Finding a Place of Grace (part 3) Sermon Preview

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.

Whys of Worship (part 6) Sermon Audio, Video, & Questions

On Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on John 6:66-69. This message was part 6 in the “Whys of Worship” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Read John 6:66-69
Has there ever been an item that you were looking for intently, scanning many stores and websites? If so, what was it?
What are some of the times in your life that it was “easy” to believe in Jesus? What are some of the things in the Bible and about Jesus that are hard for you to grasp?
What are some of the “places” where people go to get their deepest questions answered? In what way is the Bible better than those other sources?
Have you ever had a moment when you have said to the Lord, “I am with You! There is no one else like You and I will follow You forever, even through the things that I don’t fully understand”?
Consider committing to the “intro” and “conclusion” prayers Mark mentioned in this message … praying at the beginning of the sermon for the Spirit to enlighten your understanding of the passage, and then praying at the end of the message for the Spirit to empower you to live out the ways the Lord has convicted you in the message.
What is one particular application you took away from this passage/message?

To access these questions in pdf format click here.

To listen to message offline, click the link:

Whys of Worship #6. 2.25.24

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Whys of Worship (part 6) Sermon Preview

Have you ever been looking for a product to buy … and not been able to find it?

Think a “hard-to-find” gift for your child for Christmas … or a special seasoning for a dish you are cooking for dinner … or enough orange gatorade to drown an elephant?

Wait, WHAT? You were tracking with me for a moment, but did I just lose you? Let me explain.

About a year ago my wife and I had volunteered to get Gatorade ready for a local 5K. Assuming this substance was easier to come by than rare minerals, we did not immediately gather the necessary supplies to make the magic brew. On Thursday evening (before the Saturday race) we go out to purchase the Gatorade powder necessary to make the drink, but we ran into a problem. Wal Mart did not have enough. And by “Wal Mart” I mean ALL THE WAL MARTS … neighborhood markets, super centers, not-so-super centers – all of them. So we moved on to Target. Still an insufficient supply. Then Crest. Then Homeland.

Why didn’t you just buy the Gatorade online? Remember it was Thursday night and the event was Saturday morning! Prime delivery never seemed so slow.

Eventually after hitting every Gatorade dispensary in Cleveland County we had the prescribed amount to provide for the race. WHEW. We were so relieved that when the event was over, and we had so much leftover, we didn’t even care. We were given a task and we didn’t want to fail and lead to the dehydration of someone during at 15 minute race. Ah, booster clubs.

So why do I tell you this story? Because at some point most of us have been in a situation like this; when you can’t find what you need in one location, you just move onto the next. We are conditioned to think this way because of the era of abundance that we live in and the options that are available to us.

But what if what we need is only found one place?

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church we will be in part 6 of our “Whys of Worship” series as we look at John 6:66-69. This great section of Scripture details an interaction with Jesus and His disciples. During this interaction some stay and profess their faith in Jesus, while others flee, looking to have their needs met from another source. Peter was one of those who stayed … and while staying says to Jesus this iconic line, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!”

Why do we read God’s Word? Why do we preach sermons each Sunday that (God-willing) help us understand God’s Word better? Because what we need the most is only found in His care and under His direction. We cannot go to any other source than His Word to get what we so desperately require. Join us Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 for communion and worship at Wildwood as we look at this great passage together. See you Sunday … and bring friends!

The Trinity and the Purpose of Life: A Deeper Call to Mission

On Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Wildwood Community Church, guest speaker Dr. Scott Horrell preached a sermon based on John 20:19-22. This message, “The Trinity and the Purpose of Life: A Deeper Call to Mission” was part of our 2024 Missions Emphasis Week. Below you will find audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

To listen to message offline, click the link:

A Task Unfinished #1 2.4.24

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Light of the World (part 1) Sermon Questions, Audio, and Video

On Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on John 8:12. This message was part 1 in the “Light of the World” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Read John 8:12
What evidence of “darkness” do you see in the world today?
The backdrop of Jesus’ statement in John 8:12 is the Festival of Tabernacles. Based on our look at this festival this morning, in what way was this a good backdrop for Jesus’ statement?
By proclaiming to be the “Light of the world,” Jesus was claiming to be God … who was present with His people! Have you ever been comforted by the notion that God is with you in your time of need or struggle? Share a time when this was so.
Jesus was not just another good man, but God Himself who came to rescue us and lead us to true life. This is why we not only celebrate Him at Christmas time, but also follow Him all the days of our lives! What are some ways you can remind yourself and those in your network this Christmas that Jesus is God?
Jesus invites us to follow Him and if we do, He promises that we will not stay in darkness. Are you following Him with your life today? If not why not? Is there any “darkness” you are clinging to today instead of following Him into the light of life?
What is one particular application you took away from this message?