Wildwood Church Sermons

The Philippian church held a very special place in the Apostle Paul’s heart. Whenever he thought of them, he was filled with joy and he thanked the Lord for them. What was it that made Paul feel this way? In a word, partnership. This small church was all in just as Paul was all in. There’s something special about the people that go all in with you! Philippians 1:3-8 #connect4QC #Partnership #Gospe...

Some passages are easy to understand but hard to apply. This passage about overcoming evil with good and leaving vengeance to God is no exception! How is Jesus the model for obeying this easy-to-understand but difficult-to-obey command?

What we believe about God and Jesus and salvation impacts not only our worship and our individual lives, but also how we relate to fellow believers. In this section of Romans 12, Paul lays out marks of true fellowship. Fellowship is so much more than pot luck meals and social gatherings! Romans 12:9-21 pt. 1 #connect4QC #Foundation #Romans #Fellowship #Partnership #Membership

How we think and how we reason in the world is called a worldview. Christians ought to have a biblical worldview, a true worldview. Our salvation ought to impact not only what we do on Sunday mornings, but how we think and how we respond to life 24/7. Do you have a true worldview? Romans 12:9-21 #connect4QC #Romans #Foundation #Worldview #Good #Evil #Zeal #Prayer #BlessYourEnemies

We serve a mighty God who provides us gifts and power to glorify his name and do good to others! Episode Description: In today's episode, we delve into Romans 12:3-8, exploring God's sovereignty and how it aligns with the celebration of our graduates. This passage offers profound insights relevant to everyone in the church, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and utilizing our God-given gift...

Following Jesus is not meant to be easy. But no one said it has to be drudgery! In today’s passage, we see that a person can get to a place where they want to do what the Lord wants them to do, even the really hard things. You can some to see that the Lord’s will for your life is good and acceptable and perfect. Life is sweet when you do! Last week, we discovered that true spiritual worship entail...

To you know what worship is? No, really? Do you know what the bible calls worship? Spoiler alert: it’s not just singing. In fact, it’s not even primarily singing. It’s way more than that! Check it out! Romans 12:1 #connect4QC #Romans #Foundation #Worship #FullSurrender #LivingSacrifice Podcast Title: From Doxology to Life: Understanding True Worship Episode Date: May 5, 2024 Scripture: Romans 12:1...

After spending eleven chapters laying out the doctrine of God’s salvation, Paul erupts with praise. That’s the way it ought to go in our lives. Right doctrine leads us to right doxology. If our doctrine isn’t leading us to praise the glory of God, we’re doing it wrong! Romans 11:33-36 Podcast Episode Title: From Doctrine to Doxology Scripture Passage: Romans 11:33-36 Date: April 28, 2024 Speaker:...

All people come to the Father by grace alone through faith alone, according to God’s mercy alone. By mercy, not by merit. Romans 11:25-32 Sermon: "Mercy On All" Date: April 21, 2024 Speaker: Pastor Brian Smith Church: Wildwood Church, East Moline, Illinois Overview: In this impactful sermon, Pastor Brian Smith explores Romans 11:25-32, focusing on the theme of God's mercy on all. Through a deep di...

When Jesus comes back He’s going to stand upon the mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, the same place from which He departed. Christian, Israel matters to God and Israel ought to matter to you. We’ve been grafted into the olive tree, from which they’ve been removed, and into which they will be returned. Paul wants us to feel this connection to Israel. It’s a good antidote to Gentile pride. Romans...

Paul was unapologetically taking the gospel to the Gentile world. But had he forgotten about the Jews? Were they abandoned? Not at all! Paul went to the Gentiles in hopes that doing so would cause some of his Jewish kinsmen to want the blessings of God that they received and in turn, would come to Jesus in faith and repentance. Podcast Show Notes: Provoked to Jealousy, Provoked to Life Introductio...

Ever wonder why we’re drawn to rescue stories? From Hollywood blockbusters to real-life heroics, these tales resonate with us because they echo a truth written into our souls. We love a good rescue story because we were made to long for the ultimate rescue and the ultimate Rescuer, Jesus! Introduction: We're captivated by rescue stories in movies and real life. There's a deeper reason behind our f...

