NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC

About NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC

Rutgers.Church Messages

Publisher

NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

31 Jul 2026

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

7 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Oct 2026

   We Belong Together | 1 Cor 12:12-27 | David Butler

   In this message from 1 Corinthians 12, Pastor Dave Butler unpacks the powerful truth behind the motto “E Pluribus Unum” — out of many, one. Just as a physical body has many members that function as one, the church is a diverse family of believers knit together by the Holy Spirit. You were not saved to stand alone. God intentionally placed you in His body for a purpose. Discover why differences are a gift, why the “hidden” parts of the body are indispensable, and how practical love turns a group of people into a true family that suffers and rejoices together. You Weren’t Saved to Stand Alone Have you ever looked at a dollar bill and noticed the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum”? It means “out of many, one.” That simple motto on the Great Seal of the United States points to a far greater reality found in Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul uses the image of a human body to describe the church. Just as a body is one yet has many members — a hand, a foot, an eye — so it is with Christ. “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). The moment you place your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit baptizes you into the family of God. You become part of something bigger than yourself. You were not saved to be a lone-ranger Christian. God designed you for community. One Spirit, One Family Paul emphasizes that “in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). The true church transcends culture, language, ethnicity, and background. In a world that loves to divide people into categories, the body of Christ is a living demonstration of unity in diversity. At Rutgers Oasis Church we see that diversity every week. People from different nations, ages, and stories gather as one family. That is not an accident. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. When a church looks like the world around it — full of different people who love one another — it becomes a beacon of hope. Lie #1: “I Don’t Belong Here” One of the first lies people believe is that they don’t fit because they are different. Paul addresses this directly: “If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body” (1 Corinthians 12:15). You may not be the up-front speaker, the worship leader, or the person who seems most gifted. You still belong. God arranged the members of the body exactly as He chose (1 Corinthians 12:18). There are no leftovers with God. Psalm 139 reminds us that He knit us together with intention. The same intentional God has placed you in His church for a reason. Lie #2: “They Don’t Need Me” The second lie is equally dangerous: “I don’t need you.” Paul flips the script: “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’” (1 Corinthians 12:21). In fact, the parts of the body that seem weaker or less honorable are indispensable. The hidden work — the greeters, the people who set up, the ones who prepare food, the children’s ministry volunteers, the people who call during the week — these are the backbone of a healthy church. Too often we give most of the credit to the person on the platform. Paul says the opposite. The pastor is nothing without the people, and the people are nothing without Christ. Every member matters. No Division — Same Care for One Another God composed the body so that there would be no division, but that the members would have the same care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25). That means if one member suffers, every member suffers with it. If one member is honored, every member rejoices with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). This is more than a nice idea. It is practical. It looks like noticing when someone walks in hurting, asking “How are you really doing?”, and following up. It looks like helping someone move, sharing a meal, or sitting around a fire in a connect group. A real church family has each other’s backs. Your Next Step If you are a believer, you are the body of Christ and individually a member of it (1 Corinthians 12:27). Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t withdraw. God wants you connected. This week’s application is simple: • Reach out to one person in the church family and ask how they are really doing. • If you don’t know anyone yet, come back next week and intentionally greet someone. • Join a connect group during the week. Community happens around tables and living rooms, not just on Sunday mornings. A Prayer for You Father, thank You that we are Your family and Your body on earth. Make these truths real in our hearts. For anyone reading this who is not sure where they stand with You, help them see that Jesus died in their place, shed His blood for their sin, and offers full forgiveness. If you believe that, simply say: “Jesus, I trust You. Come into my life. Fill me with Your Spirit.” You promised that whoever comes to You, You will never drive away. Amen. Join Us This Sunday Rutgers Oasis Church meets on the Rutgers University campus in New Brunswick, NJ. We are a family-focused church reaching hurting and hungry people for Jesus. NJ Church (https://cometotheroc.com) The post We Belong Together | 1 Cor 12:12-27 | David Butler (https://oasis-church-nj.com/we-belong-together-1-cor-1212-27-david-butler/) appeared first on NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC (https://oasis-church-nj.com).

2. 

