On Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Luke 24:13-49. Below you will find questions related to the sermon for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio and video of the sermon to listen to, watch, download or share … plus you will also see the slides from the message.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Luke 24:13-49
What images and ideas do you associate with Easter today?How about when you were growing up?How do those ideas mesh with the description provided in Luke 24:46-48?
If someone were to ask you, “How do I KNOW that Jesus was the Savior of the world?” – how would you answer them?
Jesus explains His identity to the disciples through the Scriptures.If this is how we can come to know Jesus, how are you investing time in getting to know Jesus through reading the Bible?What daily habits are you practicing to help you get to know who Jesus really is?
The bodily resurrection of Jesus provides for us a new identity, a new life, and a new eternity.Of all the “new” that Jesus makes possible, what excites you the most?How can you live in light of this “new” this year?
What stands out to you most from this passage?Any particular takeaway?
To access these questions in pdf format, click here.
On Friday night, April 2, 2021 at Wildwood Community Church, we celebrated Good Friday by working our way through Luke 22-23. Below you will find video of the service to watch or share. Jesus died in our place. O Praise the Name!
It is Easter week!We are looking forward to the chance to worship with you at Wildwood this weekend, as we remember Jesus’ death on the cross for us and His triumph over the grave!To aid in our worship, we have a number of opportunities that we wanted to make sure you were aware of:
Good Friday Service – Friday, April 2 (6:00 & 7:30PM)
Join us for one of our two identical Good Friday services this Friday night.This time of worship will include reading the Scriptural account of Jesus trial and crucifixion, singing songs remembering the significance of His death on our behalf, sharing in communion together, as well as praying and reflecting upon what all this means for us. NOTE 1:There is no children’s ministry during this service.All in attendance will be in our worship center.NOTE 2:The 6pm Good Friday Service will also be live-streamed and available at wildwoodchurch.org/live .
Easter Sunrise Service – Sunday, April 4 (7:30AM)
Join us in our back parking lot as we watch the sun rise and celebrate the Son of God who is risen!This outdoor worship service will include the same elements as our indoor services later in the day (same music, message, and communion) and provides an option for people to spread out more outside or start their day early!NOTE 1:There is no children’s ministry during the 7:30 service.All in attendance will be in the parking lot for this sunrise service.NOTE 2:This is a “bring your own chair” event.
Easter Sunday Services- Sunday April 4 (9:00, 10:15, 11:30AM)
Join us in our main worship center for one of our Easter Sunday services.We will remember the resurrection, sing praise to God, look at Luke 24:13-49, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.Should be an amazing morning!NOTE 1:Full children and student ministry programming (birth – 12th grade) running during the 9:00 and 10:15 service.Nursery/Toddler/Preschool classes also offered during the 11:30 hour.College Life meets at 10:15.Adult classes meet during their normal schedules all morning long.NOTE 2:As always, the 10:15 service will also be live-streamed and can be found at wildwoodchurch.org/live .
Help us get the word out about these services!All are invited, but most respond best to a personal invitation.We have 6 worship opportunities in person and two online this weekend. Share this post to help us get the word out.Let’s gather together, invite others we know to join us, and celebrate that He is risen!HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!!
On Sunday, March 28, 2021 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message as a part of the Palm Sunday celebration. This message focused on Luke 19:28-44. Below you will find questions related to this message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio and video from the message to listen to/watch, download, or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Luke 19:28-44
What are some of your favorite Easter Holiday memories over the years?Do you remember when you first realized that Easter was all about Jesus and what He has done for us through His death and resurrection?
Have you ever stopped to personalize the crowd that gathered around Jesus on Palm Sunday?These were not “faceless” people but people whose lives had been revolutionized by Jesus Christ.They were worshipping Him out of their gratitude and experience (not just their expectations).When you worship God, do you personalize that worship, reflecting on what God has done for you personally in Christ?Make a list of things God has done for you in your life and have that list be a springboard to a time of worship before Him this week.
Who are some in “authority” or positions of prominence in your life who do not share your understanding of who Jesus really is?Have you allowed their opposition to quiet your allegiance to Christ?How does the picture of the Pharisees on Palm Sunday remind you that those in powerful positions or advanced educations are not always “right” about Jesus?
How does the picture of Christ weeping over Jerusalem motivate you about His feelings for you?For those around you?If you have not trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, might you do so RIGHT NOW?For those already following Jesus, who might you invite to follow Jesus with you this week?
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:
Just East of the city of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley and dotted with olive groves, stands a very famous hill.This hill is appropriately named the Mount of Olives.Many approaching Jerusalem from Jericho in the East would walk up and over this hill to get to the “city of peace.”2,000 years ago, a very special approach was made over the Mount of Olives by a very famous Person – Jesus Christ, the Son of God.The particular journey of Jesus I am referring to is what we know of today as “Palm Sunday” – one week prior to His resurrection two millennia ago.
I have been to Israel and stood on the Mount of Olives, looking at the city of Jerusalem from that angle.If you were to stand on the Mount of Olives western slope and look at the city of Jerusalem, you would notice something peculiar about your surroundings … you would be surrounded by graves!As a part of the “Social Security” program in Israel today, the government will pay for their citizen’s burial expenses in most circumstances.I say “most,” because people can pay for an upgraded location for their burial.Many, many Israelis have paid the fee to be buried on the western slope of the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem.Now why would they do that?Because of the view?Well, yes … and no.
The view of the city IS impressive, but it is not the current scenery that has people paying the up charge.It is the view IN THE FUTURE that has people investing their inheritance.According to Zechariah 14, when the Messiah returns to Israel, He will land on the Mount of Olives and approach the city of Jerusalem from the east.Devout Jews, in anticipation of their Messiah’s arrival, are buried, feet facing the city, so that when Messiah comes and raises the faithful dead, they will be ready to join Him in a triumphal procession on the last day.
To commemorate and honor the dead buried on the hillside of the Mount of Olives, modern Jews place rocks (not flowers) on the stone enclosures in which their loved ones are buried.
So, on the Mount of Olives, there are graves covered in rocks, of expectant (yet deceased) Jews awaiting their Messiah’s return.Seeing this scene adds a bit of poignant irony to what Jesus said as He was entering the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
That day many were singing and shouting praises to Jesus as their hopeful Messiah and King.The Pharisees saw what was developing and came to Jesus and said, “rebuke your disciples and tell them to be quiet” (the obvious implication being that the Pharisees did not believe Jesus was the Messiah so it was inappropriate for Him to receive this praise.)But Jesus responded:
“I tell you, if these were silent the VERY STONES would cry out!”
Whoa.
In a general sense, Jesus was saying, “it is RIGHT for these people to honor me this way because I AM the Messiah and all of creation knows it … even the rocks!”
However, as I think about that hillside, I am reminded of those rocks I saw on the graves of people waiting for Messiah to come … He already came, and they missed HIM! Those rocks cry out for a Messiah that came 2,000 years ago, walking down that very hill … in some cases, walking past those very stones.
Thankfully He is coming again for all the world to see, but in the mean time, let’s not let another moment go by when we don’t recognize Jesus for who He really is and worship Him with all our hearts.We will try to do that this Palm Sunday, March 28, at Wildwood Community Church in our 9:00, 10:15, and 11:30 services as we look at Luke 19:28-44 in our Palm Sunday celebration.Hope to see you then … and bring friends!
NOTE:The 10:15 service will be live-streamed at wildwoodchurch.org/live
NOTE 2: If you are interested in going to Israel with myself and Mark Burget as guides over Spring Break 2022, message me and I will get you the details. We still have a few spots left on that trip! Would love to stand on the Mount of Olives with you and talk about this again!
The view from the Mount of Olives today … those stone boxes in the foreground are all graves with small rocks set on top.
On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Matthew 28:1-15. This message was part 9 in the “Defeating Death” sermon series. Below you will find questions for discussion related to this sermon, as well as the audio and video of the service to listen to/watch, download, or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Matthew 28:1-15
Have you ever wanted a “do over” or just “a little more time” to get something “right?” What is one time in your life when you had this sensation?
What current failure, circumstance, or pain are you dealing with right now?How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ change your perspective about whatever is ailing you today?
The Angel and Jesus invite the women to both come and see (or hug & worship) AND then to go and tell.If these are two separated kinds of commandments, which do you tend to gravitate towards?Are you more likely to stay in the tomb or to go quickly and tell others the good news?
Who is someone the Lord may be prompting you to “go and tell” this week?What is keeping you from doing that “quickly?”
All feared something at the resurrection of Jesus . . . yet only the women (in this passage) had their fear overcome by a great joy.What are you afraid of today?How does believing and trusting in the resurrected Jesus help you to have great joy in the this life?
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 to download:
On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Avoiding the Pitfall of Failure” from Matthew 26:30-35; 69-75. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.
Failure is a part of life. What well-known failure pops into your mind when you think of the whole topic of failure?
We all have personally failed at one time or another. Share about a time when you experienced a failure. Elaborate.
Why do we commonly fear failure so much?
What missteps did Peter make that contributed to his personal failure? [we mentioned three]
Jesus gave a warning to the disciples before they came face-to-face with the potential of failure. Think of some warnings given to us that surface in the New Testament. Elaborate on why you think God has issued such a warning.
Bruce said, “Pride mushrooms in an environment of comparison.” Expand on what you think that means.
One principle that surfaces from our passage is the idea, “pray up or trip up.” Review through the suggested core prayers that Bruce listed:
Lead me Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18
Teach me John 14:26; 16:13
Use me Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:10-11
Strengthen me Ephesians 1:18-20; 3:20
Embolden me Philippians 1:20; Ephesians 6:19
8. “His grace and mercy are greater than our failures.” Take time to give Him thanks!
Wow, it has been wild out there with all the talk and gyrations related to the Coronavirus. I have no idea where all this is going, but wherever it leads, our God is still fully in charge. Aren’t you thankful? Knowing the shepherd is always there with us and always guiding and leading is SO comforting. Thank Him for loving and caring for you the way He does!!
Talk of the Coronavirus surfaces all kinds of questions. Be sure to check a subpage on our website wildwoodchurch.org/health to learn more about both precautions Wildwood is taking and any scheduling adjustments that might arise. Pray for God’s clear leading on the responses that would be wise for us to implement as a church in the days ahead.
How many of us have experienced personal failure on one level or another? Yep, ALL of us. What makes us vulnerable to failure? What preventative steps can we take to minimize the potential for personal failure? Those and other perspectives will be our focus on Sunday as we examine the infamous failure of Peter in denying Jesus in Matthew 26.
We will be continuing the Defeating Death series Mark has been leading in Matthew. I would encourage you to read Matthew 26:30-35 and 26:69-75 before Sunday. My message is entitled, “Avoiding the Pitfall of Failure.” Come and join us as we seek to learn truth that can help us more effectively steer around the prospects of personal failure.
On Sunday, April 21, 2019, I preached the Easter Sunday message at Wildwood Community Church. This message was based on John 20:1-18. Below you will see the audio from the sermon to listen to online, download, or share.
To listen offline, click on the link below to download:
On Sunday, April 21, 2019 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on John 20:1-18. The message focused on the fact that Easter is not the end . . . but the beginning! Below are a set of questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read John 20:1-18
Have you ever “buried” something that eventually “sprang back to life”?(i.e. a sports team, musical act, your career, etc.)
What signs do you see in John 20 that Mary, John, and Peter thought that the first Easter was “THE END”?
Jesus’ resurrection transforms the “end” into the “beginning.”Have you (or does someone you know) think of Jesus as simply a part of your/their history (not their present or future)?
Jesus’ resurrection transforms the “end” into the “beginning.”In what ways are you tempted to think that it is not “worth it” to follow Jesus?How does the resurrection encourage you today?
Jesus’ resurrection transforms the “end” into the “beginning.”What sins in your life do you struggle to think that Jesus can actually forgive?How does Jesus interactions with Peter after the resurrection encourage you today?
Jesus’ resurrection transforms the “end” into the “beginning.”How does this encourage you concerning loved ones you know who have already died (or are dying)?How does it encourage you regarding death for yourself?
Jesus knows your name and He is calling you to believe in Him.Are you trusting Jesus for your salvation today?
What is one particular application you took away from this message?
To access these questions in pdf format, click here.
