On Sunday, September 6, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on Isaiah 49:6. This message was the sixth and final message in the “5 Follows” series and focused on following Jesus into mission. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find sermon audio and video from this message to listen to/watch, download, or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Isaiah 49:1-6
Have you ever considered how the Gospel of Jesus Christ addresses a problem that is universal among humanity?How does knowing this impact your urgency in sharing the truth about Jesus with those around you?
Have you ever been guilty of reducing the Gospel’s implications (or hope) to only you or your family?What would be some of the signs in the life of someone who was “taking the Gospel lightly”?
What is one application that you can do to get involved in shining the light of the Gospel locally?(see wildwoodchurch.org/onmissionfor some ideas.)
What is one application that you can do to get involved in shining the light of the Gospel globally?(see wildwoodchurch.org/onmissionfor some ideas.)
What stands out to you most from this passage?Any particular takeaway?
To access these questions in pdf format, click here.
To listen to sermon audio offline, click link to download:
Imagine that there is an illness that is ravaging humanity.Imagine this illness had killed millions of people and disrupted the lives of many more.Hard to imagine?I know … it is for me too 🙂
Now imagine that someone comes up with a cure for this virus.A lab in the city of Wakanda finds a 100% safe, 100% effective cure for this worldwide ailment!Hooray!But then imagine that the good people of Wakanda decide to keep this cure to themselves.They inject its fruit into their lives, but refuse to let the outside world know of their discovery.If this was the case, what would be your reaction?
“Wrong analogy Pastor!King T’Challa would never do such a thing!”you say.
I know, I know … but what if he did?
“Then that would be terrible!How could they take such an immense discovery so lightly!Knowing the global impact of the disease, why would they not share the cure’s efficacy with the world?”
And so the conversation would go.
Now imagine that the world is suffering from an ailment that ALL have.Not just that all MAY GET it, but all DO HAVE it.And imagine that this ailment leads to death … and not just death in this life, but eternal death.Now imagine that there were a group of people who had the cure for that ailment.100% effective.100% life-giving.And, this gift came with love and grace most thought only possible in Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel … only better.What if those who knew this cure kept it to themselves and shared this information with no one?What if they gathered regularly to sing about the greatness of the cure, and talk about how effective the cure is, but never shared it with anyone outside their group?What would you say?
What if this was the church.
Followers of Jesus (the true church) know that all of humanity are sinners and fall short of God’s glorious standard.Followers of Jesus also know that the wages of sin are death.Followers of Jesus also know that Jesus Christ died to take the penalty our sins demand and offer all who believe in Him eternal life!Therefore, why would followers of Jesus ever keep this information to themselves?
Simply put, it is too small a thing to gather together and sing songs about what Jesus has done for us who live in this world … we MUST also go and tell this world of the hope that we have found in Him.
This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be wrapping up our “5 Follows” series by talking about following Jesus into Mission.Our text this Sunday will be Isaiah 49:6.Hope you make plans to join us in our 9:00, 10:15, or 11:30 service (inside with adult, college, student, and children classes running), 8am (outside in our outdoor chapel service), or 10:15 online at wildwoodchurch.org/live as we see that it is simply too small a thing to keep the Gospel message to ourselves, but we must share it with others, including the nations on the far side of the world.
We will be talking about opportunities to support children at our partner church in Brazil with Compassion, sending a missionary family out to serve in an unreached area, talking about opportunities to invest in reaching others in our city, and highlighting a class on Global Missions coming to Wildwood this fall!What a day!Hope you can be with … and don’t keep it to yourself — invite your friends!
On Sunday, August 30, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on 1 Peter 4:10-11. This message was part 5 in the “5 Follows” sermon series and focused on following Jesus into ministry. Below you will find questions related to this message for reflection or group discussion. Also, you will find audio and video from the message to listen to/watch, download, or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read 1 Peter 4:10-11
When was the last time you got a gift, but did not open it?Why do we always tend to open gifts given to us?
Our all wise God chose to give us a special gift of His grace to impact the world we are living in.Have you ever thought of this concept before?How does it make you think about the circumstances of our current day and our response to them?
How are you currently using the gifts and opportunities given to you to serve others in Jesus name?
Visit wildwoodchurch.org/serve and express interest in any serving opportunities through Wildwood this year.
Do you tend to think of your “gifts” more as speaking/words or serving/works?What are some examples of times you felt as though God was using you?
How do you think God can be glorified through your service?Does 1 Peter 4:11 give you any ideas?
What stands out to you most from this passage?Any particular takeaway?
To access these questions in pdf format, click here.
To listen to the sermon offline, click the link to download:
In 1954, Leonard W. Sprinkle (along with his son) ventured into Luray Caverns near Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.After a bit of exploring the younger Sprinkle knocked his head on a stalactite rock formation … and a beautiful sound was made.The melody was NOT the thud of head hitting rock, but a musical note, similar to when a hammer hits a string on piano, or a pipe receives wind on an organ.This sound gave Sprinkle an idea.He spent time over the next 3 years mapping out different stalactites throughout the acres of cave complex until he found enough different sized rocks, perfectly shaped to produce ALL the sounds of an organ!Sprinkle (with help from a nearby organ maker) actually made a “StalacPIPE” Organ, that can still be listened to today!
Through a moment of pain, a man found a symphony of music!
A few decades after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, His Church found itself persecuted and abused by the world in which it lived.This certainly did not surprise them (after all their Lord was crucified by this same world), but the thud of their rejection stung nonetheless.Inspired by the Holy Spirit, one of Jesus’ best friends … a man who had been beaten, flogged, imprisoned (and would eventually be martyred) for his faith in Jesus took up a pen and wrote to a beleaguered and persecuted church to encourage them to keep going.This letter (written by the Apostle Peter) is known to us as the letter of 1 Peter found in the New Testament.Peter writes to this church and lets them know that the pain of banging their head against the stone hearts of this world will hurt, but will also create an opportunity to make a beautiful symphony of God’s grace.
“You have been grieved by various trials (1 Peter 1:6) … serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:10).”
Because we live in a world with many rocks, God has given many gifts of His grace to minister to us as we clamor through this dark cavern … and God has given each of us a role, as stewards of that grace, to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering.
As Edmund Clowney says (comparing Sprinkle’s organ with 1 Peter 4), “If such melodic variety may be found in calcium deposits, what varied tones has God’s Spirit given to the heirs of Christ’s glory?”
This week (as so many week’s have been in 2020) we are reminded again of the stone hearts in this world that work against justice, grace, and mercy.Our hearts grieve as we wonder what God might do about such pain and suffering.Well, His response is to use us to deliver His grace.He has equipped us for this task.All who follow Jesus, will ultimately follow Him into ministry, serving others for His glory, according to His will, and in His strength.
While we may not be able to do something about all the world’s problems, Jesus wants to use YOU to minister to the needs of those right around you in your life today.He has outfitted you for this task.It is your mission … hopefully you will choose to accept it.After all, we were made for this – serving others in Jesus name.
Jesus wants to use you to be a key instrument of His grace in this world.
This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our 9:00, 10:15, and 11:30 services (inside and with programming running for children/students/adults and college), 8 AM (outside chapel service), or 10:15 online (wildwoodchurch.org/live) we will be continuing our “5 Follows” series by looking at 1 Peter 4:10-11, as we see how we can follow Jesus into ministry.Hope to see you Sunday … and bring your friends!
On Sunday, August 23, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Hebrews 10:24-25. This message was part 4 in the “5 Follows” series and focused on following Jesus into community. Below are a series of questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. Additionally, you will also find sermon audio, video, and slides to listen to/watch, download or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Hebrews 10:24-25
What has been your experience living “socially distanced” in 2020?Any negative impacts you have felt in your life?
What are some ways that others have “stirred you up to love and good deeds” as you have been in Christian community?What are some ways God has used you in the lives of others to stir them up?
In what ways have you prioritized meeting together with other Christians?In what ways have you NOT prioritized community and fellowship?What needs to change in your life if you are to make Christian community a priority?
From the very creation of the world, we see humanity’s need for other humans.In Genesis 2, God creates Adam and places him in paradise.In the story of creation up to this point, everything God has done, He called “good” … the creation of animals, plants, dry land, oceans, sun/moon/stars – all were good.But in Genesis 2:18, for the first time, God says that something was “not good” in paradise – it was “not good for man to be alone.”
The “aloneness” of Adam was not an oversight … it was played out for dramatic effect by the Sovereign Author of all things.God had an “Adam only” universe for a short time to demonstrate to all of us that this was never God’s intention … it was not good for a human to be alone.
This fact is sometimes lost in a version of American Christianity that is so individualized.We think that all we need is our Bibles and a sunset to be all God has called us to be.But Genesis 2 reminds us that we need each other … in fact we were created for each other … in Christ we are RECREATED for each other!Therefore, it is not good for us to be alone.