Summary: What began on Palm Sunday with shouts of celebration and triumph ended with unbelief. Sadly, not much had changed for Israel over the few decades that would follow. In today’s passage in Romans 11, Paul sheds light the unbelief of Israel in his day and in ours. Romans 11:7-10 #connect4QC #Foundation #Romans #Grace #Faith #Unbelief #PalmSunday Introduction: Reflecting on the triumphal entr...

Pastor Brian Smith delves into Romans 11:1-6, exploring the profound concept of God's sovereign preservation of a remnant chosen by grace. As the world grows darker and evil seems to prevail, it's easy to feel discouraged and isolated in our faith. However, Pastor Brian reminds us that throughout history, God has always preserved a faithful remnant, even amid widespread apostasy. Drawing parallels...

Paul gives an incredible picture of what it looks like for sinners to hear the gospel, believe, and call on the name of Jesus for salvation in Romans 10:14-15. But what about those who hear the gospel but do not believe? Romans 10:16-21 goes on to emphasize the hearing of the truth, though not all will believe. The church has a responsibility as messengers of the gospel that will be taken seriousl...

There are so many people spiritually stranded, helpless, and alone, in need of spiritual rescue. Who will they call to rescue them? How will they call upon the name of Jesus for salvation if they’ve never heard the name of Jesus and they’ve never heard what He did for them? Who will tell them? These are the questions Paul presents us with in Romans 10:14-15. #GreatCommission #ShareTheGospel #Faith...

Summary: No matter how hard we try, you and I can never live a perfect life. We cannot stand before God on our own merit. Thankfully, there is another way to stand in the day of God’s judgment. And it’s not by doing all sorts of things to elevate ourselves to heaven. Paul tells us in this passage that it is not at all about what we do for God, but what God has done in Christ for us! Romans 10:5-13...

To those who continue to seek to establish their own righteousness, may I invite you to cease? May I invite you to rest in Christ? May I invite you to take up the yoke of Christ whose burden is easy and yoke is light, because He has finished the work of righteousness for you. May I invite you to humble yourself before the Lord, to lean no longer upon your own virtue, your own sense of goodness, an...

Would you believe me if I said that in Christ, God’s love for you is perfect and unchanging? You’d likely agree, but would you believe? In this passage in Romans, Paul lays out the case that the reason Israel stumbled over Jesus was because they tried to come to God as it were based on works. They thought they could curry God’s favor by doing the right things. That’s not how salvation works and it...

By His mercy, God has called people who were far from Him to be His beloved children. Those who were “not my people” will be called “sons of the living God.” It is not merely by being associated with God’s people that we are called into His family, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Overview Pastor Brian Smith delves into the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in Romans 9-11, emphasizing the need for humility and acknowledging the vastness of God's wisdom. Key Points Metaphorical Dive: Smith uses a deep-sea dive analogy to depict the challenge of understanding divine sovereignty, emphasizing the humility required to navigate this tension. Limited Unde...

Date: January 21, 2024 Location: Wildwood Church, East Moline, Illinois Pastor: Brian Smith Summary: Perhaps no doctrine of the Church is more divisive than the doctrine of election. Predestination, Calvinism, election, and doctrines of grace (TULIP) are hot topics in many Christian circles. When we began the series through Romans 18 months ago, we knew Romans 9 was coming. And with Romans 9, elec...

Episode Date: January 14, 2024 Speaker: Pastor Brian Smith Church: Wildwood Church, East Moline, Illinois Introduction: Have you ever found yourself stuck in a ditch? Perhaps a snow storm had you slipping and sliding and all of a sudden your wheels are spinning and you’re not going anywhere. Being in a ditch is no fun! When it comes to so-called “ditches” on either side of doctrine, none are as tr...

Can you imagine saying to God, “I’ll give up Heaven for the sake of my brothers who have rejected me, beat, me, and would ultimately be complicit in my death?!” That’s exactly what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 9:1-5. Romans 9 is all about God’s sovereignty in election and in it Paul says some difficult things. But before he did, he wanted the readers to know that he had a deep, sincere love for...

Do You See What I See? | Promised, Precise, Prince of Peace. Galatians 4:4-5