Woodbury Community Church Sermons

We live loud, crowded lives. There are so many voices competing for our attention that sometimes it is hard to hear and discern the voice of God. This sermon will challenge us to practice Biblical meditation, listening for God’s voice, and to take a Sabbath so that God can speak to us. Psalm 131 is one of the final Psalms that King David wrote. He had been humbled, shown grace, and was writing about the most important things in life. This Psalm of Ascent would have been sung by worshippers at Solomon’s Temple as they prepared to enter God’s holy house. (Psalm 131)

David should have known better. The chinks in his armor when he became king were about to be blown wide open. The man after God’s own heart was about to do something so egregious that it would have permanent consequences for his family. David’s sin with Bathsheba began with a compromise, was fueled by a spirit of covetousness, was followed by a cover-up and led to devastating consequences. David’s family was never the same. We can learn a lot from David’s failure. We all leave a legacy, will it be a godly legacy or a tragic one? (2 Samuel 11, Psalm 32:3-4)

God’s promise to David was fulfilled in part in the Old Testament, was fulfilled further in the New Testament, is being fulfilled further, even today, and will be ultimately fulfilled ultimately in eternity. The Davidic covenant is an eternal covenant and so important to understand. Understanding God’s covenant with David helps us understand His heart toward Israel and helps us understand the grace offered to all through His Son, Jesus Christ. (2 Samuel 7, Psalm 132)

For a guy who was called a man after God’s own heart, David did some pretty stupid things! Just after being anointed King over Israel, David started to show some chinks in his spiritual armor. The funny thing is, he couldn’t see it. Sometimes in our “spiritual highs” we forget some of the most basic principles of following Jesus. A relationship with Christ can’t be based solely on emotion. It also can’t be based solely on reason. Through David and Michal’s relationship we see the danger of both extremes, and recognize that in the end a life that exists to glorify ourselves brings misery. A live that is lived for His glory brings ultimate satisfaction. (2 Samuel 5-6, Psalm 106-107)

Scripture and personal experience teach us that our natural human condition is godless, unrighteous and hopeless. The only answer is Christ, His righteousness and His hope. (Psalm 14, Romans 3:9-24)

David was tired of living as a fugitive. King Saul’s relentless hunt for him had taken its toll. God had delivered David, used David as a tool in how to handle difficult people, and was building a group of faithful men who would follow David anywhere, but David couldn’t see the good things that we happening any longer. In desperation he flees to the land of the Philistines, living as a mercenary prince among them. It wasn’t God’s plan and would lead to disastrous results. This sermon will challenge us to submit ourselves to the plans of God, even when it appears like He isn’t working on our behalf. When we do, God is honored and we will reap the rewards that He has for us. (1 Samuel 27-30)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest event that the world has ever witnessed. When Christ rose from the dead, He defeated death and Satan and sealed the victory for all who trust in Him. We give each other gifts at Christmastime to represent the gifts that God gave us in sending in Son Jesus into the world. At Easter time we can celebrate the gifts God offers us – salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples Easter Sunday (John 20:22). That spectacular gift was only given to a few Old Testament saints, including young David (1 Samuel 16:13). 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that God doesn’t look at the outside appearance but looks upon the heart. Big Idea: This Easter let God examine your heart. Accept His gift of salvation and experience the gift of the Holy Spirit. (1 Samuel 16, John 20:19-23)

The events that occurred on Maundy Thursday show two very different approaches to spiritual warfare. Jesus endured the trial of hell, taking Satan’s fury and God the Father’s wrath and turning it into our redemption. The majority of Christ’s disciples fled, cowering due to fear and caving into Satan’s scheme. This sermon will challenge us to learn from the example of Jesus. Big Idea: Courage roars loudest when we yield ourselves to God’s will, no matter the cost. (Luke 22:39-46)

