In this episode of our series "Thine is the Kingdom," we delve into the second week of our exploration of the eternal kingdom of God, as inspired by Jesus' teachings. The sermon begins by acknowledging the chaos and stress that often permeate our lives, inviting listeners to find sanctuary and rest in God's presence. We reflect on the historical co…

I woke up today feeling especially thankful for the people that God has put into my life. These people have helped me in so many ways – they have been there for me to offer support, to lift me up, to encourage me, and to draw me further into my relationship with Christ. Hi, I’m Maggie Mobley from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. In 1929 the Macy’s T…

In his sermon, Shawn discusses the challenges of trusting God in a chaotic world, as exemplified by the Israelites' desire for a king in 1 Samuel 8, reflecting our own tendency to seek human leaders instead of relying on divine authority. He emphasizes the importance of prayer and recognizing God's sovereignty, urging listeners to shift their focus…

Who do you resent right now? Is there a relationship you have that, when you think about it, it gives you a knot in your stomach? Hi, I’m Noah Saylor here at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. When we look at the Beatitude of the Peacemaker, Jesus says that those who make peace with others will be called ‘children of God.’ Just like how kids resemble …

In his sermon, Shawn emphasizes the surprising nature of Jesus' final beatitude, which states that those who are persecuted for righteousness will be blessed. This teaching challenges the expectation that following Jesus would lead to universal approval, instead preparing believers for opposition and ridicule. Shawn distinguishes between genuine pe…

In his sermon, Noah discusses the importance of being a peacemaker as highlighted in the seventh Beatitude from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing that true peace requires effort and can often be messy. He draws parallels between conflict resolution and cleaning, asserting that while the process may seem daunting, the satisfaction of achieving…

Pete Rose, in my opinion, one of the greatest baseball players ever died recently. Pete Rose was my boyhood hero. I loved him and loved the Big Red Machine–the Cincinnati Reds. Hi, I am Allen Burris with a short message for you. Pete Rose was called Charlie Hustle, and I wanted to be like him. When I was 11, our little league team won the champions…

Matt shares insights from his extensive preaching experience, emphasizing the importance of being "pure in heart" as described by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. He explains that purity is not merely about external behaviors or appearances, as the Pharisees believed, but about the internal condition of the heart, highlighting contempt as a key ob…

The sermon explores the challenges of showing kindness and mercy to those who have hurt us, including ourselves. It emphasizes that true mercy reflects the character of God, who is compassionate and gracious, as illustrated through stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Shawn highlights how withholding mercy can trap us in our pain, while ex…

The word Abide means to remain or to live. In the Bible, the word abide is used to describe a deep and unwavering commitment to God and His word. Hi, I’m Maggie Mobley from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. In John 15 Jesus uses a beautiful metaphor of a vine and branches to talk to us about our relationship with him. He says “Abide in me, and I in y…

Today, Shawn celebrates the 10th anniversary of Iglesia Hispana, emphasizing its embodiment of the beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." He explains righteousness as the intersection of holiness—our relationship with God—and justice—our actions toward others, encouraging the congregation to care for the marginalize…

The sermon focuses on the Beatitudes, particularly the statement "blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matt emphasizes that true meekness is a posture of trust toward God, requiring individuals to bend their wills and desires to His will, rather than seeking self-promotion or allowing themselves to be passive. Through various per…

Have you noticed that a lot of people are upset and angry about a lot of things? Hi, I’m Allen Burris from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church My habit is to read the Bible first thing every morning. A few days ago, I came across some simple but jarring words, especially in a cultural context of provocation and angry expressions. These words are found n…

Shawn Green reflects on the difficult experience of caring for his mother during her decline, revealing the emotional burden he carried while managing her healthcare from a distance. After her passing, he felt overwhelmed with responsibilities and guilt, believing he wasn't doing enough for his family and church, which prevented him from grieving p…

We live in a more divided world than ever. From politics to identity issues to generational gaps, our culture loves to highlight all the ways that we are different from one another. But Jesus offers a different way. A better way. My name is Quentin and I’m one of the pastors here at Sherwood Oaks. Jesus came onto the scene in a time full of many of…

Shawn Green delves into the concept of the "blessed life" as illustrated by the parable of a young man from a wealthy family who seeks independence and adventure, only to find himself in desperation after squandering his inheritance. This story reveals that true blessing is not found in material wealth or worldly experiences, but rather in recogniz…

I recently spent a lot of time watching the Olympics and the amazing athletes that participated. I watched many track and field events and was always in awe of the runners and their speed, endurance, and tenacity. When I watched them race it got me thinking about how we each run our own race, even if it’s not on an Olympic stage. Hi, I’m Maggie Mob…

In this sermon, Shawn concludes the series "Asking for a Friend" by addressing challenging questions about faith and the doctrine of hell, emphasizing that it's a safe community for inquiry. He highlights the importance of connect groups for fostering relationships and discussing faith openly. Shawn explores biblical teachings on hell, explaining t…

