Tag Archives: I am Called to

4/14 – NEW MEMBER DESSERTS

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Interested in committing to Oakland as Member? Wonder what that entails? What are membership requirements and expectations?

All good questions that we’re going to work through over four Tuesday nights in April and May as we eat delicious desserts at Pastor Andrew’s house.

New Member Desserts
Tuesday Nights @ 7PM (April 14, 21, 28, and May 5)
Pastor Andrew’s Place

RSVP for directions to secretary@oaklandpresbyterianchurch.org

SERMON: The Way of Jesus (Part 9) – I am Called to PRAY

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 The Way of Jesus (Part 9): I am Called to PRAY
Praying for OURs not MYs

Pastor Andrew Ruth
March 8, 2015
Matthew 8:6-13
Phil 4:6-7

Remember P.R.A.Y.

Praise

Celebrate God's goodness. Make much of God. Point out what he has done well, beautifully, creatively, redemptively, and lovingly. 

Repent

Acknowledge failures - when I did what I should not or did not do what I should. Decide to take real steps to fight such habitual sin. 

Ask [for others]

Pray for others. The sick, the poor, the victimized, the Church, your enemies, your neighbors, marriages, children, teachers, governments, etc. 

Yourself

Lastly remember yourself. Pour out your heart to God and trust that he cares. Remember not to pray for yourself, things you cannot also pray in good conscious for others. "OUR daily bread." "forgive OUR debts." "Lead US not into temptation." 

Further recommended reading on PRAYER:

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you only read 5 books to augment your walk with Jesus in the next 10 years, make sure this is one of them. His chapter on Prayer (Chpt 3) is a great starting point for learning to pray.

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Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference

Philip Yancey is one of the best pastors/writers/thinkers of our time. Following in Max Lucado or or John Stott's shoes, Yancey's book on prayer is a thorough going treatment of the Biblical texts, Christian theology, and finally practical advice. It is appropriate for people wrestling with philosophical questions about prayer, before they can even start praying.

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This sermon series includes a weekly Bible Reading Plan.  Each week we read in preparation for the sermon coming next week. Next week we will finish our sermon series by discussing The Way of Jesus - I am called to DIE, so this week we will be reading about "taking up our cross" using this WEEK 10 READING PLAN. Tips and suggested questions available on the PDF.

TheWayOfJesus-I am called to - Week 10 Reading Slide

SERMON: The Way of Jesus (Part 8) – I am Called to SEEK UNITY

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The Way of Jesus (Part 8): I am Called to SEEK UNITY
"that they may all be one."

Pastor Andrew Ruth
March 1, 2015
Matthew 18:15-21
John 17:20-23

Due to technical difficulties, audio and video of this sermon is not available at this time. We hope to rectify this problem shortly. 

Until we get the sermon up in its entirety, let these points remind you of our discussion yesterday. 
The Unity of the Church reflects that God is Unity and Trinity. God is the Eternal Three-In-One. Forever One God in Three Persons. Church Unity is derivative of God's Unity. 
The Unity of the Church reflects that God is MISSIONAL. God is the Missionary, as God the Father sends God the Son in the power of God the Holy Spirit to save and rescue and recreate human beings and all of Creation. The Church is United by a common Hero, a common Rescue, and now a Common Mission to rescue and save lost human beings. 
The Unity of the Church reflects that GOD IS LOVE. For God so loved the world that he SENT his only Son. A Missionary God is the only God. God the Father loves God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, and together they love humanity, by embarking on a daring rescue mission. Our love for one another makes it possible for hurt people to believe that a Loving God could exist. 
So, we must be united. We must be One. We must wrestle with one another rather than run away from one another.
1. We cannot argue over insignificant stuff like paint colors, dinner menus, or A/C temperatures.
2. We cannot keep jumping churches every time offense is given or taken. Friction is one of the tools God uses to shape us. We cannot grow without roots, and roots take time embedded in the soil.
3. We must try to forgive. We must work at it, and when it's not easy, we must work to get help from the leaders in the congregation and from our friends. We must try with all our might to work towards making amends, and destroying resentment. 
4. We must protect one another's reputation by refraining from gossip. 
This sermon series includes a weekly Bible Reading Plan.  Each week we read in preparation for the sermon coming next week. Next week we will discuss The Way of Jesus - I am called to PRAY, so this week we will be reading about unity and reconciliation using this WEEK 9 READING PLAN. Tips and suggested questions available on the PDF.

TheWayOfJesus-I am called to - Week 9 Reading Slide