Certainty in an Uncertain World
A Study in Luke
If the "Wrong Man" Wins the White House, pt 3
November 22, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood • Luke 7:13–14
Millions of people are deeply discouraged by current events. For nearly a year every ounce of their mental and physical strength has been thrown into shaping culture, rectifying injustice, or fixing the political landscape. Now, they're spent and tired, the future feels bleak. Is it possible their efforts were misguided? Did they rely on the machinery? Who will help now? Is the cause lost and time wasted? We'll discuss all of this and more in Sunday's sermon "If the 'Wrong Man' Win the White House" Part 3.
If the Wrong Man "Wins" the White House Pt. 2
November 15, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood • Luke 11:13–14
One of the most malignant tumors in modern evangelicalism is a gospel that doesn't confront people with the reality of their sin. Even conservative churches are full of people who claim to be born again but live like pagans, mask weekend sins, and don't cry out to God for mercy. Modern evangelicals have been conditioned never to question anybody's faith. Millions declare that they trust Christ as Savior while engaging in lifestyles that are outside of God's will -- yet nobody challenges their testimony. Churches are applauding people on their way to hell. This Sunday Pastor Tony will show us how Jesus responded to Pharisees who claimed God on the outside but were far from Him on the inside...
If the Wrong Man "Wins" the White House
November 8, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood • Luke 7:13–14
What if the 'wrong man' wins the White House? Millions of Americans watched election results Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, awaiting an answer that would not come. Lawsuits were filed, accusations hurled, and rioters took to the streets. Many remain deeply worried as beliefs, health, ideologies, the economy, and their future all seem to be on the line - and it all comes down to the man in the White House. Or does it? Should their security rest in the Oval Office? This Sunday Pastor Tony will show us through God's Word that regardless of who's in the White House, there's Another who remains on the throne.
The Savior's Look of Love
October 25, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood • Luke 7:11–17
Imagine losing your spouse and children in a tragic car accident. Suddenly the home is silent, picture frames full of wrenching memory, and hospital bills mount. Can anyone meet you in that pain? Can anyone sympathize with that level of emotion? During the long lonely nights, a devil consistently whispers, "God doesn't see you..." and, "God doesn't care..." Yet, into the fog and confusion, a Savior arrives. The Savior sees, He feels, He touches. Is it possible? Do the heavens care? Join us Sunday to hear "The Savior's Look of Love" from Luke 7:11-17.
Getting Your Ph.D. in the School of Faith
October 18, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood • Luke 7:1–10
Nobody really knows the genuine nature of their faith until it's tested. In this week's message, we witness a man about to lose someone he loves. Yet, instead of hiding, running, whining, or surrendering, he turns confidently to Christ. Then, with a single statement -- so crammed with theology Augustine would be proud -- he shows spiritual understanding beyond anyone else of his generation. This man's trust in God is so strong, it even causes Jesus to pause in amazement! Oh, how I wish that we, too, might walk with such great confidence in the Lord of heaven and earth.
Deceiving Yourself to Death
September 6, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
Most would agree that a person who claims one thing but practices another is a fraud. Take for example, a mechanic. Imagine his license, uniform, and website highlight his ability to fix my car. Yet, after multiple visits, my car continues to run poorly. Soon the mechanic's credentials must be called into question. Is he really who he says he is? Was the original certification legitimate? The same is true of a Christ follower. Regardless of the title or claims a person may make, the character and conduct of their life prove what they really are. Sadly, many in modern evangelicalism believe that they can assent to Jesus as "Savior" but not as "Lord." They believe that they can hold to the historical tenets of Christianity but largely ignore the commands of Christ in lifestyle. Like the dubious mechanic, they boast of credentials but fail in their practice. This self-deception, so common to American evangelicalism, leads to damnation.
Features of a Pharisee
August 30, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
History is riddled with groups that used the name of Christ to brandish forms of spiritual elitism, religious ritual, and personal hypocrisy. The papal system of Rome, and its hold on nearly 1-billion people, is proof enough of just how powerful these "work-based" religions, along with their culture of judgment and personal retribution, can be. Of course this was true back when Jesus ministered as well. Scribes and Pharisees concocted intensely rigorous systems that bound people under law and kept them from experiencing grace. Into this context, Jesus delivers his famed Sermon on the Mount and literally "calls out" these Pharisees. He points out the death in their system. He assaults their hypocrisy. And, in so doing, He allows EVERY listener (and reader) to determine if he or she is a disciple of Christ or Pharisee themselves. This Sunday, Jesus will put us all through a vital heart evaluation.
The Greatest Preacher on the Greatest Topic
August 23, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
In a world filled with corruption, greed, and anti-Christian sentiment, it is common for followers of Jesus to feel hurt or angry. Some may even wish to retort or "fire back" at those who mock them or limit their freedoms. Yet, Jesus calls His followers to a unique ethic, unlike anything in the world -- this ethic is "love" -- a volitional, sacrificial, and intentional activity of grace, shown toward others, regardless of the response. This Sunday we will study how Jesus, and His followers, turn the world upside-down with a crazy, radical, and inexplicable love that flows directly from heaven. Imagine the impact this love could have on your home, friends, school, work, and society!