   5 Oct 2026

   You Were Never Meant to Do Life Alone | Better Together Week 1 | David Butler

   What if the biggest relationship mistake we make is the same one we make with our phones — we never open the User Guide? One well-known estimate says we will spend 17+ years of our lives on our smartphones. Almost none of us have read the manual. We just mash the apps we already know. We do the same thing with marriage, dating, friendship, and work. We jump in, then ask confused friends, TikTok, YouTube, or an AI companion what to do next. In this Big Day kickoff of Better Together at Rutgers Oasis Church, Pastor Dave Butler opens the only User Guide that actually knows how we were made: God and His Word. God is relational. Before there was a garden, a job, or a spouse, there was the Word with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). We were made in that image (Genesis 1:26). And the first “not good” in the Bible is not sin. It is solitude. “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Adam had a perfect garden, a perfect job, and a perfect walk with God, and God still said he was not meant to do life alone. Better together is not a slogan. It is how the Trinity lives, and how image-bearers flourish. In this message Why 17 years on a phone is a picture of how we treat relationships Where most of us actually go for relationship advice John 1:1 and the first relationship in the universe Genesis 1:26: made in the image of a relational God Genesis 2:18: the first “not good,” and what ezer (helper) really means Why loneliness is a design feature, not a design flaw The Big Idea: you were never meant to do life alone, because the God who made you never has This week Connect with someone face to face. No smartphones. Meditate on Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:18, and John 1:1. Join a connect group. Invite a friend. The series: Four weeks. One User Guide. Week 1 — Why we were made for connection Week 2 — Dating: how to meet and pursue the right person Week 3 — Marriage: how to strengthen your relationship with your spouse and kids Week 4 — Communication: how to talk so a relationship can thrive Come back next week. Bring someone with you. We really are better together. Scripture John 1:1 · Genesis 1:26 · Genesis 2:18 Rutgers Oasis Church 100 College Ave, New Brunswick, NJ Sundays · family, students, and singles Connect: https://cometotheroc.com (https://cometotheroc.com/) https://rutgers.church (https://rutgers.church/) Subscribe for the rest of Better Together, and share this with someone who has been doing relationships without the User Guide. #BetterTogether #RutgersOasisChurch #ChristianRelationships #Genesis218 #John11 #NewBrunswick #FaithAndRelationships #ChurchOnline The post You Were Never Meant to Do Life Alone | Better Together Week 1 | David Butler (https://oasis-church-nj.com/you-were-never-meant-to-do-life-alone-better-together-week-1-david-butler/) appeared first on NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC (https://oasis-church-nj.com).

3. 

