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Greetings Oak Hill,
The final week of April is upon us and as we close another month of living in this new normal, I hope that each of us can reflect on just some of the many ways that we saw the Lord work, move, and show His faithfulness to us even amid some challenging and uncertain times. As Drew shared with us from this past Sunday as we wrapped up our sermon series looking at the unchanging character and nature of God, Jesus is our Rock that provides an unshakable and sure foundation for us to place our lives. It is this and only His foundation that keeps us steady and assured as so much of our lives have been shifted in these unprecedented times. We can have confidence, faith, and trust that this Rock will be unmoved in giving us what we need to grow and strengthen our faith in His grace and truth. It is in this idea of growing and strengthening our faith that we move into looking at the book of Colossians for the month of May. Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul to a group of believers who were needing the assurance and reminders of the trust they can have in the truth of the Gospel. It alone has the power to save and the ability to give true life. Even though we are bombarded with lots of messages that are in conflict with the message of Scripture, we can be “rooted and established” in what we have been taught and know to be true as believers in Christ. In Colossians 2, Paul writes: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” This is our hope and prayer too in these times: that we would find ourselves clinging and sinking our roots into the one true source that supplies and offers all we could ever need for life, that we would grow and be strengthened in our faith, and that we would overflow in thankfulness to the Lord for what He has done and continues to do in our lives. Connecting Lives in Grace and Truth Online Services
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In Christ, Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elder Board
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Greetings Oak Hill,
It’s almost hard to believe that we are already nearing the end of April. Time has been funny to keep track of in these shelter-in-place days that we are living in and so some days feel faster while others seem to drag on. Even amidst all of these changes and the new rhythm that we are experiencing, I hope that you have found some opportunities to hone in on some of the positives that have been in place during these unique days. Perhaps this has been a welcome change in what normally would have been a rapid pace that a normal week would throw at you. Perhaps you are enjoying the extra family time or had some new opportunity to tackle a house or yard project that you had been putting off. Perhaps you have found some time to intentionally connect with a friend or family member that you had not talked to in a while. Perhaps you have been able to take some time to allow God to speak to you and teach you about your continued need for and reliance upon Him. It is in moments like this that we are brought to a renewed understanding that He is in control, that He is able, and that He is at work. This week we will wrap up our sermon series that has been walking us through and highlighting the immense character and nature of who God is and what He does. We have seen His reliability when things get tough, His dependability that provides us assurance in the challenging times, and His love and care for us to meet our needs as we walk in step with Him. I hope you have been as blessed as much as I have to get to walk through these reminders and many more as we have been in God’s Word together this past month. The power and assurance that God’s Word brings to us gives us perspective and trust as we navigate these days and weeks ahead together. Connecting Lives in Grace and Truth Online Services
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In Christ, Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elder Board Greetings Oak Hill,
I hope and trust that your Easter weekend was a great opportunity for you to remember and celebrate the reality of the resurrection of Jesus! I know that in many ways things looked differently as we met online and the normal festivities of the day probably took on a different form, but the reality of Easter still remains the same. Jesus still rose from the dead, He still gives us new life, and His renewing work in our lives continues to take shape even if this year looked different than most. It is amazing to consider just how big of a hinge point that Easter has on our faith and on our lives as believers. I read a quote recently from author and pastor Tim Keller where he said: “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.” The resurrection matters. Easter matters. It completely sets up the purpose and meaning behind anything we do in this life. Because Jesus rose from the dead, His words to us carry immense meaning and importance. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we can take Him at His Word in who He says that He is. As we have been in this series talking about the character and nature of who Jesus is, the resurrection completely gives shape and substance to all of that. If Jesus can conquer sin and death for me, then He is my calm in the storm, He is the One that I can count on, and He is my sure foundation when life gets challenging or difficult. What a joy it is to have that hope and promise for today and all days. Connecting Lives in Grace and Truth Online Services
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God’s blessings on your week, Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elder Board Greetings Oak Hill Church
I would venture to guess that there are a lot of us that could really benefit from some good news. In these unique days in which we are living due to the coronavirus pandemic, it seems like there is quite a lot of bad news out there. Every time I go on social media, open up my internet browser, or turn on the TV, I am reminded of the myriad of negativity that seems to be mounting. As the reality of this “new normal” sets in, it can be easy to become discouraged. And yet, even in the midst of hardship, difficulties, and uncertainties, there are noticeable blessings that take place every day. The warming sunshine of spring, the green grass starting to peek through winter’s thaw, songbirds in the trees, a turkey taking a stroll through my backyard, playing board games or wrestling with my kids, 3-D animals on Google, living this “every day is a new day” life with my wife. Even in the midst of bad news, there is good news. In Isaiah 61, we see another example of this. The people of Israel had been longing for things to be made right, they had been waiting for the Promised One that would come set them free, they were in need of some good news. In the opening verses to this chapter, the prophet Isaiah captures this reassuring word from the Lord that brings this much-needed good news to some desperate ears. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released, and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.” (Isaiah 61:1-2 NLT) Now, obviously, Isaiah was not talking about himself. Rather, he was talking about someone else…someone that would be coming to bring this good news to the people. In the Gospel of Luke, we read of Jesus going into the synagogue on the Sabbath and He was asked to read Scripture. He took a scroll that was of the book of Isaiah and He turned to this specific chapter and read these exact words. After He was finished, we read that Jesus looked at those who had gathered there and He said, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing…” Essentially, what Jesus was declaring was that He was the One that was written about in this passage. He would be the One to comfort those who were broken down by bad news. He would be the One to free those who were held captive and imprisoned by sin. He would be the One to declare Good News to everyone. As we enter into this Holy Week, we are entering into a week that is full of good news! Yesterday, we remembered Jesus coming into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. We saw Him enter humble and focused on His mission at hand; His purpose for coming to this Earth. He came to take away sin. He came to truly set us free from all the prisons we had locked ourselves into because of our rebellion against God. He came to make things right and to make a way for us to be in God’s family. His life, His death, and His resurrection would be the ultimate showcase of God’s love and devotion to us. Now, if that isn’t good news then I don’t know what is! Connecting Lives in Grace and Truth Holy Week Service
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In Grace and Truth, Pastor Ben and the Oak Hill Elders |
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