Dr. John Oakes is now leading a church planting in Merced, California.  His lessons and sermons will be posted here.  There is another, earlier article, with many sermons and lessons from 2022 to 2025.  Here is the link:  Earlier Merced Sermons       More  recent sermons are below! 7/8  1 2 Timothy VI God and […]

Question: I came across this biblical argument for the papacy and was wondering if you have heard it before and if you had any thoughts on it. As I’m sure you know, the typical passage that is often cited in support of the papacy by Roman Catholics is Matthew 16:17-19. However, in more more recent […]

Dr John Oakes preached a series of eight sermons from the Book of Joshua in Merced, Winter, 2026, as well as six sermons from Judges Spring, 2026  Notes, PPT and audio are available here: Joshua I Be Strong and Courageous Notes    Joshua I PPT    Joshua I Strong Audio    Joshua II Preparing to […]

Question: How would you respond to people who say “Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah”? Answer: Whoever says this does not know what he or she is talking about.  Either that, or possibly they are making a very narrow statement in order to make a bogus point.  Jesus said in John 5:39-40 to the […]

Question: According to the Pseudo-Clementine Homilies (4th Century), the Torah was altered (Homily 3.47), God did not ordain sacrifices (Homily 3.45), and salvation is based on obeying the True Prophet’s uncorrupted laws rather than a singular, atoning death on a cross (Homily 8.5-7). This hits the foundations of Christianity. How would you respond to this […]

Question: Do you actually believe that Jesus, while speaking to Paul (Acts 26:14) in Hebrew, is quoting a Greek proverb “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” spoken by Dionysus (an Olympian god) from ‘The Baccahae’ written by Euripides? Answer: Because Luke, who knew Paul, tells us that this is what Jesus […]

Dr. John Oakes gave a series of sermons from 2 Peter March and April, 2026 for the Merced Christian Church.  The notes, PPTs and audio are here! 2 Peter I The Knowledge of Christ Notes    2 Peter I PPT    2 Peter I Audio    2 Peter II Confidence In God’s Word Notes    […]

Dr. John Oakes is giving a series of lectures for campus and other interns June 12-13 in Irvine, California.  The notes, power point and audio will be available here.    Daniel Notes    Daniel Class PPT      Daniel Audio I    Daniel Audio II    Daniel Audio III    Daniel Audio IV You May Also […]

Dr. John Oakes gave a series of classes Winter, 2026 at the University of California, Merced.  Dr. Oakes covered topics in which Christianity interacts with modern culture.  Topics include Bioethics, Gender Issues, War and Peace, Christianity and Race, Christianity and Politics, Abortion and more.  Some, but not all, of these topics are not directly addressed […]