Matt introduces himself as a new pastor at Sherwood Oaks and addresses the challenging question of whether it is arrogant to claim Jesus is the only way to God. He emphasizes the importance of sincerity in belief while arguing that truth matters more than mere sincerity, referencing Jesus' assertion in John 14 that He is "the way, the truth, and th…

The sermon "We have science, do we need faith?" by Shawn Green from the series "Asking for a Friend" explores doubts and questions about faith, emphasizing the compatibility of faith and science. He encourages humility and respect in discussions about religion and science, showcasing how they can coexist and even complement each other. Through exam…

Shawn Green delves into the theme of desire, revealing how our earthly desires ultimately point to a longing for the presence of God in heaven. Using Psalm 84, he illustrates the deep yearning for God's dwelling place and emphasizes the fulfillment found in God's presence. Through personal stories and analogies, Shawn explains the challenges and re…

Shawn reflects on his sabbatical in the sermon "Rest," emphasizing the importance of rest and reflection. He shares personal experiences and how sabbatical helped him find balance in ministry and value in his unique calling. The sermon centers on Psalm 23, exploring God as the shepherd providing rest and guidance. Shawn encourages trusting in the L…

In his sermon "Unity," Tim Thompson discusses Psalm 133, highlighting the beauty of God's people living in harmony. Using metaphors like anointing oil and dew, he illustrates the blessings of unity spreading far and wide. Emphasizing Jesus as the unifying force, he encourages believers to make every effort to maintain unity. The sermon concludes wi…

In the sermon "Majestic Heavens" by Allen Burris from the series "Summer in the Psalms," the focus is on God's majesty and presence. The speaker delves into the power and authority of God as shown in the heavens, connecting it to feelings of darkness and silence in life. Through references to biblical figures and astronomy, the sermon encourages li…

Grant's sermon, "The Living Word," focuses on the significance of God's word, emphasizing the importance of reading and sharing the Bible. He discusses the Hebrew acrostic poem in Psalm 119, showcasing the deep love for God's law expressed by the psalmist. Drawing from church history, he calls on believers to follow God's law with humility and unde…

The sermon on Psalm 51 discusses confession, repentance, and God's forgiveness, with a personal analogy about mistakes. Biblical examples like Isaiah and Peter show the importance of acknowledging sin before God. Emphasizing surrender and true repentance, Matt highlights God's grace for all, regardless of sins severity. The call to action urges bel…

The sermon "God Helps the Helpless" from the series "Summer in the Psalms" by Pastor Allen focuses on Psalm 3 and David's trust in God in threatening situations. It discusses King David's life, highlighting his poor choices and the consequences, yet showcasing his continued trust in God's love. The sermon explores the inscription of Psalm 3 and its…

As I lead a group of 4th and 5th graders at VBX this year I’m reminded of the year before I moved to Blooming to work as Worship Arts Minister here at Sherwood Oaks I had taken some time out of full time ministry. Looking back I see I was burned out and needed some time to heal. But I never stepped back from the Lord! I found a local church I conne…

In the month of June, we are featuring preachers from around the state of Indiana. This weekend, we are featuring Kevin Brimmer from First Christian Church in Newbough, Indiana. Kevin Bremner, from First Christian Church in Indiana, discusses the impact of Hoosiers series, acknowledging mentors who influenced his faith journey. He highlights the ke…

Bad stuff happens, and it can make us bitter. Hi, I’m Allen Burris from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. Naomi means pleasant. Life has a way, though, of changing the pleasant, not simply to unpleasant, but to bitterness. It happened to Naomi in the Story of Ruth found in the Bible. Naomi lost her husband and her two sons to death. As a result, she’…

This month, as part of our Hoosiers series, we are inviting our favorite preachers from around the state of Indiana to come and share with us. This weekend, Scott Kenworthy from Owensboro Christian Church in Kentucky. Scott Kenworthy's sermon "The Emptiness of Escapism" delves into Ecclesiastes, highlighting life's meaninglessness without God. He w…

The book of Hosea is a very strange book in the Old Testament. It tells the story of a prophet in ancient Israel who was commanded by God to marry a prostitute and have children with her. But Hosea’s wife continues in her unfaithfulness, and God uses this as a lesson in his faithfulness. Hi I’m Quentin Bemis, one of the pastors here at Sherwood Oak…

This month, while Shawn Green is on sabbatical, we are featuring preachers from around the state of Indiana. This weekend, former lead pastor of Sherwood Oaks, now retired, Tom Ellsworth is preaching. Tom Ellsworth's sermon, "God's Prescription for Stress and Worry," encourages finding joy and peace amid life's challenges by trusting in God and mai…

People who spend 6 to 7 hours each day with family and friends are 12 times as likely to feel joyful rather than feeling stressed or anxious. This is because we are people created for relationships and people that desire to be together. Hi, I’m Maggie Mobley from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. These statistics support what many of us feel – that p…

