I love airports.  I really do.  It fascinates me to see all the locations you can go from one hub.  This is especially striking at some of the big airports in the world … like Paris, New York, or Frankfurt.  You can hit nearly every continent from there!

Airports are places of tremendous choice.  Whatever plane you get on will lead to vastly different destinations.  From OKC, you can head to the mountains, the beach, big cities, Disney World, or the Gateway Arch … all depending on which gate you walk through.

Now most people arrive at the airport knowing where they want to go; after all, they have purchased a ticket with a particular destination in mind.  The intended destination is such a strong motivator, it is the reason you went to the airport in the first place.  When you show up in the terminal, you will allow nothing to stop you from getting on the right plane.  Imagine the folly of showing up at the airport to go visit family in Los Angeles, but getting into conversation with someone in the security line headed the New York, and you just board their plane with them.  At some point, you will look up and realize you are thousands of miles off course!  The conversation seemed so interesting at the time, but ultimately prevented you from going where you really wanted to go.

When we know where we want to go, we should prioritize spending time with like-minded people who are headed there … instead of following others whose destinations are quite different.

I was thinking about this while preparing for this Sunday at Wildwood.  We will be in part 7 of our “Mission:Endure” sermon series.  This Sunday we will look at 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.  These verses emphasize the importance of only “getting on the plane” with those headed to your same destination.  While we serve those headed in the opposite direction (and invite them to join us on our journey), we should resist the urge to “get on their plane.”  The gates we walk through matter … don’t allow others to lead you off course.

Does this analogy resonate?  What in the world am I talking about?  Well, make plans to join us on Sunday at Wildwood in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service and find out more.  We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper and worship the Lord together as we reflect on these verses.  See you Sunday … and bring friends!

On Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached  a sermon based on 2 Corinthians 6:1-13.  This message was part 6 of the “Mission:Endure” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for further reflection or group discussion.  You will also find sermon audio & video to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
3. Think about the last time you “said yes” to a serving/ministry role.  WHY did you say “yes”?
4. How does knowing that God is at work, and knowing that people need to respond motivate you to stay engaged in ministry to others?
5. Is serving others/ministering to others something you see as “optional” in the Christian life, or is it an essential part of the Christian life?  Are you ministering to others right now?  If so, how does this passage encourage you to continue to do so?  If you aren’t where might you begin working with Him to serve them?
6. Who are some people God has used to impact your life for Christ?  When was the last time you “opened your heart wide” to them?  Who might you write to this week to encourage in their ministry?
7. What is one particular application you took away from this message?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen offline, click the link to download:

Mission: Endure #6 5.21.23

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the stream use YouTube online:

 

Ministry is service.  Therefore, by definition, we are in ministry for the benefit of others, not ourselves.

If you are serving in the children’s ministry, this means you are serving so that the children may learn to follow Jesus.  If you are a volunteer at student camp, it is so that students might deepen their relationship with Jesus and each other.  If you are leading an adult or college small group, it is so that those in your group might experience the presence of the Body of Christ around them.  If you are a missionary, it is so that people in a culture other than your own might come to know Christ.  If you are a greeter on Sunday mornings, it is so that others might have a great first experience.    

This line of thinking also applies to those in vocational ministry or ministry leadership.  Pastors, Elders, and church staff members exist to serve the congregation and help equip them to do the work of the ministry.  As followers of Jesus, we are ALL CALLED TO SERVE (Pastor, Elder,  and congregant alike).  And this should not surprise us … after all Jesus Himself came “not to be served but to serve, and to give His life.”

And … all this service glorifies God – the chief end of all things.

Even though this is the clear focus of Scripture, we can easily get it twisted.  We are tempted to take on a ministry role to fill some need to feel important, validate ourselves in some way, or receive some other benefit.  To be clear, ministry is personally satisfying in so many ways … but that is not what it is all about.

When ministry is all about “what can I get out of it” we tend to quit when it is hard, when persecution starts, when it costs us something, or when we get tired.  If our calling is found in our comfort, then we will cancel our commitments when we are challenged.  But if our calling is to serve, then we serve as long as there are needs in the lives of those around us.  And how long are there going to be needs?  Well … I’ll let you do the math.

Over the past number of weeks, we have been walking through 2 Corinthians 4-7 in our Sunday services at Wildwood.  As we have done so, we have seen how we might endure on the mission Christ has called us to.  This week, in part 6 of the “Mission:Endure” series, we will be looking at 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 and remembering the durable SERVANT FOCUS of ministry that we desperately need to keep going for the long haul.  See you Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service … and bring friends.  It will be a joy to serve you by speaking on this passage!

