In 2009, on the third season of the hit show “Britain’s Got Talent,” a female singer by the name of Susan Boyle walked out on the stage before a packed house, a massive television audience, and three celebrity judges.  As she ambled onto the stage, people watching from home and in the studio were bracing for the worst.  Their expectations were visualized on the faces of the three judges: Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan, and Amanda Holden who could barely keep a doubting snicker off their faces.

In a contest designed to evaluate talent, why were people so skeptical before she ever sang a note?  Well, Ms. Boyle did not LOOK the part.  She was older (47 years old).  She had no record of success (she was unemployed.) She was from a village (not a city).   And she looked like a normal person (not a movie star).  The moments before she began to sing felt like a close race between “let’s just get this audition over with” and “I hope she doesn’t embarrass herself.”

Then she began to sing.

The song she had chosen was “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables,” a difficult song to be sure!  But this dream was no nightmare.  She dazzled her way through the presentation.  By the end of verse 1, the audience was giving her a standing ovation.  By the end of the performance, the judges had joined them.  And before Simon could give his evaluation, there were tears in the eyes of people watching from home.  It was magical.

What had just happened?  People had an idea of what they THOUGHT a “Britain’s Got Talent” winner would LOOK like, and Susan Boyle did not LOOK the part … but oh did she deliver!  She would parlay that song into an album that is in the top 40 of album sales in the 21st century.  She has gone on to sell over 25 million records in the past 17 years.  And she became the first female artist EVER to have two different albums atop the US and UK record charts in the same year.  Susan Boyle is exceptionally talented and Britain (and the world) have been blessed to listen.

Why do I say all this?  Hang with me for a moment.

What do you think it looks like to be the winner of “America’s Got Religion” (if such a show existed)?  What would be the demeanor of such a person?  What would they LOOK like?  How would they act to make you assume they should win the prize?

In the first century, there were common activities among the religious “elite,” and one of them was that they would often fast.  The Pharisees would fast two days a week (skipping day time meals, similar to Muslims today during Ramadan).  The entire nation of Israel would fast during daylight hours on the Day of Atonement, and many would also fast on days remembering the destruction of Jerusalem a few hundred years before.  Accompanying these times of fasting would be sullen looks and sometimes loud complaints.  After all, what could be the point of going to all that religious activity if their neighbors did not recognize their religious greatness?

Jesus launched His public ministry into this world of religious activity, and some of the “judges” began to snicker.  He did not LOOK the part (in their eyes).  After all, He and His followers did not fast.  In fact, they ate and drank with tax collectors!  How could He possibly be the epitome of the old religion if He looked happy and did not walk around telling you about how much He DIDN’T eat?

The expectations of Simon Cowell blinded him to Ms. Boyle’s talent, and the self-righteousness of the Pharisees kept them from seeing the overwhelming godliness of Jesus Christ.  He had authority over demons, disease, and sin.  In many ways, Jesus did not look like the epitome of the old religion because He was the founder of a new one.  To be clear, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Law in all of its brilliance, but He did not come to just put a band aid over the broken excesses of the Pharisees. No, Jesus came to offer something new, and the world that listens to His Song will always be blessed.

This Sunday, May 17, at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 worship services, we will look at Luke 5:33-39 in part 6 of our “Launch Day” sermon series.  In these verses we see Jesus answering the question, “why don’t You and Yours not fast?”  His answer goes way beyond food.  Let’s read and explore it on Sunday together.  Hope to see you there … and bring friends!

On Sunday, May 10, 2026 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 5:17-26.  This message was part 5 of our series, “Launch Day.”  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 5:17-26
3. What are some things that people would describe as humanities greatest need?  This morning we talked about how forgiveness is our greatest need.  Did this resonate with you?  Why or why not? 
4. The four faithful friends pushed through challenges to get their paralyzed friend before Jesus.  What are some ways you can push through challenges to bring your friends before Jesus today?
5. Getting their paralyzed friend before Jesus cost the four faithful friends something.  What are some of the costs associated with ministering to your friends today?
6. Jesus met the paralyzed man’s deepest need (forgiveness) and healed him physically (to prove to the Pharisees that Jesus, indeed, had the power to forgive).  Do you believe that Jesus truly has the authority to forgive us our sins today?
7. Confess your sin to God and ask God to forgive you for Jesus’ sake.
8. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

To listen offline, click link to download audio:

Launch Day 5

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

What is your greatest need?

