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What does it really mean to be a Seventh-day Adventist? Is it about our beliefs, our history, or something deeper? More than 180 years ago, a group of believers experienced what became known as the Great Disappointment. But rather than giving up, some continued searching Scripture, asking questions, and growing in their understanding of God. Their commitment to truth, growth, and mission helped shape the Adventist Church we know today. In this message, we explore the roots of Adventism and what they can teach us about living out our faith today. How can we honour our heritage without becoming stuck in the past? And how can our understanding of God's Word lead us to love and serve others? Because at the heart of Adventism isn't simply a set of beliefs. It's a desire to know Jesus more deeply, grow in His truth, and share His love with the world. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly sophisticated, we're facing a question that goes beyond technology: What does it really mean to be human? AI can write poetry, create beautiful art, solve complex problems, and even imitate human emotions. But can a machine truly love, experience wonder, or understand the value of a human life? In this thought-provoking message, we explore what Scripture reveals about our identity, our purpose, and the unique qualities that make us human. From the creation story in Genesis to the sacrificial love of Jesus, we discover why our worth isn't measured by intelligence, productivity, or what we can accomplish. In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and artificial intelligence, perhaps the most important thing we can remember is that we are more than code. We are created in God's image, designed for meaningful relationships, and loved beyond measure. Your value isn't determined by what you can do, but by the One who created you. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

What if your life is a message from God to the people around you? Every interaction, every act of kindness, and every choice we make communicates something about who we are—and the God we represent. In this message, Sent From Above, we explore what it means to be created in God's image and called to reflect His love. Through the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, we're reminded that faith isn't simply about knowing what's right, but putting love into action—even when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 3:3, we discover that we are living letters from Christ, sent into the world to share His compassion, grace, and goodness. Because sometimes the most powerful message about God's love isn't something we say. It's how we treat the people around us. You are sent from above. What message is your life sharing? Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

Love on the Table | Oakridge Adventist Church Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings, but what if gratitude is about more than simply being thankful for what we have? Through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18, we discover how easily gratitude can become comparison and spiritual pride. Jesus reminds us that God's grace isn't something we earn through our accomplishments, good behaviour, or religious devotion. It's a gift freely given. As we reflect on the meaning of communion, we're reminded that Jesus welcomes us to His table just as we are—with our victories, struggles, doubts, and imperfections. His love isn't reserved for those who have it all together. There's a place for everyone. This Thanksgiving, discover how genuine gratitude leads us beyond counting our blessings toward receiving God's grace and extending that same love to others. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

What makes something valuable? And if it becomes lost, does it somehow become worth less? In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to search for one lost sheep. It’s a simple story that reveals something profound about the heart of God: being lost doesn’t make us less precious to Him. In this message, we explore a God who doesn’t wait for us to find our own way back. He takes the initiative. He searches, restores, and celebrates when even one person comes home. Wherever you find yourself today—close to God, far away, or somewhere in between—heaven’s love reaches far enough to find even one. And that one includes you. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

What does it really mean to carry the name of Christ? The word “Christian” has become so familiar that it can be easy to forget the weight behind it. In this message from Oakridge Adventist Church, we explore the surprising roots of the word Christ, the scandal of a crucified Messiah, and what it means for ordinary people to carry His name into everyday life. Through the story of Glenn—a surfer, businessman, mentor, and faithful follower of Jesus—we’re reminded that ministry doesn’t only happen inside a church or through an official position. It happens when we notice people, recognize their gifts, create space for them to belong, and allow Jesus to inhabit the ordinary places of our lives. When people come close to us, does Jesus become clearer? And what might God already be doing through the gifts, relationships, and opportunities right in front of us? Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

What if playing it safe is actually keeping us from experiencing God more fully? Faith and risk often go hand in hand. From Moses standing before Pharaoh to Peter stepping out of the boat, Scripture is filled with people who moved forward without knowing exactly how things would turn out. Their confidence wasn’t in their own ability—it was in the God who promised to be with them. In this message, Pastor Rhoda explores what it means to loosen our grip on comfort, certainty, and control and take meaningful risks for Jesus. Sometimes that risk is a major life decision. Other times, it’s as simple as reaching out to someone, offering to pray, joining a community, serving, giving generously, or saying yes when the Holy Spirit prompts us. Faith isn’t knowing the outcome. It’s trusting God enough to take the next step anyway. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

In this message, Dan explores the story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. The walls were necessary—they brought protection, stability, and security. But shortly after completing them, God’s people rediscovered an unusual command: leave the security of those walls and spend seven days living in temporary shelters. Through the Festival of Booths, or Sukkot, God reminded His people that their ultimate security was never found in what they could build, but in the God who had always provided for them. Our careers, finances, relationships, plans, and accomplishments can all be good things worth building. But what happens when we ask them to provide something they were never meant to give us? From Nehemiah to Sukkot and finally to Jesus’ invitation—“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink”—this message invites us to step outside our normal rhythms, notice God again, and remember where our deepest security is found. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