On Sunday, May 14, 2023 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on a selection of verses from 1 and 2 Timothy.  This message was part 5 in the “Mission:Endure” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  Additionally, you will see below the audio and video from the message to listen to, watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17; Acts 16:1-5; and 1 Timothy 1:2
3. To what degree are you motivated in life by the LEGACY you will leave in the next generation?
4. What are some of the ways you have been impacted by the investments of your earthly family AND your spiritual family?
5. If you are a parent, how are you working to build God’s truth into your children?
6. What do you think Paul meant by referring often to Timothy as his “child”?  Is there anyone who would refer to you as their “spiritual parent”?  Is there anyone who has had this kind of relationship with you?
7. Who are you investing your life in for the sake of their spiritual development?
8. What is one particular application you took away from this message?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen offline, click the link to download:

Mission: Endure #5 5.13.23

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

 

“I’m not throwing away my shot.”

According to Wikipedia, “Hamilton” is currently the fourth highest grossing Broadway musical of all time.  However, when you factor into the equation its recent release (only debuting in 2015), its “per show” average has it on pace to DOUBLE the current #1 show of all time “Lion King.”  Who knew the “ten dollar founding father without a father” would make such a popular storyline?

Now, it may stand to reason that making a musical about the birth of our nation that has George Washington rapping and choreographed pistol duels would be something people would want to see … but we should think a bit deeper about the story that is told in “Hamilton” to understand its epic success.

What is this musical all about?  I believe it is about one word – “LEGACY” – and I think you and I care a whole lot about the legacy that we leave.  This is why the musical resonates at such a deep emotional level.

So where do we see the theme of legacy running through the show?  Well, it is the purpose that carries our title character along.  He is more concerned with how he is remembered in the long run than how he is benefitting from his decisions today.  In a microwave society, we are drawn to the story of someone this radically committed to the long game.  This theme shows up throughout the songs in this production:

The musical begins with Alexander Hamilton boldly declaring that he “will not throw away his shot” at leaving an impact on the world.  He understands that his life CAN MATTER, and he wants to rise up to the challenge and leave his mark.

In the middle of the musical, Alexander prays, “God help and forgive me, I wanna build something that’s gonna outlive me” … and General Washington sings of his longing for a nation that “outlives me when I am gone.”

Near the end of the show, Hamilton defines this for us as he says:  “what is a legacy?  It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.  I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song someone will sing for me.”  Our legacy is what it is about us that lasts in this world beyond us.

And then, there is the final line of the entire musical … a haunting statement – “Who tells your story?”  Our lives leave an impact.  Our lives tell a story.  What story is your life telling?  What seeds are you planting?

As you know, over the past several weeks at Wildwood we have been walking through a series anchored in 2 Corinthians 4-7 entitled “Mission: Endure.”  We have been talking about perspectives the Apostle Paul is sharing with us about how to remain on mission with Christ for the long haul.  This Sunday, we are in part 5 of this series … but we will take an excursion from 2 Corinthians to talk a bit more about Paul’s co-author of this letter … his younger protege Timothy.  Timothy is the legacy of (at least) two streams of influence:  his Mom and Grandma (2 Timothy 1:5), and the Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 1:2, 2:1).  This Sunday, we will look at these influences of traditional family and church family.

On this Mother’s Day, we will reflect on the impact we can have on our “offspring” both physical and spiritual, as we see the examples of Lois and Eunice (Timothy’s Grandma and Mom), and Paul (Timothy’s spiritual “dad”).  Regardless of our family status (married, single, kids, no kids), we will all find challenge in this study!

We want our lives to matter.  We don’t want to throw away our shot.  We know (instinctively) that our lives lead to fruit a future generation will have to eat … so how do we live our lives in such a way that outlives us in its utility, productivity, and meaning?  We will see this together on Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services at Wildwood.  Hope to see you there … and bring friends!  You will want to be in the room where this happens …

On Sunday, May 7, 2023 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.  This message was part 4 of the “Mission: Endure” 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 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
3. In Kara Powell’s research, she has concluded that there are 3 basic questions teens are asking today:  Who am I?  Where do I fit?  What difference can I make?  These questions actually are being asked by MORE than just teens.  Do you find these questions as deeper thoughts that you have wrestled with in life?
4. In your best understanding, what is the “old that passed away” and the “new that came” for all who are in Christ?
5. What are some of the ways you have personally (or you have seen others) think of Jesus ONLY according to the flesh?  What are some of the ways that we ONLY see OTHER PEOPLE only according to the flesh?  How do things differ when we consider the spiritual implications of Jesus and others through “new creation eyes”?
6. Have you been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ?  If so, when did this occur?  What do you think this means?
7. God wants us to represent Him by Jesus making His appeal through us for those around us to be reconciled to God.  Who does Jesus want to reach through you (in this season of your life?)  Will you commit to pray for, initiate with, and represent Jesus to this person/people sometime in the next month?
8. What is one particular application you took away from this passage/message?

