Woodmen Valley Chapel

God has given us good gifts, but in our sin, we have made those gifts ends in and of themselves. We obtain what we desire, only to desire what we do not have. All of our pursuits, be it pleasure, wisdom or work will fall decidedly short apart from one finding their joy and contentment in God’s simple gifts. Our culture pursues a dream that will ultimately turn into a nightmare. We have opportunity...

This earth is not as it should be, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:20-21). The Preacher wrestles with this reality and its implications for our daily life. In the end, our only hope is...

Over the last 40 years, the ministry of Woodmen Valley Chapel has endured not because its people were wiser, more powerful or more noble than others, but because of the righteousness, sanctification, and redemption of God. Our history and our future rest not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. This Easter, we again call on all who would hear, regardless of failures or resumes, to confess...

To die upon a Roman cross was the most brutal and humiliating death one could imagine. And yet, it was on a Roman cross that our Savior bled and died for us. Though folly to a fallen world, to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Today, the cross is seen everywhere. It adorns the tops of churches and people’s necks, but commonplace as it may be, it remains the enduring symbol of God’s ma...

The apostle Paul is grateful for all God had done in the church of Corinth, as we too celebrate what God has done over 40 years of Woodmen. While the Corinthians were divided and quarreled among themselves, we rejoice that the ministry of Woodmen has never been about any one person or group of people, but a community of believers unified in the same mind and the same judgment proclaiming the gospe...

Though being repeatedly warned of the danger that awaits him in Jerusalem, the apostle Paul continues forward, “ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Each of us is called to follow Jesus, but we do so not sure of where he may lead us. Might the Spirit of God strengthen us to follow him wherever he may lead and would we move forwa...

The book of Acts records much that was said and taught to unbelievers, but what might the apostle Paul have said to a group of followers of Jesus? Paul’s message in Acts 20:17-38 is the one example we have of a message Paul gave to a solely believing audience. Not surprisingly, it reads like many of his letters and encourages us to follow Paul’s example as we serve Christ. 1. Faithful in service (...

Even as the opposition against the apostle Paul increased, Paul did not shy away from the ministry he was called to. One evening while Paul taught long into the night, a man named Eutychus fell from a window and died. The apostle Paul miraculously raises Eutychus from the dead and continues on with his ministry. We need be reminded that though opposition may increase, the power of God is always st...

When Demetrius, a silversmith, causes a riot, the author of Acts, Luke, is careful to record all that transpired. While the gospel will necessarily put us at odds with others regarding what we believe and hold to be true, we are to seek peace in the places that God puts us and never bring discredit to the name of Christ. People will have a variety of reasons for dismissing the gospel; may we as hi...

Those who had confessed Christ as Lord found themselves being transformed by the power of the gospel. Many of them who believed renounced the evil ways of their past and brought their books of magic arts and burned them together. Consequently, the word of the Lord “continued to increase and prevail mightily” (Acts 19:20). The evidence of true life change in others is one of our most powerful evang...

Upon arriving in Ephesus, the apostle Paul was introduced to disciples of John the Baptist. Having not heard of the ministry of Jesus, the apostle Paul shared the gospel with them and they were baptized. Like all those who confess the name of Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit comes upon them and indwells them. Today, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit remains the evidence of true faith in Ch...

While Paul wraps up his second missionary journey and begins his third, Priscila and Aquilla explain the way of God to a fervent and gifted man named Apollos. From Alexandria, Apollos was eloquent, competent in the Scriptures, and had been taught about Jesus. However, he was still lacking understanding in some critical areas. The example of Priscilla and Aquilla reminds us that we each can be used...

Having been encouraged in a vision that he would be protected and that God had many in the city of Corinth he was going to call to himself, the apostle Paul stayed in Corinth a year and a half. When Paul is brought before the proconsul, God honors his word and Paul is delivered. Like Paul, we should understand that though God is the ultimate authority in salvation, we are all called to participate...

