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!