(Your World) Peace – part 2 Preview

I once heard a famous pastor say to a group of ministers, “we all preach a better message than we live.”  At first glance, this statement may make some of you cry “HYPOCRITE!”  But as someone who has been involved in vocational ministry for nearly a quarter of a century, I think that pastor had it right.  Even more important … IT HAS TO BE RIGHT – or at least it should be.  The Gospel is always grander than my proclamation of it, because God is greater than I can reflect in my life or describe in my words.  A hypocrite is only a hypocrite if they want to pretend (or act) like they have it all together.  So, in an effort to preach a better message than I live AND not be a hypocrite, I have a confession to make …

This past week has been hard.  I have been discouraged, depressed, anxious, irritated, and annoyed.  I could keep going, but you get the idea.  And yet, what passage of Scripture am I preaching this Sunday? 

Philippians 4:4-9

Those verses not ring a bell for you?  Let me quote it:

“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice … do not be anxious about anything … whatever is honorable, pure, lovely … think about these things.”

Gulp …

Can anyone relate to my dilemma?

And yet, in the midst of this madness, I am drawn to this passage and find great hope in it for you and for me.  This passage of Scripture not only tells us where to go … but it also draws a map for how to get there.

This Sunday, I will not be preaching “me” — a notion that should inspire all of you to stand up and say AMEN!!!  Instead, I will be preaching about the One who is so much GREATER THAN ME.  This passage lets us know that when we turn to God in prayer, not only do we get the peace of God … but (even more importantly) we get the God of peace.  

Can’t wait to look at this passage with you on Sunday at Wildwood as we are in part 2 of our “(Your World) Peace” sermon series in one of our 3 morning services:

  • 8:00 AM – Outside in our parking lot
  • 9:30 and 11:00 AM – Inside in our Worship Center
  • 9:30 AM – Livestream at wildwoodchurch.org/live

Hope to see you Sunday as we follow Jesus together to the glory of God.

(Your World) Peace – Part 1 Sermon Audio/Video & Questions

On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Philippians 4:2-3.  This message was part 1 in the “(Your World) Peace” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the sermon for personal reflection or group discussion.  Additionally, you will find the sermon audio/video and slides to listen to, review, download, or share.

 

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read Philippians 4:2-3
  3. What kinds of things do you find Christians arguing about with one another?
  4. Have you ever had a time of conflict with another Christian significant enough to disrupt your group of friends, the church, or your small group in some significant way?
  5. Why do you think it is important for Christians to deal with conflict with each other well?
  6. Paul describes the path to resolving conflict for Christians as found “in the Lord.”  What do you think he means by that?
  7. Think of a recent conflict you have had with a fellow Christian.  Write down all the ways DIFFERENCES between you and the other believer showed up in the conflict?  Now write down all you have in COMMON with the other Christian.  Which list is greater?  Which is more enduring?  How does this motivate you toward pursuing unity with your fellow believers today?
  8. Are you willing to make a 7 day “encouragement” pledge for social media?  In your personal life?  How can we live this out together this week?
  9. What stands out to you most from this passage?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen to the sermon audio offline, click the link:

(Your World) Peace #1 7.12.20

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the sermon video, watch the stream via YouTube online:

 

(Your World) Peace- Series Preview

Recently, my wife and I had the privilege of serving as “hosts” at a Christian family camp in Colorado.  We loved the chance to connect with many, point people to God’s truth, encourage faith in Christ, and enjoy our time in the mountains.

Each night while we were there, the camp staff organized a special event for families to participate in.  The first night was the “Family Olympics:” numerous events were set up around a gymnasium for us to compete against our crew or other families.  One of the events was titled “fencing,” and consisted of two people standing on a balance beam while trying to knock the other off with a glorified pool noodle.  After a while watching others compete in this event, it was my turn to fight.  Who hopped up to be my opponent?  My wife.

I have known my wife for 35 years, been married for nearly 24 of them.  There are few things I don’t know about her.  But, when we stepped into the octagon and up on that balance beam, she channeled her inner Daniel LaRusso … and I realized I had no idea that she must have been a part of a dojo all these years.  She knocked me off that beam without difficulty, taking both my pride AND balance with one simple swing of the pool noodle. 

