On Sunday, April 19, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on Matthew 28:16-20.  This message was the 10th and final message in the “Defeating Death” series.  Below you will find questions related to this message for personal reflection or group discussion.  Additionally, you will find the sermon audio and video from this message to listen to/watch, download, or share.

 

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Matthew 28:16-20
3. What are some examples of legitimate authority that you see in the world today (examples:  government, police, etc.)?
4. Most authority we know has limits on its influence.  Yet Jesus claimed to have limitless authority over all things.  That means He has authority over all areas of our lives, not just our “religious” areas.  In what ways are you tempted to think that God cares about some areas of our lives but not others?
5. Discipleship begins with deciding to follow Jesus and professing that decision publicly through water baptism.  Have you trusted in Jesus and been baptized since trusting Him?  If so, when?  If not, why not?
6. Discipleship continues with obeying Jesus in every area of our lives.  In what area of your life are you challenged to begin (or renew) following Jesus in a deeper way?
7. Discipleship continues even further with us helping others follow Jesus also.  How can you invest your life in helping others follow Jesus?
8. The scope of the mission is the ends of the earth.  We are to take the Gospel message to all people.  What are some ways you can get involved in God’s global mission today (examples:  pray, give, go, etc.)
9. Jesus gives the promise of His presence to aid completion of the mission.  How does the presence of Jesus with you (Spirit inside of you, and the Body of Christ around you) encourage you as you follow Jesus today?
10. 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 message offline, click the link to download:

Defeating Death #10 4.19.20

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the sermon video use YouTube online:

 

Christmas 2016.  Do you remember that time?  Yeah, it is fuzzy for me too.  President Obama was still in the White House, Bob Stoops was still the coach of the Sooners, and the iPhone still had a “home button.”  

2016 also was my first Christmas while serving as Senior Pastor at Wildwood Community Church.  That Christmas, I preached a series called “The Coming of the King” from Matthew 1-2.  This series of messages launched us onto a 3.5 year journey of preaching through the Gospel of Matthew.  Since then, our sermons have preached (verse by verse) through all 28 chapters of the book (taking a few breaks for holidays, other timely series, etc.)

I say that because THIS SUNDAY, April 19, we will wrap up our sermons from the book of Matthew by looking at Matthew 28:16-20 … the Great Commission.  This Sunday’s message will be the tenth and final installment in the “Defeating Death” series … which is the 14th series from Matthew.  Over the past 3.5 years, we have seen (NOTE:  Series are hyperlinked to the section of my blog where all resources are located for that series – questions, sermons, previews, etc.):

I.  The Prologue

A.  Coming of the King (Matthew 1-2) – where did He come from?

B.  Foundations of a Gospel Movement (Matthew 3-4) – preparing for His ministry

C.  The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) – the power of His teaching

II.  The Invitation for us to Follow Him

A.  Follow (Matthew 8-10) – His gracious invitation to follow Him

B.  First Responders (Matthew 11-12) – Some follow … others didn’t

C.  Like (Matthew 13) – What is the Kingdom of God like?

D.  Sink or Stand (Matthew 14-15) – Following Him into ministry

E.  Reveal (Matthew 16-17) – Who are we following?

F.  Relating to ____  (Matthew 18-20) – What does it look like for us to follow Him in various areas?

III.  The King of Kings Victorious

A.  Father Heart of God (Matthew 21-23) – His desire for us to believe

B.  Authentic (Matthew 21-23) – His rejection of the religion of His day

C.  King of the Mountain (Matthew 21-23) – His answer to all questions

D.  Tomorrow (Matthew 24-25) – His Kingdom will still come

E.  Defeating Death (Matthew 26-28) – His victory that we may share

In this Sunday’s sermon, Jesus says that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me (28:18).”  The King of Kings is reminding us that He has dominion.  Our 3.5 year journey through Matthew has documented that through Jesus’ life:  He has shown His authority over Satan, in teaching, over disease, over nature, over the religious establishment … over it all!  This Sunday, having been reminded of His authority over it all, we will see the mission that He has committed to His followers – including you and me.  What are we called to do in this age in which we live?  Our King tells us in Matthew 28:16-20.  Can’t wait to look at this passage with you on Sunday as we wrap up our 3.5 year journey through Matthew’s Gospel.  “See you” on the livestream at 11 am – wildwoodchurch.org/live   and invite friends to join us as well!

