Bent Oak Church

Last week, we examined the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. We will continue this study this week by examining Peter's speech before the crowds. We'll see how the gift of tongues fulfilled Joel's prophecy that all God's people might become prophets. 

As the disciples waited in the upper room, God's Spirit came down. We take a close look at what is one of the most important passages in the Bible and see how the events of Acts 2 shaped the disciples, the church, and us today. 

Jesus asked his disciples to wait. But their wait wasn't wasted time. Waiting changed their perspective as they began, by the Spirit and scripture, to better understand what God was doing around them. Waiting also allows us to make room for what God is doing in our lives. 

Acts begins at one of the most important moments in history. Jesus sent his disciples out to witness to the world. But before they could turn the world upside down, Jesus commanded them to wait. The work begins with waiting. We take a closer look at how this waiting shapes this story and our own lives. 

In our final sermon of the Values series, we discuss the role of a local church in the broader work of the church's mission. Having a perspective on what God is doing around the world is crucial for the support and work to which we commit ourselves.

As we continue our series, guest speaker Donna Barrett, explores the importance of community and how our fellowship reflects the life and health of the church.

What is it that a church does when it meets together? In Acts 2, the church commits itself to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer. These have often been called the four marks of the church. We look at the importance of these marks and how they shape who we are as a church.

As we continue our series looking at the values of Bent Oak Church, we come to an unexpected value: the church as an institution. There are two temptations when it comes to the organization of the church. We are tempted either to make it an idol or to refuse participation. We take a closer look at why the institution of the church matters. 

As we continue our series on the values of Bent Oak, Pastor Barry unpacks the importance of worship and why worship should be the response to everything the church does and receives together.

In the second part of our series on the values of Bent Oak Church, we take a look at how scripture and the gospel anchor in life. It was because the early church was dedicated to the teaching of the apostles that they could share all things in common.

In the first sermon of our values series, we're looking at what it means for a church to live life together and how the church should fit with our common life. 

In our final passage of Luke, we take a look at Jesus's appearance to his disciples and the surprising details that Luke includes. Jesus told his disciples to touch his hands and asked them for something to eat. 

Having found Jesus's tomb empty, his disciples weren't sure what to make of it. In their disappointment, two of those disciples set out for home. Their discouragement blinded them from seeing that it was Jesus who joined them on the road. We take a closer look at Jesus's first appearance after his resurrection. 

On this Easter Sunday, we're looking at Jesus' resurrection and the disciples discover that the tomb was empty. Though Jesus had told them he would rise on the third day, his disciples still struggled to understand. The angels came with the message to remember. When they did remember, everything was changed. 

Upon Jesus's death, Luke introduces us to a new and unexpected character: Joseph of Aramethia. A Jewish leader, Joseph, took a risk in requesting Jesus's body. Having received approval from Pilate, Joseph hurried to bury Jesus with dignity before the Sabbath. In our study, we take a closer look at Joseph and why Luke sees him as an important figure. 

We have been working slowly through the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. In this week's passage, we come to Jesus's final moments and his death. We'll also look at the responses of those gathered beneath Jesus's cross. 

As we continue our study of Luke's gospel, we come to Jesus' crucifixion. We take a closer look at the two stories: the perspective of Rome and the Jewish leaders and the deeper story of what Christ was accomplishing. Through these two perspectives, we learn to understand better how God is working in our own lives and suffering. 

The religious leaders sought Jesus's death, but they didn't have the power to carry out that sentence. They needed Rome. So they handed Jesus over to Pilate. Jesus's death came as the leaders of the world coalesced around his execution. We take a closer look at Jesus's interrogation before Pilate and Herod Antipas. 

Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny him three times. Peter protested that he was ready to face arrest and even death with Jesus. But once Jesus was under arrest, Peter began his denials just as Jesus had predicted. We take a closer look at the passage and how it was Jesus' look that finally brought Peter back to himself.