Baptism Sunday (August 3, 2025) Preview

Join us this Sunday morning, August 3, 2025, at Wildwood Community Church for our baptism Sunday.  This week we are celebrating with 16 individuals who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ!  We will worship together, hear their stories, and celebrate God’s goodness.  Can’t wait to be with you on Sunday!  To see a list of who is being baptized in each service, see the graphic posted below.

NOTE:  As is our custom, on Baptism Sundays, no children, student, or adult classes meet as we will be “All in” the worship services together.  Regular support programming on Sundays returns August 10.

 

Postcards (part 3) Sermon audio, video, and questions

On Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, the sermon was based on the book of Jude.  This message was part 3 in the “Postcards” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video from the message to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read Jude
  3. What are some examples of teaching or philosophies encouraging people to “do whatever feels right to them?”  Have you ever heard these philosophies in the world?  In a church?
  4. Throughout Jude 4-16 we see a consistent case made that demonstrates God as a judge.  He has judged the rebellious in the past, and the implication is that He will judge the rebellious today as well.  Do you have a hard time imagining God in this way?  Why or why not?  Why do you think God imposes such a strict standard on those who teach inside the church?
  5. In the message we talked about reading the Bible, revering the God of the Bible and realigning with the Bible.  From this section of the message did you have any particular plans or applications that you want to implement in your life?
  6. Are there any in your life that God would have you reach out to compassionately to call to embrace the truth of the Scripture and not continue to live in willful rebellion?
  7. In the doxology of Jude 24-25, we see a picture of Jesus fighting for us – upholding us from falling and presenting us in glory.  How does this picture of Jesus encourage you as you “fight for the faith” today?
  8. Have you trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins?  Is He your rescuer from sin and judgment?  If not, would you trust Him now?
  9. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen to the sermon offline click link below:

Postcards #3 7.27.25

 

To listen to the sermon online use Media Player below:

 

To watch the livestream, use YouTube online:

 

Postcards (part 3) Sermon Preview

Alongside many country roads lie two ditches.  Safely navigating these roads allowing you to arrive at your destination requires that you keep your vehicle between these two extremes.  Veer too far to the right, and you careen off the road and into the culvert.  Swerve too far left, and you crash either into oncoming traffic, or wreck into the ravine.  Only  by keeping your car on the road will you be able to avoid these two parallel disasters.

All of us who have done any rural driving can visualize this situation.  Visualizing it can not only keep your car on the straight and narrow, but it also is a helpful spiritual analogy.  What do I mean?

Alongside the Christian life lie two ditches.  Safely navigating this life requires that we keep our lives between these two extremes.

On the right side of the Christian highway are the legalists.  In this ditch lie the chariots of Pharisees of old alongside the self-righteous rides of today.  They argue that in order to please God, we must adhere to THEIR SET OF RULES (though they may argue they are God’s rules, they are more likely their interpretation of God’s Law.)  Do all the right things their way and be right. Do the wrong things and be shamed.  In the end, for the legalist, the Christian life is all about YOU and your performance.

On the left side of the Christian highway are the libertine lawless.  In this ditch lie the gnostic mystic mules of the first century alongside the “do whatever makes you happy” hatchbacks of today.  They argue that God is love and loves us doing whatever feels right to each individual, redefining sin as choice and error as opinion.  Do whatever you want, they argue, as we can never really know right from wrong anyway.  In the end, the Christian life is all about YOU and your pleasure.

Between these two ditches, lies Biblical Christianity.  We cannot drive to God through the right ditch of legalism because of our inability to transform our lives by looking at a list.  Our hope is found not in our list-keeping but in our Christ-looking.  He alone lived the perfect life and He gives His righteousness to all who trust in Him.

We also cannot drive to God through the left ditch of liberty.  We have an amazing ability to rationalize our sin, but that does not make it “not sin.”  Like a chef putting marinara on top of dog food, it may taste ok in a moment, but rationalizing sin is consuming a meal devoid of the spiritual nourishment we need.  Jesus came that we might have an abundant life, and that life is found in HIM – following His example in holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Christian life follows Christ and avoids the ditches of both legalism and lawlessness.  Instead, we are called to drive down the Gospel road in both justification (being declared holy and saved) and sanctification (being progressively made holy in practice).