Some might answer this question by pointing out our physical needs:  food, water, oxygen, or shelter.

Others might be a bit more metaphysical, thinking our greatest need is truth, hope, or security.

Still more may be a bit more practical and focus on common cents, thinking our greatest need is money to pay the bills or a job that provides a reliable income.

A few more may think relationally, and identify our greatest need as love or companionship.

But I believe there is a more fundamental need that runs back even further than this list.  If you deprive someone of love or companionship, they may be lonely or depressed.  If you take away funding, they may be stressed and desperate.  If you take away access to the right information or hope or security, they may be unstable.  And if you take away oxygen, food, and water, people would DIE … but then what?

Even after this life is over, we spend eternity someplace.  Therefore, we have a deeper need than just what we experience here in this life.

I believe our deepest need is FORGIVENESS.  After all, the Scripture tells us that we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and that the “wages of sin is death.”  Just as we all need nutrition to survive in this life, so we need forgiveness to thrive eternally.  We have sinned before a holy God, and because of that there is literally hell to pay.  That is why I would say that forgiveness for our sins is even more important than the air we breathe.

So if that is our greatest need, where do we find it?  Can we find it?  Is it possible for you and I to be forgiven before God?

The answer to this is an emphatic YES … we simply need to come in faith before the One who has the authority on earth to forgive sins.  And who is this One?  None other than Jesus Christ.

This Sunday, May 10, at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 worship service, we will be looking at Luke 5:17-26 in part 5 of our “Launch Day” sermon series.  So far in this series we have seen that Jesus has authority in His teaching, authority over demons, and authority over disease.  This week, we will see that He also has the authority to forgive us our sins.  Make plans to join us this week on Mother’s Day weekend … and bring friends!

On Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 5:12-16.  This message was part 4 of our series, “Launch Day.”  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 5:12-16
3. What are some examples of stories you are familiar with that started off with tragedy but end in triumph?  Are there any parts of your life right now that feel like a tragedy and even (possibly) without hope? 
4. Jesus interaction with the leper gains greater impact when we consider the difficult plight of someone with leprosy in the first century.  Imagine that you were this leper in these verses?  What might you have been feeling/thinking as you approached Jesus with your request?
5. Jesus was willing to heal the leper, demonstrating again, that nothing is too great for Him to overcome.  He has ALL authority!  How does this encounter give you hope for the areas of your life where you may be struggling with feelings of hopelessness?
6. Leprosy has some symbolic connections to sin.  In what way do you connect with this symbolic connection?  Does it lead you to respond to Jesus (related to your sin) the way the leper does?
7. The leper was a living letter sent by Jesus to the priests, announcing His arrival.  What have you seen God do in the lives of others that reminds you of HIs greatness and power?
8. Do you have a regular practice of talking to God in prayer?  If not, follow Jesus onto your knees today in prayer to Him, and carve out some time to be alone with Him regularly in prayer.
9. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

To listen offline, click the link below:

Launch Day 4

To listen online, use the media player below:

To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

In order to truly evaluate your story, you need to stick with it to the end.  Just think about the classic tales told in Disney movies.  Many begin with tragedy but end with triumph.  We cry with Simba, Bambi, Elsa, Cinderella, Ariel, Tarzan, and Mowgli as they lose a parent early in life … and (if you are like me) we sob when Mr. Fredricksen loses his dear wife Ellie during the opening credits.  But we don’t think of “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” or “Up” as tragedies.  Why?  Because what began in the valley ends on the mountaintop.

In order to evaluate the story, sometimes you just need to let it go.

Let’s be honest … real life has plenty of moments when we are in the valley.  Maybe you are in one right now, laid low by the grief of loss, an illness, a vocational setback, or a broken relationship. Or perhaps you find yourself crying tears of regret over sin you have committed that leaves you embarrassed, exposed, and feeling lost.  When we are in one of these valleys, we may classify our personal story as a tragedy.