Now, I tell you that story today because this era we are all living in is a balance beam.  Every morning we stand precariously on a plank as the world, the flesh, and the devil take swings at us to knock us down.  

  • The virus swings for our faces
  • The economy jabs at our pocketbook
  • Social Media tries to split us in two
  • Words and actions of others beat us about

How do we stand in the midst of these attacks?  How do we keep our balance in this world?  How do we have (not just world peace), but PEACE IN OUR WORLD?  This is the subject of the next 3 weeks’ sermons at Wildwood Community Church.  I will be preaching this three part series based on Philippians 4:2-20, as we investigate “(Your World) Peace.”  These messages show how there is peace you can experience in Christ related to:

  • Your relationships with others (Philippians 4:2-3) – July 12
  • Your own mind and soul (Philippians 4:3-9) – July 19
  • Your attitude toward your possessions (Philippians 4:10-20) – July 26

Don’t you want peace in your world today?  Regardless of circumstances, this peace is available in Jesus, and we will be looking into God’s Word to see how that is possible all month long.  Hope you can join us this week in our 8:00 AM (outdoor), 9:30 & 11:00 AM (indoor) or livestream (available 9:30AM or after at wildwoodchurch.org/live )

See you Sunday … and bring friends!

NOTE:  To see the latest about Wildwood’s COVID-19 response, including our application of the city’s face covering ordinance, click here.

Greater Than (Part 2) Sermon Audio/Video and Questions

On Sunday, June 21, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Philippians 3:1-16.  This message was part 2 in the “Greater Than” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to this sermon for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also see the sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download or share.

 

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read Philippians 3:1-16
  3. If you were to tell your life story, what are the 2-4 things that someone would HAVE to know about you to understand your story?
  4. Paul found his personal resume was a LOSS compared to the surpassing VALUE of knowing Jesus.  Paul was saying that all the things in his life (good and bad) do not compare at all to the magnitude of knowing Jesus Christ.  To what degree can you make a similar statement about your own life?  To you, is Jesus greater than all else?
  5. Challenges and difficulties in our life are an invitation to get to know Jesus more (as we fellowship with Him in the midst of our suffering).  Has there been a tough time in your life where you have gotten to know Jesus better and depended upon Him deeper because of the challenges you were facing?
  6. To what degree are you tempted to “look back” in your life (either to revel in the good or wallow in the bad)?  To what degree in life are you tempted to look around and compare yourself to others?  How would pressing on toward Jesus allow you to continue to grow in the midst of a hard season of life?
  7. What stands out to you most from this passage?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen to the message offline, click the link:

Greater Than #2 6.21.20

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the sermon video, watch the YouTube video:

 

Greater Than (part 2) Preview

Big and small … tall and short … expensive and cheap … all these terms are relative; they require a standard to determine their meaning.

How do I know something is big?  Well, I compare it to something else, and that comparison determines the scale.  If the scale is comparing an elephant to an ant, then the elephant is big and the ant is small.  BUT, if I am comparing an ant to an atom, then the ant is big and the atom is small.

How do I know something is tall?  Well, I compare it to something else, and that comparison determines the yardstick.  Compared to my son, I am tall … while compared to Shaquille O’Neil, I am short.

How do I know something is expensive?  Well, I compare it to something else, and that comparison determines the value.  Compared to the biggest house in Norman, my house is modest … but compared to where the majority world lives, I live in a mansion.

I share these examples today to set the stage for part 2 of our “Greater Than” series this Sunday at Wildwood.  This week we will be looking at Philippians 3:1-16.  In these verses, the Apostle Paul tells us that compared to the value of knowing Christ, everything else in his life is loss.  Paul is saying that the blessings he has known based on his nationality, religion, work ethic, family, etc. are absolutely NOTHING compared to knowing Christ.  Paul had spent the first long season of his life comparing his achievements against his past performance and the performance of his friends … therefore somethings were “wins” and others were “losses.”  But after Paul came to know Jesus Christ, the scale shifted.  Instead of comparing the events of his life to each other, he compared them to Christ, and found them ALL worthless compared to the One who was WORTHY.