In our short 3 week series “Postcards” at Wildwood Community Church, we have been walking through the 4 shortest books in the New Testament.  This week in part 3, we will look at the letter of Jude.  This short one chapter book was written by Jesus’ half-brother (one of Mary’s other kids) and talks about fighting for the faith  and avoiding the ditch of lawlessness.  In our “anything goes” moral society, this is a message we need to hear to keep driving down the Gospel road.

Hope to see you this Sunday, July 27, in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service as we dive into the 25 verses of Jude together.  Hope to see you Sunday … and bring friends!

Postcards (part 2) Sermon audio, video, and questions

On Sunday, July 20, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on the books of 2 and 3 John.  This message was part 2 in the “Postcards” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal refelction or group discussion.  You will also find the sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read 2 and 3 John
  3. In what ways is it loving to sometimes “close the door” to certain teaching or ideas?
  4. In the message we reminded one another of 7 of the core truths of Christianity.  Was anything left off that list that you thought should have been included?  Anything on that list that seems “extra”?
  5. Are there any influences in your life to which you need to close the door?
  6. In 3 John, Gaius’ hospitality to visiting missionaries is celebrated?  In what ways could you follow Gaius lead in being hospitable to missionaries today?
  7. Do you have any hospitality heroes when it comes to supporting missionaries?
  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:

Postcards #2 7.20.25

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the livestream use YouTube online:

 

Postcards (part 2) Sermon Preview

The Bible is God’s Word.

Over a 1,600 year period, God delivered His Word to His people in 66 installments – the books of the Old and New Testament. Though the DELIVERY of His Word occurred from Moses (who wrote Genesis in the 1500s BC) in the Old Testament to the Apostle John (who wrote the Revelation in 95AD) in the New Testament (a span of 1,600 years), the EVENTS God’s Word describe an even longer timeline.  The Bible points beyond time; looking backward before the creation of the world, and extending forward into the future when this creation is replaced with a new heaven and earth.  And in between eternity past and future, we find plenty of insight for today.

There is no book like it.

In the delivery of His Word, God showed much creativity in varied styles:

  • Some of the Bible is prophetic, other parts are law.
  • Some of the Bible is poetic, while other parts are history.
  • Some of it is figurative and emotive, other parts are real and raw.
  • Some letters were written to nations, while others were written to churches, and still others *  were written to individuals.
  • Some books are long, spanning over 100 chapters, while others are short, covering just a couple of hundred words.

The Bible is anything but boring … and all of it is true and authoritative.  We simply must read this book.  God has preserved it to introduce us to Himself that we might trust Him and know the way He is calling us to go.  Of course, Jesus reveals God to us as well … but the Living Word (JESUS) always works consistent with the written Word (BIBLE).

In the New Testament there are a few books that were written to individuals or family groups.  In our current sermon series “Postcards” we are looking at the the 4 shortest books of the New Testament:  Philemon, 2 & 3 John, and Jude.  Last week (in part 1) we looked at the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon (and the church that met in his home in Colssae).  This week we will look at the two short epistles of 2 & 3 John.  These letters were written to (mostly) individuals: a woman (and her children) in 2 John, and to a man named Gaius in 3 John.  In these two short letters, the Apostle John (identified merely as “the elder” since he wrote these epistles when he was well advanced in age) writes to instruct his friends and fellow Jesus followers on two very practical points: there were some doors John wanted them to “open” and some that he wanted them to “close.”

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church we will look at these 2 letters together to see their connection to our homes and church today.  Hope you can make it to our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service.  See you there for part 2 of this series … and bring friends!

Postcards (part 1) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on the book of Philemon.  This message was the first in the “Postcards” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find the audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read Philemon
  3. What are some of the biggest challenges facing our world today?  Have you personally gotten involved in responding to any of these challenges?
  4. When Paul met Onesimus he got involved in doing what he could to help this runaway slave.  The big problem of slavery had a name – Onesimus.  Do you personally have a connection with anyone dealing with any of the big challenges we mentioned in the message today?  What is that connection, and what are some ways the Lord may be prompting you to respond?
  5. What are some of the excuses that we often want to offer to keep us from getting involved in ministry to others?  How does Paul’s example inspire you to act?
  6. Jesus paid the debt each of us owed so that we might be welcomed into heaven as a brother/sister, not simply a slave.  Have you trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins?  If so, how does your relationship with Jesus impact your relationships with others.  If you have not placed your faith and trust in Christ, what is preventing you from trusting Him today?
  7. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here

 

To listen to audio offline, click link to download:

Postcards #1 7.13.25

 

To listen to audio online, use media player:

 

To watch the livestream use YouTube online:

 

Postcards (part 1) Sermon Preview

Sometimes people refer to the middle part of America as “flyover” country. This means, that there are parts of middle America that some people don’t have any personal connection to and never plan to visit. In this way of thinking, places with smaller populations may not be considered as important as the larger cities of the coasts.

In the New Testament, for some, there are some “flyover” books. Because of their brief nature (single chapter books), people are tempted to fly right over these shorter books and not consider the truth they contain. But God wants us to know the things listed in these books! In the short letters of Philemon, 2&3 John, and Jude, we have instruction for dealing with some massive world problems, instructions on what doors to “open” and what to “close,” and dealing with false teachers. This is big truth from the New Testament’s smallest letters!

Join us at Wildwood Community Church the next 3 Sundays (beginning July 13 with part 1 – looking at the book of Philemon) as we land in the books you may have flown over in the past. See you Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service … and bring friends!

Questions for Reflection: July 6, 2025

On Sunday, July 6, 2025, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Message 4” from our BLESSED! series. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

  1. I remember a time (I was around 9) when I decided I didn’t like my family.  I was ready to be welcomed and adopted into another family. I told my dad and mom I was leaving and climbed onto my bike and proceeded to ride around the area not sure where I was headed. Of course, my dad kept an eye on me and when it started to get dark I decided to head back home.  That was a wise decision. Was there ever a time in your life when you thought: I wish I was in another family?  If so, what prompted those feelings?
  2. Bruce pointed out a comparison between justification and adoption in the life of a believer.  What stood out to you about that comparison?
  3. Bruce said that adoption signifies we are not just ‘accepted’ by God, we are ‘cherished’ by Him. What does that tell us about how God values us?
  4. Bruce said it is a joy to be chosen. List some benefits of knowing God wanted you to be a part of his forever family.
  5. Our adoption, in effect, brought a smile to God’s face (one legitimate way of understanding the last phrase of Ephesians 1:5). Why do we tend to have doubts about how God views us?
  6. The full unveiling of our adoption is yet to come. Share some thoughts about how we might feel when that day arrives.
  7. Think of some specific people with whom you can use your ‘adoption story’ to share Jesus.
  8. Johnson Oatman suggested we count our blessings, name them one-by-one, and see what God has done.  Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His great blessings in your life.  Ask him to refresh your perspective, rejuvenate your soul, and to rekindle your gratitude.

Sneak Peek: July 6, 2025

Egads!  July.  How can it be?  Well, we better get prepared…it’s here!!

I want to remind all of us to spend at least a few moments tomorrow (our national birthday) thanking God for blessing our nation all these decades.  He has been amazingly merciful and gracious to us. There are many things happening in our culture and many different perspectives. May God grant us unity and, indeed, may God bless America!

Ever wish you could have a deeper influence on the next generation?  Well, you can.  Our children’s ministry has some more open ministry spots of different kinds for the fall season. What an opportunity to tell kids about Jesus and to demonstrate to them that Gods loves them.  If you’d like to see God use you to help shape the next generation, just email Brooke for more information about the possibilities.

Just another reminder…this Sunday is an all-in Sunday.  No children, student, college or adult groups.  But we are excited about the opportunity to gather together in three services to worship our amazing Savior and to delve into His wonderful Word.  Come and join us…don’t miss out!

This Sunday we will conclude our series, Blessed! In message 4 we will look at a truly astonishing blessing—that we have been adopted into the most wonderful and valuable family in the universe…the family of God.  On the surface this may not appear that significant, but it is.  We look forward to mining this final nugget of our spiritual blessings together.

See you Sunday!

Bruce