On Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached the sixth installment in the series “Finding a Place of Grace.” This message was based on John 13:31-35. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read John 13:31-35
Have you ever received or given any “final instructions” to a child, friend, teammate, employee, etc. before leaving for an extended period of time?Describe that moment.
Jesus has DONE something for us that no one else could do … dying on the cross for our sins.Jesus died for our sins according to the Father’s plan.That is why His doing so brought glory to the Father (and to the Son).How does obedience to the Father’s plan (doing the Father’s work) in your own life glorify God?NOTE:Of course we cannot do what Jesus has done in dying on the cross to pay the penalty of other’s sins, but what HAS God called us to do in Scripture?How would obeying God’s plan for YOU lead to God being glorified?
Jesus’ command is for us to love one another.This command was given new life by Jesus increasing both its extent and providing a new example.In what ways do we try to limit the EXTENT of God’s love (i.e. those we want to exclude from God’s love)?
How did Jesus love His followers?How are you inspired to love as Jesus loved those around you, inspired by His example?
Where are you intentionally placing yourself in community with others so that you might love them as Jesus loves you?
What is one particular application you took away from this message?
To access these questions in pdf format click here.
The church is not just a place that knows ABOUT Jesus, but it is a place where Jesus moves ABOUT.
The church is not only a BUILDING (brick and mortar) for our BODIES, but a BODY (redeemed souls) He is BUILDING in godliness.
The church is not simply an ORGANIZATION or non-PROFIT, but it is a congregation of people ORGANIZED to PROFIT the souls of all who interact with it.
The church is not simply a place that has received GRACE, but it is also a place designed to give GRACE to each other.
Over the past 6 weeks at Wildwood Community Church, we have been exploring a series called “Finding a Place of Grace.”We have seen that we are looking for grace, that Grace (embodied in Jesus Christ) is looking for us, and that Grace justifies, sanctifies, and ultimately glorifies all who receive Him.This Sunday, in our final installment of this series, we will talk about how Jesus wants the culture of His church to be a culture of grace.Through His church, Jesus wants to seek and save the lost, sanctify and shepherd the found, and bring to glory all who are connected to Him by faith.And the hallmark of the grace-filled church is the LOVE that we have for one another … but not just any kind of love.The kind of love that Jesus gave to us first.
“But God shows His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” (1 John 3:16)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
So, make plans to join us this Sunday, September 15 at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 worship service as we reflect on how we can see Jesus love one another through us in our church.We have been called and equipped to be a place of grace, so if you are seeking a place of grace, may you join us this Sunday as we seek to love in Jesus’ name.Join us for worship, communion, and a study of John 13:31-35 in the sixth and final part of our “Finding a Place of Grace” sermon series at Wildwood.See you there, and bring friends!
On Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached the fifth installment in the series “Finding a Place of Grace.” This message was based on Romans 8:32. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Romans 8:32
List as many examples as you can quickly imagine of things that began small, but grew into something impressive.
God’s grace flows from justification all the way to glorification (as we talked about this morning).Too often we fail to remember this progression over time, and it leads to times of potential disillusionment or discouragement when we don’t see everything realized TODAY that God has promised. What are some examples of struggles in your life that linger today but that God has promised to take away TOMORROW?
God graciously has given His Son for us and will eventually take us to glory if we believe in Jesus.What are you most looking forward to about the glorified provision of God for us in eternity (we talked about several aspects of this today)?
What are some practical ways you can “keep looking downstream” as you live your life today?
What is one particular application you took away from this message?
To access these questions in pdf format click here.
Ever been to Leadville, Colorado? I’ve been there a couple of times. This small town sits at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. That’s probably why I spent MOST of my time in this mountain village at an emergency room with my son who was suffering from altitude sickness. But apart from the elevation of Leadville, I have another connection with this place: the Arkansas River begins on the outskirts of town.
Growing up just north of Tulsa, Oklahoma and with a sister who lives in the Little Rock area, I am well familiar with the Arkansas. So when I was in Leadville and saw the sign for the headwaters of the this river I was intrigued. While the alpine setting is beautiful, the waters of the Arkansas themselves look scattered and thin at their origin. Like a 4 year old t-ball team at their first practice, the waters of the Arkansas are still trying to get their act together at 10,000 feet.
