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Some seasons don’t come with a map. No clear direction. No guarantees. Just uncertainty—and the question of what to do next. This message explores what it looks like to move forward when you don’t have all the answers. Through stories of people who were asked to step into the unknown, we’re invited to wrestle with something deeper: what we actually trust when life feels unclear. Because in uncertain moments, it’s easy to fall back on what feels familiar—control, comfort, routine, or whatever gives us a sense of stability. But what if those moments aren’t meant to push us back… but to draw us forward? This episode is about learning to trust, letting go of what we try to control, and discovering what can grow in us when we don’t know what’s ahead. Because sometimes the unknown isn’t something to avoid— it’s where real change begins. 00:00 Welcome and Background 01:09 Family Update and Empty Nest 02:50 Into the Unknown Theme 02:55 Abraham Called to Go 05:10 Transitions and Knowing God 07:27 Israelites Guided by Cloud 09:09 Golden Calf and Known Gods 10:33 COVID and Our Need to Know 13:31 Unknown Seasons Reveal God 14:19 Moses Learns God's Name 17:10 Getting Close to God 18:58 Following Jesus in Real Time 21:39 Church Age and Spirit Leading 23:36 Building Decision and Baptisms 27:20 Planning vs Trusting God 29:34 Laodicea and Self Sufficiency 32:48 Call to Surrender and Repent 34:53 Closing Prayer Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

Change isn’t just about starting over. It’s about facing what’s been ignored. In Nehemiah 9, the rebuilding effort takes a deeper turn. The walls are up—but now the focus shifts inward. The people stop, reflect, and begin to confront their own story—where they’ve been, what’s gone wrong, and what needs to change. This message explores what real renewal looks like—not surface-level improvement, but honest reflection that leads to lasting transformation. It’s a moment where people choose to stop pretending, remember their past, and move forward with intention. Along the way, we’re reminded of something bigger: a God who remains patient, faithful, and present—even when people fall short again and again. If you’ve ever wanted a fresh start, but weren’t sure where to begin, this episode points to a different path—one rooted in honesty, humility, and a decision to move forward differently. Because real change doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when we’re willing to face the truth—and respond. Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 9 00:00 Welcome and Setup 04:18 Nehemiah 9 Overview 06:56 Why Change Starts with the Heart 09:19 A Moment of Collective Reset 14:07 Honest Reflection 19:06 Recognizing What Matters 21:44 Remembering Your Story 24:36 Discipline and Growth 26:44 A New Commitment 31:44 Looking Back to Move Forward 33:14 Final Takeaways Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

Some moments don’t just inspire—they redefine everything. Easter is one of those moments. This message explores what the resurrection actually means—not just as a belief, but as a turning point for how we see failure, forgiveness, doubt, and hope. From Jesus’ final words on the cross to the empty tomb in John 20, we’re invited into a story that doesn’t ignore pain—but transforms it. Along the way, we see something deeply personal: a God who speaks to the broken, meets people in their doubt, and brings peace into places that feel locked and guarded. When Mary hears her name, everything changes. When Thomas wrestles with doubt, he’s not pushed away—he’s invited closer. This episode is about more than what happened back then. It’s about what happens when belief becomes personal—when peace replaces fear, and when hope becomes real. Because Easter isn’t just something to remember. It’s something that can change how you live. Scripture Focus: John 20 00:00 Easter Welcome 00:23 Why Resurrection Matters 02:36 The Final Words on the Cross 09:37 Mercy and the Empty Tomb 11:04 Questions and Doubts 14:44 The Evidence of the Empty Tomb 17:41 Mary Meets Jesus 18:40 Called By Name 21:22 Letting Go and Trusting 22:54 Peace in Closed Spaces 24:46 The Breath of New Life 26:30 Strength to Overcome 28:20 Thomas and Doubt 30:57 A Personal Message of Love 32:26 Believing Without Seeing 33:13 Communion and Reflection Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

