I am a big University of Oklahoma fan.  I may not have been Sooner born or Sooner bred … but I am pretty sure when I die I’ll be a Sooner dead.  At this point in my life – cut me, and I’ll bleed crimson and cream.

When I have the opportunity, I love going to OU sporting events … and nothing has as much pomp and circumstance as a home football game.  The stadium … the team … the schooner … all contribute to a nostalgic celebration of my college years.

One thing I love about home games is the OU band – the PRIDE OF OKLAHOMA.  I love it when they run out onto the field, play the same set of songs for the pregame, and march across the field in the giant “O” formation!

As a longtime Pastor in Norman, I have known a number of students over the years who have participated in the Pride.  Every time I know a member of the band, I always look for them during their on field performances.  But in all my years, you know how often I found a band member I was looking for?  Exactly zero times. 

And that is by design. 

Not by MY design, but by the band’s design. 

All members of the Pride wear the same uniform.  From a distance, they all look the same.  To be clear, there are differences between the band members.  Some play one instrument, others play another.  Some are freshmen, others are seniors.  Some are men, others are women.  But in their uniform, they all receive the same reception and ovation, and are individually somewhat indistinguishable.

I say this today, because Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our Sunday morning services, the sermon will focus on Galatians 3:25-29.  This message is part 4 of the “New Way” sermon series.  This week we will see that all Christians have “put on” a particular uniform.  This uniform (by God’s design) cloaks all of us in the identity of an adult child of God.  And with this identity comes an amazing reception before our Heavenly Father.

Join us this Sunday at 9:00, 10:15 or 11:30 as we cover our differences under the uniform blessing of God in Christ Jesus.  See you then … and bring friends!

 

NOTE:  You can watch the service online beginning at 10:15 AM CDT May 30, 2021 at wildwoodchurch.org/live 

 

On Sunday, May 23, 2021 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Galatians 3:19-24.  This message was part 3 in “The New Way” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for group discussion or personal reflection.  You will also find the sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Galatians 3:19-24
3. What is something that you thought was “worthless” until you realized the purpose for which it was created?  How does knowing something’s intended use help you see its “meaning”?
4. What has been your general attitude toward the Old Testament in your life?
5. Based on the verses surveyed in the sermon this morning, what are some of the limitations of the Old Testament Law?
6. Based on the verses surveyed in the sermon this morning, what was the purpose of the Old Testament?
7. Think through a few familiar Old Testament passages … review them if need be … then ask these questions of those passages – What does this passage tell me about God?  What does this passage tell me about us?  How does this passage point me to Jesus?
8. Based on what we talked about this morning, why would I recommend someone START reading the Bible in the New Testament instead of the Old Testament?
9. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen offline, click the link:

The New Way #3 5.23.21

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch video, use YouTube online:

 

In my wallet right now I have a crisp $50 bill.  On the front, rests a picture of President Ulysses S. Grant.  On the back, a rendering of the United States Capital.  You know what I have found out about this bill?  It is not edible.  That’s right, you cannot eat it.  Well, I suppose you COULD eat it, but it would provide no nutritional value.  I can back up my claim with statements from the world’s top scientists and dietitians, but I doubt you will require me to “show my math.”

Since this bill is not edible, I have decided it is worthless.  I will just throw it away … wad it up in the wrapper of an already eaten Big Mac and toss it in the nearest waste basket.  I am tired of hanging onto things I don’t need.

Are you paying attention yet?  If so, how are you responding to my tirade above?  Some of you are shaking your head at my feigned ignorance.  Others of you are running over to the nearest trash bin to see if there are any empty Big Mac containers I may have just discarded.  Whatever it is … my ignorance is evoking in you a response.

And that is my point.

What is the root of the problem I just identified?  My chief problem was that I was expecting a $50 bill to be something that it was never intended to be … and when it fell short of my self-fabricated standard, I wanted to declare it worthless.  A $50 bill is not food, but it IS valuable, and should not be discarded … understanding its intended purpose and using it for that purpose is critical.

I say this today because this Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be looking at Galatians 3:19-24 in part 3 of our “New Way” sermon series.  In this week’s verses we will seek to understand the meaning of the Old Testament … particularly the “Law” section of the Old Testament.  Paul has been quite clear in Galatians that the Law cannot SAVE anyone … our salvation has always been about the promise of God.  Paul’s opponents believed that Paul saying the Law cannot SAVE anyone was akin to Paul wadding up the Law in a Big Mac wrapper and throwing it away.  In this week’s verses, though, Paul speaks up and makes a profound statement.

Though the Law was not given to SAVE anyone, it still had a profound purpose.  The Old Testament Law was a MEANS to an end … therefore it has MEANing.  What is that meaning?  What was the purpose of the Law, and how do we as Christ followers accurately understand the first 2/3 of our Bibles?  Well, we will seek to understand this on Sunday as we unpack Paul’s answer.

Before we go and throw our Old Testaments into a trashcan, let’s see if we can understand the reason God gave the Law to Moses in the first place.  When we see that purpose, we will understand that the Law IS valuable, as we grasp its intended purpose in salvation history.

I sure hope you can join us this weekend as we continue our series.  See you at 9:00, 10:15, or 11:30 (in person) … or online in the stream at 10:15 at wildwoodchurch.org/live

On Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on Galatians 3:15-18.  This message was part 2 in the “New Way” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to this 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 Galatians 3:15-18
3. Can you think of examples of people whose “promises” mean a lot to you … and those whose “promises” you ignore?  What makes the difference?
4. In this message we review a bit of the “salvation history” of God’s people.  How does remembering this history help remind you that you are not an “impulse buy” of God, but something He saved for?
5. Have you ever been tempted to promise God things? (i.e. IF you do this for me God, THEN I will …)  How have those promises tended to go in your life?
6. As seen in today’s passage, our salvation is not tied to our promise to God, but in His promise to us!  How does knowing this help encourage you with the assurance of your salvation and your hope for spiritual growth?
7. Spend a few minutes THANKING GOD for His work on our behalf through Christ Jesus.
8. How are you tempted to complicate the Gospel … and how does that complication keep you from sharing your faith with others?  How does remembering the simplicity of the Gospel inspire you to share the good news of Jesus freely with others?  Who is someone you can share that simple message with this week?
9. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen offline, click the link to download:

The New Way #2 5.16.21

 

To listen online, use the media player:

 

 

To watch the service, use YouTube online:

“I promise.”

How powerful is that statement?  Well, it depends on who says it.

In each political cycle, candidates promise lots of things.  After years of disappointment at the results those promises have produced, many people stop taking political promises seriously.

In families where abuse or neglect have dominated, the empty promises of parents fail to elicit comfort.  People protect themselves from getting their hopes up in response to good intentions that may not materialize.

However, when the promise comes inside the context of a loving relationship and given by a responsible party, the words “I promise” mean the world!

When a wife with a healthy relationship with her husband promises to take care of something, the husband rests easy.  When a coach with a good relationship with his players promises playing time in the next game to a player, the player enters the next game ready to go.  

In short, the power of the promise depends on the person giving it … and how reliable they are.

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be in part 2 of “The New Way” sermon series where we will be looking at Galatians 3:15-18.  In these four verses, the Apostle Paul uses the word “promise” four times to encourage us related to our salvation and growth in our spiritual lives.  Our spiritual present AND future hinge on a promise.  Should that encourage us?  I think so.  After all, the promise comes from God Himself – and He is faithful!  But here is something even more profound:  the promise regarding our spiritual lives is actually made from God the Father to God the Son!  My hope for eternity and power for growth today are anchored in a promise made from God to God.  Whoa. 

What does that mean?  Where is it anchored in Scripture?  Join us Sunday in our 9:00, 10:15, and 11:30 service as we take a look at this concept inside of God’s Word.  Hope to see you there!

It will be worth your time.  I promise.

On Sunday, May 9, 2021 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on Galatians 3:1-14.  This message was part 1 in the “New Way” 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 Galatians 3:1-14
3. Have you ever been “bewitched” by an idea or movement that turned out to NOT lead you where you hoped it would go?
4. The “fool” in Galatians 3 is one who thinks that Jesus is not enough for their salvation and spiritual growth.  What are you (or those you know) tempted to ADD TO faith in Jesus as the “secret” to their spiritual growth?  How does this passage warn against such notions?
5. Share the story of your salvation?  How and when did you first trust in Christ?  How does remembering this story keep you from thinking you need “something else”?
6. Paul uses 6 Old Testament Scriptures in Galatians 3:6-14 to argue that the “New Jesus Way” is the only way to salvation and spiritual growth.  Which of these verses stands out to you the most, or is most impactful to you today?
7. What would it look like for you to live out your spiritual life today in the “new way” of faith in Jesus, and not just in the “old way” of fleshly adherence to the law?  (If you can’t answer that question fully today … don’t worry!  We are only in part 1 of this 7 part series.  We will talk more about this as we go!)
8. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen offline, click the link:

The New Way #1 5.9.21

 

To listen online, use media player below:

 

To watch, use the YouTube stream online:

 

In 2021, my family has watched all of the new Marvel series that have debuted on Disney+ (both “WandaVision” and “Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”)  Each of these series tell a long-form, several hour long story spread out over 6-10 episodes.  Due to the long nature of these stories, each new episode begins with the tag … :

“Previously on ___(NAME OF SHOW)___ …”

This allows the filmmakers to show a set of clips from previous episodes to catch the audience up on relevant info they may have forgotten or missed.  It is a helpful tool to keep all of their audience moving together in the story.

We began 2021 in a Sermon series from Galatians 1-2 … a series called “The New Normal.”  These messages from January/February were designed to help us see what “new” that Jesus normalized (in His New Covenant).  After a 2 month break for Bruce’s “Tough Times” series, Easter, and the “Perspective” series, we will be returning to Paul’s letter to the Galatians this Sunday at Wildwood.

So, for those who were not with us in January and February, or for those who forgot the content of those verses …

“Previously, in the letter to the Galatians …”

New Normal – 1 (Galatians 1:1-5) We need to remember that the Gospel message is FROM JESUS Himself!  He sent Paul (and others) to carry this message to us, but this message of rescue is ultimately from Him.

New Normal – 2 (Galatians 1:6-10) Since the Gospel is from Jesus, and does not describe A WAY, but THE WAY that someone can be saved … anyone who changes the Gospel in any way must be confronted … the cost is just too high to ignore it.

New Normal – 3 (Galatians 1:11-24) Paul shares his testimony to remind us that the Gospel he proclaimed was not his own invention, but was God’s idea, described God’s work in us, and ultimately led to God being glorified through us.

New Normal – 4 (Galatians 2:1-10) Though we should fight vehemently for the integrity of the original Gospel message, our attitudes toward people should be willing to relax on some secondary issues in order to keep the “main thing” the “main thing.”

New Normal – 5 (Galatians 2:11-14) Peter knew that God had saved Gentiles and given them equal standing in the church, but he still struggled to apply that truth to the way he treated his Gentile believing friends in Galatia when his Jewish friends from Jerusalem were around.We too can struggle with a gap between what we believe and how we live.

New Normal – 6 (Galatians 2:15-21)  In the doctrinal “heart” of this letter, we are encouraged that we are both saved and sanctified by the grace of God in Christ and we receive that grace by faith.  There is no other way.

New Normal – 7 (Galatians 2:20) Paul applies all the truth of the Gospel in a very PERSONAL WAY … and we are encouraged to do the same.  Jesus’ death paid the price for MY sin.  Jesus’ life makes a way for ME to live a God glorifying life today.

Now, with that orientation, you are ready for the launch of our new series, “The New Way” (which will focus on Galatians 3-4) THIS SUNDAY, May 9 at Wildwood Community Church!  This series will help us understand the differences between the “Old” way of the Law and the “New” way of Jesus, as we live out our relationship with God. 

Old things are sometimes cool.  In fact, people sometimes like to make new things that LOOK old (just go to Hobby Lobby sometime).  In many areas, though, “new” has brought progress. 

Which is greater:

• An iPhone or a rotary dial telephone? 
• A horse and buggy or an airplane? 
• An LED flat panel television, or an old black and white tube model? 

In most every instance, the new out performs the old.  So why would anyone choose the old over the new?  In technology, transportation, or television (for the most part), “old” vs. “new” is a matter of style and convenience.  However, as it relates to our spiritual lives, the “old” vs. “new” choice carries with it significantly more substantial consequences.  Do we choose the “old” way of the Law (see Old Testament law) or do we live in light of the “new” way of the Spirit (the Jesus way!)  We will explore that together over the next 7 weeks.

I am really looking forward to kicking off this study together this week as we look at Galatians 3:1-14 in our 9:00, 10:15, or 11:30 services (or online at 10:15 at wildwoodchurch.org/live).  See you there!