Sermons on Ann Wilson:

The Name We Claim Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 10, 2009

Early believers were able to face opposition and tribulation because they focused upon their identity, following Jesus. What is our identity?

Sometimes, we get suckered in by the idea that identity and relationship are not important. We buy into Shakespeare’s rhetorical question and answer from Act II, Scene II of Romeo and Juliet: What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

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The Gold Standard Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 10, 2009

God doesn’t merely want to meet our expectations, God wants to raise our standards.

The Gold Standard I want to apologize if what I’m about to share is repetitious. I think my opening illustration was shared with me by our friend and Chairman of Deacons, Robert Johnson, a few months ago, but I’m not positive. Anyway, in 1900, a company called the Detroit Automobile Company ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-16

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Moose Dislodged Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 10, 2009

It is incredibly encouraging to realize that God hears and reacts to everything we experience. We are not alone!

I don’t know if the television station was local to Chicago or one of the national news networks, but I can’t forget what I saw. It wasn’t my television. I was just walking by, but I can’t get the image out of my mind. A large moose had fallen through thin ice and was freezing to death because its ...read more

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A Great Service Needed Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 11, 2009

The call of Moses demonstrates that even when God calls us, it’s not about us but about what God can do.

There used to be a cliché of a scene in many spy movies, science-fiction films, and thrillers. The scene would feature some mysterious person (or sometimes, even the protagonist) removing their dark glasses or doffing their hat and saying something like: “I know this is going to sound strange, but ...read more

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When Theology Gets Personal Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

For Hosea, theology wasn’t merely theoretical, it was life-changing. So should it be for you and me.

When John Claypool was pastor of Crescent Heights Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, he underwent significant personal tragedy—including having a beloved daughter diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout the turmoil and torture of losing his, as I recall, 10-year-old daughter, Claypool kept his ...read more

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Like Priest, Like People Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

If Israel’s priests were accountable for Israel’s ignorance and wickedness, what does that mean for all believers as priests and pastors in particular?

[Note: I felt led to preach this sermon during the period leading up to Christmas.] Today is the beginning of the Advent season in churches that follow the ecclesiastical calendar. It celebrates the past, present, and future of God’s coming into the world. In fact, “advent” originates in the Latin ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-19

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Sue Your Own Mother! Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

Our relationship with God can require a strained relationship with others when we take sin seriously and need to avoid it.

I was watching an old movie on television and I heard a line that I’d missed before. The villain of this comedy was talking on the phone and said something like: “Sure, I know what kind of low-down person would sue his own mother, but we’re not talking about me!” It caught me off-guard and I had ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 2:2-23

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Moses' Rap

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

Moses used poetry and music to challenge Israel to remain faithful to God’s covenant.

You can hardly go to a sporting event without hearing the pounding beat—Boom, boom, BOOM! Boom, boom, BOOM! We shall, we shall ROCK you!” When I was younger, many of my favorite radio and television programs were sponsored by a company that guaranteed to make you as safe as the Rock of Gibraltar. ...read more

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Bridegroom Of Blood Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 13, 2009

Being "in" the Will of God doesn’t necessarily mean that we aren’t distracted by human concerns and relationships.

Personally, I have a lot of trouble with the theological term, “the permissive will of God.” We usually apply it whenever someone has done something wrong or merely made a foolish, but not deliberate, choice and then, God makes something good out of the human mess. My problem with the term is that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:18-26

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To The Rescue Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 13, 2009

Hosea didn’t merely redeem Gomer with "cheap grace," but established a plan for "sanctification," as well.

My wife enjoys watching movies over and over again. She’s the perfect target market for DVDs because, if she is really into a movie, she’s willing to watch that movie several times over a short period of time. I’m different. I like to watch a film and then, I won’t want to watch it again for a ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-5

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Praying Together Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 15, 2009

This event in the life of the early church gives us guidance in how to pray with power.

As I’ve probably shared with you once before, I was tremendously challenged by a conversational exchange in a short-lived situation comedy. It was a comedy where the late Danny Thomas played a doctor. There was a scene in “The Practice” where a nurse overhears Thomas’ character praying. When she ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:26-31

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When We Are Called To Those Who Are Hostile

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 15, 2009

After being abused and accused by his fellow Jews, Jeremiah’s counsel was sought and ignored. Modern believers need to take note.

If I hadn’t had a similar, though less lethal, experience, I probably wouldn’t relate to that scene in “The Godfather” where the old Mafioso tells the young boss how the traitor would try to kill him after his death. With me, we were in a nice restaurant in San Francisco (my executive editor and I) ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 37:13-21

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Not About The Money Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 16, 2009

The deaths of two early church members may seem to "about the money," but that isn’t the whole story. See modern church problems in a new light.

There is a bit of folk wisdom that goes something like this: “Whenever you hear someone say that ‘It’s not about the money,” it usually is.” But this morning, I want to share from a passage that is almost always focused on the money and probably should not be. I don’t believe the Holy Spirit ...read more

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Torah-Torah-Torah

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 27, 2009

Israel’s "Shema" is not only an exhortation for Jews to make God’s teaching an integral part of their lives, but it serves as a good reminder for Christians to internalize the Word as opposed to merely using it for "adornment."

I think I lasted three practices with the freshman high school basketball team. What good is a 4’ 10” guard with limited vertical leap, so-so jump shot skills, and only a slightly above-average ability to steal the ball? But I well remember those three practices. We would change into gym clothes ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

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Does Not Ask For Much--Does He? Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 27, 2009

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians serves as a terrific model for praying for each other (and our churches, in general).

Just for fun, let’s start with a trick question today. How many letters to the Ephesians are there in the New Testament? Well, I said it was a trick question. There are at least two. There is one that we’ll be looking at this morning and there is one in Revelation 2. You see, Ephesus was an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

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