Oak Grove Baptist Church

The sermon, drawn from 1 Peter 3:10–12 and Psalm 34, presents a compelling call to moral and spiritual integrity rooted in the believer's identity in Christ. It emphasizes that the motivation for righteous living—refraining from deceitful speech, turning from evil, and actively pursuing peace—is not merely ethical but deeply connected to the promise of experiencing God's favor, answered prayer, and the assurance of His presence. The preacher underscores that while believers are simultaneously saints and sinners, their sanctified conduct reflects their union with Christ and their hope in eternal life, even amid ongoing spiritual warfare. The passage warns that persistent sin, especially in speech and attitude, can hinder communion with God, yet affirms that God's grace remains secure for those in Christ, even when His face seems hidden in discipline. Ultimately, the message calls for a life of deliberate holiness, grounded in divine calling and sustained by the confidence that only in Christ is true acceptance and eternal life found.

The sermon centers on the Christian imperative to forgive others as God has forgiven us, drawing from key passages in 1 Peter, Romans, Ephesians, and Matthew's model prayer. It emphasizes that forgiveness is not denial of harm, nor is it reconciliation, but a deliberate choice to release anger and break the cycle of retaliation, modeled by Christ on the cross and Stephen in his martyrdom. The preacher underscores that true forgiveness begins with receiving God's grace, which enables believers to extend mercy even when offenders never repent. He calls for practical application, especially within the home, and warns that unforgiveness reveals a lack of personal repentance, while forgiveness frees both the giver and the receiver from inner torment. Ultimately, the sermon calls the church to embody Christ's example, trusting that God alone judges rightly, and to live as sons of the Father by practicing mercy and grace.

The sermon centers on the Christian call to reject retaliation and instead respond to harm with blessing, mercy, and love, grounded in the example of Christ and the transformative power of divine grace. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:8–9, it emphasizes that true unity, compassion, and humility must be accompanied by the radical command not to repay evil with evil, rooted in the biblical principle that vengeance belongs to God alone. The preacher underscores the hypocrisy of seeking offense while rejecting accountability, and illustrates how Jesus' teaching in Luke 6—loving enemies, praying for persecutors, and turning the other cheek—challenges natural inclinations toward revenge, calling believers to embody Christ's self-control and mercy. This ethic is not a call to passivity but to active, Spirit-led non-retaliation, reflecting the divine character who sends rain on both the just and unjust. Ultimately, the passage points to the believer's identity as one called to inherit eternal blessing through faith in Christ, whose reconciling work on the cross transforms enemies into sons and daughters of God, compelling a life of forgiveness and grace.

The sermon centers on the urgent call to Christian unity, rooted in Christ and grounded in truth, as exemplified by Peter's exhortation to be of one mind, compassionate, brotherly, and tenderhearted. It confronts the dangers of false prophecy and spiritual deception—illustrated by a recent viral claim of Christ's imminent return—highlighting how such movements stem from pride, isolation, and a rejection of biblical authority and ecclesiastical unity. The preacher emphasizes that true Christian love manifests in prayer, mutual support, and mercy, countering the numbing effect of statistics and cultural desensitization by calling believers to see the human reality behind every tragedy. Humility, born of recognizing total dependence on God rather than comparing oneself to others, is presented as the foundation for genuine courtesy and civility, especially in a world marked by digital hostility. Ultimately, the message affirms that unity, love, and humility are not optional ideals but essential marks of the redeemed, flowing from a life shaped by Christ, the truth, and the Spirit. The sermon calls for Christian unity rooted in Christ, rejecting false prophecies and cultural desensitization, and calls believers to live out compassion, brotherly love, and humility as expressions of a life transformed by truth and mercy.

The sermon explores the enduring relevance of 1 Peter, emphasizing the Christian's identity as strangers and pilgrims in the world, called to live with honor and submit to God's design for marriage and governance. Drawing on illustrations from everyday life, the message underscores the importance of remembering baptism and the power of godly behavior, particularly for wives, to influence even the unconverted. It cautions against interpreting Scripture through contemporary cultural debates, advocating instead for a faithful adherence to biblical principles regarding gender roles and marital submission, ultimately pointing to Christ as the source of wisdom, righteousness, and redemption, and encouraging listeners to find peace and joy through Him.

The sermon explores the concept of godliness, moving beyond a simple definition of its opposite to examine its presence in Scripture, particularly in the writings of Paul. It emphasizes that godliness is intrinsically linked to aligning with the character of God, demonstrated through prayer for those in authority, rejecting worldly temptations, and striving for a life of contentment. Ultimately, the sermon reveals that the mystery of godliness is embodied in Christ, whose life and actions serve as the ultimate model for believers seeking to live a life of faith, hope, and obedience, ultimately leading to a life free from worldly confusion and aligned with God's design.

The sermon centers on the profound significance of Christ's sacrifice as a penal substitute for humanity's sins, drawing heavily from 1 Peter 3:18, Isaiah 53, and Leviticus 16 to illustrate the necessity of atonement and the fulfillment of divine justice. It emphasizes the concept of substitutionary sacrifice, where Christ, the righteous one, bore the penalty for the unrighteous, offering a once-for-all offering that secures pardon and transfers righteousness to believers. The message underscores the importance of understanding Christ's work not only as forgiveness but also as the provision of a righteousness that enables believers to approach God, ultimately highlighting the transformative power of the gospel and the assurance of freedom from condemnation through faith in Christ.

