Going a Long Way in a Short Life

1 Peter 4:1-11

Teacher: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

According to a study done in 2021, 1 in 4 Americans volunteer their time in nonprofit organizations. In a separate study done in 2023, it was reported that the percentage of church members who volunteer their time is about 1 in 5. While the numbers aren’t too different (and different studies yield varying results), that’s where the problem lies isn’t it?

As the body of Christ, giving our time and resources should involve every single one of us. Isn’t that what would make the world stop and stare? To see a group of people otherwise unacquainted spending their free time and talents on serving each other.

Tomorrow morning we will hear more about Peter’s letter giving instruction on how the church should live in a way that stands out from the world.

The Sovereign Suffering Savior

1 Peter 3:17-22

Teacher: Charlie Koopman, Worship & Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

Have you ever played on a sports team and had a coach who had never played the sport themselves? It doesn’t seem like the greatest idea, but it happens. What usually ends up happening? The players don’t trust the coach! They think, “Yeah yeah, you’re yelling at us, but you couldn’t do this!” Compare that with the trust that comes from a coach who has been through it all and instructs from a place of tried-and-true wisdom. Night and day difference!

As we run our Christian race, we can do it knowing that our Savior “coach” has already run it perfectly! He felt every anguish, every temptation, every pain and hurdle; He has been through all of it, came out the other side perfectly, and has come back to coach us through it. Tomorrow morning, come and listen to what our Suffering Savior has done for you!

Peacemaking and Coffee

1 Peter 3:8-16

Teacher: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

In the late 19th century, the Colt .45 SAA revolver was given the nickname “Peacemaker.” One suggested theory on why it was called the Peacemaker has to do with its popular use among lawmen, and with it being the weapon of choice in the Wild West. The idea is that you would comply with the demands of the owner of the revolver, thereby enforcing “peace.”

Thankfully, Almighty God calls us to a much better, true peace both with Himself and with other believers. The God of all peace has set forth the guidelines for His children to follow and put into practice. With so much to celebrate tomorrow during our Grand Opening, please come and be encouraged through the preaching of His Word and learn how to cultivate peace in your life and the lives of those around you.

The Christian Superpower

1 Peter 3:1-7

Teacher: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

A common scene when a younger child receives a brand new LEGO set is that they open all the packages, dump the pieces into one big pile, and begin to put them together at random, leaving the instruction book cast aside and forgotten. Naturally, frustration ensues, and the child becomes less than eager to press on and finish the project. The resulting creation looks nothing like the picture on the box.

Much of the world approaches marriage in the same way. The excitement of the wedding day causes the instruction book to become a distant memory, and the bride & groom begin piecing together their new partnership at random. After a while they take a step back and see that it looks nothing like they thought it would. Frustration ensues, and they become less than eager to press on. Tomorrow morning, we will hear Peter give the instructions for marriage, what pieces are needed, and how it should look.

The Christian Superpower

1 Peter 2:18-25

Teacher: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

Superheroes have become a large part of modern culture. Audiences everywhere are drawn to these larger-than-life characters displaying awe-inspiring powers and abilities. In more recent years there has been an increased interest in learning about a superhero’s origin story—the “where it all began” explanation that led to the character becoming super.

Christians have their own origin story, and it began about 2,000 years ago on an old, rugged cross. Jesus’ death paved the way for believers to become new creations, capable of unthinkable deeds. Much like Peter Parker awakening with new super abilities from the radioactive spider venom coursing through his veins, Christians awaken to a new life filled with the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God Himself.

Foreigners at War

1 Peter 2:11-17

Teacher: Brent Buttermore, Missions, Outreach, & Kids Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

In an effort to preserve endangered animals, scientists have created programs to breed those animals in captivity and then release them into the wild. Unfortunately, the captive-bred animals often do not survive after being released. They’re not accustomed to the environment, they haven’t learned enough survival skills, and they don’t fear humans enough to stay away from poachers. They become foreigners in their own land.

