Oak Pointe Church • Novi

When the Heart Shrinks Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-13 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church We all have people we love. They are dear to us and our actions toward them often reveal our sentiments. But things can happen that cause us to withhold our affection. On occasion, it is something they’ve done. More often, it is something going on within us. For some reason, we can no longer be transparent in the same way. An emotional distance has been created. The Apostle Paul sensed such a dynamic was occurring between the Corinthian believers and himself. That’s why every word through the first six chapters of his letter now culminates in a grand appeal that could change the trajectory of their church. It could change our trajectory as well!

Are You Reconciled to God? Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11–6:2 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church “So…what’s new with you?” Certainly, you’ve been on the receiving end of this simple conversation starter. Everyone has. What’s our usual response? “Oh…not much.” But is that true? As followers of Jesus, there is always something new with us. If God’s mercies are “new every morning” and we are a “new creation” in Christ, newness will be our daily experience. But if it’s not, what’s missing? What are we not understanding about being “in Christ” and what it means to be reconciled to God? From this week’s passage, we’ll discover the ways in which reconciliation transforms our lives and the lives of those around us.

An Eternal Body? Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church How many times a day do you let out a groan? Sometimes the source of the groan is physical – you’re sore from a recent workout, or you’re getting older and are attempting to tie your shoes. Sometimes the source is emotional – sadness at world affairs, or the frustration from having to suffer fools. But every groan is, in some way, an expression of longing; not just the reprieve of a burden we currently carry, but a profound desire for something new, and better. This week’s passage will leave you with confidence that God hears our longings and intends to fulfill them, but in the most amazing way.

Light Troubles, Eternal Glory Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church Anyone who achieves greatness and glory sees things a little differently. Take the Olympic athlete. You and I see someone who may have great talent, great resources, great lineage, or great privilege. And some or all of these external things may be true. But we don’t see how hard they work, how much they sacrifice, or their singularity of focus on a distant prize. For four minutes we focus on what we see. But for four years, they’ve focused on something unseen. In this week’s passage, the Apostle Paul challenges God’s church not to dwell on the difficulties of living in our present age, but to discover the power God unleashes through jars of clay.

Not Losing Heart Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church Have you ever observed human behavior when someone pulls out a camera? Bodies straighten, chins jut out, hair gets tossed, eyes widen, shoulders broaden, and smiles appear. No one wants to appear at a disadvantage. We want to look attractive, composed, focused, and strong. Yet, such a pose belies an ever-present reality that people are easily breakable – emotionally, relationally, financially, and in so many other ways. This fragility can cause us to lose heart. As Christians, we can wonder why God asks us to carry the glorious message of the gospel in vessels that are nothing special. As we continue to trace the Apostle Paul’s argument through the first seven chapters of 2 Corinthians, he unveils a pointed metaphor that gets to the paradox of the Christian message and life: jars of clay.

Superior in Every Way Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church “You have to try this. It will change your life!” Has anyone ever said that to you? It usually means your friend discovered something far superior to what he or she had known before. Maybe Ms. Frozen Pizza was introduced to wood-fired pizza. Or Mr. Carnival Ride Guy went to Cedar Point for the first time. The experience is night and day. Likewise, the Christian life can seem mundane, even oppressive to some, with lots of perceived “do's and don'ts” and so many “shoulds.” But a true experience of the Gospel changes everything!

True Gospel People Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church Though cultural issues are often complex, it is all too easy to become polarized, seeing only two sides. Sometimes the side with which we most identify can seem like the correct side... even the only side. When this happens our theology and our passion can grow entwined, leaving the clarity of the gospel a casualty to our convictions. But Jesus speaks to all sides! This week we’ll see how a picture Paul paints in his second letter to the Corinthians helps us to refocus on being true gospel people.

Conflict and Three Tests Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church Throughout the course of life, someone is going to wrong you. Or you’re going to wrong them. And then it’s on! Being together has its challenges. Though the daily news is filled with stories of strife between nations and neighbors, the gospel calls Christ-followers to handle relational conflict differently, and better. How much better depends on how deeply the gospel has changed us.

Power In Weakness Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church Can we all agree that weakness is just the worst?! It’s no fun to experience debilitating sickness, feel powerless to change your circumstances, or not be able to figure something out. When we are at such a disadvantage, we’d rather others not know. But even though it doesn’t seem intuitive to us, God is not very much bothered by our weakness. In fact, He views human weakness from a completely different perspective…as an opportunity! And He longs for us to see it this way, too!

How Do You Repair A Strained Relationship? Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church Something’s missing. It’s missing from the relationships in our families and our workplaces. Sometimes, it’s even missing in the church. Unfortunately, we’re not talking about conflict – there is plenty of that to go around, and we probably experience more than our fair share daily. When that conflict gets intense, often the easiest thing is to just walk away. But that’s not how it should be, and not how God intended things to be. Because the Gospel is meant to produce something far better in us, in our relationships, and in our culture. But it takes work – often in the form of honest self-evaluation.

Always Yes! Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:12-22 Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church Do you have people in your life who usually say “yes” to everything, but sometimes don’t mean it? Even if their aims are good, their follow-through isn’t so much. It increasingly becomes difficult to not only trust their answers but also to credit their intentions. This week we find the Apostle Paul in such a predicament with the Corinthian Christians. They found him fickle and were unsure if his stated aspirations toward them were real. But in Paul’s profound response to the Corinthians, we see the life-changing power in God’s response to us.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1–11Speaker: Jon Morales, Lead Paster of Oak Pointe Church Even under normal circumstances, achieving unity is hard. But when culture is polarized, it seems impossible. The first-century Corinthian Church was discordant; comprised of Jewish and Gentile believers – some slaves, others free – and from a wide stratum of social classes. Paul knew the Church can only stand strong if believers are united. Therefore, he begins this letter with a couple of key ways that the Gospel of Jesus connects everyone. Along the way, Paul reveals God’s chosen tool to pry us from our self-reliance.

For some, a new year brings optimism: hopes of new realities, new dreams, and fresh expectations. Others may be more pessimistic, believing the new year won’t be tangibly different from the year before and thinking, “It’s all going to just be more of the same.” While some things remain steadfast and steady, and others things change, the central truth for the Christian is that God is making something new out of us every day. And the things God makes new are not only excellent but so much better than what came before. Speaker: Brent Buttermore, Missions Pastor

We’ve spent over a month planning, preparing, and getting excited for Christmas to arrive. Then we celebrated at church and in our homes! Yet, just like that, it’s behind us. Besides, there’s wrapping paper still under the couch, dishes are piled in the sink, and we’re left with what some psychologists label the Christmas blues. But we’re followers of Jesus! So, what exactly comes next? Speaker: Adam Mashni, 707 High School Ministry Pastor

It is incredibly easy to lose the meaning of Christmas. Becoming so consumed with the finding, buying, and giving of our own presents, we often forget Christmas is really more about the presence of God in our lives. On Christmas Eve, we’ll discover what Jesus' presence can mean for us individually and learn how to respond to the greatest gift we will ever receive. The arrival of Jesus changes everything for everyone! Speaker: Rick Barry, The Rock Middle School Ministry Pastor