OC Church Sermons

OC Church

Hear the latest sermon from the OC Church

  1. Aug 16

    Life on the Vine: Self-control

    Why can we know the right thing to do and still struggle to do it? In the ninth and final message of Life on the Vine, Dr. Gregg Marutzky explores self-control, the final fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Through Scripture, personal stories, humor, and research, Gregg examines why self-control matters, what gets in the way of it, and why simply trying harder isn't always enough. He looks at temptation, peer pressure, pleasure, denial, wise and foolish choices, and the relationship between God's grace and personal discipline. Rather than treating self-control as sheer human willpower, this message points toward a life shaped by God's Spirit through surrender, worship, community, prayer, fasting, and learning to deny ourselves. In this episode: Why self-control mattersWhy willpower has limitsTemptation and peer pressureResearch on self-controlWise vs. foolish choicesObstacles to self-controlGrace and disciplinePractical ways to cultivate self-control Timestamps: 00:00 The Final Fruit of the Spirit 01:03 Why Self-Control Matters 01:09 Self-Control Can Be Funny 06:09 What the Bible Says About Self-Control 10:21 Why Willpower Isn't Enough 13:22 Temptation & Peer Pressure 16:54 What Research Says About Self-Control 22:00 We All Need Help 23:45 Wise Choices vs. Foolish Choices 25:31 What Gets in the Way of Self-Control? 30:06 Grace & Discipline 31:39 How to Grow in Self-Control 33:03 Final Prayer Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

  2. Aug 9

    Weighed: What will you do with what you've been given?

    What are you doing with what you've been given? In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar has wealth, power, influence, and seemingly complete control. But during an extravagant banquet, he takes sacred objects from God's temple and uses them to mock the very God who gave his kingdom its blessings. Then a hand begins writing on the wall. In Weighed, Kyle Lounsbury explores this dramatic moment and what Belshazzar's story reveals about our own lives. The gods may look different today, but we're still tempted to build our lives around money, comfort, desires, image, and the illusion that we're ultimately in control. When Daniel interprets the words Mene, Tekel, Parsin, Belshazzar receives a sobering verdict: his life has been weighed and found wanting. This message challenges us to consider how we're stewarding what God has entrusted to us, the convictions we're passing to the next generation, and the responsibility of mature Christians to help those coming behind them with both truth and love. But being "weighed" isn't where the message ends. When our own strength isn't enough, we're reminded of the promise of 2 Corinthians 12:9: God's grace is sufficient. Chapters00:00 Intro and Theme 00:16 Daniel in Babylon 01:37 Belshazzar's Feast 03:43 Modern-Day Idols 06:51 Bobblehead Lesson 12:53 Writing on the Wall 16:08 Daniel Interprets 18:24 Next-Generation Convictions 22:25 A Charge to Older Disciples 27:07 Weighed and Found Wanting 30:56 Grace Is Enough 31:41 Communion Reflection 36:45 Prayer and Closing Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

  3. Jul 19

    Life on the Vine: Faithfulness

    Can People Still Be Counted On?Trust is built over time. So is faithfulness. In Part 7 of the Life on the Vine series, Marcel Hall explores the fruit of the Spirit known as faithfulness and why it begins long before our actions. Drawing from Galatians 5, this message shows that true faithfulness flows from a transformed heart—a growing desire to do what is right because we are becoming more like the God who is always faithful. Along the way, Marcel explores the connection between faith and faithfulness, the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit, and how lasting character is formed as we stay connected to God. Rather than focusing on behavior alone, this message challenges us to cultivate the kind of heart that naturally produces loyalty, trustworthiness, and steadfast commitment. Whether you're striving to be a better spouse, parent, friend, leader, coworker, or disciple, this message reminds us that faithfulness isn't something we manufacture—it is something God grows within us as we walk with Him. Chapters00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:56 Why Faithfulness Matters 02:26 Faith and Faithfulness 04:44 God Is Faithful 08:00 The Spirit Forms God's Character 11:39 The Heart of Faithfulness 14:35 The Battle Within 19:30 Transformation from the Inside Out 20:21 Cultivating Faithfulness 24:18 Faithful People Together 27:47 Faithful to God's Mission 30:00 Final Challenge Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

  4. Jul 13

    Life on the Vine - Goodness

    What Kind of Person Are You Becoming?Character isn't built overnight. It's formed one decision, one relationship, and one act of faithfulness at a time. In Part 6 of the Life on the Vine series, Dr. Gregg Marutzky explores the fruit of the Spirit known as goodness and why true goodness is far more than good behavior. Drawing from Galatians 5 and the rich biblical idea of tov, this message shows how genuine goodness flows from a heart transformed by God and naturally overflows into the lives of others. Along the way, Gregg reflects on the lasting impact of youth camp, shares the story of a camper named Jimmy whose life was forever changed, and challenges us to build a culture marked by empathy, grace, integrity, truth, justice, generosity, and Christlike love. Whether you're raising a family, leading at work, serving in your community, or simply asking what kind of legacy you'll leave behind, this message reminds us that the greatest influence we have often comes through the character we cultivate. 00:00 Sermon on Goodness 01:50 Fruit of the Spirit 02:38 Defining True Goodness 03:29 God Is the Source 05:09 Greek Meaning Agathosune 06:54 Generosity Over Selfishness 09:41 Building a Tov Church 11:34 Treat People as People 13:28 Circle of Tov Values 15:18 Gooder Church Challenge 15:36 Selflessness and Surrender 16:41 Spirit Overflowing Goodness 18:05 Choose Spiritual Over Carnal 19:37 Proverbs On Good Reputation 21:39 Grace Trains Us For Good 24:23 Obstacles To Being Good 25:58 Cultivating Goodness Practices 26:55 Gratitude And Heart Change 29:42 Affirm Goodness In Others 31:40 Habits And Final Charge Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

  5. Jun 22

    Life On The Vine: Patience

    What If Your Biggest Failure Isn't the End?Everyone fails. The question isn't whether we'll make mistakes—it's whether those mistakes will define us. In Part 4 of the Life on the Vine series, Steve Stevenson explores the fruit of the Spirit known as patience through one of the most powerful restoration stories in Scripture. After Peter denies Jesus three times, Jesus doesn't discard him or shame him. Instead, He patiently restores him, rewrites his story, and calls him forward into his purpose. Along the way, Steve shares personal stories about family, fatherhood, and answered prayers, illustrating how God's patience continues to transform lives across generations. He also examines the biblical meaning of patience, not as passive waiting, but as steadfast, love-driven endurance that reflects the very character of God. Whether you're wrestling with regret, waiting for someone you love to change, or wondering if God has given up on you, this message offers a hopeful reminder: Jesus is patient with us, and His grace is often greater than our greatest failures. Chapters00:00 Father's Day Welcome 03:39 Patience as Fruit of the Spirit 05:19 Why Patience Is Difficult 08:06 Everyday Stories of Patience 13:17 Jesus Is Patient With Us 14:42 Peter Denies Jesus 23:43 Jesus Restores Peter 27:24 Rewriting Our Story 33:17 A Daughter's Return to Faith 34:41 Father's Day Challenge Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

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Hear the latest sermon from the OC Church