Likewise, we become foreigners and aliens when we bear the name of Christ. We look, act, and think differently. There is a great temptation to blend in and ease the strain, however Peter reminds us that Jesus has paved the way for us to live joyfully as foreigners as we await our true home. Join us tomorrow for a time of equipping and encouraging in the Word.

Stumbling or Standing?

1 Peter 2:4-10

Teacher: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

On January 2, 1922, the Texas A & M Aggies faced off against Centre College, the nation’s top-ranked football team. As the grueling game pressed on, the team was low on energy and morale. An ex-football player, E. King Gill, was called on for backup. He suited up and stood on the sidelines at the ready, waiting to step in. He had never played for the Aggies, but at that moment, he was an Aggie as far as he knew—the famous 12th Man. This tremendous show of support was exactly what the team needed. They won the game. Gill was never called in.

When God calls a sinner to repentance, to walk in newness of life, He calls them into a whole family of fellow sinners-saved-by-grace. Tomorrow morning, we will dig into this truth about God’s chosen people.

Purified and Born Again

1 Peter 1:22-2:3

Teacher: Blaine Dennison, Congregational Care Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

Dr. Chris van Tulleken set out on a 30-day quest to discover what happens to the body on a diet of ultra-processed food (UPF). He found himself consuming more and more calories as time went on, yet he rarely felt full. One night he remarked, “I’m not enjoying it, but I can’t stop.” The UPFs were causing him to want to eat increasingly more even while physically he was feeling worse. With a similar introspection, the Apostle Peter calls us to take care of our spiritual diet by consuming what is good and putting off the junk that stunts our growth. Is your heart feeling sluggish and insatiable? Do you crave what you know you shouldn’t? Join us tomorrow morning for a spiritual checkup and learn how to get your heart in shape.

New Birth, New Love

1 Peter 1:1-9

Teacher: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

There was a powerful king who was preparing for his son’s fast-approaching wedding day; the palace grounds were filled with hustle and bustle as servants dashed about. The excitement was palpable, and it was all the king could talk about. Finally, the day arrived, and the feast was prepared with decadent treats, the finest meats, the sweetest fruits. The king sent out his fastest servants to call on the guests. He and his son eagerly awaited inside the beautifully ornate chapel for their friends and family to fill the seats and join in the celebration. After too much time had passed, the king was astonished to see his servants return alone. “Where are the guests?” he inquired. The servants nervously glanced at each other and stammered, “Th-they’re not c-coming, Your Majesty.”

Scripture tells us that God is preparing for a glorious wedding day. Come join us tomorrow morning to hear how this should impact us today!

New Birth, New Love

1 Peter 1:1-9

Teacher: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

Little Louise McMorris was born with oculocutaneous albinism type 1, which causes nystagmus and a misrouting of ocular nerves from the absence of melanin. Little Louise was given a very special pair of glasses as a baby that allowed her to see her mother for the very first time. When the glasses were placed on her, Louise lit up and locked eyes with her mama. Her mother said, “It’s like she really saw me.” Her mother had always been there, but Louise didn’t have the eyes to see her. Right now, as Christians, we have faith that allows us to see dimly as through veiled glass, but one day we will see Christ clearly and our faith will become reality. How does this truth impact your life now? How should we then live? Come hear what Scripture has to say about our faith and its life-changing impact.

Come. Come. Come. Come!

Isaiah 55

Teacher: Jon Morales, Lead Pastor at Oak Pointe Church

In almost every post-apocalyptic novel and film, there is a catastrophic event that virtually destroys the economy and cripples the infrastructure of America. There is an inescapable leveling that takes place because of that: the rich and poor are suddenly in the same position. Whether you own a million dollars or ten dollars, it won’t buy you anything! You can either cling to a currency that won’t get you what you need, or you can acknowledge your desperate need for help. And so it is with all of man before the cross of Christ: all must admit their desolation and need. The command is to come and receive, not come and bring. Tomorrow morning, hear the gracious Lord telling you to come and hold your empty hands open.