Oaks Parish

Scripture Text: Zechariah 9:9-12 and Matthew 21:1-11Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionC.S. Lewis, A Word About PraisingThe world rings with praise — lovers praising their mistresses [Romeo praising Juliet and vice versa], readers their favourite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favourite game — praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars. . . . Except where intolerably adverse circumstances interfere, praise almost seems to be inner health made audible. . . . I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: “Isn’t she lovely? Wasn’t it glorious? Don’t you think that magnificent?” The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about.R.T. France, MatthewWhen Jesus chose this oracle to enact as he approached the city, he was thus claiming to be the Messiah, but not the sort of Messiah much popular patriotism might have hoped for. Zechariah’s vision prepares the reader well for a kingship which will be established without violence and indeed through submitting to the will of his enemies, so that his ultimate triumph will come only when he is “vindicated and saved” from death by the power of God.Tim Keller, Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with GodGod will either give us what we ask or give us what we would have asked if we knew everything he knows.Application Questions1. What is something you’ve recently praised? What do you notice about the general dynamics of praise that could change your relationship with God?2. How might your personal agenda be keeping you from seeing the goodness of God? As we begin Holy Week, confess this to him and ask him to set you free.3. How has the praise of God put your soul at rest? What’s one aspect of worship where you’ve found this to be true, and how can that shape your formation moving forward?

The Oaks Parish PodcastBryan Buck and Martha Van HoutenWeek 5 in our Lenten series, "Ashes to Glory"Exodus 29:1-9Matthew 25:31-46Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!

Scripture Text: Exodus 29:1-9 and Matthew 25:31-46Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionMartin Luther, Church Postil We receive Christ not only as a gift by faith, but also as an example of love toward our neighbor, whom we are to serve as Christ serves us. Faith brings and gives Christ to you with all his possessions. Love gives you to your neighbor with all your possessions. These two things constitute a true and complete Christian life.C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity This is the terrible fix we are in. If the universe is not governed by an absolute goodness, then all our efforts are in the long run hopeless. But if it is, then we are making ourselves enemies to that goodness every day, and are not in the least likely to do any better tomorrow, and so our case is hopeless again. We cannot do without it, and we cannot do with it. God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from. He is our only possible ally, and we have made ourselves His enemies. Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun. They need to think again. They are still only playing with religion. Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger—according to the way you react to it. And we have reacted the wrong way.Ross Doughout, Believe Life is short and death is certain, and what account will you give of yourself if the believers turn out to have been right all along? That you took pointlessness for granted in a world shot through with signs of meaning and design? That you defaulted to unbelief because that seemed like the price of being intellectually serious or culturally respectable? That you were too busy to be curious, too consumed with things you knew to be passing to cast a prayer up to whatever eternity awaits?Application Questions1. Why does the idea of final judgement often feel uncomfortable? How have you grown to appreciate this approaching reality in your journey of faith?2. Jesus seems to indicate that love for the least of these begins in the community of the church. Why is this the starting point? How have you seen love that begins in the church minister to the broader world?3. How can seeing Jesus in the face of another change how you love someone this week?

Note: The views expressed by our guest regarding Mary’s intercessory role are their own and do not reflect the beliefs or doctrinal positions of our community or the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). At the same time, we value the opportunity to hear and engage with differing perspectives, recognizing that thoughtful dialogue can enrich our understanding and foster meaningful conversation. We remain committed to presenting these discussions while upholding the theological convictions that shape our faith and practice.With Special Guest Clementine SchroederClick here to download liturgy and celebration ideas for the Annunciation.Sources and Further Reading on the Feast of the AnnunciationThe Annunciation: A Rookie Anglican GuideThe Liturgical Home: The Feast of the Annunciation (web) and The Liturgical Home: LentSacred Seasons: A Family Guide to Center Your Year Around Jesus (by Danielle Hitchen)The Annunciation (Little Way Chapel)In this podcast series, we have a chance to explore how the historic Christian church has marked time for centuries through special seasons, feasts, and other noteworthy days - and how we can embrace the value and beauty of these liturgical celebrations in our own community.Music: “The Size of Grace” © Courtland UrbanoUpcoming Episodes of The Liturgical Feasts Podcast Series:May 12: The Feast of the Ascension (5/17)May 19: The Feast of Pentecost (5/24)May 26: The Feast of the Holy Trinity (5/31)July 28: The Feast of the Transfiguration (8/6)

