Oak Grove Baptist Church

by Oak Grove

Season 5

07_26 - Life Together: 1st Timothy - Being A Good Servant - Kody Alvarez - Lead Pastor

1 Timothy 4:6–10 A good servant of Jesus Christ is someone who is continually nourished by God’s Word, grounded in sound doctrine, and committed to living out what they believe. Paul encourages Timothy to avoid false teaching and empty ideas that pull people away from truth, and instead to “train” himself for godliness. Just as physical health requires both a good diet and consistent exercise, spiritual health requires consuming the truth of Scripture and then putting that truth into practice. Good doctrine without godliness leads to hypocrisy, while godliness without good doctrine can become legalism. Authentic faith comes when God’s Word changes us from the inside and produces an outward life that reflects Jesus. While physical training has value for this life, Paul reminds us that training in godliness has eternal value. Believers are called to continually pursue spiritual growth through prayer, Scripture, obedience, and dependence on the Holy Spirit, even when that process includes failure and struggle. We continue to toil and strive because our hope is not in ourselves but in the living God, who has provided salvation through Jesus Christ. Because Jesus took the punishment for our sin, rose from the grave, and offers eternal life to all who believe, Christians can confidently stake their lives on the gospel and live in a way that demonstrates the reality of their faith.

S5 · E27

Jul 26, 2026

47:28

07_19 - Life Together: 1st Timothy - Hold Fast to the Confession - Kody Alvarez - Lead Pastor

This powerful message from 1 Timothy 4:1-5 confronts us with a sobering reality: we are living in the last days, a period that began with Christ's first coming and continues until His return. The core warning is clear—false teachings will arise within the church itself, promoted by those with seared consciences who present demonic doctrines dressed in religious language. What makes this particularly challenging is that these teachings often contain elements of truth wrapped in lies, making them difficult to discern. The solution? We must cling tightly to the great confession of our faith: that God manifested Himself in flesh through Jesus Christ, who was vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the nations, and believed in the world. This gospel is not a starting point we move beyond—it is the deep thing we return to again and again. When teachers promise secret knowledge or higher levels of spirituality through additional rules and restrictions, they are actually leading us away from the freedom Christ purchased for us. The Christian life is not about adding human regulations to the gospel but about receiving God's good gifts—marriage, food, creation itself—with thanksgiving and proper understanding. We are called to live with sincere faith, the same person on Monday as we are on Sunday, without masks or pretense. Our battle is not to hide from a dark world but to advance the gospel boldly, knowing that gates of hell cannot prevail against Christ's church.

S5 · E26

Jul 19, 2026

46:43

07_12 - Life Together: 1st Timothy - The Divine Mystery - Kody Alvarez - Lead Pastor

This sermon from 1 Timothy 3:14–16 emphasizes the weight and seriousness of how the church is called to live as the “household of God.” Paul’s instructions are not optional preferences but necessary guidance for the local church because the church belongs to the living God and serves as the “pillar and buttress of the truth.” The sermon warns that when churches rush past God’s order, sound doctrine, godly leadership, prayer, and holiness, they risk becoming disordered, spiritually weak, and ineffective in their witness. Because the church is precious to Christ, its conduct matters deeply for the good of God’s people, the health of families, and the mission of making disciples. The sermon then turns to the “mystery of godliness,” showing that the central truth the church holds up is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit through the resurrection, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory. The message explains that Jesus is fully God, became fully man to take away sin, absorbed the wrath of God on the cross, rose again to prove His claims, and now reigns in glory until He returns. The church’s calling is to guard and proclaim this truth faithfully, calling people to submit to Christ now and receive eternal life rather than face judgment when He comes again.

S5 · E25

Jul 14, 2026

46:08

07_05 - Life Together: 1st Timothy - Servants Gaining Great Confidence in the Faith - Kody Alvarez - Lead Pastor

In 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Paul continues teaching the church about the role and qualifications of deacons, reminding us that church order matters because the church is the household of God and a witness to the world. Deacons are not called to rule the church, but to serve as qualified servant leaders who assist in the mission and ministry of the church. Because their lives model service for the body, they must first be tested and proven blameless—not sinless, but free from ongoing patterns of unrepentant sin. This testing is a gift of time that allows the church to see whether their doctrine is sound, their character is faithful, and their lives match the gospel they profess. The sermon also addressed the qualifications connected to deacons’ wives or possibly women who serve in the role of deacon, emphasizing that either interpretation must be handled with humility and unity. Whether applied to deacons’ wives, female deacons, or all believers, the call is to be dignified, not slanderous, sober-minded, and faithful in all things. Deacons must also be faithful in marriage and lead their own households well, because the home is a testing ground for ministry. Ultimately, those who serve well gain good standing and great confidence in the faith—not by serving in their own strength, but by depending on the strength God supplies so that Christ is glorified through their service.

S5 · E24

Jul 7, 2026

45:44

06_28 - Life Together: 1st Timothy - Deacons, God’s Good Gifts - Kody Alvarez - Lead Pastor

In 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Paul teaches that deacons are a good gift from God to the church, set apart to serve the body of Christ with integrity, wisdom, and gospel faithfulness. While every believer is called to serve, deacons are qualified servants who are recognized by the church to help meet practical and spiritual needs within the body. They are not called to rule over the church, but to lead by serving, assisting the pastors and helping care for the people so the church can remain healthy and focused on its mission of advancing God’s kingdom and making disciples. The sermon emphasized that the wrong church structure can slowly harm the church, just like levees that were meant to protect Louisiana ended up cutting it off from what helped the land stay healthy. In the same way, when deacons function as a governing body instead of servant leaders, the church loses the blessing God intended through that office. A deacon must be dignified, honest, self-controlled, not greedy, and firmly grounded in the gospel. Above all, deacons are to be people of character who hold tightly to the mystery of the faith and serve the church with a clear conscience, helping the body honor Christ and care for one another well.