So, let’s imagine that we are standing next to the narrow water’s edge just outside Leadville, and looking at the “river” together. And, let’s imagine that you had never been to the ocean before. If I told you there that the Arkansas ultimately becomes the Gulf of Mexico, you might assume that the Gulf of Mexico was nothing more than a half acre farm pond. But of course, you would be wrong. What begins as a stream in Leadville, ultimately grows into an ocean just past New Orleans! But, if you had never seen downstream, you might question how big the ocean really is.
I tell you this today, because as I was preparing for Sunday’s message (part 5 in the “Finding a Place of Grace” sermon series at Wildwood Community Church), I was reminded that the grace of God is like a river flowing toward us. From the moment of our belief in Jesus, a river of God’s love and mercy are poured upon us … but this grace does not stop there. It is flowing downstream. What do I mean by that?
Well, in theological terms, the moment of our belief is the moment of our justification – where we are declared forgiven by God, being brought into alignment positionally with Jesus’ righteousness by God’s grace. We saw this two weeks ago as we looked at Zaccheus’s conversion from Luke 19. From justification, the grace of God flows toward sanctification – our growth in obedience and faithfulness as we follow Jesus. Last week we saw from Titus 2, that God’s grace not only saves us, but also trains us to walk away from ungodliness and toward godliness through the power of the Spirit. But the grace of God keeps going past sanctification, ultimately ending in glorification – when we are transformed completely from a corruptible body to an incorruptible one, outfitted for eternal blessing.
To say it another way, the headwaters of grace are justification, that gain intensity through tributary of sanctification, and culminate in the ocean of glorification.
Why is this important?
Well, we have not been to the ocean. We live in either Leadville or Tulsa or maybe Little Rock, looking at a small to medium sized body of water, unable to imagine (or possibly too impatient to see) the ocean that is coming. When we come to faith in Christ, we are like that t-ball team at their first practice … and even years into our walk with God, we may still feel like little leaguers. Since we have not yet gotten our act together, we wonder if we ever will.
So we have a farm pond sized faith … that begins to question God for the still broken condition of our world, the lingering temptations of our sin, or the suspicion that things will never improve (or if they do, we may never get to see it.)
Dear friends … this universe is headed someplace, being directed by Someone, and if we know Him, the grace that brought us justification and sanctification, will ultimately lead to our glorification. BY. HIS. GRACE.
This Sunday, we will look at select verses in Romans 8 together (ultimately centering on Romans 8:32) to see the certain hope we have for the ocean of glory and grace that is to come. I can’t wait to look at these verses together. Are you looking for a place of grace? Join us Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 as we swim in this ocean together. See you then – and bring friends.
On Sunday, September 1, 2024 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached the fourth installment in the series “Finding a Place of Grace.” This message was based on Titus 2:11-14. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Titus 2:11-14
Have you ever seen expressions of Christianity that were only focused on the past (Jesus’ death & resurrection) or the future (His bodily return), while neglecting the present day opportunities we have to follow Jesus in obedience and faith today?
How is your walk with God going today?Are you presently following Him or are you wandering away?What leads you to answer the question the way you did?
God’s grace intends to train us to walk away from sin and toward His righteousness.What are some of the things God (in His grace) is convicting you of today?What things are you doing that you need to stop?What things are you not doing that you need to start?
The Holy Spirit is God’s grace to power us forward in godly living.Take a few moments and pray that God’s Spirit would guide you and strengthen you as you follow Him this week.
What is one particular application you took away from this message?
To access these questions in pdf format click here.
Tomorrow night, the Oklahoma Sooners begin the 2024 football season.I. Can’t. Wait.My wife and I are OU alums who have lived in this state nearly all our lives, and our son is seriously considering attending OU next fall.Truly we are Sooner born, bred a Sooner, and when we die … well, you get the gist.
This fall will be the 129th season of OU football.The football team’s history is 12 years older than the state itself!In that time, the team has won 50 conference championships, 7 national championships, and countless individual honors.What a history!
But as the team takes the field this year, let me ponder a science fiction styled hypothetical.Imagine someone from the future were to travel back in time to visit us in our current day and let us know that the Sooners would win 7 MORE national titles (and 10 more conference championships – TAKE THAT SEC), by the year 2050.
Now, imagine you are in the locker room with the team as they are getting ready to take the field tomorrow night.What if you talked with one of the players and they said this, “We are a part of a team with an amazing past and a powerful future … therefore, we will stop practicing today.No more practicing.No more lifting weights.No more watching film.No more nutrition.We are just going to do whatever we want to do.With our history and our future so strong, what we do today does not matter.”
If a player were to say that to you today, how would you respond?My guess is you would say something like this (at least if you were a Sooner fan):“How could you say such a thing?!?!?You should want to work your hardest today BECAUSE of the storied history of this program, and you should commit anew to the task SINCE future success is promised!!!The jersey you are wearing demands such a response … it is your reasonable duty as a modern day Sooner!”
Now, why do I say this today?I say this today because many of you reading this post are Christians.At some point in the past, you were recruited by the Savior and signed your name on the line joining His team.AND, as followers of Jesus, we have an unbelievable past!Our LORD appeared on this earth as the embodiment of grace and won a decisive victory over sin and death. AND, as Christians you also have a promised championship future.One day Jesus will return to this earth in glory and establish His Kingdom and reign forevermore!
Given our association with past victory (through Jesus’ empty tomb) and hope for the future (through Jesus’ triumphant return) why shouldn’t the Christian today simply fumble their way through life and care nothing of practicing righteousness?After all, we are a program with a victorious past and future … why does today matter at all?
Well, the Apostle Paul seeks to answer that very question for us in Titus 2:11-14.In these verses He talks of the past and future championship trophies surrounding today’s Jesus followers … but instead of using the past and future as reasons to COAST today, Paul points to our “Jesus” jersey and reminds us that our association with Him demands a disciplined and righteous response … it is our duty as a modern day disciple of Christ.
This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will explore these verses together in part 4 of our “Finding a Place of Grace” sermon series.So far in this series we have seen that we are looking for grace, that Grace is looking for us, and that we are saved by grace.Sunday, we will see that His grace also grows us in Him.Hope you can join us in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service.See you there … and bring friends!
On Sunday August 25, 2024 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached the third installment in the series “Finding a Place of Grace.” This message was based on John 12:1-8 and Ephesians 2:1-9, 19-22. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read John 12:1-8, Ephesians 2:1-9, 19-22
What is the most memorable meal you have ever shared with others (Think FAVORITE experience at a meal with others, not WORST experience at a meal with others)?What made it so memorable?
The 17 people who gathered for dinner at Simon’s house in Bethany all had seen Jesus do SO MANY THINGS in their lives!They all had things they were “formerly” known for, but had been changed by Jesus.What is your “former” story?Before Jesus, what things marked your life?
Ephesians 2 talks about how believers in Jesus have gone from spiritual death to spiritual life (RESURRECTED!)The church is literally a collection of spiritually resurrected people!How does knowing this encourage you about participation in a local church?
Mary’s response of honoring Jesus above all stands in great contrast to Judas or the chief priests.What do you most honor with your life?How can we honor Jesus most as we gather as a church family?How can you honor Jesus most in your personal life?
What is one particular application you took away from this message?
To access these questions in pdf format click here.
A few years ago, through a unique set of circumstances, my wife and I found ourselves having dinner with a famous politician and his wife.Away from the crowds, the four of us just got to sit and talk.Based on their unique set of experiences, I made a conscious attempt to listen way more than I talked (for those of you who know me well, you know what a challenge this must have been 🙂 ).It was a joy to hear of their life story, how they came to faith in Christ, how they ended up running for office, and what their favorite accomplishment was during their public service.I was so encouraged to hear their account of their life, and its effect.
Have you ever had an opportunity like this?It was unique for me . . . and may never happen again.I really enjoyed that private access to this public person, though, and it allowed me to thank them personally for the impact they have had in our world.
I was thinking about that experience this week as I prepare for Sunday’s sermon.This week (week 3 in the “Finding a Place of Grace” sermon series) we will be looking at John 12:1-8 and Ephesians 2:1-9, 19-22).In the verses from John’s Gospel, there is a private dinner party happening including 17 people.These 17 people were:
Jesus of Nazareth (the featured guest)
The Twelve disciples
Mary
Martha
Lazarus (the former dead man)
Simon (the former leper)
Just imagine that group.Jesus, eating dinner with a man He cured from leprosy, a man He resurrected from the dead, the dead man’s sisters (Mary and Martha), and twelve witnesses to ALL of the public ministry of Jesus.WHAT. A. SCENE.I so long to have been there for this meal.Seriously.How cool would that be?
What did they talk about?What did they do?Who did the talking?
Far more than just a famous politician, Jesus is the Son of God.Far greater than just being someone who had passed a few laws, He was the One who had fulfilled ALL THE LAW!Far beyond having just served society, Jesus had worked dramatic miracles in the lives of ALL PRESENT!Amazing.
Out of that dinner party, what do we learn for our lives today?This Sunday we will “listen” in on the transcript from that dinner, and watch the “video footage” of what happened as we think about the significance to you and me.Join us this Sunday (August 25) at Wildwood Community Church at 8:30, 9:45 or 11:00 as we look at these verses together.Come . . . and bring friends!This is a passage of Scripture none of us can miss.
On Sunday August 18, 2024 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached the second installment in the series “Finding a Place of Grace.” This message was based on Luke 19:1-10. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download or share.
Sermon Questions:
Pray
Read Luke 19:1-10
What are some examples you can think of today of groups of people who would be analogous to the tax collectors of the first century (people who would have seemed like morally “too short to ride” with Jesus)?
Zacchaeus learned of Jesus reputation as the embodiment of grace.This drew Zacchaeus to Jesus.What is the reputation of Jesus in your world today?What influences most people’s perspectives of Jesus?
When Jesus shows up, He is even better than Zacchaeus expected!How does this picture of Jesus impact your view of Him?
If Jesus is the embodiment of grace, then Zacchaeus embodies “faith” for us.We summarized a number of ways Zacchaeus demonstrates faith in Jesus (his desire to know Jesus, child-like enthusiasm, warm reception, and repentance).Do you see these evidences of true faith in your own life?
Have you placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and are you following Him as Zacchaeus was?If so, what does that look like in your life right now?If not, what is keeping you from following Jesus with a whole heart today?
What is one particular application you took away from this message?
To access these questions in pdf form, click here.
Many years ago, when Josh (our son) was much younger, we went with family to Silver Dollar City (SDC) in Branson, Missouri.When I was a kid, we went to this theme park several times, but when I visited with Josh, I noticed the park had changed.When I was a kid, SDC was mostly a place where you could watch someone make a candle or blow glass – not exactly items at the top of my list when I was 10!Today, SDC is full of rides … big rides … roller coasters.So when we arrived at the park with my sister’s family (including her two daughters who were middle schoolers and high schoolers at the time, we immediately ran toward coasters like Wildfire, Powder Keg, and Outlaw Run.Josh, not wanting to be outdone, followed quickly behind.He may have only been in elementary school, but he was ready for whatever that park could throw at him!After waiting in line to ride Outlaw Run, and all the anticipation built, we approached the area where we would board the coaster.It was here that a worker had Josh measure against the required minimum height to ride … and sadly he missed it by a fraction of an inch!If only he had spiked up his hair with hair gel or wore some platform sneakers!!!!Josh had to step through the ride vehicle and wait on the other side while the rest of his family blasted down the track.
Fast forward to this past summer.In June, Josh (now a senior in high school), his mom and I went to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.Ever been there?If you haven’t been to Dollywood, here is how I would describe it:It is basically Silver Dollar City EAST.AND, it was also full of roller coasters.Really cool ones.Josh and I ran ahead and hopped in line to ride Lightning Rod and Wild Eagle (two rides that make all the coasters at SDC look like the moving walkways at the airport by comparison).While these rides also had a designated necessary height to ride, in his grown up state, Josh and I walked right on.It is amazing the difference a few years make!
Now, I was thinking about this experience today as I prepare for Sunday’s message at Wildwood.This week we are in Part 2 of our new series, “Finding a Place of Grace.”This week we will be looking at Luke 19:1-10.In these verses we hear the story of a man from Jericho named Zaccheus.In these verses we learn two things about Zaccheus:he was short (physically) and he was small (morally).As a person vertically challenged, Zaccheus had to climb a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he could not see over the heads of the surrounding crowds.As a tax collector, Zaccheus had made a living exploiting his fellow citizens for personal gain.If gaining access to Jesus was a ride, Zaccheus would come up short and be unable to ride.
Any Zaccheuses out there?Anyone you know think they are beyond the reach of God’s grace?Anyone feel like you have measured your life against the height of God’s holiness and come up lacking?What does Jesus do with you?Does He even see you?Will He allow you to ride?Do we have to wait years to grow into a more respectable person before being welcomed into fellowship with God?
Join us this Sunday as we see a vivid example of God’s grace in part two of our series.You won’t want to miss this beautiful section of God’s Word as we look into it together.See you Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 services … and bring friends!
