Orchard Hill Church Blog
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How to Change the World #3 - Part Three
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Ephesians 4:7-10 to reveal how Jesus changes the world through three powerful movements: His descent to provide salvation, His ascension demonstrating ultimate authority, and His promise to fill all things with God's intended goodness. This message offers hope for those overwhelmed by brokenness, showing how we participate in bringing God's kingdom to earth while trusting in Christ's power to ultimately restore all creation.
How to Change the World #2 - Part Two
Pastor Russ Brasher explores Ephesians 4:6-12, revealing God's perfect strategy to change the world through service. Discover how understanding God's sovereign plan—to unite all things under Christ through lavished grace—transforms our service from burdensome obligation into joyful participation in His mission, equipping each believer to make an eternal difference one act of ministry at a time.
Thankful to Who?: Why Your Gratitude is Looking for God
Jake Williams explores why gratitude feels incomplete when there's no one to thank—why "thank you" becomes a letter with no address. Discover how recognizing the Giver behind every good gift transforms gratitude from a fragile mood into the fruit of a relationship that grounds your joy and dignifies even the smallest blessings.
How to Change the World #1 - Part One
In "How to Change the World," Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Ephesians 4:13-16 to reveal God's transformative plan: changed hearts lead to changed lives, and changed lives change the world. Discover how individual alignment with Christ and corporate engagement through the church create lasting impact in our communities and beyond.
A Government That Will Never Shut Down
Brady Randall examines why we're so disappointed by human government and offers a better alternative. Discover how Jesus's eternal Kingdom provides the perfect leadership and lasting peace that no earthly government can deliver—and how you can be part of it.
Why did this happen to me? #8 - I Know You Can Do All Things
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Job 42, showing how Job's journey through suffering leads to four profound movements of faith: from doubt to awe, presumption to surrender, perplexity to understanding, and isolation to intimacy with God. Through Job's story and James 5:11's reminder that "the Lord is full of compassion and mercy," discover how your hardest seasons aren't the end of your story—God promises restoration for those who persevere.
Three Reasons to Care About Church History
Nick Hettinger explores why church history matters for every believer, addressing three key reasons Christians should care about the past. He hopes readers will discover how studying historical doctrines, recognizing our extended spiritual family, and understanding God's faithfulness through the ages can deepen their own faith and appreciation for the church's rich heritage.
Why did this happen to me? #7 - God Responds
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Job 38-41, where God finally responds to Job's suffering—not with direct answers, but with powerful questions that reveal His infinite wisdom and control. This message offers instruction, comfort, and challenge for anyone wrestling with pain and disappointment, reminding us that God's ways are higher than ours and He remains sovereign even when we don't understand.
Why did this happen to me? #6 - When Judgment is Hurtful
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Job 32-37, examining Elihu's powerful counter-statements to faulty theology about suffering. Discover how God uses hardship not as punishment but to mature, draw, and equip us—and learn to respond in ways that lead to growth rather than bitterness when life doesn't make sense.
Emotional Maturity: The Key to Influence and Enduring
Bryce Vaught explores why many pastors and leaders struggle with burnout and conflict, revealing how emotional intelligence can be the key to lasting ministry impact. Learn the four essential elements of emotional intelligence and practical steps to develop self-awareness, manage your emotions, and build healthier relationships that help you endure for the long haul.
Why did this happen to me? #5 - Reflect and Evaluatee
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Job 29-31, examining Job's claim of blamelessness and what it reveals about God's grace. He shows that when we confess our sins, God removes them "as far as the east is from the west"—freeing us from both the fear of divine punishment and the burden of wondering "Why did this happen to me?"
Why did this happen to me? #4 - When God Seems Distant
Pastor Bryce Vaught explores Job 22-27 to address one of life's most pressing questions: Why does God feel distant in our suffering? He offers three biblical prescriptions—repent, rejoice, and remain—reminding us that through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, God has closed the gap sin created, ensuring we're never truly separated from His love and presence.
Getting Started with Discipleship
Jonathan Thiede explores how to start meaningful discipleship relationships when life gets busy, drawing from his own journey with fishing and faith. Learn the three key qualities to look for in a discipleship partner and why pursuing progress over perfection helps you fulfill the Great Commission.
Why did this happen to me? #3 - When Friends Aren’t Helpful
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Job 15-21, revealing that while friends may offer "miserable comfort" through judgment or "better comfort" through presence, the best comfort comes from knowing our living Redeemer who will stand on the earth. When suffering strikes, your ultimate hope isn't found in circumstances or even good friends, but in Jesus Christ who has bought back your life from sin and will one day restore all that's broken.
Take His Hand: How Jesus Reaches Out to Change Lives
Emily DeAngelo explores whether we come to Jesus or He initiates with us through three Gospel accounts where Jesus takes someone's hand to heal and transform. She hopes readers will discover how Jesus does for us what we cannot do ourselves—lifting us from sickness, death, and isolation into abundant life through His compassionate touch.
Why did this happen to me? #2 - When Answers Don’t Satisfy
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Job 4-14, dismantling three myths about suffering: that doing good guarantees good outcomes, that repentance ends all pain, and that understanding precedes trust. Through Job's story, he reveals how the cross of Christ breaks the retributive principle—Jesus received what we deserve so we could receive what He deserved, offering real hope beyond our circumstances.
Why did this happen to me? #1 - When Your World Falls Apart
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund explores Job 1-3 to address why good people suffer, challenging the simplistic "good deeds = good life" theology and showing that sometimes God allows difficulty for reasons beyond our understanding. This message offers hope for anyone wrestling with the question "Why did this happen to me?" by distinguishing between fleeting optimism and lasting hope found in Christ.
When Faith Meets the Public Square: Speaking to a Legislature as a Christian
How can Christians engage meaningfully in public policy debates while maintaining both biblical conviction and respectful dialogue? In this legislative testimony, Jake Williams demonstrates how believers can articulate gospel-centered perspectives on complex issues like abortion legislation, showing readers a model for faithful public witness that combines theological depth with civil discourse.
Unshakeable #7 - Community
Pastor Brady Randall explores 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 to reveal how authentic Christian community provides essential accountability, encouragement, and divine empowerment that we cannot achieve alone. Discover why isolation leaves us vulnerable and how God's design for genuine fellowship offers the strength and support needed to live an unshakeable faith.
Planning, Time Management, and Other Ways We Believe We’re in Control
Alexis Shippy explores why our obsession with perfect planning and control often leaves us exhausted and unfulfilled, despite our best intentions. Through personal reflection and biblical wisdom, she reveals how shifting from self-directed planning to God-led living can transform our approach to life's overwhelming demands.