Woodbury Community Church Sermons

This is the fourth week of the elective class Seeing God's Promises Fulfilled: Moses, The Exodus and Jesus, taught by JJ and Steph Wessman. (Exodus)

It's in John's eighteenth chapter that we see Jesus arrested, abused and put on trial. What is so striking is the determination with which Jesus goes through His torment. When all around Him leave, Jesus demonstrates His love by faithfully facing the cross. Big Idea: God's faithfulness is not dependent upon our goodness. When we were at our worst, Jesus love reached out to us. He is the Faithful One and His love for you never fails. (John 18:1-40; Isaiah 53:3-5)

This is the third week of the elective class Seeing God's Promises Fulfilled: Moses, The Exodus and Jesus, taught by JJ and Steph Wessman. (Exodus)

Jesus' prayer in the Upper Room gives us a tender glimpse at the heart of God towards those He created. Jesus prayed that He would be glorified in the cross, in heaven and in the church. He prayed for His disciples. And, He prayed for us! Big Idea: Jesus Christ is your biggest fan. He is your Intercessing Prayer Warrior, and He is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him. (John 17:1-26)

This is the second week of the elective class Seeing God's Promises Fulfilled: Moses, The Exodus and Jesus, taught by JJ and Steph Wessman. (Exodus)

This is the first week of the elective class Seeing God's Promises Fulfilled: Moses, The Exodus and Jesus. The class is taught by JJ and Steph Wessman, our representatives in Israel with Operation Mobilization. (Exodus)

The lessons of the Upper Room were coming to a close. Jesus had spoken profound truth to the disciples. Now, he was telling them that they would face some incredible trials in the years ahead. The world would hate them because they loved Christ. Jesus showed his disciples that despite incredible trials, joy and peace could be theirs, for they served the God of the universe. Big Idea: In difficult situations, God is able to infuse the believer with strength, joy, and peace. (John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:9, 11; Hebrews 12:11;)

Jesus Christ called Himself the Vine and his followers the branches. Just like the branches of grape vine cannot survive without the vine, so we as believers cannot spiritually thrive apart from Christ and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus told his followers that to follow Him meant that they would be hated by the world. They would need each other like never before. Jesus was sending the Holy Spirit to empower the disciples to accomplish great things for Christ. He would show them ultimate love by laying down His life for them. He wanted them to show great love to each other. Big Idea:True disciples are connected to the Vine, bear much fruit, are characterized by their love for each other, and will face persecution. (John 15:1-27; Isaiah 5:7; Isaiah 5:1-2; Galatians 5:22-23; John 13:34-35; 1 Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4; 1 Peter 4:12-13;)

John fourteen has been called the comfort chapter, because Jesus begins this chapter by comforting his disciples. There is so much foundational truth contained in John 14 -- from the promise of Christ's return for His children, to His declarative statment that He is the only way to the Father, to His demand that those who love Him obey Him, to His promise that the Holy Spirit would be given. Big Idea: Christ has given us everything we need to follow Him today and every reason to follow Him for life. (John 14:1-7; 1 Peter 5:6-9; Matthew 7:13-14; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:6; 1 John 3:2; Philippians 1:22-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13 ;)

3400 years ago the tribe of Israel began settling the land of Canaan. During this time the Israelites established a form of government with God, this form of government is known as a Theocracy. This Theocracy as established in Exodus 19, is the same spiritual government we have submitted ourselves to once we entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ. As the Israelites forget their covenant a pattern of sin an redemption is set in place. So too when we forget our covenant with Christ a pattern of sin will ultimately ensue. Big Idea: Ultimately Christ is the king of our Lives, and When we refuse to acknowledge his kingship we fall into patterns of sin. (Judges 18)

Everything in John's Gospel has led to the point where Jesus finds himself in John 13. His time has come. He knows that by the time the next morning comes, he will be hanging on Calvary's tree. John 13-17 include some of Jesus' most profound teachings. In the Upper Room, Jesus teaches his disciples timeless truths regarding service, love, the Holy Spirit, heaven, Christ and love. This message deals with the call to be servants who love others more than we love ourselves; a lesson that Jesus teaches best through personal example. (John 13:1-38; Philippians 2:5-9)