Due to a recording error, the last five minutes of the sermon are not available. The sermon explores the intermediate state of believers after death, clarifying that it is not a period of soul sleep, purgatorial purification, or the final state of existence. Instead it is the place of the existence of disembodied spirits, a conscious presence with Christ in anticipation of the resurrection. Drawing from Scripture, particularly Luke 16 and Hebrews 12, the message emphasizes the believer's immediate glorification and joyful expectation of receiving a perfect, resurrected body in the new heavens and new earth, ultimately highlighting the assurance of eternal life through faith in Christ and the promise of reunion with Him.

The sermon explores the profound implications of Christ's ascension, asserting that it is not a consolation but a significant gift, rooted in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the Trinity's indivisible nature. Drawing from Scripture, including John 14 and Acts 1, the message emphasizes Christ's physical ascension to a specific location, evidenced by His bodily form and anticipated return, and highlights the enduring marks of His sacrifice as a testament to His glory and the assurance of salvation for believers. Ultimately, the sermon conveys a message of hope and anticipation for a future reunion with Christ in a place of rest and eternal worship, where believers will fully comprehend the depth of their salvation through the Lamb who was slain.

The sermon explores the often-overlooked reality of Christ's presence between his ascension and second coming, challenging the notion of absence despite scriptural passages suggesting otherwise. Drawing on passages from John, Colossians, and Romans, it reconciles apparent contradictions by emphasizing the indwelling of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—within believers, highlighting that Christ's promise to abide with his followers is fulfilled through the Spirit. Ultimately, the message underscores the profound significance of Christ's ongoing presence and encourages reliance on his character rather than fleeting feelings, affirming the reality of divine indwelling for all who have faith.

The sermon explores the theological concept of God's decrees, emphasizing that God's actions, both in creation and providence, are rooted in His eternal purpose and will, not reactions to external events. Drawing from Scripture, particularly Ephesians 1 and Isaiah 40, it highlights God's sovereignty and predestination, asserting that all things come to pass according to His predetermined plan, while simultaneously affirming the importance of union with Christ and a humble recognition of God's perfect knowledge, ultimately offering a foundation for peace and trust in the face of life's uncertainties.

The sermon ends at 42.54, the recorder was left on by mistake. The sermon explores the concept of changeability in human experience, contrasting it with the immutable nature of God. Drawing from Scripture, particularly Malachi 3 and James 1, it emphasizes God's unchanging essence as Creator and source of all good gifts, offering a refuge and security for believers. It cautions against attributing emotions or passions to God, highlighting His perfect and unwavering love, and underscores the comfort and confidence derived from knowing God's promises and character remain steadfast, offering a foundation for faith and assurance.

The sermon emphasizes the critical distinction between the Creator and the creature, challenging common misconceptions about God's need for human companionship or validation. Drawing on Scripture, particularly Psalm 50 and Acts 17, it argues that God is inherently self-sufficient, independent, and aseity, existing beyond human comprehension and requiring nothing from creation. This understanding profoundly impacts worship, urging believers to recognize God's sovereignty and grace rather than attributing to Him human-like emotions or dependencies, ultimately highlighting His eternal love and saving power that transcends human limitations.

The sermon explores the concept of Christian liberty, distinguishing it from worldly freedom and emphasizing its true meaning as deliverance from sin, Satan, and the condemnation of God's law. It challenges the common misconception of liberty as the right to do as one pleases, instead highlighting it as the freedom to serve God and delight in His commands, ultimately leading to a clear understanding of right and wrong. Drawing on Scripture, including passages from 1 Peter, Matthew, and Colossians, the message underscores that true liberty stems from recognizing Christ's work in believers' lives, fostering a spirit of obedience and sacrificial love rather than a pursuit of permissible boundaries.

The sermon explores the challenging instruction for enslaved individuals within a historical context, emphasizing that their submission to masters, even harsh ones, can glorify God. Drawing from 1 Peter 2, the message highlights Christ's example of enduring suffering without retaliation, demonstrating a commitment to divine judgment and ultimately offering healing and redemption. The speaker underscores that regardless of circumstance, believers are part of Christ's royal family and equally loved, called to live with conscience towards God, reflecting Christ's grace and ultimately returning to Him as Shepherd and Overseer of their souls.

The sermon emphasizes the Christian's responsibility to submit to governing authorities, viewing this obedience as an act of submission to God and a means of demonstrating a positive influence on the world. Drawing from 1 Peter, it explores the importance of honorable conduct among non-believers, highlighting that submission isn't blind but rather a strategic approach to glorify God and potentially lead others to faith. The message underscores the purpose of authority – both punishing wrongdoing and praising good deeds – and cautions against the lust for power, urging believers to engage with civic life responsibly and prayerfully, recognizing their role as ambassadors for Christ within society.

The sermon explores the challenging reality of Christian identity within a world that often misunderstands and opposes faith, drawing from 1 Peter 2. It emphasizes that believers, as sojourners and pilgrims, are fundamentally different and called to abstain from fleshly lusts, maintaining honorable conduct even amidst criticism. The message underscores that good works, though potentially provoking negative reactions, ultimately serve to glorify God, particularly when they contribute to a divine visitation—a moment of spiritual awakening or conversion. Ultimately, the sermon calls for self-control and a life lived in accordance with God's grace, recognizing that every action should reflect and honor His preeminence.

In a time where what someone self-identifies seems to settle things, the reality is what God identifies you takes all precedent. How He identifies the believer is given in these verses.

Jesus rose body and soul, it wouldn't be a true resurrection any other way. Often we look at what He did as if it were some separate miraculous act. Jesus never did anything just for Himself, and the resurrection is a prime example.

According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again.

a New Year Message

This is the third installment on the Servant songs of Isaiah

Isaiah's songs about the work of Christ

Four common conditions prior to salvation.

A Lord's Supper meditation

"Though He justifies the ungodly, He does not justify their ungodliness, He takes us from it, He will not leave us to die in it." John Gill