S5 · E23

Jul 7, 2026

46:40

06_21 - Life Together: 1st Timothy - Calling the Qualified - Kody Alvarez - Lead Pastor

In 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Paul reminds the church that the office of pastor, elder, or overseer is a noble and weighty calling. This role is not simply for anyone who desires it, nor should the church choose leaders based on charisma, popularity, or communication ability alone. Pastors are called to shepherd God’s people, care for the bride of Christ, equip the saints for ministry, and protect the church from false teaching. Because the work is so important, the church must take seriously who is allowed to lead. Paul gives clear character qualifications for those who serve as overseers. A pastor must be above reproach, faithful, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy, mature in the faith, faithful in leading his home, and well thought of by outsiders. These qualifications show that biblical leadership is first about character before competency. When churches call qualified pastors, the church is strengthened, the saints are cared for, the gospel witness is protected, and the mission of advancing the kingdom by making disciples remains central.

S5 · E22

Jun 21, 2026

49:15

06_14 - Total Surrender: Trusting God Through it All - Jeff Lazarine - Guest Speaker

In 1 Peter 5:6–11, believers are reminded that total surrender to God begins with humility. Peter calls us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, trusting that His plans, timing, and ways are greater than our own. This kind of humility requires us to let go of pride, stop trying to control every situation, and cast our anxieties fully on the Lord because He deeply cares for us. Rather than carrying fear, worry, grief, and disappointment on our own, we are invited to place the whole weight of our lives into the capable hands of our faithful Father. Peter also reminds believers to stay alert because the enemy is real and seeks to destroy our faith, testimony, and trust in God. We are called to resist him by standing firm in the truth of God’s Word, relying on the Holy Spirit, and remembering that we are not alone in our struggles. Even though suffering is part of the Christian life, it is not meaningless and it is not forever. The God of all grace promises to restore, strengthen, confirm, and establish His people, using even difficult seasons to mature us, ground us, and prepare us for eternal glory in Christ.

S5 · E21

Jun 14, 2026

51:11

06_07 - Devoted: What Happens When the Church Becomes the Church - Brandon Baker - Family Worship Pastor

In this sermon from Acts 2:42, the focus was on the difference between simply attending church and truly being the church. Looking at the example of the early church after Pentecost, the message challenged believers to examine what they are genuinely devoted to. The early believers devoted themselves to God’s Word, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer, and through those commitments God used them to change the world around them. The sermon emphasized that healthy churches are not built on entertainment, preferences, or convenience, but on truth, spiritual growth, repentance, and a deep commitment to Jesus and His people. Believers were encouraged to move beyond shallow Christianity and become disciples whose lives are shaped daily by Scripture and obedience to Christ. The message also highlighted the power of authentic biblical community and dependence on God. The early church shared meals, prayed together, cared for one another, and lived with generosity and unity that pointed people to Jesus. The sermon reminded listeners that people are not looking for perfection nearly as much as they are looking for real community, encouragement, and hope. Through hospitality, fellowship, communion, and prayer, the church becomes a visible picture of the gospel. Ultimately, the message called the church back to wholehearted devotion to Christ, trusting that when God’s people are fully surrendered to Him, He still transforms lives, builds His church, and changes the world through ordinary people empowered by the Holy Spirit.

S5 · E20

Jun 7, 2026

46:32

05_31 - Life Together: 1st Timothy - Submission in Worship - Kody Alvarez - Lead Pastor

This sermon from 1 Timothy 2:8–15 focused on how God has designed men and women to conduct themselves in worship and in the life of the church. The message emphasized that worship begins with a prepared heart, calling men to approach God with humility, prayer, and “holy hands” instead of anger or division, while encouraging women to pursue modesty, self-control, and godliness rather than outward appearance or distraction. The sermon repeatedly pointed back to the heart behind worship, stressing that both men and women are called to honor God in the way they carry themselves, speak, and serve within the gathered church. It also challenged the church to avoid judgmental attitudes toward others and instead pursue grace, humility, and spiritual maturity. The second half of the sermon focused on Paul’s teaching regarding submission, teaching authority, and the order of leadership within the church. The message argued that Paul’s instructions are rooted not in culture but in God’s created order, using Adam and Eve as the foundation for understanding biblical roles in worship and church leadership. While affirming that men and women are equal in value and dignity before God, the sermon distinguished between equality and distinct callings, particularly regarding the office of pastor/elder. The message also highlighted that women play vital and meaningful roles in ministry, discipleship, teaching, and kingdom work, while maintaining that pastoral authority in the gathered church is reserved for qualified men according to Scripture. Throughout the sermon, the central emphasis was on trusting God’s design, submitting to biblical authority, and pursuing unity and godliness within the church body.

S5 · E19

Jun 2, 2026

49:10

05_17 - Life Together: 1st Timothy - Waging Good War - Kody Alvarez - Lead Pastor

This sermon from 1 Timothy 1:18–20 focuses on the call for believers and the church to “wage the good warfare” by holding firmly to sound doctrine, faith, and a good conscience. Paul reminds Timothy that the church is meant to stand as a pillar of truth in the world, and that believers are engaged in a spiritual battle against the forces of darkness. The message explains that this warfare is not fought with worldly weapons, but through righteousness, faith, prayer, and the Word of God. Using passages from Ephesians 6 and other Scriptures, the sermon emphasizes the importance of daily spiritual preparation, dependence on God, and commitment to truth. The church is called to stay on the offensive by proclaiming the gospel, living faithfully, and being devoted to prayer and biblical teaching.

S5 · E18

May 19, 2026

45:32

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