To access these messages in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen offline, click the link to download:

Mission: Endure #4 5.7.23

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

 

Ambassadors are representatives of a country living a long way from home.  Embassy’s are locations where the values and interests of another land are demonstrated on otherwise foreign turf.  Right now, American Ambassadors to Sudan are negotiating the release of American citizens in this war torn region … and at the U.S. Embassy in England on July 4, someone who light a sparkler and cook a few hot dogs celebrating American Independence from … ENGLAND!  Ambassadors and Embassies play important roles in the world as we know it.

With this set of observations and definitions, CHRISTIANS … let me remind you of something:  THIS WORLD IS NOT YOUR HOME.  Right now, we are (as Hebrews 11:14-15 implies) “strangers and exiles on the earth.”  Our true home is not Oklahoma (or even America).  This may be where we live, but it is not what most defines us.  We are living in a land “far from home.”

The true home of the Christian is heavenly not earthly.  Our true identity is “in Christ” not “in skin color,” “in gender,” or “in socio-economic status.”  What MOST DEFINES US is not what the world sees, but what God says.  We are not who we used to be … from the moment we have trusted in Christ, the old “us” was crucified with Jesus … and a new “us” is raised to newness of life!  We are not (ultimately) an ethnicity, gender, nationality, or member of a particular political party.  In Christ, we are something far greater, connected to a home that is far grander, and identified with Someone who is far more glorious.  We are children of God, made new in Christ, and living far from our heavenly home. 

So why are we here on earth, and what are we to do while we are here?  Well, we are to be AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST … representing Him before those we interact with.  And, if we are AMBASSADORS, then our churches are “EMBASSIES” where the values of Home are lived out for all to see on this foreign soil.

Remembering this perspective can help keep us going in our lives as “strangers and exiles.”  This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be looking at 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 in part 4 of our “Mission: Endure” sermon series, as we see what it means to live into our duties as AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST all the days of our lives.  Make plans to worship with us Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 … and bring friends!

Growing up I always had a desire to obey my parents.  While I was never a perfect kid, I always (at least at a foundational level) wanted to do what my parent’s wanted me to do.

Why is that?

Well (best I can figure), for two reasons.

1. I wanted to obey my parents because I respected them.  In our home, they set the rules, and so I wanted to live in light of them. I do not remember a lot of “being grounded” or other forms of punishment, but I do remember that the expectations for behavior were clear, and when I crossed those lines I could see (and often would hear about) their displeasure.  This was a big motivator for me. I knew my parents observed my life and that I was accountable to them for my behavior.  This caused me to “just say no” to some temptations that came my way, to come home (mostly) on time when curfew was set, and to speak with kindness and respect to my parents (and other adults in my life).  Because of the respect I had for them, I wanted to please them.
2. I wanted to obey my parents because I loved them.  My parents loved ME … and I always knew it.  I grew up in a home where my needs were provided for (emotionally, physically, spiritually).  There was warmth, friendship, and care that permeated our household.  Because of this love, I was motivated to behave in a way that demonstrated my love that I had for them.  The love in our home was (and is) reciprocal, and translated into a demonstrable pattern of behavior.

Now, when I say this, I know what some of you may be thinking – “Wow Mark, when it comes to parents you really ‘won the lottery.’  I wish I was that lucky!”  If this is your reaction, I would simply say – Yes.  I won the lottery when it comes to parents.  Through no good work I had done, by God’s grace, I was born into a family that had parents who were both respectable and loving.  I know that many of you reading this did not grow up with that blessing and had to persevere through absent or abusive parents, or saw a parent pass away while you were at an early age.  I do not know why (exactly) God allows these things.  Others reading this, though, also had parents like mine, and you have feelings of thankfulness welling up reading these thoughts today.

But here is something amazing …

Regardless of your earthly situation or past experience, I want to remind you of something important:  if you have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (or if you trust in Christ today and begin to follow Him), you and I SHARE THE SAME FATHER – Our Father who art in heaven – hallowed be His name! 

And, our Heavenly Father is both respectable AND loves us.

In 2 Corinthians 5:11-15, the Apostle Paul provides two reasons why He “makes it his aim to please God” — the respect/fear He has for God, and the love God has for him that has captivated his life.  This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be looking at these verses together in part 3 of our “Mission: Endure” sermon series as we find the true motivations and responses of those who are “in Christ.”  Can’t wait to look at these verses together.  We will do so this Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services.  Hope you can make it … and bring friends!

On Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.  This message was part 2 in the “Mission: Endure” 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 sermon to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
3. When was the last time you had a loved one pass away?  How have you dealt with this loss?  Does any truth of Christianity encourage you as you deal with this loss?
4. For the Christian, we are provided a home, clothing, fellowship in heaven (as we saw in this morning’s passage).  Is there any particular component of this encouragement that resonates with you most today?
5. Have you trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins?  If so, how does this impact you as you consider the reality of your own mortality?
6. In heaven we will see Jesus face to face.  How does knowing this help you “aim” the ambition of your life today?
7. What is one particular application you took away from this passage/message?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen offline, click the link to download:

Mission: Endure #2 4.23.23

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the service, use YouTube online: