Willowbrook Sermons

From Rome to Home: Paul's Missionary Blueprint

Sermon Series: On Word!

In this sermon, we explore the epistles as missionary letters, focusing especially on Paul's letter to the Romans—the one epistle written to a church he had not yet visited. The sermon reveals how Paul's strategic thinking capitalized on Rome's global influence: "If All Roads Lead to Rome, All Roads Lead from Rome."

Key themes include the universal need for salvation, the transformative power of Jesus in diverse cultures, and the missionary calling to find gospel connections in every person's life. Join us for a journey through Romans, discovering how Paul explains the gospel's profound impact and what it means for our mission today.

Corinthian Chronicles: Being Jesus in Sin City

Sermon Series: On Word!

In this thought-provoking sermon, we delve into the Apostle Paul's letters to the Corinthian church, exploring how these early Christians thrived amidst a culture synonymous with vice. Addressing pertinent themes such as bodily holiness, communal harmony, and living a life that persuades others of Jesus’ worth, this sermon unpacks Paul’s words for a modern audience.

Whether it's treating our bodies as temples, ensuring our community reflects God's will, or resisting the temptations of a secular world, discover how Paul's teachings can guide us to live desirably and faithfully in today's world.

Join us as we navigate the challenges and triumphs of being a light in a world that often misunderstands us.

Caught Up in Christ: Living a Life That Draws Others In

Sermon Series: On Word!

This sermon delves into Paul's missionary journey in Thessalonica, highlighting his strategic approach to spreading the gospel and the rapid growth of the early Christian community. The teachings, resilience, and everyday interactions of Paul are explored to show how he shaped a thriving church in just a few weeks.

Engaging stories, like Bubba’s letters about planting potatoes and a touching moment at a baseball event for kids with special needs, illustrate the importance of encouragement, community, and authentic faith. Practical questions about Jesus’s return are addressed, emphasizing the need for right thinking and behavior to attract others to Christ.

Reflects on how a united Christian community can make a positive impact and cultivate faith in every corner of daily life.

Rescue Mission: Faith in the Land of Bad

Sermon Series: On Word!

This thought-provoking sermon delves into the Apostle Paul's fervent message to the Galatians. We explore the critical importance of maintaining faith in Jesus Christ as the sole source of salvation. The sermon challenges us to avoid the pitfalls of legalism and to embrace the grace offered through faith.

Pastor Jon unpacks Paul's vehement response to the Galatians’ deviation from the gospel, highlighting the dangers of trying to earn God's favor through works or adherence to religious laws. Through vivid anecdotes, including a riveting tale of a lost phone at sea, we learn why staying anchored in our faith and guarding it against false teachings is paramount.

This sermon not only illuminates the heart of the gospel, but also encourages us to live out our missionary calling, spreading the good news in a world rife with challenges.

Who's My Neighbor? Lessons from Paul's Journeys

Sermon Series: On Word!

Garry Mahan Preaching

This sermon highlights the importance of integrating the teachings and stories of the Bible into our daily lives, rather than treating them as distant, fantastical tales.

By examining Paul's missional journeys in Acts 13-28, Garry emphasizes three key actions we can adopt: relying on Jesus for guidance, asking for His help in our daily challenges, and sharing personal stories of Jesus' work in our lives.

These steps not only help us live more missionally but also allow us to love and serve our neighbors better, reflecting the practical aspects of Christian faith.

Unlikely Heroes: How God Uses Flawed Followers

Sermon Series: On Word!

Despite our past mistakes, shortcomings, or sins, God can still use us for His purposes. This sermon emphasizes that it is not about who we were, but about who God is and what He can do through us.

By examining the life of Peter, who transitioned from denying Jesus to becoming a foundational leader in the early church, the sermon encourages us to trust in God's ability to transform and use us regardless of our past.

Missionary Mindset: Connecting Beyond Boundaries

Sermon Series: On Word!

This sermon emphasizes the importance of being open to God's divine appointments and acting missionarily in everyday life. It uses the example of Jesus' intentional journey through Samaria, despite societal prejudices, to meet a Samaritan woman and offer her "living water."

The message encourages us to seek and seize moments to connect with others, share God's love, and help them discover their worth in Jesus. The sermon also celebrates the role of mothers in guiding their children to follow Jesus.

Pop Quiz: Who Does Jesus Love?

Sermon Series: On Word!

This sermon emphasizes the universality and inclusivity of Jesus's message, highlighting that Jesus came to seek and save the lost, regardless of their backgrounds or societal standing. It underscores the power of personal interactions and living a Christ-like life as means to convey Jesus' love and message to others, including those who might feel marginalized or distant from God.

Key Lessons from the Sermon:
1. Jesus’s Inclusivity: Jesus's mission and message are for all humanity, emphasizing his interactions with both the marginalized and the influential, showcasing his universal call.
   
2. The Role of Personal Connection: The sermon stresses the importance of personal relationships in evangelism, showing that living out one's faith authentically can lead others to Christ.
   
3. The Power of Storytelling: Luke's Gospel, rich in stories and parables, uses narrative to illustrate deeper truths about Jesus and his mission, emphasizing that storytelling is a powerful evangelistic tool.
   
4. Jesus’s Realness and Relatability: Highlighting the tangible and historical realities of Jesus' life, the sermon encourages us, as believers, to present Jesus as a relatable and real figure who walked the earth.
   
5. Active Faith in Daily Life: We're encouraged to seek opportunities to demonstrate our faith in everyday interactions and settings, using personal life as a testimony.
   
6. Jesus as a Seeker of the Lost: Central to the sermon is the image of Jesus as actively seeking out those who are lost, emphasizing that his followers are called to participate in this mission.
   
7. Challenge to Traditional Religious Views: The sermon discusses Jesus's challenges to religious norms and expectations, encouraging a faith that is lived out in loving action rather than mere ritual.
   
8. Impact of One’s Actions on Others' Faith: The sermon illustrates how simple acts of kindness and understanding can open doors for deeper conversations and spiritual insight.

Scripture in Action: Your Verse, Your Mission

Sermon Series: On Word!

This sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing a life verse that resonates with personal faith and worldview, illustrating how different scriptures serve different people uniquely. It also underscores the universality and urgency of the Great Commission, encouraging believers to preach the gospel fervently as instructed by Jesus in Mark 16:15.

This mission, coupled with the power of prayer and divine intervention, showcases the transformative influence of living a life dedicated to spreading the Good News and witnessing the miraculous works of God in various contexts.

Beyond the Island: Truths Cast in Gospel Sands

Sermon Series: On Word!

The central message of this sermon emphasizes the reliability and truthfulness of the teachings and prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, as presented in the Gospel of Matthew. The sermon illustrates how the Gospel serves not just as a narrative of Jesus' life but as a tool and manual for evangelism, stressing the importance of conveying Jesus' teachings accurately and effectively.

It also highlights how the Gospel of Matthew demonstrates that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies, thus asserting his divine mission and identity as the Messiah, which should inspire and direct Christian efforts in sharing the Gospel.