But what if your current valley was not the end of the story?  What if the sun was getting ready to rise?

You may say, “Not my story.  You don’t know the depth of this depression, the isolation of my situation, the sorrow of my regret.  My story is not salvageable.”

But, what if …

What if there was One who could bring hope to the hopeless?  What if there was One who could bring community to the isolated?  What if there was One who could forgive our sin? What if there was One who could give life to the dead?

AND … what if that One who was ABLE to do all this was WILLING to do all this for you and for me?  Well that would change everything, wouldn’t it?

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church we will be in part 4 of our “Launch Day” sermon series looking at Luke 5:12-16 as we see Jesus bring cleansing and hope to someone in the deepest, darkest valley in the first century.  Join us Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 service as we see Jesus able and willing to help the helpless, and what that means for you and for me.

See you Sunday … and bring friends!

On Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 4:38-44.  This message was part 3 of our series, “Launch Day.”  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 4:38-44
3. What are some of the things you pray for the most?  Do you find yourself praying often for physical afflictions (illnesses for you and those you know)?  Why do you think diseases are such common requests in our prayers? 
4. In today’s verses, Jesus demonstrates a number of things about His abilities/authority over disease. What stands out to you most about His interaction with Peter’s mother-in-law and the other sick of Capernaum?
5. How does knowing the certainty of the healing of our infirmities in eternity, encourage you today?
6. Who are some suffering from illness that you can bring before the Lord in prayer today?
7. The Nazarenes wanted to kill Jesus, but the people of Capernaum wanted to corral Him (stay here and take care of us only!)  Jesus was not killed in Nazareth or killed in Capernaum because He had a global movement to launch.  Have you ever had an attitude toward Jesus that was self-focused (wanting to corral Him for your own benefit) instead of sharing Him with others?  What would it look like to be generous with the Gospel both locally and globally today?
8. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

To listen offline, click the link below to download:

Launch Day 3

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

Imagine you are with a group of people, and I ask you to turn toward one another and share prayer requests. If you were with 10 friends of yours and everyone could share one request, what would it be?  What do you and your crew most often pray about?

If your experience matches mine, the most common item on prayer lists relate to people’s physical health.  Pray for Bob, he is having surgery on Tuesday.  Pray for Sally, she struggles with chronic pain.  Pray for Beth, she is having complications during pregnancy.  Pray for Jim as he awaits the results of the blood test and CT scan.

Sure, we would also hear prayer requests for financial matters, directional decisions, broken relationships, sin that easily entangles, or evangelistic concerns … but I would guess that at least 75% of the prayer requests would be health related, and that would be true no matter WHO I am circling up to pray with.  Illness related requests are at the top of the list when I pray with pastors, elders, AND congregants … when I pray with neighbors AND family members.

Have you ever stopped to ask the question, “why?”  Why is it that so many of our prayer requests deal with physical health?

Well, we live in a fallen world and sickness is prevalent around us.  We are just AWARE of many needs in the physical arena.  Add to that, disease sometimes runs its course to death, so the “sickness situation” is both prevalent and serious.

That explains WHY SICKNESS IS ON OUR MINDS, but why do we frequently bring these requests to Jesus?  Why would we think He can do something about our illnesses?  Why would we assume that He cares?

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church we will be in part 3 of our “Launch Day” sermon series as we look at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  This Sunday we will be in Luke 4:38-44 as we see that FROM THE VERY BEGINNING we are not unique in bringing our sick before the Lord.  As we look at these verses we will see how Jesus responds to the sick around Him in the first century, and what that means for you and me today.

Hope you are able to join us Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service.  See you there … and bring friends!

On Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 4:31-37.  This message was part 2 of our series, “Launch Day.”  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 4:31-37
3. What are makes the difference between kinds of authority we willingly follow and those that we struggle to live “under”? 
4. What do you think the text means when it talks of Jesus teaching “with authority”?  What do you imagine it would have been like to hear some of these sermons Jesus preached in Galilee in the early days of His ministry?
5. Do you recognize Jesus authority over your life and this world?  In what ways?  Do you consider it a good thing to live under Jesus’ authority and that we will one day stand before Him and give an account for our lives?
6. What questions do you have about the spirit realm (angels and demons)?  What does this passage teach you about the subject?
7. Is our “belief” in Jesus only something we give lip service to or has it truly transformed our lives?
8. How does Jesus’ authority over the darkness encourage you?
9. Have you (or are you currently) tempted to play with “darkness” in some way?  Run from this temptation to Jesus’ side!  He can protect and provide for you!
10. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

To listen to sermon offline, click link to download:

Launch Day 2

To listen to sermon online, use media player below:

To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

Do you like “authority”?  Well, it depends on who has it, and how they are leveraging it.

In the New Testament, the word commonly translated “authority” has two key concepts connected to it:  someone with authority has the ability to do something, AND they have been assigned the task to do it.

Examples are myriad.  Parents have the task of raising their children.  A President, Prime Minister, or King is given the job of leading their nation.  A business owner bears the responsibility of guiding their enterprise.  Pastors and Elders are entrusted with the shepherding of the church.  Principals are delegated the job of running a school, and teachers of overseeing the classroom.  In each of these examples someone (God, the state, the constitution, the board) has handed a baton of “authority” to an individual or group of individuals and asked them to lead.  In these situations, the responsibility is limited to a particular jurisdiction, and for a particular term.  The leader of one country does not run another country.  The parent of a seven year old child does not bear the same responsibility for all kids that age.  The school does not manage the home.  The church does not control society, etc.  But in their area, they are given the authority to lead.  And the business leader gives up his/her authority when they retire, the politician when their term runs out, and parent as their child hits adulthood.  In most human examples, authority has limits in both time and space.

But do they have the ability to lead?  Well some have this ability better than others, and it makes a huge difference in the experience of authority.  Companies that are run well, have lines of workers looking for their employment, but companies that are corrupt at the top are termed toxic.  Churches that are led with character and wisdom are a blessing to their congregation, while those who are deceitful at the top frustrate the lives of those they seek to shepherd.  Parents who are full of truth and grace raise up children in the way they should go, while parents who neglect or abuse their children push their children away.  Political leaders who enact sound policy and lead with integrity usher their people toward prosperous lives while corruption at the top casts a dark shadow over the nation.

So, when the right person has authority, it is a blessing.  When the wrong person has authority it is painful.

But even then … it isn’t that simple.  After all, sometimes good leaders make good decisions, but we still don’t like it.  Why?  Because it may not be exactly what we want.  We are all sinners after all, and one of the chief expressions of sin is selfishness and self-focus.  So I may find myself rebelling against authority because of preference, not because of the performance or identity of the leader.

Why do I go into all this today?  Well Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be in part 2 of our “Launch Day” sermon series.  This series is walking us through the opening events of Jesus’ public earthly ministry as recorded in Luke 4:14-6:16.  Last week we saw Jesus preach His homecoming sermon in Nazareth, declaring that He was the promised Messiah.  This meant that Jesus had been given authority.  But how much authority had He been given?

All of it.  Jesus had been given all authority.  There would be no end to His jurisdiction in time, place, or sphere.  As the Son of God, He had been given ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth.

Is this a good thing?  Absolutely!  Jesus is not just “good-ish,” He is perfect!  Not only that, He is both just and loving; both omnipotent and compassionate;  both omniscient and gracious.  We should REJOICE at the announcement of Jesus’ authority.

But, not all do … and not all did.  Last week in Nazareth, we saw that they wanted to kill Jesus for claiming such authority.  So Jesus slipped through their midst and resettled to the north in the fishing village of Capernaum.  In this Sunday’s message, we will see Jesus begin to exhibit His authority over various realms in Luke 4:31-37, to be reminded again why it is such a GOOD THING that Jesus is in charge.  Join us in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service as we see Jesus’ authority over the spirit world.  Join us as we sing, study, and share the Lord’s Supper together this weekend.  See you there … and bring friends.