   28 Sept 2026

   How to Have Better Communication in Relationships |James 1:19| David Butler

   “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” — James 1:19–20, NIV God created us for relationships. Before there was a universe, there was already love: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sharing life together. Because God is love, He made us in His image and invited us into His family. That is what it means to be born again — a new life with God, and then better relationships with each other. Somewhere along the line, we mess that up. Sin makes us selfish. Stress makes us sloppy. And the thing that usually snaps first is communication. This is week three of our Better Together series at Oasis. The message is for dating and marriage, but it also works with a difficult boss, a noisy neighbor, a roommate, and anyone else you have to live with. Relationships are hard. If you have ever thought, “We just grew apart,” this is for you. What communication actually means Communicate means to find common ground. It means to come face to face. John 1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” That little word with points to intimate companionship — face-to-face relationship. For 26 years I worked as a family court mediator. My job was to get people who often could not stand each other to sit down and talk about the things that mattered: kids, money, custody. Because I am a nosy guy, I would ask them how it started. Almost every couple began with “I love you, I want you, I need you.” A few years later it was, “Get this idiot out of here.” Was it money? Usually no. The in-laws? Not the main reason. Even cheating was not the number one answer I heard. The biggest reason people broke up was lack of communication. “We just grew apart. We’re not on the same page anymore.” You can look at the same tomato and argue about how to say the word. Same fruit. Different angle. That is what happens in a lot of homes. A disclaimer: James was not writing a dating manual. Dating as we know it is modern. He was writing to Jewish Christians scattered under stress. When life gets hard, we stop communicating well. James gives three commands — not suggestions — that will raise the level of every relationship you have. Command 1: Be quick to listen Quick here means eager. Give full attention before you give your opinion. Most of us say we want to hear the other person. What we actually want is to get our view in. We prepare the answer while they are still talking. That is not communication. That is a speech waiting for a pause. About 94 percent of communication is nonverbal. Words matter, but body language often matters more. Arms crossed. Body turned away. Eyes on the phone. Those things say, “I am already gone,” even if your mouth says, “I’m listening.” “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” — Proverbs 18:13 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his own opinion. James says the opposite: take in what they are saying before you respond. You do not have to agree. You do have to understand. Active listening In mediation we learned to rephrase. Someone would talk, and I would say, “So what you mean is…” using different words. If they said yes, two things happened. First, the fog cleared. Second, they felt worth listening to. Who does not want that? Even if you do not like what you are hearing, at least you know what you are dealing with. Three listening habits Put the phone down. Looking at a screen while someone talks is selective listening. That is how “take the garbage out” never happens. Do not finish their sentence. Let them get to the end. Reflect it back. Ask, “Did I get that right?” You are not surrendering. You are making sure you heard the heart, not just the volume. Command 2: Be slow to speak Slow like molasses. Restrained. Not blurting before you have the facts. “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” — Proverbs 10:19 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and the one who has a cool spirit is a person of understanding. Words are a fire. They can give life or they can give death. It can take a lifetime to build respect and one sentence to lose it. I have watched one angry word wreck a marriage, split a church friendship, and in some cases lead to violence and jail. “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” — Proverbs 12:18 This sounds like kindergarten. The question is whether we practice it. Our culture gives us plenty of loud examples. God’s Word gives us a better one: speak truth in love. Death words to retire “You always…” and “You never…” — They don’t. Maybe often. Not always. The silent treatment — That is not holiness. That is punishment. “Whatever.” — It sounds neutral. It is a death word. She hears “Chinese food is fine.” Later you ask why you are having Chinese food. Sarcasm used as a weapon — It can be funny until it pushes the one button that hurts. Public shaming — Do not correct your date, your spouse, or your teammate in front of a room. Speak one-on-one. I learned this the hard way as a pastor and had to repent. Ephesians 4:29 says it straight: let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. Honesty without kindness is cruelty. Kindness without honesty is cowardice. You need both. Watch your timing and your tone. Command 3: Be slow to become angry Be slow like that old ketchup commercial — anticipation. Do not dump the bottle in one shake. Why? James 1:20: human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. There is such a thing as righteous anger. Most of what we call righteous is just us wanting control. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. He will repay. Our job is often to pray, not to explode. Human anger tends to end badly. Think Cain and Abel. Think a word that turns into a fight that turns into a wrecked home. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1 That is de-escalating. If you are in the honeymoon phase and think you will never argue, enjoy it. Every couple argues. The question is when and how. How you argue often decides whether the relationship lasts. A fool gives full vent to his spirit. A wise person quietly holds it back, steps away, and prays before coming back. There is a time to show emotion. The moment you have been taken off at the knees is usually not it. Five practices for this week Pick one relationship — dating, marriage, work, family — and practice these: Listen to understand, not to reload. Reloading is getting ready to spring back. Put the phone down. Repeat what you heard. Ask, “Did I get that right?” Speak the truth in love. Truth without kindness rips people. Kindness without truth leaves them in the dark. Watch timing and tone. Pray before you respond. Ask. Don’t assume. Assumptions waste time and invent pain that was never there. Confess quickly. Forgive. Forgiveness is the greatest healing balm in life. Romans 5:8 says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. If He forgave us, we can forgive. Unforgiveness will rip you up, give you ulcers in the soul, and drain your spiritual life. You are responsible for you, not for them. A better Word than our words James is like the Proverbs of the New Testament. The gospel is just as simple, and just as easy to miss. Jesus died on the cross for your sin. If you trust Him, you are forgiven. You can have a new life. You can live with Him forever. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old junk — the pain, the blown conversations, the history you think disqualifies you — can be made new. John 6:37: the one who comes to Jesus He will never drive away. You take one step toward Him, and He does not slam the door. He says, “Come home.” God wants communication with you. He already made the first move. The blood of Jesus is the invitation. Listen to the message This post follows Pastor David Butler’s Better Together message, “How to Have Better Communication in Relationships,” from James 1:19. [Insert MP3 player here: How to Have Better Communication in Relationships.mp3] Join us this Sunday Rutgers Oasis Church · Pastor David Butler Sundays at 12:00 PM · Free brunch at 11:30 AM 100 College Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 732-406-7821 · INFO@RUTGERS.CHURCH (mailto:INFO@RUTGERS.CHURCH) oasis-church-nj.com The post How to Have Better Communication in Relationships |James 1:19| David Butler (https://oasis-church-nj.com/how-to-have-better-communication-in-relationships-james-119-david-butler/) appeared first on NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC (https://oasis-church-nj.com).

4. 

