Richmond Community Church

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:45 — 23.2MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 3:16-21

Heading Toward Pentecost
The Unstoppable Church
Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 3:16-21

It has been said that the fundamental crisis of the first century church was how to deal with the departure of her leader.

Somebody said that these first verses of Acts are kind of like the time between lightning and thunder.

The Holy Spirit, Jesus said, would guide the church into all truth, would provide direction for the work that Jesus wanted done.

I have noticed that we Christians are some of the best excuse makers in the world when it comes to not witnessing.

We don’t experience the power of God in our lives because we are afraid of where He might lead us.

God is in charge of history. History is his story, and He determines the course of it.

The choice is yours and it is mine. Will we follow His direction? Will we accept His power? Will we live our lives motivated by hope?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:28 — 15.4MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10-14

Heading Toward Pentecost
I Will Sing of My Redeemer
Galatians 3:10-14

The setting for the Book of Ruth begins in the heathen country of Moab, a region northeast of the Dead Sea, but then moves to Bethlehem.

Boaz doesn’t know it yet, but he’s about to become her kinsman-redeemer, too.

I think they also miss one of the major aspects of the story. They miss the point that she needed a redeemer.

Jesus is our Redeemer. He’s the one who paid the price to buy us back from slavery.

Because we have a Redeemer, we are forgiven. The mistakes and failures of the past have been forgiven.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:18 — 16.7MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Exodus 19:1-19, Acts 2:1-4

Heading Toward Pentecost
Fire Inside
Exodus 19:1-19, Acts 2:1-4

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:26 — 15.4MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Exodus 23:14-17, Acts 1:12-14, Acts 2:1-4

Heading Toward Pentecost
Firstfruits
Exodus 23:14-17, Acts 1:12-14, Acts 2:1-4

This week I want to look at the agricultural significance of Pentecost.

The Jews were the method that God would use to bless the world. They were His firstfruits.

How much better will eternity be when life’s pain is over, and we still have the Spirit?

As New Testament Christians, we don’t just bring offerings–we are the offerings.

“The world says, The more you take, the more you have. Christ says, The more you give, the more you are.”

Your heart is what matters most in life, so that’s what Satan wants to steal the most.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:30 — 14.1MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 2:1-36, Genesis 11:1-9

Heading Toward Pentecost
God Uses Reverse
Acts 2:1-36, Genesis 11:1-9

The theme, the essence, the meaning of the Acts 2 Pentecost was that God was doing something new.

So, you can see that even though we have one language called English, things can be very different, and so be confusing to one another.

It was God responding to the arrogance and pride of people wanting to be as great as Him.

Babel showed a spirit of arrogance. Pentecost showed a spirit of humility.

It shows that even though God doesn’t always erase the mistakes of the past, it shows that He can work despite them. You are not a slave to your past!

You know, we try to change our lives and clean them up. But God has bigger plans.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:12 — 16.6MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 2:1-13

Heading Toward Pentecost
A Good Heart These Days Is Hard To Find
Acts 2:1-13

What we need is transformation. We need less of the “have-to”, and more of the “want-to”.

The giving of the Law meant that the nation was ready to grow up and be productive.

That is, the Law, all the commandments given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai really did nothing to set us free.

For the person who has truly met Christ, Pentecost means that our hearts are changed.

He gives us a new heart. And He lives there in that good heart.

It means freedom and joy and hope and peace and intimacy with God.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:53 — 13.7MB)

Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Acts 2:1-13

Heading Toward Pentecost
We Are Not Alone
Acts 2:1-13

What a difference! News of defeat turned to news of triumph.

I would like to spend the next few weeks looking at this passage of Scripture. There is much that can be said about Pentecost.

Pentecost was one of 3 pilgrim festivals–that is, when all Jewish men were required to travel to Jerusalem with sacrifices and offerings.

Christianity is really about God coming to us.

We know we don’t belong here, and we won’t be here long either. But we are meant to come faithfully to find God.