Sermon Notes

Navigating Life’s Journey | Psalm 120
Pastor Terry Wilcox | September 27, 2026

Background: Songs and poems shared by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem: “Meshek was far north near Black Sea (a distant land); Kedar refers to an infamously barbaric Bedouin tribe in the south (hostility).

Everyone navigating life needs help. Proverbs 15:30-31;, Ephesians 4:29

Pilgrims 2,500 years ago on a journey up the mountains surrounding Jerusalem to worship God at the Temple navigated obstacles, as do Christians today. (I Corinthians 3:16)

Psalm 120 is not a happy song, but honest and necessary.

One of the biggest questions of our day: Am I being lied to?

The Psalmist is crying for truth. Psalm 120:2; Ephesians 4:18-19
Lying is costly. Psalm 120:3-4
Ephesians 4:22-24
Our help won’t come from the secular world. Psalm 120:5-6
Psalm 121:1-2
Hebrews 13:6
The way out is to repent.
John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, and John all proclaimed the same message.

Personal Notes

Paid In Full | John 19:30, Colossians 2:13-16
Pastor Terry Wilcox | September 20, 2026

Jesus uses the Greek word, tetelestai (only place in N.T.). It is in the perfect tense, meaning completed in the past, but has ongoing .

Paul uses this language in Colossians 2:13–15 to explain that Jesus has paid our sin-debt in full.

There is a record.
Colossians 2:14

We owe a moral debt to God that we can’t pay.
God canceled or the charges.
Colossians 2:14

Ancient ink had no acid content, so it did not bite into the papyrus or parchment.
God nailed our IOU to the cross.
Colossians 2:14

Roman law required crucified criminals to have their charges listed on a sign nailed to their cross.
Jesus’ atoning death disarms .
Colossians 2:15

He has no legal right to condemn you.
Because of Jesus we go from a courtroom to a .
Colossians 2:15
No human or demon has legal authority to place you.
Colossians 2:16

Personal Notes

Four Sobering Certanties | Hebrews 9:27-28
Pastor Jon Betz | September 13, 2026

If any man would think 10 minutes a day on this world and the one to come…

Life
Short at its longest/given to us by God
Death
Sure, sometimes sudden, always a separation.
Separation of body, soul, spirit.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Judgement
For all men.
1. Calvary – Romans 8:1
2. Great white throne – Revelation 20:11-15
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Eternity
Isaiah 33:15b

Personal Notes

Paid In Full | John 19:30, Colossians 2:13-16
Pastor Terry Wilcox | September 20, 2026

Jesus uses the Greek word, tetelestai (only place in N.T.).

It is in the perfect tense, meaning completed in the past, but has ongoing .

Paul uses this language in Colossians 2:13 to explain that Jesus has paid our sin-debt in full.

There is a record.
Colossians 2:14

We owe a moral debt to God that we can‚Äôt pay.
God canceled or the charges.
Colossians 2:14

Ancient ink had no acid content, so it did not bite into the papyrus or parchment.
God nailed our I.O.U. to the cross.
Colossians 2:14

Roman law required crucified criminals to have their charges listed on a sign nailed to their cross.
Jesus’ atoning death disarms .
Colossians 2:15

He has no legal right to condemn you.
Because of Jesus, we go from a courtroom to a .
Colossians 2:15
No human or demon has legal authority to place you.
Colossians 2:16

Personal Notes

Empty Nets, Overflowing Grace | Luke 5:1-11
Pastor Terry Wilcox | August 30, 2026

Keep in mind: A carpenter/preacher is instructing professional fishermen.

Jesus’ ministry attracted people. v.1-3
a. Being like him is to focus on the Bible.
Peter proclaims this priority in John 6:68.
b. If our work doesn’t include Jesus, it is fruitless.
John 15:5
His directions often come when we are tired.
a. He told them to try something different.
Jesus often challenged human logic.
John 9:6-7
b. The method, place, and equipment were theirs, but the timing was his.
Remember Lazarus’ death?
Simon was willing to try because of Jesus. v.5
a. His faith moved him beyond exhaustion and experience.
Luke 18:27
b. When our planning fails, success results from following God’s Word. “At your word, I will…”
They didn’t expect the response and needed help. v.6-7
a. God’s blessings are meant to be shared.
John 6:12-13
b. God’s Kingdom work requires community and partnership. Mark 6:7
Simon, James, and John leave everything to follow Jesus. v.8-11
a. Real encounter with Jesus exposes our need for grace and removes our fear.
John 21:3
b. Full commitment always means leaving something behind.
Matthew 4:19-20