   20 Aug 2026

   How to Deal With Idols | Pastor Dave | Rutgers Oasis Church

   Friends, one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is this: What has quietly taken the place that belongs only to God? The Bible calls those things idols. They’re not always statues of gold or wood. Sometimes an idol is the approval of people, the next promotion, a relationship we cling to too tightly, or even our own comfort and control. Anything we lean on more than we lean on Jesus becomes an idol. God is not harsh when He asks us to remove them. He is a Father who loves us too much to let us settle for substitutes that can never satisfy. In 1 John 5:21 the apostle simply says, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” It’s a gentle but clear call. When we put God first again, the other things find their proper place. They stop ruling us and start serving us under His lordship. So today, let’s take a quiet moment before the Lord. Ask Him to show you anything that has become too important. Then, by His grace, lay it down. He is faithful to fill the empty space with Himself—and nothing compares to that. If you’re looking for a church family where we help one another keep Jesus at the center, I’d love to invite you to our Rutgers Oasis Church relaunch on September 13, 2026. We’re gathering as a family-friendly community—kids, singles, college students, and everyone in between—to worship, grow, and walk this out together. Come join us. You belong here. Here is an RSVP link: https://forms.ministryforms.net/viewForm.aspx?formId=2833cc8d-0f35-4f6c-92bd-ff9969b50ef0 The post How to Deal With Idols | Pastor Dave | Rutgers Oasis Church (https://oasis-church-nj.com/how-to-deal-with-idols-pastor-dave-rutgers-oasis-church/) appeared first on NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC (https://oasis-church-nj.com).

5. 

   12 Aug 2026

   The Harvest Is Ready – Will You Go? | Matthew 9:35-28 | David Butler

   Jesus didn’t stay in one place. Matthew 9:35–38 shows Him moving through towns and villages, teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. Then He looks at the crowds. What He sees isn’t a problem. He sees a harvest. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” Jesus’ first response to need is compassion. His second is a clear diagnosis: the harvest is ready, but there aren’t enough workers. His third is a simple command: ask the Lord of the harvest to send people. Notice what He does not say. He doesn’t tell the disciples to organize a big program or wait until they feel fully prepared. He tells them to pray—and then, in the next chapter, He sends them. That same harvest is still here. People in our neighborhoods, on our campuses, and in our families are still harassed and helpless. They are looking for hope, belonging, and a Shepherd. The fields around Rutgers Oasis Church are not empty. They are full. So the question is not whether the harvest is ready. The question is whether we will ask the Lord of the harvest to send us—and then go. Lord of the harvest, open our eyes to see people the way You see them. Give us Your compassion. And send us. Amen. — Pastor Dave The post The Harvest Is Ready – Will You Go? | Matthew 9:35-28 | David Butler (https://oasis-church-nj.com/the-harvest-is-ready-will-you-go-matthew-935-28-david-butler/) appeared first on NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC (https://oasis-church-nj.com).

6. 

   7 Aug 2026

   The Pharisee & Tax Collector Luke 18:9-14 | David Butler

   Two men entered the temple to pray. One leaned on his own record of good deeds. The other simply begged for mercy. Only one left right with God. In this episode, Pastor David Butler walks through Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, showing why genuine right-standing with God can never be earned through effort, comparison, or religious scorekeeping. Experience the relief of approaching God with empty hands, honest about your need, and resting fully in His mercy. A timely word for anyone still trying to prove their worth before God The post The Pharisee & Tax Collector Luke 18:9-14 | David Butler (https://oasis-church-nj.com/the-pharisee-tax-collector-luke-189-14-david-butler/) appeared first on NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC (https://oasis-church-nj.com).

7. 

   31 Jul 2026

   Relational Evangelism: Sharing Jesus Through Real Relationships

   In a world full of noise, arguments, and pressure to “perform” our faith, Pastor Dave invites us into a better way: relational evangelism. This episode explores how everyday friendships, genuine care, and consistent presence become the most powerful means of sharing the gospel. Drawing from Scripture and real-life experience, Pastor Dave unpacks how following Jesus’ example of loving people first opens doors that programs and presentations often can’t. You’ll learn: Why relationship-first evangelism is both biblical and effective Practical ways to build trust without compromising truth How to move from awkward conversations to natural gospel moments Common fears that hold believers back—and how to overcome them What it looks like to live as a “sent” person in your neighborhood, workplace, and campus Whether you’re a long-time believer who feels stuck in outreach or someone just beginning to wonder how to share your faith, this conversation will encourage and equip you. Listen in, then take the next step with us at **www.rutgers.church**—a (http://www.rutgers.church**%E2%80%94a) family of people learning to love God, love people, and make disciples right here in the Rutgers community. The post Relational Evangelism: Sharing Jesus Through Real Relationships (https://oasis-church-nj.com/relational-evangelism-sharing-jesus-through-real-relationships/) appeared first on NJ NonDenominational Church | ROC (https://oasis-church-nj.com).

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