Sherwood Oaks Christian Church podcast

28:11

Maggie Mobley shares a personal story from her childhood, reflecting on a baseball game interrupted by a storm, where her mother’s protective instincts became a powerful example of how God provides safety in life's challenges. She emphasizes that we must identify the true enemy in our struggles, which is not physical but spiritual, and encourages the congregation to "armor up" with the full protection of God to withstand these battles. Using Ephesians 6 as a foundation, she elaborates on the importance of prayer, humility, and relying on God's strength instead of our own during difficult times. Ultimately, she invites everyone to adopt a posture of prayer and trust in God's victory amidst life's storms. Send us a text…

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Standing in the Gap (Humble and Hungry - Week 4) 36:06

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36:06

In his sermon, Matt Nussbaum emphasizes the importance of prayer and discusses how we can pray for others by modeling our actions after Jesus' intercessions. He outlines five key prayers that Jesus made for us in John 17: may we be one, protected from the evil one, taught the Word, made holy, and filled with joy. The sermon encourages attendees to actively incorporate these prayers into their daily lives and practice praying for others as a way to build community and strengthen faith. Ultimately, Nussbaum reminds us that Jesus continually intercedes for us, underscoring the power and significance of our prayers for one another. Send us a text…

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A New Direction (Humble and Hungry - Week 3) 30:33

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30:33

Shawn Green's sermon focuses on the theme of repentance within the context of prayer, as part of the series "Humble and Hungry." He shares a humorous story about a boy trying to manipulate God for a new bike, emphasizing that true prayer should not involve attempts to deceive God. Shawn explains that repentance requires honesty and transformation, inviting the congregation to examine their lives and identify what they need to turn away from in order to draw closer to God. He encourages practical steps in prayer, including being truthful about sin, asking for heart renewal, thanking God for His love, and committing to live differently in response to His grace. Find out more about our church here. Send us a text…

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Boldly Asking (Humble and Hungry - Week 2) 31:44

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31:44

Shawn encourages the congregation to persist in prayer despite challenges and doubts, using the analogy of the persistent widow to illustrate that God is more attentive than an unjust judge. He emphasizes the importance of being humble and hungry in our prayers, recognizing our need for God and our desire for a deeper relationship with Him. Shawn invites everyone to bring their requests to God boldly, reminding them that God hears their cries and is always at work, even during delays. He concludes by encouraging a spirit of trust in God’s timing and invites individuals to reflect on their relationship with Him as they seek to pray faithfully and consistently. To download a copy of this week's prayer card, visit our blog . Send us a text…

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Discerning the Voice of God (Humble and Hungry - Week 1) 27:57

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27:57

Shawn introduces a new seven-week series titled "Humble and Hungry," focusing on making prayer practical. He emphasizes that prayer doesn't have to be poetic but should be consistently practiced, encouraging attendees to embrace the awkwardness of prayer. The sermon highlights the importance of listening to God in prayer, which is often neglected, and provides three practical ways to discern His voice: meditate on Scripture, seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, and listen to wise counsel. Ultimately, the series aims to enrich participants' prayer lives and foster a deeper relationship with God. Send us a text…

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Together (Flourish - Week 5) 29:58

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29:58

Matt Nussbaum emphasizes the importance of love among believers in his sermon, pointing out that Jesus commanded his followers to love one another actively, reflecting on John 15. He reflects on personal experiences, noting the difficulty of loving others, especially within the church, and challenges everyone to think of someone they struggle to love. Highlighting that love in action can be uncomfortable yet transformative, he explains that this love is rooted in the command of Jesus and is essential for a flourishing soul. Ultimately, Nussbaum encourages everyone to align themselves with Jesus to enable genuine, supernatural love, which has the power to change lives and impact the world positively. Send us a text…

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Pruned (Flourish - Week 4) 34:09

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34:09

In his sermon, Shawn discusses the theme of change and transformation as illustrated by the pruning process in John chapter 15. He highlights how people often resist change due to a preference for the status quo and an overestimation of their own understanding. Shawn emphasizes that God, as the good gardener, prunes our lives to remove unhealthy aspects and to foster growth, which may involve painful losses but ultimately leads to flourishing. He invites the congregation to reflect on what God may want to prune from their lives in order to trust Him and allow for deeper transformation in the image of Christ. Send us a text…

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Sustained (Flourish - Week 3) 35:01

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35:01

In the sermon, Shawn shares the story of Kylie, who realized after nurturing a fake plant for two years that it was not real, paralleling this to how we often invest time and energy into "fake vines" in life that promise satisfaction but ultimately don't nourish us. He emphasizes that true sustenance comes from being connected to Jesus, the "true vine," and warns against the allure of fake sources of meaning, such as self-centeredness, politics, or relationships. Shawn encourages listeners to examine their lives and identify where they turn when they are struggling—reminding them that only Jesus can provide the real joy, peace, and purpose they seek. Finally, he calls for individuals to embrace the true source of life during communion, urging them to detach from unhealthy attachments and reconnect with God. Find out more about our church and ministry here: www.socc.org Send us a text…

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Connected (Flourish - Week 1) 27:28

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27:28

Shawn Green shares a profound message about the importance of prioritizing connection with Jesus over mere productivity through the story of Mary and Martha. While Martha busies herself with hospitality for Jesus and his disciples, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to his teachings, illustrating that being present with Christ is more valuable than being productive for him. Green emphasizes that genuine connection with Jesus is essential for transforming our lives and that it is by abiding in him that we bear fruit, rather than through our own efforts. He challenges the notion of performance-driven faith, reminding us that God's love and connection come freely, irrespective of our accomplishments. For more information about the survey Shawn shared, visit https://www.socc.org/bulletin/ before January 20, 2025. Send us a text…

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Anna (Faithful & Fearless - Week 5) 30:34

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30:34

In his sermon, Shawn Green discusses the concept of waiting and how it's an integral part of life, often leading to feelings of frustration and hopelessness, especially when waiting on God. He highlights the example of Anna from the Christmas story, who exemplified faithful waiting through worship and prayer during her long wait for the Messiah. Shawn emphasizes that nurturing hope through worship, steadfast prayer, and community is essential during times of waiting. Ultimately, he reassures the congregation that while waiting can be challenging, it is not wasted, as it prepares us for the fulfillment of God's promises. Send us a text…

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Rooted in the Word (Flourish - Week 1) 34:46

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34:46

Matt emphasizes that everyone is present for a purpose and encourages the congregation to read the Bible to hear from God. He introduces the topic of flourishing, contrasting it with the paths of destruction and righteousness as described in Psalm 1. The key takeaway is that true flourishing comes from delighting in God's teachings and applying them to daily life, which nurtures inner joy, peace, and purpose. Matt stresses the importance of establishing a Bible reading habit, suggesting that even starting with a verse a day can lead to a deeper relationship with God and a flourishing life. Send us a text…

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The Woman and the Dragon (Christmas Eve) 21:57

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21:57

Shawn Green delivered a profound Christmas sermon, highlighting the significance of Jesus's birth amidst a cosmic battle against evil. He pointed out that while nativity scenes depict the holy family and other familiar figures, they often omit the ominous presence of a dragon, symbolizing Satan, who was determined to thwart God's plan. Shawn emphasized that Jesus was not just a meek infant but a victorious Savior born to confront the darkness and ultimately defeat our greatest enemy. The message concluded with an encouragement to embrace the hope and light that Jesus brings, reassuring the congregation that through faith in Him, they can experience forgiveness and redemption. Send us a text…

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Mary (Faithful & Fearless - Week 4) 29:35

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29:35

During the sermon, Matt Nussbaum shares a heartfelt prayer for those experiencing sadness during the holiday season, reflecting on personal loss and the struggles others may face. He then discusses the story of Mary from Luke chapter one, emphasizing her confusion and disturbance upon receiving the news of her miraculous pregnancy, and how these feelings resonate with our own moments of crisis. Matt encourages listeners to prepare for such moments through spiritual practices, suggesting that deep faith and trust in God can guide us through confusion. Ultimately, he concludes by inviting the congregation to adopt a posture of openness and submission, mirroring Mary’s response to God’s calling in their own lives. For more information about our church, visit our website . Send us a text…

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Elizabeth (Faithful & Fearless - Week 3) 27:27

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27:27

In her sermon, Maggie emphasizes the theme of disappointment and how to find joy amidst unmet expectations through the story of Elizabeth from the Bible. Elizabeth, despite being a righteous woman, experiences deep disappointment due to her infertility yet remains faithful and obedient to God. Maggie highlights that disappointment often comes when our expectations do not align with God's plan, urging listeners to hold their expectations with an open hand. Ultimately, she encourages finding joy in the presence of God, reminding everyone that true joy comes from trusting in His goodness, even during difficult times. For more information about Sherwood Oaks, visit our website . Send us a text…

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Bathsheba (Faithful & Fearless - Week 2) 29:48

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