Mission:Fund (part 3) Sermon Audio, Video, & Questions

On July 23, 2023, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5. This message was part 3 of the “Mission:Fund” 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 8:16 – 9:5
  3. What has been your experience with appeals to give and churches/Christian ministries?  Has it been positive?  Negative?  What made you feel the way you did about it?
  4. What is the connection (in your experience) between “trust” and “giving”?
  5. Paul builds trust with the Corinthians about the handling of finances by revealing to them who would be handling the funds, what they were going to do with it, and why it was important.  In this message we talk a bit about Wildwood’s handling of finances.  Did anything encourage you?  Surprise you?
  6. Are you regularly giving to the work of the Lord/ministry?  If so, what encourages you to do so.  If not, what obstacles are in your way from participating in grace giving?  NOTE:  If you are interested in more information about giving or ways to give at Wildwood, visit wildwoodchurch.org/give
  7. Prayerfully consider participating (by voting) in our Mission:Fund special program.  Wildwood will be sending money to 5 projects around the world this summer.  Vote and let us know where you want them to go – wildwoodchurch.org/fund  (vote between now and August 4)
  8. What is one particular application you took away from this message?

 

To access these questions in pdf format click here.

 

To listen to message offline, click the link:

 

Mission: Fund #3 7.23.23

 

To listen online, use media player below:

 

 

To watch online use YouTube:

 

 

 

Questions for Reflection – June 11, 2023

Sunday, June 11, 2023, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “The Need for the Gospel” from our sermon series“Unpacking the Gospel”. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

  1. As followers of Jesus, what contributes to us drifting at times into a complacent, lackadaisical attitude toward the cross?
  2. Why is it that the ‘most significant truth in the universe’ (the gospel) is something that many people have never heard?
  3. Why is it that others have heard or are aware of the term ‘the gospel,’ but they struggle to define what it means, why it is important, and how to embrace it?
  4. What can we practically do to remedy the above situations?
  5. Since God has set [planted] eternity in the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11) how should that truth practically influence our approach to people?
  6. Bruce said:

Regular gratitude for the deep grace of the gospel is what:

  • catalyzes a daily attitude of worship
  • energizes our drive to serve God
  • stimulates our desire to share the gospel with others

Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the truth of the gospel and ask him to catalyze, energize, and stimulate your heart during this preaching series.

Mission: Endure (part 3) Sermon Questions, Audio & Video

On Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a message based on 2 Corinthians 5:11-15.  This message was part 3 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 5:11-15
  3. What are some “reasons for obedience” that have motivated you in different settings of your life (at home as a child, at work, on a sports team, etc.)?
  4. In what way is the “fear of the Lord” a motivator for you today?  Does knowing you will see Jesus one day face to face impact the way you live your daily life?
  5. Paul’s knowledge that he would see Jesus face to face one day motivated him to share the Gospel with the Corinthians (and others) today.  Does knowing YOU will see Jesus again one day motivate you to engage in Christ’s mission in the world?  What is one or two ways you can engage in ministry and evangelism this coming month?
  6. The love of Jesus “controlled” Paul.  What would you say “controls” you?  How does reflecting on Jesus’ love for you motivate you to follow Him today?
  7. Can you think of any reasons “why not” to follow Jesus?  Write out any reasons you think you might not follow Him and put them on an index card.  Then revisit that list as you study the Scripture.  If there is something on your list today that is keeping you from following Christ, ask yourself once a week for the next month – “Is this a good reason to not follow Him?”  Most of our reasons “don’t age well” … in that over time, we realize that our reasons are nothing compared to His great love for us!
  8. 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 below to download:

Mission: Endure #3 4.30.23

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch, use YouTube online:

 

Managers of God’s Resources …

In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells a parable about a wealthy landowner who entrusts His riches to His servants expecting them to invest those resources according to the landowners intentions while they await His return. The resources given by the landowner are extensive … as he gives today’s equivalent of millions of dollars to each.

Jesus tells this parable in the context of a sermon He was preaching about His certain return to the earth in the last days (Matthew 24-25 … “The Olivet Discourse.”). The implication is clear – Jesus was telling His disciples that He was leaving for a “long journey” (2,000 years now and counting) but one day would return. While we wait for His return, we are to invest His resources for His purposes.

What are His resources? Truly ALL THINGS … but generally these could be categorized in three areas: time, talent, treasure.

