Scarlet Thread (Part 9) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, October 5 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on the life of Isaiah. This message was part 9 of the “Scarlet Thread” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12
How does knowing that Jesus KNEW the suffering that awaited Him on earth (and came anyway) impact the way you think about Jesus and His interest in the Father’s will and our well-being?
There are 80+ allusions in the New Testament to Isaiah’s “Servant Song” of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. What are some of the things you see in this song that point to Jesus?
Isaiah’s song makes it clear that Jesus died for OUR SIN. This was no accident, it was an operation. It was a necessary thing to save us from the consequences of our rebellion against God. What is your attitude toward your sin? Do you tend to minimize it (it’s not that big a deal)? Blame others for it (I only sinned because you/they _________)? Or do you own and confess your sin, knowing it is a serious matter?
This week concludes our 9 week journey through the Old Testament. What has stood out to you the most from this series? Any particular change in your life or new perspective you have developed because of this series?
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 audio:

Scarlet Thread #9 10.5.25

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube live stream:

Scarlet Thread (part 9) Sermon Preview

Jesus Christ is my Savior. If you know nothing else about me, please know this!

Embedded in that blessed statement are a few important truths.

TRUTH #1: The statement begins with JESUS, just as my eternal hope begins with Him, and His grace. He created me, and by His grace I have been born again spiritually.

TRUTH #2: CHRIST is not Jesus’ last name … it is a title. It means that Jesus is a one and only. He is fully God and fully man, and came to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah (“Christ” is the Greek word for the Hebrew word “Messiah”).

TRUTH #3: Jesus Christ IS. Jesus deserves to be either spoken of in the present tense (highlighting His existence), or to be spoken of in the eternal (the One who was, and is, and always will be). Just as God told Moses from the burning bush that His name was “I am,” so also Jesus is.

TRUTH #4: Jesus Christ is MY SAVIOR. This reveals the recognition that I am in need of saving! I have sinned before a holy God and fallen short of His glorious standard. In my sinfulness I am so in need that my only hope for forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and an eternity in heaven and not hell is found in the rescue I have found in His work upon the cross on my behalf. Jesus died for my sins. Trusting in Him, I am forgiven and justified before God, and have confidence before God like a child approaching the loving embrace of the best of Fathers.

JESUS CHRIST IS MY SAVIOR.

Do you know Him?

Isaiah the prophet did. Though he lived 700 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Isaiah (pushed along by the Holy Spirit) wrote of Jesus … His life, His death, and His resurrection. Isaiah’s prophecies are some of the over 300 Old Testament prophecies given about the coming of Jesus.

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will wrap up our sermon series “Scarlet Thread” as we see the strongest shadows of this series of Jesus in the Old Testament as we look at Isaiah 53:1-12 together. Join us for the ninth and final message in this series.

My prayer is that we might all look to Jesus after reading Isaiah 53, and say:

JESUS CHRIST IS MY SAVIOR.

See you Sunday, October 5 for a time of singing, prayer, study of God’s Word, and sharing the Lord’s Supper together in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service. See you there … and bring friends!

Scarlet Thread (Part 8) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on the books of 1 and 2 Kings(the life of Elijah). This message was part 8 of the “Scarlet Thread” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Skim through 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2 to familiarize yourself with the life of Elijah.
When you look through Elijah’s life and ministry, what things do you see him do that remind you of things from the earthly ministry of Jesus? In what sense were Jesus’ works EVEN BETTER than what the Lord did through Elijah?
Jesus is not just a historical figure or a person in a book. He is the Son of God who cares for you! How does remembering who He is give you comfort in the midst of your life today?
The Old Testament prophets pointed to Jesus. They predicted His life in vivid detail. Some estimate over 300 prophecies are made in the Old Testament about Jesus. We reviewed eight of those prophecies this morning. How does seeing these prophecies fulfilled increase your faith that Jesus is indeed LORD as He claimed to be?
Can you think of anyone that God might want you to talk with and share some of these prophecies about who Jesus was? Pray that God might use His Word to help convince those you know about the true identity of Jesus and our need to trust in Him.
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 audio:

Scarlet Thread # 8 9.28.25

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube live stream:

Scarlet Thread (part 8) Sermon Preview

We live in a world of fakes and counterfeits … therefore, much effort is made to verify our identity. Signature cards at the bank, facial recognition on our phones, fingerprint scanners on our laptops, and two-step authentication on websites are all designed to verify that we are who we say we are.

It matters to us that people pretend to be us. This matters to the first year college student … and even more to someone with a position of responsibility or authority.

When Jesus came into the world, there were many fakes and counterfeits. Others had claimed to be the Messiah, and had gathered groups of followers. In this world, what would be the ID that Jesus might show to reveal that He was who He said He was – the Son of God?

Well, turns out, God had been working for a very long time, and in very consistent ways, to demonstrate what He looked like. While this is true of the character of God revealed through the entire Old Testament, there was a particular prophet who displayed God’s handiwork. Living over 800 years before Jesus was born, the Prophet Elijah showed the world that God was with him, so that the world would know what God looked like when He showed up. In Elijah’s short years of public ministry he: prepared for the start of His ministry by a time in the desert, performed miracles multiplying food, raised a boy from the dead, humiliated the demons of darkness, performed miracles involving the weather, ascended to heaven while alive at the end of His earthly life. Any of that sound familiar?

Elijah was a prophet who prepared the way for the Lord by serving as the two-step authentication of the Son of God who was to come. Elijah was just a “man like us,” but in broad strokes painted against the canvas of his life, God put His signature on Elijah, so that when God showed up with Jesus’ birth 8 centuries later, the signature was recognizable and verified Jesus’ identity.

This Sunday at Wildwood in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services, we will look at the life of the OT Prophet Elijah and see how he was used to “prepare the way for the Lord.” We will do so in part 8 (the penultimate chapter) of our “Scarlet Thread” sermon series as we trace the shadow of the Savior through 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2.

It matters to us that Jesus was who He said He was. If He was an imposter, then our salvation is not secure … so let’s check some ID to see that Jesus is the real deal. We’ll do this together on September 28 by looking at the life of Elijah.

See you there … and bring friends!

Scarlet Thread (Part 7) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on the books of 1 and 2 Samuel (the life of David). This message was part 7 of the “Scarlet Thread” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Read 1 Samuel 8:1-22 & 2 Samuel 7:8-17
If you have worshipped with us through the first 6 parts of this series (“Scarlet Thread”) what are some of the biggest things that have stuck out to you from our quick survey of the Old Testament, looking for shadows of the Savior?
Why do you think the Israelites wanted a king? Why do we sometimes think we know better than God?
God allows Israel to “get what they wanted” in the selection of an earthly king. Have you ever experienced the earthly consequences of “getting what you wanted” even if it was against God’s will for you?
In His grace, God does provide a glimpse of what a good king is like. The example of David as a shepherd for Israel is a foreshadowing of the King of Kings, Jesus (David’s descendant) who would one day come and establish His Kingdom upon the earth (something He will do at His second-coming.) What are you MOST looking forward to about life in the King of King’s Kingdom?
Read Isaiah 42:1-9 to see a picture of the King … and read Revelation 21:1-5 for a picture of where His Kingdom is headed. How do these promises encourage you as you live today?
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 audio:

Scarlet Thread #7 9.21.25

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube

Scarlet Thread (part 7) Sermon Preview

In 1 Samuel 8, in an era before Israel had an earthly king, the people of Israel looked around at the surrounding nations and thought: “Hey! Look at those guys! They have impressive earthly kings. We want one of those so we can be like them!” Now, keep in mind, Israel was a Theocracy – God was their King. The Old Testament Law was their NATIONAL CONSTITUTION. God had fought their battles and won their victory. God had done things for Israel that no other nations had ever experienced. The people of Israel were God’s people! They were NOT like the rest of the nations, so why should they be governed like the rest of the nations?

God heard the demand of the people of Israel for a king, and understood their demand to be a rejection of His kingship over them. They didn’t want GOD, they wanted a king like all the cool kids had. Samuel, the Lord’s prophet, explained to the people that they would be trading the God of the universe who wanted to give them an abundant life for an earthly king who would tax them, entangle them in wars, and enslave their children.

Upon hearing what Samuel said, you know how the people of Israel responded?

“Give us a king like all the rest.”

So, that is what they got. For hundreds of years, Israel got kings like all the other countries. 42 kings in all … and all but 10 of them (in the most generous estimation) were BAD for the people. What a tragedy! What a terrible trade. How could they make such a decision?

How? We know how. We are tempted to allow the eyes of our flesh to over-ride the eyes of our faith. We are tempted to think we know better than God what is “best” for us. Sometimes God allows us to experience the consequences of those decisions when we choose them over Him with equally tragic results. We make bad trades too.

But, in the midst of these experiences, God gives us windows to what one day will be. In His grace, God promises to replace the broken kingdoms of this world with something far better, ruled by SOMEONE far superior.

After the debacle of Saul’s rule of Israel, God called a young man tending sheep to shepherd the nation of Israel. This shepherd was David, and his kingdom was a shadowy glimmer of hope for what might one day be …

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church, we will look with the eyes of faith at 2 Samuel 7:1-17. In these verses we will see God promise one day (through David’s line) to bring in a King … a King of Kings … who will sit on David’s throne and rule over His people in a wonderful rule. Oh to be a resident of HIS kingdom!

In a world that is broken. In a world where we often experience the consequences of leadership over us that is “like the world.” In this world, let us gaze at God’s promise of a one day King and Kingdom that is far superior to anything we have ever known. May we unite our voices in song and prayer, may we unite our affections in steadfast agreement that Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, as we read of a promise God made to David and see the “Scarlet Thread” pulled through the era of the Kings in the Old Testament. We want Him and not them. Join us for part 7 of our sermon series in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service. See you there and bring friends!

Scarlet Thread (part 6) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, September 14, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on the book of Exodus (the life of Moses). This message was part 6 of the “Scarlet Thread” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Reflect as a group on the life of Moses. What do you remember from his life? NOTE: his life is recorded in the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
If you were to try to share the Gospel using only the books of Moses (Exodus-Deuteronomy) what would you say?
Galatians 3:19-24 indicates that the Law is our “pedagogue” unto Christ. In what way does the Law point us to and prepare us for faith in Jesus?
The Passover meal celebrated the salvation God brought to His people in Israel during the tenth plague on Egypt. Why do you think this meal was commanded by God to be celebrated each year by the children of Israel?
Jesus replaced the Old Covenant with a better one (New Covenant). In so doing, He upgraded the Passover meal as well (to the Lord’s Supper). The Passover meal (that was celebrated once a year by the people of Israel) is now celebrated OFTEN by the people of God in Christ (regardless of nationality). Why do you think Jesus wants us to have the communion meal often? What are we to remember as we eat and drink the Lord’s Supper?
Have you trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? What practical difference is that making in your life and perspective on life today?
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 audio:

Scarlet Thread #6 9.14.25

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube online:

Scarlet Thread (part 6) Sermon Preview

If someone were to ask you to share the Good News about Jesus, where in the Bible would you turn? John 3:16 (“for God so loved the world …”)? The “Roman Road” of Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, and 10:9? Ephesians 2:8-9 (“by grace you have been saved through faith”)? Of course, these are GREAT PLACES TO TURN. But before John wrote his Gospel, or before Paul’s letters to the Romans or Ephesians were widely distributed, people were still talking about Jesus.

Peter uses his eyewitness testimony and the words of the prophet Joel in his sermon on the day of Pentecost. Phillip uses the book of Isaiah in his conversation with the Ethiopian on the road to Gaza. But when Paul wasn’t quoting his own letters, what Scripture did He use? AND, when Jesus met with His followers in the days between His resurrection and ascension, where did He turn?

Well, Acts 28:23 says that Paul was talking to the people of Rome during his imprisonment “trying to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses.” And when Jesus talked to a couple of guys on the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24:27 He “beginning with Moses” interpreted the things concerning Himself … AND when Jesus talked to His disciples in Luke 24:44 He talked about everything written about Him in the “Law of Moses.”

Moses is the human author God used to communicate the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These 5 books (written ~1,400 BC) from our perspective may not be the first places we would turn to talk about Jesus … but they were exactly where Jesus went to talk about Himself and His work to HIs disciples … and the birth of the church in Rome was greatly bolstered due to the convincing that came through the Law of Moses!

How do we learn of the grace of God through the Law of Moses? What did Jesus see in the ancient books of the Pentateuch (the fancy name for the first five books of the Bible) that pointed to Him? We’re going to be talking about that this Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in part 6 of our sermon series “Scarlet Thread.” This week, we will pull the thread through the life of Moses to see the shadows of the Savior in Exodus-Deuteronomy. Don’t pass over the opportunity to understand more of the Old Testament and its connection with the New as we study God’s Word together this Sunday. See you there for worship through singing, Scripture, prayer, taking the Lord’s Supper, and simply not skipping the blessing and encouragement of gathering to honor God. Join us … and bring friends!

Scarlet Thread (part 5) Sermon Audio, Video, and Questions

On Sunday, September 7, 2025 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Genesis 25-50 (the life of Jacob). This message was part 5 of the “Scarlet Thread” sermon series. Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion. You will also find the audio/video of the message to listen to/watch, or download.

Sermon Questions:

Pray
Scan through Genesis 25-50, stopping to read more in depth parts that stand out to you.
What is a character’s “origin story” from literature or movies that is particularly memorable for you? What are examples of things from an origin story that help you appreciate more of that character’s actions later on?
Jacob’s life is the “origin story” for the people of Israel. What do you learn about Jacob’s life about God and the relationship He has with His people?
Jacob’s life is very messy … as a people, our lives are often quite messy as well. Does God’s grace to Jacob encourage you in the midst of your own life of struggle?
So far in this series we have walked through the book of Genesis. From what we have studied so far, what have you learned about God? Particularly read Genesis 28:10-22 and 32:22-32. What do you learn about God from these two famous interactions with Jacob?
Like Jacob, have you come to the end of yourself and asked God (on the basis of His grace) for His blessing in Christ? (NOTE: this has many applications … in the midst of struggle, as well as making a decision for salvation.)
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 audio:

Scarlet Thread #5 9.7.25

To listen online, use media player below:

To watch stream, use YouTube online:

Scarlet Thread (part 5) Sermon Preview

Origin stories. They are often a part of movies about heroes, whether these heroes were from a galaxy far, far away (Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars”), or from the Shire in Middle Earth (Frodo Baggins in “The Lord of the Rings”); whether they were created by gamma radiation (the Incredible Hulk), or life-saving innovation (Iron Man); whether they had courage forged in sorrow (William Wallace of “Braveheart”), or were born with greatness (Superman). Whatever the details of the narrative, where these heroes came from and how they arrived on the “big stage” is quite relevant. Can you imagine what would be lost if you never went to Tatooine, or met Samwise Gamgee, or knew Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, or the oppression of the Scots? These origin stories set us up for what is to come.

In Genesis 25-50, we see the continuing “origin story” of the people of God. In Genesis’ first half, we already saw God create the world , promise a Redeemer, save Noah and his family, make huge promises to Abraham, and provide the sacrificial substitute in the mountains of Moriah. But when we get to chapter 25 (and beyond) the origin story takes some surprising turns. Though we knew little about Abraham’s early life, and only spotty details about Isaac’s, in the second half of Genesis we get a LOT of detail about Isaac’s son Jacob.

Why such detail? Probably has something to do with Jacob’s other name: Israel.

Jacob would have 12 sons who would form the 12 tribes of Israel, and there is something important that we need to know about this origin story; that is why God preserved it for us in the Bible!

This Sunday at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 services we will be in part 5 of our series “Scarlet Thread” seeing shadows of the Savior throughout the Old Testament. This week, we will get to know Jacob, get to know the God of Jacob, AND get to know the grace of the God of Jacob! Much more than just a history lesson, there is vital truth here for you and me today. Join us as we sing, pray, look into God’s Word, and share the Lord’s Supper together. See you Sunday … and bring friends!