 

On Good Friday Night, April 10, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I led a service that was Part 8 in the “Defeating Death” series, covering Matthew 27:45-66.  Below you will find the video from the service to watch via YouTube:

As a kid, I played hours and hours of basketball in my driveway.  In fact, I even “invented” a one on one and two on two basketball league for the kids in my neighborhood that we called the Youth Outdoor Basketball Association (YOBA).  We had a schedule, season, playoffs, and I even wrote a newsletter about the league, though (admittedly) circulation and readership was poor!

When I wasn’t playing official YOBA games, I would play games in the driveway against pretend opponents . . . imagining each possession as we staged epic comebacks ALWAYS ending with me hitting the winning shot.  Now, when I say “ALWAYS ending with the shot going in,” I am not implying that I always made the shot . . . I am simply saying that in an imaginary game, any missed shot could be corrected by the declaration “HE WAS FOULED!” resulting in free throws, and any missed free throw could be corrected with a fake lane violation.  In a make believe world, you always get a do-over.

The sad reality is, though, that real life does not always seem so forgiving.  Sometimes, you miss your shot . . . sometimes the other team wins.  This is not just true in sports, it also applies to our moral life.  In our imaginations, we may always be the hero – our actions always justified and noble – but upon further review, we are often selfish and sloppy and sinful.  In fact, personally, I lose a lot — can anyone relate?

Wouldn’t it be great if we were to find out that what often looks like the “end of the game” is not really the end at all?  Wouldn’t it be amazing to find out that when it looks like we are dead and buried, hope rises from the ashes?  AND, wouldn’t it be even more amazing if this kind of hope was not confined to our imaginations, but actually resurrects in the real world?

Think about it . . . what if the affair that led to so much loss was not the end of the game?  What if the web of lies you are telling that lies below the surface of your life could be replaced by a firm foundation?  What if your broken dreams could be replaced with the brightest future? What if the loved you you lost, you might be able to see again one day?  What if . . . 

At the end of Matthew 27, the followers of Jesus felt like the game had been lost.  Some had deserted Him.  Some had denied Him.  All had watched Him die . . . and be buried . . . and the tomb was guarded.  Their dreams and fantasies of the Kingdom seemed lost.  No “do-overs” seemed possible or allowed.  But then . . . God shook the world at its foundations.  Then Jesus rose from the dead!  Then the disciples were given a new shot!  Then the “Game” that looked lost was forever won!  The resurrection changed everything.

It changed the fate of the disciples.  It changed the necessary loss that our sin demanded.  The enemy of death was defeated forever, and you and I have a chance to live out this fantasy in the real world because Jesus is . . . well . . . JESUS!  He has defeated death and made a way for you and I to do the same.  And it happened in the real world . . . in history . . . so that our future could really be changed forever!

This Easter Sunday (April 12), Wildwood Community Church in our 11AM Livestream (found at wildwoodchurch.org/live ) will be celebrating this victory.  Jesus “Defeated Death”   . . .He is RISEN, just as they said.  Make plans to come . . . and invite friends to do the same. 

On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Matthew 27:27-44.  This message was part 7 in the “Defeating Death” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to this message for personal reflection or group discussion.  Also, you will find the audio and video from this message to listen to/watch, download, or share.

 

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Matthew 27:27-44
3. Think of the dramatic ways people’s view of the “cross” have changed over the past 2,000 years.  Is this “change” something new for you to notice?  What does it tell you about Jesus Christ and the significance of His life and death?
4. What are some specific ways you can honor Jesus as King this week?  — by making Him a priority, by obeying Him, by depending upon Him, by the way we talk about Him?
5. Have you ever been persecuted for your faith in Jesus in any way?  How does the discussion of this in today’s message encourage you or challenge you?
6. Think of the different ways in which the mockers mocked Jesus on the cross.  What were their claims?  Were they right or wrong in voicing their comments?  What are the kinds of mistakes that they are making?
7. Are you believing in Jesus Christ today as your rescuer from sin?  If not, why not?
8. What stands out to you most from this passage?  Any particular takeaway?

To download these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen to the sermon offline, click the link to download:

Defeating Death #7 4.5.20

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the service, use YouTube online:

 

Imagine for a moment that we were able to achieve time travel.  Instead of going back in time, what if we brought forward in time a person living in Jerusalem in 30 A.D. Now, imagine that we were to take this person from 30 A.D. and walk them around Norman, Oklahoma.  What would surprise them?

Electricity, cell phones, airplanes?  Of course those would be amazing to the ancient . . . but those things also would be UNFAMILIAR:  items not found at all in the world they knew.  From what they RECOGNIZE, what would surprise them?  Maybe style of dress, size of home, or accessibility of running water.  But what else would be shocking?

Let’s say that our 2,000 year old friend arrived on a Sunday (and we were not under a “stay at home” order) so you took them to church.  You walk into the lobby, grab your bulletin, and head into the worship center.  At that point, the ancient Jerusalemite would SHRIEK in horror.  Why?  Contrary to what some might imagine, their jaw would drop not at the lack of a robe or tie on the preacher or the presence of drums and electric guitar on the stage.  What would shock them would be the presence of a LARGE WOODEN CROSS on the wall.  That’s right . . . the cross would freak them out.  

Why?

Well, we have not seen a crucifixion, but the ancient has.  In the first century, Rome had “perfected” this heinous form of execution.  It was such an awful form of torture that the Romans would not inflict it on their own citizens (unless ordered by Caesar himself!)  The famous Roman politician of this era, Cicero, commented that crucifixion was not something that Romans should even talk about  . . . it was so awful.

And yet, here in 2020, featured in a prominent way on the wall of our WORSHIP CENTER, highlighted by lighting and sung about in songs, is a giant wooden cross.  The ancient would look at this item and assume we were both deranged and dangerous.  Why would we celebrate such a thing?

So, what happened to change the cross from something educated people did not talk about to something people wear as jewelry and hang on the walls of hallowed halls?  

Jesus happened.

“ [Jesus] who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:6-11

By going to the cross, Jesus changed the perception of the cross forever.  Not because crucifixion became less brutal, but because the crucifixion for ONE (Jesus) brought about forgiveness, hope, and eternal life for MANY.  Through that one crucifixion, Jesus not only changed the perception of the cross, but the eternal destination of us forever.

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our 11AM Livestream, we will be continuing our “Defeating Death” sermon series by looking at Matthew 27:27-44 in part 7 of our series.  We hope you make plans to join us at wildwoodchurch.org/live  and invite all you know to join us as well!  There are plenty of “seats” in this virtual auditorium as we will explore the most important event in the history of the world.   “See you there!” for this Palm Sunday event.

On Sunday, March 29, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Matthew 26:57-68; 27:1-2, 11-26.  This message was part 6 in the “Defeating Death” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message, sermon audio, and sermon video.

 

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Matthew 26:57-68; 27:1-2, 11-26
3. Make a list of as many things as you know about Jesus?  How do you know those things about Him?  What is the source?
4. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, the Christ (Savior).  What evidence do you see that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world from the list you made in question 3?
5. Barabbas was a criminal . . . Jesus was perfect.  Based on Pilate’s decision, the innocent One was killed, while the guilty one went free.  Jesus died in Barabbas’ place.  The cross that was prepared to Barabbas was used on Jesus.  Jesus offers to die for our sins as well.  Make a list (privately) of the sins you remember most in your life.  Spend a moment privately confessing those sins to God . . . and THANK GOD that Jesus died to pay the penalty for those sins if we trust in Him.
6. How are you responding to Jesus right now?  Are you embracing Him as your Savior, rejecting Him like the mob in the Bible story, or trying to avoid Him like Pilate?  If you are embracing Him by faith, when did you start trusting in Him?  If you are rejecting Him or avoiding Him, why are you responding this way?  Would you consider trusting Him as your Savior today?
7. 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 the link:

Defeating Death #6 3.29.20

 

To listen to sermon audio online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the video of the service, watch on YouTube online:

 

Who someone is really matters . . . doesn’t it?  Just think of the past two weeks.  

• Our Mayor or Governor issue instructions about the freedom of our movements and we listen to them.  Why?  Because of who they are, their words are both binding and influential.  We trust the wisdom they have because they have information and perspective we need.
• The CDC tell us to “wash our hands” and “stop touching our face” and “stay at least 6 feet from each other” . . . and we do it.  Why?  Because of who they are.  There is science behind their recommendations.
• The Superintendent of schools cancels classes, so we don’t show up.  Why?  Because of who he is.  He has the authority and power to make such a decision.

So, we are reminded again and again that who someone is really matters.  Now, let’s take this principle and apply it to our spiritual lives.  

Should we trust Jesus with our souls for all time?  Well, it all depends on who Jesus is.  If He is the Son of God who has existed forever . . . then YES!  we should entrust our souls to Him.  However, if Jesus were just some middle-eastern rabbi from two millennia ago, then we should not trust Him with something so important.  It matters who He is.

Should we trust Jesus as the Lord of our lives . . . obeying His commands and following His lead?  Well, it all depends on who Jesus is.  If He is the author of life and the creator of all things . . . then YES!  we should obey and follow Him.  However, if Jesus is just a moral man who lived a decent life as a “nice guy” we should not always obey Him because He could be wrong.  It matters who He is.

In this week’s sermon (part 6 of our “Defeating Death” sermon series) at Wildwood Community Church, we will look at two trials Jesus went through on the morning of His crucifixion as recorded in Matthew 26:57-68 and 27:1-2; 11-26.  In these two trials, the conversation shifts from what Jesus had done to WHO HE IS.  Sadly Pilate and Caiaphas never understood, but we might learn from their interactions who Jesus really is, so that we might entrust our souls to Him and follow Him forever.  “See you” Sunday in our 11AM Livestream as we unpack these passages together.  Looking forward to the time, and invite your friends to tune in with you at wildwoodchurch.org/live

On Sunday, March 22, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Matthew 26:36-56; 27:3-10.  This message was part 5 in the “Defeating Death” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to this sermon for personal application or group study.  Also (when available) the sermon video and audio will be posted here as well.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Matthew 26:36-56; 27:3-10
3. What adversity are you facing right now?  Seriously . . . make list of all the things you feel like are pressing down around you.
4. Jesus literally had the weight of the world on His back . . . so what did He do?  He went before the Lord in prayer!  What can you learn from Jesus’ example of prayer in the face of adversity?  How are you praying through the adversity you are facing right now?
5. Seeing Jesus “in action” in 26:36-56, what stands out to you about His attitude regarding His progress toward the cross?  What does this tell you about who Jesus is and what He thinks of you?
6. In the message today, we compared genuine “faith” with the “recognition” of the mob and the “regret” of Judas Iscariot.  Faith is something deeper than either of those reactions.  How would you describe the difference between genuine faith and the counterfeit responses of the mob and Judas?
7. 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:

Defeating Death #5 3.22.20

 

To listen online, use media player below:

 

To watch the video of the service, see online below: