During this pandemic, don’t quarantine your kids from the gospel
A few of OBC's children's ministry leaders weigh in on some resources for engaging your children with the gospel during a global pandemic -- or any time....
An Important Survey for Occoquan Bible Church
A Spiritual Care Survey for Occoquan Bible Church April 2020...
OBC Ministry News: A Video from the Elders
Watch this video from the elders to learn more about what's happening in OBC's ministries as we practice "social distancing." Let us consider how to stay connected and care for one another during these days!...
The OBC Bookshelf and 2020 Reading
We invite you to check-out the OBC Bookshelf, and learn what we'll be reading in 2020!...
Life Together
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is this March’s book for “Theology Thursday.” ...
Six Lessons on Shepherding: A Pastoral Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 2
In the Bible, leadership is likened to shepherding. In the Old Testament, God shepherded his people; he called shepherds like Moses and David to lead his people; and kings were often likened to shepherds. In the New Testament, the image continues. Elders are commanded to shepherd the people whom God gives them to oversee (1 Peter 5:14). And local churches are to recognize ...
Keep ReadingSpeech Therapy: Training Our Tongues to Build Up Others (1 Corinthians 14:1
Proverbs says a soft answer turns away wrath. James 3 says that the tongue is a fire which can set a whole forest ablaze. 1 Corinthians 14 says to not forbid speaking in tongues, yet it also gives a long list of qualifications. With all these words about the tongue and tongues, how should we proceed? Our words have incredible power for building up or tearing down.This is ...
Keep ReadingWelcome One Another
Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. -- Romans 15:7 -- In the Bible hospitality is no small matter. From Abraham to the Apostles, God called his people to greet one another with love and concern. For instance, in the Old Testament it was more than a cultural faux pas to deny hospitality; it was an indictment against the whole village. Lik...
Keep ReadingLove Never Ends (1 Corinthians 13:8
This last Sunday we considered how love endures, looking at four movements in Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. From the temporary to the eternal (v. 8) From the partial to the perfect (vv. 9-10) From the child to the man (v. 11) From the mirror to face to face (v. 12) Sermon audio is available online; discussion question and study resources are listed bel...
Keep ReadingSaint Patrick: Separating Missionary Fact from Fictitious Malarkey
What comes to mind when you think of St. Patrick's Day? Leprechauns. Ireland. Wearing green. Or drinking green beer. If that is it, you may want to re-read the record books. A few years back, Russell Moore gave a brief history lesson on the real Patrick that should make every missionally-minded Christian sit up and take notice. Drawing on the Philip Freeman's 2007 book, ...
Keep ReadingThe Necessity and Definition of Love (1 Corinthians 13:1
Yesterday, Ben Purves, pastor for student ministries at our church, preached a tremendous message on 1 Corinthians 13. Let me encourage you to listen to his message, "The Necessity and Definition of Love," as he unpacks Paul's explanation of love in the context of spiritual gifts. Even more, Ben also showed us how Christ fulfilled the qualities of love and how we can look ...
Keep ReadingThanksgiving: a practice of politeness, etiquette, and good decorum or something else?
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. -- Psalm 69:30 -- Thanksgiving is a practice of politeness, etiquette, and good decorum. Right? It is what we (are told to) express when Aunt Lucille buys you a sweater when you want the Super Hero action figures. Or something like that. It is a Christian command, but one that is more happe...
Keep ReadingBuilding the Body of Christ: Unity and Diversity, Mutuality and Charity (1 Corinthians 12:12
Building the Body of Christ: Unity and Diversity, Mutuality and Charity (Sermon Audio) What is the goal of Paul's discussion about spiritual gifts? If it is not clear from his words in 12:7, then his elongated illustration of the one body with many parts is unmistakable. Christ gave multiple gifts to his church in order for the various part to build one another up in love...
Keep ReadingBlessed Assurance: “Jesus is Yours”
Assurance. It is a precious gift the Lord gives his people. As 1 John 5:13 says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." Yet, despite God's promise of assurance, sometimes experientially our personal assurance wanes. There are many reasons for thissome caused by God's sovereign and mysterious p...
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