In the month of June, we will be featuring guest preachers from around the state of Indiana. Our second is Andrew Cullen from First Christian Church in Nashville, IN. In the sermon "Expectations vs Experiences,"Andrew delves into Elijah's wilderness story to help us navigate the gap between our expectations and reality in life. He parallels the dis…

In the month of June, we will be featuring guest preachers from around the state of Indiana. Our first is Rick Grover from East 91st Street in Indianapolis. Rick Grover's sermon highlights the biblical story of Noah's close encounter with God, emphasizing the transformative power of such experiences. He draws parallels between pop culture's fascina…

Josh Reynolds explores the importance of Sabbath in our identity and relationship with God, connecting it to Jesus' life and ministry. He emphasizes Sabbath as a time of restoration and rest for all, challenging traditional views by highlighting Jesus' healing acts on the Sabbath. The sermon discusses the biblical origins of Sabbath and its evoluti…

In one his books, John Wooden–the legendary basketball couch who grew up in Martinsville–tells a story from his childhood. Hi! I’m Allen Burris from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. Wooden says, We had a team of mules named Jack and Kate on our farm. Kate would often get stubborn and lie down on me when I was plowing. I couldn’t get her up no matter…

The sermon "Sabbath: Celebrate" focuses on the significance of rest and celebration in our hectic lives, urging alignment with God's rhythms of rest to avoid burnout. David underscores the value of intentionally celebrating the Sabbath and festivals as a means of reconnecting with God and expressing gratitude. By delving into the meaning behind key…

You know that feeling you get when you open up your favorite social media app to waste time on, you see someone else’s highlight reel, and begin comparing it to your behind-the-scenes moments? That feeling of insecurity, lack of purpose or identity, of not feeling “good enough”? I’ve been there too. Hi, I’m Quentin Bemis, a pastor at Sherwood Oaks,…

Shawn's sermon "Rest for Your Family" on Mother's Day highlights the importance of Sabbath rest and honoring mothers. He emphasizes the need to recognize our limits and embrace the gift of Sabbath to refuel and reconnect with what truly matters. Drawing from Exodus 20:8-11, he explains that Sabbath is a day of rest meant for families to slow down, …

Gold is one of the most versatile and useful minerals known to man. You can find gold in many family heirlooms, and beautiful pieces of jewelry, but you can also find gold in airplane control systems, computers, and smartphones. The melting point of gold is 1,948 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hot enough to burn through car engines and even the Earth’s…

Shawn's sermon "Stop" emphasizes the importance of rest and finding significance in God rather than worldly achievements. He shares anecdotes about Legos to illustrate the tendency to add more when faced with challenges. Shawn encourages prioritizing rest by following biblical rhythms like Sabbath and taking time off to reflect on our identity in G…

Have you ever tried to fix something, only to make things worse? Hi, I’m Shawn from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, with today’s minute message. Mount Walker, near Seattle, Washington, is known for its remarkable views. People from all over come to hike the trails and marvel at the beauty around them. Recently, a woman found herself in a not-so-bea…

Shawn's sermon "A Guide to Becoming Unoffendable" discusses changing default settings from anger to grace, emphasizing humility and love inspired by Christ. He presents biblical references from Genesis and Romans to show how Jesus desires to transform our hearts towards mercy and unity. A guest speaker highlights the impact of love in a hostile env…

I have nothing to prove but I have an example to set. Hi, I’m Allen Burris from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. The other morning, while running, I was listening to a podcast about a guy who was diagnosed with brain cancer. He decided, even during treatment, that he would become an Ironman triathlete. The Ironman triathlon is a 2.4-mile swim, a 112…

The sermon "But It's Righteous Anger" discusses the difference between righteous and self-righteous anger, highlighting the importance of humility and God's mercy. The speakers use biblical references and personal stories to illustrate how to recognize and overcome self-righteousness. They emphasize the need to extend forgiveness and mercy to other…

There are moments in life where we feel like we've hit a wall and we just don't know where to turn. Or maybe you've found yourself the victim of circumstances outside of your control, dazed and confused. Hi I'm Quentin Bemis from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with today's minute message. In the book of 2nd Chronicles chapter 20 we find King Jehosh…

In the sermon "Everyone is Annoying But Me?" Shawn discusses feeling annoyed with others and emphasizes extending grace. He highlights our default setting of being easily offended, rooted in our brokenness with God and one another. By curating what we consume and aligning our hearts with Jesus, we can break free from anger and judgment. The sermon …

The average adult walks 5,000 steps each day. A toddler, however, walks an average of 14 thousand steps, or 2 and a half miles every day. Toddlers may take baby steps, but those small steps cover a lot of distance. Hi, I’m Maggie Mobley from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. People, both young and old, take many steps each day. We walk in our own way…