As a church we seek to love well, change lives, through Christ that means we want to do ministry like Jesus. He saw and pursued an social and religious outsider. Jesus did not block Zacchaeus from coming to him, rather Jesus invited him to a relationship and Zacchaeus was greatly transformed. We too are to go out and seek and save the lost, we do this not through our own power but through the powe...

1. Living Water (vs. 1-15) 2. True Worship (vs. 16-30) 3. Spiritual Food (vs. 31-34) 4. The Harvest (vs. 35-42) This Is Amazing Grace #6333821 by J Farro, Jeremy R & P Wickham 2012 Bethel Music, Seems Like Music, Sing My Songs, Phil Wickham Music, and Warner Chappell Music No Longer Slaves #7030123 by J D Helser & M Helser 2014 © Bethel Music Publishing This I Believe (The Creed) #7018338 by B Fie...

1. Jesus was prepared (vs. 1-8) a. Vision (vs. 1-4) b. Plan (vs. 5-6a) c. Passion (vs. 6b – 8) 2. Jesus overcomes prejudice (vs. 7-15) 3. Jesus uses conversation change (vs. 9-26) a. Two-way dialogue (vs. 9,11,15,19) b. Correct don’t condemn (vs. 12,17,20) c. Object lessons (vs. 13-14) 4. Jesus’s discipleship principle (vs. 28-30, 39-42) Songs: This Is Amazing Grace #6333821 by J Farro, J Riddle &...

Four Missional Values of Woodmen: 1. Gather 2. Connect 3. Grow 4. Contribute What would we like people to line up at the end of our lives and thank us for? We are stewards of extraordinary influence and unprecedented opportunity. Two Characteristics of Woodmen: 1. Leadership Culture 2. Multiplication Culture Our dream for Colorado Springs: 1. A world where the church is considered an essential par...

The apostle Paul was the greatest missionary the church has ever had, and in Acts 17:22-34 we see, in part, the reason why. Paul did not have one message that he simply repeated in each and every town he visited, but instead, he relates to his listeners drawing from their culture and understanding. Paul’s message at the Areopagus gives us all an example to embrace. 1. The message (vs. 22-31) a. Pa...

While Paul waited for his teammates in Athens, Acts 17:16 says, “his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.” Rather than be cold, indifferent or angry at the depravity that surrounded him, the apostle Paul was moved into action by it. Paul began reasoning with people in the synagogue and the marketplace and we should be quick to follow his example. Rather than fe...

Having been sent to Berea, Paul and Silas begin to share in the synagogue there. Unlike those who had come before them in Thessalonica, these Jews “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). We too should be encouraged to search the scriptures with confidence that the Lord will bring us understanding. 1. Routine faithfulness (...

The Gospel has true power and the ministry of Paul and Silas draws many to faith. Unfortunately, the opposition is real too. The home of Jason is attacked, and he and some of the brothers are brought before the city authorities. The accusation is that, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6). Little did they know the gospel would indeed change the world. 1...

No one is exempt from the longing to be applauded and affirmed. And when we think we deserve the glory for doing good things, it's easy to seek ways to turn the spotlight on ourselves. Interestingly, God takes issue not with our good deeds but with our efforts to heap the credit upon ourselves. Which leads us to the question, if it’s not me, who should get the glory? Songs: Great Things #7111321 b...

When Joseph, a good and just man, learned that his betrothed, Mary, was with child he was unwilling to put her to shame and resolved to divorce her quietly. As he was considering these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him to “not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20). This son was to be named Jesus “for he wi...

Out of obedience to the law, Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice. At the temple, they encounter a righteous and devout man, named Simeon, who was “waiting for the consolation of Israel” and had been told by the Holy Spirit that “he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26). In the Spirit, Simeon declares that Jesus is “...

Zechariah the priest had been serving the Lord in the temple when the angel of the Lord, Gabriel, announced that his wife would conceive and bear a son named “John” who would be “great before the Lord” and “turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:16). Zechariah struggles to believe and is temporarily made deaf and mute until the sign is fulfilled. When Elizabeth, Zechari...