Jesus came so that outsiders might have the opportunity to become insiders. He came so that we could be rescued from our sin and find a place in God’s family. He came to redeem mankind. The book of Ruth is not just a great love story; it’s a story of redemption and a story of courage. It took courage for Boaz to take Ruth as his bride. By understanding the themes of Ruth, we have a better understanding of Jesus, to whom the crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Hosanna means, “Save.” And that’s what Jesus and Boaz do. (Ruth, Matthew 1:5, Matthew 21:6-11)

Joshua was now an old man. He had been given the privilege of leading the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. Now, just before his death, Joshua would give the nation a challenge. In Joshua 24, Joshua spoke on behalf of the Lord. He shared the history of the nation up to this point. Then he drew a line in the sand. Israel could choose to either follow God or not. Christian homes have always been marked as homes that serve the Lord. There is no denying the fact that godly parents have a radical impact on their children. This sermon will challenge us to be people who will follow Joshua and take the courageous challenge to follow God, no matter the obstacles, no matter the cost, no matter the consequences. (Joshua 24)

Joshua’s life reads like a spy novel. The spy, turned general, turned leader of the nation of Israel may have appeared on the outside to have all the courage in the world. But, even heroes get scared. Even heroes can be overwhelmed when the task before them is great. In Joshua 1:1-9, God gives Joshua instruction on courage, letting him know that He was with him wherever he went. Three times Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous, for God would lead Israel to the victories He had promised. (Joshua 1:1-9)

The book of Deuteronomy is a book of transition. Whereas the book of Numbers took place over almost a 39 year period, the book of Deuteronomy takes place over a one month period before the Children of Israel finally make it out of the wilderness. The Exodus Generation has passed and the Wilderness Generation must learn the lessons that their parents failed to learn.  In this book, the law is given once again as a reminder to live as a holy generation. Moses gives 5 sermons in this book. We’ll look at the lessons gleaned from his first sermon in Deuteronomy 1-4. Big Idea: If we don’t learn from the past, we’re doomed to repeat the same mistakes. Learn from other’s mistakes and cling fast to God. (Deuteronomy 1-4)

Years and years of wilderness wandering, wars and struggles were taking the toll upon the Children of Israel. The generation that had escaped Egypt was dying out. A new generation was taking root. The grumbling against God passed from one generation to another, and God’s wrath sent fiery serpents among the people. Many died. Only those who gazed upon a bronze serpent on a pole could live. God’s peculiar instruction to the people was a foreshadowing of our need for Jesus, who would be lifted up on the cross. Our sin is like the serpent’s bite. Sin, not dealt with, leads to death. We must receive the gift of salvation offered to us by Christ’s work on the cross for eternal life. (Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-18)

Even though God had promised Israel the Promised Land, when they came face to face with their mission, they ran in fear.  Fear can be traced back to a lack of faith and trust in God’s sovereignty and plan for our lives.  We need to see the example of Caleb and Joshua who saw and believed in God’s promises and be the Faithful who stare down fear and persevere. (Numbers 13-14)

So often, when we talk about holiness, we think about individual holiness. When God chose the Children of Israel as His people, He was calling a nation unto himself. In Leviticus 18-20 God gave the Children of Israel stern warnings not to adopt the pagan practices of their neighboring countries, or the countries that they would drive out of the Promised Land. Sexual immorality (chapter 18, chapter 20), not training our children to honor God (chapter 19), not honoring our neighbors, including the needy, the stranger, the employee, and those with disabilities (chapter 19), ignoring God’s laws (chapter 19), engaging in witchcraft and sorcery (chapter 19), not honoring our elders (chapter 19), engaging in cultic activities (chapter 20), and ignoring the call to holiness would destroy the nation. Eventually Israel would lose God’s blessings. America has enjoyed the blessing of God over the years for the way the nation has honored God. Could it be that we are on the path to losing God’s blessing? (Leviticus 18-20)