He was like no King the world had ever seen. Jesus Christ, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in John 12, and he talked about what it meant to follow Him. He was the King who would give his life for the people. He came to serve. He came so that we might have life. And, there are demnads that he makes of his subjects too. This sermon takes a look at the cost of following Jesus, and the King who who would give his life for us. (John 12:1-50; John 11:47-57; Luke 7:37; 2 Samuel 24:24; Zechariah 9:9)

John's eleventh chapter includes one of the most beautiful displays of God's power in all of Scripture. Lazarus, the friend of Christ, and the brother of Mary and Martha has died. Jesus arrives on a scene that is sad and full of disappointment. His genuine followers and friends wonder why He didn't come sooner. Martha, sure that Jesus could have stopped Lazarus' death, shows some doubt, but Jesus erases the doubt of his followers, gains the trust of the masses, and the fury of the religious leaders when He raises Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:1-57; Mark 14:6-9; John 4:46-54)

In John 10, Jesus identifies himself as the Good Shepherd, and he talks about who His sheep are. What are the signs of genuine faith? How does a follower of Chrsit live? What does it mean to hear God's voice. This sermon will answer those questions. (John 10:1-42; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 100:3; Matthew 9:36)

As the crowd tried to stone Jesus, He slipped away, and when He did, He passed by a blind man. The man, who had been blind from birth was healed by Jesus. It was the Sabbath, and the Jewish leaders instead of celebrating the healing of the man, curse Jesus. Jesus came so that those who were spiritually blind could be made whole. Let the Rule Breaker break the shackles that hold you back from seeing Him for who He is. (John 8:39-John 9:41; Exodus 3:13-14; Romans 5:12; Romans 9:17; Genesis 1:10; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 26:7; Psalm 33:4; Psalm 40:5; Psalm 66:3; Psalm 86:8; Psalm 92:4; Psalm 111:3; Luke 18:11-13)

Jesus entered into a world that was in bondage to sin. He spoke about this in great detail in John’s eighth chapter, but He did not do so as an uncompassionate Savior. He came as the Light of the World, to expose the world to Himself, to God the Father and to the Cross. Just as Christ is the Light of the World, He calls those of us who are His children to be the Light of the World as well. (John 8)

John 7 opens with Jesus’ brothers sarcastically encouraging Jesus to go to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles so that he could “show himself” to the world. He tells them that it is not his time to go to the Feast. After his brothers leave for the Feast, Jesus goes up secretly. About halfway through the Feast Jesus goes to the temple courts and begins to teach. In doing so, he reveals that He was sent by God, that his message is from God, and that He will one day return to God and send the Holy Spirit. The people of Jerusalem are divided by Christ’s message. Some call him demon possessed, others call for his arrest, some want his very life taken from him, and still others believe his message. This message will exam the claims that Christ made, and will exam the symbolism of the three Jewish festivals and the future promise that we have of Christ’s return. (John 7)

Sermon preached at Woodbury Community Church, on Sunday, December 28, 2008 by Rev. Matt Milligan, CCCC Church Planter, Hudson, Wisconsin. (John 2:13-25)

Jesus Christ was born in the shadow of a cross. His coming to earth, which was foretold by God himself, in the Garden of Eden, and by the propehts, changed the world. These are uncertain times that we live in. The world may seem like it is falling apart this Christmas, but God is still on the throne, and Jesus is still offering life that is more abundant than anything this world has to offer. Give yourself to Him this Christmas! (Matthew 1:21)

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a remarkable woman. When chosen, by God, to be the mother of Jesus, Mary responds with beautiful worship. Through an in depth look at Mary's Song in Luke 1:46-55, we'll see the heart of a woman who trusted her God and sought to please Him. Big Idea: God can be trusted with our lives, and when we do, He can do great things in and through us. (Luke 1:26-56)