Scripture Text: Exodus 22:1-15 and Matthew 21:23-46Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionDante, The Divine Comedy, Paradisio Rather it is inherent in this state Of blessedness, to keep ourselves within The divine will, by which our wills with his Are one. So that as we from step to step Are plac’d throughout this kingdom, pleases all, E’en as our King, who in us plants his will; And in his will is our tranquillity; It is the mighty ocean, whither tends Whatever it creates and nature makes.C.S. Lewis, Talking About BicylcesI meant this. Whether there is, or whether there is not, in this world or in any other, the kind of happiness which one’s first experiences of cycling seemed to promise, still on any view, it is something to have had the idea of it. The value of the things promised remains even if that particular promise was false-even if all possible promises of it are false. J.I. Packer, Concise TheologyIt is his glory, given him by the Father, to be in this way the all-sufficient Savior. We who believe are called to understand this and to show ourselves his people by obeying him as our king, trusting him as our priest, and learning from him as our prophet and teacher. To center on Jesus Christ in this way is the hallmark of authentic Christianity.Application Questions1. How would you describe our culture’s view of authority? What are some strengths of this view, and what are some of its weaknesses? In what ways might this cultural posture make it difficult for us to receive the authority of Christ in our lives and in the church?2. According to this passage, how does authority become corrupted? What attitudes or fears led the religious leaders to resist Jesus? Can you think of a time in your own leadership—at home, work, church, or elsewhere—when authority in your life became distorted or self-protective? What do you think God was teaching you through that experience?3. Read again Matthew 21:42–46. The leaders recognized Jesus was speaking about them, yet they still resisted him. Where might the authority of Jesus be challenging or confronting you right now? What would it look like to respond with repentance and trust this week?

The Oaks Parish PodcastBryan Buck and Martha Van HoutenWeek 3 in our Lenten series, "Ashes to Glory"Exodus 15:22-27Matthew 17:1-23Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!

Scripture Text: Exodus 15:22-27 and Matthew 17:1-23Bryan BuckQuotes for ReflectionRoss Douthout, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be ReligiousIf mind might well precede matter, and the laws of the universe indicate that some intelligence created and sustains existence, and human reason seems to have the privileged ability to unlock existence’s mysterious underlying order, and the seemingly supernatural intrudes upon the natural as often in the modern world as in the past-well, then, you, as a man or a woman trying to chart the best course through a finite lifespan, with difficult moral choices at every turn and death awaiting sooner rather than later, have every reason to take a pretty strong interest in the story you’ve found yourself inside, what part you might be asked to play in it, and how, for you and everyone, it might ultimately end. N.T. Wright, Matthew for EveryoneThe secret, of course, is that the size of the faith isn’t important; what’s important is the God in whom you believe. If you want to see the moon, the size of the window you’re looking through isn’t important; what matters is that it’s facing in the right direction. A tiny slit in the wall will do if the moon is that side of the house. A huge window facing in the wrong direction will be no good at all. That’s what true faith is like.John Calvin, The Institutes (III.2.7) Now we shall possess a right definition of faith if we call it a firm and certain knowledge of God’s benevolence toward us, founded upon the truth of the freely given promise in Christ, both revealed to our minds and sealed upon our hearts through the Holy Spirit.Charles Spurgeon, Sermon No. 979 “Strong Faith” Little faith will take your soul to heaven; great faith will bring heaven to your soul.Application Questions1. Reflect on a time when you experienced the nearness or power of God in a way that strengthened your faith. How did that moment sustain you in the season that followed?2. In Matthew 17, the disciples—who had previously ministered with authority—suddenly falter. What tends to contribute to your own “malfunctions of faith”? Fatigue? Self-reliance? Fear? Distraction? Unconfessed sin?3. What might God be calling you to in this season that requires deeper trust and obedience? Share this with a few others, and spend time praying together for the faith to follow where he leads.

Week 2 in our Lenten series, "Ashes to Glory"Exodus 8Matthew 13:1-23Questions or comments about this podcast episode? Click here to email us!