Palm Sunday starts with celebration. Crowds gather. Hope is high. People shout “Hosanna”—which means “save now.” They believe change is coming, and it’s coming the way they expect. It doesn’t. This episode explores the tension between expectation and reality—the moments when life doesn’t unfold the way we planned. It looks at what it means to trust, surrender, and keep moving forward when outcomes don’t make sense. Along the way, we’re invited to consider a deeper question: What are we holding onto that might be keeping us from moving forward? From releasing control to trusting through uncertainty, this message offers a perspective on faith that isn’t based on perfect outcomes, but on learning to walk through both clarity and confusion with purpose. Because sometimes “save now” doesn’t look like immediate change— it looks like a different kind of transformation. Scripture Focus: Mark 11:1–11 Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

There are moments that feel different. Not louder. Not more emotional. Just… weighty. In Nehemiah 8, after the wall is finally rebuilt, the people gather—not to celebrate the structure, but to hear something they had been missing: truth that cuts through the noise. As the words are read, something unexpected happens. People understand. They feel it. They respond. Not with hype—but with conviction, clarity, and eventually, joy. This message explores what happens when something stops being routine and starts becoming real. When what we hear actually reaches us. When it challenges us, changes us, and pulls us back to what matters. It’s not just about reading Scripture. It’s about what happens when it reads you. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, spiritually numb, or unsure what’s real anymore, this chapter offers a picture of what renewal can look like—not forced, but awakened. Because sometimes the most powerful moments aren’t when something new is built… but when something forgotten is rediscovered. 00:00 Skipping Nehemiah Seven 02:29 What Makes Faith Sacred 04:32 Watergate Scripture Reading 05:26 Defining the Sacred 06:51 Sacred Heart and Hearing 09:44 Why Expository Preaching 10:55 Feasts and Trumpets 13:59 Privilege of the Word 16:39 Solidarity and Fatherhood 19:33 Standing in Reverence 21:04 Reverence for Scripture 21:37 Making the Word Clear 22:36 Why We Need Scripture 24:05 Conviction Then Celebration 25:05 What We Hold Sacred 29:51 Holy Day Joy 31:36 Tabernacles and Perspective 35:06 Retreat and Feasting 36:19 Sacred Remembrance Revival 37:25 Final Takeaways and Charge Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

Starting is exciting. Finishing is where it gets hard. In Nehemiah 6, the wall is almost complete—but that’s when the pressure peaks. Distractions increase. False accusations spread. Fear tactics show up. The closer Nehemiah gets to finishing, the more intense the resistance becomes. This message explores why the final stretch of anything meaningful—faith, purpose, relationships, growth—is often the most difficult. Not because it’s failing, but because it’s about to matter. Nehemiah refuses to get pulled off course. He doesn’t chase distractions. He doesn’t get derailed by criticism. He discerns what’s true, rejects what’s false, and stays focused on the work in front of him. “I'm doing a great work and I cannot come down.” If you’ve ever felt close to breakthrough but overwhelmed by pressure, doubt, or distraction, this episode is a reminder: the resistance you’re facing may be a sign you’re closer than you think. Finish what matters. Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 6 00:00 Welcome and Focus 00:57 Nehemiah Six Setup 01:22 Lessons on Hard Work 04:48 Confession of Faith 05:20 Why Finishing Is Hard 07:51 The Cross Cost 10:16 Satan Stops Finishers 14:36 Mountain Climb Story 17:54 No to Oh No 19:56 Spiritual Battle Reality 20:42 Hating Satan Not People 22:40 Stay Focused On Work 23:22 Calling Out The Lie 24:58 Slander And Unsealed Letter 27:21 Pray Strengthen My Hands 28:41 False Prophets And Traps 33:07 Wall Finished In 52 Days 34:43 Enemies Keep Intimidating 35:42 Final Lessons And Blessing Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