You May Not Get a Trophy
August 16, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
We live in an era where everyone demands affirmation and most people dislike being told "No." Be it children who get a trophy whether they win or lose, the phasing out of tests like the SAT or ACT, the release of prisoners, or the cultural ethos that "right and wrong are different to everyone", Americans want positive stimuli, and largely refute correction. Sadly, this belief that 'everyone wins' is now pervasive in religion where nearly 50% of Americans say their good works will get them to heaven, while only 2% say they'll go to hell. On Sunday we'll study the warnings of Christ about hell; learning why so many will be there and how we can avoid this horrific end.
The Blessed are Detested
August 9, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
For many years in America 'Christian persecution' was unimaginable. Many thought the 'persecuted' lived in third-world nations, and under communist regimes. For most, persecution meant a bit of mockery in High School, or at worst, loss of a promotion at work. But, it never entailed true suffering. Yet, sadly, in recent years, the American tide has shifted. Today, in California, Christians can be charged with hate crimes for proclaiming the Bible in their college. Pastors can be threatened with jail time for opening their pulpits. Tangible physical persecution is no longer a possibility, it is a reality. Thus, these words of Christ offer a balming gel, and cardinal hope, to the blamed and defamed believer, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you..."
Sorrow Unto Salvation
August 2, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
The world works overtime to keep us from thinking deeply about sin. Jumping from amusement to amusement -- we rush to play, watch shows to sleep, then rise to work, jamming food and travel wherever possible -- in order to quench the deep questions that gnaw at our insides e.g. Why am I not happy? Why am I so irritable? So jealous? So lustful? Many modern churches even jump in to help our discontent, promoting the next big drama production, Disney song, and on-stage comedian. Sadly, we are amusing ourselves to spiritual death. But, there is an answer. The answer lies in a cryptic statement by Jesus who said, "Happy are those who weep..." Yes, true joy begins with a period of true sorrow. This Sunday we'll discuss the next vital step to true and lasting happiness.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Righteousness
July 12, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
We've been told to pursue happiness and everyone wants to be happy. The Declaration of Independence promotes my pursuit of happiness. Netflix offers hundreds of "Feel-Good" movies so I can watch happiness. Psychologists suggest a hike, meditation, and coffee will build my happiness. Elsa told us all to ignore everyone else and claim our happiness. Joel Osteen promises me a destiny of happiness. Pharell Williams even gave me a song about happiness. The obvious question: If everyone's looking to find happiness, why isn't anyone happy? My newsfeed, government, boss, family, and neighbors aren't very happy at all. On Sunday we'll see that Jesus NEVER said to 'pursue' happiness. In fact, in order to be happy He commands we pursue something entirely different! Join us for "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of __________."
The Key to the Kingdom
July 5, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
People have placed their trust in self. From childhood, we are told that the answer lies 'within' us. Professors tell us to establish a good online platform, bosses hire those with marketable traits and large social networks. Even our friendships are built through devices signifying self-reliance, self-indulgence, self-esteem, and self-expression i.e. my phone, my space, my face, iPhone, iPad, etc. In our world, it is taught that the strong will survive and even Christians (pastors included!) work diligently to highlight their resume, biography, book sales, and influence. Yet, Christ came with the opposite message -- Instead of going 'high' He demanded we go 'low.' His promise of blessing wasn't for the spiritually elite heart but for the humble heart. What, then, does this mean for our nation? Our churches? Our pastors? For you and me? This Sunday we will learn the answer by studying "The Key to the Kingdom."
The Constitution of the King
June 28, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
In recent surveys, it was discovered that out of nearly 360,000 'churches' in America, only 72% hold the Bible as authoritative. In another study, it was estimated that there are only 6,000 true bible-teaching churches left. These are shocking statistics and explain the vastly superficial 'faith' of American citizens, prone to collapse when tempted or under pressure. In place of bible teaching and obedience to Christ's commands, churches are now filled with games, concerts, social reform, politics, and moralistic speeches on liberal philosophy and clinical psychology (i.e., 12 Steps to a Happy Life). Further, supposed 'Christians' believe they're saved despite living sexually, financially, and materialistically immoral lifestyles. These are hell-bound people filling pews. Millions of churchgoers cloak their personal life, keeping others at arm's length, due to secret sin and shame. One of the reasons for our nation's gross moral decline has been the refusal of churches to preach and emphasize, Christ's call to repentant faith. Jesus could not have been more clear regarding both the qualifications and conditions of His kingdom, including the doctrinal purity of His church and moral purity of His people. This Sunday we'll begin our examination of the greatest sermon ever told, learn of a new kingdom, and examine our own lives against the King's Constitution.