Acts: God’s kingdom mission for the church
The book of Acts is an electrifying narrative that recounts the "acts" of Jesus as he builds his church through the power of the Holy Spirit. Luke and Acts, traditionally, are viewed as one work in two parts. Luke focuses on the life, kingdom ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Acts focuses on Jesus' ongoing kingdom ministry through his church. This series will follow the story of the church's earliest days, its miraculous multiplication amidst suffering, its proclamation of the gospel with signs and wonders, and its expansion from Jerusalem throughout the Roman Empire. We'll discover that each chapter is full of spiritual encouragement, practical wisdom, and empowering examples for us to follow as the church of Jesus in the world.
sermons 2023
Every once in a while, we have sermons that do not fall into a particular sermon series. We've collected all of those in one place here so they're easier to find.
Advent: Why Christ Came
Why did Christ come? Why did the eternal Word of God become flesh? At Christmas, we often focus on a few aspects of the story of Jesus, while neglecting the numerous reasons Christ came. This Advent season, we're recommending that our people at All Saints read, Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation (by Joel R. Beeke and William Boekestein). It's a powerful little booklet that provides daily Scripture readings and meditations that shed light on why Christ came, what He accomplished for us, and how this shapes our lives. Our Sunday Advent messages will focus on biblical texts in this booklet; and it can be used for small group discussion or family devotions.
We'll have some copies in the Resource Center (for $10) or you can buy copies online. Click here to purchase on Amazon.
sermons 2022
Every once in a while, we have sermons that do not fall into a particular sermon series. We've collected all of those in one place here so they're easier to find.
Advent
NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 19
During Advent, we celebrate the “arrival” or “appearance” of the Lord Jesus. In this season, we join the church worldwide in thanksgiving, praise, and hope because the Word became flesh and made his home among us. Worshiping in song, Scripture, and sacrament, we wait expectantly and celebrate the birth of Christ. We also look forward to the return of Christ. With all the saints and holy angels, we proclaim: Jesus Christ is Lord! He alone rules over the nations. He alone brings salvation and peace among men and women from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
ADVENT BIBLE READING PLAN
During Advent, we look back to Christ’s first coming and look ahead for His second coming. You’ll see references to our need for a Savior and both of these comings in the passages below. Readings are based on the 2021 Advent readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.
What Is the Holy Spirit Saying to the Churches?
When speaking to his beloved churches in the book of Revelation, Jesus says: "Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches" (Rev. 2:7). Like those first-century communities, we want to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches in our day. In this series, we’ll hear from a variety of people who are seeking the Lord in prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fasting. They'll help us listen to what's on the Lord's heart, and how we can follow his lead.
Our Mission, values, & Vision
We are a community of worship and formation on mission with Jesus. This three-part series focuses on our mission, values, and vision. Unpacking who we are as a church, what we value most, and where we're going will empower us as we join the Vineyard movement.
The ministry of Jesus
When Jesus says to his disciples, "Follow me," our minds often go to following Jesus in the way of the cross, or other aspects of Christian discipleship. These are essential and wonderful. But following Jesus entails looking to him and practicing what he did, including the way he ministered to others, in the power of the Holy Spirit. This series explores what it means to follow Jesus in the way he spoke about and demonstrated the presence of the kingdom of God, the way his life of prayer, deliverance, and healing was rooted in his relationship to the Father, and the way he multiplied himself through discipleship and friendship.
The revelation of Jesus Christ
The book of Revelation is a breathtaking conclusion to the biblical story. It is a book of worship, inviting readers to gaze upon God and Christ with faith and awe. Revelation was written to empower Christians in all ages to endure hard times with confidence and joy in Christ. The book is called “the revelation of Jesus Christ” because it centers on the person and work of Jesus, the Lord over human history. As the final book in Scripture, Revelation uses rich symbols to describe how God establishes his kingdom through Christ and his church, overcoming all Antichrist systems. In this timely series, we will seek to hear "what the Spirit is saying to the churches," as Revelation puts our day-to-day world in heavenly perspective, deepens our worship, and empowers our witness.
RESOURCE:
See this excerpt from Systematic Theology, by Wayne Grudem, if you’d like more information on the views of the millennium and rapture.
sermons 2021
Every once in a while, we have sermons that do not fall into a particular sermon series. We've collected all of those in one place here so they're easier to find.
Advent
During Advent, we celebrate the “arrival” or “appearance” of the Lord Jesus. In this season, we join the church worldwide in thanksgiving, praise, and hope because the Word became flesh and made his home among us. Worshiping in song, Scripture, and sacrament, we wait expectantly and celebrate the birth of Christ. We also look forward to the return of Christ. With all the saints and holy angels, we proclaim: Jesus Christ is Lord! He alone rules over the nations. He alone brings salvation and peace among men and women from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
The Apostles’ Creed: Our Deep Roots
In days like these, it's reassuring to know that our spiritual roots run deep into biblical truth. In this series, we examine the roots of our Christian faith. Using the Apostles' Creed, an ancient confession of faith used by Christians all over the world, we reflect on the foundational truths of the Trinity, creation, salvation in Christ, the church, and the last things. This prayerful study equips believers to worship and witness with increased knowledge, passion, and power.
Click below for The Apostles’ Creed Reading Plan.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Life in the Spirit: (Romans 8)
What does "life in the Holy Spirit" mean? The apostle Paul's answer in Romans 8 is mind-blowing and life-changing. In this five-part series, we'll see that life in the Spirit involves transformative realities like: freedom in Christ from condemnation and sin, being indwelt by God's resurrection power, being led by the Spirit as beloved children in God's family, power in weakness and prayer, and living as more than conquerors through God's love in Christ. In this series, we'll be laying hold of a Romans 8 mindset as we enter this next season.
Becoming a Vineyard
This is an exciting time for Our Lord’s. We are in the process of joining the Vineyard movement. This series – Becoming a Vineyard – explores three key themes: (1) the kingdom of God and the Vineyard, (2) the Father’s love and our worship, and (3) walking with the Holy Spirit…like Jesus. Reflecting on Scripture, Vineyard history, and our mission, values, and vision, this series maps out where we’re going and inspires bold faith to follow Jesus in the journey.
Spiritual Warfare
What does it mean when we say that Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare, and that Christians have authority in Christ to overcome evil spiritual forces? Spiritual warfare is an important thread that runs through the entire Bible, yet it's often neglected. To better understand and be equipped for it, this three-part series explores biblical wisdom regarding spiritual warfare. Parts 1 and 2 focus on Jesus and spiritual warfare, particularly the expansion of the kingdom of God through him and his disciples. Part 3 centers on Paul's teaching on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6, where Christians are instructed to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm in spiritual battle.
Gideon’s (Unlikely) Army
In a time of turmoil and transition, not unlike our own day, God raised up Gideon. The Lord transformed this farmer, who struggled with fear, into a mighty warrior. What can we learn from this fascinating story of Gideon and God's strategies that subvert human wisdom? This two-part series (based on Judges 6 and 7) looks at how the Lord prepared an unlikely leader to mobilize an unlikely army to accomplish the Lord's purposes.
Sermons 2020
Every once in a while, we have sermons that do not fall into a particular sermon series. We've collected all of those in one place here so they're easier to find.
Growing in Christ: Spiritual Practices to Sustain Life
Spiritual practices, empowered by God's grace, bring great benefits. They are like physical exercises that get us in shape and sustain healthy life. In this series, we’ll explore practical ways to deepen our relationship with God and grow in Christ, including: reading and meditating on Scripture, communing with God in prayer, receiving God’s power through fasting, growing through generous giving, mentoring and disciple-making, and serving on mission with Jesus.
Lord, Do it again: Revivals in Scripture and History
Scripture and history recount moments when God moved powerfully, when the kingdom of God broke in, when the church was revitalized and large numbers of people turned to the Lord. This series will explore some of these moments, these mighty moves of God and outpourings of the Spirit, to learn helpful lessons, and to fuel prayer and longing for the Lord to do it again.
Advent
Advent invites the church to wait expectantly for the birth of Jesus and the Second Coming of Jesus. In December, along with churches across the world, we wait expectantly and celebrate joyfully the two Comings of Christ. Our aim is to celebrate Advent this year with an eye to all that God is doing among us and all that God is preparing us for in the coming year. Advent reminds us that Christ’s presence with us is what matters most, what empowers us to serve in his kingdom, and what we long for, his eventual return.
We are a community of worship and formation on mission with Jesus. Experiencing community in Groups is a vital part of who we are and what we do at OLCC. Our various Groups offer ways for each of us to connect, form friendships, use our gifts, grow in Christ, and reach out to others.
Click below to browse our many Groups. They meet at different times and places – to accommodate various schedules – and focus on a wide range of interests. Our Group leaders would love to have you join their Group! Please feel free to contact them with any questions you might have. We look forward to seeing you.
1 Corinthians
As people of Spirit and Truth, 1 Corinthians is loaded with practical wisdom on how to be the church in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this series, we will explore and discover ways to live the gospel in community, as the body of Christ, walk in holiness and love, and practice the gifts of the Spirit in order to strengthen the church and reach those outside the church.
Vision & Values
We are in an exciting season of fresh purpose and vision at Our Lord's. In this brief series, the Leadership Team will discuss aspects of OLCC's new mission statement: We are a community of worship and formation on mission with Jesus. We will also share practical vision for growing in each of these areas, and values that undergird this vision and express who we are as a church.
2019 Sermons:
Every once in a while, we have sermons that do not fall into a particular sermon series. We've collected all of those in one place here so they're easier to find.
The Kingdom of God: A Biblical Vision
What is the Kingdom of God and how can we experience it in our everyday lives? This series addresses these and other related questions, exploring pictures of the Kingdom in the Old Testament, the Kingdom in the message and ministry of Jesus, and the Kingdom in the ongoing life of the church.
Commission the City Conference
We want to see our neighborhoods and the nations transformed by the love of Jesus. We're ready to take responsibility and adopt our communities. Heroes are those who practically walk out the love of Jesus. Receive practical training and tools to impact the lost. Learn simple approaches to gather people, share the gospel and disciple new followers of Jesus.
Advent