Leviticus is the book that derails many people in their attempt to read through the Bible in a year. The laws seem old, archaic and have seemingly nothing to do with Gentile believers. When looked at as a whole, Leviticus gives us an understanding of the holiness of God and the expectation of holiness that God has for his people. The first half of the book speaks about the way to approach God and the second half teaches us how to walk with God. Big Idea: God has called you to live a holy (set apart) life. Salvation is not the end of God’s plan for your life, it’s the beginning of his call and purpose for you. (Leviticus)

The Children of Israel were quick to depart from law of God. When they became tired of waiting and uncertain of God’s plan, they replaced God with a golden calf. Sometimes we’re guilty of the same type of thing without even realizing it. This sermon will challenge us to strip ourselves of anything that we are putting ahead of God in our lives. (Exodus 32)

Moses was uniquely qualified to lead God’s children out of slavery and into the Promised Land. The problem was, Moses didn’t want the job and didn’t feel that he was at all qualified. Sometimes God calls us to do things that we think are absurd. When God calls you to do something, don’t argue. Follow His lead. Don’t make excuses. There is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will. (Exodus 3-4)

Using Jacob's struggle with God as our launching point, we'll be talking about how life in Christ gives every believer a brand new identity.  We are sons and daughters of God.  We are accepted by him.  Our lives are filled with love and forgiveness.  We can call him "Abba" (Daddy). After our own struggles with God, it's time to live according to who GOD says we are -- not what the whispers of our past say or the negative voices to which we've always been forced to listen!  Just as God changed Jacob's name, we receive a new identity when we come to Jesus. (Genesis 32:22-32)

Genesis 22 is one of the most misunderstood texts in all of Scripture. Modern skeptics teach that our God encourages infanticide, even though Leviticus, Jeremiah, 2 Kings, Psalms and Ezekiel all condemn the practice. God’s testing of Abraham was a foreshadowing of the gift that he would give us in Jesus. Our salvation required God to make the ultimate sacrifice in giving His son Jesus to us. Abraham’s faith and fear of God are tested in this passage that reveals to us the love of the Father for you and for me. (Genesis 22)

We’ve all been there. There are times in our life where it feels like the world has turned against us and we are all alone. Sometimes it even feels like God has abandoned us. Job knew the feeling. In Job 19, Job describes the desperation that comes when it feels like prayers are no longer answered, Divine guidance has been taken away, your good reputation has been stripped away, hope is gone, and the positive relationships that you had with friends, family and God are no longer present. In Job’s lament we find hints as to how we can respond when we feel all alone. (Job 19)

Human history demonstrates our desire to displace God, even becoming God himself.  The story of the Tower of Babel illustrates the emptiness of our attempts to “make a name for ourselves”.  This text, more than a message on remaining humble, moves us to increased trust in God, his presence and his provision. (Genesis 11:1-9)

Good news always has and always will be worth sharing. The angels shared the greatest news the world had ever received with some shepherds outside of Bethlehem. They were an unusual group to share such news with and that they heard should give us hope! (Luke 2:8-20)

Six hundred years before Jesus was born the prophet Isaiah said that He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The angels declared Jesus to be Savior of the world. Jesus is all of that and so much more! (Isaiah 9:6-7)

She is revered in the Catholic Church. She is upheld in Scripture as the woman who was blessed among women. What was it about Mary that made her so special? Why did God choose this young woman to be the mother of Jesus? What does Mary teach us about hope? (Luke 1:26-56)

Why do bad things happen to good people? It’s a question as old as time. King Herod was threatened by the birth of Christ, for as Messiah, Jesus will one day rule over the nations. In one of history’s most barbaric acts, King Herod oversaw the genocide of Bethlehem’s baby boys and somehow through the pain hope was born. Very few knew it at the time, but God’s eternal plan was at work despite the evil all around. We too are surrounded by evil, tragedy, the effects of the fall, but God the Father, through Jesus, His Son and the power of the Holy Spirit is working for our eternal good despite all that the devil throws our way. (Matthew 2:1-18)

Scripture is absolutely accurate as it speaks about things to come. As early as Genesis 3, the Old Testament spoke about a coming Messiah who would rescue His people from their sin. Every Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah was fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. All of the prophecies about the future will be fulfilled as well. When we understand the purpose of biblical prophecy we can find great hope for the present as well as the future.

Has science ultimately proved the Bible to be irrelevant? How does what Scripture teaches about science reveal God’s truth? Doesn’t evolution disprove the Genesis account of creation? What about dinosaurs? Were dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible? If so, were there dinosaurs in the ark? This sermon will answer some of the most common questions about how Scripture and science relate to one another. (Genesis 1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; Psalm 19:1-4; Hebrews 11:1; Romans 1:20; Proverbs 21:24; 1 Peter 3:15; Job 41:1; Psalm 74:13; Job 40:15-24; Isaiah 14:29; Genesis 6:15; Psalm 53:1)

This sermon will take a look at some of the most common questions about prayer and fasting. How does prayer work? Why does God want us to pray? If God already knows the future, why should we pray? Does prayer change God’s mind? What about fasting . . . is it even relevant for today? Is fasting dangerous? Why would God want His children to fast? Are there different types of fasting and prayer? (Matthew 6:16-18; Various)

There is perhaps no subject in the Bible that creates as many questions among Christians as the topic of heaven. What will heaven be like? What will I do when I get there? How can there be no sadness in heaven if some I love won’t be there? Do I go to heaven immediately after I die or is there some sort of purgatory I have to go through first? What do I have to do to get to heaven? Is it true that once a person is saved they are always saved? This sermon will take a look at some of the most common questions about heaven and give a biblical response to those questions. (Revelation 21:1-8; John 14:1-4; Eccesiastes 3:11; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:43-44; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 7:15; Revelation 19:9; Matthew 8:11; John 3:16-18)

Tim and Chris Gilmore, WCC Sponsored Missionaries to Tanzania share what God is doing through the ministry God has called them to with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Tanzania.

In a beautiful and fitting end to his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus showed those who had gathered to hear Him teach how a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven lives. As He descended from the mountain, He met a man with leprosy, and healed him in the most unusual way. The man’s story is a beautiful picture of what all of us need Christ to bring to us. Pastor Brian preached this message in one-person dramatic monologue form. (Matthew 8:1-3)

There are many people who have grown up in church, served God in ministry, taken on vows of poverty and done all sorts of good things in the name of being a Christian that will spend eternity separated from God. Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-29 challenge all of us to take a serious look at our lives and how we are living them. Religious lip service and lifestyle are not enough. We need to examine our hearts and compare them to the standards that Jesus set down. A true disciple is devoted to God, devoted to His people and devoted to His mission. (Matthew 7:21-29)

Jesus continues His conclusion to The Sermon on the Mount with instruction to guard our hearts and our minds from false teaching. It’s never been popular to teach the hard truth of walking the narrow way, but God is much more concerned with our holiness than He is our happiness. The sermon will look at the characteristics of false teachers and what to look for in the places or people from whom you receive spiritual instruction. (Matthew 7:15-20)

Jesus began his stirring conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount by presenting His listeners with the eternal choice . . . walk the wide road that looks easy, but in the end leads to destruction, or walk the narrow road which begins with recognizing our spiritual poverty and need of the Savior and experience earthly trials on the road to everlasting reward. Everyone on planet earth chooses a road. Choose wisely. (Matthew 7:13, 14)

Wouldn’t it be great to be known as someone who is like Christ? Wouldn’t it be great if His character, His desires, His passions, His morals, His ethics, His love was what was seen in you? Matthew 7:7-11 is one of the most abused passages in Scripture. In it Jesus teaches us to be people who pray with persistence and confidence for the spiritual qualities that we lack in our lives. (Matthew 7:7-12)

One of the most common characteristics of human beings is a critical spirit. It is so natural for us to see the worst in others, while ignoring our own issues. In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus gives us the cure for a critical spirit, teaching us how to handle our relationships with humility, gentleness, carefulness, patience and sympathy. (Matthew 7:1-6)

We live in a world that is full of stressed out, worried people. Wouldn't it be great if we could live lives that were immune to worry? In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus reminds us that worry is the inability to see God for who He really is. This message will examine Jesus' three powerful illustrations that teach us the solution to worry. (Matthew 6:25-34)

The Day of Pentecost changed the history of the world. When it gets down to it, we need to understand the meat of our faith. (Acts 2:1-13)

Everything we do today, matters for eternity. God is passionate about his people living for him, and he desperately wants to reward those who follow his commands. This message will take a look at the biblical principle of storing up treasure in heavens. We’ll look at the economy of the Kingdom of Heaven and what we can do to store up a treasure that will never fade away. (Matthew 6:19-24)

Guest speaker, Clifford Christensen shares how we can live with certainty in uncertain times by trusting the same God that we trust with our salvation in daily stressors of life. (2 Timothy 1:8-14)

The Lord’s Prayer ends with the doxology of the Christian church. Most biblical scholars believe that this doxology was not spoken by Jesus but added to the text in the first or second century. It is appropriate that the Lord’s Prayer end with these words, for it focuses the Christian on Who God is – the One Whose kingdom is eternal, whose power is unmatched and Whose glory is forever. We are to be a people who bring glory to the One Who is glorious. (Matthew 6:13b)

Just when you think you’ve defeated it, temptation roars back like a lion. God has the power to help us through whatever temptation may come our way. Christians recognize that temptation comes from the evil one (the devil) and that God, who is more powerful than Satan and all the powers of hell can help us stand strong against whatever temptation comes our way. (Matthew 6:13a)

A special Sunday set apart to celebrate what God is doing around the world through our ministry partners.

Forgiveness is one of the hallmarks of the Christian life. Without the grace of God, our salvation would be impossible. But, forgiveness can often times be difficult to grant to others. The Lord’s Prayer challenges us to be people who forgive by praying for a forgiving spirit and it challenges us to be forgiven by praying for God’s forgiveness. When we pray for forgiveness it requires us to humble ourselves, recognize the sin in our lives and to turn from that sin to God. (Matthew 6:12)

Christians live lives of dependence upon God. The Lord’s Prayer encourages us to pray daily for our physical needs and our spiritual needs. Praying for our daily bread should always include a spiritual element to it. Christians hunger and thirst for righteousness as much, or more than we do our physical needs. (Matthew 6:11)

When we ask for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we are asking God to move the world to universal obedience (which will not happen until the end of history), and to move Christians towards obedience today. This means that we are asking that God’s will would be the supreme desire in our lives and that our obedience would be as it is in heaven – joyful and enthusiastic. (Matthew 6:10b)

Upon recognition of the One to Whom we pray, and honoring His name, Jesus’ prayer focused on the kingdom and rule of Christ. Prayer for the kingdom is part of the pattern of our prayer life. “Your Kingdom Come” recognizes the past, future and the present tense of the Christian life. This sermon will explore what it means to pray for Christ’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10a)

True followers of Jehovah have recognized throughout history that His name is holy. When we pray we are praying to the only One who is worthy of our worship. In his Greater Catechism, Martin Luther asked, “How is God’s name hallowed among us?” How we answer that question reveals what we believe about the God to Whom we pray. (Matthew 6:9)

Jesus’ instruction on prayer begins with a radical new concept. God, Creator of the Universe, Yahweh, is our Father. Nowhere in the Old Testament is God referred to as “Father” in a prayer. Christians have the right and the privilege of addressing God as Father. The fatherhood of God brings with it a number of wonderful implications. (Matthew 6:9)

One of the great temptations of all human beings is to look good in front of other people. God doesn’t want us to live our lives for the applause of others; He wants us to live our lives for His glory. Using examples of giving and prayer, Jesus showed His followers the folly of external acts of worship that are done to impress others rather than for God’s glory. (Matthew 6:1-8)