Rebuilding something meaningful is hard enough when the opposition comes from the outside. But what happens when the real threat comes from within? In Nehemiah 5, the walls of Jerusalem are rising—but the community itself begins to fracture. Economic pressure, famine, and fear lead some people to exploit their own neighbors. Families lose land. Children are forced into servitude. The rebuilding effort is suddenly at risk—not because of enemies outside the city, but because trust inside the community is breaking down. Nehemiah refuses to ignore it. Instead of protecting the powerful or avoiding conflict, he confronts injustice head-on. What follows is a powerful example of leadership that values integrity over comfort and unity over personal gain. This episode explores what it looks like to rebuild when greed, pressure, and division threaten to tear things apart—and why the most important work often happens in the places we’d rather avoid. Because sometimes the strongest walls are built when people choose courage, accountability, and compassion. Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

How long have you been waiting? In John 5, Jesus meets a man who had been stuck for 38 years—waiting for change, waiting for help, waiting for something to happen. Then Jesus asks a surprising question: “Do you want to get well?” This message explores the uncomfortable truth that sometimes what keeps us stuck isn’t just our circumstances—it’s our excuses, our identity, or the story we’ve learned to tell ourselves. Jesus doesn’t offer sympathy alone. He offers movement. “Get up. Pick up your mat. Walk.” If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, the right season, or the right breakthrough, this message challenges us to consider that transformation may begin with a step of obedience. You don’t have to stay where you’ve been. 00:00 The Barrier We Thought Was Impossible 03:46 From Waiting to Walking 05:19 Jesus Moves Toward the Stuck 11:48 When Excuses Keep Us There 15:48 Obedience Changes Identity 17:27 Pick Up Your Mat 20:13 The Mats We Carry 23:43 Redemption and New Life Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

What do you do when discouragement shows up halfway through the work? Nehemiah 4 captures a moment many of us know well: progress has been made, momentum is building—and suddenly resistance increases. The ridicule gets louder. The threats feel more real. Fatigue sets in. Fear creeps in. This episode explores what it means to keep building when opposition doesn’t disappear. As the wall of Jerusalem rises, so does hostility. Instead of retreating, Nehemiah responds with prayer, strategy, partnership, and courage. The people work with tools in one hand and protection in the other—reminding us that growth and resistance often happen at the same time. If you’re rebuilding something in your life—faith, trust, purpose, relationships—this message reminds us that opposition doesn’t mean we’re off track. It may mean what we’re building matters. Key themes include: How discouragement worksThe power of partnershipPraying while planningPushing through the halfway pointRefusing to let fear dictate your future Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 4 00:00 When Opposition Gets Loud 01:03 Nehemiah 4 Overview 02:58 Threats and Defense Plan 07:39 Words That Wound 13:35 Prayer as the Response 17:53 Pressing On Through Fear 20:32 Weariness at the Halfway Point 25:08 Rejecting Lies 27:22 Workers and Warriors 29:33 The Trumpet Call 31:37 Lessons from Nehemiah 33:36 The Rebuilt Wall

What if the most important work you’ll ever do happens alongside others? Nehemiah 3 reads like a construction report—but behind the names and gates is a powerful reminder that lasting change happens when ordinary people take ownership of their part. This episode explores what it means to build side by side—across backgrounds, skill sets, and generations. Some embraced the responsibility. Others refused. The chapter quietly confronts us with a question that still matters: Will you take your place in the work? From personal responsibility to teamwork, from humility to legacy, this message reminds us that no role is insignificant—and that great things are built by people who show up consistently. Whether you’re rebuilding faith, family, community, or purpose, you don’t have to do it alone. Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 3 00:00 Rising Up to Build — Inside and Out 01:59 Why We Must Build Together 03:02 Renewing the Confession “Jesus Is Lord” 04:36 The Gates and the Call to Work 05:49 The Priests Lead the Way 07:43 Why Names Matter 09:38 Restoring Safety and Flourishing 15:08 When Some Refuse to Help 18:05 Labor That Isn’t in Vain 20:31 Building Near Home 22:58 Strong Foundations 24:41 The Long Haul Work 29:36 Building for the Next Generation 36:13 Side-by-Side Service and Legacy Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

What if where you are right now isn’t accidental—but strategic? In this message from Nehemiah chapter two, we explore how an ordinary person in an overlooked position becomes a key figure in rebuilding an entire city. Nehemiah’s story reveals how purpose, courage, and timing intersect when someone chooses to step out of victim thinking and into responsibility. This sermon looks at how destiny often unfolds through uncomfortable conversations, bold requests, and decisive action. You’ll hear how Nehemiah moves from private burden to public mission—using his position, influence, and preparation to partner with what God is already doing. Along the way, the message challenges us to examine the roles we play in conflict, how opposition can clarify calling, and why rebuilding anything meaningful—faith, community, relationships, or vision—requires both prayer and strategy. If you’ve ever felt stuck, sidelined, or unsure how to move forward, this episode invites you to consider that your current position may be part of a much bigger story. Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 2 Timestamps00:00 Introduction & the Question of Destiny 01:31 Breaking the Drama Triangle 02:36 Moving Beyond Victim Mentality 03:24 From Cupbearer to Builder: Nehemiah’s Turning Point 04:28 A Bold Ask and a Defining Moment 14:53 Favor, Timing, and Strategic Grace 17:10 When Opportunity Meets Preparation 18:31 Gratitude, Loyalty, and Responsibility 19:10 The Cost of Stepping Forward 20:38 Opposition, Resistance, and Discernment 23:01 Planning with Purpose 28:44 Calling Others Into the Vision 30:40 Pushback, Persecution, and Perseverance 32:24 Final Encouragement: Rise Up and Build Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

Rise Up and BuildWhat do you do when life feels broken—and you don’t know where to start? In this message from the Book of Nehemiah, we look at what happens when God’s people return from exile and face the overwhelming task of rebuilding what was lost. Nehemiah doesn’t respond with denial or hype—he responds with grief, prayer, repentance, and a plan. This sermon is a call to rebuild with purpose: not just walls, but hearts… not just structures, but unity… not just activity, but mission. If you’re facing discouragement, loss, spiritual burnout, or a season where things need to be rebuilt, this episode will help you take the next step with faith and perseverance—together, not alone. Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 1–2 00:00 Morning Reflections and Spiritual Stirring 01:36 Introduction to Nehemiah Series 02:12 Rebuilding the Temple and Facing Hardships 04:45 Spiritual Rebuilding and Community Efforts 07:42 The Importance of Unity and Hard Work 11:45 Nehemiah’s Leadership and Vision 21:45 Emotional and Spiritual Challenges 24:14 Responding to Bad News 25:22 The Importance of a Soft Heart 25:53 Weeping for Our Loved Ones 31:11 The Power of Prayer 33:53 Repentance and Reflection 40:48 Rising Up and Rebuilding 45:09 A Personal Song and Reflection Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

What shapes the way you live—what you hope for, what you endure, and what you value most? In this episode, Marcel Hall reflects on a once-in-a-lifetime moment from The Price Is Right and uses it to explore a much deeper question: What is the prize that truly lasts? Drawing from 1 Peter 1:3–9, the message centers on the prize of eternal life—a gift rooted in mercy, protected by God, and powerful enough to shape everyday life. For those inside the church, this episode is a reminder to slow down and cherish what has already been given—with renewed gratitude, deeper commitment, and a willingness to share hope with others. For those outside the church, it’s an open invitation to consider whether there is more to life than what can be earned, achieved, or lost—and whether faith might offer a hope that doesn’t fade when circumstances change. This message invites all listeners to reflect on what they’re living for—and whether they’ve discovered a prize worth building life around. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3–9 00:00 – A new year, a new perspective (2026 slogan) 02:00 – Looking back: a moment from The Price Is Right 06:10 – Sermon title introduced: A Prize Worth Living For 07:20 – Setting the context: pressure, suffering, and hope 08:50 – The main idea: The Prize of Eternal Life 09:10 – Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:3–9 10:45 – Mercy, new birth, and a living hope 13:35 – An inheritance that can’t fade or be taken away 16:05 – Guarded by God’s power: security for the present and future 17:20 – Why faith is worth more than gold 18:05 – Inexpressible joy—even in hard seasons 20:20 – What the prize of eternal life includes 21:10 – A turning question: “What do you do with a prize like this?” 22:10 – The Clippers ball story: when something valuable isn’t cherished 24:05 – Response: Cherish the Prize 24:30 – Cherish the prize with gratitude 26:50 – Cherish the prize through commitment 28:15 – Cherish the prize by sharing it 30:05 – Action steps for the week 32:20 – Closing encouragement and Scripture (1 Peter 1:3–4) Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

What if happiness isn’t something you chase—but something you learn? In this honest and encouraging message, Dr. Gregg Marutzky explores what truly leads to a joyful, content life—not through perfect circumstances, but through perspective, purpose, and connection. Drawing from Philippians 4, personal stories, and practical wisdom, this sermon challenges common assumptions about happiness and offers a better foundation for lasting contentment. You’ll discover how outward focus, meaningful relationships, gratitude, rest, and helping others play a powerful role in shaping joy. Along the way, Dr. Marutzky shares simple, relatable tools—like mindfulness, healthy routines, and the “5-3-1” social rule—that can make a real difference in everyday life. Whether you’re deeply rooted in faith, exploring spirituality, or just tired of chasing happiness that doesn’t last, this message offers hope, clarity, and a fresh way forward. 00:00 – Introduction & Personal Stories 00:55 – Why We All Want to Be Happy 01:31 – Birthday Reflections & Life Lessons 05:29 – Rethinking the “Secret” to Happiness 07:30 – Paul’s Perspective on Contentment 18:09 – Practical Habits That Increase Joy 21:13 – The Role of Sleep, Prayer, and Rest 21:50 – Mindfulness & Mental Health 23:02 – Simplifying Life to Find Contentment 24:19 – The “Year of Yes” and Positive Choices 29:24 – Strength Beyond Yourself 33:29 – Community, Service, and Shared Joy 39:00 – Final Encouragement & Takeaways Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ

In this New Year's sermon, Dr. Gregg Marutzky reflects on the passing of 2025 and emphasizes embracing the new year with renewed dreams and a steadfast faith in God. He highlights the importance of dreaming spiritual dreams, moving past one's history, and focusing on a future with God. The sermon incorporates an inspiring poem by Lord Alfred Tennyson, calls for personal resolutions, and discusses Jacob's Ladder as a metaphor for the divine connection with humanity. Emphasizing the significance of commitment to the church, spirituality, and personal growth, Dr. Marutzky encourages listeners to renew their devotion to God's promises, reflect on personal and collective pasts, and look forward to a year of grace, sacrifice, and community involvement. 00:00 New Year Greetings and Reflections 00:14 Welcoming Pablo and Nicole 00:45 Embracing New Year Sermons 01:14 Dreaming Spiritual Dreams 01:52 Letting Go of the Past 02:28 Inspirational Poem by Lord Tennyson 05:09 New Beginnings and Resolutions 06:46 Common New Year's Resolutions 11:14 Jacob's Ladder: A Sacred Space 12:47 God's Promises to Jacob 23:48 Reflecting on God's Promises 24:02 Exciting Plans for the Community 24:42 Embracing Imperfection in the Church 26:41 Sacred Spaces and Family Traditions 29:04 New Year's Resolutions and Commitments 40:01 Lessons Learned and Apologies 45:07 Core Beliefs and Final Blessings Click here to donate to the program Click here for more sermons OC Church of Christ