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The Kingdom is Surprisingly Messy

Series: The Surprising Kingdom
Chad Ragsdale
28 minutes
September 8, 2009
various passages
Download MP3

Chad Ragsdale gives a personal challenge to be involved in the dirty work of ministry.

  • Making Life Matter by Matt Proctor

    In this special Sunday morning service starting off the Fall 2010 semester, OCC's President Matt Proctor encourages the incoming new students and their families to live a life that makes a difference.

  • An Epic Story: Romance by Robin Sigars

    The story of Scripture is a story of romance. In Hosea it’s a story of a King who loves a commoner and gives Himself to her, only to see her fall into unfaithfulness to Him.  But He leaves His palace and gives His very life to win her back.

  • An Epic Story: Quest by Matt Proctor

    Journey is a constant metaphor in Scripture for the life of a believer.  OCC's President, Matt Proctor, reminds our students that in God’s power while surrounded by a faithful fellowship, we can endure to reach our final destination.

  • Convocation 2010: Tree of Life by Mark Scott

    At this year's convocation banquet Mark Scott Exhort's us to be the word. We cannot be the word if we are not in the word. So dive into the word of God.

  • An Epic Story: Battle by Doug Welch

    The Bible clearly teaches that the Christian life is not a playground; it’s a battleground.  There is an enemy army that wants to destroy us. You must strap on your spiritual armor every day because, you are part of an epic battle against Satan—not only for your own soul, but also for the souls of others.

  • Stuff You Can Learn From a Good Farmer

    We can learn from talking to and observing farmers the best ways to plant, nurture and harvest a crop. Jesus uses the analogy of a farmer many times in Scripture. And He teaches us how to harvest His Crop through His example and His teachings

  • Honor

     Paul describes relationships in general, then uses the word “honor” to describe three specific relationships:  how the church treats its widows and its elders, and how a slave treats his master.  Morgan challenges our students to treat everyone—especially the least, their leaders, and even their enemies—with honor.

  • Pursue

    Warren Wiersbe says you can tell a man of God by what he flees from, follows after and fights for (6:11-12).    Jordan challenges our students to keep their hearts and minds set on things above, not on earthly things—to appropriately enjoy what is temporal (6:17), but to pursue what is eternal.

  • Teach

     It is the patient teaching of God’s Word, through someone whose life matches his message, that draws people into Christ’s kingdom, matures them in the faith, and mobilizes them for kingdom advancement.  Kyle challenges our students to a be a “living Bible” through their own example.

  • Lead

    Paul reminds Timothy that the number one quality needed for spiritual leadership—whether elder, deacon or “woman leader”—is character.  Of course, godly character is always grounded in the gospel of Christ (3:16).  Zach challenges our students to lead first out of a Christ-like character.

  • Pray

    The Ephesian church has been distracted by arguments, fashion statements, and authority struggles, when their priority should be prayer for the advance of the gospel (2:1-8).  

  • Stay

    Paul’s first command in the letter is “stay there in Ephesus” (1:3).  Timothy must demonstrate perseverance, resilience, pastoral grit, and he must confront the false teachers.  Their legalism is robbing the church of grace.  Paul knows from personal experience that only grace can transform a life

  • Vine

    OCC Vice President, Greg Hafer, closes the Eikon series examining God's role as and our relationship with the Vine.

  • Serpent

    Professor Tom Lawson continues the Eikon series with the imagery of a serpent and the relationship between Serpent and the Christ.

  • Storytelling

    Tommy Oaks, Campus Minister and renowned storyteller, takes time to share with OCC students in a brief Chapel message.

  • Fish

    Right after Easter, we look at the image Christ Himself used to portray His own resurrection – Jonah in the Big Fish The question that Christ asked the scribes and Pharisees regarding Jonah’s sign is one we still need to answer today: will we repent?

  • Rock

    Brian takes a look at a picture that demonstrates God’s willingness to bear the burden for His children. Referring to the "rock" that Moses struck in the wilderness Paul, in commenting on this story, claims that the rock that Moses struck was, in fact, Christ Himself.

  • Optional Discipleship

    Kevin Greer gives us a new look at the Great Commission and our role as disciples

  • A Theology of Complaining

    Shane Wood walks us through scripture pointing out the "complainers" and helps us to understand whether it is right or wrong to complain.

  • Roll The World

    In this dynamic message, Doug Aldridge encourages us to focus on what we are willing to do to save souls. Are we ready to get past ourselves and meet the needs of a dying world?

  • What Guys Wish Girls Knew

    Part 2: This two part Chapel series takes a look at some of the psychological and emotional differences between men and women. Dr. Karl Wendt and his wife Shannon offer a lighthearted examination of these differences and offer some suggestions on how to improve your relationships with the opposite sex.

  • What Girls Wish Guys Knew

    Part 1:This two part Chapel series takes a look at some of the psychological and emotional differences between men and women. Dr. Karl Wendt and his wife Shannon offer a lighthearted examination of these differences and offer some suggestions on how to improve your relationships with the opposite sex.

  • The Unfamiliar Passions of God

    Dr. Wayne Barnard of the International Justice Mission in Washington DC brings a powerful message regarding God's command to us to rescue the widow, the orphan, those held in slavery.

  • Lazarus Still Died but Jesus Lives

    Mike Schrage from Good News Productions addresses the student body at the start of International Focus Week with a challenge from Matthew 6:33 to seek God's righteousness and forsake the world for the call to "engage" His people.

  • To Do List: Take a Trip

    Part three of the "To Do List" sermon series. Our missionary on campus exhorts the student body to reach out to the world beyond their back door. To take a missions trip and share God's word.

  • To Do List: Find A Church

    Part two of our three part sermon series "To Do List". OCC President Matt Proctor encourages us to get involved in a local church, to reach out to the people there and love them as Christ loved us.

  • To Do List: Read a Book

    Part one of a three part chapel series that encourages us to complete the items on God's to-do list that He knows will help us grow stronger in wisdom and knowledge of Him.

  • Peace On Earth: Not Yet

    Doug Welch finishes up the Fall semester and the series "Peace On Earth" with an encouragement to remember the peace that is eternal.

  • Peace On Earth

    As part of the "Peace On Earth" series, OCC President Matt Proctor interviews Dr. Victor Batarseh, the mayor of Bethlehem, and Dr. Bishara Awad, President of Bethlehem Bible College.

  • Peace On Earth: Now

    Opening the 3-part series "Peace On Earth," Damien Spikereit shows us where the peace of Christ can be found right now in the middle of our turbulent world.

  • Sabbaoth - The God Who Lead Us Into Battle

    Our God is not a pacifist. Our God is a God who leads us into battle

  • Rohi - The God Who is Our Shepherd

    As part of the series "Good News of God," this message by Gerald Griffin focuses on God as the shepherd of His people.

  • Ozark Highlights

    Ozark Christian College has been training men and women for Christian service for more than 65 years.  Find out why OCC is the perfect place to study the Word of God in preparation for a lifeteme of serving people.

  • I Am Just One

    Just One person can make a difference in the world.  Find out how Ozark Christian College is training men and women for Christian service so they will be the "Just One" who will bring hope and good news to a hurting world. 

  • Rapha - The God Who Heals

    As part of the sermon series "Good News of God", which focuses on various names of God, Dr. Gary Zustiak gives a message on the healing power of God.

  • National Missionary Convention

    Rick Jett, president of the 2009 National Missionary Convention, presents a compelling message of ministry to the poor and the lost.

  • Spiritual Baggage

    From the sermon series "Baggage" OCC's Missions Director, Chris DeWelt, takes a look at spiritual aspects that weigh down our lives.

  • Sexual Baggage

    From the sermon series "Baggage", Randy Gariss gives a Biblical perspective on sexuality and describes how an inaccurate perspective can damage lives.

  • Financial Baggage

    From the sermon series "Baggage", professor Mark Moore looks from a Biblical perspective on money and possessions.

  • Explicating Emerging Postmodernity Versus Emergent Postmodernity

    As part of the 2009 Faith Forum, Dr John Castelein focuses this lecture series on the differences of emerging and emergent postmodernity.

  • Explicating Movie Exegesis

    As part of the 2009 Faith Forum, Dr John Castelein focuses this lecture series on the interaction between Christianity and film.

  • Explicating Our Shared Humanity

    As part of the 2009 Faith Forum, Dr John Castelein focuses this lecture series on the interaction between Christianity and film.

  • Relational Baggage

    Professor and counselor, Peter Buckland gives insight on how to deal with that extra baggage we may carry which hinders our relationship with others and with God.

  • Preaching Q & A

    As part of the 2009 Preaching Emphasis Day, Dr. JK Jones and Dr. Mark Scott answer various questions on how to accurately and effectively preach the Word of God.

  • The Text Worth Everything and The Text's Exegesis of Us

    As part of the 2009 Preaching Emphasis Day, Dr. JK Jones and Dr. Mark Scott present challenging lectures on how to accurately and effectively preach the Word of God.

  • How to Know the Text is Winning

    As part of the 2009 Preaching Emphasis Day, Dr. Mark Scott presents a challenging lecture on how to accurately and effectively preach the Word of God.

  • The Kingdom is Surprisingly Messy

    Chad Ragsdale gives a personal challenge to be involved in the dirty work of ministry.

  • The Kingdom is Surprisingly Gracious

    Professor of Church Planting, Dave Smith, reminds us that while we toil and work for the cause of Christ, the ultimate message we preach is one of grace and forgiveness.

  • The Kingdom is Surprisingly Valuable

    Academic Dean, Mark Scott continues the "Surprising Kingdom" series with a reminder of the preciousness of message we proclaim.

  • The Kingdom is Surprisingly Big

    In the first official Chapel service of the new school year, President Matt Proctor challenges the student body to remember why they are at OCC: to grow the kingdom of Christ.

  • The Kingdom is Surprisingly Productive

    Kenny Boles kicks off a series about the "Surprising Kingdom" with an inspiring message of continuing the work of Christ at the convocation banquet.

  • Sunday Evening Service, Fall 2009

    The second part of the fall semester kickoff for the 2009-2010 school year.

  • Sunday Morning Service, Fall 2009

    Matt Proctor delivers the Sunday morning service at the beginning of the school year, 2009.

  • Melissa Jackson

    When God's ambassadors take the Gospel, lives are changed.  Melissa is using her OCC education to help bring healing to the hurting in Cambodia.

  • Jordan Howerton

    God never lets go, and He never lets up.  At first, Jordan resisted the call to ministry, but now he inspires thousands of people every week to worship the Father.

  • Juliet Rose

    The pursuit of happiness.  The passion of a preacher.  The power of the Gospel.  From Vegas to Joplin, Juliet's story epitomizes the grace of Jesus Christ and the transformation that can take place when the Gospel is preached.

  • Just One - Jordan Howerton

    Just One can make a difference.

  • Just One - Bev Skiles

    Just One can reach out to orphans in Taiwan.

  • Just One - Joe Garmin

    Just One can reach prisoners for Christ.

  • Just One - Steve Johnson

    Just One can influence three generations of leaders.

  • Just One - Roy Weece

    Just One can make a difference for more than 5 decades of winning souls for Christ.

  • Just One - Marcia Relyea

    Just One can translate the Bible for the people of Papua, New Guinea.

  • Just One - Stephen Prophete

    Just One can feed the hungry and preach hope to the people of Haiti.

  • Website Promo

    OCC is proud to launch a new website with many new features and designs.