied about him comes home to us as he calls us toward a new way of seeing into God's heart.

Listen (5 MB mp3)

March 30, 2008 - Matthew 5:13-16 The Children Are Watching

March 30 is _*Dedication of Parents and Children*_ Sunday at Brentwood Oaks. We come together to restate our commitments to care for all of the children of our congregation. We must keep clearly in mind that as these children grow, they will be watching to see if our lives are the salt and light of which Jesus spoke. Careful. The children are watching.

Listen (2.4 MB mp3)

March 23, 2008 - 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Remembering the Gospel

In the middle of negotiable opinions and perspectives - then and now - the gospel remains an anchor. The message is clear: Why Jesus died, why he was buried and the effect of God's having raised him out from among the dead - all of these provide a foundation for life that saves us from the shifting sands of every age, including our own.

Listen (4.5 MB mp3)

March 16, 2008 - Matthew 5:10-12 - The Life God Blesses - Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted

Persecution is the hostile reaction to the practice of the Christian faith. People are seldom persecuted for what they believe so long as they don't act out their faith. While persecution in America may be limited to insults and slander, around the world people are losing homes, family and houses of worship to persecution. Without regard to degree, we are reminded that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. So...if we have never experienced any persecution at all, how might we explain that?

Listen (6 MB mp3)