What happens when following Jesus asks you to give up the very thing you’ve spent your whole life working toward? By 18, Silvan Wallner had achieved his childhood dream of becoming a professional soccer player in Europe. His career was growing, opportunities were opening, and the possibility of playing at an even higher level seemed within reach. But as Silvan began reading the Bible and encountering Jesus for himself, another journey was beginning. In this personal testimony, Silvan shares how a growing relationship with God led him to wrestle with success, identity, the Sabbath, and ultimately a decision that would change the direction of his life. At just 22 years old, he stepped away from professional soccer—not because he knew exactly what would come next, but because he believed Jesus was worth following. It’s a story about surrender, finding peace beyond achievement, and trusting God when obedience leads somewhere you never expected. Whatever decision or uncertainty you may be carrying, Silvan’s story is an invitation to make space for God, seek Him personally, and trust where He leads. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

What if conversion isn’t a single moment, but a lifelong journey of learning to trust God’s grace? In this deeply personal message, Kate shares her journey from growing up Catholic, to becoming an Adventist, to wrestling with fear, legalism, spiritual exhaustion, and eventually discovering a deeper understanding of grace. Her story challenges the idea that following Jesus is about performing well enough, checking the right boxes, or somehow earning God’s approval. Drawing from her own experiences—and an unexpected connection to Project Hail Mary—Kate reflects on what it means to have faith when certainty disappears, to trust God with questions we can’t answer, and to discover that God’s love was never something we had to earn. True conversion, she reminds us, isn’t about becoming better at performing our faith. It’s about learning, day by day, to receive the grace that has already been given. A vulnerable story about faith, deconstruction, healing, grace, and the ongoing work of becoming. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

What does it mean to truly seek God? In this message, Seeking His Face, we explore the difference between simply knowing about God and actually living in His presence. Through the story of Moses, we see how an intimate relationship with God changes the way we respond to His presence, His glory, and even the challenges of everyday life. Moses didn’t treat time with God like something he could simply clock in and out of. He continually sought more of God—and the more time he spent in God’s presence, the more that presence became visible in his life. As we reflect on the repeated biblical invitation to “seek His face,” we’re reminded that following God isn’t about reaching a point where we’ve had enough of Him. It’s a lifelong journey of drawing closer, knowing Him more deeply, and allowing His light to shine through us. And ultimately, our seeking is a response to the beautiful truth that God sought us first. Wherever you are in your journey, the invitation remains: keep seeking. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

It’s easy to see what’s wrong with someone else. Their mistakes, their shortcomings, their sin can become like a red line in the middle of a screen—once we notice it, it can become all we see. In this message we discover how the presence of Jesus changes our perspective. When we look within, we realize that we need grace. When we look around, we recognize that others need grace too. And when we look to Christ, we discover that His grace is enough for us all. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

How do you know what to trust when so many voices promise security, happiness, and answers? In this message, we explore the difference between truth and counterfeit—from the recent “blessing scams” targeting vulnerable people in Vancouver to the very first deception in the Garden of Eden. Scams don’t only exploit ignorance; they often target our deepest fears, desires, and longing for security. Through the temptation of Jesus, the example of the Bereans, and Paul’s warning against a counterfeit gospel, we discover the importance of biblical discernment. The answer to deception isn’t cynicism or trusting everyone—it’s learning to recognize the authentic by knowing Jesus. Because when we understand His character, His teachings, and His grace, we can better recognize the voices, promises, and gospels that echo Him—and those that don’t. The true blessing isn’t found in a formula, a transaction, or something we have to earn. It is found in Jesus, and it has already been given. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

or many Christians, the word tribulation immediately brings thoughts of future prophecy, persecution, and the end times. But what if Jesus is also calling us to notice the tribulation already happening around us today? In this thought-provoking message, we explore how an intense focus on future suffering can sometimes blind us to the suffering of our neighbors in the present. Looking at Matthew 24, the Great Commission, and examples from history, we're challenged to move beyond fear and speculation and instead become people who embody Christ's compassion in a hurting world. Rather than simply waiting for difficult days to come, Jesus invites His followers to be the light of the world today—bringing hope, standing with the oppressed, and trusting that He is with us until the very end. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31

The excitement of victory doesn't always last. Whether it's winning a championship, reaching a career milestone, graduating, or achieving a lifelong dream, many people discover that success doesn't satisfy as deeply as they expected. In this final message of The Beautiful Game series, we explore why even our greatest accomplishments can leave us longing for more. Looking at the experiences of elite athletes alongside the lives of Jesus, Peter, James, and John, we discover that God never intended our identity to be built on performance. Instead, He invites us into a life grounded in His presence—a place where our worth isn't determined by victories or failures, but by His love. If you've ever wondered why life's biggest moments don't always bring lasting fulfillment, this message offers a hopeful and practical perspective on finding true rest in Christ. Visit Us at oacvancouver.ca We believe that Jesus is needed and relevant for people in Vancouver today. The message of God's love and promise of wholeness was destined to be experienced within a faith community that worships, studies scripture and prays together. Let us warmly welcome you to journey with us toward greater connection, purpose and peace. Follow Us Instagram: instagram.com/oacvancouver Facebook: facebook.com/oacvancouver Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cjUJ9XmAMJc1piS1IwOQH?si=dc0f2377d0454e31