Personal Notes

Dealing With Distraction | Nehemiah 6:1-16
Pastor Terry Wilcox | August 23, 2026

Like us, Nehemiah had an assignment from God.
Ephesians 2:8-10, Matthew 28:19-20

Staying focused.
Nehemiah 6:1-4
Ono is a beautiful region about 24 miles north of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 6:1-2 – They were enemies with plans to him.
Nehemiah 6:3 – Whatever God leads you to do is a
The Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2 says to be .
When confronted with “an Ono invitation,” refuse to negotiate your calling.
Stand firm against false accusations.
Nehemiah 6:5-9
Would you agree that the of God’s Word is incredible?
I Peter 3:15-16
Don’t internalize or spread . Pray for strength.
false spiritual guidance.
Nehemiah 6:10-14
Shemaiah’s plan was . Numbers 3:10, 18:7
“…should a man like me…?” Was it boasting or ?
Spiritual discernment is by the .
I John 4:1
Trust God for completion.
Nehemiah 6:15-16
Philippians 1:6
Our specific “walls” may be different: marriage, family, career, or ministry; however, each one of us can trust that the power of God will bring it to completion despite external opposition.

Personal Notes

Greed Imprisons People
Key Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1–13

The wall building stopped as Nehemiah addressed three complaints fueled by greed.

Hunger (Nehemiah 5:3)
- More workers = more or less .
- A regional .
- Nehemiah “consulted.” (Nehemiah 5:7)
Taxes (Nehemiah 5:4)
- King Artaxerxes controlled a vast empire with a vast .
Usury, interest (Nehemiah 5:5; Deuteronomy 23:19–20)
- God chose a childless couple to develop a nation of people through whom He would reveal a way to live successfully and be restored to relationship with God. (Leviticus 25:35–40)

Nehemiah’s solution works today:

Take time to and . (Nehemiah 5:7)
Talk to those . (Nehemiah 5:7–9)
Exercise your ability to . (Nehemiah 5:10)
Declare your repentance with a to God. (Nehemiah 5:12)

A tragic shipwreck at Cleveland Harbor on Lake Erie inspired P. P. Bliss to write “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy.”

Personal Notes

How You Can Succeed
Pastor Terry Wilcox | Nehemiah 4:1-23

Opposition to God’s work is a . Nehemiah 4:1-3
It will come from both . Nehemiah 4-6
How not to pray? Nehemiah 4:4-6
Like in Psalm 21, Nehemiah prayed in a hostile manner. Scripture often illustrates rather than .
The illustration is that the leaders pray. However, how we are to pray is taught by .
Pray .
What does “with all your heart” mean to you? Nehemiah 4:6
Enemies are when we succeed. Nehemiah 4:7
Enemies work to God’s work. Nehemiah 4:11
Pray AND . Nehemiah 4:12-22
Learn to balance the spiritual and the .
God’s work is often done through .
To fail to take the enemy seriously is a path to . Nehemiah 4:23
is one of Satan’s often-used tools.
To which voice are you listening?
Nehemiah 4:13 tells of the exposed places. What are yours?

Don’t go it !

Personal Notes

A Woman Jesus Commended
Rev. Gary Gilpin | Luke 21:1-4 & Mark 12:41-44

Luke 21:1-4
Mark 12:41-44

Nothing is hidden from God’s eyes – Matthew 10:29-30
Things we know about this poor widow
Lessons from the poor widow’s faith

Personal Notes

“Next To…”
Pastor Terry Wilcox | Nehemiah 3:1-32

It’s tempting to skip this chapter which details who built which parts of the wall. However, this chapter tells us how God in our and lives.

This list is strikingly .
Not everyone “put their neck to the service of…” – Nehemiah 3:5
The work of God happens when the people of God .

Questions for self

How much of my time, money, and effort do I spend on…?
Am I willing to work others?
How do I know where to ?
*Pray *Look *Consult *Willingly *Follow your

Personal Notes