Blue Oaks Church Weekend Services

Have you ever marveled at how, 2000 years later, the words and deeds of a humble carpenter from a backwoods region of a small, unimportant country in the Roman Empire, are treasured and celebrated by billions all over the world? The Gospel spreads today the same way today as it did back then: when you and I share the Good News with someone else. Next Steps I will begin to pray for unchurched people where I live. I will invest The post The Great Commission appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

C.S. Lewis noted that people who are growing, thriving and loving are the people who praise God the most. People who are stagnant, cranky and self-centered praise God the least. Join us this week as we examine what is needed to live with a worshiping mind. Next Steps I commit to gather together with the church to worship. I will prepare and participate in making his praise glorious. I will worship God with my mind and heart, for he is The post Getting Worship Right appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Our previous message was about God as the focus of our worship. But when we worship God, we benefit as well. Worship changes us for the better. And when we neglect the worship of God we suffer in tangible and practical ways. Join us as we continue our study, “The Wonder of Worship”. Next Steps I will come to worship when the church gathers even when I don’t feel like it. I will work at taking every thought captive to The post Worship Changes Us appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

It can be tough to try to please everyone. Especially when it comes to highly subjective things, like our taste in music. Especially worship music. Fortunately worship isn’t about us or our preferences and tastes. Worship is about God. Next Steps I will come ready to worship God in spirit and truth. I will come early and prepare my heart for worship. I will worship in a way that reflects my heart. The post Why Worship Matters appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

The vast majority of the Christians in our day are inundated with work and other obsessions that have replaced a true relationship with Jesus. Jesus’ enemy is not opposition, persecution, or threatened poverty. It’s over-commitment, fatigue, stress and running too fast. In this message we look at how to regain the life Jesus is calling you to live. Next Steps I will commit to live a simpler life. I will identify which idol I wrestle with most and eliminate it The post Tearing Down Idols appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Do you struggle with “FOMO” (the “fear of missing out”)? Do you consider your ability (and tendency) to do 5 things at once a virtue or a vice? Did you know that even Jesus, the Son of God, needed to rest sometimes? Join us this Sunday as we again learn from the Master of peaceful living. Next Steps I will rest on a weekly basis. I will read the gospel of John, reflecting on the life and teachings of Jesus. The post A Call to Live Rested appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Do you have a hard time saying ‘no’ to things? Consequently, do you often find yourself over-committed, worn out or lacking peace in your life? If this isn’t you, does this describe someone else in your life? If so be sure to join us this week as we seek to find rest for our souls. Next Steps I will live in the constant care and protection of the Good Shepherd. Instead of worrying I will pray and ask God to The post Rest Your Weary Soul appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Do you sometimes find it difficult to stand up for what you believe in, especially in the face of opposition from others? If so you’re not alone. Sometimes opposition can mean you’re on the right path. Join us this week as we look at how Jesus often defied those who stood in the way of the Kingdom of God. Next Steps I will bring the kingdom of God to my little part of the world this week. I will consider The post Herod appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Have you ever lied? C’mon, be honest. Even one little white lie? But does it really even matter? Does it matter to God? This week we take a look at how we’re doing when it comes to honesty and integrity – and what we can do about it if we have a few skeletons in our closets. Next Steps I will take off the mask and stop faking it in an area of my life. I will ask God to The post Ananias and Sapphira appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Do you have what might be called “bleacher people” in your life? These are people who stand in the bleachers, cheering you on as you run the race of life. We all need them and we can become them for others. Join us this week as we explore how. Next Steps I will identify who my bleacher people are and thank them. I will humble myself and invest in the greatness of someone else. I will pray for the person The post Barnabas | Jul 30 appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Do you have a hard time feeling grateful? Some people seem to be bursting with gratitude at even the smallest things. Do you ever wish you could be like that, but also don’t want to be fake about it? Join us this week as we explore how to cultivate grateful hearts. Next Steps I will learn to be grateful for imperfect gifts. I will learn to be grateful in times of worry and frustration. I will learn to be grateful The post Ten Lepers appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

There are a number of interpretations of the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10. Some think the story states contemplation is superior to task orientation. Some think “type B” personalities are judged as better than “type A.” What Jesus indicates, however, is the idea of “the one thing.” The one thing can be defined as time spent listening to God’s Word. Or the one thing that can be defined as taking action on what God’s Word says. The The post Mary & Martha appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

The Book of Job follows the course of resolution for Job after a series of devastating events in his life. Although Job’s friends try to give him the answers to why he was suffering, it takes the many challenging questions of God to help Job realize that God is endlessly good, uncontrollably generous, irrationally loving, and he gives for no reason at all, just because it’s his nature. Job listens to God, humbles himself, and is restored to a full relationship with God. The post Job appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Begin with the end in mind”. It sounds wise, but how often do you actually do it? Did you start your day, your week, your career, your marriage, your family, with a plan of how you’d reach your end goals successfully? Or are you like a ship without a rudder, being blown about by the winds of desire? Next Steps “I love you God, except…” What is your except? I will follow wisdom rather than The post Solomon appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Who doesn’t love a good story? Good vs Evil, light vs dark. An unlikely Hero rising up to take on a powerful enemy. In the Book of Judges we see God calling men and women to heroic action. But the story isn’t over, He may be calling you. Next Steps I will pray about what battle Jesus is calling me to fight. The post Deborah appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Joseph had to wait 13 years to understand God’s plan for his life. During those years, he endured challenging experiences that could have shaken his faith and caused him to lose sight of any hope that God really cared about him, much less had something good in mind for his life. But neither God nor Joseph wavered. We will learn some lessons from Joseph this week: God has a plan for our lives, and he has a much better view The post Joseph appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

This week we conclude our series, “The God I Never Knew” with a message on the sealing work of the Holy Spirit. Matt will talk about three occasions in life when we need to do what Jesus did — withdraw, remember and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who will assure us of who we are, and tell us that we are loved by God. There will be several occasions in life when we need to do this. The post You Are Loved by God appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

Have you made a mistake recently or in your past that you’re not able to let go of? Maybe you think, “I don’t want to walk through my life with this cloud of guilt hanging over me anymore,” but you don’t know what to do. Are you holding onto sin, but you’re not sure what to do to let go of it? Join us this week as we explore how the Holy Spirit sets us free from sin and regret. The post The Convicting Work of The Spirit appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

This week we are continuing to ask and answer some tough questions about the Holy Spirit. We’ll explore things like whether the gift of healing is still active today, if there is a right or wrong way to pray, and how the Spirit can show up in our day-to-day. Join us for part two as we look directly at these challenging questions about the Spirit. Next Steps I will expect the Spirit to manifest Himself in remarkable ways. I will The post Tough Questions About the Spirit (Part 2) appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.

What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? How do you know if you’ve experienced it? Is the gift of speaking in tongues a legitimate thing?Should all Christians experience it? Is the gift of healing legitimate? Are signs and wonders evidence of the Holy Spirit? Does life in the Spirit always carry with it good health? Is there a right way to pray and to worship in a way that will release the Spirit? Is there a wrong way to The post Tough Questions About the Spirit appeared first on Blue Oaks Church - Pleasanton, CA.