All of us need to hear Paul’s reflection on this topic, because all of us are tempted to find our worth in what we do.  But there is a better yardstick for us to measure our lives by … not so much what we do, but Who we follow.  Join us Sunday in our 8AM (outside), 9:30 and 11:00AM (inside) or 9:30AM livestream – wildwoodchurch.org/live – as we explore this further.  See you Sunday!

Greater Than (part 1) Sermon Questions, Audio, Video

On Sunday, June 14, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Philippians 1:18b-26.  This message was part 1 in the “Greater Than” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the sermon for personal reflection or group discussion.  Also, you will find the sermon audio/video and slides to listen to/watch, download, or share.

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read Philippians 1:18b-26
  3. What are some of the tough circumstances you are facing right now?  Do you find it difficult to have joy in light of the difficulties you are dealing with?  Why or why not?
  4. Have you ever had a time when someone prayed for you and it was a great encouragement?  Describe that time?  Who are you praying for right now?
  5. What are your thoughts about death?  Are you scared to die?  Why or why not?  In what way could it be considered “gain” to die (if you know Jesus)?  Have you trusted in Christ for your life after death?
  6. How would you answer the question, “To me, to live is ____________?”
  7. What would it look like for your life to be about glorifying Jesus and serving others?  What changes would you need to make in your life?
  8. What stands out to you most from this passage?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen access audio to listen to offline, click the link:

Greater Than #1 6.14.20

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the video stream of the worship service, access YouTube video below:

Greater Than (part 1) preview

This spring has been a time of loss, hasn’t it?  What we thought we had in February has been exchanged for something different over the past 90 days.  

  • Some of you have lost loved ones to disease … and lost the chance to mourn them in a memorial service.
  • Some of you have lost your job amidst a pandemic.
  • Some of you have lost savings as your income froze for months and you hope it will soon thaw out.
  • Some of you lost the notion that “all is well” in our country … as racial unrest, political differences, and demands for change have forced hard conversations everywhere we turn.
  • Some of you lost sleep over the stress of the moment.
  • Some of you lost your graduation ceremony.
  • Some of you lost your dream wedding with all your friends in attendance.
  • Some of you lost your mind, yelling at the TV over current news developments.

And on, and on, and on it goes.  This spring has been a time of loss.  BUT, what if there is something gained in the midst of this time?  What if God is doing something great in this moment, through all these trials?  What if the uncertainty of this spring leads you to a certain understanding of your eternity in Christ?  What if …

What if what we gain in this moment is GREATER THAN what we lost?

This is the question we are going to be asking the next two weeks at Wildwood Community Church as we look at two passages from Paul’s letter to his friends at the church in Philippi.  In the midst of a time of great personal loss (arrest, imprisonment, impending martyrdom, etc.) Paul says that he “will  rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).  How could he rejoice in a time of great trouble?  Well, he explains that in this letter.  

  • In Philippians 1:18-26, he describes how his understanding of life (and death) allow him to GAIN JOY, even if he LOSES HIS LIFE.  
  • In Philippians 3:1-16, he describes how he can GAIN JOY, by deepening His relationship with Jesus, even if he LOSES RELIANCE ON HIS RESUME.

Over the next two Sundays at Wildwood, we will look at those two passages together to see how we can also have JOY in the midst of this season of loss.  After all, what we gain in Christ is far GREATER THAN what we lose.  

Hope to see you this Sunday, June 14, in one of our 4 morning worship opportunities:

  • 8:00AM – Outside in-person service in Wildwood’s back parking lot (by Children’s building)
  • 9:30AM – Indoor in-person service in Wildwood’s worship center
  • 9:30AM – Livestream online at wildwoodchurch.org/live
  • 11:00AM – Indoor in-person service in Wildwood’s worship center

Please join us Sunday in one of our “All-In” worship services!  No children, student, or adult classes meeting on site, but worship services for the entire family!  See you Sunday and bring friends!