Is time truly the Lord’s? YES. Psalm 90 reflects on our relatively brief lives, yet God is eternal. Our days are numbered, Psalm 139 says, by the Lord of All Time. Whatever time we have is GIVEN US BY GOD, with the expectation that we would use those opportunities according to His purposes.

Is talent truly the Lord’s? YES. 1 Peter 4:10 indicates that we are each given a spiritual gift by the Lord to equip us for service and Psalm 139 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Ephesians 2:10 even tells us that the Lord has prepared us for good works “that we should walk in them.” Whatever talent we have is GIVEN US BY GOD, with the expectation that we would use those skills according to His purposes.

Is treasure truly the Lord’s? YES. Psalm 50:10 lets us know that God has “the cattle on a thousand hills” and King David reminded us in the prayer of dedication over the resources to construct the Temple that truly all things are the Lord’s (1 Chronicles 29:10-16). So whatever treasure we have (money, possessions, etc.) is GIVEN US BY GOD, with the expectation that we use that stuff according to His purposes.

In His grace God has saved us and equipped us with opportunities, skills, and stuff. He wants us to use them as He intended, and one day we will give an account for how we stewarded His resources (2 Corinthians 5:10). It is my prayer that we would all hear “well done good and faithful servant” on that day.

How will you put to use what He has given you this week?

Questions for Reflection – July 10, 2022

On Sunday, July 10, 2022, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Spiritual Gifts – Part 2” from our sermon series“Divinely Designed to Serve”. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Think of a time when something you got or bought didn’t fit what you needed it for, OR a time when you discovered something you had that no longer fit. Share a little about it. In a sense, we want our key ministry/serving activities to “fit” with the way God designed us to serve.

2. Bruce talked about the “3 V’s of Gifts” from 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. He mentioned how the “3 V’s” assist us in abstaining from the comparison syndrome. Why is that true?

3. Bruce talked about the 9 Consensus Spiritual Gifts. Which among those nine was a newer idea for you? Did you readily identify with one or more of those nine?

4. Bruce mentioned 3 Fascinating Facets about gifts. Can you recall what those were? What do you think about the idea that all the nine spiritual gifts are designed to be models or prototypes to inspire other believers?

5. How do you sense that the Holy Spirit may be encouraging you to be more active in ministry?

6. Who could you encourage this week as you’ve observed them be effective in ministering to and serving others?

7. When you take the Spiritual Gift Indicator profile, discuss the results with at least one other person.

​​​​​​​8. Take time to praise God for divinely designing you to serve Him and others.

Sneak Peak – Sunday, July 10, 2022

Hey Wildwood Family!

The weather the past few days reminded me of a movie song from the 80’s, entitled, The Heat is On. The chorus is simple
The heat is on, the heat is on
The heat is on
Oh it’s on the street The heat is… on
Yep. Pretty much describes the past week in Norman America. I pray you’ve been able to stay cool!

I’m very excited to move into message #2 in our July series on Divinely Designed to Serve. After week one I pray many of you were spiritually refreshed by being reminded that we are God’s workmanship, His handiwork, His masterpiece. We are investigating the question: How did He S-H-A-P-E us to serve Him and others?

This Sunday we will continue the S-H-A-P-E acrostic by delving deeper into the subject of spiritual gifts. I think you will find the message highly informative and helpful. We also will share how you can take our Spiritual Gift Indicator profile to gain insight to your spiritual gifts.

Stay cool and see you Sunday!

Bruce

Lord of the Church (part 1) Sermon Questions, Audio & Video

On Sunday, January 2, 2022 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Revelation 1:1-8.  This message was the first part in the “Lord of the Church” 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 sermon to listen to/watch, download, or share.

 

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read Revelation 1:1-8
  3. Have you made any “resolutions” for the new year?  Would any of the resolutions you made include some facet of “getting to know God better” in the year ahead?  
  4. Have you ever read or studied the book of Revelation before?  Ever heard a sermon series on this book?  If so, what is your reaction to hearing that we are embarking on a study of this book for the new year?  If not, how do you feel about reading this book together in the new year?
  5. There was a long list of things we learn about Jesus from Revelation 1:1-8.  Of this list, what stands out to you most?  Anything in that list surprise you?
  6. In light of the imminence of Christ’s return, how will you prioritize getting to know Jesus better in the year ahead?
  7. How would your life be impacted if you remembered that Jesus is “near”?
  8. What is one particular application you took away from this passage/message?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen to audio offline, click the link:

Lord of the Church #1 1.2.22

 

To listen to audio online, use the media player:

 

To watch the video, use the YouTube stream online:

 

New Power (part 2) Sermon Questions, Audio & Video

On Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Galatians 5:13-15.  This message was part 2 in the “New Power” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection and group discussion.  You will also find the sermon audio and video to listen to/watch, download, or share.

 

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read Galatians 5:13-15
  3. We have seen in our study of Galatians that salvation is through Jesus ALONE, not Jesus plus one more thing.  This means that we don’t need to do anything beyond believe in order to inherit eternal life.  Some hear this message and object, “But if you make THOSE the terms of our relationship with God, people will just live terrible lives and continue in sin!”  Have you ever thought this?  Have you ever heard anyone say this?  How does Galatians 5:13-15 address this issue?
  4. Paul’s argument in 5:13 appears to center around WHO we are living for.  Are we living for our own selfish desires or for others?  If you were to do an inventory on your life today, how would you answer the question, “Who are you living for?”
  5. Think of a number of kinds of sins that you are aware of.  How would “loving your neighbor as yourself” prevent you from committing that type of sin?  
  6. Love is not just an emotion, but a commitment to devote yourself to the best interests on another.  What evidence do you see of this type of attitude among Christians you know?  Is this attitude in you?
  7. What are some practical ways you can serve your brothers and sisters in Christ this week?
  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:

The New Power #2 8.15.21

 

To listen online, use the media player below:

 

To watch the stream, use YouTube online:

 

Questions for Reflection – Sunday, February 28, 2021

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, Teaching Pastor Bruce Hess’ message is “Tough Times – Part 2”. Below are some questions for your personal or group reflection.

1. Bruce mentioned one of the key New Testament words for Tough Times was the term “thlipsis.”  It is a rather rich word used 45 times picturing being pressed in on, squeezed, or crushed.  Think about a tough time (maybe now) when you felt pressed in on, squeezed, or crushed by circumstances. Share some about why you felt (or feel) that way.

2. How was God’s sovereignty and providence displayed in Daniel 4:29-35 and in the story of Job?

3. Real out loud Isaiah 46:9-11.  What comfort and security in Tough Times can we experience when we pause to reflect on the fact that God is indeed “large and in charge?”

4. Bruce talked about how Scripture teaches that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8), the Lord is just (Psalm 37:28), and the Lord is loving (Psalm 136). What can we practically gain in the midst of Tough Times by refreshing our hearts with that perspective?

5. Read Psalm 13:1-6. How do verses 1-2 contrast with verses 5-6?  How do you think David was able to make that transition?

6. We are either in a Tough Time now or will be soon. If you’re not in the midst right now, think through those around you who may well be in the midst of a Tough Time.  How might God use you to help and encourage them?

7. God knows we are human.  So, as Bruce said, don’t crucify yourself when you experience times of doubt and struggle. We should do like the Psalmists did.  Take your struggle and frustration and discouragement to the Lord in prayer.  Do that right now.

Remember: His loving face is always facing you!!

The Gift (part 3) Sermon Audio/Video & Questions

On Sunday, December 13, 2020 at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Luke 2:8-20.  This message was part 3 of “The Gift” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to this message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video from the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

  1. Pray
  2. Read Luke 2:8-20
  3. In the Santa Claus story, he only gives gifts to those on the “nice” list.  How is this different from the hope for THE GIFT that we have in Jesus?  
  4. While (at first glance) we have little in common with the Shepherds (i.e. most of us do not raise animals for living), we share a spiritual connection with them.  Based on what you heard this morning, what is that spiritual connection?
  5. Have you ever done something that has made you feel “dirty” and “out in the field”?  How does this interaction with the shepherds remind you that Jesus has invited you “in”?
  6. Jesus’ birth leads GOOD NEWS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.  In what way is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus “good news”?  
  7. Have you ever struggled with sustaining your belief because of academic concerns?  Have you ever investigate the evidence behind the life of Jesus?  Check out Lee Strobel’s “The Case for _______” series or Moody and Boa’s “I’m Glad you Asked” to explore further.
  8. What stands out to you most from this passage?  Any particular takeaway?

To access these questions in pdf format, click here.

 

To listen offline, click the link:

The Gift #3 12.13.20

 

To listen online, use the media player:

 

To watch, use the YouTube stream online:

 

 

This sermon is part of the 2020 Christmas series at Wildwood.  We have also prepared a Devotional Book, “The Gift.”  Access the entire devotional and download your free copy by clicking here.

Wildwood has put together a list of Christmas songs in a playlist found on Apple Music and Spotify at the following links: