On Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 4:1-13.  This message was part 7 of our series,”Prepare the Way”.  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:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 4:1-13
3. When the word “temptation” is uttered, what comes to mind?  It was mentioned this morning that temptations offer terrible trades.  Have you ever experienced this personally in your life or the life of someone close to you?
4. Jesus accomplishes what Adam, Israel, and you and I could not – to withstand temptation and stand always in righteousness.  Knowing this about Jesus, how does it encourage you as a follower of Christ?
5. This morning we saw 5 ways Jesus helps us in the midst of temptation:  1) Offers forgiveness, (2) makes us aware of our enemy (3) gives us His Spirit, (4) gives us His Word, and (5) provides us His very person as ad advocate and example.  Discuss the provision of these resources with your group and discuss how you can access these resources in the midst of the temptations you experience.
6. At the end of the message, we reviewed Chuck Swindoll’s progression of temptation.  What stands out to you most about this progression?  Any insights from it that you found helpful in your battle with sin and temptation?
7. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

 

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Prepare the Way 7

 

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Temptations offer terrible trades.

If you are trying to lose weight, a Snickers bar can be very tempting!  But eating it will derail your long term goals.

If you are trying to save money, a daily Starbucks run may be tempting!  But those daily $5 cups of 10 cent coffee are not where you have budgeted your money to go.

If you are trying to honor God by living in purity, watching pornography on the internet may be tempting!  But viewing it is ultimately unsatisfying.

Temptations offer terrible trades.  They promise happiness but deliver sorrow.  They lure us in with offers of fulfillment but end up leaving us bloated, broke, and full of shame.

All the way back in the Garden of Eden, giving in to temptation gave birth to death as a part of the human experience.  Giving in to temptation today has killed relationships, marriages, jobs, and opportunities.

WE KNOW THIS about temptation … and yet it is still so tempting!

There are things that may NOT be a temptation for you, but if we continue to change topics, you will eventually find an area where you are tempted to sin.  This is a universal human experience.

So what do you do when temptation comes?  How do you resist temptations siren’s song?

As the Apostle Paul once said, “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing that I hate!  Who can set me free from this body of death?” (Romans 7:15, 24)

Did you catch what he said?  “WHO” can set me free?  Paul knew that He needed more than a plan, he needed a Person.  He needed more than sympathy, he needed a Savior!

And so do we.

“Who can set me free from this body of death,” Paul asked.  “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!,” he answered (Romans 7:24-25).

Jesus Christ is the Person who can be our Savior in the face of temptation.  This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will be in the seventh and final part of our “Prepare the Way” sermon series looking at Luke 4:1-13 where we will see Jesus be tempted by the TEMPTER … and NOT SIN!  Want to know how to navigate temptation in this life?  Curious about the help that is available to us when temptation comes?  Join us as we follow Jesus through temptation’s tangles in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service as we find out together.  See you there … and bring friends!

On Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 3:23-28.  This message was part 6 of our series,”Prepare the Way”.  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:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 3:23-38
3. What are some things you would like to know about that (to the best of your knowledge) the Bible does not address?  Have you ever done any Bible study on the genealogies of the Bible (if so, which genealogy have you studied more in depth)?
4. What stood out to you about the genealogy of Jesus from Luke 3?  To the best of your understanding, and based on our study today, what was Luke communicating about Jesus through sharing His genealogy?
5. The genealogy of Jesus reminds us that God kept His promise of sending the Messiah … a promise He kept reiterating to different generations throughout the Old Testament period.  Even though it took a long time (77 generations listed … plus 30 years!) God made good on His promises!  What are some other of God’s promises from God that you are waiting on now to fully materialize?  Are you encouraged by the faithfulness of God through this genealogy?
6. Though the Old Testament has many genealogies, the New Testament only really has two, and both end in Jesus!  This reminds us of the importance for us to be found in Him.  Receiving Him and believing in Him that we might be born again into His family as a new creation in Christ, an heir of His mighty inheritance!  Are you “in Christ”?  Does Your family tree end in Him?
7. Knowing the importance of being in Christ and being born again in Him (regardless of our family of origin), we are encouraged to invite all we know to trust in Jesus.  How are you inviting others into Your eternal family (through faith in Jesus)?
8. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

 

Download audio at link below:

Prepare the Way 6

 

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The Bible is an amazing book.  It is literally God’s Word.  As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  And 2 Peter 1:20-21 says, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

This means that though the Bible does not tell us EVERYTHING, it tells us what we need to know.  We can be certain of this because the Bible is not just the product of fallible men, but men were moved along by the Holy Spirit (moved by the very “breath of God” as wind fills a sail) to communicate accurately what we need know to be “complete” – not just in knowledge but in behavior as well.

So, if this is the case, we may want to ask a couple of representative questions.

The Bible DOESN’T tell us what exactly happened to the dinosaurs.  We WANT to know the answer to that question, but we don’t apparently NEED to know the answer to that question.

The Bible DOES tell us a surprising amount of information about genealogies.  The book of 1 Chronicles alone features nine straight chapters of genealogies (1 Chronicles 1-9) and over 600 verses in our Bibles deal with genealogies.  This may be info we think we DO NOT WANT to know, but that we apparently NEED to know.

But why do we need to know about these genealogies?  If all Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable … how would our lives be enriched if we focused on any of these genealogies?

This Sunday, February 8 at Wildwood Community Church in part 6 of our sermon series “Prepare the Way” (studying the first 30 years of Jesus’ life from Luke 2-4), we will look at Luke 3:23-38.  These 15 verses provide us with Jesus’ family tree.  Inside of His genealogy we will see some important reminders about Jesus’ identity … but we will also see something essential regarding our family tree as well.

Make plans to join us in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service for singing, prayer, study of God’s Word, and celebrating the Lord’s Table together.  See you there … and bring friends!

On Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 3:21-22.  This message was part 5 of our series,”Prepare the Way”.  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:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 3:21-22
3. What was a “launch” of a product, campaign, or candidate that you remember?  What do you remember about the launch?  Did it deliver on its promises?
4. Jesus’ launched His public ministry at His baptism.  Based on our study today, why do you think this event was selected by God as the “launch point”?
5. At His baptism, Jesus is identified both as the one who was 1 in 3 (Prophet, Priest, and King) AND in the God who is 3 in 1 – Trinity (Father, Son, and Spirit)!  What struck you about these statements of Jesus identity as highlighted in today’s passage.
6. Jesus, though sinless, identified with sinners at His baptism.  Jesus came to save us!  What do you think it means to be saved “in Christ”?
7. Have you been baptized since trusting in Christ as Savior, publicly proclaiming that you identify in Him?  If so, when.  If not, why not?  NOTE:  If you are interested in begin baptized at Wildwood next month, let us know at wildwoodchurch.org/baptism
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 below:

Prepare the Way 5

 

 

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To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

 

 

 

 

 

“Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything.” – Steve Jobs

19 years ago, Apple CEO Steve Jobs made that statement to a crowd of adoring fans, developers, and stakeholders at Macworld in San Francisco.  At first, he teased the crowd that he would be announcing THREE game changing products that day:  a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a mobile phone, and a next level internet communication device.  Three revolutionary products launched in one speech!?  What a promise.

But soon, it became clear that Jobs was not launching three separate products, but one new product that would do all three of those functions.  This new product, of course, was called the iPhone.  Nearly two decades later (for better or worse) it certainly has changed the world.

Can you imagine being present for that first iPhone reveal?  Would you have believed Jobs’ assertion that this device was a game changer?  Would you have been skeptical?

My son was born just before the iPhone was released.  Though Josh never knew Pluto as a planet (it was named a dwarf in 2006), 3 BILLION iPhones have been sold in his lifetime.  The world population was between 6-7 billion people when the iPhone was invented, and they have sold 3 BILLION of them in less than 20 years.

Has this device changed our lives?  Absolutely.  In some ways life became easier and more connected, while in other ways it has made our lives more complicated and lonely.  What a strange paradox!  The full effects of this device are still being mapped out in real time, with some of the negative consequences being observed in books like Jonathan Haidt’s “Anxious Generation,” as he sees the effects of this device on a generation raised on phones instead of playing.

Speaking of revolutionary moments, I want to shift our focus from our phones to something even more life-changing.  If the iPhone changed the way we spend our time, I want to talk about another announcement that changed our eternity.  This launch was not made in San Francisco in 2007, but near the Jordan River in the late 20s AD.

In Luke 3:21-22 we see the baptism of Jesus Christ.  This event is referred to in the New Testament as the beginning point of Jesus’ public ministry.  It was His inaugural ball, His launch party, or His opening rally.  Dr. Luke shares this event with economical precision, using just two verses to say so much about who Jesus is and what He came to do.

Only twice in all of the earth’s history does Someone so revolutionary come along and change everything.  And, I am not referring to two different people, but the same Person who came once … and will come again.

This Sunday, we will look at the event that launched the ministry that changed the world.  Has He changed yours?  He can!

Join us Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 services as we continue our “Prepare the Way” sermon series with part 5, looking at the baptism of Jesus Christ.  See you Sunday … and bring friends.

On Sunday, January 25, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 3:15-20.  This message was part 4 of our series,”Prepare the Way”.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 3:15-20
3. Has anyone ever told you that you look like someone famous?
4. The crowd witnesses John’s ministry and think his behavior seems (to them) to be Messiah-like.  What about John’s ministry do you think caught their eye to raise such lofty expectations?
5. John is very clear that he is not the Messiah.  There is only one Savior of the World and it was not John (or any of our favorite spiritual leaders, teachers, or authors).  Has there ever been a teacher, pastor, or author that you so revered, that you took their word as “gospel truth” … even to an inappropriate level?  God uses human teachers and ministers to be a blessing to us, but we should not treat them as little gods, or places of ultimate authority.  There is only one Christ!
6. In what ways did Jesus demonstrate Himself to be greater than John (and all others!)?
7. In the message, we looked at Hebrews 1:1-4, Colossians 1:15-20, John 1:1-18, Philippians 2:5-11, Revelation 1:12-16, and John 1:29-32 to remember the greatness of Jesus.  What stands out to you MOST about Jesus from these passages?
8. Knowing who Jesus is, does it surprise you that He is interested in a relationship with you?  That He bled and died for you?  When we learn of our sin and turn/repent we find Jesus Christ ready to receive us and reconcile us to God.  Are you trusting in Him for your salvation?  
9. What stands out to you most from this message?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here!

REMINDER: There will be no in-person services January 25th. Join us online at 8:30AM (or anytime after) at this link!

 

To listen to the audio of this sermon offline, click the link below:

Prepare the Way 4

 

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Lookalikes – they come in various styles and purposes.

One style is the doppelgänger.  This word (coming from the German for double-goer) refers to two people who look similar.  For doppelgängers, there is no purpose for their similar look, they just share a common appearance.  Perhaps someone has said that you are a doppelgänger for ______________.  “You look exactly like a young Brad Pitt,” said no one to me ever.  If I have a doppelgänger out there, I’m still looking for him!

A second style of lookalike is the impersonator.  Impersonators are trying to look like someone else for the purpose of entertainment.  Maybe it is an Elvis impersonator gearing up for a show, or perhaps it is a friend who dressed up like a celebrity for costume party.

A third style of lookalike is the counterfeit.  Counterfeits try to appear like something else for the purpose of exploitation.  Someone counterfeits dollar bills in order to steal goods and services, while another steals (or counterfeits) an identity to pretend to be someone else in order to take advantage of others.

I share these styles of lookalikes because in Luke 3:15-20 we see the crowds that had gone out to see and hear John the Baptist wondering if John was the Messiah.  There were aspects of his appearance and location that made people think of Elijah.  But there were also aspects of John’s life that made them think that maybe John was the promised Savior of the world!

John was not trying to pretend to be anyone to take advantage of them.  And John was not filling a part in a cosmic play, dressing and acting a certain way to impersonate the Savior.  No, John simply had some remarkable things about his life that were anticipated doppelgängers of the Promised One.

When John heard their questions about his identity, how did he respond?  And what is the central lesson for you and I to learn from all of this?

At Wildwood Community Church, on Sunday, January 25 in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services, we will be in part 4 of our “Prepare the Way” sermon series exploring the first 30 years of Jesus life (as recorded in Luke 2-4).  This Sunday, we see John pointing us to Jesus.  Join us Sunday when we explore how and why John would say that not only was he (John) NOT the Savior, but that he (John) was not even worthy to untie the sandal of the true Messiah.

In last week’s message we saw that in light of our sin, we prepare for Jesus by repenting (turning) from our ways to God.  In this week’s message, we will see who greets us as we make that turn.  See you Sunday … and bring friends!

P.S.  As you know there is a high likelihood of snow and ice in central Oklahoma this weekend.  We intend to have in person services on Sunday, but if any changes are necessary, we will communicate electronically our plans, including where to access the livestream of this week’s service.

On Sunday, January 18, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church I preached a sermon based on Luke 3:1-14.  This message was part 3 of our series,”Prepare the Way”.  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:

1. Pray
2. Read Luke 3:1-14
3. Think through 2 or 3 examples of things in your life that you recently prepared for?  What did you do?  Why did you do what you did?
4. John was sent to “prepare the way” for Jesus.  What does John do, and why do you think the Holy Spirit had him do those things to prepare people for the coming of Jesus?
5. Have you ever had an experience where God used you to prepare the way for someone else to learn about Jesus?  Who prepared the way for you?  Are there people in your life today that God might want to use you to “prepare the way” for them to come to know Jesus?
6. John called the people to repent of their sin.  What do you think it means to repent of sin?  Can you think of examples in your life where you have repented of sin?
7. John challenges the people to not simply have a “fire insurance” faith, but a “fruitful” faith.  How would you characterize your own faith journey at the moment?  More “fire insurance” or more “fruit”? 
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 below to download:

Prepare the Way 3

 

To listen online, use media player below:

 

To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

 

 

 

 

 

You prepare to see a movie by purchasing a ticket.

You prepare for takeoff on an airplane by buckling your seatbelt.

You prepare for a job interview by updating your resume.

You prepare for a test in school by studying the relevant material.

You prepare to move by packing up your belongings.

We are used to the idea of preparing!  We prepare for all kinds of things, all the time.  And the way we prepare varies based on what we are preparing to do or where we are preparing to go.

2,000 years ago, Jesus was getting ready to start His public ministry.  Before His ministry would begin, His relative, John, was sent by God to “prepare the way” for His coming.  How would John prepare the way for the King of Kings?

We are used to preparing for movies, or travel, or interviews, or exams, or relocations.  When it comes to those activities, we know how to prepare.  But what is the most important way to prepare people for Jesus?

If Jesus were just another religious rabbi, perhaps John would have simply invited them to synagogue to participate in a ceremony or to hear a lecture on the intricacies of Old Testament prophecies.

If Jesus were just another political lighting rod, perhaps John would have invited them to the capital and briefed them on the talking points of His platform.

If Jesus were just another military general, perhaps John would have invited them to boot camp and given them a dagger.

If Jesus were just a really good guy, perhaps John would have invited them to the country club and staged a reception to welcome Jesus to the scene.

But Jesus is way more than just a rabbi, political revolutionary, military conqueror, or friend.  Jesus is LORD.  So how did John prepare someone to meet the LORD of Lords?

John called them to repentance: to do a 180 away from selfish independence and towards humble submission to Jesus’ sovereign leadership.  John convicted them of sin so that they might be converted unto salvation.  John understood that they must understand they are lost before they could ever be found.

So John went to the wilderness (not the capital).  Wore animal skins (not three piece suits).  Called them snakes (instead of saints).  Informed people of the coming judgment (instead of saying that they were all ok).

And in this way, John prepared the way for Jesus to launch His public ministry.

Wow.

This Sunday, at Wildwood Community Church, in part 3 of our sermon series “Prepare the Way” (focusing on the first 30 years of Jesus’ life), we will be in Luke 3:1-14 as we see the Holy Spirit through John the Baptist, prepare the way for Jesus to be OUR LORD as well.  Join us in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service.  See you there … and bring friends