This fact has been demonstrated in a dramatic way in all our lives over the past 5 months.The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to forced closures of gatherings all around the world.People were literally “sent to our rooms” to wait out a virus that is taking its time.As we have “social distanced,” the negative consequences have begun to pile up:
A recent CDC report showed that in the last month nearly 25% of young adults (age 18-24) have considered suicide.
Depression is at pandemic levels – impacting literally millions more than the virus ever will.
Anger issues are on the rise, and we are taking it out on each other via social media.We are no longer relating to one another, we are just “eating” each other one byte at a time.
Why are we struggling so much?Because we were never created to be alone.From the very beginning, it has been God’s intention that we be together.
When we are alone, all our problems seem bigger … other’s motives seem more sinister … and our situations seem unchangeable.When we are alone, and when we focus on “us,” our world shrinks and presses around us like the trash compactor scene in the original “Star Wars” movie.We need a New Hope … one that is found only in Christ, but experienced inside community with other Christ followers.
We need each other.
This is why we gather on Sundays for worship.Many of you have made it a priority to join us in-person or online throughout this pandemic.We have tried collectively to focus our hearts at this time on what is True and Life-giving … and we have tried to do that together.The songs that we sing, the Scripture that we read, and the prayers that we have prayed together are an attempt to collectively encourage each other toward Christ.
This is also why we gather in community (small groups and Sunday School classes).We need to not just gather in rows, but also to gather in circles where we can be known and we can know others so that mutually we can encourage one another to follow Christ.
As a church family, we are trying everything we can to help gather us together in environments that best fit each person’s level of comfort. Online or outside for the more vulnerable populations, or inside in more traditional programming options. Regardless of the particulars of your situation, we believe we need community, and this Sunday we want to draw a roadmap to what that community might look like for all of us this fall.
As you know, this Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be continuing our “5 Follows” sermon series, talking about “Following Jesus into Community.”This is SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC in this season, and I hope you all will join us this weekend at 9:00, 10:15, or 11:30 (indoors and with programming for children, students, college, and adults), at 8:00 (outside chapel service) or at 10:15 on the livestream (wildwoodchurch.org/live), as we gather together in these spaces to help us follow Jesus.We will be looking at Hebrews 10:24-25 together.After all …
On Sunday, August 16, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Revelation 4-5. This message was part 3 in the “5 Follows” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the sermon for further reflection or group discussion. Also, below you will find the sermon audio and video to listen to, watch, download, or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Revelation 4-5
When you think of “worship,” what do you think of?Is it something you think is important for you?Why or why not?
In the world in which we live, there are many things that tempt us to think that God is not in control.How does the vision of heaven from Revelation 4-5 encourage you?
The posture of those worshipping in heaven is “falling down.”In what ways do you mimic this sentiment as you worship today?(HINT:it does not HAVE to be simply falling on your knees)
The focus of worship is God (Father, Spirit … and an emphasis on the SON!)Is the focus of your worship Jesus or something else?
4 Specifics were mentioned regarding ways to worship:giving, praying, singing, and obeying.Which of these actions of worship are most missing in your life today?What is one thing you can do this week to change that?
Have you trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins?If not, why not?What is keeping you from doing so?
What stands out to you most from this passage?Any particular takeaway?
To access these questions in pdf format, click here.
Isn’t it amazing how we treat famous people in our country? Because someone is on television, in our newspapers, or talked about on our radios, we feel like we know him/her . . . and we feel like we can criticize. People who cannot decide what to have for dinner blast politicians for “flip flopping” their positions over a period of several years. People who played right field on their little league baseball teams yell obscenities at major leaguers for not turning a tough double play. People who only broke even on their charity bake sale want to give fiscal advice to the CEO of a major corporation. In a sense, I think the distance between “us” and “them” allows us to depersonalize the situation and shift our perspective of our “American Idols” to the point that we take on the persona of Simon Cowell.
I have participated in this kind of action in my life as well. I have been a major OU Football fan for many years. As such, on many Monday mornings I have gathered with friends and shared my advice on what OU could have done better the previous weekend. Even though I have not played a competitive football game since 1989 and even though I have never coached anything in my life, somehow there are times I think I know better than Hall of Fame Coaches. Of course this perspective is preposterous, but the distance that normally exists between me and the team allows me to relate to the coaches in this critical fashion.
However, that dynamic changed several yeas ago when I was asked to present a devotional to the OU football team at a chapel service before one of their games. Most all of the team and their coaches would be there . . . including (the amazing) Coach Bob Stoops. I arrived about 20 minutes early and was waiting in the conference room for the team to arrive when Coach Stoops came into the room. He looked just like I had seen on television, only more impressive. He graciously strode over and shook my hand, introducing himself to me. We had a moment of small talk before the chapel service began. All that day, I had the privilege of standing on the sidelines and hearing the coaching staff interact with their team. At the end of the day, the distance that had once existed between “me” and “them” was removed, and I no longer felt the desire to criticize . . . just to appreciate all they are.
Now, I want to transition from that story to an amazing set of chapters in the Bible – Revelation 4-5. In these great chapters, the Apostle John is invited by Jesus to journey up to heaven with Him and record for us what he saw. John’s journey to heaven reveals a throne encircled by a rainbow, a sea of glass, 24 elders dressed in white laying their crowns at the feet of the King, and majestic angelic creatures shouting out in loud voices praise to their God. This vision of heaven was awe-inspiring to John and should be to us also as we read it today.
It is important to remember, however, that before John was invited to tour heaven, he was working in a hard prison camp on the island of Patmos. That island had to feel a great distance away from heaven for John. From that distant place, John might have been tempted to question God. He might have wondered why God had allowed Him to be placed in prison. He might have wondered why Jesus had waited so long to return. It is possible that his perspective on God had shifted from “the God of wonders” to “God: I wonder where He is at?”
In light of that, and in light of my experience with Coach Stoops, I wonder if part of the reason for Jesus inviting John into heaven and showing him the awesomeness of it all was to remind him (and us) of the greatness of our God and how He is worthy of our praise. At the end of this trip to heaven, the distance between “us” and “Him” is removed and we can just appreciate Him for who He really is.
This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our Sunday morning services, we will be in part 3 of our “5 Follows” series, looking at what it means to Follow Jesus into Worship.Our text for the day will be Revelation 4-5.Hope you will make plans to join us as we journey into the throne room of heaven (in this Scripture passage) to remind us of WHO we worship, and why.Make plans to join us in our 9:00, 10:15, or 11:30 worship service (indoors with full children’s ministry and adult classes running all 3 hours, and student ministry meeting at 9:00 and 10:15) … at the 8AM outdoor chapel service … or on the livestream at 10:15 (or anytime thereafter) – wildwoodchurch.org/live .Hope to see you Sunday!
Hello Church! This past Sunday, as we continued our “5 Follows” sermon series, we talked about growing in our faith this year by following Jesus into the Word (the Bible). If you missed that message, you can listen or watch it here.
Yesterday morning, I spoke with the local director of Salvation Army here in Norman and she told me that this COVID-19 era has led many of our city’s most vulnerable to be asking a lot of spiritual questions. In response to these questions, her organization has been handing out Bibles to those seeking answers. I was SO ENCOURAGED that at our city’s only overnight homeless shelter, the Bible is given out as the “light” in the “darkness.”
As they have been passing out many Bibles recently she asked me for some help. She wanted to know if we could provide any Bibles to distribute to people they interact with … gently used Bibles would be fine. I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO HELP.
If we truly embrace that the Bible is the Word of God … if we truly long to obey and study it, and believe life and transformation are possible for those who do …. wouldn’t we want everyone in our city to have a copy?
So, I wanted to invite you to help me help our city follow Jesus into the Word this year. If you have a copy of a modern translation of the Bible (ESV, NASB, NIV, NLT), that has a readable font and is in good shape (either new or like new), would you consider donating it to one of our area’s homeless? You can either give a copy you already have, or buy one to donate at a bookstore or online. We will have a bin to collect these at Wildwood in our Gathering Hall (Foyer) this Sunday morning (8/16). We would love to have you participate with us in this effort!
On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on the book of 2 Timothy. This message was part 2 in the “5 Follows” series and focused on following Jesus into the Word. Below you will find questions related to the sermon for personal reflection or group discussion. Additionally, you will find the audio and video from the sermon (plus the sermon slides) to listen to, watch, download, or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Think of the people you tend to listen to and trust.What characteristics do they share?
What is your attitude toward the Scripture?Do you view it as a REVELATION from God to you, or as just another book?How does your attitude show up in your actions related to how you read/study the Bible?
The Bible is not intended to just entertain you, but to change your life.Do you typically draw applications from your study of the Bible for your life today?If you don’t, why not?When was the last time you drew an application from the Scripture and it benefited your life?
Read 2 Timothy 1:14, 2:2, 3:14-15, 4:3-4.What stands out to you about the tone Paul sets with Timothy in these verses?Do you take a similar tact with the Bible in your life today?
Read 2 Timothy 2:15
What is your plan for working hard to study the Bible this year?
What stands out to you most from this passage?Any particular takeaway?
To access these questions in pdf format, click here.
To listen to sermon offline, click the link to download:
