Podcast messages from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana
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Weekend messages from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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’…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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, …
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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TL;DR: Shawn explores anger and offense in our world, discussing their origins and impacts. He highlights the need for personal transformation and changing our default settings from anger to peace. By emphasizing the role of Jesus in healing our brokenness, he encourages listeners to seek freedom from anger and offense. Ultimately, the sermon calls…
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The sweatshirt I’m wearing today is from last year’s Monumental Marathon. I developed an injury about halfway through my training, so now I have a sweatshirt for a race I didn’t run making it look like I did something I didn’t do. Hi, I’m Shawn from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. The New Testament compares following Jesus to running a race. Faith …
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The sermon focuses on Jesus' resurrection and its impact on his followers past and present, highlighting the transformative power it brings. Shawn elaborates on how fixating on circumstances can hinder recognizing Jesus in our lives, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond our worries. Encountering the risen Christ can renew believers' joy, st…
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Frederick Buechner, a writer and theologian, said, “Resurrection means the worst thing is never the last thing.” Hi, I’m Allen Burris from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing. On Friday afternoon, when Jesus died, it seemed like the worst thing had happened. Many hopes and dreams also died…
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Shawn concludes the sermon series by stressing believers' new mission to share the gospel and make disciples, using biblical references and real-life examples. He urges the congregation to continue Jesus's work locally and globally, emphasizing active participation in spreading the gospel. The sermon highlights the importance of seizing every oppor…
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I often find myself looking around my house, stepping over toys, seeing a new mess that just has gone uncleaned due to the pace of life, and feeling like I’m not doing good enough. Or sometimes I compare myself to other parents and the things they do for their kids and I feel less than. As if there’s some image I’m trying to maintain that, if not k…
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Shawn's sermon "When Life Is Out of Control" delves into the challenging topic of the relationship between slaves and masters in the context of the book of Colossians. He explains that while slavery was not part of God's original design and is a result of sin, the Bible guides us on living in a broken world. The sermon highlights the transformative…
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It is projected that over 3 Billion dollars will be spent on Easter candy this year. Americans will purchase over 90 million chocolate bunnies and over 700 million marshmallow peeps. While the candy is sweet, it is not what Easter is all about. Hi, I’m Maggie Mobley from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with a minute message. Easter is the celebratio…
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In the sermon "A Brand New Home" from the series "All Things New," Shawn discusses transformation in our families and marriages based on the teachings of the Apostle Paul in Colossians. He urges us to put on the new clothes of compassion and kindness, letting the Holy Spirit shape us into the image of Christ. Shawn highlights the importance of auth…
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Hi, I’m Shawn from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. We’re in that magical time of year when the days get warmer, flowers start blooming, and the grass literally gets greener on the other side of each day. It won’t be long until a finely- tuned symphony of lawnmowers will be heard every time you walk outside. Spring is almost here! One of the reasons…
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Allen's sermon "Living a New Life" emphasizes knowing our true identity as beloved children of God for a transformed life. Baptism symbolizes our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus, leading to living by faith. By focusing on heavenly realities, controlling thoughts, and embodying qualities of Jesus, we find peace and joy in our new identity…
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In the sermon "Christ Is All," Shawn shares a personal story of healing and parallels Michelangelo's masterpiece to how God sees us as masterpieces in transformation. Our faith in Jesus leads to a gradual renewal process where God removes what doesn't reflect Him. The gospel message is explained, highlighting our brokenness and the saving grace of …
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David's sermon "Following the Rules" delves into the human inclination towards creating and following rules, using examples from Colossians 2 to underscore the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of our lives. He cautions against being consumed by regulations, emphasizing that our connection to Jesus should be our priority. The sermon challen…
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We've all heard stories of a random act of kindness that has brightened someone else's day. Some of us have even experienced others sharing an act of kindness with us. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit and can have a positive effect on both the giver and the receiver. Hi, I'm Maggie Mobley from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church with a minute message. …
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In this sermon, Shawn explores the theme of shadows and substance, highlighting the importance of Jesus as the substance that fulfills the shadows of the Old Testament. He emphasizes that while shadows can give us an idea, they lack the fullness and depth of the real thing. Shawn warns against elevating shadows to substance, both in the context of …
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This is something my wife Kedra, cross-stitch for me nearly 40 years ago as we began our ministry together. Hi, I'm Allen Burris from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. This is my favorite passage. It’s Ephesians 3:20 and 21. This hangs on my office wall at home. It is the first thing I see when I go in the morning. It's precious and beautiful to me a…
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In this sermon, Shawn uses the analogy of trees to illustrate the importance of having deep roots in our faith. He challenges the congregation to reflect on the depth of their own faith and desires for them to be like the sycamore tree with deep roots in the Lord. He explains that becoming deeply rooted starts with receiving Jesus as Lord and livin…
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We live in an absolute breakneck-paced society. Most of the time when I see someone and ask how they are doing, I get this one word answer: “Busy”. My name is Quentin and I’m one of the pastors here at Sherwood Oaks. Hurry and busyness are staples of our identity and behavior in our world. It’s almost as if we wear these terms like badges of honor,…
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Shawn emphasizes the importance of community and support in the journey of faith. He shares a personal story about running a marathon to illustrate the value of friends who walk with us through challenges. The sermon explores the concept of full maturity in Christ and how it requires the involvement of others. Shawn highlights the significance of e…
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