On September 24, 2023, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on 2 Corinthians 12:11-21. This message was part 4 of the “Mission:Own” 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 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
3. What are some examples you have seen in your life of “knock-off” products or cheap imitation products designed to fool you into thinking they were actually the real thing?  How can you tell the difference between the “real deal” and the imposter?
4. Paul says that he “gladly will spend and be spent” for the souls of the Corinthians.  This is a reminder that the true pastoral heart knows that ministry will cost them something.  As C.T. Studd said, “If Jesus Christ be God, and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” What are some of the “costs” associated with the ministry you are “owning” today (financial, time, etc.)?  If you cannot think of any “cost” today for the ministry you are “owning” perhaps the Lord would want you to take a step deeper into service to others?  What might that deeper step for you be?
5. Paul’s concern was for the Corinthians, not for his own ego.  He wanted to see THEIR faith built up, not his own reputation.  In the ministry you are owning, is this your primary concern as well? 
6. What are examples of the kinds of things you have seen create disunity in the church?  How might God use you to promote unity in your church this week?
7. Undealt with sin (like rampant and blatant sexual sin) that is tolerated by a congregation ultimately hurts the testimony and spiritual growth of a church.  Is there any sin you need to repent of today and turn to Christ, living His way in the power of the Holy Spirit?
8. What is one particular application you took away from this message?

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Mission: Own #4 9.24.23

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On September 17, 2023, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. This message was part 3 of the “Mission:Own” 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 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
3. Do you have any kind of persistent “pain” in your life?  Could be physical/illness, relational, or a temptation to sin of some kind that persists.  What has been the effect of this “thorn” in your life?  Has it caused you to turn to God?  To be angry with God?
4. What are some of the “credentials” people try to rely upon to gain credibility as they attempt to influence others for Christ today (i.e. seminary degrees, which podcast they listen to, which books they have read, etc.)?  Paul does not rely on those things … but instead relies upon “what he says and does” in the presence of those he is ministering to (i.e. his current testimony and lifestyle – see 12:6).  How has the current lifestyle and loving (or unloving) demeanor of Christian leaders helped validate (or invalidate) their ministry in your life? 
5. When was the last time you pleaded with God multiple times to do something?  What was God’s “response”?  Based on this passage, what do you think the Lord may want to be teaching you in this struggle? 
6. In your life, how have struggles enhanced your dependence upon the Lord?
7. What is one particular application you took away from this message?

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Mission: Own #3 9.17.23

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On September 10, 2023, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on 2 Corinthians 11:1-33. This message was part 2 of the “Mission:Own” 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 2 Corinthians 11:1-33
3. Have you heard the expression “Christianity is more of a relationship than a religion?”  What do you think is meant by that statement?
4. What are some of the “different” (i.e. not accurate) versions of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel that you see in the world today?  Are you ever tempted to follow these false deviations from the truth?
5. In chapter 11, the Apostle Paul gives a version of his resume – authenticating his ministry.  What stands out to you most about what he shares?  How does this differ from how we normally authenticate a Christian leader’s “credentials” today?
6. What is your primary orientation to those around you?  Do you look to others mostly to get something FROM them, or do you think mostly about how you might do something FOR them?
7. On a scale of 1-100 (where 100 is very zealous and 1 is mostly apathetic), how fervent is your fire for Christ today?
8. What is one particular application you took away from this message?

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Mission: Own #2 9.11.23

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On September 3, 2023, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on 2 Corinthians 10:1-18. This message was part 1 of the “Mission:Own” 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 2 Corinthians 10:1-18
3. Have you ever been exposed to Christian leaders who did not seem very “Christian”?  How about leaders who were more Christ-like?  What made the difference between the two?
4. How have you imagined the Apostle Paul looking and sounding?  Does it surprise you that the Corinthian opponents of Paul pointed out negatives about his appearance and public speaking?
5. This morning, we talked about how this passage gives us some things to think about when we are looking for a church home or a ministry to connect with.  These were:  don’t rely only on a “first look,” examine what the primary weapon is that they are wielding, discerning if the leaders of the church are looking to build others up or simply to control, is the leadership walking the walk or just talking the talk, and who is the hero of the congregation?  Using that grid, evaluate the spiritual influences/church in your life to see how they/it stack up.  Anything stand out?
6. Also this morning, we talked about how we can learn from Paul’s model as we “own” the mission Christ has for us.  We saw how we need to know where the power lies, know who the hero is, know who you are following, and know who commends you.  How does remembering these things help you as you serve Jesus with your life?
7. What is one particular application you took away from this message?

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Mission: Own #1 9.3.23

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