Everyone is welcomed at OCBF. It is our sincere desire that all men, women, boys and girls come into a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and experience daily the power of His eternal love. A believer can increasingly grow into an intimate, vibrant relationship with Christ as he or she becomes more grounded in His Word.
Luke 8:4-15 Introduction In the Gospels, Jesus communicates Kingdom mysteries through parables – human stories designed to share spiritual truth. There are two groups of people listening to Jesus in...
Matthew 5:1-12 Introduction A rudder is one of the most important components of a ship. The purpose of the rudder is to steer and control the direction of the ship....
1 Chronicles 29:10-20 Introduction Children are amazed and enthralled by magicians because they are unaware of the true source of the magic. When a magician appears to pull a quarter...
Luke 12:29-34 Introduction God instructs us to seek His Kingdom. This means believers serious about their relationship with God should pursue His divine jurisdiction over every area of their lives....
Matthew 12:25-29 Introduction Unity is critical for believers at every level—in our relationships, church, and culture. Without unity, we are like football players on the same team running in different...
Luke 9:57-62 Introduction When it comes to sports teams, people tend to have a favorite. Some even pledge their allegiance to a particular team, regardless of whether it is doing...
Hebrews 12:28-29 Introduction Kingdom purpose is the fulfillment of your life's calling in order to bring God greater glory and advance His agenda on earth. God created man to represent...
Mark 11: 20-26 Introduction Most people get where they want to go by car. If a person positions themselves correctly, the power in the vehicle will take them where they...
James 5:19-20 Introduction On a boat, a lifesaver or life buoy is a flotation device used to save the life of someone who has fallen overboard. These lifesaving devices are...
James 5:13-18 Introduction If someone puts a million dollars in your physical bank account, you are a guaranteed millionaire. However, if you don't know how to write a check or...
James 5:1-12 Introduction How often have you heard a child shout, "That's not fair!"? Children, even those as young as five, seem hypersensitive to the concept of fairness. They are...
James 4:13-17 Introduction When general contractors build a house, they are responsible for managing all aspects of the project from groundbreaking to completion. They schedule the build, order the materials,...
James 4:1-12 Introduction In today’s world, it is common for people to identify themselves using their “preferred pronouns” to reveal how they want others to address and identify them. The...
James 3:13-18 Introduction Wisdom is the key to living a productive Christian life and to grasp it, we need to know how it is intertwined with knowledge and understanding. Beginning...
James 3:1-12 Introduction In 1986 the space shuttle Challenger blew up. It blew up because some little rubber components were not correctly placed. They were loose. As a result of...
James 2:14-26 Introduction When we do not engage in enough physical activity, our muscles can atrophy. Muscle atrophy is the thinning or loss of muscle tissue. Without proper use, the...
James 2:1-13 Introduction If a man walks into church in tattered clothing and receives less favorable treatment than a man wearing a nice suit, the sin of partiality has just...
James 1:19-27 Introduction In the parable of the sower and the seeds (Luke 8:4-15), Jesus shares the principle of people and their relationship to God’s Word. This parable helps us...
James 1:13-18 Introduction In the Bible, we find some people who resisted temptation and some who gave in to temptation. For example, Joseph fled from sexual enticement, while King David...
James 1:1-12 Introduction Born blind in one eye, a young boy in Nigeria was sent by his parents to live with his uncle in the United States. His parents hoped...
Galatians 5:16-26 Introduction Walking in the Spirit is the key to living a victorious Christian life. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ inside believers and the power of...
1 John 2:15-17 Introduction Many of us enjoy stories about good versus evil. We love to watch the good guy defeat the bad guy. Still, we often underestimate how enticing...
2 Timothy 3:13-17 Introduction Imagine driving on a stormy day and trying to look out of your rear window to realize you can't see anything. Imagine that you've had this...
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 Introduction When runners prepare on the starting line before a race, each one envisions the prize they hope to gain at the end. Every fiber of their...
Matthew 24:1-8 Introduction Wars. Rumors of wars. Famine. Earthquakes. Lawlessness. False prophets. Persecution. These things are merely the beginning signs of the end times (Matthew 24:8). Although these events may...
Hebrews 10:19-25 Introduction The church has been and will continue to be God's centerpiece for His representation in history. God chose the church to be His official representative on earth...
Matthew 6:5-13 Introduction Prayer is like the National Anthem before a football game for many of us. It gets the game started but has no connection with what’s happening on...
Ephesians 4:1-6 Introduction Many fish species swim together in groups called schools to survive. The school creates a tight formation that moves swiftly in perfect unison as if it is...
Isaiah 58:1-12 Introduction Contrary to popular opinion, fasting does not revolve around one’s health and fitness goals, nor is fasting merely the dieting fad it has become of late. Biblical...
1 Samuel 7:3-4 Introduction From Aaron and the golden calf to Paul and the altar to an unknown God, idolatry is discussed and illustrated as the governing sin throughout the...